Disclaimer: I do not know anything by IS: Infinite Stratos and/or any fore-mentioned materials that belong to Third-Parties. They belong to their respected owners. However, original characters all belong to me, Grayjedi-Productions...
Also, I don't have anything regarding Two-Mix's Last Impression!
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1331 Hours – SeaSide School Personal IS Holder Beach - Bottom of the Ocean
(Main theme is Heaven's Divide from the Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker OST)
Kenneth reopened his eyes as his armor kept the water from drowning him. The sand floor where he had landed wasn't particularly deep, so the water pressure wouldn't have killed him without the armor, if just making him feel squeezed. He wondered about the future of STARIS with Tabane unleashing something completely unexpected into the world. The machines specs were definitely comparable to STARIS machines. If Houki continued to train…
No, if Tabane is making these on a whim. Kenneth rethought as he tried firing up the leg boosters. They started to bubble as the heat died and it was silent again. With a sigh, he lifted his arms up as and attempted to swim up to the surface. The weight of the armor prevented any forward lift as he stopped, allowing his torso to return to the sandy bottom.
"How much oxygen do I have?" He wondered aloud. Only forty five minutes. Well it shouldn't bother him too much as Kenneth slowed his breathing. Only a few seconds later did a holographic message appeared before him. It was from The Scion Initiates. Blinking, he nodded as the message cleared out to him.
"Midshipman! We have confirmation that you have been shot down! Confirm your status!"
"Laying at the bottom of the ocean, waiting for energy to recharge with the machine. Wings have been clipped."
"Just deactivate your armor to swim back to the surface. But before you do that, your new Armor has been completed. 'Shadow Dance' is now the 'Seraphus Ater'. We need to readjust the AI core for your liking. We are using the old data. Transferring now…"
Kenneth closed his eyes as a bright white light pierced through as he found himself in a white room. He had SI sweat pants and a sleeveless shirt on. Looking around, it was pure white in every direction. A figure started materializing before him as it gained a female form. Blonde hair in a military ponytail. Her clothing was similar to his. 'She' started to walk towards him, a sway in her walk that was well familiar.
"A-Angel…" Kenneth said, lowing his head.
"Not Angel." She said, placing her right hand on her hips. "Just an Artificial Intelligence construct that you had created in the form of Midshipman Angel Victoria Adrian." Smiling a little she added. "Of course, being called 'Angel' works just as well."
Kenneth looked back up and shrugged. "Y-yeah… Sorry about that."
"And so I have returned to your service. However I sense some emotional distraught. What is the matter?"
"Just things I guess…"
The AI of Angel closed her eyes as if she was reading what was going on. "… No, there is emotional distraught that is rising with the amount of pheromones in your bloodstream. A common thing about emotional response that human's believe to be 'love'. Now, what appears to be the problem?"
Aw, shit. Kenneth remembered about the AI sensors before replying. "Taking the face of someone that… Well, I don't know. It's just…"
The AI tilted her head. "You are the one that wanted me to be like such. Is that an issue right now?"
"No, no. It's fine. But it's just awkward right now."
"Awkward as in?"
Kenneth gulped down and said. "I think that I have… found someone… else."
"Hn." The AI tilted her head as she started to think on the information given by Kenneth when he received the armor. "… I see."
Kenneth lowered his head again as the AI walked towards him. He was expecting a slap, but it never came.
"If that is the case, then go. Go. Be with her." Kenneth mouth dropped as he saw the Angel AI having a mellow smile.
"Wh-what?"
"I told you go… At least, that's what I would believe she would say."
Regaining his composure, he gave the AI a stoic face. "And what exactly made you come to this conclusion?"
"Given the information of her kind nature and the information give on Operation Zulu." Kenneth growled as the AI continued, "she wouldn't have wanted you to continue that guilt. Even if it was truly your fault in that caused failure, she wouldn't have wanted you to continue that anxiousness."
"I see. But then the Incident…" Kenneth sighed as he rubbed the bridge of his nose.
"You were trying to regain what you had lost. Life is troublesome with items like that. What has been lost may return and if it is those things that cannot come back and we attempt to do so, we only find insanity."
"So then it truly was my mistake."
