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Princess Story

Princess Lua and Princess Selene are due to marry a prince from each other's kingdom as a treaty is signed to ensure peace between the nations. They are attending a common gala in the summit city to choose their respective suitors. What will happen when the two of their eyes meet and they decide to take a chance that will change the world?

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Suggested Rating: T

Genre's: Medieval, Girl's Love

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Chapter 1

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Chapter 1 - Princess Lua

"Princess, it is time to wake up. The gala is today." I am shaken awake by one of my attendants. Still drowsy, I wake up slowly. Gala? What Gala? Wait... Oh yeah, today I'm supposed to choose a husband from the princes of the Kingdom of Ult. I groan at the thought, as the attendent speaks again, "Princess, please hurry. You will want to eat before we must depart. The trip will take most of the day."

I stand from my bed, and am dressed by my attendants. So begins what could be the worst day of my life. Truth be told, I don't want to get married, not now and not to a noble I won't meet until today. The thought of spending the rest of my life bearing the children of a prince sickens me. There's nothing for it, though. The treaty my father signed with the King of Ult promises me to one of the princes, and the Princess of Ult to one of my brothers. I suppose the one saving grace is that I get to choose which one, though I can't see myself desiring any choice. Not that I've seen any of the three princes of Ult. My mother would probably say not to judge them too harshly before I've seen their faces.

It's not like I don't want to be married in general, but I'm barely going to get the chance to meet the Princes before I have to choose one to live with forever. Such is the life of noble women, though. Married off for a political gain or to form international relations. Not like we have any other purpose - we rarely inherit any kind of title directly, all of our brothers ahead of us. Before I became Queen of Solaris, all three of my brothers would need to be removed from succession, not that that would ever happen. Perhaps it is a blessing that I'll be married to a foreign prince. I can't say I've ever thought about a prince like that, though, but such is life. After all, what noble marries for love, especially noble women.

After being dressed, I am taken to the dining hall for breakfast. My father is already at the head of the table, along with my mother, and my 3 brothers. I don't pay much attention to what is served, I'm too lost in thought. My father speaks up, "Well today is a momentus occasion. On this day, my daughter and one of my three sons will be betrothed to royals of our neighbouring Kingdom, to make our diplomatic ties unbreakable for generations." My brothers cheer at the thought and I join in half-heartedly and unenthusiastically. After finishing breakfast, we head out to the carriages. My brothers have one, and my Father and Mother ride together, so I get a carriage to myself. Not having anyone to talk to, I continue to think about the upcoming gala. Perhaps I will feel better when I meet the Princes, and the Princess as well.

Throughout the rest of the 6 hour carriage ride, I try to imagine how my potential fiances look. Even pressing my brain for hours, though, I was only able to conjure up an image of my counterpart, Princess Selene, I believe her name is. Even just the image in my mind is fair enough to make me think of love. Not, I mean, my own love but that of any man. Yes indeed, if she is as beautiful as I am imagining her, she should have no issues courting any of my brothers. I mean, it's not normal for women to think of loving other women, but surely it's normal for them to envy their surety to capture the hearts of men. "Gah. Why am I thinking about the Princess. I want to be thinking about the Princes," I say out loud to no one in particular. I wonder what Princess Selene is thinking about.

When we finally arive, my attendant helps me out of the carriage, and we walk into a palace, beside my brothers and behind my parents. The palace less formal than the royal palace, I believe it belonged to a Viscount before it was repurposed to sign the peace treaty between the Kingdoms. This is the place the gala will be held. The place I choose my husband for the rest of my life. Just thinking about it somehow makes me even more sad. "Princess, it is time for me to escort you to the dining hall," My attendant says, shaking me from my daze. Right, the first item on the agenda is a dinner between the two royal families. This will be the first opportunity to meet the Princes of Ult --- there are two of them, I believe. I will also get my first glance at Princess Selene, though in both cases, it will not be a good look. The introduction will come later, at the formal ball.

My attendant leads me to the dining hall, where we are sat down. First is my Father and the King of Ult, then the Queens to the right, and the Princes to the left. I then take my seat beside my mother and the other Princess beside her mother. As expected, I can't get a good look at her. I don't even pause to wonder why I try to picture her specifically. My mind simply cannot escape my image of her looks, now refined by what detail I can pick out. Yet again, however, my train of thought is interrupted, this time by the King of Ult speaking, "Today is a momentous occasion. One year ago, this palace was the home to a treaty between our Kingdoms that ended a decades long war. On that day, we set forth a peace that ensured no more needless bloodshed. On this day, one year later, we enact an everlasting peace and alliance that will ensure that such bloodshed between our peoples will never happen again."

My father makes a similar speech, but my mind simply wanders. After the speeches are concluded, the feast begins. It is a mix of traditional dishes from noble houses of Solaris and Ult. I sample much of the food from Ult, finding it to my liking. During the dinner, one of the Ult Princes, Gabriel, spoke to me. It was a brief conversation, though I paid it little mind. He simply wished to get a head start over his brother, I guess. Finally the meal came to an end, and we were escourted to the great hall where the dance would take place. Where I would meet the two princes. Truly the last free day of my life, for at the end I must make my choice which of them will have me as their bride.

Upon entering the great hall, the two kings again make a speach, to announce their children, the princess to be married, and the princes to marry them. This time, my father goes first, "Now that we have all eaten, it is time to begin the great ball. To the Kingdom of Ult, I present my sons, in order by age, the Princes Afonso, Bendito, and Guilherme. And, I present my daughter, the fair Princess Lua, now of age to wed." After the speach, we stand beside our Father, and the King of Ult takes the stage.

"And to the Kingdom of Solaris, I present my sons, the Princes Adélard and Gabriel, and my daughter, the Princess Selene." As the princess steps out to stand beside her father, I finally get a clear view of her and my breath is immediately taken away. Her jet black hair, blue eyes, and perfect skin. The image in my mind from before could not be compared to the image of her now in my eyes. In this instant, all thoughts of marriage, of the princes, of my father, the King of Ult, all of them fell away. The only thing on my mind was now her, and one simple thought.

Princess Selene. I want you.

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SAO: Sachi's Life ([T], F/F, F/M)

Everyone knows what happens. Kirito makes some friends, dumbass opens a chest, all of his friends get killed by a trap, and Kirito retreats into solo-player abyss. But what if one of them makes it out alive? What ripples happen here?

Also on Archive of Our Own: https://archiveofourown.org/works/59777452

Copyright only asserted over original content, not over Sword Art Online or its characters. Derivative Work is authorized by law, R.S.C. 1985 C-42, s. 29.1 "Non-commercial User-generated Content". Sword Art Online is created by and copyright of Reki Kawahara. Distribution is only authorized for non-commercial use.

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Chapter 1 - Floor 27

"Hey, there's a chest in here," Ducker shouts to the Moonlit Black Cats as they are exploring a dungeon on Floor 27, "I bet there's some rare treasure we can keep or sell."

"Be careful Ducker, a chest like that in an empty room? Looks like a trap to me," the Black Swordsman, Kirito, shouts back to his guildmate, "I'd leave it be."

"You worry too much Kirito, it can't possibly be a trap. Maybe there's some fancy weapons or armor and we can boost the whole guild," Ducker responds, already heading into the room, "besides, we can beat anything the game throws at us."

"I wouldn't be so sure, Ducker," the timid voice of the rearguard Sachi speaks, "I'd listen to Kirito and leave it alone. We can find more loot later."

"Don't worry Sachi, I'm sure your boyfriend will protect you," Tetsuno answers, making Kirito and Sachi blush.

"No, we're not like that," Sachi says, flustered, "I've told you we aren't like that."

"Sure, Sure," Ducker says back, condescendingly. He waits until everyone was in the room before reaching for the chest.

"This is a bad idea, Ducker. Don't open the chest" Kirito shouts, but it was too late. The chest has been opened and the door to the room has already slid shut. A red light shines on the room, and an Alarm starts blaring. Kirito grabs a blue Teleport Crystal, "Damnit. Get out of here, use your crystals. Teleport, Ronbaru."

Despite the command, the Crystal fails to activate. Looking around, Kirito sees that the 3 others here also couldn't successfully teleport away. And at once, things start spawning. Rock Golems and Dwarf Miners, much higher level enemies than the Black Cats could fight against and live. Kirito and the others immediately get swarmed and they start attacking, but Tetsuno and Ducker are quickly overwhelmed. Kirito tried to go over to them, but was too late as one of the miners drove a pickaxe into Ducker's back. A few seconds later, one of the golems struck Tetsuno, and Kirito watched helplessly as both exploded into Polygons. Over to the side, Sachi was also getting overwhelmed, but Kirito was finally able to act. Using his sword, he slashed out the monsters that were swarming him, then rushes over to Sachi, cowering behind her shield. Kirito starts slashing faster at the monsters that were still attacking him, slowly chipping away at his health, now in the Yellow.

"Sachi," Kirito shouts to his last remaining guildmate in the room, who looks up from the onslaught and sees a black blur shredding the monsters and steadily approaching.

Seeing this, Sachi gains hope, and steals herself before stabbing one of the golems with her spear. She internally sighed with some relief when it immediately exploded. Minutes later, all the monsters have been destroyed, with Kirito in the red, and Sachi having a bare sliver of health remaining. They have survived, just barely, against the onslaught that had killed their two friends. Both were still panting from the heavy combat.

Barely having enough time to think, Kirito grabs two green Crystals, now that the Red Light was no longer in place and the door to the room was open again, and shouts "Heal", healing Sachi first, then himself, back to full. "Let's get out of here Sachi, Crystals are working again."

Sachi's hands shaking, she grabs the teleport crystal from before and, seeing Kirito also grabbing one, she shouts the same command she had tried before being swarmed. A blue and green light surrounds her vision as she teleports back to the city on the floor, where Keita was waiting for them. Keita waved at both of them, but Sachi looked away. After a few seconds, seeing no one else was coming through, Keita's happy face distorted into confusion.

"Where are the others?" Keita questions Sachi, who looks down, a sad look on her face. Keita looked even more confused, then a flash of horror crossed his face.

It was Kirito who answers Keita's question, "There was a trap… in the dungeon. Our Crystals didn't work."

Keita's voice turns to sadness and a bit of anger, he repeats his question, "Where are Ducker and Tetsuno, Kirito."

"I tried to fight the monsters off," Kirito says, voice on the verge of tears, "I did everything I could, but I couldn't save them."

"What do you mean, you couldn't save them? You did everything you could?" Keita shouts, now full of anger, "I heard the rumors… Beater." The last word rolls off his tongue with venom, "You've been lying to us about your level, and you expect me to believe you couldn't do anything?"

Sachi finally speaks up and shouts back, "Kirito did everything. He even warned Ducker that the room was likely a trap before Ducker opened it." Sachi was in tears as she was shouting, "Kirito and I barely survived, he fought as hard as possible. You have no right to accuse him." Sachi sobs with those words, and repeats again, this time much quieter, "You have no right."

"Leave us Kirito," Keita directs, still with venom in his voice, "You're out of the guild. Sachi, come with me."

Kirito, saying nothing, turns to walk away, but Sachi stops him. "I'm staying with Kirito," Sachi says firmly, the tears no longer pouring from her eyes. "He's protected me, I'm staying with him."

"Are you sure, Sachi?" Keita asks, with less anger and more bewilderment. Sachi nods, and he says, "fine, stay with your boyfriend. But I won't. Goodbye, to both of you." Keita walks away from them then teleports away to an unknown destination.

After Keita left, Sachi burst out into tears again. Kirito grabbed her, "I'm sorry I couldn't save them. I'm so sorry, Sachi."

Sachi shook her head, "I saw you. You were amazing, but you told Keita the truth. You did everything you could, one man can't do everything, even if they are a… Beater." Sachi's voice is a bit less sad with that word, but lacks the anger that Keita's had before.

Kirito was shocked at Sachi saying that word, "You knew." Sachi nods and Kirito continues, "then why did you stay?"

"I figured you had your reasons, for concealing your true level," Sachi says, "I thought it was nice that a strong player like you was protecting us. And, I kinda like you, Kirito."

