CHAPTER 04 : Powers Shrouded by Dreams

One day after Ichigo and Aoi's second battle against Seira, Ran begins her training simulation in her Gundam Ranflakes. She is now inside her Gundam, starting up its systems.

Johnny: "Okay, the system is starting up fine. All green."

Ran: "Good. How high is my initial synch-rate?"

Naoto: "Let me calculate. It is… 70%. Not bad, Shibuki."

Ran: "Thanks. So, shall we begin?"

Johnny: "Yeah."

Ran: "Okay then. Suzukawa-san, please start up the program."

Naoto: "Roger."

Naoto starts up the simulation program inside Ranflakes. And thus, Ran's training begins. Ichigo, Aoi, and Hikari observes how the training goes from the control room.

Aoi: "In only a matter of time, Ran will be able to fight with us."

Ichigo: "Yes, as Soleil."

Aoi: "And hopefully make DreAca pay for messing with us."

Ichigo: "Uh-huh."

Aoi: "Especially that overpowered Seira."

Ichigo: (triggered)

Aoi: "Huh?" (looks at Ichigo suspiciously)

Hikari: "What is it?"

Ichigo: "Uh, nothing."

Aoi: "Really?" (looks at Ichigo more suspiciously with her left eye closed)

Ichigo: "I'm not kidding, it's nothing, really."

Aoi: "Err… okay."

Hikari: "Strange."

Both Ichigo and Aoi continues observing Ran's training.

Aoi: "I knew it. Something is still bothering Ichigo since we last battled Seira. Perhaps… I was right about Seira showing a glimpse of Ichigo from her. Did Ichigo saw that glimpse too?"

After the training, in the control room…

Hikari: "From 70% to 80%... As expected from my rival."

Ran: "Nah, it's nothing amazing compared to Aoi, she has better starting synch-rate."

Hikari: "Ordinary idols would have a hard time doing that. You're no ordinary idol ever since you begin your Aikatsu here. That is why you're still capable of pushing your synch-rate that far."

Aoi: "Yes, Ran, you cranked up your synch-rate as much as I did during my last training."

Ran: "But, that 6% difference between you and me is quite big. mind you."

Aoi: "I know…"

Ran: "By the way, I haven't heard of Ichigo's starting synch-rate with her Gundam."

Aoi: "Oh yeah, Ichigo, how big was your starting synch-rate with your XNStrike?"

Ichigo: "My starting synch-rate? It was about… 77%."

Aoi: "Man, I lost by one freaking percent. What about now?"

Ichigo: "93%."

Ran: "That's… fast. Apparently your skills developed way faster in America. What were you doing there?"

Ichigo: "A LOT."

Ran: "Such as…?"

Ichigo: "It's… actually not much different than the ones that we did here back then, but at a much larger scale. Just trust me with that one."

Aoi: "Err, okay. Well, then, let's eat something. I'm hungry."

Ran: "Me too."

Ichigo, Aoi, Ran, and Hikari goes together to the cafeteria.

Once the four reach the cafeteria, they see Otome, Sakura, and Shion already eating there.

Aoi: "Oh, hey, isn't that PowaPowaPuririn?"

Otome: (notices) "Ah, that's Ichigo-tan and the others!"

Shion: "Oh, hey."

Sakura: (waving her hand) "Ichigo-sama! Aoi-sama! Ran-sama! And…"

Hikari: "Uh, Minowa Hikari."

Sakura: "Ah, yes, Hikari-sama."

Ran: "Perhaps staying underground makes you quite difficult to identify, eh? Even for some of us in the same school?"

Hikari: (annoyed) "Hey!"

Aoi: "Now, now."

Ichigo: "Let's just eat together now with them, okay?"

Ran: (nods)

Otome: "Yay, we're eating together again! Love You!"

All four then orders their meal, sits down near PowaPowaPuririn, and then starts eating once their meal is delivered. They chat quite a bit while eating.

Aoi: "Oh, by the way, Ichigo."

Ichigo: "Mmm?" (still munching)

Aoi: "I haven't heard about your Gundam's model number."

Ichigo: "Ah, the model number? It's GAT-X105/1-GO."

