AN: Took me long enough to get this chapter done, am I right?
Well Silent Party Arc is almost done. Just a few more chapter.
Anyways, hope you enjoy!
Chapter 36: Chemicaloid Project
Mikoto stood there in total shock. She can't believe what she's hearing.
"It makes sense though." I commented, "She was never in the city's data files and no one knew her besides us."
"You knew?" asked Mikoto,
Looks like, I have to be honest with her.
"I knew." I answered, "But I can't just say 'hey guys Febrie is an artificial human and she needs those lollipops to function'."
Mikoto's eyes widened.
"Her lollipops let her live?!" she gasped,
"She's starting to run out." I frowned, "Plus the effects are weakening. Until we can get a permanent solution, we're going to need more lollipops."
"That's why the flavor is intense?" she asked,
Heaven Canceller cleared his throat.
"These lollipops eliminate the toxins being constantly produced within the body. These toxins will shut down all organ functions." he explained, "Therefore your friend does need the candy to live."
Ah exposition. These pieces of information was so needed. Thankfully Febrie stayed here at an earlier time, before her little accident. Looks like my earliest action of bringing Febrie with me, saved us a lot of time.
"Even so, we need to find those who made these." Mikoto said,
"I have an idea." I sighed,
Heaven Canceller nodded to my direction.
This is my story.
Mikoto and all of them are involved, yes. However, I found Febrie first. I'm the one who promised to keep her safe. I plan on saving Shinobu from those STUDY. Along the way, my friends wanted to help. So, for the first time, I let them. They're a part of this story as well.
This is my story, not Mikoto's. Mine.
Sorry, my mind wandered off. During the time with Accelerator, it felt like Mikoto's and Touma's story. I mean they did save the Sisters, while I did everything I can to help them.
It's my turn.
"The Dark Side." I frowned,
Mikoto's face darkened at the mention.
"You mean like Frenda and Meltdowner?" she asked,
"Not to their extent, but yeah pretty much." I answered her question,
I'm surprised Mikoto never got involved with the Dark Side until now. I mean majority of the level 5s are part of them. Then again, Mikoto is the face of level 5s. After all, out of the seven, she's the sanest. That's saying something, since she's got that temper. Then again, she doesn't kill first and ask questions later.
"It's not all sun and bright in Academy City." I explained, "Sometimes, the darkness is your only friend."
"So were you involved? Back then, I mean." she asked me, "Before you met any of us?"
"I was, but it's mostly just for surviving." I frowned, "Almost died a couple of times, but I made it through."
That's a story for another time.
A small smiled emerged. "Because of you guys, my days get brighter and brighter."
Metaphorically speaking of course.
Mikoto couldn't help herself to hug me. She rubbed my back slowly.
"Otomi, your friend told me to tell you to meet her with the sisters outside." Heaven Canceller said,
I was speaking to Proto a moment ago. Did she plan this? She told Heaven Canceller to send me a message, after that she talked to me about our current plan. Looks like, she's taking something I would do.t
"Alright." I nodded,
"Is it our sisters?" asked Mikoto,
"Our little sisters." I smiled,
I went to the nearby playground. Something told me, that's where Proto would meet up.
"There you are. Misaka 10039 approaches her older sister." a Sister called me out,
Two of the Sisters appeared behind me.
"Hey." I greeted,
"This way please. Misaka 13577 grabs her older sister's hand." 13577 grabbed my hand,
So the two dragged me towards Proto and 10032. I could tell it's 10032, because of her bandages.
"Thanks girls." smiled Proto,
13577 and 10039 politely bowed down and left the area.
"What's up?" I asked,
"10032?" Proto gestured,
"Misaka shall explain. Misaka 10032 will begin her exposition." 10032 told me, "The one called Febrie has an older sister called Janie. Misaka explains, but probably her amazing onee-sama, Akami Otomi, has already figured it out."
What? I already knew that.
