Chapter1 new life
A group of about five people are standing on a tram platform; a tram sits in the station. A clock stand says the current time of 5:00 am. A man in his 30's, a woman about the same age, and a red haired girl about 14 are standing to one side a boy about 16 and an older man who looks in his 40's are standing opposite of them. The boy is about 5'10". His hair is black and his eyes are a light shade of grey. He has an average build. The boy is wearing an open black sweatshirt with a white shirt and jeans. He has a backpack slung over his shoulder The man standing with the woman and girl comes over to him and puts his hands on his shoulders.
"Son it's time for you to be a man now…in this school you will have many and I mean many opportunities to climb the ladder to adult hood so make me proud and bag a great…" He is cut off as the woman smacks him in the back of the head. He stumbles to the side in pain as the woman looks to the boy.
"What your father is trying to say is good luck and make lots of friends…" she narrows her eyes and her voice deepens, "but don't do anything you might regret." The boy's face turns pale and he leans back in fear. He replies in a surprised voice.
"I promise I won't mom." The woman grabs her husband and leads him away while the girl walks forwards. She gives him a hug and the boy returns this with an arm.
"Don't do anything stupid ok?"
The boy looks at her with a smirk, "When have I ever done anything stupid?" The girl looks at him with an annoyed face.
"Really Alex, promise?"
Alex smirks, "I promise Emi, I won't do anything too stupid" She gives a small groan in reply and releases him.
"I'm joining next year, so don't piss anyone off. I'd like to see you in one piece"
Alex gives a small laugh, "Got it."
The older man from across the station steps over to Alex directing his attention to him.
"Mr. Himura its time to leave." Alex adjusts his backpack and gives a wave.
"Right…well bye everyone"
With his final farewell he heads to the tram car. The man follows, and Alex can hear his family yelling to him various things like "good luck" and "don't do anything crazy" and even "don't die."
Alex boards the tram and gives a final wave and his family departs from the station. Once they are out of sight he gives his full attention to the man before him. Once he sees Alex is listening, he begins speaking.
"Now you will ride this tram for about 10 or so minutes till your next stop. Another transfer student will get on and accompany you from there. Then, at the next stop-" before he can continue, Alex interrupts him.
"Wait, what do you mean another student? I was told I was the only one transferring into the academy."
The man begins to speak again, "Yes, that was the case until last night, another male student has been accepted in."
"Another male student…I was told I was only one of two," Alex mutters in disbelief.
The man continues, "well another male, who can activate an IS, has surfaced. I don't know his name, only that he is supposed to meet you at the next station. From there, you will take the hour ride to the central city before boarding the final tram which will take you to the academy, do you understand?"
Alex looks puzzled, but nods, "Got it station to tram, tram to academy"
The man steps back, "Good luck."
Alex stands there as the doors close and the tram begins moving. A robotic female voice begins talking. "For your safety please sit down as the tram is now moving and please have a pleasant ride."
Alex throws his bag onto an open middle seat and sits next to it. He looks out the window as the trees fly by. The tram goes over houses and roads as well as other various structures and land masses. Alex is looking at his smartphone, and as he is swiping through news articles, he notices one about new male students at the IS academy. He taps on it and begins reading it.
New male students headed to prestigious IS academy, one male is from a small city while the other is the son of a C.E.O.
Alex continues to read the article, learning that the other student is the son of Dunois C.E.O before closing the article.
"The son of the Dunois C.E.O huh…I know I've heard of that company before…" Alex mutters.
His thoughts are interrupted as the tram begins slowing down. Alex looks out the window to see the tram pulling up to the loading platform before coming to a halt. The doors open and Alex watches as a timid looking boy walks into the tram holding a bag. He has long blonde hair and purple eyes, and is wearing the school uniform. The boy looks over to Alex and becomes flustered before he quickly turns back and sits down on the other side, a row up from Alex. Alex watches this before relaxing back in his seat, and begins thinking.
