"How long have we been Fighting?"

"Thirty minutes or so?"

Every time Marika Hanania and the others thought they had destroyed enough unmanned IS units that stood in front of them, more arrived to take their place.

A small droplet of sweat dripped from her forehead as she relentlessly fights against her foes.

She Keep Pushing forward and striking harder with each attack landing on her opponent, her speed decreasing slightly as she became more ruthless and lethargic every time she attacks.

The young and naïve princesses' eyes glistened with determination and growing anger coursing through her body.

Her purple eyes staring into the padded translucent gel that protected the outer shell of the [Jackal]'s she had fought against, each time she slash through the armor before dismantling and quickly destroying them with relative ease.

Her fluid movement changing and growing more intense every time she finishes off her opponent

She Changes direction and focusing her full attention on another opponent placed in front of her.

Her beam saber [Save the Queen] that she had used previously was her favored weapon in combat so far.

Because of this weapon, Marika able to shoot at long distance or fight in close distance

The ability to switch her [Save the Queen] out as quickly as possible gives her an advantage that she had never considered before, especially with the array of weapons at her disposal.

However, because of her haughty behavior, Marika choose to fight at a close distance.

Although it was never her strong suit in battles, Marika know she could fare well against her opponents who were significantly weaker than her.

Slaaaaaaaash! Slaaaaaaaaaash!

The first slash that come from Marika Hanania had sliced the translucent black gel of the [Jackal] in front of her.

The second slash was filled with more power as it cut the unmanned IS unit's torso in half, leaving it to stand still for a few moments before falling onto the ground

One down, many more to go

By then Marika has predicted the other IS units to make their move on her and close the distance.

The claws of the [Jackal] that dared to attack Marika and her IS from her left were quickly dismantled by the beam saber separating the hand and she use her leg to kick the [Jackal] away.

Her attention was drawn by multiple IS that dare to swing at her straight away.

Marika Using her [Ignition boost] to back away and create distance so she could have time to figure out how she is going to take on three enemies that loomed in front of her.

The sharp and dangerous claws decided to show themselves on several [Jackal]'s that surrounding her.

'You want to see what this princess is made of?! Let me show you the power of Marika Hanania and [Scorpion Queen]!'

Her fierce attitude begin to show as the desire to prove herself come to an all-time high.

"Ttt!"

BAAAANG! BAAAAAANG! BAAAAAAAAANG! BAAAAAAAAANG!

With eyes full of surprise from the clear and accurate shots landing to the head of her many opponents that standing beside her, Marika quickly turn around and look up.

She sees a girl older than her with long blonde hair and a smirk on her face.

Her diamond blue eyes shining in the darkness as she basked in the sunset, she IS unit crowding her and her [BITS] coming down to help Marika in her battles.

"Cecilia-san?" Marika questioned with a shocked expression.

"Yes, it is I!"

Flicking the long locks of her golden hair over her shoulder, Cecilia quickly aim with the scope of her sniper rifle and took an incoming attacker that heading towards Marika with one shot to the head.

BAAAAAANG!

Within a few seconds of her arrival to help Marika, the opponents that stood before her had been defeated with ease.

Marika's shocked expression quickly vanish from her face as she feel the black translucent gel landed on her IS suit, causing her to freak out and jump back.

"What the hell!?"

Marika fell to the ground as she tried to rub the evaporating gel off her body, Cecilia Alcott who has landed on the ground next to her smile.

Not long after, the gel disappeared from Marika's body.

"Here, take my hand, Marika-chan." Cecilia offered her hand out to help her fallen friend get off the ground.

"..."

"..."

"Are you going to take it?" Cecilia asked awkwardly.

"Hmph!"

Marika pouted as she accept her hand and quickly got off of the ground, and begin to analyzing the damage Cecilia had done to her opponents. No signs of life from the IS units were shown as they lay to rest lifeless like the others.

Even the [Jackal Alpha] she had defeated earlier has been long gone.

"This princess does not need help! i could easily taken out as many as you did within few seconds! I'm just toying with her prey, giving them a chance to believe they could win before I struck them down with my incredible power!" Marika made her point be known as she walk away from Cecilia, slightly upset that she is not the one to finish off her opponents.

"You are not a cat! You dont have to toy with your 'food' before destroying them Marika-chan! If Charlotte-san heard what you were saying..." Cecilia face palmed as she already imagined the scenario in her head.

"I don't care what she would have to say!" Marika crossed her arms.

"Hmmm, are you sure about that Marika-chan? I'm sure if she saw you she would agree that you are acting like a cat~ I can imagine what she would say, 'That's a good pussy~' and then Charlotte-san would proceed to wrap you up in cotton wool to make sure you weren't hurt!" Cecilia Alcott giggled as she found the scene in her mind to be funny for herself, while Marika rolled her eyes.

