Chapter Eleven

The green cell phone pressed against my ear; the side of my face was warm from the contact.

"Yeah. I accepted the offer."

My shoes clacked against concrete as I moved along the sidewalk.

Misaka's voice crackled through the speaker, forcing me to strain my ears. "You should've accepted it as soon as you got the offer! Jeez- what were you thinking?"

It was growing darker and darker, the evening street lamps coloring the ground in blueish-white light.

"I was just being careful, that's all." Controlling my breathing, I switched hands and held the phone to my left ear. "But it's all good now. As of… whenever I accepted, Misaka 10032 no longer exists in the Network."

The microphone barely picked up a sigh. "Good. That's good."

The road was empty. So empty that if I wanted, I could wander in the middle of the street without worry.

"So," I started, trying to keep the trepidation out of my voice. "How goes things on your end? Make any progress?"

The line went eerily silent. I couldn't even hear Misaka's breathing.

Then, like a spell was broken, she answered. "Tree Diagram was destroyed."

"Huh?" What does that have to do with ending the experiment?

I stopped at a crosswalk and looked both ways before continuing.

Taking a breath, Misaka elaborated. "The scientists treat the Tree Diagram like a scientific gospel. So I thought, 'What if I hacked into Tree Diagram and told the scientists that the experiment was impossible now?' Turns out the damn computer was destroyed ages ago."

"Oh." I switched hands again, sweat clinging to the side of my face. "Sorry to hear that."

"Mhm," Misaka mumbled, trailing off.

My hand gripped a cold railing as I scrambled down a flight of grated stairs. As they rattled, I held the phone closer to my face, hoping to mute the sounds.

"Ichigo?" The question was quiet and hesitant.

Frowning, I slowed down my pace. "Yeah?"

There was a sudden, if muffed, bang in the background. I wasn't certain, but it sounded like someone kicking a pole. Misaka took a labored inhale. "According to the Tree Diagram, if I fought Accelerator, he would defeat me in 185 moves."

I gulped, unsure where Misaka was going with the line of thought.

"Look after my friends, would you?" There was a forced cheer in her voice as she spoke with a higher pitch. "I know you'd get along with them all."

Coming to a halt at the bottom of the stairs, I stared at the phone incredulously. A weight settled in my gut and I forced myself not to shudder.

That- that's insane! She isn't really thinking of…

"Misaka," I said, my tone grave. "Are you really sure that's the best way to go about this?"

"What else can I do!" I winced, ear ringing. There was another bang—this time, I was sure Misaka hit something. "I've done everything I could! Do you think I want to do this? No- I don't. It's unfair!"

I sighed as a soft, forlorn smile took shape. "If you're sure, then I won't try to stop you. But in return, I'd like a favor. Could you do that for me?"

"...depends." Misaka sounded reluctant, but I knew I had her. My smile became a tad more genuine as I returned to my walk.

Gravel crunched underneath my shoes. "I want to meet with you. The same place where we last saw each other."

Misaka huffed. "You won't be able to convince me."

I doubt that, I thought. But thoughts were just that, thoughts. I didn't need to convince her of anything. "Please? I don't want to leave things off on a phone call of all things."

"Fine." The girl relented. "I'll see you there."

"See ya." There was an awkward pause as neither of us immediately hung up. I could hear Misaka's panting as she ran towards the park.

Shaking my head, I ended the call right as Misaka went to say one last thing.

"Thank-"

Letting out an amused exhale, I removed the phone's batteries and put it away. My heartbeat picked back up and my throat dried. Now that I didn't have Misaka to distract me, it made what came next a little more frightening.

Okay, maybe more than a little.

Raising my hands to my head, I adjusted the NV goggles to a more comfortable position.

Each step I took was thunderous, like walking around the house at one in the morning. Regardless, I wasn't looking to hide. I intended to be found.

