Fall in Purple
Disclaimer: Inazuma Eleven GO Galaxy (c) Level-5
Full summary:
Alternative story sets before the final match of Grand Celesta Galaxy.
Earth Eleven are sabotaged on their way to reach the stadium for final. Thus, Faram Obius, with Tsurugi as their captain, are left to face Ixal Fleet, who also desire to take revenge on them.
Great changes from the original story including:
1) Manuuba (fake Tsurugi) came from a poor planet collapsed due to famine. He works under Ozrock to save his people. He and his people will have important role in the story.
2) Ozrock and Ixal Fleet members used to be under guardianship of King Akurous when they were children. Yet they still want to take revenge on the planet that has raised them, because blood is thicker than water.
3) Ruza Donolzen (the royal counselor who attempted coup against Queen Lalaya in canon) is Faram Obius' former coach. She will have her moment as a villain in the story, although won't be as prominent as Manuuba.
4) Something will go wrong with Cosmic Plasma Photon Cannon. The machine that was intended to destroy Faram Obius' black hole, will end up causing a major character's death.
5) Aliea Meteorite will make come back.
Before the Storm
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" Avenge us. Remind them of what they have done to us."
Just a hazy adult voice that he had managed to catch before darkness of long slumber enveloped his childhood awareness. But for Ozrock, the voice was like a second heart pumping blood to all his veins, keeping him stay alive until this moment. After all he had gone through, finally it was the time to realize his predecessors' last wishes.
"—rock. Master Ozrock."
Ozrock opened his eyes. The desk on which his elbow rested was blurred. Still trying to focus his eyes, he slowly lifted his chin off his palm.
"Master Ozrock. The preparations are complete," Ishigashi reported.
"I see," Ozrock replied without turning his head. "Then, what about them? The team that will have match with Earth Eleven?"
"They are waiting outside," Ishigashi answered respectfully. "Do I need to bring them in?"
"No. Just send them directly to Earth Eleven."
Ishigashi nodded respectfully, before leaving his superior alone in his room.
A group of people, wearing soccer uniform, were waiting outside. Some were sitting, some were leaning against the wall. As soon as they saw Ishigashi came out, they straightened up. Ishigashi signaled them to follow him.
"Wait!"
A voice stopped the entourage led by Ishigashi.
"What is this supposed to mean? Isn't Earth Eleven going to fight Faram Dite for the final match?"
Ishigashi looked at the figure who just halted him.
"You are… planet Kiel's scientist, Potomuri Emnator," he said in a flat tone. "We do not mean anything harmful. The plan to collect the life energy for Cosmic Plasma Photon Cannon's completion will be carried out according to what Princess Katora has said. However, we will not involve Faram Dite in this process. As we have another plan for them... "
Potomuri squinted, "Then ...?"
"We have prepared ...," Ishigashi shifted. For Potomuri to see more clearly the figures behind him. "Another team that will 'collaborate' with Earth Eleven to gather the life energy. "
"This is…?" Potomuri's eyes widened, as he saw a bunch of faces that were completely familiar to him.
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Although Manuuba had previously said that he and his people were preparing to leave Ozrock, Earth Eleven didn't allow him to leave, before they could meet the real Tsurugi.
Manuuba didn't seem to mind. Together with Katora, Manuuba, still in form of Tsurugi, followed Earth Eleven back into Galaxy Nauts train, sitting 'meekly' in the meeting room, listening to Shindou who opened the topic of 'what they should do next'.
"Well, at least for now, we know that there is no point in asking Ozrock for help, as he already considers us enemies," Shindou said, glancing at Manuuba.
Under normal circumstances, Shindou could not just believe any words coming out of strangers, especially those who had deceived them. But the fact that Manuuba's stories were guaranteed by Princess Katora, who was trusted by Tenma, Shindou had no choice but to trust both of them.
"The final match... probably won't go very well this time," Zanakurou murmured. The other seemed to agree. Everyone was silent, not arguing.
