Disclaimer: Angelic Layer is the creation of CLAMP. Any non-canon characters belong to me. Got that? ;o)
Dedicated to Firebird/Shutsumon and Phoenix from CCU, who never did get back to his AL fic :o) This is for you, guys.
Oh yeah, and Firebird/Shutsumon, thanks for coming up with something better for "DG" to stand for. I really appreciate it.
Angelic Layer Neo: Tokyo
Chapter 4: DG Stands For...
by HA
Misaki wasn't sure if Deathpincer was an Angel. It wasn't humanoid in shape. She recalled that some of the newer Angel designs weren't human--some had a robot motif--but they still had a human shape. The purple monster in the Layer resembled a crab and towered over Hikaru; Misaki estimated it was twice the size of her Angel. It sported two large claws and legs with rear-facing knee joints. It stared at Hikaru with a single red eye, its claws snapping open and shut.
"What is that?" Tamayo said.
Sai stared at the gray man's Angel. Her eyes narrowed at the sight. "That isn't an Angel," she said, her teeth clenched.
The gray man smirked. "You're right, it isn't. It's a Demon." In the Layer, Deathpincer continued opening and closing its claws.
"A...Demon?" Koutarou frowned.
"Looks like a heavily modified Angel to me." Tamayo growled and pointed an accusing finger at the man. "How'd you do it?"
The gray man chuckled. "Sorry, that's our secret." He snapped his fingers, and a display screen appeared above the Layer. It showed damage meters for Hikaru and the crab-like Demon and a timer set at ten minutes. "It won't take ten minutes to finish you off, but we might as well go with standard time."
"Suzuhara-senpai will kick your butt!" Tora said.
"He should know," Basho said, which earned him a glare and snarl from his friend.
Misaki spotted a symbol on Deathpincer's shell, a red pentagon with the letters D and G done in silver jagged font. "DG? What's that?"
"Your end, Suzuhara," the gray man said.
The crowd made its choice for the winner known.
"Beat him, Suzuhara!"
"Yeah, show him what a true Angel can do!"
"Go, Hikaru!"
Misaki nodded to everyone. "Thank you." She faced her opponent. "Shall we start?"
"Gladly." The gray man pointed at Hikaru. "Deathpincer, attack!"
Missile launchers sprung out from the purple Demon's shell and opened fire. Red projectiles dashed towards Hikaru and exploded before she could move. She crashed onto the sand, and Misaki noted the amount of damage inflicted onto her Angel.
"Hikaru!" she shouted.
Hikaru rose shakily to her feet and looked around the field. Her opponent was gone.
"Huh, what?" Misaki studied the Layer. "Where's...?"
"Look out, Hikaru!"
The spectator's warning came too late as Hikaru was knocked over. As she fell, her Deus saw a sizable bump under the sand moving away from her. Hikaru sprang up from where she fell.
"Hikaru, go after--!"
Red Impact Light projectiles shot out of the corner of the Layer. Hikaru barely got out of the way as the missiles rained onto where she once stood. The red explosion sent her flying towards the edge of the Layer. Misaki gasped as Hikaru was about to fall out. Then a giant purple claw shot out of the ground and caught Hikaru. The rest of Deathpincer surfaced, and the massive Demon began crushing its opponent.
The gray man chuckled. "Now now, why have you lose to a Layer Out right now?" He grinned. "I want you to suffer more. Let's see if Hikaru can get out of this."
Deathpincer squeezed Hikaru's abdomen. Misaki winced as she heard a small cracking sound. Hikaru's arms and legs waved wildly in the air. Her Deus frowned, for Hikaru couldn't hit any part of her opponent's body.
There must be something I can do! Misaki felt her heart beating against her chest. The cracking became louder. The crab-like Demon was covered in armor; Misaki couldn't see any weak spots. Then Deathpincer held Hikaru before its eye, and she saw a chance. There!
Hikaru swung one leg and struck Deathpincer in the eye. The giant Demon opened its claw and waved its arms in the air. Hikaru landed onto the ground, sending sand flying away in all directions.