My hands, slick with sweat, were unceremoniously shoved into my pockets. I gripped the mirror and phone, treating them like the world's most unconventional stress balls.

I walked past massive shipping containers, idly reading the white letterings and designations, letting them slip out of my mind immediately after.

Glancing up at the sky, I spotted the moon just barely visible between the thin clouds. It was a crescent, nearly a new moon.

Nearly a new moon, but not quite there. Or maybe it's the moon just after.

I wish I knew. It all seems so dark, what could possibly come next? Complete darkness? Or perhaps a brighter future?

Shaking my head, I let out another sigh. There I was, waxing philosophical. That wasn't a good sign.

I stepped out into a large clearing, glass skyscrapers dotting the backdrop. Steel rails cut through the ground, empty of any locomotives.

My pulse hammered in my head like a raging river. I paced back and forth, then forced myself to stand in place.

Gravel crunched.

Gradually turning my head, I caught sight of a figure cloaked in shadow. Even as he stepped into the moonlight, I could hardly make out his scrawny frame and messy hair.

He sauntered into the open, hands in his pockets. Red eyes glinted and swiftly landed on me.

My breath hitched, heart rattling like an overclocked engine. My legs were tense—my tongue panged from the digging of my teeth.

The rush. The fear. The anxiety.

It was like an old glove; one I had the displeasure of growing all too familiar with. So maybe I had become desensitized to it all. Or maybe I finally had the courage to overcome my terror.

No, that's not right. Sure, experience something enough times and you're bound to find ways to deal with it. And having courage is great too.

But I'm here for one reason and one reason only.

I took a step forward and approached Accelerator.

The ghastly being tilted his head down, eyes set in a harsh glare. "What a surprise. You're here earlier than usual. That eager to be torn to shreds?"

My approach stuttered as I registered Accelerator's voice. He sounded… young. Far younger than I imagined.

Well, duh. All espers, to my knowledge, are just kids. Why would the strongest of the bunch be any different?

Licking my lips, I took my hands out of my pockets and kept them loose. "No. Not particularly."

"Third-rate?" The boy's gaze narrowed, but his posture remained the same. He shook his head, chuckling softly. "Is that the best you could do? You're not fooling anyone with that disguise. What a joke."

He moved forward at a slow pace. The city's distant lights narrowly caught the contours of his face, at last revealing the boy.

Accelerator wore a crooked grin, youthful skin contorting and buckling. Yet his glare remained fixed. Almost like he was inflamed by the sight of Misaka.

"I'm not your usual clone." Grabbing the goggles, I pulled them off and dropped them. The goggles hit the ground with a heavy thud. "And I'm not the original either."

The boy clicked his teeth, eyebrows twitching. "Bullshit. Don't waste my time with your fucking games, third-rate. Do you want to die?"

Someone's quick to anger.

"Like I said, not really. But that's not really in the cards for me." I glanced off to the side, sorrow looming over me. "I don't have the power to stop you. Or any power at all, really. But I'm sure if you looked carefully, you could see that for yourself."

He stared with a greater intensity, but his irritation was tempered as his lips pulled into a subtle frown. Accelerator looked off into the city and I followed his gaze. Nothing stood out to me. It was just the usual cityscape, along with the still wind turbines.

When he said nothing, I decided to continue. "I guess to prove it further, Misaka does actually plan to fight you."

Hearing this, Accelerator perked up, his shoulders tensing. "However, she intends to die after the first move. Tree Diagram predicted that she would lose after 185 moves, and since it's been destroyed, any late discrepancies would surely throw the experiment out of whack."

A shocked expression replaced the boy's menacing countenance. It was so sudden, it couldn't be anything other than authentic. "Is she an idiot?"

"She's desperate." I couldn't help but smile, weak as it was. "And isn't that something? When all other means are depleted, she decides to sacrifice her own life for the sake of the clones. I can't help but admire that."

Blinking in surprise, the white-haired boy shuffled uncomfortably. "If you admire her so much, why tell me this?"

