All our eyes widened upon hearing Monokuma's announcement. He wants us to meet in the gym? But why? Why not just kill Himiko? He's using her as leverage....but for what?

"T-The gym? You think Himiko is there too?" Tenko asked. "I can't say for certain, but that seems like a high possibility." Keebo stated. "Dammit, what do we do now then? Do we really have to do what that damn bear says?!" Kaito said. I clenched down on my teeth, looking away. This spells trap all over, but he does have Himiko....

"Kokichi?" Shuichi said.

".....we don't have a choice. We can't risk Himiko getting hurt. Knowing Monokuma, he never jokes about his threats." I stated. Everyone looked around at each other, wearing the same expression of dread. However we all knew there was no other way.

So together, we began to make our way to gym.

*    *    *    *

I began to feel more and more uneasy as we approached the doors that led into the gym. I had a really bad feeling about this whole thing. What is Monokuma planning?

"Come on, let's go." I said, glancing back at the group. They all nodded. I looked back at the doors. I reached out, laying my hand flat against it. However, I hesitated to push it open. I felt like we should all turn away and leave. That the moment I open this door, something evil would swallow us up. No....more like something would swallow me up. I felt that if I opened this door, that bear would somehow ruin my life.....

"Kokichi, what are you waiting for?" Kaito asked.

....I pushed the door open with full force. We all slowly entered the gym. Up ahead, Monokuma stood proudly on the stage, with two Exisals standing at each side of the stage. However, I was surprised by the item that laid beside Monokuma....a Flashback light. 

"Ah good, you all made it." Monokuma said. Tenko immediately sent a fierce glare at him. "Where's Himiko?! What have you done with her?! Give her back to us!" she demanded in a threatening tone. 

"Oh my, so scary~ Ya know, I wouldn't be throwing threats at me like that." Monokuma said with a chuckle. We all jumped at the heavy footsteps behind us, and whirled around. My eyes widened. The Exisal held Himiko in one hand, wrapping its fingers tightly around her small body, enough to where she couldn't squeeze her way out.

"Himiko!" Tenko cried. "Oh my goodness, are you okay, Himiko?!" Angie said in concern, eyes wide. Himiko was struggling to get free from the Exisal, squirming and kicking her legs.

"Ugh! Grgh! G-Guys! I-I can't get out!" she cried, fear clearly visible in her voice. Shuichi looked back at Monokuma, narrowing his eyes.

"What do you want from us? You wouldn't have brought us here unless it was for a reason." Shuichi stated. 

"Pufufufu! Yeah, you're right. There was a reason I brought all of you here. A HUGE reason actually." Monokuma stated. "It's obvious, isn't it? With all these Exisals here, you obviously plan to kill us for trying to escape! Well that ain't gonna work, asshole! If you're gonna take us down, then we'll take ya down with us!" Miu stated.

"Such fierce spirit! I admire that, missy. But no, that's not why I brought you here." Monokuma stated. We all looked at each other in confusion till I looked back at the bear.

"Then why did you bring us here?" I asked. 

"....Bwahahahahaha!" 

Monokuma's sudden burst of laughter made us all jump, and it made my heart sank. What was he thinking? What is he planning to do? "Sooooo funny you should be the one asking, Ko-ki-chi." Monokuma stated, hopping off the stage with the Flashback light in his paws. I lifted a brow. 

"That so? How?" I said. "Let's just cut right to the chase, kay? Kokichi, I want you to do one simple thing for me. If you do it, then not only will I release Himiko safe and sound, but you and all your little buddies will be spared." Monokuma said. Maki narrowed her eyes at him. "And what do you want Kokichi to do?" she asked.

"Real simple really. All you have to do, Kokichi, is shine this Flashback light at your class. Then, you're all dismissed!" Monokuma replied. I blinked as he held the light up to me. However I narrowed my eyes in suspicion.

"What's in this Flashback light exactly?" I asked. "Yeah, and don't go saying its a lost memory! I already told everyone about the fake memories in those things!" Tsumugi stated.

"Sorry to disappoint, but it actually is a memory. A very important memory that I think you'll all want to remember." Monokuma stated. What is he talking about? What memory could be that important?