"Eh??" Kirito's voice that just held sadness now is just bewilderment, "you mean, like what Keita said?"

"No, not like that," Sachi says, relaxed, "I think of you as a great friend, but not like that."

"Ah, that's fine," Kirito responds, a bit more relaxed, "We should probably do something about Ducker and Tetsuno. A memorial, or something like that."

Sachi nods and smiles, "I think they'd like that, even if Keita won't be around for it."

Chapter 2 - Ho Ho Ho Ya Idiot

Two weeks after the death of Ducker and Tetsuno, and the dissolution of the Moonlit Black Cats, Sachi and Kirito were doing some grinding on Floor 26. Sachi had asked Kirito to help her improve, both her skills and her level. They had mutually decided to avoid the floor 27 dungeon, so Kirito had chosen the fields on the floor below to get Sachi's level up.

"Steady there Sachi, it's charging, be ready," Kirito says as a squid creature was darting towards the girl at a rapid speed.

Sachi readies her shield and spear, and pulls it back slightly, twisting, seeing it start to glow and feeling it start to hum as the sword skill took effect. As the aquatic monster came into attacking range, she let the system take over her strike and thrusted the spear forward, right into the squid's forehead. The monster paused and shuddered for a few seconds, before exploding into green and blue polygons. Sachi hears a ding and looks up on her HUD, to see that she had gained a level, her second now since starting the training.

"I'm at Level 25 now, Kirito," Sachi exclaims, beaming.

"Excellent work Sachi, 7 levels and you'll be on par with the clearers. You're growing fast," Kirito congratulates his friend, "at this rate, we're only a few months away."

Sachi looks arround, then draws out her teleport crystal, "I think that's enough training for today," she says. Seeing Kirito nod, they both call out "Teleport, Taft."

They find themselves back in the city. Once there, they head to the inn they were staying at. This is the routine they had settled themselves into over the past 2 weeks - head out to the Floor 26 wilds, fight some monsters, come back to the Inn in Taft.

"You've been leveling up quite quickly, Sachi," Kirito says, smiling at his apprentice, "faster than I did around the same time."

"It's because of you, Kirito," Sachi smiles back, "I've been able to train at a higher floor than normal thanks to your help."

"You've been doing a lot of the work recently," Kirito praises, "You're naturally talented. Speaking of which, given that you are increasing at a fairly rapid pace, I was thinking we could move up to Floor 28. Take on some slightly more difficult enemies, gain XP faster."

"If you think it will be alright, Kirito, " Sachi says, a slight tone of fear in her voice, masked by determination and, "but I was also thinking. We've been trying to get me on par with the clearers, but I want to be strong like you. You're at level 43, correct?"

Kirito nods and Sachi continues, "Maybe if we went up the floors quicker, I could catch up to that in a few months, rather than just level 32."

"I don't want to bring you up too fast," a tone of worry now seeps into Kirito's voice, "let's start with Floor 28 for now."

"Alright," Sachi responds, seeming a bit dejected but also slightly relieved.

The pair continued to train this way for several more months. With Kirito's help, Sachi is able to reliably keep ahead of the level curve. As predicted, she reached the level of the clearers in that time and even got slightly higher. Reaching level 35, Kirito decides to reward Sachi and asks her to sleep in one night.

Sachi woke up the next morning to a knock on her door and Kirito not being in the room. She looks out through the peephole and sees a slightly tired Kirito, who she lets in, "And where might you have been."

"Floor 30. I was looking for a few things in a dungeon," Kirito goes into his menu, and several things materialize on the table in front of Sachi. First was a metal tipped spear with a long handle, followed by a curved shield, and finally a full set of armor. "Figure you'd be tired of basic gear, and you've been working so hard, so I decided to get you a gift."

"Kirito, this is… Thank you," Sachi hugs the black swordsman, "But also, please don't go crawling around in a high floor dungeon on your own. I don't want to lose you." The unspoken 'Like I lost my friends' hung in the air.

"Don't worry, I was careful. Besides, I'm high enough level that those mobs can't do anything major." Kirito answers, but Sachi still gave him a glare, and he relented, "Fine, fine, I won't do this again." \

Sachi dons the new gear, the armor blue and grey, with the shield being turquoise with gold highlights.

"The Armor complements your hair well," Kirito compliments, "Its far better than what you had before. Rare mob drops can be something."

Sachi checks her stats and nods, "Yeah, this is much better. Thank you, this will help me catch up faster."

On the main city of floor 32, in early December, almost 6 months after the death of the Moonlit Blackcats, Kirito is meeting up with Argo, an information broker nicknamed the Rat for her signature whiskers.

"Anything new Argo?" Kirito asks her.

"Other than what you've already heard, nothing but rumor," Argo explains, "The Revival Item is supposed to be dropped by Nicholas the Renegade, but nobody actually knows anything about its properties. It's a completely new event, not in the beta."

"So you're saying it may not even exist," Kirito confirms with The Rat.

"The only thing I know for sure is that Old Saint Nick will be at the giant Fir Tree on floor 35 at Midnight on the 25th," Argo answers, "It will be tougher than the floor boss as well. I'm hoping you aren't planning to take it on by yourself."

Kirito chuckles and doesn't respond, instead he raises a teleportation crystal and warps back to the town which had become His and Sachi's permanent base. He walks into the Inn, then their room, only to be confronted by Sachi when he closed the door.

"So, you've been gone. What have you been up to Kirito," the now level 45 spear-wielder immediately begins interrogating the Black Swordsman.

"I was speaking with Argo, getting some information on what's up ahead. Standard stuff, " Kirito replies with a nervous laugh, which does not impress Sachi.

"It wouldn't happen to be on the upcoming Chirstmas event, would it?" Kirito's face tenses up as Sachi asks that question, which tells her everything she needs to know, "You're planning on facing it, aren't you."

Caught red-handed, Kirito answers, "Did Argo tell you?"

Sachi nods, "She's worried about you. Frankly, so am I. I don't want to lose another friend to this game."

"If I can get the Revival Item, we may be able to bring them back. At least some of them, maybe," Kirito explains, "At the very least, I have to try."

"The Revival Item may just be a rumor though, for all we know, it was started by Kayaba to give a twisted sense of hope," Sachi responds, now trying to hold back tears, before switching to a stern tone, "I can't let you chase a rumor to your death. You aren't fighting Nicholas the Renegade."

Kirito looks down for several seconds before Sachi continues, "At least not alone. I'm coming with you." Kirito begins to protest, but Sachi shuts him up, "No buts. Thanks to you, I'm just as strong as you are, we'll have a better chance of taking it down together. Besides, even if it is just a rumor, I can't say that this chance is a bad one to take. For Ducker, Tetsuo, and Sasamaru."

Kirito relents and reluctantly nods.

At 23:45 on the 24th of December, Kirito and Sachi approached the area of the great Fir Tree. Having made up their minds, they were going to fight Nicholas the Renegade and get the Revival Item. On the way, they are stopped by the familiar face of Klein, with the Fuurinkazen guild.

"Oi, Kirito. What are you doing out here?" Klein asks, "You aren't planning to go after the Revival Item, are you."

Kirito looks down, but Sachi speaks up, "We are."

"Who's the girl? Kirito, did you get a girlfriend without telling me?" Klein asks, bewildered at Kirito.

"No, no, we aren't like that," Kirito answers hastily, then his tone turns solemn, "She's a friend from the guild I was in…"

"Well, if you insist, we'll back you up," the samurai states, "No sense going in alone and getting yourselves killed-"

Klein was cut off by the sound of marching, which hailed the approach of the Divine Dragon Alliance.

"Shit, those thugs are looking for the Revival Item as well?" Kirito questioned.

"No way we can stop them," Klein looks at the clock indication on his screen, 5 minutes to midnight, "Ah hell. Kirito, take your girlfriend, and get to the tree. We'll hold them off."

"You can't hold them off forever," Sachi complained, also giving a slightly annoyed face at the 'girlfriend' remark.

"We don't have to, just until midnight, then the boss area is sealed," Klein remarks, "Now go, don't be late you two."

Kirito and Sachi run towards the giant Fir tree on the floor, and pass through a barrier, just as the clock strikes midnight. Spotting the tree right in front of them, they begin to hear the slight ringing of sleigh bells, before a loud roar could be heard. As they look up, they see a twisted version of Santa Claus drop from the sky, the HUD now showing "Nicholas the Renegade" with 3 boss health bars appearing below the name.

"This is it, Sachi," Kirito says and he draws his sword, Sachi drawing her Spear, a gift from Kirito from almost 5 months ago, when she reached level 25. Now she's 46, on par with her friend, and about to take down a boss that even the frontlines would struggle with.

The boss draws its giant Axe, and roars yet again, before swinging it at the two of them. Sachi deflects the attack with her shield, and Kirito swings at the arm, using an overhand strike skill to inflict a decent amount of damage. Following the second attack, which Kirito expertly dodges, Sachi lands her own hit with a skill off her spear. Throughout the long and grueling fight, both Black Cats fight in perfect synchronization, trading attacks against the boss and blocking, dodging, and parrying most incoming attacks. Though they aren't perfect, and suffer enough damage to fall into yellow and almost into red. After about a half hour, though, Sachi lands the final strike and Nicholas the Renegade roars as he bursts into blue and green polygons.

Both Kirito and Sachi are exhausted, and are heavily panting as a window appears before Sachi, showing her the reward for her trouble. The coveted Revival Item. She read the description, seeing that it could only affect a single player. They had considered this, it was likely that the item would only be able to revive one player, though not confirmed. They decided to wait until after they got the item before deciding who they'd use it on. She continued reading, before she got to the part that made her heart sink. The item had a time limit. A rather short time limit.

Kirito, seeing this, walks over to Sachi, "What is it?"

Sachi shows the item description to Kirito, who sees the same thing, and softly reads, "'Within 10 seconds.' Damn it. I'm sorry, Sachi."

"No, it's ok. I mean, we didn't even know for sure this existed. At least now someone else won't have to lose a friend," Sachi says, trying to put on a composed front, but clearly holding back tears.

They start walking out of the area and towards the barrier, and exit out back to where Furrinkazen was waiting for them. Sachi throws the item to Klein, who looks bewildered, "You got the revival item?" Kirito nods, "We're not able to use it, not for what we needed it for. Use it to save a friend you see die in front of you."

Klein's eyes go wide when he reads the description, but before he's able to reply, the two of them teleport off to their inn.

A Certain Happy Ending ([M], F/F, F/M)

Frenda Seveilun sold out ITEM when captured by SCHOOL, only to die at the hands of Mugino. But what if she didn't, and a carefully layed and executed plan succeeds in killing Mugino instead. A snowball of fate from that moment might just turn Academy City itself upside down.

Also on Archive of Our Own: https://archiveofourown.org/works/59777452

Copyright only asserted over original content, not over Toaru Kagaku no Railgun, Toaru Majustu no Index, or their characters. Derivative Work is authorized by law, R.S.C. 1985 C-42, s. 29.1 "Non-commercial User-generated Content". Toaru Kagaku no Railgun and Toaru Majustu is created by and copyright of Kazuma Kamachi. Distribution is only authorized for non-commercial use.

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Chapter 1 - The Plan

Frenda Seivelun runs frantically around her apartment, gathering as many supplies as she can. She just got released by SCHOOL after selling out Mugino to them. Mugino, the head of ITEM, is not a fan of sell outs or snitches among the team. While she had escaped from what was otherwise certain doom, the victory was short lived. Once Mugino got her hands on Frenda, she'd be dead. She has to run, but where can she hide? Mugino would hunt her endlessly, and eventually find her and kill her.

No, she can't simply run away, she has to stop Mugino from killing her – the only way she can. Frenda decides that she must kill Mugino, the 4th ranked esper in the entire city… Well, she's had a somewhat good life already, maybe it would not be bad to accept it – maybe Mugino would make it quick if she didn't have to hunt for her. As she is thinking this, she checks her phone, considering sending a message directly to Mugino, or at least to the rest of ITEM, but she spots a name in the list. One single name, Saten Ruiko, stands out. The others, she can call associates, barely colleagues, but that name – that person – is special. She was someone she could call a… friend, that was it, a friend. She had been there the last time someone had tried to assassinate her – Frenda had mistakenly thought that it was Ruiko who was being attacked. Could she really give up? She'd leave Ruiko behind, never knowing where she went.

