Infinite Stratos: Truth Be Told
A/N: New Chapter again! Almost finishing up on my new IS units, but the time where they will make their debut is still a bit far, but it is better to be done early. The new pilots are also underway; their entrance will surely make the hard life of Ichika even harder. I'm also excited about everything that might happen in the new manga adaptation but the update is so long! That's it for now since I'm still working on the kinks on the future chapters of my story.
Disclaimer: I don't own Infinite Stratos, it belongs to Izuru Yumizuru.
Chapter 35:
"Guuuuuuuuuuh!"
Ichika knelt back down because the pain in his head started becoming unbearable. The poor boy felt that nails are being pounded into his skull. But despite barely being able to stand, Ichika still tried to stand back up and although he couldn't see clearly, the six shadowy figures in front of him are clearly registering in his eyes.
"Guuuuuh!"
Even though he is at his limit in trying to endure the unbelievable pain throbbing in his head, Ichika still looked up and stared at the six figures standing in front of him.
(Don't you remember them? Why don't you remember them? We love our family, we must remember them.)
The voice of the little boy still echoed in his mind but Ichika can't see the boy anymore, his vision is just a blurry mess.
"Stop…it…."
Ichika weakly said as he grasped his head as hard as he can.
(Don't you remember them? Why don't you remember them? We love our family, we must remember them.)
The voice repeated again in Ichika's mind. But soon the voice that is persistently speaking in his head started to garble, the voice of the little boy started to turn to that of an adolescent teenager.
(Don't you remember them? Why don't you remember them? We love our family, we must remember them.)
Again the same words repeatedly rang on Ichika's mind, but now that voice is completely different, it now barely a lot of resemblance to his voice.
"!?"
Ichika couldn't utter anymore words of shock as his head throbbed even more.
(Why don't I remember them? Why can't I remember them? I love my family, I must remember them.)
The words are now different, they sounded like he himself is the one saying it. Soon, so many memories flashed in his mind, appearing all at once the memories overlap with each other, creating a collage of different memories. But soon one memory came to front and shown itself to Ichika.
(Chisaya-nee! How do you use this?)
(Easy, here let me teach you.)
Ichika's vision that was blurry just a while ago started to clear up. He saw a memory of a young boy happily clinging to a young girl with blue hair while holding a longbow. The boy seemed really happy as the girl started teaching him archery.
"…."
The face of the young boy is blurry but the face of the young girl is visible and she is very beautiful. Long bluish hair that extend to her shoulders, pale white skin and eyes that seemingly glow with unnatural power. But soon the memory changed and the scene changed as well, the little girl now grown up. She is tall now, wearing a black military attire while holding two pistols in both hands and around her are piles of dead. Her purple eyes glowed as the woman slowly turned to Ichika who is groveling on the ground.
"Chisaya…."
Ichika weakly mumbled, he didn't know why but he uttered that name, a name he never heard before in his life and yet he found it extremely familiar.
Soon the scene vanished and then it was replaced by a new one.
(Yuuko-nee! That's not fair you're way taller than me!)
(Complaining won't get you anywhere.)
(Ehhhh? Yuuko-nee give it to me already!)
The new scene involved the same young boy but now with a different girl. The girl has long swaying black hair; her face is being partial obscured by her long bangs. The girl is teasing the boy by raising the ball above her, preventing the small boy from getting it.
"….."
But the like the first one, the memory changed once again and now it turned grim. The little boy is now gone, the little girl is now grown up and is sitting on a pile of corpses. The woman slowly turned to him and revealed her green glowing eyes under her bangs.
"Yuuko….."
Ichika murmured as the face of the woman became clear to him.
The scene changed again.
(Saya-nee are we going to run all the way to the other side of the mountain?)
(Of course! So will you accompany me?)
(HAI!)
This third scene still had the faceless young boy on it. At his side is a young girl with crimson hair tied into a bun. The girl smiled at the young boy and then took the boy's little hands as they jogged towards the mountain. But moments later, the pleasant scene started to ripple away and turned into a gruesome scene. There were corpses impaled in tall poles and in front of that scene stood a woman. The woman that stands before this massacre is the little girl from before that now grown up; her crimson hair is untied and extended to her waist. The woman then turned back and looked at Ichika with her yellow burning eyes.
"Saya….."
Moments later, the scene altered.
(Misaki-nee you're really good at drawing, can you draw me too!)
(Sure, sit here.)
The young boy is happily hugging the girl from behind. The girl had pink Cleopatra-like hair; she rubbed the young boy's cheeks as the boy peered over her sketch pad. But like the last three, the scene that is once a pleasant sight became horrific. The little girl now grown up and is surrounded by heaps of mutilated corpses, holding a giant halberd with five corpses impaled on it. She slowly turned to Ichika. Her eyes, her grey eyes shone as they landed at Ichika.
"Misaki…."
Seconds later the scene dissolved and altered into a new one.
(Chigusa-nee please let's play, please, please, please!)
(I still have training… but I guess….. alright.)
(YAY!)
(I can't refuse you, not when you're looking at me like that.)
