-Ultimate Dorms 1st floor-
"Turns out that there is staff here after all," I said, my brows furrowing.
"You had suspicions then, as did I," Kaiya spoke, quirking a brow. "Sure took them a while to speak up…"
"No sense in keeping them waiting, we should go," I suggested with a small smile.
Kaiya nodded and we made our way to the cafeteria.
-Cafeteria-
Once we entered the place, I looked over at the double doors I saw before. I remember them being locked last time I tried to open them. That was probably because they needed time to prepare the announcements and our welcoming. I also noticed Sozen standing next to the doors, crossing his arms looking down to the floor. He was probably deep in thought.
"Is something the matter, Motozawa?" Kaiya questioned, folding her arms over one another.. "The doors should be unlocked."
"They are, but that's not why I'm stiff in the bones at the moment," he responded, his gaze shifting towards us. "Despite the voice showing no relation to Monokuma, I still find myself feeling uneasy about this."
"You really don't know how to relax do you," I accused, frowning.
"It's only natural for me to think of all the possibilities," he defended, mildly annoyed. "Whatever happens, I want you to know that I plan on putting a full stop to the operation if it turns out the worst."
I sincerely hope that he won't have to, but it's good to know that he has a plan if this goes awry. Although, I am not quite sure what he thinks he'll be able to do about it...
With that message, he pushed open the doors and stepped inside. Kaiya and I looked at each other and then followed suit.
-Announcement room-
The room itself was pretty bare-bones, there was a 3 inch high stage in the back of the room, and absolutely nothing to sit on. The room was the size of a school gym, with metal plated walls, and a cement floor. There were banners that had the Future Foundation logo on it, and a "Welcome all ultimates" sign hanging above the stage. There were also large xenon lights hanging from the ceiling. Not everyone was here yet, as I only saw Norito, Nene, Arishige, the twins, Kado, Erena, Sozen, Sukey, and Juro here.
"Shouldn't there be someone actually fuckin' here?!" Juro commented, clenching his teeth. "What kind of workers are these people to always be a damn no show!?"
It is strange, I would have expected there to at least be a representative in here to greet us. There has to be some reason for this.
"I am getting tired of the games they play," Arishige said, applying some black eyeliner on himself. "Being on time for meetings is important, especially when someone has something prominent to reveal."
"Maybe we should just give them time, much like how mother nature gives us time to prepare for our next day!" Erena exclaimed, clasping her hands.
"They've had plenty of time already," Nene coldy stated, crossing her arms. "They should show themselves now."
"They're most likely waiting for everyone else to arrive," Sukey said, attempting to calm everyone.. "It would be unfair to start the show too early."
That is the more likely reason, but it doesn't entirely excuse them.
"If the others arrive," Masakado deadpanned. "I know quite a bit of them were fearful."
"Hmhmhmhmhmm~ maybe we scared them enough to make them want to avoid us…" The twins mused while grinning.
Eventually, the others did arrive.
"Jeez, about time you losers arrived…" Juro said, rolling his eyes while lacing his hands behind his head.
"You have some nerve calling the true genius a loser," Anzai retaliated, flicking his hair around.
"It's more of a case of brain-dead," Nene hastily said.
"Is anyone on my damn side!?" Juro complained, angrily raising a fist.
"There must be some sort of hold up," Heikichi offered, scratching his beanie. "We are all here, so they should be as well."
"Maybe they are preparing a spectacular entrance…" Isoyo mused, placing a finger on her lip.
The more we wait, the more a pit forms in my stomach, a pit of doubt. Are we really safe?
"Buckle your seat-belts, because the moment you've all been waiting for is about to arrive!" The same voice from the intercom announced from somewhere in the room.
The lights dimmed and suddenly flames erupted on the stage, shooting out like geysers, as a short little plushie like lizard rose up on the stage, with a spotlight on them. It was standing on two feet as well. I would call it cute had I not been reminded of Monokuma, with the way that half their left side of their body is white, and the other being a very dark purple. They even had the malicious looking eye that Monokuma had, on the purple side of its face, except it was glowing a vibrant green rather than red. As the flames died down, silence filled the room. Everyone's face showed either terror or confusion.
I… cannot find words to say. It's not Monokuma, but most definitely something similar. There's just no chance of this being fake or intended. The Future Foundation would never create this thing.
"Seems my entrance was so spectacular that it took your breath away! Gahahahaha~" the lizard chortled. "Now where's my applause?!"
Like they will get any sort of appreciation from us.
Or at least I thought so, as Kado gave her a slow clap and Erena followed with fast clapping.
"Very nice! Very nice indeed!" Erena remarked cheerfully.
"Heh… I'm pleased to see that it won't be as boring as I thought, being stuck in here," Kado commented, a smirk forming on his face.
Why the hell is he taking enjoyment out of this?
"See? Some people here have some appreciation for all my hard work on this," the lizard said, looking pleased. "Why can't you all be so thankful?"
"Eeeeeeeeeeee~ you're too adorable!" Erena exclaimed, her eyes shining.
That was single handedly the cutest sound I've ever heard come out of a human's mouth. That said, no, this thing is not cute, it serves as a reminder of a terrifying past and the 2nd tragedy itself. Even though Junko is not alive, despair did not die with her. This may be the reincarnation.
"You have a good eye girly!" Monotokage complemented, twirling around. "No one can deny my cuteness!"
"Have you looked in a mirror?" Norito asked, pointing his broom at the robot. "You are very reminiscent of the despairing stain that was Monokuma!"
"Yeah, and there's nothing cute about that," Isoyo added, pointing with her brush.
"I guess you can say my creation was... inspired," The lizard replied, crossing her arms with her head tilted. "One thing's for sure, my inventor was a genius!"
A genius at creating a hellish mistake that should return to the trash pile.
"Nonsense, there's only room for one genius in this world…" Anzai commented, switching to his sunglasses. "I'll hafta change that in a sec!"
