INTRODUCTION

I suppose some form of introduction should be in order. After all, if I plan to share my experiences with the world, it would do good for someone to know who wrote this account.

My name is Fioren Maxwell. My past history isn't what's important here, but for the record I was to be a new student attending the prestigious Hope's Peak Academy this coming year. I was...nervous to say the least, but that would slowly spiral into a gut wrenching agony of unease...and despair. But I'm getting ahead of myself. I should start from the beginning.

It all started the day I was supposed to arrive. I had gone to bed early to try to calm my nerves, but if I had known just what the gods of fate had in store for me? I would have run away as far away and as fast as I could...

Prologue: Prelude of Despair

Gah...what the hell happened? Why does my head feel so….

I drifted into consciousness with a splitting headache. It was like a mallet had been pounded against my skull over and over. As my eyes came into focus, I noticed a ceiling fan slowly making a rotation above my head. Wait...that wasn't right. The other senses in my body began to register what felt like a bed underneath me. However, that just raised further confusion in my mind.

"Wait, did I fall asleep?" I didn't recall laying down on my bed back home. Racing through my memories to the latest point just led to further unanswered questions.

"I was supposed to be attending Hope's Peak Academy today, right?" I remembered it well. How surprised I was to even receive the letter of acceptance. That the prestigious school seeking out the hope of the next generation would even consider someone like me to attend was... That was besides the point. My first priority was figuring out just *where* I was.

Surveying the room I was in showed a comfortable sort. A neatly tucked bed I was now laying in, a dresser to hold any clothing, a nightstand with a small lamp on it, and what I could only assume was a bathroom due to the location. "Am I in someone's room or something?"

It was rhetorical of course. I didn't honestly expect anyone to answer me. But as I asked that question, I noticed something I missed in my first scan of the room. Was that a monitor? And a camera too. Was someone watching me?

"Listen. if you're trying to mess with me, you have another thing coming, ya hear? I'm not some punk kid who can't defend themselves!" I shouted at the camera, though it was a futile effort. No reaction spurred forth to answer any of the questions I had. It looked like I was on my own.

Steeling myself, I slowly rose from the bed. Whoever kidnapped me clearly didn't mess with my clothing as I still had on the suit I had intended to arrive at orientation even that thought didn't really set my mind at ease. Who had kidnapped me, and why? This was *not* how I expected to be starting my year at school.

I made my way over to the door of this room and turned the knob. To my surprise, the door was actually unlocked. "So, you don't intend to keep me in here at least." Just how big is this prison?

I stepped out into the hallway and saw numerous other rooms down both sides of the hallway. Upon quick inspection there were sixteen rooms in total including my own. Sixteen rooms. Does that mean there are fifteen other people here?

As if the gods above were listening to my rambling, the door to another of the rooms began to open. In quick order, a young man with auburn colored hair and green eyes stepped out. He honestly looked like our kidnapper had messed him up with how disheveled and dirty he looked.

Before I could open my mouth to speak, he saw me. "Whoa! Someone else is here!" His voice was startled, but I tried to keep my composure for both our sakes.

"Hey. Take it easy. I'm not an enemy. Are you trapped here too?" I tried my best to keep a disarming tone but even I could feel the dread beginning to kick in.

"Huh? Oh uh, yeah. I think. I'm not sure. I woke up like 5 minutes ago and just decided to come out to see what was going on. Honestly was surprised when the door opened to tell the truth…" He sheepishly rubbed the back of his head. At least he didn't seem like a bad guy.

"I see…" I imagined everyone was going through something similar. We all woke up in these rooms. But I did need to confirm something. "Hey. What's your name?"

"Me? Oh, I'm Calvin. Calvin Rosemary. I'd say it's nice to meet you but uh, yeah."

"Likewise. I'm Fioren Maxwell. Now, if you'll humor me for a second, what's the last thing you remember before waking up?"