Shindou looked at Tenma. "What do you think, Tenma? It's too dangerous if we keep going forward. Should we withdraw from this tournament?"
Katora waited for Tenma's answer, trying to keep her hopes up amidst her anxiety. In spite of the danger they might face, Katora did not want Tenma and friends to back down. As it would make Potomuri's efforts to re-create Cosmic Plasma Photon Cannon to be futile.
After a short pause, Tenma finally shook his head.
"If we want to save the universe, we have to keep going. As Katora and Sarjes have told me. Right, Katora?"
"Y-yes, that's right, Tenma ..." Despite answering that, Katora also looked down. "To be honest, I don't want to involve all of you in danger ... However, this is the only way to save your earth, and also the universe. Even though Ozrock does plan to take revange against Faram Obius, he has promised me. If Cosmic Plasma Photon Cannon is completed, he will use it to erase the black hole."
"And you believe him?" Matatagi was skeptical.
"Ozrock won't let Faram Obius be destroyed," Tsurugi's voice came from the corner of the room where Manuuba was sitting. A confident tone, which immediately attracted the attention of the entire room. "Planet with the best military force in the galaxy, is it? If Ozrock manages to conquer the planet, it's the same as putting the entire galaxy at the tip of his rifle, just like Faram Obius have done all this time."
"I see ..." Minaho began to conclude. "If Cosmic Plasma Photon Cannon is completed, then Ozrock can begin his plan to take control of Faram, which means the same as to control the galaxy. But if it fails, Faram will just continue their plan to take over our and other planets to become thier new home."
Manuuba responded to Minaho's conclusion with a slight shrug.
"Not really," he said. "Whatever happens to Cosmic Plasma Photon Cannon, Ozrock has confirmed his plans for revenge, by destroying the spaceships that Faram Obius will use to evacuate. So, even though he cannot control Faram later, he can still enjoy the view of the people who are frightened because they are trapped in this doomed planet."
Tetsukado growled. "He's insane!"
"Wait a minute. Destroying the spaceships ...?" Manabe repeated, not too sure. "A planet as sophisticated as Faram Obius, should have implemented some strict security systems, right?"
Manuuba laughed lightly. "Breaking into security systems like that is easy. If the ones who infiltrate are my undercover friends, that is."
Everyone's mouth spontaneously rounded. Realizing how useful and dangerous the abilities of Manuuba and his companies were.
"They are scarier than Sazanaara people, aren't they?" Sakura whispered to Konoha, who only answered with a small nod.
"Well?" Manuuba directed his eyes at Tenma. "Do you still insist on going to the final round in this situation? If you go home now, maybe Ozrock will release you. Unlike Faram Obius, Ozrock doesn't need Earth. Besides ...," Manuuba closed eyes. Tsurugi's memories of Earth came to his mind. "Your earth is not a prominent place that has advanced technology or rare energy sources to be proud of. Ozrock could not be interested."
Instead of being angry because their home planet was degraded, Earth Eleven felt like they had found a light of hope.
Going home? Yeah! Why not?
It was no longer worth to compete in the final match. The machine to destroy the black hole was almost completed. Even if it failed, Ozrock would still take care of Faram, by locking all Faramians in this devastating planet.
Even though the victory of Earth Eleven could save the universe - as Katora said - there was also no guarantee that they would win. Even if they won, there was no guarantee that they would not become victims of Ozrock's revenge.
If we go back to earth now, maybe we can still be safe ...
"But ... how about Tsurugi ...?" Tenma's voice blew away the hope that had soared. "We have to find Tsurugi first, right?"
"But Captain," Kusaka said, in cautious tone. "We don't even know for sure where Tsurugi is ..."
"If we stay here any longer, only problems will await us," Matatagi said bluntly. "What's the big deal of sacrificing one person for the greater's safety?"
"But still…!"
