Some real drama happened last chapter, who knows what's in store this time?
Apart from me, that is.
Disclaimer: I do not own Infinite Stratos.
With Thomas and Chifuyu's falling out, chaos ensues!
To put some distance between them, Thomas joins Ichika and Charlotte on a nighttime job guarding IS Shipments! However, their job goes awry in a random encounter with two unregistered IS Pilots! The incident leaves Thomas and Ichika unable to deploy their Units!
Already being a dangerous position, Thomas must find a way to patch things up with Chifuyu, and keep the situation from getting worse!
But doing such a task is far easier said than done...
"...I'll take your life."
Madoka pulled back the gun's hammer and smiled.
Ichika had less than a second to react.
Madoka pulled the trigger.
Time slowed to a standstill as the bullet launched.
However, Ichika was faster.
Ichika quickly deployed the Byakushki's right arm, narrowly blocking the bullet with the Unit's fingertips.
However, the gun's caliber was a lot more than Ichika anticipated, and he ended up getting knocked off his feet by sheer impact alone. Further surprising, the bullet's impact managed to knock him back as well as off-balance.
Madoka giggled like a sadist.
"I wonder how long this'll last."
Madoka raised the gun at Ichika again.
"Gotta admit, this is nice." She sneered, "Last time, little Tommy refused to submit, and it really got on my nerves."
Ichika flinched.
Did she...?
No! She couldn't have defeated Thomas!
Could she?
"What'd you do with Thomas?!" He demanded.
"You should be worrying about yourself right now!"
Madoka pulled the trigger again.
Ichika was too slow and still stunned by the first round, he wouldn't have enough time to stop the oncoming one!
Thankfully, he wouldn't have to.
Laura jumped from out of the blue, deploying the Schwarz Regan's right arm, and activating the AIC in the process! The bullet stopped dead in its path, and dropped to the ground as though it'd just been dropped!
But for some reason, her eyepatch was missing!
"Laura!" Cried Ichika in relief.
"Dammit...This is why Autumn tried to isolate Thomas in a contained area..." Muttered Madoka.
"Damn you...Going after my bride like zat!" Snarled Laura, "Vhere ish Thomas?! Vhat did you do vith him?!"
"Ugh...'Thomas' this, 'Thomas' that! Gimme a break already!" Spat Madoka, "What makes you think I know?! I've searched top-to-bottom to find the troublesome bastard, he's a damn good hider, if he's still actually here!"
"I vill make you talk!" Threatened Laura, slipping out a knife from the wrist of her sleeve.
"You are not my mentor, zhat much ish obvious! After I subdue you, I'll take you to Mentor Orimura for questioning!"
Laura threw the knife underhanded, aiming straight for Madoka's face.
Out of the blue, four Optical Drones deployed from Silent Zephyrs shot the knife in a crossfire, completely destroying it, and masking Madoka with smoke!
As the smoke cleared, Madoka fully-deployed Silent Zephyrs, towering over the two students.
"Silent Zephyrs?!" Laura gasped, taking up a fighting position.
There was no way Laura could face Madoka with a mere partial deployment, and all three of the combatants knew that for a fact. Thomas was missing, no-one knew what was happening, and they were most likely going to die.
"What a pain." Madoka growled, charging her rifle.
Ichika and Laura braced for the worst.
Before anyone had a chance to think, yet another surprise jumped out from the shadows!
A pair of Revive arms reached around Madoka, and threw her like a football!
"Tsk tsk." Shamed Thomas.
Thomas walked up to the two classmates, in his fully-deployed Rafale-Revive. As he went right next to them, he turned on his heel to face Madoka.
He did not look happy.
"Thomas?!" Cried Madoka in confusion, as she got to her feet.
"YES!" He declared, pointing to his foe as his scowl turned to cocksure smirk, "I AM!"
"Fuck!" Snarled Madoka.
"Listen, Madoka," Explained Thomas, "Tonight's been a really long night, especially because I had a fight with Chifuyu, but I can assure this; Mess with the people I care about, and this will be the shortest night you'll ever have for the rest of your prematurely cut-short life!"
Madoka grit her teeth, as though she were about to retort, but held her tongue.
Instead, she zipped backwards, and launched into the air to escape.
"Soon...Very soon..." She mumbled as she flew away.
Madoka flew off into the night once more, and Thomas couldn't care less.
"What're you doing?!" Cried Ichika, "She's getting away!"
"Ve must pursue!" Agreed Laura.
"Do what you want," Snapped Thomas, recalling his Unit and turning to walk to the dorms, "I've got more important things to deal with right now, so I really can't. I just...Never mind, you just wouldn't understand."
Thomas left Laura and Ichika dumbstruck.
Ichika was still trying to process the entire ordeal.
Laura completely forgot she was following Ichika to try and get some time alone with him.
Thomas just couldn't be bothered to deal with anything that night.
A few nights later...
