War. War never changes. People may say that the further humanity advances, the more advanced weapons we invent, as the older models on which warfare used to rely on become obsolete, so to say. But that's merely the surface level of war. Because while the weapons may advance, the names and opponents may change, the means and motives are always the same. Thutmose III extended the lengths of the Ancient Egyptian Empire to heights never seen before. Alexander the Great sought to topple the Persian Empire and gain power over the entire known world. Julius Caesar's pride and ambition fueled his desire to become dictator of the Roman Republic. Attila and his ruthless army of Huns raided and scorched countless cities across the east Roman Empire, striking fear into their hearts. Regardless of their motivations, every well-known military leader has used violence and bloodshed as their means to achieve power, resources, and accomplish their achievements for which we know them for today.

Even now, in the year 2077, the means and motives of war remain. With rapid technological advancement came the demand for fossil fuels, oil, gasoline, and nuclear energy. As our natural resources and fossil fuels began to run dry, conflict and chaos followed. The European Commonwealth collapsed and turned on each other to gain whatever final resources they had. This would start a series of conflicts known as "The Resource Wars". The Middle Eastern Oil fields ran dry. Out of desperation to keep their fossil fuels, the US annexed Canada to protect Alaska from Chinese invaders trying to gain whatever oil was left. Tensions between the United States of America and the People's Republic of China have never been higher. Even with the invention of the T-51 power armor suit and an invasion on mainland Chinese soil, the Sino-American war would wage for a decade. That added to the fact that both sides possessed an arsenal of countless nuclear weapons at their disposal, and fears of impending nuclear annihilation skyrocketed. Many nations were worried that if the situation kept progressing at this rate, it would only be a matter of time until nuclear war breaks out. The big ol' mushroom cloud sendoff, so to say, looked to be inevitable. And coming sooner than expected.

To prepare in the event that a nuclear holocaust did occur, a series of underground fallout shelters were built by a large American corporation, Vault-Tec Industries, across the United States. These vaults were designed to make sure a small amount of people could survive underground amidst the radioactive wasteland and bombings outside. Provided with enough accommodations so any inhabitants could wait out the horrors of nuclear devastation, and one day, maybe even recolonize the Earth. While not all of them receive the same privileges as other vaults, they're quite efficient at their job, according to Vault-Tec's lawyers.

This fear of nuclear war was shared by the Hope's Peak Academy Committee as well. Hope's Peak Academy is a wealthy academic institution located in Japan. It's where the bravest and brightest individuals across the world, from every imaginable field, were brought here and instructed to shape the economy of the nation's fields for the betterment of society. Getting an invitation to join could set you up for life. As a last minute project proposal designed to protect their Ultimate Students to help rebuild the future, Hope's Peak's principal, Jin Kirigiri, and Vault-Tec's investors struck an international investment deal in 2073. Two vaults were built by Hope's Peak to protect their students (and some staff members): Vault 222, located directly underneath the academy building, and Vault 223, located just outside of the big city. Each vault is equipped with Vault-Tec state-of-the-art advanced technology. Like all vaults, 222 and 223 have their own special perks, such as [INFORMATION REDACTED FOR STORY PURPOSES]

Vault-Tec representatives would later sign a deal with Japanese investors a few months later, and build a handful of other vaults in Japan in the event of such a disaster. Only a few dozen or so could be built due to the prohibitively expensive costs of building such vaults, and the massive bill that came with the American-made ones. But then again, a few more costs would also mean a few more profits to harvest for Vault-Tec Industries.

Each year, Hope's Peak hosts a lottery where a random normal student is selected to join the academy as the "Ultimate Lucky Student". And for our main character, Makoto Naegi, it looks like his Luck stat must be at 10, because he was invited to join Hope's Peak next year, for the Class of 78! And that's not all. Since he has been accepted into Hope's Peak, Makoto and his family have been pre-selected by Vault-Tec to stay in the local vault in case total atomic annihilation takes place before he enters next year. Looks like tHiNgS aRe L00k1nG UP f0r h-1-m - kzzt - kzzt - kzzzt

September 12, 2077 - [Unknown city], Japan - Rooftop of Dusk High School

"Hey, Makoto… I know you don't like talking about this, but… I've been having serious panic attacks lately. I've barely been able to sleep at night, I'm losing my appetite, I can barely even focus on school anymore. I'm tired of all of this bullshit going on in the world! All I want is for peace in the world, but everything's going straight to hell!"

