And finally, we're getting even further into depth on the thing I fleshed out in the Kyoto Trip.
Disclaimer: I do not own Infinite Stratos.
Ichika and Thomas decide to practice together, and a freak accident ensues!
When both boys try to attack with the Reiraku Byakuya, they suddenly fuse together!
With everyone looking all over for the two boys, can Ichika and Thomas figure out some way to separate before they're caught? Just how far into the depths of their predicament must they go to fix it?
Will they be stuck fused together forever?
"Wanna try out the new Byakushiki?" Said Thomas.
"Sure!" Agreed Ichika.
Considering how much had happened after getting the Byakushiki modified, Ichika had no time at all to see what new modifications had been made. From what he'd been told, it had a modification in both arsenal and frame.
He only hoped he could get back in rhythm with it.
The boys made their way for Arena 2.
It was empty, seeing as it was early in the morning.
Thomas yawned.
"Sleepy?" Ichika teased.
"Never."
The boys changed into their pilot uniforms, and marched out onto the Arena.
"Deploy! Byakushiki!"
Ichika sat in the Byakushiki's cockpit, taking in the the new features and design.
The Byakushiki currently sat in its 1st Shift, since Kagaribi was able to restore most of the data after resetting the IS. The Unit's arms now extended over his triceps with sleek extra plating. Twin snow-white antennae now covered the sides of his head. There was also the addition of two Fully-Integrated Hip-Mounted Charged Particle Cannons.
"Lookin' good." Said Thomas.
"Uh...Lesse about armaments." Said Ichika, pulling up the Arsenal selection.
Ichika gazed upon the list of weaponry.
The list had the Type 3 Yukihira Nagata, a Hip-Mounted Marksman Rifle, the Setsura, a Sub Shield, and twin Light Blades.
"Huh? What's this?" Ichika said, observing one last selection.
"What?"
Ichika deployed something neither of the boys expected.
The Byakushiki's upper-torso glowed, and changed. As the light dissipated, the Byakushiki's shoulders and chest were now covered in smooth, snow-white armor plating. The shoulder pads were now replaced with bigger ones, and the chestplate was encased with a smoother and bigger one.
"What's this?" Ichika said, looking over the HUD to identify.
"Looks like Stratos Armor." Observed Thomas.
"Stratos Armor?"
"It's Third Generation stuff." Explained Thomas, "Stratos Armor is mostly just components the IS can spawn to add extra armor and gear, it saves space and provides more options."
"Oh...What's it do?"
Ichika found that he'd deployed a Battery Pack.
"Oh!" He declared, "Looks like I can use this to top-off the Byakushiki! But...It's not exactly making me feel good about sword-fighting..."
"Old habits."
"Aren't you gonna deploy?"
"Oh yeah." Thomas muttered, as he activated his Revive Pendant.
Thomas deployed the Revive.
Ichika noted that Thomas started using the Revive's chestplate as well. It looked identical to the one Charlotte used while she went under the alias of "Charles." Ichika wondered why Thomas chose to use the chestplate, but quickly perished the thought and prepared to engage.
"Alright," Ichika sighed, "Let's see how this new stuff works."
Ichika deployed the Yukihira Nagata Type 3.
However, instead of materializing in his hand, the Byakushiki deployed a Sub-Arm from its lower back, and deployed a sheath with the Yukihira inside.
"Huh." Ichika said, drawing the Yukihira Nagata.
"What's up?"
"Nothing's different. It says it's the Type 3, but it's the exact same as before!"
"I think the addition of the sheath is the difference." Pointed Thomas.
"Oh, this?" Ichika said, pulling the sheath from the Sub-Arm.
"Oh! A handle!" Ichika said, gripping a handle built near the opening of the sheath.
"Hey! There's a trigger here-Wah?!"
Ichika pressed the trigger in the handle, only to have the sheath suddenly pop and collapse. In a single second, the sheath had changed from a scabbard to a blade in its own right.
"I think it's designed to be used with the Yukihira..." Ichika muttered, folding up the sheath and slipping the Yukihira back in.
Ichika pulled the trigger again.
Suddenly, The Yukihira launched right out of the sheath...
...Only to have the hilt fly right into Thomas's chest, sending him flying.