Ichika, Charlotte, Elias, and Thomas all sat on a rooftop vantage point, overseeing the shipyard below. Currently, they were all in their respected Units, should the need to intervene for any reason arise.
"Lemme ask one more time." Said Ichika, "Just to be sure, we're escorting IS equipment?"
"Oui," Answered Charlotte, "Recently, several countries have asked the IS Academy to test prototype equipment. However...Lingyin's on another assignment, Houki has family business, Cecelia has to attend a meeting, and Laura ignored me."
"Truly a shame." Commented Elias.
"It took a while for me to convince Miss Orimura to allow Ichika to come. But she seemed fine in letting Thomas go..."
Charlotte was quite confused.
"If anything happens to Orimura," Chifuyu told her, "It's your responsibility.
"What about Thomas?"
"You want Scott to go along? Don't let me stop you."
Normally, Chifuyu wouldn't want either of them at such a risk.
However, in the handful of days after Thomas and Chifuyu's little argument, Thomas took every chance he could to put distance between him and Chifuyu. Chifuyu faced away from Thomas, refusing to even look at him.
Thomas kept taking every chance he got to put as much distance between him and Chifuyu as possible.
He wanted to apologize.
He needed to apologize.
But he didn't feel like he had to capacity to actually apologize.
Chifuyu looked as though she would drop him dead and lay him out like a futon if he so much as breathed the wrong way.
He needed the distance to think of a way he could successfully say sorry, and not get ripped limb from limb for saying such horrible things in the first place.
He was angry, and said things they both knew he didn't mean.
Although they were true, it still wasn't right for Thomas to be acting the way he did.
"Neither of you had to come along," Charlotte said, "You two are being targeted, are were ambushed twice!"
"That doesn't give us an excuse though," Said Ichika, "The more the merrier!"
"I just want some distance between me and Miss Orimura," Admitted Thomas, "The longer the better."
"Why don't you just apologize?" Inquired Ichika, "You and Chifu-I mean, Miss Orimura never really fought like this before, so what happened?"
Thomas bowed his head, indulging Ichika's persistent attempts to pry.
"I..." He confessed, "I said some things in the heat of the moment. Wasn't my best moment, but certainly my loudest."
Though no-one asked, Thomas went further into detail.
"I guess Chifuyu just wanted to help, but I was too pig-headed to accept it. It's just...She and dad have been to remove any trace of my mom from my life, and it got too stressful because I can't even prove she even exists. And I..."
He remembered quite well what he said.
"You're not even my real big sister, so what're you getting your panties in a bunch about?"
"...I snapped. I lost it and said things I don't think I could ever take back."
"Oh..."
"Did...Miss Orimura say anything about it?"
"Not much." Said Ichika, "But when me and Laura crossed paths with her, she started crying and locked me in a bear hug."
"You're her real little brother," Said Thomas, a faint hint of jealousy hidden in his voice, "I doubt I can even speak a word to her now without risking being obliterated without any trace."
"I'm sure she doesn't hate you-"
"You know what? Let's stopping digging into this and let me focus on finding a solution."
Elias rested his hand on his shoulder.
"We're here for you," He said, "You don't need to do this on your own."
Thomas locked eyes with him.
"I know that," Said Thomas, turning back to looking over the shipping containers, "But I'm fine. I can handle this."
"You looked as though you'd need a reminder."
"Mhm."
Thomas then switched places with Charlotte, and pulled out his Game Pad.
Everyone else stared at him.
"What?" He said, "Don't tell me you didn't bring yours, we need something to pass the time in rotations."
Ichika slowly pulled out his own Game Pad.
"Where did you get those?" Asked Elias.
"Gamestop back in America," Said Thomas, "An old friend of mine owned the place. She had these shipped to me when she had spares to sell."
"What's the lady's name?" Inquired the heir.
"Amber Tally."
"Amber's always the nicest of the bunch!" Commented Ichika.
"Nifty thing! I've always heard of these, seen them even, but never been this close to them." Marveled Elias.
"I can order one for ya." Said Thomas.
"Would you?! I mean, it's nice and all, but I am more than capable of purchasing one myself."
"Makes sense, makes sense."
"So..." Said Ichika, "Transformers: Escalation? Or Warframe?"
"I'm thinking Warframe," Said Thomas, "Still gotta get the Daily Tribute."
"This'll be a cinch." Ichika said confidently.
Moments after, the group heard a large explosion, looking to find a massive updraft of smoke and fire emerging from a warehouse not terribly far away. Armed guards already on duty were moving to investigate.
"Maybe this won't be a cinch." Said Ichika, as the boys put away their Game Pads.
"We should investigate!" Said Elias, preparing to take off.
"Hol' on," Said Thomas, pointing to the entry gate to their left.
Amidst the confusion, a white, unmarked cargo van ran right through the fencing, and swerved to a stop as it reached the cargo containers. The driver wasn't paying much attention to surroundings, as the van parked relatively next to the base of the group's vantage point.
