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[indent][indent]It felt like hours had went by even though the night just started, Rika felt in her gut something was wrong, or something was gonna go wrong sometime during all of this. As she faced away from Cyrus she constantly played with her recorder; this time it was unresponsive and silent, no matter how many times she would force her thumb on the play button or rewind button. She breathed out a sigh grasping at her own scarred neck before turning back to Cyrus wondering if the man had a plan on their small two person team, she sat at the table in the break room across from him and waited for his plan if he had one.

Cyrus was somewhat confident in his plan, but he feared for the rest. He had volunteered for the rescue role, but it was probably one of the safer choices. They weren’t the ones dealing with Nariko or the carnage sisters, that was for the attack and distraction teams. He could only hope they were safe. He had taken ample equipment from the mono-shoppe. Certainly something could help him get through the chains, should there be no way to open them normally. The only thing he dreaded was that he had to take monokuma with him. The bear was a wild card. He could turn on them at any second he wanted. Maybe that made this the most dangerous role of all? He hoped he was wrong.

Rika knocked on the the table to get Cyrus’ attention, she lifted up her recorder pointing to it with one hand and pressing one of the buttons, when no sound emerged from the device she pressed it’s play button a second time with the same results as before. She put the tape recorder on the table before shrugging at him and nearly coughing, she gripped her neck a second time before resting her hands on the table.

Cyrus’s attention shifted to Rika, of who he still wasn’t completely sure why she had decided to join this team. Regardless, an extra pair of hands was welcome. He looked curiously at her gestures, only to arrive at the only logical conclusion. [color=D1c2bf]“Broken, is it?”[/color] Cyrus deduced. [color=D1c2bf]“I guess that’s a problem for communication’s sake… but unfortunately, we’re out of time.”[/color] He said, sighing. The clock was closing in on twelve. [color=D1c2bf]“Let’s go to the second, shall we?”[/color]

Rika looked away from Cyrus when he said it would be a problem for communication, she stared back at him the moment he said they were out of time and stood up staying behind him, she wished she could have a chance to speak with Ice before all this, but felt that she would need to do it later, right now she would have to keep herself focused on the task at hand, the former mummy stayed behind of Cyrus ready to follow after him.

[hr]

As soon as Nariko left the morgue, the three members of the rescue team rushed in to assess the situation. Save Monokuma, who peered in from the outside.

[color=magenta]“What unbearable conditions for a prisoner! I practically feel like hibernating, but there's nothing to eat.”[/color] Dr. Killgood continued to stare, not taking one step inside. [color=magenta] “Even with the door open, I'm still not allowed inside. So you'll have to free that jailbird on your own. I hope you brought something.”[/color] The bear groaned. [color=magenta] “You did bring something, right?”[/color]

Cyrus had brought a variety of tools, just in case. When monokuma asked, he raised a hacksaw in response. That should be able to cut through the chains, right? [color=D1c2bf]“Keep your voice down, bear.”[/color] He answered, his voice hushed. [color=D1c2bf]“Your daughter is still close by.”[/color] At least he didn’t have to say that to Rika. He gestured to the girl. They had work to do.

The morgue felt like death with the uncomfortable chill that pervaded through the air. It was the kind of depressing atmosphere he had grown used to from the debbie downer junko-bot. The dim lighting provided one with the ability to see if they tried, but there was still some discomfort. He looked upon the only thing in this room that was out of place, and she wasn’t looking good. He wasn’t sure what he had been expecting, but Krista looked terrible, huddled in the corner of the morgue. He had no time to wonder what the robot might’ve done, they had to act. He ran over, and before anything checked on the girl. His voice was hushed. [color=D1c2bf]“Krista, we’re here.”[/color]

Rika followed behind of Cyrus, crouching low to the ground despite them being the ones inside with Krista, she stayed low just in case Monokuma’s favorite toaster came walking back in to check on their hostage, once Cyrus focused his attention on the battered Krista, Rika kept an eye on their escape unsure when Nariko would be returning or if the attack team failed in their duties. She felt an itch in her throat and held in a cough fearing they would be revealed, she shook Cyrus trying to hurry him up, she didn’t want them being in the danger zone for too long, the itch came into her throat once again this time feeling almost painful than the last time and after she tried holding it in she went into a coughing fit before attempting to stop herself.

The shackles around Krista’s ankles remained as tight as before, leaving Krista very little chance to do anything other than wait in the morgue for someone to rescue her. She swallowed the thought bitterly. Of course it would be her that would get into a situation like this despite having her trust in people, and certain emotionally unstable robots, be thrown back at her. [color=6c9b8f]“Why did you bother? It’s going to happen again.”[/color] Her voice sounded muffled as she refused to move her head from her knees, tightening her grip on her legs. Rika’s violent coughing caused the blonde to wince, having not realised someone other than Cyrus had come to help.

