I hope everyone is having a good holiday season, whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanzaa, or any other. I personally like Festivus for the Rest of Us. Anyway, hope everything is going well for everyone and you get what you want for your preferred holiday. Not a ton of action in this chapter, the last one finished the recent big fights. But, this chapter is important as it brought a lot of information together and is preparing for the big scenes coming up soon. Misfortune will soon start flying everywhere as science and magic collide.
Guest: This story took on a life of its own and blew up a lot bigger then I originally planned. I'm not sure everything that's going to happen anymore and I just let the story write itself half the time. I do have plans that are slowly coming to fruition.
Handsomistic1: Well, Accelerator kind of used magic or a hybrid of magic/science with his wings. Even the novels never really explained those wings. Besides, Accelerator is one of the strongest characters in the series. Saints are powerful, but there are plenty of magic beings higher than them.
FireDusk: You did and it's entirely your fault. Nah, just kidding. It doesn't matter if I do or not. There are always three main groups, one that likes OC, one that doesn't, and one that just goes "eh, it's a plot character, they sometimes die." This chapter will answer the question though.
Nothing at all: Babysitting Fremea back in Academy City.
Agent Nine: No, he attached that other shadow existence that interrupted the fight.
Generation Zero: Swords important, but you might want to pay close attention to what is discussed about Knight Leader's defeat. Everything will be revealed, but only at the perfect time.
Disclaimer: I do not own Toaru Majutsu no Index or any of the characters. Reading this story may cause you to burst out in laughter or yelling at fictional characters. This may cause nearby people to assume you have gone crazy. Please read responsibly.
It happened ten years ago.
Villian was across the Strait of Dover, the small waterway separating England and France, and was traveling in the famous carriage known as the Traveling Fortress. She had been visiting France in order to help smooth relations amid the growing tension between the Roman Catholic Church and the Anglican Church. France was slowly being influenced by the Catholic Church and Villian had volunteered to help prevent hostilities from arising. Each of the princesses had a different trait, Rimea had intellect, Carissa had military might, and she possessed virtue or benevolence. This made her the best choice to keep the peace, something she desperately wanted. Even at a young age, she hated violence of any sort and wanted everyone to live in peace. She didn't even like learning magic because of all the ways it could be used for violence. She had only learned how to use magical items in order to help others.
She sighed and leaned back in her seat as the carriage begun to head back to England. She had a small squad of guards in the surrounding carriages, but not of her own accord. It was customary, when any member of the royal family traveled, to be protected wherever they went, in case of an attack. I wish I didn't need them, it feels like we are showing we don't trust the French. Even though the meeting had been uncomfortable, she did not have to talk much and left it to the diplomat who came with her. Villian's presence there was just a formality and showing the royal family was supportive of peace between the countries. She had been pleased at how well everything went and was looking forward to peace.
Her thoughts were interrupted, when she heard an explosion, and the carriage suddenly lurched forward and then stopped.
She fell forward and hit her head at the sudden stop. Rubbing her head, as it throbbed with pain, she pulled the curtain back on the carriage window and looked outside. Smoke was coming from one of her guard's carriages and she noticed the horses in front of the traveling fortress had been released. She didn't know what was happening, and was about to call out, when one of her guards yelled at her. "Stay in the carriage princess, we are under attack!" She leaned back and put a hand over her chest as her heart started to beat rapidly. As a princess, she rarely had been attack out in the open like this. She remembered only one time when she had been attacked by an assassin, who infiltrated the palace, but he was swiftly defeated by Knight Leader, who oversaw the palace's protection. She was afraid, not for her life, but for all the others who were going to fight for her. If she had time, she might have been able to talk them out of combat, but now, it was too late since the fighting had started.
The sound of blades clashing and people screaming started all around her carriage. She covered her ears and shook silently in her seat. She was only fourteen and had been through a lot for someone of her age, but she had never been on a battlefield before. She didn't know at the time why the Traveling Fortress was broken, it should have been impregnable. It was designed full of magical protections that a nuclear weapon shouldn't have been able to break it. She found out later, from a rumor, it had been purposely sabotaged for political reasons. The yelling outside of her carriage was dying down, which meant one side was about to win. She didn't have a lot of guards and the knots in her stomach warned her the outcome was not going to be in her favor. A moment later, the door of her carriage was blown off and a bald man in a robe, with a scar over his eye, looked at her.
"You are coming with us," he said without giving any explanation. He grabbed her shoulder and dragged her out of the carriage. Villian didn't say anything, nor did she put up a fight, but it was more of the fact she didn't have anything to say and knew she couldn't escape. Several men circled her and dragged her off, even though she wasn't putting up a fight. The first thing she noticed was her guards lying on the ground, blood staining the grass. She had to fight back the tears and helplessness she felt, as others had sacrificed their lives for her, and she turned to look at her attackers. She recognized symbols on then men's outfit and identified them as part of the Spanish Astrological Sect, a major faction of the Roman Catholic Church.
They finally made their move, but why me? I don't have any power in England. They did not appear to want to ask her anything, and instead dragged her to their vehicle. She was shoved unceremoniously in the back seat and locked in. Villian looked out toward the countryside as she was taken. Her last chance was the SOS signal the Traveling Fortress emitted, when it gets damaged, would attract help. She didn't know, at the time, all the knights knew about the situation from the distress signal, but could not do anything, as it would cause a political incident if Britain's forces invaded France's soil. She was taken away in silence until the sect reached a small castle. They dragged her inside and shoved her into an isolated prison cell.
She didn't know how much time passed as she sat in the corner of the small dirty cell. She had tried to talk to the guards, but they immediately left and ignored her words. Judging by the whispers she overheard, none of them were supposed to talk to her. If they had, she might have been able to convince some of them to end the fight. The only thing she could do was think, and her mind came to a very unattractive conclusion. Her capture would give England a reason to attack the Roman Catholic Church if they find out she was captured by one of their sects. If they did, war would be bound to follow. Her eyes welled up with tears as she thought about how many people would die because of her. She buried her face in her hands.
BOOM!
She and the entire cell vibrated as something crashed through a castle wall. She stood up out of reflex and ran to the bars on the door to see what caused the commotion. Her guards were already running down the hallway toward the noise. She had no ideas what where happening, and her tears had stopped as she tried to see what was going on. There were several more explosions and then all was silent. Whatever had caused the commotion had finally stopped. Then she heard a single set of footsteps walking toward her. She couldn't do anything but wait as a single man walked around the corner and towards her cell.
She recognized him as a mercenary, who had worked with the English knights on several occasions. The man had tea-colored hair, and his face was straight-lined. She believed his name was William Orwell and she also believed he was a friend of Knight Leader. She had heard rumors they drank together often when he was in London. He walked towards her and stopped outside her cell. He made a motion with his hand for her to move back, and then he ripped the iron bars out of the doorway. He looked her up and down.
"Are you ok princess of my country?" he asked, his voice passive, but full of strength. She couldn't say anything, as her words were stuck in her throat, and she simply nodded. He held out his hand toward her. "We must get back in order to stop the war." She put her small hand into his large one, and felt the strength and warmth flow from it into her. Her eyes began to water and tears fell once again. This time however, they were not full of sadness.
"Why shouldn't I?" Accelerator demanded staring at the princess. As she watched, his black wings began to dissolve. "That b #%$^ tried to kill me and someone I know. Give me a good reason not to or get out of my way!" His eyes flashed dangerously and Villian gulped, but she refused to let her fear stop her from saving someone.
"Please," she said again, watching Accelerator closely. "He must have a reason. William is not someone to attack without a purpose. He has always been against bringing civilians into conflicts."
"I know his damn reason," Accelerator spat out. "He wants to kill the damn hero. You met him at the audience earlier, spikey black hair, always jumps into other people's problems." He elaborated when Villian looked confused at the hero comment. Her eyes widened in recognition then turned to look at Acqua.
