Battle 4: The Tournament Part 1: The Unforgivable

"Yea, Misaki, I got my Angel Card this morning. I can now compete in tournaments and try my best," said Haruna on the phone.

"I still can't believe that you got an angel, Haruna. Next we see each other we'll have to have a battle," said Misaki. Haruna hesitated. She totally forgot about her fear of fighting her friends. When Misaki heard the silence, she said, "Don't be worried about your fear. You fought that mysterious angel right? And you practiced with Taylor, so you should be over it." Haruna hesitated again.

"A-although y-you make a g-good point," she began to shake, "I'm not as close to them as I am with everyone back in Japan." She then began to cry. "I can't stand it when someone hurt Hikaru when I saw your fights. I could never forgive my self if I hurt her in any way, shape or form." Misaki sighed.

"Listen, the only way to conquer this fear is for you and Taylor to enter the tournament. When you do promise me that you'll make it to the qualified games." Haruna gasped. "…I can't promise," she said. Misaki stayed silent. Haruna continued.

"I don't have a purpose. What happens if I don't and your not here for me?" Haruna had lost it. She wept on the phone and couldn't stop. "I'll be watching from over here," said Misaki, "I'll watch your wins and give you advice on what you need to work on. Okay?" Haruna nodded. "…yea…" she said. "I gotta go. Talk to you later," Misaki said and hung up.

After that, Haruna took Hiraku and went on her way to Piffle Princess to practice. For some reason, she thought, I want to release my anger in fighting, but I won't be doing it. She looked at Hiraku. You will. She began to cry again until she heard a familiar voice.

"Are you okay?" Haruna turned around to see little Catherine standing in front of her. "Oh," said Haruna, "you're Jeffery's little sister." Catherine nodded. "Yea. Were you on your way to Piffle Princess?" Haruna nodded. Catherine smiled. "I'm on my way too, shall we go together?"

"Okay," Haruna said. As the walked Haruna noticed that Catherine had a little backpack in a shape that looked like an angel egg. Does she play Angelic Layer too?

When they got to Piffle Princess, Catherine made a suggestion, "Why not register for the tournament. I am." Haruna gasped. "Really? You Are?" she was astounded. "Of course. You should too." Haruna thought about it, and what Misaki said to her. She slowly then took out her card, and registered. "Now, let's practice. We need to be ready for next week." As Catherine went to look for a table, Haruna looked at Hiraku. I hope you don't mind fighting. If so, please tell me. As soon as Hiraku landed on the layer, she looked at Haruna and gave her two thumbs-up. I guess she's ready.

Next week came by quickly and Haruna became nervous. I don't think I can do this. She began to tremble. Taylor was participating too. When she noticed Haruna shaking she tried to calm her down. "I'm going to drop-out," she said. She was about to leave when Catherine came crying in tears. She ran towards Haruna and cried on her.

"What's wrong?" Haruna asked. Catherine wouldn't answer. She looked at Jeffery, who came to cheer them on. He had something wrapped in his hands. When Haruna unwrapped it, she saw an angel with short hair white as snow. Her outfit was a white tang-top with swirls on her lower shoulder. Her skirt was also white. It was short and it flared out. She had little white boots that went to the ankle. The problem: She was scratched everywhere. Her clothes were torn and some of the wire inside the doll was sticking out of some of the joints.

"Who did this?" Haruna asked. Jeffery took a breath. "We don't know. When we went to get Rikka from our house and we found her like this." Haruna's eyes began to fill with tears. Taylor's eyes did too. Catherine finally spoke, "Please don't drop out of the tournament. I can't make. Please, try to win in all of my places." For the first time Haruna wanted to fight. Her fear had disappeared and she wanted to hurt the one who "murdered" Catherine's angel.

While waiting in the hallway, Haruna looked at Rikka. She asked Jeffery if she could take it for awhile and learn where the injuries were. I wonder if someone could fix her. Then all of a sudden, she heard a creepy voice. "What's wrong? Is that angel broken, why don't you let me…" then Marty appeared out of nowhere, "FIX IT!" he then froze. Haruna was a bit paralyzed from the freaky voice.

"Say what? That wasn't how it was supposed to go?" Haruna sighed. "HOW DID YOU GE TOVER HERE WHEN YOU SHOULD HAVE-" "Can you please fix her?" Haruna asked desperately. Marty looked puzzled. "This is 'Snow fairy' Rikka," He said. He took her from Haruna's hands and examined. Her "Please Mr. Marty, she needs to be fixed. Catherine really wants to play, but someone just ruined her and-" Marty held up his hand. "I can fix her, and I can let Catherine participate…" Haruna sighed for relief, "HOWEVER," Haruna jumped, "You must win all of your battles. Five for you, and five for her." Haruna seemed very confused. "What do you mean?"

"You have ten battles. The top four will go national. If you win all ten battles, I'll pull some strings to let Catherine participate in the qualified games." Marty then looked at her. "Can you handle that?" Haruna looked and Rikka. Then at Hiraku. We can do it, Hiraku. Hatoko told Misaki once that if you believe in your angel and work with her, you can accomplish anything. Haruna looked at Marty. "I accept."