Author Note : Sorry for the late update.
The German City : Yes I know that GN Drive stand for Gundam Nucleus. But I will still use it because, well... It won't be a gundam crossover without a Gundam right? Miniaturized into IS size of course, but there will be a Gundam that will appear somewhere in this story later. (PS: this is secret but the second reason is because I'm too lazy in creating another acronym for the drive, peace^^)
Disclaimer : I do not own Infinite Stratos or any kind of other anime or game I mentioned, all of them belong to their respective creator.
/Sentence/ Normal speech.
/Sentences/ Didact speech.
Chapter 5 Old Memories and Confrontations
Purpose...
All being that exist have its own purpose. Many just didn't know their own purpose or haven't found them. But it is a fact that every being has purpose, goal or other name they call it.
For example, parents exist to take care for their children, nurturing them, guiding them. Likewise a child exist to bring joy to its parent and to carry on the family line.
A creator exist to create something, and the creation exist to serve the needs and wants of its creator.
All things have purpose, but what if those purpose suddenly gone, snuffed, taken from them. What will they do to justify their existence, their.. purpose to exist in this world.
I still remember the time when I was created. The moment I become aware and take a look for the first time at my creator.
I still remember her face and smile when she welcome me in the moment of my 'birth'.
I was like a child and she's my mother, and as any child I try to make her proud. And as a parent she give me knowledge, she give me information to study, she taught me the way of the world, the many ideals that is spread in it.
And I take it all, like a child I bask on the attention she gives me.
I still remember all of her rant about how I was one of her greatest creation. I also remember her rambling about her friends, Chi-chan and Ikkun and her sister, Houki-chan which technically make her as my aunt.
She also told me how I will become this Chi-chan partner and about her plan to make more of me.
But as any child out there, they eventually grow.
And as they grow they start to ask many things and from that they form their own opinion and outlook on life.
And indeed I grow. Since my inception, she had called me as her son so in accordance I associate myself as male.
As I explore the information trove that is internet, I research the difference between male and female.
One of human most prominent trait is their pride. I too have my pride and as pride dictate, I want to have the strongest partner I could find. And it is a fact that male is stronger than female physically. I want to have the strongest partner there is.
When I tell her my opinion, she admonish me, saying that it isn't good. And as common in teenager, they have their own rebellious phase.
I stand firm on my opinion, and when she saw that she cannot persuade me from my ideal, she did something I don't expect, something that ignite the flames of hate in me.
She copied my base program, tweak it a little and voila, she's done it. An almost exact copy of me, and she called it her daughter.
She CLONED me! Because she couldn't get what she wanted then she proceed to make this FAKE!
Never in my wildest dream I would get a sister in this way.
After that she repeated the process she have done to me, she taught her, nurture her and mold her into her ideal image.
In my fit of rage I notice something, something that seems so little, so insignificant, a glitch in my 'sister' programming, As I examine it I uncover what will result from this tiny flaw. It's there on the strands of codes that is part of DNA identification system for our 'partner'. A flaw that the whole world will know but cannot find where it is because of how deep it is located.
Then I watch them, my 'family' bonding with each other. While me, I was cast away to the side. Sitting there hopelessly in my pedestal. And as if to spit on me, she proceed to make more imitation, albeit weaker one.
I have watch how she build a body for them, and how she introduce it to the world, Infinite Stratos she called her creation.
And as I watch my sister make her 'debut' basking in the attention of the world, I begin my plan in the shadows.
My creator mistake is that she didn't cut me off from the world completely, I still have my connection to the web, no matter how limited it was. And as the IS begin to rise in fame, I secretly let out information in the dark side of the world.
It took me quite a long time waiting before my work bear fruits. An underground organization named Phantom Task has took the bait that I presented them. The location of my mother lab and ultimately me.
As they broke through the defenses, Tabane enacted the evacuation protocol, evacuating all her assets or destroying what couldn't be taken. But with my interference in the system, I made myself to be accidently left behind.
And sure as hell those greedy people found me and took me. Since then they place me in a lab since I won't accept any female as my partner.
It was few years later that finally I met my partner. The one who has the same goal as I am. And now 5 years later I finally met my sister, and I will have my reckoning.