"Is this true?" she asked him, her voice shaking slightly. She had no idea why he would be after Touma, especially someone who only seemed to be willing to help others. She based the observation on what she heard about him and saw herself.
"Yes." Acqua had no reason to lie. He had a mission and had failed at it. In his current condition, even a strategic retreat was not possible, as his body still refused to move. Though, after facing both a Saint and someone from Academy y City whose power was just as great, he had begun to question if his decision to follow Fiamma was the correct one. If so many of the strongest individuals gather around a single boy, it could shake the foundation of the world. But in the end, I believe Fiamma also intends to do just that. Who is really on the correct path?
"Why?" Villian asked.
"Our job as God's Right Seat was to cleanse humanity from the original sin," Acqua explained simply. "Fiamma of the Right said the Imagine Breaker was the key to finishing our mission."
"And you believed him?" scoffed Accelerator. "From what I understand, that hand should just negate anything you try to do with it."
"The Imagine Breaker is much more entwined in history then you would understand," Acqua said. "At the time, I believed giving up one to save all was an acceptable cost. Recently, I began to have my doubt of Fiamma's goal, and I question if the boy's hand really is needed. But I have lost this battle, so my fate belongs to the winner. I will not beg for my life."
"Pssh," Accelerator said annoyed. "Emotionless people like you disgust me, at least show something human like when you are about to die."
"So the question right now is to determine what should be done about Acqua," Kaori said, as she approached them slowly. She had managed to find the strength to stand up and walk towards them. "Excuse me, William Orwell. If I recall, you were offered a place along the knights, but refused." Acqua didn't say anything, but she took his silence to mean she was correct. "This does leave an interesting predicament. He is an English citizen, but he is also a member of the Roman Catholic Church. The only people, who are injured, are mainly the knights, but I believe they will live."
"Can you let him go," Villian asked. "We need…."
"Let the f^&%er go?" Accelerator asked incredulously. "You want us to let this freak go so he can possibly come after us again. Like hell I'm going to…" Kaori cut him off.
"Please continue princess," Kaori said waving her on.
"We could use his help to stop my sister's coup," Villian continued. "His strength…"
"What?" Kaori and Accelerator asked immediately, and even Acqua's face had a slight trace of surprise.
"Do you not know?" she asked, her eyes wide. Kaori shook her head.
"I left the city shortly after our forces started capturing the cabal members," Kaori said. "I shut off communications." Accelerator looked down and pulled out his phone.
"I usually keep my on vibrate so I can ignore it," he muttered. "Looks like it was destroyed in our fight. Damn, now I have to get another one."
"What is this about the second princess's coup? " Kaori hastily continued. "And how did you even find us?"
"The magic cabal who entered London," Villian explained quickly. "Were transporters hired by my sister Carissa. They found and transferred Curtana Original." Kaori's eyes went wide, and Accelerator raised an eyebrow. Acqua kept his face passive but, now that he was no longer concentrating on fighting, he could feel the enormous amount of Telesma far in the distance, in the direction of London. "She has started a coup to take over London and crown herself Queen. The knights are also under her control. Those that did not follow her were… persuaded or silenced." She looked down at the ground and her faced paled. "Most of England is completely under her control."
"Ok," Kaori said, trying to keep a calm demeanor. "I need to meet up with the church and find out our current position. There is no way our Archbishop or Stiyl stayed silent on this. Do you know where the church retreated to?" Villian shook her head. "Then I guess I should contact Stiyl and see what our situation is. Also, we will need to find transportation."
"I have a car over there," Villian pointed. "I was able to get here with help from a couple others from the palace."
"That makes it easier," Kaori said nodding slightly. "We shouldn't stay out in the open too long. I wouldn't doubt our fight caused unwanted attention. Is that how you found us?" Villian nodded.
"The explosion caught my attention," she confirmed. "I knew you were around here, but I didn't know the exact location. I'm just glad it was so far out of London, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to come undetected."
"That's all well and good," Accelerator said irritated. "But how did you know we would be here? I just followed her." He pointed at Kaori.
"I received a letter," Villian replied and frowned. "It didn't say from whom, but it managed to pass all of our security details, so it must have been safe. It informed me William Orwell would arrive near this location and be heading to London." Acqua frowned at her explanation. As far as he knew, no one besides Fiamma knew of his mission.
"That is unnerving," Kaori said and she also frowned. "I received an unmarked latter too. It said Acqua of the Back, from God's Right Seat, was after Touma Kamijou and was spotted in this location."
"So both of you received an anonymous letter and didn't bother to question it?" Accelerator asked incredulously.
"There were…. indications… that it could have been a trap," Kaori admitted. "That is why I came alone to scout. I was supposed to have back up, but it was kept quiet because we didn't want to cause a scene. The coup would explain why no one else came."
"It appears someone is manipulating events from behind the scene," Acqua said. "My arrival was supposed to be kept secret to avoid an outcome like this." Everyone looked at him for a moment. "The masked members of the Fallen led a group of knights and nuns toward my location, while pretending to be my subordinates."
"Damn Fallen b^*$#^$," Accelerator said kicking the ground. He wasn't using his powers so nothing noticeable happened. "Who else could it be? Now there's a coup too? Did they manipulate the princess into doing it?" Damn, I left the brat in the hands of the flower girl and the other brats .If she's not okay…
"They do seem like the most obvious suspects," Kaori said. "I also would like to know if this coup is part of their strategy too. Their mission, if you don't know already, is to collect the wings of Lucifer. How would this coup further their plans?"
"Does the Curtana Original have any sort of gem on it?" Accelerator asked Villian thinking. She shook her head.
"It should look just like Curtana Second," she replied. "The fact they need to look the same is part of the crafting process. From what I understand, the instructions of the process to craft Curtana are hidden within the palace."
"We need to contact the others," Kaori muttered. "We need to let them know the Fallen may be manipulating the war for their purpose. We already know Eve is somewhere here."
"Yea," Accelerator said. "That was mentioned already at the meeting. But what do we do about him?" He jabbed his thumb at Acqua. His wings were completely gone now and his thoughts were a lot more rational. The side effect was he found it difficult to stand, and it was taking a lot of his strength to pretend he was fine. "We can't just let him go around free."
"That is true," Kaori said and stepped up towards Acqua. Villian shifted slightly, as if debating trying to stand between then, but stopped. "I don't want to kill you," Kaori told him. "And I rather not force him to do it," he pointed at Accelerator.
"You really don't have to force me," Accelerator said grinning evilly, but Kaori ignored him.
"So here are my conditions," she continued as if she wasn't interrupted. "If you will swear you will not go after Touma Kamijou, not interfere with our ability to fight back against the princess's coup, and leave this country immediately, we will let you go. I have no desire to openly take out one of the Roman Catholic's Church's top people on English soil. If you are even truly part of them, I know your reputation. You still hold England close to you as your birth place, even denying the rank of knight to protect it from outside of the country."
"You have been talking to Knight Leader haven't you," Acqua sighed.
"We have spoken on occasion," Kaori said, the edges of her mouth tightening. "But will you accept my conditions?"
"You're letting him off easy," Accelerator interrupted, in an irritated tone, as he tapped his foot in impatience.
"No one else was harmed," Kaori replied. "If he had managed to hurt him then…" She let her voice trail off and Accelerator nodded, but his irritated look didn't change.
Can't say I disagree, but looks like she's infected by Kami disease too. Seriously, the damn hero sure has a way with females, even though he's too dense to realize it.
Acqua eye's shifted between them as he thought about what to do. He had unquestionably lost, and he was not petty enough to try to deny it. They both could at least move, while his body screamed in pain and would not. He wasn't one to surrender except when he died but, to him, suicide was pointless, unless you were protecting valuable information. As they did not try to force information out of him, suicide was not needed. "I accept your conditions," he said slowly, and Villian let out a breath of relief. She had no idea what option he would take.