"Oh crap!" Ichika stuttered, "A-Are you okay?! I didn't mean to-"
"Ichika..." Thomas growled, as he got up.
"Yes?" Ichika asked nervously.
"You are gonna get it now!" Thomas declared, pulling out both PDWs.
"Oh?! Bring it on!" Ichika retaliated, preparing the Setsura.
The boys quickly traded blows, and their little duel ended up bringing Ichika right back into rhythm, with him quickly having to keep up with Thomas, and Thomas leading most of the fight.
Nothing too out of the ordinary.
Thomas deployed the Type 1 Yukihira, and swung.
Ichika brushed the blow with the Type 3 Sheath.
"Not half bad."
"You know it!"
"Looks like I'll finally get to kick it up a notch!"
"Yeah-wait what?"
Suddenly, Thomas rushed Ichika.
Unlike ever before, Thomas unleashed a series of standing kicks from his left leg. Ichika panicked, as he realized Thomas had been holding back for a very long time. Was it because he was being generous?
Ichika then got an idea.
Time seemed to slow as Ichika prepared his counter.
He quickly sheathed the Yukihira.
Thomas rushed in, ready to swing his own Yukihira down upon Ichika.
Ichika pulled the trigger.
The Yukihira Nagata launched out of the sheath.
Ichika grabbed the handle, and pulled it out, slashing Thomas right in the chest.
The Revive's chestplate now had a massive slash mark that dug through it almost completely. Thomas stumbled back, reeling from the unexpected blow. After two steps, Thomas quickly recomposed himself.
"Oh crap! I'm-I'm so sorry!" Ichika pleaded, realizing he just poked the bear.
"Doesn't matter," Thomas growled, "I'm still gonna get you back!"
Ichika yelped as Thomas rushed him.
Thomas brought down his Yukihira, and Ichika clashed with is own. However, Thomas suddenly jumped and spun, sending a heel right into Ichika's head. Ichika stumbled until he fell over, winded by the kick.
"Give up Ichika!" Taunted Thomas, "We've been through this before!"
Ichika got to his feet.
"Not while I still have enough power for a One-Off!"
Ichika whipped out the Setsura, and fired a particle beam at Thomas.
Thomas switched to the Type 2 Yukihira, and cut through the attack. Thomas then jumped at Ichika. The boy was glowing golden, indicating he'd already activated the Reiraku Byakuya to negate Ichika's particle beam.
Ichika flinched.
The Byakushiki didn't have the power to maintain the Reiraku Byakuya for very long. However, Thomas's Revive had twice the power supply, and could maintain the output for a lot longer as a result.
And since Thomas was currently using the Reiraku Byakuya as he lunged at Ichika...
...The only chance he had at surviving would be to use his own Reiraku Byakuya.
Ichika instinctively switched to the Type 2 Yukihira, and used the Reiraku Byakuya.
The reasoning behind doing so was that, due to the Reiraku Byakuya's ability to negate energy, The boys would end up negating each other's attacks, since they both negated the energy and were therefore on the same wavelength.
What happened next wasn't part of Ichika's plan.
Ichika brought up his Yukihira to counter Thomas bringing his down. Thomas was using his full momentum and weight in his attack.
This should've resulted in a clash of blades.
Instead, Thomas's blade phased right through Ichika's taking both boys by surprise.
Even more freakishly, Thomas's blade phased right through Ichika as well, leaving the boy unharmed. Furthermore, Thomas's momentum carried his body into Ichika's, which normally resulted in the two bumping together.
Instead, The boys suddenly began to morph together.
Ichika's Reiraku Byakuya shut down, as it reached its time limit.
And in a small flash of light, the world suddenly went black.
The last conscious thought both of the boys had...
...Was how furious Chifuyu would be when she found out.
Some time later...
"Hey," Said Lingyin, "Has anyone seen Ichika?"
"He must be getting up late." Concluded Charlotte.
"I checked his room," Said Houki, "He and Thomas aren't there."
"Then where'd they go?" Inquired Nana.
Houki shrugged.
"If they're late to class..." Whimpered Nana.
"I'll try calling them!" Offered Charlotte.
Charlotte dialed up Ichika's number, and to find that it went to voice mail and Ichika didn't pick up, no matter how many times she tried. The continued attempt at calling Ichika quickly began to make the students worry.
