The Great City

Chapter 4

[Accelerator]

After I left the compound I wondered through the streets with my hands in my pockets causing the whelps and weaklings to shake in fear as I passed. I don't have any friends in the city because who would want to be friends with such inferior weaklings, so when I'm not on a mission or visiting the brat I don't have anything to do. After all, my only hobby is slaughter. I smile at the thought and I can see everyone around me become even more afraid.

'Lieutenant Accelerator!' Great now there are voices in my head. Infuriating ones at that. I hate being called lieutenant, mostly because that level zero hero is commander. Just because he fought magicians before the rest of us he gets promoted? Bull shit! Like I care about their stupid rankings anyway "What do you want!" the pedestrians around me cower more and try to speed up to walk past me as I yell at nothing. Seeing them fear their better cheers me up a little. 'The commander wants you and the other officers to meet at HQ for a briefing, it seems that Motoharu san is back.' Great, that looser is back I hate how he acts so cool I wish I could knock him down a few pegs. Despite my distaste I turn to begin walking in the direction of the headquarters building.

[Touma]

I stand in the meeting room next to my best friend, Tschimikado Motoharu as we wait for the others to arrive. He smiles at me behind black sunglasses wearing his usual open Hawaiian shirt and blue shorts. He hasn't changed at all since the war started I suppose that might be because he's probably the only person who saw it coming, although that's just my theory. I haven't confronted him about it yet but the more I think about it the weirder it seems that someone who was spying on the magicians had no idea that they were planning such a large scale attack.

I'm interrupted from my thoughts by and arm being thrown around me, "What's the matter Kami-yan? If your thinking about this morning, I'm sorry for interrupting but I was just so exited to see you after all these weeks!" I blush a little as I remember how I woke up this morning. If my right hand wasn't on Mikoto's head she might have barbequed me. I've never seen her face quite that red before.

"You really didn't help with that situation Tschimikado."

After he walked into the room seeing Mikoto asleep with her head in my lap and said, "Sorry to interrupt the sleepy couple but I'm back!" Mikoto quickly stormed out of the room leaving me confused, and Tschimikado amused. I haven't seen her since this morning but I really hope she comes to this meeting. After all it has been a while since I've had everyone together.

Ever since the war started Tschimikado has been our man on the inside. He's been able to tell us details on enemy battle plans, locations, and has even managed to sabotage several of their efforts. However to maintain his cover he's gone several months out of the year in Europe pretending to be on their side. When he's not with them he comes here and pretends to spy on us for them, I think. Ever since I learned of his magical background I haven't been able to trust Tschimikado completely. The fact that he never seemed to completely choose one side makes me feel uneasy about him. He claims that after the attack he's finally decided to fight against the mages but deep down I can only half believe him.

Suddenly the door is thrown open and I don't even need to look to know that Accelerator has entered. Before the war Accelerator and I were passive enemies at best. Neither of us liked the other but we had no reason to fight after the sister conflict was settled. Now however while I'm pretty sure he doesn't feel the same I have to have some respect for the guy. I don't know what changed him but he seems to have developed a care for human life. Even though he doesn't know, I've seen him use his powers to help others. During the attack I saw him standing outside the hospital, almost as if he were standing guard or something. I was running to go save a woman who was about to have a building crash down on her but even as I tried I knew it would be too late. Seconds before she would be buried the building changed direction suddenly and landed where no one would be hurt. As weird as it is to think, I might actually trust Accelerator more than Tschimikado. At least I know what he's thinking. In fact right now I'm pretty sure he's just pissed that I called him here.

[Accelerator]

The Fuck am I doing Here? I've been here for like fifteen goddamn minutes, getting more and more pissed. They called me here because dumbass super spy decided to show his fucking face and we haven't been able to start because shitty third place isn't here. As if on queue the door opens and she walks in. "About time! If you had been any later I would have had to go out looking for you!" I give her my scariest smile but she just looks at me and shrugs it off. Bitch, what happened to everyone being afraid of me? Now I'm here on a goddamn play date with these fools. At least we can finally get this show on the road.

