Trial 1-2: Turnabout Deceit
Almost immediately, Nico's expression turned horrified. "Wait, what?! You can't seriously-"
"The majority of things I do in a setting like this are, indeed, serious. I may have a penchant for sarcasm, but I know when to turn it down."
"But- But! Todd!" Nico looked around in desperation. "C'mon, does everyone else think Todd would really be capable of murder?!"
"Why should you care so much about him?" Maya folded her arms in defiance. "You're engaged, aren't you?"
"Yes, I am, but Todd's like a little brother to me!" she pleaded, "I know he can't possibly have killed JJ!"
"That's where you're wrong." Sasha muttered, "And I'll show you why, beyond a shadow of a doubt."
==Nonstop Debate!==
Weak points are in italics, break points are in both bold and italics.
==Begin!==
Ammunition loaded: Hideki's Autopsy, Blood in the Area, Locket
Sasha: Let's see, now.
Sasha: What reason would Todd have to hide away and not show up in court?
Johan: You're accusing Todd of having a guilt complex?
Johan: I don't think the kid even knows what 'guilt' even means...
Jackie: Still, she may be correct yet.
Jackie: Todd's vanishing does seem pretty suspicious.
Xiang: Caution, now.
Xiang: We must not jump to conclusions so rapidly.
Tien: Besides, it's not like there's any evidence linking Todd and JJ's death.
Faen: Indeedly so. Shall we move on?
Sasha: Absolutely not!
==Counter!==
Sasha: There's over a forty-seven percent chance that you're wrong! (Fired: Locket)
BREAK!
"What? There is?" Tien reacted, shocked.
"Of course. Take a look at that." Sasha flipped open her Truth Bullet, and shifted it over to Tien.
Enlarged it, she studied the commentary that came along with it. "A locket, huh? And this was found on JJ's person?"
"Yeah," she smirked. "And judging by what Nico said, the locket belongs to Todd, since it has a picture of him and a fellow member of his troupe, which only he could have had."
"JJ had dirt on everyone! He might have been able to fake that locket!" Nico desperately claimed.
"No," said Sasha, "Because he would have needed to procure an exact replica of the locket itself - something that would have been near impossible with our current circumstances."
"But-"
"Shh. You're hysterical, Nico. One can't have an emotional bias in a situation like this."
"Wait, but…" Xiang started, "How would JJ have gotten the locket? Todd was not wearing it before he died."
That gave Sasha enough pause to stop and consider.
"W-Well, I'm sure that's not important-"
Xiang: Hold your tongue. There's something I must clarify!
"S-Seriously? Xiang, even you are dismissing me as a conspiracy theorist?" she looked shocked, perhaps even hurt.
His face was impassive. "I never said that. I merely wish not to accuse Todd of any wrongdoing until we are sure he is confirmed to be guilty."
"I feel like I make a very convincing argument!"
"But the fact remains that, unless you can prove JJ managed to acquire the locket..." Xiang stated solemnly, "Your argument is very flimsy - you can't just leave this matter unaddressed."
"Xiang," muttered Sasha. Then her face hardened. "I guess I'll have to show you how right I am, then. Remember, you're staring at a winner of debate nationals. I'm not gonna go down easy."
The same ray of orange light shine out from the projector, before surrounding Sasha and Xiang. Both of them had on their most resolute faces.
==Cross Swords!==
Usable Swords: State of Todd's Room, Footprints in Todd's Room, Ava's Account
Xiang: Consider the person ==/== in question.
Xiang: Todd is a ==/== skilled Acrobat.
Xiang: If he was wearing the locket, it ==/== would not have been taken so easily from him.
Xiang: And if Nico's words ring true, Todd ==/== holds the locket very dearly to him.
Xiang: So why or how would he have ==/== left JJ the locket?
Progression!
Sasha: That's only supposing ==/== JJ took the locket from Todd himself!
Sasha: There is a very good chance ==/== that JJ had taken the locket...
Sasha: And Todd was trying to ==/== get it back!
Xiang: Then you face yet ==/== another dilemma.
Xiang: Rule #4 states that, until investigation time, ==/== no one may enter another classmate's room.
Xiang: So how else could he ==/== have obtained the locket?
Sasha: Your campaign is over! (Chosen sword: Ava's Account)
Break!
