Ladies, Gentlemen, Non-Binary and inbetween. I. Am. Back! I think? I'm pretty sure I am but you know how life is. One day I'm writing fanfictions about getting trapped inside of a Misaka Mikoto Clone and another day I've died in a horrible car crash and got stuck inside of a Misaka Mikoto Clone.
. . .
Okay now that I hear it out loud those sound pretty similar don't they?
Oh! By the way, our faithful main character is going to be thrown into the Toaru universe at the very start of Railgun S. For those who don't know, Railgun S takes place during the first season of Index! If you still don't understand then just read the dang fanfic! :(
Also, if you're still sticking around and following the story, tell me why! What makes the story intriguing to you and how can I make it even better? I'd love to hear your feedback! Thanks for reading guys. 3
Anywho!
This fanfiction is inspired by "First Order" written by grifman275, "A Certain Defective Sister" written by KageYami, and "Base of Energy" written by Auvidence.
'Italics within quote marks' - Internal Thoughts
"Words within quotation marks" - Outward Speech
Sisters Arc: A Verbal Tic That Won't Leave.
Unknown Month ?th, 20?.
Unknown Time.
I was. . . Awake.
No.
That wasn't right. It's like I'm. . . Both awake and asleep.
I looked around me, it was like I was surrounded by complete and utter darkness. But I somehow knew that I was standing. That there was a floor beneath me even if I couldn't see one inch of it.
I was confused.
Where was I? What was this? I feel like I was somewhere important just now. . . But now it's like I'm somewhere completely different. Somewhere familiar. . .
Suddenly the entire dark void I was standing in lit up, the entire area quickly changing into various different scenes. I felt like the more I stood in the middle of it all the dizzier I got, it was like I was getting whiplash with how fast the scenery was changing. Weirdly enough no matter how dizzy I got I never wavered from my spot at all. It quickly started to seem like I was less standing and more like I was fixed to this point on the floor.
The ever shifting scenery finally settled, the floor transformed from an endless darkness to a tiled floor with a navy blue and white pattern. Walls arose from thin air, they were painted a light-beige, almost bordering on white. They seemed like the type of walls that would've been in a hospital.
Actually I. . . I knew that these were the walls of a hospital.
Looking farther down the hall I was now in I could see three figures, two short and small while one of them is large and tall.
I remembered this. . . This was when Grandpa. . .
"Dad? Where's Grandpa? Is the Doc-Doct-ar still looking at him?" That's me.
That's the small and young voice I used to have when I was six years old. Upon closer inspection it really was young me. He was holding a much younger Jane's hand, god she used to be so small. My hair used to be longer back then, almost went to the tip of my shoulders. I used to hate getting haircuts, I would always get itchy and the bathtub would get so hairy when I showered.
"Your Grandfather was very sick, Jamie. He's. . . He's not going to be around anymore." No. I didn't want to hear that back then. I just wanted my Grandpa back.
"No! We were supposed to go to the park and- He was gonna buy me ice cream and-" He's gone. . .
"He's gone, Jamie. I'm sor-" Please. He's just trying to help. Think about how he's feeling, that's his dad that just died.
"No shut up I hate you! I hate you I hate you! I want him back! Bring him back!"
The younger version of me let go of his little sister's hand and pushed past my Dad, running down the hallway. Even though I couldn't follow him I knew he was making random turns at every hallway end. And then he just kept running. And running. And running. Because I had done the same thing when I was him. I knew he had no idea where he was going, or where he wanted to end up. He would eventually stop running and cry his little heart out on a stair step near the first floor.
He didn't care about Jane, he didn't care about his Mom, and definitely didn't care about the son who just lost his dad. All he cared about was his pain. His sadness.
I tried reaching out a hand towards the way he ran but nothing was raised. When I looked down there was nobody there. No skin. No legs. No torso. I really was nothing more than an observer in this situation.
I was confused when the scene continued playing out.
I. . . I never saw anything after I left, I wasn't there to see the aftermath of my tantrum. So why was the scene still going on? Isn't this a memory? A dream?
"Daddy? Are you okay?" My little sister grabbed my Dad's shirt hem and pulled slightly, he was still turned towards the direction my younger self had runned in.
He was crying. . . He wasn't showing it to Jane but I could see it. The tears streaming down his face and his breath hitching in small pockets, barely even a second long. My Dad had really been in this much pain, and all I did was yell at him and run away? But I'm better now.
Our relationship is better. It has to be. I remember after this incident I had begged him and said 'I'm sorry' almost a million times over. I still remember what he told me, he sai-
"I'm fine, Jane. Please don't worry, everything's going to be alright now." My Dad wiped his eyes and controlled his breathing, turning towards the 5 year old. A stupidly warm and welcoming grin on his face.
