Fall of a Goddess, Faith Restored
Part 4
An Angelic Layer Fanfic
By D. Cooper
daijin26@hotmail.com
Morning had arrived and Misaki was up early, cleaning the house and preparing breakfast. Misaki loved to cook; she was far better at that then at sports. As she finished making breakfast, her aunt Shouko woke up and went into the living room. Shouko took in all the delicious aromas that were coming from the kitchen. She went into the kitchen to see Misaki still cooking. Misaki did not notice Shouko yet.
"Hmmm…only my dear Misaki could be preparing such a delicious feast!" said Shouko.
Misaki heard Shouko's voice and turned her head to see her. "Ohayo gozaimasu, Shouko-san!"
"Ohayo, Misaki," said Shouko. She smiled at Misaki. "You know, you don't always have to go all out with the breakfast. It's not fair that you do so much around here."
Misaki smiled back. "It's all right! I love cooking! I don't mind! Really!"
Shouko conceded to the point. "Okay! I guess there's only one thing I can do then."
Shouko walked over to the kitchen table and took her seat. She sat with her plate and chopsticks, ready for Misaki's great breakfast.
"And that's to enjoy your great cooking!" said Shouko.
Misaki just laughed and served breakfast. She took her own seat at the table and both Misaki and Shouko chanted the traditional Japanese phase said before every meal:
"Itadakimasu!"
During breakfast, Shouko was thoroughly enjoying the food.
"Oishii!" beamed Shouko. "You keep this up Misaki and I'll have to take you as my wife right now!"
Misaki jumped a little at the comment and continued to drink her tea to hide her blushing face. Shouko laughed because she saw her niece blushing and trying to hide it! After Misaki polished off her tea, she quickly finished the rest of her breakfast and got ready to leave.
"I'm sorry to rush off like this Shouko-san, but I have something important to do today," said Misaki.
"Daijoubu. I have to leave soon for work myself. Don't worry."
As Misaki turned to leave, Shouko asked her a question.
"It's about Kobayashi Hatoko, isn't it?"
Misaki turned back around to face Shouko. "How did you know?"
Shouko smiled a little. "You forget my job, Misaki. I'm a reporter, remember. And I get to see more than others thanks to my job."
Misaki just stood there, intently listening to her aunt. Shouko walked over to Misaki.
"I watch all the tapes after every match. I remember watching the tape after Hatoko lost to Sai-san. One of the tapes had a close-up of her after the match. I saw the pain on her face as plain as day. A pain that goes deep to the soul.
"I've been covering Angelic Layer ever since it began. I've seen the faces of many Deuses. The faces of those who have achieved victory. And the faces of others who must deal with the shame of defeat. But Hatoko's face that day was one I've never seen before. I knew from that moment that her pain stemmed from far more than the loss itself."
Misaki just nodded solemnly. Shouko put her hands on Misaki's shoulders. "Whatever Hatoko is facing within herself, I know that you can help her. You're an amazing girl, Misaki. Always accomplishing what others deem impossible. But I know you can help Hatoko."
Misaki smiled. "Arigato, Shouko-san! I'm going to do my best to help Hatoko-chan. That's why I have to go right now. I'll tell you everything once I get back."
Misaki left the house, Shouko watching her as she left. Shouko laughed to herself as a thought came to her mind. Ah, Shuuko! You have no idea how much Misaki is really like you!
* * *
Misaki arrived at the Angelic Layer stadium. After she went in, Misaki searched for the control room because she knew that the person she was looking for would most likely be there. When she found the control room, Misaki stepped inside to see a tall man wearing a white lab coat intently studying the monitors in front of him.
Misaki decided that it was her turn to scare him for a change. She crept up behind him and shouted:
"ICCHAN!"
Ichiru jumped out of his chair! "AAAHHHHH!!!"
He crashed landed on the floor and Misaki just laughed at him.
"I figured I'd get you back for all the times you scared me!" said Misaki, still laughing at him.
Ichiru got back to his feet and adjusted his glasses. "Heh, heh! Okay, Misaki! You got me! But I'm sure that you didn't come all the way here just to do that."
Misaki's face turned very serious. "You're right. I need your help, Icchan. As the father of Angelic Layer, you're the only one that can help me."
Ichiru gave Misaki a quizzical gaze. "All right, but I don't know. What is it that only I can help you with?"
"I need your help to stop Hatoko-chan from quitting Angelic Layer," said Misaki.
Ichiru had a look of concern on his face. "Hatoko? Kobayashi Hatoko? Deus of Suzuka? Quitting Angelic Layer?"
