Hajime had to hold back a gasp as he overheard what the new guy said. Byakuya said his name was Diego Brando, but everyone he knew called him Dio. Funnily enough, that was the Italian word for God. 'He's willing to kill… he's… actually considering it!' Hajime thought, worry striking through his body as he glanced around the corner. Diego had fully disappeared. Footprints in the dirt path suggested that he walked away from the store in the opposite direction of him, so at least that was a positive.

'I have to warn the others. I have to!' Hajime thought, desperately scrambling to his feet as he began to run back to the cabins. The meeting had just finished. Not only did Hajime have to worry about the literal bomb in the center of the island, but now he had to worry about Diego possibly killing someone. If today got somehow even worse, he'd have a conniption fit. Hajime ran from the store to the gates of the hotel area. He had to be fast, for all he knew, Diego was already there, already planning, or worse, already killing.

"Hello, Hajime Hinata." A dark-sounding voice spoke out to him as he froze just in front of the gates. He slowly turned his head around to see that Diego was behind him. "That is your name, correct? This… uh, what was it called again? Monopad? Yeah, I believe it was called that. Said that your name was Hajime Hinata. I hope I'm getting this right." Diego said indiscreetly as he looked back at Hajime.

"O-Oh, hello Dio! I, uh, I was just going to get s-something t- from my cabin, yeah… he… he… he…" Hajime said, sweat dripping from his forehead as Diego squinted his eyes.

"You are a very, and I mean very, poor actor," Diego said, grabbing the brunette by the shoulder before squeezing down hard enough to where they both heard a sickening crack. Hajime flinched as Diego sneered. "I know, that you know. I couldn't help but notice you to the side of… I think it was called Rocket-Punch supermarket. If you want your life to be spared, I suggest you keep that little secret to yourself. We wouldn't want any… accidents, right?" Diego said with a sickeningly sweet tone as Hajime felt as if he was going to cry due to the amount of pressure being put on his shoulder.

The brunette nodded as the horse jockey let go of his shoulder. "Good, I'm glad we understand each other. Now, please move aside. I have some things I need to tend to." Diego said, shoving Hajime aside before entering the main area of the cabins.

Hajime grasped his shoulder as his body howled in pain. He hadn't figured someone who looked like Diego to be that strong. 'I've never been that scared for my life other than that very moment,' Hajime thought as he rolled his aching shoulder, trying to get the pain to go away. 'That look in his eyes, he wasn't lying, I could see the icy cold determination in his eyes. He wants to win this 'game,' despite it not being a game!' Hajime thought as he walked into the cabins.

'But do I risk my life telling someone? Would they do the same thing if they were in my position? Would they save themselves, or save everyone else?' That thought remained in Hajime's mind as he walked to his cabin, holding his shoulder as he entered the building he now begrudgingly called home. "I need to sleep this off."

Diego walked into the large building that had the word 'Mirai' on the front. The old Diego wouldn't know what the word meant, but now, he knew exactly what it meant. It meant 'future.' He scoffed. Entering the building, he saw several tabletop things. He assumed them to be some sort of gambling machines. He'd seen them sprinkled around his old hometown, but that was it.

Whatever those things were, he cared less about them. In front of him was a small bar with non-alcoholic drinks behind the counter. There were other things such as plants and some windows, but other than that, there was nothing else.

He saw Chiaki sitting at one of the machines, playing away as if her life depended on it. He couldn't help but crack a small grin at seeing this, but right now, he had more important things to do. Walking past the titular schoolgirl, who was too busy to notice him, he marched up the stairs. The room he walked into seemed to be a restaurant of some sort. There were rows, and rows of tables lined up in fours before skipping a row, then moving on to the next four.

This went on till there was no more room in the space. The walls were all white, and there were four separate pillars, each of which took up the corners of the room and one near the staircase. As his eyes surveyed the area, his eyes landed on one person he semi-recognized and someone else.

The Princess and a pink-haired man. The pink-haired man had sharp teeth, and he was slightly muscular. He wore a green mechanic suit and a wool beanie. On his green uniform were several badges, but that was it.

"Oh, Dio! It's you." The Princess said, her cheerful facial expression dropped as Diego scoffed.

"Hello, Princess," Diego said, crossing his arms before looking at the pink-haired man. "Pray-tell, what's your name?" Diego asked as the man glared at him.

"Why do you want to know? I heard that you pointed a gun at Hiyoko. Why the fuck should I tell you my name anyway?" The pink-haired man said as Diego smirked.

