Hey hey. We'll actually be having more of a post-apocalypse kind of feeling from this, so… I hope you like this. Enjoy!
The smell was odd. It wasn't an unpleasant smell but he could almost taste the rust in the air. ''Should we be wearing our masks?'' Mahiru sniffed the air and grimaced. Hajime laughed in response. ''Nothing to worry about. Just a lot of damp in here. Doesn't help that it's so dark, either.'' Makoto was inclined to agree.
The tunnels were almost empty. He assumed that train and subway services had ended as the riots and violence had started. It was incredibly dark, to the extent that it hurt his eyes. Everybody had torches, although they seemed to do nothing but further hurt his eyes. He adjusted his bag strap and the beam of light from the body torch attached to it spun in circles.
There was an inescapable echo that replicated every banging or clanking noise they produced. And every time an echo was made rats would scurry under foot and duck for cover. He was just thankful they weren't as big as the rats that had attacked him before.
The tracks had a dull gleam to them that made keeping the path far easier. Every bend in the tunnel was somewhat daunting. The group had to slow down and assess the next few metres. After all, anything could be down in the tunnels, and most strangers wouldn't be accommodating.
Kyoko stayed tight to his side, occasionally grasping his hand to make sure he was okay. They shared no words, but they shared a silent understanding. Up ahead, Chiaki acted far more open. She had wrapped both her arms around Hajime's left and made the effort to match his pace. Her husband was walking much slower to allow it. Mahiru strayed naturally towards Gundham, who offered no calming or reassuring words. He did, however, start conversations about animal photography to take her mind off the environment. As for Junko… He was unsure how she fared emotionally. She had no expression; her mouth was a perfect line and her eyes gave nothing away.
''Hold back there.'' Hajime threw a hand up behind him and everyone stopped dead. On the curve of the tunnel up ahead were lights. Lights that couldn't possibly belong to them. The Ultimate Ultimate took his gas mask from the hook on his backpack and slowly covered his face. He encouraged everyone else to do the same. Makoto fumbled around in the dark, barely managing to reach his own mask. ''Get up on that service platform.'' He motioned to the group bar Gundham, who wandered over to the tunnel entrance. The platform wasn't visible from the tunnel the strangers would be walking through as it was carved into the side of the tunnel itself, allowing them to hide. Kyoko pulled her revolver from her hip and gripped it tightly. They all had guns, but Makoto felt uncomfortable with the concept of using his. He didn't think he'd ever take a human life, as long as he could help it. ''Lights off, everyone.'' Hajime said in a hushed tone as he joined Gundham at the entrance.
The two boys stood on either side of the entryway, guns in hand. They were in complete darkness, save for the rapidly approaching lights. ''We've been searching for hours now. Are you sure the service room's even on this route?'' A gruff voice said. ''Every subway route has at least one service room, dumbass.'' A nasaly man replied. ''Besides, we need all the tools those shits usually have. The fence isn't electric to keep out bugs, y'know.'' The gruffer voice conceded with a sigh. ''Hey, you seen the guy since then?'' There was a moment of silence. ''The one who killed Takeo? And like a dozen other guys?''
The pair reached the entryway and pointed their rifles down the long, concrete tunnel, the flashlights on the end of their guns illuminating the way forward. ''Don't even think getting the fence juiced up again would stop him if he jumps higher.'' The two kept walking, moving past the entryway Gundham and Hajime were using as cover.
The Breeder and the Prodigy pushed off the wall softly and snuck up behind the armed men. They grabbed a man each and pulled them into a sleeper hold. Both men resisted and attempted to gain the others attention to no avail. Hajime let his victim fall to the floor before turning his light back on. ''Okay, everyone.''
Hajime tugged on the strap around the nearest man's waist. He snapped the leather material and examined the hunting rifle attached to it. ''Hmm. I wonder where all of these people got their guns from.'' Kyoko holstered her own sidearm. ''I could ask you the same thing. You seem to have quite a few more in the shelter than what we have here.'' Chiaki urged the others forward as Hajime searched the second man's bag. ''Kyoko, I stole them. The police weren't particularly observant when it came to their own armory.'' Kyoko narrowed her eyes and cast them downward. She could see the rising and falling of the men's chests.
