Chapter Text
???: "Hey, kid, wake up!"
???: "...What...?
???: "Come on, are you alright?"
???: "Yeah...Wh-Who are you and where are we?"
???: "Max, you? And I don't know, but you need to get up, come on."
???: "Engine...You know you sound familiar."
Engine stood with the help of Max and squinted. It was dark.
Max: "Hold on, let me find a light switch."
Engine heard him shuffle around before the lights switched on.
Max: "There we go."
Engine: "Thank you. N-Now, moving onto why you're here."
She got into a defensive stance and glared at him, trying to hide their nervousness. Max looked down at her and let his expression soften.
Max: "I get why you're worried, but I promise I'm not behind this, kid."
Engine: ("Yeah right.")
She continued to shake, and stayed in her stance. Max sighed and looked around.
Max: "Hey, a door! Come on, let's get out of here-"
*Ding dong, bing bong*
"Ahem! Testing, testing! One, two, one, two! Okay, here we are! You all are finally awake! Isn't that a joy? Well, now that you are all awake, I'd greatly appreciate it if you'd head to the gymnasium at this time! Thank you!"
Max: "What the?"
Engine: "Was that a fucking bear?"
Max: "Hey! Language!"
Engine: "Sorry..."
Max: "It's alright, but besides that, we might as well go and see what that bear wants. Who knows what he'll do if we don't."
Max grabbed Engine by the hand and led her out of the closet they had woken up in. She looked around in confusion at the hallway. It looked like a school. She followed Max through the hallway. The two of them wandered for a while, before finding a large door. They swung it open, and...
???: "Ooh! More people have arrived! Hello fellow humans!"
???: "Huh? Oh!"
???: "Just what we needed. As though there weren't enough two-legs around."
???: "Hello, new arrivers!"
Max: "Oh, um..."
Engine: ("Are those talking cats?")
Max and Emily both walked into the gymnasium. Engine looked around at the others, hands shaking. She found herself gripping Max's hand tighter in an attempt to calm her nerves. Max glanced back at her sympathetically before looking around.
Max: "Well...Hello?"
A strange yellow man with glasses took a step towards them. He looked them over.
???: "Do you guys have any idea where we are?"
Max shook his head.
Max: "No idea. We just woke up in a closet."
The yellow man squinted at them before nodding.
???: "Well, we all woke up in strange places too."
???: "You're being way too trusting. How about we interrogate them!"
???: "Ooh! With torture?"
???: "With torture!"
???: "Guys, guys!"
The yellow man stood tall and raised a hand.
???: "How about we just introduce ourselves while we wait. I'll go first. I'm Waylon Smithers, the Ultimate Assistant."
Engine: "Ultimate?"
Max: "Yeah, Ultimates. The best at what we do. Oh, I guess it's my turn. I'm Max, the Ultimate Worker."
Engine looked up at Max in confusion.
Engine: ("Ultimates...Why does that seem so familiar?")
The other yellow person straightened up a bit and looked around at the crowd.
???: "Well, I might as well go next. I'm Moe Szyslak, the Ultimate Bartender."
He glared at everybody, and Engine took a step behind Max. Max glanced back at her and gave her a comforting smile.
???: "I'll go now! I'm Angie Yonaga, the Ultimate Artist!"
Angie beamed at a child looking person.
Angie: "Now you go!"
He glared up at her but sighed and stuffed his hands into his pockets.
???: "I'm Ryoma Hoshi, the Ultimate Tennis Pro..."
Ryoma didn't make any eye contact and just stared at a wall. Engine frowned. He seemed upset.
???: "I'll go next. I'm Norman, the Ultimate Strategist."
Angie: "Ooh! What an interesting talent, you are truly blessed!"
Norman laughed lightly.
Norman: "Thank you! You're too kind."
Angie laughed as well. Engine stared at her. She seemed nice.
???: "Well, moving on, I'm Principal Brown, the Ultimate Principal."
Moe: "Okay, that's nice and all, but what the Hell are you supposed to be?"
