Warning: There are some spoilers for the prologue of Danganronpa: Fictional Epicenter as well as the end of Fictional Nexus. Both this fic and Epicenter take place after Nexus's second trial, but things might make more sense after finishing Nexus.

Chapter 1: Welcoming Windows to Wonderful Worlds Part 2

Guardians:

Ruby (Pokémon Adventures): The Charmer

Junko Konno (Zombie Land Saga): The Shy One

Linhardt von Hevring(Fire Emblem: Three Houses): The Brains/Healer

Bucky Barnes (Marvel Cinematic Universe): The Veteran

Blaze The Cat (Sonic The Hedgehog): The Fire

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Third-Person POV

"Okay, let out the Salamence."

Junko gulps as she softly presses the button on the Ultra Ball, releasing her Salamence. It yawns quite loudly as it stretches its wings and neck out, slightly startling the idol.

"H-Hello." She greets the dragon-type, who just looks at her with uncaring eyes.

Ruby rests his thumb and index finger on his chin, "Hm… this will be as hard as I thought. Let's see…"

"You two better be careful and not take too long, you hear? We're still in robot bear country, so we need to get going in about less than an hour!"

Bucky tells the two of them as he and Blaze scoured the area for things to use. Linhardt was… asleep, so Bucky has him over his shoulder.

"I don't mean to say anything rude, but are you all aware that Junko resembles a rotting corpse under that makeup Ruby puts on her? I… am a bit skeptical…" Blaze brings up.

"From what I can tell, that girl couldn't hurt a fly. Zombie or not, she's harmless, though I hope this training thing toughens her up a bit." Bucky states as he plops Linhardt onto a nearby mattress.

"Indeed. During a crisis such as this, fighting is the only option we have at the moment. If things go wrong, then it would be beneficial for her to learn how to protect herself and others." Blaze nods her head as she and Bucky watch on.

Junko attempts to give commands, "Dragon Tail! No? Um, Crunch?"

Salamence just checks out its surroundings and ignores her again.

Junko sighs before she turns to Ruby, "What is that device you're using?"

Ruby holds it out to show it to her, "It's a Pokédex, a device capable of reading data from many different types of Pokémon. It's like an encyclopedia on them, even telling you their moves, stats, weaknesses, etc., it's a very useful tool. I use it myself to see which contest moves appeal to audiences!"

"That's amazing, I imagine it does come in handy when in battle as well." Junko looks over the Pokédex as Ruby scrolls through the pages.

"I guess… although to be honest I don't enjoy battling too often. I only do it when placed in situations like these." Ruby clicks his tongue as he turns back to Salamence's page.

"Oh, really? You are quite skilled at it though, Ruby." Junko tells him.

"I guess, but they're too barbaric for me. Contests are where I really shine, how about when this is all over you can come see one in person?"

"That sounds lovely, but is that the only reason you have for not liking battles?"

Ruby doesn't answer the question, instead he just takes out a Pokéball and holds it out.

"Having released its body with its heart, it shines with overwhelming beauty. Possessing the Marvel Scale, this is the Pokémon Milotic—Feefee!"

Feefee comes out of the Pokéball and her beauty leaves Junko in awe.

"Now then, time to see how Salamence reacts to an actual opponent. Feefee, give them an Aqua Tail!"

"D-Dragon Tail, please!" Junko asks Salamence.

The dragon rolled its eyes before deciding to actually listen for once, causing the two tails to clash.

"Thank you! Um… sorry, I don't know what to call you yet." Junko apologizes as the Salamence just turned back to look at Feefee.

Ruby glances over at them, "Don't worry too much about nicknames, not everyone uses those. Nice job on your first command though, but I can't imagine it would listen twice in a row just yet. I'll try to avoid using moves like Ice Beam for now, oh, I also need to teach you type matchups!"

After hearing that, Bucky is starting to get impatient, "HURRY IT UP YOU TWO!"

"And just like that, my sleep is ruined." Linhardt says as he wakes up.

"It seems like we've been losing some Monokuma units in this area right here. The Salamence that Sird captured is missing as well…" A young girly voice says as she flips through some screens.

"Hmph, those bears aren't very durable. Did these things really spread 'despair' in your world, or did they just get lucky?" A chilling robotic voice rings out.

"Hey! These bears were thought up by Big Sis Junko, so you better show some respect Mr. Ultron! YOU are the lucky one here, looking for your A.I. in your universe took FOREVER." The girly silhouette crossed her arms and huffed.

