Chapter Text
The bustling city surrounds it.
The crowds of people, the vehicles whizzing past, the homes that stand still.
Redwood Academy...
The famed High School, only bringing in students unlike any other...
Those students are known as Ultimates...
Once Ultimate Students have graduated, success is guaranteed in their adult life...
Normally, the area surrounding Redwood was filled with citizens of all ages.
But today, only one person was standing there...
Me.
???: "Sorry for keeping introductions away!"
???: "It's just... I don't usually need to introduce myself."
???: "You're gonna be seeing things from my perspective, so you should at least know who I am."
???: "My name is Liliana Campos."
Liliana: "Now, you may be wondering, 'How did I get accepted?'"
Liliana: "You just have to read the letter."
Dear Liliana,
We have analysed and found you eligible to enter Redwood Academy as a chosen Ultimate! You shall be entered into our school as the Ultimate Journalist. Your new school life will begin tomorrow morning. Congratulations and we hope to see you here!
Signed,
The Redwood Faculty
Yeah, Ultimate Journalist.
I don't think it's the best, but some can only dream of this life.
I have to be grateful, even if I didn't become the person my parents or I dreamed of...
The school stood in front of me, like a player in a video game going into a boss battle.
I put on a brave face and took the first step.
The first step to a new life, a new school, a new future...
Or so I thought...
Stepping through the gate, I felt that something was... off...
Then I heard something behind me...
I don't remember what happened after that.
What I do remember though, is waking up on a hard floor, with a girl looking down at me.
???: "Hey, you alright?"
Liliana: "What...happened?"
Liliana: "And where are we?"
???: "You passed out."
Liliana: "Why?"
???: "Dunno... The same thing happened to me..."
???: "..."
???: *gasp*
Liliana: "Something wrong?"
???: "I think I recognize you!"
Here we go again...
???: "What's your name?"
Liliana: "Liliana."
???: "Campos?"
I nodded.
???: "I knew it!"
???: "I always looked up to your family as a kid."
???: "I found it fascinating that the women in your family had more power."
???: "I mostly looked up to your mother. She had the life I could only dream of."
Liliana: "..."
???: "Oh, I haven't introduced myself yet, have I?"
???: "Tazmin, Tazmin Langley."
Tazmin: "Ultimate Archaeologist."
Tazmin Langley- Ultimate Archaeologist
Liliana: "I didn't know we were doing talents too."
Tazmin: "Of course we are! We are classmates after all!"
Tazmin: "So? What's your talent?"
Liliana: "Ultimate Journalist."
Tazmin: "That's... not what I expected..."
Tazmin: "Considering your family, I thought you were gonna be something more..."
Liliana: "Respected?"
Tazmin: "Yeah."
Liliana: "You aren't the only one who thinks that."
Liliana: "My family thinks the same."
Tazmin: "Really?"
Liliana: "My parents are proud of me for getting accepted, but they find it dumb I was accepted for a 'hobby.'"
Tazmin: "I..."
Tazmin: "I didn't know..."
Liliana: "Of course you didn't."
Tazmin: "Thank you for telling me."
Liliana: "Yeah, of course."
Tazmin: "I'm glad we're not the only people in this situation."
Liliana: "What do you mean?"
Tazmin: "After I woke up, I went to look around, and found more people."
Tazmin: "I wouldn't bother asking anything about where we are."
Tazmin: "I asked the same question; everyone said they didn't know."
Liliana: "Alright, thanks."
Tazmin: "I'll tag along. Some of them are a bit... much."
We walked along the hallways, Tazmin in the lead.
She eventually stopped at a door labelled "Instruments."
--Instrument Closet--
We walked in to find a tidy room with a round table. Tazmin looked confused.
Tazmin: "Weird... It wasn't this clean when I first came in."
A female voice spoke.
???: "I tidied up a little."
Liliana: "It looks... amazing in here."
???: "Hm? Who are you?"
Liliana: "Liliana."
???: "I don't think I've seen you yet..."
Tazmin: "She just woke up, Carla."
???: "Ah, that explains it."
???: "Well then, I'm Carla Owens."
Carla: "I'm sure you know why I'm here..."
Carla: "I'm the Ultimate Singer."
Carla Owens- Ultimate Singer
Liliana: "I love your music!"
Carla: "Thanks! It's normal for me to encounter... strange fans in public, so I'm prepared for any kind questions you throw."
Liliana: "Why would I ask any questions like that?"
Carla: "You can never be too careful."
Liliana: "I do have a question..."
