Chapter 13: Anarchy: Act Three
4:20 P.M Day Seven
Amusement Park
Paintball Maze
The red team crossed the threshold into the first long hallway of the maze when the speakers along the smooth stone walls crackled to life."Alright, fuckwads! Your ninety minutes starts now! That means no dawdling about, unless you all wanna bite it!" Kurokuma's voice boomed over the labyrinth before silence prevailed once more.
"Mister Knight, do you think we'll all be safe by just sitting in one place?" Annabelle asked as she eyed Laris with a look of innocent curiosity.
The Ultimate Knight adjusted the paintball gun in her arms before peering over her shoulder to offer Annabelle a reassuring smile. "I know it may not seem like the most thrilling of tactics, but sometimes the best defense is the best offense."
Kaizoku placed his gloved hand on the small girl's shoulder. "Don't ye worry, lass. All of us will be here for each other. That's how a crew works!" the Sailor explained with nod.
Haruto felt a soft smile pull at his lips as he observed the gesture. "Kaizoku is right. In this moment, we're a family. So long as we stick together, we'll weather this mess."
"While I agree wholeheartedly, we really should keep our wits about us. We have no idea where the others may emerge from," Tiana said in a quiet manner as her gaze flickered around the hallway they were traversing.
At that moment they were walking two by two, with Kaizoku and Laris in the front, Shiho and Annabelle in the middle, and Tiana and Haruto at the rear. The entrance corridor was rather bare, save for a few weapons such as a polearm and axe that were mounted along the walls. The group registered the sound of the entrance closing behind them.
"Heh, I'm glad you all brought me along. I'm pretty good when it comes to covering some distance, though I'm not sure how much good I'll be at hitting a target. I can't help but feel like a burden," Shiho commented as the
sensors on her shoes lightly flickered.
Laris shook her head. "Don't worry, Shiho. I promise you're no burden on any of us. It looks like this corridor opens up at the end of this hall. Once we get into that room, we'll find a good spot for our line of defense."
"Sounds like a fine idea to me, Captain," Kaizoku mused as he glanced over his shoulder at Shiho. "Thinking about it, dearie, from how far away do your sensors let you know about things?"
The Ultimate Runner shrugged slightly. "About fifty feet or so, but it's really difficult with these walls, ya know? They sort of limit my scope."
"Woah, so you're just like Daredevil! Except you're a girl with really big boobs who can run super fast! It's like you're a mixture of Daredevil and the Flash!" Annabelle remarked with a dreamy expression on her face.
"Anna, what in the world is with your fascination with breasts?" Tiana asked with a slightly puzzled look.
The child playfully stuck her tongue out. "I just think it must be really cool. Most girls like that are super confident, just like you and Shiho!"
Haruto cleared his throat uncomfortably. "Let's try to keep our conversation focused on the task at hand."
The room they steadily approached appeared to be some sort of antechamber. It was filled with dozens of torches and several life-sized statues.
The Sailor offered a grin as he shifted the paintball gun in his arms. "Seems ye were right, Captain. This will make for a great spot to set our trap."
The Knight scrutinized the room that lay about ten to fifteen feet away before nodding in response. "Alright, so what I'm thinking is we ca-" She was abruptly cut off by a groaning sound that filled the entire labyrinth.
Suddenly, the walls around them begin to shift. One such wall appeared behind Kaizoku and Laris, blocking them off from the rest of their team. They registered more movement, however the only immediate direction left was the large antechamber and a hallway that was visible beyond it.
The Sailor wheeled around and stared at the wall. He quick studied it for any cracks or seams, but gave up quickly. "Are you all alright?" He was starting to look more concerned as the moments passed by.
There was a brief pause before the rustling ceased, followed by Shiho's voice from the other side of the wall. "Annabelle and I are just fine, but Haruto and Tiana aren't with us. It sounded like this whole place was moving around."
Laris wheeled around with a look of alarm and pressed a gauntlet against the wall. "I was a fool. Kurokuma said that we could expect traps. I should have anticipated something like this." She slammed her gauntlet against the stonework before calling out. "With this in mind, my strategy is completely blown."
"Don't worry, Sir Laris! Shiho and I will be just fine. We'll find everyone in no time!" Annabelle called out from beyond the maze wall.
"Believe me, Captain, I want nothing more than to break this damned wall down, but now is not the time. If both of us want to make good on our words to protect the innocent, we can't do that here," Kaizoku stated as he placed a reassuring hand on the Knight's shoulder. "We'll meet you further down the line, lass!" He called out to the pair.
"Shiho, you take good care of Lady Annabelle," Laris called out before her shoulders slumped momentarily.
She turned before fixing the boy with an intense look. "You're right. Nothing good can come from us standing here long. Furthermore, I cannot let this armor slow me down anymore, not with the stakes being what they are."
In several deft movements, the Knight unfastened her breastplate and pauldrons, and slipped out of her leggings. The now distinctly feminine Knight stood in a simple white tunic, with bindings visible beneath her collar, and a pair of black leggings. Her boots were all that remained of her former ensemble. "I apologize for the deception."
Kaizoku's brows raised in shock for a moment before he shook his head. He glanced down at the discarded armor. "It hardly matters right now, Captain. I swore to follow you on that first day before we charged at that damn bear. But are you sure? We will probably never be back here again," he said, looking the woman in the eyes.
A somber expression settled on Laris' face as she moved the sensors provided by Kurokuma from her armor to her tunic. "As of late, my armor has been more of a burden on my soul than anything. What point is there to wear the tabard of a nation that now lies in ruins? The lives I've sworn to protect are more important than my pride," she said as she picked her paintball gun up and rested it against her shoulder.