That's what he said to me though. When we got home and hadn't talked a word in the car, when I looked him in the eye with tears brimming in my own. That's what he had said to me. Was it rehearsed? A lie he told so many times even he started believing it? Just how much pain was my Dad going through at the time. . . And how much of it was my fault. . .?
I wanted to say so many things to him in that moment, I wanted to apologize all over again and hug him as tightly as I could. But even trying my hardest I didn't budge from the position I was in. Like I was stuck with no body to move.
'Dad. I'm so sorry. Please.'
'Forgive me.'
The world began shifting all over again, but this time it felt less like I was in the middle of a film reel winding and more like I was
a part of the film itself. I could feel myself being pulled around the area as it was going through multiple changes and shifting scenarios and scenes. It didn't feel right.
It didn't feel right.
It didn't feel like last time it felt wrong.
Eventually the evershifting area around me settled into a scene once more. It was a grassy area, I could see a path of dirt that led to eventual concrete. A stairway leading upwards into what I assumed was the main sidewalk. I looked up and saw the underneath of a bridge. The grime and rust visible from even all the way down here. A river ran underneath the bridge, connecting what looked like a sea or lake.
The sky was a pale black, not quite the darkness the void had but not quite bright and shining either. The moon was out in all its glory. It sort of looked beautiful in a way.
Since there was nothing here for me to really see other than the occasional bird fly near the underpass of the bridge, I began walking towards the open area I saw earlier-
Wait. I was walking!
But I. . . Wasn't?
I tried walking in a different direction and found that I could only move in one. The way forward. I could turn my head but I don't think I could really do anything other than that. But hey, it's way more freedom of motion than I had earlier so I wasn't going to complain too much.
Upon closer inspection I realized that this area seemed familiar. Almost like I've seen it somewhere but I couldn't quite put my finger where.
Eventually I (the body?) stopped walking once another figure came into view.
He was practically covered in shadows, nothing really visible other than his silhouette. The more concentrated I became in trying to see him clearly the fuzzier he became. It's like my eyes just wouldn't let me see him.
He seemed skinny, his limbs lanky and his height was just a bit tall. Which compared to my height meant he should have been practically enormous. But something told me it wasn't like that. The outline of his hair showed that it went all the way down to his neck, possibly a bit over but it was nothing too long. He seemed to be wearing a shirt and pants but other than that everything else was a mystery.
"Jeez, it's like they're not even trying to give us better locations for these things. Don't get me wrong I didn't particularly like the bland facilities and testing sites but come on, this place is practically a dump. I'm pretty sure I saw a rat eating another rat near that trash bin." He made a small gesture over his shoulder, pointing with his thumb towards the trash bin under a lamppost that wasn't more than a few ways off.
That voice. That voice. I've heard it before. This. . . This all seems too familiar. And something told me that even though I'm having trouble trying to figure out who he was, I would know soon enough.
The silhouette gave a dejected sigh before placing his hands in his pockets, either that or he was putting them on his side. The fuzzy outline he gave off didn't give me a good look.
"I don't know why I try. I figured making some conversation beforehand would be interesting because of how you learn through The Network but you're just like the rest of them. Aren't you?" He gave a small click with his tongue.
Wait. The Network? From-
"Then again I'm expecting too much from you this early on, isn't that right-"
No. No it couldn't be-
"-Lab rat number 2401?" He sent a cruel smirk my way.
"Misaka has gained plenty of information based on past experiences. No information gained has shown that conversation before the experiment gives Misaka the upper hand or proves to make the experiment more of a challenge for Subject Accelerator, Misaka states her findings as she prepares for the upcoming experiment." That came from me. No wait. This is another dream. I'm just another observer. I have to be. This isn't me.
The shadows that consumed Accelerator's silhouetted form began receding. But I really wish they didn't.
Standing before me was the main antagonist of the 3rd Arc of 'A Certain Magical Index'. Accelerator, the number 1 ranked Esper. When I saw the show I thought he was cool, I even agreed with him on some views. But now that he was actually right in front of me? Jesus. My hearts raced, my hands were shaking I was sure of it, fear raged throughout my entire body and I had no idea why. Well, that's not true. I have some ideas.
If I'm dreaming about being a Sister then I already know what's about to come next. What the 'experiment' Accelerator and this Misaka were talking about.
But it shouldn't matter. This is a dream, the second he attacks I'll wake up. Even in vivid dreams like this you always wake up after something bad happens.
