Vel's Note: NOOOO! I dun wanna let go of Sakura and Hannah! I'ma miss them! I have nothing else to say except that there will probably be only one or two chapters following this (cries). I have some more art of Sakura, and Sakura, Rinrei, and Kuro that I need to ink and upload. Keep checking my profile because I won't say here when I upload it.
Story so far: The Final battle between two tough cookies! Cupid, with her deadly kiss. How is she able to hit Sakura without even touching her? And Sakura, the little balance underdog. What Sakura lacks in strength she makes up in surprises! Who will win?
Disclaimer: I don't own Angelic Layer or Naruto, just my characters.
Another deadly kiss struck, this time unbalancing the balance angel! Sakura was knocked to the ground, losing a few points.
I don't understand! How is Sakura getting hit? Hannah leaned forward in her seat.
Sakura struggled to her feet, staring coldly with her bright emerald eyes at her foe. Cupid looked ready to let another deadly kiss strike. Sakura charged, as fast as she could, almost in range.
But she flew back, a few inches as another of Cupid's kisses hit. More points were subtracted, leaving her gauge a little above the fifty mark. She didn't give up though; slowly she got to her feet, knees shaking a little. We must try again, please Sakura!
The pink haired angel started to pick up speed again; we'll try death from above. Hannah thought, sending the command. Sakura leapt up high, her presence seemingly disappearing in the lights.
Cupid tried another kiss sending it upwards but nothing happened. She kept trying, forgetting to move when Sakura landed a blow on the red Angel. Hannah didn't give Linda time to think though; she kept attacking with as much force as Sakura could muster. Landing a few punches kicks and flips, Cupid's points took a dramatic drop.
"Time to get serious Cupid!" Linda called, gritted her teeth right after.
Cupid's eyes seemed to glow red, her arms shot up and successfully blocked a kick from Sakura. The balance Angel kept trying to kick and punch but every time she was blocked by Cupid.
"Oh no! And things looked like they were going well for Sakura! With only a minute and forty five seconds on the clock can she turn this battle around?" the announcer said into his microphone.
"Weiss-san reminds me of Ringo-san." Misaki said to Icchan, smiling.
"How so?" he asked, already knowing the answer.
Misaki's smile grew wider; "Cupid uses the same attacks as Lanka's Dance of Death. I hope Leonhart-chan can figure it out though. Otherwise this battle seems out of her reach."
Sakura backed off, leaping towards the other side of the layer. She was just in time to watch Cupid send another kiss in her direction.
Here it comes! Hannah commanded Sakura to put her guard up.
Something curious happened. Actually, nothing happened. Except a gentle wind blew Sakura's pink hair. Wha-? Hannah observed, and then a science lesson came back to her. It's something like air pressure! Cupid's attacks are air! She forces a strong wind in my direction and it hurts Sakura! But since were so far away the wind has died down!
A small smirk appeared on Hannah's face. This did not go unnoticed by Linda, "Miss Hannah. Why are you smirking?"
"I know your secret." Hannah watched as a look of horror went across her opponent's face. Then Linda's expression turned into one of doubt, "I'm not bluffing either." Hannah added. It went back to a horrified look. "Go Sakura!"
The balance Angel charged, easily avoiding Cupid's kisses by jumping up high.
A loud cheer erupted from the crowd; they all screamed "Go Sakura Go! Go Sakura Go!" it kept getting louder, and louder, and louder till it was almost unbearable.
Sakura kept getting faster, continuing to push herself to her limits as the cheers continued. She was now in range of Cupid, landing a hard blow to the other Angel's stomach. Cupid fell backwards, taken by surprise. Once again Hannah didn't give Linda time to think.
The balance Angel jumped high, folding one leg, and coming down with her knee to land a deadly blow on Cupid. Linda screamed but her voice was lost in the noise that erupted from the crowd. Hannah was almost positive that for a split second she saw a tall black Angel that looked like Lulu next to Sakura. Only for a second though, msut have been her imagination. It was Hannah's lucky day because the clock ran out about a second after Sakura landed her blow.
The computer calculated the damage each Angel had delivered. Both Deus waited, mentally crossing their fingers. A beeping noise came from the screen as it finished.
Winner: Sakura
A roar arose from the crowd, from everybody. The announcer flapped his arms and screamed into the microphone; but his words were lost among the voices of the crowd. The V.I.P. seats erupted in noise too, even from Kira. Misaki and her group was calmer, they stood up and clapped. Misaki immediately left the room along with Icchan.
