Ichika, Houki, Laura, Rin, Char and I were sitting in Char's living room when the TV flashed a message and we all turned as it played.
"This just in. We have just received what appears to be a message from the terrorist group, Phantom Task." The newscaster said before the video played.
"To the pilots that attacked our bases in France... I would like to thank you for your assistance with that little problem. The personnel and pilots that occupied those bases were becoming quite, resistant to our influence." A woman's voice said. We all looked at each other as the group's name popped up.
"So they're still operating." Ichika said. The rest of us were silent as the message continued.
"For those that are unaware of what transpired two nights ago in the French countryside, I'll inform you. That night, when the bases were to receive a new shipment of IS parts. Three IS attacked and decimated three of our bases. While they were doing that, two more broke into the nearby harbor and managed to steal information vital to our secrecy." The woman continued. As we listened, small grins broke out on a few faces.
"Hell yeah we wrecked your bases!" Rin cheered.
"They weren't very well used." Laura said stoically. The rest of us however, were trying to figure something out.
"How'd they know?" Houki asked the million dollar question.
"While the bases and information are a great loss, they are viable sacrifices to learn your identities. Ichika Orimura," the woman said. But to the rest of us, it was like the death bell tolling in the distance.
"Laura Bodewig." The bell rings again.
"Huang Lingyin." Again the bell rang.
"Houki Orimura." (You get the idea)
"Zeke Altec." I was probably the most calm of the entire group. The rest were staring at the screen in disbelief and shock. I pulled my phone out and as I unlocked it, a call came through. I tapped the 'answer' button and out it to speakerphone before laying the phone on the table.
"Zeke. You need to come in." The caller said.
"And the others?" I asked. The rest of the room looked at my phone as we conversed.
"We are currently trying to contact them."
"Don't bother. They're here with me and Char. We'll be there in a few." I said before ending the call. I returned my phone to my pocket before standing.
"Char. Call Keiko's school. Tell them we need to pull Keiko out of school early." I said as I waved to Ichika and Laura to follow me. She nodded and pulled out her phone and dialed a number.
"Ichika, Laura. Take these." I said as I opened the door to the office/storage room. I grabbed two bags and handed them to each of them. I moved further into the room and grabbed another bag before making my out of the room and we returned to the rest. I set my bag down and unzipped it. It unrolled to show numerous weapon parts and pieces.
"Laura, start assembling what you can. I'll help you in a minute. Rin. How soon can you get to the Academy?" I asked. Rin looked at me before she shook her head and answered.
"If I've got the clearance, a couple minutes with {Shen Long}, why?" She asked.
"Consider yourself cleared. Get there and warn them of a possible attack. We'll be a little bit behind you. Radio me when you get there." I said, shooing her out of the apartment. A minute later, the sound of thrusters shook the building slightly.
"To the named pilots and their loved ones." The room went still.
"We applaud you. But we can't let this go unanswered. We know where you all hide away from the press and public. This is where you get what is coming to you. Let the games begin." The woman said before the video cut.
"Ichika. You and Houki are next. You'll take the bags and get to the Academy as fast as you can. Let me know when you do." I said, helping Laura finish assembling the last few guns. We packed them away in the bags they were in and Ichika and Houki stored them. I got the message from Rin and shooed the couple out the door.
"Laura, you and Char." I began.
"No! You're coming with us!" Char yelled. I turned and was enveloped in Char.
"Someone's got to get Keiko. And while I know Laura is more than able, I need to know she's alright." I said.
"I just got you back. I'm not losing you now." Char countered. I smiled a little.
"I'm not going anywhere." I said, giving Laura a look. She nodded and grabbed Char before she could protest and Laura took off. I looked around the apartment, mentally thinking of all that needed to come. I swept over all of the apartment, grabbing this and that and storing items before my phone rang. I looked at it.
"Unknown number. Of course." I muttered before answering it.
"It's been awhile, Zeke. How was prison?" The voice from earlier said in my ear. I chuckled.
"I enjoyed myself for the duration of my stay. How has Madoka been, Squall?" I replied. The newly identified Squall let out a little laugh before she answered.
"I can't complain. She's the ever obedient girl as before. A bit more temperamental since her last family reunion, but that's to be expected. How's Keiko?" She asked innocently. My neutral face twisted into a snarl.
