A/N: Background character's names will be noted in underlined form and in parentheses.
Previously on Infinite Stratos: Rise of the Heroes...
"But even after 6 years, I recognized you right away, Houki."
"I-I-Ichika?! Don't look!" 'Is that Houki?' I thought to myself.
What appears to be a wooden sword started being jabbed from the door. "Holy shit! What's going on?!" I shouted.
"Ah, I should punish you right now!" She said. "AH CRAP!" I shouted.
"(points to all of us) This calls for a duel!" Cecilia demanded.
(Keith) 'You really had disappointed me this time, Cecilia. I would've expected you to act more maturely after all these years...'
(Tony) 'Oh man, this is gonna be awesome! I'm going to be battling alongside the first male pilot of the I.S., and I'll get to show that pompous Alcott who's the boss around here!'
[Opening Theme: (Ichika's Theme) (Short Ver. of...) Red Lights - DJ Tiësto]
Episode 2: Class Representative Selection Match!
~Friday, March 23rd, 2014, Class 1-1, 7:00 A.M~
Tony's P.O.V.
Class had just begun as I take my seat to hear some announcement that Ms. Orimura wanted to inform...
"Orimura, I'm afraid that it would be a while before your IS is ready for you." She told Ichika.
She continues with: "On the plus side, due to certain issues, the school will provide you with a personal IS." The other students are amazed to hear that a freshman is going to be getting his own I.S.
"Is having your own IS really that major of a deal?" He asked. "Basically what that means is that you would become one of the highest ranked pilots across the world. Like me and Keith here. See?" I said as we both showed our I.S units in standby mode.
Just then, Cecilia walked over to us to have another 'argument' as I like to call it. "Oh christ. Not you again!" I uttered. "I'm actually rather relieved to hear that. (points to us) After all, then the class representative selection match between all three of you and me, the outcome is already obvious. But it's simply not fair for all of you to use a training model whilst I pilot my own personal unit." She bragged to us.
"Hold on, you have your own IS as well?" Ichika asked. "Oh, don't you know? Very well then. As you were a commoner, I shall have to explain. I, Cecilia Alcott, am a glorious representative contender for Great Britain. In other words, I currently own my own personal IS. There are only 467 IS units worldwide. So obviously, those who have their own personal units are the elites of the elite amongst the planet's population of 7 billion." She stated.
"To put it short, thanks for repeating what I just said, princess." I spoke before I felt like my ear was being pulled on. "Ow! who's doing that?" "Tony, that's enough!" Keith said. "Alright, alright! I'll stop!" I said to plead him to let go. "Only 467? That's all?" Ichika asked.
(Shizune Takatsuki): "That's because the central component of all IS technology, the core, has never been released. As a result, there are only 467 machines in the entire world. And Doctor Tabane Shinonono has personally produced every one of those cores."
"Wait. Isn't that Houki's sister?" Ichika asked. "Supposedly, the IS core's like a self-contained black box. This's because no one other than Doctor Shinonono can create one." "But the thing is, so far, she's refused to manufacture more than a certain number of cores. Therefore countries, corporations and organizations are forced to conduct their research, development and training, using the limited number of IS units." The other students say.
"To complete our little history lesson, personal IS units were originally only intended for those sponsored by governments or corporations. However, your case is exceptional. Therefore they will provide you with a personal IS for data collection purposes. Is that all clear?" Chifuyu asks. "*stammers* I guess so..." Ichika replied.
"Um, excuse me, ma'am. Do you know if that Ms. Shinonono in our class is related to Doctor Shinonono by any chance?" One student asks.
"Actually, your classmate is her younger sister." 'Wait a minute! She's related to the inventor of the I.S.?' I immediately thought before Houki yelled: "She has nothing to do with me! I am not her sister. And there's nothing I can tell you about her." '*sighs* I guess not... Wait. Maybe if I ask Ichika about Tabane Shinonono, then I'll know what's up...' I thought.
"All right, Ms. Yamada. Shall we start?" Chifuyu asked. "All right. Now then, let's begin the class. Everyone please open your textbooks." "Hey, Ichika? Is Houki really related to Tabane in any way?" I asked him. "Yeah, she is. But, I don't remember there being any bad blood between Houki and Tabane." He responded. 'Hmm, maybe she's just pissed at her for changing the world with the I.S.' I thought to myself.
