Author's Notes: The end is near. I will work on Time Index 3 ASAP. A title is already there but i'm keeping it a secret. :P. Expect it in a few months probably. It's a bit difficult to churn out a lot of text when I'm working close to 15 hours a day. Enjoy the read and review.

Chapter 19: Finishing the Fight

Is it over? Misaka felt empty of air as she sank deeper into the river. Her muscles refuse to move, still paralyzed from the taser shock. The vibrations that disabled her ability had disappeared but she just doesn't have an ounce of juice.

Her heart went to hibernation mode as the need for air grew. It slowed the inevitable drowning. She didn't get a good breath beforehand. Her time before blackout is less than a minute.

The river currents are weak today, letting her sink in a linear fashion. There is no sea life around, probably spooked by the battles. She felt her consciousness fading. Air is zero. It will be seconds before her body will forcefully breathe and drown. She closed her eyes, drifting off to the darkness. Everyone…I'm so sorry.

Splash!

Touma dived his way into the river. His time isn't much. Hell, he doesn't have any. In the depths of the river, he scanned quickly through the clear water for Misaka. She surely hasn't reached the seabed right? In order to utilize the river for hydropower, the river's depth had been increased to stimulate growth of the river's flow rate. If she hit rock bottom, the sharp rocks will totally cut her up. He bit his lip. Just where is she?

He caught something sinking to his left. Without hesitating, he swam deeper towards it. He had hit the jackpot. She appears unconscious. He has to make sure she doesn't breathe in the water. One way for that is to make sure she has air. He pulled her close and kissed her. He blew his own air to replenish hers. Immediately, a hand pulled at his arm. Now he has to bring them both up. A large surprise struck him in the back. It separated them both as the metal broken barrel went past in its rubbish journey.

Touma drew in water into his lungs. He gagged as the wrong stuff entered his system. He worked to get topside but running out of air and already choking on water, it was out of his reach. He started to sink as his lungs contract repeatedly to flush water out of them.

Misaka reached out and grabbed hold of his arm. She knew she doesn't have the strength to lift him all the way to the surface. He is bigger and heavier than her. Their combined weight is out of bounds. Her refreshed air is already depleting fast. What can I do? Her abilities of electricity and electromagnetism won't do anything useful. She pulled at Touma as she tried to wade her way topside. The result's still a negative displacement.

"The Ventricular Fibrillation's getting critical!"

"I don't understand it all!"

"It was stable five minutes ago!"

The Heaven Canceller entered the ICU ward. Nurses both male and female are hard at work stabilizing the patient Kuroko Shirai. In the second he entered, his eyes were already looking at three things. Pulse rate, blood pressure and neural activity. All of them are off the charts. It is dangerously off the charts. His presence permeated an aura of control as he began his work, saving lives.

"Get me Sotalol and Carteolol. The heart must relax!" A nurse flew out the door in adherence. Another doctor entered with dark bangs to the eyes. Kiyama Harumi shook her head.

"It's a psychological problem. That won't be enough."

Heaven Canceller agreed. "I plan to delay with it until a diagnosis can be made. That is unless you have a trick up your sleeve?"

The neurologist pulled out her music player. "You're lucky you asked for a synthesia based sedative two weeks ago. I wanted to hand it to you today."

The doctor gestured to the patient. "Then now it's a good time to use your work."

Kiyama agreed and put the earplugs on Kuroko accordingly. She played the track list titled another series of bad music. The mix displayed its results on the electrocardiogram merely seconds after. "Now it's settled. I'd like to claim my bill."

Observing the reducing danger, Heaven Canceller nodded. "How much will it be?" He meant about the bill.

"A trick I can use to get back at those kids." The nurse returned with the two beta blocker medicines, confused at the completed resolution. Heaven Canceller gestured to the door. Kiyama looked at the sleeping beauty. "Be assured Kuroko, your friends are fighting their best. Stay calm."

