Episode 52 – Chapter 2: Fate Decided!
Bites the Dust, bitten off!

Luzer explained everything to Nagisa, as he foresaw it from his countess:
"First things first, I am Luzer, Countess Kendra Knight's star pupil and tamer. I am a demon crow that can sense anything. I can even sense the future. Before we plot together, allow me to run down what my Countess foresaw, thanks to you and Otome Saotome."

He explained what he foresaw, in every detail:
"It all started, last night. Otome Saotome, under the guise of Kaede Kayano, killed you, after you hid the tapes from her, knowing her true identity. By then, Junko Enoshima saw Saotome in shock and awe, as she botched what was a perfect death, which would lead to Saotome being caught, and your death avenged. But… The arrow that Junko harbored suddenly went sentient and stabbed Otome, giving her the new ability – Bites the Dust. Realizing that she's trapped, she gained that power, undo your death, and redid her looks, in order to not be suspicious.

The next morning, Otome woke up at 7am. You woke up, thirty minutes later. The coffee cup broke, and then the phone rang. At 8am, you and Otome had a walk together. Otome told you her true name, which was the trigger to set off Bites the Dust. Otome leaves for her work, and then you ran into Kazuki Sendo, in the rain. He used Heaven's Gate to read through your thoughts, since it can only view present stats, not the future. Kazuki read through you, like a future diary.

First, an old man sneezed, who had his fly open, and grumbled "Damn it all." Next, two girls laughed, as they saw his fly. At 8:25, it rained, and the same two girls ran away. At 8:27, the Pepsi Sign was struck by lightning. And by 8:30, he found out about Otome Saotome… However, this was trigger #1 in Bites the Dust. At 8:33, Kazuki Sendo dies… in a huge explosion. This thus set off Bites the Dust, and reverted the entire day back to normal, starting at 5am. However, Saotome's Bites the Dust had a bit of a bizarre trait. It lets the victim who died, in the next interval, perish permanently.

And so the day began again, only this time, you would prepare to leave, and then force your way out the window, only to be caught by Saotome, and she forced you to watch. The same moments happened: the man with his fly down, the two girls, the rain and lightning, and even Kazuki Sendo's death. Thereby making Kazuki Sendo deceased, the day continued on, as Otome took her leave.

By 8:35, Master, Princeton, Asahi, & Tsukasa managed to run into you, but in your fear, you were helpless to explain. So, in your attempt, you went and killed yourself. But you didn't. Saotome was only using you to protect herself and yourself. And then, it happened. You were about to kill yourself, but Lethal Queen, Saotome's Stand, stopped you. Master attacked it, but that was a fatal mistake. Saotome killed them all, leaving you helpless. And so, the morning began anew.

By the next morning, you fell victim to despair, as you let it go on and on, as the others that want to stop Saotome all perished, every single time. And you couldn't save them. The only way to stop Bites the Dust, and save everyone from Saotome's grip, is two things. ONE: Saotome must die, before Bites the Dust is triggered; and TWO: Saotome must deactivate Bites the Dust, in order to protect herself. If she were to undo Bites the Dust, after the death, it would be a permanent temporal spot, and those that perished in Bites the Dust will be erased forever. That's why…"

He boomed at Nagisa, "That is why… Otome Saotome's Lethal Queen must be stopped, before 8:30am! We cannot kill Saotome, which is a shot… but if that fails, then undoing Bites the Dust is the only shot left!"

Nagisa was shocked, "No way… You know about this?"

"It hasn't happened yet. But by your scared reaction, you're going to kill the others. That's why I came to help you…"

He asked, "Huh? What can you do?"

Luzer smirked, "Leave it to me. But make sure that you stay well-hidden, by the time it's 6am. Saotome doesn't wake up until 7am. And even if you try to change fate, before the event happens, it cannot. Just do as I say, and I promise… We will end Otome Saotome, once and for all. Deal?"

Nagisa held his wing and said, "Deal. But I hope you know what you're doing."

Luzer said, "Hope I know what I'm doing… HOPE is all you need. Otome Saotome will be stopped today. And here's hoping it doesn't end. You may not know this, but Otome Saotome is the protégé of despair. If she wins, it's over. We have one shot. So, do as I tell you, and everything will work out in the end."