"Then we are done here," Kaori said sheathing her sword. She turned to Accelerator and Villian. "Let's go. We need to meet up with the church's resistance, and we can act as your bodyguards for you princess." Accelerator shrugged and was about to follow, when Villian surprised them all by shaking her head.
"I can't go with you yet," she said.
"Huh?" Accelerator said staring at her. "What bullshit are you spewing?"
"What do you mean," Kaori said more politely, but she glared at Accelerator for his lack the professional tone with a princess. He didn't care. After all, he was someone who went for results, not etiquette.
"I need to talk with William," she said pointing to Acqua. "It's really important."
"We can't leave you alone with him," Kaori told her. "Make it fast so we can leave."
"It's personal," she said and her voice was getting quieter. "I can't talk about it in front of others."
"Do you think we have the luxury to just stay here and talk like it's some stupid tea party," Accelerator blurted out, he couldn't contain his anger any longer. "If there's some coup going on, the stupid brat could be in danger!" None of them knew who this 'brat' was, but they sounded important.
"Please," Villian pleaded.
"Make it fast," Kaori said as she grabbed Accelerator's shoulder, she was lucky his power was turned off, or it could have been bad for her hand, "We will be within eyesight, just in case. That is the only courtesy I can give you." Villian nodded in thanks. She waited until Kaori and Accelerator were away before she knelt down in front of Acqua.
"I'm glad you returned," she whispered.
"I returned for a different reason," Acqua said, but Villian dismissed it.
"Your specific reason didn't matter," she said and smiled while putting a hand on his cheek. "Knowing you, you did it to save as many people as you could, even at the cost of another. You say you understand the necessity of sacrifice, but you go out of your way to prevent as many as possible."
"Your kindness shames me," Acqua replied.
"You may have left before becoming a knight," Villian continued. "But we still have a space in the palace for you. I knew someday you would return. Now, I have something important to ask you."
Acqua looked her directly in the eyes, and saw tears had begun to form around her eyes. He felt like he didn't deserve kindness after what he had done. This is a first for me, to actually question my resolve. Fiamma is up to something, and the princess needs my help. Do I try to fulfill my mission for the Catholic Church, or England and her? To him, the choice was painfully clear. "What is it princess?"
"Help us stop my sister, help us end the coup, and help us protect everyone."
He stared at her for a moment, and opened his mouth.
Kuroko woke up with a start. She had no idea where she was and looked around. The first thing she noticed was she was sitting in a car and leaning up against someone. When she saw it was Jason, she jumped slightly in her seat and moved off of him. He didn't move and she realized he was sleeping. "I see you're awake," a male voice said form the front seat and she turned to see a guy with short spikey blonde hair.
"Tsuchimikado-san?" she asked.
"Yours truly," he said and she saw him smiling through the rearview mirror. "You two looked so cute together, I couldn't bear to wake you up." Kuroko's face had a slight pink tinged to it, but she ignored his comment. After all, she had a lot more important questions on her mind.
"What happened?" she asked and the questions poured out of her. "Where are we? How did you find us? Is onee-sama and everyone else ok? Is he going to be ok?" She asked the last question while pointing to Jason.
"Slow down," Motoharu replied looking at her through the mirror. "One at a time, I have to concentrate on driving."
"Do you even have a license?"
"Sure?" he laughed. "Anyway, we are almost back to the hotel and from what I heard, everyone else is back there expect Kami-yan, Index, Komoe-sensei, and Accelerator."
"What happened to them?" Kuroko asked sighing slightly as she realized Mikoto was safe.
"They are all accounted for," Motoharu said slowly. "They just aren't back to the hotel yet. Well, except Accelerator. He ran off on his own."
"Where were you?" she asked. "And how did you find us?"
"I got evacuated with another group from the church," he explained. "I had to wait till everything calmed down enough for me to head back. It was lucky I did, or I wouldn't have found you two." Kuroko looked at him curiously. "I saw a large explosion and my curiosity got the better of me. When I found you two, Jason was carrying you on his back and had that sword tied to his belt." Kuroko gazed over at Jason and saw two things. First, he had the sword tied to his pants, she recognized it as Knight Leader's sword, and the second was his right side seemed to be covered in his shadow, even though he was unconscious.
"What happened to him?" Kuroko asked rubbing her head as it started pounding again. "The last thing I remember was Knight Leader knocked me out." Motoharu coughed at the name. "Do you know him?"
"I heard about him," Motoharu muttered. "He's supposed to be a master of combat and directly under the princess's control."
"He was a monster," Kuroko added remembering the fight.
"If you were knocked out," Motoharu said, his eyes shifting to Jason. "Then what ever he did to get you both away took a huge toll on him. I think he was keeping himself awake out of pure determination. As soon I pulled over and he saw it was me, he collapsed."
"I guess he saved us then…" Kuroko trailed off. "But why did he take Knight Leader's sword?"
"Souvenir?" Motoharu shrugged. "I really don't have an idea. Anyway we are here. I know your friends are probably worried sick about you. Did you have to run off on your own?"
"I kind of had too," Kuroko said slightly sheepishly, but she didn't regret her decision. Though she didn't find Mikoto, she did manage to help someone else, even if it was Jason. Motoharu pulled up and they both got out and pulled Jason out of the car. They got on each side of him and walked into the hotel lobby. Before they had gone even a couple steps, they heard yelling.
"Kuroko!"
"Jason!"
"Tsuchimikado!"
Kuroko turned her head and saw Mikoto, Misaki, Ruiko, Kazari, and Last Order running toward them. "Onee-sama!" Kuroko said, as happiness filled her when she saw Mikoto was fine. She wanted to teleport into Mikoto's arms, but she was still supporting Jason. "I'm so glad you are…. Ouch!" She was interrupted as Mikoto hit her hard on her head.
"You idiot!" Mikoto fumed at her. "How could you run off on your own!?"
"I'm sorry," Kuroko said and lowered her head. She felt guilty for making Mikoto worried, but she still believed she had to do it.
"Jason!" Kazari yelled and ran up to help them put Jason down in a large sofa chair. "What happened to him?" She sat down next to him and felt his pulse to see if he was ok.
"I'm not sure," Kuroko said. "We were fighting a guy named Knight Leader and I was knocked out. Tsuchimikado-san found us afterwards."
"You fought Knight Leader?" Mikoto asked amazed. The impression she got when she met him at the palace was he was incredibly powerful. She was secretly glad she didn't have to fight him.
"Do you know what happened?" Ruiko asked Motoharu.
Motoharu shook his head. "I just found them on the side of the road. Kagere was still conscious, but immodestly lost it when I pulled over."
"Do you have any information on Accelerator MISAKA asks as MISAKA steps up and stares intently at you."
"Or Touma?" Misaki added also stepping up close and looking at him.
"Sorry," Motoharu said taking a step back and raising his hands in a surrendering gesture. "I only saw an explosion and that led me to them. I don't know what happened before that."
"I can't understand why his shadow is covering his right side," Kazari said from next to Jason. His right arm and part of his torso was coated with it like blank paint. "Was he injured? Does he need a hospital?"
"He has some regenerative power," Kuroko said and everyone looked at him. "It was one of the curse marks, because I saw he also had the transformation power from the person I fought. Some of the blows he took against Knight Leader were pretty bad, but he was still able to stand back up."
"Could it be a side effect?" Misaki asked and Kuroko shrugged.
"I'm afraid at the time," Motoharu told them. "To get to a hospital would require us to go back into the city."
"And Touma is currently prisoner of Carissa," Mikoto moaned rubbing her head. "His hand should have been able to remove any magical remains."
"Do you think Itsuwa or Agnese could help out," Ruiko asked. "They might know healing magic."
