Author's Notes: Here's another chapter out. Final exams are over and I'm churning the initial drafts as much as possible. There are still a lot of plot edits required for the draft so they will take some time. Paper wise, I only have the epilogue left but I probably would not be touching that for a while. I hope you enjoy the read and review. Thanks.

Chapter 13: Humanity

NON LINEARITY DETECTED AT 5%

ACCURACY DEVIATION by 10%

CONSISTENCY REDUCED BY 10%

MANUAL REPAIRS RECOMMENDED

"You can't be serious…only now?"

"We'll handle things here." The purple haired Anti-Skill woman said before sending the Tokiwadai girls off their way. The small group of researchers including Therestina Kihara has been arrested and taken away to the city penitentiary for further questioning and detainment. Now the two girls stood outside the mansion.

"Where's Yori?" Misaka noted. He wasn't with the Anti-Skill when they arrived.

"I reckon he's at home, probably sour about me taking his fight." Kuroko estimated.

Misaka's phone beeped twice. She read the message that just arrived. She said as she put the phone away. "I need to see someone. I have to go."

Kuroko accepted. "Okay Onee Sama. I suppose I'll check on Yori. I'd hate for his emotional problems to come back." The two split ways as the sun is beginning to set in the background.

Dok Dok

The door to Yori's hideout opened. Yori asked casually at the teleporter. "What brings you here?" He was holding a screwdriver in his living hand.

"I'm here to check up on your mental state." That is her reply.

Yori raised an eyebrow. "Uh huh….I'm fine with your choice today so no biggie."

"Okay then. I'll let you do your thing." Kuroko started to turn around for home when Yori said.

"Wait a second."

She completed her 360 spin. "What is it?"

Yori explained. "I need a favour. I'll explain inside." She raised an eyebrow and entered the hideout.

"What is this favour you want?" She took liberty of seating on a chair.

Yori put the screwdriver onto the table. "My arms and leg electrics were messed up from some electric and magnetic interference. Now the energy sources give an incorrect voltage output to my parts. That gives me some problems so I need them retuned back."

"Can't you do it yourself?" Kuroko asked.

"Well..." Yori went on with the problem. He explained as he scratched the back of his head. "You see, the power source for my legs is installed out of my hand's effective reach."

Kuroko questioned further. "Where would that be?"

"My butt."

"What?" Kuroko didn't hear it right.

Yori repeated. "My butt."

"YOU'RE ASKING ME TO WORK SOMETHING AT YOUR BUTT? NO THANK YOU!" Kuroko turned to leave in fury. It's a natural response. Nobody asks a girl to perform a procedure on a guy's butt unless she's a doctor or a nurse but she isn't either.

Yori grabbed Kuroko's arm. "I'm serious. Will you help me fix it please?" Kuroko felt at a standstill. Could she let it slide or slap that pervert in the face? "Please…"

Kuroko pulled her arm away, looking rather agitated. "Fine, if I mess anything up it's not my fault."

"Deal." Yori handed her a small screwdriver as he laid himself onto the table. He pulled the polymer skins that sheathed his metal legs and arm free. Putting the synthetic skin aside, he turned onto his belly and pulled his short pants down. Kuroko was able to witness the outer surface of machinery that gets Yori about. The butt opened outwards, revealing two silver pistols and rows of magazines neatly tucked away at the outer skins. She slowly removed them from the compartment as Yori began to work on his arm.

Yori mentioned as he begun using his fine screwdriver at the forearm. "There are four small screws for it. Open it up and you'll see some electronics." Kuroko identified it easily and began unscrewing the mechanical fasteners.

Her thoughts emanated in her ears. I can't believe I'm opening a man's butt. Well Kuroko, it is Academy City, the city where anything beyond crazy is always a normal thing. This is no exception. She removed the small plate and is greeted by the PCB board the size of that same plate. All sorts of nanochips and processors are built into the board. The power supply should be in here. "Where is it?"

