Disclaimers
All characters appearing in Marvel Comics are copyright Marvel Entertainment and Walt Disney Company. All characters appearing in Doki Doki Literature Club are copyright Team Salvato. No infringements of these copyrights are intended, and are not authorized by the copyright holders.
All original characters are the property of Celgress.
CONTENT/LANGUAGE WARNING –
THIS EPISODE CONTAINS PROFANITY AND CONTENT THAT MANY OFFEND MORE SENSITIVE READERS. READER DISCRETION IS STRONGLY ADVISED
Two Lost Souls – Episode Nine Damnation Part VIII Reckoning
"There was nothing in sight but memories left abandoned. There was nowhere to hide. The ashes fell like snow. And the ground caved in between where we were standing. And your voice was all I heard. That I get what I deserve."
New Divide (2009) Linkin Park
A Semi-Abandoned Housing Development five miles outside of Los Vegas, early morning
"I can explain." Monika blurted out following what felt like an eternity of silence. She added hastily. "Things between us don't have to change. We can still be a family. Wouldn't that be nice girls?" Monika asked with a nervous smile. No one replied. "Girls please don't do this to me. I beg you. I love you all. We can make things right I swear."
"God Monika, do you even hear yourself?" Natsuki snapped. "You manipulated and murdered us. How can things ever be the same?"
"It wasn't murder!" Monika said rather loudly.
"If not murder what was it, Monika?" Yuri said. Her normally peaceful eyes blazed with rage.
"Things in the game weren't real. I would never hurt any of you now. The thought of harming a real person shakes me to my very core." Monika said. By their expressions, Monika could tell the other girls did not believe her. "I'm not a bad person I'm not! Please don't do this! Don't ruin our life together! We were happy here so happy! We can be again. I know we can! Just trust me!" She pleaded.
"Just trust you!" Natsuki exploded. "You turned me into a raving lunatic then broke my neck! It hurt Monika more than physically! When I look at you all I feel is hatred and pain. You used me as your puppet then when that didn't work you killed me because Ben took an interest in me."
"I can't do those things anymore. I don't have that kind of power here." Monika said.
"Is that supposed to make what you did to us better!? The fact you can't play god with our lives again!" Natsuki scoffed. "You make me sick."
"Hating me what take away your pain, Natsuki," Monika said trying to reason with Natsuki.
"Maybe not, but it's a good start," Natsuki said.
"Was it you, Monika?" Sayori who had been tight-lipped until now asked.
"Pardon," Monika said unsure what Sayori meant.
Sayori took a deep breath. Her body shook as she spoke. "There was a day when I wandered into one of the empty classrooms before the Literature Club convened. I need supplies. When I tried to leave I discovered the door wouldn't open, but it wasn't locked. I couldn't get out no matter how hard I pulled on the door or turned the knob. The room became dark. A shadow with glowing red eyes approached me. It, it held a noose in its hands." Sayori began to cry. "It told me to take the noose. That everyone would be better off if I wasn't around. At first, I refused but it persisted. It told me I would be trapped in the room until I took the noose. Finally, I did as it demanded. I put in the noose in my backpack. The shadow figure then vanished and everything became normal. I ran out of the room. I never looked back. Later I used that same noose to..." She trailed off unable to finish. "Was that you Monika? Were you the shadow figure? Do you hate me that much?"
"Sayori I," Monika said choking up. Staring at Sayori's expression of utter betrayal Monika felt like a dagger had been thrust through her heart. She could not bring herself to continue. The words would not come no matter how hard she tried to form them,
"Guess I have my answer," Sayori said sadly.
"I think I speak for the three of us when I say I've heard enough," Natsuki said. She glanced at Yuri who nodded then at Sayori who reluctantly nodded as well. "We're done here." in unison the three girls got up. "We'll be gone in an hour." Natsuki told Monika.
"Where will you go?" Monika asked. "Do you have any money?"
"We'll manage," Natsuki said.
"Girls I did what I did for us," Monika said. "So we could have a better life. One free of the restrictions of the game."
"Bullshit," Natsuki said. "You did it for yourself because you are a selfish bitch. An accident freed us from the game, not your plan. You wanted Ben for yourself nothing more nothing less."
"That's not true." Monika lied.
