SZ: Here it is..the penultimate chapter that leads into what's everyone's favorite part of Danganronpa.
Z0: Time to begin heading for the next arc!
SZ: Yosha, so let's hop right in! We don't own jack shit aside from original content, so…
Monokuma: *offscreen*OH NO! NOT THIS TIME!*kicks the door down, showing a literal army*We're not getting beaten to a pulp this time!
SZ:...Z0? I believe it's time…to whip out the Black Airforce Activity.
Monokuma: The what?
Z0: *puts on the black ones* I normally only act this way outside of work…but…you just started some shit. So…run your pockets. *begins bulking up as fire covers me*
Monokuma 2:...I think we're royally fucked.
SZ: *finishes slipping on the black ones*Oh you think? Because…we're about to start throwing hands.
Z0: *grabs a Monokuma and squeezes till it pops*
Vice: While they go all crazy on the reject mascots, I'll start off the story! Yahoo~! *takes golfclub to the screen* Now I am mascot of this writing group! WORSHIP! ME!
SZ: Oh ho ho…*drops a dismantled Monokuma*your next…
Vice: Wait what?
SZ: You don't understand…these hands of ours? Are Rated E.
Vice:...I don't like where this is going.
GT: You and me both.
"...Nothing….still nothing…" Philip whispered, he and the others sprawled out in their respective seats in the office while the board showing the missing 77th class…and multiple lines trying to connect them with a huge question mark in the middle, "...Ego?"
=St-still trying to crack the password= Alter Ego whispered from the computer =Th-this USB has a lot of firewalls to it…=
"Curses…still foiled by the nonsense of others." he sighed.
"We've honestly been trying," Kyoko sighed as she rubbed the side of her head, "Aside from finding Ibuki during the Liar Dopant case….we've been trying to find any possible leads on the Remnants."
"And so far it's been nothing," Shotaro muttered.
"It's like they don't want to be found," Hina whispered.
"Of course not," Mukuro spoke as she rested against the wall, "Sister conditioned them with the Despair Memory…"
"Meaning they want to stay hidden," Shotaro groaned, "...I swear if I see a color swap of that damn bear…"
"Maybe…we should take a break?" Naegi suggested as he got up, "It won't do us any good if we stress ourselves out on this."
"He's got a point." Shotaro sighed, "We've been at this for days, any moment we're not here adding to Philip's creepy clue wall, we're out and about looking for clues and false leads."
"Maybe a break will do us some good," Kyoko muttered as she closed her laptop.
"Hmm…I suppose any machine needs time to rest and cool down. Sadly…the human mind can't be cooled by liquid nitrogen so it can run faster…" Philip sighed, "I've never been on one topic for so long…"
"So we need to think of something to do…" Naegi muttered.
"...oh! Why not the arcade?" Hina suggested.
"Hmm?" Philip blinked at that.
"I mean it sounds like a fun thing to do. Goof off, play games, win prizes." she offered.
"Hmm…as usual Hina-chan…you are brilliant." Philip nodded in agreement, "Some mindless fun is just what my brain needs…also brain food."
"Well…I guess it's been a while since I kicked someone's butt in Street Fighter." Shotaro shrugged.
"Oh! I wonder if they still have those DDR games?!" Akiko beamed.
=According to the maps, there's a new one that recently opened up near the mall= Alter Ego spoke =From what I've read, it also has a miniature food court=
"Welp. I'm officially convinced," Shotaro said as he got up, "Kyoko? Mukuro?"
"…I suppose that wouldn't hurt," Kyoko responded as she grabbed her hat from nearby.
"It would be nice to get out of the office. We…have been cooped up in here for a few days now…" Mukuro noted, "Not even FENRIR would stay in a single place for as long as we have."
"..." Philip blinked and sniffed himself before gagging, "Ah…yes…also maybe…a quick stop at the bathhouse…"
"?" Naegi blinked, sniffing himself lightly before shuddering a bit, "Yeah…probably a good idea…"
"Yatta!" Hina beamed as she and Akiko raised their fist in the air, "To the bath house and arcade!"
"Let's get going." Shotaro sighed.
"We should leave the windows open while we're out…" Mukuro added.
"I got the garage covered." Philip spoke, putting a giant automated air freshener in the center of the lab and twisting it on.
"...do I even want to know where you got that?" Shotaro asked.
"...the important thing is it did not come out of the Agency's budget." Philip replied.
"...I shouldn't have asked…"
=KO!=
"Haha! YES! Still got it!" Shotaro laughed as he won a match on the arcade game he and Naegi were playing.
"You were mostly button mashing," Naegi pointed out.
"Oh and you weren't?"
"...touche."
"Next round begins!" Shotaro declared.
"Hmm…" Philip mused from the other end of the arcade as he and Hina were playing a mini-basketball game for tickets, "This angle…that direction…account for bounce…tuck in arm…and…flick of the wrist." he tossed and scored a perfect basket, before doing it again and again as the machine just unleashed a steady stream of tickets for Hina to pick up.
"Nice!" Hina beamed, "Just a couple more and we can win a big prize over at the prize counter!"
"Hmm…this has grown boring. Let's find something more difficult." Philip spoke, scoring another perfect basket.
"Hai~!"
"Whew…hoo…" Akiko panted, her and Mukuro standing in front of a screen while standing on a pair of dance pads, "You…you're good…"
"It was simple…" Mukuro admitted, "I often had to do dodge training and memorize patterns when I was younger…."
"...oh that's right," Akiko whispered in realization, "Your childhood…was basically taken from you."
"It was…" Mukuro admitted with a sigh, "And…at times it's still hard to even act like a normal human…"
"Hmm…Well I guess its a good thing you have friends who aren't normal now." Akiko offered, "I mean…compared to Philip…" she mused as Philip was currently abusing another game to make it spew endless tickets, "You feel a little more normal. But…we accept you for who you are. Like it or not…your part of our weird little family."
"...yeah…I…suppose so," Mukuro whispered with a small smile.
"Also because you want to be near Naegi-kun," Akiko added with a teasing grin.
"...must you?" Mukuro whispered as she blushed a bit.
"It's what friends and family do." she smiled, "'Sides this is normal girl talk, you shall learn to accept it." she added while hugging Mukuro happily.
"Mmm…"
"Hmm…" Kyoko whispered as she eyed the game she was playing, waiting for the light to come close to one of the spots labeled 'WINNER' before she hit the button, causing the light to stop on one, "Not bad…but a bit too easy…"
"Psst!"
"?" Kyoko raised a brow, looking around before her skirt was pulled a bit, prompting her to see a young pre-teen boy in a red, yellow, and blue baseball cap.
"You're a detective…hai?"
"...and if I am?" Kyoko cautiously questioned.
"I have a case for you," the boy answered, looking around before whispering to her, "I think I'm being spied on when I come here…"
"...soka…" Kyoko whispered at that, noticing the worry in the boy's voice, "...Shotaro, come here for a second?"
"Huh? Just a sec…"
"No, not the combo…" the man on the other side of the joint console cried.
"And boom!" Shotaro laughed, winning again, "What's up?" he asked Kyoko.
"This boy has a case for us," Kyoko explained as she pointed to the pre-teen, "He says he's being spied on."
"Seriously?"
"I-it's true!" the boy exclaimed, "...I hope my parents didn't hire anyone…this is the only place I can go to relax…"
"Hmm…well that is weird." Shotaro mused, "But they say kids have a weird sense for this." he sighed to Kyoko, "Do you have any idea who it might be?" he
"I…I don't know," the boy answered, "All I know is I hear is something softly breathing…nearby when I come here…"
"...and?" Kyoko asked.
"One night when I was about to sneak back home, I looked into it and…I saw something big spying on me."
"...A Dopant perhaps?" Kyoko whispered to Shotaro.
"It might be," Shotaro nodded.
"Did you remember where you saw this person?" Kyoko questioned the boy.
"The alleyway around the corner of the street," the boy answered.
"...What's your name, kid?" Shotaro asked..
"Kenta, sir…"
"Well…this was a day off, but I guess work never stops," Shotaro sighed to Kyoko, "Let's go check it out before bothering the others."
"Good idea," Kyoko nodded before she noticed Kenta reaching for something, "...Don't worry. This is free of charge."
"Eh?"
"What man charges a kid to help them out with something?" Shotaro argued, "Sides, this is what adults are for. The good ones that is."
"So just leave it to us and enjoy yourself," Kyoko added with a small smile.
"If you feel creeped out again, follow the green haired guy and the super excited neesan with him," Shotaro added, "He might not look it, but he can keep you safe."
"Oh…hai!" Kenta nodded as he ran off.
