Monokuma: A body has been discovered! Everyone please gather to the karaoke bar, posthaste! Ha, that's such a weird word I've always wanted to use it!

(This isn't real...our bond...it's...already broken?

The catalyst of our friendship, is dead, and she was killed...by one of us?

No.

No way!)

(We all stood petrified, staring at Paige's body.

A girl who was only minutes ago, so full of life...is laying face-first in a pool of her own blood.)

(I don't know how much time we were staring but soon enough, more people arrived.

When I say "people" I mean...robots.

First Monokuma.)

Monokuma: Woohoo! Finally someone died, and I was just about to set a time limit!

(Then Kurokuma.)

Kurokuma: Which one of you fuckos died first? Oh! It's the juggalo chick!

(Then after them, a real person ran in.)

Benny: What's going on?! Who-

(He immediately saw Paige's corpse, which wasn't hard to miss, her crimson blood was glowing from the party lights.

Benny began to gag.)

Benny: Wha-Wha...

(Benny throw up, after he did I heard others do the same. I didn't look at who since, I just can't look away from Paige.)

Benny: Who did this?! How did this happen?!

(I blurted out the first thing that came to mind.)

Ryan: Monokuma did this...Monokuma or the people behind this or the mastermind or whatever fuck-It wasn't one of us!

Monokuma: Puhuhuhu! Well that's where your wrong.

Curt: No-It couldn't have been-

Monokuma: I'll reiterate, *ahem*, "Law #8 Under no circumstance will the mayor assist or solely commit a murder."

May: So that means...

Monokuma: One of you is a killer! The killing game has finally begun!

(We all shouted in unison.)

NO!

Tom: We promised not to play the game! We're friends we would never-

Monokuma: Maybe you aren't friends. As far as I know, "friends" don't kill each other.

Tom: But...

May: One of us...killed Paige?

Monokuma: Yup! No you're gettin' it! And I know who did it!

Chris: Who was it?!

Monokuma: No no no that's not how this works!

Kurokuma: Geeze these kids are real fuckin' stupid, they don't remember any of da rules!

Monokuma: You all need to find out who the killer is amongst yourselves, of course technically one of you already knows who did it because well...that person did it.

Kurokuma: But if that person gets found out they'll end up like Miss. Juggalo ovah here.

Chatty: She's not a juggalo you twat!

Kurokuma: Doesn't matter what she is! She's dead as shit!

Chatty: It does matter, dickweed!

Beck: She was our friend.

Cookie: She brought us together.

Ivy: She made us laugh.

Chatty: She-

-end -

Monokuma: Oh shut up and mourn later, it's time for the investigation!

Claire: Investigation?

Monokuma: You guys can stare at her corpse all you want but you won't learn anythin' from just looking, it's time to start searching! I'll give you all one to two hours to gather clues...maybe I'll even give you three hours since this is your first rodeo.

Jenn: How are we supposed to discover the murderer in such a short time?!

Kurokuma: 'Cuse you do the discoverin' during the city trial!

Jenn: Right...I forgot about that.

(We all forgot about it since we were trying so hard to ignore this game...actually...I guess one of us didn't forget.)

Monokuma: Now then, it's time for, dun-dun-dun-dunnn The Monokuma File!

(Monokuma pulled out a bunch of black and purple tablets and handed one to each of us.)

Curt: The hell's this for?

Monokuma: It's like an autopsy report, but cooler because I made it!

Tom: An auto...what?

Claire: It has details about Paige's death.

(Of course Claire is familiar with what an autopsy is.)

Monokuma: Just minor details though, obviously it doesn't reveal who the killer is.

Ivy: How did you have the time to make this I mean Paige...she just passed away.

Monokuma: I have my methods.

(Monokuma finished passing around the tablets.)

Monokuma: That's about all you'll need. Good lu-

*kssh*

Monokuma: Huh?

(I turned around and saw Cat trembling. The Monokuma File she just received was on the ground in pieces, did she drop it or throw it?)

May: C-Cat are you?

Chatty: This is stupid! Stupid stupid! Fucking stupid!

Violet: H-Hey calm down!

(Violet rushed over and Cat fell into her arms.

Cat was crying uncontrollably, and for the first time ever, she was speaking while moving her mouth, though, she was still speaking with her puppet voice.

I think deep inside we all felt the same way as her, but so much was going on we had to keep our focus.)

Chatty: She can't be dead! This can't be fucking real!

Violet: It'll be ok, Paige is in a better place.