''You didn't kill them.'' Hajime stood, rifle in hand and pulled back the bolt. He seemed surprised by the statement. ''Were you expecting me to?'' He relaxed his shoulders, though he kept the rifle firmly in his hands. The Detective didn't answer. She walked ahead and caught up to Makoto.
…
''It's just to the left up here. Masks off, guys.'' Mahiru unclipped the straps on her mask and threw it off, taking in a large breath of 'fresh' air. She jogged slightly further ahead and knelt down, camera in hand. Junko's curiosity was piqued. She too strode along and spun 90 degrees. A single escalator up to sunlight. ''Looks like the stairway to heaven.'' Makoto said as he caught up. The shutter of a camera could be heard and Mahiru got back up, seemingly content. ''Let me see real quick?'' Hajime asked. Mahiru scooted closer and showed the Prodigy the image as it emerged from the back of the camera. Hajime adjusted his shoulders to keep his flashlight on the picture. A simple picture of light cascading down the metallic stairs. But even a picture this simple was brilliant. He beamed as he handed it back. ''It's funny, even with a Photography talent, I still don't think I can take pictures anywhere near as good as yours.'' The redhead burned up at the compliment. Luckily for her, Hajime was too distracted removing his mask to notice.
Gundham had already begun ascending. ''It's not too far from here now. Should be a straight shot to the Academy.'' Hajime explained. ''We should probably grab as much food as we can while we're there.'' Chiaki said from beside him. ''I can go grab some.'' Makoto offered. ''I'm not much use for investigating anyway. And I already know the layout of the storeroom and dining hall.'' Junko giggled inwardly. ''Yeah, sure. 'Not good at investigating', he says.'' Makoto ignored her and craned his head up to assess the long climb ahead. Gundham had disappeared from their sight now as he had already reached the apex.
…
Makoto shielded his eyes as he emerged. For about 1:30 in the afternoon, it was brighter than he'd expected. ''There's Hope's Peak!'' Junko exclaimed, pointing to the school that loomed over the other buildings. ''Ah, my home away from home!'' She ran off ahead in the school's general direction.
''Wait!'' Hajime yelled. The Mastermind froze, one foot raised slightly in the air. ''We need you to point out your traps.'' He closed the gap between them. Junko huffed. ''Just stick to the main path. The one that cuts through the campus. I never put any there.''
''What?'' Mahiru seemed perplexed. Junko clearly found that humorous. ''Why would I put traps there? No one would think to try and get in through the front door! And when they lose their friends trying to break into the buildings through booby-trapped back doors and windows, only to find that they could've just gone down the normal route, wouldn't the despair just be so GREAT!?'' The swirls engulfed her eyes as she grinned wide. ''See ya there!'' The Despair 180'd and sprinted away from them. Makoto sighed.
…
The walk wasn't particularly long. It was certainly held up by avoiding objects patches of ground that looked suspicious, however. They finally reached the main entrance to the campus. The old Academy building was still some distance away. Hajime walked a few feet ahead of everyone else, carefully treading and searching for tripwires or pressure plates. He came to a stop and turned back. ''Have you found one?'' Chiaki asked as she slowly approached him. ''No. In fact, I think she was telling the truth.'' He motioned to either side of him. ''See the amount of upturned dirt and blood in the grass? That's where she put traps off the path.'' He cracked his knuckles. ''She was telling the truth.''
They continued along, waiting for the modern campus building to come into view. Hajime quieted their conversations and suggested they duck behind a large piece of rubble. ''Kyoko, I asked you if you'd fired a gun before, correct?''
''Yes, you did.'' Hajime placed a new cartridge in the rifle. ''How good a shot do you think you are?'' He held the rifle out for her. ''Wh-What? Me?'' She looked around in confusion. ''There are two guys up ahead. Both armed. It would be better to take both out at once.'' Kyoko took the long firearm with shaky hands. This was the most intimidated Makoto had seen her since the last trial. ''Can they see us?'' She asked Hajime. He shook his head.