Nagisa nodded, "Yeah. I'm glad that you knew about me. But I don't know… I need to plan ahead, before dawn approaches. So… I'm going to plan, then… Hmm…" He then remembered the Cat Plant, Stray Cat. He said, "Hey, you think you can use the cat plant from up the attic?"

"Eh? Cat plant?"

"She has this weird plant that meows like a cat. At first, I thought she trashed that plant, but unfortunately, she kept it for herself. So, I figured we can use that as a secret weapon."

"Right. I'll check that out. Now, I can transform for a couple hours, so that gives me enough time to gather my strength. I'll return at 6, after I map out what the entire scenario will be."

He flew away, as Nagisa relaxed in his bed. He set his alarm to 6am, and then went to sleep.

Luzer investigated the scene where Bites the Dust killed Kazuki, near the big Pepsi sign. He then said, as he looked around, "Okay… Here's what I got, so far."

He scoped the area, at 6am, and pointed at the area where Kazuki died. He then said that the directions of the others are mapped out.

"It'll be 8:33, when Master & Tsukasa head to this spot. On that spot, where Saotome and Nagisa view Kazuki's death, Chazz & Asahi will be there in this direction." He then pondered, "However… If I sent Nagisa to bring Chazz in, Bites the Dust would activate. I know what to do."

After fixing out the entire plan, he returned to Nagisa, and the final battle was about to begin.

Friday, July 19th, 2019 – 7:30am

Nagisa was heading out of his room, and headed up to the attic. He found the plant, Stray Cat, as he held up a backpack. He said, "So, this is the plant… I may need it."

He picked up a ceramic pot and prepared to place in it inside. He said, "The crow should be here, shortly. It's almost breakfast. The crow says I have to have hope on my side. I used to be weak, until I changed, all because of Koro-Sensei."

He placed Stray Cat inside, as he whispered, "She says I'm her secret weapon, well, we'll see what happens to my secret weapon…"

He left it covered and said, "From what the crow told me, this little guy shoots air bubbles, and reacts to sunlight. I don't know who or what that crow is, but he must be a sign of God, and I hope he listens… Hope is all I need!"

Nagisa put the plant in the backpack, as Luzer returned, inside Nagisa's room. Luzer transformed into Nagisa, as Otome stepped down for breakfast. Luzer thought, "Okay… We're all set. As Nagisa Shiota, I'll reenact everything that goes on. Of course, I can always resort to Plan C…"

The TV played, as the same events took place. Otome was sitting down, as she was having coffee. Luzer, as Nagisa was watching the news, as Otome said, "Listen… About what happened last night…" she pondered, "I'm sorry…"

He thought, "She's apologizing? So, this is how it starts, huh?"

She went to the mirror and adjusted herself, as the phone rang. Luzer called, "I'll get it. Enjoy your cup of coffee. I made you some."

Otome said, "Thanks."

He answered it and said, "Hello? No, this is Shiota, not Sakurai. You have the wrong number, sir. Yes, I know. Goodbye."

He hung up, as Otome was suspicious. She huffed, as she went to the table. She sighed, "Well, aren't you polite? Here I am apologizing for last night, and you become nice to me? Oh, what the hell. It's such a pleasant morning."

She took the cup of coffee, as she took a sip. But then, the coffee broke, and her left and suddenly got burned by the hot contents.

Luzer grinned, "Showed you, ass! That was just part one! When something is broken, it's destined to break again. You said it yourself, Otome Saotome."

Nagisa called, "Sorry about that! I'll go get you another, when I get home, Kaede!" And then he left. She grumbled, as she held her wrist, "What is he up to?"

Junko was up above, as she snarled, "I smell a rat… No… a blackbird… Can it be?"

XXXXX

Nagisa met with Luzer, as they were on the way to the corner. Nagisa gave him the backpack and said, "Here. The plant's inside. It goes off, when exposed to sunlight."

