askthedespairkids

Second Part of an Overall Story - Continuation of the blog "askthepredespairdrkids"

[askthedespairkids]

The Ocean

*Over the comms* Hey, this is Team B, we're under fire here! *He sees a rioter's guitar-gun pointed straight at him* Shit! *He rolls out of the way just as the gun is fired and the glass of the building's windows behind him shatter into pieces*

Oowada-kun, we can't hang around here!

Yeah no shit. You got any actual plans to do something about fighting against bullets we can't see, or you gonna just complain?!

*A mic gets placed in front of her as she continues to strung along* Ibuki hopes you all enjoy this last performance. I hope these songs spark something in you all...

*The melody shifts suddenly, a strong guitar line plays from the band as Ibuki leans into the mic, a sombre voice projecting into the area*

"I feel heavy, I feel weighted And I feel hungry, I feel wasted, oh..."

Ibuki...

Has her voice always sounded so...sad?

*The music swells as the band reaches the chorus and the guns, bar Ibuki, all point back to the crowd*

"I'm just waiting for the walls of my insides to come clean I've been praying for the day that my spirit is finally free Some days it feels like the ocean lies inside of me Lies inside of me..."

*As Ibuki sings, shots rain down and the whole of Team B run to take shelter from the onslaught of invisible fire that tears up the area*

There! Can't you hear it?! That's her heart crying out for help just like she did before. I told you all that I didn't make it up, we need to rescue her!

Even if you say so, there's the issue of getting by the line of gunmen.

Karma: Not just that, but Team A must be making their way to Shibuya, we don't have time to be taking care of this.

Who said you have to? I'll do it myself if I have to. *She presses into the comms* Team B, move on ahead, I'll give you an opening to get past the firing line and I'll take care of Ibuki!

"Absolutely not! That would suicide by yourself!"

Worry not, she will not be doing this alone as long as I stand.

I...cannot stand idly by when my classmate has clearly been in such pain all this time.

'Tis as you say. The Siren's call should not be such a pitiful lament...

Then allow me to assist with this endeavour as well. It seems only right that I lend my skills to this task.

Rina: What?! Th-then I'm staying behind as well, I can't let you face this without me-

No. You have to go on ahead with the others.

Rina: B-but, Peko-!

Please, let me make a selfish request! Ibuki is my classmate, I have to perform my duty and lend a hand in saving her. But I cannot let you face an invisible foe...if you're here, Rina, then I cannot focus entirely on the task at hand.

Rina: Th...that's cruel. *She digs her nails into her palms* That's just completely unfair...

It is. I apologise. And I promise I will make it up to you.

Rina: *She takes in a sharp breath and stares at Peko with a fiery gaze* You better...

Koizumi-san, do you have an actual plan to give everyone an opportunity to make a break for it?

Yes! Just wait for my signal, and make sure to cover your eyes!

*The music calms as the firing starts to slow, Ibuki's melancholic vocals become clearer*

"The waves crash in, the tide rolls out I stand before my weakness now You took my faith and cut me down The ocean it lies, it lies inside me now..."

*The music begins to pick up again as the band ceases firing to break into their instrumentals to charge up again*

Now! *Mahiru pulls the pin on a grenade and throws it high up into the air.*

"The ocean-"

*The grenade explodes and a bright white light engulfs the area, Ibuki and the band of rioters all scream and cover their eyes.*

Alright, everyone move out!

*Mondo, Kyoji, Miaya, Karma, Junpei, Ryouko, Chiaki, and Rina all sprint whilst the rioters are blinded and dart up the streets in the direction of Shibuya*

Nanami-san...are you sure about this?

It's okay...I trust the four of them. I...I need to find him before anyone else does. Before it's too late to do anything to save him.

---

N-nrrrgh! *Ibuki opens her bleary eyes to see the silhouettes of Mahiru, Gundam, Sonia, and Peko on the street* Why...why would you all run when you had the chance?! Don't you all realise that Ibuki has to kill you all?!

We won't let you. This ends this time, Ibuki. Once and for all.

...then what are you waiting for?

[askthedespairkids]

Interception: Side B

*It's a little after 8:30 as Team B walk in formation along their route towards Shibuya Crossing. Mondo holds his hand to his earpiece and responds-*

Still movin' as planned. Ain't seen anything weird.

Which is cause for concern itself. Would those wretched souls truly allow us easy access to their domain without any kind of roadblock?

Karma: My thoughts exactly. We should try to keep a closer eye all around. *They grimace, pulling Junpei a little closer to them* I really don't like this.

Gekkougahara-san, are there any suspicious readings from what you can see?

*She's watching her screen closely* "No, there hasn't been anything suspicious. That doesn't mean we shouldn't be on guard. There could very well be some kind of long-distance attack that I can't pick up. Hopefully the base detect anything before then."

.........*She stops, her eyes raising up to one of the smaller buildings in the area. She stares at where the building reaches the rooftop.*

Rina: *She stops next to Ryouko* O...Otonashi-san? Is something wrong?

Get down! *Suddenly, she darts forward. A powerful sound blasts in the air as she tackles Mahiru to the ground. The ground where Mahiru stood ruptures and cracks from an invisible impact.*

*She sits up immediately, her eyes staring at where she just stood* That attack has to be- *Just as Mahiru is about to complete her sentence, she's answered with the rumblings of a strong bassline playing in the area. The group look up to the roof of the building-*

*-Where Ibuki and a line of rioters all with guitar sound-guns similar to her are strumming together.*

Ibuki!

...you all never should have come. This just isn't fair...

Wait! Just hold on a second and come down here, we can all resolve this without it having to get messy!

Why?! Why haven't you just given up yet?! Doesn't anybody understand that Ibuki isn't worth trying to save?! Why are you treating me so differently to everybody else? Are you...looking down on me?

Because you don't belong there, don't try and convince me that I didn't see what I did back in the Despair base! You told me you were scared!

*The group of rioters all snap their heads to Ibuki, she clicks her tongue*

You have some active imagination.

I-Imagination...? You're just gonna deny it?!

If mercy is only based on your own interpretation of who 'deserves' saving, or who doesn't 'belong' here then Ibuki's not interested! I don't need that kind of pity anymore! I...I'm exactly where I belong, how dare you look down on Ibuki!

Mahiru, I suggest you fall back!

N-no! I'm telling you-

Whaaaaaa, you should totally listen to her, Mahiru! Peko's really crazy good at sensing danger! After all, we're all here to kill you dead for sure this time.

*Ibuki and the other rioters all point the barrels of their guns down at the group* Hope you enjoy this final performance of mine as the Ultimate Musician, and the Ultimate Despair.

[askthedespairkids]

Side: Mioda - Volume up!

*Atop the roof of the building the Despair's built their base upon - 6:30am.*

*Ibuki sits strumming her guitar, only jumping between two chords every few strikes against the strings. The wind picks up and little and she shivers, the cold biting her eyes*

Awwww man, this totally blows. This image ain't cool at all, what're you playing at, Ibuki? The people want your moment!

Keheheheh! What're you talking about? Every moment is Ibuki's moment, of course! That's what the people pay good money for!

Nrrrrrrrrrrrrggggghhhhhh!!!! But what if it's all super disappointed or unsatisfying and you're a total fraud the whole time?! You have so much to live up to!

............

WAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!! WHO HAS AN IDENTITY CRISIS NOW OF ALL TIMES?!!!

My, you're all fired up.

Whoa! Junko-chan totally scared the pants off Ibuki, and she doesn't wear pants in the first place!

It would be best for one to remain vigilant on this day! It is truly a momentous occasion! This is the biggest day in history for the past half-decade!

So the last most important day only held the title for a measly five years?!

Well, the crux of what I'm here for is this. *She drops a stack of papers onto Ibuki's lap*

This is...*She skims over the papers*...wait, what is this stuff?

This, my dear Ibuki, is the culmination of my findings. I really do have to thank Chihiro for making Hayase Umeko's research so easy to navigate. Quantum physics all of a sudden felt just as easy to learn as basic arithmetic. I found some fascinating things.

*She stops on one particular page* Oh...wow, this is really thorough.

It has to be for the plan to work. *Ibuki looks away hesitantly and Junko holds her chin and tilts her head upwards to meet Junko's eyes* For a world where we get to run wild together until we rot away.

...you're not gonna let us lose that, are you?

Of course not. I'm gonna make sure I do what I need to. I won't let a world where Ibuki belongs get away.

'Atta girl...

[askthedespairkids]

In Arms

*After a lengthy retelling of what transpired at HQ, Koichi sits back into his chair with a hefty sigh*

Okay, I think I understand. I'm glad they were able to take care of Hyde, and that certainly explains the 11 o'clock saving you all pulled. I really was shocked.

You should really be directing your 'thank you's to Big Sis Miu. We wouldn't have been able to do anything with her...though I hope you realise that keeping us out of the fight in the first place was a mistake. If there more time behind our preparation we could be out there right now still fighting with the robot.

Yeah. I hope you can forgive me and the rest of my colleagues for overlooking you all. You really saved a lot of people today, so thank you.

No need for thanks obviously! It's just what a real hero would do!

Now, we should address the elephant in the room. *She and Koichi look to Monaca sat in the chair nearby* After all, there were few options when it came to Hyde-kun.

