Chapter Text
Translator
Translator
Prologue: Ultimate What Now?
Kamizono Copen woke up in a dark, enclosed space.
This wasn't necessarily a problem by itself – he’s been kidnapped and freed himself before several times in a day before, so it went without saying that he was far from claustrophobic. What was concerning was the fact that he couldn't remember how he got there. Any attempts to do so ended in an explosion of pain in the back of his skull, followed by a brief sense of disorientation, so he reluctantly decided to put that problem aside momentarily. Instead, he began to probe against the sides of the cramped space, registering the feel of cool smooth metal and quickly being drawn to the slits in front of him, letting in the smallest slithers of light. Weird, this looked like a-
He adjusted his weight, bracing himself against the side and firmly pushing forward. Once, twice-
The door gave way and creaked open, allowing Copen to stumble out before quickly regaining his footing and steadying himself. He glanced back over his shoulder, grimacing. A locker; exactly what he thought, but that didn't help the situation make any more sense.
With the newfound space, he began to stretch to relieve the stiffness of his muscles. Huh, how long had he been in that locker for? He glanced warily around the room:
He’s inside a classroom – and taking in the further oddities of the scene. It was a classroom overgrown with plants hanging down from the ceiling, which undeniably suggested that it was abandoned, yet there was a blackboard that doubled as a blue LCD screen at the front of the room. Since when were LCD screens a thing anymore, let alone in a random classroom? There was a monitor suspended from the ceiling too, but it looked like it had way more speakers than necessary. The windows were covered in barbed wire, an unsettling bright red that made Copen scrunch his nose up in distaste. It looked like a mess and even more upsetting: purposely barricaded in a way.
He’s pretty sure that were he to try and grasp those vines. That they would cut into his skin, and were he to try breaking a window. It would take no damage from the attempt. He’d expect at least this much from some kidnapper that managed to wipe out his memories of all things.
Preliminary observation of his surroundings done with, Copen takes the second step taken out of the classic book dubbed ‘How to survive any kidnapping attempt’ by observing his own body now:
He’s still a boy first and foremost (yes!), with red swirly eyes and white hair that has one larger tip pointing out like a satellite (coughlike every danganronpa protagcough). He was wearing a school uniform, clearly custom made as no school would accept the red X that’s highlighted at his back. Other than that, the uniform is mostly white, and as generic as could be, as the black pants and shoes he wears look like the type that literally any ordinary high school student would wear. Copen couldn’t but feel dissapointed at that, and for some reason the clothes weighted more than normal.
Letting out a small huff, Copen places one hand against his hip, only to feel something solid press against his leg. Copen glanced down, fingers trailing around an invisible object before he pulled out a gun from where it hung dutifully from the now visible combat belt attached to the now visible power armor. Resisting the urge to smile at the gun’s familiar weight, Copen inspected his silvery white armor instead, and notices that his once normal boots are now red boots with flight attachments stuck to them. Likewise there’s a jet-pack on his back alongside a red visor attached to the back of his head. Clearly, he is armed to the teeth for some reason. Which naturally reassures him, though the clothes turn back to ‘normal’ the moment he returns the gun back to the belt.
And he did so at the perfect timing, for not a moment too soon, he’s brought back to the situation at hand by the sound of a loud bang right behind him.
Copen tensed, turning around and staring at the locker beside the one he had emerged from. It seemed to be rattling, and a sense of dread and comfort stirred in his gut. He wasn't alone, and while he could easily assume whoever was inside the locker was in the same confusing situation as him, that didn't mean he'd know how to act. Copen liked to think of the worst case scenario: That being whoever appears would be someone that’s just as armed as he is and is either hostile or knows more than they let on. He knows thinking like this wouldn’t do any good, but that’s just who he is at heart. He wouldn’t feel safe until he has control, and until he has that, he wouldn’t trust anyone.
