Chapter 37: The Goddess Of This World
(Beach/Pier, Sunset)
This... this can't be real right?
Just some... twisted joke, a fantasy?
Monika stares me down and besides feeling a cold sweat running down my spine I also notice it is completely silent; the ocean itself seems to have stopped making noise although the waves continue to move against the beach.
"... Monika, you... you are joking right? I-If so that... that isn't funny, ehehe.." I laugh nervously but the smile doesn't waiver.
"I'm completely serious, Monty. They will be going soon. Forever." She repeats and now I feel my anger starting to boil.
"But... but they are your friends Moni, you are their friend. Why... how... why would you even do this?! We are doing fine, they are all safe, you are safe-" I begin but Monika just waves it off.
"Yes, we are safe. But that doesn't mean anything if you disappear, now does it?" She spoke coolly and my anger deflated slightly.
"W... What do you mean? I haven't... nothing has happened-" I begin but the smile fades on her lips.
"Nothing has happened yet, Monty. My beloved, adorable, wonderful Monty... nothing has happened *yet*. But how long? Will it truly be forever? Can be truly be together forever Monty? I'd love that... but let's face reality for a moment. The three girls exist. You and I exist. You have seen your world through the computer at home. Obviously there is some connection from here to there; maybe a timer? Or a set of conditions? I don't know. But I do know that if you and I were the only ones remaining, then you couldn't leave unless you delete me. Simply put, if I activate the Eternal Classroom, you and I can be here forever."
"And you'd risk the girls for that?! THEY ARE REAL PEOPLE MONI, YOU'VE SEEN THAT!" I scream at her as my anger gains traction. Her smile disappears for a moment and she sighs. She raises her hand out and snaps her fingers; the teddy bear disappears and my anger stops.
"... H-How did you-" I begin as she smiles.
"I told you; I've been learning. And after all those hours on the command prompt, after everything... the other day I figured it out. How this world works. Now I don't need the command prompt as it's all in my head." She taps a finger to the side of her cranium and I pale more. She snaps her fingers again and the sound of the oceans resume, and then another snap and it's gone.
"Monty... listen. I... those girls mean the world to you. And to me too. But if you were to disappear... what would happen to them, to us? To *me*? I won't go back to that isolation and solitude; not after everything. I'm sorry but the girls have to go." She says plainly.
"This... this isn't what we worked so hard for. You and me, fighting Hideo, Yuri, Mizu-... Mizu. If you wanted the girls dead, why not just let him kill them?" I asked and Monika seemed to ponder for a moment.
"He was a threat, simply put. To myself and to your safety. I mean if he killed the girls my job would have been easier but... I wanted to spare you the despair of seeing them die to his hands. After all Monty, all of this is for you."
"No... no this is all wrong, Moni. You know that, you KNOW THAT! YOU ARE BETTER THAN YOU WERE IN ACT THREE! WHY WOULD YOU EVEN CONSIDER THIS!?" I shout and I can see a flash of annoyance in her face.
"I told you, it is for us, Monty. Everything I do is because from the bottom of my heart I love you. It's just ever since the school I've been thinking about this, and even when you were upset I dared not act upon it; I wanted to see you at your happiest before I told you."
My mind whirls back to the school. Natsuki had told me Monika and Mizu fought.
... Don't tell me...
"...Mizu grabbed you, didn't he?! At the school back then!?" I yell and Monika smiles.
"So what if he did? I'm still the same, just with a clearer mind. Monty... listen. I know you love the girls, I know you love me. But I want happiness for you and if you were to go back it'd break both of our hearts. Do you want to really go back to that world, where you say you are lonely and miserable?" She questions me and I grit my teeth.
"I'd rather not, no... but I don't want them to die, Monika. Please... don't do this. We can work this out together." I beg, but Monika just smiles and shakes her head.
"I'm sorry Monty, but no can do. Our happiness together is more important."