Hey! Don't think I forgot about that time you all took a vote on whether to execute me. If you think I'll let you do it to Monaca-chan, think again. Don't make an enemy of us!

They did what?!

H-hold on now, it wasn't like that. It was a formality vote to shut up some...extremists in the ranks. Of course we were never gonna execute you, kid.

I'm not that stupid, you know...

Look, I'll guarantee her safety right in front of all of you as a representative and pretty much the Foundation's Second-in-Command with Munakata still out. Towa-san won't face something like that. Same way we made sure the rest of you after Daimon-kun didn't have to.

I guess that part is true...

Then...*Everyone turns to look at Monaca*...what are you going to do to me? From the sounds of it, none of them killed anyone but I definitely have a body count behind me. You really should just kill me. Drug me, electrocute me, shoot me into space. Monaca doesn't really care at this point.

Hey, don't say that...

Monaca isn't saying that's what she wants it's just what makes the sense, if you really get down to the facts.

That how you see it? Well then, I can give you one suggestion at the very least.

Why don't you decide for yourself what's gonna happen to you?

Decide for myself? I don't get it.

You've had a lot of things decided for you over the years, I figure a bit of autonomy could be good for you. You can choose to go off into the wilderness and live off of whatever you could scrounge up like some survivalist, you could go around like a traveling vigilante and help people, heck you could go back to being evil.

Or you could stay at the Foundation with the people here who fought to make sure you got out of that fight alive. The ones that brought you back here to have a second chance at a life. Who know, maybe you'll find a place where you feel like you belong just like they all did. The Towa name is a heavy crown to carry on your shoulders.

All I'm asking is that when we win - and we will - is that you come back to HQ for a few days to mull it over. Make sure you're gonna be happy with the decision you make.

...why are you trying to help me so much?

Got two nieces I think the world of. Makes me a bit of a bleeding heart, I guess.

...Okay then. I'll go with you for now.

R-really?! You mean it!

*She looks away from the rest of the WoH* That doesn't mean we're all friends again.

That's alright. Just as long as you're alright.

..........

Good. Now that we've settled that, I just got one question about your story from HQ...

If he came on that robot with you, then where the hell is Kamisaka Orochi?

TIME: 1:07 - FRONT LINES, FUTURE FOUNDATION TOKYO BASE

TOWA MONACA...........SURRENDERED

THE DESPAIR ARC: SIDE TOWA - COMPLETE

3 Despairs Remain

[askthedespairkids]

In The Lights of the Aftershock

*The Warriors of Hope, with Kotone trailing behind them, all return to the Future Foundation's base. All their mouths are agape at the sight of the funnelling clouds of smoke several streets over*

Kotone: God...so the bomb wasn't a dud then.

*Kirumi appears behind Kotone and wraps her in a chokehold* Do not think you may find us weak, Despair.

Kotone: Whoa-whoa-whoa! Tap out! I'm not a Despair, I just helped you guys!

I-it's true, Big Sis Madame Kirumi! Big Sis Kotone's a good guy!

Kotone: Kirumi...? Wah! The maid girl from the summit?!

Ah...You're Okuda-san, correct? *She releases Kotone who immediately stands on-guard, glaring at Kirumi* I apologise for my rudeness. It's been quite some time since we last encountered each other. It's good to see you alive and well.

Kotone: Y...yeah. You too. (I didn't even hear her approach. Is she really just a maid?) We were just bringing this one back with us *She gestures to Monaca* I hope you'll...consider taking us in?

I'm sure there will be little issue for yourself, but for Towa-san, she may have to appear before our commander inside.

I can come with you, Big Sis Kirumi! Then Big Sis Kotone can take a break.

Kotone: Please. If you'll allow it, I'll restock on ammo and get out there and help you all. It's the least I can do at this point after the trouble I've caused.

Then for now you should head to our medbay and get yourself checked up. It wouldn't be smart to head straight out after that fight. It's just to your right after you enter the grounds.

Kotone: Nrgh...fine. Fine. I get you...*She turns to the WoH* Take care, kiddos. *She turns and heads towards the medbay*

Monaca! Let's go together! *He and Kotoko stick to either side of Monaca and head towards the base with Masaru behind them. Nagisa hangs back and turns to look at Kirumi*

Is there something else, Shingetsu-kun?

It's...well, to put it simply; we would never have come to the rescue today were it not for you telling us about Big Sis Miu's projects. So...with that said...um...

Well...thank you. Big Sis Kirumi...

Hmm. I only did as any good maid should.

______

*Kotone walks into the medbay to find Maemi on one of the beds with Komaru, Sly, and Maki being attended to as well*

Kotone: You-! *Her hand goes to her holster*

Try anything and I'll cut your head clean off.

Kotone: ...tch! *She puts her hands on her hips and looks down her nose at Maki and Sly* Would love to see you two try. Maybe we should still settle this today, huh?

Sly: *He doesn't respond, he doesn't even seem to acknowledge her presence. It's then that Kotone notices the expressions on Komaru's face and Maemi's face, Maemi in particular standing out with her eyes still red from crying and tear streaks still visible on her face*

Kotone: What's...with this atmosphere?

It was the bomb. We had to get rid of it quickly, so...Kurosaki-san...

*That alone was enough to make Maemi hunch over again and sob into her hands. Komaru and Sly grimace and even Maki turns her head away*

Kotone: Shit, you mean that other guy...?

"That other guy"...*She raises her head* His name is Kurosaki Yuuki. And he died to save us - his friends. You being here is just making it all worse, so would you just get out?

Kotone: I...*She looks away guiltily.* I'm sorry. I'm sorry for your loss, really I am. *She looks again at Sly and for a split second the ever-present anger wavers and she just feels pity witnessing him look so pitiful*...Hey.

Sly: ...*Sighs* What?

Kotone: *She walks over and stands in front of him. Maki moves to intervene but Komaru stops her* ...You've still got shit to do, right? Are you gonna sit around and wallow or are you gonna make sure what happened wasn't for nothing?

Sly: Just shut up. I know what I'm doing.

Kotone: Do you, because it's pissing me off seeing someone like you look lost.

Sly: *He stands up suddenly at face-level with her* Worry about yourself. *He shoulder barges past her, ignoring the medic callng him back*

Okuda-san, you're not going to still try and-

Kotone: No. The way he is now, there's no satisfaction is killing him when he's down...I might hate him, but I still want to give my life and his integrity. *She sighs and rubs her temples* Man, when the fuck did I get so sympathetic over him? Must just be exhausted.

Let's be clear. If we ever see each other again after today, I'm gonna make sure you drop dead on the spot.

Kotone: Heh...*She grins* Better hope you don't miss, sweetheart...*She then looks to Maemi, her face serious again.* I'm really deeply sorry for what happened to your friend. *Slowly, Kotone goes down to her knees and bows down until her forehead touches the floor* If I did more. If I...just tried to stopped her a little earlier, I could have prevented it. Please, direct all your anger onto me.

...just go.

Kotone: Of course. *She slowly gets back up and trudges out of the tent.*

_____

Nope. Completely shot. *Koichi slams a hand on the controls, signals destroyed by Monaca's attacks*

*Behind him the doors slide open and the WoH all walk into the room alongside Kirumi*

Kizakura-sama, the target has been apprehended as requested. *She gestures to Monaca*'

...

Nice to finally have the pleasure, Towa-san.

Now...just what are we gonna do with you?

[askthedespairkids]

The Fall and Rise of Monaca Towa

*She comes to a halt at a crossroads, the other WoH gathering around her* Where did she go...?

Kotone: HEY!! *She barrels down the street now that the kids have stopped and joins them, panting* Christ, haven't I ran enough?

We can't find her, Big Sis Kotone.

Kotone: But she wasn't far ahead of you, right? So she can't have just vanished into thin air...*She looks around, eyes landing on the road leading to the right. On the sidewalk, one of the manholes has been visibly disturbed.* Ah...*She jogs over, the WoH following close behind. When she gets to the manhole, she crouches down and slides it away.* Follow at your own risk.

If Monaca's there I wanna go. *The other three quickly murmur their agreements.*

Kotone: Alright then, just remember to plug your noses. *She goes first, sliding down the ladder then waits at the base just in case any of the kids slip. When they're all down, there's a faint echo of someone crying in the distance.*

That...must be her...*The four WoH look to one another and then take the lead with Kotone guarding them from behind. They follow the sound until they find an alcove in the sewer where Monaca is sitting with her knees pulled up to her chest*

*She startles when she notices the others and backs up against the wall* G-get away! I won't let you win!

Win? The battle between us is over already. You lost.

A-and you think it ends there? That bomb will go off any second and once it does that really will be it! Monaca will have won, and you'll all have lost something even if you beat Big Sis Junko!

Then...why are you so sad?

Th-they're just fake tears, obviously! M-Monaca-

No, I definitely remember your old crying. This is like a new one. So if the old one was fake, this must be real crying for you. Right? *Jataro sits down next to Monaca, she recoils away from him*

Get away from me! *She jumps when Masaru sits on the other side of her*

You know it, right? You've always been super smart so you have to know that Big Sis Junko lied to all of us. She convinced you to lie to us...

...no, Monaca was already bad even before Big Sis Junko...that day on the roof of the school...Monaca was ready to let you all jump. But I was going to stop last second.

