-0345 HRS. Alex's room, IS Academy, Day 3.-
Alex is awakened by his phone, receiving a video call. He got up on his bed and answered it to see who it was. As he accepts the call, the screen showed a beautiful woman in her 20s with long wavy blonde hair. Alex smirked when he saw who she was.
"Enjoying your stay so far?" The woman asked.
"Hello to you too, Fairs." Alex grunted.
"Just Natasha. Alex, I thought we talked about this back in LA." Natasha said.
"Well then, Natasha. What is it?" Alex asked her.
"I just want to know how are you doing. You're a mess when I first saw you." Natasha said as she sounded concerned.
"That's because of the shit that happened. And I'm still a mess, Natasha. You woke me up so early in the damn morning." Alex groaned from the lack of sleep.
"Haha. Sorry to spoil your dreams. The time zone's different there. It's afternoon here in Los Angeles." Natasha chuckled.
"You have any information on the representatives?" Natasha asked.
"Apparently, it's just a bunch of teenagers around 17-19 years of age. Look, they have one from England, China, France, Russia, Germany and of course, me from the U.S. of A. One thing that was interesting was there were two for Japan. I'll send what I know when I have more on them." Alex answered.
"That the basic intel, all right. You have to document what you got from them for now." Natasha added.
"I got a few questions though." Alex said.
"Go on. Shoot." Natasha nodded.
"Why would they be connected to the syndicate? More importantly, Why them? They're just teenagers. It just doesn't add up." Alex asked.
"That's why we sent YOU, Alex—to investigate. I'll cover my end from here, you cover yours. You're a cop, remember?" Natasha answered.
"Fine… Later then. " Alex ended the call.
"Truth be told, Natasha. It's not bad here. Unusual, yes but not that bad. It's time to get up." Alex thought as he preps up for a morning routine.
-0830 HRS. Dormitory Lounge-
"A nice cup-o'-Joe in a quiet morning…"
Alex, wearing a blue shirt, gray jogging pants and trainers as he walked in chewing on what remains of his breakfast, holding a mug filled with hot coffee.
"Good morning, Alex-kun!" His mood slightly brightened when a few of his classmates greeted him good morning with the usual, love-struck smiles on their faces. He sat down on one of the couches.
"Had a rough night, Alex?" Charlotte asked from his side.
"Nah. Just woke up too early. Sounds like y'all had a good night's sleep." Alex said after swallowing what he's chewing.
"Yes and no. We're just excited about the incoming school festival." Cecilia added.
"Cecilia, that's just a week from now. Funny thing is, of all the class sections in the academy, they rolled out the red carpet for us." Alex snickered.
"It's because of you and my bride." Laura steps in, tugging Ichika.
"Yeah sure I guess- Wait… Bride?" Alex was dumbfounded by Laura's words.
"Ugh. Don't get us started." Houki sighed in frustration.
"What seems to be the problem, Officer?" Laura gets on his face and looks up.
"Tell me some stuff that I don't know." Alex said.
"You have a lot to catch up on, Fields. That's all I'm saying." Laura smirked.
"I can see that, Laura. That's why I'm asking." Alex raised an eyebrow. As they talked, one of their classmates—having short blue hair and a slender figure, approached Alex.
"Yeah, Shizune?" Alex asked him after having a sip of his coffee.
"Kaichou wants to see you. She's at the doorway." Shizune said.
"Kaichou… Kaichou… President?" Alex asked her as he recognizes a familiar face in his mind. He stood up and went to the doorway to see Tatenashi, having a serious look on her face.
"You called, Pres?" Alex asked. "Yeah! I challenge you to a match!" Tatenashi yelled as she points at him, turning everyone's attention on the two.
"That's kinda sudden there, Pres. You sure you want to battle?" Alex asked. "I've been told that you fought with an IS before coming here. Let's see how good you are." Tatenashi smirked.
"I could use the adrenaline rush. Fine, you're on. 5pm in Arena 3." Alex said as he made his neck crackle in front of Tatenashi.
"See you then." She walks away. In a split-second a handful of students stormed to Alex.
"Alex, is your sanity hanging by a thread?!" A classmate, having short, maroon hair, grabbed his shoulders and shook him.
"Tatenashi Sarashiki? Student Council President? Yeah, I think I'm into clear, Aikawa." Alex shrugged.
