Hey guys. Sorry that I took some on this. Things just got in the way. In this, we got something out of an inspiration source.

Infinite Stratos Rearrangement where Madoka would face Cecilia. Here, we'll have the same thing. This ought to be some fun.

One song that I have been playing is the song Wild Dances from Yuslana. I'd suggest you put that song up and just have that going on.

Not that much to say. I got myself some new favorites and followers. I do have to reply though.

Sev on the twentieth of April.

Well, that would beat the whole concept of the anime and manga. And there isn't much more to go on. In that case, you got yourself a status quo and that would be boring. I have written stuff about where there's an alternative technology to be an answer to the Infinite Stratos?

Just one question. How old are you? Because from the sound of it, you sound incredible naïve. Let's keep that at that.

You can believe what you want but the reality is different.

Now, for the chapter. I got no clue on how this will work out. But I know that it will be fun.

Also, this is the largest chapter so far. I wasn't sure when I started but it turned out like one.

Started on 27/05/2020

Ended on 06/06/2020.


Madoka was buzzing with energy and could hardly contain herself in a chair.

She had been challenged on her first fight. Now, first real Infinite Stratos fight. During the years, she had always trained with Ichika when they lived in the lab. A good lot of experience although the practice was a bit dull as both were just learning to pilot the Infinite Stratos.

That wasn't all fighting. Because the twins had a Yukihira, they had learned to fight with Chifuyu. While in most cases, pure sword fighting wouldn't train a person in piloting the Infinite Stratos.

Most cases.

Training with Chifuyu Orimura wasn't something you called most cases.

It was something that most normal human beings weren't able to match. Good thing for Madoka and Ichika they weren't normal human beings either.

The youngest Orimura didn't worry about her training. Far as she went she had that part covered. She could fight against Cecila and wouldn't worry about strength. Far as she went, she found that Ichika was one tough guy to fight.

But that wasn't her biggest problem. She had no real idea what Cecilia piloted. She had to figure out some way how she could break through that.

The youngest one knew that she could fight in and take care of it but to know your enemy, that was important. So far, she had no real idea of how to take care of Cecilia. So far, the woman wasn't sure what Cecilia could do.

During the rant, it was clear that Cecilia Alcott was just a dumb bimbo despite her appearance. She made it into the Representative Candidates. That girl had to have some way to get there. But even so, she would think about the other stuff later.

Eventually, the day ran out and the students were allowed to pack up and go. Ichika dropped at his sister's desk.

"You got any idea how you'll take her on?" Ichika wasn't worried about his little sister. Madoka could take care of herself. But a lot depended on her winning the fight. If they were, they had to listen to Cecilia. Not a favorable outcome. She grinned and patted her brother on the shoulder.

"I'll be fine, Ichi-nii. Don't worry about me." Looking aside, her best friend walked by with Joel on his shoulder.

"Good luck with that. I know that you'll kick her butt!" Mattheus walked to the door but stopped and turned around. With a thumbs-up at her, he didn't even turn his head. Both the twins were sure he had given them a grin.

Ichika could only look back at the man. Mattheus meant those words but Ichika knew that Madoka was too proud to ask for help. Madoka would be able to figure things out. He was sure of that. Cecilia glared at them while Houki joined the twins.

"Would you two walk home with me?" Both felt a flicker of energy in their bodies. Madoka glared at her brother who just shrugged at her. He couldn't help the emotions he was feeling. So when he looked at Houki, he gave her a grin.

"Sure."

With that, the three old friends left. Unsurprisingly, the topic of Madoka's challenge came to pass.

"What are you going to do, Madoka? Despite all things, you're facing a Representative Candidate. You can't just think you'll have an easy fight." With a dazzling grin, Madoka shot back at her.

"Don't worry about it, Houki. That blond bitch will be on my feet." With a karate chop, her older brother cut her off. Houki had her mouth fallen open.

Her sister had one big influence on them.

"Ichi-nii, that wasn't nice." It was like Madoka wasn't too hurt by that chop. She had taken that pretty well and wasn't hurt by it.

"Madoka, you can't afford that behavior. I know we trained with Chifuyu-nee and with each other, but that doesn't mean you can treat Cecilia as an easy target." Ichika reprimanded his little sister but the line of training with Chifuyu got Houki's attention.

"You trained with Orimura-sensei?" The Kendo Maiden had always admired Chifuyu for the fact that she was better than her. The oldest girl was a goal for Houki to follow.

"We did yeah. We couldn't practice with our Infinite Stratos so Chifuyu-nee trained us. It also helped me to keep sword fighting." Ichika looked at her.

"You didn't take Kendo classes?"

"Some of us gotta make a living, you know. With that, I could support the two while I learned how to fight with a sword. I daresay that I have gotten good at it." Ichika wasn't cocky when he said. He just simply stated a fact. Houki was a bit more skeptic.

"You defeated Chifuyu-san?" Ichika was happy that no one was around now. Looks like it died down pretty fast that he was the only one with Y chromos.

"Nope. I couldn't defeat her. Both of us fought with her. She kicked our asses but it took over forty minutes to do so. I daresay that is impressive."

Ichika didn't mention that Chifuyu took it easy. His sis was on the list of women he never hoped to fight.

"That's still impressive. So you two want to join the Kendo Club?" Madoka immediately soured on that. It looked like that Houki still was a battle junkie. It was like only her body matured compared to her head.

Houki was still too eager to go into a fight.

"I pass. Besides I have to prepare for the fight." Houki turned to Ichika and it was like Ichika found himself on the receiving end of puppy dog eyes. It also had some shimmer of tears in them. No one had taught him to say no to that.

"Ichika, would you like to join?" He pondered about it. Some normalcy might help him to fall in line. "Why not? It might stop me from being rusty."

Houki lit up and did an action that she hadn't seen coming herself. She flung around his neck with a hug. "Thank you, thank you, thank you."

The twins didn't know if Houki could squeal of joy like that.

"Sure, no problem." Madoka chuckled at first but cursed when she felt Ichika heating up. She wasn't surprised. Her brother wasn't used to the contact and it was clear that Houki had grown a set of tits. That was just like her mother and sister.

"In any case, I'll find another way. Like using a rifle. I'll see Chifuyu-nee later about the details." The three continued their walk while discussing the entire school day. Meanwhile, Mattheus sat in his room. Joel had just taken a shower and dressed in different clothes.

There was just a shirt on and a pair of short. Mattheus sat back and was enjoying some time off. His brain hurt a lot more.

The kid tugged on the sweater and got lifted up in the lap. "You sure you don't want to help Madoka. It looked like they could use our help."

Mattheus was about to answer until he heard a door knock.

"Door's open." The sight of Chifuyu Orimura in his room was something that made the guy raise his eyebrow on.

