Chapter 3: The Despair of Healing.
Day 1
Just like any other day after a motive or trial, the tense atmosphere was tearing away at some of the surviving students. Techno, looked around as he entered the restaurant. The blank expressions that were clearly filled with despair eating away at them from the inside until they were like empty shells.
Damn...everyone is really depressed now that Clover...Enterna...is gone. It can't be helped though, we had no other choice.
"Good, everybody's here." Bright stood up from her seat. "I think it's time we went over some things, we don't want to go through another emotional rollercoaster of an execution."
"And what exactly do you suggest we do about it, oh great-and-mighty leader of the group?" Aqua asked sarcastically. Bright brushed off the comment and adjusted her glasses, scanning the room.
"Do any of you stay up these past few nights and wonder why you weren't the one that died? Why you didn't end up in that position?" The question surprised the others, hearing it from seemingly the most unlikely person to even begin to think about the question, never mind thinking of asking it.
"W-well..." Quick rubbed the back of his head. "I had to admit that last night I questioned why it had to be Swift and Enterna that died...if anything, I'm the least useful on the island."
"Aw...Quick..." Bud's ears dropped.
"My hearing aid broke again as well..." He frowned.
"Oh for fuck sake..." Aqua grunted. "That is the most fragile thing in existence..."
"We should really ask Monokuma for an actual hearing aid that won't break so easily." Paint suggests. "Though we may get more cooperation with Monomi..." She tapped her chin with her pencil.
"Yeah, but Monomi isn't that helpful to us..." Clip bit the inside of his cheek. "I mean, yeah she got us Second Island but at a price of Swift and Clover..."
"That's not really Monomi's fault though..." Bud shook her head. "It was because of Monokuma. What happened to Swift and Clover was his fault, not Monomi's"
"Bud's right. Monomi isn't to blame...even at that though, we should still be wary around her...we don't know who's controlling her. Could be the same person that's controlling Monokuma." Toxic folded his arms.
"No...my theory came to the conclusion that Monomi and Monokuma are being operated by different sources...the way they act towards should have made that obvious..." Bright explains.
"So there's a third party in all of this?" Rip shivered. "What do they want?"
"Well. I think those that are controlling Monomi are the ones that put us here and those that are controlling Monokuma have hijacked this trip to force us to kill each other."
"Then this trip was really harmless from the beginning?" Techno asked.
"Most likely, yes." Bright gave a confident nod. "I have a feeling that those that are controlling Monomi will be using her to see what's happing among us since it seems the cameras and monitors around the islands are being used by Monokuma."
"That seems likely...though the question is why we're in this situation..." Memory frowned.
"Why do you care...?" Clip sneered.
"Whoa...what's with the attitude?" Memory asked, playing dumb. "Did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed or-" Memory stopped as he felt the glare coming from Clip intensify. "Whatever..."
Well that was weird...I wonder if something happened between them. Actually, now that I think about it
"Techno." Clip nudged the Pegasus. Techno groaned as he turned to Clip.
"What is it?"
"Look." He seemed to have a more focused demeanour this time. "I'm here to hit on you but...after the trial, there's something I got to tell you. It's about Memory..."
"Memory?" Techno raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah. There's something off about him...I'll give you more details about it later, but for now...let's find Swift's killer..." Techno paused before nodding as the two stepped onto the escalator and moved towards the Monokuma rock.
Clip said that he had something to talk to me about...something about Memory? Now I'm really curious...
"So, let's focus on today. What should we-"
"Good morning everyone!" Monomi greeted, warping into the room. Quick jumped out of his seat as she appeared beside him.
"Celestia dammit! Stop doing that!" He yelled at her. "What do you want anyway?"
"U-uuu...I just wanted to let you know that I had opened up the gate to the Third Island..." She whimpered.
"So you defeated another Monobeast...?" Bright asked slightly impressed.
"This is great!" Laser beamed. "There might be a way off on the next island!"
"Here's hoping..." Paint nodded. "We should do that straws thing again..." she suggested, looking over at Pure.