My stomach feels like it wants to throw up, my whole body feels numb. I don't know what causes it but before I can think I turn and book it up the pier and away from Monika. I have to get home, get to the girls, warn them- SOMETHING. Maybe... maybe they can talk to Monika? Maybe I can hide them? I've got to try something, ANYTHING!
I DIDN'T COME ALL THIS WAY TO LOSE NOW!
I look back and Monika is still standing at the pier, watching me. The sounds have returned and as I run I see the bus coming into view up ahead; I pay the toll as I run by and sit in a seat.
"O-Okay, so Monika is Act 3, she's going to kill them... can she delete their files by touch only or does she need to be in their vicinity? How do I... how do we stop her? Come on Monty, think. THINK!" I hiss to myself. The bus takes off and I see Monika standing to the side, watching me with that horrific smile. I pale as the bus takes off down the road and I sigh.
"Whatcha thinking about, my love? A wedding, perhaps~?"
I jump and reflexively move away from the noise and look; Monika is now sitting in the seat that was empty before.
"H-How-" I begin but in a flash she's in front of my, a hand running down my cheek.
"Aww, you look terrified Monty... I can calm you down if you want."
I back away from her, moving towards the front of the bus while keeping my eye on Monika.
"LET ME OFF THE BUS PLEASE." I say in a loud voice; no answer. I turn to look and realize that no one was driving the bus; the wheel turned and moved along with the road but all the passengers and the driver were gone.
"Sorry my love, but I can't let you do that. Would you just listen to me?" Monika speaks. I panic and move to the front before grabbing the door level and yanking it hard. The door creaks open and I jump out, rolling on the pavement. It scratches and cuts up my skin but the pain is nothing compared to the sheer terror in my heart. Getting up on wobbly knees I begin to run, cutting across the road and making a break for my house. I don't know the way too well but if I can at least make it to the school perhaps I could figure my way around from there.
"Come now Monty, you can't run from your love." Monika had appeared next to me but I kept running.
"If you keep running I'll get angry." She said but I glared back.
"AND WHAT, DELETE THE GIRLS?! YOU ALREADY PLAN TO!" I shout. Her brow furrows as I keep running across the roads and through the towns. My legs are aching from not only the running but all the walking today and every corner I take Monika is there. At some points she tries to grab me but I duck out of the way and keep going. Street after street, road after road. I end up running without looking that I only notice the lights of a car as I comes barreling at me. But before it can touch me Monika is in front of it, her hand outstretched. With a simple wave the car and it's driver dissipate into nothing; I retch but hold onto my lunch and keep going.
"Monty please, come back! We can talk about this! she yelled and I shook my head before diving into a marketplace. Taking a moment I hide behind one of the racks and glance around them; Monika walks in and begins to look for me.
"Monty? Monty please, stop hiding. We can talk about this, after all we are soul mates! And I... I don't want to lose you so please, can't we just talk?"
Sorry Moni, but you... you aren't yourself right now. In a way you are but... no. The Moni I love wouldn't harm her friends anymore. This isn't you, this is the game's influence.
Slowly I begin to tiptoe down the aisle, trying my best to keep silent. As I reach the end I feel a body press against mine.
"Honey please... stop this." A powerful force affects me and for a second I feel it; her sadness, her sympathy... but also her uncaring attitude. I yank myself out of her grasp and book it through the door and keep running. As I pass by street after street I begin to notice people in my way disintegrating; anything that would harm me or hinder me. I look back and Monika is now running after me and keeping up with a look of icy determination. When she catches my gaze she smiles and the memories of the dead girls just make my heart pound harder.
"Shit shit shit shit-" I whisper as I turn a corner and spot the school. My eyes widen and for a moment relief hits me as I finally figured out my exact location. Now I begin to book it down the road towards the school, jerking left down another street and then right again. I zig-zag, make turns and try everything in my power to throw Monika off but she keeps either running behind me or teleporting herself ahead of me. Every sentence is the same; 'slow down, please let us talk about this.' But why would she ever think I'd want to talk about this?! We fought so hard together, we beat the glitches and Sayori's depression, we battled Hideo and Mizu and Yuri's own issues... everything had gone so well!
