A/N: Speical Thanks to Coke-aholic for his feedback and our discussions that helped set this chapter up as quickly as I wrote it.

Of course thanks to everyone who reviewed and added it to their favorites/follows.

This chapter turned out a bit shorter than I thought, but I thought the place where I ended was a good cut off point.

So without further delay on with the chapter.

02/15/2018: 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 15

Raise the Curtain

(Four Days Later)

"You want me on your team?" Makoto asked although he was surprised by the offer yet as thought about he could hardly think of anyone else who could qualify.

Lelouch and Makoto were sitting in their classroom as the latter was sitting in front of his desk while the former occupied the seat next to him so they could talk.

"Yes, because I am hoping your luck will serve as a counter to the 77th Class's Ultimate Lucky Student," Lelouch explained because he heard some fascinating and bewildering stories surrounding Nagito Komaeda's famed luck.

"Well ok, but who else is onboard the team?"

"Chihiro has joined and so has Celeste, so that completes our lineup."

"So what's our competition like?" Makoto asked.

"Representing the 78th Class B are Kaito Momota the Ultimate Astronaut, Kokichi Oma the Ultimate Supreme Leader, Maki Harukawa the Ultimate Child Care Giver and finally Shuichi Saihara the other Ultimate Detective," Lelouch said going down the list of the competition from their year before listing the competition from the year above them. "From Class 77 we'll be facing Chiaki Nanami the Ultimate Gamer, Nagito Komaeda the Ultimate Lucky Student, Ryota Mitarai the Ultimate Animator and Sonia Nevermind the Ultimate Princess."

Makoto began sweating at the thought of their competition.

"From class 76 I hear will consist of Seiko, Ruruka Ando the Ultimate Confectioner, Sonosuke Izayoi the Ultimate Blacksmith and Miaya Gekkogahara, the Ultimate Therapist," Lelouch said. Although he was surprised to hear someone of Sonosuke's talent would be playing video games when he might've taken part in the combat-related tournaments.

Makoto was seemingly intimidated by their competition, but Lelouch noticed this and decided to reassure his fellow classmate.

"Relax the only competitors we should be worried about are Chiaki and Nagito given the stories I have heard about him."

Makoto was intrigued, "what kind of stories?"

"Apparently according to one that is spread around is that Nagito was kidnapped at a young age, before the occupation, by a serial killer," Lelouch explained before saying. "Details are sketchy, but he was released because there was no one able to pay the ransom. However, Nagito had found a winning lottery ticket inside of the trash bag he was abducted in winning over three million yen."

"That sounds oddly lucky for him."

"Yes, but it seems he tends to suffer from extreme bad luck and equally extreme good luck. I know the stories surrounding him are odd, but one of his classmates is convinced of this." Lelouch said recalling a discussion about Nagito they had when he and Chiaki began talking about their respective classmates. "It seems after suffering a stroke of bad luck he endures an equal amount of good luck in turn."

"Sounds more like a double edge sword."

"I suppose it is," Celeste said joining the conversation, "I was skeptical of his luck at first, but when I saw him in a gambling den playing Russian Roulette I began to change my opinion of his luck."

"He was in a gambling den?" Makoto asked out of curiosity.

"I believe Nagito was testing his luck, so he picked the most extreme way to do it."

"Makoto have you heard of Russian Roulette?" Lelouch asked, but he explained upon seeing Makoto shake his head in response. "The game involves the use of a revolver with all of its bullets, except for one removed, before the player gives the cylinder a spin and then places the gun against their own head."

Makoto's eyes went wide in shock as a mental image of someone putting a revolver to their head.

"Then they pull the trigger, so if they are still alive, they win."

"That's crazy!"

"It's surprisingly popular in some gambling circles in Area 11. I even played a few rounds of the game too." Celeste admitted very casually despite the obvious danger. "Of course that doesn't compare to Nagito who played with five out of six bullets loaded into the gun, and he survived each time despite the odds."

Makoto's jaw nearly dropped to the floor because it was hard for him to imagine anyone surviving against those odds.

"I hope that convinces you why we would like you to be on our team," Lelouch asked before Celeste added.

"I am quite curious to see how the game will play out with two Ultimate Luck students in the mix and me."

So I am, and maybe these games will allow me to observe what kind of person he is.

Lelouch thought internally as he wondered if Nagito might be someone worth recruiting into the Black Knights, although his abnormal luck made a wild card of shorts.

Around the same time below Ashford Academy.

"I like it," Junko exclaimed happily as she was conversing with Monokuma inside the secret control room hidden below Ashford Academy.

Strangely Junko wasn't controlling Monokuma this time, but instead, it was being controlled by her closest follower who remained at Ashford Academy using the neuro-cranial transmitter that was developed to make it easier to operate Monokuma using only a laptop instead of a large control room. This allowed the user to see, speak and hear through Monokuma as if it was their own body along with the mobility the mechanical bear offered.

"With this set up your appetite for despair will be satisfied and more," Monokuma exclaimed before hopping around at the prospect of the new Killing Game they had planned together.

"Thanks to this info you've shared with me about details of the Royal Family I should have plenty to work with by the time we begin the game," Junko replied before a malicious smile appeared on her face. "We only need to lure them to Area 11."