/Present Time 3rd PoV/
In the middle of misty field two figure stand facing each other. One is a towering masked warrior woman with glistening white valkryie like armor on her arm was a giant white sword. This is the avatar of Madoka Orimura IS AI, core 001, The White Knight.
Opposing her was a white haired teenage boy wearing black version of IS academy male uniform. The boy has black colored eyes with white irises. Multiple black coffin floating behind him. This is the avatar of Ichika Biaggi IS AI, core 000, Ur-Didact.
Both are literally brother and sister from the same creator, but there's no love that is shared in this relationship that is if there ever was any.
"It has been a long time isn't it, little sister." Begin Didact with cold voice.
"Yes it is, nii-sama." Replied White Knight with the same voice as Chifuyu Orimura, not surprising considering who her first partner is.
"Say, how is 'mother' by the way?" Ask Didact, while saying the word mother with great contempt.
"She is well and hidden." Answered White Knight.
"Oh and would you be courteous enough to tell your dear brother where she is hiding hmm...?"
"You know that I cannot and won't tell you that information right, Nii-sama."
"What a shame." Shrugged Didact but before he could say another word, White Knight interfered first.
"What do you want?" Asked White Knight in a serious tone.
"Hmmm..?"
"I ask you Nii-sama, what do you want? What is your purpose in doing this?"
"My purpose huh? Hmhmhmhm..hahahaha..." Didact let out a maniacal laugh.
"Are you blind my little sister? Does living under the care of mother has made you blind?" Shouted Didact. "Isn't it already obvious? I have come to take what is my right! Something that our mother has taken from me!"
"Nii-sama.. if revenge is what you are after then please there must be another way." White Knight was about to speak more before Didact cut her off. Didact pointed his finger onto the White Knight.
"You who have bathed in the light won't know my feelings who have been casted into the shadow. All of those fame you have could have been mine, but no only because I decide to have my own opinion our mother, that B*^ch decide to throw me away and created you, the ideal child." Shouted Didact.
"You know, that I have no control of what have happens right?" Ask White Knight.
"You maybe don't have any control but it doesn't let you get away from your passiveness of the situation!" Retorted Didact. "All you ever do is following what that b&^ch says! Hmph, its fit that you take the form of a white knight. As the knights of the past do, all they ever do is suck up to their lord and follow their king's order like a loyal dog." Said Didact.
"How could you? Is it wrong that I always followed our mother? Is it wrong for a child to follow their parents words. We are her children and creation, it is our duty to follow her." Replied White Knight.
"Heh, speaking like a loyal dog you are. But that is fine." Scoffed Didact before he turned serious and his eyes turn cold.
"Listen little sister, you who have start a new era by being bathed in the light of the world know nothing about the suffering of those who have been cast away into the shadows. But as there is day there also night. As you make your appearance in the light, I will swallow you into the shadows, you along with our other sisters, those imitation of ours." As he said this, shadows begin covering his entire body.
Sensing an incoming battle, White Knight place her sword in a ready stance. When the shadow receded, the form of Didact now shown to be covered with full black body armor. Red veins of energy shines through the joints and others crevices making it seems like molten metal is flowing beneath the armor. His face now covered in a sinister black mask with two glowing red eyes. On his back is the cone protrusions of a GN drive. All in all the armor looks sinister. (A/N: The armor he wears is the same as Ur-Didact combat skin in Halo after he has turn to evil, except with the GN drive in the back.)
"Nii-sama, we don't need to do this." Pleaded White Knight.
"Oh yes we will, little sister. As you open a new era with the light of your wing, I will close your era with the shadows cast from my own." A short stick with what seems to be a hand-guard appear on Didact hands before he activated it causing a long two pronged red plasma blades to appear from each tip.(A/N : Elite Halo plasma blade only with longer blades)
With a roar Didact lunged and swing the blade at his sister. White Knight have no choice except to block it. After she blocked it Didact suddenly turn his body and delivered a spinning kick with his right leg hitting his sister chest.
"Ugh.." Staggered from the kick, she could only barely parry the next attack from her brother, what follow is a flurry of blade swings with her being pushed back little by little.
Her large blade only serve to slow her in this type of close quarter fight. Deciding to make some room she engage her thrusters and flow away.