Misaka now had a choice. She could choose to leave Touma and swim up to the surface or sink together and die. She shook her head. I don't want any of those! She hugged Touma as they sank deeper. The times they went through reverberate in her mind. From the day they met to face the man challenges together. How Touma saved her plight in the SISTERS Project. How he risked his life every time to protect her. How could she leave him to die? She wanted to scream. If only water would turn to air!

Wait, it can become air! It can become two elements of hydrogen and oxygen. The way to do that is by using electrolysis! Misaka held Touma as tight as she could and poured her regained strength to create a large spherical electric field. She paid very dear attention to avoid electrocuting Touma. Creating the safe boundary, she ramped up the magnitude, electrolyzing the water into the two gases. With hydrogen naturally lighter than the water, it began to float. The large mass provided enough buoyancy for them to float up as well. In seconds, they broke the surface and onto the edge of the port. Putting her saviour down, she used her two hands to compress Touma's chest in the act of CPR. She needed to get the water out of him. By the third compression, Touma coughed a mouthful of water onto the concrete floor beside him.

Misaka pulled back in relief as Touma coughed hard repeatedly. She said. "You're really an idiot!" Touma couldn't answer in the midst of his hacks. She smiled. "Still, I have to thank you and…"

SLAP!

Now Touma could respond, feeling the heat of blood on his left cheek. "What was that for?"

Misaka yelled. "That was for kissing me without permission!"

"I had to and secondly we already kissed before!" Touma presented his defence.

"That doesn't mean anything! You could just carry me back to the surface!" Misaka wrapped her arms together. Boy, she's testy alright.

Before Touma could answer, the window broken Mazda Speed3 came to a stop beside them. Uiharu exited the passenger seat with great worry on her face. "Are you both alright?"

Misaka nodded. "We're okay now. Jiro got away didn't he?"

Uiharu presented the display of her laptop. It showed a live video feed. "Academy City satellite shows the boat moving south towards the land. They're most likely heading towards Haneda airport!"

"An international escape huh." Touma noted the climbing distance. "Can we get there in time?"

Kurozuma popped from the driver seat, his opponent in hand cuffs at the backseat. White paint and blood is visible on his shirt, hands and jeans. "If I floor the accelerator, we might."

Misaka warned the obvious injury. "But your shoulder's hurt!"

Kurozuma shook his head. "I'll live but we need to get you there first."

Touma saw dangerous signs. "You're losing blood to fast. You need to get to a hospital!"

Kurozuma refused. "I'll get you there first. I can last at least that long." Touma's following set of words was interrupted by a roar of a very powerful engine. A superbike decelerated to a stop. Its rider was clad in a full black suit including the helmet. The rider of the Suzuki Hayabusa is a surprising one.

Misaka was surprised when the helmet came off. "Konori senpai?"

Konori looked at Kurozuma. "I'll send them. You get to the hospital."

The cop wondered. "How did you know?"

Konori frowned. "You left the call running. Blood loss is getting to you. I'll take care of them."

The Anti-Skill smiled. "That's a cool mistake to do. Come on Uiharu, I need someone to keep guard on our driver here."

As the Mazda left, Misaka and Touma got on the large bike. Misaka was at the back. Konori warned. "I'll go under maximum speed. I don't want to tear your skins off. Hold on tight!" With a kick, Konori revved the bike to 97 km/h in 2.6 seconds. Touma felt entirely no grip holding onto the sides. He nearly slipped off the bike.

"How did you earn for this fast bike?" Misaka asked. She had once ridden on Konori's motorcycle which was considerably antique in comparison to this new beast.

"I had someone's pay cheque cover the initial deposit!" It was quite obvious whose pay cheque it is.

As following the designed nature of the bike, he wrapped his arms around Konori's hips. Misaka did likewise to him. The Hayabusa's design is made to be extremely fast but also very demanding on its rider. The weight of the two people rests on Konori's back as they raced the highway in pursuit.

"Hurry up and get us moving." Anthony ordered the pilot of the Cessna. It is his plane after all, under loan from the Roman Catholic Church. That doesn't matter. It just matters that it's his now. He turned his attention to his guests sitting by the comfortable leather seats. "Comfortable?"