"Stalking a kid invites a lot of creepy theories…" Shotaro sighed to Kyoko, "We should be careful though. The crazier the lunatic with a GaiaMemory…"
"The more dangerous they are," Kyoko added with a frown as they began to walk off.
"Still, Philip and I have faced weirdly stealthy Dopants before, it's never easy."
"Still…best to keep our guards up," Kyoko suggested as they stepped outside, "If it is a Dopant…we don't know what kind it is."
"True," Shotaro muttered as they turned the corner, "For all we know, th-"
"Zzz…"
"?!" the two tensed as they looked to a nearby alleyway, a figure being seen underneath a pile of boxes.
Snoozing there was a Dopant, possibly female in nature due to how they looked. Their body was a mix of a neon-blue and forest green and covered in datalines with armor that…resembled Tetriminos? A tinted visor covered their closed eyes as a small object resembling the Galaga spaceship rested in the center of their forehead.
"Oh what hell is this…" Shotaro sighed.
"It…looks like a Dopant," Kyoko whispered before it suddenly sat up, "?!"
"...Ahh~" the Dopant yawned as their eyes opened, revealing them to be a pure black with a pair of dots in them, "...Ahh. Did I sleep again…? I knew I shouldn't have marathoned those games last night…"
"...eh?" the two slowly blinked as the Dopant got up.
"Mmm…The others will be disappointed I couldn't find someone to bring to Despair," the Dopant muttered, making the two detectives tense up, "...Then again, things have been silent lately…"
"...Shotaro…" Kyoko whispered with a frown, "I think this Dopant…is one of the Remnants of Despair."
"..." Shotaro put the W Driver on instantly, "Well…this is happening."
"Just as I was about to start, too," Philip noted, looking down at the Driver on his waist that appeared, before pulling out Cyclone, "Hina, assume the position."
"Hai!" Hina replied, quickly moving behind Philip and held her arms out.
=CYCLONE!=
-linebreak-
=JOKER!=
"Henshin!"
=CYCLONE JOKER!=
"Hmm?" the Dopant blinked as she looked ahead, seeing Double form right before her, "...Ahh…Double…"
"Okay pal, give up the Memory nice and quietly." Joker sighed as Double cracked his knuckles.
"And give me all your information. I must poke your brain for info!" Cyclone added as Double walked closer.
"..." the Dopant tilted her head, "Why do I get horror game vibes from that last statement?"
"Because it's my time to be what I am…I shall not be denied! Now…give me your brain!" Cyclone cackled.
"We're not really gonna take your brain. He's just being a menace to societal norms…again."
"Not my fault. I am a child of the Earth itself…I am above human norms!" he laughed, "Now…gimme your knowledge!"
At that, Double charged the Dopant suddenly. The Dopant panicked and ran from the Kamen Rider…which for sure was a first for this Windy City.
"You get back here and give me your knowledge!" Cyclone demanded.
"No thank you! This is a very bad encounter!"
"We're the Superhero! You're the monster!" Double snapped, "You're our lucky encounter!"
"...AH! Logic!"
"Baka!" Joker snapped.
"You give me information to unlock books now!"
Double, now in HeatMetal, roared while chasing the Dopant through the variable maze of alleyways and halls that made up inner city Fuuto. Sparks of fire could be seen down one path as the Dopant scrambled away from a Rider swinging his flaming staff like some sort of mad fire dancer. Another flash followed by gun shots went off as Double LunaTrigger grunted while shooting at the Dopant as they took another path, said Dopant yelping as she somehow jumped at the right time to avoid getting hit. After a moment of running, Double-back in CycloneJoker-skidded to a halt as he was now the one being chased by the Dopant, the Rider turning around with a growl, making her skid to a sudden halt and giggle sheepishly.
"Why you little…! I will ring your neck!" Double roared in both voices as the chase began once more.
"Hmm…It seems to be a rather stupid one." Kyoko noted as the chasing continued with Double now chasing the Dopant with a folding chair, "This…is the one chasing that child? No…but…then again, we've been fooled before."
"Come back here and do this properly! Fight me!" Double shouted, finding a weed whacker he used in place of a chainsaw for this…ever devolving bit.
"This can't be the one…" she sighed, "If it was, he would have suffered from its powers."
*CLANG!*
"?" Kyoko blinked as she looked to the side…and saw Double sliding down a wall literally made of Tetreminos.
"Ugh…ok…now I…" Joker began before the wall flashed a bit, making him tense before it suddenly exploded, "AHH! SUNNOVA BITCH!"
"...Oh I know what Dopant this is," Cylcone realized, "And…talk about ironic timing given where we hung out today…It's a Video Games Dopant."
"Let me guess…it was a 'joke' Memory that no one expected to be useful," Joker groaned as Double got up from being knocked back by the explosion.
"Yes, actually. I pushed for development because I was so bored of abstract things like Virus or the hundreds of extinct animals…ugh! So boring…but this? This was fun! I am just realizing I am angering you, aren't I?"
"Yes, yes you are," Joker growled before a shadow came over them, "...8 Bit aliens are hovering over us, aren't there?"
"Oh, I played this earlier with Hina," Cyclone noted, "She actually shot through the barriers meant to help protect from their attacks. Quite the risky move."
"Speaking of, move it!" Joker snapped as Double barely rolled out of the way of a barrage of laser shots and swapped for LunaTrigger and started to shoot at the 8 bit alien vessels flying around and trying to shoot at the Rider.
"Gomen…but I can't let you catch me like a Pokemon," the Video Games Dopant apologized…while sitting on top of a set of stairs nearby…playing on a pink Nintendo DSi, "Especially if you think I'm considered a Shiny."
"Wh-?! Are you playing video games?!" Trigger snapped.
"Hai…Also…behind you."
"Eh?" Double blinked before looking behind him...and saw a few 8-Bit bombs layed out behind him, "..."
"...Ahh. I believe this is Bomber…" Luna began before the bombs exploded, sending Double flying up into the air, "MAAAAAAN!"
"That's right," Video Games Dopant nodded, "The classics from the 8-bit era are always fun. Especially from the Famicon. …Unless it's from LJN." she pouted, "That's not Despair-inducing…it's rage-inducing, even for me."
"Gh…you…are one annoying brat…" Trigger groaned as Double used his extending arm to pull himself back, "Just for that…I'm no longer sorry for the beating I'm about to give you."
"If you ever watched a cheesy highschool drama…prepare to be the nerd to our jock," Luna warned.
"...Soka…so it's Boss Time then," Video Games Dopant noted, closing her DSi before putting it away as she got up, "Yosha!" she held up her fists and started to hop a little, "I'm ready."
"...I am strangely reminded of Hina when she is being adorably awkward," Luna noted.
"You and Hina have a very weird but powerful relationship…" Trigger sighed as he slotted in a Memory.
The Video Game Dopant shouted as she charged…only to grunt as she literally ran into Double's extended fist as he turned into Luna Metal.
"Weak…" Double gawked.
"That….was now what I was…" Metal began before the Dopant was suddenly in front of him, making Double tense before her fist slammed into his chin.
"Heaven-slaying Dragon Fist!" she called out as Double was sent flying.
"...low durability, yet has some strength to back it up," Kyoko whispered from nearby as Double landed in a dumpster.
"What hell is this…"
"It would seem she synchronizes very well with the Memory…probably bringing out hidden potential we never theorized."
"Noted…" Joker grunted as Double CycloneJoker pulled himself out of the dumpster.
"Yosha…time for round…" the Dopant began, about to charge….before she fell asleep while standing up, "Zzz…"
"...OI! WAKE UP!" Joker snapped.
"?!" the Dopant tensed as she woke up, "Ahh…fell asleep again…I need to retreat…"
"Oh no you…!" Double began as he took a step…before he fell into the ground, "Eh?! Traphole?!"
"Close…Pitfall," the Video Games Dopant stated before she began to run, unaware of Kyoko firing something at her back with her Spiderwatch.
"Pitfall? This is a trap ho-Crocodile! Crocodile in the hole!"
"Actually, given the shape of the nose, it's an alligator."
"Shut up! It's a stupid water lizard that bites! Same thing! Wani! Wani da!" Joker snapped as Double pulled himself out of the hole, kicking back an 8-bit Alligator that tried to bite him, "BACK! Back you!"
"Okay…maybe I put too much into that memory…" Cyclone sighed.
"You're damn right you did!" Joker snapped before looking around, "And she escaped. …Great…"
"Not entirely," Kyoko spoke as she walked over, "I put a tracker on her when she wasn't looking."
"I hate when powers get weird…" Joker sighed.
"Well…I need to plan…" with that, Double undid his transformation leaving a very tired and annoyed Shotaro.
