(Seen from Misaka's perspektive)
Misaka was very fast asleep, which actually surprised her, with everything that had just happened. Even so… something seemed wrong. She looked around. All she could see was darkness, as if her eyes just were closed, and didn't really seem like that much of a dream. Even so… she had this really weird feeling, as if she was hanging upside down. She felt the blood run to her head, and for some reason, she felt extreme pain in her stomach. Suddenly, as if she was looking through her own eyes, the darkness disappeared and she saw she was looking at…. !. From what she could see through her eyes, she saw the street… from at least a 50 meters drop. Everything went black again for a second, and the next she was looking directly into the asphalt. She suddenly felt a really strong pain in her right leg, but for some reason, couldn't move. Please…. help, a familiar voice which Misaka could not concentrate on remembering, said. Then… complete silence, but suddenly, the ground turned into stone. This looks like… the ground in a back alley, Misaka thought, still feeling all the blood in her head, making it feel like it was gonna explode. Suddenly, she felt extreme pain all over her body, like her body was completely bruised wit major injuries. She felt like she was gonna scream, but her mouth didn't respond. Please…. help me! The voice suddenly yelled. Misaka sat up quickly, and looked around. So it was… just a dream, Misaka said in relief, placing one of her sweaty hands on her forehead.
No it wasn't, a voice interrupted. Misaka looked in the direction the voice had come from, and saw Shokuhou Misaki standing and leaning against the wall. Misaka looked at her for a second. What do you mean, it isn't just a dream? Misaka asked a little after. Well, that's a little complicated, Shokuhou said, as she walked closer to Misaka's bed. Normally, I'm not able to get close to you, using my ability, but after the experiment, your magnetic field was greatly weakened, which is also the reason I was able to rip you away from your personal reality, Misaki said. Wait… you were the one who did that? Misaka asked, looking at Shokuhou. Well unfortunately, I didn't have much of a choice, Shokuhou said. Misaka looked annoyed at her. Suddenly, her facial expression changed, and she looked at Misaka. You know as good as me that it's not normal for an espers field to suddenly just drop like that. The fact that i was able to reach you with my telepathy ability, might mean something has happened to your ability, Shokuhou said. Misaka looked into her bed sheets again. Yeah… she answered a little after. Shokuhou looked at her. What happened to you during the experiment's still affecting you. And right now, not even I can tell if your abilities back to normal, Misaki said. Where were you even during the experiment? Misaka asked. Shokuhou closed her eyes, still having a serious expression on her face. Well, that's a longer story, Shokuhou said, walking over to the window, still not opening her eyes.
(Seen from Uriharu's and Saten's perspective)
Uriharu and Saten had decided to go get a drink for Kuroko, and where therefore walking towards the hospital's gift shop. What kind of drink should we get? Uriharu asked her black haired friend. I don't know, but I think Shirai would- She stopped talking and looked at a crowd of doctor's… but what was interesting about was, that two Anti-skill officers were standing right behind them. Saten, is something wrong? Uriharu asked. Saten still didn't answer, making Uriharu look in the same direction. ! . What do you think is going on? Saten asked a little after. I don't know, Uriharu answered, as Saten suddenly ran over to the doctors and Anti-skill officers. Wait Saten! Uriharu yelled. Saten however didn't stop, making Uriharu run after her. Um… excuse me? Saten asked, as she was only a couple meters away from the crowd. They all looked at her. Has something happened? Saten asked, as Uriharu came running up besides her. Please tell us. I'm Kazari Uriharu from judgement branch 1.7.7. Uriharu said, pulling out an armband from her backpack. The doctors looked at the two Anti-skill officers. One of them was Anti-skill's leader, Yomakawa, and the other one a good friend, Tesso. There was silence for a little while. One of the patients have been abducted, Yomakawa said, after thinking a for a little while. ! . The two girls stared at her. And that isn't all… the patient had a visitor at that time, and they were also taken, Yomakawa said, clenching her fists. But who'd do such a thing? Saten asked, still in shock.
