A/n
Hello again readers, thank you for the views and reviews that have come to this story! I'm working on revising the previous chapters, since some points have been brought to my attention and I'm addressing them and just changing things here and there. With that said, on with the story!
Chapter 9: Battlefields
-Sai's pov-
When the Saturday before the start of the Individual tournament, I used the final workday to the best of my abilities. That time was spent at Asake IS R&D working on my unit and making it as efficient and smooth operating as possible with the help of my friends. The day literally felt like it flew by with how involved I was with the task I was doing before I knew it, I had gotten back to the academy, unit and all and was out shortly after my head hit the pillow.
Sunday was quieter than the previous day and far quieter than previous Sundays so far this year, girls weren't trying to play with me throughout the day, mercy! I think they're preparing for the tournament that begins tomorrow and so were leaving me alone. Enjoying the respite, I was getting to experience before the battle that was looming over me with Laura Bodewig sometime this next week. I had decided to take a leisurely walk through the grounds of the academy and take in the scenery. My mood had shot up a large amount though, within ten minutes, I wasn't to be alone. I bumped into, of all people, Houki and she wasn't in the same good mood that I was. "Hey Houki, what's going on?" I asked.
Houki stopped and she gazed up to meet mine, "What… Sai, what are you doing out here," she asked.
"Oh, enjoying the scenery and relieving stress before tomorrow, how about you," I answered and asked.
-Houki's pov-
The question Sai asked brought heavy feeling to my heart, mostly reminded me of what event happened around this time of year five years ago. It had been five years ago when Tabane had shaken and changed the world with the debut of the Infinite Stratos. But what could I even tell Sai that he would understand? Sai gestured to the area that we were in and saw a bench under a tree near us, "Perhaps you want to talk about what is bothering you Houki," he asked pointing at the bench.
I nodded, as few were normally willing to listen upon the subject that was coming to mind, other than wanting to know more about Tabane. We sat down on the bench, Sai was quiet, waiting for me to speak no doubt. It took a few minutes to organize my thoughts before I began, "You see, it was around this time of year, five years ago, when it started. I was in the fourth grade when everything changed for me. I was in the national kendo championship at the time, and everyone around me said I would win. However, I was unable to attend the semifinal match and so, lost by default. The reason I wasn't able to make the match, was my sister Tabane, who introduced the IS to the world."
Tabane hadn't contacted us at all, but then she had left nearly four years earlier after meeting an 'intellectual equal' as she put it. In those four years, Tabane called twice and not really said much about what she was doing at all. Then she comes out in public by introducing the IS, doubts she thought about what that would do to relatives. Still, I kept going, "Due to the IS being as powerful as it was and its potential, the government was worried that it would be used as a weapon. Because of that, the government put my parents and myself into a protection program, moving us around in secret so we couldn't be used as hostages to get to my sister."
Still, there had been no contact from Tabane even with what she had brought upon us who she left behind. She was apparently too busy with inventing to be bothered by anything else. Sai seemed to still be listening, but had said nothing, "Before I knew it, I was separated from my parents and lived with my other relatives. I have not seen them for years and have only spoken to them a few times in those years." I paused, "And the one who was responsible for all of this, to begin with, I haven't known where my sister was nor where she is even now but was asked over and over that question. I don't even know if she cares as she really doesn't contact any of her relatives very much if at all."
I didn't hate my sister Tabane, it's just her actions that don't take into account others at all, they infuriate me. Did she think of anyone else at all, or was she the only one that mattered in her eyes? An expression of frustration formed on my face, "People from the government kept interviewing me over and over, I lost count of how many times within the first few months and they kept coming. All the while, agents were watching constantly, how can anyone not be affected going through all of that? Kendo was pretty much all I had, so I kept practicing, I had made a promise to a friend from when I was a child. But then, I was informed he had died in an accident, yet I couldn't stop though…"
-Sai's pov-
Houki wouldn't understand that I also played a part in her story of woe even if I hadn't meant to do so. The reason was that I did do work on Infinite Stratos, along with Alice and I left, which spurred the bunny on to do what she did. Not to say that the original intent of we inventors of the IS had wanted it to become what it had. I've asked myself many times, whether something could've been done to prevent that or if that was just bound to happen. Honestly, I was young, but I knew that I wouldn't be the only one that would suffer consequences for the IS. If anything, I got off easy and came to a place where I belonged when coming to live with Chifuyu and Ichika. Whether the rabbit cared about anyone but herself, I've my own opinion which is she doesn't. So, I bear some of the blame for what happened to Houki and so guilt was coming to me at hearing this.
Then, the other event in my life that had changed so much, Ichika's death. And now that I think about it, he did mention a purple-haired girl that went to the dojo he attended when he was younger, I guess he could have meant Houki. The girl herself had become silent by this time and I refocused back on her and not on the thoughts of my past. "I can't say I know how that feels exactly Houki since I have lived a different life than you. But I can understand not being around family. I've pretty much have been on my own from a young age, only when I met Chifuyu did I have what one might call a family," I said trailing off.
Houki stared at me, "Wait, Chifuyu?"
I nodded, "Yep, she took me in and I stayed with her and her brother Ichika for a while."
There was silence between us and it was an uncomfortable one, we need a change of subject. I decided to break it, "So, with the tournament starting tomorrow, you understand that whether you win or not, I'm still willing to take you out on a date, right," I asked.
The blush that appeared on my fellow teenage, was like watching a gasoline fire starting, was amusing. She was still looking at me, but she was taken by surprise by what I said apparently. "Y-You mean that," Houki tentatively asked."
I smiled, "Yes, I do, you asked, and I said yes. I'm a man of my word so, just do your best in the tournament."
Houki happily nodded. In the back of my mind, there was still a feeling of guilt eating away at me. Having reminders of the past that I don't want to recall, it isn't pleasant at all to have come.
