NeoShadows here!

And no, I am not dead. The things some people say when one doesn't update.

Anyway, apologies for not updating. As you know, I've already completed several chapters of this story before I published, but I've been occupied the last month with things. I won't get into that since its family matters and all that jazz. Along with taking care of business and preparing to open up my restaurant again in the coming weeks, I've also been busying myself with my second crossover I started last month. I got so distracted by it that I kind of put off everything else to work on it. Now it's already going over 200,000K.

Since I've reached chapter eight of A Certain Unfortunate Trainer, I'd thought I'd better upload now before more guest reviewers start spreading the rumor that I've kicked the bucket. I know I'm no stranger to near-deaths that would make me out as some MC of a light novel sending my reincarnated body to a new world, but I've been free of those for a good three years now.

Shit, I've just jinxed myself.

Anyways, reviews!

DN Works: Most of my fights will get even more violent than this down the road. Hell, one of the reasons I got into writing was due to my love of action and fight scenes. It's why every story I write is M-rated due to how overall cruel, fierce, and gory some fights turn out; among other reasons why it's M-rated. The relationship between Trainer and Pokemon isn't any different no matter what side of the world you're on. Even a guy like Stiyl cares about his pokemon.

Majin Othinus: Interesting reasons to pick Jirachi and Hatarene but Magic Gods won't work out that way as Pokemon turning into humans. As for your comment on adding between the lines before every scene change, I'll try something new but I can't completely change it to something I don't like.

MrQuestionMark: Yup, I conquered that beast after long days of no sleep. I am a champion; bow, pleasant! When it came to creating a Magic System that fits into the Pokemon world, it wasn't as hard as it was creating the Esper System had been. Idol Theory really helped to make sense of things to come down the road, so the real trouble was creating new spells that made sense and used Pokemon as a reference or used Pokemon as a conduit. The Houndoom Inocentious spell was both my favorite spell to modify from the original and a good example of what could be done with Pokemon and Magician working together. For Pokemon moves, I decided to get rid of the four move limit that the games enforce. Stiyl's Houndoom knows more than six and only displayed what was seen. The reason for getting rid of the limit was for creative liberties and not restrain me with only four moves. And yes, I did do my fair share of studying the LNs before writing and even go back to read them whenever I find myself drawing a blank. I wouldn't say I'm done studying the Pokemon lore, it's as expansive and rich as real-world lore; holy shit. Writing fight scenes is one of the major reasons why I got into writing and my style is also why all my stories are M-rated among other reasons-Wink, wink-. Wait until you see the more creative fights down the line. I'm sure you'll love them. There's so much I want to talk about involving this arc but I have to stop myself because I want it all to come as a surprise. We're drifting off the Magic side here and moving into the Science half of the new arc to come next chapter. I'm really happy to know you're gushing about my story, it's really flattering to know. And I hope to keep you reading for as long as I can!

ZL Genesmith: What I have planned for Zenchou is different from what you'd expect yet not unexpected. No more will be said but I love writing scenes with both Zenchou and Touma. I will say this though since many guests are reviewing it; Touma will not get an Absol. To me, it just doesn't fit well with his character other than being a Pokemon that warns of natural disaster, not misfortune as a whole.

Umbreonblue: Pokemon egg? Oh, I got plans concerning one of those in the next arc to come after the one to come after this. As to the other reviewers too, I will not be including an Absol.

ConnivingG: Creating the new version of Inocentious was fun when I based it after the image of Stiyl's Houndoom, so I'm glad you liked it. It was only natural that while Espers gained a Personal Reality based on the Pokemon they were closest to in order to gain an ability influenced by said Pokemon, that they would also suffer a Type Disadvantage as well.

Cheesecake244351: Glad to know you've liked the taste of this new story. It was certainly a tough one but let me be really creative in modifying the systems of magic, science, and pokemon without ignoring the other or overpowering the other. Researching the lore of Pokemon was truly the biggest challenge yet due to how much material there is. Even with growing up playing the games, watching the anime, and movies, I'm still discovering new things. If feel that wondering what Pokemon belong to who is one of the most exciting parts of stories like this. Interesting question on the Dragon Shell theory but I'd say no. As for the grimoires you've created, I'd be more than happy to take the Genisis of Creation-Arceus. Love the other ones but the Genisis of Creation was my favorite one.

Qrow454: Touma can only ever solve most problems with violence, be it human or Pokemon related. That doesn't change no matter who his opponent may be. He'll feel bad as he would when punching someone else but it's what he has to do.

And that's about all the time we have for today. Keep the reviews coming! They're half the reason why I keep writing.

Now let's get to scrolling!

XxX

Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to A Certain Magical Index or Pokemon. Both rights are reserved to Kazuma Kamachi and Gamefreak respectively.

Pandemic is still up, riots be breaking out, I'm still out of a job until next month, and it's hot as hell. Been a hell of a month. At least all this free time has given me a chance to finally get some sleep and quit my caffeine addiction. Three months sober, woohoo!

...It's not going to last a second once I get back to work. I'm going to be gargling coffee for days the second I clock in. Caffeine overdose #3, here I come!

XxX

Chapter 4: Silent Plea.

Feathers_Of_OMEN.

A sullen frown marred the face of one Stiyl Magnus. The blood that smeared the floor was still slick and more flowed from the deathly pale face of the bluish-silver haired nun that he cradled in his arms. It was hard to believe such a frail girl could still cling on through such suffering. Indeed, Index was far stronger than of them to endure such trails all on her own. She was far greater a Saint than those labeled as such to walk the earth.

One could say she was born into such suffering. Since the day she had been discovered to have been blessed with such a gift as Perfect Memory by their lord, she would continue to repeat such pain for the safety of the magical world. This was her heavy cross to bear. To continue to be burdened by such tragedy with that innocent smile on her face despite what this lonely path would forever lead to, she was incredibly brave.

A low whine caught Stiyl's attention to his beloved partner, Sulphur, nuzzling its nose against Index's red-painted hand. In the Houndoom's teeth was a Pokeball, scratched up after the fight, and dropped gently into Index's hand for her to clutch onto. In that red and white capsule held the nun's only companion, the Wooloo Blewog.

"It's alright, she'll be fine once we've returned her to someone who can patch her up. I believe Kanzaki knows a proper healing spell that will make Index good as new." Stiyl reassured his Pokemon with a gentle smile.

The fight was over. No doubt that cowardly high school boy had run away with his tail between his legs like some weak Wimpod. Good riddance. He didn't feel like dirtying his hands with idiots who could only spout crap from their mouths.

'She's just a little girl for crying out loud! Yet you talk so casually about her life as if it wasn't anything more than some trivial chore! Doesn't it bother you at all that you've harmed an innocent girl in cold blood?! Just what the hell's wrong with you?!'

'Don't speak of matters you have no idea to, boy. This is a world you know nothing about. A world that would swallow the likes of you whole.'

Did Stiyl feel satisfied with seeing someone so treasured to his heart being harmed? Of course not. The very sight of blood on the silver-haired girl made his blood boil as hot as the flames his Houndoom could produce. Did he wish they could do this another way? Of course, he did! But this world wasn't so kind as to bless them with that kind of miracle. Not even their lord was so generous or fair.

This was Stiyl's role in this world. An enemy to the bright-faced silver-haired nun with an enormous appetite that would challenge a Snorlax's own stomach. He could be nothing more than menacing to her as the enemy at her back. And that was fine. It was from this role that he could offer her a different form of protection to keep that smile on her face alive.

His role would not change. Not now, not ever.

BEEEEEEEEEEPPPPP!

"What?"

The sound of a fire alarm caught Stiyl off guard as the ear-piercing whine could be heard throughout the dormitory. Luckily, he had already set up a People Clearing field that removed unwanted parties from this battlefield. No one would come running out of their dorms if they were not here, so there was no need to fret. But that didn't reassure him in the least. The fact that it went off when he had instructed Innocentius from triggering the alarms, and cast a heat and smoke concealing spell on both himself and Sulphur, meant that they weren't the one's to trigger the system. An outside party was at fault for the sprinkle of indoor rain cascading the entire passageway.

This battle had been finished. It was over!

"Yo!"

So, why was it that Stiyl could still hear that damned voice!?

[-]

The plan was very simple to even a high school boy who was on the verge of failing if he didn't attend make up lessons this summer.

The great and powerful trump card that was the Magician's Innocentius could not be negated. Or that is to say that it couldn't be completely negated. While Imagine Breaker could destroy its burning body, the Runes that were plastered all over the dormitory would supply it with the means to regenerate said body at high speeds that could compete with the rate of negation. This meant that the only way to truly defeat Innocentius would be to get rid of the Runs that powered it.

That was an impossible task for one boy with no special powers to accomplish. Especially if he wanted to save Index as quickly as possible. So, what other options did that leave him to solve this impossible problem?

Another thing he realized in his mulling while also trying to ignore the annoying pecking of his troublesome ally, was why hadn't the fire sprinklers gone off in his fight with Stiyl. The bastard Magician had been throwing around fire! Weren't the alarms suppose to go off if even magical flames were burning the walls? Why didn't they?

Magic; cheating bastard.

Well, that was fine. Touma had an idea to solve his current dilemma.

Cue now, as the male dormitory sprinklers went off in the red-haired Magician's face.

"Yo!"

The look of complete surprise on Stiyl's face was worth a picture or two. Touma couldn't help but wave nonchalantly at the Magician amid the indoor rain designed to quell whatever fires arose. He was already soaked and had to move his wet hair from his pricking his eyes.

