Continued from here.
Chapter One
"School Daze"
Jude had done a sweep of the students to determine who needed medical attention after the brawl with the masked man. Others had reasoned the Visitor Center would be a good place to process the wounded and Jude had no cause to disagree. He had arrived after the others to at least make sure everyone had gotten out of the forest, but found that when he arrived there were more injured than his previous head count accounted for.
"How could this happen...? How can we be expected to deal with a monster like that?" Jude took a cursory glance around the room and determined quickly that Zinnia was one of the few that needed immediate attention. His eyes fell on the first aid kit on the counter as he approached the girl, causing him to pause.
"A first aid kit...? We're lucky. I honestly didn't there there would be any."
As Jude grabbed the kit off and made his way for Zinnia, Monomi appeared inside the Visitor Center.
"It's here because Usa-- Uh, Monomi wanted you all to be safe! There wasn't supposed to be any stuff like fighting or violence... and especially not killing! But Monokuma arrived and ruined everything!" The little rabbit sighed, her arms wrapping around herself.
"Uuu..."
"Monomi," Jude began, taking over for Jack Frost as he saw to Zinnia's wounds. He whispered for the Lorekeeper to hold still.
"... That masked man, did Monokuma send that, or was it something else?"
"Monomi is not sure... it had, err--"
Jude worked silently, waiting for Monomi to continue, but when she didn't, he stole a glance toward the rabbit.
"Monomi?"
"Oh..." The rabbit shook her head rapidly.
"I'm not supposed to talk about it! None of you were supposed to worry... but I guess the rabbit's out of the bag! Oh, I tried so hard... You see, the masked man carried darkness with him! He's one with this place-- the Dark Place! He's one dangerous customer... The darkness has trapped you all here and wants to use you as its hosts, like him! It puts you guys through situations that make you feel negative emotions... stuff like that makes you vulnerable... Uuugh! It's so horrible! Monokuma must be working with them!"
"And you..." Jude paused a moment as he began to move on from Zinnia.
"You wanted to protect us, is that right? I don't know where you come from, Monomi... but I'm sorry we doubted you."
"Oh... It's okay!" Monomi managed to look upbeat for a moment as she smiled.
"I'm still here, and I can support you!"
"Thank you, Monomi."
As the evening went on, Jude saw to the wounded, grabbing volunteers to assist him as he went. Soon, once everyone was seen to, it was time to sleep, and all anyone could hope for was that the next day would be better...
***
Dawn settled upon the camp and the students were awoken by a familiar voice speaking over the camp's speakers.
"Come to the Visitor Center for a biiiig announcement! Have a nice day, everyone!"
The familiar compulsion would overtake the group, forcing them to the parking lot where Neon Katt had been executed the night before. Monokuma was waiting for them, relaxing casually on the mammoth statue. "Welcome!" he said, lazily waving a paw through the air.
"Why do you all look so sour? Bear got your tongue?"
"We're not playing any games," Diana said first, her voice low and angry.
"We'll wait out our time here until you get bored and leave us the fuck alone." Monokuma only shrugged at that.
"Did you hear what I said?!"
"We know you can't get more murders out of us," Jude said. He pointed off into the forest.
"You sent that big guy after us to do the job for us."
"Ohhh..." Monokuma tilted his head to the side. "Him? You think I sent that guy...? No way!" He dropped down from the mammoth and crossed his arms once he was on the pavement. "What do you take me for? A bear such as I don't need no cronies! It's like I told you, the darkness wants your tasty bodies. It's gonna eat you all up! It seemed to have worked pretty well, didn't it? It got you all... hot and bothered.
Flustered. The mousy one got all up in your business, and I bet some of you thought some dirty thoughts, didn't you? You thought: 'Hey, what if we let this guy die, huh? What if we let the monster kill him?' I know some of you were thinking it!"
"But none of us let that happen--"
"Nuh uh!" Monokuma waved a paw in the air, as if it was a wagging finger. "That's not the point, is it? Some of you had half a mind to let him die... some would call that
murder, you know! I'm afraid you all proved my point... such nice students you are! Besides, you wanted justice... you wanted to kill the monster for that justice. Really, is justice so noble? Always? You guys sure like to talk the talk, but you can't walk the walk!"
