[A/N: *apologizes intensely for wait*]
The howling of wind. The steady rhythm of rain. The rolling thunder in the distance. The chatter amongst the students.
This is what is to be heard on the hotel's rooftop.
About fifteen minutes since the odd voice's announcement had passed. Most of the students had obeyed the orders, and now stood on the building. The tension in the air was thick enough a knife would have an easy time cutting right through. In an attempt to rid of it, they had been talking, trying to convince both themselves, and others, that it'll all be alright.
"Well, looks like almost everyone's here, guys!" Bert exclaimed. "It'll be okay! Just Bert-lie—"
"Can you please shut the hell up?" an apathetic girl sitting in a wheelchair asks, bitterly.
"Wha—" Bert stops in his tracks, shocked. His eyes widen. "Excuse me!? I am trying to raise everyone's spirits—"
"Bert, listen to her." Nicholas orders, rolling his eyes.
"You too!?" Bert swiftly turns to Nicholas, a hurt look in his eyes.
Eventually, the last few students arrive. They chat back and forth, as the group awaits further events.
It's not long before it all starts.
"Aww, y'all actually came!"
The childlike voice from the announcement moments before echoes through the city, sounding way too close for comfort. Everyone turns to the voice, and standing on top of a helipad a distance away, was the source. The seventeen students rush to stand before it.
A toy teddy bear—What the hell?, Nicholas thought—was seen standing at about three feet tall in the center. It had a monochrome color scheme, with an evil red eye on the black half, and a normal black bead on the white side. Nicholas can't shake the feeling that he seen this bear before. There was something about it that rubbed him the wrong way, but he can't exactly put his finger on it. Figuring he has worse problems, he tries to just shrug it off. He has a hard time doing so.
"Wait, what?" a girl in a lime green ski jacket says, baffled. "A bear?"
"Monokuma, to be exact!" the bear says, raising a claw into the air as he introduces himself. "Y'see, children, it's Monokuma because I'm half black, half white, and—"
"You're the bear from that statue." Nicholas suddenly cuts him off, realizing where he saw the bear before. And yet, he didn't find satisfaction in this. Surely enough, aside from the color, it had to have been the same bear. The eyes were the determining factor. But, no, no, that's not it, there's more to this bear.
There's more to this bear.
"Wow, great observation!" Monokuma says, clapping with his tiny little robotic paws as he turns to the officer, "You shoulda been a detective rather than friggin' Special Unit."
"How the hell do you know I'm in Special Unit?" Nicholas raises a brow, worried. He steps back, no one's supposed to know that, what the fuck?
"You think I went through all the time to get y'all together and didn't bother puttin' at least a littleresearch inta who I'm kidnappin'?" Monokuma replies, with a knowing grin. A few malicious snickers escape his robotic mouth.
A few people visibly flinch at this. Hoshiko, right next to Nicholas bites her lip, he notices. Tennoyama choked, furrowing her eyebrows.
"What do you mean research!?" she exclaims, nails digging into her flesh as her hands instinctively curl into fists. Her missing ring finger could easily be seen.
"Research. I know what y'all did." Monokuma says, ever so simply. He crosses his arms over his chest, puffing it out.
Tennoyama goes absolutely silent, not another word escaping her mouth.
"Shall I get to the point, now?" Monokuma asks.
It's mostly quiet. No one dares to say a word. Fear was beginning to instill itself inside the students, thanks to uncertainty of the situation about to begin. Humans are afraid of what they don't know.
"Uuu… y'all are scared, I can feel it," Monokuma giggles.
"Get on with it." Nicholas glares.
"Please, do…" Seymour says, a notepad and pen in hand. He watches Monokuma closely, ready to start scribbling down words as soon as he starts talking.
"Y'all are about to play a little game of mine. As you should know by now, you've been kidnapped." Most of the students just couldn't shake the chills running through their body at this statement, nor the thoughts of "Oh, shit."
"It ain't just a little thing for ransom, no no no. I want you to find a way to escape on your own. I've set up some rules for you."
It's then the students hear a steady rhythm in the sky that wasn't the rain. It sounded an awful lot like the chopping of a helicopter's blades. With a sudden burst of air hitting the rooftop, they turn to the source of the sound, bewildered, confirming their initial thoughts.