"Ava." Sasha turned to our Hockey Player, "Can you confirm that this is the truth?"
Hearing the playback of Nico's recording, she nodded, "Yes, that is indeed what I said, Oryolov. Dunham never closed his room door, and since it can only be locked from the inside, anyone could have accessed the room."
"Exactly! And with the pair of footprints, doesn't it seem possible that JJ could have snuck into Todd's room and taken his locket, and Todd killed him in the struggle to get it back?"
This caused some of the rest of us to murmur amongst ourselves. As for me, I was considering the legitimacy of her claim, and while I did agree it was a possibility, something just didn't click.
I just wish I knew what, and why.
Before I could make known my thoughts, another voice rang out. "That's not proof of anything!"
Sasha looked slightly confused. "What's that supposed to mean, Kenta?"
"Todd never took his locket back. We can't dismiss the possibility that it was planted. Thus, anyone who could have gotten into Todd's room could have also planted the locket on JJ." Hideki crossed his arms.
Sasha glared at him. "Who else would have gone for the locket?"
Hideki: I'll need to suture your arguments up!
"The answer to that is simple enough: JJ's real killer," he growled, "I present to you all that the locket was taken, not by JJ, but by someone else...someone who desperately wanted to frame Todd." He shot Sasha a glare.
"A-Are you seriously accusing me of the murder?"
"Not yet, but perhaps...depends on if your arguments are going to hold up."
Sasha sneered. "Bring it, Kenta."
Again, a beam of orange light closed off the rest of us from seeing and supporting either side - not that I knew who to support. Hideki and Sasha were both some of the smartest people here - who would win this argument?
==Cross Swords!==
Usable Swords: Bloody Wounds, Letter in JJ's Room, Tranquilizer
Hideki: Anyone who wanted to frame Todd ==/== could have taken the locket!
Hideki: Todd was an easy target to frame ==/== since his body was never found!
Hideki: However, it's possible that he was ==/== tranquilized and kept in a secure location...
Hideki: ...Preventing him from coming to the trial ==/== and be able to defend himself!
Hideki: He's just a convenient scapegoat ==/== for the actual murderer!
Progression!
Sasha: While that's a distinct possibility, ==/== that hinges on the killer being able to subdue Todd!
Sasha: The kid was fast and agile ==/== there's no way anyone could have injected him!
Sasha: Besides, other than Todd and Nico ==/== no one even knew the locket existed!
Sasha: Thus, there is no way ==/== that they would target it!
Hideki: You may have a point ==/== but still...
Hideki: There shouldn't be anything else ==/== to connect Todd to JJ-!
Hideki: If you do have something, show it to-
Sasha: Your campaign is over! (Chosen sword: Bloody Wounds)
Break!
"And what are the wounds on JJ's body supposed to imply?"
"You said it yourself," scoffed Sasha, "He had to have been hit from above, if your interpretation of the angle is to be believed."
"Yeah, and?" Hideki asked. "Matthew's idea - that the killer stood on something, perhaps something out of view, stands."
"From what we know of JJ, he would have been too paranoid to not notice someone standing on a chair." Sasha's voice became noticeably quieter. "There's only one person who could have hit JJ like that, and I think you all know who it is."
"You can't mean-"
"Yes, I can. The only possible explanation is that Todd used his abilities to get above him and strike."
Above him?
"Yes," she snapped her fingers, "I remember hearing from Xiang that Todd was athletic enough to climb the chandelier in the atrium on our first morning here."
"That is true..." Ava looked around. "Everyone but Nico and Sasha was there - we even saw Todd drop down and slam into Monokuma from above."
"And I sure as hell didn't appreciate that! Good riddance!"
"What if whoever it was kicked JJ's legs out from under him, or kicked his knees, or otherwise forced him down?" asked Lucille.
"JJ is large and muscular. I'd say he'd even be able to take out Johan. Besides, did you notice any bruising on his legs?"
Hideki swore under his breath. "No. No I didn't. As much as I hate to admit it, you're right - Todd is the only person who could have hit him from above like that."
The tide was turning quickly. More and more people were quickly becoming certain that Sasha was right, and Todd was indeed the killer. I myself was nearly convinced.
Key word: nearly.