"I know how you feel, Hiroshi. Truth be told, I'm worried, too. Relations between the United States and China have only been getting worse. I really hate looking at the news nowadays, everything is so bleak and hopeless, but… at the same time, I need to know what's going on. All we can do right now is hope for the best-"

"Easy for you to say. It's a miracle that anyone can still have hope for the future. I'm surprised you haven't given up hope yet, Makoto. Then again, you're the one with all the luck."

"Luck? What do you mean?"

"Come on! You were chosen by HOPE'S PEAK, for God's sake! You and your family already have a reserved ticket for the vault. You at least HAVE a chance for a future if shit hits the fan! What about me, though?! What about everyone else who can't afford a space, or don't have enough room in there? What's going to happen to us?! Are we all going to die because our fucking species can't help but kill each other?!"

"Hiroshi, I never asked to be selected by Hope's Peak. It was only a chance of luck that someone as average as myself got the letter. Hiroshi, are you… jealous?"

"Yeah, I'm a little jealous. But I'm mostly fucking pissed off! The war between China and the US only drained more fossil fuels, wasting more money and soldiers for nothing! And that was just the start! What happens if the rest of the world starts getting involved? What happens if we decide to go to war? What if we get drafted in the next few years? Our country's already preparing for armed conflict!"

"Even though getting to use power armor would be pretty cool, yeah. I doubt I'd survive military training. Things aren't looking so good in America, either. I heard there have been riots breaking out over food and energy. Over food of all things… I really hope this world doesn't go to nuclear hell. I want my family to be safe."

"Same here… Listen, Makoto… I'm sorry about snapping at you. I was pissed off about everything. I shouldn't have acted like that towards you, man. I'm sorry."

"There's no need to apologize. I understand. There's a lot to be frustrated about right now. Whatever you do, make sure not to lose all hope. There may still be a chance for a future for us. Even if it's underground."

Location: [Unknown], Japan

Time: [Unknown]

Date: October 23, 2077

Flashes… sounds of screaming… confirmed reports in New York and Pennsylvania… we have to get to the Vault! …. Sounds of screaming, fear, despair… my memories are so fuzzy… Komaru… Mom… Dad… why can't I remember what happened? Everything went by so fast. Barely had enough time to take it in. I remember we saw something on TV. Something about the news. The reporters mentioned something about attacks… a list of places were mentioned. Big cities. New York, Hong Kong, Paris, Dubai… then saying Tokyo was inbound. I don't know what it meant, just that I heard it. All I remember next was Komaru fainting and us desperately driving as fast as we could to reach the vault. We were lucky the vault security recognized us and let us in. I don't know what happened to everyone who didn't make it inside… then there was a big boom… some doctors put us in these massive pods to do… I'm not sure what it was. Why is my memory all broken?

*These pods will decontaminate and depressurize you before you head deeper into the Vault. You will be released once safety protocols have been completed. Initiating cryogenic freezing procedures in five, four, three, two, one…*

I felt cold, very cold, but strangely peaceful, as I drifted off into sleep. That was the last thing I remembered happening as I hoped our future here would be alright.

A VERY LONG AND UNSPECIFIED AMOUNT OF TIME (Plot Twist Inbound) LATER…

*Cryogenic de-freezing procedures activated. Full deactivation may take a few minutes. Please have patience as you wait. Thank you for choosing Vault-Tec Security.*

I could feel something warm in the beige interior of the steel pod. I was starting to wake up from my freeze sleep, and I noticed three figures looking at me from outside the glass panel in front of me. The glass was still covered in frost, so I couldn't see much out of it, but I did manage to see two of the figures in orange and white colored suits, each with some kind of shiny astronaut helmet attached to them. They looked like strange astronauts, in a way. I couldn't see their faces. One of the two seemed wider than the other, holding some kind of… gun? I can't really make it out, but it looks like a gun. The other looked much shorter, almost like the suit didn't fit them. I thought the people in the suits must have been trying to open whatever I was trapped inside of. The third figure I couldn't see much of, but I could hear them saying strange things to the other two. My hearing started to improve.

