Mists of Penjar

by The Kobold Necromancer

Graduated students of Hope's Peak Academy want to know how Despair was able to spread so fast and ruin so many lives. In an abandoned town known as Penjar, where windless mist creeps down old streets, they have come to find the answers. But Despair, and its Kubs, still have plans even in this seemingly forgotten place. [Part 1 Spin-Off of Crit Fail's Legacy of Despair Series.]

33. Chapter 5-1: The Path to Penjar

Chapter 5-1

The Highway to Hell

---

Day 14, ? AM

Housing District

Everyone was gathered outside of the houses, still wearing the sleepwear or whatever they had pulled on before joining this meeting. Many of them were shivering, tending to injuries, trying to keep their wits about them.

Isaac was unable to stop shivering in fear, even with Hara holding onto him. Drake was tending to Ignatia, as Yitro watched from a distance in shame. Fiora was scanning the crowd, seeing just how unnerved everyone was.

The only ones who didn't appear so affected were Blake, Ishiku, and Fannie. The latter two were holding hands, giving each other strength, though it did make Fiora think of something that really needed to be asked.

"So you're back with us, Fannie?" she asked the white 'n pink topped lady. "I mean, I'm not hallucinating, am I?"

"No, I'm here," Fannie replied, woefully observing the visitors of Penjar."

"Why is she back?" Ken snarled, glaring at Fannie from underneath his hood; he had pulled it up, unable to look anyone in the eyes since he had woken up.

"How are you back?" Pyrrha asked, more politely though she was shivering as well. "Did you use the device in the spa?"

"Um, yes," Fannie replied. "I used the machine that is in the northern plaza, I've left my life as Monophanie behind. For good."

"Listen," Shuuya said, stepping towards Fannie. Ishiku stepped in front of the bounty hunter and Fannie, protective and apprehensive. The assassin took note of this, and stopped his advance to speak more clearly. "What just happened, Fannie? Do you know?"

"I… I do. I know a lot of what is going on, and I want to tell you all. Um, what time is it?"

People checked their cell phones, though some dropped theirs with how hard they were shivering. It was 7:34 AM, according to their devices and Ishiku's watch.

"Maybe if we all go to the cafeteria, I can tell you everything I know?" Fannie suggested.

"We're still in our night wear," Hikari remarked, trying to use her arms to cover herself and her nightie.

"I want to know what's going on," Futaba declared, clenching her artificial hand at the wrist. "Can't you just tell us here and now?"

"That wouldn't be ideal, because sooner or later, Daddy… err, Monokuma will be adding some of the truth serum into the mist again."

"Aw, shit, not more of that," Blake snapped in frustration. "The last time that happened…"

"You'd best stuff it befur you get hurt," Kimiko said to him, her voice dangerously calm. She adjusted her hat, as she stared down Fannie. "Fannie, can you give us all time to get ready furst?"

"Of course. Just please, everyone needs to prepare, because this motive isn't only nightmares. This is Da… Monokuma's attempt to test you all, like he has been doing…

"And it's not just him," Fannie continued, squeezing Ishiku's hand for comfort, "the Entity of Chaos is part of this too. I beg of you all to hear me out, because Penjar is going to be a nightmare in the image of Chaos and Despair."

---

Day 14, 7:50 AM

Penjar's Public Cafeteria

Those who had been most affected by the nightmares were still in a bad place mentally. Some of the graduates worked to make coffee, tea, anything to help them all wake up and feel a little better. Fannie nervously watched them all, as Ishiku stayed by her side.

She had noticed a lot of them were eyeing her suspiciously, some even hatefully. Fannie could understand why. She was still kicking herself for repeatedly referring to Monokuma as Daddy earlier.

When everyone was more or less settled down, all eyes were on Fannie. She nervously stood up, and tried her best to find her speaking voice. "I don't know everything, but what I do know, I'll tell you," she confessed.

"Aren't you going to get into trouble for this?" Eisei asked, raising an eyebrow as he started on his first lollipop for the day.

"I already am, so to speak. When I returned to my human form, I forfeited the choice to go back to being a Monokub. I can never return to being who I was, so I'm like you all now.

"I know you have a lot of questions, but I honestly don't know where to start."

"I have a question," Blake asked, holding his arms behind his back as he narrowed his eyes at Fannie's chest. "Why the hell are you wearing that modest outfit? Where's your bikini?"

"Ignore him," Fiora said with a scoff.

"Um, but why are you wearing that?" Drake asked, nervously staring at Fannie. "That's the clothing that Mahiru Koizumi wore at Hope's Peak, what she was wearing when she was…"

Fannie stared down at herself, as Kimiko, Anzu, and Eisei recalled the vision of Mahiru. She had been wearing the exact same thing, and now they saw this young woman wearing it.

"Oh, the secret room in the clothing store," Fannie said, "had clothing that was exactly like what the participants of Hope's Peak Academy's Killing Game wore. I picked this one because it was closest to the door, that's all."

A flurry of questions started up, and Fannie stared at them all, overwhelmed. Before she could try to answer any of them, someone slammed their hand on a table, silencing the group.

Isaac, still visibly upset, pressed his palm down on the table after getting everyone's attention. He said aloud, "We cannot dissolve anymore. After last trial, we all learned how important it is that we are all on the same page."

"Honey," Hara stood next to him, watching in great concern.

"Don't worry, Hara, I'll be fine. But what we need to do is ask Fannie the right questions, and get the information we need. Also, everyone…"

He took off his beanie, ran his hand through his hair, and sighed as he spoke some more. "I know some of you don't trust her, but at this point, we need to move forward rather than stay overly cautious. Let's see what she has to say."

"You are the reporter," Souma said with a smile. "You lead the questioning, good sir."

"Alright then," Isaac adjusted himself before he turned to Fannie. "Could you start by telling us all you know about Penjar?"

Fannie nodded, glancing once at Ishiku before smiling with confidence. She let go of his hand so that she could position herself where everyone could easily see and hear her.

"Penjar was actually a real town at one point. Some of what you've seen have been the actual buildings and items left behind the people who used to live here. I don't know when it was abanonded, I only know a little bit of why.

"You see, there is something nefarious about Penjar, a dark secret that has been here longer than I know. Whatever it was, it has been stewing here, and it was about ten years ago that something amplified that. Something, or rather, someone visited Penjar…

"And in doing so, this town has been a place that both Chaos and Despair have worked together, to try and build up the resources, the power, the abilities to continue on the terrible schemes they have."

"Wait a minute now," Ken interrupted, crossing his arms as he eyed her suspiciously. "Doesn't that mean you're part of this conspiracy?"

"I… I don't really know," Fannie admitted, nervously wringing her hands. "I know that I am not affected by Despair, or Chaos, I don't really know how to explain my existence."

"You said someone visited Penjar," Isaac spoke up, "was that about when you started feeling conscious?"

Fannie rubbed the back of her head as she mentally strained to remember. "I don't have a good concept of years, when I was merely a conscious floating in some unknown ether; however, I do believe that you're right, considering my personality."

"What do you mean?"

"My siblings and I all started off as two different personality traits, all something that a person has. That is how I remember things starting, my psyche building up around these two traits, as if the visitor of Penjar gave me my start to who I am.

"But, the problem is, the two traits are contradictory. I am sure you noticed, but all of the Monokubs are a little off."

Crystal let out a small laugh. "That's the understatement of the century."

"You're all mad," Saiko remarked. "Are you saying that starting your life with contradicting traits made you all as warped as you are now?"

"Do you remember how Monotaro was highly forgetful?" Fannie asked. "Yet he was still determined, like our leader, the strongest one of us all. When he became human, that forced amnesia was gone, but his determination wasn't."

"Why is that?" Isaac asked her. "And wait, did Monotaro have the traits of amnesia and determination?"

"It wasn't so much amnesia as forgetfulness, the part of you that makes you forget about hard subjects so that they do not eat at you. Or, for someone awful, to forget the awful things you did so that no conscience nags at you."

"The axe forgets, the tree doesn't," Futaba said. When people glanced at her, she explained, "It's an old proverb. It basically means that the one who is doing the hurting won't remember the pain they inflicted, because they do it so often."

"The day M. Bison wiped out your village was the single most important day of your life," Odelios offered, "But for me… it was Tuesday."

"I don't know what that means, but yeah, that sounds about the same," the anthropologist said.

"Monotaro gained the traits of forgetting and determination, which, you can imagine," Fannie continued, "would drive someone crazy eventually. You cannot continuously forget while staying locked on the subject; that's why he was so frazzled and all over the place…

"And why he fell in love with Shinobu, I believe. She was stable, smart, and just as determined as he was. It wasn't just that aphrodisiac that was pumped into the mist, there was something about her that he fell for the moment he became human."

"Fannie, I know this is difficult for you, so thank you," Isaac said, "but I need to ask: did Taro's death affect the Kubs? You all seemed to be forgetful and determined during the last motive."

Fannie nodded, biting her bottom lip as she tried to hold back her emotions. "Taro dying triggered something in our systems to inherit his traits, so they wouldn't be lost forever. The same happened when Monosuke died…

"Monosuke was preparation and perversion, he always did love to make a big spectacle, show off, and try to appeal to the crowd." She sniffled, rubbing her eyes as she thought about her second dead brother. "Because you have to put on a show when you aim to do something big, like restoring a city or starting a revelation…

"But there's also that dark side of you that just wants to ruin things for everyone. It's not just sexual, it's just the ruination of something for the sake of doing it."

Yitro sighed, as he leaned his head against his hand. "It takes years to create, but seconds to destroy."

"So when Monosuke died," Pyrrha asked, "you inherited his traits as well?"

"I did, but at that point, I was so tired of the killing, the betrayal, the hurting, that I made my choice," Fannie explained, clenching her hands in determination. "I was under control by a force more powerful than you can believe, but… I still managed to do it. I don't know how."

"If I may?" Isaac spoke up. "Last night, we talked about how Junko Enoshima might have been behind the Tragedy, the Ground Zero of Despair. We know that Despair will give its victims a small window, to possibly foil their plans, for that self-destroying feeling of despair they can embrace.

"Whatever had a hold on you is most likely an element of despair, because you were allowed to leave your Kub form. You're here now, ruining Monokuma's plans by giving us details. Your escape may have been allowed, knowing you would come to us, but we still need to know everything we can.

"Junko Enoshima, do you know how she relates to all of this?"

Fannie thought hard for a few seconds, then said, "I only know that she was one of those in the Hope's Peak Academy Killing Game. She is of the utmost importance to D… Monokuma."

"It's so freaking creepy," Blake muttered, "to hear you call him Daddy."

"You see, the Hope's Peak Academy Killing Game is the main reason Penjar has become a base of operations to Despair and Chaos," she continued, undaunted by Blake's comment. "During the game, items and belongings from all of the students were brought here."

"Yes, we realized that," Eisei commented. "But do you know why?"

"Not entirely, but I do know that it is something supernatural, something creating an alternative realm where the Killing Game is repeated, over and over, to try and create an ideal result."

"What would that be?" Isaac asked. "Junko Enoshima winning the Killing Game?"

"I don't think so, simply winning this alternate Killing Game doesn't assure anything; after all, there are winners, survivors, in every one of those Killing Games, but the result never changes. I think there is a problem with the alternate realm, something that Monokuma and the Entity of Chaos are trying to fix.

"And that's why you're all here."

"That's something I want to know, right now, if you could," Hikari spoke up, trying to maintain a calm look; however, she was shivering a little too much to appear composed.

"You see, the belongings of the Hope's Peak students were all brought here to work into this alternate realm's Killing Game. The forces behind Penjar, the ones that my… that Monokuma controls, they have been trying to use those to see if they can shift the Killing Game to get their desired result.

"However, to enter the realm by touching the items that are deeply connected to the person they used to belong to, you need to have a soul. You also need to have some familiarity to the person that it belongs to."

Yitro flinched as if struck, and then slapped his hand on the table. "That explains it! That's why we were brought here, of all people!"

"Why's that?" Drake asked. "I'm afraid I don't follow."

"We're Hope's Peak graduates. We've been there, we know the place, we are linked in that way that apparently is essential for this supernatural Killing Game. The forces behind this madness need people who have been there, that's why we got those summons!"

"If you're right," Souma remarked, rubbing his chin in thought, "that explains why it was graduates rather than those who were going to be part of Hope's Peak, like has been happening around the world."

"That explains so much," Shuuya remarked. "They wanted us here, and they are going to make us stay not by force, but by choice. Even if we don't spread Chaos around the outside world, we all want the answers this place has, because it has just become that deep."

"But how does the Entity of Chaos factor into this?" Ken asked, shaking his head incredulously. "Why are they working with and against Monokuma at the same time?"

"The alternate realm's Killing Game," Fannie answered him, "is the endgame to this plan. However it is used, the result will be highly beneficial to either Despair or Chaos. Both sides need to give it their all to get that end result, but only one side will get the results in their favor."

"If you ask me," Ishiku said, "it sounds like they want to bring back Junko Enoshima, and she will be the Ultimate Despair or Chaos depending on who wins."

"The ability to create a body from an A.I," Hara said nervously, "sounds fitting for that kind of plan. But if they could do that, why don't they just clone Junko now?"

"If that is the goal," Fannie spoke up, "then it is because they don't have Junko as an A.I. Monokuma needs something more than the items that used to belong to her."

