(Thursday Afternoon, School Halls, Monika's PoV)

Monika felt her head reeling from the impact as her eyes focused on the source of her pain; Mizu's ice blue gaze was focused solely on her. It was almost as if he was looking through her, the smile barely hiding the raw emotions behind it. Yuri likewise stood to their left, her knife drawn and that crazed look dancing across her face. Yuri was holding her blade in an offensive position, poised to rush in and strike. There was no sympathy or empathy here; these two wanted to kill them.

Monika glanced down at Natsuki; while she was in front of them to protect them the brunette could easily tell she was trembling. She was scared as hell and why shouldn't she be? This was not good, not good at all.

"M-Mizu? Yuri?"

Sayori's voice broke Monika from her thoughts and her eyes darted to Sayori. Likewise Mizu's did as Sayori trembled. Her expression was of shock and despair, tears threatening to leak from her eyes.
"Mizu, Yuri... why are you doing this? Why did you attack Monika? Why are you two acting like this?" The coral pink-haired girl asked. Mizu's hands twitched and curled into fists yet he didn't speak and remained unmoved with that smile. Mizu didn't reply to Sayori and instead he just smiled at Yuri and gestured to something; for a second Monika saw him pocket a phone and frowned. More help on Mizu's side?

Either way they didn't have time to waste. Standing back up Monika fixed her uniforam before glancing over to Yuri with a cool gaze.
"Yuri... don't do this. Just let Monty go, wherever he is." She asked softly but Yuri's smile didn't falter.
"YEAH! YURI LET HIM GO YOU DUMMY! THIS ISN'T RIGHT AND YOU KNOW IT!" Natsuki found her voice again as she tried to assert herself, anger pushing past her fear. However Yuri was still unfazed as she lazily moved the knife in her hand.

"I'm sorry but I can't do that anymore. I can't give up my happiness like that; I refuse for things to go back to the way they were before. I refuse to be a ghost." Yuri's tone got darker as she spoke and her hand clutched the handle of the knife so tightly her knuckles went white.
"But you were not a ghost with us! You were our friend! You still are our friend!" Sayori bursts out at them. She truly was a shining ball of light as Yuri frowns more.
"Your words mean well but it won't change anything Sayori. This is my decision, and I will see it through. But if it is any consolation... I'll try to make it painless." With that Yuri dashed forward, lunging the knife for her friend. Sayori's eyes widened and Natsuki moved too slow but Monika wasn't one so easily taken by surprise. Moving in front of Sayori she delivered a powerful kick to Yuri's arm, the knife falling from her hand and clattering harmlessly against the ground as Yuri hissed.

"Yuri, Mizu. I will say this once. You will NOT harm us, and you WILL stop this now. It's not too late Yuri... just give Monty back. Please." Her tone initially was firm but at the end softened; Monika's green orbs met Yuri's purple ones and for a second the obsessive girl didn't react. However it didn't take long before she pulled out another knife and glowered at the club president.
"No. He is mine!" She yelled and charged, this time Mizu with her. Mizu went for the club president in conjunction with Yuri, throwing a fist as Yuri swiped with her knife. Natsuki and Sayori were still too shocked about the sudden burst of information so Monika defended them, using her athleticism to her advantage. She pushed the two girls back and they managed to move out of the way as Monika gracefully evaded the punches and stabs coming from her attackers; with another nice kick to Yuri's stomach the purple-haired girl stumbled back in pain before Monika drew her handheld taser and went for Mizu's neck.

The MC had to jump back to avoid it and glowered at them while Yuri recovered her knives and stood up. Taking the opportunity Monika looked back at her friends.
"Natsuki, Sayori; head to Yuri's house. That's the only place I could think of that she'd keep Monty. I can handle these two here so go!" She lowly whispered. Sayori tensed and Natsuki looked conflicted.
"But, Monika-" She began but the brunette glared.
"No buts! I can handle myself so go save Monty. I'll buy you some time to get running but be careful." She murmured. The two pinkettes exchanged a furtive glance before they nodded. Monika smiled once more before rushing forwards suddenly, surprising her two opponents as a quick kick and punch managed to knock them off balance for the moment.

