The past that should've been completely sealed… The crime that should've been completely sealed… When that gate opens up… The past will have its revenge on the future. Eventually, after a restful slumber… The end of the world arrives. The end of the world I believed in.
It had been a while since Eddy's outburst towards Yakou. Following Marcy's revelation that the Homunculi Lab where the project originated was somewhere in the city according to Shachi, the group spread out over Kanai Ward to find it. Halara, Desuhiko, and Fubuki all decided to help pitch in with Yuma to help the group look… but only Vivia chose to remain behind as usual.
"I don't get it, what's the deal with that wise guy?" Peacock asked as she was looking with some of the group. "He drops some facts on us about Eddy, but he doesn't wanna go out and look for the same place we are? He's supposed to be a Master Detective, but he's done the least work since we all got here, why is he even here?"
"Everyone has their own agendas, Peacock. Vivia's is just… unique." Leonora said.
"Unique is one word for it." Penny remarked as Ed poked his head out of a dumpster next to her.
"No secret labs here." Ed announced, climbing out.
"It's a secret lab, Ed. It probably won't be easy to find just like that." Blake said.
"Hey, Double D… have you heard anything from Eddy since his outburst?" Jesse asked.
"Unfortunately, not yet. He's not answering his phone or texts." Double D said nervously. "Oh, I do hope he won't do something irrational…"
"About Vivia, I noticed something odd back at the hideout." 9S said.
"What is it, Nines?" Jiro asked.
"When we were discussing our next plan on what we should do, he was looking at the space where Shinigami was floating…almost like he was looking right at her." 9S said.
"Nah, there's no way that creepy guy can see her. He didn't even listen to the Necronomicon like we did." Vector said.
"Do we even know what Vivia can do? We know his nickname is the Near-Death detective, but we've never seen him participate in a case. And he hasn't even used his Forte once in our presence. The guy is a complete enigma." Ross said.
"Honestly, he even gives me the creeps." Shinigami admitted.
"Wait, if he can see Shinigami, do you think he can see Leonora's Einherjar as well?" Kokoro asked.
"It's possible. After all, his Forte is the most paranormal of them all." David said.
"Wait, you know what his forte is, David?" Jiro asked.
"Yeah. I read up about it. Vivia's forte is… Spectral Projection." David said. "He can detach his soul from his physical body, letting him move like a ghost."
"Wait, so he can become a ghost?" Steven said. "Well, then it really would make sense that he could see Shinigami."
"Maybe we can ask him about it next time we see him." Connie suggested.
"Yeah, he's… actually pretty sociable." Rantaro said.
"Don't tell me you've actually had a conversation with the guy." Kaito said.
"I did. He's pretty friendly. Well, about as friendly as he can get talking about his traumatic past and thoughts of dying. He feels so…detached from life." Rantaro said.
"It's probably due to his Forte." Hermit said.
"Again, I gotta ask… why the heck is he a Master Detective, and why'd he bother to come here?" Peacock asked.
"Some things are probably left unanswered." Perfuma said.
"Well…I'm taking a lunch break!" Vector said as he, Espio, Charmy, and Marcy headed out.
"What? Now?" 9S asked.
"Yeah. There's this new ramen shop in town and rumor is its ramen is much better than those meat buns we've been getting." Vector said.
"I…think I'll join." Yuma said.
"Me too!" Kurumi said.
"You know, when I said we were going to lunch, I kinda didn't think I'd be bringing a big party." Vector said looking at some of his tailgaters.
"Come on. Not everyday the boss pays for lunch." Marcy said.
"Wait, I didn't say I was…." Vector said before stopping. "Is that Eddy?"
"Where?" Charmy asked.
"Right over there." Vector said pointing to a stool where the short boy was eating some ramen.
Eddy was quick to notice the party as he was quick to hide in the dumpster.
"Hiding in the trash. Tsk, tsk. Okay, Charmy. You know what to do." Vector said.
"Dumpster Diver mode!" Charmy said as he flew right into the dumpster and started stinging everything on sight.
"Yowch!" Eddy yelled, leaping out of the dumpster holding his bottom, hopping around. "Okay, okay, I'm out! Ya happy?!"
"I did it! Yay Charmy!" Charmy cheered.
"Good work. Here's your reward!" Vector said, handing the bee some honey.
