Murder Game XIV: Monokuma's Awakening

[ShiroKiyoshi]

0:02...

0:01...

... 0:00

"Ding ding ding! It's done! It's over!"

Monokuma waved his arms in the air, his face growing hot with anger. "Pathetic! This display only goes to show what a bunch of chumps you all are! All this talk of conviction and truth, but it seems you can't seem to find either! Only one vote... you should be thankful it wasn't an incorrect one!"

The wall to the weapons room then slid into the ground, taking Bullet's body with it. The five suspects were free to join the podium group now.

"If you want to know who was to blame, take a gander!"

The monitor showing a feed of the room changed to an earlier recording of when the lights went out. Monokuma pulled out a remote, pausing the feed at just the exact moment the lights in the room flashed for just a second. Pushing aside Victoria and standing where Shane would have been was an unknown man.

Strangely enough, his face was turned slightly toward the camera, a smile frozen on his face.

Victoria stammered at the image. "W-Wasn't that where Shane was?"

Jude's hands gripped his podium, his eyes staring deep into the image before him. "Stiles," he began, not looking away, "didn't you say Wanda's journals mentioned spirits who might possess Shane? I think... Honda was right."

The door into the hallway creaked open as heels were heard on the hard wood floor. Pushing the door open, a female figure appeared in front of the bear and his students.

"Well. Hello, everyone. I'm sorry if I am late. Is the trial over?"

She smiled evenly, casually taking a spot at one of the podiums. "I can answer your question, Victoria. That's BOB."

Shane looked like he staring into the abyss as he turned to Wanda. "The fuck? You're suppose to be dead? I-I... Bob? What the hell...?"

Frowning, empathy was evident on the witch's face as she took a breath in. "You see, BOB is controlling you, Shane. I tried to warn you. That's when the darkness and BOB... they tried to attack my mind. Overwhelm my being. I was already weakened mentally and physically. It was a smart move. I was the only thing stopping them, so they needed to get rid of me. They had enough hold on me to trick poor Usami into thinking it was me who asked her to kill me. When, in fact? They had enough control to make me utter those words."

"Hehe... you got me! Sometimes dark forces just work together so well!" Monokuma rubbed at the back of his head, looking playful. "He's been a big help, you know! It's just too bad we couldn't keep the Witch down!"

"But... why is Wanda here?" Jude look to the woman as if pleading for answers. "I... examined your dead body."

Daughter began to giggle at that, She brought a hand to her face as she doubled over, her giggles turning into laughter that shook her entire body.

"Haha... Ahahaha!" After a moment, she stopped and sighed, looking up at Jude with a smile. "You all were told that death is not the end in the dark place, why find it so unbelievable? Wanda's soul was taken, where the darkness would warp it for its own creation... and yet, she seems to have remained intact. Usami was right to have brought her here, it seems."

"I'm sorry, Jude. I never thanked you for helping me get away from Shane. I know this is confusing. However, if you read my journal, you know I had a plan."

"I understand, I think, but--"

"But enough talk... the conduit was voted, and so the conduit shall fall. Their souls will be released into the void to become one with Her. One with -

M O T H E R."

Daughter smirked as she casually climbed up and over her podium. She took a slow walk toward the opposite side where Shane stood, raising her knife so that it was point at the man's chest. "Prepare for--"

"W-Wait, stop!" Kyoko exclaimed, attempting to extend her arm as if to stop Daughter from whatever she was about to do, though before she was able to protest further, she'd break out into another violent cough, causing her knees to buckle for a bit as her body weakened further.

"-- S A L V A T I O N."

"This is insane, you know that? Look, I don't care what the fuck Wanda says. I ain't killed that girl!"

Suddenly, Daughter vaulted into the air, slamming into Shane. The pair slammed to the ground, Shane on his back with Daughter straddling him. She plunged her knife deep into his chest, laughing.

Wanda had tried to act sooner, but Shane was already bleeding out by the time Wanda fired a hex bolt at the girl. Daughter was tossed into the wall. Wanda then turned and threw another bolt Tharja's way, freeing her of the confines of Felix's armor.​

"No."

As Daughter reeled from the one bolt, a flurry a few more smashed into her, crumbing the wall around her. "Your actions are so flippant, daughter." The rubble around Daughter hardened and change into a cement like former, trapping the girl.

"Do you yield? Or should I turn that cement into lava? You or your mother can't beat me. I know you know that."

"Oh... Really now? You know better than anyone the power of this realm, Witch." Daughter seethed through her teeth. The cement around her cracked and shook, breaking under the girl's sudden burst of strength. She crashed through, laughing and weeping all at once.

"Truly amazing! You are just so amazing! I'm practically drowning in despair! No matter what I do... you keep coming back! Only in this world of despair could a force such as yourself be born! You're on full display, your potential brought out by the chaos of despair! Amazing... amazing, amazing! Face me! Face me in this arena of despair and let chaos decide the winner!"

Daughter dropped her arms to the side. She looked up into the air, mouth wide open. "Don't you know that -
s a l v a t i o n
is revealed in the -
t r u t h?"

Daughter was enveloped by a flash of light. When it dissipated, the woman was gone, replaced by...

"Queen Despair is in the house! Junko Enoshima, classic flavor! After ten thousand years, I'm free!" The woman placed her fists on her hips, looking perfectly fine. After a moment of confusion, Wanda fired off another shot, but the blast deflected off some kind of invisible barrier around Junko.

"Wha--?!"

Kyoko let out a gasp, placing one hand on her chest (which had also began to ache badly) while the other was on the podium for her support, the girl genuinely surprised by the turn of events that had transpired. Part of her felt like she should have seen this coming, all things considered, but... Even so, this kind of development, the facade... What was she even doing here? Was this another incarnation of... her?

Monokuma hopped into Junko's hands.

"Upupu, thanks for the interesting trial, you guys! Junko Enoshima, the Ultimate Despair, was the mastermind all along! That's the most surprising twist I've ever heard of!"

"Perhaps it is unnecessary to state at this point, but Daughter was only ever another persona I went by. However, I must admit that I was becoming bored of her. Perhaps it was cliché of me, but I intended to reveal myself during this trial all along."

"You see, after my red string of fate was cut, I found myself lost. Perhaps it was another kind of fate that I found myself coming across the dark place and the forces it contained. Chaos reigned in the dark place, for it was a realm that thrived on despair. This was incredibly fascinating. I found a kindred spirit in the being known as Mother. Maybe we don't always understand each other, but I am proud to call myself her Daughter."

"Now listen the fuck up!! You may now know the mastermind, but don't forget the original mission! You fucking degenerates better listen real good, as you have one more vote to do! Who killed Mark Jefferson?! Take my word, it wasn't fucking me! The four here who could have done it are standing right here! Benjamin Horne, Jamie Wright, Stan Larsen, Stephen Holder!" Junko pointed to each of the men in turn.

"Now--"

"Ugh, you know what? I'm kind of getting bored of that too. Whatever~ We're on the clock here, so hurry up and get to it! It's time for the graduation exam!"

Panting deeply, her sweats and overall general condition getting worse by the moment, Kyoko tried her best to keep her bearings, glaring at the young woman who called herself Junko Enoshima deliberately.

"You... You won't get away with this..."

