(Extra: Underline: Japanese talking)

"Uh…um…uh…" Komaru mumbled, not sure of what she was going to say. One could say the same to Barry. He was speechless, silently gulping at the same time.

The green haired girl noticed this. "Oh, that's right. Big Sis and Mister here don't know us yet. Well then, let's start with the introductions! Oh yeah, make sure you guys speak in English so Mister can understand us."

The other kids nodded.

"Alright then! Let's start with me, the leader!" the red haired kid crossed his arms and puffed out his chest proudly.

"My name is Masaru Daimon! I'm the leader of the Hero Class and the Warriors of Hope as a whole!" the red haired kid, now named Masaru, shouted.

"In elementary school, my favorite and special subject is P.E., so they called me Li'l Ultimate P.E!"

Masaru Daimon

Li'l Ultimate P.E.

I always give it my all when it comes to P.E.! Every exercise is no match when I'm the P.E. King! Running nonstop 24/7/365 is no problem at all! With my leadership and as Hero in the Warriors of Hope, I'm gonna become the new ruler of this town!

"Haha, I'm impressed with myself! A Hero, a leader, and the Li'l Ultimate P.E.! A lot of achievements for a guy like me!" Masaru chuckled, as he was proud of himself.

The blue haired boy scoffed at this. "You're far too boastful to be a leader. A true leader is calm and dignified."

"All he did was win Rock-Paper-Scissors…" The pink haired girl said with a snide remark.

Masaru puffed out his cheeks and began to stomp on the floor (for some reason it collected a cloud of visible dust). "W-what's that supposed to mean!? I won so I'm the leader! The leadeeerr!"

"Fine, fine. You're the leader, okay? Now allow me to introduce myself." The blue haired boy sighed.

"I am the Sage of the Warriors of Hope, Nagisa Shingetsu. You could say I am the vice leader. When I attended elementary school, I was known as Li'l Ultimate Social Studies."

Nagisa Shingetsu

Li'l Ultimate Social Studies

In Hope's Peak elementary school, Social Studies is my area of expertise. But overall, I excel in all scholarly pursuits, subjects that requires high intellect if you want to call it that way. I got my title because I was raised to be one with society's elite. Well… I suppose I am the babysitter for the Warriors of Hope… except Monaca of course.

Komaru suddenly perked up at that name. "Huh? Did you just say Hope's Peak? You mean… THAT Hope's Peak!?"

"Hope's Peak? What's that?" Barry questioned in his mind.

"Hm? Why do you sound so surprised?" Nagisa asked.

Komaru was a bit hesitant to explain, but she did anyway. "I… I just don't know there was an elementary school affiliated with the academy."

Nagisa just sighed exasperatedly. "Hmpf. Such an ignorant woman." He then glared at Barry and said, "Don't even try to act confused. You are as naïve as this pathetic woman."

Barry took offense to that as he glared back at the blue haired boy, but he didn't say anything. The more names and attitudes he remembered, the more opportunities on how to deal with them. Also, he needed to remember this 'Hope's Peak' Komaru mentioned. It could be important somehow.

Nagisa raised an eyebrow at the speedster, but decided to let that slide. "Sigh… Fine, it's probably better if you don't say anything. Anyway, who's next? Perhaps Jataro?" He turned his sight to the masked boy.

The masked boy suddenly snapped from his train of thoughts. "Ohh… um… Can I practice introducing myself first before this?"

"Well… oh, I'm Jataro Kemuri… the Priest of The Warriors of Hope."

Jataro Kemuri

Li'l Ultimate Art

You know when you stare at bicycles for too long, you get these chills throughout your body? Like, for some reason, you imagine how painful it would be to put your hand in. Oh, yeah, so… I was very good in arts and crafts. If you need some help with that, leave it to me. I can remove nails, create statues and all of that other artsy stuffs. Also, I wonder if aliens or superheroes do exist…

"So from that your title is 'Li'l Ulimate Art', correct? Moving on." Nagisa interrupted. He just wanted to end these introductions as soon as possible.

Jataro panicked and began to jerk around in place. "H-huuuhh… I want to explain more… My chest hurts though… I wish I could scratch it raw, reach inside and scrape my nails on it…"

The pink haired girl stepped forward and walked until she was beside Masaru. "Your speeches are always long. It's like how a ruler at measuring long things is so long. But then again, rulers can be short too. Also, if waiting for the bus is too long, and Spring Break is too long."

Barry rolled his eyes. He didn't even know anymore. About this world or this girl's logic of comparing things.

Komaru stayed silent, but her worried expression was still there.

"Don't worry about Jataro. He's a latchkey kid, so it made him a little bit mental. It's not like I dislike latchkey kids, some say they have magical powers! Isn't that awesome? You might get caught inside a magical parallel universe!" She cheerfully exclaimed.