[color=6c9b8f]“Leave now! If she comes back, I can say it was me!”[/color] The sense of urgency grew by the end of her sentence, ushering them to go protect themselves.

Rika’s coughing fit startled Cyrus. Why did this girl had to pick the worst of all moments to cause a ruckus? Did she want them all to get into trouble? He didn’t turn his focus from Krista, however. [color=D1c2bf]“I didn’t come here just to leave you behind again, damn it.”[/color] Cyrus answered. Then he grabbed the chains and looked over them, looking for a weak spot. [color=D1c2bf]“Let’s get you out of here”[/color]

After Krista tried to tell them to leave, Rika looked over to Krista over her shoulder, her coughing finally stopping.[color=firebrick]“No.”[/color] A raspy voice answered the violinist, she turned around to Krista to see her situation, she was shackled up just so she couldn’t get away if Nariko happened to leave her by herself.

There had to be something they could use to help her escape, Rika put a hand on the shackles feeling them over for a lock of sorts, if not that the idea of cutting off her feet came to Rika’s mind but only as a last option. Sadly since they were only in a morgue instead of a tool shop they wouldn’t have much they could work with in order to save her, maybe something simple could open the shackles, maybe a scalpel in the keyholes would be enough.

Then she just remembered the hacksaw they had and pointed to the shackle. [color=firebrick]“Cyrus, cut the shackle or the chain.”[/color] Rika ordered him. [color=firebrick]“Make it fast, we can’t...S-stay.”[/color] She struggled with the last word, her throat felt sore and scratchy as she spoke with her voice sounding nothing like how she remembered it.

[color=magenta] “Uh, guys?”[/color] Monokuma was looking down the hall. [color=magenta] “It’s raining inside, and it might start to thunder if we’re not careful.”[/color] the bear looked back inside. [color=magenta] “On the plus side, it’s so noisy out here that we can talk as loud as we want!”[/color] Monokuma put his hands behind his head. [color=magenta] “And did I mention you look adorable Krista? You should definitely take up cosplaying.”[/color]

 Cyrus looked up at Rika for a bit as she pointed out the hacksaw. [color=D1c2bf]“Why, thank you captain obvious!”[/color] He said cynically. Did the ex-mummy truly think Cyrus was dragging around a hacksaw (amongst other things) for the fun of it? He then looked at Krista and Rika. [color=D1c2bf]“You two hold the chains. Keep them steady and don’t let go.”[/color] He instructed them both. He ignored the comments of the bear, who didn’t really seem to say anything helpful.

With a sigh of resignation, Krista held the chain straight with as tight of a grip as she could. The comments that Monokuma made caused an unpleasant shiver to run up her spine, and it took all her willpower to not give a scathing reply. [color=6c9b8f]“You guys better be ready to run if Nariko comes. Don’t stick around if I’m still stuck.”[/color] She begged them.

Rika let out a deep growling sound as she glared at Cyrus, she didn’t like his attitude or the insult that he spat in her direction, knowing that Krista’s strength might be a little sapped after spending the day with the murderous toaster, she wrapped her scarred fingers around the cold chain and held it steady for him nodding for him to go so he could get started.

 [color=D1c2bf]“Max and his group should be keeping Nariko busy, all we can do is hope they can hold out.”[/color] Cyrus explained to Krista as he started to saw through the metal. All in all, this process was going to take a good few minutes. He trusted the girls to keep the chain properly suspended while he was working his way through it. Despite the cold, Cyrus could feel sweat crawling on this back. These were going to be a few extremely harrowing minutes.

  Monokuma's body became deathly still. [color=magenta]“Excuse me?”[/color] Monokuma remained completely still. [color=magenta]“Did you just say hope? You... Hope that they will hold out?”[/color] Even as water splashed into Monokuma, his eyes remained focused on the people in the room. [color=magenta]“If you're going to [i]hope[/i] for anything, you'd better [i]hope[/i] they rip my daughter to pieces.”[/color] two compartments in the wall opened up behind Monokuma. They revealed two automated chain guns. [color=magenta]“Because nobody sticks this bear with all of the bee stings and none of the honey! None of you are going to leave until Nariko's been taken care of.”[/color] The bear placed his hands on his tummy. [color=magenta]”I've spared you this far, but if you try to escape with Krista before things are taken care of, I'll have to de-spare you all.”[/color] The bear's roaring laughter filled the morgue. [color=magenta]”So no rush, take your time cutting her free. Because it looks like this fight is going to last a while.”[/color]

Krista wanted to say she told them so, that this was going to happen again and this rescue attempt was just going to be nothing but trouble for Cyrus and Rika. She eyed the guns planted on the walls warily. [color=6c9b8f]“W-what if they go out without me? You cannot hurt them for not escaping with me if Nariko isn’t taken care of…[/color]” She directed her question towards Monokuma, not taking her eyes off the guns as if they’d shoot at them the moment she did. Krista would be damned if they would get hurt because Cyrus and Rika wanted to play the hero.

