Last chapter was kinda bad, so I'll try and make up for it this chapter! All things considered, this chapter's coming out a bit later than usual, so I'm sorry for making everyone wait!
Disclaimer: I do not own Infinite Stratos.
With seemingly no remedy to their predicament, Ichika and Thomas are forced to try and work together. However, it appears that Thomas's reluctance to open up becomes a real hindrance to their teamwork!
And what's worse is the discoveries both Thomas and Ichika make of each other...
But when Tabane launches yet another surprise Unmanned IS attack on the IS Academy, can the boys find a way to pull themselves together?
Elias and Tyrone were at a loss for words.
"This somethin' straight outta Dragon Ball!" Said Tyrone.
Elias, solely, was at a loss for words.
Thomas and Ichika sat as the entire class stared at them.
Thomas wasn't taking it lying down.
"The fuck y'all lookin' at?!" Thomas shouted.
Ichika took control of their left arm, and punched themselves in the face.
Chifuyu was doing her best to take this new incident in stride, Alex was still lying down after hearing and seeing the news, Maya was assigned to help the boys if they showed any signs of rejection to their form.
Elias finally knew what he wanted to ask.
"So..." He popped the question, "Can you deploy your Units?"
"We haven't tried." Said Ichika, "Miss Orimura and Miss Yamada told us they'd try and see later."
"They want us to get acclimated to this," Added Thomas, "Looks like we're in for the long haul."
"How does it feel?" Inquired Elias, "Being stuck like this, I mean."
"Well," Described Ichika, "It's like normal...Just...Not. Although this is my body, it's Thomas's as well. From what we know, we have to be in agreement if we're both in control in order to move."
"It's a good thing breathing and heartbeat are still autonomic." Said Thomas.
"Does this happen normally? I just got here a little while ago!" Said Tyrone.
"It's not usually such." Said Elias, "There are various...Episodes, but they're not so colorful as this."
"Not much of a good first impression." Said Tyrone.
"We're terribly sorry..." Elias grumbled dejectedly.
"I mean," Said Tyrone, "I'm not entirely complaining, looks like it'll never be a dull moment. What's happened to Nana? Thought she'd be all over you guys."
"Nana's in the Infirmary after fainting."
"Oh..."
Thomas and Ichika were currently attempting to come up with a name for their fused state. It was quite distracting as they could feel everyone staring at them, despite the fact that it had been a full day since the incident that left the boys this way.
"So," Theorized Elias, "You said it was the Reiraku Byakuya that caused this to happen? Why not do it again? Perhaps it's the key to both fusion and separation."
"Like we said," Snapped Thomas, "We have no idea what'll happen if we try deploying our Units."
"Oh dear..."
"We can also share memories-Gak?!" Ichika was cut short, as Thomas wrestled for control of their speech.
"Ichika?!"
The boys gave a thumbs-up to assure everyone.
"What the heck was that for?!" Ichika internally snapped at Thomas.
"I'd really appreciate if you didn't go spouting that!" Thomas snapped back.
"Why?! Every little bit helps!"
"There are some things that I don't want to share! With anyone!"
"What's with you man?!"
"When this is over, I don't ever wanna do this again!"
"What's wrong?" Said Elias.
"Thomas was just being-Ack!" Ichika was cut short once again.
Elias sighed, and turned to Tyrone.
"I suppose the very notion of fusion...Both IS and pilots...It's all still very foreign to me."
"I know!" Said Tyrone, "I can show you clips from this sort of thing happening in anime! Lookin' at this is kinda like Fusion back in Dragon Ball."
"Perhaps," Elias stammered, blushing a little, "But I've...Never really watched anime...So I wouldn't know what comparisons to make..."
"It's chill, m'man."
The fused boys began to grumble.
"What's up?" Said Tyrone.
"We can't decide on what to call this...Form." Said Thomas, "Any suggestions?"
"Puttin' us on the spot...Uh...Lessee..." Thought Tyrone.
"You have mismatched eyes," Observed Elias, "It's quite odd to see two of the most opposing colors side-by-side, red and blue."
"Odd..." Muttered Thomas, "...I got it!"
"You do?"
"Odd-Eyes!" Declared Thomas.
"Huh?"
"That's this fusion! Odd-Eyes!"
"Like the Yu-Gi-Oh Card?" Said Tyrone.
"Yeah!" Said Odd-Eyes, "Sounds cool to me...Us."
Tyrone chuckled.
"Okay then, Symbiote."
Odd-Eyes and Tyrone laughed, but Elias couldn't get the reference.
"I like it, good thinking." Said Ichika.
"Meh, I'd rather not make a habit out of this."
Maya finally came up to Odd-Eyes.
"Boys," Said Maya, "Or boy? Oh, I didn't mean to be offensive! I...Um...Which do you prefer?"
"We'll stick with plural for now." Said Odd-Eyes.
