Spiky Hair Part 2

Fran started running towards his destination, willing to ride one of his giant centipedes to reach the place faster but, unfortunately, it was not possible; the sky was filled with clouds and not even his own shadow was visible.

«What a nice day to not being able to use my ability… well, I have to figure something out before it's too late! First I need a way to get there!» Fran approached a tiny man on a scooter and, looking tough and showing his Judgment armband, he seized his vehicle and left at max speed.

Meanwhile, Misaka was already there: it was a square with plenty of wind turbines, spinning in a weird way despite the direction of the wind; this could only mean an electromaster esper was nearby. Indeed. Hidden behind one of the turbines, there was the green lighting-shaped braids girl who was waiting patiently leaned and holding a fainted Kuroko between her arms.

«Well, I can state the number three ranked had no difficulties following the path I left…» The girl said once she noticed Mikoto was approaching her.

«It's since lunch time I sense some weird electric intermittences around the city leading to this place but I would have never expected they were meant to reach me before I discovered what happened to Kuroko… you must be very confident or very stupid to dare hurting my friends for free like this.» Mikoto replied nervous.

«Not one step closer!» the Tokiwadai girl grabbed Kuroko from her hairs with one hand and strangled her with the other; Kuroko was sweating and seemed to be in pain, she had some earphones duct taped on her face to prevent them from falling.

«It's allright. I won't move, but please stop hurting her! Why does she seem so uncomfortable?!» Mikoto asked angry.

«Well, she must endure. In those earphones there is a recording of the frequencies of the Capacity Down. You know, can't let her flee away thanks to her teleport… ehehehe!»

«What?! Are you telling me she is listening to that deadly sound from yesterday evening?! You scum…!» plenty of sparks raged out of Mikoto's body but this only fed her opponent's happiness instead of scaring her.

«First… I have a name, but I'm not surprised you don't know me even if we are from the same school… you dirty "strong ones" can only look down on people like me.»

«I can't manage to remember every single name of my school mates! Come on, cry less and tell me your name!»

«Reina… my name is Reina and I'm an electromaster exactly like you. A lever 3, to be precise… pathetic, right? I can't even dream to have a chance to defeat the legendary Ace in a fight.» the girl said while gently touching Kuroko's face.

«Then stop provoking me and let Kuroko go… I won't fight. Also we won't report anything to Judgment if you promise you will quit doing illegal!» Mikoto exclaimed, friendly starching her hand towards the girl; meanwhile, Kuroko woke up.

«Onee-sama… don't… do anything. Just go away…» Kuroko couldn't speak well due to that terrible headache. But in the moment she tried to speak again, Reina violently ripped off a piece of her hairs.

«Shut up, human trash! Eheheh!» she said laughing.

«Kuroko! How dare you?! I wanted to settle this peacefully… but I have no choice!» Misaka grabbed one of her coins and prepared to shoot her Railgun; Reina threw Kuroko away and went on guard, ready to parry the attack.

«Magnificent! The mighty special move of Railgun! Will it be enough to defeat me? Go on and shoot, Kuroko won't be involved in the attack from that distance. Come on, show me what you got and don't hold back!» Reina shouted very excited, but Misaka lowered her coin and started laughing.

«I see you already gave yourself away! Am I that dumb for you? Do you think I still haven't find out what your ability does? I will never use my electricity against you!» Misaka said, ready to start a punch fight.

«What are you talking about? Don't you want to compare our electric attacks and see what happens?» Reina said convincing.

«I studied what you've done during your previous attacks thanks to the Judgment data and I noticed that every time you visited a building, the quantity of electric current used in that place becomes insanely high. Your power lets you absorb and store the current within your body and then you can use the same quantity in moment of need. We can say you're a kind of living backup generator.» Mikoto explained.

«So? The clever model student figured it out, wow! Very well! And knowing this will bring you to what?» Reina asked shrugging.

«I will never attack you with my Railgun! This would only raise your power more! All you did was meant to trigger my wrath and get my attention! It's not a coincidence you stopped your intrusions… once you realized you can aim to the strongest power source alive! But I won't use my ability on you! I can fight you with my bare hands and win anyway!» Mikoto exclaimed stretching her muscles.