Chris: Yeah, better place because she isn't in this damn city anymore...

Cookie: Don't say stuff like that! This city is fine because we're all here and we're all friends-

-end -

Ryan: We aren't friends.

(I diverted attention from Cat.)

Cookie: What?

Ryan: We are not friends...because...because one of us did this, and goddammit, I'm going to find out who!

Monokuma: Puhuhuhu! That's the despair and determination I've been looking for! This is what makes a killing game interesting! Now get to it!

(Monokuma and Kurokuma vanished out of sight.)

(I looked back over at Cat, who was still crying in Violet's arms.)

Ryan: We'll figure out who did this, we'll avenge Paige...we'll avenge...our friend!

-INVESTIGATION START-

Tom: S-So how the hell are we gonna do this? I-I've never solved a murder before.

Claire: I have.

Tom: Seriously?

Claire: Yeah, with the help of some forensic scientists I've solve dozens of murders.

Ryan: Then your skills will definitely be handy.

Ivy: Uh...I don't think we have access to forensic equipment in this place though.

Chris: Yeah that'd make it too "easy".

Ryan: W-Whatever, we just need to discover any clues we can.

Claire: You'd be surprised at what minor things create turning points in murder cases.

Ivy: Why? Does that normally happen when you solve stuff?

Claire: No, I've just played a lot of Ace Attorney.

Jack: Perhaps we should separate and search what is relevant.

Curt: Oh you actually said something logical for once.

Ryan: I doubt anywhere but this karaoke bar is relevant...so we should just split up and examine the outside and the inside.

May: Ok, good idea.

Beck: But uh...what about...

(Beck glanced over at Violet who was still comforting Cat.)

May: We should...leave them alone.

Benny: That's probably a good idea...

(Benny mumbled under his breath, I think I was the only one who heard him.)

Benny: ...but what if...

("What if"? What?

...

What if...Cat or Violet is the...

No, no way in hell!

If anyone is truly suspicious...it's him.)

(We split into two groups.

Me, Chris, Cookie, Benny, Claire, Ivy, and Beck searched inside the bar.

Tom, Jack, Curt, Suds, Jenn, and May searched outside.

Violet and Cat stayed inside and continued to mourn.)

Chris: Let's check this Monokuma File-thing first.

(We agreed and each activated our tablets.

Once it turned one I was presented with a photo Paige with a mark to show where her fatal wound was inflicted.

Under her picture was a chart detailing her physical attributes, and specific time and cause of death.)

File: The victim is Paige, The Ultimate Clown. Body was discovered in the karaoke bar at about 6:30pm. Cause of death was fatal stabbing. Other than the stab wounds, no other injuries where found on the body.

Ryan: She was stabbed huh...

Ivy: Guess that explains all the blood.

Cookie: There are plenty of sharp thing she could've been stabbed with considering there's a kitchen in here.

Chris: It's annoying that this doesn't just tell us what the weapon was.

Claire: I'm sure I can figure it out if I take a look at her actual corpse.

Beck: Y-You're gonna touch her corpse?!

Claire: Yeah...that's literally my whole livelihood.

Beck: Maybe but still she...

Ryan: If we want to solve this then we need to check her corpse. I don't like the idea either but, at least we have someone who's willing to do it.

Benny: Ha ha yeah, I don't want to throw up again...

Claire: I'll start checking on her body, you guys look elsewhere.

(We separated as much as we could and began looking around.)

▌OBTAINED TRUTH BULLET⏵

"Monokuma File 1" has been added to the Truth Bullets section of your MonoSurface.

(Right now I'm standing in the center of the karaoke bar, a little bit back from Paige's body where our tables were before we moved them.

To my left are our seats and the entrance door.

In front of me I can see Paige's body, the side window, the bar, and the kitchen door.

To my right are the dining tables, Benny, and the elaborately setup karaoke stage.

Behind me are Violet and Cat, sobbing away.

So, where should I look first...)

¿ EXAMINE Seats ?

(Chris was also looking around the seats, so I joined him.

Where we were sitting was actually one long, black booth seat. There are no actual chairs in here right now, I assume the party-planners moved those somewhere else so we would all sit at the booth and have to watch the stage.)

Ryan: Find anything?

Chris: Aside from a gross amount of sweat, no. I'm not even sure what I'm expecting to find, loose change?

Ryan:It's possible the murder weapon was hidden in there, I'll look with you.

(I began to slide my hands around the booth.)