Frenda makes the decision that she needs to make a stand. If she had time to prepare then maybe, just maybe. She did, after all, almost succeed in killing the 3rd ranked esper, Railgun. If she could use her knowledge of Mugino, maybe she'd have a chance. And even if she failed, at least she'd go down fighting. She'd need explosives – lots of explosives. And she'd need space. With a partial plan in mind, she rigs a few small explosives to destroy everything left in her apartment, and sets out. Even if she survived today, there was no way she'd be able to return there.

She arrives in the warehouse district and takes note of two different builds close to each other – one looking severely damaged and liable to collapse, and one actually fairly intact. Certainly something that could contain enough of a gas to cause a buildup. Yes, this would do just nicely – A trap. If she put most of her explosive power into collapsing the first building on Mugino, it could disorient her for a bit and enrage her further. Then she could use that to lure one of the deadliest people alive into the second building – Mugino never really knew the meaning of "Tactical Retreat". She wouldn't see it coming – her own ability, Meltdowner, would be her doom. Frenda finds the one thing she needed, Methane Tanks, and found where the gas entered the building. She opens the valve then, using a carefully placed knife, opens the pipe into the air, after sealing off as much of the building as she can. The gas would mix with the air, and when the powerful plasma beam creates arcs in the gas, it would ignite. If that doesn't kill Mugino, Frenda doesn't know what will.

There was a problem with the plan though. Frenda would need to time it perfectly so she doesn't get caught up in the explosion herself. And she had to enter the building herself in order to lure Mugino in there. Hmm… The building looked to be about 50 metres long, and she could sprint at about 7.5 m/s, so she could probably clear the building in about 7 seconds. That should be plenty of time. Especially if it took at least 15 seconds for Mugino to get out of the rubble from the first building, she could easily set up to be in the middle of the warehouse when Mugino got in there, and it would take at least 5 seconds for Mugino to charge Meltdowner to saturation.

Confident in her trap and escape plan, Frenda starts to set up the first building, placing almost every explosion from her stash around key support pillars, but not easily viewed, mixing in some of her thermobarics to consume some of the oxygen, adding to Mugino's disorientation. She laid her fuses in inconspicuous locations, so she could set them to explode without Mugino noticing them. The last key to the puzzle was going to be playing the part of a frightened girl who spent the whole day running – well the frightened part was fairly easy. Even with all the planning, Frenda still had a nagging feeling that she wouldn't survive today. Could she really kill the 4th highest ranked level 5 esper in Academy City, with merely a building full of explosives, and a building full of gas? I mean, it was kinda like scaling a mountain with just hiking boots. Heck, the weakest level 5 probably still is more powerful than the entire plan. But… she had to at least try. She owed it to herself… to try.

The sun was starting to set. It was time. Frenda Seivelun adopted a curled up hiding pose inside of the first building, when she heard a familiar voice ringing through the world, calling "Frenda…".

Chapter 2 - Confronting a Madwoman

"Frenda…" A high, almost sadistic voice calls out for her. Mugino has arrived, so it's time to put the plan into motion. Frenda started running in a direction that was generally away from where the voice was, but that would make it easy for her to catch up. She had to sell her actions as desperate, rather than carefully calculated, or it wouldn't work.

"Oh Frenda…" The voice is getting closer, the plan seems to be working. "Frenda, did you think you could get away with selling *me *out?" Mugino was getting closer. With a (mostly) fake look of despair on her face, Frenda starts to turn towards the first of the two buildings, rigged with explosives. She just needs Mugino not to catch her for the 90 seconds until she reaches it. Those 90 seconds, of course, will seem like an eternity.

*Kaboom… *Frenda barely makes it a third of the way there before Mugino's signature move, Meltdowner, rips through one of the buildings. Frenda's fake look of fear briefly twists into a real one for a few seconds, but she keeps running, turning to lead the Level 5 towards hopefully Mugino's death. She arrives at the building where the first trap is set, pausing for a moment to make sure Mugino sees her, though trying to conceal the pause as hesitation. The plan is going perfectly so far, and Frenda slightly smirks.

Frenda enters the building, with Mugino now just behind her, her deranged voice calling, "Frenda. You can't run forever. Now I've got you." Mugino begins to charge up her meltdowner ability.

"No, Mugino, now I've got you. You didn't think I wouldn't prepare for this, did you?" Frenda ignites the fuse beneath her feet and sprints off, Mugino trailing and yelling "Frenda." The fuse runs out as the 4th ranked level 5 is still hot in pursuit, and then hundreds of explosives Frenda had set up finally go off. Frenda manages to dive out of the building just before it starts to come down on top of the enraged esper. Not being done, Frenda dashes over to the second building, which has been relatively sealed for most of the day, now saturated with Natural Gas.

"Frenda… did you really think that would stop me? Didn't really seem like preparation, more like a last ditch effort to avoid your fate." Mugino slowly follows Frenda into the second building, confident, but even more incensed than before. Frenda starts running to the exit on the other side of the building as Mugino starts charging Meltdowner for the final blow.

"No, that wouldn't, but this will!" Frenda barely gets to the threshold of the door as Mugino fires off the attack. The high energy blast immediately ignites the Methane saturated with oxygen, spontaneously combusting in a rapidly growing explosion, instantly consuming Mugino. There was no way she survived that.

Frenda tries to dive away, but she is caught in the tail edge of the blast and thrown to the ground. She feels her consciousness fading and needs to call for help. Going into her phone she goes for Saiai but something in her subconscious causes her to click on Saten Ruiko instead. As the familiar voice of her friend picks up, she says just a few words before falling unconscious, "I'm in the warehouse district, and I need help. Come find me, please, Ruiko."

Chapter 3 - Critical Condition

"Thanks for letting us tag along on your judgement rounds, Shirai," Saten Ruiko says, following just behind the red-haired girl with the judgement armband, "Needed something to get me out of the house."

"No, thank you, Saten-san and Onee-san, for coming. Wasn't much that happened today," Shirai Kuroko responds to her friend. Indeed, not much had. A single person had foolishly attempted to attack the group, and was swiftly incapacitated by Kuroko. "Although more could have happened if Onee-sama wanted."

The third member of the group gives Shirai a glare that could have fried Kuroko on the spot, "You know I don't want what you wish could have happened." Misaka Mikoto's glare continues to pierce through the salmon-head. Yep, she could have fried her if she really wanted to. The Level 5 is generally unimpressed with Kuroko's antics, having to deal with them for as long as Ruiko's known the pair.

Ruiko's thoughts are interrupted by her phone ringing. Taking it out, the caller ID shows a name she knows well: Frenda Seivelun. "Frenda? It's not like you to call…" Her question is interrupted by a rasping voice, which she can nevertheless identify as her friend, stating "Ruiko, I need… help… Come find me."

The call ends abruptly and a map suddenly shows up on her screen, showing her exactly where the blonde girl is. The distress in her voice caused the black haired girl to panic. She shows the map to Shirai, and says with desperation in her voice, "Can you teleport us here? I think my friend might be in trouble there. H-her voice—it didn't sound good. It sounded like she was hurt, badly."

Kuroko looks at her incredulously for a second, but sees seriousness in Ruiko's eyes. She activates her earpiece to call up the 4th member of their group, Uiharu Kazuri, at the 3rd Judgement Branch's Headquarters, "Uiharu, can you pull a sat scan of Sector 2-16B, in the Warehouse District? We got a call, potential medical emergency. I'd like a visual on what's going on. We're going in." She then holds out her hands to each of her two friends who are present, "grab on, this will be a few teleports."

The girl on the other end of the earpiece responds to the call from Kuroko, "There seems to be some building damage in that area, but the satellite image isn't clear. I can't give you anything more specific. Do you need EMTs sent?"

Kuroko had already begun teleporting, so took a few seconds to respond, "No, I'm already teleporting there, so I'll be there faster. Get Anti-Skill on standby, though, I don't like the sound of that building damage." As she finishes speaking, they make the final teleport to where the map pointed. Taking in the new scenery, she finds the source of the 'building damage' Uiharu had mentioned from the sat image. An entire warehouse had collapsed, and another behind it. Out of the corner of her eye, she sees something out of place against the grey and beige rubble.

Ruiko's heart skipped a beat as her eyes locked onto her friend's limp figure sprawled on the ground. As she rushes towards her, both Shirai and Misaka follow. The blonde haired girl now fully in view, Misaka pauses — the face quite familiar — while Shirai continues forward and places her fingers along the girl's neck, feeling for a pulse. Finding one, albeit quite weak, she sighed briefly and called the Third Branch again "Uiharu, call Dr. Heaven Canceller. Tell him I'm coming in with an emergency patient, critical condition. Then call Anti-Skill's Terrorism Response Unit to 2-16B. Two warehouses were destroyed very close together, that's the building damage from the image."

The girl in the office responded promptly, "Understood." With the comms still open, she addresses someone at the office, "Kotori, call in a TRU force to 2-16B, non-active threat, one CI." Addressing Kuroko again, she finishes speaking, "I'll let the Doctor know you're coming. Out."

Kuroko grabs onto the girl and prepares to teleport. Ruiko grabs onto Shirai as well, and she extends her hand towards the remaining member of their group, still stopped and staring at the scene in front of her, "Come on Misaka, we have to go. She won't survive much longer." Misaka pauses for a few more seconds, then hesitantly grabs the teleporter, who immediately starts her chained jumps towards the hospital.

When they reach the hospital half a minute later, the doctor and several nurses are already there, ready for their arrival. "Is this the patient?" he asked, pointing to the girl still lying down and breathing quite shallowly.

"Yes, it seems to be some kind of concussive force injury and burns." Shirai assists one of the nurses, getting her up onto a stretcher. "Her pulse was fading when I got to her."

"Understood, take her to intensive care." The nurses leave with the girl, and both the doctor and Ruiko follow, leaving Kuroko with Misaka. Misaka is still hesitating, and hasn't said a word since they'd arrived. Kuroko, noticing this, goes back over to the electromaster, "Onee-sama, are you ok? You haven't said a word. Do you, perhaps, know this girl?"

"Yes, Kuroko. Her name is Frenda Seivelun. She tried to kill me once." Misaka responds.

Ruiko was not allowed into the ICU with Frenda, so she sitsoutside in the waiting room. After a few hours later, Dr. Heaven Canceler comes out of the room and speaks to her. "Your friend is recovering fine. She's not entirely in the clear yet, but she's out of critical condition. The burns on her back and arms were 2nd degree. They'll scar but they don't pose any danger anymore. The impact trauma, however, is more serious. Do you have any idea of how this happened?"

"No, I just got a call from her, asking for help, and Shirai teleported us there to find her in that condition beside a collapsed building. Anti-Skill is investigating it," Ruiko said, only slightly failing to hold back tears. As this is happening, Shirai comes to get Ruiko. The doctor gives a similar status report to her as well. The two of them leave, and meet back up with Misaka, who has a somewhat sour look on her face.

"So. Where and when did you meet Frenda?" Misaka asks Ruiko, who looks confused at the sudden interrogation. A tense atmosphere fills the room as Ruiko realises that Misaka is being serious with the question, almost accusatory, but not quite.

"We met at a grocery store. We were both after the last two cans of canned mackerel. I ended up making her mackerel curry, and we became friends. Then she kinda saved me from being kidnapped and stopped an assassin," Ruiko answers, then asks a question of her own, "Why, do you know her?"

Kuroko answers, "Yes, Frenda Seivelun is a member of the underground organisation ITEM. She's a suspect in a number of murders, attempted murders, and quite a number of conspiracies. Her primary weapon of choice is explosives, and it's entirely possible those two buildings were her doing. For what reason, we won't know until Anti-Skill finishes their investigation." Ruiko is shocked by all of this information being unloaded at once. Could Frenda have been this person? The same Frenda that liked Ruiko's curry? She had handled that Assassin fairly skillfully. Those skills could have been obtained from fighting as a member of the underground.

