Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to the Danganronpa series. I only own Hikari Seishin and her family. I also do not own any video games I mention in this fanfic.

Note: I try to make the story as canon as I can with obvious creative liberties. Please let me know if any of the original cast is OOC and I will do my best to fix it.

Thank you for the continued support, everyone! I'm sorry my updates are slow, but I am still very dedicated to this story.

Chapter Seventeen

The Third Island

Hajime walked into the hotel lobby the next morning to find his two closest friends appearing to be very subdued, Chiaki playing at the arcade machine but without much vigor and Hikari sitting on the floor quietly with a forlorn expression, her back against the humming mechanism. Hajime went over to the two, still feeling a bit tired from yesterday's events.

"G'morning, Nanami," he greeted the Gamer. She blinked a few times blankly at the screen in front of her.

"…Yeah, g'morning. You're up earlier than usual," Chiaki pointed out.

Hajime smiled weakly. "Yeah, I couldn't really stay put and do nothing."

"…I see." The mauve-haired girl stretched her fingers before starting a new game, her eyes glued to the screen as her dexterous fingers moved quickly on the controls. Hajime stood there, his attempt of a smile fading, having a feeling Chiaki is coping in her own way at the moment. He glanced down toward the Spirit Medium who was staring into space in front of her.

"Morning, Seishin," he said to Hikari with a bit of energy to try to distract her from her melancholy. Yet all she did was nod numbly, not even looking up at him. Hajime frowned with concern. Was she that traumatized from Pekoyama's execution and Kuzuryuu's injuries or could it be that she's overwhelmed with getting her talent back? I thought she'd be overjoyed to have it return? Maybe Nanami knows…I can ask her about it later. He decided that he should leave them be and head up to the restaurant, giving the two a backwards glance before going up the stairs.

Once finished playing the game, Chiaki exhaled a deep breath and looked at Hikari. "Let's go eat." She bent down and took the bespectacled girl's hands, pulling her up to her feet. The two then walked up the stairs, their friends' voices becoming louder the closer they got to their destination, Hikari following close behind the Gamer.

"No…we'll have to search for the criminal later," Nekomaru's gruff voice bellowed throughout the restaurant as Hikari and Chiaki reached the top of the stairs. "In the meantime… FIIIRE! START THE FIIIIIIIIRRRE! We'll have a grand bonfire so Koizumi can reach Nirvana!" Chiaki blinked, seeing most of the group gathered at the opposite end of the dining area where a memorial for Mahiru was erected by the west wall, three layers of white roses laid on top of a wooden table. An easel holding a blackboard displaying pictures Mahiru had taken on the island stood in front of the table of flowers, five candles glowing with a flickering flame on each side of the display.

Why does Nidai want to…? Hikari thought indifferently but clearly saw why he would say that when she had a closer look. Oh… The candles were held by elongated holders in the shape of bones, an arrangement of three animal skulls were perched in the middle of the bed of flowers with the middle skull appearing to hover above the picture display menacingly with long bull horns, and a black, ominous aura rose eerily from the object of dedication.

"S-Seriously…this is…" Hajime tried explaining, his hands up half-heartedly as he sweatdropped. Hiyoko looked absolutely gut-wrenched at the majority of the group's vehement disgust at her creation.

"Hold it!" Chiaki called out as she walked to the group with Hikari in tow. "…You can't. Someone took their time to make this memorial so we can mourn for Koizumi. You can't burn it…"

Mikan gasped in surprise. "…Huh? Mourn Koizumi?"

"You sure it's not the other way around?" Kazuichi asked doubtfully, rubbing his beanie against his head. "I'm pretty sure whoever made this is totally disrespecting Koizumi."

Chiaki stepped toward the makeshift monument, inspecting it carefully, her hands holding her backpack straps. "…Really? I think it's just a little clumsy. See? Why don't you take a closer look at the intent instead of focusing on appearances? Despite their clumsiness, I'm sure whoever made this probably did their very best… If you look at it carefully…don't you feel like you can sense their feelings?" She looked back at her friends with a gentle smile, her gaze landing on Hikari briefly. "Koizumi's not alone… She'll be with us now and forever…" Hikari blinked, sensing that Chiaki was telling her something more.