"Strange. I don't recall making calls." Chifuyu only raised an eyebrow on that but her smile turned crooked. It was like Mattheus didn't care.

"Oh, care to elaborate?" Chifuyu asked while Mattheus just looked at her.

"You're old enough to figure out what that's supposed to mean. Although I will admit that I am not that much into Asian women but given the fact that I am in the ISA, I can't invite my friends over. What you want teach?"

"It looks like you got a death wish." The Hunter shrugged on that remark while the guy looked at Chifuyu.

"If I wanted to be dead, I'd chose not to go to Japan. Teach, you ain't here for a friendly visit. And I like to goad others a bit." Chifuyu took a chair.

"That explains why my sister gets along so well with you. Adjzof, I am here with a request."

"This soon," Joel asked. The boy had the biggest shit-eating grin while Chifuyu ignored him.

"Can't you do anything about his mouth?" The teacher asked while Mattheus looked back at Joel and to the most dangerous woman in the world.

"If I knew how to turn it off, I would have done so. In the meantime, try to ignore it. It doesn't work out. But if he goes too far, lay down a smackdown but keep him intact. I kinda need the boy. But don't come telling me that Joel is worse than anything else you already had passed by?" Chifuyu had a devilish glint in her eyes while Joel looked betrayed.

"Very well. Adjzof. You know about the fight between my sister and Alcott. I come here to ask you not to get involved. That would be unfair." Mattheus stopped on his computer, turned his chair around, and looked Chifuyu right in the eyes.

"Teach, not that I wanna sound rude. But if I gotta pick between your sis being leader or Alcott. Hate to break it to you but that woman isn't really sane." Chifuyu smiled at him.

"That is the behavior that is normal for women. What would you do when a woman talks to you like that?" Joel snorted when he heard that.

"Staring down a barrel often shuts them up. Intimidation goes pretty far. We don't think shit from anyone." Chifuyu found a shock when she heard that.

"Joel is right. You don't wanna know how many times I used that. Hell, I am not even the worst. Joel one time gave a woman such a beating that she came out crippled. You can't solve everything with a bullet. Still, a lot you can solve."

The tone of the Hunter was a level one. Like he commented on the weather.

"What?"

"No joke. I was shopping one day. Some cunt came up with her hellspawn, ranting on how Joel had stollen the last bag of chips. Told her to shut the fuck up and move on. Bitch didn't listen and when her kid began to scream, Joel shut her up by ramming that mouth on a shelve. Bitch opened her mouth again and Joel began to kick the living crap out of her."

Chifuyu looked at the punk who shrugged and laid his head back. "Damn good fun. Mattheus finished shopping. Police knocked on our door, Mattheus told them that the bitch wasn't shutting up. I had the liberty of recording it. When they pressed on, he had to appear in front of the judge. Good thing that I got Lavathenian prepared. I also came with some bits."

Mattheus just shook his head when that all came down. "We showed the judge all the evidence that the woman harassed us first. Recording and all. Still, the whore was going to side with the woman. Joel decided to pull out all the stops. He outclassed the judge on the fact that we only acted in self-defense. And when that wasn't enough. The kid had one golden line. You slam your hammer down in defense of this woman, I'll cock mine."

Chifuyu looked back and forth to Mattheus who just smiled at her. "We don't think no bullshit and move for no one. At least, we keep it like that. So what you want from us? We aren't involved with your little sister for this fight. Why?"

Chifuyu recomposed herself and got the real reason why she came by. "My sister will face Alcott in a fair fight. I don't doubt her abilities and most likely, she will win. But I want you and Pearce not involved. Is that understood?"

Mattheus heard the harsh tone that Chifuyu used. Unlike the immediate reply she had expected, "Crystal ma'am!", Mattheus only raised an eyebrow.

"Got it." was what she got.

"Glad we understand each other. Don't forget to eat. Good night, Adjzof."

"Night teach. See you tomorrow." Chifuyu looked at him and Mattheus gave her a two-fingered salute.

When she got out, Joel looked to his brother. "We going to listen to her?" Mattheus just shot the boy a look that made it clear what the older man thought.

If he didn't voice his thoughts.

"Listen up, Joel. We're dealing with Chifuyu Orimura. Not a woman that I want to cross. " Mattheus materialized his gun.

"When we are done, we'll have one body count and a lot of pissed countries. So nope." Joel grinned on that.

"Well, at least, we'll stay in style." The two boys shared one bloodthirsty grin. The entire world, the Alaska Treaty did shit about Phantom Task.

From what Joel found, the Sarashiki family did one bad job on hunting them. They had to act right and do the right thing. Send them to court and let them be jailed.

Joel and Mattheus had different ideas on that. They would go after every member of Phantom Task. They weren't out for justice but vengeance.

But that wasn't their biggest priority now. Food was now more important. With that, the two walked up to the cafeteria. Deciding to take a page from Ichika's book, Mattheus got noodles while Joel went for a beef stew.

The Orimura siblings and Houki were sitting down on their food. Madoka waved over, Ichika smiled at them and Mattheus joined them.

"So you decided to taste this one?" Madoka asked while the guy gave her a grin when he sat down with a knife and fork. "It can't hurt to taste the things of the lands. Besides I am not a difficult eater."

"Itadakimasu," Ichika said but Mattheus answered with his own.

"Smakelijk." The three looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "It's what we say at home. It's similar to your Itadakimasu." Mattheus answered as he started to eat. The three shrugged and during their meal, they got quiet.

"How do you intend to take care of Alcott?" Joel asked at the end while he got next to her.

"I'll just make things work. I have spared with Ichi-nii often enough." Mattheus looked at Ichika who smiled. Mattheus guessed that the boy was strong enough "Cool. Well, we would love to help you but as a grownup, it's best not to get involved with business that ain't yours."

Joel could only smirk. He wasn't going to help out Madoka in the whole thing but he could give her some help.

"Either way, from what I found back, Alcott's unit is third-gen. Primarily for long-distance fighting if you catch my drift. Pretty new stuff and all." Joel was drinking his cola while Houki could only shake her head.

"State of the art some might say." The twins could hear the sarcasm oozing out Joel. They had been living with Tabane and that woman was ahead of most countries.

So far, Joel was the second one that might keep up with her. "Either way, how you take care of her is your call. But I'll tell you that. Don't bring a knife to a gunfight." And with that, the group disbanded.

Houki had Ichika fill in his form to become a part of the Kendo Club, Madoka went to see her sister, Mattheus and Joel went back to their room. The boy had found stuff that Mattheus had to learn.

Houki understood Ichika wasn't going for a fight right now but that he would practice with her later. She found that his stance wasn't too far off and that he learned how to take care of himself. Somewhere, she found herself lucky that he didn't have to fight Cecilia.

