I thought for sure I'd have all the time I needed after Wednesday but something else (and writer's block) always found its way to me. I also went back and made edited the prologue, if you're interested. Not that you're likely to notice them, they are very minor changes that didn't sit well with me. From now on I shall go through all my chapters before uploading them. I deeply apologize for the delay, but now I present to you the first chapter of Revelation.
Disclaimer: I do not own To Aru Majutsu no Index/A Certain Magical Index, it is property of Kamachi Kazuma, ASCII Media Works, Dengeki Bunko, Seven Seas Entertainment, J.C. Staff, and Funimation Entertainment.
Revelation
Chapter 1
Academy City.
This 2.3 million-strong metropolis one-third the size of Tokyo, 80% of that population being students ranging from kindergarten to university levels, is an entire city devoted to academic enterprise on top of being the summit of technological development for the whole world. Thanks to that, this City of Schools was 20 or 30 years ahead of the rest of the planet in terms of technology. As a result of its Hard Science, Academy City had established such things as cleaning and security robots as well as having wind turbines produce electrical power in the place of power lines.
As it would be, even the scholarly side of Academy City is merely a front for more advancements in research. You will find that nearly the entirety of the student body has been enrolled in the Power Curriculum Program to develop psychic powers through scientific means, such as drug injections or electric stimulations to the brain. Each student's progress in the curriculum and standing of power are categorized into Levels, classified from 0 to 5, the latter being the highest.
Level 0s are Persons with No Powers, and they comprise of almost 60% of the esper population.
Hamazura Shiage was one such Level 0.
This ordinary teenager that looked like a delinquent forced to wear cheap clothes such as his unfashionable jacket and jeans along with his unruly, dirty-blonde hair with the face of a dumb thug was the former leader of Skill-Out, a gang of armed Level 0s that banded together to combat the oppression of higher level espers, and underling of the underground organization ITEM, but was now a formal member.
"So why is it…" heaved the honorary member of the newly formed ITEM, his voice carrying the strain of one who had ran a marathon.
"WHY AM I STILL DOING LACKEY WORK?!"
Hamazura Shiage collapsed after his declaration to the heavens, the profuse amount of shopping bags he was previously carrying scattering about around the pavement; the contents of the bags spilling out all over.
Miraculously, there were no other signs of life on the street Hamazura was treading to witness or respond to this outburst. Most of Academy City's residents were making preparations for the annual cultural festival, Ichihanaransai. Of course, that also meant no available assistance for this lackey sprawled out on the sidewalk.
"What a… sick… sense… of humor…" Hamazura managed to let out between ragged breaths. Since no one was around, he could speak his mind without worry.
It had been 5 days since he ventured out to the Hawaiian Islands on November 10, making this day November 15. Hamazura had been lifting an impossible amount of shopping bags for solely one person.
Even though Hamazura had told his teammates he would be leaving for an unknown amount of time, they decided to hold him a "punishment game" for "abandoning them" when he left abroad for only a single day.
Four days later, and the "punishment game" was still commencing.
Today he was tasked with shopping for all three of them, explaining the ridiculous luggage he was responsible with. For every item on the list they had provided him that he was unable to purchase, he would have to treat them to lunch.
WHY AM I A PRISONER OF SUCH SADISTS?! I HELP SAVE AMERICA FROM BECOMING A THEOCRACY AND COME HOME TO THIS?! WHAT KIND OF BACKWARDS, FUCKED-UP WORLD IS THIS?!
Hamazura lamented to himself, not having the strength to scream it all at the top of his lungs as he wished he could.
"I guess it could be worse…" he admitted, slowly regaining his stamina.
Yes, it could be much worse. If he had returned with "a certain cyborg" in tow, Hamazura would be suffering a fate worse than anything imaginable at the hands of his co-workers and lover.
Almost fully recovering now, Hamazura let his thoughts drift as he watched the clouds through the sky above him, still lying down on the concrete path.
I wonder what "he" is doing right now….
"Hamazura?"
He heard his name, but couldn't see who it was coming from. Then, a hand reached out toward him. Hamazura gathered his strength to move his own arm up to take the one in front of him, and before he knew it, he was up on his feet again, albeit struggling to keep himself standing.
"What happened? Were you mugged, Hamazura?!" they voiced their concern.
"Hanzou…?"
