After reading the original Infinite Stratos: Resolve (by Shiranui Amaterasu, which I would wholeheartedly suggest you to read to understand the following story), I grew quite fond of the overly smart Ichika under the teachings of the slightly sociopathic Tabane.
Unfortunately, after the story was abandoned in 2015, I decided that I would attempt to bring it back to its ongoing status while remaining faithful to the original plot.
Before reading, I will note that I am still a minor (but not for long :0), so I will set the age rating to T until I can put it under the MA rating that I believe that the story would originally go as I still want to add some full fledged romance to the original story ;)
Anyway, hope you enjoy reading the first chapter (12th in the original story)
-ISReaderandWriter
TEXT GUIDE:
ITALICS - Either Text Messages, Signs, Flashbacks or AI (Yes I am adding it into the mix as it would make sense)
BOLD - Machine names or important text
'Single Speech Marks' - Thoughts
"Double Speech Marks" - Characters Speaking
(Brackets) - Details
[Square Brackets] - IS talking or displaying information
I do not own any resources used. They all belong to the creator of Infinite Stratos - Izuru Yumizuru
[France, ISED Convention]
After the events pertaining to the recent Phantom Task events, Ichika and the rest who were involved in said fiasco were still in the waiting room. As for where the rest of them are. For all they know, Charlotte is in her hotel room, either passed out drunk or mumbling to herself on her plan to get Ichika to notice her (though only Laura and Rin think of the second part, knowing what their beautiful french blonde feels about the man).
As Laura was about to ponder about how long it would take before it begins, the door opens to the small room, featuring a rather familiar blonde man with a woman who seems to be his wife. Incidentally, these were Martin Dunois and Amélie Dunois respectively. Both shot a nasty glare at Ichika, making him instinctively recoil at the impending danger that may affect him due to the similar situations with him and Chifuyu.
"Good evening Mr. and Mrs. Dunois, how are you holding up?" comes from the slightly unnerved Ichika
"You know damn well how we are doing... bastard" is the response in a mixed Japanese French dialogue from Martin Dunois
His wife Amélie just stands there, glaring at the lone boy. Not hesitating to look away but refraining from making a scene by walking over and handing him a backhanded slap to the cheek. There was no need to say it, it was obvious that the two girls from Ichika's group would rip her to shreds using their ISes if she did so.
"Well anyway, I would like to give my apologies due to my actions during the crisis at the ball Mr and Mrs Dunois"
"I still feel some hostility towards you Mr Orimura, but I know what's better in this situation"
As the situation seemed to become more intense between the CEO of the Dunois Corporation and the sole male pilot of the famed Infinite Stratos, a group of highly-ranked poitical figures enter the room joined by the battle-hardened IS division of the French Air Force.
"Good evening everyone, sorry for the late start to the questioning but I had to deal with the aftermath of the attack that I am sure all of you know by know. Oh, and before I forget, my name is Raphael Dumont, current president of the nation of France" speaks a fairly young guy (probably in his mid-20s) with a clean black attire with a white tie, fastening his platinum blond hair in a clean slick back, complimenting his sharp facial features and uniform eyebrows.
"It's a pleasure meeting you, President Dumont, there is no problem with us waiting as we know of the hectic schedule that comes with being one of the most influential people in the French Republic" Ichika replies for the rest of the group, with Rin and Laura fawning over the manly stature and aura Ichika is releasing.
'Mein Gott, Ichika looks so handsome right now. I was right picking him as my bride' Laura comments in her mind, letting the chibi Lauras in her head run around like headless chickens dawning clothing with Ichika's pictures over them with writing reading PERFECT BRIDE and ICHIKA X LAURA FOREVER
'Jesus Christ, Ichika has to always look so manly whenever he needs to' Rin wonders, looking down at the underdeveloped female attributes that the feels so insecure about. 'Is it because of my breasts?'.
While Rin and Laura were dawdling in their mind, the President of the French Republic asks the million dollar question that the French government wanted
"Anyways, onto the main question that we would like to ask everyone present. Do any of you know who the three assailants were that attacked the convention?"
Ichika was currently having an internal confict, he knew that the French government needed to know, but there could be drawbacks talking to them about it, knowing the delicate balance in politics that Tabane and Chifuyu are keeping in place as much as they can.
'Damn it, what should I do? If I tell them, they will continue to pry their nose into them and discover what happened in the Mondo Grosso. I really don't want to remember the feeling of being a failure towards Chif- I mean Orimura-sensei. Wait, this is inside my head. It's probably because of the constant battering that forced me to instinctively call her that. Getting off track here, if I tell them about Phantom Task, they will surely try and find them, probably losing a lot of IS due to the sheer amount of stolen IS that I know they have, though they definitely need to know so that they can prepare for the next attack'
"I am very sorry for this but I do not know the group who attacked us, but I have engaged in some of their members earlier in a separate incident" Ichika responds, maintaining a calm and focused demeanor.
