A/N: Here's Chapter Fourteen of "The Naegis' Secret Diary!", covering Episode Twelve of Future Arc. Please read, review, and enjoy!

The Ultimate Detective and The Ultimate Hope Gaiden: The Naegis' Secret Diary!

Chapter Fourteen: It Is Always Darkest!

"Alright Kiki, shall we see how Chairman Tengan sent Mitarai a message from beyond the grave?"

Kiki rolled her eyes, but nonetheless nodded before she opened the diary to the bookmarked page. "Mitarai had just revealed that he got a message from the deceased Chairman of the Future foundation, Kazuo Tengan. As our eyes widened in shock, your Aunt Hina was the first to speak…"

"But I thought he was dead."

"A video file?" Makoto asked curiously as they stared at Ryota's phone, which was displaying a download meter.

"Hello, Mitarai." All three of them gasped in shock as Kazuo's voice echoed from the phone.

It's a recording! Makoto realized as the deceased chairman's image appeared.

"Apologies, but if you're watching this, it must already be past the point of no return for me. I don't expect a young man like you to understand, but there it is. My time's run out. Old geezers put more stock in youth than I'm sure most people realize. Hope means entrusting the future to those who remain after we're gone. To that end, Hope's Peak Academy was the sum of my life's work."

Headmaster Kirigiri felt that way too… Makoto thought as a memory of the man who was like a second father to him flashed in his mind.

"The students were my children, the comfort of my twilight years. Watching them grow into positions of leadership, seeing the brightest among them take the reins of the Foundation with confidence…what an unparalleled privilege. If however, humanity's vanguard were to lose its way, submit to the worst in themselves, turn on and massacre one another, the pain would be more than what's left of the world could bear."

That's exactly what happened here! Makoto realized. But why is he telling us this?

"Part of me dies at the very thought. To imagine the blood spilt, your faces twisted in agony. Kami, can't you picture it? Can't you feel the abject despair?" Kazuo's serious expression shifted into an unnerving smile as his recording asked "Better yet, isn't it wonderful to see it all come true?"

All three of them gasped in shock as the screen faded. Munakata…he was right…? Chairman Tengan…really did fall to despair…?

As Makoto narrowed his eyes in contemplation, the shocked Mitarai felt his knees buckle. He collapsed on the floor, supported only by his knees and forearms.

"I don't believe it. Tengan really was with the Remnants of Despair."

As Ryota gripped his head and wailed in agony, Hina pointed out nervously "Ano, who cares? Focus on the important stuff. Our bangles are finally shut off. We're free! We don't have to kill each other anymore!"

I don't think that's helping, Hina. Makoto thought as he stared sympathetically at Ryota's wallowing form. "Come on, let's get outta here."

"I'm a coward." Makoto and Hina gasped as Ryota muttered "I let despair win. I ran. I should've stood my ground. I should've fought."

"Mitarai, you…" Did something happen to him during the Tragedy? Makoto pondered. He said earlier that Junko used his technology. Does that mean she blackmailed him, just like Sakakura…?

"No more. I've had enough." Ryota slowly got to his feet, a new resolve burning in his eyes. "I'm through running. This time, I do what's right." Makoto and Hina stared at Ryota in surprise, wondering what he was talking about. "You need to know the truth. I've loved anime as long as I can remember. All I ever wanted was to make one…one that would fill people's hearts with hope. Instead, I had the misfortune of meeting Junko Enoshima."

So I was right…she did manipulate him! Makoto realized.

"She used my talents for evil. To control people, drive them to slaughter each other."

"A video of despair?" Hina asked before Ryota reluctantly nodded.

"If I showed it to you, your mind would warp exactly like hers. You'd crave despair like a drug. My friends, who Naegi tried to save, it happened to them."

And the only way to cure them was the Neo World Program… Makoto realized.

"This was my fault from beginning to end. I was just…too scared to say anything! The monitors have been showing something similar. I'm positive my tech was behind it. Junko just added a new twist. For whatever reason, Tengan acquired the video and decided to use it. All he had to do was program it into the monitors and watch the Foundation topple."