Yori retrieved a small mirror and used its reflection to get a better view. "The power supply knob's at the top of my hips, so it'll be to your right." Kuroko moved the screwdriver carefully to the right side of the electronic board. "Look for a bolt that isn't binding anything."

"There's so many!" Kuroko stated a fact.

Yori moved to a solution. "Then show me."

Kuroko pointed to him via the mirror. "Is it this one?"

"A little to the left."

"This?"

"Up a bit more."

"This?"

"Bingo. Now just wait until I finish up here." He resumed using his tiny screwdriver to perform the minute adjustments. Kuroko was required to wait as she held the screwdriver at the right knob.

It's quite complex. Kuroko now began to observe the details of this construct. The amount of electronics used is astoundingly small to fit the hips of a person. Her eyes moved across the metal plate and she caught a glimpse of the core. So this is it… She noticed the leg's skeletal core that makes the leg work. It looked so thin compared to the shell, just like its real biological counterpart minus the muscles. The remaining parts of the leg were sealed off since it wasn't part of the work area. "So Yori…"

"Hmm?"

Kuroko asked. "How does it feel to have these?" Nobody she knew has worn prosthesis except him of course.

Yori stopped his work for a moment. "It feels like…it's unreal. It feels like it's a part of me and yet it isn't. It doesn't need food or oxygen, only electricity. It never gets tired. It doesn't feel touch or pain when I chose for it to be so. It feels at times really…alien."

"I see." Kuroko quietened. Yori returned to work. To be unable to feel is truly a sad thing. This type of thing should not be felt by anyone. Losing a limb is like losing yourself.

Snap

"You there?" Yori snapped his fingers again, bringing Kuroko out of her thoughts. "I'm done here. Now turn the knob clockwise very slowly."

"You mean like this?" Kuroko gave a full turn of the screwdriver.

"Urk!" Yori grunted in electric shock kind of pain. His legs jolted, forcing Kuroko back to avoid being smacked in the face with metal. "Too much! Slowly like really slowly!"

Kuroko shook her head as she began attuning his systems VERY slowly. At least I'll help him take the next step to a better life.

Night has arrived. For many students, it means the time to return to home and continue whatever they need to do. For Misaka Mikoto, she has something else to accomplish beforehand. "What is it that you want me for?" Misaka asked as she leaned against the railing of a bridge.

"We know of your past relationship with saviour Kamijou Touma Misaka presents introductions." Misaka 10032 speaks as she stood just beside her in a stiff manner.

"What about it?" The original didn't like where this is going.

10032 continued. "We know that a new development has occurred between the Saviour and Onee Sama."

Misaka was adamant. "I'd rather not talk about it." As time may have passed, the pains of incident will always remain. It might disappear but it leaves a sensitive sore.

Misaka Imouto pressed on. "It is important. Misaka informs."

"What's so important about my relationship with him?" Misaka demanded. She was starting to become annoyed.

"Your dismissal of him creates new opportunities for the SISTERS. Misaka reports of the possibilities. Thus, we would like to inform you in advance before we enact our plan."

Misaka blinked. "Wait a second. What kind of opportunities? What kind of plan are you all thinking about?"

"A chance to pursue a romantic relationship with the Saviour Misaka informs the objective."

Misaka turned to face her sister. "HAR?" The Original had a shock of her life. "Are you all out of your minds?"

Misaka Imouto for once made an expression. It was a glare. "We are not, Misaka confirms. With Onee Sama out of the equation, our objective has been made easier by seventy percent. Misaka provides estimated probabilities."

Misaka was at a loss. "Why? Why do you want him?"

"The same reason Onee Sama wanted him."

The next morning….

Kuroko got up from bed. The time is eight in the morning. It is a weekend so there aren't any classes. She sighed. "Why did I have to accept his request…again?" She got up and prepared for the day. Unknowingly, a pair of ears was listening in.

"Eh? Kuroko's going on a date?" Saten exclaimed in total surprise.