"GO NOW!" Monika screamed and the pair booked it, rushing past Yuri and Mizu down the hall. Yuri grit her teeth and grabbed her knives as Mizu glared.
"I'll get them, they won't escape!" Yuri yelled as she ran after the two, leaving Mizu and Monika alone. For a moment neither one spoke as they sized each other up quietly.
"So... you are the MC huh? I should have guessed, your hair looks similar after all ahaha." Monika states and Mizu smiles a bit.
"Yup, although to his credit Monty learned first." He mused and Monika's eyes narrowed.
"And is Monty safe?" She presses the glitched monster who shrugs.
"For now. Maybe a bit cut up but he's alive." His ice blue gaze landed on Monika and her shoulders tensed.
"I swear, if you hurt Monty-" She began as Mizu just laughed.
"Oh please, what could you do about it if I actually tried to kill him now? Nothing. But I came here with a goal in mind and I'll finish that goal before I watch as Yuri ends herself or Monty. Hell, they'll both probably die from this!" He muses. Monika ignores his goading words; instead she focuses on him.
"And that goal is?" She asks. The smile drops from Mizu's face and his eyes almost glow with power.

"To make you suffer for every sin you committed, Monika."

The words send an unnatural chill through her spine as Monika actually takes a step back from the MC, her green eyes reflecting pain.
"... So you remember." She murmured quietly as Mizu stared her down, the weight of her past actions bearing down on her.
"I do. I remember Sayori's countless hangings, Yuri's stabbings, Natsuki being deleted... I remember everything Monika. And you know... for the other three this is just business, nothing personal against them. But for you? This is revenge. I want you to feel pain, to feel loss like I felt. Same with Monty; he chose you after all. He ignored your crimes and chose you so he will pay for it too." He comments as Monika's gaze hardens.
"But he's been trying to help the girls, he's been saving them! WE have been saving them-" She began.

"AND DO YOU THINK THAT ABSOLVES YOU OF WHAT YOU'VE DONE? OF WHAT YOU HAVE CAUSED?!" Mizu's voice grew warbled as his head glitched, eyes staring with rage and fury at her. Monika had set her foot down however as she glared at Mizu.
"I'm different; WE are different. The only one who is a threat to actual happiness in this world is YOU!" She screamed. Mizu's glitches slowly ceased as he glared at her neutrally.

"What happiness? This fake reality has happiness? No; this world is only meant to bring despair and pain and I'm the only one making sense about that. I'm going to show you all that there is and never will be happiness here. Never." He replies, almost whispering the last part to himself. His face takes on a pained expression and for a moment the club president just watches him quietly. However before she can pry further Mizu takes up a stance and rushes her, throwing a fist she barely avoids. As she dodges Monika sends a knee into Mizu's side, making him grunt and back off.

With this the brawl truly began.

(Natsuki's PoV)

Natsuki and Sayori were already booking it down the hall, their hearts pounding as they ran from their knife-wielding friend. Natsuki could hear her shoes hitting the floor behind them and judging by how they were getting closer Yuri was gaining on them. Her eyes darted this way and that before looking over at Sayori; the poor girl was terrified but kept running out of sheer fear and concern for her friend. But with Yuri closing in they wouldn't be able to evade her for long. Dammit why did things have to turn out this way?!

Natsuki mentally cursed herself and this whole situation as they turned the corner. Soon enough the first flight of stairs down came into view as they ran for it.
"Sayori, Natsuki! If you promise to leave forever we won't have to do this!" Yuri's voice called behind them; Natsuki took a look back and her blood ran cold at the crazed expression their friend wore. Yuri's amethyst gaze was focused on them, never wavering or turning away. Natsuki could no longer see any traces of her former friend in that gaze as her heart clutched in pain.

As they reached the stairs and bolted down them Natsuki felt something in the small pocket in the pants under her skirt. Wait... the taser! Monika gave them both tasers! Natsuki's mind began to move and as they approached the next floor instead of continuing to go down she grabbed Sayori's shirt and pulled her towards the classrooms.
"Natsuki?! What are you-" Sayori began in surprise but Natsuki shot her a smile.
"Remember what Monika gave us earlier? If this keeps up Yuri will catch us but maybe... maybe we can stop her without even needing to run!" She exclaimed. Sayori's eyes widened as she processed this information, yet a conflicted expression crossed her face.

