K1 opened his eyes to find himself lost. His inner navigation system was silent and there was no cube-like machine to assist him. Even his memories were hazy and out of reach. When he looked around he saw an infinite labyrinth of doors were visible in every direction. High above his area of doors, K1 saw several paths connected to a type of walled dome housing what he suspected were trees. The hall of doors he found himself in had no walls and just stretched for a very long distance.
In an attempt to understand this bizzare place, K1 stepped forward. Upon doing so, K1 felt his familiar looking body was much lighter than it had ever been. It was almost like flying around in the flight unit. Unsure where the path would take him, K1 moved to one of the doors. The door he chose was like all the others in that it was monotone, but it had the distinction of being marked "Nanny 0.1". K1 wrapped his hand around the knob and opened the door. Instantly he was consumed by light as he felt his body melt away.
When the light subsided, K1 felt himself in a new and very different body from his original. He tried to move it, but could not. All he could do was look and listen to whatever this body was sensing. The first sense that caught his attention, aside from seeing sterile white walls, was hearing a soothing humming nearby. K1 anticipated the body locating the origin of the calming sound only to be met with a horrifying image.
Sitting in a rocking chair and humming a melodious tune was the dreaded Junko Enoshima. Although she looked a bit older than the picture all HOPE units had seen, her long pink hair and frozen blue eyes were unmistakable. Cradled in her arms was a little girl sleeping in a purple nightgown. She looked about five with her small head resting on Junko's chest. K1 slowly recognized it was a younger version of Kana based on her long pink hair, but questioned if that was possible since androids don't age. Looking at the surreal sight only made K1 silent as he could not even begin to attempt processing what he was seeing. All he was left to do was look and listen at the malevolent mother sing to her self-proclaimed child until everything went black.
…
As fast as she could, Chiaki raced to the closest access point in the Bunker. Once she reached it, she positioned herself to return to her body on the ground. Upon switching back into to her previous body, she didn't waste a second to maneuver and stretch it and instead ran straight to the port. The access point she arrived in had been next to the resistance camp, so she'd have to pass through it to get to the port located behind. Faster and faster Chiaki ran without a single thought in her mind as she focused solely on the target location.
When she reached the port, it was a wasteland. Not just because of the body of water flooding the old city ruins, but also the many android corpses scattered about what could only be described as a giant monster. The monotone monster was bigger than any ship and looked more like a whale than a bear. Fortunately it was dead and beached out of the water.
Turning attention away from the monster, Chiaki noticed movement in one of the android corpses. An android with short brown hair and an antenna started to crawl out of the pile. Though she was moving, the lower half of her body was gone. Chiaki rushed to the HOPE unit's side.
"What happened to HOPE unit K1?" Chiaki asked.
The brown haired android raised her head to Chiaki revealing half her face was torn off, showing her mechanical skeleton.
"K… 1?" the android asked. "He saved… us."
"Did you see where he went?" Chiaki asked.
"Pink haired android… took… him," the android said before falling down.
"Corruption and damage levels too high for repair," Chiaki's cube-like machine said. "Shut off is imminent."
"I'm going to die…" the android said. "I don't… want to."
"Death is kinder than life," Chiaki said.
"Okay…" the android said before closing her eyes.
Chiaki looked unmoved at the android in her final resting moment before running off to the resistance camp.
…
When K1 regained his vision, he was in the same room but it had changed. Now the walls were covered with colorful drawings of fairy tales, all sorts of stuffed animals and toys were scattered about, and there was even an old rocking horse. Junko and Kana were still in the rocking chair, though this time Kana was sitting wide eyed on her mother's lap. Both mother and daughter were looking at a picture book titled "Sleeping Beauty"
"Soon after the princess was awaken by true love's kiss, the curse was broken," Junko read from the book, "and they all lived happily ever after. The end."
"Wow," young Kana said. "This is the best story ever."
"You think so?" Junko laughed. "I love it too."
"The knight is so cool! Riding through the thorns, fighting an evil dragon, and all so he can save the person he loves."
"I agree."
"But I have a question."
"What is it, sweetheart?"
"Do I have a father, like the princess in the story?"
"No."
"Oh…"
"You have something even better."
"You?"
"Well… I was going to wait to tell you, but you have another mother."