We don't know anymore than you do, Tesso said, looking at the two girls with a serious Anti-skill look. But why? Uriharu asked, sounding worried. We don't know their motives, but we think it has something to do with the experiment that happened not to long ago, Yomakawa said, still clenching her fists. ! . Now neither Uriharu or Saten had anything to say, but just looked into the ground. They both felt so helpless during the experiment, since they just allowed Dark Matter to take Jenny so easily, and after that weren't able to do much, because of their levels. Please just stay out of this. You girls have been through a lot...please just let Anti-skill handle this one, you guys need a break, Tesso said, as all of them walked past the two shocked girls. Uriharu and Saten just stood like that for a little while, in silence. Then, finally Saten said something. Hm, she said we should stay out of this… well, it's not like there's much we can do anyway. Uriharu looked up at Saten who smiled. Hm… Uriharu looked away again with a sad expression on her face. Saten looked at her. Aw come on Uriharu, let's go get those drinks for Shirai, Saten said, as she began to walk towards he gift shop again. Uriharu didn't move, but still just looked into the ground. Saten realised her friend still hadn't begun to walk again and stopped. You coming Uriharu? She asked, looking at her friend. Uriharu didn't answer right away. Yeah… She said a little after, as she slowly walked after Saten.
(Shokuhou's story)
Hh, hhhh, hhh! Wait… Hh! Touma! Shokuhou said completely out of breath. Touma was already out of sight for Shokuhou. Shokuhou stopped running, and tried to catch her breath. Man… why am I always the one to get left behind? Shokuhou said, still completely exhausted. She stood like that for quite a long time, trying to catch her breath, finally getting it back after a long time. Hh, where did he go? Shokuhou asked, as she looked around. She was still in a back alley and the ways, that would make any person not used to using the alleys lost, were not that easy to find the right way through right now. Shokuhou walking in silence, but suddenly stopped as a weird feeling hit her. What's that? Another telepath? No.. the AIM field's different, but what is it? Shokuhou thought. She looked into the ground. Whatever it is it's right beneath me, Shokuhou thought. Suddenly another weird feeling hit her. What is this? Compressed AIM diffusion fields? Shokuhou thought, as a strong headache suddenly hit her. Tch, I don't know what you are doing here. But Aiko gave us strict orders to not let anybody get closer than you… Mental Out, a voice said, as a man wearing a jacket from another alley. I know you… You're from S.E.A.R.C.H, Shokuhou said in pain.
Yeah, and you've been outnumbered, the man said, as six more men came, all wearing the same jackets. One of them had something that looked like a remote control in his hand. You must all be very stupid, or have you all forgotten what happened last time I thought against your little organisation? Shokuhou asked, trying to ignore the pain she felt. Yeah… but this time, we have a weapon, and you're the perfect test subject, since we found out the EM hammer doesn't have much of an affect on level 5s, the man who appeared to be the leader said. Em hammer? But it's only an unfinished prototype, I've heard no organisation really finished building one, Shokuhou said. Yeah, well sometimes rumors takes long to spread, he guy holding he remote said, as he turned a button. Shokuhou felt her AIM fields compressing, causing her head to hurt even more. Damn it… Ugh! My ability as a telepath is reacting to the hammer, which means… Shokuhou said, feeling he pain increase. That's right. Normally he AIM hammer doesn't hurt an esper, except throwing their ability out of control once it's level is high enough, but… telepaths are an exception, he said, walking closer to Shokuhou. Shokuhou stared up at him, as he punched her in he stomach, and made her fly a couple meters back.
