A/N: Thanks for the review guys and I am sorry that no alert for chapter two being posted went out, but it seems they had fixed that problem. I hope so at least.

So without further delay here is the next chapter and when you are done reading check out the new poll I put up on my profile with details behind why it's up in the author notes at the bottom of the chapter.

2/10/18: edited and cleaned up.

"Dialog from a flashback and the person reading something in their mind"

Thoughts (unless used to emphasize a word in a sentence)

Chapter 3

Motivations

As expected chaos and panic erupted in Area 11, as many became frantically worried about those who could be missing could be a player in Monokuma's Killing Game. Even though police had reassured the public, they would, but everyone knew the police hadn't been successful in stopping Ultimate Despair, a group that appeared out of nowhere a year ago and has grown into the most dangerous terrorist organization in Area 11.

Terrorist organization was probably not an accurate title for a group that seeks to spread and indulges in every form of despair regardless if it is for themselves or others. Its members murdered friends and family while some even starved themselves to death, which was some of the most common acts they had begun with before their influence and ranks grew alarmingly fast in the months that followed after Monokuma made his first televised appearance. They went from a small terrorist group into a large organization within six months and sought to likely drive Area 11 into self-destructive anarchy as opposed to liberating it from Britannian rule as some groups did.

Of course, Junko laughed at the other resistance groups as they sought nothing more than resistance against the system and even the Japan Liberation Front which had more resources and military trained personnel wasn't able to accomplish anything meaningful towards that goal. True, they had some success, but their success was limited at best. As Junko watched the news reports on a wall monitor showing different television programs along with varying outlets of news reporting on the Killing Game holding a Monokuma in her hands as it sat on her lap she recalled a conversation between her and Lelouch.

"They have no choice but to die out."

Junko wasn't too surprised, but his reasoning intrigued him, especially as many Japanese blindly believed the JLF would still liberate their country from Japan despite over five years had passed since then.

"Historically, there are only a few cases where groups like the JLF have reclaimed their government. Do you know why?"

"Because they keep trying the same old tactics, hell I heard a lot of them still use Japanese weapons."

"Exactly," Lelouch had said with a smile back then, "The problem is they can't switch their way of thinking. Their mentality is too old which leads to all of their military power wasted."

"Change is unlikely at this point, so they'll get destroyed, or they'll collapse."

"With Clovis in charge I doubt the military would aggressively pursue the JLF enough for that, but if someone else with a better mind for military matters were to assume the mantle of Viceroy, then I am sure they would be wiped out depending on who replaces Clovis."

A key factor for the Japan Liberation Front having both lasted as long as they have and their strings of successes. The Viceroy of Area 11, Clovis la Britannia, was an incompetent ruler, to put it bluntly. He was no military leader nor was he the kind of man suited to run a colonial government, and not to mention his taste for fashion designs were also very questionable as Junko reluctantly had to do a photo shoot with some of Clovis's line of swimwear.

She was glad she managed to figure out a way out of future shoots with anything designed by Clovis. Otherwise, she might have considered strangling herself with his swimsuits than posing in one again.

However, it was these factors that made Ultimate Despair successful as well, but there was another most important one they took as an advantage.

Internal Corruption.

Area 11's government and the military was corrupted to the core including its law enforcement divisions. Pay off the right people, and you could get away with anything. In fact, those currently in higher ranking positions including those commanding sections of Britannia's Military and higher had obtained their jobs through a combination of blood connections and bribes. Much of the money used to bribe their way to the top by selling information to resistance groups and even selling weapons about to be disposed of onto the Black Market.

Junko Enoshima took advantage of this fact, but she took it one step further and collected plenty of evidence, including video recording to blackmail those people into helping her or keeping it if they attempt to sell out Ultimate Despair upon which they would release it to the public. She had police officers, their superiors and people within the government and military itself as well as those in the broadcasting and communication divisions which has enabled her to broadcast all of her televised Monokuma appearances.

Ultimate Despair's most significant advantages were their absolute disregard for morality and the lives of others and their own lives, which allowed them to do whatever was necessary.

All of the myths and rumors that spread around Monokuma were helpful too.

Another reason for their success was the mascot and public leader of Ultimate Despair the mysterious stuffed bear known as Monokuma.