"Whatever!" Marika became increasingly annoyed and angry.

FFFFSSSSSSSST! FFFFFFFFSSSSSSSSST!

"Uh oh..." Cecilia Alcott recognized the noise.

The sound of another IS units arrive on the scene caught Cecilia Alcott off guard as Marika still wrapped up in her own mind

"Huh?"

"Watch out Marika-chan!"

Cecilia quickly pushes Marika behind a big rock that covered their location for the time being.

"What the hell!?"

"Looks like we have more to fight, how do you want to approach this? You'll take left and I'll take the right ones?" Cecilia asked Marika as she shook her head slightly, her hands remain on Marika's shoulders.

(Scene change)

Emelia Moretti, a world-class idol that everyone knows from the vast nation across the seas.

For many people, Emelia Moretti gave her fans a new lease on life with her talent and voice every time she sings, her song lyrics captures the mind and heart of many

This talented girl had come to japan sometime ago to learn IS system and she begin to truly understand about the IS systems.

From a young age, her family has taught her to keep up to date with new trends and the ever-growing technology that advancing every year.

As She Look back on it in retrospect, of course, Emelia Moretti knew she had gotten way over her head by joining the IS academy, which had put a halt on her singing and many of her other talents show that she have before

Her massive fanbase were simply rocked by the news back then.

She couldn't blame them of course, as the sudden change of her career path had led some questionable decisions being asked around to those who looked after Emelia's management and family.

Regardless of the challenges that gotten in her way, Emelia knew ever since that day she arrived to the academy and meet several important people that she had heard so much that she would never look back on her decision in the long run.

Those people who she has grown a bond had become more important to her than she ever imagined.

Ichika Orimura, a boy older than her that she admired deeply, someone who dared to defy any odds that stand in his way, a person which she could never truly understand because there is being too many layers that shrouded the young man. His charming smile made her heart flutter whenever she look at him for too long, and his recent growing ability to be able to read the room whenever something off or when the situation become more intense for his liking.

Or Charlotte Dunois, certain French maiden who always keep the eyes of the world watching her wherever she walk, whether it was outside the grounds of IS academy or during battle with her IS as she flaunt her combat prowess as a very dangerous opponent to face. And also the other side of Charlotte that she begin to understand, a girl that was needy and want to be loved and to be cared for, the side of Charlotte who care about her friends' wellbeing and how she always seem to be a light that shines in the dark

Slaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaash!

Emelia Moretti fights for herself and her friends, for those who stand by her side and worked with her through the hard times.

Her eyes were full of determination as she slammed down to the IS unit in front of her.

Her three-headed spear [Ocean Divider] stabbed into the eye socket of the [Jackal] in front of her and came through the other end.

While she analyzing everything around her, Emelia noticed that her multiple opponents with dangerous claws activated beginning to make their move when she still focused solely on the one unmanned IS in front of her.

Their glowing red eyes staring daggers at her as they launched themselves forward

in less than a few seconds Emelia Moretti decide to use the remains of the prior enemy to block the oncoming attacks, using her [ignition Boost] and she use her spear to thrust her deceased opponent remains to the two incoming [Jackal]'s.

Leaving her with short time to attack the third [Jackal]

Springing into action, Emelia close down the space between her and her opponent in an instant

Dodging the razor-sharp claws that dare to scratch through the armor of her [Principessa Sirena], she use the sharp edges of her three-headed spear to draw some damage to the translucent black gel that protected the [Jackal].

Chipping away at its body and leaving her with free reign.

Emelia twirled the spear in her hand to get a better grip instead of the awkward angle she had held it in before.

A small smirk of confidence grow on her face as she launch forward with power and speed within her attack, her intentions as clear as day to anyone watching as battle commence against her opponent.

Her opponent on the other hand had just enough time to react and narrowly dodge the oncoming blade, Using its swift and quick movement to create a little distance.

"t!"

For a few milliseconds, Emelia Moretti was caught off guard by the [Jackal]'s ability to dodge one of her attacks, it made her realize that she had to slightly go up a gear to make sure her opponents could not handle her.

Shaking her head in disapproval as she had another idea in mind

"!"

SLAAAAAAAAAAAAASH!

Emelia throw her spear with incredible speed and power behind her attack , with her intention to catch the unmanned IS off guard.

Which it did splendidly

Her attack has sent the [Jackal] tumbling into the ground with a large spear within its torso, unable to move as it struggle to get up from the ground.

Although Emelia would like to finish off her first opponent, from the corner of her eye she saw the sharp claws heading towards her head and cause her to back away and create a distance.

Strangely Emelia did not worry about being unarmed.

The movement of the Unmanned IS unit was significantly slower than hers, Emelia's mind begining to form a plan as the second [Jackal] rushed towards her.

As its claw coming closer to her field of view, her left hand reaches for its wrists as she tries something.