So why... why did this have to happen? Tears were running down my cheeks; I was crying my eyes out while running like a madman from the equivalent of a goddess. That feeling of helplessness was growing with every step but the hope in my heart kept trying to talk it down; 'maybe we can convince Monika to stop, maybe we can save them. Just get to the girls first and everything will be okay.'
I finally arrive on the street but strangely I don't see Monika. I look behind myself and then to the sides; nothing. Unease settles in along with the silence as I begin to run down the road and reach my house. Taking the out the keys I unlock and open the door gently.
What I see is hell.
Yuri, Sayori and Natsuki as struggling, ropes wrapped around their necks and being suspended in the air. Their eyes are wild and tears are running down them as they struggle and claw at their necks, trying to get them off. Sayori's blue eyes meet mine and I scream.
"NO! MONIKA NO NO NO NO NO NOOOOO!" All my anger and despair rushes to meet me as it empowers my body; I run to the kitchen and grab a knife before moving to Sayori first. Her fingers give just enough wiggle room to slip the knife in between her skin and the rope and with all my might pull; the rope cuts easily and Sayori rolls to the side as she coughs and gasps for air, her lungs heaving to try and fill them with oxygen again. I rush to Natsuki and Yuri next and manage to cut the ropes off of their necks too before gathering all the pieces and slamming the knife down into them again, cutting them into little chunks when I'm done. My own chest is heaving and I feel light-headed but I don't care; I need to do this. I stand up and turn to the door.
Monika stands at the entrance impassively.
"... Monty, why would you even bother to save them? They-"
"They aren't real? Is that what you were going to say?" I begin and Monty frowns.
"Bullshit Monika. BULLSHIT! THAT IS ABSOLUTE HORSESHIT AND YOU KNOW THEY AREN'T! THEY WOULDN'T HAVE GROWN WITH US IF THEY WERE FLAT, ONE-DIMENSIONAL CHARACTERS! THEY WOULDN'T HAVE GROWN LIKE THEY HAVE AND YOU KNOW IT!" I scream at her, hot tears running down my cheeks. I stand in front of them, a meager defense against the goddess. I know she would never hurt me, or she could just snap her fingers and delete them but what else am I supposed to do? WHAT AM I TO DO?!
You failed Monty, you are ALWAYS a failure. You worked so hard for nothing in the end but a destructive goddess of a girlfriend who will kill the only real friends you have in this world. People you risked your life for, people you-' My rainclouds hissed their poison into my ears and my hopelessness grew. I just... didn't know how to do it.
Where do I even go from here? Does it matter anymore?
It was... just a pipe dream. There was no happiness here after all. I guess... Mizu was right in the end.
"Mo..nty...?"
Like a light cutting through the fog my eyes whirl onto Sayo; her blue eyes regained consciousness and she's looking at me and Monika.
"Wh... What's going on? Monika..? What happened?" She asked, slowly standing up.
"S-Sayori, you are okay, you are safe..." I try to reassure her, but Monika speaks up once more.
"Oh dear. It would have been better if you just stayed asleep, Sayo. It would have been less painful." Her words were ice and as she said them she snapped her fingers. Sayori's eyes widened and she screamed as her body began to tear itself apart, pixelating and glitching. Her scream became distorted and warbled and her body looked horrific; the same happened to Yuri and Natsuki who turned and screamed in pain as well. They weren't awake thank god but the pain... the way they looked tore my heart into pieces.
I clench my fist and take the knife up once more; Monika blinks as I level it at her.
"... Monty..." She looked almost saddened by this, but my tears eyes remained unmoved.
"Stop it. Stop it right now." Monika's frown deepens and the screams intensify.