"We'll continue from where we left up yesterday. The IS, or Infinite Stratos deploys a special energy barrier that operates as protection for its pilot. The unit system has something similar to a consciousness. So through share dialogue and time spent together, the two of you will actually get to know each other. Depending on how much time a pilot spends controlling an IS, it begins to understand the user's characteristics." Miss Yamada told us.
"I just don't understand this." I hear Ichika say. "So your IS isn't just a tool, it's that think of it as your big mechanical partner. Are there any questions so far?" Yamada asked. One girl raises her hand and asks: "Yes, ma'am! So, did you mean partner as a boy friend or a girl friend?" "*PFFFFT* Wait, what?!" I went as I sat up straight in my desk.
"Oh I'm not sure! That is... I'm not experienced that way so I don't know. Oh but I wonder..." Miss Yamada says as the other students start murmuring again. "*sighs* Typical girl talk..." I said to myself. "Is this really a typical all girls' school atmosphere?" Ichika asked to himself. I answer his question with: "Isn't it obvious?"
Five hours later...
"Well, that seems to be half of the day over. What do you think we should do now, Keith?" I asked. "I'm thinking about heading to cafeteria to just eat since there's nothing else to do today, and probably train for the fight against Cecilia." "Alright then." I confirmed as we decided to leave until: "Hey, Houki. Ms. Shinonono." I hear Ichika calling as I stopped walking. "Something wrong, Tony?" "Keith, how about we hang for a bit before we go to lunch..." I told him as we sat back down on our desks.
"Let's go eat lunch." Ichika says to Houki. He then offered in asking: "Would anyone like to join us?"
(Honne Nohotoke): "Yes, me, me!"
(Yuzu Tanimoto): "Oh, me too!
(Sayaka Yorutake): "I've made my lunch, but I'm coming, too."
I got up from my desk, and ran up to him from letting any of the other students take the offer, with Keith following behind. "Hey, hey, hey Ichika! There's no need for such a huge reservation. Think of it this way, just the three of us guys hanging out. You, me, and Keith. And hey, we'll even include your girlfriend to hang around."
Both Ichika and Houki turn their heads and blush at what I said. "Wait, what?! Tony, Houki isn't my girlfriend!" Ichika shouted. "Just kidding! I was just kidding about that, alright? Ah, don't worry, dude. I know at some point you'll admit your true feelings to her." I hinted him.
"Yeah... Anyways, about the three of us guys hanging out with each other? Sure. We should all try to get along with each other, and our fellow classmates, okay? So, Houki. Wanna come with us?" He asked.
"I think I'll pass." She replies. "Oh, don't be such a grumpy face. Come on." He said to her. "I already said I'm not going." "Oh, you don't feel like walking? I'll carry you piggyback." Ichika tries to get a hold of her until she beats him down to the floor. "WAAH! Ichika! Are you okay?" I said. "Ow...god, you're so strong." "Yeah, well, maybe you're the one who's gotten weak. That was a little trick from my Kendo training."
(Yuzu): "Umm... We think that maybe we should pass this time..."
"Well, that's settles it about hanging out with me and Keith." I muttered. Ichika tries to convince her until she starts talking again. "Yeah, what? You have something else stupid to say to me?" She asked him. "Houki." He started. "I told you not to call me that." "Come on. Let's go eat." He told her. "Hey, give it a rest." He doesn't take 'No' for an answer, grabs her hand and says: "Shut up and let's go." "Alright! I can't wait." I said as we all went for the cafeteria.
~Cafeteria, 12:25 P.M.~
Keith's P.O.V.
We finally managed to reach the front of the line, and as we're about to get our lunch, Tony and I overhear the conversation between Ichika and Houki... "You didn't have to get so upset like that. I was just trying to look after you, you know." We heard him say. "Yeah. Who asked you to do that anyway?" She asked. "Even if someone asked me, I wouldn't normally do that. I did it because it's you, Houki." Ichika said.
