My Angel Story
Disclaimer: I'm so sorry for not updating! Bad headache. Anyway, unfortunately I don't
have episodes 5-8 of Angelic Layer yet. If you're wondering then how I
know what some of the well known Angels in those eps. look like, I have
music videos of AL and I looked at the pictures in Angel, Fall in! to get the
appearances of Angel and Deus right. Boy that took work! However, since I
haven't seen Vasques' Entry into the Layer, I'm making up something
(hopefully it's somewhere close to the original, but I tried to make it look
good). I want to thank Admiral Fern and Sana Jisushi (I hope I spelled that
right) for all their help. Thanks Admiral (salutes)! Thanks Sana-san (gives a
peace sign)! I don't own Angelic Layer or any of its original characters (and
I'm sorry if I get Yamamo Toho's gender wrong, I went by what I saw at
Angel, Fall in!). I 'do' own Kiyoko Yume, Angel Raishinshi, their family
And friends, Saburo, and Angel Higure. Now, on with the fic!
Battle 10: "Please Come Watch, Daddy! Youzen Returns to the Layer!"
Icchan was waiting patiently at one of the lunch tables in the Stadium Café. He took care not to get too close to Kiyoko's table, so he got a table at the far end of the café. He was skimming the crowd as he waited. Finally, his eyes fell upon the person who he was looking for. Waving an arm in the air, the wandering man spotted Icchan without much problem, and headed for his table.
"Get lost in the crowd?" Icchan asked him, good-naturedly.
The man was the same man who was watching Kiyoko's match. He sat down across from Icchan and straightened out his suit.
"No, I just haven't been to 'this' Stadium for a while," he said.
Icchan smiled.
"What did you think of her match?" he asked, referring to Kiyoko.
The man looked up at him and managed a slight smile.
"She did wonderfully," he said, but then his smile changed into a frown, "but she came awful close to losing."
Icchan nodded and looked down at the tea he ordered.
"That's true," he admitted, looking around the table for something, "but she pulled it off."
"I almost didn't think she could until she did it," the man said.
"Well, she did it," Icchan told him, now checking his pockets, "and the fact that they used teamwork to do so makes it an even better win."
The man nodded as Icchan triumphantly pulled out a small packet of something from his coat pocket. The man noticed this and watched as Icchan poured the something in.
"What's that?" he asked.
Icchan grinned as he emptied the packet.
"They make this tea too tasteless," he commented, stirring the unknown ingredient with his spoon, "so I brought a little something that would help improve the taste."
"Which is?"
"Cocoa."
The man raised an eyebrow. He was used to his friend's odd eating habit by now, but Icchans' weird food creations seemed to surprise him every time.
"Anyway," Icchan started up, "Kiyoko's friend, Kotoko Tamiko, is up next. Should be good."
The man raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?" he inquired, "who's she fighting next?"
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"Shimata Maria and Angel Tsubaki," Takumi read from the roster he had picked up from the Entry Counter.
Kiyoko, Tamiko, and their group were all seated in the café, having today's 'lunch break'. Takumi had decided that they should start looking at the rosters that were left on the Entry Counter. So, they all were discussing strategies now, with Takumi in charge of reading the roster.
"Shimata Maria? I think I've seen her before," Tamiko said, chewing her chicken sandwich.
Yuri nodded.
"Me too, she's a really good Deus," she commented, "I heard that she got to the Nationals once."
Tamiko turned to her.
"Did she win?" she asked, swallowing the piece of chicken sandwich.
Takumi shook his head.
"No, she lost to another Angel," he said, then stopped and thought a minute, "I think it was, um...."
"It was Angel Buranshe that beat her," Yuri concluded, taking a sip of her drink, "your brother should have recorded it, Tamiko."
Tamiko shrugged.
"I guess so, he's taped all the matches since the 3rd Official Tournament four years ago," she stated.
Kiyoko, who was busy pigging out on a piece of apple pie, looked up suddenly.
"Does that mean he taped my Dad's matches too?" she asked, hopefully.
Tamiko nodded and Kiyoko cheered.
"Kiyoko, sweetie, don't talk or cheer with your mouth full," Mrs. Yume warned.
Tamiko giggled as Kiyoko rolled her eyes. Tamiko then turned to Mrs. Yume.
"Is Dad coming today?" she asked, "he said he would."
Mrs. Yume hesitated before answering.
"He said he'd get back to me on my cell phone about that question," she said, "but don't worry, I'm sure he'll make it."
Tamiko nodded, eyes hopeful. Her Dad had promised her that he would watch her matches this year since last year he was busy at work. But he'd already missed her first three matches of this year. Tamiko wondered if he'd keep his promise this time. As she was thinking, Ken looked up from his pastry and glanced over at the roster.
"What about Kiyoko's opponent?" he asked, licking the cherry filling off his lips.
"Uh," Takumi said, blankly, snatching up the roster to check, "Aruna Hitomi and Angel Felicity."
Ken wrinkled his nose.
"Don't sound so tough," he commented.
"They're only beginners here too," Takumi said, reading the info under the name, "she's already lost once."
Kiyoko, out of curiosity, leaned towards him.
"Who'd she lose to?" she asked.
Takumi read the rest of the info.
"She lost yesterday, her 1st match, to Deus Yamamo Toho and Angel Vasques," he said.
Tamiko's eyes widened.
"Woah! I've seen her fight," she commented, "she's strong and so is her Angel."
Kiyoko turned to her.
"Is she here today?" Kiyoko asked.
Tamiko nodded.
"Yeah, she was in the first match," she told her friend.
Kiyoko nodded and was about to go back to her pie, when....
"Hey, that's Junko!" she cried, suddenly looking to the right.
Tamiko turned to see a girl, about their age, in an Eriol Academy middle school uniform, with fair skin, and chocolate brown hair, a bit lighter than Kiyoko's hair, was seated four tables away. Tamiko smiled.
"Hey, you're right," she said.
"Junko-chan!" Kiyoko cried, getting up from her seat, and heading for the girl.
The girl, Junko, turned, and focused her gray-brown eyes on Kiyoko. She smiled.
"Hey Kiyoko," she called, gently.
Kiyoko waved back as a response and went over to her. Kikaru Junko was a friend and fellow classmate. She was in Kiyoko's A Day, 3rd period, Home Economics. She was a very nice girl who played Angelic Layer for as long as Tamiko had. She was a friend even though she was shy around other people.
"I didn't know you were signing up," Kiyoko said, smiling, "you said that you'd skip the Tournament this year."
Junko shrugged.
"Well, I had a change of heart after I heard that you helped Tamiko out at Piffle Princess," she said, somewhat timidly, "I figured I'd give it a shot."
Kiyoko smiled wider upon hearing this. One of her matches had inspired a friend!
"So, who do you have to fight next?" she asked.
Junko checked the roster that was on her table.
"Um, Hirori Sana and Angel Vesta," she replied.
Kiyoko nodded in recognition.
"Yeah, I fought them," she said, "I'm sure you'll do fine."
Junko looked down.
"I'm not sure," she said, "I already lost once."
Kiyoko blinked.
"Huh? To who?" she asked.
Junko smiled sadly.
"To a more experienced Deus in my second match yesterday," she said, "Yamamo Toho and her Angel, Vasques."
Kiyoko stared. That name again. In the waiting room a while back, she heard a girl talk about how this 'Yamamo Toho' Deus. From what she could hear, Yamamo was a tough opponent. No one had ever beaten her for the past couple of years except for Light-Speed Suzuka and the Karate Mistress Mao. Kiyoko was curious now more than ever to see just 'who' this Deus was. She turned back to Junko.
"Don't worry," Kiyoko assured, "you'll do great this time. I know it. What's your number?"
Junko fumbled in her uniform pocket and pulled out a piece of pink paper.
"I'm W-9," she read off the card.
Kiyoko had the urge to kick herself. That was the match she slept through. But she wouldn't do it again, that was a promise.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Aya walked back towards the table and found her seat next to Ken. He turned to her.
"What happened?" he asked, then smiled slyly, "did you get lost?"
Aya's 'don't mess with me look' made him back down. Aya noticed that her sister was gone and looked around. When she spotted her with Junko, she groaned.
"Does she have to get up and talk to everyone?" the teen grumbled, picking up her fork.
Mrs. Yume gave her daughter a warning look, but then her cell phone began to ring. Excusing herself, Mrs. Yume got up, and went over to the water fountain by the edge of the hallway. It was only then that she took out her phone and turned it on.
"Hello?" she asked, politely.
"Akiko?"
Mrs. Yume smiled.
"Hello Shun," she replied, "I've been waiting for you to call back. Are you coming?"
Kotoko Shun was Tamiko's father and manager of the local Piffle Princess store, the one Kiyoko always went to. Every time the Tournament came buy, his store, like all other Piffle Princess' would be busy selling supplies and accessories for Angels, as well as helping with a lot of other Angelic Layer details. That included supplying the Stadium with Angelic Layer equipment and Layer designs for the Environmental Layers. And this year was no exception, especially with the 'special event'.
"Tamiko has been looking forward to you coming to watch her matches," Mrs. Yume continued, "will you be able to make it?"
There was a long pause on the other end before a reply came.
"Akiko....I...I can't," came the hesitant reply, "I have to stay for about an hour more. We're having a meeting."
Mrs. Yume frowned.
"Can't it wait? This is very important to your daughter," she said.
"I know, I know, but it can't wait," Mr. Kotoko said, sadly, "we've been asked to help fund this 'special event' and the company isn't sure if we can. We're going to discuss it today."
"But I heard that the commissioner was funding," Mrs. Yume said, confused.
" 'sigh' He is, but he needs help it seems," Mr. Kotoko explained, "his funds only cover the event, the Piffle Princess stores have to supply all other necessary equipment. And with all the customers we've been getting, the district manager doesn't know if we can afford to do it. I'm sorry, but this meeting could go on and on with how Sawazaki does things. I don't think I can make it."
Mrs. Yume frowned a deep frown as she turned back to the kids. Kiyoko had invited Junko over to the table. The kids, minus Aya, were all chatting excitedly about the matches to come. She noticed how happy Tamiko was and let out a sad sigh.