She still didn't say anything though, however the man who had just punched her smiled. Telepaths have a special connection to the brain, which reacts to the hammer in a different way than normal. Instead of simply causing your ability to go out of control, it's going to squish your brain because of it's compressing it's electrical signals that you constantly emit! He yelled, with a little crazy sounding voice. Shokuhous looked up at him, and reached down her bag while he didn't look. She then took out a remote control of her own and pressed a button on it. All of the men, except for the one holding the remote froze. The man holding the remote realised what she had done. Tch, you used your remote to block the electrical signals that he EM hammer emits, and at he same time took over my men, he said, staring at her. That's right. But since you have he controller to the EM hammer, which emits electrical signals powerful enough to even resist my ability, making you kind of immune to my ability, Shokuhou said, crossing her arms. But then he same way around, my controller gives me he ability to block out the Em hammer's electrical signals. This is actually a pretty funny sichuation, both of us being immune to the other one. Shall we see who is gonna win in the end? My telepathy ability, or your EM hammer, Shokuhou said, pointing the remote at him. He guy began to shake, and at last fell to his knees. Damn it… the muttered, as SHokuhou walked closer to him.
Now tell me. Earlier i fell a strong kind of telepathy ability underground. After you guys attacked me, I'm sure you know the answer to what that was, Shokuhou said, as she stopped right in front of the guy. He looked away and didn't answer. Shokuhou stared at him. If i were you, I'd answer. Look at the sichuation you're in, me having all of your men under my control, Shokuhou said. I could make them pursue suicide, or make them attack you any moment I want. The man slowly looked up at her. I don't know much… he finally said after a while. Well, what do you know? Shokuhou asked with a strict voice. The man didn't answer at first, but after a little while the finally spoke: They're called The system. I don't know much of what they can do, but only that all of them are people who have some kind of connection to the city, and that they're able to see everything that's going on in the city, and read everybody in this city's thoughts at the same time, he said, finally looking up.
Shokuhou looked back. So it was people i felt… I knew something was wrong, but how could somebody possibly see everything that's going on in the city? And what's more, even read everybody in this city's thoughts… Shokuhou thought, looking back at the man. What do you intend to do with these people? Shokuhou asked. I...I don't know. Only that Aiko planned to use them after the experiment, he said, beginning to sound nervous. Shokuhou looked at the remote. Aa long as he has that, i can't read his mind to check if he's lying… Shokuhou thought. I guess i'll just have to take his word for it, Shokuhou thought, pressing a button on her remote. Right after, all the men surrounding her fell unconscious. The man looked at her with a worried expression. Shokuhou turned around and was about to walk away, but stopped right as she was about to go around the corner. Don't worry, when they wake up, they won't remember any of this, and i suggest you do the same, Shokuhou said, walking away. The man stared after her for a while, and then looked at the remote. Darn it… the thought, finally letting go of the remote. After that, Shokuhou finally got out of the alley's, just to find the city in a really bad condition.
That Misaka… at this rate the city's gonna get destroyed before sunset, Shokuhou said, as she slowly began to run again. All over, people were getting evacuated, and were running towards safety, and Shokuhou was as the only one going the opposite direction. Miss… an Anti-skill officer said, as she grabbed her by the arm. Please evacuate along with everybody else… there's currently a serious threat to the city in that directio- The Anti-skill officer fell unconscious, and Shokuhou continued to walk without listening to any of the officers advice. Suddenly as she walked through the crowd she heard a somewhat familiar voice. So you're here too? The voice said. Shokuhou turned her head and saw a woman with long brown hair and chestnut eyes, standing and leaning up against a building. You're the fourth ranked… Meltdowner, Shokuhou said completely calm. Yeah, and you're the fifth ranked Mental Out, she said, still staring at the completely calm Shokuhou. The two level 5s went silent. Why are you here? Shokuhou asked. Do i need to tell you? I thought that you just could use your little ability to read my thoughts… or is there a reason you won't do that right now, Meltdowner said. I just can't use my ability carelessly right now… Shokuhou said, looking in the direction of a huge dark cloud. And why not? Don't tell me you actually care about that experiment, Mugino said, as she stopped to lean up against the wall. We level 5s have our pride to live up to… if one of us help out another, it'll seriously start some trouble in the underworld, you know that, right? Mugino said, staring at Shokuhou.