"That's not it, Alex! She's student council for two reasons! One, she's the strongest in the academy." Rin said as she knocks on Alex's forehead.
"What's the second?" Alex asked.
"Two, is that she never lost a match! NEVER lost a match!" Shizune emphasized.
"Figures y'all might say that. Look, I piloted an IS before in Los Angeles. So technically, I know what I'm doing." Alex said before drinking his coffee.
"Good point… But don't get cocky, Alex." Charlotte warned.
"She asked on a good day too. It's Sunday. I'll train for the whole day… As soon as I finish my cup-o'-Joe." Alex said.
-1300 HRS. Arena 3-
Alex was in his I.S., training for the match later—Practicing his shooting skills, and hand-to-hand combat with holographic targets. For Alex, it wasn't a big deal having an intense training. As he materialized the sub-machine gun, the feeling of being watched was coiling in his mind. This time, he was right.
"Charlotte! You're just gonna watch from there?" He yelled at the French representative standing in the Arena.
"I-I'm sorry! I didn't want to disturb you!" Charlotte stammered.
"Hop in, kid! I could use some company!" Alex invited. Charlotte materialized her IS, the Rafale Revive-Custom II, and went in the arena.
"Is that an X-5 Tactical you're holding there?" Charlotte pointed at Alex's Sub-machine gun that had notable resemblance to the MP5.
"Yeah, it is. It's good for close to mid-ranged combat. Good eye, Charlotte. I'm impressed." Alex nodded.
"Thanks. You want to spar now for your match later?" Charlotte asked him.
"Yeah, sure. I could use some sparring." Alex said as he readies his gun.
-Arena 3, 1 hour and 30 minutes later.-
Alex and Charlotte have been exchanging fire and hits from each other's IS. Alex didn't break a sweat from sparring with her, while Charlotte takes several hits from him.
"You really know your ropes, Alex!" Charlotte panted.
"I should say the same to you." Alex chuckled as he helps her up.
"You're like Christmas mornings, Charlotte- Full of surprises. You've got a good aim behind the trigger." Alex said. Charlotte looked away as she smiled on Alex's flattery.
"Anyway… Are you sure you know what you're doing?" Charlotte asked him as she hides the blush. "Yeah. I know what I'm doing." Alex assures her.
"Come on, take a break. I guess I just don't know my own strength. I'll be fine from here." Alex patted her shoulder. Charlotte smiled and nodded.
As she left, Alex wasted no time training for the afternoon match with Tatenashi.
-1659 HRS. Locker room, near Arena 3-
Tatenashi, in her IS Suit, walks in the locker room to see Alex in SWAT Uniform doing a quick field-strip on his handgun.
"You're here already?" Tatenashi asked.
"Been waiting for a while." Alex said, while loading the magazine.
"So, are you ready to lose?" Tatenashi smirked. Instead of answering, Alex puts on his shooting glasses and helmet.
"Bring it on."
-1700 HRS. Arena 3-
Alex activated his IS unit and engages. As he flies off from the hangar, He sees the whole class cheering for him, holding up a "GO ALEX!" banner.
"That's necessary? Really now?!" Alex thought as he smirked.
"Alex, are you there?" Laura said on the intercom.
"Go ahead, Bodewig." Alex responded.
"Tatenashi's IS unit is called the Mysterious Lady, A close to medium ranged unit. Its arsenal are the Rusty nail, A whip-sword and Heavy Rain, A lance with an internal 4-barreled gatling gun." Laura informed from the command booth.
"A freaking gatling gun? That rules out conventional arms." Alex sighed.
"That's not all, Alex. Her IS has the unusual ability to control water. So she can change the water's shape from defensive to offensive, and vice versa." Laura added.
"Let me guess. She can control the water through the use of nano-machines? That used to be science fiction back then." Alex guessed, leaving the group's eyes to widen.
"His mind is already scaring me a little." Laura thought.
"That's a yes, then. Great, it REALLY rules out conventional arms." Alex groaned.
"You better step up your tactics, Fields." Laura warned.
"Got it, thanks." Alex nodded.
Alex's bullets exchanged with Tatenashi's as the two clashed. Tatenashi tries to pierce him with her lance, but Alex kept dodging.
"Darn it! Stay still!" Tatenashi growled as she tries to stab him.
"Wish granted!" Alex said as he fires his X-5 at her from behind. Tatenashi took several hits from him.
"Why you little—" Tatenashi snarled as she engulfs him with water.
