Episode 21
~ Grand Champion Star Festival (Part I) ~
To Shine into One
"In the end, what is the true nature of this Dimension General anyway…?" archbishop Laura Stuart asked, as she was currently holding a private teleconference with Academy City's superintendent Aleister Crowley in secret. "Arbiter of these countless multiverse karmic balance would probably the best way to describe his nature, although this is also the very first time for me to see such thing personally…" calmly Aleister gave his reply while his expressionless face remain unchanged. "Ara…I thought you were supposedly more knowledgeable over this kind of matter compared to us…so, in other words…this Dimension General is similar to the one and only almighty Heavenly Father we as well as Roman Catholic Holy Church and many other monotheism religions happen to worship after all…am I correct…?" archbishop Laura made her remark, as she was asking Aleister another question. It was when the said Academy City's superintendent himself remain quiet for a moment before answering Laura's supposedly quite heretical question just before.
"There are similarities between the two…although you were happen to miss one important thing here…as the one and only almighty God of yours would always be the one and only that exist in our universe alone…however, there is no guarantee if anything that happens to be the mightiest and omnipotent in one universe could still do the same in another universe against the very different set of rules and law of causality as well…" as soon as Aleister finished his second reply, the said female leader of Necessarius was only remain quiet while trying to grasp such new idea and revelation in which happens to be new for her after all. "In the meantime, I personally don't think we should concern ourselves over this matter archbishop…since we have several other important things to worry for now after all…" as Aleister once again decided to voice his opinion, archbishop Laura Stuart decided to gave her reply back while half-guessing over certain other important things in which Aleister happens to imply just before.
"Are you referring over what was happening during Earth Spheres United Nations' annual summit a few days ago? I believe we have been talking about this matter together with other representatives from ESUN's country members and agree to work together in order to strengthen our defense…or, there is something else in your mind that you haven't told them…as well as myself…Aleister…?" archbishop Laura Stuart finished her question, as she gave Aleister her mischievous smile meanwhile the emotionless Aleister Crowley was only remain quiet for a while before answering back at the said question just before. "An esoteric existence of another newborn world post Break The World out there in which happen to follow different path of history, myth and universal law of causality…I wonder if they were assaulting our newborn world on purpose after all…? Alas, we are still unable to obtain more information in regard to this particular matter…" Aleister finished his answer as archbishop Laura Stuart for some reason could swear that she took a notice over the small grin in which shown on Aleister's supposedly emotionless face.
It was when the leader of Necessarius herself realized on how this newborn world would soon plunged into the state chaos and despair once again. She remembered on how GREMLIN and Chimera Corps' existences were proven to be dangerous back then, as it took tireless effort and struggle from ZEUTH together with a pair of Sphere holders; second lieutenant (back then) Setsuko Ohara and repairman Rand Travis to work together in order to restore peace and balance in this newborn tertiary world after all. In the end, even though this newborn tertiary world itself could be considered relatively peaceful even with temporal dimensional rifts and DAMON creatures' existence were detected afterward, archbishop Laura Stuart was somehow fully aware on how such transient peace could be crumbling apart and shattered in a mere second. It was when she decided to thread her move carefully while keeping her eyes close to former ZEUTH's members as well as Earth Spheres United Nations itself in order to protect this newborn tertiary world's peace that would definitely benefiting her in the end after all.
Eighteenth of September on the year of Ascension Calendar 0001, a week after an unexpected incident in which was happening during Earth Spheres United Nations' annual summit back in Prague…
Misaka Mikoto was letting out a small groan as she groggily awakens from her sleep. She glanced at the digital alarm clock located on her study desk as the time was still showing half past five in the morning. If she remembered everything correctly, she went straight to bed right after returned from Prague via Academy City's chartered supersonic jet. Mikoto was even ignoring Kuroko's usual perverted advance and teasing since the fact she was still experiencing jetlag happens to be too much and unbearable even for the infamous Tokiwadai's Ace herself after all. Strangely enough, even though she had been experiencing several journeys in the past, especially during the First Defensive War, Mikoto clearly remembered on how she never ever once suffered from a mere jetlag like what was happening to her at the moment.
"Perhaps…things were just started to take a great toll on me…" it was when Mikoto took another deep breath before letting out a small sigh afterward, as was indeed tired and hoping that she could be having a nice peaceful sleep for another five minutes after all.
However…
"Ugh…!" her entire body was tensing up for all the sudden. It was a familiar sensation she had not been experiencing for a little while, as the infamous Railgun herself slowly moving both of her eyes down to her own developing chest area. It was when Mikoto find a pair of soft small hands were gently squeezing her chest, as she was quickly aware over the identity of certain pervert groper in which just happen to be committing an unpardonable sin. "Ah~…Oneesama…ah~…let Kuroko fill you with this gentle warm touch, as Kuroko also miss Oneesama's love and warm after all…ah…." Mikoto turned her face, as she found her perverted roommate and junior Kuroko Shirai was muttering alone in her sleep with her usual crisp and sultry perverted voice. It was supposedly happen to be a normal occurrence, as Mikoto were also happens to be experiencing similar situations before as well. It was when she decided to look over such thing in which were currently happening on her from a brighter different perspective after all.
Misaka Mikoto was definitely tired as she was just happen to be suffering from jetlag and having her supposedly peaceful sleep being deprived away from her. In the same time due to such aforementioned things she was currently suffering, Mikoto wasn't really in a good mood to deal with Kuroko's perverted antic, even though she would never be tolerating her junior's perverted behaviour to begin with after all. She would need to teach Kuroko another lesson in order to fix her stupid behaviour right away. She was definitely needs to do something in order to release all stress and anger she was currently having within her. In the same time, she was also hoping to get another peaceful sleep for at least another hour or so. It was when Mikoto finished from lining up three important things in which she was happen to be currently experiencing, a small mischievous grin was happen to be formed on her face away from Kuroko's realization.