[color=magenta]”I get where you're coming from Krista, but no.”[/color] Monokuma folded his arms. [color=magenta]”At this point, they'll just go tell their buddies to come turn on me. And then they won't beat up my daughter out of spite! I think it's best for everyone if we all stay right where we are.”[/color]

The bear was starting to become more of a headache than an actual help to their small team, the former mummy shook her head listening to Krista, and Monokuma’s voice was starting to grate on her with his paranoia of Cyrus and her going to get the others, Cyrus may actually go to get help from someone, Rika, on the other hand, would’ve considered just leaving Krista if she wanted to just stay here and die so badly.

[color=Firebrick]“What’s stopping you from just shooting us right now? Or the moment the chain breaks?”[/color] Rika brought up. [color=Firebrick]“You could just attack us anyway or just trap us in here with Krista.”[/color] She stared at the bear over her shoulder while keeping a firm grip on the cold chain.

[color=D1c2bf]“Just shut up and let me work.”[/color] He said to both of the girls as he continued to saw the chain. He could see he was almost through right now. [color=D1c2bf]“The only thing stopping the bear is that we made a deal. And Monokuma knows that breaking an agreement means he won’t be able to enlist help in the future, should his daughters act rebellious again.”[/color] Cyrus said. [color=D1c2bf]“Must be tough, right Monokuma? Having four daughters in that period of their lives.”[/color]

  The bear watched Cyrus continue to saw. But not quietly. The robot bear was making a sound. Was it a growl, or was it white noise from the speaker installed inside him? For some reason, it was louder than anything else in the room. Even the back and forth motion of the hacksaw wasn't louder than Monokuma.

  [color=magenta]”Can we be real for a second Cyrus?”[/color] Monokuma folded his arms. [color=magenta]”I'm not really used to being this involved with the killing games, you know? My delicate paws aren't really meant for this grunt work. My daughters are supposed to take care of everything, and they more or less do what I ask them to. They do love their father. I think I had a pretty good handle on the situation until Davis decided to take direct control of everything.”[/color] He chuckled. [color=magenta]”Monokuma bested by conquest! Who dreamed up that one? It sounds like fan-fiction, amateur storytelling, completely out of character... until now.”[/color] Monokuma fret his brow [color=magenta]”You seem to be under the impression that I really need Nariko to be muffed up. Well, I do, but I don't need your trust for that. I got Shona killed without your trust, and I got the bulk of you to fight Alexandria without your trust. So what makes you so sure I need your trust again?”[/color] One of the chain guns started to spin its barrels. [color=magenta]”Maybe the truth is scarier than that. Maybe you can drink milk up to a week after it's expired.”[/color]The chain gun aimed inside the room. [color=magenta]Maybe I had no reason to work with you whatsoever. In which case, my only goal was this moment right here.[/color] Monokuma's voice was dripping with venom. [color=magenta]”Just to see that look on your face when despair sinks into your hearts. When you realize you were too desperate and stupid when you implemented me into your plans.”[/color] A single bullet flew out of the chain gun and flew under the raised chain. It pierced Krista's rib cage, and cause the violinist to squirm in pain. [color=magenta]”Anyway!”[/color] Monokuma sounded cheerful again, and the barrel on the chain gun was starting to wind down. [color=magenta]”Rika is correct, you really are all at my mercy. So just be good sports about it and I'll make sure Krista gets out of here, provided the A-team holds up your end of the bargain.”[/color]

Krista immediately let go of the chain without thinking, her hand pressing against the wound in her chest in shock. With all that was going on, Krista had somehow forgotten that it was still night of carnage and that Monokuma could still harm them if he so wished, regardless of whether he was working with them. And even if he needed them to destroy another chassis, Monokuma could simply think up of some motive to get them to work for him. She winced as she pressed down on the wound accidentally, the pain shooting up her spine in response. [color=6c9b8f]“It’s fine… I’m fine.”[/color] She couldn’t tell whether she was trying to assure Cyrus and Rika, or herself of the fact. At least it wasn’t them that got shot. Krista would take it if it meant nobody would get hurt because of her.

When the dual colored bear had Krista shot, some of the violinist’s blood splashed into the ex-mummy’s eyes, for a split second she believed that Monokuma executed the girl, but the moment she cleaned the blood out of her eyes she found that Krista wasn’t dead and a bit of relief washed over her. This was going too far and Rika felt she was partially the cause of this situation, the former mummy touched Krista’s face hoping that the shock of being shot or bleed out killed her with her newfound bullet wound. [color=Firebrick]“Be strong Krista.”[/color] She spoke with her voice sounding a bit deeper.

