Hello all! A little later than I had hoped, but it's a long one! I have to say a few thing first though.
"~ ~" = Talking through a microphone.
And Sakuraryu will always be referred to as Sakuraryu in this chapter. ^.^ other than that, enjoy yourselves!
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One Second Counts: Year Two - Kajuu's Turn To Shine
The stadium was dark and silent. Kajuu, along with the other Deus' were told to stand in lines on either side of a small podium. Kajuu went to her respective spot, in the dark. After the Deus' were confirmed to be in the right spot, a light turned on, shining on the small podium. It revealed an Angel Egg.
"This is an egg….filled with a dream." The announcer began as the TVs showed random Angels fighting in the Nationals. They began to flash faster and faster, until the screen went white. The shapes of two Angels began to form. Athena was shown slightly faded in the foreground, and the fight turned out to be the last fight from the Nationals last year.
"With the right courage, knowledge, and love…" After flashing a few key points in the battle, it showed Taki's last hit as the announcer finished "…anyone can shine with their Angel." The TVs then showed Taki's bonus fight with Athena. "This game is called…" When the key points of Taki's bonus fight was shown, Athena was alone on the TV, wings spread, knees tucked to her chest. "….ANGELIC LAYER!!!" Athena threw herself out of her ball, and the screens went black. The only light that remained was the single one, shining on the Angel Egg.
"Welcome everyone, to the National Tournament of Angelic Layer! It's that time again to decide who is the best, the strongest, Deus and Angel. All of these Deus' have fought hard to get here. Each one is the winner of their regional tournament. How will they do in the Nationals?" The crowd went wild with cheers, chanting their favorite Deus' name or their favorite Angel. "And this year, there's someone with the Deus. Someone to help them on their way to the top! Let's bring out the Deus' Second! That's right, we're bringing back the idea of each Deus choosing their own Second. The one person who knows most about the Deus and their Angel." 6 more people walked out, and joined their Deus.
"Hey Kajuu!" Kazan waved as she walked up to her friend. "Think they'll say anything about us?"
"Maybe." Kajuu smiled as Kazan stood next to her.
"Instead of last year's champion, Haiiro Kazan, being in the tournament, she is Second to the second place Deus, Kiriyou Kajuu! We've seen them battle each other, but how will they work together?" One of the spotlights turned on the two girls. They both smiled and waved.
"Now, it's time for the Entry Angel!! This year we will start off with the Champion and her Angel!!!"
"Lighten up the future, Athena's wings!" The Champion threw her white Angel towards the Layer. "Angel, fall-in!" Athena spread her wings, and landed, both feet on the Layer. Her wings slowly folded, and stood where she was.
"Sakuraryu! Use the force of the Layer to topple this foe!" Kajuu tossed Sakuraryu into the Layer. "Angel, fall-in!" With her eyes closed, Sakura did a split and thrust her left had downwards. She seemed to stay suspended for a second or two. Then, she moved the same hand upward, and she plummeted towards the Layer at an amazing speed. She landed with one knee out, kneeling, and the other leg tucked under her body. Her left hand was in front, and her right had at her side, making a fist. As soon as she hit the ground, her purple eyes shot open. She gracefully stood up, and faced outwards, near the edge of the Layer.
"Kyoko, you are what you know and you know you can win! On the wings of an angel, fly to victory!" Another Deus threw her Angel in. "Angel, fall-in!" Kyoko fell through the Layer, doing three somersaults in midair. She landed on her hands and used them as a springboard to go back several feet. She also stood facing outwards, near the edge of the Layer.
"Make it rain silver snow! Go forth, Shirahime!" Sai threw Shirahime into the Layer. "Angel, fall-in!" Shirahime fell into the Layer, and landed in the same position as the other Angels. The other three Dues' did their Entry, and the crowd roared.
"These are the strongest Angels! Who will be the victor this year? The crowd called out several names. The Dues' chairs were lowered, and each Deus took their Angel off the Layer. Kajuu walked over to her Second, and smiled. As they we're walking out, they began to talk to each other.
"So Kazan, you know how to work those huge things yet?" Kajuu said, meaning the equipment the Seconds used.
"Yeah. It's pretty cool actually. One thing though, it's a one-way system. I talk to you, tell you important things and such. So if you hear me say something, don't try and respond. Always keep your concentration on the Layer."
"No problem with that!" Kajuu winked. Both girls sat down in the East Corner waiting room. Their fight was next, and they didn't want to go too far.