"Protocol should have dictated for you to be executed. But here you are now. Second chances don't come and go like this. Take care of it sir."
Kenneth reflexively curled and uncurled his hands as he finally turned away saying, "So what happens now?"
"If you truly love this woman, then go to her. I have no qualm on the matter."
"… Please, AI if you could make it sound more 'organic'."
The AI hummed for a second before finally hugging Kenneth from behind. "Go Kenny. There was another time and place. All the happy times we had together." Kenneth turned to the AI as her entire body started glowing golden.
"Please let go of the strings that held you as a marionette. Love her as you loved me…"
It took a few moments when he finally said, "I… I will."
The vision became a fuzzy white light as Kenneth breathed out again as he saw the ocean's bottom floor again. Shaking his head, the armor had been deactivated and would be picked up by local STARIS forces to be recycled. A few holographic screens popped in. An emergency release as Kenneth tapped the 'purge' sequence. The water started to leak into the armor as Kenneth held his breath. Once the water had settled in, the armor's chassis opened up as he started to swim to the surface. A small smile on his face.
1335 Hours – SeaSide Beach Personal IS
"Got it." Chifuyu said to a cellphone call as she said to the rest of the group, "We have just received word on something. Class A mission. Go back to the inn. I will join shortly."
The girls and Ichika started heading back to the inn. But Charlotte took another look at the sea before following after the main group. Tabane, in her own little world, merrily started to head her own way. Rolling her eyes at Tabane's tactics, she looked at the sea to see Kenneth finally gasping out from the water's surface. Whistling over, Kenneth sighed and started to swim back to shore.
1415 Hours – SeaSide School Inn – Makeshift Meeting Room (Chifuyu's Room)
"Two hours ago, a third generation IS co-developed by the United States of America and Israel had gone berserk from its test facility and started heading here." Chifuyu explained in front of a large holographic map between Hawaii and Japan.
The personal IS holders and the STARIS members sat in silence, taking in the information. Hawaii? But that was supposed to be a Sons of Abraham and Scion Initiates testing field area. Kenneth thought as Chifuyu continued.
"It's name is Silver Gospel." Kenneth's eyes widened at the name. Natasha? What the hell?
"In fifty minutes, the IS will have entered our airspace. The Academy's higher ups have declared this our mission to deal with the situation."
Cecilia asked, "What are the specifications on the IS?"
"Unknown. But from guesses, a long range bombardment type."
Damnit, how the hell did this happen? Kenneth thought as he gripped his hands on his knees. This will severely hinder both parties, not just in STARIS but for the Infinite Stratos development as a whole. This is STARIS problem…
"The machine is moving over two thousand four hundred and fifty kilometers per hour, we need a one-shot kill on this machine. However, I do not mean to destroy the machine itself. Intel has stated that the pilot has been knocked unconscious."
The girls lowered their heads in thought when they turned to Ichika.
"Wh-what?" He asked.
"Beat the machine with Reiraku Byakuya." Rin said.
"It's the only way we'll stop it in high speeds." Charlotte said, nodding her head with Rin.
"Blue Tears has a Packet switch equipment. I also have twenty hours of supersonic training." Cecilia said, wanting to join in on the operation.
"DYNAMIC ENTRY!"
The entire group looked around for the loud voice as Tabane Shinonono dropped down from the ceiling, her proud face smirking.
"Get out." Chifuyu commanded as Tabane turned around and pleaded. "No, no, no! Please hear me out here Chi-chan!"
"… Fine."
"Hehe~! This is de-fin-ate-ly Akitsubaki's debut to the world! Let it do it with Byakushiki~!"
"That is a terrible plan." Laura grunted as did Kenneth.
Tabane ignored the two as she continued, "With the Fold Out Armor, this will be a snap!"
Ichika raised his voice asking, "Fold Out Armor?"
"Mhm, mhm! A fourth generation specification that so that the machine doesn't need additional changes in the field! You got your all in one package right from the get go!"
The Personal IS holders and Ichika's mouths dropped slightly as Laura and Kenneth looked at each other. The Fold Out Armor started to sound like the Frames System used by STARIS machines. Though additional equipment to the machine was always good to have, being prepared in the beginning was a necessity for IS battles.