"Oh yeah? What kind of memory?" Rantaro asked. 

"Pufufufu, let's put it this way. It's a special memory.....only Kokichi and I share." Monokuma stated. My eyes widened. What....did he say? A memory he and I share alone? "What? Kokichi, what Monokuma talking about?" Gonta asked. 

"I-I don't know." I admitted. There weren't any memories we shared alone. The only thing I could think of that only we know about is.....I inhaled sharply.

"No...." Monokuma began to chuckle again, his eyes flaring red.

"Looks like you finally understand, don't ya?" he said. I looked down at him with wide eyes, kneeling down to his level. "Tell me this is not what I think it is," I held the Flashback light up, "tell me these aren't those memories." I said. Monokuma was silent for a moment, and I swear his grin widened. "Come on, Kokichi, use your head. What do you think?" he said.

"Kokichi? What memory is on that Flashback light?" Rantaro asked. I slowly stood up, feeling my legs were suddenly weak beneath me. This bear....this fucking cruel bear....

These must be memories......of the first time line.

"....I can't." I looked down at Monokuma.

"I can't show them this! And you know I can't! If I do....if I do...." I'll lose my friends. They'll turn on me. They'll know of all the terrible things I did. They'll.....they'll hate me.

"Huh? You don't wanna? Well, I'm not saying you have to use that Flashback light, but are you aware of the consequences of not using it?" Monokuma asked. Suddenly I heard Himiko screaming behind me. I whirled around, seeing her face grow pale. That's when I noticed the Exisal's grip was tightening around her body.

"Himiko no! Stop it you'll kill her!" Tenko cried. 

"Gee, I wonder what will happen first? Will we hear her spine crack first? Or will we see her guts come popping out first? Whelp, we'll only know if we see for ourselves." Monokuma chirped. "No please! Let Himiko go!" Angie begged. This started a symphony of begging from the others, but the Exisal didn't stop. Himiko began to choke, eyes shut tight.

"Dammit, stop this already," Kaito looked back at me, "Kokichi, I don't know what's on that light, but you gotta use it!" he stated. My eyes widened. 

"What?! B-But...K-Kaito, you don't understand...."

"I understand that if you don't shine it, Himiko is gonna get crushed! So just use it already! Hurry!" Miu stated. I looked at Himiko. Her face was almost blue, meaning she probably can't breathe right now. Dammit, but if I show this....everything is over. But.....

I can't let anyone die. Especially someone as innocent as Himiko.

I gripped the Flashback light with trembling hands, pointing it at my friends. I noticed Monokuma perked up, and the Exisal loosened its grip on Himiko, causing her to gasp for air. I looked at the switch, feeling a bead of sweat stream down the side of my face. Once that switch is flipped....its over for me. But I have to save her. I don't have a choice.

Shutting my eyes tightly, I flipped the switch and turned my head away. The brightness of the light burned against my eyelids, but I refused to look at them. I refused to watch as their expressions no doubt lit up with life. As they remembered everything.

Finally, the brightness died down, and I only dared one glance at the others as they looked around with wide eyes. 

"What the.....w-we're back?" Shuichi said, fear in his voice. 

"N-No way. How....how am I here? I-I died! I definitely died!" Kaede stated. 

"G-Gonta don't understand. W...W-What is this?" he said weakly. 

"What the h-hell? What's going on here.....?" Kaito said, face pale. That was when Monokuma cleared his throat.

"Okay, I guess this is where I step in," he stated, hopping back onto the stage, "So let's get one thing straight; the memories you have are definitely without a shadow of a doubt real. How? Well you see, I may seem like a normal, adorable robot....but looks can be deceiving. I'm actually a despair demon. That means that I feed off people's despair to do...pretty much whatever I want. Duplicate myself, make anything appear from my hands, have infinite knowledge.....reverse time even." Monokuma explained. 

"R-Reverse time?" Kirumi said. 

"You got it, babe. Anyway, after the end of the first killing game, I used my abilities to create a whole new timeline, and start over everything over. The memories you just got are your memories of the first time line. Every victim, every murder, every execution, every juicy secret you ever unlocked.....everything." Monokuma replied. 