"Sure, no problem..." Pure nodded, conjuring the coloured tip sticks out of thin air. "Alright, everyone pick." The other eleven crowded around Pure, picking a random stick and examining what they got.
"Who has blue?" Techno asked.
"Oh! Me!" Bud raised her hand, walking to Techno's side. "Let's do our best to find a way off the island!"
"Yeah..." Techno smiled a her enthusiasm.
"I got red..." Memory twirls the stick.
"So it looks like we investigate together again..." Paint looks at the therapist. "This should be interesting..."
"I got white, like Techno..." Clip smirked.
"I got white as well..." Rip smiles half-heartedly. "why is he so obsessed with him...?"
"Quick and I got grey!" Laser wrapped her arms around the earth pony who gave a sigh in response. "C'mon, don't give me that attitude! It'll be fun, it won't boring like it was with Techno last time!"
Wow, thanks you freaking sociopath... Techno folded his arms.
"Bright and I are gonna be working together, eh?" Toxic smirked, shoving his hands into his pockets. "So I get to hear the long-winded theory of the day, do I? How enjoyable." He sarcastically spoke.
"Aqua and I..." Pure mumbled. Aqua raised an eyebrow as the prosecutor cast her eyes to the floor.
"Is there a problem?" The fashion designer asked her. "Is it because of Enterna and Swift? If it is then you should try to relax. What he did had nothing to do with you...so don't bother blaming yourself for what happened to them 'cause if you do then it makes things awkward between us...I don't want that happening." The small monologue caused some surprised faces among the group.
"A-Aqua...you seem to different now..." Quick commented on her attitude. Aqua sighed in response.
"Enterna made me realise that there's no point in trying to distance myself from everyone. I'll try to be friends with everyone but you shouldn't piss me off..." There were a few giggles making Aqua blush. "W-what's so funny?"
"It'll be great to finally see the real you after all this time. That's all!" Bud smiled.
"What the fuck?! I've acted how I usually do this entire time you annoying fuck!" She snapped.
"W-w-what?! B-but-"
"Celestia dammit, you're so freaking dumb!"
So she still doesn't like Bud...at least we still know something about her I guess even if it is something negative...
Monomi let out a small giggle. "It's always good to see that you all are finally going to be able to work together. Remember everyone, the most important thing in this is teamwork! Love, love!"
Techno walked along the pathway on Central Island, Bud walking by his side. It was much calmer and relaxing than when he had to go around with Laser for Second Island. As he continued along he heard a small cry and a thump, Bud had tripped herself up.
"Are you alright?" Techno helped her up quickly. "What the heck did you just trip over...?"
"My feet, I think..." She admitted shyly. "I can be clumsy sometimes...sorry about that if it made you worry...look! The bridge really has been opened up!" She pointed to the gate with the huge three stamped on the archway. "I can't believe Monomi is really able to defeat those Monobeasts...I wonder how she does it?"
"It makes you think, doesn't it? I suppose she's got some secret power we don't know about or something like that." Techno shrugged.
"Maybe she's like Monokuma and has a lot of copies?"
"Well I suppose she did reappear after she got annihilated by the Monobeasts on the first day here."
"T-that was really scary...I didn't get any sleep that night when we went to the hotel." Bud trembled at the memory of the guns firing right in front of her. "But then again I don't think anyone could have gotten to sleep that easily..."
"You're right. It sucks ass being stuck here...but, we can't complain, it gets us nowhere."
"Yeah...I hope Bright was right about that thing with who's controlling Monomi. I want to get off here soon because I know that if I stay any longer, I'll be next to go!"
"Hey!" Techno yelled unintentionally. "Don't think like that! You have to have faith in everyone else, we've seen these horrible things happen right in front of us and you think that won't make the others get put off from murdering each other?"
"It's not their faults though, is it? It's the motives that Monokuma keeps presenting us with..." Bud fidgeted. "Though...maybe we should head to Third Island...?"