"It's initial data is on the Byakushiki anyways with the sword and all, but whatever~."
"Are you talking about the?"
"Yup! The sword's one hit kill ability is a test for the Fold Out Armor. But it was flawed so I didn't even bother with it afterwards. Still pretty neat huh?" The group was silent as Tabane hopped on her feet and twirled in a circle as Chifuyu sighed.
"This is just like the White Knight Incident! The elusive female pilot slashed half the missiles then blew up the rest! Faahh~ Who do you think it was Chi-chan?"
"Don't know."
Tabane had herself a mischievous smirk as she said, "Hmmm, I have to guess that her bust size was eighty eight centimet-."
Chifuyu pounded Tabane on the head. Once again, the shield came up, but it still looked like it hurt.
"Waahhhhh~~!"
Shaking her head, Chifuyu turned to the students. "Alright, we'll use Akatsubaki and Byakushiki. Blue Tears, Shenlong, and Raphael-Revive Custom Mark II will be on standby. Schwarzer Regen will be between the two teams." Turning to Kenneth, she said,
"This is an American-Israel problem, so you will be following after the first lead group. That is all everybody. Kenneth and Laura stay here for a moment. Tabane, leave."
Tabane's robotic rabbit ears drooped as she complained. "Aww, why? I just want to-."
"Get. Out. Now." Chifuyu growled as she motioned to Maya to remove Tabane from the room. Maya looked at her, nodding her head in understanding as she pushed Tabane out of the room as the rest of the students left.
Once the door was closed, Chifuyu tapped a button on the holo-screen as the IS Academy symbol shifted and turned to the STARIS symbol, a star with a sword and variable rifle behind it.
"As you are aware," Chifuyu started as she adapted an even more serious tone, "The Silver Gospel is equipped with long range and close quarters combat equipment. This is no surprise from a Daughter of the Three."
Laura removed her eyepatch as she asked. "Are we the only agents in the local area?"
"Indeed. So that responsibility will go to us. Laura, you may unleash the full potential of Schwarzer Regen if necessary to fight the machine. Kenneth, I had received word that your new machine is here. Same orders to you."
The two saluted to Chifuyu and she returned it.
1430 Hours – SeaSide Beach
Houki, Ichika and Kenneth stood on the beach as Rin, Cecilia, Laura and Charlotte looked at the three on their orders.
"Let's go Akatsubaki!"
"Come out, Byakushiki!"
The two donned their IS armors as they were enveloped by Kenneth looked down at his synthetic armor. "Let's go… Seraphus Ater!" Kenneth felt his body encased in the new armor as he stretched his neck out as the jointed armor locked in his hands, legs and torso.
Ichika and the girls minus Laura looked at Kenneth's new armor. It carried the same general outlook of his old armor, but added stylized shoulder plates. Additional thrusters directly on the back, between two sandwiched folded thrusters. His helmet was just like this old one.
Kenneth flexed the armor as he turned to Houki and Ichika. "Ready?"
"Let's go! Ichika, hold on." Houki said, taking a more assertive role as Ichika grabbed on to her as they quickly accelerated into the sky and boosted away. Kenneth crouched down as he flew off behind them, a tad bit slower.
"Godspeed you three." Cecilia whispered.
Though it had only been a few minutes, Ichika started to really feel airsick as the acceleration of the Akatsubaki was over the top. Kenneth had no way of catching up with its insane speed. The three eventually came into visual range of the Silver Gospel as it continued its path towards the Japanese Islands.
"Target confirmed. Ichika, ready to go?" Houki asked.
"Ready!" The IS boosted faster, easily catching up with the STARIS machine as Ichika stood on Houki's back. As his IS started glowing golden ready for a strike, Kenneth tried hailing Natasha on a hidden channel.
"Wing Commander Natasha Fairs, this is Midshipman Kenneth Buyuu, do you respond?"
"Nice to see you again… Son of the Three." Sneered a male voice back to him.
"Albert. Is the Wing Commander alright?"
"Oh very much so. Just taking a nap, when I had received or-orders." Kenneth nodded a slight glitch in his speech patterns.
