Two chapters in one day, took a bit to get the work done here but I'm glad to be able to continue this story after so long. Here, the group escapes the whale, and learns the truth... the full truth. Enter the sixteenth student, and her explosive introduction to the group.
(As the group followed Byakuya down the hole, the whale began to shake and the water level in the mouth started going down. Eventually the group landed back at the mouth of the massive beast, with no Byakuya, Toko/Jill or Pinocchio in sight. It was a surprisingly easy landing, but they had no time to get their bearings)
Gepetto: Pinocchio! Pinocchio!
(The group turned to see Gepetto, calling out to his son, who's now unconscious and in Byakuya's grasp)
Gepetto: Please, give me back my son!
Byakuya: Sorry old man, but I have some unfinished business with this puppet.
Gepetto: He's no puppet. Pinocchio is my little boy!
Byakuya: I will admit he's unusual. I imagine not many puppets have hearts. Perhaps he's able to help someone who's lost theirs.
Makoto: What are you talking about? Who lost their heart?
Byakuya: You really want to know? Then come up and follow me.
Byakuya: Maybe then you'll start to learn the truth behind everything.
Jill: Master! Don't go!
(The group sees Jill atop the boat, pleading out to Byakuya)
Byakuya: I told you I want nothing to do with you, now out of my sight!
Jill: Ah, that cold gaze, those poisonous words, that's just like you my beloved master!
(Having had enough, Byakuya quickly runs away with the puppet in tow, through the second level up to the throat)
Chihiro: What's going on, does he know something?
Hifumi: Is someone in trouble?
Sayaka: Makoto…
(Makoto's at a loss for words, is someone in trouble? Suddenly…)
Makoto: AGH!
(Like back at the academy, his head starts hurting)
Leon: Makoto!
Hiro: Dude, you alright?
Sayaka: It's happening again! Makoto, we're right here for you!
Makoto: Kyoko…
Celeste: Hmm?
Makoto: Kyoko's in danger!
Hifumi: W-What makes you so sure Miss Kirigiri is in trouble?
Makoto: I don't know but… it's some weird feeling.
Mondo: You think that bastard Byakuya knows something?
Celeste: Probably a safe bet, but I get the feeling he's holding a few cards close to the chest, in a manner of speaking of course.
Jill: I don't get it, why is Master acting so cruel!?
Makoto: I think it might have something to do with… Maleficent.
(Jill jumps down and gets right in Makoto's face)
Jill: WHO ARE THEY!?
(Jill's sudden movements caused Makoto to jump back in fear, as she approached him demanding answers)
Jill: I want to know who the hell has been messing with my Master, if they have anything to do with his sudden cold exterior, well colder than usual, then I swear I will cut them until you can't even tell which part you're holding!
Sayaka: Toko calm down!
Jill: No! Master has become worse, I need to save him!
Hifumi: Maybe we can talk this over and…
Jill: SHUT IT HUFFY!
Hifumi: Gah!
Makoto: Look, I'm not sure of anything. I'm not 100% sure if Maleficent got her hands on Byakuya or if its-
Jill: Wait… "her"?
Makoto: Y-Yes, Maleficent is a witch, and w-we saw her back in Agrabah.
(Jill put her arms down and just stood there, almost like she was in a daze. She then just turned around, almost instinctively Sakura walked up to her and just as the serial killer was about to run, she grabbed her)
Jill: LET ME GO! I NEED TO SAVE MASTER!
Sakura: Toko, calm down!
Jill: I'M GONNA CUT A BITCH, I'LL MAKE HER REGRET TOUCHING MASTER!
Mondo: Okay I think we've had enough of her, someone make her sneeze!
Hifumi: How do we do that?
Hiro: Either knock her out or make her sneeze, that's what she told me when we were back at that town.
Sakura: Very well!
(And with a massive bonk, Jill was knocked out. A little while later, Toko woke up)
Toko: Huh, w-what happened?
Sayaka: Yeah we're kinda trapped in a whale right now.
Toko: A WHALE!?
Hiro: And we're having some problems with Byakuya so…
Toko: Wait, Master's here?
Mondo: Don't tell me that psycho is still here? We might need to knock her out again.
Toko: W-W-Wait, I'm not her I swear!
Mondo: Yeah and you still refer to that bastard as "Master" or whatever.
Toko: Yeah so what, y-you have a problem with that?
Hifumi: Considering what he's done recently, that's looking to be the case Miss Fukawa.
Toko: Wait, what has he done?
(A while later, after explaining things to Toko)
Toko: No, how could he…
Toko: S-Something must be wrong with Master!
Hiro: Yeah, the dude's working with the bad guys!
Toko: It m-must be mind control! He'd never willingly cooperate w-with people like them!
Sayaka: I'm not sure if mind control is involved but…
Sayaka: I don't know why Byakuya would do something like this.
Mondo: Because he's a self-centered dick with a stick up his ass, he just wants to be the hero for once.
Toko: D-Don't talk about my master in such a v-vulgar way you thug!
Mondo: Hey watch what you're-
Makoto: EVERYONE STOP! PLEASE!
(Everyone immediately looked at Makoto, he was very nervous having so many eyes on him, but then he felt someone grab his arm. Looking to his left, he saw his self-proclaimed assistant Sayaka right by his side, and it gave him the confidence he needed to speak up)
Makoto: I don't know what's going on with Byakuya, and I'm not sure if we can talk him out of it but…
Makoto: We can't just sit here and argue with each other about it, we need to talk to him ourselves, we need to keep going… as a team!
Makoto: This isn't the time to argue, if we're gonna save our world and get everyone back, then we need to keep moving together.