Junko knew appearing as the public leader of an organization like Ultimate Despair would only be her downfall and being a human being her influence was limited despite her popularity as a model, but realized that having something that wasn't human with an air of mystery about it would make for something more compelling to follow. Thus Monokuma was created, having begun as a simple design Junko had taken inspiration from the half-burnt bear Mukuro had owned as children when Japan fell.

The fact that no one could believe an organization like hers could obtain the means to create fully functional robot helped her establish a reputation for Monokuma resulting in some rumors beginning to surround him.

My favorite rumor is the one where people believe he was born from a discarded teddy bear left by a child who died during the war between Japan and Britannia before the wailing cries of the dead brought the bear to life seeking to spread sorrow and despair upon those still living as a form of revenge.

There were others like Monokuma being the result of a satanic ritual gone wrong.

Regardless the fame Monokuma gained from his televised executions and murders as well as the one who offered that despair was the most fabulous mercy to the painful existence called life propelled it into infamy. In fact, it was a few hours ago that Monokuma claimed the title of Public Enemy Number One for the entire Holy Britannian Empire.

Well, I can't take all of the credit since our chats have given me some ideas including places where to look for some potential good recruits, so some special thanks to you Lelouch. Junko thought with a wide-toothy smile as she was eager to see the first murder happen.

Lelouch didn't know it, but while their discussions about the different resistance groups was a nice change from the usual chatter most teenagers their ages would engage in Junko had used these conversations to plan out and build her organization, Ultimate Despair, using the unknowing advice Lelouch had given her.

I stacked the deck against you, so time to see if you can keep defying my expectations.

The first morning was quiet and uneventful, which was remarkable as most including Lelouch had expected the Knight of Ten to kill someone. However, it seemed he didn't, which Lelouch believed was due to the possibility that if anyone knew his reputation well enough, they would know if anyone died he would be the number one suspect. His reputation suggested him to be quite bloodthirsty, which was appropriate given his name, but it seemed that even he had some degree of intelligence.

Meaning he'll avoid doing anything that could get him quickly pegged as a murder suspect for now until a better opportunity comes along.

It didn't help matters as tensions were high.

Lelouch had considered remaining in his room, but was concerned that would only put him in danger and cast reasonable suspicion on himself should someone get killed. So like everyone else Lelouch gathered with the other players in the mess hall, which served as an unofficial way for everyone else to see who was still alive. The high school student was careful not to draw suspicion to himself, but avoiding people might also draw the ire of a potential murder.

Either way, it felt like Lelouch was walking a tightrope over a water tank full of man-eating sharks.

No one else was interested in talking to anyone much, but Lelouch was mindful and kept his ears open to eavesdropping on any useful information especially should a murder happen. Besides, he could find other valuable information since it was clear he would need to commit the perfect crime to survive. Lelouch realized the problem is that with the mix of Britannians and non-Britannians as prisoners the former prince knew if a Britannian died, then the Britannians would be quick to blame the Japanese and Chinese Ambassador and likewise the reserve would happen if one of them got killed.

Monokuma took that into account to increase the chances of the survivors to kill themselves by voting for the wrong person, but of course, that is something a killer can seize as an advantage.

It was all the more reason Lelouch needed to keenly observe everyone to look for possible signs of motivation or anything to hint at foul play afoot.

Of course, it's likely that Monokuma will no doubt use other means to motivate us to kill someone. Lelouch thought as he quickly concluded that Monokuma would no doubt offer money at some point as an incentive while he was confident that would merely be the first. If you consider the possibilities and the people trapped here you could use blackmail and even threats towards your friends as family as motivators.

It was only a question of time, and Lelouch was sure if someone didn't die soon, then Monokuma would very well play that card.

A thought just occurred to Lelouch at that moment, or maybe a would-be killer could be waiting for such an opportunity either benefit the most from it or use it as a means to pin the blame on someone else.

As Lelouch focused on eating his breakfast, he went over in his mind the other rules related to the game he was forced to play. There were different rules that Monokuma did not mention but included in the digital device everyone received, so Lelouch spent the evening going over both the map and the rules.

Rule #1: Players may reside only within the Game Area. Leaving the Area is unacceptable and will be punished accordingly. Your map will have the details of the Game Area boundaries.