"You know, you're a pretty troublesome kind of bastard. Using some kind of cheat code to make your spell OP when fighting against a low leveled player. That's just bullying. If you didn't have such a convenient cheat code on you then you would pretty useless; right, Zenchou-san?"

"CAWW!"

The sound of misfortune cried out through the passageway as a dark feathered figure flew into the scene. Stiyl grit his teeth, finding the Pokemon of Misfortune, Murkrow, fly in out of nowhere to land on the spiky head of Touma. In the world of Magic, Murkrow was none as signs of bad luck that commonly cursed those who caught the eye of them. They brought nothing but trouble as signs of ill timings. And the sight of such evils spelled trouble for him.

Even more so at what he found in the arrogant faced bird's yellow beak.

Photocopy notes, each with his Runs printed on.

The soggy notes were dropped to the ground with a smug caw as if saying 'Was that all, you try-hard punk?'

Stiyl couldn't help but laugh.

"What? Did you think taking down a few notes would put an end to Innocentius? Or that a little water would put a beast composed of 3,000C degree flames? Don't think of it as some kind of silly circuit from your world, Esper-boy!"

Being careful to set Index aside, Stiyl snapped his fingers with a cold smirk. Houndoom obeyed the wordless command and stood protectively in front of both Stiyl and Index. The hellhound's body grew alight, releasing an oil like fire from its body to quickly form the imposing flame body of Innocentious. The white-hot cross was held in its madly snarling jaws, ready once again to finish the job it had failed to accomplish.

"Photocopy paper isn't so flimsily to fall apart at the first drops of water! Your little plan failed before you could see a sign of positive results!"

Innocentius didn't need to be commanded. It already knew to attack and charged forward with its giant cross swung to bisect the spiky-haired boy and cook the annoying dark feathered bird.

Murkrow didn't seem to mind the literal towering flames in the shape of a demon dog that was intent on roasting him alive. The Misfortune Pokemon simply yawned and waved its left-wing at the beast to shake off the water on its feathers.

A simple glance of his feathers caused that great demonic flame to crumble to bits.

"WHAT?!" Stiyl shouted in disbelief as his greatest of spells fell apart into smoking mush. The sudden loss of Innocentius even stumped Sulphur as its feet wobbled. The Witch Hunter Spell was a Pope Level ritual that relied on not only the magic of the caster but of the Pokemon whose image would be borrowed under the rules of Idol Theory. It wasn't something that could be easily cast or called off. To be cut off from the spell was akin to a shock from out of nowhere that stunned the system.

"Funny thing about your nifty cheat code; the ink is pretty cheap. And while the photocopy sheets may survive the rain shower, the same could not be said about the ink itself. Even a drop is enough to smear the runes writing." Touma smiled in victory as he took a step forward.

Losing Innocentius was a great blow that had shaken Stiyl. He ground his teeth in frustration but not held his composure. He wasn't powerless. While his magic had been greatly drained, he still had another means of attack.

"Sulphur, use Flamethrower now!"

Houndoom was in the same boat as Stiyl, drained of its energy. But it too could still fight. Cheeks comically ballooning as if they were made of rubber, the hellhound released a great torrent of orange-red flames from deep within its being to illuminate the showering passageway. Even the sprinklers water could not douse those flames.

"Did you forget that nothing born of the Supernatural nature can work against me. It's an ineffective type match up!"

A right hand was held out to those ravaging flames, shattering them to fading bits of glass.

"Zenchou-san, how about you show me that attack of yours that ruined my homework last month? What was it that Komoe-sensei called it? Oh, right; Air Cutter!"

For once, the devious Murkrow listened to the words of his prey. Flapping its wings, luminescent sawing blades of wind were fired from its beating motion that splashed through the sprinkler's rain to hone in on its target; a weakened Houndoom. As much as Touma didn't like the sight of wind blades slicing through the tired Dark/Fire Type Pokemon or the blood that splattered onto the water pooling the halls, it was a must need to finish this mess.

Sulphur fell onto its stomach, bleeding and worn out from the night's fight. It couldn't continue on any longer unless it wanted to risk its own life. Something it was more than happy to do as it fought to stand up on its shaky forelegs.

Touma scowled at the poor Pokemon, "Are you really going to let your friend harm itself any longer? Or are you more than fine with spilling even your Pokemon's blood too?"

A red light captured Sulphur's body, recalling the hellhound to a safe place that it could recover despite his protests.

So, even the red-haired Magician wasn't so heartless?

"Don't think I'm done yet, boy!"

Stiyl was livid. Not only was his partner heavily wounded, but he was drained of nearly all his magic. There wasn't much he could do now. Nothing but fight with that pathetic dregs he had left in him!

From his clawed hands, a jet of overflowing flames erupted from his palms, reminding Touma of an intangible blade. That flowing blade that rejected the opposite nature that rained upon it was slashed forward, intent on putting up one last fight.

"Flame Sword!"

Seeing the attack, Zenchou decided to flap its wings and get out of the way of the fight between humans. He did his part. It was all down to that spiky-haired boy to finish this Pokemon/Human Battle.

Touma braced himself, knowing that this would be the final fight. There was no slipping up here! There were no excuses here! There were no doubts here!

The spewing blade of flames came in hot, literally. Touma knew that he couldn't negate the spell normally. His eyes spied the left hand of the Magician, sparking with another flame blade as a fail-safe. If one attack was negated then another would come in to take its place in a flash. And sadly, Touma's left hand did not contain a strange power that could destroy the supernatural.

Which meant he would have to grit his teeth.

That right hand, which held a mysterious power, responsible for all the crappy fortune that made his life miserable, and utterly failed to be a real threat to the weakest of Level-0s with weapons or actual fighting skills, was pretty useless. But right now, Touma couldn't complain.

The flame sword swung down, slashing into Touma's shoulders with a sickening hiss of flames melting skin like butter. The skin over his collarbone was burnt and the blade would have done the same to his bones.

Touma swallowed a cry of pain, grunting deeply as he gripped his right fist as tight as possible. The shadow of that fist was illuminated by the flames of Stiyl's magic, painting over the man's startled face.

'That's right. This fist is completely useless when pit against the ordinary. It would lose to even a yellow belt martial artist who just started training! But when faced against such supernatural bastards like you, I can't be any more grateful for the rotten luck it's plagued me with!'

That useless right hand barreled into Stiyl's face with a thick meaty thwack. The contact of Imagine Breaker was enough to dispel the flame sword digging into Touma's shoulder. And with a thunderous roar, Touma continued with the blow and slammed the red-haired Magician into the wet floor with a twist of his waist and the weight of his body.

'It's because of this fist that I can knock down idiots like you with my own strength!'

Stiyl Magnus hit the floor without a word, without a thought. With one punch to the face, the fight was over.

[-]

Touma collapsed onto his knees, struggling to regain his breath in the afterglow of flames born of another world, body coated in sweat and dirt from the night's long arduous battle. Smoke bellowed from his floor of the dormitory along other trails signaling the other fires that devoured the lower levels. With the fire alarms activated, it wouldn't be long until Anti-skill and the firefighters arrived at the scene. Hopefully, those adults could save the dormitory from burning down. The last thing he wanted was to become homeless.

"But it's over, right?"

The Murkrow on his head, Zenchou, cawed with a flap of his wings as if conveying he had no idea what was even happening right now.

It was difficult, but Touma was able to control his labored breathing and settle his pounding heart. His entire body was blaring with pain from burns, bruises, and the burnt slash along his shoulder and collarbone. No one would blame him if he passed out here and now. Once those firefighters found him, they would take him away to A Certain Hospital where they would treat his wounds and give him the much-needed rest he deserved. A certain frog faced doctor that appeared as if he was a human Politoad would treat him and berate him again for being sent to the hospital twice in one month. Too bad it wasn't that simple.

Ignoring his groaning body, Touma scooped up the far more wounded Index into his arms. He grimaced as her wound bleed onto his torn up white school uniform.

Index wasn't a registered citizen of Academy City, was she. That wasn't a question of doubt in his mind. A girl like her was far out of place in this city of science that denounced the mystic. If she were to be found by Anti-skill, she would be detained and deported. She would be treated like certain Pokemon banned in various regions due to their harmful effects on the ecosystem of the land. And at that time, her attackers could strike.

Would those adults be able to handle an attack from a world that they believed as childish fantasies better forgotten? Just one of those Magicians could create a giant flame beast in the image of his Pokemon that burned at 3,000 Degrees Celsius. Would Index be safe in those hands that didn't believe in magic?

"CAW?"

It hurt but Touma took a step forward, away from his dorm room and facing the still raging flames that eagerly consumed the passageway of the dormitory. It seemed the sprinkler system couldn't go on forever. The heat of those flames born of both Magician and Pokemon stung his skin and made his head grow dizzy. The adrenaline of his fight with Stiyl had helped to combat the heat, but now that his body had lost that cause of his flight-or-die instincts, he had no way to deal with the hell that painted his home.

Would he even be able to make it another step? He could already feel the smoke enter his lungs and make it difficult to breathe. The oxygen in the air was being burned away by the oven like hallway. He would either be burned to a crisp or starved of air before he even reached the end.

No, there was no need for such thoughts to cloud his mind. He just needed to steel his nerves and run through fire!

"If you're going to stick around, Zenchou-san, than you better hold on tight! Because the Kamijou Express isn't going to be making any stops!"

