We all stood in the shadow of the execution room. The runway and Monokuma judges gave off an eerie sensation. How... how could Monokuma just go and kill one of us like that? And why did Junko kill Maizuno!? I thought angrily.

Fukawa cried out, "T-This is crazy!"

Fujusaki squirmed, "I wanna go home!"

"We need to get out of here!" Asahina yelled in agreement.

Togami coughed lightly to get everyone's attention, "Ahem... obviously, we aren't going anywhere anytime soon. However... I don't know about you, but I learned a great deal from the class trial..."

"What could you possibly learn from the deaths of two friends!?" I yelled. Everyone looked between me and Togami. I was glaring at Togami as hatred and despair was pulsing through my veins. Togami chuckled under his breath and I felt my anger rise to the peak. I drew my blades and charged at Togami yelling a battle cry. Everyone exclaimed and jumped back in fear. I didn't care. Togami didn't deserve to live! I thrust my swords at him aiming for his chest, but a series of events occurred at the same time.

Sakura grabbed hold of my coat while Jade parried my thrusts upward. The attack narrowly missed Togami, but I nicked him on his cheek. "Feel that? Imagine that a thousand- No, a million times worse! That's what everyone is feeling, you idiot! It's called pain of loss!" I exclaimed. Sakura pulled me back while Jade and Naegi struggled grabbing my blades. Togami grinned as he was looking in my direction. He whipped his cheek of the blood before turning his back on me. That ticked me off even more.

I tried to charge again, but Sakura had me in a hold and I couldn't move. "Relax, Ace. You need to calm down!" Sakura said urgently.

Fukawa screamed, "How dare you make a mark on my White Knight's face!"

"He kind of deserves it..." Leon whispered.

"I agree with that..." Oowada agrees.

"Well, this has gone out of hand now, hasn't it?" Celes comments.

Togami suddenly spoke, "What I learned was that the weaklings were weeded out the first round in this Academic Coliseum. Junko and Maizuno where bound to die sooner or later. Also, I know now who to look out for when it's my turn to be the villain..." With that, Togami made his way to the elevator.

Instead of anger, fear filled my mind. No... he... he wouldn't try... to kill someone, would he? I asked myself. The question went unanswered and slowly everyone started making their way to the elevator. As I began to relax, Sakura loosened her grip on me. Jade, Naegi, Asahina, and Kirigiri all walked towards me.

"You alright, Ace?" Naegi asked.

"Well considering I feel like a pretzel right now, I'm fine..." I answered.

"I apologize, but you would have killed him if I didn't..." Sakura apologized while releasing her hold on me.

"I know you did the right thing..." I replied.

Asahina shook her head, "Togami deserved what he got. He did nothing but antagonize the situation..."

"Whether he deserved it or not, you shouldn't act so rashly. What would have happened if you actually killed him? We wouldn't be able to save you and Monokuma would take advantage of that." Kirigiri said.

Jade nodded, "Kirigiri is right. You shouldn't have charged at him like that..."

"I know... I know..." I answered slightly annoyed.

"Well, you have to get better control of your anger, Ace... so you don't do this again." Naegi suggested.

"I'll be sure to do so..." I replied.

With that, we all made our way out of the Class Trial room. The ride up the elevator was silent; everyone either too tired or scared to speak. This trial took a tole on us and we all knew it. As soon as the doors opened, the waiting room for the class trials unfolded to us. We must have been down there for a while because it was already dark. Saying our goodbyes to one another, we all made our way back to the dorm rooms.

Upon entering my room, I took off my swords and threw them on the side of my bed. I dropped onto my bed; facing the ceiling. Damn it... if only Junko didn't murder Maizuno... I thought. I suddenly had the urge to want to draw. So, I grabbed the sketch pad on the desk and sketched Maizuno and Junko for the next two hours. The Maizuno picture was her holding a microphone and pointing to the side. The Junko picture had Junko posing for a photo shoot. Nodding with satisfaction, I posted them next to the other pictures I drew. You'll never be forgotten... I thought. I then landed on my bed and fell into a dreamless sleep.

# of Survivors in Hope's Peak Academy: 12 Students

DING DONG DING DONG!

I fell out of my bed and my face hit the floor first. Damn alarm... I angrily thought. Sitting up I directed my attention to the monitor, where it showed Monokuma having the same drink for the past couple of days. Seriously...? Does he drink the same drink everyday, or is it a prerecording? I asked myself.

Monokuma greeted, "Good Morning everyone! Rise and SHIIIIIINE! Let's put forward our best today! By the way, there will be an announcement made in the Gym after breakfast, so don't be late!"

With that the screen went black. "An announcement?" I asked aloud. Probably another motive for us to kill each other... I thought. I glanced at my dual-swords that laid beside my bed. I grabbed my favorite of the two, Inferno (name of the sword I gave it) and drew it from the sheath. It still had the blood from Togami's cheek on it. ...I really could have killed him...I thought. Shaking the thought from my head, I started strapping my swords on. Shouldn't be thinking about that...I thought quickly. I should be more worried about controlling my anger, not worrying about split milk... As I exited from my room, I saw that Yamada was waiting for me. Why is he here? I thought confused.

He greeted, "Good morning, Master Ace Hogana!"

