Chapter Text
“Everyone...” Chisa Yukizome looked upon her class smiling. She’d gathered all of them together for one last hoorah. “Consider this your graduation.”
The lot of them, and some Reserve Course students had managed to plant bombs through the campus of Hopes Peaks new school building.
“It is hard to believe it is ending...” Sonia sighed folding her hands “But... thanks to my time here I found myself. That’s good.”
“We have such wonderful talents. We can use them for amazing things.” Chisa smiled “We can become this worlds despair with them.”
Junko was inspecting the classroom through a pair of binoculars. Izuru resisted the want to see what would happen if he kicked her off the edge.
“So, this group of students has become your cult?” He asked instead less questioning and more of a conversation piece.
“Yep. Those chumps are gonna go around spreading despair for me now. Soon it’ll paint the world till it’s all they can see.”
“You mean dissemination through memes.” Izuru stated “People and culture... the things they create... and the means by which they expand. Memes.”
Junko began laughing hysterically. He rolled his eyes. Of course she would be thinking of that meaning of memes.
“Anyway... I’ll make sure my class stays safe. Ol’ 78-A. I love them too much for them to go die random deaths on the streets.”
“Right.” Mukuro nodded “We did spend a lot of time together.”
“Yep! And that’s why I want them to have their own killing game!”
“... What?”
“Sayaka, Leon, Chihiro, Mondo, Taka, Hifumi, Taeko, Sakura, Byakuya, Toko, Hina, Hiro, Kyoko, and of course... Makoto. We’re gonna have them kill each other. But it’ll be even better this time! More worthy of being called a game!” She smiled “You don’t have a problem with that do you sister dearest?”
“I... No! Of course not!”
“Good. Because I’m gonna need your help for this. Remember dress rehearsal? This is what it’s for! Anyways, I’m getting out of here!” She stood up and walked off the roof “Later losers. Except you Izuru. You can call me anytime.”
She left the roof.
“... You can defy her.” Izuru suggested “You have the power to do whatever you wish.”
“... I can’t.” She whispered “Because... I’m the only one who understands her.”
How boring an answer.
“Everyone... let’s meet again someday.” Chisa held up a button “Farewell.”
The school building went off in a show of fireworks that covered it and bought it to the ground. Outside, Reserve Course students were dancing in the flames as they poured in the drug Seiko created and breathed in the fumes, going to a willing grave.
“So... this is it.” Nagito commented as the class watched the destruction of outside “I’m not really sure what you’re supposed to say about all this except... happy graduation.”
Kyousuke Munakata was in his office meeting with several people. Seiko Kimura, Ryota Mitarai, Kazuo Tengan, and Miaya Gekkogahara. And of course, his best friend, Juzo Sakakura. Then he heard an explosion like no other. One that shaked the very foundation of everything.
“What is-“ Ryota turned around.
“I just wost contact with the school building!” The rabbit on Miaya’s screen shouted “I think that’s what blew up!”
Kyousuke stood up.
“Yukizome!”
“There’s a lot of people in that building!” Seiko cried “We need to form a rescue team of some kind!”
Kyousuke sighed in. He just had to do what he always did. Take charge.
“All of you. Go into the building! Rescue people!”
“B-but I’ll just get in the way...” Ryota insisted “I’m so weak and-“
“You are going to use your keen eyes as an animator to track anyone we might not see in the rubble.”
“A-And I can use my medicines to cure anyone who’s injured!” Seiko suggested.
“Well come on! We’we buwning daylight!” Miayas rabbit insisted.
Kyousuke went in with Juzo, Juzo being the muscle of the operation, and Kyousuke being the one to talk people down.
“Alright... I’m carrying out this load.” Juzo told him “Stay where you are alright?”
“Just go. We can converse later.”
Juzo shrugged and walked out with the students he saved on his shoulders.
“G-g-getting carried by a muscled savior...” one of the girls commented “I thought that was just a bad cliche! Not that I’m complaining...”
“Toko... we have other things to focus on...”
“Just save your energy kids.”
Kyousuke watched them leave, and kept moving. He couldn’t stay still. Not when there was still other people. Not when there was...
“Yukizome!”
He found her buried under rubble.
“Yukizome!” He tossed aside the scraps trying to reach to her “Yukizome! Wake up!”
“Kyousuke...”
“Here.” He helped her stand and walked her outside “Stay with me Yukizome... please.”
Once they were outside she collapsed in his arms.
“You moved!” He heard Juzo shout “And you found...”
“I couldn’t just sit back.”
“... I get it. I really do.”
“Kyousuke...” she leaned into him “It’s all gone.”
“Is there anything you want me to go back in and get for you? Any valuable possessions.”
“No...” Inside a photo album, crafted so lovingly by Mahiru Koizumi was in the middle of the fire “Nothing important.”
When the school the world saw as everyone’s hope went up in flames, the people retaliated.
Those who rioted against the school were seen as to blame for the schools downfall. So people teamed up to go toe to toe against these rioters. People ended up in the hospital with injuries.