This normal highschool boy braced himself in the face of flames and smoke blocking his way. With the weight against his chest secured tightly as he sprinted forward with a roar and a panicked cry of a Misfortune Pokemon.

[-]

It had taken about fifteen minutes for the firefighters, Anti-skill, and Judgment to arrive to the smoking scene of a male dormitory in District 7. By the time they arrived, the flames had nearly overtaken all the floors of the building. Thankfully, for some strange reason, none of the students were there. Even if said students were breaking curfew, none of those adults could punish them for actions that inadvertently saved their lives.

Anti-skill worked quickly to set up barricades and security tape to block off any noisy students that wandered out to the sight of smoke and embers; Judgment went to work on ensuring that no rowdy Esper got in the way of putting out the flames; and the firefighters summoned their trusty Pokemon partners to help with dousing the flames, searching the burning building for any trapped survivors and clearing the debris.

It was the sight of several Blastoise, Pelippers, and other Water-type Pokemon putting out fires with various Water-type Moves among the city's protectors, that Misaka had arrived to. Like several other students that were currently breaking curfew, she couldn't help but marvel at the building being put out by both humans, Espers, and Pokemon.

"Wait, isn't this that Idiot's place?"

"Onee-sama!"

A sudden weight appeared to hug onto Misaka from behind, arising out of thin air like magic. But it wasn't magic, but the ability of a certain Teleporting Esper Stalker that she roomed with.

A tawny, pig-tailed middle school girl wearing the illustrious Tokiwadai school uniform embraced Misaka as tightly as she could with a happy smile on her young face. The younger girl by two years was named Kuroko Shirai; a Level-4 Esper with the ability known as Teleport; An Esper with a Personal Reality that would make her fall under the same category as a Psychic-Type Pokemon. The only real difference in the girl's clothing would be that the younger Esper did not wear shorts underneath her skirt, and the green armband on her person that signified she was a member of Judgment.

"Damn it, Kuroko! Stop jumping me like that!"

A burst of electricity coated Misaka to ward of the rather clingy pervert on her back. But having gotten used to being shocked many times by the object of her affection, Kuroko simply teleported away.

"Now, Onee-sama, you know it's not right for such a high-class woman as yourself to speak so rudely or attack so brazenly like that. Ahh~, but that simply just makes me want you more though, right!?"

Having appeared a short distance away, Kuroko moved in for a leaping glomp of her beloved. But the obsessed middle school girl found her flight cut off as did her breath by a dark-toned hand taking hold of her collar.

The one responsible for stopping any more sexual assault on a student by an authority figure was none other than a Pokemon. It was a slim humanoid Pokemon of dark skin, black buns on each side of her head that resembled pig-tails with white ribbons that matched Kuroko's own, a purple face, and blue eyes that were currently ticked off at her master. She was known as Gothorita; The Manipulate Pokemon.

Misaka breathed a sigh of relief as she stopped creating sparks that made her resemble a human bug zapper, "Thanks, Keomi-san. I swear, if it wasn't for you, that pervert would know nothing about boundaries. Not like she already does now though." she mumbled beneath her breath.

The Gothorita, Keomi, nodded her head respectfully at Misaka. She was at least happy that such a girl could still remain friends with her stalker of a master. It took a strong will and resolve to do such a thing. No wonder the brunette haired girl that carried an aura of an Electric-Type Pokemon was renowned as the third strongest in the city.

"Get your fucking hands off me, you dumb asses! Do you seriously think that I'm responsible for this?!"

Misaka's attention was taken away from the struggling to breathe pig-tailed girl to the sight of several Anti-skill members taking away a shouting student. Said student had the oddest hair color she had ever seen, reminding her of an Alolan Muk. The boy must have been a thug from his choice of attire and foul mouth.

"This place was already burning when I got here! I'm fucking innocent, seriously! It must be the fault of that spiky-haired bastard! It's his fault, I swear!"

'Spiky haired idiot?'

It couldn't be, could it?

"It seems that the cause for the fire was a Skill-Out thug who's part of a minor gang known as Toxic Hazard. He was found near the scene of the crime, running with blood on his face, broken teeth, and the smell of smoke on him."

Misaka wasn't sure when, but Kuroko had escaped her Pokemon's grasp and returned to taking a piggyback ride on her back. It seemed even Gothorita was surprised, shrugging hopelessly at its attempts to control her master. Misaka refrained from shocking her friend, seeing as Kuroko was only hugging her and not roaming her hands over her body again.

"So, some Level-0 did all this?" Misaka asked with doubt.

"You forget, Onee-sama; even Level-0s aren't so powerless or less dangerous because of a lack of ability. Even they have Pokemon to help them cause trouble. This particular Level-0 is part of a group of thugs in District 10 who specialize in using Poison Type Pokemon and poison weapons to threaten higher leveled Espers. We had a few reports brought in about their activity they haven't really made any waves of concern compared to the likes Big Spider and Hell Hounds. All he would need is a Pokemon with a Fire-Type attack to start a fire like this."

"THIS ISN'T SERIOUSLY OVERRRRRRRR!"

The Poison themed thug thrashed against the hold two Anti-skill members had over him, panting like some wild animal with a crazed look in his yellow eyes that must have been due to some kind of contacts. He was hunched over, snarling madly as he began to lose the last of his strength.

"I may get locked up, I may never get out, but don't think Toxic Hazard will let this slight go unanswered! Level-0s like us don't forget humiliation like this, ya spiky headed bastard! You'll get yours, don't you seriously worry about that!"

The thug's shouting was lost as Anti-skill locked him up and sent him away to be processed at their station. Leaving behind the boy's ominous words in the wake of a smoking building beneath the moonlight.

Misaka couldn't shake the feeling that things would only get more hectic from here. And that a certain spiky-haired idiot was involved somehow.

[-]

Touma smelled of smoke, dirt, and burning rubble by the time he had escaped the burning male dormitory. Thankfully it was only the level that Touma resided in that had taken the majority of the damage of the flames. He simply needed to barrel through whatever flames had remained from Stiyl and his Houndoom's attacks before running through the lower levels. The sprinklers had done enough to put out enough of the fires for even a high school student to rush through without suffering any major burns. By the time he reached the bottom, he could hear the sounds of sirens and Anti-skill cruisers close to the scene.

He couldn't stick around another moment longer. With no real idea where to go, he carried Index's still bleeding body close to his chest and the far too relaxed Murkrow on his head and ran from the scene of the crime. He could hear groaning from the knocked out Toxic Hazard thug, who seemed to wake up from his beating. Touma ignored him, leaving the smoldering home with a nun and a Pokemon of misfortune in tow.

Eventually, he had stopped to take a look at Index's wounds. She was still bleeding, but it hadn't been as much as before. He had no idea if that was a good sign or not. A hospital came to mind, only for Index to weakly shoot the idea down. Apparently only magic would be able to heal the lethal wound in time to stop her from passing on and rotting into the ground. Since she wasn't proficient in healing spells and lacked the magic for such, Touma had thought he could perform the spell in her stead instead.

That was when he learned of the divided world of Magic and Science. Espers were unable to perform magic due to the Power Curriculum Program messing with their bodies to the point that they would violently reject mana in the form of bursting blood vessels; vice versa for Magicians who attempted to undergo the Power Curriculum Program. To use magic as a member of the Science side would be suicidal. Then there was Touma's own Imagine Breaker. Even if he could, his right hand would negate the effects.

In other words, there wasn't anyone in the world of science that was Academy City that could help them.

At least, student wise that is.

A stroke of genius had hit Touma as he held Index's body closer to his chest. Zenchou squawked as the spiky nest he sat on began to rush off suddenly to the point the bird nearly fell off.

'Espers won't be of any help, and the healing abilities of Pokemon won't work on those who haven't undergone the Power Curriculum Program either, but isn't there another small percent of people in Academy City that don't fall under those limiting parameters?!'

Academy City was made of a student body of 80%, wasn't it? That left the other 20% to be made of another group; Adults. Those who hadn't undergone the various drugs, mental exams, and hypnosis that would develop them into Espers. Not everyone in this city was here to gain superpowers that were born under the supernatural spectrum. Researchers, Anti-skill, doctors, store owners, and most importantly of in Touma's eyes, Teachers.

One of said teachers was looking to be his only hope.

Lungs burning, Touma could finally breathe a sigh of relief as he stood outside of an apartment complex. From the looks of it, it was rather run-down and kinda seedy. But such a place was where his homeroom teacher lived, the only person in Academy City he could possibly seek out to help him save the life of the girl in his arms.

"Do me a favor, Zenchou-san; don't cause any trouble? The last thing I need is you going about your usual pranks on Komoe-sensei when I need a favor from her." Touma asked the mischievous Pokemon on his head as he began to ascend the metal stairs.

Zenchou appeared offended, his face saying; 'Me? Cause trouble? Who do you take me for; You?'

Touma rolled his eyes at the snickering dark feathered bird. He had to wonder why it was still sticking around.

Reaching the top floor, he walked over to the door number that he recalled getting from a certain blue-haired pervert in his class and rung the doorbell. Sounds of cans kicked around, paper rustling, and a cough that was followed by an all too familiar aroma for the night, smoke, was what Touma made out before the door creaked open.

A young flustered face that belonged on an elementary school girl's face greeted Touma. The short cut pink locks and pink eyes brought a smile to the worn-out boy's face.