Before anyone could respond to these ideas, a police siren could be heard echoing from off in the distance. There was some confusion over the origin of the noise, but soon a police car came barreling up the trail and driving into the Visitor Center's parking lot. The car skidded to a stop and a heavyset black man leaned out the driver's side window. Behind him, a skinny white officer could be seen sitting in the passenger's seat.
"Hey there, folks!" said the black man, jovially.
"I'm Sheriff Blubs from the town down the road. You all mind telling me why you're loitering up in this here National Park?"
"Wowie," said the white police officer after giving a low whistle.
"Look at all them city folk!"
"It's the fuzz! Everyone, get down and hide your drinks! Someone turn down the music!"
"Officers!" Jude made a ran for the police car, shouting.
"We need your help! This bear--" Jude froze on the spot, the compulsion forcing him to cease. Wiping his paws together, Monokuma casually strolled toward the two officers.
"Gentlemen, you have stumbled across a unique camping experience. Usually, young, dim students like these must brave the wild in fear of wild bears, but in this experiment, a bear is in charge of the camping trip! And you will find I'm one of the most wild bears around."
"Hmm..." Blubs cupped his chin in thought.
"You ever hear of such a thing, Deputy Durland?"
"Oh, you know them city folk, always doin' strange things! Just the types to do something nasty..."
"That's what I thought too! Bear, you and your youngins are under arrest for the suspicion of murder!" The sheriff leaned down under his seat to pull out a pair of handcuffs. He leaned out of the car to slap them on Monokuma's wrists, but the cuffs just slid off his small arms.
"This bear has some kind of... power! I don't think we can arrest him!"
Monokuma raised his paws to his mouth, giggling. "Oh, you sillies! That's just because I'm a police officer myself!" Monokuma pulled out a sheriff's badge with his face on it, passing it off to Blubs. "I'm a big officer from the big city! If you got a murder case, I'm your bear! Murder is my middle name, after all."
The two officers exchanged a look, but then shrugged nonchalantly.
"A big-time officer, huh... Well, it does sound like we could use your help! There ain't been a murder in Bright Falls for years!"
"You see, we got a public figure in town who up and got himself offed. Name's Mark Jefferson, and he put Bright Falls on the map with his photography."
"Yeah, he even took some photos that made us look good!" Blubs held up a photo for all to see.
"This one's our favorite."
"See, buncha folks show up mysteriously at the camp up the road and a guy that everyone loved ends up killed... seems fishy to me!"
"And bears love fish, don't they?"
The two officers began discussing what bears ate, but Monokuma was quick to interject. "Not so fast, officers! You were considering my help... and a bear like me loves to lend a paw! Using my powers as a big-time officer, I'll become town sheriff for a few days and get to the bottom of this mystery!"
The two officers paused.
"Well..." Blubs shrugged.
"Would be easier on us, wouldn't it?"
"And he is a big-time officer... don't want to step on his toes."
"But, hey... no hard feelings, but if you and your crew can't find out who did it, I'm afraid we'll have to toss the lot of ya in jail. Sorry about that."
"Oh, no problem, officers! Sheriff Monokuma is on the job!"
Blubs took off his hat and placed it on Monokuma's head. Durland made a comment about having time to goof off and the pair hollered as they drove off back into town. Monokuma turned around to face the group, a laugh starting on his lips.
"What a strange development, huh? Looks like I've saved you all from becoming criminals! And now a murder mystery...? Better thank your headmaster for giving you such valuable experience! Upupupu..." With a wave of Monokuma's hand, the school bus that everyone had woken up in drove up into the parking lot. The door opened, beckoning everyone inside.
As Monokuma took his place at the driver's seat, Monomi yelled,
"what are you planning, Monokuma?!"
For an answer, Monomi and everyone else felt a compulsion to get on the bus. There wasn't anything that could be done as everyone was forced to take their seats, waiting for Monokuma to get the bus going. Diana was sitting at the front, practically growling.
"If you can make us just do whatever you want, why don't you just make us kill each other?"
Monokuma had a simple answer. "That's no fun, is it?"
***
The ride into Bright Falls was a calm one. The town held an undeniable natural beauty, on display in full as the school bus made its way down the steep hill and barreled toward the town proper. The sun shone brilliantly off a waterfall in the distance, just beyond the town, as if Bright Falls itself was basking in rainbows.
