Haruka and Last Order were busy playing on the climbing bars and slides, while Accelerator stayed on a bench, watching them with mild disinterest. Haruka saw him watching, and climbed to the top of the climbing bars, jumping off and landing on the ground with incredible balance and agility. She jogged over to Accelerator.
"Come and join us!"
"Can you even imagine a cripple like me climbing that thing?"
"The least you can do is have some fun. How about we go on the swings?"
"You're not going to leave me alone, are you?"
"Nope!"
"Fine." Accelerator got up and stalked towards the swings, his crutch clicking at his side. Once he got there, he turned and looked around at the park.
"Where's the brat?"
Haruka pointed over to the slides, where Last Order was busy squealing with excitement as she slid down the huge slide.
"Well, as long as she doesn't disappear, I'm not going to care."
"Stop putting up that uncaring front. I know you care for her."
"What's it to you? I've always been like this."
"What, all sarcastic, sadistic and uncaring?"
"Yeah."
"Doesn't mean you can't change your attitude."
Accelerator scoffed and looked away.
Haruka suddenly had an idea. "Let's have a contest!"
"For?" Accelerator balanced himself on the swing, looking boredly at her. His crutch had been carefully placed at the side of the swing set.
"Let's see who can swing the highest."
A small glint of excitement sparked in his eyes. "You're on." Reaching up casually to turn his choker, he started swinging back and forth. When he got high enough so that he was nearly parallel with the ground, he lengthened the chains, allowing him to go even higher.
Haruka was swinging below him, her eyes watching the chains move with his ability. Somehow, she knew he'd do that, so she summoned a gust of wind that blew her high up in the air so she was level with Accelerator. She grinned and took a hand off the chains to wave at him.
"I completely forgot I was up against a wind elementalist. Damn." Accelerator had a malicious smirk on his face, and suddenly the wind was rushing towards him, pushing him higher than Haruka, leaving her gaping at him.
"I can control vectors, remember that." He stopped his swing abruptly, waiting for Haruka to stop her swing. When she did, she glared at him.
"I thought I was controlling the wind!"
"Apparently I wrested the control from you." Accelerator had a thoughtful look on his face. "It feels like I've done this before."
"What?"
"A swinging competition. For some reason, I knew I lost last time, so I used a different tactic."
"Do you remember what happened last time?"
"No. Just a shadow of it."
"Do you know why I wanted this competition?"
"Are you going to tell me?"
"I had a dream last night, about a boy and a girl…" Haruka trailed off as she put a hand on Accelerator's arm and used her telepathy to send the dream she had to him. After she was done, she took her hand off, and watched his expression. His face was completely blank, void of expression. After a few minutes, he smirked and turned to Haruka.
"I didn't realize you were that short back then."
"That's the only thing you're going to say? And you were shorter as well!"
"Tch, I bet I was still taller. Well, now we know the scientists lied again."
"On what?"
"You didn't notice? You said Hakutsuki Haruka was the name the scientists said they gave you, not your original name. Turns out it was your actual name as well."
"Well, at least I don't have to find out my actual name."gggf
"I still don't know mine, considering the memory was cut off. Not like I care, it was probably a horrible name anyways."
"Well, I don't understand why I was shown that before my eighteenth birthday."
"Remember what Yoshikawa said? Apparently the spell or whatever it is has started working to return our memories."
"Right."
Their conversation was cut short as Last Order ran up to the two. "'What time is it?' Asks MISAKA as MISAKA looks at Hakutsuki-san.'
"I don't have a watch. Accelerator?"
"11."
"Yoshikawa said 12, right?" Accelerator nodded.
"One hour to kill. So, what do we do?"
Accelerator shrugged. "I don't really care."
Suddenly, they heard a female voice.
"Hurry up! I don't think we lost it yet!"
"Geez, Biri-biri, stop running! We probably lost it a while ago!"
Accelerator watched with amusement as Misaka Mikoto and Kamijou Touma rushed into the park, out of breath. Touma collapsed on the ground.
"You… need to stop… doing that."
"At least you got another free drink after losing another 2000-yen bill in the vending machine!"