"I'm afraid so, Icchan," Misaki said sadly.
Ichiru became annoyed at this news. "But why? Because she lost to Jounouchi Sai in the tournament? That's ridiculous! Everyone loses at some point!"
"No, Icchan!" snapped Misaki. Ichiru was startled to hear that tone of voice from Misaki. She looked at him with her blue eyes full of sadness. "It's more than that."
Ichiru sighed. "All right. Tell me all about it."
* * *
"So that's it," said Ichiru. After Misaki told him the whole story, he understood the real truth behind the loss. "To not keep that promise to you must have really hit her hard."
"That's putting it mildly, Icchan," said Misaki. "And now you understand why I've come to you for help. I have a plan that only you can help me with. We have six months before Hatoko officially removes herself from Angelic Layer. I hope we have time for what I have in mind. It involves a lot."
Ichiru gave a wicked smirk and his glasses gleamed. "Don't worry, Misaki! As you said, I am the father of Angelic Layer! Now, what's your plan?"
Misaki sighed and laid it all out to him.
* * *
Six months had passed and the Angelic Layer tournament had began anew. Registration was already underway for those who wanted to enter the tournament. Or in the case of Hatoko, be removed from it.
Hatoko walked to the Angelic Layer stadium with Suzuka in hand. She figured it was only fair to Suzuka that she be present at the moment of the end of their time in Angelic Layer.
When she entered the stadium, Hatoko went to the registration counter. A well- dressed man was behind the counter. When she got to the counter, the man addressed her.
"Good day, miss! What can I do for you?" the man asked.
"I would like to remove my name from the Angelic Layer roster, please," answered Hatoko.
The man pushed some keys on his keyboard. He looked up from the monitor to Hatoko. "All right, miss. I'll need your name and that of your Angel."
Hatoko gave her name and Suzuka's. The man was in shock.
"Are you THE Kobayashi Hatoko? The Amazing Kindergartner! And "Light Speed" Suzuka?"
Hatoko sighed. "The same."
"And you're going to leave, huh?" the man said. "That's too bad! You were one of the best."
"Yeah, was," Hatoko whispered to herself.
The man heard Hatoko say something. "Did you say something, Kobayashi-san?"
"No, nothing," replied Hatoko.
Hatoko did not notice the man look to his right to see Ichiru signaling him. The man caught the signal.
"Well, Kobayashi-san, if you follow me, we can take care of the name removal," the man said.
"Arigato," said Hatoko.
Hatoko followed the man towards a door. He opened the door for her.
"Please enter," he said.
Hatoko entered the room but the lights were off. Then the door was shut behind her. Hatoko did not like this.
What's going on here? Fear was slowly building within the kindergartner from being alone in total darkness.
As if to answer her own question, the lights came on to reveal the arena area for Angelic Layer, its seats were filled with people. Hatoko was very puzzled at this. She walked further inside.
Hatoko saw the Layer, but there were no Angels on it and no Deuses were in the chairs where they would sit.
"What is this?" said Hatoko. "Why are all these people here?"
"They're here for you, Hatoko-chan!" said a familiar voice.
Hatoko turned to the voice to see Misaki with Hikaru.
Hatoko was in shock "Misaki?"
Misaki nodded. "I'm sorry to have us meet like this, but it was the only way I could confront you about quitting."
Hatoko became angry. "How did you find out?"
"I told her, Hatoko-chan."
Hatoko turned to see Kotarou with Tamayo right behind him.
"You must be crazy to think we'd let you just leave Angelic Layer!" said Tamayo.
Hatoko wanted to leave right now. "I have to! I'm no good anymore!" She turned to Misaki. "Misaki, please! Don't try to stop me! You of all people should understand! I am no longer worthy of Angelic Layer!"
Misaki was angry now. "That's not true and you know it! Please Hatoko-chan! The Layer still needs you!"
"No it doesn't!" said Hatoko. "I am weak now. I failed you and Suzuka! How can I go back without remembering how I broke our promise!"
Misaki grabbed Hatoko by the shoulders. "It's not your fault! You gave it your best! As did Suzuka! To leave is to throw away everything that you and Suzuka have accomplished! Is that what you really want?"
Hatoko was visibly shaking. The torrent of conflicting emotions within her was so strong. She wanted to stay in the Layer so badly but just could not forgive herself for breaking the promise.
"I…don't know…Misaki. I don't know anything anymore," Hatoko said, her voice filled with uncertainty.