"Okay, but what would possess him to do that in the first place?" Hina questioned.

"At some point he must've seen the original video." Ryota deduced. "There's no point blaming him. He's a casualty too. Just another of Junko's victims."

"Huh?"

"I'm putting a stop to this. Once and for all. Time I did the right thing."

What do you mean? Makoto wondered. How do you plan to end this once and for all?

"I have a new video." Ryota elaborated as he held up his phone. "This one spreads hope like a virus."

"I'm not so sure about that." Makoto objected as he and Hina stared at the former animator in shock. You can't fight fire with fire!

"Don't you get it, Naegi? I mean, my anime is what caused all this." Ryota averted his gaze, guilt clenching around his heart for the unwilling part he played in all the killing games. "I was terrified, paralyzed. But I…I still couldn't deny my passion." He stared intensely at them as he insisted resolutely "I have to bring hope back. This video needs to be seen by everyone. All the damage she made my former classmates cause, I can reverse!"

"But can you really call that hope?" Hina retorted.

"I get what you're saying, but at the end of the day, it's still just brainwashing." Makoto pointed out.

"I know." Ryota admitted. "I've weighed the pros and cons. Trust me. Human beings are weak. We're infinitely susceptible to despair. Little by little, it starts to define us. Eventually, it's all we know. We can't get on top of it."

"Yes we can!" Makoto argued. Kyoko didn't die just so the world could be brainwashed! "If we'd all just work together, despair wouldn't have the final say anymore!"

Ryota grit his teeth before he bellowed "Don't be so stupid!"

"What?"

"Why the hell else do you think the world's like this, Naegi? Look, not all of us are as strong as you, okay?!"

"What're you talking about?" Just because I'm optimistic, it doesn't mean I'm strong or invincible against despair! Makoto flashed back to the horrible vision that nearly caused him to take his own life. I'm just as fallible as anyone else!

"You're the exception to the rule and you damn well know it."

"Mitarai, wait!" Hina called as the former animator walked away. She jogged after him and, once she caught up, circled around in front of him. "Hold on a sec! Let's just slow down and talk about this, 'kay?"

"Asahina. I'm so sorry." Ryota apologized as he held up his phone in front of her.

Mitarai! What are you doing?! Makoto thought in horror as a kaleidoscope of colors assaulted her mind. What did you do to her?! He demanded in his mind as Hina's eyes went completely blank.

"Don't let Naegi interfere."

"Hey, wait!" Makoto called as he tried to run after Ryota. "What did you do to her? Uh?" Makoto's eyes widened in shock as Hina wrapped her arms underneath his shoulders, restraining him. "Asahina, what are you doing?"

"I'm sorry. This'll all be for the best." Ryota apologized as he walked off. He held up his detached bangle, which dimly displayed his forbidden action.

Using his talent?! So…having the bangle was the only thing keeping him from enacting this insane plan?!

"It's like you said, I'm free."

"Wait, Mitarai!" Makoto yelled as the former animator walked off. "You don't know what you're doing!"

"Oh…Kami…!" Kiki muttered.

"Mitarai totally snapped!" Tsumugi exclaimed. "He actually thought it would be a good idea to brainwash the world into hope!"

"Yeah…I can understand why he came to that conclusion…living through the Tragedy made him lose faith in humanity…but Dad and Aunt Hina were right. Forcing people to hope isn't true hope. It has to be voluntary."

Tsumugi nodded in agreement before her brow furrowed. "So how did your father get out of that? I doubt he overpowered Coach Hina; she was way stronger than him!"

Kiki nodded and turned the page, reading "As much as I struggled against your Aunt Hina's grip, I was no match for her upper body strength. As she pulled us both against the floor, she wrapped her legs around me to further restrain me. As I struggled to break free…"

"Come on! Snap out of it!" Makoto cried as he struggled against the hypnotized Hina's grasp. "Hina, please let go of me! He's getting away!" At that moment, a pair of Future Foundation soldiers stormed in, causing Makoto to gasp in surprise and relief. Finally, Byakuya's forces broke through! "Hey look! We're saved!"