@C.T. @Yun Lee @Kaykay @Chewy Rabbits @Minerva @DapperDogman @BarrenThin @The Tactician @york @Verite @Gummi Bunnies @LuckycoolHawk9 @Crow @Jeremi @ShiroKiyoshi @Josh M @Crimson Spartan @Hospes @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Periodically Incorrect @DBZ7 @Nater Taters @Takumi @Klutzy Ninja Kitty​

Rant was quiet which wasn't entirely odd. It was only when the floor broke through and Daughter shouted her last words that he woke up. He yawned and looked around to see a bleeding Shane and Junko standing before all of them. Seeing her definitely confused him. He stood to his feet and leaned against the railing. He glanced over at Shane's body, but it more or less just shocked him rather than actually affect him.

"That answers the question of where Junko is I guess, but for who killed Shane? And now another trial?" Rant held his chin and examined the candidates. "It's gotta be Benjamin."

@C.T. @Yun Lee @Kaykay @Chewy Rabbits @Minerva @DapperDogman @BarrenThin @The Tactician @york @Verite @Gummi Bunnies @LuckycoolHawk9 @Crow @Jeremi @ShiroKiyoshi @Josh M @Crimson Spartan @Hospes @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Periodically Incorrect @DBZ7 @Nater Taters @Takumi @Klutzy Ninja Kitty

 

[Gummi Bunnies]

"Yeah, I'll just... listen to what comes up about this next thing. I didn't really look into Jefferson's case much."

Lapis was going to admit that she didn't have much insight to share on this development. All she could do was watch where this goes and hope to hear some contradictions.

@Atomyk @The Tactician @Yun Lee @everybody​

 

[DapperDogman]

Rant was quiet which wasn't entirely odd. It was only when the floor broke through and Daughter shouted her last words that he woke up. He yawned and looked around to see a bleeding Shane and Junko standing before all of them. Seeing her definitely confused him. He stood to his feet and leaned against the railing. He glanced over at Shane's body, but it more or less just shocked him rather than actually affect him.

"That answers the question of where Junko is I guess, but for who killed Shane? And now another trial?" Rant held his chin and examined the candidates. "It's gotta be Benjamin."

@C.T. @Yun Lee @Kaykay @Chewy Rabbits @Minerva @DapperDogman @BarrenThin @The Tactician @york @Verite @Gummi Bunnies @LuckycoolHawk9 @Crow @Jeremi @ShiroKiyoshi @Josh M @Crimson Spartan @Hospes @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Periodically Incorrect @DBZ7 @Nater Taters @Takumi @Klutzy Ninja Kitty

"Do you plan on enlightening us as to why?" Darv asks, looking toward the rodent, waiting for his reasoning. Somehow the rat had been right before, there was no harm in listening to his thought process this time.

"Back home we'd just kill, or exile them all if they couldn't provide proof that they did not do it. So investigation is not my forte"

@Investigation peeps
​

 

[Atomyk]

"L-Let's try to avoid a mass execution," Jude said toward Darv and Rant.

Holder nodded. He'd been waiting for this.

"Simple. You know me, I've been investigating the case of the missing girls. Only met this Jefferson guy briefly. Didn't think he had much to do with the girls then, but now, seems like a real piece of work."

Benjamin Horne looked at Rant with an amused expression. "Right."

"I don't know why you would think I would have killed him, for he was a frequent visitor of the casino. He was a wealthy man who practically gave me his salary, so you can imagine him being alive would only benefit me. And yes, he was staying here the weekend of his murder."

"Oh, man..." Jamie looked out of it, half his body leaning into one of the podiums. Jude had seen to his wound, but it was still not an ideal situation. "I wasn't friends with the guy. Barely knew him. But he did a lot for this town... put it on the map. Bright Falls, and the mayor, owe him a lot."

Stan let out a heavy sigh. "Hi. I'm, uh, Stan Larsen. I guess I had no connection to Mark Jefferson."

@The Tactician @Yun Lee @ShiroKiyoshi @Gummi Bunnies @DapperDogman

@FinalTrial
​

 

[Klutzy Ninja Kitty]

Gritting her teeth at this new development, the ravenette fixed her crimson eyes on Junko. Zinnia didn't trust this female one bit, an audible hiss escaping her lips to confirm her feelings. She was happy that Wanda was back and everything, but just as they had finished one trial they had another murder to solve.

Zinnia ran a hand through her dark hair and groaned. "Let's get this over with. Unfortunately, I'm with Lapis on this one. I was preoccupied on other things so I didn't exactly gather too much information on the strange teacher. I'll chime in if I come up with something, but for the most part I'll leave it to you smarty pants types. So, suspects, tell us what you know."

And so, Zinnia listened for the time being as their suspects spoke. Man, she was getting sick of these trials! But if this trial would get her home, then so be it!

@C.T. @Yun Lee @Kaykay @Chewy Rabbits @Minerva @DapperDogman @BarrenThin @The Tactician @york @Verite @Gummi Bunnies @LuckycoolHawk9 @Crow @Jeremi @ShiroKiyoshi @Josh M @Crimson Spartan @Hospes @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Periodically Incorrect @DBZ7 @Nater Taters @Takumi @Klutzy Ninja Kitty​

 

[ShiroKiyoshi]

"Do you plan on enlightening us as to why?" Darv asks, looking toward the rodent, waiting for his reasoning. Somehow the rat had been right before, there was no harm in listening to his thought process this time.

"Back home we'd just kill, or exile them all if they couldn't provide proof that they did not do it. So investigation is not my forte"

@Investigation peeps
​

"L-Let's try to avoid a mass execution," Jude said toward Darv and Rant.

Holder nodded. He'd been waiting for this.

"Simple. You know me, I've been investigating the case of the missing girls. Only met this Jefferson guy briefly. Didn't think he had much to do with the girls then, but now, seems like a real piece of work."

Benjamin Horne looked at Rant with an amused expression. "Right."

"I don't know why you would think I would have killed him, for he was a frequent visitor of the casino. He was a wealthy man who practically gave me his salary, so you can imagine him being alive would only benefit me. And yes, he was staying here the weekend of his murder."

"Oh, man..." Jamie looked out of it, half his body leaning into one of the podiums. Jude had seen to his wound, but it was still not an ideal situation. "I wasn't friends with the guy. Barely knew him. But he did a lot for this town... put it on the map. Bright Falls, and the mayor, owe him a lot."

Stan let out a heavy sigh. "Hi. I'm, uh, Stan Larsen. I guess I had no connection to Mark Jefferson."

@The Tactician @Yun Lee @ShiroKiyoshi @Gummi Bunnies @DapperDogman

@FinalTrial
​

"My gut. It ain't likin' Mr. Casino owner over there and where I come from it knows best." Rant snapped at Darv. "But, if you must know. Stan looks like he would do it, but gives off this feeling of pure honesty. Jamie is sketchy as hell. Too sketchy. So he was ruled out, but Mr. Casino and Holder. Two men and two perfect alibis. I went with my gut on Mr. Casino."

