SZ: Be ready folks...things are about to get serious this chapter.
GT: Yep. We gave you some peaceful chapters, now we're going into the serious chapters.
SZ: Eeyup. We don't own anything aside fron original content, so..let us begin. GT?
GT: Aye! *turns to push a button only to pause at seeing Monokuma at the button* Oh, you sonuva…
Monokuma: Upupupupupu! *pushes the button and the stage explodes*
"Okay, I gotta admit that the beds in the on-campus dorms are pretty nice," Ben noted as he and Makoto walked to their homeroom.
"Agreed. I slept like a log," Makoto nodded as they took their seats, "Also good to know we can at least invite a few people within the dorm for a visit. Me, Akane-chan, and Hina-chan must've gorged on so many donuts last night."
"Seriously?"
"She brought donuts covered in nuts, Ben," Makoto replied, "Like I'd turn down a good nut."
"?!" Ishimaru nearly collapsed out of his seat at that.
"What?" Makoto blinked.
"Didn't peg you for a s-slut, too…" Toko muttered.
"Woah woah woah! All I said 'like I'd turn down a good n-' oh I just realized what I just said," Makoto whispered in realization.
"..." Ben turned his head away, a fist over his mouth as he tried very hard to not crack up until Makoto's tail bopped him lightly on the head.
"You all stink," Makoto pouted.
"Hey, none of us decided to say something like that without realizing it," Mondo noted with a chuckle.
"Yeah...but Toko had to attack me with that comment earlier," Makoto argued.
"That did seem too far, Fukawa," Hina added.
"Whatever...I don't need the approval of two airheads with f-fat chests," Toko muttered as she turned her head away.
"The tsundere is strong in that one," Hifumi noted, adjusting his glasses.
"Maybe we should move on and focus," Naegi suggested before noticing Kyoko walking in, "Oh. Good morning, Kyoko-san."
"Hmm," Kyoko replied, small bags under her eyes as she sat down.
"...You party last night or something?" Hagakure asked.
"No...I was up last night reading something," Kyoko replied.
"Must have been interesting to keep your attention so late," Makoto noted.
"Possibly. May tell you what it was about later," Kyoko replied, earning a nod from Makoto.
"...What was that about?" Ben quietly asked Makoto.
"Code," Makoto replied.
"Ahh."
'...What are those three planning?' Byakuya thought, giving a suspicious frown at the three.
"Morning~!" Junko beamed as she walked in with a tiny crown on her head, "I apologize. Our royal alarm clock was acting wonky so…" a depressing aura appeared around her, Makoto and Ben swearing they saw mushrooms growing out of her head, "We had to put it down and buy a new one…"
"...Okay...That is some serious MPD…" Makoto muttered.
"Naegi did warn us she does that," Ben noted.
"He's missing?" Tsubaki asked.
=He never reported back in after he explained what he learned about the missing Reserve Course student= Max explained =The tracker in his Proto-TRUKK is either blocked or was disabled. We've deployed Jenny to where it was last broadcasting=
"...Is the Steering Committee behind this?" Tsubaki whispered, "...Tell Jenny to be extra careful. If they are behind Rook's disappearance, then we need to be extra cautious and..." she tensed when she saw a security camera looking right at her, "...I need to go. I fear they're overhearing this."
=Understood= Max replied =If you don't check in at the normal time, I'll give Ben and Jin permission to go with their idea of Plan B=
"Only if I don't respond to two planned talks in a row," Tsubaki replied.
=Of course. Max out=
"...Now Rook's missing…" Tsubaki whispered in concern as she began to walk off, "Is the Steering Committee that desperate to keep secrets h-" she tensed, quickly bringing her shield out to block the stab of a masked figure, "...Who are you?"
"..."
"...The Steering Committee sent you, didn't they?" Tsubaki asked with a frown, jumping back from another stab before using her shield to block the thrown dagger, "...Are they truly that desperate they'd send an assassin after us?"
"..."
'...She's examining me…' Tsubaki thought, staying cautious as she stayed in her spot, 'She's waiting for me to make a move...and that stance...this is more akin to a soldier than an assassin…Still, I need to be careful. One wrong move….and it's over.'
"..." the Assassin said nothing as they jumped away, tossing one more knife at Tsubaki as she quickly deflected it.
"What a…" Tsubaki began before she heard a beeping sound, making her look down to see the butt of the knife blinking, '?! A bomb!'
*BOOM!*
"?!" Jin tensed the moment he heard the explosion outside.
"Ahh! Are we being invaded again?!" Kazuichi freaked, shooting underneath his desk for cover, before peeking out and looked over at the class's Ultimate Lucky Student, "...Did you make an explosive again, Nagito?"
"No."
"Oh phew...wait. Then what was that explosion?!"
"...Excuse me," Jin spoke as he stood up and rushed out of the room.
"The hell was that?!" Mondo exclaimed.
"Was that a bomb?!" Hifumi yelped, hiding under his desk.
"I've got a bad feeling about this," Makoto noted as Ben quickly slapped the Omnitrix and replaced himself with XLR8 and sped off, "Well, we'd better get going to investigate, Kyoko, since Ben's already a step ahead of us."
"Got it," Kyoko nodded.
-Tsubaki coughed a bit, pain shooting through her entire body as she tried to stand, only to grunt in pain when she felt a surge of pain in her shoulder. She managed to turn her head to see a piece of sharp metal piercing through her shoulder, blood spilling onto her burnt clothes. She wanted to say something, but the pain was making it hard for her to even speak. Even if she was trained for moments like this...experiencing a point-blank explosion was another.
"Tsubaki!" she managed to look up to see XLR8 running up to her...before he noticed her injuries, "Oh geez…"
"Ahh...B-ben d-" Tsubaki began before coughing up, a bit of blood escaping her lips.
"Easy now," XLR8 spoke, checking her over quickly, "Try to conserve your strength and I'll try to get you to Mikan quick."
"...M...masked...assassin…"
"?"
"Look out...for the masked...assassin," Tsubaki managed to get out, her eyes closing as she passed out.
"...Great. Now w-" XLR8 began before narrowly doding a ice wave from Jin, "Dude, the hell?!"
"Don't touch her…" Jin scowled, sheathing Yukianesa as he walked over and carefully picked up Tsubaki, "Shit...I'm taking her to Mikan."
"You sure? I can get her there much f-" XLR8 began before Jin shot him a murderous glare, "?!"
"There's a chance you'll reopen any wounds we can't see," Jin stated, "Did she say anything?"
"Yeah. Some sorta masked assassin in the area," XLR8 replied, looking around.
"...Then we need to be careful," Jin stated before noticing Makoto and Kyoko running up.
"Tsubaki!" Makoto gasped.
"Go and find Mikan," Kyoko advised.
"She said an assassin is in the area," XLR8 informed.
"Assassin?" Kyoko repeated.
