Author's Notes: Aha! I finally figured out how to put in Author's Notes! Limonada, thanks for the review! I'm a meme lord at heart, so I'm not sure if I'll be able to tone it down, but I will certainly try. And to everyone else reading, please, feel free to give any feedback you feel is needed! With that out of the way, let's get on with the show!
Yu seemed to immediately get a headache, and Akechi felt the same, judging by how they both grabbed their heads at the same time.
"Ow. What was that?" Yu asked.
"You felt like your skull was about to burst too?" Akechi replied.
Before he could reply, they heard a voice outside.
"You should be honored to be a part of the Shujin Nation!"
Yu and Akechi looked at each other.
Wait… I touched the app. Shit, this is another LSD trip. I'm so getting my phone replaced when this is over.
"Did you hear that Narukami-san?"
"You did too? I thought this app gave me another drug."
"Another?"
"Believe it or not, strange stuff like has happened before, and every time it was because of this damn app. I don't know how, but every time I activate it, I get these weird visions. Though, nothing on this scale before."
"Well, are there any consistencies with these visions?"
"None. First one, I saw myself in a pillar of electricity, second time I had a dream where I was in prison with two women and a long-nosed gremlin as my wardens. And now, I'm hearing voices."
"But the room looks completely normal. And the noise came from outside. I'm going to investigate."
"Didn't Makoto say that we had to stay here?"
"Ah, details, details." Akechi said with a smile.
Does this guy enjoy being on the receiving end of the Niijimas' wrath?
Akechi walked outside the door while Yu looked back at his phone. The app was closed, and when he tried to open any other apps, they wouldn't work. He decided to text Makoto, hoping that she wouldbe back soon. But the message didn't go through, and Yu noticed that he didn't have any reception. At all.
"Great. This probation is the gift that keeps on giving." Yu groaned.
"Narukami-san? You should probably come out and see this." Akechi said, worry in his tone.
Yu rolled his eyes and left, closing the door behind him, and it vanished as soon as it did. His attitude went from annoyance to a mixture of fear and awe at the sight before him. He looked around, rubbing his eyes to make sure he really was seeing this.
"Do… do you see this too Narukami-san?" Akechi asked, no doubt thinking the same things as Yu.
The two looked around. They weren't standing in Shujin Academy. They were standing in the middle of a road inside a small city. Well, to say it was a city would be a bit of a stretch.
"I don't know about you, but I'm seeing what looks like a tourist resort." Yu said.
"That's exactly what I see as well. Two massive hotels, a restaurant, houses-"
"-convenience stores, shops for souvenirs, a police station-" Yu said the last part with a bit of fear in his voice.
"And, is… is that a beach?" Akechi asked.
Yu turned around. It was in fact a beach. The blue ocean waves turned orange in the glow of the sunset, and the sand was free of any umbrellas, chairs, or other things.
"Look, in the distance. I can see something it looks like… an island." Yu added, squinting to make sure he saw it right.
"Look, up on the cliff. An airport." Akechi said, pointing to a cliff that was just past the hotels.
"Look at the billboards." Yu said, pointing to one on their left.
"Remember, Shujin's needs come before your own…?" Akechi quoted.
"What is going on?" Yu asked, shaking his head.
"I don't know. Here, I would like to test something."
Without warning, Akechi went up to Yu and punched him in the shoulder. Hard.
"OW! What the hell Akechi?!"
"I felt the resistance your shoulder gave. And since nothing's changed, it's safe to say that we're not dreaming. Here, Narukami-san, hold up some fingers, and I'll try to guess how many."
Yu then proceeded to raise one finger, the one that was in between his ring and index to full length. Akechi narrowed his gaze at the crude gesture.
"Ha ha ha. Very funny Narukami-san. But since I was able to see clearly, and you have complete control over yourself, it's safe to say that neither of us are under the effects of drugs or alcohol."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means that, as improbable as it is, we have to accept that what we're seeing is very real. And judging by the placement of the buildings, I'd say we're in the middle of the town square. Which is odd, since my phone has no reception." Akechi said, waving it around.
"So, our best bet is to find some people and ask them about this. After all, can't have a tourist resort without tourists."
"That does indeed sound like our best bet. Let's go."
The two walked around for a few minutes, and saw banners and billboards everywhere, all saying things such as "Shujin's reputation needs your sacrifices!", "Shujin's reputation comes before all else!" and "Do nothing to tarnish Shujin's reputation, and you will be happy!" The only sounds that could be heard were the blowing of the wind and their footsteps.
"Jeez, when you said Shujin was a nation, I didn't expect this." Yu said as they continued walking.
"This is more like a ghost town than a resort. The sun has only started to set, so shouldn't people be taking romantic stro- wait. You hear that?"
