Author's Note: Notes contain spoiler so read at your own risk.

This chapter mainly focuses on Misaka and her reactions. This chapter she confronts the Accelerator and discover that he is taking care of Last Order.

Regarding the fact that Misaka could beat the Accelerator: it's due to his collar that Accelerator wears, it should take about 10 second for it to fully activate. Also the fact that it takes time to increase the network as a whole. While on the other side lightning travels faster than the time it takes to activate the collar.

With regards to how Misaka reacted, for those who believe I portrayed her differently, I suggest you read the Railgun Manga. It is clearly seen how she loses control of her powers due to stress of all that is happening around her. So I do not think it is unusual the way I wrote the scene.

If anyone has any other questions, please submit a comment.

Chapter 3: Rumors

Misaka Mikoto's morning began as any other mornings.

Get up, kick Shirai Kuroko out of her bed. Expel Shirai Kuroko from the shower when she tries to sexually harass her. And finally came breakfast.

Everything pointed toward a very average day.

"Hey, did you hear the rumor?"

"?"

"Yeah, they say he was in hiding but somehow it was leaked…"

"…"

"Can you believe it? Trying to hide simply to avoid fighting…"

For Mikoto, it was just simple conversations and rumors that floated around except that the next word she heard chilled her to the bones.

"Level 6…"

Quickly, she went to where the girls were and asked.

"Um… sorry. I could not help overhearing what you said. Could you tell me what it is about this Level 6?" She asked with a sweet smile.

The two girls froze as the Ace of Tokiwadai made her presence known.

They quickly regained composure and responded. "Haa, Misaka-sama. I, well, you see… last night…" She began shyly, before clearing her throat, "A friend of mine received an email from an acquaintance who works for Judgment. There is a rumor that someone in the city is a Level 6 and…" She trailed off as she realized that Misaka was gone.

She knew this would stain her reputation but she could not care less.

Level 6. During the summer vacation, she was involved in a horrific experiment that was designed to ensure that the most powerful Esper, the number one of the seven Level 5 of Academy City - Accelerator, achieve Level 6.

The Level 6 Shift Project calculated by the supercomputer known as the Tree Diagram projected that the fastest way for Accelerator to achieve Level 6 was through combat with another Level 5. Namely Misaka Mikoto the Railgun and killing her 128 times would allow him to achieve Level 6. Since it was impossible to create a scenario where 128 Railgun were available, a second option was chosen.

The project would re-use the failed Sisters Project, the clones of Misaka Mikoto in place of the Original. As the clones were level below the Original the Tree Diagram determined that killing 20,000 clones in 20,000 battles would be a suitable substitute for Accelerator to achieve Level 6.

To avoid all the bloodshed, Misaka contemplated suicide in a fight against the number one. If she was defeated in the first move the calculations would be invalid and as the Tree Diagram has been destroyed by an unknown assailant, it would have been impossible to replicate the experiment.

But in the end, it was all thanks to the help of that "idiot' who managed to stop the experiment.

It was due to the number one Esper being defeated by a Level 0.

With the experiment being stopped, more than nine thousands of the Sisters were saved.

But now there was a rumor of a Level 6. Misaka was deeply unsettled as her she could only think that someone had restarted the Level 6 experiment.

Scene Break

A few hour had passed since Misaka escaped from school to search for Accelerator. If anyone would be involved in Level 6 it would be him.

What she found was herself, by the park, in front of a vending machine.

Thinking back it was a bad idea looking for someone without any clues to their location. During the experiment Misaka was able to find him as it was usually a battleground between the Accelerator and one of the Sister.

After the day he was defeated, there were only a rumor surrounding him of an accident and losing some of his powers. It was a testament of Accelerator's incredible power that he was still number one even after his loss.

As fate would have it, Misaka had ran into one of the Sisters.

"Oi, you!" Misaka yelled to get her attention.

Turning to see who called, the clone saw that it was the original. "Onee-sama, is there something I can help you with? Ask Misaka 19090 with curiosity."

"I need your help in finding someone." The Original answered back.

"Is this the person the reason why Onee-sama is not currently in class? Misaka 19090 checks, as she is trying to figure out the reason why Onee-sama is currently here."

Surprised by how the Sister knew, she asked defensively, "… What? How did you know?"

"At this time of the day, Onee-sama is usually in class. Moreover Judgment was given a notice of a Tokiwadai student was missing for no apparent reason. Declares Misaka 19090, touting her extensive knowledge."

