Fan fiction Story Inspired by: To Aru Ma Kagaku no Railgun

Angle: Saten Ruiko's Perspective

Protagonist: Saten Ruiko

Chapter 4 – A Shard of Hope

"Heads up girls! There's no time to mope!" a low and commanding voice echoed out of nowhere.

Misaka, still impassive, stood in the corner silently, carefully thinking things over. The recent events had shocked her – as strong as her electricity can electrify people – and she's left dumbfounded there. The possible loss of her friend bothered her so much that she can't think of anything. All hope is gone.

*Slap*

Misaka Mikoto's head jerked sideways and her irises grew large as she was taken aback – she was caught off guard by the abrupt turn out of events. A man who looked like a frog appeared out of nowhere slapped Misaka's face hard enough to make her come back to her senses. Everyone else in the room was surprised; even Kuroko Shirai was bewildered only a shriek was she could do.

"How… where… why" Misaka was startled with what the doctor did and these thoughts were running in her mind. How come she did not feel him? How come he was able to hit him that fast without her noticing it?

"Am I weak? How come…" More thoughts pop up into her head. Everything… everything that has been happening lately is just too much too take all at once.

"Stop moping and get a hold of yourself, Misaka!" acclaimed the doctor as he slapped Misaka once more.

"You see, that's the problem with the youth nowadays. They're very easy to damage! They think so high of themselves, but in reality they're nothing but pieces of shits! What a joke!" as soon as he was finished electricity erupted in front of him and he vanished along with the wall behind him.

"You don't know anything! I just lost a friend and you act as if everything's okay! Shut up!" and more electricity came out of Misaka.

"Alright, alright. That's the spirit. I totally understand. So now, if you may, turn the lightning off before you destroy this entire place." As soon as the doctor finished his words electricity was out along with Misaka Mikoto lying on the floor.

Shirai was too appalled – and scared – with the sudden outbursts that only silent sobs and squeals came out of her mouth. With her hands trembling and tears flowing down her cheeks, a silly threat was all she can utter.

"What… what… did you do to her?! Misaka! I… I… will… I will kill you!" and with that she suddenly vanished and aimlessly attacked the doctor. Here's the catch, she missed and hit herself and she fell down face first in the floor.

"Eh, easy girls. I'm not the enemy here. We're running out of time. If you really want to do something – maybe save your friend – that's if she's strong enough to be able to survive that poisonous mist – which I highly doubt… well, you gotta trust and listen to me. Otherwise, if you'll just be a nuisance to us, I have no choice but to restrain the two of you… well, I might as well include that child lying over there." The frog-faced doctor boringly narrated his harangue.

Half-consciously lying on the floor, Misakata Mikoto couldn't help but feel utterly useless and weak as she succumbed to fatigue. She could barely hear what the old man was saying but something caught her ears and all the energy that left her body suddenly came back.

"…maybe save your friend…"

"How?" a barely audible, which sounded more like a screech came out of her.

A strange smile formed in the doctor's lips. He quickly put his hand on Misaka's forehead and said, "Now we're talking. Perhaps we could settle things on my office?"

Upon contact with the doctor's fingers, Misaka felt her body feeling lighter, as if all pain is gone. She was revitalized with just one touch. This mysterious man sure is something shrouded in ambiguity. She was still hesitant; doubtful of this man's intentions. But if there's something she was sure about, she needed to trust this man, for one; he's something beyond her powers, and two; she is the key that can help her save Saten Ruiko. And with the current position she's in, she's willing to take every gamble just to get her friend back. This could be a sliver of hope, and a gamble with death at the same time.