Prologue #10

Midnight Disaster

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DAYTIME

OST - A Dead End to the Ocean's Aroma, Welcome Monobeast, Weekly Despair Magazine, Machine Gun With Bunny Ears, Tropical Despair

AS I stood there with my head facing the floor, I found myself unable to meet Sarada's gaze. From what I saw out of the corner of my eye, however, I could tell it was filled to the brim with an intense amount of pity and dread. Her orange-coloured eyes narrowed slightly as she opened her mouth, finding herself rendered unable to speak any more comforting words.

I could tell she had been hoping that she had been wrong about me. But as one could probably find to be typical for the Ultimate Judge... she simply wasn't. Nothing I could say would be able to change the fact that I was a member of the Varamatsu family. 

I just wouldn't be able to provide her with that sort of comfort.

"You... you can't be serious..." Heiji scratched his cheek with a disbelieving laugh, "I heard they were all dead... You're telling me there's a survivor...? Of that disaster...?"

"No..." Shion's eyes widened in realization as he likely reflected on what I had previously mentioned, "This is what you meant...? When you said you used to have more of them...?"

Hearing the drug dealer's words, Ritsuki seemed to be shaken to the core.

"Ahhhhh-hahahahaha!" Monokuma cackled sadistically as he placed his paws on his chest, "Looks like somebody's already felt the despair! Say, how did it feel? Was it thrilling? Exciting? Wonderfully bone-chilling?"

I gave the stuffed animal a sharp glare in response.

However, this just served to make it crack up even more.

"Hold on..." Anzai stared at the bear in confusion, "...What do you mean?"

"He's joking, isn't he? Right? Murano?" the light blue-haired photographer attempted to ignore the clear implications that Monokuma had presented with a forced smile.

Pursing my lips, I merely averted my gaze away from him, clenching my fists in frustration.

As much as I'd love to tell them that this was all a bad joke, that simply wasn't the case. Roughly two years ago, I had been forced to participate in a family mutual killing game. It was similar to this one... only our current killing game seemed to have more rules than I had become accustomed to. Having hailed from a prestigious family of criminal investigators, we were all shocked when that guy had announced that we'd all be killing each other. Initially taking what he had said as a bad joke, it came as a surprise to discover that he had been accompanied by a horde of robotic monsters straight out of a sci-fi film, leaving us with no other choice but to kill to survive-- to betray our trust in one another.

That's why I had no faith this bunch of ultimates wouldn't begin to suddenly off each other.

Monokuma was right. I had already felt the despair of a killing game.

It was horrible.

As I opened my mouth to speak, Monokuma immediately proceeded to cut me off, staring at me with a beady gaze as he did so.

"That's right, folks! Our dear friend Varamatsu here's already been in a killing game!" the headmaster declared gleefully, "Right here, we have with us our very own survivor of the Huntsman's Spree! The Varamatsu Family Massacre!"

The entire room was shocked as those who hadn't previously known about the incident had finally managed to get the picture.

"His family was massacred...?" Amane repeated with widened eyes as his pupils dilated.

"He's been in a killing game..." Nahoko covered her mouth in horror.

"So that's why..." Anzai belatedly acknowledged why I had previously asked her to stay silent.

"I think I'm gonna be sick..." Tahara gagged, wincing as her face paled, "His family killed each other...? He's the sole survivor...?"

"Well, I wouldn't say sole survivor..." Monokuma giggled rather cryptically.

I narrowed my eyes at his words.

"You sick bastard!" Shion suddenly flew into a rage, startling me as he lost his composure.

He had been doing that recently, but it never failed to surprise me, seeing as I had originally taken him for a rather calm person.

"I can barely understand you allowing us to do this... But you would put the survivor of a family killing game through another?" he snapped, clearly worried about my well-being. 

Yuhara seemed similarly concerned.

"Why of course!" Monokuma declared, "I don't discriminate! Anyone can play in the mutual killing game! Even past participants!"

"Oh, is that so?" Shion smirked at the stuffed animal in clear irritation, "You know what? I've just about had enough."

With slow, calculated steps, the Ultimate Drug Lord began to approach the headmaster.

"Wait, hold on, Shion!" I called out to the teen, reaching a hand out to him in concern, "What are you going to do?"

"Isn't it obvious?" the tan-skinned boy answered without looking back, "I'm going to put an end to this nonsense, once and for all. And if you're not willing to do it... I'll do it with or without you."

"Calm down and think about what you're doing!" Sarada warned the spiky-haired teen, "This is far too dangerous! You don't know how he'll react!"

"In that case, there's only one way to find out, now isn't there?" the magenta-haired boy retorted, "If I set an example for the rest of us... then we'll know how he'll act from now on."

"Oh?" the monochromatic creature raised a clawed hand as his eye gave off a threatening gleam, "Mr. Raniero, do I hear a challenge?"

Stopping in his tracks, Shion simply stared at the bear in silence.

"In that case, by all means!" the teddy bear cackled maliciously, "Be my guest! Let me put your head on a platter!"

