Morning Hope Academy's New Semester of Killing

by The Celestial Sky Dragon

Despair has spread across the world. While Class 78 sealed themselves inside Hope's Peak Academy, 40 others did the same in America. Now Morning Hope Academy has become the stage of the newest Killing Game. Jon and Mei will have to decide between Truth, Ideals, and Lies to save Morning Hope Academy's 24th Class. Will they succeed? Or will Despair Win Once More? [Partial SYOC Story]

16. Chapter 1 Act 8: Aphrodisiacs III

A/N:

Well everyone, I promised an explosive chapter and I have delivered. I hope you don't hate me after the end of this chapter but I had to do what I had to do. There is some drug use in this chapter. As always, I don't condone any of that stuff. If you or anyone you know is suffering from drug addiction, please get help. That stuff isn't good for you, I know what it's like to live with someone wh at one point was addicted to drugs. It's never pretty, and thankfully he got the help he needed. I don't condone smoking or drinking either, but for the sake of the story I have to include it.

I do truly hope you enjoy how I portray characters in this chapter. It took me a couple days to get it right, but I did try my best. The Songs used in this Chapter are Fallout Boy Songs, just because. The First one is called These Kids Aren't Alright, and the second is my favorite one ever, Novocaine. I thought Save Rock and Roll was my favorite...but ah...Novocaine...it's so damn good! Fallout Boy has been delivering some fucking awesome albums recently, Lake Effect Kid is my favorite song of their new album, and Champion from the Mania album was good too...but enough ranting. Go...enjoy this chapter, just save your pitch forks and torches for later.

On a side note, the poll is now closed. I would like to thank everyone who voted, I really appreciate it. See you all later!

Morning Hope Academy's

New Semester of Killing

Chapter 1 Act 8

Aphrodisiacs for the Dead

(Daily Life: Day Nine: Chloe's POV)

"Is there anything I could get you Miss Raincomprix? Perhaps a refill on your tea?" Kiibo asked curiously. I looked away from my beautiful reflection, my cerulean blue eyes meeting with his.

"I'm fine Kiibo, really." I reply, rather passively.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, goddammit! I'm perfectly alright, I don't need your help!" I shouted through grit teeth. I sigh, looking away from the Ultimate Robot who now bore a hurt expression on his face.

"Look...I appreciate the help alright? These damn hormones have me all screwy, it's utterly ridiculous!"

"I understand...I can't say I with to feel like that. Since I am a robot, I cannot feel the effects of this aphrodisiac. I've been trying to help around as best as I can, but you've secluded yourself from everyone. It isn't healthy you know."

"Pfft...as if I'm going to take friend advice from a damn robot." I reply, glancing back at my reflection.

Despite everything that's been happening, I managed to keep myself in check. I can't say it hasn't been difficult. Thankfully, I always carry some blush and lipgloss on me, so my face is as pristine as ever. My sunkissed skin was glowing, despite me not exfoliating with my specially made cream. My eyebrows were perfectly plucked, lips nice and pink, make up neat. Not a single hair out of place, I was drop dead gorgeous. My looks enough were enough to get me attention, I would usually have a throng of boys lining up to do my bidding, and yet all I could recruit in this place was a robot. I feel like I'm failing at something.

"You probably don't want advice from me but...Chloe it would be good for you to make friends. I know what it's like to be alone all the time. I was born as this, but had the mental capacity of a toddler. During my early years, I had many friends...but they all started seeing me weird. Especially when the Doctor would install something new. They would always make fun of me, others just wanted me to fly them everywhere. They never appreciated me...I was just a tool to them."

"But you are a tool, you are making yourself useful to me at least." I reply absentmindedly.

"I don't believe that's true. I still don't know why it is, but you seem to gravitate toward me a lot." Kiibo said. I snapped my mirror closed, capping my strawberry flavored lipgloss.

"Of course I gravitate toward you. You are my assistant, my butler, my servant. Look at my hands, do you see this manicure? I can't mess these beautiful nails by doing things like cooking or my own laundry. I have people for that." I said, brushing him off. I reached for the kettle, tipping it over, only to realize it was completely empty. Had I already drank all of my tea? That wouldn't do.

"Actually...I have a request, I'd like for you to get me some more tea. Royal milk tea, make it from scratch, and I don't mean tear open a tea bag. I saw some tea leaves in the pantry, I expect to see it here when I return." I said, standing up from my seat.

"Yes ma'am. I'll gladly do anything to help my friend out!" he said happily, lights flashing as he took off toward the kitchen. I frown, looking around the cafeteria.

Harrison and Angie were busy having lunch, the two of them were getting very close. I had been watching the Jeweler quite closely, I had been planned on requesting some find jewelry from him. However after the last class trial, I couldn't help but find myself distrusting him. He could have saved Shuichi and yet let him die for no reason. That was something that I could not fathom. It was for lack of a better term, ridiculous. I didn't know Shuichi, can't say I cared for him either...but I do agree that he shouldn't have died. My eyes drifted towards the nearby post, the same one that Gonta had been strapped into, I could still see him there, the blood dripping to the ground, thoughts of that made me shudder. I needed to get out of here. I took a step forward, heading toward the cafeteria doors. As I did, someone bumped into me, almost knocking me down. Me? Oh hell no.

"Ugh...mind watching where you are walking?" I snapped, glaring at the perpetrator. The Ultimate Child Care-Giver glared back at me, those crimson eyes of her boring into my soul.

"I would recommend you do the same Miss Raincomprix. In a place like this, it's best we keep our eyes open."

"Then why don't you brush that mass of hair out of your eyes. Seriously, I have no idea how the hell you can see with that fringe. What are you? Emo? Do you cut yourself?" I said, almost in a joking tone.

"I will cut you." she hissed, brushing past me. I normally don't show my emotions, especially fear, but that was the first time I felt fear from anyone. Her words cut me like a knife, I regained my composure, flicking my ponytail over my shoulder and leaving the cafeteria.

I had to admit, Maki was one of the more attractive females in this establishment. Even more so than that ugly Nut Princess. However this motive was clearly taking its toll on her. No longer was she wearing her red cardigan, and had instead remained in a black wife beater, with a white undershirt. She had kept her skirt on, along with her stockings. Glancing back, I saw the handle of a knife sticking out of her stocking, barely hidden by her skirt, that was before she turned toward the machines. Her long brown hair was slightly out of place, her bangs normally parted, covering her eyes. She had seen better days, but so had the rest of us.

It made me wonder though, why would a Child Care-Giver carry around a knife? I certainly wouldn't hand my child to that woman. I have to admit, any child that comes from me would be such a beautiful child. I often dreamed of having a kid, despite me being so young. I suppose I just need something to coddle. To give them the things my mother never gave me.

I didn't want to think about that woman. No matter how much I tried to get her to notice me she never did. Even when I got accepted into this prestigious academy, she didn't care. I traveled all the way from Paris to New York, to give her that letter. The doorman just told me that she didn't have a daughter named Chloe, that her name was Claudine and that I wasn't allowed to go up. I left without even seeing her, that was the last thing I remembered before waking up at the base of the tree in the First Floor Plaza. I was scared, but I knew I had to keep my wits about me. I am the Ultimate Queen Bee, it might be a conceded title, but it was the only goddamn thing I had.

My old school was filled with so many people. All of them from different walks of life. But there was one girl that was the bane of my existence. She was the daughter of a baker, always brought sweets to school, was able to make so many friends. I grew jealous of her, because she had what I wanted, a humble home life. Two caring parents, a lot of friends. All I had was my looks, my charisma...Sabrina...a girl who I just paid to be my friend. She did my homework, carried my books, advocated for me, helped me make that girl's life hell. It took me being trapped in this shithole to realize that wasn't a true friend. But I couldn't admit that to anyone. I had to sit here and keep appearances, because a Queen doesn't falter, a Queen doesn't feel empathy. She needs to be firm, she needs to be strong, she needs to ready her troops for war. The Queen Bee had to be ready to strike.

It took me a moment to realize I had wondered into the Nurse's office again. I had closed the door behind me, brushing past the shit that Angie called "Art". Seriously, none of this crap would be even worthy of being in the Louvre. I bet even the Mona Lisa would laugh seeing all of this sub par garbage. I have seen so many beautiful pieces of art, I have lived goddamn it, and this is not fucking art. If anything, this is just a means for her to get her sick religion in our minds and shove it down our throats, as if I was dumb enough to by her Atua bullshit. I pulled the cabinet open and started looking through it, finding the familiar bottle of pills.