Koizumi is not alone…and with us now and forever… Is Nanami telling me it's the same with Onee-san? Hikari frowned, lowering her gaze to the wooden floor. Maybe, but…I still can't sense or see any spirits… Why can't I just have my talent back fully now? I want…I need to see my Onee-san…

"So I definitely think…" Chiaki started to say, her voice bringing Hikari back to the present. "Yep. It's a nice decoration." The Gamer smiled approvingly at the result of Hiyoko's late-night project, causing the others to give the memorial another look.

Akane nodded slowly with a small grin. "After hearin' you say that…I'm startin' to feel the same thing!"

"You sure are simple-minded," Kazuichi remarked at the Gymnast, the Mechanic sweatdropping.

Seeing that her peers were beginning to change their impression on the memorial, Hiyoko started bawling loudly, tears and snot seeping down her reddened face. "Waaaaaaaaaaaah! I don't really want to burn it!"

"…Huh?" Sonia asked, tilting her head to the side before letting out a faint gasp. "U-Um… Was the person who made this…?" With wide eyes, the Princess turned to the smallest teen who tried to rein in her sobs, hiccupping every few seconds.

"K-Koizumi…was really…really nice… She politely…taught me…how to tie my kimono…"

Mikan fiddled her fingers together nervously as she found courage to speak to Hiyoko. "She was…really good at taking care of others…"

"Koizumi's…probably lonely by herself… So I wanted to tell her…that's she's not alone…even if she's in heaven…" Chiaki glanced at the Spirit Medium to see if she was listening to Hiyoko.

I hope that Saionji's words give you some comfort, Seishin… Not just for our friends, but for your older sister… Chiaki wished silently as tears formed in Hikari's eyes, the bespectacled girl trying to blink them away.

Hiyoko spoke on through her sniffling. "I-I did…wanna…make it look better…but… But…unless I'm dancing…I'm so clumsy at whatever I do…" She started crying noisily again, leaning her head back. "Waaaaaaaah! I'm sorrrrrryyyy!" Almost everyone in the room was a bit surprised to see Hiyoko open up like that.

"I-I am terribly sorry…" Sonia fretted, "I spoke out of turn without considering your feelings at all…!"

Akane grinned sheepishly, a hand on her hip. "Sorry Saionji."

"I-I'm sorrryyy…!" Mikan whimpered with glassy eyes.

"H-How should I put this…?" Kazuichi chuckled nervously. "I-It looks like we misunderstood. N-Now that I take a closer look, it looks like you put a lot of thought into the decorations! Sooo…let's keep this thing around until we get off this island…"

"…No," the blonde Princess disagreed with a beaming smile, "it should come with us when we get off this island, too. It would be a waste to leave behind…such wonderful photos."

Speechless, all Hiyoko could do was hold back her sobs, moved by everyone's acceptance of her awkward memorial for her dearest friend. Once she felt that she was able to talk, the Traditional Dancer murmured hesitantly, "…So we're not going to burn it?"

"Of course not!" Nekomaru roared deafeningly. "We would never burn it!"

"Weren't you the one who started shoutin' that?" Akane asked, one eye closed and a hand in the air casually.

Once Hiyoko was reassured that no fires were going to destroy her creation, she jumped with joy, arms in the air. "Fine, then I'll forgive you all! Except Tsumiki, of course!" she declared happily, her face still flushed from crying.

Mikan cringed, her eyes tearing up. "Wh-Why!? Why are you so strict with me!?"

"Maaaan, it's so unexpected…" Ibuki said with a grin, arms crossed and eyes closed. She unfolded her arms and bounced to Hiyoko excitedly, giggling. "I really can't imagine Saionji being so diligent and earnest about something!" The Musician glomped her, rubbing her cheek against the petite girl with pigtails.

Hiyoko turned her head away with a huff, her face turning a darker shade of red. "Wh-Who…cares about that…?"

"…Saionji has a kind heart," Sonia commented as the group watched the tiny girl try to pry herself out of Ibuki's hold, Ibuki still wearing a silly smile on her face.