Of course I do. But what will you do when the city's gone? Right now, she's powerful enough to destroy the city if she wanted to, and not even Accelerator's reflection would be able to reflect her power right now, Shokuhou said, still completely calm. Mugino just stared at her, not seeming surprised. And just what do you expect to do about it? You can't even get close to her when she's normal, so just what do you hope to accomplish? Mugino asked. Shokuhou slowly looked at her. That's a good question, she said, as she turned around and walked away again. Ok, now Shokuhou's finished telling her story. Then… I just walked around until i found out the experiment had been stopped, Shokuhou said, still looking out of the window. Misaka looked a little surprised, but then looked away. S.E.A.R.C.H? That's he same guys from… Misaka thought, as she finally remembered all that had happened in the mall a couple weeks ago. But why? And who are they anyway? Misaka thought, thinking at the guy she had faught.
And who were those guys called The system? I wonder… is she one of them? Misaka thought, looking at Shokuhou again. She finally also looked at her. They were just like that for a couple minutes until Shokuhou began to walk towards the door. Goodbye, Shokuhou said, as she left without another word. Misaka stared at the door, trying to catch everything she had just learned. She lay down on her bed again, and stared into the ceiling.
(Back to Uriharu and Saten)
Uriharu carried three drinks in her arms, as she and Saten made their way towards Kuroko's room again. They were both in good spirit again. I'm so glad everything turned out like it did, Uriharu said, looking at her smiling black haired friend, who nodded. Saten suddenly looked interested down the hallway. Wait.. isn't this the hallway where that girl is? Saten asked, as she looked at Uriharu. Uh? I guess it is, Uriharu said, as she suddenly stopped and looked at a door. Saten stopped to. Hm? What's wrong Uriharu? Saten asked. Isn't this… her room? Uriharu asked, looking at the name outside the hospital room. Saten looked at the name tag. Haia Teitoku. Yeah… She said, as Uriharu suddenly walked towards the door. Where are you going? Saten asked. Uriharu didn't answer, and suddenly just opened the door. Wait! Saten yelled, even though it was already to late. A breeze met the two girls right as the door was opened. ! . They both stared into her room. The window was broken, and little pieces on glass was laying all over the floor. The bed was crooked, and the machine that probably was supposed to be plugged into somebody was laying on the floor. What happened here!? Saten yelled, as she and Uriharu both ran into the room. Saten ran over to the window and looked out of it, but she couldn't see anything besides the city. What' going on here? Uriharu thought, as she suddenly stepped on something. She looked down. What's this? She thought, as she picked it up. It looked like a little metal plate, but there was something weird about it. In he center up it was something that looked like a weird blue, glowing gue. What is this? Uriharu thought as she touched the blue gue with her finger.
That was a big mistake. Right as Uriharu touched it, he plate began to glow really bright. Saten noticed. Uriharu, what's going on? Saten asked, looking at he glowing plate. I don't know… I just found- AHHHH! Uriharu suddenly yelled, as light blue electricity came out of he glowing plate. Uriharu! Saten yelled, trying to get closer to her friend. Even so, the enormous amount of power was like a shield, and i just pushed Saten back as she tried to get closer. AHHH! Uriharu yelled in pain, as the plate suddenly stopped glowing and the electricity began to fade away. URIHARU! Saten yelled running over to her unconscious friend. Uriharu had burn marks all over her body, and she was still smoking from the electricity's heat. Saten sat down beside her, and held up her head. Uriharu! Please answer me! Saten yelled as tears began to appear in her eyes. What's going on!? A familiar voice yelled. Saten looked up at the door, and saw Yomakawa standing there together with the group of doctors. I'm sorry… we didn't know… Saten said with tears, as she looked at Uriharu. What happened to her!? Yomakawa asked, as she quickly stood beside them. I.. I don't know, she just touched this weird plate, and suddenly electricity began to come out of it, Saten said, hugging Uriharu tightly. What weird plate? We already looked through he room, but we didn't find anything, Yomakawa said, looking at both of them. Well.. it was, Saten looked around. ! . It's gone… she said, sounding really surprised.