Danganronpa: Twisted Tragedy (SYOC)

by SilverMark16

[Sequel to Corrupted Hope] Eighteen of Hope's Peak's finest awake to find themselves stuck in an abandoned theme park, Piero's Playground, the joyous place in the world! However, behind the smiles and laughs is a deadly game of tears and tragedy starring a Killing Game hosted by the eccentric Stanczyk and his twisted partner, Monoyena.

2. A World of Laughs and Tears (Part 2)

Prologue: A World of Laughs and Tears (Part 2)

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Warning: This fic contains intense violence, lots of cursing, character death, gore and blood, sexual innuendos (thanks Maggi- Wait. You're not even in this fic. Meaning there are no sexual innuendos!... Maybe! Hooray!), and possible spoilers for the Danganronpa series. But hey, everyone lurking in this fandom has at least played the first Danganronpa so no need to worry much there! Right?

With that said, please enjoy!

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(Infirmary)

...

...

...

"I told you already. I'm fine."

"Naw you ain't! Git yer butt back on that bed and wait for the darn nurse!"

"You are creating too much trouble for me and wasting my time. In fact, I have wasted approximately 14 minutes and 13 seconds over your meandering!"

Walking into the Infirmary, Alvin could see that it was exactly as Issac had said. Four students were inside the Infirmary, presumably waiting for the nurse. And just like the students he had met along the way, these four were just as colorful and also presumably unnatural. But still, these were his students, and as the one in charge of them, he had to remain perfectly civil and perfectly polite.

"Excuse me, but what is going on here?" Alvin cleared his throat as he walked in.

"Whoa!" a boy with dark red hair grinned, extending a thumbs-up toward the teacher. "Is that the nurse? Man, if I wasn't straight, I'd totally fall head over heels for this guy!"

"Oh, sweetie, he really is dashing, isn't he?" a student, presumably female, licked their lips on the side.

Alvin fixed his tie as his face muddled into a pinkish tint. Even though his students proved themselves to be pretty unordinary, they still had the advantage of knowing just how to make his face melt into an embarrassing mess. Pushing up his glasses and trying his best not to goofily grin, Alvin cleared his throat once again.

"Er, no, you got it all wrong," Alvin chuckled. "My name is Alvin Tetch. I'll be your new teacher for the New Life Program. I just came by because I heard someone in my class fell sick."

"As I have continuously told everyone, I am fine," the girl who was presumably the one who fell sick definitely fit the bill of someone who looked sick. "May we return to the classroom now?"

"Nuh-uh!" the girl with the southern accent, who looked like your stereotypical cowgirl, placed a hand on her hip. "I told ya! Yer staying here till the real nurse pops by!"

"Well, then, while we wait for the nurse, perhaps I can stay and learn who my students are then?" Alvin chuckled.

Compared to the sadder bunch in Classroom 1-C, these four seemed a little more care-free, happy, and just… well, approachable. Honestly, it was a nice change in pace, but Alvin knew that the moment he would be relieved about something, he was going to regret what was to come next. The first student he was to meet was the young man with the red hair sticking a thumbs-up out toward him with a hearty grin.

"That's a great idea, teach!" the young red-haired boy grinned. "It's nice to meet you by the way! The name's Aidan Brighton! My full title is the Ultimate Track Star, but you can just call me Aidan!"

…

(Aidan Brighton ~ The Ultimate Track Star)

…

Aidan stood at a height of 6'1. Weighing about 145 lbs, he had golden eyes, short dark red messy hair, as mentioned, and being the Ultimate Track Star, that also meant that he was athletically fit.

To go along with that nice fit body of his was his outfit, which made him seem like a typical jock every cast in a zero-sum type of game would need. He wore a blue sports jersey with yellow shoulder stripes labeled with a large number '11'. His shorts were black, but they also had yellow stripes as well. He also wore dark blue sneakers, white socks, and fingerless gloves on his hands.

"Mister Brighton," Alvin smiled at this relatively normal boy. But he did also hope that he didn't have some weird quirk like that whole Isolde bit. "Ultimate Track Star huh? So, I guess I'll be expecting you to go out for a nice winter jog every once in a while, correct?"

"In this weather?" Aidan blinked. "Ha! Are you crazy? There's no way I would run in the cold like that! That's suicide! That's like stripping yourself naked and jumping into a frozen lake!"

If being cold is what you're worried about, then how did you even get here with just a sports jersey and shorts? Alvin deadpanned behind his thoughts.

"Maybe if it gets warmer, I'll consider doing it," Aidan beamed, placing both hands over his hips. "But at the very least, running isn't the only thing I plan on doing in the New Life Program, teach."

"Oh?" Alvin looked at him curiously.

"Don't get me wrong, running is cool and all…" Aidan trailed off as he messed around with his dark red hair, making it much messier than it already was. "I mean, I end up scoring some chicks. I look cool doing it. I'm hella fast. But it's not what I want to do all the time, y'know?"

"Then, what do you want to do?" Alvin questioned.

"Heh, isn't it obvious?" Aidan flicked a finger-gun pose toward his teacher with a wink. "I wanna go big with other sports! Baseball. Basketball. Soccer. I have the skills for it, but Hope's Peak only recognized me for the running part. Seriously, it was a really big bummer for me when I found out…"

Aidan lifted up his leg and started to tie his shoe, allowing one of his legs to keep him balanced and steady.

"Big bummer?" Alvin blinked. "Do you not like your talent?"

"Come on, teach!" Aidan dropped his leg and planted his hands back onto his hips off more with a beaming smile. "Weren't you listening? Running is cool! And it's nice to be at least an Ultimate! It's like having superpowers! You're either born with it or you're not!"

Sticking his tongue out and rubbing his hair once more, Aidan continued.

"At the same time, I just prefer activities that are more… team-based, y'know?" he chuckled.

"Oh, I see," Alvin smiled. "So that's why you signed up for the Program!"

"Well, part of it," Aidan grinned, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. "The other reason is because of my sister…"

Aidan's grins and smiles looked a little more serious this time as he folded his arms and glanced away. It almost looked like he was deep in thought, but the more Alvin examined him between his evidently long pause, the more he wondered if this was a recurring pattern with pretty much most of his students. Only this time, Aidan didn't really look sad.

He just looked like he was weighing something in his head.

"Er, what about your sister?" Alvin hoped to try to get Aidan to continue his train of thought.

But to his dismay, Aidan shook his head, took out a water bottle, and drenched his red hair with it. Brushing his hair back, he gave a sigh of relief and closed his eyes, allowing Alvin to see his smile and his signature thumbs-up once more.

"Heh, my twin sister is a whole other can of words, teach!" Aidan grinned. "Maybe I'll tell you more about it when we're alone! Right now, I can't keep hogging all the glory, y'know!"

Aidan was right.

There were three other students in the room with him. If he had continued talking to Aidan, this Prologue might just end up reaching 30K instead! With a nod in agreement and acknowledgement, Alvin decided to move on to the next student on the roster. Though, he also kept a mental note of who Aidan was.

And so far, Aidan was definitely on the most normal spectrum in the cast. He was a nice kid with big goals and dreams. And honestly, Alvin could respect that hope and talent he could see that was all fired up in his chest. It definitely warmed his heart…

…

Moving away from Aidan, the next person of intrigue was the girl who had forced all the students to go and separate to different parts of this Academy and making this process so much harder than it needed to be: the pale girl who definitely looked sickly.

"Hello," Alvin approached her with caution. "Er, I'm sorry to say this but are you alright? You certainly created quite the scene from what I've heard, heh."

The pale girl simply kept her arms frozen and folded as she scoffed.

"Was it truly me who caused the scene or was it everyone else?" the girl sighed. "I insisted that I was alright and yet here I am, allowing my time to be wasted. Where is that bumbling nurse anyway?"

She took out what seemed to be a gold pocket watch in her right pants pocket and flicked it open, watching the seconds hand tick away as time remained ever so impatient.

"Tch, as expected," the pale girl snapped her fingers in annoyance. "It's been approximately 17 minutes and 54 seconds since she was last called. Once again, wasting my time…"

She snapped her pocket watch shut, irritably.

Though, Alvin did note that the way she snapped her pocket watch shut reminded her a lot like Mabel whenever she would snap her phone shut. Huh. Now that he thought about it, he hadn't heard from Mabel in a while. That phone call she answered sure was taking a long time…

"Well, then, how about we make use of your time?" Alvin smiled at her politely. "I would like to get to know the student I will be teaching for the next semester. So please, tell me your name and your talent."

The pale girl glanced at Alvin, slightly flustered at his politeness. Even with how pompous she sounded; it was clear that she couldn't ignore the attention she was getting from such a handsome man. Taking out her pocket watch, she cleared her throat and glanced back down at the ticking second hand.

"V-Very well," the girl nodded her agreement. "I suppose I can spare approximately five minutes and 15 seconds starting now."

Snapping her pocket watch shut, she turned back and pushed her glasses back up.

"My name is Alisa Zachary," Alisa introduced herself before glancing down at a silver watch on her wrist. "Approximately 1 year, 5 months, 12 days, 15 hours, 34 minutes, and 12 seconds ago, I was granted the title of Ultimate Clockmaker. Time greets you with welcome arms, Mister Tetch."

…

(Alisa Zachary ~ The Ultimate Clockmaker)

…

Alisa was a very thin and pale young woman, standing at about 5 '8 and weighing a total of 99 lbs. Huh, perhaps that's why she was dragged to the Infirmary. She may have the appearance of being sickly, but she wasn't all skin and bones either. She had short curly black hair, draped over her shoulders and going down to the end of her neck and dark blue eyes, with rectangular-framed glasses directly over it.

For her normal outfit, Alisa wore a diagonally striped light gray and dark gray undershirt with a dark blue double-breasted vest over that, as well dark blue suit pants. She also wore black shoes. Her vest was buttoned, with a notable right pant pocket where her pocket watch was tucked neatly inside.

But Alvin cared little for character descriptions. At the moment, he was a little taken aback by how precise she was about the information she had just spilled. In fact, there was little he could even do to register what she had just said.

Rubbing the back of his neck, Alvin chuckled sheepishly toward her.

"You are… very meticulous with time, aren't you Miss Zachary?" Alvin chuckled.

"I have to be," Alisa closed her eyes and began to wipe her rectangular-framed glasses with a cloth. "I am the Ultimate Clockmaker, after all. Precise. Strict. Punctual. These are all key characteristics someone in my field requires. If they do not have these skills, then every methodical second of their life will be delayed…"

Alisa placed her glasses back over her eyes and narrowed them peevishly.

"...And they will be stuck one second ahead of everyone else," Alisa's eyes twitched. "While they live in the future, the rest remain in the present. Time is the keeper of order. If one person is ahead or delayed by one second, then where's the order in that?"