Barry held the urge to laugh at the last part, as he was in a parallel universe already. Minus the magical stuff.

The pink haired girl curtsied to both of them and introduced herself. "Forgive me for the late introduction! My name is Kotoko Utsugi, and I play the role of Fighter in the Warriors of Hope. I'm also known as Li'l Ultimate Drama."

Kotoko Utsugi

Li'l Ultimate Drama

Wow! A girl! You might think the Fighter is more suitable for a boy, but nope! I'm totally a girl! I love girly things and most of all I looove things that's totally adorbs! I'm over about the old drama stuff, but who cares? I'm so happy to meet you two!

"By the way, my favorite food is peeled chestnuts. My least favorite food is unpeeled chestnuts." She added. "Kyaaa! Aren't you surprised!? They're both chestnuts!"

On second thought, forget logic on comparing things. Logic of preferable methods on serving food was the real issue with this girl!

"Also, did you know!? Kangaroos can jump backwards! And, and! And believe it or not, Komodo Dragons have venomous drools! Ewww!"

And also spouting random animal facts.

Nagisa interrupted her and continued, "Yes, yes, that's all very nice. Our next introduction is Monaca."

The green haired girl who sat on the electric wheelchair raised her hand when her name was called. "Okies!"

After that, she drove her wheelchair closer to Barry and Komaru until she stopped right in front of them.

"Monaca is called Monaca. Monaca is a Mage in the Warriors of Hope. When I was in elementary school, I was known as the Li'l Ultimate Homeroom."

Monaca

Li'l Ultimate Homeroom

You might think there are no Ultimates and Commons in a class like Homeroom, but there are! Are you familiar with the term Homeroom? I hope you do. Monaca loves it! My skill is more about getting along with many wonderful people and getting them to help me. Exchanging opinions with everyone… I'm the life of the party!

"Ah but… You two are familiar with the Warrior of Hope?" Monaca asked.

Barry and Komaru looked at each other then turned their direction to her and shook their heads. "N-no… We don't." Komaru said.

"The Warriors of Hope are heroes who save the world from Demons. Isn't that amazing?" Kotoko explained.

Demons. What was that term supposed to mean?

Jataro stared at the floor and muttered, "We're a party of heroes that hunt down Demons… But nobody really wants me in the group." Every kid in the room just ignored him.

"And I'm the party leader! So no doubt that I'm the king of this town!" Masaru boasted while exhaling hard.

Barry thought it was time to open his mouth. "Um… You kids are just joking right? With all this role playing about kings and demons… Also, what is this "Demon" thing that you are referring to?"

All of the sudden, the kids were deathly silent.

…

…

"Joking?" Nagisa asked.

Barry was starting to get worried as same as Komaru. "Well, I mean you guys are just kids right? Don't you know about the state of the world right now? And you all are acting like there's nothing wrong…"

Nagisa glared at him as if he was piercing Barry's soul with that only.

"'Just kids'…." He muttered.

"Awww… That's too bad. To answer your first question, we are not joking around. And to answer the second… Demons are what you are. An adult. As for the girl, you're an About-to-Be… But it doesn't matter. You're a Demon like he is." Kotoko said with a dark tone. The last part was directed to Komaru.

Nagisa continued, "This world is at it should be. Adults. Children. The subjects of the power structure are merely reversed. With our Monokumas, you two will be nothing but squashed bugs beneath our feet. "

"Splattered like the sound of bloody chopped meat, intestines falling out like sausages." Jataro giggled. The two were disgusted of what he said, accidentally having visuals about the disturbing thought.

Komaru suddenly perked up again. "'Our Monokumas'… You mean those black and white robot bears? So the ones that are controlling them are…"

Masaru pointed his finger at them. "That's right! Isn't it cool!? The Monokumas obey our every order we gave 'em!"

"All thanks to Monaca's magic." Nagisa said as he lowered his head and smiled creepily.

"Yeah, that's our Mage! She can use magic even without magic circles!" Masaru continued with his hands on his hips.

Monaca turned to her friends and giggled at their compliment. "Hehehe, thank you everyone, you're so nice!"

"Kyaaa! Monaca's smile is sooo adorbs! I just want to smother you in syrup and eat you up!" Kotoko gushed.

Barry looked at Komaru and whispered, "So that's why those "Monokumas" attacked us? Because of these kids?!"

Komaru whispered back. "I-I think so. Before I woke up in this place, Monokumas were everywhere, k-killed many people outside. And… and… those kids, they were p-playing with a d-dead body, b-broadcasted on T-TV…" she ended stuttering in fear, almost tearing up.

The speedster widened his eyes as this flabbergasted him. A ton of emotions filled his mind, mostly around fear, anxiety, and dread. His body was visibly shaking. These kids were using those robots to kill!? Fucking kids! This is absurd! What kind of sick, twisted, messed up world did he get himself into?!