"I suppose they could help," Mikoto replied. "But they are currently in a conference with Stiyl and a few others. It might be awhile and they aren't letting us in."
"MISAKA is going to stay on the lookout for Accelerator MISAKA proclaims as MISAKA bounds toward the window."
"He's waking up!" Kazari called out and everyone crowded around Jason. They were all interested in what happened, also if he had any information on the others, especially Touma. Motoharu snuck away and passed another group of girls who were seeing what all the commotion was about. Jason groaned and fidgeted before opening his eyes. "Are you ok?" Kazari asked.
"I'm better now," Jason said smiling. Everyone present noticed his voice was pretty weak and the smile was slightly forced. He tried to sit up, but kind of just leaned his head forward "Was the message I sent useful?"
"It was," Kazari nodded. "We hacked the cameras and the church group is currently monitoring the city."
"That's good," Jason said leaning back in his chair.
"Your shadow is weird MISAKA comments as MISAKA pokes your arm." Jason flinched from what was probably pain, and Kazari had to admonish Last Order.
"I was surprised how useful you were," Shizuri said from behind everyone else. They all turned to look at her. She was accompanied, like usual, by Frenda, Saiai, and Rikou. "At least one of you had a purpose, besides the computer nerd."
"Don't talk about Uiharu-san like that," Mikoto snapped.
"It's fine," Kazari muttered and she felt Jason squeeze her hand. She smiled at him.
"What happened to you?" Ruiko said turning to Jason. "We got your message about the security cameras and Kuroko said she was knockout while fighting a guy named Knight Leader."
"You look like the fight didn't go well," Misaki added. "Do you have any information on Touma or Accelerator?"
"Basically," Frenda said. "Is he alright?"
"Kuroko was the only other person I encountered in the city," Jason replied, while shaking his head. Mikoto and Kazari noticed he used her first name, instead of the nickname he made for her, but didn't say anything. "As for the fight, the end was kind of blurry."
"Do go on," Stiyl said and everyone jumped. They were all busy talking they didn't hear him approach. Agnese and Itsuwa were behind him. "I heard parts of it and it sounded like you defeated Knight Leader. That seems like a heavy fabrication."
"We defeated him," Jason said gesturing to Kuroko. "He was a monster and none of my plans worked against him. Her teleportation bypassed any defenses he had in place, so he prioritized incapacitating her first. He found me because of my mana and…"
"I know why he attacked you," Stiyl said waving him on. "And how he found you. The question was how did you escape or defeat him. That should be a feat even the most skilled mages would find difficult to overcome."
"Well…" Jason said slowly and took a deep breath. "I was backed in a corner so I had to do something stupid. I forced all my mana through an incomplete magic circle." None of the girls knew what he meant, but Stiyl, Agnese, and Itsuwa stared at him.
"Are you serious?" Agnese asked and Jason nodded.
"I knew you knowledge of actual magic was limited compared to a normal magician," Stiyl said through gritted teeth. "But I didn't think you acted as stupidly as Touma Kamijou does on a normal basis." That got him a lot of angry glares form the girls around him, but he ignored it all.
"Umm," Ruiko turned to Itsuwa, who was closest to her. "What makes what Kagere-san did so dangerous?"
"Mana is energy," Itsuwa told her, along with everyone else who was listening intently. "Magic circles are used to channel that energy to a specific effect. If he channeled all his mana through an incomplete circle, it would be like… electrical lines going down everywhere when you try to use electronics. Most people who try it get swallowed up by their own attacks. You can get a lot of destructive power from it, but there is a very good chance the caster will take even more damage. It's a double ended sword. Plus, using an incomplete magic circle usually has unknown results, which probably led to his injuries not healing."
"I don't feel sorry for you now," Stiyl said shaking his head. "On the other hand, you somehow took down Knight Leader, we intercepted some chatter about it, and it has demoralized many of the knights. I take it your shadow is covering the wounds your arm took from the backlash." Jason nodded. "I suppose we can set up a healing area for it in a little bit as thanks. Anyway, I need to take care of a few more things while the timing is good." He turned and left, leaving Agnese and Itsuwa to talk with everyone else.
"Well," Jason said. "I'm going to take a short nap, if the interrogation is over." Jason leaned back in the seat and closed his eyes, and everyone except Kazari left him alone. She still held his left hand.
"So if we assume Accelerator is fine," Mikoto said taking a seat at a large table across the hotel lobby. "He can take care of himself. Is there a plan to rescue Touma yet?" Itsuwa shook her head.
"We are monitoring the streets," Itsuwa said sadly. "But unless we can find a way to take out their ability to detect mana, we can't sneak in any groups."
"That's what you told us last time," Misaki pointed out. "You still don't have any other news?"
"Surveillance takes time," Agnese said, her expression fierce.
"So what you are saying," Shizuri said leaning forward in her seat and crossing her arms. "Your incompetence comes from your ability to use this magic." Agnese opened her mouth, but she was interrupted by Shizuri's friends.
"Basically," Frenda added. She was happy she knew enough to follow the conversation. "You simply need to send some of us because we aren't magicians."
"That sounds fun," Saiai said cracking her knuckles. "I super want to punch a couple more of those knights."
"You are all as civilized as always," Misaki sighed.
"Will they even let us go?" Frenda asked looking at Itsuwa and Agnese. "Basically, they kept stressing up the importance of keeping magic and science separate."
"That's a good point," Kuroko said looking at Itsuwa. "Stiyl wasn't too happy when just I left, was he."
"You could see the vein in his head pulse when you left," Ruiko told her.
"After talking," Agnese replied looking around. "We agreed several of you would try to take matters into your own hands." Shizuri, Frenda, and Saiai grinned, while Misaki, Mikoto, and Kuroko all avoided eye contact and put on an innocent look.
"We are grateful for your help earlier," Itsuwa expanded on Agnese's explanation. "Since this coup will undoubtedly involve you all. We figured we had no choice but to keep you informed of the process. Your skills are also powerful and may be required. We agreed it would be better for you to work with us, rather then run off on your own and possibly interfere with our plans."
"Doesn't sound like a bad plan," Shizuri said twilling a strand of her hair in boredom. "I doubt any of us have any contacts we can us here, so using you as a resource would be the best option."
"I didn't think I would ever do this," Misaki sighed. "But I agree with her."
"How strong are the knights?" Kuroko asked. "I had limited exposure to them."
"Since you fought Knight Leader," Itsuwa answered. "The others will be a lot weaker in comparison. A couple commanders might have similar strengths, but it also depends how much control Carissa has over Curtana Original. It is still early and we doubt she would be able to control it completely yet."
'So the longer we wait," Mikoto muttered as Itsuwa's words sunk into her mind. "The stronger the knights will be?" Agnese nodded.
"That is one of the reasons we immediately made use of Kagere's information," she said. "We needed as much information as possible quickly."
"Do you have a plan?" Ruiko asked.
"Obviously we need to attack immediately," Shizuri said slamming her hand on the table. "We can go in and blast that spoiled b…." She was interrupted as Mikoto's phone suddenly started ringing. Mikoto frowned and was about to shut her phone off while they talked, when she saw who was calling her.
"It's Touma!" she yelled out in surprise as she flipped her phone open. "Finally you…" She barely began to speak when she was jumped at by Misaki and Frenda.
"Let me talk to him!" Misaki called out reaching for the phone.
"I want to talk to him," Frenda added.
"Get off me you two!" Mikoto yelled at them, as she struggled to hold onto her phone. Frenda had jumped at her form the side, and Misaki was in front of her. She suddenly couldn't see when Misaki's chest blocked her view and she felt something soft. She finally got mad and pushed her off. "I'll put it in on speaker, so get those blobs of fat off me!"
