"So, there I was, hanging from the edge of my seat, ready to accept the award for 'Most Improved'. I mean, it had to be me, right? I'd been tearing up the arena, getting knockouts left and right. I even went on a ten-win streak. Ten!"
The mountainous mass of black symbiote tensed up, his frustration boiling.
"It was supposed to be me . . ." he whispered.
His finger then shot towards the figure at the other end of the room: a being of crimson goo, slightly slimmer, indulging in a comic book.
"Yet they hand it to this goofball instead!? Are you serious!?"
"Face the facts, Venom," the red man implored. "You just lost. No need to cry about it."
"What facts?" the black beast hissed. "I was cheated! I improved more than you and you know it, Carnage!"
The one of crimson, Carnage, merely shrugged.
"Apparently not, since I'm the one with the trophy in my case."
He chuckled.
The behemoth, Venom, turned to me.
"Can you believe this jerkface?"
For my part, I insisted with my signature Are you serious? Face. (Getting pretty good at it.)
Chains had been wrapped around my person, keeping my butt glued to the metal chair beneath me. Around us, the essence of a dingy hideout smirked, complete with stained cement flooring and fluorescent lights that flickered like dysfunctional fireflies.
I'm still trying to figure out how I got here.
The memories unfolded like pages of a book:
First, the walking of my dimension to this one (like usual);
next, the all-encompassing blackness that swallowed me whole, knocking my buttons out cold;
finally, my waking up in the aforementioned dingy hideout.
(Seriously, get a damn broom. This place is filthy.)
At first, a sense of terror gripped me tight as the symbiote's many, many teeth greeted my coming to. But as the duo's comedy routine unfolded, as they bickered like brothers, my panic quickly dissolved into indifference. (Well, for the most part. I still had an essay due tomorrow, so unless someone could give me the power to type with my hands tied, I was, as the kids say, "screwed".)
"You need to learn to be humble, Carnage," Venom insisted. He gestured towards himself, smug. "Like me."
"Weren't you just bragging about getting a win streak?" I asked.
Carnage's eyes stuck to his read. "They have a point."
Venom grimaced. "I wasn't bragging! I was merely giving an example as to why I should've won the award. Learn to pay attention."
"Sorry," I said, sarcastic. "It can be a little hard to focus with all these chains on me. Shame on me for not being used to being kidnapped."
"For the record, we didn't kidnap you," Big Black said. "We're merely borrowing."
"I'm pretty sure taking someone against their will is considered kidnapping."
"You didn't tell us not to."
"Because you knocked me out!"
"Debatable."
"Debata—?"
I merely let my jaw dangle, my disbelief soaring to cloud nine.
Intelligence . . .
Where is it?
Carnage chuckled.
"Relax, fleshie."
Fleshie? That's a new one.
"You won't be here forever," he continued. "We just need you for our grand plan."
"Grand plan?" I echoed.
The beast of crimson flashed a wicked grin.
"How do you feel about games?"
Tick, tock.
Tick, tock.
The little demon girl relaxed at her desk, her patience tested as she scribbled upon her paper. Beside her, her bedroom's clock clicked and clicked, taunting her of the future approaching ever so slowly.
"Come on . . ." Agatha whispered.
Time and time again, she'd find her gaze wandering to those thin, sluggish hands.
Only two seconds passed.
Now three.
Now two again.
"Just a little more . . ."
Tick, tock.
Tick, tock.
"I can feel it . . ."
Tick, tock.
Tick, tock.
Kreeeek!
A new sound, one that filled the girl's heart with a more lively shade of red.
"They're here!"
Grinning, Agatha snatched her piece of paper and bolted out her room, stumbling down the stairs as her excitement popped like a myriad of fireworks.
However, that array of luminance quickly died out as the little girl came across not the mortal of her desire but a living space devoid of any souls.
Entrance: empty.
Living room: empty.
Dining room: empty.
"MC?" Agatha called out. "Daddy?"
She inspected the area some more, spotting a handwritten note settled atop the kitchen counter.
Agatha,
Had urgent business to attend to.
Couldn't waste any time.
Sorry, dear :(
MC should be there any minute.
Be a good girl!
Love you lots! :D
- Dad
Agatha simply frowned, her melancholy drizzling across.
"Didn't even say goodbye . . ." she whispered.
The demon girl glanced around, taking in the emptiness that clutched the four corners of her home.
"Get here soon, MC . . ."
A wish, granted,
for just as the loneliness could darken her spirits, the front door called out, offering a series of thumps.
Agatha beamed.
"MC!"
Her hesitation hollow, she sprinted to the house's entrance, nearly ripping the door off the hinges.
But rather than finding her most cherished mortal, her eyes fell upon a grave image—an amalgamation of every horror imaginable.
Before her, the renowned bear animatronic stood, only his body wouldn't have one believing so. Fragments of his limbs had been torn off, revealing the electrical wiring; same as his torso, where a deep crater made its home, replacing his heart. Throughout his being, strands of black sludge scurried, as if his veins had gotten hold of their own souls.
The little girl tensed up.
"M-Mr. Fazbear . . . ?"
Weakly, the robotic bear tilted his head down, gazing at the girl with dead eyes and a face half missing.
Then, he moved, taking a tiny step forward.
Then another.
Then another.
Agatha matched the bot's pace, shuffling back further into her home.
Her fingers quivered. "Mr. Fazbear . . . you're scaring me."
Thankfully, the horror would not thrive, for after only making it a mere foot past the entrance did the bot crumple to his knees, collapsing face-first onto the wooden floorboards.
"Mr. Fazbear!" Agatha cried, rushing to him.
Just then, a spot of light flickered from the animatronic's spine, followed by a wave of luminance bursting forth, projecting a sort of video feed into the air.
A chill raced down the little girl's back as rows of sharpened, jagged teeth greeted her.
Beyond, only silence, save the heavy breathing of the eerie newcomer.
And more breathing.
And more breathing.
"You do realize the camera's rolling, right?" a voice to the side asked.
The teeth finally parted. "What!? Are you serious? You couldn't tell me!?"
"I figured you'd notice. Hahahaha!"
The being backed away from the video feed, presenting to Agatha the hulking mass of onyx symbiote.
"Mr. Venom?" she whispered.
"Hello?" the newcomer asked. "The mic is on, right?"
"If the camera's rolling, then obviously the mic is too," the distant voice reminded pertly.
The girl quickly recognized the vocal cords.
Mr. Carnage?
Venom cleared his throat.
"Greetings!" he said to the screen. "It is I, Venom. Surely, you remember me, Malak."
Why is he mentioning Daddy?
"All those bets you made against me . . ." the symbiote continued. "All those times you underestimated me . . . Well, today is the day you pay, you fool! Today is the day I enact my distribution!"