(That put everyone at ease, as well as an end to any potential tension that could arise)
Makoto: Besides, we still have someone else that needs immediate saving, right sir?
(He turns to Gepetto)
Gepetto: Yes please, save my little boy!
Sayaka: Makoto is right, this isn't a killing game where we need to survive on our own, this is an adventure where we need to work together!
Celeste: I'm surprised you can maintain such hope after all this time.
Makoto: Well, someone has to.
Mondo: I guess he's got a point, sorry about that.
Toko: It's fine, I'm used to it.
Hiro: I don't know if that's something you should be used to.
Toko: What do you know, you probably th-think I'm some kind of ugly sow.
Hiro: I don't think that!
Makoto: Toko, please! We need to work together here, if something's wrong with Byakuya we need to find out.
(Toko was silent, but after thinking it over for a bit she figured it would be easier if she just helped)
Toko: O-Okay, I'm sorry.
Makoto: Don't worry, it's alright.
Toko: Y-You better not be coming onto me.
Makoto: What? No I-
Mondo: Uh guys, the puppet?
Gepetto: My little boy you mean?
Mondo: Yeah what he said.
Makoto: Right, come on let's go!
Jiminy: I just hope we're not too late…
(Finally done with their business, they followed Byakuya's trail, into the throat. There wasn't much to the room, except a bunch of platforms going up)
Hiro: Whoa…
Sayaka: Did he go all the way up there?
Celeste: There's nowhere to go but up it seems.
Celeste: Best we follow through and make sure it's quick.
Hiro: At least there's-
(Celeste donned her gloves, and quickly used them to pull Hiro over to her)
Celeste: Sometimes it's best you keep your mouth shut lest there ends up being an unfortunate incident that impedes our path, got it?
Hiro: *gulp* U-Understood.
(She lets go and begins her ascent, the other follow suit)
Sayaka: Well this should be easy enough.
(It would be, if not for the Monokuma units on copter packs that spawned, even more spawning right afterwards, a moment that caused Celeste to drop her accent in a moment of anger)
Celeste: WHO THE FUCK SAID IT!?
Sayaka: …
(Sayaka was almost too scared to admit it, but then…)
Makoto: S-Sorry Celeste!
(Sayaka was surprised Makoto was willing to take the fall for it, an instance that Celeste caught on. Though she was able to put the pieces together just by looking)
Celeste: I will have a talk with you after this.
Monokuma #1: Enemies spotted, open fire troops!
Monokuma #2: Do not let them reach the stomach, no matter what!
Hiro: Oh, so that's where they went?
Monokuma #1: You idiot, that's supposed to be classified!
Monokuma #2: It's not like they're gonna-
(Sakura leaped up and grabbed the Monokuma units before landing on one of the platforms…)
Sakura: I think we've had enough from you.
(...Before slamming the two into each other with her bare hands, destroying them instantly. On a lower level, Hiro's trying to use his floating orbs to take down to more, but they keep dodging)
Hiro: Oh come on, stay still!
Monokuma #3: No thanks, I prefer shooting at you!
Hiro: Alright, one more try!
(One more attack, but sadly it ends up missing the Monokumas, who laugh in response. Unaware to them, the shot ended up bouncing off the wall, and then again, and again, and again till it struck them both in their copter packs, sending them careening to the ground)
Monokuma #4: Mayday, mayday, we're going down!
Monokuma #3: Do something!
Monokuma #4: What do you want me to do!?
Monokuma #3: BREAK MY FALL!
*BOOM*
Hiro: Huh, well that works.
(Sadly for him, another Monokuma started firing on him, and though he avoided getting hit, the gunfire kept pursuing him)
Monokuma #5: Ahahahahahahaha! Dance for me puppet, dance!
(And while his back was turned, Celeste's wires grabbed the Monokuma by its shoulders)
Celeste: Last I checked, there are no strings on him!
(With the very last "him", she chucked the robot-bear into the wall)
Celeste: You owe me for this Hiro!
Hiro: Yeah sure thi- BEHIND YOU!
(Before she could react, a Beast Monokuma pounced onto her from behind, and sent her careening to the ground. But before she could, Sayaka quickly jumped to her rescue, knocking the Beast Monokuma onto another platform where she and Celeste safely landed. The Pop Sensation gave the robot no time to breathe, and attacked it repeatedly before knocking its head off)
Sayaka: That was close…
(But before the ladies could take a breather, a group of Monokuma units spawned around them. The girls were back to back, weapons at the ready)
Celeste: I hope you know this won't make up for your earlier mistake Sayaka.
Sayaka: Was it that easy to figure out?
Celeste: You don't need to be a detective.
Sayaka: But you do need to be a skilled fighter at this point. Most Monokumas get first dibs?
Celeste: I have no idea what you're talking about.
Sayaka: Sure you don't.
(Celeste simply giggles)
Celeste: Very well, I'll take your bet.
(The ladies fight off the Monokuma units, Celeste swipes one to the side with her gauntlets while grabbing another with her wires, sending it into three more. Sayaka meanwhile knocks two aside with her staff before stabbing a third in its red eye, the two she knocked back before tried to jump her but she jumps high into the air, causing the two to knock into each other, thereby destroying them. Two more try to attack her from behind, but Celeste grabs one of them away while Sayaka takes the other out with a good strike to the chest)
Celeste: You're getting sloppy.
Sayaka: I'm only getting warmed up.
(The two continue fighting, meanwhile Mondo is riding atop Chihiro's orb as he shoots Monokumas down. Mondo takes care of the rear, knocking back two Beasts that try to pounce onto them into the wall, where they blow up upon contact)
Mondo: How's that for strong you bastards!
Chihiro: Not so weak huh Mondo?