"Yeah, let's hurry over..." They gave each other a nod before heading over the bridge. Man...I have this feeling of hope in my heart that we can get off this place. I need to eliminate any fear or nervousness I have right now...
As the Third Island came into view, Bud and Techno were struck with shock at the appearance of the area. Not far from the bridge, a place with two whirlpool-looking logos were hung and in bright shining letter 'Hooters Hurricane' was spelt out in the middle. Looking further up the island, green pillars of light were clearly visible as tumbleweeds rolled through the terrain in front of them.
"This is really Third Island?" Techno asked in shock.
"The ambiance is completely different to Second and First Island..." Bud added. "The place looks like it's been a ghost town for years...hardly feels like a resort now..."
"There's defiantly no sign of other ponies living here as well." Techno continued. "We should be careful...something's off about this place."
"What do you mean...?" Bud looked concerned.
"I'm not sure yet but something is wrong here, no doubt about it...but we can't not investigate so let's check out that building." Techno points to Hooters Hurricane.
"A-are you sure? It seems a little...vulgar." Bud frowned.
"Well, we have to look at it at some point, may as well be now since it's right there..." Bud gave in and followed Techno down to the building. The presence of the building was somewhat unsettling to be in. Cautiously, Techno opened the door leading Bud inside which flushed out their previous assumptions of the building. It looked more like a music venue than anything else, there was sound equipment at the side of a stage that stretched across most of the room. There was also a bar set up adjacent to it and a door leading to a storage room next to the bar.
"Oh, look who it is!" Quick's voice came from behind the bar. This meant that Laser was hidden somewhere. "Laser? Laser! Dammit...she must have hid herself somewhere..."
"Keep your back against the wall then so she can't sneak up on you..."
"Huh?" Quick raised an eyebrow. "What about a wall?"
"Never mind..." Techno waves his hand to dismiss what he said. Quick shrugged as he walked over to the two. "This place is a lot bigger than I thought it was..."
"Yeah, I know. Laser was really surprised by it, she started bouncing around the place screaming something about a band..."
"A music venue..." Bud sighed. "Boom would have loved his place, don't you think?" Quick and Techno were silent. "Sorry if I just brought the mood down..."
"Nah, you're right. Boom would have loved it here...man, why do I always hear the depressing stuff...?" Quick grumbled. "Say, have you guys checked the building next to this one?"
"Not yet, why do you ask?" Techno craned forward in curiosity.
"Oh man wait until you see, that place is absolutely insane...seriously sinister, I'm telling you it now."
"S-s-sinister...?" Bud quivered.
"Yeah, like how-" Quick was cut off by a high pitched war cry as Laser leapt out of nowhere and between the three. "Gah!" Quick trip as he stumbled back in surprise.
"Boo...you didn't have a big enough reaction! This is why we can't have nice things, jockstrap!" Was that supposed to be a new nickname that Laser had given him?
"Maybe you shouldn't be going around attempting to scare everyone in the first place?" Techno says flatly. "You seriously need to get a better hobby..."
"Where's the fun in that though?" Laser winked evilly. "It's fun to scare others after all!"
"What's so fun about that?" Bud asked her.
"Cause of the various reactions you can get..." Laser went on a tangent about why she was always pulling pranks on everyone around the island before Techno silenced her.
"Look..." he started. "It's been great here and we'll let you get back to your investigation but...Bud and I need to go so why don't you finish the rest of your explanation to Quick whilst we're gone?"
"Wait...are you guys going to the building next door?" Laser's eyes widened.
"Why do you ask?" Bud chewed her nail. "Is there something wrong about that building...?"
"Um. Yeah!" Laser stated it as if it was a question with an obvious answer. "That place is messed up!"
"What is it about that place? Why is it messed up? You guys keep saying that but you haven't given us a proper answer." Quick and Laser exchanged glances.
"I think you need to see it for yourself..." Quick looked away nervously. "Prepare yourself though..." Now it was Bud and Techno's turn to exchange glances. "Yeah...it's hard to describe but if you want to see it. Go now..."
