Author's Notes: Been hell of a busy week. Anyhow, here's the latest chapter ;D. Enjoy the read and review thanks.

Chapter 9: Into the Outback

"Halt! What are you doing here?"

"Necessarius comes…to uncover your secrets."

"What?"

"Let me just show you. Come forth Innocentius!"

Ten minutes later, Stiyl Magnus is reading a set of document. Behind him is a big burned mess. No human lives are lost for they have fled. He wasn't satisfied as he thought from the summary of the read. So it isn't here. This is all the more troublesome. Time is short before Doomsday.

"Good afternoon mate, enjoy your stay."

"Thank you." Touma said the third English word he has learnt in his entire life. Sure he might have lost his memories but his language skills were retained, so surely he could have spoken fluent English if he knew it before then. Or maybe it did get wiped out along. He wouldn't know the truth of either possibility. Does it even matter?

Yes Kamijou Touma, you are in Australia, particularly in the city of Canberra. This was once a quiet outback of forests. Deserts filled with wildlife and the aborigines. Then in the 18th century came the British, creating a prison colony in these unclaimed lands. Decades went by and Australia grew through thick and thin to be what it is today.

Touma regrouped with Kuroko, Misaka, Uiharu, Saten and Yori beyond the row of custom counters. As likewise contrary to their regular fittings, they wore something more suitable. Touma was dressed in his casual white plus blue shirt and brown pants. Kuroko was wearing a white lacey blouse with frills, a long black skirt and some heeled shoes, rather aristocratic I'd say. Misaka on the other hand was more practical, wearing blue jeans, a brown shirt and white shoes. Uiharu and Saten aimed towards the formal side wearing in a style similar to their regular uniforms. Just change the colours around to a red top, yellow skirt for Uiharu, silver and teal for Saten. Yori was back into his sports gear, the typical three quarter pants and simple clean white shirt. Touma questioned their mission here. "What do we know about this place?"

It was Uiharu's turn to explain. "This place, Ridford Chemistries is a chemical research and development facility. It is the only one of such facility here in Canberra."

"Anyhow..." Yori continued. "This facility has something to do with Armastech, the one your friend Stiyl provided. "

Touma had a small revelation. "Speaking of Stiyl, isn't he here in Australia too?" Touma reached for his cell phone and dialed. It connected easily to Stiyl's calm voice. "Stiyl, are you in Australia? We just got off the airport of Canberra."

Stiyl appeared enthusiastic. "Good. I need to see you quickly. This issue is now very urgent. We must meet in the city." The call ended.

Half an hour walk in the day blistering heat of Australia would be taxing for their strength if they took the train to the city. Yori took the easier way, hiring a taxi to travel their way. Now in a small café, they drank their cold drinks with comfy leather seats as the locals glance at them now and then.

Touma asked. "How did you manage to sneak them through the tight security?" He meant Yori's twin pistols. They were still out of sight but they surely have to be on him somewhere.

Yori explained as he leaned back in his seat. "I had to leave the wakizashi back home unfortunately. Speagle and Devil's Trigger are kept in a hidden compartment designed in my hips. The polymer skin absorbs the magnetic waves, making them undetectable. Apparently whoever weaponized me had thought of a stealthy approach too."

"Wow, it's such a different place." Saten admired the view outside. She had never once traveled outside Japan throughout her entire life. The same goes for Uiharu. The remaining four had their decent travels. The city of Samara came to mind during their attack to save a Sister and bring down the Russian mafia involved with the weapons smuggling into Academy City. Don't forget the Pedobear too.

Kuroko noted. "This place is very hot and certainly detrimental to our skin." Kuroko is correct with temperatures ranging up to 30 degrees Celsius and higher. That is hot compared to the normally temperate Japan or Academy City.

Yori smirked. "You think this is hot, wait till you go to the deserts." The temperatures there is said to be able to cook an egg with just the sun.

Touma noticed Stiyl entering through the front door. The magician easily noticed the small Japanese band. He gestured for them to leave. "We must make a move."

Saten moaned. "Eh…. Can't we discuss your urgent issues here?" There are just so many things to look at in the city.

Stiyl gave Saten an eye. The menacing look spooked her into obedience. "I see you brought quite a number Kamijou. I'll explain as we go." They eventually obliged and followed him outside to a white van. It had a radio dish on top. Stiyl opened the rear doors and got in. An array of equipment meant for television broadcasting is arranged around inside. They got in with their light luggage and the van started off towards the city outskirts.