The person standing before Hamazura was Hattori Hanzou, a fellow Level 0 and long-time friend who assumed the leadership of Skill-Out that Hamazura left vacant after becoming a henchman for ITEM. As usual, he was clothed in dominantly black clothes with white cross patterns on his shirt and bandanna. The last time Hamazura had seen Hanzou was before he departed for America, leaving a certain child under his watch.
"Hamazura, did you hear me?" Hanzou asked.
"I'm fine," Hamazura assured his friend. "I wasn't mugged. I just couldn't carry that load all by myself."
Hanzou laughed at his companion's predicament. "Then let me help you out with your bags there. You look like you could use some rest, the park's close by so how about we go sit down for a bit?"
"Sounds good…" Hamazura accepted, unable to express the happiness Hanzou's break from his personal hell provided him.
After collecting up all the discarded materials, the two boys walked to the nearby 7th District student park. Setting down his paper bags, Hamazura took a seat on one of the empty benches while Hanzou went off to the vending machine to get some drinks. When Hanzou returned, he tossed Hamazura a can of generic soda. It wasn't a flavorful drink by any means but it was extremely refreshing to the fatigued Level 0.
"What have you been up to, Hamazura?" Hanzou started up a conversation. "Don't tell me your girl has got you doing slavery work?"
"You could say that…" Hamazura sighed, taking another drink. "How's Fremea?"
Fremea Seivelun was the 10 year old younger sister of Frenda Seivelun, a previous operative of ITEM who had been killed in a battle between Academy City's "dark side" organizations, and the girl formerly in care of Skill-Out Leader Komaba Ritoku. On November 5, a new group born of the "darkness" named Freshmen tried to use her as bait to pit Hamazura and the "Graduates" against the Board of Directors. But thanks to Hamazura, the Freshmen were defeated and Fremea was safe.
"She's been doing well," Hanzou answered. "In fact, surprisingly well considering what she went through. You think a kid her age going through trauma like that would emotionally scar them, but she's adapting well. I guess those violent games she plays conditioned her to it, you know?"
"I guess so," Hamazura agreed, allowing himself to laugh lightly at the notion of video games saving a child's innocence. "Where is she right now?"
"With Kuruwa at one of her hideouts. They haven't been getting along all that great. Kuruwa seems jealous that I'm spending so much time watching over her, which Fremea didn't have any real reaction to, which only served to piss off Kuruwa even more…" he described, clearly uncomfortable about the whole ordeal. Kuruwa was a kunoichi that served Hanzou's family and thus followed him in his tracks everywhere he went.
Hamazura really wished he could sympathize with Hanzou. He could, but chose not to. His friend did not know true despair as he did. He was forced to keep this to himself and not "enlighten" Hanzou to the real horrors of the opposite sex because he wanted to avoid having his Skill-Out associates know of his new colleagues.
"I wouldn't usually leave the two alone but duty calls, right? Being the boss is a lot of work, I don't know how Leader Komaba did it." Hanzou explained, finishing up his soda. "You know, Hamazura… Fremea never stops talking about you."
Hamazura spit out the soda in his mouth upon hearing that, his cheeks blushing red after realizing his exaggerated reaction.
"What's wrong?" Hanzou questioned, oblivious.
"It's nothing…" Hamazura replied, hiding his concern. Takitsubo just seems to have a way of picking up on things like that…
"Thanks for the drink, Hanzou. I've gotta go, I'll be killed if I keep this one waiting," Hamazura announced, lifting himself and his bags up.
"Are you sure you don't need help?"
"Nah, it's close enough. I can make it on my own. I'll try to check in on Fremea when I can."
Exchanging a fist-bump, the two parted ways.
Just as Hanzou exited Hamazura's line of sight, his mobile phone started ringing, indicating he received an e-mail. Groaning, he struggled to place the bags back on the ground before retrieving his phone out of his pocket to check his mail, expecting an angry message from a certain member of his team demanding what was taking him so long.
What he read made his face go blank.
"Well, what do you know…"
It was rare for students of Academy City to live in apartments, as they usually took up residence in dormitories. In fact, even the richest of ojou-samas lived in dorms.
Of course, there were always exception to the rule.
This person was one of these exceptions.