"Tables have turned, Officer!" She winked at him as she lunged to slam him with lances that were shaped from the water. It hits him, dealing severe damage.
"AAAHHH! God, that stings!" Alex snarled as he takes several slams from Tatenashi.
"It's over, Fields." Tatenashi pointed her lance at him.
"Yeah… It is." Alex smiled, giving Tatenashi a confused look.
"…What?" Tatenashi asked.
"DISARM!" Alex knocked her lance away from her, grabbing it and used it against her. He slams her midsection with her weapon and went in for the coup-de-grace. He materialized his knife and strikes her arm.
"Aaah! Impossible! How?!" She snarled at Alex.
"Pure instinct." Alex said before pinning her to the ground. The bell buzzed and a voice sprang up in the arena intercom.
"T. SARASHIKI – ENERGY LEVELS: 0; A. FIELDS – ENERGY LEVELS: 0; RESULT: DRAW"
The crowd cheers for the two of them. As Alex nodded to the crowd, he sees Tatenashi leaving the arena.
"…Too close…" Tatenashi said to herself.
-1800 HRS. Locker room-
Alex changed back to his Police uniform, putting his spare piece on safe and placing it in his bag. As he is about to leave the locker room, he sees a silhouette of a woman on the other side of the lockers. He peered over to see Tatenashi.
"Ah heck… I went too far, didn't I?" Alex thought as he sighed to see a distraught Tatenashi in school uniform. He pulled out a bottle of water and approached her.
"Here." Alex said as he gave her the bottle. Tatenashi looked up to him and grabbed it.
"Thanks." Tatenashi said.
"Mind if I sit?" Alex asked. She moved away and gestured him to sit.
"So, what's bothering you, kiddo?" He asked.
"…I never met my match, until now." Tatenashi sighed after having a gulp.
"I don't understand, Tatenashi. It's only a match. Why so down?" He asked her.
"I thought I won't be president anymore, Alex. If I lose, the position will be given to the winner." Tatenashi explained.
"Wait… You think that I battled you for the presidency?" Alex asked.
"Yeah… I thought you knew that." Tatenashi nodded.
"No…" Alex said.
"What do you mean by No?" Tatenashi asked him.
"No, I didn't know, and No, even if I got the chance, I'm not taking your job. You deserve to be president. I just thought that we'd battle just for fun." Alex explained, leaving her with a surprised look.
"But you could have won!" Tatenashi exclaimed.
"So? Even if I did win, I'm sure as hell I don't want to be President. Besides, I already have a duty and I'm sticking to it." Alex said, pointing at his badge.
"You can still be Academy's strongest for God knows how I care." He added.
Tatenashi stood up in surprise. "You… You really mean that?" She asked.
Alex stood up. "One thing you should know about me. I always tell what's true- Even when I lie." He assured Tatenashi.
"Now, come on and smile. No one wants a sad president." Alex lightly punched her arm, making her laugh.
"Thanks for cheering me up." She said.
The two walked out of the locker room.
"Maid Café." Alex said.
"Hm?" She tilted her head.
"We're doing a maid café." He answered.
"For the festival?" Tatenashi asked.
"Yep. You might get to see Ichika in a butler outfit, that's all I'm saying." Alex chuckled.
"Yay! I look forward to it!" Tatenashi giggled.
-2130 HRS. Charlotte and Laura's room-
Charlotte was having a cup of tea, sitting near the balcony while Laura was asleep. As she looks on the serene view of the night, Charlotte's thoughts were set on Alex when he took on Tatenashi.
"For someone like Kaichou, she could have beaten Alex that easy. I guess he knows what he's doing. " Charlotte thought.
As she looks at the view, she had the feeling that she wasn't alone. She looks at the other balconies just to see Alex on the left side. He was a couple of balconies away from her.
She sees him, but he doesn't see her. He was gazing at the view. As Charlotte looks at him from her balcony, he looked depressed.
"Is Alex all right? What's wrong with him?" Charlotte thought. "Wait… What's wrong with me?!" She blushed deeply.
"I should get some sleep…" She sighed as she goes to lie down on her bed.
-1000 HRS. Room 1-1, One Week later-
It wasn't surprising that the whole class prepared for the festival. Ichika as butler, Alex as head chef, the girls inside swooned at them as the two guys serve their meals.