"Well, I don't really care. I can just look at this and find out myself, just thought I'd ask," The horse jockey said, a smirk on his face as he revealed the monopad. "Let's see, Kazuichi Soda? What a dumb name, It sounds like something a retard would name their kid. What else, oh, you're a mechanic? At least you have a decent profession," Diego said as he looked back up at the now named Kazuichi, who looked furious.

"MY NAME IS NOT DUMB, YOU ASSHOLE!" Kazuichi shouted as Diego scoffed. Putting his free hand on his chin, he stared at Soda with a look that said: really?

"Oh, please. Soda? Really? A beverage? Come on. What kind of last name is Soda?" Diego said, stuffing his monopad back in his pants pocket. "And you, Princess. What's your name? Your royalty, aren't you? That means you must have a decent name, right?" Diego asked as the blond crossed her arms across her chest.

"Like I'd let a jerk like you know my name," the Princess said as Kazuichi smiled, looking at the Princess, ignoring Diego completely.

"Yeah, you tell him, Ms. Sonia!" Kazuichi said bombastically as he looked back at the horse jockey. His eyes were closed as he crossed his arms, "You can never hope to get her respect or even her attention! She's royalty, so she-" Before he continued, he heard Sonia squeal, which caused him to turn his attention to her.

"Eeek!" Sonia squealed as Diego had somehow appeared behind her while they were looking away. His arms were draped across her shoulders as his hands locked around her upper body. He had a coy smirk on his face as he looked down on her. She was a few inches shorter than him, making him tower over her. Her hands were on his wrists, trying to pry them off as she had a confused and concerned expression.

"Sonia, huh? Such an English-sounding name! I like it. Tell me then, what's your last name? I only have half of your name. It'd be rude not to tell me the rest." Diego said, toying with them both. The two became confused.

How did he get over there without them hearing or looking at him? "Well, tell me? What's your full name, Sonia?" Diego said as she tried to break free from his grasp. His hands inched closer to her neck. His hands lightly wrapped around her neck, slightly squeezing it as she gulped, but he also noticed how she winced and how a small blush appeared on her cheeks. This caused Diego to raise an eyebrow with confusion. 'She likes being choked? Interesting. Oh, I must be making her uncomfortable. I like toying with my victims, but I don't want to make them that kind of uncomfortable. I'm not like my father,' Diego thought before letting go of her.

Sonia shoved him away as he bumped into the wall behind him. However, instead of being angry, all that remained was an intrigued smirk. "How dare you touch me like that without my permission!" Sonia shouted as Diego's smirk remained.

"I'm a very hands-on learner. But don't get me mistaken as a pervert. I'm far from that. But, I now know more about you. Such as your name, Sonia, and something else I could use to my advantage at some point. But since I doubt you'll be willing to tell me your name now. I'll consult my Monopad instead."

As Diego said this, Kazuichi took this time to charge at him. Anger filled his veins as he marched towards the horse jockey. How dare this brute touch, Ms. Sonia. He had a lot of nerve for touching Ms. Sonia in a way that made her uncomfortable. As he got in punching range, he reared back his fist, and when he went to punch the blond, said blond snapped to attention and clocked him in the chest.

The punch was enough to cause him to spit up small droplets of blood mixed with saliva. Kazuichi staggered backwards as Diego picked him up by the scruff of his hat and his hair. "Listen here, you little shit, I'll have no regrets putting a bullet in your head if you so much as touch me ever again. Do you understand me?" Diego said coldly, rage behind his eyes as Kazuichi went wide-eyed.

"Y-Yes s-sir!" Kazuichi said as Diego smirked before dropping him to the floor.

"Good, I'm glad we have reached an understanding," Diego said before turning to Sonia with a smirk on his face. "Well, Ms. Sonia Nevermind. I'll be on my way now. I'm glad I have had the chance to know you more, and while I can't say the same for your… friend over here, I'll see you all at a later date." As Diego said this, he walked out the rear exit of the room.

Sonia fell to her knees as she grasped at her neck. How did he know about that? Was it just a guess? Perhaps, but what did he mean by it being useful information for later? She dreaded to know what that meant. Despite being clueless to social cues, she knew very well what that could've meant, and she didn't want to think of the possibilities.

For Kazuichi, he had never felt fear like that before. He felt like his life was in the hands of a god of death and that it had been merciful this one time. This Diego Brando person was not one to be trifled with, and today, he learned that the hard way.

As Diego walked away and headed down to the pool area of the main area of the cabins, a bell rang out. He looked at the sky. How long had he been 'messing' with them? The last time he checked, the sun was just barely at high noon? So why was it already nighttime? 'Guess I took too long messing with Sonia and Soda.' He scoffed. 'Soda, I still can't believe that's his name.'

