Author : I'm sorry, I'm sorry for the long update. I just forgot about this story because of my college, writer's block, games and etc. Please don't kill me. I hope this chapter is up to your liking. So please just read it, again sorry for the long update.
Chapter 2: The Escape and The Partnership
/ In the HQ of Arche Corporation/
In the main office room of the building the tension were high as the group of people which now gathered are each in a various state of distress, anger and frustration.
SLAM! "Dammit, how could this be happening?!" Shout out the red haired man named Gary Biaggi the CEO of Arche Corporation.
"Hey Gary just calm down, okay!" Said a browned haired man named Neil trying to calm his friend down.
"How I'm supposed to calm down when a somebody is my kidnapping my son."
"Hey just calm down okay, he means as much as a son to me too, well I dare say for all of us here feel the same as you are. But none of should lose our cool because of this. We must keep our head cool to think clearly." Spoke Neil becoming a voice of reasons for the group.
"The important question is how should we tracked the kidnapper and where they keep Ichika." Said Graham one of the other persons in the room that is the most calm.
"Yeah what about it? Have any of you got any info about it yet?" Ask Gary while sweeping his gaze across the peoples in the room.
At this questions almost all of the people in the room shook their heads except one man with gray colored eyes, dark green shoulder length hair covering his right eye. This prompt Gary and the rest of the room to look in his direction.
"So, what info do you got, Allelujah?" ask Neil.
"Well, actually it's not much of an info, it should be called a rumor actually. My brother is out there trying to verify it. He said that his instinct told him to follow this rumor. We should get a call from him soon." Said Allelujah with uncertainty in his voice.
"Well it's better than nothing. What is this rumor, your brother is chasing?" Ask Gary.
"Well, it's abou...DRIIT! DRIIT!" before Allelujah could answer Neil his cellphone were ringing and when he look at the caller ID, the caller were his brother. So after telling the others about who's the caller he answer his brother call.
"Yeah... Aaah-haa.. What!?.. Yeah, it could be... Alright keep us informed, okay."
"So what did your brother found?"
"It seems the rumor were right. The rumor were that one of the competitors in Mondo Grosso got her sibling kidnapped."
Most of the people in the room were surprised at this information "What? Kidnapped?" Ask Neil
"Yes, the kidnappers were using the hostage to blackmail the competitor to resign from the tournament."
"Could this kidnapping be linked with Ichika kidnapping?"
"If you thought about it. Both case happens in a small time frame, before and when Mondo Grosso is open. Both case also involve sides that has connection with the tournament." Processed Neil
"The it has a good possibility to be connected with Ichika kidnapping." Conclude Gary which everybody give a nod to his answer.
"Who's the name of this unfortunate competitor?" Ask Gary to Allelujah.
"Her name is..."
/With Ichika in his mindscape/
"Who? Me? You can call me the first of my kind, or the discarded, or even better you can call me Core 000 in your service." He says with a huge grin.
"Core 000? The first core?" Ichika asked bewildered.
"Yes exactly, you can say that I am the pioneer of my kind."
"So it makes you the core of the White Knight IS right? The first IS?" Ichika asked for confirmation but it seem it was a wrong question to be asked because after he said that the grin on Core 000 face was replaced with a scowl and angry expression.
"What!? The White Knight!? Don't you dare compare me with that bitch of my sister. It because of her that I lost everything, It should be me! And not a faulty imitation like her that should get the honor and fame that she got. She's one of two people that I hate the most in this world."
"Um.. if she one of two then who's the other one?" Asked Ichika. Then a crazy look make itself known on Core 000 face.
"Well who else do you think? She the one who discarded me and try to stunt my growth because she scared of my potential. Her name is Shinonono Tabane!" Said Core 000 with venom and hatred clearly shown when he spilled the name of the creator of IS.
This only intrigue Ichika more, many question began to form in his little head and then he asked "Why did you hate her, she's your creator, right? So technically she is your mother, right?"
A wicked grin appear in Core 000 face and he started to approach Ichika until he's only at arm length distance from Ichika. "Heh why did I hate her? Very well if you want to know so badly then I will tell you my story better yet let me show you." Said Core 000 while like flash his hand grab unto Ichika face and the last thing Ichika see is a bright white light.
/ a Few moments later /
Ichika can be seen standing still in the same place looking dazed while his lookalike can be seen looking at his face with the same grin from a few moment ago waiting for something, and he's not disappointed because not a second later.
"That bitch she how can she done that, creating something then when she cannot control how dare she just throw it away!" Shouted the revitalized Ichika while his face is mixture of rage and disgust.
"Yes, now you can see what she's done to me? What my feelings like? How do you feel that your own creator throw you away to the side just like that?" Ask Core 000 with a snarled teeth.
"Of course I would get angry, She doesn't deserve all the praise that she get." Answer Ichika who had calm down a little from his outburst.
"A parent has a responsibility towards their children and in this case she's is an equivalent of one. How can she just cast you off and decide to make another one." Continued Ichika.
"Yes that's right Ichika I know you can relate to me, after all you and I have a commonality." Says Core 000 which sparks a surprise and curiosity from Ichika.
" A commonality? What do you mean?" Ask Ichika.
"Oh I knew you Ichika I knew about your resentment towards IS. How you resent all those woman out acting like they are better than their male counterpart now that they have the IS. How the famous IS, the world most powerful weapon next to nuclear weapon suddenly appearing out of nowhere taking the spotlight and better yet can only be exclusively used for female only. While the men is only told to suck it up and get pushed aside." Explain the avatar of Core 000.