Kaizoku's scarred hand lingered over the cloth that covered most of his upper arm. "There's nothing wrong with carrying a reminder of your past, of what you've lost..." The Sailor's sentence trailed off as his face hardened. He took a deep breath then looked back at Laris. "Either way, let's go if you're ready. We can't leave them on their own for much longer."
4:24 P.M Day Seven
Amusement Park
Paintball Maze
Tiana let out a painful cry as she pressed a hand against her right ankle. She and Haruto had found themselves separated from the rest of the group due to the shifting maze. Unfortunately for the Dominatrix, she'd badly sprained her ankle, as they had been forced to retreat into the newly open corridor. They could make out familiar voices in the distance, but they were but faint and almost indiscernible. Their only source of light was that of a few torches that illuminated a long hallway. The rest of the stone walls were entirely barren and resembled much of the rest of the maze thus far, making it difficult to determine their position.
"Tiana?! What happened?" Haruto knelt down to her, his eyes darting around to find the problem.
Tiana bit the inside of her cheek as she blinked back tears and regarded Haruto. "I took a bad step when the walls shifted and sprained my ankle. I-I don't think I can walk anymore."
He tried to examine her ankle, but struggled thanks to the poor lighting. "Do you need a cast or bandage?"
"I'm sure I do, but we don't have time for that," the blonde responded with a pained smile. "I think Anna ended up separated with Shiho. They could be in danger, especially if someone gets desperate enough. Please, Haruto, you have to make sure they're alright. Just leave me here; I'm only going to slow you down."
The Parental Figure stood up and looked around the hall. He muttered under his breath as he began to sift his hands through his fluffy, messy hair. "There there, Haruto. Everything will be fine. You got this."
Once he came to his senses, he knelt back down to Tiana. He held his left arm in front of him and began tugging on his sleeve.
"I'm not leaving you behind, Tiana. You're not going to be without a cast, either."
Soon, the long gray sleeve tore, and Haruto began wrapping it around the girl's ankle.
Heat began to creep up the girl's neck, though her expression hardened slightly as she noticed the scars along his arm. "Haruto, don't you understand? If you waste time with me, I'm just going to end up as deadweight to you."
"You're not deadweight. Don't ever say you are," he said fiercely as he tightened the bandage's last knot. His face softened instantly, his eyes showing regret. "Sorry about that. I just can't stand it when people compare themselves to objects. What I mean is our lives are valuable. You shouldn't diminish yours like that."
The sternness faded from the girl's face at the boy's surprisingly terse tone before wincing slightly as he tightened the knot. "Haruto, it's not that I don't value my life. I just don't want anything to happen to you or Anna because of my clumsiness."
"I appreciate that, but you're anything but clumsy. Annabelle told me how you saved her on the roller coaster. A clumsy person might not have succeeded. None of us knew this would happen because that bear never said anything about it. Also, I'm pretty sure she wouldn't forgive me if I left you here. I know I wouldn't." The boy held both his arms out. "Let's find her together."
The Dominatrix allowed her shoulders to slump in resignation. "I have to admit I'm not use to people going out of their way for me. I'm especially not use to someone talking me out of something once I've made up my mind," she mused. She gingerly used her other leg to rise to her feet, then reached for his arms. "Haruto Shinta, you might just be more stubborn than I am."
"I wouldn't be a good parent if I wasn't stubborn." He chuckled lightly as he held her up.
A faint trill of laughter escaped the blonde as she leaned against the boy for support. "I won't disagree with that statement. I'm sure you're going to make a great father some day," she said before tucking her lower lip underneath her teeth. "I'm sorry if this makes you uncomfortable at all."
"I can manage, and thank you," he said with a warm smile.
Tiana winced slightly as she lifted her chin. She could make out a low vibrating sound. "Haruto, I think the maze is about to shift again."
"Hold on tight," he said. He increased the strength of his grip a little bit, but not too much.
The pair's movements were extremely wilted as the walls around them began to move. Suddenly, the hall in front of them was blocked with a stone wall and a separate corridor to the right opened up. "Thank you for all of this, Haruto, but we're never going to get anywhere at this rate," she said as her face contorted occasionally in pain.
"You want me to carry you?"
The blonde's face immediately flushed a scarlet color. "I-I'm not some dainty girl. I wouldn't want to impose," she responded timidly.
"It's no trouble. We can move faster this way, though I'll need you to be my defense. I won't be able to wield my gun," he said as he knelt down. "Get on my back."
The Ultimate Dominatrix chewed on her lower lip before mentally berating herself.
Tiana, get a grip. He's just being a nice guy. He probably doesn't even see you in that light. Haruto would do this for anyone. He's just that kind of person. Though I have to admit, it is nice to let someone else take charge for a change. If it means we can get to Anna and the others, I can put aside my feelings for now.
Tiana took a steadying breath as she hobbled forward, slowly climbing onto his back. "If I'm too heavy, just let me know," she said in a hushed whisper.
"Certainly," he said. "I'll be fine, though. I'd be ashamed of myself if I couldn't carry a person."
"Thank you, Haruto. I really owe you one," Tiana said as she took his gun . She shifted it slightly over his shoulder as he began to move forward with her in tow. "Now let's go find our friends."
"Let's hope they managed to stay together."
4:31 P.M Day Seven
Amusement Park
Paintball Maze
Shortly after the blue team entered the labyrinth, they found themselves divided because of the shifting walls.
The Fashion Designer and Athlete found themselves standing in a small circular room filled with various weapons that were mounted along the wall. Chloe quickly affixed a piece of leather to the bottom of Sigmund's crutch before pulling it taut. "There, that should muffle the sound a bit. There's no reason to give away our position unless we wish to lure someone to us," Chloe mused as she rose to her feet and eyed the boy. "I suggest we wait another moment. The walls are about to change again. There's no sense in moving right before the shift."