"Ugh…" Eddy rubbed his wounded behind. "Figures. The one time I try to get away from the action, and you just have to show up at the one place I am."
"I just wanted some ramen. I better get some." Vector said as the chef was coming out.
"Hello. What can…" the chef said before he took a look at Yuma. "Oh…uh…I just realized…I need to check the stock! Your orders will be to go!" he said running back in.
"Huh…that was weird. It was almost like he was afraid of you." Vector said to Yuma. "You know him?"
"No. I don't think we've ever met." Yuma said.
The group was soon sitting down and eating and discussing.
"So…as far as we know, the lab where the Homunculi were created still exists in Kanai Ward but the problem is ascertaining its location." Espio said.
"Yeah…not a lot of places you can hide a research lab." Marcy said.
"Maybe in the restricted zone." Kurumi said.
"Restricted zone?" Espio asked.
"Yeah. It's this big area that used to be a village but it had to be evacuated cause of a gas leak from the mines. There are rumors of it being a corpse disposal facility." Kurumi said.
"Ha. Kid. Amaterasu Corp may be a shady company but even they don't go dumping dead bodies in random places." Vector said.
"Maybe not the corporation itself…but I wouldn't put it past the Peacekeepers." Eddy pointed out.
"Hmm…guess it could be worth looking into later on." Vector said. "Espio…"
"No worries. I shall investigate it with ninja speed." Espio said as he turned invisible and dashed off.
"Hmm…you know….we are sort of buddy-buddy with the CEO…he might know something." Marcy said.
"I dunno…the kid doesn't seem all that bad but there's something about him that just doesn't feel right." Vector said. "But…guess he really is our only lead."
"Yes!" Marcy said.
"I'll call up the others and tell them about what we decided. We'll go together and get an all access visit to Amaterasu Corporation." Vector said as the majority of them took off, leaving Marcy and Eddy alone.
"So…how long have you been hiding out in the city? Looking for the lab?" Marcy asked.
"About as long as the rest of you have, I guess." Eddy replied, before he let out a sigh. "Look, I already know what you're thinking, so just go ahead and say it."
"Say what?" Marcy asked.
"That I went too far with Yakou." Eddy said. "I get it, I hit below the belt with talkin' about that woman in the picture. That's what everyone's saying, right?"
"Well, nobody's said it, but…" Marcy trailed off.
"Look, Mar-Mar, here's another rule for the Hero Alliance: we can't always be nice." Eddy said. "Sometimes, someone just needs a good kick in the pants or a punch to the face before they learn their lesson."
"But bringing up their families? I mean, that woman…that had to be a girlfriend, or even a wife." Marcy pointed out.
"Doesn't matter what she is." Eddy said. "Point is, if the chief became a detective for her, than he's doin' a lousy job at honoring her."
Marcy sat in silence, looking uncomfortable, before she took a deep breath and exhaled. "...You can't judge him yet." she said at last.
"...Whadda mean 'yet'?" Eddy asked.
"You don't know his past. You don't know how he and the girl met. You don't even know if she's still…y'know…around." Marcy pointed out. "Maybe what you said was right. But…that's the thing: you don't know."
Eddy looked down at his ramen bowl, seeing his reflection in the broth, raindrops distorting it. "...I guess you're right." Eddy said at last. "I didn't even give him a chance to tell me. Didn't think he'd bother to explain himself to a kid. So I…I just kept going. I wanted him to be hurt. I just wanted him to do something, anything, besides wait. I…I wanted to be the one to get him off the ground and be better."
"So you said all that?" Marcy asked.
"It's like I said: sometimes you need to be harsh with people." Eddy said. "Even Cheetah and David started out as trying to kill each other. And I…I had to grow up a lot to get here. I had people help me to, and they weren't always nice about it; heck, I've lost count of the amount of times I've been beaten up while training! But it paid off. For the first time in a long time…I was proud to be me." Eddy admitted. "Guess I just wanted to make someone else feel like that, even if I hadda hurt 'em to do it."
"Well if it helps, I'm proud of you. I mean, you were willing to risk your own life and safety for someone you've only known for a short while." Marcy said. "I mean, that takes a lot of courage to pull off."
"...Yeah. Thanks, Mar-Mar." Eddy smiled as he stood up. "I'll…I'll tell Yakou I'm sorry after we find the lab. I don't think I can take back what I said…but I can at least try and make up for it."
