"Speech"

"Flashback Speech"

/Speech over communication tech/

Infinite Stratos: The Iron-Blooded Devil

Chapter 6: Blue Days, Red Switch

"ASW-G-08 Barbatos Lupus Rex. Described as a 'Gundam Frame' developed by the Teiwaz Group. Its pilot is one Ichika Orimura, younger brother to Chifuyu Orimura and had been believed deceased for the past 5 years. Currently enrolled in the IS Academy with one match on record with victory," a voice spoke as data on the aforementioned Gundam was shown on a large screen.

"Yes, we saw the footage. Defeating five 3rd years in a row within seconds is nothing to scoff at," a second voice added.

"What info do we have on this Teiwaz?" asked a third.

"Not a whole lot. We've been doing recon on the various locations the company is said to own but turn out to be either a decoy or shell companies. We've also been looking into this McMurdo Barriston but it's like he doesn't exist," the first voice answered.

"This machine didn't just pop out of thin air, someone had to have built it," the third voice griped.

"And maybe more like it if the serial number is anything to go by," the second one implied, "Continue with your investigations and inform us immediately when you find something solid."

"Understood," the first affirmed.

"And if nothing turns up?" the third asked.

"Who's our best capture unit?" the second turned to the first.

"That would be Squall's"

We find Laura Bodewig sitting at a terminal, watching the footage of Ichika's only fight. With a calculating eye, she noted everything about him; the way he moved, attacked, evaded. She also analyzed his machine's characteristics, weaponry and ability. As the video ended, she leaned back; pulling a small recording device to her face, hitting record.

"He seems to be an all-rounder with a good balance of long range and close quarters combat. His machine has a lot of power in its melee attacks so getting in close without a solid plan is a very bad idea; a fact he is no doubt aware of. Of course, there's that tail for mid-range and an extra limb to worry about. And it's not just strong but fast, too. Arguably, the fastest IS on record. Then there's the pilot himself, he seems to have total awareness of his surroundings at all times so sneaking up on him will be difficult and his reaction speed is incredible, almost superhuman."

She hit stop before giving a small chuckle.

"And here I thought I would be wasting my time at this school."

Her musings were interrupted by a tap on the shoulder. She turned slightly to find Kobayashi standing behind her with a smirk.

"Ms. Bodewig, I have a proposition for you."

Ichika had just exited the records room, a flash drive now in his hand before he pocketed it. The tournament was days away and tensions were high. No doubt several participants acquired the data from his fight to study his abilities and machine's capabilities.

"Hey, Ichika!"

A familiar voice then caught his attention.

"Hey Rin, back on your feet I see."

"Yeah but my Shenlong is too damaged to be ready for the tournament in time," The Chinese girl huffed before pointing her finger at Ichika, "Therefore, I'm counting on you to get revenge for me!"

"Revenge?" he asked with a sweatdrop.

"Yeah, I saw what you and your IS did to those 3rd years so it shouldn't be too hard."

"I'd think it was because I caught 'em off guard," Ichika said, trying to be modest.

"Nice try but I saw the video again afterwards. Your Barbatos has a lot of raw strength to drain an IS' shield to zero in one blow let alone five in the blink of an eye. And you certainly didn't sound this modest in the fight."

"Can't blame a guy for trying, right?"

"If you call that 'trying," Rin said, jabbing at Ichika's transparent attempt with a grin.

"Ichika?" another familiar female voice came. The two old friends turned to find…

"Oh Houki, I'd like you to meet an old friend of mine," Ichika greeted.

"Lingyin Huang, but you can call me 'Rin," the Chinese girl said cheerfully, holding out her hand.

"Uh yeah, hello," Houki returned, shaking the girl's hand. The subtle aggression in her voice didn't go unnoticed by Rin.

"So you're Houki? Ichika told me about you when we were still in elementary school."

"He never mentioned anything about you," Houki said, the edge in her voice getting harder.

"Well, we were in the same class for only about a year before the incident. I'm surprised he remembers me at all to be honest. Speaking of which, you never did tell me what happened to you, Ichika."

"That's a little hard to explain," the lone boy of the Academy answered.

"Ichika, we still have more practice to prepare for the tournament, remember?" Houki's agitation now being clearly obvious.