You...what?

*Grumbles* Just when you think the lowest of the low can't get any lower, they find a way to get even lower than before.

You have to learn when to use people. It's how you have to survive. It's not Monaca's fault that none of you were taught that properly. Papa and Big Bro made sure I learned it better than anyone, that's why Monaca's so smart. Why I'm so strong. And all of you are weak and pathetic!

But we're not! Jataro-kun and me, we're...we're so much stronger than we used to be, you know?! I even stood up to Big Sis Junko when she came to the island the other week! So, I know I'm not the same person from back then. I...I've grown up!

M-Masaru-kun, don't say that!

But, I have. I know better now. When we all met, our lives...they couldn't have been worse. That's why the four of us were ready to do what we were ready to do. We might not have taught what you were taught, Monaca, but you also had a life that was terrible. Is terrible. Back then all you ever thought was that we were there to be used, and Big Sis Junko never let you think any different. Not because you were right, but because it con...um...

Convenient?

Y-yeah. Thanks.

But we got the chance to learn different things. And...I don't think Big Sis Junko was right about everything. I don't think Monaca was right about everything. Because...I've got my dads now. A-and Jataro-kun has his new mom! And they're good to us, even if they are adults. They don't hurt us, or make us feel ugly, or make us feel like we're something that's just around to be used and thrown away. And...I want Monaca to get to feel that way too.

...

As shocked as I am to say it, I agree with Masaru-kun. Kotoko-chan and I have only been there for a week but the difference really is abundantly obvious...

I...met a mother who looks after her daughter like she's the only thing that matters in the world. It's...pretty crazy, to be honest.

And...Masaru-kun and I got to have the chance, so why shouldn't Monaca? You got lied to just like the rest of us?

That's not true! Monaca isn't wrong! All of you are wrong!

Will you at least...come and try? And then if you still think you're right, then...there's nothing else we can do about it. But at least you'll know 100%.

...........

Kotone: I'll make sure you're taken care of. I owe that jackass that much...so, if you'll come quietly I won't let them hurt you, Towa-san.

....O-okay...

Kotone: Good. *She smiles a little* Let's get you out of here before the smell starts to stick.

[askthedespairkids]

Fallout Pt. 2

*Komaru uses the chance to slip between Sly and Maemi when they're looking at Maki and Yuuki to get some distance between them, she hesitates in her path when she realises the only open path is in the direction where the WoH fled*

Wait! What is that thing?!

Sly: It’s a Bomb! Shit I have to stop her! Maki here, take Maemi and get her and Kurosaki as far away from here as possible!

What?! *Maemi is suddenly shoved towards Maki* What the hell do you think you're playing at, idiot?!

The only way to stop the base being destroyed is to get it away from the base and Sly and Naegi-san are fighting over who's taking it.

You...you can't be serious. Sly!

Sly: Until tomorrow you are still an assassin under my direction. I’ve never been the type really but here today? This is an order Maki. Get somewhere safe, and live the life you’ve always wanted to live. Be happy with Akamatsu…and tell Ryouko and Mukuro…I wish I could have been there with them when this all ended. I’m sorry I broke my promise.

Don't you dare! I'll take the damn bomb if I have to. *She pulls away from Maemi and dashes at Komaru before anyone can even blink. Maki snatches the bomb from her and retreats quickly*

No! *She goes for Maki*

Sly: *He lets out a noise of pure frustration* You insubordinate idiot! Listen for once in your life and give me the bomb Maki! *He goes after Maki too*

*Maki kicks at Komaru to knock her away and slides under Sly's outstretched hand. She tries to jump away only to find Komaru back up again and behind her. The two crash and Komaru manages to catch the bomb. Before she can make an escape, Sly jumps and the two roll on the floor before Sly pries it from her grasp. He stands up but Maki comes up from behind and puts him into a chokehold. Sly grunts before flipping Maki over his shoulder, though she lands on her feet. She pushes against him and Komaru gets up again and tackles Sly and Maki. The three collapse in a twisted heap and the bomb capsule rolls away. They all scramble to try and get to it first when a cord shoots out from outside the fight and wraps around the bomb. It slighshots out of their reaches and into the hand of Yuuki, a solemn expression on his face*

Yuuki: The only way...? I think I can tell you the only way better than anyone.

No...no no, please Yuuki-

Sly: *He looks up at Kurosaki with wide eyes. He tries speaking gently but his frustration is clear* You’re not yourself right now Kurosaki. You need to sit back and get some rest. Just hand it over and I’ll take care of it. I’ll take care of it okay. Nobody has to worry about anything. Just please…

Yuuki: No. *He smiles gently* Dizzy, maybe. But my mind is as sound as always. They need you three out there far more than they need me. A-and...this is how I need to repay everyone for all the trouble I've caused over the years. Please...*He looks over at Maemi* Let me at least save her one last time to make up for it all.

Don't do this, Yuuki! I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner, but please! You have so much time!

Yuuki: Just a few minutes, if I'm understanding the rush to grab this. *He laughs bitterly* You all...have too many promises to keep.

Sly: … Don’t make jokes like that. You have people to live for too. You wanna make up for your past mistakes…don’t do this.

Yuuki: ...Harukawa-san, Komaru-san! *Seemingly understanding him, Komaru and Maki both grab Sly and restrain him from behind*

Sly: Wha-Damn it you two. Let go of me. Do you wanna die?

.......

......

Yuuki: It's for the better. I know it is. *He walks over to Maemi who is leaning against the wall for support*

...*Her voice is barely a whisper.* Please. Don't.

Yuuki: Someone has to. Anything is worth sacrificing for you.

I should have told you. I should have told you from the start, we lost so much time...

Yuuki: My dearest Maemi. There's no such thing as lost time with you. *He puts a hand on her cheek and kisses her, barely holding it together. When they break away, there's hesitation in his eyes* I love you in a way no language could capture.

I love you too...*She takes his hand and squeezes it tight*

Yuuki: *He takes a shaky breath and forces himself to look at Sly. He walks over to him and crouches down at him* Wow~ If you told me a few years ago you'd be making that face towards me, I wouldn't have believed it.

Sly: T-This isn’t fair. This isn’t right. What gives you the ability to make a call like this? You’re still trying to take everything on yourself. It’s not fair!

Yuuki: *He giggles* Look who's talking. You've always been so hypocritical. How many people's lives have you been shouldering as well? You've been able to succeed in choosing who you vowed to protect, but I...I failed years ago when Shinko died right in front of me. And let's be honest. *He glances up at Maki* She was always going to let me sacrifice myself before she'd let you.

Sly: *He drops his head down in defeat unable to say a word*

Yuuki: *He smiles* Come on now, at least glare at me like you hate me one more time, Herr Knives. It'll make it marginally easier to walk away.

Sly: *He doesn’t look up* …You only just became tolerable…

Yuuki: *His eyes turn sad* ...yeah. I guess I did. Thank you for putting up with me, Sly. *He stands up and turns his back* Remember now! The history books should say it clearly - Kurosaki Yuuki was the Ultimate Explorer. He died saving the people he loved...yeah. That's got the romance it needs. *He takes off in a sprint down the street, with the bomb at his side slowly glowing more*

Sly: *He finally looks up. His teeth biting into his lip with enough force to draw his own blood. He simply can do nothing as Yuuki runs farther and farther out of his view but his eyes never leave that direction*

*Somewhere in his path, Yuuki disappears as the street bends away. It takes a few minutes, but eventually it comes- an explosion rips through the streets in the distance, even from the safe spot they can feel the heat from the fires. Only then, when the bomb finally goes off do Komaru and Maki release Sly.*

...*She falls to her knees, tears streaming down her face* Yuuki...

[askthedespairkids]

Fallout

*Monaca and Masaru manage to land safely in the street where debris of the machines have littered the area. When they touch ground, Kotoko, Jataro, and Nagisa are already running towards them*

Masaru-kun! *She throws himself at him, wrapping him in a tight hug* What were you thinking?!

Uuuuu...we thought you had died...

Sorry. I just...couldn't let you guys get hurt.

...*Nagisa turns and looks at Monaca who is on her hands and knees, an utterly defeated expression on her face* Don't even think about running.

N...nnnrrrr!!

_____

*Sly and Kotone make their way around the corner as shrapnel crashes around them. They find the scene before them of all the WoH further up the street*

Kotone: Damn. Party's already over? Talk about a bummer...*She lets out an exasperated sigh* I really wanted to shoot that robot down.

Oh! *Komaru is standing at the entrace to the base with Maemi's arm around her shoulder, her leg still bleeding* Sly-san!

Sly: *At the sight of Komaru and Maemi, Sly rushes over to offer support to Maemi* You okay?

It was a stray bullet, don't worry about it. Toujou-san is away getting someone from the medical team.

Wh-where are Harukawa-san and Kurosaki-san?

Yuuki?! Yuuki was fighting that thing as well?!

Sly: Maki stayed back to look after Kurosaki. He…I believe has a concussion. At least I hope that’s all it is. They should be safe right now though.

As long as that's all it is...*Some more of the debris and shrapnel falls from the sky. One of the appendages from Monaca's robot lands across the road from the entrance* Urgh. We should get somewhere with cover before we get unlucky and something lands on us.