"Fuck off with this!" Juro shouted, clearly pissed. "Who the fuck're you!? And why the hell are you even here!?"
"They must be some kind of demon, because there's no other way a plushie could come to life!" Leiko said, her face beaming. "This gives me another chance for a signature! And some studying."
"I'm not a demon, at least in race, but I do enjoy playing twisted games!" the lizard said, "irregardless, if you really must know, my official name is Monotokage! And I am here to begin the next killing game!"
"No…" Isoyo muttered, covering her mouth.
"K-k-killing… game…" I sputtered, putting a hand to my forehead. I could feel the nervous sweat dripping from my face.
Sozen was right, I should have just listened to him, we both had the chance to turn back before it was too late. Now, we are all smack dab in the middle of a killing game. This was supposed to be a safe haven, how did it come to this…
"I'm sure most of you already know the whole gig, but just to be safe, let me explain the game," Monotokage said with her left hand on her hip and her right forearm outstretched. "In this death-defining game of betrayal and despair, you will all be trapped here forever, unless one of you takes the life of another. Of course, you must get away with it in order to actually leave, as you will all battle it out. The blackened, who is the killer, versus everyone else in a trial. Your crime must be perfect enough to elude them from the truth so you can be free or you will fail and be punished! Ruthlessly so!"
"I can't believe this…" Sukey muttered, tears forming in her eyes.
"It's actually happening…" Erena grasped at her head with her eyes shut.
"I was fooled… fooled! into coming down here for protection only to stumble across this dreaded game," Anzai said, dramatically falling to one knee. "My genius mind picked a horrible time to fail me…"
"Fuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuck!" Juro repeated at an unimaginable speed, with a horrified look on his face.
How is he able to say that word so fast? It's almost as if he practices every day.
"What a terrible…" Shuuyo started looking down.
"Terrible… Rikako continued, frowning.
"Occurrence, to be participants in the infamous horrific and terrifying game," the twins said together.
"At least we can die with one another sis," Rikako said, grasping her sister's hand.
"We can face the afterlife together," Shuuyo stared into her sister's eyes with a smile. "Just like we always do things, together..."
They are really starting to give off signs of… nevermind, it's probably just a sisterly bond right...?
"Ridiculous! Do you really think we'll kill each other!" Kaiya finally spoke up, sounding furious. "The Future Foundation would be able to notice if this was going on and put an end to it."
"I would hope that they can," Sozen said, closing his eyes. "A lot of money went into our security, they shouldn't allow this to happen."
"Don't worry, there's no way they'll find out what's going on," Monotokage said with confidence, placing a hand on their hip. "So rest assured, the game will go on."
More like, please worry like there's no tomorrow! Because at this point, that may just be the case, that there will be no next day.
"Like we wanted it to asshole!" Juro insulted his hand clenching into a tight fist.
"Perhaps, the Future Foundation is working with Monotokage," Kado questioned, leaning forwards. "Oh, how despicable it would be~"
"No, I'm fooling them into thinking everything is going according to plan by sending messages under the lead operator's name of the "protect the Ultimates" project," Monotokage informed with a yawn, using their tail to lean their head against. "What a bunch of blind sheep, amirite?! Yahehehehehe!~"
H-how is… how is that damn lizard actually able to blindside them? Is that really all it takes?
"Then this means I have no choice but to take initiative… I promised I'd put a stop to this," Sozen said, reaching into his coat and revealing a 44. magnum. He aimed it toward Monotokage and immediately pulled the trigger, not giving anyone time to react, all the human's anyways, since the little robot lizard swiped the bullet back at him with some strange shield that extended from their wrist.
I gasped for a moment. Everyone turned to look at Sozen, seeing that the bullet only hit his coat's collar. I was relieved only for a second until Monotokage rocketed towards him, slamming him to the ground, seizing his weapon. They flew back to the stage, examining the gun.
"Sozen!" Sukey, Norito, and I shouted.
That must have been what he meant when he said he'd put a stop to whatever terrible event might occur. I didn't know what I was expecting, but it was definitely not him attempting to shoot Monotokage.
"Shit dude, you alright?!" Juro asked, looking shocked, as he rushed over to him. "That was some ragdoll shit yo!"
"Yeah, nothing feels injured," Sozen responded, sitting up while holding his shoulder.
Juro offered his hand and Sozen grabbed it as he was assisted in standing up on his feet.
"With how you're holding your shoulder... are you sure about that?" I asked, glancing at his shoulder with uneasy eyes.
"The pain will go away in a few hours, so stop worrying," Sozen said between breaths.
"That was uncalled for!" Monotokage complained, holding their arms up in anger. "Thanks for the new toy though. Your charity is appreciated."
"Now we know that he has defensive parameters," Heikichi mentioned, typing on his device. "Won't be that easy to destroy him, let alone hack into."
"First of all, I'm female! Assuming the gender of robot lizards is wrong!" Monotokage said, before licking her tail with a seductive look. "Second, no matter how sexy I am, I don't approve of having your grubby palms near me… unless you have something to give."
"Ewww…" Leiko said in disgust. "How could you think of her that way Heikichi?! Have some decency."
Why are you getting mad at him? Monotokage is the one who's being disgusting.
"Teahahahaha~" Erena started laughing out loud. "That was kind of funny."
"How can you laugh at a time like this, girl?" Kaiya asked, her eyes widening.
"I really did not want to!" Erena said, covering her mouth stifling a laugh. "But haha~ I cannot help it."
"I didn't think of her that way!" Heikichi defended, throwing his arms up, his face reddening. "I'm not into animals, I'm not that nasty."
Weird how he didn't include robots in that statement. Frankly, I would not be all too surprised if he was into them.
"Some people are!" Leiko chastised, wagging her clawed finger. "Don't kink shame them!"
"Why are you even trying again," Isoyo asked, pointing at Monotokage. "Every other killing game has failed after the first."
"Again? This is my first time," Monotokage said, before looking bashful. "In both terms of the saying."