"Yet you haven't even provided me with a strong body yet, just continued making more and more of those pathetic pandas…" Ultron groaned.

"You'll get your time, just be patient! You're more immature than me, and I'm a kid!" The girl tells the A.I. on the computer.

"I wasn't born yesterday, kid. Anyways, you should send out more accomplished fighters into the field. Maybe one of the 'generals' we hired?" Ultron suggests.

"At least we're in agreement on one thing! I'm sending the cyborg mercenary guy we hired, it is his world after all! Well, his world in the future, but whatever!" The girl clicked enter on her keyboard and a message was sent.

"Ha….ha… how was that?" Junko asks Ruby as she is breathing heavily.

Ruby scratched the back of his head, "Well… on the bright side it's starting to loaf around a bit less but…"

CLANG!

The wall of a nearby coffee shop collapses and the rubble lands near the two of them.

"I think we should find you a Pokémon that's a bit easier to handle for now, yeah?" Ruby suggests.

"We'll look while we move out now. We've been here long enough, the bears could be following our scent." Bucky tells the two young trainers (Physically young in Junko's case. Younger than Bucky anyways.)

"Aren't they just machines?" Blaze questions his last statement.

"They're bears, aren't they? Maybe they have some weird tracking function, I don't know!" Bucky stands up and stretches before ushering the others to follow him.

"(yawns) All this walking can't be good for me." Linhardt complains as he and Blaze get going.

Junko returns Salamence to its Ultra Ball as Ruby lightly pats her on the back, "You did great so far, we'll keep practicing as long as you need to. Keep that hand drill on you for now."

"Ok, thank you so much, Ruby." She tells him.

The group traversed the destroyed city once more, already used to the wreckage all around them. It was still unnerving to see dead bodies on sidewalks and broken store windows, but it doesn't really bother them too much. Aside from Junko quivering and Linhardt almost fainting seeing puddles of blood on the pavement. A few Monokuma units were around, but there was no problem with Blaze on the team.

"Hm… I'm curious about your powers, how do you manipulate those flames?" Linhardt asks her.

"I've had this power ever since birth. I used to believe it was a curse, but now I see it as my weapon against those who would dare try to harness the power of the Sol Emeralds. As their guardian, I must do what's right for them and for my world." Blaze softly replies.

"I see… an ability given to you at birth, just like how crests are inherited. Fascinating, although I don't know how useful this would be to my research…" Linhardt thinks to himself.

"Research?" Ruby raises an eyebrow in response.

"I've mentioned that I study crests, correct? With how prominent they are in my world, I believe it's worth looking into. But I am a bit curious about the powers you all possess as well, like where does Mr. Barnes's strength come from?" Linhardt turns to the super soldier.

"I don't think you wanna know, pal." Bucky tells him.

"How do you get those monsters to obey your command, Ruby?" Linhardt turns to the contest specialist next.

Ruby ponders for a bit, "Well, they…"

Linhardt moved on before he could answer, "And Junko, how could you be brought back from the dead, yet still have your consciousness and personality?"

"I, um…. have thought about that often but…" Junko fidgets as she struggles to come up with an answer.

"Despite how tiring it is to fight so often, it gives me more opportunities to see your skills in action. I would love to better understand your abilities and how they function." Linhardt states.

"If that's the case, you better not take any blood samples while I'm asleep, you got that?" Bucky sighed.

"Oh goddess no, I would never do something that disgusting. Just allow me to study you all on the side, instead of being on the battlefield myself." Linhardt cringed when he heard that assumption.

"Linhardt, if you don't fight then that may leave yourself open for unexpected attacks. Observe us if you want, but avoiding battle will be difficult from this point on." Blaze informs him.

"I was afraid you would say that." Linhardt frowns.

"Doh doh doh!"

"Nee!"

"Hm? What made those cries?" Blaze looks around to see where the noise came from.

"Wait…" Ruby takes out his Pokédex and it manages to pick up a signal, "More hypnotized Pokémon?"

"Look!" Junko pointed towards an alleyway, where two Pokémon were feuding over a piece of food on the ground.

"My Pokédex is telling me the one on the left is Cottonee, a Pokémon from the Unova Region. I've never seen that other one though, and my Pokédex isn't telling me anything about it." Ruby observes them.

"Woo! Loo!"

Junko squints at the one that looks like a sheep, "Perhaps… its name is Wooloo? Pokémon do say their names sometimes, aside from regular cries, correct?"

Ruby nods, "Hm… here, use Kiki for a bit. Let's teach you how to catch a Pokémon!"