"Something's wrong."
"Try Thomas."
Charlotte did so, and found that Thomas wasn't answering either.
"What happened?!" Cried Lingyin, "Ichika could've been attacked!"
"Hey guys," Greeted Tyrone, "This's where Ichika n' Thomas are, right?"
"They're not here."
"Oh, this isn't their class?"
"No it is," Explained Houki, "But they haven't shown up today for some reason."
"Do they usually show up late?"
"They show up right around now," Houki continued, "But they weren't in their dorm room when I checked this morning, nor were they in class when I checked. They must've gone to practice at an Arena, but we don't have time to check."
"Ah."
Chifuyu entered the room.
"Huang, Adamson!" Announced the teacher, "It's time to go to class."
"Ma'am!" Cried Lingyin, "Something's happened to Orimura!"
"Pardon me?"
"Neither Scott nor Orimura have shown up, and they're not answering their phones!"
Chifuyu paused.
Although this absence of Ichika and Thomas probably wasn't very alarming, she couldn't brush it off so easily. The boys were most likely trying to remedy some foolish stunt they'd pulled, but she couldn't confirm nor deny the possibility something bad happened to them.
"Miss Yamada."
"Yes Ma'am?"
"Can you call the Student Council, and have them organize a search for Orimura and Scott?"
"Of course Ma'am."
Maya quickly set about contacting the Student Council.
Chifuyu sighed.
She trusted that Ichika and Thomas could handle themselves, but she couldn't afford to simply leave them be. Whatever they were up to, they had to wrap it up and get to class before her wrath was kindled.
She was going to have a headache on her hands.
Ichika opened his eyes to find himself standing in a closet.
At the time, he was 7.
He'd been in this closet before.
Or was this the first time?
Why did he come here again?
Alex wasn't home, and he'd searched the house top to bottom for something, but he couldn't remember what.
It was filled with clothes on hangers, with a safe sitting right in front of Ichika. The safe was...Oddly familiar, but Ichika had never seen it before in his entire life. Ichika turned the handle, and pulled, finding that the safe had been unlocked.
Inside sat a gun with a few magazines, money, files and papers all over, and an old shoe-box. The shoe-box was the most interesting, as it was clearly placed at an angle to try and obscure it from view.
Ichika picked up the box, and looked inside.
Inside the box sat a strange, bulky wristwatch.
It was metallic, shiny and snow-white. It looked like a toy a child would play with.
Ichika put down the shoe-box, and held the strange wristwatch in his hands.
Suddenly, the boy was hit with a strange sensation that rippled through his body.
It felt as though every cell in his body was being tickled heavily all at once. Oddly, his mind suddenly felt bigger, more vast in space. It felt as though the entire Internet was running through his brain in a single second.
Ichika could hear the sound of the front door being opened. The sudden disturbance snapped Ichika right out of his trance.
"Hey, Tommy!" Alex called, "I'm home!"
Ichika flinched.
That wasn't right.
What was going on? This wasn't his memory, he'd have remembered it!
If this wasn't his, then who's was it? He'd never seen this place before, let alone the closet! Was this a dream, and not a memory? No, a glance at the safe dial confirmed that Ichika wasn't dreaming.
So, if he wasn't dreaming, and if he wasn't remembering, then what was going on?
The world began to turn white as Ichika slowly began to wake up.
But all he was left with was confusion.
Ichika groaned as light bled into his closed eyes.
He tried to open his eyes, but his left eye simply refused to open.
When his eyes finally adjusted, he was staring up into the daytime sky.
How long was he out?
He was lying on the dirt ground of the IS Arena, meaning the Byakushiki must've unlocked while he'd been knocked out. His head was fuzzy, what happened to take him out cold? And why had nobody found him?
Perhaps he wasn't out for very long.
Ichika moved to get up, only to notice his hands.
The skin on his body, the complexion was all wrong, it was a strange pale rather than his usual tan.
Ichika then realized something else.
His uniform was now a pattern of navy blue and grass green, like Thomas's uniform.
What happened?
Suddenly, Ichika groaned again.
But what unnerved Ichika was that his mouth was moving all on its own.
"What the hell?" Thomas's voice groaned.