Rule #2: Curfew is from 10 pm to 7 am. Some areas are off-limits at night, so please exercise caution. Refer to your map for details.

Rule #3: Sleeping anywhere other than the dormitory will be punished accordingly.

Rule #4: With minimal restrictions, you are free to explore Game Areas at your discretion.

Rule #5: Violence against the host, Monokuma, is strictly prohibited, as is the destruction of surveillance cameras.

Rule #6: Anyone who kills a fellow player and becomes "blackened" will win, unless they are caught by the other players.

Rule #7: Once a murder takes place, a trial will begin shortly after an investigation period. Participation is mandatory for all surviving players.

Rule #8: If the guilty player who committed the murder is exposed during the trial, he or she alone will be executed.

Rule #9: If the guilty player who committed the murder is not exposed, they alone will win, and all remaining players will be executed.

Rule #10: Lending your e-Handbook to another player is strictly prohibited.

Rule #11: The guilty player may only kill a maximum of two people during any single Killing Game.

Rule #12: You may break into any room you wish except for rooms leading into forbidden areas not allowed as noted otherwise you'll be punished on the spot.

Rule #13: The Body Discovery Announcement will play as soon as three or more people discover a body for the first time initiating the investigation period.

Based on these rules, it's more likely a killing will happen during the late night hours, although it's still possible a murder can occur during the day there is a higher chance of being caught in the act. Lelouch reasoned, but judging by the map new areas of the game arena will be unlocked for future exploration which would also allow for more opportunities to murder without getting caught.

Then the fact that murder wouldn't be known until three or more people found a body providing time for a killer to tamper with the crime scene.

Until the arena is more open to us, we are limited to the cafeteria, auditorium, laundry, trash room and the dormitories. With thirteen people in such close quarters, it would be hard for a murder to take place with the risk of being caught quite high unless it's during the late night hours where the chance of discovery is low.

Lelouch weighed his options, and he knew that committing murder would be difficult for him since his own body was lacking in both endurance and strength, which would make him an easy target if he wasn't careful. The former prince took into account that if he were to commit a crime he would likely need to catch someone completely off guard or poisoning would be his best weapon choice.

It won't be enough for me; I must kill someone a weak teenage boy like me could never be expected to kill someone.

Before Lelouch could consider anything further an outburst drew his attention.

"Don't bring that up now," The Britannian woman with blonde hair, wearing the purple and blue dress snapped at another Britannian woman with light brown hair, glasses, blue eyes wearing a green-tinted dress.

A few people vaguely noticed the outburst wasn't loud enough to draw the attention of the entire room, but Lelouch was close enough he could hear it more clearly.

"I bring it up because you have a good opportunity for you?" Alicia Lohmeyer said with a glare to Mrs. Stadtfeld. "I know the truth about that so-called daughter of yours."

The blonde haired woman narrowed her eyes in repressed anger, but Lelouch was careful to avoid looking at them and merely pretended to be unaware of their discussion. However, he was trying to listen in as best he could, but it was difficult as he was trying not to appear obvious about it. Of course, he suspected that he might not be the only one who was listening as well too as an argument between two people could provide a killer with an opportunity to murder someone and place the blame on someone else.

Could she be attempting to provoke a confrontation? Or tempting someone into committing a murder?

After breakfast, Lelouch used his time to explore the rooms they had access to while being mindful of his surroundings and anyone nearby. As confident as he was that no one would attempt a murder during the daylight hours it was no excuse to exercise extreme caution. It was about after dinner when Lelouch returned to his room, and he was pleased that the door to his room was electronically locked and it could only open with his electronic key that was coded to his fingerprint ensuring no one could use his key unless his hand held it.

At least I don't have to worry about anyone breaking into my room unless I leave the door unlocked.

The doors could be unlocked to allow others inside, but when leaving or inside the room, the doors could be locked using the electronic key cylinder that Lelouch had found in his pocket shortly after discovering the electronic device. Still, Lelouch didn't feel confident their rooms were meant to be a haven and the security measures were possibly just in place to lure potential victims into a false sense of security. A note taped to Lelouch's bathroom door seemingly confirmed this.