BAAAAAAAAAAAAANG!

Accuracy was the key to defeat those who outnumbered you; Emelia figured out earlier than her opponents.

Her hand has gripped the IS unit's arm and she push her opponent to her third attacker, causing them to collide and damage each other significantly.

Emelia respond by throwing myriad of kicks and punches. Sending her third and second attackers to the ground while her attention quickly being drawn elsewhere

Toward her [Ocean Divider] that still resting within the chest of the first [Jackal]

'They have never truly stand a chance, after all, I am quite an experienced IS pilot now alongside Charlotte senpai and Ichika senpai !'

Emelia Moretti thinking about her two inspirations alongside many friends she has made, their abilities had caused her own ability to elevate and grow better over time, she knew she had herself to thank for the most of it.

Her hand wrap around the clutches of the three-headed spear.

Pulling it out as she watched the unmanned IS unit struggle and eventually fade out like the rest she has fought.

Emelia turn her attention to the rustling sound behind her as the two unmanned IS units struggled to get up due to being on top of each other, her spear dancing between her soft fingers as she aim to destroy them.

As she getting closer toward her enemies, her thoughts drift off slightly as she begins to think.

While she lost in the thought, her spear drove to the hearts of the two [Jackal]'s in front of her, with enough power into her attack to destroy and dismember them from their upper torso easily.

The glowing red eyes began to flicker before shutting down, Emelia watch on for a few moments.

"Now, where did Charlotte senpai end up? I hope she didn't land herself in trouble with all of this going on..." Emelia place her hand on her hips and thought as she took in her surroundings.

Her surroundings were more of an open battlefield than she had expected.

Everywhere she looked, Emelia saw one of her friends battling against the many [Jackal]'s that dared to attack them.

From the mere sight of it, Marika was handling her enemies with relative ease, a part of the girl wanted to go help out her friend with her battle, however, she spotted Cecilia Alcott out of the corner of her eye began to help her out.

A giggle escaped her mouth.

"I guess I will go find Charlotte senpai whilst my other friends deal with these..."

...

(Scene Change)

A seventeen years old boy, the only male that could pilot an IS system currently has his hands full with an enemy heading directly to his way.

His brown eyes widened as he quickly moved out of the way.

The two IS units and their users are going against each other as they soared through the air, Ichika's [Yukihira] pressed against [Shadow Dancer]'s weapon as they battle for dominance over each other.

A small smile appear on his face as he feels the power shift into his favor

Getting more and more into the fight that he currently taking part in against his opponent, ichika allow her to attack him while he defend for dear life, his aim to give the IS unit as much control as possible before ripping it away quickly.

However it may look one sided as Ichika Orimura barely manages to dodge certain attacks

Throughout the battle, the young man often found he having to narrowly avoid an attack that could effectively leave him and his IS unit [Byakushiki] in danger, while wishing they had retaliated rather than dodge

It was a risk Ichika willing to take.

Claaaaaaaaaaaang! Claaaaaaaaaaaang!

The two swords that colliding against each other caused vibrations and jolts to be sent throughout their bodies.

The clear white colored [Byakushiki] versus the dark and grey colored [Shadow Dancer].

The two IS units almost fit perfectly against each other as they battled, like yin and yang, two powers that could never defeat each other so they co-exist with one another.

However, today was not that day.

Slaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaash! Slaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaash!

Ichika Orimura breezed past the pilot of the [Shadow Dancer] with relative ease as he used [Yukihira] to take out the padded armor on the [Shadow Dancer] torso off

A smirk appears on his face, his first 'step' had been accomplished.

"..."

"..."

"!"

"[Damage Sustained!:]"

"[Damage Sustained!:]"

Ichika got caught off guard to find out that his IS unit has also taken damage.

Looking over his shoulder, Ichika notice the woman underneath the IS looking back at him as she knew they were both in the same situation.

'Damn, I thought for sure that I could leave this battle unscathed at the very least! Note to self Ichika, do not be cocky against your opponent under any circumstances!'

The teenage boy and his opponent already begin to rush at each other before he could finish his thought.

Ichika using his [Ignition Boost] to force himself into battle quicker

His opponent of course did the same as she refused to be let up against the young lad; her desire to match his relentlessness has peaked during their battle

His [Yukihira] clashing with her own weapon as they stare each other down.

Cliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnng!

Ichika found himself dodging an incoming attack as soon as they backed off each other.

Her [Ignis Dogma] attempting to strike the padded armor that protected his body, however ichika instead ducking under the blade and grabbing her wrist.

His stance quickly changing as he spins around with quick speed

"Guh!"

The pilot of [Shadow Dancer] was caught off guard by the attack on her face, leaving her stunned and forced to back up.

"Sorry if you expect me to just slow down! I've only just started!"

Ichika's [Yukihira] slash through the padded armor that protected the woman's body, causing her to be sent flying back and coughing blood from her mouth.