Ryan: Oh wow, you were right about the sweat.

(We searched every inch of the booth, but found nothing.)

Ryan: Damn, guess that's too easy of a hiding spot.

Chris: I don't know, I'm starting to think the killer couldn't have hid something back here. I mean, we were all standing close by the booth when we were...partying. Mkaes sense right?

Ryan: I don't know...none of this makes sense. We found Paige dead after the smoke from Beck's show faded out, and when it faded out, I swear everyone was standing in the same place they were when the smoke started.

Chris: Nobody had any reason to move...maybe the killer is whoever was closest to Paige...

Ryan: When we all stood up, Curt and I were closest to her.

Chris: Yeah...but there's no way it was...

Ryan: It could be anyone, that's the nature of this "game".

Chris: ...Fuck...

▌OBTAINED TRUTH BULLET⏵

"Empty Booth Seat" has been added to the Truth Bullets section of your MonoSurface.

▌OBTAINED TRUTH BULLET⏵

"Party Positioning" has been added to the Truth Bullets section of your MonoSurface.

▌OBTAINED TRUTH BULLET⏵

"Party Attendees" has been added to the Truth Bullets section of your MonoSurface.

Chris: I'll keep looking around here even though, there's probably nothing. You check elsewhere.

Ryan: Ok.

(Where next?)

¿ EXAMINE Entrance ?

(This is the entrance and exit for the karaoke bar, as far as I know, it's the only door that goes in and out of the building.

It's a transparent glass door with a knob, you can easily see inside and outside the building by looking through.

The door has lock but there's no way it was locked recently, the only person with a key is probably Monokuma and there was no reason for us to lock the door since we were having a party.

Plus, it couldn't have been locked after I arrived since Benny ended up running in once Paige...

Why didn't that twerp show upon time..it's really bugging me...)

▌OBTAINED TRUTH BULLET⏵

"Entrance/Exit Door" has been added to the Truth Bullets section of your MonoSurface.

(I think that's all I need to know about the door.

Where next?)

¿ EXAMINE Paige's Body ?

(Claire is tossing and turning Paige's corpse like it's a doll and Ivy is watching diligently.

I...really don't want to approach it but, I need to know what's up.)

Ryan: Learn anything?

Claire: She's happy.

Ryan: Huh? Y-Yeah she was always happy.

Claire: She died happy, and she's still happy...on the otherside.

Ryan: I uh...I want to believe that.

Claire: No need to belevie it, it's true, I can tell. Trust me I'm good with this stuff.

(Is there really a way to know that?

Well this is the Ultimate Mortician I'm talking to...so it is true.

That's...good.)

Ivy: One day I'll figure out how to do seances properly and we will all get to see her again. But I know she's watching over us all right now...as a ghost!

(I'd like to believe that too...but Ivy's word is less reliable than Claire's.)

Ryan: Did you learn anything about how she died?

Ivy: She was stabbed duh-doy, you read the file didn't you?

Ryan: Yeah but what was she stabbed with-

Claire: Probably a steak knife.

Ivy: Really? We all had one of those...

Ryan: How can you tell?

Claire: Her wounds are small but they're brutal and deep.

Ryan: Wait did you just say "wounds"? She was stabbed more than once?

Claire: Yes, there are clearly two stabs wounds on her torso.

Ryan: The Monokuma File didn't specify that, the diagram of her body only showed one wound that was near her heart...

Claire: That only displayed the fatal wound. The culprit must have been aiming for her heart, but missed once.

Ivy: That makes sense, it was super smokey in here.

Claire: That's still only one possibility though, the wound could be from two different culprits-

Ryan: What? No fucking way that's the case.

Claire: ...yeah...We'll have to find out, no matter what both of her wounds were created by a steak knife and if you don't believe that I can show you by stabbing-

Ryan: Ah no no no I do not need to see that.

Claire: Ok.

▌OBTAINED TRUTH BULLET⏵

"Paige's Wounds" has been added to the Truth Bullets section of your MonoSurface.

▌OBTAINED TRUTH BULLET⏵

"Steak Knife" has been added to the Truth Bullets section of your MonoSurface.

Claire: I'll keep looking, there might be something else important on her person.

Ivy: And I'll keep uh...watchin'.

Ryan: Alright, good luck then!

(Before walking away, I glanced at Paige's body again.

She didn't deserve this..no of us deserved this at all but...her especially...she just wanted to make others laugh...it...it should've been m-

No! No time to think shit like that right now, we gotta move!

