Here is the part two that everyone was waiting for! Now before you read any further this fic took time and great deal of effot from me and xTenchix so a loud applause please. Also this might not be a one side smack down of Laura like how many of you expected, b ut I like trying new things so please at least read the whole thing before you move to another page. Please enjoy this chapter.

Ch14 Clash of the Heroes (part2) Siegfried the Dragon Slayer

A mysterious enemy crashed into the match…again.

It managed to tear through the school barrier and caused a cloud of smoke and debris to rise. It was concealed in the smoke, but boldly it revealed itself for all to see.

The unknown IS this time was…Wait a minute. Is that really an IS?

The shape of the unidentified object was large…At least 15 meters tall and about that wide. It was like a large orange ball with five green spikes that were long and huge as hell. Its spikes are located on the upper and lower diagonal angle to its right and left and the last one at the bottom. It had an odd shape for an IS because it lacked any form of arms and legs…The five lance like spikes don't count.

Its shape in the way reminded the people of a medieval weapon…a spiked mace called the Morning Star.

It also has many boosters all around its body and it had a large thruster on the back, most likely the main thruster.

"Veeemmmm…"

The large orange was just floating there…Looking down at us. Don't ask me how, but it had two red lenses like eyes on the front. I can kind of feel its gaze upon me.

The five of us disengaged and faced this new comer. If this was anything like my match with Rin, then the school doors are sealed and we might have to fight this thing alone. This is not good. I have around 200pts left. Charles has 190, Laura 160, Yukihana 140, and finally Houki has less than 70. I was better off, because I have Gordius Wheel.

While a normal IS has up to 800pt, my Masurao only has up to 600 shield points. The reason for this was that the remaining 200pts belongs to Gordius Wheel. The Gordius Wheel has 200pts and a tank full of GN-Particles. Whenever it is attached to my back I can recharge my particles faster and even absorb its shield points. Now the Gordius Wheel has around 160pt left, because it was hit by Yukihana's Gae Dearg before. Luckily it was a glancing blow.

So in total I had up to 300pts or less and recharged my particles level to 50%. This is not the ideal situation. It was like god himself was screwing me over.

The red eyes of the giant orange started to beep and all of us received a text message from it.

[Experimental prototype FXF-503Y IS Giga-Fortress codename: Siegfried…Try and beat me, heroes of this generation. If you don't, then I will attack all student s and by standard within my range of sense until all targets are utterly silenced.]

A mere threat?

No…

It was a letter of challenge.

They said that In the Middle High 'German Nibelungenlied,' A hero and Prince of Xanten, Siegfried slayed a wicked dragoon and bathed in its blood. By doing so he gained an invincible body with single leaf shaped weakness on his back.

Will this Siegfried to the same?

Or will this dragon tear this hero into pieces.

I am amused.

I am delighted.

I am excited.

I am going to accept its challenge and rip this thing to pieces! This One Eyed Dragon is no wicked Dragon of the West, but an imperial dragon that will reach the heaven above!

As I was getting excited other around me broke into mutter of discussion.

"An IS Giga-Fortress? Is it like my Gordius Wheel?"

"What is this thing? An unmanned unit?"

"What is going on?"

"…"

"Ichika-dono, what should we do?"

I readied my remaining Shiki Kyodais and prepared for another fight. If this thing is anything like the last one, it will not attack unless attacked.

The orange mecha suddenly aimed one of its green lances at my direction and fired it. It was just like Laura's cable launcher! Only big as hell!

"WHOA!"

The five of us scattered as the lance smashed the ground that I was standing on only a second ago.

Maybe he's not completely like the last unmanned unit.

The orange IS suddenly activated its back thruster and charged at us. I narrowly dodged its mad dash, but the flying fortress was buried on the ground with a deafening smash, which caused some debris and dust to rise, however the damned orange aimed one of its lances and fired. I sidestepped the attack, however the orb shaped machine started to spin and the cable wired lance suddenly became a deadly whip. Like a spinning top the fortress blasted out of the ground and started to whip us into submission. Its cable wire and lance carved out the very floor and the air.

I used the Kuroshiki to block if it got closer, but my katana was no match for that thick and heavy lance.

"RATATATATATATA!"

I turned and saw Charles took out her Gram and fired at the unmanned unit, however the spinning machine ignored the metal bullets hitting its body as it was all deflected by the force of the spin.

"What speed! It completely cancelled my attack!"

"Then how about this!"

Exclaimed Laura as she fired her rail gun cannon at it and I supported her with the two beam cannons on my Gordius Wheel. Our attacks blasted through the air as it sailed toward the giant IS.

"BOOM!"

"BEEMM! BEEMM!"

Our attacks hit the spinning mecha, but my beam was bent away on contact and the rail gun attack was also ignored.

Our scanner picked up a powerful magnetic field around the Giga-Fortress…Most like the reason why our attack failed to pierce it.

The Siegfried suddenly stopped spin and retracted its lance. It launched one of its colossal slash harkens to slam into me. I was send flying to the floor and my shield suffered at least 50pts…It was not good.

"Yahh!"

Yukihana let out a battle cry as she attack the orange machine from its back, however the mecha spin around to face her and used one of its lance to block Yukihana's attack, however Yukihana was relentless as she aimed her Gae Dearg at the larger machine and hit it.

"BOOM!"

The giant mecha let out a 'humm' and its Absolute Barrier was activated by the Gae Dearg's affect. Our scanned showed that the Siegfried turned out had up to 1500shield pts. By Yukihana's attack it dropped to 1400pts. It was a good start. That thing can be affected by the Shield Nullification attack.

"Orimura-kun, Everyone get out of the arena right now. The teachers are going to suppress it in there ISs." Yamada-sensei called out to them through their com link.

"But if we leave now, there would be no one to hold back that IS!"

Just like before, this thing is here to fight us. If we were to run, the IS would turn its focus onto the escaping students. The good news is that the school made several emergency plans since the attack a few months ago and the students already moved to evacuation zones. Even my gang is gone; it seems Kojuro is helping them with the evacuation just as I ordered.

"That is true, however this time we have 3rd years in standby just in case. You guys don't have to fight!"

"I don't know…Are the third years armed with 3rd generation IS?"

"Eee…NO!…The 3rd years we left on standby outside the arena are in Revives and Uchiganes. The Student Council president was supposed to led them, but she was called to somewhere else…I am sorry, we didn't think another one would attack so soon." wailed Yamada sensei. It seems she is truly upset, however it doesn't matter. If we have some kind of backups, it is not completely hopeless.

"Orimura!"

This voice…Chifuyu-Nee!

"I got 15 Uchiganes and 15 Revives piloted by 3rd years, all ready to subdue the unknown IS, you and your friends get out of the way."

"…Nee-chan we both know that this thing is too powerful for bunch of Revives and Uchiganes. I know this is against your will, however I will be fighting this thing."

"Ichika…"

"No problem. It will be like leading a group of angry gangster to victory. I just have to win."

I turned my com link to open channel.

"Class 1-1 Representative Orimura Ichika to all IS Gakuen 3rd years and first years. I will be taking command in this operation to eliminate or subdue the hostile IS Giga Fortress…The Siegfried. If you feel as if this is a hostile takeover of command, than it is! However we will argue who was wrong after we repel or destroy this thing! All of you leave your fate in my hands and I will bring you victory!"

My voice rang out to all the IS in the field as all the girls turned to me. This was no time for games or disobedience. I released my 'Dou' Ki to spread my presence as the dominating force. Unknown to me, my personal skill, the Charisma was enchanting the girls to my command. My sheer presence that named me as one of the dominating force in Japanese Gangsters swiped the girls off their feet as the 3rd year senpais nodded to my command.

"Is this ok?"

"I don' know, but President isn't here now."

"Then shouldn't someone else lead? Where is the group leader?"

"I don't really mind. He is Orimura-sensei's little brother."

"Yeah, I heard he is a good leader and has experience with leading a group in a fight."

"What? Serious? On what?"

"Gang fights, but he also lead the representative from China to fight one of these before so…"

"I don't know about you guys, but I don't think I should disobey…call it a woman's intuition."

"Me too."

"Me as well!"

It seems my authority will not be argued with. Good this makes my job whole lot easier.

"I want the Revive teams to surround the IS Fortress and open fire all around it. It doesn't matter if it doesn't pierce it, just keep it busy! Charles! Follow them!"

"HAI!" yelled out the 3rd years as they surrounded the orange machine from below and above and opened fired on it. The sound of gun firing filled the air as the Siegfried started to spin again to block the metal shells with it powerful defense and electro-magnetic field.

"I want the Uchiagnes squadron to form on me! Houki to my left and Yukihana to my right! We will attack the Siegfried in a frontal assault! We will distract it at least until Laura can use her AIC on it! Uchiganes! Wedge Formation!"

I turned to the German girl.

"You can do it right?"

"Of course! I , unlike you guys, am a real solider!" huffed the German girl.

I was afraid she will disobey my order, but it seems she prioritized the invading enemy over her hatred for me…That was actually impressive. It was very professional of her.

I smirked at her confidence.

"Alright! Let's do this coolly! Put your guns up!"

The revive teams responded by literally aiming their guns at the Siegfried and fired.

Man! It feels good to lead an army.

The large group of IS charged at the orange IS and attacked, however the giant IS fortress demonstrated speed and mobility that at first glance doesn't belong to such a giant object. It ignored the bullets as the flying fortress launched its green lances in five directions, which forced the experienced senpais to dodge. However the real reason for those attacks was to use its special attack, most likely it can only be performed by this monster.

It had not retracted its cable weapons and started to spin again. The deadly thick cables and the giant Joust lance became a gigantic whip and mace. The spinning attacks actually smashed into several Uchiganes and it made some serious dent on them. Our wedge formation was breaking.

"Round formation! Back to back in a group! Don't spread out thin!" I commanded, but I fear even with them huddled in a group of four or five in a back to back, shield in the front formation like the Round Formation it might not be enough.

The whipping cables were being waved in random as the spin generated a lot of power to make it a very deadly weapon. The attack range of the IS was unbelievable and it was not even fazed by the bullets smashing into it. Its protective barrier was reflecting the bullets as they were knocked away by the spinning machine.

"Uchiganes in the front to defend! Revives, use for Assault rifles! Open fire!"

The ladies obeyed my order despite never working together before, but our attacks didn't even fazed the spinning lunatic.

It spun in mid-air as it swayed and waved around to taunt us and it wasn't even scratched. It flew in the sky like it was made of feathers. Its mobility was insane! How was he so damn big and still so damn fast?