Notice to all players that during curfew the water will be turned off until morning.

So I must take a shower before ten o'clock at night then, but…

Lelouch wondered who had entered his room to post the sign, although he suspected Monokuma must have some master key that allows entry whenever he pleases. However, given how the bear seems to disappear and reappear at will he wondered if there was something else the bear was using to move around without detection.

His thoughts were interrupted by an overheard announcement by Monokuma.

"Attention all players…in your dresser drawer you'll find a special present I have given each of you, so that being said, I encourage all of you to let your imaginations run wild."

The former prince walked over to his drawer and opened it to find a toolkit.

This kit even includes a set of lockpicks too.

There was no way to pick the locks leading to their rooms, but Lelouch reasoned there were other places the players could use their lockpicks on to get to potential targets in different rooms. Lelouch was certain now that there were going to be additional places open to them later on that could provide a would-be-killer with better moments of opportunity.

Even knowing no one could pick the lock into his room, Lelouch not only made sure the door was locked, but he managed to push one of the dressers against the door. It was a very exhausting endeavor, but he managed to push it against the door. However, it was unlikely Lelouch was going to do it every night given it had taken him almost an hour to push it into place.

It would take him over an hour to move it out of the way of his door tomorrow, but regardless Lelouch felt a little safer tonight.

The following morning Lelouch, after struggling for over an hour to move the dresser out of the way, made his way to the cafeteria for breakfast. Everyone showed up which meant there was no act of murder that had been carried out the night before, but as a change from the last two days Monokuma suddenly appeared on the monitor hung on the wall inside the room.

"Attention all players, would everyone report to the auditorium for a special announcement."

Some made their way to the auditorium while others were understandably a little hesitant about it, but sure enough one by one everyone gathered in the auditorium where Monokuma was waiting with a stack of envelopes next to him as he sat atop the podium.

"You know I am a little shocked there hasn't been anyone killed in two days, so I have to say I am just shocked," Monokuma asked with a perplexed expression on his face.

"What is to stop you from killing us if we presumably play your game and someone gets away with it?" Gao Hài asked.

Monokuma seemed offended by that before saying, "What are you calling Monokuma a lair, although I do tell friendly lies puhuhu. But seriously, I have given you my promise that the winner will go free alive and well."

"Still you can't expect us just to start killing each other at the drop of a hat." Haiji Towa noted.

"You are right. I did wonder if some of you are too scared and don't have that killer instinct or maybe some of you are worried you might be labeled a killer the moment someone dies?" Monokuma asked with one paw on its chin as it adopted a pondering posture. "Well, sad to say I am bored to tears of waiting, so I am just going to have to provide a little motivation to get things going."

"What kind of motivation?" Mrs. Stadtfeld asked while everyone was quiet.

"Why," the two-tone bear began picking up the envelopes, "Puhuhu, yer painful, humiliating, dark secrets you want to keep buried."

Lelouch kept his composure, but internally he was beginning to worry as Monokuma started tossing them an envelope to the person whose name was on it. Monokuma continued to speak after everyone got their envelopes as they proceeded to open them.

"Now those are full of dirt that I dug up on each and everyone one of you all by my lonesome." The bear began chuckling again before clarifying. "I got your most embarrassing memories and things you would rather forget. No need to share with anyone, but by all means read them."

Lelouch cautiously read his letter, and his eyes went wide at the text written upon the note.

Your real name is Lelouch vi Britannia, the presumed dead prince who was supposed to have died seven years ago.

The former prince quickly pocketed his note before anyone saw it, but despite his shock at the secret Monokuma had discovered he was careful to avoid drawing attention to himself. Lelouch's mind was scrambling how could've Monokuma learn such a fact, but soon Lelouch overheard exclamation and suppressed gasps from the others which were enough to tell him that some of the others had secrets that Monokuma had learned about to their horror.

Monokumua laughed, "Puhuhu, impressive, isn't it, but know that is just a taste. If I don't have a killer and a body in twenty-four hours from now, I'll share all of your secrets with the outside world!"

"I-I can't…you can't do this!" Kewell snapped as his forehead was showing signs of sweat.

"You can't be serious!" Haiji shouted as he looked more outraged than worried compared to Kewell.