Monday morning rolled in, Charlotte and I met in the locker room, dressed in our pilot suits and waiting for our first match in the individual tournament beginning today. I was gazing at the screen displaying an overview of the arena and those who had come to watch the matches of the tournament. Granted, they may not be here specifically to see the first-years' matches, more likely the second years and up to the fourth years. But I don't doubt that I'll be getting attention after the first match though more specifically the match when Bodewig and I 'settle our differences' will get serious attention. However, I focused on other things to take my mind of that idea for the time being. "Must say, it's quite a lot of guests to view the individual tournament already," I commented seeing some well-dressed people sitting at one end of the arena.
Charlotte came up beside me and looked at the display, "Oh, I believe some of those observers are recruiters here to look for prospective pilots among the seniors. Then, I would assume the others are here to see the Juniors and Sophomores to see how much they have learned in the year that has past," she said.
That explanation makes sense, it's from the IS academy that companies and governments scout out young people to work for them. I will be refusing any and all offers from those who will approach me and there'll be quite a few of those I'm seeing now doing that once they see the match between Bodewig and me. As I said before, I've no interest in working for anyone, nor will my 'work' be up for sale or any to inspect period. "Well, it's a tough job I suppose, but someone has to get stuck with it though kind of early if there here to see the students that they have an interest in. Looking ahead, however, I'm curious as to how the pairings worked out for the first-year tournament bracket," I asked myself and Charlotte.
The flier that I'd seen, stated that for those who didn't choose to pair up with someone, they would be assigned a teammate by random drawing. I'd been approached by girls throughout the week asking, and at times begging for me to be their partner for the individual tournament. Of course, as I'd chosen Charlotte as my partner for the tournament, I couldn't accept the offers, so I politely declined the girls that asked and begged me saying that I was sorry. To whoever would be put with Laura Bodewig, my heartfelt condolences to them, that'll suck badly!
"Are you thinking about the match with Laura Bodewig," posed Charlotte, gaining my attention back.
"I've been somewhat yes, you haven't," I replied in a flat tone.
To be honest, I'd thought about the match a fair deal. Laura Bodewig and I would fight it out to the finish whatever that would be. That end was it up to Bodewig, I would be dead at the battle's conclusion and she standing over my broken body in triumph. Yet, were it up to me, then I would rather that not happened and for such to occur Charlotte's help would require winning the match. Or the teachers could get to Bodewig before she manages to get past my defenses and do real harm to me. Not to say I haven't had people hate me… even one or two who hated me to a great degree to the point you can accurately say they hated my guts. Nonetheless, I've never had anyone want to have my head on a silver platter to be fully satisfied and will do anything to get that!
Charlotte gazed at me steadily waiting for my answer to her. I began with a sigh, "Am I worried? Yes, the German girl is out to take off my head if she can manage it before she is forced to stop. Do I think she can do that? I find it fairly unlikely as teachers will be on hand should something go wrong, and I don't intend to lie down and let Laura Bodewig have her chance to kill me."
My French partner still looked worried, "Sai, do not let her get to you. Keep in control and we should do well even against Miss Bodewig," she said with confidence.
What Charlotte said is true, we keep calm and levelheaded, we should do very good in the tournament. Laura Bodewig's problem is that she's focused so narrowly on her goal, which is ending me currently to the point that she's blind to almost, if not all else. It is similar to having tunnel vision, you only see what's directly in front of you, so when something comes from anywhere else, you won't see it at all. "The reminder and pep talks are appreciated Charlotte however, I know not to let my emotions get the better of me. Thanks for the suggestion though," I replied to her.
The screen that had been showing the overlook of the stadium cleared and then the displayed the bracket that showed the order of fights and who would dance with whom. As expected, first years were the first up to duke it out among one another and now we would know the order that would play out. "Look they are posting the first matches," Charlotte said.
Glancing over the bottom of the bracket which had the starting line-up for this contest, but I didn't get far. In fact, I stopped at the first bracket that would be going first to find the matchup I was looking for. I couldn't help what came out of my mouth at seeing the four names in the bracket, "What the hell?!"
Charlotte gasped slightly after I had made my exclamation. The first match of the Individual Tournament was Charlotte Dunois and me, versus Laura Bodewig and… Houki Shinonono. I feel very sorry for Houki, to be paired up with the one that's arguably descendent of Adolf Hitler is not nice. I say that because Bodewig has a similar mentality with me and probably most if not all other males as that villainous man did with the Jews in Europe during World War II. The beginning match in this contest would be something else, that's for sure! Damn it, guess I won't have to wait long at all to settle things with Laura Bodewig, we're the first match.
-Charlotte's pov-
The morning of the Individual Tournament came, Sai and I met in the locker room. Of course, we didn't dress because of each other or anything like that, we are a young man and woman after all. Once dressed in our pilot outfits, we met up and were waiting for the start of our first match in the individual tournament. Sai gazed at the main display that was giving an overview of the arena and those who had come to watch the matches of the tournament. When I looked, the stands were filling quite quickly and with little room to spare. There were also people in suits and formal wear at one end of the arena stands, likely here to observe the matches. I know that there were some from my father's company that would do that kind of thing when tournaments occurred. Although, it is early for observers to arrive unless they wanted to see some of the first-year matches.
Meanwhile, Sai had been silent, yet also looked to be brooding the whole time in the locker room. I mean, the air between him and the German Miss Bodewig was not nice, very foul to be honest, it was palpable when the two were in the same room. I was actually worried about Sai, for he is an extremely nice boy and Bodewig clearly wanted to hurt him and do more if she could. With Sai forgiving me after I told him the reason I was sent here, that he didn't blame me wasn't what I expected. He has been a friend for me in this school first before any other girl and had gone out of his way to help me. Sai is the nicest boy I have ever met when I was led to believe he wasn't like that at all and I'm glad he is. Also, Sai is very handsome I will admit, every time he smiles, my heart flutters and I feel warm and fuzzy all over. So, I don't want him to be hurt or maimed by that hot-headed German in the upcoming match!
Plus, I am quite curious just how skilled Sai is with piloting an IS as he had shown that he was more than good during our spar. Granted, his IS unit was very unique, the most customized unit I'd seen with an IS before now at least. Yet, my attention was drawn back to Sai when he spoke, "Must say, it's quite a lot of guest to view the individual tournament already," he commented looking at the display.