"It's retribution, you idiot," Carnage chastised.
"He's not wrong," a third voice noted.
At those words, the girl's heart sank like a rock plummeting to the depths.
Oh, no . . .
Don't tell me . . .
"Shut up, both of you!" Venom barked. "This is my time!"
He of the crimson chuckled. "Whatever helps you sleep at night."
Venom grunted before returning his attention back to the screen.
"As you can hear," he said, "I'm not the only one here right now."
He rotated the camera, revealing a figure, one that forced Agatha's chest to clench with terror.
Her beloved babysitter, tied to a chair by way of chains.
(But rather than sharing her anxiety, their visage seethed with annoyance.)
"Behold!" Venom roared. "Your mortal babysitter, now in my grasp! They beg for mercy with every passing moment!"
"I mean, I'm not, though," the mortal noted. "If anything, I'm just waiting for you to let me use the bathroom."
"Silence! Know your place!"
"Just let him have his moment," Carnage whispered to the kidnapee. "Otherwise, we won't hear the end of it."
"I know how much you need them," Venom continued to the camera. "Without this mortal, you'll be forced to find a new babysitter, and we all know that process is atrocious!"
The mortal raised an eyebrow. "Is it, though?"
"Silence!"
The kidnapee sighed. "If this is gonna be the mood for the night, just kill me now."
"Wish to save them?" Venom challenged. "If so, then I implore you to head to the abandoned Chaos Factory! The map should be . . . Carnage, where did I put the map?"
"Should be in Faz's hat," Mr. Crimson answered.
Back to the camera. "There you have it! Come face me, Malak! Pay for your sins!"
"Sins!?" the mortal hissed. "All he did was talk smack!"
"Are you going to interrupt me the entire time!?" Venom barked back.
"Are you gonna finally let me use the bathroom!?"
"Not with that attitude!"
At this point, Agatha didn't know whether she was watching a ransom video or a home movie.
The darkened symbiote looked to the camera one last time.
"Bring your best, fool," he urged. "Otherwise, this mortal is finished."
As the video feed cut to static, the demon girl swallowed hard the lump in her throat.
MC's in trouble . . .
What do I do?
What can I do?
She thought long and hard, the seeds of her mind struggling to bloom into vibrant blossoms.
Part of her wanted to rush through that door and catch up to her father. He couldn't have gotten far, and with his help, surely they'd reign victorious.
But what if she was too late? What if those few minutes she spent meant the difference between MC holding her in their arms and Agatha clinging to her dear mortal's lifeless body.
Her head spun round and round, being pulled every which way as her choices taunted her. And with each passing second, her anxiety tightened its hold around her frail neck.
In the end, she decided to climb this mountain herself, her love for her favorite mortal fueling her will as she clenched her fists.
I can't rely on Daddy. Not this time.
If I want MC to come back in one piece, I have to fight for it!
With reverence, the little girl lifted the tiny top hat from the downed animatronic, acquiring the folded piece of paper placed beneath.
Upon it, clear directions, along with a diagram, had been scribbled with a marker.
Agatha glanced at her fallen friend.
"I'll come back for you, Mr. Fazbear," she whispered.
Then, with the lion's heart shimmering in her chest, she shuffled through the front door, shutting it behind her to blend into the cool, cool night.
"I'm telling you: if I can just get my hands on some serpent sugar, I'd have this contest in the bag!"
"But isn't that cheating?"
A sly grin. "It's only cheating if you get caught."
They strolled down the sidewalk, teenage girl Monika and her companion of pink hair and delectable sweets.
Around them, the makings of a serene neighborhood smiled—blacked-out homes buried in silence, their voices heard only through the gardens spread across their front lawns. Up above, the night sky greeted them, complete with a lustrous moon and stars that dazzled like brightened bits of meteorite.
Monika sighed.
"You know, you could win just by baking what you normally make," she pointed out. "The stuff you make is really good, Natsuki."
The girl of pink hair, Natsuki, quickly blushed, her eyes going as wide as coins.
"H-Huh!?" she exclaimed. "What are you talking about!? B-Baka! Don't think this sweet talk will get you any free cookies! Not from me!"
Monika giggled. "I was just being honest."
Natsuki folded her arms. "That's what they all say! Hmph!"
Her tsundere-ism faded as quick as it bloomed.
"To be honest, though, I'm surprised we're still on this topic," she said. "This is usually the part where you'd be mentioning that MC person."
Now was Monika's turn to have rosy cheeks.
"W-What are you saying, Natsuki?" she asked. "It's not like that."
The mini baker couldn't be convinced. "Hmm~? Your lips can move however they want, but the eyes never lie. I swear, before you know it, your pupils are gonna turn into straight up hearts."
The girl of the white bow rubbed her cheeks, flustered.
"Do . . . Do I really talk about them that much?"
"Oh, yeah. And would you believe, your rival's just arrived, right on time."
She pointed to the side, forcing Monika's gaze to stumble upon a lone monster girl idling within a desolate playground. She paced back and forth, her brow furrowed as concentration coiled around her like a new type of air.
"Agatha?"
What's the first move?
What do I do when I get there? Should I just run in? Or should I try to be sneaky? Ah, but Mr. Venom will know I'm coming. Or maybe not. Unless he's sure I'll swap with Daddy.
But what about . . . ?
As the little girl dug her heels into the ground, her mind leapt and bounced, the fragments scattering to strip her of any sensible, coherent thought.
But just before she could lose herself, a force from reality yanked her back: the girl of the white bow.
"Agatha?" Monika asked. "What are you doing out here? Where's MC?"
The little girl froze, stunned by this complication.
"O-Oh . . ." she stuttered. "Th-They're around . . . somewhere."
Her vocal cords insisted on their quiver.
Monika raised an eyebrow.
"Somethin's fishy here," Natsuki noted.
Just then, a tiny wolf girl emerged onto the scene, her grin brimming with vigor.
"Alrightay!" she boomed. "No need to fear! Your super wolf is here! Time to go save our mortal!"
Monika began fixing the pieces together, whereas Agatha just sighed.
"Wolfette . . ." she said. "You weren't supposed to say anything."
"A." The wolf girl hung her jaw. "My . . . My bad."
Monika's face gradually went tense with concern.
"Agatha, where's MC?"
Since the beginning of this journey, Agatha had this growing ache in her chest, this sensation that threatened her feeble confidence. She was a mere child, yet she had to hold the world on her shoulders, or so it seemed. Her legs went heavy, and with each step, she felt herself sinking deeper and deeper into this darkened space, where isolation gripped her limbs, attaching its cold, cold manacles.