Aoi: "So, just like mine and Ran's, your name is also in your Gundam."

Ran: "Yeah, that 1-GO can be spelled as Ichigo."

Ichigo: "It was me who asked the manufacturer to put my name on the model number."

Aoi: "Did Angely Sugar get involved with the Gundam's construction?"

Ichigo: "Not directly. Remember that I was still in America when I first got this Gundam. But, yes, Amahane-san did approve of the creation of my Gundam. Though it wasn't fully completed when I finally had to return back home."

Shion: "I see. Aoi and Ran's Gundams were made by their respective brands. But, Ichigo's Gundam wasn't directly made by her brand."

Otome: "Anyway, have you heard about our school going to get more Mobile Suits?"

Aoi: "Really? Johnny-sensei didn't tell me about it."

Shion: "I heard about it, too. They're aware that DreAca is also going to reinforce their battle strength by getting more Mobile Suits."

Hikari: "Wow. This is probably going to be an all-out mayhem."

Sakura: "Afraid so. But don't worry, the three of us might also get our own Mobile Suits once they finally get delivered here, so we can fight together against DreAca."

Ran: "That's what I like to hear. If we, the remnants of STAR-ANIS, combine our powers, we'll be unstoppable."

Aoi: "Correct." "Provided that Ichigo doesn't mess things up like she did in the last battle."

Hikari: "And of course I'd like to help, either together in the battlefield, or by assisting you from the control room with loads of useful combat information."

Ran: "Though in the case of you fighting with us in the battlefield, I'm not so sure that you're going to get your own Mobile Suit."

Hikari: "Hey, stahp dat."

Ichigo: "So, Hikari is now Ran's new teasing target after Yurika, eh?"

Ran: "W-what? It's not like that!"

Hikari: "But you just teased me like that, you meanie."

Others: (laughs)

At Dream Academy, several Mobile Suit carriers are landing near the hangar. They begin unloading their Mobile Suits and moving them into the hangar. A lot of these Mobile Suits sorta look like Earth Alliance's Mobile Suits from Cosmic Era - particularly from the 2nd Bloody Valentine War, except with some modifications on their body frames. They also bring a brand-new Gundam.

Both Seira and Kii are walking around the hangar, seeing their newly-delivered Mobile Suits.

Seira: "DreAca is not messing around, eh? Look at those machines."

Kii: "They look awesome, and I bet they also have great performance."

Seira: "By the way, what is that brand-new Gundam?"

Seira points at the brand-new Gundam with cobalt blue and purple color scheme.

Kii: "I hear its name is Skyscrap Gundam. I think it should be obvious who's gonna pilot that just seeing from its name alone."

Seira: "I see."

Kii: "Though it won't be ready just yet. It also needs to be synchronized with the pilot, remember?"

Seira: "Yeah."

From behind, a girl with long blue-purple hair approaches Seira and Kii.

?: "I bet you guys are talking about me."

Seira: "Oh, if it isn't Kazesawa Sora."

Kii: "Well, Sora-chan, what do you think about your new Gundam?"

Sora: "I actually like its color scheme, it matches my hair with its gradient. But I don't see its weapons."

Kii: "They must be in the different container."

Seira: "Speaking of which, if you're going to pilot this Gundam, that will mean that you have to put your work on Bohemian Sky on-hold, right?

Sora: "Unfortunately, yes. And, Kii-chan, have you ever considered to pilot a Mobile Suit?"

Kii: "I doubt I can pilot any of them. I fit better as a mechanic and an information analyst."

Seira: "You should try it sometime, you won't regret that, believe me."

Kii: "Someday, Seira-chan. Someday…"

Seira: "I hear ya clearly…"

Headmistress Tiara, from out of nowhere, begins her announcement.

Tiara: "Attention, all Dream Academy students. Gather up near the Mobile Suit hangar as we're about to start the announcement of our forces. I repeat, all Dream Academy students are to gather up near the Mobile Suit hangar."

Seira: "So, it begins."

Kii / Sora: (nods) "Yeah."

Back in Starlight Academy…

Johnny is seen running in panic towards Soleil.

