Author's Note: Please allow me some time to not update... my best friend is going to commit suicide and there is nothing I can do to help her but be there and talk to her. So give me some time to myself, I'm extremly depressed and I'm really sorry...

Disclaim: Trust me. If I owned Angelic Layer I wouldn't be writing Fanfics about it...

"I'm bored."

"Same."

"Yeah."

"This sucks."

The four teens lay on the beach, staring at the waves as the rolled onto shore. Three Angels dressed in swimsuits sat in front of each girl. Jesse was the odd man out with no Angel.

Claire made bathing suits for each Angel, just because she was bored at home last night and thought it would look cute. Shani's suit was a pink bikini with a little blue ballet shoe design. Metallica had a dark blue suit that was like a halter-top and came down to about her navel. It was metallic and had no design. Finally, Haru's was a black halter that tied at the back of her neck and came down to about her ribcage (If she had one) with a red note design and black short like bottom piece.

"Well, Shani looks… cute." Chris commented, trying to make small talk.

Everyone else nodded and Claire just said a quick thank you.

"You guys signed up for the tournament thing. Right?" Claire asked.

A chorus of 'Yes's followed.

"Good. Then we better get going." Claire stood up shaking out her towel.

The other three looked at each other all confused. "Why?"

"'Cause it's today. Duh."

"What!"

"Huh?"

"Nani!" (That came from Miyako)

Claire grinned, feeling powerful at the moment, "Honestly. Didn't you guys read where it said, 'Tournament May 25?' Today is the twenty fifth!"

Everyone, save Claire scrambled to get their stuff together, all ready to go within minutes.

"Great. Chris, you're driving right?" Claire grinned.

An audible sigh escaped the older girl, "Apparently. To the battle wagon!" she shouted, referring to her dad's station wagon.

"Are we there yet?" Claire asked, just to get on Chris's nerves. Since there was no one behind her Chris stomped on the brake to send the brunette flying forward. As far as she could go in a seat belt that is.

"NO!" Chris pressed the gas pedal again. Jesse and Miyako, in the back remained quiet.

A hush fell over the car until Claire couldn't stand it. She broke the silence with, "How about now?"

"NOOOO!" Chris roared, resisting the urge to strangle Claire. "Do you want to go to this tournament or not?"

Everyone was silent after that.

"Are we-?" four hands reached up from the backseat and clamped over Claire's mouth.

Shortly after getting Claire to shut up they arrived at the Angelic Layer stadium in downtown. All four of them were still in their bathing suits and shorts, aside from Jesse who was wearing swim trunks and a loose shirt. So the three girls dug around in their bags, realizing they hadn't packed any extra clothes. "Dog gaunnit!"

"Darn it!"

"Goda-" Chris got halfway through her foul word before Miyako covered her mouth quickly with her hand.

"Potty mouth." Claire teased. The three only had shorts and beach skirts to wear over their swimsuits.

After receiving strange looks and after signing in they entered the stadium and stepped into the waiting room. Miyako was wearing orange shorts, blue flip-flops and a blue bikini top. Claire an extremely short pink skirt, pink aqua socks and a pink top. And Chris a black one-piece swimsuit shorts and flip-flops. While on the other hand every other Deus in the waiting room was fully clothed. Jesse seemed fine since his trunks could pass as shorts.

"First Battle: Claire Anona versus Adriana Shomo." A monotonous sounding person said over the intercom. Claire smiled happily exiting the room with Shani. A girl across the room stood and left the room, so everyone guessed she was Adriana. "Deuses in the waiting room, you may proceed through the door next to the front desk to watch the battle." The intercom said after a few minutes of silence. Almost everyone got up and left the room to go watch.

The room was dark with a large television, surround sound and a red shag carpet. Everyone stood from shortest to tallest so they could each see the screen clearly. The tv flickered to life as the Angels fell into the layer.

Shani twirled her scepter, showing off a little and dazzling the crowd; especially all the little girls who immediately fell in love with her.

Her opponent, a tough looking Angel spun her brown staff several times. It had a wicked sharp tip shaped like a silver crescent moon on the top. She looked as if she were built for power, rather tall with long dark blue hair and steely gray eyes. She wore a short skirt, dark blue, a white, skintight, short sleeve shirt with a dark blue ribbon on the chest and long dark blue boots that went to her knees with a silver crescent moon design. On her hands were white gloves with no design that went past her elbows. The final pieces to her costume were a dark blue choker with a silver crescent moon and a golden colored headpiece with a silver moon design that was between her silver eyes. Overall she wore minimal armor.

"Angel Shani!" the announcer raised his hand, "Angel Bakura!" his hand raised higher. "Angelic Fight!"

She flew from the ground at lightning quick speed, racing towards Bakura, Scepter in one hand and ready to punch with the other. Only a few feet, inches, centimeters apart.
Boom!

The crowd gasped. It looked to be a one hit knockout, but appearances can be deceiving.

Shani flew back, almost to the edge of the layer. She took on major damage, her hit points were still calculating. Claire gasped. HOW? She though; begging mentally for an answer. Bakura's guard was down, yet in the blink of an eye she had almost been defeated.