Alisa took out a small alarm clock from one of her pant pockets and began to wind it up, mercilessly.

"Time must be the same for everyone," Alisa stopped winding her alarm clock and glanced at it curiously. She let out a sigh of relief as she pocketed her alarm clock. "That is why a clockmaker like me needs to do everything they can to maintain a level of perfection in their line of work. Because in a world with little perfection…"

"...is just chaos," Alvin finished her sentence, clearly impressed by Alisa's remarkable punctiliousness.

Alisa covered her mouth with her hands and let her eyes glance away every so often. But if one noticed closely, her eyes would also glance back at Alvin for a brief moment before glancing away. It was almost as if her eyes moved in a syncopated rhythm… much like a ticking clock… which was both impressive and a little scary.

"S-So you understand, Mister Tetch," Alisa seemed a little flattered by how well Alvin understood her philosophy. Didn't help that Alvin kept his tie so perfectly symmetrical– Gah!

"Of course I do," Alvin bowed. "Being a perfectionist is in my blood. Perfect order is needed to create a perfect harmony. That is what I believe in."

"F-Fascinating," Alisa gave a small nod of satisfaction.

Alvin chuckled. It was clear now. He knew it was wrong for a teacher to have favorites but perhaps he could get away with saying that Alisa was probably the student he definitely favored at the moment. Someone as meticulous as her definitely blended well with a perfectionist as himself. He smiled as he pushed his glasses back up toward the top of his nose's bridge.

"How did you become a clockmaker anyway?" Alvin asked. "I can tell that you're naturally gifted after all."

"Hm, it is a long story for a five minute and 15 second conversation," Alisa took out her pocket watch once again and watching it tick. "So, I suppose I have no other choice but to give you the condensed version."

She pocketed her watch and took off her glasses. Closing her eyes, she began to clean the lens and recounted her journey in the least number of minutes and seconds as possible.

"I mainly worked with my grandfather on my mother's side," Alisa answered, placing her glasses back on. "If anyone was the true keeper of time, it was him. I simply followed along his path and simply found a way to make good use of my own present. Simple as that."

"You are quite the remarkable young woman," Alvin complimented. "But if you don't mind me asking, what is your purpose for signing up for the New Life Program?"

Alisa raised her right wrist and began to twist the dial on her watch, attempting to adjust the time back into its correct position. Then, once she was finished, she could only give Alvin a slight frown of disappointment.

"I apologize Mister Tetch," Alisa glanced back down at her watch. "But I promised you I would only spare you five minutes and fifteen seconds. We are running low on time. In fact, this very conversation is due to end in 7… 6… 5…"

As Alisa counted down, Alvin couldn't help but also be impressed by her punctuality as well. But at the same time, if she had just given a little more time, perhaps Alvin could've learned more about her! With a sigh, Alvin supposed he could always learn more about her in the future.

"...2… 1…" Alisa nodded and lowered her wrist. "Time is up. Thank you for your time, Mister Tetch."

With a nod of acknowledgement and a satisfied smile, Alvin moved on to the next student in the room.

…

The next student that Alvin decided to talk to was perhaps the tallest of the girls he had met thus far: the cowgirl-looking female who spoke with a Southern accent. Compared to most of the males and females of the bunch however, she didn't seem at all interested in how handsome he was. Instead, she greeted him casually. It was pretty much simple and forward. That was all there was to it.

"Howdy there, Sheriff Tetch," the cowgirl tipped down her hat with a wink. "Name's Yumi Gundo! I'm the rootin, tootin, fastest Ultimate Gunslinger in the North, South, East, and West of Shinagawa! Pleased to meet ya, pardner!"

…

(Yumi Gundo ~ The Ultimate Gunslinger)

…

Yumi stood at 6'1 and weighed about 150 pounds. She had bright green eyes and long blond hair tied into a braid that reached the middle of her back. She had a voluptuous figure with long legs and an ample (DD Cup, thanks for the specification!) bust. Her hands also had manicured nails.

For her outfit, she wore a button-up undershirt, brown leather vest, denim jeans, brown cowboy boots and a white Stetson hat. She also wore a brown poncho reminiscent of those old Western movies starring Clint Eastwood, who she probably got most of her childhood inspiration from.

Nevertheless, Yumi was pretty much your rootin, tootin, classic cowgirl. She flicked her hat back up with her index finger with a smirk.

"Er, I'm sorry but you are Japanese, correct?" Alvin asked, curiously.

"Course I am, pardner," Yumi grinned. "Born and raised from the countryside but influenced by the good ole West."

From underneath her poncho, she took out a flipped over cactus with the bottom of it completely removed. Replacing the roots was a cocktail umbrella as well as a straw that she casually sipped through every once in a while. Closing her eyes, she smacked her lips and exhaled in satisfaction. Though, one seriously had to wonder if her bare hands could even feel the sharp thistle needles poking out of her makeshift drink.

"When I was a little dame, I loved watching them old reels with the West's greatest legends in the world," Yumi toasted her cactus cocktail. "Eastwood. Wayne. Stewart. Avventira. Big names that made me who I am today."

She took one last sip of her cactus cocktail and squeezed it, allowing all the remaining juices to seep out and tossing the prickly skin away on the ground. Alvin wasn't bothered to berate her for littering at the moment. She was still telling her story after all! It'd be rude to interrupt.

"So when Pa took me to the countryside," Yumi flicked a finger-gun toward Alvin with a grin. "Ya can bet that I slowly trained mahself to be the quickest gunslinger in the East! Eventually, as the tumbleweed flew by and the sun looped around, I gained that title in the North, South, and finally the West. Mah true calling…"

"Wow…" Alvin blinked. He could feel the Talent potential from her but what he was curious about was… "But, if I may ask, how exactly did you train your skills? I imagine the North, South, and West would all have some gun-related laws. Didn't that hinder your developing talent?"

"Yer one smart cookie," Yumi lowered her hat as a strand of wheat hung loosely out of her lips. "Gun laws are a real pain in the cattle's ass, Sheriff Tetch. Hell, in the West, they say ya need a license to even carry one. What a load of cockle baloney."

"Cockle baloney?" Alvin blinked.

"So, naturally, there's only one place an outlaw like mahself can make use of snake oil and a couple of shells…" Yumi trailed off.

Then, Yumi's right eye glowed red as she stood in a pose reminiscent of those high stakes Western standoffs. Her expressions turned serious as her strand of wheat straightened itself. For some reason, her poncho also started to flow toward the left, as if some imaginary Western wind was teasing that her Ultimate was ready.

Wait. Sorry, this isn't Undersight.

"A cage match…" Yumi seriously stated. "An arena where only the quickest and the swiftest to draw their weapon gets all them ladies shaking in their leather-made boots…"

"Y-You mean to say that the only way you've managed to train your Talent was by attending an illegal underground tournament?" Alvin deciphered in shock. This girl is something else! "But that's dangerous!"

"Bang!" Yumi declared, whipping out her finger gun. "Yer feeding the vultures tonight!"

Alvin remained frozen. He had slightly yelped in shock because for a moment, he could swear that he felt actual bullets fly past him. He watched as Yumi blew the tips of her finger and pretended to pocket her imaginary gun in her imaginary holster. Then, trailing her hand back into her poncho, she took out yet another cactus cocktail.

"That's how them matches usually end up," Yumi shrugged, sipping her drink and closing her eyes. "A lot of blood gets shed. A lot of unnecessary souls get to meet Lady Death sooner than they think. I may be an Ultimate, but even I had mah close calls."

"I see…" Alvin looked down. "It must've been hard then…"

"Compared to living life with a rattlesnake and a jackalope… that ain't nothin," Yumi lowered her Stetson hat. "But it did get me thinkin about what I actually wanted to do with mah life."

"Hence, the New Life Program," Alvin folded his arms in understanding.

"That be correct, Sheriff," Yumi grinned, tipping her hat. "Sometimes, all it takes is one bullet to help you realize there are other ways to do what ya love. Ya git me?"

Alvin… didn't.

Though, he imagined that the more he learned about her, the more he would start to understand for certain. As the Ultimate Gunslinger, Alvin did in fact figure that her life would've been hard and troublesome from the get-go. He sighed inwardly as he thought about the possibility of wanting to help her. Because Yumi Gundo was definitely someone who was quite strong, Talent-wise.

It was incredible.

…

The last of the students in the Infirmary that Alvin decided to meet was a girl, who seemed to be eyeing him a little too intently at the moment. Though, it was clear that she had a pinkish tint on her face, her gaze also harbored a sort of resentment. Alvin wasn't sure why that was but he decided to try to maintain the streak of good impressions the Infirmary group had on him!

"Hi there," Alvin greeted. "And you are Miss…?"

"Oh sweetie," the girl held up what seemed to be a normal brown teddy bear over her face, but made sure to angle the arms so that it seemed that the bear itself was giggling silently. "I'm so sorry but it's actually Mister…"

"W-What?!" Alvin's face went pale. "Y-You mean y-you're… Y-You're…?!"

See what happens when you assume?

The boy lowered his teddy bear and smiled politely toward his flabbergasted teacher, hugging it tightly as he let out tiny giggles here and there.

"A boy?" the young man perked his head. "That's right."

The young man then held the teddy bear as if it were a newborn infant, gently rocking it side-by-side. If Alvin had anything to say about his smile, it was very innocent and cute-looking. Even though it was kind of illegal for a teacher to call a student cute, he had to be honest, that was how it looked! And he also seemed to have that sense of responsibility attached to the way he handled that teddy bear as well!

"My name is Yukihiko Yuno," the young man greeted himself before allowing himself to carry his teddy in one arm and extending the other hand politely. "I am the Ultimate Babysitter… Or at least, I will be."

"You will be?" Alvin blinked, slowly taking his hand and shaking it. He noted the slight annoyance that Yukihiko was trying to conceal. "Er, what do you mean by that?"

"Haha," Yukihiko laughed as he placed his teddy bear over his shoulders, as if he were letting his 3-year old watch the fireworks. "I suppose it's more accurate to say that officially, I am known as the Ultimate Child Caregiver."

…

(Yukihiko Yuno ~ The Ultimate Child Caregiver)

…

If one hadn't been paying attention, Yukihiko possessed a notably androgynous appearance, appearing quite feminine for a male. Standing at approximately 5 '7, he maintained a lean physique. His fair skin was adorned with light freckles, concentrated mostly on his cheeks and around his eyes. Yuki's long lavender hair was neatly plaited into two thick braids. While his natural eye color is brown, he occasionally wore lavender contacts to match his hair.

Yukihiko's attire aligned with more of a role for a babysitter, featuring a colorful and charming ensemble. He dons a white long-sleeved cotton shirt adorned with a small red octopus embroidery. Below, Yukihiko opted for loose-fitting mint green pants equipped with spacious pockets. Completing his outfit, he wore espresso-colored espadrilles with white soles. To add a finishing touch, his nails were painted with mint green nail polish.