The lilac-haired girl slowly placed the rifle on top of their cover and peered into the scope. ''How do we know they aren't friendly?'' Makoto asked. His girlfriend wished he never had. The last thing she wanted now was extra guilt. ''I recognise them. They wouldn't be friendly when they see me.'' Hajime said sternly. The Luckster understood. He must've killed some of their friends before.
Kyoko was hyperventilating as she held a finger out in preparation to squeeze the trigger. Hajime stood beside her, flicking off the safety on his 9mm. Could he really hit a shot that far away with a pistol? He wasn't much of a gun expert but that seemed a difficult shot even with an Ultimate Marksman quirk. The Ultimate Hope placed a soothing hand on Kyoko's shoulder, easing her wobbling aim. ''On 3.'' Kyoko made a guttural noise of agreement. ''1… 2… 3!''
The booming sound of the rifle made all of the onlookers flinch. From Hajime's standing position, he could see both their targets fall. ''Nice shot.'' He turned to her with a smile. It was wiped off his face as he looked over her. Makoto cradled her as she rested the top of her head against his chest.
''I-I've never taken a life before.'' Hajime crouched and gently took the rifle from her. ''I'm sorry, if I had known I wouldn't-'' She held a hand up to stop him. He ignored her. ''I just assumed that your time looking at bodies would make you accustomed to it.'' She scoffed and it was somewhat muffled by Makoto's jacket. ''I may have seen my fair share,'' She raised her head and turned to him. ''But I never made one.'' She didn't seem angry or perturbed, at least facially. Her voice suggested otherwise.
''I'll say this. Eventually, you would have been forced to kill. And if you hadn't experienced something like this, hesitating when it's life or death is likely to result in the latter.'' The Detective resigned with a soft exhale. ''All of us here have or will be required to kill at some point. Even Mahiru and Chiaki have done it.'' Makoto pivoted his head to regard the two girls. Whilst neither of them looked proud, they affirmed his point. Kyoko tutted. ''If that's your attempt at comforting words, they haven't worked.'' Hajime stood. ''I didn't expect they would. Let's go. Now those two are gone the path is clear.'' He hopped the rubble and the rest of his class followed. Makoto slowly helped his partner to her feet. ''You think you'll be okay?'' She offered a small smile. It wasn't convincing.
…
''Gundham, go with Makoto. You're only going to the first floor of the old Academy. People aren't too fond of going where the Killing Game happened so I wouldn't expect much opposition.'' The Breeder nodded once before calling for the shorter boy to walk beside him. Makoto gave the group a wry grin as he wandered away.
''Okay Mahiru. How's the map coming along?'' Chiaki took a drink from her pink bottle. Mahiru unfolded an A3 sheet of paper littered with photographs and hand drawn routes, roads and buildings. The photographs correlated with locations they had passed that would act as wayfinders if they were separated. ''May I see that?'' Kyoko asked. The Photographer had no reason to decline. Kyoko studied it closely. ''Is that small building on the map yet?'' Kyoko drew their eyes to a small shack in the distance. Hajime squinted. ''We'll check that out after we get into the trustee's office. Come on.'' He threw his backpack on and climbed the steps into the modern school building.
…
''You taking down all of the rooms and hallways, Mahiru?'' He asked as he headed up the steps to the 3rd floor. Their rookie cartographer hummed a response as she scribbled down some notes. As they reached the 3rd and final floor, Chiaki took off ahead of the others to reach the door at the end of the hallway.
She placed her eye over a retina scanner and the light above the door blinked green as it unlocked. ''Why does Chiaki have access to the trustee's offices?'' Kyoko asked. The Gamer cleared her throat. ''As Class Rep, I was assigned tasks by the trustees directly in my final year.'' The Detective raised a brow. ''What type of tasks?'' Chiaki hung her head with a weary sigh. ''Spying on students. Seeing who knew more than they should about where the Reserve Course's money was going.''