"What? What's that mean?" "Oh, look, I owe a lot to your aunt, too. Besides, we're childhood friends and roommates. So at least let me meddle in your life a little." He told her. "Well, I guess. Thank you." She said to him as we all got our food. "Oh boy, I am ready to start taking every bite out of this. Thanks a lot!" Tony complied to the chefs. "Yeah, Thank you. Hey, Houki, did you see any empty tables on the way in?" Ichika asked.
"There's one right over there." She told him, annoyed of his insignificance. "Great, what'd I do now? *sighs*" He said to himself. "Oh, don't be so hard on yourself, Ichika. We all know you're trying your best to please her. Just act normally, and she'll probably tolerate you a little more." I assured him. "Yeah, Ichika, it's only been, what? Almost half a decade since you've seen her, and both of you have been acting very tense lately. Be cool and you'll be able to rekindle that fire of love with her." Tony blatantly explained to him.
"Yeah, maybe we have been acting too hard on each other lately, I'll see what I can do to make it up to her. Thanks for the advice, guys." Ichika said to us. "Hey, what can we say? We're guys, and we should all look out for each other." I respond to his compliment. We all arrive to the table Houki was sitting in, and the rest of us settle down as we start eating our lunch.
"Hey, Houki? Would you be willing to teach us more about the IS? 'Cause I think we're gonna lose to Cecilia the way things are going." Ichika asked. "Yeah, because you let her provoke you." She said to him. "I know that. But please help us." He pleaded her. Just then, someone came by to our table. "Hey. Aren't you the ones that everyone's talking about? You're going to be competing against a representative contender. But you've never flown for real, have you? If you want, I could teach you lots of things about the IS."
"No thanks. Actually I'm the one who's going to be teaching them." Houki said to her. "But you're a freshman, too, right? I'm a senior after all. I think I'll do a much better job teaching them the ropes." "But, I am Tabane Shinonono's sister. But thanks for the offer." She stated. "*scoffs* Take that, seniority." Tony says before I flicked his head because of his disrespectful behavior. "Quit it." I told him.
"Fine. I guess some things can't be helped." She said to herself as she walked away. "So then... You will teach us?" Ichika asked.
~Academy Dojo, 1:10 P.M.~
Tony and I watch as Ichika is struggling to keep up with Houki. "Okay, what in the hell is going on here?" She asked. "I-I don't know what you mean." He told her. She then interrogates him with: "How did you allow yourself to become so weak?! What club were you in-in middle school?" He responds with: "The go-home club. Three years of perfect attendance."
"Then you'll retrain. This problem comes before the IS. Effective immediately you will be in training with me for 3 hours every day after school." She demanded.
"Hang on! I wanted you to teach us about the IS." Ichika said to her. "And I said "this problem comes before the IS!" And as for you two (points to me and Tony), you're going to be joining along in this drill practice of mine with Ichika!" She ordered us. "Wait, what?! Hold on a minute! I didn't know-" I shutted his mouth and replied to her: "Well, I don't think it'll be a problem for us. Sure, we'll be a part of this."
Tony turned to me, shook his head and spoke quietly: "What do you think you're doing?! Are you trying to make it hard for me to be mobile with the I.S.?!" "Tony, this is for our only good! And besides, who else are we supposed to get lessons from?" I reminded him. "*sighs* Fine, but if I'm struggling, then you're going down with me..." He told me.
(time skip)
~Monday, March 26th, 2014, Arena 3, 12:00 P.M. (The Class Representative Match)~
Tony's P.O.V.
The day of the Class Rep. match begins as Keith, Ichika, and I are getting ready for our fight against Cecilia. The other students have arrived in the stadium to spectate and Houki is around to prep us up. Ichika and Houki start talking to each other, regarding our training. "Ah, Houki." "What now?" "Well, the thing is, you promised me that you were going to teach me about the IS. How come you only taught Tony and Keith?"
She turns away from him. "Hey, don't turn away from me. Thanks to you, the only thing I've done this week is practice Kendo techniques!" He told her. "Well, I can't do anything about that. And besides, your IS hasn't been delivered yet anyway." She stated to him. "Even without one, you could still at least teach me stuff about the basics! And I said don't turn away from me!"
"*groans* The more I see this, the more I just want in helping them get their relationship back in shape!" I whispered to myself. "Well, I hate to break it to you, Tony. But, there's not much we can do to help them get back together..." I told Keith. "*groans* Goddamn it..." I said to myself. Then, a holographic screen opened up, and we all caught a glimpse of Cecilia in her I.S. unit.