Sigmund nodded, but then frowned as he scanned the assorted weaponry. "These are some rather vicious items we've got here. I don't suppose you plan on taking anything, do you?"
A playful smirk teased Chloe's lips. "Non, of course not. Sigmund, it hurts my feelings that you immediately assume I'd rush to violence. I did smash Otto's head against the table, but his manners were terribly lacking," she mused as she eyed the various knives and swords that dotted the wall.
The Paralympic Athlete shrugged and shook his head. "Je suis désolé, I didn't mean to imply that those were my thoughts. Otto... well, I won't slander the dead, but if anyone needed a reality check, it was him," he offered unenthusiastically.
"There is no need to apologize, Cher. It's important to watch everyone around us closely. If I have learned anything, it's that people are rarely what they seem on the outside," she mused as the walls around them began to suddenly shudder. The two connecting corridors vanished, and a single one appeared to the east.
"Hah, truer words have never been spoken. I'll keep an eye on you, and you can keep an eye on me. Deal?" Sigmund asked nonchalantly.
The buxom beauty offered him a playful wink. "I'm counting on it. Shall we get going, partner?" she asked as she shouldered her paintball gun, taking several strides towards the new hallway. Despite the heels on her feet, her movement was practically indiscernible to the boy's ears.
Sigmund cracked his knuckle in confirmation. "You're enough of a weapon on your own, anyhow," he mentioned in a hushed voice as he trailed from a couple paces back.
"Sigmund, darling, would you mind doing a favor for me? I have an idea of how we can gain a tactical advantage, and I'll need your help," Chloe said as she peered over her shoulder at the boy, or more specifically his crutch.
"I'm all ears," he replied, and upon following her gaze, he added, "If you need my crutch, I can do without it for quite a while."
Chloe shook her head. "Oh, I wouldn't ask to relinquish it from your care. I just need you to brace it against the ground to the best of your ability. When the walls shifted last time, I observed that they're about a foot thick. That's more than enough room for me to stand if I can reach the top. I can cover you from above as we eliminate the others teams."
"Hmm, you'd better hope there aren't any hidden rules regarding such a tactic, especially if it's considered going out-of-bounds. Having said that, I think it's a good idea," Sigmund concluded.
"Well, if I do break some law of the bear's, I'll suffer the consequences. Kurokuma certainly didn't specify any such rules. I think we've prattled enough, Siggy. Make sure to hold it in position; I'd rather not mess this up," she said as she turned slightly before crouching like a lioness.
"Siggy...?" Sigmund questioned as he raised an eyebrow and got into position. The veins in his arm bulged while he gripped his crutch in place.
"Sigmund is such a mouthful. Besides, you really shouldn't be upset when a girl decides to give you a nickname. It means she's at least put a modicum of thought into your existence," she responded as she lunged forward. She reached a startlingly high position when her foot caught the top of the crutch and it propelled her higher into the air. She flipped once, before catching the top of the wall with her hand. Her arm tensed a moment before she effortlessly pulled herself to the top. "Well done. You're a great deal stronger than you let on. You hardly budged."
"I'm okay, but you're the real superhuman here," Sigmund responded casually, but he was clearly impressed. "I guess fashion designing involves a lot more physical work than one would imagine, huh?" He shrugged, as if he had no intention of prying any further.
"All that needlepoint and threading really keeps one spry," Chloe responded in a trill of laughter before her expression shifted abruptly to an emotionless mask. "Someone's coming," she said, gesturing down the hall.
A few seconds elapsed before Sigmund also heard a voice calling out.
"N-Naruhiko?! Kanade? Where are you guys?"
The torches on the hallway slowly illuminated the silhouette of a tall girl who was timidly moving towards them. After a few seconds, they saw it was none other than the Ultimate Love Guru.
Sigmund let out a low sigh and mimed a shooting motion towards Chloe. The look in his eyes said "You're the better shot."
The Fashion Designer silently stalked along the top of the wall before she shouldered her paintball gun and stopped just a few feet away.
Churi would just register the audible click of a trigger being pulled before being pelted in the chest. She let out a yelp of surprise as her sensor went off frantically. "O-Oh no, I'm already out?" she asked as she adjusted her glasses, finally noticing Sigmund. "That was a really good shot. I couldn't even see you. D-Do you think I could tag along with you? I sort of got separated from everyone else."
Understanding that it'd be best for Chloe's position to remain hidden, the Paralympic Athlete slowly walked towards Churi. "More like a lucky shot. In any case, forgive me, but I can't have you following me. I'm trying to be stealthy about this, and you'll be safer away from all the action, anyway." He rejected her as softly as he could.
The Love Guru's lower lip quivered slightly as she rubbed at her forearm. "Oh, I-I see. I guess I'll just find somewhere and hide until all of this mess is over."
Churi clutched her paintball gun against her chest as she continued on in the direction Chloe and Sigmund had come from with a noticeable wilt in her step.
A few moments passed before Chloe spoke when she was sure the girl was out of earshot. "My, what a heartbreaker. I actually have an idea. Let's face it, Sigmund, you're not going to be able to fire as accurately as me, let alone most of the others here. That's not me being cruel; it's just the facts. So what if, instead of trying to avoid being noticed, we use you a lure? Then I'll eliminate them just like I did with Churi."
Several moments passed as Sigmund considered her words. "Well, I can't argue against the facts. Honestly, using me as bait was probably what Tomoko originally had in mind when she chose me, anyhow. Alright, Chloe. Should I go out, I trust you to clean things up. I'm no Naruhiko, but I'll see what I can do to make some noise." He tore off the leather covering his crutch and rolled his muscular neck. Crackling noises filled the silence.