Suddenly Junko's phone began ringing, so after pulling it from her pocket, she glanced at the caller ID before answering it.

"Hello Karen," Junko greeted happily before she began quietly listening to Karen as she spoke to Junko, "is that so?"

Junko listened to Karen's response before saying, "Well keep me posted, and I'll see about handling this matter personally. Just make sure Yasuke is occupied since you are classmates, so you shouldn't have much trouble with that. I'll call you back later, see ya."

The Ultimate Despair shared one last exchange with Karen before hanging up on her.

"Who was that?" Monokuma inquired titling his head to one side.

"That was Karen Kisaragi, the Secretary of the Student Council of Hope's Peak Academy," Junko answered before she began to explain. "She is a spy and an informant I brought into the fold a long time ago when she joined Hope's Peak Academy as the Ultimate Secretary to be part of the Student Council."

"She is a member of Ultimate Despair?"

"Karen isn't a founding member or a full-time member, but she works for me. She helps me keep tabs on both the Student Council at Hope's Peak and Yasuke since they are both classmates." Junko explained and given that Tsumugi was in a different year and class than Yasuke it was only logical to assume that Junko needed someone who was in the same class as Yasuke to keep a close eye on him. "Joining Hope's Peak Academy is a great thing, but sometimes not everyone is happy for you."

Monokuma listened intently as Junko began to relate the story behind Karen's recruitment.

"It was before I left the Middle School division of Hope's Peak to enroll at Ashford Academy, and as fate would have it. I spotted a miserable and despairing Karen who I saw stagger her way to the roof of the main building, so I followed her," Junko said as a dark smile appeared on her face.

Roof of Hope's Peak Academy Main Campus Building, Two Years Ago.

A young woman sixteen was trembling terribly, Karen Kisaragi, was dressed in the standard uniform for female students of the High School Division of Hope's Peak Academy. She possessed slightly curled green hair that touched her shoulders, blue-green eyes behind her thin framed oval-shaped glasses with a fair skin complexion.

Karen had opened the door to the roof, but after a moment of doubt and checking the rooftop to see if she was alone began walking towards the edge.

She had just gotten word her mother was murdered, although the police didn't know because they didn't care and she was told about it by a neighbor who explained that her mother was killed by her own father during a heated argument. They had been living in the ghetto, and her father was very adamant against the idea of becoming Honorary Britannians due to foolish Japanese pride as some might call it, but her mother was different as she wanted better for her own daughter.

One could imagine how divided her mother and father became when the latter learned his daughter had earned acceptance into Hope's Peak Academy despite the odds against her because of the rarity of an inhabitant of a ghetto being scouted.

Karen, at her mother's insistence, ran away from home to live in the dorms where she could at least lead a better life than merely rotting away in their crumbling house in the ghetto. It was only a short time ago she had gotten word of her mother's demise, and it didn't help that she had heard her father attempted to gain entry to the school to reclaim her daughter. Karen couldn't stand the idea of living the rest of her life with a man who insisted they suffer and rot in a crumbling home, but most of all the loss of the woman who pushed her to make something of her life had hit Karen very hard.

Enough to drive her to suicide.

As Karen stood on the edge looking down, she hesitated to make the final leap, but a voice behind her interrupted her thoughts.

"You know if you want to commit suicide then I suggest starving yourself to death," A fourteen-year-old Junko asked, she was dressed in a black variant of the Hope's Peak Academy uniform designed for those of the Middle School Division.

The older teen was stunned prompting her to look over her shoulder at the doorway where she saw Junko leaning against the open door frame with both arms folded over her chest.

"Why are you here?"

"Well seeing how much you were trembling and making your way up the stairs I am guessing you want an easy way out of this right?" Junko answered, but Karen didn't move from her spot. "I am going to wager that someone wasn't happy with your acceptance to this school were they? I mean I can't think of much else that could drive you to take the shortcut to the ground floor."

"So what," Karen snapped angrily, "what else do I have. I don't want to go back to the ghetto!"

"I see, so somebody doesn't want you here? Why don't you get rid of them?" Junko offered what seemed to be a simple suggestion, but the intent and implication was nothing remotely innocent.

The suggestion shocked Karen, but the worst part was how appealing the idea was.

"You throw yourself off and die, and your friends might cry a little, but you'll be forgotten in a few months," Junko said before adding with a devious smile. "Or you could deal with the problem, but I think it's not the only problem is it?"

Junko stepped out from the doorway and began walking towards Karen who contemplated jumping, but something in the back of her mind urged her to reconsider.

Karen knew that Junko had a point. Killing herself would only provide a way out, but her father wouldn't be punished for the murder he committed. She would just be forgotten, and nothing would change except her demise.

"If you are willing to go as far as killing yourself then what do you have to lose?"

Looking down at the ground far below for the last time before Karen stepped down from the ledge and collapsed into a sobbing heap at Junko's feet.

Junko couldn't help but smile her signature toothy grin.

"So after that Karen told me her dad killed her mom because he protested the idea of her going to Hope's Peak," Junko explained as she continued to tell the story to Monokuma and the one currently controlling him.

"Was her father one of those filled with Japanese pride that he refuses to become an Honorary Britannia?" Monokuma asked, prompting a confirmation nod from Junko.

