UPUPUPU Yay! You guys are awesome! Thanks for the good reception! So happy! *spazzes out* *faints*
*Revives*
Phew, that was close. I almost had to get a clone to replace me-uh, I mean, um...what?
"We should get back to the problem at hand. Now is not the time to go around smiling and making friends." Byakuya says, glaring at everyone.
"Ah, that's right. Someone mentioned this before; what's up with this situation? What's the meaning of all this?" Makoto inquires, frowning.
"Er, this is...It's just like you said... I came here and suddenly fell asleep. It looks like we're all in the same boat..." Sayaka said, nervously looking at the floor. She exchanged looks with Mukuro, or Junko, or whoever she was.
"Eh?! Everyone?!" Makoto says, seeming shocked.
He seems surprised. He must have woken up somewhere else.
"It was just after I entered the front hall. Suddenly I lost my consciousness, y'see. And then I found myself sleeping inside the school! That's what happened to you too, right?" Leon asked.
"B...but, isn't it strange? Everyone collapsing like that..." Makoto mused; bring a hand up to his mouth.
"How could this happen? All of us just pass out like that for no reason, then we just wake up here…"
I don't know, Makoto. I don't know at all.
"That's why we're so fucking stumped!" Yelled Mondo angrily. Sayaka flinched at his scream.
Taka frowned, not noticing the usage of the curse. "The strangest thing isn't the collective fainting, though. Did you all see the windows in the classrooms and corridors? Everything is boarded up with steel plates. What is that supposed to mean!?"
"Also, where did my luggage disappear to? I can't find my cell phone, too..." Mused Junko, Mukuro, whatever…
"Now that you mention it, my PDA is also gone..." Said Chihiro meekly.
"Weirdest of all is this very entrance hall! It looks like the entrance is blocked by this strange steel bulkhead... I don't think it was around when I entered the school. Someone tell me! What is going on here?!" Yelled Taka with anger and confusion. There were thoughts of all purple and red everywhere, Sayaka noted. She contemplated reading them, but decided against it, she needed to focus on what was at hand.
"Maybe... we got mixed up in some kind of criminal activity?" Mukuro or Junko said, sweating nervously.
"Like... a kidnapping? You're sayin' we've all been dragged away from the academy and taken somewhere?" Leon asked, nervous, sweating.
"Hey, don't be so grim, 'right? This is probably just some kind of orientation the school is making us go through. I think I'll just go ahead and take a quick nap until it's all over." Hiro said. Despite the act of his ease, his thoughts said otherwise.
"…Maybe if I act fine, they will act fine. "
Perhaps Hiro was smarter than he appeared…
"...that's probably it. It's just a plan to surprise us as we start school, isn't it?" Chihiro said, blushing and looking relieved.
"Is that all this is? In that case, can I also take a little nap? I didn't get much sleep last night, actually. I'm feeling a bit drowsy..." Leon said, sheepish, calming down. Sayaka breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe she could talk to Mukuro now-
DING DONG BING BONG
What the hell?!
"Aaaa- Aaaa- Mike test, mike test! This is an announcement! Is this thing on? They can hear me, right? Ehh... in any case...Ehh... All new students. We want to start this year's entrance ceremony, so please gather at the gymnasium as soon as possible. And with that, I welcome you all!" a voice said on the intercom. A faint outline was on the TV. Sayaka tilted her head to the side in confusion. The voice was high pitched, easy-going, friendly, and ever so slightly…well, creepy.
"What...? What was that, just now...?" Mukuro, Junko, (dammit, who is she) said, nervously sweating again, bringing a hand to her face.
"I'm going on ahead." Byakuya said curtly. Sayaka opened her mouth in surprise.
"H...hey, wait! Why are you leaving so quickly?" Mukuro said, worried.
"A ceremony. I see, it's like that... That was just part of our entrance ceremony, 'right? They're so funny! Seriously, so funny! So, I'm going too. Can't wait to find out what they come up with next..." Hiro mused.
"I wanna find out what this is." Hiro wasn't so casual, was he?
"And just when I thought I was going to get a nap... Seriously." Leon grumbled.
"Hey, wait, let's go together!" Chihrio said, his face changing to a look of fear.
"Excuse me, I shall be going as well." Celestia said, smiling.
"You probably won't even notice, but I'm coming too!" Toko muttered, then all of them, as well as a few others, left. Sayaka stayed behind, scared.
What's going on? What's happening?
"Is it... really all right?" She said, bringing a hand to her mouth, looking at the ground.
"That announcement just now, it was weirdly scary, wasn't it?" Mukuro shared her concerns.
"We can't expect to escape danger just by staying here, though. Besides, aren't you intrigued? Don't you want to know what's happening to us right now?" Kyoko asked simply.