"Kamijou-chan?! W-What are you doing at Sensei's place this late at night?"

"Sorry for bothering you, Sensei! But I don't have much time to spare!" The weight on his back was far too urgent to start blabbering about an explanation of the night's events with a Magician, giant flame Pokemon, and a poisoned themed thug. Budging the door aside, Touma began to enter the flustered elementary bodied woman's home.

While he didn't have time to explain right away, Touma did stop for a moment to take in his teacher's bed ware. He snorted, finding the woman dressed in a pink Buneary eared set of pajamas. How appropriate for someone of her stature and appearance. The image was corrupted though by the countless empty beer cans that littered the single room home among cigarette butts and trash. Man, he would have never guessed his adorable teacher was such a messy person, let alone an alcoholic who smoked like as much as a Torkoal.

"B-b-but Kamijou-chan-!"

"Sensei, I need you!"

Saying such urgent, passionate words without an explanation during such an Event was bound to raise a certain flag.

The short pink-haired woman froze as her body trembled from such powerful, urgent, and bold words from the mouth of her most troubled student. Her face grew hot and flustered.

"W-What are you saying, Kamijou-chan?! Saying such things to Sensei, this late at night, in her room-er, house, when I've already had an entire case of beer? No, no, this isn't appropriate! Such relations are forbidden even if you're urges are so strong as to attack Sensei so abruptly! What do you expect me to say when I'm feeling tipsy and not thinking straight as to reject you immediately!?"

"Wait, wha-"

Whatever confusion the spiky-haired boy wished to clear was interrupted by the sound of a certain red and white ball capsule popping open. Touma began to sweat nervously as the bill faced visage of a duck-faced Fire-Type Pokemon stood menacingly behind the fretting, blushing, stuttering child faced Komoe. Magmar grinned evilly, its eyes burning hotter than any flame it could ever produce as it rose its burning fist in preparation of cooking its prey alive.

Its face said; 'UHHHHHHHH?! Up to your perversions again, boy?! Did you think you could sully the innocence of my master so easily, punk?!'

"Touma..."

Both Komoe and her Magmar stopped, faces surprised as they finally took notice of the small body that was slung on Touma's back like a Slakoth. Komoe gasped at the blood that stained the silver-haired Sister's robe.

"Kamijou-chan, what's going on?!"

"It's an emergency! So, please, help this useless student of yours to save this girl's life!"

[-]

'It would be better if I left, wouldn't it? Because of my right, the ritual would be negated. As much as I hate to, I have to leave them. I got to trust Komoe-sensei to take things from here and save Index.'

It had taken Touma begging his small stature teacher for her help with his forehead pressed against the floor, but he now had someone to do what he couldn't for the innocent girl. Komoe was a teacher, an adult who hadn't partaken in the Power Curriculum Program that turned humans into Espers who shared the Personal Reality of Pokemon. A student like a Level 0 with an ability that rejected all supernatural powers was entirely useless in this Event. For Index's own good, he had to leave. Otherwise, his misfortune would strike someone pure and innocent.

Shutting the door to Komoe's place behind him, Touma walked down the metal stairs and began to wander far from the apartment complex. He needed to put as much distance between him and them, so Imagine Breaker wouldn't cause any problems.

"CAW!"

Touma wasn't alone to wander the empty streets though. He still had an odd companion for the time that didn't seem to want to leave.

"Why are you here, Zenchou-san?" Touma asked the Pokemon of Misfortune that continued to rest on his spiky hair. Note to self; make sure the bastard hadn't taken a shit on his head.

Murkrow shrugged its wings, deciding he didn't want to answer the high schoolboy. Like always, the bird Pokemon did what it wanted of its own free will as a Wild Pokemon with no master. He was a rebellious little birdie.

Touma sighed at the attitude of his temporary partner. Since the day he had entered Academy City, the Murkrow never listened to a word he said. The Pokemon was a wild, having no care in the world as it enjoyed its days causing trouble for others. Mainly this Kamijou-san. Whether its antics involved dropping white, dirty gooey bombs on his freshly cleaned uniform, nabbing his lunch, destroying his homework, creating a gust of wind to provide panty shots that resulted in him being called a pervert, or leaving shiny stolen goods in his bag as Anti-skill went around searching for the thief; the Murkrow known only as Zenchou to Touma, did whatever it could to cause trouble for a good laugh.

Yet it was that same Dark-type bird that had come to Touma's rescue. It did not fan the flames of misfortune but instead swooped in to aid him. Even now, the Wild Pokemon stayed by him even when there currently was no danger.

Seeing a vending machine ahead, Touma decided it was a good a time as any for both a drink and a snack. His body was crying out, the burns on his skin were flaring up, and even though Komoe-sensei had given him some first-aid and medicine, he could still feel the phantom pain of a flaring blade of flames digging into his collarbone. Of all his pains, he could at least mend a hungry stomach and dry mouth.

"Don't expect this kind of treatment again, you misfortune-amplifying-kuragge-bastard. Once this is over, we're back to being sworn enemies. But," Touma smiled as both he and Zenchou stared at the numerous snacks and drinks for them to chose from the vending machine's options, "Just this once, it's my treat."

Zenchou cawed happily with a flap of his wings before poking at one of the snacks.

"Hmm? So, they also offer berries for Pokemon too? I should have expected that; this is a city that's home to Espers, humans, and Pokemon alike."

Digging into his pant's pockets, Touma was pleased to see that his wallet had survived the night's events. It was a miracle his Bank Card hadn't been destroyed either. Making his selection along with Zenchou's choice, they both waited for their much-deserved snacks to drop.

How Touma had forgotten his penchant for misfortune, he didn't know. He shouldn't have been surprised by the lack of snacks being dispensed as the vending machine silently laughed at him as it refused to pay up.

Touma's shoulders sagged as his forehead tapped the see-through glass of the malicious piece of hardware meant to make human and Pokemon lives easy. Why now, of all times, when he was too tired to punch the metal monster's face?

"Such misfortune."

"Caw."

Touma held back beads of salty tears as Zenchou sighed.

Of course, when two beings of misfortune were together, nothing would go right.

"There a problem?"

A soft-spoken voice addressed Touma curiously, turning him around to meet the stranger waiting behind him for a snack.

Vermillion eyes met dark blue.

The boy appeared a few years older than Touma, a senior on the verge of graduating high school and entering college or a freshman student in college. He wore a navy blue school uniform with white lining and golden cuffs and buttons, navy blue pants, and dark brown loafers. His hair resembled a purple eggplant, styled in a bob cut with a long fang-like bang falling over his right eye so that only his left red vermillion eye could be seen. The older boy kinda reminded him of one of those pretty boys found in boy bands.

Touma scratched the back of his head awkwardly with a small smile.

"Sorry, were you planning on getting something too? I gotta warn you, the damn vending machine just robbed me of a couple of pokeyen already. Not sure it'll work for anyone else who may try."

The pretty boy senior nodded in understanding before stepping up to the rebelling vending machine.

"I've had the same problem happen to me before too. I think someone's been going around hitting various vending machines as of late. The hits have been screwing with the machines' internal hardware that releases the snacks and drinks even if you were to put in over 20,000PY. Someone really ought to report whoever's vandalizing them. But I do have a bit of a solution."

A Pokeball was shown and released the housed supernatural creature from within.

"Kaminari, give it a small jolt."

A humanoid Pokemon resembling a purple lizard was freed. Its design appeared to make it out as punk. Its under-belly was a light blue that stretched from the underside of its arms to its lower jaw and four purple organs on its chest, a large horn protruding from its forehead alongside two light blue electric frills, and spikes jutting out from its wrists. The way it carried itself made Touma think of a slacker who would rather take a nap than do anything productive.

Kaminari the Low Key Toxtricity yawned lazily with a dispassionate nod. It lifted one of its poisonous and sparking index fingers and touched the vending machine, delivering a needed jump to the busted internal machinery. Touma wasn't sure how the two had discovered the necessary voltage needed to fix the problem but the vending machine buckled lightly. Four items dropped to the dispensing hatch with a clang.

The pretty boy senior reached for said items and brought them back to Touma, handing him the bag of pork flavor chips, ice tea, and two Persim berries.

"I wouldn't recommend using the same method as I did unless you got an Electric-type capable of controlling their electricity with fine precision. I also wouldn't stick around too long around these parts."

Returning to the vending machine, the pretty boy senior offered his Back Card next and grabbed his dispensed snacks. Snapping open his fizzy strawberry-vanilla cream soda, he walked away with his Toxtricity following behind with an armful of various berries it began to happily munch on.

"The late-night streets can be a dangerous place for Level-0s. You better hurry on back to your dorm before you met some unsightly figures lurking in the dark."

"Thanks!" Touma called out to the helpful young adult who responded back with a lazy wave.

Nice guy; saved Touma the trouble of risking wasting more of his almost empty wallet.

'Wonder how he knew I was Level-0.' Probably a lucky guess.

Touma shrugged, taking a seat on the wooden bench right next to the machine as let his body sag as he opened his much-deserved meal. With the pink-skinned pepper shaped berries in one hand, he tossed it up for Zenchou to grab with his beak.

"What a night, huh? Fighting a Magician, a Houndoom, a literal hell-hound made of regenerating flames, a Skill-Out thug with his Ghost/Poison Pokemon; this has got to be one of the worst nights I've ever had." Touma complained to both himself and Murkrow as he munched on his chips.

