03x21 - Star of Bethlehem

[bunniefuu]

[PRIEST A] Wait. Your Holiness, what are you doing?

[ROMAN POPE] I must hurry.

The citizens are overwhelmed with anxiety.

They're gathering in groups to march on the Vatican.

Yes, I'm aware.

You need not say anything more.

[VASILISSA] Hello there, my dandy gentleman!

Can I assume you are still living life as the Pope of Rome?

[ROMAN POPE] Is that you, Vasilissa?

The cardinals are about to convene a papal conclave.

They must have decided that my authority

is no longer what they need.

If we want to put a stop to this w*r,

it will take much more than just my words.

[VASILISSA] Nonetheless, you have stood forward.

[expl*si*n]

[VASILISSA] I'm sorry about that.

I'm in the middle of bringing the dissenters to tears.

They were trying to sell out our beloved Sasha, after all.

[ROMAN POPE] You must go easy on them.

They are still our brethren.

[VASILISSA] I knew you would say that.

So enlighten me.

How are you planning to bring a w*r of this magnitude to an end?

[ROMAN POPE] I will do what must be done.

But not as the pope who leads a flock of two billion followers.

I will act as my conscience tells me to as a man.

And as an adherent of the Roman Orthodoxy.

I made a promise to that mercenary, and I will honor it.

The Lord always has a plan.

It appears His plan for me involves enduring

even more trials.

[AIWASS] So then, what now?

A being very much like yourself has been identified

within Russia's borders.

She is the Archangel, "Power of God," Misha Kruezhev.

Once the encroachment begins, a great tragedy

will befall everyone in that area.

[KAZAKIRI] And when that happens, what will you do?

[AIWASS] Nothing.

I only undertake that which interests me.

I don't mind going.

However... I do have one condition.

I don't want you to take action against my friends.

[AIWASS] As long as they arouse no interest in me,

that should be easy.

If you do hurt them,

you will have made an enemy out of me,

and that could result in massive destruction.

[AIWASS] Heh.

How naive you are to thr*aten me.

You never know.

You might have stimulated my interest just by saying that.

[RUSSIAN PILOT A] What was that?

An angel?

Amazing. Even way out here in the middle of nowhere,

we can still get this stuff.

[LESSAR] Yeah, and they all use the same recipes

so you know what to expect even when you travel.

We've been blending in pretty well with the rest

of the human smugglers.

But I think this is probably as far as we're getting by car.

We still need to get to that base,

but whattaya say we take a different route?

Hey, what's wrong?

Oh.

Are there really this many people all fleeing

to the same place?

To the Elizalina Alliance?

The opposite might be true, too.

I don't know anyone who would want to be a citizen

of a vanquished nation.

We should do our best to put a stop to this w*r

--as soon as we can. --[KAMIJO] Huh?

I mean, Fiamma is the one pulling the strings

behind the scenes, isn't he?

So all we have to do now is kick that bastard's ass

and the w*r will come to an end,

and peace will finally be restored to the world!

You're right.

Let's show Fiamma what's what, and then we'll rescue Index.

Great, so now that we've decided on a plan,

we can get back to this important eating session!

[LESSAR] Now's my chance!

I'll pay for that with my body!

Okay, get back.

I'm not comfortable with the random lip licking

and the twinkling stars floating in your eyes.

[HAMAZURA] What is this?

It was the privateer base.

It's wiped out.

Is he of one of those Academy City esper folks

you were telling me about?

That guy?

No, he isn't.

It's been handled.

That should be it for now.

I'm sorry to have to ask again,

but who exactly are you, anyway?

Acqua of the Rear.

I'm a has-been mercenary miscreant.

There's something coming.

[HAMAZURA] Academy City forces.

Interesting.

Looks like they're here to occupy this territory.

What now? Drive them off?

Not yet.

If all they're doing is defending the village,

we're better off leaving them to it.

I'm not sure exactly who you're supposed to be,

but you can't keep shoring up the defenses in one spot

forever, right?

Okay, then.

It's better to let Academy City's forces

establish themselves here.

The place will be occupied for the time being,

but with these guys, it will be protected

for several months.

Hold on, Hamazura,

didn't you tell me you were trying to run away

from Academy City for some reason?

That doesn't matter.

We still have to protect the village, right?

Okay, it's time for us to get moving.

Oh, wait, one last thing.

[ACQUA] Yeah?

