Hey guys! So I hoped you checked my profile where I announced the delay for this chapter! But once again, my apologies for that. But here we go!

Thanks as always for those favorites/follows/reviews! I'm glad you all are enjoying the story! Also! Look at this, I've actually posted this chapter in mid afternoon! Funny huh? But because of that, I don't have time to look over this chapter to look for mistakes cause I have something to do lol. So I'll definitely look over it later tonight to check for grammar and stuff, but if anyone happens to read this before then, you can let me know what to fix up as well.

Well without further ado! Happy reading!


Chapter 11: Tragic, We Share [Stage Two]

December 4th

Some discreet building somewhere…

"So…" Masato began as he stared across the room to the couch, where Ryosuke and Satomi currently resided. "Who exactly are these…'interesting people', Ryosuke?"

"They go by a collective name of 'tragikί, moirazόmaste'," Ryosuke stated, abruptly.

"It's been three months, and now you speak Greek?" Masato commented, narrowing his eyes.

"It could be roughly translated as, 'tragic, we share'. Essentially, they are a mercenary group, which had consisted of as many members as there are letters in the Greek alphabet," Ryosuke then turned to Satomi and added for clarification, "Which would be twenty-four."

Satomi nodded in assurance and asked, "You said 'had'?"

"Yeah, there is only a handful of them left: Alpha, Rho, Delta, Omega, Sigma…Chi, Psy, and Phi," Ryosuke answered, counting his fingers.

No one talked much after that, and Satomi retreated out of the room after a few minutes, leaving the two brothers alone. Ryosuke simply stared at the ground, losing himself in his thoughts. 'Tragic, we share'…yeah…a tragic past is something that most of us has experienced…though that is why we have desperately searched for enlightenment. All we wanted was…for someone to take care of us. Yeah…in the beginning, that's all I ever wanted.

"You know Masato…" Ryosuke trailed off in a small voice. "…they kind of remind me of us."


Taniguchi Building: Main Lobby

"Shirai-san, are you in the Taniguchi building right now?" Jiro's voice called out firmly from the speaker of Kuroko's cell phone. The teleporter crossed her arms, looking at all of the hostages.

"Yes, I am currently in the main lobby. I am keeping watch over the hostages that have been secured," she responded level headedly.

"We have the building surrounded and we're planning on making our move—"

"No!" Kuroko nearly shouted, cutting the agent off. "You can't do that Ikeda-san. You have to make sure that no one attempts to get into this building."

"Are you kidding me?" Jiro commented, agitated.

"Look, this building is wrapped in explosives, and the potential detonation of those said explosives is watched over by one of the terrorists. He is threatening that if anyone attempts to retrieve the hostages or send them out, he will set them off…"

"Dammit…so what now?"

"Don't worry, Ikeda-san," Kuroko started before clenching her fist. "We have one of the most powerful Espers in the city working on getting everyone out of here."

"What? Who?"

A tear welled up in the corner of the young girl's eye as she spoke, "The 3rd strongest level 5 Esper in Academy City...Misaka Mikoto, the Railgun."


The sound of running footsteps bounced off the walls as Mikoto frantically searched aimlessly throughout the building. She panted heavily as she made her way through the second floor, kicking open doors, checking open offices, etc. After about fifteen minutes of wandering around the level, she stopped for a moment to catch her breath. She took in her current surroundings which seemed to be the main lobby for the floor. She walked up to the abandoned receptionist's desk and sat on the chair adjacent to it.

"Dammit…where are you hiding? I still have this whole building left to search…" Mikoto complained as she dropped her forehead onto the wood.

"Don't tell me you've given up, Railgun. I didn't figure you were that weak spirited."

Mikoto gritted her teeth as she abruptly stood up from her spot, causing the chair to crash onto the ground. The comment seemed to strike a nerve for the electromaster as anger filled her being.

"I'll never give up, you lunatic…Just you wait, I'm gonna beat this damn game of yours!" Mikoto shouted at the ceiling, electricity dangerously emitting from her bangs.

"Now, now, why are you so confident?"

A chuckle escaped from the electromaster's lips as she scratched the back of her neck. "Well, do you not know my reputation? My question would be, why are you so confident?"

It remained quiet for a moment after her words. She narrowed her eyes as she slowly lowered her hand. The silence felt tense and wasn't broken until Sigma once again spoke in a dead serious tone, "Whoever said I was confident…"

Mikoto widened her eyes at the sudden change in attitude. That's the second time he has done that…what is with this guy?