Ruiko was about to respond when Uiharu called in on the coms, "Kuroko, Anti-Skill has given us a preliminary report on the collapsed buildings. Apparently they found a body in the rubble, dead, burnt to a crisp. They've positively ID'd the body as Shizuki Mugino, the 4th ranked level 5 Esper – Meltdowner – leader of ITEM. So far, no other casualties. Early theories are either a targeted attack by a rival faction, or an accident."

Now it is Misaka's turn to be confused. If it was Frenda who collapsed the buildings, why would her ally, Mugino, be killed? Maybe it was an attack by one of the other organisations. But then where were the rest of them? The train of thought was yet again interrupted by the appearance of Dr. Heaven Canceller. "I have some more good news for you all. Your friend is no longer in danger of dying. She's not awake yet, and she still has quite a bit of recovery to go, but she is alive and will stay that way."

Ruiko looks relieved, but still confused and concerned about what she had heard. She'll have to ask Frenda about it when she wakes up. Misaka excuses herself from the group, and leaves the room. Kuroko and Ruiko are left alone, and they return to the waiting room outside the ICU.

Chapter 4 - Realisations

Misaka exits the waiting room and makes her way out into the hallway, still thinking about what happened. Ruiko knew Frenda – Frenda who is currently lying in intensive care from the warehouse explosion that killed Mugino. Pretty strange day, although not the strangest, Misaka thinks. There are still unanswered questions about today's events, though. Frenda seems the most likely to have destroyed the building, but then why would Mugino be dead as a result? Some sort of in-fighting, maybe?

Lost in thought, Misaka does not notice the approach of the familiar face of Kinuhata Saiai. "So, this is super awkward."

"Kinuhata-san? Why are you here? What do you mean, 'awkward'?" Misaka inquires, confused. She'd met Kinuhata before, during the Indian Poker incident. They were both looking for a certain… dream.

"Well, I suppose there's not any point in hiding it, not now – not anymore. I'm here for Frenda," the brown-haired girl responds. "Mugino got wind that Frenda had let slip some information to escape from SCHOOL, and decided to treat her as a traitor and deal with her. And I'm guessing you already know how that went for her."

"So you're with ITEM, then?" The electromaster's voice is inquisitive, but laden with a bit of anger and betrayal. The emotions were understandable, having spent the time with Saiai and not learned of the same thing that Ruiko just did about Frenda. "What, have you come to finish the job?"

"Would you stop me if I was? I saw Mugino's report from the Level Six Shift facility." Misaka hesitates for a few seconds, before giving an unsure nod. "Really? I suppose she has friends after all, or at least non-enemies. No, I'm not here for that. Mugino's attack on Frenda was deemed rogue by the remaining members before they even met up." Misaka looks confused at the statement, and Saiai clarifies, "Despite what you might think, we're not going to execute a member for their actions under duress. It's not like the operation that got exposed was that critical anyways. I'm here to make sure she recovers – there's been more than enough death among our members." Saiai's face conveys the same idea, that she's hoping for Frenda's recovery. "We don't like that Frenda killed Mugino, but Mugino had it coming. In my view, everything that Frenda did was self defence."

"Understood, I'll take care of it. Thank you sergeant," Shirai switches off her earpiece, having been talking directly with Anti-Skill. "I've managed to get Frenda placed in my custody for now, at least until the TRU finishes their investigation and she's recovered. I'll need her to answer some questions once she's no longer unconscious. Anti-Skill also stated that a blast forensics team determined the buildings were destroyed by internal explosions – the one we found Frenda by and they found Mugino in was likely destroyed by a massive gas explosion, given the uniformity indicating a single large explosion." Still in the waiting room, Kuroko had been on call with everyone you can think of: Uiharu back in the second branch, the chief at the Anti-Skill Headquarters, and just now the field sergeant from the scene where they found the still-unconscious blonde-haired girl.

"Thank you, Kuroko," Ruiko responds – slightly relieved, slightly puzzled, and slightly curious. "I still can't believe she's with an organisation like that. I guess that would explain her fighting ability when she fought that one girl who tried to kill her, that one time."

"Don't thank me yet. Depending on what the investigation turns up, it's likely I'll have to turn her over to Anti-Skill once she's recovered fully. She doesn't have any warrants out though, so if she's cleared, she'd likely be let free," Kuroko answers solemnly. Ruiko nods. "I do hope everyone works out though. I'd hate to be the judgement officer who took someone to the hospital, only to put them in prison right after."

"Speaking of that, when you teleported us four here. Can't you usually only carry two people while teleporting?" Ruiko asks, confused and slightly in awe. It was indeed the first time she had seen her friend teleport four people.

"Huh, yeah, I should. I don't know, I guess I wasn't thinking about my weight limit – kinda hard to think when you're staring at a dying girl on the ground. Maybe my abilities have gotten stronger, though I can't think of anything that would have caused that. My training hasn't been helping with that much, and believe me, I've tried," Kuroko answers, clearly as confused as Ruiko about the whole thing.

As the two keep talking, Misaka and Saiai enter the room.

"How is she?" Saiai asks Ruiko, clearly recognizing her.

"Eh? Who are you?" Ruiko asks, puzzled about the new girl who walked in with her friend, asking her a question about Frenda despite Ruiko not having seen her before.

"Oh, Frenda has spoken about you, Ruiko," Saiai answers the question. "I thank you for helping her."

The electromaster answers for the ITEM member, still with a bit of contempt in her voice. "Allow me to introduce Kinuhata Saiai, one of Frenda's associates. She's here to check on Frenda, and make sure of her recovery." The atmosphere between the four in the room becomes tense, only to be broken when Dr. Heaven Canceler enters the room.

"I can answer your question, young miss,” the doctor explains. “Miss Frenda is currently conscious, and is stable enough to speak to you. She's particularly interested in speaking to you, Miss Saten." Addressing Saiai, he adds, "If you're an acquaintance of hers, you can also speak to her if you wish – though I will need your name and relation to Frenda for our records. I'll have to ask for it to be one at a time, and for you to keep it brief – she still has a long way to go, and needs her rest."

"I'd also like to speak to her," Kuroko adds, showing her judgement armband. "I have some questions I need to ask her about the incident that occurred where we found her."

"I understand, but again, keep it brief. She's had a rough day, and this is a hospital, not a police station, and she's not in any shape to be interrogated. Not on my watch, " the doctor finishes. He leads Ruiko into the room where Frenda Seivelun is lying, awake and hooked up to various machines and an IV. Her eyes are barely open. She fails to draw a smile when she sees Ruiko enter. The doctor points to a button above Frenda's head. "If you need anything, that button will page me immediately." Dr. Heaven Canceler then leaves Frenda and Ruiko alone in the room.

"Hey, Ruiko." Frenda's voice is quiet and raspy. She clearly has a long way to go before being in top condition again. "I was hoping you'd come."

"What happened? I got a call from you asking for help. We found you unconscious on the ground by a collapsed building, near death," Ruiko asks her recovering friend.

"Would you believe me if I said ‘training accident’?"

Ruiko shook her head. "Two buildings were destroyed by explosions. Anti-Skill is investigating. They already found Shizuki Mugino dead in one of them, near where we found you. And you were almost dead. It's been eight hours since you called, and you're just now awake. I know it wasn't an accident – you aren't that careless."

"I beg to differ, I clearly am that careless – I overestimated how much time I had. I suppose if it was an accident, it would have been easier." Frenda pauses for a few seconds and winces in pain, but then continues: "All told, I got the good end of the deal. I only mostly died. Far better than most people can say after Meltdowner wanted them dead." Frenda starts to chuckle but then starts coughing. Ruiko reaches for the button but Frenda stops her, coughing a few more times before Ruiko nods.

"Mugino – that's who you mean by Meltdowner, right? – wanted you dead? Why? Does this have anything to do with ITEM?" Ruiko's question causes Frenda to wince, and not from pain.

"You know about that? I was hoping you wouldn't find out – would be easier on you." Frenda looks genuinely sad while responding.

"Misaka is one of the people who helped bring you here – she told me everything," Ruiko answers with a matter-of-fact tone, not really with a tone of betrayal.

"Suffice it to say, I betrayed ITEM and Mugino specifically, to save myself. I knew she'd be after me – I even thought about giving up. But I couldn't do it, not after thinking about you. I did the only thing I could to fight back, and set a trap. All told, the trap worked." As Frenda explains what happened, Dr. Heaven Canceler returns.

"Alright, time is up. We should let the others have a chance to speak with her," the doctor says.

"Wait," Ruiko says to the doctor, then turns back to Frenda, "You said I was the reason you couldn't give up. Why is that?"

"Despite hiding my past, I genuinely enjoyed the time we spent together. If I just died, you'd be sad, and I didn't want that. And…" Frenda stops for a moment before continuing, "I couldn't just disappear without telling you the truth."

"What truth?" Ruiko asks, still with the doctor tapping his foot.

Frenda waits for a bit, before gathering her courage. "I think I'm in love with you," she answers before wincing in pain again.

"Come on, Miss Saten – Miss Frenda needs to rest." Dr. Heaven Canceler finally escorts her out while Ruiko is left with a blush on her face, thinking about the last thing Frenda said. He then escorts Saiai in, leaving Ruiko with Shirai and Misaka, the latter of which tosses her a wrapped protein bar.

"Here, I figure you haven't had anything to eat since we got here." She pauses, seeing a contemplative look on Ruiko's face. "What's wrong?"

"Oh, just something Frenda said. It's given me something to think about," Ruiko answers, and then starts eating the bar tossed to her, continuing to think about Frenda's last statement.

A few minutes later, Saiai comes back out and Kuroko goes in, and then a few minutes after that comes back out along with Dr. Heaven Canceler.

"Frenda is asleep now,” says the doctor. “Hopefully she'll continue to recover and she'll be back up within the week. You four should probably leave now – she won't recover any faster by you all neglecting sleep."

"I'm the officer responsible for Frenda right now, so I need to stay here. I wouldn't mind getting some sleep though, after I've written up my report," Shirai responds, "I'm already excused from curfew at the Tokiwadai dorms, which is good because we busted it hours ago. Turns out that helping someone to the hospital and being deputised by Anti-Skill for custodial surveillance is enough to satisfy the Dorm Mother." She addresses Misaka, "I've gotten you excused as well, Misaka."

"I'm not leaving right now either, " Ruiko insists. "Not to mention, I don't have a good way to get home at this hour. "

"Neither do I – and if I'm cleared, I might as well stay," Misaka agrees.

"I understand. Although I must ask you to vacate the waiting room for the time being. We do have some rooms you can stay in for now. What about you, Miss Kinuhata?"

"Unfortunately, I must be getting back to ITEM. With Mugino dead, I'm the de facto leader. And with Frenda here, we're kinda in a chaotic state," Saiai says before leaving.

Dr. Heaven Canceler escorts Kuroko, Misaka, and Ruiko to a room they're able to sleep in. Ruiko lays down, and falls asleep with her mind repeating the same phrase over and over again: Frenda saying, "I think I'm in love with you."

Chapter 5 - Level Six

"Well, Kuroko? Did you get anything from Frenda?" Misaka asks, in a quiet tone, to avoid awakening their already sleeping friend.

"She fairly readily confessed to killing Mugino. She said that she had strong reason to believe that Mugino would try and was trying to kill her. Textbook case of self-defence, in my opinion. A bit overkill, but Mugino was a level 5. By Frenda's account, one who could threaten you, Onee-san. I'd want some corroboration before I make my recommendation to Anti-Skill, of course," Kuroko answers, having made up her mind.

"What about the destroyed buildings? Aren't they going to want her for that?" Misaka counters, unsure about the whole thing.

"Anti-Skill gave me their interim report before ordering me to assume custody of Frenda. The buildings in question have been unused for about a year now. They're probably going to be more interested in getting information from her. That's likely going to be my recommendation -- Immunity in exchange for Information about ITEM and its dealings."

"What about the… incident, when she tried to kill me in the same way she apparently did in Mugino?"

