A New Generation

Max stood silent at the memorial dedicated to the fallen: Denki Kaminari, Ruby Rose, Maka Albarns, and others whose lives were snuffed out too soon.

Natsu Dragneel was the first to step forward, placing a flower and a small fish beside the names of the fallen.

Natsu:Rest in peace, little buddy...

he choked out, his voice thick with sorrow. 

Natsu:We'll... we'll find a way to fix this. We will.

Nearby, Erza Scarlet placed a singular red rose beside Ruby's flower, her stoic demeanor cracking under the weight of sorrow. The absence of Ruby's brilliance was palpable, leaving a chasm in the hearts of her friends. Yang and Blake, unified in their grief, squeezed each other's hands, desperately clinging to the hope Ruby had always inspired in them. Even Sasuke from Naruto's world found himself grappling with emotions he had learned to suppress, applauding the strength of those still standing.

Yang Xiao Long stood beside Blake Belladonna, holding her sister's photograph tightly.

Yang:She... she wouldn't want us to give up...

Yang insisted, her voice quavering.

Blake:Ruby always believed... always.

Blake held her hand, tears streaming down her cheeks, their bond holding steady even as the storm of emotions swirled around them.

The tension in the air shattered like glass when Kyoka Jiro, grief-stricken and furious, stormed towards Max.

Jiro:This is all YOUR FAULT!

she screamed, unleashing a wave of sonic energy that hit Max square in the chest.

Barely recovering from the shock, Max could only stammer,

Max:My fault?!

Jiro:Yeah! Yours!

Jiro screamed, her voice breaking, raw with pain.

Jiro:You got possessed! You killed our friends!

Chaos erupted throughout the courtyard. Students split into factions as grief morphed into anger. Some pointed fingers at Max, accusing him of betrayal, while others defended him, recalling his struggle against Monokuma's control. Max felt the tears streaming down his face, each droplet amplifying his sense of unbearable guilt and imposter syndrome. He wasn't anyone remarkable, and now, he was branded a murderer.

The courtyard erupted in turmoil. Half of the students sided with Jiro, consumed by anger and desperation for a scapegoat. The other half defended Max, recalling his struggle against Monokuma's possession. Weiss Schnee shouted.

Weiss:He killed Ruby, Yang! And you're standing beside him?!

Yang's eyes narrowed, her grief morphing into righteous fury.

Yang:Because it wasn't his fault!

she shot back, her voice clear.

Yang:Monokuma controlled him! You saw it!

Tension crackled in the air, and a rift formed among the students. The class was now divided. Tsurgui Kinjo scoffed, insinuating Max's weakness.

Yang:It wasn't his fault! Monokuma controlled him!he tried to fight it!

Tsurugi:But he should've fought harder!

Tsurgui Kinjo scoffed, sparking backlash. Blackstar from Soul Eater chimed in, his voice booming as he sided against Max.

BlackStar:MURDERER!

Sasuke Uchiha, an unexpected defender in this storm of accusations, interjected.

Sasuke:It wasn't his fault...