Kotone: Good call. I'll go gather the kiddos. *She looks at Sly for a second and her expression scrunches up, clearly unsure of where her head is. However, she walks away without saying anything to him.*

Sly: *His focus stays on Maemi and Komaru* Is this all really okay? They saved Towa but is that gonna be enough?

I'm not really sure what the deal is there. But I think if anyone can handle Towa-san, it's probably the other Warriors of Hope, right?

I feel bad for her to some degree despite what she's done. We've seen what Enoshima convinced the other kids to believe, and Towa-san admires her even more than the rest of them. Never mind that she's also been around her the longest. I'm not sure what we can do, but it should at least be discussed by the higher-ups.

Sly: I suppose for now we should all regroup and figure out what needs to be done next. Get anyone that can’t go on somewhere safe and easy to protect. And get those that are able to try and catch up with Mukuro and the others.

Of course, and...*Her eyes seem to focus behind Sly, squinting at the appendage of the robot across the street, emitting a faint green glow*

Is that thing...still on?

Sly: What? *He turns around*

*The robot arm shudders, the end of the appendage sounds out a low whirr*

No...look out! *She pulls Maemi out of the way as Sly dodges to the side. A split second later the tentacle shoots out a metallic cylinder that launches right between them and into the base's area*

No...no no, why?! It should have stopped! *She turns and shouts down the street to Kotone* Okuda-san!!! The strong bomb just launched into the base!!

Kotone: *Her eyes widen* Shit! *She turns towards the WoH*

*But when she does, Monaca is already running away from the scene whilst everyone is distracted*

Whuh-? Monaca! *He and the rest of WoH run in pursuit of her*

Kotone: Ugh! Double shit!! *She takes off after the WoH*

--

Sly: Is that thing active? Is this a protocol for Towa’s machine if she were to fail?

I-if it is, we only have a few minutes before it goes off. And Towa-san said it had a 300 yard blast radius!

Sly: Then we need to move now! We have no idea when this thing could blow!

Everyone's inside and Towa-san's robot fried the comms, and even if they could all evacuate in minutes we'd still lose our medical tents.

S-so, what then?

It means we'd need to get the bomb away from *here*, but to do that...

Sly: It doesn’t seem like we really have a choice Maemi. What are you thinking?

Maemi: ...someone would need to physically take the bomb away from here. But with the time constraints and the blast radius, whoever did would be caught in the explosion...

Sly: *He looks at the both of them and then back at the direction where Maki and Yuuki were* Damn it! Theres gotta be something else *He says but his voice conveys he knows there are no other options*

*Her expression hardens, suddenly she pushes Maemi towards Sly and when he's distracted catching her she sprints into the grounds and manages to find the bomb. When she picks up and turns towards Sly's and Maemi's incredulous expression, she forces herself to stop shaking* I-if this is the only way, then...let me do this.

Sly: No. No. No. Absolutely not. Don’t be reckless Komaru. I’m the fastest one here. Plus I am your teacher, you wouldn’t even be here if it weren’t for me pushing you. I’ll be damned if I let you do this. You’re my responsibility…. so you can’t. I told you what scared me more than anything, so you can’t do this. I won’t let you. Give it to me.

No. We can't argue about this, and I'm plenty fast already. *Her hand grips the gun Kotone gave her* Please, don't make this difficult, Sly-san. I'm grateful for everything you did, so let me return the favour.

Sly: Tch! Maemi say something! She’s not thinking rationally! She won’t listen to me! Tell her it needs to be me! Tell her she doesn’t actually want to die! She can’t!

I-...I think you're both being ridiculous! If it wasn't for my stupid injury I would do it! *She can't look Sly in the eye* We...don't have time to be arguing.

*Sly gets ready to argue back when the sound of footsteps approaching around the corner echoes in the air. The three look to see Maki and Yuuki enter view and stop when they see the scene before them, particularly the bomb in Komaru's hand*

Wh...what's going on here...?

[askthedespairkids]

The Mind of a Hero

...what are you doing?

...when we were flying over and getting used to the controls I realised that Big Sis Miu tricked out the robot with a lot of important things. Fail, um...f-fail...safes! Even if she believed in us, I guess even she knew there was a chance something like this might happen.

Something that meant no matter what happened, we would still be able to stop you!

As if that nasty woman could ever come up with something like that!

...you should have more faith in Big Sis Miu. *Masaru presses a larger button underneath his console and the soles of the robot's feet ignite, charging up* Because she's gonna be the one that took you down.

Well! Her and me of course! After all, every story needs the true hero!

N-no! *She tries to get Black Suspirian to retreat but as the tendrils uncoil, Golden Charon's arms gather the tentacles in its grip as the rockets underneath its feet power up higher* Do you even realise what you're doing?! You'll die, you moron! Why aren't you running away?!

Because a good leader should always be the first to protect his friends. Do I need any other reason? *Golden Charon stands to its full height before the rockets underneath it reach maximum output. All at once, the robot takes off into the air, dragging Black Suspirian into the air with it.*

No! Masaru-kun, don't-

No! Stop it! Let me out of here! *She starts frantically putting in her ejection code* You can't do this to me!

Don't worry Monaca, our friends are gonna be fine in the end! You really did your best as well to make yourself happy, so even after everything I guess I really can't bring myself to hate you! *He starts to input the self-destruction sequence*

SHUT UP!!! This isn't how I die! Not without taking them all with me! Not with me disappointing Big Sis Junko!! *Plenty of feet into the air, Monaca finishes her ejection preparations. A parachute pack on her back*

Die by yourself!! *She hits the eject button and her cockpit launches her out the top of the robot. She deploys her parachute and dangles in the air as the robots continue upward until-*

*KABOOOOOOOOM*

*Fire spreads in the air as scraps of both robots fly off in all different directions and rain downwards. Monaca is about to sigh in relief until embers of the explosion reach her parachute, smoking out the top are slowly creating holes in the fabric*

No...n-no! *The parachute burns away so much that Monaca starts to plummet through the air. She stares up at the smoke in awe as she falls, when out of the smoke...

A large glass ball comes barrelling out the smoke. Inside, is Masaru - his cockpit having survived the blast.*

MONACA!!! *The doors of his cockpit open and Masaru launches himself out, diving towards Monaca's body. He keeps his body tucked in so he falls fast enough to grab onto her mid-air* I've got you! *he reaches into his backpack and pulls a cord, deploying his own parachute. The wind catches and their descent slow until they are slowly lowering towards the ground, Masaru's arms hooked tight under Monaca's armpits*

Wha...*She cranes her neck up at Masaru, shock plain in her face* Why...why...?

Didn't I tell you? A hero does what he needs to in order to save his friends. That includes you, Monaca-chan.

Man, I sure am glad that you ejected yourself though! I didn't even know that the cockpits were blast-proof. Pretty lucky, huh? Maybe I got a hero's luck?

...........

[askthedespairkids]

Title of Hero

*The two robots wage against each other, when the WOH crash into Monaca, she returns the favour with the tendrils of her own mech piercing the shell of theirs.*

Waaaaah!! Critical hit over here!!

Don't worry, I've got it covered here! *Kotoko juggles her own controls and the left leg of the robot winds back before kicking upwards into Monaca's robot, sending it flying backwards*

AHHHHHH!!! *Black Suspirian slides back, tearing up the road beneath it when the tendrils implant into the ground to stop it from tipping over*

WHY?! WHY! IS! IT! SO! STRONG?!

Do you understand yet, Monaca...? This is what happens when you burn every bridge ever extended to you. No matter what you thought would make it worth it in the end, you can't change the fact that you're alone. *Nagisa shifts some levers and the left arm grabs onto some of the tendrils and yanks them out of the ground. He pulls Black Suspirian towards them and Masaru controls the right arm to grab the other tendrils in the ground to pull at them.* It's why you can't win. It's why you're always so unhappy. Because you took all of us for fools. Our dreams. Our hopes.

...I don't want to believe that everything was a lie. I do want to believe that eve you agreed with what we said. About the adults. About how life had been to all of us, surely some of it was real...

...but you just wanted us to keep believing what they said about us too, that we were...hated.

Give Monaca a break. *One free tendril presses point blank against the chest of Golden Charon and hits it with a smaller explosion. Golden Charon staggers back, the WoH letting out cries as the robot rumbles* Even if I have to take you all down with me, I don't care.

Nghhhhh!! If that's how you feel, then we'll just go all out too-

*Masaru is cut off when lights start flashing inside the robot. On the screens of their consoles, it reads 'Low Energy Remaining'*

Wh...what? Why?!

No, is this the limit of what Big Sis Miu could give us?

Limit...of Big Sis Miu...

Ah! So, that's it! That's why the robot is so durable despite the little time you must have had! Monaca might have traded off defence, but you all don't have any energy left in that thing. Do you?

Th-that's not it-

*The tendrils all coil around the limbs of Golden Charon and hold them downwards to the ground* If that's the case, then as soon as you all burn out that energy you'll be sitting ducks. Right? At that point you can just join everyone else once Monaca's massive explosion is finished charging up.*

Aren't you all so excited? We're all going to die together. Just like you all wanted us to before.

N-no, I don't want that at all! *Jataro tries to wriggle the leg free but the lower power makes the struggling weak against Monaca's robot*

Is it really not working?! *She slams on the buttons but the leg barely shifts under the grip of the tendrils.*

No! Monaca!!

