I yearn for a power that
can overcome any despair

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"Right now we have to get out of this horrible place. Figuring out the rest of the story can come after." She held up the key, we all got up from where we were sitting and rushed to the door. Thank GOD!

"Yeah, you're right... Kyoko, do you still have that one thing? Monokuma's 'secret tool' that you got from the headmaster's room?" Makoto asked as she unlocked the door.

"Of course I do. It's an absolutely vital part of ensnaring the mastermind. I would never part with it."

"And it can open any door in the school, right?"

"That's right." we all let out an exhausted cheer as the door finally cracked open. "And now we can get out of here. Let's go."

"Sounds good." Makoto grinned.

"Ladies first, Makoto."

"Yeah yeah..." I joked with him. However he did, in fact, climb the ladder first. After leaving the garbage pit, we found ourselves in a tunnel extending straight up, like a chimney. There was a metal ladder leading up into the tunnel. We started climbing the ladder, intent on reaching the surface. The ladder was crazy fucking long.

It was kinda scary... I couldn't even see where it ended. We climbed into the darkness... The passage was so dark and cramped, I couldn't even see my own feet beneath me. My legs felt like they were going to collapse out from underneath me. How much longer would we have to climb?

" I had no idea we were so far down..." Makoto gasped.

"Well we had enough time to do a few flips, didn't we?" I asked.

"Careful. Don't lose your footing. If you slip, I won't be able to catch you..." Kyoko sternly warned.

"I'm not wasting my last life to catch you."

"Y-Yeah, I'll be careful... Um, so Kyoko...there's something I wanted to ask you. You said you're the Ultimate Detective, right? So how long have you been doing detective work?"

He was trying to take the stress off of climbing to either his death or not.

"How long...? Ever since I can remember." She shrugged it off like it was nothing. "I come from a long line of detectives. Detective work is in my blood. There was a time when being a detective was considered a sacred duty. My family's always seen it that way."

"Then...is your family famous?" 'denied sugar mama moment'

"Quite the opposite, actually. Even among actual detectives, many people haven't heard of us."

"No way--" I gasped, Makoto agreed with me "Huh? But...how come? It's like your family tradition, right? So..."

"Because we take pride in it. A detective is neither light nor shadow. We represent neither justice nor evil. That is how we can uncover the absolute truth. We stand neutral in all things. And to do that, we have to stand separate from the rest of society. Which is why we've made a conscious effort to conceal our existence." Kyoko carefully explained.

I slipped a little, thank god i was at the bottom of the three-- they wouldn't make fun of me.

Makoto asked, "A conscious effort...?"

"It's kind of old-fashioned, and I can't say it's entirely rational... But it's our family creed, and we do what we must to protect it. Because, like I said, it's our source of pride. And yet... I...gave up some of that pride." She sighed, "In order to enter Hope's Peak, I had to reveal myself to the school. I did it knowing it was something a true Kirigiri detective would never do. Enough about me, What about you, Y/N?"

"Me? What about me?" It caught me off guard. I was so tired I was focusing on just climbing.

"How long have you been a gardener?" She looked down at me through the ladder, "We don't know much about you. It's kinda funny isn't it."

"H-How to? God, I'm tired..."

"You know so much about all of us, but we barely know anything about you."

"What.. would you like to learn?" 'can't mess up now'

"How did you get your ultimate?"

I paused a little, "I loved playing with dirt as a kid--"

"Called it, I knew you ate dirt as a kid!" Makoto shouted from the top.

"I don't... what the fuck i dont eat dirt."

New Achievement unlocked
Dirt Eater

"Fuck...thats not fair! Why did it give me an achievement?" I fumbled and hit the ladder.

"Achievement?" Kyoko looked at Makoto and then back to me... 'ah yeah, they... they can't really see if i get an achievement or not. I guess it's something Monkuma does only to me...'