As soon as he finished his thought process, the announcements rang out. "Ahem, Hope's peak academy's executive travel committee has a special announcement to make! Emergency! Emergency! Come to Jabberwock park right this second! There is something special waiting for you all!" As the shrill voice of Monokuma ceased, Diego scratched the back of his head.

"Jabberwock Park?" He questioned as the thumping footsteps of Byakuya Togami walked up behind him.

"Hello, Dio. I'm sure you want to know where the park is?" Byakuya asked as Diego crossed his arms.

"If it was that easy to guess, then it really doesn't need to be said," Diego replied as Byakuya sighed.

"Well, that should be obvious. Fine then, follow me," Byakuya said as Diego watched as he left. Sighing, Diego began to follow the fat man. He only knew his name and not his social standing, but that suit of his gave him a hint. 'He does give me the sense that he's as powerful as Valentine,' Diego thought as then, it dawned on him.

Was anyone else here a Stand user? He had nearly forgotten about The World. Sure, he used its power just a few seconds ago to mess with Sonia and Kazuichi, but he had completely forgotten about the fact that some other people here could very well be Stand users. 'That means I really should keep my eyes and ears open and stay alert at all times. The last thing I want is to incur the wrath of any potential Stand users here,' Diego thought as he scoffed. 'Oh, who am I kidding. The World is the Ultimate Stand. I can Stop time for five seconds. Even if I come across an enemy Stand user, I could kill them within mere moments.' Diego paused.

'Right, Killing. I have to actually get away with the murder if I end up fighting a Stand user. Good grief. Why does everything have to be complicated,' the horse jockey thought as they arrived at the destination. His eyes widened as he saw the big black orb on the fountain. It was counting down from 21 days, 12 hours, 30 minutes, and 30 seconds. What the hell was going on!?

"WHAT IN THE NINE CIRCLES OF HELL IS THAT?!" Diego shouted as he pointed up at the orb, holding back the urge to summon The World, as he noticed that everyone was here, meaning he could've accidentally exposed himself.

"I don't fuckin' know. We think it's a bomb. Hey! You're the fuckin' asshole who-" a boy with shaved blond hair, greenish-yellow eyes, and wore a black pinstripe suit spoke, only to be interrupted by Diego.

"Does it look like a give a shit about that right now?" Diego retorted as he stared at the supposed bomb. 'Things are just getting weirder and weirder by the hour,' Diego thought as he glanced around him. In front of him was a stage with Monokuma on it, wearing a blue suit and some pink and white variant of him with rabbit ears, who was wearing a pink dress. 'Even weirder is that rabbit… oh well,' Diego grumbled, rubbing his forehead.

"Hello! I'm Monokuma!"

"Um… and I'm Monomi…!" This caught Diego's attention. He hummed in curiosity. 'Perhaps some sort of… yin and yang thing is going on here. One side is pure, and the other dark….'

"And together, we are The Monokuma's!" Diego sighed at this. 'A comedy routine? This was the emergency?' Diego thought, glancing up at the bomb periodically.

"Now, I know this is sudden, but I guess I should show you guys my mind-reading abilities!" Monokuma proclaimed, making a few of the 'cheerful' audience members groan.

"Eh?! You can read minds?!" Monomi asked, shocked and confused as Diego scoffed. 'He's obviously lying.'

"As a practice, I'll guess your favourite food! Hmmm… Your favourite food is…." Monokuma paused to think as Monomi spoke up.

"You can do it! It's easy to guess what a rabbit's favourite food is!" Monomi said, practically giving the answer away as Diego rolled his eyes. The others in the audience stayed silent. He swore he could even hear a cough of disappointment.

"Ca…" Monokuma started.

"That's right!" Monomi said, faking enthusiasm.

"…davers." Monokuma finished as Diego repressed a slight chuckle. 'Shock humour… can't say it doesn't work.' To the rest of the audience, all he could hear was booing and or annoyed silence.

"I'd never eat a dead body!" Monomi said, panicking as Monokuma ignored her.

"Now then… next up is Monomi! C'mon, do a short skit or something!" Monokuma prodded as Monomi tensed up.

"Wh-what! There's no way I could do that!" Monomi practically begged as Monokuma waved his paw at her.

"No worries, It's all good! I know a technique that can summon The God of Comedy! Sooooo… which do you think is better? Taking blood while you're still alive, or when you're already dead?" Monokuma asked as, again, the crowd booed, except for Diego, who huffed out some air.

"Why would you ask such a cruel question?" Monomi asked, echoing some of the audience's own mentalities.