"It's usually the first step." Marcy said. "Now….our quest begins!" she said, throwing the ramen bowl up as it fell and shattered. "...After I pay for the bowl!"
Kanai Tower…
The elevator door opened, allowing the group to enter Makoto's suite.
"It was really easy to get inside. I thought security would be air-tight." Kurumi remarked.
"Yes…well…if I used actual security guards, they would either be spies or hitmen. Which is why I mostly rely on machines for my security." Makoto said as he stood there to greet them.
"Right, shows how much you don't trust the Peacekeepers." David said.
"I have to admit, I didn't expect you to bring so many people." Makoto said. "Hello, I'm Makoto Kagutsuchi. We've all seen each other before, but I didn't get to introduce myself properly."
"Well, now you have." Yuuto stated.
"Yes, I have." Makoto nodded.
"So anyway, about why we're here. We wanna know…is there a research lab in Kanai Ward?" Yaoyorozu asked.
Makoto was silent for a moment before he spoke up.
"As a matter of fact, there is one. Built into the main HQ of Amaterasu Corporation." Makoto said. "Why do you wanna know?"
"Is it true…that they're studying Homunculi?" Chopper asked.
Makoto was silent for a moment before he burst out laughing. "Hahaha! Immortal monsters?! Speaking of which, you did ask me what I knew about homunculi. No matter how strange this town may be, no such monsters exist here. It's impossible for that kind of research to be done in Kanai Ward. The only ones in this city are the people I love. There are no monsters to be had here…" he said.
"He's hiding something…" Jin whispered to the others.
"Yeah." Shuichi confirmed.
"So…as CEO, you can get into that lab, right?" Vector asked.
"Of course. I can even invite all of you if you so desire." Makoto said.
"Yeah…we'll just see for ourselves." Tenko said.
"Splendid. We'll meet by the train station. Oh…and one more thing…let's keep this little visit between us, okay? Don't want anyone finding out about this." Makoto said.
"Right…got it." David said.
"See? That wasn't so bad." Marcy said.
"Even still, why do I get the feeling Makoto isn't exactly honest with us?" Kurochi asked.
"You think he's hidin' something in this city? Well, don't worry. Whatever it is, I sent Espio to find it." Vector said. "Hopefully, while we check out the lab, he can find this restricted area."
"Okay, so we'll just wait until everything is ready." P-Twilight said. "That should give us some time to prepare."
"Prepare for what?" Pinkie asked.
"For when things inevitably go wrong." P-Twilight answered.
The group returned to the detective agency to only see a couple of detectives but no Yakou.
"Huh? He's not here?" Marcy asked.
"Nah…he left earlier. He got this letter a little while ago and he had this face I hadn't seen before." Desuhiko said. "He just left without another word about where he was going."
Eddy looked pained and concerned after hearing this. "D-Did he take the letter with him?" he asked.
"Yes. He mentioned something about failing to protect the happiness he found." Desuhiko said.
"It's no surprise. Most detectives like him who failed to gain Fortes, they normally end up giving up on the path of the detective." Vivia said.
"I…I guess." Eddy said, the group noticing right away that he didn't believe it for a second.
"It's not like him to go off like that. Think we should look for him?" Marcy asked.
"No time. We gotta keep our schedule. We'll get him when we come back." Mermista said.
"Speaking of…" Vivia said, getting up and looking at them threateningly. "Where are you all headed?" he asked with a boxcutter in his hand.
"Uh…nowhere important?" Vector said.
"Well…actually…" Double D said nervously. "We…believe that…perhaps…we've found a possible lead in…our side-investigation!" he said.
"...Side investigation." Vivia said.
"Yes! Into…the events surrounding Danganronpa! Isn't that right, David, Shuichi?" Double D looked at his fellow Master Detectives with pleading eyes.
"Uh…yeah! We think we've found a backup of the participant files!" Shuichi said.
"And it requires us…to be somewhere else. So….we cool?" David said.
It was silent for a moment before Vivia pocketed the box cutter as he returned to his resting place. "We're cool." he replied as he went to sleep.
After that, the group made a hasty retreat. "...So…we're all in agreement that he didn't buy a word of that?" Penny asked after they exited the sub.