"Bah…" Philip woke up from a pile of tickets, "Hina…I need brain food for a crazy plan. Let's win our prizes and get lunch!"
"Yosha!" Hina cheered as she looked over at the prize counter, "Oh! They have an actual Famicon as the top prize! I haven't played one since my baby brother was a toddler!"
"I don't think it's a good idea to get that. Shotaro may have developed a hatred to the classics," Philip noted.
"Eh? Why?"
"A Dopant…specifically a video game themed one," Philip answered just as Akiko, Naegi, and Mukuro walked over.
"Eh? A Video Game Dopant?" Naegi blinked, "That's…new."
"Yes…new…certainly not something I knew existed the whole time and made for giggles…" Philip replied.
"Philip…why are you like this?" Naegi sighed.
"...No one sees the wizard," he dove down into the mass of tickets and vanished into them.
"..." Naegi facepalmed.
"Philip-san! I managed to win more tickets!" Kenta beamed as he ran over, holding onto a bundle of tickets in his arms, "So close to winning that…that…" he trailed off before he noticed the others, "...oh…hi…"
"...client?" Naegi guessed as he looked at Hina.
"Hai," Hina nodded, "He said he was being spied on by someone…"
"Spying on a kid?" Akiko blinked.
"It was a monster!" Kenta spoke up.
"Dopant!" Philip's hand shot out, "And it is a tricky one!"
"...and your parents…" Akiko began.
"Iie! Iie!" Kenta quickly shook his head, "They don't know…and they can't know that I come here…please don't call them…please? I barely get to have fun…"
"...what do we do?" Hina whispered as she and the others huddled up, "He actually sounds like he's tired…"
"...He is our client. We must remain confidential." Philip spoke, "Until we can discover what is happening and why, we don't tell anyone. We don't know what the situation is afterall. And from what I understand, parents often overreact when their child is in trouble and sometimes make things worse by making a public spectacle."
"Philip, those are movies." Hina argued.
"...Lookup?" Philip asked in interest.
"Okay," she sighed, "We'll get more tickets while you look."
"You're gonna drape me in tickets like a mummy right?" Philip smiled.
"Of course, silly!"
"Begin!" he smiled as he spread his arms and his hair lit up as he entered his favorite place, the Gaia Library, "Lets see…Video Games, Dopant…" he paused, "What else? Even with the knowledge of which Dopant it is…given the connection I could just get another locked book…" he paused, "Kenta, Danger, Parents," he listed as more and more books vanished, "The shelf has some promise…but another perfect word. Well…I suppose I can start and eliminate a few myself." he mused, picking a book...and saw it was locked…along with a few more, "...this might take a while."
"I can't believe this luck…not sure if it's bad or good…" Shotaro groaned, "But given our track record…even a good luck break just leads to something bad…"
"True," Kyoko whispered as she looked through some of their research notes, "Even if the Dopant ended up being a Remnant of Despair...we don't know which one it is…and why they're spying on Kenta."
"Well…when you guys get a Memory…it tends to be thematically fitting…" Shotaro pointed out, making Kyoko blink, "Any chance we know someone in that list who's the ultimate video game nerd or something related to it?"
"...Where did we put those files?" Kyoko asked.
"Left desk drawer on the bottom," Shotaro replied.
"Thanks," Kyoko nodded, moving over to the desk as she quickly opened the specified drawer and pulled a folder out, "...I knew it. That Dopant was Chiaki Nanami…The Ultimate Gamer."
"Ultimate Gamer, huh," Shotaro noted as he looked at the picture in it, "...Weird."
"What?"
"I feel like the Ultimate Gamer should've been wearing a doctor's jacket."
"...You drank the experimental coffee Philip made, didn't you?"
"Maybe…" he replied.
"...Riiight…Anyway, it seems she was the Class Representative," Kyoko noted, looking at their limited information, "And seems to have something akin to narcolepsy due to an erratic sleep schedule from all her video game playing, which explains why the Dopant was sleeping when we found it."
"So this is her…Chiaki Nanami…is our Dopant…" Shotaro spoke, "But…something felt weird. Not our normal deep dark murder mystery weird. But…Philip Weird…"
"Philip Weird?"
"Something about her didn't scream: I'm committing a crime, I'm just being a weirdo," Shotaro explained, "I've gotten this vibe from Philip countless times, from the time he got a Sheep elected Mayor…to the time he stole a T-Rex Skeleton…" he held up a hand when she opened her mouth, "Do not ask about either situation. Ironically, the Sheep was the best mayor in that place and actually cleaned up the corruption in the office."
"H-how…then why is it no longer Mayor?" she felt compelled to ask.
"Easy…Nepotism…we had an entire cabinet of sheep…" Shotaro explained in such a way that he was dead serious despite how stupid it sounded. But then she remembered this involved Philip so…it somehow made sense while also making 0 sense, "Anyway, I got that same Philip energy that screams: I didn't do it, I don't know where that T-Rex skull came from…"
"The fact you say this so seriously is so…disorienting…" Kyoko admitted.
"I've had Philip longer than you've all had Philip. I'm used to his shenanigans," Shotaro shrugged, "But the fact is…There's something about her that feels like Philip to me."
"In a good way?"
"In a weird way…Philip is Chaotic Neutral at best…" Shotaro sighed.
"I guess this is the difference in our skills…" she muttered, "The way you read people is…uncanny."
"And you scare them and can tell if they are lying," Shotaro smirked, "Our old timers had their way…we work better by melding their styles."
"...Once more…true, I suppose," Kyoko muttered, "...Perhaps we sh-"
"Ahh! M-ma'am, please calm down!" Naegi yelped from the next room.
"Hmm?" the two detectives blinked.
"...Now what?" Kyoko sighed, putting the folder down as she and Shotaro began to step out…and saw the sight of an older woman and man glaring at Naegi and the others as Kenta hung his head down while sitting on the couch, all while Ryu stood near the two adults.
"L-Listen, we were just making sure your son was okay a…" Akiko began.
"Be silent!" the woman snapped, making her flinch, "Our son should've been home an hour ago…and yet we see him hanging out with thugs!"
"I should be upset, but the fact they think I'm intimidating enough to be considered a thug feels like a compliment…" Naegi spoke.
"Shuuuut up…" Shotaro warned.
"...What'd I miss?" Philip asked, currently wrapped up in arcade tickets like a mummy.
"Kenta's parents put out a search warrant for him and hired Terui Ryu to find him," Mukuro responded.
"I was not hired. I…"
"Silence traitor," Philip cut Ryu off.
"You!" the man snapped, pointing at Shotaro as he walked up to him, "You own this building, correct?"
"Um…Technically, that would be me…" Akiko pointed out.
"They are the agency's Private Investigators," Ryu sighed, "They do their job, and Shacho does her job. It would be polite to know whose home you are in."
"What the traitor said," Philip leaned on Ryu.
"...This one is an idiot," Ryu sighed, only to flinch as Philip slapped him for that, "..."
"What…?" he blinked.
"...mph. This is ridiculous," the woman scoffed as she moved next to her son, "I don't know why our son would hang out at an…ugh…Arcade of all places…but he needs to get back to his studies on the double!"
"Mom…" Kenta whispered with a sigh.
"Son, you missed your violin lessons and piano lessons in the same hour, and you missed your hourly history lessons," the man stated to him, "You're never gonna get into Kibougamine once it finally opens back up!"
"Huh?!" everyone blinked.
"I'm sorry, what?!" Ryu snapped.
"Hmm…oh dear," Philip sighed.
"Ugh…" Shotaro and Kyoko sighed.
"Oh this is not good…" Naegi muttered, "Not good…"
"Zip it," Shotaro pinched Naegi's lips, "Okay, we don't have the patience for that. Listen, we only met Kenta when he came to us and told us he thought someone was following him," Shotaro explained, "We were looking into it for him, and stumbled onto something related to another case we were looking into. We didn't question much, a kid was scared and we just tried to help."
"We can't confirm anything was wrong for sure," Kyoko added, "But children have a good sense about these things. This can range from a sense of danger from people they do not know to the biological response to the effect known as ASPD eyes."
"The eyes of a sociopath," Ryu added, "Children are more keen to these warning signs than most adults. It's possible he did feel some sense of danger. In which case, he was safe with these people. Regardless of why he was in the area, this is indeed a thing to look into."
"Which is why our son is hereby forbidden from going to that arcade ever again," the woman stated, making Kenta lower his head further, "If he's being targeted by someone, it's probably some stalker or worse…"
"You know you could let him have some sort of fun," Hina argued.
"Our son has no need for childish stuff like that!" the man snapped, making her flinch, "Our son needs to fully focus on studying..and the day Hope's Peak reopens, we'll sign him up and he'll be attending classes there!"
