Part 2: Meeting the Jury

[BGM: Silence]


Some part of me froze up the moment I set foot into the hallway, like I had just entered some hostile dimension. But no, it was just a normal school. Nothing to worry about.



Like the voice said, there were stairs right by the classroom we had been in. We made our way down, and soon we were on the first floor.



With a bit more wandering, we made our way to the cafeteria. As we got closer, I started to hear voices. It seemed as though we weren't the only ones in the building. The cafeteria ended up being pretty spacious. It made sense that The Voice would choose this to be the gathering area.

I also couldn't help but notice a large TV bolted onto the center wall. Judging by the surrounding aesthetics, it didn't seem to have initially been there.

[BGM: Friendly Bunny]


More importantly, there were four other people already in the room, each of whom had a metal necklace just like ours. The man and woman arguing at the other side of the room caught my eye, but before I knew it, we were approached by the other two people present.



Hey, great to see more faces!



Hell yeah, it's great! For a minute there, I was worried that those two were gonna be the only other ones here.

Well, that goes double for us. Seriously, if we were left wandering around this creepy school by ourselves any longer, I think I would've gone crazy.

Is my company really that bad?

Anyways, you two don't happen to know why we're here or what's going to happen, do you?

I'm afraid to say we don't know any more than you do. I mean, I'm guessing.

You were both attacked, tied up, and brought here without any knowledge of your surroundings, right?

Yep.



And let me guess: the two of you woke up in some classroom with animal masks on, you freaked out when you realized you couldn't remove these collars, then some creepy voice came on the speakers and gave you a bunch of instructions?

Pretty much.

Then yeah, you know just about as much as we do.

Hopefully, we'll be getting some answers here soon, huh?

Yeah, I hope so too. Anyways, it's not the best of circumstances, but it's a pleasure to meet you two.

Indeed. I am called Ox, and you can call her Mouse.

Ox? Mouse?

We're using the animal masks we woke up in as codenames, just as a general precaution.



Ooh! That sounds fun! I want to join in on that!

But we've already told each other our names.

Yeah, but we haven't told anyone else!

So then, you two can call me 'Tiger'. This here is 'Bunny'.

Uh, sure, why not?

I'm Bunny, I guess, and I hope to work with everyone to try to figure out what's happening.

I hope to as well! I mean, we need to. This whole thing is crazy, right? What on earth is with this person, calling themselves the 'Jade Emperor' and rigging up a school like this?

Yeah. It's pretty exciting, right?

What?!



I mean, the whole kidnapping business? That was real lame.

Who assaults someone from behind with a taser? How am I supposed to fight back like that?

But putting that aside, it's really an incredible opportunity we've been presented with. Waking up with an animal mask, grabbing weird tablets, listening to a mysterious challenger, meeting with a bunch of interesting characters...

This has to count as a once in a lifetime experience, right?

Uh, yeah, this probably qualifies as that, but-

Exactly! We're in uncharted territory. I'm gonna face this with all I've got!

Yeah, it's actually kind of a lucky thing that we got kidnapped when you really think about it.

Are you serious? How can you look at this with such an optimistic spin? We've been kidnapped by a mysterious stranger, and now we've got these dangerous collars strapped to our necks which do god-knows-what! This is horrifying!



You know, I was just thinking that. It's kind of like a horror story, real horrible.

Don't be such a downer! I mean, sure, this might be a bit out of your comfort zone, but that's no reason to dismiss it from the start. Who knows, this could be a lot of fun.

Fun? You consider felonies 'fun'?

Uh, I think we can all agree that this'll certainly be a memorable experience. Frankly, the situation is making me incredulous. I truly can't believe it.

But we should bottle our strong emotions for now and focus on what really matters, right?

Yeah, you're right.

That makes sense, Bunny.

…

What's with the look?



Nothing, just... do I know you two?

Do you? You might know me, maybe. Uh, Tiger, your thoughts?

I don't think so. But then again, I don't got the greatest memory, so who's to say?

I'm probably mistaken then. It was just sort of a gut feeling, and I try to dismiss those.

Anyway, I'm glad you two seem nice. I was worried we'd get more debbie-downers like those two.

She gestured to the two other people in the cafe. Even after all this time, they had made no effort to come and join our conversation.

You're not the friendliest with them?

Not exactly. Between you and me, I would hesitate before thinking about trusting them.



Oh, but don't tell them I said that, of course.

Neither Bunny nor Tiger seemed to have a good impression of the strangers. But considering the situation, this wasn't a time where I could afford to be picky with who I hung out with.