Kyoko prodded further. ''And what did you tell them?'' ''I lied. People knew that there was a weird project going on for a while. None of us knew what the project was so I thought that they shouldn't be punished for guessing.'' She seemed desperate to insist upon her innocence.
''Did you ever ask me what I thought back then?'' The Sleuth pushed even further. Chiaki nodded. ''I asked everybody that attended the main course. Shuichi was the only person in the first year that seemed suspicious and you and Byakuya were the only ones in the second year.'' Kyoko failed to respond, lost in thought.
Hajime slid the door across and peered inside. ''Huh.'' He allowed his guard to drop and urged his three friends to follow him inside.
The room wasn't especially large. A meeting desk sat in the centre, surrounded by filing cabinets and a single vending machine. Papers and photos were strewn around the top of the table. Kyoko picked up a random sheet of paper which read: POSSIBLE SUSPECTS LIST G. Kyoko pulled back a tab to view the list.
''Who's on that one?'' Hajime had picked up a similar file. ''Known arsonists, terror suspects and the occasional religious fanatic.'' Kyoko spoke quietly as she skimmed the characteristics and motives. ''You?'' Hajime chose to throw the file on the surface in front of her. ''Ex-alumni and staff with potentially dangerous talents.'' He explained as Kyoko leant over the desk to take in a few details. ''But what are they suspected of?'' Chiaki circled the table, looking for anything on an Ultimate Neurologist. Mahiru was preoccupied prying the front screen off of the vending machine but was still listening as intently as she could.
''What about the time somebody tried to gas the Student Council?'' She said with a huff as she pushed a hand up into the machine. Hajime and Kyoko were visibly intrigued. ''Oh, that's right!'' Chiaki rushed to a file she'd seen seconds prior. ''Ah, here it was. A file labeled 'victims.''' The Gamer flicked through, recalling faces and talents.
''But why would they be investigating that before they left?'' Mahiru asked. ''That happened in our second year…'' The redhead trailed off as she began placing a few cans she'd knocked loose into her pack.
''They could've seen a correlation between this incident and the sudden attacks before the bombs dropped.'' Hajime thought aloud. ''I'd suspect Junko and Mukuro Ikusaba were likely behind the gassing anyway. I think Izuru wrote something about no one dying at least.''
''We should continue searching the room,'' Kyoko said softly. ''This room could have plenty of research and experimental data scattered around.''
[][][][][][][][][][]
Gundham wasn't much of a conversationalist. However, simply being in his presence was calming, knowing that anything could be waiting to leap out and do their worst.
Hajime was right; the walk to the gates of the Academy gave them no issues. Maybe people really were afraid of the Academy building to the extent they'd try to avoid looting it? Makoto certainly felt a similar sense of unease if that were the case. The large vault gate felt so much larger than when he exited through it roughly a month ago. Gundham seemed pensive too, though he would certainly never voice his concerns. He took a deep breath. Then a second. Then a third. Then he practically dashed inside.
The old student handbooks were still inside. Remembering that they were practically indestructible, that seemed fairly reasonable. He traced the familiar path past the gym and the school store to reach the aptly named 'Despair Hotel.'
He could hear the clanking of metal as he and Gundham peered into the main hall that covered the space between the dorms, the bathhouse and the dining hall. ''Arrrgh! Open, you motherfucker!'' A tattooed man was slamming his shoulder into the doors to the dining hall to no avail. Something was clearly blocking it from the other side.
Gundham cast his eyes to Makoto. He pointed to Makoto's gun and the shorter boy slowly pulled it from it's holster. Gundham nodded and slowly stepped out of their cover and traced the wall to the left side. The Breeder sidled the wall until he reached the bathhouse. He stopped and turned back to Makoto. He gave a variety of hand signals, though the only one he really understood was to take his gun's safety off.
Gundham nodded again and slowly crept across the hall to the stranger who was still attempting to force the door open. ''Hey! You manage to get that door- WHAT THE FUCK!?'' A woman emerged from the bathhouse immediately alarmed at the sight of a cloaked boy creeping along the floor. Gundham stood quickly, only to have a crowbar swung at the back of his head.