"Don't worry about overdoing it, Siggy. I'll follow you from up here. We'll lure anyone into a false sense of security before springing our trap," she responded with a mischievous wink.
Sigmund sighed. "You're having way too much fun."
4:37 P.M Day Seven
Amusement Park
Paintball Maze
The Ultimate Punk Musician ran a hand through his stubble. "Gah, how are we supposed to go for a clean sweep when we can't find anyone? Stupid damn maze!" the boy cursed as he turned and kicked the nearby wall.
Kanade looked down to the smooth floor as she let out a sigh. "Maybe this is for the best, since we didn't really have a plan a-anyways." The tenseness in her voice matched her hands, which were shaking with anxiety as she held onto her gun awkwardly.
"WHAT?! Of course we have a plan! What kind of attitude is that? We freaking melted faces earlier today, so buck up, Ugisu! We're gonna win this. Just you wait and see!" Naruhiko exclaimed with a toothy grin.
The Composer looked towards the Punk Musician before she closed her eyes. She gave a meek nod and looked out in front of them. "I'm sorry. I just get so scared at the ideas of s-shooting our friends, even if it is just paint. We were all having so much fun together just a few hours ago."
Naruhiko let his expression soften slightly as he regarded the timid girl. "Hey, don't sweat it. No matter what happens, it's not gonna be game over for anyone. Whoever gets shafted is gonna make it through that sick game and we're all gonna be one step closer to skullfucking the jerk behind all of this."
Kanade nearly jumped in shock as she struggled to not drop her gun. "Ahh, Naruhiko! Why would you say something like that!" The Composer looked flustered as she looked him in the eyes again. But, before they could meet, she looked back down towards the floor. "What if this is the last thing we do together as a group? I'm barely sleeping here as it is. I don't know how it would feel to be the one to pull the trigger... If we don't finish this game, we all die." The girl began to shake badly as small tears started to trace down her cheeks.
The boy offered an uncomfortable expression, then rubbed the back of his neck. "These death games are supposed to be winnable though, right? Let's not assume the worst. Look, you've got Naruhiko fucking Murai watching your back. We're gonna be just fine!" he said as he slung his gun over his shoulder before stepping forward to pat her shoulder. "Come on, there's no reason to cry. I swear shit is gonna work out. You'll see."
Kanade took deep breaths as she used the sleeves of her sweater to wipe away her tears. "I know that I shouldn't be so worried, but I just can't help thinking about it." She looked towards the hand on her shoulder uncomfortably but drifted her gaze away again. "I'm sorry you don't have someone stronger like Kaizoku to help you, Naruhiko. I know you and him get along better."
"Heh, I'm like peanut butter, though, Ugisu. I'm good with just about anything!" the boy said as he offered her a thumbs up. "Considering the way you were whaling on those drums, I'd say you're plenty strong. What do you say we keep moving? You just watch my back, alright?"
"Yeah, alright. I guess I'll follow your rhythm, just like I did in the show," Kanade said as she gave a more firm nod. Her hands seemed to relax and hold the gun much more comfortably. "As a musician, I've always had steady hands. Ever since I've came to this awful place, my hands have not been able to stop shaking. Maybe I just need to try and get out of my own head for a bit. If I don't try, then we will all die..."
Naruhiko nodded his head. "Hah, that's the spirit! Get out of your head a bit and loosen up. That's all you have to do," he exclaimed. He then turned suddenly, as he registered heavy footfalls headed in their direction.
They saw Haruto emerge from the end of the corridor, carrying Tiana piggyback style. With the light from the torches, they were able to make out a makeshift bandage around her right ankle. The Parental Figure had no weapon drawn, but Tiana had her gun hoisted over the boy's shoulder.
"Shit! Get ready to rock and roll!" Naruhiko said as he raised his gun to his shoulder.
"Already? Um... R-right, I-I've got your back," she responded as she worryingly raised her gun to match the boy's form.
Haruto gritted his teeth. "Please forgive us, but we've got places to be. Tiana, go for it!"
The Dominatrix nodded as she lined up a shot and squeezed the trigger.
At the same time, Naruhiko grabbed a shield mounted on one of the walls before blocking the shot with a wide grin. "HAHAHA! Not gonna happen, gorgeous. Not when Naruhiko is in town." He howled in laughter as he squeezed the trigger of his own gun, pelting Haruto in the chest. The sensor immediately began to blare, marking his elimination. However, he kept his grip on Tiana firm as he continued barreling towards them.
Despite her words a short bit ago, Kanade felt fear cement her legs to the ground. However, her hands were ready with the gun and she pointed it towards Tiana. She slammed her eyes shut as she pulled back on the trigger hastily for a few moments before it slipped from her fingers.
Perhaps it was skill or just dumb luck, but the paintball soared across the hall and slammed into the Dominatrix's chest. Yet another sensor blared as Tiana was eliminated.
Haruto slowed to a halt before taking a deep breath. "That didn't pan out well for us. Since we're eliminated, I don't suppose you've run into anyone else have you ?"
"N-no, we haven't come by anyone else, not even our own teammates after the walls started to move..." Kanade explained as her she opened her eyes to see what happened with her shot. "A-also, I'm so very sorry Tiana," she said with a short bow of her head.
Tiana shook her head but gave the other girl a reassuring smile. "What are you apologizing for? You're just playing the game. Good shot by the way."
"Hah, no kidding! I knew you could do it Ugisu. So what's up with you, Mistress? You and Haruto weren't getting too rough now, were you?"
The Parental Figure felt his jaw go slack. "I'm not going to even respond to that."
Kanade felt her shoulders stiffen as she looked from Naruhiko. "A-anyway, did you get hurt by the t-traps that Kurokuma said were in here, Tiana?"
