Author's Notes: It's been a while but I've finally decided that I'm going on with this chapter. I think I'm noticing a problem of mine where I simply add redundancy for the sake of word size. I hope I can steer away and improve from that. Anyway, I'm actually done the writing phase for Time Index. Now It's all typing and adjusting accordingly. Since I have little time for typing, I'll finish them as fast as I can.

Additionally, I realized something. Although all of my works have little reviews but every so and so, someone adds this story to their alerts list. So I am thankful for you all for reading Time Index. Thanks for reading and reviewing.

Chapter 11: Fantasy

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X

"See anything?"

"Nothing, where's the lights?"

Click

"…."

"That's crazy."

"Sure is…I'll get forensics. They'll handle the mess."

"I feel I'm going to throw up."

"Don't start. I might just join you."

-X-X-X-X-X-X

Konori dialed the number of the Anti-Skill Headquarters. She needed to check up on their side of the search for the two missing soldiers. She was relayed to the officer in charge of the case.

"Oh Konori, I didn't expect you to call."

She was mildly surprised. "Eh? Is that you Kurozuma?" She could hear the chair reclining in the background.

"Yea, it's me. What made you call my workstation today?"

She went back to business "You're in charge of those missing suspects, aren't you?" All they have to what she knew is just cold bodies and bullet casings. There is nothing significant to identify their origins except their Caucasian skin. That alone is hardly anything to go by.

"Ah, that. Yeah, it's my case. Want to hear about it?"

"Yes." Her answer was simple as that.

He offered "Okay, how about I ride to your office? We can talk somewhere relaxing."

"Don't you have paperwork?" She questioned.

"This is part of my work. Paperwork can be done eventually. What say you?"

Konori thought it over. She could leave but it's a bit irresponsible to leave the office unmanned since Kuroko and Uiharu are still sick. Anyone with problems could come around when she's not available. Still…what she's doing is also part of work. She compromised and gave her answer.

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X

Konori surveyed the familiar view. "It's only been days before we were here."

"Old hideouts come to mind." Kurozuma stood behind her. Konori brushed a finger against the mark she drew on the railing. The one Kurozuma canceled. It no longer stung her. Kurozuma continued. "The winds feel good from here."

"Yeah…" Konori reminded. "We do have a job to do right now."

"Of course of course. It wouldn't be nice to toss it aside." He opened a carton of Musashino milk. "We just found the first one today." He clearly meant the missing men.

"Where had he been found?" For a missing person to be found in this megalopolis this fast is quite doubtful despite Academy City's high efficiency.

"They found him in a storeroom of an empty shop lot in the 90th District." That district is known to be a heavily commercialized with a lot of stores for students and adults alike for their necessities. "They found him all tied up."

"Someone tied him up?" It sounded like they didn't escape.

"Someone did…and made hell out of him. When they found him in the first place, he was a huge mess."

"How bad?" was the question.

"He's hanging on the lifeline, just barely. Doctors say he will be in a coma for some time from the trauma." Kurozuma didn't give the details. Konori though shuddered at her imagination. It wasn't pretty. It is enough to scare little girls. Not her whom was experienced with similar things. Still, it gave her a shiver.

"Do you have any idea where the second person is missing?" If the prisoner was hurt this bad then the other guy is in equally horrible shape. Without medical treatment, the guy might die and with that the potential for information. Even if it is an enemy but she felt all life should be saved if possible.

"The second guy should be somewhere nearby where this person has easy access to." He then overruled his own idea. "Then again, there might be more than one person in this." In short, it's pure speculation. Whatever state the second prisoner is, no one knows.

"We'll get to the bottom of this…once I get both my members from sickness." She sighed. It is a really bad time for them to be sick.

Kurozuma chuckled. "That ponytail and electromaster eh? I'm sure they'll be eager to do some Judgment."

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X

"Seriously Saten, what's this?" Kuroko asked. She with Uiharu Misaka and Saten stood outside an unknown establishment. It had a sign named Never Never Land. The entrance was just a set of stairs up to the first floor.

Saten pulled out a flyer from her bag. "It's a new place. They have these machines where they can make you dream!" She was all excited.

Misaka wasn't as excited. "And what do we need from dreaming? Kuroko and Uiharu are just recovering." They had been sick for a day but a good day of rest and good food are bringing them back up to tip top shape.