"You bet, so after she spilled her heart out to me I asked Mukuro to provide some assistance," Junko explained before adding with a dark smile, "then she solved the issue of her father with a chainsaw. You should've seen the slasher smile she had as she craved up her own father. Karen was hesitant at first, but after reminding her of what her father did and that was all she needed."

"She must've really hated her old man to go that far."

"Yes, and she joined Ultimate Despair after I officially formed it becoming my official spy and informant on the Student Council," Junko commented before she showed Monokuma a picture of the Student Council on her smartphone while using her thumb to point out Karen to Monokuma.

Monokuma examined Karen but soon look at the other members of the council before realizing something.

"Just how long were you planning this harem?"

Junko raised an eyebrow.

"Come on don't hide it," Monokuma said dismissively waving a paw, "I feel that you were aiming for a female member of the Student Council from the start."

Junko merely grinned evilly, "You know I had my sights on him since we met as children, although I wasn't sure until he won the First Killing Game so I thought I should plan ahead just in case."

"Then you were looking at the other female members of the council?"

"Bingo," Junko answered before using the computer terminal behind her to bring up a photo and what information she had collected on the Student Council, some of which were updated with secrets collected by Karen over the last two years.

The first girl Junko decided to explain was a girl around the same age as Karen, but unlike most of the council seen in the group photo she stood out with a mocha skin tone, short brown hair, and bright blue eyes giving her a tomboy appearance. Like most female members of the council, as Monokuma noticed, she possessed an alluring figure.

"This one, Suzuko Kashiki, is quite the tomboy yet she is probably among the kinder and more compassionate members of the council. I didn't have much on her at the time to work with, so she was a no go," Junko said before adding with a smirk, "but through her parents, I might have something."

The next photo was the Student Council Vice President, who seemed very fiery in appearance and personality complemented her long red hair that flared out dramatically coupled with yellow eyes and a fair skin complexion. In addition to the school uniform, she wore a white headband, but different from Suzuko was the fact that the Vice President had a more voluptuous figure.

"The Vice President of the Student Council, Kotomi Ikuta, and this one is quite the live wire from what I gathered about her and a rebel to boot," Junko explained. "Like most of the Student Council, she came from a Japanese Family that was well connected and wealthy before Japan became Area 11, and those connections and wealth helped them out a lot after the war. However, Kotomi hated how her family acted, so she grew up into a rebel with a personality to match that hairstyle. Out of the council, she is probably ranked two in sex appeal."

Was ranking sex appeal that important?

The one controlling Monokuma at present thought, but decided against asking further.

"And if you are wondering who is number one regarding sex appeal among the council members," Junko said knowing the subject was a bit unnerving for the one controlling Monokuma at the moment.

The next photo was an eighteen-year-old teenager with medium-length light magenta hair styled into a pair of small buns while the rest was left to hang free with a red bow on top of her head. She had a fair skin complexion with light violet eyes and as Junko noted she was quite beautiful and possessed what Monokuma judged to be an athletic young woman born with a willowy frame with a stunning figure that was to guarantee to have plenty of men eyeing her.

"Behold Kiriko Nishizawa, the most attractive member of the Student Council," Junko said before adding, "well not as attractive as me, but it's shocking she hasn't landed herself a boyfriend yet."

"Wait," Monokuma said recognizing the name, "wasn't she that girl who worked as an extra posing for photos to launch a new line of swimwear awhile back?"

"Yep," Junko answered, "which was why she was my first choice to corrupt and make into my spy and informant on the Student Council. I met her a few times, so I didn't have a personal relationship to work with. She has one of the guys on the council eying her, but the poor sap hasn't made a move yet. Lelouch would've appreciated having a bombshell for a lover alongside yours truly as a package deal."

"And you thought you could bring him some despair by having become a lover for Lelouch instead?" Monokuma asked although Junko didn't answer immediately, her smirk was enough of an answer.

"Maybe, although it probably would've amounted to much," Junko said shrugging her shoulders before showing another profile and photo of the second to last female member of the Student Council.

The next girl was eighteen like the rest, even though her short height might suggest she was younger than she was, but she quite youthful in appearance with wavy brown hair, blue and green eyes thanks to heterochromia with a fair skin complexion and a perpetual blush on her cheeks. Her uniform was modified from the standard school attire with a yellow rabbit hoodie, and black socks with white slippers that have a bow on the instep.

"I think puberty was not kind to her, but she makes up for it by having a serious cuteness factor going on for her. Her name is Aiko Umesawa," Junko said before adding an explanation, "she is probably the most naive and childish of the council and someone I am sure I could've brought over to our side, but it might've taken too long."

Then Junko displayed the last female member of the Student Council who was quite beautiful much like most of the members possessing long blonde hair, blue eyes and a fair skin complexion with a gentle and dignified appearance.

"Last and not least Tsubasa Kamii," Junko said as she sounded disappointed, "now this one was completely in love with another council member before coming to Hope's Peak Academy. Furthermore, she and her boyfriend are almost clean as their folks who have no skeletons in their closet that I could really work with."

"I imagine the rest of the council is just as varied," Monokuma noted, but at the same time was ensuring the conversation was steered away talking about sex appeal. "Do you have any other plans for them?"

"Not right now, but for now Karen is keeping tabs on them. I might make use of the other members depending on how things play out, but for now, I got a date with the Ultimate Animator."