"And those orders are?"
"To eliminate a new threat to the IS World. A new fourth generation Infinite Stratos."
Kenneth frowned as he recalled the Akatsubaki was only revealed a barely a hour ago. What is going on?
"And so I see the target. Good day Midshipman."
The moment the transmission was cut, and Ichika was in mid-swing, the Silver Gospel bolted up, as Ichika's swing missed, nearly having himself fly off.
"Ichika, are you alright?" Houki said, as she continued to trail the rogue machine.
"Good, good. Just keep following it!"
Kenneth boosted into the air as he switched out a new weapon. A new energy rifle. Taking aim, the now rogue AI of the machine turned and twisted around as Ichika and Houki continued to bop up and down following it, like a piece of paper attached to a string.
Turning around, the machine extended its wings as blue energy bolts hailed at them, primarily going after the Akatsubaki. Houki boosted and as the bolts trailed behind her like missiles. Getting close, they exploded as their force was absorbed the shields as Houki continued to fly in all directions evading. Ichika had broken off the attack, only three bolts flying at him as they missed.
"Houki! Let's trying attacking at the same time!" The flew in a twin bird pattern, dodging the energy bolts continuously firing at them.
Charging the energy rifle, Kenneth had a new contact on the radar. A boat.
"Guys, there is a civilian boat in the area, watch your shots!"
"Wh-what?" Ichika grunted as he looked down as a fishing boat started making its way. Eyes inflated, he started to boost down to them as Houki was able to hold on the Silver Gospel for a second as it grabbed Houki's head, gut punched her several times and threw her away as it boosted further away.
"Sniping from a far!" Kenneth yelled as he fired at the Silver Gospel, as it banked to the left, avoiding a majority of the hit. Seeing Ichika's actions, he yelled. "What the hell are you doing?! Leave them be!"
Houki boosted down to Ichika's level stopped ahead of him. "Ichika, leave them be!"
"What the hell are you two doing? Get back to fighting the Silver Gospel!" Kenneth boosted up the STARIS machine as they engaged in a blade lock.
"It looks like a poaching vessel." Ichika said. "We gotta get them out of here!"
"Who cares! Let's get back!" Houki yelled as the Silver Gospel, forced Kenneth out of the way and fired bolts down on Ichika as he tried batting them away. Shields dropping, the Yukihira's energy saber died and reformed to a normal sword. Another bolt was fired as it was blocked by Houki.
"Are you seriously putting them ahead of the objective?!"
"Houki listen to me!"
The two opened a private channel for themselves as they talked still floating in the air. Kenneth roared at them as he slashed at the Silver Gospel. "The hell you two?! Stop standing around!"
The Silver Gospel blocked with its hand, attempting to claw back as Kenneth withdrew another sword to block. "It seems that your allies are not the Combat-Efficient type."
"Albert. Directive Order Nine Two Five Dash One. Emergency shutdown now."
"I'm sorry Midshipman, but it appears that I outrank you at the moment." Albert cackled as the machine started to glow a fiery red color. It was going into Phoenix Overdrive.
Kenneth's eyes bulged out as the Silver Gospel fired a piercing particle beam at Kenneth as his armor peeled and snapped under the massive heat, exploding as he fell from the skies.
"This is price of coming here unprepared." Albert growled as the machine materialized an Anti-IS Particle Rifle. "Target locked."
Kenneth boosted himself back up from freefall as he headed towards the Silver Gospel.
"Sniping and firing." The beam launched out as if it was in slow motion. Kenneth reached out his hand to push the rifle away as the machine dripped down, keeping its cursor on the Akatsubaki.
The two ended their conversation as Ichika suddenly boosted out and shielded Houki from the shot.
A splatter of blood.
"ICHIKA!"
1915 Hours – Middle of the Ocean
A lone machine rocketed towards several islands in the distance as the pilot kept it in auto pilot, a mellow Japanese song playing.
Kotoba yori wakariaeru
Manazashi ga soko ni areba
Hito wa minna ikite-yukeru
Mayowazu ni jiyuu ni
"Ichika! Houki!" Yelled Kenneth as he batted again at the Silver Gospel. "Houki! Retreat with Ichika! Black three to home, we have a man down! We have a man down!"