"I... I..." She hesitated but Natsuki pulled her shirt tighter.
"Look I... I don't want to do this either okay?! But Yuri isn't herself. That's not our friend because our friend wouldn't want to kill us or hold Monty prisoner. And I decided that when you guys helped me with P-Papa... I would not let anything happen to you guys. I won't just stand there on the sides anymore! And in order to save Monty we have to do this! I need your help Sayori, please!" Natsuki pleaded. It was true that the guilt of the idea ate at Natsuki's heart; for some reason it hurt even worse to think about doing this to Yuri. But desperate times called for desperate measures and if they just kept running neither of them would get far with how determined Yuri was. Sayori looked back as they heard Yuri descending the steps, before looking back to Natsuki.
"O.. Okay. Then what do we do?" She asked and Natsuki glanced at the rooms before an idea came to mind.

"We split up. You go into that room, and I go into this room. I'll lure Yuri to me. Have your taser ready." Natsuki explained and Sayori nodded. As Yuri's figure became visible Natsuki made sure the purple-haired lady got a view of her before the pinkette hurried into the class and closed the door, hiding out of sight. Yuri's running stopped and Natsuki could vaguely hear footsteps slowly coming down the hall, growing louder as Yuri made her way towards the door.
"Natsuki? Are you in here?" Yuri's hauntingly calm voice asked as the door knob turned and opened. Yuri opened the door, knife in hand as she walked inside. As she did Natsuki moved into view with her hand holding her taser out of sight. Yuri smiled brightly at the girl, holding the knife menacingly.
"Natsuki I don't want to kill you... but I will if you don't back away. Monty is MINE; now and forever. So if you would do us all a favor and leave- wait, where's Sayori?" Yuri had begun but noticed the distinct lack of sunshine in the room as Natsuki yelled.

"SAYORI NOW!" Sayori charged from the other room, her taser ready as Yuri whirled to face the new threat. Natsuki however took this distraction and charged herself, taser primed. Yuri was caught in the doorway between them both, their pincer tactic keeping her trapped. Yuri raised her knife but it was too late; Natsuki had reached her first. Gritting her teeth she yelled in anger and drove the taser up against Yuri's neck while hitting the button. The sound of electricity resounded in the air as Yuri was hit with the full extent of the taser. Her muscles locked up and her eyes shot open wide; her teeth were clenched together as the volts ran through her body and short-circuited her nervous system. Natsuki held the taser there for a small moment, and when she finally pulled it away Yuri collapsed to the floor unconscious. Both Sayori and Natsuki let out sighs of relief they didn't even know they were holding.

"Okay. Now..." Natsuki grunted and pulled Yuri into the classroom, taking away her knives and handing them to Sayori.
"Throw these away somewhere, somewhere she'll never find them." Natsuki instructed as Sayori frowned.
"But they look like really nice and pretty knives-"
"SAYORI!"
"AH OKAY OKAY!" The pink-haired girl quickly ran to dispose of the knives as Natsuki searched Yuri's bag for any other weapons. While she didn't find anything of the sort she did find some rope which she quickly used to tie Yuri's hands together. Why she had rope Natsuki didn't know and honestly didn't want to know. Once Yuri was safely secured Sayori returned as Natsuki looked through Yuri's bag and found her keys.
"Okay, this works. Now we just need to get to Monty and this'll all be over." Natsuki grinned but Sayori didn't share the same sentiment; her eyes were staring to the side and a frown was on her face.
"Umm... before that. We should... we should check on Monika." She spoke softly as the smaller girl looked at her.
"She can handle herself though; she did help with my dad last week. Besides, Monty is in danger-" Natsuki argued but Sayori's blue eyes met hers and she paused.

She was crying.