Uiharu nodded as she put her cell phone away. "It sounds that way from Misaka."

"I can't believe Kuroko got herself a boyfriend especially considering her tendencies!" Saten pumped a fist into the air. "We must see who it is!"

"Hai! Misaka say she's heading for the underground mall!"

"Let's go!" Saten started off with a flip of a particular skirt.

"Kyaa!"

Sometime later, Uiharu asked. "Any idea who is he?" Despite being with Kuroko most of the time, she doesn't see much of any connection that is solid enough for an educated guess.

"No idea." Misaka answered. The two girls from the Sakugawa Middle School had rendezvoused with the Tokiwadai Ace secretly. Now they are watching Kuroko waiting at an entrance from the far ends of a corner. So far, she doesn't notice.

"Honestly Kuroko! Your dating sense needs work!" Saten willed her thoughts but they never reached. She wanted to do something about it but can't. "You really shouldn't be wearing your uniform for a date!"

"I wonder how he will be like." Uiharu thought out loud.

Saten had the answer. "He must be tall, masculine, elegantly dressed man to affect even Kuroko! I bet his name is Marco!"

Misaka felt a sweat pop. "How on earth did you get that idea?" Her eyes observe Kuroko began to move. "He's here!" The three pair of stalker eyes pulled out to watch the teleporter intently. The result is simply unexpected. "Yori?"

"Hs Kuroko turned tsundere? She talked bad about his behaviour back in Australia!" Uiharu said in revelation. Yori dressed in a white long collared shirt and blue denim pants approached Kuroko. They talked for a moment before moving on together.

"Since its Yori, we might as well show ourselves." Misaka started to step out from cover but was pulled back by a certain girl.

"We can't do that!" Saten warned. "This is a chance for their love to bloom!" Saten stood in a pose noteworthy to a gospel. "Even if I have to sacrifice my chance with Yori, I'll gladly do it for Kuroko's sake!" She put on a military cap. "Operation Spy Love commences!"

Misaka frowned as Uiharu sighed. "Where she'd get that?" The further gesturing from Saten forced the two to move on. The trio leapt from cover to cover, staying a reasonable distance back as they stalked their targets.

"Where are they going?"

"I don't know!"

"They don't appear to be stopping!"

"Shh! They might hear us!"

Yori turned around prior to entering a store. Kuroko raised an eyebrow. "Is something wrong?"

"It's nothing, just a hunch." He turned back and entered a Chinese restaurant. If only he knew…

"Wow! They're having such an exotic lunch! I'm jealous." Saten almost wanted to scream it out.

"I don't think it is." Uiharu pointed. The two left almost instantly with an additional pair of bags. "Those are takeaways."

"And that is enough for a lot of people." Misaka estimated it to be enough for two dozen people. This feels very familiar.

"Maybe they're planning for an all-day movie marathon!" Saten suggested.

Misaka frowned. "I doubt it is. Let's continue following or we'll lose them." They weren't spotted throughout the entire pursuit of the teleporter and gunslinger. They took a train ride shortly to the 13th District, creating a sense of déjà vu for Misaka but she put it aside. Whatever's going on between the two must be revealed! Misaka smacked her face when they finally reached the place the two were heading.

Cypress Park Orphanage

"Why did they come here?" Saten is in complete shock. They've all been here for multiple reasons. For Saten and Uiharu's case, it was a matter of punishment of bad grades. For Kuroko and Misaka, it was finding the weakness of their Dorm Mistress. Now...what's Yori's purpose here?

"I never knew Yori would be involved with them." Uiharu said as Yori and Kuroko greeted the child errors there. Yori the gunslinger for hire in the underground world and Child Errors do not mix.

A demonic voice replied with a question. "What are you girls doing here?" Misaka immediately froze in fear. She knew who the voice belongs to. She slowly turned around like a frozen ice.

"Dorm Mistress…." The other girls stiffened as well. They two knew how dangerous she is. They had a very good demonstration during the first week of friendship with the two Tokiwadai girls. Misaka squeaked. "It's good to see you here."