Hikari could see Hiyoko's ears turn scarlet from all the praise. "K-Kind, oh c'mon… It's not like that…" Hiyoko objected weakly. "Jeez! Stop it already!"

"Haha," Akane chuckled, "you don't hafta be embarrassed!"

"Seriously, stop it! Don't tease me!"

"Awww… Saionji is so adorable when she's embarrassed!" Mikan giggled, trying her best to feel like she was fitting in with the others.

Hiyoko glared daggers at the Nurse. "Shut the fuck up you pig-faced troll!"

"Eeeek!" the bandaged young woman squeaked in distress. "Why only me!?"

It seems everything is going back to normal… Well, our "normal"… Hikari thought as she watched Hiyoko verbally abuse Mikan, the Spirit Medium feeling too depressed to defend her meek friend. Why can't I have my "normal" back…?

"It's very…like you guys to settle things like this," Chiaki commented lightheartedly.

"…Hm? Really?" Hajime asked, glancing to the Gamer. "It feels like we made such a huge fuss about it and finally settled things."

"…That's just like you guys. Little by little, we're trying to understand and find the good in each other… That's the reason why we can move forward…without feeling despair toward our situation. …Yeah, you guys are all splendid." Hajime blinked and felt his body feel a bit lighter from listening to Chiaki's praise, his face slowly showing a relaxed expression.

"Hmph, I have arrived," Gundham announced as he and Nagito walked into the restaurant. "Apologies for the wai—" Then, they noticed the unusual memorial. Gundham jumped back in a defensive pose as his hamsters shook in fear on his shoulders. "What the…!? What is this object that is releasing such a foul aura!? Hm, a malice clings to Koizumi even after her death… We'll be sucked in if we look directly at it!"

Nagito frowned, a hand running through his white puffy hair. "…Wow, this is a…very hopeless object. It doesn't belong in a hopeful place like this at all… It's absolutely brimming with malice…" He took a step to the decoration with an air of disdain. "Let's just hurry up and destroy it. I can't stand to look at it for even one more second."

"Stand aside!" the Breeder barked as he grasped his bandaged arm as if holding back an incredible power. "I shall shatter this barbaric, blasphemous false idol to pieces!" Hiyoko gaped at the two newcomers before bursting into tears. Everyone else sweatdropped, Hajime turning to Chiaki.

"Now that those two are here…do you still think we're splendid?" he asked.

"Hmmm…" Chiaki hummed as she tapped her chin with a finger. "Looks like it's gonna take a little more time."

Hajime looked back at the rowdy group of misfits in front of them and let out a long sigh. "…I completely agree."

Things finally settled down once Hiyoko was reassured once again that her hard work will not be destroyed. Hikari stayed close to Chiaki and Hajime as everyone began a peaceful breakfast. The Spirit Medium felt like she was becoming a third wheel when it came to her two closest friends, but, at that moment, she really didn't care. Hikari did not want to be alone now since she believed that her depression would worsen if she wasn't with close friends, especially Chiaki. The black-haired girl definitely sensed a close connection between the two of them but was still unsure why, only knowing that she felt as calm with the hooded girl as when she was around her sister, Kotone.

Akane patted her stomach with a satisfied grin when breakfast was finished. "Phew, I'm stuffed! I can't eat another damn bite!"

Kazuichi smiled weakly. "Man, you sure do eat a lot. Don't you ever worry about, like, choking?"

"I never get worried!"

"You don't!?" asked Ibuki, surprised. "Wait, what about Kuzuryuu!?"

"Is he really all right?" Sonia wondered, frowning. "I was so, so concerned…I could not sleep at all last night…"

"Ugh…" Mikan sobbed. "If I only could've tended to his wounds somehow… I wish I wasn't so useless…"

Kuzuryuu… Hikari thought, gripping her hands on her lap as she recalled what happened to both Peko and Fuyuhiko.

Akane placed a finger in her ear, eyes closed. "…Well, I don't think you guys should worry about it…"

"Do you just forget everything that happens when you eat?" Kazuichi asked, amazed at Akane's ability to be so carefree.