He had pure white hair falling to his shoulders, ghostly pale skin, blood-red pupils, and was wearing a white and grey striped pattern, long-sleeved shirt with matching grey python pants. He also adorned a black choker around his neck and a custom-made modernistic cane on his right arm.
The most powerful esper in Academy City, the Number One Level 5. He was known only as Accelerator.
This "monster" was reclining back on the couch, visibly annoyed.
"'Misaka still does not understand why you had to bring this darkly gothic girl here!' exclaims Misaka as Misaka describes the freeloader present at the moment!"
The ten year old-looking child speaking in that unorthodox manner of speaking with short brown hair and eyes of the same color wearing a sky-blue camisole under a white, unbuttoned t-shirt was a girl named Last Order.
"He brought her here because he's obviously grown tired of you."
This foul response came from a girl who looked almost exactly like Last Order but was high school-aged and had orange irises in her piercing eyes. She was wearing an unnatural white and pink aodai, her right arm wrapped in a cast, not fully functional.
"What's that supposed to mean?!" implored the 'darkly gothic girl' Last Order was referring to. "And who are you calling a freeloader, you damn brat?!" she directed at the one who talked about her right in her presence.
She was no more than 12, but did not look like your typical 12 year old and instead a punk goth loli. Her outfit consisted of a sleeveless shirt that left her navel exposed, leather pants and gloves reaching beyond her elbows laced up like shoes. Along with her dark eyes, the hair near her ears that fell to each of her shoulders was dyed blond in contrast to the rest of her black hair.
"Nothing you should worry about, Kuronyan~" Misaka Worst replied mischievously. Generating purple sparks of electricity, she shocked the younger girl who spontaneously started wrapping her limbs around herself like a pretzel.
"Gyhah?!" 'Kuronyan' then began repeating 'nya, nya, nya" like a mantra.
Kuroyoru Umidori was a cyborg. Due to her mechanical body parts, and electric-type esper like Misaka Worst could manipulate the control mechanics to make Kuroyoru her personal puppet.
This cyborg also happened to be the former leader of Freshmen and had went to Hawaii on November 10 along with Hamazura Shiage, Misaka Worst, and Accelerator.
"'Yes, you are a freeloader. What else do you call someone who lodges somewhere without contributing anything?' Misaka asks a rhetorical question as Misaka smirks at the bundled up freeloader's torment. 'And you didn't answer my question!' Misaka voices her complaints as Misaka tugs on your pants leg to get your attention!"
Accelerator narrowed his eyes in annoyance. I'm going to fucking kill that Level 0 next time I see him for leaving this shitty brat-version of my 'old self' in my hands. Electromasters like the Sisters can keep her in check but wouldn't that be that Number Three's responsibility since she's at fault for their creation in the first place? …Of course you could say I'm even more accountable for that brat's thinking patterns.
"You haven't realized it yet?" Misaka Worst asked, feigning surprise. "This lolicon here is very flighty, his attachment to a girl is like a trend, moving on to a new one after it goes out of style. His devotion to you was just a phase, then he had that girl that was with him before at that student dorm, and now he has Kuronyan!"
"She has a point, you know," intruded the owner of this apartment dressed in a green sports jersey and hair tied in a ponytail to below her waist, the PE teacher Yomikawa Aiho. "It seems every time you return to this place, you bring a new child with you."
"Tch," Accelerator clicked his tongue. "What a pain in the ass…"
In the meantime, Last Order let go of Accelerator's pants as she started pouting at the older version of herself, tears welling up in the corners of her eyes as if she was about to throw a tantrum befitting of the maturity for her age. Worst appeared to be enjoying herself a bit too much as she was grinning devilishly.
"'T-That's not true! There's no way it is! Misaka will not accept it!' cries Misaka as Misaka struggles to hold back her tears. 'You're just jealous of Misaka's relationship with him!' accuses Misaka as Misaka dramatically points a finger at you!"
"Hah?" Misaka Worst tilts her head to the side, taken by surprise.
"'You were programmed to be an accumulation of all the Misaka Network's negative emotions, that would include jealousy and envy, would it not? So it would only be the logical conclusion that you can't stand it that Misaka gets so much more affection than you which explains why you are always trying to dishearten Misaka,' concludes Misaka as Misaka puts a hand on her chin as she nods to make herself look like an intellectual."