"Honestly…" Kuroko gave a sigh. "What were you three thinking? Sneaking around like that." The five of them now stood outside the gate while the Dorm Mistress went inside the orphanage. This after all wasn't her issue.

"We were just curious of where you're going." Misaka answered.

Kuroko's eyes gleamed. "Oh Onee Sama, I felt your heart warming care! I must return it in kind." She leapt forward…to be zapped in mid-air…again.

Yori told them the real objective. "I'm visiting a friend here and I thought I could use some company to make the icebreaking easier." He added. "Since you're all here, we can all have fun together."

Misaka asked. "What's your planned agenda for today?"

Yori was on the down side. "Well, I wasn't too sure. Maybe play with them, bake a cake or something?" Kuroko shook her head in disappointment. It looked the one where one would insult someone of bad planning with just their face.

Kuroko suggested as she recovered from being a burnt corpse. "Then we'll play with them, you bake the cake."

"Hey, what's with that?" Yori frowned.

Kuroko explained. "We're better suited to that with the kids than you."

"Oh come on, you don't have to put it that way." He then noted. "Besides, don't you think it's a bit unsafe to play with those kinds of skirts?" The response from Kuroko was a painful one. A powerful kick shot straight up, hitting Yori by the chin. He flew up for a moment before crashing down hard into the ground. "I'll…take that back."

Meanwhile in Judgment office 177, Konori Mii was busy at work. She is alone today since Uiharu and Kuroko disappeared off to somewhere on official leave of course. If otherwise, she might just kill them when they get back. Nevertheless, there isn't anyone entering the office for assistance. This means Konori can focus on her task at hand. She was however disturbed by a certain person.

"Yo. It's quite quiet here today." Wataru Kurozuma entered the office. In his hands is a box of Musashino milk. He welcomed himself in, closing the door in the process.

"Uiharu and Kuroko took a day off for something." She continued her work on the computer. Kurozuma was done putting the box into the office fridge. He stood beside her and noticed.

"Yori Tamotsu? Isn't he dead?" A file containing his official information was on her desk beside her keyboard. On the screen were more attempts to gather information regarding this individual.

"Not anymore. He survived the explosion although he lost an arm for it." Konori explained. "Now I want to find out what has happened to him in the past three months."

"Why don't you just ask?" Kurozuma pointed the obvious.

"He's related to the Armastech case as well. His part isn't that essential gathering since Kuroko and Uiharu know enough about him. I'd like to work on this part along the side."

"I see I see." Kurozuma opened a carton of milk for his consumption. "Then I suppose we can just enjoy the time finding out about our mysterious friend here."

CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY

VOICE LOG DATED 2 YEARS AGO

THE REPORT YOU ARE ABOUT TO SEE IS HIGHLY CLASSIFIED UNDER JURISDICTION OF THE CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. ANY ATTEMPT TO UTILIZE THIS INFORMATION WITHOUT GRANTED PERMISSION BY THE AGENCY SHALL DEEM IT ILLEGAL AND HEAVY HANDED ACTION WILL BE CHARGED. REFUSAL TO BE CHARGED IN COURT SHALL RESULT IN EFFECTIVE LETHAL ACTION.

Time Stamp: Local Time 11.00 P.M

Location: Kowloon City District, Hong Kong

Operation Name: Spearhead

Objective: Infiltrate and Secure Triad leader Da Feng. No civilians are expected within the premises. Use of lethal force is allowed.

Joel: Radio check.

Anthony: Good signal. Things are clear, you're good to go.

Joel: Copy that Control. We'll be cracking the door open in thirty seconds.

Anthony: Got it. I'll keep a bird's eye view of the place with the Draganfly.

Dina: Don't go looking at the wrong places though.

Anthony: Yes Babe. I'll keep that in mind.

Joel: Chuckle. That is rather relaxing. Break in ten.