"Is that a helicopter!?" Bert exclaims, with widened eyes. He points at it with a shaky arm.
Much to the shock of the rooftop's residents, a black helicopter with the front painted to look like the open mouth of a shark flew just above. The window was tinted so not to show the pilot. Underneath, a large box wrapped like a Christmas gift was tied. It drops, and as if nothing even happened, the chopper turns away.
"Hey!" Seymour shouts, as loud as his vocal chords would let him, trying to overpower the helicopter's engine, and blades. "Come back! Come back, hey, get us out of here!"
Everyone began yelling.
"Come back!"
"Where are you going!?"
"Who are you!?"
"We're still here!"
"Help!"
But, alas, the students' requests were to no avail. The mysterious vehicle flew off and disappeared behind a taller building.
And now, a box in colorful wrapping rested in the middle of the helipad. The students are absolutely silent, still processing whatever just happened.
"Figured I'd drop us a little care package," Monokuma says nonchalantly, walking up to it. "Would help us out a little." Sharp blades pop out of the robotic bear's claws, as he begins swiping at the wrapping wildly, tearing it apart, even cutting open the cardboard underneath. Revealed inside the mystery box was a pile of electronic devices, each with a few words marked on the back. Monokuma called everyone up to take one, and so they did, finding that the words weren't just words, but rather their names. It looked a lot like a smartphone, and just under their names, is the shield of Hope's Peak Academy. They had heard of these; aren't they called ElectroIDs? Under the devices were a pile of cardkeys, with a name marked on each one. Each of the teenagers picked up both an ElectroID and a cardkey.
They were ordered to power the devices, and so the students did, using the power button just below the screen. For a moment, their name and talent appeared. It changed into a screen with many different options, but each had a line striking through it, implying they couldn't be chosen. However, one was lit up, lacking a line.
ESCAPE
"Press the Escape button, please." Monokuma says. A keypad appears upon tapping it, using the touch screen. "This is your way of escape, children. Throughout your stay, you'll be given hints to three different riddles. Upon finding the correct answer, each of you must enter it. And if you win? One final riddle awaits. You can then escape, all together."
"And what's the catch?" Seymour asks, convinced something behind the scenes is occurring.
"I like this kid." Monokuma grins. "I won't just give you hints to the riddles."
"Pray tell, little bear, how do you expect us to achieve the answers to these, riddles?" a girl asks. She did her best to glare intimidatingly at Monokuma, but considering the fact that there was an eyepatch covering her left eye, it was a challenge.
"Upupu. Have any of you ever killed a man? Cuz, well, you're about to."
A round of shocked gasps rings out from the crowd. They all look at each other, confused beyond belief.
"In order for me to give you the hints necessary, you will have to murder another student."
The bear spoke ever so calmly. Like it was just another day.
"H- Hold on, what!?" the girl in the green jacket exclaims, eyes widening. Her body trembles in horror. The crowd explodes into uproarious objection, but the toy just continues.
"You will be given the tools necessary. Knives in the cafeteria, guns from the gun shop, chainsaws in the hardware stores, cars in the parking lots, surgical tools in the hospitals…"
"Wh- what the hell are you talking about!?" Hikari exclaims. She steps towards Monokuma, hands balled into solid fists. "Who the fuck are you, even!?"
"Of course, it has to be the perfect kill." Monokuma continues, ignoring the girl. "You have to get away with it. Rules are, you can kill up to two people, but otherwise, go nuts."
Nicholas steps away from everybody. As the bear spoke, pain began to strike through his head, symptoms of a migraine showing. Rubbing his temples with his left thumb and middle finger, he tries to rid himself of the pain. His mind was going a million thoughts per minute, as something about all of this felt extremely, extremely wrong. And yet right. Familiar? Would that be the word? Nicholas supposed so, but how? He hadn't seen this bear in his life.
Right?
For a split second, Nicholas' thoughts would drift to an old name he heard once before. But, what does she have to do with this? Nothing, right…?
"Have fun, boys and girls. You're dismissed."
The entire situation was rather displeasing. And complicated. Riddles? Murder? Unfortunate. Being the Ultimate Pacifist, Annie Meritua wouldn't be the biggest fan of her circumstances.
After the events on the rooftop, the students broke off and did their own thing. Some were seen still in groups, but for the most part, everyone was alone. Like Annie. She'd probably patrol the streets later, though. The girl knew that each of the students wouldn't just get along, especially now, and she was there to keep the peace.
