Right, as usual, I'll only make the disclaimer in the first chapter. I do not own the Infinite Stratos or Gundam series. I do own a HG 1/144 Unicorn Gundam 03 Phenex Destroy mode NT version and am disappointed to know that there is no HGUC Phenex Unicorn mode.

Chapter 1: End of an Era, Beginning of an Era

UC 1xxx, it has been a thousand years since the event known as One Year War, the Neo Zeon conflict, and the Laplace conflict. The people of Universal Century have survived through numerous conflicts and finally, their civilization flourished throughout earth and space. Humanity learned from their previous mistakes and slowly but surely have matured after centuries of warfare.

Planets in the solar system were colonized and terraformed. Space Colonies were built from Earth to the edge of Saturn, humanity is slowly but surely expanding into space, gradually leaving their cradle like a child finally learning how to walk for the first time. This is what soldiers and visionaries of the past have fought and died for. The golden age of humanity have begun…

Or at least it should be. Because if there is one thing humanity would never fail to do is to repeat their mistake despite what they have learned. But can they be blamed for this mistake when the source of their self-destruction is not even something that is from their solar system?

It all started when one machine drifted into the solar system, a machine unlike which they have ever seen before. From its looks alone, the machine is a mobile suit of some kind. But once it was investigated, humanity found that the machine dubbed as Turn X is much more advanced than any mobile weapons they have developed in the past thousand years. An unknown machine from space outclassing even the most advanced of their own machine of that time.

This fact left humanity terrified. They are terrified of the knowledge that there is a civilization out there that could make a weapon that outclassed their own. They are terrified that if this advanced civilization were to come and attack them, they would be hopeless in front of the invader's overwhelming technology.

But as they have done in the past, humanity attempted to overcome their fear. And how did they do it? By creating another advanced machine of their own based on the machine they own. And in honor to the many legendary machines that have appeared throughout history, they dubbed this new mobile suit as the Turn A Gundam.

But as history dictated, when two great powers that surpasses others exists at the same time, they will inevitably clash. Due to the existence of the Turn units, earth was divided into two factions, each one possessing one Turn units, both cannot come into an agreement on how the Turn units should be used. One side wanted to use the Turn units to go out into space and take the initiative on the offensive before they could be attacked by other civilization. The other wishes only to use the Turn units as defensive measure.

And thus began the period that would come to be known as Dark History period as the Turn X and Turn A factions battle each other. Fear and anxiety had undone a millennium of hard work in a single moment. Thus once more the people of Universal Century descend into an age of warfare once more, an age that they have left behind for centuries, all because of fear and disagreement.

And finally, after a war that is even more devastating than the One Year War and every subsequent conflict, the final battle came in the form of Turn A Gundam battling Turn X, releasing the two machines' immense power over the whole solar system. The two machines have an ability called as Moonlight Butterfly, an ability where the Turn machines release their potent nanomachines that could destroy technology. But what makes Moonlight Butterfly frightening is not simply its ability to destroy technology. What is frightening is its scale.

Turn A Gundam and Turn X released their Moonlight Butterfly over the whole solar system, destroying every technology that mankind had built over the millennia, reducing everything back to the dark ages. People who lived in space and other planets were killed by the billions from the destruction of the technologies that sustain their life outside the earth. But even after countless number of lives were lost, the two Turn machines and their pilot fought as if they were possessed.

What stopped them though is not each other's victory or defeat. It is when a forgotten piece of history revealed itself in the time when humanity's need is most dire. From the destroyed remains of space Colonies between Earth and Mars, a white and green machine emerged. From earth, a black and yellow machine rose. From the depth of space, a golden and blue machine returned.

These machines are remnants of history people in the early Universal Century wishes to forget. Or can they even be called machines when the power they wield cannot even be understood or measured? In an age where science and technology rules, machines that does not operate like machines wielding power that science cannot properly explain is not even considered technologies anymore.

