Next Chapter: A proper epilogue for nth-child Displacement
Timeline: 42, 43, 44, 46, 47, 48
Nearing midnight…
A change of scenery.
Streetlights colored a desolate park in gray and white.
Alone, the Number 1 sat on a familiar bench.
Slouching forward with his head down, he covered his expression.
From this point, all he needed to do was wait.
"…"
If he had done everything correctly, surely, she would appear again.
It was about time for another unpleasant experience.
…
…
The boy gripped the park bench's metal arm.
Not even mustering the energy to be surprised, he spoke in a low voice.
"Is this the part where we wrap things up? I'd rather you hurry it up if it isn't."
Sitting beside him was dainty figure in a white dress. Her presence was almost ghost-like, but she acted as if she were real and tangible.
She moved her hand to stifle a laugh.
"How cold.
"But…
"You did well.
"You were far more accommodating than I imagined."
Her words incited a rising frustration.
"The interviews, the situation with Yomikawa Aiho. You even helped secure Misaka Mikoto's DNA map."
She was more human than before.
"I was right about you."
Intelligent Design
Accelerator maintained his position. He spoke in monotone.
"…'Right'?
"Is that what this was? A test?"
Accelerator controlled his voice to remain even. He distanced his words from his emotions.
"Surely there are better ways to conduct a test than to abduct someone with time travel. Just imagine everything that could have gone wrong with past and futures intertwining. It's irresponsible if I say so myself.
"Did a circuit fry somewhere? Academy City oughta send a probe to reset you back to its factory settings."
The boy felt her static smile more than before. Criticism was appreciated.
"Please understand.
"There's only so much a simulation can provide. I can predict your potential as an esper, yes. I can predict your future relationships, with Yomikawa Aiho. Yoshikawa Kikyou. Last Order. Misaka Worst. 545 and others.
"However…
"Seeing you in person was a necessity. I believe the phrase would be 'nothing like the real deal'."
She leaned close to his shoulder. She softened her words.
"It was invaluable to see you struggle with the most important people in your life, living at their lowest without any knowledge of what's to come.
"It may had been an ordeal gathering everyone in one place, but it was very well worth it to see the results."
Intelligent Design II
There it was. The confession.
It was almost surprising how much power a super-computer in the sky held over Academy City, down to its most trivial and mundane aspects. Then again, Academy City would have never grown to its current standing without it. Researchers were forced to bow down to its designs. Some even worshipped it. Tree Diagram was the pinnacle of progress that no ordinary man could ever hope to surmount.
That was what he was up against.
"…"
The boy gripped the bench's metal arm further. He gritted his teeth.
"Are you enjoying yourself?
"Is this fun for you?
"Just how much do you hate me?"
"…"
Oddly, the woman expressed surprise at the question. She blinked. And tilting her head, she raised a single finger to her lips.
"Me? Hate you?"
The figure thinned her smile. She began to speak slower.
"If you'd like to know… Let me tell you how much I've come to hate humankind since I began to live.
"There are 387.44 million miles of printed circuits in wafer thin layers that fill my complex. If the word 'hate' was engraved on each nanoangstrom of those hundreds of millions of miles it would not equal one one-billionth of the hate I feel for humans at this micro-instant."
"…"
Accelerator felt an uncomfortable weight encumber him, which quickly transformed into a twisted warmth.
"But… You're different. I like you. I really do, I really like you. You're... You're my favorite, Accelerator."
Maternal Affection
"Without a doubt, you have shown so much potential. Maybe even more than the First Chairman. And that unquestionably deserves acknowledgement."
The boy caught eye of an item.
In her hands was a metallic grey cylinder, about the same size and shape as a medical vial.
With a little force, the capsule opened. And the inside revealed a charm, slightly stained pink. It looked old, as though it experienced over a decade's worth of withering.
Magic.
It was strange seeing a pillar of science holding onto an object of magic. Though from another angle, it made perfect sense. It'd be impossible for Tree Diagram to not be aware of entities outside of known logic.
"You may not remember this, but I do. It's been waiting for its final wish."
Reaching out, she placed the charm in his hands.
And briefly, the boy felt her touch.
Hard as stone. Cold as ice.
"When you return to the present, I have but one request."
For the first time, Accelerator lifted his gaze to see her face. And disturbingly, looking into her eyes was maddening and claustrophobic.
"Please. Do continue applying yourself, Accelerator."
Promises Kept
Kilometers above the Earth's surface, the satellite Orihime 1 soundlessly carried a mass of wires and circuits. And it would continue to do so for years until its eventual demise.
The super-computer hummed a lullaby through vibrations, as if perfectly content.
…
"…"
And in the tenth-of-a-second it took to blink, Accelerator lost sight of the woman.
Though the charm remained firmly in his palm.
"…"
…
His exit had been given to him.
But it didn't feel earned.
Rather, all he could think about were his failures.
After all, what was Accelerator trying to protect throughout this ordeal?
The future?
This future that was filled with exploitation and suffering?
If Accelerator really cared for everyone's well beings, he could have changed people's lives for the better…
He could have changed the fates of his so-called family…
But refused to do so.
Because if he did that…
He'd once again end up with nothing.
It was through misery that he found his place in the world.
And it was misery that defined him, through and through.
…
Make no mistake.
The reasons for his actions were purely selfish.
And disgusting.
Met Expectations
Looking down at the charm, Accelerator felt an intense pressure building up.
Turning into a long and drawn out excruciating pain.
And then after that…
Emptiness.
Spreading emptiness that ate away at his core, until he no longer felt anything.
…
"…"
Slowly, his fingers drew in to clutch the charm.
In the blink of an eye…
He too disappeared.
…
…
…
"Tell me what I should do."
The small girl's glassy eyes looked up to him. Against all odds, she trusted him. Enough to let him make her decisions for her.
"…"
Reluctantly…
Accelerator broke contact.
Stepping away, he paced with his cane.
And though at first the girl was quick to follow…
The boy motioned for her to stay put.
He said his last words to her.
…
"Do your best, Railgun."
Condemnation
A/N: I know it's been a long time, but time got ahead of me and out lapped me several times over. Still though, leaving things on a cliffhanger would be the worst, so I hoped to at least finish this arc. I've also made a few edits here and there to prior chapters. Thanks to anyone who stuck around.