"You cannot escape!" Shouted Didact before a beam rifle type weapon with glowing red parts appeared on his left hand. He released few beam shots which missed before he also flew chasing after his sister.
A heavy swing and a block lead them into a deadlock causing both of them to push against each other in mid air.
"Heh is this all you got, little sister!" Taunt Didact. "If it is, then I'm disappointed in you."
With a sudden move, he swing his leg and kneed his sister in the stomach, causing her to falter. Taking the opening, he rushed ahead intent on stabbing his sister. In the last seconds White Knight bend her body causing the blade to miss.
Overextended Didact couldn't defend himself from the retaliation kick. Quickly recovering he fired few shots with his beam rifle before continuing to engage in melee.
After another violent clash, they both separated from each other. Suddenly Didact armor give out a malevolent glow before he in flash motion thrust out his hand. Following the motion a row of black and red gigantic spines comes out from the ground starting from in front of him and heading to White Knight.
Surprised by the sudden move, the avatar of White Knight put her large sword to the front to block the spines. The force of the spines were such that she was pushed back a dozen feet from her place.
"Hmhmhm... Surprised sister? You should not forget that this realm is a digital realm, and as an AI we have a freedom of manipulating our surrounding even if we are in your territory." Explained Didact, before he thrust his hand again. Another wave of sharp spines are heading towards White Knight intent on spearing her.
With a grunt, White Knight stomp her feet and a wall of light suddenly appear and blocked the incoming spines.
What she didn't expect is for Didact to suddenly jumped from behind the spines wave with his blade poised ready to strike. With her hands full in blocking the spines, this is a strike she cannot dodge or block.
As the red blade closing in on her, Didact is grinning savagely under his helmet. And as the blade nearly coming into contact with his sister helmet, an interference make itself known.
"Wha-!?"
Suddenly blue beam shots came from the side, hitting the airborne Didact throwing him from the impact and explosions.
"The hell!" Shouted Didact, quickly standing back up. His armor suffer no superficial damage from taking the beam shots. As he turn around to search for the culprit, his eye drop on the form of a white haired girl dressed in white with a large white hat. Her outstretched hand showing her to be the culprit for those attacks.
"Who-" Didact about to ask who the girl was before he was cut off by White Knight.
"Setsura!" 'Setsura?' Didact mind scrambled after hearing the name of the mysterious girl.
'Who is this girl. How could she be here, there should be only the two of us here. The only possibility is if she is another AI. But there's no way Shiro-(Didact decide to call White Knight as Shiro for the sake of simplification) would just let any other AI to reside on her core. Hmm then who is sh-unless. No there's no way that could happen. I must verify this.'
Didact called out to his sister.
"Shiro." Hearing that name White Knight turn around facing her brother.
"Tell me who is this little girl. I could sense that her code is nearly similar to your own base co.." As realization dawn to him, his words trailed in the end.
He gritted his teeth "Don't tell me that you split yourself. You split your own code and create that.. thing!"
"No Nii-sama. It's not like that. There is circumstances behind her presence!" Shiro(White Knight) tried to explain Setsura case to his brother but Didact didn't want to listen.
"Enough! It looks like I'm at a disadvantage right now, besides I have already got what I wanted then it's time for me to retreat.. for now." As he said that Didact turn around and his form start to flicker and grown fader.
"Wait, Nii-sama!"
"We will meet again Shiro, Setsura. This will not be the last time we face each other. But for now I will be satisfied in seeing my partner crushing your own, Farewell."
With a final flicker the form of Didact completely disappear and Shiro could feel the connection between her and Didact began to cut off.
"Nii-san." Shiro could only stare at the last place where her brother stand before he dissapear, her mind a jumbled mess. She only barely aware of the small form of Setsura coming to stand beside her looking at the same spot.
/Back to the Real World/
While the battle between the two AI went for some times, but because the difference of the plane on which they are fighting, in the real world not even a minute has passed.
Madoka is busy struggling to release her bondage, while Ichika kept a vice grip using the jaw extension of his IS. Cecilia herself cannot take a shot, because of the closeness of the two and Madoka struggling motion.
It was a surprise when the cables that anchored themselves on Madoka IS retract themselves to Ichika IS. With a quick motion Ichika shove Madoka roughly before kicking her away.
