Ch. 9: Alkaid Joins the Gang

It's been 3 days since Alkaid returned out of nowhere, Zero has hardly been at class and has been ignoring training and has been with Alkaid most of the time.

IS Academy Infirmary - 11:28 a.m.

Zero is sitting next to Alkaid, they are talking about their past days in Zeta. "Edge screwed up on that one big time." Zero said. Alkaid chuckles. "Yeah, but you saved his ass from punishment." Alkaid says. "Yeah, even though I had to clean toilets for a week because of it." Zero said in a sour tone. Alkaid chuckles. "Go ahead and laugh." Zero says.

"Thanks for fixing Futago Hono for me." Alkaid says as she looks at her right wrist where its standby transporter is at. "No problem, it was easy compared to Zedept's repairs at times." Zero said. Zedept's gauntlet radiates to respond to what Zero said. Zero looks at Zedept's gauntlet. "Well it's true, mostly because of me." Zero said.

"Being reckless?" Alkaid asks. "No." Zero said. Zedept glows white, meaning yes. "Zedept disagrees." Alkaid says. "Thanks for backing me up pal." Zero said to Zedept. Alkaid laughs. "You two haven't changed." Alkaid says. Zero gives a sour look and then laughs with Alkaid.

The door opens up and Sky comes running in. "Is it true?" Sky asks as she arrives at Alkaid's bed. "Hi Ms. Sky." Alkaid says. Sky is shocked to see Alkaid alive. "How?" Sky asks. "I've already explained it in the message I gave you." Zero said. "Since I've sent it myself, come in!" Sky said towards the door. Kevin and Alkaid's dad comes in and goes to Alkaid's bed.

"Hey Bro, Dad." Alkaid said. "You're alive." Her dad says as he hugs her. "How is this possible?" Kevin asks. "I'll explain." Zero said. Zero and Alkaid both tell the story that Alkaid told Zero a few days ago. "So Omega is behind the grave robbing." Sky said. "Yes and I believe that Edge and Talon's bodies are somewhere in Omega's base." Alkaid says.

"When I was repairing Futago Hono, I couldn't find the coordinates that you was transported from, so we lost our only clue." Zero said. "It's alright, we'll find Omega's base soon enough." Sky said. "Can we have some alone time?" Kevin asks.

"You don't need to asks that, she's your younger sister and as a big brother myself, I can understand. I'll be with Mentor right outside." Zero said. "Thank you." Kevin said. Zero hugs Kevin and leaves with Sky to give them alone time with Alkaid.

Hallway – Right Outside the Infirmary

"You must have been shocked when she appeared." Sky said. "Yeah." Zero said. "If Omega was able to revive Alkaid, then the missing parts are because of him as well." Sky said to herself. "What missing parts?" Zero asks.

"There have been reports from other military areas that experimental parts have gone missing, alone the parts are useless but together we had no idea what they can do but with Alkaid here alive, we now know what they can be used for." Sky explained. "Remember that I've told you that Zeta has appeared to me multiple times in dreams?" Zero asks.

"Yeah." Sky says. "She doesn't have any memories of it." Zero said. "What are you saying?" Sky asks. "Can our units hold our memories and personalities?" Zero asks. "Yeah." Sky said. "Then that explains it." Zero said. "Huh?" Sky asks in confusion. "Fang stole Zeta's units and Omega used the information from their memories and recreated all of Alkaid's memories and personality, all way up to her death." Zero said.

"But their units can't be used unless the person's DNA is a complete match." Sky said. "And the stolen bodies." Zero said. "Contains their DNA!" Sky said. "So Omega probably plans on using Zeta against me." Zero said. "It would be the ultimate weapon against you. There's no way you can fight against them." Sky said.

"True, there's no way I can injure them." Zero said. "What do you want to do with her?" Sky asks. "Sending her back to the base for a medical exam would be best." Zero said. "But?" Sky asks. "I want to keep her here so I can watch her." Zero said. "Understood, I'll have her transferred to your class." Sky said. "Thank you." Zero said.