But now, through the endless shadows, she could see it clearly: a helping hand, stretching out to save her, to assure her that such chains could be shattered, that this journey did not thrive in a sole path of solitude.
She could share the weight of the universe.
So, she did, revealing to Monika the picture in its entirety:
the sinister duo, holding her beloved captive;
the harsh possibility of pain clawing through her heart;
and most notably, her doubts and demons, questioning if she really could take charge.
Through it all, Monika listened patiently, and once the little girl finished pouring her soul, the newcomer stroked her kindly on the head.
"Must've been scary, huh?" Monika said. "I can only imagine. But don't worry! You don't have to do this alone!"
The girl of the white bow stood tall, planting her hand firm on her chest.
"I'll help you out!"
"You will?" Agatha asked, surprised.
"Of course! Anything for a friend!"
Natsuki raised an eyebrow. "Friend? But I thought she was your—"
Lips, locked instantly as Monika gave her the stare.
"Keep talking. I dare you."
The tiny baker got the message loud and clear.
"You know what," she said, "you guys have fun. I'm gonna go work on a recipe."
With that, she fled from the scene, leaving the trio to their quest.
"All right," Monika said, "what do you know so far?"
Agatha explained the map, pulling it out to share with her newfound teammate.
"Chaos Factory?" Monika asked. "That place hasn't been used in decades. What made them wanna make a hideout there?"
The little ones shrugged.
"In any case," Monika said, "this is where MC's at. So, let's go get our mortal back."
Their hearts of sheer gold, the trio marched onward, hopping from dimension to dimension as they warped through portals. Eventually, they abandoned the more crisp atmosphere of the demonic realm, finding themselves within abandoned, decrepit spaces.
And after teleporting more than enough times to count did they find themselves standing before a simple-looking warehouse. The structure box-like, cracks and scratches ran along the brick walls, complementing nicely the windows busted in.
"Is this the place?" Wolfette wondered.
"Should be," Monika answered. "This is the only Chaos Factory I can think of."
Soon enough, their uncertainty became untangled, for upon the building's rooftop, a figure emerged, one that forced Agatha's brow to furrow.
The symbiote of black.
"Well, well," he said, surveying the thin crowd, "what do we have here? I was expecting one of the most cunning demons to arrive, not a band of pipsqueaks."
"Give MC back, Venom!" Agatha barked back.
"Where're the formalities, little Agatha? It's Mr. Venom to you."
The demon girl clenched her teeth, her irritation boundless.
"So," Mr. Black said, "instead of facing me himself, that coward Malak sends his daughter and her posse? What a joke."
Now it was Monika's turn to glare. "Believe me when I say, we're tougher than we look."
Wolfette bared her fangs. "Bring it on!"
The symbiote could only laugh.
"I don't know whether to call you brave or stupid. But if you're willing to enter the beast's belly, then I have no reason to deny."
Vileness soaked his crooked grin from corner to corner.
"I just hope you know what you're getting into."
Agatha's insides squirmed, her knees turning to jelly. Even so, she cherished her heart of platinum, ready to persevere.
Venom turned to return back into the structure.
"Good luck, little girls," he told them. "I hope you don't end up regretting this."
With that, he vanished from the scene, right as the doors to the building swung open, daring the trio to enter.
Wolfette swallowed the lump in her throat.
"This guy really knows how to be dramatic," she noted.
"We're going in all the same," Monika assured, bold.
Agatha couldn't have agreed more.
"Right!"
And thus, their brows narrowed, the three girls marched forward, carrying their brave, brave souls into the fortress of wickedness.
The instant their bodies made entry, the doors behind them slammed shut, assuring to them the validity of this one-way ticket.
The trio kept their wits about as they now ambled through a dim, desolate hallway, the sides devoured by splits as a thin fog rolled through the air. Up above, fluorescent bulbs flickered, whispering their snaps of weakened electricity.
"Be on your toes, you two," Monika warned. "Anything can happen."
The children made firm their guards.
Just then, the speakers fixed to the walls roared to life.
"Well, well," Venom hissed, "it would seem that you weren't just all bark."
"You're going down, you slimy weirdo!" Wolfette howled.
"Slimy!? I'll have you know that my material is better in every way! The fact that you would even consider— No, you can it, Carnage! This is my time!"
The mastermind cleared his throat.
"In any case, if you wish to see your mortal again, you'll have to prove yourselves."
"Prove ourselves?" Monika echoed.
"Before you, I've laid three trials. So brutal that even Miss Lamella herself would quiver. Pass them and your mortal goes home with you. Fail and you're all doomed! Muahahahaha!"
I leaned in close towards the red guy.
"Isn't he being a bit over the top?" I whispered.
"You get used to it."
"You got nothin' on us!" Wolfette growled, proud.
Right on cue, at the hallway's end, an opening surfaced into view.
"We'll see about that."
Venom cut the mic.
Agatha's chest pounded like the core of a drum.
"Let's do this," Monika said. "Together."
The little ones nodded, and with firm steps, they stomped through the doorway. Now, they found themselves in a massive, box-shaped arena, split into two sides by a chasm whose bottom breathed nothing but mist and shadows. On either side, near the edges, rose a platform wide enough for a single person to stand upon.
The group played with their curiosity.
"What is this?" Agatha asked.
"Why, the first level, of course!"
Their eyes darted around the room, searching for the owner of the mysterious voice.
"Over here! Over here!"
The girls faced forward, finding a peculiar character stationed across the abyss: the one and only black and white teddy bear.
"Mr. Monokuma?" Agatha asked.
"Upupupu! In the flesh!" The bear studied his plush arms. "Or maybe not."
"What are you doing here?" The unthinkable. "Did you help take MC?"
Monokuma was quick to flail his hands.
"Nonononono!" he assured. "Nothing like that. Personally, I think what they're doing is just downright outrageous!"
Monika raised an eyebrow. "Then why are you here?"
The teddy bear shrugged. "Seemed like fun."
Wolfette scratched her noggin.
"In any case," Monokuma continued, "if you wanna get to your precious babysitter, you're gonna have to get past me!"
Agatha shook her fist. "Bring it on! Even if it's you, Mr. Monokuma, I won't hold back!"
"Upupupu! I love your confidence!" The bear tilted his head, letting the crimson of his eye bathe in sinistry. "You're gonna need it."
Monika cringed.
Monokuma raised his hands. "So, why don't we get this show on the road! As I've said, to go further in this place, you're gonna have to defeat me. But don't worry; I'm not a big fan of the old fashioned beatdown. Although, I do throw quite a mean right hook. Instead, we'll be playing one of my favorite games: Voca Chain."
"Sounds like a candy bar," Wolfette said. "Like, Vocaccino."
"It's a word game," Monika explained. "Connecting syllables, right?"