"Well, anyway," Maya sighed, calming down, "After classes today, Arena 6 should be available. We'll be performing an examination of your form there, and we'll test to see if we can get your IS Units to deploy."
"That's a relief," Sighed Ichika, "Thomas is being so-Ugk!"
"Oh my-! Is everything okay?"
"Just fine." Growled Thomas.
"Are you certa-?!"
"Absolutely fine."
"Oh...Very well then."
Chifuyu sighed.
She didn't know how to feel about the situation.
"Okay boys!" Called Maya, "Get ready!"
Odd-Eyes stood within the Arena, preparing for the battery of tests.
Kanzashi was ready with a monitor, to analyze and record.
"Odd," Said Kanzashi, "I'm getting vitals from both Orimura and Scott, like nothing's happened."
"And why is that?" Inquired Chifuyu.
"I'd surmise that perhaps their brainwaves are operating independently, hence their split-personality in this form, but..."
"What?"
"I'm sorry," Sighed Kanzashi, "The idea of this happening, let alone the fact that it did wasn't something anyone expected before with an Infinite Stratos, it's unheard of. At best, we're looking at theory."
"I see...Is it possible to reverse the process?"
"Perhaps, seeing as the Reiraku Byakuya was what led to this, it'd stand to reason that it might also be the means of leading out of it."
"Perhaps," Said Maya, "But we still don't know if they can use the Reiraku Byakuya in this form, let alone deploy their IS Units..."
"We'll have to try." Said Chifuyu, "Boys, try to deploy your IS Units!"
Odd-Eyes nodded.
"Eply!" Odd-Eyes hacked and coughed.
Maya, Kanzashi, and Chifuyu all opened their mouths to speak.
"I think I see the problem." Said Maya.
"Please share." Said Chifuyu.
"Perhaps they're still too independent of each other to deploy their IS Units. Rather than trying to both deploy their Units with vocal commands, they need to think of the same thing."
"I see your point..."
"But does that mean that deploying their IS Units is impossible now?"
"I'm not certain. If they fused, it'd stand to reason their IS Units fused as well."
"So what's stopping them?"
"They still need to work in tandem, I suppose." Theorized Kanzashi.
"So they're stuck like this until we can force their IS Units out?"
"It would appear that way."
Chifuyu sighed.
"Whats wrong, ma'am?" Inquired Maya.
"It's just...I'd rather not talk about it." Said Chifuyu.
Although Ichika and Thomas were brothers-in-arms, it was still stunning to find them fused as one. The very idea hadn't been given any serious thought before, which made it all the more confusing as it was actually happening now.
What was she...Anyone supposed to make of it?
A crowd was beginning to gather in the Arena, due to gossip and rumors about the boys' predicament.
"What now?" Thought Ichika.
"I think the issue is that we're trying to deploy our individual Units." Hypothesized Thomas.
"Huh?"
"Think about it: We've been trying to deploy the Byakushiki and the Revive simultaneously. However, it's most likely our Units fused together as well."
"So what you're saying is..."
"Instead of deploying our Units...
"We deploy our single Unit!"
"But the only complication..."
"Is what we should agree on..."
The two boys were in the process of trying to visualize their combined IS Unit, but couldn't quite agree on what they were thinking. They had to be in agreement to do anything at all, which was far harder than it sounded.
"Wait! Let's see..."
"I like that..."
"But what about-"
"No."
"Aww..."
"That's it?"
"Mhm."
"Alright, what now?"
"No idea."
"You're kidding."
"Nope."
"Oh my God..."
"Uh..."
"Let's just call it the Byakushiki-Revive. I mean, that's literally what it is."
"I guess...Feel we could do better though."
"Maybe, we'll figure it out."
"Oh! Even better!"
"What?"
"Byakushiki-Raphael!"
"...I like that. Let's do it!"
Odd-Eyes inhaled.
"Engage! Byakushiki-Raphael!"
Maya, Kanzashi, and Chifuyu all flinched as Odd-Eyes was enveloped in light for a few moments.
And in the blink of an eye, An IS emerged.
It had 4 wings, 2 from each IS. All over the frame was a perfect union of the Byakushiki and the Rafale-Revive II. It was almost as though the different parts from both machines complimented each other, and worked together to improve their individual flaws.
But was it perfection? Or amalgamation?
"W-What...?" Gasped Maya.
"Ma'am!" Said Kanzashi, "I'm getting readings from both Thomas's and Ichika's Units! Whatever they did, I'm getting readings from both IS Cores!"
"Then that would mean..." Started Chifuyu.
"...We're looking at the world's first IS Dual-Core System..." Finished Maya.
"There's no way!" Said Kanzashi, "The amount of synchronization it would take to get the two Cores working in tandem...It's unheard of!"
"But not unseen." Said Chifuyu, "After all, we're the firs to witness this breakthrough."