Only after they caught their breath did their eyes land on the trio looking on with mixed expressions. Last Order and Haruka's face held surprise, while Accelerator was hiding a look of amusement under a thin veil of cool hostility. Misaka was the first to react, as her face went red with rage upon seeing Accelerator.
"You!"
"Me." Accelerator's voice was cool and collected, with a hint of annoyance. "Railgun. And the level 0."
"I have a name!"
"I don't have to acknowledge it."
"What are you doing here?"
"None of your business, third-rate."
Last Order's face morphed from an expression of surprise to an expression of delight upon seeing the original.
"'It's the original Misaka! Onee-sama!' Says MISAKA as MISAKA hugs Onee-sama."
"Huh? A mini Sister?" Misaka's demeanor had transformed from rage to surprise and curiosity.
"Her name is Last Order, serial number 20001, the last clone in the system." Accelerator's voice hadn't changed a bit. "You can technically call her the console for the MISAKA network."
Touma scratched his head. "Isn't that the mini-MISAKA I saw at the mall?"
"How dense are you, level 0? She's the same brat."
"I'm not dense!"
"Can someone please tell me what's going on?" Haruka had a look of absolute confusion on her face.
"Oh right. Railgun and level 0, this is Hakutsuki Haruka, elementalist and telepath. Hakutsuki, this is the third-ranked level 5 Misaka Mikoto, known as the Railgun, and the level 0 Kamijou Touma, known as Imagine Breaker. This will be the last time I'm saying any of your full names."
"Huh? You have two abilities?"
"Yes. Element manipulation and telepathy."
"Why haven't we heard of you before?"
"Locked up in a laboratory and never allowed to leave. I escaped a few days ago."
"What's your esper level?"
"Supposedly level 5. I don't really know."
At this, Misaka and Touma stopped firing questions and gaped at her. "Another level 5?"
"Yes."
"What's with Academy City these days?"
"Considering the relationship you seem to have with the Railgun, level 0, you haven't told her what's going to happen?"
"What!? There's no relationship between us! And I can't drag innocent people into this!"
"What are you talking about?"
Seeing Touma's pink face, Accelerator smoothly cut in, his voice derisive and cold. "For a level 5, you don't know much, do you Railgun? A war's going to be declared soon." He yawned. "I may not have any connections with the other level fives, but they probably even know something's going on. If I were to name names, I'd say you should ask Kakine or even Shokuhou."
"I don't talk to any of them!"
"You can ask the level 0 for information then. He knows more than me. Oh, and level 0, mind telling me what the magicians want with me this afternoon?"
"Magicians?!"
"I'll tell you later, Biri-biri." Turning to Accelerator, Touma said, "Stiyl threatened to kill me if I asked, and Kanzaki didn't say a thing. Index doesn't know anything, so I don't know why they want me and Index with them."
"Tch, I don't even want you at Yomikawa's apartment. If it weren't for that damn magician, I wouldn't let you in."
"Uh… so you still hate me?"
"I'm not going to answer that. You are extremely annoying, though."
Meanwhile, Misaka was conversing with Haruka again.
"How did you meet the strongest esper?"
"He saved my life. I was attacked and left to die by some mercenaries hired by the lab, but he fought them off and saved me."
"He… saved someone?"
"'He also saved MISAKA and the MISAKA network,' says MISAKA as MISAKA interrupts." Ignoring Misaka's astonished look, Last Order began explaining the whole thing, starting with her meeting Accelerator and ending with him getting shot in the head. "'Accelerator-san has really changed. MISAKA thinks he really wants to protect the last 10000 clones.' Says MISAKA as MISAKA ends the story."
Before Misaka could speak, a pale hand chopped Last Order on the head, causing her to yelp in surprise and pain.
"How many times have I told you to stop spilling the story of why I'm a cripple to people, brat?"
"'MISAKA thinks Onee-sama should know, since she didn't know why.' Says MISAKA as MISAKA states her opinion."
"Hakutsuki, I'm going to say this word just once, but please keep the brat busy while I settle things with the Railgun. It won't take long." Noting the serious look on Accelerator's face, Haruka nodded. Taking Last Order by the hand, she led the little girl back to the park.
Accelerator turned to Misaka, who was looking at him apprehensively. He sighed, and rubbed the back of his neck. This was not going to be easy for him.