He seemed to be racking his head thinking. "Oh, well I had gone to bed the day before orientation. I was supposed to be attending Hope's Peak Academy. Funny, they brought me on by chance and look how it turned out…" He sighed dejectedly to himself.

"Seems we're in the same boat. And I would wager a guess all of the other people here are too."

"Wait, what do you mean other people?! Are we not the only ones here?" He seemed upset at the thought, and to be honest I couldn't blame him. The fact I was still keeping my composure right now was a miracle in itself.

"Well...there are sixteen rooms here, and we came out of two of them. It seems they have some sort of nameplates on them to distinguish whose room is whose. So, that means there has to be sixteen people." Sixteen people. All trapped in….who knows where. And all under the watchful eye of some twisted freak who plans to do lord knows what with us.

"Jeez...what the hell do they want with me? I'm just some random kid who got picked by a lottery! I wasn't supposed to be part of this! I need to get out back to my family!" He looked like he was about to run and I grabbed him by the arm.

"Easy there. We can't be freaking out right now. Logic and reasoning will be our best friend here." My tone was soft, like a mother comforting a child. However…

"Logic? Reasoning? How the fuck are you not freaking out right now!?"

"Trust me! Keeping myself this calm *isn't* easy, but if we freak out, we let whatever sick fuck trapped us here win. Alright? Just take a deep breath."

Calvin took a sharp breath and sighed. "You're right. You're right. Sorry. In any case, what should we do? Should we try to wake everyone else up?"

Before I could respond, an almost ominous school bell-like noise resounded through the hallway as the monitor began to spring to life. We didn't see anything on screen, but the voice that came through was enough to send shivers down my spine.

"Attention all students! This is your headmaster speaking. I would like everyone to report downstairs to the lobby immediately for orientation! I repeat, I would love eeeeveryone to report downstairs to the lobby immediately!" The monitor turned off as the message finished. That voice. It was filled with a childlike glee, yet hid sinister and malicious intent underneath.

"I guess that answers your question." The emotion in my voice had drained. I could feel the dry croaking of nervousness starting to well up in the back of my throat. But, I continued to push it down. I couldn't afford to freak out. I couldn't.

There wasn't much said between the two of us as we proceeded down the hallway. At the end, there appeared to be an elevator. The number above the door indicated we were on the second floor. The lobby must be on the first floor then.

Without another word, we both stepped inside and clicked the button for the first floor. The descent couldn't have lasted more than 5 or so seconds, but the tension and fear I felt made it feel like minutes.

Once the doors opened, we were greeted with a sight not too unexpected. The room resembled that of a hotel lobby. To our immediate left was a dining area and lounge room, complete with a TV. As for the right hand side, there existed an open doorway to a kitchen area and a reception desk that had a small computer and what I assumed was a sign-in sheet. Is this really some kind of hotel?

I didn't linger on that thought for long though as it was quickly apparent that several others had found their way into the lobby as per the announcement. A quick count would show Calvin and to be the 15th and 16th person. Of the people gathered, the one to speak first to us was a girl around my height with a sharp gaze behind her glasses as she adjusted them slightly.

"So...it was sixteen in total." Her words rung with the thoughts I already had. However, we would have no time for introductions and the like as right as I began to open my mouth a sharp voice interrupted me.

"Good! Looks like everyone has arrived, and with record timing too! I guess if you want to get this show on the road then I won't keep you waiting any longer!"

I tried my best to find the source of the sound, but it was as if the walls themselves vibrated with the resounding drums. In quick order, our attention was drawn to the reception desk as *something* shot out from behind it.

The sight that stood before me was….baffling to say the least. It was a teddy bear. Almost like a stuffed one you'd buy for a child, except its colors were split down the middle between white and black. The most disturbing feature however was the jagged red eye that ran along the left side of its face.

"What the heck?" I had no words to describe how I felt. Of all the things that had happened today, this was the most absurd.