"Please stop with the lewd remarks," Isoyo requested.
"So, you're saying that you are not Junko?" Nene asked, furrowing a brow.
"Of course I am! I'd never want to be her," Monotokage said, sounding disgusted. "She and Monokuma are two pieces of shit in a toilet bowl."
Hmmm… not only is there someone else just as screwed in the head as Junko, but they also seem to hold a bit of disdain towards her, maybe even a grudge? I can only wonder why that'd be...
"Then why are you starting a killing game? that's her idea, not to mention your design." Arishige asked. "Stealing products is an offense, can't you be more creative!? Where's the glorituitiveness?"
"Well, While they were terrible hosts for the games, the game itself was a fantastic invention, and so was Monokuma's design," Monotokage explained, placing a hand on her hip.
"But bears are cute, why a lizard?" Erena questioned, looking up inquisitively. "Not that lizards are not cute, but most people don't think so."
"Excuse me, I find that I am indeed cute to all," Monotokage said, twirling around. "And if you care that much, I'm a lizard because of, you know, I actually don't know, huh…"
"You said that Junko was not a good host, what do you um... mean by that exactly?" I questioned, rubbing my chin. "Her killing games became infamous for a reason after all."
"I mean that she's too lenient, and because of that, she is not able to show the game's true potential," Monotokage answered. "This time will be different, I will show her up on her own game and make this the most spectacularly despairing game yet!"
I never imagined that the game could get even worse. Color me astonished and fearful.
"You're rotten!" Erena exclaimed with rage. "As rotten as a fruit left out for a year!"
"Hey! I'm as fresh as an bright red apple on the tree!" Monotokage growled, extending a claw. "I recently left the creator's table, you know!"
"You're missing a few fashionable additions…" Arishige informed, stroking his white hair. "How about I remake you, it'll be one thousand dollars by the by."
He still wants to make profit, even off of a freakin robot.
"I'm fine just the way I am! Stop judging my damn appearance you damn bozos!" Monotokage shouted in anger, her tail poised. "Just let me enjoy this, it's my first time you know?"
"You sound too happy about this..." Sukey commented, shaking her head with a saddened sigh. "You're just the worst, just like Junko, you rusty doorstop!
Interesting choice of insult… yet effective in a way... I guess...
"Why would I not be, the Future Foundation dropped me such a wonderful birthday present, in the form of the last sixteen ultimates, allowing me this chance that I've been waiting for," Monotokage reasoned, looking pleased.
"Happy Birthday Monotokage!" Leiko exclaimed, clapping excitedly.
"I don't think it's really her birthday Leiko…" Norito said, sounding exasperated.
"Despite all this, no one is going to kill each other just to escape," Sozen said, before standing upright while putting a fist over his chest. "I will make sure of that."
"We came down here to avoid the outside world in the first place," Nene reminded us, following with a frown. "A mistake of weakness on our part for seeking security."
That is correct, escaping would basically make the whole reason we're here in the first place null and void. None of us should want to escape, the keyword is should.
"Heeeyy that's right, we cannot be that stupid to murder for that reason!" Juro realized, scratching his goatee.
"Even the lowest form of sentience agrees," Anzai commented, cleaning his glasses. "If that doesn't mean anything, then what does? Robots dreaming of chocolate unicorns? I think not!"
At least mostly everyone understands how meaningless escape is. However, I expect a motive to come into play later on as usual with these damn killing games.
"Hmm… seems you'll have to step your game up, Monotokage," Kado told them, turning to her with a disappointed expression. "Wouldn't want to disappoint after all…"
"I will, I will, I meant what I said when I announced that this be the best killing game yet," Monotokage assured proudly. "Just so you kids know, your food is limited, as I'm not going to provide, yahehehehehe~"
We're not all kids…
"We have a garden with food in it," Rikako & Shuuyo mentioned. "We could just use that."
"Exactly! I know how to take care of one, so we'll be fine," Erena added, looking happy.
"I'll' just destroy it if you take too long," Monotokage growled. "I'll give it three days if you choose to never kill."
As I thought, she would never let it be easy, especially if she's trying to outdo Junko.
"There goes that…" Heikichi lamented, sounding despondent.
"Got any other bright ideas for me to shoot down?" Monotokage asked.
"We could just find a way out," Kaiya brought up with a shrug.
"Gahahahahaha!~ humans never cease to impress with their desperation," Monotokage chuckled, holding her stomach. "There ain't no way out other than creating the perfect crime."
"I do agree with her, why would there be any other way out?" I questioned, my eyes flitting around the room at everyone.
Yes, I agreed with her, but she has a point. We are sealed underground after all.
"Yeah, this place was built for our protection," Isoyo mentioned, biting her brush.
"Saying that there's another way out other than the vault door is like doubting Future Foundation's competence in construction," Norito commented, shaking his head.
"Clearly they were not competent enough to keep this filthy lizard out," Arishige butted in, flicking his hair back.
"While desperation is pathetic, it's worth an attempt," Nene admitted with her eyes closed.
"Fine, be my guest, I'll be sure to enjoy watching you losers scramble about," Monotokage said, sounding annoyed. "Because nothing is more entertaining than seeing people try something that you know will never work, gahahahahaha~
"Allow me to give you a parting gift!" Monotokage announced as she tossed us all a device of some sort. "That is a handbook, it includes all sorts of useful shit, and allows you to access certain places."
I turned on the handbook, it booted up saying my name as it went to a screen with five options: Map, Participant info, messages, truth bullets, and options.
"Toodles!~" Monotokage said as her presence disappeared. If anything, I feel better without her being here.
"About time we have our space away from that bitch!" Juro commented, crossing his arms while curling his bottom lip.
"So what's our plan of action?" Heikichi asked, scratching underneath his beanie. "We going to search this place high and low?"
"Yes, but we should go in groups of three," Sukey suggested, touching one of her hair clippings.