"For all of her prowess as an esper, Misaka is only a child. And like you said, it's a dumb plan. I bet she hopes that dying here will serve as some kind of atonement for failing to save everyone."

Keeping a close eye on Accelerator, I watched as he made a myriad of faces. In the end, he settled on a disgruntled sneer. "Don't tell me you want to 'save' those lab rats too? Are you here to try and convince me they're human? Give me a break."

Lab rats? Where have I heard that before, I thought sardonically. Hold on…

"Do you think I'm not one of the Sisters?"

The conversation came to a halt. Accelerator scowled, briskly stomping his way over to me. "Listen here-!" His words died in his throat as he gazed directly into my eyes.

"You took their word for it, didn't you?" The boy startled, taking a step back. "They're only clones. Just lab rats. Puppets. Tools. Mass-produced dolls. And they don't even try to escape. Content to die by the thousands. Painfully, slowly, and so very lonely-"

"Shut the fuck up!" The boy screamed, fists clenched at his sides. He wheezed, arms shaking in frustration. "You know nothing. You're just some fake… an abnormality. Get in my way and I'll kill you too."

I gulped air, my throat dry as a desert. Even so, I stood my ground, silently bearing the pinpricks that ran down my back.

His face screamed murder, his red eyes shined with bloodlust. Accelerator gritted his teeth, daring me to try again.

There's no convincing him, is there?

Squeezing my eyes shut, I tilted my head back and took a long, shuddered breath.

No… I guess it could be possible. Maybe not tonight, but if I pressed on—if I were careful and calculating—it's definitely possible.

After all, Accelerator clearly doesn't think the clones are human. That, by far, is the best sign that he isn't completely heartless.

If I could break down his walls and show him exactly what he denies so fervently, I could do it. I could save the remaining Sisters.

But that wasn't why I was here tonight.

I was entirely truthful to Misaka. Well, aside from meeting her at the park, that is.

I wasn't lying when I said I was free from the experiment.

Sniffing hard, I rubbed my nose with my forearm. My lips quivered and I kept my eyes shut, trying my best to keep the tears from falling.

Really, if I wanted to, I could run away at any moment. Even now. It's not like Accelerator would even try and chase me. He has a schedule to uphold.

Or so I assume. I could be wrong.

My knees were weak and my throat bobbed, acidic mucus running to my stomach. My shoulders shook, as though desperate for the steady hug only a father could give—the soothing embrace of a mother. The awkward, but well meaning hug of a younger sibling.

Despite that all- despite everything, I've already made up my mind. I will do what I always had the strength to do, but was too selfish to see it.

Although my cheeks were red and my eyes puffy, composure swept over me like a stifling blanket. My heart continued to drum in my chest, but my breathing settled and my hands relaxed.

"You're right. I am an abnormality. As soon as I was able, I disconnected myself from the Network." Accelerator gave me a wary look. "Because of that, I was expelled from the experiment. So technically, twenty-thousand and one clones will be created, rather than the original number."

Locking eyes with the boy, I made my intentions clear.

"I want to take the place of the clone you're supposed to fight tonight."

It was dead quiet, save for the blood rushing my ears. So quiet that I couldn't help but wonder if my pulse was audible.

Accelerator opened his mouth, but paused, words not taking form. He stood there, uncertainty crawling over his features.

Tugging at my collar, I examined the gravel beneath my feet. "Think about it. I have a wholly unique perspective, along with the capacity to reconnect to the Network. If anything, my participation would only help your progress."

Countenance morphing into a grimace, the number one's thoughts must've been running a thousand miles a minute. He removed his hands from his pockets, fingers curling into fists.

"What's in it for you?"

A reasonable question. I chuckled, knowing he wouldn't believe me. "I want to save 10033's life. Give her the chance to have more than just… this."

It would only be a year or so, but you could do a lot in that time. And maybe, just maybe, the rest of the Network could learn to appreciate that freedom. Love it. Yearn for it. Fight for it.