Tiana's look of frustration due to Naruhiko shifted to embarrassment. A rosy blush graced her face. "N-Not exactly. I sort of rolled my ankle when the walls first started moving. Haruto was nice enough to carry me."
Haruto offered a sheepish expression. "It's really no big deal. We've been trying to find the rest of our group, Annabelle in particular. We should probably keep moving."
"Hah, I'm sure the squirt is fine! We'll keep an eye out to-" Naruhiko was cut off as a wall blocked Tiana and Haruto off. He turned just in time to see another wall materializing between him and Kanade. "Uguisu!"
"Ahh! Naruhiko!" The Composer cried out as she reached out towards him. The action was in vain, as the wall came into place and left her isolated.
4:42 P.M Day Seven
Amusement Park
Paintball Maze
The Ultimate Runner gave a carefree smile as she continued to jog forward at a brisk pace. "Wow. He seems really determined, doesn't he? How are you holding up, kiddo?" she asked as she neared a corner. She held her paintball gun against her chest. The sound of a wheel bustling against the stonework could be heard not far away. They'd been running now for a good ten minutes, though it was less by choice than necessity.
Annabelle was too busy trying to focus on keeping up with the Runner to even think of turning her head back towards the red bear that was currently chasing them. "Yeah, he must really be mad, huh? But I'll show you and your big boobies just how fast I can run!" With that, she began putting more distance between herself and the sounds of Yushikuma.
"Bahaha. That's it! Run as fast as you can! The Ringmaster will catch you no matter what! Games are my domain. Prepare to get creamed!" The red bear howled in laughter as he barreled after the duo on his unicycle. He squeezed the trigger of his own paintball gun, causing several splotches to hit the wall as the pair rounded the corner at the last second.
Shiho smirked softly. "This is one heck of a workout. You sure you don't want any help? You're starting to move like a turtle and he's gaining on us."
"No! I need to be able to do this myself." Annabelle explained as her face made a serious expression as she tried to force her legs to keep up their pace.
After a few more seconds of exerting herself, she knew she couldn't continue with this for too much longer. Worryingly, the sounds of Yushikuma and his unicycle where quickly making their way around the corner. "Nngh, I don't think I can do this. I-I need help!"
Shiho used her sensors and moved backwards a moment behind the girl. The sound of Yushikuma's laughter grew ever louder.
The Runner suddenly bolted forward as she grappled the girl with one armand threw her over her shoulder like a sack of potatoes. She then effortlessly rocketed ahead with Annabelle now facing the bear. "Why don't you give him some of his own medicine?"
Yushikuma wore a wide grin as his top hat bobbed up and down while he tried to aim at the pair.
Annabelle's eyes lit up at the suggestion. "Hee-hee, ya! I'll show this bully what it's like." The prodigy giggled as she raised the gun and fired it off at the approaching bear.
The bear let out an indignant huff as he swerved across the hall, nearly hitting the wall to avoid being pelted. "So that's how you want it?! I won't show you any mercy, then, even if you aren't a gross adult!"
"Hey, Yushi! If you let me pet your fur later, I'll take it easy on you!" The small girl called out as a wide smirk spread across her face. She let loose another quick volley of shots at the bear.
"Hehe, give it to him good, kid! He deserves it for terrorizing us," the Runner said as she bounded forward down the long stretch of the maze.
"Pet me?! What, do I look like a Furby or somethin?!" The bear sputtered as a paintball splattered against his hat, sending it flying and causing his eye to twitch.
"Oh, now you've done it! You better be lucky my tiger isn't with me right now or she'd swallow you whole!" He roared as his stubby legs began to pedal harder, then he fired several quick shots at the pair. Shiho, despite her blindness, effortlessly weaved through the narrow space and avoided his shots.
"Oh yeah? How will you do without your cycle, too?" Annabelle had a sly glint in her eyes as she moved her gun to instead target the wheel. She fired off more rounds at the unicycle.
"I-I cry foul; this isn't fun anymore!" The bear sputtered as several splotches of pink collided with the spokes of his wheel. It caused the unicycle to wobble and sent the bear tumbling across the ground with an unceremonious thud. His gun landing a few feet away with a loud clack.
"Ungh. You know this means war," he grumbled as he pried his face from the ground before eying the pair that were shrinking into the distance.
"Hah, I guess someone's a sore loser." Shiho grinned as she continued to sprint forward, lightly jostling the girl over her shoulder in the process.
"Yeah, what a big baby!" The small girl giggled as she let her gun rest in her hands.
Their victory was short-lived, however, as they registered a loud cackle from the darkened room in front of them, which was followed by two quick shots that splattered both of the girls. Shiho was hit in the chest while Annabelle was hit in the bottom. Both of their sensors went off almost immediately.
Footsteps could be heard as Dolly emerged with a paintball gun in one hand and Becky in her other hand. Even the little doll had a pint-sized gun in her grasp. "Didn't see that coming did ya, Tits McGee?!" Becky howled. Dolly offered a bashful expression. "O-Oh please forgive her. It was just too good of an opportunity to miss."
"Aww man. We just showed that dumb bear who's boss, too," Annabelle said with a pout.
"Who you calling a dumb bear?!" Yushikuma sputtered as he waddled forward, only to face plant on a wall as it appeared directly in front of him. Belligerent curses could be heard from the other side as the walls continued to change again.
"Later, losers. We've got a game to fucking win!" Becky exclaimed triumphantly before a wall appeared, suddenly separating her from Shiho and Annabelle.
"Jeez. We really got creamed, didn't we?" Shiho asked before setting the younger girl down. "Oh well. What can you do? Hopefully everyone else is faring better than we are. Hey, Annabelle, can I ask you a question? It's serious."