I rolled my eyes and tapped Kyoko's legs, indicating her to go up the ladder again. "Anyways, my parents would buy me little plots and I would just go to plant whatever seeds I could find--Both my mother and father were obsessed with plants. Runs in the family?"

Fun fact:
I'm not that into plants like my parents, funny aint it?

We just kept climbing the ladder in complete silence. And after I don't know how long...we finally reached the top. Makoto hit the lid, it reminds me of the one I took with Mukuro to see Junko... He turned to us, "Looks like this is it."

"On the other side of this door...Hope's Peak is waiting for us." Kyoko said.

"We're...back."

"Thank god." I sighed, "I hated being down there."

"Remember that hatch on the ground near the trash room? I'm fairly certain that's where we'll come out. I unlocked it earlier, so it should open without much trouble."

"Well, here goes nothing'..." Makoto reached his right hand up and pushed against the hatch. It creaked as the hatch opened with ease. He pulled himself up and gasped, "Looks like we're back..."

Kyoko had climbed out next, "But I can't believe how long that ladder was. I'm exhausted..."

I can't exactly say we're safe and sound, but...at least we're out of there. Now we're back in Hope's Peak Academy..."

"Kyoko...thank you. We would have never gotten out of there without you." Makoto thanked the purpletee.

"Thank her later and pull me out, my legs feel like they've completely jello.." I cried, they both hurried to pull me out of the shoot. "T-Thank you.."

"Being physically active isn't your specialty, are they?" Kyoko teased me as I collapsed onto the ground.

"No, gardening is." 'im active, don't give me that look! It's just difficult to climb for a long period of time!'

"So...now what do we do? I'm glad I didn't die, of course, but if the mastermind finds out... And I'm worried about you, too. You helped me, so they might..." Makoto trailed off.

"You're worried?"

"Y-Yeah, of course."

"Then let's just get a concrete answer." Kyoko grinned at the both of us, "Let's ask Monokuma if there's a problem with you escaping."

"W-Wait, that's--!"

"If we try to hide, it's only a matter of time till we're found out. And it's not like we can run away." As she said that, she pointed at the nearby surveillance camera. I didn't even notice, we're being watched... I was too tired to even care.

"So you're saying rather than stressing out over getting caught, we should just give up now?" He asked.

"Don't worry. What you think is going to happen, isn't. Comeon, Y/N get up." She extended an arm to me and i didnt take it, "Because the mastermind is the one that's ensnared."

"You said something like that before. What does it mean...?"

"The mastermind stood exposed during the investigation into Mukuro's death. There was a moment where the mastermind let their guard down. If we can talk to Monokuma, we can confirm it. And it'll be better for us if we go to him directly before he tracks us down. That should help without negotiations..." She tapped my legs.

"But...we don't really have a choice, do we?"

"Monokuma should be in the gym. Let's get going." Makoto walked off but came back when i wouldnt move. He sighed and looked at Kyoko. They nodded as Makoto hoisted me onto Kyoko's back. 'I did not think she could hold me but here we are.'

We walked to the gym, Kyoko hoisted me up and picked up her speed when we were slowly making our way to the Gym. Makoto opened the door for the two of us and I unfortunately had to get off her back. She slid me off smoothly.

Monokuma screamed when we sneaked up on him, "Hey hey hey hey hey hey HEY! Kyoko I don't mind so much. But Makoto and Y/N are supposed to be dead! What are THEY doing here!? You were supposed to be punished! Did Kyoko help you!?"

"So what if I did? What will you do?" She had a devious grin.

"If the guilty party is exposed during the class trial, they alone will be executed. It's unfortunate, but that is the rule...So now I gotta punish you again! And this time I won't leave anything to chance!"

"Do whatever you feel you have to." She shrugged her shoulders. We gasped, "But before you do, let me just say one thing. If you execute them, that means you lose. Not that that matters to you, right?"

He did not like that, "Huh? I...lose? You! Explain yourself! What do you mean by that!?"