She then wrapped her arm around his and began to drag him off to the second arena.

"Are you okay?" He asked, looking at Houki questioningly.

"Perfectly fine," She responded forcefully.

Rin kept her eyes on the two as they walked away, perplexed at Shinonono's sudden hostile turn at her and Ichika making friendly conversation. Did she do something to offend her in some way? She replayed that whole scenario over until it then occurred to her that it was less about her questioning her old friend's whereabouts in years and more what that 'friendly conversation' might've looked like to Shinonono.

"Oh ho, so that's how it is?" Rin said with sly grin.

The day of the tournament had come at last. The arena was packed with students and teachers, the VIP section was filled with government officials and corporate sponsors wanting to see the progress of their products and pilots. There was suddenly a loud fanfare followed by two female voices over the speakers in the arena.

/Welcome everyone to the IS Academy's Class League Tournament. I'm Tomino./

/And I'm Yatate and we are here to bring you the blow by blow coverage./

A round of applause echoed throughout as the commentators continued.

Tomino: /For you first years still new to this, the Class League Tournament not only showcases how far the students in the second and third years have come but also scouts from governments and corporations to check out any potential prospects./

Yatate: /Things are a little different this year as a lot of attention is not on the third and second year students but the first years, one in particular/

Tomino: /We'll get to that in a minute, Tomino; I've just gotten word that the match-ups for the first years have been decided./

The hologram display then revealed the tournament set-up. And the one many had been eager for was the first one out of the gate:

Laura Bodewig and Izumi Kobayashi vs. Ichika Orimura and Houki Shinonono.

Tomino: /And the first match is arguably the most anticipated. We have on the red side of the field Laura Bodewig from Class 1 and Izumi Kobayashi from Class 4. Bodewig hails from Germany and is the country's lead representative contender. She may look petite but this little rabbit has got a vicious streak a mile wide./

Yatate: /Her IS is the 3rd generation model Schwarzer Regan. Dubbed a 'Schwarz Frame,' this mean machine is packing some serious firepower with that railgun and can certainly hold her own up close and personal./

Tomino: /She certainly showcased it against two other pilots at once. Now her partner, on the hand, is none other than Japan's own top rep contender; Izumi Kobayashi. /

Yatate: /Her IS is also a 3rd generation model, named after Japan's sun goddess: the Amaterasu, a prototype 'Shintei Frame.' This bad girl is a long range fighter with its greatest weapon being the sun mirror cannon./

Tomino: /There have been rumors going around that she's in hot water with the higher-ups about her performance as of late./

(Scene Break)

"Ms. Bodewig, did the techs install that ace in the hole I gave you in your IS?" Izumi asked, trying to ignore that latest barb.

"Yes, though I can't seem to locate it on my bus slot menu."

"Don't worry, it'll do its job."

"They also haven't told me what it is, nor have you."

"Like I said, don't worry."

Laura narrowed her eye, starting to have second thoughts on having Kobayashi as her partner. It was too late now so she simply made for the catapult and launched; her 'teammate' right behind her.

"First fight and we get Bodewig. Before you came back, she was considered the strongest of all the first years here," said Houki, looking at the view of the field as the two landed.

"Was Kobayashi considered the same?" Ichika asked his old childhood friend.

"Hardly. There were plenty of rumors that she was all talk; you just made those rumors fact," Houki said mirthfully.

"Nice to know I did you all something of a service," He said as he turned back towards her.

For some odd reason, though, she was staring at him intently.

"What?"

"Nothing, it's just… you seem a little worn out."

"I was a little restless last night is all," the boy waved it off as he walked by.

"If you're sure."

"Hey, don't worry. With all the training we did, we'll be perfectly fine. Remember that I got your back just as you got mine," he said with his usual soft smile.

The smile that always seemed to make her feel better. As Houki boarded one of the Academy's Uchigane training units, Ichika called forth his Gundam.

/Best hurry up you two, the match will begin soon/ Chifuyu ordered over the intercom.

"Yes, ma'am!" the two said in unison.

The wait wasn't too long as Ichika approached the catapult, his preferred weapon, the sword-mace, in hand and laying against his shoulder. Stepping on and bracing himself, the younger Orimura was now ready to fight.