Then again, if my presence wasn't enough, I don't think anyone could do it.

The boy was flabbergasted. He couldn't even muster up a response. Nor was he given the chance to.

"'What are you doing?' demands MISAKA."

Studying the number one's expression one last time, I turned around. Facing 10033, I wore a wry grin, raising a single brow. "Something or other. I thought I would have more time, to be honest."

The Sister's lips twitched and her forehead wrinkled in frustration. Her gaze flickered to the boy, quickly shifting back to glare at me.

"'Your plan would not have worked regardless, 10032. Hoping to deceive the Network was shortsighted. And had it worked, MISAKA would have traveled all the way to your apartment, feet very sore, only to find you had lied,' says MISAKA, disappointed by her sister's poor planning."

I shook my head with a mix of exasperation and mirth. "Maybe you're right. It was a half-baked plan anyhow. Came up with it on the spot, so it was far from perfect."

"'MISAKA is glad you understand. Now that your scheme has been thwarted, please leave the premise, as you are no longer a member of the Level Six Shift,' orders MISAKA, relief overcoming her vexation over her sister's foolishness."

10033 stepped to the side, barely tilting her head toward the residential district. Her expression relaxed and her body was no longer taut with anxiety.

My own expression slowly melted away as well, a solemn grimace taking its place. "I'm sorry, but I can't do that."

The girl slowly blinked, taking a few seconds to digest what I said. Her eyes remained blank and her breathing was steady. However, I could see her jaw clench ever so slightly.

Licking her lips, she uttered one word.

"Why?"

Humming, I ran my hand through my hair, a cold sweat slipping down my arms. "Well… I don't know how much you heard, but to put it simply, I'm going to take your place in the-"

"Why?!" 10033 cut me off, her question terse. "'Why would you rejoin the experiment?' asks MISAKA."

The girl took a deep breath, voice cracking from the minor exertion. Perhaps the most she had ever experienced.

"Don't you hate the experiment? Don't you hate… the Network? Isn't that why you left in the first place?"

…

"I do hate the experiment." Even though I spoke softly, 10033 reeled back as though I shouted at her. "Ever since I woke up in this world, I've wanted nothing more than to get out of this experiment. It's awful. Horrendous. Evil. An affront to all that's good."

Wiping a hand down my face, I let out a long sigh. "I must seem crazy, saying that I'd jump back into it. What could be more maddening than that? I know precisely how horrifying the Level Six Shift really is. Which is why… it's why I'd do anything to get all of you out of it. To get you out of it."

10033 stood stock still and her gaze was unchanging. There was a slight buzzing in the air, but when I strained my ears, I couldn't actually hear anything out of the ordinary.

Scrutinizing the girl, I came to a realization.

She's communicating with the Network, isn't she? Is that what it feels like from the outside?

I shivered, but kept my expression neutral.

Finally, 10033 spoke up. "You are being ridiculous. MISAKA doesn't need-"

"No."

The girl's eyebrow twitched. "'No?' asks MISAKA, disgruntled by her sister's rude attitude."

My nails dug into my palms and I forced my fists to unfurl. "Nothing you say will convince me that you aren't human."

The wind was taken from 10033's sails. Like reaching for a comfort blanket, the girl pinged the Network once more. Her eyes danced around the railyard, a silent conversation taking place.

"'Very well then. If you cannot be convinced of the obvious truth, then MISAKA will dismantle the rest of your deeply flawed motives,' MISAKA begrudgingly states, disappointed it has come to this point."

"You do not want to die. You do not want to get hurt. 10032 has gone to great lengths to avoid feeling pain, as observed by the Network. Therefore, rejoining the experiment is counterintuitive to your objective."

I smothered a chuckle. "Haven't I said this already? I'm doing this to save you. That's way more important than any amount of pain."