"Ultimate Child Caregiver?" Alvin blinked before chuckling. "I'm sorry, but what exactly is the difference between a Child Caregiver and a Babysitter? Aren't they the same thing?"

"Oh honey," Yukihiko chuckled as he glanced at his nails before shaking his head. "I can see how you can get those messed up but I assure you, a Child Caregiver and a Babysitter are not the same. They may do the same things…"

Yukihiko took out a baby bottle of milk and began to shake it violently. Once he was finished, he slowly gave it to the teddy bear he was pretending to care for.

"...But the difference between the two lies in professionalism," Yukihiko explained. "You see handsome, a Child Caregiver is more of a professional title. And if you're especially the Ultimate Child Caregiver…"

Yukihiko shook his head, flicked the cap off of the baby bottle, and began to chug the entire thing down himself before wiping his milk-stained lips. His eyes looked damn exhausted. Clearly, that random act he just pulled was him coping.

"...That's what the world will forever know you as," Yukihiko sighed as he placed the teddy bear over his shoulders and patted it on the back, allowing the bear to burp easily. "And I don't know about you, handsome, but I simply do not want to be a Child Caregiver my entire life."

"Then, how does the Ultimate Babysitter fit in?" Alvin asked, intrigued.

"Tsk tsk, for an old man, you sure are impatient," Yukihiko shook his head in disapproval as he went back to cradling his teddy bear.

W-Why do I feel like I've just disappointed my dead parents? Alvin froze.

"You see, while an Ultimate Child Caregiver is forever, an Ultimate Babysitter is a temporary job," Yukihiko smiled, almost motherly-like. "Meaning, I can choose to back out of it whenever I want to. And besides, it just sounds so much better, doesn't it, handsome?"

"Th-That… is the most valid reasoning I've ever heard for someone who wanted to take the New Life Program," Alvin chuckled as he also began to think, And also the only reasoning I even got to hear.

"Well of course, honey," Yukihiko laughed to himself as he stared at his beautiful nails. "I lived in a family where I had to take care of my 7 siblings. To pave my own path is just an example of how responsible I can be…"

Yukihiko held up the teddy bear and puppeteered it to make it seem like it was giggling again.

"That's all about me, handsome," Yukihiko giggled. "Please, go and hang out with your other friends."

Clearly, just based on how well Yukihiko had been handling the bear, Alvin could see just how good he was at doing what he did. Though, Alvin did feel a little disappointed to learn that Yukihiko had little intention on becoming the Ultimate Child Caregiver, but hey, if this is what he wants, then Alvin will do everything he can to help!

…

The door opened almost immediately after Alvin had wrapped up his introductions with Yukihiko to reveal a very irritated Mabel, storming in. Normally when she looked like this, Alvin knew that it was best to just let her be… Except, he realized that she was probably really irritated at…

"Alvin!" Mabel frowned. "Where were you?! I told you my phone call wasn't going to be that long! I looked everywhere for you!"

"...E-Even though we both said we were supposed to go to the Infirmary?" Alvin blinked.

Mabel's face softened, shifting into confusion.

"Did we?" Mabel blinked. "I guess that phone call made me forget…"

Why does she get so many phone calls?!

"N-Nevermind that, we need to go," Mabel shook her head. "There's a mess involving a student of yours down on the 1st Floor! Hurry!"

"Huh?!" Alvin blinked. "B-But aren't you the Headmistress?!"

"What does that have to do anything?" Mabel frowned. "Come on!"

Rushing out the Infirmary, Alvin turned to the four students he enjoyed meeting and slowly waved toward them in embarrassment.

"Er, well, I'll see you four in my classroom soon!" Alvin declared. "Please, don't take too long here!"

"We would not have to if the nurse had arrived as according to the schedule," Alisa mumbled as she stared at her watch. "Or if we can just go back right now. I estimate we would be waiting–"

"Sorry!" Aidan shook his head, rubbing his hair with closed eyes and a sigh. "No can do! You're staying till the nurse arrives!"

"Bumbling time-wasting fools," Alisa grumbled underneath her breath.

Yep!

They're going to do just fine without him!

So, without another word, Alvin raced off and followed behind Mabel.

---

(1st Floor)

"Attention all students! This is not a drill! Aliens walk among us all! But thanks to the efforts of me, Hope Thornton, the Ultimate Ufologist, you will be free from those brainwashing scumbags!"

…

(Hope Thornton ~ The Ultimate Ufologist)

…

When Alvin followed behind Mabel, he was surprised to see a girl standing on a bunch of desks and tables, whilst holding a loud megaphone inside the 1st Floor Hallway. Compared to the other students he had met, this girl, who's name was apparently Hope Thornton, had a relatively simple design.

She stood at 5'7 and weighed approximately 140 lbs. Her eyes were blue and she had long straight green hair that curled at the end and comparatively was also physically fit. However, no matter how fit or how green she was, there was a level of severity and peril within her expression.

For her outfit, she wore a black T-shirt with the white words: 'The Problem', green pants, and black shoes. All in all, a simple design but what made her design work was the simple fact that she had now directed her judgmental gaze toward Alvin and pointed to him candidly.

"Like him!" Hope declared. "That's an alien right there!"

"Huh?" Alvin blinked. "M-Me?"

"Don't act dumb!" Hope started to rummage around with a bunch of parts she had salvages from the insides of the desks. "The jig is up, alien fiend!"

Then, almost all too quickly, with what little she had, she was about to create… a makeshift gun? It was really impressive considering the fact that she was about to create one just from a bunch of glue, rulers, pens, and notebook paper.

"Eat cheese, alien robit!" Hope declared.

As expected, the makeshift gun she had made didn't last. As soon as she pulled the trigger, the gun disassembled itself into pieces of what it once was. She gasped and raised her fist, her eyes looking somewhat deranged as she glared at Alvin heatedly.

"Gasp!" Hope exclaimed. "You destroyed my cheese gun! How dare you cheat using your alien mind powers! I will have my vengeance!"

"Well, guess I have to take a phone call here," Mabel slowly walked away. "Good luck Alvin!"

Your phone wasn't even ringing this time!

Noticing that he's been ditched to deal with this oddball of a student, Alvin sighed to himself and approached Hope. However, the closer he got, the more she started to hiss at him, as if she were a cat that didn't want to leave her makeshift tree. Funny enough, strands of her hair mimicked cat ears as she squatted on the top of her desk pile.

"So, Hope, was it?" Alvin questioned. "I assure you, I'm no alien. My name is Alvin Tetch. I'm your teacher."

"So!" Hope rubbed her chin, squinting her eyes at him suspiciously. "That's your game is it?! Disguising yourself as a teacher so you can poison the minds of our youth with talks about why brussel sprouts are good for you! I can't allow that to happen!"

Almost immediately, Hope went back to rummaging for parts back in her pile of desks and tables. By the time she got the parts she needed, she began to quickly assemble every piece together until she finally made what seemed to be a makeshift handheld catapult.

"Eat rubber band, alien robit!" Hope declared, flicking the rubber band toward Alvin's chest.

Though, because the handheld catapult didn't have that good of an angle or trajectory, Alvin allowed himself to tank the hit. Floppily, the rubber band only flew at a medium-paced speed, and it relatively didn't hurt as much. But that didn't stop Alvin from sighing at how ridiculous this all was.

"E-Eh?!" Hope gasped. "You are immune to my attacks?! Drat! You are stronger than you look!"

"H-How'd you even get all of these desks all piled up here anyway?" Alvin asked. "I'm pretty sure I left the 1st Floor for only 20 minutes."

Admittedly, if he had anything to be impressed by, it was both that and just how quickly she could put together a makeshift weapon that seemed to backfire humorously. But hearing his genuine question, Hope smirked boastfully as she rubbed a finger over her upper lip.

"Hehe, a true alien hunter like myself never reveals her secrets!" Hope boasted. "Now scram alien fiend! Or I'll shoot you with my other cheese gun! Or even worse, I'll melt you with my hot milk spray!"

I rather not have my perfect suit get ruined by dairy products… or even see what your hot milk spray even is!

"There's no need for that, Miss Thornton, I believe?" Alvin shook his head with a chuckle. "In fact, all I really ask of you is to calm down and just… allow me to understand who my student is."

Hope pondered this for a moment. Alvin had to be a secret alien, wearing the skin of a really handsome man. Understanding who she was would be integral for his sinister invasion. There was no way she could allow that!... Unless…

"Hmm, I see, I see," Hope winked at Alvin. "Okay Mr. So Not An Alien…"

She still thinks I'm an alien…

As Alvin blankly stared at her, Hope knew she had this all under control. In fact, it was all part of her master plan. This alien faker must think he has the high ground, but little did he know that her revealing who she was would be part of her trap! Her trap to gain more information about this damn alien invader!

"So, as you know, I'm an Ultimate Ufologist!" Hope declared. "Which means I investigate everything involving UFOs and extraterrestrial activities! And from what I've seen, I know for absolute sure that aliens do in fact walk among us!"

"Hence, why you still think I'm an alien," Alvin deadpanned.

"What?" Hope folded her arms, sputtering slightly. "Pffft, n-no! You're human! I checked!"

This alien is smarter than he looks!

"But being an Ultimate Ufologist must also mean that you have to work with some high-profile government organization, right?" Alvin rubbed his chin. "Like, the men in black, for example."

"The men in black?" Hope scoffed. "Everyone knows that they're secretly aliens too! That's why they put me in charge of most alien hunting expeditions!"

"They?" Alvin blinked. "So, you mean to say… you really do work for the government?"

"Well… technically, no," Hope munched on a random piece of cheese. "But I got too good at finding their secret alien stuff that I might as well do work for them!"

Alvin stared at Hope in bewilderment. He had to admit. As much as an oddball she was, she definitely had the knack and talent for her alien-hunting skills. The way she was able to assemble and disassemble weapons in unique speeds had to count for something. But that only really left one question for him to ask.

"So, then, why exactly are you here for the New Life Program?" Alvin blinked.

"Well, I was just about to get to that!" Hope grinned, as she began to rummage through the desk and went ahead to create a new contraption. "The government put me on a super, secret mission! But because you're obviously not an alien, wink, I will tell you what this super, secret mission is!"

Once Hope finished making her weapon, she revealed it to be… a strange stapler-type gun. Only instead of staples, it shoots out string cheese for some reason. Also, she said the word 'wink' out loud...

"Don't tell anyone, but I'm here on an undercover mission to take down some aliens," Hope smirked. "Cool, isn't it?"

Alvin examined Hope after she said this and came to his own conclusions.

The government got sick and tired of her and dropped her off here… Alvin thought with a sigh. "I don't exactly blame them…"

"Anyway, tell me your weaknesses, Alien– I mean… about yourself," Hope almost gave away her plans.

