Beta: DarkerThanYin
Original release date: 11/24/15
Disclaimer: I do not own anything in the Infinite Stratos universe. Alternate Universe
Author note: A friend [DarkerThanYin] and I were playing Rock Band 4 on Xbox One when I threw out the idea of IS girls creating a band. This is how this fanfiction began. :D
Chapter One – The Formation
"Charlotte, you've got to keep the beat moving!" exclaims Cecilia, turning around from the microphone.
Walking over to Charlotte on the drum set, Houki holds out her bass guitar in her left hand and holds out her right hand with the palm up, motioning for the drumsticks. Sighing, Charlotte reluctantly hands over the drumsticks and tightens the guitar strap around her body to more easily play the bass. Doing a few tests of the set with adjusting the seat height and distance, alongside ability to reach all of the drum heads and cymbals, Houki begins the driving beat for their band.
Feeling the driving force in full swing, Laura strums a few gentle measures before her fingers fly across the electric guitar, leading the lone audience member to a far away place, a battlefield strewn with comrades, storming the looming castle ahead of them, the rumbling thunder of storm clouds above, threatening a downpour at any moment. Cecilia singly strongly through it all, "…I'm just wondering if you'll be the one for me…"
Entering the deserted castle, the listener continues the journey to the top with soft guitar licks from both Laura and Charlotte, accompanied by the low rumbling from the drums and Ling's keyboard bringing small waves of sunshine into the castle. Finally arriving at the only door he hadn't opened, the mysterious character pants slightly, sweat running down his brow as he goes around the corpse of the recently deceased dragon, and opens the door and steps into the room. Spotting the princess dressed in a royal purple colored dress, the man delicately walks across the stone floor covered only by a square rug in the middle of the room, the same color as the dress. Charlotte's muted bass the only sound as the man walks across, footsteps muted by the rug. "…if only we can be together forever…" as the man gently kisses the princess.
As the sound of every instrument fades to nothing, Ichika opens his eyes, smiles, and claps his hands.
"Amazing, simply amazing!" calls out Ichika, still clapping.
Getting out from behind the drum set, Houki makes her way, alongside Ling and Charlotte, to the front of the stage and take a bow.
"Fantastic! What is the name of your band?" calls out a female voice from the back.
The five girls exchange looks with each other before Ichika pitches in, "I'm curious about the name as well."
"We…hadn't thought of a name" answers Cecilia.
"My my, I'm surprised" states the unknown female voice as she steps out of the darkness an waves a fan in front of her face, smiling.
"Tatenashi?!" exclaims Ichika, visibly taken back.
"Of course, that IS my name" answers Tatenashi smirking.
"Why are you here?" asks Ichika confused.
"You do remember that I am the student body president and therefore I get to inspect each group for the festival and give a final decision on whether or not the group gets to perform or not" answers Tatenashi.
"If all you need is a name, then why not 'The Lovely Ladies of IS'?" suggests Ichika looking between Tatenashi and the five girls on stage.
"I like it" states Ling happily, visibly bouncing with excitement.
A few hushed moments later, Laura states, "I too like the name."
"Then we are now 'The Lovely Ladies of IS'" announces Cecilia.
"Congratulations then, I believe we can save the best for last for the festival…unless you all disagree with that and would rather have a different time slot?" announces Tatenashi as she looks at a clipboard.
Gathering in a semi-circle, The Lovely Ladies of IS begin a brief conversation in which Cecilia steps forward, crosses her arms, and states, "We'd like to be on first."
Scribbling on the clipboard, Tatenashi states, "I agree. I'm sure you all will drive the rest of the student body into a frenzy for the rest of the festival. But you all might want to prepare an extra song or two, just in case if the students want an encore."
"But the festival is in three days!" exclaims Laura.
"Then you best hurry and write something" states Tatenashi before staring at Ichika and sashaying her hips back and forth as she exits the auditorium, giving a few backwards glances at Ichika.
Looking around at each other, Laura says quietly, "Let's pack up for the night. Bring some ideas for a new song tomorrow, and we'll work on it."
/*three days later*/
Behind the curtain, Cecilia takes another drink of water from her bottle before screwing the cap on tightly and placing it on the floor. Doing one last check over their instruments, each gives Cecilia a thumbs up who gives Tatenashi a thumbs up. As the curtain rises, Houki begins drumming, driving the band to the measure where Charlotte and Laura join. Seconds later the audience is mentally transported to the castle as Ichika, experiencing the wonderful emotional highs and lows as they are taken through the castle as the man looking for the princess.
Finally concluding, the audience quietly wipes tears that had unknowingly fallen from their eyes and down their face. "ENCORE! ENCORE! ENCORE!" chants the audience.
Hearing the much slower taps as Houki hits the rim of the snare, Ling begins into her keyboard, familiar warmth and harmony spreading out and into the crowd. Plucking their way along, Laura and Charlotte keep the guitars audible, but let Ling lead the way as Cecilia sings of dancing in the spring rain. Finishing the song, the five join together at the front of the stage and give a bow, before disappearing under the rapidly lowering curtain. Ichika helps pack their gear, not wanting to infringe upon the next act's time.
Gathering at the back of the auditorium, The Lovely Ladies of IS quietly peer around looking for seats for the rest of the festival when a voice rumbles behind them, "You are 'The Lovely Ladies of IS', correct? I am Tony Dratner, head of 'Magical Music', a record company. I would like to sign you five—"
"Oh, are you now? I'm their manager, and all negotiations go through me" states Tatenashi, giving the five and Ichika a brief look.
"Oh, I wasn't aware of that-" begins Dratner before Tatenashi interrupts, "Then you and I should talk in private" before sauntering out of the auditorium with Tony close behind.
Author note: While I am the technical writer, DarkerThanYin gets creative input as we brainstormed it together a bit. Thank you for reading.