I owe you.

If you hadn't shown up here, the villagers and myself

and the best girl I've ever known--

we wouldn't have survived.

I'm gonna make it up to you someday.

[ACCELERATOR] It looks like some sort of instruction manual.

Fascinating.

[ACCELERATOR] You understand it?

No, not at all.

It just looks like a list of what appears to be

magical conversion provisions.

To the best of my knowledge,

those are instructions on how to make a Roman Orthodox spell

work in the Russian Church style.

[ACCELERATOR] Huh?

I'm sorry. I'm not like Madam Elizalina--

I don't know much about magical things.

[ACCELERATOR] Magic?

What the hell is he talking about?

Does this mean there's something that exists

that I can't understand?

If so, it could end up being the answer I need.

Who is this Elizalina person?

Let's see.

She's either a sorceress or a magician.

I don't care.

It doesn't really matter to me what she is or isn't.

Do you think she'd be able to decipher this parchment?

If she can speak.

As of right now, she's lying in bed at a field hospital.

I don't plan on staying here long,

and I won't be doing any k*lling.

Do you know when Sleeping Beauty will be up?

[SOLDIER A] If all goes smoothly,

I'd say one to three hours.

That's good enough.

[SOLDIER B grunts]

[SOLDIERS gasp]

[ACCELERATOR] They're spies.

If I'm gonna leave the kid here, it's my responsibility

to arrange a nice, clean environment

where she can feel safe.

The place where you guys stand isn't the only hell

that exists.

I wish I could show you some real darkness

to compare with your drama.

[HAMAZURA] Pathetic, isn't it?

I know. But bailing on them halfway turned out to be

the best option for both of us.

Don't feel bad about it.

I'm not upset with you.

All you've done this whole time is fight to keep me safe.

So no, I don't find that pathetic at all.

[HAMAZURA] What's this?

He says it goes to the car.

It's parked just up ahead.

Oh, no, I can't.

If I take this, it would be evidence

that you helped us escape.

Actually, he says you can start the engine

without using the key at all.

Try it.

Well, if you insist.

[TAKITSUBO] Hamazura, they're coming!

It's meters to the border!

We... We made it.

[metallic footsteps]

[HAMAZURA] Seriously?

Is this the end?

[HAMAZURA] Accelerator?

I'm right in the middle of hunting down spies.

Do you really think I have time to deal with

your stupid drama?

But tell me everything.

I want to hear it all.

[ELIZALINA] This is a tough one.

I'll do what I can, of course,

but they both need restorative magic,

and to be honest, that takes a lot out of me.

Really? I see.

Here's what I can offer you.

I can probably handle the girl in the track suit.

But the little one here will be more difficult.

That's all.

[HAMAZURA] Huh? What do you mean?

They're different.

There are two distinctive toxins at work.

In the little one, toxins are continuously

being injected on a permanent basis.

So even if I removed them now,

they would be replenished in no time.

But if I removed them from the other,

she should have a more lasting response.

Wait, so then you're saying she's going to get better?

Really? You're gonna be okay!

Hamazura, I can't breathe.

I'm sorry. I'm just so happy.

[ACCELERATOR] I'm neither surprised, rattled, nor angry.

I could stomp my feet on the ground and scream

at the top of my lungs, but that won't change

the outcome of this crappy situation.

Regardless, there's not a whole lot of time left, so...

I just have to do what must be done.

I'm fine with whatever sort of treatment you cook up for them.

But first,

I need you to answer an important question.

Do you know what this is and how to read it?

That's not something I could answer right away.

I'd need some more time to study it.

Do you want to leave it with me?

[ACCELERATOR] Nope.

At least I know you can decipher it eventually.

Anyway, I'll let you get back to treating them.

I'm not wasting anymore time here.

I'm taking off. I'll see you later.

Do you have any clues?

[ACCELERATOR] If I don't, I'll find some.

What happened to all the spies I flushed out?

[SOLDIER A] They're being interrogated,

but it's not going very well.

[ACCELERATOR] You don't say.

Want me to take you there?

[ACCELERATOR] Nah,

I'm gonna hunt down a more reliable source of information.

[door opens]

Is there something I can help you with?

Yeah, cooperate.

With what? And how? And why?

I was able to find and recover a number of bugs.

They're yielding a bunch of bits and pieces

from the small timers.

What I need you to do is sort through all that information.

On what grounds does Misaka have to cooperate with you?