"Don't look down on me!" I yelled out as I blasted it with my beam cannons on the hovercraft, however it seems beam weapons were useless. It actually stopped spinning to watch me and then it spin again while aiming its Slash Harkens at me. I dodged to the left and right, however it was hard to track such whipping attacks. Also the enemy doesn't have to lock-on on me since these kind of attacks are random and it is more deadly when its pattern can't be traced. Just like a shotgun round, a weapon that doesn't reveal its point of destination or direction is a deadly attack. For it is simply unpredictable.

I raised the Kuroshiki to block on of the cable from hitting a senpai in a Revive, however the cable whipped around the sword and whipped my back. The attack caused a shower of spark to fly, but I refused to let out any noise of pain.

"Are you ok?" asked the senpai. I recognized her as the senpai who offered to help me with IS when I first came to the IS Gakuen.

"I am fine." I replied, however the enemy IS didn't gave us a chance to chat as it charged toward us.

"Voosh!"

I quickly carried the senpai in a bridal carry to avoid the attack.

"ICHIKA! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" yelled Houki.

What is she on about now?

"What do you think? Saving her!" I relied back. As I was distracted by Houki the fruit from the Hades fired its lances at me one by one.

I dodged the stray lance attack by the Siegfried with a barrel roll, however it became difficult to do so with a passenger in my arm. Thankfully a group of Revives led by Charles cover fired me. There were in a two line formation with ones in the font on their knee and ones in the back on their feet. Their formation was closely formed and their attacks focused to one point, however it was once again deflected by the spinning IS. The back line took out a grenade launcher and fired as one. The explosion following the attack was devastating, but it had no significant effect. The fruit from hell was spotless.

"You don't have to bridal carry her!" yelled Houki in an angry tone, but I ignored her.

I slowly let the senpai off and steadied her to her feet.

"No time to argue why! That thing it solid as hell!"

My form turned into a red blur as I dashed to multiple directions to support the 3rd years, however it was clear that while spinning that thing is virtually invincible. I clashed against its armor many times, but it barely left a dent or a scratch. All the bombardments were blocked by the Siegfried's spinning shield. Honestly all those attacks and that thing was spotless. It was pissing me off!

Every time Yukihana and I came in for a direct attack it spun like a man possessed and knocked us away. Laura supported us with her rail gun attacks, but even that powerful weapon was useless.

The Siegfried fired one of its cone-like Slash Harken at Houki. My first childhood friend dodge the incoming lance and jumped back, however she is weaponless. I remember breaking her katana in our fight.

"Tsk! (she looks around.)Huh?"

Ever the resourceful and stubborn one, Houki picked up an abandoned vibration katana and took her stance. Siegfried spun around and it dragged its cable lance around him. The cable wire actually got tangled with Houki's feet and tosses her to the other side of the wall…Wow, that got to hurt.

"KUSO!" exclaimed the samurai girl in anger. I feel her pain…It looked ridiculous how it beat her just now.

However, as Houki was knocked to the other side in a hilarious manner. I saw a chance. I drew my Yukihira Akatsuki and activated the beam katana.

I blasted toward the Siegfried in my shroud of red particles and started slicing at one of the wires for the orange fortress' Slash Harkens, intending to disable the larger frame's weapons…Only to be stopped as it went into yet another spin, making its movements unpredictable.

"This thing is starting to be really annoying!" I roared in anger as I used my all cutting sword to parry the offending metal whips and maces.

Suddenly the IS stopped spinning and activated its hidden function.

My single remaining eye widened momentarily at the sight of hull of the Giga Fortress slid away and opened up. It revealed hundreds of missiles erupting from almost every single point of exposed hull on the Knight Giga Fortress.

"Vossh! Vossh! Vossh! Vossh! Vossh! Vossh! Vossh! Vossh! Vossh! Vossh! Vossh! Vossh! Vossh!"

The rain of missiles curved away from the massive assault craft, then splitting into hundreds more, locking on to all the IS opposing it.

The rain of missiles covered all the ground, there was no escape.

"Tama! Hell Dart pack!" I commanded as Tama deep within my mind nodded as she summoned two rectangular packages to appear on the bottom of my Gordius Wheel. The rectangular package detached it surface cover as it too revealed to be a missile launcher. It fired a storm of micro missiles named 'Hell Darts.'

My IS hyper sensor scanned and targeted all the enemy salvos it can detect in 2 second flat. I can feel the mental button in my mind. All I need to do is click it.

"FIRE!"

"VOOSH! VOOSH! VOOSH! VOOSH! VOOSH! VOOSH! VOOSH! VOOSH! VOOSH! VOOSH! VOOSH! VOOSH!"

The anti-missiles type Hell Dart were launched from the support package and as the last micro missiles was fired, the package fell off of my hoover craft.

The lead missiles began dancing towards the swarm of Siegfried's missiles on automated random patterns, while the latter missiles described more aggressive arcs towards their targets. The flying projectiles left a blue trail of lights as the reached for the swarm of offending missiles.

"BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!..."

They met the opposing missiles one by one covering the sky in a bright color of explosions. The smaller Hell Darts lack the fire power like those powerful missiles used by Siegfried, however it matters not, for my goal is to counter them. Around 79% of the enemy missiles were detonated, however I lack the necessary number of Hell Darts to counter them all. Some Revives fired their weapons on the oncoming missiles and some did the evasive actions, but many where hit or got caught in the explosion.

"BBBOOOOMMMMM!"

"Ka-BOOOOMMM!"

"BBBOOOOMMMMM!"

"Damn it! We are taking too much fire! Laura!" I yelled to the German girl from my hovercraft firing at the orange monster with my mini guns and beam cannons.

"Don't tell me what to do!" yelled the silver haired girl as she emerged behind the floating fortress as she used her AIC to make it stop moving.

At first glance it seemed to work, however…It later revealed that it was a bad move to get so close.

The side of the Siegfried opened up and a strange ad bumpy shaped compartment slide out. Then the compartment glowed as it electrocuted Laura.

"!"

Laura torturous cry of pain could be heard as she was tormented by the stream of electricity. Her entire form was engulfed by the blue lightening and her IS lets off sparks as it was shocked to the core.

""LAURA! LAURA BODEWIG!""

(Laura POV)

"To think that I...would actually lose here, me...!"

It's true that I underestimated that opponent's power, and that was a mistake on my part. But even so-

"I CAN'T LOSE! HOW CAN I LOSE...!"

Laura Bodewig. This is my name. A code to identify myself.

My earliest codename was Gene Perfection Experiment C—0037.

I was created through artificial human means, born out of a metal womb.

-It was dark. I was in darkness.

I was created, born, bred and trained to fight. That's my only objective.

I only know how to attack humans. I only understand tactics on how to defeat the enemy. I learnt to fight, use guns and remember how to use weapons. I was made to kill.

kill kill kill kill kill kill kill kill kill kill kill kill kill

Broken And Recreated

To

Destroy

I was outstanding, and in terms of capabilities, I always had the best records, but at that time, as the strongest weapon, the IS appeared, and my world suddenly changed.

Useless.

Second best.

Unneeded.

The operation to implant the [Odin's Eye] into me in order caused a drastic change.

The actual term of [Odin's Eye] should be a hyper-sensor package, and what it does is that it can heighten nerve processing to the brain at an explosive speed. The aim is to react quickly in a hi-speed combat. The operation was supposed to transplant the nanomachines into my eyes, and those eyes that went through this operation are called the 'Eyes that Surpasses the World'.

There were no risks with the operation, and logically, there wouldn't be a rejection, however…Fate decided to use me for its amusement.

The operation caused my left eye to turn gold, and I couldn't control it. It couldn't shut down on its own, it was always activated.

This 'Accident' caused me to deteriorate amongst my peers in IS training.

I don't know when I fell from the top position. What awaited me were the mockeries and humiliations of my peers, and the mark of 'Trash'.

I was no long the king of the hill…But a jester that was abandoned.

A failure…worthless.

I was born in the darkness and now I was introduced to the darkness that cast a shadow in the darkness itself.

Lonely…So lonely…

And the first time I met the light, it was when I met the instructor, Orimura Chifuyu.

"Though you look like your grades are bad, there's nothing much to worry. In a month from now, you should be able to get back to being the strongest in your squad. I refuse anything less…You're going to be trained by me after all."

Those words weren't a lie. Though I just obeyed that person's training honestly, I managed to get back to the top after I started learning IS. However, I couldn't stay in the same situation. I didn't care about my peers who drifted away from me.

I continued to admire that person greatly.

Strong, courageous, indomitable. Seeing her like that made me anxious.

"Ah, I really want to be like this, I really want to be like her. "

She was a superb teacher; she was brave as she was charismatic. She commanded the squad to obey and to perform to the highest level. She was well respected and well loved. Her presence was a bless and a motivation for me to reach her height.

How can she be so strong and beautiful? What allowed her to ascend beyond mortal women and a goddess…How I can be like her…Taintless and pure…the pure symbol of greatness.

One day, I tried to ask,

"How did you become this strong? What must I do to become this strong?"

At that time…Ah, it's at that time...that person, that instructor who was as strict as the devil showed a gentle sad smile. Her strict figure turned soft and weak…Her presence of a ruler and goddess faded and was replaced with a sad soul…sad, but gentle…nothing like how she usually is.

Seeing her like that…It felt as if my heart was pierced by a spear…agonizing and cruel.

"I have a little brother…A brother I failed to protect…"

"A little brother...?"

"Once you see him, you'll understand. You will learn the form of perseverance and power…the true form of strength and the greater meaning of it…You will see the hero that mortals sung and remembered for generations…the make-up that separates the men from heroes."

"...I don't understand."

"It's good that you remain like that. Ah, if you have a chance to come to Japan one day, maybe you can meet him...but let me give you a warning. That person…That distorted little brother of mine…he is"

A gentle smile, a fearful expression. That's…

"That's not right. That wasn't what I envisioned you—Strong, courageous, indomitable, that's you."

So—I won't forgive the person who made instructor show this expression.

I can't agree with the existence of this little brother who made instructor like this.

"I MUST DEFEAT HIM! USE MY OWN POWER TO BEAT THAT GUY, THAT BASTARD...INTO DUST! I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR THIS FLOATING BUCKET OF BOLTS! I NEED TO FACE THAT MAN! THE MAN WHO MADE INSTRUCTOR WEAK! THE MAN WHO SHE LOVES MORE THAN ANYONE! ONE WHO FORCED HER TO GIVE UP GLORY! I CAN'T LOSE HERE!"

"!"

Ku...something rumbled deep inside me.

Like a heartbeat, its presence was unmistakable.

I felt deep and it felt powerful.

It slow woke from its slumber…Like a cat lazily opening its eyes, I felt its gaze on me.

Then, it spoke.

"—Do you wish for it...? Do you, wish for a change within yourself...? Do you want a stronger power...?"