Xanax...I didn't want anyone to know I was addicted to these. It was hard enough getting them back home. I always took one whenever I was having anxiety issues. Being a Queen Bee was stressful, especially when it comes to light that you aren't the bitch everyone sees on the outside. The anxiety sucks, and borderline agoraphobia is never a good thing. These always keep me in check...but it wasn't going to be effective if I just took it. I glanced over my shoulder, checking to see if the door was truly alone. I dug around the drawer for something I could use, luckily finding a metallic measuring cup. I placed the three bars under it and pressed it down with all my strength, until nothing but a fine powder was left. I reached for the bracelet around my wrist, pulling out the razor blade I always carried, cutting up the powder into a thin line.

I sighed, glancing at my handiwork, a frown on my face. Here I go again, I didn't like doing this shit. But the anxiety coupled with the aphrodisiacs and the porn...I was literally about to crack. I had agreed to quit this, the moment I got into this academy, I was going to the councilor and getting help. But fuck it...it isn't like there's one of those here. I reached for one of the syringes and pulled it from the pack, snapping the needle off and pulling the stopper out. I snapped the plastic casing in half, biting on the end to fix the plastic. I took a deep breath, holding the broken syringe to the powder, the other end in my nose.

The burning was intense, but it was one I was used to. I could feel it in my nasal cavity, gathering in the center of my forehead. I took another deep breath, plugging my nostril so that the powder could enter my lungs. I shuddered a bit as it hit me, becoming a bit dizzy as I did. I cut out another line, preparing to snort it when when the door slid open. I looked over, eyes widened in surprise and shock. Like a deer in headlights, I could feel myself crumbling, especially because it was my rival who walked in. A single look from her made me burn on the inside, I held that syringe tightly in my grasp, my French tips digging deep into my palm.

"This is how you take the edge off?" she asked, making me growl angrily.

"Va te faire foutre! Tu n'as pas le droit de me juger!" I shout in French, glaring at the Nut Princess. She looked different than before, most likely the lack of make up. She looked more normal than before...a lot more real...it made my insides boil with rage.

"I didn't come here to judge you sweetheart. It's just...I never thought this would be what you did." Veruca said, closing the door behind herself. She walked forward, taking a hold of the pills I had been crushing.

"Pfft...as if...you're probably loving this aren't you? Miss Queen Bee is addicted to drugs. Go on, go tell the others...I'm sure it'll be a laugh. Just be prepared, because I'll deny it all!" I hissed. She just frowned, placing a hand on her hip as she looked up at me. Had I always been taller than her? I remember being the same height as her at one point.

"You know...as much of a bitch as you can be...I'd like to think that we are friends. Our parents would always dump us at the Eiffel Tower whenever they were together. We may have a rivalry, but that doesn't mean I can't show compassion." she replied.

"Who are you and what have you done with Veruca?" I asked, crossing my arms. I sniffled a bit, trying to clear my left nostril of any remaining pill powder.

"It's call being friendly. Call me whatever you want but I am not as heartless as I seem to be. I'd rather be friends with everyone here than enemies. Don't you see? The deck is stacked against us Chloe...I'd rather us stand together as friends than against each other as enemies."

"I can see that, but sadly that's not how I work. A Queen needs to be firm and graceful. She must stand behind her peons and make sure they are guided carefully to the battlefield. She has to make sure everyone is in their little groups, you losers are nothing more than worker bees for me."

"See? That's the kind of shit that'll get you sacrificed. No one is going to stand your shit you know. What if another Sacrificial Roulette is initiated and you get picked? Or hell...what if the Sacrifice Clause is enacted and everyone votes for you? Aren't you scared?"

"Of course not! My daddy will get me out of here, you'll see. He's probably scrambling the army, preparing them to come here." I said, trying to sound reassuring.

"It's been nine days Chloe...you're father, he isn't coming. Especially if he doesn't know what is going on here."

"I know he knows...why do you think there are surveillance cameras here? It isn't because the mastermind wants to keep an eye out. All of our actions is being broadcast to the outside, I'm certain of it." I say, matter of factly. She quirks a brow, leaning back against the Nurse's Desk.

"Oh? I didn't think you'd partake in theories."

"What? I have to think of everything. Especially when I'm splitting up the social structures at school. I am the ruler of the popular kids you know, the top of the pyramid. However, the Mastermind here is an elusive foe. I've tried to ascertain their identity, but nothing comes to mind...those 8 empty stands do raise a question."

"Who do they belong too?"

"Mhmm...are you aware that there were supposed to be 64 students for Class 24? But at the moment, I surmise only 32 exist among us, not counting the 79th Class of Hope's Peak Academy." I said, causing her to frown.

"Yes...I took that into account too. 4 classrooms, each with 16 desks, that means theoretically there should be a Freshman class consisting of 64 Ultimate students. But is that possible? Are there that many Ultimates in the world?" Veruca asked curiously.

"There are over 7 billion people on this floating piece of space rock. I'm afraid that for every 20 talentless hacks, one exceptional student is born. It is how it is, you know I heard rumors that there was a University being built in Paris."

"I did as well...Ultimate College Level students, a place where people would further develop talents into adulthood. Hope's Peak Academy bit off more than they could chew. Especially with the other programs they had going."

"Programs?" I ask, confused as to what she was saying. Veruca nodded, placing a hand under her chin as she narrowed her eyes in thought.

"Aside from the University, there was another program. Hope's Peak Academy was planning on building a Space Station. One that would be used for talents revolving around Space, Astronomy, Astronautics, those kinds of things. There was even talk of a Lunar Base, and plans to colonize Mars as well. That's what Morning Hope Academy was funded for, to use the talents and advanced technology of the United States to aid NASA."

"My god...those bastards truly do have deep pockets...abusing all of us like that. I can only surmise our talents were hand picked, because we have interesting feats. I would be able to manage high amounts of people, you would be able to grow nuts, which contain a lot of protein and would help people in space." I said, earning a nod from the brunette.

"The question is...what happened in the outside world? Why are we all here? And who took over this institution? We're here for a reason, and despair isn't the only one. Regardless I can theorize on that later...Chloe, do me a favor...quit snorting this shit. It's only gonna do you more harm than good." she said, brushing the powder into the sink, opening the tap.

"Ugh...rude!"

"I'm doing this for you. You may not like me much, but I do consider you a friend...besides, Jon has the right idea. We need to band together as friends, because if we don't, that's the second we lose the game. We can't lose the game, I'm sure the Ultimate Queen Bee wants to make it out of this shit hole right?" she asked. I growled quietly to myself, but she did have a point. I couldn't die in this hellhole...I refused to play this game. I could hear the pornography in the background being turned up a bit, the cool rush of air behind me. I gave Veruca a nod, holding my hand out.

"Let's make a truce then...we'll do whatever can to survive. But the moment we get out of here, we're back to being bitter rivals." I said, earning a smirk from the girl, who took a hold of my hand. I cried in pain, feeling my hand cracking slightly.

"Truce."

"Oh jeez...she has too strong of a grip...I'm gonna need some ice."

xxx

"Buongiorno Tania, how fares your day?" Kamron asked calmly. Anastasia looked up from the ground, shrugging. She had secluded herself to the Entrance Hall, in order to keep the others safe. She had a secret that she didn't want everyone knowing. Not to mention, the Administration Offices were chock full of information, currently kept at lock and key.

"Better then most days. How about yourself?" she asked softly. The Ultimate Persuader shrugged, glancing around the area.

"I suppose I have seen better days. It has been hard, but my talent allows me a freedom that most do not have. The power of persuasion is quite an interesting one, especially when used on oneself."

"You...persuade yourself not to fall to your own carnal desires?" she asked curiously, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Indeed...it wouldn't be beneficial is I were to fall this early in the game. I fear I would stain my family name."

"Hmm...you know you are a quiet person...knowing you, I'm sure you would have convinced someone to be friends." the strawberry blonde said, earning a chuckle from the boy.

"Yes...however I'd like to stay at arms length for now. There are some people here that are very interesting. There are others however that I try to stay away from. I do not like that Jeweler...from the moment we met, I knew there was something...off about him."

"You suspect him too eh? I've kept tabs on him...let's say my talent allows me to move without people noticing." she said, a look of confidence on her face. The Ultimate Persuader smirked, leaning in closely.

"Would you perhaps care to share it with me? I believe it would prove quite beneficial for all of us. Who knows, perhaps we could even..." he stopped, feeling something pressing against his throat. He swallowed hard when he realized it was a knife.

"Soo-keen sihn! You try to persuade me again, and I might not let you live next time." she spat, sliding the knife enough for a bit of blood to come out. Kamron backed away, holding his hands up.

"I see...perhaps I shouldn't have been so bold...especially with a young woman struggling with her hormones." he said. Anastasia narrowed her eyes, flipping her knife around her hand, sheathing it in her boot.

"Da...what are you here for?"