"About that, Onee-san…"

Kuroko walks into the room where Frenda was still lying, with her Judgement Armband still on her arm. "Frenda Seivelun? My name is Shirai Kuroko, with Judgement. I want to ask you some questions about the incident yesterday at 14:37, in the warehouse district."

"Ah yes, a police officer. You're the teleporter that's always with the Railgun, aren't you. No, I don't think I'll be answering any questions of yours," Frenda turns away from Kuroko, refusing to be interrogated.

"Alright, I'll be going then. Apologies for wasting your time." Kuroko turns to leave, but Frenda stops her.

"Wait. Why are you here? Just as an officer?" Frenda asked Kuroko.

"I helped bring you here. I was with my friend when she got a panicked phone call from you. I teleported you, Frenda, and Misaka here and had you brought to Intensive Care."

"You're a friend of Ruiko's? And, with the Railgun… there's something there, isn't there, between you?" Frenda asks, knowingly.

"How did you…" Kuroko is shocked for a second, then regains her composure, "No. There isn't. I wish there was, but there isn't. We're just friends"

"I see, so it's like that. Very well, I'll answer your questions." Frenda turns back and agrees.

"Alright. At or before 14:37 yesterday, two abandoned warehouses were destroyed. You were found behind the rubble of one, and in the same one, the body of the Level 5 Shizuki Mugino was found."

Under her breath, Frenda mumbles, "Thank god she's dead," returning to a normal voice, "I suppose you want to know if I destroyed the warehouses. I did, while fleeing from a very pissed off Meltdowner."

"She wanted you dead?" Frenda nods, which Kuroko takes note of, "Why is that?"

"I was captured. To escape, I let slip some information I shouldn't. Mugino considered that capital treason, and decided to perform a little execution."

"So, it was self-defence, then? Why the destruction, though?" Kuroko asks.

"Have you ever fought a level 5 before?" Kuroko shakes her head, "I had to make sure the job got done. I know Mugino, and doubt she'd get the message from anywhere other than the Morgue."

"I guess you have experience with fighting a level 5 then?"

"Been talking with the Railgun? I suppose if you're friends, she told you all about that business during Project Level Six Shift. Let's just say… Mugino can be very persuasive. Yesterday was the first time I had the courage… or the motivation to do anything about that. Well… not like I had much choice, other than just letting her… carry out her threat… Well, that's my story. I assume you're going to throw me in prison now."

"You considered letting her kill you, didn't you…" Frenda looks away and doesn't respond, "Well Frenda, I have to make a report to Anti-Skill in the morning. If I can get someone to back up what you're saying, that report will recommend you be released from my custody when you are discharged from the hospital. Clearly you had good reasons for what you did, and I can write up Mugino's death as self-defence."

Dr. Heaven Canceler comes in, "Time is up, Kuroko. We must let Frenda rest, and I won't let you use my hospital room as an interrogation room any longer."

"Wait. Frenda, you said yesterday was the first time you had motivation to stop Mugino's threat. Why was that."

"The same reason you brought the Railgun… Misaka here. My motivation for surviving, you brought her here as well."

Dr. Heaven Canceler escorts Kuroko out of the Hospital room, leaving Frenda to sleep.

"And that's what she told me. By the way, Onee-san, why didn't you tell me what happened? What was Project Level Six Shift?" Kuroko asks, with the same interrogative tone as with Frenda.

"She told you about that??" Misaka asked in a raised voice, before quieting back down when she notices Ruiko shifting about in her bed.

Kuroko shakes her head, "No, she just mentioned the name when I brought up the time you fought her. Thought you had told me. You said she had tried to kill you, I can only guess that was when. And you never told me. When was this? What was it? Why didn't you tell me? Why didn't you let me help you?"

"I didn't want to get you involved. It was private, and my responsibility. I didn't want you to get hurt." Misaka answers Kuroko's distressed question. "The people involved in that project were very dangerous, and I'm not talking about ITEM."

"All the more reason for me to have been involved. So you didn't have to face those dangers alone. Do you know what it would have done to me if I lost you? I want you to tell me exactly what Project Level Six Shift is," Shirai responds in a firm tone.

"I suppose there's no way I'm getting out of this, is there," Shirai shakes her head and Misaka signs, "Well, the project is exactly what you might expect from the name. The goal was to create a Level Six esper, specifically, improving the level of the Most powerful Esper in the City - the 1st Ranked Level 5, Accelerator."

"And how did they plan to reach level 6? Even Accelerator is miles away from Level 6. It's not something that could just be done."

"According to their calculations using the Tree Diagram, if Accelerator were to defeat and kill 128 espers at my power level, Accelerator's power would gradually increase until he reached Level 6. But of course, they won't find 128 espers at my power level."

"I do not like where this is going. If they need 128 espers at your power level, how would they get that, except with direct cloning."

"Project Radio Noise. When I was younger, I was coerced and duped into allowing the people behind the project to take a copy of my genetic code. They had planned to create clones of me, for some other purpose. The original project was scrapped when it was discovered the clone only had a fraction of my esper abilities. However, when the Tree Diagram turned up a different calculation, in terms of the clones from that project would have been produced. 20,000 of the Radio Noise clones would have produced the same effect."

"That's… horrible. But, you said "would have", they didn't actually carry out the experiment, did they? I mean, I don't even know who they are, but they wouldn't have been able to without being discovered by Anti-Skill."

Misaka nods her head, solemnly, "I first discovered the project after meeting the 9852nd clone to be used for the experiment. The 9852nd clone to be sent to fight and die to Accelerator. After that, I was able to put an end to the experiments, with the 10032nd clone being the first survivor."

"10031. 10031 clones of you. Killed just like that. For an experiment. For Research. Who could allow such a thing? Who could do such a thing? How could it happen under the noses of the people who keep Academy City safe. Who ran that project?"

"I don't think you want to know, Kuroko. I found the record, while I was putting an end to it, but I do not think you want to hear it."

"You know what? I'll trust you when you say that. But still, you should have let me help you. If they were truly that dangerous, you shouldn't have faced them alone. I can help you, and I could not bear it if you didn't come home one night or any night after. Promise me that you'll never face something like this alone ever again, Misaka. Promise me that you'll me help you, help make sure that you'll be coming home."

"I…" Kuroko glares at Misaka, "Alright, I promise. Now, let's get some sleep, before we wake up Saten-san." Misaka lies down on one of the beds and goes to sleep and Kuroko shortly follows suit.

Chapter 6 - Protection

Riiiing. Misaka is woken up by the ringing of her phone. She checks the time: 06:13. Who would be calling her at this hour? The Display says "Unknown Number", she shrugs and picks up "Hello?"

"Misaka," the panicked voice of Kinuhata Saiai comes through the speaker, "I wouldn't be calling unless it were absolutely necessary. We've been attacked, one of our members is dead. They're after Frenda, she's in danger."

"What? Who attacked, and why?" Misaka responds, confused.

"We don't know, we didn't see them. I know I don't have the right to ask this on her behalf, but please, protect her." Saiai, still panicked, and sounding like she is out of breath, hangs up after answering.

"Who was that?" Ruiko was the second one awakened by Misaka's phone call.

"Saiai, the girl who was here earlier for Frenda. Her… organisation was attacked by someone. She asked me to protect Frenda." Misaka answered.

"If she's in danger, then please do…" Ruiko's face turns a faint pink as she answers, "I… don't know what I'd do if she is killed."

"I think we should protect her," Kuroko said, clearly now awake as well, "I think she can provide valuable testimony to Anti-skill. Particularly if there is corruption going on, we may be able to blow it right open. If you'll agree to help, Misaka, then I'll get protection authorization when I call Anti-skill."

"... I don't like it, but I'll help. For both of you." Misaka relents to helping protect Frenda.

"Alright, I'll call the ATU." Kuroko puts on her earpiece and presses a button on it. "This is Judgement Officer Shirai Kuroko. I'd like to speak to the OIC for the 2-16B Warehouse case, I have a report to give." Kuroko paused for a minute while waiting, then continued, "Yes, hello officer. I've spoken to Frenda Seivelun in regards to the case. Given her statement, I have a strong reason to believe that the death of Shizuki Mugino in this case was an act of Self Defense. Mugino presented a grave risk of death to Frenda, and Frenda's belief that no other options would eliminate that threat were reasonable in the circumstances."

"Thank you for the report on that, Officer Kuroko. I'll want to have her speak to that directly, but for now I'll trust your judgement on it, I know you've done good work for us, both in the past and on this case," The Officer said over the earpiece, "There is still a matter of the destruction of property, though that won't be a terrorism charge, given the circumstances."

Kuroko, hearing the instructions, answers the officer, "In regards to the destroyed buildings, they were unused and empty, correct? I have reason to believe Frenda has important testimony regarding criminal activities in Academy City, and may be willing to provide it in exchange for immunity for the destruction of those buildings, and acts taken under duress induced by Shizuki Mugino. I thus would recommend that Anti-skill draft and provide an Immunity Agreement in exchange for that testimony."

"I can't say that's standard procedure for someone in organised crime. If you have an idea of what kind of testimony she can provide though, we can consider a tentative deference of prosecution."

"Yes, I believe she has knowledge of official acts of corruption, and would be able and willing to testify as to that." Kuroko answers, "In regards to that, a personal request. It has come to my attention that others in criminal organisations may wish to harm or kill Frenda, likely in part to silence her testimony. I'd like to place her into the protection of Anti-skill. I personally will have the assistance of Misaka Mikoto, Level 5 Electromaster, to aid in guarding her."

"Unfortunately, we can't spare any officers at this time. And it would be unusual, to say the least, to have a Judgement Officer run Protected Custody." The Officer Pauses for a moment, "You say you will have the assistance of a level 5?"

"That is correct, third ranked."

"And you are one of our most reliable officers, even better than some in Anti-skill. Alright. Judgement Officer Kuroko, by my authority as Chief for the Anti-Skill Anti-terrorisim Unit, I am temporarily deputising you to Anti-skill, and ordering you to take command of the Frenda Seivelun Case. Pending a decision on an immunity agreement in exchange for testimony, you will take custody of Frenda and ensure her safety. You may use whatever resources are available for this assignment, and the opsec for this assignment is what you deem necessary."

"Alright, thank you officer. I will not let you down. I'd like to deputise Judgement Officer Uiharu Kazari and Level 5 Misaka Mikoto for this assignment, to have their assistance." Kuroko made her final requests.

"If you believe them prepared and capable, you have my authorization." The Officer responded, "Good Luck, Deputy Kuroko."

"Thank you Kuroko turned off the call. "Alright, I'm now in charge of protecting Frenda. Misaka, Ruiko, I'll need your assistance, as much as possible. I'll also need Uiharu's assistance, once she's awake. Misaka, since you'll be actively assisting me in protecting her, if you're ok with it, I'm making you a deputy to assist me in this case. To be clear, that means that you report to me, and you *don't *go off on your own vigilante quest."

Misaka, startled by the sudden request, took a minute to think, but then agreed. "If my cooperation can help blow the lid on the corruption here in the city, then I'll help you. And… I guess I can play by your rules if you need me to, Kuroko. But I want it to be you asking, not Judgement or Anti-skill or whoever."

"It is… Onee-sama. It is." Kuroko assured her, speaking as a friend, rather than as a Judgement Officer - now Anti-skill Deputy - then switched tones to start giving them a briefing, "Now, to be clear, we need to keep this out of the ears of her attackers for as long as possible. You don't talk about this to anyone other than Frenda, or one of us, without my permission. Not even Anti-skill, I'll take care of briefing them. If they ask you, inform them it's an opsec level 5 operation and direct them to me."

"Sounds serious, if we can't even tell Anti-skill," Ruiko responds, clearly understanding the situation. She doesn't want the attackers to get to Frenda

"It is. Now, we need a place to keep Frenda for the duration of the protection. The Tokiwadai dorms are out, even with an order from Anti-skill, we wouldn't be able to keep her there for too long, plus it would be hard to move her in in secret." Kuroko states, and starts thinking.