"I...I-I don't believe this. I-I knew something was off about you, but....I could never imagine something like this...." Tsumugi said, eyes wide.

"Oh but, there is one more thing. Not all of you were left in the dark. I did have one of you keep all your memories of the first time line from the beginning." Monokuma said. I looked away, a shadow casting over my eyes.

"Y-You did what?" Shuichi said. 

"You heard me, and that lucky person waaaaasss......Kokichi Ouma!" Monokuma stated. 

That was when I could feel everyone's eyes on me, intensely I might add. I can only imagine the thoughts swirling their minds. Of my betrayal. Of all that I've done. And I certainly can't say anything in defense. I have no right to. 

"K-Kokichi....tell us that not true," Gonta said, "Tell us Monokuma lies! You'd never keep something like this from us, would you?!" 

"......"

"Kokichi, please say something!" Gonta begged. 

"....nee-heehee." a wide smirk spread across my lips, and I flashed it at everyone to see. "Sorry Gonta. I really want to lie and say 'no, I'd never do something like that' but, you must know me by now, especially after you just got your memories back." I stated. Gonta's eyes widened in shock, and he looked away.

"I-I don't believe this...." Tenko said. "Whelp, as I said, I'll let you guys all live. As well as Himiko." Monokuma replied. The Exisal slowly lowered its arm and put Himiko down, but she immediately dropped to her knees with wide eyes. No doubt she was in shock from the Flashback light.

"Kokichi....why? Why would you hide something like this from us?!" Shuichi asked. His face was a mixture of anger and sadness. 

"Awww, don't it personally, Shuichi~ I just wanted to toy with you guys for a bit is all. So when I was offered to come back into the game, I gladly took it. This game was just so much fun and interesting, I had to keep it going." I replied. 

"Why you.....how could you?" Kiyo hissed. 

"....but you said the exact opposite before you died," all eyes were on Kaito, who was trembling in fury with fists clenched tightly, "you said you hated a game like this. One where you're forced to play in it, one where we're forced to kill each other in. You said the shits that enjoy watching us pissed you off! We came up with a whole plan for that exact reason! Are you seriously telling me.....that was all a lie as well?!" Kaito snapped.

"Well duh, course it was. Honestly Kaito you should've known better then to trust me." I replied. Suddenly he marched right up to me, and he grabbed onto the collar of my shirt, lifting me off my feet.

"Then what about all that stuff you told us?! About all of us escaping together?! About caring about all of us?! After everything we have been through, you can seriously look me in the eye and tell me none of it mattered to you?!" Kaito roared. 

"K-Kaito, calm down!" Keebo said. I felt my smirk widen and I shrugged.

"Not my fault I'm such a good liar. It's a gift, really." I replied. That made Kaito sneer at me, then he raised a fist and slugged me right across the face, making me go flying and skid across the gym floor. 

"YOU SON OF A BITCH!!!!!" Kaito shouted. I slowly sat up as I watched him start to march towards me. However Kirumi and Keebo each grabbed one of his arms and held him back.

"Kaito please, that's enough." Kirumi said calmly. Kaito looked down at me, eyes full of rage and anger, but eventually he just looked away. I glanced at everyone else. A variety of looks were sent to me; anger, sadness, and even a few fearful ones, especially from Miu. Guess that makes sense, since I did plan her murder in the first time line. 

"Anyway, that's the end of this little assembly. Everyone is dismissed. Consider this a motive." Monokuma replied. With that he disappeared from the stage, and the Exisals followed suit.

Strangely enough, not another word was said to me. No insults. No threats. Just simple looks of despair were sent to me. I didn't even bother looking back at them. In fact, I didn't even move from my spot on the floor, even when everyone began to slowly leave the gym, until only Gonta and Shuichi stood there, staring at me.

"Kokichi...." Shuichi said. I slowly looked over at him. At the boy I loved....and simply put on a smile of pure malice.

"Get lost already, your very presence bothers me...." I guess that was all that needed to be said as he gently grabbed Gonta's arm and began to lead him out of the room. 

I just laid there, alone....just me, myself and I.