It seemed one of my "classmates" agreed. A man with slicked back blue hair and black eyes stood to the front and almost shouted. "You there! Whatever you are I don't care. You are to release us from this place at once!"

"Hm?" The bear spoke with a quizzical look on its face. "Whadda mean?"

"Y-you...You know what I mean!" The boy still stood defiantly. "This is an outrage. A disservice to the highest degree! You think you can force us here and then come out like this?! Reveal your true face at once!"

I was floored. This guy. What kind of balls did he have to just stare...whatever that thing was in the face?

"Wow….this is unexpected. You got a go-getter attitude! I like that, you all should follow his example of how to lead your lives!" The smug mockiness that oozed from the bear was unheard of.

The well dressed boy seemed to finally realize whoever was behind that bear had no intention of coming out, so he simply stood there furiously. I'm sure a lot of us felt similar. Once it seemed there would be no further interruptions, our "host" continued.

"Now that I have all your attention, allow me to introduce myself. I am the great Monokuma! And welcome to Monokuma Land! The place of dreams and nightmares. Of love and loss. Of hope...and despair! Puhuhuhuhuhuhu!"

A white haired girl with twintails spoke up next. "Monokuma Land? That sounds like some lame amusement park."

"Of course that's what it sounds like! Cause that's exactly what it is! Monokuma Land is the newest and latest creation for the most exciting vacation of your entire lives!" He said this so eagerly and happily like it was the greatest thing to ever happen to us.

A short red haired kid was the next to speak as he looked annoyed. "Vacation? Awh man...I thought I was gonna be part of some evil conspiracy or something…."

I was so taken aback I could barely speak. "Wait, you were excited about this?!"

The glasses wearing girl from before interrupted with a cough, clearly ignoring the kid's comment. "Excuse me, Monokuma was it? I hope you know whatever game you're playing here is illegal on so many different accounts I don't even know where to start. I assure you that we're not going to take part in some childish fantasy of whatever this "Monokuma Land" is."

"Huh?" The bear was completely caught off guard. As if he hadn't even considered the morality of his actions. Of course….I could tell. That was a bold faced lie…

"That implies we can get out at all…" I felt the words escape through my lips before I could really process them. Monokuma seemed amused as he began to laugh.

"Puhuhuhuhu! It seems Fioren here is definitely on the right track!" He turned to the girl who spoke and seemed to almost glare at her with a malice that stretched far beyond the depths of even the netherworld. "My dear, childish fantasy? Do you even realize what's going on here? You're all trapped here. This is where you will be spending the rest of your days, never to see the outside world again."

What did he just say?! Did he really just….

It seemed I wasn't the only one to share the sentiment as a red haired boy in a beanie was the next to shout out. "Da hell you mean for the rest of our lives? Is this some kind of prank?"

"Indeed," chimed in a green haired girl that looked almost like a mannequin with how skinny and shiny her skin was. "I'll have you know that if I don't report to my agent by the end of today the entire country will be looking for you!"

The bear took all this verbal anger and didn't seem to react or care much at all. However the next message to break through the crowd caught me off guard. A purple haired girl started speaking with a very forlorn and blank expression etched across her face. "You said headmaster before. What did you mean by that?"

"Oh? Well of course I was talking about Hope's Peak! I'm the headmaster of Hope's Peak Academy, and I decided for my fresh new students a change of scenery would do them good! After all, vacations are healthy for the soul, right?"

"Vacation? More like kidnapping.." Calvin muttered to himself.

The girl with glasses still stood defiantly. "I highly doubt that you're really the headmaster. And I highly doubt this is some school approved thing. Now, I suggest you-"

"I what?" Monokuma cut off immediately. "Are you really so insistent on trying to return to the regular world? But this park has everything you could ever want. Free food and drinks for life, free medical, amazing rides and attractions...what more could you want?!"