"If we do not go forth we shall never know. Therefore, we must go." Sakura said, calmly.
"The gymnasium, was it?" Makoto asked. Sayaka nodded to him. She then left the room with Mukuro.
Would now be a good time to talk to her? No, not enough time. Maybe I'll just peek in her head.
"According to plan. Junko will announce the rules for the killing, and that should be it."
"KILLING?!" Sayaka burst out in shock.
"Wha-what? Killing?" Mukuro bluffed.
"What do you mean, killing?" Sayaka hissed to the girl. Mukuro paused, worried. Then she ran.
"Mu-Junko! Stop!" Sayaka yelled, chasing after the girl. But the girl had made it to the lobby of the gym, and there was no way a private conversation could be held now. She paused at the entrance to the lobby, bending over and catching her breath. She then composed herself and walked in. Shortly after, Makoto arrived.
"Y'know, I didn't think Hope's Peak Academy would be such a depressing place... Somehow, it feels just like this prison I was locked in that time. Nah, this place is even worse." Mondo mused.
"And why isn't there anyone else around? Just now when we walked here, I couldn't see a single person..." Sayaka voiced this single concern. Although she had to wonder about Mukuro, people would get suspicious if she didn't say anything.
"It seriously just gets worse and worse, isn't it?" Mukuro said.
"I...it's just them trying to trick us! I'm sure they'll remove the steel plates later..." Taka murmured.
"Whatever the case may be, we must prepare for the worst. We will not be any wiser until we enter the lion's den." Sakura said, as calm as ever.
"It's not like I'm scared or nothing... Let's just go in! Fuck it! I'm going! Where are the bastards who called us here hiding?!" Mondo yelled, sprinting for the entrance to the gym itself, his face red.
"Hey, Mondo! We're not allowed to run inside the school!" Taka yelled, giving chase, and, well, running.
"Well, then. I shall go in as well." Sakura said simply.
"Aaa, wait! Don't leave me alone!" Hifumi squealed, following. There was silence. Sayaka decided to poke into everyone's heads.
"…" From Kyoko.
"This doesn't make any sense…" From Makoto.
"I wonder if I'll have to start the killing…" From Mukuro.
Why is Mukuro talking so much about killing?!
Sayaka brushed these thoughts aside and entered the gym with Makoto.
"It looks just like an... opening ceremony? Nothing seems to be out of place..." Makoto murmured, examining the gym.
"See, it's just like I told you, 'right? Just your ol' "regular" new school year opening ceremony." Hiro said, casually, even though Sayaka knew he was anything but casual.
"Oy! Is everyone here!? Well then, I think it's time to begin!" The mysterious voice announced. And that's when the bear jumped from behind the podium.
"Eh...? A teddy bear...?" Chihiro said, seemingly surprised, yet ever so slightly…amused.
"Hey, I'm not a toy! I'm Monokuma! I'm your... I mean this school's... headmaster, see!" Monokuma chirped.
Wha-what? What is this…?
"Nice to meet you all!"
"Uwaaaaa! That toy just talked!" Shrieked Hifumi in a rather feminine manner.
"Calm down! It probably has a speaker installed somewhere...!" Said Taka, fruitlessly trying to calm everyone down.
"Didn't you hear me? I'm not a toy... I'm Monokuma! Furthermore, your headmaster!" Monokuma yelled.
"Uwaaaa! It moved!" Freaked out Hifumi again.
"Just calm down already, will you? There's someone moving it by remote control..." Muttered Mondo.
"Hey, don't make it sound like I'm some kind of a controlled child's toy. You'll sink my feelings deeper than the Mariana Trench...There's a control system inside me that can make NASA green with envy...So I can't bear letting you say such dream-destroying hurtful things!" Monokuma said, in a chipper voice.
""Bear"? Hasn't that been done to death already?" Celeste said. Sayaka couldn't help but shake her head.
"Well, we should be moving on. Let's begin the proceedings, shall we?" Monokuma resumed.
"And now he's breaking character..." muttered Mukuro.
"Please quiet down... Ehh- well, well." Monokuma stopped himself from sounding any more professional.
"It appears he gave up." Sakura said simply.
"Stand! Bow! Good morning, you bastards!" Ordered Monokuma.
"Good morning!" Taka yelled, promptly bowing.
"You... don't have to reply..." Muttered Toko, annoyed.
"Well then. I'd like to begin an opening ceremony you'll remember for life! To start, I have a short statement regarding you bastards' school life from this moment on...Eh- You bastards are most certainly all geniuses filled with overflowing talent. You bring hope to the world! In order to preserve and guard that hope...You will live a communal lifestyle entirely inside this school's walls from now on! I hope everyone respects each other and keeps order!" Monokuma announced, a frightening gleam appearing in his red eye.