"We found our explosion culprits." Muttered Thomas.
The group crouched, prepared to leap down from the vantage point.
The side of the van's container popped, and opened like a garage door.
Five IS Pilots in generic Rafale-Revives jumped out, and surveyed the area around them.
Thomas got a good look.
Potentially, they were Phantom Task Pilots. However, it would be premature to rule out anything else. There were five Pilots, which meant one of the students would have to take two.
"Charl," Whispered Ichika, "Do we have an ID for those guys?"
"There's no nationality or ID Code." Said Charlotte, scanning the Pilots with her Revive.
"Alright then," Said Thomas, "Take 'em down. Watch each other's backs. Wait for my signal to jump in."
"What about you?"
"Me?" Said Thomas, standing up, "I got a date with death."
Thomas was the first to engage.
He landed in the middle of the enemy pilots.
"What the hell?!" Snapped one.
The Pilots all trained their weapons on Thomas. Thomas slowly and casually raised his hands in the air.
The other three students all prepared to jump.
"Wait!" Said one pilot, "A male pilot?! That means...He's one of the students from the IS Academy!"
"D'oh shuckle-me-fiddlesticks!" Thomas said sarcastically, "You figured it out! I thought that if we were all twinsies, nobody'd notice! So much for my disguise! Damn, you're all too smart for me!"
"What should we do with 'im?" Asked a second pilot, "I mean, there's only two or three male pilots in the world, people are going to ask questions if we smoke this guy!"
"We can't just let him go," Said a third.
"Hey kid!" Said the fourth, "Wanna get rich quick?"
"What're you doing?!" Hissed the fifth.
"What's it look like? Guys're stupid; offer 'em a couple bucks and they'll do things a team of professionals couldn't do."
"You only know that 'cause you're a hooker! I've seen you at the bar tryin' to get lucky and fool around with boys!"
"Well, he didn't need to know that! Besides, he must feel so lucky since he's got all the girls a man could dream of! Boys in the Academy must be livin' it large!"
"Say...How 'bout we take him back with us?"
"What?!"
"Are you nuts?!"
"I mean, we can...y'know, bribe him and everything, pay him off. But..."
The pilot turned back to Thomas.
"Y'know," She cooed, "We work for a corporation, and we're trying to make some breakthroughs and everything...And, boys like you are a real hot commodity nowadays. So, we were thinking, if you'd come with us, and let us take a look at you..."
She took a few steps closer.
"...We could make it worth your while."
"Really? We're doing this right now?" Said Thomas.
The pilots were a little stunned. Normally, any two-bit idiot would fall for something like that.
"What?!" The first one said in dismay, she quickly tried to use her feminine wiles, "You're not interested? Don''t be that way! We're all experienced young ladies-"
"You know what? I don't have the patience to put up with this horse shit. Fuck it. Take 'em!" Thomas deadpanned.
He wasn't in the mood to be hit on. He felt more like hitting someone instead.
The other students leapt into action.
The sudden intervention startled the IS Pilots. They took their eyes off of Thomas for a single moment.
One moment was all it took.
Thomas vanished in mere milliseconds.
The pilots opened fire, but the students were simply way beyond their level.
"Shit! They're too fast!" Cried Pilot One.
The pilots quickly found themselves cut off from escape, with the students all training their weapons upon them.
"Y'know," Said Thomas, "I have a better deal for you; Come with us and we won't kick your shit in."
Ichika flinched, and glanced at Thomas in concern.
His fight banter was...A lot more sadistic than before.
"It's a whole squad of those brats!"
"Who the hell cares? Waste 'em!"
The enemy pilots opened fire upon the students, who quickly took evasive action.
Elias engaged with his Thermal Claymore and Barrier Shield, quickly taking up a knightly stance.
"Hmph!" He pouted, "I knew I should've taken the Pulse Lance!"
With combined attacks from ramming and slamming his opponent with his shield, he quickly threw her off balance. He'd smack her back and forth by swinging the Shield, right before finishing with a blunt strike from his Claymore.
Ichika brought his Yukihira Nagata down on his foe, trying to cut her down quickly before he could run into any complications. It was obvious the enemy pilots weren't actual IS Pilots, due to their pitiful combat performance. He reached around the enemy's guard, and fired his Charged Particle Cannon right in her face, and sent her straight to the floor.
Charlotte's opponent could tell the operation was botched, and tried to fly away herself.
The French girl quickly gave chase.
"And people insult the French for running away!" She quipped.
The pilot panicked, and frantically opened fire upon Charlotte in a vain attempt to get away from her.
"Fuck! Shit! DAMMIT!" The pilot absolutely lost it, and opened up all her missile racks as she tried to blitz Charlotte.
Charlotte reacted as though she'd been expecting such a move, quickly making a train with the missiles as she shot them out of the air.