Suddenly, Ichika's left eye opened.
"Thomas?" Said Ichika.
"Ichika? Where are you?"
"Where are you? I'm sitting in the Arena."
"So...Am I."
"Really?"
"Where in the Arena?"
"On the ground."
"...Same."
Ichika tried to get on his feet, only to find his left arm was rebellious to his brain's command.
"Huh?!" Thomas grunted.
"What?"
"My right arm's doing a thing! I can't control it!"
"My left arm's stuck!"
"I'm in control of my left!" Said Thomas.
Ichika's arm began moving without Ichika trying!
"What the hell?!"
"Ichika..."
"Yeah?"
"Can you try your legs?"
Ichika found that he could only move his right leg.
"I can move my right leg, but my left's paralyzed!"
Suddenly, Ichika's left foot started to wiggle its toes. Once again, Ichika could tell he didn't move it on his own.
"Okay," Said Thomas, "Don't freak out...But I think we're fused together."
Ichika's right eye blinked.
"Impossible-"
"It's not. This feels familiar-"
"Yeah, but-"
The boys tried to talk over each other, but found their speech was garbled for some reason. It appeared as though they couldn't talk at the same time, and their mouth was unable to respond to them trying to use it simultaneously.
Thomas tried to lift himself off the ground by putting the left leg under the bottom, only to flop back down.
"Ichika." Thomas instructed, "We'll need to work together, so let's slow down and stop!"
"But how?! What the hell happened?!"
"I don't know! But we can't figure it out if we can't even get off the ground!"
"...Alright. Fine. How're we gonna get up?" Ichika said after a long pause.
"Okay," Thomas guided, "I'll put my foot under, and you support us with yours."
Thomas tried again at putting one foot under them. Thankfully, Ichika maintained stability with his leg.
The boys slowly began to stand up.
"So, what now?"
"One step at a time."
The boys fell over again, as both of them tried to lead.
"Whoops-"
"Oh, sorry-"
"Let's try this again."
The boys got up.
"Okay, Do you wanna lead?"
"I mean, where're we gonna go?"
"Let's get to the locker room, we can see what's going on with...this."
"R-Right. How about you lead?"
"Uh...Yeah." Thomas said.
Thomas took a step, and Ichika took one as soon as Thomas's foot touched the ground.
"Careful!"
"Sorry!"
The boys kept low to the ground, as though they were squatting. They eventually managed to exit the Arena, after a great deal of time spent stomping, falling, getting back up, falling over again, and struggling.
After an even longer time spent trying to walk down the stairs, the boys finally reached the locker room.
"Bathroom."
"Right."
The boys marched over to the restroom.
If they were lucky, nobody else was in there. The boys eventually located a bathroom they could use.
"Any girls in here," Shouted Thomas, "Cover your privates!"
"Excuse us!" Called Ichika, "We need to use the mirror!"
The boys eventually reached a faucet, and looked into the mirror.
"Holy crap..." Thomas gawked.
"Wha..." Ichika mumbled.
Their bodies...
...Had perfectly become one, singular entity.
The fused form had a blue left eye, and a red right eye. They had Ichika's hair, with Thomas's hair color. They had Thomas's muscular build, but still retained an average height and width. All over their body, there lay a mismatched pattern of Ichika's skin color and Thomas's.
"What the hell..." Thomas muttered.
They then heard a girl scream behind them.
The boys looked back, only to discover a group of schoolgirls gawking at them.
"Gaphasasdufe!" The boys blurted out, overlapping their speech.
"Who're you?! Are you a new male pilot?"
"Aghsad!"
Suddenly, in an effort to try and move away from the faucet, the boys flail about erratically.
"Oh! Are you okay?!"
"Gafahdudiduda!"
The boys begin struggle, their cohesion as a pair lost. Their body began to jerk around and shake violently on the floor, as though they were having a seizure. The girls began to freak out, unable to figure out what to do.
"We have to call the Instructors!" One girl said.
Thomas did what he could, and used whatever parts of the body he could control. With their right arm and left leg, Thomas managed to get off the ground, and hop away. The girls stood aside, completely dumbstruck.
This was going to go viral.
"What're we gonna do?!" Said Ichika.
"I dunno?!" Said Thomas.
"We gotta tell Chifuyu-Nee!"