All throughout the Arena, Odd-Eyes could hear an uproar as the observing students laid eyes upon the bleeding edge discoveries they were making right then. The hype would grow as time went on.
Elias and Tyrone were amongst the crowds.
"Holy-?!" Tyrone cried, "THIS SHIT IS GORGEOUS! LOOK AT IT, ELI!"
"M-My name's Elias!"
"I know! Eli, Elias, yeah?"
"I guess...But still, I'd rather you used the actual name, I'm not too much for nicknames."
"Ah, gotcha. Sorry."
"It's fine, we're still breaking the ice, after all."
"Which reminds me," Said Tyrone, "What's next? For us guys, I mean."
"I've no inkling." Said Elias, turning back to look at the Byakushiki-Raphael, "Personally, I don't think any of us know."
"Makes it one helluva story, though." Concurred Tyrone.
The boys looked upon the world's first Dual-Core IS Unit, and began to ponder. The recent incident that fused Thomas and Ichika got them thinking about their futures, together and separate.
What was to be their fate?
Sometime later...
After a length of time spent trying to get Odd-Eyes to recall the Byakushiki-Raphael, Tyrone and Elias met with Odd-Eyes in the Locker Rooms as they began to converse and think of what they were to do next.
"That was something!" Said Tyrone, "You sure you're not just feigning ignorance?"
"Nah nah," Said Odd-Eyes, "We're figuring this as we go along."
"Flying by the seat of the pants, eh?"
"More like by the seat of our cheeks-?!"
Odd-Eyes decked themselves across the face, courtesy of Ichika.
"Oh come on!" Argued Thomas.
"That's not appropriate!" Scolded Ichika.
Houki stared at Odd-Eyes.
Her childhood friends were now meshed together, it was so out of nowhere that Houki couldn't figure out how to feel. Her good friend merging with her secret crush...How was anyone supposed to cope with such an event?
Most of the other girls were crowding around Odd-Eyes, completely baffled.
"I've never seen anything like this happening before! Data on IS Fusion is invaluable!" Commented Charlotte.
"At first," Said Laura, "I zhought it vas just zheir bodies zhat fused. However, seeing zheir fused IS, I am far more intrigued by what zhey are capable of...Tell me, ish it effective two have two personalities to be aware in combat?"
"We don't know." Responded Odd-Eyes, "It's a hassle to walk, I doubt we can do too much in a fight."
Nana finally returned from the Infirmary, only to lay eyes upon Odd-Eyes.
She fainted the first time she saw it. But this time, she see the resemblance to both Ichika and Thomas.
"Guys?"
Odd-Eyes turned to look Nana in the eyes.
"You're not gonna pass out again, are you?" Odd-Eyes said plainly.
It was at that moment Nana knew for certain that Thomas was in this form. Her face remained somber, still getting adjusted to the sight of Odd-Eyes, a perfect union of her one crush and his best friend.
And yet...
"Thomas..." Whispered Nana, her somber face suddenly turning sly with a grin, "Is that an IS trinket in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?"
Odd-Eyes blushed, and looked down at their pants.
Nana chuckled, knowing Ichika was currently in control.
"I'm not the first to ask," Said Nana, "But...What's it like? Being...This."
Odd-Eyes paused as they thought of their response.
"Well," Odd-Eyes answered, "It's sorta like an out-of-body experience. Both of us can feel the whole body, but to either of us, it feels kinda wonky to one whenever the other does something."
"Ah."
"We're still trying to work together, but Thomas is a little prickly about opening up."
Ichika expected Thomas to shut them up, but Thomas didn't do anything.
Ichika began to ponder.
Thomas could be talkative if he wanted, but that's what made so Ichika so curious.
Despite how much Thomas could talk, he never said too much.
Why was he so reluctant to open up?
"I heard that." Grumbled Thomas.
"W-What?!"
"We share thoughts, duh."
"I-Uh-I'm sorry!"
"You're not wrong...I don't like to open up."
"But...Why? We're friends, so why can't you open up to me, at least?"
"I..Don't know. It's just...It doesn't feel right."
"Why not?"
"I hardly understand myself, I doubt anyone else would."
Ichika could feel Thomas's emotions...They were heavy.
Ichika was finally beginning to understand Thomas.
After all this time...Thomas had been struggling like this? It was finally clear to Ichika why Thomas seemed so distant at the New Years' Party: He was depressed. He'd been struggling with that depression for far too long.
Ichika's best friend...One he'd known since childhood...
...He needed help, someone who'd save him.
What infuriated Ichika the most about the subject was that this was the way Ichika found the problem in the first place. Who was to blame? Was it Thomas, the one who hid the pain? Or was it Ichika, for not seeing it sooner?
If only he'd been a better friend...
"I know you're mad at yourself." Said Thomas.
"What? I'm not-!"
"Stop lying. We share thoughts, and I know you far too well."