"Sure it is," Natsuki said standing her ground. "Otherwise you would have modified things so Sayori didn't have to deal with crippling depression, or Yuri with an uncontrollable urge to self-harm or me having my dad beat the crap out of me every day." When Monika did not offer any sort of defense to these latest allegations Natsuki sneered at her. "See, you're nothing but a self-centered whore. You did these terrible things to get with Ben. And to think Ben doesn't even lo-"
"Natsuki maybe you shouldn't tell Monika about Ben." Yuri cautioned.
"She should know Yuri. It serves her right." Natsuki said.
"What about Ben?" Monika said.
"He doesn't love you. He never has. He's only using you." Natsuki said.
"Liar," Monika said slapping Natsuki across her face.
Natsuki only laughed. "Being betrayed by someone you trusted hurts doesn't it, eh Monika?" She said rubbing her stinging cheek.
"You're jealous of our love, mine and Ben's. You made up a vicious lair to drive us apart. You want me to be miserable because of what happened in the game. Well, I won't let you win Natsuki." Monika said. Monika turned her wrath on Yuri next getting in the other girl's face. "Yuri, how could you go along with this lie? I thought you were better than this." Yuri's barely restrained rage broke free. She grabbed Monika by her shoulders. "Let go of me!" Monika demanded. She tried in vain to squirm free. "Have you lost your mind!?"
Yuri began laughing her eyes wild. "Funny you should ask?" She said inches from Monika's face. "Do you have any idea what true insanity feels like? How horrible it is to lose one's sense of self. I do thanks to you, Monika. You broke my mind made me a maniac. Maybe I should show you have unhinged I became. Want to see?" Yuri asked before she pushed a terrified Monika away.
"What's going on?" Kaine asked entering the kitchen not far behind him were Ben and his ever-present charge Donna.
"Monika's having a come to Jesus moment," Natsuki said. She added having spotted Ben. "Oh look the man of the hour. Tell her Ben. Tell her how you are using her for your own gain like she did to us in the game."
"What game?" Donna aka Scream asked confused by the whole situation. The others ignored her question.
"Tell them they're wrong Ben." Monika urged. "He does love me you'll see."
Ben attempted to slink away but Kaine's firm hand on his shoulder stopped him. "It's time," Kaine said simply.
"Monika the truth is," Ben said. Staring into her vivid green eyes Ben felt uncharacteristically guilty for what he was about to confess. "The truth is I require your computer manipulation ability to gain control of my brother Peter's company."
"And," Kaine urged squeezing Ben's shoulder to emphasize his point.
"That is why I married you. I want to assure you stay loyal until I gain control of Parker Industries." Ben said.
"Wait, Peter Parker is your brother? That would mean Peter Parker is Spider-Man, right?" Donna said only to again be ignored.
"But you love me, don't you Ben?" Monika asked hopefully.
"Not really," Ben said. "The sex is great though. You're a beast in the sack." Kaine slapped Ben in the back of his head. "What," Ben exclaimed. "You want me to be honest I am."
In tears, Monika raced out of the kitchen. Even Natsuki felt bad for Monika at that moment. All the women present glared at Ben who merely shrugged.
"Hey don't look at me," Ben said. "I didn't want to tell her, not yet anyway."
Kaine violently slammed Ben through the nearest wall which separated the kitchen from the living room. Before the plaster dust covered Ben could regain his footing Kaine dragged him to his feet. Kaine held him there an expression of deep disdain on Kaine's face.
"Thanks for the lift bro," Ben said sarcastically.
Kaine held Ben up with one hand while punching him again and again and again with the other. Each time Ben tried to mount a defense Kaine easily plowed through. Soon Ben's face was a bloody, bruised, swollen mess.
"Stop Kaine you're going to kill him!" Yuri said running to Kaine's side.
"Maybe I should," Kaine said firing off another punch.
"He isn't worth it," Natsuki said. "I hate to say this but even Monika could do better than Ben."
"Let him go. I can't take anymore." Sayori cried.
"Remember the lessons of MLP you've shared with me about mercy. Look at him, he can't fight back anymore. He's defeated." Yuri said. "What would the bearers of the Elements of Harmony do?"
With extreme reluctance, Kaine dropped Ben on the floor. "Let's collect our belongings and go girls. There is nothing left for any of us here." Kaine said. Kaine, Yuri and Natsuki headed out of the living room.