"All right!" the Gymnast exclaimed as she got up, cracking her knuckles. "Now that I've got a belly full o' food, I'm all set! Sooooooo… Leave the rest to me! I'll question Monokuma and avenge Kuzuryuu!"

"Avenge…? He's not even dead!"

Nekomaru stared at Akane sternly, cleaning his own ear with his pinky. "Jeez! What vengeance? You just want to test your skill…!"

"Well…yeah!" the brunette confessed freely with a wide grin.

"Haha…" Nagito laughed lightly with a weak smile. "She flat out admitted it…"

Suddenly, Monomi jumped up onto a clean table out of thin air. "Okay everyone! Can I have your attention please!?"

"Oh it's you, Monomi…" the Team Manager sighed, picking his nose now, "what do you want…?"

Hiyoko pouted. "Man, the fun mood's over now thanks to you."

The pink and white rabbit jumped in alarm. "Huuuuh? Did I just ruin the mood!?" However, she quickly rebounded. "Jeez, don't treat me so harshly! I did my very best today too!"

Akane intimidatingly towered over Monomi. "…Hey, who the hell're you? We're talkin' about somethin' important, so go away."

"Okay, I'm sorry…" Monomi whimpered with tears in her beady eyes before placing her paws on her cheeks. "…Wait, nooooo! I definitely don't wanna be treated like an outsider!"

"Just what do you want?" Hajime asked, wanting to get straight to the point. "What do you mean by, 'I did my very best'?"

"Ah, you finally asked me!" Monomi cried out in joy, smiling towards Hajime. She puffed out her chest with her paws on her hips proudly. "Well, once again I've defeated another Monobeast! How do you like me now? I worked hard, didn't I!?"

Nagito placed his hand against his chin in a thoughtful manner. "If you've defeated a Monobeast, that means…"

"Ding ding, ding ding!" Monomi chimed excitedly. "That's right! You are now able to visit yet another island! …So let's all live happily ever after with each other this time, okay? No more getting tricked by Monokuma… No more thinking about leaving this island… Let's all live together peacefully as best friends! Love love!"

I doubt that my talent will fully return when I step onto the new island… Hikari thought pessimistically. But maybe there is a way for us to escape this place… It's worth checking out.

Seeing most of the teens appearing quiet and pensive made Monomi sweat nervously. "Huh? Are you guys thinking about leaving the island, even though I just said not to!?"

Sonia stepped to the stuffed bunny in concern. "More importantly, Monomi, what happened to Kuzuryuu!?"

"…Huh, Kuzuryuu?" Monomi asked blankly, tilting her head to the left before tears formed and her ears drooped forward. "Um… You see…I…don't really know…"

The Mechanic gritted his sharp looking teeth. "Sonia-san, can't you see it's a waste of time asking her!? In the end, she's just Monokuma's ally!"

"You fiend," Gundham addressed Monomi with a scowl, his arms crossed, "you're also part of that mysterious World Ender organization, aren't you?"

"Hey, that's the organization that brought us to this island, right?" Hiyoko accused with frustration. "Since you're the one who brought us to this island, that's gotta be it. Hey, I don't know if you're a rabbit or a pig, but just what are you planning!?"

Nekomaru cracked his knuckles with a low whistle. "This is a great opportunity…! It's time you finally filled us in…!"

Naturally, Monomi started to get nervous again. "Ugh…what a dilemma… But…that's the one thing I can't say… Truly, this is the tragedy of middle management!" She jumped off from the table and ran away in tears.

Middle management…? Hikari thought, her eyebrows furrowed as Ibuki complained about Monomi's ability to run away from inconveniences. Does that mean she really is working for an organization…possibly World Ender? Could Monokuma be telling the truth? Could there be a…? Hikari's thoughts were cut off when she picked up Nagito's voice.

"Oh well, who cares about Monomi? More importantly… She mentioned a new island… What should we do?"

Sonia frowned. "I do not think that we should be exploring when Kuzuryuu is in danger…"

"But we must move forward, no matter what despair in our way! That's what hope should be!"