[ACCELERATOR sighs] There are some punks in Academy City.

And they're planning to use the Misaka Network

to do something shady.

Listen.

They were replacing a network that was causing them trouble,

and you started coming after me and the kid

in the middle of that repair.

But you need to know that your system

is gonna wind up the same way--

at a dead end.

And that's just how people who applaud the k*lling

of twenty thousand puppets feel it should be done.

That's their vision for the world.

I mean, you know it wasn't created to be used

for any respectable purpose, right?

So Misaka must work with you?

She should just give in and join forces

with the most malicious partner that ever existed?

Okay, fine.

Maybe it's time to negotiate.

Let's talk about the Dark May Project.

You mean...

[ACCELERATOR] It was the project that attempted to enhance

other espers' Personal Realities by applying

the method I use to control my ability.

For you to become an irreplaceable resource,

you had to obtain a capacity that the other Sisters

didn't have.

Intrigued?

The question now, of course, is what are you going to do?

If you analyze the way that I fight,

you could find a way out of this.

Yes, indeed.

That truly does sound like this Misaka's style.

[ACCELERATOR] All right, then I'll find a lead to eliminating

the kid's symptoms.

And with any luck, you'll stumble upon a route

other than the one where you'll only get used and wasted.

We'll keep these goals in mind as we fight Academy City.

And we will outwit them.

I'm glad we're on the same page.

Now, then, stop being a baby and let's go.

[MISAKA WORST] This Misaka must admit--

after being built solely to k*ll Academy City's first-ranked,

and with everything she's been put through,

it feels strange.

She never imagined the day would come

when she'd have to force a smile.

I'm sorry.

That was my mistake for letting them manipulate me

with their bullcrap.

[laughing]

What was all that about?

When a villain makes a face as sheepish as that one,

it makes this Misaka's reason for existing

seem instantly less important! [laughing]

Who are you calling a villain?

Even after I perfected the craft,

I could never find a way to keep the kid safe from harm!

I can't think of a single good reason to continue

along this path.

Simply taking the side that makes the most logical sense

isn't good enough.

You and I are both monsters.

We didn't have a choice.

We were deliberately set to evil by Academy City.

We never opposed them.

In fact, we mastered the ways of evil.

But it didn't matter.

We were simply chugging right on down their rails

as planned.

But the course is changing.

It's time to make them pay for this.

And I don't care if I wind up doing some things

that are typically out of character for me.

[ACCELERATOR] Please.

You're k*lling me with that dumb face!

[laughs] That stupid dead-eyed look is hilarious!

[laughing]

I know it's Misaka's first time,

but have you ever held someone's hand like this before?

I guess it's more of a grip than a hold.

I have.

[MISAKA WORST] Huh?

I've been here.

A number of times.

Each time with the same obnoxious kid

who happens to look a lot like you.

[KAMIJO] Is Academy City attacking them?

Yeah, but the Russian army is attacking as well.

Let's go.

We should take advantage of all the chaos

and see if we can sneak onto Fiamma's base!

Do you happen to know why the Russian army's

coming to the base's defense?

I think it's because Fiamma doesn't want to move.

Either he doesn't want anyone to find out

that he's in hiding here, or he's conducting

some kind of secret magical operation.

Okay.

So then how do we do this?

[LESSAR] We'll steal some of those powered suits!

I know you're overwhelmed by my brilliance,

but you can thank me later in bed while you gently

stroke my hair.

[KAMIJO] Hey! Wait for me!

Damn it.

[KAMIJO] That's strange.

When we snuck in earlier,

there were a bunch of sorcerers from the Russian Church.

Why wouldn't some still be here?

Another thing.

Why would they act like they're intentionally luring

Academy City in?

[FIAMMA] Hmm...

Is it not obvious?

So you'll be motivated to defend them

with your all-important w*apon.

Not that I would let it go that far.

I can't have you getting caught up in the actual att*ck.

You might lose your precious right arm,

and what good would that do after all the effort

I made to get it here?

I always thought he got out of there way too willingly.

Turns out he was just letting me get away.

[MISAKA WORST] Those spies are crybabies. Damn.

They didn't give us much of a challenge, now, did they?

You guys are no fun at all!

[ACCELERATOR] Deceptive practices are the same

as always.

The key is to remember to deprive them

of any chance they have to make a sound judgment.

That weepy guy talked a lot.

