Hey, thanks to EVERYONE for reviewing. I'm glad that I got your characters at least close to how you wanted them. But I might accidentally start deviating a bit as I continue (Here's hoping not though...). Anyways, I'm glad that this got positive reviews so far, and I hope this next one is just as good.
Fiorella gazed at the small bear that seemed to have appeared out of nowhere. She was a woman who was informed about many things. She knew about Monokuma, the thing that took over Hope Peak's Academy, ruined Jabberwocky Island, and nearly destroyed the sanity of millions. Monokuma wasn't even a stuffed doll. It was actually a robot that was created to act as the eyes, ears, hands, and legs of the Ultimate Despair, a person who was supposedly the most despair-inducing genius in the world. However there were verified rumors that the Ultimate Despair had already died, so Monokuma shouldn't have been active in the first place. Maybe it was a copycat? Or maybe Monokuma was acting on orders programmed before the Ultimate Despair's demise? Either way, it wasn't good.
Have you ever known the feeling of being prey? Of being the target of someone, or something, that wants to kill you so badly, that they'd use every ounce of strength to pierce through your heart and yank out everything inside, just to revel in the feeling of ecstasy? That was the feeling that took over that room right now. The chilling feel that made the temperature seem to drop almost every second, the idea that a single movement would result in being sliced by one of the hundred invisible blades that seem to surround each and every one of them. Even if the seven of them were to work together, even if they were able to synchronize their movements well, they still wouldn't be able to even scratch that small thing. Monokuma wasn't looking at any of them directly, but there was still a feeling of a hand grasping at their neck, like it was telling them that it could kill them at any time, and with such ease.
"Woah woah woah, let's all relax here. I don't want to cause too much of a fuss…" Monokuma held up its arms as if it was a gesture of good will, causing the tension in the room to ease up just a bit. There was a long exhale as everyone slowly sat down at their own pace. After all the seats were filled, Monokuma gave a small cough.
"Ahem. Let's take a moment to talk here." Waddling over to the table and using the metal box like a pedestal, it stretched out its arms.
"I, Monokuma, would like to invite all of you into the world of 'Hero's Conquest', where fun-filled adventures and exciting battles await you!"
There was a pause.
"Er, excuse me, but I think you need to give us a bit more to go on…" Rigby lightly scratched his face nervously.
"What?!" Monokuma seemed to be frowning. "Man, you are all a bigger bunch of stupid sissies than I thought! Oh well..." it made a sighing movement before explaining.
"Listen up kiddies! Outside, we've got a world that's in-between a state of falling in wonderful despair, and a boring old normal world with *blech* 'hope'. At the moment, each side has somewhat something of an army that is fighting each other. My 'Army of Despair' against that annoying Future Foundation and its 'Soldiers of Hope'."
"So then what's next? Are you going to tell us that we're part of your little 'Army of Despair'?" Fiorella smirked confidently.
"Nah, I don't need any losers on my team. Upupupupu…." As Monokuma made its laugh, Fiorella could feel a strong urge to strangle it. "Nah, the truth is that I'm just here to kill you. Plain and simple."
It held up its sharp claws while emitting a murderous intent. Alyson fell to her knees with tears starting to stream from his eyes. Ami was doing a bit better at dealing with the situation, but her hand was shaking, so it was mostly a front. Luciano was also putting up a tough front, but Fiorella didn't see emo boy being any better than Ami, nor did Rigby seem reliable at all, based on his personality. That only left Agustin and Kujou to help her out, and that meant it was three against one robot. But even with superior numbers, and even if she had the right information about Monokuma's functions and potential, it was still a really low chance that they could get anywhere.
"…Or at least that's what I'd LIKE to do." Monokuma relaxed itself and began to fold its paws(?) behind its back. "But it would be totally BORING if we were to just kill you off right now. And I wouldn't do me any good if you all just died like this without a large audience. So I'm gonna cut you guys a deal...Upupupupu…" It laughed again as everyone watched confused.
"Since I'm feeling pretty generous, I'm gonna give you all a sporting chance to complete in this game of 'Hero's Conquest'. If you win, there will be a grand prize for you all. But if you lose…" Monokuma made a cutting movement with a single claw across its neck. "Upupupu…didja get all that?"