Of course. If I have power, if I can get it—I'll even pay for it with this hollow existence! I am a faker like that man said…chasing an image that doesn't reflect my form, but continues to strive for it. I make be a miserable faker, but my conviction is true!

Power…Give me power!

Damage Level...D

Mind Condition...Uplift

Mental Pollution…Acceptable.

Certification...Clear

[Valkyrie Trace System]...activ-

"LAURA!"

"!"

The deep voice that was whispering to me faded as if being chased away by a bright light. The mucky darkness burnt away as I can hear a new voice calling out to me ("Laura Bodewig! Is this all you have? GET UP!")…Instructor? Is it her?

I felt an explosion of wind in front of me. I felt the gust of air pulling me away and felt two arms grabbing me.

I was pulled out of the darkness and into the light.

I was dazed and confused, but I realized I was flying…in Someone's arms?

"I…Instur…Instructor?"

"Oi! Respond to me damn it! Laura!"

I looked up and saw the face of the man that I hate, however his piercing gaze full of anger was not aimed at me. His gaze was trying to burn a hole through that orange machine.

"KISAMA! One who will prove to this girl the difference between becoming and faking is me! I will show this foolish delusional girl that to be a faker to the point to losing her identity is sheer stupidity! There is a fucking difference damn it! To admire and to strive for meant for that person to surpass them! Not be become their shadow! A mockery and disgrace!"

He shift the hover craft of his to the left to dodge a impaling lance form the orange ball from hell. He opened fire on the Siegfried with his mini guns and beam canons, but the enemy dodged and swayed around it the best of its ability. It is insane how mobile that thing is.

How can she allow herself to burn away like that! How can this fool allow herself to be a coward! To admire to the point of losing herself! To worship to the point of fading away! Not realizing that she is only binding herself into an eternal bondage of mockery! Like a fool who tries to grab the moon through its reflection! I refuse! I will open this damn girl's eye with the fucking truth! Until then she will not fall to anyone but me! So how dare you… How dare you spoil her!" roared the man that I dislike as he held me closer to his chest.

For some reason I felt warm in his arms…Just like with Instructor! That can't be! I refuse to believe this! His words…His word to prove something to me…What was it? Becoming…and fake? What fool! I am his enemy! HE should simply allow me to fall under another's and to not deal with me himself! What is he thinking? Such naivety! Such stupidity! Why…Why is he doing all this…Why!

The man was riding his ridiculous glider. He activated his beam weapons top blast at the Giga Fortress, but the enemy refused to fall, however I noticed the enemy machine was damaged also…Ah! It seems when I was attack by the electricity, the machine was unable to move, so others bombarded with enough attacks to damage it slightly.

"Rest up Laura. You will be needed later to finish that thing off."

I simple nodded my head at his insistence and command…You didn't hear it from me, but his forceful proud presence reminds me of Instructor.

I closed my eye for now…I need a breather.

(Ichika POV)

I gentle dropped Laura off and returned to the battle field.

The senpais were holding their formation admirably. They were using the shield and sword style, where Uchigane defended, while the revives kept shooting . It wasn't very effective, but it brought me some times to think of an idea…

But what?

This thing is tough as it can get!

It is not like it has any obvious weakness as it is clarly kicking our-!

WAIT A MOMMENT!

A weakness?

Of course! Why not?

Nothing is truly invincible, even hero Siegfried had his leaf-shaped weakness on his back. That same weakness that killed him. A fatal weakness…I need to find the weakness or flaw that IO can take advantage of.

That things defense lies in its spinning move that uses its magnetic shielding to its max. So obvious weakness will be to…!

THAT'S IT!

I turned to the orange machine as it manages to nail an unfortunate Uchigane with its lance and crash the poor senpai to the other side of the stadium. She is down for the count.

I glared at the damn fruit from hell. But is ok…Because I have a plan that can sink that damn thing.

I have a risk plan…Risk! But it's a plan.

"Houki! Yukihana!" I contacted the two their private channel.

""Yeah?""

"I got a plan."

I just hope this works.

"Everyone! Crane Wing Formation!" I commanded to my allies. I sent a picture of how I want the formation to look like through our com link and I sent all the necessary locations of the positions and further plans.

The ladies nodded as they formed a crane wing formation in a wide U-shape with Revives in the back line and Uchigane in the front. This is a famous formation used in Seven Year war in Japan Korea war. A formation that forms a semi-circle to surround the enemy and to cut off their escape. A formation that requires a large number of people to form a solid rear and powerful wing. Between the surviving IS on our side, the rear was rather weak. However in truth even with a solid rear I fear that the Siegfried will go through the center regardless of the guard.

The ladies formed the line perfectly. I had myself in the front and center with Charles leading the right wing and Yukihana on the left. Houki was behind me, standing between the right wing and the center.

"Charge! Surround and open fire!"

The Revives pilots and Charles opened fire on the enemy IS, the Enemy IS used the spin attack to defend itself, however it was as expected.

"Now! Tighten the formation! I want 5 Revives into the air! Fire from above!"

Revives obeyed my order and fired from above, now the enemy will use two methods to battle. Stop spinning and fire its cable lance or keep spinning for a tackle. The Siegfried continued its spin and headed toward the thickest part of our formation…Toward me.

I smirked at its action.

"I got you now!"

I dematerialized my Yukihira and commanded my hovercraft to attend to me, however instead of riding it as per normal, I grabbed the back part of one of its wing.

"Tama! Fold-armor beam wing! Full Power!"

Tama wordlessly obeyed my command and the wings on the glider ignited to form the energy blades. I grabbed the back of the non-bladed area tightly and started spinning around as well. With a might tug, I threw the V-shaped hovercraft like a boomerang.(Imagine Sango tossing Hiraikosu from Inuyasha)

The makeshift boomerang flew across the air and collided with the IS Giga Fortress. The energy blade of the fold-Out armor was focused and powerful. Since I tossed the hovercraft in the counterclockwise, opposite to the Siegfried, it dug into the orange IS' shield deeper than normal.

The Gordius Wheel was smaller and lighter than Siegfried. The flying fortress was denser, heavier, bigger, and better defended than the thinner and weaker Gordius Wheel, however my goal was to stop its spinning and it worked.

It was like trying to pierce a dense shield with a very, very sharp sword, knowing that the sword might pierce it, but it will break by the sheer force….and it did.

Like how I expected, my Gordius Wheel was now spitting sparks and electricity as the wings were damaged and broken, one of the GN-Drive was destroyed, and it had many other dents and chunks of metal missing, because of the spinning spike ball that is Siegfried. The fruit from hell on the other hand stumbled in the air by the impact and that was all I need.

Take that you bastard! A simple weakness is all I need. But no worry. Like the real Siegfried…Your true leaf shaped weakness is right on your back.

The destroyed GN-Drive released a cloud of GN-Particles which ,added with my Akakami and Akakiri, created a massive jamming field. Allies and foes were blind, I doubt that the Unmanned IS can even receive the signal to move right now.

That's the problem with an unmanned drone; it needs special orders from a distance for it to work. This unit is not preprogrammed like the last one, so I can make this work.

While others panicked by the loss of sight and sensors, I used my private, protected link to assure my side that everything was fine. I looked up and saw the Siegfried was just slowly floating there in confusion.

All the conditions were cleared. All I need to do now was to signal them to attack.

"I am sending you the coordinates …How is the view?" I asked my aces in the holes.

"It is perfect Ichika-san."

"Not a bad plan Ichika."

"PEEEUN!"

A sound of beam weapon firing could be heard.

"BOOM!"

Sudden explosion from the Siegfried made everyone focus on the deadly fruit. The explosion scattered the weak cloud of particles and Siegfried's red eyes glow back to life. However the damage is done.

The floating fruit was smoking from its back as something on it was destroyed.

The leaf shaped weakness, just like how I promised. The fatal weak spot that should always be guarded. A job that you failed.

"Just as I thought, Cecilia you are amazing."

"It was nothing. You sent me the result of the scanning and its location after all. I am amazed that you would plan for me to snipe the back of the fortress where the Electro Magnetic Field was being generated. According to my screen, the opening was so small; I doubted that I could even hit it."

"Because you are Sora no Mei, the woman I declared as finest Archer among my generation. I know you could do it."

"Ah!...O-Of course I can. I am Ichika-san's training partner and one who carries the title of Sora no Mei after all. Ohohohoho."

I smirked at her confidence. Thanks to her effort the plan was a success.

The plan was simple really. Masurao and Tama told me that they detected the flow of the magnetic field was from the back of the fortress, according to their analyses there was an opening between the layer of armors…So small that I can't shoot it myself, but Cecilia…I bet that she could snipe it in the dark.

When the IS attacked the students were evacuated and viewing areas should have been sealed by a metal barricade, however the ever prideful Cecilia and Rin didn't left and stuck around. I noticed that their signals were still there and asked them for their help. It was a gamble, but it worked. It was a good thing that the mechanics hurried in the repair for the Shenglong and Blue Tears, however it doesn't mean they are hundred percent. Cecilia's Blue Tear and Rin's Shenlong received Rank C damages after all, its repairs are not finished.

Blue Tear was missing its name shakes, the 6 BTs, but had its armor and the rifles fixed. Remote drone combat is impossible, but sniping is ok.

With the leaf spot struck, its powerful magnetic defense is down, but this Siegfried is flawed…It has more than one leaf shaped weak spot. This is what you get for using a machine that never slayed a real dragon and bathed in its blood.

Now since Cecilia had her turn, next is Rin.

If Cecilia snipes from afar, then Rin on the other hand…

"RIN! NOW! FIRE!"

"ORA ORA!"

Rin's Shenlong raised its single, only functioning Impact Cannon and fired its maximum blast right on the main back thruster on the Giga Fortress. With its magnetic shield no longer there, the thrusters were destroyed by the full power of the Dragon Roar Cannon.

"Shenlong may only have one Dragon Roar now, but its remaining one is fixed to fight in full power!"

That's what she said.

The damage done to the Siegfried now made it lose its shield and its speed. Now it is up to rest of us to bring it down.

Sensing it's in danger, the fortress fired off one of it conical lance at the group of Uchiganes, however the Uchiganes scatter form its tight formation and dodged the attack, however the moment the lance passed them the ladies huddled back together with the cable wire between them. The Uchiganes grabbed the wire and the cone shaped lance and refused to let it be retracted.

"HOLD ON! DON"T LET GO!"

""OOOHH!""

The ladies turned to the other way and pulled the lance, the Siegfried tried to get its lance back, but the girls used their full thruster power to pull the other way.

"Houki! The target?" I asked my oldest friend.

"PERFECT!" yelled Houki as she flew toward the beast and stabbed her sword into the opening, where the lance is normally attached. That parts are normally protected by the lance, but since it is not there now, it is an important opening to be taken advantage of.