Meanwhile, Madoka went to her big sister. She was in her room. Knocking three times, the door opened and she couldn't help but look around. Still different compared to their own place.

The door opened and Chifuyu stood in the opening. "Hey, little sis."

"Hey, big sis." The door closed and Chifuyu found herself being hugged by her sister. Snuggling in her body, Chifuyu softly stroked her hair. "You like it back there?" Chifuyu joked.

"I need to restore my big sister energy points. A little bit longer." Madoka was adorable, Chifuyu admitted while she enclosed the arms around her body.

Chifuyu enjoyed the feeling of human warmth. "So little sis. How do you think you'll take down Alcott?"

With a smirk, Chifuyu saw in the mirror often enough, Madoka looked at her. "You as well? Come on, big sis. I should watch my step but I have been training a good while. Besides, Joel let it slip that Alcott fight long-ranged." Chifuyu had half a heart to go after Joel but decided that such an action would be detrimental.

Unless Joel would transgress further, she would lay down a harsh punishment.

"So what is your call?"

"I am not risking going in with a sword. I'll use my own rifle. It comes down to a sniper duel."

Madoka answered and Chifuyu ruffled her hair. "You think that it will be enough?" Madoka shrugged.

"Chifuyu-nee, what am I supposed to do? Make a bigger plan? For that woman. I doubt she would have any idea to take me on." Chifuyu admitted.

"And on the whole idea, Taba-nee had me and Ichika going after each other for hours on end. I learned that to built distance and switch positions." Madoka let out a sardonic laugh.

"In the end, nothing had changed too much. A fight is still the same as years ago. You fight the same way as soldiers did."

"Besides the fact you are Piloting machines worth billions. Either way, Madoka. I don't doubt that you'll have too many problems. If you can keep in mind what Cecilia can do, you have our own abilities." With that, Chifuyu ruffled the hair of her sister, and Madoka cooed when she felt the soft touch.

"Thank you, big sis." Chifuyu smiled and gave her sister a hug. "Give her hell, little sis." After that, the youngest Orimura walked out.

The oldest just shook her head. Somewhere, she was happy that she had two siblings. The two were her biggest reasons.

Next day.

At the class, the students tried to ignore some things. Two thunderclouds had wide smiles and were happy. Ichika got a weird look of Mattheus. A look that asked the question. "What happened?"

Ichika could only shrug. For a woman, that didn't mean anything. For Mattheus, it meant that things were okay. That wasn't all.

Cecilia kept glaring holes into Madoka and Ichika who did their best to ignore her. They could think of several reasons. It wasn't just at them. Her glares also went sideways. Mattheus sat with his arms back while Joel wrote on the computer.

Chifuyu found that Mattheus paid attention and listened to what she had to say. During the break, Mattheus walked up to Ichika. Despite the answer, the thumb went to his right. He hadn't been too long in the class and yet, he picked up what happened between Houki and Madoka.

The two were still smiling and they ignored Cecilia who was boiling at them.

"Are they coming down to earth?" Joel asked Ichika while he leaned at the desk. Ichika began to shake his head.

"Don't worry about it, Joel. Eventually, they will come down. You never had that?"

The three decided to ignore Cecilia. "So Mattheus, what is your Infinite Stratos, exactly? I don't think I have seen it."

The man shook his head. "I'll keep it for later. Let's just say that Joel pulled a miracle on that machine. Strong machine with good weapons. But hey, that is for later. So Ichika, you use swords as the main weapon?"

"Indeed. I learned it from Chifuyu-nee. Your main weapon?"

"Chasseur. Well, it's the name for two weapons. One is the handgun you saw. The other is a rifle." Mattheus admitted while Ichika scratched his cheek.

"Chasseur? What does that mean?"

Mattheus grinned on that while Joel sighed. "It's French. It means Hunter. I named it after Les chasseur Ardennais, a Belgian Infantry Unit. In English, it means the Ardenian Hunters. It's a rifle. Pretty damn strong one. Joel had a field day."

Ichika found that Joel was smiling like his sister. When the ruffle came, they could swear Joel was purring. "You're something, in that case, Joel."

"I am not a genius, Ichika. I am just damn good at my job." Ichika turned his head from the boy to Mattheus.

"Can I borrow him?"

"Sorry, I need him myself." Joel found that Ichika was fun to be around. When they heard a slam on the table, Ichika, Mattheus, and Joel found that Cecilia was angry at them. For what? They couldn't care.

"You three. Do something about them." Ichika wasn't sure how to react but Mattheus did.

"But don't worry about it. I'll let you borrow him. Or he decides himself to work on it." Ichika found the eyes of Mattheus and it was clear that it was better to keep talking instead of acknowledging Cecilia.

"You're sure about that?" Ichika asked while Joel nodded. The boy's emerald eyes gave him that.

"Don't worry about it, pall. I can work myself out on stuff. Mattheus design was fun and maybe I can figure shit out."

"Thanks, Joel."

"But that is for later. Hey, Ichika. I meant to ask what is kendo." The young boy asked this time.

"You three. Stop ignoring me!" The screeching harpy, Cecilia, shouted but the three did just that.

"You don't know what kendo is?" At the deadpan stare of the two, Ichika remembered he was talking to two boys from the other side of the globe.

"It's a martial art where you use a sword. It came from Kenjutsu and you use a wooden sword." Ichika admitted while Mattheus mulled over that.

"Cool. I had heard of it a couple of times. Sensei had given us some time."

"You practiced martial arts as well?" Ichika asked Mattheus and he nodded.

"Yep. Jiu-jitsu for a few years. It was fun but sensei got too busy. Ah well. It can't be helped with that. I didn't get good at it but I knew how to keep myself at it. But I prefer to work with a gun. Swords aren't my thing." Mattheus told Ichika who found it a shock.

"You three! I am talking to you! Listen to me!"

"Why use that?" Ichika learned pretty fast. While he would normally be too thickheaded to apricate it, he let Mattheus speak. The man was different in nearly every other way.

"It fitted him better. I tried with swords but it didn't work. He was a natural with that rifle. He's also closer to a Hunter."

"You three!" Ichika jerked to her. The conversation couldn't be kept with Cecilia around and she was too loud.

"What you want from us? We're talking."

"I was demanding your attention. You should pay attention to when a lady is talking to you." Cecilia shouted at Ichika. Mattheus and Joel began to laugh when they heard that line.

"You? A lady? Yeah, right. If you're a lady, I am a university graduate." Mattheus joked while Cecilia glared at him.

"A lady? That's an insult to every woman worthy of that name. If you're a real lady, better act like one. And when we are in a conversation, you can politely ask to get involved. Instead of just ramming it."

Joel told her but with a vicious grin, he wasn't done just yet. "But well, you can't expect any better from the dog of a dog."