The Tokiwadai's Ace caught Kuroko's right wrist tightly by using her left hand. Her squeezing pressure was happens to be hard enough to awaken Kuroko from her blissful perverted dream after all. "Ueeee…Oneesama…?" Kuroko Shirai made an almost inaudible mumble, as she was using her free left hand to rub both of her eyes. "Hai, Kuroko…" Misaka turned her body as she met Kuroko face to face while not forgetting to smile at the said perverted Level 4 Teleporter in front of her as well afterward. If normal bystanders were happen to be witnessing this kind of situation right in front of their eyes, they might thought what would soon be happening would be a very sweet, pure and romantic girl-to-girl action, giggling, and laughing while cuddling together against one another under certain white blanket to cover their half (or even fully) naked figures. Unfortunately what would be happening next happens to be totally different from such sweet fantasy in which usually were being depicted on romantic girl-to-girl (shoujo-ai) yuri comic books.
"This should be a good medicine for a pervert like you!" Mikoto whispered on Kuroko's right ear with an obviously not happy voice tone, as Kuroko was only gulping and drenching cold sweat right after she heard her beloved Oneesama's whisper just before. "Ha…hai…Oneesama…" Kuroko answered with her trembling voice. Mikoto in the meantime was not even bother to reply at her junior's answer just before verbally, as she was prefer to answer Kuroko by using different method after all. In an instant, strong electricity current was flowing from Misaka Mikoto's body directly to Kuroko's very own body, as the younger Level 4 Teleporter herself was soon letting out a loud scream of pleasure and agony. Luckily the charred Kuroko was soon fell unconscious before her scream could awaken the rest of students in which would most likely still sleeping soundly within the second Tokiwadai Middle School's dormitory or else Mikoto would run into a trouble either from those sleep depraved students or even someone else worse than the entire dormitory's occupants combined.
"Ah! For some obvious reason, I feel really refreshed after doing this…" Mikoto stretched both of her arms, as she threw Kuroko's charred body back to her own bed before slowly walking away to the private bathroom in which located inside both Mikoto and Kuroko's room in order to wash her face. It was happen to be the second autumn in which Mikoto as well as others have been experiencing ever since Break The World was happening back then. As she remembered over many things in which she had been experiencing up until now, Mikoto couldn't help herself from smiling alone as she saw her own reflection on the bathroom mirror right in front of her. She remembered on how she met her precious friends in which she could be depend on such as Kuroko, Uiharu, Saten, Kamijou, as well as many others from several different worlds that mingle and merge together with her own world post Break The World itself.
"I was naïve back then…and if not because of my friends…I might have done something irreversible…" Mikoto muttered alone under her breath, as she remembered several important events that happen to be certain turning point for the said Tokiwadai's Railgun herself in order to learn and understand over the true meaning of trust and friendship is. She remembered on how she was almost driven to the corner of her own sanity back during Level 6 Shift Incident on the tenth of August, one and half year ago. She almost had done something irreversible if not because of certain high school boy in which later on being identified as Touma Kamijou together with certain young male Enforcer (aide back then) and his adoptive older sister that happens to be a legendary Ace of Aces from Time-Space Administration Bureau's Air Force decided to be kindly enough to extend their helps in order to put the abominable Level 6 Shift Project into its ultimate end. It was when as if miracle started to be pilling up one after another, Mikoto started to be able to look over many different things from a better broaden perspective while in the same time also asking for her trusted friends' help whenever she needs such assistance rather than trying to solve everything all by herself like before.
"Thanks to them, I've been learning a lot ever since that fateful day…well, it was also when we all make our promise to protect his dream in which later on also happens to become everyone's dreams as well afterward…" Mikoto once again smiled, as she walked away from her private bathroom to take a sneak peek on unconscious Kuroko in which happens still remain unconscious and charred as well. It was indeed a childish wishful dream in which Touma Kamijou had spoken before, as Mikoto herself was only smiling while letting out another small chuckle once again as soon as she remembered exactly on what kind of dream that the said certain high schoolboy; Touma Kamijou had been telling her back then. "Honestly…without even knowing it, I have been following that certain idiot's footstep and fight side by side with him in order to protect his dream…" it was when in the end Mikoto decided to happily resign to her fate, as she once again renewed her promise to keep on moving forward together with her beloved Touma Kamijou in order to protect a certain aforementioned dream of his in which Mikoto and everyone else happen to share and cherish dearly as well.
In the meantime, on Academy City's School District 3…
Ave was only remain quiet as he was staring at the now empty exhibition building that was previously used for Interceptor Show one and half year ago, on the wake of the First Defensive War. He remembered on how he was participating the said Interceptor Show together with Nanoha and Vita on Caledfwlch Techniques' behalf in order to showcase their latest creation such as mass-produced version of CW-AEC02X Strike Cannon and CW-AEC03X War Hammer AEC armaments while Academy City was also doing the same. It was when Ave remembered on it was around that time, he began to develop an interest on developing hi-tech armaments after his experimental plan for upgrading the old GNX-603T GN-X unit into GNX-604T Advanced GN-X was finally showcased for demonstration and received praises from many other research and developer companies within the newborn tertiary world itself. Even though in the end the final design need to be toned down for three or four tiers bellow as the entire plan itself deemed to be too expensive for mass production, this kind of experience alone happens to boost Ave's confidence to continue on pouring his creative idea on upgrading any existing armaments, as the said young Enforcer (aide back then) himself was already stating his personal preference for upgrading an existing unit instead of creating one from scratch.
"Back then Caledfwlch Tech together with Time-Space Administration Bureau's main branch engineering division was really helping me a great deal…afterward, I perhaps happen to lost count on how many units I have been upgrading before finally come close from creating an original design based on previously rejected prototype…RPT-007S Gesterben in which based on RPT-007 Gespenst Mk-IIM …" Ave muttered alone under his breath, as he walked away from the empty exhibition centre in front of him. Later on, a squadron of GNX-607T GN-XII in which happen to be the downgraded version of Advanced GN-X prototype were deployed across the globe in order to suppress violent rioters during Anti-Academy City October Riots. They were proven to be effective enough to deal with those aforementioned global-scale riots while United Nations forces together with many other regional security forces were still depending on conventional mobile weapons such as AEU-09 AEU Enact mobile suit and/ or MiG-29 Lastochka senjutsuki proven to be unable to suppress this spreading act of violence effectively.