If it's all the same to you, I think I'm going to head over there and say hi.

Agreed. I think exchanging words at this point would be wise.

I'll tag along then.

Who knows, I might've just gotten off on the wrong foot.

Well, you three go ahead with that. I'm fine right here.

With Tiger vocally abstaining from the meeting, the rest of us headed over to talk with the odd pair.

[BGM: Dance of the Snakes]


Despite our approach, their argument didn't seem to calm down.



I know a pussy like you might get it, but there's a lot more at stake here. It's a little something called pride, you feel me? I ain't letting no necklace stop me from doing what I want to do, when I want to do it.



Believe me, I am perfectly aware of various irrational factors that may be influencing your decision making.

Even adding that to my calculations, disobeying the voice at this stage is not the wise move.

Do I look like I give a shit about 'the wise move'?

No, you certainly don't.

Now what the fuck's that supposed to mean?

Look, by all means, do what you wish. I believe you might serve as a very educational example for the rest of us, so a large part of me hopes that you disobey the established rules.

However, due to us waking up in the same classroom, I have a very real and disturbing fear that the two of us might be considered 'partners' or some such by our captor. Considering that possibility, it would be awfully disadvantageous to me if my 'partner' were dead before the games begin, even if it wouldn't make much of a difference.



You wanna try saying that again? In fact, I'm telling you to: say that again to my face.

I find repeating myself a bore, but if you insist.

Hey, hey, easy there. Hi, uh, sorry to interrupt, just wanted to introduce ourselves.

Great, there's more of you. Now who are you two?

Well, I'm Mouse, and this right here is Ox.

Ox? Mouse? The hell kind of names are those?

Ah. You two are taking up the mantles of the animal masks you woke up in, yes? Quite the reasonable move. In that case, you may call me Snake.

And this right here is Dragon.



That's not my name.

Feel free to introduce yourself however you want. I just thought Mouse's naming suggestion appropriate.

Tch.

Well, I'm not a fan of playing pretend, but “Dragon” does sound like the coolest animal here, so I guess I'll go with it.

Snake, I'm sorry to have interrupted your conversation, but just a little earlier you mentioned “before the games begin”. Would you mind elaborating a bit more on that point?

Ah, yes. That would raise some eyebrows.

To be clear, I'm not privy to any information you two are not. That was simply a presumption of mine.

A presumption?



It would be a rather tedious process to detail every step of my thought process, especially considering the theory will soon be confirmed or denied.

To put it simply, everything I've seen so far suggests that we are going to be tasked with some sort of challenge involving the whole school, with our lives hanging in the balance.

W-Wait, our lives?

Again, only my presumption.

I have quite the imagination, so perhaps I'm overselling the stakes.

That's a sensible theory to have. I was thinking something along those lines, though it's still far too early to call.

Indeed it is. I accept that I could be entirely off the mark.



Whatever the case might be, it seems as if we're unfortunately dealing with amateurish work.

For one, take the abductions. Attacking us, tying us up, and then just waiting for us to fall asleep? What a brutish method. Were our assailants to do their job properly, surely they could've arranged some sort of soporific to effortlessly knock each of us out.

True, getting the proper drug dosages for each of us so as not to kill would have been some work, but if they were going through the trouble of stalking us, getting a hold of our medical records surely couldn't have been too great a task.

The masks, as well, scream of a cheap production.

Did they get these at the dollar store? Truly it couldn't have been too much trouble to bother getting some masks of higher quality, seeing as these are likely to be a focal point of whatever's to come.

Wow, that's a real eye for detail you have there?

And a real passive attitude towards our abduction.



Oh no, don't get me mistaken.

I am nothing like Ms., er, Tiger that is. I find this whole thing incredibly aggravating and insulting, not to mention frightening.

However, it's one thing to abduct me beautifully, another altogether to do so in an ugly fashion.

Beautifully?

Look at it like this: even if you dislike poetry, surely you'd rather read good poetry than bad if forced?

I don't think those two situations are comparable.

Forget it with this clown.

He'll talk and talk and talk with a bunch of fancy speak and logic and whatever, but he won't do shit.

As opposed to you, who wishes to blatantly ignore simple rules.



Hell yeah, I wanna ignore them! I don't get why you all are kowtowing to some bitch too afraid to even show their face. I'm not dying to someone like that.

Though someone like that was able to knock you out, right?

Well at least I actually got a hit in on the asshole, unlike everyone else!