"Order up!" Alex called one of the maids. Charlotte was the one to pick up the order. "I got it!" Charlotte said. Alex stared at her as she picks up the tray.
"Alex? Is there something on me?" Charlotte asked him as he kept staring. "Hm? Oh… Nothing. It's just that you look pretty today." Alex complemented.
"T-thanks…" Charlotte turned the other cheek to hide the pink shade on her cheeks.
"I'm gonna take these to the customers." Charlotte chuckled nervously as she takes the tray. "Yeah… you do that." Alex said.
"He said I was pretty… P-pretty…." Charlotte thought as she fidgets. Meanwhile, Alex looked at Ichika as she serves Rin, who was in a Chinese traditional outfit. Ichika approached him with a defeated look on his face.
"Serve your butler order, huh?" Alex guessed.
"Yeah… I can't believe she ordered that." Ichika sighed. He placed a container filled with Pocky and two glasses of water.
"Just stay frosty, brother. I'm sure it ain't bad." Alex assured him. As Ichika tends to Rin, Alex watched Rin feed Ichika. As Ichika is about to feed her, they are stopped by Houki.
"Ah shoot. Just as when it's getting good." Alex sighed in disappointment. As Houki walks away, He continues to watch the two.
"The way you eat, Rin... it was pretty cute." Ichika complemented.
"C-Cute?!" Rin stammered while blushing.
"Yeah… You're like a squirrel." Ichika said. Rin gave him a punch to the face.
"Idiot!" Rin yelled as she storms out of the room.
"I stand corrected! That was hilarious!" Alex thought to himself as he tries not to laugh. He approached Ichika to help him up.
"Houki's really right. I don't know either how it works in that head of yours…" Alex chuckled as he lets Ichika sit down on the chair.
"Take a break, kid." Alex patted his shoulder before going back to work. As Ichika minds his business, a woman with long amber hair in a corporate suit approached him.
"Excuse me, Ichika Orimura?" The woman asked him.
"Yes?" Ichika looked at the woman.
"I'm Ayako Makigami, and I'm an IS expansion pack saleslady. Would you like to take a peek of our products? I'm sure your Byakushiki would pack a punch with it." Ayako pulled out a catalogue with numerous accessories and extensions for an IS.
"An IS Expansion pack saleslady? What's uncanny is why would she approach Ichika from out of nowhere?" Alex overheard the whole thing and started to get suspicious. While working, he overhears the two as Ayako insists Ichika to buy something from her.
"She's persistent…" Alex thought. A classmate approached Ichika.
"Ichika-kun, we have a lot of customers waiting!" She said.
"Oh, yeah! I'm sorry Ayako-san. I better get back to work." Ichika said to the saleslady. Alex looked at Ayako. She was glaring at the girl that called Ichika's attention.
"Too persistent…" Alex's suspicions started to rise and decided to watch her every move.
"Alex-kun!" Tatenashi sprang up from out of nowhere and playfully hugs Alex. She was wearing one of the maid uniforms.
"Kaichou?! Whoa- Hey- Not on the waist! Will you take it easy and get off me for a second?!" Alex stammered trying to break Tatenashi's grip on him.
"Awww, fine! Where's Ichika anyway?" Tatenashi asked. "He's serving table 7, why?" Alex pointed at the table on the right side.
"I won't tell you." Tatenashi playfully pouted. "Well played. All right, have fun." Alex chuckled. Tatenashi wasted no time going towards Ichika.
-30 minutes later-
"Tanimoto, Where are the others?" Alex asked a girl with long, red twin-tails.
"They left. Kaichou wants them or something." Tanimoto answered. "Even Ichika? I'm just glad there are few customers this time." Alex said.
"I heard that there's a play happening around here! Something to do with a male Cinderella!" Aikawa said.
"I'm not fond of plays, but might as well check it out..." Alex thought. He told the others to take charge as he takes off the chef's coat. As he changed to his uniform, he heads out to see the "play" that the others were talking about.
-1130 HRS. Play area-
Alex arrived at the scene only to see knives getting thrown at Ichika. One second he was being shot at by Cecilia, next Houki and Laura swings their blades at him. The play was already starting and no entry points to the area. Alex couldn't do anything but sit down and watch.
"Christ, what kind of play is this?!" Alex thought as he watches Ichika getting chased at.
"…Then, The prince's bodyguard springs in and protects the prince! The princesses must now take out the bodyguard." Tatenashi narrated on the intercom.