"Just clean up everything and please meet me in Classroom 1-C with your classmates," Alvin ordered as he walked off. He noticed that other students, most likely his students, had walked in and watched everything with incredulous expressions. And truly, he hoped that his next students would be at very least sane and not on the government watchlist.

Was that too much to ask for?

…

After having to deal with that tiresome student, Alvin sighed and glanced toward the other three students who happened to have watched the entire exchange in a combination of bewilderment, uncertainty, and… Well, the last student didn't seem to have watched anything at all. In fact, compared to the other two, she seemed to be the most inattentive. Thus, Alvin approached her first.

"Er, hello there, is everything alright?" Alvin questioned.

"Hm?" the girl, who had blue hair, glanced at Alvin with a curious face. "Are you talking to me?"

"W-Well, yes," Alvin chuckled. "Who else would I be talking to?"

"Hmm… that's a good question…" the girl tapped her lower lip. She started to rub her forehead as she tried to think about the answer to Alvin's question. Though, it was clear she didn't exactly realize the question was rhetorical. "Hmm… Hmm… Oh! Is it me?"

"Er, yes, it is," Alvin sheepishly responded.

What was with this girl?

"My name is Alvin Tetch," Alvin greeted. "I'm your new teacher for the semester. I would like to know your name and Ultimate talent."

"Oh goodie," the girl clapped her hands excitedly. "My teacher looks beautiful! As beautiful as the Purple-Owl Butterfly!"

"Hey, what?" Alvin blinked.

"My name is Emmeline Swan, by the way," Emmeline bobbed her head from left to right with a widening grin on her face. "I'm the Ultimate Lepidopterist!"

…

(Emmeline Swan ~ The Ultimate Lepidopterist)

…

Emmeline had dark lilac blue short hair that ended just above her shoulders styled in a slightly messy curly bob with messy strands of hair sticking out from the sides of her hair. Between her eyes was a longer strand of hair. Her eyebrows were thin yet expressive and the same color as her hair. Her half-closed almond shaped eyes were a dull pink color accented by her butterfly lashes. She had a faint dull blue eyeshadow, prominent winged black eyeliner and a small black diamond tattoo underneath her left eye. She had a button nose, small lips with a very pale ivory skin complexion and faint freckles over her nose and under her eyes. Her body was skinny bordering on thin with a decently sized bosom despite her frame and well-groomed nails.

She wore a lavender custom-made strap magician style corset top accented with a purple diamond pattern connected by thin black lines vertically on the left and right side of her top with a black stripe in the center with purple buttons. Included was a black edged bow shoulder straps with a semi off the shoulder look and her long sleeves are curled at the edges where it met her wrists. Her orangey pink miniskirt had swirly patterns all over the design giving it this hypnotic effect. It was connected to translucent lavender fishnet stockings that had fake violet and indigo butterflies patterned about the design. She also wore lace up magician style orange and dark brown short heel shoes. She had a black choker around her neck with a blue monarch butterfly emblem on the front and a blue monarch butterfly hair barrette fastened on the left side of her head.

"Ultimate Lepidopterist?" Alvin blinked.

That was certainly a unique talent out of everything he's heard so far.

"Yep, yep!" Emmeline beamed. "I'm a butterfly collector!"

She took out a finger-sized butterfly net and put on a random pair of nerdy glasses as she goofily smiled. The glasses made her eyes look larger than they normally did but it also made her quite endearing as well. Especially when she started swinging her miniature butterfly net around giddily.

After a few moments, she took off her glasses, and began to rub her chin in thought.

"Or I guess it's more correct to say that I'm someone who studies butterflies too?" Emmeline noted before giggling. "But I think it's also fairer to say that I'm a big butterfly fan!"

Alvin took another look at the description that was provided by PrincePokePersona.

"Y-Yeah, I can tell," Alvin rubbed the back of his neck.

Emmeline suddenly pulled out her glasses once more and used them as makeshift magnifying glasses.

"Hey… by the way," Emmeline squinted her eyes toward Alvin. "Do I know you from somewhere? You seem really familiar…"

"Er, I just said I was your teacher," Alvin blinked, confused. He laughed sheepishly. "Did you happen to forget that?"

"Hmmm…" Emmeline closed her eyes in thought.

Slowly, she took out a bag of pills and began to nibble on each piece at a time as if she were a hamster eating pellets. She pushed each pill into her mouth, nibbling and shredding them in her mouth and not seeming to mind the taste as she hummed in thought. Then, she looked up and smiled.

"I guess I did forget!" Emmeline giggled bashfully.

"Forget forgetting!" Alvin had lost himself in a moment of shock. "Did you just eat medication like it was candy?!"

"Hm?" Emmeline blinked, perking her head. She took out one pill from her bag and handed it to Alvin. "Why do you ask? Did you want one?"

"Oh, er, that's very nice of you but no," Alvin politely rejected her offer.

"Hm," Emmeline looked at the single pill with a slightly dazed expression before shrugging and smiling, popping the pill in her mouth like it was nothing. "Oh well! More for me!"

Alvin stared at her with rampant thoughts in his mind.

Does this girl not fear something called overdosing?! And also, don't pills also taste horrible as well?!

"Is there something wrong, Mister Tetch?" Emmeline questioned, perking her head. She noticed that he was clearly losing his mind over her antics. It was a very curious thing for her. Maybe he really did want to have a pill or two.

"N-No, I'm just amazed at how much of those you can eat," Alvin stated, slightly uncomfortable.

"My medication?" Emmeline glanced at her bag with curiosity. "I don't think it's anything too amazing. I had these when I was a little girl and I have to keep taking them. It helps me with a lot of stuff! Especially when it comes to doing cool butterfly catching things! Kind of how salad helps make you grow thin enough to slip through doors. Or how a cheeseburger helps you gain enough weight to win sumo wrestling competitions!"

Saying that last thing to someone and overdosing just might be the last way you get killed, Alvin thought in bewilderment to her innocence. Shaking his head and trying to ignore her medication quirk, he decided to get back to a more interesting topic.

"So, you're someone who studies butterflies?" Alvin questioned. "That's a really nice Talent. That must mean you've seen all kinds of butterflies, right?"

"Seen?" Emmeline blinked before she started to bob her body from left to right uncontrollably. "I haven't just seen so many different species of butterfly! I've caught some as well! In fact, did you know that butterfly wings are super transparent! That's how a lot of them get their beautiful colors!"

"I see!" Alvin did actually seem interested in that. Now this was the perfect way to learn about someone's Talent! And with more topics came more questions. "Now, you said you've caught butterflies, but do you do this thing where with every capture you kind of frame them on the wall?"

"Huh?!" Emmeline looked horrified to hear him say that. "Y-You think I would do that to poor tiny butterflies?! They're creatures too! They deserve a little freedom here and there!"

Emmeline turned away and pouted slightly.

"I can't believe you, Mister Teacher!" Emmeline pouted. "To think you would think about harming something so innocent!"

Emmeline started to twirl her arms around angrily. Although it looked like she was extremely heated, all it did was make her look cuter than she already was. Though, Alvin wasn't the one who thought that. Don't worry guys. It's not going to be that type of story!

"I will never forgive you Mister Teacher!" Emmeline exclaimed. "Never ever! Never ever ever! Never ever ever ever ever–"

"A-Agh, okay okay, I'm sorry for mentioning something like that," Alvin shook his head. "But can I ask… Why are you so heated up by it? I mean, I was just saying…"

"You don't understand Mister Teacher?" Emmeline blinked, tilting her head slightly.

Then, giggling, she took out her medication and began to eat them like they were chips from a freshly open bag. Munching on each pill, she smiled at him.

"Okay, because you didn't understand, I'll forgive you!" Emmeline giggled.

That's all it took for her to forgive me?! Alvin's mind exclaimed incredulously. And please stop eating your pills like that!

Swallowing a pill, Emmeline continued to speak.

"In most religions, there is a belief that if someone dies, their body gets reincarnated," Emmeline explained in a surprisingly and relatively intelligent manner. "In most stories, the good young children who die young and never got a chance to live will get reincarnated as beautiful butterflies and fly around freely."

"And you believe this?" Alvin blinked.

"Mister Teacher!" Emmeline frowned at him, placing her hand on her hips. "Did you forget already! I'm the Ultimate Lepidopterist! A woman of science!"

To prove a point, she took out her miniature butterfly net and nerdy glasses with a goofy grin.

"I have no time to believe in silly fairytales like that!" she declared as she swung her miniature butterfly net around.

"Th-Then what's the point of bringing up reincarnation?!" Alvin was dumbfounded. Just following along with what this girl was saying was a drug trip and a half.

"Oh yeah!" Emmeline gasped. "That's what I was talking about!"

Sh-She forgot?! Alvin blinked. Already?!

"So, anyway," Emmeline continued, placing her glasses away and giggling. "Even though I don't believe it, even if it was true for a moment, I want to at least respect those beautiful creatures! In fact, that's also why I joined Hope's Peak Toronto!"

"D-Don't tell me…" Alvin could already feel himself grow weary of what was about to come next.

"I joined the New Life Program so I can see if I too can be reincarnated into a butterfly!" Emmeline exclaimed, excitedly, her eyes fluttering like that of butterfly wings.

Alvin stared at her, dumbfounded.

He turned away.

"Well, that's my cue, it was really nice meeting you, Emmeline," Alvin immediately stated. "I think it's time I go speak with another student. So please head on to Classroom 1-C in approximately 30 minutes, alright?"

"Huh?" Emmeline blinked. "Aww, we're ending our talk so early? But I was having so much fun!"

I wasn't!

Alvin couldn't believe that the only reason someone would join the New Life Program was to become a butterfly! It was so outrageous! It was so… so… imperfect! Hopefully the next student would be of the saner type. Then again, he's really hoped for that for the entire day, hasn't he?

...

The next student that Alvin noticed was a girl who seemed to be deep in thought about something. Her eyes remained closed as she seemed to mutter something under her breath. Her voice was wispy as she did, and she certainly did seem like someone who didn't want to be interrupted. But just based on her design, Alvin could clearly see that this young lady was traditionally Japanese.

"Er, I hope I'm not bothering you but…" Alvin pointed out.

The girl's eyes shot wide open in surprise. If he didn't know anything, it almost looked like her soul had nearly left her body. Whatever she was thinking about, it must've been super intriguing!

"Ah!" Alvin slowly stepped back. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to scare you."

The girl took a deep breath and placed a hand over her heart, feeling her quick and fleeting heartbeats. Then, after she took a moment to calm down, the girl sighed.

"It's no problem at all," the girl in traditional Japanese clothing. "I should be the one apologizing. After all, it is rude to loiter…"

"Hey, don't worry about it," Alvin smiled politely toward her.

