03x25 - Wings

[bunniefuu]

[HAMAZURA grunts]

[HAMAZURA] Come on.

Where are you, Takitsubo?

Damn it. Help me!

We have to dig her out of here before the enemy finds us.

I can't do it on my own!

Why should I help you?

It's freezing out here,

and she's still nowhere near her full strength!

We need to get her warmed up!

[MUGINO] Tch.

Hamazura, I've had enough of your whining!

[screaming]

[MUGINO] Ugh... My head.

Damn those ability crystals. Curse their stupid side effects.

So dizzy.

Be careful! We don't know where she's buried.

Quit attacking me and start digging!

[MUGINO] Ugh. What's your problem?

The way I see it, I gave you a head start.

It's hopeless!

I need someone gentle as a lamb,

not this rabid tiger who's looking to devour me!

Huh?

Hey, look. Here's your sweet little lamb now.

Huh?

No way!

[HAMAZURA] Takitsubo!

Not right now. That comes first.

[HAMAZURA] Uh?

Dark Matter?

[yelling]

No. That isn't Dark Matter.

And they're not Academy City espers, either.

[HAMAZURA] Huh?

[ATTACKER A] Esper powers are a lot like flames.

Humans are the only ones who can control flames.

But simply brandishing them is no better

than being a caveman swinging a torch.

Civilized people use flame to forge iron.

This is the same thing.

[HAMAZURA] So that's it.

They failed to fashion Mugino into a w*apon,

so they're here to retrieve her.

What's the next plan?

To turn her into a blast furnace or something?

[gasps, yelps]

[HAMAZURA] Do you realize what you've just done?

That bottle you broke was the last hope

for negotiating with Academy City!

It's the biological w*apon that Russia was going to use

according to the Kremlin Report protocol!

Now you've infected us, too!

[ATTACKER A] Huh? Damn it!

Ha! I'm kidding.

That was actually just a bottle of club soda.

[ATTACKER B] Ugh. Sneaky bastard!

[HAMAZURA yells]

I think you may be forgetting something pretty important.

Mugino's probably still got some blasts left.

Two or three, I'd say.

[ATTACKER C] You're bluffing.

We're not gonna fall for another stupid trick.

Oh, no? That's a shame.

Let's see if you're still that confident

a few seconds from now.

[gasps]

[ATTACKER C] What the--?

Shizuri Mugino?

The fourth-ranked allowed somebody else

to help steady her aim?

I don't believe it.

So, you were planning this trap the whole time?

Yeah. Thank you for stepping right into it.

[ATTACKER C] Who knew you were capable of this?

Me? I'm not.

But... ITEM is!

Take that thought to hell with you.

[g*nsh*t]

[ACCELERATOR] Damn it. This is crazy.

It's so far beyond abnormal--

even the thought of analyzing it is ridiculous.

Does this mean that the very makeup of the world

is being transformed?

What do I care?

How's it coming?

Have you gotten the data from the song

that purged Amata Kihara's virus yet?

Yeah, in the Misaka Network, a fairly shallow end.

Misaka does have the song,

but she can't render it with her current specs.

The breathing technique and internal resonance it requires

are not exactly normal.

It would be more efficient to output the song

as electronic signals instead.

Music notes, pseudo-audio data, or surround amplitude graphs?

Which one would you prefer?

All of 'em. Right now.

Being stingy's something a third-stringer does.

You really can be demanding.

Then again, I suppose you're more charming that way.

It's going to take more than just this song

to get anywhere, right?

Wasn't there something about converting

the specialized parameters?

I can manage it. As long as I have this.

Is this your way of making fun of Misaka?

Sure hope you're not trying to say

that creepy, occult-reeking contract with the devil

has the necessary parameters hidden within it.

No, I'm not.

Here, as far-removed from Academy City as we are,

there just happens to be a handbook lying around

with the solution in it?

It's almost like hunting for a quest item

in a game or something!

[ACCELERATOR] I told you, it's not that.

Whether it's high-level security encryption,

or a secret code embedded in an ancient diagram,

it all boils down to the world of numbers.

The roots remain the same no matter what.

I digitized all the necessary data,

then put the puzzle together inside my head,

and I should've been able to solve it that way.

Misaka thoroughly enjoys hearing

the frustration and displeasure in your voice

when you're forced to admit you failed to accomplish something.

[ACCELERATOR] I can't solve the puzzle.

There's still a piece missing in the math portion.

It's like some other form of law's been mixed in,

which is the reason I've been dredging up every last bit

of knowledge stored away in my mind

to the point of exhaustion.

And then dredging up some more, over and over.

And that's when I suddenly realized something.

I already had some information placed inside of me

that I didn't comprehend at the time.

It happened not too long ago.

Sometime during the battle

between the water angel and the science angel.

But I must have understood it all on my own

long before that moment,

that some kind of unidentified law was in effect.