The gray man snarled as Deathpincer's damage meter went down a notch. "A lucky hit."
The crowd cheered. "That's it, Misakichi!" Tamayo shouted.
Hikaru got to her feet as Deathpincer dove into the sand. Misaki listened closely as she scanned the field. Hikaru stayed in place, her fists in front of her.
Misaki spotted the fast-moving bump speeding towards Hikaru. Now!
Hikaru jumped as high as she could, and the bump sped through. Misaki searched the field for the enemy Demon. Then a barrage of Impact Light missiles flew towards Hikaru and blasted her out of the sky. She crashed and slid, sending sand flying in all directions. Just when she came to a complete stop, a purple claw punched out of the ground under her, and she landed face first into the sand.
"Hikaru!"
The purple claw sunk into the sand. Just as Hikaru got to her feet, two Impact Light missiles struck her from behind. Misaki screamed the name of her Angel as she crashed to the sand.
The gray man laughed. "Feel the power of DG!"
Tora snarled at the gray man. "Why that...?" He marched towards him.
Hikari grabbed his shoulder. "Are you crazy? He's bigger than you."
Tora winced. "Doesn't matter. That jerk can't get away with doing that to Hikaru..."
"Come over if you dare, little boy," the gray man said, motioning for him to come closer.
Tora broke free of his friend's grip and ran towards the gray man. Seconds later, he bounced off an unseen surface. He felt a pair of hands catch him. When he turned around, he found himself facing Sai.
"It's impolite to interrupt a Fight no matter how rude the person is," she said as she let him stand on his own.
The gray man's laughter echoed throughout the restaurant. "You are an idiot. Once the Moblie Layer is activated, no outsider can come in." He sneered. "Another example of DG's superiority to you all."
Basho stepped forward, his hands curled into fists. "DG this, DG that! What the heck is DG?"
The gray man chuckled. "Perhaps after I finish off Hikaru, I'll let you know first hand."
The crowd vented their displeasure at the gray man. He seemed to ignore their boos and jeers. In the Layer, Hikaru dodged something that was dashing across the field and Impact Light missiles.
"Not good." Koutarou frowned. "Hikaru is at a total disadvantage."
"It's not fair!" Tamayo clenched her hand into a fist so tightly that it turned red. "That gray guy's had the advantage from the start!"
"Um, I think that was the point," Basho said.
Kaede nodded. "The Layer is his to choose. His Angel is adept at moving underground, so the desert field suits it well."
"That's right." The boy Misaki talked to appeared next to them. "That's how he beat me. Genji tried his best, but he got ripped to pieces."
"No wonder his opponents are unable to beat him." Sai's eyes narrowed.
"Hey!" Tora glared at the veteran Deus, his fist raised. "Are you saying Suzuhara-senpai will lose?"
Sai shook her head. "She won't give up no matter how stacked the odds are against her." A faint smile crossed her face. "That's what I like about her."
"Well, from what's I'm standing, that Deathpincer monster is clobbering Hikaru," Tamayo said, pointing to the display screen. Deathpincer had less damage than Hikaru, and the clock was running down towards the end. "Time's running out, Misakichi! Do something!"
"Like what?" Koutarou said. "Hikaru's too light to damage that armored monster, and it keeps hiding in the sand, so she can't counterattack properly."
The boy groaned. "It's hopeless."
"At least we know the eye's the only vulnerable spot Deathpincer has," Hikari said, "and it is slow."
"That's not gonna help if Misakichi can't hit it!" Tamayo said.
"Don't yell at her!" Tora said.
"There is another weakness," Chiaki said softly.
Everyone close to her stared at her. "Come again?" Tamayo said.
"Weakness?" Tora frowned. "What other weakness?"
"There is no other weakness," the boy said. "Hikaru will lose. No one can beat Deathpincer."
Chiaki smiled. "Suzuhara-san will find a way."
"What makes you say that?" Tamayo said.
"Because she is Suzuhara-san."
Misaki winced as Hikaru was knocked to the ground by the speeding bump once again. She barely got out of the way of the incoming missiles. Misaki had Hikaru stand in the middle of the Layer and waited for the next attack to come.