I made my way to be next to him, seeing his focus was on those that were here from IS production companies. "Oh, I believe some of those observers are recruiters here to look for prospective pilots among the seniors. Then, I would assume the others are here to see the Juniors and Sophomores, to see how much they have learned in the year that has past," I said.
Sai appeared pensive for a few moments, what he was thinking about I could not say, "Well, it's a tough job I suppose, but someone has to get stuck with it though kind of early if there here to see the students that they have an interest in. Looking ahead, however, I'm curious as to how the pairings worked out for the first-year tournament bracket," Sai remarked.
Indeed, the flier that we'd seen had stated that for those who didn't choose to pair up with someone, they would be assigned a teammate by random drawing. I would not doubt Sai had been approached by girls throughout the week asking him to be their partner for the individual tournament. I was glad he had paired with me of course and I think we would work well together and that would be key to defeating Laura Bodewig. Yet, whoever it was that would be teamed up with Bodewig, they will be in a very harsh position with that German! I glanced back at Sai, "Are you thinking about the match with Laura Bodewig," I posed, to which Sai twisted to look at me.
"I've been somewhat yes, you haven't," Sai replied in a flat tone. I'd been thinking about the match yes, for Bodewig would not be an easy opponent and if underestimated, she would do harm to Sai and me. I wasn't as worried about myself as I was about Sai, he didn't deserve the treatment that he receives. I kept my eyes on Sai waiting for him to answer more fully. He started with a sigh, "Am I worried? Yes, the German girl is out to take off my head if she can manage it before she is forced to stop. Do I think she can do that? I find it fairly unlikely as teachers will be on hand should something go wrong, and I don't intend to lie down and let Laura Bodewig have her chance to kill me," Sai finished.
My worry was not going away at his reply, "Sai, do not let her get to you," I urged. "Keep in control and we should do well even against Miss Bodewig."
If we can keep calm and levelheaded, we can win against Bodewig as the German lets her emotions rule her. Laura's absolute focus on her goals and ignoring all else will be her undoing and that will be proven. "The reminder and pep talks are appreciated Charlotte however, I know not to let my emotions get the better of me. Thanks for the suggestion though," Sai returned.
That helps lessen the strength of my fears a small margin though they didn't go away completely. However, then the screen which had been showing the overlook of the stadium cleared and then it displayed the bracket showing the order of fights and who would fight who. The first years were the first to go through their matches, but now the order was set. "Look they are posting the first matches," I said.
Both Sai and I were scanning the brackets to see where we were compared to everyone else, specifically, I believe we were both looking at what point we could fight Miss Bodewig. Yet, it was in the first bracket that our search ended, our first match was the one that we were looking for. And the fourth name in the match that was with Bodewig was one I doubt either of us thought we would see. "What the hell," exclaimed Sai.
I gasped at seeing that Houki Shinonono was paired with Laura Bodewig and I felt sorry for her as well. It seems odd that our fight would be the first, it was no secret that Laura had issues with Sai though he didn't reciprocate the feelings. She was out for blood and would try hard to get it from Sai in this match, of that much I'm certain.
-Sai's pov-
It wasn't even fifteen minutes from when Charlotte and I were in the locker room, to the two of us being on the grounds of the IS arena facing off against Laura Bodewig and Houki. All of us were all outfitted in ISs, three of the four of us in personal units and Houki in one of Japan's Uchigane models. It was clear to me that Bodewig was completely focused on me and me alone. She was giving me a murderous glare and the look of bloodlust in her eyes, and it was stronger than it had been before now. The German female smiled as she glared at me like an animal salivating over good quality meat they're about to consume. "To be able to face you in the first match of the tournament. How very convenient, I won't have to wait to prove you are nothing and to be rid of you once and for all," she said to me.
Honesty is the best policy in my opinion, and I would be lying if I were to say that I wasn't looking forward to proving that Laura Bodewig's view and conception of me was utterly and totally wrong. The enjoyment I feel when I disprove someone's misconception of something… normally their view of me or what I was capable of, gave me serious kicks and giggles. This situation was no different to me really, "Admittedly Bodewig, I'm glad we don't have to exercise patience and wait to settle our issue as well. But be careful not to focus on how you see me being the truth for I have a very nasty habit of proving other people like you wrong," I returned to her with a half-smile.
The image of a blue cube appeared above us, it had the number five on all the sides except the top and bottom, the countdown timer then is it? Absolute silence settled over the stands as the numbers began to count down towards the start of the battle that would be no doubt epic before the end. You would need a sharp knife to cut the tension with how thick it was and it's still getting thicker by the millisecond! By the time the countdown was at two, a lumber jack's heavy ax or one of their tree saws would unlikely be enough to split the tension now. "Your defeat will be the first thing you experience today, but not the last," shouted Laura Bodewig.
So, that's the way she wishes to do this, then bring it on! "Dream on Bodewig! Reality will be a rude awakening for you," I bellowed in response.
The horn sounded signaling for the battle to start and Laura Bodewig surged forward carving a warpath towards me. My response was to shoot off to the right of where I started, and the German adjusted her path and began chasing me. I assumed Charlotte was focusing on Houki as that was the basic plan that we had discussed before the match. No offense intended to my former roommate, but she was the weaker one of the opposing two-member team. Plus, it would be better for her to be out of this fight as soon as possible for her own safety and well-being. Laura Bodewig is as dangerous to her teammate as she is to me heck, I doubt Bodewig sees Houki as anything more than an obstacle between her and me.
Flying at a moderate speed, Bodewig was closing the distance which is what I wanted her to do. The fine art that is leading an opponent into a trap, it takes cunning and skill to accomplish well! I was definitely leading her into a trap and she like a mouse was so focused on getting the cheese that was the bait that she doesn't see the trap itself the bait was set in to tempt the mouse. It just goes to show how dangerous it can be to focus on your target to the point that you shut out everything else. Yet Bodewig had shown that she saw nothing wrong with sacrificing anything for her goals.
Bodewig brought up her railgun aiming at me and then fired without hesitation which I expected of her. Nonetheless, I weaved out of the way as if this battle was a dance much to the frustration of my pursuer. Heck, the arena operators should just start playing music the fight was going that smooth. Plus, my body movements also looking as if I was dancing likely added to my opponent's displeasure and my amusement.