But something was up. Todd seemed too obvious a killer. Besides, I had talked with him, and I was sure someone like him couldn't have wanted to pull off the murder-
Talked with him.
Talked.
Wait a moment.
"Objection!"
Before I could react, Nico, the sole person left who was entirely unconvinced that Todd could have been guilty, spoke up. "I won't have you decry Todd like that!"
"Nico, just give up. I know that you're having a hard time comprehending his betrayal," said Sasha, "And I'm really sorry that it had to come to this, but-"
"There's no way I'll ever believe that he did it!"
"Honestly! At this point it's clear you're in denial!"
Nico fumed. "Todd didn't kill JJ. Someone else did. And I'm going to prove it."
==Nonstop Debate!==
Weak points are in italics, break points are in both bold and italics.
==Begin!==
Ammunition loaded: Placement of Stands, Rule #10, State of Todd's Room
Sasha: I think at this point I've established that Todd is the killer.
Sasha: I'm sorry, but you're going to have to accept it.
Sasha: And you being this adamant is the most preposterous thing I've heard all day.
Hideki: Even I'm inclined to agree. I don't see how it could be anyone else.
Matthew: There isn't anyone else who could have killed JJ like that.
Sasha: Besides, his absence is still kind of suspicious.
Johan: Again, do you really think that he has a guilt complex?
Sasha: No. I think that he is pretending to be dead to escape suspicion, and the trial.
Sasha: Because...Well, what if the reason he's disappeared is because he's in hiding?
Sasha: Ergo! He isn't actually dead.
==Counter!==
Nico: Hold up! It's my time to get lucky! (Fired: Placement of Stands)
BREAK!
"Would Ataru- I mean, Monokuma, really start the trial even if he tried to hide?" Nico argued, "He has to punish someone at the end, and it wouldn't be good to punish someone who isn't here. He's not pretending to be dead because he's incapacitated somewhere else, but he doesn't have to be here because he's not the murderer!"
"Still, the lack of a stand indicates that he may still be alive," countered Sasha, "And maybe Monokuma can just punish him from afar!"
"She eez right," offered Jackie.
"I'm not done! Besides, I know Todd couldn't have lured JJ out-"
Sasha: There's no use Stalin, and I'll show you why!
"This has gone on long enough! I won't have you keep lying to yourself!" Sasha stared at Nico. "I know it's awful to think about this kind of betrayal. I honestly know what you're going through. But denying it when all the evidence is stacked against you is just unhealthy. You have to accept it and move on!"
Nico glared. "You're wrong. I swear on the sisterly love I never received that I will clear Todd's name - once and for freakin' all."
Once again, the orange beam of light closed them off from the rest of us.
==Cross Swords!==
Usable Swords: Rule #10, Letter in JJ's Room
Sasha: JJ had some tendencies ==/== that wouldn't be out of place in a conspiracy theorist.
Sasha: He had information on everyone ==/== and was constantly monitoring all of us.
Sasha: Perhaps he snuck into Todd's room ==/== upon seeing the open door.
Sasha: Then he took Todd's locket ==/== which angered Todd.
Sasha: So Todd killed him, ==/== although he did not take his locket back.
Progression!
Nico: Todd would never have killed someone ==/== over his locket!
Nico: In fact, Todd would have ==/== never killed anyone in the first place!
Sasha: Still, there's no proof ==/== that Todd couldn't have done it!
Nico: I'll mix you with the base and drop ya! (Chosen sword: Letter in JJ's Room)
Break!
"...Todd is illiterate. He spent his whole childhood in the company of traveling minstrels, and never went to school."
Slamming her fists down on her stand, she pointed at Sasha with an accusing finger. "If you had even spent any time with him, you would have known from the start that he could not have possibly lured JJ to the kitchen!"
Sasha was shocked, but not at Nico. "What the- how did I not know about this letter until now?!"
"..." Nico blanched. "You mean, you legit didn't know this letter existed? Are you serious?!"
"I'm thinking she actually ignored the letter." Hideki's stare was cold. "It wouldn't have helped her in her smear campaign against Todd."
"No! That's not- In any case, I've never talked to Todd! How would I know he was illiterate?"
"So you've never talked to him, and yet you think he was capable of murder?" Faen questioned, horrified.