Shaking her head quickly denying everything, Mikoto became serious and asked, "Anyway, tell me, has the experiment resumed?" She consulted with apprehension clouding her.

"Is Onee-sama concerned about the recent rumors about the Level 6 and if the Misaka's are safe over classes? Ask Misaka 19090 with curiosity."

Seeing Mikoto nod the clone continued.

"There is no need to worry. Misaka 19090 says to reassure Onee-sama. If you need more information talk, Misaka 19090 suggest that you contact the network administrator. Misaka 19090 suggests helpfully."

Raising her eyebrow at this the Mikoto asked, "Administrator?"

"The system administrator is the Misaka 20001, also known as Last Order. Misaka 19090 informs. She is currently at a park nearby with her tutor, as she was allowed to leave the hospital briefly to stretch her legs. Misaka 19090 says, reporting the location of the network administrator. She will be easy to identify as she looks like a younger Misaka. As Misaka 19090 points with her hands to her chest"

Hearing this Mikoto wasted no time and dashed toward the address the Sister provided to find the administrator of the network. Being mindful of the warning that the clone of her slipped inadvertently she consciously avoided the public routes, looking out for any Judgment members.

After a longer than expected detour to reach her destination she finally reached her location. Looking around, she noticed a younger version of herself walking around with what looked like cotton candy.

When she was about to approach her, she suddenly froze as a certain person was addressing the clone.

He had white hair and was thin to the extreme, as if almost stunted. With a permanent scowl on his face as if everything offended him, he was leaning on a crutch of all things.

However to Misaka none of this registered on her mind.

To her this was the Accelerator, the strongest Level 5 Esper in Academy City. The murderer of 10031 of the Sisters. Who was approaching what seemed to be another clone of her.

The area they were in was completely empty and the two meeting here could only mean one thing.

It was the experiment.

Without thinking Misaka reacted and blasted as much electricity as possible toward the Accelerator. All she could fathom in her rage was that the monster was about to kill another one of her Sisters. She did not care if she was going to be killed in the process, all she knew was that she had to stop him.

"Gggaaaaahhhh!"

The screaming caught Mikoto by surprise. The lightning was not returned to her, instead, that white haired monster actually been hit. In her surprise she did not hear the small clicking sound as if two metal plates just joined.

She quickly shook off her surprise and approached the fallen number one. Intend to take advantage and finish what she had started.

But what happened next threw her off the loop as suddenly a miniature version of herself stepped in front of her with her arms stretched out wide. Almost as if this miniature of herself was trying to protect this white-haired monster.

Scene Break

Today was a very trying day. He was allowed a couple of hours outside so he could get used to walking again… with the help of the collar.

Yomikawa had pushed him to go to the park for fresh air but as far as he was concerned, it was another inconvenience. Today he just wanted to sleep in peace as just two days ago he had the trouble of dealing with the stolen remnant of the Tree Diagram.

Since then it felt as if everything was much easier to do. With the frog-faced doctor conjecturing that the more he used his power in combat the faster his rate of recovery.

But today he was holding the brat, who constantly urged him to buy her cotton candy.

As they walked around with him ignoring all the little babbling in the background, something felt off and he immediately brought his hand to the collar to activate it.

The next thing he knew he was in huge pain as electricity crackled all over him. Pushing pass the pain he activated his collar and deflected most of the damage to his organs. But still leaving him helpless on the floor, immobilized.

Painfully, turning his neck to see his attacker he froze when he realized that the person who attacked him was none other than the third Level 5, the Railgun. The basis of the Sisters and Last Order.

"Heh… I guess I finally get what I deserve" he thought bitterly. Frowning, his body was still spastic from the lightning unable to do anything to protect himself.

But his eyes widened to see that brat get in front of him as if she was trying to protect him. What nonsense was she pulling?

"What do you think you're doing?" Mikoto yelled at the girl in front of the Accelerator.

"I will not let you hurt him. Misaka says as Misaka is trying to be brave."

Mikoto could not understand what her eyes saw. In front of her was just one of her many clones but with a more youthful appearance. This was not a problem as she had seen many of her clones before but it was how one of them were standing in front of her, with her arms stretched out to protect the killer of more than 10,000 of her Sisters.

"Why?" Mikoto shouted at the little girl. She could not understand the reasoning of the child. "Do you not know what that… that… monster did?!"

Last Order just nodded without lowering her arms, "Yes, I know, but he saved me and all the others from destruction upon the completion of the Level 6 Shift experiment. Misaka says as Misaka inform the Original of his noble actions."