We soon ended out flying close to the wall of the arena and my opponent ceased using her railgun and showed signs she intended to just get up close. When she was almost within twenty feet, I brought out my Gatling guns, and the German girl didn't notice the action. Bodewig was fifteen feet when I sprung the trap by spinning around and pointing my Gatling gun barrels at her and started unloading lots of rounds at her. I was satisfied to see the look of surprise that showed that I had caught my opponent off guard as she was forced to block with her arms and energy shield as the rapid firing projectiles peppered the German for around ten seconds. However, after those ten seconds of peppering with bullets, Bodewig managed to project her AIC field stopping the barrage of weapon fire.
-Charlotte's pov-
Sai was drawing all of Laura's attention from the beginning of the battle while I focused on Houki, which had been the basic plan. So, I rushed forward, combat knife in hand and began to block Houki's attacks while getting shots from my machine gun. Houki was clearly skilled with using a blade, the way she handled it showed that. As she and I fought, the glimpses I did get of Sai's fight with Laura, it looked more like he was dancing than fighting, which is saying something in this. Laura was not going easy or holding back fighting, she was trying to hurt Sai and more if she should get away with it I wouldn't doubt. Yet Sai was evading her attacks with what appeared to be relative ease.
Then when I had managed to force Houki back a distance from me, I got the sight of Sai unloading rounds at Laura before she got her AIC up. I switched over to my sniping rifle before I aimed and fired at the German girl and scored a hit on her. That exploited the main flaw of the AIC, one can't focus on two targets at the same time. While Laura was turned towards me, Sai zoomed forward, spun a full three-hundred-sixty turn and sent his fist into Laura's midsection. I aimed my sniping rifle at Laura again, but before I could pull the trigger Houki attacked me again and I was forced to move out of the way.
I fought Houki off by using both my assault rifle and a machine gun in the rapid switch technique and made her back up from me. A concussive blast drew my attention, looking to the source I saw Laura flying into an arena wall hard from an explosion. What Sai had used, I cannot say, his IS seemed to have offensive options rather different from conventional means used by most. Yet, Houki came at me once again, and my attention shifted back to her. However, before Houki reached me, Sai appeared with his beam sabers and intercepted the incoming attack. Without hesitation, I moved backward and started firing off my assault rifle and machine gun whenever I could site Houki as Sai kept her occupied. Sai and I were forcing Houki back one step at a time, but a wired dagger came from our right and wrapped around Houki's right leg. The wire jerked Houki up and cast her aside after doing a circular arc having Houki roll as she hit the ground.
The wired dagger, of course, was an attack from Bodewig going too far in attacking her own teammate. To be as much a threat to and even attack her own teammate as she would her opponents is crossing a line! Still, I made my way over to where Houki had landed as she was in danger as long as she was in this match. Sai surged forward at Bodewig drawing her away from Houki and the two resumed fighting one another.
-Sai's pov-
Laura Bodewig apparently, believes she was done with her timeout I sent her to with her hooking Houki's right leg with one of her 'dagger cables'. I knew that the possibility of Bodewig stooping to the level that her allies were in danger as much as her opponents were high. Yet, for her to have thrown her own teammate out of the way to get to me, that's low by pretty much any standard. Even Chifuyu who Laura Bodewig appears to respect would not do what the German had done.
Our beam sabers met a few times as I forced the girl after my head away from Houki so that she wouldn't hurt her. When we locked in a clash that neither of us was willing to give ground to the other, I decided that this German needed to hear sense even if she wouldn't heed it. Heck, I couldn't stop myself from telling this German that her treatment of her comrade was just wrong, "Have to say Bodewig, your standing just keeps getting lower and lower. You have little if any emotional control, you don't listen to anyone else even those you are to take instructions from which makes you a serious delinquent. And now, you see your teammate in the same way as you do your opponent, an obstacle. If that's how you treat others on the same side as you, then it's clear why you have no friends and none are willing to be around you," I grunted to my opponent.
"If it gets me closer to the goal I'm working for, then it is fine and acceptable. There is no need of friends, they are a weakness," Bodewig replied.
I can't believe she thinks of others like this, it's pathetic! Laura Bodewig had pretty much said that 'as long as the goal is reached, it doesn't matter how many bodies of the sacrificed litter the pathway to the end', I expect that mentality from the doll and few others. This just makes me want to beat Laura Bodewig more! "It's that kind of thinking that will end with you being totally alone, even Chifuyu isn't like that," I snapped back.
My mention of Chifuyu threw Bodewig off and taking the opportunity rushed forward. I physically grabbed my opponent IS and all in a firm vise grip before my wing apparatus swung to have all of them pointing behind me. All my thrusters ignited making both Bodewig and I move forward from my perspective. The girl I held didn't struggle at first, she was more surprised at my action and so didn't fight back. I leaned forward to increase the movement and I shoved Bodewig to the ground and pinned her to it, dragging her along and making a credible trench. I dragged my opponent against the ground, which would be draining her shield energy and just delivering physical impact to her. However, she managed to pry my grip loose and hit me hard getting me off of her after fifteen meters.
Flying in a perpendicular direction that I had been traveling scant seconds ago spinning as I went, I was working on regaining control. I bounced against the ground once before I regained my bearings and managed to get my unit's feet connected to the ground sliding against it and came to a stop seconds later. I stood back up facing Laura Bodewig, ready to resume this contest in which, one of our strategies would be what determined who would have the victory.
-Houki's pov-
I was getting up after being attacked by my own teammate no less. This fight was going much worse than I had imagined it would since seeing that my partner was to be Laura Bodewig. Sai and Charlotte Dunois were working near seamlessly together, and it was working for them better than the lack of teamwork that was happening between the German girl and me. The sadder thing, Laura didn't even appear to realize that her undefeatable defense of hers had been compromised through teamwork. Her narrow focus on Sai and beating him would cost her this match in the end, it was a matter of time. Still, I would not let things as they are stopping me from doing the best I can to win this match!
Once on my feet, I saw that Charlotte was approaching me, "Houki, are you alright? Laura threw you pretty hard," she asked.