Even though violent suppression of anti-Academy City riots were happen to be condemned by both Time-Space Administration Bureau and Church of the Saint King, the fact both Academy City and Time-Space Administration Bureau itself were happen to be members of ZEUTH in which have already been signing a declaration of mutual cooperation was somehow make Special Duty Section 6's position becoming more difficult since they were having no other choice except from assisting Academy City in this kind of riot suppression together with the upcoming conflicts that would soon be happening. Ave remembered clearly on how the said anti-Academy City riots were happen to be just another incident that would soon led into another tragedy in which was happening at the very end of the First Defensive War itself. It was the tragedy that happens to be still freshly remembered by Ave and many others, as it would soon went down to the annals of history as Purge of Blood.
COG together with their sponsored World Liberation Front was definitely involved in anti-Academy City October Riots back then, although Ave remembered clearly on how he had been failing to notice God's Right Seat involvement by using C-document/ Document of Constantine that could also be considered as dangerous AA-class Lost Logia by Time-Space Administration Bureau's standard in order to rapidly escalate the said anti-Academy City riots. When both of his seniors in which happen to be Enforcer Fate Testarossa Harlaown and Enforcer Teana Lanster finally reminded him over to think the unthinkable, collateral damages and human casualties have been increased significantly than any figures that were previously being predicted by both Academy City and TSAB itself. It was around that time when Ave felt slightly disillusioned over the idea of protecting the remnant of his old homeworld. Since it was clearly shown on how his own people decided to forsake the idea of accepting new life and live peacefully together with others in which also happen to be directly affected by Break The World itself.
Piloting his Personal Trooper PTX-002C Gespenst Haken back then, Ave decided to help Kamijou Faction in order to oppose God's Right Seat and even contradicting his previously own decision for not getting emotionally involved in any political and/ or religious conflicts between Academy City and the rest of the world. However the said young Enforcer (aide back then) was also remember on how some of his newfound friends would definitely lost their home if Academy City happens to be destroyed by either God's Right Seat's controlled Roman Catholic Church or COG's controlled World Liberation Front back then. It was when he made his decision back then.
He decided to protect Academy City, even if by doing so, he would end up making countless enemies in which originated from his own old homeworld. Remembering countless dimensional changing events that he was happen to be experiencing back then, Ave could only took a deep breath and sighed, before letting out a small chuckle afterward. After all he was happen to choose on protecting what might transpired tomorrow, ahead to the unseen future far beyond the horizon in front of him, instead of clinging to the past while unable to make even a first step forward. People from his old homeworld would definitely call him traitor for the decision and choice that he had been made back then. However he would never actually mind for being insulted and treated as traitors by his own people from his former old homeworld after all. Since the most important thing for the said young Enforcer himself is that he was finally be able to make a single first step forward in order to reach certain never ending tomorrow in which he as well as his newfound family, friends and comrade in arms longed to reach.
"Mister Ave…?"
The young Enforcer heard a familiar female voice that happens to greet him from behind, as he quickly turned his head before coming face to face with the certain younger female in which happens to greet him just before. "It have been a while ever since we saw each other…and I am really glad for still being able to remember you mister Ave…" once again the younger girl in which later on being identified as Itsuwa from Amakusa-Style Church of Distinct Doctrines was seen smiling gently at the said older young Enforcer in front of her before bowing her head slightly right after she extended her greeting for a little more. Ave in the meantime was only smile back, as he bowed his head slightly in order to respond as well as being respectful to Itsuwa's greeting just before.
"Indeed it has been a while Itsuwa…and I'm glad that you seem have been doing fine after all…how long it has been actually, hmmm…I think approximately around one and half year ago…?" Ave finished from returning Itsuwa's greeting as he was also asking her over how long it has been ever since the two of them saw each other for the last time. "It was indeed around one and half year ago mister Ave…since soon after the conclusion of the First Defensive War back then, we have been fighting against GREMLIN's magicians on the other part of this newborn tertiary world's hemisphere…uhm…I heard mister Ave and Touma-san were also fought GREMLIN back then…and even assaulting Sargasso…" Itsuwa finished her reply, as she was also half-guessing over the said older young Enforcer and Kamijou's participation in another great conflict in which was happening right after the conclusion of the said First Defensive War back then. It was when Ave was only nodding back in affirmative before answering Itsuwa's question with a quick short reply such as "more or less like that…" meanwhile Itsuwa was only smiling before nodding back in agreement as well soon afterward.
"By the way…" Ave paused his sentence, as he noticed Itsuwa was carrying a pair of plastic bags in which happen to be full of fresh vegetables, fruits, mushroom and other perishable products with both of her hands. "Ha…hai, mister Ave…?" Itsuwa asked, as her voice was somehow becoming slightly nervous. "Let me help you on carrying these…" it was when Ave decided to help Itsuwa by carrying both plastic bags from her hands, although Itsuwa herself was trying to be respectfully declining the said older young Enforcer's offer. "Please don't trouble yourself mister Ave, since I still need to carry them to District 19…" Itsuwa finished her reply, as she was trying to gave Ave an excuse to respectfully decline the said older young Enforcer's offer/ help just before. However, Ave was only smiling back at Itsuwa in front of him before giving his respond back over Itsuwa's reply just before.
"Well, at least…let me help you to carry these bags up to the monorail station nearby…"
Itsuwa was only blushing slightly when she heard Ave's insistence on helping her carrying those plastic bags, as she was nodding back meekly in agreement soon afterward. The two of them were continuing their conversation on the way to the nearby monorail station, as Itsuwa had never forgotten on how this particular older young Enforcer (aide back then) was always helping her and the rest of her comrade in arms back then, in the very similar manner to certain high schoolboy that she was secretly falling in love with. "So, how is everyone doing…?" Ave asked. "Eh…?" Itsuwa startled slightly as she was only staring at the said older young Enforcer next to her while trying to find the right articulated words in order to answer his question just before. "Everyone are doing fine mister Ave, as things could be considered relatively peaceful ever since the Spear of Longinus and Gungnir had been destroyed back then…uhm, although I personally feared that GREMLIN's remnants might still be trying to once again recreate both spears for the very same purpose…" Itsuwa finished her reply, as she once again glanced at Ave meekly as her beautiful amber coloured irises met with Ave's equally beautiful crystal dark emerald green irises as well.