"N-Now?!" Junko lets out in surprise.

"Perfect time as any, since there's only those two and no Monokumas. You all go on ahead, we'll catch up!" Ruby tells the other three.

"You sure?" Bucky asks him and Ruby answers with a reassuring smile.

"Don't be too careless." Blaze warns them as she, Bucky, and Linhardt carry on.

Ruby takes out Nana and Junko does the same for Kiki. The Mightyena and Delcatty face down the Cottonee and Wooloo.

"Neeeee!" Cottonee cries as it shoots out many sharp leaves.

"Razor Leaf, Nana dodge and use Howl!" Ruby commands her.

"Kiki, you dodge too! Then um…" Junko struggles to tell the cat Pokémon what to do.

"Attract." Ruby whispers into her ear.

"Attract?" She tilts her head in confusion at the move name as Kiki executes it.

The Wooloo then becomes immobilized due to its effects.

"Okay, Nana use Take Down on the Wooloo!"

Nana rams into the Wooloo and leaves it stunned. The Cottonee then uses Fairy Wind on Nana.

"Ack! Hang in there!" Ruby tells his Mightyena.

"What was that move he used? Ok, I-Iron Tail!" Junko recalls what Kiki used during the other night's Monokuma battle.

Kiki slams her tail into Cottonee, leaving it stunned as well!.

"Time to throw these, are you ready?" Ruby asks Junko and she nods.

Ruby throws his Ultra Ball and Junko does the same thing softly towards the two fluffy Pokémon and they both get sucked in. After it shakes three times, they both snap closed. Junko and Ruby both breathe a sigh of relief after picking both of them up.

"Congratulations, you've just gotten two more members of your team!" Ruby says as he hands her the ball with Wooloo in it.

"T-Thank you for your help!" Junko holds both of the Ultra Balls to her heart, almost tearing up at her victory.

Ruby hands her a handkerchief, "Now now, your makeup is going to run. And I need to find more to keep my supply in check. Let's go find everyone else now, shall we?"

"Right." She responds as the tears are wiped away from her face.

"Now that you brought it up, Linhardt, I am admittedly curious about something…" Blaze puts her fingers to her chin as the trio walks into an abandoned mall.

"About what exactly?" Linhardt blinks twice to keep himself awake.

"Almost all of us have managed to discuss some things about ourselves, yet you haven't told us much about you." Blaze looks at Bucky with distrusting eyes.

"I've told you guys all you need to know. My story is not for the faint of heart." The White Wolf told her.

"Is that so? Hm…" Blaze lowers her eyebrows as she continues to stare at him.

It was then that Bucky suddenly stopped, causing the other two to do the same.

Linhardt spoke up, "Uh… you don't have to tell us anything if you don't feel comfortable. No need to act all—"

BWOOSH!

Bucky quickly leaped in front of him, tackling him down as a blast of energy soars over their heads. It shatters an entire storefront in an explosion.

"We've got a sniper up top. Stay sharp." He tells his two allies..

Linhardt sighs as he takes out his tome and Blaze's hands burst with flame.

"Another one of those Monokumas?" Blaze assumed.

"No, those stupid bears couldn't have had aim like that. It's gotta be an assassin of some kind." Bucky grimaced.

"You're not incorrect my one-armed friend." A voice says from up above.

The three of them look up to see a man with a mechanical helmet and a pink martial arts uniform.

"I am General Tao, and my employers wanted me to get rid of anyone standing in the way of their destruction." The man introduced himself.

Blaze scoffed, "You're working for the people behind all of this?"

"It is a bit disturbing, this whole invasion of worlds plan of theirs. Yet, they promised me trillions in zeni and a seat at their table for assisting. Now then, I'll try to make my Dodon Ray hit you quickly and accurately this time." Tao chuckles to himself.

"Not gonna happen, buddy. You ready, you two?" Bucky asks his companions.

"Once he is defeated, let's get some answers out of him." Blaze grips her fiery fists.

Linhardt rolled his eyes as he flipped the pages to the spell he was going to use.

"Oh how I wish I could just nap the afternoon away…"

So we have the reveals of our antagonists for this story. If you're a Danganronpa fan, you'd know who that little girl is. Ultron appeared at the end of Fictional Nexus so I hope it's not too out of place. I'm actually glad I came up with the generals idea, so it's not just those two villains over the course of this story. Don't expect these chapters to be as long as the killing games though, writing fight scenes is tough. The next chapter of Fictional Epicenter is coming up though. See you all next time, happy holidays and happy new year!