Author's Note: Hello dear readers ^^ Hitting 20 reviews has wowed me and here I am with the next chapter! This chapter was pretty diffciult as a whole and can get pretty technical. As such, I'm not sure how I performed on this one, so please, review and share your thoughts. ^^ Constructive criticism is always appreciated.

Chapter 3: The truth

*** Deep within Russia

"It's located deep within Academy City, at the centre of the General Directors operations. Please, that's all I know," the woman pleaded, "All data relating to the Parameter List is kept by the General Director and only released where necessary. There's completely no other way to access the data…"

Hamazura Shiage sighed at the memory of the interrogation. He now knew the truth, the truth of the Power Cirriculum Program in Academy City. Even so, there was nothing he could do. Attempting to negotiate with the Higher Ups was impossible now. In the end, the General Director was the one who held the strings and from the information he had gathered, the General Director had a way of silencing troublesome people. Shiage doubted his luck would protect him on this one.

The horrifying truth, the Parameter List. Hamazura's mind went over the information in excruciating detail.

Whenever a person goes through the Power Cirriculum Program, their ability is awakened by multiple methods via drugs, medicines, lectures and studies, etc. Subsequently, they are subjected to the System Scan to determine their level, ability and attributes. This is where the horror begins.

Every Esper's power is determined by two things: Personal Reality and AIM field. The two are directly related. Personal Reality is usually the first thing taught to Espers. The idea behind it is that everyone creates their own reality, their own perception and beliefs of the things around them.

An Esper is essentially the god of his or her own powers. By believing in their own reality and knowing themselves well enough, they are inherently creating their own world. However that world is always changing and revolving. This is due to the fact that there is a core to every person, something that defines them. Their Personal Reality is always changing to reflect the changes around and within them but the core will rarely change. One could say that it is the deciding factor on how one can use his or her ability. A master of their own realm that will connect to their AIM field to realize their powers and manifest them in reality.

The AIM field is an energy field unconsciously generated by every Esper. The stronger the Esper, the stronger the AIM field becomes.

An AIM field directly corressponds to the nature of power the Esper has. For example, a potential wind user will have an AIM field that will constantly generate a small breeze around them, while an Electromaster will always generate small electric field around them.

The nature of the AIM field enables Espers to manifest their powers as fast as possible. To put in simply, someone like the Railgun, who always has a small voltage current around her, is able to instantaneously use the charged particles around her to generate an electric current to shock her foes rather than consciously charging the electrons around her so she can use her powers at a whim. The same applies to Pyrokinetics, where they heat the air around them contoniously.

This is the reason why Hamazura Shiage has become caught up in this situation. The woman he is in love with, Takitsubo Rikou has the ability to track and memorize AIM fields. In essence, her ability, AIM Stalker, at its maximum power could allow her to copy and rewrite abilities.

Why was this so?

Every Esper's power is determined by their AIM field. As said before, an AIM field generates the necessary energy to manifest the Esper's ability. By rewriting the very nature of the AIM field, she can give Espers a different ability, elevate or demote their levels or even… create them.

But wait, what about Personal Reality? The woman had explained it in a very simple way that had infuriated Shiage. Everyone's realities is always subject to change. When an Esper is told 'you have an fire-based ability', his or her Personal Reality changes to reflect it so he or she can maximise the ability. How so? By doing research on combustion and heat and its applications for starters. He or she becomes defined by ability and the core changes to reflect the tremendous change within and around them.

It would be a simple matter for Rikou to give a random person an AIM field matching the Railguns and Academy City can simply give the person the necessary studies to match the Personal Reality to the Railguns, enabling the person to use her abilities as well as her. This is where the System Scan comes in.

The System Scan can read the intensity of the AIM field, project its current level and maximum growth before determining how much stronger the person can become. In simple terms, it can predict the potential of the persons power.

Academy City then adjusts its program for those with massive potential, aiding them by building their personal reality and in their entire cirriculum. Those with potentially useful abilities, such as Teleporters, also undergo similar treatment. Those born at a higher level too. How about those who were deemed unable to grow more powerful, born as level 0s and 1s and whose abilities were useless to Academy City?

They would be tossed aside. In essence, Academy City would sabotage their entire learning process with useless lessons and lectures without aids and they would be unable to grow, unable to bloom in their abilities like they dreamed.

It was this relevation that had shaken Shiage to his core. The dreams of the students in Academy City, those who had come to see their abilities mature and bloom like flowers… were all worthless to Academy City. They would never see the fruition of their hard work or grow despite their efforts, simply because they were deemed worthless.

Those born to be Level 5s or those who were naturally at a higher level would all be elevated by Academy City, aided in their development simply because they had the 'potential'. Those without were treated as mere cattle. This then, is the Parameter List. It has the information of every Esper and their respective potentials. The list that separated the lower and higher hierachy.