"You promised her, you know," Mrs. Yume said, turning back to her conversation.
A sigh came from the other end of the line.
"I know," came the quiet reply, "I tried to find a way out of it, but I can't. I wish I could make it. Really I do."
Mrs. Yume sighed and turned her dark brown eyes to her daughters and the others.
"I'll tell her," she said, sighing.
"Thanks, tell her I'm sorry," came the sad response, "bye."
"Bye."
Mrs. Yume hung up and went back to the table. Aya was eating her egg salad and was obviously trying to ignore the six kids at the table. When Mrs. Yume returned, Tamiko turned to her.
"Was that Daddy?" she asked, sounding hopeful.
Mrs. Yume nodded, not looking up.
"He's going to make it, right?" Tamiko asked, but then frowned as she saw Mrs. Yume's frown, "right?"
Mrs. Yume sighed and shook her head.
"I'm sorry Tamiko," she said, apologetically, "but he's tied up in a meeting. He can't make it. He says he's sorry."
Tamiko frowned even more. She hardly heard when the announcement for all the Deus' to return to their waiting rooms came on. Kiyoko, feeling sorry for her friend, took her gently by the arm, and led her to the East Side. Junko had to part with them, but she didn't go without telling Tamiko how sorry she was. The rest of the gang, even Aya, watched her go, sadly. For this had happened last year too: Tamiko's father never had the time to watch his own daughters' matches, even when he promised he would.
A distance away, two men watched the sight. One in a blue suit and the other in a white lab coat; they were frowning. Then, an idea struck the man in the lab coat that turned his frown into a smile.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
In the waiting room, Tamiko was still a bit bummed out, but Kiyoko and Youzen were enough to keep her from being 'too' depressed. As they waited for their turns to come, Kiyoko couldn't help but think of her own father, and where he was at the moment. Tomorrow was the day he normally called and she couldn't wait to tell him what had been going on in her life this week. She heard cheering from the TV and looked up to see that the 1st match of the second half was starting.
"Get ready ladies and gentlemen!" the announcer was crying into his mike, "the second half of today's Tournament is about to begin!"
The audience cheered as a girl came out of the East Door. It was the same girl who fought with Mao the other day.
"In the East Corner, Deus Minoko Kani and Angel Michiru!" the announcer introduced.
The audience cheered as the redhead took her seat. Then, from the West Side, another figure emerged. A tall, older girl with spiky blond hair and ice blue eyes walked out of the doorway. She wore a sleeveless green and black shirt lined with white and baggy black jeans complete with brown boots. Her ears were pierced and she wore spiked wristbands on her wrists. Despite her boyish appearance, she had a slender form and pale skin.
Sitting on her right shoulder was an Angel. The Angel was female, but so muscular one would think that she was a male. She wore skin-tight dark green pants that reached her ankles where dark blue army boots were fitted. Red suspenders connected the black pants to her shoulders. She wore a lime green shirt that only went from her waist up to her breasts that were covered and a wide black piece of cloth was wrapped around her middle. Her hands were covered with dark green gloves and her forearms were almost covered by lime green armbands. Her shoulders each had a dark green guard that fit the shoulder and there were what seemed to be three blue jewels lined vertically on her chest. She had, on each side of her head where the ears should have been, a tan box with an antenna was placed. A lime green stripe was on each cheek and a thin black headband with a pale stone in the center was around her head, pushing her red-pink bangs upward. Her wavy, red-pink hair reached the middle of her back, almost like Raishinshi's hairstyle, only puffier. Her eyes were closed.
(Woah, who're they?) Kiyoko thought in wonder.
"And, in the West Corner!" the announcer continued, pointing to the tall tomboy, "the commandos of the Layer, Deus Yamamo Toho and Angel Vasques!"
Kiyoko blinked in surprise as the blond girl took her seat.
(That's Yamamo Toho?) she thought, surprised.
Toho walked over to her Angel Chair and sat down. She put on the Angel Goggles, as did her opponent, and turned them on. Kani did the same. The Angels' stats appeared on the box screen above and the audience began cheering from anticipation.
"Entry Angel!"
The Layers' force field came on and the chairs were raised. Kani held out Michiru.
"Michiru, be true to yourself within the Layer!" Kani cried and threw her Angel forward, "Angel, Fall in!"
Michiru sailed through the force field, gave off a brief glow, and opened her bright blue eyes. She calmly floated down towards the Layer. Once she landed, she flipped forward on the Layer, and then stood still.
Toho merely smiled as she took Vasques from her shoulder and held her out to the opponent as if she were showing her something.
"Resistance is futile," she said, smirking, then drew the hand that held her Angel back, "Annihilate her, Vasques!" She threw her Angel at the Layer full force. "Angel, Fall in!"
Vasques shot towards the Layer like a bullet. She slid through the force field and her ice blue eyes opened wide. The golden glow hardly had time to show as she flexed her arms and legs and landed square on the Layer, like Colossus did. Only she flexed her muscles again to show off.
"Ready?!" the announcer cried, "Angelic Fight!"
The buzzer sounded. Vasques moved first, charging straight at Michiru. She raised a fist and punched at the slender Angel. Michiru dodged, but Vasques grabbed her arm with her other hand. Michiru let out a silent gasp as Vasques lifted her up with both hands, jumped up in the air, and threw her down on the Layer. Michiru's damage dropped to 70%. Kani gasped.
"Ow! And Vasques takes the first points with a crushing seismic slam!" the announcer declared, "Angel Michiru is in trouble!"
Kani clenched her teeth while Toho just sat in her seat, smirking.
Michiru shakily got up, but the blue Angel was caught off guard as the tomboyish Angel slammed her elbow to her chin, deducing Michiru's Damage Gauge to 50%. Kani gasped. Michiru recovered and began to throw punches at Vasques. Vasques simple moved her head to avoid the punches and blocked the spin kick that came next by simply raising her arm. Michiru's Deus began to get desperate and had her Angel leap at Vasques, drawing back her fist for a flying punch.
Toho grinned. Vasques spun on her left leg, right leg up. Her foot connected with Michiru's face and sent the blue Angel flying right out of the Layer. She landed on the floor with a clatter. The buzzer sounded and Vasques stood victorious in the Layer.
"Wow, and Vasques does it again!" the announcer cried, the crowd going nuts behind him, "such a quick battle, over in a minute and a half! If it's not the Speed King, or the Invincible Venus, then it's Vasques and Yamamo Toho who win the battle in less than two minutes!"
The crowd cheered as Toho took off her Goggles, picked up Vasques, and placed her back on her shoulder. With a smug expression, the blond left the Layer.
Kiyoko was staring at the screen in shock. In only three attacks, Vasques had defeated Michiru! It wasn't as good as Suzuka or Higure, but it was good enough to leave her speechless. That was harsh. Almost as harsh as when Higure fought Raishinshi. Tamiko was also watching the fight and shook her head.
"Hardly any Angel is able to beat Vasques, except for Suzuka, Mao, and once even Hikaru," she explained, "but I wouldn't be surprised if one day she even beat 'them'."
Kiyoko turned to her friend.
"Beat the Venus, the Mistress, and the Champ?" she asked in mock horror, then grinned, "no way."
Tamiko cracked a slight smile.
"Yeah, you're right," she said, softly, staring at Youzen.
Kiyoko noticed how her friend looked.
"Cheer up, Tamiko," Kiyoko encouraged, "he'll come next time."
Tamiko frowned.
"Sure he will," she said, grumpily, "just like he did last year."
Now it was Kiyoko's turn to frown.
"C'mon Tamiko, you know he probably did his best to come," she said, putting a on her friends' shoulder.
Tamiko still didn't look happy. Kiyoko frowned more. She hated it when she couldn't cheer up her friends, but what else could she do? Her mother told her before she left that she'd pleaded with him, but he had no way out of the meeting.
Just like 'her' Dad.
Kiyoko sighed, no longer paying attention to the TV. She thought about her Dad again and where he was. She remembered his last words before he left them.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Flashback++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"I have to go away for a while. I don't know how long I'll be gone, but I'll come back. I promise."
+++++++++++++++++++++++++Flashback End++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
(Will he keep his promise?) Kiyoko wondered, looking down at Raishinshi.
There was the sound of cheering and applauding from the TV. Kiyoko looked up in time to see an Angel dressed in different shades of blues went flying out of the Layer. Suzuka lowered her raised leg and looked in the defeated Angels' direction. Kiyoko smiled a bit.
(Dad said that it was tough fighting Suzuka, but he had fun playing Angelic Layer,) she thought, (he said that once he fought against all the Champions, he'd come home. So, why hasn't he come back?)
"E-3, Kotoko Tamiko?" a woman in uniform called from the doorway, "it's your turn."
Tamiko, still a little gloomy, got up.
"Good luck," Kiyoko said, coming out of thought.
Tamiko only nodded and headed out the door.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"It's time for the 3rd match for the 2nd half of the Tournament today!" the announcer cried, his chair moving closer to the Layer, "who'll fight this time?!"
Back in the stands, Ken was keeping a lookout for Tamiko. Mrs. Yume was still sad about what had happened earlier. Aya noticed her mothers' look and leaned over to her.
"Mom, stop acting like this is your fault," she said, "Tamiko's Dad should have checked to see if he could even come before he promised anything."
Mrs. Yume's expression grew stern.
"It was a last minute meeting," she protested, "he couldn't have known or done anything about it."
Aya sighed.
"Besides, it's not like he broke his promise on purpose," Mrs. Yume continued, "he really wanted to come."
Aya scowled and closed her eyes.
"Yeah, but he didn't," she huffed, "just like how Dad said 'he' would come home when he just ended up lying to us."
Mrs. Yume turned to her daughter.
"Don't say that!" she said, her expression now a frown again, "he didn't break his promise."
Aya opened her eyes and scowled at the ceiling.
"Then why didn't he come back?" she asked the open air.
Before Mrs. Yume could reply, Ken jumped up in his seat.
"There she is!" he cried, pointing.
Everyone turned to see a glum Tamiko walk out into the Layer area.
"In the East Corner, the 'Whiz Kid', Deus Kotoko Tamiko and Angel Youzen, the 'Blue Fighter'!" the announcer cried, "so far, these returning regulars have been victorious in all their matches! Will today be no exception?!"