"Yes." It is a simple answer.

Anthony iterated his current agenda. "Good. Due to the setback, we'll have to relocate your factories towards Europe."

"That will not be a problem. However, will the incoming motorbike be a problem?" Anthony looked out the small viewport to see a speeding Hayabusa. He grits his teeth to see the Imagine Breaker and the Railgun closing in with their vehicle. He and Nigel were already walking for the door.

Anthony opened the main door and let Nigel use his machine gun. He went for a case sitting by the door.

ZHUK! ZHUK! ZHUK! ZHUK! ZHUK!

Bullets peppered the roadway as the airport now turns to chaos. Ground crew scrambled about for cover as the Hayabusa faced the full barrage. Misaka deflected the bullets aside. Beforehand in the Mazda, she was in no position to provide this defence. Almost immediately after, the barrage stopped. Misaka smirked. "That won't work on me." In response, a rocket came shooting out the plane. Now that surprised her.

"Hold on!" Konori pulled the bike into a power slide, avoiding the missile. It blasted the asphalt and it threw the three off course to a vector away from the Cessna. The Cessna's engines begin roaring to maximum power. Konori said. "Get in there and stop them! I'll get the plane grounded!"

The former couple nodded as they got off. Touma asked over the noise as they ran towards the plane. "How are we getting into the plane?"

Misaka flipped a coin. "We might not need to. We bring them out!" She charged and fired her Railgun, the low spec version. It was made to miss, flying past the cockpit. It's a warning of I got you in my sights. One strong hit is enough to destroy the entire plane especially with its heavy payload of fuel.

Naturally in response, the main hatch opened again. Two men leapt off onto the ground. As expected, it is Anthony and Nigel. The Cessna continued its take off plan as the two Roman Catholics opposed the two. Anthony glared at the two teenagers. "You both are quite an annoyance."

Touma smirked. "It's over Anthony. This is the end of the road." When Konori grounds the plane, there is no way out for them. It is their turn to buy time.

"I'll see the end of Academy City or die trying." Anthony undid the buttons of his jacket and let them free. His belt carried a number of hand based explosives. A small pistol slid from the jacket into his right hand. He trained at them instantly. "Die."

Misaka stepped in between as the gun fired, redirecting the bullet aside. Touma immediately grabbed and pulled her backwards, avoiding a triple knife slash from the sides. He let her go and shot past the knives after them. Anthony and Nigel split ways, forcing Touma to decide between the two. Misaka decided for him, attacking Nigel with balls of lightning. "I want a rematch!"

Nigel replied casually. "I will oblige." He redirected his knives into an arc sweeping from behind. Misaka sidestepped and swept a continuous arc of lightning. Nigel leapt over it, throwing a trio of knives in the process.

Misaka felt greater confidence as she leapt back, keeping her distance. "Those attacks won't work anymore!"

"You're seeing just the surface." Nigel spread his hands out, revealing underneath his cloak. The number of knives is truly astounding. It can certainly match a kitchen. "Try ten of them." Nigel attacked with ten simultaneously controlled knives. The ten attacked from every possible angle for lethal damage.

Misaka summoned a shield around her in the form of flying motor carts. "That's not all I can do!" She released her shield and sent the vehicles as flying projectiles.

Touma was having a hard time getting close to Anthony to attack. The Roman Catholic was simply taking the best approach against someone whose' strength is melee. Anthony kept his distance, firing from his pistol at erratically devised moments. Touma can't plot a straight course as that will line him up for a headshot. However, any deviation and Anthony easily takes the best approach to maintain the distance. Touma ducked as a bullet whizzed past his head. I'll run out of stamina if this keeps going!

Anthony taunted as his free hand reached for a magazine. "You're wasting my time." The Cessna is already in position for takeoff. "If you don't come at me, I'll just take my flight."

Touma is pressed for a decision. Engage without a plan or risk the two to escape. What is Konori doing? He can't rely on the airport to do anything. He skidded behind cover of a motor cart. A bullet struck the seat, making a hole in the leather seat. Touma peeked to see Anthony withdrawing. You're not going to get away! He jumped onto the cart and started the engine. Driving it was very straightforward.