"What's wrong, Suzuhara?" the gray man asked. "Are you running out of options?"
The crowd booed. Misaki spotted a bump speeding towards Hikaru. It managed to brush the underside of Hikaru's foot, causing her to slip and fall. Only a cartwheel away from the spot saved her from a rain of Impact Light missiles.
Misaki assessed the situation. Hikaru was badly damaged. Deathpincer had most of its damage meter. The Fight clock was counting down to the last three minutes. She wiped the sweat from her forehead.
How can I beat something I can't see? I know the eye's its weakness, but it keeps moving under the sand. Misaki had Hikaru return to the middle of the Layer. And those missile attacks are taking a lot out of Hikaru. I can't keep dodging forever, and if I don't damage Deathpincer enough, I'll lose.
"Pondering if you should give up, Suzuhara?" the gray man asked. "If you do decide to surrender, I may let Hikaru off with a torn arm instead of ripping her to pieces."
Misaki ignored her opponent. Hikaru's too light to knock Deathpincer out of the Layer. That's a definite. She closed her eyes. I've got to do something! Everyone's counting on me. She opened her eyes and glanced at the boy. His downcast eyes and frown told her a lot.
"Well, Suzuhara. Do you surrender?" the gray man asked.
Misaki fixed her gaze upon her opponent. "I won't give up."
The gray man shrugged. "Suit yourself. Deathpincer, finish off Hikaru!"
Hikaru stayed in the middle of the Layer. Misaki frowned. If Deathpincer didn't knock her over with its underground charges, then its Impact Light missiles would finish her off. She needed to be on the offensive and score some big hits, but her target wouldn't surface. Hikaru sidestepped an incoming bump and a pair of Impact Light missiles.
"Suzuhara!"
Misaki froze. She had never known Sai the Ice Machine to be emotional, but her voice was spiced with it.
"Defeat that monster. Do you hear me, Suzuhara? Defeat that monster!"
The gray man laughed loudly. "Bold words, but I don't think she can defeat my Deathpincer."
Hikaru backflipped over a speeding bump and cartwheeled away from a rain of Impact Light missiles. Then Misaki smiled.
"Huh, what's this?" the gray man said. "Why are you smiling?"
Misaki kept smiling, but her eyes were fixed onto the Layer. Hikaru stayed in place.
"Stop that smiling!"
"Ready, Hikaru?"
The gray man snarled. "Attack!"
Misaki spotted the incoming bump. "Do it, Hikaru!"
Hikaru reached in front of her and thrust her arm before the bump. It stopped.
"Huh? What's going on?" Tamayo said.
Seconds later, Hikaru yanked something purple out of the sand. It could've been an exact miniature copy of Deathpincer if it didn't have sickle-shaped claws, four pairs of legs, and a pair of cannons strapped onto its back. Hikaru lifted it over her head while it kicked skyward with its eight legs.
The crowd made its feelings known.
"Cheater!" one boy said to the gray man.
"That's how he was doing it," a girl said.
"Beat him, Suzuhara!"
The gray man snarled, shaking his clenched fist. "You may have figured out my strategy, but it won't save you."
Hikaru threw the mini-crab behind her. It struck another incoming bump, and the sand shot up, revealing another mini-crab. Both crashed onto the sand and laid on their backs, waving their arms and kicking their legs helplessly in the air.
"All right, Suzuhara!" a girl behind Tora said.
Tora blinked. "Okay, what's going on?"
Hikari rubbed her chin. "From what I can tell, Deathpincer was using those two crab drones to attack Hikaru using quick dashes and missile attacks."
"Um, doesn't that count as cheating?" Basho asked.
"Not really," Kaede said. "The new rules allow mobile weapons, but you have to let you opponent know first."
"So he was cheating just in not letting Suzuhara-senpai about the mini-crabs."
Kaede nodded. "Exactly."
"Unforgivable," Sai said, her arms folded over her chest.
"But how did Misakichi figure it out?" Tamayo asked.
"The mini-crabs have two single shot cannons," Koutarou said. "Deathpincer's missile launchers fire multiple rounds."