"What?" Cecilia's tone had a dangerous edge. Joel could feel that Mattheus wasn't looking forward to what he had to say.

Joel was already on the shitlist of two countries.

"You're from the Alcott family, right? They're the guard dogs of the Queen. So in other words, you're the guard dog of a fucking bitch!"

Mattheus whistled when Joel said that to Cecilia who looked like she was ready to murder him. Ichika wasn't sure what he should do but his sister had impeccable timing.

"Enough. All of you sit down. Pearce." The boy looked at her. "I don't want a diplomatic incident happening in my classroom. Got that?" Joel walked back to her and Mattheus gripped his chair. Joel was known to be a handful and if the last few days weren't enough, he respected nothing and nobody.

Chifuyu could destroy him. No one made any illusion on that. And if Joel was just any boy, he would be quiet and back down.

But Joel wasn't just any boy.

Walking to her, there was no hint of fear in his eyes. Standing before Chifuyu Orimura, Joel Pearce crossed his arms.

"Something to say to me, Pearce?" Chifuyu was secretly impressed by the audacity of Joel.

"Yeah. Diplomacy ain't something written down in my vocabulary. I am not taking crap from anyone and I don't get out the way for anyone. I, bro, and your brother were just talking. It's only that the Dog of a Bitch came after us."

Again, he used that line. Cecilia wanted to screech but one glare from Chifuyu stopped her. When that glare went to Joel, he didn't even flinch.

"Pearce, you can't call the Queen of Great Britain like that." Joel's jaw tightened when he heard his teacher say that.

"Why? It's God's Honest Truth. That fucking shriveled old prune is nothing more than a fucking bitch and a waste of money." Chifuyu took a deep breath.

"That isn't my problem. What is my problem, Pearce is that I can't have a loose cannon in my class. I do not want you to cause problems. So I want you to pipe down." Joel just glared at her.

"Tell you what, teach. If you tell your students that they don't piss at my shoes, I will do the same. But if you don't, well. I'll retaliate. Simple as that?" Chifuyu's mouth fell open when Joel walked to Mattheus. Lifting him up, the man sighed.

"Those are some words from a punk. You really wouldn't fit in a Japanese Classroom. Our boys are better raised."

Joel looked back at her. "I might be rude by your standards. But I don't care. You heard me." And with that, Joel stared down at Chifuyu.

And that was, as they said, was that.

At the end of the day.

The evening couldn't be fast enough around for some. Dinner was for later as both the Orimura siblings had somewhere to be. Madoka had to be at the firing range while Ichika would meet Houki in the kendo room.

The firing range was similar to what a person would expect from the military or something like that. Madoka wasn't alone. When she turned to her right, Mattheus made his own rifle. It was a large brown model. A bit old if she had a say. Laying down, she couldn't help but think about what he and Joel were. Good friends, family, engineer.

Those two were the best.

The hunter laid down and pulled the trigger. A huge bang was heard. Madoka couldn't help but think that the gun was loud. She winced from the words.

"Ah, Joel. Motherfucker. Do you really have to give me a weapon that has a kick of a mule on steroids?"

"Quit whining you big baby." Madoka would say that she stood corrected. After that, she shook her head and made her own weapon in partial deployment.

She found that Mattheus had one big impressive weapon. He aimed again and pulled the trigger once more. Again, one huge bang came out. Madoka was kinda shocked that the weapon Mattheus used was so powerful. She wasn't sure how it fits in a fight.

Yet, Matheus laid back on the ground and pulled the trigger again. He wasn't wearing a school outfit or an Infinite Stratos Suit. He was wearing a heavy sweater with some protection on his shoulders and some camo trouser.

He pulled the trigger again and cycled the bolt. The Hunter had also ear protection. Madoka decided to follow his example. Unlike Mattheus whose rifle resembled a real one, The Star Breaker was just attached to her forearm.

Madoka fired again and her shots mixed with Mattheus. His were louder but slower as he had to cycle. Madoka could fire faster than him and she was more a sharpshooter compared to a real sniper.

Still, she found Mattheus worked different than her. But even so, in her shots, she felt a presence. "Mighty fine weapon you got there," Joel spoke with experience.

"Mind if I take a look." Now, when a twelve-year-old kid asked a fifteen-year-old lady about the weapon she was using, one would say that it was rude. Yet, she had been around Joel for enough time.

Going on one knee, Joel looked over it. "Nice rifle although there are some improvements. I'll make them after your match." Madoka found that it was something but when she looked up, she saw Mattheus who looked tired but had a soft smile on his face.

"You better trust him, Madoka. Joel works out of the box. He often improves on it. We can't help you with your match. But we can help you with your weapons."

Madoka quickly learned that despite the rifle being new, Mattheus had experience with firearms. More than Madoka had. So during that, the boys learned her how to work with Chasseur and other rifles. How to use her Star Breaker in a different way.

They also explained that even if Cecilia had maybe some more experience working for her, Madoka could fight closer with a sword.

When she asked what Mattheus used as a CQB weapon, the man just made a spear with a chain and club attached to it. It was dubbed a Goedendag.

Mattheus used it as his own weapon. Madoka didn't doubt it was effective but she found the weapons of her friend, cheap and lacking compared to her own.

The rifle looked like one used in the last century, the spear was simple and the handgun was maybe a bit more modern.

Yet, she found that it resonated with Mattheus's nature. He was humble.

Besides that, she wondered how Ichika and Houki would be. After the training with Mattheus, the two often discussed the differences between living in Japan or living in Flanders.

Meanwhile, Houki had a different idea. Ichika stood before her, ready to fight her. He was dressed in the traditional clothes, their kendo sword in their hands. He hadn't forgotten how to use the clothes although, with Chifuyu, they would take up different approaches. He had learned to fight her.

So with Houki, it could be different. He could feel the radiation coming from her.

"When do we start?" Ichika asked and Houki stood ready before him.

"Whenever you are ready." With that, Ichika nodded to her.

Contrary to what Houki would have thought, he let her strike first. She raced to him and instead of blocking, he avoided her attack. Houki wasn't sure how he had learned to do that but she found it a shock.

Again, she attacked him and Ichika moved back and avoided her attack. When he was sure about how she was, she took an upper swipe. Ichika had no problem blocking her.

From what he guessed, Houki had grown stronger over the years. But surprise, surprise. So did he. He didn't even struggle against her sword. It was a difference in power where Houki had no clue how strong Ichika had gotten. She wasn't sure how but Ichika had no problem swiping her aside.

With that, he waited until Houki found her footing again. When Ichika was sure that she found her footing again. When she was ready, it was his turn to play on the offensive. Houki didn't expect that Ichika would take the chance now. Before she had a chance to go back on the fight, Ichika was already at her.