"Great… Wonder who's the poor sap?" Alex asked himself. From out of nowhere, he gets booted from his seat to the play area.
"Ow! Wait a minute… I'm the- Great…" Alex groaned. Next thing that happened is that knives landed a few inches near Alex.
"Yaah! Why am I even involved in this play?!" Alex yelled to himself as Rin throws knives at him.
"Move away, Alex! I got to get Ichika's crown!" Rin yelled.
"Oh! You think I want a part in this?! Yeah, sure! Put me in the play and have the girls tear me a new one! Yeah, that's freaking original! I got an idea! Why don't you have Houki stab me with a sword?! That helps!" Alex sarcastically yelled back.
"Wish granted!" Houki sprang out of nowhere, swinging her katana at Alex.
"I WAS BEING SARCASTIC!" Alex yelled as he dodges Houki's blade. He hides to the bushes after escaping Houki.
"Alex, over here!" Ichika called from the bushes. He wasted no time to get to him.
"So this is where you've been!" Alex exclaimed as they hide in the bushes.
"Please be quiet!" Charlotte's voice whispered within earshot.
"Wait… I can't see you. Where are yo—"Alex said as his face were close to Charlotte's.
"Kyaaah!" Charlotte squealed as her hands muffled her mouth. She blushed deeply in front of Alex.
"Alex, you pervert." Charlotte pouted.
"I-I didn't know, I swear!" Alex stammered. They hear the bushes rustle.
"Found you!" Laura stormed out of nowhere.
"Oh come on! Enough already!" Alex groaned as they ran from the girls. The rest of the girls threw knives and fire bullets at the three.
"You know what?! Screw this! I'm hopping out of here!" Alex ran the other direction and jumps off the play area.
"Note to self: Never, and I mean NEVER go to another play again!" Alex thought to himself. He turned around to see the rough-housing in the play. As he looks up he sees an "artillery" firing off a shot towards the group.
Alex stared at the incoming bullet in a horrified trance. As he snaps out of trance, he sees the play area completely intact.
"…that was fake… That was fake…" Alex whispered to himself as he took deep breaths. Something pushed Alex to the side. As he checks who it was, it was the saleslady from before.
"Her again. I get the feeling she's bad news. What's worse is that I think it involves them." Alex thought. He decides to tail her to where she's going.
-1200 HRS. Locker rooms-
Alex tailed her from a few meters, only to lead him to the locker rooms. The sound of screaming girls and rushing footsteps flushed any noise that might spot him. As he takes cover to a locker near her, he sees the saleslady pulling Ichika from above.
"Thank you- Wait… Ayako?" Ichika recognized. "I'm just waiting for the right moment to steal Byakushiki from you… So give it to me!" Ayako growled as she kicks Ichika.
Alex was alarmed. He readied his weapon.
"…Who are you?" Ichika asked.
"Me? I'm the mysterious beauty who disguises herself as someone from a corporate business!" She said as mechanical spider legs sprouted from her back.
"Not good… Byakushiki!" Ichika materialized his IS.
"I've been waiting for you to use that!" Ayako sneered. She fired a beam from one of the spider's "legs". Ichika evades it.
"You're good!" Ayako said. "But let's see if you get freaked out by this!" With that she materialized an 8-legged IS Unit.
"The Arachne… Its poison is pretty strong!" She fired beams at Ichika as he dodges every single one of them.
"She's bad news!" Alex materialized his IS unit and storms in with his X-5 in hand.
"POLICE! DE-MATERIALIZE YOUR UNIT, NOW!" Alex yelled at the woman.
"You insolent dog!" She fired at Alex next. He takes cover and returns fire. "What's the matter with you?!" Ichika yelled.
"What? Don't you know yet?!" The woman retorts. Alex fires at her and Ichika lunges in. They go for the kill but the woman dodged their attacks.
"Let's say that I may be from a so-called evil organization…" The woman scoffed.
"Can the clichés! We want some answers!" Alex yelled as he aims his submachine gun at her.
"Would you recognize if I told you, I'm lady Autumn, from the Phantom Task?" She was already spilling the beans.
"Phantom task? What are you trying to pull here?!" Alex readied his finger on the trigger.
"I'll tell you before I KILL BOTH OF YOU!" Autumn lunged at the two, who were dodging her attack. The two guys land several hits to her but to no avail.