"Correctamundo, Miss Monika!" The teddy bear outfitted himself with a monocle. "A passtime for intellects, Voca Chain focuses on the connection of words. For example, if I say 'apple', you'd have to say a word that starts with the last syllable, like 'ultimate'. The one who can't come up with a word fast enough loses. Simple, right?"
"Knowing you, though, there's more to it."
Monokuma's face went dark. "But of course."
Once his expression softened, he spread his arms in a welcoming gesture.
"So, who's willing to take me on? I'm not the best, but I'm sure to give you a run for your money!"
The little girls stood awkwardly.
"I don't know a lot of words," Wolfette admitted.
Agatha frowned. "Neither do I."
The girl of the white bow stepped forward.
"I'll go for it," she said boldly.
"Oooooh~," Monokuma sang. "Such bravado."
Agatha grabbed Monika's arm, and although she said nothing, her worry went volumes.
In return, the pseudo mortal gently stroked the little girl's hair.
"Don't worry," she said. "I'm not going down. We're gonna save MC. Together."
Agatha squeezed her comrade's limb, before having her assurance double down.
"You can do it," she said softly.
Monika smiled.
Then, after a deep breath, she approached the platform before her and hopped on.
Monokuma did the same on his side.
Once both positions were solidified, the flooring beneath them rose, isolating the players from the audience.
"I respect you, Miss Monika," Monokuma said. "But I can't go easy. Wouldn't be fun."
Monika grinned. "Likewise."
The bear gestured. "Lady's first. Have at it."
The gears of Monika's mind cranked, searching and searching for the syllables to wipe the clash clean—the letters that would cleave the head right from the get-go.
Her lips parted.
"Elegant!"
Instantly, the air around them shook, as if tremors tore through the wind.
"What's going on!?" Agatha cried, struggling to stay risen.
Above the bottomless chasm, a blob of matter appeared, and with every second, the entity evolved, morphing and morphing in shape until the final product surfaced: an armored eagle ginormous in size, its eyes luminant as green splashed upon them.
"What is that?" Monika wondered, gaping at the spectacle.
Monokuma grinned.
"You said there'd be a twist, didn't ya, Miss Monika? Well, there ya go. We're gonna have some fun with our words!
"Speaking of words, I'll go with gantry!"
Again, the air quivered, and again, a collection of matter spawned, this one closer to the maniacal bear. As expected, it bent in shape, tripling in size until grasping its final form: a beastly dragon, horns curving from its skull as its eyes shone their violet.
Monika stumbled into her awe.
Monokuma waved to her.
"Your turn, dear," he urged.
"Um . . . Treason!"
As swift as a flash, the eagle darted to the dragon, beak ready to shred.
"Sundry!" Monokuma quickly called out.
Just as fast, the dragon zipped to the side, evading the attack. The beast then rammed its body into the eagle, dealing heavy damage.
The teddy bear chuckled.
"Upupupu! If I were you, I'd get your brain cranked up. Otherwise . . ."
He smiled.
". . . you won't last very long."
The girl of the white bow bit her lip, just as the mountainous beasts positioned themselves back to a standstill.
Just the kind of twist I expected, she thought. Now, speed really matters. If I go as slow as I did just now, I'll be down in no time."
"Please, Miss Monika," Monokuma urged. "If you could."
I guess I just have to run with it!
"Dream!" Monika roared.
Like before, the eagle burst forward, hungry for the kill.
"Emu!" Monokuma countered.
The dragon zipped to the side.
"Mule!"
"Eulogy!"
"Genome!"
"Gnome!"
Back and forth, the two went, their syllables clashing like fierce bullets. One moment, the bold eagle would savor the upper hand; the next, the dragon would rise to the peak, spitting its fiery breath, melting the air.
Ultimately, it was Monika who found herself at the slope's bottom, going nowhere but downhill as the battle thrived on.
Agatha shrank with worry.
"Oh, no," she whispered, eyeing the eagle whose left wing had chunks missing.
As for the dragon, it basked in flawlessness.
Monika clenched her teeth.
He may act dumb, but Monokuma's actually a genius. Even Miss Lamella has called him a prodigy. He's busting out words I didn't even know could exist. At this rate, I'll be biting the dust in no time.
In her head, she tossed around her options.
Looks like I don't have much of a choice.
The girl shut her eyes tight, and when she reopened them, she summoned forth the thin rings of light around her now-slit pupils.
Wolfette hung her jaw. "Whoa . . . So cool . . ."
Monokuma, on the other hand, appeared unfazed.
"Empress Eyes, huh?" he said. "I was wondering when you'd bring those out."
"It's all over, Mr. Monokuma," Monika assured. "Now, I can see your every move."
"Hoh~? Is that right? Because I remember you saying the same thing to Klaus back at the toy store, and remember how that worked out?"
The girl clenched her teeth.
"But I digress," the bear concluded. "Either way, that was that, and this is this. Perhaps you've grown. Or maybe . . ."
He basked in his wickedness.
". . . you'll never learn."
"Bring it on!" Monika cried. "Lilac!"
Instantly, her eyes lit up, and like scenes of a film, the future unfolded within her mind, frame by frame.
Come on.
Say it.
Say "lackadaisical".
I know you will.
I'm ready.
The bear opened his mouth.
"Lacking!"
Monika gasped as her eagle ate yet another thrashing from the ferocious wyvern.
"Oh, no!" Agatha cried.
What . . . ? Monika choked. How did he . . . ? There's no way. I saw him say the word. It was written in stone.
"Surprised?" Monokuma asked. "Don't worry. I'd be too. You're welcome to try again, though. Help yourself."
Foolishly, the girl took the bait, uttering her next set of syllables.
"English!"
Again, her irises burst with light, blessing her awareness with the details of events to come.
And again, the bear denied the destiny, roaring his word that surpassed expectations.
With those letters, the eagle now found itself on its last footing, barely able to keep itself afloat as scratches and hashes marred its body.
"This can't be happening . . ." Monika whispered. "I can see into the future! I should have zero chance of losing!"
Monokuma merely sighed.
"It would seem that you didn't learn, after all, Monika," he pointed out. "You were always praised for your abilities, so you were never urged to go beyond, to reach a complete understanding of what you can do. Your outlook is elementary at best."
The girl's fingers tensed.
"What you can do is, indeed, phenomenal," Monokuma continued. "However, your ability is not all-powerful. You may be able to glance at a future, but it's just that—a future."
"What are you . . . ?"
The bear spread his arms wide.
"This universe is endless, forever expanding with each rolling microsecond. As such, the possibilities of this reality are infinite—a value too grand for these mere six walls. And so, they branch out, bleeding into other actualities.