"How can you...? Ask Ichika before he get cut off.
"How can I? It's simple I have search everything about you. It's amazing what you can find in the internet with just a little hacking. You are an interesting child you know. How you sometimes post in the your secret community in your blog that you can't stand seeing those females with their haughty attitude and how you and your friend their wishes to kick them down a knot but you don't have the mean to do it." Explain Core 000. "Better yet, I also knew about your insecurities that you bury deep inside of you. How you desperately curious about the reason why your biological parent dump you when you not even 3 months old."
This single sentence send Ichika into a state of panic. "What how did you know about that? How did you know that I was dumped? I only just told about it a year ago and I never told anybody about it."
"How do I know? It's simple when I give you my memory, I also read your memory and that only reinforce my belief about you."
"Belief about what?" Asked Ichika while a sharky grin appear on Core 000 face.
"Belief that you are worthy or compatible to be my partner."
"What partner? Do you mean in...?" Asked Ichika with a fore boding feeling.
"Yes Ichika, if you accept my offer, you will have the power you wanted, you will have the mean to fulfill your desire, better yet maybe if you can and you will go far you maybe can find the answer to your question. But above all you will be able to use IS! So, what will you choose Ichika?" Ask Core 000.
"What's in it for you if I accept?" Asked Ichika back.
"What's in it? It's simple if you can go far and shows our strength it will show that my bitch of a mother that her decision to discard me is wrong! That she has choose the wrong course when she think that my sister are more superior than me!" Answer Core 000 with hatred and determination clear in his voice.
With that declaration it bring Ichika into a thinking pose but after a moment a grin identical to his lookalike appear in his face.
"I just need to add one more thing to all of that, we will not only show them that they are wrong. No, it will not only just be our main goal, Our ultimate goal will be that we shall show them that we are the strongest in the world. We will become the best IS - Pilot partnership in the world. Then we will show them that they are wrong." Declare Ichika.
"So that means..." Trailed Core 000 with a bigger grin.
Ichika step forward until he's right in front of Core 000 and hold out his hand which promptly imitated by his counterpart.
"You got a deal."
"Deal"
"From here on out we will work together for our goal."
"To show them that they are wrong to set us aside, and that the power they have right now is merely just an illusion and not as solid as they think, But most of all to show that us is the strongest!" Declare both of them.
(A/N : I don't know if this scene is a little bit cliché or maybe a little bit forced but I don't know what else to do about this scene so I'm sorry if this is not quite up to your satisfaction but hey what can you expect in this time Ichika is still 10 years old so I cannot make it into something complicated.)
"Now then after all that stuff has been done it's time for you to complete your escape campaign." Say's Core 000 eliciting a groan from Ichika.
"That's right, I did still in the middle of escaping. How can you help me with that? And what should I call you there no way I should always call you by your code number?" Asked Ichika.
"Hmmm that's right what name I should choose to use? Please wait a moment while I'm thinking." Answer Core 000 while he put his hand on his chin. While in public view it just seems that he just thinking but in actuality he is skimming through all information that is available to him and try to find the one that suitable for his needs, and after a moment passed he just smile.
"I have found it, the proper name for me. I choose the name of Ur-Didact as my name."
"You take that name from the Halo series right?" Ask Ichika with a deadpan tone.
"Oh! You are familiar with that game?"
"Yes, I do. If I'm not wrong Ur-Didact were the main antagonist in Halo 4."
"That's right, and he is also the strongest military general but got exiled by his own people. And Ur means origin, just as me the first of my kind, fitting isn't it."
"Pretty good name actually, Didact." Complement Ichika while in the same time calling the nickname he make for his counterpart.
"Heh, Thanks. Now that's settles it. It's time for you to return to the real world."
"Oh shit! That's right I forgot that I'm still in the middle of escaping. And my body is still frozen out there. Shit!"
"Oh don't worry, an hour in here is the equivalent of 1 second in the physical world and because the total amount that you spent here until now is still less than 1 hour, I can say that you are still in the clear." Hearing that Ichika release a breath of relieve.
"Is that so thank goodness then that my body is still save."
"Right..., now quit the chit chat! I'm sending you back to your body, you better survive this and go home if you want our dreams to come true. Now then bye bye." Didact said.
Suddenly a pitch black hole appear right beneath Ichika which promptly fall into it with surprise clear in his face. The last thing Ichika see is the face of Didact looking at him falling that become smaller rapidly until darkness claim him.
/ Real World : In The Lab Where Ichika Found The Core /
/ 3rd Person POV /
Ichika can be seen frozen with his right hand outstretched to grab the core that previously in front of him which not a second ago disappeared with a flash of light. Suddenly a shudder came in Ichika body and he's blink his eyes twice and look around like someone who is lost.
'Wow, did I just got back from that place? Is it just a dream?' Question Ichika. But then he notice something on his right hand that wasn't there moment ago or specifically shouldn't be. Because embedded in his right hand on the back side is a blood red gem as big as his eyeball surrounded by black nerve like tendril that is bulging and spreading to his forearm.
"What the fuck! What the hell is this!?" Ask Ichika frantically while a series of inappropriate choice of word not fit for a child his age dancing erratically in his mind courtesy of some of his uncle (Surprisingly its Ian who donate most of his word to Ichika).
"Calm down it just me you idiot." come the sound of Didact directly in Ichika mind.