I walked away from Paige's corpse)

(Where next?)

¿ EXAMINE Side Window ?

(On the left wall, relative to the entrance, there is small, rectangular window.

I remember this, this leads right to that alleyway...and it's opened at an angle...hm...)

Ryan: Was this open the whole time?

(Jenn jumped up from the other side of the window and scared the hell out of me.)

Jenn: Yeah!

Ryan: Ah! Don't do that.

Jenn: I was just answering your question, that's what reporters do, you tellin' me to not do my job?

Ryan: No I'm telling you to not jump out of nowhere when someone's on edge.

Jenn: Well that's good, if I wasn't doing my job we'd never solve this case. It may not seem like it but it's a journalist's job to share the truth with the general public, I'm gonna use all my brain power to make sure we figure who did this.

Ryan: Glad everyone's on the same page.

(Well, one of us isn't.)

Ryan: So this window was open the whole time?

Jenn: Definitely, I remember noticing it.

(Beck, who was examining the karaoke stage, moved closer to use and shared some insight.)

Beck: I opened that window when Cookie, Paige, and I were setting up for the party. I figured we'd need it open to air out our stench, especially Tom.

(Tom, who was somewhere outside, retorted.)

Tom: I heard that!

Beck: You were supposed to, stinkboy.

Ryan: That's really why you opened it?

Beck: Nah, I actually opened it to air out any potential smoke and ash created by my pyrotechnics, obviously.

Jenn: Oh that makes sense.

Ryan: That was I thinking...but the fact that this window was open means...

Beck: What?

Ryan: Uh-Nothing never mind.

(This is the investigation, I should save accusations for the trial.

If I cause a fuss now, we'd never find enough clues.)

Ryan: Thanks you guys.

Jenn: No problem.

(Jenn left the window and continued searching.)

Beck: Why are you actin' like a detective?

Ryan: We're all acting like detectives, we need to solve this mystery.

Beck: Guess your right...but the way you're putting your hand to your chin is making you look like a professional.

(I didn't even notice I was doing that.)

Beck: Maybe you solved a lot of mysteries when you were an educator, like: "Who put this thumbtack on my chair?" "Why is this chick getting bad grades?" "Why do i get so sweaty when-"

Ryan: Ok I get it, go back to searching please.

Beck: Fine.

(Beck walked back to the stage.)

▌OBTAINED TRUTH BULLET⏵

"Alleyway Window" has been added to the Truth Bullets section of your MonoSurface.

(Where next?)

¿ EXAMINE Bar ?

(The bar area is set up like any normal one, stools, long table, and plenty of drinks.

I could totally go for one of those right about now but, I need to stay sober if I'm gonna get anything done.

Not really sure this area is actually relevant to anything, this was only sued by Cookie to set out plates and utensils for us.

I'll still take a quick peek around though...)

...

(Hm, nothing out of the ordinary here expect...

There's still one plate of steak and utensils sitting here.

Actually wait a second...oh! This plate has no knife, there's only a fork.

Why'd it take me so long to notice that?

Whatever, that's gotta be important.)

▌OBTAINED TRUTH BULLET⏵

"Abandoned Steak Plate" has been added to the Truth Bullets section of your MonoSurface.

(Other than that, there's nothing else here.)

(Where next?)

¿ EXAMINE Kitchen Door ?

(This is a door with a small window on it behind the bar area, it must lead to the kitchen.

I Opened the door and saw Cookie looking around.

The whole area was pretty crammed, definitely not a professional setup.)

Ryan: Find anything in this...mess.

Cookie: Ah...no. Sorry about the mess I had no time to clean up after preparing-

Ryan: No that's fine, honestly this place is so messy I doubt it played any part in the...murder.

(I hate using that word, I hate that it applies to something happening in my real life...)

Cookie: You think so? That's good to hear, blame would be placed on me if the kitchen had obvious clues.

Ryan: Well you're in the clear.

(For now...)

Ryan: Actually...

Cookie: Yes?

Ryan: There's no way in or out of the building from here, right?

Cookie: No, there's no emergency exit or chimney, this place would fail a health inspection no doubt.

Ryan: And no...secret hatches?

Cookie: No way, we would've noticed something like that days ago when we thought...we could leave.

Ryan: ...Right. What about...weapons.

Cookie: Eh?! Y-You are acussing me!

Ryan: No! I just want to know, a kitchen of all places would have...ya know...dangerous stuff.