"First off, tell me the reason you're here." Stiyl asked as he settled down into a simple office seat. The others settled down as well.

Yori said as he gestured. "Uiharu here found a lead from the file you handed over. It said about something called ESK for a project named HK."

Stiyl grimaced. "The ESK…that is what my lead has brought me here too. If we do not destroy it, everything of science will be destroyed." Wait…what?

Kuroko argued. "How can you destroy science? Science is knowledge and it's everywhere in our daily life!"

Stiyl reached for a cigarette. Kuroko isn't aware of the magic world. "Let me ask you this. What is the pride of Academy City?"

Saten answered bluntly. "Espers."

"Correct." He lit his stick with the lighter. "What would happen if every esper is killed?"

Misaka answered this time. "Chaos but obviously it's not going to happen." The numbers of espers are very large and spread out throughout the world. In order to exterminate all of them will take a great amount of time and resources. The lower levels will be relatively…troublesome. The top tiers will be next to impossible.

Stiyl opened a file at the equipment desk. "What if I tell you that it's possible?" He pulled a picture from the file. It showed a small gas container the size of a pepper spray. "This much of ESK or should I say Esper Killer is enough to kill hundreds with one hundred percent fatality." One hundred percent fatality with no non esper losses is the perfect achievement for a specified bio-weapon in this era.

Yori asked. "How does it work?" If this weapon is mass produced and utilized excessively, the influence of the science side will wane dangerously low. That can lead to a big shift in power across the world. A big shift of power leaves a gap and that gap will create conflicts. These conflicts will escalate to a world war.

Stiyl handed him a few papers. "From these, it's said that this ESK is to have a chemical reaction to Trixine, a drug that is used to enhance physical development of espers. It's said to create extreme amounts of highly acidic substances as a byproduct. That results in brain hemorrhaging, burns and ultimately death.

"That's like…getting your brain melted." Yori simplified it to Basic English. Thank you Dr Yori.

Sityl agreed. "That is pretty much the case. It is flammable, so it can be easily removed as well when necessary. The main Ridford facility is at the outskirts of the city. We must destroy the data and the gas at all costs." He didn't need to explain the consequences.

Yori chambered a round into his Speagle. "Let's bring it down then."

Daddy, how are you in Italy? Mommy and I are doing fine at home. She is still bothered with your work there but I suppose she'll be okay when you come home.

I managed to win first place in our local ice skating tournament! I feel so happy Daddy. It's been so long since I won! I want to win even more now since the accident. I want to see you smile when I carry that trophy.

Daddy, I've been praying to God as always. Mr Hugh was right after all. God saves those who pray for his blessings. Anyway I have to go. I want to see you soon Daddy. Love you.

The Ridford Chemistries facility looks like any conventional gas refinery. It is a standalone complex with wide open fields around it. Many large canisters with pipes going all over the place. Its size could be said to be a dozen football fields. The van stopped several hundred meters away, out of human sight. The searing heat will be enough to mirage them for the time being. Yori asked prior to entry. "How will we do this?"

Stiyl put the file away. They'll take the direct approach. "We get in through the front door and head to the control room. From there, we will be able to vent the gasses out into the wild and destroy the data." That should be easy isn't it?

Uiharu tapped the keys of her laptop. "I'm in their security network .There's hardly anyone inside the refinery."

Sityl wasn't satisfied. "Quantify hardly."

Uiharu gave the details. "There are about ten people or so including the two guards." Yeah, that sounds easy.

"Then let's get it done." They disembarked from the van and made their way in the open grassy fields. The van will stay put until they get back. The driver is a Necessarius logistician, having no combat capabilities at all and so he will wait. If they don't get back…it's not a good thing. The guards didn't need to be incapacitated for they were dozing off in the afternoon heat. Stiyl just left a charm to keep them asleep. He'll try to avoid using his dangerous spells in such a volatile place.

Kuroko set her phone on loudspeaker, allowing Uiharu to guide them directly to the objective. "Go straight two hundred meters and take a right. Nobody's in the way. They are on lunch break." So much the better!

The infiltrators made haste into one of the few complex buildings. The grey hallways inside are dull from age. It didn't matter a thing as they went up a stairs higher and higher to the top floor. "You're almost there. There's one person in the control room and he's asleep."