"Can't you see that this is what he wants?" Yuhara warned with fearful eyes as she threw her hand in front of her, "Please, don't sacrifice yourself in such a needless manner!"

"Miss Yuhara's right...!" Pandora nodded fervently, "I don't think it's wise to test Monokuma..."

"Regardless, you'll stand a better chance against him if we work together," Anzai suggested as she moved to join the drug dealer, "I'll watch your back and keep an eye out for any hidden weapons."

"That would be great, Anzai... thanks," Shion nodded gratefully towards the executioner, "Though I've gotta admit... I was hoping for one more..."

With determined eyes, Iwane began to near the duo. "In that case, you may rest easy, Raniero, for I shall also offer my assistance," he declared.

The drug lord's expression brightened considerably. "Iwane... thanks!"

"No need," the giant gladiator smirked.

"Great..." Niou muttered sarcastically, "There's three of them now."

Nahoko's heterochromatic eyes seemed to sparkle in response. "The Ultimate Drug Lord, the Ultimate Executioner and the Ultimate Gladiator?" she pointed at the headmaster in a taunt, "Hear that Monokuma? You don't stand a chance against them!"

"Ah, is that so?" the bear's voice took on a threatening tone, "Violence against the headmaster is against school rules, I'll have you know..."

Niou glanced at the principal in confusion. "School rules?" she noted.

"He had those?" Kyoden raised an eyebrow.

"Hmmm..." Monokuma observed calmly, "Three rebellious students all lined up in a row... I'll give you the benefit of a doubt since you don't know about the school regulations. But were you to follow through with your attack, my Monotsumi will handle those..."

"Monotsumi?" Seiran spat out, "What the hell is that?"

"I don't know, but it kinda sounds like a bad joke..." Ryu laughed nervously in an attempt to hide his concern.

"Since you're so desperate to find out what card I'll be playing in order to keep you guys in check-- I'll show you! Rejoice, Shion Raniero!" the headmaster gleefully mocked the drug lord.

"...You're showing your hand?" the Raniero narrowed his eyes in suspicion, "...Just like that?"

"You betcha! Since you guys wanna do things by force, then over the course of the game I'll be fighting back with a little force of my own..." Monokuma's eye gleamed sinisterly, "Now then... Open the gates! Release my Monotsumi into their new home!"

As he said that, we all watched in fearful silence as the auditorium began to shake. Slowly, five different sections of the wall began to rise, revealing barred gateways that had been hidden inside. With a loud creak, each one swung outwards and a silver, metallic wolf monster jumped out from the darkness to move next to Monokuma's side. Each of them growled threateningly as they scrutinized us with glowing beady eyes.

They were all nearly three times my size.

"C-- congratulations, Shion!" Amane grinned with a hint of fear, "You're even more difficult than me now."

With dread filling his features, Shion simply stared up at the wolves quietly. He seemed to have frozen on spot at the mere sight of them. The same could be said for the other two combatants who had decided to help out.

To be honest, I couldn't even blame them. 

While I appreciated the thought of Shion going as far as to face Monokuma in order to get me out of this killing game... this had been far greater retaliation from the mascot than I had initially expected.

It was crazy! These things were so huge, just the thought of one of them approaching me had me standing as still as a statue.

It felt as if I couldn't even afford to breathe in the presence of those creatures.

"Eeeeeeek!" Pandora screamed.

Her eyes glassed over with tears as she began to cry.

Seeing her dilemma, yet still terrified herself, Yuhara pulled the witness into a tight embrace, stroking her back and whispering comforting words.

"It will be alright, you will be alright," she determined, "I'll do my best to protect you, okay?"

"But I don't want you to be in danger...!" the orange-haired girl hiccuped, clutching the missionary in concern.

"...I'm not the only one who's seeing this, right?" Tahara furiously rubbed her eyes before proceeding to stare back up at the animals again.

"As much as I'd love to say that you are..." Hayato forced a chuckle, "You aren't."

"What the hell is that?" Nahoko lost her composure, pointing at the creatures incredulously.

"Those... are the Monotsumi...?" Ritsuki appeared to be in disbelief.

Sarada laughed hysterically.

"This has gotta be a dream, this has gotta be a dream!" the Ultimate Pickpocket declared in denial, grabbing the sides of his baseball cap for stability as he began to panic.

He wasn't the only one chanting as Anzai had finally fallen to her knees, clasping her hands and fervently praying to the gods.

"This is no dream," Monokuma clarified as he cackled sadistically, "But your beautiful reality!"

Pursing her lips, Seiran glared at the bear. "Care to explain?"

"Gladly," the stuffed animal decided, "These brilliant creatures of the end are called the Monotsumi! Though they may look like wolves, they're actually deadly, quadrupedal weapons platforms that only I can operate! Now then, it's... PUNISHMENT TIIIME! Shion Raniero, I believe you owe me an example!"

"...Huh..." the magenta-haired teen finally snapped out of his shock, "...Huh?!"

"Let's give it all we've got!" Monokuma announced, "Monotsumi of Wrath, you'reeeee up!"