You got a hit in?

Before we could further discuss that, I heard a commotion coming from the other side of the room. It appeared that two more had made their way to the 'Starting Line'. Tiger was already greeting them, but I wanted to talk to everyone I could.

I'm going to go talk to the new visitors.

You do that. I want to talk with these three some more.

I made my way over to the new guests, whose difference in builds slightly startled me.

[BGM: Weak Pig]


Judging by their facial expressions, they were both unamused with Tiger, who was likely getting to the part where she explained why being abducted was actually a good thing.



S-so... we still don't know what's going on?

Not yet, but I'm sure we'll learn soon.



Hmph. I guess that's that, then.

What's what?

Oh, Mouse! Great timing. I was just explaining the situation to Horse and Sheep here.

Hi! Good to see more faces.

How so? Seems like a downside to me.

D-Don't be like that.

Fine.

It's good to meet you, Mouse. I'm Horse. If you need anything, ask me, and I'll help it if I can.



Um, and I'm Sheep.

It's a real relief to see that we weren't the only ones here. Not that I'm ungrateful for you being here, Horse, not at all, you've been really nice.

J-just, you know, with more people it feels less like I'm being targeted for something, more like I'm just a part of a group, you know?

I totally get how you feel. It was a relief to me as well. If I was all alone, I probably would be in tears right now. But with a group like this, I'm sure that no matter what happens, we'll be able to band together and get through this.

Yeah, now you're talking Mouse! That's the spirit you oughta have. What do you say, Horse?

Seems unlikely.

Huh?

[BGM: Silence]


Banding together. Seems unlikely.

Why?

Just a hunch.

Uh, are you basing that hunch on anything?

Past experience.

Past experience? What, have you been in a dangerous situation like this before?

Sort of.

…

I hoped Horse would elaborate some on that point, but he didn't seem like he was in a chatty mood.

[BGM: Queen of the Jungle]


There was an awkward silence, but luckily it was interrupted by two new faces walking in. One of which I recognized.



More people? Fabulous!

It was real dreary with just the two of us, no offense.



None taken. I, too, am grateful for the presence of others.

A journey alone would have been... trying.

Ha! You wouldn't have been alone.

I would've been here.

You have me there.

Hi, how are... hey, is that-

Mouse! Uh, you can call me Mouse. We're using the animal masks we received as code names, just in case.



Stage names, huh? Well, I'm used to that sort of thing.

Count me onboard. I'm Rooster, and this right here is my lovely assistant Monkey.

While assistant may be one of my many roles in life, it is certainly not what I'd like to define myself as.

But yes, my mask was a Monkey, so you can call me as such.

So, why are you all here? I'm sad to say, but I don't recognize a one of you.

Recognize?

It's a bummer, but why we're here is still a mystery to all of us. Why, do you know why you're here?

It's astoundingly obvious, at least to an intellect like mine.



At first, I thought I was being held for ransom; some opportunistic scoundrel was leveraging my life to get a few measly Ks, nay, Ms.

But as I thought about it some more, I made the genius deduction that if that was the case, there'd be no opportunity to let me wander around this school, giving me the opportunity to make a stellar escape.

With that first possibility off of the table, then the only option left is that some rabid fangirl captured me in order to make me act in some perverted fantasy.

Understandable.

So, if you all are also here, then you must also be famouses that are being forced to play along.

But you're saying none of you are well known?

N-No...

Drats.

Then it appears I was a bit off the mark with that theory.

If you thought this was about capturing famous people, then what did you think Monkey was doing here?



I thought the villain had brought her to give me a love interest. At the time I too thought it a strange casting choice, but maybe they just had a thing for Asian chicks.

As you can see, this has been a troubling time for us both.

So, um, does this mean that you're famous, Rooster?

Naturally.

Really? That's so cool!

Are you really? I don't recognize you.

Heh. I guess you just don't watch enough movies. Anyone who did would recognize me as an up and coming movie star, one of the hottest names in the film world.

That's odd. I love watching movies, and I don't recognize your face at all.

Me neither...

Oh?



Huh. I guess I haven't exactly been made as mainstream as I thought.

At any rate, I can assure you I'm very well-respected in certain circles- definitely famous enough that crazy fans are a real problem.

Well, I think we can safely rule that out as a motive for now.

Monkey, it looked like you recognized Mouse? Is that right?

Yeah. Monkey here is actually my therapist. It was a real shock to see her here.