"The Administration Offices are most likely filled with a lot of information. I was sort of hoping I could find a way in. Harrison is a challenging person, but I fear that there may be someone else here that may be a danger to us all. Perhaps comparing records could yield answers on our captor." he said, earning a nod from the young woman.

"I see where you are trying to go...I assure you I have tried many times. I however believe there is nothing of value here. The School Records would be in the Dean's office, and as I recall that is on the 4thFloor." Anastasia replied, once again crossing her arms. Kamron nodded, his gaze falling on her chest. He stared at them for a moment, glancing back at the camera.

"It seems I must keep persuading myself...it's becoming very difficult."

"You have no idea...I long for relief...which is why I come here. I cannot stand being near men like this...I turn into a monster." the girl said, a flush on her cheeks.

"A monster? Someone as gentle and delicate as you?" Kamron asked, smiling slyly. Anastasia growled angrily, grabbing a hold of his shirt, pushing him back against the glass doors. She growled, an almost feral sound erupting from her throat.

"I'm a nympho...I love sex more than you can imagine. This motive is driving me crazy...and here you are. A hot piece of Italian eye candy, currently driving me insane. I can see the erection in your pants, I can almost smell that delicious cum gathering in your balls. I want nothing more than for you to bend me over right here...right fucking now. But I can't...I have to remain strong. Leave." she said, letting him go.

"That's the first time someone has given me information without my persuasion...why?"

"Survive this motive and you may find out. Tell anyone about this, and I'll slice your dick off your body." she said firmly, giving the boy a glare. The Ultimate Persuader nodded, slipping through the doors toward the First Floor Plaza. Anastasia sighed, turning around, slowly sliding to the floor. She hiked up her skirt a bit, feeling the moisture gathering around her panties, she didn't need to see them to know they were wet.

"This is not a good week for me." she muttered to herself, slipping her panties off. She looked at the soaked red garments, holding them to her nose, inhaling her own scent. It was driving her nuts, she could feel her nipples puckering at the thought of being rammed by that hot Italian sausage.

xxx

"Why exactly are you here?" Dan asked, as Jonathan set down his can of Cherry Dr. Pepper. He glanced at Alice who was sitting at the same table, quietly reading Mei-Ling's copy of The Little Glass Slipper. She just gave him a smile, silently telling him to keep talking.

"Alice you are a paragon, always encouraging us to make friends, even in silence." the boy thought, glancing back at the Former-Ultimate Dancer.

"Is wanting to get to know you that bad? You know half of us think you are an asshat for letting Gonta die. Yet here I am, swallowing my despair and bridging the gap, wanting to get to know you." the boy said, a smirk on his face. Dan sighed, giving him a nod.

"I fucked up, but do you really have to remind me?"

"I'll try not to...I figure friendship is the only way we end this killing game. Some us aren't inclined to agree, and the painful erection in my pants isn't getting softer. So hey, I got some time to kill...so what's up? What makes you tick?" Jon asked, taking a gulp from his soda. He drew a cigarette from his pack, lighting the end of it.

"You know smoking is bad for you, I should toss those out." the Dance Teacher said. Jon looked at him, holding the flame at the tip of the cigarette for a few seconds, taking a drag from it and snapping the zippo closed. He exhaled the smoke through his nose, pulling the stick from his mouth.

"I'm afraid I'm gonna have to decline. You see, tobacco helps keep your sex drive down. It's what's currently keeping me from jumping over this table and going heels to Jesus with my favorite Ultimate Scout." he said. Alice buried her face in her book, hiding her flush from the boy.

"So it would seem...tell me...since you are so keen on getting to know me, may I ask you some questions?"

"Sure, fire away." the boy replied, giving the man a smile.

"What made you want to start writing music?" he asked curiously. Alice lowered her book, adopting an interested look.

"Yes, you never told me that yourself."

"Hmm...that's an interesting question. Well I was in the choir when I was younger, a local church group in Redmond. I didn't really find myself liking the songs we sung at first. I have nothing against religion or anything, but I just didn't like that kind of music. I learned to appreciate it though, and wanted to write something myself. Mom always encouraged me to do it, since Dad was always out on assignments and such. I wrote my first song when I was seven, I believe it was called Solar Glimmer. It's lyrics elude me even now."

"Hmm...I suppose you and I share something then. I remember wanting to dance at around your age. I ended up seeing a father and daughter dancing out at the park and I was entranced by their movements. I wanted to learn more, so I decided to join them. My best friend Starly and I became really popular, and danced quite a lot. I remember one of our routines was set to Disturbia by Rihanna. That's technically when I was discovered by the former talent scout for this school." Dan replied.

"I remember that...Central Park right? I used to see a cute girl dancing there all the time when me and my mom took walks there. Small world huh?" Alice said.

"Yes, very small. Though I hail from Midtown, you lived in Manhattan right?"

"Yeah, though we did move around a lot until mom got her job in the World Trade Center. I lived in Hells Kitchen for a couple years, moved to Queens when I was 5 and then settled in Manhattan until 9/11. We had to move somewhere else, dad thought would be best to leave New York City all together, but I didn't want too. I remained there, living in Harlem until I got my first job at a law firm, filing documents. That's about the time I got found and brought here." Alice replied, grabbing a hold of her tea cup, finishing off the last of her tea.

"Hmm...the reason you became a Secretary was because you have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder right?" Jon asked curiously. The woman nodded, tapping her finger on the table.

"That's one reason. I like keeping things nice and orderly, but this motive is messing with my mind. I've had to take some Xanax to keep my anxiety levels manageable. I usually start my morning by taking a shower, then I take exactly 30 minutes to get dressed, 10 for make up and hair and then another 5 to make sure I have everything. At exactly 7:05AM I begin heading toward the school, so by 7:10AM I'm already here. Then I must prepare my breakfast, making sure to put the bread in the toaster, after I fry the eggs so they don't burn. I season my tea with 3 sugar cubes, and I have to stir it in the correct order. Clockwise for 3 seconds, and then counter clockwise for 3 seconds...then I..."

"I think we get it." Dan said, cutting off the young woman, who puffed her cheeks.

"Damn...I'm sorry you have to go through that Alice."

"It's alright...I accept my OCD. I am able to keep it under control, and thanks to it, I have the best organization records of any professional organizer. Besides, I know more company secrets than even the CEO's that hire me. All part of the trade as they say." she said with a wink.

"Oh my, Alice did you use knowledge of company secrets to raise a pay raise?" Dan asked curiously.

"If you did that's fucking boss."

"Not really...but whenever someone wanted to fire me, I would always tell them that I knew quite a lot. I may act aloof, but I'm always watching. This was around the time Wikileaks was popular...let's say, a lot of companies were willing to pay me to keep my mouth shut."

"This may be a more personal question but...what's the office environment like? I could never picture myself working in an office." Dan said. Alice adopted a pensive look, racking her brain for a bit.

"It isn't so bad...I mean everyone is working all the time. All I did was organize documents and manage some company files. But the office was always cheery. Especially when they brought donuts, or someone decided to play a prank on a co-worker. Someone shoved a stapler up their ass once."

"Oh...okay then." Jonathan said, finishing off the last of his drink.

"Yeah...I quit shortly after. You know, office sex is weird. It's especially when you are getting pounded sitting on a copy machine, and it starts asking for toner. Let's just say, the kind of toner it got wasn't the one that was meant for it."

"Seems like Ms. Caroll is being affected by that juice on her arm." Dan said jokingly, earning a nod from Jon, who took another puff of his cigarette.

"Honestly speaking, this motive is seriously out there. I mean, enticing us to kill with money or our freedom would be more realistic. But this...it's as if the Mastermind behind this all wants us to suffer from an embarrassing moment."

"You and Miss LeGume are always theorizing. Any idea who this may be?" the Dance Teacher asked, earning a shrug from the Songwriter.

"How about you? You two are faculty, maybe one of your co-workers went screwy?"

"I don't think so...I don't remember meeting anyone like that...say, I...actually don't remember meeting any staff members. Now that I think about it, I only remember meeting Cara, but that's because she was a graduate. She was a Freshman when I was a senior."

"Alice, I have a question. How many years are you supposed to be in Morning Hope Academy?" Jonathan asked, a firm look on his face.

"That's easy, it's 5 years. The last year is an interesting case, as you have fulfilled your curriculum. You spend the last year fine tuning your talent, using the school's facilities. You aren't put in a classroom and you don't have to stay the whole day. People are usually seen using places like the Physics Lab and the Music Room. Graduation is usually held in Early May, to get ready for the incoming class." Dan explained, causing the Songwriter to frown.

"So, what do they call the 5th Years? Elders? Can't call them Seniors right?"

"It's Veterans actually." Alice said, Jon nodded, putting out the last of his cigarette.

"Interesting...for a Government funded institution, it certainly does run differently than Hope's Peak. Does it have a say in what happens here?"