Mondo: You're goddamn right! Come on, give me a challenge!
Monokuma #6: He asked for it boys, send in the Destroyer!
Chihiro: Uh, I think you might've gone a bit far there…
(On cue, a Monokuma with a gas mask, jet pack and flame thrower appears, and begins targeting Chihiro)
Mondo: COME ON! I'm right here!
(The Destroyer Monokuma starts raining fire on them, Chihiro tries to dodge but they end up crashing into the wall, fortunately a platform was right under them, saving them a long fall down)
Mondo: Uuuugh, my bad man.
Chihiro: Don't worry, you're good.
(The Destroyer gets close and prepares to burn the two, but Chihiro recovers and brings out his energy sword, quickly jumping up and swiping at its jet pack. The result causes the Destroyer to fly around haphazardly and out of control)
Mondo: Nice one!
Chihiro: Thanks, but we're not done yet. GUYS! Get the Monokumas into the center!
Makoto: And then what?
Chihiro: Just trust me! Leon, get ready!
Leon: Ready for what?
(He then witnesses the out of control Destroyer, and realizes what Chihiro is talking about)
Leon: Oh, I get it!
Toko: Here, let me see if I can help. Defend!
(Toko casts an Aero spell, giving her an impenetrable shield of wind. She uses it to float into the center of the room)
Toko: Over here! Right where I'm floating!
Makoto: Toko!
Toko: I'll be okay, just trust me!
Hifumi: You heard Miss Fukawa, do it now!
(Everyone knocked back the Monokumas to where Toko is, there had to be more than a dozen on here, but she bore with it for the group. The Destroyer, still out of control, is seen headed towards Leon. With his bat outwards, he winds up for the pitch, and when it's close…)
*WHACK*
(Its sent right towards Toko, and all the Monokuma units)
Monokuma #7: Well, we're boned.
Monokumas: AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!
*BOOM*
(The explosion sends Toko flying into the wall, and before she falls to the ground below, Chihiro gets his orb up and running again with Mondo riding atop. And luckily he caught Toko before she fell all the way down. The fight over, everyone reconvened on an upper platform)
Jiminy: That was a close call, you kids alright?
Sakura: We're fine, though Toko would appear to need some assistance.
Toko: I'm fine, j-just need to heal.
(And with one healing spell, the writing prodigy was back on her feet)
Leon: Pretty ballsy move Chihiro.
Chihiro: I figured it was the best way to take them all out before they overwhelmed us.
Celeste: That was annoying, but at least I got something out of it.
(Sayaka merely looked away, pouting at her loss)
Hiro: So now what?
Makoto: We keep going, and save Pinocchio.
(They all looked upwards, knowing where their destination lie)
Makoto: Well, onwards and upwards.
(Then they all jumped up, and were caught in a sudden updraft that launched them through the throat all the way to the stomach. In the digestive tract of the beast, Byakuya is alone with a weakened Pinocchio, only for that silence to be lifted)
Makoto: Hey, let Pinocchio go Byakuya!
(Byakuya turns to find Makoto and the others, having finally caught up with him)
Byakuya: Impressive, I figured that trap would've stopped you. But I guess you're a lot tougher than I thought.
Byakuya: Almost reminds me of this little toy, a puppet who's lost his heart to the Heartless.
Byakuya: I wonder, does this hold the key to saving Kyoko?
Sayaka: Kyoko? What do you know Byakuya?
Byakuya: More than I'm willing to admit. So how about it Makoto?
Byakuya: You want to save her, why not join forces?
(Byakuya tries to approach the group, but everyone draws their weapons, even Toko, very reluctant to fight her 'Master')
Byakuya: So you choose to fight me? All over a puppet that has no heart?
Makoto: Heart or no heart, at least he still has a conscience.
Byakuya: Conscience? That thing?
Makoto: You might not hear it, but right now it's loud and clear.
Makoto: And it's telling me… you're on the wrong side!
Byakuya: …
Toko: Master?
Byakuya: Have it your way then…
(In the midst of their conversation, Jiminy hops off Makoto's jacket and runs over to the downed Pinocchio)
Jiminy: Pinocchio! Pinocchio…
(The boy weakly responds…)
Pinocchio: Jiminy… I'm not gonna make it.
(...But immediately after saying that, his nose appears to grow, and Pinocchio appears to have regained his energy)
Pinocchio: Oh! I guess I'm okay!
(The group looks over to see Pinocchio, up and full of energy again. Byakuya looks back, almost in disappointment. Knowing there was no chance of victory himself, he calls for backup)
Byakuya: Alright, Plan B! *whistle*
(With a loud whistle, the Parasite Cage who retreated earlier drops down onto the ground, separating the group from Byakuya)
Byakuya: Try to put up a fight this time!
(And with those words, Byakuya summons a dark portal and retreats through it, leaving the others)
Mondo: Huh, figured he'd be too much of a coward to fight us.
Sakura: Something tells me this thing won't go down so easily this time.
Makoto: Jiminy, Pinocchio, get out of here, we'll handle this!
Pinocchio: O-Okay…
Jiminy: Be safe friends!
(Cue Destiny's Force)
(Jiminy and Pinocchio head back towards the throat, leaving Makoto's group to deal with the Parasite Cage)
Makoto: Less room this time, get to higher ground and watch out.
Chihiro: Better watch our step, that stomach acid isn't gonna do us any favors.
Mondo: Great, how could this shit get any worse?
(The Parasite Cage starts out by placing its tentacles into the pool of stomach acid, which it absorbs through its arms)
Mondo: Goddamnit…
Hifumi: Everybody run!
(It sprays out the noxious material through its top mouth, luckily everyone manages to dodge it just in time)
Sakura: That was too close.