Amid nibbling on his spicy meal, Zenchou let out a series of caws. Though this simple high school boy didn't possess the power to understand Pokemon, he got the gist of it; 'As if this is anything new for you.'

Zenchou had him there for sure.

"Yeah, but it's normally Espers or thugs I'm dealing with. This? It's completely different than what I've stumbled into before. Though, I suppose it doesn't compare to the time I've had to deal with the whole Beginning Child crap."

The most dangerous of Events Touma had the displeasure of dealing with to save one person. The memories of a unique Dragon-Type, three blond assassins, hybrid Pokemon that shouldn't exist, and one sullen faced girl who could terraform her surroundings based on the environment of the Pokemon around, came swimming past Touma's thoughts. The event had taken place over three days and nearly killed him. One could say it was that event that helped to solidify his resolve to save those who he came across, no matter how dangerous the threat he would face may be. It was his first major attempt at rescuing someone who was suffering by themselves.

It had also marked Touma's greatest failure.

A girl of fluffy brown hair, brown eyes, and of high-class wearing Tokiwadai's uniform. Someone who had believed in him to save her from the darkness that had taken a hold of her. Only for his hand to fail to reach her.

That girl was no longer reachable. It was a memory of failure he had no choice but to accept. The darkness she resided in now was far too deep and cruel for his voice to reach her ears again.

Why did it feel familiar to him? Why did that failure come up now?

An odd pain split Touma's forehead. A static-like picture was seen as he held his forehead as Zenchou leaned his head down with a curious frown.

Someone smiled at him in pain, a girl. A voice called out to him. And though he was eating a pork flavored snack, he could smell an odd honey-sweet scent. All of which vanished and left him staring blankly at his right hand.

Had he failed like this more than once?

"CAW?"

The pain disappeared like that grainy, corrupted picture in his head. It wasn't a new experience for him. It was an ominous pain that made him feel as if he had forgotten something dearly important to him. A memory that could only be felt in his heart that brought him sadness and a sense of failure. Shaking his head carefully as to not bother Zenchou, Touma bit into another chip with a displeased expression.

"Just my luck that I'm caught up in a mess that no normal high school student should walk on. At least now I know why crap like this is always happening to me."

Imagine Breaker, a curse on his right hand that negated the supernatural; Science, Magic, or Pokemon. An undefinable ability that Touma had never known he had possessed until he had arrived in Academy City in an attempt to gain a normal life that wasn't plagued by those who blamed superstition created by him for their own problems. It was said right hand that was to blame for all the trouble he encountered in his day to day life. The silver-haired Sister had revealed to him the truth of his own curse.

But it was said bad luck charm that allowed him to stand up to those who abused the miracles of Science, Magic, and Pokemon. If it wasn't for Imagine Breaker, Touma wouldn't have been able to fight Stiyl and his Pokemon on his own without the help of a Pokemon of his own. For all the grief, trouble, and annoyances his right hand was responsible for, it had also brought about its own miracles.

Against the threat of a cabal of magicians aided by their own Pokemon, Imagine Breaker was Touma's best bet to protect Index. That mysterious power was his only hope.

"But it seems I got you to weather through all the misfortune this time, huh?" Touma couldn't help but smile up at Zenchou. Grabbing another chip, he decided to offer his temporary partner a taste of his own meal.

Munching on the last of his first berry, Zenchou was more than happy to try some of the spiky-haired human's food. He let out a pleased hum at the tasty pork flavor before being offered the last Persim berry along with a few more chips. The bird of Misfortune's eyes stared at his bounty before nodding simply.

A metal like coat covered the Pokemon's left-wing before his spicy berry was sliced down the middle.

"Huh?" Touma blinked, finding Murkrow drop a sliced half of Persim onto his lap. "Are you actually offering me some of your food?"

Zenchou didn't respond, busy mixing slices of his spicy berry with chips to create spicy pork. Touma would find plenty of crumbs in his hair later.

Touma stared at the berry with a soft chuckle. Someone wasn't being honest with themselves. He popped the berry into his mouth along with a few more chips, earning him the same delicious flavor that Zenchou was currently enjoying. Both human and Pokemon hummed happily at the fusion of flavors that reminded them of real meaty pork seasoned with hot peppers. A taste Touma wished he could indulge in now.

Crumbling the empty snack bag, Touma went on to sip his chilled tea. His dark blue eyes turned to the night sky, watching the man-made stars above that were satellites as he tried to relax.

"We're going to have to go back eventually. Hopefully, Index is out of the red then. Which will only leave me to have to explain to Komoe-sensei who Index is and what's been happening. I can't exactly tell her that I'm dealing with magicians or the thugs; she'd completely freak and call Anti-skill. Got any ideas, Zenchou-san?"

"Caw!"

"Eh, I don't know if she'd believe she was my sister. Different skin tone, different hair color, I've also never mentioned having a sister; you'd have to be an idiot to believe such an obvious lie."

"Caw, Caw?"

"The girlfriend angle doesn't work either! Even if it did, that would only open up a whole new set of questions that would hurt this Kamijou-san's image! I'm not into loli's, my true love will always be that beloved Dorm Manager Onee-san!"

"Caw!"

"Shut up! Don't shit on this high school boy's fantasy, you dark feathered piece of fried chicken! It so can happen! Even the miracle of hot bodied Onee-san like Rikuri-san, dating a normal guy like me is within the reason of probability! And I won't have you of a people shattered that longing illusion!"

In the empty streets of Academy City, a Human and Pokemon of Misfortune relaxed beneath the starry night after facing hellish flames. Though they constantly fought another, this one moment they laid down their fists and claws to enjoy this peaceful respite.

[-]

Between The Lines 3.

As the fire that had been burning away the inside of a certain spiky-haired boy's male dormitory was finally put out, the gathered members of Anti-skill, Judgment, and District 7's Fire Department finished up their duties and left the area. With those adults, students, and Pokemon gone, a lone figure was free to walk out of the shadows of an alley that could see everything happening.

The lone figure wore similar clothing as Gebi with the exception of the purple leather color being black. Another difference would be the deep red ventilator mask that covered his mouth and nose. The Toxic Hazard thug had deep blue hair that was slicked to resemble the curled spike atop the head of a Toxicroak, yellow eyes that seemed to always be sneering, and a pale white skin tone. He wore black rings on each digit of his fingers except for the middle fingers that possessed a deep red ring with a pointed nail that extended at seven inches.

"O-fucking-course; the brat's failed to do something as simple as beat up one guy. I knew I shouldn't have let him go see that fat wad in a cell. Man, the things I do for my ototos." Byoki sighed through his nose as he pinched his brow.

Byoki had decided to stop by and see how his pseudo little brother was doing with his plan to exact revenge on whoever sent Gobi to the slammer. It was a habit of his to see how the younger recruits were doing as the Aniki of the 'family'. And while Gebi annoyed Byoki to no end, he still didn't want the Alolan Muk haired themed boy to be harmed. The likes of Gobi were different; the fat thug was at least five years older than them and should have known better. What happened to those who didn't learn to act their age was of no concern to this guy even if said lousy member helped their boss to found their gang.

But the younger boys and girls of their group were like his own real family. He despised seeing any of those kids upset or hurt by the world that had thrown them away.

Imagine his surprise as he arrived to find his beloved little brother laid out with a bruised face before a burning dormitory. Anger had overtaken him and would have made him run out to pay back the bastard who harmed his little brother if it wasn't for the sound of sirens closing in. Byoki had to bite back a shout of frustration and carefully hideaway as Anti-skill arrived. He was left to watch as the adults and members of Judgment went to work on controlling the fires and cuff an innocent member of his family. That made his blood burn something vicious.

As much as he despised it, Byoki couldn't do a thing for his precious little brother. He had to allow that kid to be taken in by adults who saw him as nothing.

Someone would pay. They would all pay!

From the shadows, he did catch something interesting just before Anti-skill came onto the scene. Byoki saw what looked like a teenager with spiky hair run away from the dormitory carrying a silver-haired girl on his back and a Murkrow on his head. The boy had been the only one to have left the dormitory with what looked like wounds on his body. Someone had been caught up in a fight.

A cruel grin lit up the Toxicroak haired boy's face.

"Did you think you could run away so easily? Don't think so. It was one thing to take out Gomi; I could care less about some fat wad that only thinks about himself and his needs. But to hurt my little Gebi-ototo? I can't let that slide."

Before Gebi had gone and tried to take revenge for the loss of one of their own, he had told them all about the spiky-haired boy who had been responsible. There had been mention of two Judgment girls too, but that meant very little right now. No names were said about the girls. Only the name of a certain Kamijou Touma.

Turning his back to the male dormitory, Byoki went back to notify his fellow family members of the loss of one of their young Enforcer. It would be a set back to have lost the one in charge of combat and disciplining rowdy members, but most of the work had been finished on Gebi's end. Someone else could handle the rest. But this insult to their gang wouldn't be left alone or forgotten.

Phone in hand, Byoki called up his boss first. If he remembered right, they were in District 7 too. Maybe he could met them later if they were home or wandering the streets too.

"The plan's not done yet. I'm sure I can fit in one ass-kicking before the show starts! The Boss should be understanding of busting up one nobody's face in."

Those who harmed those mistreated children in their care would pay the price. Whether it was an entire city or one single boy, punishment would be dealt.