"Ah." Hikari snapped her fingers. "Suzuhara-senpai noticed how the attacks were different. Sometimes the shots came in pairs, sometimes in a single multiple attack."
"And those crabs look light," Sai said. "She must've noticed how Hikaru was struck from below from them and Deathpincer."
"Indeed. Also, it must take a while for the projectile weapons, especially the missile launchers, to recharge for another volley," Kaede said.
"Hence the breaks between blasts and underground attacks," Hikari said.
Sai turned to Basho. "See the problem of relying too much on gimmicks?"
Basho frowned at her.
The boy blinked. "Then...Hikaru still has a chance?"
"As long as an Angel is still able to move, there's always a chance."
Tamayo pumped her fist towards the ceiling. "Misakichi, send that monster back to hell!"
Misaki faced her opponent and steeled herself. "Your trick won't work any more. Why don't you just have Deathpincer fight me face to face?"
"Grrrrrr...Deathpincer, surface now!"
Deathpincer obeyed its Deus's command, but by the time it shot out from the sand, Hikaru had backflipped towards the fallen mini-crabs. Its claw swung and missed the Angel by a few centimeters. As Hikaru landed, she kicked one mini-crab towards Deathpincer. It struck the monstrous Angel's eye, causing Deathpincer to stagger back. Its damage meter displayed a significant amount of loss.
"Errgh!" the gray man said through clenched teeth. He swept his arm through the air. "Fire! Wipe out that miserable Angel for DG. Fire!"
Deathpincer's missile launchers sprung out of its shell and opened fire. Explosions surrounded Hikaru, throwing sand into the sky. The crowd waited for the sand to clear.
The gray man laughed. "You see, that's what you get for standing up to us. No one can stop us. Not even..." He gasped, his jaw about to hit the floor.
The second mini-crab floated above the sand, its shell showing where the Impact Light missiles had struck. Then it moved aside, showing Hikaru holding it by its underside.
"All right, Misakichi!" Tamayo said.
Hikaru threw the mini-crab at Deathpincer. The monstrous Angel swatted it aside with one swing of its massive claw, but Hikaru was already standing before it. She punched its exposed eye, and it staggered back. Then she swung her leg at one of its knee joints. Deathpincer waved its arms wildly, and when it finally took a swing at Hikaru, she leapt away from its claw and kicked the other knee joint.
"What?" The gray man stared at his Angel. "Deathpincer can't move its legs?"
Deathpincer swung both its claws at Hikaru, but the Speed-Type Angel dashed out of range.
"Now Hikaru!" Misaki said.
"Deathpincer, counterattack!"
Deathpincer's launchers sprung out again. A pink energy ball formed between Hikaru's hands. As Deathpincer waved its claws, its launchers glowing, Hikaru unleashed a blast towards its eye. The attack hit its target, and Deathpincer crashed into the sand, its damage meter emptying with a beep.
"No!" the gray man said.
Cheers filled the air. Misaki breathed a sigh of relief as the desert field vanished. She stretched out her arms to catch Hikaru before she hit the ground. Deathpincer and the mini-crabs hit the floor hard, yet they remained intact. The gray man scooped them into his hands.
Misaki gasped as all the spectators crowded around her, praising her for her win. Tamayo grabbed her from behind and hugged her as hard as she could.
"Way to go, Misakichi!" she said, hugging her friend close.
Misaki gasped for air, and she breathed a sigh of relief when Tamayo released her hold on her. Tora and his friends were next to congratulate her. Kaede beamed while Sai managed a small smile.
"Well, Suzuhara, you used Athena's move twice now, right?"
Misaki blinked at Sai's question. "Yes, yes I did."
Chiaki gestured towards the boy. "He has something to say to you, I believe."
The boy nodded and stared at the floor. He shook as he spoke. "Suzuhara-san, you...you fought well today..." He clasped his hands together and cleared his throat as his friends joined him. As he spoke, he lifted his head slowly. "You weren't scared of that guy, you didn't give up even when the odds were against you..." He swallowed loudly. "I swear to you, I'll fix Genji and keep on playing Angelic Layer just like you."