"Which is why we need to get moving. Let's go." Takeshi said as the group started at a brisk pace.
They arrived at the train station as Makoto was waiting with a bright yellow car.
"Hi, I'm here. You're right on time." Makoto said as he lowered the window. "Oh, this car? Of course, it's made by Amaterasu Corporation. Want to do a test drive?"
"Uh…okay." Marcy said as they all got in. "Wait…do you have a license?"
"No, but we're going anyway." Makoto said as he drove with them riding along before they could get a second opinion.
They held on for dear life, all the way til they reached the main Amaterasu building.
"And here we are." Makoto said getting out as he approached the bio scanner, removing his mask for a moment as his face was scanned and the doors opened. "Welcome to Amaterasu Corporation." he said with his mask back on.
They all headed inside as they looked around, entering an elevator that began to move down.
"So…about the lab…" Yaoyorozu said.
"Ah, the lab. It's the very heart of this company. Of course that means most of the research done is kept under lock and key, only the senior executives know of it. Currently, our leading scientist is Dr. Huesca. He's a weapons specialist. But recently, I've come to believe that the good doctor has been collaborating with someone behind the scenes." Makoto said.
"And there's the twist." A2 said quietly. "This guy is just using us."
"Okay, be honest, are you really the CEO?" Charmy asked.
"Of course. I've been acting CEO for about…3 years now thanks to a small accomplishment on my part. I didn't live in Kanai Ward until that point but who cares about all those details?" Makoto said.
"(3 years… Hmmm…)" David thought. "(Wait… That was the point where Kanai Ward was closed off from the rest of the world, if not the multiverse! This can't be a coincidence…can it?)"
"And those Peacekeeper jerks? Are they gonna be around?" Eddy asked.
"Relax. There is a limited number of Peacekeepers in the lab. Course, when you mention them, I do think of Yomi. And he and I…we're actually not that much different. We both want the highest power in all of Amaterasu Corporation. But in the end, I took the title but there is something only I can do as CEO. Course Yomi, I don't think he took it well. I hear he had the previous CEO killed cause of it. Hahahaha…oh…but in all honestly, he's someone…I can't allow to roam free for much longer." Makoto said.
"Yeah, you know he's nuts, right?" Jesse asked.
"Of course I do. I'm not blind to what he has done." Makoto said. "He's spreading fear throughout the whole city."
The elevator dinged as the doors opened to the sight of open doors, Peacekeepers milling about on watch.
"Hm…that's odd." Makoto remarked. "Those doors aren't supposed to be open." he said approaching a Peacekeeper. "What's going on here?"
"We're sorry, but two of the guards that we had guarding the gate were knocked out by an intruder." one of them said.
"An intruder?" Makoto asked.
"Yes…an intruder. A case I will be handling myself.' a voice said as the group looked in shock to see Yomi himself leading the investigation.
"How odd. You rarely ever take charge of cases like this yourself." Makoto said.
"I already know who the intruder is…but I won't be telling you." Yomi said.
"If you just allow us to help…" Makoto said.
"You are in no position to give me any orders." Yomi said.
"What? But he's the CEO of the company that sponsors you, so he outranks you." Mermista said before Yomi went and smacked her with the back of his hand.
"You should learn not to utter such stupid things, you brainless fish." Yomi said.
"Hmm…Idiot." Makoto said. "We'll catch him first." Makoto mocked.
"Hmmm….the intruder is Fink the Slaughter Artist, a notorious hitman. And he has come…to kill Dr. Huesca." Yomi said.
"Well…that is something." Makoto said as Yomi and his peacekeepers spread out.
"So…you're gonna catch a hitman?" Vector asked.
"Nope…you all are. Have fun!" Makoto said.
"(This guy…he set it up so we'd have few Peacekeepers in our way. He's good.)" Shuichi thought.
They headed down the hall as they looked around.
"I know we're out for a hitman…but man this place is so cool. All the science and…ah! Oh my gosh!" Marcy said as they saw a robot in one room. "They have an Ama-pal here!"
"Ama-Pal?" some of them asked.
"You know, the best toy robot on the market? He's got a camera, a microphone, a remote and can hold 100 kilograms of weight!" Marcy said.
"Wow….hey can I…" Charmy said.
"No way I'm buying you one of those!" Vector said.
