chapter 3

A Few Days After the Interclass Tournament.

Chifuyu and the Japanese government had launched an investigation to find any parts of the Unmanned I.S., but because it sucked up by Seth's black hole, all parts were gone. The only piece of evidence they had was the video Seth took and his battle data. Seth's I.S. could have I.D. any known I.S. core, but it couldn't so they had to mark the core as unregistered.

It was currently Night time and both Seth and Houki were in their room. Houki was reading some magazine while Seth was furiously typing something on his computer. It was most likely a new program.

Seth stopped typing. "Damn." He suddenly said and let out a big sigh.

"What Seth?" Houki rarely ever heard Seth sighed.

"I want to be able to make my own food here, but I can't find the right ingredients here."

"Why the school food is good?"

"It is, but its missing the home cooked feeling. I can't really explain it."

"If you want I could show you how to make Japanese dishes." Houki offered.

"Really? I would like that." Seth said with a smile. Houki blushed a little. They then heard knocking on the door.

"Come in." They both said. Maya entered the room.

"Sensei?" Seth was wondering why she was here.

"Surprise it's moving day." Maya said with a happy tone.

"What?" They both said.

"We've made new arrangements for you. Shinonono-san you'll be moving to a different room."

"Now wait just a second. Do I have to move right away?" Houki sounded troubled.

"Oh yes, I'm think that would be for the best. After all a stitution where a young man and a young women have to share the same room isn't really comfortable for either of you."

"Well to be honest-"

"Its fine Houki, I'm sure I'll manage by myself." Seth said which angered Houki.

"Maya-sensei I want to move right now!"

"O-oh ok." Maya was shocked at Houki's sudden burst of rage.

"What did I do wrong?" Seth thought as he remembered Chris wise words of wisdom. 'Seth a women is like a time bomb, one wrong move and boom. You're dead.'

A little while after Houki left, Seth was getting ready for bed when he heard knocking on the door. He opened the door and finds a blushing Houki.

"Did you forget something?"

"Seth in the upcoming tournament next month. If I win you have to take me out." It took all of Houki's courage to say that.

"What?"

Meanwhile in the hall. There were three girls listening in.

"Did you hear that?" some girl said.

"We did." Kiyoka Aikawa and Honne Nohotoke said.

"This news is-"

"-Really big." The other two finished the last girls sentence. Gossip would start to spread like wild fire.

The Next Day.

"Have you heard the latest rumor?" A girl in classroom 1 said.

"What is it about that I.S." Another girl answered.

"I heard it was an experiment that went nuts." yet another girl said.

"No that's not it. Whoever wins the the upcoming tournament gets to ask Seth out."

Cecilia and Houki were hearing a ton of chatter.

"So do you have any idea on why these girls are so chatty today?" Cecilia asked Houki.

"I have absolutely no idea whatsoever." Houki said.

"This has gotten out of hand." A girl said.

"Are you sure you said it correctly?" Aikawa asked Honne.

"I don't think I did." Honne said. The door suddenly opens and Seth stepped in.

"Morning everyone. What's with all the excitement?"

"Oh no reason." Most of the girls in the class said. Seth walks into his seat. Chifuyu arrives a few moments later and class begin.

Class started and Maya began to speak. "Guess what class. Today we are going to meet a new transfer student." As people began to murmur a person walks in and steps to the front of the class.

"I'm Charles Dunois and I have come from france. It is nice to meet you." Charles said.

"Wait you're a boy?" a girl in the classroom said.

"Oui. I heard about a male student who was in the same situation as I was so I transferred here."

"KYAAA!" most of the class screamed.

"There's a second male student and he's in our class."

"He's cute."

"And he's the kind that girls want to protect."

"Silence! That's enough." Chifuyu said and everyone stopped talking.

"Today we're conducting joint practical training with class two. I want everyone changed and assemble on the second ground Asap and Fairs."

"Yes?"

"Because you're both males I want you to keep an eye on Dunois. Come on people move it!" Chifuyu said. Charles began to walk to Seth.

"So you're Seth Fairs. It's nice to be abl-"

"Save it for later we have to move now." Seth grabbed Charles's hand. "The girls are going to start changing soon so we gotta hurry." Seth now led Charles out of the room.