Based on first impressions alone, the girl was very calm, polite, and serene. It wasn't hard to see why. After all, based on the clothing she wore and his understanding of Japanese culture, this girl must've lived in a very traditional setting.

But from Japan to Toronto?

Oof. That would've been a long flight for sure.

"My name is Alvin Tetch, by the way," Alvin greeted. "I believe you are a student in Classroom 1-C? If so, that makes me your teacher."

"I see," the girl in the traditional Japanese outfit nodded her head, politely. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Mister Tetch. My name is Kikuko Unmei. I have come to attend your academy as the Ultimate Shrine Priestess."

…

(Kikuko Unmei ~ The Ultimate Shrine Priestess)

…

Kikuko had waist length, loose curly dark brown hair with the tips dyed light blue. However, one wouldn't be able to see those light blue tips as her hair was wrapped in a bun. To hold the bun in place was a white chrysanthemum hair clip. Her eyes were gray, and she stood to be around 5'3 and weighed 125 lbs.

As mentioned, numerous times, she wore a traditional Japanese outfit. However, this traditional Japanese was that of a typical shrine maiden outfit: a red hakama and a white haori. However, her right sleeve was decorated with a bright blue dragon that wrapped up her arm and black sandals.

"The Ultimate Shrine Priestess," Alvin spoke in intrigue. "This means that… you've come all the way to Toronto from Japan, right?"

"That is correct," Kikuko bowed her head, elegantly. "However, if you are worried about me speaking English, you do not have to worry. As you can see, I speak the language just fine."

"Oh, no, that's not at all what I was concerned about," Alvin shook his head with a chuckle. "I was just curious about your Talent. In Toronto, we don't really have many shrines here, so it's not like I'm well-educated about what you do."

"I see," Kikuko closed her eyes, deciphering what Alvin was saying. "Because you are someone who isn't accustomed to Japanese culture, you wish for me to explain my Talent."

"W-Well, when you put it like that…" Alvin started to feel a little ashamed. Next year, he's definitely asking Mabel for a student roster sheet for late-night studying purposes. He was beginning to sound like an imperfect asshole right now.

"Please do not be mistaken," Kikuko shook her head as she continued to remain calm. It was at this point in time that Alvin realized Kikuko has yet to smile about anything. "I am not offended, Mister Tetch. This is why I'm here after all."

"Huh?" Alvin perked his head, confused. "What do you mean?"

Kikuko stared at Alvin with a rather stoic expression. Then, slowly, she closed her eyes, reached into the right sleeve of her haori, and took out an ofuda. (For you uncultured Americans, an ofuda is a Japanese talisman typically made out of paper, wood, or cloth. AKA, the thing Kikuko from Overwatch uses to heal). Then, she started to use the ofuda as a makeshift fan, which seemed a little disrespectful to whatever Shinto God she prayed to, but Alvin didn't even dare to call her out on what she was doing.

"As the Ultimate Shrine Priestess, I am the guardian of my family shrine," Kikuko stopped fanning herself and blew the ofuda toward him, allowing the wind to carry it directly past Alvin. "A shrine dedicated to Seiryuu, the Blue Dragon who protects my city, Kyoto. A spirit who makes sure the spring flowers bloom and the waterfalls remain pristine and clean… etcetera, etcetera…"

Kikuko trailed off and bowed her head in short prayer.

"E-Etcetera?" Alvin blinked.

What was that? For a moment, it seemed like she was… disinterested in what she was talking about…

"So, did this Blue Dragon tell you to come here for any special reason?" Alvin tried to make light of her noticeable disinterest.

"Are you insulting Seiryuu?" Kikuko tilted her head.

Alvin froze.

Bad idea!

Even though Kikuko still maintained that serene look, her left eye started to glow blue. Despite how calm and peaceful she seemed, that look she was able to give in spite of that was enough to send shivers down his spine.

"A-Ah, no no, I was just really curious and–" Alvin shook his head frantically.

Kikuko exhaled quietly, closing her eyes, and reaching into her left sleeve of her haori to take out a suzu. (For you uncultured Americans, a suzu was a type of Japanese bell, similar to the jingle bells. AKA, the thing Kiriko uses that really needs to be nerfed unless I'm playing her). Then, shaking it gently, she allowed it to ring.

It seemed to have enough of an effect to get Alvin to shut up.

"Don't worry, Mister Tetch," Kikuko shook her head. "I am not offended. After all, I'm sure you are used to your God being insulted all the time that you feel the need to do it to others…"

She said that with a straight face too! Also, I'm atheist!

"Nevertheless, I am simply here as a representation of the Unmei Family," Kikuko bowed her head politely before placing the suzu away. "I received acceptance letters from many Hope's Peak Academies around the world and in the end…"

"You chose Toronto," Alvin blinked. "Because of the New Life Program?"

"That is correct," Kikuko bowed her head, clapping her hands together to pray. "That is the only reason why I am here…"

Alvin wasn't too sure about that. To represent the Unmei Family and choose to be in the New Life Program? There was some discrepancy in her introduction but unless Alvin wanted to feel the wrath of what Seiryuu can really do, Alvin decided it best to hold his tongue.

"By the way, Mister Tetch," Kikuko opened her eyes and reached into her right sleeve to take out another ofuda. "This has been troubling me for quite some time but, could I ask you a question?"

"Er, yeah, of course," Alvin blinked. "Is something the matter?"

"...Did you know anyone who has passed away?" Kikuko held her ofuda in a more defensive position, this time. In fact, it looked like she was getting ready to stick the ofuda right on his forehead. "There seems to be a strange yet cold presence latching onto your body."

Alvin's body tensed up.

He said nothing to that regard, but it was clear he was a little freaked out. Honestly, who wouldn't? If someone had told you that something was practically haunting you, you'd be in the same uncomfortable position as well. He tightened his tie and glanced away.

This time, it was Kikuko's turn to realize that she was beginning to overstep her boundaries. With a polite nod, she relaxed herself and blew the ofuda straight toward him. This time, Alvin caught it.

"If you ever feel uncomfortable, please use that warding charm," Kikuko placed her hands together in a mock prayer. "It will ward off your pesky spirit."

"O-Oh, thank you," Alvin's hand shook slightly as he pocketed the charm.

In the end, Alvin couldn't believe that even someone who could be calm, serene, and polite as Kikuko could also turn out to be a little uncomfortable to be around. He supposed it was a cultural difference but even then, her last few comments about him… Boy, did it make him shiver!

…

Turning to the last student in the room, who seemed to be the most muscular of his students thus far and quite possibly the last male he would get to meet, Alvin walked up to him, attempting to use this opportunity to avoid thinking too much about what Kikuko had said.

"Er, hey there, my name is…" Alvin waved to him, eager to start the–

"Aye," the male folded his arms. "I know who you are…"

He was turned to the side, but it was clear that he was giving the teacher a stink eye with his right eye. It also didn't take Alvin much to notice that there was a scar on that eye as well.

"You're the new teacher, Alvin Tetch," the male lowered his beanie, as he closed his eyes in thought. "You're supposed to be teaching Class 1-C."

Then, gritting his teeth, he pointed to his clothing.

"And you have a nice suit!" the male declared.

Alvin blinked.

"W-What?" was all Alvin could say.

"You wear purple," the male explained, folding his arms and turning to him face-forward. "That's a lucky color. It exhibits a sense of mystery and extravaganza but also power and wisdom! Aye! As long as you wear that the entire semester, you'd be the perfect teacher for me!"

"J-Just because I wear the color purple?" Alvin had to admit, he was a little glad to have worn such a perfect attire. Because he, too, thought the color purple was perfect!

"My name is Roderick Cutler!" Roderick introduced himself and gave Alvin a grim-looking smile. "My Ultimate Talent is the Ultimate Deep Sea Fisherman."

…

(Roderick Cutler ~ The Ultimate Deep Sea Fisherman)

…

Roderick stood at about 6'2" and weighed about 183 lbs. As mentioned, he was a muscular young man but still had a lean kind of build. In fact, most of his muscles were predominantly in his arms and shoulders. His skin was white with a bit of redness on his face, arms, and shoulders from all the exposure from the sun. His face was angular and slightly gaunt, with near permanent bags under his amber colored eyes. Also mentioned was the old faint yet visible scar over his right eye, however, his eye was still intact. He had a little stubble on his chin and cheeks. His hair was a light, light brown that went down to just about his neck. Upon closer inspection, it also looked to be quite greasy and smelled of sea salt. Unsurprising, given his talent.

For his casual wear, Roderick wore a gray wool turtleneck sweater and a pair of navy-blue denim overalls and brown work boots. On his head was a worn-down forest green wool beanie that he seemed to cherish very deeply.

"An Ultimate Deep Sea Fisherman," Alvin noted, amazed. "That's an amazing talent! Which means, you must be adept at catching all types of fish, right?"

"Nay, not just any types of fish," Roderick lowered his beanie as he closed his eyes. Then, snapping them wide open, his face looking deadly serious. "Only the best types of fish! The motherload of fish! All of them, as large as me arms! As meaty as me muscles! And as tough as me right eye!"

He shifted into sailor talk… Alvin kept a mental note of that.

"Mister Tetch, have ye ever heard of the Big-Eyed Tuna?" Roderick folded his arms, showing off his teeth as if he were silently growling.

"Er, no, but if I had to take a guess," Alvin sweatdropped. "Is it some tuna with big eyes?"

"Nay!" Roderick took out a bowl of peas from out of nowhere and started to munch them aggressively. "The Big-Eyed Tuna is a beastly creature! Ye may think of tuna like an inch-sized piece of sushi fish, but the Big-Eyed Tuna is bigger than that! In fact, it's bigger than me and you combined!"

"A-Ah, I see," Alvin blinked, though his mind was more pressed on where and why he was eating peas right now.

"With its meaty big eyes, that beastly creature can see prey from miles and miles away!" Roderick declared. "And not only that, but with its strength, it can even capsize an entire fishing boat!"

"...And you caught this thing?" Alvin started to feel a little nervous by his tale.

"Aye!" Roderick munched on more of his peas. "I caught one with me own bare hands. But you'd be surprised to hear that the only one I have caught be a baby of nine months. The real motherload of Big-Eye Tuna lives somewhere in the depths. And I can feel it now…"

Roderick stopped eating his peas, looking downright terrified.

"Big Bermuda be waiting till I step foot back onto the sea… to avenge her little laddie…" Roderick started to shake. He dropped the bowl, shattering it and spilling the peas all over the floor. As if Alvin had enough to clean up already…

But before the teacher could even show him how displeased he was by the mess these Ultimate students were prone to making, Roderick grabbed one of the desks still laid out in the middle of the 1st Floor and began to knock on it three times. Once he did, he sighed in relief.

"Er, what are you doing?" Alvin blinked.