What was that about? He's either a really timid person, or he's never seen another guy before…maybe both?
The tram begins moving again and the same warning is repeated.
Alex sits there for a while, simply looking at his phone, and glancing up at the boy every so often only to see him facing forward. Alex gives a sigh before standing up and walking over to him. The boy spares him a glance before he quickly looks forward again. Alex looks at him and then holds out his hand.
"Name's Alex, Alex Himura, nice to meet you."
The boy turns slowly to him, his face flushed slightly before he grabs the hand and shakes it. He begins to speak in a timid voice.
"My name's…Charles…Charles Dunois." Charles releases Alex's hand before quickly putting his hand back in his own lap. Alex gives a puzzled look.
"So…you got accepted too?"
Charles timidly nods and replies "Yeah…"
"So how did it happen…you know the whole finding out you were compatible?"
Charles begins to look less nervous. "I found out through tests at my father's company…they found out I was highly compatible with the IS they were developing."
Alex looks surprised. "No kidding…so you really are the son of a C.E.O?"
Charles looks down in embarrassment and nods; Alex notices this and decides to say something.
"Well that's pretty cool…I mean, I love engineering. So the entire IS system fascinates me…actually that's how I got here."
Charles looks up at him with surprise.
"Really…how?"
Alex turns away with a smile on his face and begins scratching his face.
"You know how they test girls who are still in schools if there compatible with IS systems? Well, they were testing my younger sister's class and when she passed she told me about it. So I asked her to show me the IS and she snuck me in. And well, as I was examining it I kinda touched it and it turned on."
Charles gives a look of surprise, "Wait, you snuck in?! Isn't that something that you can go to jail for?"
Alex gives a small laugh, "well they tested me…a lot, they made sure it wasn't a fluke and even took bio scans to ensure I was male before saying either face jail time or go to this school …well I chose the latter."
Charles chuckles , "So they gave you no choice, huh?"
Alex gives a smile, "Nope." At this point, Charles notices Alex isn't wearing a uniform.
"They didn't give you a uniform, yet?"
"No…they said they had to tailor it, as well as a skin suit for IS piloting…I see you have your uniform what about your skin suit?" Charles blushes at this.
"I have one…my company developed it for me."
"So does that mean you have a personal IS?" Alex asks intrigued and Charles nods. "That's awesome, I hope I can see it in action soon."
Charles looks at him in surprise but his expression shifts to a smile.
"Thanks."
With that Alex turns, "Well I'm gonna go sit back in my seat."
He walks back to his seat and sits down; as he does Charles gets up and sits next to him. Alex looks at him questioningly.
"Don't like your seat?"
Charles gives a smile, "No I just thought this seat would be better."
Alex gives a puzzled look before shrugging. "Ok?"
He turns back and nods off and is woken up by someone pushing on his shoulder. The sound of Charles voice filters in.
"Wake up we're at the station."
Alex opens his eyes and sees Charles standing next to him with a smile on his face. Alex leans up and looks out the window to see people walking around various shops. He stands and shoulders his bag. Charles grabs his own bag and the two walk off the tram and step into the district. Alex stretches and yawns before speaking.
"Alright…time to find the next tram." Charles gives a short nod.
The two begin walking through the busy streets before stopping at a sign with a layout of the city. Alex examines it and points at a building marked IS tram.
"Here, we gotta find this place."
Charles looks around before pointing down a street towards a large building, with a tram system attached to it.
"There it is."
Alex looks and sees the building, and the two begin to walk towards it. Charles examines the various stores along the way and they eventually reach the building and enter it. They take the escaladers and the two ride it to the top before arriving at the tram station. They both enter the tram and sit next to one another as it begins moving. Alex lets out a sigh of relief.
"Finally…almost there, then no more tram cars."
Charles gives a small laugh, "You slept through most of it anyway."
"Still…these seats suck."