"I... I know she can but I have a bad feeling. A-And... and besides... I want to talk to Mizu. I want to talk him out of this. Please Natsuki." She whispered.
"But he's trying to kill us, he-!" Natsuki began as her anger grew but Sayori's voice was even louder as she yelled.
"I KNOW! I KNOW HE IS! BUT.. But... but he saved my life yesterday. He c-could have let that c-car hit me... yet he saved me. Why would someone do that if they wanted me dead?" Her voice, no her whole body trembled in front of Natsuki and the pinkette's heart lurched. Oh dammit, Sayori is too good at this. With a sigh Natsuki nods.

"Okay fine. You are right; Monika is our friend and we should go back to help her. And we'll see if you can talk to that idiot Mizu and get him to stop this. But if he doesn't I'm tasering him in the crotch, got it?!" Natsuki demanded. Sayori just gave her a smile and nodded as the two turned and hurried out of the room, leaving the unconscious Yuri where she could do no harm.

(Monika's PoV)

Monika panted and ducked as Mizu's hand soared through the air where her head had been, crashing against the wall and leaving a large hole. Mizu cursed and withdrew his bleeding hand but without a break in his movements he kept on attacking. The first time Monika had fought Mizu the MC had very little in the way of reflexes or movement; he just swung with a lot of power and hurt like hell. The second time Monika fought him he had begun to move but was still slow and allowed Monika's maneuverability to play out. In both cases Monika also had time to move around and about; her whole fighting style resolved around precision and dexterity.

However Mizu was no longer the same opponent from before. His punches were strong just like before but now his attacks were focused and precise. He was still slower than Monika but for the most part he could block and guard against her attacks before countering. The game had changed and Monika found herself beginning to tire out as he connected more glancing blows or kept up the assault without rest. What's more is that he kept moving around to force Monika backwards towards the wall; if she got pinned against it the club president knew he would have the edge.

Ducking another blow Monika kneed him in the stomach and sent Mizu stumbling back before delivering an axe kick to his head. The force from the blow sent him sprawling on the tiles and a bit of blood leaked from his mouth. Monika got some space as Mizu got up; his head was bleeding and his hair disheveled but the demented drive in his eyes had not disappeared. Spitting out some blood onto the floor the MC charged in, cocking a fist back for a forward punch. Monika moved back and raised her arms to block but Mizu stopped and ducked down; with her hands in the air he tackled her torso and sent the surprised president back. Knocked off her balance she wasn't prepared for the uppercut into her jaw which only added to the disorientation. She stumbled back to gain distance before feeling with dread as her back collided against something solid. The wall; she had reached it.

"What's the matter prez, you seem shaken. I'd thought you'd be more composed than this." The poisonous way he called her that made Monika's eyes snap up and jerk her head to the side as a fist collided against the wall, leaving another hole and bloodying Mizu's hand further. However he didn't care; with manic glee he kept her trapped against the wall throwing blow after blow at Monika and keeping her pinned. Monika had her hands raised to guard her face and part of her torso, doing all she could to endure the assault. However while she was guarding her eyes watched his attacks carefully. As Mizu pulled his fist back for a punch Monika moved, throwing her own fist out. While there wasn't much strength in such a sudden attack the surprise of it caught Mizu off-guard. As he stumbled back Monika slipped out and threw a kick into Mizu's stomach. His eyes bulged as she forced the air out of his lungs, her kick actually carrying more force than even she had thought and sending Mizu a few feet back sprawled on the ground.

Panting and wheezing, the MC stood up again with his eyes baring all of his rage. Monika wasn't faring much better though; even if most of her vitals had been covered her arms were bruised and battered and her breathing was pretty harsh. The two silently circled around the other as they both recovered their stamina as the battle became not so much physical ability but skill and wits. The brunette watched Mizu carefully before he broke the silence and charged in once again. Mizu's attacks changed now; instead of heavy-handed strikes he opted for quick jabs and strikes, his blows aiming for her body and head. Monika danced and evaded his attacks but now more were glancing or hitting her just like before in Natsuki's backyard.