"I see… hmhmhmhmhm~ you still fear that someone will do the deed don't you?" the twins pushed, covering their mouths with their fingers.
"It's better to be safe than sorry," Isoyo said.
"I can respect that. So who will go with who?" Sozen complied, closing his eyes while crossing his arms.
"I'll choose for us. Only because there are people who need to bond with one another, and trust is needed more than anything in this situation," Sukey offered with a happy expression.
"Can't wait to see how this plays out…" Masakado sneered, fumbling with his knife.
"The groups will be…" Sukey started, touching her chin in thought.
"Sozen, Juro, and I."
"Kaiya, Kado, and Arishige."
"Omezo, Isoyo, and Erena."
"Heikichi, Leiko, Anzai, and Shuuyo."
"Finally, Norito, Rikako, and Nene," Sukey finished, nodding her head.
"I cannot be separated from my sister," Shuuyo deadpanned.
"Yes, we should switch, I can't stand being without Shuuyo..." Rikako begged, looking very unhappy.
"Fine, Shuuyo can switch with Nene," Sukey gave in, with a warm smile.
"Wait, why do I get stuck with the creepy twins?" Norito asked, sounding annoyed.
It is worrying, the twins seem like the type of people to work together to commit murder...but I doubt they will try given the motive at the moment is just escape. Plus, given how killing games function, one of them would probably need to be sacrificed for the other to escape and there's no way they'd risk that.
"You get what you get and you don't throw a fit!" Leiko chanted while bobbing her head left to right.
Of course she'd bring in schoolyard sayings of all people.
"Do not fret, we will make sure our time together will be oh so much fun," the twins creepily stated.
"Now I'm going to have nightmares," Norito said while shaking. "And I'll have to bleach out my brain to be rid of them!"
"Let's just get on with it. No sense in wasting more time," Anzai scoffed with impatience.
We all got in our groups and headed out in different directions.
-Outside of elevator-
My group ended up checking out the elevator used to enter this hell. Sozen, Juro, and Sukey were here as well, seemingly talking about the suspicious white doors.
"I don't think it's possible to pry that door open Juro," Sukey said, frowning.
"Can't say no until you try it!" Juro encouraged, punching his hand. "Come on Sozen, you're the strongest motherfucker here! With our combined strength we'll be capable."
"These are metal doors, advanced one's at that. Humans can only do so much," Sozen said.
"Someone needs to help, we fuckin' have no reason not to check!" Juro exclaimed through clenched teeth.
He looked towards us.
"Do you see any meat on our bones," Isoyo mentioned, rubbing her arms.
"Not even a predator would want to eat me, I'm all bones," Erena added, gesturing to her body.
"Writing is not an exercise in arm or body strength, so no can do," I mentioned, with a nervous grin.
"See mr. sheriff, just try it dude!" Juro encouraged, clenching a fist. "It won't kill you unlike staying down here for the rest of our fucking lives!"
With a sigh, both the boys stuck as much of their hands they could into the crease of the doors and pulled.
"Hrgg!" Sozen grunted, his muscles straining as he pulled back of the door, using his legs to push back as well.
"Haaahhh!" Juro growled as he did the same.
A few seconds passed as they grunted, with the door not budging at all. It looked kind of ridiculous, as if they were acting it. Erena also decided that it was funny enough to burst out laughing again.
*huff huff* "It's no use," Sozen said, looking weary while blowing on his hands. "All we succeeded at was injuring our hands."
"Whatever, it was worth the effort," Juro said, sounding indifferent.
"I just wonder why they did not label this doorway, when the others were," Sukey mused.
"Must be confidential, or they forgot," Isoyo offered with a shrug.
"What about the elevator?" Erena asked, pointing to the elevator doors.
Sozen muttered with disbelief, shaking his head. "You cannot honestly expect-"
Despite Sozen's words, the elevator did open up.
"Would ya look at that, the dumbass lizard forgot to lock the way out!" Juro exclaimed in a mocking tone.
"What are you waiting for, check it out," Sukey commanded, the curiosity leaking in her voice.
Juro stepped inside and pressed a button, probably the one that goes up. We waited and waited… and waited…
…
And waited…
"Just as I thought," Sozen said, closing his eyes. "No criminal is that stupid."
"Then we should look elsewhere," Sukey suggested.
"Right!" Juro agreed, nodding his head while punching his fists together. "Waste no time!"
They made their way past us and out the door.
"This really blows huh guys?" Erena mused, playing with her hair with a frown.
"I wish that I had never left my home," Isoyo commented, looking down. "It was safer there than here."
"Let's try to avoid regretting our decisions, we can get through this, I hope…" I murmured with a half-hearted smile.
-Lounge-
Entering the lounge, another group was already here. Kado, Kaiya, and Arishige were the ones here, but they did not look too busy.
"I don't think this qualifies as looking for a means of escape," Kaiya said, watching Arishige down a shot of cherry red wine.
"Drinking to the bottom of a bottle is how some people escape reality," Kado brought up, staring into the fireplace.
"True that," Arishige smirked, wiping his mouth with a napkin. "A splendiferino drink is all I need to get my mind back in shape."
"What are you doing Kaiya?" I asked, as she very closely examined the couch.
"There's the possibility of a secret path out of here, so I must search every object here," Kaiya explained, tearing off the cushions.
"Haha! Only a secret agent would consider that, good job!" Erena joyfully congratulated, clapping her hands.
Although, I don't think she'd be the only one to assume that.
"Not everything has to be a switch, this isn't a secret agent base or anything…" Isoyo mumbled, biting her brush.
"I'm not about to back down now," Kaiya said determinedly, turning the entire couch over.
"Hmph… look at that…" Kado examined, placing his knife under his chin as he looked at the fireplace.
"What did you find!?" Erena quickly asked with curiosity..
"Quick tell us dark one… I can't stand being down here without any willing customers any longer," Arishige commanded, cooling himself off with a portable fan.
