Sorry for the delay on this chapter. A lot of stuff's been happening lately. A lot! Anyways, if any of you are into abridged series, since I'm writing this fanfic for Infinite Stratos, and since I'm aspiring to be a VA, me and a few friends of mine have made an Infinite Stratos Abridged! I'll tell you guys how to see it at the end of this chapter.

Now let's move on with what I like to call, "The French Takeback" arc of Lustful Symbol.

Ch. 5 Guardian; Thy Name is Ichika

START!

(July 16th, 11:00 AM)

(Ichika)

"Now, if you would please hand the girl over to me."

Rafael Dunois, the CEO of the Dunois company, responsible for almost two-thirds of almost all IS production in the world. He is a man rumored to be involved with a large crime syndicate with branches scattered throughout the world. He, is Charlotte's father.

"I'm sorry but we cannot simply hand Dunois over to you. She is here as a representative of the country of France. As stated by the Alaska Treaty, it is the pilot, and the pilot alone, who can decide whether they want to relinquish their title."

"Hmph, do you think I really care about what the treaty says? You forget, I was there when it was first ratified. And as one of the minds behind its rulings, I know how to bend the rules to meet certain conditions."

Bend the rules? It's impossible. The Alaska Treaty was created to prevent situations like this. He can't just bend them to however he wants them to be, can he?

"According to Article 17 of the "Representative Selection" section of the Alaska Treaty, it specifically states that if one's country wants to replace their country's IS candidate, if a consensus of two-thirds of that countries government votes to replace the candidate, then it will be done so. As you can see from this document, you'll find that roughly two-thirds of the French government has chosen to replace our candidate."

"Hhhhmmmmm. All the proper identification is here."

No! It's over just like that! I refuse to believe that!

"However…"

"Is something wrong, Miss Instructor?"

"Although the Alaska Treaty states that one's country can replace their countries cadet representative, they cannot remove a student from the Academy once that student is enrolled. And if there is hostile retaliation from that country's government, then it will start an international war."

(Charlotte)

G-genius! Nice one Orimura-sensei! I never would of thought of that one. This is it! The miracle that will keep me here!

"Hmph, you think such a ruling can stop me from claiming what is mine? I suppose I have no choice. May I offer an alternative?"

"And what might that be?"

"A match between 2 pilots of our choosing. I choose one of my personal instructors and you chose one of your pilots. They will duel each other until one's shield hits 0. The winner shall gain custody over the girls future."

(Ichika)

What? Is he for real? He would gamble Char's future one match? He must be up to something. There's no reason otherwise. He must have an ace up his sleeve.

"Master Rafael, if you would be so kind sir, I would like to act in your stead."

"Very well, Evangeline. I will have my personal advisor battle you, Miss Evangeline Aprois. As for you?

"Mmmmmm…."

I didn't know what to do. It seemed like Char's future was already decided. But, suddenly-

You're just gonna let her go?

What the-? Who's that?

You made a promise to her. A promise that you said you would uphold. If you let that woman decide on a random representative to stand up for Charlotte, you will certainly lose her.

Who is this? How do you know about Char? How do you know what I'm thinking?

Let's just say that I know you better than anyone else. But that's because, I am you.

Huh? You…..are….me?

Well more like a part of you anyway. I know what you are feeling right now: fear of regret. You fear that you will regret not being heard. You fear that you will regret not keeping your promise to Charlotte. But, most of all, you fear that you will regret losing all of those closest to you.

Shut up! That will never happen!

Then why hesitate? Because if you don't do something, she will be lost forever.

Ggrrrrrrrrraaaaaahhhhh!

(Charlotte)

"Well, Ms. Instructor? Do you have a decision?"

It's over. There's nothing in the Alaska treaty that can resolve a matter like this. It's over for me.

"I'll fight!"

Huh? Was that-?

(Ichika)

"Hmmm, well this is a certain turn of events. Tell me, what's your name young sir?"

"Ichika. Ichika Orimura. I'm the guy who's gonna kick your ass!"

"Ichika! Wait a second!"

I could hear all of the class telling me to wait. They were worried that I would get hurt beyond all belief. Maybe I will, but I'm not leaving this thing to chance! There's too much riding on this.

"You idiot get back in line. The decision of who fights is up to me, and I will not let you-"

"Chifuyu!"

"Huh?"

"Stop worrying about me. I'm done waiting for the inevitable to happen to Char. I'm not letting her go."