Makoto's eyes widened at the battalion pointed their rifles at the two of them. No…something's wrong! Did Mitarai hypnotize them too?! "Asahina, let go!"

At that moment, the pair of soldiers groaned in pain, toppling over as they lost consciousness.

Huh, who saved us…Munakata?!

"What on earth is going on?" Kyosuke demanded as he approached the duo.

"Later, just knock Asahina out too! She's not herself!" Please forgive me, Hina.

Kyosuke raised an eyebrow skeptically, but nevertheless raised the hilt of his katana and hit Hina over the head with it, careful to only use enough force to knock her out.

"There, she should only be dazed. She'll be awake before too long." Kyosuke informed him as her grip loosened.

True to his word, Hina groaned, her eyes fluttering open as she raised a hand to her temple. "Itai…what happened…Naegi…"

Seeing their compromising position, Hina blushed furiously, making her face resemble a cherry. "EEEK! Naegi! Why are we…itai…"

"I'll…get off you…" Makoto muttered with a similarly embarrassed blush as he got to his knees.

Hina soon followed suit, cradling her forehead in her palm as Makoto rested his hands on her shoulder and back in worry.

"I'll tie them up." Munakata decided as he walked over to the two prone soldiers. "Naegi, explain to me what happened. And where the hell is Mitarai?"

Makoto nodded, explaining "Well, it happened like this…"

"It was about time that Munakata did something to save Dad, for once." Kiki muttered.

"Yeah, though he couldn't have come at a better time." Tsumugi pointed out. "Who knows what those brainwashed soldiers might have done to them if he hadn't come?"

"Yeah, I suppose I should be grateful…I just can't help but think of how much trouble he caused Dad and the others. One good deed doesn't atone for all that suffering."

"Yeah, I see what you mean." Tsumugi replied sympathetically. "Hopefully they agreed on a course of action once your father explained Mitarai's plan."

"Yeah, hopefully one that didn't end in bloodshed." Kiki commented. "Mitarai was misguided; he didn't deserve to die."

"Well, let's keep reading and find out."

Kiki nodded and read from the top of the next page. "As your Aunt Hina recovered, I explained Mitarai's plan to Munakata. When I finished…"

"A video able to subliminally recondition the whole human race?" Kyosuke asked incredulously, his back turned to the kneeling Makoto and Hina.

"Munakata. Help us please." Makoto begged. "We have to stop him before this goes too far."

"How ironic." Makoto stared at Kyosuke in surprise. "Tengan aligned himself to the Remnants of Despair. Yet ultimately he's the reason despair will be vanquished for good."

Don't tell me…you're actually agreeing with Mitarai's plan! And what does he mean about Chairman Tengan?! "Wait a second. This can't be. Maybe he wasn't with the enemy after all."

"Huh?" Hina wondered in surprise, only half following the conversation due to her pounding headache.

"Maybe that's what Tengan had planned." Makoto realized. "Don't you see? He knew this was the only way Mitarai would use his video!"

"If that is indeed the case, why would he broadcast this Killing Game?" Kyosuke questioned skeptically. "It would seem his goal was spreading despair across the world."

"Yeah, but that's just what I'm getting at. The killings weren't broadcast." Kyosuke gasped in shock, startled by Makoto's revelation. "He knew what he was doing. 'Course he did. Tengan set this whole thing up just to push Mitarai over the edge. That's what threw him off. It all makes perfect sense."

"Ano, Chairman, sir?"

"Hm?"

"Sorry. I'm rather late."

"Wait, Mitarai? You're here?"

"He wasn't invited." Makoto realized. "He just showed up. Mitarai didn't need to be here. That's the point. He only needed to know about the Killing Game. Tengan never intended for him to be smack dab in the middle of it!"

"Hold on." Kyosuke interjected. "Wouldn't the path of least resistance have been to steal the video?"

