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.
Notes:
Names written in bold refer to the members of Fake Eleven
Chapter 3: Fight the Fakes!
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"Wh-why is Coach Donolzen ...?"
"Shouldn't she be in prison right now?"
Faram Dite witnessed the arrival of Ruza Donolzen's old figure up close. Of course they were no less surprised than Lalaya and Minel.
Donolzen saw Tsurugi also among his former students, and sneered. "Hmp, it turns out that I'm not the only traitor here."
"And you appear to have defected to be Ixal Fleet's coach, huh, Coach Donolzen?" Argo replied, representing Faram Dite members.
"The former Earth Eleven coach became your coach," Ozrock glanced at Kuroiwa. "It's not strange, isn't it, if your ex-coach is now our coach?"
"If you want to take that old hag, we don't mind at all," Ryugel said with a shrug. Donolzen furrowed her eyebrows when Ryugel called her 'old hag'.
"That's right!" said Gandales, who always followed his brother. "After all, she is a cri ... cri ... " Gandales scratched his head. "Ryugel-nii, what do you call someone who does evil things…? If I'm not mistaken, cri ... cri ... cricket...?"
"Criminal," corrected Ryugel.
"That's right! Criminal!" Gandales repeated loudly. "You Criminal Old Hag!"
"Shut up, brat!" Donolzen could not bear to see his former student exhibiting his stupidity. It's the same as announcing to Ozrock and friends that she had failed in educating her players.
While the Baran Brothers sparked a small war with their own former coach, Tsurugi stepped aside quietly, and climbed the stairs to Lalaya's royal box.
Upon Tsurugi's arrival, Lalaya spontaneously stood up. But when seeing his serious expression, Lalaya knew his coming was not just to console her.
"You saw it too?" Tsurugi asked.
Lalaya nodded. "That is...," Lalaya hesitated to continue.
"Yes. She is Donolzen."
Lalaya held her breath.
"But, she should be under arrest ..." said Minel.
"Ozrock might have freed her in some way. After all, all the systems on this planet practically have been in his grasp now."
Minel was silent, not blaming that assumption.
"Donolzen is now the coach of Ixal Fleet," Tsurugi continued.
"What!?" Minel flinched, "In that case, it will be difficult for you to win! As their former coach, Donolzen must have known how Faram Dite fought all this time."
Tsurugi nodded in agreement, but his expression did not necessarily change.
"That's true. But if we want to save all who live on this planet, we must win. There is no other choice."
"But if we win ..." Lalaya squeezed her hands. "Other planets ..."
"If Ozrock wins, things will get even worse!" Tsurugi retorted. "Don't you see how scared your people are when they know they can't leave this planet?"
Lalaya looked down.
"Do not run away." The pressure in Tsurugi's voice forced Lalaya to raise her head. "If you really want to make up for the mistakes you have made to your people and other planets, do what you have to do for them."
"What I have to do…?" Lalaya repeated uncertainly. "I want to make them all happy ..."
"There is no need for that."
"Eh?" Tsurugi's answer made Lalaya look up.
"You don't need to make them happy. One's happiness can only be determined by their own."
"Then…?"
"You just need to do your duties as a leader. Give them courage. Give them hope. Give them your concern. And then, let them decide," Tsurugi stares down towards the stadium. "With those things you have given them, whether they want to fight to be happy or not."
Lalaya followed Tsurugi's gaze. "What I can give ... to Faram Dite team...?"
Tsurugi gave a nod. "You can start from those people."
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Preparations at the underground field.
Tenma and Manuuba – a.k.a Fake 'Tsurugi' - raised the captain band on their arms. While the other team members were warming up, Tenma took time to observe the visages of Fake Eleven members. Similar faces. It was as if looking at a mirror.
Tenma blinked when he realized something. Why ...? How come am I not there ...?
"Did you just realize that?" Shindou approached Tenma. "That team is not a copy of Earth Eleven. They only copy individually, not Earth Eleven as a whole. They don't even copy you."
Tenma looked at Shindou, doubtfully. "That's true ..., but ..."