"We have to change in the locker room in the arena, so whenever we have outdoor practice we need to change there get use to it."

"Oh right." Charles tone sounded like he was troubled.

"What's wrong, do you need to use the toilet?"

"No that's not it." Suddenly a hoard of girls comes.

"Hey I see the new transfer student."

"And he's holding hands with Fairs." The girls got closer.

"Oh I like Fairs white hair, but the blond isn't so bad either."

"Follow me." Seth said as he led Charles away from the hoard.

"They're leaving!"

"Wait let me get at least a picture for the paper." A girl with a camera said.

As the two boys ran Charles asked a question. "Why are they making such a racket?"

"Oh I don't know. Maybe it has to do with the fact that we're the only freaking male in this whole school."

"Oh yes... That's right."

"Just keep running okay." The two were able to make it into the locker room after losing the girls.

Charles seemed to be breathing heavily, but Seth was fine.

"I'm sorry I've already gotten you into trouble." Charles said between his breathing.

"Don't worry about it man, I'm glad you're here. It hard being the only male here, but now I have someone to talk to." Seth began to speak in French.

"No, really. Wait you know french."

"Yeah, My name is Seth Fairs. You can call me Seth."

"It's nice to meet you Seth. You can call me Charles if you like." Charles said.

"Oh crap we have to move." Seth looked at the time and began to change. Charles grew a blush on his face.

"If you don't hurry you'll be late."

"Seth could you please look the other way."

"I wasn't gonna stare at you dude." Seth looked away and then looked back only to see Charles finished changing.

"How the hell did you do that so fast." Seth asked.

"Oh, no trick at all."

"Luck for you. This damn thing chokes the life out of my things, if you know what I mean."

"Chokes you things." Charles grew a small blush.

"And how, but yours looks really comfortable."

"Oh this is custom made by Dunois so it's really easy to put on."

"I have a question for you. Do you know a man name Acel Dunois."

"Why yes he's my cousin." Charles said. "So Seth how do you know my Cousin."

"Your cousin is a member of the GIGN and I'm a member of the BSAA. I've worked with the GIGN before. Your cousin is one of the few people I trust with my life." Seth said.

"I see, well then I hope I too can become someone you can trust." Charles said.

Training Arena.

Classes one and two were now waiting for Chifuyu to speak.

"We will begin our practical training now, but first I think we should have a demonstration battle. Alcott, Rin you have your own I.S. so you won't mind demonstrating will you." Chifuyu said. Both of the girls let out a sigh.

"Why is it always me?" Rin said as she got up.

"Must I partake in such a barbarous event?" Cecilia also complain as she got up.

"Come in this is your perfect chance to show off for the boys." Chifuyu whisper to them and their attitude took a 180 degree turn.

"It looks like its time for Cecilia Alcott, England Representative candidate to step up and take charge." Cecilia said with pride clearly in her voice.

"Yeah I'm gonna show the difference between those who have an I.S. and those who don't." Rin said.

"What did she say to them?" Charles asked Seth.

"Not a clue." Seth said.

"So who is my rival. I wouldn't mind throwing you around a bit." Cecilia said to Rin.

"Haha that's my line. You're dead meat." Rin glared at Cecilia.

"Oh don't get ahead of yourself. You haven't met your opponent yet." Chifuyu said and soon the students began to hear something dropping.

"AAAAHHHHH MOVE OUT OF THE WAY!" Maya yelled as she started falling towards the students. Seth activated [B.L.A.Z.E] and caught Maya.

"Arigatou Seth-san." Maya was blushing a little.

"Don't mention i-" Seth evaded a shot from Cecilia's I.S.

"Oh I'm sorry I seemed to have had a misfire." Cecilia said.

"Misfire my ass that was-" Seth was able to react to Rin throwing her [Souten Gagetsu]. He and Maya both pulled out a pistol. They shot Rin's [Souten Gagetsu] and it hit the ground.

"Wow Yamada-sensei you're a pretty good shot." Seth said as he put her down.

"Oh that was nothing Seth-san." Maya was actually happy that she was being praised.