Tenma looked at Shinsuke and Shindou, asking for support, and gasped when he didn't find the expected reaction on their faces. Shinsuke looked down. Shindou looked away from him. Half desperate, Tenma sought out the others' answers.
"Tetsukado, hey Tetsukado! You said you were determined not to go home before meeting Tsurugi right? Right?"
Tetsukado bit his lip. "Sorry, Captain. In this situation ... I ..."
After Tetsukado didn't continue his sentence, no other voice was heard. Silently, Katora looked at Manuuba, disappointed. He indeed did not lie, but he had revealed the reality that Earth Eleven should not have known about. The fact that might make Earth Eleven prefer to run away rather than put their bet to save the universe in the final round.
The only hope, Tenma's friends' abduction carried out by Faram. Katora hoped that this would at least be considered by Tenma to stay at Faram Obius.
"Everyone!" one voice broke the silence from the doorway. Earth Eleven — also Katora and Manuuba, spontaneously turned their heads. "Sorry, to interrupt your meeting, but ..."
"Mrs. Kamata?"
She was the mistress of their dormitory, who also acted as Galaxy Nauts engineer. If it wasn't very important, she would never interrupt the kids' activities. Therefore, they immediately focused their attention.
"Ishigashi-san called you," said Mrs. Kamata. "He said, there were important things to be announced."
At first, nobody felt strange about Ishigashi, who did act as their guide during Grand Celesta Galaxy tournament. But then, Tenma remembered Manuuba's story, that Ishigashi was involved in Tsurugi's abduction. So without further ado, Tenma asked in a demanding tone. "Where's Tsurugi?"
Ishigashi did not seem surprised by the change in Tenma's attitude towards him.
"Apparently, you've all already aware of the situation," Ishigashi said. His eyes glanced at Manuuba and Katora who were also there. "In that case, this will make my job easier."
"Where's Tsurugi!?" Tetsukado repeated Tenma's question louder.
"He is fine," Ishigashi answered, before all the members strafed her with the same question. "If you want to meet him, please come to the stadium as scheduled. I will take you all to his place."
Ishigashi cut the communication. The front car for a moment became silent.
"Using Tsurugi-kun as a hostage to force us to participate in the final round, huh ...?" Minaho muttered.
"It's now obvious, Ozrock doesn't want to let us leave," Shindou continued.
Konoha swallowed, "So ... we can't go home ...?"
Tenma glanced at everyone in the front car.
"I know that you're all worried about Ozrock's actions. But if winning the final match can save Tsurugi and the universe, no matter how small the possibility, I will aim for it. That's why, I ..."
"Please say no more, Captain," Tetsukado interrupted. His lips turned into a smile. "I'll remain here too, until we meet Tsurugi."
"Tetsukado," Tenma said with relief. He looked at the others, full of hope.
Starting with Shindou's nod, the others then followed. One by one.
The last one, Matatagi, looked at Tenma, exhaling loudly, before answering, "Fine, fine! But if things look dangerous later, we go straight home, okay?"
Behind the kids, Katora heard Manuuba quietly grumbled. That face which was similar to Tsurugi's, frowned in annoyance.
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The final stage, Grand Celesta Galaxy Stadium, was full of the spectators. Her Highness Queen Lalaya was seen to have occupied her VIP box. An army of elite guards led by Minel had been placed to guard outside, but the queen's face looked agitated.
"Minel."
"Yes, Your Majesty?" Minel bent down.
"I have bad feeling."
Minel pondered, hearing his queen's words. He actually felt that too, since yesterday. But he never revealed the hunch, for fear of making Lalaya worried.
"Where's Tsurugi?" Lalaya's question interrupted Minel's musing.
"Ma-Master Tsurugi ...?" Minel blinked. "I think all the members of Faram Dite have arrived here. Maybe, he's in the dressing room ..."
"Can you please call him?"
Minel blinked again. That was the first time Lalaya used the word "please" and a question mark tone to convey her orders. All this time, Lalaya's commands were always closed with exclamation mark, which meant they were absolute and must be fulfilled without exception.
