Night fell, dark as ink.
On the outskirts of Academy City's Seventh District, two figures flitted quickly under the moonlight.
"Hey, Kuroko, how much farther?"
Mikoto Misaka asked in a low voice, the night breeze lifting her short, brown hair slightly.
"Based on the intel from Shokuhou Misaki, it should be under that abandoned pharmaceutical building up ahead."
Shirai Kuroko came to a halt and pointed at a seemingly deserted structure not far away.
She wore the Tokiwadai Middle School uniform. Her twin-tails swayed in the wind, and her eyes shone with determination.
"Sis, please be careful. On the surface, it seems unguarded, but Shokuhou-senpai said the security system here is actually quite strict."
Mikoto's lips curved into a confident smile, tiny blue sparks flickering at her fingertips.
"A security system? That's basically useless against me."
Kuroko nodded knowingly and placed a hand on Mikoto's shoulder.
"Well then, let's get going."
Space distorted slightly, and the two of them vanished from where they stood. An instant later, they reappeared inside a dim corridor of the building. Kuroko's Teleportation ability was at its fullest potential in moments like this.
Mikoto closed her eyes, sensing the electromagnetic fields around her.
"Three electronic locks, two infrared alarms, and… five surveillance cameras."
She opened her eyes. A tiny burst of electricity crackled from her fingertips. Instantly, all electronic devices within range were disabled.
"Done."
"As expected from Onee-sama!"
Kuroko gazed at Mikoto with admiration. Even though she'd seen Mikoto use her powers many times, it always left her in awe—especially now that they were acting together. It was exhilarating.
"Onee-sama, let me handle the next part."
They worked in perfect sync. Kuroko used her Teleportation to move them swiftly down the corridors, avoiding any potential guards. Soon, they arrived at a thick, heavy metal door.
"This should be it," Kuroko said, checking the map provided by Shokuhou Misaki.
"The entrance to the underground lab."
"Right," Mikoto agreed, placing her hand on the electronic lock by the door. With a flow of electricity, the device lit up.
"Beep-beep," it chimed. But the door didn't open.
"Biometric lock," Mikoto muttered, frowning.
"Knew it," Kuroko said, pulling a small device from the hidden pouch in her shorts and sticking it to the scanner panel.
"Shokuhou Misaki prepared for this. It's a 'Talent Workshop' disruptor that can mimic biological data."
After a few seconds, the metal door slid aside, revealing a descending staircase. Exchanging glances and a nod, they carefully headed down.
The underground lab was far larger than they had anticipated. White corridors lined with transparent glass walls displayed an array of sophisticated equipment. Oddly, it was completely deserted.
"It's too quiet…" Mikoto muttered, eyes alert.
"Shokuhou said there should be at least twenty researchers here."
Kuroko suddenly grabbed Mikoto's arm and pointed toward a door at the end of the corridor.
"Onee-sama, I hear something coming from there!"
They hurried over to the door, and Mikoto once again shorted the lock with a burst of electricity. The moment it opened, a cold blast of air rushed out—and the sight within made both of them freeze.
Neatly arranged in the room were dozens of cylindrical tanks, each holding a girl identical to Mikoto Misaka in appearance. Misaka Sisters. The girls were asleep, floating in the fluid, eyes closed as if in peaceful slumber.
Mikoto's hand trembled, her nails digging into her palm.
"Again… again with this…"
She spoke through gritted teeth. Kuroko noticed the color drain from Mikoto's face and gently grasped her hand.
"Onee-sama…"
Mikoto shook her head and hurried to the nearest control panel. Her fingers flew across the keyboard.
"I'm gonna find out if there are any other linked labs."
Kuroko stood by her, rage simmering as she looked at the unconscious clones. These crazy scientists had hurt her beloved Onee-sama again and again, all in the name of "research." Kuroko vowed silently that she'd do whatever it took to protect Mikoto from more pain.
"Onee-sama, I've already contacted Shokuhou Misaki," Kuroko said softly.
"Her people can be here in ten minutes to safely move these Sisters."
Mikoto didn't reply; she just stared hard at the screen, as though memorizing the data. Kuroko knew she was blaming herself, convinced all this was somehow her fault.
"It's not your fault, Onee-sama," Kuroko said firmly.
"The ones at fault are those using your DNA and those heartless researchers…"
Finally, Mikoto turned around, her eyes shining with a mix of anger and tears.
"But it all started with me. If my DNA map wasn't out there in the first place, this never would've happened."
Kuroko opened her mouth to argue, but a faint cry for help cut her off.
"Help… me…"
Both girls tensed.
"You heard that?" Mikoto asked.
Kuroko nodded.
"It came from outside."
They hurried out of the room of tanks, following the voice through the deserted street. The plea for help grew louder, accompanied by chaotic footsteps and an unfamiliar sound—like paper crackling with fire.
When they found the source, they both felt their hearts clench.
"S-save… me…"
A silver-haired girl in a white nun's habit was stumbling toward them, weakly calling for help.
Not far behind her, a tall red-haired man was following at an unhurried pace. He wore a black priest's robe and had a cigarette in his mouth, holding a strip of paper inscribed with strange runes in his right hand.
"Help me…"
The nun spotted Mikoto and Kuroko, a flicker of hope lighting her eyes. But just as quickly, doubt crossed her face. She tried to turn away, but collapsed from exhaustion. The red-haired man halted, letting out a cold laugh.
"You sure can run," he sneered, raising the rune paper.
"But this is the end."
The paper in his hand suddenly ignited, transforming into a blade of flame that shot straight for the fallen nun.
"Stop!"
Mikoto shouted, lashing out with her right hand. A thick bolt of lightning sprang from her fingertips, colliding midair with the flaming blade.
Boom!
The resulting explosion created a shockwave that sent the nun flying. Kuroko teleported instantly, catching the girl in midair. She was unconscious, face pale from fatigue and terror.
Mikoto positioned herself protectively in front of Kuroko and the fainted nun, sparks of electricity dancing across her whole body.
Rage burned in her tea-colored eyes.
"Who are you?" she demanded. "Why are you attacking her?"
~~~
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