[-]

The morning had come sooner than Touma had expected. He couldn't help but lament as he had woken up in a corner of Komoe-sensei's single room home. Per his luck, his teacher only had one spare futon which meant he had to sleep on the floor of someone who didn't care for cleanliness. When he got up from his sleep, he had to shake off the nicotine butts in his hair. He could feel some stickiness from what was no doubt beer.

At least he woke up to a nice smelling breakfast.

"Oh, Kamijou-chan! You're up earlier than I expected. Did you have a nice sleep?"

'Don't mention the sticky beer, don't mention the sticky beer, don't mention the sticky beer!'

Her sweet, innocent face was one he couldn't shatter like an illusion! Even if he did feel a crunched up beer can digging into his back.

"Yeah, it was fine, Komoe-sensei!" Touma smiled weakly, groaning as he tossed aside said tin can off his back.

A familiar weight settled on Touma's spiky head as he got up from his sleeping corner. He looked up, finding dark feathers, a yellow beak, and red, taunting eyes.

"Is this going to be a regular thing, Zenchou-san?" he asked tiredly with a scratch at Murkrow's new nest.

Zenchou cawed happily.

"My head is not some five-star nesting spot! And you better not be leaving a mess in my hair, or plucking out my hair! I refuse to be bald before my twenties!"

Zenchou seemed to scoff, trying to convey that his new nest was anything above three-stars. Maybe one-star at its worst day which was all the time.

"Caw, caw!"

"Why the hell would you call me One-Punch Man?"

From her kitchen corner, Komoe found herself giggling at the interaction between one of her most troublesome students to date and a Pokemon. It was a rare scene she had never encountered in the last year of teaching Kamijou Touma. The boy who wouldn't accept a Pokemon as a partner for some mysterious reason was now talking to what appeared to be a Wild Pokemon of Academy City like they were school friends.

The sound of sizzling bacon brought the eternally youthful woman back to her task. It was a rare occasion that she would actually cook anything in the morning, finding it easier to run off and buy a meal at a nearby diner that was only ten minutes away by car, but she had guests today. She might have guests for a few days, knowing the kind of luck that plagued her beloved student. Which meant she would have to stock up her poorly maintained fridge.

No more buying nothing but beers in this home, no siree.

Finished with the last of the scrambled eggs, slices of toast, and bacon strips, Komoe placed a generous amount on the plate for her student and his...companion.

"Touma?"

"How are you feeling, Index?"

Already on a first name basis? Just what was her adorably, troublesome student up to with a cute and young girl?!

"Hopefully Index-chan is feeling well enough to nibble on the most important meal of the day!" Komoe smiled as she gave out a plate for Touma before moving on to Index.

The silver-haired girl's previous white robe had been dirtied by large splotches of blood, so it was obvious that Komoe wasn't going to allow such a young girl to sleep in such clothing. Which was why Index was now wearing her previous nightwear-bunny pajamas instead of her robe and headdress.

Index tried to sit up but groaned from the strain. The healing spell from yesterday that had called an angelic Fairy of all things to this city of science had healed the major damage done to Index's body. But the end result of such an impossible power had left her weak and exhausted. Something as simple as sitting up from her bed mat proved to be difficult.

"Ugghh, but I want food!" Index whined childishly.

Touma was happy to see that the old Index he had met was back. The one that had spoken robotically without any emotion or care to whatever was happening before, had scared him. The one demanding food even though she was recovering from a fatal stabbing was the Index he had fought to protect.

"Why don't you just shovel it into her mouth? I'm sure she wouldn't mind one bit." Touma joked, earning him a small huffy pout from his teacher.

Index's eyes lit up, more than happy with the idea.

"Can you, can you?!"

It had been a joking gesture to lean the plate to Index's mouth. The joke ended when said holy Sister opened her mouth wide like a Munchlax and tipped the breakfast consisting of scrambled eggs, two slices of toast, and five strips of bacon into her maw. And then proceeded to munch on said breakfast with ballooned cheeks with a giddy smile.

Even Zenchou found himself staring at the human child, who lacked the creepy Pokemon aura as many of the humans in Academy City did, act like a Munchlax. Even on the Magic side of this world, there were those who imitated Pokemon like those on the Science side.

"Thank you for the meal!"

Komoe was stunned to see such an appetite but chalked it up to the girl's body needing to recover all the energy she had spent on recovering from such a fatal wound.

Going to work on the Pokemon's breakfast next, Komoe had to ask a very important question that could not go ignored any longer.

"So, Kamijou-chan? Who is the silver-haired Sister?"

Touma froze mid-chew of his breakfast, enough for said silver-haired Sister to lean her head over to his plate as he sat close to her and steal two bacon slices with her teeth.

"She's...my sister?"

"You paused there, Kamijou-chan. And was that an answer, or a question?"

"Yes."

"That is not an acceptable response; please try again!"

With three bowls of Pokemon food in hand, Komoe placed them close by to the dining room table/living room table/work desk before taking a seat in front of her delinquent of a student. She sighed at Touma's sweating face before releasing her beloved Pokemon.

Touma stopped sweating for a moment, surprised to see two Pokeballs in his teacher's hand. For as long as he had known his teacher, she had only ever seen her carry around one Pokeball with her at all times. He didn't know she had more.

Magmar was freed and sat behind his master, ever glaring scornfully at the spiky-haired boy between bites of his meal while Zenchou dug into his own bowl beside the burning Pokemon. A new presence made itself known, sitting with a sniffle on Komoe's lap like a baby.

"Is that the same Cubone as yesterday?" Touma recognized the Ground-Type from the selection of Pokemon his teacher had thought would fit his personality and growth of AIM. He did remember how attached the little guy had become to his elementary sized teacher.

Komoe nodded happily, petting the sniffling baby on her lap, "The administration board let me take in sweet Saori-chan after they noticed how attached she became with me. And I couldn't just leave her when she's giving me those teary eyes! I just had to adopt her!"

'Adopt? You're talking as if your Pokemon is your child. I guess that's not a bad way to think when it comes to Pokemon.' His teacher would be the one to think of her Pokemon as her own flesh and blood.

He gave a small wave at the skull masked Pokemon. Said polite action caused the Cubone, Saori, to wail like a toddler's favorite toy was taken away from them.

"Oh, don't cry, Saori-chan! Kamijou-chan's just being polite! He's not a scary person, even if he does act and look like a delinquent who would show up to his sensei's room, saying 'I need you!' with lust-filled eyes."

"Why are you so specific about that?! And lust-filled eyes? This Kamijou-san's name is being dragged through the dirt over some misunderstanding! Just what kind of guy do you take me for?!"

Magmar's eyes were lite with twisting flames that sought out cruel punishment to the boy who not only upset the newest member of his family but dared to imagine he could run his filthy hands on his master's pure body.

Soothing her easily triggered Pokemon's cries, Komoe returned to the important matter on hand.

"Kamijou-chan, you can't expect me to believe that Sister-chan is your sister. I am your sensei; I know more about you than you might yourself. Your files don't say anything about having a younger sister."

"Well, she was recently adopted. Like, ten years ago? This is the first time we've ever properly met."

Zenchou slapped his wing against Touma's face, seeming to say that the high school boy was an utter idiot. Even if said bird of misfortune had been the one to suggest such a shitty excuse.

"It is surprising that my younger sister fits into your pajamas though. Though I can't help but notice it seems a little tight around her chest."

"Don't think you can change the subject so easily! And I can't help but feel your judging eyes on my perfectly acceptable sized breasts!"

Touma did his best to ignore the foul, cruel, foreboding aura that had erupted from Magmar's evilly grinning form.

Komoe pouted angrily but let the comment slide. Her student was always one who got into trouble far too regularly for her liking. The situation he was facing wasn't anything new. At least three times a week, he would get caught up in a business that no high school boy should have ever bothered with. It wasn't an exaggeration to say he was a delinquent. Yet that troublesome boy had a kind heart that always fought to protect others.

Kamijou Touma was the class resident charm that diverted all the bad luck of her students onto himself. If something bad were to happen, it would happen to him. His presence protected his classmates from the superstitious world that Academy City had deemed an illusion of the mind. Because of his involuntary act as a human magnet for bad luck, the class had seen Touma as a vital person in their school lives. To an extent. The boys of the class held an obvious grudge due to the various Galge events and flags Touma would trip with his Attract ability. The girls held a soft spot for the down on his luck teen, noting his kind heart and strong spirit, with many of them crushing on him.

Komoe herself knew the kind of person Kamijou Touma was far too well in all the time she had been teaching him. She knew he wouldn't easily speak of what was troubling him. Nor would he ask for help. That was just the kind of stubborn boy she was taking care of.

But-

"I am an adult; even if I don't appear like one. And as an adult, it is my responsibility to help children who are in trouble from being harmed by whatever this world may throw at them. Your problem may be complicated, it may even cross into a territory that may even terrify an adult the same a child would, but I have the task as an adult to walk that unknown hazard for your happiness! Don't think that I would easily ignore this dilemma; you're my responsibility!"

That small, frail like hand that belonged to a wide-eyed girl in elementary school, smacked onto her chest proudly, her eyes bold and determined as the spiky-haired boy who tended to cause her nothing but trouble. Even if at times he would forget, she was the grown adult who prided herself in watching over stubborn children like him. It was her job to help and teach those who knew no better. And what other child knew no better for their safety than Kamijou Touma?