Toko: I don't think it's gonna let up, Thunder!
(The thunder spell manages to deal damage, but it doesn't cause the Heartless to relent on its attacks. Swiping at everyone, knocking them around, even causing Mondo, Hifumi and Sayaka to fall into the stomach acid)
Makoto: Guys!
(They quickly recover and notice the damage, jumping out onto the platforms. Makoto heals their wounds with a quick Cure spell)
Mondo: *phew* Thanks man!
Sayaka: We need to take this out fast, but how?
Sakura: Allow me!
(Just as the Parasite Cage swipes at Sakura, she punches it back, right onto the Heartless's body. This knocks it out, giving her time to pry open the mouth on the body)
Leon: What are you doing?
Sakura: Giving you an opening!
(She succeeds, revealing a dark orb in the belly of the beast, pulled outwards for the group to see)
Makoto: That orb, it must be a weak point!
Chihiro: Let's hit it!
(Chihiro, Celeste and Leon charge forth and attack it right in the orb, dealing massive damage)
Mondo: Must've missed that in our first encounter.
Makoto: To be fair, it did have a prisoner, so it couldn't open its mouth.
Sakura: Hmm?
(Sakura notices it's arms moving)
Sakura: It's coming to, back away quick!
(The four back away, just in time for the Parasite Cage to push the orb back into its mouth)
Makoto: Okay, try to knock the tentacles back into it, we just might be able to finish this thing off quickly!
Mondo: Oh don't worry, I got just what we need!
(Mondo starts winding up his ball and chain, and right as the Heartless swipes with both arms, Mondo launches the iron ball into the arms, which in turn hits the beast square in the upper head)
Mondo: Yeah, how do you like that!?
(The Parasite Cage preps another stomach acid attack)
Mondo: Okay why does it do that every time I taunt it?
Celeste: I do not know, and I do not care, so STOP TAUNTING IT!
(It fires another attack right at Celeste, but Makoto quickly casts an Aero spell to protect her from the deadly vapor)
Celeste: Huh?
Makoto: You're welcome!
(Celeste smiles back, and takes to the ceiling once again, smacking the beast with her wires while avoiding its arms. While she's distracting it, Sakura goes in again to pry open its mouth. This gives Celeste enough time to dive feet first onto its upper head, knocking it out and giving Sakura time to get the dark orb out again)
Makoto: Alright, go for it guys!
(This time, Sayaka and Hiro head in to help Sakura deal damage. After a while it starts moving again, but while the girls manage to get out of the way in time, Hiro misses his cue and gets knocked into the acid for his mistake)
Hiro: YOWCH!
(The burns on his butt send him flying up, but a quick heal from Makoto fixes the damage)
Hiro: Thanks man…
Makoto: One more should do it, Leon think you can knock it out again?
Leon: Just watch me!
(Leon heads down to the center platform, right in front of the Heartless. It tries swiping at Leon, but it either misses, or gets its arm sent back to sender. Having had enough, it launches its body forth into Leon, who's barely able to hold on. This erupts in one big struggle, and it seems the baseball star was losing)
Leon: Come on… give already…
(All seemed hopeless, but then Hiro showed up with his floating orbs, pushing the Cage back alongside Leon. Then Sayaka showed up and began pushing it back too, and eventually the others joined in, in one final struggle they manage to push the body away and knock it out. And as Sakura opens the lower mouth, they all get together for one final charge. They run forth, and strike the dark orb with all their might, pushing the Heartless back onto the wall behind it)
Makoto: YES! We did it!
(The Parasite Cage opens its lower mouth again, and a heart releases from its prison, and as the beast falls over it fades away into nothing)
Hiro: Man, that was a close one.
Celeste: At least the wretch is finally dead.
Chihiro: And we managed to save Pinocchio in the process!
Sakura: So, what should we do now?
Makoto: I'd say return to the ship and try to get ourselves out of this thing.
?: You're not going anywhere, none of you!
(A dark portal opens up at the other side of the chamber, and out walks Byakuya, and Junko wearing a white Hope's Peak uniform)
Hiro: Junko?
Sayaka: No, it's the fake Junko.
Junko?: You've finally caught on? It took you long enough.
Junko?: So, what IS my name?
(This had the group stumped, Jill gave them a nickname, but it's hardly concrete enough to make a guess on)
Junko?: Still haven't figured that out, here then…
(The fake Junko took out a rag and rubbed her right hand, though it seemed unusual, they later saw she was removing makeup. Once she was done, she held up her hand…)
Junko?: Recognize me now?
(...Revealing a black wolf tattoo underneath the makeup. Makoto's eyes widened, as suddenly the truth finally came back to him, he remembered who she really is.)
Makoto: Mukuro…
Celeste: Hmm?
Makoto: I remember now, you're… not Junko Enoshima!
Makoto: You're Mukuro Ikusaba, her sister, and…
Mukuro: The Ultimate Soldier…
(Her identity finally revealed, she tossed her wig into the whale's stomach acids. It dissolved away, though it didn't matter much to Mukuro, as she wouldn't need it anymore)
(The sudden revelation caused everyone else in the group to suddenly remember too, that there were 16 of them, and who Mukuro was)
Hiro: Holy crap, yeah I remember her now!
Leon: Yeah, what the heck happened, why were you in that disguise?
Celeste: I believe the mastermind needed more eyes and ears than she already had, is this correct?
Mukuro: Very much so, yes. She wasn't content with the cameras and Monokumas, she needed someone close… to make sure her identity wasn't erased.
Makoto: You think you're that disposable.
Mukuro: I know I am, it's my job.
Sayaka: How can you think so little of yourself?
Mukuro: Because it's what I am, I am nothing!