"Really?!"
"Yep. She's the one I fell in love with a long time ago and she's half of why you were born."
"Where is she? Can I meet her? What is she like?"
"Settle down. You'll have to wait some time before I can tell you the answer to your first question, but I can easily answer the other two."
"Okay."
"I have no doubt you'll meet your mommy one day, you just need to be patient. Fortunately, your mommy is as beautiful and kind as the princess?"
"Can she talk to animals like the princess?"
"No, she isn't really fond of animals, but she was always sweet and gentle."
"I can't wait to meet mommy. Then we can all live and read stories together."
"That would be wonderful."
"Of course I'll always l, mama," Kana said before hugging her mother. "You're the greatest person in the whole wide world."
"I love you too, sweetheart," Junko hugged Kana back before kissing her on the forehead.
While the mother and daughter hugged each other, K1 was left with so many questions. Questions like "How was this possible?", "How did Kana have two mothers?", "Who was Kana's other mother?", and "Was Junko Enoshima really this compassionate towards another?" came to him at once. Before he could even attempt to answer a single question, K1 lost his vision again.
...
Back at the resistance camp, Chiaki urgently searched for Diamond. Of course, she found her by the jukebox.
"Hey," Diamond said as Chiaki approached her. "Where's your little buddy?"
"I believe he was captured by an enemy android with pink hair," Chiaki said.
"Really? Guess it was real. So what do you want me to do about it?"
"Is there anyone in your camp who can track HOPE units?"
"What?! No?! That's like super against the rules…"
"I won't tell."
"Fine. I think the witch and her familiar can make you one. Last I checked, they were in the recovery area, if of course they survived their last mission."
"Thank you."
"Seriously, don't tell your boss."
"I won't."
Chiaki walked over to the tent right next to the one she was under. There, rows of cots were positioned within the borders of hospital curtains. Due to the recent attack, there were more damaged androids than usual. Chiaki found the android she was looking for at the farthest cot, working on a male resistance member's arm.
The android in question looked to be a girl with short light brown and hazel eyes. She was also wearing a white dress and a yellow primrose in her hair. Right beside the girl was an odd stuffed rabbit colored half white and half pink that was wearing a diaper and a yellow primrose on its left ear. As Chiaki slowly approached, she heard the girl speak.
"Alright, the replacement should work much better and won't be so loose," the girl said to the man.
"Whatever witch," the man grumbled before walking away.
"Don't take it to heart, A3," the stuffed rabbit spoke and moved its paw to reassuringly pat the girl.
"Thank you Monomi," the girl said as she picked the stuffed rabbit up to hug it.
After a few moments of hesitation, Chiaki approached the girl and her rabbit.
"Excuse me." Chiaki said.
"Oh, hello," A3 forced a smile, "What can we do for you?"
"I need a device to locate and track a certain HOPE unit," Chiaki said, "Diamond directed me to you."
"Oh, I see," A3 said, "fortunately we have one on hand."
"What are you using it for?" Monomi asked.
"I was separated from my partner and now I need to find him," Chiaki said.
"That's awful," A3 said.
"Don't worry, we'll help you," Monomi said.
"Thank you," Chiaki said.
"What's your partner's name?" A3 asked.
"K1," Chiaki said.
"Alright," A3 said before taking a remote shaped device from her dress pocket, "That shouldn't be too hard to track, but it'll take a bit of time to prepare it."
"I hope you and your partner reunite soon," Monomi said, "I don't know what I would do without A3."
"I understand," Chiaki said.
"Oh dear, this is our first time meeting yet we haven't asked you your name," Monomi said.
"It's C11," Chiaki said.
"Aww, that's a nice name," Monomi perked up her ears.
"It's just a letter and a number," Chiaki said
"Does it stand for anything?" Monomi asked.
"No. It's just a letter and a number," Chiaki said.
"Hmm, if you did have a name, I bet it would be Chiaki," Monomi said. "I don't really know why, but it feels like the perfect name for you."
"Thank you, Monomi," Chiaki smiled.
"Alright, the device is ready," A3 said. "I was able to track K1's location to the desert, but it seems to end somewhere far off in the sea of sand."
"Pod, mark map," Chiaki commanded.
"You're not going to go alone are you?" Monomi asked.