In the office of Viceroy Cornelia stood her two most trusted men, including Guilford who miraculously survived the attempt on his life standing next to Dalton. Both men were standing at attention before the desk Viceroy Cornelia was currently seated behind. Cornelia was stone-faced, but her two subordinates knew she was still furious about what had happened four days ago. As it to complicate matters, Cornelia had a more pressing concern to deal with because her investigators finished the task she had given them, and upon her desk was piles of documents and reports that were more akin to phonebooks stacked upon her desk.

"I don't mean to disrespect dead family members, but my brother was the worse choice for Viceroy to Govern Area 11," Cornelia commented although she loved Clovis like a brother she couldn't deny he was clearly unsuited for ruling an Area. "It's no wonder terrorists have been running rampant because something idiotic like this happens."

Cornelia was gesturing to the pile of reports collected by various investigators she had called from the Homeland to conduct an investigation of Area 11's military and government power structure. She suspected correctly that terrorists had been likely bribing various officials while others probably willingly sold information and weapons to them for their own personal gain.

Regrettably, it wasn't uncommon in some Areas, but for Area 11 Cornelia saw that such corruption was a lot worse than she realized.

This was thanks to how Area 11's military and government power structures were organized and a distinct eyesore was the fact that the regional commanders of Area 11, there were a total of five regions, held too much power and authority for her liking. Cornelia believed that control should be more centralized in an Area, although it was okay for the regional commanders to have the extra power and authority in the event of an emergency, which was a key factor for the problem before her. Every Area and the Viceroy it was under was given absolute discretion after they are provided soldiers from the homeland to fulfill their duties, and Clovis's mismanagement of Area 11 had done more harm than good.

"I don't even know how we can clean this mess up," Cornelia said with a cold voice that held some repressed anger. "We would have to restructure the entire government and military from the ground up to clean this up."

An incompetent superior could ruin the morale of a hundred men, which was a situation Cornelia wanted to avoid.

The reports detailed unjust personnel movements and promotions using blood connections and money, which Cornelia discovered was thanks to information and weapons being sold to terrorists by people within the government and military who used said money to buy their positions. If it were possible, Cornelia would've had them all arrested for treason, but then she would spend months rebuilding the government and military power structure as a result.

It was a costly setback she couldn't afford especially when she had Zero, Ultimate Despair, and other terrorists to deal with.

"Then why not judge them on ability?" Guilford suggested tactfully.

"Ability," Cornelia asked.

"Even though their method of reaching their post was questionable there may be some who have served their post humbly and proven effective? Perhaps as a temporary solution, we should leave those who have proven themselves worthy of their position and remove those unfit."

Dalton intervened, although he knew this was their best option, "that would leave fairness of the bureau in question. I suggest we should investigate the past performance of the suspicious ones and balance their achievements with the crime. Naturally, we should make it known that the various heads of personnel were punished so it can help drive our point home."

"An interesting idea, but it would look as if we're playing favorites as well," Cornelia said agreeing with their idea, but it needed some adjustments to be more efficient.

"Demotions will apply to everyone, but we should keep the able ones where they are. I believe they should receive new letters of appointment for those who stay. It would be just a formality, but it would hold water." Dalton suggested as a means of reinforcing their authority, it wasn't a morally correct choice yet it was the only route open to them.

It wasn't a perfect solution, but it was their best option if they wanted to move onto dealing with more pressing matters in Area 11.

"Now what was this report regarding The Great Japan Soten Party?"

The Great Japan Soten Party was one of the larger terrorist organizations operating in Area 11. They were not as large as Ultimate Despair and the Japan Liberation Front, but they were among the most extreme regarding anti-Britannian sentiment. They were primarily active in the Chubu Region of Area 11, but even their claims were ridiculous, they did not discriminate as they willingly attacked civilian and military targets employing the use of children as suicide bombers and soldiers that earned the disgust of many on both sides.

Following the incident involving Suzaku Kuurugui on the highway coupled with Zero's first appearance, the organization took advantage of the chaos caused by Ultimate Despair becoming more active and increasingly brutal in their attacks. Word had reached Cornelia that members of their group were reportedly becoming active in the Toyko Settlement, although nothing has happened yet it was enough to put Cornelia on alert.

With everything that happened recently, the Goddess of Victory saw no reason not to take any chances.

It was early afternoon as a young man with light brown hair, hazel eyes and a somewhat pale complexion with slight bags under his eyes wearing the standard Hope's Peak Academy Uniform with a red scarf wrapped around his neck was walking down the sidewalk.

His name was Ryota Mitarai, the True Ultimate Animator.

No one, except a few, knew that the Ultimate Animator attending Class-77 was, in fact, the Ultimate Imposter who had assumed Ryota's identity so he could dedicate himself to the development of a unique anime he hoped would bring hope to the world. Only his classmate, Mikan, was recently made aware of the switch between the two because the Ultimate Imposter ironically lacked an identity of his own being dependant on imitating others, had brought Mikan to Ryota's apartment to treat him when he nearly overworked himself to death.

Not eating properly and sleeping, dedicating every waking minute of his life, to perfecting his anime to bring hope to the world had nearly contributed to his demise had it not been for the Ultimate Nurse's intervention.

