Welcome back! Sorry I haven't updated in so long; job hunting, Yukon contract with shoddy internet…

A special thanks to lolrus555 for their immense help in helping to get this chapter rolling (the first bit is all them), so leave them a thanks and check out their works.

Act 3: Memories

The moment consciousness returned to him, the first thing that Naegi noticed was just how horribly dry his throat felt in tandem with a pounding, nauseating headache.

"Urghhhh…" The lucky student of Class 78 groaned, the only thought running through his mind being to make his way to the bathroom, place his head underneath the sink, and fill his windpipe up with water until this ungodly dryness in his throat left him. Unfortunately, in addition to the pounding in his head, Naegi also found himself plagued with a set of legs that felt like jelly, for as soon as his legs left the bed and attempted to stand, he found himself collapsing to the floor like a puppet without it's strings.

"W...Water…!" Naegi groaned, staggering back onto his feet and using the wall to support himself as he slowly and painstakingly made his way into his dorm's personal bathroom.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the lucky student was finally able to make it into his bathroom. Wasting no time, Naegi staggered towards the sink and blasted the faucet's cold water before hastily placing his head underneath the cold flow.

'Oh thank god!' Naegi thought as the blissful substance went down his throat, instantly ridding himself of the terrible dryness that wouldn't even let himself swallow properly. 'That was terrible! I didn't even have any spit to swallow!'

After drinking until he couldn't even breathe, Naegi pulled back from the faucet with a gasp before falling onto his butt and breathing heavily. After what felt like an hour's worth of just sitting and breathing, the luckster finally decided to force himself back onto his feet, using the faucet as something to lean onto. After taking a moment to lean down and clean his eyes, the disoriented luckster looked upwards and saw himself in the mirror… and it was certainly a sight for sore eyes. With disheveled hair, bloodshot eyes, and crumpled button-up pajamas with the entire chest area soaked in water, he could say with certainty that this was the worst state he'd ever seen himself in.

"Ugh… I… I need a hot shower and some medicine." The brunette thought drearily, already reaching towards the medicine cabinet in the mirror.

.

One piping hot shower and Alka Seltzer tablet later, and Naegi was already feeling ten times better compared to how he woke up.

"Phew…! I feel loads better now! Wonder what happened though…" Naegi sighed blissfully, reaching towards his drawer. He couldn't exactly go about his day clad in only his favorite pair of boxers, now could he?

'I guess I must have just caught some kind of fever, and on today of all days…' Naegi shrugged as his slid his green and red hoodie on before taking a seat on his bed. True to the brunette's internal word, summer vacation had finally graced Hope's Peak Academy and all it's students, allowing the many Ultimates to blissfully plan out how they'll spend their two months worth of vacation. Naegi, along with most of his classmates, had opted to stay an extra day at the dormitories to get everything in order in addition to just spending one more day together before they all went their separate ways for the season. However, considering how closely knit the students of class 78 were, Naegi highly doubted they wouldn't be see a lot of each other over the course of the summer.

However, now that his feverish state had finally died down, Naegi couldn't help but think about that dream he had before waking up. Even after showering and clearing his head, the events that took place in his dream were still fresh on his mind. Going through a white abyss only to end up in a humble fortune teller's store, having that sagely man ask him so many questions about himself... Everything about it felt so strange yet… tranquil, which contrasted greatly with the delirious state he woke up in.

'So weird… fortune tellers and… what did that man call it again? 'Stands?' That part especially was fresh on Naegi's mind. The idea of having some kind of guardian spirit watching over him and protecting him with it's own special powers sounded like something straight out of Hifumi's more obscure anime series.

'I must've been playing too many video games to have a dream like that. Still… the way that man described that… thing's abilities felt oddly familiar.' Naegi reflected for a moment before sighing and shaking his head. "Man… even for a dream, that was strange."

*I'm sorry to say this, but that was no dream, and it's no coincidence that your stand's powers sound so familiar.*

Really? What makes you say that?" Naegi asked without even thinking, the contemplative look still clear on his face.

.

"! HUH!?"

It took the brunette another moment before he realized that some disembodied voice called out to him from somewhere in his room. "W-Who's there!? How'd you get in here!?" The brunette called out, looking frantically all around the dorm room trying to find out where that voice came from.

*I'm over here.*

Whipping his head towards the source of the noise, Naegi was shocked to realize that the voice was coming from the E-Handbook on his dresser.

