I do not own anything by IS: Infinite Stratos. All rights belong to Izuru Yumizuru, the original creator of the light novels of Infinite Stratos, the studio 8-Bit for the creation of the anime series, and Kenji Akahoshi for the creation of the manga series. This will be a slightly darker version of Infinite Stratos, but there will still be humors and the funny interactions with Ichika and the harem. Takes place after the Silver Gospel Incident. Be warned, expect violence, inappropriate language, and some adult themes.
There is a man and a woman standing next to each other. They are out in the world to make an honest living. Ask yourself this question: who is a good person, and the other a bad seed? If you said both of them, or one is bad, there is no one right answer. What is good, bad and what's evil? The world may be pampered in cookies and cream on the outside, but on the inside, the worst of the scum underworld reside there. Criminals come in different sizes and have various objectives to make a name for themselves. Paradise is a great place not to come, the playground is open to grab the hands of illegal tradings, settle scores, cut each other's throats for easy money, and get killed over small or big reasons. Cesspool of corruption, the underworld has ripped people from the inside out for three reasons: money, power, respect. People were warned not to take a step, they should turn around and wish not to remember it. A misguided soul has gotten too close, and he or she will lose their former shell because it's a crippling disease with no cure. The paradise begins with the word 'Infinite Stratos'.
Opening song: $uicideboy$ - Chariot of Fire
Unknown Location
The 32-year old detective walked into the interrogation room with a single light bulb that lit the dark environment. Sitting at the rusted table in the room was an elderly nun. She took her time to sit while the detective pulled out a folder and set it on the table. His cold somber brown eyes give away his humorless personality. "Detective Hung. Witness, do you know this individual?"
Detective Hung revealed a picture of a teenager in an IS unit as the nun squinted her eyes. "His name is Liu King-Sang, a Chinese IS pilot just like the dear boy Ichika Orimura."
The nun acknowledged the question as Detective Hung continued to question her. "Why did that terror lead him to spill violence and destruction throughout the city?"
Detective Hung revealed another picture of dead bodies in a dock littered with broken IS units. "He is affiliated with Righteousness Union, one of China's biggest Triad. Liu is not a human being with that weapon onto him."
The nun kept her poker face, observing the pictures that connect Liu and the destruction he wasted at the dock. "Yes, vengeance consumed his poor soul where he will not stop until his scores are settled."
Seeing the nun gave her response, Detective Hung questioned her again. "This doesn't make sense at all. IS units can only be operated by women, not men. How was he able to operate it?"
The nun cracked a small smile. "Now you mentioned it, Liu and another boy named Three Dragons Tsao didn't know what an IS is. One day, they fought over a powerful exoskeleton, yet they don't really know only women can operate an IS. Isn't it funny?"
The nun chuckled as she rest her hands on the stomach. However, Detective Hung was not here for jokes, and slammed his hands on the table when she didn't answer the question clearly.
"Witness, this is not a comedy show, answer the question!"
Startled by his outburst, she shed a tear on her left eye, wiping it away with a tissue.
"Righteousness Union had no clue what that thing is, and attempt to sell it to a woman," the nun quivered. "This was their biggest mistake, and she didn't take it kindly."
"Tell me more about this woman." He calmed down when she stayed on topic related.
"Turns out she was the most wanted person in the world, Tabane Shinonono, the self proclaimed genius." said the nun. "She created IS, and when they talk about the price, she incapacitated them, warning not to sell an IS ever again."
Righteousness Union were clearly ignorant of IS, they thought it was a computer chip worth selling millions of dollars. Detective Hung revealed a paper written with rules related to IS. "The Alaska Treaty clearly quoted IS can't be sold, and used for armed conflict."
The nun took a breather to not make the detective mad again. "After Righteousness Union failed too many times to sell the IS, they abandoned it. Liu and Three Dragons were still curious to know more about it, and fought over the ownership."
The nun grew somber, ready to reveal the truth. "Sadly, it grew out of control to the point they will die over it, the results; Liu's men hidden the IS, but someone reverse engineer it, and Three Dragons came empty handed."
While she closed her eyes to not remember the horrific incident, Detective Hung grew more desperate to get more information.
"Liu is bent on settling his scores with extreme violence to get his messages against foes that are after him. He must be stopped right away!"
"He was blessed to have this opportunity," said the nun, crossing her hands on the chest. "You should thank the IS that saved his life because if it weren't for the gift, Liu would have died." Detective Hung became unsettled with her answers that sounded like she wished Liu a good luck to slaughter people.
"Detective, can you kindly escort me back home? I'm not used to walking alone with scary people all over."
The nun shivered from the cold temperature that didn't appear to have a heater. The light bulb didn't help to make the room warmer.
"I'm afraid I can't let you do that, I have more questions to ask you."
Before Detective Hung could question her once again, the "nun" broke her facade and laughed because beneath her face was a male teenager whom he imitated the elderly voice. The fake nun straightened the posture like a healthy human being to reveal his manly voice.