*Sound of Door opening*

Joel: We're in. No guards. We're moving on.

Anthony: Got it. Stay frosty. We know that at least half a dozen of them are somewhere.

Joel: We'll keep that in mind.

*Sound of suppressed gunfire*

Dina: Ok we got one of them. It's the sixth man. I think….

*Sounds of gun clacking*

Joel: We've been had.

Da Feng: Ah, the American scum, we were expecting you.

Joel: This isn't good. Control, got any ideas?

Anthony: Keep cool. Let me figure something quick.

Da Feng: I have to thank it all to your team for generous warnings.

Dina: This was classified damn it. How would he know?

Joel: It's…you right Anthony?

Anthony: No way! Of course it isn't.

Joel: There's no one else that knows this! You set us up!

Anthony: I didn't! My fiancée's in there too!

Dina: Anthony you son of a bitch!

Anthony: It isn't me! Just hold on and I'll get to you!

Joel: Damn you Anthony! Damn you to Hell! Damn you!

*Multiple elements of Gunfire*

"Sir, is something wrong?" Nigel's voice speared into Anthony's thoughts. Anthony blinked, the recalled voices fading away as he viewed his cup of coffee emanating fresh warmth into the air.

Anthony assured. "It's nothing, just a bad memory."

Nigel understood. "We all have bad memories." He took a seat across his boss. "For us who worked so hard to protect, there is always such pains."

Anthony mused, looking at his assistant. "It's been two years since we've started working together. You haven't change a bit."

Nigel chuckled as he held his own cup of coffee. "I changed only before then. I have you to thank."

Anthony took a sip of his and put it back down onto the coaster. "Your daughter Abby, how is she doing?"

"Abby's fully recovered, thanks to your help. If it weren't for you, she would be ridden to a wheelchair for life." Nigel couldn't be ever more grateful for that.

"Any other magician could do the same as I did. I only offered my services in the ward in order to acquire a very efficient assistant." Both men laughed until Anthony had a phone call. Anthony answered it, listening to the details flowing in. He then thanked the person on the other side of the call and ended it. "Things just got worse."

"I presume another one is lost?" Nigel was spot on again with his deduction.

"Close enough." Anthony now switched to another cell phone. This phone is a dummy cell to throw off possible tracking by technology. "It appears they've also been keeping a secret about that lost project." He dialled a certain number and waited for an answer. "I heard some very bad news Kihara Jiro."

An old man's voice explained from the other side. "It is a setback but not a critical one."

Anthony emphasized the scientist's mistakes. "You lost another research facility and your Demon project is rampaging against us! That is costing us a lot of money and resources. It must be stopped."

Jiro didn't appear to be pleased with that tone. "I am aware of the flowed product Mr Anthony. I'll get it destroyed when the first batch is ready."

Anthony reminded. "That will not do. Remember, my primary goal is to have Kamijou Touma eliminated. Your project is in the way. I want it eliminated ASAP."

Jiro gave a moment of pause. "I will perform the necessary measures." The phone call ended as that.

The orphanage hasn't changed much since the time Misaka, Saten, Uiharu and Kuroko visited several months back. Maybe add one or two new entries and more tools and toys around. The Dorm Mistress was entertaining the kids along with the orphanage lady. Her husband, Daigo was not around. He's probably handling some errands or work somewhere else. In the meantime, the three girls were playing along with the kids in wait for the evening tea. That however might have some problems.

In a certain room far away, an unfortunate boy rushing through his homework again sneezed. In another certain kitchen, Yori had a sense of actualization. "Baking is certainly…not my forte." The flour and an egg yolk covering his head is a statement to that. Add some more of that on the floor too.

The girls laughed at the messy kitchen. They had come to check up on the ill made progress. Misaka said in between bouts of laughter. "I can't believe how a tip top fighting shape man could be so clumsy in cooking!"