"Uh…should we keep going?" Yuma pointed out.
"Right, sorry." Marcy said as the group kept going until they reached a door. "Okay, I think this is the place."
"Whoa…" Yang said as they saw the heavily fortified door. "Guess this guy isn't much for company."
"I know, right? Bet Kazuma wishes he had something like this when he was a shut-in." Ross said.
"Well, there's an intercom." Yuuto gestured to said device next to the door. "I suppose we should give this man the proper courtesy."
"Can't we just force our way in?" Yang asked.
"I wouldn't recommend it. The doctor has a very intense security system in place." Makoto said.
"Besides, being rude won't get us anywhere." Double D said, walking over and pressing a button on the intercom, causing the screen to turn on and present a bearded elderly man in a white lab coat with a mustache and black around his eyes. Hermit looked unnerved as his appearance reminded her of Müller.
"You okay, Hermit?" Rachel asked.
"I-I'm fine." Hermit said.
"Y'dont look that fine to me." Peacock said.
"Sorry, it's' just… Huesca's appearance reminds me of Dr. Müller." Hermit said.
"Oh, the guy who roughed you up?" Peacock said. "Yikes…"
"You weren't around when I explained it Peacock, but…he's the reason why I don't trust many humans and have lost faith in Ziggy's ideals." Hermit said.
"What is it? I'm very busy!" Huesca said.
"We're here to get you out of here." Silver said. "There's this hitman that…"
"I already know. A subordinate already informed me." Huesca said.
"Then why are you still here?" Blaze asked.
"Because my lab is the safest place I can be right now. No one can get in or out. Now quit bothering me." Huesca said as he hung up.
"Nice guy." A2 said sarcastically.
"He's not wrong though. His security system by itself could easily kill any hitman." Makoto said.
"How so?" Silver asked.
"Well…there are three chambers. First is the entrance/decontamination chamber. After that is a chamber that released toxic gas so potent it kills in 30 minutes. After that is a 3x3 grid puzzle which acts like a key. Step on the wrong tile, sizzle! Death by electrocution! Of course, Huesca has the master button to shut all this off at any time." Makoto said.
"Well, that is impressive." Chrysalis remarked. "Maybe the doctor truly is safe."
"C'mon, this slaughter artist guy wouldn't even have gotten down here if he was amateur." Eddy said. "He's gotta have a plan to get past all that."
"True…someone on the inside, perhaps?" Double D wondered.
"Maybe."
"And just what are you all plotting with the doctor?" a voice asked as Yomi entered with a few Peacekeepers. "This is my case. I can personally make sure he does not die."
"There is no need for alarm. I can watch over both Amaterasu and Kanai Ward." Makoto said.
"...What? What have you ever done for Kanai Ward? All you do is look down on it from on high. The peaceful order you see when you gaze upon it is thanks to my righteous justice. I'm the one guiding these lazy fools! I brought civilization to this place! I don't need you messing with the proper order of my city! Hey, tell Mr. CEO that he doesn't belong here. Politely escort him out. Make sure he can still talk, though. There are plenty of things I need to ask him." Yomi ordered as the Peacekeepers escorted Makoto out. "And have them all secured in a room so they don't get in my way any further." Yomi said, pointing to the detective teams.
"You know this little power trip of yours won't last forever, Yomi." David said as the Peacekeepers surrounded them. "It doesn't matter who does it, or how it happens…eventually, you're going to get everything you deserve."
"Oh, I'm sure I will." Yomi smirked maliciously as the guards took the group away.
Several hours later…
"Got any sevens?" Mermista asked as some of the group members were playing Go Fish.
"Sorry, Mermista. Go Fish." Penny said.
"So nice of the guards not to search us." P-Twilight said as she read the book she had received from Vivia a few days before.
"How can you all be so calm at a time like this?" Yuma asked. "Yomi's probably going to have us executed once he's done with his investigation!"
"Oh, he'll definitely try." A2 said.
"Plus he has a number of armed soldiers and last I checked, not anyone here can stop bullets." David said.
"Isn't there a way we can try and find some clues behind Yomi's back?" Rantaro asked.
"Wait a second, there is!" Kaede said. "Yomi can't catch what he can't see."
"Wait, you're not suggesting…" Blake said.