"But ... he must be preparing for the final match."
"Then, can you see him in the dressing room for me?" pleaded Lalaya again. "At the very least, I want to make sure he's still here."
Minel was stunned again for a while, but he also nodded his head.
Before Minel could leave the VIP box, echoes of panic suddenly surrounded the stadium. Lalaya also clearly saw the chaos from her throne.
"What's happening…?" The young queen wondered.
Some of Minel's men who were guarding outside, broke into Lalaya's VIP room.
"Commander!" they exclaimed at Minel. "Bitway Ozrock has ..."
"Ozrock?"
Lalaya voiced her surprise. She had only known Ozrock as one of their planet's errand boys. But Minel knew him better than that.
One of the eleven children stranded on Faram Obius a few years ago, who was then raised by the late His Majesty Akurous, before finally being able to live independently and become an important official in the ranks of Galactic Federation Council.
Even now, Ozrock hadn't still cut his attachment to Faram, as an outsider who had taken an oath of loyalty to Queen Lalaya. Minel thought, Ozrock's act was to convey his gratitude to the foreign planet that had raised him.
"Faram Obius' entire control system has already been under his control!" Minel's subordinate continued, amidst his panic and apprehension. "He hijacked our planetary broadcast and gave us an invasion warning! He plans to rebuild his home planet — Ixal — on our planet!"
"What!?"
Lalaya saw Minel holding his breath in surprise, hearing the name of a planet that she had never heard of.
"Minel, you know something ...?"
Minel gritted his teeth. Regretting his foolishness. Ozrock served Faram all this time, not because of gratitude. But for the sake of understanding the ins and outs of this planet.
And to get revenge for his predecessors.
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"Hear me out, the people of Faram Obius. You are now under our control, Ixal Fleet!"
Ozrock's declaration of invasion, had also reached the television in Faram Dite team's dressing room.
"It's useless to run away. All those spaceships you will use to evacuate, have been programmed to explode if used before the final round is over. But, if you win this final match, we will return those spaceships, and you can leave this planet safely."
"Hey, hey ... are you just kidding?" Rodan, who was usually a relaxed midget, trembled.
"If we lose, we will die ...?" Hilary said in disbelief
Among them, maybe only Tsurugi who wasn't shaken by the threat. On the contrary, it would actually benefit his plan to collect the life energy, as Akurous had mentioned. By putting Faram Dite in the same position as Earth Eleven, the stubborn and spoiled Shitennou would had no choice but to fight tooth and nail in this final round.
It occurred to Tsurugi, that Ozrock might also be behind the creation of Cosmic Plasma Photon Cannon. After all, he did say, he would take over Faram despite knowing that the planet was on the verge of doom.
"It's no big deal, right?" Tsurugi's reaction, which sounded differently than the others, immediately attracted attention. "The participants in this tournament –including my home planet, Earth—have been fighting for the sake of preventing their doom in your hands. And this time, your position is the same as them. Risking your lives to protect your homeland. That is a task that can be shouldered even by those players from small planets. If you really are coming from the strongest planet in the universe, you should have bigger guts than them."
Those words were very much like a wake-up slap for Faram Dite. Especially the Shitennou, who had seen themselves, how persistent the other planets fought.
"Betting your lives to protect your home planet, huh ...?" Ryugel mused. "That's true. Even the Ratonicians, despite them being short-lived, struggled desperately to defend their homeland."
Gandales nodded. "Even though they lived on that planet only briefly, huh, Ryuugel-nii?"
Argo, the goalkeeper, looked at the Baran brothers and said, "Then, our feelings that want to protect this planet, should be as strong as theirs."
Rodan's voice laughed dryly, "If the planets we had defeated saw us being afraid like this, they would have laughed at us, huh?"
Hilary groaned and looked away. "I don't like being laughed at."
Barga nodded in agreement. "Our pride as Faramians, must not be inferior to that of Sandorius people!"