"There's no need to be frightened. We're here to rescue you," a female voice I didn't recognize said to me.

"You've been cooped up in that cryopod. We have no clue as to how long you've been in stasis for, but it doesn't look like this pod has been opened in quite some time," the larger of the two suit people said.

"Makoto, it's me, Komaru! Please, if you're still alive, say something! These people said they can help us! Just hold on in there, big bro! I promise I'll get us out safely!"

K-Komaru? It really was her. I knew that voice from anywhere. What's she doing there? Who are these people supposed to be? And why am I feeling so tired all of a sudden- AUGH! My head! It hurts! I wanted to grip my head so badly, but I couldn't move my arms. Why am I having this painful headache? Oh no, my vision's getting all twirly now. I think I'm losing consciousness…

"He's awake, but the cryogenic restabilization process must have undergone an error. He seems to be experiencing some kind of side effect to it. We may need to perform a medical diagnosis back at the vault," the female voice said again.

"What does that mean? Will my brother be okay?! Please tell me he'll make it out alive!", Komaru screamed, tears strolling down her eyes.

"Relax, he'll be fine. He'll just feel a bit janky when he finally wakes up. Same thing happened to me when I got out. Of course, we'll have to put him in the med bay to check for any mutations. Same goes for you. Not to fear, it's standard procedure" the male voice told her.

There was too much going on right now to process… I tried my hardest to stay awake, but the headache grew worse. I started getting dizzy, and before I knew it, the world began to fade before my eyes. I could only hear the sound of my sister screaming my name as I passed out.

"MAKOTO!"

Approximately 34 hours later…

Third Person POV

"Hey… are you okay? Can you hear me? D-Don't be scared, you're in s-safe hands now."

Makoto found himself lying down on a hospital bed. Surprisingly cushy, too. The bright light of the room blinded him as he tried to open his eyes. Standing over him, he could see what he assumed to be a doctor of some sorts. Although, her dark gray jacket, combined with her white dress shirt and black miniskirt, was not what he would expect a doctor to look like. She had light, gentle purple eyes and short, pale gray hair curled over her shoulders, bearing a purple respirator mask over her mouth. The doctor's complexion looked somewhat pale and sickly, perhaps a little undernourished. She placed one of her dark purple gloved hands down and cupped his face, as if examining him for any ailments. In her other hand, she held a small light, and turned it on.

"Oh good, you're awake. I was wondering when you'd wake up. I would let you go see your sister, but your health check isn't complete yet," she told him. Her voice was surprisingly gentle, yet still held a serious tone to it. It felt out of place, yet so wonderful to listen to. "Okay, now follow the light. Don't worry. You won't go blind. The light is fine enough for you to look into."

Makoto saw the light flash in his right eye, following it as the doctor moved it. He did the exact same with his left eye, before the doctor put down the light and wrote something down on a clipboard. Makoto looked around and saw that the scenery of the place felt very advanced. No windows were in sight, yet there was a heart monitor next to his bed, and a cabinet filled with what he assumed was medicine. It looked like a small hospital room.

"There seems to be no issues regarding your optical functions. That's wonderful," she told him, now facing him. "Congratulations, Mr. Naegi, you seem to be perfectly healthy and free of radiation and cryo-sickness."

"Cryo what?", Makoto asked, still trying to understand the situation. As he began to wake up, he noticed a syringe tube was attached to his wrist that extended to a plastic package containing some orange liquid, the words "RADAWAY" scribbled in black on it. What… What is this stuff? The doctor seemed to notice his concern.

"Oh, we had no idea if you were exposed to any radiation leakage in your vault. We weren't expecting any survivors, though we brought an extra Hazmat suit in case we found one. Unfortunately, we didn't have another one for you. B-But don't worry! I made sure to inject Radaway into your bloodstream to clear any radiation you might've been carrying. It's our standard health inspection we use anytime someone comes back from the Wasteland. You're in p-perfectly capable hands" the doctor explained. She gently disconnected the tube from Makoto's wrist, not hurting at all. Makoto sat upright, confused at every word she said.