I looked downwards to see the Misaka's hands and was shocked to see that they were still and precise in their movements. Right, I forgot.
Misaka Sisters are clones. They don't feel fear. They feel purpose.
"Well. Let's get this show on the road, I need to think where I want to eat today. Maybe that new place near 7th District?" He wasn't even paying attention to Mis- Me anymore. He was lazily thinking about where to eat.
"The experiment will now commence in less than 10 seconds." No.
No stop, you don't know what you're doing.
"7 seconds." Experiment and Misaka Clone 2401. That was never shown in the anime, I never read it in the light novels, and I definitely never saw it in the manga. So maybe she'll survive.
She(I?) laid down a guitar case that not even I knew I(she?) was carrying, pulling out a large bulky looking rifle. This was the F2000R, also known as the Toy Soldier. I remember using this weapon in the Toaru Majutsu No Index PSP Game! It had the lowest amount of ammo from any of the other weapons but the fire rate was phenomenal. I wondered if the same applied in this dream.
"Before I eat I sure do hope you can make me break a small sweat. I have to make sure I'm hungry after all, the coffee I've been drinking takes away some of my appetite you see." He's going to kill this girl(me?). And he's still thinking about what he's going to eat. I used to laugh at this. At his jabs and small banter.
"3 seconds." A green visor overtakes my vision, showing me various electromagnetic fields and allowing me to see in the dark. This is one of those goggles the Sisters wear. The ones that sit on the top of their head when not in use.
I want to wake up now. I want to wake up.
He's a monster. This is a dream, his character wasn't this twisted in the adaptations at all. Right? No. No he's worse here than he's supposed to be.
"1 second, and begin-" This isn't a dream. It's a goddamn nightmare.
Accelerator simply hit his heel on the ground beneath him. It looked like he gave it a little love tap but it still managed to kick up dust and dirt as the ground became unstable. I could see the cracks and waves coming straight at me thanks to the special set of goggles the Misaka Sister was wearing, I felt my(her?) body quickly bolt towards the left. Taking out her Toy Soldier to begin shooting at the white haired teen while running around him. Every single shot that managed to hit simply bounced right back at her(my?) direction. I barely dodged some, although that was more luck than skill.
This is impossible. I'm. I'm scared. I feel legitimate fear and I'm terrified. This shouldn't be possible for a dream. Not even a nightmare, not even one as vivid as the one I'm having. It feels like I'm going to faint but something's keeping me here. It's not letting me look away.
I(no she) quickly closed the distance between her and Accelerator. Why, though? He can control any vector he touches, he can reflect anything that's thrown at him and manipulate anything he wants. What was she going to do?
It's not like he was some secret wea- Wait. No he did. He did have a weakness! If he wasn't transforming the vectors around him or manipulating instead of simple reflection then there was a way of doing some damage! It was stated in the Light Novel and the Anime once that if you managed to pull back the second you made contact with his barrier than instead of your fist flying back at you it would be pulled towards Accelerator! If she(I!) could just manage to force some electricity in her(my) hand right after it made it through the barrier then it might be able to knock Accelerator out in one go.
But it took Kihara Amata, the person who realized the weakness in Accelerator's reflection barrier, ages to even perfect the move. . . The chances of me(her) being able to do this are extremely low. . .
If this is really a dream, nightmare, whatever it was. Then please hear me. Please. Just follow my plan and you can live. We can live. You don't have to die. Please hear me.
The Misaka Clone did a roundhouse sweep towards Accelerator's Face, it seemed like she was actually going for it. My plan. She was actually going to do it! If we can just retract our foot the second it makes contact-
Suddenly Accelerator is behind us, I can feel his disgusting breath on my neck as I manage to turn my head right before he grabs us by the neck. It wasn't a big height difference but he still managed to lift us off the ground just by grabbing our neck. I could feel her(my) feet kicking frantically as she(I) tried clawing at Accelerator's wrist and arm. Her hands and wrists snapping as they're thrown back due to Accelerator's barrier.
It hurt. It hurt so much.
Why? Why wasn't I waking up? I'm getting hurt, I can feel the oxygen leaving my airways and my lungs desperately crying out for any air at all. Our hands and arms were snapped like twigs and it stung so bad. It hurt so bad. I've never felt pain this horrible in my life. My(her) eyes were beginning to roll back into my head in defeat, just before that though the Albino let a tiny bit of his grip around my neck go. Letting some air back into me as we gave him a terrified and pained glare.
We didn't have the strength for anything else. No other plans, nothing made on the spot, no calculations of the electricity needed to fry his malnourished looking arm. It felt like all the fight and energy this Misaka Clone had in her was slowly leaving her.