They have 'Tsurugi' instead ..., those words were swallowed back into Tenma's heart
"Shindou is right. No need to fear them. After all, the imitations are always worse than the real ones!" Ibuki deliberately did not lower his voice so that it could be heard clearly to the next bench.
"Yeah. He could't even properly play as Tsurugi back then," Tetsukado said in agreement.
"That's because if I copy someone up to one hundred percent, there is possibility I can't return to my original form," disclosed Tsurugi, sounded flat from the next bench. "And I don't like it."
Matatagi sneered, "Wow, what an excuse!"
"But now things have changed," ignoring Matatagi, Fake Tsurugi continued. "I ... no. We want to be free, even though for that we must throw away our true identities and pasts."
"Do you understand now?" Shindou from Fake Eleven spoke up. "You are not against us. But against yourself."
"But still," Ibuki replied furiously. "If your talent is just imitating, how can you possibly win from us?"
"Sometimes a person can't win over oneself," this time it was Zanakurou's turn to speak. "Especially when it comes to the past."
The real Zanakurou repeated in a murmur. "The past?"
The screen that displayed Faram Dite match broadcasted a sudden uproar, cutting off the conversation between both teams. The camera highlighted Faram Dite members who were preparing on the sideline of the field. Tenma's eyes immediately moved to look for Tsurugi's figure among them.
Huh? Where is he?
Tenma's gaze shifted around his surroundings. Who knew, Tsurugi managed to escape, and followed them here.
"Tenma," Shindou's voice returned Tenma's attention to the screen.
The screen was now showing another part of the stadium. A girl stood on podium, delivering something. But none of those words entered Tenma's ears. The captain only looked at Tsurugi who stood beside the girl.
"She's the Queen of Faram Obius?" Shindou repeated Katora's explanation.
"She's so young!" Sakura pointed out in disbelief.
"So she was the one that gave the order to kidnap Tsurugi?" Ibuki interrupted
"But Tsurugi is standing next to her…?"
"How can that be? Isn't he being held hostage right now? Besides, how come does he actually side with the person who kidnapped him?"
"Did Tsurugi-kun get bribed?" Minaho wondered.
"Captain! Say something!" Tetsukado cried out. "That certainly isn't Tsurugi, right!?"
Tenma gasped at the sudden call.
"Uh, that's ..." Tenma didn't know what to answer.
"Everyone, please," Zanakurou said, placing his index finger on the edge of his lips.
Following Zanakurou's signal, they could not help but listening until the queen finished her speech.
The speech which then changed their opinion.
"Wow ..." Minaho opened his mouth, after Lalaya left the podium. "She's good. In an instant, she united the spirit of Faram Dite's team and the audience to fight against Ozrock."
"If only we were also encouraged like that ..." Sakura sighed, and glanced around. There was no spectators. There was no supporters. There was no one there except for them, the two teams that fought. Referee job was conducted by Manuuba's friend who had disguised as Ishigashi. Even Sakura began to think that the referee wasn't on their side either.
"I miss it, when we're still on earth," Manabe uttered, half musing. "At that time, everyone supported us."
"Well, let's say that the speech was also directed to us," Matatagi replied casually. "Fair enough, right?"
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After Lalaya made her speech, Tsurugi returned to the field, and was immediately scolded by his teammates.
"Where have you been!?"
"You missed Queen Lalaya's cool speech, you know!"
Tsurugi furrowed in confusion. "I ... was next to her. On the podium. You didn't see me?"
"What were you doing there?"
"Well ..." Tsurugi felt there was no point in saying that he had come to the podium to confirm Tenma and the others' whereabouts. After all, their figures were not seen anywhere, even though his eyes had scanned the entire stadium.
Argo did not wait for Tsurugi to answer. "But..., being able to stand on such an exclusive place like that... You are quite lucky."
There was a jealous tone in the voice of Faram Dite's goalkeeper.
"It can't be helped, right?" Ryuugel said. "Tsurugi is the candidate to Queen Lalaya's consort, after all."
"Oohoo..." Rodan made a sound as if he found something interesting. "No wonder, the spoiled and childish queen suddenly was able to deliver such cool speech."
"Like they say," added Neol. "Getting a spouse can mature a man."
"Nice, Tsurugi! Good job!" Seren gave two thumbs up.
