Chapter I – A Long Time Coming:
The sea's cooling breeze gently caressed Aaron's face as the ship he was on pulled into port and prepared their small group of passengers for disembarkation. Even over the buildings and further treeline, he could see the spires of the IS Academy as well as the monorail system that came in from the mainland.
Arron preferred the boat, there was something almost sadly poetic to having the fate of a land in your hands from the moment you step off a boat. Perhaps Columbus felt the same way when setting foot in the America for the first time? Hopefully he wouldn't herald quite so much change for the people here; it was doubtful though, things were spiralling out of control so fast.
Still, after so long, it felt good to finally see the Academy up close.
A small hiss sounded and a ramp extended down to the dock. "All ashore that's going ashore!" The captain called. Arron hoisted his duffel bag and took the last look of the Academy as a true outsider; with any luck no one was going to get hurt.
Only a few people debarked with him, likely students returning from visiting relatives on the mainland. They all moved along to a nearby kiosk where their luggage was being scanned by a young woman with a surprisingly large purple bow in her long black hair. She barely made eye contact, instead looking down at a screen showing some kind of event as she pushed through everyone's items. Arron guessed she was likely a part timer by her level of attentiveness. He was the last of the group to be put through and she briefly looked up to acknowledge him. "Please place all items in the scanner." The young woman said absently.
Aaron pulled a badge from his pocket instead and showed it to the woman.
"Oh, sorry sir!" she exclaimed, finally paying attention. "I had no idea you were a member of the oversight committee."
"Not technically," Arron replied "I'm just their representative. Would you happen to know where I can locate Chifuyu Orimura?"
"There is an IS tournament taking place today in the main arena, Miss Orimura always attends. Would you like me to let her know you're coming?"
"No, that won't be necessary." a slight grin crept onto Aaron's face "She's going to berate me enough without giving her time to prepare. Thank you for your help miss..."
"Himegami, Mei Himegami."
"Thank you for your help Miss Himegami, have a nice day."
"You too" she replied earnestly. "Enjoy your stay."
Aaron had a feeling that his level of enjoyment was going to be directly dependant on how good of a mood Chifuyu was in toady.
Charlotte and Laura sat side by side in the stands as the tournament finalists prepared to square off. Now both teachers at the Academy, when students from their classes competed it almost felt like they were competing themselves.
"I can assure you that Shizuka's tactics will outweigh any equipment advantage you think Ramona might have." After nearly five years at the Academy Charlotte's once thick French accent had faded to only a slight, albeit still noticeable one.
"Nein, you're protege does not have the will for a sustained fight; and this will not be a quick victory," Though she had been at the Academy just as long, Laura prided herself on maintaining her thick German accent.
"Perhaps a friendly wager then?" Charlotte offered.
"Interesting, what do you propose?"
"If Shizuka wins, you have to grade my class' assignments for me for the next two weeks."
"Agreed, but it will you how will be taking on extra work, when Ramona outlasts your protege's parlour tricks."
"You know you're not allowed to place wagers on the students." Neither of them had heard Chifuyu enter the viewing box.
"It's just a little bet, care for a piece of the action?" Charlotte offered.
"Nether of you could handle my workload." Chifuyu smiled ever so slightly "but if I was to place a bet, I'd put my money on Shizuka."
"How could you say that Mentor?" Laura demanded "You have seen all the previous rounds, Ramona won each of them by a much greater margin."
"Perhaps, but I think this match is going to teach you and her a valuable tactical lesson."
Laura was about to reply when a siren went off signalling the combatants to ready themselves. A moment later Miss Yamada's voice came over the arena intercom. "Ladies, this is the moment you've all been waiting for, the championship match between Spain's representative contender Ramona Cruz piloting her personal IS the Dragon Turtle..."
At the mention of her name Ramona took off from the Arena floor. She had fair skin and short brown hair that could fall freely without getting in her eyes. Dragon Turtle looked more turtle than dragon; her entire front was plated in light green overlapping armour and her hands looked like claws, each with a red orb in the palm. Floating just off her back was a large plated shield and from a distance, it looked like she carried no weapons.
"and Japan's representative contender Shizuka Himegami and her personal IS the Ninjutsu!"
Now Shizuka joined her opponent in the air. She was short with black pigtails and both her looks and spunk reminded Charlotte more that a little bit of her friend Rin, despite the differences in their places of birth. The Ninjutsu was almost all black and had light armour platting along the arms and legs. Otherwise the unit had little defences to speak of and a hood that covered Shizuka's face; with the exception of the pigtails that poked out the front. In each hand she held a Kusarigama; a weapon akin to a sickle on a chain.
Ramona smiled as her opponent approached. "Don't expect me to go easy on you, I will become become the years IS champion and prove myself to Mentor Bodewig."
Shizuka laughed, "Well, you better not count me out just yet; our teachers were in the same IS unit after all their skill levels are relatively the same. I've learned a thing or two myself."
"Then it's time to put your money where you mouth is!" Ramona retorted.
Another buzzer sounded throughout the arena, followed immediately by Miss Yamada yelling "Begin!"
So that's Chapter I, thank you all for reading. :) Chapter II will be up in 1-2 weeks but Chapter III won't be out until sometime in December. (Once Season 2 is released in dub so I can watch it and adjust anything I need to accordingly).
Please let me know what you think constructive criticism is always welcome.