Mukuro: My only worth is serving Junko, and bringing her despair!
Hifumi: What are you talking about?
Mukuro: So, you still don't know everything, do you?
Byakuya: I think it's only right to let you know the truth.
Byakuya: The truth about what's happened to our world?
Hiro: You mean, besides the whole taken by the Heartless thing?
Byakuya: Oh believe me…
Byakuya: Our world was destroyed long before the Heartless made their presence known to us.
Chihiro: Destroyed? How?
Mukuro: Let me tell you a story, a story about The Biggest, Most Awful, Most Tragic Event in Human History. And how it was birthed, by the Ultimate Despair.
(Cue Villains of a Sort)
Mukuro: Junko Enoshima and myself, born to our own tragedy, we saw the world for how ugly it really was. Junko especially, because of her true talent, her analytical prowess that allowed her to predict anything.
Mukuro: But in being able to predict anything, the world became nothing but a bore to her, she was apathetic, and felt nothing. The only thing she could not figure out, was despair.
Leon: Despair?
Mukuro: You couldn't just predict what could come from despair, no two events were the same, every instance was a new and exciting event. So naturally, she came to enjoy what it could bring.
Mukuro: But it wasn't enough, it couldn't just be her, she desired to paint the world in despair. And thus began the plan for "The Tragedy".
Sakura: And you assisted her?
Mukuro: How could I not? I survived thanks to her, here I am the older sister unable to protect my younger sister, and she's doing everything in her power to protect me… to look after me… to love me…
(That last sentence gives Mukuro a blush on her face, which leaves Makoto's group slightly weirded out)
Toko: You're an absolute f-freak!
Mukuro: Eventually, she decided the Tragedy had to begin where hope shined the most… Hope's Peak Academy. It made her sick how much hope came from there, so upon enrolling we got to work, she had it all planned out.
Mukuro: And as the bodies piled, the students of Hope's Peak began to fall, one by one. The despair became too much, and then came the chaos she longed for.
Mukuro: When it was all said and done, Hope's Peak had fallen, and our organization, The Ultimate Despair, was born from the ashes and corpses of Hope's Peak.
(The group looked on, in shock and fear, their world was already ruined?)
Byakuya: Believe me, I was surprised to hear of it myself. It wasn't just the immediate area, the whole world soon fell into despair, that Tragedy became worldwide.
Makoto: World…wide?
Hifumi: You mean we've been fighting for a world that's long gone?
Sayaka: No… then that means…
Sayaka: Our homes, our family, our friends…
(A flashback to the videos they saw, the motive as Monokuma put it. Were they actually long gone?)
Sayaka: No.. I can't believe it, I WON'T!
Mukuro: It's no lie, you wouldn't believe how much despair it brought her. And the game would've been the cherry on top.
Byakuya: Still, kind of surprising we thought to lock ourselves in to keep the despair out.
Leon: Wait we… locked ourselves in?
Byakuya: It was to ensure the world's future apparently, too bad Junko happened to be one of the candidates.
Mukuro: And after the Headmaster was disposed of, all that was left was to begin the killing game…
Mukuro: …Until YOU ruined it!
(She points to Makoto, an anger in her voice even Junko was unused to)
Mukuro: Thanks to you, everything was ruined! The Heartless came to our world because of the Keyblade, and she was denied all that she worked for. The Junko I saw, I never want to see again.
Mukuro: So full of anger, so full of hatred, so full of sadness. This isn't the Junko I know and love!
Mukuro: I couldn't sit back and watch her plan be destroyed, so it's why we're working to fix the mess you made.
Makoto: I "made"?
Makoto: But I-
Byakuya: That's enough Makoto…
Byakuya: I think you see now why the Keyblade deserves a true master.
(Everyone didn't know what to do, what to say. The revelation of what happened is… despair-inducing. Let alone Makoto, who promised to everyone he'd save them and bring their world back. He didn't know if he should, what would be left for them?)
Byakuya: I've spent my entire life getting to where I am, it wasn't all just handed to me.
Makoto: Huh?
Byakuya: I fought tooth and nail to earn my place, and many 'died' for it.
Byakuya: And I didn't go through all of that only for some 'lucky student' to gain so much power. It's only right to give those who truly deserve the power that right, to change the world.
(...He was right, Makoto only stumbled across this by luck, maybe he didn't deserve it. Hesitant, he began walking towards Byakuya, his hand outstretched. But before he could hand over the Keyblade…)
(Music stop)
Sayaka: MAKOTO STOP!
(Sayaka hugs Makoto from behind and stops the Keyblade wielder right in his tracks)
(Cue Desire for Execution)
Sayaka: Please Makoto, don't do it!
Makoto: But Sayaka, he's right. I-
Makoto: I just can't do it, I don't even know what I'm fighting for anymore
Makoto: I promised to get our world back but… is it even worth it anymore?
Celeste: Listen to yourself, you fool!
Makoto: Huh?
Celeste: You single handedly kept our dreams alive, kept us all together, I never would have been so willing to cooperate if Byakuya had the Keyblade.
Hifumi: Y-Yeah, what Miss Ludenberg said. He's got too much of a sharp edge to him, not the kind of protagonist people would flock to.
Hifumi: Unless they like that sort of thing of course, something I think Miss Fukawa would.
Toko: Sh-Shut up you fat pig!
Hifumi: Gweh!
Hiro: Yeah, you're the only guy I'd be willing to fight for!
Chihiro: You… helped me find my courage again. It's because of you that I can say for the first time in my life that I'm… strong.
Mondo: And the first time I can say it and mean it, it's not something I need to convince myself on.
Mondo: I'm not just some guy trying to convince himself of how tough he is, I… actually feel strong now.