"It's my fault-"
"That I'm like this? Get a grip, black hole. You really need to learn what you're responsible for...And more importantly, what you're not."
"How long?"
"Hm?"
"How long have you been like this?!" Ichika cried, "It's not right! You shouldn't be this way!"
"What? Because it's not what you want? Stop being such a selfish baby! It's my depression, I can do what I want with it!"
"Is this a joke to you?!"
"Y'see?! This! This is why I didn't want to stay like this!"
"Huh?!"
"Because, little by little, things're slowly changing between us, right now! Things were better back before we fused like this...I'm not ready to open up. And the longer we stay like this, the more you're gonna force me to open up!"
"Thomas..."
"Guys?" Said Nana, waving her hand in front of Odd-Eyes's face.
"Mm-What?" Said Odd-Eyes, trying to look casual.
"You spaced out." Said Nana, "All good now?"
"Y-Yeah."
Odd-Eyes blushed, much to everyone's delight, as Nana's face was quite close.
"Hold on," Said Ichika, "You have a crush on her?!"
"YOU FUCK!" Thomas shouted back.
"D'aww...It's so cute! If you want, I can help you land a date~!"
"This is why I don't like this!"
"Oh come on!" Ichika chuckled, "Lemme meddle! This is too good to pass up!"
"Stobbit!"
"H-Hey," Odd-Eyes stuttered, "Nana?"
"What's up? Your face is red."
"A-Ah...Well..."
Ichika snickered, he was the ultimate wing-man.
"Stahp!" Cried Thomas.
"Y'know...I've been doing some thinking...And I wanted to ask.."
"Yeah?"
"Would you...Like...To..."
"Nononono!" Shouted Thomas, unable to gain control of their mouth.
"...Go out with me?" Said Odd-Eyes.
Nana seemed unaffected by the question.
"Sorry," She said, "But you know I like Thomas."
"Wah?!" Blurted Ichika.
"Fuck yeah-What?" Said Thomas, "She...Actually likes me?"
"B-But how?" Cried Odd-Eyes.
"Your individual voices switch depending on who's talking." Said Nana, "Didn't think you didn't know that..."
"We didn't notice." Said Odd-Eyes.
"Really? That's-?!"
Suddenly, the alarm sounded off, much to everyone's surprise.
"The heck is going on?!" Cried Lingyin.
All the students in the classroom began to cry and panic.
"Attention students!" Called Chifuyu, quickly silencing the room, "You're to remain in your classrooms until the all-clear is given! Representative Candidates with Personal IS machines are to deploy and prepare for briefing!"
The Representative Candidates began to hurry out of the room, but Chifuyu stopped Odd-Eyes in their tracks.
"You need to stay here," She ordered, "We don't know the upper-limits of your fused IS yet. Until we get a chance to properly gauge you, we can't risk you in any combat scenario until you display mastery over this form of yours."
"Bu-uck!"
Ichika was about to refuse, but Thomas stopped him.
They both understood that Chifuyu was absolutely right.
"Yes Ma'am." Odd-Eyes grumbled.
Odd-Eyes sat back down in Ichika's seat.
"We have to help!"
"And how do you propose we do that? We don't even know what's going on!"
"Still!"
"I get your point, really, I can feel it. But...We need to think things through."
"But what if-"
"Nope. Nuh-uh. Not doing this now."
"Rrggh!"
"What're we up against?" Said Chifuyu, making her way to the control room.
"Golem IS Units. There's only ten of them this time. They appear to be the same version as last time, the Golem III model." Said Maya.
"Oh dear...She's at it again."
"Thanks to the boys' findings," Said Maya, "At least we now know Dr. Shinonono isn't out to hurt anyone, but gauge them."
"It's still out of line."
"We should see how things progress." Concluded Maya.
Chifuyu grumbled in concurrence.
Elsewhere, however, Tyrone was freaking out over his first time in live combat.
"Why?!" He cried, already in Subwoofer "What did I do?!"
"It's not entirely your fault," Elias consoled, rushing over in Knight Gunner, "It's the work of Dr. Shinonono, she seems quite keen on these sorts of antics. Usually, it's whenever she gets wind of new things at the IS Academy."
"So's that mean she's here for the guys?" Inquired Tyrone, referring to Odd-Eyes.
"Unlikely," Said Elias, "That's too quick a response on her part. I daresay she's doing this to gauge you, Tyrone."
"Oh...Man..." Tyrone whined, "I mean, it's kinda nice to get attention. But..."
"Not like this?" Said Elias.
"Not like this." Agreed Tyrone.
"You're not alone-?!"
Without warning a Golem rushed the boys head-on, nearly taking Tyrone's head off in the process. Thankfully, the boys dodged, and separated as they began to circle around their foe.
"Encircle it!" Said Elias, "It can't focus on two simultaneously!"
"Yeah-?!"