"I'm fine," I stated, "You shouldn't be worrying about your opponent."
"Perhaps not, but I am worried about a fellow classmate that was just in a dangerous situation," she insisted.
"We're still in a match, so appreciated as your concern is, it's not needed," I said and brought my katana to the ready.
"Fair enough then," Charlotte agreed to have her assault rifle and sniping rifle appear.
I rushed forward, swinging at Charlotte, who evaded and began shooting at me, wearing my shield down. "I am sorry that your opponent is me instead of Sai as you might have wished, I just ask you do not take this personally. It is for the best it happens this way," said the French girl.
Charlotte kept firing her weapons at me and she wasn't missing, she was making each shot count. Every shot was decreasing my shield energy drop further, "What are you… stop that," I shouted in frustration.
With Charlotte's shots taking my shield energy down as they were the outcome was obvious yet frustrating. Half a minute later, the IS I was in stopped and let out steam, signaling that it was done, and I was out of the match. My head fell, "Is this as far as I can go? Am I that far behind others," I questioned myself.
-Sai's pov-
At seeing that Houki was out of the battle, a little guilt washed over me. It was kind of mean to target Houki first for the simple point of taking her out of the match so that Charlotte and I can then focus a team effort on Laura Bodewig, but that's how it had to be. The German was aiming to take my head, and that's serious business! I would do whatever it would take to keep my head exactly where it was connected to my neck. Just the same as if I were going against the hasenpfeffer or the porcelain doll and that was a different matter normally!
And speaking of my opponent, she aimed her 'railgun' at me a let loose a round, I dodged the shot. I brought out my beam rifles and shot back, yet as I suspected that didn't work as Miss Bodewig just used her AIC to block me. Bodewig was about to fire her cannon again, but she's forgetting a very important fact, I'm not alone. The flaw of the AIC is that it can only work on ONE target at a time and only one. This was proven when she got hit and the cannon's orientation was changed at the last moment causing the shot to go wide and miss me. Turning my head, I saw it had been Charlotte and her assault rifle that had yanked opportunity from Laura Bodewig once again. Charlotte came over to where I was, "Are you alright," she asked.
I nodded and grinned tightly, "Yep, I finished my warmup and have gotten the ball rolling in this battle. Thanks for the assist, by the way, with you here we can get this match heading towards its conclusion. I would like not to die and that means we have to beat Bodewig for that to have the greatest chance to happen."
Laura faced us down, after one last look at each other, Charlotte and I sped off in opposite directions. The tactic of splitting your enemy's attention in multiple directions, to confuse one's opponent is effective. More so, because this opponent's 'undefeatable defense' depends on the German focusing on her target for that defense to work. However, the grey-haired teenager went after Charlotte and not me and that's unexpected to me. I more expected her to go for me, yet my partner had prevented Bodewig from getting to me, so I guess that could be a reason.
Well, as Bodewig isn't going to pay attention to me, I can show her what else I have to work within my arsenal and it will be a pleasure. I made my decision and took out both of my beam rifles and combining them into my single long gun and I brought it to bear on Bodewig. Of course, I couldn't fire this gun at full power, it would kill Laura Bodewig and leave nothing. I fired this weapon the last time at the higher end of its capacity and that had shattered a section of the arena's defection field. With the adjustments that Olivia and I had done last Saturday, this gun was more manageable, but it's still dangerous. This weapon hasn't gotten out of the experimental category yet, and it unlikely would without much more work. I needed to be careful so, after charging up, I locked in the beam's path it would take and pulled the trigger.
The beam wasn't as big as it had been previously, but it was still nothing to scoff at. It shot forward and hit the Miss "I need no one else" that had battle lust in lots of surpluses. The shot threw her off Charlotte nicely and her shield would go down an amount for the shot. Bodewig recovered yet was sent a distance of twenty-five meters before she was able to stop. The German glared at me, raw fury evident from her expression while I smiled slightly which incensed her. I put away my rifles and added bringing up my left arm and used my hand to gesture for her to come and get me. "Why would you lay down and die already," She screeched at me sending out two of her dagger cables whizzing towards me.
Deflecting the first dagger by punching it with my right fist and then I ducked out of the way of the second dagger. "I like and prefer living Bodewig, so I'm not sorry to disappoint, but I won't be dying yet thank you," I yelled back to her.
-Charlotte's pov-
Sai is absolutely right, we can and will win this match, not just for both of us, but for Houki as well! "That's right, this isn't over yet," I shouted after Sai had said his piece without missing a beat.
I sped forward at Laura Bodewig, using the "Ignition Boost" technique to reach her in seconds and my machine gun to pepper her with bullets. Successfully pulling off the ignition boost taking the German by surprise with her AIC undeployed. Laura was forced to put up a defense of cross her arms over her chest and face to block the incoming fire. "Wh-What, she can use an ignition boost?! But that wasn't in the data on her or her unit," called out Bodewig flustered by the change in the flow of the match.
I kept up my assault, "That would be because this is the first time I've used it and I'll make it count," I replied firmly.
Laura was a little confused at my response, "You just now learned how to use it?"
I didn't let up against Laura, not giving her the chance to deploy her unit's AIC. I wouldn't doubt that Sai is preparing a strike against our opponent. If I could get into close enough range, I had a shield pierce equipped to my IS and that could bring this match to a close. But if Laura knows it's coming, she will likely counter it before it could be effective. However, Laura managed to get her AIC in place against me and my attacks became neutralized. "Your efforts don't matter, you're still powerless against my canceling barrier-"
-Sai's pov-
This needs to end here and now! It's two against one, Laura Bodewig will lose this fight because of that fact. I deployed my Gatling guns once again and took aim at the German. Meanwhile, the said woman I was aiming at was trying to put on an expression of confidence after being taken by surprise by Charlotte's surprise attack. "Your efforts don't matter, you're still powerless against my canceling barrier-"
My arm Gatling guns flashed to life and I started shooting at Bodewig and cut her off in mid-sentence causing her to cry out as she stumbled forward a bit from the short barrage of bullets. If only shutting up politics in the US was as easy, then the world would be much better than it is now. To add insult to injury, I called out one line to the German on the receiving end of my bullets, "You were saying Bodewig?"