Joining the Elderwood Park on the slopes of the mountains was a sawmill, standing proudly. The lake that Lovers' Peak overlooked connected to the waterfall, with two steep rock faces that would be reminders of the execution. Did Neon sit at the bottom of that very lake?
The lake branched off into rivers that went off in the opposite direction of the town like fingers. Some of these rivers connected to the ocean beyond, where another cliff held a shining beacon of hope-- a lighthouse.
As the school bus crossed the threshold into the town proper, specific buildings stood out more than others. The Bright Falls Sheriffs Station, a seemingly simple diner, an imposing power station, a tall-standing church, and Monokuma's intended destination, Blackwell Academy.
"No freaking way!" Victoria exclaimed, pressing her face against a window of the bus.
According to the maps, this was a senior high school that specialized in Science and Arts. "This is where the deceased worked!" Monokuma declared as the school bus came to a stop in front of the academy. The bear hopped off his seat as the bus doors opened. "You're to investigate and find out info on him before the day is over!"
Inexplicably, on the backs of the maps was now a crude but simple map of the academy itself. There was the
art classroom, where Jefferson worked, and the
science classroom that was across the hall from it. There was also
Jefferson's office to investigate, as well as the
Principal's office. Finally, some information could probably be found at the
girl's dormitory and
boy's dormitory.
"I-- I have to go," Victoria said, running off the bus first.
Monokuma waited patiently for the others to follow.
Continued here.
***
CAST LIST
@C.T. as
Arya Stark "Ultimate Killer" [Game of Thrones]
@Yang Lee as
Bolin "Ultimate Earthbender" [The Legend Of Korra]
@Kaykay as
Chikage Kushinada "Ultimate Jujutsuka" [History's Strongest Disciple Kenichi]
@T.O.M. as
Catbug "Ultimate Cutie" [Bravest Warriors]
@Minerva as
Corrin "Ultimate Protector" [Fire Emblem]
@DapperDogman as
Darv "Ultimate Saltborn" [Salt & Sanctuary]
@Yun Lee as
Edmond Honda "Ultimate Sumo Wrestler" [Street Fighter]
@BarrenThin as
Genji Shimada "Ultimate Forgiveness" [Overwatch]
@Krieg as
Isaac "Felix" Gates "Ultimate Bounty Hunter" [Red VS Blue]
@The Tactician as
Jack "Ultimate Samurai" [Samurai Jack]
@york as
Jack Frost "Ultimate Funhouse" [Rise of the Guardians]
@Verite as
Kyoko Kirigiri "Ultimate ???" [Danganronpa]
@Gummi Bunnies as
"Lapis Lazuli" "Ultimate Crystal" [Original Character]
@LuckycoolHawk9 as
M. "Stiles" Stilinski "Ultimate Sarcasm" [Teen Wolf]
@Crow as
Morikubo Nono "Ultimate Wallflower" [THE iDOLM@STER]
@Archwar as
Noble Six "Ultimate Lone Wolf" [Original Character/Halo]
@Jeremi as
Poison "Ultimate Manager" [Street Fighter]
@ShiroKiyoshi as
Rant T. Mouse "Ultimate Rat Mouse" [Original Character]
@Josh M as
Scarlet Witch "Ultimate Witch" [Marvel Comics]
@Crimson Spartan as
Seamus "Sledge" Cowden "Ultimate Breaching Charge" [Rainbow Six: Siege]
@Hospes as
Tarlotte "Ultimate Tantrum" [Kyoshiro to Town no Sora]
@CrunchyCHEEZIT as
Tekhartha Zenyatta "Ultimate Teacher" [Overwatch]
@The Spartan Potato as
Terezi Pyrope "Ultimate Justice" [Homestuck]
@DBZ7 as
Tharja "Ultimate Hextress" [Fire Emblem]
@Nater Taters as
Tomoko Kuroki "Ultimate Loser" [WataMote]
@Atomyk as
Victoria Maribeth Chase "Ultimate Bitch" [Life is Strange]
@Takumi as
Yurick "Ultimate Arcanist" [The Last Story]
@Klutzy Ninja Kitty as
Zinnia "Ultimate Lorekeeper" [Pokemon]