"Hmm…" Philip mused, "You…are projecting a lot of regrets from your own life onto your son, aren't you?" he asked, making the room go silent, "I've read about this!" he cheered, "It's a very interesting thing where some parents' own loving nature turns into something crazy! I always wanted to experience this! It must be so interesting!"
"..."
"..."
"...What? Did I say something wrong?" he blinked, tilting his head, "I mean…you enter my home and yell at my friends, so I thought we were all doing the 'say the most rude thing' game." he chuckled, "I mean…isn't it rude to show your son such an act, as if telling him: It's okay to be rude and do whatever you want as long as you think you're right?" he leaned forward, "Don't you have a right to teach him proper manners…like respecting someone else while being a guest within their home?"
"..."
"...K-kenta…come along now," the woman spoke, trying her best to stay calm, "You're coming home…and eat your daily snack…"
"...Yes, mom…" Kenta sighed as he stood up.
"You punks come anywhere near our son again.." the man stated, pointing a finger at Shotaro and the others, "We'll see to it that your licenses are revoked...and that you are blacklisted within the entire city."
"Not if we sue you back for wrongful accusation and child abuse~!" Philip shouted, making him flinch, "Oh right…I should say…I read and past the bar exam…I'm very well versed in laws." he smiled, pushing his hand down, "You should see someone for anger counseling…also…maybe that blood pressure problem…" he pinched his arm, "Hmm…yes…bad blood pressure…you should clean up your diet~"
"..." the man just stood there, his face becoming a bit red in anger…before he took a deep breath, "...This isn't over…" he stated as he and his wife began to leave out the door, Kenta following them as he shot one last look at the others.
"Gomen…about my parents…" he sighed as he soon followed after his parents.
"I'm going to help this boy," Philip declared.
"Can you take those tickets off?" Ryu sighed.
"...Can't…no pants," Philip admitted.
"...no no…don't ask…" Ryu muttered to himself.
"I'm with Philip-kun," Hina spoke with a determined look, "Kenta-kun was having so much fun at the arcade…no wonder he sounded so tired. His parents literally drive him into the ground with all that studying!"
"You have to understand you can't do much in this scenario…" Ryu sighed.
"Shh…" Philip pushed his finger against Ryu's lips, "Hear that…? It's the sound of Philip's ideas happening!" he walked off, "Hina! Get the grappling hooks!"
"Your problem," Shotaro and Kyoko spoke to Ryu, "You set him off…you deal with it."
"Wha…but I…I have a job!"
"Well if you don't stop him…he's gonna kidnap a child and make it your problem," Shotaro argued.
"He would…he…but…Philip!" Ryu ran after him.
"...We're going to be in trouble later," Mukuro stated, "Permission to prepare artillery for chance of Dopant?"
"Yes please," Akiko sighed, "Okay, we'll leave Ryu with Philip-kun, while you guys deal with the mystery." she looked to the detectives.
"Understood," Kyoko nodded.
"Wait, I'm not on Philip Duty?" Naegi asked.
"No," everyone spoke.
"Oh phew…" Naegi sighed a bit in relief.
"If you'll excuse us…we need to finish things up on our end," Shotaro sighed as he and Kyoko began to walk back into their shared office.
"Eh?"
"We found the identity of the Dopant," Kyoko explained, "One of the missing students…Chiaki Nanami."
"...Eh?!"
"Hmm…His home should be…here…" Philip mused walking down the street with Hina as Ryu struggled to catch up due to the head start they got after locking him up in the garage.
"It looks like one of those homes owned by…mm…what did Byakuya call them again…" Hina paused, tapping her cheek as she tried to think, "...Nouveau Riche?"
"Hmm that explains it," Philip nodded, closing his book, "Then first things first…" he pulled out a grappling hook and spun it around suddenly and, in the process, smacked Ryu in the face with the hook and knocked him over, "Ah Ryu-san, you caught up…good. I need someone to hold the rope."
"Why are you sleeping on the ground?" Hina asked.
"I'm not…" Ryu deadpanned as he got up, "Also…this is highly illegal."
"Mmm true…and yet I bet another reason you followed us is because you want to help Kenta-kun out too, hai?" Hina asked.
"What…?"
"You are here to join us~" Philip smiled.
"No, no, no!" Ryu shook his head, "I am a police officer, an agent of the law!"
"...So you will leave that poor boy alone and turn a blind eye?" Philip leaned in close, "Face it, you're one of us~ One of us~ One of us~"
"Yay! Oh, let's bake some donuts later to celebrate!" Hina cheered.
"That order I put in finally arrived from the USA," Philip noted, spinning to her with a grin, "I have heard they put this 'fruity pebbles' on donuts and now we will get to experience it!"
"Ahh~!" Hina squealed with stars in her eyes.
"But first, we have a child to liberate with a grappling hook and a liberation bag," Philip stated.
"That is a sack," Ryu groaned, "You're planning to kidnap. That is a kidnapping bag."
"Liberation bag," Philip corrected.
"Grrr…" he groaned before taking a deep breath, "It's okay…okay…I can salvage this."
"Swinging!" Philip spun the grappling hook again.
"Um…Maybe put it down as putting him under protective custody due to investigations on an unknown stalker pursuing him?" Hina suggested.
"...h-how did you…?" Ryu asked.
"Philip told me that was the plan!" she smiled.
"Hah!" Philip laughed as his grip slipped and the grappling hook flew off behind him, "Hmm?" the rope suddenly went taught as he noticed that the hook snagged a passing truck, "AH!" he shouted as he was dragged away, "RYU, RISK YOUR LIFE TO SAVE ME!"
"AHh! Philip-kun!" Hina gasped as she gave chase.
"You have got to be joking…" Ryu groaned.
"Ryu-san help!" Hina called out in panic.
"Hidari trapped me with this on purpose somehow…" Ryu sighed as he ran off after them.
"So our mystery Dopant…is the class rep of the missing class," Naegi noted.
"That's right," Kyoko responded before holding up her wrist with the Spiderwatch on it, "I left a tracker on them just as they were escaping. We use that…"
"We find out where she is," Shotaro added, "...possibly protected by someone or something."
"Hmm?"
"She's part of the Remnants of Despair," Mukuro stated, "I doubt she'd be left by herself without some backup…"
"Much like with Ibuki Mioda and the Liar Dopant," Kyoko added before something clicked in her head, "...Shotaro, remember that fake priest using the Dummy Memory to disguise himself as the Death Dopant?"
"Yeah," he nodded, "What are you thinking?" he asked unsure where this topic would go given how strange these recent cases pertaining to the Remnants have been.
"I recall that they were the Ultimate Imposter…as in one of the missing students," Kyoko stated.
"...?!"
"So wait…that means…" Naegi began in realization, "Back then…we inadvertently interfered with one of the Remnants of Despair before we even learned of them."
"Possibly meaning through the Ultimate Imposter…the Remnants know info on us," Kyoko stated.
"If that's true, then why didn't they try to attack us head on?" Akiko pondered.
"They didn't see you as possible threats," Mukuro stated, earning their attention, "Sister conditioned them so that they'd fulfill her desires for a world engulfed in despair…she nor they didn't expect anyone aside from Skull to interfere with their veiled plans until recently…"
"Like with Aya-san and the Liar Dopant," Naegi noted.
"So this must mean they are starting to freak out given your sister poofed into thin air." Shotaro added.
"Which begs the question…if she's not with them…to alleviate them. Where is she, and how wild and erratic will they become without her?" Kyoko asked.
"...that's a good question," Shotaro frowned, "...furthermore, wh-"
=M-minna?= Alter ego spoke from teh computer, earning the group's attention =I have good news…y-yet bad news….good news is I managed to decrypt the USB Aya-san had given us=
"Really? That's great!" Akiko beamed, "...wait. What's the bad news?"
=The files for each student and the teacher…are empty…all there is in here is a video=
"A video?" Shotaro and Kyoko repeated, "...play it."
=H…hai= Alter Ego responded before a window popped up, showing a figure with red eyes as several similar figures stood behind them.
=To the Narumi Detective Agency…we are the Remnants of Despair= the lead figure stated, their eyes focused on the camera =We know it was you who defeated Junko Enoshima…and interfered with our plans with the Dummy Memory…you are stepping into very dangerous waters…ones you cannot surface from….thus we give you a warning…= they began as they narrowed their eyes =Do not interfere…the fated day shall soon arrive, and should you try to interfere with our plans again…we will plunge the world into a Despair that cannot be broken…using you as a martyr to any heroes out there…to show that no matter how hard they try….despair will always be the end goal of the world…= with that, the video ended as it showed an all too familiar eye from a certain white and black bear, glowing menacingly.