Anthony turned at the sound of motor gunning towards him. He trained his pistol but he knew the distance was too close to avoid repercussions. He rolled aside to let the cart speed past him. He got back on his feet, expecting another charge. The cart instead stopped right on the runway, in the way of the business jet. Anthony grinned as Touma got off the cart. "You're better than I thought. Not by much."

Touma tightened his fist for another conflict. "Why are you just so bent on destroying Academy City? Why do you want to hurt the Science side?"

Anthony loosened the tie around his neck. "Science has done me nothing." Anthony reached for a grenade at his belt. He pulled the pin. "The world has deceived me." He threw it at Touma.

Touma pulled back, seeking to get out of lethal range. What met him however was a white BAM! His ears rang loudly with his eyes blinded by the flash bang. Touma couldn't react to any attack. When his eyes came to, Anthony was already in his face. He felt a punch in the gut. It felt hard as rock with air squeezed out of Touma. Next was a knee to the same spot before extending out to a full kick at the chest. Touma hit the floor hard as Anthony trained his pistol.

"You are not allowed to proceed!" The radio barked.

The pilot of the Cessna remarked. "We were already given clearance! What gives?"

Flight Control answered. "Your plane is carrying dangerous cargo and must remain grounded."

The pilot answered before changing channels on the radio. "No can do control, we are leaving and we're leaving right now."

The Cessna co-pilot asked. "What about the cart on the runway?"

The pilot gave the directive. "You move it aside while I keep the engines hot!" The co-pilot unbuckled quickly and made his way off the plane. The man opened the hatch as a shot of lightning went past. The co-pilot coiled back as the fight outside raged on.

Misaka and Nigel were even n their match. They've been using their attacks but could not break through. Their trump cards remained hidden for the right moment. Misaka scanned around for other objects she can use as weapons. There aren't that many left, either broken to bits or sliced to bits. Metal, rubber and plastic littered the field.

She ducked under another pentagon of knife attacks. She reached up and grabbed at the tiny strings above her. She pulled them, bringing the knives to her control. Add a direct conduit to Nigel. "Now feel the power of 500 volts!"

Nothing happened. Misaka blinked as her ability failed. She felt her fingers tingling when Nigel pulled hard. By sheer strength, Nigel pulled light Misaka towards him followed up with a hard punch to the gut. As fast as Misaka went one way, she was sent flying the other way.

"Please try again and I will make your death quick." Nigel shot forward in a blur.

Misaka was barely on her feet when she understood. I got this! Misaka ducked low in a dodge. Since Nigel was very tall being a grown man and Misaka a small teenager, Nigel's low aimed attack was evaded. Being point blank, she electrified the area around her.

Nigel was far past her but the stagger gave enough evidence. Smoke belched from Nigel's hips. A small rectangular device was burnt crisp. Misaka stood up to full height. "That's how you could disable my close up attacks. Your Capacity Down is vibrating onto you. Any contact with you would disable my abilities.

Nigel turned around. "Smart girl but it's not my main card to play." He spread a set of knives on his palm. An aura of energy emanated from the tall man. "Light shall be cast. Plays are no fiction. Grand me your strength and eternal play shall begin."

Misaka prepared for an assault following the immediate surge of energy from Nigel. The moment went by before…Nigel split into two. What? Two became four into eight. Now eight Nigel's stood in a line. They spoke simultaneously.

"We are no puppets nor are we free. We live our roles and we serve our God. Until destruction brings upon us, we will play our act." All eight pointed threateningly at Misaka. "Our first act is to kill you!" With that, they charged.

Anthony trained his pistol at Touma's forehead. His eyes are wary of counterattacks. "Do you have any last words, Kamijou Touma?"

Touma kept still in place. This isn't his time yet! There's just so much to live for! He tightened his fist. "The world didn't deceive you Anthony. It is you who deceived yourself."