Tamiko, still sad, ignored the cheers, and slid into the Angel Chair. She put on and turned on her Angel Goggles. She glanced down at Youzen. He, too, seemed to be sad.
"And in the West Corner, two pros of the Layer, Deus Shimata Maria and Angel Tsubaki!" the announcer continued.
Out came a girl with dark hair that gave off a slight purple sheen and bright brown eyes. She wore a yellow jacket with a hood. It wasn't open in front. She wore brown pants and white sneakers. An Angel was perched on her arm that Tamiko didn't get a chance to look at. The girl, Maria, slid into her Angel Chair, put on her Goggles, and turned them on. She glanced at Tamiko.
"Go, Tamiko, go!" Ken cheered. Takumi rolled his eyes, but clapped in support with his sister.
"Entry Angel!"
The stats filled out and the force field came on. The two chairs were raised to become even with the Layer. Tamiko looked down at Youzen.
(Well, here we go,) she thought, holding Youzen with both hands and held him in front of her, (I just wish Dad was here to see us.)
"Brains win over brawn!" she cried, shifting Youzen to her right hand, then drawing her right arm back, "Show'em Youzen!" she finished, throwing her Angel towards the Layer.
Youzen sailed towards the Layer and slid through the force field, making it ripple. He opened his violet eyes and the glow faded.
"Angel, Fall, in!" Tamiko finished.
Youzen somersaulted in the air and flung his legs downward on the third one. He extended his left leg and landed. He stood facing the direction of his foe. But this time, instead of narrowing his eyes, he simply frowned in tandem with his Deus.
Maria brought her Angel to her chest.
"My only partner, the World's Strongest, Tsubaki!" Maria cried and tossed her Angel towards the Layer, "Angel, fall-in!"
Tsubaki slid through the force field and opened her eyes. She did four flips in the air, and landed on her knees. She stood up, and waited for the match to begin. Now she was in plain view. Tamiko looked her over.
Tsubaki was about as tall as Youzen was and her bright purple hair went past her waist. She wore a purplish-blue outfit that had a long, divided shirttail in back. A white cloth was wrapped around her shoulders and was tied in front. She had short white pants underneath her long shirt and white gloves that reached her elbows. Below, she wore long white stockings that reached her thighs. Purple boots with a pale blue fold on top covered them up halfway. Two white Angel Cords were tied to the back of her shoulder cloth. Two yellow stars were in place of her ears and a cute purple heart was painted on her forehead. She had pale skin and dark purple eyes.
(I've heard of Tsubaki,) Tamiko thought to herself, despite her hurt feelings, (they say she's tough. But how tough?)
"Ready?" the announcer cried, "Angelic Fight!"
The buzzer sounded and Tsubaki charged at Youzen full speed. Youzen tensed. Tsubaki kept running at running in his direction, staring him down it seemed. She then leapt into the air, back to the lights. Youzen looked up at her, only to see her descending at a very high speed. Youzen didn't have time to react as Tsubaki's left foot crashed into his stomach and sent him sprawling back a foot. Tamiko gasped.
(Oh, no!) she thought in horror, watching her Angels' face grow pained.
Tsubaki had landed and was staring at Youzen as the blue Angel tried to get up. His damage had already shrunk to 75% because of the direct hit that he took. The crowd cheered at the hit.
"Yow! And Tsubaki scores a devastating drop kick, one of her specialties here in the Layer!" the announcer said, "I guess Kotoko and Youzen weren't expecting a hit like that!"
Tamiko bit her lip. Her Angel was hurt because of her, her mind was on other things. She was still thinking about her father. Taking a deep breath, Tamiko did her best to push those thoughts out of her mind. She focused in the fight at hand.
(Youzen, stand,) she told her Angel, gripping the armrests of the Angel Chair.
Youzen got up, shakily. He turned to Tsubaki who seemed to be waiting for him. The minute he stood, she charged him again. Youzen charged too, though a little slower. When in range, Tsubaki started delivering a flurry of punches. Youzen quickly brought his arms up to block. Tsubaki kept punching at the blue Angels' blockade, but Youzen held firm. Finally, Youzen dropped his block, batting Tsubaki's arms away in the process, and forward kicked her in the face with his left leg.
Tsubaki fell back as her damage shrank to 89%. The crowd cheered once again.
"And Youzen counters against Tsubaki in a fierce kick!" the announcer cried out, "this is gonna be good!"
"Go, Tamiko!" Ken shouted.
Maria winced at her Angel being hurt. She had always been attached to Tsubaki and hated it when she got hurt. But ever since her fight with Suzuhara Misaki three years ago, she grew less hateful towards other Deus', even though she still didn't like to see her Angel hurt.
(We just have to fight harder,) she told herself, and looked at Tamiko. She hesitated. (Why does she look so depressed?)
It was true, Tamiko still looked upset, and that reflected on Youzen's face.
Back in the East waiting room, Kiyoko noticed this as well. She stared sadly at the TV screen, where Youzens' face was featured. She knew the Angels' expression was mostly based on how their Deus' felt. And if Youzen looked 'that' sad, then Tamiko still had her father on her mind.
(Tamiko, I know you're still sad about your Dad not coming,) Kiyoko thought, her eyes on her friend, (but if you don't focus, Youzen'll get hurt.)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Tsubaki was charging once again at Youzen. Youzen put up a guard and waited. Tsubaki started executing another volley of punches, faster this time, and harder. Youzen was being forced back and was slowly approaching Layers' edge.
"Look out, Tamiko!" Ken cried.
Youzen glanced behind him, a reaction to Tamiko realizing that her Angel was being pushed back. Youzen jumped back an inch and front flipped over Tsubaki, but the purple-haired Angel was fast. As Youzen landed, Tsubaki had already run to that spot. She grabbed Youzen around the waist and bent backwards, throwing Youzen over her head. The back throw was successful, and Youzens' head and shoulders crashed onto the Layer surface. He clenched his teeth, his damage going to 65% now.
"Youzen!" Tamiko cried.
"Oh man! Tsubaki seems to be getting the upper hand!" the announcer cried, glancing over to Youzen, "Youzen seems to be taking some serious hits!"
Youzen flipped away as Tsubaki let him go. Above the Layer, Misaki watched the fight sadly.
"Youzen's getting hurt a lot," she said, "it's like he's hardly putting up a fight."
"He's not," Sai said, glancing down at Tamiko, "that back throw could have been avoided if Kotoko-san had been focused. Something doesn't seem right."
Maria noticed that too, but she didn't have time to think about it as Youzen charged at Tsubaki. He wasn't running at his usual speed, he seemed slower. Tsubaki tensed as Youzen got closer. When he was close enough, he high-kicked with his right leg, aiming for her head. But Tsubaki jumped back and stood ready.
(What's up with her?) Maria wondered, watching Tamiko's distressing stare, (anyone could dodge a kick that slow and she knew it.)
Youzen charged again and Tsubaki put up a guard as Youzen let loose a volley of punches. The punches weren't fast, but they 'were' hard. Tsubaki kept up her guard as Youzen continued to punch away. Finally, Tsubaki broke her guard, and punched forward. Youzen grabbed the incoming fist and threw the purple-haired Angel over his shoulder. Tsubaki hit the Layer and slid, but managed to stop before getting a Layer out.
"Nice counter Youzen!" Yuri called.
"Knock her flat!" Ken cried.
Back on the Layer, Tsubaki was recovering just as Youzen began to charge again. Tsubaki turned her dark purple eyes on him and waited for him in a position where she was on her hands and knees. As Youzen came close enough, Tsubaki's right leg shot out in a side kick. It connected with Youzen's stomach and, with a silent cry, he fell back a few inches.
"Youzen, hang on!" Tamiko cried, leaning forward in her chair.
The timer was at 7 minutes, surprisingly, but Youzen's Damage Gauge was at 60%. Takumi narrowed his eyes at the Layer.
(Tamiko,) he thought, (focus! Focus, or Youzen'll lose. Your father wouldn't want that.)
In back of the audience, Saburo was watching the whole fight from the doorway. His scowl was present.
(She shouldn't be at the Layer if she doesn't feel like playing,) he thought, leaning against the wall, (why is she pushing herself? It's obvious she's not focusing, not at the rate her Angel is moving.)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
A black pick-up truck was going down the street towards the Angelic Layer Stadium at high speed. The driver, a man in his late thirties with ash- brown hair and hazel eyes, shot a quick glance at his watch. He had left work two minutes ago and was going as fast as he could to get to the Stadium on time. He wanted to call, but he felt that that would take to long.
(Don't worry, Tamiko,) the man thought, (I'm coming.)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The timer reached 6 minutes and all Tamiko could have Youzen do was dodge and run from Tsubaki's attacks. Maria was starring at the blond with a confused look. Three years ago, she would have thought nothing of it, and would have kept on fighting. But, now she was more understanding and kind thanks to Suzuhara Misaki and her friends. They had all become good friends and she'd learned a lot from them.
And she could tell when someone was troubled.
Tsubaki executed a right spin kick, aiming for Youzens' head. Youzen ducked and ran back a bit. Tsubaki then stood still and stared at him, confused. Tamiko and Youzen both watched her curiously.
"Are you okay?"
Tamiko blinked and looked up. It was Maria.
"Huh?" she said, blankly.
"Are you okay?" Maria asked again, "your Angel is moving awkwardly."
Tamiko turned to Youzen and then back to the dark-haired Deus.
"I-I'm fine," she replied, but she couldn't hide the gloom in her voice.
Maria and Tsubaki raised an eyebrow in unison.
"Doesn't sound like it," she stated, "something wrong?"
Tamiko blinked out of confusion.
"I, um," she stammered, not expecting a question like that from her opponent, "nothing's wrong. I just got a lot of things on my mind."
Maria made a face, but settled for the answer for the moment. Tsubaki charged again. Youzen also charged. Both Angels ran at each other head on. Youzen drew back his fist, ready to punch. But Tsubaki ducked his fist as she came up under him and did a high kick to his chin. Youzens' head snapped back and he fell to the Layer. Tamiko gasped as Youzens' damage dropped.