Sakura: It's not the strength of your body that counts Makoto, it's the strength of your heart.
Makoto: My… heart.
Leon: Yeah what they said, I don't think I'd be able to stick around if I had to follow that stuck up prick.
(That ticked Byakuya off a bit)
Toko: I… I want to stay by M-Master's side but… this isn't him.
Toko: I remember how he and I were… and this isn't him!
Makoto: You… remember?
Toko: She and I don't sh-share memories but… we share emotions.
Toko: Our hearts are the same, and it's saying to me that… that isn't the Byakuya we know!
Sayaka: Please Makoto, don't do this, I need someone to believe in. A reason to hope again.
(Sayaka was practically bawling her eyes out at this point, Makoto kneeled down and gave her a heartfelt hug. It surprised her at first, but she quickly returned the favor, crying all the way. After a minute, Makoto got up, his friends at his back, and he called out to Byakuya)
Makoto: The Keyblade isn't some tool to be won, it carries the hopes and dreams of everyone, a way to shine the light through the darkness. And I…
Makoto: I'll never let you have it! You don't deserve it!
Byakuya: Gh! You…
(Byakuya begins to approach Makoto, but Mukuro gets in between them and stops him)
Mukuro: Get back to Maleficent, now.
Byakuya: And what about you?
Mukuro: …Like I said, I'm not letting them leave.
Byakuya: …
(Frustrated, Byakuya opens a dark portal…)
Byakuya: For your sake, you better not.
(...And walks through it, leaving everyone)
(Music stop)
Mukuro: I promised Junko I'd have your head, yours and everyone else's. The killing game will continue…
(Mukuro draws a rifle, and jumps to the platforms above)
Mukuro: With or without you!
(She whistles, and suddenly a bunch of Bomber Monokumas and Barrel Spiders appear)
Mukuro: KILL THEM!
Monstro: Main Boss Battle
Ultimate Soldier/Ultimate Despair
Mukuro Ikusaba
Track: Squirming Evil
Makoto: Let's go!
RIGHT!
(Makoto immediately heads for Mukuro, but she jumps out of the way and shoots the lucky student. Sayaka tries to follow up, but even though she gets close, Mukuro dodges every attack. She draws her combat knife and manages to land a few blows on Sayaka before jumping away. Makoto quickly goes to her aid)
Makoto: Are you alright?
Sayaka: I think so, she's tough.
(Hiro and Hifumi try their luck, but a few Bomber Monokumas block their way and toss a few bombs their way)
Hiro: OH CRAP!
(Hifumi summons a shield, which shields them from the explosion, but not the knockback into the stomach acid. They quickly hop out before they take too much damage)
Hifumi: She's impossible to reach!
Celeste: Not for long!
(Celeste swings in and manages to catch up to the fleeing soldier, she swipes at her with her wires but Mukuro keeps dodging. Fortunately for Celeste, she's agile enough to dodge Mukuro's gunfire.)
Celeste: You'll have to do better than that.
Mukuro: Then how's this?
(Mukuro summons two Barrel Spiders, and before Celeste can react Mukuro shoots them, knocking Celeste towards Mukuro before she literally kicks the gambler back with her foot. Not to be outdone, Celeste latches onto the walls and dives back towards Mukuro. She dodges, but before she can react, Sakura jumps forward and swipes at the back of Mukuro's head, knocking her away)
Mukuro: Huh?
Sakura: You cannot dodge forever.
Mukuro: I…
(Mukuro had a reputation for avoiding serious harm, so it struck her dumbfounded that she let herself get caught off guard like that. She didn't dwell on that for long, as she grabbed a combat knife and began attacking Sakura. As they attacked and dodged, it felt like watching a battle between two beasts, the heat intensifying around them)
(The Bomber Monokumas try to attack with bombs, but Celeste manages to catch them and send them back to sender, exploding the bears but causing the whale to rumble)
Celeste: This can't be good!
(Eventually Sakura and Mukuro break apart, and before Sakura could follow up, a Barrel Spider gets in the way and explodes, courtesy of Mukuro. It gives her time to get away, but soon enough Chihiro steps in with his energy sword, barely giving her enough time to dodge but not without a scratch on her arm)
Chihiro: Whoa…
(Mukuro couldn't take the indignity, so she charged forth, knife in hand. Chihiro wasn't the best at up close combat, so he had a hard time dodging and blocking. Eventually Mukuro grabbed the programmer by the throat)
Mukuro: You want to be strong, then face death like the man you are!
(Chihiro closed his eyes, but while Mukuro was distracted by the victim in front of her, Mondo rammed himself into her, knocking her into the wall)
Mondo: You okay man?
Chihiro: Thanks Mondo…
Leon: Coming your way!
(A Barrel Spider is launched towards them, Mondo and Chihiro get out of the way, but Mukuro wasn't so lucky. The explosion caused significant damage, but she soon recovered and headed for the bottom platform. The trio followed her)
Mondo: Here, why don't I show you what strength really is?
Mukuro: I didn't think you'd be so willing to hit a girl.
Mondo: Yeah, nearly killing a friend of mine can do things. Wind me up!
(Leon strikes Mondo's iron ball and chain, and while he spins around, Leon and Chihiro take the fight up close to the despair sister. Surprisingly she's able to hold off their assault without any damage. As Mondo's iron ball gets close, she ducks to avoid getting hit, giving Chihiro enough time to stab at her from the side. She's taken aback by the wound, giving Leon enough time to strike her from behind, the hit sending Mukuro right into Mondo's line of fire, launching her into the acid)
Leon: Yeah, that's what's up!
(Getting angrier and angrier, Mukuro jumps up and summons an RPG)
Chihiro: Guys look out!
