Edit: Fixed in general
This story is based off of the third act of Dragon Quest 11. I hope you all enjoy!
Makoto Naegi, the ultimate hope, has dedicated himself to riding the world of despair with the help of the future foundation. It wasn't an easy task, but he was confident he could fix the mess Junko made.
Or so he thought. Despite all the progress Future foundation has made, new problems continue to arise all around the world. Junko Enoshima's influence continues to manifest itself in other people, with some even trying to copy what she's done.
Makoto wasn't giving up. Even though it's hard, he still believes he can help the world. However, he quickly realized that he is just a boy, despite being the ultimate hope, he can only do so much at a time. Problems were propping up faster than he could fix them. He needed something huge to fix things, something that could get rid of the despair once and for all.
Makoto looked at a map to the sea. He decided to try to recruit Hajime into the future foundation. He figured as the embodiment of talent, he could help set the world back on track. But Hajime and his crew were difficult to contact, having cut all ties with the world outside them.
But Makoto would not give up, he would find Hajime and fix the world with his help. Makoto looked everywhere for them, but didn't find anything. Future foundation was working off rumors of sightings, which weren't much, but was all they had. The rumor they were following right now was a spotting of a mysterious figure in the mountains of an island in the middle of the sea.
Makoto brought all of his friends along and his sister to help with the search. He needed their help, and he couldn't think of any better team than them. He arrived at the island, it was big with trees forming a forest and mountains reaching the skies.
We're finally here. Makoto thought as they docked the ship. Everyone got off the boat and onto the beach.
"Man," Yasuhiro whined. "How long is it gonna take to find this guy? We've been searching for months and there's still no sign of him. I'm starting to think it's impossible."
"Q-quit complaining." Sniped Toko. "We can't just give up. We need Hajime's help."
"We have Makoto!" Hiro said. "He's the ultimate hope. He stopped Junko for crying out loud. Why waste our time chasing a man's that most definitely gone when we can just-"
"No." Kyoko says abruptly. "We're in this situation because things have gotten worse. Makoto came up with this plan, and if he says we need help to achieve hope for the world, then we do it. Whining about it will get us nowhere."
Hiro frowns, but eventually nods. "Alright, I trust Makoto. But I still think it'll be difficult."
"It's all been difficult." Hina says. "I just want things to be normal again."
They all walk towards the mountains. While walking, Komaru comes up to Makoto.
"Hey Makoto," Komaru asks "This group we're searching for was also part of your school, right? What are they like?"
Makoto smiles. "They're a bunch of strong personalities. They're all so different, yet they're also really close. A true group of companions." Makoto thinks about them. He remembers how his class used to be like that, before the tragedy. He misses them deeply. He wonders if he could have saved them. He wishes he could do it all again, to somehow rewind time and prevent this from happening. But that's just wishful thinking. He knows he'll never see them again.
They keep walking up the mountain, the pathways getting steeper. Hiro found himself getting tired, so Hina decided to walk with him to help keep him up. Finally, they reach the top of the mountain. A huge opening showed the inside of the cave within.
"They said a figure was inside the caves." Byakuya says. "This is the only cave entrance there is, let's look around." Makoto stepped in first, the darkness consuming his form. He took out his phone and turned on the flashlight. He walks inside. His friends do the same and pull out their phones.
They walk in silence for a while, the cold and dark cave echoing their footsteps on it's walls. Hiro clings to Toko in fear, which annoys her but decides to let it slide. The group wanders for a while, unsure of where they were going. The cave seemed endless, taking them deeper and deeper into uncertain territory. Makoto wonders if he should go back, but decides against it.
It seemed like stopped for the group, everything becoming one big blob of darkness inside the cave. After what feels like days, they stop at the end of the cave. Looking around, the group saw that it was an abandoned altar . On the altar was a ball of some kind.
"What's that?" Asks Komaru.
"Could it be?" Hiro asks to himself, looking at the ball fear and curiosity. "It's gotta be some kind of OOPart!"
"Don't be a fool." Byakuya scoffs.
"They're not here." Hina says, looking sadly at the floor. "I guess we should head back."
Makoto stares at the orb. It seemed ordinary, but somehow, he found himself getting drawn to it. He wanted to know what it was.