“The patient is breathing... but it’s shaky. It’s going to be difficult trying to help him make it.”
“If I may help...”
People turned to see the Ultimate Nurse with a white haired boy behind her.
“Mikan Tsumiki! You came out of the fall of Hopes Peak?”
“Yes. And I managed to use my knowledge to make this!” She held up a bottle “This drug heals injuries faster.”
“Wow... you’re already on the case.” The doctor smiled “Just as expected from an ultimate nurse.”
“Yes... But keep it a secret I gave this to you won’t you? Due to the riots against Hopes Peak and the violence they’ve invited I would like to lay low please...”
“Very well.” The doctors nodded “Take care.”
As Mikan strolled out, Nagito followed.
“People will eventually figure out you’re the one distributing medicines to make people go insane.” Nagito told her.
“That’s fine... you’re going to help me fake my death.” She smiled “And I’ll keep finding ways to spread despair... just like my beloved wants.”
“Your beloved huh...?” Nagito crossed his arms “I wonder what it’s like to be that deluded.”
A concert performed by Ibuki Mioda and Hiyoko Saionji made people depressed. Some killed themselves from the sheer despair it bought them. Others took to the streets to take out their feelings.
“Kyahahaha!” Ibuki laughed “It feels so good getting this despair into the world! It’s exciting!”
“You’ve been different.” Hiyoko noticed corking an eyebrow.
“Hahaha... Ibuki didn’t know how she didn’t see it before... but Junko-Chan showed her! The excitement of venting your despair out into the world!”
“... Yeah.” Hiyoko sighed “Anyone who can’t take that is just a weakling. It’s not my problem.”
“Kyahahaha! Good one Hiyoko-Chan! Let’s go!”
It wasn’t uncommon for delicious food to be bad for you. But Teruteru Hanamuras food was so delicious you couldn’t stop stuffing your face no matter what you do and once you couldn’t eat anymore the food was set to burn and pollute the air. His restaurants opened all around. Including his hometown. But he never went there.
With the addictive drugs he instilled in his dishes he thought he’d be able to have a despair to distract himself with. But it wasn’t working.
Soon people were fighting on the streets to get in. Killing each other to poison themselves and throw away tons of money.
And yet it wasn’t enough.
“Where am I...?” A young boy was bought in front of Fuyuhiko “Where’s my mommy?”
“Your mommy is dead chump.” Fuyuhiko growled chewing on a cigar “I killed her.”
“No... No! I want my mommy!”
“Oh you’ll be seeing her if you don’t follow orders.” Fuyuhiko snarled “Give him his first job. See how he holds up.”
As the boy was dragged away kicking and screaming he began to feel a massive headache.
“Alright, next!” He shouted.
Akane came in.
“Alright. Point me to the next bastard you want me to kill.”
“... Some guy in Paris. He’s been encroaching on the territory. But I’m sure you don’t need a reason other than the guy being an asshole do you?”
“Nope.” She punched her hand “I’m gonna kill him myself.”
“... You know I’m still wondering why you follow me.” Fuyuhiko mentioned “I’m just as bad as plenty of the guys I send you to murder.”
“Well... I know you don’t I?” Akane shrugged “And we’re the same. We’re working with Junko to spread despair.”
“Despair huh...?” He rubbed his eyepatch. Someday he was gonna rip the eyes out of Junko so he could see what she saw. “Well whatever. Don’t talk like you’re an equal. Get out of here.”
Pictures and news spread quickly, especially when the Ultimate Photographer was at the helm.
Other sources were spreading hope. While she didn’t even know what that felt like anymore. She just was there to keep the world down.
She knew people were dying because of her. Yet she’d become desensitized to it. It all happened so much. She didn’t even feel connected to anything anymore, the way her photos connected her to people. She was just an empty shell to carry out Junko’s will.
“Mahiru!” She saw her mother one day “Thank god! I came home to make sure you were okay!”
She didn’t respond to the hug she received from her. She realized that she was a light of hope in the world to show beauty even in the despair of war.
Junko wouldn’t want her alive.
So Mahiru planted a knife in her back.
“A-Ah...” Her mother looked at her in shock “Mahiru...?”
But there was no soul to be found in her eyes.
“It’s being declared The Biggest Most Awful Most Tragic Event in Human History.” The leader of Berlin told his bodyguard who was a lot chunkier than he could remember, but he had no time to worry about that. “We need to settle the citizens.”
“... We will not be doing that.”
Suddenly, The Ultimate Swordswoman came in slicing him into halves.
“Wh-wha...”
“You should be able to impersonate him.” Peko said putting the sword away “I have business in Novoselic.”
“... Do you ever wonder if this is really our purpose?” The Imposter asked her.
“I do not know what I would do if I found out it wasn’t again.” She replied.
The news report showed a man leading his animals to kill and injure humans. Any kind from snakes to rabbits. Now there was fear when people saw the tiniest of dogs in their yard and killed them before they could turn on them.
