Hiya, i've posted up the next chapter, so please read.

Battle 9: An unexpected gift

Haruna was packing up from school to go practice with Taylor and Hinote. Jeffery was going to bring Catherine to practice as well. Taylor and Jeffery were ready to go, but as usual, Haruna was always the last to be ready.

"I dunno if it's you have too much school things, Angelic Layer things, or both. It takes you forever to pack," Taylor said. Haruna blushed and packed the last book. She closed it up and the two of them left. They went to the entrence of Central Park West and 86th street. Catherine came in running to greet them. "Sorry I'm late," she said. "It's okay," Haruna said. "Shall we get going?" asked Taylor. They nodded and were on their way.

"Did you guys hear the rumors?" asked Catherine. The three of them shook their heads. "Someone has been destroying some of the top angels in our state." Haruna gasped. "Who whould do something like that?" Taylor asked. Catherine shook her head. "Dunno. But I think it's the same one who injured Rikka." Taylor looked at Haruna. And gave a gasp. Haruna then asked, "Do we have any idea of who did it? Like a clue or name?" Catherine thought about it. "Not really. All I got was a note. I didn't read it cuz I was too upset."

"Did you throw it away?" Taylor asked. Catherine shook her head. "No, but I think I might have it in my bag." She went on looking through her bag and took out a piece of folded paper. She handed it to Haruna, who read it out loud. "' As you see, Rikka is in no condition to fight. She and other angels will be destroyed if they are too strong. I am only doing this for the sake of my angel. If you want to be smart, STOP PLAYING ANGELIC LAYER!'" Haruna froze. Taylor became intimidated.

"Who in the right of minds write this stupid letter?" Catherine shrugged. "I have no idea. All I know is that many of the top players in my class Had their angels destroyed." Haruna just stared. I wonder what I'd do if someone destroyed Hiraku. "Well, if anything had happened, the people running the Angelic Layer games knows that this has been going on," Jeffery said. Catherine nodded. I wonder if Mr. Marty knows about this, thought Haruna.

When they arrived, Haruna saw someone quite familiar. It was Danielle and her angel Darkness. Danielle seemed to have been crying. Haruna walked up to her. "Hi again. Might I ask why you were crying?" Danielle looked at her. She began to shake. "Re-remember wh-when I was g-going to destroy D-Darkness?" Haruna nodded. "W-well…" she showed Darkness. She was torn into shreds. Her black outfit was everywhere. Her body parts were also a bit torn. "I f-found her like this. SOMEONE DID THIS TO MY DARKNESS!" she screamed. Danielle began to shake. Haruna bent down and took Darkness. She smiled. "I know someone who might be able to fix it. May I hold on to her for a while?" Danielle nodded. "I'm glad to see that you were concerned for your angel," said Haruna.

Haruna placed Darkness in her bag and ran. "Where are you going?" Taylor asked. Haruna turned around. "I'm going to find the person who fixed Rikka," She shouted back. Haruna looked everywhere for Marty but couldn't find him. She then went back to Catherine and everyone else and placed Hiraku on the layer table. She sighed. "I couldn't find him," she said. Taylor placed Hinote on the layer and placed the headset on her head and extended the wings. "That's okay. The person is probably busy." Catherine placed Rikka on the layer and placed the headset on her head.

"Taylor's right. It can't be helped," Catherine replied. Haruna sighed. "By the way, how are we going to do this?" Haruna asked. Catherine giggled, "I don't think you know, but I'm pretty good at 'bending the rules'" Catherine stated. Haruna and Taylor looked at each other, then at her. "I've found away to make it more than just two players." Catherine then Took out another headset and pluged it in with her own "That way, there is sorta of a team battle thing going on." She then gave it to Haruna. "It works the same as the regular headsets. So, don't act as if it's totally different." Haruna placed it on her head and thought of Hiraku moving. She moved as well as she had with the reagular head headset. "Ohmigod!" HAruna said. Catherine smiled. "Now the three of us can practice together."

After a good two hours of practicing, Haruna took off the headset and gave it to Catherine. "You should defiantly tell the creators about this," she said. Catherine nodded. While Haruna was packing, she saw a letter in her bag. She took it out and read it. "This is a warning letter. You angel is in grave danger. Make sure that your angel is either with you or somewhere safe. Tell any of your friends so their angels will not be in danger," read Haruna to herself. What is this? Who sent me this?