"Alright you two enough. Alcott, Rin you two will be fighting Yamada." Chifuyu said. Both of the girls looked as if she was crazy.

"Two against one wouldn't be fair for her." Cecilia said.

"I don't think that's a good idea." Rin said. Chifuyu only smirked.

"You'll see." Chifuyu said as the two now got in the air. "Let the Carnage begin."

"I won't hold back." Rin said.

"I won't either." Cecilia said.

"Well here I come." Maya said as their fight began. Cecilia wasted no time in launching her bits. The bits began to shoot at Maya, but she easily avoid the shots. Rin started to open fire with her [Ryuhou]. Maya was able to avoid the invisible shot and pull out a Vent assault rifle. She then blocked a shot from the [Ryuhou] with her I.S.'s arm.

"Dunois, tell the class about the I.S. Maya is using." chifuyu said.

"Yamada-sensei's I.S. is a Raphael Revive from the Dunois company. It's a machine developed at the end of the 2nd Generation, but its specifications are rival with the early 3rd Generation machines. It is currently the most advance mass production model out there. It can be fitted for combat, artillery, and defence." Maya was able to force Cecilia to fly into Rin and She shot a grenade from her grenade launcher. The two were sent down towards the ground.

"I can't believe this is happening to me." Cecilia said.

"Couldn't you tell that she was forcing you to move towards me." Rin said angrily as she tried to move.

"And what about you. You were taking shots like an idiot." They both growled at each other.

"I hope you now understand what your instructor is capable of and give her the respect she deserves. For the first phase of practical training you'll form teams. Those who have personal I.S.'s will be the team leader. So get forming." As Chifuyu said that all the girls started forming around the two boys. Eventually they did split into equal groups.

"Alright let go in order of attendance first up is-"

"Me, me, me! Attendance number one, Aikawa Kiyoka! From the handball club! My hobbies are watching sports and jogging. Nice to meet you!" She stuck of her hand wanting Seth to shake it. Several of the girls followed in her action and said. "I knew it was you at first sight." Soon girls around Charles did the same thing.

"Welcome to the man meat grinder Charles."

A couple of minutes pass. "That's it Aikawa." Seth said as she was getting the hang of moving the [Uchigane].

"Okay stop." Seth said then she left the I.S.

"Alright who's next?"

"It's me." Houki said she then took a look at the I.S. "But I can't get in the unit when it's like this." The [Uchigane] was in a active mode.

"Seth That's a common mistake a lot of riders make in the beginning. Seth you'll need to put Houki in there. Get [B.L.A.Z.E] out now." Maya said.

"I understand now." Seth brought out [B.L.A.Z.E] and picked up Houki who was blushing.

"You know how to use it." Seth lifted Houki up to the I.S.

"Seth I was wondering if you made any plans yet for lunch?"

"No why?"

"Wanna have lunch together?"

"Sure why not." a smile appeared on Houki's face.

Lunch Time.

Houki was now mad. "Seth what's going on here?" She was currently talking about Charles, Cecilia, and Rin who were with them.

"Well I have to show Dunois around. He's completely lost without me and the more the better." The three girls started to glare at each other.

"Seth it is really alright for me to be here?" Charles asked.

"Of course, if we're gonna be roommates we should get a long."

"Seth you're a really nice guy." Charles said.

"So anyway way what brings you two here." Seth pointed at Rin and Cecilia.

"Well do you remember our bet Seth?" Rin asked.

"Yeah, but too bad that our match got cancel."

"Well you basically won and I also hurt you so I wanted to make a little sorry present." Rin open her container and Seth could smell something great.

"Wow that smells good."

"Oh this is just a some sweet and sour pork. It's nothing too special." Rin was actually happy that he complemented her dish.

"Seth I also happen to make something for you." She pulled out a basket and it was filled with sandwiches.

"These look good." Seth picked up one of the sandwiches. He took a small bite and the taste was not of this world.

"What the hell did she put in this? Oh god." Seth knew that if he spit of the food Cecilia would cry. He would suffer with the pain for now.

"I hope you like it Seth." Cecilia said.

"These are great. I'll have to have some more later." He was hoping he would never have to taste something like that again.

"So Houki what did you bring?"

"This is what I made." Houki brought out an obento.