One of the boy's friends slapped his shoulder. Everyone else applauded.
"You inspire us all, Suzuhara-san," Chiaki said.
Misaki blushed at all the attention she was getting. She smiled as she held Hikaru up to her face. "Thank you," she told her Angel.
"Gah!"
Misaki's ears heard a small hissing sound, and she saw the flash of light coming from the gray man's hands in time. He watched as Deathpincer and the mini-crabs, or what was left of them, tumbled out of his hands. An arm bounced towards the crowd and stopped against Tora's foot.
"Hey, what's going on here?" Tora asked.
"That is what happens to Demons that fail us."
Misaki turned to the restaurant door. A girl stood there with four young men. A mask with pointed ears covered the upper half of her head, and a pair of bat wings stuck out from her back. Her outfit bared her abdomen. The men were wearing black shades, black berets, black T-shirts, and black pants. They stood at attention, their backs straight and their gloved hands at their sides.
The gray man faced them and bowed. "Tomie-sama, I tried, but she..."
The girl held up a fingerless-gloved hand. "You said you could take care of the Miracle Deus and her little Angel." She frowned. "Looks like you were wrong."
"Tomie-sama--"
"Spare me your excuses right now, failure." She jabbed her thumb towards the door. "You can give them later at headquarters."
His head still down, the gray man started towards the door. The girl held up her hand.
"Gather what's left of your Demon first," she said. "Leave nothing, or else."
The gray man nodded and picked up Deathpincer's remains. With them gathered in his arms, he made his way to the door and stood next to the men in black, his head still bowed.
"My, what a Fight that was, eh, Suzuhara?" the girl said. "I actually thought Deathpincer would destroy Hikaru, but alas, I was wrong."
"Who are you?" Tora asked with a frown.
The girl grinned. "My name is Tomie."
"Are you with DG?" Koutarou asked.
Tamayo stood next to him, her fists in front of her. "Yeah, are you with those DG jerks?"
Tomie nodded. "That is correct. I am with DG."
Sai stepped forward. "So you're responsible for that...that thing?" She pointed towards the remains of Deathpincer lying in its Deus's arms.
Tomie sneered. "Is there something wrong, Jounouchi?"
Sai narrowed her eyes at her. "That thing was not an Angel."
"Of course it wasn't. It's a Demon." Tomie crossed her arms in front of her chest. "Demons are far superior to your Angels."
"Your Demon is nothing more than a modified Angel."
"It's still superior." Tomie frowned at what was left of Deathpincer and its mobile weapons. "Well, it was."
Sai took a deep breath. "Angels are supposed to be graceful and are born of our dreams." Her hands tightened into fists, and they trembled as she spoke. "What you create are monsters from nightmares."
Tomie chuckled, her mouth forming a grin that struck Misaki as unpleasant. "We're not afraid to experiment with our Demons. Besides, the human shape is rather dull, don't you think?"
"What are you guys up to?" Basho asked.
"It's quite simple, really." Tomie placed a hand on her hip. "We in DG wish to eliminate the trash known as your so-called Angels."
Misaki hugged Hikaru to her chest. "Our Angels--trash?"
"Let's face it, Suzuhara, you only got lucky against this fool." Tomie nodded towards the gray man. "And need I remind the rest of you that our Demons have been tearing yours apart?"
"Hikaru still kicked Deathpincer's butt!" Basho said. The others voiced their agreement.
Tomie wagged a finger at them. "Such bravery, yet I see only one person who has defeated one of our Angels, and I doubt any of you can follow her example."
Tora snarled and step forward. "You want to be next? Zero and I can beat whatever monster you bring out."
Tomie chuckled, her mouth curling upward into a grin. "Sorry, little boy. Much as I would love to tear your pitiful excuse for an Angel into scrap, but I just came here to see if Hikaru was destroyed." She sighed and shook her head. "What a setback, but we'll bounce back. One victory for your side doesn't mean you've won the war."
"War?" Misaki held Hikaru closer to her. "You see Angelic Layer as a war?"
