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 clashed with the Turn units. The Moonlit Butterfly clashed with the light of the Psychoframe and as everything were consumed by their battle. As a curtain of light akin to rainbow envelop the solar system, reality itself cracked.

-Anno Domini 2xxx-

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, reigniting the dream of the past that may have been forgotten. But now it has become nothing more than mere weapons used to destroy and oppress, proving humanity's capacity for conflict.

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 doesn't help that the creator herself encourage it.

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…

-3 years after the White Knight incident, England-

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 and mother, all three 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. His dream was quickly crushed.

Still, he hoped that maybe one day he can make it so that even males can pilot an IS. He'll even make it come true himself. A small setback won't stop him from reaching his dream. It is quite fortunate that his uncle, Patrick Dunois, had started a company revolving around IS technology. The French government had approved his request to have an IS core for research purpose, of course, with some help from his father who is Minister of Defense.

Currently, he and his father are in England with his father attending the after party following the conclusion of the first Mondo Grosso tournament. It was quite a spectacle, seeing real IS in a fight. How fast they can fly and how powerful they are. It just made Charles more determined to study IS engineering in MIT so he can eventually work on making males able to pilot an IS. Though right now, he is still just an ordinary high school student.

He has been studying technology a lot though and since he has the best tutors money can buy as well as knowing some of the best IS engineers in France, he is well on his way to achieve his dream. It won't be easy but just like grasping the stars, anything that is worth doing is never easy.

Like surviving this party for instance.

Politicians and other high profile people are currently talking about how their country did in the tournament. There are lots of veiled insults and fake smiles thrown around. While he wanted to become an IS engineer, Charles is politically savvy enough to notice what politicians say in between the lines. It is really not a place he wanted to be in but he did ask his father that he wanted to see the tournament and Ronan did bring him to the VIP box so he can at least thank his father by enduring the whole after party.

Currently, Ronan is engaged in a conversation with a blonde British woman. Since he has nothing else to do and no one to talk to, Charles decided to walk around. He had eaten enough and he can't drink wine until he's older so right now, he has nothing else to do. He had thought about talking to the competing pilots who, surprisingly, are mostly his age, but most of them are already in groups while the others simply disappear.

"Heh, if only this could end soon."

The blonde Frenchman grumbled as he stood in a corner while leaning on the wall. Sure he's used to fancy parties but that was back in France where there are at least some other ministers who brought their children along who he can talk to but here in England, there's no one he recognize.

"Are you feeling bored?"

A voice asked him. Charles nearly jumped in surprise but managed to not make a fool of himself. He turned to his right to see a girl with long blonde hair and cyan eyes around his age. Together with her is a younger girl around eight to nine years old with shorter hair and same eye color. Charles blinked. He didn't expect to see someone his age around here who is not one of the pilots, and he knew she's not one since he remembered the face of all the pilots in the tournament.

"Well, I don't know anyone around here and the only people my age are the pilots and it's not easy trying to talk to them."

Charles said casually. The girl chuckled as she leaned on the walk right beside him.

"I know the feeling. I'm Rita Alcott by the way, and this is my sister, Cecillia."

The girl, now named Rita, introduced herself along with her sister who is look as if she wanted to run around but knew better than to cause a ruckus in such a situation. That's quite smart for an eight years old child. Since the sisters have introduced themselves, or Rita did anyway, Charles decided to return the courtesy.

"I'm Charles Dunois. It's nice to meet you, Rita."

Charles didn't know it yet but at that moment, the moment he shook Rita's hand in their first meeting, was the day his fate changed, and the day the Lion constellation shines the brightest as the black lion slowly woke up from its slumber deep underground.

Right, so this is the new version of Infinite UC. I changed a lot of things this time like instead of being set in the future, this story is set in a whole different timeline. Kinda like how Ideon rebooted the universe in that Ideon/Gundam unofficial crossover (which is still more official than a fanfic though). I will not confirm if this displacement is of space or time though. This could be set in an entirely different universe or this can be set in the past before UC 0001 and would've let to UC timeline if not for the changes.

Anyway, enter Charles Dunois... again. He is still the main character destined to pilot Banshee but I changed the Dunois family tree a bit. Instead of the heir of Dunois corporation, Charles is son to the Minister of Defense while his uncle (who will obviously be Charlotte's father) is the CEO of Dunois corporation. Charles and Charlotte are cousins here instead but that's as far as I will reveal in this matter since that is the obvious stuff. Now on to the other stuff. Rita is now Rita Alcott, elder sister to Cecillia Alcott. This will have an impact on Cecillia obviously but that is for later. Now, unlike the other Gundam/IS crossover I wrote with reincarnation theme, Rita won't remember her past life, at least, not all of it if she were to ever remember anything. So far she will be the only Unicorn unit pilot who will retain her unit considering that she is likely the strongest Newtype around. That factors for something.

Now for pairing. In the previous version, I hinted that Charles will be paired with Tatenashi. But this time, there is a bit more gap in age between them so I'm going to need some opinion. Currently, I am open to harem and single pairing idea. The girls available for Charles are Tatenashi, Rita, Beltorchika Irma, and Chifuyu. Personally, I am leaning more towards either Tatenashi or Beltorchika. Rita will be good but there is Jona to consider. If Rita is with Charles, Jona will be paired with Michele. Chifuyu is the worst choice in my opinion since I am doing this Gundam style rather than a harem series so Chifuyu's attitude will... be met with equally heavy handed reaction. Tatenashi and Beltorchika on the other hand will be easiest to work with as I have some ideas I had wanted to work with in the previous version but never managed to use them because of consistency issue.