Oh well. It wasn't like he could do anything about it now. He had missed his chance to leave the room before this happened, and the locker door was already opening to reveal someone tripping out, just barely missing falling over. At first glance, it appeared to be a girl around his age with short, mint green hair. She was wearing a school uniform too, some bizarre fusion of a high-waist skirt and a leotard with a pattern of red feathers stitched around the hem and sleeves like the wings of a bird, while the rest had white and golden highlights, her shoes and gloves were both red and black but strangely enough appeared to be part of her body rather than accessories. The rest of her appearance was weirder; her arms and legs seemed fully artificial, skin too sleek and smooth to truly be made of flesh. When she straightened up, her neck and a face had a similar shine, contrasting her pale complexion, and her ears appeared to be replaced by...headphones and two red visors? Her face was a thing of majesty, from a perfect jaw to two bright and beautiful purple eyes[0]. Too...good to be natural. But that’s not where Copen’s gaze was stuck on, no, what truly got his attention was what was attached to her neck, a silver bell that he’s certain he has…..he…
Everything turned white for a second….
“Uh, hello?” And the next, the girl was basically nose to nose in front of him. Causing him to startle backwards, almost tripping against a desk behind him. The girl couldn’t help but snort at the reaction, cocking her head. “Hey, I’m not gonna bite your head off! Don’t be rude!”
Copen flusters at the accusation, then regains his composure one he recognizes the playful tone for what it is, harmless teasing. “Sorry, but you shouldn’t have gotten so close, all of a sudden.”
“Oh, but you were as stiff as a statue for like half a minute.” The girl notes and that sentence alone brings him discomfort. Was he truly stuck in a helpless state out of nowhere? Just because he saw some bell that he thought meant something but in truth is of absolutely no relation to him at all?
Copen held in a frown, hiding his bitterness behind a facade of calm. “Even so, boundaries are a thing. But enough of that, do you know where we are? I don’t recognize this room at all.”
“Nope!” The girl announces as she clicks her tongue, grinning sheepishly for a moment as she folds her arms behind her head. “Not a clue. I’m in the same boat as you.”
Copen’s eyebrows couldn’t help but furrow in disappointment, and he opened his mouth to suggest searching outside the classroom for answers, only to be cut off by a chorus of annoying voices.
“Wake and smile, crocodile!”
The five stuffed reptilians seemed to spawn out of nowhere, making Copen tense and his companion move in front of him as if ready to defend him. They were each a different color but they all appeared to follow the same general outline, as if they were clones. Copen stole a glance towards the other teenager, curious as to how she was taking the appearance of seemingly alive baby teddy dragons, but she didn’t seem overly panicked, just vaguely wary. Either way the lizard’s nonstop chatter and terrible puns quickly put a drain to his patience, but he didn’t voice anything about it until he found an opening in the incoherent chatter the dragons were having amongst them.
“Mind telling us who the hell you guys are?” Copen said with a neutral face and voice completely flat. “It’s not every day you see animated stuffed animals. And if you know what’s going on…”
“Then it’s fair to say that an interrogation is in order!” the girl finished for him, ruining what would have been his suggestive silence. Then again, just saying it out loud doesn’t really change much.
The lizards seemed to exchange glances with each other, before the red exclaimed in a grating babyish voice. “We’re the Moebolings! [1] We’re more than just some stuffed animals.”
“Moebolings?” The girl muttered, and Copen could appreciate the consideration and confusion in her voice. It was nice to know he wasn't the only one analyzing every word he could make out, and yet still coming up with nothing. The name held no significance, and he was feeling more inclined to storm out of the room by the second, if only to escape these irritating things and the unhelpful banter they had lapsed back into.
"Anyway, since you have questions, ask away!" The red lizard continued cheerfully, arms folded as it successfully refocused Copen's attention. Finally, he had a possible source for answers. Even if the hatchlings lied, Copen would at least be able to take that into account; nobody lied for no reason.
"One at a time, though. Otherwise we won't answer none of your questions!" The yellow lizard chipped into, readjusting its glasses, but Copen didn't care to listen. Instead, he threw out the first question before the lizards would have any chance to distract him.