"However, does Otomi know Janie and Febrie are developed through the Testament just like the Sisters? Misaka asks rhetorically." she asked,
"I did not know that." I replied,
"A simple theory, but perhaps Shinobu is being used due to familiarity of the Testament machines. Misaka theorizes with her limited information." my sister theorized,
Why did I keep thinking like this?
"In other words, the moment Janie and Febrie are no longer useful then Shinobu will be disposed off." I theorized,
"Typical villain cliche." scoffed Proto, "Then again, onee-sama you think these guys don't have the guts to do such a thing, right?"
"They'll probably pay another group then." I sighed,
We're were all thinking rather intensely.
"Wait a minute!" Proto suddenly shouted, "Janie, and Febrie. I'm sensing a name pattern here."
"Misaka believes they are named after the months. Misaka explains to her childish youngest sister." 10032 explained, "Therefore if there are more of these girls then their names will be: Marie, Aprie, Mayie, Junie, Julie, Augie, Sepie, Octie, Novie and Decie. All indicated names use the first three letters of each month. However any names further beyond that cannot be predicted."
That's like little trivia.
"Ever noticed two of Febrie's hair strands sticking out? Or idiot hair?" Proto snickered, "I bet Decie will have twelve of those sticking out!"
It actually made sense. If Febrie was the second oldest then she should have two of those cowlicks standing up. That meant Janie had one!
Oh my gosh. I'm not different from Febrie at all! She's going to be the second oldest of the group! In theory, of course. If Shinobu decided to give Febrie more siblings. Not when.
"Otomi?"
I would've jumped if it wasn't Mikoto's voice, but it was her. Turning around I saw her looking surprised by the small group of Sisters here. 10039 and 13577 were deperating the area, again. Looks like she was brought over.
A small black cat approached 10032. The kitty looked familiar.
"Ah onee-sama!" Proto hugged her, "We got some information, we gotta share with you!"
Mikoto looked confused, but she returned the hug. She looked at me expectantly.
"Otomi, Febrie's being discharged today." Mikoto smiled, "We're meeting up at your place."
I nodded, but something told me Mikoto wanted to say more.
"I think you should tell them about Febrie." she said towards me, "I think they deserved to know that. They are Febrie's friends."
I turned away, a little uncomfortable.
"Look I know it's hard, especially for you but our friends do need to know." Mikoto urged on, "They're worried too, you know."
She had a point. I can't just say Febrie was sick or had a fever. They need to know the truth about her. Maybe then I could tell them about me?
No. Not yet. Ruiko was the first step.
"I know that part." I muttered in defeat,
I left the area, but I didn't go home right away. I wandered around the city building up the courage to tell my friends about Febrie.
Ruiko already knew, but Uiharu and Kuroko were another story. I'm feel close with my sister and roommate, but those two? They are good friends, but in my mind I don't feel as close. Those four hang out most of the time, while I stood at the sidelines. I felt like the fifth wheel.
I gathered up my courage.
"Alright, here we go." I sighed to myself,
...
I got to my dorm and noticed the girls hanging out. Febrie was fast asleep.
"Otomi what took you so long?" Ruiko stood up and hugged me,
"Just a lot in my mind." I answered,
Ruiko gave me a smile. She squeezed my hand.
"Whenever you're ready." she told me,
Taking a deep breath, I gave an announcement. "Guys there's something I should tell you about Febrie."
Mikoto and Ruiko have each other an eye, since they knew her secret already. Meanwhile Uiharu and Kuroko looked at me with curiosity.
"She's an artificial human." I began,
Ruiko and Mikoto gave each other a nod and gasped along with the others.
"Febrie's man made?" Uiharu whispered,
"Those lollipops are the reason she's still alive, due to her body producing toxins thanks to her creators." I continued,
I looked at everyone's reaction. Everyone, but Kuroko, had worried looks. Kuroko looked skeptical. The short girl looked conflicted. It's like she wanted to believe, but she's curious.
"Otomi, where did you get such information about Febrie?" she asked,
Mikoto's eyes widened. I can't just tell them I invaded Febrie's mind for the sake of her safety. I went for the safer approach.