Yu listened, and sure enough, he heard a voice. One that sounded a lot like the one he heard when he first got here. The voice grew louder and louder, and it became easier to make out the words.
"Remember students, heed not the fools that cry for resistance, rebellion, and revolution! Maintaining Shujin's reputation is the only way you can find joy!" It shouted.
"Look, that's where it's coming from!" Yu said.
Turning the corner, they saw a van with speakers mounted on the top. As it rolled by, they saw on the side a picture of Kobayakawa and next to him, the kanji spelled "Joy and prosperity to those who uphold Shujin's reputation." The van sped away, paying the two students no mind.
"That… that was a propaganda van, wasn't it?" Yu asked
"Yes, and with Kobayakawa's face on it. I think it's best we find a way back. We have no idea what we're dealing with here, and if something bad happens, we're not going to be prepared to deal with it." Akechi answered.
"Agreed. The question is, how?"
"Didn't you say this happened when you used an app?"
Yu's eyes widened.
Wow. I'm such an IDIOT!
Yu took out his phone. Like before, he had no service, and none of his apps were working. None, except one. The one shaped like an eye. Only this time, it did something other than mess with him: It turned into a black screen, with a yellow and red arrows in the center and a purple circle in the upper left corner. When Yu turned, he saw that the circle move with him.
"Looks like this app is acting like a map now. I'm guessing the two arrows here are you and me. But, the city isn't showing up. It's just us and this purple circle." Yu explained, showing Akechi the phone.
"Then that is our destination. Let's-"
The next thing they heard sent Yu's heart and mind into panic mode and made his blood run cold. Police sirens, and they were getting closer.
No. No no no no!
"We need to go, now!" Yu yelled
"What, why? It's just the police."
"EXACTLY!"
"Yu, they're not going to arrest us."
"We're in a place with Kobayakawa's face plastered everywhere like he's a hero."
"That's… a really good point. Let us make haste." Akechi said as the two turned to run.
"Stay where you are!" A voice called out, and Yu suddenly suffered flashbacks to that night and what came after. Being forced into a car, Dojima yelling at everyone, including him, the slamming of a hammer, the disgust of people he once knew, people he helped and sacrificed for, Nanako crying, him tying a noose. He couldn't live through that. Not again.
"We have to run, now!" Yu yelled, turning around, but saw armored cars approaching them from all directions. He desperately looked for a way out as police helicopters flew overhead, men getting ready to repel down.
"Yu, wait! Running will only make it worse." Akechi said, grabbing Yu's arm.
"On the ground! NOW!" An officer ordered as Special Assault Teams filed out of the armored cars.
"Give up! You're surrounded!"
"Akechi, I can't be arrested again. I can't!"
"Calm down Narukami-san. We've done nothing wrong."
"That didn't save me last time."
Yu was about to break out of Akechi's hold when he noticed red laser dots pointing at Akechi and himself. Snipers. Now, he had no choice. He and Akechi put their arms behind their heads, and got down on their knees. The police rushed in, more on Akechi than Yu.
"We finally got you, you bastard!" He said as they snapped the cuffs on Akechi while Yu was still on the ground.
"We've done nothing wrong!"
"You are responsible for endangering Shujin Nation, terrorizing its residents, and attempting to remove our beloved President Kobayakawa from office!"
"President?" Yu asked.
"Beloved?!" Akechi spat.
"Quiet!" the officer yelled, slamming Akechi's head on the pavement.
Yu tried to get a look at the officers. Most of them were in riot gear, and behind the helmets, he wasn't sure if it was because of the adrenaline or something else, but he couldn't see any faces, just a blob of black ink in the shape of a head with red orbs for eyes. They picked up Akechi, attached a set of cuffs to his legs and attached chains that connected them to the cuffs on his wrists, and forced him into an armored car.
"President Kobayakawa will celebrate this day for years!" One cried out, to which the others gave cheers and applause.
"What about this one? The one with the silver hair and eyes?"
"He could be a potential accomplice."
"He doesn't show up on the suspect list. Perhaps Akechi kidnapped him and was in the process of brainwashing him? He could just be a kid who was in the wrong place at the wrong time."
Yu closed his eyes and let himself hope they would let him go. If only the cops from that night were this understanding. But his hope was quickly dashed.
"But, better safe than sorry. Throw him in with the Akechi. We will allow our most benevolent Kobayakawa to decide his fate."
Just like with Akechi, they grabbed Yu and cuffed his legs and chained those to the ones on his wrists, and forced him into the same armored car as Akechi. Yu heard several voices in his head.
"Cause any problems, and you'll be expelled immediately."
"If you are expelled, I won't hesitate to kick you out."
"Why'd you have to get involved?"