"Where are we?"
The resulting conversation answered some questions, only to generate several more in its wake. Copen was quiet for the most part as they explained that they were in the Ultimate Academy for Gifted Juveniles, and how it was catered towards sixteen Ultimate students, the two of them included. The idea of an entire school being built for sixteen specific students didn't sit well with him, but he didn't share that fact besides a small grimace. And then, of course, the lizards prompted them to start exploring the academy and introducing themselves to the other Ultimates, which only made him want to smash his head against the nearest wall because what in the hell is an ulti-
Ultimate is a title given to talented people described as being the very best at what they do. They often specialize in one subject. Ah, that’s true. How could he forget that?
Though he remained calm externally, he couldn't be more glad when the Mobolings ran away to who knows where. He glared daggers at the empty space where they once were, before his attention was drawn back to the girl beside him. Well, they did say to introduce themselves, right?
"So you're an Ultimate too?" He asked, breaking the silence around the classroom before it could really settle and not commenting on the way the other jolted in surprise. Is him talking that surprising? He faked a smile as the girl looked over at him, before nodding, somewhat flustered.
"Ah, yes, I never introduced myself." Like a switch was flipped, she puffed her chest out and beamed with pride. "I am Lola, the Ultimate Robot! Despite the circumstances, it is a pleasure to meet you, especially as another Ultimate!"
“Oh, that’s all?” Copen replied, mildly dissapointed. He had guessed it was something along those lines from her appearance, but if the fact she’s a robot is enough to be considered an Ultimate then, yeah, his expectations are not met. “So what makes you so special then?” he calmly asks her.
“Huh?” Lola tilted her head instead to display confusion, cute gesture aside. It doesn’t do anything for Copen other than force him to repeat himself, only to be met with another. “huh?” from her.
“What can you do that other robots can’t?” Copen finally asks in an easy to understand way.
“Oh!” And she finally gets it, immediately after Lola’s eyes glint with excitement. “I’m glad you asked!” she announces, as suddenly red petals fly everywhere. “As the ultimate robot, it’s my duty to aid humanity! And what better way to do so other than….ENTERTAINMENT!!”
What follows is a bizarre display of her singing and dancing about what she can do as if she’s some J-pop idol. While Copen just blankly takes in the sudden out of nowhere-show.
“So you’re an idol then.” Copen concludes once she’s finally done. And she preens in response as if he gave her the highest praise imaginable. “More importantly how did you do that song and dance number? There’s no way such a small body could contain so much. Could I have a deeper look?” He rambled with some scientific terms while skipping forward. While he was definitely put off by the whole show and most of her ‘energy’, part of whatever she is still deeply intrigued him.
Lola froze at the last sentence, then yelped at the perceived advancements, scrambling behind the nearby desks to put distance between them. A redness had risen to her cheeks and she seemed to try to pull her own clothes closer. "I'm...flattered, but saying something like that is highly inappropriate, and unnecessary! You wouldn't ask anybody else for something like that, would you?" Her eyes narrowed as Copen continued to slowly move closer, interest and some mischief clear on his face, and continued before he could answer. "You wouldn't! I may be artificial, but due to my strong AI, I act and develop like a human. If you continue to discriminate against me like this, then I will have to see you in court for your robophobic actions!"
Copen paused, holding in a sarcastic eye-roll at her words. "Did you just say 'robophobic'? You sure are something." The robot made several sounds of protest in response, but he didn't listen to them, letting out a theatrical sigh as he took several steps back, no longer cornering the girl. "But fine. No touching. Can I at least ask you some questions? You really have my interest now."
Lola blinked slowly, as if surprised. Copen could admit that the way he presented himself would lead one to believe that he wasn't one to give up easily, and he wasn't , but he also knew when to back off and not look like a creep. All that aside, the robot-girl seemed relatively genuine. Even if he didn't trust her, he felt comfortable enough in her company to not mind having her around.