"Didn't that Chihiro boy start revolutionizing ?" Fiora asked. "It seems the tech already exists."

"Chihiro Fujisaki is a brilliant programmer," Souma said, "and it is true he has made some startling realistic ; however, he created those alongside the ones they were modeled after. As Junko Enoshima is dead, she cannot be replicated into an A.I."

"Wait, please," Anzu spoke up, staring hopefully at Fannie. "We've talked about Junko so much, but what about Mahiru Koizumi? She seems to be important to this."

"I don't know anything about her," Fannie admitted, as she adjusted her clothing, "and I know that's weird to say when I'm wearing her clothes, but-"

"There's something that's really been bothering me, and I really need to know if you know anything, Fannie," the actress continued, a slight hint of desperation in her voice. "When I touched the camera, I found myself in Peko Pekoyama's body when in that alternate realm; but everyone else has been in the body of the person who's item it belonged to.

"And, come to think of it, I was in Mondo's body when I felt the microphone that sent Kimiko into that realm. Why is that?"

"I… I don't know," Fannie admitted. "I don't know what's going on with that realm."

"Do you even knoo'," Kimiko asked, "why I was there after I was knocked unconscious?"

"And I was there too," Fiora chimed in, "after suffering a head injury."

Fannie nervously tugged at her tie, before saying, "That I can explain. You see, Penjar is a place of many experiments and practices, and one of those is trying to invade the psyche; that is, after all, how Despair can be transmitted through a flash of light. It is how Chaos can be spread like a contagious virus…

"And it is how not only can your mind be sent to the alternate realm when you forcibly lose consciousness, it is why your dreams have been turning into nightmares while in Penjar."

Fannie shivered as she noticed everyone blanched, no one liking the sound of that. She ran a hand through her dual-colored hair, and continued. "You see, your mind is much more vulnerable when you are not conscious. Though when you are sleeping, it is still active enough to prevent you from being taken to the alternate realm of Hope's Peak; however, nightmares are something that it can do.

"Monokuma has been trying to perfect this since you first arrived here, and by this point, your system has become saturated with how Despair can work into your dreams. That is your motive now, and it is his way of showing the kind of power he has in Penjar.

"You all remember when he granted talents to some of you on a whim? That nature itself works against you and anyone trying to find this town? Now he wants you to see how much control he has over your psyche, and use your worst fears and memories against you."

Fannie whimpered as she wrung her hands again, but continued to speak. "I am truly sorry, but this is how he is going to play this Killing Game. He wants to push you all to find the answer to the alternate realm, or die trying. That is what the Entity of Chaos wants too."

"Do you know who the Entity of Chaos is, Fannie?" Isaac asked.

"I was never given their identity, I think it was because they feared one of us might blurt it out on accident. Much like Monosuke did last trial…"

"So that's why we're here," Shuuya grumbled. "To solve the answer to the puzzle that stumped both Chaos and Despair, and they're happy to kill us as we try to do their work for them."

"And now we got Freddy Krueger on our ass," Blake grumbled.

"How is that even possible?" Crystal asked. "I mean, I know it's not that fictional serial killer, he's not real. But how can we stop this?"

"Maybe you could work with me rather than against me, toots!"

Everyone in the cafeteria jumped as Monokuma was quite suddenly next to Fannie. The former Kub gal shrieked and leapt away, having to be caught by Ishiku. The despair bear chuckled, as he glanced up at Fannie, claws dancing threateningly on one paw.

"Why, what a shame my favorite Kub went and betrayed me! Betrayal hurts so very much," Monokuma whined, shaking his head. "And you'll never be in your pretty Kub form again… what would your mother say? What would your brothers say?"

"RISE AND SHINE, URSINE!"

"Funny, I thought it would be a bit more strong than that…"

"What the fucking fuck are you fucking doing, you fucking fucker?!" Monokid, having bounded into the cafeteria with Monodam by his side, was immediately in front of Fannie. "You fucking… fucked up! Fucked it right up! All the fucks, you fucking fuck…"

"SHE-GETS-IT," Monodam said, waddling over to his perturbed brother and now-human sister. "HELLO-FANNIE."

"H-hello," she responded, as she stared down at the two with great apprehension.

"Fucking fuck," carried on Monokid. "Fuffing… cucking… fucucking… effing… king… fuck."

The blue Kub fell face first on the ground, with a lot of muffled words still coming from him. Monodam spared a glance at the cursed-out Kub, then back to his sister. "SO-YOU-LEFT-US-FOR-GOOD?"

"Yes, yes I did," Fannie said. She reached for Ishiku's hand, and held it within hers as she defiantly looked down towards the bear Kubs. "I'm not part of this insidious, revolting plan anymore. I choose to be free."

"THAT-MEANS-YOU-HAVE-TO-ACCEPT-THE-RULES-OF-PENJAR-AS-A-VISITOR."

"I will do that willingly."

"IT-ALSO-MEANS-THAT-YOU-CANNOT-LEAVE-UNTIL-THEY-FIND-THE-CURE-FOR-THE-CHAOS-BUG."

"I am fully okay with that too."

"Hang on!" Saiko shouted as she got to her feet. "There's a cure for that?"

"Of course there is!" Monokuma shouted impatiently. "You didn't think I'd just let Chaos reign, did you? Despair for the win, despair all the way, despair because we have a better mascot (a.k.a. yours truly) than the mascot-less Chaos!"

"Is the cure tied to this new motive of yours?" Yitro asked the despair bear. "If it is, kindly get to the point."

"Seeing that my beloved, former favorite daughter spoiled the motive slightly, I still got a few tricks up my sleeve! You all like those rather personal nightmares I wrote for you all?"

The visitors of Penjar all bristled and avoided looking at the bear. None of them wanted to admit how awful they were, how much they had been affected.

"Let me tell you, if you thought the scratches and bloody bumps you got from that one, just wait until tonight. The nightmares are going to get far, FAR more intense!

"You see, this power I have, this ability to mess with your dreams to the point that your body starts moving on its own, or starts to bleed or burn because the feeling of being stabbed, burnt, frozen to death, all in your dream is too real. Now you MAY find a way to resist…

"Much like a certain B-movie maker who seems way too immune to my well-crafted horror scenario!"

"You mad, bear?" Fiora said, pulling one of her eyelids down and sticking her tongue out at him.

"Tremendously, but you'll never learn about Mr. Beardsley from me now, you've just made me that mad. Also, STOP BRINGING UP MR. BEARDSLEY!"

"Wh-what? But you're the one who brought him up-"

"Anyway, as I was saying, the nightmares are going to get worse, and worse, and WORSE. You may find a way to resist, you may not. And if it is the not, you may not wake up alive again. Getting shanked in the throat in your nightmare just may make you choke to death in reality.

"Call me Mondy Krumer, because it's now a nightmare in Penjar! Upupupupupu!"

"And what's the catch?" Crystal asked, glaring at Monokuma. "You really think we'll just kill each other to ensure our safety?"

"Yes, yes I do. I mean, you ain't got anyone else to care about, Crystal, but maybe you're sick of these Killing Games. Maybe you just want to leave, or maybe someone else wants to save someone from dying in a dream. I mean, I'm not giving all of you nightmares for that very reason, upupupupu!"

Hara stared at Isaac, clenching her hand tightly in apprehension. Drake watched Ignatia, who had been silently watching and trying not to touch her wound on her forehead. Hikari glanced over at Anzu, though the actress was staring at the bear with all the contempt in the world.

"That cannot just be it," Anzu snapped at Mondy Krumer. "You want us to help out with the plan you have, you don't want us to just kill each other!"

"Hey, did you just assume my diabolical plans?" Monokuma shouted indignantly. "That's mis-diabolical planning me out, and I don't have to take it! There's more twists in my trade, more method to my madness, than just a brilliantly crafted motive.

"You see, there's a new plaza to the west of your homes, and you don't get three guesses what it is called. However, it is the location for four new buildings, three of which you should take into consideration.

"If you wish, you can spend the night in one of these new buildings. Should you sleep in one of the three, you will suffer no nightmares. And there might be more benefits to staying overnight in such a charming, lovely, accommodating location!"

"I hate it when he piles on the adjectives," Futaba remarked, shaking her head.

"What's the dangerous side of sleeping in one of those places?" Shuuya asked the bear.

"Upupupupuuu… AHAHAHAHA! Well, there probably isn't a danger from me or the buildings, there is nothing meant to be murderous on the side of Penjar. That would just be unfair! But you do have to consider just how scary these places may be, how unnerving it is to sleep in such a place…

"Oh, and there is the fact that I'm lifting the limitations on killing," Monokuma added, rubbing his paws together. "From here on, the Deviant Tourist can MURDER as many people as they want! Upupupuuu!"

"Oh no!" Fannie exclaimed, grabbing onto her head as she squealed in terror. "You're really trying to get them to hurt each other now! You're so awful! Why did I ever think you were clever, Da… no!

"You're not my Dad! You're an awful, evil, mean little bear!"

Fannie strained angrily, then kicked at Monokuma. Her shoe barely punted at the bear, making him wobble off-balance. He burst out laughing, to which she stormed off, towards the kitchen.

"Women, amirite, fellas?" Mondy Krumer said, shrugging his shoulders and shaking his head. "So at 9:30 AM, the new area is going to be open to you all. My two remaining GOOD Kubs will escort you around, show to you which of the three buildings are nightmare-safe, and please…

"If you do find some more items belonging to Hope's Peak students there, please touch them. I'd love to know where that side plot is going so beary much! Upupupupu…

"AH HA HA HA HA HAAA-"

Fannie came sprinting back from the kitchen, a frying pan in her hands. She prepared a swing with both hands, and slammed it against the side of Monokuma's head. His body was like bouncy rubber, as the hit gleamed off of him and he wobbled a great deal. Turning back to Fannie, he pointed and laughed even harder.

The new gal, more angry now, lifted the pan and brought it down flat on Monokuma's head. He scrunched up like an accordion, and then bounced back to his original form. The frying pan was yanked from her hands, and it went hurtling up into the air, almost touching the ceiling.

"Now really, Fannie, you gonna be like that?" Monokuma asked, turning to scold his "daughter." Fannie was watching the frying pan fly through the air, and took a few steps back as it came hurtling down. "I may just have to call your mother, assuming I can find out where she is or if she exists-"

The frying pan plummeted right back down towards Monokuma, its slightly pointed handle first. This led to the handle penetrating Monokuma's skull, him standing there with a frying pan embedded in his skull. The despair bear twitched, and gurgled.

"Oh, I smell OMELETTES!" he declared, before falling over lifelessly.

"FATHER!" Monokid shouted as he pulled himself up from the floor. "Why the fuck does this shit always happen to you, the finest ursine bear in the world?!"

"YOU-KNOW, THAT-IS-REALLY-MAKING-US-LOOK-BAD," Monodam asserted. "ANYWAY, EVERYONE, PLEASE-ENJOY-BREAKFAST-AND-GET-ALONG-UNTIL-9:30-AM. AFTER-THAT-YOU-SHOULD-STILL-GET-ALONG, YOU-BASTARDS, BUT-YOU'LL-BE-SHOWN-THE-WESTERN-PLAZA-BY-THEN.

"EACH-BUILDING-WILL-HAVE-ITS-OWN-GUIDE. SISTER?"

Fannie, who had been staring at Monokuma's frying pan-impaled corpse, flinched at hearing him call her that. "Um, y-yes?"

"YOU-KNOW-WHICH-OF-THE-FOUR-NEW-LOCATIONS-IS-NOT-NIGHTMARE-PROOF. SHOW-THEM-THAT, PLEASE."

With that, Monodam turned on his feet and walked out of the cafeteria without another word. Monokid shook his head, then pointed up at Fannie.

"You're gonna wish like hell you didn't leave us. Enjoy the wide-awake nightmare that our town is going to be for you, and here's hoping the first ones swallowed up by the madness are the ones you love. Good riddance."

With this startlingly direct and dark statement, Monokid waddled out of the cafeteria. It was incredibly quiet, with everything dawning on the guests of Penjar that this was far more serious than any of the other reveals or steps they had taken forward.

"I am making so many chocolate chip pancakes," Odelios spoke out. "Whip cream, strawberries, syrup, all the stops, all the trimmings! Bacon too, let's spoil ourselves! Come on, who wants to help me make the most shamefully sweet pancakes in the world?

"No bear or spooky building is going to stop us at this point. We're going to go out there, and we're going to give them hell!"

---

Day 14, 9:30 AM

Penjar's Public Cafeteria

Odelios lived up to his word, and made pancakes so sweet with tons of bacon and sausage on the side. It was so much sugary and fattening goodness, that Eisei was almost shivering in dread at the thought of people not brushing afterwards. He personally went around to ensure they all would, then spent the rest of the early breakfast with Saiko.

Sure enough, when 9:30 AM rolled around, the TVs in Penjar came to life. The ones in the cafeteria were big enough for the guests to see the two lone Kubs at Town Hall…

---

(Day 14 has now officially begun!)

(Monokids' Town Hall Greeting)

*Monokid and Monodam are standing on the front steps, the former strumming on his guitar, and the latter as rigid as ever.*

Monokubs - "Rise and shine, ursine."

Monokid - "So here we are, just the two of us. Me, the best Kub a papa bear could as for, and you, the total and utter bastard child that we should have aborted years ago!"