Kuroko was touched. She wrapped around Misaka. "I never knew you cared so much of your kouhai Onee Sama."

"Don't overstep it." was her roommate's answer. Uiharu laughed to that. Kuroko glared which made Uiharu quieted.

Saten explained. "It's relaxing and these dreams are supposedly your deepest desires! Don't you want to know what they are?" She added with a gesture of peace. "Besides, sleeping is good for them, right?" She handed Misaka the flyer.

Misaka read the details on the flyer. Reveals your deepest desires huh? She was skeptical to that but she said. "Alright, I'm all for it." It was something new and different to try at least. They entered the store. It looked more like a clinic than some entertainment outlet. A guy with black oversized glasses at the counter said. "Welcome to Never Never Land! Follow me to journey into your wildest dreams." He chuckled, they didn't. They followed him without a word into a room with four large capsules. They are big enough to fit an entire human lying flat inside. An assortment of tubes was between the capsule's head and the wall behind it. It looked like some hospital equipment.

The guy opened a capsule with a button on the console beside it. He then gestured to the four girls. "Please get in and enjoy a full hour of bliss. Billing is afterwards, ha ha ha." Misaka was a bit cautious of the machines but she climbed in first. The operator closed the capsule, his voice muffled from the capsule's thick shell. "It'll start preparations. Please don't move." He chuckled again. The capsule was dark and gloomy from little light source. An array of green lights turned on dully around her. She felt….uncomfortable.

A woman's monotonic voice took over. "Initialize analysis of user height." A horizontal line of light scanned her from top to bottom. The laser didn't bother her eyes. "Scanning is complete. Deploying biometric probes." A set of four plastic sensors shot out from the capsule walls. They hit the right spot softly, two at the forehead with the other two at the neck. "Biometric data acquired, calculating medicinal dosage." Misaka wondered.

What medicine? Her question was answered by the billowing of red gas into her chamber. The man said. "Breathe in and start your way!" Despite seeing the ominous red, she breathed and easily fell asleep.

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X

"Wonderful! Just wonderful!" Saten yelled her lungs out in joy. She was in a garden of paradise. Infinite variety of flowers was out there. Lone tall trees stood high as guardians among the lower softer peers.

Saten gave a wave of her hand. The wind tussle the flower heads to her desire. She pulled back, bringing the wind towards her. She smelled the mixes of the flower's aroma. From sweet to spicy to mellow, the scents are just intoxicating to her nostrils. The smells of the world are around her. Something like this is just impossible to muster in the real word.

Saten jumped in joy. She felt weightless as she soared in the sky. She yelled in joy to her new found powers. "Woohoo!" In this temporary reality of hers, it was just perfect. It is ecstasy.

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X

It was night. The streets of France were dark. The ambience was filled with jazz. Kuroko lifted her glass of red wine. "Here's to our anniversary Onee Sama." Glasses tinkled lightly as Misaka answered.

"To our anniversary..." They sipped the red wine from their glasses. Kuroko was dressed in a refined red dress. It had the petals of a white orchid arranged in a ring around her neck. Misaka on the other hand was wearing a black blouse and white skirt. They were in a café, sitting on classic wooden chairs. There were no other customers. Not even the staff was around. They are the only two in the entire city. The Eiffel Tower stands tall in the dark, dimly lit by invisible lights. The meal was done, little crumbs of bread on their plates the last traces.

"The love between us is as deep as the wine we drink." Their love knows no bounds. Their hearts are one.

"I concur." Misaka advanced closer towards Kuroko. "Tonight will be our night. Just the two of us…"

"Onee Sama." Kuroko was touched. Their faces neared to one another, both craning their necks for the gesture of love.

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X

U!

I!

Ha!

R_

Saten was scorched black in a gust of random fire. Uiharu turned around with demonic eyes. "What did I tell you Saten-san?" God, she is pissed.

Still black from the soot, Saten answered meekly "Ha Ha Ha. It's just my habit."

Uiharu gave the devil's smile. "Your bad habit must be punished." Two handcuffs appeared out of thin air. They bound Saten at the wrist and ankles in an instant. Uiharu wielded a long whip. "This is going to be very enjoyable."

Saten laughed nervously. "I don't think that is…"

"Kya!" All those times of bullying and frustration is certainly being let out like hot steam. Letting all out is just so pleasurable. By the time she was done with Saten, she was prepared for her next victim, Kuroko. Normally this wouldn't be fun for Uiharu but in this world, the Satan Uiharu has emerged!