He actually carries around a fan, wow.
"The valve turns the fire off and on, how interesting," Kado joked with sarcasm, twisting the valve above the fireplace left and right, making the flames rise higher and lower. "Impressive technology."
"Nice to see you're in a good mood…" I muttered under my breath, rolling my eyes.
"Let's just say that I am just as confident as Monotokage was about there being no way out other than murder," Kado said with a malicious smile.
"Don't say that!" Erena accused, pointing at Kado. "Nobody is killing anyone."
"So you say, I await the moment death approaches you, then you'll learn not to be so naive," Kado countered, smirking.
"Shut up," Isoyo said with a stern face. "If anyone's going to die, it'll be you with how much of a horrible person you are. Erena does not deserve death, unlike you."
"I only accept our fate and wish to make the most of it," Kado admitted, touching the point of his knife, then looking at us innocently. "Can you really fault me for that?"
"He's right, while he may be taking this the wrong way, we shouldn't label him as someone to die," I spoke up.
Although, I really wish we could just silence him in some way, things could go awry with him running his mouth in such a manner.
"Yes, we have to try not to fall apart, that's how the first killing game became so horrific and despairing," Kaiya agreed. "Even if some people are less than inclined to work with us."
"Still, we cannot allow him to mess with us." Isoyo continued to push, crossing her arms.
"Cosmetics could solve this problem!" Arishige claimed, presenting a makeup kit.
"No they can't," I stated firmly.
"Hagh..." Arishige dramatically sighed. "This is precisely why I must leave this place, too much hatred for my products."
That should be the least of your concerns...
"That better not be you considering offing one of us!" Kaiya accused me with authority.
"He can't be considering that," Erena denied, biting her nails.
"Of course I'm not, what a horrendous accusation," Arishige said, sounding offended. "I can wait patiently until an alternative route is found."
"Well, I think we should move on now, they seem to have this place covered," I mentioned, gesturing to the door to the cafeteria for my group to follow.
-Cafeteria-
"Thanks for defending me from Kado by the way," Erena said, looking towards Isoyo with a gracious smile.
"I just want us to avoid the fate many other Ultimates faced, and it'd be easier without him pushing us," Isoyo explained, pulling down her hat.
"His tactics won't work, not now anyways, with everyone being determined to escape by any means other than killing," I mentioned.
"Put that down guys! Seriously," someone yelled out.
That sounded like Norito, is he alright?
"Hmhmhmhm~" the familiar laugh of the twins echoed. "It's just a knife, what's to worry about."
"I'm warning you, I know how to use this mop!" Someone warned, with a combination of fear and confidence, if you can call it that.
Yep, that's certainly Norito… What exactly is going on over there in the kitchen?
"Oh, but all it does is clean up messes," one of the twins stated.
"And we could do the same with it…" the other twins started.
"To soak your blood off the floor," both of them finished in a sinister tone.
One terrified shriek later, a fearful looking Norito ran out of the kitchen and directly into me, knocking me over.
"Agh… that was painful…" I grunted, standing back up, gripping my head.
"You really need to be more careful when running away in fear!" Erena chastised, pointing an accusing finger at Norito.
"How can you expect me to be focused enough, they just threatened to kill me!" Norito defended, wildy gesturing to where the twins were.
"We were just being playful, we said we'd make it fun, remember?" the twins said innocently as they walked up to us.
What is up with these two?
"Yeah, and I said I'd have nightmares, so you made that true," Norito said, looking off into the distance.
"Isn't it better that way, it means that you'll never forget us, even in death," the twins said with a creepy smile.
"That's not the kind of thing I consider better," Norito said, placing a hand on his head with a bemused expression. "Having you two plague my dreams is far at the bottom of that list."
"You'll enjoy our attention eventually sweetie," the twins replied with a cute and innocent giggle.
"You two don't really know how your actions affect others," I said, shaking my head while scratching my hair.
"No, we do, it's just that we find it endlessly amusing," they responded, both grinning. "This situation makes it all the more easier as well."
At this point, their love for creeping everyone out must be an obsession, maybe even a fetish… Did I really just assume that? All these people are rubbing off on me...
"Do not start considering the killing game a good thing," Isoyo deadpanned, pointing at the twins with her brush.
"It's not in any way, shape or form a good thing, and we know that," they confirmed, looking at each other.
"Me and my sis have just found a way to make good use of it's advantages," Shuuyo informed with a pleased smile.
"I'll never fully understand you two," I said with a nervous smile.
"I think I'm done working with them," Norito announced, grabbing the tip of his hat. "I'm going to scrub my room to calm down now."
"He should not go off on his own," Isoyo brought up, grasping her sleeves.
"Yeah, but he clearly needs time alone, besides, mother nature tells me that I can trust him," Erena said, putting a hand to her chest while closing her eyes.
"She spoke to you?" I asked skeptically.
That'd be some next level spirituality on a supernatural scale that I cannot believe to be possible.
"Not really, but I can feel it."
"That's pretty cool that you can do that Erena," Isoyo complimented.
"I'm glad you think so!" Erena thanked happily.
"Let's get back on track," I said, with a nervous grin.
We took the time to search around the cafeteria and kitchen. There was really nothing hinting at an escape. I did look inside the large freezer, but there was nothing but frozen meat in it. Everything was as it should be. With that over with, we went on to the dorm room.
-Ultimate Dorms 1st floor-
When we arrived, I immediately noticed Nene, Leiko, Anzai, and Heikichi, whom was messing with some control panel.
"Remind me again why I am doing this," Heikichi requested as he observed his device.
"Because, there might be a secret portal out of here behind that panel!" Leiko exclaimed with determination. "How else could that demon lizard have gotten in here without anyone noticing?"
"Not only is that one of the most idiotic assumptions, but you also did not take into consideration that no one could fit in there if there was a gods forsaken portal." Anzai reasoned, the sheer annoyance was clear in his voice.