They both give a laugh before looking out the window. They see the island which the school is built upon and Charles enthusiastically speaks.
"Wow, that place is huge!"
"Yeah it is…and look at all that ocean around it."
The tram travels toward the school, and it eventually stops at the station, where a woman is standing, her arms crossed. She is wearing a suit, as dark as her long black hair, and her brown eyes are stern in their gaze. She waits as the doors open and both walk out. She looks at each of them before speaking.
"Welcome to the IS academy new students, I am Orimura Chifuyu, your homeroom teacher."
Alex and Charles give a short bow, Alex speaks first.
"Alex Himura, pleasure to meet you."
"Charles Dunois, it's a pleasure."
She examines them both before turning and walking away, "Follow me, both of you."
Both respond in unison, "Right."
They follow her as she gives them a tour of the campus. As she does she continues to speak.
"This will be your school…no your home for the next 3 years. You will eat, sleep and socialize here as you lean to pilot the IS. You may be asked to even spar with your fellow class mates or even your instructors. Therefore, I suggest you pick up your skills quickly and don't fall behind…understand?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Good, now neither of you have taken the entrance fight yet. So, we will hold it in the training stadium where you will both be put up against an instructor."
They continue walking till they reach a massive stadium like building. They enter and walk down a long hallway before stopping at a door with the word lockers on it.
"Both of you, go change into your pilot suits. Alex your uniform and suit are waiting for you inside, I suggest you put your suit on."
Alex nods at her, "understood."
Charles stands there, his face red. "Change…in there?"
Orimura looks at him angrily, "is that a problem?" Charles shakes his head, and Orimura commands him, "then go! now!"
The two enter the room, inside are various lockers and benches. On one sits a box, with Alex's name on it. He opens it to find both sets of clothing inside, and examines a male uniform similar to Charles'. He holds up a black and green lined skin suit with a disgruntled look on his face.
"Yeesh, I gotta wear this…" He turns to Charles who is standing there, his face red and nervous. Alex looks at him with one eyebrow raised, "you gonna change?"
Charles speaks in a quiet voice. "uh, yeah…"
Alex walks over to the opposite side of him and opens a locker. Charles turns and looks towards Alex before looking back, his face beat red. Alex begins changing, and Charles sighs and quickly does the same. Alex eventually finishes and slams his locker shut before turning around and seeing Charles, who is finished changing. He examines his black and orange lined suit.
"That was quick."
Charles blushes again, "yeah."
Alex gets a smirk on his face, "yeah you must have a real form fit suit, it was hell shoving certain parts into this thing."
Charles freaks and his face turns a brighter shade of red before Alex bursts out laughing. He speaks through his laughter.
"I'm only joking…man you should see your face."
Charles looks back, a slight angry look over his blushing face, "jerk."
Alex turns and heads for the door still smirking, "Well…guess its show time?"
Charles nods and the two walk out the door. Outside Orimura is waiting for them, she looks over at them before speaking, "alright Charles, since you have a personal IS your up first. Alex we are going to have you pilot a training IS until you receive your own."
Alex gives a confused look before questioning, "my own?"
"Yes, since you have no way to get your own personal IS, we are going to have one custom built for you."
Alex eyes spark with excitement, "could I maybe have a say in some of the design elements? I've always wanted my own fighting robot."
Orimura's eyes narrow a bit, "the creator is a recluse…I doubt she would care about anything you have to say." Alex's smile begins to fade, Orimura notices this and sighs, "I can't guarantee you any results, but I can try…only if you give your best in the battle."
Alex perks up again, "I will."
Orimura looks to Charles, "alright, enough talk Dunois your up first."
Charles gives her a nod. "yes ma'am."
Alex and Charles follow Orimuna until they reach a platform extending out to the stadium. Alex walks to the edge and looks at the stadium and its vast size, an instructor IS is standing in the center.
