Infinite Stratos - Volume 3, page 14
"...Changing priority. Now setting 'escaping air space' as priority."
Scattering energy bullets all over the place, the [Gospel] immediately turned on all its thrusters as it intended to break through.
"DON'T YOU DARE GET AWAY!!"
The sea ruptured, and then exploded.
The crimson red machine [Akatsubaki] flew up with the [Shenlong] on its back.
"Take it down before it escapes!!"
[Akatsubaki] attacked the [Gospel], and Rin got off the back to get into battle mode with the [Landslide] packet on to allow an increase in functionality.
The 2 pairs of [Impact Cannons] on her shoulders, and the 4 cannons opened fire at the same time.
"!"
While [Akatsubaki] got away from the area after a little scuffle, the [Impact Cannon] bullets shot out from behind her. However, these weren't the invisible [Impact Cannons], but rather bullets covered in scarlet red flames. The numbers matched up to the rain of bullet from the [Gospel], and the empowered [Impact Cannons] should really be called [Thermal Diffusion Impact Cannons].
"Did we get it?"
"—Not yet!"
Though the [Gospel] got hit directly by the [Diffusion Impact Cannons], it continued to move.
"The biggest counter of the [Silver Bell]—begins."
The [Gospel]'s arms extended to both the left and right sides, and even the wings expanded outwards—at that moment, a sharp glow of light exploded, and a rain of energy bullets began shooting.
"KU!"
"HOUKI, BEHIND ME!"
Looking at the last failure, Houki's [Akatsubaki] was still in a limited phase. To prevent it from overexerting the [Fold-Out Armor] and running out of energy, right now, the settings were set so that it wouldn't activate the [Fold-Out Armor] involuntarily even when on defense.
Of course, the reason why this readjustment was made was because she left the defense to Charlotte. This was to maximize the advantage in a group battle, by splitting the roles up.
"Even so...it's a little tough here."
Even though she had a defensive packet on, it was dangerous to continue taking the [Gospel]'s continuous attacks.
One of the physical shields was completely destroyed during this time.
"LAURA! CECILIA! PLEASE!"
"DO YOU NEED TO SAY ANY MORE?"
"LEAVE IT TO US!"
Laura and Cecilia moved forward to back up Charlotte who was backing away, and shot from both left and right sides. Cecilia used the hi-mobility mode to shoot, while Laura exchanged fire with her cannons.
"IT'LL BE OUR TURN ONCE THE ENEMY STOPS!"
Next, Rin attacked from below. Using the [Souten Gagetsu] to slash, she immediately let out the close ranged diffusion cannons to fire—the target's multi-thrusters on the [Silver Bell] that was connected to the head.
"DIE!!"
Even though the rain of energy bullets continued to pelt on her, Rin continued to slash.
The [Gospel] let loose a spread similar to the [Impact Cannon], and both sides got severely damaged. Rin finally managed to slice off one of the [Gospel]'s wings.
"Haa, haa...! HOW ABOUT THAT—KU!?"
Though left with only one wing, the [Gospel] immediately readjusted itself and gave Rin's left hand a roundhouse kick. This kick, with the thrusters on the foot turned on, smashed Rin's shoulder armor and caused her to fall towards the sea.
"RIN! DAMN IT--!"
Houki, wielding one sword in each hand, quickly hacked at the [Gospel].
As the Emergency acceleration caused it to lose balance, the [Gospel] got a cut on its right shoulder.
(Got it--!)
Just when Houki thought this, something unbelievable happened. The [Gospel] used its hand to grab both left and right swords.
"WHAT?"
The energy released from the swords could break through the armor, but the [Gospel] didn't seem to mind as it opened its arms wide.
With the swords pulled apart, Houki was forced to open her arms wide, revealing a completely defenseless position. At this moment, the [Gospel] opened the cannons on its remaining wing as it got ready to attack.
"HOUKI! LEAVE THOSE WEAPONS AND ESCAPE!"
But Houki didn't leave her weapons behind.
(...If I back away here, why did I...)
The loaded energy bullets fired out at the same time.