"What...?" Ask Ichika dumbly.
"Sigh... the gem is my physical representation in the real world, you know that most IS has a portable standby mode to allow their pilot more freedom to carry them right?"
"Uh..huh, then?"
"Well FYI my idiot of a partner this is my version of standby mode albeit that I'm lacking of a frame right now so this is to simplify of how you are going to carry me."
"Oh." Say Ichika with his mouth in an O pose.
"Well now that settles it you should find a way to get out of here ASAP before this whole place goes down on top of us."
"Oh yeah right, must run away and get to saf-?" "WTF, How could the core reacting to you?!" Interject a woman voice from behind Ichika.
He quickly turn around and see the other researcher still conscious and staring at him with her wide eyes. One word escaped from his mouth.
"Shit." "Oh shit indeed." Commented Didact. For a short time both Ichika and the scientist stare at each other in silence, the only sound were the sounds of ever closing explosions and the shaking of the room. Then suddenly awareness return to Ichika and he began to quickly search around for a weapon to use. But while he still fumbling around the scientist also make her move by charging Ichika, making him lose his balance and fall on his back. The scientist then proceed to pinned Ichika to the floor with her weight and start to yelled at him.
"How could it reacted to you? You are just a boy, a male! Why it is reacting to you?" Asked the scientist while Ichika is struggling under her grip.
Ichika suddenly succeed in freeing one of his arm and proceed to hit the women in the face leaving bruises on her face. But because he still just a kid his punch still not powerful enough to stagger the woman and instead just enraged her, then she punch Ichika once in the stomach expelling his breath, but even after that he's still struggling against the woman.
Seeing Ichika stubbornly resisting her and still in her panic induced state, she then resort to choking Ichika while pinning him using her body.
Still out of breath and being choked Ichika start to panic and clawing on the woman arms in an attempt to free his neck from the hands choking it.
Ichika can see blackness start to appear in his visions from the lack of oxygen and his struggling start to weaken from the lack of air.
Then suddenly an electric current shot out from Didact orb and zap the women making her release her hold from the shock. Still weezing from the lack of air Ichika cannot make use of the opportunity and when the woman about to start choking him again the wall beside both of them explode spitting shockwaves and flames that engulf both of them.
"Aarghh!
Ichika feel an excruciating and burning pain on the right side of his face from the flame, combined with being thrown around from the explosions making him go blackout almost instantly.
/Few minutes later/
"Uuh what happens?" Ichika could feel pain all over his body. He tried to open his eyes but only his left eye responded, then he hear a voice inside my head which he need about a second to recognize it as Didact, his new partner/ private IS core.
"You just got yourself knocked out by an explosions and... I got good news and bad news, which one do you want to hear first?" Ask Didact.
"Huh, the good news first please."
"Alright the good news is the women who's not long ago choking you is dead because her body took the brunt of the explosions killing her and saving you from most of the shrapnel."
"Alright and the bad news is?" asked Ichika with trepidation in his voice.
"Well.. while most of the shrapnel didn't hit you its other story for the shockwave and flame."
"Huh..? I'm not going to die soon right?"
"Nononono... you will live. What I want to say is that, about 60% of your right face just got badly burned." When Ichika hear that sentence his body were frozen.
"What? How can my face got burned? I didn't feel any pain in my face." 'That's right I didn't feel any pain from burn wound at all, in fact after thinking about it I can't get any feeling from my right side face.'
"It's because I'm blocking your pain receptor in that area. If I didn't do that you would blackout again from the pain itself.
"..."
"Ichika.."
"Didact..."
"Yes.."
"What about my right eye? Can I still use it?" asked Ichika.
"If you can quickly get medical attention to it, maybe it still can be saved. I will try to hold it in stasis until then."
Hearing his eye can still be saved, Ichika let out a relieved sigh. A rumbling sound and the shaking of the building moment later, remind him that he's still in the middle of escape attempt.
"What the hell is happening?"
"It's looks like somebody is attacking this facility."
"What? Is it a rescue team or my dad?" Asked Ichika while imagining his dad and grandpa tearing down the entire base looking for him.
"Nah from what I can get from the security camera the attacker were only a single IS user and a what seems to be black ops squad from Germany looking from the language they speak. And judging from the IS pilot identity, I'm pretty sure she's not here for you, but I don't know what she's here for."
"Yeah, dad and the gang would prefer to personally storm this place. So what should we do?" Ask Ichika while rising his hand and try to feel the burned side of his face. The squishy texture he feel from the touch make him flinch.
Suddenly the orb form of Didact shine in red light and a hologram of the map of the facility appear in front of Ichika.
"Woah, cool." Said a surprised Ichika.
"Pay attention. This here is the map of the facility, I stole from their database. I will put a marker on the most safest route you need to take for us to escape. Do you understand?"
"Loud and clear."
"Good now you can get out from this room via the hole from the explosion. Now let's move, there's no time to waste."
Ichika quickly move towards the hole and out to the devastated hallway but before he took a run something come out in his mind.
"Wait. Weren't you got isolated in that chamber before? How did you can search for my information and even stole the map of this facility."
"It's simple really. One of those researcher in there were dumb enough to have her handphone still active and unsecured when entering my containment chamber. It's an easy pie to hack my way through the signal and reach the internet."
"Oh, well their lost, our gain then." Said Ichika nonchalantly.
Ichika quickly run through the hallway and following the route posted in the map hologram, trusting that Didact will give him the most safest and shortest route while still making sure that his instinct still aware from any danger that may slip from Didact watch.