@C.T. @Yun Lee @Kaykay @Chewy Rabbits @Minerva @DapperDogman @BarrenThin @The Tactician @york @Verite @Gummi Bunnies @LuckycoolHawk9 @Crow @Jeremi @ShiroKiyoshi @Josh M @Crimson Spartan @Hospes @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Periodically Incorrect @DBZ7 @Nater Taters @Takumi @Klutzy Ninja Kitty

 

[Yun Lee]

Rant was quiet which wasn't entirely odd. It was only when the floor broke through and Daughter shouted her last words that he woke up. He yawned and looked around to see a bleeding Shane and Junko standing before all of them. Seeing her definitely confused him. He stood to his feet and leaned against the railing. He glanced over at Shane's body, but it more or less just shocked him rather than actually affect him.

"That answers the question of where Junko is I guess, but for who killed Shane? And now another trial?" Rant held his chin and examined the candidates. "It's gotta be Benjamin."

@C.T. @Yun Lee @Kaykay @Chewy Rabbits @Minerva @DapperDogman @BarrenThin @The Tactician @york @Verite @Gummi Bunnies @LuckycoolHawk9 @Crow @Jeremi @ShiroKiyoshi @Josh M @Crimson Spartan @Hospes @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Periodically Incorrect @DBZ7 @Nater Taters @Takumi @Klutzy Ninja Kitty

"Do you plan on enlightening us as to why?" Darv asks, looking toward the rodent, waiting for his reasoning. Somehow the rat had been right before, there was no harm in listening to his thought process this time.

"Back home we'd just kill, or exile them all if they couldn't provide proof that they did not do it. So investigation is not my forte"

@Investigation peeps
​

"L-Let's try to avoid a mass execution," Jude said toward Darv and Rant.

Holder nodded. He'd been waiting for this.

"Simple. You know me, I've been investigating the case of the missing girls. Only met this Jefferson guy briefly. Didn't think he had much to do with the girls then, but now, seems like a real piece of work."

Benjamin Horne looked at Rant with an amused expression. "Right."

"I don't know why you would think I would have killed him, for he was a frequent visitor of the casino. He was a wealthy man who practically gave me his salary, so you can imagine him being alive would only benefit me. And yes, he was staying here the weekend of his murder."

"Oh, man..." Jamie looked out of it, half his body leaning into one of the podiums. Jude had seen to his wound, but it was still not an ideal situation. "I wasn't friends with the guy. Barely knew him. But he did a lot for this town... put it on the map. Bright Falls, and the mayor, owe him a lot."

Stan let out a heavy sigh. "Hi. I'm, uh, Stan Larsen. I guess I had no connection to Mark Jefferson."

@The Tactician @Yun Lee @ShiroKiyoshi @Gummi Bunnies @DapperDogman

@FinalTrial
​

Gritting her teeth at this new development, the ravenette fixed her crimson eyes on Junko. Zinnia didn't trust this female one bit, an audible hiss escaping her lips to confirm her feelings. She was happy that Wanda was back and everything, but just as they had finished one trial they had another murder to solve.

Zinnia ran a hand through her dark hair and groaned. "Let's get this over with. Unfortunately, I'm with Lapis on this one. I was preoccupied on other things so I didn't exactly gather too much information on the strange teacher. I'll chime in if I come up with something, but for the most part I'll leave it to you smarty pants types. So, suspects, tell us what you know."

And so, Zinnia listened for the time being as their suspects spoke. Man, she was getting sick of these trials! But if this trial would get her home, then so be it!

@C.T. @Yun Lee @Kaykay @Chewy Rabbits @Minerva @DapperDogman @BarrenThin @The Tactician @york @Verite @Gummi Bunnies @LuckycoolHawk9 @Crow @Jeremi @ShiroKiyoshi @Josh M @Crimson Spartan @Hospes @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Periodically Incorrect @DBZ7 @Nater Taters @Takumi @Klutzy Ninja Kitty​

"My gut. It ain't likin' Mr. Casino owner over there and where I come from it knows best." Rant snapped at Darv. "But, if you must know. Stan looks like he would do it, but gives off this feeling of pure honesty. Jamie is sketchy as hell. Too sketchy. So he was ruled out, but Mr. Casino and Holder. Two men and two perfect alibis. I went with my gut on Mr. Casino."

@C.T. @Yun Lee @Kaykay @Chewy Rabbits @Minerva @DapperDogman @BarrenThin @The Tactician @york @Verite @Gummi Bunnies @LuckycoolHawk9 @Crow @Jeremi @ShiroKiyoshi @Josh M @Crimson Spartan @Hospes @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Periodically Incorrect @DBZ7 @Nater Taters @Takumi @Klutzy Ninja Kitty

As much as gut feelings weren't evidence Honda enjoyed, Rant had been right before. "Say, Horne. were you aware your security tapes were missing footage?"

@Atomyk @The Tactician @Gummi Bunnies @ShiroKiyoshi @DapperDogman @Klutzy Ninja Kitty
​

 

[Atomyk]

Horne seemed confused at first, peering at Honda questioningly. Eventually, he seemed to recognize what was being said. "I may remind you I never authorized you to enter that room, but I suppose there's a lot going on in my hotel I'm aware of. No, I was not aware there is footage missing. The reason it was kept from yourself and Mr. Holder in the first place was for private reasons. Some of my... workers, would not enjoy their hobbies be known."

"Yo, that's right, but someone deleted those tapes, my man. Whether it was you or a worker, you should know."

"The only one here who works for me is Mr. Larsen here, so question him if you'd like."

Stan shrugged his shoulders. "I really don't know anything about those tapes. I work security, but I wasn't near them today."

@The Tactician @Yun Lee @ShiroKiyoshi @Gummi Bunnies @DapperDogman @Klutzy Ninja Kitty

@FinalTrial​

 

[Yun Lee]

Horne seemed confused at first, peering at Honda questioningly. Eventually, he seemed to recognize what was being said. "I may remind you I never authorized you to enter that room, but I suppose there's a lot going on in my hotel I'm aware of. No, I was not aware there is footage missing. The reason it was kept from yourself and Mr. Holder in the first place was for private reasons. Some of my... workers, would not enjoy their hobbies be known."

"Yo, that's right, but someone deleted those tapes, my man. Whether it was you or a worker, you should know."

"The only one here who works for me is Mr. Larsen here, so question him if you'd like."

Stan shrugged his shoulders. "I really don't know anything about those tapes. I work security, but I wasn't near them today."

@The Tactician @Yun Lee @ShiroKiyoshi @Gummi Bunnies @DapperDogman @Klutzy Ninja Kitty

@FinalTrial​

"That's right, you do work security-say, did you work the night of Jefferson's death,Stan?"

@Atomyk ​

 

[Crimson Spartan]

0:02...

0:01...

... 0:00

"Ding ding ding! It's done! It's over!"

Monokuma waved his arms in the air, his face growing hot with anger. "Pathetic! This display only goes to show what a bunch of chumps you all are! All this talk of conviction and truth, but it seems you can't seem to find either! Only one vote... you should be thankful it wasn't an incorrect one!"

The wall to the weapons room then slid into the ground, taking Bullet's body with it. The five suspects were free to join the podium group now.

"If you want to know who was to blame, take a gander!"

The monitor showing a feed of the room changed to an earlier recording of when the lights went out. Monokuma pulled out a remote, pausing the feed at just the exact moment the lights in the room flashed for just a second. Pushing aside Victoria and standing where Shane would have been was an unknown man.

Strangely enough, his face was turned slightly toward the camera, a smile frozen on his face.

Victoria stammered at the image. "W-Wasn't that where Shane was?"