"But of course it's a war. It's our Demons against your trash, and we have the technological edge. You've seen our Mobile Layers and our Demons. What makes you think you can defeat us?"
Misaki stared at Tomie. She imagined the girl's eyes behind the opaque white eyes of her mask as being filled with hatred. She stood up straight. "Because I won't give up. Hikaru and I won't give up."
Tomie clasped her hands together and tilted her head to the side, leaning it against her raised hands. "Awwww, how cute, the little girl wants to fight us." The men behind her laughed until she raised a hand to them. "Such a fighting spirit. We in DG will enjoy extinguishing it." She sneered. "That goes for all of you as well."
Misaki thought she was looking at her, but she followed the other's gaze and saw it aimed at Sai. The older Deus glared back.
"Your so-called technological advancements don't give you an automatic edge over our Angels," she said slowly, her hand alternating between an open palm and a fist. "It is the Deus that determines victory or defeat. The Deus's belief in their Angel--that is the deciding factor."
"Oh, I see." Tomie snapped her fingers and turned to her underlings. "Bring me my Demon. Now."
One of the men stepped forward. "But Tomie-sama, our orders are to cease all Fights for today and report in. We shouldn't--"
"Fetch me my Demon now!"
The man trembled, his teeth chattering. He looked from his superior to the door and back again.
Tomie faced Sai. "I've been looking forward to tearing Shirahime apart for quite some time now."
"Oh really?" Sai said.
"There will be no dishonorable Fights in this sacred house of beef, chicken, potato, and bread!"
Everyone noticed the man in the brown suit. It was hard to miss him since his suit could barely hold his bulging muscular frame. A curled mustache covered his upper lip while a tuft of hair barely covered the top of his head. Kaida stood next to him. She was a third his size.
"Now now, ojisan," she said, patting him on the arm.
The man pointed a thick finger at Tomie. "You and your bullies are not welcome here if you're going to destroy people's dreams and deprive them of enjoying the wonders of beef, chicken, potato, and bread!" He began marching towards them. "Unless you'd like for me to call the police..."
Tomie didn't move as the man-mountain approached her. She wrinkled her nose at him. "Hmph. We're out of here."
"Yes, Tomie-sama," one of the men said.
The men filed out of the restaurant, the gray man being last. He held the door open, his head still bowed. Tomie turned to leave, her long black hair sweeping the air.
"Wait," Misaki said.
Tomie stood before the door. "What is it?"
"DG." Misaki stared at the girl in black. "What does that stand for?"
Tomie chuckled and gave Misaki a sideways glance and a grin. "Demon's Game," she said before walking out the door.
The bath Misaki took refreshed her body, but not her mind. Clad in her pajamas, she sat on her bed with Hikaru in her arms. She recalled the day's events. It had gotten off to a weird start with two boys she had met recently coming over to make her breakfast, but she enjoyed her time with her new friends. Practice and The Amor Burger Stop were nice, especially the burger she had. Tora was right, it was delicious. Even the Fight with Deathpincer didn't get her down. It was what happened afterward that worried her. Deathpincer's destruction because its Deus lost; she couldn't believe someone would put a self-destruct device--that was what Hikari thought reduced the monstrous Demon to pieces--into their Angel.
Everything in the Amor Burger Stop had returned to normal after Tomie and the other Demon's Game members left. After congratulating her on her win, everyone returned to eating their food and talking, especially about the Fight between Hikaru and Deathpincer and the so-called declaration of war made by Tomie on behalf of Demon's Game. Misaki explained how she figured out Deathpincer's attack strategy, which Hikari confirmed. Tora kept complaining about how he wanted to claim Deathpincer's claw for himself--the destroyed Angel's Deus missed it while he recovered what was left of the monstrous Angel. However, someone had picked it up before he could. He only stopped complaining after a few tugs to his ear by Hikari. Meanwhile, Koutarou was nursing his arm after Tamayo nearly wrenched it out of its socket when he offered his congratulations to Misaki. Tora's uncle stopped by and invited her to the Hibiki home. She said she'd think about it while she watched him pose, flex his muscles, and praise beef, chicken, potato, and bread. Kaida called her little brother "Tora-chan" again, which caused him to yell at her. Sai, Kaede, and Chiaki said their goodbyes; Sai said she and Kaede needed to run an errand or two, and Chiaki said she hoped they would meet up again. Tora voiced his relief over Chiaki leaving. Basho did the same for Sai.