«Ehehehe… my Onee-sama was not that stupid to fall in your obvious trap, as you can see…» Kuroko said panting.

«I don't understand why you are so relaxed and confident… despite knowing the situation you are into.» Reina jumped next to Kuroko and grabbed her again; she put her foot on her ankle and twisted it violently, Kuroko's cries of pain echoed in the empty square since there were no people hanging out nearby.

«Kuroko!» Mikoto instinctively felt the need to approach her but she managed to chill and stand still, scared of what would have happened to Kuroko if she moved too close.

«If my investigations were correct… this poor leg was not so healthy since the pre-festival. What a waste, Kuroko-san has such a beautiful body… but you forced me to be a bad girl. Maybe hitting me with your Railgun would be enough to take me down and save her… ehehehehe.» Reina said cruelly laughing.

«Why are you doing this…? You're a Tokiwadai student, just like us! Why have you turned into a dangerous criminal?!» Misaka asked, trying to find the least offensive words to describe her.

«Criminal? You have a wrong idea about me. I'm just here to show the world what I'm capable of… and to do it I need to get as much electricity I can get from others… my power can only store and release. I can't even do a sparkle by myself, unlike you… I am worthless, everyone is better than me, nobody notices me… but soon everything will change! I will show you an unforgettable scene!» Reina exclaimed with tears on her face and Mikoto was slightly touched by her complain since she knew it was twisted Academy city's rules and prejudices fault that led this girl on the wrong path.

Misaka raised her coin again, pretending to shoot even if she would have never really did that; even if the shot went through, Kuroko wouldn't remain unharmed since she was too close to the enemy.

Suddenly, approaching step noises were heard nearby the wind turbines square; Fran reached the place and when the girls noticed him, they all were surprised for a different reason.

«Who is this guy now…?»

«That Prick!»

«Fran-san…?»

«Prefect… just In time! That starving guy really left his scooter on low fuel… what a painful run! Well, let me introduce myself, I'm Fran from Judgment!» the boy exclaimed, changing his armband to his centipede coloured unique one.

«A new city's doggy managed to bark his way here…? I cannot sense his signals… is he not an electromaster?! Curse you, Misaka Mikoto! You were so scared you had to call some backup?!» Reina shouted, chocking Kuroko harder.

«You are underestimating both me and Misaka-san. She came here alone, while I just knew where to go myself. You know, in all modesty I'm a great detective!» Fran exclaimed proud.

«You just figured out the turbines change of direction… don't flatter yourself, Judgment mud!» Reina replied.

«Well, yeah. This part was the easy one… but I know everything about your plan, Reina Higekuchi-san.» Fran said, making the lighting hair girl cold sweat.

«H-how the hell do you know my full name?!» she asked incredulous.

«Level 3 Electromaster, ability name: Power Bank. It was you who attacked the building last days but you weren't simply breaking in… you kept absorbing all the electric current you could in sight of an hypothetic meeting with the Tokiwadai Ace. But that's not all… no decent criminal would leave such an easy to read pattern behind her steps, you actually wanted to be identified by Judgment but, precisely, by a specific member. You attacked only the district two on purpose in order to get the attention of Kuroko and make her fall into a trap, you knew she is the one who usually patrols that zone. You defeated her and held her hostage because you knew this would have led you to Misaka Mikoto.» Fran explained in details.

«Yeah… all correct my dear amazing detective… but this does not explain how you got to my ID! I've always disabled all of the security cameras and I never got in from the outsid-» Reina, nervous due to the fact her plan was figured out, could not hold some important details about her attacks but she did not know Fan was already five steps ahead.

«You can try to hide the truth… but I know well all of the forced entries and the exits were only a misdirection. We had trouble finding you because you never actually broke into the building by the main doors but you did from very far, or better, from very below! You used the sewers to get in then you destroyed the door to cover your real actions. I called my colleague Uiharu some minutes ago and after hearing her crying aloud because we left her alone, I'm sorry by the way, I asked her to check all the footage of the cameras near to the local sewer entrances… and you were the only person who showed up in all of them. You can't run away now, we know who you are and where you live. Just give up.» Fran exclaimed with guts.