It was when Ave took a notice on how Itsuwa had becoming a bit more outspoken since the last time he saw her. He remembered correctly on how the said female centre guard of Amakusa-Style Church of Distinct Doctrines herself used to be quite shy and less outspoken back then. In the meantime, as Ave remembered on how he met Itsuwa and the rest of Amakusa Church of Distinct Doctrines' members for the first time, his memories were drifted back to the fateful day approximately around two or three months after Break The World. Even though it wasn't the day when he met Itsuwa for the first time, the said particular fateful day on the fifth months ever since Break The World was happen to be the very same fateful day when Ave made his very first contact with Certain Magical and Scientific-universe in the real life. Again, as far as the said young Enforcer and everyone else could remember, Break The World was indeed altering every single fabric of reality significantly, as both realities and fictions together with realm of faraway imaginations were happen to mix and mingle together into one.
Ave remembered on how Misaka Mikoto was happen to be among the very first individual he had met and befriend with when he first arrived in Academy City together with other Time-Space Administration Bureau's representatives. It was also when Ave decided to volunteer himself as TSAB's liaison prior to Special Duty Section 6's decision to do so. He was introduced to certain Level 5 Esper in which once again happen to be no other than the strongest Electromaster; Misaka Mikoto herself. It was way before he met Kamijou, Index, as well as Itsuwa and everyone else. Back then his ability as Gespenst Haken's devicer (pilot) was happen to be creating quite a fame for himself, as Ave remembered on how he was becoming an instant celebrity overnight due to the said ability alone. Even within Academy City and TSAB's standard in which based on advanced technology or even techno-magic related technology for the later, his ability as Gespenst Haken's devicer was just happen to become a solid testament over his rare-skill similar to his beloved commander and girlfriend; lieutenant colonel Hayate Yagami's collect-and-use ability that she was happen to inherit from Reinforce Eins.
He had been involved in numerous adventures together with Mikoto back then, since his new role as Enforcer Teana Lanster's new aide was happen to make him assisting the said Tokiwadai's Ace in many of her adventures or to be exact misadventures quite frequently. It was when Ave remembered on how he was indeed being blessed, as Teana, Subaru as well as everyone else from TSAB's Special Duty Section 6 were always be there for him and Mikoto. He was fully aware over the fact that he would never be able to accomplish everything almost flawlessly without his newfound family and friend's help, even though he was happen to be chosen as one and only Gespenst Haken's devicer as well as Alteisen Nacht and Weissritter Abend's master. By the way Alteisen Nacht and Weissritter Abend were happen to be a pair of sentient Personal Trooper units in which being equipped with sophisticated AI-system similar to TSAB's Intelligent Device. Ave was then letting out a small chuckle as he remembered on how Mikoto as well as her best friends Kuroko Shirai, Kazari Uiharu and Ruiko Saten were happen to be amazed when they were happen to see both Alteisen Nacht and Weissritter Abend in action during certain incident in which was happening around August on the same year.
"Mister Ave, what do you think about what I had just ask you before…?"
Ave startled slightly, as Itsuwa's voice happens to return his mind and focus from his daydreaming state. He could only stared at Itsuwa with slightly guilty feeling inside his heart, as he failed to pay attention to her question just before. Even though he was vaguely remember on how Itsuwa was just happen to talk about her involvement on assaulting GREMLIN's other stronghold on the opposite hemisphere, Ave realized on how his old bad habit happens to make him missed the rest of Itsuwa's story and question just before. It was when he had no other choice or excuses except from apologizing to Itsuwa for not listening to her question carefully just before. "I'm sorry Itsuwa, but I was thinking about something else just before…? Is it alright with you to repeat the question again…?" Ave apologized as he asked the said Amakusa girl next to him to once again repeat her question. Instead of doing so, Itsuwa decided to ask the said older young Enforcer next to her another question in which happens to be related to what he had been thinking just before.
"Uhm, are you thinking about what was happening in the past mister Ave…? Such as your first encounter with the world in which we are originated from…as well as Misaka-san…?" Itsuwa finished her question, as Ave was only remain silent while in the same time felt amazed over the said Amakusa girl's accurate deductive reasoning just before. It was when he took another long deep breath before smiling at Itsuwa and answering her question as well afterward. "I was thinking over many things in which have been already happening…well, my first meeting with Mikoto as well as Kamijou and you Itsuwa were among them as well...although…" Ave paused his sentence, as he stopped before turning his face to met Itsuwa's gaze. The younger Amakusa girl in front of him was only remain quiet as she studied the said older young Enforcer's expression while anticipating the continuation of his answer just before.
"Uhm, it is alright if you don't want to talk about it mister Ave…since, it was just happen to be impolite for me to keep on asking for something private…" Itsuwa gave Ave a reassuring smile, as she was happen to be content if the said older young Enforcer himself felt reluctant to continue his answer just before. However Ave was only smiling as he shook his head before continuing his previously unfinished answer just before. "It's alright Itsuwa, since there is nothing confidential from what I was about to tell you anyway…it's just sometimes I have always been wondering if the current state of this world is somehow happens to be what everyone else had been wishing from the bottom of their hearts as well…? It was such question that always linger in my mind up until now, since by allowing this newborn tertiary world to keep on existing is also have the same meaning for keeping countless hopes and despairs to exist side by side together as well…" Ave finished his answer, as he was once again proceeding to the nearby monorail station. Itsuwa on the other hand was only remain quiet, as she followed the said older young Enforcer before finally catching up with his pace by walking next to him.