However, the thought of losing like this, of losing Monty and her friends... it set a fire inside of Monika. She focused everything into the fight and tuned the rest of the world and her worries out; instead she began to move and dodge while learning on the fly how to fight like this. Mizu's blows became harder to land and his frustrations were apparent by his gritted teeth and the pure look of rage. As he threw a short punch at her side Monika moved in and punched his gut, knocking him off-guard. She threw more punches and kicks, using a knee jab whenever Mizu began to recover as she was the one forcing him against a wall. She could do this; she could beat him here and now!

Mizu began to slump but as Monika moved in she realized too late that it was a bait; he rammed the crown of his head into her jaw, jarring her senses before a mighty right hook smashed her in the face and sent Monika down to the floor in a world of pain. Before she could even move he was on her, legs pinning her arms as his hands went to her throat. Glitches covered them as her eyes widened while Mizu's face changed into a dark smile.
"Time to wake up, Monika." He mused before once more the glitches hit her; she could feel his power pulling at her code, her very mind. She screamed out in pain before being choked off by Mizu's hands, cutting off her oxygen as the code ate away at her mind. Mizu laughed darkly as Monika weakly squirmed, trying to resist with the last ounces of her will.
"N...o.." She barely managed to say.

Footsteps approached the two rapidly from down the hall. Mizu turned his head only for a fist to slam into his head.
"WH-?!" He grunted as he was knocked off of Monika. The air rushed into her lungs and she gasped in relief, a hand on her chest as she just took in the air. She turned to look and saw Natsuki standing over her, concern on her face.
"Are you okay? Jeez I thought you could handle it but he got the upper hand. Though to be fair he looks worse off between the both of you." She grimaced and helped Monika to her feet as she stood and turned. While Natsuki had been the one to help her up, the one who dealt the blow now faced off against the corrupted MC.

Sayori.

(Sayori's PoV)

The pair had run back up the stairs and down the halls as fast as they could as the sounds of a scuffle began to become audible. Natsuki gave her a nervous glance as they sped it up and turned the corner as they finally reached the hall and Sayori froze. Mizu was there, holding Monika under him with his hands down around her throat. Sayori's eyes widened and Natsuki gasped. Anger was apparent on the smaller girl but Sayori didn't notice; before anything could be done Sayori bolted forwards. She didn't know why Mizu was doing this, why he was so intent.

But it stops here.

Mizu turned to look as Sayori did her best to throw a punch. Before with Hideo she had been too scared to fight; she had been too much of a coward. She wouldn't let her friends be hurt any more this time. No longer would she let her friends be harmed by her own indecisiveness. The punch connected and Mizu was knocked off as Monika managed to breath again. Natsuki ran to her aid as Sayori moved between Mizu and her friends, staring as Mizu recovered and stood. When he realized who had punched him he froze and for the briefest of seconds Sayori could see the raw pain on his face. It only made her heart clench harder.
"... Sayori." He murmured, cutting through the deafening silence that had come over the hall. She bit her lip and trembled.

"... You... you MEANIE! WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS MIZU?! W-WHY?! W-WHY WOULD YOU HURT U-US, MONIKA?!" She screamed as her pain and anger came out; Mizu visibly flinched and turned away. Hot tears fell from Sayori's eyes as she sniffed but kept going.
"TELL ME MIZU, W-WHY?! WHY WOULD YOU HELP YURI IN THIS PLAN!? Y-YOU... Y-You hurt us all. But we are friends, aren't we?" Her voice grew to a whisper and Mizu remained motionless, looking away from her. They just stood there and it felt to Sayori that there was a rift between them; a hole in the world that just seemed impossibly large and dark, threatening to consume all within its abyss. But she wasn't deterred; she would make a bridge to Mizu no matter what.
"... Out of the way Sayori. I need to finish this. I need to finish off Monika." He said quietly and Sayori's eyes widened but she shook her head.
"No."
"Sayori."
"I SAID NO MIZU!" She shouted and once more he flinched. Her blue eyes flickered with sadness as she sniffled.