"Like I do that for you old fuck! Do you ever shut up for once? You ask too many questions that made my ears bleed." He pointed his Smith & Wesson Model 36 revolver, aimed at Detective Hung.
"You're no nun..." he pointed his Norinco Type 77 pistol at the impostor. "Unmask yourself now!"
"No can do, detective," said the teenager. "Clean your ears out thoroughly, and listen carefully. My name is Three Dragons, my job is to reclaim what's mine. Should you try to stop me, I'll cut your sorry life."
Hung's eyes widened in shock Three Dragons played him like a fool. Hung fired, but he missed, and Three Dragons shot Hung in the neck, stumbling him backwards. The .38 Special sliced his jugular vein open, blood oozed uncontrollably as Hung struggled to cover the bullet wound with his left hand. Hung tried to retrieve his gun, but Three Dragons stomped his hand.
"D-don't tell me..." Hung coughed blood, struggling to talk. "you're a Righteousness Union..."
Three Dragons crept a sadistic grin, and shot his forehead, instantly killed. "Finally figured it out, Detective Hung."
Hung slumped to the wall with blood smeared all over from the back of his head. Three Dragons casually took the folder and Hung's gun as he left the room, and the light bulb flickered out.
2 Months Ago - Guangzhou, China
A dazzling glow cleansed away the darkness that covered the buildings. A perfect day to wake up to a sunrise, but not everything appears to be crime-free zone. Beneath the metropolitan city is filled with greed, violence, contraband, and those against the traditional society is where the home of outlaws reside. Inside a dark alley where no one would pass through, a teenager was tossed around like a rag doll. Every time he tried to stand up, the assailant swung his sledgehammer at his face.
"Hello, Liu, remember me?" Three Dragons jeered as his face and upper body were concealed by the shadow.
"Fuck. You." said Liu. Three Dragons struck Liu's face again.
"Fat cunt." Three Dragons whipped Liu's left kneecap. The sound of sledgehammer against kneecap was like a block of cement being cracked.
"AAAHHH!" Liu yelled from the unbearable pain he suffered as Three Dragons relentlessly used his sledgehammer to beat him up to no end.
Three Dragons put the sledgehammer to his ear. "Ohh save your energy, Mr. Liu, you stole something dear to me. I'm looking for an IS called the Sockdolager, you have it in your possessions, am I right?"
Liu veered away from him as his voice weakened. "You can go fuck yourself."
Unimpressed of his insult, Three Dragons smacked Liu in the rib cage, hand, and chest with brute force.
"I'm giving you an opportunity to correct your error. I want Sockdolager back, and should you not comply, you won't live to see another day."
Three Dragons smacked Liu in the temple one last time before he walked away, leaving him mangled. Thrown off balance from the brutal wallop, Liu tried to get up, but his legs were badly injured. Unable to stand up properly, Liu army crawled, coughing excessively for 10 minutes until he found an abandoned warehouse. Liu's consciousness was slowly dropping, and he need something to regain energy. Liu was on the verge of dying, desperately to recuperate until he found a 3rd generation IS, the Sockdolager.
Liu touched the machine, and a radiate white light shined, blinding the warehouse. Once the light subsided, Liu was encased in the IS. The Sockdolager was midnight purple with a hint of pitch black, and multi-thrusters. A complex eye-like helmet and ram's horns-shaped rested on his head. The IS exoskeleton rejuvenated his health, however, this was temporarily because Liu still felt some injuries. This was Liu's first time operating an IS, and had no idea where to start.
"Holy...what is this?!"
Liu self examined the high tech weapon all over his body. When Liu jumped like Superman, he was 23 feet above the ground. Lost of words from the gift of superhuman strength, Liu jumped all over the place to get familiar with his new toy. If it had weapons, Liu knew which foes he want to ice them immediately. Outside, Three Dragon Tsao's mobsters guarded a lounge room, and Liu decided to return the favor.
Liu's subconscious read his mind, and his Equalizer activated that materialized Rattler, a .45 cal machine pistol. Liu didn't call it out, but after examining his weapon, he gave a test run, starting with his hated enemy's posses. Liu walked towards Three Dragons' hideout where the men were relaxing and without warning, he sprayed the room. Few were caught by gunfire as some flee to alert the others. Those that got shot dashed to safety, clutching their bullet wounds while the others strike back. Small firearms put a dent on Liu as he answered with barrage of gunfire to make them scramble. Liu should have pay close attention that Three Dragons' group also had IS pilots.
Three IS female pilots received the message, ordering their men to retreat, materializing red Rafale Revive Basics. They activated Bash. 61 assault rifles to open fire as Liu stood on his ground, shooting them back. Rapid images of the IS squared off, clashing corner to corner in a zigzag fashion. The hostile IS units put up a good fight that manage to injure Liu. They flew in different directions, firing recklessly at each other like trigger happy gangsters. The IS bullets landed direct hits on Liu, dangerously depleting his energy shields. Sockdolager has adequate armor, but Liu's reckless tactics made it very fragile to withstand against repeated attacks.