The young boy clung to the girl as he pestered her repeatedly to play with him. The girl is very attractive; her hair is black, long as it extended to her waist. Her eyes though sharp and crimson red, they softened up as she looked at the boy. But like the four, it turned ghastly in a flash of a second. The girl now grown up is dismembering her opponents. On her face, a sinister smile is plastered as she enjoyed the brutal act. Her crimson eyes glow eerily as she rips the limbs from her enemies. The woman then turned to Ichika's direction.
"Chigusa….."
The scene then changed and turned into a scene inside a Japanese mansion.
(Mother! Mother!)
(What is it?)
(It's very cold, I want a hug.)
(Oh? Ufufufufufufufu! Come here then.)
(Mom, I feel warm now.)
(Just sleep, I'll embrace you the entire time.)
A heart-warming scene unfolded in front of Ichika. The same young boy in those past flashbacks run and embraced an extremely beautiful, long-haired woman sitting in the center of the huge chamber. The boy is really happy as the woman who is his mother wrapped her arms around him.
"…"
Ichika looked at the scene and felt the pain throbbing in his head slightly lessen, but the scene changed quickly and turned into a very big slaughter. The sight changed into burning battlefield, many corpses laid in the ground like falling leaves during autumn. The mother of the boy earlier doesn't resemble who she was before. Armed with a huge folding fan, she danced through the battlefield butchering everything that came within her reach. Every time her fan swings, bodies are cleaved apart, blood sprayed on the air and mutilated flesh land on the ground.
"Mo…..Mother…"
Ichika looked horrified at what he witnessed. But he became even more terrified when the woman appeared right in front of him.
"My…son."
The woman tenderly spoke to Ichika, but her face is not tender at all. The expression on her face exuded a very evil presence.
Everything started to blur as the pain in Ichika's head worsened.
"Guuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuh!"
Ichika groaned in pain as the pain inside his head intensified to levels beyond pain itself, all other feelings are now lost to Ichika as the feeling of agony remained as the only feeling left in his body.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAH!"
Ichika let out a pain-filled scream. He can only slam his head repeatedly on the ground in hopes of making the pain go away, but no matter how hard he tried he can't feel anything else only the agonizing feeling of his head slowly being split apart.
(Scene Change)
(HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAA!)
The crystal being above the academy let out an eerie echo.
(HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! YOUR PAINED EXPRESSION IS VERY PLEASING! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!)
The crystal being laughed hysterically, enjoying while she's causing unbelievable amounts of pain to Ichika. The crystal being is forcibly making Ichika remember those deeply buried memories of his childhood as a way to cause him pain.
(HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!)
The being let out another elated laughter as she heard the boy's screams of agony.
(YOUR PAIN IS MY PLEASURE!)
The eyes of the crystal being glowed a deep sapphire radiance, soon strange marking around its crystal body started to appear.
(CRACKLE)
The frozen wings of the being expanded and unleashed a torrent of sapphire mist.
(Let us see how much more pain you can take.)
(Scene Change)
"WHAT'S HAPPENING!? TABANE!"
Chifuyu is desperate now. She heard her brother scream, that scream is full of agony. Chifuyu can't even begin to imagine what is happening to her brother inside the energy barrier.
"THE SYSTEM IS BEING FORCIBLY TURNED TO REVERSE FROM THE MACHINE'S ORIGINAL PURPOSE!"
Tabane screamed.
"WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO ICHIKA IF THIS CONTINUES!?"
Houki frantically asked her sister.
"…."
Tabane made a very grim face. Seeing the Houki grimaced in shock and fear.
"ICHIKA!"
Charlotte deployed her IS and summoned her [Grey Scale].
(TIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIZ)
Charlotte slammed her [Grey Scale] to the energy barrier. But…
(ZOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON)
Charlotte was thrown away hard by a repelling force, slamming [Raphael-Revive] on to the white walls.
"Charlotte!"
Kanzashi ran to Charlotte and worriedly tended to her comrade.
"HANG ON ICHIKA!"
Laura summoned IS and aimed her rail cannon at the crackling energy barrier.
(BOOM)
Unfortunately, Laura's cannon shots were absorbed into the barrier, not even making any sort of damage.
"THAT IS IT!"
Tatenashi deployed her IS.
(SHING)
Tatenashi deployed her lance; water started swirling on it violently and outlined the lance, enlarging it.
(GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON)
Tatenashi stabbed her lance at the energy barrier.
(TRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRSH)
Electricity is generated at the attempt of Tatenashi's weapon to pierce the energy barrier.
"Kuh!"
Tatenashi pushed harder but the barrier started to push her away.
"[Lance of Mistilteinn]"
Tatenashi's IS started emitting a hazy blue glow, the lance started to drill through the barrier. But the barrier started to glow differently, from its white glow earlier it now turned into sapphire.
(Hehehehehehehehe)
Tatenashi heard a sinister laughter. Then her water in her IS started to freeze, slowly making its way to her body.
"Wha!?"
Tatenashi started to feel the painful cold crept on her hand.
"AHHHHHHHH!"
Tatenashi let out a scream as the cold crept to her elbow.