"Well, I suppose I can entertain your curiosity." Lola began hesitantly, before smiling brightly. "The curiosity humans have is truly incredible. Please, ask away!"
The urge to ask something inappropriate as a joke was as out of character as it was intense and urgent for a second, it took all of Copen’s discipline to instead ask. “So, who made you?”
“Ah, that’s a great question!” An instantaneous pleased reaction, boy, is she starting to seem like a puppy. “I’ll have you know, I was made by the Ultimate Inventor himself, K….”
“K-who?” Copen asked at her sudden silence.
“K….K...K, K,K, K KKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK-” as if trying to remove the word just hinging off the edge of her tongue, Lola repeats the first letter of her creator’s name over and over. Her tone turning more frantic and agitated as the seconds pass by. “I don’t remember?! I can’t remember?!”
Oh, this is turning south really quickly. Copen took a careful step forward, “Lola, I-”
“Stay back!” only for the robot girl to increase the distance with a squeak, hands held together as if to protect herself from any threat, him included. “I don’t remember how I got here! Which means I got kidnapped!” she finally realizes, at what’s possibly the worst time possible since Copen has to deal with what’s likely about to be a panic attack or some accusation. “My emergency signals refuse to function and I can’t call the authorities either which means someone fiddled with my body too!”
“Lola,” Copen started again, his tone carefully soft. “You need to calm down, you’re-”
“I AM CALM!” She shouts, realizes she shouted at him, then whispers frantically. “I am calm, I am calm, but hey, why should I listen to you? I don’t know you and for all I know you’re the culprit!”
“Huh?”
“Don’t you huh me!” Her tone turns steel cold. “I bet this was your plan all along, stringing along the newest and greatest of AI’s to see her reactions and figure out her secrets! And once you’re done, your henchmen will rip me apart and steal my data! Like I’d ever let that happen!!!!”
“That’s ridiculous!” Copen shouts back, harsher than he intended. “You don’t have any proof whatsoever to even think something like that! So calm down and think clearly for a-”
“OH, BUT I DO!” Lola interrupts again, her hysteria disrupting any natural flow in the conversation. Followed by her dramatically pointing at him. “Have proof that you’re the culprit!”
This isn’t going anywhere, as long as she’s got even an inkling of suspicion his way. Lola won’t be persuaded, but even so, Copen can’t just walk away from this discussion either. For if he does and Lola is allowed to infect other people with her crazy logic, then his non-existing reputation will go down the drain amongst the other Ultimates. So there’s only one thing he can do to solve this.
“Fine, then state them. I’ll show you that your fears are nothing but nonsense!”
He’s got to find the contradictions in her words, and expose the truth to her!
LOGIC DEBATE START! [2]
Music: https://youtu.be/dEIZvCOtikQ?si=IIsbgdkD7QDjCujC
: So, to start things off. You clearly locked me up inside one of the lockers.
Congratulations, she’s not even one line in and she’s already dead wrong.
: The lockers weren’t locked at all, also I too woke up inside one of them.
: Is that all you have? Because if so, then this debate is quite a short one.
: GUH! N-no! I’ve got way more than that! Dummy! Well, I-uh…
She clearly takes a moment to think about another angle. Looks like this won’t be hard at all, I just gotta find similar wrong conclusions and throw them right back at her. There should be plenty too.
: So not only that, but you’re also dressed as if you belong here! With those student clothes, it’s clear that you’ve been expected to attend here.
: And not only that, but those Mobolings generously answered every question you asked them too. And why wouldn’t they be nice to their master? Also you should get better pun material!
: Finally, the most suspicious part was the way you were just leering at me. Clearly you were trying to see if I recognized you and seeing that I didn’t. You’re pretty confident in yourself, now aren’t ya? After all, you’ve got all the time to fool me, seeing how we’re locked in this room!
: And that’s why you’re the mastermind! Heh, some Ultimate Kidnapper you are….
: (Oh, is she done?...I’m pretty sure her story’s filled with holes, in like...every corner.)
: (Guess it’s time to expose them and be done with this once and for all….)