"How rude!" Misaki cried. "Just because your chest is small…" Mikoto suddenly pushed Misaki further away from her. Misaki was mad at Mikoto, but her desire to see Touma overrode her desire to get even with Mikoto. She sat down anxiously and glared at Mikoto. Frenda was going to protest, but a single glare from Shizuri caused her to freeze and sit back down. Mikoto glared at both of them and noticed everyone was staring at her. She put her phone on speaker and set it in the middle of the table.
"Touma," Mikoto asked. "Can you hear us?"
"…Yes," Touma said after a moment's hesitation. Mikoto and Misaki understood he must have heard exactly what he said and both of their faces flushed. Then Mikoto, Misaki, Frenda, Itsuwa, Agnese, and Ruiko all asked at once, while Kuroko, Shizuri, Saiai, and Rikou watched.
"Are you ok?"
"I'm fine," Touma said. "I am currently in Buckingham Palace and they are monitoring this call." Itsuwa and Agnese looked at each other and nodded slightly. They knew what he meant. Touma did not want them giving any information that Carissa's forces could use against them. "Is everyone on your side ok?"
"Yes," Mikoto answered. "Only Accelerator is unaccounted for. Besides me and Shokuhou-san, Kuroko, Saten-san, Itsuwa, Agnese, Mugino-san, Frenda-san, Takitsubo-san and Kinuhata-san are here."
"I hope he's ok…" Touma's said. His voice softer like he was thinking.
"Don't worry about him," Shizuri said dismissively. "He's not someone to lose easily. The bigger question is, how do you have a phone when they are monitoring you?"
"Basically," Frenda continued. "Why are they letting you contact us?"
"It's a long story," Touma sighed.
"She didn't hurt you?" Misaki demanded angrily. "If she did…" Her voice trailed off and malice filled her voice.
"I'm fine Misaki," Touma told her again. "Thanks for worrying about me, but I got something important to tell you all because I can't be there." Itsuwa and Agnese shared a look with slightly surprised expression, but no one else picked up the importance of the last couple of words, except for Ruiko.
"What is it?" Ruiko asked nervously. "It sounds like you can't come back." Touma sighed and the tension at the table intensified.
"I can't come back with you all," Touma told them all finally, and the effect was immediate. Everyone exploded at once and he almost lost an eardrum from the noise.
"You idiot, what are you saying?" Mikoto asked loudly.
"Are you stupid ape?" asked Kuroko.
"Touma you can't be serious!" Misaki yelled.
"Touma please say that is a joke!" Ruiko pleased.
"Boy," Agnese spat out. "Do you realize what you are suggesting?"
"Kamijou-san," Itsuwa asked loudly for her. "Why?"
"What the f^%& are you saying?" Shizuri demanded her face scowling instead of being shocked.
"Basically," Frenda said. "Tell us why."
"I bet he's super playing the hero," Saiai commented.
"…That sounds like him," Rikou said sleepily.
"You better explain yourself properly," Mikoto told him leaning forward closer to the phone.
"Yea," Touma agreed nervously. "After I was taken here, I had to wait for a while so I'm sorry I couldn't contact you all earlier. Anyway, I talked with Cari… Princess Carissa." They all noticed him changing how he addressed her and warning bells started blaring. "I managed to… have her agree to let everyone… who came with me, to leave England before the fighting really starts." His pauses were a little strange, but if he was being watched, most of them realized he was choosing his words carefully. Shizuri was probably the most familiar with this and crossed her fingers as she began processing the underlining meaning of his words.
"That sounds… reasonable?" Ruiko said a little confused. She looked around at the others.
"I know Stiyl would prefer you all not be involved," Agnese muttered loudly. "And I kind of have to agree with him. You all really shouldn't get involved in a civil war."
"Why not?" Saiai asked.
"One it puts more stress on the magic and science sides," Itsuwa explained. "There is already a lot of tension between them, if one sides appears to be stronger, the other side won't sit back quietly. Also, if word that Academy City's ability users are fighting in England, it would cause diplomatic troubles too."
"We can't really argue with that," Misaki said slowly nodding her head. She didn't like violence, and didn't want to get involved with a war at all. The only reason she was getting involved was because Touma was.
"Though I don't really want to leave and leave you all here fighting," Mikoto said looking at Agnese and Itsuwa. While she didn't really like Stiyl that much, she did like Itsuwa, Agnese, and Kaori, even though she didn't know them very long. "Leaving friends alone isn't something I do."
"That's kind of you to say Misaka-san," Itsuwa replied smiling. "But we are trained for situations like this. Please do not worry about us."
"We also need to think about the others safety too onee-sama," Kuroko whispered to Mikoto. "Uiharu, Saten-san, the teacher, Last Order and Index aren't fighters."
"Yea," Mikoto replied and sighed. "I think we should accept this. I mean, this is more than just a petty squabble."
"Hey Kamijou," Frenda spoke up suddenly. "When you said you can't join us, did you mean you were going to meet us at the airport?" Everyone got silent for a moment as they waited for his response. There was a long paused before he finally responded.
"As part of the agreement," he said and they heard him take a deep breath. His next words were said quickly, as he tried to get them out before they interrupted him. "Index and I are staying here and won't be going back to Academy City." The silence was deafening, and then everyone shouted all at once, except Rikou.
"WHAT!"
"It was the only way…" Touma tried to say, his voice weak, but the girls were having none of that.
"YOU IDIOT!" Mikoto screamed.
"NOOOO!" Misaki cried. "We aren't going to leave you!"
"No one asked you to do that!" Kuroko yelled.
"You can't sacrifice yourself for us Touma!" Ruiko added.
"How can you be so stupid boy?!" Agnese fumed.
"Kamijou-kun," Itsuwa said weakly. "You don't understand what is going to happen if you stay…."
"Your part of my group Kamijou," Shizuri said fiercely. "You don't get to decide when you leave. I do." Mikoto and Misaki stared at her for a moment, but the situation was too dire to worry about her words at the moment.
"Basically," Frenda called out. "You can leave when Mugino is done with you."
"Do you think his way with girls worked on the princess?" Saiai asked Rikou. Rikou looked at her and blinked once before nodding.
"How can we…?" Mikoto started to say, but they heard words coming from Touma's end and she got quiet. The voice was coming from a female, instead of Touma, and the voice was hard and calculating, but was etched with amusement. She seemed to be talking to Touma, but her voice was loud enough to be heard clearly over the phone to everyone at the table, almost like it was on purpose.
"… Oh, don't forget to tell them how you swore to serve me faithfully as my knight."
"Don't say things people will misunderstand!" Touma said to the female on his end. "It's not what it sounds like," he told the girls who had all gone silent. "Hello?" The silence was deafening as everyone at the table processed the information. Suddenly, Kuroko, Saiai, and Rikou pushed their chairs back slightly in surprise, as every other girl at the table suddenly emitted a dark murderous aura. It was the same kind of Kuroko generated when she first found out Mikoto and Touma were together often. Even Jason and Kazari felt it from their side of the room and they went silent and watched.
"I take it that was the spoiled brat of a princess," Shizuri said. She was the first to find her voice, but it was so cold, even Touma could feel it on his end. She kept her demeanor calm but, on the inside, she was furious and contemplating fifteen different ways to kill the princess.
"Mugino you can't…" he started to say, then was forced to change direction. "Wait, don't take it…"
"I feel like I should address this rude individual personally," said the female voice. "Yes, I am Princess Carissa, soon to be Queen, and you should remember that when you speak about me. You are lucky I am in a good mood today, or I would strike you down for your disrespectfulwords. But after my coup has been this successful, and I now have a valuable pawn, nothing a child can say will hurt me."
"He's my prince," Misaki shouted suddenly, banging her fist on the table. "You can't have him you old hag." She was normally reserved, always planned things out, and rarely displayed acts of anger but, this time, she was prepared to get violent.
