A/N: Alright, bad news time. Unfortunately, I didn't get around to finishing the exploration part of Chapter 1. This part was originally meant to be part of the exploration but due to school my schedule was very non-lax this week. I will try to get the whole exploration up next weekend, but my sister is going to be staying over at my place and I promised her that we would hang out during her visit so I might not have any free time as well. Please continue to bear with me going ahead. But for now, enjoy this little snippet of what's to come.
Disclaimer: I do not own Danganronpa.
Chapter 1, Part 3: An unlikely ally
"Well then, if there aren't any more questions. I think I'll leave you to explore your new home," said Monokuma. He turned to leave…but then. "Oh, I almost forgot." He turned back to face us. "Since this is now my prison and my school, I think a little change of scenery is in order." Then he pulled out a small remote control from his one of the compartments on his utility belt. "Feast your eyes on my little makeover." Then he pressed one of the buttons on his remote and the ground began to quake beneath our feet.
"W-Wh-What's going on?! What's he doing now?!" Airi exclaimed.
"Is this an earthquake?!" Adam exclaimed.
"Opal grab on to me!" Mirai exclaimed, and Opal nodded and grabbed ahold of her friend in response to maintain her balance.
"U-U-Ug-Ugh! I d-don't l-like th-this!" Kaori shouted in a dizzy tone.
Koro chuckled. "This is so fun, it's like an amusement park ride!"
"Relax, the bumpy ride's almost over!" Monokuma shouted.
(A/N: For more drama, imagine the following as a cinematic cut scene.)
The ground continued to shake immensely for a few more moments, and then the prison itself began to shake as well. It rumbled so much that I thought it might completely tumble down from the magnitude of Monokuma's artificial earthquake. And then suddenly the ground stopped shaking, and in an almost cartoonish manner, the walls of the prison collapsed outward and fell down to the ground with a very small crash. It was almost like they were just flimsy props that were part of some low-budget film set. surprising is what remained behind the prop walls. It was Icarus Juvenile Detention Center, but it's outer appearance seemed really different. What was once a beautiful, tall white building was now half black and half white in color. The colors split straight down the middle all the way down to the entrance. And the emblem of Icarus nearing the sun that hung above the entrance the prison had been replaced with an emblem of an ugly box that had several skulls and grim faces on its sides to act as designs. And in the center of the box was Monokuma's signature scar-shaped red eyed. Monokuma had actually taken complete control over the prison. Going so far as to redesign it with his own brand.
"…" For a few moments after that, we just stood silent in complete shock at the scene we had just witnessed.
"Upupupupupupupupu! Look at your dumb faces! Priceless! You probably thought the whole prison was going to be destroyed, right?!" Monokuma laughed at us. Then he suddenly got all depressed. "Well to tell you the truth that was originally the plan, and then I was going to have my prison be dropped onto the rubble where it stood by a team of helicopters. But I ran out of time to fully model the building so I ended up having to remodel the old prison instead. I just made those fake walls to surprise you guys, but frankly I'm more surprised that you actually fell for them. I personally didn't think they were all that realistic."
"So it's true then? You've actually modeled this prison to be as ugly as you," said Damion.
"Aww, Damion-kun is always so mean to me. You know, I really just act out because I want to be your friend," Monokuma replied in disappointment.
"Die, you disgusting creature," Damion spat back at Monokuma.
Monokuma chuckled. "I guess you'll never change. You probably intend to take a swing at me yourself the next time my back is turned."
"I'm no imbecile," Damion replied. "With your strength, you'll kill me where I stand if I try anything so rash. I have no choice but to plot my revenge on you for the near future, when I win this killing game of yours."
"Win the killing game?" Hinageshi replied. "To even play such a thing is a bit much. You really think you can win at this insanity?"
"I don't believe I asked for any comments to my actions from the plainest looking person here," Damion replied in a harsh tone.
"…" Hinageshi didn't respond.
"I am Damion Stavros, hailed as the reincarnation of Caesar himself for my superior intellect and manipulation skills. There is no doubt that I will come out on top of this do or die zero sum game," Damion explained with a wicked smirk.
"Pride cometh before the fall, Lucifer," Ginrou replied. "I think you underestimate my drive to honor God's wishes." Ginrou help up his bible, high in the air. "God demands blood and punishment. All the sinners here shall be executed by me. For that is what God commands. This killing game is merely a test by him."