Houkis' katana let off several sparks as the sword dug into the opening in the side of the floating fortress. The Fruit like IS fired off another lance form the other side, it was clear that it was desperate. The attack hit one of the unfortunate Revive, but other ISs grabbed on to the second limb. Now, unless the limbs are free, the Siegfried cannot perform its damned spin attack. Now all the attack will hit the hard armor and will be able to properly pierce through it.

"GO GET'EM! YUKIHANA!" I yelled as Yukihana blasted her way into the air with her two lances in hands. Her back thrusters let out a stream of fire and energy as it lift her straight at the orange machine.

She twirled the two lances as she went in for the kill.

"GAE…"

She shifts her stance as she raised her right hand in a thrust pose.

"DEARG!"

She stabbed the Siegfried with her red lance and its A.B was activated, the damage by the attack dropped the fortress' shield point to 1000. The barrier let out a storm of red lightening as the red lance continued to damage the absolute barrier.

However Yukihana was not over yet.

"Gae…"

She spins the shorter yellow lance with her left.

"BUHIDE!"

She has done it now.

The Siegfried's A.B was still visible thanks to Gae Dearg, but now that opened wound was cut by the smaller lance in a dramatic slow motion manner. The IS let out a storm of sparks as the second lance's effect was invoked.

The Orange IS now sport a large shield in the front with a yellow scar on it…The IS will now lose one way or another.

Yukihana draw back her red lance again for her hissatsu, the sure kill attack.

"Take this! Nigeti-(Certain death in two-) "

Yukihana was cut off as the side of the Orange opened up to reveals a missile pot, where a single missile was fired at her.

Yukihana abandoned her attack, but she was hit by the missile in close-range…Who is crazy enough to fire a missile as a last resort in close range?

From the back line Cecilia sneezed.

Yukihana's Uchigane Custom let out a stream of smokes and fell on the ground. She noticed her right hand couldn't move. The damage to the right arm will prevent her from fighting. However she must keep the Gae Buhide activated to keep an open wound on the Giga Fortress' shield.

"I want a team of Uchigane guarding Yukihana! We need her to keep the Gae Buhide's effect on! Ladies fry the bastard!" I commanded.

The remaining Revive teams opened fire with their weapons of choice. I saw glimpse of Charles using her shotgun and machine gun combo as she led the attack.

The Siegfried is now a sitting duck and had only its ridiculously thick armor and A.B for protection. The machine's limbs are sealed and it can't spin with the Revives and Uchiganes holding its Slash Harken Lance in two different directions. The open wound on the front of the IS became a target sign for the Revives as they poured out their ammo on it.

Oh I got a mail. It's from the Siegfried.

[Siegfried shield points…800…790…741….671]

…I think whoever sent it here is playing a game with us.

"It still had such large amount." Whispered Houki, but she can't fight no more…Her IS was letting out steam as it declared that it had no energy left.

"I got it Houki, no problem."

I got it alright. With that thing in a trap and unable to move easily I got all the time in the world to kill it.

"Masurao! Activate the One-Off Ability! Focus all the remaining power in you to the weapon system!'

"Master! We got less than 100pts left and without Gordius Wheel we have only 30% of particles available! If we use Shunko in this condition we got less than 2 minutes."

"That is good enough!"

I raised my Yukihira Akatsuki and got into a stance.

"Shunko!(Flash Cry!)" I roared out as my body was covered in pink light with a red tint. I blasted off the ground in an angry mist of crimson glory as I sailed toward the Siegfried.

The Giga Fortress managed to cut off its lose and actually detached the cables that was holding him in place. With the remaining three lances he soared into the sky and started to spin again.

I clashed my beam katana against its hull, but without the magnetic shielding, and it's A.B exposed, it was easy to cut into the damn armor. My attacks left several angry red marks on the metal machine, but I was relentless.

I clashed over and over, but I was running on borrowed time as well. I can already feel the enormous strain this Shunko has on me and my IS. I can hear the sound of the joints grinding in pain. I can feel the burning sensations of the powerful GN-Particles burning through the entire frame. It fire strengthens me, but it hurt me as well.

"OHH!"

I slashed down of one of its offending lance as the flying fortress fired off its only available attack at me. The green lance was cut in half and it fell down lifelessly to the ground.

"Only two left!"

The Siegfried spun around to get me out of its range; however I was done with that damned attack.

I focused mentally to channel all energy to the beam katana and I commanded it to break its form.

And it did.

The finest feature of Yukihira Akatsuki is that it can change the density, length, power and sharpness by thought. I can make it wide like a claymore sword or big like a bastard sword. I can make it thin like a raspier or even short like a Ninjato.

This time…I removed all fineness and replaced it with sheer power.

The refined shape of a katana with it curved tip vanished as it was replaced with wild, huge red and orange beam particles as it shaped like a mockery of a sword. Its size was big as I am and it blade edges were jagged and uncontrolled. The beam particles roared and waved like a chain saw or moving teeth of a monster. The sword managed to keep some form of a katana with a dull side and a sharp side, but it was only in mockery of its form. This thing was more like a beam club, than a sword.

I lift the sword with one hand, it may look big and heavy, but it was a beam weapon. In my Shunko state, I can lift this just fine. I raised it above my head and got into a loose stance. It was not a stance in all truth, it was simply the most comfortable stance for an all-out power attack, with no refinement.

As I lifted the sword, I felt several parts and armors on Masurao was cracking and tearing. I need to do this now, no mistake!

"I finally got a name for it…"

The enemy IS looked at me as if it was interested in what I have to say.

"I needed a name, but didn't have on until now…A name for my sword version of my Kyuu Geki Hissatsu (Nine Hits One Kill)"

I felt the damage of my Shunko biting into the frame of the IS on an insane level. Now that I was focusing so much energy, it hurt like a mother fucker.

"Crack!"

I saw a spider web crack on my helmet's visor. The pressure of my form managed to damage my IS to this extend…I must finish this quick.

I saw the glass visor cracked further and broke, revealing my face underneath the helmet.

My eye full of resolve.

I attacked.

I swung my first strike on the top of the IS's head. The blow smashed the metal armor and sunk into the mechanism inside.

My second strike clashed into the lower right hull and it managed to smash into like it was made of clay.

My third slash was to the left upper diagonal angle and it burnt away its armor for sure.

My fourth strike was on the left upper angle and it sliced off one of its lance launcher. The blow caused the Siegfried to let off an explosion and smokes to show its damage.

The IS tried to get away now, but with its main thruster blown to bits and its thruster and boosters all around the IS damaged or weakened, it was too slow to get away from me.

[Masurao has only 30 seconds left in Shinko form]

Oh? I better hurry then.

My fifth strike was on the direct horizontal line to the right and my sixth blow was to the opposite side to the left. The two consecutive strikes were so fast that it almost seems I did it the same time, the damaged clearly dug into the fruit from hell as it pierced through the hull easily and made the IS stumble backward. That attack was so cleanly done, that it also dug into the front of the IS and the electro shockers on the two sides were destroyed. That was the thing that got Laura before.

I swung my seventh attack at the lower right diagonal angle, which destroyed one of the two remaining green Slash Harken on the Siegfried. My attack shattered the thick lance to break into hundred chunks of metal debris.

The IS used it final and desperate attack. With the final lance eon the bottom it came spinning at me in a final charge to take me with him. Its final lance looked battered, but sharp enough to hit and destroy me, as my Shunko already beat me up to a pulp.

I watched as the enemy IS came at me from above and fell toward me like a dropped anchor. I swung sword from below to up in a clean upper slash, than struck the last lance head on…And completely destroyed it and dug into the bottom of the IS Giga Fortress.

The last attack also destroyed the last thrust and stabilizer on the orange IS, which was supporting the big monster to stay afloat so well, even after all the damage it took; now it only has small thrusters that helped with the spin. It now was a real sitting duck.

During my eight attacks the Absolute Barrier on this thing was working overtime, but it was damaged bad enough that it had barriers activated all around it.

However…

My aim is on the center…

The center where Yukihana left her final mark.

The cursed wound of the Gae Buhide.

"And I hereby declare…" I said in a deadly calm voice.

My soft words were heard by all those who have there is on, for the hyper sensors picked it up.

"…NINE LIVES…BLADE WORK!"

I stabbed the open wound of the Siegfried with my beam ax/club and it sliced deeply into the IS. The damaged part of the IS let out many sparks, electricity, and even liquids inside that made it look like it was bleeding, but I didn't care.

My sword combo that was so brutal and powerful that it cracked this bastard's insanely thick armors like an egg shell. Its formally unscratched form was now full of deep cuts…No! Not cuts…It looks more like a monster tore it apart with a chunk of heavy metal that was unrefined and brutal. Its orange paint and armors are now torn off and it looked bent backward because of a powerful beam sword tore through it to dig in and to dig out on its way to attack again. The last thrust to the open wound caused this thing's shield to drop to zero…It was done.

It all took only ten seconds to perform by the way.

This had to be the most powerful, brutal and fastest combo that I ever done.

"Beep! Beep!"

"W-What?"

The IS was somehow still active even when its shield was gone…Was it because it was all machine?

The IS looked at me with its damaged and bashed red eyes. It looked at me as if it was a vengeful spirit who came to claim me; however…

[Siegfried shield level…0]

[Masurao…Shunko…0…GN-Particles…0%...Shield points…10 and dropping.]

"…Well I'll be damned."

"Voosh!"

(Sound of someone falling)

We both lost our power and were falling to the ground. My IS lost it red and pink glow as it revealed damaged black armors. My red mane that is Akakami also lost its glow, but it remained its red color. My Yukihira Akatsuki also fell from my grasp and it vanished into my armory.

The enemy IS was pretty much on top of me as we fell and when I hit the ground it will squash me like a bug.

What a vengeful spirit!

"Not the ending I was hoping for!" I yelled out, but I was powerless now.

God damn it…So not the ending I wanted. I can deal with dying in battle, but this battle is won!

"What a shitty way to go."

"MOVE IT!"

I looked down and saw Laura Bodewig on her feet with her black IS activated. She seemed shakily and her battered IS wasn't helping much, but she leveled her rail gun at me…No, at that thing.

"BOOM!"

She fired the electro-magnetic metal shell at the falling orange IS which pierced right into the wound me and Yukihana made with our strongest thrust attacks and pierced right through the whole machine.

"BBBBBOOOOOOOOMMMMMMM!"

(Dramatic sound of IS blowing up to pieces.)

Now that thing it done…Nice shot Laura-chan. She saved me so she isn't so bad now.

Honestly, if she likes my sister as much as I, so how can we not be friends after all this crap?,

I tried to talk to Masurao or Tama, but they were both out of action…And I was still falling.