"Oh, hi Yamada. Mind me asking what are you doing here?" I asked.

Yamada rubbed his head, "I... I actually came by to ask you something... you and Mistress Jade Kurosaki spend a lot of time together, no?"

I blushed as I was looking away, "Y-yeah... why do you ask?"

Yamada smiled, "Because if you wanted, I could arrange a date for you two! I can plan an entire day just for you guys!"

I jumped shyly. Why would Yamada go through the trouble to do this? I mean, we barely even know each other! I thought. "Y-Yamada, you don't have to do that..."

"It wouldn't be much of a problem, Master Ace Hogana. Anything to help out a friend!" Yamada gleefully added.

This is awkward... I thought. It was so odd for Yamada to do this for us... though we aren't a couple... at least... not yet... I thought. "As much as I would like that, I'll have to say no Yamada. I thank you for the offer, but Jade and I... you know, aren't necessarily a couple...at least...not yet, anyway..." I answered.

"No problem. Just give me a shout out if you ever need something like that!" Yamada called and he ran towards the cafeteria.

I wonder if he asked Jade the same thing... I thought. I started walking to the Cafeteria myself. Walking into the Cafeteria, I saw that I was early. The only one's there were Togami, Fukawa, Yamada, Leon, and Asahina. I noticed that Togami had a bandage on his cheek. Serves him right... I thought and I walked up to Asahina to say hello. "Hey Asahina." I greeted.

Asahina yelled, "Hey Ace!"

"Someone's full of energy..." I said sleepily.

Asahina nodded, "Of course! I always wake up extra early to get in a good workout! Though, I can't do much since there isn't a pool..."

"What time do you wake up?" I asked curiously.

Asahina made a face as if she was thinking, "Uuummmm... I would say about... 3:00?"

"3:00 in the morning?!" I asked astonished.

Asahina nodded, "Well, not today... I... I couldn't sleep..." Asahina looked down and fiddled with her hands.

I knew automatically why she couldn't sleep... Its... because of the Trial from yesterday... "Asahina... you sure you'll be alright?" I asked.

"Y-yeah, I'll be fine. Though... I just can't wrap my head around everything..." Asahina replied.

"You... you shouldn't worry yourself too much. Let's do everything we can so that their deaths aren't in vain..." I carefully said.

Asahina's flare came alive, "Right! We'll make it out for Maizuno and Junko!"

"That's the spirit!" I cheered.

After that, everyone was inside of the cafeteria. Oowada cleared his throat and everyone gave him attention. "Ahem... did you guy's hear the announcement from Monokuma?" Oowada asked.

Fujusaki whimpered, "What do you think it was about?"

"Well, we'll just-" Leon started, but was interrupted by an unexpected visit...

Monokuma greeted, "You guy's take too long!"

Naegi jumped, "Jesus! Where did you come from?!"

"The Bear cave! Where else?" Monokuma joked.

Kirigiri snapped, "Please stop with the bear puns and get to the point..."

Monokuma grunted, "...Fine. There is a new world you can explore since you all made it through a Class Trial. Go explore, but I warn you... don't disappoint me! Upupupupu!" With that, Monokuma disappeared.

"New... World?" Leon asked.

"This is pretty mysterious... I'll go take a look..." Celes said.

"I think everyone wants to go do that..." Naegi comments.

Kirigiri walks to the door, "Then we shouldn't waste any time..."

Everyone walks out of the Cafe and look around to see this "New World". Walking around everyone seemed lost. I mean, what is this new world? As I turned the corner, I noticed something catch my eye. A door suddenly appeared next to the AV Room. What's this? I thought. I walked up to the door and I noticed that someone was inside. Wait... maybe it's the person who controls Monokuma! I thought triumphantly. Knocking through the door, I rushed into the room and drawing my swords. As I did so, I knocked the person who was on the other side of the door. That person... well, you can almost guess, can't you?

Jade squealed in pain, "Ow ow ow ow ow!"

"J-Jade?!" I stammered.

"Ace?! What are you doing rushing in and hitting me with the door?!" Jade yelled.

"What are you doing here!? I thought you where Monokuma's puppet master!" I argued.

"What do you think?! I'm investigating this place!" Jade yelled.

After a few minutes of awkwardness, I noticed that Jade was still on the ground... Ace! What are you doing!? Help her up for God's sake! I yelled at myself... "H-here let me help you..." I shyly said holding out my hand.

Jade takes my hand, "Thank you..."

Her hand was rather warm. I also noticed that her cheeks where bright pink. Crud... this is getting no where... I lift Jade to her feet. We looked at each other before looking away shyly. "So, what is this place?" I ask, trying to change the subject.

Jade shrugs, "I don't actually know... It's too dar-" With that the lights blared to life, blinding us. After our eyes were able to adjust, we saw what the "new world" actually was. It was an actual arena filled with spears, hammers, and any weapon that you can think of... even guns. "What... the hell is this place?" Jade asks aloud.

Monokuma answers, "It's an arena!" I spun around to slash one of my blades at Monokuma. Jade does the same, but Monokuma jumps and landed on our blades. Then he gets into a fighting position, "Bring it Nubs! I know Kung Fu!"

The new world given to us was a place where we can fight to the death. The next instrument of despair...