"What? No it's not. The killing game is a Monokuma brand original," Monokuma replied.
"I shall answer God's wishes! I shall execute all the sinners in this wicked game!" Ginrou exclaimed. He was clearly in his own world now.
Noriaki sighed. "Geez, just listening to this blowhard is painful. His delusions of grandeur might be even greater than mine." Then he chuckled. "Just kidding, I'm God. If anyone is the most delusional here, it's me. I'm so great, that I know I'll win this game for sure. Prepare to feel the wrath of the almighty Tenshi!" he exclaimed with a great big care-free smile.
Monokuma seemed happy as he sighed in delight. "Aww, such healthy blood lust. You inmates make your Warden/Headmaster very proud. That's the spirit! Run ahead full force into this bloody, bloody future! It's the killing springtime of youth!" he exclaimed. Then he suddenly calmed down and said in a very serious tone, "I'm looking forward to see who will die first. Don't disappoint me." And then in an instant, he disappeared into thin air.
Mireille let out a sigh of relief. "That little miscreant is finally gone. So what should we all do now?"
"There's no other way off of this island according to Ms. Warden, so it looks like we're stuck here for now," said Yoko. "It would be best for us explore every inch of our current environment to get a better grasp of the situation. 'Twould be bad if we were done in by something unexpected, pyon."
"Pyon? Why are you trying to sound like a rabbit now?" Mana asked.
"Why not? It's cute, no? Bunnies are cute, I am cute. Therefore, I am a bunny," Yoko simply replied.
"You're a really weird girl," Taichi replied.
"…" Yoko silently glared at Taichi.
"Even if she is weird, she does make a good point. We're stuck here and no one's coming to get us…at least for the time being. We should learn more about our circumstances; we need to know if that damn bear has left us the basic needs for our survival," Victor explained.
"You're right, starving out here would be pretty bad," Airi agreed.
"Then who's up for a little exploration, chums?" Adam asked. "Let's scope out every inch of the prison and see what Monokuma's got in store for us."
"You sound way too excited about all of this," said Fuyu.
"I know one thing! I need food really fucking badly! If I don't eat soon I'm going to devour each and every one of you bastards! Meat, dammit! Give me some meat, right fucking now!" Kaori shouted.
"You're hungry? Really? I wouldn't have guessed," Fuyu replied sarcastically.
"You got some fucking death wish, bitch?! Keep getting on my nerves and see what happens!" Kaori shouted.
Fuyu scoffed. "You're pathetic."
"Why don't I show you the way to the mess hall, Takenaka-chan?" Eliza asked, in an effort to diffuse the tension. "I know how badly you need your food, and if Monokuma knows too I'm sure he would've left the food supply I had prepared for you untouched." Then she sweatdropped. "At least I hope he did."
Kaori looked positively giddy. "Food! Food! Food! Food! Now! Now! Now! Now!" she shouted. "Take me there right now, you blonde bitch!"
"I'll just assume that's your way of saying please. Come on, follow me," said Eliza.
"I think I'll come with you too, Eliza-chan," said Hinageshi. She eyed Kaori. "Just in case you need some help."
"I want to go too. All of Kaori-chan's talk about food is starting to get me hungry too," said Airi.
Eliza smiled. "Much appreciated, Otsuka-chan, Shimizu-chan. Alright then, follow me." Then Eliza, Kaori, Airi, and Hinageshi made their way to the entrance of the prison.
"I think I'll see what this place has to offer as well, but I shall require some protection in case anyone gets any ideas about trying anything while my back is turned. Mr. Blood, may I call on your services once again?" Damion asked.
"Very well, however I ask that you don't make a habit out of ordering me around. Who knows? I might try and kill you, myself," Victor replied as he glared at Damion with his one good eye.
Damion snickered. "Then it might be a good idea to hire a second body guard as well." Damion scanned the others and then his eyes landed on Taichi. "How about you, Mr.…?"
"My name's Taichi Inai," Taichi replied.
"Mr. Inai, eh? What an interesting name. How would you like to accompany me and Mr. Blood here?" Damion asked.
"Why do you want me? And more importantly, why would I want to do that?" Taichi replied.