Mikoto shook with fury, "Save the joke." No matter what he had done, she could not forgive him.

Pushing aside the girl she threw another bolt at the Accelerator with the full intention of finishing him off.

To her shock the little Sister rushed in front of the attack and was hit instead.

Last Order had barely managed to get in front of the attack just in time to save the Accelerator. Unfortunately just like the other clones she could be only classified as a Level 3 at most. Even a Level 2 as she was never designed for combat.

Mikoto's attack which was intended to kill left Last Order in a similar state to Accelerator. Completely helpless and shivering on the floor with pain.

Gradually Mikoto tried to approach the girl to help her. But before she could take another step, someone got in her way.

Accelerator stood between her and Last Order.

And with a tougher than steel look in his eyes he said, "I will not let you hurt her." Accelerator had seen much in his short life, but this was the first time someone tried to protect him and get hurt by it.

To him it struck him to the core. It was wrong. He was deigned to protect this snotty brat and not the other way around. When he saw her stand in front of him to save him he could not help but feel something inside. He could not just let this person in front of him, this child, be hurt.

Intellectually he knew the Railgun had no intention to harm the brat. But his body acted by itself to cover the brat in case of another attack and warn her.

To Misaka Mikoto, she could not understand what was happening. Since the beginning it did not made sense and it cumulated to why these two were mutually protecting each other.

When suddenly, Misaka 20001 stood and placed both her hands on her face "Onee-sama."

For a second Mikoto did not understand what was it that she felt when she looked down on the tear stained face of Last Order. Until she realized that she had fallen to her knees in shock and comprehension.

"Do not worry." She started with a small shaky smile, "Misaka will show you everything. Misaka says as Misaka shows the Original everything she knows." And with those words, Last Order closed her eyes and pressed their foreheads against each other.

Scene Break

The Misaka network was more formally known as Radio Noise. A wonder of the application of AIM fields.

By synchronizing several Espers whose personal reality and bran waves similar to each, it could establish a connection of telepathy between members. To put it roughly, it was like a connection between networked computers and using the network as a server-client model.

And just as a network existed an administrator was required for the network.

Last Order, Misaka 20001, fulfilled that role.

Having access to all the memories of the other Sisters, she could do amazing things. Such as using the remaining Sisters to address the lack of capacity for Accelerator calculations by converting the entire network into a pseudo-super calculator.

Most of the clones in the network lacked a full-fledge personality and could only highlight certain irregularities in behavior. Taking advantage of this, Last Order, gathered the irregularities of all the Misakas and formed her own personality.

It was highly isolated but interconnected network of Misakas with a degree of individuality.

Interestingly, given that the only requirement to access the "Misaka Network" was to have a similar brain structure and AIM, Misaka Mikoto, the Original could enter the network.

The moment their foreheads touched a flood of memories filled her mind.

Running naked through a laboratory with the urgent need to escape.

Finding a white hair youth walking through the night streets of the 7th district carrying a bag from a convenient store.

Coming together in a ramshackle apartment that belonged to him.

Inviting her to eat a meal together, their first hot meal and a distinct feeling of happiness wafting through her.

Waiting for his food to arrive even though her own food was getting cold, as it would be impossible to fulfill her desire to eat a hot meal together and even say Itadakimasu together with someone.

Explaining her lack of fear of him. Expressing her views of him of always trying to make the Sisters say "no" to the experiment by making fun of them, prodding them to respond. Only it turned out that they were nothing more than mere dolls.

Almost dying, losing all his powers to save her that one moment.

In the memories of the Administrator, Misaka could only see a broken person filled with sadness and pain that the world gave him. And in the end, decided to give it all back to the world.

A simple boy who had been alone all his life.

Until one day. A girl had appeared and no matter how much he tried to get rid of her, she was still at his side. Unknowingly that huge reservoir of loneliness that filled his soul became smaller and smaller.

Surprisingly she could feel the same kind of feeling innate from the girl. The feeling that no matter what happens, that she would be fine because she had him at by her side, always.

All other Sisters had "that person", "the Saviour".

And that was okay because she had him.

Scene Break

Emerging from the swirling memories Mikoto felt like an eternity passed when only a few seconds elapsed. Only to face Last Order as she was, with her hands extended protecting the white-haired boy.

"Misaka asks you again, Misaka asks Misaka. Do not hurt my friend, please."