Misaka Worst stood in place, speechless and dumbfounded. Last Order assumed a triumphant pose prematurely as Worst finally found her voice. "You said this Misaka is a collection of all the Sisters' negative feelings…" she spoke softly. "Why don't we test that by having Misaka unleash the extent of those negative emotions on you?!" Misaka Worst rose her voice to have a sharp edge to it, looking particularly vicious.
"'Misaka will not lower herself to fall for provocations like that, especially from her little sister,' says Misaka as Misaka takes on the role of the mature older sister."
"Hmm… Last Order may be on to something," broke in the researcher acquaintance of Yomikawa, Yoshikawa Kikyou. Not too long ago, she was one of the main researchers in the Radio Noise Production Plan and Level 6 Shift Experiment that produced clones such as Last Order and Misaka Worst using a DNA sample retrieved from the Number Three Level 5. "It's definitely worth looking into…"
"Ara, ara, that's enough, you two," Yomikawa intervened. "If you keep this up, I'll take away your dinner privileges-jan."
The two clones clamored down without delay.
As they both went about their own devices, Last Order started talking amongst herself.
"'As if he would prefer that freeloader with no sense of fashion to Misaka,' says Misaka as Misaka reassures herself."
"What did you say, you little bitch?!" It appeared the effects of Misaka Worst's 'electrical therapy' had worn off.
"'Misaka was only saying that person would never be interested in someone like you, no one will be as close to him as me,' explains Misaka as Misaka tells you bluntly."
"…Listen here, shitty brat," Kuroyoru set straight, regardless of not caring what she meant to Accelerator, she felt insulted and had to defend her honor. "That bastard's cognitive and thought patterns were implanted into me at a young age, so I'll be closer to him than you possibly could! I know how he thinks better than you ever will!"
"'Eeeeeehhhhh?' Misaka blurts out as Misaka is in disbelief. 'Hey, is that true? Tell me it's not true!' says Misaka in denial as Misaka gets up in your lap and starts beating the sides of her fists against your chest!"
Accelerator was seething, restraining himself from doing anything to the girl on his lap. Any other time, Misaka Worst would be electrocuting Kuroyoru right about now but because she brought about misery, she condoned it.
"Well, it's time for me to go. Anti-Skill work to be done. Make sure the children don't kill each other, Kikyou," Yomikawa announced as she reappeared in uniform of Academy City's law-enforcement agency. As she waved goodbye, she flashed Accelerator a quick smile as if to say 'Good luck~'.
You bitch, don't leave me like this.
Yomikawa left, and Last Order continued sobbing inaudibly and pounding Accelerator's chest.
Accelerator breathed out, composing himself. He had to handle this delicately or else it would only worsen for him.
"Shut up, you little shit! Look, it doesn't matter if she has my thought processes, that was my old way of thinking. Ask yourself, what do you think is true? Isn't that all that matters? So calm the fuck down before I rip out your vocal cords."
He could have phrased it better, but that was just the way he was.
The little girl ceased her commotion, but her face was still buried in the older boy's chest.
"'…Yes,' whispers Misaka..."
Last Order finally looked up at Academy City's strongest monster. She was smiling so wide it looked like it hurt.
"I wanted to always be with you, too. 'That's what you said,' says Misaka as Misaka accesses her memories."
Suddenly, Last Order wrapped her arms around Accelerator's body in a hug, even if her arms couldn't fully reach around him.
"Let go of me, dammit," Accelerator nagged.
It didn't appear Yoshikawa had any intention of lending her assistance, she was too distracted by the theory she was presented with moments ago by the child. Misaka Worst and Kuroyoru were visibly disgusted with the emotional scene before them.
Someone get me out of this… I can't deal with shit like this.
Just then, as if his prayers were answered, his phone gave off the sound signaling he had a new e-mail. Taking it out of his pocket and looking at the letters displayed on the device past Last Order's small frame.
…Fuck. This isn't what I meant, anything but that.
Kamijou Touma was currently onboard a supersonic Academy City passenger plane over the Sea of Japan.
He was not alone. He was joined by two girls around the same age as him. The three of them were the only passengers so they all sat in the spacious area of first class in chairs with plenty of legroom. Kamijou, who had been on an aircraft like this before on a few occasions, was not influenced by the 700 kph speed as a first-timer would. The same seems to apply to them, as they weren't affected it either.