"Damn it! She's got too many arms!" Ichika said to Alex.
"And her armor's tough... We'll never have the upper hand with this… Ichika, time to change tactics!" Alex instructed him.
Ichika moved behind Alex as he empties a clip on Autumn's sights. As she loses her view, Ichika strikes one of her arms off.
"I got you now!" Ichika said as he swings towards Autumn, but she counters with a kick to Ichika's head.
"ICHIKA!" Alex turned to see Ichika about to be shot by Autumn. He materializes an Assault rifle and fired at several of her unit's joints. As she lets go of Ichika, He tackles her away from him.
"Come on, brother!" Alex helped him up on his feet.
"Impressive!" Autumn scoffed.
"But not impressive enough." She materialized another rifle and fired at the two, leaving them to take cover.
"Damn it! Alex, it's no use!" Ichika cursed.
"Stay low and don't get shot!" Alex wasted no time to call for back-up.
"CODE 1! OFFICER ENGAGING HOSTILE! I REPEAT, OFFICER ENGAGING HOSTILE! SUSPECT IS ON AN 8-LEGGED I.S. UNIT IN THE LOCKER AREA! REQUESTING ASSISTANCE-"
-Command booth-
"THIS IS OFFICER FIELDS, RESPONDING TO A 245 IN PROGRESS! ENGAGING A HOSTILE IN THE LOCKER ROOMS!" Alex's radio feed was linked to the command booth.
"Orimura-sensei, Fields is right! There's an Unidentified IS in the locker rooms!" Maya said as she looked at the surveillance camera.
"I knew they'd come on the day of the school festival. But who would have thought that they sent only one of them? Yamada-sensei, watch out for any reinforcements, evacuate the students." Chifuyu Instructed.
-Play Area-
The representatives were the only ones remaining on the play area, searching for Ichika.
"Oh come on! Where did Ichika go?" Rin groaned.
"He sure runs fast." Houki said.
"All of this because you all tried to come between me and my bride." Laura scoffed.
"Jeez, Charlotte. None of this would have happened if you didn't cover for Ichika." Cecilia said.
"Well, but-" Charlotte was about to speak when the alarm wails off.
"An Unidentified IS unit has been detected in the locker room, and it is currently engaged in battle with Byakushiki and the Desert Falcon! All Personal units deploy for standby-"
The girls were alarmed by the second feed.
"CODE 1, THIS IS OFFICER FIELDS, RESPONDING TO A 245 IN PROGRESS! OFFICER ENGAGING SUSPECT ON AN 8-LEGGED IS UNIT IN THE LOCKER ROOMS! REQUESTING ASSISTANCE!"
"Alex!" Charlotte yelled. The five girls materialized their IS units and wait for commands.
"Alcott, Huang! You two on patrol! Shinonono, Dunois and Bodewig are to assist Orimura and Fields!" Chifuyu instructed.
"Understood!"
-Locker room -
Alex and Ichika were circling around Autumn's attacks, looking for an opening. Alex lays down suppressing fire in order for Ichika to pierce her armor.
"She's not making this easy!" Ichika said.
"Don't get cocky! We need to pierce through!" Alex instructed.
Alex aimed his rifle at her blind spot. "I have lock…. FIRING!" Alex fired several shots, making Autumn flinch.
"That's it!" Ichika wasted no time and lunged at her. As he delivers a strike to her, webs sprouted from out of nowhere, grabbing Ichika. She restrained and hung him upside down. Alex tackles her and lands a few hooks to her. He throws her away from Ichika and lunges at her.
"Remarkable! Just as they said…" Autumn sneered as she blocks his grapple.
"Who's they?! Spit it out!" Alex yelled.
"None of it matters! You'll be dead soon…" Autumn slams him with one of her arms, giving him a painful slam to his gut. She throws Alex to the side as he convulsed from the pain.
"Alex!" Ichika yelled as Autumn gives Alex a kick to his stomach. She turns to Ichika next.
"I'll take your Byakushiki… It'll be over soon." Autumn pulled a hexagonal device and placed it on Ichika's chest, sending an electric surge all over Ichika, causing him to scream in pain.
"Did I forget to mention?! We're the ones responsible for your kidnapping! It's an emotional reunion and I'm going to enjoy it with you suffering!" Autumn spilled enough.
"Not on my watch…"A voice sprang out.
"Tatenashi?!" Ichika said as him and Alex recognized the voice, only to see Tatenashi unarmed in front of Autumn.
