I do not own A Certain Scientific Railgun or the Avengers franchise. One-shot
With the only light source bearing down on her sensitive eyelids, Kuroko Shirai sluggishly cracks her eyes open as her blurry vision endeavors to adjust. Jolts of pain throbbed the moment she lifts her head off the hard-tiled floor. The throbbing pains of her headache coupled with her sluggishness makes it difficult for her to collect her thoughts. Where is she? What was she doing on the floor? Why was she sleeping on the floor in the middle of the day? Whatever other questions she is asking are immediately marginalized as the plastic from the zip ties severely limits her mobility with her hand behind her back. Testing the tension, the Judgement office feels the tight force of the zip ties digging into her wrist and ankles. Whoever did this to her made sure she could not escape as multiple zip ties were used.
However, all those questions are pushed aside the plastic from the zip ties prevent Shirai from moving her limbs freely. Testing the tension, the Judgement officer concludes there are multiple zip ties constraining her as any attempt to brute force her way out would dig the plastic into her skin.
However, this does not concern the Judgement officer because there is a far easier method available to her.
…
…
…
Kuroko suddenly become aware of her pounding heartbeat as her breathing intensifies.
I can't use my ability.
It is only when she cranes her neck around that Kuroko is aware of something cold and metal hugging her neck. She cannot examine it, but her instincts are enough to conclude that it has terrible purpose and might be the culprit for her ability's suppression. With the situation looking bleak, the Judgement officer first endeavors to control her breathing and heartrate. One lesson Judgement instills onto its members is to remain calm in dire situations for panicking leads to rash and poor judgement.
Several deep breathes later, Kuroko opens her eyes once more. Her eyes dart around to find any clues about her surroundings. She refuses to call out for help for the perpetrator might still be around; its best to first figure out a game plan before attracting the perpetrator. The light coming from the next room illuminate the area just enough to make out vague figures of boxes, shelfs with books, files, and bins and a broom stashed away in the corner.
I am in a storage room or closet.
With her location somewhat acquired, she ponders about the events leading up to her predicament.
I have just finished pulling a double shift on my Judgement duties. Normally, Uiharu would start her shift right after hers on this day, but she never arrived in the office. This left the Teleporter to take over her duties until she arrives.
She never arrived.
I am going to scold Uiharu for her unexcused absence. Probably being dragged around by Saten for whatever reason. Kuroko winces as her head throbs. It seems thinking too hard might trigger a headache. Regardless, she continues. I was… going to meet up with Onee-san right after I filed my report to Judgement and ask if Uiharu ever arrived. I was getting hungry, so I ate… a cereal bar to hold me over until then. Then… then… a sharp pain interrupts her thought process, gnashing her teeth to cope with the pain, but she endures. Everybody was out when I arrived… except for one person. Who was it? It was….
Her thought process stops when distinct clicking ding of multiple keys pressed in succession is audible. Kuroko wiggles herself over towards the entrance. As she inches over, her eyes focus on the logo on the boxes. When she woke up, it was too dark and she was too far to make out the logo, but inching herself over towards the entrance and boxes finally allows her to make out the logo, and the logo is far too familiar as the same logo can be found sewed into her armband.
"Judgement?!" Kuroko speaks out. The tapping of the keys stops, and a momentary silence follows.
"It seems you're awake." A feminine voice responds. Kuroko stops. It is not because the assailant knows she's awake, but more so the fact the Judgement officer recognized the voice all too well.
A silhouette appears at the entrance of the door. The light from the background prevents Kuroko from discerning any notable features, but the outlines of the darkened figure reveal the individual is wearing a long skirt, no doubt from a school uniform. However, what gives it all away is the headband with the outlines of various flowers adorning the silhouette.
"Uiharu?!" Kuroko states. The now-identified dark figure shrugs and slowly approaches the teleporter. There is no mistaking the long, navy-blue skirt accompanied by a sailor uniform with a red tie from Sakugawa Middle School for Kuroko has seen in a million times, and the unique bouquet of flowers adorning her headband solidifies the individual's identity.
"Sorry about this, Shirai-san, but I was in the middle of something important. Everybody was out, then you showed up, so I had to take measures." Fishing around her pocket, the Judgement officer pulls out something black and long. It looks like a flashlight until she pressed a button, and electricity zaps across the gap between the two metal points.
"What is the meaning of this, Uiharu?! Why can't I use my ability?" Kuroko barks. The flower girl crouches down and extends her hand over until she grabs the metal collar Kuroko is wearing.
"I have tasks to do in the Judgement building, and it would have been smoother if I was alone. You arriving when you did causes problem not just for me, but for by boss as well. And as for your ability not working, the collar around your neck prevents espers from using their abilities. It's quite fascinating just how much the SHIELD facility in Academy City has." Uiharu comments, standing back up. "I probably should not have said that."
"Untie me, now!"
"I terribly sorry Shirai-san, but I cannot. Don't worry, eventually, somebody will come and rescue you, but right now, I need you to stay put as my business here is done, and I need to report my findings." She retreats towards the entrance, placing one hand on the door as the other grabs a briefcase. "It should only be a few hours, so hang in there." Her facial expression twists into a scowl. "And don't come looking for me, Shirai-san." Uiharu hisses, slowly closing the door on her friend.
"Uiharu! Uiharu!"
There are millions of questions running through Kuroko's mind: Why did her friend betray her? How is she going to get out? Who is Uiharu talking about? What is SHIELD? But the one question that sticks out more than anything is when her friend drew close to her, and when she was shutting the door. At first, Kuroko did not think much of it, but as Uiharu closed the door, it became hard to dismiss as she could have sworn her eyes were shimmering in the darkness.
Since when did Uiharu have neon-blue eyes?