"Intimate knowledge of a person isn't what makes me suspect them! Evidence is, and the evidence pointed to Todd being the unsub!" she sighed, "I feel like you people are villainizing me for having - perfectly justified initially, may I add - theories."
"You know, if that's the theory you've come up with, the others should be glad you're wrong. In fact, all of you bastards are getting on my nerves."
Monokuma leaned on his side, expression neutral. "If you idiots are gonna take this long to figure out who the real killer is, I might as well just help you along."
Shinkt!
I immediately turned to my right, where the sound had originated from. Behind Todd's podium, a similar stand showing Todd's face had popped up.
But instead of JJ's cross, Todd had a giant question mark over it.
"What…does that mean?" Nico asked uncertainly.
"Everything you think it means, you bimbo!" he growled, "I don't like Mutual Killing Games ending by the first trial, so lemme make it clear: Todd isn't JJ's killer, and he may or may not be alive or dead!"
Monokuma threw up his paws. "AND WE HAVE NO BLOODY CLUE WHERE THE HELL HE IS ON THIS AIRSHIP SO HELP ME FIND HIS GODDAMN CORPSE!"
The silence that followed was deafening.
"...Oh, fuck me sideways, I said too much," he swore, before slapping himself across the face. "That's it, I can't bear to stand you bastards anymore. Ataru-MONOKUMA, OUT!"
Following that, Monokuma jumped out of his chair, and fled towards the plexiglass door, which swung open to let him in, and closed again.
"...Thank god that sellout of a company left," remarked Maya dryly.
The door swung open again, before a fire extinguisher flew out of it, and whacked Sasha across the face - again.
"Poor aim, you ninny! Now we're out of fire extinguishers!" A distinctly female voice rang out.
"Well excuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuse me, princess!" Ataru's faint grumbling could be heard, before the door swung shut again.
"You see that? There's no way the pilots aren't behind this!" Sasha gestured frantically at the door, before sighing in exasperation.
"...How are you still conscious?" Hideki had been reduced to blinking at her bruised face with his good eye, surprised at her total lack of response to the pain.
In response, she shrugged. "It happens."
"Quit changing the subject! Sasha, you're just a murderer who wants to drag Todd's name through the mud!" Nico yelled.
==Nonstop Debate!==
Weak points are in italics, break points are in both bold and italics.
==Begin!==
Ammunition loaded: Johan's Account, Nico's Account, Sasha's Account
Nico: I'm shocked to think I once considered you a friend... But not anymore.
Nico: Someone who made another take the blame for their own crime...
Sasha: H-Hey, hold on!
Sasha: I may have my misgivings, but I'm no killer!
Sasha: I would never take a life!
Maya: But you can't deny it- you could be our mystery murderer.
Sasha: No, that's impossible. I have an alibi!
Nico: Alibi-shmalibi! You're just a fraud-!
I have to make Nico see reason!
==Assent!==
Ashley: Wow, fantastic! I think you're right! (Fired: Johan's Account)
BREAK!
"Sasha's right. She couldn't've done it. "
Nico stared at me. "Ashie, are you siding with a murderer?"
"No, I'm siding with Sasha."
Sasha looked at Nico. "Before I continue, there's something I need to clear up. Did you really consider me a friend?"
"Not anymore, I don't," growled Nico.
"I see." Sasha looked at the floor. "I've never had friends before, and now I've lost my only one - oh, crap. I did not mean to say that. This isn't about me - it's about finding the killer. And now that we know it isn't Todd, we're back to square one."
"No!" yelled Nico. "You're the killer and everyone knows it!"
"Nico."
I cleared my throat, as she turned to stare directly across from her stand at me, tears in her eyes. "What is it, Ashie?"
"Please...It's not Sasha." I pleaded, "That Truth Bullet should prove why."
It was a testament, either to how fast Nico calmed down or how much she trusted me (I would like to believe it was the latter), that she nodded, before wiping her tears and tapping it.
"Don't you recognize recording this?" I continued trying to calm her down, "In the kitchen?"
"Hey, even if she doesn't, I do." said Johan. "Sasha is innocent - my word is enough to vouch for her. There's another one, too."
"Another? Oh-" I blinked as the epiphany came. "You mean-"
==Select!==
1. Nico's Account
2. Maya's Account
3. Ava's Account
4. Sasha's Account
Ashley: This must be it!