"Very well then, onto the next question, and this one is specifically for you Orimura-san. I would like to know if you would be interested in joining me along with Dunois Corporation's test pilot for the Raphael Evolution to discuss the future of the IS and our business dealings together" Asks Raphael Dumont
"Though I would love to spend the rest of the evening with you along with Charlotte, I am afraid that I will have to decline. You see, I still have to address some problems pertaining a very precious friend of mine, though I would love to try and talk with you another day" Is the response from Ichika.
Content with his answer, Mr Dumont exits the room, along with the other high-class members of the group, military pilots and the CEO of the Dunois Corporation and his wife. Soon after the door locks, Tatenashi and Iris leap on to Ichika, displaying a sultry smile across each of their faces.
""Well well well, who thought that the only male of the IS Academy was this business-oriented when relating to his friends"" They both asked, with Laura and Rin showing a clear display of discontent on their faces.
"N-n-now now, I believe that I should go and visit Cecilia right now, especially with those injuries she recieved from the culprits" He responded, with nervousness clear in his voice, showing that he at least notices the quite forward motion from the two elder females.
"Alright, I guess we'll see you later, Ichika~kun!" Tatenashi replies, winking at Ichika and sitting back down.
"You better be back, I want to make Natale jealous" Iris states, starting to back away from him.
Taking the chance to start walking, Ichika calmly picks up his blazer and tie, walking towards the door and closing it shut.
[Cecilia's Hospital Room]
Sitting by the window in her bed, Cecilia stares into the night sky, recalling memories before passing out from her injuries.
"Ceilia, hang in there!" Ichika shouts, fear clearly marked on his face. She knew the state her body was in, bloodied and wrought with stab wounds, presumably from the attacks from the Silent Zephyrs' laser BITs.
"Holy fuck! Byakushiki, use your reconstruction methods to heal Cecilia! NOW!" He screams, tears forming on his face. He wasn't gonna lose anyone important to him. Not today.
Just before Cecilia could utter a word, she passes out from the near exhaustion and damage from the battle.
"Hey, Cecilia. You awake?" Ichika mutters, trying to sound as gentle as possible to not disturb the young lady.
She was stricken in bandages, one for each limb and one covering the near-fatal stab wound plastered on her abdomen. Three inches to the right and she would have been most likely dead.
"Mmm, Ichika?" Cecilia practically grumbles out that sentence, she was definitely under some of the anasthesia from the operation.
Looking away from the window, she slowly turns her head round, though in a more mechanical motion due to the slightly uncomfortable positioning of the bed. As she locks in to Ichika's dark hazel orbs, her eyes slowly widen, showing a sense of shock and surprise, knowing he has seen her in a less-than-admirable state.
"AH! I-Ichika-san, what are you doing here?!" She recoils in shock. But before she can fall over the bed, a lean but muscular arm wraps around her, preventing her fall.
"Hey hey, no need to be jumpy right after an operation. You still have a few weeks before you can get out of bed again..." Ichika reprimands her, but in a caring way, much like a true father treats her daughter when she does something wrong.
Cecilia's cheeks flush up, earning a rather cute and vulnerable expression. She never knew this feeling of paternal love, and she rather liked it. As she continued sending blood to her cheeks, Ichika revelled in her expression, showing a manly but inviting smile. Which serves to make Cecilia blush even harder.
"Ahem, anyway, what do you want? Ichika-san" Cecilia asks, (barely) managing to keep a cool tone in her voice. Though her body is saying something else with the twirling fingertips like a stereotypical high-school girl in love. 'It looks cute on her' Ichika states, admiring the admittedly wholesome atmosphere created.
"I wanted to talk you" He replies
"About what?"
"Anything really"
"Well, is there anything you wanted to talk about specifically?"
"Maybe about your parents, specifically your parents. I've never met mine"
"What? You mean it's just been you and Orimura-sensei?"
"Yep. Chifuyu-nee took care of me for as long as I can remember, which is why I dedicate my studies in the IS to her"
"I see..."
"Ahem. About your parents?"
"Ah yes, my mother. She was the most beautiful woman in the world-"
"I can see that looking at you" Ichika blurts out. Causing Cecilia to bring up a storm of redness across her face, trying to prevent a dreamy scenario of her and Ichika together forever.