"What about my apartment?" Ruiko offers, "All of you are welcome to stay there while we're keeping Frenda safe."

Kuroko thinks for a moment, then agrees. "Alright, that's what we'll do. When Frenda wakes up, I'll brief her - Ruiko I'd like you there as well - and if she gives her permission I'll teleport all of us to your place. After that, I'll brief Uiharu and inform Konori that we're on special assignment with Anti-skill. Misaka, can you inform the Dorm Mother that we'll be away for an extended period of time."

Misaka nods, "She'll want to know what we're doing and why, most likely."

"Yeah, and you won't be able to tell her," Kuroko states back, "If she has a complaint about that, tell her she can call Anti-skill and ask for Officer Tessou with the ATU. She'll be able to confirm my deputization and that I'm running an operation for Anti-skill."

Doctor Heaven Canceler interrupted the conversation by walking in, "Excuse me young ladies, but my patient is now awake, and is ready to be discharged. If one of you can come sign for her, we can clear the case up."

"That will be me," Kuroko speaks up, "per Anti-skill order, she's to be released into my custody for the protection of Anti-skill. I don't think I need to tell this to a doctor, but please, don't speak to anyone about the fact that Frenda was here or that she was released to my custody. We have reason to believe there may be threats to her life."

"Well, no one who would cause harm to my patient will hear where she is from me. You don't need to worry yourself about that," the doctor responded, "If you'll come with me then, Ms. Shirai."

Chapter 7 - The Beginning of Something Great

"Alright, if you'll sign here please," Doctor Heaven Canceler hands a discharge form to Kuroko, already signed by Frenda. Kuroko signs the form and hands it back.

"Alright Frenda, if you'll come with me please," Kuroko says to the blonde girl.

"Why are you the one here? Are you going to arrest me Judgement Officer?" Frenda sneered slightly, her normal lack of trust in police returning.

"Actually, right now that's Anti-Skill Deputy. No, you aren't being arrested. I'll explain everything when we get back to the others." Kuroko walked towards the room they were staying in. After they arrive, she begins to explain, "We got a call from Saiai - apparently someone attacked your… associates. She thinks they may be after you. At my request, I've been ordered to place you under protective custody."

"And if I refuse your protection? Are you going to arrest me then?" Frenda asks.

"If you refuse then that is that. You aren't being charged with anything, so you'll be free to go. The chief in charge of the incident wishes to speak with you to confirm some details of what you've told me, but other than that you're on your own," Kuroko explains, "However, you wouldn't have the protection of Anti-skill any more than usual. I don't know how well that will go, depending on who's after you."

As they enter the room, both Ruiko and Misaka are looking in their direction. Ruiko starts smiling when she sees the blonde. "Is this to be my protection detail?" Frenda asks, staring at the level 5, "I feel safer already. I don't know if I can accept the protection of Anti-skill. Plus, I don't have an apartment anymore, so you won't have a place to stay."

"I've already offered my place. If you don't have a place of your own, that's all the more reason," Ruiko pleads, "Please Frenda. With what you've said to me… I don't know if I can lose you."

Frenda looks back and forth between Kuroko, Saten, and Misaka, sighing. "Alright, but I can't lose you either Ruiko," Frenda then turns to Kuroko, "If it comes to it, I want you to protect Ruiko over me. Promise me that and I'll agree to what you want."

Kuroko nods her head, then reaches to grab Misaka and Frenda's hands, "Saten-san, grab onto Frenda. I'm going to teleport all of us at once." Once Ruiko had done that, she concentrates to begin the teleport. However, the area doesn't change. "It's not working, I can feel I'm over my limit. I don't understand. I teleported the four of us here no problem. Something I'll have to fix later, I guess. Saten-san, I'm going to take Frenda and Misaka first. That way she'll have someone guarding her while I teleport back to get you."

Ruiko nods and lets go of Frenda's hand. The three girls then vanish, leaving her alone.

About a minute, and a few teleports later, they arrive inside Ruiko's apartment. "Alright Misaka, keep an eye on her. And don't try anything either. That won't go well for you, understood, Onee-sama?" Misaka just nods to the teleporter before she vanishes, leaving her with the girl who had tried to kill her once.

After a good 30 seconds of silence, with noticeable tension, Misaka decided to speak, "So, you told Kuroko about the incident, then? During the Level Six Shift Project?"

"Have some trouble with your girlfriend, Railgun?" Frenda teases, earning her a look that was some mixture of confusion and death glare, "No. I just mentioned the name when she asked about our… previous encounter. What you told her about it is on you. I don't even know the full details, just that we were hired to stop you from destroying one of the facilities for it."

"And that includes blasting me to the moon and back?" Misaka counters, "And what was that you meant about 'Girlfriend'? Kuroko and I aren't like that."

"Really? You don't know? You are as clueless as Kinuhata-san said," Frenda responds and facepalms, "Anyways, I won't apologise for trying to kill you there. All I will say is that when Mugino tells you to do something, you do it. Meltdowner is no joke. But, now that she's dead… I've got no reason to do things like that any more."

Misaka is about to question Frenda further when Kuroko and Ruiko teleport in, breaking the tension between them.

"Alright Frenda. Now that we're here…"

"You want me to snitch, don't you. I have no love for Mugino, but I won't narc on my friends." Frenda answered sharply.

"Not ITEM. I mean, some of your past ops maybe, but I want information on Project Level Six Shift. Ideally, who hired you, up as far as you know." Shirai explained, "This is a tentative offer, as my chief wants to speak to you first, but if you talk, we can give you immunity for the two buildings you razed in the Warehouse district. Perhaps more if the information is good."

"Level Six Shift? Why would you want to know that?" Frenda sneered at Kuroko, "Hoping to get some dirt on your 'friend'?"

"No. From what you and Misaka have told me, I think there's corruption going on here," Kurokou explained, "City officials covering up crimes, or offering resources to criminals to further their goals. I, and Anti-skill, want to see those officials brought to justice."

Frends started snickering, "Oh Shirai-san, you haven't a clue. Corruption? A few officials doctoring reports or providing aid? Bringing them to Justice? Only Mugino knew the full extent, but from what I heard, this was more than just a simple case of a few corrupt officers…"

Frenda's explanation, and her laughter, was interrupted by Misaka's phone ringing. The display listed an Unknown Number, and Misaka picked up, to the slightly concerned voice of Saiai, "Are you and Frenda still at the hospital, Misaka-san?"

"Kinuhata-san?" She asked, and Kuroko looked confused, "Why do you ask?"

"Someone just attacked it. No casualties among the staff from what I can tell, but the ICU area was hit. Should be obvious who the target was."

"Do you know who?" Misaka asked, confused, then addressed the group present, "The Hospital was just attacked. Kinuhata seems to think blondie was the target."

"No, I don't know who. Wasn't us though." Saiai paused for a moment, "You're with Frenda right now? Where are you?"

"Can you hold on for a minute?" Misaka asked, then muted, "Kinuhata-san wants to know where we are."

Kuroko was the first to answer, "Definitely not, too risky. Even if we trust her, and I don't know that we should, anyone could have tapped the line."

"I trust her," Frenda said, "we spoke at the Hospital and I trust her, and the others. Bring her here, she can help."

"I don't know that we can take that word, Frenda, especially after someone just tried to kill you," Kuroko replied, somewhat apologetically.

"I can, Shirai-san, " Ruiko speaks up, "if Frenda trusts her, then so do I. She's the one who let us know about the threat in the first place, isn't she."

Kuroko paused for a moment then replied, "alright, if both of you are sure. We can't give her our location though. The line could be tapped, or she could be followed. Ask for her location and I'll teleport her here, after I report to my supervisor."

Misaka nodded and resumed the call, "We're at a safe location, I can't tell you where. If you want to, give me your location and I'll send Kuroko to teleport you in a bit."

Kinuhata replied, "Opsec protocols, I understand. In 10 minutes, I will be at the place we first met with a common goal. I'll know its your friend if she mentions that goal" Saiai then hung up.

"The place we first met? Kinuhata-san?" Misaka questioned before realising the call had ended. She thought for a bit, before remembering the one Indian Poker stand, and the Bust-Upper card the two of the, had both sought. She gave directions to Kuroko and told her that Saiai would be waiting there in 10 minutes, and what to say. Kuroko snickered and gave a snide remark, "Onee-sama, I like you just the way you are," before teleporting off to report about the attack to Anti-skill.

After she left, Frenda had a deadpan stare, "Seriously Railgun, you don't know what she means?" The question left both Misaka and Ruiko confused, "You aren't the Railgun, you're hecking Dark Matter, with how dense you are."

"What do you mean Frenda?" Ruiko asked the question.

"Not you as well, is it not as obvious as the sun? I'll tell you later, Ruiko. It's not my place to tell Railgun though. I ought to pull that Salmon-head aside later and have a talk with her." Frenda grumbled at the cluelessness of both of the people here.

“Can you not talk about me as if I'm not here,” Misaka asked, receiving another deadpan from Frenda, “Fine, I'm going to go take a nap, since I was up until heck o'clock last night.”

Ruiko directed Misaka to a bedroom, and Misaka left, leaving the former alone with Frenda, a palpable tension hanging in the air.

Chapter 8 - Understanding

"So… I guess we're alone again," Ruiko says, still with considerable tension in the air, after Misaka has gone to bed.

"I guess… So, uh, have you had a chance to think about what I told you?" Frenda asks, kind of scared but also intrigued to hear the noirette's response to her earlier confession.

"Oh, you mean what you said to me at the hospital, uh…" Frenda looks down and away at Ruiko's statement, clearly inferring an answer, "No, no. It's not what you think. I do like you as well, I think in that way… it's just…"

Frenda looks up at Ruiko, questioning what Ruiko is intending, and her face scrunches into an inquisitive look. Ruiko continues, "I've learned a lot of new things about you in the past 24 hours. I'm… not sure what to do about it, and I need time to process it all," Ruiko explains, with a bit of an apologetic tone, "I can't commit to being your girlfriend right now, but I'm not saying no either. Just… give me time to sort everything out and I'll give you my answer, ok?" Ruiko ends with a smile and Frenda gives an understanding nod. With the tension mostly gone, Ruiko decided to switch topics, "So, what was that you were saying about Misaka-san and Kuroko-san?"

"Oh, I can't believe you haven't figured it out--" Frenda is interrupted by Kuroko teleporting in with Kinuhata Saiai.

"Oh, good timing," Frenda said, slightly rolling her eyes, "Judgement Officer, we need to talk." She pauses before acknowledging Saiai, "Kinuhata-san. What happened? Who attacked us?"

"I don't know Seivelun-san, but they were definitely after you. Guess they aren't thrilled with you… talking to 'Judgement Officers'," Saiai answered, "What are we running here, Deputy Kuroko. I assume at least level 4 given you couldn't tell me in the field."

"Level 5, Mission Commander wants to debrief Frenda, but otherwise gave me full authority to determine security," Kuroko Responds.

"Frenda must be valuable to Anti-Skill, then? To allow running that level of concealment. Good thinking though, you'll want that secrecy here if any of us, save for maybe the level 5, are to survive," Kinuhata explains, "Don't debrief yet though. Do everything you can to maintain classification. If you'll trust me, I can assist, I have lots of experience running off the books ops."

"That bad, huh?" Shirai asks, to which Saiai replies, "You instituted Level 5 procedures, you tell me."

"Ok, is someone going to let me in on the secret? What's Level 5 security?" Ruiko asked, puzzled, "you can't just disobey the request of your commander, can you?"

Frenda shoots Kuroko a look that said 'You tell her or I will', so the salmon-haired girl relents, "For the duration of a Level 5 Mission, the commander of the mission — in this case, me — has absolute discretion in the classification, and dissemination, of information related to the mission. Nothing short of a declassification order from the Board of Directors, or an internal investigation warrant, can override my discretion to maintain that information in any manner of security necessitated," Kuroko explains, "and yes, I could defer the debrief order if there was a legitimate security interest to do so."

"There is one. We, ITEM, had contact with agents inside Anti-skill. I can only assume whoever is after Seivelun-san is similarly situated," Saiai informs Kuroko and everyone else.

