Chapter 10

The baseball ran into the factory, looking around for any sign of the mechanic. He saw all the workers, the machines, the weapons...Just knowing it was Kazuichi behind all this was heartbreaking. Finally his eyes settled on the giant Monokuma in the center of the factory.

"Kazu...Where are you...?!" He called out. The workers turned their heads to look at him, but didn't move to intercept him. They just went back to work. Leon found some stairs in the back. Using his speed, he bolted, running up two steps at a time. When he reached the top, he immediately spotted the empty cola cans on the floor, beside a large monitor. There were dozens of cameras on the screen, showing various areas throughout the city. He grit his teeth and slammed his fists down on the panel.

"DAMN IT! Where are you Kazu?!"

"Oh silly Leon...He's here of course!" That voice... He spun around as fast as he could, looking Junko Enoshima in the eyes. Rage burned inside him.

"You...What the hell are you doing here, huh?!" Junko just gave him her big, twisted grin.

"Isn't it obvious? I'm here to stop you from interfering of course! I can't just let you take my tools away, can I? Now let me think, what would be the most despairful way to kill you...? I got it! How about...being killed by the one you love?! Oh Souda...!" Leon's eyes widened. He could see movement in the shadows. The movement grew closer, until a figure sporting a yellow jumpsuit stood in the red light of the factory, wielding a large wrench. His wild pin hair was everywhere, and there was a red glow to his eyes.

"Please..I beg you...D-don't make me do this...!" Leon's heart clenched with pain at the despair in Kazuichi's voice. He was shaking, trying to resist. But his arm lifted up against his will, swinging down the wrench. Luckiy Leon dodgedthe attack and dove to the side.

"Kazu, fight it! Please!" Kazuichi grit his teeth as he lifted the wrench again.

"L-Leon...R-run...! Get out of here, quick!"

"You're crazy if you think I'm gonna abandon you! Do you have any idea what I've been through to get to you?!"

"Of course I do! I've...been watching you..! Trying to keep you away...!I didn't want her...to get you...! I especially didn't want you to see me like this!" He grunted. He swung the wrench again. Leon rolled over, but the wrench smashed down on his leg, causing him to cry out. He gripped it and tried to stand up, but as he got up a heeled boot kicked him in the knee, sending him to the ground. Another cry of pain left his throat as he fell to the floor. He strained to get up, but his leg protested. Junko laughed.

"Too bad you guys escaped my killing game...I had a fun death planned for you! All of Souda's hard work...wasted..." She pouted. Leon looked up at her as he lifted his head.

"What...are you talking about...?What did he have to do with that...?" Junko placed her hands on her knees, bending over to get closer to Leon.

"You really haven't figured it out? You must've seen at least one of those machines, right? Fiiine I'll spell it out for you! A-U-T-O-M-A-T-I-C P-I-T-C-H-E-R! Did I ring any bells, yet?" Leon's eyes widened.

Oh hell...There's no way...

"...The...automatic pitcher...? You mean...the one Kazu made as agift...? But...How can you possibly know about that?!" While Junko laugh, a look of horror found it's a way on the mechanic's face. Shame and despair filled his soul.

"I should've known...That...that wasn't gonna be a gift at all...!" The red head grabbed hold of the rolling chair and pulled himself up, keeping his weight off his injured leg.

"Junko...What the fuck did you have Kazu make that machine for, then?! Huh?! Answer me!" The despair rolled her eyes.

"Isn't it obvious...? Had you committed murder, which, you probably would've...Let's face it, Sayaka was going to kill you! You would've totally killed her! Anyway...Had you committed murder and been found guilty in the trial, that sweet little machine was gonna pummel you to death with 1,000 baseballs! It would've been the best execution...!" The wrench dropped to the floor as Kazuichi froze, with tears quickly filling his eyes.

"You...You used me...Used me to build things for you that would kill them...?! You...You bitch...I'm...I'm gonna kill you...!" Kazuichi grabbed the wrench and rushed at Junko, but his own body made him stop. His arm lifted up and shook as he fought against Junko's brainwashing. Leon was still in shock by the revelation. Junko had decieved Kazu into building a machine that would kill him... He squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head. No, Kazu was innocent. He didn't know what Junko was planning...He was already brainwashed...Leon grbbed a can off the panel and cucked it as hard as he could at Junko. She gasped in shock, having not expected retaliation. She turned to Leon, glaring at him.

"Oh so you must be really eager to die huh?! Well, fine! That works for me! Junko Enoshima is about to fuck you all kinds of up!" She swung her boot and kicked the red head hard in the stomach, knocking the air from his lungs. He fell onto his back. Before he could get back up, the heeld boot crushed down on his chest, pinning him to the floor.

"Souda, finish him, now!" The ultimate mechanic reluctantly lifted his arms up, with the wrench overhead.

"I-I'm sorry, Leon...!" Just as he swung down the wrench, his foot stepped on the soda can, causing him to lose his balance. He cried out as he was flung backward, stumbling straight over the railing. Junko watchd in confusion as he disappeared. A loud thud was heard down below.

"What the hell just happened...?" Leon knew exactky what happened. He remembered the time Kazuichi told him about how he got hit by a truck. They were looking for one of their classmates to bring him to class. It was the main reason Kazuichi couldn't stand his classmate. He insisted verytime he was around, his day went south.

"Sorry! My luck must've caused another accident..." Junko spun around with a wild look in her eyes as Nagito walked up the steps.

"OWW, DAMN IT NAGITO!" Leon sighed in relief. Kazuichi was safe. Junko glared at Nagito hatefuly.

"Why the hell aren't you brainwashed?!"

"I guess...It's because I'm already insane... Hahahahahahahaha!" A crazed laugh burst from Nagito as swirls appeared in his eyes. Leon took the opportunity. He grabbed hold of Junko's foot, using all his strength to push up. She looked down in shock as she felt herself be thrown off, smashing into the railing behind her. Leon grabbed the chair and pulled himself up again.

"Enough fooling around...Time to finish this..." Nagito gasped as Kazuichi stumbled back up.

"This is it...The battle between hope and despair! I wonder who will win?" He threw his arms around Kazuichi, startling the mechanic. It looked like a hug, but it might've actually been a restraint, as he tightened his hold on the mechanic, preventing him from moving.

"Let us watch this fight together! Shall we? Fuyuhiko, would you like to join us as well?"

"Huh?" Just as the mechanic spun his head around, a fist collided with his face, knocking him out instantly.

"There...At least now Junko can't make him attack..." Fuyuhiko adjusted his fedora as he watched. The showdown between Hope and Despair...Had begun...