Touma bit down on his lip, unsure of what to say to the stern words of his teacher. Bringing Index here in the first hand already dragged Komoe into his troubles. From what he had heard from her, she had also performed the healing ritual that brought down an actual Angel to heal Index. His teacher had already seen a world separate from the facts and logic of science. Komoe had every right to know what was happening.

Yet he couldn't bring himself to drag her into that unknown hell any further.

Pink eyes stared at him, patiently waiting for him to share his troubles and let them share in his burden.

The crack of stubborn knuckles was the only answer that could be heard.

[-]

"I'm sorry."

Touma stared at the floor, shoulders stiff as he thought back to the disappointed pink eyes that had wanted nothing more than to help him.

In the end, he hadn't said a word about the Magician or the Toxic Hazard thugs. He just couldn't risk his beloved teacher from being harmed in any way from those threats that only wished to harm him. Did she want to protect his happiness? Well, so did he. A normal teacher like Komoe, who always thought for the well being and safety of her students, who always took the time of her own day to make sure they could all smile, didn't deserve to have her peaceful life ruined because of one of her reckless students. Just what kind of manipulative bastard would sink so low? He'd already taken advantage of her kindness last night.

He refused to ever stoop so low again.

"It's alright, Index. You didn't do anything wrong. You were just trying to protect me. I can't be angry about that."

Komoe had relented, momentarily that is. She wouldn't drop what was troubling Touma but knew she wouldn't get anywhere right now. So, she had decided to leave to pick up groceries, now that she was feeding more than herself and her Pokemon. She had asked that when she came back that Touma finally tell her the truth. She didn't threaten to kick him out, to tell Anti-Skill that he was involved with some dangerous matters or anything that would make him tell her anything. His teacher kindly asked him with a gentle smile that only wished to protect him to open up to her.

The higher-ups of Academy City would be notified of the silver-haired foreigner that was attacked by an unknown group. Anti-skill would definitely be involved along with Judgment. Others would find themselves dwelling into a world that was once believed to be fiction for the entertainment of children. People would get hurt. It was a teacher's job to report such danger, so Komoe would have no choice but to let the proper authorities know. By revealing such a forbidden and mystical unknown, she would become a target of their vicious fangs.

Even if he was hurting his teacher by not trusting her, Touma had no choice but to keep his mouth shut. It was a battle for the right to protect the happiness of others; he wouldn't lose such a fight so easily.

"You did the right thing though, Touma. Your sensei shouldn't be involved in the world of magic any further. Performing magic as she did last night was a one-time thing; she shouldn't ever be able to perform magic again."

Raising his head, Touma looked to Index in confusion. Seeing that, the bedridden nun explained.

"Last night, your sensei had no choice but to the use of the knowledge of a grimoire to heal my wounds, otherwise I would have passed on. I'm more than grateful for her help, but I can't allow her to ever do that again. Grimoires are dangerous and should never be used." Index spoke seriously, that child-like innocence she always exuded flipped for the girl who memorized over 103,000 volumes of magic derived from Mythical and Legendary beings, "Their text isn't something for mortal man to ever comprehend without suffering backlash. Their passages are completely uncommon and break the laws of nature that keep everything in balance. The knowledge that I carry are from another world and brought down by Pokemon that are said to have created the very world. They lack any sense of morals that would label them as Good or Evil; simply put, they are a toxin that would erode the world."

The no-nonsense Index was a scary thing to behold. Every word that the cherry Munchlax girl would say sent a shiver down Touma's spine. It was hard to believe such a serious, knowledgable girl had just eaten a whole plate of breakfast in one gulp.

"But if that's true, how did Komoe come out of the ritual without being hurt?"

"A miracle." Index answered automatically, "My mind is protected by the church's defenses; being unable to use magic might also be a factor. But magicians are driven solely by one goal in mind. Its that driven desire to make their wish a reality that drives them mad and poisons their minds once they glimpse at the text of a grimoire. But if anyone from, say Kanto or Johto, were to see such forbidden entries, they too would suffer. It was a miracle that she hadn't suffered despite being a resident of land that rejects god's blessings. But if she were to perform what she did last night; no question she would die."

And yet that same girl who laid too tired to sit up had crammed every paragraph, every sentence, every toxic letter into her own head. She had memorized the words that belonged to a world beyond, who's very print poisoned the world of both Magic and Science, without a single complaint? Why? Just...how much did she have to suffer for the desires of those who used her as some memory bank?!

"Do you want to know why?"

Did he want to understand her suffering? To dwell into a world that believed in miracles, gods, an afterlife, and all matters of things that Academy City had told him to forget. The very world he had run away from due to a superstitious businessman, a knife and a silent Pokeball was greeting him once again. Would knowing somehow ease her own pain in some way? Did he want to admit such a world that would treat a little boy as a plague existed?

Touma nodded, and Murkrow snored, having decided to let the humans go over their own human matters. What did a Pokemon like himself have to gain from learning about magic? He was only here because he found a rather nice home away from home.

"Have you ever wondered why so many religions exist in this world? Or how despite certain sects believing the same god they still fight among themselves?"

To be honest, not really. As a resident of Academy City, Touma had never thought much about religion.

"There are many who believe certain Mythical Pokemon are their one true God and others believe in The Trinity Theory; Gods of Weather, Gods of Reality, Gods of Creation, Gods of Nature, and Gods of Divinity. Before science was born, the people of the world gathered around to worship these divine figures, to Pokemon of Myth and Legend, so that they would protect them and provide them with miracles to survive in this world. At one point these divine figures all followed under on religion. But individuality was born by humans and even Pokemon, out of factors such as nation, politics, culture, worship, or even climate." Index smiled with a gentle giggle.

So, religion now was simply the broken fragments of those who argued with another? Touma found it childish that such a thing could be true.

"In a way, religion had evolved itself from isolation and individuality and created new forms of worship. In Johto, many believe in the godly figures known as the Tower Duo; Lugia, Lord of the Seas and Protector of Man, and Ho-Oh, Lord of the Skies and Granter of Life. Hoenn's religion believes in the Weather Trio; Groundon, Creator of The Land and Lord of Hell's Flames, Kyogre, Creator of the Sea and Lord of Humanity's Purity, and Rayquaza, Creator of the Sky and Lord of the World's Heavens. Sinnoh has a strong belief in the tale of creation, The Crowned Dragon Trio; Palkia, Lord of Space and Bearer of Humanity's Growth; Dialga, Lord of Time and Bearer of Humanity's History; and Giratina, Lord of Darkness and Bearer of Humanity's Rebellion. Many regions have found their own forms of belief that go against each other, even in the same land. Even my own religion strongly believes that our God is the one and true answer."

Index seemed to struggle to say anymore, her face twisting in pain as if remembering proved to be a chore. Touma didn't want the girl to continue if speaking would hurt her any further, but Index fought past the discomfort to continue her lengthy explanation.

"We in Galar have our own religion as we are known as the land of magic. It is a kind one in my belief, one that views all other major cultures and religions as being right, yet wrong all the same. We believe in our holy father, Arceus; Lord of Creation and Father of Humans and Pokemon. The Galar Church respects all sects of religion but believes that we're all children of God and must come together under his name to pay him the proper respect. But that does not mean that we are free of sin ourselves, or that our teachings only rely on generosity or kindness."

Even holy symbols had shadows stretching from their light.

"I belong to a sect known as Necessarius, The Church of Necessary Evil. It is our duty to study all forms of magic born under various religions to better combat the corruption of magic and faith. Magicians are those who've gained the ability to perform miracles akin to Pokemon, and some have even gone on to create spells in the image of their gods. The practice is known as Idol Theory, creating spells using the symbolism of the religions Pokemon, be it items, weapons, clothing, colors, or names. Magicians aren't pure of heart, they are people who have lost something great to themselves and wished to attain power where they have failed. They will use magic as a means to an end and even perform wicked deeds. That is why my sect studies all manner of magic, religion, and history to better combat our enemies. I'm sure you can already guess what their greatest accomplishment in combating magic was." Index smiled weakly.

Touma found that he had been gritting his teeth. He began to piece together the reason why the girl he had saved was in danger. Even a simple idiot like him could solve this equation.

"103,000 Grimoires. Each one details a different toxic knowledge of the world that was inspired by the mythical and legendary beings that apparently created every aspect of this world. If someone memorized all that information, they could reverse engineer whatever magic was thrown at them; right?"

He hated how Index simply nodded in acceptance.

"Couldn't you destroy them?! Lock them?! Do something other than force a kid like you to read that eroding garbage?!" he couldn't help but shout angrily.

Index shook her tiredly, having accepted a heavy responsibility that no child should have borne.

"The books don't matter. It's what's inside that holds the true power. To destroy them, special requirements are in order that takes years to prepare. If someone were to have attained the books I have memorized, they would be called Magic Gods; Those Who Distort Reality. And the grimoires are kept hidden all across the world to keep out of the hands of those who wish to twist the world in their image. Besides, to have all that knowledge would allow someone to combat any magician's spells. That was what I was brought up for, to act as the greatest Anti-magic tool to ensure the prevention of a Magic God descending onto the world. Vice-versa, if one were to take the knowledge I hold, they could attain the means to negate whatever magic is in their way, or attain the title of Magic God."

Those holy figures had planted a bomb in that naive girl's head. All to diffuse whatever evils would sprout from those who wished to twist the world into one their hearts desired. Because someone wanted to combat those evils, they had made one girl suffer through the poisons of grimoires for their own personal benefits.

How the fuck was that fair?!