Ha! You use a therapist? What, did something really messed up happen in your past or something?

Unnecessary. You don't need some tragic event in your life for a therapist to be useful.

Excellently said, Horse.



More and more, we're learning that every human has struggles in their life. Though some may appear greater than others from the outside, we can't know how everyone handles them.

What we can know is that everyone deserves to be at peace, living a happy life.

Finding a stable mental state is an essential step for many in that process.

Eh, I don't know. It's one thing if something super tragic happened, but otherwise it just sounds like you're not approaching life with a good enough attitude!

Excuse me?

Peace, peace. It is quite understandable a mindset. Society has many broad misconceptions about mental health, reinforced by a history spent dismissing what is natural as 'weak'.

I commend you, Tiger, for being able to maintain such a positive outlook in life.



I agree that for someone like you, I doubt therapy would be of much use.

Obviously! Why would it?

As this conversation continued, I noticed that two more people had entered the cafeteria.

[BGM: Dog Days]


The other group was already filling them in, but I decided I wanted to make my introductions, so I walked over to them.



So I guess I'd be “Dog” then.

And you're fine with being called that?

You can call me anything you want. I honestly don't give a shit. Just don't call me late to dinner. Heh.

That “joke” wasn't worth a chuckle.

Yup.

I thought it was kinda funny.

Why?



I guess you can call me “Pig” then.

Oh, I don't like that very much at all.

Would “boar” be preferable?

Not really.

Hey guys, nice to meet you two.

Ah, Mouse. A pleasure to have you rejoin us.

It's pretty nuts what's going on right now, isn't it?

You're telling me! I am losing it right now.

I mean, what eeeeeven is happening?!



Why can't my life just be nice and simple, simple and clean, that's all I ever wanted! But no, no, I have to be trapped in this scary school with these scary masks and this scary collar.

I hate it, it's so...

Scary?

Exactly!

Yep, this pretty much blows.

I mean, if you're going to kill me, just get on with it. Don't make me wade through all this bullshit.

Doing a race or whatever? Such a pain.

Then why go along with it?



I said it once and I'll say it again, we've no obligation to do what this voiced fuck tells us to!

Yeah, but...

I don't know, it's not like there's been any difficulty in the instructions so far. Might as well go along with them.

You know, why not, right?

That's your reasoning for obeying the commands?

Pretty much.

Seems pretty blasé of you.

THANK you! He's been like this the whole time, like we haven't been kidnapped and put in a life or death situation! This is a situation to freak out, but for some reason he's just been acting like this is chill, like this is “all good” or something.

I mean, watching him not lose it has been making me lose it, you know?



Pig took a deep breath in, then let a deep breath out.

3... 2... Okay, I'm fine. Sorry. I think I was a little much there. I tend to sometimes lose control of my emotions a little bit.

I know, it's annoying. I'm sorry.

No no, no need to apologize. This is exactly the sort of situation where you should freak out.

Though it would be preferable if you didn't.

[BGM: Silence]


After a bit more chatter, everyone gathered in the center of the room to discuss the situation.

[BGM: Final Squeal]


Well, I'll say it folks: this right here? It's pretty not cool.

You know, I'm starting to suspect you just might be right.

Agreed...

It's been a while since someone else came, hasn't it? Ya think this is everyone?

P-Probably. After all, with us this makes twelve.

What's that got to do with anything?

Oh, come now. With everyone's nicknames, surely you should be able to figure it out. It's rather level-one symbology.

Level one?



Uh, if you two are right about that being everyone, shouldn't we have heard something by now? I thought they said we'd get more information here.

See, this kidnapper's fucking with us! I say we just storm out of here.

Look, judging from what I saw of the school's layout, the front entrance is probably right down that corridor when you turn right. What's stopping us from just getting the hell out of here?

The door will almost certainly be locked. What then?

I'll fucking smash it down, what do you think? And hey, we've got Horse and Tiger right here, they'd probably be even better at that than me.

But we'd be ignoring what the Jade Emperor said! Didn't you hear what they said?

They'll probably kill us. It's a suicide mission!

Well, the plan has my vote.

This isn't a voting situation!



There's no need to rush at present. Surely we can afford to wait a bit longer, no? Patience is a virtue.

We were getting unruly. However, as if on cue, the warped voice on the speakers began to speak once more.

???: It appears everyone has gathered at the starting line. Please, relax yourselves, talk with the other racers, and wait for a few minutes. The Jade Emperor will appear to explain the rules shortly.

And just like that, the voice cut off.