"My... my handbook!? W-Who are you!? How are you speaking through my E-Handbook!? These things aren't phones or radios!" Naegi demanded frantically as he picked up the see-through tablet and looked at it's screen. Oddly enough, there was nothing but static on the screen, but that did nothing to deter the voice as it spoke up once more.

*The time to introduce myself has most likely passed, but nonetheless, call me Steel. I'm the one who roused your stand from it's slumber.*

"S...Stand!? So you mean… that dream really happened!?" Naegi asked incredulously, his grip on the E-Handbook unconsciously tightening.

*Indeed. There's no need to be afraid, however, Makoto Naegi. I've been searching for someone like you… a courageous, extraordinary youth who desires a *special power…* I have given you what you seek!* The voice exclaimed from the E-Handbook. Upon letting the sheer absurdity of his words sink in for a moment, Naegi finally found the correct words to say in this situation.

"I...I'm sorry, but *Special power?* Do you have any idea just how idiotic that sounds!?" Naegi exclaimed into the radio, voicing his disbelief with how this entire morning had been going. "You sound even more stupid than my fraud of a classmate when he's on another one of his mindless tangents! Do you actually expect me to believe a word of what you're saying!?" If 'Steel' was discouraged by Naegi's refusal to believe what he was saying, then he didn't let it show in his voice.

*If you don't believe me, then try calling out your stand's name. It will manifest before your very eyes.* Steel assured the skeptical teenager, his tone confident.

"..Are you even hearing yourself right now?" Naegi sighed, still not convinced. "Okay… alright, fine. If it'll get you to stop with this and just leave me alone, then I'll do what you say."

And with that, the Ultimate Lucky Student took a deep breath before calling out the name that was still freshly engraved into his brain. "「Miracles...」There. I did exactly as you asked and nothing happened. Now can you please just get off my handbook and-"

*Phoo…*

"W-WHAT THE HELL!?" Naegi exclaimed when a black and white figured suddenly faded into existence in front of him. Unable to help himself, and in a surprising display of athleticism only achieved by truly shocked and surprised men, the short brunette instinctively somersaulted backwards and landed head first on the other side of his bed. Scrambling onto his feet, he quickly got a good look at the floating figure on the other side of the bed.

In essence, it looked like some kind of… jellyfish with beady little eyes and a small set of arms and fists. The creature only gave Naegi a single glance before it suddenly began to swim through the air of the room, honestly resembling what the brunette previously compared it to, a simp"W...What is this thing!?" Naegi thought aloud, a cold sweat running down his spine as he watched 'Miracles' float around his room without a care in the world.

*Miracles, your stand.* Steel answered from the other side of the bed, and before Naegi could demand what that even meant, he continued. *In layman's terms, think of your stand like a superpower, as well as a type of guardian angel. A stand is a manifestation of your fighting spirit and soul. No matter what happens, it will always be by your side. Each person's stand also has their own unique ability. As for what yours does… well, you remember what that fortune teller in your dream said, don't you?*

"He… he said that it was a long-range stand that could… could…" Adrenaline coursing through his body, Naegi wracked his brain to remember the series of events that had previously been so clear to him. However, once he recalled, it all clicked into place for him, everything becoming so much more clear as he looked at the floating apparition with newfound disbelief. "He said it could read minds and manipulate a person's subconscious…! This thing…! Oh my god, this thing is-"

*Indeed. All your life, you've been unconsciously using your stand's power with no way to control it, similar to something like muscle memory, or something as simple and natural breathing. Using 「Miracles'」 mind-reading was like second nature to you all along.* Steel explained, causing Naegi to look at the apparition in a new light.

'All along… I've been using this thing's power without even realizing it?' Naegi thought to himself, slowly getting back onto his feet. Miracles had since stopped floating around the room and was now staring straight at him, it's body completely still. Experimentally, the light brunette tried… willing the stand back into his body, and the response was instantaneous. In a manner that could be compared to unclenching a fist, Naegi's stand flew towards him before fading away into his body, feeling the same as ever.

"I don't believe it…" Naegi murmured to himself, still having difficulty believing this was happening to him. All along, his power to look into other people's thoughts was this… stand? It was such an outlandish and bizarre explanation, but at the same time, reading another person's mind wasn't exactly normal either.

*So you're finally starting to understand. Overtime, your stand will surely become an indispensable ally to you!* Steel clarified.

"But… why me? W-Why are you doing this, and what exactly are you, anyway!?" Naegi asked, still so many questions on his mind as he went over the bed and picked his E-Handbook back up.

*I am simply the remnant of a man who was killed by one of these 'stands.' Just think of me like you would a prerecorded message.*

Okay, and what does any of this have to do with me?" Naegi asked, growing more confused by the minute.