Live in the school? But…my career…I'm supposed to have a show next week!
"What…?" Asked Makoto.
"Eh- in addition... regarding the extent of this communal lifestyle...It's going to be forever!In other words, you are going to live here your entire lives! That is the school life we are assigning to you bastards!" Monokuma cheered.
"What did it just say? Live here forever?" Toko stammered, shocked.
"Ah, there's nothing to worry about. We have plenty of budget. You bastards won't lack anything, I promise!" Monokuma said, smiling, flowers coming from him-wait, what?
"T...that's not why we're worried...!" Sayaka voiced her opinion, bringing a hand to her chin.
What is this? What's going on?!
"We just don't get what you mean by living here forever... It's just a joke, right?" Mukuro said.
If she's bluffing, she's good…
"I am most certainly not a liar! I have great pride in that! Ah, I should also let you know: you will be completely shut out from the outside world! So you shouldn't be worried anymore about what's going on in this rotten world we all live in!" Monokuma growled, then resumed his regular position.
"Shut out...? So the steel plates in the classrooms and corridors...They're there to... keep us in?" Makoto said, sounding horrified.
"That's right. It doesn't matter how much you shout. No help is coming. Therefore, you should just make the most out of your life inside the school!" Monokuma smiled and a blush appeared on his white side, putting a hand on his stomach.
"Er, what is this? What you're saying, it's nothing but a huge joke, right?" Leon said, his face blue.
"Y...you fucker... don't overdo it... if the joke doesn't stop right now, I will..." Mondo threatened.
"You keep calling it a joke or a lie. It seems you still very much doubt me. But I guess it's just natural. We're living in an age where you can't survive if you trust your neighbours, after all. In any case, I will let you confirm for yourselves whether my words are true or not. When you do that, you'll soon understand that my words are always one hundred percent factual!" Monokuma smiled, letting out a little giggle and putting his paws to his mouth.
"It's a little... troubling for us. Spending the rest of our lives in this school..." Celeste admitted.
"Oh? You're a weird bunch, aren't you? After all, didn't you all come to this school out on your own volition? Don't go on saying you want to go back in the middle of the opening ceremony...That said...To be frank, it's not impossible. There is a way to get out of here..." Monokuma said a devilish grin on his face, making him look even creepier.
"T-there is?" Toko asked.
"As this school's headmaster, I've made a special rule for people who want to leave the school! It's a rule called "graduation"! I'm sure you all want to hear all about it, so let me explain in detail. As students of this academy, you're obliged to live your communal lifestyle in an orderly fashion...But in case someone breaks the order, that person alone can leave the school grounds. That is the rule called "graduation"!" Monokuma cheered, looking excited.
"What exactly do you mean by "breaking order"?" Byakuya questioned.
"Upupu... that is....The act of killing another person." Monokuma said simply.
"K…kill!?" Makoto exclaimed.
That's what Mukuro meant by kill? She's behind all this! She's going to murder us if we don't murder each other! She's behind this! She's behind all of this! I can't talk to her, she'll kill me!
"Beatingstabbingclubbingbeheadingburningsuffocatingstranglingslaughteringvoodoocursing... The method doesn't matter. "Only a student who kills someone can leave". It's a very simple rule. The most evil of actions leads to the best of outcomes. I hope you all cooperate. Upupu... This heart-thumping feeling of distress... It's just as if salmon suddenly started assaulting people...Like I said before; you bastards are often called "the world's hope". Making such "hope"-filled kids kill each other - such a "despair"-filled situation -My heart is all a-thump with excitement!" Monokuma listed several ways to murder, then giggled again.
"W...what did it say!? Kill each other? What the fuck...?" Leon exclaimed.
"Killing each other is killing each other. If you need a dictionary I have one right here." Monokuma said, tilting his head to the side. Sayaka gulped.
"We understand the meaning of the words! What we want to know is why killing is necessary...!?" Hina yelled.
"That's right! Stop with the pranks! Let us go home-!" Hifumi screamed.
"Pranks? You keep using that word, prank. How many times do I have to repeat myself? You are really a bunch of thick-headed people. What's with all the "let me leave"? I keep and keep and keep telling you...Don't you get it? From now on this school is your home and your entire world. It's an all-you-can-kill, kill-or-be-killed, killing-killing-killing-all-around world!" Monokuma smiled evilly, then leaned forward threateningly, somehow.
"Oy, oy. How long are you going to keep this up?" Hiro said, sounding relaxed. Monokuma paused. Sayaka decided this would be the best time to read someone's thoughts. So, she chose Kyoko, of all people.