The boys rushed in to take the Golem from both sides, only to receive a preemptive attack from the Golem in response. Tyrone was clotheslined by the Golem's big arm, and Elias tanked a barrage from its Particle Cannon.
"What was that you just said?" Tyrone groaned as he writhed on the ground.
"Elias!" Cried Cecelia, rushing to the boys' aid.
"No! Stay back!" Cried Elias.
Cecelia charged in, hoping to chase the Golem away from the boys. She deployed all 4 Optical Drones, and fired away with her Sniper Rifle. Just as intended, the Golem quickly broke away to avoid getting hit.
Not too far away, Houki and Nana worked together to fend off 3 Golems.
"Watch your back!" Said Nana, opening fire upon the Golem behind Houki.
Houki seized the opening, and thrust her Katanas behind herself, prodding the Golem as its Absolute Defense kicked in. Houki spun around, and danced in the Akatsubaki as she struck the Golem over and over.
The Golem quickly recovered, and joined Houki's dance with its own Wrist Blade.
"Dammit!" Snapped Houki, as the Golem made counter after counter against her.
Lingyin and Kanzashi were back to back as they were surrounded by 5 Golems.
"Rrggh!" Lingyin growled, "This is infuriating! They keep dodging my shots!"
"Mine as well!" Cried Kanzashi, "They're moving too quickly!"
"Hold the line!" Said Charlotte, "They'll fall eventually!"
"Ja!" Shouted Laura, rushing the last Golem with her Beam Tonfa.
The Golem was very annoyingly dodging Laura's attacks with relative ease, due to her not using the AIC to stop it. Laura tried to catch the Golem off-guard with a point-blank shot from her right Railgun, only to fall with a sudden counter from the Golem.
Elias finally got back up, as took a deep breath.
"Right then," He said, "Let's hope Father's modifications are up to par!"
Elias rushed a Golem, his Lancer Bit at the ready.
"And now!" Declared Elias, "Calvary Mode, engage!"
Suddenly, the Knight Gunner's legs hissed, and the front cladding popped off. Two smaller legs folded out of the shins, and the main legs knelt, giving the impression the Knight Gunner had developed 4 legs.
In the blink of an eye, the Knight Gunner now looked like a mechanical centaur!
"Let's have a go!" Declared Elias, deploying a Barrier Shield.
The Golem swung at Elias, only to have Elias suddenly spin around the Golem and flawlessly evade the Golem's attack. The English boy delivered a whack to the Golem's head with the Lancer Bit.
Back in the classroom, Odd-Eyes was having an internal conflict.
"We've gotta assist! We can just rip 'em apart with the Reiraku Byakuya, no?"
"Perhaps, but we don't know what we can do just yet!" Argued Thomas.
"And this is the prime opportunity to figure that out!"
"This isn't up for debate!"
"But this is Tabane! She's not gonna kill us...Right?"
"Ugh! You know what? Fuck it, let's go!"
"Really?!"
"Since you can't shut the hell up, fine!"
"Awright!"
Odd-Eyes jumped up from their seat, and rushed towards the windows.
"Hey guys!" Called Honne, "Where're you going?"
Odd-Eyes opened a window, and threw off the school uniform, exchanging it for the pilot suit underneath.
"Wait!"
Odd-Eyes suddenly prepared to slip out the window, and the rest of the students got up to stop them.
"We'll be back soon!"
Odd-Eyes dove through the open window.
"Deploy! Byakushiki-Raphael!"
In a flash of light, Odd-Eyes took to the skies in the Byakushiki-Raphael.
"What've we got?"
The HUD opened up the weapons list.
"Oh come on!"
"What?" Said Thomas.
"All we've got is the Yukihira Nigata!"
"Then let's use it to the fullest extent!"
"You're kidding!"
"You got a better plan?"
"Dammit..."
"This was your idea, beggars can't be choosers."
Odd-Eyes deployed the Yukihira Nigata, only to find it had once again changed.
Instead of the Type 3 Yukihira Nigata, it'd been labeled as the Type 4 Yukihira Nigata.
The weapon materialized in Odd-Eyes' right hand.
Unlike before, which was either an energy blade, a sheathed sword, or a katana, this new weapon was a broadsword. It looked like a mesh of both boys' Yukihira Nigatas, fused together by the false edge of the blade to create a wider blade.
"Remember," Said Thomas, "First moment it looks bad, we pull back."
"Right!"
The boys' were now in sight of the battle.
"Hey! Wait for me!" Called Odd-Eyes.
"Scott?! Orimura?! What d'you think you're doing?!" Maya's voice cackled into their ear.
"What the hell you two?!" Chifuyu snapped, "Retreat! You have orders!"
"With all due respect," Said Odd-Eyes, "This is the prime moment to gauge ourselves!"
The Golems suddenly stopped.
"New target acquired." They boomed in unison, right as they turned to Odd-Eyes' direction.