"Tatenashi-san!"
Houki tried to blow away the eerie mist that's creeping at Tatenashi's arm, but she was stopped by Tabane's sudden voice.
"Houki-chan! Use [Kenran Butō] and pass the energy to her!"
Tabane told Houki. Houki was a bit confused at first but she obeyed her sister's orders.
"Hang on!"
Houki clung to Tatenashi and activated [Kenran Butō].
(GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON)
The energy [Kenran Butō] is giving to the [Mysterious Lady] started to negate the mist that's creeping on Tatenashi's IS.
"Houki-chan….."
(CRACK)
The ice casing Tatenashi's arm was blown off and Tatenashi was able to let go.
"Thanks Houki-chan….."
"No problem. But we still have to save Ichika."
Houki and Tatenashi stared at the sapphire barrier that's keeping them from reaching Ichika.
Soon Rin, Cecilia and Kanzashi deployed there IS units; they are now preparing to open fire at the barrier.
"STOP ALL OF YOU!"
Chifuyu stopped the girls from firing at the barrier.
"Why!?"
Cecilia asked forcefully.
"We need to get him out!"
Rin interjected.
Chifuyu composed herself as she answered the two.
"Ichika is still in there and this device connects not just to his IS but also to him as well, if you rashly destroy it, Ichika might also take serious damage."
Chifuyu's words made the girls lower their weapons.
"Chifuyu is right, we can't act hastily. Beside, whoever is doing this might have some tricks like earlier."
Natasha supported Chifuyu.
The girls dematerialized their weapons.
"But we can't just let him stay there we must do something!"
Houki spoke anxiously, her eyes now watery because of worry.
"All that we can do right now is trust on your sister."
Chifuyu turned to Tabane who is now very busy typing in the holographic keyboards. Tabane is typing so fast that she looked like she is typing on the eight holographic keyboards on the same time. Tabane is wearing a very serious expression; this may be one of the rare times where Tabane is serious.
(Sis, please save Ichika.)
Houki pleaded to her sister in her mind, though she is unsure of this she had no choice but to rely on big sister.
(Ichika, hang on. Don't you dare give up!)
Chifuyu maybe calm and composed on the outside but like all the girls, she is dead worried about Ichika.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAH!"
Another agonizing scream from Ichika echoed from inside the barrier.
"""""""ICHIKA!"""""""
(Scene Change)
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAH!"
Ichika felt the pain from his head scatter all over his body. He felt extreme cold slowly freezing his flesh from the inside. He couldn't move his body anymore, everytime he does it makes a creaking sound like something that is about to snap off at any time.
"Guuuuuuuuuuuh!"
Ichika could only curl up on the floor, the six figures in front of him are still there but they are starting to ripple away, in fact the entire surrounding started to ripple away into blackness.
"I can't move….."
Ichika said weakly. But soon the worst happened.
(CRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK)
A single crack appeared on Ichika's face, diagonally crossing from left to right. The boy finally lost all strength and slumped on the ground.
Soon several cracking sounds rang again.
"…"
Ichika couldn't make any sound anymore; his eyes are empty and lifeless and his body could only shiver slightly as the cold infesting his body clearly won and now is getting ready to seal the deal. But it was not to be.
Two figures appeared beside Ichika, on his left is a female black knight and on the right is a female white knight.
"ICHIKA!"
"ICHIKA!"
The two female knights hurriedly knelt at the boy's motionless body and dispelled the blighting cold on Ichika's cracking body with their auras.
"Ichika, hang on."
[Byakushiki], who is the white knight, cradled Ichika in her arms. [Kurokishi], who is the black knight stood up and protectively stood in front of [Byakushiki] and Ichika.
"Now, now I thought that the two of you didn't get along?"
A voice suddenly echoed and then a flower made of ice suddenly sprang out from the ground.
"This is truly surprising….."
A woman with long white hair and pale white skin appeared as the frozen flower bloomed. She is dressed in a long sapphire robe that conjures a silhouette of sparkling dusts.
"Elder sister…"
[Kurokishi] mumbled as her eyes narrowed. [Byakushiki] scowled as her eyes fell on the woman.
"You two chose that boy over your own kind?"
The woman smirked at the two knights.
"None of your business."
[Kurokishi] harshly retorted.
"First it's [Archangel] and then you."
Byakushiki's voice contained a lot of venom.
"[Archangel] told you didn't she? Our eldest is making her move."
The woman revealed a grin. Soon a chilling mist quickly took dominance in the surrounding and turned it into an arctic hell.
[Byakushiki] and [Kurokishi]'s faces turned even angrier.
"Setsura…."
A white-haired girl appeared beside [Byakushiki].
"Take care of him."
[Byakushiki] gave Ichika to Setsura. Setsura then cradled the almost lifeless body of Ichika.
"Ichika…."
Setsura sadly muttered when she looked at Ichika's lifeless face.
"Look at you two, worried for a boy who doesn't even know his own self."
The woman spoke in a mocking tone.
"Be quiet!"
[Kurokishi] started to lose her patience.
"…."