“Look! There’s another one!” One of the people shouted after beating a deer to death with a pipe “Let’s get him!”
As they ran to them they were blocked by a man with a tattoo of a scar near a real one.
“Huh? What are you doing? Scram!”
“It is you who will be scrambled soon!” He yelled “By the supreme overlord of ice!”
“It’s nice seeing new recruits.” Nekomaru noted as he looked upon the sea of faces “Some have gone crazy from this training. Others have made it through.”
He inspected the ready and willing faces of the crowd.
“But they’ve all gotten the reason why you’ve come to me... despair.”
Kazuichi made plenty of machines custom ordered by Junko. Or of his own spiteful design.
He went around the world planting them, causing panic. Even devices of torture he sold to criminals looking for them.
And yet he still felt lonely.
“Citizens of Novoselic!” Sonia yelled to the crowd “My own parents, the king and queen of Novoselic sent assassins after me, the heir! The only reason they were stopped is because of the blade of the valiant Peko Pekoyama. We do not tolerate this do we?”
“We had to!” Her mother shouted as she struggled against the hooded figures grip “You were becoming a tyran-“
“Executioner!” Sonia yelled “Off with their heads!”
“... Class 78-A.” Jin looked at Koichi “All those students are reported alive. We have a chance.”
“What chance Jin? The worlds gone to shit.”
“If we can preserve them... keep them safe... we’ll have remaining talent in the world! We’ll have hope!”
“... Fine. But don’t expect me to come with you.”
“What?” Jin’s stoic face broke “Koichi why...?”
“I’ve known you since before little ol Kyoko was in diapers. And that guy? He was a lot different than the you now.” He shrugged “There’s these guys trying to fix the world. The Future Foundation. And honestly, I trust them far more than I trust you.”
“Koichi... don’t-“ he stuttered “You’ve had too much to drink don’t you think?”
“I may be a drunk. But you’re drunk on something different.” He tipped his hat “Until death takes us old men.”
Chiaki noticed someone looking at her. She had blue hair, and a scarf around her head. Like a fortune teller character.
“Hi. Who are you?”
The girl remained quiet. Then typed something to her.
“I’m Magical Miracle Girl Usami. Nice to meet you.”
“Do you know my dad?”
“Yes. And your dad is staying somewhere safe. But you can’t see him again.”
“... Oh.”
“Don’t worry though! Because I’ll be your friend!”
“... Friend?”
“I might be the only one you have for a long time. Is that fine?”
“... Okay.” She nodded “Let’s be friends.”
“Mukuro!”
It always was him wasn’t it?
“Don’t you want to spend time with the others?” She asked.
“Well... we haven’t talked in a while.” Makoto twiddled his fingers “Heck, you’ve been avoiding people since we started staying here. Is something wrong?”
“... No. Everything’s going exactly as I imagined.” She frowned “That’s what scares me.”
“You always have to be like that huh?”
Mukuro looked at him.
“If I were to live... with you for the rest of my life... I wouldn’t mind.”
“Huh?” He blushed “Oh! Well... we probably will. Seeing as...”
The sound of the speaker coming on interrupted them.
“Everybody gather in the gym please.”
“... Huh. Did the headmaster let Junko make an announcement or something?” Makoto shrugged “Oh well. Let’s check it out.”
Mukuro wanted to stop him. Hold him tight. Tell him no. She’s going to erase your memories. Of everyone, of what happened to the world...
Of me.
But she stayed in place and watched him leave. Like blowing dandelion seeds to the wind.
6 months later
“I can’t believe I’m helping you do this.” Byakuya muttered rubbing his forehead “The people on this boat are some of the most abhorrent criminals in the world. And you’re trying to save them.”
“Because I believe they can be saved.” Makoto said “They’re not pure evil! I mean... Mukuro wasn’t, right? We spent that time with her... she’s just like them.”
“I stand by your decision Makoto.” Kyoko held his hand “You are the Ultimate Hope after all.”
“Th-that’s just a title!” He insisted.
In the cabins of the ship, a wispy, white haired boy started a conversation with the long haired man in front of him.
“Do you... like ships? Haha, you looked like you were having fun so that’s what I assumed. You do like ships right?”
“Ships...? Ah that’s right. That’s it. So this is a ship.”
“Haha... you just realized that now?”
“Is it really that funny?”
...
“Hey if you want, care to talk a little? The silence was starting to bore me. Nice to meet you. I’m Nagito Komaeda. It’s been a while since anyone’s been willing to talk to me so to share a room with a person like that...” He smiled at him. He had never seen him before. Not like this anyway. But he knew him all too well. “Yep. I’m really lucky.”
“Hey... can you hear me?”
Nagito Komaeda opened his eyes to a figure above him, one eye green and one eye red.
“You probably feel really weird coming back to reality. And... there’s a lot of things we haven’t talked about. And a lot of things we fucked up on.”
He showed that brilliant smile:
“I guess I’ll say what I wanted to say for a long time. Sorry what I said back there. And... welcome back.”