"Good." Stiyl answered as they hurried the last hallway before reaching the control room.

"Isn't this a little too easy?" Touma had a gut feeling warning him.

"They aren't expecting us at all. It's to be expected." Yori assured. They entered the control room and had a surprise. The entire place is….black. It is pitch black with no shadow, nothing. The light outside couldn't penetrate into the darkness before the door closed, putting them all into utter darkness.

Stiyl lit a small fire from his fingertip. It illuminated them but nothing else. He was clearly puzzled as his eyes scanned around for details. "Where is this?"

Kuroko spoke to her phone. "Uiharu, are you there?" The answer was fuzzy static. "Damn, there isn't any signal." Where have they gone to now?

ZAP!

All five of them collapsed to the ground in pain. Touma felt his strength sapped from him. His insides felt really messed up. Add a splitting headache to that. What just happened? It certainly wasn't electricity as Misaka is also affected by it.

The blackness began to subside, turning grey into white. The control room began to reveal itself. A blonde man stood by the window at the end. He wore a beaver hat with black shades. His clothes are elaborately high class with many frills along the sleeves of the arm and body. Brown shaded shoes did the finishing touch. "Welcome to God's shadow." He said in a pastor's voice.

Stiyl bit his lip lightly. "Roman Catholics, I should have known." Let the opera music begin.

"You intruders seek to stop our goals. I, Addam Daniel of God's shadow will not let you do so."

Touma cracked his knuckles. "We outnumber you. You best surrender now." They have the advantage and they can easily overpower him especially with Touma in the offensive. He felt better however to convince the enemy to surrender instead. It makes things simpler and as the quote goes to win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the acme of skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the acme of skill courtesy of Sun Tzu.

"Oh, I'm not outnumbered than you think. I'll let you meet your playmates now." He raised a hand straight up. From the shadows arose dark murky substances that begin to take shape. The shapes they took gave a terrifying shock.

Yori said in disbelief. "What the hell's that?" Yori trained his pistol at his duplicate self. All of them have their own duplicate just across them. They are the same down to the very detail. Every cell to every fabric they wore is identical. I think I need to get my eyes checked.

Addam said with pride. "I've summoned the opposites of you and they will vanquish you all!" With that, the battle of mirrors began.

The Toumas pushed it to a kick start, charging towards one another. Electricity arched over them in a dance of electrons. The two Kamijous threw their right punches to clash in the middle. By the side, nails and bullets traded positions, always missing their intended targets. Electronic consoles shatter from the collateral damage. Shrapnel, casings and nails fell to the floor as the temperature of air surge with the presence of fire.

Touma jabbed with his left before stepping closer with a close up right punch. Both attacks were dodged with two steps back and counterattacked with a knee strike. Touma deflect the knee to the side before blocking an overhead two handed smash from hitting his heart.

The Stiyls were in a medieval battle of swordplay. Swords of fire slash with one another but they do not give sparks or smoke. He grits his teeth as they got stuck in grid lock. "I can't believe this."

The other Stiyl answered. "That a piece of shit like you exists."

"You are quite the annoying one." Stiyl twisted the angle of his blade, allowing him to slip under the passing blade. He wanted to stab when the other sword come back from a low swing, smashing his up and away from attacking potential.

The Kurokos were….nowhere to be seen. All that could be seen was afterimages of teleporting. Clattered nails were quickly reused as infinite lasting weapons. Even nails that hovered in midair for a second was retrieved as gravity started to take over. There are just not enough nails between the two.

The remaining two pairs of warriors are certainly the noisiest. Zip Zap and bang bang were chaos of sound. Some bullets were shot off each other or even redirected by the electromasters for their own attacks. Both sides have the mirror of abilities, easily defending whatever attacks that they themselves use.

Addam laughed in the background. "Isn't it so sweet to meet your peril by your own self? This is God's punishment to you all!" Behind the magician, a wave of black began to seep throughout the control room.

Misaka yelled. "Enough with your bull!" Her electric strike was again absorbed by her opposite.

"Quiet you goody two shoes!"

"You shut up!" Misaka used her electromagnetism to forcefully pull a sharp piece of metal out of its console skin. She struck but it was avoided as the other Misaka retrieved her own miniature knife. Girl fight just got very sharp.

