This chapter includes scenes involving potentially controversial subjects. It is also an instance of people in one Universe being completely different in another. I do NOT take responsibility for misinterpreted information. Plus: IT'S JUST A STORY. THERE'S NO NEED TO BE TRIGGERED ABOUT A STORY.

Jeez. I can't believe I need to do this on everything I say, do, or write. I SHOULDN'T need to, but apparently Humanity sucks. Anyway, enjoy the chapter (or don't, I guess, it's really up to you).

TWELVE YEARS LATER…

"Do you kiss your MOTHER with that mouth?!" I angrily shouted, "You don't EVER call someone that word! EVER!" I'd had enough of this bully insulting this girl and her culture. He even had the gall to push her to the floor while she was carrying her schoolwork, which had fallen all over the floor.

"Are you stupid?" the bully laughed, "You would defend this piece of trash? You 'heroic' types are not my concern. Now get out of my way, b*tch-lover."

"SHUT UP, you empty-headed JERK!"

THAT caught his attention, but I wasn't done.

"What is the problem with treating OTHERS the way YOU want to be treated?! What happened to simply being a RESPECTABLE HUMAN BEING?! You seriously think bullying others that are not like you will do anything GOOD for your life?! Do you WANT to spend the rest of your life as a good-for-nothing BULLY?!"

I saw this jerk make a face that signaled PURE, UNFILTERED RAGE. He cracked his knuckles and stepped towards me.

"You gonna regret getting in my way, you cock-sucking motherfu-," he said as he threw a punch.

I dodged it, grabbed his arm, and put him in an armbar hold. I was taught that hold in my mixed martial arts classes and figured I could put it to good use here if I needed to.

And put it to good use I did. I nearly tore this asshole's arm off thanks to this.

"I am going to count to THREE," I growled, "And if you don't apologize to me and the young lady by then, I'll break the other one."

"The other wha-AAAAAAUUUUGGGGGHHHH!" he grunted before I dislocated his elbow and he screamed in pain.

"ONE…"

I moved my left arm to his free one.

"TWO…"

I had just touched the arm before he finally conceded.

"OKAY! OKAY! OKAY! I'M SORRY! I'M SORRY! IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN! PLEASE LET ME GO!"

I let him go as he clenched his dislocated arm in pain.

"Thank you," I growled as I walked away.

I never want to do that again if I can avoid it, I thought, But that asshole escalated it too far.

I went to the girl who was pushed down by this bully. She had seen the entire altercation before trying again to get her papers cleaned up and back in her folders. I figured I could help.

"Hey, you need a hand?" I asked.

"Please," she replied, "I appreciate the help."

We managed to get her stuff together before the first bell of the day rang.

"I need to know, Ma'am," I said as we headed to class, "How long has that idiot bullied you?"

"Since near the end of my fifth grade year. I was bullied before then, too, and it was always about my family and culture."

It's been going on for THIS LONG? I thought angrily.

"Damn," I told her, "People like that DISGUST ME. I'm sorry you have to go through that. NO ONE deserves that kind of pain."

"Thank you," she smiled, "That's very kind. What's your name?"

"David," I answered, "David Johnson-Ward. Yours?"

"Junko," she told me, "Junko Enoshima."

We became friends after that incident. We've hung out for over half a decade. We even talked about the idea of dating at one point.

That was a topic that would be shelved for a long time after I told her about a series of events I heard about elsewhere in the Multiverse, in which she agreed it would be for the best to not start a relationship until it was safe to do so.

She introduced me to her sister, Mukuro Ikusaba, after which I asked her politely why they had different last names. Junko explained that they were half-sisters. She explained more, while making me promise that this would not become public knowledge. I would keep that promise until Junko felt comfortable sharing it herself. She told me everything.

"When I was only five years old, my biological father was ousted from the family when he hit my mother. He left, but not without cursing me with my father's last name. Mukuro was born a few years after my mom remarried to a man who would REALLY love her. Now, I'm part of the Ikusaba household."

After she was done, I told her about my past, my powers, my duty, and even the Ultimate Despair threat.

I also promised to take her with me on my journey. She even revealed her OWN family history to me: She HERSELF was a sorceress, along with her mother and sister! This revelation proved to me the help she can be on this quest. She asked if Mukuro could come with us when it's time. I decided it would be for the best, because if Mukuro stayed here while the two of us went out, she could be killed by those trying to find me.

On my eighteenth birthday, my parents and Junko's helped us get ready to go. I offered protection, but they stated that they would be prepared to die if it came to that, so long as the three of us were safe. Plus, Junko's mom could fight against these forces with her own powers, so she could at least try to defend the family, both hers and mine.

And so, I opened a rift; my first Universe-Hop ever. Our destination? Earth-3287, Year 2011. I knew about a man who could help us find parts to build a base of operations.

However, this base wouldn't be a traditional base. It would be a base that could travel between Universes AND Timelines. One that would never stay in one place for too long. This would help us steer clear of any Ultimate Despair forces tracking us down.

And the best part of the base?

It would be bigger on the inside.

Before I say anything else: Yes, it's her. No, she's not evil, nor will she ever be. Again, "ALTERNATE UNIVERSES." She is NOT the same psychopath from the Danganronpa games, nor will she ever turn into someone LIKE that in this story.

Reviews are still appreciated, but I will delete any trollish comments and report ones I cannot delete myself. You have been warned.

In the next chapter, we will find out what that last phrase means. I have a feeling you will love the next part. Stay tuned!

Universes Discovered

Earth-0000: "Reader's World"/"Real World" [Status: PROTECTED]
Earth-2048: Homeworld of the Ward Clan of Sorcery [Status: DESTROYED]
Earth-3287: UNKNOWN [Status: INTACT]
Earth-8192: Homeworld of the Johnson family and the Ikusaba family [Status: INTACT]