"What're you talking about? That's the only thing that makes sense!" Leiko said with a confused expression. "I know what I'm doing."
Knowing what you're doing doesn't constitute the fact that it's correct. That's called being in over your head.
"Why must I have been put here with you all…" Nene lamented with a facepalm. "I've never wanted to kill someone outside of the arena more in my life."
You chose to be here, don't start blaming anyone else other than yourself, of course, I'm not telling her that in fear of getting eviscerated.
"Well, if you do that then we'd know it was you and you'd be done for," Heikichi commented, looking over at Nene with a doubting expression.
"Which is why you are all lucky," Nene abruptly said with a scoff.
"I wouldn't say that, especially after all that has happened," I said with a frown.
"I hope that we can all agree that we find ourselves in an unfortunate situation," Isoyo said. "This is no work of luck one bit and the only way it'll get better is if we get along..."
"See Nene, you just need to simmer down is all," Erena said in a comforting tone, as if Nene were an animal. "It's important for us all to keep ourselves together."
"When did you start taking things more seriously?" Heikichi asked, his brow furrowing as he scratched underneath his beanie. "When I first met you, you seemed carefree."
"I simply adapted, much like how nature adapts to its environment!" Erena said cheerfully, raising her arms up high.
"We fuckin' get it girl! You're a freakin biologist!" Anzai said, wearing sunglasses, then switching to the horn-rimmed glasses. "Enough with the nature references, who even goes outside these days when there's so many types of inside games to make use of?"
"You're the only one complaining, she has no need to listen to you," Isoyo said, biting her brush. "Let her be herself."
"A turret better not appear again when I open this panel," Heikichi commented, pressing on his device.
"Now you're worried, before you did not seem to care," I mentioned, crossing my arms.
"It's more about failure than me being afraid of death," Heikichi informed.
"There might not even be anything useful behind it," Nene remarked, turning away from us. "This is all pointless."
Monotokage suddenly appeared out of seemingly nowhere.
"Heikichi, are you hacking into something!? That is a big no no!" she chastised with a threatening glare.
"Welp, looks like you're going to hell Heikichi!" Leiko exclaimed with unnatural happiness as if he was about to graduate.
"Wah!" Erena jumped up in fear.
"Yahehe~ I'm not actually going to punish you, since that panel is not hiding anything I care about," Monotokage said, sounding indifferent, placing a hand on her hip.
That's also something someone who is hiding something would say. Although, it is most likely just the controls to the chandelier or the lights maybe.
"Yes, because it's probably just the chandelier controls," Anzai inferred, cleaning his glasses with a cocky smile.
"Yup, that's the gist of it, so unless you really really need to lower the chandelier, you'll find your time wasted," Monotokage dissuaded, tilting her head.
"We've already wasted enough time," Nene said, crossing her arms with a frown.
"And we'll most likely never need access to the controls," Heikichi added.
"You guys love to go the full length when it comes to escaping dontcha'?" Monotokage mocked with joy, grabbing her stomach. "It's absolutely hilarious! Gahahahaha~!"
She then left.
"I'm conducting a search on my own," Nene announced, as she left the room.
"I'll be following Miss Wakisaka's idea," Anzai said, switching to the monocle. " Since you lot are dreadfully below average intelligence I must say."
He also left the room the same way.
"We aren't very good at this whole 'bonding' thing it seems," Heikichi said as he stopped attempting to hack into the panel. "I really don't need to bother with this anymore."
"I hope we can improve the relations, because I need more people to ship!" Leiko whined, curling her bottom lip.
There's better reasons for us to get along other than that, but I shouldn't expect anything else from her.
"To the second floor we go," I commanded, getting tired of this.
-Ultimate dorms 2nd floor-
This time we were alone.
"Looks like we actually have to do something now," Erena commented, biting her nails.
"Good, we can't be useless the entire time after all," Isoyo said.
I have a feeling that the search in general is useless going off of all that we've seen.
"Yeah, but um… all the rooms are accessed by our handbooks, so our options are limited up here," I reminded them, rubbing my chin.
"Why don't we try jumping down the laundry chute!" Erena suggested, gesturing to the chute.
"That's not a very good idea," I said with uncertainty, shaking my head.
"Why not, the chute is big enough for a person to fit in," Erena mentioned, not sounding convinced. "It's the only other way into the laundry room."
"Nope, not allowed!" Monotokage exclaimed, appearing suddenly, holding her arms up. "No living people are allowed to set foot in that room until I say so!"
She immediately disappeared.
Sooner or later, Monotokage will just get annoying with all this appearing out of nowhere just to screw with us or something. How could anyone find this entertaining?
"Okay then, so much for that…" Isoyo said, biting her brush.
"Our rooms then?" Erena asked, putting a hand on her head.
"Even though I doubt it, it's best to be sure," I mused, closing my eyes.
We started with my room since it was the closest.
-Omezo's room-
"Find anything Isoyo?" I asked, turning to her.
"Not really, tell me, do you have plans on writing anything while you're here, I can see that you have the equipment," Isoyo said, tilting her head.
"I might, if I keep track of everything that happens, it will allow no one to ever be forgotten if worse comes to worse," I answered with a shrug.
I never gave it much thought before, but it may prove to be helpful if I did record everything that happens here. The Future Foundation could use it to keep this from happening again and maybe even find the mastermind if we all die here.
"Please stop thinking like that, everything will be fine," Erena requested, her face deadpanning.
"Trust me, I want to avoid the worst just as much as you," I reassured, putting my hand up defensively.
But it's unavoidable at this point, as there is zero chance of another way out at this point in time.
We left my room to look into Erena's next.
-Erena's room-
Inside Erena's room, I saw many pictures and diagrams of ecosystems and animals. In the middle of the room sat a long table with many potted plants on it. Other than that, it looked about the same as my room.
The room certainly matches it's owner. Which seems to be the case for every room. I wonder if there's any other rooms in this facility that were designed with us in mind...