Monodam - "…"

Monokid - "What were you thinking, Monophanie!? I'm not gonna call you by your human name, that's just enforcing your desires! I respect nothing, I refuse everything! You whore! You slut!"

Monodam - "…"

Monokid - "Trollop! Nympho! You probably just did it because of Ishiku and whatever bull he fed you about how you're special! Well you're not, you're not special at all, you're just a disappointment that's trying to out-disappoint our dumb brother here!"

Monodam - "…"

Monokid - "Go on and shag that little jackass magician, see if I care! I don't care! Why would I care that he's sleeping with you? Damn it, Monophanie, what's he got that I don't?!"

Monodam - "WAIT. WHY-ARE-YOU-MAKING-IT-SOUND-LIKE-YOU-ARE-JEALOUS-OF-HER-BOYFRIEND?"

Monokid - "Because that is the role of bigger brothers! You don't let any boy screw your sister, as if only you get to do that!"

Monodam - "… … …"

Monokid - "Let me tell you something, you waste of bear space: I am going to say and do whatever I want, because now that it is only you and me up here for some reason-"

Monodam - "YOU-ARE-THE-REASON-MONOSUKE-IS-DEAD."

Monokid - "And you'll be next if you don't stop talking!"

Monodam - "…"

Monokid - "Fucking hell, it's never ending with you! Well, anyway, fuckers who wanna fuck my sister, we'll be at the cafeteria in a minute to show you to the Western Plaza! Dad will be there too, so no killing him!"

Monokubs - "So long, bear well~"

Monokid - "SEE WHAT I MEAN? YOU NEVER SHUT UP!"

---

Right as the TVs turned off with the very bizarre message finishing, the doors opened up. Monokuma waddled in, ignoring the version of him still laying on the floor with a frying pan embedded in his skull. Monodam and Monokid were alongside their father, eyeing the guests of Penjar.

"Okay then, visitors of Penjar, and my least favorite daughter," Monokuma said. "We're each taking five of you to one of the four buildings. Get divided up into groups fast, and we'll circle the buildings.

"You all might want to prepare yourselves, because remember when you thought this was a slightly haunted ghost town? This is going to blow your feeble, human minds… maybe you'll die of fright before the nightmares tonight, upupupupu!"

---

Day 14, 9:36 AM

Western Plaza

Center Area

The roads wrapping around the outer side of the housing area were badly made, the uneven stones difficult to walk on. Dead trees and shrubs lined the sides, as the mists swirled around everything in the area. It flowed in the same direction they were going, as if leading them there.

A large, circular plaza was shaded by the clouds, thicker than anywhere else in the city, so much so that it almost appeared to be nighttime. The combination of lack of sunlight, mists swirling around, dead plants and trees, as well as a growing theme of rusted metal fences and objects, it was like the town had turned into something haunted…

When the twenty-one humans and three bears walked to the center of the Western Plaza, it was more than just a turn. It was a complete transformation into the realm of horror.

There was a Monokuma statue in the center, covering his eyes with his paws. This Monokuma had wings as well, as well as a long gown on. One could see red light slightly brimming from behind his left paw, as if he was about to stop hiding his eyes at any moment…

To the left of them was what appeared to be a children's arcade mixed with a pizzeria. The formerly bright colors the building sported were corroded and dulled, with all of the machines and tables warped and dusty with time. Though to even see that was to strain your eyes and peer through the dirty, dark windows that this building, named Monokuma's Arcade District, sported.

To the right was not a building, but a very large tent. It wasn't quite as big as a circus tent, but large enough to appear to be a small house. The wicked, purple shade the fabric was made of appeared worn down by age, but still standing firm for whoever owned the place. There were sickly lights inside of this tent, as well as a collection of charms dangling at the front entrance.

In the back-left corner of this dreadful plaza was a run-down and decrepit looking motel. The sign that said "Bears' Motel" creaked on the rusty chains, as the entire building was one gigantic red flag to stay the hell away. The windows were not dark, but that allowed them to see inside, and notice just how malevolent it was inside.

Finally, the back-right corner sported a three-story building, stone and iron, with bars on all of the windows. There was an overly imposing feel to the building, like a weight in the air simply by looking at it. A fading, flickering light shone on the front sign, and it was quite possibly the worst thing someone could have read…

The "Enoshima Asylum" loomed over the whole plaza, the most imposing building compared to the pizzeria, the motel, and the house-like tent. Everyone human was doing their best not to stare at it, it was simply awful to even gaze at.

"Okay, it's official now," Crystal said, shaking her head. "There is absolutely, positively no way these buildings were here when Penjar was a normal town. And yet they're old and faded, so how the hell are you doing this, Monokuma?"

"A magician never reveals his secrets," the bear replied.

"Hey, don't you steal my shtick," Ishiku declared. "So what the hell is this horror movie set made real?"

"You all are going to enjoy our new establishments, made specifically in honor of those who have helped make me the bear you all know and love today! The Enoshima Asylum, the Third Eye Psychic Tent, Monokuma's Arcade District, and the Bears' Motel, they are all definitely sights to see, places to be!

"Now, there's twenty guests, and there's four bears… wait, no, my long lost daughter isn't a bear, but she'll still be a guide! So everyone get into groups of five, follow your respective tour guide, and stay close…

"You never know what'll happen if you stray on your own in these lovely new buildings of ours. Upupupupu!"

The guests of Penjar barely had time to exchange concerned glances, before they started to break off into groups.

---

Day 14, 9:45 AM

Western Plaza

The Bears' Motel

Everything about the inside of the motel was silently screaming about how much it needed to be remodeled. The wood was rotted, the wallpaper was peeling, the carpet was matted and discolored. Though oddly enough, it was all dusted, as if someone was still caring for it in this horrid condition.

The lobby for this motel was full of faded, damaged knickknacks, with Monokuma's face on some of them. He was on the tiny statues, the sepia-colored photographs, and at the center of the grandfather clock that clicked ominously with every swing of the pendulum.

Souma was rather intrigued by the grandfather clock, watching it go as if it were exciting. Yitro noticed this, and the public speaker let out a sheepish chuckle. "Sorry, my father had one of these at our family house. It brings back memories, seeing one again; no one seems to like these clocks."

"Most people want clocks on their watch or phone now," Yitro agreed, glancing at the device as well, before heading into the adjacent room.

The kitchen was in the same shoddy state, yet still functional as if someone had been using it all this time. The tools were all in barely working order, though the idea of making meals with them would make even one blasé about germs sick to think about it.

Blake was rummaging through the area, and he remarked, "Yeah, this place is worse than a dump. It's a health hazard in every sense of the word; I'm certain trying to use the oven or stove could set the place ablaze. Maybe even the toaster!"

"I hardly think anyone would dare try here, when we have the cafeteria," the swordsman remarked. Yitro glanced over at the drawers, thinking about what knives could be in there, and it made him a little more nervous with Blake in the room. "Anyway, nothing to see in here."

"IF-YOU-WANT-TO-USE-OUR-KITCHEN-TO-MAKE-FOOD," Monodam, wearing a maid outfit now for reasons unknown to everyone there, said from down at the floor, "YOU-MAY. PLEASE-BE-GOOD-WITH-OUR-KNIVES-AND-OTHER-KITCHEN-PRODUCTS."

Yitro rubbed his fingertips against his forehead, muttering, "You just had to mention that. We don't really need to…"

One of the drawers slid open, and Blake pulled out a large carving knife. It gleamed in the kitchen light, and he chuckled. "Yeah, it figures Monokuma would keep the knives in perfect condition while everything else rots. Better make sure no one showers here."

"The hell are you talking about?" Yitro asked, crossing his arms.

"Crappy motel, shiny knives, horror movie setting? Are you that thick?" Blake rolled his eyes and glanced down at Monodam. "We allowed to take these?"

"Don't you dare."

"YOU-MAY. WHY?"

Blake snickered deviously. "Maybe I'll give someone a good scare, since they all think I'm psycho anyway. Where's Pyrrha, she's the only sheila in our group-"

The sound of a katana being unsheathed echoed around the kitchen, then the clanging of metal on metal as Yitro knocked the knife out of Blake's hand. The pyro expert was startled at first, then he glared at the swordsman.

"You gonna start threatening me now, mate?"

"Don't think I haven't forgotten your crimes, your wicked behavior. You take this as a joke, even after all the bloodshed and threats being made, as if you're invincible. I don't care if you aren't seriously, you will not make such callous remarks about pretending to murder someone as a prank."

Blake and Yitro stared each other down, both men sizing the other up as if a fight would break out between them. Monodam watched them, and remarked, "I-DID-JUST-SAY-BE-GOOD-TO-OUR-KNIVES."

"Where's Pyrrha?" Blake asked, staring Yitro in the eye. "I thought she was supposed to be part of the tour."

"SHE-AND-SHUUYA-WENT-UPSTAIRS-TO-INSPECT-THE-ROOMS."

Blake snickered again, and rolled his eyes. "After being used by that lezbo killer, sounds like she wants the D again."

"You make it very hard to not hurt you," Yitro replied, though he sheathed his sword. "Why the hell do you continue to antagonize us, Blake?"

"Why the hell do you people do so damn poorly every trial, every set-up, every damn time things get rough? You're all useless, much like that big-tittied friend of yours that could be served in this kitchen."

Yitro, without thinking because of how red his vision was suddenly, swung at Blake. The pyro expected it, and dodged the blow. He lifted his foot to kick Yitro in the chest, sending the swordsman sprawling backwards.

"Go on then, you failure," Blake shouted at him as he stood back up. "Try and kill me! Or even hit me, but I can tell you now: you're lucky the two of us weren't in the same prison. You would have been my bitch since day one."

Yitro started to move towards Blake again, when someone grabbed his shoulder from behind. Souma shook his head when Yitro turned towards him, and said, "It's not worth it. Whatever reason he's trying to goad you, to fight each other will derail everything we're working towards."

"Why don't you save your speeches for someone who cares, rich boy?" Blake shouted, pointing angrily at Souma. "Don't think I don't know about you, and how you're acting like you're better than us because of it!"

"I thought you told me to save it," Souma said, turning away from Blake and going back into the lobby.

"You'll probably end up as dead as the rest of your fucking family!"

Souma paused mid-stride, took a deep breath, and continued to walk away. Yitro glared daggers at Blake, then walked away from him too. Monodam didn't have any sort of emotions, he simply strut from the kitchen.

Blake rolled his eyes, and reached down to pick up the large kitchen knife. "It's so hard being the only person here with a spine and thick skin."

---

Pyrrha sighed as she glanced into one of the four rooms of the motel. The bed was very spacious, and was probably the only thing well-kept in this room. Everything else was old, corroded, faded, and/or falling apart.

Well, there was the brand-new widescreen TV on the ugly entertainment cabinet facing the bed. That definitely seemed out of place. No avoiding the Kuma announcements, even in this awful place.

The writer moved over towards the bathroom, and noticed that it too was much like the bed. The toilet was so decrepit, she feared even getting near it. The sink was rusted, the floor tiles were broken, and even the almost obligatory painting on the wall was faded and crusty.

The shower was perfectly fine, from the curtain to the inside, everything seemed rather pristine. The pure white color of it all was such a stark contrast…

It immediately made Pyrrha think of what it would look like if blood was splattered all over the area…

"Have you found anything interesting?" Shuuya asked.

Despite herself, Pyrrha yelped and jumped at his voice. She turned towards him, clutching her hands together for an instant, then sighed in regret as she calmed down. "I'm sorry, Shuuya. I…"

"If I intimidate you, I can go," he said.

"No no no! I just," she stammered, running a hand through her red hair. "This place brings back some bad memories, even though I want to conquer these fears. And I think Monokuma is aiming for that."

"I'm not sure what you mean. You couldn't have been here before."

"No, but I was once at a motel that certainly seemed as bad. One time, during one of my hiking trips, I stayed at one that I couldn't fall asleep at. Everything about it made me think of Psycho, and…"

Pyrrha ran her hands through her hair again, trying to find the words. "Look, it's kind of personal and private, maybe even a little intimate. I don't think you would want to hear, especially since… well, you and Futaba…"

"She and I are not dating or anything like that," the bounty hunter said with a dismissive wave of his hand. "Though I have to say, I am rather confused by what you're implying, or trying not to."

"It has something to do with the nightmare I had."

Shuuya stared at her, then spoke far more seriously. "I dreamed about my sister, being hunted down by awful monsters. Not just people, but all kinds of creatures that were like the beasts Monokuma created. Monokuma cannot scare me by having these things try to kill me, but to put the idea in my head that my sister…"

"He's trying to convince you to leave Penjar, you think?"

The assassin shrugged, and remarked, "Or just trying to mess with me. Either way, it won't work. I have to admit, I've been rather fortunate with you all; none of you have been hostile towards me after learning the truth about my career."

Pyrrha smiled a little, and admitted, "Yeah, I kind of have a thing for strong people. Takeo, Aka, you…"

The redhead blushed slightly, then muttered, "I know I may come off as really needy or desperate, but I have found that people with me comfort me the most. I like to think it makes me a romantic, rather than what I'm sure a lot of you think I am."

"You shouldn't care how others think about you."

"I care about what others I like think about me, not just everyone."

Shuuya sighed, rubbing the back of his head. "I'm not good at these things, Pyrrha, I'm sorry."

"Well, maybe we should just talk. So… are you sure that there's nothing going on between you and Futaba?"

"I am not one to look for relationships."

"You're with her an awful lot, though."