Establish an imaginary vector grid

that can process these incongruities.

Back trace from the vectors right in front of you

to highlight the laws that have been put in place.

Once a single line of this unique physical law

had been input, the substance of the parchment

would immediately stand out.

But that's not what was important.

What matters is that once I solved the puzzle

using the clues I found,

the Aiwass vectors lodged inside of me would begin to act.

They would've been able to chip away at this deduction.

It's as close to realistic as it's going to get,

and it's on the same level as the Big Bang Theory.

In other words, it's done.

I've acquired the parameters I need to save the kid.

From now on, I'm the one who will turn the tables.

[ACCELERATOR] I made a promise long ago that I would become

the ultimate villain who would rescue her.

I fought all those sons of b*tches to the finish,

and a great darkness swallowed my soul.

But... this fight is different.

Oh, yeah, that's right.

I can save her.

So there's no longer any reason for me to be a villain.

[ACCELERATOR] Tch.

Let's do this.

[ACCELERATOR] The question is what am I?

[ACCELERATOR] Am I good or evil?

Am I a man or a monster?

Am I ruled by science or magic?

[ACCELERATOR] Maybe that's the answer.

What I am... is something that cannot be defined

by any other word than "me."

[expl*si*n]

Why bother? How can you hope to stop me?

Your power only works to neutralize other powers.

All you are is an adapter--

a mere anchor for that hand until the designated time.

You're nothing more than a potato vine

that falls back into the earth after the harvest!

Heh.

[KAMIJO] You still don't get it, do you?

Remember what you said?

That the power of your right arm

varies according to the strength of your opponent.

You decided you wanted to try stimulating

its maximum power.

You thought starting World w*r Three would do the trick.

You wanted to fuel the people's hatred.

That way your enemy would be clearly defined,

and the rest would be smooth sailing.

But have you ever thought about this?

What if you're wrong?

What if there isn't as much hatred

in everyone's heart as you think?

Then you wouldn't be able to summon

the amount of power you're imagining!

You're operating under a false assumption.

The four fundamental elements were about to be

permanently disrupted.

Lucky for the entire world, I stepped in and restored them.

The w*r that I started is not ending any time soon.

The larger conflict springs

from all the smaller thorns in people's sides,

spreading out all over the world until there is nothing left.

Resource shortages. Racial conflicts.

Religious differences. Food shortages.

International conflicts. Environmental destruction.

They are all results of the evil man creates.

Like that's some great revelation!

That darkness lurks in man's true nature.

There may be some malice within me

that I'm not ready to admit is there.

However, there's more to human nature than just that!

Like what?

[KAMIJO] How can you say flat-out

that people's inner workings are only one-sided?

Even if it's true,

and everyone you meet has a dark side buried within,

how can you declare that's all there is?

We don't have to have a reason! People don't have to explain.

They believe in fighting for those they love,

and that's all there is to it.

I, myself, have been saved by that power, so I know!

All this without any reason?

That sounds like the kind of logic that only applies to us.

If there was a nuclear m*ssile

about to be launched right in front of you,

no one could do anything to save you

without a key to stop it.

So why would they bother?

'Cause they don't need a key!

That's only one way to resolve the situation!

Anyone can fight if they want to!

Even if the rest of the world turns against them.

When it involves someone they care about,

they'll risk their own lives to protect them.

I'm going to get Index back from you.

And that's not all.

I'm gonna put a stop to science and magic fighting each other.

And to the nations of the world destroying one another

over World w*r Three.

It's all going to end right now!

[FIAMMA] In the middle of such a large-scale conflict?

You honestly believe you'll somehow emerge victorious

without any losses?

Yes, I do!

I know it's hard for you to fathom,

but I believe in the strength of humanity!

[ALL gasp]

This has turned into something greater than w*r.

What's happening to our world?

Damn!

You saved my life.

Huh? Wait. But we're on opposing sides!

You saw what's happening, right?

We can't think in terms of w*r right now,

or who's on what side.

Both sides need to work together.

We need Academy City's firepower.

Roger that.

[SOLDIERS gasp]

It doesn't matter to me one bit

if you are British, French, Russian, or from Academy City.

All able-bodied soldiers need to pitch in!

We're about to launch a full-on support strike together!

Let's go!

It's time for us to show them that enough is enough

with an att*ck that's of the people, by the people,

for the people!

We're gonna blow the roof off this place, baby!

[BRITISH SOLDIER B] Uh. Wh-Who are you, exactly?

A sorcery society known as "Dawn Colored Sunlight."

How very foolish, Fiamma.

[VASILISSA] Cannibal old lady of the one-legged house,

please grant this frail, yet sincere,

young girl your strength.

Lend her enough of your overwhelming witch's power

to muddle this sick, treacherous abomination into a pulp,

and create a more perfect world for all of us.

[KRANS] Hm?

Hi there! If it isn't the head of the Russian Church.