"Ah!"

Ichika used his [Ignition boost] to close the distance, not allowing the woman to get up from the soiled ground below her.

The pilot of [Shadow Dancer] was on her hands and knees

Ichika a mere few steps away as his foot got closer to her, his intention to finish her off.

His expression remain the same apologetic yet stern expression he has been wearing throughout their airborne dance, it become a fact that the pilot of the [Shadow Dancer] had become more than acquainted with.

Her mouth filled with blood as she spit it out to the ground, her mind realizes her end were near as Ichika Orimura approached.

His stature and aura that surround him were much different than she expected, it held a calmness to its touch, a hint of the red [Jaaku Reiki] crowding his and [Byakushiki]'s frame.

With the warm white [Jusunia Reiki] being the dominant force around the frame of Ichika Orimura.

"This is where I meet my end isn't it?" The pilot of [Shadow Dancer] turn her head to the side as her own eyes locked with Ichika's.

"Huh?"

"Very well, do what you will to me, whether to use me for your sexual desires or to simply put me out of my misery." Sitting on her knees, the pilot stared up at Ichika with pleading eyes.

"Woah Woah!"

Ichika shook his hands violently in front of him with a small blush forming on his cheeks.

"What is it? Am I not to your liking master?"

"Master?! Hold on! W-What..."

"Are you going to kill me now master? Considering you bested me in all..." The woman deactivated her IS and reveal herself in all her glory.

A beauty with blonde hair and green eyes exposed herself in all of her glory, with her hair in a ponytail and a small saddened expression plastered across her face as she stared at Ichika, her breasts that were being restricted by the fabric were seemingly larger than Ichika expected to look at.

'Ichika! Now is not the time to notice her huge tits!'

Ichika face palmed as he became increasingly annoyed at his antics.

"Well? Is this where you end my life now master?" Her blonde hair was let loose by her own actions, removing the bobble and putting it on her wrist instead.

"Master!? N-No! Who said I am going to kill you!?" Ichika exclaimed while looking away.

"Really?! Thank you so much, master! You have no idea what it means to me that you spared my selfish idiotic life!"

"WAAAAAAAAH!"

He feels the very large breasts of the woman he has just spared from death mere moments ago as her body pressed against his own, her breath tickling his neck as she cling to him without any reserve in the slightest.

His blush continuously growing as he stood still without doing anything

"Uwah~ you smell so good! I would have never expected you to smell so good~ Master!"

The woman who clinging herself to Ichika reminded him of a dog that always want to be in the presence of their master.

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!"

"Master~ it's been such a long time since I saw you~ I can't help it! Especially when you become big and strong like now just like you promised back then!" The woman bathed in the warmth of Ichika's arm as she finally feels at peace.

"B-Back T-T-Then!?"

"Yes! You were always the most wonderful child I have ever seen~"

"Wait! You knew me from a child?! Why don't I recognize you in the slightest?!" Ichika held his head as he scans for any possible memories.

"You are so mean master! I am one of your servants of course!"

"What..."

"..."

"Does that mean...?"

"Excuse me, master? I did not hear what you were trying to say?"

"Does that mean you know my mom? How is she?! Did she put you and Chisaya up to this?!"

The woman had to think carefully about how she approach the situation; his eyes shows hunger and desire to know more about the mother that had remained a question mark over the majority of his life.

"Calm down master! Mistress Izanami is fine, more than fine actually; she is watching all of this as it goes along, in hopes of you impress her using your battle prowess." A small smile grows on her face as she spoke softly, Ichika's expression quickly change as he turned elsewhere.

"Mom..."

A smile also began to form on his face as he turn to look towards a pair of hills that were covered by darkness, unaware of why he chose to look at those two hills in particular, Ichika found himself being drawn to look at it.

It made Ichika happy to know that his mother currently was watching over him.

He felt happier than he found himself being.

(Scene Change)

"You know, I did not know I was sign up for this when we said we would help you 'happily' in battle."

"Yeah? I did not know that this is going to happen earlier, I was too distracted from saving my family from this fiasco?"

"Hm! What's with these guys and their stares?! you got a problem with us or something!? Let's settle it right now!"

Ran, Charlotte, and Alys were cornered in a large wooden room that was used for training, on the walls were numerous training weapons for the family members of Dunois family who want to practice their 'battle prowess' against others.

Their expression except for Alys's remaining neutral as they accept their enemies were waiting for them to make the first move.

The hooded figure faces were covered, their faces hidden in the dark side of their hood as they stood in a coordinated line surrounding the three ladies, each with their own weapons in their hands.

However out of all of the ladies Alys Crystal seems to be the one that want to fight the most.

Her left hand reached for one of the weapon that was on the wall behind her, the wooden sword that used for kendo, she just getting a weapon for the battle she just about to begin.