"Did you know you're constantly emitting heat vectors from your body? It's true, I can feel it emanating from your very skin at this moment. But have you ever wondered, what would happen if those vectors suddenly left? If the heat inside of your body was instantly gone all at once, and your body had no way of heating itself up? How long would it take you to die I wonder. . . Here. I'll speed up the process and if you survive, then we can play the game a little longer!" Accelerator gave a laugh that practically screamed insanity, his face contorted into a cruel and vicious smile. I heard the telltale sound of Vector Manipulation I had heard so many times in the anime.
It hurt.
A bone chilling cold began seeping into my skin. But it didn't stop there. I didn't know it was possible but I felt cold on the inside. My organs, my bones, even my throat and tongue felt like they were burning. But it didn't feel hot, it felt cold. It felt so so cold. I looked at my(her, it was her) hands and saw skin begin to turn a pale blue.
Stop it. Stop it. Stop it! Stop it! Stop it! STOP IT! STOP IT! STOPIT STOPIT STOPIT STOPITSTOPITSTOPITSTOPITSTOPITSTOPIT!
My eyes suddenly opened to greet the bright lights that were on the ceiling, my eyes squinted a small bit before they managed to adjust to the change of lighting. My ears were ringing a small bit although it quickly faded once I started to hear the people in front of me.
Standing in front of the Testament Capsule I was in were two scientists, researchers and scientists aiding the Level 6 Shift Project with the growth and development of Misaka Sisters so that the Sisters may be prepared for upcoming experiments-
I blinked a bit before shaking my head a little.
Woah. Where did all that information come from. . .? It's like I. . . Already knew all of it, I just needed prompting from something in order for me to really use it.
I tried sitting up but my movements were a bit shaky, I did eventually manage to position myself to sit up and look at both researchers.
"Aww, I still can't believe how big she's gotten with only fourteen days of growth in her culture. They sure do grow up fast don't they?" The younger one of the scientists gave a small sniffle as she wiped a tear from her eye.
"They all grow this fast, Kanmi-chan. They have a Z-I-D-2 cocktail to stimulate their growth, it's practically the same for each one we've processed so far." The older one gives the younger scientist, Kanmi-chan?, a small deadpanned look before sighing. She then stares straight at me and I could swear it's like she was looking right through me.
"Good Morning. Do you know what that means?" There was no condescension in her voice, it sounded more like she was simply going through a routine process and has asked this over a few hundred times.
I was going to respond with a snarky comeback, which I think I deserved after surviving whatever Hell I was stuck in during that nightmare. Not to mention I somehow managed to dodge whatever conditioning Testament was going to give me. How I'm still me I'm not sure, with what Testament usually does it should have overwritten me and produced another Misaka Sister.
I opened my mouth to give the older scientists a piece of my mind-
"A routine beginning of daily conversation, otherwise known as a greeting, affirms Misaka hesitantly to make sure she didn't miss anything."
What. . . I. . . I didn't mean to say that. . . What's going-
"You're specimen number?" The same scientist wastes no time in asking me another question once I finished responding.
"Specimen Number: 1-0-0-3-2" I say naturally, a bit of surprise leaks into my eyes as I'm still shocked and frankly kinda scared by this new development in my speech. Although something quickly absorbs any of those emotions from me as my face returns to a neutral expression.
What's going on? I thought I escaped Testament but it appears it's not that simple. If Testament did do it's job, albeit to an odd and unknown degree, then why am I still here? Shouldn't I be like every other Sister and be a blank slate for experimentation with Accel-
A-Accel. . .
I. . . . .
I can't say his name. I can't even think of his name. I'm so damn scared of the guy I can't even think about him.
I only had a nightmare (was it a nightmare?) of him once and this is the state I'm sent into when I remember it?
I used to be his fan, he was one of my favorite characters in the entire series other than Touma and Mikoto, and I'm absolutely terrified of him now. I even fought friends on how his ability was probably the most broken Esper power in the entire show. And if I really am in the Toaru Universe. . .
Then there's no way to beat him. He's the most powerful Esper on the planet. They even had to nerf him in the 5th Light Novel to make it fair for the other characters. His ability is the strongest out of anyones. And. . .
He might use that ability to. . .
The nightmare still haunts me, I can still feel his grip around my throat and the burning cold inside of me. No stop. Anything else. Focus on, on my hands. They're so small compared to my old ones. . . Dainty and. . . Sorta cute. Well. It would have been cute if it weren't on me that is.