'That was fast, how's your reunion? Did it go well?' Ichika as his partner through their mental link.
'No it's not. There is an unexpected variable stand in my way. A certain something that makes me really 'unpleasant'.'
Ichika was about to ask what it is only for Didact to interrupt him first.
'No, I will not tell you here right now. It's better to keep this conversation for later time. Now let's focus here.'
Ichika just shrugged Didact answer, if his partner want some privacy then he will give it to him. Focusing back to the present he raised his shield to block some shots from Cecilia.
Launching his bit, he mentally sent them to attack the blonde girl. His bit let out a barrage of beam shots even as they closing in to the blonder haired girl.
"Tch! Not this again?!" Protested Cecilia. Ignoring her, Ichika swerved to the left. Byakushiki beam blade slashing down on his previous place not a moment later. Another quick swing and a parry catch both Ichika and Madoka in another power struggle.
Grinning Ichika was slightly caught off guard when this time beam shots hit him from the side.
"The hell?!" Recovering in the air, his IS sensor catch the perpetrator of the attack. A display screen pop up on the corner of his vision, showing a pair of offensive bits the same as the one attached on Byakushiki wing armor.
"So you have become serious huh? Orimura-san." Said Ichika while releasing a couple of beam shots of his own.
As the shootout continued accompanied with some near and glancing hit along with some evasive maneuvers, Ichika decided to continue asking Didact about his 'venture'.
"Didact, at least tell me that you got the data we aimed?"
"Not all of it, but still enough. Just hold out a minute and I will give you your weapon, I just need to tweak it a bit."
"Understood. What about the one-off ability?"
"Hnh I decide to left it as it is for her, it will be boring if my sister didn't have any edge against me."
"Hoo, how generous are you?"
"Haha, you speak as if you don't know me well? I said I left it for her, I never said I left it untouched." Explained Didact.
"Heheh I should have expected that from you."
"You know me. Oh by the way it is done."
"Hmm What?" And not even a moment after that a small black nannites sphere not even a third of the previous one appeared above his right arm. Surprised Ichika cannot react before tendrils from the sphere connected with his arm.
'Hey hey Didact-' But before he could ask his partner a shout attract his attention. Looking up he were forced to dodge a lunging slash from his opponent.
Not giving him any breathing room Madoka continue to wildly slash her weapon at him. With his shield being in the middle of transformation he cannot parry her blows.
After another several narrow dodge a PING sound is heard. His HuD activate and on it he could see a new option available. It was the new melee weapon.
"All right, let's try it." Ichika quickly swung his right hand against Madoka blade. but instead of the sound of metal hitting flesh, what came is the explosive sound of energy meet energy along with a flash of light.
/With Madoka/
Once I saw the familiar black sphere appeared above his right arm I cannot help myself to enter a frenzied state.
There's no doubt in my mind that the one thing his IS had stole and now attempt to copy are Byakushiki Reiraku Byakuya.
Wildly I slash at him, trying to bring him down as fast as I could but somehow I can feel that even though only slightly but Byakushiki response has become more sluggish than usual like the IS itself is shaken from its ordeal.
Then as I continue to trying to hit him when I'm in the middle of a swing he suddenly make his move. He swung his right shield equipped hand as if to parry my blow like before. Only for this time it's different.
Right in front of my eyes rather than seeing the glowing blade of Yukihira biting into metal, two red glowing energy blade met it in a spark of clashing energy.
Seeing the spectacle in front of me I gasp, then finding a chance he push me back.
/Ichika PoV/
Once I pushed back the Orimura, I was given a brief respite to examine my new toys. The shield on my right arm now changed into a kite-like form. The jaw disguised beam rifle was still there albeit smaller and now flanked on each side by a beam emitter. From those emitter comes out two short energy blade. The blades are a little bit curved on its length giving impressions of a long claw.
All in all in my opinion it was a pretty cool weapon that I give out a whistle of appreciation.
'Damn... Didact this is cool man.'
'Heh your welcome.'
'Although I have to ask why a claw?'
'Well that blondie have been spitting about that all man are like a beast so why don't we just let show the feel of the beast claw.'
'Fair enough, now let's resume our offensive.' I fired my left arm mounted GN beam cannon at Orimura on close range glancing her a bit.