Carla: "Hit me!"
Liliana: "It's about that rumor..."
Carla: "The voice changer one?"
Carla: "It isn't true."
Liliana: "No, not that one."
Liliana: "The one about your voice putting people under a spell."
Carla: "What!? People actually believe that?!"
Liliana: "Yeah, quite a few, actually."
Carla: "Utter poppycock! Are they delusional!?"
Carla: "They've lost the plot!"
Carla: "My VOICE? A SPELL?!"
Carla: "Every person who believes that is a gormless little twit!"
Tazmin whispered something in my ear.
Tazmin: "We should get going..."
Liliana: "Well, nice meeting you Carla!"
Carla: "You too, mate!"
We investigated the room farther.
There was a boy near the back.
Liliana: "Hi!"
The boy perked up, seeming captivated...
Tazmin: "Um hello~? Earth to Russel~."
???: "Ah! S-sorry..."
???: "I just feel like... we've met before."
Liliana: "I'm not sure we have."
???: "..."
???: "Are you Liliana Campos?"
I was shocked. This stranger just guessed my name...
Liliana: "I- Yeah... That's me."
???: "..."
???: "The name Russel Perez ring a bell?"
Liliana: "..."
Liliana: "No. Nothing comes to mind."
Russel: "Dammit."
Russel: "..."
Russel: Well, That's all I know about myself..."
Liliana: "You can't remember your family, your talent, anything?"
Russel: "Oh, no. I remember my family."
Liliana: "You just can't remember your talent?"
Russel: "Yeah, pretty much."
Russel Perez- Ultimate ???
Tazmin: "What are you doing in here? I know you said you weren't much of a music person."
Russel: "I'm going from room to room, to see if anything sparks memories."
Liliana: "Has anything worked?"
Russel: "So far, no."
Russel: "But I'm getting desperate. How could I fit in without remembering my talent?"
Russel: "What if I don't even have one?"
Liliana: "I'm sure you have a talent. Redwood chose you for a reason, right?"
Russel: "I know that. I don't know why that thought keeps coming back..."
Russel: *sigh* "I should get going. This room isn't giving me anything."
Liliana: "We should too. I still have to meet everyone."
Liliana: "Good luck."
Russel left the room, not even hearing what I said. The two of us followed suit.
Liliana: "Carla's much more terrifying than I thought..."
Tazmin: "Yeah, she's a bit moody."
Liliana: "A bit?!"
Tazmin: "If you think Carla's moody, just wait until you see her sister."
Tazmin and I strolled along the hallways.
Tazmin: "You're much nicer than I thought."
Liliana: "Ah, thank you."
She stopped walking when she reached a door labelled "Café"
--Café--
Two boys were talking at a table in the far corner.
A girl immediately ran up to us.
???: "Tazmin! Hey!"
Tazmin: "Hey..."
???: "Who are you? I haven't seen you before."
Liliana: "I'm Liliana Campos, the Ultimate Journalist."
???: "I'm sure you've at least heard of me. I mean, I'm all around the country."
Liliana: "I-"
???: "You don't know!?" *sigh*
???: "Didn't think I would have to introduce myself again, it's refreshing, honestly."
What is this girl talking about?
???: "Catherine Reids, The one and only Ultimate Fashionista!"
Catherine Reids- Ultimate Fashionista
I have seen her before, she's been on the cover of thousands of magazines.
But... somethings off...
Liliana: "..."
Catherine looked puzzled.
Liliana: "You don't look the same on some of the covers."
Catherine: "Oh! I know what you're talking about!"
Catherine: "The editors thought a black model on the cover would make less people buy it."
Catherine: "But they couldn't resist having me!"
Catherine: "So, after the photoshoot, those editors photoshopped my skin to look more pale."
Liliana: "And... you were okay with this?"
Catherine: "Of course I was! They were the biggest publisher in my city!"
That's... awful...
Catherine: "You alright?"
Liliana: "They were terrible people, how could you work with them?"
Catherine: "I thought the same thing, but after I heard about the paycheck, I just couldn't say no!"
Catherine: "Enough about me."
Catherine: "You seem alright."
Catherine: "Not the best, but I wouldn't be embarrassed to be seen with you."
Liliana: "Thanks?"
Flipping her hair, Catherine walked out of the Café.
As she left, the two boys seemed to notice us.
Liliana: "That was... weird..."
???: "Yeah, Catherine likes to... how can I put it?"
???: "Sprinkle something extra into her actions."
???: "I'm not trying to be rude or anything, Catherine's great."