Hajime crossed his arms, looking at the Luckster warily. "What 'hope'…? You always say that just before you lead us into a trap…"

Kazuichi nodded in agreement. "Jeez…you're seriously just as annoying as Monokuma…"

"Hey, hey," Chiaki called out in a soft voice, her hands holding onto her backpack's straps. "I'm also worried about Kuzuryuu, but…is it really okay if we just stay here and do nothing? …Isn't it better if we do what we can?"

"What we can, huh…" Hajime murmured, his expression relaxing from Chiaki's encouraging words. "She's right… Let's try to find a way off this island before he comes back."

"You are right…" Sonia admitted, a slender hand touching her chin. "Kuzuryuu will not recover any faster if we just stand around and do nothing."

"I agree with Sonia-san!" Kazuichi said quickly with a toothy grin.

Hikari sweatdropped at the Mechanic's over the top enthusiasm for anything that comes out of Sonia's mouth. I swear you are like a love-struck puppy for Nevermind…

"Then it's decided," Nagito concluded matter-of-factly. "Let's explore and search for a new hope!"

"Wait," Akane interjected. "Wouldn't it be faster to just beat up the rest of the Monobeasts and search all of the islands in one go? If that strange-lookin' rabbit can defeat one, it should be easy for us too!"

"Hold on…" Nekomaru bellowed in his deep voice, hands on his hips, staring at the brunette, "don't think about doing anything reckless."

"Anyway, let's begin! Let's open the way to a hope-filled future with our very own hands!" exclaimed an excited Nagito.

Everyone walked over to the central island together this time, heading to the bridge with the wooden arch labelled with the number three on the plaque above the bridge's entryway. The metal gate that blocked the entrance to the third island was lifted and the Snake Mecha Monobeast that was guarding the bridge was gone.

Hikari hugged her arms, feeling slightly on edge. How on Earth is Monomi able to defeat these Monobeasts…? Is she really just saying that but in reality is really working with Monokuma and the Monobeasts are just in hiding? But that doesn't make much sense… The Spirit Medium was already beginning to feel exhausted from her depression, anxiety, and growing paranoia.

"Then…" Hajime said, looking at the bridge, "if we cross this bridge, we should reach the new island." With that, everyone stepped onto the bridge, going to the third island in silence. The group stared at their destination, not quite sure what to make of it.

"So this is the third island…" murmured Kazuichi.

Hajime nodded. "The ambience is completely different compared to the previous islands."

He's right… Hikari thought as she studied the island's landscape. In what seemed to be the center of the island was a huge mountain which was crowded by dilapidated homes on its surface. The land surrounding the crag looked as if it belonged in the Wild West rather than a vacation resort. Large cacti were scattered throughout the island as a tumbleweed blew across the pavement before the newcomers. I don't see or sense anyone here either… Figures… Hikari sighed miserably as the group of teens started to go their separate ways to explore. Just when I had a sliver of hope that coming to this island might trigger the return of my talent…

"Hmmm…where to go first?" hummed Chiaki as she looked around with her usual blank expression, her hands holding her backpack's straps. The Gamer glanced at her unhappy companion. "Any thoughts?"

The ebony-haired girl shrugged. "I don't really care…maybe that way?" Hikari pointed to their left. "We can just loop around the island." Chiaki nodded in affirmation and the pair walked the paved road until they came upon a movie theater. The building had three huge signs over the doors, one reading "Cinema" with the letters going down vertically, below that was one that read "Now Showing," and beneath that was a sign of the featured film, "The Wizard of Monomi." On either side of the theater were billboards showcasing advertisement for films which were created by the black and white bear. The left billboard was promoting a Western movie called "Wild Gunman Monokuma" with the top half of the board showing Monokuma with a cowboy hat and a gun and below him was a scene of four silhouettes of cowboys riding on horses toward the sunset. The right billboard showed a picture of "The Wizard of Monomi" with Monokuma in the foreground wearing a dress and carrying a picnic basket, his paws covering his mouth in glee. In the background was Monomi wearing a witch's hat and costume and a city behind her, the whole background tinted in a faded green.

Once the two girls entered the building, Monokuma jumped in front of them dramatically. "Wellllcome! I'm surprised to see you two here first! The first showing will be starting shortly!"