"Wow that looks good."

"Here try it." She handed him a pair of chopsticks.

"Thanks." He took a piece of chicken. Houki started to stare intensely at him.

"I've never tasted anything like this. Its really good." Houki was happy that he liked it.

"Huh why aren't you eating any?"

"I ate all the bad ones." Seth picked up a piece of chicken and placed it in front of Houki's mouth. The other girls were shocked at his actions.

"Seth what are you doing?" Houki was blushing.

"Here this is really good you should try it."

"But I-"

"Try it." Houki gave in to Seth's demands and eat the chicken.

"Wow it is good."

"I told you." Seth turned his head and saw a angry Cecila and Rin.

"Seth feed us too."

"Yeah it's only fair."

"Seth you like to make trouble don't you." Charles said to an Ichika who was now being fed another of Cecilia sandwiches.

Room 1025.

"It so much easier to share a room with a guy." Seth said as he and Charles were now relaxing after today's events.

"Seth I've heard that you've been practicing with your I.S. after school, could I join you?" Charles asked.

"Of course you can. It's getting late we should go to bed." Seth said and Charles agreed with him.

"Good night." Seth said as he turned out the lights.

"Good night Seth." Charles said was he went to sleep.

Classroom one The next Day.

"Class today I have wonderful news today. We're adding a new member to our class today." Maya said as a new student was next to her. She had silver hair, a red right eye, and a eye patch on her left eye.

"I am Laura Bodewig." Laura stopped talking.

"Is that all you want to say?" Maya asked. Laura only shaked her head.

"I have more thing to say." Laura walked up to Seth's desk and slapped him.

"I will never forgive you. Because of you, and the accursed B.S.A.A Col. Braun is dead." Laura's action were shocking, but Seth was too busy remembering the Germany Incident.

FlashBack

Two and a half years ago Germany, Just outside of Berlin.

Seth was currently escorting several helicopters along with Natasha Fairs and Iris Calling. Inside the helicopters were a joint strike force of B.S.A.A., Seals, and Delta. The reason why the Americans have sent the best they have is due to the situation in Germany right now.

Within the last 24 hours Germany was hit by a terrorist attack of unimaginable scale. It was a joint strike by many terrorist groups. Such as Umbrella, Red Army Faction and a group named Phantom task. The terrorist hacked into Germany satellite network and disable all forms of radar, along with Germany missile defense systems.

The German armed forces have decreased dramatically since the introduction of the I.S. as have most of the worlds armies. So the number of men and women able to defend against the invasion was thin.

Germany had no choice, but to ask the U.N. for help. Now special forces have been sent in from multiple nations.

The American strike force were given five Osprey gunship, seven Little birds three of them AH-little bird, six apache helicopters, four black hawk helicopters, 20 ground vehicles, six Lav-25, four M1 abrams tanks, three lodestar drones, 12 AGRs, 360 troops, and three Infinite Stratos units.

The infinite stratos unit that Natasha and Iris were using was a [A-25 Thunderstrike] a second generation I.S. It was based on the A-10 Thunderbolt. It carries a GAU-8/A Avenger Gatling gun that has been modified to attack other I.S. units. It is very destructive on ground units, but the I.S. is slowed down.

The strike team were now getting closer and closer to the city. Seth was extremely nervous. This was his first mission. Chris heard Seth breathing heavily over the mic.

"Seth calm down. I know it's your first mission, but you'll be fine. I asur-" suddenly all the aircraft were reporting a lock on signature. Soon they saw the barrage heat seekers coming.

"Shit! All units evade!" Chris ordered. Seth started to make a blue sphere in his hands. Seth unleashed a blue energy beam and slashed it across the sky destroying most of the missiles. Seth then locked on to the remaining missiles with his noise missiles.

"All call signs come in." Chris wanted to make sure that he didn't lose any men. All were accounted for.

"Nice one kid, you saved our asses." One of the team leaders said.

"Nice save." one of the helicopter pilots said. Seth's fears disappeared.

They now reached the city, where they were confronted by hostile personal.

"All units !" Chris yelled over the mic and all hell breaks loose.