"Some day, I'll show her that the new Angels can be as tough as the old ones," he said, raising his fist.
Hikari sighed. "Good luck with that." Everyone else chuckled a little. Misaki stuck with a smile hidden behind her hand.
On the way home, she couldn't get the image of Tomie saying Angelic Layer was a war. Even after dinner and a nice hot bath she couldn't forget Tomie's words. But of course it's a war. It's our Demons against your trash, and we have the technological edge. You've seen our Mobile Layers and our Demons. What makes you think you can defeat us?
"I thought Angelic Layer was supposed to be fun, Hikaru." Misaki lay on her bed, holding up Hikaru. But Tomie-san thinks it's a war. Aren't wars bad? Shouldn't Angelic Layer be just a game everyone can enjoy and make new friends?
Memories of her first season as a Deus passed through her mind, especially when she made new friends like Kobayashi Hatoko and Seto Ringo. They were fierce opponents in the Layer, but outside it, they got along well. That was one thing she liked about Angelic Layer--it let her meet other people who could become her friends.
Tomie was different, however. She didn't want to make friends. She seemed to want to make enemies inside and outside the Layer. She wasn't interesting in playing the sport for fun, although Misaki wondered if she thought making your opponents suffer was fun for her. Winning was clearly everything to her. It had to be an attitude shared by all of Demon's Game.
"Demon's Game." Saying those two words made Misaki shiver. Her grandparents in the country often mentioned demons, and not in a good way. She looked at Hikaru. "I wonder why they want to hurt you and the other Angels." She sighed. Tomie-san, why can't you just enjoy Angelic Layer, win or lose?
Mihara Ichiro almost choked on the lemon drop in his throat. After swallowing loudly, he resumed the conversation. "So you're as baffled about this as I am?"
Before him, the head of Winston Culpepper on video display nodded. "I don't get it myself. Portable Layers, you say?"
Chief Mihara gulped down a glass of water while keeping the phone's receiver to his ear. "That's what I've been told. They work just like our regular Layers, but the fields are being generated by a little disk, and the fields are composed of solid Impact Light." He raised an eyebrow. "Imagitech's been working on portable Layers, right?"
"Yes we have, but we haven't moved beyond the alpha testing stage. We're trying to figure out how to generate that solid an Impact Light field using a compact power source. The notes looks simple, but we're still working out the kinks, not to mention what we've come with so far would give people hernias if they tried carrying them around all day."
"Looks like someone's beaten you to creating them, Winston." Chief Mihara tossed another lemon drop into his mouth. "So," he said as he sucked on the sweet and sour candy, "you think someone stole the idea from you?"
Mr. Culpepper shook his head. "Not likely. Only ones who know about the portable Layer project are me, the development team, and now you. Plus, we keep the work on site--no work at home allowed. Oh, and before you think it, everyone on the development team is trustworthy and checks out fine. They wouldn't even think of industrial espionage."
Chief Mihara smiled as he swallowed. "You always did believe in the best in people."
"Same to you, old friend." Mr. Culpepper rubbed his chin. "So someone's created a portable Layer and Angels that resemble monsters."
"Demons--monsters that focus on not only defeating their opponents, but destroying them as well." Chief Mihara rubbed his temples. "What a headache."
"I thought you'd be happy Deuses would be buying replacement parts and new Angels," Mr. Culpepper said with a wide-toothed smile. "Good for business."
Chief Mihara sighed. "But not good for the kids. Imagine your best friend dying before your eyes. That's how they feel after those monsters tear their Angels to bits."
"We've been there before, remember, Ichiro?"
Chief Mihara rubbed his forehead. "Yeah, we have." He shook his head. "If it hadn't been for him, we wouldn't be where we are today."
"His final gift to us."