???: "Her ego's just a bit... inflated. Y-you know what I mean..."
???: "Nathan, you're ranting again."
???: "..."
???: "Sorry, that's a habit of mine."
Liliana: "It's okay."
Liliana: "Nathan, is it?"
???: "Yeah, that's me."
???: "Nathan Collins, the Ultimate Carpenter."
Nathan Collins- Ultimate Carpenter
Nathan: "What about you?"
???: "Liliana Campos, the Ultimate Journalist."
Liliana: "Liliana Campos, the Ultimate Journalist."
Liliana: "The hell?"
???: "Sorry! Didn't mean to scare you."
Liliana: "Alright..."
Who is this guy?
???: "Who am I?"
???: "My name is Edwin Lopez."
Edwin: "What you witnessed was part of my talent, Ultimate Telepath."
Edwin Lopez- Ultimate Telepath
Edwin: "I can also tell the future, but isn't really in my control, if that makes sense.
I tried to lean against the wall, but my back was met with cold, smooth metal.
Liliana: "What the..."
That's... definitely where a window should be...
However, instead of windows and curtains, large metal sheets were blocking the sunlight...
What's going on here?
Edwin: "We don't know..."
Nathan: "This place isn't living up to it's slogan..."
He's right...
What was the slogan again?
Edwin: "Hope is a never ending story?"
Liliana: "That's it!"
Liliana: "Speaking of which..."
Liliana: "Can we be sure we're even in Redwood?"
Tazmin: "It has everything a normal school would need..."
Tazmin: "A gym, classrooms, a café..."
Tazmin: "It's a small chance we're anywhere else."
Tazmin: "Speaking of which, we should explore."
Tazmin: "See you later!"
We went into the kitchen attached to the café.
--Kitchen--
Produce and meat were strangely displayed on grocery store like shelves. Marble counters lined the entirety of the room.
Two girls were sat on some counters.
Tazmin: "Edna!"
One of the girls hopped off the counter as we walked over, I assumed her to be Edna.
Edna?: "Do we know each other?"
Tazmin: "Wh-? What do you mean Edna?"
Tazmin: "Don't you remember Tazmin?"
Edna?: "Haha! Gotcha!"
Edna: "Of course I remember you!"
Tazmin: "Oh my god..."
Edna: "You should've seen the look on your face!"
Tazmin: "You got me Edna."
Edna?: "Who's this girl you're with?"
Liliana: "Liliana Campos."
Liliana: "I assume you're Edna?"
Edna: "Yup! That's me!"
Edna: "Edna Krzywicka, Ultimate Magician."
Edna Krzywicka-Ultimate Magician
Liliana: "So, you do magic tricks?"
Edna: "Yep! My reviews aren't very positive, though..."
Liliana: "Why's that?"
Edna: "Some bitch claimed I stole her purse during a trick, and it descended from there..."
Edna: "But who cares about that, I returned her purse eventually."
So you *did* steal it...
The other girl hopped off the counter and walked over to the now ranting Edna.
???: "Calm down Edna, that's all in the past."
Edna: "The past month? Yeah, I know."
Edna walked over to another part of the kitchen, still ranting to herself.
???: "I'm sorry about Edna, she's been like that since I met her."
???: "I'm Emery Robinson, the Ultimate Guitarist."
Emery: "The traditional kind, the loud stuff hurts my ears..."
Emery Robinson- Ultimate Guitarist
Emery: "What did you say your name was?"
Liliana: "Liliana Campos. I'm the Ultimate Journalist."
Emery: "..."
Awkward silence filled the room for a good five minutes, Emery not taking her eyes off me, and me doing the same. Eventually, the silence was broken by the one who started it.
Emery: "Nice to meet you!"
Liliana: "Oh! Yeah! Y-You too..."
Tazmin and I left the kitchen and the café, and continued walking along the hallways.
Tazmin: "What happened with Edwin?"
Liliana: "It was a new experience for me..."
Liliana: "I was just... freaked out, that's it."
Tazmin: "You've never spoken to a telepath before?"
Liliana: "No..."
Tazmin: "That's fair, they aren't common around here."
A breeze whipped right past my face.
???: "Goddamnit, Sylvia! Get back here!"
???: "You can't catch me!"
???: "Oh! Hi! Didn't see you there..."
???: "Oh wow! You're gorgeous!"
Liliana: "Um-"
???: "What's your name?"
I didn't even speak...
???: "I'm Sylvia!"
Sylvia: "See all the necklaces and bracelets in my pocket? I made them myself!"