The stances of the hooded figures slightly changes as they prepare for combat.

"How do you want to do this Charlotte-san?"

"..."

"Isn't it obvious~ let's teach the bad guys a lesson in the art of fighting!" Alys said as out of the three of them she take first step forward, forcing the hooded figures to take a step back.

"Charlotte-san?" Ran Gotanda looks over towards the French girl while calling her in mind.

"No she's right, we can handle these with relative ease, think of this as a good sparring session against multiple enemies?" Charlotte said rhetorically as she step forward, her expression turning serious.

"I guess I have no choice." Ran step forward and mentally prepared herself.

Slaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaash! Slaaaaaaaaaaaaash!

"Woah!"

The three girls quickly dodge the attack that heading through their way, each girls move to the side as they know that the fight was inevitable.

Before Charlotte could even begin to think, the two hooded women begin attacking her.

The first attacker swinging her fist at Charlotte mercilessly

Charlotte quickly dodges and strikes back with a punch to the liver, forcing the woman to her knee.

The feeling of cold air rush toward her that makes her quickly turn around and grab the two hands of her second attacker, stopping her opponent from slashing her with sword entirely.

Twisting her wrist and using the bottom of her attackers' sword to stun her.

Her opponent dropping the sword into Charlotte's grasp.

This time Charlotte is able to fight toe to toe with a weapon which she got from stunning the attacker.

Slaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaash!

"You are certainly quick to recover, consider me impressed with your recovery rate."

"..."

The hooded attacker did not respond to Charlotte in the slightest, no sign of her emotion nor exchanging words.

Slash! Slash! Slash!

Once again Charlotte was forced to defend herself by dodging the relentless incoming attacks.

The strikes that come through were thick and fast.

Charlotte just manage to narrowly avoid each one

Everything about avoiding attacks she has learned is coming to play as the fight continues, Charlotte is biding her time and striking during best possible opportunity.

Charlotte take notice the power behind each slash

"!"

The blade narrowly pass by her face as Charlotte move out of the way, a small realization cross her mind as she quickly spring into action.

She uses the sword to slice the side of the woman's stomach.

Bending and lowering her legs before Charlotte take her feet off the ground and to the air as her opponent became airborne.

BAANG!

"GUH!"

The small wince of pain escape her lips as she land on the ground.

However, the sounds of treading footsteps force Charlotte to focus as her first opponent return for a second wind.

Her kicks coming quickly as Charlotte manage to catch her leg.

A small smirk appears on her face as she feels for once the advantage is on her side.

However, the first attacker know she had an upper hand on Charlotte Dunois as she use the air to her advantage, her other leg coming off of the ground as she aim a kick for Charlotte's face.

The bottom of her foot eventually connect with Charlotte's right cheek as charlotte is sent flying back

"What a bitch!" Charlotte rage

"I agree Charlotte! They are starting to test my patience!"

Alys dance around her area as she dodge several attacks from her enemies, the first attacker send a flying knee that indented to stun Alys Crystal

Her second attacker throws a roundhouse kick immediately after the first attacker.

Spotting her opportunity to hurt the attacker in more ways more than one, her fist spring to action as her hair fell behind her shoulders.

"AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!"

Her fist connects with the private parts of her attacker; her hand is touching the two circular things that lay within his pants.

"OH MY GOD! YOU ARE ACTUALLY A GUY!"

Her attacker drop to the ground in agony as he cover his privates

"Hold on first attacker-chan! I-I accidentally hit him in the privates!" Alys rush over to the attacker and placed her hand on his shoulders.

"Owwwwwwwww..."

"The hell is wrong with you people!? Hiring men to fight women's battles! I thought he is a woman! I wouldn't do it if I know he was a guy!" Alys exclaimed as she turn her attention to the second attacker, who stood still like a statue.

"..."

"Are you ok?!"

A forceful nod from her opponent told Alys all she needs to know as her battle against them continue.

"Thank god!"

Alys stand up and let out a sigh of relief, her attitude and her behavior back to its usual self as she felt the weight of the world finally be released from her shoulder.

"The hells are you doing Alys-san!?"

Ran parries an incoming attack before spinning around and throwing an elbow to knock out her first attacker.

Ran Getting low as quickly as possible to dodge her opponent's punch before throwing her opponent over her shoulders and end her battle

"Nothing!? I just accidentally did something I was taught to never do! That's all!"

"Alys-san! In battle, nothing else matters other but you and your friends getting out unscathed!"

"B-B-But!"

Alys Crystal whines like a child as she begins to once more fight against her opponent, with a hint of regret lingers in her mind.

Alys Dodge the incoming attacks as she kick her opponent's knee.

She throws her whole body forward as her own knee collide with the jaw of her opponent, leaving him to be sent flying backward to the wall which now has been break through.