Keep the peace, Annie.
In Annie's hands were the items Monokuma gave out. She already used the key, finding that it let her unlock and lock a door in the hotel with her name on it. Supposedly, this was her room to stay. At least the bear gave everyone a bed to sleep in. It was quite the fancy room, too. The first thing Annie had noticed was a comfy king-sized bed taking up most of the room, first seen to the left of the door. A huge white blanket covered the mattress of the same color, with four black pillows—two on both sides—and a little plushie of the students' captor sitting cutely in front of them. On the wooden headboard behind the pillows, there were two lamps sticking out, a dim light from each illuminating the room. A lighter-colored wood nightstand was on the bed's right, while on its left was a walk in closet, extending to the end of the bed. But, you could walk around the outside of the closet, leading to a hallway with two doors. One at the very end was locked, while the door on the right wall led to a bathroom. On that very same wall was a large window, showing the new city outside, now full of lights, with little rain quietly hitting the window. Opposite of the bed there was a chair and desk, all wood. Each wall was colored cream.
Annie stood at the window, looking outside. The storm had quieted way down, becoming nothing but a quiet fall of rain. Somewhat of a chilly draft came through the closed glass, but it was rather nice. She couldn't help but stop, thinking of what her life would be like now. Is it true? This whole game? Stuck with no way out except to kill her colleagues? That can't be right. It's a city. That can't be the only way out. They must be able to make it to an airport, or something, right?
Her lips curve into a frown at the thought.
"Wouldn't eat that, if I were you." Seymour West warns. Him and some others had been looking around the hotel, stopping at a food court. The journalist was half watching the others, and half watching a video from his camera.
"We've been here for hours, though!" another male student complains. He presses his face to a display case, delicious foods being held inside. "I'm starving…" His name was Hibiki Yukata.
-HIBIKI YUKATA-
ULTIMATE HAIRDRESSER
Hibiki had a slim, tall build. His hair came down to his ears, and was both each of its many layers were dyed, giving off the illusion of it being a light brown on top, and getting darker underneath. His eyes were a simple hazel color. The hairdresser wore a pair of skinny, light grey jeans, accompanied with a dark blue long sleeved shirt under an oversized purple jacket. Said jacket had white sleeves.
"You really wanna risk that?" Seymour chuckles. "Could be poisonous. Actually—I'm curious, try it for us."
"I'm sure it's perfectly fine. The bear clearly wants us to stay a long time; and I don't think that's going to happen without proper nutrition." a girl murmurs. She stood behind Seymour, watching from his camera as well—her name was Ryoko Tsukatani.
-RYOKO TSUKATANI-
ULTIMATE POETESS
A petite figure with a light complexion, with slender limbs. Only one of her eyes are visible—a yellow orb—the other is covered by a white eyepatch. Her black hair is medium length, styled in two twintails resting on her shoulders. Her clothing consists of a red fringed scarf over a white blouse, black jeans, and a pair of boots of the same shade.
The two had been watching videos of the events just moments ago. Seymour had recorded it all, making sure to get good shots of Monokuma. He had expressed interest in documenting his stay in the city, "I'm gonna be a damned millionaire after this story" he had said.
"Too bad we don't have some sort of Ultimate Food Inspector or something," Seymour mutters.
"Well, *munch*, I don't think- *munch*, we'll need one." Hibiki responds, broken up by the sounds of teeth chomping down on something. Looking over, a sandwich missing a bite was in the male's hands.
"How'd you even open it?" the fourth, and final student of the food court group asks, referring to the display case. She was the Ultimate Alpine Skier, Rina Takahashi.
-RINA TAKAHASHI-
ULTIMATE ALPINE SKIER
A girl of average height with a skinny figure, though with a bit of muscle. Her dark brown hair is layered, and choppy, coming down just past her shoulders. Bangs rest over her forehead. For clothes, she has black leggings under black half snow pants, and a green jacket over a white undershirt. She wears brown ski boots.
"Uuh… there was a little switch on the side," Hibiki explains, finishing his bite. "Food tastes fine, Mr. Ultimate Paranoia."
"Lemme know in the morning." Seymour replies, switching his full attention toward his camera.