"Yes...a masked assassin," Jin added, shooting Kyoko a glare, "Meaning we can't trust anyone…"
"...Are you seriously claiming one of our classmates is behind this?" XLR8 frowned.
"Rook went missing not too long ago," Jin stated, making XLR8's eyes widen, "And now a masked assassin attacked Tsubaki...Either it's someone hired by the Steering Committee...or one of the students here."
"We don't have time for this!" Makoto barked, "Get going to Mikan immediately!"
"...Fine…" Jin said as he walked off, shooting a suspicious glare at Kyoko before leaving.
"I'm sorry for him," Makoto apologized.
"Don't be," Kyoko replied, "It's natural for him to think that."
"I know, but…" Makoto paused as she looked around the area, "For him to claim it was one of you guys…and on top of that, a friend of ours is missing as well..." she noticed the security camera nearby, "...and if it's the Steering Committee behind this…"
"Then they're gonna be sorry," XLR8 spoke as he changed back to Ben, "For now, we'll have to play it safe and not draw any suspicious behavior…"
"Right…" Makoto agreed.
"Well...as much as a guy with a watch that lets him become all kinds of aliens, a squirrel girl with super strength, and an Ultimate Detective can," Ben noted.
"True…"
"...We may need Shuichi's assistance in this," Kyoko suggested.
"Hmm?"
"I'm not the only Ultimate Detective here in Kibougamine…"
"Easy now," Yukizome instructed as Jin carefully put Tsubaki on a medical bed, "Mikan, you're up."
"R-Right!" Mikan nodded as she looked over Tsubaki, "Good. You didn't attempt to remove the shrapnel. Wh-What was the cause?"
"A bomb," Jin replied, "Apparently, there's a masked assassin on the grounds that tried to take her out."
"E-Eh?!" Mikan gasped.
"Focus, Mikan," Yukizome advised.
"R-Right," Mikan replied as she began to get to work.
"..." Jin said nothing as he turned away, his fist balling up.
"...You did what y-" Yukizome began.
"Don't talk to me," Jin scowled.
"...I understand you're hesitant to trust me, b-" Yukizome began before Jin aimed his katana at her.
"If I find out any of you are behind this, I won't hesitate to kill you myself," Jin growled, eyes as cold as a blizzard.
"...Very well," Yukizome sighed.
"Magister Tennyson said I should be careful around here…" Jenny whispered, standing outside Kibougamine's gates while in her human disguise, "But...I need to try and get this info out to Ben and Makoto somehow…"
"Psst! Jen…"
"?" Jenny blinked before looking over the side, seeing Makoto against the walls near the gate, "Ma..."
"Shh. They might be watching," Makoto whispered, looking around for a moment.
"They?"
"Either the Steering Committee or the masked assassin that attacked Tsubaki."
"Tsubaki was attacked?" Jenny whispered with wide eyes.
"Yeah. Lucky for us one of her classmates is the Ultimate Nurse with a ton of medical knowledge which makes me wonder if she's the Ultimate Nurse, what would the Ultimate Doctor be like," Makoto replied.
"Phew….wait. Wh-"
"Me, Ben, Kyoko and Shuichi-two Ultimate Detective friends of ours-split up to look for any possible clues," Makoto answered, "What about you? Why are you here? ...Please tell me it's about Rook."
"You heard about him going missing?" Jenny asked.
"Yeah. Any news?"
"Well, I went to where the Proto-TRUKK was last broadcasting a signal," Jenny replied.
"Did you find any clues or anything out of place?"
"Nothing...but I did find this…" Jenny answered, pulling out a small piece of shredded tire tread, "I think whoever took Rook slashed the Proto-TRUK's tires."
"Dang...couldn't you take it to the Plumbers HQ branch here?"
"Couldn't. Moment I was near there, I spotted some men in black suits standing outside," Jenny answered, "I had a bad feeling about them, so I couldn't go near it in worry they'd learn how to access the base. I alerted the Plumbers inside of it about them and they'll let me know what happens."
"...Okay. Now I'm positive the Steering Committee is behind Rook's disappearance and that attack on Tsubaki earlier," Makoto frowned, "...Really tempted to have Ben and Jin burn and freeze the school down."
"Isn't that overreacting?"
"Jenny...Rook is missing and one of my best friends got injured...no way in HELL am I gonna let that slide," Makoto scowled.
"Okay, fair point."
"Hai…" Makoto nodded, "...I need to head back and resume my search. If you find anything out Jenny, let me or Ben know."
"Got it," Jenny nodded, "Stay safe, Makoto."
Makoto nodded as she rushed off, Jenny leaving in the opposite direction as she quickly dropped the disguise and flew off.
"Ugh...nothing," Ben sighed, standing in one of the hallways of the school, "Whoever that assassin was, they're good at hiding."
"BWAH!" Ben jumped and turned in time to see Naegi tumbling down the stairs he just walked past, "GUH! ...Ow…"
"Everything alright?" Ben asked as he helped Naegi up.
"Y-Yeah...Tripped on my shoelace…" Naegi assured, "Is everything okay?"
"My friend Tsubaki got attacked by someone with a bomb," Ben explained.
"R-Really?!" Naegi gawked.
"Yeah. That was what the explosion earlier was about," Ben noted, "And we don't have any leads where they went."
"Really? Um...I-I'm sorry, but isn't there a form in your watch that'd let you find them?"
"Not really. The explosion might've messed with the scent so I can't follow with Wildmutt or Blitzwolfer," Ben noted before pausing to think, "...I think I do have something. Come on."
"Eh?"
Minutes later, the two were at the scene of the crime. Ben turned on his Omnitrix and selected a form before pushing down on the button. In a flash of green light, Clockwork replaced Ben.
"If you see Makoto, Jin, or Tsubaki, do not let them near me or in my sight," Clockwork advised, "I get sick and will end up making a time portal that will bring something or someone from a different time here."
"Um...Right," Naegi nodded, "But...What is this form?"
"Clockwork," he replied, "A Chronosapien and lets me have power over time. I don't know all that I can do with it, but one thing I can do is make a 'replay' of sorts."
"...An alien that has power over time...wow," Naegi whispered in amazement at that.
Clockwork nodded. He reached up to the gear on his hand and turned it around a few times. It began to spin and a box of green light formed around the area. For a moment, nothing seemed to happen...and then green versions of people appeared, moving backwards in their actions. It got to the point where smoke from the explosion was covering the place before it shrunk down back into its original state, exposing the shocked Tsubaki and the masked assassin. The scene halted at that, letting them have a perfect view of the assassin.
"Okay...zat must be the assassin…" Clockwork noted, "They're wearing a suit and gloves, so I can't tell the gender nor find any possible fingerprints...hmm...but that looks like a combat knife, the same type soldiers seem to use…" he muttered, "...Why would an assassin use knives made for soldiers? ….Vait...what if..."