"N-No! Stop this! Stop!" Komaru cried at those demented kids.

Jataro was confused. "Stop? What part?"

Komaru cried again. "I-If what you all say is true, then stop what you are doing! Can't you see what you're doing is wrong?!"

Nagisa shook his head and said, "We will not. We will not stop until our paradise is complete…"

"Paradise…?" Barry copied.

Monaca turned to Barry and Komaru again. "Didn't you see our address? This town is going to be a paradise made of children, by children, for children!" She said so innocently.

Masaru shook his arm with his hand fisted in the air, excited. "We're gonna kill all of the adults in this town and create a paradise just for kids! Isn't it awesome?! No school, no homework, WOOO!"

"And since this is a children only paradise, there won't be any pedophiles, either!" Kotoko added. Jataro was muttering something about an ice cream store, but alas, nobody paid mind to him.

"W-What are you saying?! What you're saying makes no sense at all!" Komaru exclaimed in horror.

The Scarlet Speedster gritted his teeth while he glared at the Warriors of Hope, especially Monaca. He wanted to run and stop them, but he couldn't. He just couldn't, and he knew the reason why. He was afraid. After all, they're still children. He didn't want the risk of harming or hurting them. But still…!

Monaca puffed out her cheeks, and then suddenly shook her arms and shouting like a little brat, each words punctuated for emphasis. "It! Doesn't! Have! To! Make! Any! Sense! That's! All! If! Monaca! Wants! It! It! Happens! That's! How! It! Is!"

The other kids noticed this and immediately ran to her with worried faces, trying to calm her down.

"O-Oh no… T-This is bad! Monaca's maaad!"

"I-It's going to be alright, Monaca! Please, don't be upset. It's all going according to plan!"

"Y-Yeah! If Monaca says it, then white is black, day is night, cats are dogs, and… um… What else?"

"Oh please, please don't get mad! We'll kill lots of adults, okay? So just smile, okay?"

The four kids turned to Barry and Komaru, furious.

"Hey! How dare you make Monaca mad! That's the last straw! As the leader, I'm gonna hunt both of you down!" Masaru shouted.

"H-Hunt?" Komaru was so scared; she began to grab Barry's hand and held it tightly. He didn't mind though.

"Let's play a game. You two will be our Demon prey." Nagisa declared with fury in his eyes.

Jataro smiled cheerfully as his eyes shined bright. "It's a reeeally fun game, a godly game… hehehehehe…"

"It was Monaca's idea after all! It's sooo fun!" Kotoko said.

"And the name of the game iiis… TAADAA! Demon Hunting!" Masaru announced. Barry almost facepalmed. It was such an unoriginal name, even for an RPG-like game.

Demon Hunting

Demon Hunting is a game where you release Demons into Towa City. They're the Targets. It's a super fun game where the Warriors of Hope fight to see who can take down the Demon first! The goal of the game is to kill as many Demons as possible!

"See? Isn't that amazing? Monaca's the one that come up with it! Now, Monaca, we're going to play our special game, so don't be upset anymore, okay?" Kotoko said, wanting Monaca to be happy again.

Monaca was still mad, although it lessened. Eventually, she brightened her face. "Yes, yes! So exciting! Come on! Let's do it!"

"So... by Target, do you mean…" Komaru trailed off.

Nagisa turned his back. "You, hurry up and prepare the devices." He wasn't addressing this to the rest of the Warriors.

He was addressing this to someone else.

Almost instantaneously, two black metal bands with familiar red symbols were strapped to Komaru and Barry. With Komaru's on her left wrist, while Barry's on his right leg. The bands shut tightly with beeping noices indicating so it was definitely locked.

"What? How in the-?" Barry looked down. He wasn't expecting this. So does Komaru.

"These bands were custom-made devices given to the targets of the game."

Behind them, Barry heard a voice that he didn't hope to hear again. He didn't even need to see who said that.

It was the Servant.

"It would probably best if you two didn't try to tamper with it. For the girl, if you do so, you'll go "boom". And especially you, Barry Allen. Yours is a special one, so it has a more… interesting effect if you even try."

Barry was shocked and speechless by this revelation. How in the name of the Speed Force did he know his name?!

"All right then! Let's go hunting!" Masaru shouted.

Komaru was still not buying this whole thing. "W-Wait! Hold on! This must be a prank, isn't it? You're just kidding around!"

"Komaru, listen. Judging our current situation, I'm afraid that this is not a prank." Barry said to her, his voice had a slight waver to it.

"You've seen what we've accomplished so far. This is not a prank. For an adult you sure are dense. At least the complete adult one makes more sense." Nagisa said.