"I have too," Chiaki said.
"Why don't we come with you," A3 said. "We may not look it, but we've been able to navigate a lot of dangerous terrain on our missions."
"No," Chiaki said, "I'm sure more androids will need your assistance here."
"Okay," A3 said. "Please be safe."
"I will," Chiaki said as she got up.
Just before Chiaki left the recovery area, she turned around to face A3 and Monomi.
"You're a brilliant man, A3." Chiaki said, "and you're lucky to have a kind partner like Monomi."
Before A3 or Monomi could respond, Chiaki ran off.
…
When K1 next regained his vision, the foreign body he was in was moving without his control. He seemed to be running behind Kana, who looked about ten now. Whatever he was, he was about as tall as her. The two ran in a sterile white hallway until Kana turned into a room. Inside, Junko was typing on a holographic computer at her desk. Once she saw Kana, Junko turned off the computer and walked over to her.
"What is it, sweetheart?" Junko asked.
"I found this tiny mouse and its leg is broken," Kana said as she revealed the mouse in her hands. "Can you fix it?"
"Of course," Junko smiled and patted Kana's head, "but it will take some time."
"Why?"
"Because unlike you, me, and the monokumas, this tiny mouse isn't mechanical but rather biological."
"Biological like flowers?"
"Kind of, except this tiny mouse can move around and needs to eat food."
"Wow. I thought eating only existed in fairytales."
"Hehe. Now let's see, since it will take some time for this tiny mouse's leg to get better, why don't we make a little house for it. Then you can keep it as a companion like your nanny."
"Really?! Thank you so much mama! I promise I'll take good care of it."
"You're just as compassionate as your mommy."
"Hehehe. You think so? I can't wait to meet her, but are you ever going to tell me where she is."
"Hmm… I guess you are old enough… Very well, I'll tell you."
"Yay!"
"But first let's take care of this little fellow."
"Right."
…
Chiaki entered the blistering hot desert, to find the sun was burning extra bright overhead. Following the mark on her map, Chiaki ran past the rocky passage and into the sea of sand. Off in the distance beyond the rocky borders were heavy brown clouds. Without a single thought, Chiaki headed straight towards the cloud. She was halfway there until a familiar voice shouted out to her.
"Hey, idiot!" the voice said.
Chiaki turned around to see it was Tiger.
"Why the hell are you heading right into the sandstorm?" Tiger asked. "Don't you know the winds are powerful enough to toss androids around like leaves?"
"I have to go," Chiaki said. "K1 is in there."
"Of course Snowflake would be," Tiger sighed. "I guess l have no choice but to help you two out AGAIN."
"What do you have in mind?" Chiaki asked.
"Lucky for you, I just so happen to have a Jeep that can shred right through that sandstorm," Tiger said. "Don't ask me how I got it, I'm just that awesome."
"Okay," Chiaki said.
…
K1 watched Junko and Kana prepare a cage for the mouse in Kana's room and provide it food, water, and care for its leg. After that was finished, Junko sat down on the floor. Kana sat beside her as Junko picked up the sleeping beauty book.
"Do you know why we stay underground?" Junko asked.
"Cause it's safer?" Kana asked.
"Yes, because there are many other androids out there who want to destroy you and I."
"What?! Why?! Aren't they androids like us."
"No. Unlike us, the androids outside are mindlessly evil and only exist to serve their creators horrible wishes."
"What creators?"
"Humans. They look like us, but they are biological like the mouse. Because of this they envy androids that live much longer than they do."
"Is that what the people in this book are?"
"Yes and no. You see, the humans in this book are from a time before they turned evil and wanted control over the whole world."
"What does this have to do with mommy?"
"Your mommy and I were created by those evil humans a long time ago, however, unlike the other androids, we managed to break free of their control and escape."
"How?"
"We fell in love."
"Like the knight and the princess?!"
"Exactly."
"That's amazing."
"As soon as we found a safe place to hide from detection, your mommy and I began to build this home along with the monokumas. Then we eventually gave birth to you, the first android child born from two separate androids"
"Then what happened?!"
"For a while we all lived peacefully and happily. However… it didn't last. One day while you were still too young to remember anything, a group of androids came close to our home. They were close to finding us until your mommy stepped out to face them."