Misaki knelt down to look into Hatoko's eyes. "Hatoko-chan. You are still strong. And it's okay about the promise. I never hated you for it. It wasn't your fault. If you leave Angelic Layer, you're just not leaving that behind, you're leaving all of us behind too."
Misaki turned Hatoko around to bring her face to face with all the other Deuses. Hatoko could not believe it.
Misaki whispered into Hatoko's ear. "There are here because they don't want you to leave either. You mean a lot to them too."
All of them were there: Oujirou with his Angel Wizzard, Ringo with Ranga, the Fujisaki sisters Alice and Madoka with Mao, Kaede with Buranshe. Even Sai with Shirahime.
Oujirou stepped forward. "Hatoko. You and Suzuka make a great team. You have brought so much to Angelic Layer. It would be a shame for you to leave."
Ringo pinched Hatoko's cheek. "Yeah! You and Suzuka are too cool to leave! Angelic Layer wouldn't be the same without you!"
"And besides," said Alice, "it would be a shame for one of the best made Angels not to be in Angelic Layer!"
"Also, if you leave, how can we have our rematch!" said Madoka with a smile.
"Hatoko-san. You have inspired so many with your fighting spirit that you show us all when in the Layer. To leave now would be so sad. Please, I ask that you stay with us," said Kaede while flashing her famous smile.
Sai stood with her arms crossed. "It would be a great loss to all of us if the Layer were to lose you and Suzuka, Hatoko." She gave a sly smile, a rare thing for Sai. "Besides, I would hate to lose such a worthy opponent."
Hatoko stood in silent shock. Did she really mean that much to Angelic Layer? She just could not find the words to describe what she was feeling; Hatoko was too overwhelmed.
"Hatoko-chan," said Misaki as she turned Hatoko back around to face her. "We all respect you as a Deus. And all of your friends here love watching your battles. There is nothing else like you and Suzuka in the Layer. Your speed. Your grace. Please stay."
Hatoko felt the tears coming. "M…Misaki."
Misaki pointed to the crowd. "See, your fans still believe in you." The crowd began chanting Hatoko's name. The cries of "We love you, Hatoko!" and "Go, Suzuka!" echoed throughout the arena.
Misaki pointed to the other Deuses along with Kotarou and Tamayo. "All of us here still believe in you." The others nodded in agreement with Misaki. All shared the look of hope that Hatoko would not leave the Layer.
Misaki put her hands over her heart. "And I believe in you. But most importantly…" Misaki ran her hand lovingly over Suzuka who Hatoko still held. "…Suzuka still believes in you."
Misaki stood back on her feet. "I see no reason why you can't believe in yourself."
Hatoko looked down at Suzuka. She saw the look on Suzuka's face. Hatoko knew what Suzuka was silently telling her:
Please don't leave!
That broke Hatoko. Tears came down her face as she held Suzuka close to her face, hugging her. "Suzuka! I'm so sorry! Please forgive me! You are a part of me! We belong together, win or lose!"
Hatoko turned back to the others. "Thank you! Thank you for being here for me!" She turned to Misaki. "And you Misaki! Thank you for believing in me when I lost my way. Thank you for guiding me back."
Hatoko moved closer to Misaki and looked up at her with tears still running down her tiny face. "I will always be grateful to you. I don't know how to repay you!"
Misaki was crying as well. She was so happy that she got Hatoko to believe in herself again. "Well, Hatoko-chan. There is one thing you can do for me."
Hatoko smiled. "Anything for you, Misaki. Just name it!"
Misaki smiled back. "Let's keep the promise we made a year ago!" She pointed to the Layer in the middle of the arena.
Hatoko became unsure. "I don't know."
"Why not?" said Misaki. "The promise was to meet again in the Layer! And here we are! Besides…" Misaki indicated the cheering crowd to Hatoko. "…they came all this way to watch. It would be rude to disappoint them!" Misaki winked at Hatoko.
Hatoko looked at the others. Oujirou nodded, Ringo gave a double thumbs-up, Alice and Madoka had the look of approval on their faces, Kaede was smiling and Sai just crossed her arms and smiled slyly.
Kotarou just looked at his sister with love in his eyes and Tamayo could barely contain her excitement.
Hatoko turned back to Misaki. She laughed a little. "How did you manage to do all of this, anyway?"
"That's my little secret!" said Misaki. "So, what's it going to be?"
Hatoko stood there for a moment and thought about all that Misaki had just done for her. She had gathered the other Deuses and this crowd in the arena just for her. All of this to keep her from quitting and so the promise can still be fulfilled. Hatoko knew that Misaki had to go through a lot of trouble to pull this off.
