Chapter 8: The Night Baron: Act Four
10:11 A.M Day Two
Resort District
Hotel
Basement (Trial Room)
"Regardless of what floor or room it occurred in, does any of this bring us closer to an answer?" Churi asked with a worried expression.
Tomoko rolled her eyes. "If you filled your head with anything besides love and nonsense, you'd already know the answer. Think about it a moment." She paused as her gaze flitted between two people. "Only the occupants of 505 or 509 could be the suspect if Lachlan's theory is correct."
"Hm well as helpful as that is, how do we determine which of them is the culprit? No one aside from the lass and Haruto have alibis." Kaizoku pointed out.
"So we've reached the brink, and still have yet to find the answer. It's a pity, I truly did not wish to die this young." Utano said in morbid manner as he hung his head low.
"Don't get down in the dumps just yet! Lachy and yours truly won't let you down!" Annabelle pipped up as she puffed her nonexistent chest out. "Because I know who the guilty party is!" She exclaimed as she raised her arm, before extending her hand. "The Killer is Patrick Walsh, the Ultimate Hockey Player!" She said as she set her jaw.
"Me? Eh I don't appreciate such an accusation kid." The boy said as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Besides I'm not exactly a genius, heck my kid cousin was accepted before I was into Hope's Peak. Do you really think I could come up with something like this on my own?"
"But that's just it isn't it? You didn't come up with it on your own. Annabelle said this murder was based on an anime, you could have drawn heavily from it hoping we'd never know the punchline." Haruto said as his brow furrowed together.
Churi cleared her throat. "Not to shoot anyone's theory down, but does Patrick really look like an anime Otaku to you? I mean he's a sportsy kind of guy."
"I have to admit this seems far too well orchestrated to have been accomplished by a meathead." Tomoko mused as she thumbed at her chin.
Madison pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose. "Um it seems to me that we do have too many variables to account for before making a rash decision. However I do believe I can run some calculations to determine the factor the wind played on the body. I just need to input a few missing quantities."
"Gah we're not getting any younger you know? We're going to rot before we solve this case." Dolly said through her puppet, who looked irritated.
Kanade pressed her index fingers together. "Well I don't want to think anyone was capable of murder, but Lachlan and Annabelle seem so convinced. Maybe we should listen to them?" she suggested meekly.
"Unfortunately we are all still fairly unacquainted with one another, I'm not ready to assign blame quite yet. I'd prefer to use all the time Shirokuma will allow us." Sigmund said as he shifted slightly on his single foot. "We only get one chance after all, to find the right answer."
"There is a time and a place for caution, but if we don't press forward we may never arrive at the truth. I have faith in the investigation so far. We just need to find whatever piece of this puzzle we're missing." Tiana as she folded her arms across her chest.
"Ahem. Excuse me everyone? I'm sorry for interrupting you all, but I believe this might be an appropriate time for a Scrum Debate. Since you all seem so horribly divided at the moment, please take a chance to decide where you stand. Perhaps through a debate, you'll arrive at the truth." Shirokuma said softly as the Carousel abruptly halted, before each of the podiums, began to separate before lifting into the air.
A few moments elapsed before two distinct sides had formed.
"Ok everyone do your very best." The white bear said before peering between the two sides. "Those who believe Patrick are innocent include; Kaizoku, Sigmund,Shiho, Utano, Soo, Tomoko, Churi, Madison, Seikatsu, and obviously Patrick himself. Those who believe Patrick is the blackened are Laris, Haruto, Tiana, Naruhiko, Dolly, Chloe, Kanade, Lachlan, and Annabelle. Good luck guys and let the scrum debate begin!"
Scrum Debate
"Yarr I realize we wish to reach a conclusion, but the evidence against Patrick seems tenuous at best. I will not let a member of the crew be forced to walk the plank, on a mere hunch." Kaizoku said a he rested his hands at his sides.
Laris shook her head in response. "With all due respect M'lord, our two most qualified investigators reached the same verdict. I believe we should heed their advice, even if it is a grim conclusion."