"...wh…what's…going…" Naegi began, the group beginning to groan a bit from staring at the eye.
=AHH!= Alter Ego yelped as they quickly shut the window off =Phew…that was close…=
"...I should've figured," Mukuro whispered, shaking her head a bit as her mind began to clear up, "That ending…it was the same video my sister tried to use on the 77th class…before she obtained the Despair Memory….a video that doubled as a threat…and a hypnosis trap."
"God damn…ugh…" Shotaro groaned, "My head fucking hurts…"
"That was…disorienting…" Kyoko muttered, shaking her head.
"Ugh…I…I don't feel good…this…is that club the guys dragged me to all over again…but a lot less, Shotaro abandoning us for a girl and someone crying for mommy…" Naegi grumbled.
"Holy shit what happened when I left?" Shotaro asked.
"Trust me….you don't wanna know…"
"Oh…so dizzy…" Akiko groaned as she plopped onto the couch.
"They really tried to convert us while at the same time…telling us to not interfere with this 'day of fate,'" Kyoko stated.
=S…sorry…I didn't think it was a trap…= Alter Ego held their head down in shame while sniffling =G…gomen, minna…=
"It's okay…we didn't see it coming and got cocky." Shotaro groaned, "Just…do something so no one ever sees that again."
=...h-hai! I'll g-go ahead and delete every trace of it!= Alter Ego assured, looking up with a determined look =I'll even check to see if there are any trojan programs just in case…=
"Good idea…we can't be too careful," Kyoko nodded, "...Still…what is this day of fate they mentioned…?"
"...sister," Mukuro whispered as her eyes widened in realization, "It's the day…she returns."
"Oh great…now she's like some dark messiah waiting to return again." Shotaro sighed.
"Mou…I thought we were finally done with her," Akiko groaned from the couch.
"That's the thing about my sister…" Mukuro sighed, "She never gives up…even if she was dead, she'd still find a way to initiate her plans."
"We've beaten her once before…we can do it again," Naegi assured.
"She lost to me and Philip…chances are she still hasn't changed much." Shotaro groaned, "We win again, lock her up…better this time. Boom-bam, you're visiting her in the looney bin each Christmas for the rest of life."
"Which leaves us with one issue…the Remnants of Despair," Kyoko stated, "We still need to figure out a way to break Junko's hold on them."
"If you can make a video that makes the brain go one way…can't you make a video to do it…backwards?" Shotaro asked.
"It could work," Naegi noted, "We just need the right person to help with the programming…and good with subliminal messages…"
"Well…that just means we gotta find them…great…" Shotaro groaned.
"It's not like any of us in particular can leave Fuuto…" Kyoko noted, "Though we do have friends already out of town, working on the many other things we need answers on."
"Like Byakuya and Toko's mission in Towa City," Naegi nodded before blinking, "...hold on. I just thought of something…."
"?"
"One of the missing students we don't have info on is Ryota Mitarai…who's supposed to be the Ultimate Animator," Naegi explained, "Junko must've forced him to make that video…so what if…we find him and see if he can make a complete opposite to that video."
"...okay, and how….exactly…." Shotaro began as his and Kyoko's eyes began to widen a bit.
"...Chiaki Nanami," Kyoko whispered.
"Hai. She's in the same class as him, so maybe she might know where he is," Naegi explained.
"We need to catch that Dopant…" Shotaro nodded simply.
"Agreed," Kyoko nodded, "We'll use my Spiderwatch to track her down. Naegi, see if you can get a hold of Philip or Hina."
"Got it."
"And if Ryu is suffering…give it a few minutes before stopping it." Shotaro shouted as he made his way for the door.
"...r-right…" Naegi sweatdropped as Kyoko followed Shotaro out the door.
"...ugh…" Mukuro sighed once the two were gone, "Sister…"
"...you ok?" Akiko asked, noticing the look on her friend's face.
"Just…thoughts…and what could've been," Mukuro sighed, "And perhaps…if I had been in the right mindset….I could've stopped her. And yet….I let that monster roam free…"
"...Mukuro-san…" Naegi whispered, looking up from his phone as he was already texting Philip and Hina, "You don't have to talk to yourself that way…"
"...but could you?" Mukuro asked back, "If you had been in my shoes…would you have stopped her then?"
"That's not fair," Naegi spoke, "I'm not you, so it's not fair to ask what I would do. You know I would do what I could, which…probably wouldn't amount to much." he sighed, "But I'm not you, and you're not me. You…just kinda got stuck in a difficult position. For a long time, it was just you and her; it's hard to turn your back on family. But you did the right thing in the end, and you're trying to make up for it. That's what matters now."
"Hai…" Akiko agreed as she sat up on the couch, "You're nothing like your sister…and you're trying your best to make up for what she made you do. That shows you're changing…"
"...That is true…." Mukuro admitted, "Plus….I did have one friend in Museum to help….bring me back to sanity somewhat…"
"So even Museum have good people, too?" Akiko smiled.
"...Somewhat," Mukuro admitted, "And even they had their limits with sister…Lord knows she went through so many Monokumas because the family pet kept destroying them."
"Family pet?" Naegi and Akiko repeated before looking at one another.
"...By any chance…was this pet a…" Naegi began before the sound of glass breaking was heard, making everyone turn to see what looked like a grenade landing on the floor…themed after a certain bear, "?!"
"?!" Mukuro tensed up before rushing, quickly pushing Naegi out of the way before she moved on top of the grenade, "MOVE!"
"M-Mukuro-san!" Naegi began before gas began to expel from the grenade.
"Wh-what…?!" Akiko began before she began to cough, "What is…this…?"
"Sl…sleeping…gas…" Mukuro grunted, her eyes nearly shut as she struggled to get up.
"Na-nani nani nani…" Akiko asked as she stumbled around a bit, "Watashi wa…kiitenai…" she groaned as she fell over.
"A…Akiko…" Naegi grunted, struggling to stay awake as the front door began to open, a figure slowly stepping in as a gasmask covered their face, "?!"
"...y…you…" Mukuro began before she finally collapsed, the gas taking effect as she soon lost consciousness.
"Have…to…send…message…" Naegi grunted, barely managing to hit send on his phone before he too fell unconscious to the gas.
=Ahh! M-Minna!= Alter Ego gasped =F-Fang!=
=GAO!= Fang called out jumping in and landing on Naegi, it looked around before jumping and grabbing him by the leg and pulling him towards one of Philip's hidden secret tunnels. However…the masked figure soon got before the sentient Gaia Memory, causing it to snarl at them. It roared it as it pounced right at them...only for the figure to grab it midair while using their thumb and index finger to keep its mouth shut.
"It's time for you to sleep…" the figure stated before pressing something on Fang, making it tense before it shut down.
=?! Even Fang…= Alter Ego whispered as the figure began to approach the computer they were in =?!=
"You did well to decipher the message….for now…" the figure began as they reached for the power button, "Sleep."
=N-NO! I…!=
*BZZT!*
"...Something is wrong," Philip whispered, a banana peel stuck to his head as he, Hina, and Ryu were at the mall the group was at before.
"Of course there's something wrong. You smell like you were in a dumpster," Ryu huffed, a clothespin over his nose.
"A: Because I landed in one after that bus stopped. And B….not that," Philip stated, "I feel…like something happened back at the office."
"Eh? Wh-" Hina began before her phone went off, prompting her to pull it out, "Oh! Naegi-kun says Shotaro and Kyoko are looking for the Dopant right now…and the message ends in a rather odd manner…like when we all ended up getting tipsy on those drinks Hagakure ordered."
"I don't remember that time," Philip admitted.
"...Does this have anything to do with a report from the area about a missing pig?" Ryu asked.
"You found Sir Oinkerton Esquire?"
"Esquire?" Ryu asked.
"He's a very smart pig. He aced that Bar test," Philip responded.
"...Back to the topic at hand…" Ryu muttered as he looked at the message, "Hmm….This doesn't seem like he was under the effects of alcohol…meaning someone must've used…"
"Hey…" Hina spoke, earning their attention as she looked towards the arcade, seeing a certain kid they wanted to help slip inside, "Isn't that Kenta-kun?"
"...Hmm…Yes, we send the expendable wall of meat…that's Ryu," Philip pointed, "To check the office and save our friends to prove he is worth keeping as a sidekick."
"S-Sidekick?!" Ryu exclaimed.
"Well, I have a partner and brother in Shotaro, and a best friend and buddy in adventure with Hina. With my other friends as trusted helpers. You…well…I know you…" Philip looked him up and down, "Allegedly~?" he leaned forward with a skeptic look.