Laura Bodewig's glare she shot me was a murderous one, far more magnitude to it than previous, her railgun came up and pointed at me and fired. I moved to the right and heard a second round shot from the girl, I leaped into the air and spun into a tight barrel roll. Shot two from my opponent's rail cannon zoomed past me while I was looking at the ground. At the same time, I began bringing out my own railguns. Seconds later, my feet hit the ground and planted themselves firmly and I came to a stop with my guns at the ready and pointing at our opponent. I smirked and yelled, "Hey Bodewig, special delivery, FIRST CLASS!"
The two railguns on my hips hummed and fired, the projectiles hit Laura Bodewig head-on and hard exploding in front of her when they were at point-blank range. The shockwave sent the German girl flying back towards the arena wall. Charlotte rushed forward at our opponent, her left shield over her arm at the ready. As she got close to Laura Bodewig, Charlotte's shield blasted off and a shield pierce was visible… very nice, well played indeed! My partner started punching Miss Bodewig in the gut over and over. And that's that, the match is pretty much over and yet, why do I get the feeling that something is amiss?
Paranoia is something I've had with me as a companion for quite some time and it tends to serve me well. As I glanced over to where Houki was and saw her sighing in relief as it appeared this was over however, I was still on edge. I can't say why that is though, little did I know my answer was on its way. It came in the form of an alarm going off from my unit's interface, "Warning! Valkyrie Trace activation signal detected," blared Corinthos.
My eyes went wide at hearing that for that spelled serious issues! The Valkyrie Trace or the VT system was a ridiculous idea that had been developed to in theory, increase the performance of an IS equipped with it, that was the original idea in mind with those who designed it. It's my understanding, the system was designed to mimic winners of Mondo Grosso Tournament, I don't know the specifics as I had and wanted nothing to do with such a system. The idea uses the pilot as a 'power source' as well as a basic 'command input', yet the pilot has no real control.
My suspicions of the doll or the bunny being somehow involved have always been high though I can't be sure. The VT system is far too similar to an ability that the core zero prototype IS I test piloted to taking control of. It can and did override the pilot's will and just use them and that was wrong in so many ways. I cursed under my breath, and I had to warn my partner pronto, "CHARLOTTE, BACK AWAY," I yelled at the top of my lungs.
-Charlotte's pov-
I was using the shield pierce to take down Laura Bodewig's shield and end this match. By the look on the German's face, she was not believing what was happening to her. I thought I just about had the job done when Sai's voice came over the com-channel, "CHARLOTTE, BACK AWAY!"
I reacted on instinct and did as Sai said and shot backward, and not a moment too soon! I was horrified to see what appeared to be electric arcs of energy began to come off Laura Bodewig's unit and the girl herself started screaming. A shockwave shot out along with dirt, dust and pressure wave with Bodewig being at the epicenter of it all. The wave hit me, and I had to lean forward to have my center of gravity balanced against the force pushing on me. Blue light now only made a silhouette of the girl visible, with energy crackling and arcing around her. I kept gazing ahead and saw that Bodewig's unit become a black mass with no defined features and started to engulf the girl even as she continued to scream. The black sludge started by enveloping her arms and legs, followed by her middle and was about to finish with her head.
Sirens sounded through the PA system, "This has been declared as a state of emergency. All tournament matches are canceled. The situation is now classified as level D, and a team of instructors will be handling the situation from this point and they will bring things under control!" The security bulkheads started closing quickly, one after another to ensure the safety of the spectators. There were screams and panicked shouts from members of the student body as they were running to a safer place. The voice from the PA continued, "All guests and students are to evacuate immediately for safety."
While pandemonium was settling in among the audience, I moved over to Houki as I was closer than Sai himself was. However, I looked back to the black mass that was shaping itself, and what looked like a likeness of Professor Orimura materialized. Sai turned to face me as I stared horrified at the sight in the arena, "Charlotte, take Houki and get back to the pits, now," he ordered firmly and left no room for argument.
I looked warily at Sai for a moment, then decided to trust him in this for I believe that Sai intended to for a time to occupy this monstrosity. Houki however, resisted me guiding her towards the IS pit, "No!" She looked to Sai, "You're coming with us," Houki shouted.
Sai shook his head, "Nope, I'll be handling things here for the time being, at least until the instructors arrive to take over the job," he said.
"But Sai, you shouldn't do that alone," I rebuked.
Sai pointed towards the pits, "Get Houki to the pits first, then come back and help, I can manage for that long, now go," he answered gesturing to the pits.
I sighed, and then pulled Houki towards the pits, the sooner I do that, the quicker I can get back out here and help Sai! Once I had managed to drag Houki into the pit area, I turned back to head back out and help Sai, but the door closed and locked. I tried to get the door to the arena unlocked but it didn't respond to my attempts. So, I focused on finding another way out into the arena as Sai was along fighting that thing and I wouldn't let that remain that way while I'm able to do anything.
-Sai's pov-
Charlotte sighed and then started to get Houki going towards the pits, which she wasn't wanting to do with me staying out here in the arena. Once Charlotte had almost literally dragged Houki into the pit area, the door closed before the security bulkhead came down and locked in place after them leaving me in the arena alone with tall and gruesome. That means that it's just 'Black Chifuyu' and me here in this arena, and that's just fine by me. Still, the first thing to do is to change things to go more my way hopefully, and the first step in that is to CMA or Cover My A**!
"Corinthos, this won't be an open viewing show, make it so," I said firmly.
"Understood, accessing, reconfiguring shield barrier frequencies, changing security policies, video, and audio recording and access disablement complete," Corinthos replied.
Ah, it's times like this Corinthos is wonderful to have with me! Now that my ass is covered well enough, I can get to work, but first, I should change into something a bit more fitting for the occasion. "System command: engage shifting armor and link primary power supply to the auxiliary power grid," I ordered.
"Acknowledged, deploying shifting armor," returned Corinthos.