The first was Kumokawa Maria, a student at a professional maid school in Academy City whose maid uniform looked like one seen at an electronics café over a traditional maid's outfit. Comprising of a black corset with fluorescent, frilly, yellow, long-sleeved mini-skirt under it, a frilly maid's headband of the same color to go with it, and long black leggings, a rabbit-shaped nameplate above her left hip completed the set. Her eyes were blue and had long black hair in ringlet curls.
On November 13, Kumokawa Maria traveled to Baggage City in search of her former sensei, Kihara Kagun, who she received reports of him being there. Along the way, she got involved in a conflict between GREMLIN magicians and the Kihara family. In the end, she was unable to save her sensei and was there to witness the battle between Kamijou Touma and a GREMLIN member as well as its leader, the Majin of the Magic Side. All that combined should have traumatized her, but she looked more bothered than anything.
The other was a girl of the name Cendrillon, and she looked like the perfect princess straight from a storybook had been brought out into real life due to her well-featured face, light blue eyes, long and wavy blonde hair, and fair white skin. Conflicting this was her manner of dress, which was only underwear, not that you could tell just from looking at it. The undergarments tightly bound around the slender curves of her body resembled a diving suit or futuristic spacesuit.
Like Saronia A. Irivika, she was used as a pawn by GREMLIN, and on November 10, led a terrorist attack on the New Honolulu International Airport that was foiled. She was able to avoid captivity but instead faced an even more hellish experience by being forced into the shape of a table by a certain Dvergr. With the help of Kamijou's right hand that could kill all illusions and cancel every form of supernatural power, the Imagine Breaker, and a man who had been with him at the time, Cendrillon was returned to her human form.
Neither of the women had spoken a word since they boarded the plane, creating an intense atmosphere for Kamijou. He didn't know whether they would appreciate him trying to lighten the mood or physically assault him for it. They seemed to be occupied with their own personal dilemmas, and from Kamijou's experience with the female gender, he determined to leave them to themselves.
"Are you just going to sit there and say nothing?" asked Kumokawa Maria.
"Hu-huh?" Kamijou was left confounded.
"Or is it that you don't know how to say anything?" she suggested.
"I do! It's just… you seemed so deep in thought so I thought to let you stay that way!" Kamijou tried defending himself.
"It's still rude to not make conversation. Do you expect the women to always break the ice?" Kumokawa inquired, each word stabbing a knife deeper into the spiky-haired boy.
"That works both ways, you know! Why does the man have to take the initiative every time?! And why are you being so malicious with me?!" protested Kamijou, distressed at this unreasonable treatment.
Kumokawa Maria grew protective at that. "Let me get this straight, Kamijou Touma. You saving my life means nothing, I will not fall victim to your spell like my sister! Got that?! I won't! My heart will always belong to sensei!" she boldly claimed. Her sister being a senpai at Kamijou's school by the name of Kumokawa Seria.
"…I don't even know your name, how am I supposed to know who your sister is?!" Kamijou cried.
"Good, let's keep it that way," Kumokawa huffed, crossing her arms in an exaggerated fashion.
Why do all women hate me… But just when Kamijou thought he was out of the woods…
"For reference, I am also only here because I owe you a debt for restoring my body to its proper shape. And to get my revenge for being betrayed by GREMLIN," joined in Cendrillon. "I am still equipped to combat your Imagine Breaker and do not forgive you for your role in World War III that led to the weakening of France."
"You can speak Japanese!?" Kamijou blurted out in surprise, only hearing her speak in French.
"Did I ever say I couldn't speak Japanese?" Cendrillon asked simply.
"You never said anything!"
Letting out a 'humph', Cendrillon assumed the same stance as Kumokawa.
Kamijou Touma just sat there, dumbfounded. There was no winning with them. And there was only one thing for the high school boy to say in the face of all this.
"Such misfortune…"
Academy City's 23rd District specialized in aeronautics and astronautics, so nearly all of the land it took up was empty asphalt with the occasional control tower seen in the distance. It was this district that served as the international airport for tourists to come and go, as well as launching test rockets and satellites, the location of the point where resources got shipped in, and where the city's air force crafts were stationed.
Misaka Mikoto was standing in the 23rd District's Terminal Station, the only station in the entire district, where everything within it connected to, even if the airport was the only one accessible without security clearance. This was where all arrivals from outside Academy City would gather after disembarking from their flights.
