A Certain City's Darkness
Prologue
Academy City. Considered as the city of the New Age, this bustling metropolis' technology is 30 years ahead of its time. Like its name suggests, the city is a place of research, learning and science. However, one aspect of the city distinguishes it from the rest of the world: The presence of individuals who possess supernatural powers, persons called ESPers.
Academy City's curiosity to study and cultivate knowledge about ESPer powers has lead to the establishment of the Power Curriculum Program, a program implemented on every school's curriculum taken with the regular curriculum. A series of tests are administered to determine what an individuals power is. Depending on one's mastery over their powers and their usefulness, ESPer powers are classified into 5 Levels, 1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest and most powerful. Annually, a System Scan is conducted to determine what Level an individual's ESPer power belongs to.
However, in the shadows of this science-centered city, some people would do whatever means necessary in the quest for knowledge and data. This darkness would envelop the lives of 3 children, changing their lives and, quite possibly, the future of Academy City itself.-
30 years ago
Deep in the underground of science, a number of underground organizations were on the race to identify this generations batch of Level 5's and conduct research on them. But one scientist managed to acquire 3 Child Errors with unique abilities.
"Seriously, Takasura-sensei, why'd you get these kids? We're not an orphanage you know?" A young blonde researcher complained as he adjusted his glasses.
"These 3 aren't just mere children, Kitamura-san. They are espers!" Takasura Katsugi chided as he patted the 3 innocent children's heads affectionately.
"They're Child Errors. Even if they had powers, I'm sure they aren't worthy of Level 5." Kitamura grumbled.
"Heh, perhaps a little demonstration would convince you." The senior researcher sighed tiredly before turning to one of the 3 children. The boy looked like he was no older than 7, had short, hazel-brown hair and had eyes of the same color. He was wearing a pair of sunglasses that were clearly too big for him yet he wore them with pride. The scientist gave him a reassuring nod coupled by a gentle smile as if to tell the boy that "It's okay".
The gesture seemed to work as the boy nodded back happily before shifting his attention to a metal workbench. He thrust his hand toward it and closed it firmly shut as if crumpling something. At the same time, the workbench was crumpled like it was made of paper.
"Is that-" Kitamura stuttered in surprise, unable to finish what he was saying.
"Magnetism. Isn't that simply amazing? But that's not all. Show him what else you can do, boy." The senior scientist said to encourage the boy.
The brown haired boy thrust his hand once again but this time, various pieces of parts such as sheets of metal, nuts, bolts and screws, wires, microchips, etc mended themselves together until a small laptop computer floated in front of the boy's stretched out arm.
"Magnetism , Electricity Manipulation and even Technopathy! His ability isn't even listed in the known electricity-based esper abilities. This could even surpass Electromaster!" Takasura exclaimed.
"That's... That's impossible. An electrical ability far superior to Electromaster?" After recovering from his shock, the young scientist looked even more excited than his mentor.
"What will you name this ability, sensei?" He asked inquisitively.
"It wouldn't be fair for me to name that ability since it isn't mine to name." He faced the brown haired boy and gave him a gentle smile. "What's your name, little boy?" He asked.
"Airou! Akaze Airou!" he replied cheerfully.
"My my, that's an unusual name you have, Airou-kun. Now tell me, what would you name that ability of yours?"
"Hmm..." The boy paused for a while as if thinking something deep.
"Magnetizer."He finally decided.
"You heard the boy, Kitamura-kun. From now on, it shall be called Magnetizer." Takasura declared.
"Sensei, what about the other two?"
"They haven't showed the same level of mastery compared to Airou-kun but I'm sure they'd show great potential once we "educate" them." He replied.
From that day on, bonds and promises were formed. Bonds and promises that were both fake and true.
Author's Notes: Hello to anyone who's reading this! I'm Magnetizer and this would be my first Story Entry to the site. This series focuses on The 7 Level 5's of the previous or "Lost" Generation. As to why I coined that term, you will find out on the chapters to come. I shall post the First Chapter tomorrow. I'm currently working on Chapter 3 and I do apologize in advance if I'll take too long to update this. And if you're wondering why the first few chapters are dominated by Original Characters, I would like to make it clear that the events of this story happens in two timelines namely, the Past and the Present Timelines. I'll be sure to introduce the canon characters on the latest chapters. Constructive criticism will prove helpful and would be very much appreciated but please do not bash me if I got some facts wrong.
P.S. This story is more oriented in the Science Side.
Disclaimer: I do not own To Aru Majutsu no Index nor any other titles linked to it. Credit for this series goes to its original Creator, Kazuma Kamachi