Good news!

I've come to rescue you from the devil's castle.

Forgive my surprise.

I didn't expect there would be anyone

who would still see me as Patriarch.

Not when all of my power's been lost.

[giggles]

There's still something that could use your assistance.

That fortress.

Did you know that it was cobbled together

from the requisite parts of cathedrals

and churches of the cross from all around the world?

But just because they were gathered together

and placed in the same spot

doesn't exactly mean it's a perfect fit.

Spells from both the Russian Church

and the Roman Orthodox Church

are what's responsible for keeping it in place.

So if we could break them down...

Yeah, I get it.

You're asking me to release the spells on the fortress.

Well, since you brought it up.

One moment. As you mentioned before,

the Roman Orthodox Church must be involved in this as well.

Have you taken steps to ensure

their cooperation with your plan?

Everything's okay as far as that goes.

I'm not sure what you've been told.

But the truth is, that group isn't as corrupt

as everyone thinks.

So what do you say?

Would you be so kind, my dandy gentleman?

As I'm no longer the pope,

I'm not sure how much I can help.

[VASILISSA] I'm speaking to the person who I believe to be

the true head of the Roman Orthodox Church.

Both in name and in fact.

Very well, then.

If it means saving the people,

I will commit Roman Orthodox power to this strategy

and assist you in stopping Fiamma.

But you should know,

the spells that are in use on the Star of Bethlehem

are likely not limited to those

of the Roman Orthodoxy and the Russian Church.

Of course I've thought of that, silly.

Indeed, the final key...

...is the archbishop of the English Puritan Church.

[VASILISSA] So should we do rock-paper-scissors

to see which one of us will be contacting that vixen?

These aren't fatal wounds.

You'll be okay, so try to keep it together.

[MECH SOLDIER A] Who are you people?

That isn't important.

What matters is we're here to alleviate harm done by the w*r.

Even if we're only able to help one soldier at a time.

[popping]

[ALL gasp]

[ALL gasp]

[groans]

[STIYL] That was just a mirage.

A pretty common trick.

[gasps]

Warning. Chapter forty-seven, verse eighty now activating.

Psychological effects present,

causing severe physical and mental restraint.

Redirecting spell effect into dummy location

and prioritizing security of back-calculation abilities.

You're still a library of , grimoires.

I never expected that would be enough to contain you.

Even so, it doesn't matter.

If that confounded boy is finally able to bring

an end to this madness, it will be a win for all of us.

[footsteps]

Very well. As you wish.

Our quota appears to be filled, so you will have your reward.

Meanwhile, I will do everything I possibly can

to help retrieve the grimoire library.

[yells]

What now?

Why isn't this going the way I wanted?

[FIAMMA yells]

[LESSAR] The English Puritans, the Roman Orthodox Church,

and the Russian Church have all begun

breaking down the Star of Bethlehem's joint spell.

We're just about to climb into an escape chamber over here.

There aren't very many of them left.

You have to work faster than that!

It's all over, Fiamma.

Your right arm as well your ceremonial site,

the Star of Bethlehem,

they're both losing power now!

If it was truly your desire to save the world

more than anything, then you would be ecstatic

to see the people's goodwill winning out over evil!

If you don't see it that way,

then your fantasy has already been shattered!

I know that I'm at a disadvantage in this situation.

And with the way things stand,

I find it unlikely that I'll be able to continue as planned.

[chuckles]

So I'll have to make some changes.

[gasps]

[FIAMMA] This is actually the outcome that you've invited.

[KAMIJO] What do you mean?

[FIAMMA] You see, the earth was originally

supposed to be transformed in stages.

However, all of the goodwill you rave about

has prevented that from happening.

As a result, an unnatural distortion has developed

between heaven and earth.

Which means all that's left for us to do now

is to wait patiently for the accumulated telesma

to come plunging down from above.

Honestly, even though this is not the route

I had originally anticipated,

as long as the earth ends up inundated with light,

the outcome is all the same.

Do you know what's really going to happen?

If that tremendous amount of power

starts to run amok uncontrollably,

it could cause all of human civilization to be destroyed!

[FIAMMA] That's true.

And it would be quite a shame for you, wouldn't it?

As for all the goodwill you speak of,

despite how much may be burgeoning forth

amidst this w*r, an overwhelming power will crush it from above.

This divine punishment will sweep down

on the fruits of mankind,

wiping them from the face of the earth.

Great change is born out of pain.

And just as the destruction of the Tower of Babel

once severed the ties of humanity,

I will use the animosity brought about by this

to pick up the broken pieces I see before me

and once again draw upon tremendous power!

Damn you, Fiamma!

[FIAMMA] I'm afraid your preferred way

of saving the world is overruled.

You're too late. I've already won.

[KAMIJO] There is still something left for me to do.

I'm sorry.

I promise... I will return soon.

Next Time, "Son of God."

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