Sylvia: "So I guess I'm the Ultimate Jeweler."
Sylvia Addisons- Ultimate Jeweler
Sylvia: "I love jewelry! Its just so cute! And I love helping people find the perfect gift for their special person!"
Sylvia: "What do you think about jewelry?"
Liliana: "I've grown accustomed to the shine..."
Sylvia: "Me too! It's awesome when you can see your reflection in the gem! It's how you know you've done a great job!"
Sylvia: "I'm sorry! I went off track."
Sylvia: "Were you about to tell me your name?"
Liliana: "Um, yeah, Liliana Campos."
Liliana: "The Ultimate Journalist."
Sylvia: "Liliana..."
Sylvia: "Has anyone told you how pretty that name is?"
Liliana: "Yeah, actually."
Sylvia: "Oh... Well, I'm gonna say the same thing! Your name is really pretty!"
Sylvia: "It's really long though, do you mind if I call you Lily?"
Liliana: "It's fine with me. A lot of my friends use it."
I noticed the girl with Sylvia awkwardly standing behind her, just looking at the surroundings, and occasionally glancing back to us. She was significantly taller than all of us. She also shared a lot of similarities with Carla.
Maybe they're sisters...
Sylvia turned to her.
Sylvia: "Do you want me to introduce you?"
There was a brief pause before the taller girl spoke.
???: "No, I'll do it myself."
???: "I'll make this quick, my name's Connie, Connie Owens to be specific.
Connie: "I'm the Ultimate Poet, but you may have already seen that coming."
Connie Owens- Ultimate Poet
Liliana: "Forgive me for asking, but-"
Connie: "Am I Carla's sister? Yes, yes I am."
Connie: "I don't want to talk anymore, I have things to do."
And with that, Connie walked away, Sylvia in tow.
Eventually, we reached the gym, which looked like the center of the entire school. When we entered, I noticed it looked like an assembly was being held. Three people were sitting in chairs closer to the front.
???: "Yo Tazmin! Who's that chick you got?"
???: "Angela, you shouldn't be screaming."
Tazmin: "Just let her be, Hugo, you can't stop her."
???: "Yeah, I guess you're right."
???: "She did pose a good question though, who are you?"
Liliana: "Liliana Campos, Ultimate Journalist."
???: "Pleased to meet you, Hugo Rubio, the Ultimate Gymnast."
Hugo Rubio- Ultimate Gymnast
Hugo: "I'm surprised I didn't recognize you sooner, your mom is-"
???: "Ne dis pas un autre mot." (Don't say another word.)
Hugo: "Why not?"
???: "Sa mère se moque des moins fortunés, comme toi." (Her mother makes fun of the less fortunate, like you.)
Hugo: "..."
Hugo: "Sorry..."
Liliana: "It's okay! You really didn't know!"
???: "Je suis désolé, il semble que j'ai oublié de me présenter... Usman Rivas, pathologiste médico-légal ultime. (I'm sorry, it appears I've forgotten to introduce myself... Usman Rivas, Ultimate Forensic Pathologist.)
Usman Rivas- Ultimate Forensic Pathologist
Liliana: "Je suis sûre que vous avez entendu mon nom, Liliana Campos." (I'm sure you heard my name, Liliana Campos.)
Usman: "Le journaliste ultime? Oui, je l'ai été." (The Ultimate Journalist? Yes, I did.)
Usman: "Enchanté de vous rencontrer." (Pleasure to meet you.)
Liliana: "Vous aussi!" (You too!)
Usman walked the other way as I turned to see the girl Hugo was talking to directly in front of me.
???: "You can understand him?"
Liliana: "Yeah, I took an advanced French class in Middle School."
???: "Listen, could you help me?"
???: "I really like him, but we can't understand each other's language."
Liliana: "I... can certainly try..."
Liliana: "But I don't know your name."
???: " It's Angela Datesman! The Ultimate Skateboarder!"
Angela Datesman- Ultimate Skateboarder
Angela: "There! Now, could you please help me?"
???: "You just met this fucker! How could you already be in love with him?"
Liliana: "Love?"
???: "Ever since we met Usman, Angela's been all over him."
Angela: "That's his name?"
Hugo: "You're just figuring that out?"
Angela: "Yeah, I mean, he came up, talked to you, and left."
???: "And all hell broke loose after that."
Hugo: "Wait, Jadon..."
???: "What?"
Hugo: "You haven't introduced yourself. Liliana's looking for all our names."