She was 14, nearing 15, having short, chestnut-brown hair with a flowery hairclip and eyes of the same pigment with good looks that didn't require cosmetics or make-up. She was wearing the uniform of Tokiwadai Middle School, which consisted of a beige blazer and pleated grey skirt. Yes, everything about her gave off the air of an elegant "ojou-sama".
If it were not for the predatory expression that radiated killing intent.
The reason for this was simple. Ever since she had arrived back to Academy City from the Hawaiian Islands on November 11, she came to this terminal every day after school in hopes of seeing a certain boy. So this had been the fourth day she had repeated this ritual.
Between Dorm Mother's discipline for getting caught sneaking in after-hours and Kuroko's endless questioning, you've brought me a lot of trouble these past few days. I'll be sure to pay you back for that on top of what you've already done to me, she promised herself.
Mikoto could hardly contain herself, the bluish-white sparks that regularly came from her bangs barely being suppressed by the middle school girl.
That's right, Misaka Mikoto was a Level 5 esper, the Number Three to be exact; Tokiwadai's Ace: the Railgun, the strongest Electromaster in Academy City.
"That idiot…" she cursed to herself, ready to explode. A storm of electric currents and obscenities inevitable.
But instead, she let her head droop solemnly. Do I really mean so little to him?
"Oh, Misaka. What are you doing here?"
Eyes widened, Mikoto lifted her head back up with amazing speed. She knew that voice all too well, and there was only one person who could be so casual with her after being separated for five days.
And there he was, slightly perplexed over Mikoto's mannerisms. As if his nonchalant attitude was enough, the idiot had two other girls to either sides of him; a maid that stood out in her black and yellow attire like some sort of bee and a girl Mikoto recognized as the terrorist who they fought at the airport back in Hawaii.
Rendered speechless, Mikoto could only stand there gaping like an idiot.
"Hm? What's wrong, Misaka?" said the boy, finally crossing the line.
"…What's wrong, you ask? After leaving me like that in Hawaii, that's all you have to say?" Mikoto said softly, but it was a tranquil fury.
Having much experience with this temper, Kamijou tried his hand at appeasing the bomb about to go off. "C-Calm down, Misaka-san… Don't do anything you might regret later on…!"
It was too late.
"But I am calm. So calm that when I'm done with you, you'll be picked up by some cleaning robots. Only then will you know how I felt, how I still feel," Mikoto said with such serenity that made it even more terrifying. Sounds of electric crackling could be heard, it was clear she would release all her stored up rage in the form of billions of volts.
Survival instinct taking over, Kamijou quickly acted and seized Mikoto's hand with his right hand, a gesture so upfront it had the latter blushing profusely, which left her vulnerable to being dragged along with him as he hastily exited the building before she could register any of it.
Meanwhile, the two girls left in the dust merely looked on confused.
"…So what should we do now?" asked Cendrillon.
"If you're like me, which I think you are, that guy is your only lead to getting what you want, so we wait," remarked Kumokawa Maria, not happy with her own answer.
To the side of the District 23 Terminal Station where not a single person occupied, Kamijou finally stopped in his tracks as he gasped for air, not from overworking himself but the stress of nearly averting a disaster.
Mikoto was still blushing and having a difficult time thinking properly.
"What were you thinking?! Don't go around biri-biri'ing where a bunch of people are around!"
Being brought back to reality, Mikoto got protective. "I thought you stopped with that 'biri-biri' nonsense!"
"You're missing the point!" Kamijou shouted, restless.
"Should you really be saying that in your position?" Mikoto reminded, recovering her wrath.
Feeling guilty now, Kamijou forged a somber demeanor. "I'm sorry…"
"You really think you can placate me with just that?" she retorted.
"No, I don't-"
"You idiot, how many times have I told you that you're not on your own anymore? I'm here for you, so accept my help! In fact, I even offered as much before you abandoned me! You do realize I'm stronger than you in the conventional sense, right?"
"I know…" Kamijou accepted.
"Then why… why is it that you keep going behind my back like this?" Mikoto asked, no longer irritable but genuinely troubled.
"Misaka…"
"Am I that much of a burden to you?" Mikoto prodded curiously, a faint hint of sadness in her tone.