Jude's hands gripped his podium, his eyes staring deep into the image before him. "Stiles," he began, not looking away, "didn't you say Wanda's journals mentioned spirits who might possess Shane? I think... Honda was right."

The door into the hallway creaked open as heels were heard on the hard wood floor. Pushing the door open, a female figure appeared in front of the bear and his students.

"Well. Hello, everyone. I'm sorry if I am late. Is the trial over?"

She smiled evenly, casually taking a spot at one of the podiums. "I can answer your question, Victoria. That's BOB."

Shane looked like he staring into the abyss as he turned to Wanda. "The fuck? You're suppose to be dead? I-I... Bob? What the hell...?"

Frowning, empathy was evident on the witch's face as she took a breath in. "You see, BOB is controlling you, Shane. I tried to warn you. That's when the darkness and BOB... they tried to attack my mind. Overwhelm my being. I was already weakened mentally and physically. It was a smart move. I was the only thing stopping them, so they needed to get rid of me. They had enough hold on me to trick poor Usami into thinking it was me who asked her to kill me. When, in fact? They had enough control to make me utter those words."

"Hehe... you got me! Sometimes dark forces just work together so well!" Monokuma rubbed at the back of his head, looking playful. "He's been a big help, you know! It's just too bad we couldn't keep the Witch down!"

"But... why is Wanda here?" Jude look to the woman as if pleading for answers. "I... examined your dead body."

Daughter began to giggle at that, She brought a hand to her face as she doubled over, her giggles turning into laughter that shook her entire body.

"Haha... Ahahaha!" After a moment, she stopped and sighed, looking up at Jude with a smile. "You all were told that death is not the end in the dark place, why find it so unbelievable? Wanda's soul was taken, where the darkness would warp it for its own creation... and yet, she seems to have remained intact. Usami was right to have brought her here, it seems."

"I'm sorry, Jude. I never thanked you for helping me get away from Shane. I know this is confusing. However, if you read my journal, you know I had a plan."

"I understand, I think, but--"

"But enough talk... the conduit was voted, and so the conduit shall fall. Their souls will be released into the void to become one with Her. One with -

M O T H E R."

Daughter smirked as she casually climbed up and over her podium. She took a slow walk toward the opposite side where Shane stood, raising her knife so that it was point at the man's chest. "Prepare for--"

"W-Wait, stop!" Kyoko exclaimed, attempting to extend her arm as if to stop Daughter from whatever she was about to do, though before she was able to protest further, she'd break out into another violent cough, causing her knees to buckle for a bit as her body weakened further.

"-- S A L V A T I O N."

"This is insane, you know that? Look, I don't care what the fuck Wanda says. I ain't killed that girl!"

Suddenly, Daughter vaulted into the air, slamming into Shane. The pair slammed to the ground, Shane on his back with Daughter straddling him. She plunged her knife deep into his chest, laughing.

Wanda had tried to act sooner, but Shane was already bleeding out by the time Wanda fired a hex bolt at the girl. Daughter was tossed into the wall. Wanda then turned and threw another bolt Tharja's way, freeing her of the confines of Felix's armor.​

"No."

As Daughter reeled from the one bolt, a flurry a few more smashed into her, crumbing the wall around her. "Your actions are so flippant, daughter." The rubble around Daughter hardened and change into a cement like former, trapping the girl.

"Do you yield? Or should I turn that cement into lava? You or your mother can't beat me. I know you know that."

"Oh... Really now? You know better than anyone the power of this realm, Witch." Daughter seethed through her teeth. The cement around her cracked and shook, breaking under the girl's sudden burst of strength. She crashed through, laughing and weeping all at once.

"Truly amazing! You are just so amazing! I'm practically drowning in despair! No matter what I do... you keep coming back! Only in this world of despair could a force such as yourself be born! You're on full display, your potential brought out by the chaos of despair! Amazing... amazing, amazing! Face me! Face me in this arena of despair and let chaos decide the winner!"

Daughter dropped her arms to the side. She looked up into the air, mouth wide open. "Don't you know that -
s a l v a t i o n
is revealed in the -
t r u t h?"

Daughter was enveloped by a flash of light. When it dissipated, the woman was gone, replaced by...

"Queen Despair is in the house! Junko Enoshima, classic flavor! After ten thousand years, I'm free!" The woman placed her fists on her hips, looking perfectly fine. After a moment of confusion, Wanda fired off another shot, but the blast deflected off some kind of invisible barrier around Junko.

"Wha--?!"

Kyoko let out a gasp, placing one hand on her chest (which had also began to ache badly) while the other was on the podium for her support, the girl genuinely surprised by the turn of events that had transpired. Part of her felt like she should have seen this coming, all things considered, but... Even so, this kind of development, the facade... What was she even doing here? Was this another incarnation of... her?

Monokuma hopped into Junko's hands.

"Upupu, thanks for the interesting trial, you guys! Junko Enoshima, the Ultimate Despair, was the mastermind all along! That's the most surprising twist I've ever heard of!"

"Perhaps it is unnecessary to state at this point, but Daughter was only ever another persona I went by. However, I must admit that I was becoming bored of her. Perhaps it was cliché of me, but I intended to reveal myself during this trial all along."

"You see, after my red string of fate was cut, I found myself lost. Perhaps it was another kind of fate that I found myself coming across the dark place and the forces it contained. Chaos reigned in the dark place, for it was a realm that thrived on despair. This was incredibly fascinating. I found a kindred spirit in the being known as Mother. Maybe we don't always understand each other, but I am proud to call myself her Daughter."

"Now listen the fuck up!! You may now know the mastermind, but don't forget the original mission! You fucking degenerates better listen real good, as you have one more vote to do! Who killed Mark Jefferson?! Take my word, it wasn't fucking me! The four here who could have done it are standing right here! Benjamin Horne, Jamie Wright, Stan Larsen, Stephen Holder!" Junko pointed to each of the men in turn.

"Now--"

"Ugh, you know what? I'm kind of getting bored of that too. Whatever~ We're on the clock here, so hurry up and get to it! It's time for the graduation exam!"

Panting deeply, her sweats and overall general condition getting worse by the moment, Kyoko tried her best to keep her bearings, glaring at the young woman who called herself Junko Enoshima deliberately.

"You... You won't get away with this..."

@C.T. @Yun Lee @Kaykay @Chewy Rabbits @Minerva @DapperDogman @BarrenThin @The Tactician @york @Verite @Gummi Bunnies @LuckycoolHawk9 @Crow @Jeremi @ShiroKiyoshi @Josh M @Crimson Spartan @Hospes @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Periodically Incorrect @DBZ7 @Nater Taters @Takumi @Klutzy Ninja Kitty​

Sledge moved his hand up to rub his head seeming in pain. "As if this damn day couldn't get anymore annoying... So that 'Junko' is like some 'queen of despair' or some shit...? Sure she can fall to a bullet just like anyone else......." Sledge remarked before thinking about the trial..
​

"L-Let's try to avoid a mass execution," Jude said toward Darv and Rant.

Holder nodded. He'd been waiting for this.

"Simple. You know me, I've been investigating the case of the missing girls. Only met this Jefferson guy briefly. Didn't think he had much to do with the girls then, but now, seems like a real piece of work."