AHAHAHAHAHAH!!! Let's all die alongside the Future Foundation! Monaca...and her bestest friends!

.......................

...sorry, everyone. *Masaru hits three buttons under his console. On Nagisa's, Jataro's, and Kotoko's screens the words 'FORCED EJECTION' flash up.*

Wait...what- *Suddenly, the cockpits of the three all shutdown before passages on the back open up, shooting out their cockpits into the street behind the robot. The cockpits skid down the street, Komaru runs up to the side of them when the slide to a halt*

A-are you all okay?!

*Nagisa ignores her as he climbs out of his cockpit* What...what is he doing? Masaru-kun?!

.......

.......

[askthedespairkids]

That so, well then Monaca give it all you got. Show us your rage, anger, hatred desperation. Let it all out.

YOU! ALL! RUIN! EVERYTHING! *The tentacles of the robot lash the ground of the base, sending up debris and letting it rain upon Kirumi and her team*

Watanabe-san! Please, fall back with the others and allow me to go ahead!

Do you even realise what you're asking-

It is not a request, I'm afraid! I will not allow you all to put yourselves in danger before I have given this task my all! Now, keep your distance.

Like I'd let you people get away! *Two of the tentacles begin to shoot bullets into the area, a third one is trained on Komaru who ducks around the corner of the building to avoid the rain of bullets*

*Maemi and a few of the other foundation members damage to find cover behind their defensive shields, whilst Kirumi and some others do the same on the other side, however a few caught in the centre are shot down by Monaca's bullets. Just before Maemi gets behind cover, one bullet goes through her calf and she falls, clutching her wound*

*Over the headset* I meant what I said! Everyone else retreat for now and regroup whilst I buy some time!

N...ngh...*She swats away a member that tries to help her* No! I'll stay here to report. If more of our comms go down, we need somewhere here to know what happened. Go!

*The members hesitate before retreating on Kirumi's command. Kirumi Runs to the other side of her shield wall and wait for a moment until there's a gap before resting the missile launcher on her shoulder and turning the corner*

*She launches her attack and the missile wizzes through the air, hitting the leg of Monaca's robot. Sparks fly out of the damaged leg but a few tentacles press against the ground underneath to keep the robot upright*

You...all deserve the worst....! Monaca won't let this stand! *She hits a button, and one of the tentacles starts to charge up*

Even if I have to die to do it, I'll make sure Big Sis Junko gets her wish in the end. I'll wipe your base off the battlefield in one go.

*Over her headset* She must be getting ready to use one of her powerful explosives again! We have to take her out before it charges completely!

Understood. If that is what is necessary of me then I shall- *Before Kirumi can finish her sentence, bullets begin to rain onto the field again. Komaru retreats back to her hiding space again*

If you think I'll let you do anything until I'm done, then think again. I won't let you do anything until it's already too late for you to win. This world is unfair, it's full of rules that are designed to make you unable to win. That's why you have to write your own to win.

They all did it to me. They made sure the rules in my life made me understand that the best I thing I could do for the world was not be in it...so when Big Sis Junko showed Monaca a new way to live. To create a world they would hate, one where Monaca could live it, then Monaca could hold on longer.

If it's your goal to take that world away from me! From Big Sis Junko! Then Monaca will make sure as few of you are around to see it as possible! That'll be my new way to rule over you! So, just do me this last favour and accept your deaths!

*A glimmer appears in the sky. A small dot that slowly is getting larger and larger, Monaca's sensors pick up on its presence and when she checks the signal, her eyes widen.*

What...? But that signal belongs to-

*She looks up from her cockpit only to see another robot barrelling towards her. The robot crashes into her own and the two skid down the road*

UWAAAAAAHHH!!! WHAT NOW?! *She manages to halt being pushed back by digging the tentacles of her robot into the ground behind her*

*Masaru's voice booms in the area from Golden Charon, which is now in a deadlock with Black Suspirian* We finally found you! Monaca!

Certainly took us long enough.

Worth it. Look at that totally unadorbs expression she's making!

Eheheheh....It's like we're a big bird swooping down to kill a little field mouse. It's so coooool!

What...? Why are all of you here?!

You even gotta ask!? Monaca's became a total chump if she's wondering something like that! A hero always arrives just in time to save the day, after all. Don't you all think so?

Wow! Even less adorbs is Masaru-kun's bravado! Talk about icky...

H-hey!

Can you do this 'bit' later, please? We should be focused.

Kotoko-chan started it...

You're right, Nagisa-kun! Let's give it our all and take down this two-faced evil bitch!

..............

[askthedespairkids]

Last Line

*Monaca's robot stomps its way towards the Future Foundation's Tokyo base, pavement upturning beneath its heavy steps. The base getting closer and closer by the second*

*Black Suspirian MK.II halts at one of the communications towers at the perimeter of the base and tears it apart with the appendages, scrap metal raining onto the ground.*

*Alarms inside the base indicate the destruction of the tower*

Our signal strength has decreased, Kizakura-kun!

Geez, this really ain't ideal...

A bit of an understatement!

Alright, alright. Any combat forces present, get ready to engage!

__

Tee-hee! Monaca's going to enjoy watching this place crumple bit-by-bit! *A swipe of the robot's arm crushes a section of the wall that protects the base, dust a debris kicking up in the air*

*It's then that Monaca feels the robot shake violently from impact of something. She jerks the controls, making the robot retreat to the side and turn around to see where the attack came from*

*Behind her, Komaru has Kotone's handgun in her grip. Monaca can now see that another panel of Black Suspirian's armour has fallen away from the main body. Komaru is clearly out of breath from chasing after her,* If you think I'll let you get away...you've got another thing coming!

Gross, even your corny speeches are boring to me. Shut up and drop dead already. *Black Suspirian's appendages whip out towards Komaru and swipe at her, but Komaru runs back out of reach of their grasp. One appendage slams into the concrete and throws up the road underneath it, the shockwave knocking Komaru off-balance and rolling on the road*

Nrk! *She uses the momentum of the roll to bring herself back up to standing and takes aim with the handgun again, aiming above the cockpit Monaca is sitting in. She fire a few rounds, the bullet denting the panels but ultimately bouncing off*

If even Big Sis Kotone is going to betray me...then I don't have a reason to hold back. *She goes to hit a button to charge up her explosives, when she herself feels the impact of a projectile blast hit somewhere in the side of the robot. Her console lights up with the damages*

AHHHH!!! Wh-what the hell?! *She turns to see some people standing at the front of the base and in front of the small group, Kirumi is positioned in a crouch with a rocket launcher over her shoulder*

I see...so you are the child that those Warriors of Hope spoke of then...I had hoped they would be here for this moment but without their presence it seems your defeat will fall upon my shoulders.

I shall complete this task quickly and efficiently!

Not another annoying person to deal with...

[askthedespairkids]

Crumbling Down

*Maki groans as she sits up, shaking the debris from her head and making sure there's no serious injuries on her body. The ceiling above her has collapsed - so she must have landed on the 3rd floor. She looks around for her comms earpiece but the device has smashed to bits from the fall*

Dammit...

*She gets up and begins to scour the place as the walls crumble and creak ominously around her. The elevator is down and she rushes to find a staircase as the battle continues outside*

(I don't have time for this...!) *She runs around a corner and finds a staircase, but rubble is near-enough blocking it* Ugh! *She gets close to the rubble and shouts through the gaps* Anyone there?!!

*Sly having rushed into the building and having already checked the first floor was in process of making his way up the staircase to the next floor when he heard her voice echoing from above him*

Sly: Maki?! Where are you?!

I'm at the top of the 3rd floor stairs, but they're blocked! Do you have anything to pry away the rubble with?

Sly: I don’t have anything currently! *He runs up the stairs only to be met by the blockage* Are you okay?

Mostly, but my comms piece is broken. *There's more rumbling outside* What's the status out there? Did you beat that bounty hunter?

Sly: *He starts looking around for anything that might help him* Not good. We’ve sustained some pretty bad injuries out there. Komaru is the only one standing last I checked. As for Okuda, she decided that the kid deserved more of her attention at the moment after she found out that her class was actually at Future Foundation and not locked away by the despairs. Still wants to kill me but it finally got to her that we’ve got bigger issues at hand. She went to go help Komaru, while I rushed in here to get you. *He devolves into trying to move the rubble by hand*

Careful! If they all dislodge at once, you'll just end up crushing yourself. We need to think of something more efficient.

Sly: *He stops and looks at all the rubble keeping him away from Maki. It’s then he realizes that his hands are shaking. He takes a step back and lets out a deep breath trying to stop his hands, slumping against a wall* Sorry I wasn’t thinking at all.

*The building rumbles again* We don't have much time. Did you see a fire escape door when you were running up here?

Sly: *He stands and analyzes the staircase from his side* Yeah, we got one.

Alright. I'll head over there and see if there's a safe way down. Try and meet me out there.

Sly: Right. *He heads to the door. Holding his hands together*

*She eventually finds the fire exit door thankfully unblocked. The door is slightly damaged in the frame so it takes a few attempts but Maki manages to kick open the door and exit onto the fire escape.*

Shit...*The problem comes from the flight of stairs from her current floor to the one below being destroyed from the aftershock of the blast* Sly! You down there?!