"What do you want with me?"
"To settle things. Maybe so you won't try to kill me the next time I'm alone, considering my weakened state. Although that probably won't turn out well for the brat's well-being."
"What's there to settle besides you killing 10000 of my sisters?"
"Nothing else. Unless you found another score to settle."
"Why do you want to settle things? I thought you hated me."
"It should be the other way around. I never hated you. I didn't even know you back then." Trying to choke the words out with a bitter taste in his mouth, he finally managed, "I'm sorry for causing you grief when I killed your clones, okay?"
Misaka stared at him. "You just apologized."
"I'm not saying it again." Accelerator's tone of voice had returned to its cold hostility. "I had no idea it was supposed to turn out like this. I may be turning the blame right now, but you were the one who gave them you DNA map."
Misaka sighed. "They tricked me into thinking I was helping out sick people. Instead, it turned into a living nightmare."
"After killing your clones so many times, I probably lost all my sense of humanity. That brat jerked me back to reality when I rescued her." He let out a harsh laugh. "And then I got turned into a cripple."
"You also saved the rest of my sisters through Last Order, right?"
"Indirectly."
"Should I say thank you?"
"I don't need your gratitude, considering I killed the first 10000 of them. I don't care if you don't forgive me. Maybe my redemption right now is taking care of the damn brat. Maybe not."
Getting off the swing, he grabbed his crutch and turned his back to Misaka and Touma, heading towards Haruka and Last Order. Halfway through, he turned back to Touma. "Tell the magician about Hakutsuki. She also has a spell in her head."
Surprised, all Touma could do was nod. As the two watched Accelerator stalk off to the park, Misaka felt like a huge weight had been lifted off her chest. Remembering something, electricity started sparking off her as she turned to Touma.
"What's this about magicians, Kamijou Touma?"
"Uh…" Was all he got to say before she started chasing him again.
"What have you been keeping from me, huh?!"
"Calm down, Misaka-san! I wasn't allowed to say anything! And I was trying to protect you!"
Accelerator watched amusedly as Mikoto chased Touma out of the park, snickering quietly.
"The score's been settled?" Haruka was walking toward him, Last Order by her side.
"For now."
"Looks like you guys have some really bad history," Haruka observed.
"First time she saw me was when I brutally murdered the 9982nd clone of hers in that level 6 project. She tried killing me, but none of her attacks worked. I even planned on killing her to reduce the number of clones to kill since it was getting boring back then, but her clones stopped me. Since then, she's hated me."
"You've changed now, though."
He chuckled derisively. "You haven't seen me back then. I was killing without a thought, and my sanity had probably also cracked."
"It wasn't technically your fault. The scientists were the ones telling you that you had to kill them to achieve level 6."
"True. Yoshikawa told me if there was a way to make me a level 6 without the clones, they would have used it. I still had a choice to not participate." He sighed.
"At least you two don't seem to be hating each other anymore."
"Something tells me we all need to be on good terms before the war."
"We?"
"All the level 5s. Did the scientists implant any information about them in you?"
"Surprisingly, no names. Just appearance and ability. First-ranked is you, second is some guy with the ability Dark Matter..?"
"Kakine Teitoku."
"Third is the Railgun, so we just met her. Misaka Mikoto, right? The original with the sisters?"
"Yeah. The brat's the younger version of her."
"I noticed. Fourth is the… Meltdowner?"
"Mugino Shizuri."
"Fifth is Mental Out."
"Shokuhou Misaki. Her ability is similar to your telepathic one."
"Apparently she's in the same school as Misaka-san."
"Not like I care."
"How do you know all their names?"
"A level 5 is supposed to know who the other level 5s are, considering there are only 7 of them. Well, 8 now, including you, but you were kept a secret."
"There's nothing in the information about number 6."
"Nobody knows if number 6 actually exists, but everybody's insisting that esper exists."
"Seventh, presumed ability is called Attack Crash."
"Sogiita Gunha. Nobody knows the name of his ability or what it actually is, but I've seen it once and it was pretty damn confusing. Confusing, but powerful."
"And that's all."
"Looks like you're number 8. Considering your abilities, you might rival Kakine for 2nd. If not, then third. Railgun isn't that strong. Couldn't even hit me the last time we battled."
