People good at noticing patterns probably could tell that last bit would be a cliffhanger, since this next upload might be Interlude 2. Those not good at patterns are hopefully very slightly vexed, because that would mean the plot is drawing your attention. Either way, enjoy more of the antics of two dysfunctional clones! Stayed scheduled for our next (Sunday? Maybe sooner) update.
Big thanks to Ren for reminding me of what Worst calls Accelerator: I made a few edits to reflect that to the previous interlude and this. These bits are fun to write, but their verbal ticks are pretty odd to work around. I guess that's why this makes good practice! In related news, the "Misaka" word count for this bit is through the roof. I didn't count, but I imagine it's crazy.
Another, less specific, but equally big, thanks for the words of encouragement I've gotten so far for the story (only TWO people complained about Mikoto being in it so far, which I think it pretty reasonable). I've read everything and it all means a great deal to me; I've been blown away by the positive responses. Just so people know, I've actually written already up to Chapter 13, and have planned out the rest to varying degrees: this isn't going to die unless I do! I like to edit at least each bit 4 times on different days before I post something though, which is why the delay is there. I fear my own inadequacy and I want to have a good backlog so I can keep a schedule. That said...
NT 13, man. Wow. At least now my question about Touma's luck has been more or less answered... And those feats by Mikoto in chapter 2, holy moly! I no longer feel bad about what I planned her to be able to do. I am however terribly annoyed that a little twist that I had planned for a while later on is going to seem like I adapted it from this book, but such is the life of fan fiction writer I suppose. (I really did have it planned out weeks earlier! Mumble grumble.) But truly, that last twist from Kamachi vindicates my story, even if only a little: I could even retcon a bit and include some stuff from NT 13 because from what I can tell, mine still takes place later. So yay! I won't though, because I don't think it matters too much to do so. Plus, I don't want to have to write in the influence of the final reveal, because I just know it's going to be important real god damn fast in NT 14. Still, I ramble. Onto the important things.
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Reviewing or not and view counts aside, and whether new books make this story impossible or ridiculous, I hope you can continue to enjoy my little romp in a certain interesting world. Thanks for tagging along!
Interlude 2:
7:14 P.M., December 23rd: Seventh Mist Shopping Centre, Academy City,
The bright lights and warmth of the Seventh Mist Shopping Centre was a beacon of festivity, drawing in those students who weren't quite extravagant enough for truly upscale stores. Those various shops not selling special merchandise for the season were at least hosting festive sales, or putting up token decorations. The western style of Christmas had permeated quite far in Academy City, but local flavours still abounded: next to Santa's and snowmen were hanging lanterns and stalls selling traditional Japanese Christmas cake.[1] Jaunty holiday tunes played over loudspeakers, drowning out most of the idle chatter that would otherwise annoy a certain level 5 who limped through the main concourse for the third time. Cane clacking against linoleum tiles, his head idly tossed back and forth as he took in the stores around him. A sudden motion in a nearby coat rack shook violently, catching his eye. Looking at it for a moment, he shrugged as indifference took over before continuing on.
Within the folds of many jackets, Worst exhaled in relief, hand clasped firmly over Last Order's mouth. Though the slimy tongue on her palm had momentarily shaken her, it would take more than that to make the clone lose her cool. It helped that she was able to violently noogie the little girl squirming futilely in her grasp. Eventually their target had moved on far enough that she felt safe leaving her cover. She shuffled out, pushing the smaller clone ahead of her. Though a store employee nearby tried to voice his displeasure, he was fighting a pointless battle.
"PHEH, spits Misaka Misaka, as Misaka makes her displeasure about being muzzled known!"
"Maybe if you wouldn't narrate your actions so loudly, Misaka wouldn't have to clamp your gob shut! Stupid, his ears still work fine!"
"M'LEM, pout-th Mithaka while Mithaka th-tickth her tongue out pointedly, making it thurprisingly hard to thpeak..." As Last Order reeled in her wayward appendage, Worst shaded her eyes from the harsh glare of the neon lighting. Finally she caught sight of her target.
"Tou-san went off that way, so come on. We need to keep an eye on him. Misaka'll leave you behind, brat, so keep up." Though the young man's finger was judgmentally wagging with increasing speed, the two ignored him and he was left chastising empty air. Worst powered ahead down the hall after Accelerator, struggling to peer over the heads of the crowd for his distinctively white top.
"Misaka Misaka is coming! Agrees Misaka, since Misaka realizes we still have to discuss gift ideas!" Last Order skipped along merrily behind her taller clone, their earlier spat forgotten. For once, Worst appeared to be considering the energetic girl's point.
"Yes... Misaka does agree it is prudent to plan, just in case options are needed. Though Misaka still doubts he is actually here for that, as he hasn't entered a single store... Very well, what ideas does-"
"HAIR DYE! Misaka shouts Misaka's first idea out boldly!" Worst paused from scanning for Accelerator to stare blankly at her companion.