"Oh man! Youzen is getting clobbered on the Layer!" the announcer cried, "Kotoko seems to be slipping at the controls! Youzen's going slower than usual!"
Takumi sighed as Ken screamed support for Tamiko.
"It's no good," he said, "she can't focus with her father's broken promise still on her mind."
Yuri nodded in agreement.
Maria knew that something was wrong, but she could tell that Tamiko wasn't going to tell her anything. She had been one to hide feelings herself, so she knew how Tamiko probably felt. Back in the Waiting Room, Kiyoko watched as Tsubaki charged Youzen and delivered a punch to his face. Kiyoko looked down at Raishinshi.
(I wish Mr. Kotoko was here,) she thought, (then Tamiko would be happy again.)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The man parked his van right next to the Stadiums' entrance. He scrambled out of his truck and ran for the doors. Once he entered the building, it took him only seconds to find the doors that led to the audience simply by hearing the crowd. He ran for them.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Youzen was struck once again in the face and fell to the Layer. His damage was at 40% and the timer was at four minutes. Tsubaki stood over Youzen a while, waiting for him to stand. Tamiko starred at her Angel and sighed sadly.
"This fight is over already," Saburo grumbled from the back of the room.
Back in the stands, Mrs. Yume watched sadly.
(If only you came, Shun,) she thought, (this meant so much to your daughter. You're the only family she has at the moment and you couldn't come see her?) She shook her head.
Behind her, up near the entrance on the arena, the double doors swung open. Someone ran down the walkway and headed for the wall that was around the Layer area. He went by her so fast, Mrs. Yume could only see the back of his head, but that was all she needed to know who he was. The man stopped at the short wall and looked at the Layer.
As he was doing this, Tamiko was lost in her thoughts.
(I should of known that Daddy wouldn't come, he never can,) she thought, sadly, (Mom and Ayumi are out of state and Kenta's in Kyoto, and Dad's always at work. I'm all alone. I don't know why I even came today when I always had the feeling that Dad wouldn't-)
"Tamiko!!"
Tamiko's head shot up and her eyes widened. She turned to her left, towards the audience. Behind the short wall that separated the audience from the Layer area, a man in a gray-blue business suit, ash-brown hair, and hazel eyes stood waving at her. Tamiko recognized him instantly.
"Daddy!" she cried in surprise.
Maria blinked and turned to see who Tamiko called to. Mr. Kotoko gave his daughter a warm smile.
"I didn't want to break my promise again!" he called to her, "I came to see you fight honey! Give it your all!"
Tamiko sat there, gaping at her father for a while. He actually came!
"Is that your Dad?" Maria called to her.
Tamiko turned to her and nodded.
"Y-Yeah, but, I thought he wasn't coming," she stammered.
Maria smiled. 'Now' she knew what the problem had been.
"Well, he's here now," she called, smiling, "so how about you show him a fight he won't forget?"
Tamiko suddenly smiled, her sadness melting away.
"Right!" she cried, her energy growing.
Youzen stood up and got into a fighting position. He was no longer frowning, but smiling. Tsubaki smiled back.
(I'm sorry I wasn't focused before, Youzen,) she thought to her Angel, (it'll be different this time.)
Now the fight had truly begun.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Icchan and his friend were watching the fight in the Video Room and both smiled as the cameras picked up a shot of Mr. Kotoko.
"Looks like he made it after all," the man said, smiling.
Icchan nodded, watching as Youzen stood up, and smiled.
"I didn't think Ogata made it to his store on time," he admitted, "looks like I misjudged the guy."
The other man turned to his friend and shook his head.
"You'll never let up on him will you?" he asked, smile still there.
Icchan grinned as he fixed his glasses.
"Don't let the outside fool ya," he explained, "he loves running around."
His friend only chuckled.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Now that both Deus' were in full spirits, the battle would really start to heat up. Even though it was halfway into three minutes, both Angels were ready. Tsubaki charged at Youzen again and threw a right hook. Youzen swiftly ducked the blow, spun around, and back kicked Tsubaki in the stomach. The Angel went flying back a foot, her Damage dropped to 75%.
"Woah, what a hit!" the announcer cried, the audience cheering loudly behind him, "looks like Youzen's making a comeback!"
Tsubaki got up and charged Youzen as he began to turn around. She caught him across the face with a left hook, but he countered with right spin kick to her face. Both stumbled back. The timer hit three minutes.
"Wow, Youzen's doing much better," Yuri commented.
"Tamiko's father came," Mrs. Yume explained, receiving everyone's surprised stares, "I saw him. I guess he found away to come and Tamiko must have seen him."
Takumi turned back to the Layer and smiled.
"That explains it," he said, "Youzen was reacting to his Deus' sadness, that's why he was so slow. Now that Tamiko knows her father's here, she's happy, and her focus is now completely on Youzen."
Ken grinned and started to dance in place.
"So Tamiko has a chance to win?" he asked, excited.
Takumi shrugged.
"I suppose," he said.
In back of the room, Saburo watched the battle with slightly renewed interest.
Youzen ran at Tsubaki this time and executed a series of spin kicks. Tsubaki managed to avoid some of them before jumping over the blue Angel. Youzen spun around and met her face to face. Both leapt at one another and punched. Both connected, the only difference was that Youzen blocked with his other arm. Youzen stumbled while Tsubaki fell back, but she rebounded with her hands on the Layer, pushed out, and slammed her feet into Youzens' stomach. But because she was a bit farther away, the damage wasn't much. He fell and slid a bit, but got right back up, as did Tsubaki. The timer hit two minutes. Youzen had 35% health and Tsubaki had 59%. Tamiko furrowed her brow.
(It's time Youzen,) she told her Angel, (let's do it for Dad!)
Youzen darted forward, but he ignored Tsubaki for the moment, and ran past her. He continued to run and started running in a medium circle around Tsubaki. The purple-haired Angel watched in confusion as the blue Angel went faster and faster. Then, Youzen began to glow a slight cerulean blue that grew brighter every time he ran a circle around Tsubaki. Finally, Youzen broke the circle, and ran straight at Tsubaki, still glowing. Tsubaki tensed.
The move Youzen was using was a move that Tamiko had developed by the time she had reached the Kantou Prelims last year. She had been working on perfecting it since then. Tsubaki hardly had a chance to move as Youzen stopped only a foot away and leapt into the air. His back was to the lights for a couple minutes before he descended to the Layer, right fist drawn back. The minute before he landed on the Layer, Youzen punched the Layer, all the blue energy channeled down onto it. Almost instantly, the Layer lit up with faceted blue light that radiated off the top of it and around the base of the force field. Everyone lost sight of the two Angels at that moment; the attack seemed to shake the Layer a bit as well. When the glow faded, Youzen stood on the Layer. Tsubaki was lying a foot away, her Damage Gauge to 0. The buzzer sounded, the timer stopped at one minute, and the crowd went nuts.
"WOW!! That was awesome!" the announcer cried, "it's been a long while since Youzen's used 'Ground Zero'! What a fight! And Youzen wins, what an amazing come from behind victory!"
Tamiko smiled and took off her Angel Goggles. Ken, Yuri, and Mrs. Yume were standing and applauding while Takumi and even Aya did it sitting down. On the balcony Misaki and Ringo clapped.
"Not too shabby," Madoka commented.
Sai nodded in agreement.
In the East Waiting Room, Kiyoko was hopping up and down, hugging Raishinshi.
"She won! She won! Oh, Raishinshi, she won!" Kiyoko cried out, happily.
Tamiko hopped off the Angel Chair and ran to where her Dad was, behind the wall.
"Daddy!" she cried, happily, hugging her Dad.
Mr. Kotoko smiled and hugged his daughter.
"I came as quick as I could," he told her, "I didn't want to miss anything."
Tamiko looked up at her Dad and smiled, but it quickly turned into a frown.
"But aren't you going to get in trouble at work?" she asked, "Mrs. Yume said that you were in the middle of a meeting."
Mr. Kotoko looked puzzled for a minute.
"That's the funny part," he said, "right before the meeting began, a man in a blue suit arrived and said that he'd take my place at the meeting. I wanted to say 'thank you', but I didn't have the chance. He looked rather frazzled." Mr. Kotoko shrugged. "But I'm just glad I got to see your match."
"Did you like it?" Tamiko asked.
Her father smiled.
"I loved it," he said.
Tamiko beamed.
"Hey."
Tamiko blinked and looked behind her. Maria was there, holding both Tsubaki and Youzen. She held the blue Angel out to Tamiko.
"I believe this is your Angel," she said, politely.
Tamiko nodded and took Youzen. She looked down at her Angel. Youzen now had a slight smile on his face.
"I knew something was bothering you," Maria pointed out, "Tsubaki and I apologize if we hurt him too much."
Tamiko gave the dark-haired girl an assuring smile.
"No worries, I have an Angel Repair Kit," she told her, "I should be apologizing to you for using Youzens' big move on Tsubaki."
"You were fighting in front of your Dad," Maria pointed out, nodding in Mr. Kotoko's direction, "it's only natural that you make it fancy."
Tamiko blushed and held out her hand.
"Well, thanks for being patient with me," she said, "I hope we fight again sometime."
Maria took Tamiko's hand and shook it.
"You bet," she agreed.
*Uh...konya mo mata...*
Back in the Video Room, Icchan and his friend smiled at the sight.
"She and Kiyoko should have good fights," Icchan stated, watching Maria walk away, "I expect they'll get very far in the Tournament."
*....hakanai hoshi zora*
His friend nodded. Back in the Layer area, Mr. Kotoko smiled down at his daughter.
*Uh...hikaru hoshi ni....*
"I'm very proud of you," he said, "you fought well."
Tamiko nodded and hugged her father.
*....negai o kakeru kara*
"I did it for you Dad," she said, "thanks for keeping your promise to me."
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Nothing like a little drama, eh? Anyway, sorry this took so long. I had a headache like you wouldn't believe and it was hard for me to write out the battle scene. I hope you liked it and Youzens' special attack. If I made a mistake, please e-mail me so I can correct it. Next time, it's sort of an R&R chapter that I hope to make fun. Stay tuned for more action. Please Read and Review! No flames, please!