"So that's her personal IS. Whoa." Ichika commented. "Oh please. Just wait until you see us in our units." Keith said to him. "Orimura! Orimura!" Miss Yamada called out to us. "Orimura! It's here. Your personal IS has just arrived!" She told us. "Orimura, Martin, Kurosaki, you all need to get ready at amount of time we can use the arena is limited. You'll have to learn how to make it yours during the match itself." Chifuyu warned us.
"This is Orimura's personal IS. The Byakushiki!" 'The Byakushiki, huh? Not bad, I have to say...' I thought to myself. "Hurry up and get suited. The time is limited. You'll do the formatting and fitting while the match is in progress." Ichika makes contact with the Byakushiki before taking a step away from it. "What's wrong?" Houki asked.
"It's not like the first time I touched an IS. There's something different." Ichika said. "Orimura? Are you all right?" Miss Yamada asked. "Uh-huh. I'm just fine. There's something familiar about it. I understand it. I can understand what it is. And its purpose." 'It seems that there's some background information behind this I.S. unit...' I thought.
"Show you entrust your life to it. Let it take control. The system will optimize the rest." Chifuyu said as he suited himself inside the Byakushiki. "Byakushiki... This is Byakushiki." Ichika said to himself. "Well then, Keith. It's time." I said to him. "Alright. Now then, White Angel activate!" Keith shouted as his I.S. unit, the White Angel, appeared. It's appearance depicts an angel from the heavens, it's wings spread out, to shine in the night sky. The unit include streaks of red lines across the arms and legs.
"So your I.S. is the White Angel?" Ichika questioned. "Yep, it was given to me by the organization that I work in." Keith says as he shows his emblem of proof. It shows a cherub angel ready to fire an arrow while showing the letters "V.S.S.E.". 'I wonder what that means?' I thought to myself. "Now it's my turn! In the name of peace and serenity, I call upon my I.S.: Einhänder!" I shouted as I suited up in my unit.
My unit is that of some type of spaceship originating from science fiction. I have dual boosters behind my back, and my right arm has a manipulation function, allowing me to use the weapon allowed I want to materialize. Its appearance streams with colors of blue and yellow, covering the arms and legs. "Cecilia Alcott's machine is called "Blue Tears." It's a long-range model IS." Yamada told us.
[Galaxian3: Project Dragoon OST: A Base of Operations]
"Blue Tears, got it." Ichika replied. "In every IS unit, there's a feature referred to as "absolute defense." Its prime main function is always to protect the pilot's life during any attack. However, that deployment would cause your shield energy to be badly depleted. Do you understand that?" We all nodded our heads. "So Orimura, Martin, Kurosaki, are you all feeling up to this?" Chifuyu asked.
"Yeah, piece of cake." Ichika said. "No problem, this'll be easy." I said. "Sure thing." Keith briefly said. "We'll see." Chifuyu said. "It's about that time... Let's go..." Keith stated. "Okay. Hey, Houki?" "Huh?" "Here we go." "Oh, okay. Win this." Houki said. We took a breather before heading out, and then the moment arrives: "Launch!" Keith yelled as he took off for the fight. "Time off!" Ichika said following Keith. "Let's do this! Whoo!" I screamed following suit as well.
We all fly into battle, ready to defeat the pompous Cecilia Alcott. "Just so you all know, this is your last chance." Cecilia taunted. "To do what?" "It's obvious to everyone that I'm going to defeat you three overwhelmingly. So why not simply apologize to me right now when I just might be able to forgive you all." "*growls* You can't really call that a chance." Ichika said.
"Like hell if I were to ever forgive you with an attitude like that!" I yelled at her. "Oh please, Alcott. You're just asking me to take the blame for every single task I've done for you..." Keith scoffed her. "Oh, I can't? Well, too bad for you. Now then..." We all got ready to attack as Keith and I materialized our weapons. He materialized .45 caliber handgun, while I managed to pull an energy laser blade.