"Also…unlike us…you can fight good," Hina smiled, "So…you know if something bad has happened…you can…punch your way out…" she chuckled sheepishly.
"Allegedly~" Philip added again.
"Stop that…you're no detective…" Ryu pushed Philip away.
"Exactly!" Philip cheered, "I don't do leg work…good boys like you do leg work…now…go…use your legs." he brushed him off, "I have important things to do such as checking on Kenta and saving him from danger."
"...How do you deal with this?" Ryu looked at Hina.
"With patience, donuts, smiles, donuts, and lookups," Hina replied, "...Oh, and donuts!"
"You clearly are not capable of handling me, so it's best we split up here and now. I'm sorry, Ryu-kun…but it never could have worked between us. We are two different people, no chemistry at all," Philip declared, maybe too dramatically, to the point some folks overhearing them may have jumped to some…radical conclusions, it only got worse when Philip put his hand to Ryu's face, "I hope you find your destined partner…" now the crowd was getting a little to absorbed in this massive misunderstanding to the point phones were out and taking pictures.
"...Philip-kun…that delivery only works in Shoujo manga~" Hina whispered.
"Oh shoot, really?" Philip asked as he suddenly slapped Ryu, "You cad!"
"That's daytime drama!"
"Damn it! We planned this, Hina!" Philip groaned, "We had something and I forgot it, ugh…all that work wasted…"
"You're the one that forgot which genre we were going for," Hina pouted, "...We blame this on the Hagakure?"
"Blame the Hagakure," Philip nodded, "Now, help Kenta…then…donuts!" he smiled, leaving a totally flabbergasted and shocked Ryu, who was still in the midst of processing all that just happened to him.
"...WHY!?" Ryu shouted out in distress as the pictures and videos continued with this gross and terrible misunderstanding of a public spectacle.
"...I feel like I missed out on Ryu making an ass of himself in public," Shotaro whispered, "...And Philip being the one who caused it."
"I really hope this has nothing to do with Philip indulging in Hina's sudden desire to buy her back catalog of Shoujo manga…" Kyoko sighed.
"She even hired us for finding that one rare edition," Shotaro groaned, remembering that three day fiasco, "I still can't believe Philip had it in the garage that whole time."
"I knew we should've checked there first," Kyoko sighed before her Spiderwatch began to go off, "?! ...Shotaro, the Dopant's nearby."
"Alright…I'll warn Philip." Shotaro spoke, putting his Driver on, making Philip's appear and set off their mental link, 'We're about to find the Dopant, be ready for fight time, buddy.'
'I feel I should warn you…we think something happened at the office…It's not concrete, but I think Ryu is finally making his way there. Details to follow, he should call you if something happened…but if you need me, best make up your mind, Hina and I are busy with Kenta-kun.'
'Gotcha,' Shotaro nodded, "Ok….so Phillip and Hina are handling Kenta at the moment…and it seems something happened to the others at the office."
"Ryu checking it out?"
"Yep."
"...We may need to be careful," Kyoko frowned as they approached a warehouse.
"Noted," Shotaro nodded before carefully pushing the door opened, letting the two look inside, "...Ok…everything seems normal…"
"Any sign of her?" Kyoko quietly asked as they cautiously stepped inside.
"She's a video gamer, right? We just have to follow any video game noises," Shotaro stated.
"...Right," Kyoko whispered as she began to look around.
A beeping sound soon caught their attention, prompting them to look nearby a set of creates as a figure sat near them, the light from outside faintly showing them to be female in shape.
"..." Kyoko held her hand up to Shotaro, who nodded in response as they cautiously approached the figure, "Chiaki Nanami?"
"..." the figure stopped in playing the DSi in their hands for a moment, "...hai?"
"..." the two detectives blinked in surprise, before nodding.
"We need your help." Shotaro spoke.
"...help?" Chiaki repeated, "...with what?"
"Your classmates…" Kyoko spoke next as they decided to stay put with a silent nod, "To stop them…and save them."
"...What if they don't want to be saved?" Chiaki questioned as she resumed playing her game, "Ever since we met Junko…all we want is to spread despair…"
"Do you?" Shotaro asked, making her stop once more.
"..."
"...Let us ask you this…why were you stalking Kenta?" Kyoko asked.
"...I wasn't….he looked lonely…so without him noticing me, I guided him to the arcade…" Chiaki explained.
"And yet, you claimed you wanted to spread despair during our first encounter…or do you?"
"..."
"I believe somewhere deep down…you…the real you wanted to help him," Kyoko continued.
"...The….real….me?" Chiaki repeated.
"Ah. Behind all that despair is the little lady who just wants to enjoy a good game and, more than likely, show others how games can help," Shotaro noted, "Why aren't you like the others, why aren't you talking on and on about it? Don't you have a thought of your own, of the real Chiaki?"
"The…real…Chiaki…" she whispered, about to walk over before she tensed up, "?! Ah…ahh…" she began to whimper out, dropping their DSi as they began to stagger about a bit, "Th…the real…me? The real…Chiaki? I…who…wh…" the whispered before stopping…slowly raising their head to show the Despair in their eyes, "All I care for…is despair…"
=VIDEO GAMES=
"Shoot…so close," Kyoko whispered as the Video Games Dopant took Chiaki's place.
"Hah…that damn Memory really messed you up," Shotaro sighed, "Philip, we're gonna have to beat her up, tie her up, and bring her to the office."
'Hai…'
Earlier…
"...No one is around…" Kenta whispered, slowly looking around the area before he began to approach a lone arcade cabinet, "Now I c-"
"Kenta-kun?"
"GH?!" Kenta tensed as he quickly turned, seeing Hina and Phillip looking at him, "...Please don't tell my parents I'm here…"
"We take this to the grave," Philip smiled.
"A pinky promise would be fine, Philip-kun," Hina offered.
"To the Grave!" he declared, "I said it so I won't tell even if I must die…"
"No one's gonna die…" Hina sighed to Kenta, "He just goes extreme to prove his point."
"But it's true!" Philip smiled as Kenta giggled a little, "That seems better…children should be smiling." he smiled crouching down and ruffling his hair, "Books are for when your my age and you want to know everything. Unless it's a really neat book, then they are for everyone~" he smiled, "Some books are really good, but some you don't need." he added, "Sometimes you also need to experience things for yourself, like freedom, fun, games…and donuts!"
"...but….my parents…"
"There comes a time and place when the child often has to call on their parents' nonsense," Hina stated, "...lord knows me, mom, and my little brother chewed out daddy when he tried to prevent me from going to Hope's Peak."
"Hmm…" Philip muttered.
"You get the point." Hina huffed, putting her hands on her hips.
"Still should try and think of a better story," he whispered.
"Shush,"
"Well I'm offended, my good lady," Philip gasped as Kenta chuckled, "There see…feels good to laugh, right?"
"...yeah. It really does," Kenta admitted.
"I know it's hard for a kid; you feel like you have no power," Philip stated, "But you still have a voice; and if your parents can't see they are hurting you…they will grow to hate themselves when they push too hard…" he sighed, "If you can't stand it…you need to say something…or find someone they will listen to. You could also give them a good scare…" he listed.
"Philip…" Hina sighed.
"I just meant run away for a day. Yeesh. It's not like I was gonna suggest we fake his death and hide him under a false name..." Philip shrugged as he sheepishly whistled.
"...Can we?" Kenta asked.
"No!" Hina shouted at both.
"...Your girlfriend's weird, Onii-san," Kenta deadpanned to Phillip.
"Ah!" Hina gawked at that, her face engulfed in a heavy blushed as she stammered a bit, "N-n-n-nani?!"
"That is true some days, but being weird is pretty nice and a lot more fun than being normal," Philip replied.
"Ka-K-Kanojo…" Hina muttered as steam escaped from her ears, her face growing more red.
"...I…suppose so," Kenta muttered, "...Still…my parents would probably…"
"I understand." Philip spoke, "You want your freedom, but you also don't want to upset your parents. You wish there was a way for you to have freedom and them be happy." he explained carefully, "But I guess someone has to be unhappy if just a little…so why not make it your parents? They are old, they can get over it."
"Philip-kun!" Hina complained.
"What…they stink." Philip pouted.
"...t-true, but still…!"
"There you are!"
"...mou…" Kenta sighed as his parents stomped over.
"We knew you'd sneak here somehow," his father scowled.
"And look…" Kenta's mother began as she noticed Philip and Hina, "The thugs are here as well."
"Le Gasp…you dare accuse me of being a thug?! I am a nerd at best madam!" Philip dramatically declared, "Get your stereotypes right!"
"...what…?" they blinked at that honestly not expecting that.