"The frog faced doctor told me and Mikoto." I answered, "It was earlier this day."
Mikoto sighed in relief.
"You know way before any of us, did you?" Kuroko dared ask, "That's when onee-sama learned the truth. You knew way before any of us. So I'll ask again, where did you get this kind of information?"
Good observation. I want Kuroko to be friend, but if I revealed I was once part of the Dark Side. I don't think we can be friends anymore. The mere thought hurts.
Thoughts.
Mmm.
Bringing my finger up, I touched Kuroko's forehead. Her memories flooded my mind.
"Mikoto said I got something important to tell you guys, but you thought it was her returning your affections." I recalled her latest memory, "You got so excited, you took off your towel and ran around the room."
"W-What?!" blushed the Judgement girl,
"So that's how you figured it out?" Uiharu spoke, "You went into Febrie's mind?"
"Well, why would there be a little girl in the middle of the streets at dark?" I rhetorically asked, "Either she's running away or something. Entering her mind, I was right. Febrie ran away from the facility she was made, with some help. That help came from my friend, who's trap in there. The group responsible for creating Febrie is also the one that attacked us with those powersuits and robots yesterday. "
I took a deep breath due to the long explanation. I looked expectantly at Kuroko.
"I know you mean well Otomi, but your methods are extreme." Kuroko reprimanded me and smiled, "However Febrie is our friend, so I will believe you."
"Thanks." I replied,
"Can't we just arrest those guys or something?" Ruiko finally spoke,
"There's no proof." I frowned, "Plus these guys can't be touched by Anti-Skill. They're that dangerous."
Dangerous to them, especially for Ruiko and Uiharu.
"These guys are not going to hold back to get Febrie, so we shouldn't too." I continued, "Are you ready to face these guys?"
Everyone looked so determined and ready. They all gave me a nod and approval.
"I got something to say." Mikoto announced, "I've faced some people, similar. They are quiet dangerous and they hurt me and Otomi badly. Luckily for us, we got out."
"I know I'm asking much, but if you guys consider not helping. Then I get it." I sighed, "I don't want you to get hurt, because of me."
Mikoto tugged my sleeve. Looking at her, she showed a smile. She pointed at the three.
!
"We have to find those people, who made Febrie." Uiharu told the other two,
"Kongou saw one of them." Ruiko added, "It's a start."
"The lollipops are essential for Febrie's survival." Kurko added too, "Plus I'll check with Anti-Skill about those powersuits or any other evidence they discovered at the sites."
Mikoto gave me another hug.
"You surprised?" she smiled, "All of us are helping you and Febrie. We're gonna stop those guys and save your friend!"
Ruiko, Uiharu and Kuroko gave me a reassuring smile.
"Besides you inspired me, Otomi." she rubbed my back, "Getting help from your friends is never a bad thing. No matter the circumstances or situation, I knew I can count on them for help. So trust them like you trust me, ok?"
All the girls gathered around me.
"It must be hard to be the only one who knew Febrie's secret." Uiharu patted me shoulder,
"I must apologize for the earlier distrust." Kuroko bowed her head down, "It must be a frightening thought that we would not believe you."
"We're all here for you." Ruiko smiled,
I simply smiled in return.
"Thanks guys. It means a lot."
...
We're using the Judgement office as our base of operations.
Hehe. Sounds like a military operation.
Mikoto and Kuroko went to the nearby Anti-Skill office to find evidence. That left, Ruiko, Uiharu Konori, Febrie and me at the office.
Ruiko recently came back from the hospital and said the lollipops will take too long to make. The long summary was how they have to use one of the lollipops to find what's it made off and then find a production facility willing to produce the same material. That will take a lot of time, and time was not on our side.
Konori was keeping Febrie entertained. She was kind enough to buy some colored pencils. Febrie used to printer paper for her drawings.
Uiharu was searching the data files for our suspicious person. I wanted to end it now.
"Search Aritomi." I told her,
Uiharu nodded and the list became significantly shorter. When I mean shorter, there was only one person at the list. Clicking the name, it revealed Aritomi was an absolute genius.