Once more, laughter rang through the intercom. "I just enjoy the game! Sometimes you have to crank up the difficulty in order to get your heart racing!"

"…you're deranged…" the brown haired girl muttered to herself, clenching her fists.

"Now c'mon, don't stop now, you're almost in stage two! Walk a little further and maybe you'll hear someone scream."


Main Lobby

After finishing the conversation with Jiro, Kuroko took a seat on the floor, slumped against one of the decorative pillars. She had asked if anyone needed any further help with first aid, but everyone seemed to be handling themselves just fine. The auburn haired girl sighed as her mind wandered to her beloved electromaster. She lowered her eyes, staring blankly at the floor. Her heart was pounding loudly, and the teleporter made no attempt to soften the sound.

I know it's only been fifteen minutes, but it has felt like a lifetime already…Onee-sama, you are being careful aren't you? You're gonna make it back in one piece…? At that last thought, she widened her eyes and hunched over, pulling at her hair. Of course she will! She's the 3rd strongest level five in all of Academy City! There's no way something like this would get the best of her! She loosened her grip on her hair and relaxed yet again as she rested her head against the pillar. I wish I could've teleported the hostages away…I wish I could have gone with you into this ridiculous game.

"You're worried about your friend?"

Kuroko was broken from her thought by a young girl's question. She moved her eyes until they met a pair of brown irises. It was the injured girl from before that caused the teleporter's episode. Now that the auburn haired girl was at ease, she could tell the child was about eight years old, and her brown hair was tied up in a ponytail. A bloody bandage covered her forehead.

"Huh?"

"Are you worried about your friend?" the girl repeated, innocent concern emanating in her aura. Kuroko just looked at the girl before turning away and sighing.

"…yeah, I am," the teleporter answered, somberly.

"But why? She said she was going to get all of us out of here, didn't she? She said to have a little faith," the girl said with a scrunched up frown, apparently disappointed at the older girl's response. Kuroko lifted her head to once again glare at the girl and cock an eyebrow.

"Why were you listening in, kid? Don't you know its bad manners to eavesdrop on other's conversations?"

The young girl's cheeks heated up as she puffed out her cheeks. "It's not like you guys were talking quietly!"

The teleporter made no reaction to the girl's outburst and once again turned her head away. "Well…if you must know…it's hard to not worry about someone you care for…no matter how certain they seem to be that they will make it out of a situation unscathed."

The young girl didn't say anything to respond but instead just smiled and sat down next to Kuroko. The auburn haired girl furrowed her eyebrows from slight annoyance.

"Shouldn't you be with your mom?" the older girl questioned somewhat harshly.

"She's helping someone who got hurt right now, so I just thought I would come over here with you."

The teleporter just let out a sigh of defeat, knowing she wasn't going to be able to get rid of the child. Though in all honesty, she didn't find her presence to be dreadful. A small smile actually dawned her lips as she stared blankly at her surroundings. There was a certain familiar feeling to the conversation she just had.

"Um…can I ask you something?" the girl asked hesitantly.

"Can I stop you?"

The child giggled slightly, the nerves dissipating somewhat. She twiddled her thumbs and spoke softly, "So, why did you go all weird when you saw me earlier?"

"…" Kuroko physically tensed at the question, not exactly wanting to respond. The image of the black haired girl with emerald eyes flashed in her mind again. She closed her fists lightly, feeling angry all of a sudden, but still calm enough to not dig her fingernails into her palm. Then, in an instant, a wave of sadness washed over her. I just wanted to see her smile again…I wanted her to tell me it wasn't my fault…I thought I saved you.

"You just…reminded me of someone that I used to know," Kuroko stated as she looked at the girl and smiled slightly.

"Oh! Do we look the same?" she asked, her eyes sparkling.

The only thing that stood out to the teleporter was the bloody bandage, bringing to mind crimson colored images of the green eyed girl.

"You have some similarities to her…"


After her conversation with Sigma, Mikoto once again ran through the halls, and just as he had said, she heard a scream coming from one the rooms. She immediately sprinted in the direction and came across five small children standing in a row, shoulder to shoulder.

"What the…" she trailed off as she looked side to side, trying to find anyone else in the room. But she could see no one besides these terrified kids who stood so still. She narrowed her eyes and took a couple cautious steps. Suddenly, she heard the shuffling of feet behind her and instinctively moved quickly to the side, barely dodging the swing of a baseball bat. She turned her head in order to see her attacker, but was taken aback by their appearance. It was a woman with a nervous look apparent in her face. Her hands were trembling as she gripped tightly onto the weapon. This didn't look like a terrorist.