Benjamin Horne looked at Rant with an amused expression. "Right."

"I don't know why you would think I would have killed him, for he was a frequent visitor of the casino. He was a wealthy man who practically gave me his salary, so you can imagine him being alive would only benefit me. And yes, he was staying here the weekend of his murder."

"Oh, man..." Jamie looked out of it, half his body leaning into one of the podiums. Jude had seen to his wound, but it was still not an ideal situation. "I wasn't friends with the guy. Barely knew him. But he did a lot for this town... put it on the map. Bright Falls, and the mayor, owe him a lot."

Stan let out a heavy sigh. "Hi. I'm, uh, Stan Larsen. I guess I had no connection to Mark Jefferson."

@The Tactician @Yun Lee @ShiroKiyoshi @Gummi Bunnies @DapperDogman

@FinalTrial
​

"So two people with a somewhat connection... Jaime if ya don't mind answering a question for me lad.... I'd like to know your complete thoughts on Mark Jefferson...?" Sledge remarked asking Jaime a question since Honda and Rant seemed on Benjamin's case...

@Atomyk @The Tactician @Gummi Bunnies @ShiroKiyoshi @DapperDogman @Klutzy Ninja Kitty @Yun Lee​

 

[Atomyk]

"Not just a queen!" Junko said, looking at Sledge. "But a total diva!"

"That's right," Stan said with a nod. "I was here at the casino all weekend."

"Thoughts on Jefferson, huh...Okay, I knew the guy was troubled, but that's all I did know about him. I'm not gonna pry into a guy's life if he was generally doing good for the community."

Horne suddenly barked out a laugh. "And by that, Jamie means he put money in the mayor's pockets."

@The Tactician @Yun Lee @ShiroKiyoshi @Gummi Bunnies @DapperDogman @Klutzy Ninja Kitty @Crimson Spartan

@FinalTrial​

 

[Khan of the Mardu]

"Not just a queen!" Junko said, looking at Sledge. "But a total diva!"

"That's right," Stan said with a nod. "I was here at the casino all weekend."

"Thoughts on Jefferson, huh...Okay, I knew the guy was troubled, but that's all I did know about him. I'm not gonna pry into a guy's life if he was generally doing good for the community."

Horne suddenly barked out a laugh. "And by that, Jamie means he put money in the mayor's pockets."

@The Tactician @Yun Lee @ShiroKiyoshi @Gummi Bunnies @DapperDogman @Klutzy Ninja Kitty @Crimson Spartan

@FinalTrial​

"So we can place both Mister Horne and Mister Stan at the casino the night Jefferson died..." Jack proposed, looking to the others to ensure he was correct. He dared not comment on the fact that the mayor had apparently been accepting monetary bribes, knowing that whatever corruption in the mayor's past they discovered would go unanswered for. Instead, he cocked a brow at Horne's laughter and comment, pondering something as he spoke, "So... you can confirm that Mister Jefferson was guilty of bribery? Tell me, for what purpose do you believe he would do such a thing?"​

 

[Crimson Spartan]

"Not just a queen!" Junko said, looking at Sledge. "But a total diva!"

"That's right," Stan said with a nod. "I was here at the casino all weekend."

"Thoughts on Jefferson, huh...Okay, I knew the guy was troubled, but that's all I did know about him. I'm not gonna pry into a guy's life if he was generally doing good for the community."

Horne suddenly barked out a laugh. "And by that, Jamie means he put money in the mayor's pockets."

@The Tactician @Yun Lee @ShiroKiyoshi @Gummi Bunnies @DapperDogman @Klutzy Ninja Kitty @Crimson Spartan

@FinalTrial​

"In other words... a bitch...?" Sledge was having none of your shit, Junko.... Alright now back to more important matters... That's respectable, Jaime..." Sledge gave the boy a small nod before glancing at Benjamin... "Would you care to elaborate...?" Sledge questioned Horne shaking his head in thought while leaving his gas mask on...

@The Tactician @Yun Lee @ShiroKiyoshi @Gummi Bunnies @DapperDogman @Klutzy Ninja Kitty @Atomyk​

 

[Yun Lee]

Sledge moved his hand up to rub his head seeming in pain. "As if this damn day couldn't get anymore annoying... So that 'Junko' is like some 'queen of despair' or some shit...? Sure she can fall to a bullet just like anyone else......." Sledge remarked before thinking about the trial..
​

"So two people with a somewhat connection... Jaime if ya don't mind answering a question for me lad.... I'd like to know your complete thoughts on Mark Jefferson...?" Sledge remarked asking Jaime a question since Honda and Rant seemed on Benjamin's case...

@Atomyk @The Tactician @Gummi Bunnies @ShiroKiyoshi @DapperDogman @Klutzy Ninja Kitty @Yun Lee​

"Not just a queen!" Junko said, looking at Sledge. "But a total diva!"

"That's right," Stan said with a nod. "I was here at the casino all weekend."

"Thoughts on Jefferson, huh...Okay, I knew the guy was troubled, but that's all I did know about him. I'm not gonna pry into a guy's life if he was generally doing good for the community."

Horne suddenly barked out a laugh. "And by that, Jamie means he put money in the mayor's pockets."

@The Tactician @Yun Lee @ShiroKiyoshi @Gummi Bunnies @DapperDogman @Klutzy Ninja Kitty @Crimson Spartan

@FinalTrial​

"So we can place both Mister Horne and Mister Stan at the casino the night Jefferson died..." Jack proposed, looking to the others to ensure he was correct. He dared not comment on the fact that the mayor had apparently been accepting monetary bribes, knowing that whatever corruption in the mayor's past they discovered would go unanswered for. Instead, he cocked a brow at Horne's laughter and comment, pondering something as he spoke, "So... you can confirm that Mister Jefferson was guilty of bribery? Tell me, for what purpose do you believe he would do such a thing?"​

"Two people of four confirmed to be at the casino..Jamie, Holder, where were you that night?"

@Atomyk @Crimson Spartan @The Tactician @Gummi Bunnies @Klutzy Ninja Kitty @ShiroKiyoshi @DapperDogman ​

 

[Atomyk]

"A bitch, huh? Sure, why not. Is that what you're looking for, a bitch for your collection?" Junko leaned forward over her podium, looking Sledge's way seductively. "Come on, we all know deep down that's what all men desire! Go hog wild... let chaos and despair control you! I want to see how unpredictable you can be!"

Horne seemed perturbed by this, but he tried to continue despite this outburst. "... We can place all four at the hotel, can't we?" Horne looked to Holder expectantly. "I gave you the hotel records, after all."

"Ah, yeah..." Holder casually reached into his jacket, pulling out a list a moment later. "So, yeah, I had a room here at the hotel that evening, as did Jamie here. I'm from out of town, so I needed a place to crash."

"But, at a casino...?" Jude seemed suspicious.

"Hey, we all got our vices. Downstairs has a brothel, ain't it? Wasn't a stretch to think a bunch of missing girls might have passed through. Turns out, they did. Ain't that a thing."

"I was at the casino on business," Jamie explained.

"He means he was here for a bribe. Bribery is something both I and Mr. Jefferson participated in. Not uncommon. I guess now that Jamie has tried to remove me, we know my money is no longer good enough."

Jamie only glared at that.