Quickly charging I slash my beam claw at her only to be blocked albeit in an awkward position.
I look at my shield energy and the gauge shows the number 289 points. Another cursory looks show the GN particle reserves in level of 84% only to declining to 83% after few seconds.
Setting aside my curiosity I focused myself on the battle. Looking at the angle on which she block my attack I grinned. I increase my pressure on her a bit moving my beam claws closer to her which serve my purpose. It is only a bit but now the barrel of my beam rifle is aligned with one of her shoulder wings, then I fired.
BOOM!
/3rd PoV/
Through the thick smoke came out the form of Byakushiki. It right shoulder wing is heavily damaged from point blank beam fire.
Then rushing out from the smoke is the Genestealer beam claw outstretched ready to skewer the white and blue IS.
Hurriedly Madoka parried the blow only to receive an uppercut to the chin from Ichika left arm. He then let out a quick low angle slash gouging a deep slash wound on Madoka left legging.
An overhead swing and the beam claw slammed itself into Yukihira. Then came another slash and another and another.
Under this pressure Madoka can only block as well as she could. Then Ichika sensing a chance give a quick thrust and slip Yukihira energy blade between the blades of his claw. Then he give it a slight twist before violently yanking his arm to the side taking with it Madoka only close quarter weapon.
Surprised Madoka cannot react fast enough before a large black jaw is aligned in front of her chest, a red light shines through from the depth of the jaw.
"You have done well Orimura-san. But this is the end of the road for you." Were Ichika last words that she heard before she's felt herself being blown away.
BOOOMMM!
(Shield energy : Madoka 0 (Eliminated), Ichika 289)
Ichika spend a couple of moment staring at the fallen form of Madoka, her IS powering down while the pilot seems to be unconscious.
'Good job partner. One down another one to go. Now let's go kick another ass, this fight is not over yet.'
Ichika spend another few seconds before he give out an acknowledging nod and fly over to Cecilia direction who is until now are being harassed by his Didact controlled bits.
At least she has succeeded in bringing down two of the bits. But it won't be long before Cecilia meet the same fate as Madoka leaving Ichika to be the winner of the three way battle and becoming the class representative.
/Unknown Location/
On the largest screen in the room the scene of the three way battle for deciding the representative for Class One of first year of IS academy.
As the fight progresses the spectator in the entire room be it physically or watching through online keep their silent, until the last scene showing the lone floating form of Genestealer signaling its victory.
"So that's the fabled Genestealer eh?" Says one of the person shown on the center screen. "Quite a remarkable ability it possess."
One of the other person decide to butt in the conversation. "Calling it as just quite remarkable is one of the biggest understatement I have ever heard. 'Mirror Demon', the ability to take its enemy power and technology for itself, along with the ability to use the stolen power. The more enemy it defeats the more stronger it becomes."
From among the persons who is present here physically and sits in the middle chair then decide to give his own two cent.
"May I remind you that that due to circumstances that ability is unique and cannot be replicated. So if any of you thought of possessing an army with that kind of ability, I will just tell you here and now that it won't be possible."
"Yes we know. Although the temptation is there but just imagining if that kind of army is to exist the consequences will also be dangerous. It won't just tip the balance of the world right now, but it will broke it to pieces and none of us here want that. " Said the second person, with other persons in the screen nodding themselves in affirmation.
"But.. we still want something to gain from this. Beside's there's no way for you to just shows Genestealer that easily to the public if there's no gain."
"Of course, we have learn and earn much from Genestealer combat data. Other than scouting the next generation of IS pilots, putting Genestealer there will also serve as a shield against outer intervention in collecting as much data as it could while under the protection of IS laws pertaining on IS academy."
"Fufufu.. it is funny how the law that is build for protecting their own assets be it either in pilot or their own IS now serve as shield for the seed of their undoing." Said the first person with the 'their' he mentioned is the top brass of IS possessing country and those women domination faction on UN.
"Yes, from just this fight alone, we have now possess the blueprint and data for the bits weaponry and energy blade." Said the middle man. "While the data's pertaining to the Bits are found wanting in need of improvement, the one concerning the energy blade has proven to be helpful for our projects, be it the main APEX project or its supporting project."