"Showing? Of what?" Hikari asked.

Monokuma tilted his head to the side. "Are your glasses working or did you lose your ability to read? 'The Wizard of Monomi' of course!" Hikari glared at the bear's insult as Chiaki stared at the stuffed animal seriously.

"Is this movie the next motive? Like Twilight Syndrome Murder Case?" Chiaki questioned.

"Maaaybe…who knows? But I've decided to give everyone who wants to watch my brilliant movie an invitation ticket! Aren't I so generous?" Monokuma boasted shamelessly. "Oh, but I'm not that cheap! You'll have to pay if you want to watch it again and I bet you will since my movie is soooo great. I've already stamped today's date onto your tickets, so you won't be able to swindle me next time!" As Monokuma kept blathering on, Hikari took a look around the theater's lobby.

There were dark brown wooden benches with red leather upholstery to the right for those who have to wait to be let into the showing room. Straight ahead from the theater's entrance was a set of double doors which led to the showing of the featured film, which in this case was "The Wizard of Monomi." Next to those doors was a promotional poster for a video game. Hikari tilted her head as she gazed at the poster displaying a girl in a high school uniform aiming a megaphone at a cornered Monokuma in front of a ruined city backdrop. I bet many of us would love to try out this game just to have a chance to attack Monokuma… the Spirit Medium mused darkly before she continued her observations. To the bespectacled girl's left was the ticket and concession counter, a neon sign reading "Ticket" glowed overhead. Right below it rested the surveillance camera that was eying those present. Further along the wall was the monitor against the wall's corner directly above the popcorn machine and a see through cabinet for sodas and snacks with neon signs labelling what each container held, "popcorn" obviously for the popcorn machine and "food & drink" for the transparent cabinet. Beneath the camera on top of the counter was an old-fashioned red register with two items to the left of it: a tote bag made of hemp with a decal of Monomi's face on the lower right corner printed on the front and, next to the bag, a rather large circular sticker that featured Monokuma with the words "I'm sorry, I was born stupid" in dark pink.

Seriously…? Who in their right mind would pay for that lame prize…though I wouldn't mind getting the tote bag… Hikari mused while staring at the prizes.

"Ah, did that catch your eye?" asked the permanent-grinning bear who caught the petite girl casually inspecting the goods he made. "It's an all-purpose tote bag useful for a variety of common tasks! It's a limited item! Only one person can have it! By the way, apparently tote bags were originally invented to carry around ice. …So how about it? Wanna buy it?"

Hikari moved her weight from one foot to the other as she actually considered buying the bag. What exactly am I supposed to pay it with? I really don't want to owe Monokuma for anything. "Hm… Maybe some other time…"

Monokuma looked down sadly. "Awww…" The Spirit Medium sweatdropped at the stuffed animal's attempt to guilt her into buying it. However, Monokuma recovered relatively fast since he got cheerful again. "Looks like the preparations are complete, so please enter the theater right away! Puhuhuhu…this is exciting! My first movie-goers!" He dashed away eagerly. The two girls blinked after him before glancing at each other with a shrug before walking in the only theater room.

Hikari and Chiaki found themselves to be at the back of the room with two tiers that held several rows of seats in each. A staircase on both ends of the rows led down to the lower seating with golden railings against the walls, golden handrails being the only barrier between the two tiers in the middle of the theater. The walls were a deep red velvet with golden graffiti sprayed sporadically throughout the spacious room. In front of the movie screen was a decent-size stage with a huge golden arch overhead, a golden Monokuma head plaque being displayed at the arch's center. The usual yellow monitor and surveillance camera were ever-present, the monitor on the right wall and the camera directly across it on the left wall.

The girls took their places in the middle of the back tier of seats as the well-lit showing room started to dim the lights and a buzzer sounded to indicate the viewers that the film was about to start.

I'm only going to watch this because this could be the motive… I promised Pekoyama I will do whatever I can to prevent another killing. Hopefully it won't be as bad as that stupid arcade game… Hikari wished as Monokuma's voice rang out through the loudspeakers.