Tshimikado stands up in the center of the room. "Alright, lets get this started. So as you know I've been undercover with the Roman Catholic commanders as their intelligence on academy city. I've been giving them false information about defenses and tactics while learning theirs. So let me cut a long story short; they can't take much more of this. They are desperate for this war to end, they are preparing for a final assault on academy city. Their plan is to ignore our offensive forces and destroy the city to force Kakine's forces to retreat. Our offensive forces greatest strength is that they are extremely mobile. Then they want to use our own defenses to ensure they have no where to retreat to, and then pick them off" I see railgun clench her fist when he mentions the offensive force.

It's Touma that comments first, "How do they plan to take the city? They've tried and failed before. Our defenses are too strong and with Accelerator here nothing short of a team of saints could take us all. Unless they've found the other two saints. I don't see how they stand a chance." He has a point, I've crushed every mage they've sent at me. The only part of me they can attack is my mind, and ill be damned if I make the same mistake twice.

"Nya, getting cocky now aren't we Kami-yan! However I'm not sure that you're correct this time. I feel that they may be wary of me at this point. They haven't told me how but they are confident that they can get into the city undetected."

This time I speak up, "What do you mean you don't know how? What kind of shitty spy can't even find the important information? Telling us that they are going to attack is useless if you can't tell us when or how."

"Now, now Accelerator-chan" I debate killing him just for that, but decide I've lost too many shirts to bloodstains. "When did I ever say that I didn't know how they would attack? I don't know how they're getting in but I do know what they are going to do once here. You guys know of the tower of babble correct? It was a biblical tower created to reach heaven. God stopped the tower from being built by creating mass confusion on the tower by confusing their senses so they couldn't communicate."

Railgun decides to finally speak up, "So they plan to beat us by causing confusion? That doesn't even make sense. Even if that got us to lower our defenses that wouldn't be enough to completely overcome us. With the EM generator me and Accelerator could wipe out any force they sent at us."

For once I agree with her, although if I wanted to I wouldn't need help from a whelp like her. "While they could probably get away with killing some civilians there is now way they could finish us, the bastards can't even touch me. I could wipe them all out." A sadistic smile works it's way on my face as I think of all the dead mages.

Tschimikado smiles again behind his lame sunglasses, "That is exactly what they want. The tower of babel has always been told to make people speak in tongues. However its actual effect is that it can confuse their senses, which in the original case was used to cause confusion. They plan to use it to make you and Mikoto think the city is under attack and destroy it, and us with your power. If that doesn't work they at least want us to have to kill you and then they would attack. That way whether or not you actually cause harm to us the city would be weakened."

The room is silent for a second while we take this in. Finally Touma speaks up. "How can we defend against this? What do they need to establish the tower?"

"That, Kami-yan, is the good news. They intend to turn the entire city into the tower and to do that they need to enact several rituals at the city's borders and center it from the highest point possible. To stop it all we need to do is stop those from taking place. The only day with the correct conditions for this to take place is three days from now. That means two things. One we need to beef up security on the border, and two we need scouts on every roof. There is a high possibility that their agent is already within the walls so we need to act fast to ensure that they don't have any time to set up." He turns to face each of us. "This is their last ditch effort, if we can stop this we could win this war. They know that so they probably sent their best to do this. Every one be on your guard, while it isn't their plan everyone in this room is a target."

[Touma]

After the meeting Tschimikado leaves claiming that his cover is in danger of being blown if he doesn't get back soon. He said that if this weren't so important he wouldn't have even come. I decide to put my distrust of him aside and order more Misaka guards to move to the border as well as several teams on the rooftops. Just in case though I decide to do some research on my own.