*...I want to change this world's future.* Steel answered simply. "As a unit, you and I can do that… no, we MUST do that, at any and all costs!" The sudden intensity and conviction in Steel's voice caught the luckster off guard.

"With your awoken stand, you must take out a certain person… THAT INSIDIOUS VAMPIRE, DIO!"

.

.

.

"I… I'm sorry I keep asking you to repeat things, but did you just say you want me to KILL someone, and that someone is a VAMPIRE?" It took Naegi a moment before what Steel said truly sank in.

*Indeed I did. It will be dangerous… DIO has assassin's everywhere, and they don't take well to those who defy him… As long as DIO lives, they will hunt you down, so make sure you proceed with caution.*

"W-Wait! Hold on! If you're actually being serious about then do you have any idea just what you're asking of me!? You can't just expect me to suddenly want to put my life on the line like this!" Naegi objected furiously. Did this man honestly expect him to just nod and accept everything he was saying with no objections!?

*Have you ever heard the saying 'with great power comes great responsibility?' This is merely a consequence of granting you the power you asked for.*

"I never ASKED for this power! I was born with it! I never had any control over this, so don't go acting like you gave it to me, or that I HAVE to do any of this!" Naegi denied angrily, his confusion towards Steel's words replaced with anger. A moment of tense silence passed before the voice on the handbook finally spoke up once more.

"...You're right, I never gave you your Stand. It's a power that you were born with and had all your life. All I did was give it the push needed to rouse it from it's slumber for you. However, you NEED to understand what's at risk here and how it affects you. DIO is the type of individual who feels easily threatened when someone's strength approaches his own. He can very easily know of your existence, and once he does, he will not stop sending assassins after you until you're either dead or agree to serve him.*

"This is unbelievable. You're the one who did this to me, so if anything, YOUR life is the one that should be on the line here!" Naegi groaned, his dissatisfaction with this entire situation clear in his voice.

*If it makes you feel better, I don't even have a life to put on the line. It's like I said, I've already been killed by another stand user, what you're hearing right now are just fragments, so to say." Steel explained. :But that's beside the point. If you left DIO to his own devices, then not only would your life be on the line, but the lives of your family and friends!*

This statement certainly caught Naegi's attention, causing his breath to hitch before his thoughts started going at 100 MPH. 'W...What? They could be at risk too!? How!? How the hell could this guy even know all his!?'

It was bad enough knowing there could very well be a gigantic target on the luckster's back thanks to his newly awoken power, but knowing that both his family and classmates could become targeted by these assassin's was too much to handle. A painful moment of silence passed before Naegi finally found what he needed to say.

"Shit…" Naegi his out under his breath, resignation clear in his posture. "Alright… fine. All things considered, I can't just leave well enough alone. What am I supposed to do now?"

"Finished getting dressed and once you're ready, head to Grape Crest High school. It's of the utmost importance. And don't forget to bring your E-Handbook! I can contact you via it!"

"Okay, got it." The brunette nodded before he began to scrounge around his dresser for more clothes. In a few moments, Naegi was sliding on his old school's blazer before tentatively reaching towards his E-Handbook and pocketing it. However, before leaving his dorm, he pulled out the tablet one more time.

"...Are you still there?" Naegi asked curiously, and after a brief moment, he got his answer.

*Yes. I there something you need?*

"...I just have one more question before I leave. Out of everybody here, why did you pick me?" Naegi asked, finally voicing the question that had been on his mind since this situation finally set in for him. "I mean, you said you were looking for an 'extraordinary youth,' right? Well, I don't know if you've noticed, but you're contacting me from Hope's Peak Academy. Even though it's summer break, this entire school is filled with teenagers that fit the requirements you're looking for way more than me. I can say with certainty that even with me subconsciously using my stand all my life, I'm probably the least 'extraordinary' person in this entire school. So… why pick me?"

Probably any member of his class was more applicable for dealing with this situation than he was, and from what he could understand about these 'stands,' it seemed like whatever they would've gotten would be far more extraordinary than something as lame and simple as 'influencing a person's subconscious.'

*Hmhmhm~. You might not believe this yourself, Naegi, but you're far from an ordinary person. In any case, I chose you have a particularly strong sense of right and wrong.* And before he could demand he elaborate, the E-Handbook in Naegi's hands fizzed off, leaving his room completely silent.

''A strong sense of right and wrong…?' THAT'S why he chose me!?' Of course, what neither Naegi or Steel realized at the time was just how true that statement really was… for better or for worse.