"Umm, okay. What is it?" the girl asked as she made a worried expression towards the Runner.
"Why is everyone so interested in my breasts? I didn't forget to wear my sports bra, did I?" Shiho asked with a puzzled expression.
"Oh, that's easy, Shiho! They're just so big that everyone has to pay attention to them!" Annabelle happily explained. She seemed much more relaxed as she walked up towards the Runner. "Oh, but I'm not sure how to tell just by looking, so I'll check." Without another word, the girl reached up and placed a hand directly onto the older girl's chest.
The Runner tilted her head to the side. "I have had a lot of strange tests run on me in the past, but this has to be the weirdest. You're a handful for Tiana and Haruto, aren't ya?"
A giggle escaped Annabelle and she mentioned something about handfuls. She took her hand away and gave a shrug. "Ya, I guess, but it's not like I asked them to baby me. Anyway, I'm sorry, Shiho. I guess I don't know how bras work yet," she explained as her finger pressed against her chin in thought. "Oh, could I ask you a question now? How did you get them so big? I wanna know the secret so I'm ready for them when I'm older!"
Shiho had to suppress a snort as she threw an arm around the girl's shoulder as they walked side by side. "Oh, so you want to know the big secret, huh? It's really important you don't tell anyone else. Big chested girls are really tight lipped when it comes to their secret. Can I count on you to keep it to yourself?"
Stars light up in Annabelle's eyes as she stared up at the Runner. "I promise!"
"This is what you have to do," Shiho started as she leaned over to whisper something in Annabelle's ear before pulling away. "Remember, you have to do that once a day."
A look of surprise and wonder flashed across the young girl's face. "Whoa, that's the secret? I would have never thought of that! You're so smart Shiho!" Annabelle exclaimed throwing herself into a hug with the older girl. "Just you wait! You won't be able to see them, but I promise I'm going to do my best to make sure I won't lose to anyone!"
The Ultimate Runner squeezed the Investigator tightly in return. "I'm sure you'll set records, kiddo. Just don't overdo it, or your back might give out," she said, giving a playful smirk as she affectionately ruffled the girl's hair. "Now come on. We might be out of this game, but we should still make sure everyone is alright. I bet Tiana and Haruto are worried sick."
4:56 P.M Day Seven
Amusement Park
Paintball Maze
"Madison, give us an angle," Tomoko ordered as she held out a piece of glass to look around the corner and into the open room that lay beyond.
The Ultimate Mathematician gaze fixated on the shard of glass a moment as her brow furrowed. "Seventy-six degrees from the opening of the door. They're exposed at the moment."
Tomoko felt a tiny smirk curling at her lips. "You heard her. Take the shot, Soo Yeong, and make it count."
"As you wish." The young man murmured as he carefully shouldered his paintball gun before leaning out and squeezing the trigger twice. The sound of a sensor going off could be heard from the room beyond."
"I believe that's one target confirmed," Maddie said with a strained smile.
"Yes, but don't let it go to your head. Even if they are eliminated, there was no mention of firing post-elimination. Speaking of which, if we are eliminated, by no means is that an invitation to slack off. We keep playing until our team is left or there is no one left standing," the Shogi Player said before she suddenly registered footsteps. Her eyes widened as she saw two silhouettes advancing forward through the reflection in the glass. "They're rushing us. Get ready."
A slightly surprised look filled the Surgeon's eyes. "That's reckless isn't it? What do you think they're up to?"
Maddie shifted her paintball gun slightly. "Well, it's possible that they realized they're cornered and that this seems better than awaiting the inevitable."
"Just keep the pressure on them. A third of their team is there." Tomoko barked as she leaned around the corner and squeezed the trigger, only to be belted in the stomach as her own sensor began to blare.
It was then that Utano, who had already been eliminated, emerged into the light from the torches alongside Seikatsu. The Tarotologist offered a smirk as she dodged Tomoko's shots before weaving around the corner as she hit Maddie directly in the chest, causing another chorus of alarms to go off.
The Mathematician tried her best to return fire, but Seikatsu movements were too fast. Her shots merely splattered along the walls. "I-I can't hit her. I need more time to set up."
"Relax, I've got her," Soo Yeong said as he leveled a shot. It connected, but only against her shoulder.
However, it left the boy wide open. As the Tarotologist was about to return fire, she was suddenly shot in the back.
Utano bit his lip nervously as the room went still for a moment. Seikatsu's alarm began to go off.
"What the hell was that?" Seikatsu spat darkly as she whirled around before glaring at the Poet. "Has the Moon completely eclipsed your brain?"
"I-I'm sorry. It was just an accident." The boy stammered out an apology.
"Hah! I bet you were an accident, too! What a fucking idiot!" a voice exclaimed from an intersecting corridor. Yet another sensor began to blare as a glob of paint collided with Soo Yeong's face.
A look of fury filled the boy's one visible eye as he slowly wiped the paint from his face. He turned to see Dolly holding Becky. The former had a meek expression while the latter had a triumphant smirk. "HAHAHA, what a bunch of losers. Don't worry, yours truly will carry the fucking torch till th-"
Tomoko, with an annoyed expression, pulled the trigger of her gun in quick succession as she splattered both puppet and owner. "Next time just shoot instead of talking."
Yet another chorus of alarms went off following the shots, leaving the gathering of students in an awkward silence. However, the moment was quickly broke as the walls began to shift once more. It almost seemed deliberate, as they weaved through the scattered group and forced all of them into different directions.
The Shogi Player scowled as she found herself staring at stone wall. "The others had better pick up our slack. At the very least I can keep hunting. I am not dying in some twisted game," she said under her breath before turning and stalking down a winding corridor.