"Well, if that is the way ya feel, I got a couple of vans rigged with some very impressive loudspeakers on them along with millions of those envelopes to toss. So you have twenty-three hours and fifty-nine minutes remaining so toodles!"

With a wave, Monokuma vanished behind the podium.

Feeling the tension in the room from Monokuma's threat Lelouch decided to lock himself in his room. A part of him had expected something like this to happen, but Lelouch had never planned that two-tone psycho to have gotten his hands on such information. Then again if he could capture a Knight of the Round and a high ranking member of the JLF, something the Britannian Military couldn't do, then maybe it wasn't impossible. Lelouch was wondering who Monokuma paid off or who knew about his secret Monokuma obtained it from, but he didn't know anyone off hand who could've sold him out.

After grabbing a drink and a bite to eat Lelouch returned to his room and he spent over an hour pushing the dresser behind the door after ensuring it was locked.

Despite the threat of his secret getting exposed Lelouch knew that someone amongst the other players must've had a secret worth killing for to keep quiet, so Lelouch decided to wait it out inside of his room after locking himself in.

No reason to be idle.

With little else to do Lelouch brought out his toolkit before opening his bathroom door and locked it before proceeding to practice on how to dismantle the doorknob and undo the lock using his bathroom door.

Watching through the surveillance camera footage Junko was a little disappointed by a lack of initiative from Lelouch even though it was apparent he had some plan in mind watching him practice on his door to get a better grasp of lock picking, but maybe it was too soon to expect something from him. Regardless, she was determined to see it all play out. With her, this time in the control room was Mukuro who silently observed Lelouch alongside her. She did a good job hiding it from her sister, but it was apparent Mukuro was genuinely concerned for Lelouch's well-being.

Mukuro knew Lelouch was a survivor and a highly intelligent one, but his lack of physical strength and fighting ability was very concerning and raised questions about his survivability in her sister's killing game.

"Lelouch won't do anything rash," Mukuro said, thinking out loud, "given his lack of endurance and strength he'll have to kill his target either in their sleep or a defenseless position."

Typically Junko would have verbally abused and berated her sister after such a comment, but she couldn't help but agree with her on that point.

"True, I mean I don't see anyone attempting to kill Bradley head on, which would be suicidal for anyone. However, that said I am shocked the so-called Vampire of Britannia hasn't killed anyone yet."

"At least he is taking time to learn how to pick a lock, so I hope he is working on a plan," Mukuro said as chances weren't looking good for Lelouch.

Of course, she had similar thoughts whenever she had challenged the young man to chess and other games since their reunion. As such Junko didn't count Lelouch out yet as no matter the odds, she always lost to him. Perhaps this would hold true, and Lelouch was already making a plan, but he was likely aware of the fact that he had more limitations to work around.

"By the way was it ok to use Lelouch's secret like this?"

"Are you worried Lelouch could figure out it is us behind this?" Junko answered suspecting correctly what her older sister was thinking. "Don't worry, I already accounted for that, and I paid off the matriarch of the Ashford Family for the information so if Lelouch survives I can place the blame of letting his secret out to her."

"Elena Ashford?" Mukuro inquired prompting Junko to nod her head.

Mukuro was familiar with the mother of Milly Ashford, even though she never met her and what she knew came from Junko and Milly, and also the most driven members of the family who wanted their status and title of nobility restored to them. She would've quickly exploited Lelouch and Nunnally if they had any meaningful value, but fortunately for them, it wouldn't work unless both of them get reinstated into the royal family. Thus, they opted for marrying their daughter off to the first available noble, but fortunately for Milly, the family's lack of meaningful business ventures and modest wealth didn't draw much as far appealing candidates were concerned.

Those who were interested in her inevitably gave up when Milly proved too eccentric for their tastes. It didn't help matters with Milly purposely and subtly sabotaging all dates and marriage interviews. Junko had commented that Milly could easily author a book about the breakup tactics and to escape an unwanted marriage.

However, that only pushed her mother into seeking more questionable means to regain their lost status and titles. Although Elena wasn't aware of the fact she was dealing with Monokuma and Ultimate Despair when Junko bought the information from her as part of a particular arrangement between them with the truth about Lelouch sold as part of the deal. Junko made sure every aspect of the meeting had been recorded as potential blackmail material or motivation for murder.