Yu could feel the tears coming as the car began to move, and he didn't even try to stop them. It was over, he was going to be expelled, then kicked out, and finally, taken back to Juvie, only this time, he'd stay there. His life was now over, one way or another, and he knew it.
Three days. I couldn't make it through three days.
"Narukami-san? It's going to be ok." Akechi said, noticing his fellow prisoner crying.
"No. No it's not." Yu said, looking back at Akechi, whose nose had been bleeding by having his face slammed into the concrete.
"It will. I won't let Kobayakawa hurt you."
"Is that what you said to Mishima? To Eiko?" Yu growled.
"They have nothing to do with this."
"Oh really? They're both people who thought being with you was a good idea, and now look where they are! My life is ruined Akechi. Once everything is over and done, I'll be sent back to Juvenile Hall, and there is nothing either of us can do about it!"
The tears kept coming, and Yu just let them roll down his cheeks as rage and hopelessness churned within him.
"What did I do to deserve this? I kept my dad from becoming an alcoholic when he found out mom was gone, I helped save three people from destroying their lives, and I befriended a man named Yosuke when everyone else wouldn't even look at him. And for what?! All of them abandoned me! And there was nothing I could do about it. Dad stopped me so that I could live for this?!"
He glared at Akechi but instead of seeing pity, he instead found sympathy and understanding in his crimson eyes.
"I'm truly sorry to hear that Narukami-san. But I promise you, if there's a way to get you out of this, I will take it, even if it costs me my life." Akechi said, determination in his voice.
"You go ahead and do that." Yu muttered as the car stopped.
The two boys were taken out of the car and dragged into the police station. Outside, they saw people wearing the Shujin uniform cheering and throwing fruit at Akechi. After they entered, they were taken to an elevator and went down. Yu swallowed hard, and braced himself for being thrown in a cell the second time. When the elevator doors finally opened up, his and Akechi's eyes widened. This wasn't a normal lockup for a police station. In fact, it was like they entered another building entirely. This was a full blown prison, with the cells going down in a spiral motion, the only way that seemed to go down with them was a long continuous ramp going down the same spiral motion as the cells. Yu looked in the cells and saw that some of them were occupied… by people wearing the Shujin uniform, all being beaten and tortured by men in a military uniform.
"Akechi, do you know any of these people?" Yu asked.
"Quiet!" a guard yelled, shoving Yu's head forward.
Akechi looked around, and his eyes widened in horror. He simply gave a nod, and Yu made and educated guess as to who these people were. Most likely, they were students who tried to give testimony or evidence against Kobayakawa. As they began their descent down the ramp, Yu could hear the cries of anguish from the prisoners, and his heart sank, knowing that he would be joining them.
"I didn't know! Akechi brainwashed me with talk of justice, but all he gave me was pain! I'm begging you, please stop!"
"I promise to tell you everything I know about that bastard! Just stop, please!"
"Helping him wasn't worth it! I'll be a good citizen, I promise! Please!"
Yu felt a pang of guilt, as he knew Akechi could hear them too. He wanted to apologize for being so rude earlier, but he knew what would happen if he tried to speak again.
Can't even apologize without being punished for it.
As they went lower and lower, the cells became more advanced, going from simple iron bars, to glass, to metal with only a small view through it, to bulkheads. In each cell, they saw a student being interrogated, but it would be more accurate to say they were being tortured, each one forsaking and cursing Akechi. When they finally reached the bottom, both Yu and Akechi were simultaneously horrified and heartbroken at what they saw. At the bottom of the ramp was the floor, but it wasn't made of metal, it was made of rocks, jewels, and metals, all of which were being mined in a quarry opening.
"My God. This… this is inhuman." Akechi whispered.
The miners were none other than Ann Takamaki, Ryuji Sakamoto, Sadayo Kawakami, and Futaba Sakura. All four of them wore collars around their necks, and one of the guards cracked their whips on Ann, getting a scream from her as blood poured from the wound.
"Ann!" Akechi yelled, earning a punch to the jaw from a guard. Ann turned to the duo.
"Stop Akechi. Just stop. You did this to me. You made me fight a war I wasn't involved in and wanted no part of. You put me here. You made me Kobayakawa's slave. So please, just stop." She begged, defeat, hopelessness, fear and pain in her voice.
Just like me.
Akechi looked to the left and let out a gasp. Yu followed his gaze and saw that there was a bounty board that said "Most Wanted". On the board were pictures of Akechi, Makoto, Ryuji, Ann, Sadayo, Futaba, and a boy and girl Yu didn't recognize. Only Makoto and Akechi were left untouched, while the boy and girl had a skull stamped on their pictures, and the rest had a big red "X" on them.
"I take it the ones with the skull stamp are Mishima and Eiko?" Yu asked.
"QUIET!"