"No! I really would like to accept your helping hand… It's just, I don't want to needlessly endanger those close to me. I'm honestly conflicted," Kamijou confessed, unsure of involving his friends after Hawaii and Baggage City. "What would you do, Misaka?"
Mikoto responded in shock at first, but then just became further enraged. "…You're such an idiot. I went to Hawaii of my own volition, and so did everyone else. That's our choice, it's not something for you to decide. Respect that much. For someone who cares so much about others, you sure are blind to their feelings."
Kamijou was aghast at his friend's assertion. "You're right," he acknowledged after a brief pause. "But it's different this time. Do you remember what happened in America, Misaka?"
"You mean when you ditched me overseas?" Mikoto reopened fresh wounds.
"Uwah! I thought we were over this?!"
"We won't until you make it up to me," she settled before getting back on-topic, albeit bitterly. "But yes, I remember."
"Well, there's a chance that might happen to Academy City next," he informed grimly.
"I see…" Mikoto said, letting it sink in.
"Now do you see where I'm coming from? What would you do if you were in my position?" Kamijou asked honestly.
"I do not know," she stated truthfully. "But that's all the more motivation for me to help you to prevent it from happening in the first place."
"That's-"
Mikoto didn't even let him start. "SHUT UP! Do you think you're the only one who cares for this city!? Stop being so selfish!"
"Misaka… I've already failed twice. This time I can't afford to."
The Tokiwadai girl clenched her fists and teeth tightly together in anger. "I don't even know who you are," she lashed out. "You're not the person I know who stood up to the strongest esper for 10,000 lives with nothing but his right fist without regret. That person from then… wouldn't give up like this without a fight! You told me back then I didn't have to go at it alone, so let me return the favor! Just like you aided me in my darkest hour, I'll do the same for you!"
Her cheeks reddening again, Mikoto began panting after such a passionate speech. Kamijou only stared on dumbly, not sure of what to say.
Finally, he smiled that idiotic smile of his. "Thanks, Misaka."
Mikoto's entire face burned brightly at a such a common show of gratitude. "I-It's nothing… So, what's our next move?"
Between the lines 1
It was a dark room.
The only contents of it were a device you would mistake for an oversized refrigerator if you didn't know any better, and three jar-like containers with a piece of fleshy material in each of them supported by what resembled an experimental table. Some machinery was assorted about, reaching down to the jars, but more specifically, what lied within them.
This place was hidden deep within the depths of Academy City's underground, only a very select few were permitted to set foot in here.
Over the past few days, the specimen of these liquid-filled containers had slowly but gradually grown in size. It wasn't until two days ago did it start pumping like the human heartbeat. It intensified with each spasm until it hit the breaking point.
It was time.
The encased fibers suddenly exploded in size, bursting out of their cages and tore through the refrigerator-like appliance as if it were drawn to what lies within.
In the darkness, the process that followed could not be seen. But after a duration of time elapsed, something emerged from the remains.
This thing possessed the body of a human, but this power was anything but human.
There was only one person this could be.
The One Who Has Touched the Territory of God.
A/N: I tried my best not to make the opening description of Academy City too similar to the opening lines of NT 1's first chapter. Same for the character interactions I skimmed through of NT 5.
I would like to apologize for all the exposition related to characters, events, and concepts you are already familiar with but that's just my style and that of the novel's (which I'm structuring my story after), so please bear with it. Again, I'm sorry if it proves tiresome for you.
With all my chapters being this long, I don't think I'll ever get this done with how much I have planned, which you could probably tell from the pacing of this update…
I'm going to try to type up my next chapter faster this time to make up for the long waiting period for this one since the prologue was released. I should be less busy and distracted this time around, especially since the one after this is where the plot really kicks off (or at least I hope so). But like last time, no promises.
Just putting this out there now, I'm going to read NT 5 before I start on chapter 2. Not that I'm going to make any major changes to my story since I've already diverged from canon, but I might make some edits if I see fit and have the room to squeeze in.
I would also like to thank everyone who left such positive reviews for last chapter, you guys were seriously my main inspiration for completing this. Please, leave reviews again if you have the time, criticisms allowed of course.
I hope it was worth the wait. See you next chapter.
Oh, and for reference, Accelerator is wearing the outfit he had in NT 3. I love that one.