"Why are you prying into this? Aren't we supposed to be investigating?"

"Awful creepy run-down motel that's obviously supposed to make us think of Psycho, we know everything," Pyrrha said dismissively, waving her hands. "Now come on, I want to know-"

The stairs leading up to the rooms creaked. The sound alone made Pyrrha lock up, her green eyes widening in fear. She forgot to breathe for a few seconds, and when she recovered, she saw Shuuya was also tense. The bounty hunter turned around, the flaps of his trench coat revealing the being responsible for the ominous footfalls.

"DO-YOU-TWO-WANT-TO-SEE-THE-KITCHEN-NOW?" Monodam asked, curtseying for them in his maid outfit. "WE-HAVE-A-VERY-NICE-SELECTION-OF-KNIVES."

The two exhaled in relief at seeing him, though Pyrrha stared inquiringly at the Kub. "Why are you dressed like that?"

"I-DO-NOT-KNOW. I-FELT-THAT-PRESENTATION-WAS-REQUIRED."

Monodam walked off after saying this, leaving the two confused and still slightly tense.

---

Day 14, Same Time

Western Plaza

Enoshima Asylum

The hallways of the asylum created echoes with every footstep, and each echo was deep and foreboding. Each door, a window with a slide on each, was rusted and scratched. The florescent lights flickered with every step they seemed to take, making the horrible corridors dimly lit.

Hara clung to Isaac, holding his hand. Saiko found herself staying close to Eisei, who was gravitating towards her just as much. Futaba was walking alone, observing the place with a methodical stare.

"You really went all out here, trying to make this place look authentic," she said to Monokuma, who marched in front of the group. "It's like you watched every movie and video game, and tried to push all of the tropes of an asylum together."

"Oh, you think that I just borrowed a bunch of elements, toots?" Monokuma asked as he waddled. "Just to let you know, I included a spooky break room for the employees with a spooky snack machine!"

Futaba rolled her eyes, and adjusted her glasses. "Yes yes, lovely, and I'm not sure why I decided to come here first. It's merely an anthropology study into your demented mind."

Monokuma chuckled, then turned around and motioned towards one of the patient rooms. "Would you like to say hello to some of those that we're offering our tender love and care towards? We want to make sure that these poor souls will learn true Despair, rather than Chaos!"

The anthropologist subconsciously ran a finger across the scars on her face. She sighed, and muttered, "Again, I don't know why I came here-"

There was a powerful slamming sound from inside of the patient room, making all of the people jump. An inhuman scream, muffled by the solid door, came from within. Isaac was shivering in terror, as images of the serial killer who took his family from him flooded back.

Futaba stared at the room, then there was a strong hammering sound, like someone pounding their fist on the door. She started approaching it, when Saiko shouted, "Don't! Why are you going to open it?!"

"Because Monokuma locked someone up in there," she responded matter-of-factly.

"What if it is someone violent? It sure sounds like it!"

"I don't think we're the right group," Eisei chimed in, "to handle a violent maniac."

Monokuma stood there, chuckling deviously. Futaba glanced at him, then at the others, then back at the door. She could feel the heavy banging on the door, the vibrations coming from it almost like someone trying to get at her personally. Another scream came from inside the room.

"Maybe I should introduce you all to who's in there."

Monokuma waddled up to the door before any of them could react, and turned the handle. He flung the door open, and Futaba backed up so swiftly that she pressed against the opposite wall. Gasping in shock, she dared to peer inside of the room…

There wasn't a soul in there. She even braved to step up towards the room and look more inside, but no one was there. Futaba strained out a frustrated growl, and slammed the door shut.

"So, you're going to be using magician tricks to make us think people are in here?" she snapped at Monokuma. "There's no one in this building, but you're going to use sound effects to try and scare us."

"Upupupupu! AHAHAHA! May you sleep well here, because the former patients really didn't. All that howling and screaming… and it's really a shame, because this place had some of the most state-of-the-art medical equipment.

"You might say this is one of the best places to stay at, but hey! Who am I to tell you what is best for your rooming experiences, missie? Just remember, humans aren't the only ones who can be residents!"

He waddled off, going around a corner while cackling to himself. Futaba turned towards the others, crossing her arms. "I think he's trying to hint at us that if we spend the night here, it might get us something we want."

"That might explain," Eisei remarked, "why this place is rigged to be so theatrically terrifying."

"Well if he thinks he can scare us off," Saiko snapped, "he's got another think coming…"

She was distracted when she started to hear a skittering sound. The forensic investigator turned to see what appeared to be a spider, the size of a coffee mug with long, spindly legs, crawling against the bottom of the floor. She shrieked, grabbing Eisei in outright terror, as she watched it go into a small hole in the wall.

"Spider," she whimpered, holding onto the dentist as she shivered, "big… hairy… gigantic spider!"

"What?" Eisei strained to say, unable to hear as she had shrieked right in his ear, and she was clinging to him terribly.

Saiko pointed at the hole in the wall, and when the others looked down at it, rats burst forth from the hole. They scampered down the hall, disappearing into the dark almost instantly. A large cockroach scurried out as well, and Futaba walked over to stomp on it.

There was nothing underneath Futaba's foot when she lifted it back up. Confused, she stared around the hallway, and noticed that the lights were flickering off more than on. She stared around the place, then wiped at her forehead.

"Why's it so hot?" she muttered. "It feels like someone turned the heat up…"

Isaac rubbed at his arm, and muttered, "I don't know how he's doing it, but he's turned this asylum into a collection of phobias and wide-awake nightmares."

Futaba sighed, rubbing her forehead. "He's definitely daring us to do this, it makes me leery that this might be a trap altogether."

"You think that," Hara said, "that this might be something really bad if we go through with this?"

"That's exactly how despair works, is it not?" Eisei commented. "Also, Saiko, you're cutting off my circulation."

"I really hate spiders," she responded.

"I really need blow flow."

"Yes, you do," Futaba said with a smirk, "because you need it to get hard for what you two are obviously doing."

That was when Saiko let go of Eisei to chase after Futaba, getting a much swifter tour of the asylum.

---

Day 14, Same Time

Western Plaza

Third Eye Psychic Tent

The incredibly large tent was almost like a three-room building. It was lit up by lanterns, not very bright ones so the place had a slightly creepy balance.

The first room was like a waiting room, with cushions for seating and a small table that one could serve tea on. There was also a rather odd-looking statue, though it appeared to be a robotic mannequin, of a guy with gigantic dreadlocks.

The main room was filled to the brim with small, portable shelves that contained all kinds of creepy and interesting knickknacks. The center of the room was a glass table, the edge decorated with a gold trimming, and a crystal ball in the very center. Two love seats were at the table, for the fortune teller and the customer.

In the back room, hidden behind a very thick curtain of beads, was something of a bedroom. There was a rather plush bed, which looked like a beanbag mixed with a cot, including pillows and blankets. There were a bunch of other bedroom decorations, including a plushie of a snake next to the bed.

Fiora bit her bottom lip as she stared down at the bed, then moved back through the tent. She stared at the robot-mannequin, and said, "So who is this handsome man?"

"Come one, come all! To Yasuhiro Hagakure's fortune reading show! Hehe, witness my power over the mystic arts and be amazed by my insights!" The robot-mannequin "spoke" with the recorded message, broadcasting from the head of the dummy.

"Ugh, don't make eye contact with it," Anzu snapped from the main room. "It's an awful robot that talks whenever you look at it and say something. Also, that guy was an awful person."

"I don't really know anything about him," Crystal admitted, as she studied the items around the main room, "but it's unlike you to be so hostile."

"There's something about that robot that offends me, what can I say?" Anzu said. "I dunno, may be because I saw him in that nightmare I had."

The military adviser paused her searching, then glanced over at the actress. "You sound really perturbed."

"Your nightmare didn't upset you?"

"I was… back on the island," Crystal muttered, then shook her head. "No no, I'm sorry. I shouldn't go into detail, it's personal, but I did have an awful nightmare. I'm tempted to stay here tonight, if it'll avoid nightmares."

Fannie, standing inside of the main room as well, glanced around at them. Odelios and Ishiku were also in the room, so she felt it was most appropriate to say this now.

"Um, about this place," Fannie stammered nervously, "this is the one place that doesn't prevent nightmares. That's what D… Monokuma said."

Odelios pursed his lips and looked around the tent. "So this place is the one out of the rotation, eh? That's a shame, it actually looks pretty cool."

"If this place doesn't prevent nightmares," Ishiku said, "then what's the point of this place?"

Fannie shrugged. "That's kind of how some things are here, they appear pointless or such, but they may have hidden meaning. It's… maddening."

The pink 'n white topped girl shivered, then sat down on the love seat meant for the fortune teller. "I cannot begin to explain how devious it all is. I'm sorry, I wish I could be more help to you all."

The graduates all took a moment to consider the lady seated there, not sure what to say. Ishiku sat across from her, leaning forward as if they were having a meeting over the crystal ball. "You already are helping us, Fannie, don't forget that."

"I have to warn you all, whatever Monokuma does, there is a reason for it. Whatever reason he set up this fortune teller's tent, there's a reason for it; however, I don't know what it can be if it doesn't help you with the nightmares."

Fiora walked back into the main room, glancing around at everyone there. "So this place is kind of cool, who wants to stick around here, eh?"

Odelios glanced over at the movie maker, and then pointed at her. "We have a volunteer for… whatever this is that we're doing!"

"Ooo, I like helping 'oot with volunteer work. I doo'nt really need to work fur money at times."

"Come one, come all! To Yasuhiro Hagakure's fortune reading show! Hehe, witness my power over the mystic arts and be amazed by my insights!"

Anzu growled and kicked at one of the displays, knocking over the thorny whip and bottle with a rose inside that were perched on it. "Why is that thing still talking? Does it have trigger words?"

---

Day 14, Same Time

Western Plaza

Monokuma's Arcade District

The cafeteria was the main room for the pizzeria, with a stage populated with animatronics. The rooms connected to the cafeteria were several arcade rooms, the kitchen, and a couple locked rooms. The florescent lights were ineffective, somehow only able to illuminate the fixture they were attached to; however, that left the rest of the building shady and sinister.

The arcade games were all working, though they required Monokuma Tokens that came from a special machine. Everything was overcharged, especially the crane machines that seemed to be stuffed full with shivs and weapons and Monokuma plushies.

Drake and Ignatia were exploring the arcade machines, noticing a lot of them seemed to be the same as the ones that were in the bowling alley's arcade room. The cartoonist stopped at the Fighters of the Storm, and sighed as he fiddled with the joystick.

"I don't understand why they set all of these things up," he admitted to the mime. "I mean, why are they providing entertainment for us?"

Ignatia glanced towards the stage at the cafeteria, and then held her phone up to showcase her message. [You see those animatronics? They're not trying to entertain us.]

Drake glanced over at the stage too, and winced as he took another gander at the animatronics. They were definitely horrifying, with the fake bloodstains on their mouths, paws, and tools. The lights cast more shadow on them than illumination, making eerie patterns on the curtain behind them.

The animatronics were also modeled after the Monokubs, all of them holding instruments as if ready to play. Those instruments had blood on them, as if they had beaten audience members to death. All of them were the size of humans, though with that metal bulk.

The animatronic of Monokid had his trademark guitar. Monosuke had a guitar as well, Monophanie had cymbals, Monodam was on drums, and Monotaro was holding the microphone as if he was lead singer. All of these large representations of the Kubs were stained with blood, which stood out even with the bad light.

Drake shivered, and turned towards Ignatia. "I think we should try to ignore that… though I'm concerned if that's actually blood on them."

[It would not surprise me if it was. Don't think about it. What I think is kind of important is if you're going to spend time here, what are we rewarded? And where could you possibly sleep?]

The cartoonish shrugged, then walked around the arcade room. Unable to find any place suitable for sleeping, he continued to search with Ignatia by his side. The two were searching the place, trying the doors that seemingly led to maintenance or employee rooms, but most of them were locked.

Hikari sat at one of the tables of the cafeteria, having sacrificed herself to listen to Monokid's ranting. If the blue Kub was going to give up any information, they decided one person should listen, and Hikari just didn't care anymore.

Kimiko watched from a distance, half-expecting for Monokid to be violent again like he was in the previous district. She also was keeping an eye on Hikari, worried about her ever since Aka's execution.

It was because of this concern that she bumped into Ken, who was also busy exploring the pizzeria. The cavalryman barely mumbled an apology, and continued on his way.

"Hey there, handsome," Kimiko snapped at him, gaining his full attention, "doo'nt you joo'st ignore me now."

He turned slowly to her, staring at her in confusion. "I'm sorry, what did I do wrong?"

"Ken, you've bin rather distant from me ever since the love hotel. Not to mention I doo'nt see you with Hikari anymoo'r, what's going on? You cannot joo'st leave ladies hanging."

The Novoselic sighed, and turned towards her. "The nightmare I had was horrendous, Kimiko. I can never get the images of my people, those I respected, raising up with bloodied, broken bodies. They chased me, shouting it was my fault what happened…

"And you know what? I believe it is," he admitted. "If I had stayed-"

"You would have died too," Kimiko interrupted, crossing her arms defiantly. "Your country was completely overrun, and the fact that they're still trying to recover after over two years showcases how bad it was. You may be an ultimate, but you cannot stop a country from destroying itself."