"Don't ye know?!" Roderick's eyes were shaking, and his body was quivering in fright. "Knocking on wood is what ye do when you feel a bad omen coming to bite ya in ye ass! A-Argh! W-Wait! H-How many times did I do it?!"

"...Three times?" Alvin blinked.

Roderick paused.

Then he went back to the desk and knocked on it two more times. Then, he sighed in relief once again.

"Th-That's better…" he sighed.

"Okay, so now that you've knocked on wood, could you explain something?" Alvin asked before pointing to the mess of peas on the ground. "What was with the peas?"

"Y-You don't know?!" Roderick looked shocked before folding his arms. Though, as he did, still somehow managed to shake uncontrollably. "Peas be the luckiest food in all the Seven Seas! You eat peas, ye can expect to return back to land safely! But eat carefully! Because if ye don't save some for the sea, it becomes an act of disrespect! And the waves will come tumbling down and soon enough, ye be lost to wander in Davy Jones's Locker!"

Alvin stared at Roderick, blankly.

Were all fishermen like this?

Thinking about it now, Alvin has watched fishing channels before and the stuff that Roderick has been saying did sound pretty familiar. Yet at the same time, he also had to note that Roderick was a Deep Sea Fisherman, meaning, he had to tread out further into the oceans instead of the shallow oceans that most fishermen spend their time in.

Ha! He figured it out.

"I see," Alvin chuckled, nervously. "Being the Ultimate Deep Sea Fisherman must be way too stressful for you, isn't it?"

Roderick pulled out a gun.

"W-Whoa, whoa!" Alvin lept back in fear. "Don't shoot!"

Well, that escalated quickly!

"D-Don't be making fun of me!" Roderick exclaimed, his eyes shaking even further as his face turned blue. His forehead started to sweat, and both his hands trembled to an uncontrollable degree, which was bad especially if one of those hands was wielding a firearm. Luckily, he was pointing it straight at the ceiling. "If ye have seen half of the things I've seen, you'd be fighting me for that gun just to shoot yourself!"

I'm considering fighting you for that gun for an entirely different reason!

"O-Okay, okay, let's just calm down," Alvin slowly approached Roderick. "Hand over that gun and we don't have to expect anyone to get hurt…"

As he slowly approached Roderick, he noticed that the muscular student was heavily breathing. No. Not just heavily breathing. He was breathing quicker than a normal human being would. Was he having a panic attack?

Alvin paused.

What was the best thing to do in this scenario now?

Fortunately for him, the answer came to him quickly. Roderick had slowly lowered his gun and stuffed it in his overalls, allowing his breathing to hitch. He had calmed himself down and began to draw a four-leaf clover on his arm with a marker.

"Sorry about that," Roderick apologized. "What you said earlier… It reminded me of the other beast I saw in one of my trips across the sea…"

"Er, you don't have to talk about it if you don't want to," Alvin assured him.

"Japanese sailors call it the Ningen," Roderick began to explain anyway. "It be a big beast. Be the same size of a humpback whale, and yet it wields the same appearances of a typical human. It has arms and a face that smiles whenever it swims. Some say that creature takes on the appearance of the last human it has eaten. Others say it mimics the sailor that it spots."

"And y-you saw this thing?!" Alvin exclaimed in disbelief.

"Aye!" Roderick took out another bowl of peas and began to munch them nervously. "With me two good eyes no less! It be exactly as the sailors say! A human face! Arms as long as me own fishing boat! And a smile! Like the smile of ye Father and Mother!"

Roderick started to shake.

"I may have been one of the lucky ones to tell the tale…" Roderick stated. "Because the beast never tried to do anything to me! M-Maybe it was because I sprinkled salt all around the boat! Or maybe it was because of me lucky pineapple! Whatever it was, I'm still alive today!"

Roderick paused. Then once again, he tossed his bowl of peas on the ground and ran right back to the desk to knock on its wood five times.

All the while, Alvin just stood there with one thing on his mind:

The ocean is a scary place and I never want to go to the beach again!

…

After his eventful talk with Roderick and discovering a newfound fear on the ocean, Mabel Leve had come back. Truthfully, Alvin wasn't very happy with the fact that his own boss abandoned him to deal with a crazy alien hunter, a young man with a gun, and two other students who were more or less fine but still had their own quirks that he did not expect to see. But at the very least, she was here and present now.

"I'd have to say, Alvin," Mabel smiled at him. "You seemed to have everything all handled here. Most teachers would have just tailed it and left after having to deal with Hope."

"N-No thanks to you," Alvin frowned. "Thanks for leaving me back there!"

"Oh don't be so angry," Mabel placed a hand over her cheek. "Just think of it as another test. After all, if you can't handle the odd ones in your class, then how can I effectively trust you to teach the class?"

"I–" Alvin was about to say before he thought carefully about her response.

She was right. If he couldn't handle Hope or Roderick by himself, then he might as well have kissed his promotion goodbye. He sighed to himself. That didn't mean he couldn't still be angry with her.

"Anyway, while you were dealing with that, I did the favor of looking for your last two students," Mabel smiled at him. "In fact, I believe they're in our campus's Courtyard as we speak."

"Out there?" Alvin held back anything he wanted to say to her. "In the cold?"

"Yeah, I guess they just prepare cold over the warmth of the building," Mabel noted. "Anyway, let's go. I believe they're waiting for us…"

Mabel walked off, leaving Alvin with no other choice but to follow behind. Theoretically speaking, this was also a good thing because that meant that someone else could just go and clean the array of desks that Hope had made on the first floor.

Huh.

Maybe not all bad to step back out into the cold…

---

(Courtyard)

The Courtyard was definitely much colder than expected.

Stepping out toward the relatively empty Courtyard, which was also expected because Mabel kept mentioning how she wanted to expand the school and add more buildings. Alvin expected to give her five more years since most of the deals she often made fell through thanks to a mixture of different pressing phone calls.

Upon stepping outside, Alvin could see the last two of students, both of whom were females and also didn't seem to mind the freezing cold, unlike him who wore a suit. Nevertheless, he braved it and walked towards the closest student: a girl with red hair. So, with no time to waste, Alvin walked forward and stood next to her with Mabel right behind him.

Though, he did expect Mabel's phone to ring at some point in time.

"Excuse me," Alvin greeted. "But my name is Alvin Tetch. I'm to be your teacher for the new semester. Will you let me know your name and Talent?"

"Oh my," the girl with the red hair looked at Alvin with intrigue. "A teacher? And so elegantly handsome too…"

"I… get that a lot," Alvin chuckled. Much more today than any day, however.

"Mister Tetch, was it?" the girl placed a hand over her closed lips, elegantly. "You wish to know my name and Talent? Very well, I will let you choose what you wish for me to reveal."

"H-Huh?" Alvin blinked, confused.

He turned to Mabel, but of course, she was texting something on her phone, completely ignoring Alvin and the girl's conversation.

"Oh my," the girl perked her head, her polite look slowly turning into a slightly mischievous smirk as she let her hand cover a small part of it. "What's the matter, Mister Tetch? I thought you wanted a name and a Talent. But in order to know my name and Talent, you will have to play along with my request. Would you like my name or my Talent? Choose wisely, however. For if you do not choose correctly, it may hinder you dearly in the future…"

Another weird student…

At this point, Alvin shouldn't even be surprised. WIth a sigh and with little help from Mabel, as expected, he decided to play along to her demands.

"How about your name, then?" Alvin answered.

"Intriguing choice," the girl did an actual curtsy. "Very well. Since you've made such an elegant decision, I will declare my name."

She brushed her hair, flaunting its blood-red coloration.

"My name is Beauté Morose," Beauté introduced herself. "Because you chose my name, I will not tell you my Talent. However, feel free to make a guess…"

Beauté covered her smirk and squinted mischievous eyes.

"...I welcome your ability to solve my mystery…" Beauté smirked.

…

(Beauté Morose ~ The Ultimate ?)

...

Beauté was a woman with fair skin that she powdered to appear even paler. She had red and black eyeshadow on her eyes, complemented by dark red lipstick. Beauté's long, wavy red hair, reaching her midriff, had some strands braided. Beauté also had red eyes. Bustier than average with a pear-shaped figure, Beauté stood at 5'9" and weighed around 135lbs.

For her outfit, Alvin could see that it was heavily inspired by Victorian fashion. She wore a long red and black Victorian dress with a fitted bodice that cinched at the waist and a gracefully flowing skirt that cascaded to the floor. The sleeves were long and slightly puffed at the shoulders. Finally, she wore black hoops as earrings.

"Okay, seriously, though, I wish to know your Talent as well," Alvin told her. "It's important for the class."

"Mmm, that's not how you play the game, Mister Tetch," Beauté shook her head, taking out a random Victorian hand fan that she used to cover the lower half of her face. "I told you the rules. If you wish to know my Talent, you have to figure it out for yourself…"

"W-What?" Alvin blinked. "B-But, that's not fair! I'm the teacher!"

Beauté closed her hand fan abruptly, closing her eyes to reveal a less than satisfied expression.

"I made the rules plenty fair, Mister Tetch," Beauté stated. "I told you to choose between my name and my Talent. You chose my name. Therefore, you don't get to know my Talent…"

Beauté opened her eyes to reveal a look of slight pity. Flicking her hand fan out, she covered the lower half of her face once again, silently giggling to herself.

"...If anyone is to blame for not taking my demands seriously, it would have to be you, Mister Tetch," Beauté stated.

"Okay then," Alvin stated, slightly frustrated. "I guess I'll just have to figure it out for myself. Headmistress Leve! Could you perhaps prepare the student roster for attendance sakes? Once I find her name, I'll be able to figure out her talent."

Mabel closed her flip phone and smiled at Alvin.

"Alvin, Alvin, Alvin," Mabel shook her head. "I can't do that."

"W-What?" Alvin blinked.

"Well, for starters, that would be cheating," Mabel pointed out. "You botched the rules. If you wanted to know her Talent, you should've picked Talent instead of name."

"W-Why are you playing along with her?!" Alvin exclaimed as Mabel laughed to herself.

"Though, jokes aside, I'm afraid I don't actually have the attendance sheet ready," Mabel stated. "The New Life Program is relatively new and with all of these phone calls I've been getting, I'm afraid I just didn't have the time to. In fact, the only thing I can really tell you is that the number of students you should have should be an even number, hahaha!"

D-Don't laugh! This should've been your responsibility! Alvin thought to himself.

"Having trouble, Mister Tetch?" Beauté giggled from behind her hand fan. And honestly, it wasn't like the giggles of Emmeline, but more like the giggles who loved to see someone in mental pain. "How about I simply give you a hint by telling you the story of my upbringings? You can choose to decide whether the information I give is useful or not…"

"U-Urgh, alright," Alvin begrudgingly agreed.

Beauté snapped her hand fan shut and brushed her red hair aside with a smirk.