"This thing is huge…"
Alex continues to look until he hears Orimura yelling. He turns back to see Charles in his orange IS and Orimura standing next to him.
"Unless you want to be splattered by the launch, I suggest you move!"
"Right!"
Alex begins running towards them. He runs up next to the both of them and Alex gets his first look at Charles IS.
"Holy crap, man that thing is awesome."
Charles blushes, "thanks."
Alex holds out his fist, "good luck man."
Charles looks at him a bit confused, Alex motions his hand back and forth Charles catches on with an "oh" before smiling and removing his right arm, they tap fists then Orimura speaks.
"Alright time for the battle, Dunois are you ready?"
"Yes ma'am."
"Good. Alex, follow me"
Orimmura begins walking towards a door and opens it. Alex follows her till they enter a room, lit in red, with various screens that are projecting video feed of the stadium.
Alex looks around in amazement, "wow."
He continues to look and Orimura sits in front of the main monitor and presses a button. As Charles waits in his IS, Orimura's voice comes over the comm system.
"Now here are the requirements, you have to either last five minutes against the instructor or beat them by draining their shield to zero…do you understand Dunois?"
"Yes."
"Alright…launch!"
Charles hunches over and begins to take off down the ramp, the machine pushing back as it hits wind resistance, it launches off the pad and flies upward before coming back down. Soon, Charles lands right in front of the instructor. Back in the red room Alex is watching with Orimura.
"Man, he's good."
Orimura gives him a look, "This the first time you've seen an IS launch?"
"Yeah…he makes it look easy"
"Well, watch the rest of the fight so you get an understanding of how these machines move"
"Understood."
Charles is standing looking at the instructor, and the instructor looks back to him.
"Ready to go?"
Charles nods.
"Then let's begin."
They both jump backwards; the instructor materializes a rifle as Charles materializes two smgs, one for each hand. They both begin firing at each other, the teacher's rifle lets out a shot which Charles dodges before retaliating with a hail of bullets. The instructor jumps up in the air around the stadium and begins flying in a circle. Charles continues to shoot with his left hand before switching the gun in his right to a grenade launcher. He aims with it and fires, the round launching toward the teacher. She stops and turns to fire at it. The bullet hits the round and causes it to explode into smoke, and as the teacher hovers Charles charges at her with a knife. The instructor jets back as Charles slashes to the side, the teacher aims her rifle and fires. Charles tries to move but is hit with the bullet and his machine rocks as it begins free fall. Charles begins falling head first before flipping back upward and launching his boosters to correct himself, the instructor begins rapidly firing at him.
He skims the ground in a zig zag pattern, avoiding the bullets as they blow dirt up from the impact. Charles turns and switches to a rifle of his own and shoulders it with both hands. He aims his cross hairs and fires, the gun recoils as the bullet leaves the muzzle. Charles hits the instructor's gun knocking it from her hands before firing again, this time into her chest. The bullet causes her to lose control and free fall, but she flips back up. As she does, Charles is there with his smg pointed right at her. The teacher pulls her arms up to cover her torso as he pulls the trigger. The gun begins unleashing a hail of bullets into the teacher's armor, each bullet sparking as it makes contact with the shield. The teacher's IS begins beeping in danger to her rapidly dropping shield. The instructor tries to throw a punch but is met with another smg, this one at her head. Charles fires this one and the teachers shield rapidly drops to zero. Once it depletes, Charles stops his barrage and the teacher floats back to the ground, her IS shuts down. The teacher looks at him.
"You win."
Back in the red room, Alex lets out an excited "yeah" and Orimura gives him a disgruntled look.
Alex gives an apologetic gesture, "Sorry."
Orimura looks back at the screen and presses the same button again, "Alright Charles back to the launch zone."
Over the radio Charles answers, "Yes ma'am."
Alex turns and runs out the door and as he gets to the platform Charles is landing. His IS places its feet on the ground before the engines cut and Alex walks over to him.