He turned back time a bit more, the assassin walking away from the unaware Tsubaki as they moved to the side of the school building. Clockwork cautiously approached and peeked over, seeing the assassin 'removing' their mask and see who it was.
"...Vait. Zat's one of the missing students…" he whispered, seeing Mukuro stand there as the scene froze once more.
"Eh?" Naegi pondered as he looked, "Mukuro?! But...But why would she attack Tsubaki? Where has she been?"
"Girlfriend?" Clockwork asked.
"E-EH?! Iie, iie, iie!" Naegi argued, shaking his head rapidly with a heavy blush.
"You sure, man? You can tell me."
"R-really, we're just friends!"
"Like you and Kyoko?"
"...Now I feel like you're just teasing me at this point," Naegi whispered.
"Zat's what friends do," Clockwork chuckled before looking back at the past image, "But seriously, zis is one big clue…What iz her title again?"
"Um...Ultimate Soldier," Naegi replied.
"Meaning zat she more than likely obey those higher zen her," Clockwork noted, his eyes narrowing as he started to continue to rewind and follow Mukuro's past self retracting her steps.
"What are you doing?" Naegi asked.
"Finding where she came from," Clockwork replied, "It's a bit exhausting doing zis and drains the Omnitrix, so I'll need to do zis as quickly as possible. Furthermore, I can run into Makoto, Jin, or Tsubaki while I am like zis."
"Ahh...good idea."
"Aye. Now l-" Clockwork began before seeing Mukuro blending with the crowd, "...Nein nein nein!"
"Eh?"
"She must've blended in with the crowd before splitting...meaning I can't tell where she went without disrupting the crowd."
"...Can you?"
"I can, but by the time I do, the Omnitrix will run out and I'll change back before we can resume," Clockwork replied, causing him to sigh and change back into Ben, "Was there anywhere she often hung out outside of the classroom?"
"Mmm...I can think of one place," Naegi replied.
"Good," Ben nodded before turning on the communicator, "Makoto, Jin, do not come near me for a bit. I'm going to be using Clockwork to do some sleuthing."
=Affermitve=
=Got it= Makoto nodded =Just stay safe, Ben-kun=
"I'll try, but you know my luck," Ben shrugged as he hung up, "Alright, let's go check out that spot."
"Got it," Naegi nodded.
"Thank you for cooling down the room. I-It really helped with removing the shrapnel in her," Mikan thanked.
"Hmph."
"Ahhh! I-I'm so sorry! P-P-P-Please don't hate me!" Mikan whimpered, bowing repeatedly.
"...Tch," Jin scoffed as he turned away, looking at the bed-ridden Tsubaki as she slept, "...Thanks..."
"Eh?"
"I said thanks...for saving her, I mean," Jin muttered, "...Also the rest of you can stop staring…"
"Eh?" Mikan blinked before looking at the doorway...seeing her classmates peeking in.
"Hey, you're our classmates. Of course we'd be worried," Akane stated.
"...And yet it feels like you still don't trust us," Peko noted.
"Eh? Why man?" Kazuichi asked.
"...I can't say…" Jin answered.
"...It has to do with our missing friends, isn't it?" Chiaki guessed.
"..." Jin scowled a bit, "This doesn't concern any of you."
"...Fine. See if we concern ourselves with you or Ms. Prim and Perfect," Hiyoko huffed while Gundahm seemed to notice one of the cameras in the room mainly focusing on Jin and Tsubaki.
"Devas," Gundahm whispered before his hamsters shot out of his scarf and pounced on the cameras, covering the lenses with their forms.
"...The hell was that for?" Fuyuhiko asked.
"It seems that darker forces far fouler than mine are attempting something upon our new classmates," Gundahm informed.
"..."
"...Wait. So that means…" Kazuichi began.
"They were being spied on…" Yukizome sighed.
"Sensei?" Akane raised a brow.
"...Step out of the door way," Jin ordered, making them blink before they did so, just as a wall of ice covered the doorway, "...The Steering Committee."
"Eh?"
"They're trying to keep the missing students a secret while trying to force me and the others away," Jin explained before scowling a bit, "And it's possible they have one of the students here as an assassin to come after us."
"?!"
"Oh, I knew those old fogies were creeps!" Hiyoko seethed.
"I ain't above laying the smackdown on old men," Akane growled, cracking her knuckles.
"Don't even think about it," Jin stated, "If you attempt to try to go against them...there's a chance they'll make it so you all never existed to begin with...like with Hajime Hinata."
"?!" Chiaki's eyes widened a bit at that.
"Who?" Akane asked.
"Her boyfriend," Jin stated, motioning to a now red-faced Chiaki who was trying hard to keep her face hidden behind her DS, "He was part of the reserve course before vanishing."
"...wait. So does this mean the other missing students from the other two classes…?" Teruteru began.
"Were taken much like him? Most likely yes."
"AVRIL LAVIGN!"
"Sh…what?" Jin blinked a bit at that.
"He usually does that when he freaks out," Kazuichi explained, "Still...this is too freaky...and explains so much why I haven't seen Miu trying to one up me….wait. That might also explain why Miss Sonia has vanished!"
"It's disturbing," Yukizome admitted.
"Is the headmaster involved with this?" Peko asked.
"No. He was the one who called for us to come help find the students," Jin replied, "He had to ask the Emperor's assistance so he could apply us here...and the Steering Committee is trying to overrule that and force us to leave by any means necessary."
"...They are aware one of you guys is Ben 10, right?" Kazuichi asked.
"That tells you how much they don't want them here," Fuyuhiko noted, "If they want the guy known for saving the world dozens of times, probably thousands, away from here, you know that what they're doing is worse than we're thinking."
"That we can agree on," Jin nodded a bit.
"...Perhapes forcing Ben 10 away is a good thing," Komaeda finally spoke, making everyone look at him, "He claims to be the world's hope...but that's only because he has that watch of his to transform…"
"...You're not saying he's a menace like Harangue, are you?"
"...One second," Akane noted before her fist slammed down hard on the top of Nagito's head, making him fall over with a large smoking bump, "Bad." she looked at Jin, who raised a brow, "Dude is a bit of a fanatic when it comes to hope…"
"I tend to see his watch as an extension of his skills like my blade," Peko noted, adjusting her glasses.
"And he's a pretty chill guy after we all hung out with him," Akane added, "Plus his GF makes a pretty good sparring partner, too!"
"...tch…" Jin scoffed at teh first part.
"...D-do you hate him?" Mikan asked.
"...No I don't," Jin replied.
"Then why act so hostile towards him or when he's brought up?" Chiaki asked.
"...ugh. He's annoying, reckless, braindead at times, and won't shut up…" Jin answered, "He's like Nanaya….which is probably one of the reasons why those two get along so well…"
"...and…?" Yukizome urged him to continue.
"...and when things are serious...he's a good leader, and he tries to find the best option possible without killing anyone in battle," Jin admitted, "He annoys me to no end...but...he's probably one of the only male friends I have…" 'In this timeline, at least…Makes me wonder if Taro is his descendant...I hope not...'