"Not really...the Steering Committee of Hope's Peak Academy does have meetings with our Steering Committee. In order to draft the new classes. Finding 64 students a year is quite hard, I'm impressed Alice was able to find so many...thing is we don't exactly have a record of how many students were scouted. Not including Class 79, adding the 24 we started with and the 8 empty stands, I'm inclined to believe there were originally 32 students. However that's if you count us as students too." Dan said.

"Yes, I noticed that too...I believe three students were...taken away from the equation. In order to make room for us...I somehow feel like we weren't part of whatever our captor was planning here."

"I see...so that means the Mastermind has to be a student. They can't be a staff member, because they could risk you recognizing them. Then there's the subject of our missing memories. Care to share any information you may have on that?" Jonathan asked firmly.

"There are external facilities, places that aren't built into the campus itself. There is a Neurology Lab, one that was studying the human mind and how it perceives certain stimulus. I do recall some students studying some notes, sent over by Yasuke Matsuda, the Ultimate Neurologist, and student of Class 77A of Hope's Peak Academy. If anything, his work may have been used on us." Dan replied, earning a nod from Alice.

"Not just that, the United States Military was funding another program. They wanted to create a special program to train soldiers, the Neo-Soldier Initiative. They were going to bring together the Ultimate Programmer, the Ultimate Neurologist, the Ultimate Video Graphics and Design Student, the Ultimate Augmented Reality Programmer, and finally the Ultimate Computer Graphics Designer. I believe they were going to craft the first ever 3 dimensional game environment."

"Virtual Reality? The US Military was creating Virtual Technology?" the Songwriter asked, a look of disbelief on his face.

"They weren't going too...they did. Plans were drafted, but I do recall there being a breach in the system days before the beginning of the school year. Now that I think about it...our imprisonment here could be a simulation." Dan said. Jonathan gasped, remembering something Monokuma said.

"I remember Monokuma mentioning a Simulation. If VR tech was created...could it be that we're currently inside a game? Could all of this be so real that we don't know it's a game?"

"Don't think too hard on it Jon...it would be impossible for us to be in a video game. None of us have experienced anything weird, and I'm sure us realizing we're in a game would crash it or something. Virtual Technology is quite ahead of our time anyway, I doubt it would have been fully operational before we were trapped here." Alice said.

"Y-yeah...just scary to think about."

"Let's just move on from this...how about we talk about something else?"

"Sure...Jon, you like cartoons right? You've written songs for a couple series, haven't ya?" the Former-Ultimate Secretary asked, earning a nod from the boy.

"I have, but they weren't that popular. In fact, from the shows I did write music for, they say the best thing about them was the song. Except they always twist them around, change the melody and everything. Then they hire someone with a shitty voice to sing them...and it just pisses me off. It's like their ruining the Constitution, like someone saw the hard work the writer went through, decides nope...and erases an entire line because it just doesn't feel right."

"I guess I know the feeling. One thing I hated was when my friend told me to change up a dance move because it didn't look good. That or it just couldn't be executed. I mean I know he was the Ultimate Choreographer, but I think I know my own dance routines. It has to flow with the music, even if it doesn't look that well...as long as it's perfectly in sync, it doesn't matter." Dan replied, causing Jon to smile, looking relieved.

"Thank you! Someone who fucking understands, I appreciate you saying that, I really do. Anyway Alice, yes I watch cartoons, why do you ask?"

"It's nothing really...I see you hanging out with Mei-Ling a lot and had a recommendation. Since she's into Fairy Tales and what not, have you watched Ever After High?" she asked curiously, making the boy purse his lips.

"That show Mattel made to sell dolls?" the Dance Teacher asked.

"Yeah, that one!" Alice said cheerfully.

"That show is pretty stupid. I saw some episodes with my friend's niece, they were short, but she always watched compilations. I just couldn't get into it."

"I like it." Jon said.

"Oh? Well it does seem like its more your speed, I guess." the man said absentmindedly.

"If I told you I liked My Little Pony for how simplistic and pretty it is, would you call me faggot too?" Jonathan asked.

"Jon...maybe you shouldn't."

"Yeah man...I didn't mean to step on any toes."

"Whatever...yes, I like Ever After High, Alice. I like the idea of the children of Fairy Tales going to school. If you must know, the Wonderland Kids are my favorite characters, along with Raven Queen, Apple White, Ashlynn Ella...well there isn't really anyone I hate actually. Even the Evil Kids...I like them all in concept."

"Yes! Thank you for agreeing...I just love this show too...I thought it was gonna be dumb, but it's so freaking cute! What did you think of Way Too Wonderland?"

"Fucking loved it of course! Alice's Adventure's in Wonderland is my second favorite book of all time! I always dreamed of falling down a rabbit hole and being whisked away to a magical land, under the world. A place where right and wrong weren't wrong or right. A place where up and down meant left and right, where wackiness was commonplace. I just love it." Jonathan said, a genuine smile on his face.

"Can we please talk about something else?" Dan asked, feeling left out of the conversation. Jonathan frowned, sighing angrily.

"Fine then...let's talk about something that's been bugging me. Have either of you found your Faculty ID's?"

"Huh? Where is this coming from?" Alice asked, a look of confusion on her face.

"Curiosity."

"I haven't found it...I've looked in the various areas of the school. However, I do remember staff members left their ID's at the Administration Offices in the Entrance Hall. We would be given Plastic ID's that worked once to unlock the doors. Then we would get our Handbooks and go about our business. Since the Administration Offices are barred, we can't get our temporary ID's or our Handbooks. Even then, I doubt the Mastermind would leave those laying around."

"Interesting...and what did the Handbooks do? I mean they look expensive. Mine can open a locker in the Locker Room, my Bedroom Door, and even allow me to buy things from the Vending Machines when I don't have pocket change. It's rather odd...that I'm a new student here yet my account has funds in it." the Songwriter said.

"Oh, that's because the school gives the students a check. Food and Drinks are included, so you can get whatever you want from the machines for free. The student check is used at the school store for supplies." Alice said.

"As for your other question...the Handbook granted us a great deal of things. We could open certain doors in the academy, like the ones to the Labs in Morning Hope Tower, along with the grates barring each stairwell. Shame too...we could easily stomp the mastermind out if we had one." Dan said.

"Ah...but the rules forbid it...we can't brute force our way up there. He wants us to play this sick game of his, until we kill enough of us to get up to the Fifth Floor."

"True...but we can't! As long as we have food and water, everything will be fine! We can stay here all we want!"

"Maybe you...but I can't stay here forever. I need to find a way out, so I can see Starly. She's the only reason I have left to live, if she dies...I don't know what I would do with myself." the Dancer said firmly.

"Hmm...is she the reason you let Gonta die?" Jon asked curiously. The man stood up, grabbing a hold of Jon's shirt, pulling him to his feet.

"Dan! What the fuck are you doing? Let him go!" Alice cried, holding Dan's arm as he prepared to slug the teenager.

"He's being a smart ass! This kid is pissing me off!"

"Go ahead and hit me, just know it won't be pretty." Jon said calmly. As if on cue, someone grabbed a hold of Dan's wrist, squeezing it until he was forced to let go.

"So...it seems someone wants me to break their nuts."

"Miss LeGume, I recommend you let go of my wrist." Dan said, only for the Nut Specialist to squeeze harder, the man's wrist popped loudly.

"Why?"

"Because...it isn't nice to hurt others."

"You let Gonta die, so hurting you would be comeuppance. You thought you could hurt my friend, but there is one thing you didn't account for. My hearing, is better than yours. Funny thing really, when you spend so much time tapping nuts with a spoon, your hearing becomes very very clear. I heard your conversation outside of the cafeteria."

"What? That's not possible!" Dan cried, eyes widened with surprise.

"Actually it is...especially when you have specially made hearing aids in your ear. You pissed me off from the moment you revealed your cowardly nature, leaving Gonta to die like that instead of getting him help. But I've got good news for you and your wrist, you see...there's no need to wonder where your God is, because she's right here! And she's fresh out of mercy." she said ominously, making Dan cry in fear. The sheer notion that this grown man was scared of a teenager was astounding, and it was taking every muscle in Jon's body not to burst into laughter.

"Veruca Almendra Dewitt Bukator LeGume, let go of Dan this instant!" Alice cried in a commanding tone. Veruca let go of the man, letting out a humph as she looked away, arms crossed over her bountiful chest. The man was rubbing his wrist, glaring at the girl.

"I'd like for you to drop Dewitt Bukator from my name please." she said. Jonathan sighed, wrapping an arm around her waist.

"Thanks sweetie, I appreciate the help, but I had that."

"From where I was standing, you didn't have shit."

"Yes I did."

"Not from my point of view...whatever, Kirumi and Jules started lunch not that long ago. Let's just try to salvage this day okay?" she asked firmly.