"I'm sorry," the woman nearly whispered as she attempted to land a hit on the electromaster, but Mikoto easily dodged the attack.

"W-what's going on, ma'am?" Mikoto asked, escaping one swing after another.

"They told us…that if we don't do this, then…they'll harm our children…" the woman trailed off as she stopped her attacks.

Mikoto's eyes widened. Did she just say 'us'?

At that, about eight more people filed out from the hallway and from within the room, instantly surrounding her with weapons: baseball bats, knives. She gritted her teeth as sweat started to form on her forehead. Dammit, what the hell is going on? All of these people just look like worried parents.

Just then, that dreadful intercom buzzed on.

"So how about that Railgun? I was hoping I'd come up with something interesting for you!"

"What the hell is this?!" Mikoto shouted angrily.

"What do you mean? This is stage two! You have to beat your opponents! It's funny though isn't it?"

All of the parents looked hesitantly at each other as electricity erupted from the brown haired girl's bangs.

"I just find it so interesting that you can take a 'good' person, hold something dear to them as collateral, and they'll do whatever you want, no questions asked."

"You sick bastard!" the electromaster shouted, blood trickling from her palms by how tightly she was clenching her fists.

"Well who am I to keep you guys waiting? Go on, stage two has started!"

Immediately following that statement, the woman made another swing at the electromaster. When Mikoto moved to the side to avoid the oncoming attack, one of the male parents struck their bat at the side of her head. The blow caused the level five to be dazed for a second as blood started to fall from her hairline, trailing down the right side of her face.

"Wait, everyone stop! I don't want to hurt you!" Mikoto shouted frantically as she evaded one strike after another.

"But…we have to hurt you!" one of the parents shouted.

Finally, Mikoto was able to weave her way out of the circle of assailants, now staged in between the parents and their children, who still stood so perfectly.

"Just wait! How does he plan on hurting your children?"

The woman who first attacked was the one to respond. "He laid explosives in a line behind the children."

Damn, what is with this guy and explosives? Mikoto thought.

"That's why we have to fight you…" one of the men spoke up as he gripped tightly onto the knife in his hand. He gritted his teeth and ran up to the electromaster. "We don't even have to win!"

Mikoto narrowed her eyes and grabbed onto her attacker's arm, preventing him from striking. "All he wants is for me to hurt innocent people…that monster." She grinded her teeth and squeezed the man's arm, causing him to drop the weapon. She then threw him across the room, back into the group of other parents. She hid her eyes behind her bangs.

"I won't fight you…" Mikoto whispered to herself, though she didn't seem so convincing.

Suddenly, an explosion was heard in some other area of the building. The sound was deafening but they seemed to be a safe distance away to not be affected by debris. Panic was shown in the electromaster's eyes. Damn, this guy really isn't playing around!

"Forfeiting is not allowed, Railgun! You better do something before I set off the explosives near those children. Now that would just be tragic, wouldn't it?"

Following Sigma's warning, the parents charged the electromaster, raising their weapons. As she watched her opponents, almost as if in slow motion, she closed her eyes and spoke to the children.

"Hey kids…close your eyes real quick."

Mikoto then reopened her eyes and outstretched her arm.

"I'm sorry about this."

With that, electricity instantly engulfed her arm and the sparks were directed towards the worried parents. At the onset of the burning electric sparks, the parents all dropped their weapons, letting out a scream and falling to the floor. The slight smell of burning flesh started to fill the room. Smoke began to emanate from their bodies as they twitched on the floor.

"Aright kids, you can move now!" Sigma said in such a lighthearted tone.

The children cried out for their parents as they ran over to them, asking if they were ok, tears falling from their eyes. Mikoto harshly shut her eyes and turned her head, disgusted at what she had done. Even though she had no other choice, she couldn't forgive herself.

"Can the hostages join the others on the first floor? Or do you plan on setting off another bomb when they start walking?" Mikoto asked.

"Why would I do that? You beat the second stage, and your prize is their lives, so they are free to join the others," he stated matter-of-factly.

Mikoto ruffled her hair as she cautiously approached the kids and the injured parents. The children instinctively hugged their parents, their eyes trembling with fear as the electromaster knelt next to them. The brown haired girl tried to hold back guilty tears as she looked upon the terrified children. She swallowed and clasped her hands together and brought her forehead down to touch the floor.

"I'm…so sorry that I did this to your parents…please believe me that I didn't want to…"

To her surprise, she felt a hand touch her shoulder. When she picked up her head, she saw it was the woman who had first attacked her. There were burns that covered her arms, and it must have pained her to move them, but she smiled at the electromaster regardless. It was a weak grin, but genuine nonetheless.

