The Search
The war lay 20 years in the past. Every child knew of the devestation, turmoil and despair that had ravaged the world when Junko Enoshima, the ultimate despair, killed millions and created the biggest, most awful, most tragic event in human history. Junko had been defeated by the 6 survivors of the killing school life, and life had returned to this seeming normalcy. However, the battle against despair was far from over, as Junko´s brainwashed followers, the remnants of despair, were still at large and wanting everyone to feel the despair they had felt. Makoto and Kyoko had disappeared for reasons unknown, but Byakuya temporarally took Makoto´s position as headmaster until his friends returned. He was still a jerk to everyone else, but Makoto and Kyoko had gained his respect, something very hard to do. However, this story centers around a group of teenagers on a spring break vacation. Class 97 were a very unique and yet closely knit bunch. Not all of them had decided to go on this hike and camp out though. Kirumi had a duty to her citizens as the prime minister, and Ryoma stayed to help her as she had made him her vice. Keebo was currently getting modifications from Miu, and Tsumugi had made it her sworn duty to get Kyo proper therapy. As for Rantaro, he spent every break from school searching for his sisters, and this one was no exception. However, everyone else from this excentric class had decided to go on a hike and go camping during there week off. It will turn out to be the biggest mistake any of them have ever made.
Shuichi frowned as he continued to study the odd map. His adopted father, also the principal of Hope´s Peak, told him the map was something his mother had wanted him to have. Shuichi wondered if the map had anything to do with the reason his parents had gone missing. Shuichi was very analytical and inteligent, Byakuya said he had gotten that from his mom. But he also had a mix of kindness, self deprication, and extremely low self worth. That apperently came from his dad. Shuichi knew his adopted father had to have been talking about his biological father though. Shuichi looked up from his thoughts when Kaede called his name. She looked concerned, and Shuichi had to remind himself he was sitting in the car while they drove to the site they would be camping at for the night. The car swerved violently to the side, and Shuichi suddenly remembered Kaito was driving!¨Kaito was Shuichi´s best friend, but he was in no way, shape, or form a good or even decent driver. ¨Maybe you should let Kaede drive Kaito.¨ Shuichi had no idea whose idea it was to lower the driving age to 14, but whoever it was, the detective wanted to have a talk with them. Shuichi then held on for dear life as Kaito and Maki fought for control of the wheel. Kokichi was of course laughing like a little gremlin. Kokichi wasn´t harmful, but he could sure be annoying. Shuichi wasn´t sure if the two fighting for the wheel realized the river they were heading towards, but right before he could say anything about it, someone beat him to it. ¨Gonta see river!¨ The enviormentalist shouted. Shuichi sighed as Kaito and Maki finally looked at the road and the car careened into a ditch right before they could fall into the river. Shuichi groaned as his leg contorted into a position that should not have been possible.
Kaito realized his arm was in a lot of pain. He tried to pull himself up but it didn´t work, only for a dark haired assasin to pull him up by his non injured arm. Once he was up, Kaito found he could walk fine, it appeared to be only his arm that was injured. "Sorry Maki-roll,¨ he appologized and Maki rolled her eyes at the nickname. He then turned to glare at Kokichi, who was giggling at his broken arm. Kaito had personal problems with Kokichi, as the liar had made it his personal mission to tease the budding astronaut, and it only got worse when Maki was revealed to actually be the ultimate assasin, as Kokichi was afraid of her. All things said and done, Kaito was not a fan of him in the slightest. Kaito then went to see if he could help Shuichi, who was struggling to walk. Kaito actually had no idea why the car crashed like that. People made fun of his driving, but they never actually let him drive, and Kaito KNEW he wasn´t that bad. From what Kaito could tell, everyone had landed in varying places after they crashed into the ditch. but almost everyone was unharmed. Key word being almost, as Kaito was almost certain his arm was broken and believed Shuichi´s leg was also. When the group finally got to a place they could sit down, Kaito was dead on his feet. He could tell he wasn´t the only one tired, and that Kaede was relieved Shuichi could finally rest his leg. One thing Kaito wondered though was, where were they? As Kaito listened to Shuichi explain about a map that had been from his mom, he realized the map matched the features of wherever they were. When he explained to them about the similarities, everyone suddenly turned hyper alert. Kaito didn´t know anything about Shuichi´s birth parents, but the boy had asked him to help him find answers, to which Kaito agreed. That´s when he noticed Gonta was missing. Kaito was about to go find him when he walked over to them, the same innocent smile on his face like always. ¨Gonta found something.¨ Before Kaito could react, Angie grabbed the box and reported the symbol of Hopes Peak Academy on the label. Kokichi grabbed it from her and took out the note. That made Kaito scowl, but Kaede grabbed it from Kokichi and gave it to Shuichi. From what Kaito could tell as his sidekick read it out, the note was from his birth mother warning him about something. But the last line worried him, ¨Beware the Remnants of Despair.¨ Kaito, and everyone he knew knew they remnants of despair were a dangerous organization trying to bring Junko´s reign back.
Shuichi was just confused. This letter from his birth mom said something about despair gaining power again, a new age, and about people that were going to help them, but she didn´t give any details. Shuichi was right now in a lot of pain, but then Kaito told him about this cave he found, with the forbodeing sense something malicious was in there. Shuichi was an intelectual, and that made him very curious. However, Kaede refused to let him explore alone and insisted on going with him. Shuichi tried to protest, but she reminded him he had a broken leg and wouldn´t be able to walk on his zone. And then Kaito decided to go with them as well. So it was decided that Shuichi, Kaede and Kaito would explore the cave while everyone else waited outside.