"I can't speak for everyone else mister Ave…however, as for myself alone…I…Itsuwa is very grateful for being able to live my life to the fullest here…in this newborn tertiary world, and for being able to meet mister Ave as well as Kamijou-kun…" Itsuwa paused her reply midway, as she was blushing slightly in embarrassment as soon as she mentioned Kamijou name in her reply. Ave on the other hand was only letting out a small chuckle as soon as he took a notice over Itsuwa's apparent shyness over any subject related to her love-interest Touma Kamijou. "Itsuwa…thank you for trying to cheer me up…" Ave thanked Itsuwa, as Itsuwa herself was only smiling upon hearing the said older young Enforcer's reply just before and nodded back in understanding as well afterward.
The two of them finally reached the said nearby monorail station, as Ave was handing down those plastic bags to Itsuwa, and the later thanked him for helping her on carrying the aforementioned plastic bags just before. The two of them were smiling at each other before parting ways. It was just another small ordinary encounter between two friends in which happen to be sharing the same dream before. It wasn't romantic like any soap operas shown in daily television private channels or Japanese Shoujo manga. It was just a simple exchange between friends in which happen to understand and trust each other. Although, thanks for such simple exchange, Ave once again found another renewed vigour to keep on moving forward. He was also happens to find another reason to keep on having a faith upon this newborn tertiary world's existence. Since it was happen to be the very place that her together with his newfound family, friends and comrade in arms happen to cherish very dearly after all.
"Well, since I might need to start my investigation as soon as possible…should I grab my breakfast on the way back to the hotel…? Perhaps nearby Green Mart convenience store would sell that nice salmon bento in which happens to be not too bad for breakfast after all…" muttering alone inside his heart, Ave was seen walking away from the monorail station's platform five. He decided to return to certain business hotel accommodation that he was happen to be staying. It was when unbeknownst to him, his investigation would soon lead him to certain incident that interconnecting every what previously seemed to be totally unrelated incidents together in one point. It was also when everything once again started in another recurring cross point after all.
In the meantime, on the School District 7 in which well famously known as central business district for Academy City itself…
"Ah, oneesama! Wait for me! Kuroko is really regretting on what was happening this morning and will start to re-introspect herself…" Kuroko's sultry voice was heard echoing the usually busy street around School District 7's shopping area in which happens to be devoid of any pedestrians with an exception of Mikoto and Kuroko herself together with some Judgment's members from 177 Branch Office. "I heard similar things for countless times before Kuroko, and yet…you have always done the same thing over and over again…it was when I started to wonder if you are really regretting your perverted behaviour up until now…?" Mikoto gave her respond, as she gave her junior roommate a threatening glare as well afterward. "Ah, no way…Kuroko is happen to be just want to have a little bit intimate flirting…eeer…I mean friendship bonding moment together with oneesama…yet, oneesama is always trying to coldly avoid Kuroko…" it was when Kuroko gave her answer while performing another fake crying act, although in the end Mikoto could clearly see through her junior roommate attempt to gain her sympathy by using a crocodile tear.
"Kuroko…" Mikoto was putting both her hands on Kuroko's shoulders while in the same time smiling at her as well. "Hai, oneesama!" Kuroko responded, with sparkling eyes full with hope as soon as she saw Mikoto's smile up close to her face. "Perhaps a little stimulation from my electricity will help you to wash your eyes clearer with even more tears…don't you agree…?" as soon as Mikoto finished her sentence, Kuroko was seen gulping before nervously tried to avoid from having direct eye contact with her beloved oneesama in which happens to be right in front of her. "Uh…oh…what are you talking about oneesama, since Kuroko isn't really understand…?" Shirai Kuroko was trying to make an excuse in order to get away from receiving Mikoto's infamous punishment. Unfortunately, her attempts proven to be futile as she had been doing it too many times already. It was when Kuroko's face went pale in an instant as soon as she saw flickering translucent blue electric currents danced on the top of Mikoto's hands.
"I believe you are ready for second round of your punishment aren't you…?"
"Ha…ha…hai…oneesama…"
"Shirai-san! Misaka-san!" Ruiko Saten shouted at both Mikoto and Kuroko in which happen to be not far from her location. In the meantime Saten's best friend Uiharu Kazari was quickly told Saten to not embarrassing herself. Kuroko in the meantime was only letting out a relieved sigh, as Ruiko and Uiharu's arrival were happen to save her life from Mikoto oneesama's punishment. "Ah, good morning Saten-san and Uiharu…it was quite unusual to see both of you early this morning…are you guys also helping with the preparation of Daihaseisai…?" Mikoto finished her greeting while asking Ruiko and Uiharu as well afterward. "Ah, I'm here because of early Judgment's assignment Misaka-san…since we have been asked by Anti-Skill to help them over certain investigation…" Uiharu replied, as she was also smiling at Mikoto in the same time as she finished her reply. "Certain investigation…?" Mikoto twitched her eyebrows as she was starting to get a little bit curious over what was actually going on ever since she left Academy City to accompany Time-Space Administration Bureau's Special Duty Section 6 a week ago together with Kamijou, Index and Birdway.
"Eh? Misaka-san haven't heard anything about the case of missing children in which was happening just recently…around a week ago…?" Ruiko's eyes went wide in surprise. "Ah, to let you know in advance Saten-san…I was happen to be on very important trip to Central Europe and just came back two days ago…" Mikoto quickly gave Ruiko an explanation over her lack of knowledge on what was just happening in Academy City recently. Moreover Misaka Mikoto was also never be someone that loves to chase over certain new gossips, incidents or urban legends to begin with, as she found such fact alone already make her lack of knowledge on any recent incidents, rumours or even urban legends should be understandable and justified after all.
"Oneesama, this particular incident is quite well known…as if you have notice when you came back from Prague, Anti-Skill and Judgment had been mobilized in greater number than before…" Kuroko paused her explanation midway, as she gave her beloved Mikoto-oneesama a lecturing gesture from her body language. "But, don't you think it has something to do with Daihaseisai…? Since last year both Judgment and Anti-Skill was also being deployed in greater number to keep Daihaseisai secured…moreover there would be a lot visitors from other countries that will be visiting…" Mikoto once again tried to justify her own insight over what Kuroko had just told her before. However, no matter how logical Mikoto's insight or theory is, the fact that Time-Space Administration Bureau's Enforcers such as Ave J.C Takamachi and Teana Lanster were secretly conducting their own personal investigation within Academy City's premise was instantly make the said Electric Princess realize over something serious other than Daihaseisai must have been happening after all.