"...Misaka can't help but wonder what you are thinking."
"It is simply that Accelerator's hair is so blank a canvass, Misaka Misaka just wants to see it colourful and pretty and happy! Misaka gleefully describes Misaka's fantasy, whilst imagining being allowed to make fun combinations and stripes!" Last Order's eyes closed she smiled, and the dreamy expression drove Worst to frustration.
"Don't be daft! Misaka doesn't think that's something the old fart would care about! That would just make you happy! And he'd just be pissed!"
"Oh. Misaka realizes while Misaka falls back on her back-up ideas-" This girl's pondering was ignored by her taller companion, who carried on imperiously.
"All Worst thinks that evil bastard cares about is fighting, sleeping, and wasting time! Therefore, the perfect gift is..." Worst's eye cast before finally noticing the store she was looking for, before darting in to rip something from a shelf. When she returned, Last Order had finished and was preparing to listen intently. "...Aha! HERE! This is the pinnacle of gifts to make sure Misaka isn't punished for not reciprocating! J-just in case, Misaka qualifies."
"...Misaka Misaka wonders what a Snuggie would do to help our target defend himself. Misaka mutters to herself in consternation and doubt, even though Misaka thinks that it does look soft and fluffy."
"G-guh... It's not like any gift can do everything, Misaka states defensively!" Arms crossed, she tossed the offending article back onto it's shelf, where it tilted lazily onto the floor. They marched away again, still trying to follow Accelerator, but their attention was already wavering. "Anyway, what are your other ideas!? Misaka bets they are as dumb as your first one."
"Not so, a nice new Christmas sweater is Misaka Misaka's crowning contribution to this debate! Misaka's great idea being the pride of Misaka's last minute thoughts!"
"You just thought of that because there's one right here! And besides, Misaka has never seen him wear anything other than the same damn clothes, and he definitely wouldn't wear it when it's not Christmas!"
"...But it's so festive and fun that Misaka Misaka can't help but want to see him wear it. Says Misaka, as she sadly realizes it not Misaka's best idea."
"All right, all right..." Face-palming vigorously, Worst began to stomp her foot with impatience. "This isn't working, and Misaka thinks we need to focus here."
"Right! Misaka Misaka agrees, nodding as Misaka understands neither of us have a good idea!"
"Okay. So, shut up and let Misaka think..."
For the next fifteen minutes, they tossed back and forth ideas with increasing desperation. Camped out on a nearby bench, Worst was sprawled out in an undignified manner on one end while Last Order lay under the the other half, kicking its bottom in agitation.
"Uhm... Misaka Misaka suggests perhaps a nice cake? Misaka suggests truly half-heartedly?"
"Cake? No. Misaka thinks he'd want it to last longer than you eating it. Hmm... Perhaps a new gun is-"
"Misaka Misaka already told you, Misaka won't let you get him a weapon! Misaka sighs, as Misaka hopes her annoyance with her companion's fixation on suffering is clear. Instead, Misaka Misaka prompts reopening the debate on hair dye-"
"No! ...Ahah! Alcohol! That always makes Misaka happy!"
"Misaka Misaka notes he is too young to drink! Misaka points out in exasperation, while Misaka with exhaustion presents for appraisal that staff with a spooky skull on top!" The little girl pointed out from under the bench towards a nearby sign, showing the described item on steep discount at a novelty shop. Apparently a hold-over from Halloween, it clashed terrifically with the reindeer plushies all around it. Worst's lazy gaze fell on it, and she straightened a little to peer more closely.
"Hmm. Misaka thinks that might actually work..."
"R-really!? Misaka Misaka is incredibly surprised, but Misaka considers that he does use a cane very often..."
"AH! No, the geezer has a custom cane! He'd never use this one. DAMN IT! Misaka reaffirms that Christmas is terrible... And anyway... WAIT. WHERE DID HE GO!?"
"Misaka Misaka thinks we lost him a while ago. Misaka bluntly observes."
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7:53 P.M., December 23rd: Seventh Mist Shopping Centre, Academy City,
"Misaka hates to admit, but you were right. Misaka can't find any trace of him now... if only you didn't waste our time trying to convince that stupid vendor to give you an ice-cream cone while I searched."
"It was not stupid, argues Misaka Misaka, especially since the ice-cream was given! Says Misaka Misaka as she licks the drips along the side to avoid wasting any deliciousness! Besides, Misaka Misaka was hungry, and you were too busy flirting with the vendor man to follow anyone anyway! Misaka pouts at the chastisement, even though Misaka is secretly pleased with the success of our unintended teamwork."
"But it's winter! Misaka points out that ice-cream will just make you cold: I don't want you complaining all the way back to the apartment later! Ice-cream isn't even traditional Christmas food…"
"Misaka Misaka is in a warm mall anyway and doesn't see the point worrying about that! Argues Misaka, even as Misaka tries to remember what traditional Christmas food would be..."