Cookie: W-Well yes there are several knives and skewers in here of various sizes but I-I swear I only used them for cooking purposes!

Ryan: I'll trust you on that.

(Maybe.)

Cookie: Actually I did notice one thing in regards to that.

Ryan: What?

Cookie: There were only 16 steak knives in this kitchen, which is...was exactly enough for everyone. So all the steak knives are in the dining area.

Ryan: Really...that's odd...

(Especially considering that's the murder weapon...

Maybe I should check the dining area for knives, see if any are missing.)

Ryan: Ok I guess that's all, you can get back to your search, good luck!

Cookie: Good luck to you too, I pray we can figure this out.

(Me too...

I left the kitchen and returned to the main room.)

▌OBTAINED TRUTH BULLET⏵

"Karaoke Bar Kitchen" has been added to the Truth Bullets section of your MonoSurface.

▌OBTAINED TRUTH BULLET⏵

"Cookie's Claim" has been added to the Truth Bullets section of your MonoSurface.

(Geeze, this is shaping up to be a real mystery...)

(Where next?)

¿ EXAMINE Dining Tables ?

(These are the tables we were using to eat, we pushed them closer to the stage so we'd have room to dance around and have fun...that fun didn't last too long though.

There are still empty plates and utensils on here.

I should count how many knives are on here, since only 15 of us were here to eat there should be exactly 15 knives.

Also, since we were pretty rowdy when we moved these tables, the utensils are spread everywhere and don't match with any plates, so if I found the exact murder weapon I wouldn't know who it belonged to...damn.

Hm...

Uh...

There are only 14 knives...that probably means...

One of them was used to kill Paige and then hidden somewhere...that confirms it though...one of us did this...

▌OBTAINED TRUTH BULLET⏵

"Missing Steak Knife" has been added to the Truth Bullets section of your MonoSurface.

(Was it really someone who was at the karaoke bar? I still think that person is still suspicious.

Guess I'll have to find out.)

(Where next?)

¿ EXAMINE Benny ?

(I approached Benny, who was seemingly just standing doing nothing.)

Benny: Hey Ryan! This place is pretty elaborately setup, huh. How's your search goin'?

Ryan: What about your search you look like you're doing nothing!

Benny: No I just got done checking the trash barrel, and guess what, there was nothing important in there!

Ryan: Whatever I don't care - where the hell where you during the party?!

Benny: Ah! A personality change!

Ryan: Shut up and explain yourself!

Benny: Alright, alright. Ya see, I was really lookin' forwards to this party. I mean, everyone jamin' out together eating Cookie's amazing food sounded awesome! I even came down to check on the preparations earlier.

(Hm...I remember Paige mentioning that before...)

Ryan: If you were so excited then why weren't you here?

Benny: I was getting to that Mr. Pushy. Ya see, uh, it's sorta embarrsing...

Ryan: What?

Benny: I...uh...got caught up using the "male accommodations" in my room...if ya know what I mean.

Ryan: Y-YOU WHAT?!

Benny: Ha ha ha! Kidding kidding! I wanted to lighten up the mood.

(I want to strangle this guy right now.)

Ryan: Just tell the damn truth!

Benny: Yeaaah ok ok. In all honesty...I uh...was in the bathroom.

Ryan: Seriously?

(Paige's assumption was right?)

Benny: Yeah, Cookie's food was real good on the way in but hell on the way out.

Ryan: The party started at 5, you were in the bathroom for an hour and a half? You expect me to believe that?

Benny: I-It was an on and off sorta thing, I was hyped for the party but I didn't want to come down and be in and out of the bathroom the whole time.

(...I can't tell if he's lying or not, I mean, he has been eating a lot but...seriously?)

Benny: You guys had fun without me, right? Up until, what happened. Beck sorta explained the situation to me.

Ryan: Well yeah, we had a lot of fun.

Benny: I'm glad to hear that. When I checked in on the progress Paige was ecstatic. I'm happy she had fun in her final moments, that's how I would want to go out...with a smile on my face. When I came down earlier-

*Benny's flashback*

Benny: Woah you guys are really goin' all out!

Paige: Of course we are! This party is going to be the driving force that brings us all together, for real. Beck is setting up some pyrotechnics and Cookie just finished making steak for everyone.

Benny: Oh my gosh! This is gonna be a blast!

Paige: Yeah! That's the spirit!

*end Benny's flashback*

Benny: ...How could this happen...whoever ruined our fun...I won't forgive them!

(Wow, he's actually being genuine for once.)