With a swipe from his right, Houki brought up her sword. With that, she found the sword matching hers. She struggled against his sword. Standing back, she moved her left foot away.

Houki guessed that Ichika would fall over her but instead, Ichika moved back at her. While their swords had no longer a connection, he wasn't going to ignore the fight. He moved back at her and Houki found that Ichika was back at her.

Compared to the child six years ago, Ichika was faster, better prepared and he could follow her up. He was more aggressive.

But she was a kendo champion so instead of falling back, she moved back at Ichika. If they were wielding real swords, one could see sparks coming from the swords. But in this, the clash was something.

Raw power could be used in a way that technique couldn't. Ichika and Houki struggled against the other fighter. When they let each other go, their swords were up in the air. She couldn't see through the helmet but she found that Ichika had the time of his life.

He did by the way. Ichika had joy in the fighting. His moves were calculated and corrected when he fought Houki.

She wasn't sure how Ichika did but he was gradually pushing her back. The Shrine Maiden wasn't done just yet so she pushed back with her own show of skill increasing. Ichika didn't wait to reply back. Both of them were just testing out the opponent. Both found it to their liking what they experienced.

Instead of just attacks, faster swipes came out with parries. They were matched and instead of the beginning, both tried to fight back at their fastest moves. Ichika was just a bit slower compared to Houki but his power made up for that.

Houki herself smiled inwardly. It looked like Ichika had grown a lot during their time apart. She found that she couldn't let him down. So she tried another attack. Making a circle of their sword, she put the but of the sword on her shoulder.

She would push like that and expected to land a hit like that. But Ichika had seen her coming. When she attacked.

When he was sure she moved, he stood back. The swipe passed his head, making a circle with his body, Ichika took her left wrist with his right one. The sudden movement made Houki gasp when she felt the center of her gravity losing. She could regain footing but found that her sword was lost. It fell on the floor but she wasn't outdone just yet.

With her right arm, she went to Ichika's left leg and pulled. Ichika found himself tumbling backward. Letting Houki go, he rolled back over his shoulder. Sitting in a crawled position, he had his sword still. Houki had taken hers back up.

The maiden was standing before him and he waited. After a few tense seconds passed, Ichika was sure that he got the okay to stand back up.

"You're not tired yet." There was a mock in his voice. Somewhere it tugged on Houki.

"Where did you learn to fight like that?" She asked with her sword aimed at him.

"Big sis. She taught me a lot." Ichika had fought Chifuyu before. Compared to her, Houki was a novice. Somewhere, Ichika knew how it came to that. Chifuyu had fought for her life for a long time.

Compared to Houki, she had never had to do that once. She glared at Ichika. With that, she went after Ichika again who matched her this time. Again, their swords clashed and she found that the strength Ichika had begun to increase.

She struggled against the power that Ichika had in his body.

When she stood back, she pushed again on his sword. Ichika didn't stop though. He was done holding back. Houki proved to match his strength. It would be rude to hold back now.

Ichika wasn't attacking fast anymore. His flurries were strong and when left failed, he attacked from the right side.

Houki began to use her own power. When Ichika made an attack, from the right, she parried his attack. From there, she pushed his sword out and from above, she wanted to deliver a strike. Ichika's left hand was open so he caught her forearm. Pulling her close, Ichika kneed Houki.

There was no worry he might cause some injury. She was no dainty flower and she was wearing armor. Standing back, he let Houki catch her breath.

The woman glared but when you faced Chifuyu Orimura, Ichika had no longer fear of a normal woman.

Houki had to try harder to make her afraid though. Houki looked at him. "You cheated!"

"Cause I kneed you? I learned from Chifuyu-nee that there is no honesty in a fight. And you want me to hold back? Wouldn't that be unfair?"

That set Houki off. Ichika could read that in her eyes. He didn't have to try too hard to block her attack. She was no longer calm and with that, Ichika decided that it was enough. Remembering a technique that his sis had used, Ichika parried one strike and brought both two swords up.

They were out her hands soon. Using her momentum, Ichika shoved her down. Taking one arm, Houki was blocked.

"Calm down." When she struggled, Ichika applied pressure and pain. Eventually, Houki calmed down. "Ichika, Ichika. I get it."

"You get what?"

"I get your point now. So let me go." Proving that her words weren't lies, she relaxed. When that was done, Ichika let her go.

"Okay, Houki but let's keep it cool." Turning her around, he offered her a hand. Houki took it gratefully and she was pulled up.

"That was something. I can't believe that Chifuyu-san would teach you to fight like that." Taking off her helmet, she was sweating while she looked at Ichika.

Ichika himself undid the straps. Underneath, he was sweating up a storm. Still, he had one easy smile. "I learned a lot from her. Things aren't always honest. And sis is better than the two of us." Houki wanted to speak up but thought two minutes about that.

Chifuyu was something else. That was something no one could deny. She was strong and powerful. There was a huge difference between their teacher and the two. Ichika knew why that was.

Houki didn't. He had grown stronger. A lot stronger.

"You really got strong. Not just with Chifuyu-san but in regular training." Ichika shrugged on that. "Maybe we take a break and talk." Houki was just looking at Ichika surprised at that. On the bench, they sat down with easy smiles. Not much to say but the silence was speaking for them.

Eventually, Houki decided to be a little bit adventurous. She yawned and slowly moved Ichika's hand. The boy had no idea what she wanted him to do but Ichika followed along. Slowly but surely, his arm made a circle around her body. Houki decided that tucked underneath was perfect to fall asleep.

"Tomorrow match again."

Ichika couldn't agree more with her mumbling and stayed dutifully awake guarding Houki.

The next day.

Chifuyu found both her siblings in the classroom, a bit winded compared to yesterday. But that wasn't the weirdest sight. Houki had taken her chair and was sitting with the twins. Meanwhile, Mattheus had joined around.

Still, there was something that beat that to the punch. Joel was sitting in Madoka's lap. Like it was normal. Like Joel hadn't done anything else.

The five talked about their own stuff. Houki was in a discussion about something with Joel and Madoka about swords while Mattheus explained to Ichika how to see that experience.

"So you're saying what now?"

"That you can be only be judged by the men around you. I got my mark from the guys at my job. They can judge if you're a man. Women can't do that for you." Mattheus admitted.

"So you're saying what now?" Ichika asked him with a raised eyebrow.

"That, my dimwitted and younger friend, no one in this school has the right to tell you if you're aren't a man. I am the only qualified because I was considered a man. Ichika, it doesn't matter how many notches you got on your belt. That is not a way to judge a guy. Other ways how you handle yourself, the ones next to you and below you."

Chifuyu wasn't sure if she liked what Mattheus was telling Ichika about it but she figured that Mattheus knew some things. He was right in some regards. He was a man. While in some regards, she would call him a loser, even those who had wisdom.