"I bribed the mayor so that he doesn't look my way. My business goes on. Mark Jefferson had his own secrets that he would also like the mayor to look away from."

@The Tactician @Yun Lee @ShiroKiyoshi @Gummi Bunnies @DapperDogman @Klutzy Ninja Kitty @Crimson Spartan

@FinalTrial​

 

[Yun Lee]

"A bitch, huh? Sure, why not. Is that what you're looking for, a bitch for your collection?" Junko leaned forward over her podium, looking Sledge's way seductively. "Come on, we all know deep down that's what all men desire! Go hog wild... let chaos and despair control you! I want to see how unpredictable you can be!"

Horne seemed perturbed by this, but he tried to continue despite this outburst. "... We can place all four at the hotel, can't we?" Horne looked to Holder expectantly. "I gave you the hotel records, after all."

"Ah, yeah..." Holder casually reached into his jacket, pulling out a list a moment later. "So, yeah, I had a room here at the hotel that evening, as did Jamie here. I'm from out of town, so I needed a place to crash."

"But, at a casino...?" Jude seemed suspicious.

"Hey, we all got our vices. Downstairs has a brothel, ain't it? Wasn't a stretch to think a bunch of missing girls might have passed through. Turns out, they did. Ain't that a thing."

"I was at the casino on business," Jamie explained.

"He means he was here for a bribe. Bribery is something both I and Mr. Jefferson participated in. Not uncommon. I guess now that Jamie has tried to remove me, we know my money is no longer good enough."

Jamie only glared at that.

"I bribed the mayor so that he doesn't look my way. My business goes on. Mark Jefferson had his own secrets that he would also like the mayor to look away from."

@The Tactician @Yun Lee @ShiroKiyoshi @Gummi Bunnies @DapperDogman @Klutzy Ninja Kitty @Crimson Spartan

@FinalTrial​

Honda nodded, listening closely to the facts brought up by Horne. "Can you all tell me what you were doing at ten pm that night? And Jamie, if you were collecting a bribe...who was it from?"

@The Tactician @Atomyk @ShiroKiyoshi @Gummi Bunnies @DapperDogman @Klutzy Ninja Kitty @Crimson Spartan​

 

[Atomyk]

"I was on the floor. You know, around the poker tables and slots?"

"In my room, reviewing the case. Not much to say."

"And I was in my office. I can confirm Stan's location, and he can confirm mine."

"Can Stan really confirm your location?" Jude asked, probing for more information. "Can you really confirm his? You may both have had places to be, but I doubt either of you were watching each other."

"Hm. Well..."

"I was at one of the poker tables," Jamie said, vying for his turn to speak. "Okay? In fact, I was there to collect a bribe from Horne... among others."

"The casino is Jamie's place of choice to meet those who are bribing the mayor. I would assume he was taking from Mark that evening as well."

@The Tactician @Yun Lee @ShiroKiyoshi @Gummi Bunnies @DapperDogman @Klutzy Ninja Kitty @Crimson Spartan

@FinalTrial​

 

[Yun Lee]

"I was on the floor. You know, around the poker tables and slots?"

"In my room, reviewing the case. Not much to say."

"And I was in my office. I can confirm Stan's location, and he can confirm mine."

"Can Stan really confirm your location?" Jude asked, probing for more information. "Can you really confirm his? You may both have had places to be, but I doubt either of you were watching each other."

"Hm. Well..."

"I was at one of the poker tables," Jamie said, vying for his turn to speak. "Okay? In fact, I was there to collect a bribe from Horne... among others."

"The casino is Jamie's place of choice to meet those who are bribing the mayor. I would assume he was taking from Mark that evening as well."

@The Tactician @Yun Lee @ShiroKiyoshi @Gummi Bunnies @DapperDogman @Klutzy Ninja Kitty @Crimson Spartan

@FinalTrial​

"Well, did you two meet? And for how long?"

@The Tactician @Atomyk @ShiroKiyoshi @Gummi Bunnies @DapperDogman @Klutzy Ninja Kitty @Crimson Spartan​

 

[Atomyk]

"We met that evening after ten, in fact. It was around midnight that we did the exchange."

"We didn't talk to each other or anything before that." Jamie looked around, to see if everyone was paying attention. "Do you understand?"

"I guess we'd more like to know if you talked to Jefferson."

"We did, yeah. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. He and I talked around nine."

@The Tactician @Yun Lee @ShiroKiyoshi @Gummi Bunnies @DapperDogman @Klutzy Ninja Kitty @Crimson Spartan

@FinalTrial​

 

[York]

​

Replies

"I was... a little bit in front of where he is," Victoria said, gesturing to Jamie. "So, I guess he's telling the truth?"

"So, wait, Jamie grabbed the gun from the North wall when the lights went out, and then backed up to the South-West corner to make the shot?"

"He was right there," Jamie said, sounding defeated. "I didn't want him close enough to lash out at me."

"No... I can sort of get that. I mean, how did you not end up bumping into Shane as you were backing up?"

Jamie paused at that for a moment. "I... don't know. I guess he wasn't standing there when I was moving."

"As for the question aimed at me," Stan said, raising a hand. He looked around for a camera, but it was not visible to the group inside the room. "The shuffling was in front of me... I was sitting at the chairs, so it was near the knives and stuff. Heard some more to the left of me, so right about where this scuffle between Jamie and the girl occurred."

"You idiots done talking yet?" Shane asked. He'd casually placed the shotgun so that it was leaning against the wall next to him. "I have no damn idea what happened, but sounds like none of you know either."

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@ClassTrial​

"Stan, did the two shufflings happen at the same time? And Shane-I have some questions for you. Did you push someone out of your way as you went towards the guns? And where were you when the lights went out?"


@Crimson Spartan @Jeremi @Takumi @ LuckycoolHawk9 @york @Kaykay @Yun Lee @Gummi Bunnies @Josh M @The Tactician @Crow @Klutzy Ninja Kitty@ Verite @DBZ7 @Atomyk ​

"No... the shuffling around the knives was definitely before the shuffling with Jamie and the girl."

"Oh, boy..." Shane looked annoyed, but he answered quickly enough. "Like I said, it was hazy. I was--" Shane paused, looking around the room for a moment as if he was lost. "... I was on this side of the room," he said, pointing to the West side.

"So, not in front of the guns exactly?" Jude asked.

"No. And I don't remember pushing a girl."

"Are you sure?" Horne asked, looking confused. "I could have sworn I saw someone--"

"I only remember being pushed once, but... I think I did feel something... like-- Okay, this is hard to explain, but I think I was kind of... forced away and into the corner? It's hard to recall, exactly."

"I... don't really get it," Jude said, sighing. "But let's assume then that Victoria was only physically pushed once."

"Uh, does the shoving really matter?" Diana asked. "Either Vic remembers wrong or the old guy was seeing things. I don't think it really matters either way. Look, we've got, like, two minutes left. Let's focus on who was least likely to have killed Bullet based on where they were and what we know they were doing."

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@ClassTrial​

"Well Horne for sure-he stayed North. And Victoria, and I think Stan as well, but I don't know just yet...Hmm...Stan, the knife shuffling happen before or after the gunshot?"


@Crimson Spartan @Jeremi @Takumi @LuckycoolHawk9 @york @Kaykay @Yun Lee @Gummi Bunnies @Josh M @The Tactician @Crow @Klutzy Ninja Kitty @Atomyk @Verite @DBZ7​

"... Before. Definitely before."