"Um…I apologize for keeping you waiting. World famous director Monokuma presents a stunning masterpiece that reduced audiences to tears…" Hikari stared ahead at the blank screen with an unamused expression.

Maybe out of boredom…

Monokuma continued to speak. "'The Wizard of Monomi 2.5D' will be screening shortly."

2.5D? What does that mean?

"Now then, please relax and enjoy the film."

All the lights turned off as the movie screen slowly came to life with color. A tan picture frame covered with colorful flowers bordered around a large light-green horizontal oval displaying the movie's title "The Wizard of Monomi" in large white letters and "2.5D" in yellow font below that. The green oval and title faded as a rotating picture of Monokuma walking by elderly people in a quaint village setting came into view. The bear stood surrounded by them as the male-voiced narrator began the tale. "Monokuma was born in a remote village full of old people because the death rates outpaced the birth rates." Monokuma walked past the villagers and when he was alone, a tornado whirled on screen and shot him up into it, a huge helicopter hovering above the whirlwind. "One day, Monokuma was swept up by a tornado created by a helicopter gunship during a routine military exercise…" Moments later, the helicopter and tornado flew off screen with Monokuma still inside the cyclone. "And was whisked away to Monomi's country."

The oval screen faded to black for a few seconds before Monokuma dropped on screen from above before he started walking again, the background colored dark pink with light pink polka dots and the ground having a yellow road and grass with flowers. The narrator went on with the story. "Monokuma wanted to return to his homeland so he could go back to pestering the old people for change… So he began his journey to see the wizard, Monomi, who was rumored to grant any wish one desires. Along the way, he met a very loyal group of friends." At that point, the two-toned bear stopped in front of what looked like Monomi dressed as a scarecrow.

"Monokuma met a Monomi scarecrow who was missing a brain. When he recommended that she commit suicide…" the voice narrated, "the Monomi scarecrow hanged herself and died." Out of nowhere, a noose dropped down around the scarecrow's neck and swung her off the screen. Monokuma resumed his journey unconcerned until he came upon a Monomi dressed up as a lion. "He also met a Monomi lion who was missing her courage, so he pumped her full of arrows." An apple tree popped up behind the lion and arrows pinned her to the tree. Again, Monokuma continued on his merry way until he encountered a Monomi as a tin man. "He also met a Monomi tin man who was missing a heart, so Monokuma sliced her into lumps of iron." This Monomi broke apart, pieces of her tin body lying in a heap as the bear strolled past without a care in the world.

Then, a few moments later, Monomi dressed as a wicked witch flew on screen on top of a broom in front of Monokuma. "After a lot of other stuff happened, Monokuma finally reached the Wizard Monomi, the great and powerful… Eventually, one thing led to another and he started beating the crap out of Monomi…" the narrator said, signaling the bear to punch the costumed rabbit off the screen before continuing his walk on the yellow path. "And in the end, he somehow usurped the kingdom from her." The oval portion of the screen went black for a second before it showed Monokuma walking in the village of old people again.

"With this, Monokuma enslaved the old people, took their pensions, and lived the rest of his days in luxury." The backdrop changed from the village to a rising sun with large beams and the ground turned into a purple plaid pattern. Now, Monokuma wore a crown and royal cape, near him were the old people wearing blank expressions. Then the scene faded out as the oval turned to a bluish-purple colored background with the words "The End" in white lettering at the center of the screen. "And he lived happily ever after! The End!" Finally, the whole movie screen faded to black. Hikari blinked blankly ahead as the lights came on.

Monokuma clapped loudly in the row behind them. "Man, movies are the best! That drama was so moving that I needed two boxes of tissues! One for each head!" Hikari whipped her head back at the bear who laughed at the girl. "Ha! Made ya look!" The Spirit Medium felt her eye twitch, her tolerance for the bear depleting rapidly.

"Hmm… That was awful," Chiaki bluntly stated as she got up and yawned loudly. "Let's go, Seishin." Monokuma gaped as Hikari got up and followed the Gamer out of the theater.