"You had agents inside of Anti-skill?" Kuroko asks and Saiai shakes her head.

"They weren't our agents, but we typically had contact with them through our employers. They gathered information, but also highly placed and could interfere with operations."

The implications of the underworld having direct access to high levels of Anti-skill begins to sink in for Kuroko. The corruption ran deeper than she had thought. And certainly with the power to change orders would be a substantial step in hiding a large scale criminal operation like Level Six Shift. The pieces still didn't fully add up, though.

"Who were your employers?" Kuroko asks, directing the question to both members of ITEM present.

"We can't answer that, we never had direct contact with them," Frenda was the one to answer, "only one person in ITEM did, and that person is now very much dead."

"Mugino," Misaka walks out from the bedroom, saying the name everyone, save for Ruiko, had figured out, "The leader of ITEM. Fourth Ranked Level 5, Meltdowner." Frenda, Saiai, and Kuroko all nod.

"There might be ways to find out who they are, though," Kuroko says, "if they have agents in Anti-skill, we might be able to use that. Expose the corruption, and clear it out."

"You don't have to do that, Kuroko. It's too dangerous, and likely far too big," Misaka says, concerned for her friend and dorm mate. "You can't take it down all on your own."

"Says the person who took on an entire criminal operation by herself, " Kuroko shot back, "No, when I joined Judgement, I swore to protect the city. Even if I'm protecting it from a criminal enterprise that has a connection to Anti-skill."

"Well, I'm in," everyone was surprised by Ruiko's voice joining in, "These are the people after Frenda, right?" Saiai nods, "I'll do what I can to help protect my Mackerel buddy. I'm sure Uiharu-chan will help as well." Ruiko and Frenda both smile, though Frenda more with a solemn look.

"... Alright. But I'm helping you, Shirai," Misaka said, reluctantly, "I declined your help, Shirai, when I did something dangerous, but that I felt was right. I won't let you make that mistake."

Frenda looked concerned and flags over Kuroko, "can I talk to you, in private?" The two of them walk towards the bedroom, and Misaka looks a bit confused, "Don't worry Railgun, I won't steal her from you. Not me."

The two of them enter the more private room, and close the door, "You really need to actually make a move on Misaka, if you want her. Like, actually make a move, Shirai."

"Believe me, I've tried," Kuroko shakes her head, "what was it you wanted to tell me."

"I want Ruiko kept out of this, Misaka said it, this is dangerous," Frenda explains, "Even before… all this, I was attacked in a mall, and Ruiko could have become collateral damage. I don't want her to be caught in this."

Kuroko shakes her head, "Sometimes the people we love do things that are dangerous, because they think they're right. Like when Misaka went after your project, I didn't want her involved, but I knew I couldn't stop her. So I tried to help her instead."

"I'm not sure I can help. I'm not sure I want to be involved in this, and I'm not sure you want me either," Frenda responds back, solemnly, "I don't want back in to that, not even from this side."

"You don't want to uncover the people who tried to have you killed?" Kuroko asks, and Frenda shakes her head, "Why not?"

"Frankly, less than 2 days ago, I was convinced I was going to be killed. The only reason I refused to surrender to that is sitting outside. I don't want her involved in this, and I'm not sure she knows what she's getting into. And I'm not sure I can do much more about it. Mugino was one thing, we had far more dangerous allies and rivals." Frenda answered back.

"Well, Ruiko wants to be involved to save you," Kuroko responds, with a smile this time, "I don't think you can dissuade her from that. So, you should support her. Help us take down the corruption, if not for yourself or the city, then for Saten Ruiko."

Frenda pauses to think, for what seems like an eternity before giving a slight nod, "Alright, I'll do it. But understand that my priority will be protecting her, not you, and not the Railgun."

After the pair had left, Saiai, Misaka, and Ruiko were left in the living room together, Saiai still standing from before. While they were silent for a bit, Misaka finally broke the ice, "So, Kinuhata-san, I don't suppose you'll help us."

"I want to keep Seivelun-san safe, but beyond that, I'm not sure," Saiai responds.

"Why do you even care so much about her," Misaka asks, skeptical.

"With Mugino dead, I'm the acting leader of ITEM. I gotta keep my team safe." Saiai says, then sighs, "and truthfully, I think I also want out, we all did. With Mugino dead, we have our chance."

Misaka nods, and turns to Ruiko, who simply looks lost in thought at this point. Misaka decides to also take this time to descend into her own thoughts, including about the girl standing in front of her.

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e. Effective Technological Measures means those measures that, in the absence of proper authority, may not be circumvented under laws fulfilling obligations under Article 11 of the WIPO Copyright Treaty adopted on December 20, 1996, and/or similar international agreements.

f. Exceptions and Limitations means fair use, fair dealing, and/or any other exception or limitation to Copyright and Similar Rights that applies to Your use of the Licensed Material.

g. License Elements means the license attributes listed in the name of a Creative Commons Public License. The License Elements of this Public License are Attribution and ShareAlike.

h. Licensed Material means the artistic or literary work, database, or other material to which the Licensor applied this Public License.

i. Licensed Rights means the rights granted to You subject to the terms and conditions of this Public License, which are limited to all Copyright and Similar Rights that apply to Your use of the Licensed Material and that the Licensor has authority to license.

j. Licensor means the individual(s) or entity(ies) granting rights under this Public License.

k. Share means to provide material to the public by any means or process that requires permission under the Licensed Rights, such as reproduction, public display, public performance, distribution, dissemination, communication, or importation, and to make material available to the public including in ways that members of the public may access the material from a place and at a time individually chosen by them.

l. Sui Generis Database Rights means rights other than copyright resulting from Directive 96/9/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 1996 on the legal protection of databases, as amended and/or succeeded, as well as other essentially equivalent rights anywhere in the world.

m. You means the individual or entity exercising the Licensed Rights under this Public License. Your has a corresponding meaning.

Section 2 – Scope.

a. License grant.

Subject to the terms and conditions of this Public License, the Licensor hereby grants You a worldwide, royalty-free, non-sublicensable, non-exclusive, irrevocable license to exercise the Licensed Rights in the Licensed Material to:

A. reproduce and Share the Licensed Material, in whole or in part; and

B. produce, reproduce, and Share Adapted Material.
Exceptions and Limitations. For the avoidance of doubt, where Exceptions and Limitations apply to Your use, this Public License does not apply, and You do not need to comply with its terms and conditions.
Term. The term of this Public License is specified in Section 6(a).
Media and formats; technical modifications allowed. The Licensor authorizes You to exercise the Licensed Rights in all media and formats whether now known or hereafter created, and to make technical modifications necessary to do so. The Licensor waives and/or agrees not to assert any right or authority to forbid You from making technical modifications necessary to exercise the Licensed Rights, including technical modifications necessary to circumvent Effective Technological Measures. For purposes of this Public License, simply making modifications authorized by this Section 2(a)(4) never produces Adapted Material.
Downstream recipients.

A. Offer from the Licensor – Licensed Material. Every recipient of the Licensed Material automatically receives an offer from the Licensor to exercise the Licensed Rights under the terms and conditions of this Public License.

B. Additional offer from the Licensor – Adapted Material. Every recipient of Adapted Material from You automatically receives an offer from the Licensor to exercise the Licensed Rights in the Adapted Material under the conditions of the Adapter’s License You apply.

C. No downstream restrictions. You may not offer or impose any additional or different terms or conditions on, or apply any Effective Technological Measures to, the Licensed Material if doing so restricts exercise of the Licensed Rights by any recipient of the Licensed Material.
No endorsement. Nothing in this Public License constitutes or may be construed as permission to assert or imply that You are, or that Your use of the Licensed Material is, connected with, or sponsored, endorsed, or granted official status by, the Licensor or others designated to receive attribution as provided in Section 3(a)(1)(A)(i).

b. Other rights.

Moral rights, such as the right of integrity, are not licensed under this Public License, nor are publicity, privacy, and/or other similar personality rights; however, to the extent possible, the Licensor waives and/or agrees not to assert any such rights held by the Licensor to the limited extent necessary to allow You to exercise the Licensed Rights, but not otherwise.
Patent and trademark rights are not licensed under this Public License.
To the extent possible, the Licensor waives any right to collect royalties from You for the exercise of the Licensed Rights, whether directly or through a collecting society under any voluntary or waivable statutory or compulsory licensing scheme. In all other cases the Licensor expressly reserves any right to collect such royalties.

Section 3 – License Conditions.

Your exercise of the Licensed Rights is expressly made subject to the following conditions.

a. Attribution.

If You Share the Licensed Material (including in modified form), You must:

A. retain the following if it is supplied by the Licensor with the Licensed Material:

i. identification of the creator(s) of the Licensed Material and any others designated to receive attribution, in any reasonable manner requested by the Licensor (including by pseudonym if designated);

ii. a copyright notice;

iii. a notice that refers to this Public License;

iv. a notice that refers to the disclaimer of warranties;

v. a URI or hyperlink to the Licensed Material to the extent reasonably practicable;

B. indicate if You modified the Licensed Material and retain an indication of any previous modifications; and

C. indicate the Licensed Material is licensed under this Public License, and include the text of, or the URI or hyperlink to, this Public License.
You may satisfy the conditions in Section 3(a)(1) in any reasonable manner based on the medium, means, and context in which You Share the Licensed Material. For example, it may be reasonable to satisfy the conditions by providing a URI or hyperlink to a resource that includes the required information.
If requested by the Licensor, You must remove any of the information required by Section 3(a)(1)(A) to the extent reasonably practicable.

b. ShareAlike.

In addition to the conditions in Section 3(a), if You Share Adapted Material You produce, the following conditions also apply.

The Adapter’s License You apply must be a Creative Commons license with the same License Elements, this version or later, or a BY-SA Compatible License.
You must include the text of, or the URI or hyperlink to, the Adapter's License You apply. You may satisfy this condition in any reasonable manner based on the medium, means, and context in which You Share Adapted Material.
You may not offer or impose any additional or different terms or conditions on, or apply any Effective Technological Measures to, Adapted Material that restrict exercise of the rights granted under the Adapter's License You apply.

Section 4 – Sui Generis Database Rights.

Where the Licensed Rights include Sui Generis Database Rights that apply to Your use of the Licensed Material:

a. for the avoidance of doubt, Section 2(a)(1) grants You the right to extract, reuse, reproduce, and Share all or a substantial portion of the contents of the database;

b. if You include all or a substantial portion of the database contents in a database in which You have Sui Generis Database Rights, then the database in which You have Sui Generis Database Rights (but not its individual contents) is Adapted Material, including for purposes of Section 3(b); and

c. You must comply with the conditions in Section 3(a) if You Share all or a substantial portion of the contents of the database.

For the avoidance of doubt, this Section 4 supplements and does not replace Your obligations under this Public License where the Licensed Rights include other Copyright and Similar Rights.

Section 5 – Disclaimer of Warranties and Limitation of Liability.

a. Unless otherwise separately undertaken by the Licensor, to the extent possible, the Licensor offers the Licensed Material as-is and as-available, and makes no representations or warranties of any kind concerning the Licensed Material, whether express, implied, statutory, or other. This includes, without limitation, warranties of title, merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement, absence of latent or other defects, accuracy, or the presence or absence of errors, whether or not known or discoverable. Where disclaimers of warranties are not allowed in full or in part, this disclaimer may not apply to You.

b. To the extent possible, in no event will the Licensor be liable to You on any legal theory (including, without limitation, negligence) or otherwise for any direct, special, indirect, incidental, consequential, punitive, exemplary, or other losses, costs, expenses, or damages arising out of this Public License or use of the Licensed Material, even if the Licensor has been advised of the possibility of such losses, costs, expenses, or damages. Where a limitation of liability is not allowed in full or in part, this limitation may not apply to You.

c. The disclaimer of warranties and limitation of liability provided above shall be interpreted in a manner that, to the extent possible, most closely approximates an absolute disclaimer and waiver of all liability.