"See? You can get along with people," Yukizome spoke, making Jin look over at her, "I could tell Tsubaki believed it, too, that deep down behind all that brooding, ice and snow...lies a good soul that just wants to get along with people…and after seeing so much concern from your fellow classmates...do you truly believe one of them is the person that hurt Tsubaki?"
"...no...no I don't…" Jin sighed, "Which leaves the Steering Committee, the 78th class, and the 79th class as possible culprits."
"Eh? Wh-"
"Because out of all the classes here in Kibougamine, your class and the ones I've mentioned are the most eccentric and the other missing students are part of said classes."
"That is true," Chiaki noted, "All three classes have missing students."
"My money's on that Enoshima girl," Fuyuhiko snorted.
"Enoshima?" Jin repeated.
"I grew up in a family of Yakuza and raised to be Yakuza," Fuyuhiko replied, "You don't think I'd learn how to get a feeling about someone hiding something from others? With her, it's always been this bad feeling. It's why I never try to be alone near her."
"...h-he's got a point," Teruteru spoke, now shaking a bit, "I like women as much as the next fellow, but Junko? ...There is something not right about her…"
"She creeps me out more than Korekiyo...and that's saying something," Hiyoko admitted.
"...Come to think of it, she was absent during the time all three of our classes united together," Gundahm recalled, "I have not seen her whenever we congregate aside from a very rare occasion or two. It is as if the light that emanates from all of us together that even coaxes a light hidden beneath my own darkness sickens her."
"...I see…" Jin frowned before pulling his communicator out, "...Keep a close eye out for anything suspicious…" he ordered his classmates before turning his comm on, "Tennyson, Nanaya, have either of you or Kirigiri found any clues?"
=I found Jenny and found out Rook's tires were slashed= Makoto answered =Also found out some guys in black suits are standing outside of the Japan Plumber's branch's HQ=
"Most likely the Steering Committee's doing…" Jin frowned, "What about you, Tennyson?"
=I think I have a lead on our mystery assassin= Ben replied =But, well...If I say anything, you might just make a blizzard and Makoto...yeah…=
=Oh, I wouldn't do...actually...yeah, probably not tell me if you're uncomfortable with saying who might be the guy or girl=
"...It's fine. I may have found a culprit myself thanks to my classmates," Jin stated.
=Really?=
"Yes. Enoshima Junko."
=...Dude, you're kidding, right?= Ben asked =I mean...sure, she's crazy with that MPD of hers, but I doubt she's behind this=
"Then let me retort with this...did either of you see her at the get together the other day?"
=...Uh…=
"See? Same tone," Jin muttered before speaking aloud, "She wasn't there, was she?"
=...No...no she wasn't…= Makoto whispered.
=I'd argue with 'there were so many students there with us at the meet up'...but now that you say it...I didn't see any sign of her...at all= Ben added.
"And I bet if we ask the others, they'd note the same thing," Jin noted.
=Good thinking= Makoto nodded
=And funny timing actually...Naegi's here with me= Ben added =Say 'Hi,' Naegi=
=Uh...hi=
"..."
=...I kinda bumped into him while he was searching= Naegi explained.
=Wouldn't have thought of using Clockwork to look at the scene without him= Ben noted.
=...D'oh! Of course!= Makoto groaned, everyone hearing her facepalming =The one form you can't use around me or most of the others without getting sick is the one thing you needed=
"Did you find where the Assassin originally came from?" Jin asked.
=Kinda...but we lost them in a replay of a crowd and searching the school grounds right now= Ben explained
"Tch. Of course...They're covering their tracks…" Jin frowned.
"How's he tracking them?" Akane asked.
=Clockwork. It's an robot-looking alien that can manipulate time. I used Clockwork to do a replay of the attack. Aside from the bomb, Tsubaki did a pretty great job defending herself= Ben explained.
"Tennyson…"
=I know, I know. I was using that replay and going further back to follow her would-be killer and lost them in a replay of a crowd. I do have a lead thanks to Naegi, though. So when we get to where we're going, gonna turn back into Clockwork and replay there to see if they were there=
"...Moment you find them, let me know," Jin stated, "Nanaya? If you run into Kirigiri, inform her on what's happening."
=Gotcha. Was gonna meet up with her and Shuichi in a few minutes for a sit-rep=
"...Situation Report?" Teruteru guessed.
=Yep!=
"Be cautious. If Enoshima is behind this...then there's a chance she's watching from nearby or observing us from somewhere hidden," Jin said.
=Got it=
"And if you can...question some of the students from the 78th and 79th classes."
=Even Kokichi?= Ben asked
"...Even that lying little gremlin, yes," Jin sighed.
"Ah, he's a laugh riot!" Akane laughed.
"I beg to differ…" Kazuichi muttered, "Those faces he makes are freakin' nightmare fuel…"
"...Ugh whatever. Update me when you find something out," Jin sighed.
"Can do. Makoto out," Makoto nodded as she hung up, "Okay...This is starting to get heavy."
"Makoto," Makoto looked over to see Kyoko and Shuichi approaching her, "Did you find anything out on your end?"
"Yeah. Ben has a form that I can't get near otherwise he'll get sick the moment he sees me," Makoto explained, "It has this time manipulating power and he's using it to find the assassin by 'replaying' their movements. And we have a big ol' suspect for this case."
"Y-You do?" Shuichi asked.
"What do you two know 'bout Junko? Outside of her MPD, I mean."
"...hmm…" Kyoko began to ponder, "Honestly nothing...she's always been so secretive...and that worries me."
"...Umm...I think she and Mukuro are sisters," Shuichi noted.
"Huh?"
"I remember reading an old interview, one of her firsts, and she mentioned she had an older sister named 'Mukuro' that she hadn't seen in years,"
"...Wait. Mukuro...that's one of the missing students," Makoto noted, "Kyoko, did Junko act any different after Mukuro disappeared?"
"...No. Come to think of it, she didn't," Kyoko replied, "Then again...she gets bored so easily that she changes personality every few minutes."
"...Come to think of it, one of the first people to disappear after the Incursean attack was Ryota," Shuichi recalled.
"Ryota?" Makoto repeated.
"The Ultimate Animator," Kyoko explained, "His goal is to make animation to give hope to everyone."
"...Hope to everyone…" Makoto repeated, "...Did Junko show any odd behaviors around h-"
"Upupupu~"
"?!" the trio tensed.
Within a matter of instance, something fell out of a nearby grate, revealing it to be...a black and white teddy bear. It wasn't a panda, but more that it was split down the middle in color. The left side was pitch black with a red eye resembling some sort of bat wing-like thing with a massive smile while the other side was pure white with a tiny black eye and a closed smile.
"...The heck?" Makoto blinked, "A...teddy bear?"