"Yes they may have reached that conclusion, but it doesn't mean it's the right one. There's still too many holes in this case, our culprit could simply be misleading them as well." The Paralympic Athlete said with a stern expression. "With there being such a large gap between the time of the murder and the discovery, we have to be sure nothing was tampered with."
"The evidence they've provided seems sound and reasonable Though. Besides I haven't heard a more likely scenario presented thus far." Haruto countered as he folded his arms.
Shiho rested a hand over her chest as she bit her lower lip. "Well just because we haven't heard another solution yet, doesn't mean Patrick did this. He's a really nice guy, and he treats Annabelle just like he would his own sister. There's no way he'd hurt someone, it just can't be him."
"Aww man I really don't wanna be the guy to say this, but people aren't always what they seem ya know? Just because he's a cool dude, doesn't mean he's not capable of pulling this shit." Naruhiko said with a slight frown.
Utano shifted slightly as he clasped his hands together. "N-Naruhiko, you were just arguing against this a minute ago. So I'm not sure you're the best judge one way or another."
"Blah Blah Blah. Who cares if Naruhiko's head is more empty than a balloon? He knows something smart when he hears it. That's why he's standing over here, and not with you losers." Dolly said through Becky, before offering a mortified look at the doll's words. "W-What Becky means is, that we think it's important to listen to those who are qualified."
Soo Yeong adjusted a bang covering his face, before finding his voice. "Qualifications can be superfluous. Clearly my expertise isn't in performing autopsies, and yet here I am. With no disrespect to you Patrick, but I can't see you devising this scheme by yourself."
"Have you not been listening at all pretty boy? If their assertions are correct, our culprit drew his inspiration from this crime from an anime. I'm not sure how thorough this show was, but it's possible this plan didn't require a great deal of personal brainpower." Chloe responded in a very composed manner.
Tomoko's lips pulled into a fine line. "I have a hard time believing a show was the genesis for murder. No I believe it's more likely that you're latching onto this notion, to deflect suspicion from yourself. I keep hearing theories, but without hard proof you have nothing."
Before the other side could respond Churi spoke up. "Yeah Tomoko is absolutely right! You can't go accusing Pat of hurting someone without proof. A silly show, and some theory about wind isn't enough."
Silence prevailed a moment as attention shifted to Kanade who's hands were clasped. "I-I...please forgive me, I'm just in the way. Just skip me." She stammered out as she squeezed her eyes shut.
"The numbers are in our favor as is this debate. I'm calculating a 75% chance of victory. Because without tangible proof, we can't prove any assertions made. Even without the variables with the wind, I can't determine the merit of any of these claims!" The Mathematician said as she scribbled something down onto her notepad.
"Proof? What more proof do you need? Don't you blowhards see that it all lines up? He and Otto were close to blows yesterday. Add to that this random motive, and we should have everything we need for a front page spread." Lachlan groused as he ran a hand through his hair in frustration.
The Tarotologist shook her head. "Suppose my suggestion of air is indeed relevant to the murder. Even if we apply that to the present circumstance, it doesn't inherently make Patrick the culprit. We have to remember that Laris was on the adjacent balcony. So by that logic he is as much a possible culprit as Patrick."
"Nope Nope Nope. I hate to break it to you, but that's just not possible." Annabelle said as she held up her phone.
Patrick sighed. "Look kiddo we get it, you're really doing your best but that doesn't prove anything. Even if this crazy idea about the wind and stuff is right, there's no proof that I'm the one who did it. You're just reaching."
A sad smile spread across the child's face. "I'm sorry but the proof I need is in my hand. You see our phones not only display the weather patterns, but they also show what direction the wind was blowing. If we take Lachy's theory into play and assume the body is displaced by ten feet or so we have to figure out what direction would it be displaced from. Last night the wind was blowing from the North. The balcony side faces the west. So if Otto had been pushed from Laris' balcony he should have ended up below 403 and 503's balcony. However, if we apply the same logic, if Otto fell from your balcony he would have landed smack dab below 407 and 507! Which is exactly where he was found. Sorry to say, but this is the end of the line!" She exclaimed as her expression hardened slightly as she pointed at the boy. "Patrick Walsh you are the blackened, so it's time to fess up!"