Gandales' comment was somewhat different. "Oh, I see! No wonder Hilary is so immature. After all, she hasn't found any partner. Unlike me and Ryugel-nii!"
"WHAT DID YOU SAY!?" Hilary spontaneously chased down with her living hair. Ready to strangle the younger Baran.
"HIIIYYYYY! RYUGEL-NII, HEEEELP!"
Tsurugi scratched his head. Maybe the effect of Lalaya's speech was too excessive, those who had been tense and ready to fight, turned into this relaxed. And again, who's already married?!
Tsurugi turned his attention to the opponent's bench. Donolzen spoke to Ozrock. Who knew what they were talking about. But Donolzen's eyes obviously sometimes turned towards Tsurugi. And Ozrock nodded.
Actually, Tsurugi had no problem with their behaviors. But the way they stared, made Tsurugi raise his eyebrow. Tsurugi understood that Donolzen hated him because he was the one causing her coup to be thwarted. But there shouldn't be any reason for Ozrock to look at him with those piercing eyes and expression full of harted.
Well, Ozrock holds a deep grudge against Faram, so it's natural for him to consider me as an enemy.
While thinking so, Tsurugi entered the field, making eye contact with Ozrock who was standing at the forefront of Ixal Fleet formation. Just like Tsurugi, Ozrock acted as his team's captain and ace striker.
Tsurugi swiped his shoes against the grass.
If what Ozrock said was true, about Tenma and the others being under his feet now, he had no choice but to believe in his former teammates' skills to defend themselves. Even though I want to have match against them. Too bad….
Kick-off whistle echoed throughout the stadium. The curtain of the dramatic match to determine the whole galaxy's fate was finally raised.
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Almost simultaneously, the sound of another whistle echoed loudly against the walls of underground field.
The draw result gave Fake Eleven the opportunity to dribble first. But a collaboration of Manabe and Minaho quickly took over the ball.
"Shindou-kun!"
As soon as Shindou reached Minaho's centering, the other Shindou advanced to hold him back.
Shindou was not afraid. I will not lose to myself.
Escaping from Shindou's guard, the ball was passed to Zanakurou. Going back briefly to Kusaka. Then was brought forward again towards Tenma.
Seeing a coordinated play shown by their friends, Shinsuke and Aoi who were nervous at first, began to get excited.
"Go, Tenma!"
"Dont lose!"
Despite Shinsuke and Aoi's boisterous support, Katora said quietly, "I think ... Tenma and his friends will have difficulty winning ..."
Shinsuke and Aoi turned to her. "Huh?"
"GOD WI—"
Tenma gasped. Something scattered his concentration. The ball speed dropped when it reached Ibuki, making the first attempt towards goal was easily thwarted.
Earth Eleven gasped at the fact that Ibuki was able to stop their captain's hissatsu shot barehanded.
Shindou reminded his teammates, "He is not Ibuki."
"Hey!" The real Ibuki spontaneously voiced a protest behind Shindou. "Why are you talking like I'm actually weaker than him ?!"
Not far from Tenma, Matatagi snapped. "Captain, what was with that shot!? If you can't shoot properly, just pass the ball to me!"
"S-sorry ...," Tenma looked down.
The ball was still perched in the hands of Ibuki. His sharp eyes went around the field, as if to judge whom he should throw the ball to. Curiously, his eyes ended up at Ibuki standing under Earth Eleven's goal crossbar. Like a child getting a new toy, Ibuki's smile spread.
However, Ibuki did not immediately throw. He dropped the ball in his hand to the ground, and bounced it back into his palm. He repeated the actions, time and time again.
"Ah, he's imitating Ibuki-kun's special move!" Minaho remarked.
"It's not really some kind of move? He's just dribbling in basketball style!"
Rather than Tetsukado's words, Ibuki was more offended at how Ibuki treated the ball.
"Damn! The only one who can dribble the ball like that is me, you know!" Ibuki advanced forward, leaving his goal area.
Right when Ibuki came out of the penalty box, Ibuki catapulted the ball into the middle of the field.
Sakura from Fake Eleven received and dribbled. Together with Matatagi, they charged towards the already naked Earth Eleven's goal.
