A brief word from the author; While I will be sure to give this fanfic the proper rating, I feel that I must warn you, dear reader, in advance that there will be a couple parts in this story where I will touch on some pretty dark material. I hope to only have these parts take up a small part of the chapters they will be in, and not allow them to become the main focus of the story. Just remember, I have warned you.

Note; italics show people's thoughts.

Chapter 1; The New Guys.

If Simon had to summarize what he was feeling waiting aboard the train, it would be a combination of anticipation, dread, and boredom. Of course he was nervous, I mean, he was being sent to the Infinite Stratos Academy in Japan. He had been cursing his genetic luck for that one since he received the letter informing him of his 'relocation.' This was also causing the feelings of dread since up until now the only IS pilots where girls. No one was really sure why, except maybe the one who created the technology, but women where the only ones physically capable of piloting an IS. Until I came along, of course he thought gloomily. It's not that he didn't want to go, but that he was very aware of the fact that he would be surrounded by women in a previously all-women environment. There was something about being under constant scrutiny that did not appeal to him.

As for the last of those feelings, the boredom came from the fact he had been sitting in this damned train car for the better part of an hour, waiting for the only other male pilot in existence. Apparently they were supposed to travel to the Academy together, for security reasons. Although, why someone would decide to randomly bomb this particular train was beyond him. Sighing, he pulled his IPod out of his pocket, put the earbuds in, brought up one of his playlists and settled into his seat to wait for the other boy. A half hour into his music, he noticed movement to his right and turned to see another boy dressed in the Academy's uniform.

Taking advantage of the fact that the boy hadn't quite seen him yet, Simon quickly sized the other student up; dark blue-black hair, an athletic build (not ripped, but definitely fit) probably from some kind of sport, and fairly nervous based on the slight quiver in his hands. To be honest, Simon wasn't exactly a good standard for comparison. After a few months of training with his own IS (designed by him) he was in pretty good shape, but not what he would consider great shape. Deciding to take the initiative, Simon stopped his music and cleared his throat to get the other guy's attention.

"So I guess you're the other one. That or I've been on the wrong train for an hour." Simon said after the other boy turned around. Standing up and offering his hand, he continued, "Simon Felix. Nice to meet you, mister..?" "Ichika Orimura." The other student responded, shaking his hand. "So, you're going to the Academy, to?" he asked as he set his bag down and sat across from Simon. Looking out the window, he watched the scenery as the train began to move.

"Yep, can't wait to see all the beautiful women when we arrive. It's gonna be paradise." Simon said, turning back to his IPod. Noticing the look he got from Ichika, he quickly decided to correct any troubling thoughts he might be having. "Dude, that was sarcasm. I'm just hoping we don't get torn apart when we get there. Or drowned."

"How would we drown? We're on an island." Ichika asked, puzzled. "Who said I meant water?" Simon shot back, settling back into his seat to let Ichika stew that one over. He still looked genuinely confused over what Simon had said. Okay, not the brightest bulb. Gonna have to work on that he thought, turning to look out his own window. Simon had to admit, the scenery was very nice. There were only a couple places where he grew up in the states that looked this nice year-round. The water was clear, as was the sky, and the entire scene had the feel of one of those postcard moments. As they approached the Academy, they both got a good look at their new home. The docks and warehouses gave way to housing, stadiums and a large spiral tower in the center of the island. Though they weren't aware of it, both boys were wishing that maps would be provided when they arrived. Getting lost on an island full of women did not seem like the best idea.

"So," Simon began, feeling that something had to be said. "I'll respect the bro code as long as you will. Agreed?" Looking at Ichika, he saw him nod, although he looked a little confused as to why it might matter. Oh well, he'll probably clue in after the first day of class Simon thought as he waited for the train to stop at the station. Noticing a woman with the air of authority waiting for them at the station, he assumed that this was their escort to their room. Sighing again at his luck in the genetic lottery, Simon stood up, grabbed his bag and waited with Ichika at the door as the train came to a stop. After exchanging quick greetings, they were whisked away towards the student housing. To both their relief, they were sharing a room, although it was on the third floor. This only seemed to bother Simon as he could already imagine the elevator rides he would have to take, and with whom said rides would be.

After claiming beds (Simon taking the far bed), unpacking and cleaning up, they both were trying to think of ways to try and start up a conversation. In a sudden burst of inspiration, Simon grabbed one of the controllers to the game console he had brought along. "Hey, you play any kinds of games?" Looking up at the ceiling in thought, Ichika then grabbed the other controller and replied, "Yeah, you got any fighting games?" Smiling slightly, Simon brought up his copy of Mortal Combat. "Hope you don't mind me kicking your ass on the first night." They both grinned as Simon started up the game. About 6 hours later, they were both dead tired after a match that ended with them calling it a draw, on account of neither of them could keep their eyes open any longer. Turning everything off, they both collapsed on their respective beds and fell asleep in moments.


Yawning as he walked towards his classroom, Simon checked the paper in his hand again for the number. Room 1-1, huh? Won't even question that he thought as he walked through the door and immediately felt the eyes of every girl in the room boring into him. Glancing around, he took in the room and tried to decide what it was about him that drew their attention. It was either the long dirty blonde hair, the green eyes, or it could simply be the fact that he was one of two boys that were joining their class. Probably the latter of those he thought as he took his seat by the window. Tuning out the whispering of the other students as they were undoubtedly checking him out, he brought out the book he was currently reading and flipped to where he had left off.