End of Debate
"Fess up eh? Not a chance. You don't have anything solid, besides you can't even prove that theory anyway. Face it kid you're just trying to play detective, but you're in over your head just like the rest of us." Patrick responded as he set his jaw. "Because I'm not a killer."
Tomoko sighed as she shook her head. "This is getting no where. A half-baked theory without a test to prove it, is hardly reliable. For all we know the wind could have died at any moment last night, which of course would destroy that theory anyway. No we need something more concrete."
"Jesus Christ. If I had known it was going to be this damn complicated, I would have performed a test during the investigation." Lachlan scowled as he tapped at his forearm.
Sigmund cleared his throat. "Perhaps that avenue isn't perfect, but there is yet another testimony that stands out. Maddie you mentioned seeing someone arrive from the Fifth Floor around 2 A.M. If you can make a solid testimony it could very well be the nail in the coffin for this case."
"Well it certainly wasn't me or Annabelle. I had her back in bed by One." Haruto commented with a thoughtful expression before glancing over at the Mathematician. "Are you sure you can't remember anything?"
"I-I don't know. Even with my glasses I only got a quick glimpse." The girl responded.
Chloe's eyes narrowed dangerously. "My dear you just made a contradiction with your own testimony. I'd suggest explaining yourself immediately."
"C-Contradiction? What are you suggesting?" Madison asked with a nervous expression.
"Oh wait a sec, I think I get it. You specifically said you weren't wearing your glasses earlier, but just now you claimed you had them on." Churi mused before blinking. "But why would you lie about that?"
The Ultimate Dominatrix's brow furrowed. "Perhaps the killer threatened her life, and she was too afraid to speak."
"If that was the case, I couldn't really blame her. All of this is has been horrible." Kanade said in a low voice.
"Instead of playing twenty questions, perhaps we should just wait for her response. Anything you could offer might be the tipping point in this case." Soo Yeong said as he offered the girl a gentle expression.
"I-I'm sorry for deceiving you all, but I'm just of no use in this situation." The Mathematician managed. "I have Prosopagnosia. So I'm really of no use as a witness."
"Prosewpagnose? Wait what heck is that?" Naruhiko asked as he scratched along his jawline.
"She said Prosopagnosia you blockhead, and it means she can't recognize faces. Likely even her own." Tomoko responded lowly.
Annabelle snapped her fingers. "Oh so that's why you kept playing off being bad with names. It's not that you're bad with names, but you just can't put a face to a name."
"But if that's the case, why lie about something like that?" Utano asked with a confused expression.
Madison shoulders slumped slightly. "B-Because I struggle with making friends enough already. I have to rely on other details to identify people, do you know how hard it is to explain to people that I don't remember them? Almost everyone takes it personally, even if I can't help it."
"But you have no more control over that, then I do over being blind. You shouldn't linger on what you can't do, but instead focus on what you can do. I bet you can make friends with or without that condition." Shiho said as a tiny smile played across her lips.
"BLAH! None of this is getting us any closer to the truth. If four eyes can't help us, let's just move on already." Dolly said as she held up Becky.
"Now hold on a second. Maddie you said ye aren't able to distinguish faces, but instead you focus on other details. Anything ye might remember could be what we need to guide this case into port." Kaizoku said as his brow furrowed.
"W-Well I lied when I said I immediately returned to my room. I peeked from my door a moment, and just remember seeing an animal with horns on it's head on the back of what they were wearing. I think they heard me, so I immediately shut my door and locked it." *TRUTH BULLET*
"An animal with horns on it's head?" Seikatsu questioned as her brow knitted together.
"This is the missing piece." Laris breathed before she extended her arm outwards. "M'lord I'm afraid this is the definitive evidence we've been looking for. You're the only one who wears something that fits that description, Patrick!" She said as her eyes narrowed slightly. *TRUTH BULLET*
The boy's eyes widened before he slowly squeezed at his jersey with his hand. "Of all the damn things. Outed by what I was most passionate about eh? Maybe it's just rotten luck, still, I take pride in this jersey including the bull on it."
"N-No way. Patrick you really killed Otto?" Shiho asked with disbelief evident in her voice.