The two clones paused their bickering to consider the problem, but in the absence of any ideas immediately regressed to their original problem. Worst raised her hands to cradle her head, a migraine already brewing from the hours she had spent with Last Order.
"Agh! This isn't the point; Misaka is trying to get us back on track! Our mission is to figure out what the Hell White-hair's doing here and then to prepare accordingly!"
"But Misaka Misaka already explained to the mean one, he's getting us presents for Christmas! Misaka explains, even as Worst tries to cut Misaka off again-"
"Yeah yeah, you say that, but Misaka is still convinced that the old fart is just trying to cool down from before. Maybe he evens know we're following him, and is just trying to make us suffer thinking of pointless ideas."
"Misaka Misaka then wonders why you are even here, if you are so certain? Misaka queries, even as Misaka hints less than subtly that the mean one has ulterior-"
"Shut it, pint-sized! Misaka already explained! On the off-chance Tou-san is getting us presents, and I don't get him something as well…" Worst shuddered in horror. "Let's just say Misaka would not want to be there on Christmas morning."
"Ah, Misaka Misaka understands. Misaka says knowingly, as Misaka prepares to ferociously tease the mean one. Misaka Misaka acknowledges she would also feel guilty about not returning the kindness. States Misaka, as Misaka reveals her own similar reasons for coming!" Last Order prepared to take a big bite out of her ice-cream, only to be knocked off target when Worst tugged her held hand sharply.
"Misaka thought she told you to shut it! Now come on, we have to find that geezer!" Worst's increasing pace pulled the smaller girl along, who was desperately trying to save her cold treat. After numerous close calls of it dropping completely, Last Order finally came to a suitable solution. With one humongous chomp and a satisfied smile, the rest of the ice-cream disappeared. Worst finally came to a stop in the Mall's crowded atrium, but Accelerator was nowhere to be seen. "Misaka is afraid we truly lost him. Now we have to buy him gifts just in case, and then check later under the tree to see if we need to wrap them or if they can be returned. Christmas is such a pain-eh?"
Her complaints were cut short by the sounds of increasing distress coming from her shorter companion. Bending down, she curiously peered at Last Order's bright red face, with eyes scrunched tight and hands over her shaking lips.
"Huh? What the Hell happened to you, Misaka wonders as-" Without warning Last Order's mouth opened wide, and a giant wad of molten ice-cream and soggy waffle cone landed on Worst's shoes. "…AH!? WHAT!? You little ~~~~! [2] All over Misaka's feet!? Why!?"
"Misaka Misaka's mouth was cold, and it's your fault anyway for running so fast! Shouts Misaka as Misaka tries to hide both her embarrassment and sadness about her lost treat!" The little clone's initial distress had evaporated, leaving only her usual annoyance at Worst's demeanour.
"God damn it, now Misaka needs to buy new shoes AND presents! Gah, I hate ~~~~ing Christmas already, and my first one hasn't even happened yet!" Ignoring the increasing dampness of her footwear, Worst dragged along her charge at a slightly reduced speed. In her haste, she failed to notice the little girl's murmuring.
"Ah, Misaka Misaka is truly happy that Worst said "gifts", and not "gift"! Misaka mutters privately, thinking about the purchasing of her own gifts… purchasing…!" Last Order planted her feet on the ground firmly enough to bring Worst to a halt.
"GAH! What now, brat? Got any more festive surprises for me!?"
"…Misaka Misaka doesn't have any money. Misaka reveals with sadness, as Misaka realizes that materialism might matter more to Christmas that she wanted to believe."
They shared a moment of silence, though Worst couldn't meet the teary stare that Last Order was giving her. Even though she turned away, the taller girl couldn't repress a sigh.
"…Come on. Misaka is going to teach you how to get gifts WITHOUT money. I'm not spending more after I replace these shoes..."
"Ah! Thank you, shouts Misaka, as Misaka does a happy Christmas dance of joy!"
The two began to make their way to the mall's next floor, but as they ascended the stairs…
"But Misaka Misaka doesn't want to be a criminal, so you will have to do the stealing. Misaka organizes, implying-"
"NOT THAT WAY, DUMB-ASS!"
"MISAKA MISAKA IS SORRY FOR HER IMPLICATIONS AS SHE IS NOOGIED VICIOUSLY! OW-OW-OW…"
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[1] Did you know that there is apparently a Japanese cake thing traditionally made for Christmas? Neither did I, but google led me to some page that did!
[2] I guess I lied about the swearing. At the time I didn't know Worst and Accelerator would have such large cameos, so… expect a few bleeps here and there! At least these ones are firmly in character. An OC will be revealed to be a potty mouth later as well, but I mean, what can you do? Some people swear.
[3] These probably aren't really that secret, are they? Anyway, minor note: I actually redid this chapter at the last minute, taking half out and moving it to Interlude 3 while adding in an earlier bit. If it seems a little disjointed, that's why, but I figure LO and Worst are a little disjointed so it fits them anyway. I'm not lazy, don't you think that.