"Hmm, it seems you're plugged into the Misaka Network alright. Although you won't be able to communicate with any of the other Sisters until you exit the facility, sorry about that. Here, take this and put it on." The same scientist as before gives me a navy blue hospital gown inside of a plastic wrapping. Does she. . . Want me to change in here? With both of them watching. . .?
I was about to vehemently tell them to please turn around since I definitely didn't want to be seen changing, and heck I didn't wanna see myself changing either since this wasn't technically my body, but then I stopped. Any embarrassment or irritation I just had only lasted for a second before it disappeared again. What's going on. . . This isn't Overlord! I'm not some undead with Emotion Suppression-
Wait.
Emotion Suppression. Of course, how idiot I could be! It must be a Testament conditioning function. I'll have to see what I can do about that. . .
Or wait. If I remember correctly then. . . Nunotaba Shinobu fixes that! She's the creator and head developer of the Testament machines. In Railgun S she uploads an emotional learning program that's supposed to help the Sisters feel and develop emotional understanding. But if I'm Misaka 10032 that means I should be ahead of the timeline when it comes to that. . . Maybe it's because I can't communicate with the Network yet? They did say I wouldn't be able to until I exited the facility.
Either way my sense of emotional understanding was still pretty developed, but that didn't mean much if I didn't have any emotions to understand.
So I stood up from my sitting position from the Capsule and began changing into my new gown, making sure the sides were tied correctly and in a comfortable manner. Oddly enough it felt like muscle memory when doing it. Like I've done it thousands of times before.
"A-Aah I'm sorry, Kusakabe-sama! But all this shameless nudity is really making me uncomfortable" The younger scientist, Kanmi-chan I'm pretty sure, blushes and tries to look at anything else but my changing form.
Yeah. . . I know how you feel. I'm uncomfortable too, Kanmi-chan. . . I'm uncomfortable too.
"Really now?" I could almost see the sweatdrop coming from the older scientist.
"Couldn't we add maybe just a touch of modesty when it comes to displaying the body?" Kanmi held her clipboard close to her chest in embarrassment as she gave a bashful smile towards the other scientist.
Could they do that? Because while I might feel a bit embarrassed I can't be sure about the other Misakas. . .
"If we add any unnecessary emotions and they rebel, that would be problematic. The safety devices aren't exactly perfect." The older scientist, Kusakabe-sama from what I remember, lectures to Kanmi. Although it's more in a kind and mentor-ish way than scolding.
Rebel, huh? Why shouldn't they. . . What's happening to them is wrong. . . Right?
"Besides, you and I don't have the necessary skills. That machine over there? It was overseen by Nuno-something or other. The girl genius. And even she just barely got it functioning." Nunotaba, they're talking about Shinobu Nunotaba!
If she just barely got Testament working for this facility then. . . Maybe something she did let me get past the conditioning without losing myself? But if I remember correctly from the Anime she was under strict supervision while doing so. She couldn't have done something major in how Testament functioned or the data it gave me.
It's odd. I say I got away from Testament without losing myself but. . . I feel different. Like I'm not really me. Like when you suddenly get up and you get really dizzy for a few seconds. I know I can move around of my own free will, I think at least, so this isn't like the nightmare I had. Was I really transported into 'A Certain Magical Index?' Or was all of this still an elaborate dream. . .?
It felt too real to be a dream. . . And didn't I just have a dream. . .? Well, more of a nightmare but still.
"Well then, let's proceed to the examination room and get her ready for deployment. We've still got another batch to produce later this week after all." Kusakabe interrupted my internal dialogue before I could get too deep into my thoughts by instructing Kanmi. The latter nodded as she opened the door.
It wasn't too far of a walk, surprisingly enough. Which is odd considering the walk from the gestation cultures (so that's what they were called) was a bit far. Although that was most likely to stimulate the clone's legs as to already begin their training from even before the Testament conditioning.
Woah. That was. . . Something.
I don't think I'm going to get used to the instant information dumps I've been getting. They did help for things I don't remember seeing in the anime but still-
It's kind of invading.
Eventually we make it to what looks to be the processing room. I can see a bit of the room through the window even though the white blinds have been shut all the way. As all three of us step in I can take in more of the room now. It almost sort of seems like what a normal nurses office in an anime would look like. Although instead of multiple beds there's only one next to the wall. There's two shelves with glass panes acting as sliding windows and a cupboard at the bottom, what looks to be a filing cabinet across from the shelves, a whiteboard with MRI images of a brain, and a desk filled with books, binders, and journals.
What's most noticeable to me though is the small tarp they have on the floor with a stool in the middle of it.