10033's shoulders tensed and the buzz flared up again. "There are no benefits to the experiment if you were to rejoin. You have been separated from the Network for too long to update you on the newest battle strategies."

"But the Network also doesn't have any of my unique experiences either. Aren't I, due to my 'specialness,' a perfect datapoint for improving the experiment as a whole?"

"..."

The Network quieted down and 10033 stared at the ground. She almost looked agitated. Her lips dared to curl closer and closer to a noticeable frown. But 10033 stopped herself, switching her attention to the boy behind me.

"'The Network does not approve of this action. However, Accelerator is also a participant in the experiment and therefore his input is imperative,' asserts MISAKA, hoping Accelerator will make the right choice and ignore her sister's senselessness."

I turned around, only to find the boy looking like a deer caught in headlights. Gathering his wits, he bared his teeth and spat out a response. "Don't bring me into your fucking clone spat. I don't care who fights me, so long as I can get tonight's experiment over with."

Shaking my head, I gave 10033 a 'what can you do' shrug.

Like I thought. Accelerator won't do a thing unless provoked. That makes this a little easier.

"You say that you, nor the rest of the Sisters are human. Answer me this. Who decides what qualifies as human? What makes a clone with the exact same biological functions as a regular human any different?" I walked forward, closing the distance between us.

"That is…" 10033 struggled to answer. Even the Network was silent.

I stopped directly in front of the girl. It was odd being this close to her. 10033's shoulders raised and lowered with each breath. She blinked with increased frequency. Her gaze would occasionally tremble as she desperately tried to maintain eye contact.

Maybe if the original were in my place, she'd describe it like looking at a highly advanced mirror. That uncanny sense of seeing something you really shouldn't be able to. With bizarre ease, I could see exactly what the back of my head looked like. Or know exactly what my hair looked like without flipping a picture.

But I wasn't her. Nor was I any of the other clones. When I saw this clone in front of me, I could only see one person.

There was a thundering beat in my chest as I mulled on my next words. It was something that had to be said, yet my throat remained parched and my hands were caked in sweat. My body was warm, made worse by the lack of any breeze.

Yet I didn't get this far without doing the uncomfortable. "Look at it this way. Do you want me taking part in the experiment? Don't you want me to rejoin the Network?"

"The Network-"

I firmly raised my hand, ignoring my stuttering heart. "I want to know what you think."

"MISA-"

"Not MISAKA. I want to know what 10033 thinks. I want to know what you and only you think."

Air traveled up my nose and down to my lungs. I held it in, discomfort slowly rippling across my whole being. Then I let it go, feeling light.

10033's hands moved to the hem of her skirt, as though tempted to grab it. Yet she stopped herself, holding herself to some modicum of composure.

That composure broke, and she clenched her skirt anyway.

Gently closing her eyes, she took a breath. She held it for seven seconds. Then let it go for eight.

Unremarkable brown eyes met my own.

"I do not want you to take part in the experiment." 10033 paused before muttering under her breath, "'Says Misaka, begrudgingly breaking protocol."

Smiling, I rested a hand on her shoulder. "That's right. You really care about me, don't you? You have since the very beginning. It was you who kept tabs on me. It was you who gave me the cash cards. It was you who updated me on patrol routes. And it was you who dealt with my constant antagonizing. My moody outbursts. My fears and anxieties and suspicions. Do you know what it means to do all that? Why you continue to do it even now?"

"'It… it is 10033's duty to look after her sister,' explains MISAKA." She looked away, gripping her skirt tighter.

"It's more than just duty. That's devotion." I squeezed her shoulder and her gaze slowly trailed back up. "That's love."

10033 opened her mouth, only to leave it hanging. She began to quiver, lowering her head, bangs obscuring her face.

"MISAKA cannot love. She isn't capable of such a thing."

I pulled her close, wrapping both arms around her. "But you do! That desire to see me okay. That willingness to put my wellbeing over your own. You worry and agonize over how I'm struggling, trying so hard to understand. So let me help you understand why I'm doing all this."