"Kill…If we started to kill…We would, wouldn't we? That's only human nature…"
Sayaka let out a little gasp, and Kyoko paused to look at her. Sayaka nervously turned her attention back to Monokuma.
"Hm?" Asked Monokuma.
"You managed to surprise us already. It's time to give up the act, 'right?" Hiro asked, sounding more confident.
"Act…?" Monokuma asked again.
"I mean, you've really given us quite a shock." Hiro said, thoughtfully putting a hand to his chin.
"I've had it. Get the fuck out of my way...You fucker, you better apologize right now! The time for pranks is fucking over!" Yelled Mondo in rage. He shoved past Hiro and rushed towards Monokuma.
"Prank..? Are you referring to your hairstyle?" Asked Monokuma innocently.
"Gaaaaaaaaaaaa!?" Screamed Mondo, even louder. Then, mondo leaped from the floor and picked up Monokuma.
"I got you, you fucker! I don't care if you're remote controlled or a stuffed toy...I'm going to crush you like a fly!" Yelled Mondo.
"Kyaa! Violence towards the headmaster is against the rules!" Monokuma said, sounding frightened.
"Shut up! Let us out of here this instant! If you don't, I will...!" Mondo threatened. Then…
Monokuma started to beep.
Mondo yelled at the bear.
Beepbeepbeep
"It's dangerous! Toss it!" Yelled Kyoko, looking assertive.
"Huh?"
"Just do it!" Yelled Kyoko, even louder. Sayaka stepped back and covered her mouth. Then Mondo threw the bear.
BOOM
Mondo sputtered nervously.
"But since it exploded that stuffed toy is gone now..." Chihiro said, meekly.
"Not a toy - Monobear!" Yelled Monokuma, suddenly appearing from, well, nowhere.
"Aaa! Another one jumped out!" Shrieked Leon.
"You bastard...! You really tried to kill me before..." Mondo grumbled.
"Isn't it natural? Of course I tried to kill you. We can't have anyone breaking the rules, can we? I will let it pass as just a warning this time, but you should be more careful from now on. Bad children who break the rules will be punished, and not with just a spanking!" Monokuma said, putting a claw to his face, glaring.
"Hey, how many of you are there?!" Mukuro yelled.
I wonder if Mukuro knows how many there are…
"Monokumas are constructed at a special place inside this very school. In addition, there are security cameras installed in every room of this school. Therefore, in case anyone does anything against the rules, they can expect severe bodily punishment! Upupu... I will not go so easy on you next time, so be careful!" Monokuma threatened.
"T...this is crazy!" Exclaimed Hina.
"Finally, to commemorate your arrival at this school, I'm giving you all a little present. It's a student identification card. Isn't it cool? It's an electronic student ID card, and therefore its name is..."The ElectroID"!" Monokuma cheered, presenting a bag of phone-like objects.
'The Electronic Student ID card is necessary for your daily activities. It's very important, so try not to lose it! When you first turn it on please confirm your own name is displayed on the screen. It has many uses besides simple identification, though...By the way; this Electronic Student ID card is completely water-proof. Even if you drop it in a vat of water, it won't be destroyed! If you try to crush it, it can easily stand a weight of 10 tons! You will find a full list of the school rules in it, so please read them carefully! I'll repeat one more time: breaking the school rules is forbidden! Rules are what bind us together as a society. Without rules, how can mankind live peacefully? That is why severe punishment is necessary for offenders! Well then, with that our school's opening ceremony is complete!Please enjoy our quiet gruesome school life! See you later!" Monokuma cheered, and then disappeared.
We all stood in silence.
"H...hey, everyone... How would you define what happened here now?" Taka ventured carefully.
"I have absolutely no idea what's going on here..." Leon muttered.
"L...l...live here forever? K...kill...? What the hell...? What's going on!?" Screamed Toko.
"Everyone, keep calm. For the time being, let's go once more over what we know. According to what this Monokuma said, we are presented we two options. The first, live peaceful communal lives inside this school with no time limit. And the second..." Kyoko hesitated.
"In order to get out of here, "kill one of our friends", was it?" Celeste finished nonchalantly.
"K...killing... there's no way..." Chihiro's eyes filled with tears.
"To be suddenly abducted and locked down in a place that looks like a school...And on top of that, to be told to kill each other...what the hell's up with that?!" Hifumi squeaked out.
"It's all a lie! Such foolish talk can't possibly be true...!" Taka stuttered.
'The problem isn't whether it's a lie or not. The problem is...if there's someone among us who takes it seriously." Byakuya said simply.
Takes it seriously…Then…someone is going to die, right?
Sayaka shook her head. But the little voice in her mind told her to be on guard.