The colour seemed to drain from Nico's face. "...Right. My own account. We were the only three who could have triggered the Body Discovery Announcement, after all."
"That's exactly it. My alibi is rock-solid," said Sasha.
Hideki grunted. "I guess you guys are right. But if it isn't Sasha, who can we possibly suspect?"
"Well, we all, or some, had equal motive," said Sasha, "Perhaps if we check to see who got what motive, we could-"
"That won't be necessary, Comrade."
With a 'harrumph', Monokuma strolled back into the room via glass door. "Miss me, you bastards?"
"Not particularly," muttered Sasha.
"In any case," Matthew adjusted his glasses, "I assume you came back in here to tell us the motive-"
"What motive? I don't recall putting any motive in play!"
The silence that followed was deafening. Monokuma got back up into his throne, before leaning forward and scratching his head. "What's wrong with you people? Did you go mute or something? We can't have a Class Trial without words, y'know."
Well, we did end up saying something. One word, in fact.
"WHAT?!"
==Nonstop Debate!==
Weak points are in italics, break points are in both bold and italics.
==Begin!==
Ammunition loaded: Rule #10, Tranquilizer, Placement of Stands, Rope
Sasha: Regardless of Monokuma's interference or lack thereof, the killer had a motive.
Ava: But how do we know Monokuma didn't actually interfere?
Jackie: What do you mean? Monokuma can't lie, remember?
Matthew: Two people operate Monokuma independently of each other, though
Matthew: So maybe whoever's doing it right now actually didn't set up the motive?
Matthew: There's no way he could have lied about a motive being in play, anyhow. Which means that there must be one.
==Counter!==
Hideki: Allow me to point out your mistake! (Fired: Rule #10)
BREAK!
"We messed up."
Hideki sighed. "When Monokuma told us about Rule #10, it had been after he had lied that a motive had been put in play. We never confirmed whether an actual motive was put in play after that."
"Shady bastard," growled Sasha.
"Hey, that's rude!"
Sasha muted something under her breath I couldn't decipher, but judging from the screen, it looked something like "Koziol", whatever that was.
"I can't believe I missed that," muttered Tien sadly. "I never even thought to ask about the motive, because I assumed he was really telling the truth on that."
Matthew groaned, "So, there really isn't a motive, huh?"
"Yep!" Monokuma leered, "I was gonna implement one, but because I foolishly thought one of you idiots actually killed Todd, I didn't. Good for me, huh?"
Hideki shrugged. "But in any case, I think we now know who Sasha and Todd almost took the fall for. It's a no-brainer, really."
...Who?
"You don't mean-?" gasped Matthew.
"My sincerest apologies." Hideki pointed a finger, "But it can only be you!"
No...It can't be-!
"...Moi?" Lucille gaped, wide-eyed.
Trial 1-2 FIN
14 Students Remaining
A/N: Bwahahahahahaha. Bet you guys didn't see THAT coming. We're just evil that way.
It's Lime here, btw. Vote results for this chapter were:
Todd Dunham - 3 votes
Sasha Oryolov - 2 votes
Nicolette Birza - 2 votes
Ava Tremblay - 1 vote
Lucille DuCarde - 1 vote
Once again, the killer is among the people in that list. Which means, yes, Maya and Tien have both been cleared of any guilt for the time being.
And this chapter's QOTC from me is fairly straightforward- go to the link in the summary of this story on my profile, or to the tumblr. Go to the linked deviantart folder. Look at all the sprites. Now, which design is your favorite? Least favorite? My favorite is Maya, but that's neither here nor there.
And for the record: JJ's body has been drawn and posed on the Tumblr. Honestly, you should all look at it. I don't want to have made the tumblr for no reason.
PowerPlayer: Well, the Todd-is-a-killer theory has now been debunked. But what really happened to Todd? Who's the real killer? All that and more later, but for now, what are your thoughts?
Sasha has been proved innocent in the trial, but is that really conclusive? Only time will tell. As for Nico, she seems a popular choice...you guys'll see what happens with that.
Haha, yeah. We figured with characters as outspoken as Sasha, Nico and Hideki, and as smart as Matthew and Tien we needed to showcase everyone's opinions in a trial setting.