Sakura ran off the layer jumping high before becoming lifeless and landing in Hannah's hands. Just in time for pink confetti to cover her and her Deus. There was a standing ovation that threatened to burst your eardrums. Then over the loudspeaker the announcer came on again.
"Congratulations Hannah and Sakura, the new champions! But before you all go, and before we crown the winners we have a bit of a surprise!" he grinned as the audience sat back down quietly. "Back to the Layer champion! One more battle! With the Queen of Angelic Layer! MMMMIIISSSSAAAKKII SSUUUZUUUHAARRAA!" there was a moment of silence before the crowd erupted again.
Misaki entered the arena with Hikaru on her shoulder. Misaki was tall now, around sixteen and her hair was a little longer now. Hannah noted she looked a little like Misaki, since they both had light brown hair, even if Hannah had one gray eye she still had a blue eye that was the same color as Misaki's blue eyes.
Hikaru had changed a little from her older design. Her hair and eyes and size were still the same, it was just her costume that was different. It was still a tight-fitting lightweight armor, but now white sleeves came out from under her shoulder armor and some black fabric was added the make her gloves almost reach her sleeves. On the neck of her costume a small gold crown design was sewn in, marking her a champion. Otherwise she was still the same.
Instead of the usual 'Angels to the Layer' the announcer said "Champions to the Layer!"
Misaki mumbled something to Hikaru before letting her fall in. "Power of the Stars be with us now!" Hannah mumbled, "Angel, Fall in!" silently she added, "Good luck."
Both Angels landed on one knee and stood up to face each other. Sakura was a little taller than Hikaru, probably meaning Hikaru had an emphasis on speed.
"ANGELIC FIGHT!" the announcer yelled louder than ever into the microphone. They had returned to the flat layer for this battle.
Misaki obviously didn't underestimate Sakura at all; she attacked with all her might. Hannah just knew she did. The speed Angel ran at amazing speed towards the balance Angel. She leapt up coming in with a flying kick. Sakura dropped to her hands and cart wheeled away.
She was taken by surprise though when Hikaru easily stopped and attacked her from behind. Sakura was launched to the other side of the layer, but landed on her feet at she spun in the air. What a fabulous Angel. And she's taking me seriously, I couldn't dream of a more fun fight! Hannah smiled, commanding Sakura back out into the battle.
Death from Above usually worked, so Hannah gave that a shot. Her Angel disappeared in the lights, landing hard on the ground. She hadn't fallen but Hikaru had disappeared too. She's above Sakura! Look out! Hannah commanded, Misaki is using my attacks too, she has good eyes.
Indeed Hikaru was hidden in the lights, this time she was taken by surprise. Sakura balanced on her hands, purposely in Hikaru's way. When the speed Angel came down of the kill she spun, sending a ton of kicks at Hikaru and stopped her momentum.
The audience roared again for Hannah. Misaki smiled before saying, "I have not underestimated your skills Leonhart-san. You are a worthy opponent. But I'm afraid Hikaru and I have a reputation of defeating every Angel since Suzuka beat us. And we must keep a promise that we will never lose again."
A hush fell over the crowd as two white wings sprung from Hikaru's back, that was a new feature. She hovered high above the layer, with a massive amount of power gathering between her hands. Hannah watched in horror as the Layer exploded with light.
Sakura, Hikaru, and the whole Layer disappeared in the smoke left behind. Slowly it became visible again, first Hikaru still floating over the layer, the layer, and then the little figure lying lifelessly. Sakura's arms were crossed over her chest as if she had tried to protect herself at the last moment.
"HIKARU WINS!" the announcer cried, "But Sakura gave Misaki a run for her money in the end!" the crowd roared.
Hannah couldn't help but let a small tear roll down her cheek, one of joy, not sorrow. Sakura had given it her all and she did not lose to just any one. The Deus quickly wiped the tear away and went to pick up her Angel. For the first time she had lost, the first time Sakura had become lifeless with leaping or being taken off the layer. It did hurt, but they were still the champions.
"Thanks. For helping me to my dreams of being a champion." Hannah hugged her Angel. Her special moment was interrupted, as Misaki placed a heavy crown on her head. She also placed a crown on Sakura's head, being careful of her goggles.
A small microphone had been attached to her shirt, "Ladies and gentlemen. This is Hannah Leonhart and Sakura, your new champions!"