"If you even think of hurting her." I left my threat go unfinished.
"I won't hurt her. I can't say the same for any of the others though." She replied in a carefree tone. I hung up. I looked out the window and ran to the balcony door. I opened it and shut it behind me before {Light} formed and I was on my way to Keiko.
(Scene Change) Charlotte's POV
Laura set me on the ground when we reached the Academy and I looked to the sky, hoping to see Zeke flying in unharmed with Keiko. The gray/blue sky stared back in indifference.
"Charlotte. We should get inside." Laura called, grabbing my arm before pulling me into the Academy. We made our way through the halls and doorways to the Command room. We were greeted by Rin and the others.
"Where's Zeke?" Rin questioned.
"He went to go get their daughter. She's in school now." Laura said. We all sat down in the hangar, waiting for any word of Zeke, or worse.
"They wouldn't really, you know, attack this place. Would they?" Houki asked. Laura was the first to speak.
"While it would seem like a suicide mission, it's actually quite advantageous for them. If they were to force us to leave the Academy, they'd have access to all of the databases we are able to access. And it wouldn't be hard to use this facility to hack into other databases and networks." She said.
"Yeah, but they'd have to get past us. And all the other guards here as well." Ichika said, trying to bring some hope back into the picture.
"But we don't know how strong they are. For all we know they could overwhelm this place in seconds." Rin said, downing everyone's spirits again.
"Please. Be safe." I thought as I looked to the sky again. That was the only warning we all had before the first missiles hit the Academy.
(Scene Change) Back to Zeke...
I landed at Keiko's school and palmed the white bracelet in my hand. I scanned the school and found Keiko before running into the building. I had removed my helmet, but the rest of Light still encased me. I opened the door of Keiko's classroom and everyone looked at me.
"Keiko. We need to go, now!" I said urgently as everyone looked at me still. The teacher stood and made his way towards me.
"And who are you?" She asked, looking me up and down as Keiko packed her things away.
"Sorry. I forgot we haven't met. I'm Zeke. Her father. Anything else you need to know or can I get my daughter and go please?" I said as I brushed past her and helped Keiko finish. I handed her the white bracelet and together we made our way out of the school.
"What's going on dad?" She asked as we stepped out of the school.
"The past is coming back to haunt us. And you're in the middle of it." I said as Light returned my helmet. Gospel covered Keiko and together we made our way towards the Academy. I took the lead and continually scanned ahead of us.
"What do you mean by that?" She persisted.
"Do you know about the terrorist organization called Phantom Task?" I replied. My scans started showing signals and I had Gospel stop a little ways away.
"Yeah, so?" She retorted.
"They're after your mother and me, along with some of our friends. Now stay here, I'll be right back." I said as I dove towards the nearest contact. The IS continued looking away before I landed on top of it. I quickly summoned a {Desert Fox} handgun in my hand and had it pointed at the IS.
"Why are you here?" I demanded.
"Like I'd tell you." The pilot replied. I shrugged and fired. The IS disappeared, leaving the shocked pilot sitting on the roof.
"Wanna try that again?" I asked. The pilot was stubborn, so I knocked them out and flew back up to Keiko.
"Where's mom?" Keiko asked.
"At the Academy. Let's go!" I said and we took off again. I summoned the sniper I'd used in my fight against Nora and began picking off any IS we came across. We soon came across the Academy and watched as the first barrage hit the building.
"Gospel. Protect her and make for the Academy. I'll cover you." I said, Gospel's helmet nodding at me before her weaponry and extra armor returned to her frame and she rushed for the hangar. I landed on a nearby roof and took aim. Every IS that turned to engage Gospel and Keiko were shot down before they could do anything. Soon, the enemies took notice of my position, but I covered them till they were in the hangar.
"Your turn, Z." Gospel said.
"We got you covered, bro." Proto said. I smirked and returned the sniper to storage before rushing for the hangar as well. I watched as blue streaks followed by green shots flew by me as Digital Prototype and Gospel covered me as I raced for the hangar.
"Watch it! You've got one right behind you. I can't hit her." Proto warned.
"I don't have an angle either." Gospel said. I used one of my rear cameras and looked behind me.
"Target is a 4th gen German IS. They're weak near the chest area. Lock onto them and fire when I say to." I said, checking a few programs as Proto let me know he was ready. I started my mental countdown.