"Where did you get the name?" a curious Uiharu asked,
"Febrie's memories." I answered then explained, "I was in a tube of sorts when two scientists walked into my view. They were discussing about Febrie and one of them said the name."
That's not too vague of an explanation right?
"Aritomi Haruki." she listed the name, "He's a regular participant in the Academy Exhibit Assembly. He was first place two years in a row."
So he's a genius turning into stupidity.
"No wonder he's jealous of espers." I scoffed,
"Otomi?" Uiharu asked,
"Let's just say, I had a talk with him, but he wasn't too please to talk to me." I chuckled,
"Why do keep hiding stuff when it's needed?" Ruiko muttered then pointed something out, "If he's a so smart then why did we never hear anything about him?"
"It's a city filled with espers and their amazing abilities." Konori sighed, "Anywhere but here, he would have gotten recognition."
I mean this place has so many geniuses that being smart doesn't mean much. Should I use the rare card example, again?
"He's not participating in this year's Assembly." added Uiharu, "Then that means..."
She typed Exhibit Assembly Participants and checked the list.
"There's way less people participating this year." she frowned,
"What's the name of their group again?" Konori asked me,
"STUDY." I replied,
"That's the group where Anti-Skill is getting their equipment from." Konori added,
Kuroko returned alone with some good news.
"Anti-Skill can't officially help us, but Officer Yomikawa gave this to me." she showed off see through container,
It was the same filament I found at the Assembly.
"Janie." I said worriedly,
"Janie?" everyone wondered outloud, "Who's Janie?"
"That's my older sister!" Febrie declared with a smile,
"Again." groaned Ruiko,
I felt a shiver.
"So not only your friend, but Janie as well." Kuroko shook her head and smiled, "You get into way more trouble than onee-sama and that's saying something."
That is an understatement.
Then Kongou-
Mitsuko along with Wannai and Awatsuki arrived. She had a box with her.
"I bought Febrie some adorable new clothes." she offered the box to me, "She will adore it."
Looking at the box, I gave a smirk. "To make up for the lack of contribution, you bought Febrie some clothes?"
Mitsuko's eyes widened and wanted to apologized, but I stopped her.
"Without me!" I pouted, "Mitsuko, I know what you bought for Febrie has to be lovely, but you should have bought more! I mean those animal hoodies would have made her way more cuter."
Then I gave her a smile. "Febrie, Mitsuko bought you some new clothes, what do you say?"
"Thanks Kongou!" she smiled,
The girl ran up to her Febrie and gave her a big hug.
"You had us scared there." Wannai sighed,
"Honestly, we're really sorry for not doing much." Awatsuki apologized,
Shaking my head, I gave the two a smile.
"Febrie always loves to see her friends." I told them, "Apology accepted."
Mikoto finally arrived.
"I visited Therestina." she announced to everyone,
We were all surprised by her action.
"Otomi everything she said is what you said." Mikoto explained, "And something more."
Then she told us what that Kihara told her. A group of students who grew tired of the espers' accomplishments. Their idol Kihara Gensei shrugged off their Chemicaloid Project as a 'summer break project'. The group got angry and blamed the entire city.
It was stupid.
To be fair, creating artificial espers is a brilliant idea. However when you compare that to, I dunno, the level 6 experiment, where thousands of clones are made, then the Chemicaloid Project is nothing.
"Chemicaloid Project." Ruiko tried the name out,
Uiharu was still on the computer. Her search bar was at STUDY.
"It says STUDY is a medical technology company." Uiharu summarized the description,
"So that's why Anti-Skill isn't doing much?" Kuroko theorized, "STUDY has some control over them."
So it's like one of those hard boiled detective shows! The police can't do much, but the private investigators can!
"So it's up to Judgement." Konori smiled,
Looks like the trio of Judgement girls got a plan.
"Therestina was interested in you." Mikoto told me, "She was hoping to see you, for some strange reason."
