To Shine in the Layer!

Mao's Story

Fall of a Goddess, Faith Restored Gaiden

By D. Cooper

daijin26@hotmail.com

Author's Note: "Gaiden" is the Japanese word meaning "side story". This fanfic is a side story to my previous (and first!) Angelic Layer fanfic, Fall of a Goddess, Faith Restored. Although not necessary, it would help to read the first fanfic as there are references to it in this one that connect the two together. Fall of a Goddess, Faith Restored is posted here at Fanfiction.net as well. To Shine in the Layer! takes place after Fall of a Goddess, Faith Restored. Hope you enjoy.

Madoka was looking over Mao's parameters on her Angelic Layer laptop computer. Everything seemed normal. However, Madoka was troubled. She knew that Mao was a well-made Angel. Her sister Alice was one of the best Angel makers around, so it wasn't Mao. The problem had to lie somewhere else. Was it with Madoka herself?

Madoka sat there, eyes squinted, as she stared hard at the monitor in front of her, deep in thought. She was actually more looking past the words and numbers on the screen and focusing on her reflection as it stared back at her with the same penetrating gaze; as if she were trying to look within herself for the answer. She knew it was there, but Madoka just didn't know how to get to it.

She sat back in her chair and crossed her arms, a look of concentration etched onto her face. What is it about Misaki and Hatoko that makes them so good, thought Madoka. She chuckled a little to herself, a sly smile forming on her lips. Not just good. Great. They both do things with their Angels I never thought possible!

Madoka still could not believe the match between Misaki and Hatoko she had watched weeks ago. It took place during the week of registration of this year's Angelic Layer tournament. Misaki had set it up for them in an attempt to keep Hatoko from quitting Angelic Layer. Misaki had managed to gather all of the top Deuses, Madoka included, in order to convince Hatoko not to leave.

Hatoko was convinced to stay. Then Misaki and Hatoko had their match. A promise kept between two close friends. It was a spectacular battle! Madoka had never witnessed such an intense match before.

Could I ever be as good as them? Madoka asked herself. She knew that a part of it was that she did Angelic Layer for the wrong reasons. At first it was just for glory. With her first Angel Umpyo, Madoka wanted to show the world of Angelic Layer that she was the best. At the same time, Alice wanted to prove that her Angel was the best ever created. Then, two years ago, she faced Hatoko and Suzuka in the Layer for the first time.

Hatoko was a four-year-old kindergartner at the time. How could anyone so young have a chance? Hatoko proved Madoka wrong by defeating Umpyo. That's when the sisters made their second mistake.

They fought for revenge.

They discarded Umpyo and created Mao. Mao was to be Madoka's tool of retribution in which to reclaim her lost honor from Hatoko. No one could stand in her way. Until she met…

Suzuhara Misaki.

True, Madoka had more experience in Angelic Layer than Misaki did. But so blind in her quest of reprisal against Hatoko that she and Alice resorted to cheating. They secretly implanted a mini-signal scrambler on Hikaru to cut off Misaki's brainwave signals, stopping them from reaching Hikaru and making her sluggish and unresponsive.

Misaki overcame it. She experienced a great deal of trouble controlling Hikaru, but her will was so strong that Hikaru was able to respond to her Deus' commands. And in the end, Misaki won. Madoka and Alice could not believe it. How was it possible?

There was one difference between Misaki and Madoka on that day. Madoka only fought for herself. Misaki fought with and for Hikaru; her love her Angel was her strength.

Madoka had learned a valuable lesson that day. Misaki reminded her of the most important thing about Angelic Layer. Misaki's words remained with her since that day she first heard them.

"In Angelic Layer, anyone can shine with their Angel!"

Madoka may have lost the match, but she gained new insight. Because of Misaki, Madoka was reminded of the true purpose of Angelic Layer, to do your best and shine with your Angel no matter what. Madoka learned that the path of vengeance was wrong. But now, she had to find her way onto the right path.

Madoka looked over next to her laptop where she had put Mao. Mao sat there, with her eyes closed, as if in meditation. Madoka smiled a little and picked up Mao. She studied Mao while thoughts still raced through her mind, still trying to find her answer. How to become a great Deus with this Angel she held in her hands. At that moment, Madoka remembered what Hatoko had said when she finally was convinced to stay in Angelic Layer. With tears in her eyes, Hatoko had looked down at Suzuka and said:

"Suzuka! I'm so sorry! Please forgive me! You are a part of me! We belong together, win or lose!"