"The decision is purely up to you, rest assured. It's just, I have an eye for talent, you see. And you have a look in your eyes that even makes me quake in my shoes a bit. Someone like you, dark and mysterious would make the perfect body guard. I have no doubt in my mind that if anyone so much as looked at you the wrong way, you'd kill them without hesitation," Damion explained.
"…" Taichi said nothing and just stared at Damion for a few moments. And then finally, he looked away and stared off into the distance at the great sea that surrounded us. "I'm not going to kill anyone. That's not what I want. What I want is purer and more innocent than that," he said in a soft tone.
"I see, and what pretell would you do if anyone tried to take that precious thing away from you?" Damion asked.
Taichi looked back at him and simply said, "Then I'd kill them without hesitation. I'd stab them over, and over, and over, and over, and over again until all the strength had been drained from my body."
"…" We were all a little unnerved by that response.
Damion snickered again. "Yes, you're exactly the kind of person I would like to hire. Like I said, I have an eye for talent. So what do you say?" Taichi thought about it for a minute and then he simply nodded and went over to join Damion and Victor. Then the three boys made their way to the prison entrance as well. But before he went inside the building, Damion turned and looked back at me. "Oh and Mr. Detective, don't be surprised if someone tries to kill you before the day ends. This is a game where mysteries abound after all, any would be killer might not like the idea of a detective ruining their murder plot. Just a friendly word of advice, from one gentleman to another." And with that warning and a wicked grin, he entered the building and we lost sight of him.
"Kubikiri-kun, your God wants to explore his new kingdom as well! So he demands that you escort him post-haste!" Noriaki exclaimed in a boastful manner.
Ginrou looked unnerved. "You try my patience again and again, you insolent cur. If you continue to present yourself as the Almighty in that manner you will force my hand, and I will not be held responsible for the actions that follow."
"Aww, come on. I'm scared someone might try and kill me. If I go with you at least I won't be alone," Noriaki replied.
"I want to execute you most of all, foolish cur," Ginrou replied.
"I know, but at least I expect it from you. And think about it this way, if someone else kills me you'll never get the chance to do so yourself," Noriaki replied with his care-free smile.
Ginrou's eyes widened. "That is…! That is something I cannot allow! I shall be the one to punish you! Your head belongs to me!"
Noriaki chuckled. "That's the spirit, protect your kill at all cost! Now if you'll please follow me." Noriaki ran off to the entrance and Ginrou, who was concerned someone besides him would kill Noriaki, followed after him. Noriaki looked back at the rest of us and waved. "TTFN! Tata for now!" he shouted. Then both he and Ginrou disappeared behind the double doors.
"Opal come on, we should go see if there's any medical supplies in there. We need to get you fixed up," Mirai said to her friend.
"Geez, you're practically half my…size and I feel smaller than you…now, Mirai," Opal replied. "You've got a sour outside…but a really sweet inside." Opal giggled. "You're a full on…tsundere."
Mirai blushed. "Opal, stop teasing me so much."
Opal continued to giggle. "But your reactions are too…cute, I can't…help it," Opal said through her deep breaths.
"Shut up, can you walk?" Mirai asked.
Opal tried to put pressure on her right leg and made her best effort to walk. However, she appeared to be limping really badly. "With some…effort, yeah," Opal replied with a painful twinge. Then suddenly Yosuke ran over to Opal and Mirai and wrapped Opal's right arm around his shoulders. Opal was surprised. "What are you…?"
"Don't force yourself, just put your weight on me," said Yosuke.
"Hey you, shady bastard! What are you thinking of?! Suddenly grabbing Opal like that?!" Mirai exclaimed.
"Huh? I…I didn't mean anything by it," Yosuke replied in confusion. "She looked like she needed help so I was just…"
"Trying to take advantage of the situation by copping a feel! Disgusting pervert!" Mirai exclaimed.
"What? No, that's not…" Yosuke was too flustered to respond. "Look if you have a problem with just me carrying her then why don't we both support her?" Yosuke asked Mirai.
"Don't try to make Mirai…do heavy lifting, she's as frail as…a baby bird," said Opal.
"Yeah, disgusting pervert! I mean, hey Opal, I'm stronger than I look!" Mirai exclaimed.