Anthony chuckled. "Trying mind games on me? That is very lacking of skill." He pulled the firing pin. "Now prepare to…"

"I am not playing mind games with you!" Touma cut him off. "I may have not seen the entire world. It may have its poison and destruction. However, that's just not the reason to destroy everything! Have you seen the joys that people can have? Sharing the fun, our emotions and interests are what that makes us what we are!"

Anthony glared. "You know nothing young boy." All of a sudden, he holstered the gun. "I now have different plans for you." His eyes glowed red. "I will make you my puppet and I will show you that my truth is the real truth!" Their eyes met one to one. Magic sparked between them.

Touma held tight to his chest as things started fragmenting apart. Is this the start before one loses his sanity? His heart squeezed tight as Touma can't tear his eyes away from Anthony's. Seconds later, everything became black.

Anthony cracked his knuckles. He knew his cast is complete for the Japanese boy spoke. "What is your bidding?" Anthony pointed at the ongoing battle. "Kill her."

"Your will be done."

Misaka's eyes darted across the battlefield. Eight targets are very difficult to keep track simultaneously. Add in the three axes of dimensions, the complexity grows. Misaka formed an electric shield around her as a defence. She concentrated that shield energy into a powerful lightning bolt. Her attack however was stopped by the unthinkable hand. "Touma…"

Touma showed the palm of his hand to Nigel. "May I?" Nigel handed him one of his knives from the tip like a comrade.

Misaka couldn't believe her eyes. "What's wrong with you? Why are you helping them?" Touma's dull eyes are giving her a clue but how can she solve it? She stood her ground as the eight copies of Nigel held their place. Touma did not answer as he started charging at a run. She has no choice. "What I have to do will be your fault!" She pulled the ready metal scraps to her fingertips. Using electricity, she welded them into a makeshift sword.

Misaka charged her body for a toned Railgun shot. Using remainders of focus, she magnetized a coin sized metal to hover before her. She swatted it with the sword into a Railgun projectile. Her aim is the knife he is carrying. If disabled, she has a better chance of surviving and time to figure a solution.

Even in his dull state, Touma knew her plans. His right hand stretched forward, repelling the shot. The distance grew very short now. Misaka felt a squeeze of the heart. Can she really fight against him? Can she bear to hurt the person that saved her countless times? If she has too, can she kill her former lover?

The time to think is up for they entered melee combat. While Misaka has reach and grater slashing power, Touma has flexibility and manoeuvre. Touma naturally has better stamina and experience in close quarters combat. Misaka still has her esper abilities. The battle is brief for she is on the defensive.

Misaka blocked the knife with her sword. She tried to send electricity through the contacting blades but Imagine Breaker nullified it. She had an idea. If I can do it right! Touma's strength forced her blade away, leaving her wide open. She sidestepped right, reaching for his left hand. "Feel this!" She sent a jolt of electric down his way. The knife fell free from his hand, leaving it open for the next phase of her plan.

Misaka was cut short when the two hands instead attacked. One held her weapon's wrist, the other her neck. Her grip failed as she struggled to breathe. Touma lifted her into a death choke. She grits her teeth as she struggled free. "This will have to hurt!" She kicked as hard as possible at the holy manhood of Kamijou Touma.

Click Click!

Ding Dong!

Tweet Tweet!

Awoooo!

Kaboom!

Touma crumpled in absolute paralysis. She rubbed her sore neck in chagrin. "Why does everyone like to strangle me?" She grabbed Touma's right hand and slapped himself with it. The sound of glass shattering showed success.

Touma's eyes regained focus before…. "YEARGHH!" He rolled up into a ball, dealing with the unimaginable pain of man.

Misaka glared at him. "It's your fault for trying to kill me idiot."

Touma froze in pure horror. "I…tried to kill you?"

Anthony entered the fray with laughter. "How does it feel to fight your own ally?" Touma remained lethally silent as the American continued. "How does it feel to strangle your own girl?"

Touma rose to his feet. His privates still hurt but it doesn't matter. "Anthony…that is beyond the line of redemption." His eyes were burning with rage. His fists are tight as steel. "I will kill you son of a bitch Anthony!"