Reina felt she was at the very end of her plan and she had failed; the only thing she could have done now was releasing all the electricity stored these days to create a massive explosion. Mikoto would have been probably stayed unharmed, but that would have been enough to kill Fran and Kuroko and eventually escape though the chaos. Fran noticed the murdered aura of the girl and went on guard.

«You forced me to do this… I did not want to…» Reina said with low voice, but the words of someone else completely covered hers and changed the fate.

«Come on, what are you waiting for, Misaka-san? Hit her with your Railgun!» Fran words surprised everyone, leaving them all breathless. «Shoot! Destroy her! She hurt your best friend!»

«Fran-san?! You just said her power stores and releases the current! If I throw my Railgun at her, it could be the last thing I do!» Misaka replied.

«You are wrong, Misaka-san! She is a level three only. She would never be able to absorb you powerful electricity. Hit her! Show her what you've got!» Fran repeated, sounding like an order.

«T-that guy is right! Totally! Attack me! My life is over anyways. I will never go back to my pathetic low level life! If I have to perish, let me see your great Railgun attack!» Reina intervened, well aware her ability has no power limits when it's about absorbing the current and that Fran was leading Misaka to do the worst choice possible.

«Absolutely not! Don't you see her smile, how excited she is she is gonna get hit?! She knows how to counter my attack already! Also, Kuroko is in danger there!» Mikoto said pointing towards her opponent.

«Oh, sure! My bad! Here!» Reina threw Kuroko very far away from her position and widened her arms. «Hit me, come!»

«Shoot her! Use the Railgun!» Fran said once again.

«Stop it! Stop it! Stop it! Shut up! I will never do it! You went completely crazy! You came here suddenly and you can't even use your ability due to today's weather! Also I basically know everything you told! Why you came here if you are not of any help?!» Misaka exclaimed pointing towards the cloudy sky. «Now I understand… you teamed up with this Reina! ID investigation? What a well-studied lie! You planned all of this just to hurt me and especially Kuroko! You hate her so much you ended up doing this?! You really are a detestable prick, she was right! I hate you, begone!» Misaka's tough words deeply hurt Fran who, as it's known, has feelings for her; the insults eventually shut him up.

«For what reason that prick is doing anything to convince Onee-sama to use her Railgun…? Fran-san could be a rude, uncomfortable, ignorant, useless, naughty, unreliable person but when it comes down to capture criminals and Judgment duties he is one of the best… Onee-sama is right… he randomly came here running without being able to use his shadows… or maybe… wait a minute!!!» Kuroko took some time to think and after realizing the place they were in, she had a flash of genius she needed to speak aloud.

«Misaka Mikoto… that's bad. If you refuse to use the Railgun I may be forced to twist some more limbs to your friend! Eheheh!» Reina turned back to go picking up her hostage but she noticed Kuroko managed to stand up and get on her knees.

«Onee-sama… hit her, for real. Use… the Railgun.» Kuroko could speak a little before falling without strength on the floor.

«Kuroko?! What are you saying, you too?! Are you telling me… to do it?» Misaka asked in doubt and her friend used her last energy to nod a yes.

«But… that girl is waiting this from the start! She planned all in order to let this happen!» Misaka hid the coin and started shaking and sweating.

«Why are you holding back? Now your friend too is telling you to hit me! There is no other way to defeat me! Do it!» Reina urged, with her arms wide opened and ready to get shot once again; Instead, Misaka was backing off frightened while Fran was still petrified and intimidated by Mikoto's words.

«If you don't want to trust her, or even Fran-san… then trust me, Onee-sama. Your friend! Shoot the Railgun! Maximum power!» Kuroko surpassed her limits and shouted out of her breath, piercing Misaka's heart which now lost all the doubts and hesitation.

«Aaaaah! Allright, damn you guys!» Mikoto threw her coin up and the air started trembling in lightings. In the moment the finger touched the coin, the Railgun attack was shot at insane speed against Reina, hitting her immediately; the result was the one the evil girl already predicted: the attack was nullified and all the electric power coming from Mikoto's body was getting sucked into Reina's who's eyes and hair were sparkling of light. The never ending electricity ray coming from Misaka along with her vitality were completely getting absorbed by her opponent.