"Herbivore felinius; also known as Stray Cat. Nice work. Now go to him. I gave the message to our guest, and he should be arriving, once the gears are in place." He said, "And whatever you do… DO NOT mention Otome Saotome's name, at all. Understood? Let them figure it out, for himself. NOW GO! It's almost time!"

Nagisa ran off, as Luzer, posing as Nagisa, waited by the corner. It was 8:24. He waited, as he said, "Not here… but the actions are already starting…"

He impersonated his face opening, via Heaven's Gate, "Saotome's taking too long. Does she know, or did she really injure herself with her wrist?"

The girls ran, as rain fell. Luzer thought, "Damn! It's already starting! Where is she? Does she know? Wait… Junko Enoshima… I forgot about her! What if she told Otome about this, and she hid, before 8:30? Dammit! Why didn't I see this before? If she tries to sneak up behind me, there's no reason she'll grab my shoulder, and make me watch. But where is she?"

Lightning struck the Pepsi sign, as Luzer has two minutes. But he spotted Otome, hiding being the pole. He grinned, "So, that's her plan, was it?"

"Under any circumstance, I say that this morning was pleasant. Nagisa wasn't his usual self." She said, "I'm getting the strange feeling… It's been like reliving this morning, several times now… Maybe three, no, four…"

Kazuki was waiting, as time was running out. Luzer said, "Damn… No time! I wonder if she knew! But I'm not licked. Where the heck is our guest? Nagisa has already squealed to my guest, so I should be able to wait it out. Nagisa would never be here, and Saotome thinks I'm him… but unless Junko already told her. Time's running out…"

It was 8:28am, as Luzer decided to go for broke, "I'm sorry, Countess… But it's now or never." He prepared the plant, but paused and said, "Wait… I can't fire from here. I'll be able to lure her in, and come closer. Or, if she wants, she can come to me, and I'll blast her to kingdom come. If she knew, she wouldn't be that close. I have to wait… Luckily, Bites the Dust has already been activated… and killing the user would be perfect. Though, if that fails, I can have Saotome bring Lethal Queen here, and she'll undo the effects. If I fail, Saotome will deactivate Bites the Dust, after Mr. Sendo, The Gang, Master, and all the rest will be obliterated, making it permanent! I have one shot!"

Otome snuck back in, as she sighed. He growled, "What the hell is wrong with her? Get out of that shitty tree! You know I have one minute left!"

She thought, "The look in Nagisa's eyes this morning… it radiates a tenacity that I've never seen in her. I don't know what it is, but I need to watch her every move. Then again, as it stands, Nagisa's completely helpless."

Luzer glares at Otome, as she thought, "What is this? He isn't panic-stricken. I figured if he falls into despair, I'll free him of Bites the Dust, after I eliminate the pests. But it's not enough… By my count, Princeton, the twins, Sendo, and The Gang… That makes eight… And I only need more than that, for Bites the Dust to fulfill her quota. His eyes, they are the eyes of defeat."

She stepped out and called, "Nagisa! You left home, without your umbrella. It was raining, so I had to hurry back."

Luzer smiled and said, "Hm-hm-hm-hm… This is it… Countess Kendra, I have one shot. If I fail, it's over. But know this… It was a pleasure working with you and Master. But know, I can do this, myself… Nagisa, the real Nagisa is far away from here. And he is bringing our guest. But for now, I'm ending this, before Junko Enoshima is reborn, once again!"

He unleashed Stray Cat and hollered, "NOW DIE, OTOME SAOTOME!"

Stray Cat shot the air shots onto Otome, and she fell dead. Luzer said, as he stepped back, "BULLSEYE!"

He said, as he approached her, "A clean shot, to the heart. Nice work, kitty."

Kazuki looked at his watch and said, "She still hasn't shown up. I wonder if she took a different route to here."

Luzer walked over the downed body of Otome and said, "Well, at least I killed her… but… Why do I get the feeling that it was easy?" He aimed and cried, "PREPARE TO DIE, MURDERER!"

SOCK!
Otome socked Luzer, and then said, "Ungrateful pest!" He fell to the ground, as she sat up, "How dare you…"

The Chibi Lethal Queen appears onto Luzer, as she called, "You know, as of late, my nails have shown unprecedented growth!"