"They've engaged." Said Thomas, "Four left, two right, four center. Circle to the right and weave into their line."
"Huh?" Said Ichika, "Why're you talking like that?"
"Thoughts are pretty much like internalized talking." Said Thomas, "This is how I think."
"This has been going on...This whole time?"
"You act so surprised, we've established this already."
"But-!"
"Focus!"
Suddenly, Odd-Eyes took a solid punch right to the face, and fell hard.
"Ichika! Thomas!" Everyone cried.
"Potential concussion," Said Thomas, "Success rate dropped immensely. Re-align and pull out of range."
"I can do this!" Said Ichika.
"Then do it already!"
Odd-Eyes got to their feet, only to be surrounded by the Golems.
"Aw crap."
"Guys! Get out of there!" Cried Nana.
They were too late to act, the Golems opened fire at Odd-Eyes from all sides.
The other IS Pilots came to support, quickly pushing back the enemy away from their fallen friend.
Odd-Eyes was kneeling on both knees, their face looking up to the heavens. Various parts of their armor had cracked. Odd-Eyes had a dazed look, almost as though they were in a haze.
"Defend the guys!" Ordered Nana, getting the others to form a ring around Odd-Eyes.
Meanwhile, Ichika and Thomas were in a fight of their own.
"You're not listening." Said Thomas, "This isn't something we can just do, we need to practice!"
"Is this really how you see the world? Predictions and calculations?"
Elias clashed blades with a Golem, Tyrone fended off another attempting to hit Elias from behind.
"It's how I've gotten this far."
Lingyin was piggybacking on Houki as the charged a group of Golems, Lingyin fired away with her Shock Cannons.
"But how?! It's so distracting! I need you to help me!"
"Oh no you don't!" Snapped Thomas, "You're the idiot who wanted to do this...So either you see it through, or so help me, I'll do it for you!"
"No!" Shouted Ichika, "We're doing this! Together! But we can't work together unless you open to me!"
"That's not important!"
"It IS!" Ichika shouted, "Stop acting like it's okay, it's not okay! You're human too! You need to open up to someone!"
"IMMA FIRIN' MAH LASAH!" Shouted Tyrone, as he fired both Pulse Blasters at maximum power.
Both blasts connected with a Golem, and severely damaged it.
"I let you take the wheel...Isn't that enough?"
"No! It's not! Not when you're suffering!"
Thomas sighed.
"You're holding back." Said Ichika, "I can feel it. You're scared...Scared of what'll happen if you open up. You're afraid I'll know something you don't want to tell anyone, and you'll be vulnerable."
Thomas was silent.
"Why can't you see?!" Cried Ichika, "It's okay to be vulnerable...You don't have to be afraid. Whatever happens...I'll stick by you, like you did."
Thomas was still silent.
"We need both of us to make this work," Said Ichika, "We'll be stuck like this if we just take turns."
"I...Yes."
With one last reluctance, Thomas finally opened up.
The sheer rush of thoughts, memories, ideas, and emotions was simply so staggeringly massive...Thomas had been bottling it all up this whole time? Ichika was simply blindsided by the sheer magnitude of Thomas's mind.
His only memory of his mother, holding him as an infant.
The mysterious gauntlet in the closet safe.
His affection for Nana.
His fear of the unknown.
His anger, his frustration, and confusion about Phantom Task.
His emerging faith in others.
His distrust of Chifuyu and Alex.
His desire to find the truth.
Ichika felt everything all at once.
Likewise, Thomas felt Ichika's mind rippling right back at him. Thomas would've jokingly said he'd expect what he felt. However, in reality, Thomas was simply in awe of the volume that Ichika mentally conjured.
His desire to grow, to become a real man.
His desire for everyone to get along.
His anger over watching Thomas struggle. And not just Thomas, but everyone.
His confusion over Madoka Orimura.
His burning willpower.
His faith in others.
His feelings for Houki.
And most of all, He knew.
He knew about all the girls' affections for him. And yet, at the same time, Thomas now knew Ichika wasn't as ignorant as he'd led everyone to believe. He'd led everyone on with such a facade, it was simply unfathomable.
Thomas and Ichika were now one and the same, for however long that would be.
They were Odd-Eyes.
"Then we're agreed." Odd-Eyes suddenly spoke up.
"Huh? Ichika?" Said Houki, wondering what the boys meant.
"Thomas?" Said Nana, turning back to look at Odd-Eyes.
"Us..." Said Odd-Eyes, suddenly beginning to move once more.
Chifuyu began to hear Odd-Eyes speak over the comm.
However, she wasn't hearing Thomas or Ichika speaking individually anymore.
For some bizarre reason, they were talking simultaneously, in unison.
"Us...Am...We...Are...Odd-Eyes!"
In the blink of an eye, Odd-Eyes spun to their...No...His feet.