Principal Brown: "Hm?"
Moe: "You're all...hairy."
Principal: "Oh! I'm a furry slug."
Max: "A furry...slug?"
Before Principal Brown could say anything else, a weird dragon looking thing interrupted.
???: "Can we get on with his already? I cannae sit here all day."
Max: "Um, what are you exactly?"
???: "An owl? What, can ye not tell?"
Max: "Well..."
???: "Ah, never mind, ye lousy peck neck. Oh, by the way, I'm The Conductor, the Ultimate Movie Director."
Moe: "I'm sorry, but you really don't look like an owl. More like a, uh, dragon. A midget one."
The Conductor: "WHY YOU PECK NECK!"
Moe: "What...did you...call me?"
The Conductor: "A."
The Conductor: "PECKING."
The Conductor: "PECK NECK!"
Moe: "Alright, that's it!"
Moe stomped and started to storm towards The Conductor, who also started storming towards him. Max quickly rushed forward and blocked the two away from each other.
Max: "Stop!"
The Conductor: "He called me a midget dragon!"
Moe: "He called me a peck neck!"
Max: "So? We have way more important matters to focus on, not who called who what!"
The two stared at him for a moment before sighing and letting their hands relax.
???: "Come on! It was just getting good!"
Max glared at the person who said that before gathering himself.
Max: "Now back to introductions."
???: "Guess I'll go next! I'm Jschlatt, the Ultimate Gambler. By the way, anyone have any alcohol?"
Max: "Probably not, we all just woke up and came here."
Jschlatt: "Dammit."
???: "Guess it's my turn! I'm Charlie, the Ultimate Human!"
The Conductor: "What kind of Ultimate is that?"
Charlie: "An amazing Ultimate!"
The Conductor: "Whatever you say, lad. Also, why does your skin look like that?"
Charlie: "It's a skin condition!"
???: "Well, after all I've been through, I find that Ultimate comforting."
Charlie: "You know, I never did get your name! What is it fellow meat brother?"
???: "Oh, I'm Chester, the Ultimate Paranormal Investigator!"
Charlie: "Cool!"
Engine: ("This is definitely a colorful cast, and there's still more...")
Smithers: "Alright, we're almost done. There's only a couple of more people left."
He gestured to a gray female cat, who hissed in response.
???: "Go away, Twoleg!"
Smithers: "Twoleg?"
Engine looked around nervously before looking at the cat.
Engine: "We just want to know your name and Ultimate."
The cat froze before looking away.
???: "I'm Dovewing, the Ultimate Mother."
Angie: "What a cute name!"
Dovewing glared at Angie before looking around before narrowing her eyes at another gray cat.
Dovewing: "You go next."
???: "Fine. I'm Ashfur, the Ultimate Villain."
Moe started cackling, and Ashfur's fur stood on end. He hissed, which made Moe laugh harder.
Moe: "You're like, so tiny! How are you the Ultimate Villain?"
Dovewing glared at Ashfur.
Dovewing: "'Trust me. He is."
Ashfur: "Well, there must be some good in me if I got revived."
Ashfur's blue eyes glimmered, though not hopefully. More smugly than anything.
???: "This fight is hilarious!"
Engine turned her head and saw a tall, ginger boy with freckles snickering to himself. He looked up and smirked at the crowd.
???: "Fred Weasley, the Ultimate Prankster."
Moe: "Wait, are you the one that keeps prank calling me?"
Moe's eyes narrowed, and Fred looked at him curiously.
Fred: "Can't say I am."
???: "Well, guess it's my turn. I'm Chris McLean, the Ultimate Game Show Host!"
Smithers: "Okay, is there anybody left?"
Everybody looked around before their eyes landed on Engine. Engine took a step back and picked at her fingernails. Max gestured at the crowd, looking back at her. She took a sharp breath and walked in front of Max.
Engine: "I'm Engine, and I don't have an Ultimate..."