"Considering your deflection ability, no one can hit you unless it's Imagine Breaker. Also, you're saying I can't beat you in a fight?"
"I took control over your wind."
"Fine, I'll need to work on my control." Grimacing in horror at a sudden image in her mind, she changed the subject. "The image of Kakine the scientists put into my head… he looks kind of creepy."
"Never met him, so I don't know. Considering his ability, he would look creepy."
"You say you know who they are, but you never met him?"
"I learned about them and their abilities. Never met them in real life except for Railgun and Attack Crash, and that was from a distance."
"Why don't you call them by their names?"
"Don't feel like it. Especially Railgun."
"Alright then."
Last Order, who had been silent the entire time, suddenly spoke up. "'MISAKA wants to go home,' says MISAKA as MISAKA interrupts the conversation."
Accelerator pulled out his phone and checked the time. "It's 11:45. Let's go back then."
"I wonder what Yoshikawa's up to."
"Considering that we know she knows about magic, I wouldn't be surprised if she was doing something else instead of being glued to her computer." Turning around, he strode out of the park. Haruka and Last Order hurried to follow him.
***
The Archbishop of Necessarius, Laura Stuart, sat at her table drinking tea. At the sound of footsteps, she put her teacup down and turned to face the person striding to her table. The tall figure was covered with a long black cloak with the hood down, completely covering the person's head and face. Laura smiled.
"It's so nice of you to join me for tea."
"Don't be so frivolous. You know why I'm here."
Laura picked up her teacup and took a sip. "Is it time yet?"
"In Japan Standard Time, no. Eleven or twelve more hours, approximately."
"Will the spell break the seal without any damage to his mind?"
"You do insult me, Archbishop. I have made sure that he will not be traumatized at all. As for the girl, she'll be fine as well. It's up to them to accept the truth as it is."
"Is there any change in news about Index Librorum Prohibitorum or the Imagine Breaker?"
"The Imagine Breaker still remains and will certainly fight for the Science side, and Index Librorum Prohibitorum will definitely side with him. You should know that."
Laura took another sip of tea, and then poured some more into her cup. "Have you foreseen the outcome of the war?"
"Fragments, but they do not show the end of the war. You still have not told us if we will fight with the Catholics or for the Science Side."
"We will stay neutral."
"You say that, yet you still allow Stiyl Magnus and Kanzaki Kaori to remain in Academy City."
"They can do as they wish. I will not send others to aid either side unless they go of their own volition."
"So you're basically saying you'll stay neutral, but you won't make the magicians here stay neutral?"
"I'd rather not restrict them."
"You're making no sense whatsoever. Well, am I allowed to leave now?"
"So you're finally keeping your end of the promise you made to your brother."
"I owe him. If he were still alive, he would have killed me for what happened to his boy, even if that was supposed to happen. He was very protective of his son."
Laura sighed. "Such a pity that he died. He was one of the greatest magicians of Necessarius and our strongest diviner, although you're not far behind. Well, you can leave. However, Aleister Crowley would know at once of your presence once you step into that city."
"Does he even know me?"
"Perhaps you should ask him yourself. You can pay a visit to him, although I would not recommend that."
"Are you sure he is not aware of what will happen?"
Laura gave an elegant shrug of her shoulders. "He has been silent of late and does not talk to me. Even if he knows, he will not tell me."
"What happens if he does know?"
"I doubt it will affect his plans."
"My brother played a very dangerous game with science and magic eighteen years ago. He said it was predestined to happen, what he saw in the future. If there is war, whichever side has his son fighting in it will surely win, if he isn't killed first."
"And that is why you are going to Academy City to guide and guard your nephew and his companions. I suggest you leave now. You did tell me your flight is in a few hours."
"One more question. When will the Roman Catholic Church declare war?"
"They are gathering resources for a strong attack front. It will take them a few weeks, and then they will issue the official declaration to Academy City."
"I see. I will take my leave now."
"Do tell Stiyl and Kanzaki that they are free to do as they wish."
The figure nodded once and strode off. Laura returned to drinking her tea, gazing out into the lush garden. "Aleister Crowley, I doubt even this is in your plans for Academy City."