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X

Misaka opened her eyes. She was in a ball. "Eh?" She was dressed in a white satin dress. A black bow was neatly tied at the slightly low neckline of the dress. The place was a place of high stature. The Western like Ball had plentiful of Medieval Ornaments of Europe around. Just what is she doing here? She shrugged the thought and started planning her desired world. This is why she entered this new reality of sorts. Misaka was cut short of changing this realm by an unexpected question.

"Where do you think you're going?" She turned to her left to see Touma Kamijou. He was dressed in a white shirt with long sleeves. He wore a silky black pant with glossy black shoes to match. He looked classy, a man dressed in riches and style. Idiot… of all people she doesn't want to see especially now.

She snapped. "What are you doing here?"

Touma was acting all classy. "My My mademoiselle, this isn't what a lady of class should act."

"This is very unlike you." Misaka commented suspiciously. He wasn't for one who cared of high end protocols. He can't even speak any other language beyond Japanese. How would he know such a word?

"I am what you want me to be." Touma answered her unspoken question. "After all, this is your imagination." Misaka doesn't like this one bit.

"So…I can turn you into anything I like?" She assumed.

"Hmm, your brain doesn't seem to be really susceptible to this treatment. You're not exactly in a dominatrix lucid dream but you can try."

Misaka frowned. "Then I wish you are a pig." Nothing happened to her chagrin.

Touma laughed. "I'm not turning into a pig but I do feel piggy. Oink Oink." That just set Misaka into an irritated mood. This is not what she's looking for.

She walked away from this dream Touma. What kind of dream is this? It's so crazy for her. She regretted entering the capsule. She should just wake up and end this nonsense. She pinched her arm but nothing happened. Now if that didn't work, how can she get out of this insane world? In the background, Touma only shook his head casually.

The other guests of the ball took notice of her and began to crowd around her in a surround.

"Congratulations!"

"It's certainly a perfect match."

"He's a good lad."

Misaka felt uncomfortable to this surge of people around her. Why are they surrounding me? . She pushed her way out of the ring enclosing her. Still, the ring tightened even faster, more words entering her ears. The many voices at once turned words into gibberish. If she doesn't get out, she might not ever!

She forcefully pushed her way through, causing people to fall. It's only a dream, so whatever she does here won't be a problem. A hand gripped her arm and pulled her out of the crowd. She staggered a little as another familiar voice said. "You should have just asked. It's a lot easier you know."

She turned to see Yori dressed in a dark blue suit. He twirled a pistol for fun as he berated. "Honestly, that isn't how the lady of the night should be acting."

Lady of the night? Misaka frowned. "What are you doing here? What do you mean lady of the night?"

Yori gave a 'tsk' "Always asking questions. Well I'm the best man of course and you're the lady who'll"

She cut him off. "Best man for what?"

"Best man for your wedding of course!" Her mouth went wide and dry. "Your wedding with Touma Kamijou."

"YOU CAN'T BE SERIOUS!"

Yori laughed. "Ho ho, the bride's denying it. I have them right here." He produced two small boxes and opened to reveal two gold rings. In deep copper colour, an italic inscription read. Until Death do us apart.

Misaka took a gasp of air. She didn't realize she didn't breath for nearly a minute. She, married to Touma? TOTALLY IMPOSSIBLE! "Why would I even marry that suicidal reckless boy?" At an rate even if she did marry him, she'd be a widow in a week, him being dead from whatever havoc he regularly gets himself into.

Yori pointed to his left at Touma standing there. "If you want to find out, go right there and ask him." Misaka stomped her way to the source of the problem. Even if this is a dream, this is something she's not letting it slide. This time, the crowd didn't interfere.

"What kind of joke is this?" She was mad uh huh.

Touma understood clearly what she meant. "You think this is a joke?" He answered back angrily. "Ask yourself and tell me the answer."

"Why should I be asking myself? You should be the one answering the question!" She snapped back.

"This is your dream. You are the master who will decide every bit of our answer. So why should I answer when you already decided my answer?" That caught her in a mess of logic. Misaka looked away in disdain. This Touma is just so annoying. What is with this idiot? She noticed the back of a hand held just before her face. She looked back.