Disclaimer: I'm so sorry for not updating! Bad headache. Anyway, unfortunately I don't
have episodes 5-8 of Angelic Layer yet. If you're wondering then how I
know what some of the well known Angels in those eps. look like, I have
music videos of AL and I looked at the pictures in Angel, Fall in! to get the
appearances of Angel and Deus right. Boy that took work! However, since I
haven't seen Vasques' Entry into the Layer, I'm making up something
(hopefully it's somewhere close to the original, but I tried to make it look
good). I want to thank Admiral Fern and Sana Jisushi (I hope I spelled that
right) for all their help. Thanks Admiral (salutes)! Thanks Sana-san (gives a
peace sign)! I don't own Angelic Layer or any of its original characters (and
I'm sorry if I get Yamamo Toho's gender wrong, I went by what I saw at
Angel, Fall in!). I 'do' own Kiyoko Yume, Angel Raishinshi, their family
And friends, Saburo, and Angel Higure. Now, on with the fic!
Battle 10: "Please Come Watch, Daddy! Youzen Returns to the Layer!"
Icchan was waiting patiently at one of the lunch tables in the Stadium Café. He took care not to get too close to Kiyoko's table, so he got a table at the far end of the café. He was skimming the crowd as he waited. Finally, his eyes fell upon the person who he was looking for. Waving an arm in the air, the wandering man spotted Icchan without much problem, and headed for his table.
"Get lost in the crowd?" Icchan asked him, good-naturedly.
The man was the same man who was watching Kiyoko's match. He sat down across from Icchan and straightened out his suit.
"No, I just haven't been to 'this' Stadium for a while," he said.
Icchan smiled.
"What did you think of her match?" he asked, referring to Kiyoko.
The man looked up at him and managed a slight smile.
"She did wonderfully," he said, but then his smile changed into a frown, "but she came awful close to losing."
Icchan nodded and looked down at the tea he ordered.
"That's true," he admitted, looking around the table for something, "but she pulled it off."
"I almost didn't think she could until she did it," the man said.
"Well, she did it," Icchan told him, now checking his pockets, "and the fact that they used teamwork to do so makes it an even better win."
The man nodded as Icchan triumphantly pulled out a small packet of something from his coat pocket. The man noticed this and watched as Icchan poured the something in.
"What's that?" he asked.
Icchan grinned as he emptied the packet.
"They make this tea too tasteless," he commented, stirring the unknown ingredient with his spoon, "so I brought a little something that would help improve the taste."
"Which is?"
"Cocoa."
The man raised an eyebrow. He was used to his friend's odd eating habit by now, but Icchans' weird food creations seemed to surprise him every time.
"Anyway," Icchan started up, "Kiyoko's friend, Kotoko Tamiko, is up next. Should be good."
The man raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?" he inquired, "who's she fighting next?"
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"Shimata Maria and Angel Tsubaki," Takumi read from the roster he had picked up from the Entry Counter.
Kiyoko, Tamiko, and their group were all seated in the café, having today's 'lunch break'. Takumi had decided that they should start looking at the rosters that were left on the Entry Counter. So, they all were discussing strategies now, with Takumi in charge of reading the roster.
"Shimata Maria? I think I've seen her before," Tamiko said, chewing her chicken sandwich.
Yuri nodded.
"Me too, she's a really good Deus," she commented, "I heard that she got to the Nationals once."
Tamiko turned to her.
"Did she win?" she asked, swallowing the piece of chicken sandwich.
Takumi shook his head.
"No, she lost to another Angel," he said, then stopped and thought a minute, "I think it was, um...."
"It was Angel Buranshe that beat her," Yuri concluded, taking a sip of her drink, "your brother should have recorded it, Tamiko."
Tamiko shrugged.
"I guess so, he's taped all the matches since the 3rd Official Tournament four years ago," she stated.
Kiyoko, who was busy pigging out on a piece of apple pie, looked up suddenly.
"Does that mean he taped my Dad's matches too?" she asked, hopefully.
Tamiko nodded and Kiyoko cheered.
"Kiyoko, sweetie, don't talk or cheer with your mouth full," Mrs. Yume warned.
Tamiko giggled as Kiyoko rolled her eyes. Tamiko then turned to Mrs. Yume.
"Is Dad coming today?" she asked, "he said he would."
Mrs. Yume hesitated before answering.
"He said he'd get back to me on my cell phone about that question," she said, "but don't worry, I'm sure he'll make it."
Tamiko nodded, eyes hopeful. Her Dad had promised her that he would watch her matches this year since last year he was busy at work. But he'd already missed her first three matches of this year. Tamiko wondered if he'd keep his promise this time. As she was thinking, Ken looked up from his pastry and glanced over at the roster.
"What about Kiyoko's opponent?" he asked, licking the cherry filling off his lips.
"Uh," Takumi said, blankly, snatching up the roster to check, "Aruna Hitomi and Angel Felicity."
Ken wrinkled his nose.
"Don't sound so tough," he commented.
"They're only beginners here too," Takumi said, reading the info under the name, "she's already lost once."
Kiyoko, out of curiosity, leaned towards him.
"Who'd she lose to?" she asked.
Takumi read the rest of the info.
"She lost yesterday, her 1st match, to Deus Yamamo Toho and Angel Vasques," he said.
Tamiko's eyes widened.
"Woah! I've seen her fight," she commented, "she's strong and so is her Angel."
Kiyoko turned to her.
"Is she here today?" Kiyoko asked.
Tamiko nodded.
"Yeah, she was in the first match," she told her friend.
Kiyoko nodded and was about to go back to her pie, when....
"Hey, that's Junko!" she cried, suddenly looking to the right.
Tamiko turned to see a girl, about their age, in an Eriol Academy middle school uniform, with fair skin, and chocolate brown hair, a bit lighter than Kiyoko's hair, was seated four tables away. Tamiko smiled.
"Hey, you're right," she said.
"Junko-chan!" Kiyoko cried, getting up from her seat, and heading for the girl.
The girl, Junko, turned, and focused her gray-brown eyes on Kiyoko. She smiled.
"Hey Kiyoko," she called, gently.
Kiyoko waved back as a response and went over to her. Kikaru Junko was a friend and fellow classmate. She was in Kiyoko's A Day, 3rd period, Home Economics. She was a very nice girl who played Angelic Layer for as long as Tamiko had. She was a friend even though she was shy around other people.
"I didn't know you were signing up," Kiyoko said, smiling, "you said that you'd skip the Tournament this year."
Junko shrugged.
"Well, I had a change of heart after I heard that you helped Tamiko out at Piffle Princess," she said, somewhat timidly, "I figured I'd give it a shot."
Kiyoko smiled wider upon hearing this. One of her matches had inspired a friend!
"So, who do you have to fight next?" she asked.
Junko checked the roster that was on her table.
"Um, Hirori Sana and Angel Vesta," she replied.
Kiyoko nodded in recognition.
"Yeah, I fought them," she said, "I'm sure you'll do fine."
Junko looked down.
"I'm not sure," she said, "I already lost once."
Kiyoko blinked.
"Huh? To who?" she asked.
Junko smiled sadly.
"To a more experienced Deus in my second match yesterday," she said, "Yamamo Toho and her Angel, Vasques."
Kiyoko stared. That name again. In the waiting room a while back, she heard a girl talk about how this 'Yamamo Toho' Deus. From what she could hear, Yamamo was a tough opponent. No one had ever beaten her for the past couple of years except for Light-Speed Suzuka and the Karate Mistress Mao. Kiyoko was curious now more than ever to see just 'who' this Deus was. She turned back to Junko.
"Don't worry," Kiyoko assured, "you'll do great this time. I know it. What's your number?"
Junko fumbled in her uniform pocket and pulled out a piece of pink paper.
"I'm W-9," she read off the card.
Kiyoko had the urge to kick herself. That was the match she slept through. But she wouldn't do it again, that was a promise.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Aya walked back towards the table and found her seat next to Ken. He turned to her.
"What happened?" he asked, then smiled slyly, "did you get lost?"
Aya's 'don't mess with me look' made him back down. Aya noticed that her sister was gone and looked around. When she spotted her with Junko, she groaned.
"Does she have to get up and talk to everyone?" the teen grumbled, picking up her fork.
Mrs. Yume gave her daughter a warning look, but then her cell phone began to ring. Excusing herself, Mrs. Yume got up, and went over to the water fountain by the edge of the hallway. It was only then that she took out her phone and turned it on.
"Hello?" she asked, politely.
"Akiko?"
Mrs. Yume smiled.
"Hello Shun," she replied, "I've been waiting for you to call back. Are you coming?"
Kotoko Shun was Tamiko's father and manager of the local Piffle Princess store, the one Kiyoko always went to. Every time the Tournament came buy, his store, like all other Piffle Princess' would be busy selling supplies and accessories for Angels, as well as helping with a lot of other Angelic Layer details. That included supplying the Stadium with Angelic Layer equipment and Layer designs for the Environmental Layers. And this year was no exception, especially with the 'special event'.
"Tamiko has been looking forward to you coming to watch her matches," Mrs. Yume continued, "will you be able to make it?"
There was a long pause on the other end before a reply came.
"Akiko....I...I can't," came the hesitant reply, "I have to stay for about an hour more. We're having a meeting."
Mrs. Yume frowned.
"Can't it wait? This is very important to your daughter," she said.
"I know, I know, but it can't wait," Mr. Kotoko said, sadly, "we've been asked to help fund this 'special event' and the company isn't sure if we can. We're going to discuss it today."
"But I heard that the commissioner was funding," Mrs. Yume said, confused.
" 'sigh' He is, but he needs help it seems," Mr. Kotoko explained, "his funds only cover the event, the Piffle Princess stores have to supply all other necessary equipment. And with all the customers we've been getting, the district manager doesn't know if we can afford to do it. I'm sorry, but this meeting could go on and on with how Sawazaki does things. I don't think I can make it."
Mrs. Yume frowned a deep frown as she turned back to the kids. Kiyoko had invited Junko over to the table. The kids, minus Aya, were all chatting excitedly about the matches to come. She noticed how happy Tamiko was and let out a sad sigh.