Sly: I’m here! Looks like there was damage in here too!

Well...maybe there's-

*Maki doesn't get far in her statement as another explosion - larger this time rips and echoes in the air somewhere nearby. The world shakes and Maki and Sly have to hold onto the railing of the fire escape. The fire escape creaks again*

No! There's no time! You better catch me! *She jumps off in the gap where the stairs used to be and swings on the broken bars, swinging her body towards Sly on the floor below*

Sly: Shit! I got ya! *He pushes himself off the railing into position, steadying himself into the floor so that he can catch her*

*Maki flies and lands right into Sly's arms but the tremours underneath knock the two off-balance. Sly stumbles backwards, hitting the back rail of the fire-escape and the two tumble off the side. The fall is broken by a closed dumpster that they both bounce off of and roll into the dirt in the alley*

Ugh...you...okay?

Sly: *He lets out a light groan* Sorry. I’m really off game today.

*She sits up slowly, letting the fuzz in her head clear* I doubt you're the only one. Can you stand up? We should check out what's happening.'

Sly: *Sits up slowly. Doing his best to hide his shaking* Yeah I don’t trust the bounty hunter with Komaru. We should go.

*The two stagger to their feet and exit the alleyway into the main street to find the robot already far away down the street, Komaru also not in sight. The only figures left in the area are Kotone who is crouched by a now conscious Yuuki and the corpse of Kotomi with Kotone's jacket placed over her upper half*

What the hell happened out here...?

Sly: Where the hell is Komaru and the kid…?

*She walks onto the main street* Shit! *She gestures ahead* That robot is heading towards the base.

Kotone: Yeah *She stands up and brushes off her knees* And that kid went after it.

Sly: By herself!? *He looks at the group in front of him and then towards the robot* I’ve gotta go after her

Kotone: *She makes some kind of strangled noise* Hold it right there, buster! I've got beef with that little twerp as well, but we can't really leave this guy here. I think he's still delirious or something.

Yuuki: *His head lolls up and his face splits in an unsteady and dopey smile as he looks at Sly, Maki, and Kotone* Herr Knives and two pretty girls...am I in heaven...?

Kotone: *Flatly* He's definitely delirious if either of you are in his version of heaven.

Sly: *He ignores her comment and kneels down next to Yuuki looking into his eyes* … Kurosaki are you able to stand?

Yuuki: *He looks confused for a moment then his face relaxes again* Mon cher...anything for you. *He attempts to stand, but his legs wobble before he just ends up collapsing again* Ah...it seems the world is still spinning faster than normal.

...*Sighs* You two go on ahead. I'll look after Kurosaki.

Sly: *He nods at Maki…his eyes trailing over to Kotomi* I never really got along with any of the student council. I can’t even really say that I knew you…but I know to at least somebody…you meant a lot. Thank you for your efforts today, we won’t let it be in vain…*He clutches his fist*

Kotone: Let's move.

*She looks at the injury on Kotone's arm* You gonna be able to fight with that?

Kotone: I don't want someone like you to be concerned for me. I've taken worse injuries. *She turns to Sly, her jaw clenches marginally.* Whatever happens, don't kill this kid.

Sly: *He looks a bit annoyed by her comments to Maki* As long as Komaru comes out okay then I can agree to that.

Kotone: Obviously. She seems like a good kid, so you better keep up. *She runs on ahead*

I'll join as soon as I can, so do what you need to do.

Sly: ….. *He takes a second before turning back and approaching Maki, getting close enough to reach out to her with a small extension of the arm if he wanted. He settles with giving her a kiss on the cheek* I’ll be seeing ya around. *He looks at Yuuki one more time and smiles at them both before running off after Kotone* I’m coming Naegi!

...

Yuuki: *In a airy sing-song voice* You like him~

Shut up. Do you wanna die?

Yuuki: *He giggles and he slumps back against the wall* If it was you two to do it...? Maybe I wouldn't mind...

...that bounty hunter is right. You are delirious.

[askthedespairkids]

Target

*An appendage of the robot slams into the ground behind Komaru, sending debris and pits of the road into the air. The force of the impact sends Komaru off-balance* G-gah...! (Wh...what do I do...? There's no target left that I can reach like this...!)

You might have destroyed Monaca's last robot, but you won't get lucky the second time!

So hurry up and die already-

*A bullet breaks through the cockpit and imbeds itself behind Monaca*

Ah! H-hey, what gives?!

Kotone: You little green toad! *She marches up, shooting more bullets up at Monaca's cockpit. Another breaks through the glass panel and hits the machinery behind her. The robot spasms* You all lied to me about my classmates! You think I'm gonna let you get away with that?!

B...Big Sis Kotone-?

Kotone: I am not your "Big Sis"! *She looks at Komaru* Get up, this is still your fight to win, isn't it?

Wh...why are you helping me? Aren't you Ultimate Despair as well?

Kotone: Worry about that later. This robot is designed specifically against your hacking guns. *She takes an extra gun out of her holster and tosses it to Komaru* Which means these will be more effective in destroying the outside.

So, that's why the hacking guns weren't doing any damage. A-are you sure a gun like this will be enough to do damage?

Kotone: *Kotone grins confidently* Hey, that's a gun approved by the Ultimate Bounty Hunter herself, don't you worry you're cute little head about anything else and just put your faith in me.

...right.

Then, it's on for real this time! *She aims the handgun up at Monaca and shoots, the bullet hits a panel above the cockpit and the bullet puts a dent in the low-quality metal* Ah! That really did do damage!

You...you'll really abandon Monaca...? After all this time? After what Big Bro Ripper said to you? When we gave you a chance to kill your papa's murderer?

Kotone: ...didn't you forget all the things you let happen to me and my friends? I'll never forgive Ultimate Despair for what they did to the world. And without anything holding me back, I'll do what I can to take you down now!

...then just die already. *An explosive, different from the ones before shoots out the chest compartment of the robot and lands far along the street away from Komaru and Kotone*

Kotone: ...*She and Komaru stare at the explosive rolling away, that's landed about 300-350 yards away from them, the sounds of it clattering in the distance*...what the hell? You had a dud tucked away in the back there?

You're going to regret what you've done. Even now, despite everything. Despite the years, you're still looking down on me. All you boring people will just look down on me for the rest of my life, that's why you deserve to be wiped out by Big Sis Junko...

That's right! Big Sis Junko will be the saviour of the world! I'll do whatever it takes to make sure her dreams of intense despair can be the only destiny of the world! She'll continue on as my shining light in my life...forever...and forever....and forever!

That's an awful thing to think! Don't you feel bad at all for all the people you've hurt?! That you've killed and abandoned?! What about the other Warriors of Hope? What about their dreams? They trusted Enoshima, and they trusted you!

...

*Her hands tighten on the controls of Black Suspirian* Who needs useless people like them...? All of them were too boring in the end. Too naive, that's why they got used.

That's a terrible thing to say about them! They were your friends!

Kotone: She doesn't care. She doesn't care about anyone...*She raises her guns again* It's better to take her down so we can-

*Kotone doesn't get to finish her sentence as an intense explosion engulfs the street from behind Komaru and Kotone. The two feel the impact and are thrown into the air across the street, flying far enough to roll underneath Monaca's robot and tumble and skid down the street*I

Kotone: *Coughing between her words* What the...fuck?! Th-that wasn't anything like the other *cough* explosions!

They're test bombs leftover from Big Bro Kazuichi's plans for attacking Novoselic. They're nothing, really. Only a 300 yard blast radius...

Which should be just enough to destroy your base, right?

*She struggles to her hands and knees* N-no...!

Yeah! That plan is much better! If I can eliminate your support team then it'll make Big Sis Junko's fight that much easier. And you'll just have to sit and watch while the place burns.

No! W-wait...! *But Monaca's robot begins to make its way down the street from where the Future Foundation first came. Monaca's laughs echoing out of her speakers, filling the air will a chorus of her delight*

Kotone: Shit...*She helps Komaru to her feet* I...I dunno what to do. Nrgh! *She clutches her arm which has been badly cut up from skidding down the road* Not good...hey, kid. You're a pretty good shot, huh?

An...above average shot, sure!

Kotone: Good enough. *She hobbles over to where her handgun landed and pushes it into Komaru's hand, along with extra ammunition* Because you'll need to chase her down.

But-

Kotone: You don't really have time. You look like you can run. And you look like you can still shoot. So hurry up and don't look back...*Her eyes cast over Komaru's shoulder where she sees Yuuki and Kotomi* I'll see to your friends. I...that's the least I can do for getting in the Future Foundation's way so far. But you gotta make this count, okay? There's no point in being scared when everything is on the line.

...*Komaru stares at the handgun in her grip and takes a deep breath* You're right.

And when Sly-san and Harukawa-san come back, make sure to follow behind!

Kotone: *She grimaces* ...yeah. Fine, I'll do that.

Thank you. *She turns and breaks into a sprint, running through the flames left in the wake of the explosion in pursuit of the robot heading for the base*

Kotone: ...*She lets out a puff of air and falls to her knees, she touches her arm and blood coats her hand* Dammit...it's really hard to act cool like this...