3... Proto raised his rifle and took aim.
2... I started some programs mentally, flaring my thrusters. The increase in heat and light disoriented the woman behind me.
1... "Now!" I yelled as I deactivated Light. I dropped just as Proto's shot passed through where I was just a second ago. The pilot looked up to see the round flying right at her and tried to dodge, but instead put herself in just the right position to take the hit right in her chest. The IS activated its {Absolute Barrier} and dropped to the ground as Light surrounded me again and I pushed the accelerator to the max.
"DON'T LET HIM GET INTO THE ACADEMY!" One of the women yelled. Seemingly unanimously, all of the IS fired their missiles and I realized that we were in trouble.
"Everyone get inside, NOW! Heavy bombardment incoming!" I yelled before the first of the barrage hit me and everything went dark.
"Extreme situation detected, starting activation of Core #000. First Shift activating. Phoenix program activating, marking friendlies and combatants..."
"Connecting to numerous unmanned IS"
3rd Person POV
The missiles brought the Academy hangar down, trapping most of the IS and their pilots under the debris. Those that weren't trapped under the debris were stuck inside the Academy. The attackers, now apparently Phantom Task, were scanning the wreckage for any survivors.
"I'm not picking up any signs of him." One said.
"I've got a live one over here." Another said as she threw off a little more debris before dragging Laura out.
"Same here!" Rin was dragged over.
"Me too!" Ichika was thrown over to the others.
"Got one over here!" Charlotte was pulled out.
"She stays alive. He wants her back in one piece." The leader called. Char was set away from the others.
"And her?" Another called before dragging Keiko out.
"She comes too." The leader responded. Another pilot passed over the debris pile and scanned it. Her IS beeped at her as it found something.
"I've got something!" She called, drawing the attention of her comrades while she tried to pinpoint the reading. She was just about to finish when her HUD froze and was replaced with a text box.
"Great! You just pissed him off!"
"What?" She said.
"Is anyone else getting this?" The pilot asked. Others nodded or verbally replied with 'yes' and other things. The debris pile shifted, a groan rising up from it.
"Take aim! We'll put this dog down before he even knows what hit him." The leader called, rallying her troops together. All of them took aim at the now visibly shaking pile of rubble. The sound of thrusters was growing ever louder. Then, they stopped. Quiet descended on the battleground, then laughter.
"Hahaha, hahahaa!" BOOM! Zeke laughed before blowing a hole out of the side of the pile and he stepped out. "Did you really think it'd be that easy?! Haha! You empty headed fools! Let me show you what happens when an IS and a pilot agree on a very evil topic." Zeke continued, his voice dropping dangerously low and... staticky, at the end. No one moved. The personal IS users were coming too and noticed the horrified looks on their attackers faces. Everybody turned and noticed Zeke standing in the center of what had been the arena, cackling like a madman. He stopped laughing and started speaking in a monotone voice.
"{First Shift} unlocked, activation started. Core #000 running and {Phoenix} settings blocked. Running diagnostic. Warning! Core #000 disrupting {Phoenix} subroutines. Advise immediate shut down!" He said, then he started laughing again before saying.
"Yeah. Like I'd let that program cut me off again. Now where was I? Oh right!" He suddenly exclaimed before seeming disappearing and reappearing in front of the pilot that had been scanning earlier. She didn't even have time to blink before she fell out of the sky, IS deactivated. When she hit the ground, it snapped everyone out of their daze and the remaining Task members opened fire.
"{First Shift}, activating." Zeke's monotone voice said again as the combined firepower impacted him.
The personal IS users were too shocked to react. Ichika's mouth hung open. Houki stared with her hands covering her mouth. Laura blankly stared. Rin, well. Rin was grinning from ear to ear as she watched the carnage. Zeke was fighting like a madman, slashing left and right with a sword while firing with a handgun in his opposite hand. The attackers were dropping left and right.
"Backup. We need backup!" The leader started yelling. That caught Zeke's attention and he focused on her. She was falling out of the sky a few seconds later. Zeke landed on the ground again and looked around.
Zeke's POV...
I had no chance of stopping myself from acting out of anger, but this wasn't me. It was... something else. If only I could remember what had happened right after I fell.
"You let 'him' take control. He went on a rampage during his insanity and blocked me from restraining him. But now that you're awake, we might have a chance." A voice said. I looked around to see that I wasn't in that Academy. I was in a whole other space.