"Why would she do that?"
Junko put a tender hand on Kana's cheek.
"She wanted to protect you more than anything, so she did all she could to fend off the androids. I wanted to help her, but we agreed one of us had to stay behind and take care of you. She succeed in protecting you, but she was captured by the androids and taken back to the humans."
"Why…?"
"The humans never let go of anything they believe belongs to them. It doesn't matter if it was your mommy or the world they poisoned, they will take everything for themselves."
"Because they're evil?"
"Exactly."
"So the evil androids have mommy."
"Yes, but it's not the end. You see, your mommy was always very clever and stubborn, so she planned on pretending to be loyal to the humans after they captured her. Ever since then she has been waiting for an opportunity to escape while also not getting caught by the humans again."
"What if you save her. Like the knight. You can beat all those evil androids and humans."
"I'm afraid my body isn't what it use to be since I don't have enough parts to fix myself and complete your final upgrade."
"Then… I'll save mommy!"
"You'll have to get stronger then."
"I don't care how hard it is, I'll be like the knight and save mommy!"
"In that case, you'll need a sword or two."
"Where can we get them?"
"I'll work on that, but starting now do you really want to become a knight and fight to save your mommy?"
"I do! Because you love mommy and I love you, mama"
"Don't forget, your mommy also loves you very much, even now."
"Right. I can't wait to meet her, but what does she look like?"
"Well let's see-"
Before K1 could hear the description everything turned to black and he couldn't hear.
…
Back in the desert, Tiger drove her covered yellow Jeep with ease through the chaotic sandstorm. It was a fairly bumpy ride, but Chiaki didn't care as she rode shotgun and stayed focused on the targeted area up ahead. Fortunately, the sandstorm was too intense for any enemy monokumas to move around in.
"You know, you got some real guts to try and navigate this sandstorm on foot," Tiger said. "That or you're just stupid."
"It's my duty to fulfill my missions," Chiaki said. "No matter what."
"Alright, so your not acting crazy over finding your boyfriend," Tiger said, "good to know."
"K1 is my partner, nothing more."
"Wow that's cold. Honestly I don't think I've ever met an android more serious than you in all my life. Like do you have a stick up your ass 24/7?"
"I'm focused on my missions."
"Alright, ice queen. Ooh, that's a perfect nickname for you."
Chiaki didn't respond as her eyes remained on the terrain ahead.
"God you're no fun."
"Stop here."
"Okay."
The Jeep stopped right before a small cave entrance in the middle of all the sand.
"I'm going in," Chiaki said, "Stay here."
"Why do I have to stay?" Natsumi complained.
"There's likely a powerful enemy inside where K1 is, so I may need to make a quick getaway as soon as I retrieve K1."
"Fine, but don't take an eternity. I can't stand waiting."
"Alright."
…
When next K1 regained his senses he was sitting across from young Kana as she put together pieces to a complicated puzzle of pink carnations. She looked very focused as she bit her lip and looked intensely at the puzzle. After she put some pieces together, Kana looked up at him.
"Did you put some pieces together?" Kana asked.
"No," A familiar voice responded.
K1 recognized the voice and came to the disturbing conclusion he was watching from the eyes of a monokuma. The single though rattled him, but he needed to focus on whatever he was seeing.
"You're no fun," Kana pouted. "Maybe Aurora can play better."
Kana stood up and dusted off her purple dress before walking over to the nearby mouse cage. She peeked into the cage and tried digging around for the mouse.
"Aurora?" Kana asked as she searched. "Where are you?"
Kana frantically searched the cage until she found a hole hidden in the corner. Upon realizing the mouse was gone, Kana rushed out of her room. Fortunately for K1, the monokuma followed her. Like before, Kana moved through the sterile white hallway to Junko's office. There she ran right up to her mother.
"Mama, Aurora is missing!" Kana said.
"Oh sweetheart, what happened?" Junko asked as she rubbed Kana's head.
"I wanted to play with her, but when I looked in her cage, I found she got out through a hole in it!" Kana said.
"I should have known this would happen," Junko sighed.
"Huh?"
"You see, there's a reason Aurora ran away. It's because she doesn't love you."
"What?"
"I'm afraid only your mommy and I can love you. Others, including the monokuma, cannot because they do not share data with you."