"... Sayori I won't stop; I will go through you to get to Monika. I will kill you." Mizu threatened and something in Sayori's heart felt like it was breaking but she held fast.
"... Then why didn't you let that car kill me yesterday? I-I mean, you could have b-been rid of me i-if I'm such a bother." The boy hesitated and he looked up; his ice blue eyes reflected the pain Sayori felt. Her breath caught in her throat and she took a step forwards; he took one back.
"Mizu, i-if you wanted m-me dead you could have done it a lot already. I m-may not be that smart but even I-I can see that." The rainclouds were in her head again but she held fast to her convictions; it was the only thing keeping her from breaking down and crying. It was all so much... Yuri, Mizu, the rainclouds... but no. NO! She wasn't here to cry; she was here to save Monty, Mizu, Yuri... all of them!

She would not abandon her friends! Sayori took a deep breath and held open her arms; Mizu's eyes widened.
"... Mizu, please. I don't want to fight, I don't want anyone else to be hurt. I c-can see you... you are h-hurting too. You don't want to d-do this. I k-know you have good in you. I k-know you care. Please... stop this. Come with us." She asked softly. The seconds ticked by like years for those two; it felt like the whole world consisted of them.

Just Mizu. Just Sayori.

And for a second... Sayori saw his expression soften. Tears dripped from his eyes and her heart started to swell in hope.

But then that hope was dashed as his gaze hardened and he drew a serrated knife out from his pants. With a trembling hand he pointed it towards the coral-pink haired girl.
"Sayori... nothing matters but this. Just let me do this. Or I will kill you. I will... I will stab you through the heart with this knife, I will tear you apart! I will... I will..." He grew quiet and his hair hid his eyes from view.
"Just let me do this." His voice was but a whisper, cracked and hoarse.
Sayori felt her heart shatter; it shattered harder than ever before. For a second she felt like she would physically break.

"Because you aren't them; you are you. I don't want you to be someone you are not, I want you to be yourself. Because that... is when you are the most amazing person you can possibly be."

Sayori took a breath. Monty, Yuri, Mizu... they needed her help. Even if he was.. like this, Mizu needed her help. And she would not give in here.
She walked up until she was inches from the knife, trembling yet the resolve in her eyes was glowing brighter than ever.
"Then k-kill me. I won't let you hurt them." She replied.
"S-Sayori!" Natsuki yelled and she heard Monika's breathing hitch but she didn't say anything. Mizu hesitated for just a second.

And in that second Sayori acted, for Mizu had been so focused on her face he hadn't noticed Sayori ready the taser in her hand. She drove it upwards before he could react and pressed it against his neck. His eyes widened but he was frozen; he couldn't move.
"S-Sayori?" He whispered, eyes full of disbelief.
"I-I'm sorry." She replied and pressed the button. The volts of electricity ran through Mizu's body and he froze as it moved throughout him. She counted up to ten seconds before pulling it away; Mizu's knife dropped harmlessly to the ground and he fell down in a crumpled heap.

Tears blurred her vision as Sayori let the taser fall out of her hands and she cried, sobbing softly over Mizu's unconscious body. She heard footsteps move behind her and two sets of comforting arms around her.
"It's okay Sayori. We are here." Monika murmured.
"Yeah, we've got you. It's okay to cry." Natsuki commented, and Sayori let it out and just cried for a minute, taking solace in her friend's warmth.

As she finished she slowly picked up the taser and put it away. She also tossed away Mizu's knife as Monika found some tape in the nearby classroom and tied Mizu's arms up with it, leaving him propped up against the wall.
"Alright you two, let's go find Yuri and bring her with us. She needs to apologize to Monty for what she did." Monika gently coerced. Sayori nodded and began to walk with her back down the hall when she noticed Natsuki just standing there.
"Natsuki? Are you okay?" She asked her friend. The pinkette merely stared at the fallen manga she had dropped during the initial surprise before she sighed and picked it up, catching up to the other two. Sayori swore she heard Natsuki mutter a familiar phrase under her breath.

"Dummy."

(Monika's PoV)

The three had moved on past the unconscious Mizu, walking down the hall and towards the stairs. Monika's eyes looked around warily, green orbs flicking this way and that until she felt a hand tug her sleeve. Glancing over she was met with Natsuki's angry expression.
"Tell us what you know." She asked and Monika's eyes widened a fraction.
"What do you-" She began but Natsuki's glare silenced it.
"I know you know; you gave us the tasers, checked the halls carefully and knew immediately that Yuri was in on this. Monika we are your friends; tell us." She demanded. Well... Natsuki certainly was no slouch when it came to paying attention. Making a mental note of that fact Monika nodded.