Ken flinched, and slumped down on one of the tables. "I have no idea what I'm supposed to do, Kimiko. And I'm just angry and suspicious, more so every day."

"Wait, about Penjar, or about us?"

The cavalryman ran a hand through his hair, pulling his hoodie down so she could see his face entirely. "The Entity of Chaos is amongst us. We have no idea who it is, and they're taunting us now. He or she, I cannot let them get out of Penjar alive.

"The amount of destruction that this Entity can bring to the world, we've seen how much power and technology they have here in this abandoned town. If we are truly infected like the green one said we were, with a man-made version of a contagious Chaos spreader… I don't know what the reasonable action is."

Ken crossed his arms as he stared up at her. "I don't know if I'm telling you all this because we were intimate, or because I truly believe you are innocent. You have to understand, if someone as seemingly innocent as Junko Enoshima was the one person who ravaged the entire world, I cannot let my guard down."

Kimiko nodded slowly, and murmured, "Okay. But please, doo'nt do anything rash. I knoo' far too well what happens when despair influences you."

"I have fought against it for a long time. I believe I can do so."

Nearby them, Monokid was recalling his tales about his times in Penjar. Hikari was drumming her fingers on the table, waiting for him to pause so she could get a word in.

"And then, after I discovered that the clown was actually a man, I dragged him back to his side of the plaza! Haw haw haw!" Monokid laughed, and thumped his chest. "What a story, am I right?"

"I already know about that," she grumbled. "I know about all the stories you've told me. You are literally telling me the things that I have been either there for, or informed about."

"Oh sorry. Were you there when that skier chick got eaten by the yeti? Lemme tell you about how I set that up."

Monokid continued to speak, with his eyes closed as he recalled the tale. That's why he failed to notice when Hikari stood up, and was ready to swat him with her umbrella as hard as she could.

A firm grasp held onto her arm, preventing her from assaulting him. She turned to see Kimiko holding onto her arm, the biker gal staring her down with a shake of her head.

"You'll be killed," the biker gang leader remarked.

"I cannot listen to him one more minute," the steampunk model argued. "I hate that little bastard!"

She struggled, but eventually Kimiko wrapped her arms around her and held her tight, preventing her from losing her temper. Hikari struggled, whimpered, and strained, but she couldn't get free.

Eventually, she shivered in defeat, and clung to Kimiko. Monokid hadn't stopped talking the entire time, except for when Ken approached him. "I know harming you little monsters is against the rules," he said, "but what about those animatronics you have on the stage?"

"HAW! Good luck trying to break one of those! You could kick and scream and hit 'em with a fucking sledgehammer, they won't dent! And you cannot even move them without the controls!"

"Where are those controls?"

"Hehehe… upupupupu! Wouldn't you like to know!"

Frustrated, Ken walked away from the cackling Monokid, and into the kitchen. There, he saw Drake and Ignatia were examining the tools there, and seeing if they could indeed make pizza.

"I actually know how to cook a pizza," Drake said with a smile to Ignatia. "Do you have a favorite type?"

[I'm Italian, you dork.] She said, a rare but pleasantly sweet smile on her face. [I like all kinds.]

"Sounds like a challenge! I gotta impress you!" He started shuffling through the cupboards. He set aside a lot of items, including a large pizza cutter, numerous sheets, and cheese shredders.

Ken couldn't help but chuckle, watching the two bond over pizza in this evil pizzeria.

---

Day 14, Much More Time Later

Western Plaza

The Bears' Motel

Everyone took some time to inspect the building they were shown. The rotation was uneven, because going through the three stories of the asylum was far more time-consuming than the stroll through the fortune teller tent. It left a lot of them rather restless in the smaller buildings, and thus the tension was growing with how unnerving every place was.

Isaac and Hara's group were the last ones to explore the Bears' Motel. Futaba made another remark about Saiko and Eisei finally getting a room when they were in the motel, and another chase ensued. While this was happening, Hara explored the rooms, trying to find someplace comfortable for her and Isaac.

The journalist sat in the lobby, taking a ton of notes as he was tired of walking around the places; there was only so much searching one could do in one day in so many freaked-out maniacal buildings. Isaac strained as he rubbed his arm even more.

"You've been doing that a lot lately."

Futaba was standing across the room, staring at Isaac with a certain amount of intrigue. The anthropologist sat down as she smiled slightly. "Everyone's been drawing attention to my prosthetic hand, for better or worse. You are fidgeting like I did whenever I was nervous or worse, when I didn't have a more comfortable new hand."

Isaac stared at her suspiciously, then asked, "Any particular reason why you're prying?"

"Isaac, there's still the case of the Entity of Chaos. If you aren't involved, you are the most investigative one of us. I want to know if I can trust you."

"And what does my so-called fidgeting have to do with that?"

"I do know about the fire, Isaac; I was at Hope's Peak when you were."

The reporter flinched, gripping his arm. He scowled at her, and muttered, "I still fail to see how that relates."

"Isaac, there was a rise in temperature when we were at the asylum, and you gripped your arm. When you were in the kitchen at the pizzeria, and the kitchen here, the temperature went up too.

"Monokuma is trying to remind you of that heat," the anthropologist said. "The fire that seared your arm, and you're subconsciously starting to lose it."

Isaac was dead quiet, crossing his arms as he stared to the side. He couldn't look Futaba in the eye, and he was grinding his teeth as he contemplated this. Finally, he glanced at her, and muttered, "You think I'm being targeted?"

"One of the things about being an anthropologist is studying the habits of people, and even pop culture to see how ideas are spread. Monokuma has stuck us in a horror-themed area, and he's using your greatest fears against you; everyone here is nervous after those nightmares, but I sense he's gunning for you for reasons I don't know exactly."

"Oh, I see. You think he's either aiming for me because I'm a threat to him, or that I'm an agent of Chaos. You want to figure out," he frowned at her, "which it is, is that it?"

"Yes. I'm not heartless, I don't wish for something like death to prove it one way or another, Isaac. But after the last trial, there are still suspicions. Try to keep that in mind."

She stood up, and started the leave the room, before pausing to add, "And please, keep aware that if you are innocent in all this, those you care about are liable to get caught in the crossfire."

Isaac watched her go, staring blankly forward what felt like forever. It wasn't until Hara came into the lobby, and called out to him that he snapped out of this state of shock.

"Monokuma says the tours are done, so we can head out to the central area of the plaza," she said to him. "We should go now, plan out our next step. We gotta pick one of these awful places to sleep in tonight."

"Do we have to pick one of them?" he asked.

"Honey…"

Hara walked over to him, taking his hand into hers and squeezing it tightly. "When you woke up from the nightmare, you almost killed yourself in the process. I was so scared, it took all of my strength to stop you. You cannot go through that again, I'm afraid what would happen if it did!"

He stood up, and held her close to him. The two had this moment, until Saiko and Eisei approached them (after seeing them and giving them a few more seconds). The group then went outside, and noticed that everyone else was already there.

Futaba noticed that Blake appeared rather smug, while the other members of his group all were staying a short distance from him. The anthropologist approached him, and immediately asked, "What did you do?"

Blake snickered, and said, "I kicked the shit out of that stupid robot in the fortune teller tent. Broke the hell out of it, it's definitely not as sturdy as the ones in the pizzeria."

"Oh bravo, you broke something."

"Any bit of damage I can do to this fucking town is good enough for me."

Futaba rolled her eyes, and then noticed that Odelios was holding onto something. The clown had a large doll in his hands that had black hair, green clothing including a large jacket, red bead eyes, and a magnifying glass in its hand.

"I call her Annabelle," Odelios said to Crystal and Pyrrha, who were curious about it, "and I got it out of the claw machine!"

"You spent money to get Monokuma Tokens?" Crystal asked, raising an eyebrow. "Why?"

"I wanted to see what I could win, and I got this adorable doll! Haha, would either of you like it?"

Pyrrha stared at the doll, a mixture of emotions on her face as she studied it. "Wait a minute, doesn't that look like the girl that was in the Kuma-Kuma Land Killing Game?"

"No. that girl was blonde," Crystal remarked. "Wait, her name was Annabelle too!"

"So was some evil doll, but I ain't scared," Odelios said with a confident grin. "Say, now that I have your attention, I wanted to ask you two something-"

"Hey! Everyone!"

Ishiku called out to everyone, holding onto Fannie's hand comfortingly. "We should discuss sleeping arrangements, because this is going to be very important sooner rather than later!"

"What makes you say that?" Anzu asked.

"Because we all woke up super early due to the nightmares, and thus we're all going to need sleep soon. I don't know how many of us can stay awake for long periods of time."

"I can tell you about the rules to sleeping in my fine establishments!"

"RISE AND SHINE, FUCKFACES!"

Monokid and Monodam popped up alongside their father, the blue Kub loud and proud, while the green one just kept quiet. Monokuma laughed as he strut amongst the graduates.

"So, if you want to sleep in one of the buildings, you actually do have to go to sleep! None of this staying up all night and claiming you slept there. Also, if you leave the building, you aren't allowed back in, or into one of the other buildings until the next night. You gotta sleep outside of these places!"

"And keep in mind," Monokid declared, "you are all totally allowed to kill each other! That'll stop the nightmares fo' sho'!"

"…" Monodam regretfully asserted.

The graduates all exchanged glances, and then Blake spoke up. "That all, you freaking bear?"

"I think that's the gist of it."

"Then allow me to show you what I did to that robot in the tent."

Monokuma paused for a second, then shrieked and waddled away. Blake chased after him, laughing at his fear, and Fiora raced after him, screaming, "You big jerk, you broke that handsome statue? Come here, I'm going to finally give you the fist in the face you deserve!"

With the two graduates and the father bear of Despair gone, that left the two Kubs and nineteen humans to discuss what they were going to do.

"Look, Fiora is immune to the nightmares," Kimiko said, noticing Yitro watching her run away, "so wherever she stays, she'll be fine. And I doo'nt think any of us care a'boot Blake."

"There's nowhere to sleep in the pizzeria," Drake remarked. "I don't know how one can sleep there, you'd have to lie on the floor or the tables!"

"Maybe we could bring a mattress from one of the rooms?" Anzu asked. "There's no rules against that."

"Great, then you can sleep in a smelly building with beeping arcades and those bloodstained animatronics of the Kubs," Saiko remarked. "Sounds wonderfully inviting."

"I cannot believe he used my original image in such a way," Fannie muttered. "I should sue him for slander! Or is it copyright? I dunno."

"We should decide on who sleeps where, since there's not a lot of room in some of them," Futaba remarked. "There's a few rooms in the motel, there's one bed in the tent, the pizzeria has its problems, but there is plenty of room in the asylum. Again, it feels like a dare with that."

"No one needs to sleep in the tent," Pyrrha said. "You all were told that the tent doesn't give us immunity to the nightmares?"

"I think we're all aware of that," Hara remarked. "so let's just decide who goes where tonight."

Isaac took a deep breath, then smiled at her. "I'm with you, honey."

---

Day 14, 10:34 PM

Western Plaza

The Bears' Motel

Crystal ground her teeth as she pressed all the buttons on her controller, but it wasn't enough. Her character was knocked off the stage and out of the game, declaring Odelios' the winner.

"How the hell are you so much better than me?!" Crystal shouted, crossing her arms in a huff. "I play this game religiously, and yet you pick up Tracer for one game, and you're suddenly so much better!"

"I got mad leet skills," the clown said proudly.

Pyrrha giggled as she watched the two banter. She stood up and stretched, announcing, "I'm going to get ready for bed. I'm done smashing for the night."

"I thought smashing was for the night?" Crystal remarked with a snicker, then turned to Odelios. "That's why you invited the two of us for the motel, wasn't it?"

"I'm a respectable, honorable, gentle-clown," Odelios protested. "I would never!"

"Oh no, a nice clown," the military adviser said. She glanced over at the bathroom, where Pyrrha had gone to prepare for bed. "Look, I appreciate you in a lot of ways, Odelios, and truth be told, I don't mind the idea of… but I don't think it would be appropriate, all things considered."

"That's okay, I had planned on sleeping in my own room, next to you, and next to Ishiku and Fannie in the other room."

Crystal rubbed her forehead, and muttered, "That seems just fine, though you'll be all alone."

As if on cue, there were rather ominous creaking noises from out in the hallway, and the stairway. Odelios pulled out his rubber chicken, the best weapon for an intruder.

"I know that's probably sound effects and such," Crystal muttered, "but damn does it feel like someone is sneaking up here."

"Quite possibly the most terrifying thing ever," the clown master remarked. He sighed, then twirled Rubarrow in his hand before heading for the door. "I'll be in the next room, in case you need anything."

"I'm a big girl," Crystal said with a smirk on her face. "I can take care of myself."

"I've no doubt, but this town, Despair and Chaos and all that jazz, there's no fault in leaning on some people."

Odelios walked out, waving good-bye. Pyrrha came out of the bathroom a few seconds later, wearing a green nightie. She glanced around the room, and asked, "Oh is he not staying?"

"You wanted him to?" Crystal inquired, raising an eyebrow.

Pyrrha glanced from side to side, a massive amount of indecisiveness in her actions that was not being said out loud. She finally sighed, and muttered, "Maybe I should just go to my own room too?"

"I think the two American women can handle sleeping together without anything happening," Crystal remarked. "Besides, safety and all, we should stick together in some way."

"You trust me?"