(WHY DID I WANT TO GET POWER!)
A second before she got hit by the energy bullets, [Akatsubaki] spun around, and the [Fold-Out Armor] on the toes seemed like it responded to Houki's will as it created an energy blade.
"AHHHHH!!"
Houki swung her foot and used the energy blade to slice.
Finally, the [Gospel] lost both wings as it fell towards the sea.
"Ha, haa, haa...!"
"Are you alright?"
On hearing Laura's rare panicked vice, Houki's erratic breathing started to calm down.
"I'm...alright. The [Gospel], it—"
Just when someone wanted to say 'We won', a ball of powerful light emerged from the sea surface.
"!"
As if time stopped, a ball-shaped space appeared in the midst of the sea surface. The [Silver Gospel] with the blue electricity covering it was hugging itself, squatting right in the middle.
"This...!? What's going on...?"
"DAMN IT! THIS IS—[SECOND SHIFT]!!"
As Laura shouted this, the [Gospel] turned to her as if responding to the voice.
As its face got covered by an inorganic mask, it was hard to see the expression. But from there, they could still feel the antagonistic intent, ringing a warning alarm in all the IS pilots.
However—it was too late.
"KYAAAAAAA...!!"
The Gospel let out what sounded like a wild beast's roar and charged at Laura.
"WHAT!?"
As it was too fast, Laura got her foot grabbed before she could even respond.
Then, like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon, the [Gospel]'s head-wings that were sliced off started to slowly regrow.
"LET GO OF LAURA!"
Charlotte quickly used [Rapid Switch] to attack using the close-ranged knife.
But the knife got blocked by the enemy, barehanded.
"MOVE AWAY! ESCAPE! THIS—"
Before she could finish, Laura got surrounded by those beautiful energy wings.
At that moment, the rain of energy bullets at 0 distance pierced into Laura, sending her falling to the sea.
"LAURA! DAMN IT...!"
Charlotte gave up on the knife attack and summoned the shotgun, aiming it at the [Gospel]'s face and squeezing the trigger.
*BAM--!*
But the sound didn't come from the shotgun.
The [Gospel]'s armor felt like an eggshell as cracks formed on the chest, waist and back, growing out little energy wings. The energy bullets fired from there knocked the shotgun and Charlotte away.
"WHA-WHAT'S THAT? THIS ABILITY...EVEN IF IT'S FOR MILITARY USE, IT'S TOO ABNORMAL—"
As Cecilia again tried to attack using the high mobility, the [Gospel] arrived in front of her. [Ignition Boost]—that was an acceleration that used both arms and legs to ignite an acceleration.
"WHAT?"
Once she closed in, the huge rifle wouldn't work. Even though she tried to pull the distance and raise the gun barrel, the rifle got kicked on the side.
The next moment, the [Gospel] began shooting from both wings on both sides, and before Cecilia could even come up with a decent counterattack, she began to fall to the sea.
"You dare—YOU DARE TO DO THIS TO MY TEAMMATES!!"
Using emergency acceleration, Houki closed in and continued to slash away, using parts of the [Fold-Out Armor] to do special attacks, dodge the enemy's attack, and using the boosters to raise her unstable position and launch attacks.
""UOOOOHHH!!!"
This was a close-ranged fight with both sides dodging each other, and having increased her output slightly, the [Akatsubaki] finally managed to corner the [Gospel].
(Alright! If this keeps up--)
Houki stabbed [Karaware] out. However—
Kyuu...
"WHAT! I RAN OUT OF ENERGY!?—KUAA!!"
Using this opening, the [Gospel]'s right hand grabbed onto Houki's collar.
Its wings slowly covered Houki.
(Sorry, Ichika...!)
◇
*Gya*, *gyan...*
Hearing the rustling of the waves, I stare at the girl patiently.
For some reason, her voice and dance made me nostalgic.
(...Ah?)
But once I recovered, the girl stopped singing.
She's no longer dancing, just staring up at the sky.
Feeling incredulous, I stood up from the log and walked towards the girl.
*Gya*, *gya*, *to*.