My unit began to glow, where once was space between the pieces of the restraint system where parts of my own body showed, appeared grey plating. The area from my knees up to my hips, two rings came from the around where my legs slotted in and two rings came out from around the ball and socket joint of my legs. The rings formed a tunnel and once in that position small plates of metal began appearing between and along with the rings. At the same time, the identical idea and process were being done to my upper arm, encasing the area. The process and system I call Shifting Armor or SA for short and I'm freaking proud of this idea. It's an invention I had started developing a little more than a year ago with the help of Matt and Luther, probably not completely ready for full use, but desperate time requires risky measures.
The SA system allows a nearly complete range of movement with joints as the armor is made up of lots of smaller pieces of metal that can shift on the X and Y axis, hence the name of shifting armor, it's still a work in progress. The restraint system itself gained somewhat heavier plating, adding a bit of weight but it was manageable. The final addition was that my head was encased by a helmet, complete with a respiration filtration system built-in and active heads up display. The point of this change, now I was a good deal harder to take down and I can also deliver more force to my opponent too for enhanced performance is a part of the SA package. Sometimes I can amaze myself with the ideas I come up with and displaying them fills me with pride!
The HUD was showing that power levels overall had risen, shields were now back up to full and were at 1000, which wasn't a standard feature on IS. But that's what I get for using a custom unit with its core being made from one of the IS core prototypes, it is better than other cores. The system performance was also up, and I would likely need the advantage in this battle. A forward screen popped up and was being fed by input from the helmet optic sensors, tall and gruesome was still exactly where she was before, not a single reaction to the change. We'll see how long that will last…
The second I saw that everything with my unit was good to go, I moved forward and started peppering my opponent with my Gatling guns as approached my opponent. 'Black Chifuyu' swung down her sword and I veered to the right avoiding the sword, yet I didn't let up in the barrage of weapon fire I was sending to her. It didn't take long for me to see my Gatling guns weren't having the desired effect even as I circled around this black machine. Well, as Einstein once said, 'doing the same thing more than once and expecting a different result is stupidity' and I'm not stupid, time to switch to a different method. Storing the Gatling guns, my beam rifles appeared at my hips and I grabbed them.
Black Chifuyu performed a low horizontal slashing arc and I felt the first decent shot of adrenaline start to run through my brain. Passage of time seemed to slow down a fair bit, and seeing the big blade coming at me got me to react. I leaped into the air, spun in a seven hundred and twenty-degree double twist over the sword swishing through where I had just been. It felt like I was moving in an environment where slow motion was the normal speed. During the second three hundred and sixty twists, I proceeded with combining my two beam rifles into one. I shifted my body and pointed my long gun at the black machine and pulled the trigger. Wing thrusters ignited and slowed down my backward momentum caused by firing my long rifle. My opponent used its left shoulder shield plate to block the shot I sent however, what ended out happening was the shield being used to block shattered from the blast.
The black machine after the loss of part of it reached its left hand forward in the attempt to grab me. Lowering my combined rifle, I pointed myself at the oncoming machine, two small openings appeared on either side of my chest on the front restraint. Fast orange bursts of flame flashed from the openings as weapons began firing. In full armor mode, the front plate of the restraint had Vulcan miniguns set in them and they have a bit more punch than my Gatling guns as they used high impact rounds even if they only fire a thousand rounds per minute instead of twelve hundred. They were enough to force black Chifuyu to stop and take a few steps back as I kept firing at her.
Yet, with a sweep of the large sword, I was made to move back and recover, which forced me to stop the stream of bullets. I landed on the ground and slid back almost fifteen feet before looking up to my opponent who was now above me with her blade being raised upward preparatory to strike me. I was about to release my grip and drop my combined rifle which vanished a moment later. Then I raised my arms above me with light shield emitters in front to block when projectiles made contact with the black machine's backside. I glanced behind my opponent, I saw Charlotte in her IS using her assault rifle and shotgun and it was holding the attention of black Chifuyu. Bringing out my beam sabers, I came around to face the front of black Chifuyu. I leaped up in the air, my thrusters suddenly blazing and rocketing me upward, igniting my sabers just before I reached the top of my arc, which was above the black machine.
As I came down, I cut a swath right down the center of my opponent, leaving an open gash with the path I cut. When I touched down on the ground I shut off my beam sabers, put them away with a bit of a spin and flare. I followed this by disengaging my unit, which took a few seconds more as there was more to deactivate. The gash opening widened and out from it, Laura Bodewig fell forward, I raced forward to catch her. As she fell, the eye patch over her left eye came off and I noted that the eye under it was golden yellow and was glowing slightly. Laura Bodewig fell directly into my arms and was out like a light. Honestly, the things I do for others, it makes me think that what the doll says of not caring about people isn't the easier way to go. Is helping and saving others like this really worth it?
-Charlotte's pov-
After getting Houki into the pits, I had fully intended to go back out to the arena to help Sai hold out until the teachers arrive. However, before I could head into the arena, the doors shut trapping Sai alone in the arena. I forced myself to keep calm as panicking wouldn't help any in this situation instead trying to come up with getting into the arena and around the security. After looking around and being ignored by those running about, I found a small service space that appeared to maybe lead to the arena. I deactivated my IS and crawled into the tunnel and headed for the light at the other end. Sounds of weapon fire ahead got me to pick up my crawling pace as that was likely Sai fighting.
And once I got out of the "service tunnel" I had to squint a bit as daylight was far brighter than the dim light in the service tunnel I had been in. When my eyes adjusted, I saw the black towering figure from before swinging its sword around. Yet, Sai's IS had changed from what it had looked like before in a noticeable way. Honestly, I could only stare as with a normal IS unit one would see the pilot yet with Sai's right now, he seemed to be covered by metal. It was as if Sai's unit had gained armor which covered him, but IS units aren't designed that way. The energy shield ISs have makes armor unnecessary in competition. However, from everything I'd seen with Sai's personal unit, it was different from any that I knew of. And as I wached, Sai was doing moves that he didn't use in matches at all and once again made me wonder just how skilled Sai really was.