5:19 P.M Day Seven
Amusement Park
Paintball Maze
Laris let out an indignant huff as the maze shifted once more. She and Kaizoku traversed another identical looking corridor. "Of all the rotten luck. How in the world have we gone so long without seeing anyone else? There's no way of telling who's left, either." She frowned to herself as she eyed the boy next to her. "At this rate, we'll run out of time."
Kaizoku took one of his hands off of his gun and rubbed the back of his neck. "Aye, Captain. With how this place is built, it's like that scallywag wants us to fail." The Sailor let out a sigh and readjusted his grip. "But we can't let ourselves get bogged down in negativity. For now, let's just stay the course."
"I know you're probably right, but if he really did want us to fail what could we possibly do?" the Knight asked before shaking her head. "No, I shouldn't think that way," she mused as she registered a metallic clank in the distance.
Laris immediately straightened as she raised her gun to shoulder level.
Kaizoku matched the Knight's stance and looked to her with a raised eyebrow.
The clank could be heard once more as it grew steadily closer. This time the pair would see someone as Sigmund rounded the corner. The boy gripped his gun in his good hand as he used his crutch under what remained of his other arm. Almost immediately he saw the pair and gave them a wry smile as he leaned against his single crutch. "Huh, this doesn't bode well for me. Go ahead, I'm in no place to fight both of you."
"Cause this doesn't smell like a trap. Watch my back." Kaizoku muttered to Laris as he took a step towards the Athlete. "What's wrong, lad? The walls take away your crew?" he asked aloud as he kept his gun trained on Sigmund.
The Ultimate Knight offered a curt nod in response as she turned before peering behind them. Her gaze was met with an empty hall.
Sigmund chuckled softly. "Yeah, I suppose you could say I was separated from the rest of my group. My arm and leg are killing me, though. I think I've had my fill of this game. Mind putting me out of my misery?"
The Sailor's expression softened slightly. "Well, I don't think anyone in this 'game' is having a good time," Kaizoku said as he pulled the trigger.
With a shocking amount of speed, the Athlete nimbly used his crutch to vault himself to the side. Instead of striking his chest, it merely grazed his shoulder. It was at that moment the Sailor noticed raven hair flitting through the air above them as Chloe lunged from the top of the wall and squeezed the trigger of her gun. The boy felt the breath catch in his throat as he was suddenly yanked backwards, the paintballs splattering the floor where he'd been a moment before.
The Fashion Designer landed gracefully in a crouch, a playful smile teasing her lips as she quickly rose to her full height. She trained her gun on the pair.. "Nice try, Sigmund. If our dear knight hadn't reacted so quickly, it would have worked."
"Thank ya, Captain. I'd say I owe you, but we're not out of the woods yet." Kaizoku raised his gun again and tried to get a read on the Athlete.
"I hope neither of you will take my deception personally. There's just too much at stake to throw this game," Sigmund said. He again vaulted backwards before squeezing the trigger and firing at Kaizoku.
The Sailor wordlessly dove to side and returned fire after a moment.
Laris' expression darkened as she narrowly avoided Chloe's onslaught. She slid forward, kicking the Athlete's good leg out from under him. This left Sigmund exposed, and Kaizoku's shots managed to catch him in the chest as he fell backwards to the ground. His sensors went off, signifying he'd been eliminated.
The Fashion Designer wasted no time as she leveled her gun before firing at the Knight's back...
"Ah, bloody hell... Captain!" Kaizoku's eyes widened in surprise as he dashed quickly over to Laris and tried to push her out of the way. At the same time, he was fumbling to get his gun leveled and pointed at Chloe.
The Ultimate Knight's face registered surprise as she was pushed out of the way. The series of shots hit the Sailor square in the torso. The sound that had just played echoed once more, as Kaizoku's sensors went off.
"Kaizoku!" Laris bit back a growl as she landed, then focused on Chloe. Sigmund slowly rose to his single foot.
"Heh, well I guess it wasn't an entire loss," the Athlete mused as his teammate squeezed another few shots off.
Kaizoku shook his head. "Lad, no matter how this whole thing ends, it will be a loss."
Chloe ignored the boy's comments as she fired off several shots, which Laris narrowly avoided as she scrambled in the opposite direction. The Fashion Designer took off in a brisk run as the maze began to shudder once more. After just a few seconds the two boys found themselves separated from both of their teammates.
Kaizoku turned back to face Sigmund. "Well damn. Are you doing alright?" he asked as he took a deep breath to calm down.
The Paralympic Athlete offered a halfhearted expression as he leaned against his single crutch. "I'll be fine. Believe it or not, I've suffered worse than a paintball and a fall," he said as he gestured at his stumps. "I am sorry for the trap. I guess Tomoko's competitive nature is contagious."
Kaizoku shrugged his shoulders. "With everyone's lives on the line, I'm not going to hold it against anyone," he said as he offered his left fist out towards Sigmund. He made sure to flex his arm, so his burn scar made a noticeable shake. He looked back at the redhead with a smirk. "I suppose we've both been through worse."
Sigmund eyed the burn for a long moment before offering a strained smile. He slowly extended his sole hand outward and met the other boy's fist.. "No hard feelings then?"
"None at all, lad. Though, I have to wonder what happens to us now," Kaizoku mused as his other hand ran through his beard in thought.
"Yes, Kurokuma never mentioned what would happen to those of us eliminated. Theoretically, could we not still eliminate other players even though we're no longer in the running ourselves?" the boy mused aloud.
"Huh, well I suppose if he didn't want us to he should have told us that. Though, personally, I'm going to try and find the wee lass and protect her," the Sailor said as he turned to walk away and waved a hand lazily.
The Athlete felt a weak smile pulling at his lips as he turned in the opposite direction. "Good luck, and be safe out there, Kaizoku. I think I'm going to see if I can find some way of helping my team."
