Air Gear: Angel's Path

We Don't Lose

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That word left me shaking. "I'm not mom." I said quietly, my hands clenched.

"No, you're not. Which is why I'm taking your skates." Daniel said firmly. I shook my head.

"No. You aren't taking away my skates." I said firmly. "And you're not taking Quinn's either. I've worked really hard to become a good rider, you aren't taking that away."

"Chels, I know how much they mean to you and I'm not doing this because I don't like you. It's the opposite. I like you to much to lose you like we did mom." Daniel said sadly. My heart broke, but my determination didn't.

"You won't." Was all I said.

"Daniel, I have to side with Chels. I love being a Storm Rider. ATs kind of complete me. They make me free, not tied to the ground." Quinn said, touching Daniel's shoulder.

"And that's why I don't like them. The higher you fly the harder you fall and even from the ground that's to high." Daniel replied.

"Well what if we don't fall?" I argued. "The only good storm rider is one who can fly, really fly. Both Quinn and I are A-class riders, meaning we're some of the best." I continued. "So, we can't..." I started.

"Mom did!" Daniel suddenly shouted. I flinched as did Quinn. "Mom did and she really was the best." He repeated quieter. "Now give me your skates." He ordered in the same quiet voice. I shook my head.

"No." I said, backing up.

"Chels, it's for your own safety." He said. He went to grab my arm and I bolted. In seconds I was flying across rooftops, tears falling down my cheeks.

"I won't fall. I won't." I snarled under my breath.

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My hair whipped around my face, for once not tied back. I was up incredibly high, as high as I could get. It felt good, like I was almost touching the sky. I reached my hand up towards it, the other wrapped around the metal radio tower next to me.

"Hey, Angel!" I jumped, letting go of the radio antenna, and fell. Thankfully I landed on my feet, but I did stumble a little. I looked to see who had interrupted me and to my surprise it was Hikari.

"Hi." I said, straightening up.

"Sorry about that. Is something wrong?" Hikari asked. I started to shake my head, but sighed and nodded. "What's up?" She sounded worried.

It took me a minute to gather my courage and actually look her in the eye. "My oldest brother wants me to stop riding." I said quickly before I talked myself out of it.

"Why?" Hikari looked confused, her expression saying 'why would anyone not want to ride'.

"Well, I lost my mom in an AT accident. Ever since then Daniel, my oldest brother, had been taking care of me and Quinn, my other older brother." I explained. "When we lost mom Daniel changed: he hated AT's more than anything. Quinn and I rode against his wishes, me even more so because not even Quinn knew I was Angel at the time." I continued.

"Woah, heavy stuff." Hikari muttered. I nodded.

"You don't have to listen." I said. Hikari shook her head.

"That's what friends are for." She said with a smile.

I nodded and took a breath before continuing. "My problem is if I go home Daniel will take my AT's, but also I hate disappointing or disobeying him after everything he's done, but I love ATs. Any advice?" I asked, my eyebrows raised.

"Well, if you love riding then don't let, Daniel was it? Don't let him stop you. He's your brother and he'll forgive you eventually. And if you really end up on the streets you've always got a room with me." Hikari added laughing. I smiled and nodded.

"You're right. Thanks Hikari." I said. She shook her head.

"Not at all." She replied smiling. My phone beeped and I looked at the message: it was a text from Ikki saying 'Hey, we've got a match. Meet us at the school in 10.'

'I'll be there.' I sent back before turning to Hikari. "I appreciate this, really. I've got to run, see you around!" I called before taking off towards the school. I decided right there: from now on Angel and Chelsey were the same. No one, not even Daniel, could change that.

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I tugged my hat on before landing behind Koga. "Hey." I said. Kazu smiled at me.

"Just in time. We start in two." He said. I nodded.

"Rank?" I asked.

"E." Kazu answered.

"And I'm needed why?" I asked jokingly.

"There's something different about you today." Ikki leaned in close to my face and I pulled back a little.

"There is?"

"Ya, you're ..." Kazu trailed off trying to come up with the answer.

"Glowing." Agito muttered.

"Oh? I don't fell different. Well, maybe a little lighter on my feet." I admitted.

The boys shared a look of confusion. "Sorry to interrupt this little meeting, but suince when has Angel been a member of Kogarasumaru?" Someone on the other team said.

"Since a couple weeks ago." Ikki answered. "Now, is this a match or not?" He asked eagerly.

"Of course. Lets battle, with our emblems as the bet." He said.

"You're on. Kazu, want to go first?" Ikki suggested.

"Sounds like fun." He replied. The matches flew by and I had more fun than I'd had since mom had died. We won all four matches easily (I almost lapped my opponent). Ikki was ecstatic and I was smiling.

"You showed off today." Agito said. I looked at him and laughed.

"I don't know why, but I feel really light on my feet." I replied.

"You said that earlier." Ikki pointed out.

"It's the only way to describe how I feel." I said with a bright smile. My phone buzzed and I looked at it. 'Chez, come home.' It was Quinn.

I sighed. 'Staying at a friends tonight. Can't change my mind.' I replied then shut my phone off.

"You okay?" Kazu asked.

"Ya, I'm good." I slipped my phone into my pocket. "Are we meeting tomorrow?"

"Of course." Ikki replied.

"See you then." I leapt into the air and headed for Hikari's.