As a faint smile began spreading across her face at the possibilities, Mukuro interrupted her thoughts.

"I think he is certain that a murder will surely happen now."

Junko shot her sister an icy stare for ruining her moment of despairing at the possibilities open to her depending on how this killing game plays out, "of course you dumb bitch. I think I got a good idea who it's going to be."

And Elena will know she is in too deep to back out now. Of course, I didn't mention that we would be using Lelouch in this game.

Inside his office within the safety of the Viceroy's Palace at the heart of the Toyko Settlement, the Viceroy of Area 11 was on the verge of a complete and total breakdown. For the past two days despite the efforts of using the military and intelligence officials no one had found any trace of the missing Chinese Federation Ambassador and the Knight of the Round, whom until Monokuma's announcement was unaware of his presence in Area 11. Clovis had exhausted all of his resources, and he had everyone he could command working around the clock to track down the victims before one of them ended up dead. To make matters worse, Clovis feared what would happen to him if he didn't resolve this issue quickly. Clovis already knew the Chinese Federation was furious with him and they were already speaking to the Emperor and the Prime Minister of the Empire, his older brother Schneizel el Britannia, to demand that Gao Hài is to be found before he could get murdered.

Clovis had both hands on his head, gripping his medium-length blonde hair as his blue eyes appeared to be twitching as he was on the verge of experiencing a full mental breakdown.

The homeland won't be quiet now. Not only did that ambassador go missing, but a Knight of the Round.

The Viceroy was trying to grasp why the Emperor sent a Knight of the Round to Area 11 without him notified of his arrival, and there was only one reason.

Could father know about Code-R?

Some close to the Viceroy knew of his incompetence, and the rampant corruption throughout the ruling government would've been obvious concerns, but to send a Knight of the Round was very unusual. It didn't help matters with Area 11 terrorized by a cult of self-destructive anarchist led by a demonic teddy bear, which has managed to do more damage and spread chaos in its wake more than the other resistance groups.

Clovis nearly jumped out of his skin when he heard the phone ring. The blood drained from Clovis's face when he realized it wasn't his office phone going off, but the hotline phone which only one person would use.

The Viceroy would've been content to ignore the call, but he knew doing so would be the worst thing he could do at this point. So with great reluctance, Clovis picked up the phone bringing the receiver to his ear.

"Your incompetence can no longer be ignored Clovis."

Clovis swallowed hard knowing too well who was calling, "F-father…please…I can…"

"SILENCE!" Charles zi Britannia roared on the other line, "You have proven to be a complete failure as Viceroy Clovis."

"Please father, I beg you."

"DO NOT BEG!" Charles snapped once again because it was clear he had made up his mind, "I want you to clean up this mess before the situation gets worse Clovis and let me be clear, if the situation does worsen before your replacement arrives you will be brought back to me to answer for your incompetence."

Clovis didn't miss the word replacement before hesitantly asking, "My replacement?"

"One of your sisters will be sent to relieve your position, and then you will return to the Homeland. There are some private matters besides your utter failure to govern Area 11 we must discuss."

Without waiting to hear Clovis's response, the Emperor hung up leaving Clovis in a cold sweat as he felt his entire world was crashing down around him.

Early the next morning Lelouch was beginning to open his eyes as another day was about to start, but this time he wasn't alone in his room when he awoke to see Monokuma standing by his bedside.

"Good morning!"

"Uwaaaaha!"

Upon realizing the two-tone bear was in his room Lelouch's mind snapped wide awake as his body quickly responded to the presence of a dangerous threat. However, this only amused the mechanical bear who merely laughed at Lelouch.

"Upupu, nice reaction…I am glad you didn't disappoint."

Lelouch instinctively grabbed a pillow, although the logical part of his mind knew that it would make for an inferior weapon and attacking Monokuma would get him killed anyway, fearing a possible attack especially if Monokuma was able to get inside.

"WH-WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE?"

Monokuma titled his head to one side, "Oh, I just wanted to spice things up a little, so instead of a morning announcement I thought I would come in person to wake you up."

"What the hell for?"