"Pfft!" She sneered, as she the raced for the pilot.
The pilot lunged at her with a Knife in hand...
...Only to have the knife blocked easily by Charlotte's wrist.
"Wow," Charlotte insulted, "Your poor handling is holding your Revive back!"
"SHUT UP!" Screamed the pilot.
Charlotte shoved the enemy back, and deployed her Shield Pierce, and sent the pilot back to Earth with a mighty Overhand. The pilot screamed as she crashed headfirst into a container, and was still like a tree.
Charlotte remembered another of her duties.
"Ichika!" She cried in realization.
Ichika's opponent quickly tried to cut him up with a Combat Knife, but Ichika moved far too quickly for her to land so much as a scratch upon the boy. Ichika used the Barrier Void, and hacked off one of the Revive's wings.
He grabbed the pilot by her head with his Energy Claw as the wing clattered to the ground.
"Just give it up!" He pleaded, "We all know you have no chance of beating us!"
The pilot groaned, and dropped her weapon as a sign of surrendering.
Ichika then realized Thomas was still engaged in combat.
Thomas was simply done trying to play around, and instead began a one-v-two with the remaining pilots.
Although the pilots did their best, each time they tried to lay so much as a finger upon Thomas, they were quickly stopped by Thomas grabbing them and throwing them at each other.
They turned tail and ran.
Suddenly, Thomas caught up, flying right between them.
"You're not getting away from ME!" He roared.
He delivered a devastating elbow to one pilot, and a gut-punch to the other.
As one pilot recovered, Thomas quickly took the other, pinned her to a wall of containers, and pressed the barrel of his PDW against her belly.
He pulled the trigger, and roared with hatred.
By the time he was done, the pilot was eased into unconsciousness by the heat of impact of all the bullets.
She slumped into a heap on the floor.
Her partner got up, and tried to take Thomas from behind...
...Only to be met with Thomas igniting the thrusters on his back right in her face.
She was quickly disabled, blinded, and debilitated.
Thomas grabbed her by her shoulder, and delivered a gut-punch to lift her off her feet, and smashed her headfirst into the floor.
Thomas grabbed the back of her head, and lifted her face up off the ground.
"I grew up without a mom!"
He smashed her face into the floor.
"I wanted to be an IS Pilot as a kid!"
He smashed her face again.
"I was the laughing stock of middle school and the 5th Grade for saying that!"
And again.
"A lot of people I cared about lied to my face all my life!"
Again.
"I live in the middle of a fucking matriarchy!"
Again.
"I'm an IS Academy student, but it sure doesn't feel like it!"
Again.
"The entire student body sees the three of us guys as eye candy!"
Again.
"The only reason anyone pays attention to me is because of one! Stupid! Detail!"
Again.
"They all wanna sex me up just 'cause I'm a dude and it's their version of a sausage fest!"
Again.
"They put me up like property and moment's entertainment!"
Again.
"They see me as a fucking prize! An object!"
Again.
"My dad's removing any trace of my mom that exists!"
Again.
"One of the important people in my life hates me right now!"
Again.
Thomas was far too lost in his own seething rage to notice he'd already knocked the pilot out cold.
He was just too tired to even care.
As he calmed down, he pulled her head up to meet his.
"So say it again," He dared, "Say it again that I have it made."
It was only then that Thomas realized he'd gone overboard. The other students waited as Thomas dragged the both of the pilots back by their ankles. He said nothing, and avoided facing any of them as he quietly propped the pilots up into sitting positions.
Ichika could tell that the fight with Chifuyu affected Thomas a lot worse than he let on.
Because in he'd never be so ruthless and overbearing in his right mind.
The pilot Charlotte belted for six was the only one still conscious.
Thomas was too ashamed of himself to notice she was coming to, and pulling out a PDW.
The pilot knew it was pointless, but she wasn't about to go down without a fight.
"EAT THIS, COCKSUCKERS!" She screamed, opening fire upon Elias, Ichika, and Charlotte.
"Charl, Elias!" Cried Ichika.
Charlotte and Elias were in front of Ichika, and quickly brought up their Barrier Shields to block the oncoming bullets. The pilot wound up losing consciousness, and her gun trailed upward, striking holes through several containers.
One of them suddenly caught fire, and exploded.
Thomas and Ichika reacted as quickly as they could.
Thomas brought up both of his Barrier Shields, and worked with Ichika to use themselves as cover as the fireball enveloped them.
The next day...
"Ichika dearest!" Cried Cecelia, "Are you feeling alright today? Elias won't speak a word of what happened and I fear about his well-being."
"Yeah, sure!" Said Ichika, "Why ask?"
"Ugh! Could you be any slower?!" Admonished Lingyin.
"You should never let your guard down, Ichika." Scolded Houki.
"I didn't want you guys to worry!"
"Ugh!" Spat Houki, "Honestly, you're hopeless!"
Ichika chuckled nervously.