Eric is your fifth favorite? ...interesting choice. (He's actually one of my favourites too, but that's because I just love all the characters. - SD) (Same every single one is my child. But Eric is the child nobody likes - the red-headed stepchild. He's one of my faves but...he is kind of a prick - Lime) (Because we made him kind of a prick. OTL - SD) (It was in the submission you ludicrous watermelon. - Lime) (I know, but still. - SD)
BigBob: Why does everyone suspect the three characters with an actual alibi? To be fair, I can understand why. Last chapter's A/N confirmed it's not Johan, and this chapter suggests it isn't Sasha (it could still be her, but that's up to interpretation), leaving Nico and half a Sasha as options.
It is indeed 100% required for all surviving students to be present at the trial in DR1. However, some of the circumstances in AFoFD are different - remember how Hideki theorized that they were amateurs? The actual circumstances are up to interpretation, of course, and Hideki is probably wrong, but assuming that just because something is a fact in DR1 means it's also a fact in AFoFD isn't going to get one very far.
Penumbro: Perhaps it doesn't matter. I can't tell you whether or not the frying pan is going to be significant in the long run. But I can tell you that it isn't Faen. And finally, someone else who likes Peko. I'm gonna be honest, there's no real reason I like her. I just do. Actually, most of your choices (with the exception of Togami and Owari) are in my top 15-20. (Hey now, I don't not-like Peko, I do like her - I just love everyone else above her more. - SD)
LongTimeReader19: Thank you! Most of the format is SD's brainchild. (Yes, it was. #loveme - SD)
And Hajime is your favorite? He's SD's favorite and probably mine too (I've been told I bear many similarities in personality to him). Hajime is gr9. (Hajime is pure complexity mixed with the makings of a good charmer and the kindness of an optimist with a cynical exterior. He's one of the few protagonists of any game I feel actually outshone the supporting cast. - SD) (What he said. - Lime)
Sekrin- Lord of Monsterds: What are your top 5? It appears that part was somehow cut off.
And Maya is the single scariest character in this fic, it's true.
HeroinOfDarkness: Haha, thanks for the feedback. Also, btw, Nico's full name is Nicolette. (*twitch* - SD)
And it's...definitely not Hideki.
Khronovision: Well, Sasha's case has been disproven. What do you think now? Do you agree that it's Lucille, or is there another?
Saiynt: Haha. I smiled like a dork when I read your response. I'm happy we brightened up your exam.
The format was mostly SD's idea - he would type whole paragraphs into the chat. (That fact is sadly true. - Not Super Delicious, just SD)
Maya is probably the single most backstory-heavy and emotionally charged character in this fic, although she isn't quite as unstable as one would expect. Sasha, on the other hand...let's just say her cute name is going to be a major plot point later on. There is yet another, though, but let's not go into that.
I knew Celes was going to be a murderer from the very start, to be perfectly honest. I'm just surprised it took her so long. I love her anyway. Gundam and Sonia are both amazing. By the way, is it just me or would Sasha and Gundam be really good friends? I just feel like they would be for some reason. Chiaki and Ibuki are both great, I feel really sorry for Mikan (especially after reading an analysis of her execution - poor Mikan!) (Disclaimer: provided by yours truly - SD). Togami is a dick but I still sorta like him as a character? Kinda? Ishimaru is great and I love him and I hate how they killed him off so unceremoniously, and Peko is one of my favorite SDR2 characters(she was my absolute favorite for a while, before Hajime, and then later Gundam and Mahiru knocked her down a couple of pegs) for literally no good reason. I just...PEKO.
All of your AFoFD picks are great, but your Sasha vs the world comment made me think of yet another AU (I've already got a Homestuck AU and a Brooklyn 99 AU and now this). Scott Pilgrim with Ashley as Scott. IDK who anyone else would be but you know what...if someone else finishes this AU I will definitely try to draw it.
dashunterman: It's no problem - Lucille's great!
Otaku Neko Ninja Miko Tenshi: You PMed me, but I'm gonna respond to it here due to laziness. Well, Maya is no longer an option, so I guess you're sticking with Ava?
That's it for now. Please do check out the tumblr, and leave a review as always! Reviews feed us - they motivate us (or at least me) to keep writing, and I genuinely enjoy listening to you all! And there's an updated poll on my profile so make sure to vote!