"I agree...I did have that though."

"No you didn't asshat." Veruca snapped back, giving him a pout.

Jonathan was about to reply to her quip when three loud beeps filled the room, followed by an explosion. Screams of pain and horror accompanied by howls of pain. Jon's eyes flew to the side of the room, where Gabriella was laying, clutching her bleeding arm, streams of pink shooting into the air. Tsumugi and Rantaro were just standing there, both too shocked to do anything. Jon started moving forward, almost on autopilot as he ran toward the Pirate's side, kneeling down in front of her. He looked around for a moment, seeing her hand was completely gone, a few digits and bone fragments littered the floor, her face being soaked in her own blood.

"Shit...uh...uh...Rantaro, give me your shirt!" Jon cried out, taking off his own shirt.

"What?"

"Just fucking do it you bloody idiot!" Veruca cried out. Jon twisted his shirt around, wrapping it around Gabriella's arm, tying it as tightly as he could.

"Gabby...Gabby stay with me okay?"

"Why is the rum gone?" the girl asked, sounding a bit faint. Veruca handed Jon Rantaro's shirt, which he started wrapping around the wound.

"We're gonna need a transfusion. Go find that fucker Harrison, he knows how to do that shit. Veruca I need you with me." Jon said, lifting the girl up. Rantaro and Tsumugi took off, heading out of the cafeteria. Veruca took on Gabby's weight, helping her walk toward the kitchen.

"Gabriella, are you okay? Stay awake, you can't fall asleep or you might not wake up!"

"You smell like peanuts Ruru...I waaaanna eat you." the girl replied, trying to shove her nose in Veruca's neck.

"She's growing delirious...we have to stop the bleeding." Jonathan said firmly, pushing the kitchen doors open. Kirumi and Jill gasped when they saw Gabriella, along with the dripping shirt that belonged to Rantaro.

"Please tell me she didn't?" Kirumi said.

"I think she did...alright, Kirumi, Jill I need you to hold her down while I get ready." he said, earning a nod from the girls who took over for him. He walked over to the stove, and turned one of the burners on, placing an iron skillet on the fire, making sure it was as hot as it could get.

"What are you going to do?" Veruca asked, swallowing the lump in her throat. He opened the nearby drawer, looking for something in particular. He found a spool of Tamale thread, which he took a hold of.

"The only thing I can do...in order to stop the bleeding, the vessels need to be cauterized. Either that or she'll bleed out." he said, pulling on the thread. He started wanting it around the girl's bloodied for arm, winding it around her wrist as tightly as he could, cutting off all the circulation.

"Aaayyy...carajo! Que dolor puneta!" (Ahh, fuck, this hurts like shit)

"Uh...dolor...pain, we need to numb the pain." the Nut Specialist said. Jill reached over the counter, pulling out a bottle of Vodka. She ripped the cap off with her teeth, pressing the bottle to her lips.

"How's that pan coming along?"

"It's almost ready, pull that shirt off for me will you?" Jon said, grabbing a hold of the pain with a pot holder. Kirumi nodded, grabbing a hold of the soiled shirt, pulling it off from Gabriella's arm. Veruca took one look at it, her eyes rolled back and she fell to the ground, having fainted from the sight.

The Ultimate Pirate's hand was completely gone. The bone that once made up her wrist was broken and splintered, the skin was torn in various places. Muscles and blood vessels could be seen around the jagged bone. Jon sighed, setting the pan down.

"I...shit...the bones."

"I got it." Kirumi said, grabbing a pair of shears from a nearby rack. She held Gabriella's wrist down, snipping the sharpened bones. She screamed in pain, growing a bit limp as she slammed her fist onto the counter.

"Puneta! This fucking hurts!"

"I know sweetheart, just drink your vodka." Jill said, handing her the bottle. The door suddenly opened, Tsumugi and Rantaro came in, followed by Harrison and Angie, who were holding various blood bags in their hands, along with some other things. The others had gathered outside, but Tsumugi kept them back.

"Uh...is she okay?" Rantaro asked, glancing down at Veruca.

"She just passed out, get her outta here would you? Okay Gabriella, this is gonna hurt like shit. You ready?" Jon asked, grabbing the pan once more.

"Wait...let me get a good drink first." she said, standing up straight, having grown even more faint from the loss of blood. She tipped the vodka bottle back, everyone watching in awe as she chugged the bottle down.

"That's...151 Proof Straight Vodka...holy shit." Jill said, a look of awe on her face. Gabriella let out a burp, giving Jon a thumbs up. He flipped the pan around, grabbing a hold of her arm.

"Jesus Christ, lend me your strength." he said, pressing the pan against her arm. Gabriella let out an ear piercing scream, which echoed through the kitchen. She tried pulling her arm back, but Harrison kept her down, keeping his arm over hers so she wouldn't move it.

"Angie, grab her ID, look for her blood type. Jon press that shit like you mean it!"

"She's squirming around...ugh...fuck it. Sorry Kirumi but I gotta use this!" Jon said, tossing aside the frying pain. He grabbed a hold of the soup pot, tipping out its contents on the floor as he flipped it over. He gave Harrison a nod, earning one in return as he pressed the bottom of the pot against the stub. Gabriella let out another scream, finally passing out from the pain.

"Jules, Whiskey." the boy said, holding his arm out. Jill handed him a bottle of Jack, pouring it over the burned skin. He poured some on his hands, using it to disinfect them before donning some gloves, grabbing the gauze.

"Harry, her Blood Type is A+!" Angie said.

"Good, find me that bag and I'll start that transfusion. We're gonna need to bring her to the Nurse's Office. Kindly fetch me a gurney would you?" the Jeweler asked, earning a nod from Rantaro who moved out of the kitchen. Jon helped the boy sit Gabriella down, as he continued wrapping her wrist as tightly as he could.

"Does anyone know what lead to this?"

"No...I was in the cafeteria speaking with Dan. The fucker tried to slug me and Veruca stepped in. We were arguing so I didn't see if she reached for her pants or not." Jonathan replied.

"What a mess...I don't like when blood is needlessly wasted."

"Could you fucking not? Can't you see Gabby has a real chance of dying?" Tsumugi shouted angrily.

"I agree...try to be more serious would you Harrison?" Kirumi said.

"My apologies...I'm just fond of the color pink...I don't want it to be disgraced." he replied. If he wasn't giving Gabriella a transfusion, Jonathan would have knocked him out. The Jeweler stood up, holding the blood bag up.

"Alright, I've started a direct line. I'm not sure how much she's lost but this bag here contains one pint of blood. You lose about a pint a minute, how long did it take to bring her here?"

"I dunno...two minutes maybe? I had already cut off circulation though." the Songwriter said.

"That may have saved her life, but only for a brief moment. We won't know until later if she'll recover. Dammit...it's a shame none of us are the Ultimate Doctor...we need one at this moment."

"Now I get why Monokuma strapped a bomb to our wrists. He could have detonated the one in our necks, but no...this is a consequence. You brought death upon yourself. You chose to touch yourself, now suffer the consequences and bleed out. What a disgusting fuck head." Jill said angrily.

"Let's not focus on that right now. We need to focus on Gabriella, Angie you spend a lot of time in the Nurse's Office. Have you seen any broad spectrum antibiotics? Penicillin, Apicillin? Anything like that?"

"There may be some in pill form...do you want me to take a look?"

"Please do...we can't have her get an infection." he said. She nodded, quickly heading out of the kitchen. The boy turned his eyes back to the unconscious pirate, silently praying nothing bad happened to her.

xxx

The last few hours had been tense. Gabriella had been taken to the Nurse's Office to recover, with Victoria volunteering to look her over. As a General and a Soldier, she had medical training, just in case something happened in combat. She had been impressed with Jonathan's quick thinking, but assured him the Pirate would need a lot more than cauterization to survive. She assured him she would do everything in her power to make sure the girl made it through the night. Jonathan himself just wanted his friend to be alive, he hadn't even noticed the fact that he was shirtless, his pale colored skin covered in blood. His hands were covered in pink, it was twice as bad as when Kevin had died.

He had gone to the Bath House to take a shower. Kirumi had volunteered to wash his clothes, but he knew they were screwed. His skinny jeans were black and white, and the white half was saturated. His shirt had been used to stop Gabriella's bleeding. Thankfully, he had an extra pair of gym shorts with him, along with his sneakers, but now he had to walk around shirtless until the end of the motive. He just continued to scrub the pink away, watching as it slowly fell down the drain. He shuddered a bit, closing his eyes as he continued to wash himself off. He shut the water off after he was done, and quickly dried himself off. After putting on his only pair of boxers and socks, he slipped his monochrome shorts on, along with his sneakers. He wrapped the towel around his neck, grabbing a hold of his string bag.