She must have heard me from her grandfather. That's assuming if Gensei really was interested in the Defective Sisters. Knowing those Kiharas, they want to remind us we were their guinea pigs and Academy City was the entire cage.
What does Kihara Gensei want from me? I never got an answer, but maybe Therestina had the message.
No.
One problem at a time. Febrie first, Kiharas later.
"I want to disappoint her." I smirked, "Never did like her."
Suddenly my phone got a text and Uiharu had an announcement.
"STUDY purchased an old factory for a high price." she told everyone, "It's at School District 17!"
Looking at my phone, Proto texted me this.
It said she found STUDY's production of anti-toxin substances. It's at Schoold District 17. The text said she brought 10032 and 19090 with her to investigate the area.
"Mikoto let's go." I suddenly said to the group,
"Otomi." Ruiko's eyes narrowed down,
"Look if that's where they make Febrie's lolipops then we have to take this chance." I said, "You guys take care of Febrie, while Mikoto and I can go there."
Ruiko looked conflicted, but she this was the best decision right now. She sighed and looked at Mikoto.
"Watch Otomi and take care you two." she told us,
...
We passed a certain bridged. Mikoto looked nostalgic and nodded to herself. I saw a certain switchyard and I shivered. It's still too soon for me.
Once we got to the abandoned factory, I waved at the sky.
"What are you doing?" Mikoto asked,
"Onee-sama!"
Three Sisters approached us.
"Misaka is here to assist as lookout. Misaka 19090 declares her role." 19090 declared,
Was it me or is 19090 seemed a little different than the other Sisters. It's like she's trying to smile or something.
"This Misaka is able to obtain a stronger emotional program than the average Unit. Misaka 19090 explains." she explained, "However it is not as advance or unstable as Misaka Proto or Onee-sama's."
"How'd you get it?" I asked,
"Shinobu, Misaka names the person that gave her these new kinds of feelings." 19090 gave a soft smile,
Shinobu. I gotta save her.
10032 and Mikoto were discussing something. Then 10032 gave Mikoto a walkie talkie. I felt Proto's hand giving me on as well.
"There are jammers and our comms." smiled Proto, "We, little sisters, will be your lookouts! If there's anyone coming then we'll tell you guys right away."
"Jammers?" Mikoto raised her eyebrow,
"Oh it just blocks nearby electronics from detecting the wielder and device." explained Proto, "Misaka 10032 scouted the nearby area while I looked a bit inside. There's a lot of easily triggerable alarms within the place. I mean loud noises and such will alert the owners and we don't that, right?"
Mikoto and I nodded.
Proto quickly snatched me and whispered, "It's Maya's stuff and she sorta wants a field test."
Oh. These things belong to Maya? Next thing I knew, she recreates Capacity Down.
Hopefully not.
I nodded at Proto's explanation.
Mikoto went ahead to the first gate and raised her eyebrow at a laser alarm. She stared at the radio.
"Whoops, forgot to tell you how it works!" Proto's voice came from the radio, "Pretty simple, just give it some juice! When you see the green light then it's on. That's it! It will start working the moment it's activated."
"Then will these jam too?" asked Mikoto, "Our radios?"
She had a point.
"We're at a private channel, we're the only ones connected!" Proto began, "It's meant to jam anything with a connection from a good distance. Like if the security camera is at one building while the monitor was at another."
Ah.
"In other words, we have to be far from each other to start jamming each other." I realized, "Not only that, but doesn't being in a private channel increases the chance of interceptions."
"That's where 10032 and 19090 come in!" I could sense Proto's grin, "They can easily mess with those kinds of interceptions. Like how you used to connect to the network. The Sisters always let you in!"
I sighed at the comment. I missed having my bracelet.
"Better yet, they can intercept the intercept!" she shouted,
Mikoto and I agreed it's time to check the place out. We activated our radios and Mikoto touched the laser. Nothing happened. It must be one of those traps, where you touch it then the building goes on full alarm.