Jschlatt: "Well, now we know who's behind this! Come on, someone grab her."
Engine: "W-Wait!"
Max: "Hey, don't touch her!"
Smithers: "Guys!"
Jschlatt: "Grab her!"
Smithers: "Guys!"
Max: "Just hear her out!"
Smithers: "GUYS!"
The two turned their heads towards the source of the yell and stared at Smithers. Smithers' hands were balled into fists, and he had stomped when he yelled. He crossed his arms and glared at them.
Smithers: "Arguing is getting us nowhere, so stop."
Jschlatt: "But-"
Smithers: "Stop. She's not behind this just because she doesn't have an Ultimate."
Moe: "Sorry, Waylon, but she is the most suspicious."
Smithers looked at Moe and looked back at Engine. Engine cowered under the gaze of the crowd, eyes rounded. Smithers took a deep breath and turned back to the crowd.
Smithers: "Let's hear her out."
The crowd's gaze flickered between Smithers and Engine. Jschlatt huffed and nodded at them. Max smiled at Engine, and she took a deep breath.
Engine: "I don't think I have an Ultimate, and if I do I can't remember it. Really, I can't remember anything."
Moe: "So, like amnesia or something?"
Engine: "I...guess?"
Jschlatt: "She could be lying."
Engine: "I'm not!" ("God, he really wants me dead.)
Max: "You could be lying."
Smithers: "If we were going by that logic, all of us could be lying, so let's just assume that nobody is lying."
Angie: "I agree with Smithers!"
Moe: "I mean, I guess I'll agree."
The Conductor: "When's that pecking bear going to get here."
Ryoma: "He'll come, trust me."
Moe: "Wait, how the Hell do you know?"
Ryoma looked away from him.
Ryoma: "If it's what I think it is, I've been through this before. So has Angie."
Max: "Wait, really?"
Angie: "Mhm!"
Smithers: "If that's the case, tell us what's going on."
Angie: "You'll see soon enough!"
The Conductor: "If you know, then just pecking tell us!"
Angie just beamed at him, and Ryoma stayed quiet. The Conductor crossed his arms and snarled. Engine looked at Angie and Ryoma.
Engine: ("Why won't they just tell us?")
Smithers was about to say something when the lights shut off. People yelped, and Engine jolted.
Engine: "H-Hey, who turned off the lights!"
Moe: "I don't know, but I'm gonna kill whoever did!"
Angie: "Don't worry guys, Atua is watching over us!"
Fred: "Who's that?"
Angie: "My God!"
The Conductor: "This isn't the time to be discussin' religion!"
Angie: "It is always a good time to discuss Atua!"
Moe: "Shut the fuck up, will ya?"
Angie: "That is very rude! Atua does not approve!"
Moe: "I don't give a damn what this 'Atua' approves of and what they don't!"
Soon enough, everyone was saying something, arguing and freaking out. Engine backed away into what felt like a podium. She felt of it, but stopped. She heard something.
???: "Puhuhu..."
Moe: "Wait, who the fuck said that."
The Conductor: "Said what?"
Moe: "Somebody fucking laughed. Did anyone else hear it, or am I just going crazy?"
Chris: "No, I heard I too."
Engine's hair stood on end. The laugh sounded shockingly close to her. She whipped her head from side to side, hoping that her eyes would adjust as she did.
???: "Puhuhuhu..."
Max: " Whoever you are, turn back on the light!"
Just as he said that, the lights switched back on. Engine squinted, and looked up at the podium. No one was there. She backed away, now standing with her crowd, who also stared at the podium. Max was in the front, arm extended. He quickly ushered Engine into the crowd. They sat in silence, waiting.
Chester: "Okay, this is getting creepy."
Charlie: "Don't worry, fellow human, I'll protect you!"
There was another long period of silence. Engine blinked.
Moe: "I give up, I'm leaving this place."
???: "Oh, I don't think so!"
Moe: "What the-"
And all of a sudden, it appeared. The thing they had been waiting for...