Holding her firmly, I spoke with absolute certainty.

"10033. I love you too."

The girl went still in my arms. I couldn't help but wonder if she was even breathing.

Without warning, the air around 10033's head flared with activity. She shoved me away, staggering back. Her eyes were wide and her face strained. 10033 grimaced, the Network so loud and so concentrated that I could almost see it.

Then there was nothing.

I rubbed my eyes, wondering if I was missing something. The Network, powerful and enormous as it was, suddenly disappeared.

"Did you just-" I gaped, staring at the girl. "Did you really just-"

10033 stomped forward, disregarding my shock. "Misaka has decided that you will not take part in the experiment."

Readying myself, a thousand thoughts ran through my head. Any argument, any position, I could refute. And now that 10033 didn't have the help of the Network, it would be impossible to outlogic me.

A heavy weight impacted my chest and I fell to the ground.

Gasping for air, my vision spun as my wrists were restrained. I flailed instinctively, barely breaking free from the hold.

Gravel dug into my arms as I pushed back on my assailant. Yet as 10033 fell off me, she grabbed me again.

We rolled, my world spinning. Coherent thoughts fell to the wayside as I tried to breathe. It was like being thrown into the ocean, forced to sink or swim. I coughed for air, trying to gather my wits.

Separating myself from the girl, I crawled away, dirt smudging my palms. I glared at 10033, who looked just as ruffled as I felt. Her hair stuck up at awkward angles and her face was coated in dust.

"What the hell was that!" I shouted, my arms shakily keeping myself off the ground.

"You cannot… be reasoned with." 10033 gasped, even more exhausted than I. "Therefore, drastic methods were the only option."

That… isn't completely unreasonable, I begrudgingly admitted. But regardless of the reasoning, it was too sudden. For all my talk about fighting Accelerator, I knew nothing about actual combat.

Wait, no, I do have combat skills. They came with Testament for crying out loud!

Yet I couldn't reach them. My mind was in a whirl and my body struggled to follow my commands. It was like a connection had been burned. I pushed myself to my feet, swaying like a drunkard on a boat.

Putting any of my so-called fighting skills to the test was beyond me.

Dread gripped my heart as the revelation dawned on me.

If this comes down to a fight—a real fight—I don't think I can beat her.

Grinding my teeth, my fingernails futilely pressed into my palms. My throat stung and my chest ached. Each breath was like an inhale of fire and an exhale of poison.

"I don't want to fight you," I heaved out. 10033 ignored me, sluggishly approaching me.

Biting my cheek, I braced myself. "Please don't make me fight you!" I pleaded on deaf ears.

10033 tensed, like a coil ready to spring forward.

Is this it? Am I really going to fail here- after everything!? I don't want to fight her, but I have to. I can't beat her, but I must.

Resignation swelled as I raised my fists.

"Tch."

10033 and I both wavered at the unexpected noise. Daring to look over my shoulder, I found Accelerator hadn't moved an inch, hands dug into his pockets.

I forgot about him.

The albino esper appeared constipated, his features contorting in disgust and resentment.

I could feel the blood drain from my face.

Red eyes pierced into me, my legs locking into place. I was back in that torrential memory, water coating my face and shoes soaking wet. He embodied death. Not just pain or battle, but the end of the line.

Fear readily returned, welcoming me like a lost lamb. It cupped my cheek, chiding me for flying too close to the sun.

I felt nauseous.

The esper sneered. "This is stupid. Forget about it, I'll just fight one of you later."

Without an iota of fanfare, Accelerator turned around and walked off, disappearing into the night.

"..."

When he showed no signs of returning, my strength left me. I fell to the ground, back against the sharp gravel. 10033 lasted just a bit longer, but she too joined me.

The sky was dark and starless, clouds motionless overhead. My face itched, yet I couldn't bring myself to scratch it.