"Do they work?" asked an eager Proto,
"We got past the first gate." I replied,
"Then the rest should be nothing!" she declared,
Proto was right, everything else was a breeze. No security bots were triggered or alarms going off. It was a simple walk towards the factory.
"Mikoto feel any consoles or anything?" I asked,
She nodded and guided me to the nearest one.
Once we got it, I quickly went to the mention. No passwords, or security from this computer. I'm surprised.
"Oh if you guys are close to a computer, then it nullifies passcodes and restrictions!" Proto suddenly told us, "It saves plenty of time on figuring out the password!"
"That's convenient." lampshaded Mikoto,
I chuckled at the comment and went to work. We found the ingredient for the Febrie's lollipops. With a smirk, I connected my phone with the console.
"Onee-sama? Did you connect your phone to something?!" Proto sounded frantic,
"Yeah, why?" I asked,
"It better be worth it, because we intercepted a message!" Proto yelled, "STUDY is sending someone there!"
Crap.
Time's running out. Luckily for me it was a few files, so my phone got all the needed information. Then I quickly sent the file to Ruiko.
"Anything else we need?" Mikoto asked,
"Yeah, what are these guys planning." I answered,
The console's history was erased, but it's recoverable.
My phone was still plugged in. So I decided to do some console commands.
"What are you doing?" Mikoto asked,
"Even if they did erase some data here, I can still salvage it." I replied, "Even if the salvaged data is encrypted, my phone can fix that."
Once my phone got the required data, we heard the door opening.
Just in time or was it coincidence?
"Otomi?" a voice gasped,
We turned around and I gasped at the person.
"Shinobu!" I ran and hugged her,
I-I miss her.
It's not an issue to act like a child towards your mother and big sister figure, correct? It's just the last time I heard from her was-
"I'm going to do something, I should have done a long time ago." were the last words I heard,
Wait that's not right.
"Y-You too." were the actual last words I heard,
It's after I said 'I love you' to her.
"I didn't want to assume the worst." I whispered,
She quietly played with my hair and gave me a soft smile.
"It's you." Mikoto approached us, "Don't tell me, you're with these STUDY guys?"
"Nee-chan." I smiled, "She's the friend I want to rescue."
Mikoto looked shocked, but she quickly shook her head and smiled.
"Alright." she nodded,
Looks like Mikoto wants to save her too.
"Febrie misses you." I began, "We'll save you and Janie, we swear it!"
Shinobu stood there in silence. She gave me another smile.
"I know you will." she replied, "I'm under the assumption, you got everything you needed here yes?"
"Otomi we got everything we need?" Mikoto asked,
I nodded and showed my phone. "This contains Febrie's cure."
Shinobu was looking at me with a certain glance. It's that look where she wants to have a private conversation with me.
"Mikoto can you go ahead?" I requested my sister and she looked at me for a good reason, "Shinobu wants to talk to me privately."
"I'll be outside with the others." she left the room,
Now it was just the two of us.
"First and foremost." Shinobu started, "Otomi, I'm proud of you. Saving your sisters and stopping the level 6 shift experiments."
I shook my head. It sounded like it it was all of my doing and not the others.
"It wasn't just me." I frowned, "I had help."
Shinobu gave me another sincere smile.
"I'm glad you are getting help and not doing everything by yourself." she said in a motherly tone, "How is Proto?"
"She's doing fine." I smiled back, "Wanna talk to her?"
I handed the radio towards her.
'"Proto?" she began,
"Shinobu?" Proto responded, "Is that you?"
Strange.
It's odd to hear Proto not sound excited.
"It's me." Shinobu smiled,
While they had their heartfelt chat, my phone was decrypting the data. I started getting their Chemicaloid Project and all of it's content. It's stuff I already figured out.
Then more text appeared. It was the so called Silent Party plan.
"They're stupid." I muttered in disbelief,
Silent Party is a large scaled revolution against the higher ups of Academy City. If STUDY was an actual threat, then they would have been dead the moment they devised this plan. Anyways, STUDY wanted artificial espers instead of the Power Curriculum Program.