"…Damn it."

"Ichika!"

I looked down and saw Charles flying below me.

She managed to catch me and two of us slowly descended to the ground.

"We did it Ichika! We did it!"

"Ah…(I nodded, but winced in pain)…Great job Charles."

From the ground I saw Laura being supported by Yukihana. It seem her IS was out of power too.

"…Nice shot, Kuro Usagi(Black Rabbit)."

"Not so bad yourself…Doukugan…"

Ah! She is out cold.

That's good, because so was I.

"Let me give you some advice. Once you meet that guy, make sure you have a strong heart, because though that person is very foolish and headstrong ,but for some unexplainable reason, he sure can attract the girls easily. He has charisma to lead an army and the presence to attract people toward him. You may fall for him if you're not careful, you know?"

Instructor seemed to say that happily, even showing some slight embarrassment, and that really irritated me.

This feeling…I know this one, it is called envy… I felt jealous, so I finally asked,

"Have you fallen for him, instructor?" with a hopeful tone.

Instructor's eyes widen for a brief moment, but it was gone soon after. She coughed in her fist and controlled her expression.

"That's stupid. How can an elder sister fall for her little brother?"

She smiled as she said that, and I couldn't help but to frown. That guy was able to let the instructor show such an expression-I was envious of him.

And then, after we met, after the battle, I understood.

"What is strength?"

There should be numerous answers.

But I found one of them.

"Strength is what you gain when you have a goal and something to protect…I wouldn't quote some lame anime crap, but to me strength and power is a step to guard what is weaker than you with all your might. The thing you wish to protect can be an ideal or a grand design, an object of great wealth, or even someone…anyone you value above all...It can be selfish or greedy, but with strength one has power to protect and hold on to that desirable thing."

...Is that it?

"To get stronger is to get further than another Laura …Your admiration isn't wrong, but to just imitate and remain less than the one you copy isn't the right answer…You should try and surpass the one you adore to leave your mark in history above the ones you worshipped."

It that why…Is that why you are so strong? Why do you want to get stronger? What makes you strong?

"…"

"I am a distorted man."

"?"

"A crazy ass monster of a man once told me that I am distorted and wrong. He told me a king in making doesn't conquer a nation for a person, but that king gains the person to conquer a nation. He told me how my way will ruin me in the end and I will never be a true king, but end up as a slave…But you know…I am a tyrant who dreams of a different view."

His eye turned to me.

"To become a king, one must gather loyalties that are talented and strong. Only then will I be able to conquer and establish a nation, however…I am going backward. I intend to gather people to conquer a nation and the world all in order to gain a single person."

He snorted and laughed.

"I am distorted and foolish, however…Laura, don't you think my foolish and impossible way can be declared as possible and sane, if I succeed it?"

He straightened his back and I felt his powerful presence wash over me.

"So I will make it happen with my method…I will gain the power to protect those I promised to protect. My body and soul in the balance to accomplish an impossible dream to gain the power to protect the ones I love from anyone…"

He smirked at me.

"Yeah, so because of that, I'll protect you too, Laura Bodewig. You who is distorted as i…You fit too well with me to let you go. From now on you are sticking with me."

He stood up and turned.

'Keep up Laura…First is Japan…Then the WORLD! You are sticking to be and see if you can reach far as I will. Let's see if you get to me number two."

Hearing him say this, my heart wavered strongly for the first time due to this impact.

"Stick with me Laura…Stick next to me and see me reach the tip of the world and stare down at it. The throne at the end of the world…I'll take it and if you want, then you can take the number two seat. But I am going to warn you now. If I get the seat of number one, than SHE will be number two. If you want that seat than you better surpass her and drop HER to number three."

Ah, I see, so that's it...that's how it is.

His is a crazy man.

His dream is sheer madness.

He will most likely fail miserably.

…However…

My heart moved.

I want to go with him.

I want to see the world he intends to make.

I want to see if it is possible…I want to see if it can be done.

What is his vision of the world?

"What does he see beyond that hill, beyond that mountain, beyond that sea?

Does he see a utopia? Or perhaps an empire of his design?

Does he seek recognition? What height does he seek to reach? All that power for that?

Will I get to see it?

Will I be there to see it when this man's goal is realized?

When all around him mocks him, will I be there to see him in triumph?

Will I…Truly is one of those who swore to protect…

I want to know…I want to see it.

I want to be there…Be next to him…

I grabbed my chest to settle my wildly beating heart.

"(Flash of an image of a dragon)Doukugan Ryu(Image of that man smiling)…Orimura Ichika."

Ahh, that, that's right.

Instructor…I seem to have fallen for him.

"Uu, ahh..."

The sunlight shone down on Laura, waking her up.

"Are you awake?"

She remembers this voice. It was the instructor she so loved and respected, Orimura Chifuyu.

"What's...wrong with me...?"

"Your entire body took too much burden, causing wounds and muscle fatigue. You can't move at the moment. Don't force yourself."

After finishing, Chifuyu wanted to change the topic, but Laura was still her past student, it wasn't easy to fool her.

"What...happened...?"

Laura barely managed to lift her upper body up. Her face twisted in agony due to the pain that spread throughout her entire body. However, her eyes were staring intently at Chifuyu. The eye patch was taken off her left eye for surgery, and it was a golden eye that was different from the eye on her right. This mysterious eye was merely showing a puzzled look.

"Hoo...basically, this is both a major case and a top secret article."

However, Chifuyu knew that she wasn't someone who would give up after hearing such an answer, so after she remained silent to indicate that this can't be said to others, she began to speak,

"Do you know of the [VT system]?"

"I do...the actual name is [Valkyrie Trace System]...it records the systems of all the previous Mondo Grosso's Champions. I remember that's..."

"That's right. Right now, the research, and even the development, usage and all is banned under the IS treaty, and it was in your IS."

"...Nani?"

"It was hidden really well. The pilot's mental state, the damage the machine took, and most importantly, the pilot's will...no, the desire. It can only activate with all these conditions. It seems when you were attacked by that fortress IS, your body went into a massive pain that made you want to use the VY-system's power, however before it could be manifested, that useless brother of mine managed to get you out of danger. However the VT-System tried to activate, and just by trying, it put you under a great strain…The Germany Army is being questioned, but this could have been a big disaster if you used the VT-system when that orange IS attacked. If that happened we would be dealing with two giant enemies instead of one."

On hearing Chifuyu's words, Laura grabbed tightly onto the bed sheets. For some reason, she looked down at the void below her eyes.

"That almost did happen…I…I wanted…"

I wanted to be you.

Laura didn't say it, but Chifuyu understood.

"Laura Bodewig!"

"Ye-Yes!"

Having her full name called out, Laura looks up in surprise.

"Who are you?"

"I-I'm...I'm...m,..."

"If you are no one, that's convenient. You will become Laura Bodewig from now on. "

"Ah..."

Chifuyu got up from the chair and began to leave. She had said whatever she wanted to say, and was ready to head back to being in the position of a teacher. Such is the life of an educator.

"Oh, and also."

Chifuyu put her hand on the door, and without turning back, added on,

"You can't become me. If you want to be anything like me, then go beyond what I have achieved and make it your own."

She did smile when she said that, right? Laura felt this way.

Then, a few minutes after Chifuyu left the room, Laura began to feel weird.

"Fu, fufu...hahaha."

Those two are so alike. They say their grand speech and just have to have the last say in every conversation. Such is a sibling huh.

She looked toward the window and watched the setting sun…Yeah, her life as a miserable faker is over…

Right now, the life of Laura Bodewig, a Faker who strives beyond the original begins now-

Chifuyu walked out of the room and turned to the corner, there she saw her brother leaning against the wall waiting for her.

"Didn't you want to say something to her?"

"I have already said my piece in battle. After a battle, a winner has nothing to say to the loser. That is the way of a warrior."

She smirked at his words, but said nothing.

"Her eyes are clear now…There is no doubt there anymore."

"That is good."

He got off the wall and walked alongside her.

"Are you ok thou?" asked Chifuyu as she stared at her brother. He was sporting bandages on his head and arms. She can tell that he is still injured, but he is being stubborn.

"It wasn't the first time I used Shunko. I'll be fine."

"I heard how you told Katakura to secure the remaining of that IS."

"By all mean it is my kill, so I'll be taking it. I left the core to you guys thou, so no complaining."

That is true, the IS Gakuen higher ups refused to give the remain of the IS, but the Katakura Kojuro pulled a lot of favors and string to get the body, but the principle refused to give up the core and Kojuro was ok with it.

"Why do you want the remains anyway?"

"I find that IS interesting. In Norse Myth hero Siegfried slay the wicked dragon and bathed in its blood. By bathing it the blood, the hero Siegfried was given immortality save for the leaf shaped weakness on his back…I intend to take a page out of his book and learn some stuff from the remain. Who know, I might get something good out of it."

"Well…Long as the research is reported to the school and is done in the school research facility, everything is ok."

"Hai, nee-sama,"

The two of them enjoyed each other's presence and headed toward the dorms.

"How do you think Laura will do now?"

"That girl is strong, she will find the way."

Ichika was silence, but he nodded.

"She is a Faker, an imitator of the original's glory. She admires you to become you however she lost herself on the way. Now that she got herself back, she will work hard to become like you."

"Is there a difference?" she asked him.

He nodded.

"A Faker who is an incomplete imitation and is fine that way is a miserable fake who can't even do it right, however a person who imitates their hero and copy their glory, but also keep in mind who they are…They have the potential to surpass them."

Ichika turned to Chifuyu and looked deep into her eye.

"Fakes copy original because they are so beautiful…" He cupped her cheek. Her soft skin felt warm and pleasant in his hand.

"However…There is no reason that fakes can't overcome the original, became a new."

He let her cheek go and smirked.

"Now it is up to her to become full, Laura Bodewig. From here on is all her."

Chifuyu smiled at her brother's words. Perhaps she did a great job raising him from a boy to a man…Well, he is still a boy, but she is fine with it.

"Until you are stronger than me, I'll always protect you too." She thought to herself.

"Hey nee-chan."

"yeah?"

He lift his bandaged hands.

"I can't hold my chopsticks right now…Can you feed me?" he asked with a pout. He can't pull the puppy eye look correctly with his eye-patch and looks, but it works to some degree.

Chifuyu cleverly hid her blush at his words by coughing in her fist and closing her eyes.

"This guy…"

"Nee-chan?"

She shifted her personality to that as a teacher and walked faster, to avoid looking him in the eye.

"Come to my office later…I'll bring dinner."

"Yahoo!"

She smiled at his joy.

There is a great reason she will never allow any other be her. This right only belongs to her and not to a faker.