"Yeah. With Vivia's forte, Yuma can roam about Dr. Huesca's lab freely." Kaede said.
"It's a good plan but…one major problem…we would need Vivia here to do that!" Vector said.
"Yeah, and we already know he's been kinda suspicious of us for some reason." Tenko said.
"There's no way they're going to be able to get in…" Silver said before the doors opened as two guards walked in.
"Ah! We're so sorry!" some of them begged.
"Wow…finally nice of you guys to look up to me for once." one of them said, removing their helmet to show themselves as Desuhiko.
"Desuhiko?!" Yuma asked.
"Thought you could use an assist." Desuhiko said.
"Wait, so does that mean the other one is…?" Penny asked as the other peacekeeper was revealed to be Yakou.
"I kinda figured you guys would get yourselves into trouble again." Yakou said.
Eddy smiled. "Well look who finally decided to finally…"
"Yeah, save it. You're getting a lecture on friendship later. You all got tricked by Amaterasu's CEO in looking into Fink the Slaughter Artist." Yakou said.
"Wait, what? Makoto tricked us? No way, hes the one who brought us here!" Charmy said.
"Thats exactly why its a trap. Luckily, that is why we're here." Yakou said.
"We're going to take the doctor into custody and interrogate him on the Homunculus research." Desuhiko said.
"Huesca is one of the most important figures for this company. If anyone would know anything, its him." Yakou said.
"That's…pretty well thought out. But with Makoto, Yomi and this hitman after him, getting him out isn't going to be easy." Gohan said.
"I'm sure we can make it…" Yakou said as the lights suddenly went out. "Damn. Looks like he's struck the power grid."
"Then we need to move fast. If we stick together-" 9S began.
"No. I'll distract the Peacekeepers. The rest of you need to get to Huesca before Fink does." Yakou interrupted.
"Wait, you? Are you sure?" Marcy asked.
"I'll be fine. Don't worry about me." Yakou said, getting his helmet back on. "Wait three minutes after I leave, then go grab the doctor."
"Wait, Yakou." Eddy said. "Before you go, I-"
"You can tell me next time we see each other. I'm counting on you all." Yakou smiled before he ran down the opposite way.
"Well look at that. Guess Eddy's blowup did some good after all." Peacock said.
"...That don't make it right." Eddy mumbled under his breath before recomposing himself. "Okay! We go in, grab the doc, and hightail it outta there. They might cut off power to the elevators, so we'll need to come up with an escape plan. Any ideas?"
"I could teleport us out, but I'd need to focus my magic for a few minutes." P-Twilight said.
"That'll work. Let's grab Doc Huesca and bail before Yomi catches us!" Peacock said.
"Wait…I just remembered. I was looking at the schematics…his crazy security system is on an entirely different power grid." Shuichi said.
"Right…while me and my fellow androids can survive poison gas, we cannot survive electrocution." 9S said.
"Oh! I know something that can help us!" Marcy said looking at the Ama-Pal in the other room.
"You just wanna play with that thing, don't you?" Vector said.
"Yes. Very much." Marcy said.
"For the love of…fine. We'll use the robot." Vector said.
"Yay!" They cheered.
"This is so cool!" Marcy said as she maneuvered Ama-Pal through the main entrance. "Next will be…" she said as the camera cut out.
"Hey what's going…" Gohan asked as the camera came back online.
"Must have been a technical glitch." Marcy said as they entered the room with the electrical puzzle. "Now we're in my element." she said as she maneuvered the robot through the floor and avoiding electrocution. "Boom! First try!"
"That's amazing, Marcy! Where'd you learn to do that?" Himiko asked.
"Video games." Marcy said. "See, I've mastered this skill called being in The Zone. I can clear any puzzle without acknowledging the outside world. Nothing can interrupt…" she said as the robot fell over once she reached the lab.
"What happened?" Kaito asked.
"Something must have knocked it over. Luckily I hit the shut off button before it fell over." Marcy said.
"Great. Let's scoop up the doctor and let's get outta here!" Vector said as they headed into the lab, only to be greeted by a grisly sight. "Oh come on!" he said as they saw the doctor, dead in the corner with a knife in his back.
"Huescas…. Been killed?! But how?!" Double D asked.
"I thought this room was supposed to be well secured?" Chopper said.
"It is. This crime is almost impossible to pull off." Shuichi said.