*_*_*
"Ryuzo! What on earth are you doing?" A voice could be heard all the way across the café. A boy, about 15 years of age, slowly raised his face from the pile of food he was digging into.
"Umm….eating?" He said, looking confused. The person who had yelled at him stormed up, Angel in hand. She was blonde haired, and purple-eyed. Her hair had purple ends, and it was worn up in pigtails. She wore a pink T-shirt with the Piffle Princess Logo on it, and capris with a pink belt. She had black, height-enhancing shoes, with Piffle Princess shoelaces and decoration. She looked about 15, and she was very short for her age.
"You are such a child Ryuzo! Our match starts soon! Get your lazy butt to the waiting room!" The girl shouted. Ryuzo wore his school uniform. It was blue, with gold lining going down the middle of the shirt. It had a high collar, and his pants were the same color as his shirt. He wore plain black shoes, and a school baseball cap backwards hiding his dark curly hair. He had hazel-ish eyes, which had a certain gleam to them that told you he was the funny guy.
"Why'd you ask me to be your Second if you think that of me?" Ryuzo asked in a hurt voice.
"Honestly, I don't know." The girl kept walking.
"You're so mean Sakura!" Ryuzo said as they sat down in the waiting room.
*_*_*
"E-1, Kiriyou Kajuu and Haiiro Kazan?"
"That's us!" The two girls said in unison. They giggled as they walked out towards the arena. Kazan took a deep breath.
"I'll give you information on the other Angel as soon as the Entry Angel is done."
"Sounds great!" Kajuu wouldn't let anyone know, but she was scared. She couldn't stop thinking about her loss to Kazan and Taki the year before. Finally, the announcer called the Deus' and Seconds.
"Welcome everyone to the first match of this year's National's Tournament!!! To start off, we will have two favorites battling it out! In the East Corner, Deus: Kiriyou Kajuu, Angel: Sakuraryu!!!! And their Second, Haiiro Kazan!!!" The two walked out, and Kajuu went to her seat, Kazan to her desk. Kazan put on the headset, and Kajuu put on her visor. "And in the West Corner, Deus: Takanouchi Sakura!! Angel: Kyoko!!!! And their Second, Shirakawa Ryuzo!!!" Sakura walked out, Ryuzo stumbling behind. They both put their equipment on, and as soon as each Deus had their visors on, the chairs were raised.
"~Test….if you can hear me, wave.~" Kazan spoke into the microphone, and Kajuu waved back.
"Now it is time to reveal the Angel's battle ground! That's right, we only do the special Layers in the Nationals now! This match will be held on….This!!!" The Layer got brighter, and finally revealed it's new form. The whole Layer was a dark shade of blue, with white spots everywhere. "That's right ladies and gentlemen!" The announcer continued as the crowd 'oooooooo'ed and 'aaaaahhhhh'ed. "These two Angels will be fighting in the night sky! And with no more delay, Angels to the Layer!"
"Sakuraryu! Use the force of the Layer to topple this foe!" Kajuu tossed Sakuraryu into the Layer. "Angel, fall-in!" With her eyes closed, Sakura did a split and thrust her left had downwards. She seemed to stay suspended for a second or two. Then, she moved the same hand upward, and she plummeted towards the Layer at an amazing speed. She landed with one knee out, kneeling, and the other leg tucked under her body. Her left hand was in front, and her right had at her side, making a fist. As soon as she hit the ground, her purple eyes shot open. She gracefully stood up, and took a defensive position, one hand in front of her, the other poised behind her head. Her feet were spread for balance.
"Kyoko, you are what you know and you know you can win! On the wings of an angel, fly to victory!" Sakura threw her Angel in. "Angel, fall-in!" Kyoko fell through the Layer, doing three somersaults in midair. She landed on her hands and used them as a springboard to go back several feet. She wore a ninja type outfit. It was a short sleeve shirt that crossed over itself, with a belt holding it at her waist. The shirt still continued past the belt to her thighs. She wore pants under the belt, which came to her knees. She had short boots. Her boots were red, her pants were purple, and her shirt was purple with red lining. Her hair was dark, but shiny red, and held up in a high ponytail, except two pieces left down in front of her hair.
"Angelic FIGHT!"
