lifeless-v5

[lifeless-v5]

We all whipped our heads towards the stage. We looked at the podium, confused, when suddenly-

???: Upupupu…

???: Monokuma appears!

Jimmy yelped and fell off the stage when the stuffed bear appeared on top of the podium. I offered him my hand and he pulled himself up.

Joel: What the hell?!

Ren: What is that infernal thing?!

Pearl: Is that a… teddy bear?

???: I’m no teddy bear! I’m Monokuma!

Martyn: That- huh?

Monokuma: I’m your headmaster! I’m here to make sure you all live your school life to the fullest!

Tango: Woah. The robotics in that thing have got to be incredible. Hey, can I take you apart and see them?

Monokuma: No way! Violence against the headmaster is strictly forbidden!

Skizz: This is some kind of joke, right? It’s gotta be!

Impulse: I’m sure it’s just an elaborate prank. Probably the school’s doing.

Scott: I’m sure you’re right.

Monokuma: Upupu… tell yourselves whatever you’d like. But do it quietly! I’ve got some important announcements!

Martyn: …Announcements?

Monokuma: The first of which is… this school is to be your entire world. For the remainder of the foreseeable future, you will live in this academy. Leaving is strictly forbidden.

Pearl: Yeah, it’s a prank.

Cleo: Stupidest prank I’ve ever seen. Did they really think we would believe this?

Jimmy: I don’t know… I have a bad feeling.

Skizz: What, you think we’re actually trapped here?

Monokuma: Go check the exit for yourself, if you really don’t believe me. But wait till I finish my announcements.

Joel: Get on with it, then.

Monokuma: Rodger that! My second announcement is that as soon as this assembly is finished, you will all be starting the killing school life!

Lizzie: Oh my… killing school life?

Bdubs: Hell’s the killing school life?

Monokuma: Well, I told you you’re to be living the rest of your lives at this academy, riight? Well, I can’t imagine that’s something you all are enthusiastic about.

Tango: No duh.

Monokuma: If you want to leave here, it’s fairly simple. All you have to do is kill.

Ren: Kill?! What on earth are you saying?!

Monokuma: I’m saying, kill.

Monokuma: Stabbing, strangling, bludgeoning, poisoning… maybe even drowning or electrocution! Any method is fine, as long as you get the job done.

Bigb: That- that’s awful!

Etho: It’s ridiculous.

Skizz: Yeah! Even if this is real, there’s no way we’d kill each other!

Pearl: Yeah! That’s right!

Grian: It does seem unlikely…

Scar: It’s completely preposterous!

Monokuma: Upupupu… preposterous it may be, but the only way to leave here is to participate in this killing game. Are you sure you’re content with never seeing your friends and family again?

Scott: You- you’re sick.

Grian: He may be sick, but he is unfortunately right. There is a non-zero chance of someone getting killed.

Cleo: Don’t say stuff like that.

Martyn: …Hey, Monokuma, I’ve got a question.

Monokuma: Shoot!

Martyn: Is that really it? We just- kill someone, and… leave? No catch?

Monokuma: You have a very good eye there, Littlewood. The truth is, no, you can’t just kill someone and waltz on out. You have to be careful to not get caught by your classmates. It’s a bit more complicated than that, but you can find all the info on your Monopads!

Scar: Monopads?

Monokuma: Yup! I stuck ‘em in your pockets to replace those dinky old smartphones.

I scrambled around in my pockets, everyone else doing the same. Sure enough, instead of my phone, there was a small black and white tablet.

Congratulations! You can now use the @monopad-v5! Things like report cards, a school map, and regulations are all there. The @ will be in the pinned post.

I clicked on the icon for School Regulations and read through, my blood turning to ice.

Lizzie: By punished, you mean…

Monokuma: Execution, of course!

Tango: This… this can’t be real…

Monokuma: Believe what you like. It doesn’t change the truth.

Jimmy: I… I don’t…

Monokuma: Upupupu… You kids should sleep on it. Maybe you’ll feel a little more murderous in the morning. Check your profile in the report cards. It’ll tell you where you’re staying.

With that, he disappeared.

Bigb: …What now?

Cleo: I think we should listen and get some sleep. We’ve all had an exhausting day. We could use the rest.