"Alright then...c'mon, Bud." Techno and Bud left with a looming feeling of danger from the conversation they just had with Quick and Laser. Despite it though, they seemed determined enough to face whatever was in the next building over...until they stood at the door. It was a old shack that looked run down and abandoned for sometime. The broken windows were opened and the door swung eerily in front of the two.
"A-are you sure that we should go in here...?" Bud's voice squeaked. "I'm starting to see why Laser and Quick were so shaken by this place..."
"We haven't even seen inside yet. We can't just pass this place off as irrelevant until we go inside..." Techno shoved his way inside. "Now let's see just what...the...fuck is this?"
Techno stopped dead from the sight of the inside of the run-down home. What seemed to be dried blood had stained the floor and walls, several weapons such as swords and maces hung along with a large Iron Maiden. The most disturbing part was the shelf with different organs displayed as if they were collected trophies.
"O-oh...oh my Celestia..." Bud quivered, colour draining from her face as her knees buckled underneath her. "W-w-what is this place...?"
"It seems to be a torture house..." The familiar sound of Bright's voice came from a staircase in the back of the room, ascending from a basement floor. "Downstairs is a full on set-up for a dungeon. Like in medieval times...and that's not the worst part. In a side room...they have-"
"They have the bodies of everyone that died..." Toxic's unnaturally shaky voice cut Bright off as he appeared behind her. "They've been suspended by chains from their arms...it's horrible..."
"It seems that, that room is going to be where Monokuma stores the bodies of those that die. He keeps them under cool conditions to stop them from decaying...it's a rather confusing thing for Monokuma to do." Bright tapped her chin. "Why in Equestria would he care about what happens to the bodies? What does he gain from keeping them?"
"Who the fuck cares?! This is so fucked up! Why the hell does a place like this even exist?!"
"That's a good question actually. Thanks for that, Toxic..." Bright opened her book and began to scribble something down.
"What are you writing?" Bud asked curiously, still unable to stand from shock.
"I'm writing down all the mysteries we encounter on the island. I've been trying to figure things out over time but I've still come up empty handed on things like 'who put us here?' and 'why did we get sent here?'..." Bright bit her lip. "This isn't like me...I can usually figure things like this out with great ease..."
"Hey, Bright...quick question." Bright looked at Techno with undivided attention. "I remember back on the day we arrived at the island...when we all met up at the beach. You mentioned something about this island..."
Bright stayed silent for a few seconds. "Did none of you cross the bridge and visit the park on the Central Island?"
"You mean the one with the statue of all the creepy animals?" Memory asked.
"Yes, when I saw it, I recalled something I heard of a while ago...among the islands of the Southern Equestian Ocean, there is one known for its scenic beauty. It's not just a single island though. It a set of five islands around a central one. Those five islands are represented by five sacred animals."
"Eh...?" Techno tilted his head.
"The name of that island is...Jabberwock Island..."
"So...could this island we're standing on be Jabberwock Island? Is that what this island is called?" Memory asked.
"If that's the case...then there is something worrying. According to what I've heard, Jabberwock Island is.." She went quiet. "No...never mind..."
"Whoa, you can't stop in the middle of that!" Quick said.
"I'm just surprised you heard all that..." Aqua giggled.
"Don't worry, after I finish off my investigation and confirm my thoughts, I'll tell everything you want to know..." Bright promises.
"I'm surprised you remembered that..." Bright fixed her glasses. "You want to ask me about what I was going to say after that, didn't you?"
"Yeah, you kind of left everybody wondering what exactly it was about Jabberwock Island that concerned you..." Techno mimicked Bright's actions.
"I'm sorry but I can't give a report until all of the islands are opened up to us...my investigation will be incomplete until that happens..."
"You seemed so sure about something going on here though! What is it about Jabberwock that got you so interested and confused?!" Techno began to demand which Bright didn't take kindly too.
"Listen, Techno...where do you think we are...? Are we on Jabberwock Island like we've come to think or are in a completely different location all together? I wonder about that question a lot..." Techno was thrown into a silence from the question. "No answer, eh...? Well I don't have one either...let me finish my investigation and I will tell you everything like I promised before..."