[color=D1c2bf]“Shit!”[/color] Was all that Cyrus could stammer out as he saw the girl get shot. Luckily, it seemed the wound wasn’t too bad. Still, it would require treatment. Cyrus saw that he was almost through the chain now. As long as Rika was here to tend to her, then he would finish this first. In that case, they could at least try to make a getaway. But the situation was looking rather bleak. Cyrus gritted his teeth.

Rika grabbed Krista’s other hand holding on the chain and made her hold the chain out straight for Cyrus before standing on her own two feet. [color=firebrick]“If you die then this was a waste.”[/color] she told Krista. [color=firebrick]“Don’t have it be that way.”[/color] Rika then slowly started walking towards Monokuma fist at her sides and ignoring the chain guns he had aimed at them, she dashed towards the small robot grabbing him by his head and raising him off the ground.

She couldn’t explain it, but once she had the small bot in her hand she thought the thing would feel different, but it’s body had a smooth metallic feel to her fingers. [color=firebrick]“I’ve always want to pick you up and see if you had stuffing inside of you or if you were just metal crap, you’d be the worst thing to burn.”[/color]

The chain guns both started to wind up again, but they weren't able to start firing before Rika tackled Monokuma to the back wall. [color=magenta]”You're kidding me! You mean when this all started and you said you wanted to pet me, that wasn't genuine affection?”[/color] The bear sighed. [color=magenta]”Well, let me give you a nice warm hug anyway!”[/color] Without warning, the bear violently exploded, sending burning scrap and flames in all directions. Rika's smouldering body was hurled back into the morgue, where it bounced off the cold floor before violently slamming into the wall. With monokuma gone, the guns disappeared back inside the wall.

[color=D1c2bf]“Rika, no!”[/color] Cyrus shouted as he turned around. But he was already too late. Rika had leapt onto the bear. Cyrus could barely fathom what happened next. However, in retrospect it would’ve been exactly what he expected. The young girl flew through the morgue. Dropping everything else, Cyrus rushed over, but he feared the worst.

The flames stayed glued to Rika’s body, the sheer heat making her already damaged skin crackle and sizzle; somehow she managed to roll around to put out the flames, the cold morgue air greeted her sensitive body and she slowly rose from the floor with the last bits of her cloak fused to her body she held up her hand to Cyrus before pointing over to Rika trying to tell him to help her.

The burned woman made her way over to the morgue table leaning on it with most of her weight as the cold air felt like tiny daggers ebbing away at her newfound sensitivity, she didn’t know how she looked right now and didn’t want to bother looking in a mirror, right now it was about getting Krista out of her even if she did feel as if her legs were gonna give out on her right now and she was gonna fall again.

Cyrus was speechless, caught in what was likely the biggest mess he'd ever seen. He wasn't sure whether to be angry at or pity Rika. But ultimately he decided that she had kind of brought this onto herself by tackling the bear. He did feel sorry for Krista, that bullet was unwarranted.

Nevertheless, he intended to get them both out of here. Cyrus definitely didn't have the tools and skills to treat them, especially Rika. He finished the work with the saw as fast as he could, which was barely a minute’s work left. He then walked over and picked up Rika. Carrying her, he went back to Krista. [color=D1c2bf]“Let's get out of here, you can lean on me. You focus on stopping the bleeding.”[/color] He instructed.

Why did Rika have to go try to attack Monokuma? Krista was on the verge of tears from the stress as she watched Rika limp over to the morgue table for support. She had no words. It’s not like she could have said anything; her throat too much to work. She could only guess that she had screamed something as Rika tackled the two-toned bear and got blown back into the morgue as a result. She couldn’t even thank Cyrus as he finally cut her from her bindings, reminding her that even she was injured as he carried Rika.

Krista followed Cyrus closely, one hand pressing against the wound in her chest to stop the bleeding from seeping through her new Junko approved clothes, and the other resting on Rika comfortingly, making sure not to touch her wounds and do more damage than necessary as Cyrus lead them to Mercy.

The former mummy felt herself be swept off her feet as Cyrus took her in his arms, she leaned into him as they began making their way back, she slowly began feeling numb in her legs and felt a wave of what felt like tiredness wash over her. [color=Firebrick]“Cyrus.”[/color] She said his name. [color=Firebrick]“Stick to politics.”[/color] She leaned her head into his shoulder and just closed her eyes letting go. 

Cyrus didn’t respond to it, only a sigh escaped his lips as he dragged his feet through the hallways. Normally he would’ve responded cynically to a comment like that. However, there wasn’t much of a point to getting angry to the dead.[/indent][/indent]