Shiages lips curled into a bitter smile. Academy City itself was a lie, built on deceit and darkness. And he was about to run headlong into it armed with a gun. Shaking his head, he turned to face Rikou unsteadily.

Rikou had lost the use of her Esper abilities due to the drugs she needed to take to use her abilities. But Hamazura loved her for more than that. Her ability did not matter to him. He loved her for who she is.

But the Higher Ups wanted her back. And he would not permit it. No one would hurt his friends and loved ones ever again. No matter what, even if it meant that he would wage a war against the whole city itself. For now, however…

"We need to return to Academy City," Hamazura admitted to her slowly, "Mugino can't survive much longer."

Mugino Shizuri, the Level 5 Esper known as Meltdowner. Shiage had somehow defeated her twice and the first consisted of her losing an eye and an arm in the process. The second encounter had taken place here and right now, the implants were failing her. She was dying and Russia simply did not have the technology to save her. Only Academy City could save her. Or rather, the 'frog-faced doctor' as Mugino had so kindly referred her doctor as.

It was the need to save Mugino that had forced Shiage to make this decision. While he did not want to back to Academy City, he knew that there was no way he could fight this war alone. Surely, within Academy City itself, there would be others who had found out the truth and were already waging an underground war.

Rikou placed her hand on his cheek gently, "There, it'll be ok, Shiage." She whispered comfortingly.

"I'm afraid, Rikou," Shiage said raggedly, "I'm afraid I'm not going to be enough to protect everyone and that I-,"

"Shh… weren't you the one that said that you would fight for all of us," Rikou smiled, "we're ITEM, Shiage. No matter what. I know that you can protect us as you always have."

Shiage let out a small snort of laughter, "Yeah, I guess so huh?" he finally grinned, "I won't let you guys down. I promise." The two leaned closer, their heads tilting closer at the heated intimacy when-

"Oi! I'm… wah! Shiage, don't get super cozy!" Kinuhata Saiai yelled as she suddenly burst trhough the door, "Here I bring transport back home for poor Mugino and the two of you are having a make-out session!" Rikou and Shiage leapt apart instantly, both bearing heavy blushes on their faces

Shiage blinked, "Saiai? Eh? No- it's not what it seems. I was just-,"

Saiai gave a coy smile as she narrowed her eyes in amusement, "Ara? That's not what it looks like to me. So… Rikou…" Saiai was suddenly beside the red-faced Rikou who was stoutly refusing to look at Saiai, "How is he as a kisser?"

Shiages nose instantly spurted blood while Rikou's face turned redder if possible. "Oi, Saiai, stop asking such stupid questions!" he sputtered as he held a hand to his nose as perverted images of the two of them kissing flooded his mind.

Saiai scowled, "Shiage, why so super serious? Geez," letting Rikou go, she dusted her hands with a sigh, "Well, let's go," she said as she walked out of the door. Shiage could see DeGroux next to the VTOL craft through the open door. "Shiage? No matter what happens, I'll always have your backs, ya got that?" Saiai said suddenly, turning her head to face his seriously.

Shiage smiled, warmed by her unequivocal support, "Heh, you got that right."

"Super," she smirked as she resumed her walk back to the craft.

Rikou inched closer to Shiage. The two looked at one another, a gentle smile creasing their faces. No matter what the challenge, no matter what the monsters would throw at them, they would fight to protect those close to them. This was the promise they made, as members of ITEM and as lovers.

*** England

"How is she," Kaori Kanzaki asked as she walked towards Index room with Stiyl beisde her.

"Not good, I'm afraid," Stiyl sighed, "she's not eating, she hardly talks to me and she keeps muttering Kamijou's name. I don't know how to snap her out of it."

Kanzaki pondered this for a second, "Let me talk to her."

Stiyl glanced at Kanzaki incredulously, "Are you serious? Did you forget that we did not explain the details of the entire incident to her until recently?"

Kanzaki sighed, "Yes, I am aware. But we cannot afford to let her waste herself away like this. The Archbishop may just want to erase her memories if she find that that Index is killing herself."

Stiyl looked pained, "Well, I guess we don't have a choice then. Do your best ok? I'll… wait outside," he said with a grimace.

Kanzaki nodded and entered the room. A cursory glance revaled that Index was sittng on the floor, knees supporting her head and her arms warpped around herself tightly. Her empty eyes lifted to look at Kanzaki for second before drooping down again. "What do you want?" she asked dully.

"Stiyl tells me you haven't been eating," the Saint remarked softly.

"I'm not hungry," Index replied curtly, looking away from Kanzaki.

"You have to keep up your strength, Index," Kanzaki repeated herself patiently, kneeling down to face Index, "I know you are upset by his death but he wouldn't want you to-"

"Upset? UPSET!" Index's head snapped up, her temper finally flaring as she let loose her torment, her voice full of fury as she lurched towards Kanzaki, "I've lost the only person that was ever kind to me in my available memory. I only wanted him to come home safely, to just sit still and smile."

