Ch. 2: An Unsuspected Challenge

It's been a week since the gang got back together. They've been catching up and seeing if anything has happened.

IS Academy Class 2-1

Class in going on as usual when the door flies open. Everyone looks to see who it is. "Zero Bakushin!" The person said. Zero stands up. "Yes?" He says.

"I'm Tatenashi Sarashiki, I'm the Student Council President and the Representative Cadet of Russia. I challenge you to a match!" Tatenashi says while pointing at him. Everyone is shocked by the challenge. "Why do you want to battle me?" Zero asks.

"Other students are saying that you're the strongest student here and that you should be given the role of Student President, but I'm the strongest here and I'm not giving up my position to some boy." Tatenashi explained.

A giant crowd has formed around the classroom. Zero closes his eyes and sighs and reopens his eyes. Zero deploys his sword and points it at Tatenashi with his Dragon Eyes. "You're on!" Zero says.

"The match will be in 4 days. Prepare to lose!" Tatenashi says before she leaves. Zero retreats his sword and his Dragon Eyes. The class goes into an uproar form what just happened.

"Do you have any idea what you just gotten yourself into?" A classmate asks. "A match against the Student Council President, so what?" Zero answers. "Tatenashi Sarashiki has never lost a match, that's why she was chosen to be Student Council President." Cecilia says.

"I know, I'm not worried." Zero says as he leans in his chair. "That's some confidence you have there." Charlotte says. "Alright class, back to work." Chifuyu says. The class went back to normal for the rest of the day.

After Class

Everyone was packing up. "Hey Zero, how about we all go train?" Rin asks as she turns around. Zero is already gone. "He's gone already?" Rin asks herself. "He probably went to go focus somewhere." Shana said. "Yeah, you're right." Rin said.

School Dojo – 2 hours later

Houki walks into the dojo to do some kendo practices. "Alright, I need some alone training for a bit." Houki said to herself. Houki opens the door and sees Zero doing some intense training. After watching Zero for a few minutes, he stopped.

"How long are you going to watch me Houki?" Zero asks. Houki got shocked and came out. "Sorry, I didn't want to disturb your training." Houki said in her kendo uniform. Zero is also in a kendo type uniform with a black bottoms and red top.

"Training for your match?" Houki asks. "Yeah, I'm a bit out of practice." Zero said. "Want a partner?" Houki asks. "Sure and we can finally have that sparring match." Zero said. Zero and Houki pull out some wooden swords and start their sparring match.

2 hours later

"Haaaa!" Zero yells as he delivers the final attack. He hits Houki on her stomach area and she goes to one knee. "You win." Houki says while panting heavily.

"Good match." Zero says while panting as well. Houki sits down and Zero lies on his back. "I need a shower." Houki says as she looks at herself. "Same here." Zero said in agreement.

They got up and changed into their uniforms and went to their rooms.

Dorm: Ichika/Zero's Room

Zero walks into his room. "Hey there Zero, where have you been hiding?" Ichika asks. "I've been at the dojo." Zero says as he gets ready for his shower. "Ok, want anything to drink?" Ichika asks as he gets some things out of the cabinets.

"Some ice tea when I get out." Zero answers as he heads towards the bathroom. "Gotcha." Ichika says as Zero enters the bathroom.

Dorm: Houki/Rin's Room

Houki enters her room and Rin is lying on her bed. "Welcome back Houki." Rin said. "Thanks." Houki says as she gets a drink. "I ran into Zero at the dojo." Houki said as she sits on her bed.

"So that's where he's been." Rin says as she lies on her back. "Yeah, I'm going to take a shower." Houki says as she gets her clothes and goes into the bathroom.

For the next few days, Zero trained for his match against Tatenashi.

IS Academy Arena 3

Zero and the gang are in the hanger, preparing for the match.

"Ok Zero, Tatenashi's IS unit is called Mysterious Lady, a close to medium range unit, it's weapons are, Rusty Nail - a whip sword, Heavy Rain - a lance with an internal 4-barrel gatling gun. This gives her a choice of switching between close-combat to long range attacks. Her unit also has an unusual ability to manipulate water through nanomachines in the water, enabling Tatenashi to change the shape of the water to serve a defensive or offensive purpose. The offensive shape being The "Lance of Mistilteinn" and the defensive from being the water voids. So be careful out there." Chifuyu says to him.

"Got it." Zero said. "And she doesn't have any Element Programs in her unit." Chifuyu also tells him. "Got it as well." Zero says as he runs a final check. "Good luck Zero, you'll need it." Cecilia says to him. Zero nods yes. "Kick her ass." Rin said. Zero winks at her with his right eye.

"Zedept, launching!" Zero says as he flies into the battlefield. "Ready to lose Zero?" Tatenashi asks. "Not today." Zero says. Tatenashi deploys her Heavy Rain lance and Zero deploys his sword. The bell buzzes and they charge at each other.