There were hostiles everywhere. The helicopters began to unload bullets like there was no tomorrow. It rained bullet casing as they were now everywhere on the street. The AGRs took out many of the ground troops.

"We need to secure an LZ." Chris said.

"Captain I see a park over in the east. It looks like we could land several birds there." Piers who was in a little bird said.

"Alright we're going with plan C. Secure the LZ then split up into your groups." Chris said. Plan C meant that all snipers would follow Piers. All Seals would follow Iris. All members of Delta would follow Natasha, and Chris would lead the B.S.A.A members with Seth as his support.

They made their way to the park and the Ospreys, Black Hawks, and other vehicles began to unload their ground troops. They were split into squads. They had learned that the terrorist have placed jammers all along the city and they could only used short range communication

Piers was on a rooftop. He was giving sniper support he heard what sounded like a humming noise. He turned to the source of the noise and saw five enemy I.S. He contacted Chris.

"Captain we got a problem."

"Piers what is it?"

"Five enemy I.S. are inbound head towards your location. Two appear to be [Raphael-Revive] units. Two of them appear to be some sort German Units and the last one is The [Arachne]." Just as he said that the I.S flew over him.

"Seth, Natasha, Iris we got company." He didn't say it fast enough. Three of the enemy I.S came down and grabbed Seth.

"Seth!" Natasha yelled as she was about to chase after them, but two [Raphael-Revive] units got in her way.

"Dammit." She said as she now had to fight this machine.

"Natasha don't worry about your brother, he'll be fine." Iris tried to calm Natasha down so that they could finish their opponents.

Seth was taken by the [Arachne] and two [Queen Tigers]. He was being held by the [Arachne]'s eight legs.

"I wonder what this units name is?" one of the women said.

"Hey what should we do about the pilot Autumn-sama." The other women said.

"It simple we'll kill the girl and take her I.S." Autumn said.

"Like hell you will." Seth said and the women were shocked at his voice.

"A male? Impossible?!" Autumn said.

"Elemental Shift!" Seth said. He was surrounded by a light. His armor turned red. Autumn felt an intense heat. It was so hot that it burned her and she was force to release Seth.

"You little bastard. How dare you hurt Autumn-sama." A women in a [Queen Tiger] said as she charged at Seth.

"Wait!" Autumn said. The women in the [Queen Tiger] didn't listen. Seth pulled out his pistols and starting shooting at the women in the [Queen Tiger].

Her shield points began to drop. Autumn appeared in front of the women with a shield in her hands. She protect her subordinate.

"You idiot! Don't rush in like that." Autumn yelled.

"I'm sorry." The women said. Seth could tell that the two in the [Queen Tigers] were weak. He could probability take them on, but the one in the [Arachne] would be a problem. She had a lot more experience than the others.

Seth had two options. The first was to dragged them and somehow separate them which would be very difficult. The second was to make them follow him and slowly drain their points. This seem more possible.

"He's getting away." Autumn said as Seth was now increasing the distance between them.

The three of them started to chase after them. That was just what he wanted. Seth summoned two flamethrowers and they appeared on his arms. He started unleashing a wave of flames at the women. Their shield points were not draining, but the heat was causing their skin to burn.

They were forced to stop and back away from Seth. Seth now undid his transformation and returned to the standard [B.L.A.Z.E.]. The two women in the [Queen Tigers] were now launching their shoulder .80mm cannons. Seth was avoiding the shots.

Seth brought out his miniguns and began unleashing a volley of bullets. The two in the [Queen Tigers] were avoiding the bullets, but Seth notice that the woman in the [Arachne] was gone.

"Where did she-" Seth was suddenly hit by the [Arachne] and starting heading towards the ground. As Seth was heading towards the ground he was able to regain his flight and now was only a view feet from the ground.

The two women in the [Queen Tiger] were now launching a barrage from their .80mm shoulder cannon. With each shot they were getting closer to hitting him.

Seth saw some sort of camp in front of them. He knew it might be risky, because the most of the German forces didn't know of the U.N's aid so they may attack him on sight, but it was his best bet.

He turned his direction into the camp. As he got closer to the camp multiple AA guns began to open fire on all four of them. Seth created a barrier to protect himself, but the others were forced to back off.