Yori switched tactics as well, going for an up close battle. The two activated their stored blades and struck simultaneously. Their free hands sought to shoot with their pistols. They both twist and dodge in a standstill of their swords.

As if they are clearly synchronized, their bladed hand reached to fire as well. They defended each other's attack by using their pistol's barrel to nudge the other barrel out of alignment. Bullets brushed past their skin as they fought hand to hand in the form movie enthusiasts would call Gun Kata. Metal clashed along with bullets striking the floors and walls at twisted angles. The original said. "Hi me."

A casual reply came back. "Hi." The original deflected the gun with his arm, letting the bullet whiz by his ear. His shot was blocked by a force from the wrist, firing perpendicularly away from them. Their legs shuffled about the floor, trying to acquire the optimal position and advantage.

"Feeling an exercising mood?" Their deadlock was broken a wave of fire sliced between them. As soon as it cleared, bullets met bullets before their blades clashed multiple times into another deadlock.

"It's the same as you."

"So we are."

Touma pulled back in a slide across the metallic floor. He is now on the defensive, avoiding another swipe across the centre. He repelled the continued barrage of strikes. His dark self-taunted. "Heh, is this supposed to be the other side of me? What a useless person you are."

"What do you fight for?" Touma deflected a blow to go past his left cheek.

"Oh you think you're being the good hero now are you? You have the hand of the Devil. How can you be a good guy?" The dark Touma sneered.

"What makes you think I have the hand of the devil?"

"I know for I am your devil!" Dark Touma struck with his right elbow. "I will kill you and rampage across this world!"

Touma felt rage building inside him. "If this is what the dark side of me is to be…" Touma stopped a punch by holding it tight with his palm. "Then I'll end this illusion of yours!" Touma went with a full counterattack mode against the very evil of himself.

The battle of teleporters is often three dimensional or should I say eleven dimensions instead. You have to consider two planes which are reality and the eleventh dimension. In both dimensions, the positioning and angles of attack are almost exactly the same. The strain of constantly teleporting while focusing to fight is extremely demanding. Only combatants at Level 4 and beyond could manage a feat. With combatants of the very same style, it is hard to be the same and yet hard to be different. In the eleventh dimension, their voices sound more like echoes due to the properties of translation and rotation with respect to time.

"You're better than I thought."

"I am better than you, lesbian."

"That's plain exaggeration"

"I know exactly what you are capable off. I, the one on the true path of life will dominate you."

"We'll see about that."

The battle between magicians is a very complex one as well. Every intended effect the magician intends has a spell for it. Each spell has its counter spell. These counter spells have their own counters and the list goes on. Commonly, these spells and counter spells are all not known to them. Experience and skill is what resembles the strength of a magician.

On the other for these two, their skill level is on par being exact mirrors. Their experiences are the same. Their tendencies and weaknesses are the same. The timing of their spells and limitations are exact. One wrong move and the effect will exponentially slide even greater. They both knew that as their swords clashed. Innocentius by default isn't a card they can play. After all, how does fire kill the fire? In this kind of battle, the pinnacle of this battle can be lead only by the probability of luck.

The dark Stiyl said with malice. "Life of smokes has turned you into the pile of crap I'm seeing. It despises me to see myself being so weak."

"Now that's just you bullshitting." The original Sityl Magnus sliced low before casting a wall of fire forward in quick sucession.

"Oh really? I can feel your stamina already almost worn out." Dark Stiyl replied.

"Your stamina is almost gone as well. After all, you're a copy from me."

"Silence and I will kill this shit of myself!" Rings of fire shot forth from both sides, making the environment really hot.

Outside beyond the confines of the raging battle, a certain number of people are waiting anxiously for results. Saten tapped her finger impatiently as the digital clock ticked second after second. The anxiety of the battle is unnerving for those who have to wait. Saten was getting restless by each passing moment. I should have gone with them myself! Uiharu on the other hand was still relatively calm…assuming by body language of course. The third person, their driver was still waiting patiently in the driving seat. Again, it appears to be confidence of getting the job done.

Saten looked over to Uiharu. The computer specialist shook her head. There is no response from any of the others inside. Something is wrong but what exactly is wrong? Saten made up her mind. She looked around for anything of use, a tool or weapon, anything. Uiharu easily caught that notion of Saten. "You're planning to go after them don't you?"