Nobody spoke a word. There was already the feeling that Monokuma could kill them all immediately if it wanted to, but the only reason they weren't dead yet really WAS because it was simply bored.
Fiorella was stumped. Accepting Monokuma's terms would be the best chance to find a way to live through this hellhole. Monokuma might be a robot being controlled by a bastard, but from what she remembered, Monokuma doesn't usually lie, it just 'forgets to mention a few things', and the stuff he said about the conflict outside did match up the information she read about before. Plus, taking the time to follow up on this 'game' would give them all time to find a way to deal with that robot.
However, this was most likely a trap. They couldn't trust this stupid ro-bear as far as anyone could throw an enormous lead ball (Well, Agustin could probably throw a lead ball based on his muscles, but that wasn't the point!). And they still had no idea what Monokuma's plan was.
"I think…we should take up Monokuma's offer…"
Everyone turned to Ami, who was rubbing her neck.
"W-Well, it's not like we're gonna get anywhere without getting some information. And it seems like joining this game might just be the best way to go…"
Nobody said anything for a while. But eventually, Agustin spoke up as well.
"I'm…gonna go with Ami on this one." He sighed. "She brought up a good point. I mean if it means dying now or taking a chance to live it out, I'd rather take the chance than do nothing."
"O-Of course I'm gonna accept!" Alyson was trying to put up a tough front as she puffed her chest out. "I'm gonna accept this, and I'm gonna outlive through all of this! No way am I dying here!"
"Dying isn't an option for me either." Luciano stood up. "I'm not some side-bit character who'll die like a dog. Certainly not from a stupid bear like this one!"
"Upupupu. You remind me of another annoying little prick I know, Luci!"
""P-Prick…?" This clearly rattled him.
"I guess if we're all doing this, then I should get into this too…" Rigby was still acting nervous, but Fiorella could tell that he certainly strengthened his resolve.
Kujou grunted in agreement. She noted that this was probably a man of few words.
She was the only one left, but after hearing everyone else, there was no way that she would chicken out now.
"Of course I will. I was going to agree to these terms anyways, you know?"
Monokuma chuckled with its usual laugh before suddenly taking out cards that seemed to have poorly drawn pictures on them.
"Well then, I suppose I should explain the game here. In about one hour, I am going to start sending in my followers and copies to deal with all five of you. Of course, you are allowed to use that hour to either start walking or start preparing. Go buy some potions, gather some information, forge some weapons at the armory, even doing R-rated stuff is allowed. I mean, I'm not planning on peeking in on what you spoiled brats will do anyways."
Several people blushed at this last statement, but nobody said anything.
"Anyways, you all need to find a way to reach this special machine. As much as I hate to say it, there's a special tool of hope that exists there that could more or less settle this entire conflict once and for all."
The card Monokuma was holding up seemed to be a picture that looked like a coffin or one of those machines that was used to preserve bodies in ice in those sci-fi movies.
"Once you reach this machine, I will consider this game to end. Or course, it's not like that's gonna be easy…"
The next card had five simple black body figures with Monokuma's faces where their heads were supposed to be.
"I've set up five of my very own 'Denizens of Despair' to match up against the seven of you. These five are 'boss characters' for those of you who love a good video game. And you will get a special bonus prize by defeating each one of them!"
The last card it held had a line drawn across horizontally, with the top showing the poorly drawn group celebrating over the bodies of the five, and the bottom with the roles reversed.
"Simply put, if you guys can beat my 'Denizens of Despair' and reach the very end, you all win! But if you all die before reaching that final goal, then I, Monokuma, will claim victory! Got it?"
Tossing the cards away, it plopped onto the ground and started walking away. "Now that that's all settled, I'm gonna leave and give you all your one hour to prepare for the incoming fight. If you ask me, I'd say you should take the time to say your prayers! Upupupu…"
"Wait a minute!" Fiorella suddenly spoke out, causing Monokuma to turn towards her. "What the hell is this note about?"
"Note? What note?"
"This note that said not to open the box until we see the 'monochrome bear', which is you, obviously. Why did you leave it here?"
Monokuma did not seem to be listening, as it suddenly went into a small rage.
"Grrrr….Who dared to litter on the ground of mother earth?! It's simply unbearable! Even more importantly, why did they call me a monochrome bear?! I've got a name you know!" It started trying to act cute. "It's Monokuma! The mascot for despair and all future video games! GET IT RIGHT!"