"Alright, I'll go and talk with Chifuyu now then." Sky said. "Alright." Zero said and Sky leaves. "Omega, this is an all-time low, even for you." Zero thinks to himself. Zero decides to walk back into the infirmary.

Infirmary – 11:44 a.m.

Zero walks over to Alkaid and her family. "Our time is up then?" Kevin asks. "Alone time yes, but you can still be here." Zero said. "Alright, thank you." Kevin says. "No need." Zero says as he puts a hand out. "Where's Ms. Sky?" Alkaid asks. "She went to handle something. There's something I would like to discuss with all of you." Zero said. "What is it?" Alkaid's dad asks.

"If it's alright with you two (Kevin and her dad), I would like Alkaid to stay here and attend classes with me." Zero said. "Is it to keep an eye on me?" Alkaid asks. "Yes and I think it would be nice for you to attend here, since all of us (Zeta) wanted to attend here." Zero said. "It's up to her." Kevin says.

"Sweetie, what do you want?" Her dad asks her. "I want to stay here." Alkaid says. "Thought you might say that." Zero says. "Huh?" They all said confused. Sky and Chifuyu walks in. Zero looks over. "Perfect timing." Zero said. Alkaid sees Chifuyu.

"You're Chifuyu Orimura!" Alkaid says excitedly. Chifuyu hits Alkaid on the head with a book's spine. "That's Ms. Orimura now, since you're going to be my new student." Chifuyu said. "Here are the rules for the Academy and your uniform." Chifuyu said.

"How did you know?" Alkaid asks. Sky and Chifuyu looks at Zero. Alkaid then looks at Zero and he smiles. "You knew I would stay here didn't you?" Alkaid asks. "Guilty as charge." Zero said. Alkaid chuckles. "Thanks." Alkaid says. "So, what's her room number?" Zero asks. "You'll find out tomorrow." Chifuyu says. "Ok." Zero said.

Zero suddenly gets slammed with a bunch of papers and books. "You can catch her up on everything she's missed and the work you've missed for the past few days, now, get to it." Chifuyu said giving one of her angry looks. "Yes, Ms. Orimura." Zero said in a scared tone.

"You two can come with me and I'll take you back home." Sky said. "Ok, goodbye Ashley." Kevin says. "Take care, my little pilot." Her dad said. Alkaid blushes. "Dad, that's embarrassing." Alkaid says. Sky, Kevin and Alkaid's Dad leaves and Chifuyu follows a minute later.

"Shall we get started?" Alkaid asks. "Yeah." Zero said as he spent the rest of the day catching Alkaid up and doing his work as well.

The Next Day – IS Academy Class 2-1

Ichika and the gang arrives in class and they see Zero, exhausted. "Looks you decide to show up." Shana said. "Shut up." Zero said angrily and tiredly. "You don't have to be mean at her." Charlotte said.

"It's ok, he's like that when he's barely gotten rest." Shana said. "Where's Alkaid?" Shana asks. But before Zero can answer, the bell rings and everyone took their seats and Chifuyu walks in. "Alright listen up, even though it's late into the year, you guys have a new classmate." Chifuyu says and the class is surprised.

"Come in." Chifuyu says towards the door's direction. The door opens and the gang, minus Zero, is shocked to who is walking into the class. The person stops at the front of the class. "Hello everyone, my name is Alkaid Kasai, nice to meet you all." Alkaid says and bows in front of the class.

The gang looks over at him with "did you do this" looks. "Alright Alkaid, go take the empty seat next to the long red hair girl. "Yes mam." Alkaid says and sits next to Shana. Class went on as usual for the rest of the day.

After Class

Ichika and the others head to Alkaid's desk. "Explain." Laura said. "Ask him." Alkaid says and points to Zero, who's asleep. The gang falls over. "He's asleep." Houki said. "This will wake him." Alkaid says as she deploys her Shinkoshoku and throws it at Zero.

Zero suddenly deploys his Z Blade and swings upwards and Alkaid's Shinkoshoku gets sent into the ceiling. "You trying to kill me Alkaid!?" Zero asks loudly.