Houki's stunned face was filled with shock as she dully picked up the limp Ichika and quickly boosted away. Albert simply laughed.
"Ha-ha. Hmph. Sh-shows them right." Kenneth raised and pointed his katana at the machine. "What is your primary objective, Albert?"
"Simple. The termination of the IS known as 'Akatsubaki'."
"You are breaking AI protocol for this…"
"You know as much as I do how much that IS is an international violation."
Kenneth gritted his teeth, it was true after all. "We are trying to contain it."
"Doubtful by you humans. And thus, I will pursue the Akatsubaki, so move."
Kenneth looked down as he said. "I'll duel you."
"Pardon?"
"A one v one duel. It's what you wanted on the HMS Illustrious, right? To see who is the strongest of the Three? So whoever wins gets to keep their method of containment on the IS."
"Hmmm…"
Ayamachi wo koete
Kidzuku hontou no yasashisa
Anata to. Mitsuketa kara
Ai to yoberu tsuyosa wo!
The pilot lifted his head as he saw a patiently waiting machine floating between the islands. Just for him.
The IS rescue team staff brought out Ichika on a stretcher as Houki continued to have her shocked face. The rest of the girls had the same. Kenneth's eyes dulled to a grey as Chifuyu continued to order the other people to set up a room for her little brother.
Kenneth walked up to Chifuyu and said. "Ma'am. Permission to continue the assault on the IS Silver Gospel." All the girls turned to Kenneth as he waited for a reply.
Chifuyu glared at him with critical eyes. "… Permission granted."
Kenneth saluted to her as he started to walk away. Cecilia, Rin and Houki followed after Ichika's escort. Laura gave Kenneth a stoic salute as she turned and followed the majority of the girls. Charlotte however decided to follow after Kenneth.
I believe your love
Furue nagara
Kuchidzuke ni kasaneta negai
Wasurenaide itsumo…
Kenneth retreated back to his room. The new upgrade would severely tax the battery life of his synthetic arm. He grabbed the freshest battery pack as he left his room. Just outside the Inn was Charlotte waiting.
"Char… What are you doing here?"
"A-are you really going after that machine?"
"I made a deal with the devil Char. Can't back away from it now."
"Kenny… You just can't."
"If I don't go, that thing will come here and kill Houki. It wrecked Ichika. There is nothing more to it. I need to do this."
"Take Laura with you though!"
"It was agreed to be a one v one duel… I am sorry Char." The two lowered their head as Kenneth decided to walk forward only for Charlotte to embrace him. Blinking for a moment, he returned the hug.
"Promise me that you'll come back. Just like the mission when we regained our memories."
"I… I promise."
Kenneth let go of her and kissed her on the cheek. "I'm sorry to do this." Looking away, he continued to walk towards the beach.
"Do… Do you love me?"
"I do."
I believe your dream
Tsunoru omoi…
Kenneth switched to normal mode on his machine, thanking that the new upgrades were working fine. Guessing from the shot, it seems that the Silver Gospel had received upgrades as well.
"You're late." Albert growled.
Itoshisa wo inori ni kaete
Kono kodou wo. Tsutaetai yo
"Sorry to have kept you waiting." Kenneth had a small smirk, as he drew out a beam saber and energy rifle as his armor sealed and set completely.
"Now we shall see, who truly is an Offspring of the three…" The Silver Gospel bent down as it's wings stretched out.
Atsuku Hageshiku
So far away…
Allowing the music to fade into a sudden burst of instrumental fury, Kenneth quickly charged and fired from his energy rifle as the machine quickly dodged the shot, firing a several energy bolts as it closed in. Slashing the bolts away, the Silver Gospel was right on top of Kenneth as he stabbed at it, draining part of the shield.
Growling, it heavily slashed at him as Kenneth was batted towards the sea below as the folded thrusters on his back extended out once… twice revealing wing-like boosters as she twirled just before hitting the water as he energy rifle dematerialized.
"So that's the way you want to play?" Albert mocked as the Silver Gospel grew light blue energy wings as the ocean just below it started to swirl underneath.
"Let's go… Daughter of the Three!"