"About what? How we just made the biggest scientific fuck-up?!"
"I dunno! But she can fix this!"
"How's she gonna fix us BREAKING SCIENCE?!"
"I don't know!"
"Where's our phones?!"
"I don't know either!"
"GAAAH! This is fuckin' BAD!" Thomas growled.
"Calm down, calm down-"
"Calm down?! WE'RE A LITERAL WALKING IMPOSSIBILITY!"
"Okay, okay," Said Ichika, "Our phones are in our lockers-"
"Oh crap."
"What?"
"We've got field training today, remember?"
"And?"
"Do you wanna be the one to break this to everyone?"
"I don't see the problem."
"The problem isn't the problem, it's the fact we have no idea how to describe the problem."
"...I see your point."
The boys' fused body kept making 180 degree turns each time one of the boys spoke, and quickly tired out as they boys kept going back and forth. Anyone looking would've thought the person they'd become was crazy.
"I still think we should try to tell this to Chifuyu-Nee."
"Fine. But you're the one who's gonna tell her."
"No argument here, you've been flipping out."
"I just wanna figure out what happened, I mean, this doesn't make any lick of sense."
"Maybe," Said Ichika, "But then again..."
"Hang on," Said Thomas, "Remember each time we used the Reiraku Byakuya at the same time? Remember how it felt all weird and I knew about the camera when you dropped it n' all that?"
"Yeah? What about it?"
"I think this sort of thing is why we always felt funky."
"I get your point...But what happened?"
"The Reiraku Byakuya supposed to negate energy attacks and energy barriers. I think, don't quote me, but I think that, since we both used the Reiraku, we must've phased through and merged together."
"That's something out of an anime!"
"This's just theory," Corrected Thomas, "I think the quickest way to sum it up is that we crossed the streams."
"So how do we un-cross the streams?"
"I have no idea. But I think we'll need to hold off one trying to find out."
"Why?"
"Tell me you're not the least bit nervous of what happened to our IS Units."
"Y-Yeah, but-"
"It's settled then, we find Chifuyu, and pray she doesn't flip."
"One step at a time?" Inquired Ichika.
"One step at a time." Affirmed Thomas.
The boys began to march their way back to the Arena.
Little did the boys know, but Tatenashi already had them in her sights.
"Well well," She chuckled, "Just who're you?"
A chill went down the boys' back.
"I think we're being followed." Thomas thought.
"Say again?" Said Ichika.
"Wait, you heard me?"
"Y-Yeah...I could..."
"Weird." Said Ichika.
"I agree." Said Thomas.
"You heard my thoughts?"
"I think that we share thoughts in this...State of being."
"Cool!"
Thomas sighed.
"Let's just get going."
"What's the rush?"
"If we share thoughts, it'd stand to reason that we share memories as well, which explains why I could remember the camera."
"Now that I think about it..."
"What?"
"I think I just had one of your memories as well."
"Oh? Do tell."
"Something about a safe in a closet. There was this weird gauntlet, kinda like The Byakushiki's. When did that happen?"
"...Back in the States. I didn't say anything about it to anyone since I didn't have anything that I understood about it. I never saw that thing before, or since that day. I have my suspicions, but I think it belonged to my mom."
"Your mom had an IS?"
"I don't know."
The boys continued their strained marching. Thomas felt uncomfortable, and Ichika felt confused. Their fused body took a toll as the result. They were learning to work in tandem, and becoming closer as a result.
All Tatenashi saw was a strange new boy she'd never seen before moving very peculiarly.
What intrigued the Student Council President the most...
...Was the fact she'd only first gotten word of this strange new boy the moment she saw him babbling to himself.
That meant only one of two thing.
Either this boy was fresh off the boat, or he wasn't supposed to be here.
And there was only one way to find out.
Tatenashi jumped out in front of the boy.
"Hiya!"
"GDGAS!" The boy fell to the ground in surprise.
"Oh! Sorry about that! Didn't mean for that to happen!"
"S'fim."
"Huh?"
"I'll take care of this, Ichika."
"Didn't you say you wanted me to handle this?"
"The Pres throws you off, and besides-"
"-I have the speaking ball." Thomas finished out loud.
"Speaking ball?"
"Tatenashi it's me."