Although silent, [Byakushiki] is feeling the same as [Kurokishi].
"Hehehehehehehehe…"
The woman raised her left hand and aimed her index finger in the direction of the lifeless Ichika.
(CRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK)
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
Ichika let out a cry of pain as his body started cracking.
"ICHIKA!"
Setsura cried out.
[Byakushiki] and [Kurokishi] turned back when they heard Ichika's cry.
"Why you!"
[Kurokishi] lunged forward towards the woman and swung her black broadsword at full force.
(CLANG)
But the woman stopped the powerful swing with her hand.
(FLASH)
[Byakushiki] appeared behind the woman and thrust her sword forward.
(CLANG)
The same result happened, [Byakushiki]'s swing was effortlessly thwarted by the woman's hand.
"Heh!"
The woman tapped the swords of the two knights. [Byakushiki] and [Kurokishi] were thrown away, but both stabbed their sword on the ground and recovered.
"You'll pay for that!"
[Kurokishi] surged forward and swung once again but it was again deflected.
"HAAAAAAAA!"
[Byakushiki] appeared from above and performed a downward smash.
(CLANG)
But the crystal wing suddenly sprang out of the woman's back and threw [Byakushiki] away.
"Don't get ahead of yourself!"
[Kurokishi]'s broadsword glowed intensely, then the black knight unleashed a running torrent of black energy.
"Hm!"
The woman stopped the raging force with her index finger. The raging force slowly froze until it shattered.
(CRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK)
[Byakushiki] also unleashed a wave of white energy as she swung her sword.
"Hmmmm…."
The woman caught the wave and nullified it by freezing it until it shattered.
"You two are no match for me. You can't release your true abilities without the boy."
The woman's words made [Kurokishi] and [Byakushiki] growl in frustration.
"Ufufufufufufufu…"
Sensing the building frustration, the woman smirked.
(GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON)
She raised her hand and a giant crystal blade formed quickly.
"What'll happen if he dies here?"
[Byakushiki], [Kurokishi] and Setsura widened their eyes in fear.
(ZIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIING)
The giant blade suddenly flew forward, heading towards Ichika.
(BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM)
A big explosion erupted as the blade impacted.
"Oh?"
The woman revealed an interesting face when she saw the two knights joined forces to protect their pilot.
"…."
"…."
[Byakushiki] and [Kurokishi] are standing in front of Setsura and Ichika, crossing their broadswords to block the giant ice blade earlier.
"Amazing, but you two are fighting a pointless battle. Without the boy, the two of you are nothing more but harmless things."
The woman's words made the two knights flinch.
"Hehehehehe, well as tempting as it may be to torment him more but… I still have tasks left before I do that."
The crystal wings of the woman slowly wrapped around her and then she started to vanish. But the woman left a few parting words for the two knights.
"Heal the boy, I still yet to enjoy giving him the greatest pain."
A sinister laughter then followed those ominous words.
"…"
"…"
[Byakushiki] and [Kurokishi] lowered their guard as the presence of their enemy disappeared.
(FLASH)
(FLASH)
The two knights hurried to the side of their pilot.
"[Byakushiki], [Kurokishi], Ichika's mind is totally destroyed by those recurring memories and most of his body is blighted by the "her" essence."
Setsura tearfully whimpered as she looked at the two knights kneeling in front.
"…"
"…"
The two knights had very worried looks on their faces. Their expressions saddened even more as they looked at Ichika lifeless face; a big crack diagonally crossed his face. [Byakushiki ]held Ichika's right hand that is void of life and filled with cracks from the curse of cold that plagued him.
"…"
[Byakushiki] gritted her teeth, the feeling of guilt and failure stabbed her as she failed to protect her master.
"…"
[Kurokishi] grabbed hold of Ichika's left hand. The black knight also had the same heart-broken expression as her twin.
"What do we do?"
Setsura started breaking down as she cradled Ichika's motionless body.
"…"
"…"
[Byakushiki] looked at [Kurokishi]. [Kurokishi] narrowed her eyes; she knows what her twin is planning.
"Do you honestly think it would work?"
"It is the only way, but we will need the help of our mother."
[Byakushiki]'s words made [Kurokishi] frown. [Kurokishi] knew that they ask help from Tabane.
"Please, [Kurokishi] it is the only way we can ensure his safety."
Setsura tearfully pleaded the black knight.
"…"
[Kurokishi] glowered even more but later sighed and conceded at the little girl's wishes.
"You win. But this will be the only time I will agree with you."
[Kurokishi] looked at [Byakushiki].
"Let's set aside our disagreements for now, the most important thing is Ichika's safety."
[Byakushiki] also looked reluctant to work with her twin but the situation greatly requires them to work together.
(ZOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON)
[Byakushiki] held Ichika's right hand tighter, [Byakushiki] white aura started to flood inside Ichika. [Kurokishi] also gripped Ichika's hand and her black aura filled Ichika. Setsura also held Ichika tightly; her bluish white aura flowed inside Ichika.
(ZOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOON)
Ichika's body glowed as the three auras coalesced inside him.