"Alright 10032, sit here and we can get started with your haircut. Then you will be given better clothing than the gown we have so that you can be released without any complications." Kusukabe said as she adjusted her round glasses. No tone in her voice that would have given any implications that she actually cared about what she was saying.
"Of course, says Misaka swiftly." If I wanted to get out of this I have to play the part. If I can get out and maybe interact with the world I might be able to wake up or. . . Let's say I was stuck here. . .
I might be able to change things. For the better.
Somehow muscle memory guides me towards the chair almost as if my body's done this already. But considering that I might be connected to the Misaka Network now, maybe my body has already done this thousands of times before. I flipped my hair behind me so that none of it would get underneath me when I sat down.
A pink salon cape is wrapped around my body as the back is tied so that it says on. I can hear the opening and closing of scissors behind me. I didn't want to bring any attention to myself as I stared down at the floor in thought. But I knew my face was just as impassive as it had been this entire time, excluding when some emotion was able to peek out, although those moments were immediately corrected by whatever conditioning Testament put in.
I heard the sound of my(her) hair being cut. I saw locks and strands of amber brown hair fall to the ground as I could literally feel the weight of all this hair being taken off of my head.
Did I really want this though. . .? I would look like- Like the rest of them. I didn't want to be some faceless and ordinary clone like them. I wanted to be me. Or- Or at least I wanted to be different!
"Wait." It came out of my mouth without me really noticing it was me. I'm still getting used to this voice after all.
"Hm? What is it?" Even though I couldn't see her I knew the younger assistant had tilted her head in confusion. In any other situation I'm sure it would have looked cute, but not now.
"Is it perhaps possible for Misaka to have something unique in her hairstyle? Records show that the hairstyle of Misaka does not inherently cause problems in the experiments, therefore there will be nothing to worry about data-wise, says Misaka vehemently trying to get Kanmi-sama to give her a different haircut from Misaka's sisters." It's true isn't it?
From what Testament and The Network provided, albeit not a lot due to me not being fully integrated into The Network until I get out of this dreary place. I only saw a tiny bit before the fights actually happened though. I. . . I couldn't force myself to even touch the information once the fights started. I couldn't see that. . . Not again.
"A different haircut huh? Hmm. Oh! I know, my cousin has a really cute one that I think you'll like! As long as that's okay with you, Kusakabe-sama." She turned her head to look at the older woman who was looking among binders on the desk.
"It doesn't matter, the date of her experiment is less than 2 weeks away. I doubt there's a high chance she'll run into the original so go ahead. It might even help deter witnesses from recognizing she looks like the donor." She simply waved us off before returning to her reading. I wonder if I could get a peek at those sometime.
The young woman behind me begins resuming cutting my hair, although it feels less like she's trying to match something she's seen and more like she's trying to remember a hairstyle. Her cuts are uneven and scattered throughout my hair, a small tuft of my own hair even falling onto my left eye at one point. I tried blowing it back into its original position but it seemed that even my hair was stubborn.
I sighed as I gave up trying to move it back into its original position while still trying my best not to move or shift in any way to let Kanmi continue the haircut.
She ends up finishing sooner than I expected. Using a wet towel to clean my hair of any cut hair and a blow dryer on the lowest setting to dry it so it wouldn't stay wet. She grabs a hand mirror and hands it to me.
It's the first time I can actually see my form, or. . . New form at least.
My eyes are big like Misaka's were shown to be in art and the anime, but instead of the light that anime characters always had in their eyes mine were dull and dead. I used to think that was simply a drawing style to show the watchers who were clones and who were the real people. (Real people. . .? Am. . . Am I not real. . .?) My skin is the normal hue that all humans have, although a tad paler from what Mikoto's shown to have. I guess it's probably from being grown in a tube. My hairs around the same length as what I remember the Sisters having, although it curved a tiny bit inwards instead of going straight down. It seems that Kanmi liked the hair covering my eye since she didn't cut it or do anything about it really. If anything I had to say that my hair sort of looks like Mash Krielight from Fate/Grand Order.
I. . . Sorta liked it.
"Thank you, says Misaka, grateful for the unique haircut." I tried my best to convey my appreciation even though my monotone voice made it sort of hard for me to do so.
"Aww. You're welcome! I think you look really cute with your hair like th-" While she was taking off the pink cape from my form she was interrupted by the older woman who was still reading from the binders.
"I have to interrupt but we do have a schedule to keep." Kusakabe interrupted the younger scientist as she turned around in her chair with a digital pad in her hand. She seemed to go over it for a second before looking back up at me.