Without any signs of engine running, these three identical machines clad in mysterious light that protected them from Moonlight Butterfly approach the two Turn machines. Recognizing the two Turn machines as a thing that doesn't belong in this world, the three remnants of a buried history rise up once more, carrying the hopes and dreams of humanity in their name that radiates power.

The white Unicorn, the black Banshee, and the golden Phenex. These are the names of the three Gundams that arrived on the battlefield of the two Turn units. Wielding power people had forgotten about, the three RX-0 units and their pilot destroyed the two Turn units, ending humanity's last space war. With the destruction of the two Turn machines, humanity can finally return to their days of peace and start over once more in a world free of conflict… or is it?

After the era of Dark History, the surviving humanity has the chance to start over again on earth. As it has been stated multiple times before, history tend to repeat itself, and in an ironic twist of fate, the world that the Turn machines return to the dark ages does repeat itself. From the dark ages to the bronze and iron ages and then to medieval ages all the way to the modern age, three thousand years of human history repeated itself.

And three thousand years later, humanity has repeatedly proved its capacity to create conflict and still continue to do so even now.

Infinite Stratos, it is a machine once intended to be a powered suit for space exploration. It was supposed to be a way for humanity to fulfill their dream of venturing to space. But now it has become nothing more than mere weapons used to destroy and oppress.

The world had changed due to the emergence of these weapons of war, especially when the first ever IS showcased its power in the event that is now known as the White Knight incident, destroying numerous missiles and advanced weaponry with never-before-seen technologies. With that performance alone, IS cemented its place as the ultimate weapon of war known to humanity.

The IS wasn't supposed to be a weapon. It was supposed to be something that leads humanity to a new frontier. But the world had twisted it into an image it wants the technology to be; that of a weapon of mass destruction. It made some people wonder how humanity could survive for so long while still keeping such mentality.

And worst of all it has become an excuse to oppress. Just because the IS can only be used by women, the female population had gotten it into their head that they have become better than men. It is subtle and not easily spotted in general but if one were to look closely there is subtle discrimination here and there. It is as if the gender roles have been reversed. Despite the changes, humanity is, in a sense, still the same.

It is not only that but ever since Shinonono Tabane stopped producing IS cores and went into hiding, the core is distributed throughout the world for study and development. But not everyone could fund the development of an IS. The world fell into what is essentially a state similar to a cold war where IS tournament became a sport where each countries would show off their military, a proxy war of some sort. With this setup, the world is seemingly able to maintain an uneasy peace. But…

-4 years after the White Knight incident, France-

Fourteen years old Charles Dunois has always been an adventurous child. He is very active and curious even for his age. Among his hobbies is exploring places, whether it be advanced metropolitan, historical cities, natural conservation, or even plain wilderness, he is simply fascinated by the world around him.

But what eventually took his attention the most is the stars.

Charles could remember the day when he learn about the stars. He and his family; his father, step mother, and step sister, all four of them lying on the ground and watching the stars during a camping trip Charles had insisted on going. He was six back then and it was the first time he truly saw the stars, the constellations sparkling in the sky, and the first constellation his father taught him about is Leo, the zodiac that came in the form of a lion.

From then on, his favorite pastime activity before bed is watching the stars. He doesn't know why but he simply felt drawn to them, to the vastness of space. Which is why during primary school, he dreamt of becoming an astronaut, so that one day he can go to space and see it from beyond the earth's atmosphere. To grasp the stars with his own hands.

When the Infinite Stratos came to existence, he was very happy. A mechanical exoskeleton that can be used to explore space. With that kind of machine, he could really grasp the stars with his own hands… only for him to be disappointed when he found out that the machine can only be piloted by females. But his sister. Charlotte, who saw his saddened expression managed to comfort him and made him a promise. That she will pilot an IS and fulfill his dream for him, and maybe someday they can go to space together.