"Where am I?" I asked.
"You're in my mental haven. Kind of like when you and Gospel were partners." The voice said. I looked around. The area warped slightly and I was now sitting above a skating arena. The kind for roller blades and skateboarders, not ice skating. A kid, probably no older that Keiko was boarding around the arena. He would start slowly before slowly building speed, but would be knocked over from an unseen entity. He'd stand right back up and try again. I jumped down into the arena and walked over to the kid as he fell over again. I helped him up and together we tried again.
"What's your name?" I asked as we stood again.
"I'm called some long and complicated name, but you can call me Theta." Theta said, stepping onto his board again and moving forward again.
"And the rampaging maniac you were talking about earlier. Who is that?" I asked, keeping him upright as he was pushed again.
"That'd be Core #000, but he usually goes by Z. He used to be, you know, normal. Something changed him though. He won't tell me anything, but if you can contain him again. He might tell you." Theta said. I nodded.
"Well, let's get you started then, {Phoenix}. I'm going to need all the help I can get." I said as I threw off the attacker again and pushed Theta forward. He raced towards a jump and was in the air seconds later.
"Alright. I'm in. You're turn." He called.
I nodded and focused before the world warped again and I was again standing in the arena. I was about to say something, but was stopped by a massive wave of pain forcing its way through my head. I gritted my teeth and pushed back. It pushed harder.
"You'll have to do better than that if you want to stop me." Z said. I grimaced and we fell to our knees.
"My head, my rules." I replied. The fight for dominance had begun.
Charlotte's POV...
"What's going on?" Rin asked, sounding disappointed. Ichika and the rest looked at her like she grew a second head.
"I think that Zeke wasn't in control earlier. Something else was. He must be fighting back." I said. Everyone looked at me now before looking back to Zeke's hunched form. He was shaking his head and was talking. But it wasn't to anyone.
"Get out of my head. Get out of my head." He mumbled, gripping the ground now with a fist. I got up and walked over to him. I knelt down next to him and took his helmet in hand and lifted his face. The helmet disappeared and I was looking at him directly again. I could see the internal struggle he was waging.
"I'm always here for you." I whispered before I kissed him.
Zeke's POV...
"I'm always here for you." She whispered before kissing me. I turned back to Z and he had a shocked look on his face. I grabbed him as Theta showed up.
"See you in hell." I growled before Theta locked him down and he was sent away. I looked to Theta.
"Get booted up. We're not done here." I said with a small smile on my face. He nodded happily and I took full control again. I reached a hand up to Char's face and cupped it, returning the kiss.
"I'm back. I'm back again Char." I whispered, running hand through her hair. She smiled at me before I stood.
"Stay here. I'll be right back." I said. She nodded at me before stepping back towards the rest of the group. I looked at them and noticed one face missing. I whipped back around and saw the Phantom Task reinforcements, and they had separated me from Keiko. Most of the reinforcements stayed airborne, covering the handful that actually landed. Gospel had returned to standby after Keiko was pulled from the wreckage. The reinforcements didn't know about Gospel, or Keiko. I started to advance towards the grounded pilots before the air units collectively raised their weapons. I stopped and looked at them, keeping an eye on the ones on the ground.
"Now now. We can't have you doing anything violent again, can we?" The leader said, having siphoned some energy from one of the other downed pilots. I turned from the air units and looked back at the leader.
"Pretty confident with your new friends. Seems similar to a couple minutes ago. Do you really think this'll turn out any different?" I replied, glancing at Keiko safely from behind my visor.
"I don't have to think about it, I know it won't end the same. You see, now we have your daughter as a hostage. And she's too young to have an IS already. So she's defenseless against us." The leader reasoned, smug.
"You're right, she is. But she isn't stupid. You take her, she'll make your efforts seem worthless. That's one of the things she's good at." I reasoned, grinning.
"No matter. We can easily handle a little girl."
"Like you handled that weak boy Ichika in the Academy. Right, good luck with that." I retorted.
"Ichika, Houki. Grab Charlotte and keep her back there if I can't get Keiko." I said on a private channel. They didn't have time to reply before I rushed forward.
"ZEKE!" Everyone yelled as the air units targeted me.
"{First Shift}, activation commencing." My IS announced as the air units fired. I grinned.