"That was awesome."
Charles looks at him in surprise before his IS dematerializes and he falls to the ground, he stands and looks at Alex.
"Uh…thanks."
"Dude, why do you look so confused, you won, celebrate a little man."
Alex raises his hand up in a high five motion, Charles slowly does the same before a smile goes over his face. They give each other a high five.
"Yeah man, that was sweet. You never told me your IS was some walking armory."
"You never asked." Alex smiles.
"Guess you're right."
Orimura walks over to them, "Congratulations Charles, you passed, now go to the observation room and wait for Alex to be done."
"Right."
Charles looks at Alex and smiles. "Good luck."
"Heh…thanks."
Charles walks through the door. Orimura looks at Alex. "Ok, we got you a training IS."
As she says this a hanger door opens revealing a gray basic IS, being held by a crane. The crane moves towards the center of the launch pad before dropping the IS down on a platform. The platform spins it to face the stadium.
"This is a very basic model, it has only a sword. So you will be put up against an instructor with the same type. The rules are the same for you as they were for Charles, do you understand?"
"Yes."
"Then suit up."
"Got it."
Alex looks at the machine before walking over to it. He places his hand on the front and it, and the O.S turns on. Alex climbs into the legs, and positions himself as plates begin jettisoning from the back of the machine, which wrap around his body. He lets out a groan as they tighten.
"A little tight in the waist, it makes it kinda hard to breathe."
"You're a man right, then quit whining."
"Hey this suit was not made for the male frame."
Orimura begins to walk away, "Just don't lose."
Alex watches as she enters the door.
"Easy for you to say…I've never even been in one of these things."
He reaches into the arm parts and feels the key pads at the bottom, he starts pressing buttons and the fingers move very sporadically.
"Come on, work damn you."
Orimura's voice comes over the coms "Alex, are you ready?"
"Uh yeah, I guess."
"Good, then launch."
"okay…"
He leans down and the machine begins whirring.
"Like this righ-"
The machine takes off sending him back from the force, as he exits he can't control it. The machine begins flailing its legs around.
"Come on, get it together."
Alex shifts his legs and the machine stabilizes itself. Alex lets out a sigh of relief and looks down at the ground; he can see the teacher below looking at him. So Alex slowly descends.
"Easy…easy."
He hovers above the ground before his engines cut; the machine stumbles as it comes down. Alex almost loses his balance, and he stumbles before correcting himself. Another voice comes over the radio this time it's Charles.
"Alex, you need to relax, the machine can handle stability. You just have to tell it where to go"
"Right, got it."
Alex looks to the teacher who is standing there, looking at him with her sword drawn.
"Are you ready?"
Alex looks at her worried "Uh, yeah…hang on."
He starts pressing keys in the arms. His IS reacts by clenching its fist.
Alex begins to concentrate, "Ok…right 3 left 2, ugh this is so confusing."
The teacher looks at him annoyed.
"We have to begin, are you sure you are ready?"
Alex looks back to her a little worried. "Yeah."
"Ok, begin."
The teacher takes a samurai like stance before boosting towards him. Alex reacts by raising his arms in a defensive stance. As the blade clashes with his IS it sends sparks flying everywhere. Alex is knocked to the ground and becomes confused; he looks up to see the teacher who is ready to stab him. She pulls the sword back before forcing it straight down. As she does this he activates his jets and boosts out from under her. The sword goes into the ground with a shllinking noise. The teacher then pulls it out. Alex cuts the jets and slowly stands up as the teacher is walking towards him. She looks annoyed. "Fight back."
Alex looks at her in a frantic pace and starts doing whatever he can.
"Weapon, I need a weapon, come on damn it."
The holo projector shows a basic katana sword to him. "Good enough."
The sword materializes in his right hand but falls to the ground, as his hand is still in an open position. The teacher sees this and glares angrily at him. "Really…come on."
