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*BING-BONG, BING-BONG*

"A body has been discovered! Now, normally, I'd tell you to gather where the body is. But I'm just a tad bit furious with all of you right now... so you know what? Trial time! Now!"

The voice of Monokuma was a slap in the face to the students. After all that had happened, the return of their 'headmaster' was the last thing they needed. But the Killing Game seemed to not wait for any of them.

"A trial?" Akamatsu asked, her voice shaking. "But... we just found... and we haven't..."

"We don't have a choice. We have to get moving."

"Harukawa-san..."

"I'm not happy either," the assassin assured her, "but it's not like this one's a mystery."

Harukawa's eyes turned to the still body before them. "We're going to make him pay for this, I promise you."

With no other options, the students made their way to the Shrine of Judgment.


The tension in the air was palpable. This would be an interesting new animal for the students. They had had no time to investigate the crime, so they would have to figure things out on the fly. Regardless, the conclusion seemed self-explanatory. All that was missing was their prime suspect.

And very shortly, he came walking toward them.

"Sorry I kept you..."

The students' eyes narrowed, each with their own sense of disdain toward their last peer. Though some of them found their eyes widening directly after, as they took in his strange attire.

Ouma had adorned himself with a slightly new look. His traditional white straightjacket-style uniform was now shrouded with a black cloak, tattered and worn. Atop his head was a black military hat, accentuating the menace the madman carried with him. But most shocking of all was his face. The left side of his face had been painted pitch-black, with a red lightning bolt drawn around his eye. The imagery he was trying to evoke was quite clear.

"Why do you look like Monokuma?" Akamatsu questioned, rather pointedly.

"Nishishi..." the troublemaker cackled, giving his cape a dramatic flourish. "This is the last trial. I always drezz for the occasion..."

The strange drawl of his voice did nothing to break the tension in the air. The others' patience for the boy was gone, and all that was left was the trial.

The elevator opened, and the class entered, beginning what they hoped would be their final descent.

"Ouma-kun," Akamatsu thought, "I owe you my life. I know that. But I can't overlook what you've done. You threatened my friends. You forced Harukawa-san to do your bidding. And now... Tenko and Shinguuji's deaths were already on your hands, so why? Are you just that cruel?"

Akamatsu turned to face her remaining classmates.

Harukawa's eyes were firmly locked on Ouma, her anger overwhelming. Ouma for his part, seemed to not notice.

"I swear, you won't get away with this."

Hoshi cracked his knuckles. He cursed himself for not being faster. Not being able to prevent this. But he was done living with nothing but remorse. This time, he'd stop tragedy from striking again.

"I'll overcome every lie you throw at me. I'll find the truth you've kept hidden for so long!"

Yumeno grit her teeth, desperate to contain her emotions. She had already lost Tenko because of Ouma. To some degree, Angie as well. These acts of malice had gone on long enough for the mage, and he would not escape this time.

"I am going to avenge him!"

Akamatsu felt a hand on her shoulder. Without even looking, she moved her hand to grasp his. In this difficult time, she knew she could count on the support of the ones she cared about. And though it was a horrible thought, she thanked every deity she could conceive of that he was okay.

Saihara's hand in hers. As comforting as it had been that first time in the classroom, almost an eternity ago.

"In this class trial, I will avenge Kiibo!"


A/N: Merry Christmas! I got you all a dead robot!

If you're in the mood for something happier, check my profile for a new Christmas-themed really dumb one-shot.

Oh, and we're back.