"Well you set up this latest class trial yourself, right? I was getting in your way, so you wanted an excuse to kill me. I was supposed to be chosen as the blackened and then executed, right?"

"H-Hey, what are you talking about?"

"But when Makoto chose to overlook my lie, your plan came crashing down. The results of the trial weren't at all what you were expecting. Because you never imagined that in that position, one person would protect another like that. And in response to that unexpected development...you reacted by proclaiming Makoto and Y/N as the blackens and trying to execute them. You made that choice out of desperation. No, more than that... You must have realized that Makoto and Y/N, who refused to be manipulated, were a threat to you, as well." She was grilling Monokuma, "But then there was another unexpected development waiting for you. An entity that would throw a wrench, so to speak, in your precious execution machinery."

"That...was a mouthful" I was in awe.

Makoto gasped, "Alter Ego..."

"You never imagined the possibility of a being that could come to our aid even after you'd 'killed' it. Now, here's the absolute truth. They didn't kill Mukuro. You did. So executing them for it would surely be a violation of your rules, which I know you love so much. If the blackened is exposed, they alone will be executed. That's what you told us, right?" 'Well I kinda killed Mukuro...'

"Hmph. And that means I lose? You talk about a big game. You're saying the blackened is me and not them? And you can prove this, right?"

"No, I can't." She shrugged.

"What is this, a comedy routine? To make such bold claims without a shred of evidence..."

"I don't have any right now, but with a little more time I guarantee I'll find some. Because no matter how deeply you try to bury it, there is only ever one absolute truth."

"And now you're trying to talk like some kind of famous detective type?"

"If they really were the killer, he never would have come to you willingly like this. they would have feared for their life, feared another execution. they would have tried to run and hide. they would have been gripped by the despair you so love to inspire. But here we are--confronting you with nothing but hope in our hearts."

"She has a point."

Monokuma glared at me, "And that's supposed to be enough to convince me in the absence of evidence?"

"It's not you I'm trying to convince. If you were to execute them now, everyone out there watching this would be extremely displeased."

"Huh...?" Makoto was confused with Kyoko's last statement.

She ignored him, "Imagine what everyone out there would think if you killed Y/N and Makoto... They would assume that you killed him because what we said is exactly right. Despair can never kill hope.Of course, you can say we're just making this all up. You're welcome to prove us wrong. No, you have no choice but to prove it. Because if you kill them without proving your own innocence, you'll be accepting your own defeat."

Monokuma started making weird noises, "Ah!... Gh-grg-grah!"

"I never want to hear those sounds come out of his mouth again--" I shuttered.

"If you want to earn our despair 'fair and square', then I suggest you take my advice." She continued, I was loving every moment of this.

"...So? What is this 'advice' of yours?" The bear asked.

"To do Mukuro's trial over again. Only this time, you follow the school regulations to ensure a fair trial. It's time for one last showdown--one final battle between hope...and despair! Well? That would make for a proper climax, wouldn't you say?"

Here it is, A fair trial...one last showdown... In other words... This would be our chance to expose the true identity of Mukuro's killer--of the masterminds themselves.

Monokuma didn't answer right away, "Kehe... Interesting. Beary interesting indeed!"

"...Beary?" Makoto cringed at the pun.

"Oh, I was getting bored, so I decided to change things up a little. So, time for bear jokes! Now, what you've suggested might be pawsible. It would certainly make for one honey of a climax!"

"Does that mean you accept?" She grinned.

"If we do things your way, that'll be enough to convince you and the viewers, right? And it would cause you unbearable despair, right? Then I'm prebeared to agree to your terms! Will your hope win out? Or will my desbear claim victory...? Let's have one final grizzly showdown!" He let out a huge roar, followed by his famous giggle. "But this is the long-awaited climax, right? Just guessing the killer is barely a fitting end. So for this final face-off, you'll have to unearth all the mysteries that have been buried here!"