"Jealously is a terrible thing." I snickered at STUDY's foolish plan,
They delivered thousands of powersuits into the Exhibit Assembly. Then they would send the powersuits into a rampage throughout the city. That's it.
To do all of this, they are using Janie to control these suits. All in the while, Shinobu will monitor her. They will push the girl into her capabilities and possibly kill her at the process.
This plan had so many flaws.
First of all, just powersuits and Janie? Thankfully they didn't have Febrie. So I'm under the assumption the powersuits will be very stupid and one minded.
Second, their back up plan. They're going to send in two of their members into gigantic mechs. The mechs didn't have much when it comes to defensiveness capabilities.
Lame! I mean, if these guys are brilliant scientist then these things should shoot lasers or something! Like pure kinetic energy laser!
Finally it was their last resort plan. They have a missile in space, ready to be sent down. Sending an AIM bomb towards Academy City if all else fails. This will push Janie into her absolute limits. SAM turrets that is all.
I can already see plenty of counters for this so called Silent Party. It involved a lot of anti armor bullets and rockets. Then again, Judgement is the one backing us up, not Anti-Skill.
Yup, pretty silent with powersuits on loud screeching wheels or unsurpressed firearms. Don't make me explain how a falling missile from space is not quiet at all.
All of this will occur in two days.
Another vision appeared. This one was very strange. I wasn't there, but it showed Shinobu tied up in a chair. She had a defeated look and was looking defiant against her captors. Then a needle was injected into her. She was executed.
What! The! Hell!
"Something bothering you?" Shinobu asked,
What should I say? If I tell this to the girls then they would be skeptical about it. If I tell Proto she would believe me without hesitation.
It's a good thing Proto will believe right away. It's just that, she will accept my words wholeheartedly. Without any explanation whatsoever. Though she will pry about it.
Yet there's Shinobu. I've known her since day one. She was someone I can always rely on. Shinobu was the mother or older sister figure I had first. Should I tell her about these visions I've been getting?
I should.
"It's something." I frowned,
"I'm listening." she smiled,
I told her about the visions I've gotten. The events were similar, but all of them had one thing in common. I wasn't there. It's like I never existed or something.
"I see." Shinobu closed her eyes, "These visions have no connection when you use your powers to observe memories."
"Do you believe me?" I asked,
"I want to." Shinobu opened her eyes, "You had another of these visions just now, what happened?"
I explained it the same way I narrated it. Shinobu's eyes widened at the story.
"Did you know, the higher up considered executing me after what I did?" she told me, "Through luck or coincidence, they changed their minds and sold me to some group who used a similar concept of the previous experiment."
"According to the data I scavenged, they used your research to achieve all of this." I checked my phone,
"I have a theory for your visions." she stated, "You told me, you cannot trigger it. But it triggers at random intervals or anything you consider dangerous."
"Alright, then shouldn't these visions have been occurring since I've been born or something?" I wondered,
"You said it started after your battle with Accelerator." she reminded me, "Perhaps a trigger from how significantly injured you were that particular night."
"But I had worse injuries before that." I retorted, "My bodily functions were shutting down and I was crying blood. Blood!"
The Graviton Bombing incident was when it happened.
"What else happened?" Shinobu asked, "What was your purpose for that battle? It used to be just for your survival but it's different, is it not?"
My purpose?
"I wanted to save my sisters." I declared, "I wanted to protect them."
I still do.
Shinobu was in deep thought.
"And these voices? What is the primary message?" she asked,
I hated those words.
"I should be dead. I shouldn't exist." I frowned,
I heard Shinobu sigh.
"This will sound ridiculous, but please follow." she looked at me with seriousness, "Have you ever heard of the Alternate Universe Theory?"
Oh! I read one and watched one of those! It's like the one visual novel Ruiko played. A different path with so many changes. One choice makes all the difference.
What?
"You're saying I'm having visions from an alternate world or something?" I wondered, "But that world does not have me?"
"I'm afraid so." she frowned, "I know there's no scientific evidence for such a universe, since nobody made a portal to traveled to another world."