"I ain't no teddy bear," It spoke, making the trio tense, "I am the one and only Monokuma, and as of today...I am your new Headmaster!"
"Say wha…?" Makoto began to ask before a blast of green-tinted smoke shot out of Monokuma's mouth and hit all three, "?!"
"Nighty-nighty~!" Monokuma snickered as the trio collapsed.
"...Something doesn't feel right," Ben spoke, stopping just as he and Naegi approached the 79th classroom.
"Hmm?" Naegi blinked, turning to look at him, "What's wrong?"
"Doesn't it sound too quiet?" Ben asked.
"...It does…" Naegi whispered, "...something must've happened."
"...Stay behind me a-" Ben began before tensing, feeling a knife suddenly against his neck, "?!"
"Don't move…" Maki whispered from behind him.
"H-Harukawa-kouhai?!" Naegi gasped.
"I'm not...trying to hurt you…" Ben grunted.
"..." Maki said nothing as she rolled up his sleeve, seeing the Omnitrix, "...transform."
"Huh?"
"You came by earlier and shot sleeping gas into the classroom," Maki stated, "If it is you, Ben Tennyson...transform."
"..." Ben turned on the Omnitrix and turned into Clockwork...which caused an amusing side-effect of her being lifted up and having to hold onto him with her free arm, "Zis proof enough?"
"...Yes," Maki replied, removing her knife and getting off, "Sorry for that."
"Good thing my last pick was Clockwork. Now let's see what you saw, ja?"
"Eh?"
"Clockwork can 'replay' things in a green color," Naegi explained as Clockwork's 'key' began to spin, "...Ano...Where did you get that knife?"
"...I can't say."
"...Eh? Wh-"
"Do you want to die that badly?" Maki threatened.
"?!" Naegi tensed as he shook his head as the hallway became tinted in green.
"Now let's see vhat happened," Clockwork noted as green-tinted versions of themselves appeared and went backwards in everything they did.
The green copy of Maki went back into hiding as the copies of Ben and Naegi walked backwards away. Time kept going back until Clockwork paused it and gave a look of disbelief. The figure wore the same attire as him...but they were...well...ahem…'big boned' with rosy cheeks...and a watch that looked almost exactly like the Omnitrix.
"Wow! It is you!" Naegi gawked.
"...I am not big boned," Clockwork deadpanned.
"...Ultimate Imposter," Maki frowned.
"Excuse me?" both asked.
"I met 'myself' once," Maki explained, "So I spoke to the Headmaster and he explained that they were the Ultimate Imposter. They're so skilled that they don't even have a name and as you can see…"
"No one but ze person they're copying vill notice zat they're not the real person or ze fact zat they're big boned," Clockwork groaned.
"Exactly," Maki nodded, "...There's a chance they've also hit the 78th class.".
"Huh? What're those?" Naegi asked, looking at the end of the hallway.
"Hm?" Clockwork looked and rewound it a bit for a better view...revealing it to be a lot of Monokuma struggling to carry a passed out Gonta down the hallway, "A strange looking teddy bear bunch."
"...Those look like the hairpins in Junko's hair that she got after the invasion," Naegi noted, "Well...unless you break them in two and combine the two halves of each part."
"Hmm...Come. We need to follow," Clockwork noted, "Both of you stay close. I vill protect you both if need be, but make sure to also keep a lookout behind us in case we are being followed."
"Understood," Maki nodded.
"Mmm…" Rook grunted as he slowly began to open his eyes, "That...was unpleasant…" he whispered before taking notice of the room he was in...completely void of any windows and a solitary light on the ceiling, "...where…"
"So...you've finally awoken."
"?!" Rook tensed as he looked ahead, seeing a familiar pair of red eyes staring at him, "...you."
Said eyes belonged to a lanky teen with long, wild dark-brown hair. He wore a formal black suit with a white button shirt and red tie. Now that he had a better look, the teen's eyes and face were dull, as if he was completely bored of everything. On the floor in all of its pieces was Rook's Proto-Tool.
"From the way several components are welded, this was modified by yourself in several different ways," the teen noted before Rook blinked and it was suddenly reassembled.
"...who are you, and where am I?" Rook asked, "...More importantly, why did you attack me?"
"...Why are you and your comrades looking into something that is not your concern?" he asked back, "None of you are affiliated with the school nor do you have anything to do with it."
"It is because we were asked to assist in finding the missing students," Rook replied, "Anyone would be concerned over people going missing without any reason."
"...There is a reason," he replied, making Rook blink, "My partner...wishes to see which would prevail. Hope...or Despair."
"Hope or Despair?" Rook repeated.
"Yes...I don't care either way...life is boring."
"...Life is...boring?" Rook repeated, "How so?"
"No matter what threat comes peoples ways, it gets taken down...only for a new threat to take its place. If a new piece of technology is created...people immediately grow bored of it the moment something new comes up or its outgrown its usefulness...people create bonds, only for those bonds to fade and those people outgrow each other…" he explained, "Life is too predictable...life is too boring."
"Really?" Rook questioned, "I do not see it. When I came to Earth, I expected it to be completely different. Yet each day, something happens that leads me to learning something I did not know the day before. Then again...I live with people that no one can fully predict."
"...Even unpredictable people can become predictable," the teen argued.
"Perhaps," Rook agreed, "But something will always happen that will just bring something new to the life of someone. You have never met a Revonnaghander until you kidnapped me, correct? And you have never seen a device like my modified Proto-Tool, have you?"
"...I have not, and yet…" the teen paused, looking at his wrist, "The people who turned me into this...they made me to be the Ultimate Hope of Earth...to replace that hero Ben Tennyson and claim his watch as my own."
"Beg pardon?" Rook blinked.
"They believe he was unfit to wield such a device, claiming that it belonged in the hands of someone they see more fitting...their Ultimate Hope."
"That is impossible," Rook stated, "The Omnitrix is bonded to Ben's genetic code. It will not work for anyone but him or any children he has."
"They took account of that possibility...two of the many talents that was encoded into me was hacking and impersonation…."
"..Impossible. There is no way…"
"Are you sure about that?" the teen spoke in Ben's voice, making Rook tense a bit, "But...even if I obtained the Omnitrix...it wouldn't change anything. Life would still be boring..."
"...I believe I understand," Rook noted, "You have so much talent, and yet...you have no motivation. You have nothing you wish to achieve since it would be simple enough for you to achieve."
"...That is true…" the teen replied, "The person I am working with feels the same...Her talent lets her see so many possible outcomes that it bores her...which is what pushes her for her new goal...a battle between Hope and Despair."
"'Her?'" Rook repeated.
"...nevermind," the teen said as he stood up, "They're about to test something with the Student Council later...If you are still here, we may resume this conversation…" he stated as he walked off.
"...The student council?" Rook repeated.
"...Come on, pick up…" Jenny whispered, trying to contact Makoto as she stood on top of a building, "Why hasn't she picked up? …I might have to try Ben or Jin…" she muttered, trying to contact the others.