"It woke you up didn't it?" Alkaid asks with a smile. Zero retreats his Z Blade and Alkaid retreats her Shinkoshoku. Chifuyu walks up to them. "Alkaid, Shana." Chifuyu says. "Yes." They said. "Alkaid, your room has been made, Shana, you and Brittany will be joining her." Chifuyu said as she pulls out their room keys and hands them to them.

Tatenashi suddenly jumps on Zero. "Hey Zero, let's go play." Playful Tatenashi says. "I can't at the moment Kaichou." Zero says. "Who's she?" Alkaid asks. "Tatenashi Sarashiki, Student Council President and now 2nd strongest at IS Academy." Serious Tatenashi said. "2nd? Then who's the strongest?" Alkaid asks.

Everyone looks right at Zero. "Why is it I'm not surprised?" Alkaid asks. "Hey, I told you that I don't want the title of the strongest at the academy." Zero said. "The fact that you still beat me stands." Serious Tatenashi said. "Whatever." Zero says. "So why can't we play?" Playful Tatenashi asks.

"Split personalities?" Alkaid asks herself in her head. "Cause I have to show Alkaid to her room." Zero said. "Ok, I'll see you later." Playful Tatenashi says and leaves the room. Zero sighs. "Shana, go get Brittany and bring her to the room, I'll take Alkaid there." Zero says as he gets up. "Ok." Shana says and leaves.

"I'll see you guys later." Zero says. He and Alkaid leaves the room. "He's spending a lot of time with her." Ichika said. Everyone, but Rin, elbows Ichika. "Ow, what was that for?" Ichika asks. Ichika then notices Rin's face.

"She thinks that she's going to lose Zero to Alkaid." Charlotte said. "And I bet he's oblivious to it." Cecilia said. Rin just stares at the doorway.

Dorm – Outside Alkaid/Shana/Brittany's Room

Zero and Alkaid arrives in front of Alkaid's room. Zero looks at the paper. "This is it." Zero said. Alkaid opens the door and they walk in. "Damn." Zero says. They walk into a 3 bedroom room with 3 desks and computers, an extended kitchen area and bigger bathroom.

"Wow." Alkaid says as she looks around. Shana and Brittany enters the room. "Wow, so this is our new room." Shana said. "Hey guys." Alkaid said. Brittany and Shana sees Alkaid and Zero. "Hey Bro, Hey Ashley." Brittany says.

"Since everyone is here, shouldn't you go and spend some time with Rin?" Shana asks Zero. "You're right, I haven't been spending time with her the past few days, she probably thinks something is up." Zero says. Alkaid pushes Zero towards the door.

"Then quit standing here and talking about it and go to her you idiot." Alkaid says. "Alright, I get the hint." Zero says as he heads towards the door. "Get some rest, I'll be training you hard tomorrow, Alkaid and Sis." Zero says. "Got it." They both say. "Night then." Zero says. "Night." They all say and Zero leaves.

Dorm: Rin/Houki's Room

Zero knocks on the door and Houki opens it. "Hey Houki, is Rin in?" Zero asks. "Sorry Zero but she went to the roof about 5 minutes ago." Houki replies. "Oh, I see. Guess I should go them."

Zero said and starts to walk away. Houki steps out of the room. "Hey, Zero." Houki said and Zero turns around. "She thinks that you're going to go back to Alkaid." Houki said. "I figured she might be thinking that, I'll straighten things out." Zero says and heads to the roof.

Dorm: Roof

Zero opens the door and looks for Rin. He finds her sitting and leaning on a wall, looking at the sunset. Zero walks over to her. "Hey." Zero says. Rin looks at him and turns her head away. Zero sits next to her.

"I understand why are acting like this but lighten up some." Zero said. "You've been spending all of your time with her the past few days and haven't really talked and spent time with anyone, especially me." Rin said.

"Sorry, I've been catching Alkaid up with all of this year's work and getting her to adjust to life here." Zero said. "And you couldn't find time for me?" Rin asks. "I apologize for that, I guess I should've made time for you." Zero said.

"Damn straight you've should of." Rin said. Zero turns to Rin. "Yeah, you're right." Zero said. "I forgive you this time." Rin said. Zero just smiles at her. Zero and Rin kiss and they watch the sun set.