"All the mysteries...?" I asked, 'how fun...'

"That's right. Every last mystery that's pawing around the school. If you can do that...then that'll be enough to qualify as a victory for you!"

Kyoko dead panned, "That's what we've been trying to do all along..."

"Okay, well, good! Then let's bear it all! If you can claw your way to the truth of Mukuro's death, AND solve the mysteries of this school ...then you win! But if you can't do all of that..."

I answered him. "We'll all face execution. Right?"

"Kehe... I can bearly contain my excitement... When you learn the whole truth...what kind of despair will you show me?"

"We're as excited as you are, I'm sure." I knew Kyoko was lying through her teeth. "When we've uncovered every last truth, how will the Ultimate Despair reveal their own despair...? But before we get started, I want to clarify one more thing. Do you remember the rule? When one student kills another, that's when a class trial is held."

"I remember that, fur sure. So what?" He wasn't taking this seriously. Not at all and this was going to be his demise.

"I just want to confirm, that is what you said, right? And it's a true statement? Kehe. You don't have to be so suspicious. I've said it before, but it bears repeating... Everything is based on the school regulations. And having a trial for Mukuro is no exception to that." Mukuro's trial is no exception? Then...it's part of the regulations? Which would have to mean that whoever killed Mukuro... "Kehe... It's a very polarizing approach, I know, but--okay, enough puns. Anyway, here's a hint... I'm sure I told you this already, but...this killing game began with sixteen participants, all of them high school students. And the only people to take a single step in Hope's Peak since the killing game began...are those seventeen students."

"What...?" Makoto was gassed, he was upset when Monokuma wasn't answering him. "Are you telling the truth? Why'd he go quiet all of a sudden...?"

"I'm done talking! I got nothin' left to say to you! So get lost, would ya!?" The bear's...face turned red. Could it do that? "Leave me alone! Get outta here!"

We were kicked out of the Gym. I ran out of there so fast with Kyoko and Makoto on my trail. We didn't want to anger the beast any further. I only had one life left and it would be really silly if I had lost it to him again. I'm lucky the execution didn't take me out...

I guess we'll have to meet up with everyone again...

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Dangan-Trust Stats

Makoto Naegi — (Science lab partners)

Kyoko Kirigiri — (Partners in crime)

Byakuya Togami — (Mortified)

'Junko Enoshima' — (Deceased)

Kiyotaka Ishimaru — (Tomo, is that you?🤨)

Leon Kuwata — (Deceased)

Mondo Owada — (In a polyamorous relationship)
⇟
Mondo Owada — (Can no longer function)

Chihiro Fujisaki — (In a polyamorous relationship)
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Chihiro Fujisaki — (Can no longer function)

Aoi Asahina — (Scared Shitless)

Sakura Ogami - (Backstabber...)

Hifumi Yamada - (Deceased)

Toko Fukawa - (???)

Yasuhiro Hagakure - (distressed)

Sayaka Maizono - (Deceased)

Celestia Ludenberg - (Babysitter)

Achievements:
Petting Zoo
Friendship is magic
Boom Baby
Cooking mama
Are Ya Making Friends Son?
THE GIRLS ARE FIGHTING
Parent Trap
Ace Attorney
Minecraft sparkling noises
Bounded together?
Fortune Teller
Cyberchase
Angsty teen
Eggless...
Bakugou was here
Batman Kyoko
Dirt Eater

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Again—- 3k words wow

Wait, but more on the plant talk— Kinda funny, my mom is obsessed with plants. Like, obsessed obsessed-- i think almost every dominican mother is obsessed with them shits. I'm not going to lie, our house is so small and it can't fit too many plants, so our fire escape ladder area (idk what it's called) has plants stacked all out there...

Actually my dad had a plant of his own and it was like a huge cactus that would hit us in the ass as kids, you would have to be really careful if you wanted to move around the plant. I hated it so much but he loved that plant T-T