=Hello?/Status report, Wakeman=
"Oh phew…" Jenny sighed a bit in relief, "Glad I got into contact with you guys...I can't get a hold of Makoto, and I'm being trailed by those men and b-"
=Back up...you can't get a hold of Makoto?= Ben asked.
"No, no I can't," Jenny replied, "Have either of you been able to?"
=No= Jin replied =...We may have been compromised=
"Huh?= Jenny and Ben blinked at that.
=Tsumiki, did you happen to see Tsubaki's badge while you were searching her body for any further injuries?=
=Eh? Um...No…= Mikan replied =Ah! I'm sorry! Please don't hate me for not finding it!=
=It's fine...but this is concerning...the assassin must've taken her badge while she was unconscious…= Jin noted =Or it was destroyed when the explosive went off=
"There's also the fact Rook was kidnapped," Jenny added.
=There is that….we may need to stay silent. There's a chance Enoshima or whoever else is behind this is listening in on us as we speak…= Jin stated =There's a good chance they kidnapped Nanaya as well=
=...Then I need to hurry in my search= Ben spoke =Jenny, if our calls are being listened in on, head back to Bellwood and inform Grandpa Max what's going on=
"We're going to do a Sword of Damocles?" Jenny asked.
=Yep=
"Got it. Jenny out," Jenny said as she hung up, bringing her wings out as she took off into the air, "This isn't good...whoever this culprit is, they're really good on staying one st-" she tensed as she narrowly avoided a laser, "?! And of course they're deploying something to fight me." she jumped away from another laser shot and quickly formed a shield with her right elbow, deflecting a third away, "Okay, whoever you are…"
She lowered her shield to look at her opponent and blinked a few times. Flying before her was a robot designed to resemble a teenager like herself. His 'hair' was a metallic white with a cowlick on the top and glowing red eyes. His body seemed to be covered in black armored plating resembling a school uniform. The lower half of his face was covered by a black leather collar with large rocket 'wings' on his back near his shoulders while his right arm/hand were a large blaster.
"...K1-B0, the Ultimate Robot," Jenny noted, recalling the reports of the missing students, "...Of course they'd reprogram the one robot in the missing students to attack me…" she groaned as a 'blush' formed on her cheeks, 'And he just had to be cute, too!'
She yelped as she barely avoided another laser from K1-B0, taking off into the air as the Ultimate Robot followed after her, dodging any lasers she fired back at him. The two were now in an air fight of sorts, lasers being fired between the two as Jenny tried to shake K1-B0 off...but he was determined to stay on target as he kept dodging her lasers. Jenny then cut off her jets and spun around in the air. K1-B0 shot alongside her in time for her to expand a fist into an armored gauntlet as big as him with several spikes on the knuckles and slammed it into him, sending him crashing down into a park, specifically an empty playground's slide.
"Okay….It's clear I might not be able to shake him," Jenny whispered to herself as she floated down, "Hopefully I can knock him into stasis long enough to get away." 'Still...why do I have to fight such a cute b-ack! No Jenny...focus!'
K1-B0 shook his head as he shot up, gripping his fist together as they melded into one large blaster, which began to whir to life as energy began to build up within it. Jenny tensed as she brought her arms together, creating a large shield in time as Ki-B0 fired, sending a large laser that sent her skidding back along the ground, leaving a large gash of drt and crushed grass as the laser died down.
"Owowowowowowow…" Jenny whimpered as her shield changed back into her arms, burning bright red with smoke coming off them, 'Okay...did Moshimo help make him, or did mom have another apprentice during the time I was sleeping?!' she thought before crying out when K1-B0 tackled into her, sending her through a few trees before crashing into a car, "...Ow..."
The Ultimate Robot said nothing as he began to approach her, blasters out once more as his eyes glowed a menacing red.
"...Even if you are the Ultimate Robot, you have to have some form of weakness…" Jenny grunted as she stood up from the wrecked car, some sparks coming off of her. She managed to look up...and soon took notice of his cowlick, '...and I think I may have found it...hopefully...I hope...'
K1-B0 began to charge up another laser. Jenny quickly aimed her pointer finger at the cowlick. The end of the finger flipped open and a tiny red laser fired from it. It hit the male teenage robot in the cowlick and sent it shooting off his head, spinning in the air before landing in the sandbox behind him. K1-B0 stopped in his steps, sparking for a moment as he began to stagger around, his eyes switching between colors before going blank, the robot slowly falling over onto his back as his collar pened a bit, revealing his mouth as his blasters reverted back to hands.
"Oh sweet jumping jiminy it worked…" Jenny sighed in relief, managing to catch him in time, "Okay...now I need to find some place to rest...and I can't just leave him…" she whispered, noticing some men in blacksuits spying on her from a nearby alley, "Especially with them nearby…"
The men were about to move forward before Jenny's eyes flashed, blinding them as she began to make a break for it, carrying K1-B0 in her arms as best she could.
'There's a warehouse nearby...hopefully I can hide in there long enough to rest,' Jenny thought before looking down at K1-B0, 'I can get some answers from this guy on where the others are, hopefully.'
'I need to inform the headmaster that we're employing the Sword of Damocles Protocol,' Jin thought, quickly making his way towards the Headmaster's office, 'I'm just thankful my classmates will be able to look after Tsubaki…' he stopped for a moment to realize what he just said, '...Tennyson really has had an effect on me…'
"Jin…"
"?" Jin raised a brow before looking over, seeing Tsubaki approaching him while holding her shoulder, "?! Tsubaki?"
"Jin..I'm so glad I found you…" Tsubaki panted, staggering a bit, "It's Ben...they caught him, too."
"...who are you?" Jin asked with a frown.
"Eh?" Tsubaki blinked at that, "J...Jin, it's me. Tsubaki...your childhood friend."
"...Then why do I feel that murderous intent coming off of you?"
"? Wh-What…?"
"Another thing...Tennyson being captured so easily?" Jin asked with a scowl, Yukianesa already out as he glared at her, "I don't think so…"
"..." 'Tsubaki' sighed as she stood up straight, "She was right...I knew you'd immediately catch on…"
"She?" Jin repeated.
"Upupupupu~"
"?!" Jin tensed before Monokuma hopped out of a vent.
"Hello~! It's your new headm-ACK!" Monokuma gagged when Jin bisected him in half with his katana, the insides frozen solid.
"I have had a very long morning," Jin stated as ice began to form around the area, "And you disguising yourself as Tsubaki has crossed a line."
"?!" 'Tsubaki' tensed before a panel opened up underneath her, letting her fall down it just as it closed...and more Monokuma slipped into the room.
"You attacked the headmaster! Time for the punishment!" one of the Monokuma shouted, "Oh Spears of Gungnir, I...er...we summon you! Come forth and…"
"Uh, we can't use them," another noted.
"...What?" the first asked.