"You promised her, you know," Mrs. Yume said, turning back to her conversation.
A sigh came from the other end of the line.
"I know," came the quiet reply, "I tried to find a way out of it, but I can't. I wish I could make it. Really I do."
Mrs. Yume sighed and turned her dark brown eyes to her daughters and the others.
"I'll tell her," she said, sighing.
"Thanks, tell her I'm sorry," came the sad response, "bye."
"Bye."
Mrs. Yume hung up and went back to the table. Aya was eating her egg salad and was obviously trying to ignore the six kids at the table. When Mrs. Yume returned, Tamiko turned to her.
"Was that Daddy?" she asked, sounding hopeful.
Mrs. Yume nodded, not looking up.
"He's going to make it, right?" Tamiko asked, but then frowned as she saw Mrs. Yume's frown, "right?"
Mrs. Yume sighed and shook her head.
"I'm sorry Tamiko," she said, apologetically, "but he's tied up in a meeting. He can't make it. He says he's sorry."
Tamiko frowned even more. She hardly heard when the announcement for all the Deus' to return to their waiting rooms came on. Kiyoko, feeling sorry for her friend, took her gently by the arm, and led her to the East Side. Junko had to part with them, but she didn't go without telling Tamiko how sorry she was. The rest of the gang, even Aya, watched her go, sadly. For this had happened last year too: Tamiko's father never had the time to watch his own daughters' matches, even when he promised he would.
A distance away, two men watched the sight. One in a blue suit and the other in a white lab coat; they were frowning. Then, an idea struck the man in the lab coat that turned his frown into a smile.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
In the waiting room, Tamiko was still a bit bummed out, but Kiyoko and Youzen were enough to keep her from being 'too' depressed. As they waited for their turns to come, Kiyoko couldn't help but think of her own father, and where he was at the moment. Tomorrow was the day he normally called and she couldn't wait to tell him what had been going on in her life this week. She heard cheering from the TV and looked up to see that the 1st match of the second half was starting.
"Get ready ladies and gentlemen!" the announcer was crying into his mike, "the second half of today's Tournament is about to begin!"
The audience cheered as a girl came out of the East Door. It was the same girl who fought with Mao the other day.
"In the East Corner, Deus Minoko Kani and Angel Michiru!" the announcer introduced.
The audience cheered as the redhead took her seat. Then, from the West Side, another figure emerged. A tall, older girl with spiky blond hair and ice blue eyes walked out of the doorway. She wore a sleeveless green and black shirt lined with white and baggy black jeans complete with brown boots. Her ears were pierced and she wore spiked wristbands on her wrists. Despite her boyish appearance, she had a slender form and pale skin.
Sitting on her right shoulder was an Angel. The Angel was female, but so muscular one would think that she was a male. She wore skin-tight dark green pants that reached her ankles where dark blue army boots were fitted. Red suspenders connected the black pants to her shoulders. She wore a lime green shirt that only went from her waist up to her breasts that were covered and a wide black piece of cloth was wrapped around her middle. Her hands were covered with dark green gloves and her forearms were almost covered by lime green armbands. Her shoulders each had a dark green guard that fit the shoulder and there were what seemed to be three blue jewels lined vertically on her chest. She had, on each side of her head where the ears should have been, a tan box with an antenna was placed. A lime green stripe was on each cheek and a thin black headband with a pale stone in the center was around her head, pushing her red-pink bangs upward. Her wavy, red-pink hair reached the middle of her back, almost like Raishinshi's hairstyle, only puffier. Her eyes were closed.
(Woah, who're they?) Kiyoko thought in wonder.
"And, in the West Corner!" the announcer continued, pointing to the tall tomboy, "the commandos of the Layer, Deus Yamamo Toho and Angel Vasques!"
Kiyoko blinked in surprise as the blond girl took her seat.
(That's Yamamo Toho?) she thought, surprised.
Toho walked over to her Angel Chair and sat down. She put on the Angel Goggles, as did her opponent, and turned them on. Kani did the same. The Angels' stats appeared on the box screen above and the audience began cheering from anticipation.
"Entry Angel!"
The Layers' force field came on and the chairs were raised. Kani held out Michiru.
"Michiru, be true to yourself within the Layer!" Kani cried and threw her Angel forward, "Angel, Fall in!"
Michiru sailed through the force field, gave off a brief glow, and opened her bright blue eyes. She calmly floated down towards the Layer. Once she landed, she flipped forward on the Layer, and then stood still.
Toho merely smiled as she took Vasques from her shoulder and held her out to the opponent as if she were showing her something.
"Resistance is futile," she said, smirking, then drew the hand that held her Angel back, "Annihilate her, Vasques!" She threw her Angel at the Layer full force. "Angel, Fall in!"
Vasques shot towards the Layer like a bullet. She slid through the force field and her ice blue eyes opened wide. The golden glow hardly had time to show as she flexed her arms and legs and landed square on the Layer, like Colossus did. Only she flexed her muscles again to show off.
"Ready?!" the announcer cried, "Angelic Fight!"
The buzzer sounded. Vasques moved first, charging straight at Michiru. She raised a fist and punched at the slender Angel. Michiru dodged, but Vasques grabbed her arm with her other hand. Michiru let out a silent gasp as Vasques lifted her up with both hands, jumped up in the air, and threw her down on the Layer. Michiru's damage dropped to 70%. Kani gasped.
"Ow! And Vasques takes the first points with a crushing seismic slam!" the announcer declared, "Angel Michiru is in trouble!"
Kani clenched her teeth while Toho just sat in her seat, smirking.
Michiru shakily got up, but the blue Angel was caught off guard as the tomboyish Angel slammed her elbow to her chin, deducing Michiru's Damage Gauge to 50%. Kani gasped. Michiru recovered and began to throw punches at Vasques. Vasques simple moved her head to avoid the punches and blocked the spin kick that came next by simply raising her arm. Michiru's Deus began to get desperate and had her Angel leap at Vasques, drawing back her fist for a flying punch.
Toho grinned. Vasques spun on her left leg, right leg up. Her foot connected with Michiru's face and sent the blue Angel flying right out of the Layer. She landed on the floor with a clatter. The buzzer sounded and Vasques stood victorious in the Layer.
"Wow, and Vasques does it again!" the announcer cried, the crowd going nuts behind him, "such a quick battle, over in a minute and a half! If it's not the Speed King, or the Invincible Venus, then it's Vasques and Yamamo Toho who win the battle in less than two minutes!"
The crowd cheered as Toho took off her Goggles, picked up Vasques, and placed her back on her shoulder. With a smug expression, the blond left the Layer.
Kiyoko was staring at the screen in shock. In only three attacks, Vasques had defeated Michiru! It wasn't as good as Suzuka or Higure, but it was good enough to leave her speechless. That was harsh. Almost as harsh as when Higure fought Raishinshi. Tamiko was also watching the fight and shook her head.
"Hardly any Angel is able to beat Vasques, except for Suzuka, Mao, and once even Hikaru," she explained, "but I wouldn't be surprised if one day she even beat 'them'."
Kiyoko turned to her friend.
"Beat the Venus, the Mistress, and the Champ?" she asked in mock horror, then grinned, "no way."
Tamiko cracked a slight smile.
"Yeah, you're right," she said, softly, staring at Youzen.
Kiyoko noticed how her friend looked.
"Cheer up, Tamiko," Kiyoko encouraged, "he'll come next time."
Tamiko frowned.
"Sure he will," she said, grumpily, "just like he did last year."
Now it was Kiyoko's turn to frown.
"C'mon Tamiko, you know he probably did his best to come," she said, putting a on her friends' shoulder.
Tamiko still didn't look happy. Kiyoko frowned more. She hated it when she couldn't cheer up her friends, but what else could she do? Her mother told her before she left that she'd pleaded with him, but he had no way out of the meeting.
Just like 'her' Dad.
Kiyoko sighed, no longer paying attention to the TV. She thought about her Dad again and where he was. She remembered his last words before he left them.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Flashback++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"I have to go away for a while. I don't know how long I'll be gone, but I'll come back. I promise."
+++++++++++++++++++++++++Flashback End++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
(Will he keep his promise?) Kiyoko wondered, looking down at Raishinshi.
There was the sound of cheering and applauding from the TV. Kiyoko looked up in time to see an Angel dressed in different shades of blues went flying out of the Layer. Suzuka lowered her raised leg and looked in the defeated Angels' direction. Kiyoko smiled a bit.
(Dad said that it was tough fighting Suzuka, but he had fun playing Angelic Layer,) she thought, (he said that once he fought against all the Champions, he'd come home. So, why hasn't he come back?)
"E-3, Kotoko Tamiko?" a woman in uniform called from the doorway, "it's your turn."
Tamiko, still a little gloomy, got up.
"Good luck," Kiyoko said, coming out of thought.
Tamiko only nodded and headed out the door.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"It's time for the 3rd match for the 2nd half of the Tournament today!" the announcer cried, his chair moving closer to the Layer, "who'll fight this time?!"
Back in the stands, Ken was keeping a lookout for Tamiko. Mrs. Yume was still sad about what had happened earlier. Aya noticed her mothers' look and leaned over to her.
"Mom, stop acting like this is your fault," she said, "Tamiko's Dad should have checked to see if he could even come before he promised anything."
Mrs. Yume's expression grew stern.
"It was a last minute meeting," she protested, "he couldn't have known or done anything about it."
Aya sighed.
"Besides, it's not like he broke his promise on purpose," Mrs. Yume continued, "he really wanted to come."
Aya scowled and closed her eyes.
"Yeah, but he didn't," she huffed, "just like how Dad said 'he' would come home when he just ended up lying to us."
Mrs. Yume turned to her daughter.
"Don't say that!" she said, her expression now a frown again, "he didn't break his promise."
Aya opened her eyes and scowled at the ceiling.
"Then why didn't he come back?" she asked the open air.
Before Mrs. Yume could reply, Ken jumped up in his seat.
"There she is!" he cried, pointing.
Everyone turned to see a glum Tamiko walk out into the Layer area.
"In the East Corner, the 'Whiz Kid', Deus Kotoko Tamiko and Angel Youzen, the 'Blue Fighter'!" the announcer cried, "so far, these returning regulars have been victorious in all their matches! Will today be no exception?!"