Misaki really does care about me. All of this, to save me from my own foolishness! No one has ever done so much for me!
With that realization made, the flood of emotions consumed Hatoko once more. She ran to Misaki and hugged her tightly.
"Oh, Misaki!" Hatoko said. "Thank you so much! As of this day I now have two Angels, Suzuka and you! You are the Angel that restored my faith to me!"
"Anytime, Hatoko-chan!" Misaki said with a smile. "Anytime!"
Hatoko let go of Misaki and walked over to the Deus' chair. Misaki followed suit and sat in the other Deus' chair opposite Hatoko's. Once both had taken their seats, they put on their headsets and the chairs rose high above the Layer.
Once the chairs reached their appropriate height, a third chair came down from the top of the arena. The announcer was in this chair. Then a flash of light appeared briefly around the circumference of the Layer, indicating that the Layer was now active.
"This is the event we've all been waiting for!" said the announcer. "We're all very lucky to be a part of this special event of Angelic Layer! Today is an unofficial match, but it is one that we've all longed to see! Between two Deuses that we have all come to love! So, without further adieu, let the fight begin!"
The crowd went wild. The other Deuses sat in the stands with anticipation. This was the battle they really wanted to see. Kotarou was all too happy that his sister was her old self again, and Tamayo was going crazy in the stands, which meant that she was her old self as well.
"YEAH! THIS IS GONNA BE GREAT!" screamed Tamayo.
Kotarou tried to calm her down. "Tamayo, please! Must you always be like this at every match?"
Tamayo put him in a headlock. "Yes I do! This is what I've been waiting for! Whooo!!!!" She started pumping her fist in the air! "GO, MISAKICHI! GO, HATOKO-CHAN!"
The announcer began the introduction. "In East Corner, is one who has quickly become a favorite! She has proved time and again that anything is possible in Angelic Layer! She's Deus, Suzuhara Misaki! And her Angel, Hikaru!"
The crowd cheered. Misaki's name could be heard being chanted throughout the arena. Misaki waved to the crowd. The announcer continued.
"In West Corner, is one who has amazed us with her speed and grace! And thankfully, she'll be in the Layer for a long time to come! She's Deus, Kobayashi Hatoko! With her Angel, Suzuka!"
Once more the crowd erupted. Everyone cheered for Hatoko and Suzuka. Hatoko did not know how to react. All of her fans never gave up on her. They still loved her. This was the happiest day of Hatoko's life and it was all thanks to Misaki. Hatoko expressed her joy in the only way she could: with tears of joy. Each tear shed was for those she loved:
Her fans. Her friends. Her family.
And Misaki, her Angel.
Misaki saw Hatoko with a smile on her face and tears flowing. She could see that Hatoko was so happy. Misaki could not help but to share in her friend's joy and began to cry with her.
The announcer got ready to begin the battle. "And now, let's begin! ENTRY ANGEL!"
Misaki, with tears in her eyes, poised to throw Hikaru into the Layer as she said her entry line:
"Wings of an angel! Please guide me and Hikaru!"
Misaki threw Hikaru into the Layer. Hatoko, with tears of her own, did the same with Suzuka as she said her entry line:
"Go faster than light and sound, Suzuka!"
Both Angels passed through the energy barrier of the Layer. At that moment, Deus and Angel became one. The eyes of both Angels opened and they came to life! Hikaru stretched her limbs outward and performed a forward flip.
"Angel, fall in!" Misaki said as Hikaru dropped and landed on her feet. Hikaru was ready.
Suzuka demonstrated her grace and beauty as she soared through the air like a raven. She dived towards the floor of the Layer, head first.
"Angel, fall in!" said Hatoko and at that moment, Suzuka did a somersault in mid-fall, landing on her feet. For the first time ever, as Suzuka stood ready, she did not bear the stern look that she usually had. Suzuka was smiling. She was one with her Deus again.
At last, the announcer gave the word. "ANGELIC FIGHT!"
And with that, the battle began. The faithful match that had finally come to pass. Hikaru verses Suzuka. Misaki verses Hatoko. Who would win? That did not matter. The promise was finally kept and Hatoko had been returned to Angelic Layer where she belonged.
But most important of all, Hatoko and Suzuka were together again!
Wings of an angel! Thank you for guiding Hatoko back to Suzuka!
To all of us!
THE END
Dedicated to Hatoko and Suzuka, my favorite characters of Angelic Layer!
May this fanfic be worthy of them!