Makoto watched in horror as his friend fell to the ground. He couldn't tell if he was dead or unconscious from here. ''How did we not see him?'' The woman threw her dark hair over her shoulder before squatting to roll Gundham over. ''Just get it done.'' The tattooed man turned back to the door and forced the crowbar between the doors. Makoto sat and waited for an oppurtunity. When she brandished a knife, he had no choice but to intervene.
''St-Stop!'' He emerged, pistol in his right hand with his left underneath to support. ''Woah!'' The woman dropped the knife and backed away from his comrade. The man at the door held his hands up, leaving the crowbar stuck in the door. ''Take it easy, kid. We aren't here to... '' He came to a stop.
''You're Makoto Naegi. The one from the Killing Game.'' Makoto stayed silent. ''Don't tell me you didn't leave? After a month?'' Again, he didn't respond. ''You think you can open up the cafeteria for us?'' The dark-haired woman asked with a sneer. Honestly he couldn't tell what they were thinking from their faces. He had them at gunpoint and they looked at him as if he weren't in control. ''B-Both of you go into the sauna. I'll lock you in.'' He shook his hands to the left. Both of his hostages glanced at each other and burst into laughter.
Makoto held himself as steady as he could. ''You're trembling.'' The woman took a step forward. ''You've never fired that at a person, have you?'' He couldn't respond. They'd be able to gather how nervous he was from his tone alone. ''Why don't you just help us open the door, kid?'' It was his male counterpart's turn to take a step, one that stretched slightly further than his friend to his right. ''Our guys need food. No one has to get hurt here.''
Makoto gulped. They were inching closer and he clearly wasn't intimidating enough to stop them. An idea hit him. He raised his gun slightly above them and pulled the trigger. Hopefully firing a shot would prove he wasn't messing around. He didn't feel or hear anything fire. He inspected his gun. Jammed. Of course his luck would cause that.
He looked back up to see the couple charging him. He flung his hand back up and desperately squeezed the trigger repeatedly to no avail. The man tackled him to the ground, attempting to pin down his right arm. Makoto was squirrely, wriggling out of his grasp and trying to force the man off him. The Ultimate Hope somehow wrestled enough to place his arms under the man's gut. The woman jumped into the fray too, kicking Makoto in the head as he struggled. He thrust the muzzle into his assailant's stomach and worked his index finger.
The following four gunshots were both relieving and horrifying. The man's grip slackened on his shoulders and he drooped over to the left, falling to the ground next to him with a thud. Makoto scrambled backwards to the wall. He looked over the scene. The man was splayed out, coughing up blood as more pooled under him from the bullet wounds that coated his lower abdomen.
He didn't have long to gawk as the woman leapt towards him, wrapping her spindly fingers around his throat. He couldn't feel the gun in his hand anymore; he must've dropped it.
She was tightening her grip. He felt like his Adam's apple would burst from the pressure. He grabbed her wrists and tried to wrench her hands off him. His own grip was much lesser than her's. The training Hajime had put him through hadn't prepared him for this. His vision was starting to blur.
A disgusting squelching noise reached his ears. The woman's hands suddenly moved away from his throat and he gasped for air as he crawled up the wall slightly. He looked at his attacker. A crowbar had been rammed sideways through her neck.
Makoto looked up with glazed eyes to see Junko. She had true hatred in her eyes as she tore the woman off of him. The heavily injured woman attempted to escape on all fours, gargling and spluttering as she did. She was stopped by the Fashionista. Junko placed a boot on the woman's back and grabbed the crowbar at both ends on either side of her neck as if she was holding the handles of a bicycle.
Makoto watched on in disgusted awe as Junko put pressure on the woman's back whilst pulling the crowbar upwards. He couldn't tear his eyes away. The woman's arms were flailing as she hopelessly tried to grab at the Mastermind's hands. An audible creaking came from the woman's neck as Junko tugged upwards even harder. Blood squirted and oozed from the small spaces around the impaling instrument, matting and coating the woman's shoulder length black hair. Makoto stopped coughing and wheezing and forced himself to sit up, just in time to witness the end of it all. The woman clinged to life by sucking at the air for what would seem an impossible amount of time.
