Kuroko traveled above the busy sidewalks. It is the fastest method for somebody with her ability to get from here to there. A level four teleporter. The ability to move between point A to point B, calculating 11 dimensions in a split second. She had an expression of confidence on her face. She landed on top of a streetlamp and quickly disappeared landing on the rooftop of the local eating place. The trough.

The main gate was a few jumps away. What worried Kuroko was that this was external police jurisdiction. The regional police would assume command and deal with it. She feared that role.

Academy city had anti-skill and judgment. Kuroko was a member of judgment. They are the ones who protected and assisted the citizens of Academy city. Anti-skill comprised teachers, adults without powers.

Judgment comprised of Espers, like Kuroko who had trained to deal with their individual skills. When the situation came up, they pulled together. Anti-skill was the front line, judgment taking charge of the crowds. But both recognized each other. Sometimes still, and certainly it annoyed Kuroko. they were nevertheless treated like children.

The local police force acted less than delighted, often threatened by a child or young adolescent that had the potential to destroy neighborhoods, or throw them high into the atmosphere or kill. She understood but she couldn't figure out why many of the local law enforcement didn't want to deal with them. They looked at them with what the hell looks and a patronizing manner in their voices. Many times, even ignoring them.

She laughed as she concluded, "like provoking a tigress with a full belly with a marshmallow. Sure, it's not hungry but the bottom line is your teasing the Tigress. It will eat you." Her cheeks turned red.

"Uiharu." Kuroko spoke, tapping the little communication device she had embedded into her ear.

"Kuroko." Uiharu's voice shuddered, "I, I…"

"What is it?" She wanted to know.

"I contacted anti-skill and the local police." She hesitated, shutting her eyes, holding her lip. She stretched over to her desk, grasped a glassful of milk. The liquid shook as she held onto it, using her free hand to steady the glass.

"I slowed the video down." She wavered, taking a hurried sip of her milk. "It's still fuzzy but. The two law enforcement officers tapped the door of the first bus. It opened then they disappeared." She took an unsteady breath, "then the door shut. I think…"

"Could it be an esper that controls speed or refracts light or…"

Uiharu swallowed, shaking her head. "I ran all the espers powers that fit. Two are light manipulators. Both have alibis. Three use speed. They are located on the track and field training, as well."

Kuroko nodded, her eyes concentrated on the gate.

A small group, perhaps 20 individuals were coming in and leaving Academy city.

"There are four guards. I spoke to them. They knew nothing." Uiharu reached over and rapped her monitors. "Besides the guards and Academy city students. There is a person from the bus at the front gate right now."

Kuroko leapt, landing 100 yards away from the main gate. She was standing on top of the three-bladed windmill. One of many that peppered the metropolis. It was a piece of the system that produced power to the citizens of Academy city.

A loud bright explosion engulfed the main gate.

Kuroko's eyes expanded, "Uiharu!"

The explosion released a fierce, overpowering flow of wind that drove across the ground. the gale tossed debris, people, security robots skipped across the street, like stones across a pond, crashing into the walls of buildings. Windows broke, the glass becoming sharp darts.

Kuroko leaned into the expelled air, her long ponytail flapped in the winds. She shielded her eyes with her forearm.

The fierce wind scratch at her uncovered skin. It slipped into her mouth, burning her throat as she covered her mouth with her hand.

A cloud of dust, debris flew into the sky. The smell of earth, dust and blood, a viscous mixture coated Kuroko's clothing. Bits and fragments of rubble settled to the earth like a heavy downpour. It skipped a several times and suddenly settled.

There was silence for an instant. The ringing in Kuroko's ears grew quiet.

People were lying down on the ground. Their bodies painted in a mixture of blood and dirt. they were bleeding, wandering around like senseless zombies. A low vague babble of people pleading for help.

Kuroko stared, her eyes wet, shocked at the spectacle of the immense blast, plenty of it disappeared underneath the haze of dust.

"Kuroko Kuroko!" Uiharu screamed into her inner ear. Moments went by, "I'm here."

"Are you?"

"Yes."

"You need to get out of the area!" The words hit Kuroko like a hammer.

"Huh?"

"Now! Anti-skill is near. But you need to go!" Kuroko heard the desperation in Uiharu's remarks. Her speech was trembling and she could sense the horror.

"Why_"

"we're being attacked. They_" she hesitated. She reached up tapping her monitor screens. The images becoming larger more accurate.

"They're coming out of the buses." She gathered up a deep breath, "seems to be a small army dressed in..."

Kuroko noticed movement inside the dust cloud. Then a few bursts through the smoke then more. Dressed in black, head to toe. Their faces masked, like a swarm of black ants rushing, bursting out from the hole in the ground. Kuroko felt her heart crash against her chest. An anxious, familiar feeling gripped her heart. When she caught sight of her, when she looked at them.

They strolled among the rushing horde. They stood tall, attractive dressed in black tightfitting armor. Katanas swung at their sides. she could see their faces as They went on laughing, issuing commands to the swarm.

"Attack, feed!" they shouted.

"vampires." Kuroko whispered. An icy fear flooded her body, "vampires."