Lachlan frowned. "So our deduction was right, and yet we still don't entirely know your motive."
"Just cast your damn vote." The Hockey Player said as he clenched his fists at his side. "I won't let them do to my sister, what they did to my cousin. I'm going to survive at any cost." He said under his breath as his brow furrowed.
"So that's your motive? Something to do with your family?" Sigmund asked as his expression softened. "I can sympathize. If I'm being honest I was considering acting myself, because I have two little sisters myself. They're all I have left in this world too."
The orange haired boy gazed around the room, before clenching his jaw. "Don't look at me like that. Like you don't know whether to pity or hate me." He spat as he pulled out his phone before holding up a blurry image of a girl who lay bloodied against what appeared to be some sort of altar. "This is my little cousin. She was naïve and thick headed, but she was fucking innocent and deserved more than this shit!" He said as he threw his phone against the ground, causing it to crack upon impact. "After my piece of shit father walked out on my mom, I was the man of the house. Looking after my sister Sarah was my job." He said as he jabbed a thumb into his chest. "...My motive gave me until daybreak to kill or my little sister would end up like Mallory." he managed through his teeth. "And there's nothing I wouldn't do to protect her."
BEGIN FLASHBACK
12:07 A.M Day Two
Resort District
Hotel
Fifth Floor ( Room 509)
The Racecar Driver scowled as he rapped his fist against Patrick's door only for his eyes widen as the door parted open.
'What kind of moron leaves their door unlocked?' he thought as he pushed the door open, before noticing the Hockey Player standing out on the balcony as the door to the balcony was also open.
"You've got a lot of fucking nerve calling me at this hour. What the fuck do you want?" Otto asked as he took several strides forward.
Patrick glanced over his shoulders as he quietly scrutinized the other boy. "What are you griping about anyways? It doesn't look like you've been to sleep anyways. You're still wearing that same outfit."
The driver rolled his eyes. "What does it matter? Your call sounded urgent, so just spit it out. What do you want?"
"I wanted to apologize for earlier. I lose my cool sometimes, and I just see red. Today wasn't exactly an easy day for any of us eh?" The orange haired boy asked.
"Tch you could have just texted me that shit." The boy groused as he finally strode out onto the balcony. "Don't read too much into this, but I might have been out of line too.
The boy next to him actually looked slightly stunned. "I can't believe that just came out of your mouth."
Otto offered a sour expression. "Like I said don't read too much into commoner."
"I'm just surprised you actually showed up. I sort of assumed you'd ignore me." The Hockey Player admitted.
"Well I'd be lying if I said I didn't have an ulterior motive." The Driver responded as he brandished a knife from his uniform. "Believe it or not, this isn't personal. I just can't let my secret get out. My family would be ruined." He said as clutched the blade tightly.
Patrick's lips pulled into a fine line. "Then it seems we both had the same idea, however you better believe it's personal to me." He said as he lunged forward, before swatting the knife out of Otto's hand causing it to clatter to the floor.
"W-Wait I'm sorry. I'll do anything just don't kill me." The Race Car Driver wheezed out as the much taller boy grabbed him by the collar of his uniform, before pressing his back against the railing. "My family will give you anything you want."
"You can't give me back my cousin, and you certainly can't protect my sister or mother. There's nothing you can say to weasel out of this." Patrick said as he set his jaw. "Forgive me." he said as he tensed his arms, before lifting the boy up and tossing him over the edge.
The other boy's screams filled the air for a few brief seconds, before a sickening crunch could be heard from the courtyard below.
It was over, Otto Von Skylar was dead.
End Flashback
10:25 A.M Day Two
Resort District
Hotel
Basement (Trial Room)
The room was struck silent for a few moments, before Tiana cleared her throat.
"While I can't condone your actions, I too understand what it means to have someone who relies on you. I'm just sorry it had to comes to this." Tiana said as her hands tensed around the crop in her hands.
Churi shook her head vigorously. "Shirokuma isn't there something you can do? Patrick isn't a bad person. I mean plenty of us would have probably done something like that in his shoes. Can't you just let this go?"