"Ichika, our master. Please hang on; you still have a lot to do in your life and…. Many people depend on you; they will be saddened if you give up now. Please, don't give up."
[Byakushiki] said those words with a lot of compassion and longing.
(ZOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOON)
Ichika's eyes that were closed shut, started to open slowly.
(Scene Change)
"The system is starting stabilize."
Tabane said as she started to smile. The situation is starting to lighten up, the [Core Equilibrium Engine] that was rampaging now slowly stabilized.
"Energy barrier level going down."
Tabane happily said as she typed more codes on all eight holographic keyboards to try and accelerate the process.
"Okay, once the energy barrier reaches 50%, it will be weak enough to allow all of you to break through it. When I say go, fire at the barrier."
Tabane turned to the girls. Houki, Cecilia, Rin, Charlotte, Laura, Kanzashi, Tatenashi and Natasha readied themselves as to break through the energy barrier.
[Energy level: Decreasing]
[200%]
[190%]
[185%]
[178%]
[162%]
[156%]
[145%]
[134%]
[122%]
[121%]
[101%]
The energy level of the barrier started going down. The barrier that is giving off intense levels of power started to tone down.
[95%]
[88%]
[78%]
[61%]
"Ready!"
Tabane anxious shouted. But before Tabane could say go, a very familiar voice spoke in Tabane's mind.
(Stop.)
"Wha!?"
Tabane nearly fell over as she never expected spoke to her.
"What is it Tabane?"
Chifuyu turned to her as she noticed Tabane's sudden flinching.
"Not-Nothing!"
Tabane concentrated back to typing the codes, thinking that the voice earlier is just her imagination.
(Tabane…)
Tabane heard the voice again and this time it sounded like it was inside her head.
(Don't break the barrier.)
Tabane calmed her face to avoid stirring the absolutely sensitive Chifuyu.
(Who are you?)
Tabane talked back with her mind.
(I am [Byakushiki].)
Tabane gaped at the introduction.
(Byaku-chan how are you able to…..)
Tabane tried hard to hide her shocked expression but minutes lapse were unavoidable.
(No time to explain it. Me, Setsura and [Kurokishi] are reviving Ichika.)
[Byakushiki]'s voice is very worried, which made Tabane a bit at edge.
(Kuro-chan is awake….)
Tabane sounded scared for a moment.
(Yes….)
[Byakushiki] hesitantly answered.
(We talk about that later, anyway what happened to Ikkun?)
(His body is badly damaged…. She is the one behind it.)
"She", Tabane's face became grim. She knew exactly who is that "she".
(What can I do to help?)
(First don't break the barrier; we need the energy to stay inside so that Ichika's recovery is thorough and complete. Second, access my data storage system and upload it to Ichika's memory. And third, initiate [Auto-repair] and designate Ichika as the object of repair.)
Tabane didn't look shocked or confused at all, she knew what [Byakushiki] is trying to do.
(Alright, but are you also aware of the sideffects…)
Tabane said as her face turned into a sad expression.
(Yes, I know. But it still can be remedied so it is not that big of a problem. Right now, let us focus on saving Ichika.)
(Yes…)
Tabane agreed.
"SIS! WHAT ARE YOU DOING!? GIVE THE SIGNAL ALREADY!"
Houki anxiously said, her patience is wearing thin.
"Tabane why aren't you giving the orders."
Chifuyu turned to Tabane and sternly spoke to her.
"Change of plans, we're not breaking the barrier."
Tabane's unexpected changed of mind made the girls question her harshly.
"WHAT! ICHIKA IS IN DANGER INSIDE THAT BARRIER! WE NEED TO RESCUE HIM!"
Houki screamed at her sister. Houki's patience is as thin as paper now.
"Wait a moment."
Tabane didn't pay attention to Houki as she hurriedly typed a lot of codes on the eight holographic keyboards.
"SIS!"
Houki stomped toward her sister and grabbed her big sister's shoulder.
"Houki-chan calm down."
Tabane turned to Houki while wearing a serious face, the one that Tabane would rarely make.
"Hurrying won't get you any result Houki! So calm down and don't do anything that will jeopardize Ikkun's safety."
Tabane's glare at Houki intensified. Houki released her sister's shoulder as she saw a very rare expression from her sister.
"Let your sister work Shinonono."
Chifuyu spoke to silence Houki who is still planning to retort to her sister.
"…."
Houki dejectedly lowered her head and dematerialized her [Akatsubaki]. The other girls soon deactivated there IS and stood waiting for the conclusion of this event.
"Houki, calm down. I know that you're very worried for Ichika but your sister has a point, acting rashly might result to Ichika being hurt."
Tatenashi comforted and admonished Houki at the same time.
"Sorry…"
Houki lowered her head in shame.
"…."
Taban peaked at her sister for a moment and revealed a soft expression as she looked at her little sister's sad expression.
"Tabane, what are you planning?"
Chifuyu walked towards Tabane and asked her silently.
"I'll explain everything later."
Tabane said and also ending any further asking.
Chifuyu didn't pursue anymore but deep in her mind she is really concerned in knowing what is happening to her little brother right now.