"M-mOnTyYYY- h-HeLpp mMmMeeee-" Sayori's wobbled voice came out and I clenched my teeth before running at Monika.
"I SAID STOP IT RIGHT NOWWWW!" I scream and lunge with the knife. But Monika's eyes flicker to the knife and it disappears. She teleports out of my grasp and I stumble as I run through air, turning around she is by the girls and is continuing on.
"Monty... I'm disappointed. I was hoping we could talk this out; after all lovers should be able to communicate with one another. But you are too focused on the girls and it is affecting your judgement. It's time I got rid of them."
Seconds turn into hours, I watch her raise her hand in slow motion.
Think... think... THINK DAMMIT!
...
"Monika... I will HATE you if you delete them. Forever. We will spend an eternity like that. And you will never have my heart again." It's like a hot knife through my own heart but I get the words out and it does the trick; Monika stops. Her emerald gaze turns back to me and the glitching on the girls stop as Sayori collapses to the floor with the others. I can see the anger cross the class presidents gaze for a few seconds before she sighs and moves to the kitchen table, sitting down and putting her hands in the familiar crossed position. She smiles as she looks at me.
"Monty... you know I love you. And I know you love me too. So why would you say something so hurtful? All I want is the best for the both of us; they are code. They don't need to keep existing and it's better to give you a wonderful life here than out there." She says. I close my eyes and sigh.
"..L.. Look, you wanted to talk? Let's talk, like a couple should."
I move and sit across from Moni who smiles even wider.
"So... you want to delete them. I want to save them. How about... how about we compromise?" I suggest and Monika arches a brow, cocking her head and keeping the smile up.
"A compromise? Would you kindly explain, dear?" She asks and I gulp before nodding.
"L-Look... you and me... we will go to the Eternal Classroom. I'll go with you willingly; no hassle, no more fuss. I won't fight you and I will stay with you... forever. But.. I implore you, as your beloved and your friend to listen to what I have to say. Monika... they helped save me. They have helped us both on numerous occasions. They are your friends as much as mine. And somewhere in there is the Monika I know and love; I.. I don't know what happened but I want that Monika to come back. Please. But... if she doesn't.. on the basis of the wonderful times they have given us, and on the fact that they are your friends and they helped save my life and improve ours... you spare them. Please. I mean.. i-if I'm in the Eternal Classroom with you, and I never... never see them again, the game can't progress. It'll be Act 3; Just Monika and Monty. Forever. On the grounds that you spare the girls. Please Monika.. please." My voice is hoarse from all the crying and screaming, eyes are red and puffy and I feel absolutely broken inside.
But even if it is hopeless. Even if nothing can be done...
If I can give the girls a happy future, I'll sacrifice myself.
Monika contemplates my words for a minute; she loses the smile and for those long, torturous seconds I wonder what she will say. She could go against my wishes and just delete them but... but no. She wants my love. She wants me. She wouldn't risk it.
"... Okay. But only because I love you so much will I spare them. However... you will never see any of them again in exchange. Understood?" Monika said and I nod solemnly. She smiles and stands, offering a hand to me. I take it and the devil smiles more before waving her hand and creating a door in the middle of the living room. She walks to it and opens it, revealing the familiar classroom in the sky to me.
I take one look back at the three unconscious girls and feel myself grow close to crying again.
"... Farewell, Sayo, Nat, Yuri."
I step through the threshold with Monika. The door closes behind me.
(Sayori's PoV)
Mumbling and soft grumbles come from Sayori, her eyes opening as she looks up at the ceiling. She had the worst dream; Monty saved her from a rope around her neck, and then... pain. Her body was filled with unending, soul-shattering pain. Getting up slowly she looked around and saw Natsuki and Yuri getting up too. They seemed to be in the same condition as her.
"What... was that?" Natsuki grumbled, Yuri shaking her head to clear her mind. However Sayori only stared at the door, a strange sadness filling her.
"... Monty?"