"I ... feel honored to be able to take part in this match." Even Salfer, the reserve player, spoke his opinion, representing the members outside Shitennou, "Even though I will only be sitting on the bench."
Meanwhile, Minel who accidentally heard Tsurugi's words from behind the door, canceled his wish to enter. Without meeting Tsurugi, he returned to Lalaya's place and said that Tsurugi was indeed there.
"Faram Dite had indeed been shaken by Ozrock's threat. But Master Tsurugi managed to pull the team together."
Minel's report, delivered in consoling tone, did not make the clouds of gloom on Lalaya's face disappear. She was contemplating while staring down. Faram Dite players—including Tsurugi—began to enter the field.
"Tsurugi and Faram Dite ... They are shouldering the destiny of this planet." Lalaya murmured forlornly. "While I, as their queen ... can't do anything ..."
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Panic that hit Grand Celesta Stadium, made Earth Eleven realized of the truth in Manuuba and Princess Katora's stories.
"Welcome, at the Grand Celesta Stadium," Earth Eleven found Ishigashi waiting in front of their dressing room.
Tenma asked again, "Where's Tsurugi?"
Ishigashi didn't answer right away. He invited Tenma and the others to enter, then activated a panel of numbers and letters attached to his arm. On the panel, he pressed a series of codes that he seemed to memorize by heart. Before long, one of the corners of the dressing room wall was revealing a staircase that led downward.
"Over here," Ishigashi stepped down ahead, followed by all members of Earth Eleven, Katora, as well as Manuuba who was still barred from leaving. As soon as everyone entered, the basement door closed instantly. Darkness reigned. Ishigashi guided in front with the light source he was carrying.
Getting down, Shindou felt even more suspicious It actually had been coming to him, that Ishigashi was trapping them. But Tenma didn't seem to mind. His stepped down the stairs quickly, as he couldn't wait to finally reach Tsurugi.
Once the stairs ended, the floor was immediately flat. Narrow hallway turned into a vast, far-reaching room. Ishigashi turned off the light. A dazzling new light took over. Tenma and friends squinted in unison.
While trying to get used to the light, their eyes began to catch sightings of a soccer field, with a stretch of purple grass, in sync to Faram Obius' nature. The ten pairs of legs that stood on top of it would not be too surprising, if the faces of the owner's feet were not well known to Tenma and others.
"They are…?"
Shindou, Ibuki, Matatagi. Tetsukado. Sakura, Kusaka. Konoha, Manabe. Minaho, Zanakurou. Except for the red color of their uniform and some other characteristics, there was nothing that distinguished the figures standing on the purple grass, from those of Earth Eleven.
"Hey ... hey ... what's the meaning of this ...?"
Without saying anything, Ishigashi stepped back from his position in front of Tenma's group. Simultaneously, Manuuba walked forward to replace him.
Tenma and company could only wonder when they looked at the back of Manuuba who was now standing in front of them.
Taking off Earth Eleven jacket he was wearing, Manuuba turned around to face Earth Eleven. So that they could see, the shirt under that jacket was exactly the same as the red uniform worn by the fake Earth Eleven.
Except for the yellow armband that wrapped around his arm.
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Right above them, inside the Grand Celesta Stadium, Tsurugi and Faram Dite members looked in disbelief at the unexpected team that appeared, and then took a seat on the bench that should be occupied by Earth Eleven.
"Ozrock ...?"
The name's owner developed a wide smirk. So did the teammates behind him.
"How does it feel? Being squeezed by pressures from a stronger party?" Ozrock asked sarcastically. "Surely this is a new experience for you, huh?"
"You bastard…!" Barga was inflamed, surging forward. "Return our planet back to normal!"
Tsurugi who was standing in front of Barga held him back to calm him down.
"Where are Tenma and the others?" Tsurugi asked.
"Ah, Earth Eleven, huh?" Ozrock pretended to be reminded. His finger pointed to the ground he was stepping on. "Right now, they should be facing another opponent, not far below our feet."