The Brunhilde had read once that a woman couldn't raise a man. While she wanted to believe that she had done well with Ichika, a part of her saw the influence Mattheus had over her brother.

The older man didn't push her away or took over her role as caretaker but his actions as advisor and simply more mature man were something that she could only applaud.

With that, the teacher announced that the students had to go to their seats. Mattheus stood up and walked by while Joel ran to the seat. When he passed Chifuyu, he was the only one who saw the twinkle in her eyes and an appreciative grin.

He had a hunch on what she was happy about but he would ask Chifuyu later. With that, the male walked away, sat down and Joel sat down in his seat. The grin was just there while Chifuyu walked to the board.

And the rest was silent as the students listened to their teacher. Joel's finger raced over the keyboard. It looked like this time there was a lot Mattheus had to see so Chifuyu made sure that the material was covered well. Mattheus himself was also paying attention.

Over the screen, the man pointed to Joel on what to add to that.

Eventually, the day ran out for them. Madoka had found that Mattheus had some good tips for her. So while he didn't help her on the match, the training could help her out.

Ichika and Houki would go back to their own training. It was a good influence on the two. Or some bad influence.

Chifuyu wasn't sure about what Mattheus was for Madoka or Ichika. An influence. For damn sure. What sort of influence?

That was one good question.

While he was a male and he should be closer to the other male in the classroom, Madoka was friendlier with Mattheus. It must be because of the same taste in that horrible noise that had the audacity to be called music.

Madoka was already corrupted by the music. Mattheus was just another victim.

She knew that Ichika would most likely never like the music that his sister enjoyed. That aside, Mattheus helped out her sister. Madoka would always be in the shadow of Chifuyu and Ichika.

The First Brunhilde and the First Male Pilot.

Yet, with Matheus, he didn't care. He treated those around him the same. He hadn't the sort of worship for Chifuyu.

That wasn't to say that he disrespected the Brunhilde. Not in the slightest. He listened to her, often followed her remarks, found her a good teacher and an amazing fighter. The fact that she could defeat him was enough persuasion to lay down his weapons when he threatened Alcott.

Chifuyu knew that Mattheus and Joel were things that Ichika and Madoka needed. She wanted him to find another male friend. An older guy and that was Mattheus.

She also knew that she would never get in her head to make Mattheus angry. Not only because he was just four years younger than her but also because she knew what Mattheus was.

Friendly, loyal to his friends, willing to stick up for them and would go to Hell for them. Tenacious, honest as gold, tough, relaxed, and good of heart.

That was the sort of guy that Mattheus was. There was a warm realism in his body, mature thinking sure and he wasn't naïve. He might have some other sides but as long Chifuyu would treat him fair and just, she would find him as a valuable ally.

And perhaps, if her heart would allow it, a good friend.

There was a voice in her head that told her that it could change fast.

When he left with Madoka, chatting and telling her about different methods to fight with a rifle, she knew that Mattheus could change his course. The only thing he ultimately cared for was his own life and the one that he carried on his back.

She would call him to her room when he was done helping her sister.

In the dojo, Houki was standing again ready before Ichika. She had been highly anticipating fighting Ichika again so that was what she would do.

She had no idea that Ichika had been wanting the same thing.

Racing at her, Ichika found his path blocked by Houki. She had gotten just a little bit better in fighting Ichika.

In the sense that she could read his moves. And block the power behind them. Houki found that Ichika had gotten a bit more fluid compared to the day before. She matched him again in the fight and with that, instead of flurries, it was just two wooden swords clashing against one another.

Houki stood back and unlike what she believed Ichika did the same, eying her moves.

He was sure that she would follow up so Ichika waited until she attacked him again. He knew that was going to happen so Ichika avoided the attack. When her sword was on the place where he stood, he moved back in.

It was Houki's turn to block.

Back and forth, so they went. They had gotten just a little bit better. Houki's talent was something she was proud of but compared to Ichika's raw strength, it had one match.

Still, the two went back and forth in their fighting. Strikes were blocked and counters were used. Houki had her fun when she fought Ichika.

Ichika had grown strong, really, really strong. Houki could feel that in his body. The strength he had gotten, the skills he had learned, the way he fought.

He'd become something else. In some cases, she might say that Ichika had become a man.

That same night in front of Chifuyu's room.

Mattheus knew that when he goes to Chifuyu it wouldn't be an easy task. Eastern and Western believe clashed more often than not.

Knocking three times on the door, the door opened. A soft smile but not his easy grin was on the face of the Flemish man.

"Evening, you requested me?" The Hunter asked with Chifuyu nodding at him. "Indeed. Thank you for coming, Adjzof. Please come in."

"It's that private, huh?" There would be a joke if Mattheus didn't have any humor in his voice. The door was closed after him and he was on edge when Chifuyu walked back in.

"Please take a seat." With that, Mattheus sat down. He was a bit nervous but wasn't that stressed.

"What you need from me, teach?" Chifuyu took the opposite seat and she made sure that he didn't miss the katana on the wall.

Or the one behind her.

"There are a few questions I have. I will ask them and expect an answer. An honest one."

Mattheus needed a few seconds to collect himself but decided to add a bit to that. Sitting back, his hands were crossed in his lap. In his eyes, she could read something.

"I'll give you the answers. I only that you won't seek repercussion in case you don't like the answers." His fingers twitched and she knew that Mattheus would form a handgun. It would come down to mere seconds in a standoff.

"Very well. Are there any ulterior motives for you or Pearce for looking to be friends with my little sister and brother?"

"No. I don't look for anything with your siblings besides some help. Something tells me that me being friends with your brother and sister would forge one bond. But there is nothing malicious behind it."

Chifuyu wasn't sure where he learned such language but decided to move on.

"What is your reason that you attend the ISA?"

"You want to know why I am here or why?"

"What is the reason that you would come all the way from Belgium to Japan?" Chifuyu cut him off while she could feel how Mattheus was feeling right now.

"You really want to know?" Mattheus asked while he pulled up his hoodie. She could see the blue eyes glistering.

With the silence, being her answer, Mattheus was going for broke. He just hoped that it wouldn't blow up in his face.

"Before I tell you. What I say in this room, stays in this room." Chifuyu nodded but that wasn't enough.

"Tell me. I promise."

"I promise. Whatever Mattheus Adjzof will tell me will not leave this room." Content with that answer, the man told her the reason why he attended the school.

"I want to exterminate Phantom Task." Chifuyu would laugh if Mattheus wasn't so deadly serious. The eyes were the windows of the soul and she stared in a sea of hate, rage, and fury.

"Again. What do you want to do?"

"In case you misunderstood me. I want to kill every last agent of Phantom Task." Chifuyu gulped when she heard that. The name was something resonating in her body.