"'You are a part of me…'" Madoka muttered to herself, pondering the meaning of those words. Hatoko felt that Suzuka was a part of her. Not just a doll. Was that the answer? It was so simple. Could that really be the solution?

And even if it was, Madoka didn't know how to go about it.

"Onesan?"

Madoka came out of her deep realm of thought at the sound of her sister's voice. She turned to see Alice standing in the doorway of her bedroom. Alice looked worried.

"Daijoubu, onesan? You look troubled," asked Alice.

Madoka relaxed more in her chair and smiled. "I'm alright. Just doing some thinking."

Alice walked into her older sister's room and went over to Madoka. She looked down at Madoka with concern on her face. "Hmm. I'll say. You've been sitting here like this for the past hour."

"Nani?" said Madoka. She didn't realize so much time had passed.

Alice patted Madoka on the shoulder and went to sit on her sister's bed. She then patted her hand a spot on the bed next to her. "Come, onesan. Let's talk. Maybe I can help."

Madoka wasn't so sure. "I don't think this is something you can help me with, Alice."

Alice just smiled. "You never know until you try!"

With a sigh of defeat and a smile on her face, Madoka left her chair and sat down on Alice's left side. With them both sitting, Madoka had to look down at her sister in order to look her in the eyes.

"So tell me, what's been on your mind?" asked Alice.

Madoka hung her head down slightly. "I…I think it's me."

Alice lifted an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

Madoka sighed and leaned back until she was lying flat on her bed, hands folded underneath her head for support. It helped to loosen the tension in her.

"I've been trying to figure out what I'm missing to become a better Deus," said Madoka.

Alice mimicked her older sibling's position on the bed, lying herself beside Madoka. Both girls stared up at the bedroom ceiling as they spoke.

"I see," said Alice. "Do you have some idea at least of what it could be?"

Madoka's voice took on a sad tone. "No. And I don't know how to find out either."

Madoka switched her hands' position from under her head to lay them on her stomach. Instinctively, Alice did the same with her own hands simultaneously.

"Ever since I lost to Misaki," Madoka continued, "I learned from her that doing Angelic Layer for revenge is not right. That was my biggest mistake."

After saying that, Madoka felt a warm sensation in her right hand. She looked to see that Alice's left hand held it firm. She turned her head to see Alice staring right into her eyes.

"Our biggest mistake," Alice corrected. Alice knew that they made that mistake together and refused to allow her sister to wear the mantle of guilt alone. It shrouded over the both of them.

Madoka gave Alice's hand a reassuring squeeze. "Our mistake." She looked back up at the ceiling. "However, even though I've left my hatred behind me, I still don't know what to do." Madoka let out a sigh of anguish. "It's very frustrating."

Alice sat up, and with a small hop, got off the bed. She turned back to her sister who was still with her back on her bed.

"I think the key to your answer lies with Misaki," said Alice.

Madoka sat up in surprise at hearing that. "What made you say that?"

Alice brought her hand up to hold her chin in thought. "I've been doing some thinking myself. And looking back, I realize the one thing about her that makes her different from us."

"And what would that be?"

"Misaki loves her Angel."

"As does Hatoko."

Alice looked at her sister quizzically. "Hatoko?"

Madoka got off her bed and stood before the younger Fujisaki. "I was thinking the same thing as you before you came in here. About Misaki and Hatoko. But could it be that easy an answer?"

Alice crossed her arms. "Sometimes the most obvious answer is the answer."

Madoka was still unsure about this. "I don't know."

Alice smiled. "Well, it's late now and you need some sleep. The answer will come to you. You'll find your way. I know you can."

Madoka returned a smile. "Arigato, Alice. You've helped me more than you know."

Alice just hugged Madoka. "That's what sisters are for, right?"

Madoka grinned. "You're right. Come on, let's get some sleep."

As Madoka changed and got into her bed, Alice proceeded to leave the room when she turned to her sister. "I believe in you. I always have! Oyasumi, onesan."

Madoka smiled at her sister. "Arigato. Oyasumi, imouto-chan."

Alice left the room closing the door behind her, after which Madoka turned out the light near her bed and went to sleep. And as Madoka slept, Mao now had her eyes open and watched over her.

To be continued…