"Ichika Orimura, Gundam Barbatos. Launching!"

The catapult pulled him down the runway and threw onto the field. When it came back to the starting position, it was now Houki's turn as she stepped on; a katana in hand.

"Houki Shinonono, Uchigane. Launch!"

Then she too was fired out into the arena.

Tomino: /For the team on the blue side, we have Ichika Orimura and Houki Shinonono from Class 1. This is the team that a lot of eyes are on and that is mostly because of Orimura. In case you missed it before, not only is this kid the younger brother of Chifuyu Orimura, the first Mondo Grosso champion, and the first male to be able to pilot an IS; he was declared dead up until some time ago. Where he's been and how he survived is a mystery./

Yatate: /Another mystery is the horse he rode in on, the Barbatos Lupus Rex. Classified as a 'Gundam Frame' IS, this thing is a beast! In his first fight, Orimura used it to take down five third year students in under a minute. However, any and all info on this monster is rather limited outside of footage of its single fight./

Tomino: /Orimura appears to favor melee combat with emphasis on blunt weaponry, it's a rather odd choice but it clearly works for him. He's even earned a nickname for himself as Class 1's 'Iron-Blooded Devil.'/

Yatate: /I'd say Kobayashi can attest to that, having been on the receiving end of the Barbatos; she's no doubt looking for some payback./

Tomino: /Orimura's partner is Houki Shinonono, this girl happens to be the younger sister of Tabane Shinonono; the IS creator./

Yatate: /They may be related but she certainly isn't getting any special treatment since her IS is a standard issue Uchigane./

Just as Houki landed next to Ichika in the field, Nonohon turned to her classmates.

"Okay girls, let's show our support!"

"YEAH!" they all shouted before reaching down for something.

In the stands, the members of Class 1 were now holding up signs, banners and flags; all with the Tekkadan symbol.

Tomino: /What's that symbol they're waving?/

Yatate: /From what I understand, it's come to be known as the iron flower; Orimura's emblem. You can see it on his IS down there./

The arena went quiet as the timer began to count down.

"I really must thank you, Ichika Orimura," Laura stated with a smirk.

"And why's that?" he asked, his expression completely hidden by Barbatos' faceplate yet focused on her.

"Before you showed up, I was disappointed that I wouldn't find anyone who could give me a challenge. So I thank you for making my attendance here worthwhile."

"And I've heard quite a bit about you, seems kinda interesting to get a match-up with the top of the class..."

He then shifts his gaze to Kobayashi.

"... and...um..."

Kobayashi's eye twitched at the Gundam pilot as he trailed off.

"What? The bottom of the barrel?" she asked.

Ichika smirked behind his helmet.

"I'd say that but that would be an insult to sludge."

A/N: Sorry this took so long and being a little short, I was in a big slump due to my grandmother passing. She had been fighting cancer for 3 years and she was just tired of it. That and I had another fic idea I wanted to test out before I lost it and was swamped with work for the holiday season. Also I had become addicted to the new Gundam Battle: Gunpla Warfare mobile game, if you're a player too, give a shout out; I might have seen you around the game.

Also, I believe it's time I bring one aspect of this story to the forefront. There are most likely those of you that may not like what I'm about to say, all I ask is that we all keep calm and hear me out. So deep breaths everyone….

This will NOT be a Harem story.

My reasons for this are as followed: 1) As Ichika was pulled into the Post Disaster timeline not long after Houki left, he didn't develop the same level of relationship with Rin as in canon. Plus she didn't have much of a presence in the anime so I'm going a different route for her. 2) In regards to Cecilia and Charlotte, since Ichika wasn't present when they first arrived, the reasons for their interest never manifested. Charlotte didn't have to disguise herself as a boy but still has the same mission from her father, she and Ichika are still basically strangers. Cecilia never fought anyone for the Class Rep position and it's not outside the realm of possibility to change that standing, however, she still has the same attitude when she first appeared. 3) Laura is only just now learning about Ichika so she doesn't have it out for him as much as she did before since resentment didn't have time to build. 4) Many will agree the Harem aspect of the series was in fact the weakest element and was more of a distraction.