"~Kajuu, this Angel is lightweight, with emphasis on defense. She has a special attack that can bend wind. You'll have to find a way to counterattack it.~"
Sakuraryu charged at Kyoko, who swung her arm around, creating wind that came flying at Sakuraryu. She leapt into the air, but still got hit, which caused her to go flying backwards. Kyoko then ran for a follow up attack. Sakuraryu got up just in time to avoid another hit. Kyoko then leapt into the air, and drew her hand back for anther wind attack. She swung her arm around again, and generated wind, which went flying at Sakuraryu. Again they hit the white-haired Angel, sending her back once more.
Kajuu gritted her teeth, as did Kazan. Sakuraryu was pretty much helpless if she couldn't dodge or block the wind. She got up and charged again, this time, crossing her arms over her face for protection. She was able to keep going after one hit of wind, but the second knocked her back again.
"~Kajuu! What does Sakuraryu use to generate the power for the Gravity Charge?~" Kazan said, looking up Kajuu's Deus and Angel information. Kajuu's face lightened up. 'If her attack goes through this, then Sakuraryu is totally helpless, but I have to try!' Sakuraryu spread her arms out as the next attack came. A yellow barrier formed a complete circle around the Angel. The wind attack was blocked, and once it disappeared, Sakuraryu took her guard down.
"~Try getting close, if you're close enough, she can't gain enough momentum to perform her wind attack!~" Kazan said. Kajuu was thinking the same thing, and already sending Sakuraryu towards the red-haired Angel. When she got close enough, Sakuraryu threw a punch, which Kyoko countered with a punch of her own. Sakuraryu grabbed Kyoko's fist and lifted her knee up and slammed into the other Angels stomach. She then swung Kyoko around, still holding her fist, and let go after gaining enough momentum. Kyoko went flying towards the edge of the Layer, but fell short of a Layer Out. Sakuraryu ran after the opposing Angel as fast as she could.
Sakura gritted her teeth, and tried to make her Angel move, but she wasn't fast enough. Sakuraryu had already dropped on Kyoko's stomach. Both Angels were below 50 in their damage points. Kyoko slowly stood up, facing her opponent. She quickly used another wind attack that threw Sakuraryu across the Layer. Once Sakuraryu got up, Kajuu eyed her damage.
"~Sakuraryu's damage is too low! One more strong hit, and she's done. It's all or nothing from this point on!~" Kazan stated what Kajuu already knew. Kyoko was charging, and Kajuu could tell she was getting ready for a wind attack. 'Give me all you got Sakuraryu.' Kajuu thought as her Angel charged. Both Angels met at the center, Kyoko throwing a wind punch and Sakuraryu doing her shield at the last second possible. The Layer exploded, and everyone went silent. The announcer blinked and stuttered.
"I don't know what to say Angelic Layer fans! In a desperate last attempt at a win, both Angels put everything into that last attack. All we can do is wait until the damage is calculated!" The dust cleared, and both Angels lie, sprawled on the surface of the Layer. Suddenly, two buzzers sounded at the exact same time. A dull roar began as both Angels had lost all their hit points at the exact moment.
"Not possible!" Kazan said. She typed a few things, and reviewed the last seconds of the battle. It was true. It was a tie.
"U-uh…." The announcer stuttered. He put his hand up to his ear, and then cleared his throat. "This match is officially a tie! Since there cannot be ties in this tournament, there will be a rematch held later on today! The time is still to be announced. Deus' and Seconds, please tend to your Angel, and watch for announcements on a rematch time."
Both Deus chairs were lowered, and they each grabbed their Angel and walked to their waiting room. Kazan was in a fit of rage at the moment. "How dare they! It can't end like THIS!! A rematch??? We had the ADVANTAGE!!!" She ranted on and on about being unfair, to the point where Kajuu stopped listening. After a 15 minute cool down session, Kazan fixed Sakuraryu up, and the two took a break, anxiously waiting for rematch information.
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Well, it's not quite over yet for our two Angels, but I do have to say this. Sakura is another one of my friends, and she is also on fanfiction.net. Her penname is Sakura Takanouchi. She has fanfics in Yu Yu Hakusho, Angelic Layer, Hunter x Hunter, and InuYasha. Check them out! They're also really good! ^.^ READ THEM!!! ^.^; anyway, then next chappie will be as soon as I have the time, but I'll try not to keep you waiting for too long! Oh, and the whole 'Second' thing is from the anime. Don't understand? E-mail me and I'll try and help!! ^.^ Leave a review, and I'll get the next chappie up ASAP!!!