"I'd prefer to have someone at my back. What with Samson, and the island…"

Crystal sighed, then leaned back on her bed. "No, sorry, forget I said that. I don't wish to talk about anything tonight, I just want a restful night."

"And you want me, the girl who turned you bi, to sleep with you?"

The military adviser chuckled, and muttered, "I have enough control of my hormones to not do anything tonight. I just want a peaceful night sleep, God willing."

Meanwhile, out in the hallway, Odelios was frozen in place. He had his hand ready to knock on the door that was Ishiku and Fannie's room; however, he had not knocked when he heard noises from inside that room. The kind of noises that two people did not wish to be disturbed.

The clown turned on his foot, and hurried off to his room. "Everyone's got a nighttime partner except me."

"Oh what am I?" Rubarrow 'said' to him. "You sleep with two women once, and suddenly I'm not good enough for you! You're a dork!"

"And you're a butt face!"

"You're the butt face!"

---

Day 14, 10:34 PM

Western Plaza

Monokuma's Arcade District

"You've got to be kidding me," Yitro remarked, staring at Ken. The cavalryman was laying on the stage, amongst the animatronic Kubs, already equipped with a pillow and some sheets. "You're going to sleep in the middle of that?"

"I've had worse," Ken remarked. "I don't think that it will a problem, it's not like they'll come awake at night."

Yitro shrugged, and glanced around the cafeteria area. He had his 'bed' set up on some tables pushed together, and then let out a laugh. "I've had worse. Sleeping in jail is worse than here."

"I have never slept in a jail before. What is it like?"
The swordsman stared at Ken like he had just grown wolf ears. "You want to know about that? Why?"

"I am curious, mostly because I feel like I've been imprisoned by my actions. It would help to know if it is as bad as what I'm going through."

Yitro sighed as he took a chair and put it on the stage, seating himself. "You're making yourself feel worse, Ken. You won't get anywhere punishing yourself."

"What are we doing right now? Sleeping in a horrifying place of Monokuma's design, to avoid nightmares that could kill us, or others. We are meant to suffer…"

Ken rolled his eyes, and muttered as well, "Otherwise, why would we pick the one place that has no beds to fall asleep in?"

Yitro shook his head, unable to think of an answer to that. The pizzeria was quiet for the most part, save for some quiet talking that was in the computer area of the building.

Drake and Ignatia were at one of those computers, which had very old video games available. The cartoonist had recognized some of them, and was leading Ignatia through them.

"See, my parents had old computers, so I kind of grew up with some of these," he said, smiling in nostalgia.

Ignatia silently chuckled, and held up her phone. [You're eighteen, you think you're all grown up?] The mime shook in quiet laughter some more, as Drake blushed a little, going back to the game.

"So the funny thing about this game," he said, as he clicked on the pixelated icons, "is that all of the characters names are subtle ways of implying something odd about them."

Monodam watched the two bonding from a short distance, his face as nondescript as ever. The lights of the arcade flickered, as if power was unsteadily being fed to the establishment, as if it could out at any moment. Though the shining computer screens from this room, the arcade screens in the other room, and the animatronics' eyes and insides of their mouths gleamed without pause.

"See, the one named Outfit is actually keeping herself away from the others, because she's been physically training herself too hard," Drake explained. "Wardrobe is about protecting…"

---

Day 14, 10:34 PM

Western Plaza

Third Eye Psychic Tent

Anzu stretched out on the love seat in the center room. She put her bare feet up on the table, trying to get comfortable. The slight vibration knocked the crystal ball out of its stand, and it rolled towards her. She caught it, and stared deep into the ball.

"Bunch of hooey," she muttered, juggling it one-handed. "I cannot believe anyone believes this shit."

"C-C-Come wwwwunn… come-come-come awwwwl…to-ooooouuuu Yah-Yah-Yahsuhi! Rohhhh…"

Kimiko walked into the main room, glancing back at the smashed remains of the Yasuhiro robot. "It's still struggling," the biker gang leader muttered, shaking her head, "I doo'nt knoo' whether to put it 'oot of its misery, or try to bring it back to life."

"Don't give it mercy," Anzu snapped, though her infuriation over the machine was gone as soon as she glanced up at Kimiko. "Oh, are you going to sleep in here with us?"

"'Us'? Who else is here?"

There was a soft snore from the bedroom, audible due to there being no door or even a proper wall between the rooms. Anzu chuckled, and said, "Fiora took the bed, and she passed out right away. Shame, really, now it's too awkward to cuddle up with her."

"Ha-ha-hagakure-re-re-re'zzzzzz fooooorchunnn…"

"Zzzz… fortune reading show… zzzz…"

Anzu raised an eyebrow, and muttered, "Oh great, that's so not hot."

Kimiko sighed, and muttered, "Well, I joo'st realized that I doo'nt think I'm gonna be comfortable here."

"Her snoring isn't that bad."

"No, it's just that I sleep naked, and I think there's too many people here. Not to mention it's too easy to joo'st walk in…"

Anzu's eyes went wide and her pale face was quite flushed. "…ing show! Show show show showshowshowshowshow-"

"Screw that machine," the porn star shouted, "it has to have such awful timing!"

Kimiko chuckled, and said, "I'll just head over to the hotel or that pizzeria, and get a room there. You take care, watch over our favorite movie maker."

"Of course I will~"

Kimiko left the tent, as the broken Yasuhiro robot continued to slur, stammer, and stutter its words. A few minutes later, with it still trying to get the last part of the final sentence done, Hikari walked in.

"Was Kimiko in here just now?" the supermodel asked.

"Yes, but she's not staying here," Anzu said. "Why?"

The steampunk model sighed, rubbing the back of her head. "Look, I kind of wanted to spend some time with her."

"Do you like her?"

"I suppose I have an interest in her," she admitted. "She left an impact on me…"

"Pow!" exclaimed the broken Yasuhiro bot, "Pow-pow-pow pow-ow-ow-ow-ow-POOOOWEEEEEER!"

Anzu face-palmed, and muttered, "Hikari, I know I shouldn't be the one saying this, but maybe it isn't a good time to try and form relationships."

Hikari frowned, and muttered, "Look, Kimiko is a really cool girl, and I like that about her. If I wait, she might stick with Ken, or someone else."

"Hikari, why on Earth are you rushing it? You make it sound like… wait, this is ridiculous. We are suffering from violent, possessive nightmares, we're trying to find out the solution to this awful town. And you're…

"You're more interested in a hook-up," Anzu crossed her arms, scowling at Hikari. "Are you really going to be like that?"

"Hey, some of us deal with stress and tragedy differently than others," Hikari exclaimed. "I hate this town, it's a culmination of my worst nightmares, but I'm staying. And I stayed mostly because Aka gave me a reason to!

"But with her gone… gone and never coming back, I want to find someone to be with, at least while I can."

Anzu squinted in confusion. "What? Are you planning on leaving? Are you dying?"

"I've been living on borrowed time for a while now, Anzu. I should have died a while back, before the Tragedy, during the Tragedy. I haven't seen how things will pick up, until I finally let someone close to me…

"And why are you being catty about this?! You and I slept together last night! Are you just upset I'm interested in other women?"

Anzu groaned, pushing the crystal ball against her forehead. "Look, I'm just worried about you, that's all. We don't need to worry about relationships, we just need to stay strong."

Hikari clicked her tongue in annoyance. "You've been so different since you mixed it up with Ishiku."

"Is that what you're worried about? That boys are going to corrupt us girls away their lesbian urges? Hikari, you're not yourself."

The steampunk model growled, and muttered, "That's ridiculous! It doesn't matter if you paired up with Ishiku, or Kimiko did things with Ken. You're both bi, it's normal to go straight at times, right?"

"In," the dying robot voice exclaimed. "In in in! In my… my in! My in… sigh…"

Hikari slapped her forehead with her palm, "Okay, something is wrong with that robot, even after it breaks!"

"Hikari, I think you really need…"

There was a loud yawn, and the clatter of beads as Fiora pushed the curtain of sorts aside. She had the snake plushie in one of her arms, cuddling it close to her. "Whazz goin' on, yo?"

Hikari stared at the half-awake movie maker, and let out a long sigh. "I… I think I just need to sleep. I'm not in the mood to scour the other places, so I'll just sleep here. I'll take one of the love seats out here…"

"No, you shoo'd sleep in bed," Fiora muttered, a half-lidded smile towards her as she shuffled over towards Anzu. "I be crashing here…"

The movie maker quite suddenly plopped down on the love seat, right up against Anzu's. She squirmed to get comfortable, and wrapped her arms around the very surprised actress. One of those grabby hands seized the crystal ball, and took it from Anzu's hand.

Holding onto the crystal ball and Anzu, Fiora was fast asleep within seconds. The actress stared up at Hikari, asking what just happened and for help without words; however, the steampunk model merely smirked.

"Sometimes, you just need someone to hold," Hikari said, as she walked off to the bedroom. Fiora purred as she cuddled up closer to Anzu, murmuring the Yasuhiro bot's monologue in her sleep, with stutters, stretched-out vowels, and some more.

---

Day 14, 10:34 PM

Western Plaza

Enoshima Asylum

Saiko shuffled nervously in the bed, staring up at the ceiling. Her blue hair was tossed all over the pillows, as she contemplated everything going on. Her bedmate felt all the movement, and sat up.

"Are you going to be alright?" Eisei asked her.

"I shouldn't be here," she muttered, gripping her forehead. "I should be with Hara and Isaac. Whatever Monokuma is doing, that bastard is targeting them!"

"You have to have faith in them. These beds aren't big enough for three people."

"Ugh, I'm not going to sleep with them! Why would you suggest that?"

"It's kind of a tradition for people who are wanting to share warmth and comfort at night. Did you know that the term 'three dogs down' was in regards to dog sledding teams…"

Saiko flopped back down in the bed, letting out a frustrated sigh. She felt really uncomfortable with this set-up, having her closest friends sleeping in an asylum! However, both Isaac and Hara had insisted on this place.

"It's like they have to prove they are stronger than the building," she muttered aloud.

"Pardon?" Eisei asked. "Were you listening to me, or were you contemplating your friends even more?"

"The latter, you dork! I don't even know why you and I are sleeping together. We're not a couple, we barely know each other."

Eisei nodded, contemplating this. He moved to grab a lollipop he had placed next to the bed, and offered it to her. Saiko stared for a few seconds, shaking as she tried to resist, and then snatched it from him to put it in her mouth.

"Then let us converse," Eisei offered. "We should get to know each other. You are a very intriguing woman, I believe I am going to break my normal lifestyle of solitude, to take a chance upon trusting you."

Saiko stared at him, blushing slightly, as she mumbled, "You're seriously bad at trying to get into my pants, if that was your goal, with that talk."

"I don't wish to wear your pants, I like mine just fine."

"I mean that you're trying to have sex with me again!"

"Oh? But you are the one who is usually touching my nether regions, kissing me, and making lewd remarks."

"So sue me!"

"Is that another expression, or are you actually asking me to bring a sexual harassment lawsuit-"

He paused when she tried to jam the lollipop into his mouth. "Why are you doing this?"

"Because it's this or kiss you to shut you up, and if I kiss you now, I'm afraid-"

"Excuse me, am I interrupting anything?"

Saiko froze up, posed over Eisei while practically straddling him, trying to push a lollipop into his mouth. The dentist merely glanced over at the open doorway, where Shuuya stood. The bounty hunter raised an eyebrow, and continued to speak.

"I would hope that if you two are going to get freaky, you're not going to leave the door open."

"That is the last thing on my mind," Saiko, quite unconvincingly, declared. "Look, Shuuya, we decided to leave that door open because we want to ensure we can hear the others. Isaac and Hara are nearby, and Futaba is too."

"Oh, I know. She asked me to stick close too. I feel…"

He stopped when he heard something scurrying nearby. The biggest rat he had ever seen slunk into the shadows, but not before turning to hiss at him. With an annoyed sigh, he turned back to the other two.

"I'll be nearby, but please keep into consideration, I'll be armed. I'm not taking any chances with Monokuma's sinister plans."

"You sure that's safe?" Saiko asked.

"You'd prefer us all to be unarmed when sleeping in an asylum that Monokuma made?"

"Yes, but… the dreams were so powerful last time, what if he's lying? What if we sleep walk here?"

Shuuya walked in to the room, and pulled a combat knife from one of the scabbards he had. Placing it on the table next to their bed, he said, "Either of you know how to use one?"

"Yes," Eisei calmly replied.

"I've used scalpels, not combat blades," Saiko remarked.

"Have fun, I have others. You two take care then."

Shuuya walked off, waving good-bye. Eisei reached over to the combat blade, and picked it up. "Nice balance," he remarked.

"Why on Earth do you know how to use a military blade?" she asked him. "Wait, is there anything that you don't know?"

"Hmm, I'm still learning how to social interact. There was an Ultimate Soldier in my class, learned a few things from him, it was helpful. Would you like me to teach you?"

"I think I can use a knife, Eisei."

She reached for the knife's handle, wrapping her hand around his. Their fingers seemed to weave together around the handle, and the two looked into each other's eyes.

"This is so dorky and weird," Saiko whispered.

"I cannot imagine this being a normal occurrence for couples."

"Wait, do you consider us a couple?"

As the conversation continued on, it could be heard by those in one of the nearby rooms. Hara giggled softly, and turned to Isaac, who was lying in the bed. "They're so cute, I cannot believe it. If it weren't for all the awful, awful things happening, this would be the best thing ever."