"Orimura? Scott? Respond!" Called Maya.
"We're okay." Odd-Eyes spoke, "In fact, we're better than ever!"
One by one, the IS students all began to cease fighting as they laid eyes upon Odd-Eyes. Something was different about them, despite their already-bizarre appearance. They'd changed completely, almost as if they were no longer Thomas and Ichika.
The Golems likewise stopped.
"It's fine guys, we'll take care of this."
Suddenly, the Golems all began to converge upon Odd-Eyes.
But before anyone could react, the wind kicked up.
Whereas Odd-Eyes was once standing before the oncoming Golems...
...He'd suddenly appeared behind them, the Type 4 Yukihira Nigata in hand.
Suddenly, one Golem flew back, and landed in a heap next to Odd-Eyes, its torso spontaneously splitting in two.
"What the hell?" Muttered Nana.
"So fast..." Whispered Houki.
"Incredible..." Mumbled Elias.
Everyone was simply far too stunned to speak.
"Now..." Said Odd-Eyes, turning back to the rest of the Golems, "Who's up to bat next?"
Odd-Eyes twirled the Type 4 Yukihira and spun the weapon with his fingers. The weapon looked like a disc as it spun so fast it blurred as Odd-Eyes moved the object from hand-to-hand to show off.
The blade stopped twirling as Odd-Eyes took a Te Ura Gasumi stance.
At that moment, all of the Golems rushed Odd-Eyes.
As much as everyone wanted to intercept, they all agreed not to interfere.
This was a discovery in the making.
With the flick of Odd-Eyes' wrist, the Type 4 Yukihira Nigata switched to the Particle Blade, igniting with a with beam of energy, and rushed forward to meet the enemy head-on, curious of what he could do, now that he was one.
It was like dancing.
Odd-Eyes skated about like a wild animal, but with the grace of an figure-skater.
Despite the length of the Yukihira Nigata, Odd-Eyes swung the blade as though it was light as a feather. He whacked away at the Golems with unprecedented speed and power, far beyond that of either Thomas or Ichika.
Before long, only one Golem was left.
"Alright! That's our boys!" Cheered Nana.
"Finish it quickly!" Called Charlotte.
However, the Golem acted first.
It made a high-pitched screech, and all of the destroyed Golems flew towards the final Golem, and began to combine with it.
"Not again..." Muttered Odd-Eyes.
The Mega-Golem swung at Odd-Eyes.
Thankfully, Odd-Eyes was able to dodge in time.
"What'd we do last time? Cross the streams? Can't do that in this...Form...Ooh! Big brain!"
The Mega-Golem brought its fist down upon Odd-Eyes.
Odd-Eyes recalled the Yukihira and tanked the blow, holding the fist above himself like a heavy object on his back.
They were in sync now more than ever.
They could do it.
"Reiraku Byakuya!"
Odd-Eyes and the Byakushiki-Raphael were enveloped in a golden aura.
Suddenly, Thomas and Ichika magically appeared flying away mere moments from being crushed under the Mega-Golem's fist. The boys were in their individual IS Units, both with determined grins on their faces.
"What the-?!"
"Holy-?!"
"Guys?!"
"We're BACK!" Shouted Thomas as he rammed the Mega-Golem head-on, sending it off-balance.
"And we're BETTER THAN EVER!" Shouted Ichika, pulling out the Type 2 Yukihira Nigata.
The students all watched in awe.
After a day of watching the boys fight each other...
...They'd become so much more synchronized.
"Man, I'm on such a crazy-frickin' high right now!" Shouted Thomas, throwing punches, "Feel so light! So easy!"
"You n' me both!" Agreed Ichika.
Meanwhile, the other students began to set about taking a break.
"They got this." Said Tyrone.
"They're back to normal..." Sighed Elias, relieved.
"Ichika!" Called Houki.
"Now that's better!" Said Thomas, relieved he was able to get out of the fusion.
"Remember last time? Cross the streams!" Reminded Ichika, deploying a Hip-Mounted Particle Cannon.
Thomas did the same, and the boys got into position.
They fired, connecting their particle streams around the Mega-Golem's right hip, causing an implosion that blew the Mega-Golem apart, and exposed the remaining Golem. It was clear to both boys what came next.
They both pulled out the Type 2 Yukihira Nigata, and proceeded to cut the Golem to ribbons.
It didn't take very long.
After only a few moments, the boys stopped, and relaxed.
"Chifuyu's gonna kill us." said Ichika.
"I'd be more shocked if she doesn't." Concurred Thomas.
They were in so much trouble.
"WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING?!" Chifuyu boomed, delivering chops to both Ichika and Thomas's head.
In the course of an hour, Alex finally recovered from fainting, IS Instructors had cleaned up the mess of Golem parts littering the area, the Representative Candidates were debriefed, and Chifuyu personally delivered the admonishment to Ichika and Thomas for disobeying orders.