"You can't become me Laura…Because only I get to be me."

"The tournament is called off due to an unexpected situation. But as the tournament is related to the tracking of individual data, all the matches in the first round will be continued. Please check the changes in locations, dates and times on the PD—"

After (eating with/fed by) Chifuyu-Nee I came to the food court to hang out. I heard the news from Academy TV and heard the news on how the matches are cancelled…AGAIN!

"This is a curse I swear to god…" I muttered. In a corner was a group of girls watching me.

"...Our chance...to win...gone..."

"Date...wasted..."

"...WAHHH!"

*Pa pa pa*. Several people ran out, crying...what, what's wrong this time?

After the girls left, I saw someone standing around. That was my familiar childhood friend. Houki looked rather depressed. Must be the cancellation of the matches, she worked so hard on it.

"OyI Houki! When do you want to go out again?"

"Huh?" she looked up at me.

"It's about that promise we made before the fight."

She nodded in understanding.

"I'll go with you."

Houki suddenly jumped up like a loosened spring. She just grabbed my neck when I was already a lot taller than her—GUH!

"RE-REA-REAL...LY! REA...REAL-REALLY!" shuttered Houki as she tried to get her mind straight.

"Sure."

"Wh-Why? Yo-You, tell me your reason..."

Houki suddenly backed away from me, cupped her chest and gave a dry cough. Why is her face so red...well, forget about it.

"That's because it's a request from a childhood friend, so I can go along with you..."

"I-Is that so?"

"...On a shopping trip that is."

(Sound of pulsing angry vein)

Suddenly I felt a powerful killing intent that engulfed the entire room. I felt the dreadful aura of death and misery leaning down on my shoulders.

"Ko…Kora wa…(This..This is…)?"

"YOU THOUGHT IT WAS SOMETHING LIKE THAT!"

She turned her hips to coil her body to bring out all the power she can wield.

I noticed her coiling form and recognized it as a stance to attack. I tried to get into a low stance to defend myself, however the look in Houki's eyes made me stumble and weak. It was like a she was a snake and I was a mouse corner into a wall. My male instinct told to me take the hit like a man.

"Yes…take the pain. It is for the best…A man must take his punishment. Taking your punishment is no shame…And let me torture you when we are alone…In my dungeon room that I worked so hard on."

…Wait a minute Masurao is that you?

"Too late."

"Huh?"

"KA-POW!"

Houki twisted back the other way and punched right in the right side of my face.

My body bent according to her punch and I tried to nullify the pain, but Houki was relentless as she kicked me in my stomach…On side note I should be glad she didn't aim lower.

I was sent into the air with blood spraying out like a fountain from my head wound. I was twirling in the air for few seconds until I fell to the floor and rolled and skip across the floor like a skipping stone. I let out a moan of pain as I settled down in a corner somewhere.

"ICHIKA! YOU ARE AN IDIOT!" yelled out Houki as she ran out…What did I do wrong…

"Ichika, sometimes I feel like you're doing it on purpose."

I looked up from the floor to see Charles next to me while kneeling down. She was holding her chin up with her hands in a cute pose.

"Wh-What? What do you mean?" I asked while my body was in pain from Houki's brutal assault and from the strain of using Shunko.

"What do you think?"

Charles suddenly looked away. What the heck, what's... Ah never mind! Masurao you made me hesitate! What was that for huh!

"Well Master…You see it was because-click. burrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr"

Huh?

"…rrrrr(Inhale)Burrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr"

What the…She hung up on me!

I give up contacting her and called for Tama.

"…Konichiwa…If I am not picking up the phone then I am either sleeping or watching through Ichika-sama's embarrassing or childhood memories. Please leave a message after the beep…'Beep!'…"

I decided to give up contacting the two…I just want the pain to go away.

It was 15 minutes later before I finally recovered.

"Ah, Orimura-kun, Dunois-kun. You're here. It was tough to find you two."

"Yamada sensei…Ah Good evening."

"I am surprised you are here Orimura-kun, I thought you might be in the infirmary today."

"Ah I was checked out as healthy…(In truth I got the nurse to let me off early by giving her Kojurio's number…) Well forget about me, how is your investigation with the unmanned unit?"

"Ah! Don't worry Orimura-kun, Sensei did this before, so she is prepare for long hours of work. No problem, no problem. Leave it all to sensei."

Yamada-sensei lifted her chest up, and that voluptuous chest of her shook due to the weight…I can't help, but to look at it.

"..."

"Ichika no ecchi."

Though that was just a little side comment, I could hear it clearly. Dunois-kun that is a misunderstanding!

"Wh-What? Oh come on now Charles! That's uncalled for, I am a guy you know!"

"Humph, and the lord knows."

"Oi oI, what's with your mood. You should be happier since we took down that unmanned IS you know."

"…Ichika no baka."

Women are strange creatures…I just don't understand them.

"I see...well, let's not mention about this. There's good news!" said Yama-pi as she clenched both fists and gave a victory pose, and her breasts bounced again. God damn it is noticeable. Is she doing this on purpose?

"And the good news is?"

"The men's bath is finally finished and you guys can go and have a nice long bath." Said Yama-Pi with a little hop.

"Oh!"

That is shocking, because I have been unable to bath in a pool like a normal Japanese for some time now. A shower is nice and all, but nothing beats a good bath in warm water!

I jumped toward Yamada sensei and grabbed hold of her hand and leaned toward her. I was so happy that I degraded my manners and hugged her for all her worth.

"Thank you Yamada-sensei! Ah! To bath again in a good bathhouse!"

"We-Well...sensei will be troubled if you close in like this! That..."

"Huh?"

"No, nothing, nothing at all! It should be alright, right?"

For some reason, Yamada-sensei was unable to calm down as she looked about. You have to look at others in the eyes when they're talking to you! You said so yourself!

"Ah-...ahem."

Charles coughed dryly a few times to interrupt our conversation, and I suddenly felt that the warmth in her eyes is lower than before. It was chilling death! This calm and yet cold 'Ki'…It feels a lot like Nee-chan 'Sei' Ki, but less refined…Charles, you got a great potential as a Sei fighter.

"An-Anyway, both of you, please hurry to the bath. You just need to soak your body up to your shoulders to remove all your fatigue, right?"

"YES MA'AM!" I saluted as I pulled Charles to get changed…Only after I got to the room I realized a problem…Charles is a girl.

A few minutes later in the bath house.

"Oh…Truly a facility supported whole heartily by the government…This place got everything a Japanese need! It has my seal off approval!"

There was a large bath in the room, 2 medium-sized baths that had massaging and air-bubbling functions respectively, and one hinoki bath. Furthermore, there was also a sauna, a body shower and even a waterfall-style massage water pillar. The facilities were perfect! It's great to live in Japan! Nippon Banzai!

It is custom in Japan to wash one's body before enjoying the pool. I quickly washed my body and soon I soaked my entire body into the bath pool that I oh so awaited. Ah…This is the life.

I felt the warm water relaxing my body and felt the soft delicate touch spreading through my body. The tired feeling of fatigue and stiff body, and the relaxing feeling the steam brings to remove them. This is the stuff…Who need to drink alcohol and do drugs to relax, when one can enjoy a hot bath…Well, natural hot spring are better, but you don't see me complaining.

"Ah…Isn't this great Masurao."

"Ahh…This sensation I feel through you is great master…I feel like falling asleep here."

Masurao materialized in the pool water with a towel around her. I didn't bother to look closer, because I wasn't about to give her any more live ammunition.

"Not going to peek?"

"Not in the mood to break the peace."

"Hai, hai."

The two of us talked and enjoyed the bath, well in Masurao's case enjoy the warmth of the bath, though my senses.

*Shashasha...*

Huh? Is it my imagination? I seem to hear the door to the changing room opening...

*Patapatapata*.

I heard a sound of someone walking thought he wet floor. I felt a presence entering and approaching where I am through the mist and steam. I didn't feel any hostile intent, but just in case.

"Masurao."

"Hai, I'll go now."

For once she left without making a scene.

I half submerged my face in the water to look as if I was still out of it, I will spring into action if this person is a threat.

"I-I'm coming in..."

"…Eee?"

I quickly raised the face that was half-soaked in water, and on the other side of the steam, I saw a completely naked Charles…Oh! Of course, she had a towel wrapped around her, but it was a thin sports towel. Please note that I was only slightly disappointed.

"Ch-Charles!"

"...Do-Don't look! Ichika no ecchi..."

"So-Sorry!"

AHHH, why must I say sorry!

"Wait a minute, why are you in here now? I didn't call for you to come in."

"You, you don't like...to be...with me...?" she let out a pout and a sad puppy eye…No not that please.

"No, that's not it!" I stood up to get out of the bath.

"I'll come out now, I had enough of it, and you can use it now."

"WA-WAIT!"

She suddenly shouted for me to stop, and I stopped due to her voice being amplified by the walls and the echoes.

"We-Well, I have something to say! It's important, so I hope that Ichika can listen..."

"…Very well."

This seems serious so I will worry about the manners later.

I was turning my back t Charles and she sat behind me facing away from each other. It is warmer to stay in the water and it will be cold to talk while outside of the water after all.

"Well...do you still remember what you said before?"

"What I said before...are you talking about staying in the Academy?"

"Yes, that...well, I intend to stay here. Because I don't have any place to live, and..."

"And what?"

"..."

For some reason, she answered with silence. Our conversation suddenly stopped, and the entire bath went silent.

*Plop*.

"Kyah!"

"What's wrong?"

She just let out a rather cute sound.

"I, I just got a water droplet on me...just scared me."

A water droplet? Seriously.

"Is that…so..."

Swoosh...

"Humm? Charles?"

As I heard the sound of water moving about in the pool, I turned my face to the source of the water instinctively.

"Do-Don't look here! Turn around!" yelled the French girl as I snapped my head forward.

"Gomennasai!"

Though the steam was thick, both of us were less than 1 meter apart, so I could clearly see Charles facing me.

"Huh? What is she…"

*Swoosh*. Charles used her hands to touch my back.

"Cha-Charles—"

Her hands were hugging me from behind, and her slender body was pressing onto my back. My eye was widened in surprise and my heart was beating like a war drum.

"Ichika, I'll say it because it's here — I want to remain here because you are here."

"Charles..."

What is this situation? My instinct tells me that this moment is important and to treasure it, but why? I am a friend supporting another right?

"…A blockhead. Master no baka."

"Denser than a diamond. Duller than a rusty sword."

Now I have two girls in my mind, mocking me.

"Also, that...I decided on something."

I raised my brow at that. So she came to a conclusion and the resolve to follow it? That is a big decision that can be life-changing.

"Something you say?"

"Yup, how I ought to live. Ichika taught me that, right?"