Yosuke sighed. "Lucius, you want to give me a hand here?" he called out to Lucius for assistance in dealing with the two troublesome girls.
"Uh, yeah sure I'll…" Lucius was cut off when Mireille grabbed ahold of his shoulder.
She gave him a very wicked smile. "Not so fast, Mr. Degenerate. You owe me a new hat, so you're going to help me find one. Now come on, we have a lot of ground to cover." Then Mireille dragged Lucius by his shirt collar to the front entrance.
"Whoa! Wait! What?!" Lucius exclaimed as he was dragged off by Mireille before he even knew what was happening. "How about you give me a hand?!" Lucius shouted at Yosuke.
"Stop whining and come on!" Mireille exclaimed.
"Look, I'm sorry okay! It was an accident! An accide…!" Lucius was cut off when Mireille successfully dragged him through the entrance's double doors.
Yosuke sighed and then he looked at me. "Kogoro could you…?" And then Yoko cut him off.
"Sorry, I need to speak alone with Goro for a minute. I suggest you find help elsewhere," said Yoko.
"Well then Adam could you…?" Yosuke called out to Adam, who walked by him without a second thought.
"Sorry chum, not getting involved in this one," said Adam. Then he walked into the prison by himself.
"Then…um?" Yosuke looked around to the still remaining people. There was only one boy left, the ever delusional Koro Kiriko. Koro smiled and waved at Yosuke when he saw him looking his way. "No way," Yosuke said to himself as he shook his head.
"Oh you're completely useless! Can't you carry her on your own?!" Mirai exclaimed.
"You said that you didn't want me to do that!" Yosuke exclaimed.
"It's really no…trouble," Opal replied. "I can walk fine…by myself." Then the three inmates got involved in a nasty argument that was heating up by the minute, but before it could get any more intense an unlikely someone swooped in to save the day.
Fuyu wrapped Opal's left arm around her shoulders. "There, now will the three of you please shut the hell up?" she asked in her deadpan voice. She was clearly very annoyed.
"Sorry," Mirai, Opal, and Yosuke replied in unison.
Fuyu let out a sigh of relief. "Thank you, now come on let's see if we can find something to treat her injuries." Led by Fuyu, the group entered the prison as well.
"All of them are so eager to go inside," said Mana. "Well I suppose it's not the strangest thing. Being confronted with such an abnormal situation, anyone would be desperate to find something normal to make sense of. But I think instead of just exploring, I'll use this time to look for more of those hidden cameras. Their purpose is one of the things I want to find out about most of all."
"Ooh, you really think outside of the box. Can Kiwi and I join you?" Koro asked Mana.
Mana sighed. "I guess, just don't get in my way."
"Yes ma'am," Koro replied.
"Good boy, follow my orders and I might even consider becoming your friend," Mana replied.
"Really?!" Koro exclaimed. "Yay, another new friend!" And then Mana and Koro ran off into the prison as well in search for more hidden cameras. Finally, the only two people left were Yoko and I. As I stared at her I couldn't help but wonder what she kept me back for. What exactly did she want to talk about? For a few moments we just stood in place and looked at each other in complete silence. I looked at her, and she looked back. It almost felt like we were peering into each other's very souls. Yoko Ketsukari, she was a mysterious one, no doubt about it. Even if I've known her for almost two years, I still found myself wondering what she was thinking about. She was so unpredictable that it was next to impossible to determine what she had on her mind. In an odd way, her unpredictability made her my greatest foe, and at one time even my greatest ally. It had been almost one year since our final confrontation, when I revealed to the world that one of its greatest high school detectives was really an infamous criminal mastermind. Don't let her weird appearance and mannerisms fool you. She was dangerous, she was very dangerous. I hate to admit it, but at that point I feared for my life.
Then Yoko blinked, and she let out a loud groan. "Aww damn, I lost the staring contest, pyon. To think that I would lose to Goro of all people, my pride will never live that down."
I sweatdropped. "Staring contest?"
"Well you just started staring at me intensely all of a sudden, Goro. I thought that's what you wanted to do. Why? Was I wrong, pyon?" Yoko asked.
My eye twitched in agitation. "You haven't changed at all. You're still as unpredictable as ever."
Yoko giggled enthusiastically. "I'm glad I live up to your expectations, Goro."