"What does it mean?" Tsurugi tried hard to maintain his composure. "Shouldn't our opponent be Earth Eleven?"
"Instead of thinking about them, shouldn't you better worry about yourself?" Ozrock replied, sneered at Tsurugi. "As you can see, I came here to take revenge. You have nothing to do with Faram. Why defend them?"
"I'm not defending anyone," Tsurugi answered firmly, slightly surprising Faram Dite members who stood behind him. "I just want to protect what I can protect."
Ozrock raised his head. Looking surprised. But a moment later he burst out laughing. "So you really think Faram Obius can be saved? Very funny!"
Lalaya watched the scene from her throne inside the VIP box. Even though he couldn't hear what they were talking about, Lalaya was sure that, the one in front of Tsurugi was Ozrock, the person responsible for the terror engulfed her planet. Immediately she told Minel to add troops around the field, just in case Ozrock did something unexpected.
"Tsurugi," Argo the goalkeeper whispered from behind. "Our opponent is not Earth Eleven. Should we keep playing for this match?"
"Of course," Tsurugi answered in a low voice. "If we want to save the planet, we must win."
"Win?" Ozrock's grin expanded, wider and craftier than before. "Do you know why I made such condition? That's because I'm so sure that you won't win against us. Ixal Fleet."
After Ozrock mentioned the name of the team under his lead, his teammates moved forward, lining up their captain's right and recognized one among them as Ishigashi Gorham, Earth Eleven's guide. Not that surprising, considering the aqua-blue-haired young man indeed identified himself as Ozrock's man. Moreover, they also had similar characteristics, hinting that both were from the same planet.
"How arrogant!" Gandales remarked in disgust. "We haven't even competed yet, but you've already claimed you'll win? People like that…, what do you call it, Ryugel-nii?"
"Overconfident," Ryugel answered. "But that's okay. Let us see how far these overconfident fellows can fight us."
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"What does this mean?" Tenma demanded Ishigashi. "Don't you want to take us to Tsurugi's place?"
Ishigashi was silent. His expression was still frozen. But his face slowly shrank inward. Tenma, shocked to see the change at close range, unconsciously retreated.
In front of Tenma and the others, Ishigashi's pale face slowly but surely began to change color, from white, to greyish. His blue hair was pulled into his scalp. His eyes changed shape, his mouth widened.
"Wh-what's happening to him?" Aoi shuddered, jumping behind Katora's back. "Spooky ...!"
"This fake 'Ishigashi Gorham' is actually my friend in disguise." Manuuba spoke, answering Earth Eleven's confusion. "The real Ishigashi is now facing Faram Dite together with Ozrock at Grand Celesta Stadium, which is right above us."
"WHAT?" Earth Eleven exclaimed in surprise.
"So, that Ozrock took our position in the final!?"
"It's cheating!" Sakura scowled.
"No. Not for the final match." Manuuba corrected. "I've told you right? He fought Faram Dite for revenge. You should be thankful I brought you all here. Revenge is not a pleasant spectacle."
"So while waiting for Ozrock to finish his business, we have to compete against your team here?" Shindou was to make sure.
"You can say that."
"We have no time for that!" Tenma snapped. "We must save Tsurugi—"
"Do you still want to save him after seeing this!?"
Manuuba turned his gaze to the wall. A large screen appeared, displaying a live broadcast of the match between Faram Dite and Ixal Fleet.
At first, Earth Eleven did not understand what was the point of showing them that. Until they saw Faram Dite members who were preparing at their bench.
"Tsurugi?" Shindou stared in disbelief. "That's ... Tsurugi among them, right?"
"Y-you're right!" Tenma's yelp was a mixture of shock and relief. "Thank God, he's safe!"
Matatagi raised his eyebrow. "Yeah, right. He's safe and sound. But he's betraying us, don't you see?"