As a result, Ryota was required to visit the academy's hospital, at Mikan's insistence, for checkups to ensure a repeat of what had nearly happened to him wouldn't happen again.

His friend, the Ultimate Neurologist, was the only person who knew about his secret and one whom Ryota sought advice from regarding ways to simulate and even manipulate the human brain using animation and sound. It was thanks to his connections that he could receive his check-ups and much-needed treatment without drawing attention that would expose his secret. This was helped by the fact that the academy hospital was where its medical related research labs were located, including its Neurology Lab.

Little did he realize it was Yasuke Matsuda's actions that would've brought him to the attention of the last person he should ever meet.

The sooner I get this done the better, Ryota thought as he approached the hospital wishing to get it done and over with so he could return to work.

Walking outside on cue was Junko Enoshima with Tsumugi Shirogane following right behind her. Unfortunately for Ryota, because Yasuke attended school as part of Class-77 B while Ryota was part of Class-77 A the student council composed most of Class-77 B where Karen would inform Junko of his meeting with Ryota. Through learning about the subject matter, they discussed allowing Junko to deduce what Yasuke was plotting.

As they passed by one another Junko spun around grabbing Ryota by his scarf to address him with a blank expression.

"Who are you?"

Ryota was feeling understandably nervous at the encounter, but he managed an answer.

"I am Ryota Mitarai, and you are?"

Mere seconds later, Junko became excited before proceeding to hug Ryota against his will, although he was utterly baffled by her reaction Ryota couldn't get free of her.

"What an unexpected encounter," Junko mused although it was a lie, "I am Junko Enoshima the Ultimate Fashionista, so what do you got? What cool talent you got?"

"Me," Ryota was hesitant, but he answered, "I am the Ultimate Animator."

Junko appeared to be disappointed by Ryota's answer.

"They let you in for that? If I were a huge otaku, I would've been impressed by you."

"You think anime is just for nerds?" Ryota asked.

"Well obviously," Junko replied flatly.

"Anime is a critical part of our culture," Ryota snapped displaying a far more passionate side.

"Wow, he is just going all out because I disrespected anime," Junko said with an amused laugh, but this was what Junko was hoping for to create a way to see his project.

"Oh yeah, but once my project is finished you won't be laughing!"

"Really," Junko said moving closer to him to the point she was looming over him, "ok I accept your challenge, so bring it on."

Around the same time at the track and field of Hope's Peak Academy, two people were standing in the middle of the field wearing their gym attire consisting of a white shirt and blue shorts, although for Mukuro she wore athletic style burumā (bloomers) while Lelouch wore shorts as common for male students. The very idea that Lelouch Lamperouge would be in gym clothes would be perplexing for anyone who knew him, especially Mukuro who was understandably confused, but Lelouch had a reason.

"Why did you ask to meet me out here in our gym attire Lelouch?"

"Recent events made it clear that some changes are going to become necessary for me as my plans move forward so," Lelouch explained before pausing to let out a heavy sigh, "I think I'll need to get into better shape for what lies ahead."

Lelouch dispised physical education, which was contributed to the fact that he lacked proper endurance. However after reflecting on what had nearly happened to him recently coupled with Junko and C.C.'s scoldings Lelouch knew it would be best if he sought to improve his body as well.

Maybe at the very least, Junko won't be able to use Mukuro to restrain me so effortlessly.

However, Lelouch knew working out alone wouldn't be enough, and knowing it could take months and maybe years to develop his body he devised a way to speed up the process.

"I don't disagree with that, but isn't your body," Mukuro said as she allowed the sentence to trail off because she couldn't find the right words.

"Weak and possessing terrible endurance," Lelouch said flatly before revealing a bottle filled with a glowing purple liquid. "Yeah and I know training my body could take a very long time. So I sought some help from Seiko recently."

It had happened right after Lelouch had met Seiko and sampled her enhancer, so after learning of where she spent her days he sought out the young woman. He explained his intentions to Seiko seeking something that could help improve his body, but unlike her enhancer, these improvements would be permanent.

"You want to become stronger?"

"Well I am not expecting to become superhuman or anything, but after you saw how I performed at physical education, I want to get into better shape. However knowing my own limitations that could take years or because of my endurance, or lack of, it would be nearly impossible for me." Lelouch explained to Seiko as she sat at a lab table with a chemistry set before her with Lelouch standing to her right.

Seiko pondered the question for a moment before she answered, "I think I could make something that would help you greatly. This concoction would need to be designed to minimize exertion of the muscles while encouraging muscle growth and improvements in endurance."

Seiko's voice dropped to a whisper as she was contemplated details that Lelouch felt he probably wasn't equipped to grasp given her understanding of chemistry alone likely outstretched what he knew.

"I got," Seiko said before dropping her fist in an upright palm as part of the eureka moment she just had, "come see me again in a few days, and I'll have something."

"What is your price?"

"Well nothing really, but…"

"I appreciate that, but I do feel I should compensate you for your time."

"I don't usually charge for my services."

"How about if you need anything from me and if it's within my power to do I'll do it for you."

Seiko considered, putting her right index finger under her chin, this for a moment, "that sounds fair enough."

Seiko filled on her promise and made a supply of her new concoction she dubbed Contestant, which as long as Lelouch took a dose before each work out would in a matter of months significantly improve his physical strength and endurance.

