Infinite Stratos: Solar Akatsuki

Chapter 6 - The Concluding Strike

Last Time: Ichika and Lingyin battle in the class league match, but they are interrupted when a mysterious IS attacks the arena.

Next Time: Zora enters the fray and the three friends battle the enemy together

(Opening Theme: Back - On)

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Rin fired shot after shot at the unknown IS which was flying low along the ground but managed to finally land a hit on it, destabilizing its flight.

"Ichika, now's your chance to attack!"

Ichika swooped towards the IS and lashed out with a descending slash, however the IS twirled out of the way and responded with a punch. Ichika ducked under the attack and tried aiming for the chest but could only inflict glancing blows due to the IS' reflexes before it flew away from him.

"Darn it Ichika, that's the fourth time you missed, aim properly!" said Rin.

"I am aiming, whoever is piloting the IS must be good or I wouldn't ha-Rin watch out!" Ichika called out in warning.

"Eh?" Rin was confused for a moment but that's what gave the IS the opportunity to fire a shot from its arm cannon which hit Rin's shoulder, causing her to lose control of flight for a few moments.

The IS flew towards her with a fist reared back ready to punch when a greeb beam of energy from out of nowhere flew towards it, the IS stopped in its tracks and was blasted away before it crashed into the ground and raised a massive cloud of debris.

"What was that?" said Rin, looking at where the IS crashed.

"Wait," Ichika said as realization hit him. "Was that...?"

"Yo, looks I made it in time!" the duo turned to the voice and were surprised to see Zora hovering a few distance away with his "Hyakurai" Beam Rifle pointed outwards.

"Zora, what are you doing here?" asked Rin, surprised by the orangette's appearance.

"Oh, you know...coming into battle and looking good doing it!" The orangette spoke in a teasing voice, before looking over at where he blasted the IS.

The black machine shot up from the dust cloud like a bullet and floated into the air as it kept it's gaze on the newcomer.

"Wow, you are one tough bastard," Zora said, summoning the Akatsuki's Beam Guarder Shield on its left forearm. "You want some more? I'm game!"

"Wait, don't you think that IS's strange? Like it's moving a bit too mechanical." Ichika noted, the three turned towards the black IS that stood there motionlessly.

"What's do you mean? It is a machine after all." Rin commented.

"I guess..." Zora narrowed his eyes in concentration, when Arthias' face appeared in his view. "Cuz?"

"Zor, what Ichika has noted is correct, I've checked in with my IS and detected no signs of life within that machine whatsoever." The older man explained. "My guess is it could be on auto-pilot."

"Really? In that case..."

"Watch out! Here it comes!" The IS charged towards the airborne teenagers, forcing them to scatter in various directions. Zora took aim and fired at the enemy, which did little to no effect on the target. The intruder then proceeded to fill the air full of beams, raining down on the trio as they weaved through the air attempting to dodge it.