"A-anyway, she was the perfect woman anyone could ask for. She was smart, compassionate, strong-willed and kind. However, when needed she could be strict in order to protect the ones she love. I loved her with all my heart and I thought that we would be together for a long time. Until a few years ago..." She sniffled a little, maintaining the collected demeanor she often shows.
"Can I ask what happened to her?"
"She contracted a special strain of the LSTS virus that came from rabies during one of her business trips in South Africa. The best doctors in the whole of Great Britain did everything they could, but since this virus was undiscovered, no one could find a cure..." Tears ran down her eyes as she reminisced on the little time she had with her beloved mother. Seeing this, Ichika raised his hand and cupped her cheek, wiping away the few tears building up on her eyes.
"Cecilia, I'm so sorry. I never knew you had to face something similar to Charlotte's past"
"Don't worry Ichika-san, I lost something important to me and I was lost. Now I gained something back of equal or potentially greater value to me."
"Oh? And what is it?"
"You, Ichika"
Ichika smiled weakly at her, failing to cover up the strengthening blush erupting on his face.
"I...um...ahahaha..." He stuttered, eyes clouding as if he was in a daze.
Cecilia chuckled at this, this was the man that she fell for and she had no regrets over it.
"Remember this... Cecilia" Margaret Alcott spoke, with clear indications of struggle against the virus she contracted
"Once you find someone you love, don't you ever, and I mean ever, let them go. I almost lost your father once to another woman." She clearly indicated to Cecilia that she would lose this ongoing battle against the disease.
"Please mother, don't go, you're everything I have. Not even father can come close to you!""
"Cecilia! Don't you ever say that about your father! You have no idea what he has done for me and you!"
A heart monitor flatlines, signalling the passing of one Margaret Alcott. Cecilia never understood what her mother meant, not even until this day.
"On the other matter, Cecilia, what about your father?"
Cecilia practically scowls at the last sentence. She hated her father with all her heart. The man who did nothing, the one who shut himself away from the outside world after her mother's death, drowning himself in scotch and whiskey to ease the pain of his widower position.
"I can forget about that scumbag for all I care about!" She huffed, turning away from Ichika and looks down, remembering all the things that made her view of men so low and degrading
"Cecilia, he is still your father. Can't you at least recognise him as such?"
"NO! He left me and my mother long ago, always hiding away from society and focusing on his work. It didn't even look all that extravagant, always papers and contracts that he could deal with easily"
"Wait, Cecilia, before you move on. You just said contracts? Did he recieve any business dealings that you know of?"
"No. It was always in the middle of the night or away before the train accident"
"Well well, I think I can find out what exactly was holding him back from being with you"
Ichika grabs his phone and clicks on the screen, allowing a holographic image of Tabane in a business suit, much like Chifuyu's.
"Good evening Orimura Ichika, would you like me to do anything for you?" The AI questioned
"Ori, can you search the security logs of the Alcott Foundation? Specifically, audio or video logs of the former patriarch of the corporation"
"Sure thing Orimura, searching for evidence pertaining Alfred Alcott" Ori blankly stated, showing a status bar quickly load to the top
"I have found only 5 videos and 2 audio recordings" She replied, displaying the mentioned articles.
"Can you check for any that relate to Phantom Task?"
"Found 1 video with the key word: PHANTOM TASK included in it"
"Play it"
The screen zooms in, displaying a fair-skinned man, with a swimmer-like physique sporting a black bush of hair sculpted in a uniform manner (think of Jake Gyllenhaal in Spider Man: Far from Home).
[Video Footage: 21/10/2019]
"Have you secured the contract between us and Phantom Task?" Alfred Alcott asks his most loyal servant
"Yes, sir, but why are we doing this? It goes against everything that you stand for"
"Look, rival companies are managing to get ahead of us and produce a fully fledged 2nd Generation IS, while we are stuck in the late stages of the 1st Generation. If we don't do this, I send Cecilia and Margaret to a life of poverty and strife, most likely forcing them to enter the red-light disctricts for work. I will die over my dead body before I let them experience that"
"I see, but it looks like it could ruin our relationship with the British government, due to the requirement of leaking top-secret government data"
"Oh? What is there that needs to be discussed?"
"From what I can see, there is an archived experimental project titled [ORIMURA PROJECT: GENETIC MODIFICATION]
"Well I don't need to care about that anymore, I just need to keep Cecilia and Margaret away from the grips of those bastards over at Crawford International"
[Back in the hospital]
Tears could easily be seen pouring out of Cecilia's eyes. She now realised what her mother said by how much her father done to them. Seeing this, Ichika wraps her up in a tight embrace, allowing her to rest her head on his chest and let her true emotions run free.