My heart returned to a steady beat; my ears no longer filled with the rushing of blood. Closing my eyes, I wondered if I could fall asleep then and there.

"You know," I whispered. "At first, I was fairly certain you all were human. Sure, there were oddities. And yeah, the whole deal with the Network was pretty dehumanizing. But even so… Even so, I knew you were just as human as I."

10033 shifted on the gravel. I took a moment to relax before resuming. "That changed on that night. The one where I personally saw the experiment for the first time."

"I'm sure you remember it as well. It was dark. So dark I could barely see my hands in front of me. And the rain left me drenched from head to toe. I had wandered onto the experiment grounds without realizing it- I bet that's what the Network was being so fussy about that day. I completely ignored your warnings." I sighed, not bothering to lament the past.

"And then I saw it. Accelerator preparing to kill a clone. I had front row seats to a wholesale slaughter. And I could've intervened. I could've done the right thing!"

My vision began to blur, hot tears running down the sides of my face. My arm strained as I brought it to cover my face, shame enveloping me. "I- I stood back and watched it h-happen. I was so scared- so cowardly, that I went against everything I held to be good."

I began to stutter, hiccups breaking up my sentences. A shuddered breath did little to calm me down, so I stopped.

Trying to speak once more, I could've even get a word out before an incoherent whine left my lips. Tears flowed even harder and snot clogged my nose.

Ah. I'm crying, I numbly thought.

Despite my internal attempt at levity, my body had other plans. My back throbbed with every sob and my mouth tasted of salt.

My eyes stung as I desperately tried to hide my humiliation.

Here I am, bawling my eyes out to a girl I barely know. At least she can't see my face.

Eventually, my weeping finally petered off and I did my best to recompose myself.

"Sorry…" I murmured, wiping the last of the tears away. "After that, I ran away from it all. The responsibility, the fear, everything. I convinced myself that you weren't human, just so I wouldn't face the fact that I let a Sister d-die right in front of me."

"So let me be clear. Even in that deluded, idiodic state, you were still able to convince me that you are human. Please… please consider the possibility that you're more than just tools. That if someone like me can see that you're human, then you really do have a chance at being someone."

A light hush fell over us as 10033 chewed over my words. Though I couldn't see her, I knew she must've been thinking hard. I could almost hear it, maybe even literally.

"'If… if Misaka doesn't, will you continue to pursue Accelerator?' Asks Misaka, already knowing her sister's answer."

Snickering, I spread out my arms, even as my muscles protested. "That's right."

Right by a billion times over. I was given a chance to make things right. To do what I should've done from the beginning. And nothing would stop me now.

"Then Misaka won't participate in the experiment." There was a pregnant pause. "But, only if 10032 doesn't participate either."

Though 10033's voice was monotone as ever, I could sense the energy in her stipulation. She made a request, a genuine one without any attempts to cover up her humanity. She wanted to compromise.

Disbelief overwhelmed me. The back of my neck prickled and I slowly exhaled. I couldn't move to stare at the girl, so I could only share my bewilderment with the starless sky. A breathy, voiceless chuckle tumbled out of my mouth.

It sounded impossible. Going against the experiment, even with the help of a single Sister? The chances of that succeeding should've been one in a million.

What I said next, I said with complete confidence.

"I can work with that."

O O O

A/N: Hey, what's up? It's been a minute, but I finally finished this chapter. A very important one at that, since it's the climax of this arc.

It's also been a while since the last author's note. To be honest, I'm more interactive on Spacebattles, in case you have any questions or statements that you really want a response to. There's also noncanon "official" art that I cobbled together on there, if you wanted to see more drawings of Ichigo. Oh, and omakes. They get a bit long, so I haven't posted any here. But maybe I'll write a few short FFN exclusive ones to be fair, haha.

Anyway, one more chapter till the arc finishes, if all things go to plan. So I'll see you all then! Thanks for reading.