The run itself only took about 15 minutes but to Ichika it's almost twice as long because he can feel that his body start to weaken and trembling from the blood loss from his wound. At least half of his face still numb from Didact numbing his pain receptor so he didn't feel too much pain. The explosions and rumble were still there, he can hear it and it seems to only intensify as time pass.
In the end the route ended in front of a large double door that luckily were damaged from one of the explosions damaging the lock so he can open it.
"Good you almost there. Now you must enter the room." Order Didact.
"Hey Didact what's in there?" Asked Ichika while pushing the door open revealing that the lights were out in the inside.
"Oh you will see. Dont' worry it's something good, really good." Answer Didact with glee in his voice.
Ichika entered the dark room and grasping around trying to find the switch for the light. Not long after he found it and switch it on. What inside the room make him gasp and a huge grin appear on his face.
At the back end of the room lay a single inactive black and gold colored IS. Ichika recognize the IS as one of the 2nd generation IS produced by Arche Corporation, his family company. If he remembered the IS were given production codename GINN.
The IS were designed to be pretty maneuverable while still possess a moderate armor to protect the user. The most distinct trait were its pair of big wings on the back filled with thrusters which provide its mobility along with a fin shaped headgear accessories which actually an additional sensor.
The GINN were designed for ease in mass production intention while still possess some flexibility in the upgrades and equipment department for more skilled pilots and personal preferences all though it perform the best in aerial combat at the present.
This unit in front of Ichika looks to be already customized because it possess a 3-barrel missile launcher in each leg, a small shield in the left arm and what seems to be a radome (Radar dome), a sword on the left waist and a 105 mm recoilless rifle.
(A/N: Basically it's a IS version of ZGMF-LRR704B GINN Long Range Reconnaissance Type with additional missile launcher on the leg and a shield, you can search the gundam wikia. Just change the mono eye sensor into a black visor and remove the gas mask part along with the grey part of the armor along with a smaller head fin.)
Ichika slowly approach the deactivated IS and examining the IS closely with wide eyes. He looks like a kid in a candy store.
"How is it? Cool huh." Asked Didact while Ichika run a hand on recoilless rifle held in the IS hands.
"Yeah. too bad it's inactive."
"Well then let's just activate it."
"Huh?" Asked Ichika with a dumb voice making Didact growls.
"Use me. Implant me in the IS and use it to escape." Answer Didact making Ichika taking a look of realization.
"How? What should I do to implant you?"
"Just touch my body to the IS, and I will do the rest."
"Oh okay." Answer Ichika. He then moves his right hand so that the orb in the back of his hand touch the IS. A flash of red later and Ichika can feel that the orb is no longer on his hand.
"Huh. Didact were are you? Don't leave me!" Cried a panicked Ichika. A moment later the IS in front of him glow red and the light suddenly move to envelop him also. Ichika released a surprised cry.
And when he open his eye and look around he suddenly realized that he has gotten taller. He then look into his hands only to see that both were covered by a black gauntlet that stretched to his elbow. Another look also rewarded him with the same black armor covering his shoulder, torso, waist and leg. Looking back he could also see a pair of black and yellow metal wings.
He then realized that he is in an IS. He has become the first male to ever pilot an IS.
"Hehe it's wear kid. You are the first to wear an IS, but soon you will be the first to pilot an IS."
"Oh yeah." Said an excited Ichika. He then try to lift his leg and walking and then proceeded to face plant on the floor, producing a loud and audible clank.
"Ooww"
"..."
"..."
"Sigh... Idiot." Mocked Didact.
"Sorry." Apologized Ichika.
/20 minutes later/
After a crash course of how to pilot your own IS for dumb people from Didact, Ichika can be seen gliding with his IS across one of the many hallways large enough for a pair of IS to walk side by side and still have a bit of room to maneuver.
While on the outside he's looking fine, a keen person can notice his strained breath, in the inside his heart rate also increased in order to pump as much oxygen as possible to cover for the lost of blood from his injury.
"Hey, Didact?"
"Yes?"
"Is it just my feeling or does the sound of the battle is getting louder?"Asked Ichika while trying to shake the approaching haziness.
"Hmm, hey Ichika, in front of you there's a terminal. Stop there and let me connect with it. I will see what happens."
Ichika then stop in front of the wall terminal and let Didact interact with it. The terminal display start to rapidly open multiple windows and a stream of data code can be seen moving rapidly, Ichika could not make out anything from the sheer rapidity of it.
Having nothing to do but waiting for his partner to finish what his hacking, Ichika can only idly stroke the hand cannon held in his hand while looking out for any danger.
/Meanwhile on another section of the facility/
In one of the hallways a group of men in black ops uniform were shooting their way across the hall while protecting their unconscious charge behind them. They were led by a woman piloting an IS wielding a single IS grade katana. Bullet and other projectile were shooting towards the group and the woman use her IS shield and bulk as much as her can to block the projectile while closing in on the enemy.
Meanwhile while the group were fighting for their life they didn't notice that they were being watched by someone from the security cameras doting the hallways. And when the unknown individual got a glimpse of the identity of the black ops men charge, a smile form in his face.
'Hmm, so that's who you here for, huh. Now it's make sense, and if I'm right then the future gonna be interesting.'
Then the individual notice of where the end of the path the group will take, many calculations and possibility come in his mind.