"They're taking too long! They surely need our help!" After all, the last thing they saw was one person sleeping in the control room before the cameras went black with static. Outside the van, they couldn't hear anything except the hot wind and the occasional action of a large compressor. Saten found a blade, useful as a basic weapon. She opened the rear van door but was stopped short from leaving by a firm hand. "Uiharu?"

Uiharu shook her head. "We must have faith in them. They're all capable of doing what they need to do. Rushing ourselves into the problem might complicate things further for them. Patience is a virtue." She advised her classmate.

Saten was reluctant but she pulled the door back shut and set the blade back into place. For now, they will wait and wait and wait….

Yori smirked at his own face. His wrists worked to deflect the guns of his enemy while aiming his own. "The one thing I hate the most is fighting my own self."

His copy answered. "I can agree with that, Demon."

"Aren't you the Demon?"

"Aren't you?"

Yori chuckled. "Then…it's ironic."

"Ironic it is…shall we talk over a cup of coffee?"

"You mean hot chocolate."

"Yeah, that was just testing you."

"Smart."

"Aren't we?"

Addam was busy preparing his killer move, the Death pit. The black substance continues to spread further along the floors and ceiling, permeated with the energy needed. Once cast, it will kill everyone in its range with one swift stroke. What he didn't expect was both Yoris to stop and train their weapons at him. He had a shock of his life. "How can it be?"

Both gunslingers answered simultaneously. "Your spell is very clear cut between extremely good and extremely evil. It's a very bad power when the good guy is also the bad guy like the rest of us sorry lots." Their eyes turned red. "Now die!" Addam had to make a defensive black shield to protect himself. The spread of creeping death stopped to a standstill. The real Yori said in the midst of their bullets "We'll slow him down. Finish your enemies off!"

Hearing this, Misaka went for her trump weapon. She threw several coins into the air. Using electromagnetism to control their descent, she charged up for the Railgun. "One hundred percent all out!" The one thing she hates is to see herself hurt people! "Take this!"

"Oh really? Take your own medicine!" Both Electromasters fired the Railguns. Both energies tried to surpass one another but they aren't alone. Misaka used her other hand to charge and fired the second, third, fourth coin. The heat shockwave was immense. It became a five on five Railgun match. Sparks fly in blue and red. "From the bottom of my heart…I will beat you to an end!" Her Railgun broke through and penetrated through. Dark Misaka fell backwards and vanished into black particles.

Touma swung his leg low in a kick. His opposite self leapt with an overhead blow. Touma deflect it aside while his other hand counterattacked simultaneously. It met centre mass, lifting the entire weight of the dark essence. He followed up with seven rapid strikes in the chest before punching the face with a hard swipe. Touma finished it off with an upper cut, throwing Dark Touma into the air. It cursed as it vanished into nothing. "You Bas…"

The Yoris split ways, giving an opening. "Touma, finish him!" Touma charged forward, shattering the shield with his Imagine Breaker. The real Yori said to his copy as Touma proceeded to whack Addam real good. "I hope I won't ever see you again."

The other Yori nodded. "One of us is enough for the world. See yah in Hell." Touma gave the knockout blow, forcing the disappearance of the Dark Shadows.

Kuroko was dissatisfied, being covered with sweat. "I didn't get to reeducate her!" Stiyl didn't give a damn and proceeded to continue with the mission.

He said after working the one remaining working console. "Our fight has caused a lot of damage. Several pipelines are leaking the ESK gas. We must destroy this building."

"We need a full scale fire to ensure everything's gone." Kuroko presented the second requirement.

"Let's get out of here. I know just the thing." Misaka suggested. The blue colored gas began entering the control room as they left in a hurry.

"What's your idea?" Yori asked the Electromaster Princess.

"I can destroy it from the outside. My idea should work." They made it out of the refinery now standing by the guard post. "Break off that gate arm." Yori did as he was told. Misaka instructed as he held the heavy metal piece. "Toss it into the air." The arm went into the air as she charged for another Rail gun. "Take this!" She punched and fired a lethal projectile. What happens when you put heat to a flammable gas?

It broke through the refinery tanks and pipelines, destroying the entire facility in a huge ball of flames. It was powerful enough that they could feel a shockwave emanating from the core of the blast. The van stopped beside the assault team and they sped away seconds later into the wild outback.