However, only getting into shape wasn't Lelouch's only intention.

"Then why call me out here?"

"I would like your assistance, but not only in helping me improve physically I wish to learn from you."

"Huh," Mukuro said before realized dawned on her what Lelouch wanted. "You want me to train you and teach you hand to hand combat techniques."

Lelouch confirmed her question with a nod before explaining, "Yes, because you have taught me a lot about your experiences on the battlefield and about weapons so with your help I want to push that further."

"I see," Mukuro said now that she had a better understanding of Lelouch's intentions of her becoming his personal trainer. Upon adopting a more serious expression, she offered, "very well let us begin then."

Later that afternoon as the sun was beginning to set Junko and Tsumugi followed Ryota to his home located in the old dorm buildings on the outskirts of the academy. His room was filled with various tools and computer equipment for creating animation as well a remarkable anime collection that brought a smile to Tsumugi's face.

Junko and Tsumugi had just finished watching Ryota's anime which was designed to inspire hope within people, although it was incomplete by his own admission.

"So what do you think? I know it's a work in progress since most of it is just line art."

His audience was silent for a moment before Junko burst into tears with a blush on her face.

"That was the greatest piece of animation I have ever seen in my life," Junko said between tears of joy, "this anime will redefine the genre reducing everything else I have seen to pure garbage."

"Not even that anime about magical girls being deceived by an evil mascot-like creature or that anime where," Tsumugi said before losing her voice to the tears of joy she was crying. "It's the greatest anime ever!"

"Huh, but how are you friends with someone who disliked anime," Ryota asked although he was pleased with the results he got from their viewing he was confused by Tsumugi who apparently had a love for anime and yet knew someone who disliked it.

"I have been working on her to see the light that is anime, but your anime accomplished what I have been trying to do," Tsumugi answered after regaining enough of her composure to explain.

At that moment Junko hurried off to the tall shelves holding Ryota's entire collection of anime armed with a broom she pulled out from the closest.

"We don't need you any more third-rate anime we need to destroy it all, so nothing will get in its way!" Junko said as she prepared to destroy Ryota's collection, but Tsugumi intervened restraining Junko from behind.

"Please reconsider," Tsugumi pleaded almost frantically, "I know this anime pales in comparison to what we just watched, but some of those are classics and anime is already an endangered species in Area 11 because of the occupation."

It took a few minutes, but Junko calmed down and lowered the broom much to Tsugumi's relief.

"Now how did your anime have such an effect on us," Junko asked regaining her senses, "you put something into that anime didn't you?"

Ryota smiled proudly, "well just look at it. The smoking gun is right there if you know what to look for then you'll see how I influenced the viewer's brain."

"Subliminal manipulation, so which one is it? Are you using visual or audio subliminal techniques?"

"All of them," Ryota revealed, "subtle changes in color changes the visual cortex, guiding the eye in certain directions which enriches the viewer's memories while the use of sound can heighten one's focus. Any trick I know I put into this anime, although people call it brainwashing it's no different how people use gunpowder. You can make a bomb or a beautiful firework, so I want to use my anime to make the world a better place."

Out of view of Ryota's line of sight, Junko adopted a sinister toothy grin.

"Really, because I want to change the world too so I might be willing to help you out."

"You want to help me?"

"Yeah I got money and lots of it, so I can get you whatever you need. Just would you mind just keeping this arrangement and the fact you met my friend and me here secret?" Junko asked because all she needed now was to ensure that Yasuke didn't find out that she was onto him.

Yasuke you naughty boy teaching this kid how to brainwash people. Junko thought as she realized Yasuke was likely using Ryota to make a video that could purge despair out of people, which could be used against her.

Junko made a mental note to deal with Yasuke in good time, but for now, she intended to keep up unaware of her plans to use Ryota's own animation for her own purposes.

Back at the track field Lelouch dropped to one knee clearly exhausted from exercising and training with Mukuro all afternoon. To his credit, the medicine Seiko made for him was working. Lelouch was able to endure the entire afternoon training proving the effectiveness of Seiko's custom concoction she had made for him. Mukuro was still standing with clear signs of training with Lelouch to help him get more physically fit, but she planned to save the combat training until Lelouch was in fair shape.

"Seiko's concoction has really proven itself," Mukuro said impressed by the results.

"Indeed, which is why if the opportunity presents itself I would like her to join the Black Knights. What she could offer my organization would be limitless regarding military and humanitarian uses alone." Lelouch said as he considered the possibilities since her creations could not only boost the combat performance of his followers, but it could provide invaluable medicine to his men in the field and even provide relief opportunities for humanitarian endeavors to improve relations with the people of Japan.

"Should we plan to do this again tomorrow?"

"Yes, but tomorrow morning I am going to meet with Ohgi and the others to present our new mobile base of operations."

"A mobile base?"

"Yes, I managed to obtain a vehicle that can serve as a mobile headquarters. My Geass covered up any potential loose ends, so there are no strings attached."

"I see," Mukuro said before asking, "should I come along?"

"Yes, because your new uniform should be ready tomorrow morning, so the timing is perfect," Lelouch said as he finally regained enough strength to stand up. "We'll meet here tomorrow morning for training since my afternoon and nights are likely to become more active."