Ryan: Yeah...we'll avenge Paige, don't worry.

▌OBTAINED TRUTH BULLET⏵

"Benny's Claims" has been added to the Truth Bullets section of your MonoSurface.

Benny: Let's do our best!

Ryan: Yeah...

(Where next?)

¿ EXAMINE Karaoke Stage ?

(I approached the karaoke stage, Beck was there inspecting her pyrotechnics.

I'll jsut go right out and say it.)

Ryan: Beck, what the fuck were you thinking?

Beck: Uuhh I was thinking we'd all have a great time, and guess what, we did!

Ryan: Maybe but you definitely went a little overboard with the-

Beck: "Overboard" is my middle name dude don-t-cha get that by now? Besides, there wasn't supposed to be that much smoke.

Ryan: Huh?

(Beck pulled out a large, square, black device that was at the side of the stage.

Oh, it's a smoke machine.)

Beck: The smoke was caused by this thing and my fireworks.

Ryan: Well, duh.

Beck: No but this smoke machine wasn't supposed to be used! I only brought it here in case I needed it, and in the end I didn't need it. I knew using it would cause too much smoke for this place to handle.

Ryan: So someone else activated it?

Beck: I guess, but I dunno how. I assume it was set off by the killer since the smoke could hid their crime.

Ryan: God, the mysteries just keep piling on.

Beck: If we all work together I'm sure we'll figure it out.

(But we can't work together because someone is working against us.)

Ryan: Anything else off about the stage?

Beck: Nah, but if you want you can check out the blueprints I made for the stage layout.

Ryan: Ok that might be helpful.

(Beck pulled out a folded paper from her pocket and handed it to me.)

Beck: Here ya go. You can keep it, I autographed it so it should be worth big bucks on eBay.

Ryan: Uh...ok.

Beck: You look like you could use some money.

(And just like that, I'm done talking to her.)

▌OBTAINED TRUTH BULLET⏵

"Smoke Machine" has been added to the Truth Bullets section of your MonoSurface.

▌OBTAINED TRUTH BULLET⏵

"Karaoke Stage Setup" has been added to the Truth Bullets section of your MonoSurface.

(I checked out Beck's blueprint that was not surprisingly, poorly drawn and labeled.

Looks like she had several spot lights aimed where we were sitting, some fireworks at the back of the stage and...that's it?

Is this really helpful? Whatever.)

(Where next?

I've already checked out everything inside here...or have I?

Maybe...I should check on them.)

-end -

¿ EXAMINE Violet and Cat ?

(I glanced over at Violet and Cat who were both still crying together, Cat especially seems to be losing it.

I think we all want to do the same but if we let our emotions take control and don't play along with this stupid trial shit, who knows what that Monokuma thing will do to us .

We might end up just like Paige if we don't...actually maybe that'd be a better outcome for us than-no-no we need to live on and see this through together.

I...shouldn't interrupt those two.)

▌OBTAINED TRUTH BULLET⏵

"Cat's Emotions" has been added to the Truth Bullets section of your MonoSurface.

(Alright, I've searched everything in here.

Maybe I should head outside and see how everyone is doing.

Honestly, I hope they didn't find anything so this mystery doesn't get even more complicated.)

(I exited the karaoke bar.)

(Once I left, May approached me.)

May: Oh hey, how's everything going in there?

Ryan: Oh it's uh...well I don't think "fine" is the right word to use but we've found some stuff out, barely, we're mostly confused.

May: We are too, hopefully you can share your findings before we do the whole "trial" thing.

Ryan: Yeah we should make time for that. Have you guys found anything out here?

May Yes.

(Damn.)

May: I was just about to go in and tell you guys. Follow me.

(I followed May over to the alleyway next to the bar. Jenn and Tom are back here doing nothing.

May approached one of the crates by the side window and opened it.

On the inside was...a bloody steak knife.)

Ryan: Oh god. That...that must be the murder weapon.

Jenn: Breaking news! Pedo spouts obvious facts!

Ryan: Be quiet!

▌UPDATED TRUTH BULLET⏵

"Steak Knife" has been updated in the Truth Bullets section of your MonoSurface.

May: She was stabbed with a steak knife, we all had one of these so...anyone could be the killer.

Ryan: Yeah...

Tom: Uhg this the worst! Who the hell did this? Why the hell did they do this-

May: Because they want to leave.

Tom: Huh?