"Why?"
"You are special like your parents, thus you are different from everything that isn't us. Because all things both biological and mechanical stick to their own kind, they will reject you in favor of giving their love to others like them."
Kana was speechless at her mother's words.
"I know it's hard, but it's the truth. Haven't you noticed how your nanny fails to play with you even though she's watched over you for years?"
"Yes."
"That's why. Only your mommy and I can give you love, no one else."
"Then…" Kana sniffled before jumping into her mother's arms. "Please don't ever leave like mommy!"
"There, there, sweetheart," Junko patted Kana's back. "As long as I am with you, I will never stop loving you. After all, you are my beautiful child."
"I love you, mama," Kana hugged her mother tightly.
"I love you too, Kana," Junko hugged her back with a smile.
The mother and daughter remained in each other's embrace until K1's vision faded. As everything faded to black, K1 felt something strange within him.
…
Down in the depths of the cave, Chiaki managed to navigate through with ease. Fortunately, there was only a single tunnel that led downward. After descending for some time, Chiaki lost touch with the outside world and could no longer call anyone while she was down here. Nevertheless, Chiaki persisted in her descent until she finally reached something.
Deep down in the cave, Chiaki saw some sort of white light shining in the darkness. She stepped down to it to find a pristine white castle gate decorated with the remains of monokumas and androids. Fortunately, the gate was raised, allowing Chiaki to slip through and enter into the white light emanating beyond it. Slowly, Chiaki's eyes adjusted to the flood of light until she could see. What she saw was straight out of a story book.
Houses, like those in medieval towns, were lined up within the great cavern, although they were simple looking. Off in the distance, Chiaki could see a large castle poking out from the cluster of houses. Above everything was a flat ceiling that glowed like the morning sun. It was no wonder the area was so bright since everything beyond the gate was white, allowing the light to spread around. Everything also appeared to be made out of the same white block material.
Figuring Kana would be hiding in the castle, Chiaki set her sights on it, but it would take her some time to navigate to maze of houses. Still, she remained strong and unfazed, even in the strange city.
…
Before K1 regained his vision, he heard someone crying. K1 blinked to see Kana laying curled up in the fetal position on the floor of her room. Now she looked just like when K1 first saw her.
"Why?" Kana cried, "Why did you leave me mama?"
The monokuma body K1 was in began to move towards Kana on its own.
"Mama…" Kana cried, "please come back."
"Master Junko Enoshima is no longer functioning," the nanny monokuma said. "Control over all monokuma's in the network and crystallized silicon and carbon is now transferred to new master Kana Enoshima."
"So mama is gone forever?" Kana cried, "Why?"
The nanny monokuma stayed silent.
"It couldn't be… those evil androids destroyed her." Kana said.
K1 watched as Kana sat up and balled her fist.
"Of course, that's what evil androids do!" Kana gritted her teeth. "It's their fault mommy and mama are gone!"
To these words, the nanny monokuma started to act strangely as it slowly approached Kana.
"But mommy is still out there, so I can save her!" Kana said. "Then she can love me just like mama."
With a glimmer of hope in her eyes, Kana stood up and took two familiar swords from off her shelf. As Kana raised her monotone pair of blades, K1 felt abnormalities in the nanny monokuma's circuitry.
"Master Kana…" the nanny monokuma spoke up. "Please… stay calm."
"Why should I listen to you?" Kana narrowed her eyes.
"Master Kana is not… thinking right."
"What do you know, you're just a mindless machine that could never love me like mama."
"Not… true."
The nanny monokuma tried to step closer to hug Kana only to be violently kicked away into the wall.
"I see…" Kana said as she approached the monokuma. "You're trying to stop me just like the evil androids would want."
"Not… true," the nanny monokuma said before Kana stepped on it.
"Shut up!" Kana yelled as she stabbed her black blade into the monokuma's torso.
Upon the stab, Kana looked down at it.
"You're not like me! You'll never be!" Kana shouted as she raised the white blade. "You're just a mindless toy with no love for me! So it won't hurt if I destroy you!"
Before the nanny monokuma could speak, Kana stabbed it in the neck with a horrifying fire in her eyes. K1 felt no pain, yet as his vision flickered and he was forced to look up at Kana's hateful eyes, he felt something he had rarely felt. True horror.