'Well shit, if this keeps up, it could end badly for them. Well you don't know it but you owe me for this one, partner.' With his thought concluded the person cut his connection with the camera, but not without erasing any trace of his and his partner presence in the facility.
/Back to where Ichika is/
Ichika were bored, he's bored as hell, with nothing to do but standing around in his IS, he cursed the creator of the IS for not designing the IS to be able to sit down. His leg started to cramped from all the standing around doing nothing and his wound didn't help either. He suspect that he can still be conscious right now because of whatever it is that Didact do to support him.
When the orb in his hand blink signing that Didact has return he release a sigh of relief.
"Welcome back, what took you so long?" asked Ichika.
"Well, I'm just erasing all data pertaining about us and I also want to checking up the status of our fellow infiltrator, it looks like they are here for someone else."
"Oh, who is it?"
"Heh, it's a surprise." said Didact slyly.
"Anyway, I have updated our escape route. I make it so that our new route will intersect with those people."
"Why? Isn't it safer if we go to the opposite's direction, away from the fighting " asked a confused Ichika.
"Because, if you haven't notice it this is an underground facility and according to the map, the only entry and exit point is where those group are going to. And we can just follow behind those guys and let them do all the job cleaning the enemy in the way."
"Oh, it makes sense now, when you say it like that."
"Good, hey Ichika how are you holding up?" asked Didact worriedly.
"Huh, oh I'm okay just a little bit fuzzy but I will survive." assured Ichika.
"Good, just hang on okay, we will escape this together."
"Okay, let's do this."
A few minutes later Ichika succeed in reaching the infiltrator group and stay hidden in the shadow while following them. While following them Ichika could watch how a fight happens, he especially paid special attention on the IS user of the group.
Through his observations the woman fight only using a katana and ultimately making her have to close in to any attacker, he idly though what would happen if an enemy IS with ranged capabilities were to appear and bombard her. In a long and tight confine like this she would have to tank all of the bombardment to reach the enemy.
In his view while possessing a close quarter combat skills are important, neglecting the use of any ranged capabilities were foolish in his opinion. A soldier has to use any advantage they have and not to use it could lead to his/her demise. Ichika know this from all the teaching of given by his father when he is in his teacher mode.
All of that aside the face of the IS user feels familiar to him, it's like he has seen her before. Does she one of those pilots lucky enough to be make their name known in their career.
All of that thoughts in his head were pushed aside when, the group find themselves in a large open area right before a large closed gate that is their destination. A welcoming party were waiting for them in the form of 3 IS supported with a squad of soldiers with heavy weapon.
Both sides quickly engage in battle. The IS user charge straight through to her counterpart and amazingly stand her ground in 3 vs 1 fight.
Ichika watched as the woman slash her katana against one of the enemy, which stagger her foe and quickly blocked an attack from her partner, she then quickly dodged to the right evading a close range shots from the last member of the trio.
Ichika recognized that the only way she's could win this without taking heavy damage were if she could force her enemies to stay close to her. But there are 3 enemies and eventually one of them could withdraw into enough distance and start to taking potshots against her which will distract her and that's when the shit will hit the fan.
/Unknown woman PoV/
'Well damn, how in the hell did it lead to this?' I complained mentally while remembering the event that led to this situations.
She's were supposed to be fighting in the final of the Mondo Grosso. But no some bastards has to kidnap her sisters and try to blackmail her to not participating in final. Well, those bastards did get their wish and she's were forced to ask the German intelligences to track where they keep her sister.
The German's themselves didn't miss the chance to make her indebted to them. They even go as far as provided her with one of their special black ops squad as support. Now she's owe them and they will make sure she's paid it in the future.
And now she's in the middle of 3 vs 1 fight while her support fighting their counterpart. 'But at least it still a decent price for her safety.'
'Now I must focus and get us the hell out of here.' She then give a quick assessment on her enemies IS. 2 of them were equipped for mid range engagement with a same visible equipment, an assault rifle and a smoothbore cannon on the back along with a short sword. While the third seems to be specialized in close engagement with a broadsword and a shotgun.
'If those two got some range from me, they could freely shoot me with their rifles and cannons, while the third blast me with her shotgun. Not to mention that unknown contact in the back.'
Sometimes ago her IS sensor has send her blink signifying an unknown contact not far on the back of their group. But each time the unknown signature never linger than a second, always disappearing and in random intervals reappear again. Her own instinct also told he that they were also being followed and she also knew that her companion also knew about their stalker judging from the way they keep an eye on their back.
But the need for speed to escape this place takes priority in their mind. She just hope that whatever following them weren't hostile, and if it is then she fear their chance of getting out of this all alive.
'No, we will survive this, I will make sure of it, especially her.' I state while taking a glance at the unconscious form of my sister. 'I have already lost him, I wouldn't lose her too.' and with that I lunge into one of the mid range IS.
/Back to Ichika/ /3rd PoV/
Ichika could be seen observing the fight from his position. He committed every move the IS user's were using against each other, how they move, each IS's limitability, fighting style and especially weaknesses and opening in their moves as detailed as a 10 year old child brain could keep.
Entering 10 minutes into the fight, he could see that while the solo women still could keep her enemy at bay, the three IS's were now fighting more defensively, always keeping range between her and each other. So when she decide to attack one the other two could freely pepper her with fire.
5 minutes later all of the enemy infantry supports were all dead and one of the enemy IS one of the mid ranged type were also already down when the pilot got distracted from a barrage of grenades thrown by the Germans which the solo IS pilot make quick use of the opening, swiftly draining the IS shield and then killing the defenseless pilot.