Indeed, that's how the situation looked like. Tsurugi was standing among Faram Dite players, wearing the same uniform as them.
"Why is he there ...?" Ibuki's voice was confused.
"I know! The one over there must be a fake Tsurugi too!" Tetsukado remarked confidently.
"Or maybe ... he is being controlled," Manabe opened up another possibility.
"But if he is controlled...," Minaho pointed at Tsurugi's left arm which was surrounded by a green armband. "Why does he become their captain? It's unlikely that a team as strong as Faram Dite will risk having someone who doesn't have will of his own, as their captain."
"I don't know why he got there. But he's the real Tsurugi Kyousuke," Manuuba said. "Ozrock never told anyone to disguise as Tsurugi, except me."
"Everyone, look!" Shinsuke pointed at the screen. Coach Kuroiwa appeared and took his place at Faram Dite's bench.
"No wonder he left us," Shindou murmured. "Apparently, he also sides with Faram Obius now..."
"Haah! If I knew it would be like this, I'd better go home since yesterday!" Matatagi exhaled loudly. "This team is full of traitors!"
Tenma was still, his eyes fixed at the monitor.
"I have warned you to return to earth quickly, right? But you insisted," Manuuba shrugged. "Now, it's too late to run away. You have no choice but to fight us."
"If we win, will you free us?" Shindou asked.
"Of course." Manuuba agreed without hesitation.
"But if you lose—" One of Manuuba's friends spoke up. Someone who looked like Ibuki. He pointed his finger wrapped in goalkeeper glove, to Earth Eleven. "—We will take over your identities."
The real Ibuki frowned. "What do you mean?"
"As I told you, my people and I are looking for a new place to live," Manuuba explained, half reminding. "If Earth Eleven loses, you will be locked up here forever, while we will return to your Earth in your place."
"What if we win?" Shindou interrupted the gasped sounds of his friends.
"If you win, both we and Ozrock promise not to disturb planet Earth," Manuuba answered. "How is it? The conditions are fair enough, right?"
"Fair enough, you ass!" Ibuki argued furiously. "We will lose our home planet if we lose. But you? Even if you lose, you can still find another place to live with your disguise ability. What is fair then?!"
"You don't understand, huh? Ozrock will rule the galaxy. All who don't live on earth will become his slaves!" Manuuba's face hardened. In a whisper, he continued. "I should not trust that scheming bastard in the first place..."
"Very well. We understand the situation. We will compete against you." Shindou made decision. "You also agree, right, Tenma?"
Half-awake, Tenma nodded. But his mind was still not separated from the screen.
Tsurugi, what happened to you ...?
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"Is that so? Okay, keep on guarding."
Seeing Minel's grim face while turning off his communication device, Lalaya immediately showered him with questions.
"What's happening down there, Minel?"
Minel recounted the report he got from the troops on guard around the field.
"Revenge…?" The word was foreign to Lalaya's tongue, as she had been raised in the belief that her planet lived in absolute peace and comfort.
"I'm sorry, for not being able to reveal Ozrock's secret ambitions all along," Minel bowed regretfully.
Contrasting other people's opinions, for Minel, Lalaya was not a helpless queen. It's just that, because of his father's premature death, Lalaya didn't have chance to learn a lot from him.
And Donolzen, who supposedly taught those important things, turned hostile to her.
Perhaps, these burdens are beyond Her Majesty, Minel pondered. Shaken by two coups in a row. From the insiders, and also from outsiders.
Despite thinking that, Minel never once doubted Lalaya's worth for Faram Obius' throne.
But, if this situation continues ...
"Minel ...! I-isn't that...?!"
Lalaya's stammered voice scattered Minel's musing. Before he could ask questions, Lalaya's finger pointed to someone who had just arrived on the field, and took Ixal Fleet's bench.
"Counselor ... Ruza Donolzen ...?"
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Notes:
You can consider Fake Eleven uniform to look like Earth Eleven's, which blue color is changed to red.