May: We...we thought we started a friendship and agreed on a plan to...to stay here forever but...someone thought otherwise. They played along with Monokuma's rules because they can't stand being here, they can't stand being with us.

Tom: Damn it...whoever it is a great liar. I seriously trusted all of you and now I...I can't...

May: No, if we are gonna get through this we still have to believe in each other.

Tom: But how can we?

May: We just...have to.

Jenn: This is a murder we're talking about not stolen lunch money! Someone here is murderer and we have no idea who w-we need to be skeptical.

May: *sigh* ...I don't know...we just...have to do it...

(Oh no, even May is giving up.

I need to interject with...something.)

Ryan: Come on guys, May is right. No matter what we need to-

Ryan: Huh?

(Monokuma boardcasted to us, we walked over to view it on the mall monitor.)

Monokuma: Did you guys get enough evidence? Yes? No? Too bad! This is always the boring part so let's get to the fun stuff, the city trial! Everyone please gather at the mall elevator, thank you!

(Monokuma ended his broadcast.)

Tom: S-Shit that means.

Ryan: The search is over, and we need to uncover the culprit.

May: But we didn't even have to share everything we know!

Ryan: I bet Monokuma doesn't want us to that, to make our trial more "interesting".

Tom: Fuck.

(The other began to walk past us.

Jack, Curt, Suds.)

Curt: Let's go guys, we don't have a choice.

Jack: If it weren't for the laws of this city I would still be searching.

Suds: There's nothin' more we can do.

(Claire, Cookie, Beck, and Benny left the karaoke bar and walked to the mall as well.

Claire approached me.)

Claire: Hey uh...you should try and talk to Violet and Cat, I think maybe you'll be able to get through to at least one of them. They wouldn't listen to us and if they don't move...they're in trouble.

Ryan: Ah ok, you guys go on ahead.

(Turned back and went inside the karaoke bar while everyone else went to the mall.)

(Inside, Violet and Cat were still emotional wrecks. Although they weren't crying anymore, just sitting in sad silence.)

Ryan: Hey, uh, we gotta go guys.

Violet: ...

Cat: ...

Ryan: C-Come you know the laws.

(Wow I hated saying that.)

Violet: ...

Cat: ...

(How could i get through to them.

I glanced over at...the body.

I know she could so...

Hm...)

Ryan: Paige wouldn't want you guys to be like this.

Violet: ...

Ryan: She wants you guys to be happy no matter what. I know you can't smile and laugh right now but, soon enough you will. Everything can go back to normal and we can all be friends again once we...once we solve this!

Violet: ...Ye...Yeah you're-

Chatty: How the fuck would you know what she wants?!

Ryan: H-Huh?

Chatty: Y-You can't say shit like that! You're not her, y-you know nothing about her! You don't know what she would want!

Ryan: With the way you're reacting to me...you must know what she-

Chatty: I don't-

Ryan: You know she wouldn't want you acting the way you are but you can't help it so you're aggravated with yourself and taking it out on me!

Chatty: I...f-fuck you!

(Cat started crying and ran out of the room.

I guess I was right.

I was really able to read her there...but how? Is understanding people some sort of educator ability?)

Violet: I'm glad you got through to her.

Ryan: Did I though.

Violet: Well, she's upset but at least she reacted.

Ryan: I guess.

Violet: Now then, l-let's go to the mall. Let's settle this. I-I don't actually know anything about the evidence and stuff so, hopefully you'll help me.

Ryan: Of course, we're all gonna help each other get through this, like we've planned this time.

Violet: Good.

(Violet and I made our way out of the bar.

Violet was really determined and moved way ahead of me.

I stopped to take a look at Paige's body again.

Don't worry, we'll avenge you.

You just keep smiling and spreading joy...wherever you are now.

I continued walking.

I wonder what will happen with her corpse-)

Ryan: What the hell is on my shoe?

(I look down at my foot and saw there was a...lollipop stuck to it?)

Ryan: When did I step on this?

(I took it off my foot and throw it into the trash barrel next to the exit door.

But once I opened that trash barrel I saw...)

Ryan: What the?!

(There's another bloody knife in here!

H-How'd we over look this?

I-I mean it's a trash barrel but still we should've searched everywhere.

Or...did someone search here? Too much is going on I can't remember.

▌OBTAINED TRUTH BULLET⏵

"Trash Barrel Bloody Steak Knife" has been added to the Truth Bullets section of your MonoSurface.

(What else is in here...there's a small white...uh...

I reached in to pick up the small object.