"There's no way he willing went over to your side," Mikoto added angrily. "You had to threaten us to get him to agree, didn't you?" How does he get roped into these things? Mikoto was always jealous when she saw Touma around other girls. She had been recently trying to keep it under control, but Carissa caused her to snap again.
"I didn't threaten him at all," Carissa replied, and her tone was filled with amusement. "I offered him the exchange and he agreed to serve me as a knight under my DIRECT command." She appeared to over emphasize the word direct, and they weren't sure if she did it on purpose or not. It did arouse anger in many of them though.
"You b&$%^," mumbled Mikoto through clenched teeth.
"What do you want with him?" Ruiko asked.
"Oh he has a variety of uses," Carissa replied, her voice still held a trace of amusement, but was more serious now. "I'm sure you are all aware of his power, plus he exhibits all the qualities of a knight, loyalty, courage, brave, and strong. I really don't have a reason NOT to bring him in."
"I can't believe this," Kuroko said leaning back in her chair. "A princess actually abducted the ape and wants him to be a knight. What kind of world is this?" Mikoto elbowed her to be quiet, but she quietly agreed, though she did admit, silently, Carissa had a point.
"Let him go," Itsuwa said fiercely and everyone at the table turned to her. They had always seen her act polite and friendly to everyone, with occasional determined looks. This was the first time she actually looked angry, that any of them could remember, even Agnese. "He has done nothing to warrant being taken hostage."
"One could argue just standing on a battlefield has that risk," Carissa said with a bored tone. "Anyway, I am not holding him hostage. He accompanied me to the palace after I asked him to, and then I gave him this deal, which he graciously accepted."
"You didn't give him a choice," Mikoto pointed out, her hands balled into fists.
"We were there," Agnese added. "It was just a threat."
"Oh it was a choice," Carissa laughed. "The other outcome just didn't sit well with him. You always have a choice, just like now. My offer still stands, you all may leave the country, but he and the Index Librorum Prohibitorum belong to me now. The plane leaves in two ours at the London City Airport. You will not be attacked if you head there. But," her voice suddenly lost all trace of amusement and became deadly serious and cold, "If you choose not to go, all of you will be treated as hostiles if you so much set foot into any major city, at least until I have been anointed Queen. This is not negotiable, you WILL be killed." Her voice smoothed out." Now, you can talk to him for a moment longer, and then I have certain duties for him. I'm sure you can guess what they are." They heard her laugh before Touma got back on.
"I have no idea what she is thinking," he sighed. "Please, just go without me. She let Mikoto and Agnese go, so her word should be good. I don't want any of you to be hurt." That caused all the girls to blush except Saiai, Kuroko, and Rikou, they seemed to be immune to his words. Even Shizuri was slightly impacted but she kept her passive face.
"I'm surprised you don't just escape," Saiai told him. "Your power should make caging you hard since they seem to use magic for everything."
"Kamijou, does she have better legs then I do!?" Frenda burst out loudly. "Basically, is that why you're staying? Ouch!" She rubbed her head after Shizuri had hit her hard.
"They can still lock me in a room," Touma explained. "Anyway, I wouldn't leave without everyone else and Index is still held here. Besides, this is the best way to make sure all of you can get out of here safely. I thought about it…"
"Did you think about how we felt?" Mikoto demanded. "We don't agree."
"Well…" Touma tried to say.
"I refuse to leave unless you come with me," Misaki declared forcefully.
"You see…" Touma tried again.
"Don't worry boy," Agnese said. "We've been in worst situations then this."
"Really?"
"No," Itsuwa said honestly. "But Kamijou-kun, we will not abandon you with her."
"Listen…" Touma said loudly.
"We are your friends," Ruiko interrupted. "None of us would be able to sleep at night if we left."
"I know but…"
"I may not like you much," Kuroko said. "But I would never forgive myself if I left one of onee-sama's friends as a captive."
"Thanks, I think, but…"
"Basically it's my turn to save you," Frenda told him.
"But…"
"Besides," Saiai said. "She annoys me. I want to ruin her plans."
"You don't…"
"You better not let that b*#$% control you," Shizuri warned him, speaking up for the first time since meeting Carissa. "Be a f#!$%^ man! We are not some damsels in distress. Shut up, and let us do what we want. We took your advice under consideration and decided against it."
"Basically," Frenda added. "Your opinion will be ignored."
"I'm going to have to agree with them," Misaki added.
"Same," Mikoto said.
"We will rescue you," Itsuwa declared.
"You saved so many of us," Agnese interjected. "It's about time we returned that favor."
"It's super time for a rampage," Saiai said excitedly.
"I have no idea how you somehow seemed to help everyone," Kuroko said shaking her head.
"Wait for us Touma," Ruiko reassured him.
"…I feel sorry for her," Rikou said, one of her few words all day.
"You guys," Touma said slightly angry they would risk their lives to help him, and then he stopped. "Thanks," he said, and his tone told them he truly meant it. "Please be…" His voice was abruptly cut off.
"Touma!" Misaki shouted, but the connection was gone. They all sat in silence, thinking of what they heard from Touma and Carissa. None of them were coming up with an immediate solution but, they silently agreed, after looking at each other, that the choice to leave Touma behind would never be on the table.
After a minute, Mikoto broke the silence. "Ok, we need a plan to rescue him from the princess. From the looks of it," she looked over at Itsuwa and Agnese, "she is holding all the cards."
"Sadly yes," Itsuwa said. "We gathered most of our forces, but an outright attack against her forces would be suicidal. Every one of them is being infused with the power of Curtana Original. We might be able to last with guerilla warfare, but they can just detect us if we enter London."
"How about we just go in and kick some a$$ to get that idiot back? Shizuri suggested leaning forward and resting her chin on her interlocking fingers. "I can handle a few of those knights, and those two should be able to handle a couple easily enough." Her eyes flickered to Mikoto and Misaki. "I'm sure we can make them cry at least."
"I think maybe we should come up with someth…" Mikoto tried to reply as she glared at Shizuri, but she was interrupted by Misaki.
"I agree," Misaki said, surprising Mikoto. She was use to Misaki being the strategist and hating brute force. "It's time to show that old hag Touma belongs to me." That got her a glare from most of the girls at the table while Kuroko, Saiai, and Rikou sighed. Ruiko was two nice to glare, but she felt a sick sensation in her stomach at those words.
Of course she would want to rescue him as soon as possible, Mikoto thought to herself. "We still need a plan… a viable plan." She quickly amended the last part.
"The issue is," Agnese explained, "Is that we may have to do that." Everyone turned to look at her. "Right now, the princess is learning to control Curtana's immense power. The longer she has it, the more she will be able to use and the stronger her forces will get. Mugino-san also has a point. Right now, only you all can sneak into the city undetected. Anyone from our side will be found immediately."
"That settles it," Misaki said firmly. "Then let's plan our strategy to enter the city."
"Won't Stiyl be upset if we get involved?" Kuroko asked Itsuwa. "He is already angry at me."
"Who cares?" Saiai said shrugging her shoulders.
"Basically," Frenda chimed in. "He can't stop us."
"He will," Itsuwa acknowledged to Kuroko. "But if the plan is good, he won't be able to argue much."
"I'll work on convincing him after we are done," Agnese added.
"Then let's get started," Ruiko said. "Anyone have a good idea we can build off of?"
Across the room Jason and Kazari had been talking, but they had been silent as they listened to the other girls talk to Carissa. Kazari didn't know what to do, and Jason was barely awake, mainly to pay attention, but in his condition, he wouldn't be able to help much. Kazari was worried about what was happening to Touma too, but she also didn't want her other friends to rush into a warzone. She knew Ruiko, Mikoto, and Misaki all liked Touma, but over the course of the trip, she found a lot of others like him too. Of course they want to save him. I wish I could help more. She felt Jason squeeze her hand and she looked back at him. He shook his head slightly and she realized he guessed what she was thinking. She sighed and nodded. Suddenly, they heard a familiar voice coming from behind them.