"Maybe the voice came from that world then?" I theorized, "Maybe events were different in that time. I mean it's just Mikoto and all of them."
There's so many kinds of possibilities when it comes to this theory.
"Can you describe how the voice sounds?" she asked,
"It sounds young, but it also sounds experience." I explained,
A young person that is extremely experienced. Like that person has seen everything.
"We will see each other in a much later date. You are not ready to face the likes of us." the voice whispered,
Not too soon, I hope.
"That's my theory, you are getting visions from this unknown force." Shinobu told me, "How you use these visions is up to you. Anything else?"
This alternate world vision theory was getting into my head. We'll worry about that at another time.
I glanced at the time. It was almost nighttime. I have to make it quick.
"Shinobu is there anyway I can get like a permanent level up or something?" I asked,
Have you seen what I am capable of when I have more power? I wonder if I can be at least level three. I didn't have to be five or any of that sort.
"Why do you wish to get stronger?" she asked,
My reason was simple. A part of it involved that voice.
"To protect the ones I love." I smiled with pride, "I want to be my friends' pillar or support. How can I protect them, if I'm not strong enough?"
"You know exactly what happens if we try to make you stronger." Shinobu narrowed down her eyes, "Your body will stop working."
"Then there has to be a way!" I retorted,
Once again, Shinobu closed her eyes. Then she opened them and gave me a smile.
"When you save me, I'll see what I can do." she offered a chance,
"Thank you." was my only reply,
...
It really was just Shinobu and I hope nothing bad happened to her. STUDY needed her alive and I know, absolutely, those guys don't have the stomach to kill her. Hurt her yes, but not taking a life.
Mikoto and I went our separate ways. We realized it was already nighttime when we left the place. Shinobu and Mikoto exchanged a few friendly words towards each other. I caught some key words. They were talking about me.
"Otomi is changing for better." Mikoto smiled,
"It's thanks to you and your friends." Shinobu returned the smile,
When I went back home, I laughed at the sight.
"C'mon mommy, we got one for you too!" a dino hooded Febrie pulled me in,
Meanwhile Ruiko was wearing a cat hoodie and Uiharu wore a deer hoodie.
"Here mommy you're like a puppy!" Febrie gave me a dog hoodie,
I smiled at the sight.
"After what you told Kongou, Uiharu and I had to buy these." Ruiko rubbed the back of her head, "It was on sale too!"
"Yup, Saten and I argued what kind would you like." Uiharu smiled, "It was either the elephant or the dog."
"Otomi forgets stuff too!" Febrie jumped on my back, "So she can't be an elephant!"
She's energetic this evening.
"You know I gotta shower first, right?" I pointed out the obvious,
I don't smell, but I was out for the entire day. I had to wash this grime away.
"Otomi?" Ruiko called my name,
"Yes?" I replied,
Febrie held my hand with a smile. Uiharu approached me with a beaming smile as well. Ruiko grinned at us.
"Welcome home."
END AN: This chapter is longer than usual.
So Otomi sped the events up a bit, just a day ahead. The team has all the info they need. Plus they got more time to get ready! STUDY did not follow Shinobu because she wan't suspicious enough. Plus she can trust Otomi and Mikoto to do the right thing. Like Otomi solved a lot of problems the Railgun team couldn't have solved until later.
Enough of my own self praising.
The visions was something I wanted to do. Look when it started to happen! It's when the canon events start to derive! Yes, Otomi was deeply involved in the Sisters Arc, but did the outcome change? No. Was the way there difference? Sorta, but it centered more on what Otomi did. Sure she went with Mikoto for some of the events, but not all. Here, it's all about Otomi. She found Febrie first, so that's when things start to branch out. So now ask yourself, who is this voice?
Shinobu hinting a power up for Otomi. Just a tease, but the powerup will come up later. Like, Index 2 anime later. I just want you guys to know when it will happen. So you can stop asking-nevermind keep asking away!
So that's all for this chapter.
Enjoy your day!