"Was that when the knife was initially grabbed?" Jude shook his head. "I just hope you're not lying to us, Stan."

Stan looked flabbergasted at the idea. "I'm not! Not for this."

@Crimson Spartan @Jeremi @Takumi @LuckycoolHawk9 @york @Kaykay @Yun Lee @Gummi Bunnies @Josh M @The Tactician @Crow @Klutzy Ninja Kitty @Verite @DBZ7

@ClassTrial​

"Holy hell, you serious?" Shane gestured to himself. "That motherfucker got shot and that girl's blood is all over the place, no wonder I got blood all over me. Besides--" Shane pointed to Stan. "He's got just as much on him as me!"

Jamie was biting his lip. "They all look covered with blood..."

"No," Holder said, finally speaking up. "Look at where the blood is. It's running down Stan's right arm and the right side of his body. It's just about as much as the other guy, but if he was sitting to the left of Lil' B, the blood splatter on him would confirm that."

0:28...

0:27...

0:26...

@Crimson Spartan @Jeremi @Takumi @LuckycoolHawk9 @york @Kaykay @Yun Lee @Gummi Bunnies @Josh M @The Tactician @Crow @Klutzy Ninja Kitty @Verite @DBZ7

@ClassTrial​

"But I still don't get it! How could-"

Suddenly, something he hadn't recollected came back to him. No...it couldn't be! It was too ridiculous to be true! He couldn't vote someone for that...

"...Victoria felt a strange force. Horne saw Shane push her, Shane has no recollection of that. Or...anything, really. I thought it was Jamie, because he told too much, but in reality...the true culprit said too little."

Honda gulped, not liking where he was going with this. "Shane and I had strange dreams. I only had one, but he had more. Wanda even said he was a powder keg, capable of something dangerous. I...I think he was possessed. Sorry about this, Shane...I know it wasn't really you, but...my vote is for you."


@Crimson Spartan @Jeremi @Takumi @LuckycoolHawk9 @york @Kaykay @Yun Lee @Gummi Bunnies @Josh M @The Tactician @Crow @Klutzy Ninja Kitty @Atomyk @Verite @DBZ7​

0:02...

0:01...

... 0:00

"Ding ding ding! It's done! It's over!"

Monokuma waved his arms in the air, his face growing hot with anger. "Pathetic! This display only goes to show what a bunch of chumps you all are! All this talk of conviction and truth, but it seems you can't seem to find either! Only one vote... you should be thankful it wasn't an incorrect one!"

The wall to the weapons room then slid into the ground, taking Bullet's body with it. The five suspects were free to join the podium group now.

"If you want to know who was to blame, take a gander!"

The monitor showing a feed of the room changed to an earlier recording of when the lights went out. Monokuma pulled out a remote, pausing the feed at just the exact moment the lights in the room flashed for just a second. Pushing aside Victoria and standing where Shane would have been was an unknown man.

Strangely enough, his face was turned slightly toward the camera, a smile frozen on his face.

Victoria stammered at the image. "W-Wasn't that where Shane was?"

Jude's hands gripped his podium, his eyes staring deep into the image before him. "Stiles," he began, not looking away, "didn't you say Wanda's journals mentioned spirits who might possess Shane? I think... Honda was right."

The door into the hallway creaked open as heels were heard on the hard wood floor. Pushing the door open, a female figure appeared in front of the bear and his students.

"Well. Hello, everyone. I'm sorry if I am late. Is the trial over?"

She smiled evenly, casually taking a spot at one of the podiums. "I can answer your question, Victoria. That's BOB."

Shane looked like he staring into the abyss as he turned to Wanda. "The fuck? You're suppose to be dead? I-I... Bob? What the hell...?"

Frowning, empathy was evident on the witch's face as she took a breath in. "You see, BOB is controlling you, Shane. I tried to warn you. That's when the darkness and BOB... they tried to attack my mind. Overwhelm my being. I was already weakened mentally and physically. It was a smart move. I was the only thing stopping them, so they needed to get rid of me. They had enough hold on me to trick poor Usami into thinking it was me who asked her to kill me. When, in fact? They had enough control to make me utter those words."

"Hehe... you got me! Sometimes dark forces just work together so well!" Monokuma rubbed at the back of his head, looking playful. "He's been a big help, you know! It's just too bad we couldn't keep the Witch down!"

"But... why is Wanda here?" Jude look to the woman as if pleading for answers. "I... examined your dead body."

Daughter began to giggle at that, She brought a hand to her face as she doubled over, her giggles turning into laughter that shook her entire body.

"Haha... Ahahaha!" After a moment, she stopped and sighed, looking up at Jude with a smile. "You all were told that death is not the end in the dark place, why find it so unbelievable? Wanda's soul was taken, where the darkness would warp it for its own creation... and yet, she seems to have remained intact. Usami was right to have brought her here, it seems."

"I'm sorry, Jude. I never thanked you for helping me get away from Shane. I know this is confusing. However, if you read my journal, you know I had a plan."

"I understand, I think, but--"

"But enough talk... the conduit was voted, and so the conduit shall fall. Their souls will be released into the void to become one with Her. One with -

M O T H E R."

Daughter smirked as she casually climbed up and over her podium. She took a slow walk toward the opposite side where Shane stood, raising her knife so that it was point at the man's chest. "Prepare for--"

"W-Wait, stop!" Kyoko exclaimed, attempting to extend her arm as if to stop Daughter from whatever she was about to do, though before she was able to protest further, she'd break out into another violent cough, causing her knees to buckle for a bit as her body weakened further.

"-- S A L V A T I O N."

"This is insane, you know that? Look, I don't care what the fuck Wanda says. I ain't killed that girl!"

Suddenly, Daughter vaulted into the air, slamming into Shane. The pair slammed to the ground, Shane on his back with Daughter straddling him. She plunged her knife deep into his chest, laughing.

Wanda had tried to act sooner, but Shane was already bleeding out by the time Wanda fired a hex bolt at the girl. Daughter was tossed into the wall. Wanda then turned and threw another bolt Tharja's way, freeing her of the confines of Felix's armor.​

"No."

As Daughter reeled from the one bolt, a flurry a few more smashed into her, crumbing the wall around her. "Your actions are so flippant, daughter." The rubble around Daughter hardened and change into a cement like former, trapping the girl.

"Do you yield? Or should I turn that cement into lava? You or your mother can't beat me. I know you know that."

"Oh... Really now? You know better than anyone the power of this realm, Witch." Daughter seethed through her teeth. The cement around her cracked and shook, breaking under the girl's sudden burst of strength. She crashed through, laughing and weeping all at once.

"Truly amazing! You are just so amazing! I'm practically drowning in despair! No matter what I do... you keep coming back! Only in this world of despair could a force such as yourself be born! You're on full display, your potential brought out by the chaos of despair! Amazing... amazing, amazing! Face me! Face me in this arena of despair and let chaos decide the winner!"

Daughter dropped her arms to the side. She looked up into the air, mouth wide open. "Don't you know that -
s a l v a t i o n
is revealed in the -
t r u t h?"

Daughter was enveloped by a flash of light. When it dissipated, the woman was gone, replaced by...