"But he…" Index's voice was quavering now, "but he always kept rushing headlong into dangerous situations and ending up in the hospital. He never listened. And now, I found that he's lost his memories because of me. And he's never blamed me, not once. I stayed at his home, eat his food, bit his head… And he never asked me to go away, not once."

Her voice finally cracked, and she choked back a sob, "How can I forgive myself for that? I've only ever stood behind him, never beside him. And now… he's gone. So that's why… I want to forget. I want to forget this pain! I want to forget him! I don't want these memories of pain that I've caused and felt! I don't want-"

CRACK!

Kanzaki's palm met Index's cheek with a resounding noise and the nun fell on her back, stunned. "Kan…zaki-san?" she whispered, her hand on her burning cheek as she watched the tembling Saint before her in fear.

When Kanzaki finally raised her face, Index was shocked to see tears on the usually stoic womans face. "How can you say that!" Kanzaki exploded, lifting Index by her robes and dragging her close, "Do you understand what you are saying?"

"He sacrificed his memories for you! For you! You were just a person he met on that day. And yet he willingly took on Stiyl, faced me head on and refused to give up on you, no matter what the odds! And you want to forget his sacrifice like this? You want to forget that he risked everything for you? You say yourself that you felt like a burden to him. Then you should live on with this mistake and become a better person! How can you desecrate his memory like this?" Kanzaki held the robes tightly as she finally looked away, "You're not the only one who's suffering, Index."

And in that split second, Index understood. She understood her selfishness. Touma had risked everything for her. Everything even. No matter who he was up against or how badly injured he was, he would always fight on. Because he knew giving up would mean giving up on the person and he would never shatter them like that.

And now, she was giving up because of the pain of losing him. She was afraid of the memories, disgusted at her own behaviour and lack of understanding.

She understood her blindness. She refused to see the truth, conveniently sheltering herself in the room so that she wouldn't have to see how much the world was indebted to him and not just herself. He had meant a lot to other people too.

And she finally understood her meaning, her answer to life. Touma had saved her, given her memories that could never be erased at the expense of his so she could be happy. So she could have things to remember and cherish. By wanting to erase her own memories, she would have destroyed his smile, his very sacrifice.

"Kanzaki nee-san," Index whispered, placing a gentle hand on Kanzaki's cheek. Kanzaki looked at Index in surprise. Index had never called her nee-san ever since her memories were erased and yet, now, she held her hand gently on Kanzaki's cheek with a teary smile, "gomenasai. I've been selfish and blind, haven't I? So please, don't cry. I… I understand now. I will live for his sake. I am Dedicatus545, the lamb that protects the knowledge of the strong. I will protect Touma's memory with all my heart, for he was our strength, a man who was truly strong."

"So please… I know that you are suffering too. And I-"

"In…dex…" Kanzaki's face crumpled and she drew Index into a tight hug. Index paused, before her smile too crumbled and she returned the hug. The two ladies finally cried, letting loose their inner turmoil at a long fast. Conveniently forgetting Stiyl was outside and listening of course.

*** Upstairs

Laura Stuart's lips curled into a triumphant smile. Everything had proceeded as expected. Letting Stiyl know about the little information of Index wanting to erase her memory had moved along nicely. Stiyl, attached as he was to Index, would doubtlessly inform Kaori Kanzaki about said incident despite the fact that she had said no to Index.

Simply because they did not trust her of course. But then again, it was always nice to see her little schemes work out so well. With Index not eating and sinking into depression, it was enough to cause alarm for them, seeing as how they knew she would not let the vessel of the grimoires just die.

All in all, they had acted just the way she needed them to. That again evened out the number of good and bad deeds then. Humming a low tone to herself, the Archbishop of the English Anglican Church began preparations for her favourite activity: taking a bath.

END of Chapter 3

A/N: And that, concludes this chapter. I'll be honest with you and say that I had absolutely zero clues on connecting with Index. At all. I always try to connect with my characters, giving them depth or exploring possible ones. The author did not give Index all that much depth and she felt… well, secondary and even just plain non-existent at times. I don't hate Index, I just find it diffcult to identify with her all that well.

Explaining the whole parameter list was pretty difficult. I had to formulate theories and cross-reference with whatever was mentioned in the Anime, Light Novels and is my theory on the Parameter List. I haven't gone into the Gemstones yet but I do want to touch on that when the time comes.

In any case, I heard the the next volume is slated to be released in March. As such, with my school breathing down my neck, my weekly updates should become a fornightly update or even a monthly update at worst. This is because I prefer to work with canon material rather than just spinning things out of thin air which can get pretty out of hand. However, I may be tempted to update early if there are lots of reviews because reviews energize me! XP

On a more serious note, please let me know how I did with this chapter since it was pretty draining to write and I hope I did not disappoint anyone. ^^

Next Chapter will be more on who you guys want to see and why. Final decision is made by me, duh. ^^