"What the heck are you talking about? Radaway? Wasteland? V-Vault? What's going on? W-Where are we, anyway? Is this the hospital?", he asked. The boy noticed that, despite the mask, the doctor seemed surprised to hear him say that. Concerned, even.

"It's a bit small to call a hospital. The word I would use would be 'medical bay area'. It suffices, though. Wait… y-you're being s-s-serious? You r-really don't remember anything?"

"Well, I remember a few things… very little. I remember I was trapped inside something… there were two people trying to get me out of it, I heard my sister screaming for me… that's all I can think of." There was another thing that Makoto had realized. The doctor's voice sounded awfully familiar to the one he heard before. "Those people… were you one of them?"

The doctor's nervousness began to die down, breathing a sigh of relief. "Alright, so your memory isn't entirely broken. But you may be suffering from amnesia. Y-Yes, Mr. Naegi, I-I was there. You've been resting here ever since we extracted you from your vault. That substance I injected you with, Radaway, is a chemical solution. It bonds with any radioactive particles inside of your system and removes them from it. Hence the pun 'Rad-Away'."

"My… vault? W-Who are you? Wait, how did you know my name?" Makoto began to feel another headache, gripping his head in frustration. The doctor reached for the cabinet and brought him a cup of water and a few pills. Makoto took and swallowed them.

"Those should help with the pain. My apologies. My name is Seiko Kimura, and I am the Ultimate Pharmacist. I'm the vault's medic and medical supplier. It's m-my job to ensure every member of the vault is h-healthy and free of ARS and/or any genetic mutations," she told him cheerfully. "You and your sister were found frozen in a cryostasis pod in Vault 262. When we tried to extract your sister from her cryopod, the de-freezing process had no errors. She told us about you. Yet, when we extracted you… something must've short-circuited. You passed out shortly before we opened the pod. Right now, you are currently resting inside of Vault 223."

"We're in the vaults?" The realization of that statement hit Makoto like a bus as it sank in. No, NO! That would mean… that would mean… oh my God… the world has ended? No, there's no way that's true! "Please tell me we're going through some vault training exercises right now," he told her, desperately trying not to break down.

"You really don't know?" Seiko appeared to be hesitant to share the news with him.
"I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. I barely knew what had happened when I first woke up. What I'm trying to say, Mr. Naegi, is this… the world has undergone a complete nuclear disaster. The Most Bloody, Most Devastating, Most Disastrous War in Human History. We don't know how long it's been since the bombs dropped, but what we do know is that the outside world has been a nuclear fallout zone for years, and there must've been an armed conflict that caused it. It's practically a Wasteland out there. A-As for who's left and what remains of human civilization, we're still searching for answers. I know it must be hard hearing this, Mr. Naegi, but that's the truth…"

"N-Now hold on! Is this true?! Has the world really ended?! Is that why I… why I was found in the vault? Wait, Komaru! She's here, too?! Is she safe?! Where's Mom and Dad?! What happened to the vault I was in?!" Makoto started to hyperventilate, unable to cope with the revelation. Seiko placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Y-Yes, your s-sister is here with u-us. She's perfectly fine, Mr. Naegi," Seiko told him. "In fact, she's been waiting to see you for a while. You've been asleep for the past thirty-four hours. As for what happened to your vault… I think there's someone here who could explain that much better than I could. I was only able to witness the aftermath of it. We tried looking for any survivors, but mostly all we found were dead bodies. Yet for some reason, you and your sister were perfectly kept in cryostasis, untouched. You two were the only remaining survivors we managed to rescue."

"Then tell me who can explain what happened to me!", Makoto yelled, incredibly anxious and frustrated. It felt as if he was going to have a panic attack sooner or later.

"His name is Rantaro Amami. He's our Wasteland survival expert. He witnessed the incident happen before we arrived to save you. If he's available, I can get him down here to explain everything to you, Mr. Naegi. If possible, I will try to get your sister for a visit."

To be continued…