Komaru panicked even more. "N-no, you don't understand! I… I'd be terrible at this game! I-I'd just be killed immedi-"

Barry put his hand on her shoulder. She flinched as she looked at him. "B-Barry-san?"

"Don't worry. Even if we get thrown into the town, we'll survive. I'll protect you. I promise." The speedster smiled at her. He will make sure that this girl is safe. No one will die on his watch, not after the incident with Billy Batson.

"Oooh! Such a prince charming! You better maintain that, for now. But we know you both won't die that easy! You guys passed the test!" Kotoko exclaimed smugly.

The Servant stepped forward. "That test was splendid, if I do say so myself! It was amazing that you two were able to defeat those Monokumas and come this far. I guess it's all thanks to my advice from earlier, hm?"

"Advice? It was very vague if you ask me." Barry thought.

Masaru walked to the Servant. "Hey! No talking without the leader's permission! You're just a servant! Next time you talk without it, I'm gluing your mouth shut!" He threatened the white haired teen. Now teenagers are slaves to children. Great.

The Servant chuckled nervously, but Barry knew he was faking it. "Ahaha, that's quite a scary thought." The Servant walked to the right side of the room.

"Why are you doing this with such cruelty? Do you have some grudge with the adults? Not all adults are as guilty as you are!" Flash questioned.

The kids just looked at each other… and laughed. Laughed like their innocent looks, but there's a malicious intent behind that laughter.

"Oh geez, you're too funny Mister! Ahahaha, I'm laughing so much that my cheeks hurt!" Kotoko said between the laughs.

"We play this game because it's fun, duh! No personal problems and whatnot!" Masaru said as if he was stating an obvious fact.

Barry was getting more and more pissed off at these kids. "You're doing this for fun!?" My lord, it's like Joker all over again, if he had five kids of his own and teaching them of his ways to do things.

"You're only surprised because you aren't used to this kind of stuff. We do stuff that we like, we do this because it's fun! That's the only reason!" Monaca said.

Nagisa smiled menacingly at the two Targets. "Searching for meaning in a meaningless is for adults. Children remained uncorrupted by such futility." And then, his smile faded. "But to be honest, I rather not play this game. There is still much work to be done to build our paradise, yet here we are, playing games. Although, this is Monaca's game. She said she wants it done, so it will be done." The smile returned.

"Oh, thank you Nagisa. Even when you're so busy, you do all this work for the sake of my game. I'll have to bake some cookies for you as thanks!" Monaca said the blue haired boy. This caused him to blush heavily and touched his fingers together. Kotoko and Masaru were jealous of him, throwing a mild temper tantrum.

Komaru began to cry, tears were pouring out from her face. Noticing this, Barry wrapped his arms around her as she buried her head in his chest. He turned his direction to the kids with the fiercest glare he could muster. "Why? How can you kids just keep smiling like that?! You kids are not normal! You need help! Please, stop making us your enemy!"

Monaca didn't even flinched. "Hm, of course an adult sees us as abnormal…" All in an instant she started screaming again. "But! Who! Cares! What! Adults! Say!" Then calm again.

She leaned forward from her wheelchair, emotionless. "Also, Barry Allen, Komaru Naegi… In your current situation, you don't have the right to say a thing. You cannot choose a path. In fact, you're not on a path at all. You are falling into a deep abyss. A darkness, gaping open beneath your feet. Falling, falling…"

Before Barry asked what she meant, a part of the floor surrounding both him and Komaru collapsed, revealing it was a trap door all along. And with that, they instantly dropped off into a bottomless pit.

Komaru was screaming at the top of her lungs as Barry kept holding on to her. He could barely saw the kids staring at them with evil smiles. As they were falling, he saw something around the corner of his eyes on Komaru's back. It was a bag; inside of it was a parachute (somehow he didn't see it). He immediately pulled the plug, the parachute opened; it had the Monokuma color scheme. They were on top of Towa City.

The parachute helped them descend slower but not much, since they were two people holding on to it (or rather, Barry was the one holding onto the strings while Komaru must protect her dignity by pulling down her skirt) and couldn't contain their weight. Flash looked behind him and it was revealed that they were dropping off from a zeppelin. They were up in the air this whole time. But this was not the time for dilly-dallying. Barry focused his sight on the ground below them as they kept descending to the apocalyptic town.

"...Alright... Do your best, Mister and Miss Protagonists. An unusual outsider with extraordinary capabilities, along with a person lacking of distinct characteristics, so common, so dull, so boring..."

Prologue: Departure to Despair

END

To be continued...

Author's Note: And with that, the prologue has ended! I was watching through the cutscenes of DR:AE, and to be honest it's very long and a bit slow-paced so I try to shorten it as much as possible without missing the main focus of the story.

Also, I might update a bit slowly since I will have exams two weeks later from now.

As always, please leave a review and constructive criticism as they always help me.

And I will see you next time!