Yori flicked the egg off him. "Nobody can be good at everything you know…" He then dusted the flour off him. "Cooking has not been…a strong point of mine." He doesn't spend much time on learning these types of skill. He has been on a path to get revenge and all. Learning to cook doesn't fit into the schedule.

Saten said. "We'll help you clean up the mess. You really should use some cooking lessons."

"I'll teach him." A new girl's voice emerged. Eyes turned to the door where a young ten year old girl in a simple light blue dress stood.

Yori smiled at the familiar face. "Ah Harumi, are you up for it? By all means." He went to get a broom. "Okay you girls go along and play with them some more. We'll handle it here."

Kuroko added before they left. "Don't try to blow up the kitchen in the process paedophile." The door closed as a small kitchen knife stabbed right into the wooden flesh. Yori smirked as he pulled it free. "She's got quite a mouth." He turned around and bowed at the little girl. "Sensei! You may begin your lesson!"

Meanwhile in London….

"The kind of mess Necessarius logistics can do!" Stiyl lamented on his trip to China. He had a nasty bout of miscommunication issues with his translator during his mission there.

"Not my problem." Sherry Cromwell replied flatly. She wasn't responsible or involved with the incident. Her duty is geared towards information and safekeeping of the library.

"I'm back so is there anything new I should know?" Stiyl moved on to the next agenda.

"There is a lot of new news. Kanzaki and the Amakusas have found a great wealth of information." Sherry went on, first explaining the culprit behind the science side which is Kihara Jiro. Stiyl merely listened throughout that, take the uncommon lungful of his cigarette. This, he took into account as additional information. His role is elsewhere. Sherry proceeded to explain the magic side of Anthony Hugh.

"From the official data, he's the head of the Roman Catholic's 55th division. He's 29 years old, 170 centimetres tall, 60 kilograms and origins from America with blood type O." She handed Stiyl a photo of Anthony's face. "His past accomplishments are very little but the significance of them is very large."

Sityl was intrigued. Anthony wasn't a well-known person. "What kind of achievements? Surely we would be aware if he did something important."

"It shows here that he has once defeated an entire magician organization of three hundred in South Africa by himself. His past records showed he was once a part of the United States Central Intelligence Agency."

"Three hundred magicians…" Stiyl didn't like that. There are only so few that can handle that many. "Only a Saint could do it alone."

"I would have thought the same but he isn't a Saint. The Amakusas have found that he is highly resourceful and strategic with great amount of patience and combat skill."

Stiyl took another lungful of bliss. "That makes sense being in the CIA…now what is his motive to destroy Academy City?'

"That we don't know but likely their plan of action will be ready soon if we don't stop it." Sherry dangled a pen by her fingertips. "Anthony has a style of subterfuge and efficient use of resources to maximize damage. What is his next step? All our sources are dry on this."

Stiyl went deep into thinking. How would you kill an enemy with no or minimal damage whatsoever? He knew that the clues are already in their faces. It is only a matter of deciphering them.

"The answer is clear." Orsola Aquinas entered the library. In her hands this time is a plate of biscuits. "What better way to get rid of something if not from the inside?"

Stiyl realized it. "You're exactly right! So far his actions were funding various science side companies to produce weapons specialized against Academy City! He's using the science side to kill its very own heart!"

"That's efficient, using your enemy to kill your enemy." Sherry agreed. "We can let the science side take care of itself once we stop Anthony."

"Now we just need to pour our efforts to finding him and put an end to this."

"You really kept your word." Harumi said as she kneads the eggs.

"Hmm?" Yori was rolling the dough with a pinroll. This time he wasn't making another huge mess with thanks to a certain little guide.

"You gave your word to visit here. I appreciate it Yori-san."

"No need for the honorifics. I have you to thank for bringing me out of my problem." Yori answered. "I know how it feels to be a child error."

Harumi's eyes widened. "You do? That would mean…"

Yori nodded. "Yeah, I'm one too although it didn't happen directly in Academy City. That's why I'll do anything to help make your world a little less lonely."

Harumi smiled at that. "Thank you Yori."