I do not own anything by IS: Infinite Stratos. All rights belong to Izuru Yumizuru, the original creator of the light novels of Infinite Stratos, the studio 8-Bit for the creation of the anime series, and Kenji Akahoshi for the creation of the manga series. This is a darker version of Infinite Stratos, but there will be some humors here and there with Ichika and the characters at the IS Academy. Parental advisory: violence, inappropriate language, crude humor, and adult themes.

You can turn the other cheek to not fight back, but in the real world, that does not work. Greed is the right morality, and compassion is a sign of weakness. The powerful is celebrated while the poor is morally wicked. Saints do not exist in the world. A sense of righteousness, a sense of duty – they're just inconveniences in life. There will never be another Charlotte Dunois, Chifuyu Orimura or Ichika Orimura. But there's always going to be another Tabane Shinonono. Another Squall Meusel. Another Madoka Orimura. In the end, we are corrupted and cruel people.

Opening song: Leo Imai – Bite

(Camera pans downwards at the highway at excess speeds before it slowly moves up towards the dark)

ID wa mottenai wasureru kanrakugai (A closeup of Liu's shoulders and black tousle hair)

Kouya wo mezashite dorojiai (Liu does a pose to show off his muscular body at downtown streets)

Watashi wa houkai ashita wa mou nai (Liu walks on the sidewalk, admiring the lights shining from the signs above him)

Ikitemo shindemo kamawanai (Various IS blueprints and tattoos fall in slow motion)

Yukisaki mo nai yume nante kanchigai (From right to left, Three Dragons' weapons are on the table as Liu's clothes hang on the racks, flowing from the wind)

Guuguu naru hara no soko shika nai (Three Dragons walks with her arms in her pocket, being stoic)

Eriito no kaoiro touttara niramiai (Three Dragons and Liu's IS are covered in shadows)

Taimatsu no hi wo tada nomihoshitai (Liu stares in the night as it zooms closer to his face)

Kamitsukasero kamitsukasero! (A closeup of a speeding silver Porsche 911 on an empty road and IS flying in the sky that switches back-to-back every second)

Ishi wo kuichigiru (The IS booster ignites fuel before it bursts)

Kamitsukasero kamitsukasero! (Front closeup of a 911 traveling excess speed and IS expanding its wings)

Suna to tsuba wo haku (Scrap metal and blood littered the concrete)

Doa wo akero doa wo akero! (The IS dives down as the car drifts on a sharp right turn)

Gomi wa moyashi tsudzuketeru (A junkyard filled with worn out metal as Three Dragons' back is turned, showing off her tattoos)

Kamitsukasero kamitsukasero! (From the IS pilot's point of view, it's diving towards the light)

Makeinu wo kuruwashita wirusu (The driver gets out of the car, revealing to be Liu before he smirks)

"Still say this is the craziest goddamn thing we're about to do - robbing an armored truck," said Liu King-sang. "If the truck has an IS, it better be true."

Keung Shing-bong said, "You went with it when I was discussing about the robbery. But if you got doubts, why take the chance?"

"For our first time violating Alaska Treaty, that'll put us on death penalty."

"It's peanuts compared to what we're going to haul out of there."

Liu's eyebrows arched satanically. "Like we're not the only one stealing IS when Phantom Task has been doing that for ages."

Liu is a young man of average height with black tousle hair, dark brown eyes and a refined physique like a featherweight boxer. He has Triad style tattoos that covered his back connected to his chest and upper arms.

Keung 'Three Dragons' is an attractive young woman with purple eyes having a slender body. She had long silky black hair down to her hips. Like Liu, Keung also has tattoos on her back as she has sleeves that covered her arms. Three Dragons and Liu are members of Righteousness Union, a Triad hailed from southern China. Recently, Righteousness Union created a branch in Japan to make a name.

Liu and Three Dragons rounded the corner to the front of their white Toyota Yaris hatchback, at the tail end of a block of brick-front apartment. Liu opened the door, grabbing his bulletproof vest and black wool balaclava while he holstered his HK P2000. He grabbed what he had in there, sliding two extra .40 S&W mags into his pants pocket.

Three Dragons pulled the balaclava over her face, doing a brass check on her gold two-tone Glock 17, emptying a box mag into her waistband. "Ready?"

Liu nodded, driving. "The only thing I care about is getting our hands on those two Infinite Stratos."