"I said I'm sorry! Geez!" Chuckled Ichika.
Thankfully, none of the girls noticed the Byakushki Gauntlet missing from Ichika's wrist.
"Oh," Said Thomas sarcastically, "We're fine too thanks for asking." As he gestured to himself and Charlotte.
Elias was in Class 3, and was too busy being mauled by girls who'd heard the gossip regarding the incident to join them.
Without warning, Nana burst through the classroom door.
"What happened?!" She cried, racing to Thomas.
"I...Messed up." Groaned Thomas.
Tears swelled in Nana's eyes as she trapped Thomas in a bear hug.
"You're okay!" She blubbered, "I was so scared when I got the word!"
"It's fine." Cooed Thomas as he did his best to return her hug.
"Then you're gonna keep hugging me as long as I want!"
"...Fine."
Nana buried the side of her head into Thomas's chest, smiling with her eyes closed as continued hugging Thomas.
"I heard you fought with Miss Orimura."
"I did."
"How long until you make up with her?"
"I don't know."
"You'll find a way. You always do-Wait a minute."
"What?"
Nana ushered Thomas out of the room.
"Where's your Revive Pendant?" She whispered.
"...Miss Orimura confiscated it for the time being."
"Oh..."
"Like I said, I messed up."
Thomas remembered the entire incident that happened before classes that day.
Hours earlier...
Thomas and Ichika were forced to take scans after they returned to the Academy.
A problem arose, as neither of them could deploy their IS Units.
"Odd," Observed Maya, "Orimura doesn't have any physiological impairments, but I'm getting abnormalities in the Byakushki's and the Revive's Quantum Conversion."
"What about Scott?" Chifuyu asked quickly.
"Other than his mental disabilities, nothing that could really keep him from deploying his Unit."
"Oh."
"Orimura, try deploying...anything, really."
"Understood ma'am!" Said Ichika.
Ichika outstretched his arm.
"Yukihira, engage!"
Nothing happened.
"Scott, you do the same."
"Roger."
Thomas outstretched his arm.
"Deploy!"
Much like before, nothing happened as a result.
"It would appear that neither of them can deploy their weaponry, ma'am."
"But Dansforth and Dunois can?"
"Yes."
"Why could that be?"
"I'm afraid I can't say until I conduct further tests."
Chifuyu paused for a moment.
"Alright boys," She ordered, "I'm going to have to ask the both of you to hand over your IS Units."
"Wha?!" Ichika stuttered in dismay, "What if Phantom Task shows up and I don't have anything to help defend us with?"
"But that's the problem," Explained Chifuyu, "You'd be worse off in the midst of combat and your Byakushki suddenly fails on you."
"But-!"
"It's better to be powerless than defective. Or are you just scared to be without your IS?"
Thomas quickly removed the pendant from his neck and gave it to Chifuyu without a word or even looking at her.
"I'm not scared!" Ichika retorted, "Here, take it!"
Ichika took off the Byakushki Gauntlet and reluctantly handed it over.
"Good boy." She complimented.
Chifuyu looked at Thomas, and frowned as Thomas refused to even look at her.
She sighed.
"Now," Chifuyu pondered, "How are we going to deal with this if the girls find out?"
"It'll cause an uproar for sure," Answered Maya, "However, viewing this from a security perspective, it would be wise to notify the Representative Candidates."
"Ugh, great." Groaned Chifuyu, "This'll be a double-headache."
"No! Please! Do not let them know!" Begged Charlotte, "It was my responsibility to protect Ichika in the field...I am at fault."
"Then you better make sure you have a handle on this situation, Dunois." Suggested Chifuyu, "You all may go now."
Thomas wasted no time in leaving.
Ichika and Charlotte could feel the tension, and left at a slower pace.
"Ma'am? Is everything alright?" Asked Maya.
"I had a fight with Thomas a few nights ago."
"Oh, Ma'am..."
"He must be afraid of me."
Chifuyu didn't react the way she did out of anger at Thomas, but rather at herself.
She was angry because she did wrong by him. And worse still, she kept doing wrong by him. It was only a matter of time before they would fight like that, and Chifuyu was lying to herself by thinking she was ready for it.
"I bet he thinks it's his fault," Said Chifuyu, "But I honestly blame myself for not being the big sister he deserved. He needs something more than what his dad and I could give him..."
"What do you mean by that, Ma'am?"
"I mean...I have to find a way to make it up to him."
"Ichika!" Demanded Laura, holding up a magazine, "Tell me vhich one you like!"
She held up a women's fashion magazine, opened to pages with a collection of panties all over.
"WHAT THE FUCK?!" Cried Ichika.
"Laura?!" Cried Houki, quickly masking Ichika's eyes with a headlock.
"What're you doing, showing him that stuff?!" Questioned Lingyin.
"Hello everyone!" Called Elias, as he walked into the classroom, "I just managed to escape the legions of...What's everyone looking at-OH MY!"