It was too late for Ibuki to back down. He had already fallen under Tsurugi's strict guard, preventing him from returning back into the penalty box.
Manabe and Minaho were still standing on their respective defensive positions. Yet Sakura, with her honed dribble skill, could get past both of them in an instant.
Konoha and Tetsukado advanced as the second defensive wall, blocking Sakura's pass to Matatagi.
But Sakura had no intention of passing the ball.
"MERMAID SMASH!"
"! She's shooting?!"
Even Sakura could only freeze watching her own figure breaking into the goal.
The ball from Sakura was in without having to pass through Ibuki's guard.
I see ... So that how it was ..., Shindou thought, turning to look at fake Tsurugi, who once he heard the whistle that ratified Sakura's goal, immediately released his guard on Ibuki. Letting Earth Eleven's goalkeeper return to his position.
Before turning back, Ibuki threw Tsurugi a gaze, as fierce as he could. Despite breaking the rules of sportsmanship, Shindou couldn't blame him.
Fake Eleven had taken advantage of Ibuki's personality very well. By removing Ibuki from the goal, Sakura only had to face Earth Eleven defenders who had more skill in snatching balls rather than stopping shots. Matatagi being at front for the whole time was only a provocation. If Ibuki was knocked out of the goal, Sakura's shot was enough to break into the goal.
But realizing that now was useless. The ball was already in, and the whistle that validated the goal had blown long ago.
"Sorry, I let my guard down," Tetsukado approached Ibuki who had returned to the goal. "I never thought she would shoot. If I knew, I should have used Dead Straight to fire the ball back."
"We can not underestimate them," Shindou joined the defenders. "Even though they claim that they copied us, but the strategy they used was original, using what they have copied from us individually."
"They are not just ordinary imposters, apparently," Minaho said.
"But, such strategy can only be used once, right?" Manabe reminded.
"Indeed. But precisely because of that, we must keep vigilant. They must also be aware of it, and have another strategies under their sleeves."
After giving a few instructions to the defenders, Shindou turned back towards his place. He saw Tenma also returned to his position, with a confused and agitated face.
"What's wrong, Tenma?" Shindou asked in concern.
Tenma raised his head, answered doubtfully, "No. It's just that, I seemed to hear Tsurugi's voice, earlier ..."
Shindou sighed. So that's why, his play today was a mess ...
"Don't think about unnecessary things. Jus concentrate on the current match."
In an instant, Tenma knew that Shindou thought he just imagined things.
"It's not like that! The voice was so clear ... as if really ...," Tenma said quietly, looking down. He realized his reason was very weak. After all, Shindou took another breath, then patted his shoulder.
"Come on, get back into positions!" Shindou ordered, ignoring Tenma who still wanted to talk.
But it couldn't be helped. Tenma kept his mouth shut and obeyed his senior. Without realizing that not far beside him, Sakura had the same expression.
"Didn't you always want to be the best, like your parents expected you to? How can you be the number one, if you have to rely on teamwork?"
"You saw the shoot just now, right? You can do it too, if you don't keep letting your teammates steal the attention."
"But look at you now. You can't even surpass yourself."
Sakura squeezed her own clothes, feeling powerless to expel the voices inside her head. The voices were not loud, nor hurting her. Just kind of whispers. Moreover, the voices were no different from her own voice. But enough to waver her mind.
"What's wrong with Tenma and Sakura-san?" Aoi who sat on the bench, saw the change in their faces clearly.
"They might have noticed ..." Katora answered quietly. "Another ability of those Fake Eleven people."
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In contrast to Earth Eleven, Faram Dite had outperformed Ixal Fleet, in just ten minutes after kick-off.
"Are they fighting seriously?" Rodan said boredly to Tsurugi. That was the second goal scored by his team. The first goal came from Baran brothers' Scream of Eden. "They don't seem to have any intention to win."
For a group of people who boasted about wanting to take revenge, Ixal Fleet offered too little resistance.
Tsurugi looked at Ozrock. It's weird, did they deliberately want us to be caught off guard?
Ixal Fleet forward took the kick-off. However, in less than a minute, they once again let the ball stolen by Faram Dite.