Liu watched IS related news in his free time. Recently, the whole world is developing 3rd Generation IS with the 4th being in theory. The creator of IS, Tabane Shinonono is the only one that created them easily without assistance. Due to its overpowering weapon, the Alaska Treaty was enacted by nations of the world to prevent any nation to dominate each other and the IS would never be used for military combat. While it's a powerful exoskeleton, it can only be operated by women. The reason being is that Tabane created the IS "to give girls wings." With the power balance between men and women broken, there are women coming to dominate society over men. Of course, the world is not perfect as there are people that are violating the treaty for power in all forms.

Phantom Task is not the only criminal organization spreading terror with IS. Crooked individuals from big corporations, various crime syndicates are getting their hands on IS for their nefarious goals. They have no qualm corrupting pilots in exchange for large sum of money or access to government documents. An IS is still a war weapon, regardless of Alaska Treaty.

"An IS for women to feel powerful," said Liu, eating a chocolate bar.

"What a load of shit," Three Dragons scoffed, drinking ginger ale. "Tabane should have made them compatible to men too. Now, people are screaming about inequality."

"Humans shouldn't be the only one operating an IS. Lab nerds can develop an unmanned IS. Hell, Tabane sent them to obtain data for her projects."

"Nozomi, man," said Three Dragons, crooking her head at the road. "Every time I see her, I think of front covers on porn videos. Hands covering her chest, legs crossed tight at the ankles with mosaic on her crotch. Nozomi will fuck any man she could get her hands on. Recently, she's hopping on Yakuza and Triad for the sake of getting the IS core."

Liu turned to Three Dragons. "Last time that happened..."

"Think about her mouth and where it's been," said Three Dragons.

"Don't," said Liu, his mouth full.

"That woman could give a metal soup spoon VD."

"Let me swallow first, for Pete's sake."

"You know she had to be checked before she can fuck?" Three Dragons took a mouthful of ginger ale and chugged it. "Think of a horny Yakuza man shower drain trap, all gooey and hairy- that's Nozomi's tonsils."

"Three Dragons, stop!" protested Liu, choking down his food.

Three Dragons chuckled and pointed at Liu. "Learn to laugh at a story for once. You're always so tense."

Liu shook his head. "Whatever! The thing is, I can't operate an IS, and you said that Tabane can un-fuck her mess to make me compatible."

"Maybe. It depends if the rabbit can back up her arrogance."

"Tabane better not dig under her rabbit hole after this."

"What? You have no faith for the creator?"

"Hell yeah I have no faith in her. I don't trust someone like her to keep up the bargain. Tabane is unpredictable, childish, and likes to smash everything into bits."

"Ye of little faith."

At an afternoon rural highway, there are hardly any cars passing through, except a white hatchback blocking the path of an Isuzu armored truck. Three Dragons adjusted her gloves. Hearts beating from the gangsters since this is their first major crime they will commit. They have done small scale robberies, but this is the real deal. They only get one shot at this, or they will face a death penalty for the heinous act. Liu habitually scanned the highway for snoops if the truck had a hidden backup squad.

All alone, he told himself, clutching his pistol inside the pockets of his pants, pretending he was contented. All he had to do was watch for the guards to exit and make his move. He lowered his head and wait. Three minutes passed, the guards are still inside the truck, wondering why there's a seemingly abandoned car. Liu was breathing deeply through his mask, trying to get amped up or ease his nervousness. His blood warmed towards his broad muscles of his arms tingling.

Liu looked down at the upside down magazine. Stupid, he made the basic mistake, despite practicing nonstop. He reached into his pocket and flipped his spare mag the right way up. He wrapped one hand around the grip. He was at the height of his powers. Three Dragons sat across from him like a mirror. The rough black leather jacket exposed over the armored vest, the Glock 9mm in her hand, and her face was concealed by the mask with eyes two dark sockets.

"We're killing daytime," said Liu. "When are we taking action?"

"No, no," Three Dragons smiled. "Until they get off the truck first. We're going to pull this off, no matter what it takes."