About a paragraph in, he sensed someone standing over him and looked up to see a girl in a modified uniform reading over his shoulder. Her uniform had been modified to look more like a dress, she had blonde hair that flowed down to her waist and was held out of her eyes by a blue band, and she had blue eyes. In short, she was breathtakingly beautiful, although Simon would never admit something like that after their first meeting.

"What are you reading?" She asked, breaking the silence. Hearing the British accent, and sensing a little bit of posh in it, he decided to test out a theory that had just come to mind. "What's it to you?" He asked back. "What?! How dare you speak to me, Cecilia Alcott, in such a tone! I was trying to be polite!" She burst out, slamming her hands onto his desk and leaning over him. Surprised that she had immediately gone down a hostile route, he decided to relent rather than start a fight. "It's a murder mystery from an Italian author, so I doubt you'd recognize it, or understand it."

"Wait, you speak Italian?" She asked, slightly taken back. "Naturalmente parlo italiano." He said, just to prove his point. "Italian, Russian, a bit of German and French as well." He continued, turning back to his book. Cecilia stood there a bit longer, reevaluating the boy sitting before her before quickly returning to her seat. Well, at least he's cultured she thought as she sat down. After a few more students filed in, including Ichika, the woman Simon assumed was their teacher came in. She was a little shorter than some of the other staff, with green hair and clothes that seemed a bit small. He would have assumed it was on purpose to highlight her body's shape, since she was definitely large in a few places, if it wasn't for the fact that this was an all-girls school and she seemed nervous as hell. After a quick introduction another woman walked in. Taller, sterner and definitely the one in charge, she introduced herself as Chifuyu Orimura, which caused Simon to glance quickly at Ichika. His sister is the teacher. This is going to be interesting to watch he thought.

"Alright, time you introduced yourselves. We'll go alphabetically." She said, and started reading off the names. When she came to Cecilia, she stood up and announced proudly, "I am Cecilia Alcott, Britain's Representative Candidate and heir to the Alcott household." When it came time for Simon's turn, he stood up reluctantly and stated simply, "Simon Felix. Pilot. American." And sat back down. Turning her gaze to him, Chifuyu glared at him briefly and asked, "That's it?" After receiving a shrug as an answer, she continued with the introductions, pinning Ichika's head to the desk with her book after he had an outburst about his sister. He also noticed another girl in the room glaring at Ichika. Her long brown hair was done up in a pony tail, but still managed to reach her waist. She clearly had some kind of history with Ichika, considering the venom in that gaze.

Class continued till about noon when Chifuyu stopped to address everyone. "Now than, before we continue we are going to need to pick a class representative. Are there any volunteers or nominations?" "I nominate Ichika-kun." One girls said without missing a beat. Great, Simon thought, not me. Another girl raised her hand about a second later and said, "I nominate Simon-kun." Damnit. At this, another girl two seats behind Simon shot up and slammed her hands on the desk. And that's got to be Cecilia Simon thought as she shot off on her rant. "What?! You would have a boy represent this class? I won't allow this! I, Cecilia Alcott, will not accept a male as my representative! It's bad enough I had to come to this speck of a country." This caused Ichika to stand up, turn to her and exclaim, "England's not any bigger than Japan, and we didn't get the award for world's worst cuisine."

"You dare mock my home? I will not let this stand! I challenge you to a duel!" She shot back. God, I just want this day to end Simon thought as he let his head hit the desk. Without turning a hair, Chifuyu raised her hand. "It looks like we have a three-way duel for the position. If there are no objections, it will be held today at 6. You're dismissed for lunch." And with that, she turned and left with the green haired girl, her name's Maya Yamada, gotta remember that, in tow, leaving the classroom to glance between the three members. Sighing, again, at his rotten luck, Simon collected his stuff and left without a word. So much for not picking any fights on my first day.

The lunch room wasn't much better, although it would be more accurate to call it a dinning hall. He kept getting glares from Cecilia, who had clearly made up her mind to despise him with every fiber of her being. The other girls kept glancing at him, to, although a number of them could have been called leers. So this is what it's like on the receiving end he thought as he grabbed his food and sat down at one of the far booths. Ichika joined him not to much latter, looking a little down and a bit stressed. "So, what's up with pony tail?" Simon asked, breaking the silence. "Who, Houki? She and I are childhood friends, although I think she's holding something against me." He replied, not looking up. Pushing his food aside, Simon leaned back and focused on him. "What makes you say that?"

"She wasn't very talkative when I stopped her after class, and she almost took a swing at me, though I can't imagine what it was for." Ichika continued before taking a bite from his sandwich. "She almost hit you? I assume it wouldn't have been just a slap to the face." Simon said, genuinely taken back. "No, she's a Kendo student. If she decides to hit me, it won't be pleasant." Ichika told him. "I wish I knew what it was. I didn't like being on the receiving end of her hits when we spared as children, and I really don't want to be now." Thinking it over for a while, Simon stated very simply, "I have no clue. Want me to talk to her?"

At this, Ichika looked up with an almost pleading look in his eyes. "Would you? Just, be careful, I think she might be on a short fuse." He warned. "I may not know much about Kendo, but I've had my own training. I doubt it will be a problem." Simon responded. No, I doubt I'll have much trouble with one girl at all he thought as he picked his try up and left the dinning hall.

Alright, first chapter is done. While I wish I could give a concrete schedule for releases, I will be heading back to college in about a week, so I can only promise to work and post when I will have the time. I do hope to get the first few chapters out there before I leave. And to nip this topic in the bud, as far as pairings go I haven't quite decided yet. Oh, and as for Simon mentioning his luck with genetics, that's kind of a teaser as to why he can pilot an IS.

Anyways, favorite and review as you see fit. Till next chapter.