(Click) (Click) (Click) (Click)
Tabane's fingers danced through the holographic keyboards, she did what [Byakushiki] told her earlier. Tabane is keeping the barrier up.
[Barrier Levels: Stable]
[Barrier Levels: Rising]
(Click) (Click) (Click) (Click)
Tabane then accessed [Byakushiki]'s data storage device, she then made a replication of [Byakushiki]'s data storage and started to upload it to Ichika mind.
[Data Storage device: Accessed]
[Uploading Data to pilot: Start]
(Click) (Click) (Click) (Click)
Tabane hurriedly initiated the [Auto-Repair] function of [Byakushiki] but she changed the target and set it to function on Ichika instead of [Byakushiki].
[Auto-Repair Function: Initiate]
[IS Function: Bypassed]
[New Target: Pilot]
Tabane has never even thought that [Byakushiki] could not only revive Ichika but also repair extensive damage in both his body and mind. Tabane is astonished; this is another truly rare occurrence for the brilliant scientist.
(Scene Change)
(ZOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON)
[Byakushiki], [Kurokishi] and Setsura poured more of their power to Ichika.
"What's taking her so long?"
[Kurokishi] sounded really ticked off.
"Just wait."
[Byakushiki] silenced her twin.
What the three are trying to do, is that they are trying to restore the stability of Ichika's body and mind. Earlier because of the doings of the second [SAIS], Ichika suffered massive damage in his mental state when the long hidden memories of his past were forcibly brought out. His body then suffered next, during the forcible memory extraction, the cold essence of the second [SAIS] entered Ichika, the boy's body slowly became afflicted with its deathly cold effect, his blood turned to ice, his flesh also froze and most of his internal organs suffered heavy damage because of the cold curse the second [SAIS] instilled upon him. All this is more than enough to kill the boy, but miraculously Ichika managed stay alive even though barely.
(ZOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON)
Now, with the help of the white knight, the black knight and Setsura, Ichika is now recovering fast. Also with Tabane aiding the three from outside, Ichika's recovery will be quick.
(ZIIIIIIIIIIIIING)
Holographic designators appeared one after the other around Ichika's body. It was the [Auto-Repair] system of his IS.
[Starting the Auto-Repair]
Now, together with the effort of the three and the [Auto-Repair] system, Ichika recovery is quickening. But fate isn't going to make anything easy.
"His body is not repairing completely."
Setsura suddenly looked horrified when some part of Ichika's body remained in its dead state.
"His body is rejecting the repairing effects of our energies and the [Auto-Repair] is being rejected as well."
[Byakushiki] gritted her teeth in frustration.
"Damn it!"
[Kurokishi] raised her voice and cursed loudly.
"At this rate, his body won't recover completely. Half of it will recover but also half will remain dead."
[Byakushiki]'s voice gloomed.
"We have to do something."
Setsura frantically spoke as her panic started to overcome her.
"If restoring him won't work, then we proceed to the other alternative."
[Byakushiki] sharply eyed her twin.
"….."
[Byakushiki] didn't say anything but later agreed silently on her twin's suggestion.
"Oi, brat you understand too, right?"
Setsura nodded when [Kurokishi] asked her.
"We are out of options right now; what little alternatives we have on our reach will be the best choice. We can't risk his safety just to gamble on unreachable solutions."
[Byakushiki] looked at Ichika who is still motionless.
"But if this fails? Then what?"
[Kurokishi] asked her twin.
"If this fails, then Tabane Shinonono will always be there to help."
"You're relying too much on that woman; remember that she was the one that failed to contain our elders in the first."
[Kurokishi] openly criticized her own creator.
"…."
[Byakushiki]'s face darkened but she prevented herself from speaking.
"Anyway let's start now."
[Byakushiki] ended all discussions.
Soon the three unleashed more of their energies and poured them into the boy.
(Scene Change)
(What is happening inside?)
Tabane is very agitated right now, she has no idea what is happening inside the energy barrier.
[Energy levels: Increasing]
The energy levels inside the barrier spiked up suddenly. Soon several error messages started to appear on Tabane's holographic screens.
"Tabane! What's happening!?"
Chifuyu raised her voice on Tabane.
"The energy levels inside the barrier are approaching critical levels!"
Tabane typed in more codes to try and stabilize the barrier but the energy levels started to rising even more.
"""""""ICHIKA!"""""""
The girls are now panicking; they are powerless to do anything right now and could only waiting for the end of this.
[Energy levels: Over Critical level]
[Warning: detonation imminent]
[Barrier: Unstable]
Those ominous messages started repeating again and again. The energy levels inside the barrier are now approaching dangerous levels making the entire [Core Equilibrium Engine] a ticking bomb that would wipe out the academy in one explosion.
"!"
"!"
"!"
"!"
"!"
"!"
"!"
"!"
"!"
"!"
"!"
Chifuyu, Tabane, Natasha, Maya, Houki, Cecilia, Rin, Charlotte, Laura, Kanzashi and Tatenashi tensed up, preparing themselves for the worst, none of them never had the thought of escaping cross their minds.
(EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEIIIIIING)
A blinding light shot out of the barrier and everything turned white.
…..
It was the longest moment of the eleven women, but finally the blinding light started to disappear.
"Wha?"
Everyone saw that the barrier has been broken; it now looked like a glass wall that was smashed. Smoke obscured whatever is inside the barrier but soon the smoke started to disperse.
"ICHIKA!"
Chifuyu ran first to her brother. Houki, Cecilia, Rin, Charlotte, Laura, Kanzashi, Tatenashi followed Chifuyu. Natasha, Maya and Tabane followed behind the girls.
"Ichika!"
Chifuyu found Ichika but it wasn't quite what she expected.
"Are those….Orimura-kun's clothes?"
Maya gaped when she saw Ichika's clothes on the ground but without Ichika.
"Uhm…."
The girls heard a low moan.
Something moved inside Ichika's shirt.
"Ah!?"
"Ah!?"
"Ah!?"
"Ah!?"
"Ah!?"
"Ah!?"
"Ah!?"
"Ah!?"
"Ah!?"
"Ah!?"
"Ah!?"
Chifuyu, Tabane, Natasha, Maya, Houki, Cecilia, Rin, Charlotte, Laura, Kanzashi and Tatenashi couldn't have prepared themselves at what they about to see.
"Who are all of you?"
A voice of a young rang from the thin smoke and when the smoke finally cleared, the girls saw a young boy who looked a lot like Ichika staring at them with his azure eyes. Due to the little boy's small frame, he wore Ichika's shirt like a dress.
(SILENCE)
The girls are completely lost. They have no idea of the situation. But later they finally realized who the little boy is. There was only one occupant inside the barrier and that is….
"I…Ichika?"
Chifuyu is utterly shocked beyond belief. Her 16 year old little brother has reverted back in to a body of a five year old.
"Wha…..wha…..eh…..ah…."
Houki looked like a goldfish that repeatedly opened and closed her mouth.
"Ichika-san…"
Cecilia had a very confused face.
"Eh? Ah?"
Rin stared blankly at the little boy.
"This is strangely…. Pleasing…."
Charlotte is lost in her own little world.
"Little Ichika….."
Laura blushed when she saw the miniature version of her "wife".
"Eh?"
Kanzashi couldn't help but blush when the innocent face of the little Ichika registered on her mind.
"This is new….."
Tatenashi tried to organize her jumbled thoughts.
"What…..happened to Orimura-kun?"
Maya looked like she was about to faint.
"This unexpected…"
Natasha had a muddled look on her face.
"Uh-oh….."
Tabane said those words because she knew she would be the one who is going to catch all of Chifuyu's wrath later.
"Tabane…"
Chifuyu's ominous voice echoed in the white room.
"What is it Chi-chan….."
Tabane wanted to run away but her head was grabbed by Chifuyu's iron claw.
"Explain this…."
"Ah well….."
Tabane looked terrified.
"Explain this now…."
Chifuyu's eyes glowed crimson red and her aura burst out like an erupting volcano.
"Well it is because of the…"
Tabane didn't finish her explanation and just clumsily smiled.
(SMACK) (SMACK) (SMACK) (SMACK)
(Scene Change)
Now, Chifuyu, Tabane, Natasha, Maya, Houki, Cecilia, Rin, Charlotte, Laura, Kanzashi and Tatenashi went to the teacher's building taking the little Ichika with them. The girls and Ichika all sat in the teacher's lounge.
"Here, are you thirsty?"
Chifuyu handed the little Ichika a glass of water. The little Ichika looked at Chifuyu with his innocent eyes. The little Ichika stared at Chifuyu like he is trying to recognize her. Soon the little Ichika took the glass of water and sipped the glass.
"Ichika, are you alright?"
Chifuyu asked the little Ichika. But the boy just looked at her in a confused manner.
"Ichika?"
"Oh no."
Chifuyu massaged her temples as a headache crept up on her.
"You mean, Ichika doesn't remember anything."
Houki said with a very worried face. Soon all the girls stared sharply Tabane, the poor scientist wanted to dig a deep hole and hide in it forever.
"Don't worry; I'm sure I can fix this."
(SMACK)
Houki smacked her big sister with a bokken.
"How do you suppose to fix this!?"
Houki grabbed her big sister's collar and started shaking her wildly.
"HOW! HOW! HOW! HOW! HOW!"
Houki repeatedly shook her sister.
"Uhhhhh!"
Ichika let out a whimper. All the girls turned to him and saw the young boy on the verge of crying.
"Why is that girl trying to kill the other?"
Tears rolled down Ichika's eyes.
"Ah no! But…..it's because…."
Houki promptly released her big sister and tried to explain to the little Ichika.
"She's not trying to kill her but well…how do I say this….."
Charlotte tried to explain as well but even she couldn't speak clearly when the little Ichika's innocent gaze fell on her.
"Why do you have to fight? There is no need to hurt each other."
Ichika's shaky voice that is about to burst out into a cry wrenched the hearts of the girls.
"Don't worry; they are not trying to fight. They are merely playing."