"Done already?"

"Huh? Oh...hey Estia, wasn't expecting you here." the boy said, frowning a bit as he left the baths. The Physicist was leaning back against the wall, near the entrance to the sauna. She had a pensive look on her face, her usual look of amusement being absent. She reached down for a bag, pulling out a white tee shirt.

"We found some extras in the Gymnasium, figured you'd want to wear this over your blood soaked one." she said. The boy gave her a thankful look, quickly slipping the shirt off. He still had scratch marks on his back, though they were less visible due to the steam.

"Thanks."

"Don't mention it. I came here for a reason however...how exactly did...that happen?"

"I'm not sure...I'm still trying to figure it out myself. I suspect Gabriella fell to temptation. Kaikane told me she had tackled him before, and tried to mount him. I guess the effects of the alcohol Jules gave her wore off." he replied, a frown on his face.

"I wasn't talking about that dear, I meant the scar across your chest." she said. Jonathan glanced at his covered chest, lifting up his shirt a bit to see the scar that trailed across his chest.

"I was a bit of a rebel when I was younger. I thought it was a good idea to hop a barbed wire fence, sliced my skin pretty good." he said.

"Hmm...I suspect you've gotten over this then?"

"A long time ago."

"It..gives you character."

"Thanks I guess? Um...Estia, why are you here? Aside from bringing me this shirt. There's something on your mind isn't there?" Jonathan asked. She sighed, giving him a nod.

"May be step outside? I'm afraid this steam may mess up my make up." she said. He nodded, following the Physicist out of the bath house. She pulled out a pocket mirror, looking her face over.

"I hope this isn't a bad question but...um...how is your make up so perfect?"

"It takes practice dear. My sister taught me everything about make up, especially the water proof kinds. Everything I use is the best of the best, aside from Physics, I do study other things. Lolita culture happens to be one of my many interests. I had to buy everything from over seas, but I when I have the time, I try to make my own ensembles."

"Oh...so that dress you are wearing now is hand made?" Jonathan asked, looking her over.

"Yes, every single stitch, every single thread, every piece of cloth. All expertly chosen by me. I could make you one, I think you'd look rather dashing in one."

"Pfft...no thanks, I don't want to get wailed on by Chris. He'd probably call me a Fairy or something...no offense."

"None taken...anyway, what I have to share with you is very important." she said, snapping her mirror closed. Jonathan looked around for a moment, but the coast was clear. He gave her a nod.

"It's about Harrison."

"Do you suspect him of doing something?" he asked firmly.

"No...but it's rather obvious now that he's using Angie. I don't think he's actually a follower of Atua. He seems...out there. For a Jeweler, his craftsmanship is quite good. He hails from Detroit, and worked in a Pawn Shop to perfect his craft. That was where he learned everything about crafting jewelry. However, I believe there is something else that is more concerning."

"The scissors right?"

"Yes, he claims to have met Genocide Jack at one point. However I have read those files, while grisley, Jack has a signature. He never leaves a person alive. He attacks young men between the ages of 17 and 26. Harrison fits that profile sure, but there's something else. He has to be attractive...Harrison doesn't exactly play the part." Celestia said, causing Jon to frown.

"Um...I can't exactly give you a comment on that. He has looks sure, but you are right about Genocide Jack and his profile. I read those files too, my dad was coordinating with a few agents from Japan. They were on his trail, but never found anything. Even worse, I heard Sparkling Justice had started popping up in the United States. He took care of a few questionable people in Miami, Florida."

"I'm beginning to suspect Harrison of being some sort of copycat. However, I do not believe he was responsible for Gonta's murder. That cause lies elsewhere. The most concerning thing seems to be Angie herself. She believes she is in control, but she doesn't know that he has her wrapped around his finger."

Jonathan remained silent...not exactly knowing what to say. Angie was aloof...but she seemed like a sweet person. Despite her claiming she wanted a sacrifice, he didn't for one second believe she was responsible. It was almost as if she was talked into being the puppetmaster of Gonta's murder. When in fact it was someone else that did it...Anaji had secluded himself after the first trial. It was more than likely that he was the one who planned it, and Harrison threatened to tell everyone. That would make sense...he convinced Angie to be the one behind it, blackmailed Anaji to keep going, and then set up everything so that a sacrifice could be triggered...but why?

"Have you arrived at your answer?" Celestia asked.

"I have an idea of what may have happened...but I can't discern why. It's just too...meticulous, too planned out. I doubt it was spur of the moment, but it was only a day. There's no way it was planned that well in advance."

"That is unless someone had been planning something all along. Have you ever watched any of the Batman movies?"

"Yes...why are you asking me that?" Jonathan asked curiously.

"Just go along with me for a moment. You know Bruce Wayne plans absolutely everything. He has contingency plans for the entire Justice League, including himself. We all know that Bruce Wayne has his own issues, probably insanity as well. What if someone was paranoid enough to spend months researching all of us, and planned ways to...kill us all?"

"Celestia, I know you are a scientist and you like theorizing, but that is a stretch. Hell, I think Veruca would probably laugh at that." he said. She puffed her cheeks out, glaring at the boy as she drove her manicured finger into his chest.

"You won't be saying that when you have a pair of scissors in your neck. What I am saying could potentially be possible, you can't trust anyone."

"Even you?" he asked, quirking a brow. She adopted a playful smile, resting her joined hands under her chin.

"Even I wouldn't trust me dear. It's a matter of perspective you see? However, I am more trustworthy than most. I will never hurt my friends...you are all too precious for me to hurt." she said happily.

"You've...been through a lot of shit in life haven't you?"

"Heh...more than I care to admit. You told me recently that you suffered alone most of your life. Well...I consider that a blessing."

"Oh?"

"Don't take this the wrong way...I mean no insult. It's just...my father wasn't very accepting of...well me. I used to have loads of friends in middle school. However when I made a change in life style, and put Physics and Science over everything, they...didn't take it too well. I remember...I used to be friends with this beautiful young woman...she was a Southern Belle, moved from Texas to Idaho. Said her father wanted to grow some potatoes."

"Gotta love them taters." Jonathan said, in a southern accent. She held back her giggles, tracing her chin with her clawed digit.

"I suppose...can't say I care much for them. Anyway, I remember her name was Jennifer...insisted we call her Jenny. She had a very abusive boyfriend, we were Sophomores at this point. I had about six or seven close friends, and I mean from Elementary School. We were always hanging out together, were okay with me being me. She was integreated in 7thgrade, been friends for a couple years. She asked me for some advice."

"Let me guess...she asked you what you thought of her boyfriend?" Jonathan asked.

"That is correct. She asked me my honest opinion, I thought he was rude, uncouth, and a ruffian. He was just disgusting all around, I've known him most of my life. Was a douche bag all the time. Yet he managed to get this beautiful girl to fall in love with him. She said that he hit her sometimes, but that it was because he was mad at with his home life, not at me. She told me he loved her...so I told her in my most honest voice...I told her this exactly." she said, pausing a bit as she gathered her thoughts.

"Love doesn't hurt. Love is supposed to make you happy, it's not supposed to make you feel pain. Love does hurt at times, but you get over it. Physical pain, emotional pain, psychological pain...that isn't love. That is domestic abuse, and you should break up with him."

She tensed up a bit as she finished speaking, glancing at the floor. Jonathan could tell that this story was a bit hard to tell. Finally after a few moments of silence, she continued her story.

"I didn't get a reply after that. As it turned out, her boyfriend most likely found out, and told me never to speak to her again. I asked her in school what was wrong, and she said that I had no right to judge how he treated her. That he loved and appreciated her, and that she was disappointed in me for calling her boyfriend a ruffian and a douche bag. I was convinced she was suffering some form of Stockholm Syndrome, but I didn't have enough proof for my hypothesis. It wasn't long after that my other friends started severing ties with me, until I was all alone. They all just gave me a look of disgust, as if I had done something wrong. My friend asked me for advice and I gave her my opinion...how is that wrong?"

"You must understand Celestia, we're currently living in the Butt Hurt generation. Any little thing will be blown out of proportion...if anything those assholes don't deserve you as a friend. Fuck them, fuck Jenny and fuck her boyfriend. If they all left you, because he convinced them to sever ties with you, then they were never your friends. If it had been me, I would have chosen you over them any day of the week." Jonathan replied, earning a smile from the young woman.

"I'm happy the two of us met. I thought that once the Weight Room was unlocked, you would all suspect me. Only most of you do but...it seems that the people that you have befriended have complete trust. I'm not sure why...but it feels to me that your optimism is what keeps us all sane."