"Oh, I wouldn't say impossible…" a voice said as Yomi stood behind the group. "Seems you all decided to go and murder that poor doctor after all." Yomi said. "Looks like I get to execute every last one of you as the criminals you are."
"Aw, no…!" Peacock said.
"I'll eliminate all you thorns right here and now… starting with…" Yomi said before picking his first target. "Let's see…how about the little runt who tried to pull a knife on me?" he said pointing to Eddy.
Suddenly, a scream was heard echoing through the halls. Yomi was distracted as Desuhiko went and blocked him.
"All of you! Go! I'll hold him off!" Desuhiko called out.
"That…That voice was…!" Eddy realized as he raced out of the room and into the hall, the group following him.
"Eddy, what's wrong?" Double D asked, before the boy came to a stop in front of the door. "...Eddy?"
"...No." Eddy uttered in shock, the group following his eyes and catching a sight that stopped them cold:
Yakou, on the ground, covered in pink blood.
"No. No!" Eddy raced over to the man. "Yakou! Yakou, say something!"
"Chopper, do something!" Yuma said.
"He's already lost too much blood and I don't know his blood type for a transfusion. He's not going to last long enough to get fixed." Chopper said.
"Ugh…Fink…stabbed me…." Yakou said weakly. "All of you…seek out….the truth…" he said.
They then heard the Peacekeepers storming their way, Desuhiko grouping up with them.
"We gotta go!" Kaito said.
"Twilight, get us outta here!" Peacock said.
"Everyone get close to me!" P-Twilight said as they did so.
"Yakou… I didn't get a chance to say it before… but I'm sorry! I said stuff that cut too deep!" Eddy said, shedding tears. "I just wanted you to be proud of yourself again! I…I'm sorry!" he cried.
Yakou simply smiled before the group was teleported away in a big flash of magic.
The group found themselves just outside of Amaterasu Corporation as they landed on the ground.
"Well that went to hell!" Peacock said.
"What do we do now?" Yuuto asked.
"What the chief asked. We find the truth behind Dr. Huesca's murder." 9S said.
"We have to go back to his lab to search for clues, but Yomi's probably going to raise security since Dr. Huesca was murdered." Kokoro said.
"It can't be helped…. We have to request Vivia's aid. The use of his forte is the only way we can infiltrate the lab." Hermit said.
"You saw how he brandished the box cutter. That guy wants to kill us!" Vector said.
"But we won't know he wants to kill us until we come straight with him." Mermista said.
"Mermista, that….! That…is the worst idea you ever had!" David said.
"Look, I'm a detective too and…" Mermista said.
"For the last time. You AREN'T a detective!" Vector said. "Reading trashy sea based mystery novels does not make you nor will it ever make you…a master detective!"
"Then why the heck am I still here?!" Mermista asked.
"Cause' you'd probably end up dead by the Peacekeepers if we sent you back alone." Shuichi said.
"So what? Am I…I just…" Mermista said.
"Mermista…enough. Just go…anywhere away from here." Vector said.
"...Okay. I see how it is." Mermista said as she went and walked off.
"Don't you think you were a little too hard on her?" David asked.
"Maybe…but we can hammer out that bridge later. For now…guess we're gonna have to kidnap Vivia and force him to sync with Yuma." Vector said.
"Let's try to be gentle with him…" Perfuma said. "Or at the very least, see if he wants to come along willingly."
"That…will not be necessary." a voice said as Perfuma jumped as Vivia was behind her being carried by Halara.
"Halara? And…you brought Vivia with you." Shuichi said.
"Desuhiko informed me of what happened when he infiltrated with the chief and Fubuki." Halara said.
"Fubuki was in there?!" Yuuto said.
"Yes. And seeing that look, none of you even knew." Halara said.
"W-Well we didn't see her with Yakou and Desuhiko when they were disguised as peacekeepers, sue us!" Peacock said.
"It's fine. I'll just add saving her to the large bill I will be handing you all before you leave." Halara said as she dropped Vivia to the ground.
"You're still on that?" Vector said.
"Oh yes. And you better be keeping your promise." Halara said.
"Right….course." Vector said as Halara ran inside. "We are so screwed when they come to collect."
Marcy then looked down to Vivia, who in turn looked at them. "Uh… good to be finally working with you?"