Compared to how she was a mere moment ago, Alys expression and her mind quickly changed.

"Haaaaaah! Take that!"

The girl with pink hair got excited after using a combo on her enemy who now lay unconscious in another room which he had broken into.

Although no matter how much she want to celebrate her victory, Alys duck an oncoming attack before throwing a punch to her next opponent's liver and following it with a leg sweep.

Sending her second opponent tumble to the ground

"Ha!"

"..."

Her opponent quickly flip herself off the ground and back onto her feet.

"Woahhhh! That was pretty cool!"

[Can you please be quiet for once Alys Crystal?]

"Hey! That's mean! What the hell did I do huh!?" Alys got annoyed at her IS unit for speaking out to her while her opponent run towards her.

A myriad of punches is being thrown at her, Alys counters each hit as she make sure not a single hit touch her.

Using the time to counter-attack Alys throw punches to her opponent stomach which catch her opponent off guard as she switch her fighting style against Alys, by using her kicks to keep Alys at bay

"Oh?"

Alys grab the leg of the woman and use her strength to throw her to the ground.

[Could you please stop toying with her? It's rather annoying to see someone play with their enemy as they battle.]

Before Alys could get any closer, the woman has gotten back to her feet and tries to do a mix of combos this time.

"What mean? I just need some practice in battle you know?! If I don't get it now then when will I get it!? What if I fight someone way above my league and I haven't even fought in a while?!"

The two women quickly dodge each other's punches and throw kicks towards each other's stomachs.

"Guh!"

"Guh!"

[How annoying, someone who uses me is playing with their enemy...]

Just like a pouting child would do, Alys quickly change the tempo of the fight and dodge a myriad of punches from her opponent.

Alys spinning around and closing the distance before smashing her elbow to the woman's face.

Her hood is still intact as she falls to the ground.

Unconscious of course

"Hmph!"

Alys pout as she refuses to acknowledge what her IS said to her, instead she choose to use her time to admire her friends who have finished their own battles next to her. Each of girls finished their battles in their own little sporadic way.

"Why are you talking to yourself all of a sudden?"

"I'm not! I'm talking to….."

[Don't even say it, Alys Crystal.]

"Hmph!"

Alys turn the other way as she left Ran Gotanda and Charlotte to stare at her with odd looks.

(scene change)

Sakura Tachibana carried a woman with messy blonde hair over her shoulders; the body of an eighteen years old teenager who was only a few years older than her has been on her back for quite a bit.

Sakura carrying her through the desolate hallways that as quiet as ghost town through the large building in Osaka

She currently seeing tons of fallen Tachibana clan members that have been killed in numerous ways, some of them have their heads cut off while some were sliced up to death and left to rot in the building.

The cold breeze touches her cheek as she arrived inside one of the many rooms that belong to her clan. A medium sized wooden room with a dark red wallpaper around the room, with a desk in the top end of the room with a shelf behind it which held many books, photo's, files and cups that has been used to host beverages.

The black leather chair reminds her of a throne that a specific woman used to sit on.

The memory of herself telling her mother that sat on the said throne about her idea to join the IS academy to further the skills she believed to have.

For the others Sakuya Tachibana was always been a cold hearted matriarch of the Tachibana clan, some said she rule with an iron fist, her composure is absolute, and her attitude and behavior remained the same.

However, she is still a mother with her daughters to look after.

Sakura understand her mother's duties as the matriarch of the clan, in fact when she was young she use to encourage it as she used to look up to her mother.

"You have left safely; I hope your illness wasn't causing you..."

Sakura stop talking as she stares at the chair, imagining her mother sitting on the chair in front of her.

The possibility of seeing her mother again begins to make her heart flutter as she has not seen her mother in quite a while. Sakura has spent most of her time at the IS academy for the better part of the year.

Her family abandoned her due to her choice to become an IS pilot.

Even in the midst of that all, Sakura was never once abandoned by her mother. Of course, they had a complicated relationship with their own personal history telling, but they are still mother and daughter.

Sakura love her mother regardless of the issues between them.

As for her family, Sakura also care about them, however, as the matter of her being disowned by her clan in the past has left a huge sting inside her heart, but that matter motivated her to strive better than what she currently was.

Unknown to Sakura, a familiar figure suddenly appeared through the doorway. A middle aged woman as beautiful as fairy, her hair which has similar color as Sakura's is tied in a bun, she wear a loose black fur kimono with red phoenix pattern which tightly hug her voluptuous figure, with curvy hips and a large bust, so big that its almost spill out from her kimono.

Her beautiful light pink eyes turn gentle as she watches her daughter from behind. this woman is none other than Sakuya Tachibana, the hidden fifth member of war diva that has retire for years due to her sickness, the current matriarch of tachibana clan as well as Sakura's mother.