"You know what Phantom Task is?"

The Brunhilde understood Mattheus wasn't just a normal guy but she also understood that he wasn't after her.

"A terrorist organization that spread its poison around the globe. Their end goal is unknown but what is known is the fact that they steal and operate Infinite Stratos Units. There isn't that much known about them and how far their reach goes. For me and Joel, that isn't our problem." Mattheus told her and when he touched his cheek, she could see that the things on his cheek were the closed up form of his unit.

"What is our problem we're going to find and kill every last one." Chifuyu grimaced when she heard that. It wasn't an answer she liked to hear but it wasn't after her or her siblings.

Best to keep that bit of their past hidden.

"Adjzof. While you have a goal some might call noble, the idea that one man goes after an organization so powerful and old as Phantom Task, that is a suicide mission. There are others who look for the same thing. Seek to work with them." Mattheus' grin made her question his sanity.

"You mean like the Sarashiki Family. That family is worth shit. You believe that if they were so good at their job, they'd be finished by now. Instead, they fuck around and those caught in the crossfire die. I don't think I should tell you who? Do I?"

For the first time in a while, Chifuyu didn't trust her voice.

"Than I shouldn't tell you why I am after them. And why I got Joel in this. Don't worry about your siblings though. When the time comes, I won't pull them in this war of mine." Mattheus talked to her with a grin. Somewhere, Chifuyu had seen the reflection of that grin before.

"You honestly believe that you will walk away from that?"

"Yep. When it is all said and done, I and Joel will have a body count, too high to count, our souls set for damnation and several countries with a hardon to get us arrested. But I'd say they can try. We'll just prove that we're strong enough to give them hell." Chifuyu raised an eyebrow on that question from him.

"You think you're strong?" With a smile, a softer one, Chifuyu calmed down. "Teach, permission to speak freely?" The teacher nodded.

"If I may speak, Orimura-sensei, we both got real strength. Do you want to know what I mean?"

Chifuyu relaxed and smiled. "I think so yeah. But I like to hear it from you." Mattheus laid his head back.

"You and me. Teach. We're both strong. Stronger than some others. Why? Because you and I use a strength that comes from one thing. Protect what we got left. You got your siblings. I can see in your eyes. You'd go through for hell for them. I think you already did. Same with me. I'd lay down my life for Joel. The other part is that Joel would do the same for me. I don't think I am afraid of you."

Chifuyu smirked at him.

That smirk would have caused lesser men to shit their pants.

"Long I don't piss you off, I am not worried. Just going to give you the advice that you yourself shouldn't do the same thing, sensei. I don't think you're the kind of woman that would fuck around. You don't tolerate it from others but you don't do it yourself. But I can think of types that would." Chifuyu found that tonight was enough.

"Very well. Adjzof, you can retire. No word to anyone about this." Mattheus stood up. He didn't bow but saluted with his two fingers.

"Sure thing. When I asked that what I said didn't leave this room. The same went for you. Goodnight, Orimura-sensei."

"Goodnight, Adjzof." It was past eleven at the night. But Mattheus was used to late nights and early mornings.

Whistling a tone, his father once put up. Some tune when he was younger.

"Take my wild chances." With the moon shining, he found that no matter where you were. Some things never changed.

"I want a fantasy." And truer words were seldom spoken. In the end, Mattheus and Joel would go after the Hunt.

What he forgot to mention to Chifuyu Orimura was a small detail.

Chifuyu was the First Brunhilde. Chifuyu however wasn't the first Brunhilde that he knew. Touching the scar over his throat, he could thank the trust Mattheus had in Joel.

It had been close but Joel saved his life back then. It did hurt like one fucking bitch when he made sure that his throat was healed. The two had stood before the woman.

He knew that when he would Alicia again, he wouldn't take any chances on her. He would kill her as soon as he laid eyes on her.

After one week.

Madoka was buzzing with glee. She could finally face that blond twit and something told her that she would enjoy this.

Her unit was deployed and she was wearing a white shirt. Her face was free and not protected by a mask.

Beating down that woman with a grin on her face and with quite some unnecessary brutality planned.

"You look happy?" Turning to her brother, she gave Ichika one flashy and predatory grin. "Sure. I am gonna have tons f fun."

"Keep it down enough for us to enjoy it would you, Madoka?" Joel walked to her with Mattheus joining them later.

Kneeling, she lifted the boy up who had a soft giggle when she tickled him. "You wanna see me beat up Alcott?" He nodded in the same vigor when you'd offer a child candy.

"Yep. Beat her on the floor and don't stop trying." Mattheus walked over to her and placed a heavy hand on her shoulder. He took Joel over from her and smiled.

"You kick her ass. I'm sure of it. It might be fun to watch." Mattheus told the young woman and with that, she was out.

The three looked at her.

"Despite that all, you think your sis gonna win this?" Joel had crawled to Mattheus's neck and was leaning on the hair of the man.

Ichika looked at the two. "She will win this. I don't doubt it."

In the arena, Madoka could see the unit of Cecilia. Blue Tears, she had known the name. Even with the Kuroshiki being based on the Kurezakura, a large part of her unit was also based on the Silent Zephyrs, a unit from the UK which on itself was based on the Blue Tears.

In other words, Cecilia had an inferior machine compared to Madoka's own unit. Even so, she knew that she shouldn't underestimate Cecilia. If Mattheus's weapons were anything to go by, his unit would be called inferior to her own.

Madoka had no doubt that Mattheus could put one hell of a fight and turn the tables.

She wanted to put some money on a fight between her brother and her best friend. That would be one brutal fight.

But now on the matter of Cecilia. She couldn't play this cheap.

Her bravado had to come from something. With that, she turned to the audience. Ichika gave her a smile, Mattheus gave her a thumbs up, Joel shouted her name with vulgarity and Houki gave her a nod.

In the control room, she knew her sister was watching. She nodded to the room and Chifuyu crossed her arms.

She looked at Cecilia who just gave her a look of utter haughtiness.

"Listen, I'll give you one chance." Madoka titled her head.

"Chance?" She asked with some apprehension.

"I have the upper hand here. Just submit yourself to me out of the sheer kindness. I would hate if everyone complained and said I beat you for no good reason as there will be just one battered and bruised body left."

Madoka looked at her opponent and her right eye twitched.

"So you want my apologies. Fine. I am sorry." She paused with a grin that if Cecilia had any knowledge about the common man, she would have seen that coming.

"Very well, now apologize."

"You're wrong. I am sorry for completely wrecking your ass."

Cecilia gaped at him like a fish, her mouth opening and closing. That wasn't the answer she had been hoping for. "Very well. Don't blame that you got down crying. The woman looked at her while Madoka yawned and covered her mouth.