"If I am going to summon The Comedeity, I will need a lot of blood." Monokuma responded dryly.

"So. A God of comedy want's blood?" Monomi questioned, a sassy tone in her voice.

"Hngh~ Pretty Please~?" Monokuma moaned as Diego nearly burst out laughing, only holding himself back by slapping his hand over his mouth. Some of the others even found that joke funny too. A redhead who stood beside him huffed, crossing her arms over her chest.

"No matter how charmingly you ask, there is no way I'll give you my blood!" Monomi responded instantly as Monokuma turned his head away from her, crossing his arms and putting his foot down dramatically.

"You're always quick to make a scary face, Monomi," Monokuma retorted as he turned back to her. "You guys better be careful, too," Monokuma said, his red eye glowing, making Diego raise an eyebrow. 'Oh, this just got interesting.' "Ya'know, since Monomi's actually a bad guy." Monokuma Continued as everyone became confused, muttering and mumbling.

"What?"

"Huh?

"Really?"

"She's as bad as the first villain the heroes fight in a teen Manga!" Monokuma said as Diego raised an eyebrow. 'Ah, Manga? What's that? I'll have to look into it. Who knows… Maybe Chiaki knows.' Diego thought questioningly as he continued to listen.

"They're always the underdog!" Monomi said, less confidently.

"Believe me! It's a fact that Monomi's a villain. I'll let you guys in on a little secret of hers…." Monokuma teased as Diego hummed.

"Monomi… went out of her way to erase your guy's memories!" As soon as Monokuma revealed that, Diego felt his blood boil, yet, he kept a calm demeanour. He needed to keep calm. If he didn't, he wouldn't be able to stop the unyielding hatred he had for who he thought was supposed to be the friendly, less psychotic of the two. 'Guess looks can be deceiving.' Diego thought, enraged.

"Say what?!" Monomi said, confused. "Wait, huh?"

"You guys don't even remember how you got on this island, am I right?" Monokuma asked, gesturing to everyone with a swooping hand. "Well, that's because Monomi stole your memories!" Monokuma said, the glowing red light dying down a bit.

"Wh-What're you saying all of a sudden?!" Monomi tried to ask, only to be ignored by Monokuma's tangent.

"But wait, there's more! She didn't just steal your boring memories, like how you got to this island… but also all of your memories about your time at Hope's Peak Academy, and for someone else, what happened at the end of a certain 'Steel Ball Race.'" Monokuma said as Diego clenched his teeth. 'That sly bastard! I'll wring her through when I get my hands on her!' Diego snarled mentally as a few people began to whisper and murmur.

"W-W-Wha… huh? N-No… I- wha…?" Monomi was dazed by the constant stream of 'truths' as Monokuma sighed.

"Phew, I seriously feel great after spouting all that. Lost memory plots are so old nowadays. Only a total hack would wait till the end of a story to reveal a cliché twist like that!" Monokuma said, twirling on stage as Monomi shivered.

"P-Please stop!" Monomi begged as Monokuma laughed.

"Puhuhuhu! Wasn't that a huge surprise! You guys aren't all freshmen Students. Well, I mean, then there's Dio. Funnily enough, you were actually a student. You just happened to… well, not be there. Or were you? Who knows, that's a part of the mystery! You guys just thought you were because you lost all of your school memories!" Monokuma said as Diego, through all his rage, paused. 'Huh? What does he mean by that?'

"Quick, someone, get a plagiarist because I think I heard that story before!" Monokuma joked as Diego furrowed his eyebrows. He tuned out everything else as he watched Monokuma hit Monomi. He growled before glaring at everyone. Without saying a word, he left the area and headed to somewhere where he could think.

Upon leaving the area, he found a tree to rest under. "What the fuck was that!? This… this changes everything. That… that pink and white bitch! She's the reason why I can't remember anything!" Diego hissed as he heard footsteps walking up to him.

"What do you think you're doing?" The voice of Monokuma said as Diego glared. "You can't sleep outside of a cabin. Luckily for you, I was able to make one for you." Monokuma said as Diego stood up.

"Thank you, I guess," Diego said, leaving behind the bear as Monokuma snickered. Diego wanted answers, and he wanted them now. He needed to know what happened at the end of the Steel Ball Run, but also, he had to know what Monokuma meant by him potentially being a Student at this so-called Hope's Peak Academy.

- To Be Continued –

And so, the plot thickens! This chapter pretty much follows the basic formula of how SDR2 works, which is ok, but I also added some tidbits of potential plot threads and some red herrings. You'll have to figure them out as the story continues. Let's see if you're all smart enough to figure them out? See you all in the next one, peace!