"You guys go ahead," Sayori said stating behind. "I need to find Monika."
"Sayori you can't be serious. Not after everything, she's done to us to you." Natsuki said. She wass shocked by Sayori's words.
"I can't stop worrying about her out there alone, distraught. Maybe I'm weak but I still love Monika like a sister. I don't expect any of you to come with me. You have my phone number." Sayori said. "I understand if you're mad at me."
"I'm coming with you," Natsuki said after a long pause. "We're a family we stick together no matter what."
"So am I," Yuri said.
"If you girls are going after Monika, I'll go with you," Kaine said. "The Symbiotes are still out there along with Mephisto."
"Speaking of the Symbiotes. Has anyone seen Scream?" Natsuki said.
"Not since I beat the tar out of Ben." Kaine thumbed at Ben who still laid unconscious on the debris-strewn floor. "I bet she's still in the Kitchen." Kaine peaked his head inside. "Dammit, she's gone." He exclaimed.
"What if she went after Monika?" Sayori said.
"Either way she knows our location. Which is all the more reason to hightail it." Kaine said.
"What about Ben?" Yuri asked gazing downward.
"What about him?" Kaine said.
"Should we leave him here in his present state?" Yuri said.
"I'm sure he'll be fine once he wakes up," Kaine said. "Either way, he's not coming with us. I'm finished helping somebody who has no desire to change. If Ben wants redemption he can find it on his own."
"He could be in trouble if the Symbiotes happen by while he's alone." Sayori pointed out.
"Fine," Kaine sighed. "I'll suit him up before we go. That is it, I'll only willing to do so much."
"Thanks, Kaine." Sayori said. "You're the best."
"I know," Kaine deadpanned.
Somewhere Outside, sometime later
Monika had no idea where she was going only that she had to get away. Her world had shattered there was nothing left. Her purpose had been loving Ben for almost as long as she could remember. Ripped away from him and the girls she felt cold, empty, aimless.
Happening upon a wide flat rock she half fell half sat down. Her eyes were red and puffy from tears she blinked up at the sun. Part of her just wanted the pain to end. Perhaps her end was the only answer. No one would miss here. She wondered if this was how the other girls felt after she had messed with their minds in the game.
"Maybe," She sniffed. "This world would be better off if I were no longer part of it."
"My masters would certainly agree." Scream said.
With startling quickness, Scream picked up Monika from the rock with one hand and threw her several hundred feet away.
"Ugh," Monika gasped. Before he could get up Scream had he pinned to the desert floor. Red and yellow tendrils of the symbiote were quivering in anticipation of blood.
"Once I deliver your body to my teammates we'll go to the Diogenes Initiative. Show them our worth. All will be forgiven. My brothers and sister will welcome me back with open arms. Your end is my salvation human." Scream said.
"Go ahead end me," Monika said unwilling to fight back. "You'll be doing me a favor. I have nothing left to live for."
Scream's tendrils sharped into barbed appendages of death. She made ready to strike. Monika closed her eyes tight waiting for the end. A high pitched screech was heard followed by a dull thud. Time passed but nothing more occurred. Slowly Monika opened her eyes.
"Whew I cut this one close," Amfivolían said.
Monika stared at the strange demonic creature in disbelief. "Who are you?" She glanced to her left where Scream lay. Was the hybrid dead?
"Friend of a mutual friend. Mephisto sends his regards." Amfivolían greeted. He gave Scream a quick look. "She isn't dead if you were wondering. I only knocked her out."
"Mephisto," Monika repeated dumbly.
"Yup Big Daddy M is in town and he desires an audience with you, Monika," Amfivolían said cheerfully. "Chop, chop we can't keep the boss man waiting. He's currently holding court at Hotel Inferno in Los Vegas. I'll take you there."
"Okay," Monika said not caring what happened to her at this point.
"Chin up darling Big Daddy M has a grand show planned one that will put every other Vegas spectacle to shame and you're going to play a starring role. The blowout to end all blowouts. Doesn't that sound fun?" Amfivolían said.
"I guess," Monika said glumly.
Amfivolían took her by her hand. "And a one and a two and a three." The pair vanished in a shower of gray smoke and green sparks.