[Galaxian3: Project Dragoon OST: Fight Back a Chap]
"Time to say goodbye!" Cecilia shouted as she fired a surprise shot from her sniper rifle as Ichika wasn't quick enough to dodge the attack. "Ichika!" I shouted. "Keith, you fire from the right. I'll take the left." I ordered over the radio transmission. "Copy that." He replied. Keith fires his handgun at Cecilia with a deadly aim, while I accelerate at her as she's being distracted. I screamed as I was preparing to take part of Cecilia's shield energy.
The swing hits and she staggers a little bit from the attack. She tries to keep her focus on Ichika as she continues firing at him. He's able to dodge the crossfire as he makes his way back up in the battlefield. "Now you will dance for me. That's right. Dance to the waltz that Cecilia Alcott and Blue Tears are playing." She taunts as he's trying to fly through the attacks.
"Crap, what is he doing?" Keith inquired. "It looks like he's going to try and attack her head on." I said. "What?! But there's no way, he's doesn't have a weapon equipped at the moment!" Just at that moment, Ichika was able to find a weapon in his inventory. "So this isn't your brilliant plan, is it? Challenging my long-range IS in hand-to-hand combat? Don't be ridiculous." She said to him as she fired continuously.
"Hey, did you forget about me?! Take this!" I shouted at her as she wasn't quick enough to dodge my swing. "*growls* Damn it. Well, I have to admit, You three are one of first opponents to have last this long. You've all fought longer against Blue Tears in an initial match than anyone. And I must applaud you three for that." She complimented us.
"Thanks a lot." Ichika replies to her. "But, now the time has come for the finale." She says as she sends out drones to attack us. "Ohhhh, shit! Guys, scram!" I hollered out. We all moved erratically as much as we could to keep our shields from depleting, but Keith and I get separated from Ichika. "I'll take... your left leg!" She fires for his leg, but Ichika's able to deflect the shot with his sword.
"*growls* He's not going to last long enough! Keith, we've got to help him!" I said. "Alright, just follow my lead and we'll be able to pull it off just right." He told me as went to engage Cecilia again. Ichika tries to land a hit on her, but she dodges the attack and sends out her drones again. "You're reckless, aren't you? But it's a pointless struggle."
She says to him, but Keith manages to get behind him, sacrificing his shield energy, while providing backup. "Don't worry, Ichika. I've got you covered! Just follow my lead, and we'll be able to take her out!" Keith said to him. "Okay, let's go!" Ichika complied as Keith tried to close in on Cecilia. "Tony, see if you have any weapons." Keith said to me.
[Galaxian3: Project Dragoon OST: Burn Up The Space]
I check to see if there's anything I can use at the moment, and I find a machine gun type of weapon called the Vulcan. "Oh, this will come in handy... Hey, Cecilia!" I shouted to her as she turned her head to me. "Eat lead, lassie!" I taunted as I fired the Vulcan right at her. The tactic was almost a success until she figured our plan of Ichika being able to land a hit on her, and thus, evaded yet another attack.
"Well, now I finally get it. Your weapons won't move without your commands. That's the trick. And there's more than that, you can't make any other attacks while you're in motion. That's because you're focused solely on defense, right?" Ichika questioned her. "Alright, her defenses are almost down. Ichika, got any ideas?" I asked him. "Yeah, just let me think real quick. Right now, there's two more left."
We all went and dodged the drones while Keith and I fired back at her. "Guys, our only chance is closing the distance with her!" Ichika told us. Just then: "I see, he fell for it. So sorry. There are more than four." "Ah, crap!" Ichika shouted. "Are you shitting me! Rocket salvos?!" I screamed. Ichika tries to evade but it looks like it was a direct hit.
It looked like it was over for him until: "Ichika, you're alright!" I shouted. "Huh, what's this?" "That can't be. That's your first shift? How could anyone have fought an entire battle like this with their IS in a default setting?" 'Wait a minute, 1st Shift! Does that mean...! Oh boy, we've got ourselves a huge advantage now!' I thought to myself.
"I'm not sure what the heck I've been doing. But it looks like... this IS has finally become my own. The Yukihira Nigata? Isn't the Yukihira the same weapon Chifuyu used? Man. I really do have the best big sister in the entire world." His sword changes into a beam saber. "Oh yeah! Get ready to have your ass handed back to you, Alcott!" I taunted her.