Tamiko, still sad, ignored the cheers, and slid into the Angel Chair. She put on and turned on her Angel Goggles. She glanced down at Youzen. He, too, seemed to be sad.
"And in the West Corner, two pros of the Layer, Deus Shimata Maria and Angel Tsubaki!" the announcer continued.
Out came a girl with dark hair that gave off a slight purple sheen and bright brown eyes. She wore a yellow jacket with a hood. It wasn't open in front. She wore brown pants and white sneakers. An Angel was perched on her arm that Tamiko didn't get a chance to look at. The girl, Maria, slid into her Angel Chair, put on her Goggles, and turned them on. She glanced at Tamiko.
"Go, Tamiko, go!" Ken cheered. Takumi rolled his eyes, but clapped in support with his sister.
"Entry Angel!"
The stats filled out and the force field came on. The two chairs were raised to become even with the Layer. Tamiko looked down at Youzen.
(Well, here we go,) she thought, holding Youzen with both hands and held him in front of her, (I just wish Dad was here to see us.)
"Brains win over brawn!" she cried, shifting Youzen to her right hand, then drawing her right arm back, "Show'em Youzen!" she finished, throwing her Angel towards the Layer.
Youzen sailed towards the Layer and slid through the force field, making it ripple. He opened his violet eyes and the glow faded.
"Angel, Fall, in!" Tamiko finished.
Youzen somersaulted in the air and flung his legs downward on the third one. He extended his left leg and landed. He stood facing the direction of his foe. But this time, instead of narrowing his eyes, he simply frowned in tandem with his Deus.
Maria brought her Angel to her chest.
"My only partner, the World's Strongest, Tsubaki!" Maria cried and tossed her Angel towards the Layer, "Angel, fall-in!"
Tsubaki slid through the force field and opened her eyes. She did four flips in the air, and landed on her knees. She stood up, and waited for the match to begin. Now she was in plain view. Tamiko looked her over.
Tsubaki was about as tall as Youzen was and her bright purple hair went past her waist. She wore a purplish-blue outfit that had a long, divided shirttail in back. A white cloth was wrapped around her shoulders and was tied in front. She had short white pants underneath her long shirt and white gloves that reached her elbows. Below, she wore long white stockings that reached her thighs. Purple boots with a pale blue fold on top covered them up halfway. Two white Angel Cords were tied to the back of her shoulder cloth. Two yellow stars were in place of her ears and a cute purple heart was painted on her forehead. She had pale skin and dark purple eyes.
(I've heard of Tsubaki,) Tamiko thought to herself, despite her hurt feelings, (they say she's tough. But how tough?)
"Ready?" the announcer cried, "Angelic Fight!"
The buzzer sounded and Tsubaki charged at Youzen full speed. Youzen tensed. Tsubaki kept running at running in his direction, staring him down it seemed. She then leapt into the air, back to the lights. Youzen looked up at her, only to see her descending at a very high speed. Youzen didn't have time to react as Tsubaki's left foot crashed into his stomach and sent him sprawling back a foot. Tamiko gasped.
(Oh, no!) she thought in horror, watching her Angels' face grow pained.
Tsubaki had landed and was staring at Youzen as the blue Angel tried to get up. His damage had already shrunk to 75% because of the direct hit that he took. The crowd cheered at the hit.
"Yow! And Tsubaki scores a devastating drop kick, one of her specialties here in the Layer!" the announcer said, "I guess Kotoko and Youzen weren't expecting a hit like that!"
Tamiko bit her lip. Her Angel was hurt because of her, her mind was on other things. She was still thinking about her father. Taking a deep breath, Tamiko did her best to push those thoughts out of her mind. She focused in the fight at hand.
(Youzen, stand,) she told her Angel, gripping the armrests of the Angel Chair.
Youzen got up, shakily. He turned to Tsubaki who seemed to be waiting for him. The minute he stood, she charged him again. Youzen charged too, though a little slower. When in range, Tsubaki started delivering a flurry of punches. Youzen quickly brought his arms up to block. Tsubaki kept punching at the blue Angels' blockade, but Youzen held firm. Finally, Youzen dropped his block, batting Tsubaki's arms away in the process, and forward kicked her in the face with his left leg.
Tsubaki fell back as her damage shrank to 89%. The crowd cheered once again.
"And Youzen counters against Tsubaki in a fierce kick!" the announcer cried out, "this is gonna be good!"
"Go, Tamiko!" Ken shouted.
Maria winced at her Angel being hurt. She had always been attached to Tsubaki and hated it when she got hurt. But ever since her fight with Suzuhara Misaki three years ago, she grew less hateful towards other Deus', even though she still didn't like to see her Angel hurt.
(We just have to fight harder,) she told herself, and looked at Tamiko. She hesitated. (Why does she look so depressed?)
It was true, Tamiko still looked upset, and that reflected on Youzen's face.
Back in the East waiting room, Kiyoko noticed this as well. She stared sadly at the TV screen, where Youzens' face was featured. She knew the Angels' expression was mostly based on how their Deus' felt. And if Youzen looked 'that' sad, then Tamiko still had her father on her mind.
(Tamiko, I know you're still sad about your Dad not coming,) Kiyoko thought, her eyes on her friend, (but if you don't focus, Youzen'll get hurt.)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Tsubaki was charging once again at Youzen. Youzen put up a guard and waited. Tsubaki started executing another volley of punches, faster this time, and harder. Youzen was being forced back and was slowly approaching Layers' edge.
"Look out, Tamiko!" Ken cried.
Youzen glanced behind him, a reaction to Tamiko realizing that her Angel was being pushed back. Youzen jumped back an inch and front flipped over Tsubaki, but the purple-haired Angel was fast. As Youzen landed, Tsubaki had already run to that spot. She grabbed Youzen around the waist and bent backwards, throwing Youzen over her head. The back throw was successful, and Youzens' head and shoulders crashed onto the Layer surface. He clenched his teeth, his damage going to 65% now.
"Youzen!" Tamiko cried.
"Oh man! Tsubaki seems to be getting the upper hand!" the announcer cried, glancing over to Youzen, "Youzen seems to be taking some serious hits!"
Youzen flipped away as Tsubaki let him go. Above the Layer, Misaki watched the fight sadly.
"Youzen's getting hurt a lot," she said, "it's like he's hardly putting up a fight."
"He's not," Sai said, glancing down at Tamiko, "that back throw could have been avoided if Kotoko-san had been focused. Something doesn't seem right."
Maria noticed that too, but she didn't have time to think about it as Youzen charged at Tsubaki. He wasn't running at his usual speed, he seemed slower. Tsubaki tensed as Youzen got closer. When he was close enough, he high-kicked with his right leg, aiming for her head. But Tsubaki jumped back and stood ready.
(What's up with her?) Maria wondered, watching Tamiko's distressing stare, (anyone could dodge a kick that slow and she knew it.)
Youzen charged again and Tsubaki put up a guard as Youzen let loose a volley of punches. The punches weren't fast, but they 'were' hard. Tsubaki kept up her guard as Youzen continued to punch away. Finally, Tsubaki broke her guard, and punched forward. Youzen grabbed the incoming fist and threw the purple-haired Angel over his shoulder. Tsubaki hit the Layer and slid, but managed to stop before getting a Layer out.
"Nice counter Youzen!" Yuri called.
"Knock her flat!" Ken cried.
Back on the Layer, Tsubaki was recovering just as Youzen began to charge again. Tsubaki turned her dark purple eyes on him and waited for him in a position where she was on her hands and knees. As Youzen came close enough, Tsubaki's right leg shot out in a side kick. It connected with Youzen's stomach and, with a silent cry, he fell back a few inches.
"Youzen, hang on!" Tamiko cried, leaning forward in her chair.
The timer was at 7 minutes, surprisingly, but Youzen's Damage Gauge was at 60%. Takumi narrowed his eyes at the Layer.
(Tamiko,) he thought, (focus! Focus, or Youzen'll lose. Your father wouldn't want that.)
In back of the audience, Saburo was watching the whole fight from the doorway. His scowl was present.
(She shouldn't be at the Layer if she doesn't feel like playing,) he thought, leaning against the wall, (why is she pushing herself? It's obvious she's not focusing, not at the rate her Angel is moving.)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
A black pick-up truck was going down the street towards the Angelic Layer Stadium at high speed. The driver, a man in his late thirties with ash- brown hair and hazel eyes, shot a quick glance at his watch. He had left work two minutes ago and was going as fast as he could to get to the Stadium on time. He wanted to call, but he felt that that would take to long.
(Don't worry, Tamiko,) the man thought, (I'm coming.)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The timer reached 6 minutes and all Tamiko could have Youzen do was dodge and run from Tsubaki's attacks. Maria was starring at the blond with a confused look. Three years ago, she would have thought nothing of it, and would have kept on fighting. But, now she was more understanding and kind thanks to Suzuhara Misaki and her friends. They had all become good friends and she'd learned a lot from them.
And she could tell when someone was troubled.
Tsubaki executed a right spin kick, aiming for Youzens' head. Youzen ducked and ran back a bit. Tsubaki then stood still and stared at him, confused. Tamiko and Youzen both watched her curiously.
"Are you okay?"
Tamiko blinked and looked up. It was Maria.
"Huh?" she said, blankly.
"Are you okay?" Maria asked again, "your Angel is moving awkwardly."
Tamiko turned to Youzen and then back to the dark-haired Deus.
"I-I'm fine," she replied, but she couldn't hide the gloom in her voice.
Maria and Tsubaki raised an eyebrow in unison.
"Doesn't sound like it," she stated, "something wrong?"
Tamiko blinked out of confusion.
"I, um," she stammered, not expecting a question like that from her opponent, "nothing's wrong. I just got a lot of things on my mind."
Maria made a face, but settled for the answer for the moment. Tsubaki charged again. Youzen also charged. Both Angels ran at each other head on. Youzen drew back his fist, ready to punch. But Tsubaki ducked his fist as she came up under him and did a high kick to his chin. Youzens' head snapped back and he fell to the Layer. Tamiko gasped as Youzens' damage dropped.