After raging on the last bit, it seemed to have calmed down.
"Anyways, I've really got no idea what the heck that note is about. Whatever that box and that note was doing there, it has NOTHING to do with me. Heck, maybe YOU all wrote it down and forgot about it like the idiots you are!"
Fiorella bit her lip. At this point, it seemed like what Monokuma said was true. It didn't seem like it had anything to do with the box and the note, and it was possible that the box and note were somehow related to their missing memories. However this actually made things a bit less reassuring. This meant that there was absolutely no hints as to what were the contents inside, so the danger was impossible gauge.
"Well now, enough is enough! If you guys need help, you're all on your own! Catch you guys later!"
Before anyone could say anything, Monokuma had suddenly disappeared into thin air. Everyone blinked to make sure that they were seeing fine, but there was no trace of the robotic bear at all.
"Well, it looks like we have an hour then," Agustin spoke up after clearing his throat. "I guess we should probably start getting ready like he said.
"W-W-W-Wait a minute! Don't you think that we should talk about this?"
"What's there to talk about Allie?" Fiorella decided to stand up while sifting through her hair with her fingers. "We all need to work together to get through this mess. And even if that seem difficult for SOME of us…" she shifted her eyes to Luciano, who just replied with a small "hmph". "We don't have much of a choice. We can decide on what to do with this box later on…"
"B-But…"
"Don't worry Allie," Ami went over to Alyson's side and started holding her hands. "I'll stick together with you after I finish getting ready! I want us to be good friends after all!"
Alyson sniffed and wiped the tears from her eyes using one of her arms. "Really?"
"Yeah, really!"
"A-All right then. I'll give you special permission to be friends with me. Be grateful for that!"
Exactly what kind of special permission was that? Fiorella decided that it was probably better not to ask.
"Hmph. I'd better get ready..." With that, Luciano left towards his room.
Eventually Kudou, Rigby, Agustin, Ami, and then Alyson all left towards their own room. Fiorella was the last one left.
To be honest, she felt a bit jealous about Alyson getting attention from Ami. The truth was that she also wanted to get along with the others, but she was a bit hesitant about doing so. Some of the other girls in her neighborhood weren't exactly friendly with kids of the same gender, especially nosy ones like her. And it didn't help that she couldn't really be honest with herself. But it seemed like it was the smart thing to do, especially with guys. It's not like she couldn't trust them, but with all the stuff she read, saw, heard, regarding guys and their...well….that… she had to put up a brave front. It always seemed like the meek ones who would be assaulted first.
Well, she wasted enough time. She decided to head back to her room like the others and look for anything that would be useful on their journey to who knows where.
As she started packing, she thought about the things Monokuma said. She never heard anything about any tool that could be the deciding factor in the battle with despair and hope. As far as she knew, something like that didn't exist. Maybe that meant that she was out for a while? Perhaps it was at least a few weeks since they were knocked out? Or maybe it was something that was just discovered. Monokuma did have a pretty good network of information, maybe better than hers. But then why leave it alone? Setting up guards didn't seem like the most logical thing to do. Or maybe there was a reason why Monokuma couldn't disrupt it in the first place? Maybe it was something that had to do with them?
She shook her head in frustration. No, it wasn't any good to think about this at the moment. Right now, she needed more info before putting the pieces together, and that meant making sure that all of them would stay alive at the moment, just in case it was something that they could all use to turn the tides to their favor. And even though she didn't know why, she felt that she could trust everyone, even that stuck up Luciano, even though they all just met each other moments ago. Maybe that was their bond in the past, before they lost their memories.
She smiled at the thought of having trustworthy friends, and then went to the doorway to take one last look at the room before heading back to the table. It was time to see what was inside that box and to plan out their strategy for winning this stupid game.
LITTLE bit shorter than the last one, but I decided to end that chapter here, and I'm sticking with that!
So we shall get to see what is inside that box that's been nothing more than a paperweight or pedestal so far. Is it a bomb? Is it a help screen? Is it books? Keys? Wands? Money? Gems? Or maybe it's a Monokuma fairy who wastes time following you around and saying annoying things? Let find out in the next chapter...