"But I think it's about time to change the relationship where I'm the one who always has to be protected. From now on, I'm going to be protecting as well." Ichika said. "Huh? Just what are you talking about?" "I'm saying I will defend my sister's name. It'll make her look lame if her brother is so candy-assed weakling." He says to her again.
'Wait! There's got to be something to help turn the tides! *gasps* (snickers) Perfect...' I thought as I found weapon was hoping for. "Honestly, you're such a pain." Cecilia scoffed as she fired her homing rockets again. "Oh yeah, Cecilia? Well... Two can play at this game!" I yelled at her as I fired homing missiles of my own from my Wasp launchers.
"Too late! I'm seeing them now." Ichika says as he's able to slice the incoming rockets in half, exploding afterwards. The homing missiles hits Cecilia in succession as now it's time to deal the final blow. "Yes, I can do this!" "Come on, Ichika. End it!" He cries out in battle for one crucial strike until: (Air horn wails) "Orimura's shield has depleted. He is now eliminated from the match." (Ichika) "What?" (Cecilia) "What?" (Keith) "Huh?!" (Tony) "*gasps* No..."
I couldn't believe what just flashed before my eyes. We were one step close to winning, and it was all taken away from us now that Keith and I lost Ichika from the match. 'Wait a minute! Cecilia's distracted. This is my only chance. Come on, there's got to be something that I can-' My mind stopped as a message asked to activate something called "Viper Boost".
[Einhänder OST: Advent]
"Well, I guess this will be the last line of defense. Here goes nothing!" I accepted. 'Activating: Viper Boost...' The I.S. glows a blue aura as I feel like I'm about to feel an adrenaline rush. "Cecilia!" She turns to me, confused of the events occurring so quickly. I charged at her with great speed shouting: "It's not over yet!" She's unable to escape in time as I attack her, charging back and forth until she gets stunned from the technique.
Her shield energy is low, so I pull out my energy blade thinking: 'Now I'll show you!' I gave out a battle cry going for a critical hit until... She regains her stance and dodges my strike. "*gasps* What?!" "*giggles* I'm afraid this game of yours is over, Kurosaki." She says to me before she fires her sniper rifle at me. I wasn't quick enough to evade and thus, I got hit.
I tried to regain control of the I.S. before it crash lands until I see that my energy shield has depleted. "Ohhh, ffffffff-fuck..." I said before I crashed into the ground.
Keith's P.O.V.
(Air horn wails) "Tony Kurosaki has been defeated. The remaining contenders are: Cecilia Alcott and Keith Martin." "Well then, it's just you and me now, Cecilia." I said to her. "Don't think you'll be able to defeat me because of your standing as a V.S.S.E. agent!" She berated. "Wow, I can't believe you would remember all the things that I've done for you over the years..." I said to her.
[Galaxian3: Project Dragoon OST: Spend a Restless Fight]
"Just remember this, I've always been known to have a deadly aim with a handgun, so be sure to keep your guard up, alright?" I said to her. She replies to me: "Well, let's see if you have what it takes to compete with someone you grew up with!" She fires her sniper rifle at me while I dodge out of the way. I fire right back at her to even the playing field.
I check my inventory for another weapon until I find a gun that resembles an Uzi SMG. I materialize it and close the distance with her. "You can shoot, but you sure can't keep up!" She said. "Oh, don't worry. I'm just getting warmed up here..." I cautioned her. I fired at her mercilessly while she tries to focus her aim with her sniper rifle.
Fortunately, she can't concentrate fire while I'm attacking her, so I'm able to reduce her shield energy with this tactic. "Oh, Keith. Don't forget that I have more firepower than you do!" She taunts me as she fires rocket salvos at me. 'Now for the art of surprise...' I thought to myself as I charged at the rockets head on. The explosions envelop me as Cecilia says:
"Hmph, you plonker! What did you think you were going to accomplish by doing that?" I saw a message about a one-off ability called "Quick Draw" ready to engage. I accepted and surprised her when the explosion dust cleared away. "What?! You survived the explosion?" She asked. "Yeah, and now I think it's my turn to return the favor." I said to her.