What'd you think?

Everything sounded contrived.

The Russian army was always planning to take advantage

of this w*r to inv*de the Elizalina Alliance

of Independent Nations.

They've had their sights set on them for a while.

It seems kind of strange that they would even send

spies at all under the circumstances.

Those are the circumstances that created a mission

in the first place.

They had to deliver classified documents

to designated points before any full-scale

aerial bombing could begin.

Once they arrived, they would meet with someone

who was expecting this.

Meaning...

They were taking it to somebody who knew how

to decode and use this thing.

Delicious! Misaka is getting tingly all over

just from thinking about such a self-serving development!

Hey, shut up!

The designated point of contact was the Russian army's

frontline base near the border, wasn't it?

I'm going to find it and raid it.

That means you're free to do whatever you want.

So then what are you going to do with Last Order?

What would happen if I left her with you?

Probably a lot of activity you couldn't handle

knowing about to keep me from getting bored.

[STIYL] There were two remote control magical items for her.

Fiamma took the one from the royal family.

But the puritans' item is still here.

Also, it's obvious to me who was in possession of it.

[LAURA chuckles]

You're trying to use the puritans' magical item

to keep Fiamma from misusing the knowledge

kept within the grimoires.

Your strategy is to interrupt his magical item,

isn't that correct?

You're deliberately confusing the programming

of her body.

[LAURA] Supposing your delusional accusations

turn out to be true,

let's not forget I am the head of this organization.

How far do you think you would get dealing

with this mess on your own?

[STIYL] If that were the case,

then I'd have no choice but to destroy

the leader right here.

I think I understand what you're saying.

Good thing the question was hypothetical.

Ah, well.

I guess we'll have to wait and see what happens, won't we?

What?

Caution. Chapter four.

Connecting. By remote user.

Connection by remote confirmed.

a*t*matic purge of risk factors initiated.

Now commencing.

[NIKOLAI] Please, don't hold back.

If you've secured Sasha Kruezhev, then commit already!

[FIAMMA] I have finished preparing the att*ck.

You will not be able to observe the m*llitary situation.

Soon, Academy City's trademark control

will no longer be effective.

[FIAMMA] This is about to become a true w*r.

[NIKOLAI] Proceed however you like.

I have no problem with it as long as I achieve my goal.

[FIAMMA] The goal of becoming the Patriarch

of the Russian Church.

You're certainly going to great lengths for it.

[NIKOLAI] Enough about me.

Where are you right now?

I don't see you on their base.

Your signal has completely disappeared

from those coordinates.

[FIAMMA laughing]

Oh, you'll find out very soon.

Like it or not.

[KAMIJO gasps]

What the--? [grunts]

[LESSAR] Oh, crap!

[FIAMMA] What I was preparing was not some giant magical item

or facility.

It was the ability to manipulate this space.

[PILOT A] You can't be serious.

Don't you realize how much of a risk you're taking

by doing this?

Probably not, but that's because the risk involved

doesn't matter to me.

Between those who are doing their best to k*ll

an innocent high-schooler,

and those who are doing their best to save

that same innocent high-schooler,

which side would you want to be on?

Which one could you honestly say you were proud of?

[MIKOTO] Ugh. What am I doing?

This just isn't my style at all.

[PILOT A gasps, yells]

[MIKOTO] What is that?!

No way. What's he doing?

[gasps]

You've gotta be kidding me!

Looks like the pilot is safe.

[MIKOTO grunts]

[MIKOTO grunts]

[MIKOTO] Oh, great.

How am I supposed to get up into the clouds from down here?

[footstep]

[MIKOTO] Are you--?

"Misaka's serial number is ,"

says Misaka, politely answering Big Sister,

who clearly doesn't know what to say in return.

I'm guessing by the uniform you're with one of

Academy City's Russian co-op outfits?

"Since the withdrawal there has finally been completed,

the choice was made for Misaka to have some

well-deserved private time," says Misaka,

reporting her leisure-time mood,

while holding a very dangerous r*fle.

What do you mean "private time?"

"Aren't you here on private time, too?"

asks Misaka, seeking confirmation.

[MIKOTO] Uh... I mean...

I'm not here on business.

[KAMIJO] Wings of ice spread across the night sky.

A giant aerial fortress.

Divine punishment meted out.

What tidings do the angels and stars bid?

Next time, "Gabriel."

When science and magic cross paths, a story is born.