"Babel? Why do you need to know about that?" After wondering around for a while I realized that there probably weren't any libraries in Academy city of biblical reference and even if they were they probably wouldn't help me. So I came home and decided to ask Index. With Tscumikado gone most of the time she's the only source of magical knowledge in town. "Touma, you promised to tell me if anything came up. Tell me why you need to know about the tower and ill tell you everything you need to know."

I sigh, has Index always been this hard to deal with? Yeah I guess she has. "Well Tschimikado came back today. He said that the mages are planning to turn academy city into the tower of babble to cause confusion and weaken our defenses. Is that possible?"

Index pondered for a moment thinking with her hand on her chin. "I suppose so however it doesn't quite make sense. The setups for it are extremely complex and it would require a big team to do it. I can't imagine that they could do it in the city undetected. If that's the plan then they have to have some secret we don't know about, that or they really are desperate."

[?]

I walk through the city trying to blend in as much as I can. I try not to look at the faces of the people going past me. I don't want to think about what were about to do to this city, to them. I don't hold any particular hatred for the citizens here, my sister has a strong hatred for any heretics but not I. Nevertheless orders are orders.

I get to the meeting area a shopping mall dubbed Seventh Heaven, although I doubt these people even believe in heaven. Standing over by the sunglasses rack is contact with his bright yellow hair peeking out from under his hoodie. I walk up to him and pretend to look at the sunglasses as well. "Um, do you have what I need?" He takes his hand out of his sweatshirt pocket and hands me a red I.D. card.

"It wasn't easy getting this, there are very few people carrying this card. However as it turns out there is a bigger problem." He takes his sunglasses off for a second allowing me to see the brown eyes underneath before trying on a pair from the rack. He then grabs another pair and surprises me by putting them on my face. "Nya, you look pretty cute like with those on!" I blush ,"anyway, That card will get you through the door however there are heavily armed sins protecting the console."

I look at him, "How am I supposed to get there then? We both know I don't excel at any form of combat magic." He takes my hand and leads me to a different part of the store the aisles filled with blenders and cookware. "You already have a plan don't you?"

He turns away from the blender he's inspecting to smile at me, "Nya, we've known each other for so little time and you already know me so well. Well your right, three days form now the conditions will be right to erect the tower of babble. If we create one with the locus above the facility that should disable all sins until we deactivate it. With that you can walk in and do your thing." Tower of babble? How are the three of us supposed to erect it in a town filled with cameras, guards, and espers? "Don't worry about setting it up, your sis and I are going to take care of it." He flashes me a smile and starts to walk in the direction of the exit.

I meant to say 'when are we going to meet up next' but what comes out is "When will I get to see you again?" I blush upon realizing my words. I look up and just see him smirking at me.

"When the tower goes up, and the city descends into chaos. You'll find me in the heart of the storm with open arms." He says as he walks out the door.

[Mikoto]

Mail day! After the meeting I got word from Touma that letters from the attack force had finally come and promptly excused myself so I could start running to the mail office to see if I had a letter from Kuroko. As expected the line was long with many people worried about their friends and family out fighting, however as soon as I got there everyone stepped to the side letting me go first. Normally I would have been embarrassed and insist that I wait in the back of the line with everybody else but I was desperate to hear from my best friend so I just blushed and rushed to the front of the line.

When I get to the front of the line I see Fukiyose Seiri at the window. "Good evening Mikoto san. Hold on just a sec while I find your letter." She said walking towards the back room. I had come to know Seiri fairly well as it wasn't uncommon for me to stop by the mail office and check for letters, even more so over the last couple months. While there I would often strike up a conversation and while not friends I could easily say she's an acquaintance of mine. When she comes back to the window she hands me two envelopes held together by rubber band as well as a small cardboard box. "These are all for you. Someone must have a lover out there." She says with a wink and a smile. I blush and open my mouth to argue, but instead I just say thanks and bid farewell eager to open my mail.