"But-" Techno get a chance to respond before Bright walked by him only stopping to tell him something without looking back.
"Techno, remember to always your back...he'll find a way to eliminate you if you don't."
"He?" Techno asked stiffly. Bright began to walk off as she let the wind carry her answer.
"...the Devil..." was what they heard. Toxic jumped us, realizing what had happened.
"Hey! Bright! Wait up!" He sped off after the theorist. There was a short silence before Bud began panicking, latching onto Techno by grabbing the collar of his hoodie.
"D-d-d-did you hear what she just said?!" She nearly screamed at his face. "Who's the Devil?! Are they gonna try and kill us?!" She began to shake Techno violently.
"B-Bud! Calm down!" Techno grabbed her wrists to stop her. "I don't know who Bright was talking about but from what she said, whoever it is...they're after me, not you."
"Uuu..." Bud's eyes watered. "T-Techno...what if you die...?"
"I'm not gonna die..." Do I even fully believe that statement? Techno returned his attention to the house. "What we should be focusing on is why exactly this house was built on this island..."
"Maybe an incident occurred and this is what's left of it...?" Bud suggested.
"Possibly, what's most interesting is that there's somewhere in this house that's useable for body storage. I wonder if there was some sort of serial killer that used to live on this island."
"A serial killer...I wonder. Do you remember what Toxic had mentioned about a serial killer before?"
"There were even some case files there when I checked it out." Toxic recalled. "It seems that the place has literally everything. There was even a list of cases revolving around a serial killer..."
"A serial killer...?" Pure inquired. "Which one...?"
"One that goes by the name of 'Black Viper'. Named that because each victim is found with puncture wounds that resemble snake bites...pretty nasty, eh?"
"Do you think that the serial killer that Toxic mentioned could have owned this house...?"
"I don't think so...from what Toxic said, all that guy did was put puncture wounds into the bodies of his victims. Nothing about organs or torture..."
"Case files could leave things out to protect really confidential information..." Bud pointed out.
"I guess that's true. So we'd never be able to know if this did or not..." Techno folded his arms. "Bud...do want to head to the next building or investigate here a little more?"
"L-leave, obviously! Do you even need to ask that? This place is so creepy, I never want to come back here..." Techno nodded, the two exiting as the door swung shut behind them by itself.
"W-what the hell...?"
"Just...walk away slowly..." Bud backed up, pulling Techno along with her. "Now...where to next...?" Bud smiled weakly.
"I guess we just go to the next building..." Techno pointed to the cinema up ahead, given away by the billboards with what seemed like movies that were being shown. "This should be interesting, eh?"
Entering the building confirmed their suspicions, it was a movie theatre. There was a counter with two or three items on display, some movie posters were poorly hung on the wall. One was entitled 'Monomi in Monokuma-Land'. There was also a promo-poster in on a small stand in the corner of the room for what seemed to be a book.
It's an older Pegasus, pinning a Monokuma down with his foot in some unfamiliar place...he's a white Pegasus with glasses, like me! Techno thought for a second. I'm...defiantly gonna buy that book when it comes out...
"Techno? What are you looking at?" Bud snapped him back into reality as she looked around the theatre lobby. Bud stood by the counter, overlooking the items on display. "It's just a badge and a bag..."
"Badge...?" Techno walked over. A purple coloured badge with Monokuma's face was sitting on the counter with the words 'Sorry I was born stupid' printed on it. "...well that's a bit rude..." Techno folded his arms. "Who would even buy this junk?"
"I can't believe you bought that..." Aqua's voice grumbled as she and Pure emerged from a movie that had just finished, Pure holding a small Monokuma plushie.
"I have to admit, seeing Monokuma at this size is really freaking adorable. He said that on his bear's honor that this was totally legit as well...I doubt there'll be anything to worry about."
"You seriously believed that two-toned shit? Dammit! If it wasn't for it's power, we could be off this Celestia-forsaken island by now!"
