November 2004
Karu was smiling. She finally had saved enough. It took forever to get the money because of bills and school, but she was finally able to do it. Someone had been paying for a part of her expenses, and she had a good idea who it was. Karu would e-mail her whenever possible and call her every weekend. It was good. With less pressure on her back, she could start enjoying life. She was doing better in school. Her grades improved so much that people started to come to her for help. People while still untrusting, were kinder.
She was wearing her school uniform as she stood in front of the Piffle Princess. This was not the first time she stood there, either. In fact, the Clerk had seen her so much, that he knew her as "You," even if that was what he called everyone. But to Karu, that was a good sign. She took a deep breath and clutched onto her wallet. She then stepped into the store.
It was as bustling as ever. People chatting, enjoying the atmosphere. But even more interesting were the angels that talked. Karu couldn't wait. She nearly ran up to the counter. She paced herself so she couldn't rush up to the counter. The Clerk was there as always. Karu grinned happily, "Hello!"
The Clerk looked up at her. "It's you. Are ya' here to stand around, as usual, and look at the angels?"
"No, I'm buying an angel, today!" Karu explained. "I finally got enough money!"
"Well, I guess that's good for the economy..." the Clerk muttered as he heaved an Angelic Layer Starter Kit onto the counter.
Karu quickly paid him and dashed off to open the box. The Clerk look at her rushing out of the door. "Kids, these days. Always have to rush," he said to him as he hid a small grin with his hand.
At her apartment, Karu had the contents of the box strewn out on the floorall around her. She also had sketches she drew out the night before next to her. She winced whenever she pricked her finger with the needle. The outfit was just so small and tiny. Next to her, the blank angel was slowly forming in its AE Tube.
One Hour Later
Karu beamed at the small outfit in front of her. She was looking at a green jumpsuit, purple boots and a beret, and a lavendar coat. Just then, the AE Tube beeped. Karu nearly jumped in joy. She took the small computer and looked at the screen. She looked back at the tube. Through the translucent covering, Karu could see her angel with the skin colored and hair attached. She turned her attention back to the small computer.
NAME: TYPE: POWER, SPEED, DEFENSE, ENDURANCE
HEIGHT: 4 INCHES - 7 INCHES
WEIGHT: 4 GRAMS - 8 GRAMS
Karu grinned and began to type. Once finished, the AE Tube beeped, again. Then the cover slowly came down. A small angel with green hair and green eyes looked forward with blank eyes. The computer then beeped.
NAME: LENA TYPE: ENDURANCE HEIGHT: 5.5 INCHES WEIGHT: 7.5 GRAMS ...LOADING FINISHED...
Karu gently took the angel hovering in the tube. She then hugged it. She knew Lena would become a friend, but she didn't know how good of a friend she would be.
The Next Day
Karu wandered into Piffle Princess, again, but not alone. She clutched her angel to her chest in security. She then boldly called out, "Is there anyone who wants to have a battle with me?"
Someone was watching her. Actually make that two someones. Ixis Star and her angel Candy Drop looked up at Karu when she announced her challenge. She's quite bold, isn't she?
Yes. Should we answer that challenge?
Of course, Ixis.
Karu was glancing around the room to watch for anyone that would accept her challenge. Suddenly a girl with blonde hair in a hoodie holding a medium built angel with brown hair and many belts was next to her. "We'll take your challenge. Is that okay?" Ixis asked with a smile.
Karu looked up at the girl and nodded eagerly. She at first thought that no one was going to answer her challenge. "We'll have it in the Angel Layers. Follow me," Ixis instructed as she started heading towards the layers.
I think she knows where to go, Ixis.
Well, just to make sure.
Karu followed them because in fact, she did not know where the Angel Layers were. She knew where the layers were, but she didn't know the difference between the two. Karu glanced at Lena as she followed her opponents down the hallway. After this battle, I'll be able to get Lena to talk like him.