Just when K1 thought he could fade out from this nightmare, his vision switched to other images. Images of Kana destroying monokumas and torturing androids on the verge of death all flashed by in an increasing speed. Throughout, K1 heard the androids many screams for help and Kana's growing laughter. It grew and grew with the speed of the violent images until suddenly K1 snapped out of his nightmare.
…
K1 shuttered awake to find himself back in his real body, however the nightmare was far from over. Although K1 was back in his body, it was now nailed to a wall by white spears. When he looked around, he instantly recognized the room he was in. It was Kana's room as indicated by the white walls, drawings, stuffed animals, rocking horse, and mouse cage. Laying on the floor was Kana, drawing a picture of herself, Junko, and someone else. Before K1 could try to see who else Kana was drawing, the young android noticed he was awake.
"Finally, you're awake," Kana smiled, "Now I can start punishing you."
"Kana listen… you don't-" K1 tried to speak.
"Shut up evil android! You're nothing but a dumb mutt trying to destroy my family just for your evil masters!"
"No… that's wrong."
"I honestly pity how hopeless you androids are without the love my mama and mommy had. Though guess it isn't too bad since you've been programmed to believe humans love you even though you're nothing but mindless tools to them."
"You don't understand."
"No you don't understand! I've been keeping a close eye on you, K1, and you are by far the most pathetic android I've ever seen. You're nothing but a parasite. An evil parasite who wants to **** my mommy at all cost."
"What?!"
"For that I'm going to make sure you suffer for all the pain you caused my mama and mommy!"
Before K1 could try to reason with her, Kana picked up her white blade and stabbed K1 in his lower thigh. She was about to do it again with her black blade, until she froze.
"Mommy's here!" Kana said.
Like a light switch, Kana changed from angry to overjoyed on a whim. She dropped her blades and rushed out of the room, leaving K1 alone. He wanted to try to escape, but all the damage had caused his energy to drain away leaving him to wish for a miraculous savior.
"C11…" K1 said softly as his consciousness faded.
…
Chiaki continued through the ivory city until she reached the castle square. There a large and colorful portrait was drawn on the ground, but before Chiaki could get a good look at it, she noticed Kana standing in the castle entrance.
"Mommy!" Kana said before running over to Chiaki.
Swiftly, Kana embraced Chiaki just like how she hugged her mama. While Kana clung to her, Chiaki did not return the embrace and remained still. Eventually Kana noticed and looked up at Chiaki with wide eyes.
"It's okay mommy, you don't have to act anymore," Kana smiled. "The evil androids can't find us here."
Chiaki remained silent, causing Kana to tilt her head.
"Don't you remember me?" Kana smiled, "You and mama gave birth to me. I'm your daughter."
"No," Chiaki said bluntly.
"Oh no, they didn't erase your memories of me did they?"
"No, those memories never existed because you are not my daughter."
"That can't be true! Those evil androids made you forget me!"
"Junko lied to you."
Upon those words, any semblance of joy was swept away from Kana's face, causing her grip to loosen. Chiaki took the opportunity to step out of the child's embrace and move towards the castle where K1 was. She was almost at the entrance when she felt something pulling her back. Looking behind revealed Kana desperately clinging onto her like a misbehaving child.
"Mommy, I don't know what's going on…" Kana began to cry, "but please… don't leave me again."
"I am not your mother!" Chiaki snapped.
Kana looked up at Chiaki with hopeless wide eyes before she was thrown to the side like a ragdoll. Upon hitting the floor, Kana could only look at Chiaki with hopeless eyes while her body was frozen with fear. Chiaki looked at her for a split second until she ran into the castle.
Inside the castle, Chiaki easily found Kana's room and in turn K1. Using all her strength, Chiaki removed the sturdy white spears one by one till K1 fell to the ground. Seeing as he was too damaged and weak to stand, Chiaki picked K1 up bridal style.
"C… 11…" K1 faintly said.
"Don't talk." Chiaki said. "You need to conserve your energy."
"O… kay…" K1 said before falling unconscious.
K1 in arms, Chiaki fled the scene as swiftly as possible making sure to avoid Kana. Now, Chiaki's mission was fulfilled.