"Elias?!" Cried Cecelia, "Quickly! Shield your virgin eyes!" She ordered as she placed her hands over his face to keep him from looking.
"My eyes aren't vir-Never mind!" Elias said quickly.
"Yo, lemme see-WHAT THE HOT CRISPY KENTUCKY FRIED FUCK?!" Said Thomas.
"What're we reacting to-JESUS H. FIST OF THE JOESTAR CHRIST LAURA!" Nana yelped as she blocked Thomas's vision with her arms.
"Vhat? I am only trying to determine vhat my bride's tastes are." Laura asked innocently.
"Your bride's tastes?!" Exclaimed the other girls.
"Jah," Said Laura, "Clarissa told me-"
"Vhen a young girl ish in luv, a certain type of incident may happen. Zhis ish called zhe Panty-Flash Event. In zhis, zhe boy receives a glimpse of zhe girl's panties...So you must vear panties you vant Ichika to see at all times!"
"The only time I want Thomas to see panties are when they're mine!" Scolded Nana.
"What?" Asked Thomas.
"What?!" Defended Nana.
"And zhese-zhe Horizontal-Striped Panties-are supposedly zhe very best kind for boosting likability!"
"Well..." Muttered Houki, "This design isn't so bad, I guess..."
"Yeah, I agree," Said Lingyin, "I have some myself..."
Cecelia kept one hand over Elias's eyes as she pulled out her phone.
"Chelsea," She called, "I want to order some new knickers-and it is imperative that they have horizontal stripes!"
"Hey, woah!" Protested Ichika, "Let's not-!"
"Perhaps Ichika ish flustered because it ish zhe truth?" Assumed Laura, "Clearly I have a modest bride."
"That's not it either!" The boy debated.
Charlotte simply giggled at the display.
Laura displayed the magazine to Charlotte.
"And vhich kind of undervear do you like?"
"Laura!" Chuckled Charlotte, "You aren't supposed to talk about things like that in front of a boy!"
"That's great and all," Said Thomas, resting his hand on Ichika's shoulder, "But me an' Ichika got some important stuff the Instructors need help with!"
Ichika quickly caught on, and the boys raced out of the room.
"What time is it?" Said Ichika, as the boys ran down the hall.
"It's only 11! We still have to get through lunch and the rest of the day!"
"What?!"
"We need to think of something, Chifuyu may cover for us, but the girls aren't stupid! They're bound to find out eventually!"
"And if that happens..."
"This school's gonna turn into a warzone!"
Chifuyu had decided the best way to cover up the incident was to limit how much time the boys would have to be around any of the students. However, she wasn't going to let the boys off the hook entirely, as she also decided the boys would help any Instructors with whatever they needed.
It certainly didn't help that Chifuyu told them the Instructors could be a little shameless, childish, and even a little horny sometimes.
They were going to have a very eventful day.
"Could you two strapping young men help me move some boxes?"
Thomas and Ichika did as they were asked, and made it a policy to leave before the Instructors would have a chance to do or say anything to them.
They quickly moved several boxes from room to room, and vanished.
All the while, Thomas was trying to summon the courage to apologize to Chifuyu.
What should he do? What should he say?
What should he do and say that wouldn't escalate the situation with what he did and said before?
It certainly didn't help that today of all days was the one that decided to be as as slow as physically possible.
"IIIIICHIKAAAA!" They heard.
"Well...Shit." Muttered Thomas.
"Why didn't you tell us?!" Demanded Houki.
"About what?" Asked Ichika, dreading her response.
"Are you daft?!" Said Cecelia, "How could you hide that your Byakushki was confiscated from you?!"
"Don't you realize you're a target right now?!"
"How'd you guys figure out what happened?!" Cried Ichika.
Charlotte walked up to the boys, a very embarrassed look on her face.
"I tried to mislead them..." She confessed, "But they just wouldn't buy it."
"If that's the case," Concluded Houki, "I guess I've got no choice but to give you my full time protection."
"Oh no!" Objected Cecelia, "This situation definitely calls for me and Blue Tears to step in!"
"Are you kidding?!" Called out Lingyin, "There's no-way a Long-Distance Sniper could ever be a good bodyguard! Just leave it up to me and my Shenlong!"
The girls began to bicker and argue amongst themselves.
Thomas would've stood his ground, but this was a situation where they could actually kill him, whether by accident or on purpose.
"Ichika." He whispered.
"Remember the Joestar Secret Technique?"
"Always."
"We shout in unison on 3, and run for the Arena, we can split and hide."
"That most likely won't work but 1..."
"2..."
"3..."
Suddenly, the boys turned down a hallway, and began to run at top speed as they fled.
"NIGERUNDAYO!" They shouted in unison.
"Hey, wait!" The three girls called.
Charlotte took off running in another direction.
Nana walked into the hall...
...Almost getting run down by Thomas and Ichika as they fled.