"Hoo…So you decided what to go for?"

"Yeah. I want my life to have more meaning than to be a tool. I want to live as I want and I want to start here in the IS Gakuen."

"Hoohoo…I see."

"Hey Ichika."

"Yeah?"

"From now on…Form now on can you call me Charlotte? Just call me that when we're alone together."

"Charlotte…That's your real...?"

"Yes. My name. My mother gave it to me, my real name."

"I see…Your true name huh…Names are important…To be acknowledged by their true given name by another is special…Charlotte, Charlotte Dunois."

I tested the name off my tongue…I like the way they sound.

"Mn."

Charles…No wait, Charlotte happily answered. She seemed like a child. I could immediately imagine her completely worry-free expression. By the way I had to stop my urge to hug her just then…Because it will not be manly.

The two of us enjoyed each other's presence as we sat there in the warm bath…I refuse to say it, but since I seem Charlotte naked before and we just shared a bath together…By principle I should be asking her to marry me in order to protect her honor and to fulfill my responsibility.

"Go-Good morning everyone..."

For some reason, Yamada-sensei tumbled as she walked into the classroom. Maybe she got severely affected by something early in the morning or something.

"Uhm, today...I will be introducing a new student. Umm..."

Transfer student? Again? I swear to god, I better not be attacked again or heads will roll this time!

My classmates seem to respond at the same time, as there's a commotion. It's already this late into the term, and we have already had two transfer students.

"Another one?"

"What's going on?"

"Everyone please be silent!...(Mumbling lessens)…Okay, please enter."

"Sorry to intrude."

I know this voice…

"I'm Charlotte Dunois. Everyone, it's nice to see you."

Wearing a dress, Charlotte gives a deep bow. Everyone in the class is stunned, but they still bowed back politely. I can see where this is going and my battle senses are telling me a shit storm is coming.

"Erm, Dunois-kun san is actually Dunois-san, just like that. Haa...I have to reassign dorms again..."

Ah! I see, so sensei is bothered about this. No wonder, because I was pretty surprised too.

"Wha? Dunois-kun was a girl...?"

"I always knew that it's weird! She's not a bishounen, but a bishoujo."

"Hey, Orimura-kun, you two were sharing a room , don't tell me-"

"Wait a minute! I remember the bath was being used by the guys yesterday!"

*BAM!* The classroom door looked like it got kicked down.

"IIICCHHIIIKKKAAA~!"

Crashing in and saying hello was Huang Lingyin. Her expression was showing rage that was like burning fire, and there seemed to be a shadow or a warrior spirit of a crimson dragon behind her. Oh that is a mighty killing intent that is rolling off of her, its aggressive and powerful aura is no doubt a 'Dou' Ki. Too bad it is aimed at poor me.

The Tenryuji now has me in her sight…She is not going to let me off without a scratch.

"GO AND DIE!"

She deployed the IS armor and opened the newly repaired Impact Cannons on both shoulders with full force. The cannon glowed as it collected the needed energy to attack.

"Ah, I'm sooo going to die now. -_-"

*BZZT!*

Suddenly someone swiftly approached me from the side and got between me and Rin. It was Laura!

She was covered in the black IS Schwarzer Regen. She lifted her hand and the AIC negated the impact waves. I was saved…By my newest rival? What the hell?

"Thanks for saving me...Is the Schwarzer Regen fixed already?

"...Luckily, the core's alright, so I just used spare parts to reassemble it."

"Oh, I see. Good for yo-bku!"

Laura grabbed my chest and pulled me to her before-kissing me forcefully.

"!"

Everyone present widened their mouths in shock. Even Rin let out a squeak in shock….Hey that's pretty cute there Rin-chan.

"You, you're going to be my bride! It's decided! I won't allow any objections!"

Wait a minute; I object to this marriage…I am manly enough to be a groom!

I quickly grabbed her shoulder and brought her face close to mine.

"Like hell! If I am being forced to marry and take you with me, then I am the groom. This Doukugan Ryu is no wife, but you can be mine!"

On hindsight, maybe I shouldn't have said that with such sure attitude and acceptance.

"I heard that the Japanese customs would say to the ones they like 'yome ni suru' so you're my bride."

Like hell with that! Who told her all these rubbish! Hey! Call the one responsible for this!

"Laura…You been lied to. In Japan or anywhere else, if we are to marry as husband and wife, then by all mean I am the groom and you are my bride." I told her in a serious manner. Laura's eye sparkled as she only heard the 'I am the groom and you are my bride' part.

I should have not spoken to her so seriously then…

"Y-Yo-You...!"

Stuttering as she opened her mouth, Rin's Ki just spiked like no other and her 'Dou' aura was weighting down on me.

"YOOOUUUU BBBBAAAASSSSTTTAAARRRRDDDD!"

*KLANG!*

She activated the Impact Cannons again.

"HOLD ON A MINUTE! IT'S NOT MY FAULT! I'M THE VICTIM HERE!" I yelled in plead as I duck and rolled across the cramped classroom.

"IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT! ALL! ABSOLUTELY! ALL YOUR FFFAAAAULLLLLTTT!"

"THAT'S TOO UNREASONABLE! "

But it seems like I can't talk sense into her. As I could feel my own life in danger, I tried to escape through the back door of the classroom. There! The door was in front of me! Freedom!

*Bhew-!*

"Wow!"

The laser grazes the tip of my nose, and I stopped my charge to freedom. That blue beam…That sharpness…There is only one person can pull this off in my classroom.

"Oh my, Ichika-san? Where are you going? I got something to say to you, you know? Well, it may be sudden, but it's necessary. Ohohohohoho..."

Eek! Cecilia has a ruptured blood vessel! She's slowly getting up, the Starlight Mk II in her hands, the particles of light are forming BITs on her back. Too late, the IS armor is covering her body. Her calm and elegant 'Sei' ki was covering her body like a second skin and her battle aura flared.

Things just got worse!

I gave up on escaping through the corridor and turned to the windows. As this is the 2nd level, I can just jump down. In the worst case scenario, I just need to deploy Masurao and then I can…

*Voosh!*

*Donk*

I got a katana stabbed right in front of me. It was perfectly thrown to stab right there and not at me…I think?

"...Ichika, how do you intend to explain?"

Houki was standing from my side and she slowly drew another katana…Wait a moment this one is no Nipontou!(Japanese sword)!

That is a Hitogirl Bouchou(Human Killing Kitchen Knife)!

A Katana that is a Nipontou has elegant and artistic design, however a Hitogiri Bouchou has no Hamon(Edge of the katana that is wavy pattern for decoration) and it has Suguha(The part of the edge that is Hamon, but is it straight and not wavy).

The Hitogirl Bouchou in Houki's hand is a katana that is a sword made with complete offensive power in mind. It is a sword made for killing.

"Ichika…With this Kazegiri(Wind Cutter)…I'll end your shameful life."

"HOLD IT HOLD IT HOLD IT! I'M CAN EXPLAIN AND WHAT DO YOU MEAN END MY-WOW!"

"WORDS ARE USELESS!"

"THEN WHY DID YOU ASK!"

*Slash!*

I ducked, rolled and dodge.

That slash managed to cut right through the desk in front of me. That Kazegiri is truly a fine Hitogiri Bouchou! I might need to get one myself.

*SLASH!*

I ducked and flipped away from the boundary of Houki's sword range. I turned around got into a fighting stance.

I was unarmed and injured, but I managed to dodge Houki's slashes while keeping my eye on Cecilia's guns and Rin's cannon…This is too much.

*BAM!*

"Huh?"

I knocked into someone. Who's that? I half-instinctively lifted my head.

"..."

It's Charlotte.

Ahh, is this the so-called angelic smile? It's like a Buddha in hell, so I return an angelic smile at her. I'm rather good myself.

"Y-Yo…Charlotte-chan…Nice day huh."

"…I'm pretty shocked that Ichika actually kissed another girl in front of me!"

"Well technically Charlotte, I got kissed, I did not kiss someone. So why don't you…And why are you deploying your IS?"

"Why?"

"I feel that I am in serious danger, but I got no IS to defend myself with…And I left my swords back in our dorm…"

Charlotte continued to smile down at me and I felt that perhaps there is a god, or goddess. It all vanished at what she did next.

*PAM!* With the sound of gunpowder exploding, the shield dropped off to show the .69 caliber battering ram [Gray Scale], also known as [Shield Pierce]."

"Ha, haha, hahaha...Kojuro…I might need some help with this."

Too bad my faithful servant is in the research lab, fixing my IS…Oh Shit.

*-!*

In this homeroom period today, loud noises, huge explosions, and continuous impacts shake the classroom as what the words indicate.

"IT'S NOT MY FAULT!"

"""IT IS ALWAYS YOUR FAULT! GET BACK HERE AND FACE YO PUNISHMENT LIKE A MAN ICHIKA(SAN)!"""

"WHY IS IT ALWAYS ME?"

In the hallway, Chifuyu was walking toward the classroom and heard the cry of help from her brother. She repressed her sisterly instinct and walked on.

"That idiot."

Cue on the thunder and the don, don, don donnnnnnnn!

(In a hidden base of an evil rabbit)

"Hm—..."

*Kla*, *kla*...

"As expected of Ik-kun, he is as merciless as ever huh."

*Kakakakakaka*...

"Oh~Masurao's performance level increased so much. I always know she was a Pandora's Box…in many ways. An IS Support Vehicle huh…It is like a water down and inferior version of my Siegfried, but its potential is undeniable."

She was wearing a western dress that was as blue as the sky, just like Alice in 'Alice in Wonderland'. The apron and the huge butterfly now behind her was also eye-catching.

This is the (in)famous sister of Shinonono Houki, the inventor of Infinite Stratos, Shinonono Tabane.

As expected of Houki's own older sister, they were similar in appearance. However, what made them greatly different from each other was that Houki had bright, piercing eyes, while Tabane's eyes were lethargic looking due to lack of sleep. There were several years of black rings gathered below her eyes.

*Kla*, *kla*...

"Hummm…I guess I can improve the armors and add more weapons on the Giga Fortress, but it was built mainly on melee combat…I need more data and I guess I can use Ik-kun's data."

*Kakakakakakaka*...

"He sure is strong. Even if he didn't have a large squad to fight it I bet he is saving his real ace in the hole in check. I designed the Masurao and I know what that Yukihira and truly do after all…It used the energy shape and density features, but ever since his first match, where he failed to control it, he haven't been using it…I was hoping to force his hand this time too."

It was true. Even if Ichika wished to hide the true capability from other by using his three supreme stealth systems, he can't hide the truth from the maker of the IS. If there is anyone who knows more about the black samurai IS, it is Tabane.