I gave it a look and was shocked.

It's a name tag!

What the hell is name tag doing here?

No that's not the weirdest part, the weird part, is what this thing says.)

"Tristan

The Ultimate Killer"

Ryan: WHAT?!

("Ultimate Killer"? Seriously? That's too crazy.

This was just put here to mess with us right.

This doesn't belong to anyone here, it's a fake or maybe...

There's still...

No whatever! This must only be here to make us panic, I need to keep this a secret.)

▌OBTAINED TRUTH BULLET⏵

"Mysterious Name Tag" has been added to the Truth Bullets section of your MonoSurface.

(Ok, I've been lingering here for too long.

I gotta go join everyone at the mall.

This...this is nuts.)

(I arrived at the mall and saw everyone gathered around the large elevator, Monokuma was there as well and called me out.)

Monokuma: There's my favorite boy! Good thing you finally showed up 'cuse I was ready to set up a play date for you and Sentrykuma.

Violet: What took you so long?

Benny: You probably had to use the bathroom, right?

Ryan: Uh yeah, something like that.

Monokuma: Now that everyone's here let's go to the court!

Curt: The court is...in the mall?

Jack: There's no way that's possibly, I've searched all over this wretched place and-

Monokuma: You'll see you'll see, get in the elevator everyone!

(We all reluctantly followed the bears orders and gathered in the elevator.

Unlike the hotel elevators, this one was large and could easily fit about 20 people.

The doors slowly closed.

We all stood together in silence, we were all too anxious for whatever was next.)

(Monokuma pulled out a key and inserted it in a slot next to the elevator's buttons.

Once he turned the key a compartment with two new buttons opened up.

The buttons both had an image of a gavel on them, one button was green and one was red.

Monokuma violently pressed the green button and the elevator began to ascend.)

Chris: Oh the court is on the roof...somehow.

Ivy: Or it's on the cursed 13th floor.

Monokuma: Ha ha ha! You wish.

Curt: What do you mean-

(The elevator abruptly stopped.)

Beck: Ow!

May: What the heck-

(Then we heard loud, metallic noises.

Every time we heard one the elevator shook.

Is-Is this thing gonna-)

Monokuma: Hold onto your butts!

(We heard one last sound and then we immediately began falling.

We all became seemingly weightless as the elevator violently descended.)

AAAAAHHHHHHH!

(This is it, this damn bear isn't taking us to a court, he's taking us straight to hell.

We're falling straight into hell!)

AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!

(After what felt like an agonizing eternity, the elevator halted and we all hit the floor with great force.

I guess he timed that perfectly so it would kill us but damn...I'm starting to wish I was dead.)

-end -

Tom: Ooowwww...

Violet: Uuuhhgggg...

Beck: Heh...that was sorta fun.

Benny: Let's never do that again...

Cookie: Urgh...

(Then the doors opened and revealed...a court room.

A genuine, wood-themed court room.)

Monokuma: Oh quit bein' babies you're teenagers you can handle a little excitement now and then.

Jack: You've provided us far too much exictment.

Monokuma: Puhuhuhu! You say that and we're only just getting started, now, assume positions!

(We all began to stand up.)

Ryan: What?

Monokuma: Don'tcha see those podiums set up in a circle, those are for you guys! Go to the one you feel most comfortable at and we can begin the trial.

May: Circular podiums? That's not how court-

Monokuma: This is my court specifically designed for this killing game! This layout works great as you will all be debating with each other over about your clues and who culprit is and all that. Get movin'! I have to go change into something more, judicial.

(Monokuma left, but he probably didn't go far.)

Violet: So this is it, a city trail for this dumb killing game.

Tom: This dumb game that...one of us played.

May: We'll work together, and find out who's responsible.

Curt: One of us...is a true, evil, and deceptive coward. I will never forgive them.

Chatty: Let's avenge her, let's avenge Paige and call out the dickweed who killed her!

Ivy: If only I knew how to do a seance we could've had the answer already...

(With worried faces, we each found a podium to stand at, and awaited Monokuma's return.)

(The trust we though we once had...was a lie.

We agreed not to play this game.

We agreed to stay here for the indefinite future, together.

We agreed to be friends.

But to one person here, that agreement...was a lie.)

(Paige was a joy generator, and some cruel asshole turned that generator off.

I will never forgive them.

Justice will be served.

We will avenge her...we'll avenge her...

WITH THIS CITY TRIAL OF TRUTH!)

TO BE CONTINUED...