Section 6 – Term and Termination.

a. This Public License applies for the term of the Copyright and Similar Rights licensed here. However, if You fail to comply with this Public License, then Your rights under this Public License terminate automatically.

b. Where Your right to use the Licensed Material has terminated under Section 6(a), it reinstates:

automatically as of the date the violation is cured, provided it is cured within 30 days of Your discovery of the violation; or
upon express reinstatement by the Licensor.

For the avoidance of doubt, this Section 6(b) does not affect any right the Licensor may have to seek remedies for Your violations of this Public License.

c. For the avoidance of doubt, the Licensor may also offer the Licensed Material under separate terms or conditions or stop distributing the Licensed Material at any time; however, doing so will not terminate this Public License.

d. Sections 1, 5, 6, 7, and 8 survive termination of this Public License.

Section 7 – Other Terms and Conditions.

a. The Licensor shall not be bound by any additional or different terms or conditions communicated by You unless expressly agreed.

b. Any arrangements, understandings, or agreements regarding the Licensed Material not stated herein are separate from and independent of the terms and conditions of this Public License.

Section 8 – Interpretation.

a. For the avoidance of doubt, this Public License does not, and shall not be interpreted to, reduce, limit, restrict, or impose conditions on any use of the Licensed Material that could lawfully be made without permission under this Public License.

b. To the extent possible, if any provision of this Public License is deemed unenforceable, it shall be automatically reformed to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable. If the provision cannot be reformed, it shall be severed from this Public License without affecting the enforceability of the remaining terms and conditions.

c. No term or condition of this Public License will be waived and no failure to comply consented to unless expressly agreed to by the Licensor.

d. Nothing in this Public License constitutes or may be interpreted as a limitation upon, or waiver of, any privileges and immunities that apply to the Licensor or You, including from the legal processes of any jurisdiction or authority.

Creative Commons is not a party to its public licenses. Notwithstanding, Creative Commons may elect to apply one of its public licenses to material it publishes and in those instances will be considered the “Licensor.” The text of the Creative Commons public licenses is dedicated to the public domain under the CC0 Public Domain Dedication. Except for the limited purpose of indicating that material is shared under a Creative Commons public license or as otherwise permitted by the Creative Commons policies published at creativecommons.org/policies, Creative Commons does not authorize the use of the trademark “Creative Commons” or any other trademark or logo of Creative Commons without its prior written consent including, without limitation, in connection with any unauthorized modifications to any of its public licenses or any other arrangements, understandings, or agreements concerning use of licensed material. For the avoidance of doubt, this paragraph does not form part of the public licenses.

Creative Commons may be contacted at creativecommons.org.

Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International

Using Creative Commons Public Licenses

Considerations for licensors: Our public licenses are intended for use by those authorized to give the public permission to use material in ways otherwise restricted by copyright and certain other rights. Our licenses are irrevocable. Licensors should read and understand the terms and conditions of the license they choose before applying it. Licensors should also secure all rights necessary before applying our licenses so that the public can reuse the material as expected. Licensors should clearly mark any material not subject to the license. This includes other CC-licensed material, or material used under an exception or limitation to copyright. More considerations for licensors.
Considerations for the public: By using one of our public licenses, a licensor grants the public permission to use the licensed material under specified terms and conditions. If the licensor’s permission is not necessary for any reason–for example, because of any applicable exception or limitation to copyright–then that use is not regulated by the license. Our licenses grant only permissions under copyright and certain other rights that a licensor has authority to grant. Use of the licensed material may still be restricted for other reasons, including because others have copyright or other rights in the material. A licensor may make special requests, such as asking that all changes be marked or described. Although not required by our licenses, you are encouraged to respect those requests where reasonable. More considerations for the public.

Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International Public License

By exercising the Licensed Rights (defined below), You accept and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of this Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International Public License ("Public License"). To the extent this Public License may be interpreted as a contract, You are granted the Licensed Rights in consideration of Your acceptance of these terms and conditions, and the Licensor grants You such rights in consideration of benefits the Licensor receives from making the Licensed Material available under these terms and conditions.

Section 1 – Definitions.

b. Adapter's License means the license You apply to Your Copyright and Similar Rights in Your contributions to Adapted Material in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Public License.

c. BY-NC-SA Compatible License means a license listed at creativecommons.org/compatiblelicenses, approved by Creative Commons as essentially the equivalent of this Public License.

f. Exceptions and Limitations means fair use, fair dealing, and/or any other exception or limitation to Copyright and Similar Rights that applies to Your use of the Licensed Material.

g. License Elements means the license attributes listed in the name of a Creative Commons Public License. The License Elements of this Public License are Attribution, NonCommercial, and ShareAlike.

h. Licensed Material means the artistic or literary work, database, or other material to which the Licensor applied this Public License.

j. Licensor means the individual(s) or entity(ies) granting rights under this Public License.

k. NonCommercial means not primarily intended for or directed towards commercial advantage or monetary compensation. For purposes of this Public License, the exchange of the Licensed Material for other material subject to Copyright and Similar Rights by digital file-sharing or similar means is NonCommercial provided there is no payment of monetary compensation in connection with the exchange.

l. Share means to provide material to the public by any means or process that requires permission under the Licensed Rights, such as reproduction, public display, public performance, distribution, dissemination, communication, or importation, and to make material available to the public including in ways that members of the public may access the material from a place and at a time individually chosen by them.

m. Sui Generis Database Rights means rights other than copyright resulting from Directive 96/9/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 1996 on the legal protection of databases, as amended and/or succeeded, as well as other essentially equivalent rights anywhere in the world.

n. You means the individual or entity exercising the Licensed Rights under this Public License. Your has a corresponding meaning.

Section 2 – Scope.

a. License grant.

Subject to the terms and conditions of this Public License, the Licensor hereby grants You a worldwide, royalty-free, non-sublicensable, non-exclusive, irrevocable license to exercise the Licensed Rights in the Licensed Material to:

A. reproduce and Share the Licensed Material, in whole or in part, for NonCommercial purposes only; and

B. produce, reproduce, and Share Adapted Material for NonCommercial purposes only.
Exceptions and Limitations. For the avoidance of doubt, where Exceptions and Limitations apply to Your use, this Public License does not apply, and You do not need to comply with its terms and conditions.
Term. The term of this Public License is specified in Section 6(a).
Media and formats; technical modifications allowed. The Licensor authorizes You to exercise the Licensed Rights in all media and formats whether now known or hereafter created, and to make technical modifications necessary to do so. The Licensor waives and/or agrees not to assert any right or authority to forbid You from making technical modifications necessary to exercise the Licensed Rights, including technical modifications necessary to circumvent Effective Technological Measures. For purposes of this Public License, simply making modifications authorized by this Section 2(a)(4) never produces Adapted Material.
Downstream recipients.

A. Offer from the Licensor – Licensed Material. Every recipient of the Licensed Material automatically receives an offer from the Licensor to exercise the Licensed Rights under the terms and conditions of this Public License.

B. Additional offer from the Licensor – Adapted Material. Every recipient of Adapted Material from You automatically receives an offer from the Licensor to exercise the Licensed Rights in the Adapted Material under the conditions of the Adapter’s License You apply.

C. No downstream restrictions. You may not offer or impose any additional or different terms or conditions on, or apply any Effective Technological Measures to, the Licensed Material if doing so restricts exercise of the Licensed Rights by any recipient of the Licensed Material.
No endorsement. Nothing in this Public License constitutes or may be construed as permission to assert or imply that You are, or that Your use of the Licensed Material is, connected with, or sponsored, endorsed, or granted official status by, the Licensor or others designated to receive attribution as provided in Section 3(a)(1)(A)(i).

b. Other rights.

Moral rights, such as the right of integrity, are not licensed under this Public License, nor are publicity, privacy, and/or other similar personality rights; however, to the extent possible, the Licensor waives and/or agrees not to assert any such rights held by the Licensor to the limited extent necessary to allow You to exercise the Licensed Rights, but not otherwise.
Patent and trademark rights are not licensed under this Public License.
To the extent possible, the Licensor waives any right to collect royalties from You for the exercise of the Licensed Rights, whether directly or through a collecting society under any voluntary or waivable statutory or compulsory licensing scheme. In all other cases the Licensor expressly reserves any right to collect such royalties, including when the Licensed Material is used other than for NonCommercial purposes.

Section 3 – License Conditions.

Your exercise of the Licensed Rights is expressly made subject to the following conditions.

a. Attribution.

If You Share the Licensed Material (including in modified form), You must:

A. retain the following if it is supplied by the Licensor with the Licensed Material:

i. identification of the creator(s) of the Licensed Material and any others designated to receive attribution, in any reasonable manner requested by the Licensor (including by pseudonym if designated);

ii. a copyright notice;

iii. a notice that refers to this Public License;

iv. a notice that refers to the disclaimer of warranties;

v. a URI or hyperlink to the Licensed Material to the extent reasonably practicable;

B. indicate if You modified the Licensed Material and retain an indication of any previous modifications; and

C. indicate the Licensed Material is licensed under this Public License, and include the text of, or the URI or hyperlink to, this Public License.
You may satisfy the conditions in Section 3(a)(1) in any reasonable manner based on the medium, means, and context in which You Share the Licensed Material. For example, it may be reasonable to satisfy the conditions by providing a URI or hyperlink to a resource that includes the required information.
If requested by the Licensor, You must remove any of the information required by Section 3(a)(1)(A) to the extent reasonably practicable.

b. ShareAlike.

In addition to the conditions in Section 3(a), if You Share Adapted Material You produce, the following conditions also apply.

The Adapter’s License You apply must be a Creative Commons license with the same License Elements, this version or later, or a BY-NC-SA Compatible License.
You must include the text of, or the URI or hyperlink to, the Adapter's License You apply. You may satisfy this condition in any reasonable manner based on the medium, means, and context in which You Share Adapted Material.
You may not offer or impose any additional or different terms or conditions on, or apply any Effective Technological Measures to, Adapted Material that restrict exercise of the rights granted under the Adapter's License You apply.

Section 4 – Sui Generis Database Rights.

Where the Licensed Rights include Sui Generis Database Rights that apply to Your use of the Licensed Material:

a. for the avoidance of doubt, Section 2(a)(1) grants You the right to extract, reuse, reproduce, and Share all or a substantial portion of the contents of the database for NonCommercial purposes only;

c. You must comply with the conditions in Section 3(a) if You Share all or a substantial portion of the contents of the database.

For the avoidance of doubt, this Section 4 supplements and does not replace Your obligations under this Public License where the Licensed Rights include other Copyright and Similar Rights.

Section 5 – Disclaimer of Warranties and Limitation of Liability.

Section 6 – Term and Termination.

b. Where Your right to use the Licensed Material has terminated under Section 6(a), it reinstates:

automatically as of the date the violation is cured, provided it is cured within 30 days of Your discovery of the violation; or
upon express reinstatement by the Licensor.

For the avoidance of doubt, this Section 6(b) does not affect any right the Licensor may have to seek remedies for Your violations of this Public License.

d. Sections 1, 5, 6, 7, and 8 survive termination of this Public License.

Section 7 – Other Terms and Conditions.

a. The Licensor shall not be bound by any additional or different terms or conditions communicated by You unless expressly agreed.

b. Any arrangements, understandings, or agreements regarding the Licensed Material not stated herein are separate from and independent of the terms and conditions of this Public License.

Section 8 – Interpretation.

c. No term or condition of this Public License will be waived and no failure to comply consented to unless expressly agreed to by the Licensor.

Creative Commons is not a party to its public licenses. Notwithstanding, Creative Commons may elect to apply one of its public licenses to material it publishes and in those instances will be considered the “Licensor.” Except for the limited purpose of indicating that material is shared under a Creative Commons public license or as otherwise permitted by the Creative Commons policies published at creativecommons.org/policies, Creative Commons does not authorize the use of the trademark “Creative Commons” or any other trademark or logo of Creative Commons without its prior written consent including, without limitation, in connection with any unauthorized modifications to any of its public licenses or any other arrangements, understandings, or agreements concerning use of licensed material. For the avoidance of doubt, this paragraph does not form part of the public licenses.

Creative Commons may be contacted at creativecommons.org

Connor Horman's Writing