«AHAHAHAHAH! Perfect! Amazing! Superb! So this is the delicious taste of the power of a level five?! I've never felt so strong! Soon I'll release such a powerful bolt that in comparison the most powerful espers' attacks would seem drizzles! They will fear me!» Reina went completely mad and out of control.

«Damn it… I knew it wasn't a good idea… I feel my energies abandoning me and I can't stop the release of my electricity… soon I'll faint. This is only Fran's fault who influenced Kuroko's mind, already incapable of thinking due to her pain… I don't even have the energy to yell at him…» Misaka thought while starting to feel dizzy and tired.

«Forgive me, Misaka-san…» Fran approached Misaka as near as possible, making sure he was not getting hit by the electricity release. «Thanks for trusting me and using the Railgun. Let me use you as my sunlight just this once!» Fran raised his healthy arm to the sky and all the wind turbines' shadows appeared thanks to the emitted light by the electricity turned into plenty of centipedes charging immediately against the distracted Reina who couldn't notice them until they surrounded her, ready to bite and feast.

«Waaaaagh! What is happening?!» the girl tried to flee away but the shadows were too many and she ended up completely crunched down; the power drain stopped and so did the ray of current coming out of Misaka's body who was finally free to breath and rest while all the centipede dissolved due to the fact the font of light turned off.

Reina started checking her own body full of bites but she noticed there were no wounds; anyway, she felt exhausted and she could barely stand on her foot properly.

While the aggressor electromaster was checking her physical damages, Fran dashed where Kuroko was and quickly ripped off her the earphones; he helped her getting up and lifted her on his back.

«Being saved by a prick like you is the most disgusting thing I could think of… but this time I can't complain since is only my fault.» Kuroko exclaimed sighing.

«The fact you have the mood to insult me means you're already feeling better. How's your ankle?» the boy asked ironic.

«If I was really fine, I would have spared me the embarrassment of being carried by a trained ape! Come on, bring me to Onee-sama! I want her to carry me, not you! Come on, faster!» Kuroko said, pulling Fran from his hair and cheeks towards Misaka and forcing him to walk that direction like he was a mounting horse.

«Am I so insignificant to you…?» a silent voice interrupted their arguing. «YOU BRATS! DON'T IGNORE ME!» Reina shouted furious, with her crazy eyes popping out.

«You must have forgot… even if the process wasn't completed, I just absorbed an enormous quantity of level five's energy. This is the end for this city… I will make such a giant crater with this attack that no piece of you will be left since you'll be the center!» Reina slowly approached Fran and, once she was in front of him, she put her right hand on his chest; Reina was excited and wheezy but both Kuroko and Fran was unmoved, watching her with compassion in their eyes. «You must be really bold to stay this calm while facing such a cruel death… I will now release all the electricity I stored these last days and even if maybe the Railgun will be able to survive… both you all and the city will turn into dust! FAREWELL! EHEHEHE!» Reina laughed aloud one last time before performing her final attack; nothing happened.

Before even being able to speak again, Reina notice her sight turned red and she was looking up in the sky while her face was covered by blood and some of her teeth flew away; Fran hit her with a powerful hook from below on her chin that made her fly and hit the ground.

«This is my part for hurting Shirai-san.» Fran exclaimed with decision as he was shaking the blood off his fist while Kuroko was embarrassingly hiding her blush behind him.

«H-how is this possible?! Where did all the electricity I stored go?! It doesn't come out! I'm not able to release it!» Reina was really agitated as she tried to stop the blood coming out from her face.

«You seem to not know who the Shadow Crafter is, Reina-chan! The horrible giant maggots that bit you a while ago have the power to deprive you of the usage of your esper ability!» Kuroko explained with satisfaction.

«What?! That can't be fair! It's not right! I was so close to winning! I planned this since months… there was no way to defeat me for you! If only this damned guy from an outer office minded his goddamned business!» the injured girl yelled, trying to get up again.