Isaac chuckled as he leaned his head back into the pillows. "Part of me thinks we should just let them have some peace. I mean, I know sex isn't going to make the relationship, but it's got to be a bit intimidating to Eisei. All of us together most of the time, thick as thieves."

"Tomorrow, let's try to do something for them, okay?" Hara said as she walked over to the bed. She didn't have any nightwear on, and neither did Isaac; the two had just decided to have their normal clothes on for this evening.

"So long as everything goes well…"

Hara got into the bed and snuggled up to him, holding him close to her. "Have a little faith, my dear Isaac. We have our friends nearby, we have each other. We're not going to let that evil bear have the last laugh."

Isaac held her close to him, as he looked around the room. The walls were padded, the cabinet and desk had safety covers on the corners to prevent bumps, and the single light at the center of the room was barely illuminating. There was a small TV screen up in the corner of the room, undoubtably for a certain morning and evening broadcast.

It was highly unusual and unnerving to be in this room at the least; however, the fear of seeing Shizuka Akui was lessened, having her with him. The thought of seeing the Beautician of Death had been so awful, he didn't know if he could close his eyes this night without her.

"I love you," he whispered as he kissed her forehead, then closed his eyes.

---

Day 14, 10:56 PM

Housing Area

Souma sighed as he stared at his house, still contemplating his options. Rubbing his forehead, he heard the sound of footsteps behind him, and turned.

"Kimiko? What are you doing here?" he asked, turning to address her.

"I fucked up," she said with a bitter sigh. "I went into the psychic tent, then tried to go into the hotel, but Monokuma said because I left the tent, I cannot go into one of the buildings."

"Oh dear, I hope you'll be fine tonight."

"I've already had the worst of nightmares," she huffed, crossing her arms. "I can handle it, but I'm curious why you're 'oot here."

"I… was considering risking the nightmares. When I had mine last night, it was invasive and terrifying, but I had the idea I was being told something."

"There's nothing to gain from willingly accepting nightmares, especially Monokuma and Despair influenced ones."

"There is if he's taunting us about knowing something we don't know. I wish to learn more about what he knows, if possible."

Kimiko sighed, and muttered, "You want some company, in case things go south?"

"Why my dear, I am not the type to really engage in that kind of activity-"

"It's literally sleeping with someone, not having sex. That's bin going around here for a while now," the biker gang leader remarked. "And hey, even befur that, I had to share beds with my girls in my gang, didn't mean I was shagging every damn night!"

"Alright okay, sorry! You proved your point!"

Kimiko shrugged and muttered, "I'm soo'ry too, I'm just a snappy bundle of nerves. Maybe I should go get shit-faced befur passing 'oot, it'll keep the sleepwalking doo'n fur sure."

"I wouldn't advise that-"

"Yeah, well, I'm a reckless bitch, and I always have bin. Stay safe, fancy suit."

Kimiko walked off, waving good bye to him. Souma stood there, a little flabbergasted, then he heard one of the doors creaking open.

Blake walked out, eyeing Kimiko heading off. "She gonna get a drink?" he said with a sly chuckle. "I cannot believe I didn't think of that! I'mma go get blasted too!"

"Oh really now, this is really reckless of you," Souma complained. "And why are you choosing to face the nightmares?"

"How about you stay out of my fucking business, mate? You ain't got any say in what I do," the pyro said as he pointed at Souma, "so I don't need to hear you lecturing me, rich boy. Go ahead and risk it to prove you have balls, because honestly, I don't think you have any."

Blake walked off, leaving a rather annoyed Souma behind him. The public speaker rubbed the back of his head, and muttered, "Well, with those fine words of wisdom, I should just head on in then."

As he entered his house, the TV turned on a few seconds later. The Ultimate Public Speaker really wasn't in the mood to hear it, but the sound was made loud enough for him to even as he prepared the shower.

---

(Day 14 is over~)

(Monokuma Theater)

*Monokuma, wearing a leather jacket, is inside of an old diner, where there is a jukebox playing old tunes. He is dancing out on the floor with Monokid and Monodam, the former behaving like it is a mosh pit and the latter not even dancing.*

Monokuma - "Generally, I like to think that things are rather obvious to us. Humans and bears should realize the plain and obvious, like does gravity work? Have we been to the moon? What is love? I think we get so caught up in possibilities, even the obvious cannot be seen when staring us right in the face."

*Outside, seen through the window of the diner, is a reverse-colored Monokuma, with very sinister eyes, who is strangling a female Monokuma. Monokid freaks out over this, but Monokuma inside keeps dancing; Monodam still does nothing.*

Monokuma - "I mean, when you cannot agree on things like if the Earth is flat or round, if your politicians are training pelicans to assassinate dictators, or whatever gluten is, how are we going to get along? How can we truly love each other? Why do you always have to make things difficult?!"

*Monokuma turns around to continue dancing, and it's apparent now his jacket is exactly like Kimiko's with her gang name on the back. The evil strangler Monokuma outside is making an escape, as Monokid jumps through the window after him. Monodam still does nothing.*

Monokuma - "Why are you always bugging me about these weird situations? I mean, do I look like I can explain love to you humans? I'm just a bear getting down with his jam, to the beat of his own drum! Stop bothering me, and learn to dance to your own drum's beat!"

---

Souma rolled his eyes after the theater presentation ended. He could have sworn he heard angry shouting in the distance, but didn't know who or what it was. Deciding not to intervene in anything else tonight, he stepped into his shower.

---

Day 15, 12:01 AM

Penjar

The mists swirled around all of the city, even those barren of life or activity. Like always, there wasn't any wind, but there was the whispering of it through the trees, and a howl across the Western Plaza. The statue of Monokuma had no mist around it, making it stand out in the dead of this night.

Monokuma himself was standing at the base of his statue, his lightning bolt eye gleaming a malevolent crimson. He stood perfectly still, as if he had been made into a statue too. That gleam in his eye seemed to flare up at any time the mists swished around one of the four buildings.

The tent's sides moved, though the wind was strangely absent. Inside, Anzu and Fiora had fallen asleep in that love seat. Hikari was not sleeping, still fretting over going after Kimiko.

The arcade wasn't quiet inside, with the arcade games making noises non-stop and echoing around the building. Sometimes, one of the sound effects would be louder than the others, almost as if someone was trying to startle those inside.

The hotel was creaking a great deal, every part of it shifting. The floors, walls, and ceiling were all making small noises. Even the plumbing made unusual noises every now and then, almost as if something was trying to come up through the pipes.

A minute after midnight, Odelios let out a horrified scream. Everyone in the hotel came sprinting out of their rooms, with Fannie and Ishiku having to throw on some clothes quickly. Crystal almost broke down the door in her efforts to get to the clown.

Inside of the room, Odelios was huddled up in the corner of the room, gripping his rubber chicken with both fists, knuckles turned white. When he saw his friends come into the room, he pointed towards the opposite side of the room.

"IT MOVED!"

The Annabelle plushie was placed on a chair. Its bead eyes were focused on the seat of the chair, slightly slumped over as if it were trying to look through the fake magnifying glass in its hands.

"GET IT!" Odelios insisted.

---

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

---

Day 15, 12:34 AM

Western Plaza

Enoshima Asylum

Skittering noises echoed down the hallway of the asylum. The building was creaking too, and every time the people in beds so much as moved, the legs of their beds squeaked loudly. It was as if everything was made to be unnerving.

The noises in the hallway became too much for the six people, so they quickly converged to agree and keep the doors closed. After doing so, the scratching and skittering of small animals in the hallways increased.

Isaac swore that he could hear them scratching and growling at the walls, or maybe in them. He kept telling himself it was definitely speakers built into the walls, that's how Monokuma did it. The room started to feel warmer, and he thought back to when it happened during his tour here.

"It was a mistake," he thought, holding Hara to him. "Did I pick this place because of my pride? I shouldn't have done this, but… there's no turning back now."

He swore he heard someone walking down the hallway, but it was just the sound. There was no presence to those footfalls, other than the sound, so it came off as extremely unnerving. Isaac felt sweat building on his forehead, and took several deep breaths.

"It's all in your head. You can get past this."

In the next room, Futaba was furiously scribbling notes down. The noises out in the hallway were constant enough that each one was distinct, and she swore that each one reminded her of someone unpleasant in her life.

Shuuya was lying on the bed, watching her write at the small desk that the room had. The bounty hunter propped himself up, and asked, "There's something about you writing like a madwoman in an asylum that could be taken the wrong way."

"Har har, funny man," she responded, not pausing for a second. "I'm recording the noises coming from outside, it's important; I need to make sure that the others heard the same things."

"There's no way that the noises and such could be different for each person."

"Don't be so sure. As an anthropologist, I know that everyone sees things differently, and the same goes with noises. That's why I asked you to stay in my room with me."

Shuuya glanced to the side, trying to hide the slight bit of disappointment that he couldn't hide in time. He glanced back at Futaba, watching her work, and trying not to think of how he had seen her naked, multiple times, and been rather intimate with her, multiple times.

"So you really think that Monokuma has a way to make us hear things that the others don't?" he asked.

"Shuuya, imagine the sound of crackling. For some, it would make them think of a candy bar wrapper. Some would think it sounds like a stick snapping. And some are reminded of fire…

"I know what I hear when there's a crackling noise. I know what it sounds like out there. It reminds me of some very unpleasant times, to say the least."

She stopped writing for a second, then turned to look at him. "Does anything out there make you think of things that make you uneasy?"

Shuuya lay there in silence, trying to hear what Futaba was talking about. A couple minutes passed, and he didn't pick up anything at all. "No. I don't hear anything, Futaba."

She blinked, staring at him. "I've heard three things since I asked you. Each one brings up sad and unpleasant memories, makes me uneasy. How the hell can you not hear anything?"

The bounty hunter glanced down at his hands, and for a brief moment, he swore there was blood all over them. It was there, bright and wet and dripping from his fingertips. He blinked and shook his hands, nothing there afterwards.

Shuuya growled in frustration, then looked at her. "Futaba, sometimes the silence is the worst part. Because, in my line of work, no noise means something is bound to happen."

"Hunting down predators makes you fear the silence, because it makes you realize they can attack at any moment too?"

"I do not fear the silence. I am beyond fear."

Shuuya let out a long sigh, and rubbed his forehead. "Fear is when we dread pain, death, something awful to happen to you or those you love; however, I don't have anything like that."

"What about your sister?"

"She can take care of herself, I do not fear for her. Besides, it's not like she is here. Monokuma cannot make me think she is here."

Futaba took a deep breath, as she stared at him for a few seconds before going back to her writing. She spoke after a minute of recording. "I met a woman like you once."

"Fearless?"

"A bounty hunter, of sorts," Futaba said, smirking a little as she recalled events. "There wasn't anything fearful in her, she wanted to hunt down evil people and annihilate them. To be honest, I thought people like her and you would scare the hell out of me…

"To be able to kill a person without remorse, to actively go after a dangerous, living target. I didn't think such a thing was possible to do coolly."

Shuuya scoffed lightly. "Sounds like we're just sociopaths, doesn't it?"

"I just wonder how you do it, because I don't think you are."

"Well, I don't kill people, I destroy monsters. The things that the evil, wretched persons do to people, that's what makes me good at what I do. I end them, before they hurt anyone."

Futaba smiled a little, turning towards him completely now. "You've never shied away from that, even though it could have ostracized you from the group. I've always marveled that about you."

"There's nothing marvelous about me, Futaba."

"Oh, don't be self-deprecating, I know you're doing that because you don't want people near you. Seen it before, but sorry…"

Futaba closed up her notepad, and placed it next to the desk next to the bed. She pulled herself up on the bed, and on top of Shuuya. Straddling his hips, admiring how firm his thighs were, as well as the obvious bulge in his pants, she chuckled deviously.

"I thought," he said, his voice calm but his hands excitedly petting her sides, "that you asked me here to be a second opinion on the noises."

"Oh you are. You're also here because I want to fuck you."

"You're very forward about this. I hope you're not doing this because you think you're going to die still."

"Shuuya, I already experienced death, multiple times in my life. I'm ready for it, therefore…"

She moved in to kiss him, savoring his taste. Her loins ground down on his, and she could feel him grow harder in his pants. As her hands pet his chest, she whispered against his lips, "I do what I want to enjoy myself when I can. And don't try and tell me it's not appropriate, you're a man; men want sex, and you want this."

She took his hands and had them cup her breasts through her top. As Futaba removed her shirt so only her bra was in the way, Shuuya commented, "An asylum made by Monokuma where we're trying to stay safe and sane isn't my ideal place."

"But you're not stopping."

"The others are nearby."

"I don't care if they hear us, but I can be quiet. Quiet sex is fun."

Shuuya let out a long sigh, as he started fondling her a bit more sensually. "This just goes completely against my lifestyle… but maybe I should just consider yourself on vacation."

"That's the spirit," she said as she started unfastening his pants.

---

Day 15, ? AM

Western Tavern, Bar 'n Grill

At the Bar

Blake slammed down a hard drink, slumping over on the counter. It was starting to feel painful to have more, even for him, but it was better than any alternative. He groaned and rubbed his forehead, before slurring to himself, "What the hell am I doing again?"

There was a soft, sensual moan behind him. He turned to see Kimiko pulling off her leather jacket, exposing the risqué bra she had on. Running her hands through her hair, shaking it to make the emerald green locks swish around, she reached for another drink.