"WHAT THE HELL?" Luzer cried, "How did she come out of it alive?"

"…which got me thinking about how lately my life has been devoted of good…" She pulled out her watch and said, "That said, I do believe that a guardian angel was watching over me…" She spat out blood, as she snarled, "Remember when my coffee cup broke? The coffee spilled all over my wrist, and it burns. So I took off the watch and placed it safe and sound in my breast pocket. And lo and behold, it was the right choice!"

Luzer gasped, "She made it, except she's still alive… And I have 45 seconds left… What now? Where is he? Come on, Nagisa… WHERE ARE YOU?"

She glared at him, "You know, there's something peculiar about you, Nagisa… I have a hunch that you started to know my Bites the Dust, too well… Perhaps… AND TO THINK YOU'D TAKE STRAY CAT FROM ME, YOU LITTLE SHIT!"

She slapped Luzer, as she barked, "NONE OF IT MATTERS, ANYWAY!" But she stopped and said, "So long as I have Bites the Dust, I won't undo it, so long as I protect you. Whatever you planned, no one can save you. You failed."

Luzer snarled, "That's what you think! Well, she's right… but… Where is Nagisa?"

She said, "Maybe you could've told one of your friends about me, beforehand? Tell me! Was it Tsukasa Hiiragi? Maybe Peter Giese, or Steven Cooke… I'd be happy, if they were to die, as well! Well… I decided…" She grumbled, "Might as well listen to Junko, then… Sixteen is a strong number, you know…"

"Eh? What are you talking about?"

"Oh, just a project I've been planning, since I started this. So far, I killed only one. It's not enough to eradicate all of them, but if I can fill my quota, by the end of the day, she will come back. That was the plan, after all. And all I wanted is to please my mentor."

He gasped, as she continued, "Once we reverse time again, after the next lot dies, I'll temporarily disengage Bites the Dust. And then, the next batch will die, as Sendo and the rest will die permanently… Junko told me so, as a way to prevent any more damage to the morning."

He growled, "So, that's her plan?! Junko told her already? NO! WHY?"

Otome cackled evilly, as she won!
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! BITES THE DUST IS INVINCIBLE! It took a while, but LUCK IS FINALLY ON THE SIDE OF OTOME SAOTOME!"

Luzer stopped, "Wait… Your name is Otome Saotome?"

Otome chuckled, "Oops… Did I just say my real name, by mistake? Yes… It's my name. I'm none other than Otome Saotome. You can shout it to the heavens, if it suits your fancy."

A voice called, "Then you're under arrest, asshole!"

Asahi appeared, as she called, "Luzer, I'll take it from here!" She aimed her gun at Otome, as she called, "Otome Saotome, you're in deep shit!"

Otome gasped, "Wha-? HOW? How did you get here? I haven't-!"

Nagisa called, "That's because I dropped a hint!"

Otome cried, "WHAT? A HINT? Nagisa, what are you-?"

Luzer said, "Remember when I picked up the phone, before the coffee spilt all over you? Well, to be frank, I secretly dialed a number to Asahi, and the rest was history. I only told her to come over to the spot, with another, as long as he doesn't overslept. Of course, we're not stupid. We chose to not utter a word of your true name… though, I'm happy that you were sleeping, when I met Nagisa."

Otome gasped, "Wha-? WHAT?"

Luzer revealed, "That's right! Your plan failed, because I made sure Nagisa never tell me your real name, because I knew what would happen, if we say it!"

He transformed back into crow form, as he fluttered to Asahi. She said to her, "And wouldn't you know it? I ran into this boy, just as I was about to arrive."

She showed her Nagisa, and then Nagisa smirked, "HAH! You lose, murderer! And I didn't even utter a word to you of your true name!"

Otome cried, "WHAT? You mean this crow pretended to be Nagisa?!"

Nagisa smiled, "That's right. By the way, did our guest arrive yet?"

Asahi smirked, "Just in time. And he heard this murderer's name, loud and clear. Right, babe?"

Chazz appeared from behind Otome, as she was shocked. He snarled, as he moaned, "So… What did I just hear? I'm still groggy from last night."