"And now someone seems to have stumbled across it and is using it against us." Chief Mihara rubbed his chin. "So what do you know about this Demon's Game organization?"
"Sadly, only as much as you," Mr. Culpepper said.
"And all I know is that they're well organized, have access to similar technology and are savvy with it enough to improve on it, and see Angelic Layer as a war between their Demons and our Angels." Chief Mihara crunched a lemon drop between his teeth. "It's disgusting, isn't it? Turning something meant to have fun into a serious conflict. Kids shouldn't have to worry about stuff like war."
"Shame the world doesn't work that way."
"Yeah, but Angelic Layer's just a sport. A sport with no agendas of any kind, and now we've got a gang running around declaring war on other Deuses and their Angels. To make things worse, aside from breaking their opponents' Angels and mutating their Angels into Demons, they're staying within the rules of the game." Chief Mihara let out a sigh as he leaned into his chair. "Like I said, I'm disgusted."
Mr. Culpepper broke the two minute silence that followed. "So have you started analyzing that sample that was brought in?"
Chief Mihara groaned. "Not yet. Maybe tomorrow. I'm curious as to how they can defy physics and create something that large from the standard template, but I'm still trying to grasp the concept that Deuses like that are out there. They make the Fujisaki sisters look tame."
"You should get some sleep, old friend," Mr. Culpepper said. "Need to rest your brain, don't you know?"
Chief Mihara yawned despite himself. "You're right. Thanks for taking my call, and give my regards to Cynthia and Derek."
"I will, and don't worry, we'll look over things on our end."
"Same here. Hopefully we'll find out more about Demon's Game and what they're up to."
"Goodbye, Ichiro. Keep dreaming."
"Same to you, Winston. Goodbye."
Mr. Culpepper's face vanished from the video display, and Chief Mihara hung up.
Gaizock paced back and forth behind his desk, his arms folded behind his back while his cape flapped behind him. "So, Hikaru still functions."
Standing at attention, Tomie kept her head down while she spoke. "I'm afraid so, Shogun Gaizock-sama. Deathpincer wasn't able to complete the mission. Its Deus awaits punishment for his failure."
"I see." Gaizock stopped before his chair and rubbed the bottom of his mask. "Oh well. One defeat does not mean we have lost the war."
"No, sir, it does not." Tomie lifted her head slightly so she could see her superior.
Gaizock adjusted his thick-lensed glasses. "Nevertheless, Hikaru defeating Deathpincer will encourage the low-minded Deuses to resist us, to have hope." Tomie imagined him frowning behind the mask that covered the lower half of his face. "Our supreme leader does not want any Deus to have hope, so I don't want them to have hope. Is that understood, Tomie?"
"It is, sir."
"I assume you've reviewed the status of Operation Destroy Hikaru?"
"I have, sir." Tomie made sure she kept her back straight. "It appears our frontline Deuses and Demons will not be able to take out Hikaru, especially with her Deus being Suzuhara."
"Yes, Suzuhara is rather annoying, isn't she?" Gaizock rubbed the bottom of his mask. "I must grudgingly admit that she is a formidable opponent."
"Don't worry, Shogun Gaizock-sama." Tomie gestured to herself and the three dark-suited people standing with her. She glanced at them. "Leave the disposal of Hikaru to us, your faithful Kuroshi."
"I'm sure my tricks will confuse her before I move in for the kill." The first one held out a feathery fan, and a fireball appeared over it.
"I believe my techniques will be more than enough to finish off Hikaru," the second one said, his beaked head bowed.
The third one opened and closed his hand repeatedly before his masked face. "I need to acknowledge being alive and end my boredom by killing Hikaru."
Tomie grinned. "As for me, I'll gladly reduce Hikaru to shreds."
"I don't care who takes out Hikaru!" Gaizock slammed his fist into his desk, the noise echoing around the room. Tomie winced at the sound. "We must eliminate her at least before the national tournament starts. That is the order from our supreme leader." He folded his arms behind his back. "Do not disappoint me, my Kuroshi."
"Yes, sir!" Tomie and the other three saluted him. "DG, dominate!"