"It seems 10032's muscle strength, stamina, and cardiovascular endurance all check out. You just need to pass your interpersonal training and then we can release you to join the others." No. No, I need to leave right now. If this really wasn't a dream then I needed to get started on changing things now. I couldn't waste a second.
But how can I convince wackadoo 1 and thing 2 to let me go. . .?
"That will not be necessary. Misaka has mastered every possible situation from ordering a hamburger, to spotting a con artist. She is confident that she can blend in with people in the outside world. Therefore, she has some doubts about the necessity of such a test, says Misaka wanting to exper- wanting to continue on with the experiment." Woah. Wait a second.
I almost said something I didn't mean to say, almost exposed my actual intentions without a second thought. Maybe Testament did do something after all. Was this something put in by the heads of the experiment or something of a verbal tic I just couldn't shake off? Either way I have to be more careful with what I say now.
"Hmm. I suppose after ten thousand iterations of you, you would begin learning for yourself what the outside world is like. Therefore I guess you're right." She gave a small shrug as she adjusted her glasses again. "Please follow Kanmi-chan, she will give you a new change of clothes and the necessary items you'll need to live here in Academy City until your experiment date. Kanmi, I have to go and check on the next batch's data. I trust you can handle this on your own?"
"Of course, Kusakabe-sama! I've done this almost a hundred times now after all!" A hundred times. . .? Was she new then? Why would she associate with this project of all things. . . Doesn't she know what's going on? What's happening to all these girls she's releasing into Academy City. . .?
"Hm, I'll trust you with it then. Be back soon though, it shouldn't take you too long." Kusakabe turns around once more and continues reading through the binder.
Now I was really curious about what was in there.
Kanmi grabbed me by the hand and guided me out the door and back into the bland and to be honest quite depressing hallway. I know I know, this is a facility where they churn out clones to have them killed but they could at least sport a few dollars for some sort of decoration. . . I'd even take one of those posters I used to have back home as an example-
. . . Home.
Mom. . .
Jane. . .
. . . . Dad. . .
I swear I could feel tears begin to brim in my eyes as my emotions began to boil over, to be honest I was about to start sobbing but-
Any emotions I had within me vanished the instant I gave a small sniffle, my face going from struggling to keep in tears back to its natural impassive straight.
I couldn't even mourn my family now? I can't cry over them or love them or even think about them fondly? Fuck you, Testament. I could feel so much frustration begin to rise within me and then that went away too. I couldn't even be angry. . . I couldn't be. . . Be anything. . . I had to fix this soon. . .
I'll fix everything I can.
We eventually got to the slanted platform elevator that takes us outside. Kanmi opened a storage container that was against the wall and handed me a folded uniform, socks and shoes to go along with it. Was I really expected to change without any privacy again. . .? I hate this place. . .
"Sorry 10032, but there's really no other privacy or storage rooms at this side of the facility that we can use for you to change in. I'll turn around though! So umm, please hurry!" Her face was practically a tomato now with how red it was. She quickly turned around to not face me, although I could tell from how tense her shoulders looked that she was till quite uncomfortable with me changing out in the open.
I sighed and simply began taking off the hospital gown and started putting on the clothing I was given. The more I did this the less embarrassed I was getting, either because of the emotional suppression or the emotional exhaustion from everything that's happened so far. Or maybe I was just getting used to this. . . Actually I think I hate that last scenario more than the other ones.
The uniform they gave me was the standard Tokiwadai Middle School one, specifically the Summer one. It was a short-sleeved white dress shirt and a light brown vest that I somehow know is supposed to go over the shirt, thanks Testament, and a dark tan skirt that reached halfway down my thighs. This thing even had pockets! Did girls back in my world have skirts with pockets. . ? Huh, a thought for another time. And there were. . . Blue and white striped panties I had to put on too. . . I tried my hardest not to look down there, even almost tripping once because I couldn't see with my eyes shut tightly. Let's say this was real. Even if this was my body for the time being I'm going to try my best to be a modest young man and not look! Oh god. . . How was I going to shower?-
I, somehow through a miracle of God himself, managed to finish dressing myself. I tapped the shoulder of the young research assistant to signify that I was finished.
"Oh, you're done! Huh. It sorta took you a second but I get it, skirts are a pain right?-" I get that. . . It felt way too breezy down there. "-I personally prefer pants myself. Now! Here take this."
She handed me a golden credit card, a gray flip phone, and bulky goggles with a green visor.
The only item I recognized really were the goggles. These were the ones all the Misaka Sisters had and it was also the same ones from the nightmare. They were meant to help the Sisters see electrical currents and magnetic fields if I remember correctly. As for the credit card I guess that's my source of funds for now. Nice not having to work though, in my original life it was a pain knowing I had to get up everyday just to go to a job I hated.