"It's part of my philosophy sweetheart, you know why I only see music as black and white? It's because those colors are the basis of everything. Some say the Primary Colors are the base of any color, that's hardly true. White creates light colors, black creates dark colors. With black and white, you can see so much more. You can see beautiful shades of lavender, dark shades of blue, all by adjusting the tint. The only time I say gray is when I'm down in the dumps. But I can't show that here...I have to be strong, for my friends. Because the second I fall, they fall with me. There's also the fact that I feel like all of us have met before."

"I see...you aren't the only one that feels that way. You are one of the most accepting people here...not many have ascertained my true identity. No...I'm certain Kokichi has figured me out, he hasn't said anything though. I know Harrison has also figured me out, he threatened me with my identity not that long ago." she admitted, twisting a strand of hair around her finger.

"Well...you're identity doesn't matter. You are Celestia Ludenberg, whoever doesn't believe you, fuck them right? When you are ready to open up to us fully, we'll be waiting for you."

"Jon, there you are! Jeez, you really shouldn't be skirt chasing when Veruca is pissed off." Kaede said, startling the boy a bit.

"Huh? Oh she's awake...fuck...she's gonna crush my nuts into a thin paste."

"Hmm...it's surprising that you two are mature enough to handle a relationship. It was as if the stars themselves aligned just for you...I wish you luck with it Jonathan. Tis a shame that you are off the market, as they say."

"Oh...Celestia you...never mind, that isn't my business. Anyway, she's waiting in the theater. We had a bit of an idea, remember that song we were working on? Well I managed to find some instruments in the Theater Storage Room! I told everyone we were gonna perform it for them."

"Huh...what? Kaede the fuck? I'm not ready!" the Songwriter cried out. She grabbed a hold of his wrist, pulling him along.

"Yes you are! All of us are hyped up on this shit, a little music will do wonders to calm us down. Vicky and Setsu are watching over Gabby, so everyone else will be there. Come on, Alice is setting up the instruments, and Kai and Tsu are playing base and guitar. Also did you know Rantaro can play drums? Because I didn't until now."

"Me either...fine...we have been planning this for awhile now...Estia are you joining us?" he asked curiously.

"Of course dear...I've been dying to hear you sing...a clean song. I'm still getting over that Jingle Bell Rock parody."

"Huh? You wrote a parody of a Christmas song? Can I hear it?"

"No." both teenagers said, earning a pout from the blonde pianist.

xxx

It had been weird seeing everyone in full attendance within the Theater. Most of the front seats had been filled, but people were sitting around in different areas. Anaji sat on his own, though Alice insisted on sitting close to him. The Ultimate Scout was trying to get him to make friends, but he wasn't exactly willing to speak with anyone. Aside from Mei-Ling, who had been helping him draw creatures of Folklore, he hadn't spoken to anyone. Similarly, Harrison and Angie were sitting together, with the artist resting her head against his. It was clear that he and Veruca weren't the only ones who had gotten together. Aside from a few others, almost everyone had been there. Kaede had convinced Kai, Tsu and Rantaro to practice their parts together for most of the day. For the Figure Skater, it had been the necessary distraction, especially due to her heightened menstruation cycle. Jonathan looked around, taking not of the people that were missing.

Ryoma, Tenko, Himiko, Christopher, Kokichi, Jill, Kirumi and obviously Gabriella, Victoria and Setsuko. He was concerned, especially with his closest friends. He was about to go look for them, only for Chris to walk in, followed by Tenko who had a worried look on her face. He knelt down on the stage, just as the two took their seats.

"Hey what's wrong?"

"Himiko isn't feeling well. We left her in the Nurse's Office, but we think this shit is finally getting too her. She keeps throwing up everything she eats." Chris said softly.

"I'm scared, what if she caught the flu or something worse from you degenerates?" Tenko snapped.

"I already told you, I had my boosters before coming here. Just because I hopped across the Great Wall of Mexico doesn't mean I came here with the flu. Jesus woman." the Lepidopterologist said, looking rather annoyed.

"Can you not act like that today Chris? Please we're all here to enjoy Jonathan's song." Mei-Ling said, happily accepting some cookies from Lucy.

"I baked these earlier...before what happened to Gabby. I hope you like them!" the MMO player said. Chris sighed, snagging one of the cookies from Mei-Ling's tray, taking a bite from it.

"Holy fuck...this is pretty good Luce."

"Hehe...I knew you'd like them...they are peanut butter cookies after all." she said happily.

"NO! I hate peanut butter cookies! I wanted animal crackers!" Carla cried out, tears streaking down her face. It took Jon a moment to realize Kokichi had sat beside her. He frowned a bit, but said nothing...he couldn't control who his friends befriended after all.

"Don't pay attention to her Lucy...you're cookies are delicious."

"I know...I can't please everyone...If I do find some cookie cutters, I'll make everyone some kitties. Who doesn't love kitties?"

"Me." Veruca said, causing Lucy to gasp.

"You don't like cats? But they're like...so fluffy and cute!"

"I don't like cats because they are annoying as shit. They do not stay quiet at night, bring mice from who knows where and love flipping turds all over the fucking floor. I do not particularly enjoy cleaning a littler box at three in the fucking morning. Not to mention it's like 10 quid to get a good bag of litter. One that smells like Hawaiina flowers and not goddamn shit." the brunette said, flicking a strand of hair over her shoulders.

"Okay then...I detect a dog lover."

"No...I dislike dogs too...have you ever had to walk a dog in the rain? It isn't fun. Especially when you have to give them antibiotics because they oh so love eating whatever they find. Especially their own vomit, not to mention I do not pick up liquid shite from the floor. I'm a horse person."

"Oh Veruca...do you like hamsters?" Mei-Ling asked curiously.

"I'm afraid not...their so fat and do nothing. I do not particularly care for birds, I do not enjoy their shite on my car window. The only thing I have against fish is that the tank water has to be changed and that is a hassle."

"Ah...I think I get it, since Veruca is a Nut Specialist, she is particularly fond of squirrels. Do you have any?" Celestia asked, earning a smile from the girl.

"I do...I have three, one of them is an American Brown Squirrel, which I named Hazelnut. I also have a cute little chipmunk, I couldn't help myself, so I named him Alvin."

"Aw...that's so adorable...maybe when we get outta here, I can meet the little guys." Jonathan said. Veruca flushed, earning a nod from the boy.

"Perhaps you'd...like to care for one? They're rather affectionate."

"S-sure...I can handle that." he said with a smile.

"I don't like squirrels...they're annoying as shit. Not to mention my bus driver loves crushing them with his bus. I remember walking to school one day, and this dude backed up over a squirrel, saw its brains shoot out of its ear." Chris said, biting into his cookie.

"Dude...don't make me fucking hit you." Jonathan said firmly. Chris glanced at Veruca, who had a pout on her face, sadness in her eyes. He sighed.

"My bad."

"It's okay." she said softly. Jonathan rolled his eyes, giving the girl a kiss on the cheek.

"Ignore this ass...how about we get this show started?" he asked. The girl nodded taking her seat. Kaede flipped on the stage lights, along with bringing power to all of the instruments. She gave Jon a thumbs up as he tapped the microphone.

"Uh well...thanks for coming everyone. I know you are all tense from this motive, but I do hope this eases your mind a bit. I was gonna perform a few songs, but our makeshift band only practiced one. It's actually one I was writing for a rather popular band. I doubt they would mind in this instance...I hope you all like it." he said, clearing his throat, as he pulled the microphone from the stand. The music slowly started playing, and he took a deep breath.

"Stuck in the jet wash

Bad trip I couldn't get off

And maybe I bit off more than I could chew

And overhead of the aqua blue

Fall to your knees bring on the rapture

Blessed be the boys time can't capture

On film or between the sheets

I always fall from your window

To the pitch black streets

And with the black banners raised as the crooked smiles fade

Former heroes who quit too late

Just wanna fill up the trophy case again

And in the end

I'd do it all again

I think you're my best friend

Don't you know that the kids aren't all, kids aren't alright

I'll be yours

When it rains it pours

Stay thirsty like before

Don't you know that the kids aren't all, kids aren't alright."

Jon paused a bit to regain his breath, glancing around the stage. Everyone seemed to be into the song, especially his friends who had smiles on their faces. He nodded to himself, just as the cue for the second verse began.

"I'm not passive but aggressive

Take note, it's not impressive

Empty your sadness, like you're dumping your purse

On my bedroom floor

We put your curse in reverse

And it's our time now if you want to to be

More the war like the carnival bears set free

And your love is anemic and I can't believe

That you couldn't see it coming from me

And I still feel that rush in my veins

It twists my head just a bit too thin

All those people in those old photographs I've seen are dead

And in the end

I'd do it all again

I think you're my best friend

Don't you know that the kids aren't all, kids aren't alright

I'll be yours

When it rains it pours

Stay thirsty like before

Don't you know that the kids aren't all, kids aren't alright

And sometimes I just want to sit around

And gaze at my shoes yeah

And let your dirty sadness fill me up

Just like a balloon

And in the end

I'd do it all again

I think you're my best friend

Don't you know that the kids aren't all, kids aren't alright

And I'll be yours

When it rains it pours

Stay thirsty like before

Don't you know that the kids aren't all, kids aren't alright!"