Was that why the red-haired Magician was after Index? Stiyl had said it was to protect her, but that had to be a lie! How was delivering a lethal wound to her frail body protecting her? No, as a magician, he must have been attempting to steal away the grimoires for his own benefit. Why else would he treat Index's body so carelessly?

'This mustn't be the first time she's had to deal with crap like this. All those who consider themselves magicians, or follow a certain religion, must be after the forbidden library in Index's head. She's always being hunted down like some rare Pokemon. They all want to capture her, to treat as some kind of Pokemon, that would allow them to abuse real-life cheat codes from a video game to make the world in their own image. Just what kind of fantasy bullcrap is this? It's like something out of a Light Novel!'

That silver-haired girl had to deal with hunters all by herself. Even though she carried a Pokemon of her own, she was left to deal with those vicious monsters with no one to rely on.

He had already told Index about the loss of her Pokemon-Blewog, the Wooloo-but she had giggled and said that it wasn't a first. Somehow, someway, her friend would come back to her like magic. Almost as if someone had found her Pokeball and returned it to her without a word.

In the end, Index would smile, believing she was acting as a shield that acted to save everyone around her from the corruption of forbidden knowledge. Knowing that infuriated Touma.

He couldn't possibly find it in himself to like those who abused a girl for their own benefit, even if they were part of the same religion as Index. Whether it was the Church or the magicians, they all saw that girl with a stomach that rivaled a Snorlax as an object. A girl who put everyone else before her, smiled innocently as she was surrounded by those who only wished to use her, no matter what harm may come to her. She didn't complain, only believed in the good she was doing for others.

Even now, as his face was twisted angrily at those who created her and hunted, Index smiled as she sat up.

"I'm sorry. I...I didn't mean to cause you any trouble, Touma. I would have left you alone after I left, but I noticed I left behind my headdress at your dorm. I knew those hunters would track the magic left behind in the cloth, so I wanted to grab it before the arrived. But I was too late." Her green eyes grew wet, regretting ever coming back to the kind boy's normal life and corrupting his peace with violence, "But because of my actions, I caused you trouble. You were hurt trying to protect me; you had to lie to your teacher; your home was burned down because of those who hunted me; all this misfortune is all my fault!"

Touma's eyes were glued to the floor, his shoulders trembling as he grit his teeth. Even Zenchou's red eyes had narrowed at the girl as he had woken up.

"But I was happy, happy to see you again when the Magician had knocked you away. Even though I wanted you to run away, I was happy to see someone who actually cared enough to fight for me. I'm sor-!"

A weight fell onto Index's head, stopping her from saying any more as she looked up to meet red eyes that sought mischief. The Murkrow, Zenchou, titled its head before striking.

"OW!"

Touma didn't reprimand Zenchou for jabbing his beak at Index's forehead. He would have done it himself with a flick of his finger.

"That's what you get for pissing me off! What kind of nonsensical crap are you spouting?! Sorry? What right do you have to say that?! In fact, why didn't you tell me about all this to begin with when we met?!"

Index shrank beneath the angry blue eyes that glared at her. She felt like a child who kept an important secret from her parents, only to be caught in the end. She tried to frantically explain as Zenchou leaned down to glare at her as well.

"B-but you didn't believe me when I told you about magic, and I didn't want to scare you, plus I didn't want to involve you either, and, and, and-"

By this point, it looked like Index was ready to start crying any moment now. Her green eyes were drowning with salty tears that were ready to run down like a faucet. Her voice began to grow quiet, her rambling turning into mumbling he could barely make out. He did catch one sentence that only made him tighten his fists furiously.

"I didn't want you to hate me."

"HOW DUMB ARE YOU!?"

Even a patient man snapped eventually. Something inside of this normal high school boy couldn't stand it any longer and erupt.

"Magical societies? Pokemon Gods? 103,000 forbidden books? Magicians? Magic God?! What the hell do you take me for?! Someone who looks away from another person just because they thought they could fire a beam of energy from their hands because of guts?! Yeah, it's crazy, no one would ever believe it, and even now I can hardly believe what you're saying without calling you an idiot!"

A few tears already ran down the young girl's pale face, her mouth trembling under the furious words of the boy in front of her.

"But, so what?!"

Index froze, her teary eyes staring at the livid boy as she struggled to speak back.

"You think I would ever abandon such a person if they needed help?! Don't push your illusions onto me! Just because what you've been saying is weird, creepy, and hard to believe, doesn't mean I could ever possibly hate you! Did you really think that just because magicians were attacking you that I would really leave you behind and run away with my tail between my legs!? Fuck that! The moment I picked you up, I was ready to face whatever misfortune might come!"

He wasn't alone apparently. From his new spot on Index's head, Zenchou began to flap his wings with a scowl on his face. Even that Wild Pokemon, who had nothing to do with any of these matters between humans, couldn't turn his eyes away from the poor girl. It was Pokemon associated with misfortune, many believed he brought nothing but bad luck. In a way, he liked to see those superstitious humans tormented by their own idiotic beliefs. But he wasn't a cruel Pokemon. Even he despised the sight of a young girl who believed she was the cause of others' sufferings while ignoring her own pain.

Just like that human with the cursed aura, Zenchou couldn't stand it.

"Even Zenchou-san feels the way. That bastard who only ever laughs at others' struggles, can't abandon you either! So, how could you continue to apologize!? There's only one thing that you should be saying, damn it!"

Two words. All she had to say were two god damn words! Whatever may come, if she said only those words he longed to her, then nothing else mattered. And if that girl didn't know them despite the insane amount of knowledge stuffed into her head, then this normal high school boy would say them for her.

"Just say 'Help me' already, idiot." Touma smiled softly as Zenchou patted Index's head with what looked like a smile of his own.

There was no holding the tears back now.

It started off as a sniffle than a sob than the wailing of a lost child who had finally been found by their parents in the woods after hours of being lost and no hope of being found. However it could be described, the point of the matter was that lonely nun who bore the world's poison onto herself, cried fat tears down her cheeks that she couldn't possibly clean with her dainty hands. For whatever reason, the words of the common high school boy had hit a soft spot in Index's being. What she had heard were words that she had never dreamed to hear, nor that she would have possibly hoped to hear.

The girl who took on the forbidden secrets of the world had no one to turn to in this strange world devoid of faith. But a kind, rough, warm hand born of ill-fortune had reached out to her alongside the feathered wing of a Pokemon that wrought misfortune. Suddenly, she didn't feel alone.

For the first time in a long time, she felt she may have found something that had alluded her in the presence of those denied God's blessings.

The fires of another world have been quelled.

And the silent cries of a burdened library have been answered by two beings of misfortune.

A wing that was said to bring about trouble and right hand that negated the blessings of God. Together those labeled as Cursed have come together to protect the smile of one girl no matter what disaster their joined forces would bring.

For the moment, the Magic world has retreated.

And the toxic underbelly of Science has begun to bubble.

We're done with the Magic half of this arc for now. Come next chapter, we're diving into the Science side and its troubles with a certain Poison themed gang up to no good. I'm very excited to get started with what I've been up to with Toxic Hazard and all the characters and Pokemon involved in what's to come. The fights to come are going to be a blast to see!

In the meantime, I'm going to do my best to finish up as many chapters as I can before I update again. If you've been wondering why it takes so long to update when I already have a chapter ready, I have a habit of wanting to build up a decent clip of chapters before ever uploading just in case there are any changes I need to make later on. It's never wise to send out a fresh product without last minute touches and changes. I know I've had to completely gut 10K+ in one chapter before after giving it some time and having to re-do it from scratch. Even my average quality work needs to be carefully checked over several times, redone, patched up, and cuts to make it acceptable.

It's what I do with all my work. If I don't have at least 4-5 chapters ready, I won't update. No exceptions.

Speaking of which, I am working on a new crossover. Hell, I've gotten 200K+ already typed up since I started two months ago. I got really carried away since it involved the very manga/anime that got me into fanfiction in the first place. What is it, you may ask? Let me tell ya!

A Certain Maelstrom of Misfortune; A Certain Magical Index/Naruto Xover!

Now that was a passion project to work on. I would literally stay up late into the night and keep typing away on it, or reading the manga over again while playing the anime in the background. I had to keep about eight tabs open on the wiki to refreshen on several things that I've forgotten. The lack of sleep and slowing of my computer was well worth it.

I've already finished the first arc and am hoping to start the second one next. As for when I'm uploading it, I'll be waiting on my return to work before beginning the usual editing needed to publish. I plan to upload a lot of my stories when I begin returning to work and uploading the edited chapters that I've been working on during my free time. As a guy who works 8-9 hours every day for 5-6 days straight, I'm usually too busy or tired to crack open my laptop. But in the last few months, I've been without work, I've been building up one hell of a reserve.

My original plans called to return to work on the 13th of July but that's been pushed back to an unknown date, hopefully within this month. It's been a nice 'vacation' but I miss my usual normal routine of waking up at four in the morning to open up the deli and brew fresh coffee. I've been coffee clean since we closed due to COVID-19; help me.

Until I've returned back to those days of chugging Dark Roast down my gullet with bags under my eyes and a twitchy grin, I'll hold off on uploading my other works.

If you're like me, you'll be bidding your time while waiting for A Certain Magical Index: Genesis V2 to be released next week. God, I'm so excited to see the fallout of Touma's first kiss! Waifu Wars, Waifu Wars, Waifu Wars!

Read and Review! It's common courtesy.

NeoShadows fading in and out.