Kotonoha ran in, as she called, "Chazz, wait! I wanna see what the commotion was! We made it to meet Sendo-sen-!"

Chazz called out, "Hey, Kotonoha, step back! I'm not sure if my ears deceived me, but… This girl… Did she just say her name was…?"

She gasped, "NO! IMPOSSIBLE!"

Asahi called, "CORRECT! This woman confesses that she's Otome Saotome, Sketch Artist Killer Number Two!"

He barked, "I KNEW IT! The moment she said that particular name, I was speechless!"

Otome cried, "I DON'T BELIEVE IT!"

Chazz called out, "BELIEVE IT, ASSHOLE! I heard it off the top of your lungs that you're Otome Saotome!"

Kotonoha cried, "WHAT? SERIOUSLY?!"

Otome growled, "What are the chances?"

Nagisa called, "It wasn't a chance! It was a gamble! AND YOU LOST! IT'S THE END FOR YOU!"

Asahi called, "Otome Saotome! Hands against the wall! You're not escaping, this time!"

Otome ran off, "SHIT! How did it happen? IT CAN'T BE!"

Chazz cried, "MURDERER!" He socked Otome with Ojama Star. Asahi landed a jab with Idol Diamond, and then Otome fell to the ground, bloodied. She groaned, "Ugh… WHY? How did they know? That damned crow! He tricked me!"

He explained, "It turns out that you and her share the same name."

Kotonoha shouted, "This bastard's really Otome Saotome?!"

Luzer smiled, "This was for all the people you killed, and about to be killed by your hand!"

Chazz called, "And I'll heal all your injuries, murderer, so we can beat your ass, again and again!"

Otome was pinned down, defenseless, "How? How could this be? That damned brat and that crow! I should've known Nagisa would lead me to ruin! I have to… defend myself… But… I want despair… and death… but I have to withdraw Bites the Dust, in order to fight off these cretins!"

Ojama Star rushed in, as Otome shrieked, "PROTECT ME, LETHAL QUEEN!" Lethal Queen blocked the attack.

Nagisa gasped, "NO! She… Wait, what's going on?"

Luzer thought, "I forgot… Spirits and Stands are sometimes invisible to the naked eye. But in my view, she withdrew Lethal Queen from inside Nagisa… which means…"

Kazuki looked around, as he spotted Peter & Tsukasa, walking by the corner. He said, "There they are. Excellent!"

Luzer asked, "Nagisa, what time is it now?"

Nagisa looked at his watch and gasped, "8:30… Wha-? 8:30?!"

Asahi asked, "Uh, what's going on here?"

Luzer said, "Nothing, milady. I just had a hunch about Otome Saotome being Kaede Kayano, that's all…"

Nagisa viewed Kazuki, and he whispered, "He didn't combust. That means… That's means I changed fates!"

Nagisa smiled and he cheered, "YES! He didn't explode! Hope wins over Despair, you murderer! I just changed the fates of this city!"

Because Otome undid Bites the Dust, before Kazuki spontaneously combusted at 8:30am, Kazuki was spared! Luzer & Nagisa has stopped Otome Saotome, and saved everyone from its grim demise, before it happened!

"I DON'T NEED ANY PLEAS OF INTENSE JOY!" Otome growled, as she was clashing with Ojama Star, "All my life, I want to live peacefully, like a plant. I don't believe in hope; nor do I believe in despair! All I want is a peaceful life!"

Chazz said, "Too bad most of us already know who you actually are, bitch. You want a peaceful life, I'll make sure you have your peace, with your new face in pieces!"

Kotonoha said, as she looked at the picture, "That boy… He's Nagisa Shiota! Sendo-sensei's pic was a jackpot!"

Chazz said, "I'm pretty sure we didn't run into her, by chance! I don't understand it… but given she revealed her true name to Nagisa Shiota, or rather the crow in disguise, we came in the nick of time."

Chazz and Otome stared down, as Saotome was cornered. And that was it. Otome Saotome's peaceful life was about to be over, at the hands of Chazz Princeton and friends. The final curtain of this war in F City finally draws near!

To be continued…