Chapter 9: Final Battle Part 1

"…What!? A member change!?" Shindou yelled. The all the El Dorado teams were gathered for meeting by Daisuke-san. Even though Tenma's El Dorado Team 3 was supposed to play in this final match, he announced a change in plans.

Daisuke-san, who was currently this tiny orange stone, declared that Team Chrono Storm, the ultimate eleven, was to play. Sure, with the last addition, Zanark, the ultimate eleven was completed, but what caused this sudden change? Then I remembered Shirara and Wonderbot's conversation last night, Fei's and Reize's disappearance.

"There's no way we can lose this game…" Tenma clenched his fists.

"The game's today though…" Tsurugi frowned, "We never practiced as a team. Will it work?"

Daisuke-san wasn't pleased with Tsurugi's comment, though I thought it was valid, and yelled angrily, "Do you doubt the ultimate team I created!?"

"Whether you agree or not," Kidou-san continued, "This is the team we'll play with today. Prepare for the match right away."

The members, with the auras of each of the ultimate eleven, went to get dressed into the Raimon uniform for the final match.

While they were getting changed and doing warm-up, Midori-san, Akane-san and I filled the team water bottles for the match. When we finished, I went to get some extra towels and let the other two bring the water to the bench. As I carried the towels, I noticed Wonderbot in the hall. He was talking to someone wearing a blue and green sweater. The hood was up and he was facing away from me, so I couldn't tell who.

The boy nodded and walked away. Now was my chance to ask the android bear about the member change.

Wonderbot thought for a bit before answering, "You heard that we can't contact Fei and Reize, right?"

I nodded.

"You know that the Fei in Feida right now, was actually the Fei that was working with us. I don't think Saryuu would've done anything really bad to him, even if his identity was revealed… unless… Someone else came into this time, some other big threat…"

"Are you saying that Fei and Reize are… dead?" I swallowed.

Wonderbot turned away from me, "Well, Reize-kun's definitely alive, but…" he didn't finish his sentence and stood in silence. "We have to win, for Fei, for the future." He finished and walked away.

I hugged the towels I held to help me hold my tears.


POV change

I wasn't planning on participating in the Ragnarok myself, but with Fei gone, I decided to take his role as Team Garu's captain. Still, the identity of the masked boy was a mystery to me. I don't know why, but whenever he tells me to do something, I can't help but agree to do it. My body moves on its own.

"Good. That's how SARU should be…"

I remember the chilling words he whispered to me after I killed Fei. Fei. Yes, I killed him. I'm not sure exactly why myself, just because the masked boy told me to? Really? My head started to hurt thinking about it. What's done's done. There's nothing I can… is there something I can do?

I put those thoughts aside and put on the captain's band and led the team to the Ragnarok Stadium. I can't let them score. I know that guy's serious. He'll do it.

Both teams took their positions on the field. I peered over at El Dorado team's bench and saw Iora sitting there. We made I contact for a second, but she quickly broke it.

The masked boy sat on our bench as if he were coach or something. I could tell my team was uncomfortable with his presence, but I didn't let them protest.

Along with the starting whistle, the entire El Dorado team used their Mixi-Max. I see, they decided to use their so called "ultimate eleven" team for the finals. Too bad, they're still no match for me.

I quickly stole the ball from their forward, Tsurugi, and brought it up to the net alone.

"Shellbit Burst!" I yelled as my hissatsu roared into the net. Even in his Mixi-Max form, that tiny keeper had no chance to save it. He was blown back into the net along with the ball scoring my team's first goal.

When I passed Shirara, as I walked back to the centerline, she whispered, "Don't lose your true heart, Saryuu."

"Huh?" I growled, but she didn't answer or say anything else.

Again I stole the ball. However, Shirara stood in my way.

"Kirakira Illusion!" An image of Master Dragon appeared behind her and sparkling fireworks surrounded the area, blinding me. In that instant, the girl quickly stole the ball from me.

"Captain!" she yelled lobbing the ball.