"The girl you see before you today was a girl who once had a happy family," Beauté started to recount her tale. She placed both hands over her heart as she looked away somberly. "She lived in a beautiful mansion surrounded by hundreds of maids and butlers. In a way, you can say that she was a girl that had everything in the world. However, she longed for something else. Something more. Something like… adventure."

"I got it!" Alvin declared. "You're the Ultimate Adventurer!"

"Hmhmhm," Beauté covered her smirk with the tips of her fingers.

Then, coldly, she leaned forward. Her red eye contacts flickered as her smile became a little more ignominious. Her expression completely darkened and for a few long moments, Alvin's blood went cold.

"Is that your final answer…?" Beauté questioned.

"E-Er… Um…" Alvin gulped.

"Think before you speak," Beauté stated, leaning even further. "Once you come up with an answer, that answer is final. If you're wrong, you will never know what I am. But if you're right… wondrous, elegant rewards will be granted."

"...N-No, it's not my final answer," Alvin shook his head.

Beauté tilted her head slightly before smirking. She was clearly toying with him at this point and he was no step closer to figuring out what her talent was. Alvin was about to say something else but suddenly, Beauté had turned away, twirling her red locks, disinterested.

"Try again, tomorrow," Beauté stated, slowly laughing like a typical queen bee. "You've used up all your guesses. Ah heh heh heh…"

"W-What, that's it?" Alvin blinked. "Are you even sure you gave me anything in that story to work off of?"

"Hmmm…" Beauté flicked out her hand fan once again, covering her lower face but her eyes looking pitiful. "That is the mystery… Who's to say? You were the one who interrupted my story with a guess. Once again, you only have yourself to blame, Mister Tetch."

"Wow, Alvin, you're really bad at this," Mabel shook her head from the sidelines.

"Do you know what her Talent is?!" Alvin glared at her.

"Of course I do," Mabel smiled. "I have student profiles."

"A-And you're not going to tell me?!" Alvin exclaimed.

"Your student, your responsibility," Mabel chuckled, folding her arms. "Besides, I thought it could be a nice way to have a teacher get to learn about his students more!"

I would know more if I actually knew her Talent… Alvin sighed behind his thoughts.

Though, he had to admit. As elegant as Beauté was, he should've realized from the very beginning that with her, there was already a sense of mystery. Behind her captivating eyes and Victorian-styled attire, was an enigma that Alvin would need plenty of time to get to know…

…

With much on his mind, Alvin decided to do as Beauté suggested and wait till tomorrow to make his guess. Which meant that he was now due to meet his final student: a girl who stood far toward the corner of the Courtyard, doing nothing but mind her own business as she stuck her hands in her pockets.

Though, it was also to note that the girl also had nothing to protect her arms from the immense wintery cold of Canada's weather. Hurrying up to her, Alvin decided to take the initiative…

"Oh, excuse me!" Alvin exclaimed. "Miss! Are you cold–"

"Alvin!" Mabel instantly grabbed him by the arm. "Wait! Stop!"

"W-What?" Alvin blinked.

The girl had turned to him with a curious yet resolved look. It seemed she had understood all too well why Mabel had stopped him. In fact, the only one not in the loop was Alvin himself! Turning to Mabel, he frowned.

"H-Headmistress Leve, w-what seems to be the matter–" Alvin started before Mabel leaned close with a serious expression on her face. Her phone started to ring but this time, Mabel didn't bother to answer it. That was when Alvin knew what she had to say was very serious…

"Don't you know who that is?" Mabel asked.

"E-Er, no, that's why I–" Alvin started once again before Mabel interrupted him.

"That's Marabel Garcia," Mabel stated seriously. "The Ultimate Karate Master."

…

(Marabel Garcia ~ The Ultimate Karate Master)

…

Noticing Marabel watch them speak amongst themselves with a slight frown on her face, Alvin took the time to examine her closely. She stood around 5'2 and weighed around 140 Ibs. She had a lean body figure with hidden muscles, and also had a lightly tanned skin tone. She had a heart-shaped face and a dimple on her left cheek. She had waist-length black hair in an open wave cut and dark brown chocolate round-shaped eyes that were bigger than usual in shape. On her left cheek was a scar.

For her clothing, she wore a navy-blue urban-style sleeveless jacket, exposing her arms. However, it didn't seem like she was bothered by the cold that much. She wore her navy-blue karate gi, but she also had an uwagi tied around her waist with her navy-blue obi with two white stripes on the edge left side. (For you uncultured Americans, an unwagi is basically a jacket) She also wore a zubon and a navy-blue with sky-blue strap sandals. (For you uncultured Canadians, a zubon is basically just trousers). Lastly, she wore a white martial arts elbow guard, a silver necklace with the M being made of moonstone and a pair of black fingerless combat gloves.

"Ultimate Karate Mas– Oh!" Alvin blinked before looking at Mabel appreciatively. "You stopped me because if I had gotten closer, she would've attacked me on instinct since I was just rushing in there! I see!"

"W-What?" Mabel blinked as her phone stopped ringing. "N-No. That's not it. You seriously don't know?"

"D-Don't know what?" Alvin looked confused now.

If it wasn't that, then what was it exactly?

"Marabel Garcia is a very special case as far as your students go," Mabel stated. "She didn't come to Hope's Peak Toronto or join the New Life Program by choice. She was sent here by the higher-ups."

"B-By Hope's Peak International?!" Alvin widened his eyes. "W-What? F-For what reason?!"

Mabel glanced at Marabel suspiciously before looking at Alvin. She sighed as she began to explain.

"As you know, Ultimate students aren't always perfect," Mabel explained. "There are those who would use their Talents to do horrible things. Whether it be to cause disturbances in bars or clubs or even stuff like robbery or aggravated assault. In cases like those, Hope's Peak International takes the initiative to make sure those Ultimate students don't get recognized as Ultimates at all…"

"O-Okay, so then what did Marabel do?" Alvin asked.

Mabel glanced at Marabel, grimaced, and turned back to Alvin with a serious expression.

"...She used her Talent to kill her own mother," Mabel revealed.

Alvin widened his eyes. Turning to the rather silent Marabel, who was clearly listening to the whole thing, he simply couldn't believe it. This girl killed her own mother?! That was… That was…

"Th-That's insane," Alvin exclaimed. "I-If she did that then why is she here…? She should be in prison or something! And, didn't you say that Ultimate students that do something like that don't get recognized as Ultimates at all?"

Mabel shook her head.

"...That's why she's a special case," Mabel stated. "I don't know why but Hope's Peak International made sure to assign her to the New Life Program. Even though she did something so horrible, for some reason, the bigwigs want to give her a second chance."

Mabel folded her arms, disapprovingly.

"Whatever the reason is, no amount of second chances can redeem someone who killed their own mother like that…" Mabel frowned.

Her phone rang again.

"...Anyway, that's what I wanted to warn you about," Mabel said, taking out her flip phone and flipping it open. "Be very careful with her. Back where she's from, they didn't call her the Queen of the Iron Fists for nothing."

With a sigh, Mabel decided long enough that her phone calls were starting to bug her today. She glanced toward Alvin once more.

"I gotta take this," Mabel began.

Then, she walked off and answered her phone, leaving Alvin behind with… her.

Throughout everything, Marabel remained stagnant and allowed them to continue their little conversation in front of her face. Even now, Alvin still couldn't believe it. Marabel looked so innocent. She was practically the shortest of his students and yet for her to be responsible for murdering her mother…

He gulped and remained confident.

Walking up to her, Alvin waved to her, politely.

"E-Er, hey there," Alvin nervously greeted her. He could feel her eyes watching him intensely. "My name is Alvin Tetch. I'm your teacher for the new semester. So, I learned that your name is Marabel right? And you're the Ultimate Karate Master? Th-That's really inte–"

"...You can stop trying to act nice, Mister Tetch," Marabel folded her arms and glanced away with a closed expression. "I've seen the same silly charade my entire life…"

Alvin said nothing. He was the Ultimate Talent Scout, not the Ultimate Actor. And speaking of which, as the talent scout, he already felt a high potential of talent within this girl. But the talent itself felt more heated. More… detained. Almost like a reflection of who Marabel was herself…

"So," Marabel's face twitched. She was smiling but it was like she was forcing herself to look… twisted. "What did you think about what Headmistress Leve said? I must be pretty scary to be around. Heh, to think you approached me anyway…"

Her eyes twitched.

Was that… relief in her eyes?

Alvin couldn't tell exactly. But his nervousness around her began to fade, as he could feel an essence of what he assumed to be a normal girl trying to get through school. At least, that was who Marabel Garcia was, right?

"M-Marabel, look…" Alvin began.

Marabel took out a roll of bandages that most fighters often used in their training.

"Just call me Mara," Mara stated, closing her eyes as she bandaged her fists. "It's easier."

"O-Okay, Mara look," Alvin corrected himself. "Truthfully, I'm a new teacher here. But before I became a teacher, I was the Ultimate Talent Scout."

Mara opened her eyes, glancing at him with point-fixed eyes.

"W-Which meant that I was always good at reading students and who they were as people," Alvin explained with a smile. "And I can tell you that I don't think you look like someone who would… Well…"

Alvin thought it best to not outright say it. It'd probably open up old wounds.

Mara turned to face him and much to his surprise, Mara's eyes glowed a fiery red as she posed a fighting stance. For her current stance, it looked as if she was ready to use him as a punching bag. And honestly, that wasn't what he was expecting at all! Alvin took a step back, fearful of his life.

"Do I look like someone who would kill their own mother, now?" Mara darkly stated.

Alvin couldn't even begin to answer that.

To his relief, Mara changed her stance, no longer in her fighting position. She folded her arms, her eyes changing from fiery red to a solemn look. She grimaced as she allowed the cold, snowy breeze to overtake her arms.

"...I knew it," Mara scoffed slightly, smiling weakly to herself as she folded her arms. "If you truly did think that I was so innocent, you wouldn't have looked at me with that amount of fear in your eyes."

Then, the smile shifted as she glanced at Alvin with a dissatisfied look on her face. She closed her eyes, tipped her head, and placed a fist against the palm of her hands as she allowed her bitterness to seep through.

"Lao Shi once told me that in the end, no matter how strong the prey is," Mara stated. "The prey will always run away from the predator."

"M-Mara, I didn't mean…" Alvin reached out to her. "Look, I don't believe that you would…"

"Well, believe it," Mara's face became shrouded in darkness. "I did kill my mother. So, you can stop trying to act like I didn't…"

Mara walked away, brushing past him with some final words of her own to share with him.

"I'll see you in class," Mara stated, without facing him. "It was nice meeting you, Mister Tetch."

Then, she walked off, allowing her feet to stain the snowy ground with her prints. And all Alvin could do was silently berate himself for not giving her that perfect introduction she needed. He clenched his fist. Did he even deserve to call himself a teacher?