"So, you still wish to continue your current investigation?" Vivia asked.
"Look, I know the last thing you want to do right now is help us out, but we need your forte so that Yuma can get inside Huesca's lab and look for clues." Marcy said. "We just want to find the truth, like Yakou wanted."
"But when you find the truth you seek…will you like what you find waiting for you at the end?" Vivia asked. "I have no particular interest in aiding all of you. Not when death seems to follow you at every turn."
"Are you kiddin' me? That's basically been what you've been doin' nonstop since we got here!" Peacock said. "You're supposed to be a big shot in the mystery business, but you've been crammin' yourself inside the fireplace every single day. Why the heck didja even become a master detective in the first place?"
"Why did I become a Master Detective…. To be honest, I don't particularly seek the truth fervently like all the rest." Vivia said. "Some mysteries are better left unsolved. And giving everything like you are all for the truth, is dangerous. Most people do not possess that sort of conviction."
"B-But…" Eddy stammered. "I…I can't say you're wrong."
"Eddy?" Ed asked.
"You…You got a point. It's cause of me wanting to find the truth that Yakou is…is…he's gonna die, and it's my fault!" Eddy cried. "But he said it! He asked us to find the truth behind that doctor's murder! A-And…I know I can't make up for what I did. But I…we have to honor his last request, at least. By what you said, I think I can guess why you don't trust us, and…fine. But if you won't do it for us…can ya at least do it for Yakou? Please…" Eddy collapsed to his knees, shedding tears. "It's…It's all we can do for him now…"
"Oh Eddy." Marcy said.
"...Fine." Vivia said. "Yuma can borrow my forte for a short while."
"Ah.. thank you so much, Vivia!" Marcy said.
"Y'won't regret this, I promise!" Eddy said as they headed back to Dr. Huesca's lab.
"Will I…or will you?" Vivia said as he touched Yuma and Yuma left his body to investigate.
"Oh, just realized. If Yuma is a ghost, he won't be able to interact with things physically." Marcy said. "We should help by accessing the doctor's files on his computer."
"Leave it to us. Hermit, shall we?" 9S asked.
"Like you even needed to ask." Hermit said. Working together, the two androids went to access Dr. Huesca's files.
"Just be quick. Halara is definitely keeping the Peacekeepers busy but we have no idea when they'll figure out we're back in here." Silver said.
"Hmm…interesting. Seems the security was cut before today. About 90 days ago." 9S said.
"And I've checked his email. He's been receiving a number of threats from the same person cause he was planning to flee Kanai Ward with his research." Hermit said.
"Hmm…Makoto mentioned someone possibly working with Huesca." Blaze said.
"Looks like this exchange has been going on for….5 years?!" 9S said. "But looks like it soured about 6 months ago." he said as Yuma slowly returned to his body alongside Vivia.
"So? Did you find anything? Huh?" Peacock asked.
"Yes. Do tell us." a voice asked as they all saw Yomi marching in with the Peacekeepers. "Are you all really that driven to mess with my rule over Kanai Ward?"
"You don't rule anything. You can't just mess with the law." Princess Twilight said.
"The law?" Yomi said as he went and smacked her. "Here, I am the law! What I say goes. Just like how I'll be making sure the bones and metal bones of all of you are thrown into the deepest sewers of Kanai Ward when I'm done with you."
"Uh…Shinigami? Help?" David asked.
"Yeah. I hear ya! Arise, Mystery Labyrinth!" Shinigami said as time came to a standstill, she transformed into her true form and opened a portal to the Mystery Labyrinth.
"Nick of time, as usual Shinigami." Double D said.
"Hm…I see." Viva observed the stopped time around them. "So this is the power of a Death God…"
"Yeah, she's…wait, how'd you know she's a Death God?" Vector asked.
"I knew…you were dangerous." Viva uttered. "Your pursuit of the truth…will doom the world."
"Uh oh…" Ed said.
"Whether or not it will, is for us to decide, but we'll worry about that later. Right now, we have a mystery to solve." David said.
"And like it or not Mr. Doom & Gloom, you're coming with us!" Peacock said.
"It appears I have no choice…" Vivia sighed.
"First right things you've said all day! Down the rabbit hole we go!" Shinigami said, kicking the group into the portal.
"…I wanna die someday…" Vivia sighed.