"I don't think complaining is going to help us, Aqua..." Pure sighed. "If it did we really would be off the island by now." She held the plushie tightly.
"I know, I know...I just wish we could find a way off this island. I don't want anyone else dying..."
"W-wow, Aqua..." Bud's topaz eyes widened, her mouth agape. "You really have opened up to everyone, haven't you?"
"W-w-w-what the fuck?! How long have you two been standing there?!" Aqua pointed with an accusing finger. "I bet Bud wanted to spy on Pure and I. You're suspicious because of yesterday, aren't you?!"
"What?! No!" Bud paled in shock. "I would never!"
"I bet you've been stringing Techno along this whole time so you could stalk us!"
"Aqua, you're overreacting..." Techno attempted to calm her down. "She was always asking what I wanted to do...she couldn't have known that you were here."
"Urgh..." Aqua clicked her tongue and turned away. "That movie was garbage...can't believe we actually had to see it..."
"W-was it some new motive?" Bud panicked.
"No, there was nothing like that in it. It was just a really bad movie that Monokuma created." Pure explained. "Monomi in Monokuma-land is not a movie I'd recommend..."
"Well, well, well! I'll try not to take offence to that!" Monokuma yelled, appearing behind the counter. "I worked very hard on that movie so don't go saying it was horrible after everything I've done to create it! The writing, the animation, the producing, the editing..."
"A lot of people spend a lot of time on things...doesn't meant they're gonna be good..."
"Explains your fashion line..." Aqua's eye twitched as everyone took a step back.
"What the fuck...?" Her fists clenched. "What the fuck did you just say?!"
"A-Aqua, don't do anything rash! Remember, you can't be violent against Monokuma!" Bud reminded her. "If you do, he'll execute you!"
"Do you really want to end up like Enterna?!" Aqua stopped. She took a deep breath and turned back to Pure.
"We should leave...I don't think there's anything useful here." Pure gave a nod, quietly following Aqua out the theatre lobby.
"So what exactly were they talking about? Monomi in Monokuma-land?" Bud asked Monokuma. "Wasn't that the movie advertised on the billboard outside?"
"Yepperdee! 'Monomi in Monokuma-Land' is my favourite production since 'The Wizard of Monomi'!" Monokuma exclaimed gleefully.
"The Wizard of Monomi?" Techno raised an eyebrow. "What happened to that?"
"I don't wanna talk about it..." His claws sharpened briefly. "Anyway, you two interested in going in for it?"
"No way!" Techno shook his head. "There's probably something dodgy about that movie! Some sort of hidden message that translates to a motive!"
"Hmm...now I kind of wish I did do something like that, but no! This movie is completely clean! No motive for anyone in this!"
"C'mon, maybe Aqua and Pure just didn't like the theme of the movie?" Bud pleaded.
"You can go watch it if you want...I'll wait for you." Bud's eyes lit up.
"Really?! Monokuma, sign me up!"
"You got it, kid!" He produced a small ticket with the name of the movie written onto it. He stamped down the date onto the ticket and handed it off to Bud. "You'll need that to get in the movie, you only get to see it once, remember!"
"Alright, see you when the movie finishes, Techno!" Bud gave a small wave as she went to the movie.
"...alright, what is this really?" Techno leaned across the counter. "I know you wouldn't just make a movie for us to see out of the goodness of your heart. There is defiantly something on here..."
"I don't what you're talking about!" Monokuma objected defensively. "I made this because I was bored. Writing was always something I dreamed of pursuing...but I got into the whole 'despair scene' instead!"
"Then what is it with this island? Why does it feel so...wrong? Like something's always peering over our shoulders?"
"Upupupupupu...! Now ain't that something? I wonder if...nah! Too soon for that!"
"To soon? For what?" Techno's eyes narrowed.
"You don't have to concern yourself with it. It's got nothing to do with you...though I am gonna be busy the rest of the day so unfortunately for you, I will have to cut this meeting short..." Monokuma vanished.