Liu charged like a loose cannon, firing his Rattler at the opposing IS. They took some hits, but still standing, and scored a few hits. However, that didn't stop Liu from slowing down. At long last, Liu's marks hit one IS as she retreat, firing backwards before she succumbed to her wounds. The IS roundhouse kick Liu, falling down the ground. An interface popped up 25%, but Liu didn't know what it meant, ignoring the warning sign. He thought it was regenerating health, but it was energy shield dangerously depleting.
Liu got back up, only to see another IS lunged towards him with her knife at high speed. By sheer luck, Liu parried the stab, but the blade managed to damage his energy shield down to 8%. Liu felt the pain again, firing the IS rapid succession until she stopped in her tracks. The IS protected her from losing a life, but did not prevent the energy shield to run out, and ended up with major injuries. Liu pushed her aside to confront the final IS. Suddenly Sockdolager dissipated because Liu collapsed from the energy he used up. The IS prepared to execute him, but she ran out of weapons power, and had no choice to fall back. Fading in and out of consciousness of broken IS units scattered all over, Liu hallucinated a vision of Three Dragons. On the horizon, a young teenage girl with light brown hair tied in twintails with a yellow ribbon at both sides ran towards him.
"Hey? Hey! Hang in there...fuck!" The petite teenager saw Liu in bad shape, and fireman carried the severely injured Liu. She ran as fast as she could before cops quarantined the scene.
"Uunngghh ..."
"Keep your eyes open, don't you die out on me!"
"I-I-Is..." Liu gave his best to stay awake, but his last strength sapped. Liu blacked out, hearing the footsteps of the savior carrying him.
After painful minutes pass by, Liu slowly opened his eyes, he was in the teenage girl's bedroom. Light brown and white walls made up the girl's room, fitted with a small desk filled with books and pictures of herself. Liu was confined to a bed with his face wrapped in bandages, and the treatment was not professional, but she did her best to heal his injuries. Ridden with bruises and cuts, the bandages compressed down its wounds, though he still felt the pain. Liu could not move at all, it was like torture, minus the surgical tools tearing his flesh away. The only body part that was not restricted was his head. The medical tapes Liu had felt like being wrapped up into a coffin. Liu hated every time she applied medicine to the burn areas, weakly groaning out.
"This weeks news, a fight erupted in the docks. The police are still investigating what caused the violent brawl. Righteousness Union may have been behind it, but no conclusive evidence has been made." said the news anchor.
Against the injuries inflicted on Liu, it took a month for him to recover. Bandages all over his head did not fully heal him mentally. The teenage girl didn't get the proper chance to find out his name she saved. When he finally has the strength to move his hands, she removed the bandages, but his head still felt the sensational burn.
"You're Chinese, am I right?" said the teenage girl.
Liu removed the blanket that revealed his Olympic built body that had tattoos of a Dragon with Phoenix wings, A demon with cherry blossom patterns on his arms, and pectoral muscles. While his back is the Guan Yu, a famous general in the Hans Dynasty, and China's God of War. Liu's 40s dapper hairstyle stood out his appearance as he had a wrist bead on his right wrist. Upon closer inspection, a jewelry was not the right answer, it was Sockdolager's standby mode. She appeared surprised at his menacing tattoos and the IS standby mode.
"An IS pilot? How is that possible...?"
Liu shrugged since he doesn't know the answer. The teenage girl couldn't stop staring at his tattoos, and shuddered. The markings she saw numerous times were too familiar that belonged to a dangerous transnational organized crime.
"I seen those tattoos similar like yours, that makes you..."
"A Righteousness Union? Yeah, I'm not from a pretty world."
Liu finished her sentence. Of all this time, the teenage girl unknowingly saved the life of a notorious member from the Righteousness Union. Guilt-ridden, she contemplated how to deal with a complicated situation. If she turned Liu to the authorities, harsh retaliation might come after her. Release him right away, Liu will wreck havoc on the city against his nemesis with collateral damage.
That boy is now the second IS pilot next to Ichika Orimura?! I can't set him free with his destructive behavior! What to do, what to do? She seemed to not have any hope of thinking a solution, but after a brainstorm, the teenage girl came up with an idea.
"I know a place to keep you safe, bear with me," said the teenage girl, holding a Pineapple cake. Liu could unlock his potentials to be a skilled IS pilot, not waste his talents on crime.
"Where are you taking me?" Liu questioned, wondering if she will turn him in to the cops, but the Pineapple cake and her green eyes gazed into him. Liu comprehend the girl's action was genuine, and took a bite of the dessert. Its crumbly, fragrant crust and the chewy, sweet Pineapple filling exploded in his mouth.
"A place to teach you how to pilot an IS. I'm Lingyin Huang, what's your name?" The Chinese teenage girl slightly tilted her head.
"Liu King-Sang."
This fanfic contains several elements and references from music, films, other anime and some videogames.