"Oh man! Youzen is getting clobbered on the Layer!" the announcer cried, "Kotoko seems to be slipping at the controls! Youzen's going slower than usual!"
Takumi sighed as Ken screamed support for Tamiko.
"It's no good," he said, "she can't focus with her father's broken promise still on her mind."
Yuri nodded in agreement.
Maria knew that something was wrong, but she could tell that Tamiko wasn't going to tell her anything. She had been one to hide feelings herself, so she knew how Tamiko probably felt. Back in the Waiting Room, Kiyoko watched as Tsubaki charged Youzen and delivered a punch to his face. Kiyoko looked down at Raishinshi.
(I wish Mr. Kotoko was here,) she thought, (then Tamiko would be happy again.)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The man parked his van right next to the Stadiums' entrance. He scrambled out of his truck and ran for the doors. Once he entered the building, it took him only seconds to find the doors that led to the audience simply by hearing the crowd. He ran for them.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Youzen was struck once again in the face and fell to the Layer. His damage was at 40% and the timer was at four minutes. Tsubaki stood over Youzen a while, waiting for him to stand. Tamiko starred at her Angel and sighed sadly.
"This fight is over already," Saburo grumbled from the back of the room.
Back in the stands, Mrs. Yume watched sadly.
(If only you came, Shun,) she thought, (this meant so much to your daughter. You're the only family she has at the moment and you couldn't come see her?) She shook her head.
Behind her, up near the entrance on the arena, the double doors swung open. Someone ran down the walkway and headed for the wall that was around the Layer area. He went by her so fast, Mrs. Yume could only see the back of his head, but that was all she needed to know who he was. The man stopped at the short wall and looked at the Layer.
As he was doing this, Tamiko was lost in her thoughts.
(I should of known that Daddy wouldn't come, he never can,) she thought, sadly, (Mom and Ayumi are out of state and Kenta's in Kyoto, and Dad's always at work. I'm all alone. I don't know why I even came today when I always had the feeling that Dad wouldn't-)
"Tamiko!!"
Tamiko's head shot up and her eyes widened. She turned to her left, towards the audience. Behind the short wall that separated the audience from the Layer area, a man in a gray-blue business suit, ash-brown hair, and hazel eyes stood waving at her. Tamiko recognized him instantly.
"Daddy!" she cried in surprise.
Maria blinked and turned to see who Tamiko called to. Mr. Kotoko gave his daughter a warm smile.
"I didn't want to break my promise again!" he called to her, "I came to see you fight honey! Give it your all!"
Tamiko sat there, gaping at her father for a while. He actually came!
"Is that your Dad?" Maria called to her.
Tamiko turned to her and nodded.
"Y-Yeah, but, I thought he wasn't coming," she stammered.
Maria smiled. 'Now' she knew what the problem had been.
"Well, he's here now," she called, smiling, "so how about you show him a fight he won't forget?"
Tamiko suddenly smiled, her sadness melting away.
"Right!" she cried, her energy growing.
Youzen stood up and got into a fighting position. He was no longer frowning, but smiling. Tsubaki smiled back.
(I'm sorry I wasn't focused before, Youzen,) she thought to her Angel, (it'll be different this time.)
Now the fight had truly begun.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Icchan and his friend were watching the fight in the Video Room and both smiled as the cameras picked up a shot of Mr. Kotoko.
"Looks like he made it after all," the man said, smiling.
Icchan nodded, watching as Youzen stood up, and smiled.
"I didn't think Ogata made it to his store on time," he admitted, "looks like I misjudged the guy."
The other man turned to his friend and shook his head.
"You'll never let up on him will you?" he asked, smile still there.
Icchan grinned as he fixed his glasses.
"Don't let the outside fool ya," he explained, "he loves running around."
His friend only chuckled.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Now that both Deus' were in full spirits, the battle would really start to heat up. Even though it was halfway into three minutes, both Angels were ready. Tsubaki charged at Youzen again and threw a right hook. Youzen swiftly ducked the blow, spun around, and back kicked Tsubaki in the stomach. The Angel went flying back a foot, her Damage dropped to 75%.
"Woah, what a hit!" the announcer cried, the audience cheering loudly behind him, "looks like Youzen's making a comeback!"
Tsubaki got up and charged Youzen as he began to turn around. She caught him across the face with a left hook, but he countered with right spin kick to her face. Both stumbled back. The timer hit three minutes.
"Wow, Youzen's doing much better," Yuri commented.
"Tamiko's father came," Mrs. Yume explained, receiving everyone's surprised stares, "I saw him. I guess he found away to come and Tamiko must have seen him."
Takumi turned back to the Layer and smiled.
"That explains it," he said, "Youzen was reacting to his Deus' sadness, that's why he was so slow. Now that Tamiko knows her father's here, she's happy, and her focus is now completely on Youzen."
Ken grinned and started to dance in place.
"So Tamiko has a chance to win?" he asked, excited.
Takumi shrugged.
"I suppose," he said.
In back of the room, Saburo watched the battle with slightly renewed interest.
Youzen ran at Tsubaki this time and executed a series of spin kicks. Tsubaki managed to avoid some of them before jumping over the blue Angel. Youzen spun around and met her face to face. Both leapt at one another and punched. Both connected, the only difference was that Youzen blocked with his other arm. Youzen stumbled while Tsubaki fell back, but she rebounded with her hands on the Layer, pushed out, and slammed her feet into Youzens' stomach. But because she was a bit farther away, the damage wasn't much. He fell and slid a bit, but got right back up, as did Tsubaki. The timer hit two minutes. Youzen had 35% health and Tsubaki had 59%. Tamiko furrowed her brow.
(It's time Youzen,) she told her Angel, (let's do it for Dad!)
Youzen darted forward, but he ignored Tsubaki for the moment, and ran past her. He continued to run and started running in a medium circle around Tsubaki. The purple-haired Angel watched in confusion as the blue Angel went faster and faster. Then, Youzen began to glow a slight cerulean blue that grew brighter every time he ran a circle around Tsubaki. Finally, Youzen broke the circle, and ran straight at Tsubaki, still glowing. Tsubaki tensed.
The move Youzen was using was a move that Tamiko had developed by the time she had reached the Kantou Prelims last year. She had been working on perfecting it since then. Tsubaki hardly had a chance to move as Youzen stopped only a foot away and leapt into the air. His back was to the lights for a couple minutes before he descended to the Layer, right fist drawn back. The minute before he landed on the Layer, Youzen punched the Layer, all the blue energy channeled down onto it. Almost instantly, the Layer lit up with faceted blue light that radiated off the top of it and around the base of the force field. Everyone lost sight of the two Angels at that moment; the attack seemed to shake the Layer a bit as well. When the glow faded, Youzen stood on the Layer. Tsubaki was lying a foot away, her Damage Gauge to 0. The buzzer sounded, the timer stopped at one minute, and the crowd went nuts.
"WOW!! That was awesome!" the announcer cried, "it's been a long while since Youzen's used 'Ground Zero'! What a fight! And Youzen wins, what an amazing come from behind victory!"
Tamiko smiled and took off her Angel Goggles. Ken, Yuri, and Mrs. Yume were standing and applauding while Takumi and even Aya did it sitting down. On the balcony Misaki and Ringo clapped.
"Not too shabby," Madoka commented.
Sai nodded in agreement.
In the East Waiting Room, Kiyoko was hopping up and down, hugging Raishinshi.
"She won! She won! Oh, Raishinshi, she won!" Kiyoko cried out, happily.
Tamiko hopped off the Angel Chair and ran to where her Dad was, behind the wall.
"Daddy!" she cried, happily, hugging her Dad.
Mr. Kotoko smiled and hugged his daughter.
"I came as quick as I could," he told her, "I didn't want to miss anything."
Tamiko looked up at her Dad and smiled, but it quickly turned into a frown.
"But aren't you going to get in trouble at work?" she asked, "Mrs. Yume said that you were in the middle of a meeting."
Mr. Kotoko looked puzzled for a minute.
"That's the funny part," he said, "right before the meeting began, a man in a blue suit arrived and said that he'd take my place at the meeting. I wanted to say 'thank you', but I didn't have the chance. He looked rather frazzled." Mr. Kotoko shrugged. "But I'm just glad I got to see your match."
"Did you like it?" Tamiko asked.
Her father smiled.
"I loved it," he said.
Tamiko beamed.
"Hey."
Tamiko blinked and looked behind her. Maria was there, holding both Tsubaki and Youzen. She held the blue Angel out to Tamiko.
"I believe this is your Angel," she said, politely.
Tamiko nodded and took Youzen. She looked down at her Angel. Youzen now had a slight smile on his face.
"I knew something was bothering you," Maria pointed out, "Tsubaki and I apologize if we hurt him too much."
Tamiko gave the dark-haired girl an assuring smile.
"No worries, I have an Angel Repair Kit," she told her, "I should be apologizing to you for using Youzens' big move on Tsubaki."
"You were fighting in front of your Dad," Maria pointed out, nodding in Mr. Kotoko's direction, "it's only natural that you make it fancy."
Tamiko blushed and held out her hand.
"Well, thanks for being patient with me," she said, "I hope we fight again sometime."
Maria took Tamiko's hand and shook it.
"You bet," she agreed.
*Uh...konya mo mata...*
Back in the Video Room, Icchan and his friend smiled at the sight.
"She and Kiyoko should have good fights," Icchan stated, watching Maria walk away, "I expect they'll get very far in the Tournament."
*....hakanai hoshi zora*
His friend nodded. Back in the Layer area, Mr. Kotoko smiled down at his daughter.
*Uh...hikaru hoshi ni....*
"I'm very proud of you," he said, "you fought well."
Tamiko nodded and hugged her father.
*....negai o kakeru kara*
"I did it for you Dad," she said, "thanks for keeping your promise to me."
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Nothing like a little drama, eh? Anyway, sorry this took so long. I had a headache like you wouldn't believe and it was hard for me to write out the battle scene. I hope you liked it and Youzens' special attack. If I made a mistake, please e-mail me so I can correct it. Next time, it's sort of an R&R chapter that I hope to make fun. Stay tuned for more action. Please Read and Review! No flames, please!