"Makoto?" Komaru says, tilting her head. Makoto paid no mind. He continued to walk until he stepped on the podium at the altar. Suddenly the podium started glowing yellow as the light spread in the room.
Who are you? Says a voice. Everyone gasps.
"Oh no!" Cried Hiro. "I-it's a ghost!" Toko yells in fright Even Kyoko seemed shocked, but quickly hid it. "We're looking for someone." She said
I see. Said the voice. You must be here for me.
"Are you one of Hajime's friends?" Asked Makoto.
No. It said. I am the time keeper. I keep the record of the whole world here in this globe. Makoto looks at the sphere.
"Huh? Time keeper?" Hina asked.
All of time is contained in this globe. It explained. The past, present and future live here. My job is to record what happens. Everyone was speechless. They can't believe something like this exists.
Hmm The time keeper seemed to be thinking. Makoto Naegi, you are the one I was waiting for. Suddenly, blue smoke appears and forms into a ball of blue fire. The flame opened its eyes and looked at Makoto.
"Oh nooo!" Screams Hiro "Ghosts are taking over the world, I knew it!" Toko Screams as well. The spirit ignores them. It floats to Makoto.
You have been given a gift, young Makoto. It says. The gift of hope. I shall tell you the secret of this globe. It holds all of time in it's sphere, but one person can break the sphere. When that happens, the special can go back in time to any place he desires.
"Huh?" Makoto says, still speechless.
I know why you came young one, The spirit said. Since you are the special, the ultimate hope, I'm giving the chance to start things over.
"Wait, is that true?" Asks Hina.
"It sounds too good to be true." Byakuya says. "Why should we trust you?"
You can look inside the globe. It said. You'll find your memories there.
Everyone slowly walked up to the orb. When they looked into it, their minds flooded with memories of their lives.
"Then, it's true?" Komaru asks. "We can fix things?" The spirit nodded.
"This is-this is incredible!" Makoto says, a smile on his face.
"We can save the world!" Hina says as she jumps for joy. "We can see our friends again!"
"No more apocalypse!" Hiro cheers.
There's one catch though. The spirit says. Everyone stops. Only the ultimate hope can go back in time. Once the orb breaks, this world will cease to exist in order to create the new one.
Everyone was shocked. They hadn't considered that possibility. Makoto faces his friends.
"Guys," He says. "I-I'm sorry. I don't know if I can do this. If I leave, you'll all-"
"Stop Makoto." Hina Interrupts. "This is a huge opportunity for us, and you don't want to take it? I think you should! Even if I'm erased in this world, I'll gladly disappear if it means I can see Sakura and my brother again."
"I also wouldn't mind." Kyoko says. "There are things I never got to reconcile regarding my past. If given the opportunity, I'd like to resolve those issues in the new world."
"We all lost something when this whole thing happened." Toko says. "Even if I'm not the same, what I had here with you and Komaru and master was real. If w-we're friends now, we can be friends again."
"But," Makoto begins to tear up. "I don't want to lose you guys. You're all I have here."
"Makoto." Komaru says, putting a hand on his shoulder. "This isn't goodbye, we'll all still be there for you. So don't worry, ok?"
"We're counting on you Makoto." Byakuya says. "If anyone can do this, it's you. I don't say that to just anyone you know."
"Honestly, I'd rather forget all this ever happened." Hiro says. "Please go back and spare me the bad memories!" Makoto looks at his friends. He can see the hope inside them. He realizes what he must do. He turns to the spirit.
"I'll do it." He says. The spirit floats to the orb and Makoto follows.
Put your hand on the orb, and push your hope into it. Makoto takes a deep breath. Then he releases his power into the orb. It starts cracking from the energy. Makoto, shedding a single tear, says "Goodbye." Before the globe finally breaks. The room gets engulfed with a bright light. When it fades, everyone is gone save for the spirit. The spirit looks at the empty altar before looking down.
What's this? It says. A piece of the orb was lying on the ground. Interesting, a bit of the old world survived, I wonder how that will affect the new world? The spirit turned to the altar once more as a new globe took its place. Now, it was time for a new world to be created.