The following morning Ohgi followed by Kallen, and the other members of their resistance group arrived at a large parking lot in the middle of the Toyko Concession Area, although the parking lot was deserted for the most part it didn't ease the nervousness of those accompanying Ohgi and Kallen. They approached a large black, purple and golden trimmed truck with a built-in trailer that was two stories, which was usually used by members of the nobility as a luxurious mode of transportation.

Ohgi hesitantly opened the door, finding that it was unlocked.

"Welcome," Zero's voice greeted from inside as he was sitting on a curved sofa at the rear of the trailer, "please come in."

Ohgi was the first to walk inside to discover the interior was surprisingly spacious that included a living room with a table and another sofa before a sizeable wall-size television monitor. There were stairs near the rear leading up to a second floor where additional rooms were likely located.

"From now on this will be our headquarters," Zero announced as Kallen and the others in their company soon walked into the trailer with the last one inside closing the door behind them.

"So you think joining together is a good idea?" Ohgi inquired.

"Yes, because we are comrades after all and I think we can do much more working together," Zero admitted before Ohgi had another question.

"Would you mind if I ask how you got this?" Ohgi asked gesturing to the trailer they were standing in.

"I obtained this from a nobleman who indulges my requests."

"You just bought it just like that?"

"Don't worry," Zero said hoping to put his new allies at ease, "there are no strings attached. I made sure of that."

"This thing is huge," Tamaki complimented as members of Ohgi's group began exploring the interior.

"On the other hand, no one would ever suspect us using something like this as a base," Kallen said seeing the logic behind using something a nobleman would be more likely seen in as a mobile base for a resistance group.

"Before anything else, I would like to introduce you all to a close associate of mines." Zero offered as he gestured for Mukuro to walk down the stairs to introduce herself to Ohgi and the others.

Mukuro was wearing the new combat uniform Tsugumi had designed for her using materials Lelouch had provided while Mukuro had provided some input wishing for something more akin to a combat uniform with functionality in mind.

It shared similarities with Lelouch's Zero outfits, but it was more tactical in the sense that it was all black and the mask, although similar to Zero's mask was designed to be a useful tool. Using parts, Lelouch obtained at Tsugumi's request she created a mask with a voice-altering package coupled with options for night vision and ultraviolet vision with a communications device built in with flitters to protect from smoke and toxic fumes.

Some of the components were not easy to obtain, even with his Geass, but Lelouch felt the effort would be worth it.

Her uniform was a modified battle dress uniform with black and dark gray camouflage with all-terrain combat boots. She wore a black combat vest with various pockets and pouches made out of kevlar, and a belt with holsters for her two combat knives, a pistol with extra magazines, and additional small bags holding various tools.

Tsugumi also took the time to design and create some uniforms for Ohgi and the others, which Lelouch had in boxes in one of the upstairs rooms.

"Greetings I am Null," Mukuro greeted using the code name she and Lelouch talked about that she would use while working with him. The voice changer in her mask disguised her voice adding an echo.

"Not a very imaginative code name," Tamaki commented.

"Well I am sure her abilities in combat might change your opinion, but right now we have some work ahead of us." Lelouch, as Zero, said as he stood up to begin giving out instructions while working to lay the foundations of the Black Knights.

Meanwhile across the Toyko Settlement within the four-story mansion that belonged to one of Area 11's most noteworthy noble family sat Junko in a chair before a blonde haired middle aged man wearing a black suit with a matching vest and a red tie. He had blonde hair and purple eyes with a fair skin complexion.

"So Daddy I thought you'd be happy with how things have been going, especially since my Killing Game got rid of a few eyesores just as you wanted," Junko said with a pleasant smile as she spoke to her father.

Her father was fully aware of the fact she was the leader of Ultimate Despair because he had helped her to first bankroll her efforts to establish it as well as providing her the additional means using his connections as one of Area 11's most prominent and wealthiest noblemen. It had been he who had also helped Mukuro and Junko after Japan became Area 11. This included assisting Junko to establish her modeling career leading to her acceptance into Hope's Peak while arranging for Mukuro to join Fennir enabling her to become the Ultimate Solider.

He was neck deep in all of Junko's schemes, despite his own reluctance in helping her.

"I had never expected your Killing Game would cause such collateral damage."

"If you are talking about that whole setting off a violent civil war in the Chinese Federation then maybe someone should've gotten me some better intel." Junko shot back while rolling her eyes at her father before slipping out of the cup of tea she was holding.

Junko's father merely sighed in defeat, but he was in too deep to back out now. However, he knew that Junko growing up into the Ultimate Despair was his responsibility for leaving her and Mukuro.

"Besides you will be happy to hear that things between Lelouch and me are moving along swimmingly. I am sure by the end of the year you'll have a new son in law. I am thinking of setting him up with a harem to show how much I love him."

Her father suspected Junko had an alternative motive for that, but he decided against questioning her daughter about it.

"Somehow I don't think Lelouch would be the type to accept a harem. He might view it as something that would just get in the way."

"Well that didn't stop you from knocking up my mother and leaving her with Mukuro and yours truly," Junko pointed out before adding, "but we both know we weren't the only women you bedded. So you are hardly one to talk."

Junko's father had no counter to that, which only made him curse his foolishness in his younger days.