"…Tha…nk…you…" the woman managed to choke out before falling unconscious. At that, a couple stray tears began to fall down Mikoto's cheeks. Why the hell should you be thanking me? I just electrocuted you in front of your child.

After that, Mikoto instructed the children that once their parents woke up, that they should head to the main lobby on the first floor. She mentioned that a Judgement officer would be able to help tend to the wounds. Afterwards, they would wait. Though the kids were still in a small state of shock, they nodded their heads in assurance that they understood. With that, Mikoto headed out of the room, once again in search of Sigma.


"Why are you so upset, Railgun? It's not like you released a powerful attack on them. You've even done worse damage to those delinquent on the streets, haven't you?"

Mikoto spoke through gritted teeth as she ran through the building, "There's a difference between electrocuting thugs and electrocuting worried parents, you bastard…"

"I do have a name you know."

"It's not like we were formally introduced. I thought in a game like this I'd know who my final opponent is."

"My apologies, I just got carried away, you know the spur of the moment and all. Well, my name is Sigma."

"Sigma? That sounds more like a codename. Are you trying to hide your true identity?"

"No, not at all. This is my true identity! I've thrown away the person I used to be!"

Mikoto stopped running for a moment to catch her breath.

"The person you used to be? What's that supposed to mean?"

It was quiet again before Sigma spoke through his other dark tone once again. "There's a reason I threw that person away, you little piece of shit."

The electromaster widened her eyes. Now what the hell was THAT? This Sigma guy is even more deranged than I've been thinking. After that, the intercom turned off, leaving Mikoto completely in the dark about her next stage. I guess it's back to wandering around aimlessly. I just hope I don't have to deal with this same type of game we just played with those innocent people. I'd rather face a strong opponent than a group of weak, innocent parents.


In one of the offices in the building

Sigma slammed his fists onto the desk, which was full of different monitors of the security tapes. He gritted his teeth as his whole body trembled with anger. He dug his fingernails so deep into his palms that blood trickled onto the desk. His veins began to pop out around his neck.

"I thought you said you threw that person away, Sigma…" Alpha stated firmly from behind him, his arms crossed. At that comment, Sigma relaxed, retrieving his fingernails from his palms and his veins hiding within the skin once again. He looked at his blue eyed comrade and smiled.

"You're right! I sure did, didn't I? Sorry that I lost myself a little just now."

"It's fine, just…try to keep control of it. Like you said, there's a reason you aren't that person anymore," the white haired man said as he stared out to the city beneath them.

"Yeah…"

"Look, Sigma, there's something I want to discuss with our employers. I already arranged to meet with the teleporter to transport me out of here. Will you be fine on your own?"

Sigma smirked. "I don't know if I'd say I'd be fine, but I can handle this…as I said, we've basically completed our task, save for capturing Shirai Kuroko."

"And that's why I shall leave Phi with you."

"Where is she anyway?" Sigma questioned.

"She's keeping an eye on our Judgement member, just waiting for the perfect opportunity."

"Sounds good. Maybe we can pull it off after all."

"You've had doubts?" Alpha asked as he cocked an eyebrow. The blond haired man just leaned back in his chair, staring mindlessly at the monitors in front of him.

"I've always had doubts."


So? How was it? It took forever to see what I wanted to do for that second stage…but I ended up coming up with something that was easy, but difficult considering Mikoto's opponents.

Well I've got a question, how are you guys liking my OCs? I know OCs aren't usually all that popular, but I've tried to keep them interesting while at the same time not trying to steal any spotlight from our two girls. So yeah, if you could include that in your review, let me know how you like them (or don't like them, I don't know) and who you're favorite OC is if you have one! Ha if not, don't worry, it won't hurt my feelings.

So anyways, please review! Let me know what ya think! And if you have suggestions for some of the other stages Mikoto could play through, let me know! :)

Thanks for reading everyone!

ok so quick announcement that i'm posting here if you haven't checked my profile!

3/17/2014

so guys! unfortunately i have to announce another delay for the chapter :( i'm actually going on a little hiatus cause i'm trying to get together an EP for my acoustic music! i'm nearly done with it, but there are just some more parts i have to brush up on, and that's taking most of my free time :/ so yeah, my apologies once again. don't worry, i am still thinking about the story! and i am in the middle of writing ch. 12. i'm not just gonna give up on it...you just gotta be a little patient and i'll post the next chapter whenever i get it finished up :)

-taleros