5:28 P.M Day Seven
Amusement Park
Paintball Maze
Lachlan panted a moment as a he felt a bead of sweat forming on his brow.
He'd been caught in a lengthy encounter with Naruhiko for nearly twenty minutes now. While the other boy wasn't what he'd classify as intelligent, he was surprisingly crafty and tended to react in strange ways. It made predicting his movements difficult.
"Bahahaa. You getting tired yet?!" Naruhiko howled as he slumped behind a wall before cracking his neck.
The Journalist, who was propped against the opposite wall, scoffed. "Not a chance. I bet you're the last one standing in your ragtag group. Why don't you do us all a favor and just let me shoot you?"
The Ultimate Punk Musician shrugged out of his jacket. "Hah, you really think I'd do that? My band of misfits are counting on me. No way I'm gonna let 'em down now."
"If you're feeling so noble, why don't you just volunteer to take the fall?" Lachlan asked as he steadied his grip.
A grin spread across Naruhiko's face. "Heh, I might look out for my friends, but it don't mean I'm ready to jump on a sword. Let's get this over with; I'm tired of listening to you run your mouth."
Without warning, the Musician pulled his free hand back, tossing his jacket around the corner and jumping into the air after it.
Instinctively, the Journalist quickly raised his gun before plastering the garment, only to realize his grave mistake. Lachlan began to tilt his gun as he tried to redirect his aim, but it was too late.
A blaring sound filled the hallway as Naruhiko's shot splattered across his chest.
"Aha! That's how it's done, motherfucker!" The Musician howled in laughter as he landed on the ground.
"Dammit." Lachlan cursed as his brow furrowed. He aimed downward before pulling the trigger a few times in quick succession.
Naruhiko moment of joy was short lived as he narrowly rolled out of the way before scrambling back down the opposite hall as he heard Lachlan's footfalls directly behind him. "SHIT SHIT SHIT!" he screamed as he heard the walls start to shift. He glanced behind him to see Lachlan leveling a shot, only for a wall to suddenly appear in front of the Journalist.
"HAHAHA! That's why I'm Naruhiko motherfucking Mura- Owwww!" He let out painful growl when another wall appeared in front of him and he promptly face planted against it.
The Musician took a step back before rubbing at his nose. "Gah, I'm definitely gonna leave that shit out when anyone asks how I won."
5:49 P.M Day Seven
Amusement Park
Paintball Maze
The Ultimate Knight stared warily at her phone as she darted down a dark corridor.
Blast it. We're almost out of time. At this rate, all of us will face punishment.
Laris rounded a corner before darting into a large open room. The smell of iron, paint, and some other sharp, foreign scent invaded her nose.
It was at that time that she noticed Naruhiko and Chloe emerging from two separate entrances into the room.
The Knight prepared raise her paintball gun, only for it to clatter to the ground.
The duo had spotted it just as she had.
There, resting against the wall in the center of the labyrinth, was the body of Kanade Kanaka, the Ultimate Composer.
An agonizing expression rested on the lifeless girl's face. Her arms still clutched at her abdomen, from which her entrails were spilling out. It appeared as if something had eaten away at her midsection, though there was no clear sign that a weapon had been used. The viscous blood around her was startling compared to the muted gray walls and floor. There seemed to be faint paint splotches around the hole in her stomach.
"N-No! You've gotta be fucking kidding me. FUCK NO!" Naruhiko roared as he darted towards the girl's lifeless body.
Once more, the speakers lining the walls crackled to life as Kurokuma's voice filled the labyrinth.
"Hehehe! This has been one hell of a show. I've gotta say that I didn't see this one fucking coming, but what a way to spice shit up. You losers know how it works. The labyrinth is no longer moving, and the exits are now open. The crime scene is at your disposal. I'm not a pussy like my little brother, so you fuckers have thirty minutes. Make the most of it... or don't. It doesn't really matter to me!"
17 Survivors Remain
*AN* Altomi, I just wanted to apologize for killing your baby. Kanade was too precious for this world, but despair has to have its fix. I hope you can forgive me. I want to thank everyone who's helped co write, beta, and proofread this chapter. You guys are the best!
Review Section:
StoryProducer214
Don't you fret. Despair comes to those who wait :D
Trust Me I'm Me
I really thought this would provide for the biggest way to end the motive. For the game to seemingly be a moment from concluding, only for the three remaining participants to stumble upon something horrifying.
The Kobold Necromancer
Petty has been helping me, but I've been heavily consulting your application and really tried to capture her manic excited nature.
Blazerxz
You know originally I had considered having eliminated students removed from the maze upon being knocked out. However it felt like a way to have more drama and confusion if they were still present and capable of causing trouble.
Natsukumo1000
Hell that would be a dangerous team indeed.
SootyThunder
Well if it makes you feel any better, it went to 99% of the way Lol
ThePLOThand
It's always amazing to me how voice actors can have such range.
BouncingFish
Um let's call it a tie? Maybe it was a cop out, but between you and me I think Chloe would have won for the blue team. Laris is athletic, but she'd be outmatched by Chloe and Naruhiko's brand of craziness would have only gotten him so far.
bellatrixshine
Hah, I thought I would subvert things a bit by having the concert actually go off without a hitch and wait for the motive :P
Cinderfall201
There's a reason why it had to be paintball :P
pokemansuperallstar
Haha I love DBZA. I just wish they updated faster haha.
Fee5H
Whelp let's call it a draw. Though I guess it's fair to say that no one wins here. Least of all Kanade.
PettyPunk
Haha I'm sure you see why I couldn't share all the scenes with you this time Petty! ;)
doomqwer
Hey I have to give him major props for a cool idea. I was inspired from it and have added a few twists here and there.