Rina walks over to Seymour and Ryoko, noticing their concentration. "So, wait, what is this again?" she asks, curiously.
"I recorded everything since when that Monokuma showed up. To prove it all really happened, the day we escape, and for one hell of a story." Seymour says.
"One hell of a story?" Rina then asks. Hibiki joins the group at this point.
"I'm a journalist."
"Oh! Wait, what's your name?"
"Seymour."
"What do you write about?"
"Things."
"Like what?"
"You ask a lotta questions, don't you?" Seymour raises a brow, turning to Rina. "I don't know jack about you, what's your name?"
"U-uh… sorry, it's Rina." the skier introduces herself, sheepishly. "I'm the Ultimate Alpine Skier."
"Sorry." It's then Seymour's turn to apologize. "Nice to meet you." Rina agrees.
"Aww." Hibiki snickers, teasingly.
"Oh dear god." Seymour sighs, heavily.
"What are you trying to imply, Hibiki? Do you think love could bloom out of just a few sentences?" Ryoko asks, confused.
"What? That's how it starts!" Hibiki defends, half-jokingly.
"Guys!" Rina exclaims, blood rushing to her face. Finding the others to be of no help to his personal investigation, Seymour promptly walks out, putting the camera in his satchel he carried.
While one could argue Rina and Seymour weren't having quite a fun time, Nicholas was suffering a worse fate. He made his way to his room, staring himself in the bathroom mirror, watching the sweat roll down his face, bottle of painkillers from the cabinet in hand. His headache from earlier had only intensified further, feeling as if it were to rip his brain apart. And the only thing he could think of during the whole headache was a single name.
Monokuma.
It's almost fact, now. Nicholas is convinced. Monokuma is a known name, a criminal. He remembers a case, an extremely important case—about what, he doesn't know. But he gets the same heartache thinking about it as he does Monokuma. How could I forget a case? I remember each one. he thinks, trying so hard to force himself to remember. And nothing comes to him. This absolute feeling of emptiness, unsure of his own memories, the pain he feels whenever he thinks of Monokuma, there was a name for it all, and the word struck deeply in Nicholas' mind.
Despair. He was feeling despair.
Elsewhere, sleep wouldn't come easy. It wasn't likely there would be any sleep that night at all. In the middle of seemingly nowhere, a military camp stands in a blanket of snow. Futuristic technology could be seen from miles, or perhaps from the forest of pine trees nearby. The front gates had two words on them:
CAMP HOPE
One of the buildings inside Camp Hope was dedicated to communications. Dozens of computer experts sat behind monitors, leaning in and typing at rapid speeds. With members running to and fro, and the loud shouts of codes and important information being sent to one another, clearly there was a situation.
The communications rooms were formatted just as you'd expect. A dimly lit room with a large screen up front, and rows of computers, each one occupied. An older gentleman with greying hair and at least a dozen medals plus an American flag attached to his olive green peacoat stood before the members of the room. One of said members was locked into a conversation with him.
"General, it's going to take us some time," the young man said, beads of sweat rolling down his forehead. "Please, I'm sorry—"
"She's a menace, Grant!" the General shouts. "We don't have time. Keep searching, you know what she's capable of. It's been long enough without her being in our custody."
"I know, sir, just, after everything that's happened, our tech isn't really up to date…" Grant trails off, loosening his already hanging tie.
"Just do what you can. We exist for one reason, and one reason only, Grant." the General mutters.
"To do what the Future Foundation can't…" Grant nods.
"Exactly. We must prevent as many mutual killing games as we can. Keep. Searching."
[A/N: I told you guys it'd take 10 years don't kill me. This probably didn't need to be so long lol. I'm just gonna go reply to reviews now.
Yellow Rose: lazy (thank you tho)
ApexUtopia: Ryoko got like two more lines hahahaha ty
ProfessionalCatFan: Thanks for the criticism, fixed all that.
CaptainQuackin: Hikaru is fun thankss
BillyBioBob: the decade is finally over sry about that
IfTimeWasStill: Thanks. Hopefully I'm doing character introductions like realistically, that's what I'm going for
PSISomething: HAH it is realistic thank you again sir future installments won't be for a while tho whoops
Forsaken Namesake: YOU GOTTA BERT-LIEVE
ok that's enough now bye seeya in 50 years or so]