[askthedespairkids]

The Tower Reversed

Just! Die! Al! Ready! *An appendage opens at it's tip and shoots out an explosive that lands and bounces off the ground next to Komaru*

Yuuki: *His whip shoots out and wraps around Komaru's wrist. He hauls with all his might to put as much distance between her and the explosive.* Take cover!

Uwah! *She and Yuuki duck behind a parked car as the explosive goes off, powerful enough to smash the windows of the car. The two cover their heads to shield themselves from the broken glass raining on them* Are you okay?

Yuuki: I think so. We can't keep this up. *Over the comms* Any update, Ikuta-san?

Checked from the 4th floor but I couldn't spot a weak-point, but I'll keep going up! Just keeping hanging on.

Yuuki: *Lamely* Válgame Dios...ugh! Come on then, we can't leave it to Harukawa-san. *Yuuki sends his whip upwards and it wraps around a nearby streetlight. He gets on the car and runs off, swinging around on his whip and landing on top of the streetlight* Hahah~ Come on them, little lady!

You're not even a real polyglot!

Yuuki: You take that back!

*An appendage darts towards Yuuki who jumps from the streetlight and wraps his whip around the appendage. He swings around in the air as another tries to swipe at him. He tugs on his whip mid-swing to redirect his body to dodge out of the way. His whip detaches off the first robotic appendage and wraps around a second one, and he repeats the process and the multiple appendages tangle and dance in the air chasing after him*

Just! Stay! Still!

*Over the comms* Just cleared the 3rd floor on my side, but there's no signs of a weak point still. How are you two- *She sees out of the window of the 4th floor and she emerges into the hallway Yuuki flying around as the tentacles whip around*

Would you take this seriously?!

Yuuki: *He laughs over the comms* I'm very serious~! This is the most fun I've had in a while!

And it's keeping her occupied! *She aims upwards at the cockpit in the chest area of the robot* I'll try and see if I can hit her directly, so keep it up! *She begins shooting at Monaca's cockpit, missing the mark as the robot twists trying to hit Yuuki*

Hey! I've found a suspicious spot from the 5th floor on my end! *She presses a hand on the panel of the window* It looks like a panel that didn't get placed properly, which means if I can hit inside it, it should do some serious damage.

Yes, that's perfect! Ikuta-san, you're the best!

Just leave it to me! *She sprints up to the rooftop of the building and looks down from the railing of the roof at where one of the panels on Monaca's robot is falling away from the rest of the structure* Alright! *She takes aim and shoots a few bullets at the panel, earning some direct hits. The whole robot shakes and rattles from the sudden damage*

Wahhh!!! Wh-what the hell?! *The robot turns and Monaca spots Kotomi up on top of the roof of the building*

You little nobody!! *An explosive shoots from the same appendage as before and Kotomi watches as it soars over her head and lands behind her of the roof*

No-!

*BOOOOOOM!!*

*The explosive goes off, and smoke clouds up the top of the roof as several appendages shoot upwards towards the roof*

Yuuki: Ikuta-san! *In a moment of distraction, the side of an appendage slams into his back and Yuuki's body flies through the air, slamming into the ground, bouncing off the concrete once*

Naegi, what is happening down there?! *There's rumbling underneath Maki as the building she's in trembles and the walls begin to crack. She feels the floor grow weak as it begins to crumble underneath her*

D-dammit...Sly!

*Struck silent by all the events that took place in such quick succession.* H-Harukawa-san?! Respond!! *She rushes to Yuuki and checks his pulse, it's faint but he's only been knocked out* C-come on, Kurosaki-san...ah! I-Ikuta-san! Ikuta-san, respond, you- *She looks up and stops when she sees the appendages descend. One of the appendages now piercing through the stomach of Kotomi Ikuta. With a flick, Kotomi's corpse drops off the appendage and lands in front of Komaru*

A...AHHHHHH!!!!

_____

*Seconds ago, Sly hears Maki's cries over the comms, only to turn around and see the building she darted into starting to crumble, see Yuuki's unconscious body laying in the street and the smoke on the roof where Kotomi was reporting from which was now being swarmed by the robot's tentacles*

Sly: *His eyes dart from situation to situation* Fuck fuck fuck. *His eyes start darting looking for Komaru*

*He sees Komaru run to Yuuki's side and in the next few moments, watches as Kotomi's body reveals itself pierced on one of the appendages before her corpse falls in front of Komaru and Komaru lets out a scream*

Kotone: *Even she looks shaken up by the events happening back-to-back to suddenly* Holy shit...ugh! *She plants herself between Sly and the situation unfolding* Don't get distracted...we're not done here!

Sly: *He glances at Kotone but his mind is too focused on the others* I was already in a rush to get back to Mukuro, but now you really need to move. I can’t sit here and give you the fight you want right now. I can’t let somebody I care about die again cause I did nothing to help them. MOVE NOW *his usual calm demeanor is a obviously a bit panicked*

Kotone: And I'll help 'em when you're dead! But you have to die otherwise I'm fucked. *Her hand is shaking when her guns fires, so it doesn't even go near Sly* D-dammit...! Get it together, Kotone. They're counting on you to win...!

Sly: What are you talking about? You’re fucked? I thought this was just a personal thing for you? Did Enoshima set you up to keep me from being with Mukuro? Ugh of course.

Kotone: Shut up! Shut the fuck up! I was gonna kill you no matter what she said to me...! B-but if she's gonna use the lives of my friends as a bargaining chip I can't afford any mistakes. *She shoots again, but the bullet is even further off the mark* C-come on...

Sly: I already told you Arishima is back at the base? My friends need me right now.

Kotone: NOT Chieko! God, did none of them tell you anything?! Hashimoto, Hanabusa, Numajiri, Ichimonji, Yamahata, Matsushita- they're all still stuck in that base. I'm not letting something awful happen, not after we've gotten this far.

Sly: What? Are you an idiot? Ms. Kirigiri already saved them when she took down the gambler. You’re the last one left and you’re here wasting time fighting me.

Kotone: *She pauses, her eyes narrowing at Sly* ...you're lying.

Sly: When’s the last time you saw them? Did you just take Enoshima’s word for it? They waved us goodbye before we took off to come here.

Kotone: That's a lie! You're just lying to save your own skin...! *She turns to see Komaru narrowly dodging a swipe of the robot, and more noises of rubble falling off the building Maki is inside* ...give me one good reason I should believe you.

Sly: *He rolls his eyes at Kotone annoyed* I don’t think any of your classmates outside of Arishima were too keen on speaking with me because of you. I do know that the Hashimoto girl seemed to be the pseudo leader of your class. She reported some of the things you all went through, such as the brands Fujisaki put on some of you. She also explained to us about how the gambler set up a game to take control of the group. That’s how you got split up from Hyde and put with the guy that hurt Ishimaru. Apparently she disliked him so much and he kept you around so much that she didn’t even try and capture you for her game with Kirigiri. Is that enough for you to move?

Kotone: What the fuck...? Then Hashimoto seriously made it to the island with everyone else? They're not actually captured...? *Her guns lower and she turns to Monaca's robot which isn't even paying attention* YOU ASSHOLES LIED TO ME?! Did everyone know?! Did that fucking asshole RIPPER KNOW?!

Sly: Look, we can figure out what to do about your grudge after Towa is taken care of. For now I need to…*His eyes go from the collapsing building with Maki to Komaru trying to defend herself and the two unconscious bodies* Shit, I’ve wasted so much time. I can’t help both…I…*He starts weighing the options in his head as fast as he can*

Kotone: Oh, don't you worry I've some words for Towa right now. You can go save that girl...hey! Just remember when this is over I'm still gonna kill you!

Sly: Finally! Komaru! I’ll be back in a second!*He dashes off towards Maki’s building*

Kotone: Okay, you little demon. Your turn! *She sprints towards Monaca*

[askthedespairkids]

The Tower

*The metallic appendages whip towards Kotomi who narrowly ducks out of the way*

Naegi-san, there's definitely no weak points that I can see from the ground level! This thing is air-tight.

(Come on, there's gotta be something to attack...there was a weak point on her last robot, and she only had a week to make this so-)

Ah...! Ikuta-san, could there be a weak-point at the top of the robot?!

Yuuki: I thought the same! If you had to rush the production of a creation of this size, then it's more likely that the weakest part of if is wherever it's hardest to reach!

*Maki dodges the arm of the robot as it swings towards her, tearing up the road as it scrapes along it* If all we need is a higher vantage point then one of the rooftops of the buildings should do, right? I can get up there-

Yeah, Harukawa-san and I can take opposite buildings. That way we should be able to get a clear view of the whole top-side of the robot when we're high enough.

And Kurosaki-san and I can handle the distraction down here. Perfect, let's do this!

*The four all break into the plan. Komaru continues to shoot at the appendages which seems to sometimes temporarily stun them, but never stop them completely. On the opposite side, Yuuki continues his own assault of the machine as Kotomi and Maki dart for two opposite buildings*

Ah! There you are! *Monaca' robot stomps down, destroying some of the road and blowing a strong gust of air that knocks Maki further down the street, her form rolling down and scraping along the pavement before she was able to dart into the building*

O-ow...*She sits up, feeling a cut on her forehead. The robot tries to attack again, but Yuuki's whip attaches around the arm and Yuuki swings up and lands a few shots on the arm, disabling it for a few serious seconds*

Yuuki: Lo Siento, but you have more than one target kiddo!