"Sorry to interrupt you two lovebirds," Motoharu said. "What happened? I heard a lot of shouting."
Jason tilted his head slightly to glare at him with a look that said, your timing is terrible. "Well, Touma found a way to get everyone out of danger."
"Really?" Motoharu said skeptically raising an eyebrow. "How? Did Kami-yan seduce the princess and convince her to end the coup?" Jason and Kazari looked at each other for a moment, but it was long enough for Motoharu to notice. His eyes widened and mouth fell open. "You… can't be serious?"
"It seems like Kamijou was offered a deal," Kazari explained. "If he and Index remained here, the princess is going to let all of us leave and go back to Academy City."
"He also had to agree to be one of her knights," Jason added, the corner of his mouth twitching.
"Seriously?" Motoharu stared at them like he thought they were joking. When no joke came, he continued. "Well, Stiyl would jump at that opportunity, he hated we all were involved in magic, but I take it," he looked over at the table, "they didn't take it so well." That might have been an understatement as all three of them looked over at the other girls planning to siege a city. The dark murderous aura hanging over them was almost palpable.
"From what I see," Jason told him. "They are planning to fight against the princess's forces. It's really going to be full out war. Touma's harem," Kazari elbowed him as he grinned, "versus Princess Carissa and her knights, with Touma as the prize."
"Two days in a foreign country," Motoharu sighed. "And he already started a war."
"It really isn't his…" Kazari said, but Jason covered her mouth with his good hand.
"Seems like it," he agreed. "They are over there strategizing. They really need to relax slightly. Seriously, it's like I can see the tension."
"Leave it to me," Motoharu said grinning. He turned and walked over to the girls at the table. Jason removed his hand from Kazari's mouth and she looked at him quizzically. Jason raised a single finger while he watched Motoharu, and Kazari followed his lead. Motoharu leaned up against the table and addressed them all. "So I heard Touma finally became a man thanks to the princess?"
The girls were not amused.
Accelerator was sitting in the back of the car looking out the window. He was dozing off slightly, but his mind was too active for him to actually fall asleep. It also did not help that his body was sore all over from his fight with Acqua. At least Kaori had healed the most serious wound on his arm, and he was no longer bleeding. He was constantly going over the fight in his head, and thinking about how he manipulated the magical vectors that did not follow the normal laws of physics. He was also pissed that Villian let Acqua go. Accelerator was convinced Acqua would just attack again and would be more prepared for the fight. He glared at the front seat were she sat. Kaori was driving them and they were almost to the hotel.
"… and that's all I know," Villian finished. She had just finished going over all the details of Carissa's coup she knew off. One thing she did not know was the location of the Queen or her eldest sister Rimea. "Do you really think that Fallen is behind all of this?"
"Based on what has happened," Kaori said slowly. "I believe they may not be tricking Princess Carissa into working for them, but they are manipulating the events between each faction. They lead knights to Acqua, sorry William, and sent me and you letters. I believe they did not want him interfering with the coup."
"You shouldn't have let him go…" muttered Accelerator. Villian looked back at him with a look that made him feel slightly guilty, but his feelings still didn't change. That guy is dangerous, even if he saved her before. The hotel came into view and he sighed loudly. At least I can check up on the brats. I bet the damn hero saved everyone and brought them here. Kaori had contacted Stiyl while they were driving, but she didn't give him all the details. What she did tell him was the hotel was being used as their main base, and everyone was gathering there, including everyone from Academy City. They finally arrived and he got out of the car and had barely taken ten steps toward the door when it opened and a small brown haired girl burst out and ran into him.
"MISAKA is so happy to see you MISAKA cries as MISAKA embraces you through the tears!"
"Yea yea brat," Accelerator said pretending to be annoyed, but he didn't chop her on the head this time. Instead, he gave her a gentle pat on the head. "I'm heading inside," he stated and started walking, while Last Order held on to his hand. Even she was able to notice something was different, because he didn't appear to try to pull away.
"You seem different MISAKA states as MISAKA examines your new demeanor." She looked him up and down and stared intently at his face.
"I finally got something off my chest," Accelerator explained without looking at her. She tilted her head in confusion as she stared at him, but he didn't elaborate. During the heat of the moment, he had said some embarrassing things that had been bothering him. He swore to himself he would never repeat it again, and it appeared that Kaori was not going to talk about it. He could feel her eyes on him as he walked into the hotel with Last Order holding his hand, but he discovered he didn't really care. Seems like all I needed was a good rant. He entered the room and immediately realized something was wrong.
On the far side of the room, sitting around the table, he saw Mikoto, Misaki, Shizuri, Saiai, Frenda, Rikou, Ruiko, Agnese and Itsuwa. A dark aura appeared to be surrounding them, as they talked, and several large pieces of paper sat between them. He frowned at the strange sight. Weird, a lot of those brats don't get along. Something must have happened. "What's that about?" he asked Last Order and she shrugged.
"MISAKA was waiting for you MISAKA answers as MISAKA reveals her dedication to making sure you were ok."
"Whatever," he said rolling his eyes. "You know nothing can beat me when I'm serious." She nodded happily and Accelerator felt something well up in his chest, when she told him she was waiting for him. He looked around and saw Motoharu laying on the floor, bruised and smoking slightly. At least that is normal. He turned and saw Jason and Kazari sitting in the corner and he walked toward them. "What's going on?"
"Great your back," Jason said. Accelerator noticed his voice was pretty weak and part of his right side, along with his arm, was covered in shadows. "It seems we have a slight problem."
"What problem?" Accelerator asked raising an eyebrow. "And it looks like you have seen better days."
"I can say the same thing about you," Jason replied grinning slightly referring to Accelerator's stained and ripped shirt. "Fighting ridiculously powerful people does that. It appears Touma decided to sacrifice himself to save everyone."
"What?" Accelerator snapped. Is the f#$%&^ hero…
"He joined the princess's knights in order to allow us to leave the country and head back to Academy City," Kazari explained.
"Are you kidding me?" Accelerator asked irritated, as he grabbed his head with his free hand. Last Order was still holding tightly to his hand. "What would a princess want with him? Wait… Kami-disease?"
"Definitely looks like it," Jason replied grinning. Kazari looked between them and then at Last Order who smiled at her. "Though don't tell them that," he continued indicating the girls at the table. "Tsuchimikado did that and they didn't take it too kindly."
"Whatever," Accelerator said rolling his eyes, and then he walked over to the girls. "Brats," he called out. "Is it true the hero went and did something stupid?"
"You don't know the half of it," mumbled Mikoto, and then she looked up as recognition hit you. "Hey you're back."
"Judging by torn clothes and bruised body," Shizuri said, looking him up and down. "I take it you did fight someone strong. What could possibly be tough enough to cause you trouble?" She had a grin plastered on her face, most likely pleased Accelerator finally got injured in a fight.
"You know," Accelerator said pretending to be nonchalant. He probably would have looked cooler if Last Order didn't give a victory sign with her free hand as she held him tightly. "Someone had to pick up the slack and fight monsters. Destroying those who stand in my way is just a part of my normal routine. It was some guy who called himself a Saint from God's Right Seat." Itsuwa and Agnese made surprised noises of recognition at his words, but he ignored them. "I suppose you could call it a tough fight, with him being a monster and all."
"So uncivilized," Misaki said shaking her head. "Always trying to get into fights."
"You sure you aren't getting soft?" Shizuri asked still grinning.
"I super hope he isn't," Saiai said.
"Me too," Frenda added. "Basically, we need his power to rescue Kamijou."