"Huh?"
"Thomas."
"I'm sorry, what? You're not Thomas!"
"Okay," Thomas tried to explain, "Me an' Ichika had a big oopsie."
"Oh? Did you try ge-"
"Finish that and I will break you back."
Tatenashi nodded.
"Yeah, it's definitely you, Tommy. But more to the point, what happened to you?"
"As impossible as it sounds, me and Ichika fused."
Tatenashi simply stared at them.
"I'm sorry, run the by me again?"
"We're fused together."
"As in...?"
"As in 'totally mashed together at the cellular level,' it looks like."
Once again, Tatenashi stared at the boys.
"We need a little help."
"What, off-balance?"
"More like we have no balance to fall off of."
"Ouch! Want me to take you to the Infirmary?"
"We're late for class, can you help us to Arena 3?"
"Sure!"
Tatenashi deployed the Misty Lady, and carried the boys bridal style as she flew over to the designated Arena. Ichika caused the boys to blush, making Tatenashi giggle as the boys squabbled a bit of who controlled what part of the body.
"That's adorable!"
However, her smile turned to a look of concern as she noticed the boys made one of their hands move in a very unnatural manner.
"That's...Very concerning."
Tatenashi landed at the Arena, and contacted Chifuyu.
Things were about to get very nerve-wracking.
Several minutes later...
"You two better be feeling lucky." Chifuyu stared at the boys, "I had to get a substitute for me because Tatenashi called me over, saying that you pulled a Dragon Ball Z or something."
Thomas and Ichika sat in a chair, looking down at the floor.
Chifuyu and Maya had just gotten over the initial shock at the sight of both Thomas and Ichika being fused together. Her reaction was about as much as they'd expected, with her refusing to believe the incident until she actually saw the boys.
"Is it alright if we make scans of this...Form of yours?"
The boys nodded, and sat in the scanner.
"That's...Strange." Said Maya, looking over the results.
"What?"
"I'm getting two scans," Said Maya, "One for Orimura, and one for Scott."
"And why is that?"
"However," Said Maya, "Looking at both side-by-side, it appears that both scans are identical."
"Meaning?"
"The boys are mirroring each other in this state of being."
"I see..."
"Boys," Said Maya, "Do you have any ideas on how this happened?"
"We think that a simultaneous use of the Reiraku Byakuya from both of us must've somehow pulled and meshed us together." Explained Thomas.
"How are you feeling?"
"Wefelsait."
"Come again."
"You talk first." Offered Thomas.
"I mean," Ichika said, "It feels really weird."
"I'd reckon this isn't the first time something to this degree has happened with you two." Said Chifuyu.
"Hm?"
"Back during that fight back over Kyoto a few months back," Recounted Chifuyu, "When you both went to engage Phantom Task, Your signatures overlapped. I'd suspect you did this...Fusion during that time."
"This is something very interesting," Said Maya, "Logic would dictate we have you two try and provide data on this fused state. Alaska Treaty would then force us to make the research public."
"I sense a 'but' coming." Thomas piped up.
"-But," Said Maya, "For all we know, this fused state can only be achieved by you two specifically. And since this is a very, very alluring idea, nations would no doubt want to try and get their own data on it."
"If we were to try and conceal this," Said Chifuyu, "It'd be a serious breach of the Alaska Treaty. However, if we publicize this, then there'd most likely be a target painted on your backs. Regardless, I'd rather have your say on the matter, whether it means anything or not."
The boys began to think.
"She's got a point," Thomas thought, "This goes out into the world, heads will turn. But we can't exactly pull one over the Alaska Treaty either."
"What if we try to make an appeal on it?" Ichika considered, "Maybe we can try and get the UN to cut us some slack."
"Doubtful."
"Boys?" Inquired Maya, "Is everything okay?"
"We're thinking."
"Excuse me?"
"We can converse mentally with each other."
"Oh."
"See to it you come up with a verdict quickly."
The boys nodded.
Chifuyu sighed.
"If Tabane finds out about this..." She muttered under her breath.
"What, Ma'am?"
"You know about Dr. Shinonono's...Eccentric nature, yes?"
"Oh...I see now."
"The mere concept would probably encourage her to do something very immoral to get data. As the boys have confirmed, she's done so in the past, and I wouldn't be surprised if she did so again."