I fired a fury of bullets straight at her as she tried to fire back without looking through her scope. I pulled out my handgun getting ready for a charged shot right in front her, while still firing away my Uzi until... (HUD: EMPTY - NOT SHIELDED) "What?!" I shouted. (Air horn wails) (Cecilia) "Huh?!" "The match is concluded. Winner, Cecilia Alcott." "You what? You can't be serious!" I said.
~Arena 3, Launch Bridge B, 12:30 P.M. (Class Rep. Match Aftermath)~
"Okay. So why did we lose again?" Ichika asked. "You both lost because you used the barrier-disabling attack. Without taking into account how using it would affect everything else." Chifuyu explained. "The barrier disabling attack..." He muttered. "Which punctures the opponent's barrier and passes the impact directly to its body. That's something only Yukihira can do. However, that ability has to cannibalize your own shield energy in order to function. Actually, I have to admit that when I won the first Mondo Grosso, it was mostly as a result of that one ability." She continued.
"I see. So that's why Byakushiki's remaining shield energy suddenly dropped to zero." "When a competitor's shield energy becomes zero, that player loses the IS battle. The barrier disabling attack does damage your opponent, but in exchange, it will cost you your shield. It's really a classic double-edged sword." Yamada said. "Right. And it means your IS is defective." "Defective how?"
"Okay, maybe that was a bad way to phrase it. An IS isn't complete to begin with, so it can't be defective per se. But since yours is so much more offense-oriented than others, it can't be handled the same way." Chifuyu stated. "At the moment, your IS is in standby mode. But all you have to do is call it and it'll deploy right away. However, there are a lot of regulations, so read this thoroughly." Yamada said as she gives him an I.S. handbook.
"Oh, I almost forgot! Here's one for you, too, Keith!" She says to me as she hands one out to me as well. '*sighs* I guess Ichika and I are stuck in the same boat... We're both going to read this book entirely if we're going to improve our piloting skills...' I thought to myself. "Houki, Tony's at the infirmary, right?" I asked her.
"Yeah, are you going to check up on him?" She asked. "Yes, I'll see you guys later." I said to them on my way out. "*sighs* I hope he didn't get hurt too bad from that crash..." I said to myself.
~Unknown Place, Unknown Time...~
Tony's P.O.V.
[Einhänder OST: Metempsychosis]
"*groans* Where am I?" I said as I stood up. I seem to be somewhere that I'm not familiar with... "Wait a minute... Who is that...?" I said to myself as I saw someone standing across the distance. I ran across the field to get closer to the person and and find out who it is. I grabbed on the person's shoulder and I find that the person happens to be a girl.
She turns around waiting for me to say something. "Umm, excuse me, who are you?" I asked her. "So... You are the pilot of the Einhänder. Yes?" She said to me. "Well, I'm kind of surprised you asked, but, Yes, I am." I told her. "Your name?" She asked. "Tony Kurosaki, but before you start asking more, can you tell me who you are?" I asked her.
"Very well. I may look like a normal girl, but in reality, I am the A.I., artificial intelligence, of this I.S. unit. You can call me Hyperion..." She told me. "Alright, Hyperion. Where am I right now?" I asked her. "You're currently stuck in your self-consciousness, after you've been knocked out of that last bout you had with that other pilot." She told me.
"Cecilia Alcott?" "That's the one." She confirmed. "Yeah, I was charging at her in succession until I missed the strike..." I said to her. "I'm amazed at how quickly you were able to learn your one-off ability." "The one-off...? Oh, right! The Viper Boost, is that what you call it?"
"Yes, the Viper Boost is the Einhänder's one-off ability where you, the pilot, charges straight ahead at the nearest opponent for critical damage in their shield charge, but you got careless back there, as overdoing the technique will result in decreasing your own shield energy as well." She explained to me. "Hmm, so that's the reason why I wasn't able to recover..." I said to myself.
"Hyperion, do you happen to know everything about my I.S. unit?" I asked her. "Yes, everything from your personal perks to your weaponry. But I'm afraid we'll have to discuss those for another time. I'll see you next time for our next meeting..." She said. "Hyperion... Wait!" I shouted out before my vision faded into whiteness.
