AN: Jesus Christ, my brain needs to shut up and let me finish my other stories… Anyways, here's my… 8th (?) story, and 7th currently in progress. Enjoy…

(Btw, this is based off the anime and manga, not the light novel. This, I'm not aware of all the dates and stuff. Just put this in after all the events in the anime.)

..

177th Judgement Branch Office

"Uiharu?" a glasses-wearing woman stuck her head out from above a cubicle.

"Yes, Konori-senpai?"

The response came from a short girl wearing flowers in her hair, her eyes glued to her computer screen.

Konori glanced around the room, then at her watch. "Where's Shirai? It's nearly noon…"

This caused Uiharu to look up. Blinking thoughtfully, she widened her eyes. "I think Tokiwadai's having another semester's esper testing, right? Anyways, what did you want to talk about?"

The woman mouthed an 'oh', before frowning. "Uiharu, have you heard the rumors? About that Level 0?"

Uiharu nodded slowly, tapping away at the computer. "I can look into it, but I think it'd be better if I ask my friend Saten. She's kinda an expert at rumors."

The dark-haired Judgement officer nodded in satisfaction. "Alright. Make sure you look into it today."

..

"Such Misfortune…"

Kamijou Touma sighed deeply, hunching over with his schoolbag slung over his shoulder. He trudged along the packed sidewalk, stopping as he looked at the park with a certain vending machine. "Hopefully Biri-biri won't be there. That's the only way this day can get worse."
The cause of his depression was the fact that Index had ended up gnawing on his head when he woke up, which was an hour late for school. This in turn led to him running to school, getting involved with yet another gang fight on the way, and getting beaten up by Fukiyose. After that…

Yeah. A lot of stuff happened.

Slowly, he made his way to the the stone railing, and sat down with a groan. The table was occupied by two girls, so he decided to just sit there. "Finally… A break for this poor Kamijou."

Meanwhile, the two aforementioned girls were Uiharu and her friend, Saten Ruiko, the latter of which was speaking animatedly.

"You really wanna hear about that?" the middle schooler asked, practically bouncing in her seat. "About the Level Zero?!"
Uiharu nodded calmly whilst sipping on her drink, used to her friend's boundless energy. At least when it came to certain things. Studying, not so much…

"Awesome! You remember when I told you about the Level Zero defeating the Number One and Misaka-san?" Saten asked, beaming. Without waiting for a reply, she continued. "Well, now there's a lot more! Like how he shot down the Tree Diagram, fought Number Seven, associates with vampires, ghosts, and even angels! And the terrorists attacks, they say he was also involved in them, too!"
A little it behind Uiharu, a certain unlucky high schooler, was now choking on his drink.

"And though they aren't directly linked, not publically at least, there's also this boy who shows up whenever someone's in trouble, saving them. They say each appearance has similar characteristics; spiky hair, and new hospital bandages around some part of his body. There's also a cry of 'Such Misfortune' and a grocery bag, sometimes. He's never used an esper ability, though…"

This time, the unlucky boy accidentally broke the tip of his pencil as he was trying to do homework. "Am I… really like that?"

This made Uiharu pause, looking up. "Do you really think they're the same people?"

Saten thought for a bit, and flipped her phone open. Motioning for Uiharu to sit next to her, she opened up a spreadsheet she had created. "See? The timing of the events we know of never coincide with the second rumor, and their both level zeroes. In both rumors, there hasn't been even a single death, not even when the terrorists attacked!" She then swiped to another page; a blurry image of a spiky-haired boy standing in spotlights. He was in the Underground Mall, and there was destruction everywhere, including a large hole. The next image showed the same boy- or someone who looked remarkably similar despite the blurriness- standing up to some thugs in a dark alleyway.

Uiharu drew a sharp breath. "That picture, in the Underground Mall! I overheard Yomikawa-san talking to Konori-senpai about a weird boy there, at the Underground Mall!"

This time it was Saten's turn to be surprised, as she looked up at her friend, eyes sparkling. "Really?! Let's ask her about the Level Zero!"

Uiharu agreed, and the two quickly left.

The only person left in the park was Touma, whose mouth moved silently, eyes widened. "They can't be talking about… me, can they?" Then, he was reminded of his terrible luck by the pigeon passing by overhead, which decided that it was a good time to do a number two.

"... Such Misfortune…"

..

"Is it ready?"

"Yes, Kazuo."

"Good. What about the Hero?"

"We've swept the outer districts. We'll begin on District Seven next week."

"...Thank you, Fuyuko. I trust we'll find him soon…"

"Yes. I look forward to that day, as do the others."
"Don't we all…"

..

A blond boy sat on the windowsill of a random building, gazing out into city. He held a phone to his ear, grinning widely.

"Yes, yes, Kanzaki. Index LIbrorum Prohibitorum is still very much alive, and I imagine she'll be pleased to see you all as well."

"...?"

"Oh, don't worry. I'm sure Imagine Breaker will figure something out."

"...!?"
"Hmm? Well, I can't very well take you guys in, I'm a spy! Besides, I'm sure it will be interesting to watch."

"...!"

"I didn't hear a no~"

"..."

"Haha, given up already? Oh well, see you around, Kanzaki!"

Snickering at the protests of indignation from his device, Tsuchimikado flipped his phone shut, and stared into the bright sky. "Looks like you'll have some company soon, Kamijou!"

..

Yay… Another story on my to-do list…

Anyways, I hope you liked the prologue. See you next time!