She missed her mouth, spilling it down her front. As her chest and stomach glistened, she noticed Blake was staring at her.

"Don't tell me," she murmured, "yoo'r too drunk to have some fun, Aussie man."

Blake blinked, staring at this inviting vision. Then he let out a chuckle, and headed over to her. He grabbed her shoulders and pulled her up off of her seat, seizing her in his arms. She grunted and swooned, giving him some serious bedroom eyes.

The pyro chuckled as he took off her bra, throwing it across the tavern. His hands went for her breasts immediately, feeling her up with eager, groping hands.

"You got a great pair, biker girl," he said as he fondled her.

"No, that's a hefty pair you got there."

A hand reached between Blake's legs, grabbing him rather tightly. He flinched slightly, then murmured, "Eager, aren't you, girl?"

"I think yours is nicer, so let's hurry to the best part, shall we?"

Her hands unfastened his pants, pulling them down. When her hands went to his underwear, he felt a little bit anxious. "You really want to do this in the tavern, hot stuff? I mean…"

Blake stopped when he saw a tattoo on the back of her right hand. The same tattoo that Jeremy Westwood, the most violent and dangerous man in the same prison as Blake had been, had on his hand.

The pyro pushed away, tripping over his pants and falling down on his back. When he looked up, Jeremy Westwood was there instead. The murderous gang leader smirked as he stared down at Blake.

"What's the matter, fire boy?" he barked out. "Lust over that dame instead of me? Well, how about I make you change your thoughts, you puny fucker?!"

Blake growled as he pulled his pants up, struggling to stand to his feet. "Aw shit, drinking didn't work," he muttered. "Well, time to fuck this bastard up again!"

"Hehe, maybe that's why," Jeremy shouted as the two squared off, "I killed your brother!"

---

Due 15, ? AX

SCREEEEEE!

Ken awoke with a start, the abrupt mechanical noise piercing through the soft slumber he had managed. He grasped for his sword as he scanned the stage. There was no movement, save for Yitro's frantic movements; the swordsman had been awakened, or riled, by the noise too.

The cavalryman turned his head to find where he had left his sword. He didn't remember leaving it so far away from his person. Ken grasped the handle…

AAAR!

He flinched as he whipped his head back towards the animatronics on the stage. None of them had moved, not even an inch, but the sound sure sounded like it came from them. That horrible sound of metal scraping metal in ways they weren't meant to, like grinding gears.

Ken took several deep breaths, trying to settle his heart. It hadn't even sounded natural, that sound. He rubbed his chest, as he stared down at his sword.

It was then that he realized the lights were flashing, as if power were dying in the arcade. They were out for a few seconds, right as music started to play from the overhead speaker; this rather startled Ken, who didn't realize there was such a speaker until now.

It was faint lullaby music, and a tune he recognized. The song was a popular one in Novoselic, one his mother had sung to him when he was but a child. Ken clutched at his hoodie, as memories came back to him…

It was then that he noticed the head of the Monodam animatronic, the one closest to him, was rotating. Slowly, like a precise turning of a dial, the face of the green Kub was staring at him.

The teeth in Monodam's permanent grimace were razor sharp, each one gleaming with vicious intensity like a blade meant for death. The reason they were gleaming with the overhead lights out was because the animatronic's eyes were glowing…

This dark red light, hateful and malevolent, was only enough to illuminate the green animatronic's face. It stared at Ken, who found himself staring back…

"What's going on?!"

RRRRLET!

The robot head snapped back into its normal position, eyes no longer glowing. That whirling, mechanical sound and click echoed around the room, making Ken flinch. He stared in the direction of the voice, which was Drake.

The cartoonist had Monodam, the actual Kub, in his arms, and Ignatia was standing next to him. The mime stared around the room, peering through the darkness, as the lights flickered.

"What the hell noises were those?" Yitro asked aloud.

Ken tried to speak, but found himself quite unable to, for reasons he didn't fully comprehend.

---

Dead 15, ? Ax'eM

Fire roared in the room. It was almost impossible to breathe. It was climbing up the walls, on the ceiling, a dance of death and destruction everywhere.

It spread so fast that Isaac had no time to get off of the bed. Pulling Hara off with him, he felt that familiar heat on his arm as they got off of the flammable surface. The reporter yanked off his jacket, trying to remove the burning leather that was threatening to engulf him.

Even when it was off, he could see the arm sleeve he had on was burning. He stripped it off, and the burn scars on his arm were like a perfect background for the illumination of the dancing flames. It taunted him the moment his eyes were on it.

"Isaac?!"

Hearing Hara's voice, he picked up his fiancé and hurried for the door. It was closed, and when he reached for the knob, it was searing hot. He could practically feel his skin cooking from that brief moment of touching it.

The reporter lifted up his leg, and kicked at the door. It took several attempts, but he broke it open as he held Hara in his arms. If she was saying or shouting something, he couldn't hear it; all he could hear was the sound of the building burning, and his panicked inner mantra.

"Get out, get out, get out of the building now, GET OUT OF THE BUILDING NOW!"

Isaac hurried into the hallway, to see flames racing through the hallway, along the walls and the ceiling. Down the hallway, there was a figure, a dark-clad person wearing a mask much like the late Yejoon's.

"Hello there, Isaac."

Her voice wasn't muffled, it was like her lips were right on Isaac's ears. He felt his body lock up, and started shivering uncontrollably.

"I'm warming up the asylum to make it a masterpiece," Shizuka Akui said, her body shifting to fully face him. Her hand extended, wax and blood dripping in-between her fingers. "Care to help me?"

Something slammed so hard against the wall behind Isaac, he exclaimed in fear and shock. He barely managed to do much else before Saiko barreled past him, shrieking in terror. Eisei was right behind her, calling out in desperation.

When Isaac faced forward again, Shizuka Akui wasn't there. He was clutching Hara, shaking, trying to figure out what was going on, as fear left him unable to move.

Heavy footsteps were coming up from behind him. He felt his heart skip a beat, and then the voice of the Beautician of Death was in his ear again.

"Only you can assist me in this masterpiece, Isaac. Come help our amazing creation."

Isaac was sprinting, clutching Hara tightly, as he headed down the hallway. The fires danced on the walls, the ceiling, rats were racing down the path and letting out hysterical squeaks and shrieks.

The rats were burning to death, or being trampled by him. It was more death, death everywhere. Isaac felt his body burn in strain, but he moved as if possessed by the strongest firefighter.

Isaac saw the front door, with flames racing all around it like the gates of hall. Outside, Penjar was bright and sunny, no mists, no dreary atmosphere ever. This would have normally triggered Isaac's apprehension, but he was well beyond caution.

Sprinting outside, he had to close his eyes as the sunlight was blinding. When he opened them, Penjar was exactly as it had always been. The mists, the overcast sky, the time-worn look and feel of it all, he was there again. The cold of the town hit him like a truck, and he fell to his knees.

Gasping, heaving, he couldn't do anything but breathe. Then he felt Hara struggling, trying to get out of his arms.

"Isaac!"

The reporter flinched again, the voice of his family's killer so familiar to him suddenly, that Hara sounded the same in that instant. He dropped her, and scurried back, holding out his burned arm.

"No! Don't… get away from me!"

"Isaac? Isaac, look at me!"

The reporter's eyes had squinted shut, until he heard those words. He opened to see Hara in front of him, so confused and scared, but all of her concern was for him right now. The explorer moved over to him, and caressed his face gently.

"It's me, my love. Look at me. It's me."

Isaac took several deep breaths, staring into Hara's eyes. The explorer held him, until her attention was diverted towards the asylum.

"No! No no no, don't leave!"

Isaac turned around, seeing Shuuya and Futaba in the doorway, inches from setting foot outside. The bounty hunter and anthropologist were half-dressed, flustered, but also highly concerned.

"If you leave," Hara insisted, "you cannot go back in! Please! Shuuya, Futaba, you have to stay in there! Someone has to."

Shuuya clenched his fists, and nodded. He slammed one of those fists against the doorway, and turned back into the building. It was at this moment that Isaac realized that the asylum wasn't on fire, not outside nor inside.

Futaba stayed inside the asylum, scanning the two outside. She spared a glance away from them, and called out, "You'd better go check on Saiko and Eisei. If you didn't see them…"

There was a shrill cry from somewhere else in the plaza. Hara and Isaac were to their feet immediately, and started sprinting towards the sound.

Nearby the fortune teller's tent, Saiko had collapsed. She was clutching the back of her head, straining with how much pressure she was putting on herself. Eisei was trying to stop her, in fear she'd hurt herself, but he wasn't strong enough to do so.

Hara moved over and managed to do what the dentist couldn't, prying her hands away from the back of her head. Saiko screamed, thrashed, and then panted heavily.

She stared up at Hara, eyes wide in fear, sweat running down her forehead. "Hara? Is… is that really you?"

"I'm here, Saiko. Please, calm down."

"I… I was hit in the back of my head with a baseball bat. I could feel my brains start to fall out, I had to get away… couldn't… let them assassinate me…"

Hara inspected the back of Saiko's head. There was no injury, no blood, nothing to signal that she had been struck. The forensic investigator was panting still, mumbling to herself.

"I knew they'd come for me one day. The Kuzuryu clan would never let someone who wronged them get away with it. I didn't think they'd find me… wait… wait, they weren't here. It was a dream? A hallucination? I don't…"

She felt a hand hold onto hers. Eisei was next to her, holding her tenderly, and she found her gaze locked onto his. She swallowed nervously, and muttered, "The truth serum is in the mists again, isn't it? I'm telling all my secrets… don't listen to me, Eisei!"

"Saiko, I am not leaving your side."

"You don't understand! I put an innocent man in jail, and it got him executed! He was a member of a Yakuza family! The Kuzuryus are here! They're… oh God."

She clung to Eisei, sobbing hard. Saiko shivered and shuddered, though despite how heavily she was crying, her eyes weren't closed. That's when she noticed Hara and Isaac nearby.

"Oh, Isaac," she murmured, feebly pointing with her free hand at him, "your arm. You're not wearing…"

The reporter glanced down at his scarred right arm. As he did so, the mists swirled around him, almost as if combing through every inch of the gnarled flesh. He felt himself start to shiver, until Hara took his hand into hers.

The four of them were quiet, their emotions having run themselves ragged. They sat there, not knowing for how long.

"Darlings?"

Hikari's voice snapped them all back to reality. The steampunk model was inside of the tent, her figure outlined by the lights inside. She spoke again, quiet but very concerned.

"We can hear you out there. What's going on? Are you all okay?"

Isaac, Hara, Eisei, and Saiko all exchanged glances. They felt obligated to answer, with the truth serum mists in their systems preventing them for even a white lie like, "We're fine."

"We're going," Eisei called to her, "to have to sleep in our rooms. Don't come out of the tent, or you'll have to do the same."

"What happened?"

"Monokuma and his malevolent plans, that was the problem. It seems even without nightmares, hallucinations and other unknown forces are going to make this more dangerous than we thought."

"But I… I don't know what to do!" Hikari exclaimed. "I'm so worried about you all, you cannot sleep in your rooms with these awful nightmares! You cannot afford to… to…"

Whatever the rest of Hikari's sentence was, it was interrupted by a mechanical clicking, then the impeded voice of a damaged recording played.

"Come wuuuuuunn, come a-a-a-a-awwwwll! To-oooo-"

"That damn thing again," Hikari cursed. "Wait, you can just come in here!"

"We can't," Isaac declared. "We left the asylum! We… oh God, Hara. I… I brought you out, that's my fault… that's on me…"

"No! No don't you blame yourself," Hara defiantly said, gripping his shoulders. "I'd be out here with you if you left alone. We're not separating."

"Ya-Ya-Ya-Ya… suhiro Haaaaaah…"

Hikari growled in frustration, then said, "Okay, but please, take care of each other. Don't let each other out of your sight, hold onto each other."

"Hikari, what's wrong?" Saiko managed to say, as she wiped at her eyes. "You sound so scared."

"We lost Aka yesterday," the model explained. She took a deep breath, and continued. "We've lost a lot of people in this town, and we're not getting closer to the truth over it. With how sinister Monokuma and his Kubs are, whatever power is out there, I'm so worried that we're going to lose more people.

"And I don't want that to happen! Not anymore! So you all take care of each other, damn it! Do you hear me?"

"For! Chun! Re-re-re-reeeeeeeee," the Yasuhiro recorder stammered. "Reeeeeee-ading show! Heh… heh… heh… heh… heh…"

The recording was becoming more slurred, more strained, the words and sounds becoming deep growls. Hikari shivered, but found her voice again.

"Take care of each other. Don't worry about things being awkward or stupid or whatever, don't let pride or shame get in the way of survival. Do you hear me?"

"We do," Hara responded, holding Isaac's hand tight in hers.

"No one is going to drive us away," Eisei affirmed. "We're going to see this through until it is over."

"Power… over… o-ver… over… over…

Over…

OVER…

powER OVER…

er…

wer…

wur…

wur… over."

And with that, the recording sputtered its last, and died entirely. The only sound now was the rustle of the fortune teller's tent, despite there being no wind; just like the mists that swished around the four people outside…

As well as Monokuma, who watched from afar. His crimson, evil eye gleamed as if there was a victorious twinkle in his mechanical pupil.

---

…

21 Survivors remain in Penjar.