For several seconds, neither had moved as their wills clashed. For Mikoto however the memories left her fragile, bombarded by different views of her clone. In front of her, she could she in the eyes of Last Order that it showed nothing but a steely determination to protect the person behind her.

Uncertainty boiling in her and facing with a resolute Last Order, the Railgun yielded to the uncertainty in her. Getting to her feet she turned away from the scene and walked away slowly. After a few steps she turned her head and met eye to eye with the number one Esper and declared, "If you hurt her, no one will ever hear from you again." With that said she turned away with a look of unfathomable fury about her and left without another word.

"Tch, as if I would let something happen to this brat." Accelerator answered back but Mikoto was too far off to hear his words.

Seconds later that the Railgun was out of sight, Last Order collapsed like a puppet with her arms outstretched. Without a word, the Accelerator stood up with the help of his crutch helping her up on his arm. Then he gave her several chops to her head with his left hand.

"Hau hau hau! Why did you hit Misaka's head when she saved you? Misaka asks as Misaka rubs her head while holding her tears."

"Idiot. I am the strongest Esper in the City. Next time leave it to me and don't get in my way." Accelerator said with a frown, "Now, back to the hospital with that stupid frog-faced doctor and that witch."

Hiding a knowing smile, she followed without a word. Perhaps with time her Onee-sama would come to see the goodness in him and maybe able to forgive her friend…

A very violent, dirty mouthed and insolent person but a good person nonetheless…

In the background… sometimes… somewhere… hiding… but definitely good.

Scene Break

To say that it had been a somewhat stressful experience would be a gross exaggeration of the seriousness of the situation.

After the conversation with her clone Misaka had been completely exhausted, mentally and physically.

It had bothered her enough that she no longer bothered about trying to escape from Judgment and the Anti-Skill members who had been ordered to capture and return her to Tokiwadai dorms.

When most schools would not even bother to make a fuss about lack of attendance from students, Tokiwadai Middle School was different. It had a strict policy and rules that it enforced with an iron fist. Moreover, 90% of the students attending Tokiwadai were from influential and powerful families the risk of abductions were real even within Academy City. Although all were at least Level 3 it was still a worrying fact that made Tokiwadai enforce their rules stricter than necessary.

More so in case of Misaka Mikoto who despite being one of the seven Level 5 there was the distinct possibilities of being kidnapped and the school facing retaliation from her father, Misaka Tabikake. Who was said to have enough influence and power to speak with Alister Crowley, the General Superintendent of Academy City.

Despite the uproar of the teachers and the staff members, the students were rather indifferent to what was happening. Many thought that Mikoto was just taking a break as the Daihasei festival was beginning in a few weeks.

Others like Shokuhou Misaki thought slightly differently when she considered the Railgun as a tomboy who liked to get into fights and her behavior bordering on criminal activity. Especially with the rumors of her kicking vending machines to steal drinks.

To Kuroko Shirai she was more hysterical than the teachers when she learned about the absence of her beloved Onee-sama. Abusing her position as a Judgment member to be kept informed at all times her mind already imagining countless horrid scenarios where her Onee-sama was sullied by dirty hands of some monkey roaming around.

So it was to her relief that several hours later, she received a call informing that her Onee-sama has been captured and was being transported back to Tokiwadai dorms.

Scene Break

It was too a very annoyed dorm supervisor that Misaka faced when she returned.

Annoyance disappeared when she saw the haunted look on the girls face. It was as if her very foundation of her world was shaken to the core.

Taking her back to her room her eyes did not change. She still had the look as if something important was ripped out in front of her not knowing what to do.

With Mikoto sitting on her bed, both had gone silent for several minutes until the Supervisor spoke. "I will not pretend to be able to understand what it is that you're going through. Nor will I ask you to tell me. As a supervisor I cannot let this kind of behavior go unpunished." Facing her student she continued with a gentler voice, "However, as a supervisor, it also means that I am here to help students with any problems they may have, regardless of their nature."

Slowly Misaka raised her head to face the older women.

Softening her look, the usually strict women said in a soft and calm voice, "I just want you to know that even if you can't or won't tell me what happened, you can always come to me to let off your steam." And with that she plunged the confused child in her warm, motherly embrace.

The moment Misaka was in her embrace, she let out a jerky breath. Returning the hug they stayed in that position for several minutes. They did not know how much time passed but as the Supervisor stood up to leave she could feel moisture on her cloth.

She left and informed the staff members that Misaka Mikoto was indisposed and had left school in order to go see her doctor.