"Not necessarily. It's not about that. It's about hope, about Mitarai's potential." Makoto flashed back to Kazuo's dying message, exclaiming "That's it! That's who the message was for! Right or wrong, Tengan was trying to ensure that hope would prevail."

"By altering what it means to be human." Kyosuke realized. "Reducing us to mindless sheep. Is there no other way to remove despair from the equation? Must we be robbed of our capacity for sadness and pain? What does life become?"

"Munakata." Makoto finally stood up before he questioned "Where would he have access to a large-scale broadcasting device?"

"In the annex. He can boost the signal across the entire spectrum." The pounding of boots against concrete echoed in their ears. "They're coming. We need to move."

Makoto nodded and asked "Can you walk, Hina?"

Hina stood up, giving him a pained smile as she replied "Yeah, I'm not gonna let some headache put me into an early grave! Just try and keep up!"

"Hina, wait!" Makoto called as she jogged ahead of them. He and Kyosuke sweatdropped before he suggested "Well, no use standing around here. Let's get moving."

"Wait, so Tengan was a Remnant of Despair, but he wanted Mitarai to brainwash the world with hope?" Tsumugi frowned, baffled by the contradiction. "That makes absolutely no sense!"

"Hmm…" Kiki bit her lip in concentration as she tried to make sense of it. "Well…it's like Aunt Hina said, forcing people to hope isn't true hope, and the Future Foundation's leadership was still more or less massacred, so I guess for the forces of despair, it still counts as a win." Kiki sighed. "That's my guess, anyway."

"Yeah, at least Munakata and your dad were on the same page. I wonder how they stopped Mitarai, especially since he brainwashed the rescue soldiers."

"Let's find out…" Kiki decided as she turned the page. "Once we caught up with your Aunt Hina, we convinced her to walk at a more cautious pace. Eventually we came to a corner in the hallway, and Munakata stopped us. As he peered around the corner…"

Kyosuke grimaced as he spotted a group of soldiers standing guard in the adjacent hallway. Retreating back into the shadows, he kept his eye narrowed on the threat before them.

"Assume they've all been brainwashed and act accordingly."

"All of them?" Hina gasped.

"Okay. How do we get past them?" Makoto asked. I know Kyoko gave me some self-defense lessons before she died, but we already established I can't brute force my way out. How do I get past armed soldiers?!

Kyosuke merely stared into Makoto's eyes, causing them to widen in realization. At that moment, Kyosuke charged down the hall, using his katana to knock the soldiers unconscious. Makoto and Hina stared in awe for a split second before Makoto whispered urgently.

"Let's go."

"Huh? Ah!" Hina gasped before she ran after the former luckster.

"Hina!" Makoto cried as they dodged a hail of bullets.

Hina collapsed as one managed to clip her in the leg. "Makoto…go on without me…you have to…"

"No way! I'm not leaving you!" Makoto bellowed as he kneeled in front of her.

"But if you stay, you'll…hey!" Hina yelped as Makoto slid his arms underneath her knees and back. "Whoa, who knew you'd be so strong?!" She exclaimed as Makoto stood up, cradling her in his arms protectively.

"I'm not letting one of my friends die, you know that by now, Aoi Asahina!"

"Makoto…" Hina blushed, touched by his devotion, before she smiled. "Heh, then get moving before we both get turned into swiss cheese."

"You got it!" Makoto turned around and ran, protecting Hina with his life as they searched for a hiding spot.

"Oh no…they shot Aunt Hina!" Kiki nearly shrieked in a panic.

"Yeah, thankfully they didn't hit a weak point." Tsumugi pointed out. "So her HP shouldn't have taken too bad of a hit."

"Yeah, but now she's a sitting duck. And like Dad indicated in the diary, he wasn't a fighter, so all he could do was run. Honestly, I'm surprised he managed to carry her at all."

"I guess the adrenaline increased his Strength stat just enough to pass the ability check." Tsumugi mused. "Did they manage to find a hiding spot?"