'Well… no use complaining about it now.' Naegi sighed, pocketing his handbook once more before approaching his dorm room's exit. 'Whether I like it or not, I'm a part of… whatever this is now.'

And with nothing more to be said, the light brunette opened the door and left, unknowingly signaling the start of a truly bizarre adventure

DGR-7TH-JOJO

That was years ago, he realized.

After all that had occurred, he'd gone on an adventure of sorts….he couldn't recall the details though.

'You will in time.'

Naegi jumped at the voice, and the realized he was alone.

'Monokuma ordered them to get to the Media room.'

"Yare Yare…" Nagei wheezed. "I knew I'd have it rough here, but all this? Sounds like something out of a manga. Oh well, at least I got you on my side, huh Steele?"

The voice's presence seemed to shift

'We both wish I was Steele.' The voice sighed. 'I am not.'

That confession threw Naegi for a loop. If not Steele, then who was this voice?

'You already know. You just don't want to believe it.'

Just then, the door opened, alerting the young man to turn around to see…

"Were the hell is everyone? I got lost, that stupid note could've at least given me directions!"

"Junko?"

Junko was standing in front of him…and yet…

"Like, what? How do you know my name" The girl asked defensively, before softening and shooting him a coy smile. "Got a crush?"

Naegi's face flushed at her comment, but he began to focus on her. Not her physical appearance, as nice as it was….

She carried herself like Junko; proud and strong, ambition obvious in her form….but she also had loyalty and a sense of fear in her form that the Junko he had first seen did not. He could also see a slew of weapon handling in her mind, and a younger her being comforted by someone….

And that's what gave it away.

Whenever he read minds, Naegi saw memories from a first person perspective, like a shooting game (he knew Yamada would get that reference and hated himself for making it)

"You're not Junko Enoshima." Naegi said. "You're close to her enough to flawlessly imposternate her, but not enough to hide your military training."

'Junko' seemed horrified at Naegi's words, but she was not bothering to deny them. In fact, she seemed elated to drop this façade, if just for a little bit.

"You're right." She confessed. "I'm her sister, Mukuro Ikusaba; Super Duper High School Level Ultimate Solider. And you are?"

"Naegi Makoto. Super Duper High School Level Ultimate Luckster…apparently,"

"….Luckster?" She asked jokingly.

"Hey, I didn't choose the name." He chuckled.

"So…any idea where our classmates and my sister went?" She asked glancing around the room.

"The Media room." Naegi explained. "And luckily, I know where it is."

'Yeah.' The voice mused as the two dashed over to their target. 'Things are definitely different this time around…though maybe not for the worse."

How wrong the voice was.

DGR-7TH-JOJO

While Naegi had been walking down memory lane and the voice in his head's fears were being confirmed, the rest of the students were being lead to the Media room.

"What are we doing here, ya damn bear?" Mondo asked

"Back-talking the headmaster is not welcome in a school environment!" Ishida snapped.

"It's fine, is fine!" The beat assured the hall monitor, motioning everybody to take a seat. "After all that craziness, I realized that maybe I should tell you all a little bit about me. After all, we're stuck with each other until you all die!"

"And what about the magician?" Togami asked

"His name is Naegi!" Maizono corrected in the indifferent heir.

"As much as I hate to admit it…" Monokuma, his voice taking on a more serious and darker tone, growled. "That….boy, will no doubt not be affected by what I'm about to do to you lot."

No sooner had those words left his mouth, the students found themselves strapped into their seats as a newsreel began to play, their murderous host dancing and narrating.

"Would you believe I was adopted?" Monokuma began at the picture of a baby with his face plastered on it, not waiting for a reply. "Indeed I was! A kindly old priest who loved me dearly. For most of my life, I had few worries or concerns. I even fell in love…"

Most of the students were repulsed that ANYONE could love the black and white murderous bear.

"But then, tragedy and horror struck!" The bear melodramatically cried. "My dear father attempted to get me a car, eve building me a garage! It would've been the sweetest gift for my birthday…But Pappi made a horrible discovery! A woman buried under our home; my own mother, who'd abandoned me long ago. And then, a fire broke out, killing Pappi and five other schmucks!"

He then produced an Arrow from behind him

"I said I would change your fates." Monokuma replied, now in a much calmer and masculine voice. "And I shall do just that."

He then rammed the arrow it each student's mouth, half delighting in their screams and half concentrating on the one student who wasn't there:

'I don't know who you are Naegi Makoto, and I don't know how you know what you know….nor do I care. Fate smiles upon me and me alone, no one shall stand in my way.'

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