The white bear hung his head low. "I wish I could kiddo. I'm afraid I only have so much power in these proceedings. I know it's hard, but it's time for everyone to cast their vote. Again I'm not making it mandatory, but if you don't vote it leaves everything to chance." he said as he pressed a button, before the touchscreens suddenly lit up.
"What if no one votes? Maybe we can all just stick it to this whole sick game?" Shiho suggested as she tilted her head slightly.
"Hmph do what you want, but I won't let my fate be dictated by anyone else." Tomoko said as she reached out and wordlessly pressed a button. "This a game, and I won't be punished for defying the rules.."
"Well fuck. There goes that bright idea." Naruhiko sighed as he shook his head. "Guess there's no point in holding back now."
Patrick solemnly bowed his head. "Do what you have to do. I'm done running from what I did, I just have to survive whatever this death game dentails."
"I'm really sorry Patrick. I-I got really excited about solving this big case, but I never wanted any of this." Annabelle admitted as her previous excitement had waned into sadness as tears filled her eyes.
"Annabelle you have nothing to apologize for. Sometimes things just aren't so simple, but you did the right thing by helping us." Haruto said with a strained smile.
One by one each of the students began to press their buttons, before silence once more prevailed over the room as the Carousel had begun to spin slower and slower.
"You all are absolutely right of course. Patrick Walsh is the culprit of this crime and will have to face a death game, should he survive he'll be allowed to remain in the game." The bear offered quietly.
A few moments passed, before Tomoko spoke. "Clearly I underestimated you Patrick. I'll have to be careful in the future, however I have to ask was this all really inspiration from some anime?"
"Heh well as Churi said I'm not much of anime guy myself. Early in the morning while we were waiting on the bus for school, an anime block use to play. Sarah for some reason was obsessed over this show that was called Case Closed in Canada. I think it was known as Detective Conan overseas. We kind of had a morning ritual, we'd wake up and watch an episode before heading to school. Annabelle kind of reminds me of the main character, who's a child detective." he said before shaking his head.
"After I received my motive, I remembered a certain episode of that show. One thing lead to another, and I realized I had everything I needed to pull it off. To be honest, I thought I was screwed. I heard someone shut their door when I reached the Fourth Floor to plant evidence in Otto's room. When I realized it was Madison, and she claimed to have seen nothing at first I thought I'd received a lucky break." The Hockey Player admitted.
"I-I'm sorry. I don't really know what to say." The Mathematician stammered as she averted her gaze.
Lachlan shook his head. "There's nothing to apologize for. If you hadn't come forward, we wouldn't have had a key piece of evidence. What happens next is out of our hands."
"Ye best survive this. Wrong as it may be, you've got family that's counting on you. So weather whatever storm may come." Kaizoku said as he offered the other boy a thumbs up.
Patrick nodded his head solemnly. "I'm not going down without a fight. If I don't make it though, please all I ask is that someone makes sure my family is alright."
"Sorry Kiddo. I wish I could give you longer, but I'm getting screamed at right now by my brother." Shirokuma winced slightly as he pressed a button. "Good luck out there!"
Suddenly the Carousel came to a complete stop as Patrick's Podium shuddered, before the bottom fell out.
The Hockey Player quickly disappeared from sight...
"W-What in the world happened? Where did he go?" Kanade stuttered pitifully as she clasped her hands together.
"To confront his fate, one way or another." Seikatsu murmured quietly as she stared down at a series of cards on her podium.
Chloe's brow furrowed slightly. "So he's about to participate in one of these death games. Why do I get the sense this will hardly be fair?"
"No kidding. People as a rule are generally cruel anyways, but I can't imagine he actually will be given a fair chance." Dolly said quietly as she hugged Becky against her chest.
"Have no fear everyone. While the odds may be against him, I promise that these games aren't rigged." Shirokuma offered as he pressed a paw against his chin. "We should just hope the best for Patrick."
"If I may? What is the purpose of these death games? As I recall the original killing game consisted of gruesome executions, but that was all they were." Soo Yeong spoke up as he eyed the white bear.