(They manage to avoid the blast, but Chihiro accidentally falls into the acid. Luckily Mondo gets him out before long)
Mondo: Watch where you're going dumbass!
Chihiro: R-Right, sorry about that.
(Monstro begins shaking again, this time worse than before)
Chihiro: These explosions can't be good, they must be causing Monstro a lot of internal damage.
Leon: Suddenly the explosive barrels and Monokumas with bombs make sense.
Chihiro: Wait, if we can make a big enough explosion, and get to the ship, we just might be able to get out of here!
Mondo: Yeah but first we need to take care of her!
Makoto: Leave her to me!
Toko: Here, let me get you some help! Thunder!
(Toko's thunder spell ends up hitting herself, a move that surprised everyone, until they realized why)
Jill: Hey guys, miss me already?
Jill: Mucky, what are you doing here?
Mukuro: Killing you, that's what!
(She fires another rocket at Jill, but she gracefully dodges)
Jill: Wow, you must REALLY want us dead. Let's see how you handle these.
(Scissors in hand, she races towards Mukuro, and this time she has a hard time dodging. Sure she's able to dodge most, but Jill's precision with her weapons allows her to cut up Mukuro plenty of times)
Mukuro: Damn it!
Jill: Wow, someone's getting sloppy~
Mukuro: I'll show you sloppy, you freak of nature!
(She brings out a carbine and gets in close, dodging most of her shots but after knocking into her she's able to land a few hits. But before she could seal the deal, Makoto comes back and starts swiping at Mukuro)
Mukuro: You can't win Makoto!
Makoto: I'm not going to give up, can't you see what you're doing is wrong?
Mukuro: This is all I know, and I'm not going to stop!
(Now she grabs two combat knives, only this time Makoto's able to keep up with her)
Makoto: You're only perpetuating the darkness, it's not going to stop!
Mukuro: I don't want it to stop!
Makoto: No, she doesn't want it to stop, you aren't Junko!
Mukuro: SHUT UP!
(She starts getting sloppy in her attacks, this gives Makoto enough wiggle room to land a few blows with his Keyblade. She quickly breaks things up with a grenade, knocking them both back a bit)
Mukuro: Don't you see the pain you've caused her?
Makoto: Don't you see the pain you've caused to everyone? She shouldn't be your only reason for living!
Mukuro: My life belongs to her!
Makoto: You're the only one who gets to decide your life, don't throw it away!
(Mukuro screams at runs forth, but Jill steps in)
Jill: Hey, it's not a party without a bloodbath! Kyeehahahahahahaha!
(Makoto and Jill double team the soldier, and she finally starts to lose her ground as both the serial killer and the Keyblade wielder land plenty of blows)
Mukuro: That's ENOUGH!
(With another explosion, she knocks both away. When the smoke clear, dark energy is seen visibly coming out of Mukuro's body)
Mukuro: I won't let you stand in her way! I can't! I NEED TO STOP YOU!
Makoto: Mukuro stop, you don't have to live for her!
Mukuro: I have no choice…
Makoto: You always have a choice!
Mukuro: Shut up!
(She charges forth, leaving an afterimage of herself, knocking Makoto into the air and stabbing him repeatedly. Jill jumps in, but gets knocked aside and down into the acid)
Jill: Oooh, this really burns me up, I just can't stomach it!
Jill: But enough with the jokes, it's time for a little slice n dice!
(Makoto quickly heals and casts a shield, but it doesn't do much to help him hit Mukuro)
Sayaka: TAKE THIS!
(Before Mukuro could notice, Sayaka fires an orb of light her way)
Makoto: Huh?
Sayaka: I'm not just some one trick pony you know.
(Angered, Mukuro begins attacking Sayaka. The Pop Sensation holds her own against the powered up soldier, but it's not long before she gets stabbed in the heart)
Makoto: NO!
Sayaka: Ghgh!
(Mukuro smiles, and thought to herself, "so this is what it feels like?" But the feeling subsided when she saw Sayaka smile)
Sayaka: Fooled… you…
(Jill successfully stabs the soldier in the legs, but before she could move again, she finds her legs encased in ice)
Mukuro: What?
Jill: Wow, these spell enhancements are really handy, nice to have a captive victim again. Shame it couldn't be a cute boy.
Makoto: This ends here!
Chihiro: Now guys!
(Right on cue, Hifumi launches a bomb at a group of Barrel Spiders, Mondo launches a Bomber Monokuma towards another, Celeste swipes a few bombs and sends them all over the room, carefully avoiding the others, and the resulting boom was so massive, the stomach acid levels began to rise)
(Not wanting to waste time, Makoto quickly began hurling his Keyblade at the frozen Mukuro, and after five times, he rushes in just as Mukuro regains her footing. Running rampant, she summons a grenade launcher and starts shooting haphazardly at everyone while running from her pursuer. Though she manages to catch some in the explosions, the blast caused the whale to rumble even more, causing her to lose her footing long enough for Makoto to catch up)
Makoto: This stops right now Mukuro, fight for yourself, not Junko.
Mukuro: Grrr…
(She launches towards Makoto, but he manages to dodge her and begins attacking her with all his might. Hit after hit, blow after blow, Mukuro faced more damage than she ever thought she would. And as the two took to the air, Mukuro caught him off guard and launched him into the ceiling. But he quickly regained his footing, launched from the ceiling towards the Ultimate Soldier, and with one final swipe)
Makoto: IT'S OVER!
(Music stop)
(Mukuro falls to the acid below, but not before Sakura grabs her and lands on one of the platforms above, saving her from an untimely demise. They reconvene around the downed soldier)
Makoto: Thanks Sakura.
Sakura: I figured you prefer she live.