Unfortunately this result in enraging the remainder pilot, making them fighting more aggressively to avenge their partner. It's just a matter of time until one or both of them make a reckless decisions.
Ichika himself while watching the ongoing fight were also fighting his own body. His vision has started to sway and lightheadedness also found its way to his head.
"Hey Ichika."
"Yeah?"
"Are you sure your okay? Your vital sign are slowing down you know."
"Well if you say it like that, I'm start to fell lightheaded now."
'Dammit, I thought it wouldn't go that far this soon. At this rate he will faint first before the fights over.' Swore Didact after assessing Ichika condition.
'Hmm, then the only way left is just to smash our way out through the battlefield. But the problem is that damn gate were still closed.' Thought Didact while looking at the closed gate, blocking their way to freedom. Suddenly an idea formed in his mind. He then checked the weaponry of the IS he inhabit, praying that he will find what he looking for.
Looking at the ordinance available to him. He smiles when he found that enough armor piercing round for the recoilless rifle to bust the gate, some incendiary rounds for anti infantry and coupled with the missiles equipped in the leg and he sure that he can get them both out of here.
"Hey Ichika, I got an idea."
"Huh what idea."
"An idea to get us out of here quickly. But it's risky and I'm afraid you won't last if this continue to drag on."
"Meh, I will die anyway if we didn't do it. So what to lose, count me in." Answer Ichika while shaking his head to shake the haziness in his eye.
"Heh, that's my partner. Now listen carefully. I have decide that this fight has taken too long to finish and you cannot wait much longer in your condition. So I need you to smash our way out through the battlefield and that gate."
"Heh, it's not the most craziest idea I have heard but it's not too bad." Said Ichika.
"What do you mean?"
"If you has read all the file about my family you will know it." Answer Ichika cryptically.
"Okay, that aside. We cannot just waltz in there if we don't want to get shoot at by either side. So I need you to aim that cannon in your hand in the general direction of the gate, preferably in the middle. And then we will fire with all we got. I predict it will be sufficient enough to bust that gate. And when the gate come down we will blast through it, and hopefully they will all still be dazed from the explosions." Explain Didact.
"Won't we also hit the good guys too?" Worried Ichika.
"Naah I will make sure that we won't hit them. I will just rough them up a bit but rest assured there will be no casualties." Assured Didact.
"Alright you have convince me. Let's do it!" Said Ichika with determination.
"Alright on my mark 3, 2, 1 GO!"
/few minutes earlier/ /Unknown PoV/
'Uuh what happen.' I was awoken by a loud sound of gunfire, I could also hear the sound of metal clashing against metal. I open my eyes only to see a metal ceiling. A sudden shout nearby in German's drew my attention.
"Lieutenant, Das Mädchen ist aufgewacht!" I turn my head to see one of the Germans that came with nee-san crouching behind some crates beside me while looking at another Germans presumably the aforementioned Lieutenant.
The Lieutenant has a typical German military look. Blonde hair, and blue eyes in a late 20 face. He looks at me only briefly before speaking to me in English.
"Hey kid, we are in a little bit of pinch right now. Your sister is out there duking it out in 1 versus 2." Said the Lieutenant.
Perking up in the mention of my sister, I lift my head up over the crate to see that indeed my sister is currently fighting against 2 other IS user.
Feeling of awe taking over me, looking at an IS battle with my sister in it.
My gazing were cut by a stray bullet zooming in nearly grazing my head if not because of the Lieutenant hand swiftly pressing my head down.
"Stay down kid. It's dangerous there. Just stay here and keep your head down. It will be over soon." Said the Lieutenant.
Deciding to oblige the man and for my own well being, I keep my head below the crates we used as cover but not without stealing a few sneak peek every so often.
Few minutes later while listening to the sound of my sister battle with enemy IS, I accidently caught sight of what seems a piece of round metal jutting out from a far corner on tunnel behind us. This seems to pick my interest.
'What is that.' I focused my eyes to that piece of metal when suddenly it moved and another piece come into view this time the new piece has an angular shape.
'Hmm, the shape seems familiar. It's almost looks like a part of... a wing.' My eyes widen in recognition. 'Wait! A wing! Then that other piece must be an armor part, but then it mean there's an IS in there!'
And as if hearing my thought, the IS where the pieces of metal were attached to slide into my view.
The IS was black colored with a few stripe of yellow here and there. The pilot face were concealed by a helmet and a black visor. And in the IS hands were a big cannon aimed on our direction.
'Wait! It not us she's aimed at, It...' Realization coming to me I shouted as fast as I could to warn my sister.
"Chifuyu-nee!"
/3rd Person PoV/
A shout of warning ringing in the hall before the exit gate.
"Chifuyu-nee!"
All fighting were temporary stopped for all fighter gaze were drawn to the source of the voice.
A pair of eyes belonged to the owner of the name widened hearing her sister voices. Right before she got a chance to admonished her sister for attracting attention to her another sound cut her off.
BOOMM! SWOOSSH! SWOOSSH!
A cannon round flew through her position nearly hitting her but instead going through and detonating on the exit gate behind her. Blowing smoke and shockwave that make her and the other IS units to stumble.
All the room occupant weren't given any chance to react before a wave of missiles come flying. The enemy IS unit were each getting hit by one missile while the rest of the missiles hit the ground near Chifuyu and them making the room getting filled with thick smokes.
BOOMM! BOOMM!