Grian: That seems the best course of action.

Martyn: I agree.

We checked our maps, and made our way to the dorms. I had a feeling that sleep would be a long time coming for all of us.

Prologue/A Life, Limited/ <End>

[You got a School Crest.]

<- Prev/ Next ->

[lifeless-v5]

I noticed a boy sitting by himself, perched on the edge of the stage and swinging his legs back and forth. I leaned on the stage next to him and gave my best attempt at a friendly smile.

Martyn: Hey. I’m Martyn Littlewood, the ultimate gamer.

???: Hm? Oh!

He turned to me. There was something… odd, in his eyes. A look I couldn’t quite place.

???: I’m Jimmy. Jimmy Solidarity.

Jimmy: It’s, uh, nice to meet you!

Martyn: Yeah, you too. What’s your talent? I’m curious.

Jimmy: Oh! Well, it’s-

???: Upupupu…

<- Prev / Next ->

[lifeless-v5]

I walked over to the scheming duo. One of them, who was laying down on the seats, glanced up as I approached. He attempted to roll over, and fell off the seat. The other one, who’s wheelchair was parked in the aisle, laughed at him.

???: Need a hand, Big Beans?

???: ‘M fine.

He took the offered hand anyway, grumbling as he got to his feet. I stifled a laugh. The second one noticed me, and his face brightened.

???: Why hello there! Oh, it’s so great to meet new friends. What’s your name, new friend?

Martyn: Oh, I’m Martyn Littlewood! The, uh, ultimate gamer.

???: Hello Martyn! I’m Scar Tymes, the ultimate salesman!

Scar: It’s so great to meet you!

Martyn: You too!

???: Watch out, he just wants your jacket. He’ll find a way to trick you out of it.

Scar: I would never!

???: Sure. And I didn’t steal your wallet earlier.

Scar: You- hey!

He smirked at me as Scar frantically patted down his pockets.

???: Joel Beans. Ultimate pirate.

Joel: If your attached to your valuables, I recommend keeping an eye on them. I’ve been told I have sticky fingers.

He gave me a dramatic wink. They seem… eccentric. They make me a little nervous. I’ll have to keep an eye out for them.

<- Prev / Next ->

[lifeless-v5]

I crossed the room to the eccentric looking duo. One of the two instantly lept up to greet me.

???: Greetings! I am glad to meet so many fellow ultimates.

He swept into a dramatic bow.

???: My name is Ren Dog, and I am called the ultimate knight. It’s wonderful to meet you!

Ren: Isn’t this so exciting?

He straightened up and grabbed my hand in both of his. His enthusiasm was infectious; it was hard not to smile from the brightness of his.

Martyn: Uh, yeah, definitely. I’m Martyn Littlewood, the ultimate, uh, gamer.

Ren: Well, Martyn! I look forward to getting to know you. I am sure that we will be the best of friends!

He gestured to the girl sitting behind him. Her smile was calculating, but not cold.

Ren: Did you meet Lizzie?

???: We haven’t met.

She rose gracefully and smoothed her skirts.

???: Lizzie Shadow, the ultimate trickster.

Lizzie: Well met.

Martyn: Right. Uh, you too.

Ultimate trickster, huh? I’ll have to look out for her. Ren seems nice, though. I hope… I hope we get a chance to be friends.

<- Prev / Next ->

[lifeless-v5]

I strode over to the quiet trio. They all glanced up at me. I got the feeling I was being judged; not necessarily unkindly, but judged nonetheless.

???: Hiya!

One of them gave me a friendly smile.

???: I’m Pearl Moon, the ultimate astronomer.

Pearl: And you are?

Martyn: Martyn Littlewood. Ultimate, uh, ultimate gamer.

One of the other two leaned over and smirked at me.

???: You sure about that?

Martyn: Yes! Of course I am! Why wouldn’t I be!?

The third one laughed. He tossed his hair and gave them a playful nudge.

???: Relax. Cleo just likes making people nervous.

He grinned at me.

???: I’m Scott Major, the ultimate gardener.

Scott: That one over there is-

???: Cleo Zombie. Ultimate child caregiver.

Cleo: And I’m damn good at it, too.