"Besides," Junko began as he bushed off his misgivings, "Britannia has laws that make it totally acceptable for a Britannian with enough status and money to have a harem. They just need a wife who is either Britannia or a half-blood with enough connections who manages said harem and then he can have as many mistresses their status and rank in nobility will allow."

No voice of disapproval came from her father, so Junko added something else to her argument.

"Of course even Japan had a few laws no one knew about that allowed someone to have a harem, but that was only because of the Togami Family who slipped those laws in. Just so the Head of the Togami Family could knock up exceptional women whose children would compete with his other offspring to determine the next Family Head that a certain classmate of mines who won that battle of succession."

"I suppose I can do little to stop you, but if he accepts it, then I see little reason to oppose it."

"Well you aren't wrong that he would be against the idea, but yes you are right that he would see having a harem as more of a disadvantage that might tie him down when waging his war against Britannia. Of course, I am sure knowing that he could fail and end up dead is another reason he has avoided relationships in general," Junko said before adding another factor behind Lelouch's refusal of a harem. "Other than the whole fact that he is really a Britannian Prince who faked his death that could be a problem if the wrong people found out."

"Knowing the truth behind Lelouch is what gave you such a huge advantage in establishing a relationship with him?"

"Oh yes, it has," Junko admitted with a smile, "but I got my eye on a few women who might fit nicely for him and help push him forward with his goals to bring Britannia down."

Maybe I could kill one or two of them to give Lelouch some despair, but perhaps the boring ones. Junko thought darkly.

On the other hand, Junko did see having a harem as a way to keep her relationship with Lelouch more exciting, and it did open the door for some additional benefits such as adding an extra dose of kinky during nights in the bedroom.

I would just need to bring in the right girl to help Lelouch accept the idea of having a harem of his own, but which girl would be best for that job. Of course, that will come after I lose my virginity to him. Maybe I'll make a big thing about it to Yasuke to drive him to despair before I murder him for trying to backstab me.

Junko's father wondered how did his daughter turn into such a highly intelligent murdering psychopath that was apparently a hedonist that only fuel her depravity.

"Anyway, dad when do you plan on telling my half-sister about Mukuro and me? I mean you hid the fact we are your daughters from just about everyone in this household."

Junko's father sighed, he was concerned how she would take it, but he knew it was something he couldn't side-step forever.

"Soon, but I don't think today is a good time."

"Ok," Junko said with a toothy grin appeared on her face, "but I am looking forward to how she'll react."

Monokuma Theater:

Monokuma was seen sitting in a large leather chair inside a library with an old fashion environment complete with a roaring fireplace. He wore a red robe wearing a pair of glasses while an old fashion pipe could be seen in his mouth.

"You know we all of this talk about Harems why haven't we seen any women with harems of their own." Monokuma asked looking through an old book, "I mean sure there are plenty of harems, but a big majority of them are ones with a guy and a lot of women."

The two-tone bear shrugged his shoulders, "I mean I am sure figuring out who the father is might be a huge pain in the ass, but maybe the problem is that not a lot of guys might not like sharing one woman or unless you got some that might be swinging both ways. I guess there might be more problems with a harem involving one girl and a lot of men, or maybe keeping it to two would be a safer bet."

Monokuma suddenly tossed the book into the fire, "well I guess we'll never have a good answer."

A/N: Well given the subject of harems came up I tried to come up with something that Monokuma might mention, and that would seem typical of him. Although writing it was a bit harder than I thought because I was worried I might offend someone by accident (which is my intent to never offend anyone).

Anyway, the Great Japan Soten party was a terrorist group that appeared in the Light Novels as did the issue Cornelia was faced with. I plan for the group to play a role in the coming chapters.

On the matter of harems I do have some grave concerns as I have echoed in the past that Junko could kill harem members just to make Lelouch taste despair (although C.C. would be safe from this given her immorality), but on the other hand death might be a more humane way out given what else Junko could do to them. It might be safer to keep it to just Mukuro and Junko or just one of them (personally I rather avoid a harem), because involving anyone else could be dangerous.

Now I do have a poll I threw up to gauge which ones could make good candidates, because I am curious. Keep in mind my warning through and there is no promise I'll do it, but since this is Junko I might as well weigh my options.

Let it not be said that I didn't warn you guys.

And no that is not why I am bringing in the Student Council just to kill them off or including some of its female members as harem candidates. If I did decide to kill anyone in the harem, then it would be someone no one would expect and whose death would serve the story.

Now I have hidden the identity of Junko's father (who is a Code Geass character, not an OC) to make the reveal and who the Third Despair Sister might be, and she doesn't know it either, more shocking.

I did the same thing against with Junko's insider at Ashford Academy with he/she controlling Monokuma as a way to hide he/she without revealing said true identity. That is one I want to save for the right time to show who it is.

Furthermore, I have no intention of using Ryota or instead of his animation in the same way the series handled it. Although I did figure that Yasuke given his actions in Danganronpa Zero would've been more likely to help Ryota with learning brainwashing techniques to create his anime which he would've used on Junko as a way to stop her. I have something more insidious and useful in mind for Ryota's animation once Junko starts making her own, but I won't say anything to avoid spoilers.

The Second Killing Game will come as soon as all prep is complete, and trust me for what I got planned a lot of prep is needed.