Tsurugi decided to find out himself, whether Ozrock and his friends fight seriously or not. He asked Seren to pass the ball to him, then advanced forward carrying the ball alone.
Ixal Fleet defenders didn't even bother to block his way.
Until he was one on one with Ixal's goalkeeper, named Phobos, in front of the goal, then Tsurugi shot.
"DEVIL BURST!"
"Nice one! Don't hesitate, Tsurugi! Just finish them off!" Baran Brothers yelled, heating up.
Facing a black-blue blob that tore the air towards him, Phobos instead crossed his arms nonchalantly, as if he was waiting for the ball to break in.
Tsurugi snapped his teeth. These guys… are really...
But apparently, it wasn't Tsurugi's shot that he was waiting for, but Ozrock's arrival to the front of the net
Still in the position of firing Devil Burst, Tsurugi was overwhelmed. He's so fast ..!? Tsurugi was sure that he had to cross Ozrock's figure on his way to the goal, therefore he thought Ozrock was still at the forefront.
But still, Ozrock did really reach his team's backline. Moreover, in front of the goal. He welcomed Tsurugi's Devil Burstand successfully stopped its speed.
The ball was now in Ozrock's control. He herded towards the goal without much effort.
The spectators, mostly of Faram Obius residents, gasped in shock, as they witnessed the sudden counterattack.
Ozrock shot from outside the penalty box.
"STAR GAZER!"
Meteor gushed from behind his back. Destroying the rows of Faram Dite's defenders. Argo the goalkeeper, as the last pillar, was only able to hold the shot for a few seconds.
The whistle blew loudly. The first goal for Ixal Fleet.
Ozrock turned away, facing the others Faram Dite players who could still stand — yet completely froze — behind him.
"The glorified number one team in the galaxy, turns out to be this disappointing, huh?"
Temporary score was 2-1. Faram Dite obviously had the lead. But the strength that was just demonstrated by Ozrock seemed to obscure that fact.
"How's that? Still going to continue?" Ozrock sneered.
Tsurugi, still standing in Ixal Fleet's area, clenched his fists.
"Of course we are."
Tenma's figure came to his mind. If it were him, surely he would also hold out until the end.
Faram Dite's other members did not disagree with Tsurugi. Those who was still on ground, simultaneously rose to their feet. Facing Ozrock's imperious figure, they shot him brave stares without wavering.
In return, Ozrock smirked. "Fine. But let me tell you one thing. The losers in this match will die."
Although shocked, Faram Dite still maintained their vigilance.
"What…?" Hilary who stood closest to Ozrock, hissed quietly
"To be more exact," Ozrock continued. "Souls of the losing team will become the fuel to operate Cosmic Plasma Photon Cannon, machine that is able to erase the black hole—"
"What? This black hole ... you can erase it?" Gandales was amazed. He didn't seem to be affected at all by Ozrock's threat, even though he himself was also the owner of Soul Power — Belion — a two-tailed cat. Either because he's too brave, or he's too dense to understand.
"I thought the driving force to complete the machine was a clash between two strong wills?" Tsurugi said. "I was never informed it needed to sacrifice anyone."
"Oh, I'm impressed that you already knew," Ozrock turned to show Tsurugi his surprised face. But only for a moment. His sly grin returned later. "It's true. What you said earlier was the way that Princess Katora proposed. At first, I also wanted to use that method. Until I heard that you, one of Earth Eleven members, defected to Faram Dite. I thought it was impossible to get a match good enough to produce life energy, if there was a traitor who would make one of the teams reluctant to fight seriously. Or maybe, he's just a cunning faker who wants his home planet team to win easily by infiltrating the opposing team ..."
"Watch your words!" Argo barked loudly in Tsurugi's defence. "He was to fight earnestly to defeat his team, and ... save our planet. He's nothing like you!"
Ozrock ignored him. "Besides, by using this method, I can get rid of strong but troublesome people like you. Unfortunately, I'm also the owner of Soul Power. If you defeat us, I will die. And you can live peacefully forever, by using Cosmic Plasma Photon Cannon that has been filled with life energy, with my Soul. That would certainly be good news for you, correct? "
Seeing the match still on hold, Lalaya asked impatiently, "Minel, what is happening down there? Why hasn't the match resumed?"