"Did you collect all these?" Isoyo asked, walking up to the table of plants.
"Yep, got them from the garden, it helps to have nature close to me," Erena replied sweetly, with a warm smile.
"They're so beautiful when they're together like this," Isoyo complimented, petting one of the flowers.
"Aww, thank you!" Erena said with gratitude, clasping her hands together with a wide smile. "Nature is wondrous after all."
"There's a lot to take in, but I don't see anything of a means to escape in here," I said, looking down with a frown..
"Figures, I guess we should check my room now," Isoyo said.
-Isoyo's room-
Her room contained many things used for sculpting, as expected it looked similar to the art room. It also had glass, clay, and stone sculptures representing many things, such as gods, goddesses, animals, plants, and landscapes. It reminded me of an art museum.
"These must be all yours with how beautiful they look," Erena remarked, observing one of the statues with curious intent.
"I'm surprised that the Future Foundation made the effort to get them here," I said casually, poking a wooden sculpture of an eagle.
"I suppose they wanted to make it as comfortable here as they could for us," Isoyo mused, putting a pen up to her lips. "And yes, they are all mine, I appreciate the compliment, Erena."
I wonder how things would have been without this killing game beginning," Erena covering what was most likely a frown considering how upset she sounded. "Why did that little pest have to ruin this?"
"Whatever reason she has, it most likely is not admirable or reasonable in any way," I assumed, pulling down on my scarf.
Just like it was with Junko, all to cause as much despair as possible to the whole world. That makes me think, what if this is also being recorded for public view… I doubt it, as that would alert the Future Foundation. In that case, what is the mastermind's goal with this? It cannot be the same as Junko's… It may just be for their wicked entertainment.
With a bit of searching, we still came up with nothing. So we all left the dorms and into the garden.
-Botanical garden-
"The more we look, the less I'm inclined to believe there's another way out," I said, covering my mouth with my scarf.
"No losing hope yet Omezo! We still have the art room after this," Erena encouraged with a cheerful expression.
"Well, I never noticed anything off in there, and I saw every corner of the place," Isoyo informed, pulling down her hat.
"So what? We can mark that off, but we still need to have a looksie around here," Erena said, as she walked over to the center of the garden, gesturing to us to follow suit.
As much as I tire from all of this searching every nook and cranny in existence, I should keep on pushing myself, only so I don't upset and disappoint Erena. I'll let her come to the realization that there's no other means of escape on her own, because I don't want to look like the bad guy.
Once again, another pointless search of our surroundings. The Future Foundation covered every nook and cranny, not that there was a chance for another entrance when we consider the fact that we're underground. Even if there was an opening, it'd just be dirt and stone, meaning we'd be digging our way out as if it's a prison escape.
"Ugh.. there's nothing but wonderful plant-life," Erena complained, her body slackening in defeat.
"The more I look around this garden, the more I want to replicate it," Isoyo commented, holding one of the flowers up to her nose. "Nature is just so… colorful and gorgeous."
"I know right!" Erena agreed happily, nodding, clasping her hands together. "There's nothing that compares to the beauty of life itself!"
If it amounts to anything, the only good thing that came out of this whole ordeal was the friendship these two are forming.
"As much as I'm glad that you two are getting along, we still haven't found anything," I brought up, shaking my head.
"Then murder must be the only option, as Monotokage and Kado said..." Isoyo said, hiding behind her hat.
"Wait a second, the others might have found something! We still should have confidence. Come you two!" Erena exclaimed, attempting to keep our spirits up.
Erena pulled us out into the designated meeting spot in the dorms.
-Ultimate dorms 1st floor-
Not everyone was there yet.
"That's only fourteen…' Sukey counted, her expression turning grim as she looked around in a panic. "Where's Norito and Nene?!"
"Looks like they bit the dust," Leiko commented, lacing her hands behind her head. "Too bad!"
I really don't think they're dead, or more like, I hope they are not.
"Tch-" Anzai scoffed, crossing his arms with an indifferent expression. "Figures…"
"I'm here, relax," Norito said, calming us down as he walked up to us.
"What about Ne-" Heikichi was about to ask.
"I still breathe, so let's get this over with before I refuse to," Nene demanded, not even bothering to look at us as she arrived.
"Stop being such a downer all the time," Kaiya said, frowning.
"She can say whatever the hell she wants!" Juro exclaimed in her defense, clenching his teeth.
"I don't need your defense, especially from a pathetic idiot," Nene remarked, with a hint of disdain in her voice. "If I had wished to fight her, I would do it on my own merit."
"If you want to duel, we can duel," Kaiya challenged. "I do have a fancy dancy pen that also classifies as a deadly laser saber!"
What's with her and these random gadgets? How many did she even bring here? Or were they provided for her…?
"We are not supposed to be meeting up here to watch a fight," Sukey dissuaded as Nene went to withdraw her rapier.
"I don't know… it could've made for a dramatic anime fight scene," Isoyo commented. "Perfect for me to re-enact through a sculpture."
"It's so easy for humans to get off track isn't it?" Kado said, spinning his knife around with a smirk. "I'd say let the dogs fight for some much needed bloodshed, that's what we're here for."
"No, there will be none of that, not a single drop of blood will stain these halls while I'm still around," Sozen stated stoically, posing with his fist to his chest.
Sozen's painting himself as our guardian now. I guess he best fits that role, but how much could one man stop in a situation such as this? I'm sure many have tried but failed.
"Saying things like that will get you killed, man," Heikichi commented, looking over at Sozen with a worrying expression. "I think it's called a death flag right?"
Great, now he's using lingo similar to Leiko. Is it a disease or something?
"So, did anyone find anything worth noting?" Sukey asked, getting us back on track.
The room fell silent for a bit.
"I found chicken wings!" Leiko happily announced breaking the silence that filled the room, waving her hand in the air excitedly.
Are you serious? This fucking girl...
"How's that relevant?" Heikichi questioned, sounding astonished, scratching his ear.