"No… Tatenashi, it's too dangerous! Get out of there!" Alex yelled at her while he tries to get up.
"I'm the student council president, therefore I behave like one!" Tatenashi said.
"That's not how it works in this situation, Tatenashi! Just get to safety!" Alex pleaded.
"You should have listened! Take this!" Autumn scoffed as she swings one of her arms at Tatenashi, piercing right through her.
"NO!"
With intent of payback, Alex regains his strength and lunges at Autumn. He gives her a senseless beatdown and throws her away.
Alex regained his senses and turns his sights on Tatenashi. He knelt on one knee as he sees her lying on the debris.
"No… GOD, DON'T LET ME LOSE ANOTHER!" Alex thought as he punched the ground. Tatenashi deforms to water in Alex's surprise.
"What the hell- Water?!" Alex exclaimed in shock.
"It's only a decoy. You worry too much, Alex-kun!" Tatenashi giggled. Autumn tries to attack him from behind, only to be hit by Tatenashi's IS.
"The nano-machines in the water! Damn, how could I forget?!" Alex thought as he remembers his match with Tatenashi.
"Alex, help Ichika! I got it from here!" Tatenashi instructed as she fends off Autumn. Alex wasted no time and rushed to Ichika. He materialized a knife and slashed the webs that were restraining him.
"Get this off me!" Ichika groaned as the device was still attached to him.
"Come on… Come on!" Alex grunted as he forcefully removes the device.
"You all right, man?" Ichika asked as he stands up to regain his strength.
"I've dealt worse than this!" Alex said as he coughs up while a small stream of blood flows out from the corner of his lips.
"I'm good. Tatenashi needs our help, though!" Ichika nodded as he materializes a sword.
"Right behind you, brother!" Alex said as he materialized his X-5 and takes aim.
"Daaaah…. I can't get a clear shot! The mist's blocking my sights!" Alex said as the mist covers his gun's sight.
"Wait. What are they doing?" Ichika asked as he observed that Autumn isn't firing off a shot.
"Hold on… The mist… It's damaging the suspect's IS!" Alex said as he observed Autumn's IS. The joints and crevices were affecting her movements. A few seconds later, small explosions burst out from her IS.
"It crippled the psycho's IS, all right." Ichika chuckled.
"Ichika! Alex! Let's take her down!" Tatenashi smirked.
Alex opened fire on Autumn, causing her to flinch. Ichika used this momentum to use his sword to maximum output, slamming Autumn through the wall.
"Ichika, go after it! Alex, arrest her!" Tatenashi instructed.
"Secure the locker room, SWAT's got it!" Alex said as he storms through the hole in the wall.
-Play Area-
"Sensei, we got a suspect on our sights! I'm in pursuit to arrest the suspect! Any word from back-up?" Alex asked from his comm unit.
"Understood, I'll tell Shinonono's team to back you up now." Chifuyu replied.
Alex and Ichika rush in as they spot the hostile IS fleeing. "DE-MATERIALIZE YOUR I.S. NOW!" Alex yelled as he aimed his gun at her.
"Alex, look out!" Ichika yelled as they dodged the laser that almost hit them. They looked at the skies to see another hostile IS—in purple-clad, resembling a butterfly.
"Hm. So you survived…" The pilot thought as she looked at Alex.
"I came here to get you, Autumn." The pilot said to her.
"Where the hell's the respect when you address me?!" Autumn snarled.
"Ichika, don't let Autumn out of your sight! I'll get her!" Alex instructed as he flies up to engage the other IS.
"Alex, wait!" Tatenashi yelled but it was too late. Alex is already at the skies.
"Always on the move!" She sighed in frustration.
Meanwhile at the skies, Alex confronts the hostile IS. "De-materialize your IS now!" Alex warned as he aimed his sub-machine gun.
Instead of giving up, the pilot sends her drones to attack Alex. He dodged and countered its attacks.
"Rin, Cecilia! You girls seeing this?" Alex asked the two.
"She's too strong for us, Alex!" Rin grunted.
"Alex, get out of there! That IS will tear you up!" Cecilia pleaded.
"I'm pinned! I have no choice!" Alex said as he tries to find an opening. As he spots her flank, He takes aim.
"Got you!" Alex fires at her, only to dodge it and give her a kick that sent Alex towards the arena.