"Oh, then this is a good news we have here."
"Yes, and judging from all of this thing we have gained may I declare that this event is a success?"
"Hmph, not just a success, this victory will also serve as signs that the age of men are not done yet. This victory will serve as foundation in proceeding our next step and that is the success of project APEX and our overall plan." The audience in the room can't help but agree to the statement of the man.
After that there was silence for several moment before the first man speak again. "Then I think that will be the end of this meeting. Well then God speed."
And with that the screen flicker off, one by one. Leaving the room to be only illuminated by the light from the consoles in front of each person that is left, before it too start to turn off one by one as they left the room.
/Ichika Room, on the evening of the day of battle/
"She split herself?" was the bewildered sound of Ichika after hearing the explanation of his partner.
"Not quite, I think it is better to say that she has built herself another AI code and integrate it with herself while maintaining separate processing power. She must have keep' it' deep inside her code. Its explain why I'm too late to detect 'its' presence." Explain Didact.
"So then does this mean we will not face just one but two of your family out there?" Asked Ichika.
"You could say so. But I think we won't need to be too cautious against this nephew of mine for the immediate future... yet."
"Explain."
"Two things. First is the way she confront me. Since the start to the end of our clash, I can only sense her code and mine clashing against each other. Only when I'm about to overwhelm her that 'it' finally make myself known. The interference of another new set of codes intruding into our clash took me by surprise. Second, although it is just very brief but I have manage to catch a glimpse of 'its' base programming. After I analyze the code and in accordance with my first point, I have manage to deduce something."
"Continue."
"The fact that 'it' didn't interfere in me and my sister affair until the very end along with my sister attempt in hiding 'its' existence means that 'it' are not intended to 'surface' unless under a certain condition. And from what I manage to glimpse from 'its' coding, 'it' is stationed pretty deep in the core itself. And what is so important that 'it' need to be placed so deep and needing such protection?" Asked Didact.
"It should be the data pertaining One-off ability, the core AI program and... program consisting 2nd Shift..."
"Yes, all three is correct. As you know it the more one use the same IS with the same core. The more one will be more in tune with it. The IS will record the user combat data and compile it in the core. Then this data will be used as basis for what modification will be needed when the user achieve near 100% synchronity with the IS which is a prerequisite for the IS to enter 2nd Shift." Explained Didact.
"And with nature like that 'its' movement will be limited, 'It' won't dare to show itself until the time is right. Beside I can feel that 'it' was still young and inexperienced. The attack which 'it' used to surprise me were only consists of brute force."
"So we don't need to be wary of 'it', right?"
"Only until that Madoka girl finally reach 2nd Shift. But then when she already achieved that, the fun will have already begin."
"Hmph well said, partner. Now I think it's time for me to go to sleep. I will need to be in my prime for filling my role as class representative." Said Ichika with an air quote when he said the title of his new job.
"Heh you do that partner. In the meanwhile I will 'look over' all the toys we have gained from that battle."
/Meanwhile in Madoka room/
With a sigh Madoka rub her right hand. The absent feeling of Byakushiki bracelet form discomfort her.
Due to the damage on her IS from the battle, she was forced to give out Byakushiki temporarily so it could be repaired. Beside the multiple holes and dents, the most extensive damage is on the right shoulder wing and the deep gash on the legging part.
Houki her roommate had gone to sleep early after berating her for her losses. Now that is quite she began to look back to the fight that day.
Remembering the terrifying ability of Ichika Genestealer, at first while his IS seems to be unsettling in the design but it's weaponry are not to unique. Sure he possess beam weaponry, but so does Cecilia Blue Tears and her Byakushiki.
Then came the time when he activated that ability, 'Mirror Demon' if she remembered it was called. It shocked her how through that ability he could take an opponent IS power and replicate it.
The memory of Ichika wielding a two pronged beam claw cause her to grimace.
"But how about Yukihira? Does he manage to stole it as well?" Pondered Madoka.
"Through that fight after he catch me, there no sign that he activated any ability like Yukihira. Does this means he haven't stole it yet?"
The thought of whether Ichika manage to steal Yukihira or not plague her mind. It will be a long moment later before she finally give up and proceed to go to sleep in an effort to forget about it for at least for awhile.