"Because it's fun," The bear replied with a chuckle. "And since I am here I might as well let you hear it from the bear's mouth."

"What happened?" Lelouch said suspecting that Monokuma had a more likely reason for visiting him this early in the morning instead of merely being on a whim.

"Oh, someone is catching on quick huh." The two-tone bear said proudly, "Well, let's just say things are going to be different starting today, so I decided to act accordingly and do something different myself. Maybe I should have brought some candy and left you like a piece of chocolate or something on your pillow."

"I'll ask again…WHAT…happened?!"

"That's for me to know and you to find out," Monokuma replied in a playful tone, "because if I spoiled everything for you, then things would get boring very quickly."

As Monokuma turned to leave Lelouch called out to the bear as there were a few questions he wanted to be answered.

"Wait," Monokuma stopped at Lelouch's request, "how did you find out about my secret?"

"Well your majesty, I suppose I could say for now getting the information wasn't cheap…but…" The two-tone bear seemed indecisive before finally, "Nah I won't tell you, but if you win the game, then I'll tell you who sold you out."

Lelouch's eyes narrowed as that remark did leave the former prince with only one person who might've done it.

"However, since I like your growing enthusiasm I'll let you in on something I haven't told the others yet."

"I am listening..."

"Whoever wins the game doesn't just get to leave this place alive, but they'll walk away from this game both alive and filthy rich with a cash prize of ten billion Britannian banknotes."

Lelouch was understandably surprised by this revelation.

"Upupupu," Monokuma started laughing with both of its paws held close to its mouth. "Did you seriously think I was just going to make you guys kill each other and you just go free?!"

"Well, there was the possibility you could just kill whoever wins to keep your secrets safe. Even you can't deny that as some have already accepted as a possibility." The former prince said with his arms crossed over his chest.

Monokuma nodded his head, "You are not wrong there. But you can be sure if you win that you will go free, although we'll knock you out so we can drop you off somewhere else."

"And you didn't mention the money because it might've not been enough of an incentive to drive someone murder if you considering the likes of the Knight of Ten lurking about."

"That and it would've been kinda predictable," Monokuma said slyly. "Seriously though, I am surprised no one thought about the idea I would give a cash prize since all of those game shows like Survivor and Wipeout do it."

Lelouch decided against arguing against that logic, but at the moment the former prince realized that Monokuma goal is allowing the survivor to leave to provide an easy to attack the source of outrage. If one were to consider what would happen if Gao Hài somehow won the Killing Game and his action resulted in the demise of both a high-ranking leader of the Japan Liberation Front, from whom his country sells weapons to and a member of the Knight of the Round.

The outcry from a High Eunuch having condemned or even murdered a Britannian would stir some strong anti-Chinese Federation, which would worsen with the demise of a Knight of the Round that could be a direct cause of Gao Hài's survival. Officially there was a non-aggression treaty between the two nations, but depending on the situation it could turn into a war. Lelouch doubted the Chinese Federation would risk a war with Britannia since they would be at risk of losing much, especially with Area 11 as a perfect staging area for an invasion.

Of course, the situation could be the same if Gao Hài ended up dead instead. Even if the prospect of war wasn't on the horizon, it might push the Chinese Federation to mend fences with the Europia United in preparation for a possible alliance between the two countries against Britannia.

Those were merely two out of one hundred other possibilities that could happen based on the outcome of the Killing Game especially if the winner's identity became public knowledge.

Either way, I can't image Clovis will be Viceroy for much longer at this rate.

"So I suggest you meet with everyone in the cafeteria. The game is afoot!" Monokuma said before dropping a smoke pellet blanketing the room in a cloud of smoke.

Lelouch was left coughing while using one hand to wave away the smoke, but by the time it was cleared Monokuma had vanished.

Heeding Monokuma's advice Lelouch moved his dresser away from his door before heading to the cafeteria where he saw everyone beginning to gather. Kewell approached Lelouch with a curious expression on his face.

"Did Monokuma visit you as well?"

"Yes, he did, which I assume he has visited the rest of you too," Lelouch answered prompting a nod of confirmation from Kewell.

A moment later Haiji Towa showed up, but after ten minutes no one else showed up. They were one person short, and the missing person was Alicia Lohmeyer.