Ugh! Get away and die already! *The appendages swing for Yuuki but he pulls himself through the air using his whip, pulling the attention away from Maki*

*Over the comms* Naegi-san, I got inside! I'll start heading up now!

Alright! Harukawa-san?

A bit of a set-back, but I'll catch up...

What the hell?

*She sees Sly and Kotone further up the street engaged in their own fight. Kotone fires off countless bullets, when Maki sees the guns point towards her, she ducks behind a broken down car to dodge it. Sly goes in for the kill with his knife, but Kotone blocks him at each attack*

Hey, idiot! What the hell are you doing, you have bigger threats than some small-fry!

Sly: *With all of his attacks being blocked he jumps back putting some distance between the two of them* She’s obviously deluded enough to not leave me alone at such a crucial time, so there’s no point in trying to run away right now! Don’t nag me while I’m trying to focus!

Nagging?! Do you wanna die-

Kotone: Holy shit! *Her eyes widen when she sees Maki* Oh SHIT...! Not just one, but TWO top agents from the same agency? *She laughs a little* I mean...I mean, really I didn't expect to get so damn lucky.

...excuse me? Do I know you?

Kotone: Not officially. But I know all about you. I spent a lot of time since the Fujisaki incident making sure I knew everything about you two. Your whole damn histories.

Sly: Don’t talk to her. You’re here for me. Thats all you need to worry about *He shoots two shots in her direction*

Kotone: *She dodges out of the way of the shots* I can certainly pick up a bonus if necessary. *She changes her aim to Maki and fires a few rounds*

Shit! *Not quite fully recollected after her tumble, Maki barely gets out of the way of the shots. She manages to keep out of sight until she gets closer to Sly* Any specific reason this girl is trying to kill you, or did you just show her your winning personality?

Sly: *He sighs* Back when I was a kid, I was assigned a job and killed her dad, left her alive since she wasn’t apart of the contract. So she’s back for revenge and to join the foundation afterwards. I’d say this is just another part of the job but not many people are dumb enough to try and assassinate me.

Kotone: Yeah. Killed my dad just like you killed your own, right?

Sly: *He flinches* I did what I had to do to survive. The man cared about nothing but power and I was the next thing in his way. There was no other choice unless I wanted to end up like my mother. *His hand traces to where his dog tag used to lie again and looks back towards Maki* I refused to die back then and I won’t die today. So whatever I gotta do *His eyes drift to his shoulder where his clothes cover the scar his father gave him* …I won’t hesitate like I did that day.

Kotone: *For a moment Kotone's gun seems to lower just a fraction* ...I guess even I have to say sorry to you for that. *Then her aim raises again* But my dad shouldn't have needed to die for you to have that epiphany. All he ever wanted was to help people, and god knows how many people his research would have saved. You didn't kill one person with him, you killed thousands. *She takes a breath* The Ultimate Assassin, and the criminal with the biggest bounty on his head. This is the end of the line Sly Shi-.

Sly: DON'T. *His shoulders hunch* That's...not a name I've claimed in a long time, and you have no right to call me by it!

Are you...do you want me here to help?

Sly: *His voice deadly serious* Naegi requested you specifically my dear Harumaki. Go back her up…I’ll make sure our bounty hunter can never speak out of term again.

Alright. ...I don't usually worry, but she's an Ultimate by the sounds of it, right? Just be careful. *She manages to return to the fight without any interference from Kotone*

Kotone: ...For my dad, and for the safety of my class, I'll finally kill you.

Sly: Stop talking and die. *He charges at her, knife in hand, pissed off*

[askthedespairkids]

Side Towa

*Monaca's robot swings one of its spindly arms, it skates at the same height as the Foundation members beneath it. Most manage to tumble, stumble, jump out of the way but a few get caught by the machine and thrown into the air, slammed into buildings, bounced across the road*

Hey, leader?! Any words of wisdom right about now?!

(If we get stuck here then Junko's army will get to Shibuya before us. If that happens then we're gonna be at a serious disadvantage...so-) Naegi-san! You fought this before, right?

When it was about 3 stories shorter, yeah! I can't even see anything resembling a weak point like last time!

There has to be some kind of spot to attack - some kind of structural weakness.

Then we'll split up! Naegi-san will work on dealing with Monaca. Whoever you need will stay and assist - the rest of us will march ahead to Shibuya, we can't allow Enoshima to gain momentum.

Y-you want Komaru to handle something like this?! M-Mukuro-!

I don't want to split us up! But we have no other option. Naegi-san, who will you need?

I...I...*She takes a deep breath*

Harukawa-san, Kurosaki-san! A-and Ikuta-san! Can you all help me?

What? Me?

Yuuki: Are you sure four of us can handle this?

She's the only one qualified to make this call, actually. Since she's the only one that's fought Monaca beforehand...so, I'll allow it. Everyone else! Onwards to Shibuya!

But-

Makoto...*She grabs his arm* Don't you trust Mukuro? Or believe in Komaru...? She's not alone, and she's clearly much more capable than you think if she took Monaca down already by herself.

...

O-okay...Komaru! Be careful, please!

Well, duh! You all get going. The rest of us can deal with her once and for all. *Immediately, Komaru begins firing her megaphone gun at the cockpit where Monaca is sat to grab her attention*

Oh, it's that girl again...

You! You! Ruined! Everything! Monaca! Built! Up! I! Won't! Forgive! You! I! Won't! Let! You! Get! Away! This! Time!!!

*Black Suspirian MK.II roars wildly and strikes towards Komaru with a scorpion pincer-styled weapon. Maki runs at Komaru and tackles her out of the way of its swipe*

Urgh! If you're gonna keep me here, at least look after yourself!

*The rest of the Future Foundation all run past Monaca's robot as she's distracted with Komaru. Near the back of the pack, Sly tries to dash past but is stopped dead in his tracks when a rain of gunfire spreads out over his path. When he cranes his neck upwards he sees the silhouette of someone stood atop the robot. The person slides down one of the appendages, firing their guns rapidly at Sly as they descend. He dodges out of the way, ducking behind a nearby wrecked car. When he hears the person land on the ground he jumps up, his gun immediately trained on the figure who also has her gun fixed at him - Kotone stands her eyes blazing a fierce glare at him*

Kotone: Good, you're still alive. I dunno what I would have done if someone else killed you first.

Sly: You again? Apologies, I don’t have time for this today. I’m gonna have to ask you to move so I can catch up with the others.

Kotone: Do you seriously think that's a fucking option? *She points the gun in her left hand towards Komaru who is currently occupied dodging Monaca's attacks, still keeping the gun in her right aimed at Sly* I'm only interested in you. So, don't make me resort to ugly tactics.

*Mukuro turns and sees Sly and Kotone's stand-off* Hey! What the hell are you doing?! You need to move now, Sly!

Sly: *His eyes dart to Komaru and then over to Mukuro, then fall on Kotone. Letting out a sigh, his eyes become a bit more serious* Keep going Mukuro! Don’t worry about this, I’ll be there soon! We’ll do this together just like I promised! It just doesn’t feel like I have any choice but to deal with this for the moment! Let Ryo know I’m on my way please! *He flashes her a smile*

*Her eyes dart between Sly and Kotone and then she turns to see Kyouko running ahead* Ugh! Fine, but I'm not waiting around for you if I manage to push through their forces! *She turns and runs to join the rest of Group A*

Sly: Okay, Bounty Hunter, you heard the lady, we gotta make this quick. I got people that I gotta be there for.

Kotone: ...sorry, but I don't plan to make this quick...lemme reintroduce myself one more time. My name is Okuda Kotone - daughter of Dr. Okuda Yuri. Fifteen years ago, you killed him...and you left me all alone. *Her eyes focus directly at Sly's face* And I've worked for years just for this moment. I let you slip away at Hokkaido. I won't do it again today.

Sly: *He looks at her annoyed* The fate of the world is on the line right now Okuda. I know what being an assassin means. I accept your anger. I accept your hatred for me. But today is bigger than your vendetta against me. If Future Foundation doesn’t win today then it’s all over. What happens to the people you care about now if we don’t win? What happens to Arishima? I need to do all I can to move forward.

Kotone: DON'T YOU DARE TALK TO ME ABOUT CHIEKO!! I'M DOING THIS FOR HER AND EVERYONE I CARE ABOUT!! *She breathes* And...once you're gone. There'll be nothing in my way to stop me from helping the Future Foundation. They'll survive without you, so shut up and die already!

Sly: *He looks over at Maki, Yuuki, and Komaru, his free hand tracing to where his dog tag used to be* I can’t die right now. I won’t. So if you won’t move, I’ll give my apologies to Arishima when I get back.

*Black Suspirian MK.II looks down upon Kotomi, Komaru, Yuuki, and Maki. It's different appendages whirring ominously* Alright then, let's give it everything we've got, Future Foundation...!

Dammit...Can we really take that down with such a small group?

Yuuki: No use worrying about it now, I suppose. We do it or die trying.

If you wanna stay alive, then start looking for its weak point. No matter where it is, we'll reach it one way or another.

Harukawa-san is right! Fan out and try to separate those attacks from her weapons as much as possible! Ikuta-san, your knowledge of weapons should really come in handy here!

Alright. I'll do my best!

...It's Punishment Time...