Episode 33: Guardon: Wings of Freedom

Han sighed deeply. He didn't mean to eavesdrop, but he heard Narukami's entire conversation with Tetsukado. He walked outside to think alone; away from everyone else.

"Hah… what should I do…" Han rubbed the back of his head, "I just makes my 8 years seem so… pathetic."

"This ain't you're side of the planet, get out westerners!"

"Don't want to be told by lowly guys who would throw away their wings."

Below, two groups of bird-like aliens glared at each other. One side had feathered wings for arms, while the other had mechanical arms.

The one without wings growled, "We have undergone evolution. We'll prove to you our superiority with the next match against Earth!"

"You-!"

The groups engaged in a fight. It was getting out of hand, fast.

"Evolution? Arms don't really matter much in soccer…" Han whispered to himself before jumping down in between the two groups. He swiftly knocked the two away from each other.

"Stay out of our affairs, brat!" one of the mechanical armed Guardonians growled. He charged at Han, attempting to punch him.

The Feyra boy swiftly avoided the attack. He placed his hand on the metal arm of the alien rapidly heating it up with his magic.

"Argh!"

"So much for "evolution"…" Han smirked, "Same trick I do on Dante works on you guys as well…"

"T-that jersey… he's part of Earth Eleven!"

"Hmf, we've had enough…" the winged Guardonians spread out their wings and started to fly off. Han glanced back at the grounded birds and they too, walked away from the area.

Han scratched the back of his head, "What a bothersome planet…"

"I still don't hear anything…" Shindou sighed.

"Then don't follow." Ibuki growled.

Shindou rubbed his eyes. The intense heat was causing him to hallucinate and his vision started to blur. He slowly lost his footing, toppling over the edge of the cliff.

"Huh?"

Luckily, Ibuki noticed this and quickly grabbed Shindou's arm. The boy dangled from the edge. However, the keeper was also losing to the planet's heat. Slowly his vision started to blur as well.

"I-Ibuki!? Stay awake!" Shindou yelled. But Ibuki too, fell over and the two went down.

"Uwaaaah!"

Right before they collided with the ground, winged aliens swooped down, catching them from the fall.

"What!?" Ibuki gasped.

Shindou let out a sigh of relief. However strangely, the birds continued flying eastbound instead of letting the two down. "Umm, excuse me?" Shindou asked.

The birds didn't respond and silently flew. Unable to do anything, the two just waited to see where they were being taken to.

Soon a small village came to sight. Unlike the town they were in previously, there were no smoke stacks or any sort of machine-like buildings visible.

"This is…" Shindou gasped.

Finally the birds spoke, "Welcom to our village; the home of the anti-machine faction."

"Anti-machine…?" Ibuki repeated.

The birds placed the two humans down and flew off. Ibuki and SHindou looked around their surroundings. It almost seemed they were on a different planet.

"Hello, earth players…" an elderly Guardonian flew down, "I am the leader of the Eastern side of Guardon, Roglos Gordon. Earth players, we ask for your help."

Liberta returned to the palace. Something wasn't right; a strange feeling overwhelmed him. He started to run, opening the door to the throne room he gasped at the sight.

Balga and Hilary, the two Shitenou who were left behind, were bowing before the throne. They trembled as if trying to resist some unknown force. Even the other servants and advisors were doing the same. It was not even Lalaya on the throne either.

"Ah, Liberta. You finally came. I was thinking you ran away or something." A black haired boy, about 17 or 18, lay on the throne. His head was leaned against one of the arm rests and his feet crossed over the other. His hair was tied in a braid which hung over his shoulder. He wore thick, black eye liner on his eyes, large rings were found on his ears and his clothes exposed his muscular belly.

"Xerxes, what are you doing here!?" Liberta yelled angrily.

The boy, Xerxes chuckled maliciously, "Kneel!" he commaned.

Unable to resist, Liberta's body kneeled before Xerxes like the rest of the people inside the room.

"Shit…" the boy cursed.

"You know that kid, newcomer?" Hilary growled under her breath.

Liberta slowly nodded, "He's from my planet…"

"C'mon Liberta-kun, we go way back…" the boy cackled, "We both understand the unfairness of life, that's why we exist now." He got up from the throne and crouched down in front of the Melfen. Lifting the tanned boy's head by his chin he asked, "So, Liberta-kun, tell me, Lalaya Obieus, this planet's queen, where is she?"

Liberta's lips moved without his permission, "T-Tsurugi s-said he'd t-t-take her out… i-into the town…" His efforts to hold his tongue were useless.

"Who is Tsurugi?"

"Earth Eleven's… ace striker. Lalaya found a liking to him… p-proposing a marriage t-to him…" Liberta answered.

Xerxes stood up, deep in thought. "Hmm… this might be much more enjoyable than I thought… Tsurugi… maybe I'll use him instead."

"What's you're motive?" Liberta growled.

"Who said you could speak, traitor?" the black haired boy smirked. "You know very well, why I came… I won't let you Arcania find him…"

Liberta grinded his teeth in fear and rage.

Alsius… be careful…

Episode 34 preview

The match against Guardon Eleven has begun, however Ibuki and Shindou are still missing. Will Earth Eleven be able to hold up against the bird-people without their first keeper and gamemaker? Trouble also arises as Faram Obieus falls under Xerxes' control. Episode 34: Guardon: VS Guardon Eleven