She always calls me Goro when she's upset with me. "Don't tell me you're still blaming me for what happened to you? That was your own fault. You were the one who was helping criminals commit crimes, I was just the one who caught you. You were a detective, you knew the difference between right and wrong."
Yoko sighed. "It appears you haven't changed either. You still see the world in black and white and nothing else. Even if shades of gray are what hurt me and my friends, you choose not to acknowledge them."
"…" I remained silent.
"Since I've been incarcerated I haven't had that much access to the news, so tell me has there still been no word on the Black Goat killer?"
I shook my head. "No, since his run in with your group, he's gone completely underground. There have been no new murders and the trail's gone officially cold."
"So it's officially become a cold case then?" Yoko scoffed. "I'm sure that makes Chihaku's parents very happy, knowing the man who put their son in a coma that he may never wake up from, will never be found. And what about Lavy? I haven't heard anything from him either."
"He told me he came to visit you once, but you told him to leave and never come back," I replied.
Yoko made a sad smile. "I didn't want him to see me like that. He was practically my brother, and I know his personality, seeing me in there would just make him feel guilty. He'd find some way to blame himself for what I did. Ever the martyr, that one."
"I've heard he's officially retired from detective work. And because of that, I haven't seen him since our last conversation about you," I explained.
Yoko sighed. "I guess that's for the best. His uncle was right in the end, all of our games nearly got us killed in the end. Still though, some part of me was still hoping he might become a great detective one day for all of our sakes. Becoming detectives together has been our dream since we were little, it's a shame to see that dream completely die."
I tried to cheer her up. "If it's any consolation, when the police decided to close the Black Goat case I asked if I could take it over for them instead of it just becoming a cold case. I promise, when we get out of here, I won't stop until I find him and he pays for what he did to you and your friends."
Yoko scoffed. "Sweet, stupid Goro. Don't promise things you can't keep, pyon. It's very rude. And besides, it's not like it's going to change everything that's happened. Even if…not when…if we get out of here, I'll still be a criminal and you'll still be a detective. You're going to end up putting me away again, so please don't try and act like we're friends." She wasn't acting like her usual goofy self. These were her true feelings that I was hearing. "Hey Goro? Monokuma told us that the reason we're here is because of our past crimes, but then he went on to call those crimes, talents. Do you want to know what my talent is? Yoko Ketsukari, the Ultimate Napoleon of Crime."
YOKO KESTUKARI
ULTIMATE NAPOLEON OF CRIME
"Ultimate Napoleon of Crime?" I repeated. "Like Professor James Moriarty, Sherlock Holmes' nemesis?"
"That's the one, it was his moniker, and the moniker of the man he was based off of. Adam Worth. They called him that because he led a revolution in crime, much like Napoleon Bonaparte's French Revolution. He was able to establish a very sophisticated network of organized crime; unlike anything the world has ever seen. Criminals would pay him to invest in their schemes and he would make sure that they had everything they needed to pull off those schemes in return. Robberies, kidnappings, murders, assassinations, he was at the center of it all." She let out a sad giggle. "It's funny, I always thought of myself as Sherlock Holmes, I wanted to be a great and unique detective just like him. But before I knew it I turned from Holmes to Moriarty. I became the villain in the end, but I was so blinded by my thirst for revenge against the Black Goat killer and the public that scorned me and my friends that I couldn't see it until it was too late. The damage is done, I'm a criminal inside and out," Yoko explained.
"But you know, it's not too late to change," I replied.
"Do you really believe that?" Yoko asked.
"…" I was silent again.
"No, of course you don't. You're Mr. Black and White after all," Yoko replied. "But it's okay, I don't believe it either. The only person who does is Ms. Warden, she was the first person I met who didn't just judge me on my actions. What I did was wrong in her eyes as well, but she said that my actions didn't have to define who I was for the rest of my life. If I wanted to, I could become who I was before I became obsessed with revenge. I try to remember that girl, she was always so care-free and smiling all the time. She groped people's butts so much that they called her the "ass hunter". She liked candy, and bunnies, and everything that was cute and sweet. She was surrounded by friends who all shared her interests and every day was so much fun. I try to mimic her actions as best as I can, but in the end that's all an act. It's a mask I wear to comfort me; all my actions are fake. The truth is, I'm afraid that the real Yoko Ketsukari no longer exists." Then she sadly giggled again. "But still, Ms. Warden believed that I could become that girl again. She said that she brought me here because she wanted to help me change. And because of that, I…I want to help her."