---

(1st Floor)

"And that should be all of the students."

Shortly after her phone call, Mabel had taken the initiative to walk Alvin back to the classroom. But throughout that entire walk, Alvin could feel nothing but sympathy about the latest student that he had learned about. For some reason, Marabel Garcia was on his mind.

He grimaced.

If only he could figure out a way to help her…

"Is something wrong Alvin?" Mabel questioned.

"Huh?" Alvin snapped out of his thoughts. "Oh, yes. Everything's fine. Just… thinking about all of this…"

When the two had reached the window to Classroom 1-C, both of them peeked in to see all of the students having the time of their lives. Or rather, a select few were having the time of their lives. But even those who didn't seem like they wanted to be here also seemed like they were ready to start their new semester.

In a way, it was enough to intimidate even Alvin himself.

"...Mabel," Alvin spoke to her casually, taking her by surprise. "I'm looking at them now and… are you sure I can handle this? These are all students that are colorful in their own ways so I'm just… To think that I'm responsible for so many of them…"

Mabel placed a hand on Alvin's shoulder.

"Are you chickening out on me now, Alvin?" Mabel teased. "You were recommended for this job for a reason. You got the promotion for a reason. If I didn't think you were ready, did you really think I'd let you take charge of a classroom all by yourself?"

Alvin considered what she had said and glanced at her with a small look of appreciation. He touched her hand and nodded.

"Y-You're right," Alvin took a deep breath. "I'm ready for this. These students, they're my responsibility now…"

Mabel patted him on the back.

"Go get them," Mabel encouraged.

Alvin held his head up high and shared one last look toward his boss.

"Thank you…" Alvin smiled. "Mabel…"

---

(Classroom 1-C)

Opening the door with grandiosity, Alvin Tetch stepped in with a prideful smile on his face. Every single one of his students were inside minding their own business and yet, by the time he opened the door, they all stopped what they were doing and watched him with bright smiles on their faces.

Alright, not all of them.

Some smiles were smaller than others. Some didn't even smile. One wasn't even paying attention. Looking at you, Emmeline.

But nevertheless, no matter how big the smiles were, all of them seemed eager to get this New Life Program on the road. Taking a piece of paper and banging its edges on the podium in front of them, Alvin breathed a sigh of relief.

"Hello everyone," Alvin greeted as the room went quiet. "As you already know… My name is Alvin Tetch. I am your teacher for this upcoming semester and your guide to your second chance. Hence, the New Life Program."

Everyone paid attention to him attentively.

Alvin took out a pencil and smiled.

"First order of business," Alvin declared. "Attendance. I have your name right here so when I call it, please say 'Here'."

…

Roll call went just as perfectly as Alvin could've imagined it.

Alvin made sure to mark down and learn names and with every 'Here', he placed a checkmark next to each name that he had called. As he continued to do his duties, his mind still couldn't believe it. Finally, he was no longer Alvin Tetch, the Ultimate Talent Scout.

Now… he was Alvin Tetch, the teacher.

Alvin Tetch.

The one in charge of these 17 students.

…Nothing would ever make him happier in the world than to finally achieve it.

His New Life….

…

Wait.

The one in charge of how many students?

Alvin blinked.

He glanced down his list and counted, making sure to tap his pencil on each name accordingly, as he breathlessly counted in confusion.

17.

No. That can't be right. Count again.

17.

Again.

17.

17? Alvin thought back to what Mabel had said earlier during his trip around the school's campus.

---

"Though, jokes aside, I'm afraid I don't actually have the attendance sheet ready," Mabel stated. "The New Life Program is relatively new and with all of these phone calls I've been getting, I'm afraid I just didn't have the time to. In fact, the only thing I can really tell you is that the number of students you should have should be an even number, hahaha!"

---

An even number!

17 was not an even number!

Was Mabel mistaken?

Alvin glanced around.

"Hey, is there any name I didn't call?" Alvin questioned.

"Huh?" Aidan spoke up, perking his head. "Er, I don't think so, teach. I think all of us said 'Here'."

"Eh?" Manon blinked. "Why do you ask, Monsieur Tetch? Is there by chance someone who is missing?"

"Maybe they're late!" Alina suggested.

"I hope they are," Roderick grumbled, sitting in the far back as he darted his eyes around nervously. "Odd numbers aren't very lucky usually."

"Hmm," Alvin rubbed his chin before stepping away from the podium and grabbing his piece of paper with him. "I'll go ask Headmistress Leve. Perhaps there has been a mistake…"

He went to open the door–

"H-Huh?" Alvin blinked.

"Is something wrong, Mister Tetch?" Kikuko asked.

"Y-Yeah, uh…" Alvin pulled against the door but no matter how hard he tried… "Th-The door's locked…"

"Oh my," Yukihiko cradled his teddy bear in surprise. "Are we locked in?"

"Sounds like fun!" Emmeline raised her hand excitedly.

"Sounds like a waste of time," Alisa shook her head, glancing at her pocket watch. "Can we solve this debacle within 3 minutes and 42 seconds please?"

"Yo, Tetch," Issac called out, shrugging slightly. "Isolde thinks maybe you should let this big guy here open the door for you. She thinks the door's just stuck or something."

"E-Er, you don't mean me, right?!" Daisuke glanced around, slightly nervous.

"I did think of you originally, but Isolde calls the shots," Issac brushed his hair aside with an innocent smile. "She prefers muscles over mass. So... that beanie guy over there. Roderick, I think, right?"

"O-Oh," Daisuke looked down, disappointed. "Of course it wouldn't be me. The toy caterpillar is right. I'm not as strong or cool as Roderick is. Siiiiigh."

As suggested, Roderick got up from his seat to help Alvin with the door. But the moment he did, he smelt it. Something that forced his eyebrows to raise and his scarred eye to glare at the ceiling's… ventilation?

"H-Hey… do you guys... smell…" Roderick felt faint.

No.

They all did.

They smelt it!

A fragrance that was sweet and intoxicating. A fragrance that made them feel sleepy. A fragrance that reminded someone what it could be–

"I-It's a knockout drug!" Riku stood up immediately, glaring at Alvin. "Mister Alvin Tetch! Open the door!"

"I've been trying for the last few minutes!" Alvin gritted his teeth.

"M-Move," Mara rushed to the front of the class. It was clear that the knockout drug wasn't one of those slow-acting ones. Its effect was quick and for the Ultimate Karate Master who was built to withstand such things like this, even she was having trouble trying to concentrate. "I…I'll kick the door d-down…"

"Th-Then by Betsy, just do it!" Yumi held onto her hat.

"H-Here… goes…" Mara's eyes felt sleepy. She felt her body weaken. She tried to rush forward but the only forward she was able to go was directly toward the ground, passed out.

"A-Ah!" Aidan widened his eyes. Or at least, tried to. Even his eyelids were getting heavy. "M-Mara!"

"Now what…?" Fábio grimaced, trying to stay awake. He turned to his right and noticed that despite trying to fight the drug, Beauté was still smiling to herself. "A-And… why on Earth are you… smiling…?"

Beauté turned to him with that weakening smirk.

"Th-This is… so… intriguing…" she stated with slow and a weakening laughter.

One by one, the students started to fall unconscious. Alvin banged on the door, trying to call for help, but with every bang, he felt his own self start to weaken as well. He grimaced to himself. His eyes filled with anguish as he wondered…

Why?

Why?!

Why was this happening?!

This was supposed to be a perfect day! His promotion! His chance at a New Life! Did the universe… truly think he didn't deserve it…?

…

Alvin blacked out.

…

…

…

---

(Headmistress Office)

As usual, her flip phone rang.

And as usual, she picked it up without checking the caller ID.

"Leve," Mabel spoke.

The caller responded to her. Noting the familiar voice, she walked behind her desk and stared out of her window, listening intently to them speak. The Headmistress's Office grew dimmer than it was before, and her eyes and expression had changed into something cold and distant. Her voice grew pensive with every response as well.

"Yes, I've done my part," Mabel nodded. A slight pause in the room as she listened to them say a few more words to him. "Yes. I understand."

Her grip on her flip phone tightened.

It didn't take long for her to finally hang up the phone, snapping it shut as fiercely as she usually did. Tossing her phone to the side, Mabel continued to stare out of the window as she watched a large white truck slowly drive away from her premises. She folded her arms, leaning precariously against the wall before taking one of her strings connected to her window blinds.

…

With a tug, the blinds fell down and covered the window.

Mabel closed her eyes as she thought back to the last thing that Alvin had said to her.

Then, Headmistress Mabel Leve turned away…

---

And here we go! Prologue Part 2! We are nearing the end of the Prologue! One more chapter! :D

As you can see, this is our entire cast now :D The Killing Game will soon start and soon, one by one these people will... maybe die. Depends! Now that you've met every single one of them, please let me know which one is your favorite :D Who do you think will live? Who do you think will die? Who do you think will kill? Who do you like? Who do you hate? Who do you want to fuc- Uhhh... Anyway, please let me know! Warms my heart to see thoughts, opinions, and theories :D

To go along with that, please give me some thoughts, criticisms, and/or opinions about how you think I did interpreting your character! I put a lot of effort into making their sprites so please be gentle with me and I'll see you all in the Prologue Part 3! Hopefully, the final part!

(Can you believe this Prologue Part 1 would've been 32K words had I not split it up? So glad that I... and only I, made the decision to split the chapters up by 3)

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Ultimates Taken: 18

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Aidan Brighton - The Ultimate Track Star [Omakin]

Alina Summers - The Ultimate Maestro [Otterplay]

Alisa Zachary - The Ultimate Clockmaker [ExtraMeme]

Alvin Tetch - The Former Ultimate Talent Scout [DarkAngelOfSorrows]

Beauté Morose - The Ultimate ? [Grandma Sue]

Daisuke Kido - The Ultimate Fast-Food Employee [CandleFire45]

Emmeline Swan - The Ultimate Lepidopterist [Prince PokePersona]

Fábio Barbosa - The Ultimate Figure Skater [Rayy12]

Hope Thornton - The Ultimate Ufologist [MrAwesome1999]

Issac Santiago - The Ultimate Toymaker [oddlyillregular]

Kazuki Nobukatsu - The Ultimate Philanthropist [emberblitz321]

Kikuko Unmei - The Ultimate Shrine Priestess [WolfieRed23]

Manon Vivienne Levesque - The Ultimate Actress [Sempi]

Marabel "Mara" Garcia - The Ultimate Karate Master [Epifanio Therion]

Riku Arakawa - The Ultimate Doctor [theotakureader101]

Roderick Cutler - The Ultimate Deep Sea Fisherman [Orlando Butler]

Yukihiko Yuno - The Ultimate Child Caregiver [Weekaro]

Yumi Gundo - Ultimate Gunslinger [MrUtenaHolic]