Seth was now met by two German I.S. they were aiming their weapons at Seth.

"Come with us or we will kill you." A woman yelled in German. Seth understood and slowly follow them as they instructed.

Seth was lead to the middle of the camp where he was met by five I.S. and several girls with assault rifles in their hands. Seth could also see several snipers.

"Deactivate you I.S. now!" The women yelled and Seth did as she asked. The all the girls were shocked.

"A male in an I.S?" They girls were all saying things around this subject.

"Who are you and why are you here?" The women who seemed to be in charged of this camp said.

"My name is Seth Fairs. I'm a member of the BSAA. I'm part of the American strike team that came to help Germany." Seth said in German.

"Help from what?" This woman asked again.

"You don't know? Berlin is currently a battlefield. Terrorist have launch an all out offensive." Seth brought out some video footage from just a few hours ago. The girls were shocked to see the capital of their country in flames.

"I can't believe it how the hell were we not told?"

"The terrorist have placed jammers all over Germany. That why you were not told." Seth said as he was trying to contact his allies but all he got was static.

"Alright girls were going to move out. You American. You're coming with me." The women said. Seth knew that he should try to return to his unit, but those I.S may come and attack him again. His best bet was to go with this women.

"I understand...?" Seth asked the woman who had a nice figure, long red hair, and wore an eye patch over her left eye.

"Grazia Braun. I am a colonel in the German forces and the leader of Schwarzes Hase. You will follow my orders. Lieutenant Clarissa you're in charge now!" Clarissa was shocked at the the Col.'s Words, but she knew what she meant.

"Yes ma'am." She saluted.

"Let's go kid." Grazia said as she deployed her [Schwarzes Wasser]. Seth followed her. The girls of Schwarzes Hase that had an I.S, deployed and headed to Berlin

Seth notice that he and the colonel were traveling in a different direction than where Berlin was.

"Hey where are we heading? Berlin is that way."

"I think I have a good idea of what the terrorist are after." Braun said which got Seth's attention.

"Seth I need you to promise me not to speak a word of what I'm gonna tell you."

"Sure as long as you promise to keep the fact that I'm a boy secret." Seth didn't want the media to be all over him. Braun started to smirked.

"We've been trying to make our own I.S cores for the last five years and we've gotten close." This knowledge was stunning for Seth to hear.

"So let me guess, we have to go save some scientist."

"No, they are more than likely dead. We're on a search and destroy mission."

"But why am I here if that's the mission. You had several other I.S units that could fill my place and you could have kept this secret experiment hidden."

"This is the only I.S. that is currently armed. The other are going to be ordered to help aid in the evacuation of the civilian still trapped in Berlin. Seth I know we just met, but I need you to trust me fully." Seth thought for several seconds.

"I'll trust you."

"Good now then when we get there we are going to try and save any research." Seth nods his head as they now increased their speed.

After a ten minute flight they arrived at some type of research lab/reactor. As they arrived there a warning appeared on their screens.

'Warning High Levels of Radiation detected.' Broun's face grew troubled.

"Dammit we're too late."

"What do you mean by that?" Seth didn't like the sound of her voice.

"A meltdown has started. We'll need to hurry if we want to save any of the data." Broun was about to entered the lab when the three I.S. units from earlier came back.

"Damn we got company. Seth I'll inside, try to hold as long as you can." Broun said as she entered the reactor.

"You two girls go inside, I'll capture the boy." Autumn said as she licked her lips.

"Hai Autumn-sama." The two girls in the [Queen Tigers] said as they entered the reactor.

"Wait!" Seth was about to go after them when he was hit by one of the [Arachne]'s legs.

"Sorry boy, but you'll have to entertain me for awhile." Seth now activated his blades.

"I've got no choice, but to go all out." Seth now launched himself at Autumn.

*Flash*

Flashback end.

"I can't remember anything beyond that. The next thing that happen was that I woke up about three days later in a hospital." Seth didn't hear Chifuyu say to move and get ready for practical training.

"Seth-san what are you doing? We need to go." Charles said snapping Seth back to reality. HE started to notice the girls changing.

"Crap!" He dashed out of the room at a speed that would shock most people. No one thought a person could run at that speed.