Another punch, this time to the stomach. Brought down to one knee, Yu was grateful that he didn't eat anything for lunch, or it would be puked up on the floor by now. He looked at Akechi, who simply nodded.
"On your feet inmate!"
Yu was grabbed and forced to his feet. He turned to his right and saw a wall-like slab made of concrete, a slab that looked out of place, and was filled with bullet holes, as if someone had been executed by firing squad there. Every sight just made him more and more hopeless and afraid. He'd never get to see his father, his sister, ever again. He's going to spend the rest of his life as a slave working in that quarry, and that's just him. Akechi would no doubt rot in a cell, if not be outright killed.
"Alright, the cell's ready for you two. Get comfy while you can. President Kobayakawa's on his way as we speak." A guard informed them as they were led down a tunnel.
At the end of the tunnel was a small drawbridge, big enough for one person at a time. The guards pushed Akechi first, and Yu followed. Due to how no one else was there, the sound of their chains clinking was almost deafening. They arrived at their destination; a cell being suspended in the air by four chains. The cell was made out of stainless steel, and its door was a small bulkhead that opened up, revealing a padded room that looked like it was barely big enough for one person. Scrawled on the padding, in blood, were the words:
"Welcome to hell. It's the one you made yourself."
The two got in, way too close to each other than was comfortable for either. Yu turned to Akechi, who reached inside his coat pockets.
"Still think you can get us out of here?" Yu asked.
"Yes, though now, I know I can't do it with words. Like I said before, no matter how difficult it is to accept. This. Is. Real. And if Kobayakawa truly does reign here, then there's no way I'll be able to talk him into letting us go simply with the argument that 'we've done nothing wrong.'. This is a rigged game, and the only way to win rigged games is to cheat. If we are to get out of this free, or even alive, I believe we will have to force our way out." Akechi explained, getting out a hairpin from his coat.
"And how do we do that?" Yu wondered as Akechi went to work freeing Yu.
"Judging by the fact that they didn't even bother to search us or even get us out of our respective uniforms, I'd say they're stupid, arrogant, or both. We can use either to our advantage."
"But they have bullet-proof vests, machine guns, and most likely combat training. And there's no way you could fit more than maybe three clips in your coat. If we're getting out of here, we'll have to do it without being seen." Yu pointed out.
"Correct. Which will be a problem since the only way out that I saw was that ramp."
"We could disguise ourselves as guards." Yu suggested.
"That sounds like our best bet." Akechi replied as he got the last of the cuffs off of Yu.
"Here, take this." Akechi said, pulling out his gun.
"A-are you sure? I've handled a gun because dad taught me, but I hoped to never use one."
"I've got a plan. That drawbridge is only wide enough for one person at a time. I'll go first, still in chains, then fall down. When a guard comes, you'll have to kill him."
Yu's eyes widened and a cold sweat dropped down his forehead. Kill someone? Sure, he hasn't been able to see their face, but maybe the black stuff was supposed to be a face mask. Yes, he wanted to get out of here, but he wasn't sure he was willing to kill someone for it to happen. If he did kill someone, he'd be exactly what all students in Shujin said he was; a criminal.
"Akechi… I don't… I don't think I'm willing or able to kill another human being."
Yu expected Akechi to get angry, maybe call him weak, but the detective simply nodded.
"I understand. Taking a life is not something to be taken lightly. In that case, we'll switch. You go first, fall down, then I'll kill the guard." Akechi said, putting his gun back in his coat pocket.
Before Yu could put his cuffs back on, the cell door opened, revealing a guard that grabbed Akechi before he could finish getting his cuffs off. Before Yu could try to fight him, he saw laser sights be pointed at his face and chest. Akechi was taken away, and Yu was only allowed to start walking once Akechi had crossed the bridge. The guards hadn't even attempted to put cuffs back on Yu. Akechi was right, they were overconfident.
Once both of them were across, they once again started walking through the tunnel, and with each step, Yu felt like he was on death row, despite the absence of chains. Maybe he would be spared given that he was new, but Akechi was most likely going to suffer a far worse fate, and there was nothing he could do about it. Once they were back in the quarry area, they saw two guards talking to a man. The man was dressed in a white military outfit with a gold outline.
"Sir, I present to you: The rebel Goro Akechi, and his new accomplice: Yu Narukami."
He turned around, revealing that his uniform was decorated with more medals than Yu thought existed, with a purple sash around his chest. His uniform strained to contain the powerful body the man had, and if he took his shirt off, Yu was sure he'd look like an Olympic athlete. He had a bald head, round chin, and a pointed nose. But most disturbing of all were his eyes. They were a bright yellow and glowed like they were in a horror film.
"Hello Goro Akechi. I would have waited an eternity for this."
"K-Kobayakawa? Is that you?"