Penalties and punishment could wait for now, she needed the rest.

Scene Break

Mikoto felted very tired, after venting in the embrace of the supervisor she had calmed down but still could not sleep. She could not reconcile the image of the Accelerator protecting one of her clones with the images of the cruel and ruthless albino that was etched into her memories.

To distract herself, she had decided to go online and check out the urban legends and rumors that her friend Saten Ruiko liked so much. Hopefully this would be enough of a distraction to keep her occupied away from the thoughts of today's event.

It was during her roaming the net that she was reminded why she went in search of the number one Esper in the city.

There was a rumor floating around the city that a Level 6 had been hiding for a while.

Initially Mikoto assumed that the Level 6 could have been the vector handler with white hair especially as it had been only a few days since the incident with Musujime Awaki and the Tree Diagram remnant.

As she delved deeper she realized it was unlikely. The Level 6 shift experiment was about moving from Level 5 to 6. The rumor supposed that a Level 6 already existed for at least a year and had stay hidden similar to the sixth Level 5.

For a couple minutes, Mikoto worked her mind into a loop of who it could be. It had to be someone strong who could easily beat the other Level 5. As she thought about it, it just might be someone she knew personally. He had already beaten two Level 5 and one of them being the strongest at that.

Everything clicked. The carefree way he acted when confronted, the confidence when he faced Accelerator and even the fact of calling himself a Level 0.

Hiding his true Level by using the minimum of his powers, why he only used his right hand in combat.

Mikoto knew it was impossible "that idiot" was a Level 0. She had discovered his secret. Kamijou Touma was actually the Level 6.

A sinister smile plastered her face in satisfaction of finally knowing the truth. She quickly called her friend and a partner to her roommate in Judgment Uiharu Kazari. The first thing she was confronted was her state. Being in Judgment she was naturally worried about her as she was alerted to her being missing from Tokiwadai.

Assuring that she was in perfect condition and had returned to her room she asked to find information of a particular person.

One Kamijou Touma in particular.

On the other side of the line Uiharu thought that Misaka was getting involved in something dangerous again, like the incident during the summer. Therefore she did not hesitate to give the asked information.

Thanks to her skills with computers that placed her within top 10 hackers in Academy City it was trivial to find what was necessary.

Though she did find it strange that Misaka-san only asked for the direction of the school this Kamijou Touma attended. She guessed that Misaka-san already knew everything else.

Looking at the clock in her bedroom Misaka made some quick calculation to be on time when "that idiot" finished school.

"You better get ready, Kamijou Touma, Level 6" Misaka thought, "Because I am coming for you."

And with these last thoughts she went to sleep intending to go to a Certain High School when she woke, looking for Kamijou Touma.

At the same moment. A young man felt a shiver run though him.

End of Chapter 3

TN:

All query about plot and characters should go to Rinshi.

All grammar and spelling errors toward me.

All translation errors toward Google translate.

That being said here is some info about this chapter's translation due to me speaking not a speck of Spanish:

3~5% of the text had been completely skipped as they made no sense whatsoever. I tried puzzling it out in terms of the context of the paragraph but they are weird sentences that seem to contribute nothing.

Around 10-20% of the text had been completely changed to better suit the context of the paragraph, repletion and fit better with the overall story.

Example, first is Google translation – yes there is a very easy to fix spelling error, second is mine:

1: "Most schools do not bother to make such fuss about the lack of a student. Most likely to think that student in question had decided to take a day to relax of just to lounge around.

However, Tokiwadai Midle School was different. For starters, I had a very strict policy and rules, even to the point of forbidding her students that will use makeup at all times, even outside of school."

2: "When most schools would not even bother to make a fuss about lack of attendance from students, Tokiwadai Middle School was different. It had a strict policy and rules that it enforced with an iron fist."

Around 30-45% minor modification such as paragraphing, addition to make things clearer, reducing the use "However" for better flow, trying to fix verbosity (though I think I failed more than succeed on this one).

On other notes I need someone to just read this over and check for grammatical errors. I try to plug them when I can but I miss quite a lot of them - I mean a lot. Two sets of eyes are better than one so just send me a PM. Requirements are the usual, an okay proficiency in English. You don't need to be a University Graduate just need to point out the obvious lack of commas here and there. Some points missing capitalization or this sentence could be made better etc.

Thank you for all the reviews and Rinshi does respond to them, just check out his latest chapter. He writes faster than I can translate them.