Alex looks confused
"Why are there 7 buttons and only 5 fingers?"
Alex bends down and slowly picks up the sword with his right hand, letting out a sigh of relief. "Finally."
Alex looks up to see the teacher charging at him. Alex turns and swings, he manages to make contact with her sword. The teacher swings again, this time slashing a hit. Alex's shield drops as he is knocked to the side. Alex grunts in pain before another slash comes at him. This one he manages to dodge. Alex then swings back and he hits her. The teacher stumbles back before glaring at him. Alex looks shocked as the teacher charges with a downward swing. Alex holds up his left arm blocking the blow, but she continues to strike at him. His arm slowly starts going down as his shield drops. Alex finally knocks the sword to the side and manages to attack again. The teacher jumps back before kicking at his side. Alex falls to his side and he holds himself up with his arm.
"Hey, I thought we were fighting with swords?"
"Anything goes."
She slashes as he is on his side; the sword flies at him as Alex gets up and dodges it.
"Alright anything goes."
Alex kicks the sword from the teacher's hand. He then follows with a slash from his sword. It makes contact with her torso, but she grabs it and begins punching him. Alex lets go of the sword and manages to punch her with his right hand. The instructor stumbles back and Alex throws another punch. This one causes her to lose balance and she falls to a knee. Alex grabs the sword from her side and slashes her in the back and she drops to the ground.
"Give up."
The teacher chuckles. "No you give up."
"Huh?"
The teacher sweeps his legs and he is knocked down. As he falls he is met with a knee to the face. Alex stumbles back holding his face in pain as the teacher lands a punch into his gut. Alex loses his breath from the force as the teacher stands there. Her fist still in the same spot as Alex goes motionless. Seeing this, the teacher chuckles. "Ha…you fought well, but not well eno- what?"
She looks down to see Alex has her arm and he raises his head to look at her. A quick glance of anger shows on his face before he pushes her arm upward. The teacher is stunned as Alex throws a fist from under her towards her head. His fist almost makes contact but is stopped as a buzzer rings, signifying the end of the match. Alex's IS shuts down, and the teacher stumbles back before catching herself. The teacher lets out a sigh of relief as she looks at her shield energy reading 20. As the two stand there Orimura's voice comes over the coms. "The time is up."
The teacher looks to see Alex's machine drop to standby mode. He stands in it as it unlocks. The teacher jumps out of hers and goes over to him. Alex slowly gets out and jumps to the ground, a look of disappointment is all over his face, the teacher happily speaks. "Congratulations you passed."
Alex looks at her. "Yeah but by a time up…not of a win."
"Heh…honestly you would have won had the time not run out, I had no energy left and that punch would have ended it, so good job."
"Thanks."
Alex looks less disappointed as he looks at the IS.
"Guess that wasn't too bad for my first time in an IS."
The teacher looks stunned. "That was your first time?"
"Yeah, why?"
"I thought you were just goofing off…now I'm really impressed."
"Uh…thanks."
As the two stand there both Charles and Orimura walk over to them. Charles runs up to him with a high five which Alex returns.
"That was awesome. I thought you were done for, but you really held in there."
"Yeah…not as well as you though."
Orimura walks over to him. "You won, take this and learn from it, you now know some of your weaknesses so work on them."
"Yeah…"
"By the way, as you were fighting I contacted the person who puts together the IS and she seems very…interested in you."
Alex looks confused as Orimura continues. "She would like to speak to you as soon as possible."
"Wait…really?"
"Yes so after class today you will have to contact her."
"That's awesome."
"Yes well like I said, you two have class so, go change now."
Both in unison. "Yes ma'am."
They both begin walking towards the stadium door. Alex looks at Charles with a smile on his face as Charles does the same. Alex happily blurts out. "We passed…whoohoo."
"Yeah…we did, didn't we?"
The two continue on as Orimura is still standing at the IS, she examines it. "So what's your story…Alex?