Dammit...now what do I do? I can't leave or Bud is gonna panic again and there's nothing noteworthy here. I still have my doubts about this movie and what is it about this island that's making me so uncomfortable? Monokuma's up to something, he wouldn't be acting the way he is right now if everything was normal. I wonder if it's because we're getting closer to getting off the island...? Or is it something else, something like what Bright was talking about...
"Listen, Techno...where do you think we are...? Are we on Jabberwock Island like we've come to think or are in a completely different location all together? I wonder about that question a lot..." Techno was thrown into a silence from the question. "No answer, eh...? Well I don't have one either...let me finish my investigation and I will tell you everything like I promised before..."
"But-" Techno get a chance to respond before Bright walked by him only stopping to tell him something without looking back.
"Techno, remember to always your back...he'll find a way to eliminate you if you don't."
"He?" Techno asked stiffly. Bright began to walk off as she let the wind carry her answer.
"...the Devil..." was what they heard.
Does Bright know something the rest of us don't? What is going on here?! Techno must have been lost in thought for a while because when he looked up, he saw Bud with a worried expression staring at him.
"Techno, are you feeling okay?" She asked. "You seem frustrated..."
"It's just about everything that's been going on today...especially with Bright..."
"Oh...well, that movie was horrible...I think you were right in skipping over it..." Bud twisted her hair. "Honestly, what was he thinking, creating something so bad?"
"Did you see anything that could be a hidden motive...?"
"Hm? No, not that I saw...it was basically Alic-"
"Don't do that..."
"Hm...?" Bud tilted her head. "Anyway, it was the story of that but it was Monomi going around being attacked by Monokuma's dressed up as the original characters."
"Sound kind of dumb..."
"It was. We shouldn't stay here long, I don't like it. Let's go to the last building...we'll probably be re-grouping soon." Techno nodded in agreement. "Great! Let's go!"
The sight of the interior of the building was rather underwhelming. It was like the institute on Second Island but it looked like it hadn't been cleaned in years, there was dust and dirt everywhere and the lights were turned on but gave off barely any light. It seemed to a hospital which was given away by the green medical cross that hung above one of the doors.
"Hmm...even with the weird feeling surrounding this island, you have to admit. Hospitals are never gonna be bad for us while we're here..."
"Yeah, let's hope we don't come here for extremely serious reasons..." Bud sighed at the memory of the four that had died.
"Boom, Smile, Enterna and Swift...they were all so kind. Something like that happening to them all...it's horrible. Nothing like that should have needed to happen!"
"Everyone thinks the same thing, we can't reiterate it enough." Techno tapped his chin. "Yet...don't be scared from me saying this but...I don't think we can prevent anyone else from dying..."
"W-what?" Bud paled. "T-Techno, if you think like that then-"
"I'll be facing the reality of this situation? Look, Bud, I'm probably gonna be next to go so if that is the case, do me one favour..."
"W-what is it...?"
"I want you to-"
"Techno! Bud!" Memory's voice came from behind them. "I see you guys decided to turn up!"
"Oh...hey, I see you two have already searched the place..." Techno folded his arms.
"Hmm...? Techno you seem suddenly very...what's the word...? Defeatist aura around you..." Paint observes, her monotone voice going right through the other three.
"What do you mean...?" Bud looked at Techno.
"He seems to be giving into this situation far to easily...am I wrong...?"
"Actually, he just-"
"Bud...can we talk about it later...?" Bud paused with a small sense of doubt inside her but agreed anyway. "Thanks..."
"By the way, Bright stopped by earlier...we're gonna discuss our findings when we have our daily meeting at the restaurant tomorrow...if you guys are tired, it's best if you turn in for the day..." Memory smiled.
"I think I might..." Techno sighed heavily.
"A-are you sure? It's really early still." Bud asked worryingly. Techno nodded and turned to the exit.
"It's probably for the best...I'll see you all tomorrow, I guess..."
Techno sat on his head, staring at the ceiling. I'm doomed...I'm gonna die, I already know it...I want everyone else to survive though, what exactly am I supposed to do?! Everyone's afraid as well...none of them should die from them killing each other...but solution is there...? Can I even do anything to help...?