You know what might happen to you. Even knowing the effects of what will happen, you still stand up for her. What a knight in shining armor.

Well I'm not gonna let her go away that easily. She's way to important to me for me to let her go. That's why-

Hmm, you really are the one.

"I vow to fight!"

(Charlotte)

"Ichika! No please! Don't worry about me! I don't want you hurt! I couldn't-"

"Well what have we here? The reckless male pilot comes out to play. Fine then, I accept your challenge. The duel shall take place at one of your arenas tomorrow at dusk. Seems like a good a time as any to prepare yourself and give you a fighting chance."

No. Why, Ichika, why? You can't win. Evangeline is the strongest of my father's accomplices. She's the strongest IS pilot my father has! Even at how strong you've become, you can't win!

"My, my, do I detect some caring feelings for him?"

"Gyuh."

"No need to blush Charlotte. I would see as much of that pretty face as I could. Because, I'm about to rip it to shreds."

"Now, now Evangeline. Well then, I shall now bid you adieu and goodbye for now. Au revoir!"

(Ichika)

"Ichika, you idiot! What did you just do! Students are supposed to listen to their instructors!"

"I get it, okay."

"Then why did you accept his challenge?"

"Because you did nothing!"

"Huh?"

"Admit it! You were gonna let her go, weren't you?"

"But I-"

"That's what I thought Chifuyu."

I walked away from her. I couldn't stand to see her right now. She was gonna hand Charlotte over to them to prevent an international war. I refuse to let that happen.

"Ichika."

"Ah, Ichika you idiot!"

"This is barbaric, suicide!"

"As my wife, you will tell us why!"

I think it's obvious isn't it? Jeez, these girls are so infatuated with me, it blinds them from the truth.

"Houki, Cecilia, Rin, Laura, I need your help."

"Huh?"

"I can't hope to take that woman on without preparing. Can you guys give up some of your free time to help me train?"

"(All 4) Of course "

"Hm, thanks."

(7:00 PM)

Everyone scattered after the incident, and I found Char by the beach later that night, crying over what just transpired. Is she scared to go, or is she scared for me? It's unclear right now.

"Char."

"Gyuhgyuh. Ichika, you dumbass!"

"Huh? What?"

"You big dummy! You're so stupid! Why? Why did you do that you moron?"

She kept on crying, even while pounding on my chest and calling me names. It didn't take too long before she broke down in my arms. I tried to calm her down the best I could.

"Please calm down Char. Just breathe."

"I-I-I j-j-just-"

"Listen to my heartbeat okay. Just listen to it and calm down."

It took some time but it worked. She started to calm down a bit. It was only after a while before I realized that she passed out. She had too hard of a day. I can't blame her. I decided to take her to her room and look after her for the night. She seemed really stressed out by what transpired. I know. I am too.

(July 17th, 1:00 AM)

Sunday morning. I have until 7:00 tonight before my match starts. Nothing else matters right now. I made a promise to Charlotte that I intend to keep. That's not a promise I take lightly. Not after what happened. It will never happen again. Never again!

"Ichika, you idiot."

"Huh? Char?"

Before I realized it, I was smacking my hand on the table so hard that it woke her up. In my thoughts, I lost track of what was going on around me.

"I'm sorry. Did I wake you up?"

"No, it's okay. Hm? Where's Laura?"

"Knowing her, she's probably hiding in my bed again."

"…..why did you do it?"

"Huh?"

"This isn't your problem, and yet you became involved. Why did you do it?"

"Ha, you really have to ask? I'm doing this because I want to."

Just then, her eyes grew wild and she started yelling at me.

"That's all? That's the only reason why you're helping me? You jerk!"

"Wait. What did i-"

"Just shut up. What do you think this is a game? Do you know how my father works? He will get rid of anything getting in the way of what he wants! This isn't about you fighting an enemy to get yourself stronger!"

"That's not what this is about!"

"Then what is it then?"

"I CAN'T LOSE YOU, OKAY!"

"Huh?"

Not one more person in my life. Not one more friend being taken from me. Not again!

The time of reckoning has come and the fate of the girls future unsure. When 2 titans clash, will the shattered past of the boy influence the girl to give him the strength he needs? Next chapter, "Past of Torment; Iron Resolve".

Now if you guys want to watch the IS Abridged I mentioned before, check out AnimeRevolutionPro and AnimeRevAbridged on Youtube. Comment and rate this fanfic. See ya guys!