It is funny that this promise between his children is what made Ronan Dunois decide to have his company enter the Infinite Stratos industry. Seeing this as a sign of their father's support, Charles decided that even if he could not pilot an IS, he would be the one to create and maintain his sister's future frame. To that end, he started studying diligently and declared that he will be an engineer in the future.

Still, Charles wished that he could've piloted an IS. It would've been an interesting experience.

Right now, the young boy is exploring the woods near their villa in the more rural part of France. While he had been focusing on the stars in recent years, Charles still enjoy walking around and seeing what nature has to offer. The smell of fresh air never failed to make him relax.

Usually, he would be strolling around randomly, just enjoying the view but not straying far off from the main roads. But this time, he went a bit deeper into the woods, a bit further and out of the way from his usual routes and not randomly either. He walk through the woods with experience and purpose, easily passing through the uneven ground and over or under wildly growing branches.

Charles is not even sure why he is here. It is just that ever since breakfast, something is telling him to come here, to follow his feelings. Being an adventurous young boy who like to follow his guts, which had helped him on multiple occasions when he need some luck, Charles follow his instinct without question and it led him here, far in the woods where people rarely passed by.

Then he stopped.

"Something is here."

Charles muttered to himself with narrowed eyes. He's not sure how he knew it but he knows that something is here. Something is drawing him here, calling out to him. It's the feeling he gets and what led him here in the first place. But what is it exactly? He's not sure.

Then he saw something he couldn't quite believe. Something under the ground three steps away from him is glowing. He approached the glowing spot and dug out the glowing object shining in brilliant green light. When he dug it out, he was surprised to see that it is a small piece of metal. How can a metal glow like that?

He then winced as he felt something in his head. He couldn't really describe what it is but it is like someone is touching his mind, however that works. Just as the feeling recedes, the ground began to rumble.

"Earthquake?! But there has never been a case of any earthquake around here!"

Charles panicked. In his distress, he didn't notice the ground under him gave away and he fell. Once the blonde boy noticed he is falling through a hole, he screamed. He fell for a while until he landed on a hard ground. The boy groaned and got up. He look around and saw that he is in some kind of cave. It's a good thing that he had a good landing, despite the pain, or he could've died.

He managed to calm down somewhat when he noticed that the earthquake had stopped. But now he has to find a way out. There is no path behind him though and climbing up the hole he came from is not an option. So the only way is to move forward. But the cave will get darker if he goes deeper with no source of light. That was when he noticed something glowing on the ground. He picked it up. It is another piece of metal like the one he found earlier. He doesn't know how it could glow like it does but it is a source of light.

Using the metal piece as a makeshift torch, Charles walked in deeper. He didn't know that there is a cave system around here. As he moved deeper, he saw more of the glowing pieces of metal scattered around. He picked up a few more of them but not all of them since there is a limit to what he can carry.

After around one and a half hours of walking –thankfully his watch was not broken by his fall- he heard the sound of running water. Following the path where the sound came from, he found an underground river and another path. Deciding to rest for a while, he sat by the river to drink and eat. He always brought at least a pack of bread and a bottle of water inside his small bag whenever he is in the exploring mood. After his short break, he was about to continue on his way when the ground shook once more. This time, the shaking became harder and the ground under him broke off.

He slipped and fell into the river. He tried to swim but the current is too strong and he was washed away. Charles only hope that at least the underground river would lead him somewhere outside this cave. That is the best he could do right now.

But it seems that his hope is about to be dashed when he heard the familiar sound of falling water up ahead, one he came to know after visiting several waterfalls. This is it. He will be falling to his death. And like he had thought, there is a waterfall up ahead and he fell down into god-knows-where. He prayed in his heart for someone to save him, but he knew that this is the end. He will crash down and die here inside this unknown cave with no hope of being found. He closed his eyes, waiting for whatever impact that would eventually come.