Shirokuma shook his head. "Well a certain someone, thought it would be more entertaining to see someone fighting for survival if they actually had a chance. By their logic, if someone survived the game would be more tense because a blackened was now among the rest of you, and if they died the despair would dampen your spirits."
"It's nothing short of torture then." Utano breathed as he hugged himself slightly.
"Even though the broadcast was never finished, it's clear that the person behind this is different than the mind behind this game. That individual seemed obsessed with sacrifice, while this person seems fixated on games, and pure chaos." Laris mused as she folded her hands behind her back. "Shirokuma, can't you tell us more about what's going on? You don't seem inherently evil."
"Oh I'm afraid I can't do that. I may have already said too much." The bear said before shaking his head vigorously. "Besides the game is about to begin." He said before raising his paw.
Suddenly several huge television screens flickered to that the entire room was filled with the Death Game broadcast...
10:36 A.M Day Two
Resort District
Hotel
Basement (Challenge Room)
A bright light suddenly illuminated the formerly darkened room, revealing a large hockey rink.
In the stands sat hundreds of Kuma Dolls that were all waving banners and flags in support of Kurokuma. His likeness could be seen plastered all over the place.
At the center of the rink stood two figures.
Patrick stood garbed in a full white hockey jersey, helmet, skates, and hockey stick. While Kurokuma who stood several feet shorter bore a pitch black jersey with a matching ensemble.
"So how's this gonna work eh? You chose the wrong game, if you think you'll beat me out here." The Hockey Player said as he stretched his limbs.
The bear snorted loudly as he slapped the ice with his stick. "Oh, you've got some spunk! I'll enjoy watching that leave your face fucker!" He howled in laughter. "This Death Game will apply to both of us, so listen up. Unlike in a normal game of hockey, this will be treated like sudden death. The first person to score a shot in the opposing net wins!"
"Heh so all I have to do is win against a pint sized stuffed reject like you? This'll be too easy." The Canadian boy quipped as he squared his shoulders.
"Oh I should mention something fairly important. If you win you get to avoid death for now, and rejoin your cohorts. That helmet on your head will explode and paint this rink with your innards." Kurokuma grinned darkly.
Patrick almost immediately reached for his helmet, before the bear before him thrust out his paw.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you chief. Try to tamper with it, and it'll go off. It makes you feel any better, I'm playing by the same rules. Otherwise just about anything else goes, so don't worry about breaking any rules." The solid black bear snickered. "Still feeling confident?"
"The only thing that'll be covering this ice is your scrap. Bring it on." The Hockey Player said as he adjusted his footing.
Kurokuma grinned. "You heard him! Let the Death Game begin. We'll call this, Sudden Death on Ice!"
A Kuma bear dressed in a ref outfit suddenly skated out onto the ice, before holding the puck up. "Ahem. Three. Two. One." it counted down before releasing the puck.
No sooner had the puck hit the ice, that the Hockey Player soared forward. He buried his stick into the side of the puck, before sending it hurtling across the rink and towards the net.
There was a blur of motion, before Kurokuma appeared on the opposite side of the rink. His stick clattered against the puck, before sending it rocketing back in the opposite direction.
'No that's impossible. How could he have moved that fast?!' Patrick found himself stunned a moment, as he threw his body out to block the puck.
The boy sucked in a hard breath as it slammed into his side, before clattering to the ground near the center of the rink once more.
"Already taking a breath kiddo? We're just getting started!" Kurokuma howled in laughter as he surged forward only to blink as Patrick turned and without warning hit the bear with the side of his hockey stick sending the stuffed bear flying across the rink.
Patrick spit as he straightened himself. "You said anything was fair game. You should have left things so open. Hockey Players know how to brawl." He chuckled as he used his stick to raise the puck into the air once more, before he swiftly followed up with a sharp strike.
The black puck sailed across the rink and towards the net.
Kurokuma was no longer on the ice anymore, he suddenly appeared in front of his net before bringing his stick down with a powerful stroke. The stick snapped in half as the puck was once again sent hurtling back in the opposite direction. However this time it was glowing from the friction of the air on it's surface.
'I have to stop it. Damn it. I have to stop it!' He gritted his teeth as he again tried to use his body as a shield, before his eyes went wide.