Johnny: "EMERGENCY, honeys! DreAca has begun announcing their forces! You got to watch it, they streamed it online!"

Aoi: "What?! Their forces are assembled?!"

Soleil quickly looks for a place to sit down, opens up their Aikatsu Phone, and starts watching DreAca's announcement.

Tiara: (from the live streaming) "Ladies and gentlemen, all citizens of Japan, this is the announcement from us that you've been waiting for. We are Dream Academy, or DreAca in short, the new generation idol school who've been taking the idol world by storm with our supremely skilled idols. I'm sure that you've seen the battles that one of our top idol took part in. This time, we'll proudly announce our mechanized forces of Mobile Suits!"

Aoi: "I knew it, they truly have their own forces now."

Tiara: "Starting off with our top idol and also top Mobile Suit operator in our disposal, the pilot of ZGMF-X56S/SW SWing Gundam from Swing Rock, Otoshiro Seira!"

Seira walks forward to the microphone.

Seira: "This is Seira, it is good to see all of your enthusiasm."

Tiara: "Seira is the proud leader of our Special Forces, commanding her army of Dream Windams as the main Mobile Suits of our Special Forces. She also has her own revered mechanic, who is also an excellent information analyst, Saegusa Kii!"

This time, Kii walks forward to the mic while Seira steps aside.

Kii: "This is Kii. As long as I'm the mechanic and the info analyst, everything will be OK-OK-OKAY!"

Tiara: "Despite her not really into actual combat, you can rely on her skills to analyze critical information that allows us to overcome our enemies in combat. We'll also introduce you three of Otoshiro's main subordinate. They are Yajima Houko, Kurogawa Asagi, and Tanibe Chiyuri."

Houko, Asagi, and Chiyuri walks forward. Asagi grabs the mic.

Asagi: "We'll show you all DreAca's true strength, and also our commander's unstoppable power! "

Houko/Chiyuri: "Yeah!"

Tiara: "And let's not forget about our new ZGMF-X56S/KZS Skyscrap Gundam, piloted by our new recruit in the Special Forces: Kazesawa Sora!"

Sora walks forward and speaks.

Sora: "This is Sora. Glad to know that I can participate in this battle. Though I haven't done much of my training on the Gundam, I promise you that my in-battle performance will be amazing, at least after I successfully finished my training."

Tiara: "Other than our Special Forces, we also have our regular forces that consist of the Dream Daggers. They may just be regular forces, but try not to underestimate their combat prowess."

Back in Starlight, Hikari is watching the announcement in her underground studio.

Hikari: "Daggers… Windams… They reek of Earth Alliance with all these. Strange that only the Gundams that are based from ZAFT 's units, particularly the Impulse Gundam and its Silhouette Packs. I wonder if it mimics that incident at Armory One…"

Tiara: "And finally, for the last big stuff, it's time we reveal to you the true form of our DreAca building!"

The Dream Academy building and its surroundings start to shake. The grounds nearby start to crack as metallic walls pops out from under the ground, surrounding the school area. Then, the area surrounded by those metal walls starts to lift off the ground, revealing a giant floating mobile base. Everyone in Starlight Academy watching the announcement are shocked to death.

Johnny: (in the office) "OH MAI GAWD! What is that giant thing?!"

Orihime: "They make their school float above the ground, turning it into a giant mobile base? Incredible…"

Back in the now-floating DreAca.

Tiara: "Meet our mobile base version of Dream Academy: Dreamstorm Carrier! Yes, the underground parts of our school are indeed for storing our Mobile Suits, not just the hangars that are outside the school building."

Soleil are shocked and awed witnessing how DreAca ascends to the air.

Ichigo: "That is… impossible."

Aoi: "A giant, floating mobile base? Not just an ordinary warship? How are we going to deal with that?"

Tiara: "This is all we get to show you guys about us and what we got in our arsenal to take this idol world by storm. Okay then, Otoshiro, let everybody hear your closing words."

Tiara gives the microphone to Seira.