"OU no Tsurugi!" Tenma conjured the legendary sword, Excalibur and slashed my team's defender, easily getting past him. The captain then passed the ball to their ace striker.

Kicking the ball as if it was being cut by a sword, Tsurugi yelled, "Kiku Ichimonji!"

My team's keeper, Chet, easily caught the ball using his keshin, "Hakubishin Tamazusa!"

The keeper then passed the ball up to Yuuchi.

Yuuchi then released his keshin, Gosetsu no Saiya and used its hissatsu, "Icicle Road!"

Another goal for us. We led, 2-0. Even though they were completely powerless against us, El Dorado's team, no Chrono Storm, didn't give up.

"Everyone, it's only 2 points, let's get it back, one at a time!" Tenma encouraged. He was giving his team courage. He dribbled the ball up along with the forward, Tsurugi and game-maker, Shindou.

"What?" I tried to stop them, they got past.

"Saryuu, we're not going to let you take over the world!" Tenma yelled.

"No!" I gasped. If that ball goes in…

"Saikyou Eleven Hadou!" As if all eleven players brought their powers together, Tenma, Tsurugi and Shindou shot the glowing ball towards the net. I couldn't believe it went in.

At the same time the ball soared into the net, the whistle blew indicating the end of the first half. Score, 2-1.

I fell to my knees, peering up slowly, I made eye contact with the masked boy. I saw him stand silently and walk towards Chrono Storm's bench. He was actually going to do it.

"Iora! RUN!" I tried to yell, but I felt my neck being tightened preventing my voice from coming out. No, don't. Please don't. Not Iora…


POV change

The strange boy who was sitting on Feida's bench walked up to our's. His eerie mask made me uncomfortable. The sight made shivers go up my spine.

"What're you doing here?" Shindou frowned, standing in front of the mysterious hooded kid. "Go back to your side."

The boy didn't say anything, he just pushed Shindou aside and headed towards me. From underneath his black robe I noticed a dagger in his hands. It was too late.

I thought the dagger was going through me, but I felt no pain. Opening my eyes I saw her standing between me and the attacker; Shirara.

She coughed out some blood as the boy pulled the dagger out. He held his head as if in pain and stepped away from us.

"Shi-Shirara!?" I caught her as she slumped down. "Shirara!" I could hear my other teammates gasping at the sight of her wound.

Saryuu ran up to me protectively standing in between us and the masked boy. He held his head in pain as well and was breathing heavily.

I quickly took one of the towels I brought, placed it over her wound and applied pressure on it to stop the bleeding. No matter how hard I tried, it didn't stop. I felt tears fall down my cheek, but I quickly wiped it away. I didn't want Shirara to see me like this now.

"Shirara!" The boy in the sweater, who was with Wonderbot before, jumped down from the bleachers. He supported her head with his hands and kept yelling her name. Tears flowed down his one eye. Reize!?

Shirara forced a smile at the sight of him. She slowly lifted her hands and wrapped it around his cheeks. With the last of her strength, she guided his face towards her own. Their lips met.

When they parted, she smiled, "Spending time with you… I think I know why I fell in love… with you,"

Reize grabbed her hands as they loosened their grip around his cheeks, "Shirara, no! Don't leave me again…!" he choked.

"The future, our future. I'll leave it in… you're hands." A soft light enveloped the girl's body and she gradually disappeared, leaving not a trace of her existence behind. The stains on the towel covering her wound was no longer there.

Reize sobbed as he attempted to grab the light; as if to keep her from vanishing.


POV change

My vision started to blur and my head started to hurt even more. As soon as the Shirara girl disappeared, I felt drained. It seemed I wasn't the only one feeling like this.

"Killing mother from another world, wasn't good…" the masked boy grunted. "Guess can't enjoy myself any longer…"

He snapped his fingers and 10 new players, dupilis, appeared replacing the previous ones for Garu. He then threw his robe off and uncovered his face.

I couldn't believe my eyes.

"I have no more use for you anyways, SARU…" he cackled.

His voice, his face…

He laughed maliciously, "I, the true and complete Saryuu Evan is your opponent! I won't let you change the world!"