"Frankenstein!" he suddenly shouted, making them turn to see behind themselves. And upon swiveling their heads back, Philip, Hina and Kenta were totally gone without trace.
"Did we just fall for that?" Kenta's father asked, mortified for falling for the dumbest distraction ever.
"Ahh…my baby…" Kenta's mother whispered in worry.
"I-it's fine, dear," Kenta's father assured…yet he was starting to panic himself, "Th-they couldn't have gotten far…"
"Wrong~!" Philip shouted, "We split up! Huh Shotaro's calling now? Time out! I need to stand in place for a long time talking to myself!"
"P-Philip-kun!" Hina yelped.
"Starting to consider these thugs are more…odd weirdos…" Kenta's father muttered.
"Same…" his wife muttered as she blinked a few times.
"Hina Emergency, I'm throwing my body into a dumpster!"
"WHAT!? NOW!?"
"It's important! I'm sorry!"
"Oh your so lucky you are my emotional support Philip!"
"Don't worry its Recycling bin!"
"What kind!?"
"Paper! Paper was yesterday. I'm okay! Henshin!"
"Oh phew…"
"...Your boyfriend's weird," Kenta muttered.
"Ahh!"
"Henshin!"
=CYCLONE JOKER!=
"Raid Battle…start," the Video Games Dopant said as she charged towards Double.
Double swung his leg and kicked away her punch before spinning around and slamming a spinning side kick to her abdomen. As she stumbled back, Double pressed forward and punched only for her to block. The Rider grunted as he moved back and swung again only for her to block by striking the crux of his elbow with her hand. She swung an uppercut at his head, only for Double to lean back to dodge. Double swung his left hand with a palm thrust and slapped her arm at the elbow, making her smack herself in the face with her own arm and stumble back.
Double spun around kicking up a gust of air as she did the same, the two swinging their left legs out as they clashed. The two twisted their hips as they spun around before kicking their right legs up as they crossed, before pushing the other back. Double spun around again as he swung his right and knocked away another kick. The two traded swings back and forth as they moved around their battlefield.
"If you really believed in all that nonsense about Despair…why aren't you doing anything about it?!" Double blocked a punch aimed at his mask, "Why do you still act like Chiaki the video gamer? You still play, why? Because you enjoy it!"
"Gh…u…uru…" Video Games grunted, shaking their head before jumping back and tossed a few 8-bit bombs at him, "Urusei!"
"You haven't given in to Despair! You just can't fight back yet!" Double spoke, kicking up a gust of wind that sent the bombs flying away.
"Yada yada yada...!" Video Games cried out as she held her hands up, causing a rain of Tetriminos to come raining down on Double.
"Don't you care about your friends? Don't you want to save them from this? To go back to how it used to be?"
"?! ...h…how...it used t-gh~!?" Video Games grunted in pain, holding her head as she staggered around.
"You used to live a happy life together, right? You're not like them; you're different…you can help us…help them!" Double called out as the smoke blew away to reveal HeatMetal form.
"You're not cruel, you're not evil…you're just a girl!" Metal shouted.
"You don't try and hurt people, you don't spread despair; you just want to play your games and be happy!" Heat called out.
Double rushed forward as he swung the Metal Shaft around striking her several times before twisting it around and thrusting it into her stomach and pushed her back. He lifted it up and moved to swing only to hesitate.
Video games quickly took notice of it before throwing her hand out, causing pitfalls to open around Double as he was suddenly pounced by a hoard of 8-bit snakes and alligators. She then attempted to use the distraction to run away…only to stop when Kyoko held up her DSi.
"You were going for this, weren't you?"
"Ah…g-give it back!"
"Not yet…I know you can fight this," Kyoko stated, causing the Dopant to grunt out as she held her head in pain, "You could've chosen to attack Kenta…and yet you didn't. You wanted to help give him some form of happiness through video games!"
"Ggh~~!" the Dopant whimpered out as she held her head in pain.
"You love games, you could see he needed help, he was sad and alone. You led him there…to the arcade, because you knew…you hoped games could help him smile!"
"Please…please stop…!" Video Games begged as she fell to her knees, "My…My head hurts…!"
"Please, we need your help!" Kyoko called out, "Your friends will hurt people…you know that's not what they want, it's not who they want to be."
"STOP!" she snapped as she tossed a bomb at her, only for Kyoko to side step it as it hit a few crates.
"No! I won't stop…I won't stop until you and your friends are free of Junko Enoshima's control!" Kyoko shouted, "Me, my friends…we won't stop until you all can see Hope once more!"
"METAL BAT BRANDING!" Double roared as he locked the BatShot onto the Metal Shaft and slotted the Metal Memory within.
=MAXIMUM DRIVE!=
The ends of the staff began vibrating at high speeds while lighting on fire. The Vibrations and Flames condensed 'till both extending ends were glowing with intense heat. Double roared as he swung and struck the Video Game Dopant as she turned around, 'slashing' her across the chest once, before swinging around to strike her again. The Dopant cried out in pain as she was sent staggering back into some crates, her form sparking as she struggled to stay standing up.
"Just a bit more," Metal whispered, spinning his staff as he prepared to unleash the final blow.
"Gh…." the Dopant grunted as she slowly looked up, seeing Double charging at her as he prepared to swing. However….before the staff could hit, something ended up crashing into Double, causing him to lose focus as he was knocked over while his staff flew through the air.
"? A Who…?!" Metal began as he looked up, only to tense up upon seeing a knocked out Ryu laying on top of him, "?!"
"?! Who…" Kyoko began before a gas bomb landed near her, spraying out as it hit her in the face, "?! Gh…sl...slee…ping…gas…" she grunted before she fell over.
"Oh, this is not good," Heat summed up the situation.
"Ah," Metal grunted.
"Ryu, you had one job; one job!"
"Wrong priority!"
"Hmph…So this is the famous Double…"
"?!" the rider tensed as he looked towards the entrance to the warehouse, seeing a figure standing there.
'!? I…Izuru…." Video Games whispered.
The first thing that truly stuck out about the figure was his hair. It was long, extremely long to the point it nearly grazed the floor. His skin was pale…very pale to the point it could have had him mistaken for a cadaver. He adjusted the black tie upon his formal black suit as he gazed upon Double with unusual red eyes with target-shaped pupils…looking as if he were simply…bored of it all.
"I apologize for using you like that…but we needed something to lure them out," the young man stated to the Dopant.
"So…this is happening…" Metal grunted.
"This is a pickle…Shotaro…I am concerned."
'If it comes down to it, you and Hina escape and find us.' from within their shared head, Shotaro spoke directly to Philip.
"Ah…yes. I guess we are stuck in a 'fight to the end' situation, Aibou."
"Right?" he chuckled.
=BOMB=
Just as Double got up, he was bombarded by a barrage or energy blasts that knocked him over, his armor shutting down and sending Shotaro flying across the ground. The young man flinched at that as he turned to see who fired.
"...You wasted time, boy," a woman's voice sighed, "We are on a time limit. If you don't find the other half, then this is for nothing. Are you really good for nothing?" Shroud asked, lowering a red version of the Trigger Magnum.
"I already have the others ready to ambush," Izuru stated, "They won't get far without the main half of Double.""
"Hmph…" she scoffed, "He's already plotted and is escaping." she spoke simply.
"What? …But I've seen him…"
"You've seen nothing. Unlike you, that boy is actually special," she bluntly spoke, making him flinch from the sheer intensity in her voice, "Get to work and bring him in. That one is already tracking him."
"...Of course, Shroud-san," Izuru nodded before he began to walk off.
"Gh…" Shotaro grunted as he tried to force himself up, only to end up falling back down as Shroud began to approach him.
"...I…apologize, ma'am…" Video Games whispered as she dismissed her form.
"...We may now begin the next part of the plan as soon as we return," Shroud spoke, "This will be your only chance," she looked at Chiaki, "You are the only one awake after all, for you are not like them…"
"...hai," she nodded in response, "...but what of her?"
"...that will not be your concern once the end results are gained. If it all goes according to plan. Everything will happen as desired." she stopped, "However…you do understand the cost that will happen to you alone correct?"
"...I do," Chiaki nodded, walking over to Kyoko's unconscious form as she picked up her DSi, "As long as they're safe…" she opened it and sighed in relief, "Yokatta. She didn't turn it off."
"Then as someone with a simple hope of their own. I wish you luck, Komusume…" Shroud said gently, patting her head, "Do not waver…" she whispered as she walked away.
"...hai…"
"...Coast is clear," Philip whispered, poking out from an alleyway with Hina before they began to rush out.
"I hope Kenta-kun will be okay by himself," Hina whispered.
"His parents are still there…I gave Kenta some encouraging words to tell himself when he's confronting his parents," Phillip assured, "Right now…we need to find a place to hide and think up a plan to rescue the others."