"He froze the panels where they would all come out!" the second pointed out.
"What?!" the first one freaked before his head was sliced off, "AHH!"
"I needed something to vent upon…" Jin stated, a cold glint in his eyes as he glared at the black and white bears, "You will do nicely…"
"...Kill him first," all the Monokuma pointed at one.
"All at once, then," Jin stated as he made several icicles above him that shot out and impaled several of them at once.
"Grenade, bitch!" one surviving Monokuma shouted, wearing an army helmet as he tossed a pair of monokuma-themed grenades at Jin.
"Fenrir," Jin simply said as he jabbed his sword into the ground, summoning a large wolfhead of ice as it ate the grenades and lunged at the surviving Monokuma.
"How can he make ice wolves?!" one panicked.
"Whoever is controlling you freaks of nature...you made some fatal mistakes…" Jin began as the wolf bit down on a few Monokuma, "For one; You underestimate us. For another…" the floor began to freeze beneath him, "You injured Tsubaki…" snow began to fall, "And thirdly…" his cold gaze met one of the cameras' lenses as the snowfall grew faster, "You tried to mimic her after I knew she was still sleeping after she was treated for her near-fatal injuries. I won't wait anymore. This school freezes now."
"Ugh...come on. Where is it?" Ben muttered as he looked around the school grounds, "It has to be here somewhere?"
"Can't you use Clockwork again?" Naegi asked.
"I don't think that matters to him at the moment," Maki spoke, eying Ben as he tried digging up the ground, "Worry and anger seem to be clouding his mind."
"I'm not worried and angry…" Ben countered, not once turning to face the two, "...I'm just gonna beat the hell out of this mastermind and then hunt down the Steering Committee for all these dark secrets."
"Sounds agreeable," Maki noted, nodding in agreement.
"Um...Why is the green replaced with red?" Naegi asked, seeing the Omnitrix was red.
"Used Clockwork too much," Ben replied, "It's recharging right now, but we'll be good to go in a few minutes. Now hurry up and help me figure out where they went."
"So it has to recharge," Naegi noted before sighing as he walked over to a statue of the school's founder, "I'm getting worried now…" he took a step only to yelp as the spot he had stepped on lowered, "WHOA!" he nearly fell over but managed to catch himself on the side of the podium for the statue, causing the spot his left hand had landed on to push in, "Uh…" he jumped back as the floor and part of the podium beside the spot that pressed in moved inward and then slid to the side, revealing a stairway, "Ah! Uh, minna? I-I found something…"
"Huh?" Ben blinked, looking over as he rushed over with Maki.
"Good work, sempai," Maki noted.
"Eh heh heh…" Naegi sheepishly chuckled at that.
"Good work, man. Now come on...let's see if we can find the others," Ben stated as he was the first to climb down, "Just stay close...Who knows what kind of traps could be down here." 'I hope you're okay, Makoto…'
"Ahh...jeez…" Makoto groaned as she began to wake up, holding her head as she began to sit up, "Stupid bear and his knockout gas….wait…" she blinked as she looked around, seeing the metallic grey room she was in, "Where am I? ...More importantly, where're Kyoko and Shuichi?" she looked around, "No windows and I'm not feeling like things are moving around me...Either that means I'm in a room in the middle of a structure, underground, or both."
"Ugh...keep it down," Makoto's ears twitched as she looked across from her, seeing Junko groaning as she began to stand up, "That totally hurt…"
"...Junko?" Makoto blinked, "What are you doing here?"
"...Nanaya?" Junko blinked as she looked over, "...I can ask you the same, because all I remember is getting hit with knockout gas by your boyfriend."
"Excuse you?" Makoto blinked.
"Yeah...It was a real bummer. He just came into the classroom and then sprayed this gas in the room and knocked us all out," Junko sighed, her depressed personality out.
"...Yeah I call bullshit on that," Makoto frowned, "There's no way Ben would do something like that."
"Could've fooled me...guess he had everyone fooled…" Junko sighed.
"Nope," Makoto replied simply as she stood up, "I refuse to believe it...most likely it was the mastermind disguised as him." 'And given you're here...guess we can rule you out...maybe…'
"You sure?"
"Yeah. I've read files with photographic evidence about times people have posed as him," Makoto noted, "Even some aliens that die due to peanut allergies and, of course, a Galvan named Albedo that made a duplicate that ended up turning him into a photonegative version of Ben. So more than likely? An imposter."
"Just like that?"
"Eeyup. Plus...my Ben is kind of an idiot...This all seems like the schemes of someone way smarter," she added, "I love him for sure...but you should see how hard puzzles are for him…"
"...Fine. I'll drop it," Junko shrugged as she stood up, her normal personality out, "So...any ideas on how to get us out?"
"Hmm…" Makoto tapped on the metal door, "About ten inches thick. Probably reinforced…" she reached into her hair and pulled out some bobby pins, "But the lock is an ol' 2009 one. Kinda easy for me to pick. Give me about...fifteen seconds."
"Okay…" Junko muttered, "...You have a lot of hope in your boyfriend, don't you?"
"Hmm?"
"I mean...what if one day he's not there to save you from some type of despair-inducing event? Will you have faith and hope in him then?"
"Yep," Makoto replied instantly.
"...What if he was put in that position then? He faces an event where he can't find any shred of hope?"
"...Oddly specific question, but he won't give up," Makoto answered, "He's stubborn like that. No matter what happens with him, he finds a way to get out of it…Honestly, if there was an Ultimate Despair, he'd probably be the Ultimate Hope or at least a part of it." she smirked while opening the door, "And there we go. Fifteen secs on the dot."
"Oh good...Then let's hurry out of here," Junko said as she began to walk out.
"Agreed, but first...let's see if we can find those missing students," Makoto stated.
"...Why? Wouldn't it be better to get back up?"
"Oh please. I can take whatever this mastermind can dish out," Makoto assured, grinning a bit as she pumped her fist, "I'm livid and I ain't gonna take it anymore! Though, uh...Sorry 'bout the school."
"Huh?"
"Yeah, we're gonna wreck it," Makoto shrugged, "Now come on. Let's hurry and find the others."
"...Mmkay," Junko shrugged as the two ran out.
"Okay...This place looks really high tech," Makoto muttered as she looked around, "Almost like a secret lab or something…if the Steering Committee is behind this, I will not hesitate in smacking a few grumpy ol' men."
"Could be," Junko replied, her 'smart' personality out with glasses on, "This could also be a set of underground labs for more dangerous experiments for Ultimate talents that may be too dangerous to be out in the open."
'...Or integrate into that Ultimate Hope they're trying to make,' Makoto thought as they turned a corner, "...Yeah if this place is owned by the Steering Committee..not only am I whooping ther butts, but they're gonna be put under arrest for kidnapping and manipulation."
"..."