She poked Scott, and he batted their hand away, giggling.

Scott: That you are.

They seem pretty cool. Definitely my kind of people. I have a feeling we’re going to be friends.

<- Prev / Next ->

[lifeless-v5]

I walked over to the boisterous group of five. They seemed to be bickering, but they were all laughing. They looked up when I approached, and their grins all brightened.

???: Oh, new person!

Martyn: Oh, uh, hi. I’m Martyn Littlewood, the… ultimate gamer.

???: Hi hi!

One of them shoved past the others.

???: I’m Bdubs O, the ultimate watchmaker!

Bdubs: It’s nice to-

???: Quit hogging him, B!

Another person pushed Bdubs out of the way.

Bdubs: Ow, Skizz!

???: Yo! I’m Skizz Man, the ultimate wrestler!

Skizz: Ultimate gamer, huh? That’s so cool! Do you-

*THUD*

He yelped as he crashed to the ground. Another person popped up behind him, giggling.

???: It’s ridiculously easy to knock you over, considering your talent.

He hopped over Skizz and grinned at me.

???: Tango of the Tek variety, ultimate blacksmithificator!

Tango: If you hear the fire alarm, it’ll probably be me.

Martyn: …Blacksmithificator?

???: That’s our Tango. I think he’s allergic to real words.

Two of the group were sitting back, content to watch the chaos. One of them smiled at me; the other was wearing a mask, so I couldn’t be sure if he did, too.

???: Impulse S. Vee. Ultimate spy.

Impulse: It’s nice to meet you!

He glanced at the boy next to him.

???: Hm?

Impulse: Introduce yourself!

???: Ah. Etho Slab. Ultimate figure skater.

Etho: …

Impulse: Sorry, he’s not much of a talker.

Martyn: It’s fine. It’s, uh, nice to meet you guys.

Impulse: You too!

They’re… interesting. They do seem nice. Maybe we’ll be friends.

<- Prev / Next ->

[lifeless-v5]

The three of us headed into the auditorium. There were already a bunch of students there, all in little groups scattered throughout the room.

I took a deep breath. All I had to do was pick a group and introduce myself.

<- Prev / Next ->

[lifeless-v5]

So… this is Hope’s Peak, huh?

It feels more like a mansion than a school. Like the setting of a horror game or something.

Oh, right. I should probably introduce myself.

???: I’m Martyn Littlewood. I’m… the ultimate gamer. I guess I go to Hope’s Peak now.

Martyn: Let’s get this over with.

I stepped into the wide doorway. It felt like the building had swallowed me whole. I started down the hallway, hoping to find the auditorium for orientation, like the email had said.

???: Oh, you must be another new student!

Martyn: Yeah, I’m Martyn Littlewood, uh, the ultimate gamer.

???: I’m Bigb Statz, the ultimate baker! It’s great to meet you!

Bigb: We just need to find the auditorium for orientation. Why don’t we look together?

Martyn: Sure, sounds good.

We walked down the hallway together, but after a few minutes…

???: You guys must also be new. Are you lost?

Another student stood in front of us, looking us up and down. It felt like we were rats in a lab, who had messed up the scientists’ data. It was unsettling.

???: I’m Grian Lyfe, the ultimate analyst.

Grian: If we hurry, we won’t be late to orientation. C’mon, I’ll show you to the auditorium.

<- Prev / Next ->

[lifeless-v5]

Prologue/A Life, Limited/

I lounged in my chair, fiddling with the controllers on my switch, blurry eyes barely seeing the game I was playing. The cheerful music was muted, and a video about the history of Hope’s Peak playing on my computer.

*Ding!*

I glanced up at my monitor.

An email from Hope’s Peak Academy? That’s… odd.

I clicked the notification, and-

Prev / Next ->

[lifeless-v5]

welcome to danganronpa v5: lifeless! this is an interactive fanganronpa, based on the mcyt life series.

you can call me z, i use they/it pronouns. i mostly post on @zodarii-dae so all my other stuff is on there if you wanna check it out!

———

#lifeless game - main story tag

#update v5 - announcements/updates

#danganronpa lifeless - anything to do with this au

———

<start game>

[be sure to check your student handbook, @monopad-v5!]