I'll never see my boss again though. Huh, doesn't really fill me with sadness knowing he's long gone.
The flip phone looks like it's straight out of 2004 though- CRAP. Was I not only in a teenage girl's body, but also sent back in time as well?! Greaaat. I'm definitely looking forward to that. Although Academy City's technology is supposed to be really advanced, right? Maybe it'll be just like my old life? To an extent. . .?
I resisted the urge to give an exasperated sigh.
"The credit card will pay for everything that you need, just please don't go over the spending limit of two million yen. As for the phone, that is how we will contact you if something ever comes up. The goggles are standard issue for you guys so I'm guessing The Misaka Network will inform you if Testament hasn't already. Are you ready?" Kanmi gives me a small smile as she steps away from me and closer to the elevator controls. She really was new wasn't she? And she's already mixed up in this mess.
Wait- Did she say two million yen!? That's almost twenty thousand dollars! What the hell was their funding?!
Right. Right. Can't get too surprised or the emotional suppression will kick in.
"Misaka will be alright, says Misaka, remembering the information about the outside world." The words came out of my mouth naturally. Sure there were a few things I left out of my response but I couldn't trust her. Not if she was this close to the project.
I wonder if I'd ever get rid of that verbal tic. Actually I wonder. . . What's stopping me from just. Not saying the end part at all? So far it feels like a compulsion to do so, but. Nothing's really forcing me to. At least I don't think so.
Kanmi types in what I assume is her access code into the elevator, causing the platform to begin rising towards the outside world.
Honestly? I couldn't help but be a bit nervous.
What if the air was different from mine? The sunlight could be so much hotter than I'm used to, and the food. I'd be eating Japanese food right? I didn't really eat much from other cultures when I was alive. I wonder what it tasted like. Would I like it? Would I make my own food? Would it be spicy or sweet? My tastebuds, are they different too?
Inevitably, we reached the maximum height the platform could go. Stopping just short of a giant metal door that began to open sideways. The light that began peering through was blinding for only a second. Once my eyes adjusted I was absolutely taken aback.
I walked forwards into this new world and.
It was absolutely beautiful.
The air was soft and cool against my skin, my hair slightly moved against the wind. The sun wasn't too hot but just warm enough that it was sort of comforting. I stuck my tongue out, I don't really know what made me do so but, the air sort of tasted different. If that makes any sense? It smelled new too. Not new car new, but it was still different than what I was used to.
I turned around as I heard the metal grating of the door closing, seeing the researcher that had helped me give me a small wave goodbye. I raised my own hand to give a goodbye but the doors had already closed. Shame. . . She was sort of nice.
I looked around me to get a better view of my surroundings. It seems that the elevator took me just outside the facility I was in. Just up ahead was a bridge that connected Academy City to this building. Looks like I was walking then.
I felt a small push against what I think was my mind, it felt like someone was pressing lightly against my temples. Not knowing any better I decided to open the mental door to see what it was.
I was suddenly bombarded with different locations, experiences, sights, tastes, sounds, I could see Misakas dead. Ripped apart. Torn to shreds. Frozen. Pierced. Imploded. Exploded. Drowned. Suffocated. It was suffocating. Stop it. Stop it! STOP IT.
I shut the mental door as tightly as I could. Forcing everything that had come through to go back from where it came.
So that's what the Misaka Network was. That was- That was horrible. Although I guess it's mostly my fault for letting everything through all at once.
I was gripping my light-brown vest as tightly as I could, the experience leaving me panting and shook. Weird. . . Emotional suppression wasn't going to do it's thing this time? Great. So it's as inconvenient as it was finicky. Thanks Toaru.
My balance was so off due to the sudden attack of information that I had to grab the nearby railing to try and keep myself on my feet. I felt my hand touch something solid for a second before being hit with another barrage of information. Chemicals, atom arrangements, and molecular structures invaded my mind for a fraction of a second before I fell on the ground.
I ended up falling straight on my ass and onto the concrete below me. I winced in pain just a small bit before looking at the railing with a glare. The part I tried to grab was. . . Gone? It looked like a chunk of it where my hand was going to grab was just missing.
I looked down at my hands before seeing little flecks of metal on my palms.
Wait was this-
My eyes suddenly went as wide as I think they possibly could.
'Maybe. I can make a difference in this world.'
I didn't have the defective version of Mikoto's Railgun. I had something entirely new.
This was my personal reality, this was.
My Esper ability.