=We beg to differ=
"?!" Makoto tense before jumping back fmo a thrown knife, the Beastkin looking up to see some men in black suits and black visors with red lines along them standing across from her, "...Of course there would be some goons trying to stop me…"
=We warned you and your company to leave= the voice spoke as four screens slid down, revealing four older men in black business suits.
"...Let me guess, the Steering Committee?"
=Correct= one of the old men, a rather rotund one nodded in response =The Plumbers should have never interfered in Kibougamine's business…=
=What we do with the students here is none of your concern= an almost balding man with a beard added
"...Are you kidding me?" Makoto asked with a frown, "You're kidnapping students and making it as if they never existed. Of course we'd be concerned. In fact...they're probably scared right now."
=Their compliance and emotions is not a factor= a tall tanned-skin man state coldly
=After that whole invasion from the Incurseans, we decided to move our big project into turbo= an elderlyman in shades stated =That boy Ben Tennyson isn't the hope the Earth should have...The boy we chose as the next Izuru Kamakura is=
=The Omnitrix truly is a powerful device...It is sadly in the hands of a idiot with little to no talent= the rotund man added
=And to make sure that remains a secret from the public until now…= the near-balding man began as more men in blacksuits appeared from behind the two girls =You'll have to be silenced…=
=A further message to the Plumbers to not interfere…= the tanned-skinned man continued.
"Um...Yeah, I'll just tell ya that won't be what happens," Makoto noted, "Ya see...You do something to us? Ben will get angry. And you won't like Ben when he gets angry. Whoever you made into this Kamakura guy wouldn't last even a second to an angry Ben."
=...Then what of your friends and family?= the old man in shades asked, making Makoto tense =We have agents ready and know where they live…=
=With a command, we can have them strike and attack before they can counter attack= the tanned-skinned man explained.
=We have the money and resources…= the near-balding man added.
=No matter what you do...you can't fight against the future of the world's hope= the rotund man finished.
"...upu….upupupupu…" Junko began to chuckle, making Makoto raise a brow as she looked over at her, "The world's hope….what makes you think hope will drive the people of the future, you old fogies?"
"...uh...Junko?" Makoto blinked.
=...Explain, Enoshima= the tanned-skinned man demanded, making Makoto's eyes widen a bit.
"'Hope' this, 'Hope' that. Blahblahblah. It's really dull, ya know," Junko rolled her eyes, "Honestly I was rooting for those Froggers to win, further driving people to despair."
=...Tread carefully on your next words= the near-balding man scowled
=We gave you the means for your little experiment…= the tanned-skinned man began.
=And don't think we noticed you kidnapping those students for your own gain= the rotund man finished.
"?!" Makoto's eyes widened further at that, 'Oh my god...it was her…'
=So tell us...what is...is…= the old man in shades began before he began to cough up some blood =?!=
"...Oh yeah...I forgot to mention something about that special tea Mukuro gave you guys…." Junko recalled, "I was curious...what would happen if you lace tea leaves...in a special coating made from the venom of the planet's most toxic creatures and make it into a tea?"
=?! P...poison…?!= the rotund man gasped out as all four members of the Steering Committee began to cough up blood.
"Yup! Marbled Cone Snail, Golden Poison Dart Frog, Box Jellyfish, Pufferfish, Black Mamba, King Cobra, Blue Ring Octopus, Death Stalker Scorpion, Stonefish, Inland Taipan, Brazilian Wandering Spider, and just tiny bits of Black Widow to name a few," Junko explained, giving a smile that showed and matched the pure insanity in her eyes, "Ahh...Seems it took about...mmm...Thirty minutes to go into effect, it seems."
=You...backstabbing...bitch…!= the near-balding man gasped out.
"Backstabbing?" Junko blinked...before her smirk returned, "Who says I was working for you to begin with? I just used you guys to get into the school since you could overrule the Headmaster's refusal."
The men in black suits were about to step in and attack..only to gag out as multiple black spears shot out of the walls and stabbed them all over their bodies, their blood spilling onto the metal floor as they all fell dead.
"I'd say it was a pleasure in working with you...but in truth? It was really fun using you," Junko stated as, one by one, the members of the Steering Committee dropped dead.
=You...you…!= the old man in shades wheezed out, blood dripping from his eyes as he was the last to fall, the four screens becoming static before shutting off.
"Ahh...So glad I was wecowding all that," Junko giggled, her 'cute' personality out with phone in hand, "It'll be a vewy nice pwototype!"
"...What the hell…?" Makoto whispered, stepping back from Junko with wide eyes, "What the hell's wrong with you?"
"Hmm?" Junko blinked as she turned to look at her, going back to her normal self, "...oh yeah. I nearly forgot you."
"..."
"...I know what you're thinking. 'Why did you do something so horrible?'" Junko asked, almost mimicking Makoto's voice, "...Well let me give you a lesson, squirrel girl. You see...Hope is harmony. A just heart, moving towards the light...that is all. Despair is hope's polar opposite. It's messy and confusing, and it swallows up love, hatred, and everything else, because not knowing where you will end up is despair. Despair is even what you cannot predict. So…" she paused as she held her arms out above her in a dramatic fashion, "Only despair's unpredictability can save you from a boring future!"
"...The hell?" Makoto raised a brow, "Lady, you are nuttier than my mom's nut pies."
"...and you are gonna be the perfect test subject," Junko countered.
"Test subject? For what?" Makoto asked before she ducked, causing a swung metal bat with nails embedded in it and bits of blood on it to miss, "?!"
"Why...my message to the world of course...my wonderful message of despair~" Junko replied, casually swinging the bat as if it was nothing.
"What the hell?!" Makoto gawked with wide eyes.
"And to make sure it really happens well, I have to make one of the biggest heroes on the planet fall into despair...Ben 10. And you are gonna help me make that happen, whether you want to or not~"
"...Yeah. How about no?" Makoto frowned as she tapped her pendant, gaining her Proto-Armor as she gripped her gauntlets, "As a deputized Plumber, you're under arrest for multiple counts of kidnapping and murder."
"...I have a better idea. As the Ultimate Despair, I hereby sentence you…" Junko began before more sleeping gas was shot into Makoto's face, "To sleep~"
"?!" Makoto tensed as she began to cough, trying to move away from the gas as she tried to step away...only for more gas to keep shooting into her face, "N..no...must...st-ack-ack!...stay awake…"
"Aww~ Poor baby. You feeling tired?" Junko asked with a pout, casually stepping up to Makoto as the Beastkin struggled to stay awake, "I really wish I could kill you, but I need you to be alive, my little test monkey...er...Squirrel."
"Gh…" 'Ben...hurry…' Makoto thought as she collapsed, her world going black.
SZ:...oh dear…
Monokuma: Hahahaha! Two more down, bitches!
GT: *punts Monokuma to the moon* Crazy ass bear…
SZ: Agreed...still hoo boy...Things are starting to go downhill.
GT: Yep. Hope you guys are ready for next chapter. 'Till then, please Read and Review.