"Let's see…it looks like they did!" Kiki turned the page and continued reading "Eventually we found an unoccupied room. I rushed inside and slammed the door shut before any soldiers could spot us. Once I set your Aunt Hina down, I searched the room until I found a first aid kit. Once I brought it over to her…"

"Here, let's bandage your leg." Makoto suggested as he knelt down and opened the first aid kit.

He removed a roll of bandage and tore off a strip before he tied it around her wound, causing her to wince in pain. "Makoto…"

"Don't try to talk. Save your energy." He cut her off.

"No, leave me." Makoto gasped in horror at Hina's request. "Stop him, please. Before it's too late." She gave him a pained smile as she assured him "I'm okay. Go on. I'll be here when you get back." Seeing Makoto's look of hesitation, she assured him "Oh, and for once…I'll actually wait."

Makoto paused, mulling over Hina's argument before he reluctantly nodded and removed his hands from her leg. "All right." As he stood up, he vowed "When I'm finished with Mitarai, we'll go and find you some proper help."

Hina gave a pained smile before Makoto reluctantly walked out of the room, closing the door behind him to ensure her safety.

I'm never giving up! He vowed as he raced through the halls. No matter what happens, I'll see it through to the end!

*Bang Bang*

Makoto gasped, freezing in place as a stray bullet just barely missed his cheek. In a panic, his eyes darted about and saw a battalion of soldiers surrounding him, the barrels of their rifles pointed straight at him.

No…I'm trapped, and there's no way out! Kyoko…I'm sorry, I oculdn't stop Mitarai in time…please forgive me, Kyoko…

"What're you doing?"

Huh? HIRO?!

True to his deduction, Makoto caught Hiro charging forward, a rare, brave fire burning in his eyes. "Leave Naegster alone!"

"Hagakure?" Makoto exclaimed as Hiro barreled one of the soldiers over with his shoulder. I think that's the bravest thing I've ever seen you do in my life!

"Huh?" Hiro turned around and, realizing just what they were facing, panickedly waved his arms around in front of him. "Whoa, whoa! Hey, wait! Don't shoot! We surrender!"

Guess his bravery just ran out… Makoto deadpanned before some quiet footsteps echoed in his hears. Huh?

"I believe an explanation is in order."

Byakuya?! Makoto thought incredulously before the soldiers turned around, pointing their firearms at the former Ultimate Affluent Progeny.

"Beg your pardon?" Byakuya question, insulted by the threat of friendly fire. "At whom are you pointing those firearms?"

Before anyone could blink, a battalion of men in suits dashed from behind Byakuya towards the brainwashed soldiers. In a heartbeat, they were effortlessly restrained, guns clattering on the concrete floor. Makoto and Hiro stared at Byakuya, shocked and relieved by the sudden rescue.

"Togami?!"

"How disappointing." Byakuya stated as he adjusted his glasses. Once he lowered his hand, Byakuya smirked and commented "For someone so famously lucky, you look like hell."

"What a relief!" Kiki sighed. "At least Uncle Hiro and Uncle Byakuya got Dad out of that jam."

"Yeah, my heart was racing with every word!" Tsumugi admitted as she rested her hand against her breasts. "This was certainly an action-packed entry!"

"Yeah, to be honest, I could have tolerated a little less action." Kiki admitted. "I just hope that Hina got rescued too."

"Well, obviously she was, or she wouldn't be here." Tsumugi pointed out.

"Yeah, you're right…" The teenage heterochromatic yawned as she replaced the bookmark and closed the diary. "I've had more than enough excitement for one night, but I think there's just enough left to finish it tomorrow."

Tsumugi nodded before she stood up. "Well, I wish we didn't have to end on a cliffhanger, but I'll wait until tomorrow. Sweet dreams, Kiki."

"Yeah, good night, Tsumugi."

Once Tsumugi had closed the door behind her, Kiki sighed and placed the diary on her bedside table. As she curled under the covers and closed her eyes, one last thought passed through Kiki's mind before she passed into slumber.

One more day…one more day of reading the nightmare Mom and Dad endured…one more day until I find out how Mom survived and reunited with Dad. And then…then I can apologize to Mom…for the awful things I said to her that day…