"Your ability simply gives you access to the most prominent of these realities. However, your given future is not a guarantee. Against the rudimentary, this flaw is moot. But when it comes to people like me, this defect becomes an exploit. All I have to do is calculate and choose the one least likely. That is how Klaus defeated you, and that is how I will defeat you.
"In the end, you're still wet behind the ears."
The girl of the white bow crumbled to her knees, her existence cracking around her as her breaths staggered.
This . . . This can't be . . .
I know I'm not perfect. Losing to Mr. Klaus helped me understand that. But I figured I still had some sort of edge. I can see into the future, damn it!
Maybe . . . Maybe I'm not so special, after all.
A tear rolled down her cheek.
Maybe I was always just a loser.
The little demon girl pulled in her breath.
"You can do it, Monika!"
A cry heard 'round the universe.
All eyes turned to Agatha, whose lungs had gone empty.
"You can win this!" she assured. "I know you can, because you're just that awesome. No matter how hard I try, I know I'll never be as cool or as pretty. That's why I'm always so on edge around you, because I know that with you around, I'll never be in the spotlight. But that's okay. You were born for the center stage, so show him who's boss! Let's take him out and save MC together!"
She felt it, those petals in her chest, uncurling back to their beautiful state. The blackness suffocating the roots vanished, leaving only a meadow ready to bloom.
The girl of the white bow wiped her eyes.
"What am I doing?" she whispered. "I'm the oldest, yet I'm letting you guys down. I'm supposed to be the example."
She rose to her feet.
"No more crying. No more doubting. I'm gonna keep moving forward, whatever it takes!"
Monokuma wagged his paw.
"Aspiration is one thing; execution, another. You can hope all you like, Miss Monika, but the fact of the matter still stands: before me, your Eyes are useless. You can't win."
"You're not wrong," Monika admitted. "As I am now, you'll take me out in a flash. But . . ." She narrowed her eyes. ". . . who says I can't become more than what I am?
"Flower!"
The eagle darted forward, valiance vibrant.
The girl's eyes shimmered.
Read his timeline.
"Hour!" the bear roared.
A counter,
the dragon clawing its foe.
More . . .
More . . .
Keep going further.
As Monika uttered her syllables, she imagined it: the peak, glistening lustrously beside the horizon.
"You're finished!" Monokuma promised.
"That's for me to decide!"
The girl of the white bow persisted, hurling herself inch by inch towards the top. And even as her legs gave out, even as her nerves shrank, punishing her with pain, she refused to fall, rushing to the place where legends were born.
The rings of her eyes hummed.
Keep going.
Even if my body breaks . . .
Even if my mind shatters . . .
I have to keep going.
The single possibility she had reserved doubled, splitting into a duo of paths.
I have to overcome these limits.
Then those paths doubled. Then those paths doubled. Again and again, until a spider-like web stretched across her understanding.
Become someone who's worth a damn!
Like tears, streaks of carmine dribbled down her eye socket, just as the rings around her irises morphed in shape, becoming pristine triangles.
The bear embraced the interest.
Reminds me of you, Adatina.
Gradually, the tides of the battle shifted, Monika's eagle now on the offensive as Monokuma's dragon shielded itself.
For every word the bear projected, the girl had five, her predictions otherworldly.
"She's doing it!" Agatha cried. "She's winning!"
"Kick his butt!" Wolfette roared. "Finish him!"
As if acid swished through her veins, Monika's oculi burned, much so that she was convinced they would pop on the spot.
Just a little more, she decided. You thought you were all that. Now prove it!
Her lips parted, her vocal cords rumbling as she let out a fearsome roar. And as if its own heart heard the call, Monika's eagle cried out, its body now coated with majestic energy.
The girl fired her word.
"Invictus!"
The bear's response: mere silence.
He could only watch as his foe burst forward, as its beak went drilling into the dragon's chest, replacing the insides with an intricate gape.
The beast of flames wailed in pain, and as its body went stiff, the lights of its eyes withered away.
A moment later and the creature of legend plummeted down, now devoured by the darkened depths.
Monokuma gave a small smile.
"Looks like I lost."
The platforms lowered themselves back to ground level, just as Monika turned to face the others. Blood smeared her cheek, dribbling down her chin.
"Monika . . ." Agatha whispered.
From the girl of the white bow, pleasantness as her lips curved sweetly.
"It's up to you now," she said softly.
Soon after did her body fail on her, collapsing to the floor.
"Oh, no!" Wolfette cried as the mini duo rushed to their comrade.
"Is she . . . ?"
"Don't worry."
The girls jumped as their opponent popped up beside them.
"She's okay," Monokuma assured. "Just a bit tired is all. I'll make sure she's taken care of."
He gestured towards the mechanical bridge that now connected the two halves of the room.
"Your next trial awaits. Good luck."
Agatha's instincts urged her to stay by her companion's side, but her mind knew better, waving away the roses of now for the valley of hues swaying in the distance.
She brushed lightly her claw against Monika's finger.
"You really are awesome."
Wolfette beckoned her, and together, the two demon girls pressed onward in their adventure.
I only gaped as the monitor before me stayed fixed on Monika and Monokuma.
"Whoa . . ." Carnage uttered. "That girl is no joke. She'd probably even give me a run for my money."
"Impossible!" Venom hissed. "She's just a teenager! How the frick did she do that!?"
I grinned. "Because Monika's a cold piece."
The symbiote of black snarled, right as the screen switched to show Agatha and Wolfette ambling along the decrepit hallway.
"No matter," the mastermind said. "They'll never get past this next trial."
"Isn't that what you said about the first one?" Carnage asked.
"Mind ya business!"
"Monika sure is something," Wolfette said. "And here I thought my dad was super cool. That chick's on a whole nother level!"
"No kidding," Agatha agreed.
And that's what worries me. If it took that much out of Monika just to pass the first test, I can only imagine how hard the next one's gonna be.
The duo tread down the hall, their wits about them as the hairs on their necks stiffened.
Eventually, they arrived at their next arena: a grassy field shaped like an octagon. Stalks of bamboo shot up from the ground to various heights, spaced sparsely as their faces flaunted the hue of ravens. Up above, floodlights beamed, their intense rays glistening off the walls of dense metal. Rows upon rows of velvet seats occupied the upper half of the area, each one just as empty as the next.
Wolfette rubbed against one of the bamboo.
"Cooool~," she sang. "This is like those rooms they have at the museum."
"You go to the museum?" Agatha asked.
"Dad loves the places. Can't help bringing me along."
On the other side of the room, Agatha spotted a doorway, locked up by a pair of iron panels.
"I think that's where we're supposed to go," she pointed out.
"But how do we open it?" Wolfette wondered.
"A brilliant question, madame!"