???: "Fuckin- *sigh* Hugo, you know how I feel about new people. Why don't you do it?"
Hugo: "Fine. I will. You go do what you need to."
???: "Maybe I will."
He left the room as Hugo turned to me.
Hugo: "Sorry about Jadon, he can be a bit of an asshole."
Liliana: "So, that's Jadon?"
Hugo: "Yeah, he's the Ultimate Fighter."
Jadon Sykes- Ultimate Fighter
Liliana: "So that explains the whole...vibe he's got."
Hugo: "And the whole anger issues."
???: "Hugo, could you just shut up? We get it, you're a dickhead."
Hugo: "Jadon needs a taste of his own medicine."
???: "..."
The pink-haired girl started approaching Hugo before a blonde girl split them up.
???: "Calm down, Jen. Maybe we could...find a way to solve this without fighting?"
???: "..."
At the blonde's request, the pink-haired girl let go of Hugo and stepped away from him.
???: "Now, apologize."
???: *sigh* "Sorry... Hugo, and whoever you are."
Liliana: "Liliana Campos, the Ultimate Journalist."
We both stared at each other for a moment.
???: "What?"
Liliana: "What's your name?"
???: "You're really making me do this?"
???: "C'mon, it's a nice thing to do."
???: *sigh* "Jennie Walkingflower, Ultimate Movie Star"
Jennie Walkingflower- Ultimate Movie Star
???: "See? Was that so hard?"
Jennie: "Whatever..."
Jennie walked off as the blonde turned to us.
???: I'm Star Willows, the Ultimate Witch. It's great to meet you, Liliana."
Star Willows- Ultimate Witch
I heard a piercing static erupt from behind us.
Star: "The hell?"
It came from a TV. A hyper voice spoke from it.
???: "Hello? Hello~? Can you hear me? Mic Check! Mic Check!"
???: "Okay good, it's on. Hello students!"
???: "I'm sure you've been dying~ to know why you're here. And I've been dying to meet you all! So head to the gym at... right now!"
???: "I'll be waiting~"
It shut off...
Star: "What was that? What's going on here?"
Hugo: "We'll just have to wait and see..."
Connie: "I have better things to be doing right now."
Catherine: "Tell me about it..."
Sylvia: "Cheer up Connie! It's the reason why we're locked up here."
???: "That's right~!"
Jadon: "You...What the fuck are you doing to us?!"
???: "Calm down Sykes, I'll get to it."
???: "Anyways, I'm sure you all have noticed the...differences made to this place. So there's no need to talk about that...I'll just get straight to the point."
Jennie: "There's a point to this?"
???: "There's a point to everything. You dumb blondes really need to get the world through your thick skulls."
Jennie went silent, which Star took as a queue to grab her shoulders from the back, which seemed to calm her down almost immediately. The dragon was ignoring them.
???: "Now, where was I?
???: "There we go."
???: "Now, I know all of you, but I'm sure none of you know me. How rude of your headmaster to not introduce himself to his students on their first day!"
Carla: "Headmaster?"
???: "Yes, Hello students, I am Headmaster Monokaida, the overseer of all events that happen within the confines of this school."
Nathan: "Events? Like what?"
Monokaida: "The usual, Rule Breakings, Assemblies, Killings..."
Connie: "I'm sorry, did you just say killings?"
Monokaida: "Oh! Did I let that slip out? Dang it! I spoiled the surprise!"
Monokaida: "You'll be participating in a killing game amongst your fellow classmates."
Monokaida: "You'll find the rules for this killing game in your student handbooks, which I placed in your personal dorm rooms."
Monokaida: "And before you try leaving, the windows and the front door are all bolted shut."
Monokaida: "I think that's all I need to explain. See ya, and happy killing!"
We all just stood there, everyone was speechless.
It was only 10 minutes before someone spoke again, but it felt like several hours.
Edna: "Seriously? You guys actually believe this is real?"
Connie: "Monokaida seemed 100% serious."
Edna: "Doesn't mean he was! God, Connie, why do you have to be such a Negative Nancy?"
Emery: "Edna! That's what he wants you to think."
Emery: "So, unless he says that it's fake, just take this seriously."
Edna: "I'll believe it when I see it."
Edna left the gym in a huff, followed by Emery.
From there, we all split up into groups of 2, to investigate farther around the school.
I couldn't help but wonder the same thing Edna did.
Was this all just a sick joke? It seems too far-fetched for someone to do in any amount of time...
Little did I know... I was completely wrong...
--Prologue END--
Surviving Students: 17/17