"Queen Despair is in the house! Junko Enoshima, classic flavor! After ten thousand years, I'm free!" The woman placed her fists on her hips, looking perfectly fine. After a moment of confusion, Wanda fired off another shot, but the blast deflected off some kind of invisible barrier around Junko.

"Wha--?!"

Kyoko let out a gasp, placing one hand on her chest (which had also began to ache badly) while the other was on the podium for her support, the girl genuinely surprised by the turn of events that had transpired. Part of her felt like she should have seen this coming, all things considered, but... Even so, this kind of development, the facade... What was she even doing here? Was this another incarnation of... her?

Monokuma hopped into Junko's hands.

"Upupu, thanks for the interesting trial, you guys! Junko Enoshima, the Ultimate Despair, was the mastermind all along! That's the most surprising twist I've ever heard of!"

"Perhaps it is unnecessary to state at this point, but Daughter was only ever another persona I went by. However, I must admit that I was becoming bored of her. Perhaps it was cliché of me, but I intended to reveal myself during this trial all along."

"You see, after my red string of fate was cut, I found myself lost. Perhaps it was another kind of fate that I found myself coming across the dark place and the forces it contained. Chaos reigned in the dark place, for it was a realm that thrived on despair. This was incredibly fascinating. I found a kindred spirit in the being known as Mother. Maybe we don't always understand each other, but I am proud to call myself her Daughter."

"Now listen the fuck up!! You may now know the mastermind, but don't forget the original mission! You fucking degenerates better listen real good, as you have one more vote to do! Who killed Mark Jefferson?! Take my word, it wasn't fucking me! The four here who could have done it are standing right here! Benjamin Horne, Jamie Wright, Stan Larsen, Stephen Holder!" Junko pointed to each of the men in turn.

"Now--"

"Ugh, you know what? I'm kind of getting bored of that too. Whatever~ We're on the clock here, so hurry up and get to it! It's time for the graduation exam!"

Panting deeply, her sweats and overall general condition getting worse by the moment, Kyoko tried her best to keep her bearings, glaring at the young woman who called herself Junko Enoshima deliberately.

"You... You won't get away with this..."

@C.T. @Yun Lee @Kaykay @Chewy Rabbits @Minerva @DapperDogman @BarrenThin @The Tactician @york @Verite @Gummi Bunnies @LuckycoolHawk9 @Crow @Jeremi @ShiroKiyoshi @Josh M @Crimson Spartan @Hospes @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Periodically Incorrect @DBZ7 @Nater Taters @Takumi @Klutzy Ninja Kitty​

As the trial ended in another correct verdict and Shane was punished for the actions he had been forced to take, Jack watched in disgusted confusion as the strange blonde newcomer revealed herself as the culprit. He had been uncertain the entire trial as to who the culprit was, and now, he was lost as this Junko woman jerked from each extreme of cool and collected and wild and vulgar. He needed to regain his footing in the case, to aid the others in this act of righteous justice, and yet the samurai was uncertain of who to investigate in this scenario.

"Honda-san... Do you have any notion as to who drew the blood of Jefferson?"

@Yun Lee @Atomyk @Klutzy Ninja Kitty​

"L-Let's try to avoid a mass execution," Jude said toward Darv and Rant.

Holder nodded. He'd been waiting for this.

"Simple. You know me, I've been investigating the case of the missing girls. Only met this Jefferson guy briefly. Didn't think he had much to do with the girls then, but now, seems like a real piece of work."

Benjamin Horne looked at Rant with an amused expression. "Right."

"I don't know why you would think I would have killed him, for he was a frequent visitor of the casino. He was a wealthy man who practically gave me his salary, so you can imagine him being alive would only benefit me. And yes, he was staying here the weekend of his murder."

"Oh, man..." Jamie looked out of it, half his body leaning into one of the podiums. Jude had seen to his wound, but it was still not an ideal situation. "I wasn't friends with the guy. Barely knew him. But he did a lot for this town... put it on the map. Bright Falls, and the mayor, owe him a lot."

Stan let out a heavy sigh. "Hi. I'm, uh, Stan Larsen. I guess I had no connection to Mark Jefferson."

@The Tactician @Yun Lee @ShiroKiyoshi @Gummi Bunnies @DapperDogman

@FinalTrial
​

Horne seemed confused at first, peering at Honda questioningly. Eventually, he seemed to recognize what was being said. "I may remind you I never authorized you to enter that room, but I suppose there's a lot going on in my hotel I'm aware of. No, I was not aware there is footage missing. The reason it was kept from yourself and Mr. Holder in the first place was for private reasons. Some of my... workers, would not enjoy their hobbies be known."

"Yo, that's right, but someone deleted those tapes, my man. Whether it was you or a worker, you should know."

"The only one here who works for me is Mr. Larsen here, so question him if you'd like."

Stan shrugged his shoulders. "I really don't know anything about those tapes. I work security, but I wasn't near them today."

@The Tactician @Yun Lee @ShiroKiyoshi @Gummi Bunnies @DapperDogman @Klutzy Ninja Kitty

@FinalTrial​

"Not just a queen!" Junko said, looking at Sledge. "But a total diva!"

"That's right," Stan said with a nod. "I was here at the casino all weekend."

"Thoughts on Jefferson, huh...Okay, I knew the guy was troubled, but that's all I did know about him. I'm not gonna pry into a guy's life if he was generally doing good for the community."

Horne suddenly barked out a laugh. "And by that, Jamie means he put money in the mayor's pockets."

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@FinalTrial​

"I was on the floor. You know, around the poker tables and slots?"

"In my room, reviewing the case. Not much to say."

"And I was in my office. I can confirm Stan's location, and he can confirm mine."

"Can Stan really confirm your location?" Jude asked, probing for more information. "Can you really confirm his? You may both have had places to be, but I doubt either of you were watching each other."

"Hm. Well..."

"I was at one of the poker tables," Jamie said, vying for his turn to speak. "Okay? In fact, I was there to collect a bribe from Horne... among others."

"The casino is Jamie's place of choice to meet those who are bribing the mayor. I would assume he was taking from Mark that evening as well."

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@FinalTrial​

"We met that evening after ten, in fact. It was around midnight that we did the exchange."

"We didn't talk to each other or anything before that." Jamie looked around, to see if everyone was paying attention. "Do you understand?"

"I guess we'd more like to know if you talked to Jefferson."

"We did, yeah. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. He and I talked around nine."

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@FinalTrial​

Jack Frost
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... Jack Frost was just barely late to the vote... Ugh... He really should have voted for shane to be honest, but oh well... Fortunately someone else did the voting for them, it was one vote, but enough to convict the correct killer in time. Now, they had one last case left, and they knew the true face of that "daughter" character... Junko, someone he didn't quite know, but all the same... She was regarded with an equal, if not greater amount of caution he displayed towards the daughter, as they were one and the same.

For a while, he listened to the discussions going on as they tried to pinpoint which of the four killed Jefferson, before he finally spoke, deciding to see if he can spot any... Inconsistencies in the answers to what he was about to ask.

"... So... Jefferson just left like he usually would?" He asked, frowning a little.

All the same, it didn't seem out of the ordinary for Jefferson to do this, and then be ambushed somewhere on his way out... Perhaps before he got to his car, or wherever he was going... What happened after would be up to speculation alone, for the time being.

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