"Can we just begin?" Madoka asked and that was the signal that Cecilia needed. She began to rapidly fire at the Japanese girl. Madoka just laid her head back and smiled. She was going to piss Cecila off in a huge fashion.

Cecilia fired at Madoka with none of the shots connecting. The woman was just enjoying the wind while the machine was firing at her. It wasn't like she had to try. Ichika was harder to avoid and fire back.

Chifuyu's little sister could have taken out Cecilia at any time but she decided to just fly around. She had been listening to a song Mattheus had in his head. The song was stuck in her head. It was like she danced to the tune.

Madoka whistled the tone while Cecilia was firing at her. The woman was getting annoyed that she couldn't hit her opponent.

"Day-na-day-na, wanna be loved!" she sang while the evasive maneuvers were a delight to watch. Cecilia gritted her teeth as she was next to her brother. She even turned and winked to Ichika.

"Can you take this seriously?" Cecilia shouted. With that, Madoka looked at her. "You want it serious?"

Turning around, Madoka aimed and upside down, he fired one shot. Even with her body turned, she had only a tenth of a second needed to aim. Pulling the trigger, Madoka had the same shots as Cecila but with hers, it hit Cecilia dead on.

That shot wasn't even aimed at Cecilia's body. The shot was aimed at the Blue Pierce. With that, they were out. Cecilia was furious at Madoka so she decided something else.

Launching her own drones, Madoka wasn't outdone.

Cecilia had six interceptor drones and four optical drones.

Madoka had six drones as well so they were launched at the same time. Cecilia's own unit was the third generation. Madoka's unit could be called a fourth one.

So her own drones killed Cecilia's and drove her up. It was done pretty fast and Cecilia wasn't sure how that all worked.

"Now, little miss. What are you going to do?"

Cecilia glared at Madoka even more and she took out a huge knife. Even a backup weapon of an Infinite Stratos had to be huge.

The Interceptor. Basically, a knife when things went CQB. The problem being was that Madoka was superior in that part compared to Cecilia.

In sniping, she wasn't sure but in sword fights, Madoka knew she was.

Dissolving her Star Breaker, Madoka deployed her own Yukihira. She flew to Cecilia who had been trying to build some distance. She had to find a different way to defeat this infuriating child.

Cecilia found that Madoka was standing before her. The grin on her face would have caused the Brit to shit herself. And she was sure that she wet herself in some form.

Madoka was going to enjoy wrecking her down. The sword was aimed at Cecilia and with that, Cecilia blocked the attack. She could feel the struggle behind the sword and Madoka smirked. She knew that Cecilia had no real experience in fighting like this.

Take away the fancy suit, you were fighting with swords in a duel, and years of experience chipped away the Shield Points of Cecilia. Madoka didn't even need to activate Reiraku Byakuya. It was just the technique she used. She was brutal by being faster than the blonde.

She pushed on the woman while she had blocked Madoka from above. Although she gave one push. The Shield Points couldn't stop the pain that Cecilia felt.

Besides sniping, she had fought against Mattheus a few times as well. Just some basic stuff, she had borrowed a sword from Ichika while her friend had taken up a stick. Even with her sword and experience that was vastly better than the man, Mattheus could hold her off easily and hit her on occasions that would be deadly. His spear was meant to keep some distance between her and Madoka. Her katana didn't reach him and his spear could hold him off.

He told her that was the reason why the Flemish beat the French in 1302. She smiled, knowing that now, she had the advantage. Madoka was fighting Cecilia who slowly realized that she bit off more than she could chew. Cecilia decided that she would build up some distance and hold her off.

She threw Madoka off her body and flew away at top speed.

But Madoka wasn't going to get her off that easily. With a smirk, she flew after Cecilia. She didn't even deploy her rifle again to snipe while she could have easily done that. She caught up with Cecilia and from above, she turned her body. The sword got more speed while it was slammed at her body.

Cecilia could feel the power as she was flung into the ground. That definitely hurt.

Madoka just waited until she heard the thrusters from Cecilia. It didn't stop Cecilia completely to crash but she was buried in the ground. Damn, she had to follow that woman up.

The dust cloud went up and after a minute, it came down. Madoka smiled as Cecilia was nearly buried in the ground, with dirt all over her face and her body.

She glared at Madoka who sighed. "Great." Cecilia launched herself back at her opponent. Madoka didn't move an inch. When the woman was close enough, Madoka blocked Cecilia. Using a trick she learned from Chifuyu, she disarmed Cecilia.

The Interceptor got flung out Cecilia's hands and Madoka decided that the charade had gone on long enough. Time to end this.

Like Ichika she used her right hand to fire her weapon or wield her sword. Her left hand was open so with that, she grabbed Cecilia's body with the mechanical claw. It turned to make this brutal. Flying upwards, she raced to the sky with Cecilia still in her claw. When she was high enough, she threw Cecilia down to the Earth.

And went right after her.

She slammed into Cecilia and when spiraling downwards, she began to hit Cecilia's main body with her fist. She would wait until the Shield Points were going down.

Or Cecilia would spit blood. Just a few meters before she would bury Cecilia back in the ground, she turned her body 45 degrees and threw her opponent into the arena wall. Due to the high speed and the punch, Cecilia was embedded in the arena.

Madoka landed on the ground and the stadium was silent. Houki gulped when she saw the fight and how it ended. Chifuyu could only raise an eyebrow on the sheer brutality that Madoka had used, Ichika found that his little sister might have gone a tad overboard.

He knew what she could do and found that he could keep up with her and Chifuyu. If they weren't as rough as they were with Chifuyu, they would end up bruised and battered beyond the usual stuff.

But maybe she should tone it down when fighting others.

Madoka and Joel looked at her. The oldest whistled as he saw Madoka and her fight. He made the mental note not to piss off Madoka unless he had no choice. He wouldn't allow her to get close to him.

Joel could only gulp.

Madoka didn't lie. She made this brutal.

"Eh, are you alive?" A weak voice came from Cecilia's location.

"Owwa." She said while Madoka shrugged.

"Well, you're alive. And I won!" She raised her fist to the sky. She did won indeed.


During my writing of this chapter, a lot of stuff happened overseas from my place. To all my readers in the United States, stay safe, and use common sense.

That's a lot worth in the world. So far, the fuse is lit and up goes the flame. I don't think we have seen the end of this just yet.

Madoka's fight was a bit inspired by Jackie Avocado's Infinite Stratos fic.

Either way, now the fight with Cecilia is over. That had been some fun to write out. And if things didn't jump in, I could have done it a tad faster. But nothing you can do about that.

Thanks for the patience you all had. I hope you liked this chapter.

Normally, I would say that I am open for requests but currently, I got five of them up and running so if you have one, keep that for later.

Have a Happy D-Day and enjoy the weekend.

Saluut.