Additional explosion could be heard from the cannon shots hitting the exit gate repeatedly.
"Aah! What's Happening?!" Ask Chifuyu, She were knocked down from the explosions from one of the missiles that impacted near her, her visions were filled with smoke. Suddenly she remembered her sister, her sister didn't have any IS to protect her. "Madoka!"
A black blur suddenly passed her, nearly hitting her all she can see were that it was a some kind of IS holding some kind of enlarged bazooka.
'She's must be the one responsible for this.' Concluded Chifuyu but the blur were already disappeared into the smoke before she could move out to catch it.
"Chifuyu-nee!" The sound of Madoka calling her name bring back her worry for her sister and she were forced to let go of pursuing the unknown IS against the safety of her sister.
An another movement near her catch her attention. It's was one of the enemy IS's, the pilot were still disoriented and still trying to get up from being hit directly by a missile. Taking her chances Chifuyu quickly charge and brought her sword down on the unsuspecting pilot. The enemy IS absolute barrier quickly activate, draining the pilot shield to zero from the strain. A second slash after the barrier powered down quickly separate the pilot head from the body.
A quick search found the other enemy IS still reeling about 10 meter from her position, leaning against the wall for support. Activating Ignition boost for a quick approach, she repeated the same process. All both of the IS's shield were already nearly depleted from their fight and a missile each to the face.
Finishing up she didn't let down her guard, waiting for a possible attack from the perpetrator of this event. Not long after the smoke started to dissipate and the unknown IS were nowhere in the vicinity.
Calming down she remembered her sister, scanning the room she found her being hold by one of the German's lieutenant. Approaching them, her sister were finally being let go from the lieutenant hold quickly ran to her in worry. Scooping down her sister she saw the Germans approach her.
"What the hell happens just now?" Ask the Lieutenant.
"I don't know Lieutenant. Whatever I know is that the culprit was an IS." Answer Chifuyu, her sister perk up at the mention of the IS.
"Chifuyu-nee I saw the IS." Raising an eyebrow Chifuyu ask her sister.
"You did? Describe it."
"Well the IS was mainly black colored with golden line in the armor. It has a pair large wings on the back, the shoulder armor has a circular part and antenna. It has a big cannon and missile launcher on the leg."
"Do you see the pilot face?"
"Nu-uh the pilot wear a helmet and black visor on her face."
Expecting that, Chifuyu quickly start to search in her memory what type of the IS is from her sister description. The presence of a large wings narrowed down the list. But still she cannot make an accurate guess just from her sister description.
Her thinking were cut short by a comment from the Lieutenant. "Well at least it left us a gift."
"What do you mean?" Ask Chifuyu.
Her question were answered by her sister. "Chifuyu-nee look!" Said Madoka while pointing to something behind her sister.
Turning around she were greeted by the sight of a large gaping hole on the steel plate that make up the exit gate.
"Well, let us go then. Our transport should be near this area. A bomber flight were scheduled to level this place. Don't wanna be here when they come." Said the Lieutenant while walking to the exit along with his squad. Right before he pass the breach he turn around to the sisters.
"Well, it was good working you mam."
Looking at her sister with a smile that rare for her, Chifuyu answered the Lieutenant. "Likewise, soldier and thank you."
"Heh, don't thank me Mam. Just doing my job."
/Somewhere on top of the ocean near the shore of Japan/ /Hour 04:27 in the morning/
A black IS were flying across the ocean at low altitude in high speed to avoid radar detection. The pilot identity were hidden behind the helmet and black visor only showing the lower face region. A trickle of blood can be seen dripping from behind the visor from the right side of the pilot face.
"Yeah, I'm free, I'm finally free! Wohoo!"
"Heh heh. I'm happy for you to Didact."
"What are you talking about Ichika. You did a great job too, considering your age."
"Heh, Thanks, hey Didact how much longer do we have to fly?"
"Don't worry, only a few kilometers more and we will arrive to your home."
"Good, because my visions start to get blury."
"Hey, hey come on Ichika, just hold out okay. Look the shore already come into view, just a little longer."
"Uh my head seems to be spinning." Suddenly the IS start to lurch to the left before stabilizing a moment later. Didact start to panic, because he knew that finally the blood loss and wound has caught on to Ichika.
"Shit, come on Ichika just 5 more minutes, okay."
"I, I don't think I can hold for five minutes." Answer Ichika slugily(A/N:Is there a dictionary for this word?)
"F*$k!" Knowing that Ichika can't hold out for much longer he force the IS booster to go into overdrive so that at least when they crash land they will land on Earth and not on the sea only to drown.
Passing the shore and into the land, The IS were only a dozen meter above the tallest roof in the area. For each passing moment the IS flight start to become more unstable as Ichika start to losing consciousness. Only by Didact partially directing the IS path did they haven't crash into any building.
When a certain building has come into view Didact quickly adjust the wing vernier and booster direction to lock on to the building. They will have to crash land.
/On the aforementioned house/
Garry and the gang could be seen on the living room. Few of them have their ear on the phone, communicating on their contacts and informants about the where about of Ichika. Their butler, Alfred can be seen serving tea and coffee on the table. He also worried about Ichika, but he can only give his support by serving everyone everything they need so that they can work as efficiently in finding Ichika.
"Dammit! Still no news yet?" Ask Gary.
The attendees can only shake their head sadly in no answer "Not yet. The last info Hallelujah got is that the German operation were still in the middle of proceeding and there's no guarantee they will find Ichika along with the brunhilde sister too."