Blood spewed out of his mouth, as he found himself being launched off the ground.
The next thing he registered was a blaring sound of a horn as he found himself laying inside his own net. His chest and stomach throbbed in pain as the puck was still lodged in his gut.
The boy looked up in horror at the scoreboard as he saw as a single point registered for Kurokuma. He frantically reached up to try and pry his helmet off in time, as he heard a clicking sound reverberating through his helmet.
"N-No Sarah! I'm goin-" The boy was permanently silenced as a loud explosion rang out, causing viscous pink blood to coat the ice.
Kurokuma made a disgruntled expression as he dropped his own helmet, before skating across the ice. He observed the charred and bloody remnants of the hockey player. "Heh, I guess he got ahead of himself. Looks like another Walsh bites the dust. Oh well, as well that ends well." The bear howled in laughter as the rink around him erupted in applause.
10:40 A.M Day Two
Resort District
Hotel
Basement (Trial Room)
"Oh my god. I-I think I'm going to be sick." Churi gagged as she covered her mouth with a hand.
"W-What happened? Is Patrick alright? Someone please tell me what happened." Shiho asked as she felt her shoulders trembling.
Tomoko sighed softly. "Believe me when I say there are some things you're fortunate you can't witness. Suffice it to say, he did not survive."
"No fucking kidding. I thought he was gonna pull it off too. God damn it, this is so fucked up." Naruhiko growled. "Come on Shirokuma. Let these bars down."
"I'm so sorry everyone. You have my condolences." The bear said as he bowed his head a moment. "I know this is hard, but I all of you will not let this break your spirits."
His apology fell on deaf ears.
Even with the knowledge of a new area soon opening, most of us couldn't shake the image of Patrick's last moments.
Flawed or not, his motivations resonated with almost everyone.
This was but the first trial, and yet none of us would be the same again...
18 Survivors Remain
*AN* Whelp there she is. The conclusion of the first trial. I do want to say thank you so much for submitting both Patrick and Otto. I'm sorry to see them both go, but it's Danganronpa and someone has to go first :(
Review Section:
SootyThunder
Only one way to find out! :D
TheBlueCzar
Oh dude your fanart has been fantastic. Thank you so much for all of the work you've done! =)
doomqwer
Everyone loves Ghost Nappa! Haha
PettyPunk
Congrats on being the only person to guess it! You got it though my friend!
Raz The Giant
I do enjoy adding red herrings as it so iconic to Danganronpa.
ThePLOThand
I still want to see Alicia's return in Oasis. So you better submit her! hehe
Trust Me I'm Me
You know I had originally planned to have it all take place in the previous chapter, however I knew it was important to have some sense of drama in the form of a cliffhanger.
Natsukumo1000
You just loving stirring the pot don't you? Haha
StoryProducer214
I'll admit that I laughed really hard when coming up with that scene in the previous chapter.
Solrac XD
Well I do believe she did have a moment to shine in this chapter, as well as touching on her own condition.
BouncingFish
Well thank you! It's nice to know this one stumped a lot of people. I really tried to make this a more complicated case.
Wintersmith23
Hey you were on the right track there bud! :D
pokemansuperallstar
Technically this takes place in August of 2020. So it's in the FUTURE!
Fee5H
Having watched Danganronpa Rebirth: Voices I do love the idea of fake outs and red herrings that are true to the original series. I mean sometimes things will be more straightforward, but subversion is a big part of this series.
bellatrixshine
I kind of thought Sigmund would play a more background role in this first trial. As he's observing more than leading the investigation. Especially since Lachlan/Annabelle are the more qualified in that department. That being said, I intend to let many of the characters shine in the coming trials. So a lot of them will have a moment to be in the spotlight =)
Blazerxz
I just want to apologize for Patrick's early demise. While I had always planned that his temper would get the best of him, what I really wanted was to subvert expectations. Because clearly on paper he's probably not the guy who would have come up with this on his own. Which is why he leaned so heavily on a different source. However I also thought considering the stakes of being blackmailed, that it would spur him into action. Again I'm sorry about his death, but I do appreciate you so much for submitting him to this fic!