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry father. You did all of this for us. I hated you for leaving us, but you were protecting us from the shadows. But why? Why did you leave me and mother out of this? She could've shouldered the pain with you"
Ichika's heart melted at the scene, the oujo-sama like girl now was a weeping pile of mess, with her whole life a lie to her. Though while he was in a state of calm, he felt a sharp pain gnawing at his head. He couldn't move his body at all, but instead had to watch as a vague image of a man in a lab coat walked towards a young raven-haired boy.
"Experiment 0-2 seems to be in a clear state of mind, enhancements have not taken effect on him. Dissapointing to say the least" A cold and calculating evaluation of the man donning half-framed glasses and jet black hair.
"Though I do not worry, I believe that you will become the pinnacle of our efforts. Ichika" A conflicting tone comes into play as the man lightly smiles at the younger Ichika before returning the cold stare that was before.
'What was that?' Ichika pondered, having no idea who the man was and why there was an infant-like version of him. He would pay no attention to it as Cecilia looks up to Ichika, a faint blush on her cheeks as she inched closer to his face.
Before he could move back, her lips touch his, giving a soft but loving kiss. It was a first for Ichika, but he didn't seem to hate it. Rather he enjoyed the company coming from Cecilia. After a few seconds, Cecilia moved back from the kiss, her lips glistening in the moonlight and providing an ethereal view for Ichika as he touched his lips.
"I love you Ichika, ever since the class representative match we had against each other. You were the man that every woman would want. You're strong, admirable, kind and protective of those you care about. Though you have been dense, I think that it is one of the best qualities of you, seeing that no one else would be able to take you away from me." She declares, giving a carefree smile at Ichika.
"I already knew you had feeling for me Ceci, though I am very sorry to say this but I cannot return that love. You probably know this since you do this as well, but all of you try to harm me whenever I am with another girl, either just talking to them or saving them, you guys just aim your weapons at me and let loose. So it would be obvious that if I did start dating one of you guys or someone else, I would be in the grave before the next day arrives" He calmly replies, knowing that she feels guilty over the countless cases of IS abuse towards a fellow student.
"Ah. Ichika-san, I am not going to lie, but I completely understand where you are coming from. Knowing them, if we start dating, Laura will gut you open, Rin would leave you in a crumpled mess, Houki would leave a shinai in your stomach and Charlotte would pump you full of lead. So I won't force you to do anything, okay?"
"Thank you Ceci. You have no idea how much it means to me"
"It's not a problem Ichika-san. Wait, did you just call me Ceci?"
"Yeah. I already have a nickname for Charl, so I thought I should give you one. Do you not like it?"
"No, no. I'm happy that we are close enough for nicknames."
Before they could fully enjoy the quiet time they had together, Laura and Rin open the door. Though not in a furious manner like normal, which causes Ichika to look confused as they stepped into the room.
"Hey, idiot. What's got you looking like that?"
"Nothing Rin, just thought that you would fire your Ryuhou canons and burn me to a crisp seeing me and Ceci close together."
"I would never do such a thing! Besides, we came here to tell you tha- Hold on, did you just call Cecilia Ceci?"
"Yep, I already have two nicknames for two other people so I thought I should bump it up to three people"
"Hey, wife, then why don't I get a nickname too?"
"I don't need to. Laura is a beautiful name for you so it's pointless to do so."
Laura rapidly turns her face away from Ichika, developing into a red tomato while twiddling her fingers like a highschool girl.
"...beautiful..."
"Laura?"
"Ichika, I don't think you should say that so freely to a girl. Especially with your denseness"
"Rin, I'm not dense though"
"Sure you are"
"Back to the topic. The ISED convention has been suspended until further notice so the Academy is asking us to be back quickly. The plane will be at the tarmac for all of us at 10:00 sharp tomorrow morning."
"Shame we didn't get to finish the ball. I would have loved to dance with all of you"
3 red beacons become visible on the girls faces.
"I TOLD YOU TO STOP THAT! BAKA!"
"Well then, I need to get back to my hotel room and collect my stuff. I wonder where Charl has been this whole time?"
"""I don't know""" The same sentence from all three girls
"I'll find her sooner or later. I'll see you guys tomorrow at 9:50?"
The three nod their heads and Rin and Laura leave the room.
"Good night Ceci"
"You to Ichika-san"
He closes the door and quickly leaves for the hotel. He was going to find out about who this mini-Chifuyu is one way or another.
[France, Four Seasons Hotel George V]
Walking towards his room. Ichika recalls the weird memory he had while visiting Cecilia in her hospital room.
'What was that? And why did the man look so familiar, yet so distant?'