Sayaka: Is she really that worth it Makoto?
Makoto: I can feel it in her heart, she's not that far gone.
Makoto: I think… She believes this is wrong.
Mondo: Whatever you say man, but I'm not really sure about this.
(Mukuro comes to, weakened but awake)
Mukuro: You…
Makoto: Mukuro this needs to stop, you shouldn't have to fight for her!
Mukuro: I need to… I must help her…
Makoto: Please Mukuro, think for a minute, not for her but yourself!
Mukuro: My thoughts… belong to…
(Sayaka grabs Mukuro by her shoulders, stands her up and smacks her, a slap that could be heard across the room)
Sayaka: WHAT WILL IT TAKE FOR THIS TO STOP!?
Mukuro: Huh?
Sayaka: Listen, Makoto knows you have doubts, even after all of this, why can't you understand that already?
Mukuro: I… I…
(Those words resonated with her for some reason, maybe she was wrong for being so loyal. But the minute those thoughts entered her mind, she snuck out some kind of detonator)
Mukuro: I… can't…
Makoto: Mukuro?
Mukuro: I'm sorry…
(She presses the detonator, and suddenly explosions erupted from the downed Monokuma units. This causes the stomach to practically erupt, acid bubbles going everywhere. In the midst of the chaos, Mukuro summons and dark portal and manages to escape under everyone's noses)
Makoto: Mukuro!
Leon: She escaped?
Chihiro: We probably should too!
Makoto: No…
(Sayaka grabbed Makoto's arm as he looked back, but he couldn't find Mukuro. Eventually they all departed the stomach, and made their way back to the ship just before Monstro sneezed them out. Back in space, Monstro is swimming around, but eventually he reels back on account of the activity going on in his stomach. Eventually he sneezes, allowing the Gummi Ship to escape with everyone inside)
Hifumi: We did it, we're free, we're finally free!
Mondo: Thank fucking God, glad to be out of that whale.
Celeste: Makoto?
Makoto: Byakuya, Mukuro…
Makoto: …
Sayaka: Don't worry, I'm sure we'll be able to save them… I hope.
Jill: You better hope, no way I'm going home without my beloved Master at my- *ACHOO*!
Toko: Ugh, p-please tell me we're done?
Makoto: We are…
(His friends on his mind, Makoto looks to the space in front of them)
Makoto: Don't worry, I'm sure we'll save you.
Chihiro: You think Gepetto, Jiminy and Pinocchio made it out alright?
Sayaka: I really hope so, they seemed like nice people.
Sayaka: I just hope they find someplace safer than that whale.
Leon: Speaking of which, we better get going before it comes back.
Makoto: R-Right, hang on guys.
(With their excursion through Monstro completed, Makoto and his group set out for worlds unknown, now determined more than ever to find their friends. Elsewhere, on what looks like a pirate ship, Byakuya is seen over an unconscious Kyoko, alongside Junko and Maleficent)
Byakuya: Hmph, no more than a lifeless puppet now.
Junko: To tell you the truth I'm surprised, I just thought she was asleep.
(Junko adopts her punk personality)
Junko: But that bitch can't wake up to anything, no pain no gain no nothin'!
Byakuya: And her heart?
Maleficent: Taken by the Heartless, no doubt.
Byakuya: So what now?
Junko: Return to the fucking plan obviously!
Byakuya: And what would that be?
Maleficent: There are seven maidens of the purest heart. We call them the Princesses of Heart.
Maleficent: Gather them together, and a door will open to the heart of all worlds. Within lies untold wisdom.
Maleficent: From there, I'm sure you will be able to get precisely what you desire.
Byakuya: The Keyblade…
Maleficent: Now, I'll grant you a marvelous gift.
(Junko reverts to her stock self)
Junko: Oh so you're letting him have it too?
Byakuya: Have what?
Maleficent: The power to control the Heartless.
(With a wave of her hands, dark energy flows into Byakuya, a bright green aura enveloping him as the power courses through his veins. Once done, he turns to Kyoko)
Byakuya: Don't worry, your time will come soon.
(Another portal opens up, and out comes Mukuro, a lot worse for the wear)
Junko: Holy shit! You took quite the beating didn't you?
Byakuya: I told you facing them yourself was a fool's errand.
(Mukuro didn't respond, she simply fell to her knees in shame, and slammed her fist onto the ground)
Mukuro: DAMN IT!
(And unleashed a scream that could be heard for miles, a scream of disappointment)
Junko: If it meant anything Sis, I figured you'd get your ass handed to you a lot sooner. So good job at only being mostly a failure.
Junko: Try not to be so dumb next time, okay?
(Junko, Byakuya and Maleficent headed topside, leaving Mukuro to wallow in her own failure)
Mukuro: I failed… why?
Mukuro: Why can't I ever… do good?
Mukuro: Is this really… right?
(Mukuro began questioning things again, only this time she had a much more difficult time pushing those thoughts aside. Eventually she stopped with the self-pity, got up and looked to where the others headed)
Mukuro: Junko…
(Her resolve shaken, Mukuro was left thinking about Makoto's words to her. What could she even do at this point? These questions ran through her mind constantly, but regardless she still had a job to do. With that in mind, she headed up to the others, unsure of what lies ahead for her)
Hope you like the story-exclusive boss fight against Mukuro, I really wanted to introduce her to the group via a boss fight and I figured with how the actual story went in Kingdom Hearts, this would be the best place for it. Looks like hope and despair are in the air, on both sides. So, will they manage to keep moving onwards in spite of this news, and what's going on with Mukuro after the big battle? I'm excited to move on, and I hope the 3-4 years hiatus will make this worth it. Next time, we go under the sea...