"I think we all want to go home…" I said, though I didn't expect to get my wishes. This bear seemed insistent on keeping us here. But for what exactly? If it was for ransom I can't imagine someone like me would fetch a high price. And I was sure several others feel the same way.

"If you're so insistent on getting out, then fine. I'll let you go. On one enie tiny condition." I don't think a single one of us spoke. We all eagerly waited with anticipation with whatever this thing would ask us to do.

"All you need to do…...is kill someone." His gaze was on each and everyone in that room, his jagged red eye almost glowing with glee as he uttered those words. I felt my words catch in my throat as the thought came over me. The idea to kill someone?

Everyone freaked out to about the same effect but Monokuma quickly shushed us down. "Now now, let's not get ahead of ourselves! I haven't even explained the rules of your amazing Killing Vacation! Everyone please step up and retrieve one of my very own patented Monopads!" He would slam his hand against the reception desk and almost like in a cartoon several tablets would appear next to him. They were all sleek and black in color, though a cartoon bear face that resembled Monokuma was along the back.

The blue haired boy spoke once again, his face looking to be a mixture of concern and anger. "Kill someone? You really expect us to play along with...whatever the fuck this is!? You're crazy!"

Monokuma would only laugh his signature laugh once more. "Puhuhu. You really think you have a choice? If you don't want to participate then I'll simply execute you and find someone else who will."

Execute?! He can't be serious, can he? It seemed though everyone froze at those words. Whether he was telling the truth or not, the air of defiance had been sucked out of the room immediately. We all stepped forward and retrieved our monopads.

Booting mine up revealed a welcome screen which read "Welcome, Fioren Maxwell." After it loaded up I had options for a map, a list of all the students, school rules and...evidence? Seeing that just made my blood run cold, but I ignored it for now. I opened the tab for the school rules as the bear began to explain them.

RULE 1: With limited restrictions, the students may explore Monokuma Land at their convenience.

RULE 2: Violence against the Headmaster is strictly prohibited. As is damage to all school property such as cameras, monitors, e-Handbooks etc.

RULE 3: Night Time starts at strictly 10:00 PM. It is forbidden to enter certain areas during Night Time and the water in the hotel will be shut off. Night Time ends at 7 AM

RULE 4: Falling asleep anywhere besides in the hotel will be considered sleeping in class and will not be tolerated.

RULE 5: No student may lend out their e-Handbook to another student

RULE 6: Students must never be late for appointments with the Headmaster including assemblies and class trials.

RULE 7: A student's vacation will end if they kill another student, unless they are found out.

RULE 8: Further rules may be added at the Headmaster's convenience.

The breaking of any rules will result in immediate expulsion from Hope's Peak Academy.

I read over the rules again and again. It was real. It was really real. He expected us to really…

"Now you see, don't you?" Monokuma spoke up as he revealed claws from his hand, almost as if he was primed to attack. "You should just forget about the outside world. Monokuma Land *is* your world now! Pahahahahahahaha!"

What the hell was going on? I just couldn't understand it. Who the hell was Monokuma and why had he kidnapped us? Why were we being forced to participate in this sick game of his? Did he really expect us to just stay here? No, it seemed like the opposite in fact.

The more I stared at those rules, the more obvious truth seemed to reveal itself. This game...no, this killing game was to become our life. Our twisted view of the world that would wrap itself around our very souls. As those thoughts began to wash over me, the knot in my stomach would tighten harder as I begun to truly realize the sick and demented mind of our tormentor.

This wasn't just some psychopath who had kidnapped up for ransom or to gain something. No, this was someone who wanted us to feel one thing and one thing alone.

Despair…

PROLOGUE
END

16 Students Remain

(A/N: Hey guys, thank you very much for reading through this story. I hope no one found it too boring to slog through, but I'm trying my best to capture the feel of the video games as I can. I hope you continue to stick through it, and feel free to leave reviews, even if they're criticism! I am always looking to improve, and I hope you enjoy reading through RE: Danganronpa)