The cooling seawater accompanied the sound of the waves and lightly dampened my feet as I walked on the coast.
"What's wrong?"
Even though I asked that girl, she still looked up at the sky, not saying a single word.
As I look up at the sky where she's looking at as well, her voice suddenly reached my ears.
"It's calling me...I have to go."
"Huh?"
As I look around, the girl disappeared.
--Ah?
I look around, but there's no one around, and I can't hear the singing voice anymore.
*Gya gya*, *gya gya*. Only the sound of the waves could be heard.
"Um..."
Can't be helped. I could only turn around and return back to that wooden sofa.
Then—I hear an unknown voice from behind.
"Do you want power...?"
"Huh..."
I quickly turn around, only to see amidst the waves—a woman whose knees are under the sea.
Looking like a shining White Knight.
Her face was covered by a mask protecting the eyes, and I could only see her lower half.
"Do you want power...? For what..."
"Hm? Hm--...you just asked me something that's really hard for me to answer."
*Gya gyan*
Only the waves are between me and this woman.
"...Well, for my friends—no, to protect my friends."
"Friends..."
"For my friends. How should I put it? Aren't there things in this world that I have to fight for no matter what? Not just for struggling, but for lots of things."
Even though I haven't even arranged my thoughts properly, I could only talk with her just like that.
As I explained, I exclaimed 'Ah, so that's how I think' deep inside as I continued on.
"In this situation, well, there are a lot of things that don't follow logic, right? There's a lot of unreasonable violence. Because of this, I want to help my friends as much as I can, to help these people who're fighting with me in this world— my friends."
"I see..."
The woman answered silently and nodded her head.
"If that's the case, you have to go."
"?"
Another voice spoke up from behind me.
Turning around, I see the girl in white dress standing behind me.
Her face is showing an earnest smile, staring at me with an innocent expression.
"Look. Hm?"
She pulled my hand over and ran over to me, smiling.
I suddenly got embarrassed.
"Yes."
I nod my head.
A change suddenly happened.
"Wha-What!?"
--The sky, the entire world started to let out a really bright glow.
The scenery around me got swallowed by the white glow, moving further away from me.
'The dream has ended', that's what my mind thought.
(Ah, speaking of which...)
That woman looked like someone.
A female White Knight.
◇
"Kuu, ugh...!"
Houki's throat got grabbed by the [Gospel], letting out a painful moan as her throat's being crushed.
The [Gospel]'s hand continued to grab onto Houki's neck, and the [Silver Bell] that evolved into energy mode covered [Akatsubaki] completely.
(Is this the end...it's embarrassing...)
The brightness of the wings of light increased. As the [Gospel] let out a countdown before firing, Houki only thought of something.
--I want to see him.
--I want to see Ichika.
--I want to see him immediately. I want to see him now.
--Ahh, ahh, I really want to see him.
"Ichi-ka..."
Unknowingly, she called out Ichika's name.
"Ichika..."
Facing the wings that were becoming even brighter, Houki got mentally prepared and closed her eyes.
*Iiiiin...!*
"!?"
The hand of the [Gospel] that was holding onto Houki suddenly let go.
As the puzzled Houki opened her eyes due to this sudden situation, she saw the [Gospel] get shot at by some powerful charged cannon bombarding.
(Wha-What happened--)
Still in a state of disbelief, Houki heard a voice that broke her thoughts.
"DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH MY FRIENDS!"
A glowing white machine appeared in front of her.
"Ah...ahh, ahh..."
Houki's eyes started to tear up.
From her slightly teary eyes, she could see— Ichika in [Byakushiki]'s [Second Shift], [Setsura].
◇
"Ichika, is that you, Ichika? Your body, your wounds...!"
I fly towards Houki, who's stuttering, and respond,
"Oh, I kept you waiting."
"That's great...that's really great...really..."
"What's up? Are you crying?"
"I-I'm not!"
Seeing Houki rub her eyes like that, I gently pat her head.
"Don't worry, it's alright."
"I'm-I'm not worried..."
Either way, it really is Houki's style to act tough. I pat her head. That hairstyle without the ponytail still made me mindful of it.