But none came. In fact, he felt like he is slowing down until finally, he gently fell into a body of water with the same impact of someone slipping by a poolside and falling into the water.

It seems he will be living a bit longer.

Charles opened his eyes. He quickly swam up and to the closest shore. That was the most adrenaline-pumping moment he had ever experienced in his life. He was lucky that he is still alive. He got up and once again look at his surroundings. He is in a large cavern somewhere even deeper than before if his fall was anything to go by. Great, he had just went in deeper. Is there even an exit from this place?

The blonde boy thought about his next move until he noticed more glowing things on the ground. This time, the glow seems to create a path somewhere and that somewhere is where he needs to go, that is the feeling Charles gets. So he followed the light.

What he found next surprised him.

After following an uphill path the lights showed him, he found something he could never possibly imagine. Pieces of machines lying all over the place. But when he look at them closely, they each have some kind of form that make up body parts. Many of those pieces have damage on them caused by something or another, he cannot tell.

But what surprised him the most is when he found the thing's head. A large black helmeted head with broken v-shaped antenna and human-like faceplate. The size of the head itself is huge and awe inspiring despite the state it is in but what surprised him is that there is someone standing in front of the broken machine head. A male around ten or so years older than him with blonde hair. He is wearing some kind of black suit Charles had never seen before.

'Banshee and I have been waiting for you, Charles Dunois.'

So I've been having this idea for a while thanks to my other IS stories as well as watching Gundam NT. In fact, I got this idea not long after watching Gundam NT but only managed to pull something out of my ass now. So the idea is that the IS is in a timeline after UC where Dark History happened and the two Turn machines did wipe out the technology the UC timeline developed using their Moonlight Butterfly. Only this time, no technology survived at all and humanity have to start from scratch, erasing their whole history. The Turn machines was stopped by the RX-0 units that possess powers out of this world due to their full Psychoframe and mystic power. For those who have watched Gundam NT, you know what I'm talking about and why and how the RX-0 units act. Now, of course that doesn't mean that it is the end of the Turn units. There is a reason why Banshee called out to Charles in this chapter. So now I, Shidou Haruka, presents you guys with Infinite UC! My mad idea about a crossover between UC Gundam and Infinite Stratos.

Take note that I am not doing this story IS style with emphasis on harem but in UC Gundam style where things are very damn serious, which is one of the reason why I include Charles Dunois who in canon is just Charlotte's alter ego and change the Dunois family history. I base the Dunois family on 2 families in the UC timeline. One is of course the Marcenas family but they are the lesser material since I'm just mainly using Ronan's name and make Riddhe as base for Charles. The other family is a secret but they are one of the most famous in Gundam history. So all characters will be made in Gundam standards. Ichika will be featured in the next chapter and we know which RX-0 will call out to him. For the Phenex's chosen successor though... I won't reveal that until later. Take note that I will be basing Ichika heavily on Banagher so don't expect a hyper dense harem protagonist who is a yes-man to his girls. On a side note, UC characters from all time will appear from time to time as spirits, mostly the original pilots of the RX-0. So expect seeing Riddhe Marcenas, Banagher Links, and Rita Bernal often.

Now, there is a possibility of MS appearing in the future but don't take my words on that one. I'm not sure. It depends on whether the plot will be good or not. So while disappointingly there will be no real Gundam machines except for the RX-0 units which will become IS in the future, the point of this story is not the machine but the tech and ideologies of Gundam. Newtype, psychoframe, those kind of stuff. I just hope I could make this work. This here is just the intro chapter mostly about the end of the UC timeline and the return to AD (more info will come out as story goes) so I doubt anyone can get a feel on the story and characters as a whole since it hasn't even started. Next chapter will be timeskip and will focus on Ichika as Banagher's successors. I will be skipping many things which will definitely leave people questioning but I will reveal everything as things goes.

By the way, Charles is the oldest out of all the main pilots by several years, well, around 3 or 4 years.