The points were calculated and more than half of Shani's HP had been deducted. Still on the ground the speed Angel tried pulling herself to her feet, but to no avail. Tears formed in the corners of Claire's eyes. She didn't want to try again, she didn't want to get Shani hurt again. A wave of emotions rushed over her, fear, frustration, anger, worry, doubt, and an emptiness she had never felt before.

"She wants to give up." Chris crossed her arms.

"What are you talking about?" Miyako asked.

"Shani can get up, but she's guided by her Deus's heart. Claire right now doesn't want to keep fighting so Shani can't get up. I'm almost angry at Claire…" she closed her eyes, "I know her, if she gives up at the beginning of the race she can't come from behind."

"So you mean…?"

"… Claire's fighting spirit is not strong enough for this opponent. She cannot win."

Shani please get up! Claire pleaded her Angel.

The Angel seemed to be in great pain, she struggled to her feet, only able to get onto all fours. She was close to standing up, almost to her feet when Bakura struck again. It was a hit that she put little effort into, but enough to break Claire's heart again.

The ballerina Angel collapsed again, her hit points were close to zero. Claire squinted her eyes shut as Shani was hit on the back by the base of Bakura's staff.

"This doesn't look good for Angel Shani! It's been a one way fight this whole match. Shani has taken much damage but Bakura is completely unscathed!" the announcer cried. This didn't exactly encourage Claire any.

The ballerina appeared to be panting and completely worn out, she was back on all fours again. She didn't seem to care that Bakura was looming over her. Shani looked up at her opponent pitifully. I don't want to fight anymore… Claire choked back tears. She took a moment to look up at the layer and gasped.

Bakura's staff was raised high above her head, ready for the final blow. She swung it down, but was blocked! Shani raised her scepter to block the oncoming attack. But the force from Bakura's blow sent her skidding to the very edge of the layer. She laid on her side, unable to get on her knees anymore.

"This is…" Chris started.

"The end…" Miyako and Jesse replied.

Bakura walked over casually walked over to Shani, ready to send the Angel off the layer probably. "I'm sorry, but I've got a promise to keep!" Adriana said loudly so Claire could hear.

"Huh-?" she looked up, blinking at her opponent confused.

She was just in time to watch Bakura's staff raise and drop like a bomb onto the middle of Shani's stomach. The speed Angel squirmed under Bakura's staff for a moment, until the computers finished calculating the damage. Then Shani became lifeless.

Miyako, Jesse, and Chris let out a breath they hadn't realized they'd been holding.

Claire sat in shock for a moment. She'd practiced and practiced with Shani. But in under a minute she had been defeated without even touching her opponent.

Adriana turned off Bakura, walking over and gently picking up both Angels. She headed over towards Claire's chair, placing the Angel in her hands. Claire must have still been in shock because she just sat there staring.

The girl nodded and walked back towards the waiting room.

Three teenagers walked out onto the floor, removing Claire's headset and getting her to snap out of her shock. They then circled around her and led her to the waiting room.

Claire sat down, turning back into shock mode.

Miyako, Jesse, and Chris returned to the 'screening room' to watch the next match. On their way they eavesdropped on a conversation.

"Adriana is really nice but you've gotta be careful around her." one girl said to her friend.

"Yeah… I know… she breaks your fighting spirit at the beginning of the match, then it's smooth sailing for her the rest of the way."

"I heard that 95 of Deus's that go against her never play Angelic Layer again."

"Really?"

"Yeah! I heard it's extremely hard to repair a broken spirit, even if you do you doubt your Angel and they lose."

There's more to this game than just playing with toys! Miyako realized, this is a journey! Oh my gosh… I sound like those people who take everything seriously!

Chris huffed as she watched the match end on the TV.

"Christina Lenon and Amy Wang. Please go to the arena for your battle!" a less dull sounding voice said over the intercom.

Chris let out another audible huff and left the room silently. Let's kick some butt Metallica. She thought walking slowly so the Angel on her shoulder didn't fall.

Claire joined her two friends in the waiting room. But there was no high-pitched hello or a death hug. She just gave a weak smile and stare at the ground.

Jesse noticed her powder blue eyes had lost there shine and the happy glow n her face had faded.

He jerked his head up when he heard the surround sound boom out Metallica's name.

Metallica's arms were crossed and she wore that same dark scowl like she did every time she stepped in the layer. Her sword leaned lightly on her leg, looking wicked sharp and deadly.

Her opponent, an equally dark looking Angel scowled right back at her. She too had a sword, it was much thicker than Metallica's. Her opponent was slightly taller than Metallica so more than likely she was a power. Good thing Metallica was a defense.

"Angel Metallica! Angel Kali!" the announcer looked at both Angels who looked to him and glared. "Angelic Fight!"

The clang of metal rung throughout the arena, and several snarls as both combatants attacked with all their force. Another clash and more growls and snarls. For this match the odds were dead even.

Next Track Preview!

Metallica is a defense Angel and Kali is a Power. Both have no effect on each other. It'll be a tough and long match but Chris's determination could be enough to overcome! But Amy seems pretty determined too! And what's up with Claire? She wants to withdraw?