There was a sudden dizzy feeling looming over Techno. Geez...I need some rest... He leaned back into his bed. I'm so...tired....
The room was dimly lit, the only noise was the sound of machine parts running. Techno seemed one or two years older whilst he worked on the machine in front of him, chaperoned by a dark figure that couldn't be made out, by the way the figure looked, it had to be a male with dark colour around twenty three to twenty six.
"...do you think you have all the needed parts yet?" He asked.
"I should." Techno replied with little enthusiasm. "I still don't understand why you want me to modify this *BZZZT!*" He never heard his name, there was static when it was said.
"We have our reasons, Techno...it's better if you don't know." He started to flip through some papers.
"...you're probably planning to kill all of us...aren't you?" The page flicking stopped. "...hmph! Thought so..."
"We don't want to kill any of you. You know that isn't our intention at all...remember to put that part in as well, just in case anything goes off plan."
"...yeah...I got it."
"This is mostly my fault that you've been asked to do this, the Beacons of Hope need you for this...you're the only one they can turn to. If all goes well, it'll be better for everyone else cause we can finally eliminate the root of the problem."
"It's not a problem, *BZZZT!*, it's like a contagion..." Techno bit the inside of his cheek.
"Well, we can cure the 'contagion' then..." The figure sighed. "I really wished I helped you when you were younger and just accepted into Hope's Peak..."
"Don't..." Techno spoke forcefully. "You know that this isn't your fault. This was bound to happen no matter what you did, don't go blaming yourself for unpreventable events..."
"Your friends would say differently..." Techno shifted slightly. "Sorry...I know you want to help them, you're a good kid, Tech..."
"I hate that nickname, like the one your friends gave you? Na-"
"Shut up..." He growled.
"I should be done soon...just one thing left, then you can boot up your execution machine..." The figure moved from his spot and sat next to Techno. He put his arm around his shoulder and pulled Techno in.
"...you know that no matter what happened to you, I'd never hurt you...you're too important to me, Tech..." Techno paused, allowing himself to loosen up.
"Thanks...you're a good..." Techno bit his lip as he said it. "You're a good brother..."
Day 2
Techno sat up with a yell, covered in cold sweat as the sunlight broke through his cabin window. He wiped his forehead and shoved his glasses on, tensing from the thought of what he just saw.
W-what the hell was all that...? Was that just a dream? A vision? A...a memory...? No, I seemed older...and who was that other guy? My brother? That's impossible though...
He didn't have much time to think before a knock came from his door. Walking unsteadily he managed to open to door to reveal a concerned Rip and Clip. "O-oh...hey...c'mon in..." He made way for the two as they filed inside. "Is something wrong...?"
"Well...Bud told us how you seemed to be acting weird during the investigation yesterday..." Rip spoke with concern in her voice. It seemed that Bud had told everyone. Also seemed that he only had two students looking out for him. "...not to mention that you haven't shown up to the restaurant..." She added.
"I...I guess I slept in..." Techno rubbed the back of his head. "Sorry about that..."
"Honey...you feeling alright? Ever since the last class trial you've been a little...different..." Clip frowned. "We're all really worried, even Aqua and Toxic..."
"I'm fine, promise..." He smiled weakly. "Just feel a little off...sorry if I've worried everyone..."
"To be fair though, you were forced to point the accusation of murder to Clover...that would difficult for anyone..." Rip was about to hud Techno before she got a small whiff. "...have you been sweating?"
"U-uh..." Techno blushed. "S-sorry, it was really hot in here last night, guess I stink a little bit..."
"Then, guess Rip and I should leave you to get ready...come by the restaurant soon so we can talk about what we found on Third Island." Clip reminded him. "Also, we need to talk later...meet up with me a Jabberwock Park, Rip, you come too..."
"Oh, sure..." Rip nodded.
"Got it, I'll see you there..." Techno folded his arms as they left his cabin. "...haaaaaaahhh..." He sighed. "It's gonna be a loooong day..."