~Infirmary, 5:58 P.M.~
My vision regains as I find myself on a bed that isn't mine. "Tony, you're awake." I turn to my right to find who said that to me. "Keith? What are you doing in here, where am I, and how long have I been out cold?" I asked him. "Almost half the day. You're in the infirmary right now and the reason I'm here is to make sure you're okay. So, how are you feeling right now?" He said to me.
"I seem to be feeling alright. Wait, you did beat Cecilia, right?" I asked him. "I'm afraid not, my friend. It seems that we just didn't have enough control over our powers." 'Oh, so that's why we could only get a scratch at her shield energy, we couldn't keep ourselves away with the powers we had in the palm of our hands...' I thought to myself.
~Outside Area, same time~
Ichika's P.O.V.
It's near the end of the day, and I'm just about ready to turn in by now. I was stumped at the fact that I lost my first match. I'm making my way back to my room with Houki walking by my side. "And now she'll be the class representative, huh? And what does that look mean?" I asked while turning to her. "Well, are you upset that you lost?" She asked me with concern.
[Time Crisis OST: Sunrise/Sunset]
"Oh, yeah, sure." I answered to her. "Ah, so, I guess starting tomorrow, maybe we ought to start some intensive IS training." She told me. "I guess." "Um, you still..." She and I stop walking to clear some things up. "You do want me to continue teaching you, right?" I said to her: "Yeah, of course I do. I'd rather ask you than any other girl. I mean, you're Tabane's sister so who else would know as much?"
She laughs for a bit before she says: "Okay. All right. I understand. I have to then. Right! I hereby agree to teach you about the IS. Starting tomorrow, I want you to be waiting for me every day after school, okay?" "Yes, ma'am." I agree before she starts taking the lead back to the dorms.
~Infirmary, 6:05 P.M.~
Keith's P.O.V.
"Tony, there's something I need to tell you about..." I said to him. "Oh. What is it?" "*clears throat* I have known Cecilia longer than anyone else in this school. I remember being a bodyguard for the royal Alcott family while I was serving the Special Air Service (S.A.S.) back in England a long time ago. Her family was so caring for me. Her parents would reward me for all the hard work that I would do for them. And then, Cecilia came into my life. I would never have felt so younger without her around. We'd always play around the house, doing the things that teenagers your age would do. But then..." I said.
[Time Crisis 4 OST: Name Entry]
"What happened, Keith?" Tony asked. "The V.S.S.E. got word of my services from the S.A.S. and I was asked if I would like to become an agent for them. I accepted the offer. They told me I had to be escorted to their base, because their location is kept a secret from the rest of the world. Unfortunately, that would mean I would have to leave the home of the Alcotts, including Cecilia. So, with no options left, I packed all the things I needed, and said good-bye to her and her family, and just before I left, I told her one more thing: "Remember this, Cecilia. Even if I'm far away from you, I'm always there for you in your heart.""
"Wow, Keith. That, was, just such a touching story right there..." Tony said to me almost crying. "I never realized how much of a good girl that Cecilia was..." "Come on, Tony. Let's get you back to your room, it's getting late..." I said after he got dressed. "Alright. I'm all done. Let's go back..." He said to me as we made our way back to the dorms...
~Cecilia's Room, 6:17 P.M.~
Normal P.O.V
[Time Crisis OST: Serenity (Healing: Theme from Sunrise/Sunset)]
It's been a very emotional day for Cecilia, as she washes herself in the shower, pondering all the events that occurred that day, and thinking about the one she seems the most concerned about... 'Why am I feeling this way? Even though I was the winner...' She thought to herself. "I can't believe it... After all these years... He's finally made his way back into my life... Keith... Martin..." She said to herself.
Episode Over...
[Ending Theme: (Short Ver. of...) One Direction - Story of My Life]
Hey guys. Thanks so much for reading and your continued support. If you want to see more of this fan fiction, then be sure to follow/favorite the story if you enjoyed it. Leave your reviews/comments down below. Constructive criticism is always welcome. Don't forget to check out my other stories: Infinite Time Crisis and The Hero's Ordeal (currently on hiatus), and be on the look out for another story that I have yet to post here. Finally, check out my YouTube channel, subscribe if you enjoyed the content and friend me on Steam. Links are in my profile. I'm the Rocket Gamer, thanks again for reading, and until next time, my friends. Game on!