"Ah mou…Where's Fang when you need her to be abare?" Hina whined.
"...That's a good point," Phillip whispered, glancing around, "...Where is Fang…?"
=Awoo~=
"?!" the two tensed.
"Philip-kun…was that…?" Hina asked.
"Ah…" Philip replied as he looked up at the light post across from them, seeing Zoo Memory on top of it, looking down at them, "Zoo Memory."
"The thing that took control of Naegi-kun?"
"It's…back?" Philip arched his brow, "Weird…I'm not being attacked by a rabid monster."
"Mmm…" Hina narrowed her eyes, "Eh? Philip-kun, it looks like there's something different about it."
"Hm?" Philip looked only for Zoo Memory to howl again.
"Ahh! W-What's it…?" Hina began as she stepped back, only to end up bumping into something before a rag covered her mouth, "?! Mmm..!" she gave a muffled yell, only for it to die down quickly as she began to fall asleep.
"?!" Phillip tensed as he quickly turned, seeing Izuru standing there as he held the unconscious Hina in his arms, "Omae…" he took a step back, only to hesitate, "...Mmm…" he looked around, "...hah…" he slowly held his arms up, "It seems I've been cornered at Checkmate…"
"You really are rather clever…" Izuru spoke, Zoo Memory jumping off the post and onto his shoulder, "I don't see why you are considered the difficult one."
"Oh that is a totally accurate assessment. I'll go with you…but you have to leave Hina alone."
"Pardon? You're making demands…?" he asked.
"Yes~" Philip smiled devilishly.
"...Is this normal for this one?" Izuru asked, looking at Zoo.
=Arf!= Zoo barked while nodding.
"He's new, but here's what's going to happen. I'm going to go with you, with a sack over my head. And you are going to leave my friend Hina on that bench and I will text friends of mine to come pick her up. Now if you ask why…well, it's simple…you need me." he smirked.
"Huh?"
"You are ordered to take me in, correct? Your boss wants me, needs me. And you…are a perfectionist," he noted, "So…what would happen if I…" he walked back towards the edge of the street as traffic began picking up, "Jumped into this traffic? Ara…Did I lead Hina to this point just to choke point you and your gang so I would have an advantage?"
"What? You would kill yourself?" he asked, surprised.
"...Heh?" Philip smiled, "Can you take the risk?" he leaned back, "Can you truly predict my actions?" he lifted one foot forward, "I'm not afraid to give up for my friend…that's what it means to have hope~"
"...tch…yare yare," Izuru sighed, "...Fine…you win...I'll leave the girl alone…but as you said, you're to come with me."
=Arf?!=
"He has the advantage at the moment," Izuru replied, "...It honestly interests me. Philip, was it? You…are interesting."
"Hai hai, you can worship me after you put my best swimming buddy on the bench, gently," he ordered, "Come on now…chop-chop." he leaned forward as he clapped his hands, "Oh and don't worry…" he reached into his hoodie and pulled out a burlap sack big enough for his head, "I have you covered."
"...Noted," Izuru muttered, moving over to the nearby bench as he carefully placed Hina on it.
"Now…I'm gonna text a friend and tell them to help her," he pulled out his phone, "You can have this after…but…do not look in the picture folder labeled Onsen…please?" he requested as he typed a text, "You don't want to see what's on there…Oof…"
"I wasn't…"
"So many naked dude butts…I'm talking tons of them…from lots of angles…"
"I never…"
"Like it is so disturbing and I have been scared to even touch it just to delete it!" Philip laughed before a loud thud was heard.
"..."
"...Oh that was one of your fellow Remnants, wasn't it?"
"..."
=Awoo…= Zoo Memory slumped.
"Well then I guess my friends aren't so weird, are they? I see you judging," Philip pointed to Izuru, "But…far as I see it…I still won here." he walked up close to Izuru so they could glare at one another up close, "...Yes, you took my friends, and you cornered me. But you had to bend to my whims…just to get me. You only won…because I let you," he smirked, "And want to know what happens after this? I'll win again."
"...We'll see how things go," Izuru stated.
"No…I will." Philip replied simply, "Cause I've already beaten Despair once, and you think I can't do it again?" he leaned forward, "Look in my eyes, do you see any despair or concern?"
"...Hope…Despair…It doesn't matter who wins in the end," Izuru said as he turned away for a moment to look up at the sky, "Life…is still boring…"
"Hmm?"
"Just put the sack on your head…otherwise I may end up changing the deal."
"Boring?" Philip chuckled, "What a lie, hahaha…"
"What?"
"The world…boring?" he chuckled, "How wrong you are," he sighed, "The world…this world, our world, is the single most amazing experience of all time! So much knowledge, things you've never seen, things you must see, to experience! Life is never boring, the fact you even think that…is laughable~"
"You…you're mocking me?"
"Of course I am! I've never seen someone so wrong before!" Philip chuckled, "Hahaha…you must be a special kind of stupid, huh? I know…you need an Aibou!" he smiled, "Someone who sets you off, who makes you think differently! You need either a Shotaro or a Hina, but…those two are mine so no stealing." he put the sack on his head as he kept laughing, further unnerving him as he did, "Ah…what a wonderful joke that was!"
"...Just come along…" Izuru sighed.
"Ah…fine fine…" Philip chuckled a bit as he took out a pair of handcuffs and cuffed himself to Izuru, "Lead the way, funny man!" he cheered, rushing and dragging him along.
"?!"
"Ah which way are we going? Oh…is that traffic!?"
"?!" Izuru flinched as Philip dragged him into busy traffic, Zoo Memory letting out a terrified whine while digging its claws into Izuru's shoulder fabric.
"...ugh….god...damn my head…" Shotaro groaned, finally regaining consciousness as he put a hand on his face, "Damn…cheapshotting…asshole…" he grunted as he prepared to get up…and soon felt sand once his free hand hit the ground, "? ...what…"
"Hey…are you two ok?"
Shotaro slowly began to open up his eyes…and soon tensed up, seeing a white-haired young-man looking down at him. But what surprised him…was that it was one of the missing students, Nagito Komaeda.
"Oh…what…?" Shotaro looked around, "Two…? Philip?!" he asked as he turned around to look for his partner, "Philip! Aibou! Where are you?!" he yelled as he grew more and more concerned.
"Ite…" a groan caught his attention, making him turn to see a young man with short spiky hair and wearing something akin to a male's school uniform regaining consciousness as well, evident by his green eyes slowly opening.
"Ahh…you both seem pretty out of it," Komaeda noted as he looked down at the two, "To be honest, I'm also…no, everyone else feels the same, too…since we suddenly…got put into this weird situation."
"..."
"..."
"...I'm sorry. Are you listening?"
"..." Shotaro said nothing as he looked around the area…and finally took notice that they were on what looked like a tropical beach, evident by the few coconut trees around the area.
"...Am I really that boring that they're not even answering me…?" Komaeda whispered to himself.
"...Leave me alone," the young man whispered, sitting up as he looked away.
"...Iie. I can't leave someone alone that looks as pale as you do," Komaeda shook his head before looking at Shotaro, "And you…it is clear you are missing someone."
"..." Shotaro looked around, "Philip! Kyoko! Naegi!" he shouted as he ran off, "Minna!" he called out as he kept running, "Where are they…where are you, Aibou!?"
"...Maybe…we should see if he needs help," Komaeda suggested to the young man.
"...I have a feeling I have no choice either way, do I?"
"Possibly."
"...ok…may as well figure out where we are exactly," he sighed as he got up.
"Ah…good idea…eto…"
"Oh…gomen…" the young man whispered as he took a deep breath, "My name is Hajime…Hajime Hinata."
SZ: IT HAS BEGUN~!
GT: Finally! Finally, it begins! And people can stop asking where the wolf is!
Z0: This is a mystery show.
GT: Hai, hai. And onto the bigger mystery! But first…PREVIEW~TIME~!
Jikai, Danganronpa W Trigger!
Shotaro: Where the hell are we?!
Philip: I'm in a…hanger? Well…I owe him a slap for this move…
?: Oh! You must be my new students!
Akiko: I…is that a bunny angel with her?
Kyoko: Something's not right here…
Case 24: The I of Mystery/The Missing Class Found
Shotaro & Philip: Aibou, ikuze! HENSHIN!
Everyone: EEHHH!? Kamen Rider deta!
GT: Oh, so excited~!
SZ: Same! I….*collapses onto the couch once more*am tired out as if writing this…so I say my piece and hope you all enjoyed this chapter!
GT: Aye! So please, folks, Read and Review!
Z0: Yeah no more answers for a while, figure it out on your own!