"Since this seems to only have happened this morning," Concluded Maya, "We should be fine for now."
"You drastically underestimate her."
"Hm?"
"Anyway," Chifuyu went on, "What's become of your IS Units?"
"We don't know." Explained Ichika, "We woke up, and they were gone! They must've unlocked while we were out."
"That's quite concerning."
"I believe we should stop focusing on more long-term things," Suggested Maya, "A more immediate situation is how we'll handle if others find out about this situation. Although I doubt anyone will believe us, it's fair to say that the Representative Candidates will be in uproar."
"...Right."
Chifuyu was distracted.
The two boys she'd raised...Fused into one? She hadn't a clue on how to feel about this. Was them fusing a good thing, or a bad thing? Were they stuck this way forever? What was going to happen to the boys?
She was going to have to find some way to break the news to Alex.
But Maya was right.
How would the students react to this?
The boys did their best to remain calm as they stood in line.
They'd finally gotten to Arena 3, and were forced to join the class.
Chifuyu announced what had happened, and much to their expectations, nobody believed them at first. Several fainted when they finally figured out the truth, the Representative Candidates were currently fawning all over the two as soon as they realized the boys had indeed fused together.
"How did this happen?!" Charlotte gawked.
"Is this permanent?!" Houki blubbered.
"What's to become of you?!" Cried Cecelia, "I'll call Elias, and see if there's something he can do!"
"Doubtful." Said Thomas.
"What he said." Ichika followed up.
"Clarissa!" Laura spoke into her phone, "Ve have a serious emergency! Orimura und Scott have fused and become one! It appears zhey have two personalities in zhis combined form of zheirs."
Laura listened to her phone carefully.
"Ja, I vill ask zhem." She said, turning to the boys, "Vhat else do you have two of?"
Suddenly, Thomas stretched the waist of their pants, and looked down.
"What the-Thomas?!" Cried Ichika, quickly stopping Thomas.
"I was just checking..."
"In the middle of everyone?!"
"Nope! Sorry Laura!" Thomas called.
Laura turned back to her phone.
"Enough!" Chifuyu snapped, "Orimura, Scott. Since it appears that you can't use your IS Units, you'll have to observe others for this field training today."
"Oh..."
Chifuyu sighed.
This was going to be a very long day.
A/N: Upon reflection, this chapter kinda sucked. And, since it would've been too long otherwise, I decided to make it into a 2-part chapter for the sake of time and convenience.
Let's hope that I can make the next part a bit better!
Anyway, I did some editing to the Full-Package Byakushiki, and here's what I have!
The Full-Package Byakushiki features antennae that cover the sides of Ichika head, more cladding around the chest and triceps, and more rounded shoulder pads. It also features two Fully Integrated Hip-Mounted Charged Particle Cannons. The Cannons do not need to be deployed, and can be used anytime.
Other features include a Combat Visor, the Setsura, a Marksman Rifle, the Type 3 Yukihira Nagata, and a Sub Shield, and a Battery Pack Stratos Armor.
The Type 3 Yukihira Nagata features a sheath for the actual blade. However, The sheath is also made of Fold-Out Armor, and can combine with the Type 1 and Type 2 Yukihira Nagata to form the Type 3 "Broadsword Mode" Yukihira Nagata.
The Stratos Armor is a 3rd Generation IS Equipment, allowing for things like modifications that can be deployed and swapped out for any developing situation. The Byakushiki's specifically is a Battery Pack, and can be used to recharge the Byakushiki's shield energy, allowing the Byakushiki to use the Reiraku Byakuya much more often and more quickly.
The Sub Shield is a melee weapon in principle. It's smaller than the Barrier Shield, and flatter. However, to make up for this, the Sub Shield comes with a flat pile-bunker for striking and blunt stabbing.
The Sub Shield was inspired by the Ground-Type Gundam's Shield.
The Full-Package Byakushiki was inspired by Gundam Barbatos 6th Form from Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans.
I feel a bit guilty, since it seems like I've rushed all this too quickly and there's poor pacing. Although there hasn't been much time to acclimate all this new stuff, I hope that I can make this all work!
Hope you enjoy!
Next Time: Sum of Their Parts.
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