Suddenly, a voice erupted through the air, and before the girls could even react, a figure came plummeting through the skies, spinning as elegant as a ballerina.
They landed gently before the girls, and as they straightened their stance, our heroes caught a good look of the newcomer.
A rabbit.
A humanoid rabbit, standing tall on its hind legs as its fur glistened white like a dove. An orange vest and onyx tie decorated its top, while the bottom had nothing, exposing the tiny tail shaped like a snowball. Only one of its beady eyes could survey the universe, the other concealed by an eyepatch engraved with golden markings. Same color as her many earrings, each curling around her smooth ears that drooped near the top.
The stranger eyed the demon girls and grinned.
"Oya oya~. What do we have here?"
An accent fused with their vocal cords, alongside ecstatic feminine charm.
Agatha gaped.
"M-Miss . . . Miss Jackie?"
The rabbit quickly struck an idol pose.
"That's right! Jackie Rabbitor in the building! Can I get a 'Yahoo!'?"
She cupped her paw around her ear, only to be greeted with silence.
"We'll get 'em next time," she decided.
Wolfette leaned towards Agatha.
"You know this weirdo?" she whispered.
"She works with my dad. Not directly, but in the same division. He talks about her all the time." Her face dropped. "Especially about how fast she is."
"Don't think ya can talk behind mah back!" Miss Jackie warned. "I got hearing that shoots across the dimensions!
"I'll say, though, you've really grown, Agatha. Last time I saw ya, ya were just a wee lassie in your papa's arms! Awww~, I could just squeeze ya so tight!"
The rabbit lunged forward, wrapping the monster girl in her arms.
"Awww~! So cuddly~!"
"Ahem!" Venom's voice erupted through the speakers. "Let's get on with this! We don't have all night!"
"Ooh, right, right."
Miss Jackie backed away.
"Sorry about that, ol' chap. Just can't resist these cutie patooties is all."
She firmed up her posture, bringing herself back to the business standard.
"I reckon you lassies know why I'm here, right?"
The girls nodded.
"You're what's standing between me and MC," Agatha hissed.
"Indeed, I am. And if you think I'm gonna be easier than that two-faced plushie"—a smirk—"ya've got another thing comin'."
The duo braced themselves.
"Bring it on," Wolfette challenged.
"Enthusiasm. I like it. Lucky for you, this wall won't be as complicated as the last. No need to connect words or anything like that. All we have to do . . . is play tag. Pretty simple, right?"
"Tag?" Agatha echoed.
"That's right. You two will be 'it', and all ya have to do is touch me." The rabbit tapped her paw against her chest. "Just like this."
Wolfette wore her suspicion on her sleeve.
"That can't be everything."
"Oh, but it is. All ya hafta do is catch me. Do that and you're one step closer to your mortal."
Agatha already had her game face locked and loaded.
"If there's no catch, then I'm ready," she announced.
"So am I!" Wolfette boomed.
The rabbit grinned.
"Then, let's get started."
I furrowed my brow.
This can't be good.
As swift as lightning, Miss Jackie sprang into the air, landing atop a pole of bamboo.
The tiny duo could only gasp at the sudden blur.
"Ya won't get anywhere just standing there!" the rabbit taunted from up above.
I didn't even see her move . . . Agatha thought.
Wolfie, on the other hand, charged in with vigor, her feet slamming against the grass as she pounced towards her target.
Too slow.
With ease, Miss Jackie dodged, gliding over to her next piece of bamboo.
Sadky, Wolfette struggled to hang, her balance pitiful as she tumbled back to the ground.
"Ya gotta be quicker than that," the rabbit chuckled.
The wolf girl grit her teeth, trying once again.
Miss Jackie never failed to hop from spot to spot.
"With speed like that, we'll be here all week!" she promised.
Meanwhile, Agatha budged not a single muscle, focusing instead on the rapid motions between her ears.
I can already tell we don't stand a chance.
There's a reason Daddy could never steal a soul from her. She's one of the fastest in our world.
Nonetheless . . .
She clenched her fists.
I have to try!
Poof!
Like magic, the Agatha vanished from sight, reappearing instantly before Miss Jackie within a violet cloud of mist.
"Whoa!" the rabbit cried.
Agatha stretched out her arms, but before she could make contact, Miss Jackie snatched the opportunity, bashing her foot against the girl's head to send her crashing down.
"You're mine now!" Wolfette roared, lunging forward.
Easy.
Miss Jackie spun her body, dodging the wolf girl's strike, causing her to land beside her comrade.
Agatha rubbed her head.
"Ow," she groaned.
Wolfette waved her fist. "Hey! You touched her! Doesn't that mean we win!?"
"Exactly," Miss Jackie answered. "I touched her. Not the other way around. Don't worry. I won't hurt ya too bad. You're so adorable, after all."
The wolf girl growled, hurling herself back into the action.
Agatha joined her.
But no matter how hard they struggled, no matter how many angles they pushed from, the result never faltered: Miss Jackie remained untouchable.
Eventually, while Wolfette persisted, Agatha merely sat in her stillness, her aches relentless as her confidence wavered as unsteady as as a leaf swaying in the wind.
Is this even possible? No matter what we can't catch up. She's always a step ahead.
I don't think . . . we'll ever be as fast.
Monika gave it her all, and that was enough.
But me, I'm different.
It doesn't matter how hard I try. I'll never make it.
She lowered her head.
Maybe . . . Maybe I just wasn't meant to win.
"Um . . ." Carnage began, looking at the deflated girl. "She looks like she's giving up."
"What!?" Venom spat. "She can't do that! She needs to keep fighting!"
"Well, she looks like she's about to cry!"
"No, you're wrong!"
"Just look at the camera, you idiot!"
Amidst the bickering, I stared at the defeated girl, my own heart shriveling as her sorrow painted my own veins blue.
And I couldn't help but do the only thing I knew how to do.
"Turn on the mic," I said.
"What?" Venom asked me.
"Turn on the mic."
"I can't do that. That'd be cheating."
"Just let me talk to her, you sludge-faced moron!"
"Who are you calling 'sludge-faced,' you —"
Beep!
Scratching my back, Carnage hooked a homie up.
"Agatha!"
The little girl's eyes went wide as the voice of her favorite person echoed through the room.
Even Miss Jackie and Wolfette quit their game to pay attention.
"Don't give up!" the speakers howled. "Keep fighting! Remember! What does Agatha think about herself?"
The light,
returning once again,
fueling the monster girl's ambitions with the drive it so desperately begged for.
She tilted her head high to the sky.
"I think I'm a pretty cool cat!"
A grin blossomed from my lips.
"Exactly. So, win this! And we get back home, we'll play hide and seek till the sun comes up!"
She felt her body loosen up, her clash with herself tilting in her favor.