"It's relevant to delectable meals when we stay down here for the rest of our lives!" Leiko exclaimed, with a happy expression.
"You need to learn when to not be happy or excited," I said, with a small smile of amusement.
"Why bother, it's clear she suffers from a brain disease of some kind," Anzai commented, pushing up his glasses with a forefinger.
"We still don't have to quit now, there's much more we can do!" Erena exclaimed, trying her damndest to hold on to whatever hope she had.
"It's too late for that now, besides, there's obviously nothing to find…" Heikichi remarked tirelessly, leaning on his hand.
"This place is as clean as a whistle," Norito added, twirling the soap on his necklace.
"It is pretty hopeless," the twins admitted, looking mildly despondent. "To continue such a futile search."
"We have to keep trying, it's important for us to work together like a proper and thriving ecosystem!" Erena kept the act going, sounding more and more desperate. "Otherwise, we'll fall apart."
That was quite a profound statement, but it's intentions are unlikely to affect anyone at the moment. Give us a week or so and yeah, we'll probably get along by that point, but only if no one dies, which I fear is coming up on the horizon once a new motive is brought into the game.
"No thanks, Leiko's too tired right now, us demons need time to rest in order to recharge our spiritual energy!" Leiko said with a dumb look on her face, then proceeding to go up the stairs.
"B-but-" Erena stammered, her expression turning to dismay.
"I'm out, this has been too much of a damn effort for nothing," Juro followed suit.
"Finally, people have something to say that I agree with," Anzai said, sounding absolutely relieved. "Ta-ta!"
"Beauty sleep is very important for me in order to keep being fabulous everyday," Arishige informed, brushing his hair with a frown. "So I'm quitting."
One by one, people left for their rooms, until it was just me, Sukey, Isoyo, Erena, and Kado left.
It surprises me that Kado remained here with us. He probably has nothing good to say though, if his previous statements haven't proved that enough.
"Why are you still here Kado?" Sukey asked with vehemence, asking my thoughts basically.
"Only to say this," Kado answered, turning to Erena and Sukey. "It impresses me that you two have the wherewithal to try to unify us, but it seems that you'd have to lie in order to succeed in doing so."
"If that's what it takes," Erena admitted with determination and a straight face.
"To your misfortune, nobody is going to trust anyone now that it's clear what the means of escape is," Kado explained, staring directly into her eyes, a certain darkness filling them as well. "If you wish to leave, then create the perfect crime, that's what it's all about now." he then left as well.
He's right, that was no lie. It's either murder and get away with it or slowly wither away down here.
"Sukey, at least tell me that you wish the same as I do," Erena inquired, sounding expectant. "That it's imperative we get along, that's how species thrive, when they're together."
"I would expect you to, I know how much you value your bond with your bands," I commented, rubbing the back of my neck.
"Except this isn't the same, it's not about playing music together. My talents won't help here…" Sukey admitted, defeated, her shoulders slumping. "So, I'm just going to quit for now."
She walked away from us and up the stairs.
"Don't worry Erena, I still trust you," Isoyo said, putting a hand to her heart. "You too Omezo."
"I assume that only stretches to us and not the others," I guessed with an unsure smile.
"Well… sort of, I don't know what to think of them yet," Isoyo admitted, biting her brush. "But I'm sure that can change with time and effort on all of our parts."
"Well, it pleases me to see you can consider me trustworthy," Erena said with a smile, her eyes lighting up again, before losing it once more. "I just wish the others we more compliant."
"I also see you and Omezo as a friend," Isoyo continued, adjusting her hat.
"Isn't that a bit too trusting?" I asked Isoyo, rubbing my chin. "You only just met Erena today, and I've only met with you twice, between a 4 year gap."
"I don't care if it is or not, I don't think anyone will commit such a terrible act to another human being," Isoyo said. "I can see how good you two are as people."
"It's so beautifullllll!" Erena complimented as she teared up, using her sleeve to wipe her eyes. "So well said Isoyo, you're just too nice..."
"I don't get it," Isoyo said, biting her brush.
"We should get some sleep though, it's important to relax now more than ever," I said, rubbing my temple with a yawn.
To be honest, I don't know if I can even sleep with the killing game in mind. I may have made some sort of trusted bond with those two, except I'm not sure it will mean anything in the end.
With that, the rest of us headed to our rooms.
-Omezo's room-
I've been trying to hold this feeling of the world falling, collapsing on top of me, but I could not shake it any longer. It felt as if I was floating in an endless void as I lay here on my bed. Everytime I close my eyes, I can't help but see the malicious expression of that damned lizard. I may try to find solace in the fact that no one here is that desperate to escape; however. I know how these killing games work, there will always be a new motive, and that's when someone finally breaks. It's like a broken record almost, motive, death, motive, death. It's how I was told it went anyway.
Luckily, I managed to fight back those thoughts, and seep into a deep sleep.
Monotokage's nonsensical theatre of nonsensical shit
Monotokage is seen sitting on a fancy stage, with red curtains behind her.
"I know what you're thinking…"
"Oh, Monotokage is just jacking Monokuma's style! There's no originality!"
"Well fuck you!"
"This is not stealing, I'm simply transforming an existing idea by improving upon it while fixing up what the dumbass creator fucked up!"
"Besides, the killing game was never trademarked, so I'm not infringing on anything!"
"In fact, I now officially trademark the killing game! Yeah! Take that Monokuma! Bow down and lick my mechanical ovaries, you lousy chew toy!"
"Wazzat…?"
"Spike Chunsoft owns the rights and they're going to lawsuit me?"
"Well shit!"
"I should have broken the 4th wall sooner…"
Review responses
Pokemansuperallstar: While I do agree that Monokuma is the ultimate danganronpa mascot, he's not here today. Don't worry though, Monotokage isn't too much different than him, so she'll be just as good.
Katastic Writer: There'll be plenty to learn about everyone, so it's good you're looking forward to that.