She sent her newest creation an experimental IS Giga Fortress that is a lot like a mobile tank to force Ichika's hand and use the Yukihira Akatsuki's anti-fortress attack…The strongest attack in Masurao's arsenal…The attack named after the sword of the Lake, the sword that carries the title of Unfading Light of the Lake.

Well she always gets what she wants in the end so no worry.

*Tulalatulalala~ *

"This, this ringtone is...ha!"

A large jump, or rather, she jumped at her cellphone in a diving like manner. Tabane didn't mind that her mug and toolbox got scattered all over the place as she immediately brought the cellphone to her ear.

"Hello, Hi hi? Every day!"

*Du* *Du*—the line's cut in both ways.

"Wah—wait wait!"

Maybe it was Tabane's wish coming through or some divine prank as the cellphone rang again *Tulalatulalala~ *.

"Hello!—This is everyone's favorite idol Shinonono Tabane—wait wait! Chi-chan!"

"Don't you call me that."

"OK, Chi-chan!"

"Sigh, whatever. I have something to ask you anyway."

"What is it?"

"Is it related to you this time?"

"This time, this time—what are you talking about?"

Tabane tilts her head. She is airheaded enough to feigning ignorance; she really knows how to hide her faults.

"I'm talking about the VT System in the German 3rd generation IS and the orange Giga Fortress! There is no one else in the world that can make something like that!"

"Ah, that? Ohhoho, Chi-chan, do you think I created that crude amateurish thing? I'm the perfectly flawless Shinonono Tabane. Besides, it's meaningless to create such a thing that's not perfect. As for the Siegfried…"

"I never told you the name of it…"

"…"

"..."

"How is Ik-kun now days Chi-chan? Does he have a girlfriend yet?"

"Don't change the subject!"

"Speaking of which, as for the VT-system's research lab, I erased it from the surface of the earth more than 2 hours ago...oh, though you may know, the death count is zero. It's as easy as breaking a child's hand—oh yeah, Chi-chan, is it hard to break one? Am I the only one thinking like this? Oh my, that's weird."

Ohohohoho, Tabane adds on a little laughter and smoothly brings this conversation to an end.

"Really? Then what about the Giga Fortress?"

"That was a test run, I never expected it to be beaten honestly. I was planning to retreat after a few minutes of fighting, but Ik-kun commanded your students to surround it and trap it."

"You and I both know that you could have forced it out of the way."

"But it was a good opportunity to gather more data." She whined.

Chifuyu let out a sigh as she controlled her breathing.

"Just…Just don't do it again."

"Hai! Sensei!"

"You're not my student. I'm hanging up then."

*BAM!* Chifuyu hung up the phone. It seemed like she wouldn't be calling back again. Tabane looked somewhat regretful as she again stared at the cellphone, but 2 seconds later, she just threw it away without remorse.

"Oh my, Tabane's happy to hear a voice she hasn't heard in a long time! Chi-chan's still as amazing as ever, don't go running into the other side of the sunset."

Tabane folded her arms in front of her chest as she muttered, laughing away.

Orimura Chifuyu and Shinonono Tabane first met each other in elementary school, and after that, they were always in the same school and the same class. Of course, Tabane deliberately set that up, and Chifuyu knew that.

However, that wasn't all to their relationship.

The IS was released when Chifuyu was studying high school, and for the next few years, Chifuyu had been assisting in the IS development as a test pilot.

In other words, what Chifuyu knew about IS already far surpassed the other pilots by a lot, and the comprehension level was on a completely different level. Because of all that training and unique skills, it wasn't a surprise that she became the 1st Mondo Grosso champion—at least that was what Tabane felt.

"But why did Chi-chan~ choose to retire?"

Even now, Tabane doesn't understand. In terms of age, power, or ability, Chifuyu could still be a first-stringer if she returned to the squad, and she would immediately become a winning candidate in the next Mondo Grosso.

But she refused to raise her blade again and actually retired for good. She hung up her IS in a storage underneath the school and became a teacher.

They said that the human heart was complicated, weird and inexplicable. Even a genius' mind couldn't comprehend its depths.

It most likely due to Ik-kun's kidnapping and the mysterious terrorist group that wanted her out of the picture. Most likely…It was to protect Ik-kun. Ik-kun already lost an eye for it and she doesn't want him hurt…Too bad Ik-kun is stubborn like his sister. He insists on taking a painful and dangerous road to power.

"But that is why Ik-kun is so interesting, he is so alike and yet so different from Chi-chan that I can't leave him alone."

*Tralala~ * *Tralala~ * You people better get ready~ BAM BAM! AH, ONII-CHAN! IF YOU WANT I'LL GIVE IT TO YOU!

The folded bunny ears of hers straightened up, and this response far surpassed all words. Why would that person call here? And for the first time! She already knew who the person was before she even picked up the phone.

"Oh my oh my oh my! Long time no see! I've always—always been waiting for you~!"

"...Nee-san."

"Yes yes, I know why you called. You want it, right? The one and only machine that you want."

"Is it possible?" Was her hopeful reply.

Tabane nodded like an idiot and cheered up like a kid in a candy store.

"Yep yep! Houki-chan's personal machine. I did prepare it for you! It's the strongest and far surpasses all other specs, and it's even a match for the Imperial Black Conqueror. And the name of that machine is...

"AKATSUBAKI!"

A rant from…Fangking2!

How was it ladies and gent! Honestly when I first wrote this arc including the part 1 it was over hundreds of pages, but I decided to chop it in two, so you guys can digest it better. You know I am really enjoying writing now, wait till what crazy ass crap I make for the next arc…Also I plan to explore more into the Ichika's life as a fighter and a gang leader, so look forward to it.

Finally to those who might feel that I am being too clustered by adding Gundam00, Code Geass, Sengoku Basara, Typemoon, and Infinite Stratos…Well honestly I like it so too bad.

All mecha fics are based on one another, I mean look at Shenlong's design, it looks like Gundam00's Garazzo, or Gaddessa. Blue Tear is based on Strike Freedom and Laura's cable weapons scream Code Geass' Slash/Booster Harkens.

I think it was clever of me to add Siegfried and I put a lot of hard work into it!

If Tabane is a crazy and smart as she is in anime, then a Knight Giga Fortress is an IS Giga Fortress. I got plans for that remaining of Siegfried too.

Also on side note I am a huge Typemoon's Fate Stay Night fan and you can't stop me! I am a relatively a new and inexperience author, but I know that I can write however I like…However criticism and reviews are appreciated. Please continue to review.

You every review, good or bad is a big support!

Oh by the way, I set up lot of challenges that were bugging me and I can't deal with. Anyone who are interested by it or got a new idea based on it, gave me a call so I can look forward to it.

Bye bye now…

Name: Siegfried

Model Number: FXF-503Y

Type: Infinite Stratos Giga Fortress

Gen: First Generation IS Support Craft/Giga Fortress

Manufacture: Shinonono Tabane

Pilot: unmanned

Current state: Destroyed, the remaining are taken by the Katakura group.

General Characteristics

Height 17 metersWeight 48.76 metric tonsPower Source IS Core

Design Features

Magnetic Shield generatorIntegrated PIC with added high power thrusters throughout the bodyHyper SensorAbsolute Barrier systemElectrical Shock System

Armament

Gram: Rank C+ Anti-Unit

Range:1-5

5 Large Conical-Shaped Harkens on the frame. A weapon based on joust lance and high powered vibration lance. It was designed to pierce through just about anything. It is named after the sword of the Siguard from the Norse Myth.

Temple of Thunder: Rank B Anti-unit/Support

Range: 1-5

A electrical shock system attacjed to the side of the Seigfried. It is a hidden compartment that only reveal itself at the last moment for a surprise effect. It has powerful shock level of 1,000volt. (Fanfking2:Hey Xtenchix is this too much or too little)

It can damage the A.B directly and the after effect can serious wound or cripple the victim. A defense attack only can be done in close range.

Protection from the Unknown: Rank B Anti-unit/Support

Range:1

A powerful magnetic barrier that renders beam and metallic attacks useless. Alone it can deal with just above any attack, besides a powerful energy attacks or a barrier nullification attacks.

Spiral March: Rank B, A-, A Anti-unit/Army/Fortress

Range: 1-100.

A powerful spin attack that uses its five Gram lance and its Protection from the Unknown to its maximum capacity. The Siegfried is built with powerful armors that protect it from just about anything. You can blow up a battalion worth of explosion and it will not be budged. The Spinning attack can tear though any kind of formidable defenses and formations, normally a direct hit from it can beat an IS with full 800p shield points.

It can tear into any protection so in its anti-fortress mode, there is nowhere it can't invade, however it was defeated by a Fold –Out armor weapon from the Goridus Wheel. A powerful full body was sliced by a concentrated blade, by all mean it was a double kill.

Name: Goridus Wheel: Wheel of Heaven's Authority

Model Number: KOC 01

Type: Infinite Stratos Support Hover Vehicle

Gen: First Generation IS Support Craft

Manufacture: Katakura Corporation, Masurao

Pilot: unmanned, Tama (primary)and Masurao(Secondary)

Rank: B Anti-unit/Army

Range: can carry up to two people, and fight against many

Current state: Damaged badly, need repairing.

General Characteristics

Size 10 meters wideWeight 9.5 metric tonsPower Source Lacks an IS core, Twin large class GN-Drive.

Design Features

Integrated PIC with added high power GN- Boosters and thrusters on the back.Several stabilizers for high agility flight unlike the normal flight crafts.Hyper SensorAbsolute Barrier systemFold-Out ArmorAnti-Beam coatingSlots and Equalizers for additional weapons such as missile packs.

Armament

Two M-15 mini guns Rank E Anti-unit.

Just a normal mini gun attached for anti-missile action or a distraction.

2x Luminous beam Cannon Rank C Anti-unit

A high power beam cannon that is a notch higher than Starlight mark III. It had a heck of a piercing power, but it is no machinegun, it firing rate is has a 3 second delay after each shot.

2x High Beam Concentrated Wings Rank C Anti-unit

A Fold –Out armor based wing weapon, that can slice into anything, but it is frail from the side, for it is a wing before it is a blade. It had more focus on slicing than being durable, so it can slice into thick armors, but it might break by the result. Be noted to be careful with.

2x Hell Dart Micro-Missile pack. RankC+ Anti-Army

A rectangular pack with micro-missile of 20 at least in each. It was originally meant for anti-surface to air missiles. It packs a mighty punch for micros missiles, but lack in power to normal full sized air missiles. Note that they are very agile and hard to predict.

Blade Front Rank E Anti-unit

A large blade in front of the Support craft. It is a sharp blade to pierce those who are in its way, however it is as good of a weapon as it should be…May need to be improved in 2nd shift.