Sakura who feels someone was watching her from behind quickly turn her head to her back. She was surprised seeing her mother smiling gently at her. The mother and daughter pair remains in silence for few minutes until Sakuya break the ice and speak

"I assume those two girls that were roaming the building are your friends?"

"Correct, mother..."

Sakura Tachibana ignored her blooming feelings to run and hug her mother as she hold back with little bit of restraint she could muster up, with the woman who has cared for her ever since she was a child in front of her, she is having a very tough time doing so as she avoid any direct eye contact to ignore her flaring emotion inside her heart.

On the other hand, Sakuya walk towards her daughter with a warm smile on her face, she's not hiding her emotions.

PAT! PAT! PAT!

Sakura was caught off guard as her mother caressing her hair, the older woman looking at her and only her as she showered her beloved daughter with all the love in the world.

"Even after everything that has happened between you and your clan, you still willing to come back, I am very proud of you'

"Mom..."

Not being able to hold herself back any longer, Sakura bury her face in her mother as she wrap her arms around her mother back, while closing her eyes and allow herself to relax in her mother embrace

The mother of Sakura Tachibana could only close her eyes as she allows herself to be enraptured by her daughters' warmth.

Their relationship has always been an odd one, unlike ordinary parent and child. Unlike other normal children Sakura was brought up in a different way. As her mother is the matriarch of the Tachibana clan, she couldn't spend as much time around her children as she wanted to.

Sakura has always understand that matter ever since she was a child and easily accepts the fact that her mother could not always be around, however whenever her mother showered her with love and care Sakura always take the love and care with relative ease

Her father on the other hand

It was a topic that Sakura never really wanted to truly talk about...

And Sayuri Tachibana, the younger twin sister of Sakura that has always been around ever since she was a child, Although unlike Sakura, her sister has 'odd' tendency to always act like a sweet princess to hide her true nature behind the many masks she wear whenever she's in front of others. Sakura has long to get used to it as they eventually begin to grow older and into the first step of her teenage years.

Sayuri and Sakura have a history that had yet to be 'recollected'.

Something that left them at knife's edge with each other, although it was mostly one side rivalry as her younger sister being jealous of her elder sister and wants to be the number one

"It really been a while, hasn't it?"

"You could say that mom, to be honest I am surprised that you still here, I thought you already go to safety and already wait for this situation to blow over."

"That was the plan; however, it shortly changed due to a change of heart."

Sakura couldn't help but wear a confused expression as she leaned back and watched her mother place her hand on her won chest as they separated from each other's

"Change of heart...? I don't understand..."

Cough! Cough! Cough!

Sakuya Tachibana begins to cough repeatedly as her face went slightly red due to the forceful cough.

(Scene change)

Houki quickly evade an incoming attack as she fizzed through the air, using her IS unit to dodge and weave the attackers and dodging the many lasers which has turned and tried to hit her.

Houki are Dancing through the air at a lightning pace that her enemies were unable to set their weapons on her

She is Fluid in all of her movements thanks to [Fumetsu Akatsubaki], Houki has already taken into account that her enemies being unable to be airborne as she has taken out her only airborne enemy the [Jackal Alpha].

Lowering herself she turned around, she notice many unmanned IS' run towards her with their long claws on their hands and feet.

Each one of the red-eyes the [Jackal] has stare directly into her soul

Houki smile as she know she has advantage over her enemy, her blade within a touching length as she plan to go through her first attacker before take on those who oppose her.

The claw narrowly avoided by her while her IS blistering speed has sent the blade into the translucent gel.

Before piercing the heart of the [Jackal] in front of her in a short time

Sending the now lifeless body into the forest that surrounds them, the trees being knock down in the process due to the sheer power that send her enemy tumbling into the trees

Houki now on her feet aimed her eyes and her blade at the translucent gel of the next [Jackal], before going to work.

Her quick movement left the unmanned IS unit no amount of time to react as Houki quickly slashed through the armor.

She is using her left fist to strike the opponent in the face before slashing at the body of her enemy with an 'X' Slash.

Slaaaash! Slaaaaaaash!

The armored body of the [Jackal] quickly collapsed; however the sister of the genius has already move on and appeared in front of her next opponent, using her power and speed to knock her attacker forward as she sense more [Jackal]s around her.

Houki quickly move out of the way when she sense the sharp claws come across her bright red IS unit, it leave a cut on her IS while she grip the black handle of her sword tightly and returns the blows from her third attacker as she use multiple sword slashes to pierce and cut the robotic body.

"!"

Once more, Houki moves her head and body out of position as she dodges the overhead attack.

Using the back of her sword to bash the helmet of the unmanned IS unit, causing her opponent to become disorientated and stunned as she quickly spin around and slash through the head.

The body of the [Jackal] quickly collapsed as it shut off from the inside.

It felt like a very long time since she has felt the rush of battle, it has been a decent amount of time since then she was able to use her IS against pragmatic enemies, this time it were the ones that dare to attack her friend's clan.