Ixis found a room suitable for their battle and entered. Karu followed her cautiously. As Ixis took her seat, Karu sat in hers. She picked up the visor and looked at it for a moment. After a few seconds, she finally slipped it over her head and loaded Lena's stats into the system. She then saw Candy Drop's stats. He's strong... But we can do it, Lena!
"I think not of defeat, my courage is my strength."
Karu looked up to see Candy Drop jumping into the layer. In awe, she watched him land and then stand up. They were waiting for her. Karu picked Lena up and tossed her into the layer. "We, Karu and Lena, shall destroy those that stand in our way!"
As Lena crossed into the layer, Karu almost forgot to take control of her angel. Land on you feet, Lena. On your feet.
With little effort, Lena landed on her feet and beamed. Karu could not help but smile, either. Then someone skidded into the room. Karu distracted nearly forgot about Lena. Lena nearly went limp, but Karu caught herself before Lena fell. Making sure she had a firm grip on Lena, Karu looked up at the person who just entered. She was breathing hard. Her dark brown hair covering her dark skin. The brown eyes smiling. "Sorry, I'm late. My name's Windsong, and I will be your judge," she introduced herself as she swept her hair out of her face.
Windsong-san... Karu said to herself as she watched Windsong walk to her seat. Little did Karu know that her angel was also watching their judge.
Windsong was calculating the damage and then looked up. "Okay, Angelic Fight!"
Karu forgot that she had a battle to fight out. Both Karu and Lena quickly turned to their opponents. Lena took a stance to prepare herself for whatever was going to happen. Seeing how Candy Drop wasn't moving, Lena charged at him, preparing a punch at his head. Before she knew it Candy Drop had moved and was waiting for her at Lena's side. He's really fast!
Seeing how Lena wasn't moving, Candy Drop made his move. He was closer than Karu remembered. Suddenly, he was next to Lena and aimed a swift punch at her. Lena barely backed away fast enough to dodge it. He then aimed a roundhouse kick at her side. Karu took this chance to have Lena move behind him. Lena jumped up and over Candy Drop and landed behind him. Without turning around, she kicked out her leg backwards. Candy Drop looked bored when Lena jumped over. Ixis, why do they always try that move?
I don't know, Candy Drop. In the duo's previous battles, their opponents had tried to jump over him and hit him from the back at least once.
Knowing what was coming next, Candy Drop caught the leg. He grinned at Lena and pulled her down. Karu nearly jumped out of her seat. LENA! No! Get up!
Lena scrambled to stand up and face Candy Drop. That hit took a lot out of Lena. After all, Candy Drop was a Power angel with much higher stats, while Lena was a beginner Endurance angel.
After some more minutes of fighting, Lena's HP was nearly gone, but Candy Drop still had enough to go on. Come on, Lena! We can do it! Once more!
Karu was on the edge of her seat, literally. Lena started a cartwheel. Karu was trying to hit Candy Drop with Lena's leg as she went past. Karu gripped the seat with her sweaty hands. Just a bit more, Lena... Right before Lena reached Candy Drop, Karu fell. "GEKT!!" she yelled as she landed on the floor. Because of this, Karu stopped focusing on Lena fro a second. Lena's move faltered, giving Candy Drop a much easier chance to hit her. He aimed at kick at Lena as she fell. It was over. Karu stood up and realized what happened. Lena...
Karu picked Lena up off the layer and bowed to her opponents and judge. "Thank you for the battle."
She quickly turned around and rushed out of the room. As she walked out, Karu bit back the tears. Meanwhile Ixis, Candy Drop, Windsong and her angel were still in the room. It's a shame that it ended like that, Candy.
I guess that's where the chip comes in handy...
The two walked out after thanking Windsong. Windsong and her angel Subaru were the last ones to leave. Poor girl.
She'll get better. Don't worry, Windsong.
Windsong nodded and turned off the lights. The room was now empty and dark.