«That's where you are wrong! Your bad luck made him arrive at the right moment! As much as I myself am ashamed to say so… Fran-san is now an official member of the 177 Judgment branch office! He's one of us!» Kuroko said with pride and this time was Fran the one hiding his embarrassment and blushing; Reina's face turned pale while she was slowly backing off in despair.

«Just give up and let us take you in. Anti-Skill will decide the punishment you need for the repeated intrusions and the kidnapping.» Fran said as he kept walking towards her.

«Let me go! I did nothing wrong! This city deserves it! I hate you all! It's so unfair you powerful ones have the right to have everything you want unlike us! My power… is so useless! I can't do anything alone and I have to steal current to use it! Why am I like this? Shouldn't it be my Personal Reality? Why don't I have the power I like and I want?! Why do I hate my ability so much?! Why do I have to be the weak one, huh?! WHO DECIDED THIS?! Who is even gonna answer all my questions?!» Reina ranted, crying loudly due to the frustration and pain.

«I know someone similar… and she also ended up like you. She turned into a brainless criminal!» Fran said, looking sad and involved; Kuroko too was feeling his rampaging sadness by simply hearing the flogged beat of his heart. «You both couldn't understand… that a person is not determined by their esper level! Your ability is just one of the plenty qualities a person has, your duties is to value them all to reach your best! Such a clever high schooler like you are could have used her smartness to improve their life and the other's instead of planning illegal actions for hurting people but… you guys are all blinded by the ranking! You drive me mad, a lot…» Fran reached his chest with his hand and stroked his heart, his beat was going crazy.

«F-Fran-san! Hold yourself, it's not necessary! Calm down…» Kuroko said as she felt uncomfortable due to the heavy tension that was built up in few minutes.

«Shirai is still looking helpless and that Fran guy seems to be completely distracted in his own world… I may be injured, but my legs are still fine… if I start running now, I could have a chance to get awa-» Reina's thoughts got roughly interrupted as she felt a powerful grasp grabbing her shoulders and piercing nails in her skin.

«Fran-san… can you assure me she is not capable to store energy anymore?» it was Misaka, she blocked the only way out of the aggressor.

«Of course… she was bitten by a lot of centipedes so it will be a while before she can use her ability again. Indeed, I left her unharmed because you are the one who deserved to have revenge on her. Do her what you like.» Fran replied, now back on earth and calm thanks to the voice of Mikoto.

«Unharmed, huh?» Kuroko thought clueless, seeing the red teeth less face of Reina.

«Same story every time… the most powerful ones end up erasing everyone who tries their better to climb the unfair ranking system of this dirty city… you bastards disgust me.» Reina said, shaking in fear but resigned to what was going to happen to her.

«Don't misunderstand me… it's not like I disagree with what you just said… you showed a lot of guts and boldness to risk everything you had and prove what you're capable of… but you did it in the worst way possible. If you want to climb ranks, feel free to do it… but if you don't care about other's tranquillity and you don't respect their lives, especially my friends', you must face the consequences of your actions by getting roasted by my most powerful electric shock!» Misaka tightened her grasp and Reina closed her eyes, reedy to get electrocuted but she felt no electricity; the lighting shaped braids girl opened her eyes again surprised but she had not the time to say anything because a precise hit on her neck knocked her out.

«My dear classic Onee-sama… too kind to even hurt the most despiteful person on earth!» Kuroko said relieved, it was finally over.

«Is that enough for you, Misaka-san?» Fran asked, leading down in order to let Kuroko go and dash towards her loved one despite the hurt ankle.

«I won't be the one deciding her punishment. I don't have the right to judge anyone… I trust Judgment justice… and also, Fran-san… well, I want to tell you…» Misaka blushed but she couldn't end her sentence, sirens and vehicles approached the square; They were an ambulance and Anti Skill.

Reina got patched her face up and took in by Anti Skill, while Kuroko was carried on a bed and brought near the ambulance to receive a provisory treatment for her ankle.

«We are bringing this girl to the hospital for further tests!» the nurse said.

«Of course. I'll be there soon, Kuroko.» Mikoto said smiling.

«What?! What does it mean?! Onee-sama just come with me in the ambulance!» Kuroko exclaimed trying to pull her Onee-sama on the bed with her.