Agatha rose to her feet.
"That's a promise!" she cried out, a tear sliding down her cheek.
Carnage cut off the mic, colored impressed as he looked my way.
"You know how to hype her up."
"Of course. After all, that's my best friend."
Agatha wiped her eyes.
"You look reenergized," Miss Jackie pointed out. "But ya think that'll be enough to get you by?"
"I know what I came here for." Something fierce broke through Agatha's visage. "And I'm not leaving without them!"
The rabbit jerked to the side, just as Wolfette could brush against her.
"Not this time, darling."
But rather than collapsing down, the wolf girl maintained her balance on her own bamboo.
Miss Jackie smiled. "Well, look at you. Already adapted, huh?"
Wolfette beamed. "Dad says I'm a quick learner!"
Agatha got to thinking.
Regardless of how I feel, the problem hasn't changed: We'll never be as fast as Miss Jackie. But maybe we don't have to be as fast.
We just have to be as smart.
She called down her comrade, and the rabbit watched as the duo whispered it over.
"Think ya've got a plan?" she asked them. "Ya've piqued my interest."
By the end of the chat, the wolf girl could be seen grinning from cheek to cheek.
"You're one smart cookie, Agatha," she said. "I'm glad I have you as a friend!"
"Same here," Agatha replied. "Now, let's take this rabbit down!"
"You're welcome to try!" Miss Jackie demanded.
Her paws ready, Wolfette pounced towards her foe, ready to strike.
As usual, the rabbit dodged.
"Looks like more of the same to me," she noted.
Poof!
Just then, Agatha teleported beside her target, but before she could land a tap, Miss Jackie boosted away.
"Ya gotta mix it up, dearies!"
If we were going up against someone average, we could hit 'em with the one-two punch, Agatha thought. But Miss Jackie is far from average. That's why Miss Lamella hired her. She'll be focused on both of us no matter what. So, first thing we ought to do is meet her expectations!
Time and time again, the two girls rushed their opponent, striking her from every angle imaginable. But as expected, Miss Jackie evaded flawlessly, although her face squeezed with just a bit more effort.
"I'll admit, this is getting a little tougher," she told them. "I was always impressed by your pop's teleportation, Agatha, so I'm glad you were able to learn his abilities."
"You haven't seen anything yet!"
Poof!
Poof!
Poof!
Instant by instant, clouds of violet mist would surface beside the rabbit, signaling Agatha's arrival. At the same time, Wolfette bent her poles of bamboo, launching herself at speeds unimagined.
"You won't get anywhere with this plan," Miss Jackie pointed out, still unscathed.
Who said this was it?
The wolf girl boosted towards her target. But just before she could reach, the mist engulfed her, devouring her from reality.
"What . . . ?" Miss Jackie gasped, her instincts imploring her to dodge.
Suddenly, both Agatha and Wolfette appeared on either side of their foe, their arms stretched out.
The rabbit glared. "I don't think so!"
Before the girls could make contact, she grabbed their wrists and twirled them around, hurling them away.
Poof!
The duo vanished, resetting their assault.
With every second, their movements dipped into elegance, into refinement.
"I can feel the passion!" Miss Jackie praised.
"Feel this!" Agatha roared.
Together, she and Wolfette flung themselves off their bamboo, accelerating like mad as they sliced the distance between themselves and the rabbit.
"Haven't you learned?" Miss Jackie threw herself upward, out of harm's way. "When it comes to speed, I got ya beat!"
Rather than chasing their target, the girls now headed straight for one another.
"That looks like it's gonna hurt," Miss Jackie said.
Even so, both Agatha and Wolfette kept their composure, their nerves firm.
I can be awesome too!
Poof!
It happened in the blink of an eye, so fast that not even a meager glance could collect the instance.
The violet mist, swallowing Agatha whole.
The same matter, erasing Miss Jackie's existence.
A swap.
And lastly, the stiffening of Wolfette's fur as her paw pressed against the rabbit's chest.
Miss Jackie lost herself in the awe. "How did you . . . ?"
Up above, Agatha smirked. "Who said I could only teleport Wolfette?"
The wolf girl grinned. "Hook, line, and seeker."
The three landed back on the crisp blades of grass.
Miss Jackie held Wolfette's hand.
"You played with my assumptions," she admitted. "Made me think I had it all figured out." She gave them a proud look. "You really are like your fathers."
The tiny demon girls sank into their pleasure, just as Wolfette's consciousness slipped away.
Thankfully, Miss Jackie caught her.
"Looks like this one's all tired out," she noted. Then, to Agatha: "Don't mind us. I'll take care of her."
On the far side of the arena, the panels of iron slid apart, revealing a hallway.
"Go on, Agatha," Miss Jackie said. "Finish what you've started."
Her bravery bold, Agatha marched forward, the mountain's peak in clear sight.
Miss Jackie watched her opponent progress, and once she glanced back at the sleeping child in her arms, she couldn't help but curve her lips.
"Wolf, Malak . . . Ya've done a damn fine job raising 'em."
Venom snarled.
"The final phase," he whispered.
I held my breath.
Just a little more, Agatha. You can do it.
Nothing's stopping me now, Agatha thought as she traveled down the hallway. MC, I'm taking you home.
Although her body suffered from the aches and bruises, her soul couldn't have been more refreshed, ready to tackle down any behemoth daring to block her way.
And soon enough, such behemoths did arise, for after clearing the hallway did the demon girl arrive at the base of operations.
Near the back of the room, Venom and Carnage stood tall, each on either side of the mortal bound to a chair.
"MC!" Agatha cried.
I gave her a nod.
"Good to see you in one piece," I told her.
"For now," Venom said. He took a step forward. "You've come a long way, Miss Agatha. Honestly, I wasn't expecting you to make it this far. Color me impressed."
"I don't want your compliments," Agatha growled. "Just give me MC and let us go home!"
"I'm afraid not!" The symbiote posed like a supervillain. "Your trials are far from over! You still have one final task, and rest assured, you shall not escape it unscathed."
Why do I get the feeling he's been wanting to say that his whole life?
Carnage seemed to agree, for he rubbed his palm against his face.
"Drop the dramatics already," I heard him groan.
Agatha didn't back down. "I already took care of two of you. I'm ready to go all out!"
"Is that so?" Venom asked. "In that case, prepare yourself, for this final challenge will be unlike any other. With this, you will be pushed beyond belief. You will question your own sanity. You will—"
Boom!
As if a comet crashed through the ceiling, a ferocious force burst into the scene, firing a deafening cry as cement and debris flew every which way.
"What the hell?" Venom hissed, shielding his face.
"What's happening, V?" Carnage asked.
"You tell me."