The woman was right the moment the armed guards got off the boxy truck. It was go time. Three Dragons aimed and fired. The semi-auto barked loudly. Two rounds struck a guard to the ground, but his body armor protected him before he returned fire. His partner fired five rounds. Three Dragons looked at it in surprise. The way they did not flinch meant that they were not amateurs fresh from training. Liu tightened his aim, breaking the mirror, shards of metal clattering. Gunshots echoed at the highway, Liu stood on his ground. Three Dragons sprayed another volley at the mouth, then turned, firing short bursts at the passenger side. Bright rounds ricocheted off the cars, a disorienting salvo. Liu opened up, blasting covering fire at nothing but armored doors. He squeezed the trigger too tight, the P2000 jumping and coughing in his hand. The sound resembled fireworks in a parade.

Liu broke off his empty magazine and reloaded, hurling curses. "Shit! We need to speed this up."

Five gunshots shattered from the truck, Liu twisted, tumbling sideways to the road. Three Dragons dove, looking around frantically, then grabbed Liu's shoulder and dragged him to the side of the rear right tire. Liu had been hit from the chest, and Three Dragons checked for possible wounds. Liu breathed abnormally, checking his chest. His vest had saved him, but the pain was unbearable. Then more cracks over their heads. Three Dragons opened up at the windshield, wasting rounds, the ricochets pelting the floor near Liu.

"I'm fine!" Liu shouted at Three Dragons.

Liu was winded, but he knows where the shots came from. Liu leaned out on the roof and fired a few rounds for suppression.

"Liu! Get down!" Three Dragons barked.

Liu quickly ducked just as Three Dragons whipped out her AK-74M and fired burst rounds up close. Most of the bullets disappeared into the gray, save for three. The guard fell down to the ground. The piercing rounds made short work of the light armor. The second guard could not aim for jack. His bullets skipped along the blacktop.

Three Dragons sprayed rounds at her target scrambling behind the truck. "Come on, you little fuck! I'll send you back to wherever you come from – at your mother's asshole!"

She fired a burst at the guard. Less than 70 feet away, not a single bullet found its mark. The third guard slid behind the back container. With a visual on their robbers, he fired. Turning the tides, Liu fired his Colt Model 654. The loud beating of his full-auto rifle broke out. Lumps of pavement scattered, pelting the armored box.

"Great accuracy..." It was Three Dragons.

"Hey, this is my first time using a rifle!"

A short volley, two on the guard's leg. He tried to get to cover. Three Dragons opened fire from the left. Liu leaped out of cover and opened fire. He shot at the ground to force them out of hiding. Richochets across the pavement made an impression. Three Dragons covered his right, copying his movements. Three Dragons and Liu cornered the huddled guards. Seeing the smoking barrel pointing at their chest made them dropped their weapons and raised their hands in the air.

Four shots. One of the guards fell.

"Three Dragons!" Liu turned around. "Hold your fire!"

Liu snatched the guard's 9mm pistol. He kicked him around so that he stood facing the horizon. While Liu checked the container, Three Dragons took the opportunity to execute the survivor to the back of his head.

Liu looked at her increduously. "I said to drop it!"

"Can't leave witnesses, Liu. Did you not learn that?"

Liu cursed under his breath. "Could have left them stranded."

Three Dragons did not listen. "Does the truck have an IS?"

Liu growled before he confirmed that there are two 3rd Generation exoskeletons. Seeing the corpses made Liu uncomfortable. He wanted to scare them, not kill, unlike Three Dragons. Despite the bloody ending, the coast was clear, and the gangsters accomplished their robbery. The final step to really complete it was for Tabane to reverse engineer the second exoskeleton to be male compatible. Liu hopped in the bulletridden hatchback to follow the armored truck back to the safehouse.

"We actually pulled it off," said Liu. "Is this a dream?"

Three Dragons laughed. "We're going to be powerful! Shit!"

The gangsters had the right to be cocky with the loot as they grinned like misguided kids. Being humble was not their way to go. It was smooth sailing, feeling like they are nobles.

Back at the safe house, they removed their gear and unloaded the two exoskeletons while Liu grabbed shot glasses and corn whiskey from the top shelf. Three Dragons waited for Tabane to arrive anytime soon.

"Where's Tabane?" Liu asked. "She better not bail out."

"No," Three Dragons answered. "Trust me, Tabane will be here."

"We could be celebrating right now, but we are not until we're strapped on the IS."

"Tabane doesn't care what happens to her IS."

"She'll help anyone out because she can do whatever the hell she pleases."

"Treating the world like a playground with no rules."

Three Dragons sat at the table, watching Liu pouring shots of corn whiskey. "You must be itching to pilot an IS."

"You're goddamn right I do."