A Semi-Abandoned Housing Development five miles outside of Los Vegas, noon
Slowly, painfully Ben regained consciousness. "Ugh," He groaned rubbing his masked head. "Did anyone get the number of that truck?" He joked. Getting to his feet not only did he notice he was clad in the new costume he had made for himself shortly after fleeing the ruins of New U Technologies, how odd, but he also seemed to be alone. "Good riddance," He said. "I don't need them. I don't need anyone." While Monika's powers would have been helpful in time he would find another way to achieve his goals all the same.
Ben went to the master bedroom. He refiled through the draws collecting anything of value including his various forged credit cards and fraud obtained stokes. He threw everything along with his meager wardrobe inside a duffel bag.
He spied something on the nightstand that gave him pause. It was Monika's ribbon. He knew she never went anywhere without the stupid thing. Why was it here? Absentmindedly he picked up the ribbon and slowly turned it over in his gloved hands. He now remembered it had become tangled in Monika's hair after their fun last night. They had a terrible time untying it. She had been so worried he would rip it. Ben unconsciously smiled beneath his mask at the memory. Monika would want this if she came back. Without thinking he tossed it into his duffle bag. What was he doing? They were through. Monika would never be back and even if she did return he would be long gone by then. He reached inside to throw the ribbon away but never got the chance.
"Greetings Ben Reilly." Death said appearing before Ben.
"Not you again. Can't you see I'm busy?" Ben bemoaned.
"You had best heed my words, Ben Reilly. I've come to warn you. The End or the Beginning fast approaches. Which it shall be ultimately hinges on your choice and that of another." Death was gone as quickly as she had appeared.
"Stupid twit," Ben said.
Ben up finished filling up duffle bag. Time to blow this joint. He would head to Vegas hop a train or maybe catch a plane. From there, who knows.
Hotel Inferno
"Welcome to my humble abode new recruits. I'm happy to have you." Mephisto who was seated upon his macabre throne said with a chuckle. In front of the Demon Lord stood the former Avengers each now transformed into his brainwashed Ghostriders. Vanquishing the legendary superhero team had proven laughably easy for Mephisto and his demons. Even the vaunted Scarlet Witch had proven no match for this dark powers. A gong sounded. In the upturned palm of Mephisto's hand appeared a small image surrounded by flames of Dr. Strange. "Ah, one of our guests of honor has arrived. See that the good doctor is comfortable. Tell him I'll be with him momentarily." A group of minor demons scurried off to do Mephisto's bidding.
"We meet again Monika." Mephisto said happily a moment later when Monika and Amfivolían appeared before him in a shower of gray smoke and green sparks. "It's time you paid your debt my dear by becoming my High Priestess of Darkness. With the position comes the right to wield my power on my behalf in the mortal realm along with the command of my army of Ghostriders. Doesn't that sound wonderful?"
"If you say so," Monika said managing a smile. It wasn't like she cared what became of her. Inside she felt dead so why bother resisting the wishes of this obvious devil when she was already damned.
Mephisto placed his hand on Monika's head. Her body was consumed by agony as Mephisto linked her to himself. His power corrupted her form. Her skinned turned a crimson red. Her eyes became uniform yellow spheres. Her canine teeth became fangs and her nails black claws. She grew in stature. The curves and muscles of her form increased as well until she reached amazonian proportions. Black-backed wings and a devil's tail sprouted from her body. Her simple clothes morphed into a sinful black leather bodysuit that left little to the imagination. Only her facial features and long brown stayed the same. Her mind, however, remained unaltered. If she were to fulfill her role as High Priestess she needed free will otherwise the cosmic rules that governed all things would be broken. Her actions from this point forward must be based on her own decisions otherwise forces greater than Mephisto would step in and prevent his corruption of Earth from proceeding.
"All hail Monika High Priestess of Darkness!" The lesser demons including Amfivolían and ghostriders chanted.
Meanwhile, in Los Vegas, the demon hordes ravaged the city unchecked. Kaine and the girls unable to locate either Monika or Scream decided Monika might be in the city. Like Ben, they had no idea the danger they were about to face.
To Be Continued
Next Up The Conclusion of my version of Damnation
Author's Note -
Sayori's memory that she relates to the others was taken from the Dok Doki Literature Club mod Rain Clouds.