It was pretty bad… Hikari silently agreed as the two walked on the pavement, waving wordlessly at Sonia, Gundham, Nekomaru, and Mikan who were heading into the theater. I think the arcade game he made might even be better than this flop of a movie… Chiaki and Hikari turned the corner around the theater building towards the Electric Ave. Hikari glanced around the narrow alleyway where some street booths filled with anything electric called home. She blinked as Chiaki made a beeline to bins full of electronics, eyes sparkling. Hikari walked after the Gamer as she was digging through one of the bins. Is she looking for games or game consoles? the Spirit Medium pondered, sweatdropping as Chiaki started searching in another bin.

"Nanami, what happened? Are you looking for something?" Hikari immediately jumped in surprise, grasping at her chest, her heart beating rapidly as Hajime approached the girls. Hajime smiled weakly. "Oh…sorry, Seishin… Did I scare you?"

"N-No…" Hikari blurted and averted her eyes from him, her cheeks burning with embarrassment. Well…maybe… she admitted to herself.

Chiaki stood up from bending over a huge bin, blinking at Hajime. "Yeah, I was wondering if there are any game consoles in here. Sometimes old hardware is treated like junk."

Somehow…I knew it...

"Ah, so that's what you're doing," Hajime said with a nod of understanding.

Chiaki tilted her head to the side. "I already have a TV in my cottage, so it doesn't have to be a non-portable device…I'll settle for anything."

"If you do find something, let me know. I'll help you carry it back to your cottage," Hajime offered with a smile.

"Yeah…I will." With that said, Hajime walked away to continue exploring the area. Chiaki turned to Hikari. "Hey hey, I'm going to stay here for a while longer. I don't want to bore you while waiting for me. I know electronics are not your thing. You can go on without me if you like."

"Are you sure…?" Hikari asked hesitantly, still uncertain about being by herself due to her moodiness.

Chiaki nodded. "Yep. I will meet you at the island's entrance in an hour if I don't catch up to you. How about that?"

"Okay… I'll see you later then." Hikari left her best friend and walked out of the Electric Ave. She came across a yellow motel, and a music venue called "Titty Typhoon." The music venue peaked her interest but she ended up walking out of there disappointed. No violins, violas, pianos, or even keyboards… she sighed unhappily as she dragged her feet on the pavement. Eh, having a violin wouldn't have mattered…I still can't use my talent. Though, playing her music on the piano might have helped me feel like she was with me… The sight of the next and final building she encountered on the island made her stop in her tracks. The bespectacled teen felt her blood run cold as she stared at the gloomy looking hospital. This just sucks… Hikari inhaled and exhaled deeply once before going to the dreaded building and opening the door.

The hospital's lobby was as depressing looking as the exterior. Everything seemed to have been saturated in grey. The few objects that had actual color were the tall cactus plant next to the receptionist's desk, the fire extinguisher next to the plant, the yellow overhead lights, and the surveillance equipment. A chill ran through Hikari's body as flashbacks entered her mind like snapshots, noticing that the hospital back then was definitely brighter due to the constant white whereas this place looked abandoned for a while. She didn't have much time to dwell in the past as Chiaki walked in behind her.

"Seishin…? Did Nevermind tell you already?" the Gamer asked when Hikari turned around to face her.

"Tell me what?" Hikari asked, confused.

"Kuzuryuu is here. Tsumiki and Nevermind found him in one of the rooms. Nevermind has been rounding everyone up to come here."

Hikari's eyes widened. "R-Really!? Then let's go." Chiaki nodded and they both went further inside. When they entered the hospital's hallway, Hikari squinted her eyes.

Now this is how I remember that place… she thought as she walked down the blinding white hall, passing patient rooms on her left and what Monokuma considered as an emergency room on the right. The emergency room had huge windows for people to spectate the operation the alien was having done by people wearing Monokuma heads, more aliens watching in the background. Even though I know all that is fake and made of cheap cardboard, it's still very creepy… Hikari was so focused on the spectacle that she almost bumped into Chiaki who stopped in front of the room labeled "Room 3." The twin-tailed Spirit Medium heard her heart beating in her ears as she stared at the door, her hands becoming sweaty with anxiety. The hoodie-wearing girl placed her hand on the knob and twisted it, causing the door to open slowly.

Days Left: 14
Survivors: 13