"No, wait!" Sarada shrieked, running forwards in an attempt to stop this madness.

Laughing gleefully, the monochromatic bear proceeded to hop on top of a Monotsumi with glowing red eyes, his own jagged eye shining bright as he focused his sights onto the Ultimate Drug Lord. Frozen with fear, Shion could do nothing but watch with wide eyes as the shoulders of the creature began to open out, revealing a pair of large Gatling guns, both of which were trained intently on his comparatively small frame.

Raising his hand to signal the start of his attack, Monokuma kept an eye out for any sign of interference as he slightly narrowed his regular eye. Seeing that Sarada was too far, he brought his hand down swiftly as the wolf began to fire.

However, before the Raniero could be blown to bits, he was swiftly tackled to the side by Iwane Ueda, who instead had managed to be significantly grazed by a few of the monster's bullets.

Instead, the ground where Shion had previously stood was filled to the brim with holes and the Monotsumi finally stopped.

Monokuma seemed particularly stunned.

"...Wh... what?" Shion stuttered from underneath the Ueda as he stared at the spot where he had previously been in horror.

Grunting in pain, Iwane lifted himself off of the drug dealer, moving to sit on the ground in an attempt to recover.

Still considerably stunned, the Raniero remained on the floor.

"Shion!" Sarada screamed as she ran toward the spiky-haired teen, hugging him by his shoulders, "You're alive! Thank god!"

"Y-- yeah..." Shion trailed off in thought before glancing in surprise at the gladiator, "Iwane... you saved me... why...?"

"You were willing to step up to protect all of us," the tall man explained as he clutched his arm with a wince, "I decided... If you were willing to do that for us... I wouldn't be the one to let you die. Not while I have a chance to save you, that is..."

"I see," Kyoden acknowledged, "In Monokuma's eyes, you were still frozen. You planned that on purpose in order to save Raniero's life."

Iwane gave a pained grin. "Well... at first, it wasn't on purpose... but I did realize that was the purpose of the Monotsumi..." he glanced at the Monotsumi of Wrath warily, "I merely used that to my advantage..."

Anzai frowned at the ground in self-loathing. "I apologize," she closed her eyes as she gripped her arm tightly with a grimace, "My will had crumbled in the face of those things..."

"I doubt you can really be blamed for that," I pointed out, "The same was true for all of us. Sarada and Iwane were the only ones who managed to jump into action. Even so, I also should have moved. I'm sorry, Shion..."

"Y-- yeah..." Shion nodded, still stuck in a daze.

I wasn't sure what he was agreeing with, but I assumed he probably meant to agree with the first thing I had mentioned.

"But still, Monokuma was serious!" Roka panicked at the thought, "Those Monotsumi things really are no joke!"

"In that case, I assume neither he nor Murano were joking when they spoke about a killing game then," Niou observed with folded arms.

"Of course not!" Monokuma inserted himself into the conversation as he tilted his head in confusion, "Do you really think I was joking about any of that?"

Ryu opened his mouth to speak.

"Actually, don't answer that."

"Hey Iwane, you sure that you're alright?" Heiji faced the gladiator with furrowed eyebrows, "That thing did graze you a lot..."

"He's been speaking pretty slowly too, so there's that," Amane noted worriedly.

"I'm... fine..." the giant grunted with one eye closed, "This is merely a scratch..."

Releasing Pandora from her embrace, Yuhara ran over, moving to stand behind the injured combatant.

Instantly, her eyes widened. "This is not 'just a scratch'!" her hands hovered over his back, "Iwane, you're really wounded! You need medical attention!"

"Monokuma, you need to take responsibility for this," Ritsuki advanced towards the bear, "You were aiming for Shion, yet a different student suffered from your attack."

"Really? I do?" the monochromatic mascot tilted its head cluelessly, "He was one of the ones who agreed to attack me, ya know..."

"That may be true, but in the end, nobody actually attacked you, Monokuma!" Tahara declared, "In fact, you only went after Shion because he said he'd set an example!"

"It's probably a violation of your school regulations, right?" Sarada assessed the situation sharply, "If you kill someone who didn't violate the rules, that makes you the true violator now, doesn't it? That means you should be the one executed." 

"Using the rules against me even though none of you have even seen them yet... that's very proactive of you, Miss Karinagi," the headmaster stared at the redhead with beady eyes, "I could just lie about them, ya know?"

"So it is one of your school rules...!" Pandora wisely pointed out.

Monokuma glared at the soft-spoken girl in silence.

"Well, Monokuma? It seems we've reached an ultimatum," Hayato finalized, "Either you treat Iwane-- or this killing game is off."

The stuffed animal practically glowed red with anger. 

"Grrrrr," Monokuma growled as he threw up his hands, "Fine! All right already! I get it! I'll treat Ueda! This is the last time you'll get away with this, ya hear me, Raniero!"

Unable to say anything in response, Shion simply remained silent.

With that, Monokuma guided Iwane out of the room, likely heading towards the infirmary in order to give him proper treatment.

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