"Huh?" I replied.
"I want to help her, in any way I can. This prison was taken from her by Monokuma and the Mastermind who created him. And now we're being forced to kill each other, and if we don't do something soon. I'm afraid that Ms. Warden will eventually lose all that hope that she has in others. She'll become like us, if we don't do something to help her," Yoko explained.
"Like us?" I was confused.
"Goro, you may be the Ultimate Detective but I think you fail to realize the big picture. You don't have any hope in others, it's as plain as day. You're cynical, and believe that the world is doomed no matter what we do. But I can't say that I'm not the same way, and I can't say the same for the others. You're like us more than you think you are. Which is why, I know you'll believe me when I say, that we have to do everything in our power to make sure that Ms. Warden doesn't end up like us. We have to make sure above all else, that she doesn't lose hope," Yoko explained.
I thought about it for a moment. "You…You're right. We can't let Abbott-san turn out like that." I thought back to the way she looked when no one chose to stand with her against Monokuma. She looked so lost, so alone. And I…I didn't want to see her like that again. "But what you think we should do? According to Monokuma, escape is impossible."
"There's a chance that he might've been lying to incite murder as the only option for freedom, but even Ms. Warden said there was no other way off the island except for the bridge. What we need is an alternate escape route," Yoko replied.
"Eliza said she could call for help, but her phone was missing," I replied.
"So if we find her phone then we might be able to escape? It's worth a shot, considering there's a chance that Monokuma didn't completely dispose of it. But if it comes down to it in the end, we might have to consider more drastic measures," Yoko replied.
"How do you mean?" I asked.
"We can't let anyone kill," Yoko replied.
"What?" I asked.
"Ms. Warden's reaction to the others even contemplating killing completely shocked her, if it actually does happen it might push her over the edge and we may never get her back," Yoko explained.
"You're right, if someone does end up dying she might lose all hope," I replied.
"That good heart of her's will be completely tainted with despair," Yoko added. "If you truly care about her, you'll agree with me when I say we must make sure that does not happen. We cannot let anyone kill, and…" she grimaced. "And I don't want to see anyone else die because I couldn't protect them."
I put my hands on her shoulders and got her look up at me. "I'm on your side, and I don't want anything happen to Abbott-san either. I'm her bodyguard, the whole reason I came here with her is because it's my job to protect her. We'll stop this game before it begins, for her sake."
Yoko smiled. "Are you sure? Convincing vicious criminals like these not to kill will be easier said than done," she replied.
"It doesn't matter what they think, I won't let anyone die. I'm not going to let Monokuma get what he wants." Then I smirked. "And besides, we have an ace up our sleeve. Remember rule seventeen? If I correctly guess the Mastermind's identity then the game will automatically end, and a sociopath like the one we're dealing with prides themself on playing by their own rules. So all we have to do is figure out who's doing this and this will all be over. And we're two genius detectives, so we should have no problem solving this mystery if we work together."
Yoko giggled. "Guess you need all the help you can get, eh Go…Kogo?" Yoko asked. Kogo, her other nickname for me which she only used when she was happy with me.
"It's been a while since I've heard you call me that, bun-bun," I replied with a chuckle.
"You've impressed me with how much you're trying to change so I think you've earned it, pyon," Yoko replied. "Going forward the Ultimate Detective and the Ultimate Napoleon of Crime are partners. So you better not slow me down." Then she began walking towards the entrance to follow after the others. "Come on Kogo, it's sleuthing time," she said in an excited manner.
I smiled and chased after her. I was happy that I could get the opportunity to become friends with Yoko again, she was a good detective, there was no denying that. And her odd behavior did bring a smile to my face every now and then. But unfortunately, because of my momentary feeling of hope, I made a very important oversight. Yoko was lying right to my face. She didn't want to change, she didn't want to help Eliza, and she didn't even want the two of us to become friends again. All she wanted was revenge. That fact had not changed. And because of that oversight, in three days' time, the Death Row of Mutual Killing would claim its first victim.
A/N: Okay, exploration for sure next time. Hopefully, talk to you guys again next week.