"That's good isn't it? Here."
"Huh...?"
I hand over what I brought along to Houki.
"A-A ribbon...?"
"Happy birthday!"
July 7, it's Houki's birthday today.
Because I didn't know what to buy, I could only ask Charl along.
"Well, since I bought it, just use it."
"Oh, okay..."
"I'm going to fight now— well, it's not over yet."
Saying that, I carry out an emergency acceleration at the [Gospel] that's flying over and clash with it head on.
"Let's battle!"
I brandish my [Yukihira Niigata] with just my right hand and slice towards it.
Facing the [Gospel] that gently evades, I use my new weapon [Setsura] to slash at it with my left hand.
This [Second Shift] equipment seems to change according to the situation and form different types as it seems to respond to my thoughts. An energy claw appears from my fingertips.
"DON'T YOU GET AWAY!"
The claw that extended to more than 1m long slashed the [Gospel]'s armor. Even though it got blocked by the energy shield, it still did hit the [Gospel].
"Enemy information renewed. Changing attacking level A."
The [Gospel] expanded its energy wings wide, showing the wings that appeared from its body, and countered with a sweeping attack after evading the last attack.
"WHO'S GOING TO LET YOU KEEP ATTACKING!!"
I didn't dodge as I readied my left hand first.
--[Setsura] changed into a shield and started defending.
*KLANG!* With a sharp sound, the [Setsura] on the left hand started to change shape and expand, negating the rain of bullets from the [Gospel].
That's right. In other words, it's a shield with a [One-Off Ability] like the [Reiraku Byakuya].
Even though [Setsura]'s rather draining, it can negate the enemy's attack, which gives me a huge advantage. I checked the specs already, [Gospel] doesn't have any live ammunition weapons.
"UOOOOHHHH!!!"
Armed with 4 large wing thrusters, [Byakushiki Setsura] can do [Double Ignition Boost]. Even the [Gospel] that can do complex maneuvers can't dodge at my faster speed, so this should be enough to catch up to it.
"Change in situation. Using the most powerful attack."
As the mechanical voice declared this, the [Gospel] spread its wings to me, and quickly curled itself into a ball, forming a cage-cocoon state.
--Damn it, I have a bad feeling about that.
The worst case scenario did happen, as I expected.
The [Gospel]'s wings expanded out as it spun, and the energy bullets scatter all over the place like a storm. In other words, these attacks would hit Rin and the rest who haven't recovered yet.
(DAMN IT! HOW DO I PROTECT THEM--?)
As I immediately intended to become the shield of my friends, I heard a voice call out to me.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING!? NO MATTER HOW BAD WE ARE, WE'RE STILL REPRESENTATIVE CANDIDATES! STOP WORRYING AND FINISH IT OFF!!"
"Rin...I got it."
Believe in my friends. This is the only thing I can do now, so no matter what, I will believe in them.
[Yukihira] in my right hand and [Setsura] in my left hand each create the light blade of the [Reiraku Byakuya], and I flew towards the [Gospel] again.
◇
(Ichika's here...!)
This made me really happy.
My heart started to race, burning as it continued to beat wildly.
Seeing Ichika's silhouette while battling, I felt an extremely strong wish inside me.
(I want to fight alongside him. I want to protect that silhouette!)
My heart started to pray strongly and earnestly.
As if responding to my wish, [Akatsubaki]'s [Fold-Out Armor] let out golden dust mixed with red light.
"This is...?"
From the Hyper Sensors, I could tell that my machine's recovering energy extremely fast.
--[Kenran Butou][3D 1] activated. [Fold-Out Armor] and [Energy Bypass]...complete.
The words written on it are [One-Off Ability]
(Can I still fight? If that's the case--)
I tie the ribbon Ichika bought for me and remotivate myself, keeping my eye on the [Gospel].
(Then, let's go! [Akatsubaki]!)
As if breaking through the sunset horizon, the crimson red machine that's glowing red and gold dashed forward.
◇
"AHHHHHH!!"
The [Gospel]'s energy wings got sliced by the [Reiraku Byakuya]'s blade.