After the initial attack before the city was locked down, many people fled. Few were actual power curriculum students however many skill outs and teachers as well as average workers fled for their safety. As a result of this many formerly filled apartment building and homes were left vacant so the city began giving away these rooms to those of us that stayed. After I moved out of the dormitory because of my status and rank I was offered one of the nicer rooms in the penthouse of a large hotel.

When I finally get to my room I quickly look at all of the letters and the box confirming that they were all from Kuroko. I decided to open the oldest one first and read them in order.

"To my dearest Onee sama,

Things with the battalion have been good. I've managed to make some more friends (although the only one I really want is you) and we've been making good progress in wearing down the terrorists. I believe I mentioned to you last month but I've been promoted to alpha squad and things are going really well. Recently I've become friends with squad leader Sogiita Gunha. He may be a stupid ape but he's very strong. I have to head out now, (we are preparing to assault another monestary) but I'll be sure to write to you soon.

With Love Kuroko

Ps. Feel free to use this letter as 'stimulation'"

I smile after reading it, despite Kuroko's rather annoying habits, mostly assaulting me, she is still the best friend I have and simply knowing that she is okay is a great comfort to me. While I fully acknowledge that she is a capable and powerful fighter; the idea of her on the battlefield still keeps me up some nights. I open the second letter and begin to read:

"To my dearest Onee sama,

I was just informed that the mail is being held up for some reason so you'll probably get this letter and my last together. Its been about a month since I wrote the last letter and not much has changed. Right after I wrote the last letter I had my first big mission with Alpha squad. With Bravo I was mostly supporting teleporting in and rescuing those in danger while teleporting in ammunition. However in Alpha squad I'm much more involved in the fight. Although don't worry about me I can hold my own just fine. In fact I even saved one of the level five's that day (although not one I particularly enjoy). I saw a magician aim a weapon at Mugino Shizure and was able to take her out before she could get a shot off. In fact I took out just as many people as Sogiita-kun.

Afterwards my squad and I had a little party to celebrate (excluding Teitoku of course). Shizure san was actually pleasant. After maybe a couple drinks they managed to 'officially' induct me into alpha. Meaning, well, I got a tattoo. I didn't want one but they convinced me I had to. Mugino did them. Want to know where it is? I'll give you a hint, I had to pretend Mugino was you to let her touch me there ;)

Please write me soon, I take great pleasure in your words( if you know what I mean) I'll always love you Onee-sama!

Love Kuroko 3

Ps. I saw something at a stall in Venice that I thought you would like."

After reading that I look to the box. 'What could she have found in Venice for me?' I open the box and inside is a limited edition gekota on a gondola doll. In the past I might have screamed in joy, now however I look at it fondly and pull out a paper to write my own letter. I can't even find it in me to be mad at her taking 'pleasure' in my letters. It is still creepy though.

[Touma]

I walk around the city for the next couple of hours, checking the Mikasa troops and making sure that they're in the correct locations. Index is next to me as we check on the babble counter measures together. "Index, if the mages are planning to use the tower of babble, wont they just give up when they see that all the possible erection locations are guarded?"

Index considered for a moment. "I doubt it. If this really is their last ditch effort they're probably sending their very best under the mentality 'do it right or don't come back.' The same mentality as of the crusaders. No matter what we do they're going to try. "

I sigh, "great, a bunch of suicidal mages." I begin to think of everything that could go wrong but as I look at the city around me I think about how far we've come. Since the attack all of academy city has become united. We work together to maintain our walls, feed ourselves, and to keep each other safe. With a common goal we've been able to accomplish much more that I thought we could when this started. "We've overcome worse than this. We made it through their previous attacks, and we will come out on top here too."

Been a long time huh not gonna lie I totally forgot about this. Shadow Hunter was getting so much attention and then I started here new stories but better late than never right? Hope you like it, next chapter I'm thinking of writing an interlude about the attack forces maybe from Kuroko's point of view, what do you think about that?

Thanks for your reviews