Seira: "Okay. First of all, I never imagined this school would have such incredible features with its programs, and even now, its capability to transform into a giant mobile base. All those are truly the key of our victory in idol world. And, oh, for all of you Starlight idols - especially the Starlight Queen - never forget that if you're DO, I'm RE, and if you're RE, then I'm MI. No matter how much training and skills you have accumulated, I will always be one step ahead of you!"

Aoi closes the video right after Seira finishes her words.

Aoi: (annoyed) "Still can't get enough of your nonsense, eh?"

Aoi stands up.

Ichigo: "Eh, Aoi, where are you going?"

Aoi: "To the hangar, continuing my synchronization training."

Aoi immediately leaves to the hangar.

Ran: "She really is annoyed to death with Seira never stopping her nonsensical brags. Especially with her haven't been able to match or surpass Seira's inhuman level of skills and talents."

Ichigo: "…"

Ran: "Perhaps I should train up too. Ichigo, I'm going follow Aoi to the hangar."

Ichigo: "You too?"

Ran: "I can't just sit here and do nothing while Aoi continues to improve herself even as Starlight Queen. I think you should do the same, Ichigo. Well, I'll be going now."

Ran also leaves to follow Aoi.

Ichigo: "Aoi… Ran…"

Ran: "Ichigo is definitely not acting like herself. I hope what Aoi feared won't come to pass."

At the Headmistress' office…

Orihime: "We should start assembling our forces, and then starting up our secret program."

Johnny: "That secret program, right?"

Orihime: (nods) "Without that, we won't be able to combat DreAca in equal grounds. Most especially with Hoshimiya's questionable condition."

Johnny: "Starmiya, one of our best assets…"

Orihime: "It is clear that Otoshiro is our primary target to take down. She's the reason why Hoshimiya deliberately ditched the teamwork with Kiriya during the last battle."

Johnny: "That Otoshiro is capable of breaking apart Soleil, huh? She really is a dangerous one. Hope Kiriya-honey and everyone else can put her ambitions to an end."

Orihime: "Well then, let's start the assembling of our forces."

Johnny: "Yeah. We've got no time to spare."

Orihime: "Once they're fully assembled, then we're ready to make our move."

In the hangar, Aoi is still continuing her synchronization training…

Aoi: *gasp* *gasp* "How high is my synch-rate now?"

Naoto: "91%."

Aoi: "Only 5% increase? No way."

Naoto: "Aren't you tired? Don't force yourself, Kiriya. You already did a good job with this training."

Aoi: "I can't stop just yet. If I can't become one with my Gundam, or become Gundam myself, I can't possibly defeat Seira!"

Ran: "Come on, Aoi. Give your body some rest. This much training might strain your body in case you have to sortie."

Aoi: "B-but-"

Naoto: "Shibuki is right. I'm turning off the simulation."

The simulation program is turned off and the display inside AoIris' cockpit reverts to the standard visual of the hangar.

Aoi: "Ah…! Okay then… I'll take a rest."

Aoi deactivates her Gundam and exits the cockpit.

Naoto: "Now, Ran, aren't you going to train, too?"

Ran: "Yes."

Ran gets into the Ranflakes' cockpit, starts it up, and her training continues. Aoi goes into the control room and drinks her bottle of water.

Naoto: "I don't think it's a wise decision to force yourself like that, Kiriya."

Aoi: "I know that. But, I can't fall behind. Not with Ichigo being so questionable as of late."

Naoto: "You are indeed concerned about Hoshimiya since the last battle."

Aoi: "When I first met Seira in the cafeteria, I saw a glimpse of Ichigo from her. I fear that Ichigo might have seen that glimpse from her first battle, resulting in her reckless actions during our last battle. It looked like Ichigo saw Seira as an equal rival, but I think Ichigo has more than that hidden in her heart."

Naoto: "You should tell her to perish that thought."

Aoi: "I did, Ran also did. And I hope she'll be back to normal and fight alongside us as Soleil."

Naoto: "Yeah. Everyone should support her."

Aoi: (nods) "Oh, how's Ran been doing so far?"

Naoto: "Not bad, her synch-rate is increasing steadily. 81%... 82%... 83%..."

Aoi: "Keep it up, Ran…"

[TO BE CONTINUED]