At least she could hit them both separately again.
"You pull some stupid stunt..." Chifuyu grumbled, in between chops to Ichika and Thomas, "You 'accidentally' fuse into a single being...You give me a heart attack...You put your father in the Infirmary for fainting...You start YET ANOTHER riot in the student body...And now, you're about to get shit from the UN for this whole escapade...WHAT WERE YOU TWO THINKING?!"
"It was in the heat of the moment..." Ichika mumbled.
"OH?! IS THAT SO?!" Chifuyu glared into Ichika's soul, "Well, you can expect something that won't be in the heat of the moment: Your punishment!"
"NO!" Cried Ichika, "Anything! Please! Mercy!"
Thomas remained silent, praying he could weather the storm.
Chifuyu then turned her vengeful aura on him.
"And you..." She growled, "YOU...You're supposed to be the RESPONSIBLE ONE! WHAT?! DID YOU JUST DECIDE TO LET JESUS OVER HERE TO TAKE THE WHEEL?!"
"I...Well...Um..."
"Oh..." Chifuyu began to chuckle psychotically, "You two will definitely be sorry when I'm done with you..."
Chifuyu began to laugh manically, imaging the torture she'd put Ichika and Thomas through.
"Hey kids!" Alex popped in, jovial as ever.
"O-Oh! H-Hi." Chifuyu quickly went back to normal.
"So, how're my kids doing? You're looking better!" Said Alex.
"Speak for yourself." Said Chifuyu, "You dropped like a brick when you say the-"
"Shut up!" Snapped Alex, blushing.
"Anyway," Said Chifuyu, glaring back down at the boys, "Don't think that just because we're taking a break means you're home free."
"Man," Interjected Alex, "How long has it been since we've had the chance to group up like a family?"
"Too long." Sighed Chifuyu.
"Those were the glory days..." Reminisced Alex, "Anyway! Go on! Act like I'm not here!"
"Thank you." Said Chifuyu, right before turning back to continue shouting at the boys.
Thomas and Ichika sighed.
It was just like a family circus.
Elsewhere...
Tabane watched to footage.
She was clapping slowly, she cried silently, despite the smile on her face.
"Beautiful..."
"Mama Tabane?" Inquired Chloe, as she looked to the screen.
"It's just..." Tabane was sniffling, "I can't...It's...Breathtaking..."
Tabane was viewing footage of Odd-Eyes, which had been recorded by the Golem Units.
"I never thought this would ever happen before, until it did! This is just incredible! The sheer amount of data that can be found...Imagine it, Chloe-Chan! The world's first Dual-Core IS Unit...Perfect synchronization."
The IS Core was something Tabane had made to function on its own. Using two would be unwise, as they'd need to run in tandem operation in order to function properly. The very notion that someone that WASN'T Tabane was able to do Tabane Shinonono one better...
It felt like a challenge.
But how? How could she make a Dual-Core IS?
The only viable way to do so would be to re-create the incident that fused Thomas and Ichika, and doing so would require the very unique Yukihira Nigata and its One-Off, the Reiraku Byakuya.
And obviously the boys wouldn't give up the weapon without a fight, or at all.
It didn't matter, Tabane could find something to occupy herself until then.
Tabane looked at the calendar.
It was almost Valentine's Day.
A very mischievous smile curled onto the evil bunny lady's face.
Perhaps she could have a little fun...
A/N: Again, I'm so so so so sorry for releasing this chapter so long after the one prior. I've been working on some other stories, plus I had writers block for a good while. However, I'm back! And it may be too late, I'm doing a Valentine's day chapter anyway!
But, now that it's finally officially made, let's talk about Odd-Eyes!
Odd-Eyes is the combined consciousness and body of Thomas and Ichika as they're fused together. The appearance is more a mismatched pattern of Thomas and Ichika seamlessly meshed together.
Their fused IS Unit is the Byakushiki-Raphael. It is the first IS Unit to operate on a Dual-Core System. In this form, they have a doubled power supply added from both of their individual Units.
In this form, they only have access to the Type 4 Yukihira Nigata. The Type 4 is a meshed weapon made from both of the boys' individual version of the weapon. It can switch from Closed Form, to Active Particle Form.
The Byakushiki-Raphael has 4 wings, two from the Byakushiki, and two from the Rafale-Revive. The arms are a mesh of the Byakushiki's arms to the Revive's bicep plating. The legs are mainly a pattern of both IS Units' plating.
Ever since reversing the process, Thomas outright refuses to do it again.
I hope you like this chapter!
Next time: Love is Pain.
It's Valentine's Day at the IS Academy, but something's gone wrong!
What seemed like a fun day for the boys and their friends soon turns into yet another run for their lives, with the entire female population of the IS Academy out to get them!
Can the boys find a way to salvage the wreckage of a day?
Leave a review, they're much appreciated, and show that you care!