Mulling over the mysterious scenario, Ichika stumbles upon his hotel room. Pulling out his keycard, he notices that the door is ever so slightly unlocked. Pulling on it, he sees nothing different but two packed suitcases laid on the bed. Curious about how Charl knew about the cancellation of the event, he turned around the corner of the room and witnessed a frazzled Charl, sprawled over the floor and drooling while muttering random words. However, he did pick up one sentence.
"Ichika, thank you"
"No worries Charl" He replies instantly, realising about what she meant. There was a piece of paper in her hand, the papers that granted her freedom from Martin Dunois.
Realising his tiredness, he hurriedly brushes his teeth and changes into his pajamas. Laying down on the king size bed, he gets a very familiar greeting from his partners.
[Onii-san, you left us alone again! Me and Onee-chan are getting upset again]
[...]
[See? She misses you as much as I do!]
'Calm down Setsura, I still care about you and Byakushi, I almost lost you back when Makagami-san attacked me. By the way, who was she? I don't remember recalling anyone called Makagami in Phantom Task'
[I don't know onii-san. I'm sorry]
'I see, it's completely fine Setsura, and don't worry. I'll find some way to give you physical bodies that you can use to interact with me properly and not in my subconscious'
[Oki doki onii-san. Bye bye!]
Ichika picks Charlotte off the floor and carries her up on the bed. He relishes in her blanket of blonde hair while inhaling the wafting scent of lavender roses.
'No matter what. I must sacrifice my life in order to protect those who I care about. That is not an exception. But I wonder how I should do that. Maybe I ask Setsura and Byakushiki for more training?'
He continues to reflect on the future and slowly drifts off into slumber.
[IS Domain, Setsura and Byakushiki]
Only a few minutes after waking up, Ichika is abruptly awoken by a light but noticeable body jumping onto his and snuggling against him. Struggling to get up, he opens his eye and see his IS beaming at him, glad to reunite with him after not being here since before they left for France.
"Onii-san! I've missed you!"
"Hey Setsura. How've you been?"
"I mean I could be better."
"Why?"
"How do I put this simply, you left me and onee-san for 2 days. You give nicknames to other floozies and we nearly lost you!" She cries out, snuggling into Ichika's chest and letting out soft sniffles.
She looked very cute, Ichika knew that for sure.
Placing a hand on her head and stroking her platinum white hair, he down at her.
"That will never happen Setsu, I will have to die before you are taken away from me"
"Onii-san, thank you"
"Anyway, Setsu, can you help teach me how exactly to use the Emperor's Cloak? I still haven't been able to harness even a tenth of its power"
"Sure thing onii~, just make sure that you can handle the harder challenges I give you"
"Alright, shall we get starte-"
Before Ichika could finish his sentence, two BITs blazed forward, forming energy Katars at it's front. Ichika activates his IS and whips out one of his own shield BITs to cancel the advancement.
"WHAT WAS THAT FOR?!"
"You said you were fine with it. You have to be ready for the unexpected"
"Since you said it, GET READY!"
Ichika pulls out his Yukihira Nigata and speeds forward towards Setsura. While doing so, he unlocks the abilities of the 2nd shift. Touketsu Koutei. As he raises his sword in preparation for a finishing swing, the two BITs from Setsura turns around and forms two energy blasters, aiming right towards both of his wings. They open fire, aiming dead straight on his wings. Explosions erupt as the thin energy layer coating the IS shield Ichika from the resulting energy explosions. However, in that short amount of time, his IS shield points drain near instantaneously, forcing his IS to dematerialise.
"Five points Ichika"
"Out of a hundred?"
"Out of ten thousand"
"Come on, you have to play around like that?"
"Yep! Now get up, that was only the first test out of one hundred!"
"ONE HUNDRED?!"
"Yes, now hurry up Onii-san~"
"Fine fine, let's get it over with"
'Please let Byakushiki be more gentle with me, please' He begged.
Byakushiki was worse than Setsura that night.
AUTHOR NOTES:
If you have read this far, congratulations and thank you! It's my first time ever writing a story so I have no idea how it should be like. If there is any problems pertaining the story itself, feel free to PM me. However, I will still be in school 90% of the day so I won't be able to read them until like late at night or very early in the morning. You can also ask to be a beta reader to the story! I don't mind if you ask a simple "Can I be a beta reader for Infinite Stratos: Rebooted Resolve?" I would most likely give it to you to access.
Without further ado, I would like to thank those that still read Infinite Stratos fanfics. These stories go way harder than the original story in my opinion and they are really funny. I don't have anything further to say so I guess bye!
- ISReaderandWriter