"Oneesama, again you need to take into an account on how Enforcer Takamachi-san and Enforcer Teana Lanster-san from Time-Space Administration Bureau were also assisting both Judgment and Anti-Skill in regard to this matter…so it is not just because they or we need extra hands on helping us with Daihaseisai's security after all…" it was when Kuroko finished her second explanation, as Mikoto could only nodded back in agreement albeit slightly reluctantly. "Out of curiosity…how many Time-Space Administration Bureau's personnel have been stationed in this city Shirai-san? Are they all happens to be from Special Duty Section 6…?" Ruiko asked. "Uhm, let me see Saten-san…aside from Enforcer Takamachi and Enforcer Lanster, I believe first lieutenant Signum Yagami and uhm…private first class Agito Yagami together with instructor Nanoha Takamachi were also happen to be already here…although their arrival and purpose within Academy City's premise itself had been kept as a secret by Academy City's board directors…" Uiharu was then finished her reply on Kuroko's behalf meanwhile Ruiko was only nodding back in affirmative as soon as she finished from hearing Uiharu's reply just before.
"By the way, Uiharu aside…I was wondering why are you also here Saten…? Since you're not part of Judgment after all…" it was when Kuroko asked over the reason behind Ruiko's presence, as Ruiko herself was only grinned proudly before answering back. "Well, you should have already aware Shirai-san…that I always have my entire heart to be devoted just for Uiharu…and I will follow her no matter where she goes…a, ha, ha, ha!" as soon as Ruiko finished her reply, both Uiharu and Mikoto were only seen blushing slightly in embarrassment meanwhile Kuroko herself was slapping her own forehead by using her own right hand. "Sa…Sa…Saten-san! Please don't make such joke that might lead to misunderstanding! Especially since both Misaka-san and Shirai-san were happen to be here…mou!" Uiharu complained, as she was trying her very best to not get flustered. It was when Ruiko decided to correct her statement in which happens to make the entire situation becoming even more awkward.
"Ah! I'm sorry everyone… since I should be saying that my heart is devoted entirely to Uiharu's panties!"
"SATEN-SAN…!" Uiharu screamed, as she was flustered and blushed in embarrassment.
"Honestly, both of you…since when our conversation turned into a vulgar talk about Uiharu's panties…" Kuroko frowned as she finished her remark. "I believe since you have just asked a reason behind Saten-san's presence here Kuroko…honestly, you should be able to remember such thing you have just asked before don't you…?" Mikoto was later on finished her remark, as she was also half-scolding Kuroko for trying to blame Ruiko for directing the entire conversation into a totally different subject. "A, ha, ha, ha! Gomen! Gomen!" Ruiko laughed sheepishly as she apologized as well by clasping both of her hands and forming an apologetic Buddha gesture.
"Eh…wait a sec…" Mikoto suddenly stopped, as her gaze was fixed toward certain direction. In the meantime Kuroko, Ruiko and Uiharu were also stopped and turning their attention at the said Tokiwadai's Ace as well. "Is something wrong oneesama…?" Kuroko asked with concerned voice tone. "Kuroko…since when that kind of store is happen to exist over there…?" Mikoto asked, as her face turned pale slightly. Kuroko, Ruiko and Uiharu were then turning their attention to follow Mikoto's gaze toward certain store in which the said Tokiwadai's Ace have just mentioned before. "Uhm, I wonder really…since I never see this one happen to be located on that particular spot…" Uiharu muttered; as she was trying to think and remember for in case her memories were happen to fail her. "Nihon…Daruma…?" Kuroko was only twitching her eyebrows in disbelief, as she was wondering on what kind stupid person that would name their shop with such cursed name after all. "Misaka-san! Shall we check what is it looks like from inside…?" Ruiko suggested, as she grinned full with hope and anticipation. It was when both Mikoto and Kuroko were only remain speechless, as Uiharu's face soon becoming pale, even paler than Mikoto's.
"Sa…Saten-san…I don't think it would be a good idea…since I don't remember on seeing such store before…" Uiharu pleaded, as Saten was only grinned at Uiharu before teasing her in return. "A, ha, ha, ha! Don't tell me that you're scared Uiharu…it would be fine since Misaka-san and Shirai-san are here with us…or perhaps I should let you hear the story behind Nihon Daruma urban legend once again after all…" as soon as Ruiko finished her teasing while creating scary expression all over her face, Uiharu was only seen yelped frantically while almost bursting into tears. "Both of you! Honestly! I swear it should be made into a punitive law here if someone started to talk over unscientific things in which originated from baseless rumours after all…don't you agree with me oneesama…? Eh?" Kuroko's enquiry was stopped in an instant, as the said Teleporter herself saw her beloved Misaka Mikoto-oneesama started to walk toward the said suspicious looking store in front of her without even paying any attention to Kuroko's question as well as Ruiko and Uiharu's conversation just before.
"Oneesama! Wait for me!" Kuroko shouted with her usual sultry voice tone as she was then following Mikoto to the said suspicious looking store in front of them. Uiharu and Ruiko in the meantime were only staring to each other with slightly confused look shown all over their faces before decided to follow Mikoto and Kuroko to enter the aforementioned suspicious looking store in which happens to bear the same name with an infamous scary and revolting Nihon Daruma urban legend itself. Unbeknownst to Mikoto, Kuroko, Uiharu and Ruiko however, certain someone or something that would forever change their entire life was happen to be patiently waiting behind the register counter of Nihon Daruma itself. It was when another new adventure would await the four of them, as the entire Daihaseisai happens to become its grand stage after all.