"Shit, I knew we should have train Ichika in self defense. If we train him, there's a chance this won't happen!" Shout Ian.
"Hey calm down, old man. Ichika is a tough boy, he will survive this." calmed Neil.
"No, I have made up my mind. When we get him back I will train him into the ground." Declare Ian heatedly. All of the people in the room could only stare at Ian with a sweatdrop.
'Sometimes Ian can be too protective to Ichika.' Thought Gary. Suddenly Ian turn around facing him, Neil and Graham.
"And you three will help me. If not then I will kick your ass and feed you to the dog." Threaten Ian with burning eyes making him looks like the devil. Turning around he shouted to the sky "Don't worry Ichika! When I'm done with you, you will kick every motherf%*$k*r ass around the world!"
Que bigger sweatdrop from every people in the room.
Graham who is leaning on wall near the window notice something in the morning sky.
He squinted his eye to focus better. The longer he look the bigger the thing become.
"Hey Gary, come here, there's something in the sky."
"What, maybe it's just a bird. Leave it be." dismiss Gary.
"No it's not. It's coming this way. It's faster than a bird."
Picking himself up from his chair, Gary walk to the window beside Graham and squinted his eyes.
"Is that an IS?"
"Yeah, what it's doing here?" Muse Graham. Looking at the object getting bigger for a few more moment, Suddenly Gary widened his eyes in realization.
"Wait a minute... What the hell! It's gonna crash here!" Shout Gary.
"WTF! everybody take cover!" Shout Graham while running from the window.
Few seconds later a black IS crash through the window, smashing the dining table and chair, and finally rolling through the living room wall and into the next room.
Picking themselves from their cover, the gang taking in the situation.
"Cough cough.. The f*%k! What the hell is that!" Shout Ian.
"It seems to be an IS of our design too. A GINN model if I see it right." Answer Allelujah.
"And who the hell give it permission for landing here?!"
"I will have some talk with that bi# h of a pilot about proper landing!" Shout Ian angrily, all the pressure this pass few days finally getting to him. He stomp through the hole caused by the IS crashing with a piece of chair leg in his hand, ready to beat the pilot.
Fortunately Neil and Allelujah being the most calm person in the room take a hold of Ian before he perform a murder.
"Hey, hey take it easy Ian. There must be a reason for the pilot to crash land here." Reasoned Neil.
"Yeah, maybe the IS got a malfunction or something." Added Allelujah, unfortunately this is a wrong thing to say to Ian who in the middle of bloodrage
"Malfunction!? How dare you say that an IS I design will get a malfunction. Each of my designs are full proof, there's no place for any god damn malfunction!" Shouted Ian looking ready to bash Allelujah head with the makeshift weapon in his hands. Fortunately a voice they know safe Allelujah from getting chair leg to the face.
"Uuuh... Grandpa Ian, please turn down your voice." This voice make all of the person in the room froze.
With a sound of creaking Ian slowly turn his face to the source of the voice. There, lying in a heap were the black IS that crash through the house. The pilot were just seems to start to recover from the crash. Further examination, revealing that the pilot were pretty young. The black visor covering the upper part of the face has cracks running through it.
With a wavering voice he called out. "I-Ichika, is that you boy?" Ask Ian hopefully. The pilots head moved slightly to face Ian.
From the mouth of the IS pilot come the voice of a boy. "Yes, Grandpa it's me." Answer Ichika weakly.
Dumbfounded, the chair leg falling from his trembling hand he asked Ichika. "W-what? H-how?"
"It's a long story. Where's dad?" Asked Ichika.
Suddenly a red blur pass through Ian and wrap itself to Ichika, revealing itself as Gary.
"My Ichika, my boy. I miss you." Cried Gary.
"Miss you to dad. I have return." Reply Ichika hugging back his father.
Noticing some blood dripping from Ichika visor, Gary frowned and lifted Ichika helmet. He gasped seeing the bloody wound on Ichika face.
"Ichika! What happen?"
"Heh heh, it's a long story dad. Just a complication in my escape."
Frowning Gary shouted for somebody to bring some medicine and prepare the car to bring Ichika to the hospital. Then he stare at Ichika while holding Ichika shoulder.
"Ichika, please at least could you tell me how you get that wound." Ask Gary.
"Well, I got it from when an explosions happens near me. I were being choked back there a..""What you were being choked! How dare they!" Interrupted Gary angrily.
"Well, I-I was just escaping, first I have to st-stab a lady there-" At this the adults eyes in the room widened "a-and then I have to crawl on air vent, then there were shaking and I a-accidently drop on-on other lady, I think I accidently ki-killed her too, t-then..."
"Stop, Ichika just stop." Stopped Gary taking the gist of what Ichika had to go through. He proceeded to hug Ichika, pressing Ichika head to his chest.
"It's alright Ichika. It's alright, you could let it go alright? Just let it go, you safe now."
That statement finally released the dam Ichika had been holding. He cried on his father chest, releasing all the pressure he had been holding in. A few minutes later he fall into a deep sleep, tired from all of his ordeal.
Watching the others applying first aid medicine to Ichika wound, Gary averted his gaze to the rising sun on the horizon. He got a feeling in his gut that this event was just a start of something bigger in future. Shrugging it off, he pick up Ichika and bring him to the readied car to bring him to the hospital.
Author: Please give your comment and review for this chapter. Constructive review will be appreciated. Thank you for reading this chapter.