"I propose we should investigate because I think it's clear that Miss Lohmeyer may no longer be among the living." The Knight of Ten said ominously, although it was seemingly obvious that she was dead, logically everyone needed to confirm it.

There were some mutterings that Lelouch couldn't hear, but no one opposed it as everyone filed out of the room and made their way to where Lohmeyer's room was deciding it was best to start from there. Upon inspection of the door, they found it to be unlocked, so Bradley entered, followed by Kewell while the rest stayed outside, but inside near the door leading into the bathroom, they found Alicia Lohmeyer with her throat slashed open.

"OH," Monokuma's voice rang throughout the halls, "Big surprise a body has just been found! Okay, people, it's time for the investigation to begin!"

We need to figure out the culprit, or we all die. Lelouch thought as he mentally prepared himself and he quickly received an alert on his device that the Monokuma file regarding the time when the murder happened and the injuries she had sustained.

Inside the control room, Junko was grinning.

Ok, Lelouch show me what you got!

Monokuma Theater (01):

Monokuma marches out onto a stage with a giant black flag with his visage printed upon it; however, the two-tone bear was wearing a black M1 helmet with a row of stars across the front. Monokuma stopped at the center of the stage with both hands behind his back ready to do his take on Patton as he addressed a gathering of other mass produced Monokuma units.

"My fellow Monokumas lend me your ears," Monokuma commanded before muttering under his breath, "Not that you have a choice since you are programmed that way."

The red eye of the mass-produced Monokuma units flashed red.

"My friends, we got a slow start so far, and I think this chapter was lacking in something to get the blood pumping." Monokuma took a moment to think before snapping his fingers together in realization. "Ah, I know we need some explosions because this chapter was kinda slow. I mean a slow start is sometimes necessary, but well we need some good old violence and explosions to hold some of us over."

Monokuma's crowd was unsurprisingly silent.

"So I want all of you to put your backs into it and get out there! Even though many of you will die," Monokuma commented before adding under his breath, "which I can care less since I can mass produce a lot more of you."

The bear on stage performed a salute before commanding.

"Now get out and blow yourselves up because we need some fireworks to commemorate the first murder of the story soon to be followed by the first trial!"

Monokuma began laughing as the army of his mass-produced copies hurried out of the large chamber he was holding his meeting in before the sound of explosions could be heard outside.

"Nothing like good pyrotechnics, but don't worry folks we'll have a lot more in the story later so think of those explosions as appetizers."

A/N: Well that was my first attempt at a Monokuma Theater segment, and if feedback and inspiration are just right I might attempt some future ones with each chapter. It felt like it had to have one as a call back to the game and manga of the series that usually had a Monokuma Theater segment.

Anyway, this chapter was a little challenging to write, which was why it ended up being a little shorter compared to the last chapter. But things should be kicking off now. However, my next challenge is to create a good mystery while at the same time avoiding anything that might be predictable and/or too easy to figure out, so I hope what I got planned works out.

Also on my profile, I have an extensive poll set up. Since this is my first time working with Danganronpa characters, I do want to gauge which ones by the majority would people not mind if I decided to kill them in the story. Now bear in mind I will hold final decision on who lives and who dies, and there WILL be some character deaths in this story (but also keep in mind that I don't off a character unless it benefits the story as a whole). I avoid using any dislike I hold for a character to sway me UNLESS it's a character everyone would universally agree they deserve to die (and we all know which ones).

And NO this means I won't off Suzaku, even though I know some of my readers were hoping I would. (But I do look forward to Suzaku meeting Makoto and Nagito since Suzaku is a fortunate person himself so some opportunities there for some humor if you guys get my meaning. A fun fact: Suzaku seems to be so lucky that he wins at blackjack so much that Milly accused him of cheating in the novels mentioned by Nunnally to C.C.)

You'll notice certain characters are not on the list (for story reasons), but I included all of the major and minor ones including the ones who died in the series (since they'll have a chance to survive in this story if they play their cards right). Overall this is more of a curiosity poll.

Any feedback I get on the investigations and how the first killing game plays out will help me plan the future ones later in the story.

I thank you all in advance for the reviews (they are greatly appreciated), and I'll try to get some of my other stories updated before I do the next chapter for this one.