Nana watched the boys run to her right, and looked to her left to see why.
She was nearly run down by Houki, Lingyin, and Cecelia using Partial Deployments of their Units chasing the boys.
Thankfully, the boys rounded a corner, temporarily masking them from view. However, The boys were coming up to the end of the hallway, which conjoined with a perpendicular hallway.
"See you on the other side, Dr. Chang!" Said Thomas.
"Right back at you, Mr. Smith!" Ichika called back.
The boys suddenly turned and ran in opposite directions, hoping to lose the girls by losing themselves in the halls.
Charlotte suddenly caught up to Ichika.
"I'm so sorry!" She sobbed.
"It's not your fault!" Consoled Ichika.
It was then the two had realized Cecelia's Optical Drone had locked onto them.
"CHARL, DUCK!" Cried Ichika as he tackled Charlotte, narrowly getting shot in the head.
Cecelia giggled jovially as the Optical Drone returned to the Blue Tears's Wing.
"ARE YOU INSANE?!" Questioned Ichika.
"Don't fret!" She said, "I've decreased the power output. And now, you'll be taken under Mother Cecelia's Protective Wing~!"
"Don't shoot the guy you're protecting!" Criticized Ichika.
"Ichika, look out!" Cried Charlotte as she shoved Ichika forward.
Charlotte's hands were nearly chopped off as the Shenlong's blade sunk into the wall next to the pair.
"Agh! Lingyin's gone nuts too!" Cried Ichika.
"Don't worry," Snickered Lingyin, "I just tapped it!"
"You tapped it 8 inches deep!"
The girls locked eyes.
"Have at you!" Challenged Cecelia, "He's under my protection!"
"He's mine!" Shouted Lingyin.
Suddenly, Houki came in between the two of them the with the Akatsubaki's swords.
"I'm the one who's going to protect Ichika!" She declared.
The girls all were brimming with violence, that would've certainly destroyed the school in their notion of protection!
That is, if it weren't for Thomas stepping in.
"RKO!" He shouted as he jumped, grabbing Cecelia and sending her to the floor in an RKO.
The other girls gasped in confusion, providing Thomas enough time to take them down.
Thomas rammed Houki, forcing her off her feet and on her back. He then rolled over Houki, and was now on his back at Lingyin's feet. He pressed his hands on the floor beneath him, and snagged Lingyin's head between his ankles!
None of the girls stood a chance when Thomas had the element of surprise.
However, his little advantage was short-lived.
It would only take them seconds to pulverize the boy.
Fortunately, Thomas had time things perfectly.
The girls recovered, and gave him the stare of death.
"THAT'S ENOUGH!" They heard Chifuyu command.
The girls froze with utter fear.
"M-Miss Orimura?!" They gasped.
"It's a good thing I came when I did. You were right in coming to me, Scott."
"Hang on!" Said Lingyin, "Thomas brought you here? But I thought-!"
"Scott told me what was happening the moment I ran into him. We aren't on the best of terms right now, but even I know when I need to listen."
The girls all had shamed looks on their faces.
"For now, I'm prohibiting you from using your Personal Units for anything. Until I say otherwise, you'll be using the Training Models."
"Yes ma'm..." They all conceded.
"Now," Ordered Chifuyu, "Since you three seemed so keen on damaging school property, you can be the ones to clean it all up. You can start by fixing the hallway after all this, and then you can fill the craters and such in the Arenas. All of them."
"But ma'am-!"
"No debate! Or...Are you three gluttons for punishment?"
"No ma'am!"
"Then get to it! There a custodial closet down the hall, move your asses! If you hurry, you just might be able to finish up at dinnertime!"
The girls recalled their Units, and begrudgingly began their task.
Elias offered to assist, and none of the girls had any objections.
That night...
"M...Miss Orimura?" Hesitantly called Thomas.
Thomas was currently standing outside the door to Chifuyu's room.
He had to get the whole ordeal over with so they could all move on with their lives.
Chifuyu opened the door...
...And quickly yanked Thomas inside.
"Uh...Miss Orimura?" Thomas asked nervously.
"Shut it...Just let me love you like a little brother dammit..." She whimpered.
She pulled Thomas into a tight hug.
"Do you have any idea how hard it's been?! I've done everything I could to help you and Alex, and it's just not enough!"
"I-I'm...Sorry..."
Chifuyu only pulled Thomas in tighter.
"Day after day," She said, "I'm terrified at the thought of losing you. You mean so much to Ichika, and so much to me! I didn't want to hurt you, but you're right about what you said."
"What?"
"Even if you never see me as your older sister...I'll always see you as a sibling of mine."
"Miss Orimura?" Ichika called as he walked into the room.
Ichika then witnessed Chifuyu crushing Thomas in a hug of love.
"Am I...Am I interrupting?"
"Perfect timing." Said Chifuyu, suddenly pulling Ichika into the hug alongside Thomas.