???: "Greetings, my faithful students!"
Moe: "Wait, I thought that the bear was just a mascot for our kidnapper, not that our kidnapper was literally a talking teddy bear!"
???: "I'm not a teddy bear! How dare you compare me to a child's play thing?"
Moe: "Then what the Hell are you?"
???: "I am, drum roll please, Monokuma! Your amazing principal and teacher!"
The Conductor: "Teacher? I'm an old man, I dinnae need a teacher!"
Monokuma: "Well, too bad!"
The Conductor growled, and Monokuma laughed, a sick smile on his face.
Max: "Wait, um, I have a question."
Monokuma: "Go ahead, my dear student!"
Max: "Well, you said you're our principal and student, but...What do you mean?"
Smithers: "I'm also wondering that. Last I remember I was driving to work. Then I wake up here, and you're calling yourself my principal?"
Monokuma: "Oh, I forgot, you don't remember why you're here! Well, simple, your school life!"
Moe: "Our...School life?"
Monokuma: "Yeah! Your school life!"
Engine heard a sigh, and turned to see Ryoma looking away, his hat pulled down over his eyes. Engine paused for a moment before turning back to Monokuma.
Jschlatt: "I'm just curious as to when we'll be leaving."
Monokuma: "Oh, that will be never!"
Principal Brown: "Wait, what do you mean never?"
Monokuma: "Simple, your school life is, well, forever! It will never end until you die! No way in, no way out!"
Chester: "WHAT?"
Monokuma: "I know it's a lot to process, but it's the truth."
The crowd erupted into whispers, mostly to themselves as they tried to process what they had just been told. Engine thought before nervously raising her hand.
Monokuma: "Yes?"
Engine: "Wh-When you say no way out, do you really mean it?"
Monokuma: "Yup, we will all live in harmony until we all die out!"
The Conductor: "THIS IS PECKING RIDICULOUS, I SWEAR-"
Monokuma: "Well, there is one way out..."
The Conductor immediately shut up, listening intensely.
Monokuma: "It'd be a shame if someone were to disrupt our harmony, and while the punishment for breaking the rules is death-"
Chester: "DEATH?"
Monokuma: "-There is one way for you to disrupt the harmony and not get punished."
Everyone other than Angie and Ryoma stared with wide eyes. A silence hung over them, and Engine could audibly hear her heartbeat.
Monokuma: "And that is killing!"
The crowd's eyes widened more, and a few gasped. Engine clasped her hand over her mouth, now wishing she had never asked. She looked over to Ryoma, whose face was dark.
Monokuma: "You see, consider it a...graduation! Yeah, a graduation! Basically, if you kill at least one person, you get to leave!"
Smithers: "What kind of sick game-"
Monokuma: "But! There is one teensy weensy hiccup. How about I let Angie explain this?"
Monokuma gestured to Angie, who straightened and smiled.
Angie: "For every death there is, there will be a class trial, in which we will attempt to find the blackened, otherwise known as the killer. If we succeed, the killer is punished and we get to live, but if the blackened wins, we die and they go free!"
Ryoma turned his head and stared to the ground. Engine felt like vomiting. How could she explain it so optimistically?
Max: "D-Didn't you say punishments were death?"
Monokuma: "Yup, yup!"
Charlie: "But why would anyone kill, aren't we all friends?"
Jschlatt: "Sorry to break it to you, kid, but most of us have just met each other."
The Conductor: "Not to mention, all we've done is argue since we've met."
Charlie deflated, and Chester put a hand on his shoulder, but Engine stared at the ground. They were both right. They were strangers.
Monokuma: "Oh, I almost forgot to mention! Here, these are Monopads! They contain loads of stuff! There are also the rules and stuff on there, so be sure to read those!"
And with that, Monokuma tossed the sixteen tablets and disappeared. Engine barely caught hers, and once she did she stared at it.
They were almost all strangers. Sixteen strangers trapped in a Killing Game. They couldn't trust each other. They all wanted out.