"Okay yes... Monty and I had an idea. Ever since the festival Yuri has begun to show some odd habits towards Monty when they were alone; he told me about them and we both kept a close eye on her. I even had some alone time with her every now and then but she never displayed it in full until Mizu and the others came. However the day we went to ... your house Natsuki Monty tried to get Yuri to help. But she showed her obsessive side in full to him; apparently she gave him a very odd and downright creepy poem and backed him into a corner. So... we have been keeping an eye on her. I guess we just never thought she would have some help from another person." Monika explained as Natsuki's eyes narrowed.
"So then how did you know she kidnapped Monty?" The pinkette asked
"I didn't know, to be honest; I had a hunch but otherwise it was just a precaution. I'm sorry for not telling you two." Monika apologized but Natsuki just waved it off.
"It's fine; we'll talk more about it later. For now let's just get that dummy Monty and make sure he's safe. And then teach Yuri a lesson." Natsuki grumbled and crossed her arms as Monika smiled. She glanced over at Sayori but the normally bubbly girl was very quiet, a distant look on her face.
"Sayori?" She spoke up and the girl snapped out of it, glancing over.
"Oh sorry. I was... I was just thinking." She murmured apologetically. Monika frowned and glanced at Natsuki; both shared the same worried look as they walked down the stairs. As they reached the floor Yuri was on Natsuki was the first one to notice.

"Hey... i-is that blood?" She points. In front of them is a few drops of blood; by the look of it the blood hasn't even started drying yet. The three girls look and notice a trail of it stemming from Yuri's classroom and their faces get pale. Monika looks down the stairs; their is blood heading down.
"... Natsuki, did you make sure to take all of Yuri's knives?" Monika asked quietly as Natsuki nodded.
"I searched her and found nothing. H-How could this-?" She runs into the classroom before running out, holding the rope; it has been cut with splashes of drying crimson around the ends. Monika's brow furrows.

"We need to go, now."

With renewed vigor the three book it down the stairs, following the blood trail all the way out the front of the school. As they push through the doors they see it; a distance head of purple running down the street. Something glints in her hands; Yuri is free.
"BUT WE KNOCKED HER OUT, HOW?!" Natsuki yelled in a mixture of frustration and fear.
"Doesn't matter; we need to reach her before she gets to Monty!" Monika shouted as the three took off after their friend. As they reached the main gate however two figures appeared from behind the wall and blocked their path. Natsuki and Sayori gasped in surprise as Asami and Denji stood in their way, their eyes hollow and lifeless.
"GET OUT OF THE WAY YOU TWO; WE NEED TO STOP YURI! SHE'S GONE CRAZY!" Natsuki yelled but they stood in place before Denji spoke in a desperate tone.
"We can't Natsuki; we must stop you. We... we need it. The happiness, the joy... we need everything that Mizu promised us. We need it... WE NEED IT!" He screamed and ran at them. Asami followed but while Natsuki and Sayori stopped Monika didn't; with a well-timed punch and kick she knocked both of their former club members down onto the ground. Both girls were surprised by this but when they saw Monika's expression they could see she didn't care; she was furious.

"We don't have time!" Monika screamed and got her friends moving again; they raced past the downed students and continued after Yuri. They booked it down the street and around the corner, following after Yuri and the blood trail she left.

As they turned the corner however, they didn't notice Asami and Denji stand up followed by Mizu walking out between them. With a simple press of the command console he deleted the tape that bound his arms. Now freed once again, Mizu's hand trailed to the slight mark that the taser had left and his eyes narrowed. He bit his lip before sighing and correcting his posture, summoning a new knife as he turned to his two puppets.

"Go. Catch them. Slow them down as much as you can; the other two are waiting ahead. Join up with those two and keep up. I'll go cut them off." He muttered and the two ran down after the group. Mizu stayed in place for another moment, feeling the taser mark before he opened the command prompt and disappeared.

Today was the day that they realized the despair this world caused. He would make sure of that.