"I almost thought that," Accelerator said mockingly to Shizuri, and he grinned evilly at her. "Then I changed the direction of his blood…. and he still survived." The smile fell off Shizuri's face and crashed onto the floor, while her eyes widened. Everyone else stared at him. They all knew what would happen if blood flow was suddenly reversed. "Monster enough for you? Oh, I found two people you might be interested in." He pointed toward the door and everyone turned.
Kaori and Villian had just entered the hotel lobby. They had a few things to discuss privately and talked outside, since Accelerator left. Everyone in the room, except Shizuri and her friends, knew who Kaori was, but only Mikoto knew who Villian was. She stood up in surprise and stared at them. Whoever she had expected, it wasn't the princess or Kaori. "I take it introductions are in order." Kaori turned to Shizuri and her friends. "My name is Kaori Kanzaki, an acquaintance of Stiyl Magnus. This here is the third princess, Villian." Villian curtsied slightly to them and Ruiko's eyes went wide.
"Wow a princess," Ruiko said excitedly. "I never thought I would get to meet one up close. Oh my name is Ruiko Saten." Villian smiled warmly at her.
"It is a pleasure to meet you," Villian said. "I wish it wasn't during such a serious time."
"Do you know why your sister kidnapped Touma?" Mikoto asked.
"Ah you were at the meeting," Villian said. Shizuri raised an eyebrow slightly. She didn't know Mikoto met the princesses. "I'm afraid not, though she was acting a little odd with him even back then."
"Odd as in how?" Mikoto pressed her for answers.
"She was a little more lenient with him then she usually is with people," Villian explained. "I assumed it was because he helped her when her group was attacked."
"So besides taking the thrown," Misaki asked Villian. "Is there anything else your sister is after?"
"Yes," Villian said and looked at the ground. She fidgeted and everyone knew, whatever it was, it made her uncomfortable.
"I'll tell them," Kaori said putting her hand on Villain's shoulder. "The second princess finished the first part of her plan, acquiring Curtana Original and gathering the knights to overthrow the queen."
"We know that already," Shizuri scoffed irritated.
"And it's been a problem to deal with," Agnese muttered.
"She then has to make sure her rule can't be overthrown," Kaori continued. "For us to do that, we first need to get Curtana Original away from her. We either need to destroy it or use it against her."
"Destroy it…" Kuroko said and her eyes widened. "The ape's hand!"
"Of course," Frenda said hitting her palm with her other hand. "Basically, she doesn't want us to use his hand against her."
"But wouldn't having him close to her be super dangerous?" Saiai asked turning to Frenda. "Knowing him, he super would try to stop her."
"The deal," Misaki said, her eyes lighting up. "She must have planned all this. If he willing made the deal for her to let us go, he wouldn't try to destroy Curtana. He's too much of a gentleman to go back on a promise."
"That idiot," Mikoto face palmed. "He walked right into an obvious plan."
"He keeps trying to play the hero," Shizuri added shaking her head. "What an idiot."
"I think there is more," Villian spoke up. "Carissa also hates wasting resources that she can use. She most likely also wants to use his power for her own goals. Though, it does seem like the method she chose was rather convoluted. Normally she would just make someone submit to her rules, but it seems like she doesn't want to try to force him."
"It's obvious," Accelerator yawned. "She fell for him, like most of the brats here." He gestured to all the girls around them except Kuroko, Saiai, and Ruiko.
"I doubt that," Kaori said immediately, but her face said otherwise. Many of the other girls opened their mouths, but Itsuwa was first.
"There's more though," Itsuwa interrupted trying to keep the topic on the important matter. "You said something about using Curtana against her?"
"Curtana can only be used by a member of the royal family," Kaori said. "So it would be possible for the queen or one of the other two princesses to use it if we can take it away from Princess Carissa."
"I can't use it," Villian said. "I never learned magic that could be used to hurt people. Even if I possessed it, I wouldn't be able to channel its power."
"Spoiled brat," Shizuri mumbled.
"You should learn more skills," Frenda suggested. "You never know when you might need them."
"That still leaves the queen and the first princess," Kaori continued. "In order to prevent that, she would have to ensure they would never be able to wield it."
"Ensure how?" Ruiko said, but she gulped knowing she wouldn't like the answer.
"It's obvious," Accelerator spat out. "She plans to kill them." Kaori and Villian nodded solemnly. Everyone else's face darkened as they thought about it.
"As we don't know the location of the Queen or the first princess," Stiyl said and everyone turned to look at him. He had just entered the lobby. "Rescuing Touma Kamijou is actually the best strategy at the moment. Knowing him, he might even escape on his own. He always acts on his own and interferes with my plans anyways."
"That would mean sieging the palace," Kaori said. "We would have to fight an army of knights, Knight Leader, and the princess herself.
"Not quite," Stiyl said pointing to Jason. "He appeared to have taken out Knight Leader. It's why he is injured." Jason gave a slight wave from his chair.
"What…?" Kaori said opening and closing her mouth. This was the first time Mikoto saw her completely speechless, even when she was on the receiving end of Wrath's onslaught. "How did he?"
"Long story," Stiyl said irritated. "I'll brief you later. For now, we have a plan to try to rescue him. There are a few minor issues we need to sort out, but it should be done in an hour. We will however," he looked like he bit into something bitter, "need help from the science side to actually infiltrate the palace." Kaori, Agnese, and Itsuwa nodded in understanding. London's mana detection was still in full operation.
"I'm in," Mikoto said immediately.
"Me too," Misaki added a split second alter.
"Same," Frenda stated.
"I want to blast a couple more of those knights and teach the spoiled brat a lesson," Shizuri grinned.
"I super want to beat them up," Saiai said cracking her knuckles.
"I can't really fight," Ruiko said, but her face was determined. "I'll do whatever I can."
"I suppose I owe him one," Accelerator said in a nonchalant tone, and Kaori had to suppress a grin. "Give me the details when you are done. I want to sleep a bit until then." He walked away thinking about the issue at hand. He knew there was no need to worry about Touma right now because of the deal. He also needed to charge his choker or he wouldn't be able to fight much longer. While it was recharging, he planned to get some sleep. He noticed Shizuri staring at him and realized Last Order was still holding tightly to his hand. Shizuri grinned evilly at him and he replied with a rude gesture. He went up to his room, plugged the choker in and collapsed on the bed. His body ached, his head pounded, and then he felt Last Order jump on top of him and not move. Even so, he felt better then he could remember in a long time. Guess it's my turn to pay back a little of what I owe.
Feel free to leave a review, comment, suggestions, or ideas, I love reading them. If you have a question you wish I ask and would like a quick answer, feel free to message me directly. I try to respond to those within a day or two. Comments, I tend to respond to in the next chapter.
So many restrictions when I have everyone together, guess it's time to split them up again.
Pierce: So what's going on guys, haven't heard much from you.
Motoharu: You know the usual, Kami-yan starting a war by infecting princesses.
Pierce: Sounds like him.
Jason: Attracting the crazy one of three princesses, I wouldn't expect anything less.
Accelerator: Now it's the hero's harem vs the princess's forces.
Touma: Dang it guys, it's not like that!
Motoharu: Who do you think will win?
Pierce: Well from the above chapter, Accelerator's probably weakened a bit, and Kagere is out of it, so should be a good fight. Hope the battle causes some people to go beyond their limits.
Jason: Think Misaka-san is going to hit 5.5 without help this time?
Accelerator: Well the author did show us one of the sister's is in the city.
Motoharu: I kind of want Mugino-san to hit 5.5.
Jason: There would be a lot of death and destruction.
Accelerator: Sounds fun.
Touma: How do you all know have this information?
Me: I was bored, so I told them, but they promised not to use the information in the actual story.
Touma: You believed them?
Me: Nope, I just vowed to punish them if they did.
Touma: Can you at least tell me when I get to do something.
Me: Next chapter.
Motoharu: The author is grinning evilly, yes!
Touma: Such misfortune.