Chifuyu knelt down in front of Ichika and gently caressed the little boy's cheeks.
"Hmmmmm…."
Ichika purred as Chifuyu's hand touched his cheek. The cute expression of the little Ichika nearly made all the girls swoon and squeal.
"Do you know your name?"
Chifuyu asked the little Ichika.
"No."
Ichika shook his head side to side.
"Your name is Ichika Orimura."
The little boy looked a bit confused but later tried speaking the name which was his repeatedly.
"Ichika…..Ichika…Ichika…..Ichika….."
The little Ichika repeatedly said his name and then he smiled.
"My name is Ichika Orimura!"
The boy smiled with faint blush on his face.
"!"
"!"
"!"
"!"
"!"
"!"
"!"
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"!"
The girls nearly fainted, the dangerous cuteness of this young Ichika is too for them to handle.
"But, now I know what my name is, what is yours?"
Ichika asked Chifuyu while looking at her intently.
"I'm Chifuyu Orimura, your big sister."
"S-Sister?"
The young Ichika tilted his head and looked keenly at Chifuyu.
(It's just like when he was young, his eyes are as beautiful as a cloudless sky.)
Chifuyu became lost for a moment when she stared directly at her younger brother's azure eyes.
"Sister…..sister…..sister….sister….."
Ichika repeated the same words again and again.
"Ah! Nee-chan!"
Ichika jump on Chifuyu on embraced her tightly.
"Ah!"
Chifuyu doesn't know how to react at this. The childish act of her bratty younger brother always dispels her stern and strict attitude, often leaving her at a daze.
"Uuuuuuuuu…"
"Uuuuuuuuu…"
"Uuuuuuuuu…"
"Uuuuuuuuu…"
"Uuuuuuuuu…"
"Uuuuuuuuu…"
"Uuuuuuuuu…"
"Uuuuuuuuu…"
"Uuuuuuuuu…"
"Uuuuuuuuu…"
The rest of the girls looked at Chifuyu enviously.
(Using her "sister advantage" again! Miss Orimura really is a tough opponent.)
The rest of the girls flared their jealousy.
"I have a big sister; I have my nee-chan! Yay!"
Ichika looked up and happily smiled at Chifuyu.
(BLUSH)
Chifuyu did something that shocked everyone even more.
"Chi-chan, are you blushing?"
Tabane asked her friend with a naughty grin on her face.
The girls haven't seen their "Demon Ice Queen Teacher" make such an expression, this is a very picturesque moment. If possible they could take a picture of this, if not for the fact that Chifuyu would murder them right after.
"Nee-chan, I love you!"
The final blow was struck. Heartburn killed all the girls.
Minutes later...
The girls finally recover from their heartburn.
"So where will he stay?"
Houki asked the obvious question.
"In my room of course."
Chifuyu answered quickly, the girls then drooped in disappointment.
"Hey, Chi-chan you should let Ikkun come with me."
Chifuyu turned to Tabane and smacked the scientist hard.
(SMACK)
"Ueeeeeeeeeeeeeh! Stop hitting Tabane all the time!"
Tabane whined at her best friend.
"Until this matter is resolved he will staying with me for the time being. Tabane i'm sure you can think of a way to turn Ichika back right?"
Chifuyu asked Tabane.
"Of course! I Tabane the genius always knows how to fix the problems I cause."
The girls sweatdropped at Tabane.
"So until this has been resolved, no one is to tell anyone about this incident. We can't cause another ruckus here in the academy. I trust you will fulfill that Sarashiki."
Chifuyu glanced at Tatenashi.
"Sure, I'll make sure no one finds out that Ichika turned into a cute little boy."
"Then that solves it then."
Chifuyu stood up but Ichika still hugged her, burying his face on her stomach. The then little Ichika yawned cutely.
"Nee-chan... I'm sleepy."
The little Ichika that was hugging her the entire time, yawned as the fatigue of the day finally kicked in.
(Ichika's so cute!)
Was the thought of all the girls. Seeing the mini version of their clueless prince charming, flipped the rampaging hormones of the girls as they blushed at seeing his cute expressions.
"Well its time we call it a night."
Chifuyu eyes sparked.
"Students should return to their rooms."
Chifuyu calmly order, but her eyes are sharp enough to be called threatening.
"""""""""""Hai"""""""""""
"We will be going then."
Natasha bowed and escorted the girls out the building.
The reluctantly left the teachers building and they were escorted by Natasha.
"Well I'll start right away with the countermeasure for this Chi-chan, i'll be done after two or four days."
Tabane after saying her promise vanished quickly.
"She's gone Miss Orimura, where did she go?"
Maya frantically looked around to search for Tabane.
"Don't worry Miss Yamada she always does that."
Chifuyu carried the drowsy Ichika.
"He's really cute isn't he?"
Maya smiled at the drowsy face of Ichika. But Chifuyu stared at her.
"Miss Yamada, don't tell me..."
Maya picked up what Chifuyu wanted to say and quickly denied it.
"No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no! It's not like that Miss Orimura."
"I hope so Miss Yamada."
The two teachers then went up to their rooms.