Suddenly, the heavy, laboured breaths ended. Junko forced one final tug. The back of the woman's neck burst as the crowbar broke through the spinal cord and muscle, sending blood and viscera soaring through the air around them. Junko raised the crowbar above her head in silent celebration. She dropped it to the floor, a deafening clang.
The clack of her boots caused his head to raise. She squatted in front of him. ''You okay?'' She asked softly as she cupped his cheek. There was a surprising lack of blood on her palms. He murmured a yes and Junko squinted in doubt. She gently tilted his head back and examined his neck.
''Look at these bruises! Perfect impressions of that whore's hands!'' Junko's eyes dilated briefly as she grinded her teeth. She traced the marks with her forefinger before leaning in and placing several kisses on his neck. Makoto was too emotionally exhausted to protest and simply embraced the feeling. Junko pulled away after covering the bruises with small specks of saliva and blood. ''All better now.'' Her smile was entrancing; it was so warm and calming. Junko lightly took his hand and gave it a squeeze. He took a deep breath and allowed himself to be pulled to his feet.
He tried not to look over the scene they'd created. He averted his eyes as he jogged shakily to Gundham's side. He was breathing, thankfully. Although he had a large gash on the back of his head, it wasn't bleeding too heavily. Makoto held the Breeder under the arms and dragged him to the door to the dining hall. ''Junko,'' He gained her attention. ''Is there another way into the dining hall?'' The blonde grinned. ''I'm so glad you asked.''
…
''How long will this take?'' The Luckster asked as he swung the sledgehammer again. ''The wall between the store room and the kitchen is the thinnest wall to break through to get in.'' Junko said as she too took a swing at the wall. ''Who would've barricaded themselves in though?'' Makoto offered rhetorically. Junko laughed. ''I think I've got a pre~~tty good idea…''
After 10 minutes of chipping away at the wall, light from the dining hall shone through a small hole they'd managed to make. ''Hmm. Faster than I thought, actually.'' The two worked double time to enlarge the hole. With one final swing, Junko smashed a hole large enough for them to crawl through, sending brick and plaster soaring into the dining hall.
''Phew! A good 30 minutes banging, eh, Makoto?'' Junko nudged at him with her elbow as he tried his hardest to brush off her antics. He readied himself; hopping up and down on his toes and stretching. He still found himself shaking from earlier and Junko being unfazed by her own actions only created a harsher inner conflict. He placed his hands on the inside of the hole and tucked his head in. Dust and dried flecks of paint coated his hands as he wriggled through. He felt his legs raise and heard Junko yell, ''Faster, slave!'' In a voice he instantly associated with her queen persona.
With her help, Makoto managed to shimmy through faster and fell to the ground with a thud. As he stood, he was tackled for the second time today. ''Arrrgh!'' A feminine voice yelled out in pain as they tumbled down.
He recognised that voice. And whoever this person was, they recognised his.
They stopped jostling with him and quickly looked him up and down. Brown, spiky hair. Green jacket. Face that looked suspiciously innocent.
''Makoto?''
He gained his bearings and made eye contact with his newest attacker. Dark hair. Red eyes. Black clothes. Pale skin.
''Celeste?!''
Thanks for reading. I'm going to be entirely honest; I am incredibly disappointed in this story overall. I can't re-read it without cringing incredibly hard and wishing I'd done things differently.
It really doesn't help that this story doesn't even have 10k views yet. I don't know if that's good or bad but I assume it's not great. Maybe that's because I killed so many characters off. Maybe it's because of how I write. Maybe it's because of killing fan favourites like Nagito.
I'm not sure.
I'm considering just abandoning this story and rewriting it. If I do that, I'll let people know ahead of time, of course. And it's safe to say a lot of story beats would be the same, just with a few things changed here and there.
Again, thank you. For just being here.