"You haven't changed at all…" The pilot thought as she scoffed in silence, looking at Alex as he crash-lands.
"Alex!" The girls yelled in unison.
"I'm all right! Ahh! Slamming on the concrete stung!" Alex groaned after landing on the play area's tower. As he gets up, he materializes an assault rifle and fires a few shots, most of them almost hit Autumn.
"Tell daddy how you want it…" Alex sneered as he takes aim. Autumn tries to flee the other way, only to be surrounded by Houki, Laura and Charlotte.
"You won't get away." Laura glared at her as she engulfs her with her shield.
"You just don't know when to quit, don't you?" Charlotte sighed as she points her gun.
"It's over. Alex, arrest her." Houki said. Alex nodded as he flies over. As he approaches them, he sees purple drones coming in fast.
"LOOK OUT!" Alex warned and fends off the drone with his gun. The rest of the group scattered as the drones counterattacked.
"Of all the things!" Alex snarled as he aims at the hostile. He sees her cut through Laura's shields like butter.
"Is that all you got? Germany's finest?" The pilot asked, sending Laura in complete shock.
"H-how did you know that?!" Laura asked her.
"I don't have to tell you." The pilot said. Her comm unit pops in.
"Yes… Understood." The pilot responded and de-activates her comm unit.
"There are too many of them, Autumn. We need to leave." She said.
"FREEZE!" Alex stands up and aims his gun at her. As she flies off, Alex chases her and empties his clip in order to stop her. But she fired back a barrage of lasers at him.
Alex took cover. As she escapes, he hears a beeping sound. He looks at the group from above, only to see the Arachne approaching them. He scans the IS, only to be alarmed by its message.
"IS: ARACHNE – SELF-DESTRUCT INITIATED. TIME REMAINING: 15 SECONDS"
"It's rigged to Explode! Get outta there!" Alex yelled, rushing in fast as the beeping sound goes faster.
"W-what?!" Ichika stammered.
"IT'S GONNA EXPLODE! GET AWAY!" Alex screamed at the top of his lungs.
The sound went faster as it was close to detonating. Alex storms in as it explodes, taking most of the blast's impact.
-30 Minutes later-
"nnngh…" Alex grunted as he regains his strength… As his vision gets clearer, his IS was de-materialized. He sees Ichika and Tatenashi before his eyes…
"Ichika… Tatenashi? Ugh… What happened?" Alex asked the two.
"You were unconscious after the IS detonated." Tatenashi answered.
"It's a good thing you were in your IS. Otherwise things would have turned ugly." Ichika added.
"IS? Oh no..." Alex regains his strength as he sees Charlotte, Houki and Laura lying. He stands up and rushes in to check their pulses.
"They're unconscious…" Alex said as he checks on the three. He looks around the area to see that they're the only ones around.
"Where are they?!" He growled as he pulls his handgun.
"They got away." Tatenashi answered. Alex looks around to check. He sees only nothing but shards of Autumn's IS.
"Damn it." Alex growled, tightening his grip on his pistol.
Tatenashi gave him a pat on the back. "It's okay, Alex. We'll get them next time. Let's get these girls to the infirmary."
Alex glared at the shards and reports by radio.
"Dispatch, this is Fields. Code 4-Adam. Suspects escaped."
-2230 HRS. UNKNOWN CITY-
"I didn't need any of your help! Stay out of my way!" Autumn snarled as she grabbed the pilot's collar. She was silent as her back landed on the window.
"Say something!" Autumn barked at her. The pilot was still silent. Autumn pulled out a knife and attempts to stab the pilot.
"Stop right there, Autumn. You're too loud." A woman's voice sprang up from behind.
"Squall?" Autumn smiled as she recognizes the voice.
"You shouldn't be angry. It ruins your beautiful face." Squall said as she steps in, wearing a white bath robe. Autumn blushed like a girl when she looks at her figure.
"M, send Silent Zephyrs to maintenance. It still needs some tune-ups." Squall instructed.
"Understood, Squall." M nodded.
-2300 HRS. M's room-
M was lying on her bed, playing with a locket. As she flicks it open, inside was a picture of Chifuyu.
"I'm close… I will have my revenge. I'll be reunited." She said to herself.
As she plays with the locket, she remembers her fight with Alex. Her smile faded into a sneer.
"The policeman. He and Ichika stand in my way…" She said, glaring at the mere thought of Alex.
"I must kill them."