"You know, our entire life there has been always been someone standing over us, giving orders to where we can go, what we could do, who we could be see with. But this. What we done today, this changes everything. Money isn't the main concern. This is power. Real power and freedom. A message to those that stepped over us. Righteousness Union is to be reckoning with. No one is standing over us again."

Tabane appeared out of nowhere. "Fui fui! Nice motivating speech to cheer your friends up."

"Where did you come from?!" said Liu in disbelief.

"Do you mind pouring one more of those~?"

Three Dragons poured a shot to Tabane. "It'll be my pleasure."

Tabane smiled like a child. "I've witnessed it went sideways during the stickup. You had to save your friend's behind. You should be proud of yourselves. I enjoy watching events unfold around my IS's."

Liu said, "We are, Tabane. More than you'll ever know. Now, spare me your talk, and make me compatible with an IS."

"Jesus! That's some down-home hooch right there, isn't it?"

Tabane typed at superhuman speed, showing off her genius while she hummed. To think that Houki, Ichika, and Chifuyu are the only three people that have meaning to her, it was not entirely true. Tabane will help anyone out for an IS, regardless of who they are, what they've done, or what their intentions may be. To call her cocky fits the description for her because Tabane frequently refers to herself as "Tabane the Genius."

In less than two minutes, Tabane finished reverse engineering the IS for Liu to be the next male pilot. "All set! Give me something good in return."

"Here you go," said Three Dragons, holding a tray of pastries. "I figured that you like sweets."

The rabbit takes a bite of a Pain au chocolat. "Mmm! So yummy. The chocolate is sweet, puff pastry is made fresh. The French never disappoint me with their bakery."

"We couldn't have done it without you, Tabane."

Tabane smiled icily. "Oh you're making me blush. All of you have done right by me tonight because Chifuyu isn't snooping around me again~"

"What do you mean?" asked Liu.

"I wanted Chifuyu back in action when my baby sister Houki challenged her. Houki fatally damaged Chifuyu and her IS Kurezakura. It's not enough, so I let Three Dragons off two pilots that were Chifuyu's students."

"Business is more important than friendship. Too bad the Brunhilde doesn't get it. Isn't that right, Tabane?"

The wind that blew the headline let out a roar after Three Dragons turned around, and Tabane disappeared.

During the celebration, Three Dragons turned to Liu. "Together, we can start a new era for Righteousness Union with these Infinite Stratos. Liu, my friend, my ally, you're the baddest motherfucker I'd laid my eyes on, but you shouldn't have told the others."

BLAM

Three Dragons shot Liu in the gut, staggering him in shock. Liu rolled over in the cold floor with his chest bucking as his throat groaned for air. Liu passed out from his gunshot wound. He had been betrayed by his close friend. Three Dragons had no misgivings over betraying her friendship.

She flicked her lighter and threw it on the counter to break loose end. Three Dragons took the two IS back to the truck, and drove off.

The fire was slowly consuming the room, Liu drifted in and out of consciousness, weakly glanced at his deceased friends. Liu hobbled away from the firehole to prioritize his life first. Liu was still in shock of the betrayal. Liu got out of the burning safehouse before he collapsed again. The ringing in Liu's ears was his mind screaming as he picked himself up off the road and stumbled on. His thoughts too shrill to even observe what had happened.

He was trying to understand what it was he was feeling, until he realized – he felt nothing in him but vengeance. As though he had anything to run to now. As thought he had anything to run for.

Liu blacked out for the last time, seemingly all alone. He thought to himself dying like this, a terrible way to end it. His IS snatched away from Three Dragons before he even got the chance to test run. All hope seemed lost for the promising Triad pilot. If Liu ever see her again, he will plant her to the ground.

Ichika was in the skies, surveying the city from above. Ichika saw a burning safehouse a mile away as he rushed towards it. Before he can get there, the blue boy saw Liu lying face down on the pavement. Pool of blood covered the curbside, his instincts kicked in to save him.

Ichika turned onto a channel. "Chifuyu-nee! I found a man in dire need for help."

Liu could only hear Ichika, pondering if he will make it or not.

Send everything we got to the burning building, there could be people inside!

Hang in there, don't you die out on me…

It's been a while since I'm back writing. This is just the beginning. Prepare to go dark, the stakes have been higher. It shines a light on the changing nature of IS. When it falls into the wrong hands, or finding loopholes to violate Alaska Treaty, all bets are off.