*rushes into the room, kneels on the floor, and grovels* Have mercy on me!! I am SOOOOOOO SORRY!!!! *wails* I have so many updating issues!!! Kinda like the fact that I just never worked on it…*slaps self* They're not supposed to know that!! ;_; Well, I hope you enjoy it…this is the second to last chapter, then comes the epilogue! How sad! ;_;
I swear I'll make the late update to you by…uhh…getting the next two chapters up this month!!! *slaps self again* What have I done?
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In The Eye of The Beholder: Chapter 9
"And now, for the semi-finals of this years Nationals!!" A few searchlights scanned the screaming crowd before all gathering over the Layer, which lit up, revealing the surface for the semis. It was a desert covered in dust, with no signs of life. There were a few rocks jutting out of the landscape, and the dust blew across the Layer.
"In the East Corner: Deus-Seto Ringo, Angel-Ranga! And their Second…" The announcer paused for a moment, quirking one eyebrow, and then he continued: "Ringo's manager!!! And in the West Corner: Deus-Zouge Kirameku, Angel-Yugure! And their Second-Hari!!!!" The crowd yelled and whistled as both chairs were raised, and the Deus' and Second's put their headsets on.
"Angels to the Layer!"
"Ranga! Dancing start!" Ringo raised her Angel above her head, and tossed the Angel into the Layer. Ranga's bright green eyes opened as she entered the Layer. She kept into a straight up and down position, arms spread out. She landed gracefully on the Layer, and put her hands on her hips.
"Open the world's eyes! Show them what we can do, Yugure!" Kirameku threw Yugure into the Layer, and Yugure opened her eyes. She spread both of her arms out, and crossed her legs. "Angel fall-in!" Yugure began to spin as she descended towards the Layer. She finally landed, and she had gathered up so much speed that she continued to spin. She slowed down and did one last spin, and flung her crossed leg out to get balance back. She then stood, one leg out and slightly behind the other. She stretched herself out, and held her hands in front of her face.
"Angelic Fight!!!" The call came too quick, as did Ranga. Kirameku wasn't ready, and Ringo knew this. Ranga hit with a few swift attacks knocking Yugure to the ground. Yugure quickly leapt into a series of backflips, distancing herself from the opposing Angel.
"~Ranga is lightweight built for speed. She uses her Dance of Intrigue to lull the opponent, then strikes while the Angel is still dazed. Avoid her graceful moves, and strike when the opportunity comes.~"
'Yeah, so when is the opportunity?' Kirameku thought sarcastically. Then she heard it. Ranga began to slowly move her arms. Then her legs. Then her whole body. She was getting closer and closer, but Kirameku was concentrating too much on the dance. It pulled her in, and she couldn't focus. Ranga then went low, and kicked Yugure in the jaw. The rusty haired Angel flew back for a moment, but recovered in the air, did a flip and landed softly on her feet. Ranga was on the move again. Yugure slowly backed up, but tripped over a rock jutting out from the ground.
It was too late for her to get up because Ranga was right above her, knee sticking out. Yugure lifted her legs so that all her weight was on her upper back as Ranga's knee came down. Yugure grabbed the opponent around the neck wit her feet, and did a back-hand spring, sending Ranga into a rock. Yugure was back on her feet, ready for the Dance of Intrigue, but it didn't come.
Ranga raised her hands, her leg popping up in a bent position. She spun and thrust her arms and leg out. Suddenly, Kirameku heard a whooshing sound. 'Wind?' She thought, but by the time she realized what was happening, Yugure's head snapped back, and she took two more blows, one to the stomach, and the other to her shoulder. She fell backwards and hit the ground with a soft thud.
"~Ugh! Major damage to the left arm! I don't think it's useable! Ok, lemme fill ya in. This is Ranga's Dance of Death. She propels wind toward her opponent, knocking them around the Layer. Trick is, she can't bend it, so when the wind's coming toward Yugure, simply move to the side or jump to avoid it. After Ranga attacks, she is motionless for a split second. That's your opportunity.~"
Kirameku nodded as more wind came. Yugure jumped forward, so she could avoid the wind, and get close to Ranga at the same time. The wind barely scraped her foot, but it wasn't enough to slow her down. She stuck one foot out, knocking Ranga in the jaw so her head snapped left, then Yugure came around with her other foot, knocking Ranga into the air, causing her to just avoid a Layer Out. Yugure charged again as Ranga got up. Ranga leapt into the air, and landed behind Yugure. She charged, and threw a punch. Yugure sidestepped the punch, and used her hand to karate chop Ranga in the back of the neck. Ranga slowly got up, and Yugure got into a defensive position.
"~Attack her Kirameku!! You're totally dominating! Don't give that up!~" Hari whined. 'Sorry, but I know what I'm doing.' Kirameku ignored Hari's distress call.
Ranga couldn't use the Dance of Death because Yugure was too close. Remembering the left side of Yugure was badly damaged, Ranga targeted her left arm. With 3 combos in a row, Yugure registered way too much damage for comfort. Then, the next combo was on its way. Yugure stood firm and the punch connected; or so everyone thought. Suddenly, Yugure was nowhere to be seen. Kirameku snickered. Even her Second couldn't figure it out.
"~What…is going on!? Is it a Layer Out?~" Hari wailed. She was so confused. Suddenly Yugure could be seen behind Ranga, but it was too late. A storm of kick-punch combos brought Ranga down. The damage meter beeped. It was over.
"Yugure wins!!! Her and her Deus will now proceed to the FINALS!!" Hari shrieked. Kirameku smiled. 'The Finals…what will everyone at school say?' She gave a schoolgirl squeal, picked up Yugure, and met Ringo at the side of the Layer. They shook hands, and as Kirameku was about to turn and leave, Ringo stopped her.
"Wait! I have to know something!"
Kirameku turned around. "Hmm?"
"That think at the end…what happened?"
"Oh." Kirameku giggled. " I tweaked Yugure's circuits. It's the same idea as Buranshe's Hyper Mode, only Yugure's speed increases to it's max when her damage is below 20%."
"That is such a neat trick! I'm really amazed!! Great job!" Ringo smiled, and the two turned to leave. Hari, who had heard the Deus' conversation, stopped Kirameku.
"Now why didn't you tell me THAT! I'm your Second!!"
"Whining gets you nowhere." Kirameku teased.
"But-"
Kirameku shook her finger. "You're whining again!" Hari crossed her arms and put on a pouting face. "I didn't tell you cause it was my secret! Kinda like the fact that I'm blind." Kirameku smiled. "But we'll tell them one day…When we win the Finals…" Kirameku whispered to her Angel.
"What are you doing?" Hari cocked her head to the side.
"Nothing!" Kirameku stretched. "Let's go get something to drink, 'kay? I'm so thirsty!" Hari smiled and nodded.
"Sounds great!" The two girls bounded off to the café, eagerly waiting the final match.
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OK, well, a promise is a promise…(I wonder how many times I've broken one…) So expect the final chappies up this month. Yeah, January…good times, good times. Y'know my birthday is this month? Ya! It's on the 29th! ^.^ *cough*cash only*cough* Heheh….^.^; just kidding! *slaps your back* I hope you loved it! Leave a happy review filled with bunnies, rainbows, and cupcakes! See ya next chapter!