Nonetheless, I was snapped out of my slight trance when Sai used this rifles and blasted through a shoulder section of his opponent destroying it. I reactivated my own IS and by the time I had, there was the sound of rapid gunfire. Upon looking Sai had gunfire coming from his front restraint which kind of surprised me as that isn't where weapons normally are. However, Sai managed to force his opponent back a bit, yet they swept their sword at Sai which made him back up. Sai's attacker raised their sword up to bring it down at him and he brought up his arms to defend himself. I summoned my assault rifle and shotgun before taking aim and firing at the black machine to get its attention away from Sai.
My shots struck the black machine's back and caused it to stumble a bit and then turn to face me. Sai did glance my way before he brought out his beam blades and circled around his opponent while they were focused on me. Sai then jumped up above the black IS and came down cutting an opening as he fell towards the ground. Just after tounching down to the ground Sai stored his weapons and disengaged his unit which took longer than ISs tend to take. My attention was drawn back to the black machine as the gash that Sai made opened wider and Laura fell out. Sai caught her before she fell to the ground and I closed the distance between where I had been and where Sai was.
Once I reached him, I deactivated my IS and looked at Laura who was uncoinseiousness which was understandable after what she had gone through. Sai carried her over in the direction of the pits which were the security bulkheads were opening now. He handed over Laura and both he and I were asked questions about what had happened in the arena. Truthfully, I don't really know what happened in the arena and said as much. I didn't hear what Sai's answers were and I was curious as it had been his warning that had gotten me to back off, so he had to know something.
I was dismissed before Sai was and I waited for him for a bit but when he didn't appear, I figured that he was still being questioned. So I returned to my room going over today's events in my mind. The day had gone far different than I had expected or imagined when I got up. Sai and I were going to fight in a match against Laura Bodewig and work together to win against her. That had evolved into something entirely different and I don't really know how it became what it did. I'm glad Sai is okay, I see him as a friend as he had already has forgiven and accepted me as I am.
-Chifuyu's pov-
Cleaning up the results of what occurred in the first match of the individual tournament was a huge hassle. That Laura Bodewig's IS had been equipped with the Valkyrie Trace system at all was first of all illegal and dangerous to both Bodewig and everyone else around her. The inquiry that was being launched into how such a system was not discovered before now and who potential was responsible for equipping it in the first place would be harsh. The German government would have to explain why their third generation had it and they won't be able to wave it off.
Then there was the matter of Sai somehow knowing about the Valkyrie Trace system before anyone else. If he had known about it before the match, then he should have said something about it, so that meant he and I would be having a talk about it. Should he not have had previous knowledge, then how did he know before anyone else did? Then, when recordings of the time the fight had taken place were looked at, there was nothing. Sai would know ways of making sure that there is no evidence of an event and I believe he did in this, but I couldn't say why. In fact, as I was fuming on the increased workload that I came across my 'little brother', "Sai," I barked.
Sai stopped in mid-step and turned to look at me coming up to him, "Chifuyu, what's up," he trailed off when his eyes locked on to my face which had a deadly serious expression. Sai paused then spoke again, "I assume this isn't a social call or to say congrats of doing well in the match today then."
I glared at Sai, which gave the answer that Sai better shut his mouth and take this seriously, which he did fall silent at. "Sai, I want a completely honest answer to you," I said to Sai flatly with a slightly frosty tone.
He stared at me for a moment, but then Sai gave his answer, "Okay, shoot Chifuyu."
I grabbed Sai's right shoulder in a vise grip and began to squeeze making sure I had his complete attention. He would answer me or else it wouldn't end nicely for him, "Did you have any idea that Bodewig had a VT system equipped to her machine?!"
Sai winced at the grip on his shoulder, and one of his hands grabbing mine to try to get my hand to let go. I didn't release my hold on his shoulder, "Ease up Chifuyu! Are you trying to snap my arm off," he snapped. I squeezed harder to get Sai's mind back on the question, "Did I know about the VT AAA-HA-AH! Your grip is stronger than ever, OW OW," Sai exclaimed. My hold remained for he hadn't given an answer to the question yet and he would give one, "I knew nothing about it Chifuyuuuu AHH!"
"Yet you somehow were aware of it before anyone else," I remarked coldly and forcefully.
Sai's knees buckle as he was under the pain I was putting him in and they hit the ground. I didn't release the hold, but increased the pressure, "Chifuyu if you're going to *GAH* break my shoulder, DAMN, then just do it already! F**king DAMN IT, THAT HURTS," yelled Sai.
I let go of Sai's shoulder to which he fell backward on her rear clutching his right shoulder. A moment later, Sai glared at me while he was taking in deep breaths, "What the hell Chifuyu?! Good God are you trying to turn my shoulder blade into fine powder damn it," Sai nearly shouted at me.
I ignored the language that shouldn't be coming out of his mouth, I glared back at him coldly, "You sure you didn't know about it? This is serious Sai Orimura Taichi," I said.
Sai glared back at me with an expressionless face that would make Alice proud of Sai, "Chifuyu, I rarely lie, less so when you're crushing one or more of my bones. Less you forget, I'm not here because I want to be, the f**king hasenpfeffer is blackmailing me, that's the reason I'm at this academy as I said to you already," Sai snapped. Then he gained a sickened expression, "And for your information, I detest the idea of the Valkyrie Trace system as well as the methodology it's based upon. You of all people should understand why I do," he stated in a controlled voice. "I have experienced what it is like to have one's free will and mental faculties overridden," Sai paused for a moment, "To only be able to watch yourself but not be able to do anything, or have you forgotten that the Black Knight could do that at times?"
Sai got back up to his feet and shook his head before he walked away from me and towards the dorm building. I watched him go knowing that he had been telling me the truth as Sai doesn't talk about what the Black Knight would do in common conversation. And the point of the Black Knight being able to override the pilot's commands and will was true and it had happened to Sai. That was one of the reasons I destroyed the zero core prototype, it was too dangerous to leave as it was. How Sai had known about the VT system before others, I couldn't say, something with his unit maybe. Perhaps Sai would tell later, but for now, there was nothing that could be said between us.
Chapter end!
A/n
And that's where I'll leave off. I hope the match between Sai/Charlotte and Laura/Houki was satisfying, both parts of it. Plus, now I got out more background info on Sai. Please, as always take the time to write a review and tell me what you think or if you wish to bring up something. Peace out!