Irritated purple sparks flew around a certain girl's head. Why was that, one dares to ask? Misaka Mikoto was stood up. Or rather, she was left to wait with a certain nun adorned in white. The girl was mad for an understandable reason. Today was the day the three were supposed to have what was supposedly going to be the greatest hot pot the Kamijou household would ever have seen. Anyone would wanna experience that, right?

So Misaka got to talking to her friends, the ahem, "Railgang" as Saten liked to joke. Then THEY joined the group in this hotpot, their own ingredients and all. So there were about five people waiting for a glorious meal. So where was the supposed host? Not here, and not answering his calls. "I'm gonna punch that dumb idiot." Misaka's irritation was so poweful it made everyone's hair stand on end. There was only so much patience one could hold.

"To think, I'd started believing in the ape..." Kuroko did not hesitate to start badmouthing Kamijou, it was in her blood to. Even in her irritation, Misaka still shot a raised eyebrow in her direction. "Okay, this doesn't warrant that kind of reaction. At this rate, we oughta be concerned, right silver sister? Something's gotta be off."

Index was holding Sphinx in her arms, and had the tiny terrorist and former magic goddess turned fairy; Othinus, in the headpiece of her habit. Not that anyone knew. "Yeah... Touma being gone this long probably means he got caught up in something crazy. It doesn't help that he hasn't fed me either, he can't go and die somewhere now!" Othinus had her own two cents to add in, though it was more concerned than the others.

"The air tonight... it reeks of that scent. That scent of needless war and combat. It reeks of tragedy. It reeks of..." Othinus stopped herself. She needn't jump to conclusions and get that nun all worried. She's never even experienced something of that scale, and it's unlikely that Academy City would ever be host to it. Right?

...

No. Even Othinus knew that was wishful thinking. The way things have been recently, she's surprised it took this long for it to happen in this scientific city that was full of that bizarre man's ideals. Or should it be bizarre girl, as she did die like that. Whatever that foolish person's identity was, Aleister Crowley was someone who was a lot of trouble. If things play out the way Othinus thinks they will, the next few days will be bothersome.

"Anyhow, Index. Perhaps you should get some rest. I'm sure my understander will be back soon." She was half lying to Index, half lying to herself. Sure, he was probably fine now... But as things stand? The way this feels... It's reminiscent of that time in Fuyuki back in 2004. Things are in motion that can't be stopped, not now.

"I'm gonna go look for him." Misaka stood up suddenly, heading for the door. "Feel free to follow along, but this doesn't feel right."

The girl, as impatient as she was, wasn't incorrect. Something truly was not right.

The engines of Hamazura's car was at a steady hum as they drove along the street. He was able to put in a large investment from his check toward a muscle car from Hodge (you know what this is referring to), and boy was the investment worth it. The smoothest sounds and the most glorious appearance. Truly, this car is right below Takitsubou and Boss in terms of importance. Nothing could possibly go wrong.

And then everything went wrong. Goddamn him for jinxing it.

Hamazura and Kamijou went flying from the vehicle, as a giant spear flew in front of them and sent the car up. They landed with a grunt, Hamazura sticking the landing with his feet, and Kamijou rolling across the asphalt.

"What the hell was that?!" Hamazura was rightfully angry, his car was totaled! Kamijou looked up, and he spotted the figure. Pale blue skin, an outfit that was worn and torn from battle, yet still sturdy. But they lacked a head. What was in their skull's place was nothing but a plume of fire with a singular spark where their eyes might've been. They lacked the spear they had before, but they seemed to have more than enough weapons in their arsenal.

"My name is Avenger. My true name is beyond that of what you need to know. There is nothing personal, young men, but my master requests your disposal." The figure... tilted it's head up? Was it grinning? Neither of the boys could tell. It held a singular, shattered, and rusty broadsword in hand. It was rotted, covered in a weird blackish-red gunk. Was it blood, or something else? Either way, the figure seemed like it was about to enjoy what was soon to come.

There was a lack of sound, as the figure rushed forward. There was barely any time to react to it. Kamijou was kicked into the air, flying about 10 feet away from his original position. The headless figure then turned to Hamazura, who was pulling out a gun. Not that it helped any, as the figure, no, as Avenger simply grabbed Hamazura's arm and twisted it completely, tossing him aside.

"I don't like killing children, so I would much prefer if you simply played dead and bowed out." Their terms and conditions were clear. Hell, they had no idea what was going on, so they had no reason to not agree, right?

"To hell with that."

Kamijou had spoke up first.

"I don't know what's going on, but whatever is happening... It's gonna be a problem for Academy City, right? My friends live here, and I can't just let you do as you want."

Hamazura stood up, pain shooting through his body. Yet, he grit his teeth and spoke up anyway.

"Boss is right. I can't let you do what you want! Our home isn't your playground, ya bastard!" He grunted, aiming his gun at Avenger. "You better sit back, and listen!"

Kamijou took over speaking from there, clenching his right fist tightly.

"If you think we're gonna let you do as you wanna, then you're just gonna have to sit still,"

He glared, a strange determination within his eyes. The kind that anyone who's seen that boy could only get excited at.

"And let us shatter that illusion of yours!"