«Don't overdo! You'll be fine! I just need to talk to Fran-san first…» Misaka replied, dodging her roommate grab.

«Aaaah! That prick! Don't flatter yourself just because you did better than me once! However… you really were better this time. I need to apologize, disgusting maggot. Next time, maaaaaybe I will consider your secondary choice quality opinions on the case. See you later, prick! We work together from now on!» Kuroko said, grateful her way, going for an handshake to Fran. He accepted it and finally had his first handshake with someone since he was in Gakuen Toshi; even Kuroko was so satisfied she managed to break the legendary taboo that she left without talking or complaining more. Nurses put her into the ambulance and left towards the hospital escorted by Anti Skill's vehicles.

Fran and Mikoto went to the nearest wind turbines and looked each other In the eyes; Fran was just waiting for this moment, his plan saved her friend and finally he had a chance to look cool at the eyes of the person he admired.

«What I was saying, Fran-san, is that… before, you just were… a completely careless mad man! What the hell were you thinking?! You got a screw loose for sure!» Truth was, Fran still didn't know the true nature of the girl he was facing right now.

«Huh?» That was the only thing Fran managed to say in that moment, since he was instead expecting some heart-warming thanks and apologises.

«Huh?! You know, instead of acting all mysterious and cool… you could have just told me to use my electricity to light up the place to make your shadows usable! Did you really had to pretend you suddenly turned into a villain?!» Mikoto asked, pushing her index on Fran's chest while he was backing off in embarrassment.

«B-but I couldn't! it was for the element of surprise! I can't tell the enemy I'm going to use her own plan to defeat her!» Fran was completely taken aback, he was already dreaming a sweet moment with that girl but he ended up arguing.

«That was not needed! How could she escape all of those centipedes? Even knowing they are coming, they would have still hit her. You boys really need to make it unnecessary risky and spectacular or you're not satisfied!»

«I-I'm sorry… ehy, wait a moment! What am I apologizing for?! I'm not the one who has to! You accused me to be an enemy's partner in the middle of the fight! Me?! The most loyal person in the whole city?! You take that back with all your offences!» Fran was so confused he got mad too for no reason.

«Oh, yes? I need to apologies for what exactly? For being suspicious of the most ambiguous person in the whole city, maybe! I won't take anything back! Instead, just get off my sight! Go home now!» Mikoto said, pointing to the road.

«It was you who asked me to stay! I wasn't really expecting to be told those kind of thin-»

«Thanks for saving Kuroko… we would have not made it without you.» Misaka, embarrassed but honest, interrupted Fran's complain who silenced incredulous.

«M-Mom… girls are scary.» Fran thought, lost in the void.

«Next time you need some sparkle, just tell me clearly! Even if they frighten me a little… your centipedes and my Railgun will protect our friends together, am I right? I'm so glad you're one of us.» those words, accompanied by her shining smile, deeply pierced the always serious and composed eyes of Fran who softened immediately. He was finally living his wish.

«We really make a good team, don't you think?» Mikoto added as she approached the boy to go for an handshake; For Fran that was one of the best moments of his life, also it was already the second handshake he was glad to give.

Fran wanted to tell her there was no one more important for him, that he would have done anything to help her protect their friends and that it's thanks to her if he was becoming a better person everyday; he wanted to confess his love, but he knew it was weird to do it so early. One step at time, let's start by being friends and showing her my feeling through facts; these were his thoughts while he was going to shake her hand in happiness and emotion but he never managed to touched her.

«Ohi! What happened here? Is anybody there? Do you need help? I saw this huge light ray, is everything ok?» a male voice was heard coming from afar but this was enough for Mikoto; she quickly recalled her hand and put it under her back, her face turned bright red then she turned in the direction of the voice.

«What is that idiot doing here?! Ehy, can you tell me where do you come from all of a sudden?!» Misaka ran towards the shouting guy, Kimijou Touma, leaving Fran alone with his hand hanging and his eyes petrified; a devastating feeling of discouragement and disappointing wiped out in a second all the happiness and joy he managed to achieve after days of tiring effort.

That day something broke in Fran, not only his illusions.