Touma softened up with a smile. "While you think about it, would you like to dance?" The music arose from the group of classical musicians. The crowd began to dance in pairs. It was just the two of them left on the dance floor that stood still. Yori was nowhere to be found, a man who's done his job in this dream world.

Misaka accepted his hand. "You're the only one left." Touma merely smiled as he gently tugged her towards him. She wasn't really that comfortable with that. Still even in this dream, she felt awkward standing out all alone. "You do know how to dance?" She asked.

"If you want me to know." He rested his hand at her hip as the song If I Were a Painting began its opening stage. The two began to dance the Waltz. They gently moved together in a slow spin. Touma smoothly pulled her close to him. They were so close that they could smell each other's scent. Misaka turned around, her back to Touma's chest. They then moved two steps forward, hands together before she turned around, the direction of the outstretched arms in the opposite direction.

They started several slow spins in an orbit around the centre of the ballroom. Their steps were on cue. Touma gently casted Misaka out, only their hands holding them together. Their feet and hands moved in synchrony in a dance of choreography. Their held arms swayed lightly before making another full circle. Touma said as he reeled Misaka again towards him. "Have you made up your mind?" She could barely glare at him behind her.

"Don't rush me." She warned. She pulled back, turning around to face him again.

"You have little time." He noted. "You best answer now." They began to circle each other gently.

"Before I answer….tell me something." They neared towards each other with each circle. "Did you really love me?"

Touma smiled as the song ended. "I'll show you." He leaned forward quickly for a kiss. Misaka felt her heart skip a beat, releasing megavolts of electricity.

Misaka opened her eyes in a flash. She smelled smoke and heard little sparks. She coughed in the presence of the smoke. She was awake and out of her lucid dream. Still feeling groggy from the anesthetics, she pushed the capsule hatch. It opened, allowing more light to enter her eyes. Clarity returned slowly. Her machine was entirely shorted out from the immense voltage she released in her dream. At the other capsule beside her was Saten, still asleep with the hatch open. Just beside her was the cashier. One hand was lifting Saten's skirt. The other hand was about to put down a camera. The electro princess felt a vein pop instantly. "You…"

Sparks began to fly as self actualization happened for the geeky guy. "PERVERT!" Need I say more?

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X

Touma stepped over an empty can. It was evening now, soon for night. He had been asked by his teacher to check up on Yori since his absence from school for the past three days. While Yori did hand over a medical certificate but it was unbecoming of Yori to skip classes for he had a spotless record. Since he was supposedly the best acquainted with him, Touma was asked to check up on him anyway. He wasn't going to argue with that. The threat of more replacement classes or berating from Komoe Sensei is just too much.

He wasn't even close to Yori's home from the given address when they met. They were walking towards one another on the streets. No one was around, probably at home or heading somewhere else for dinner. The shops around them were already closed. Touma waved at him as they crossed into each other's path. Yori was carrying a heavy looking metal toolbox in his hand. Touma never saw him with a toolbox before. He then asked as they entered conversation range. "Where have you been Yori? Sensei and the rest of the class are curious."

Yori explained. "I was sick and had a few things to do."

Touma gestured at the toolbox "Something to do with that?"

Yori nodded. "Some plumbing I have to help out at a friend's place."

I never knew Yori was capable of plumbing. It didn't sound right to him. It just doesn't. He noticed a red spot on the side of the toolbox. It looked bright and fresh. "I don't reckon you do painting either."

Yori was surprised. "No, I don't. What's with that question?"

Not involved in painting? What's this red spot then? Touma stroked a finger at the red spot. A smudged formed along the metal as Touma rubbed his finger with his thumb. The smudge stuck onto his skin. Touma then smelled it. Blood. His eyes narrowed. "What have you been doing?"

"Nothing that involves you." Yori replied. He understood what Touma deduced from the smudge.

"When it involves blood and you, it concerns me." Touma replied.

"Well, I don't need your concern. I'm going." He strove to walk past but Touma blocked his path. He gave an annoyed sigh. He started to be a blur and fell from being tripped by Touma's leg conveniently placed there.

"Whatever you're doing, it has to stop." Touma declared. He was serious.

Yori grinned as he got up. "Since you're very efficient at annoying me…Ill just knock some sense into you." He became a blur as Touma felt a hard punch in the face. Touma fell back hard onto the pavement. Yori wasn't in a tolerant mood.

Touma stood up. "If that's how you want it." He gripped his fists. "Bring it on."