The melody ended and everyone broke into applause. Jonathan was panting a bit, his lips pressed into a thin line. He glanced over to the Twins, who were impressed with his singing. He was even more impressed with the fact that they could play an instrument so well. Same with Rantaro, who was brushing some locks out of his eyes. He cleared his throat, bringing the microphone to his lips.

"Uh...thanks everyone...that song was called These Kids Aren't Alright. I don't exactly remember what inspired the lyrics but...I guess it seemed from my own loneliness growing up. I didn't write the first verse or the chorus, but the second verse...that was me. I'm...glad you liked it." he said.

"Come on, give us another one!" Carla cried out.

"Yeah, you're voice is beautiful! I wanna listen to another song, come on Jonny please? For me?" Kokichi cried, a pleading look on his face. Jonathan sighed, about to reply when Kaede grabbed her own microphone.

"Actually, I managed to get the track for another song working. I was lucky enough to find a charger in the A/V Room so I worked on it a bit. It might not be perfect, but you could sing another one." she said.

"Huh...which one?" Jonathan asked.

"The one we've been working on. Come on...Tsubaki and Kaikane practiced the bass and guitar lines...and I'm sure Rantaro is gearing for round two!"

"I...well...if you want."

"Of course! Come on, sing another one!" Veruca cried out, over the other voices.

Jonathan swallowed hard, he was used to this kind of pressure, but coming from his own girlfriend, it made him flush a bit. He cleared his throat, tussling his hair up a bit, giving Kaede the go ahead. The previous song was nothing compared to this one, which started off sounding a lot rougher than the first one. Jonathan started bobbing his head a bit, his raven locks flying in all directions.

This is a black, black ski mask song

So put all of your anger on

In the truly gruesome do we trust

I will always land on you like a sucker punch

Singing I am your worst, I am your worst nightmare

I am your worst, I am your worst nightmare

If you knew, knew what the bluebirds sing at you

You would never sing along

Cast them out 'cause this is our culture

These new flocks are nothing but vultures

Because they took our love and they filled it up

Filled it up with Novocaine and now I'm just numb

And now I'm just numb

Don't mind me, I'm just a son of a gun

So don't stop, don't stop 'till your heart goes numb

And now I'm just numb

I don't feel a thing for you."

Jonathan was smiling happily, he didn't know why but this song always hyped him up. He hadn't even noticed he was dancing around the stage. Tsubaki and Kaikane looking amused as he continued doing spins around the stage. At one point even doing a few Elvis Presley moves, accompanied with some of MJ's moonwalks. He took a breath, bringing his mic back to his lips.

"I'm just a problem that doesn't wanna be solved

So could you please hold your applause

Take this sideshow and all its freaks

And turn it into the silver screen dream

Singing I am your worst, I am your worst nightmare

I am your worst, I am your worst nightmare

If you knew, knew what the bluebirds sing at you,

You would never sing along

Cast them out 'cause this is our culture

These new flocks are nothing but vultures

Because they took our love and they filled it up

Filled it up with Novocaine and now I'm just numb

And now I'm just numb

And don't mind me, I'm just a son of a gun

So don't stop, don't stop 'till your heart goes numb

And now I'm just numb

As Jonathan continued to move about the stage, he didn't notice what was going on behind him. Everyone gasped, all of them standing up as they saw someone being dropped from above. A loud snap filled the theater, though it was drowned out by the music. The body twitched slightly, but like nothing the band kept on playing, not having noticed a single thing that had happened.

I don't feel a thing for you

I said one day the valley's is gonna swallow me whole

(Hijack the Hype! Hijack the Hype!)

And I feel like a photo that's been overexposed

(Hijack the Hype! Hijack the Hype)

Because they took our love and they filled it up

Filled it up with Novocaine and now I'm just numb

And now I'm just numb

Don't mind me, I'm just a son of a gun

So don't stop, don't stop 'till your heart goes numb

And now I'm just numb

I don't feel a thing for you!"

Rather than applause, Jonathan was met with looks of horror. Confused, he just kept silent as he turned around. He noticed Tsubaki and Kaikane had let go of their instruments, eyes widening in shock.

Hanging by a rope, suspended a hundred feet from the stage was the body of Himiko Yumeno. Her small body was swinging back and forth, the rope around her neck having been pulled tightly, in a classic hangman's noose. Jonathan just dropped his microphone, the loud buzzing filling the theater. He heard a bit off shuffling, along with Tenko's screams of anger, fear and sadness.

"Someone...get her down from there!" she screamed.

"I'm on it!" Kiibo said happily, heading up toward the stage.

As he brushed past the band members, he walked right past a trap, that no one had seen. A loud bang echoed through the theater, everyone standing stock still as a large stage light started falling. Rantaro reacted quickly, trying to push Kiibo out of the way, but it was too late, the light fell onto the Ultimate Robot, crushing him instantly, to add insult to injury, Himiko's body snapped lose from its hang, dropping the hundred feet to the ground, a sickening crunch echoing through the room. No one said anything...they were just shocked at what was happening.

Ding Ding Ding

"Well look at you, being very very proactive today. I was expecting a single body, but holy crap! You didn't just give me one, but two! This is so exciting! You know the deal, Investigation then Trial! Have fun kiddies, I hope you enjoy yourselves. Now that you can bust a nut all over the floor! AHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

Jonathan's lip quivered, his legs giving out from under him. He just sat on his knees, looking at his two deceased friends. He didn't know what was going on...he was shocked, scared, confused, angry...he was angry. He wanted to find the one responsible and tear him a new one. He wanted to destroy them...Himiko shouldn't have...she shouldn't have died...Kiibo shouldn't have died. They didn't deserve it...they didn't deserve it. He felt his bracelet pop off his wrist, falling down beside him, but he didn't care...all he wanted to do, was find the fucker behind it all and kill him.

"Jon?" Veruca asked softly.

"I'm gonna find him Ruru...I'm gonna find the one who did this to them...and I'm going to kill them."

"Don't say that! You know what will happen..." she said, looking worried.

"I know...I'll find the one and we'll sentence him to death for his crimes. I only wish Monokuma would let me press that goddamn button." he said. The Nut Specialist hugged the Songwriter, pressing her lips against his. He didn't feel like kissing her back, but was at least glad he wasn't alone, Tenko's cries filled his ears, as Kaito and Chris held her back. The Killing Game had started up again...and someone had to pay for what they had done...

End of Act 8

Surviving Students: 35

Surviving Faculty Members: 3

xxx(Cast)xxx

Class 24 of Morning Hope Academy + Faculty

Fa Mei-Ling

Jonathan Hyles

Anaji Hora

Lucy Cadwell

Setsuko Inoue

Victoria Louis

Tsubaki Aulani

Kaikane Aulani

Veruca LeGume

Nicholas Ladd Gardner

Cara Ladd Gardner

Anastasia Katrina Klevorick

Carla Williamson

Harrison Evans

Kamron Luca Di Carita

Alice Lois Caroll

Julianne Natalie Ray

Kevin Hicks (Deceased)

Gabriella Vertran

Dan Arche

Lee Harvey Emerson

Calem Kurogane

Christopher Patrick Bacon

Chloe Raincomprix

Sofia Nilsson

Celestia Ludenberg

Class 79 of Hope's Peak Academy

Kirumi Tojo

Kaede Akamatsu

Shuichi Saihara (Deceased)

Kaito Momota

Miu Iruma

Rantaro Amami

Korekiyo Shinguji

Himiko Yumeno (Deceased)

Tenko Chabashira

Kokichi Ouma

Gonta Gokuhara (Deceased)

Kiibo (Deceased)

Maki Harukawa

Ryoma Hoshi

Tsumugi Shirogane

Angie Yonaga

A/N: Well...this chapter was a thing. I would like to apologize to Kiibo and Himiko fans. But I had to do it...I had to pick someone and they were chosen. I actually ended up putting their names on a virtual spinner and spun it twice. Thems the breaks...I just couldn't seem to find a use for either of them in the later story so I had to cast them out. With Himiko's death, I'm certain Tenko will grow stronger as a person. I do hope that I portrayed them well during the moments that they were on screen, please forgive me.

Now onto the major question? Who's the one responsible for this horrid act? Who has the nuts to kill innocent Himiko and why? Who rigged it all? Find out next time on Morning Hope Academy's New Semester of Killing!

Act 9: Drugs Never Seldom Do Any Good...