"MC!" I heard Agatha cry, my eyes shut to protect them.
"I'm fine!" I called out. "I'm—"
My lips shut tight, my throat clenched as I reopened my vision, for as the dust settled, I found not an onyx or crimson symbiote beside me, but he of silver—a mountainous mass of pristine matter and dagger-like teeth.
Venom quivered.
As did Carnage.
The newcomer studied the area, his focus falling upon his kind.
"Little brothers . . ." they said. "Long time no see."
"Riot . . ." Venom growled.
"In the flesh. Or maybe not. This host is shriveling up as we speak. Regardless, here I am."
"What are you doing here?" Carnage hissed.
"What? Can family not visit one another? I saw you were having a hell of a time, so I figured I'd drop in to say hi."
"You disappeared," Venom said. "Went off the map for decades."
"Relax. I won't be here long." Riot grinned. "Just came to remind you who the real boss is."
A beast let loose, the symbiote of black charged forward. "I beg to differ!"
Once in reach, he swung his fist.
With ease, Riot gripped Venom by the throat, choke-slamming him into the ground.
"Know your place!" the new savage demanded.
Carnage made his own move, transforming his arm into a sharpened blade as he thrust himself towards his foe.
A counter, Riot forged his own weapon, sparking the cry of metal clashing metal as the two blades ground against one another.
"Good hustle," he praised. "But not good enough!"
The monster shoved back Carnage, and after shifting his arm back to normal, he slammed his fist into the crimson's chest, blasting him back. But before Carnage could land, Riot extended his sludge, sticking it to his brethren to yank him back.
Riot then lifted Venom and bashed their heads together, cracking their skulls before tossing them to the side.
"Pathetic!" the savage howled. "Is that the best you got!?"
Agatha merely froze, paralyzed by the terror clawing into her bones.
I was more or less the same, convinced that even without these chains wrapped around me, I wouldn't dare move a muscle.
Riot approached Venom and crouched down.
"I've been watching you, little brother," he said, "and I must say, you've gotten quite soft. Forgotten what a true killer is. All you care about is the notoriety. But you have to understand: We take pleasure not in the glory but in the taste of the flesh."
As I gazed, horrified, my attention shifted elsewhere: to the tendril of red slithering sneakily towards me. When it reached, the tip transformed into a tiny blade, which then slid across my bondage, freeing me.
Soon after did such a blade morph into a tiny mouth.
"Change of plans," it whispered. "Take Agatha and get away from here."
"No one's going anywhere." Riot cracked his neck before approaching me, and once close, he paused, letting the monstrous difference between our heights become apparent.
"This is what I'm talking about," he said. "You're messing about with this mortal instead of doing the deed. Their neck should be empty right now."
My breaths staggered.
He bent forward, planting his hand on my shoulder as he buried his gaze into mine.
"Sorry to say, but you don't quite belong here. Rest assured. Your death shall be granted by none other than the great Riot. You should feel honored."
"Get away from them!"
Her hesitance zero, Agatha rushed forward to pound her fists against the savage's legs.
Of course, it did nothing.
Riot only sighed.
"Like father, like daughter," he groaned. "Always a pain in my ass."
Wham!
Like swatting away a fly, the symbiote cracked his fist into the girl's cheek, shooting her back.
"Agatha!" I cried.
Like wolves, both Venom and Carnage pounced onto their superior, holding him down.
"Go!" Venom snarled at me. "Get out of here!"
Quickly, I sprang from my seat and bolted to Agatha, who thankfully still had her consciousness.
"Didn't you hear me?" Riot asked. "I said no one's going anywhere!"
Viciously, he threw his brethren off himself, then sliced at their chests with his arsenal.
His teeth parted as he let loose a sinister growl, salvia splashing from his tongue.
"You're finished!"
He lunged forward, his fist cocked back.
My instincts took over, and before I knew it, I hugged Agatha tight.
"MC . . ." she whispered.
"I will protect you."
Wham!
Like a steel beam, it felt like, ramming into my spine, stripping me of my air as my innards shrank.
"Move it," Riot demanded. "I want the girl."
"I don't think so."
Irritated, the behemoth lifted me up, bringing my face just inches to his own.
"You think you can defy me?" he asked. "You, a lowly mortal? You're nothing more than cattle."
"You might be right." I smirked. "But I'd rather be cattle than some douchebag who thinks it's okay to hit girls."
"We'll see who has the last laugh."
Like a python, Riot unhinged his jaw, tainting my nose with his foul breath.
I winced.
This is gonna suck.
However, just before the monster could tear off my head, his movements locked up, courtesy of the chains looping around his body.
"What . . . ?" he hissed, releasing me to free himself.
No luck.
I hugged Agatha close.
"What's happening?" Riot uttered. "Who's there?"
"Riot, my boy. It's been so long."
Our attention slid to the back of the room, where the apparent queen of this dimension revealed herself.
"Lamella . . ." Riot snarled.
Miss Lamella outstretched her hand, displaying the many chains spawning from her palm, all looping around the symbiote.
Beside her stood her maids and a yellow rabbit with a violet bowtie holding an axe.
At the same time, Malak appeared beside Agatha and me, silent as he escorted the two of us away; although, I could see the scorching hatred brimming in his eyes.
I don't blame you.
I'm pretty pissed off too.
Miss Lamella approached her prey.
"Did you think you'd seen the last of me?" she asked.
"I counted on it," Riot hissed.
He winced as the chains tightened.
"Unfortunately for you, I don't forget debts unpaid. And you, my friend, owe me quite a lot."
She got close to his ear.
"In fact, I don't think you'll ever recover."
Miss Lamella detached the chains from her grasp, keeping Riot trapped.
She then gestured to her subordinates.
"Lucky. Girls. Take him away."
"Aye, aye, Cap'n," the rabbit said.
As she walked away, Miss Lamella gifted the mortal a wink.
I leaned my head against the wall, struggling to keep the sudden fatigue from knocking me out cold.
"What a day . . ." I groaned. "I still need to write that paper."
Beside me, Agatha lowered her head.
"I'm sorry, MC," she said. "Because of me, you got hurt."
"That's not true. Because of you, Agatha, I never lost hope. You gave me a reason to believe I'd make it out of here."
I stroked her hair.
"The least I could do was protect you. That's my job, isn't it?"
She smiled, and we hugged as if today was our last day in this universe.
"Sorry about that, Malak," Venom said. "Didn't think he'd go through the gates swinging."
"It's all right," Malak assured. "It's not your fault. I knew the risks of this operation, and although my baby girl did get hurt, in the end, I got the outcome I wanted."
"What? Riot finally behind bars?"
"Not at all. What I really wanted was to give my daughter what I believe she needed:
"a true taste of adventure."