Her mind drifts off as she turns her attention elsewhere, the chaos that had happened so quickly and so... strangely?

It was something that didn't sit right with Houki, it did not feel like something was right at all.

However, the IS pilot no longer has time to think on the matter as she find herself dodging another incoming attack, she grab the wrist of her opponent and twisting it

Giving her the upper hand, while she step on her helpless enemy stopping it from moving

She hold her sword above her enemy head as it struggled to do something.

"...Die."

Houki hold her weapon with her two hands as she forces it to pierce her enemy head quickly and powerfully, causing the ground around her to slightly shake and creating small dust cloud to be formed from the dirt

Her eyes remain closed as she allows herself regain her composure.

Letting the grip of her weapon go as she reach for the bobble which kept her hair neat and compact, Houki remove her hair bobble and allow her hair to flow freely, her IS unit deactivating in the process.

Houki in her IS suit stare out to the cold sky.

For a few moments, Houki feel at peace as she allows herself to feel the gentle breeze pass her, her mind goes completely blank.

"Hey, little sis! What...!"

"!"

The masculine voice of the man she know all too well has strike out to her like a sore thumb, her eyes goes wide as she pull out her sword and rush towards the voice as he keep complained.

A small smile rising on her face as she rush forward to the empty space which surrounded by many broken cherry blossom trees, the costs from the battle that Houki and the IS units have caused to the Mother Nature.

Her breasts bouncing as she rushes forward through the bushes.

The brown-haired girl spots the two familiar figures, the brother and sister pair that she knows all too well

"Ichika?"

His eyes widen as he turn his head, spotting Houki coming out from the bushes.

"Houki?"

...

(Scene change)

Kanzashi monitor everything from a distance like a hawk, watching over every little thing that happened within the Dunois Family territory.

Pulling all of the strings together, monitoring every little thing about the unknown enemies she and her close friends faced.

She aid her friends by finding information, gathering info of the enemies and to debrief the girls before beginning to analyze once more. Although by staying on the background while watching her sister, Charlotte and the other girls fighting also made her want to join the fight herself, she hold a part of herself back as she changed comms, and communicating with her friends for few moments before switching out.

She has done all of this somewhere on a hill overlooking the entire base of the Dunois family.

A place where she could see everything there was needed to be seen, under the dark sky which shows many stars from a distance, the odd appearance of her friends battling against their enemies far away from her location.

The buildings spread across the lands that were surrounded by long and beautiful trees which were slowly but surely getting destroyed due to the heated battles

The problems that currently troubling her heart were the battles that currently happening

["These enemies that we discussed were seemingly appeared out of nowhere, me and the other teachers believe that they have been sent here by phantom task."]

Kanzashi nodded, as she checking the holographic screen in front of her which shows the battle footages

"How did we reach that conclusion? I have never seen IS units like them? They appear to be different than what we are used to face." Kanzashi responded, she type furiously at her holographic keyboard as she and Natasha talk to each other.

["This could be the work of others, Miss Orimura seems insistent that this somehow involved her family..."]

Kanzashi stop typing, as she think of her male friend.

"Ichika's family? I don't think they would start an attack like this after what happened with Miss Orimura and Ichika's sisters a while ago?" Kanzashi remember seeing the footage of Chifuyu and unknown women clashing with Ichika

["I'm not too sure on that, Miss Orimura holds the best opinion, however, what we do know was that this attack has been planned out very well."]

Kanzashi could not argue with Natasha's point.

"I agree with that Miss Fairs, whoever behind all of this has planned it very well, having this many spares of unmanned IS units on standby while the others get destroyed by my friends."

["I agree, there seems to be new information that the attacks seems to be slowing down from what I am seeing here..."]

Kanzashi could tell Natasha wear a shocked expression.

"What is it?"

["..."]

Kanzashi doesn't know whether to be concerned or happy that their enemies have begun to 'slow down', as she anticipate for Natasha response.

["All eyes are on the surrounding area and the numbers have suddenly dropped...? I'm confused..."]

Natasha let out a groan.

"I think we are seeing a plan change from whoever that tried to harm the Dunois family, perhaps they know that they will not succeed no matter how much they try?"

Kanzashi peer out of her holographic screen as she sits on the tall hill that oversees the whole battle.

["I think someone is trying to test us? Miss Orimura and Miss Calling seem to agree on that theory, its worries me that we may be dealing with something more..."]

Kanzashi let out a sigh, hearing the odd voice of the teachers in the background.

"We have established that Miss Fairs? Have we not already agreed on that?" Kanzashi snorted and giggled slightly as her usual demeanor changed.

["I said that out loud...?"]

"Yes...?"

["No matter! I have an update for you! Many of the IS units we were tracking have stop and are currently retreating!"]

"WHAT?!"