Both Thomas and Ichika were dumbfounded, but weren't about to complain.
"You're my little brothers." She said, "And you always will be."
Chifuyu held them in her embrace for quite some time.
"Oh," She remembered, "I believe these belong to you."
She handed the boys their Units.
"The equipment that was destroyed during the night job happened to be designed to help control the Quantum Conversion. It appeared that you two happened to be in range as it went off, and the gizmo somehow disrupted the Units' ability to deploy."
"Thanks, Chifuyu!"
"So..." Stammered Thomas, "Are we square."
Chifuyu chuckled.
"When were we round? We just had a fight, nothing that would end what we had."
"You two finally made up!" Cheered Ichika.
"Your dad's still busy elsewhere on the island." Said Chifuyu, "Wish he would be here, we could take a photo."
"Let's call then," Suggested Thomas, "We should've taken a group shot a long time ago!"
The trio were all happy.
For the first time in a while, they were allowed to act like family.
Thomas would come to envy his vanity, in those fleeting days of peace.
Elsewhere...
Madoka laid in bed.
She could hear Squall's footsteps approaching.
She really wanted to be somewhere else.
Was she really so upset with making Squall mad?
"M..." Started Squall as she entered the room.
"What?" Madoka said, trying to sound as unapproachable as possible.
"I know all about you sneaking out."
Madoka's breathing stifled.
Now she really wanted to be somewhere else.
"Kana's upset because you went to see Tommy without her-"
"Stop it already!" Madoka lashed out, "I don't get it with you people! Calling me a daughter, you're no mother of mine! Just shut up! 'Tommy' this, 'Tommy' that! Wake up already! He's not your kid, Kana's not your kid, and I'm not your kid!"
"You're right." Said Squall, coming closer, "But that doesn't stop me from trying."
Madoka curled up on her side, facing away from Squall to hide her blushing.
"You must've had it rough all these years, being without a proper family," Examined Squall, "And that's what I'm trying to offer you; A chance at having the family now that you couldn't have then."
Madoka said nothing.
"Are you still waiting for that grudge match so you can get back at Ichika?"
"No."
"Then what's wrong?
"I'm going to get my revenge on Chifuyu. I can pick off that Ichika-prick anytime I like!" Madoka said childishly.
"So, why go after Tommy first?"
"It...Got on my nerves how much everyone keeps doting on him. I just...I was frustrated, and felt like killing him so everyone'd shut up. But then I guess I'd take him back so everyone would have a real reason to actually talk about him at all."
Squall sat down at Madoka's bedside.
"Are you jealous of him?"
"N-No!"
"Are you sure? All you need to do is admit, and I'll spoil you rotten~!"
"...Maybe."
"Better than not at all. That's a good girl."
"Would you keep a secret from Kana?"
"Depends."
"Tommy's a lot cuter when he's anxious and at a disadvantage."
Squall giggled a little.
"Don't worry," Whispered the woman, "You're secret's safe with me."
The atmosphere became a lot better for Madoka.
"So," Concluded Squall, "Are you going to behave, sweetie?"
Madoka rolled onto her back, finally looking at Squall.
"Yes...Mo-Ma'am. Yes ma'am."
Squall chuckled even further.
Suddenly, Kana burst into the room.
"M!" She pouted, "How could you?! You went to go stalk Tommy without me!"
"Are you serious right now?!" Madoka shouted back, putting her guard back up.
The girls began to bicker and argue.
Squall couldn't help but smile.
Having a wonderful family like this brought joy to her heart.
A/N: Done! I'm in school, so I'm struggling to write chapters these days. I might have to take a small hiatus to make sure I don't fail any of my classes. Here's to hoping it doesn't come to that!
Thank you all again for reading, it means a lot to me!
I decided to go with something of a family relationship for Squall's group in Phantom Task. It seemed like a good idea, since it really does feel like a family as I wrote on.
Transformers: Escalation is a reference to Escalation Mode in several Transformers Games. it is in no-way an actual game, but a reference to the Game Mode, but also the name of a mini-series published by IDW.
Warframe is an MMO Free-To-Play game. I was playing it recently, and it's since become a personal favorite of mine. No, I'm not sponsored or anything, I just decided to make a short reference.
Anyway, I'm really excited for how far I'm getting in this story!
But believe me, it's only just beginning!
I have plans to eventually incorporate Infinite Stratos: Archtype Breaker into a future story arc, but not for a while.
Lemme know what you think!
Next Time: Coming of the Storm.
It's time for the Tag-Team Tournament at the IS Academy!
However, the boys quickly find themselves in a heap of trouble as they have to pick and choose their partners! And without a fourth boy, the trio must find a way to diffuse the situation without making it worse!
However, pacifying the situation might prove to be harder than they thought...
It certainly doesn't help that Alex seems to be acting strange...
Leave a review, they're much appreciated and show that you care!