In the meantime, back to the certain hotel room within certain business hotel in which happens to be located within School District 3…
Ave was seen typing his investigation report on his laptop. Such activity had somehow becoming a daily routine for him, ever since he accepted a temporary position in Time-Space Administration Bureau and soon becoming Enforcer Teana Lanster's trusted aide back then. Again, such activity soon was proven to become more than a necessity as his role as Enforcer aide back then, as well as Enforcer in the present would demand him to keep everything related to his investigation to be updated on daily basis. This time around however, he was not solely focused on completing his daily investigation report. Since he was starting to try on using his report to give his supposedly senior officers such as veteran Enforcer Teana Lanster and/ or ace Enforcer Fate Testarossa Harlaown different insight over the entire incident in which currently was happening. He knew it would be easier for him to just present them with straightforward investigation report. However Ave already made a silent promise to his beloved commander and girlfriend; lieutenant colonel Hayate Yagami to solve these multitude crisis just for her own sake alone, as in order for him to do so, he needs to carefully see everything from different perspective altogether.
"I never thought writing one happens to be a daunting task before…perhaps, I might have been losing my edge for keen observation over these multitude crisis after all…" muttered alone under his breath, Ave stretched both of his arms as he took a quick glance on certain 38 inches HD-television set in front of him in which happens to be one of the amenities he received from this three stars class single room business hotel after all. The said HD-television itself was showing a recent news directly from Prague, as ESUN's president of elect; Dorothy Catalonia together with TSAB's representatives in which happen to be no other than admiral Lindy Harlaown and admiral Leti Lowran were answering reporters' questions in an official press conference. It was when he spotted his beloved commander; lieutenant colonel Hayate Yagami together with her faithful aide; sergeant major Reinforce Zwei and ace Enforcer Fate Testarossa Harlaown were happen to be answering other reporters' questions as well. It was when Ave letting out a small chuckle in amusement soon afterward.
"Well, what was happening a week ago seems to be drawing a lot of attention after all…although…" Ave paused his own inner monologue, as he remembered Mikoto's story over these three mysterious entities in which she together with Touma Kamijou, Index and Leivinia Birdway happen to face. He also remembered on how Erio and Caro's own submitted report was happen to support Mikoto's testimony just before. "Cephiro…pillar system…and magic knights…" Ave muttered alone, as those three keywords happens to sound quite familiar to him somehow. It was when Ave also remembered on how he together with Reinforce Eins, Vivio and Einhalt were also facing enemies in which originated from Primary Body users before the arrival of Dimension General soon afterward. "Tekkaman and Sol Tekkaman…together with DAMON creatures and Dimension General…somehow I feel the they are happen to be related…yet unrelated as well in the same time…" as Ave muttered alone under his breath while sunk into his own deep thought, he suddenly heard a soft knock originated from his hotel room's front door.
"Ave-kun? Are you there? May I come in…?"
A gentle yet dignified soft-spoken voice was heard behind the said hotel room's front door. It was a familiar voice of Ave's dearest adoptive older sister. Instantly Ave gave his answer. "The door is not locked Nanoha-san! Please come in…" Nanoha entered the room, as soon as Ave finished his reply. "Sorry for my intrusion…" she excuses herself. Nanoha was wearing a casual clothes instead of her TSAB's white uniform. Her casual clothes were consist of denim jacket in washed light-blue colour in which happens to cover short sleeves pink blouse she was wearing under. In the same time, she was also wearing denim skirt in similar washed light-blue colour of her jacket together with a pair light-brown coloured leather Chelsea boots that also happen to be perfectly matching both elegant and gentle nature of Nanoha Takamachi herself.
"Still working on the report Ave-kun?" Nanoha asked casually, as Ave was only nodding back in affirmative over his adoptive older sister's question just before. "It was quite a daunting task Nanoha-san, even after Fate-san decided to take over any investigation related to DAMON creatures and their origins from my jurisdiction while Teana-san decided to investigate it together with temporal dimensional rifts related cases from different point of views…perhaps, I really not cut on becoming Enforcer after all…a, ha, ha, ha…" Ave laughed sheepishly as he gave his reply at Nanoha's question half-jokingly. Nanoha on the other hand was only shook her head gently before replying back at her adoptive younger brother's reply just before. "You have been doing an impressive and admirable job here Ave-kun…as someone that has just receiving promotion on becoming Enforcer…so, please held your head high and stick your chest up with pride since you have really been doing a good job ne…"
Nanoha finished her reply while gently smiling at Ave as well in the same time. It was when the said young Enforcer blushed slightly before meekly nodded back in affirmative. He admitted that Nanoha's encouragement before was indeed comforting and soothing his heart while boosting his confidence as well in the same time. "Thanks Nanoha-san…" he thanked Nanoha while not forgetting to smile back at her. "You're welcome Ave-kun, although I actually might want to ask you something if you don't mind…?" Nanoha replied back, as she was also asking her adoptive younger brother another question as well afterward. It was when Ave stopped from typing his investigation report before turning his attention at Nanoha while nodding back in affirmative as well. Nanoha on the other hand was remain calm and composed while not forgetting herself to keep her Takamachi-style gentle smile shown on her face. It was before long that the said Ace of Aces from TSAB's Air Forces finally asked her adoptive younger brother in front of her a question she had been planning to ask before.
"Ave-kun, I was wondering if you actually have any lead over the investigation that you currently have been conducting…?"
"Eh…?"
Ave was only staring back at his adoptive older sister in front of him while remain speechless after responding at her question with "Eh…?" short respond just before. He secretly admitted that Nanoha was right about him being unable to make a single progress over his investigation after they arrived at Academy City two days ago. He was once an author back in his old homeworld, an amateur freelance one to be exact. He knew exactly the meaning behind writer's block and how such thing would bring negative impact over author's daily life and obviously Personal Reality if the said author happens to be an Esper. However he never thought on what he was currently experiencing happens to be similar if not exactly same to having writer's block. Ave surely had the entire materials and evidences under his possession. He was also surely capable to finish on writing his investigation report if the said report itself was only written solely based from the aforementioned materials and evidences of his.
However he remembered Fate and Teana's advice very well. He remembered that a good Enforcer should be able to carry personal judgement as well as responsibility over his or her own deduction and decision rather than relying on reference materials and evidences alone. He knew very well that should be capable on meeting Fate and Teana's expectation, as well as Nanoha, Hayate and everyone else's that always gave him continuous support and encouragement up until now. However deep down within his heart, he was having a strange fear and doubt over his own capability on making such deduction and decision. He always feared that his deduction and decision would bear irreversible negative consequences if he was happen on making the wrong one. It was when he decided to answer his adoptive older sister's question just before honestly.
"Uhm, actually…I have been encountering quite a problem to find our enemies' modus operandi this time around, as there are contradiction as well as conflicting theories from those statements and evidences I have been experiencing firsthand all by myself as well as the one shared between Fate-san, Teana-san and myself…" Ave finished his answer, as he gulped while waiting for Nanoha's reaction for his honest answer just before. Nanoha on the other hand was only remain quiet, as soon as she heard her adoptive younger brother's reply just before. It was when Ave took a notice on how Nanoha was only letting out a small sigh before smiling gently at him in return. She seems to be aware on what might be troubling Ave from the start. It seems that she was only want to hear it directly from her adoptive younger brother since Nanoha herself already decided to put her faith on him.
"Everyone else from special investigation department would always encounter such problem Ave-kun…Fate-chan and Teana as well…although ne, each people would have his or her own method to solve the said problem…" Nanoha paused her reply, as she took a seat on the comfortable chair next to Ave. "Uhm, so…in other word, I should be able to find the answer behind these contradictions as well as conflicting theories and evidences all by myself…using my own judgement…?" Ave asked with slightly ridicule expression shown on his face. Nanoha shook her head before continuing her previously unfinished reply afterward.
"Information, evidences, theories, statements and any reference materials you were encountering during your investigation were just like a written will left by someone in order to convey what might unknown to others from his or her own point of view…it wasn't wrong but it wasn't entirely correct either…since one's perspective could be distorted quite considerably…ne, Ave-kun…I believe you're familiar with the term Personal Reality or Reality Marble aren't you…?" Nanoha finished her reply with another question, as Ave nodded back to her before answering her question just before. "Both Personal Reality and Reality were two different things that were also exist in two totally different realities…while also affecting different kind of people Nanoha-san…since Personal Reality is what gave Esper from Certain Magical and Scientific-universe tremendous power based on certain reality that he or she willing to believe in strongly…well, back in my old homeworld people would call such thing as delusion…" Ave paused his answer, as Nanoha was only letting out a small giggle as soon as she heard an unfinished honest answer from her adoptive younger brother next to her.
"How about Reality Marble then Ave-kun…?"
Ave was only remain quiet for a moment, as his mind was trying to find the suitable explanation in order to support his theory in regards to Reality Marble and how it was fundamentally different from Personal Reality.
It was when something clicked in the corner of his mind, as he opened his mouth in order to answer Nanoha's question just before. "Since Personal Reality was originally dealing on how Esper perceive something and obtain such personal perception by willing to believe strongly on it…Reality Marble is by nature on the other hand projecting one's reality in order to invade other's realities…moreover, unrelated to how Esper's Personal Reality in which could be developed through Academy City's Power Curriculum Program…Reality Marble is something that happen to be unique from one person to another…as most of its owner were happen to be achieving a physical bodies in which beyond human…uhm, at least…that's how I might perceive it after all Nanoha-san…although I was also wondering on how these two things were related to what we have been discussing just before…?" Ave finished his answer by asking Nanoha another question as well in the same time.
Nanoha on the other hand was only nodding back in agreement, as she gave Ave her reply. It was a short and simple answer that might sounds not answering Ave's question just before. Although thanks to Nanoha's short and simple answer, he was finally understand over what he currently lacked.
"If that's happen to be what you believe in…so be it Ave-kun…"
In the end what he was happen to be lacking is an ability to make a decision over what he strongly believes in. Nanoha had shown him the path by using her question as a beacon of light, as it was up to him now to keep on walking to the said path his beloved adoptive older sister had shown just before. Ave smiled; as he started to realize over how stupid he really was just before. It was when Ave decided to finally take another step forward in order to fulfil his responsibility as full-fledged Enforcer. It was a responsibility for shouldering personal responsibility of the decision he made over the incident he was currently investigating. It was a responsibility for being able to make a judgement based on his own personal intuition while in the same time living up to everyone else's expectation. It was also a responsibility to walk on the path of what he believes in while protecting what he hold dear and cherish after all. After realizing such fact alone, Ave was seen taking a long deep breath before letting out a small sigh and smiled back at his adoptive older sister next to him in which he loves and cherish dearly as well.
"Nanoha-san…thanks…"
"You're welcome Ave-kun…"
It was a friendly exchange between certain older sister and younger brother in which happen to be unrelated by blood. It was a friendly exchange between certain Ace of Aces from Time-Space Administration Bureau's Air Force and certain rookie Enforcer in which happen to be fighting in their own respective battlefields. It was a friendly exchange between Nanoha and Ave in which have trust each other and willing to walk together to the path of never ending tomorrow together with those in which they love and cherish dearly. Even if without Shoujo manga-style romantic feeling involved, the unshakeable bond between those two were happen to be a solid testament over certain strong resolve they were currently have within their hearts. Since both Nanoha and Ave believe strongly on how things would definitely be fine after all. As long as they as well as everyone else would never give in and keep on pressing forward to reach the said never ending tomorrow they were all longed to reach, that promised day would finally arrive after all.
The day when they could smile and laugh together while standing on the top of overlooking hill beyond the horizon, in which every single beautiful and precious things would starting to shine into one, beautifully ever after.
"Shall we get going Ave-kun…?"
"Eh…? Going to where Nanoha-san…?"
"You'll find out soon…! Since it won't be hurt for us to have a little date while trying to ask for third party's opinion in regards to your investigation after all…don't you think so, nya, ha, ha, ha…"
"…"
"Nya, ha, ha, ha, ha…"
"Uhm, well…please lead the way Nanoha-san…"
"Sure will! Let's go Ave-kun!"
To Be Continued…