Minel squinted toward the field, exerting his ability to read lips. However, the more he understood the situation below, the more difficult he accepted it. Lalaya's voice repeatedly calling his name, as if faded from his hearing.
No need to be afraid. Master Tsurugi is not a Soul user. He will not die. Minel tried to convince himself.
But what's this unsettling feeling ...?
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The second goal belonged to Fake Eleven.
The cause of the goal was quite unique. Dead Straight fight between Tetsukado and Tetsukado.
Tetsukado did manage to hold Shindou's Fortissimo, and deflected the shot towards Fake Eleven's goal, using his blocking and shooting hissatsu, Dead Straight. But unexpectedly, Tetsukado also blocked the ball with Dead Straight as well.
Not wanting to lose, Tetsukado received the ball back with the same hissatsu. And so on.
The competition ended with Fake Eleven's victory. The reason was, shortly before reaching Tetsukado, 'Tsurugi' joined the fight and injected new force into the ball.
The combination of Tsurugi's speed and Tetsukado's strength , was certainly not comparable to lone Dead Straight from the real Tetsukado. Ibuki stepped forward, intending to make up for his negligence over the previous goal. But his Wild Dunk clap turned out to be helpless. Score 2-0 for Fake Eleven.
"Damn!" Ibuki punched the goalpost. His old habit.
The whistle marking the end of the first half was blown. Earth Eleven returned to their bench with listless steps.
"Useless."
Matatagi gasped, looking left and right. His teammates were busy with their business. Talking with each other, drinking, or wiping their sweat. Nobody noticed. But Matatagi was sure, that the voice had been directed at him.
"We're both useless, huh. Me and you."
What? Unconsciously Matatagi replied inwardly.
"Even Tetsukado and Nozaki can do better than us."
Matatagi growled. Not just angry because he could not find the voice source. If you just want to criticize yourself, don't involve me!
The voice came again. This time with laughter.
"How can I not involve you? I am you."
The last sentence brought Matatagi's angry look to Matatagi.
Seeing the person he was staring at smirking in silent, Matatagi's anger burst out verbally.
"You!" Matatagi pointed with a hunting breath. "Watch your mouth! You're not me!"
Spontaneously, all turned to him.
"Ma-Matatagi-kun?" Minaho was surprised.
"What's wrong?" Tenma asked. He temporary pushed aside the thought of Tsurugi's voice echoing in his mind.
Matatagi was still trying to control his breath. This hasty Matatagi seemed very different from Matatagi who had underestimated the imitating tactics of Fake Eleven.
"Matatagi-kun," Sakura ventured to call him out. "Don't tell me, you're also hearing voices?"
"Voices?" repeated the others.
"You see, I ... heard it too," Sakura said bluntly. "That voices are exactly the same as my own voice. So I think you guys too ..."
"See? You did it again. You can't do anything without your teammates."
Shut up! Sakura replied loudly in her heart, while opposing Sakura eyes bravely. How can I win, if I don't resolve this confusion now!
"That voice ... don't tell me ..." Manabe paused, looking reluctant to continue. He couldn't possibly say that during the first half, he kept hearing his Papa's voice, mentioning every mistake he made.
"You also ... heard your father's voice, huh, Manabe-kun?"
Manabe looks at Minaho.
"'Also'...? Then ... Minaho-kun too ...? "
Minaho nodded. "I thought, it was just my imagination. After all ... I don't believe in ghosts or the likes."
"If it was not ghost, then what was that?" demanded Tetsukado, his face implying he had the same confusion as Sakura, Minaho, and Manabe.
Shindou looked around. "Ayone else, who also heard voices?"
Tenma raised his hand, with a face that seemed to say, I told you, didn't I?
"Other than Tenma?" Shindou glaced around again.
One by one, they raised their hands. Tetsukado was initially uncertain, but after seeing so many hands stretched out, he did not hesitate anymore. He admitted hearing his boxing trainer, Mr. Tetsu, who grumbled about how he had become an impundent son for leaving his family just for playing football.
Zanakurou story toned differently. He claimed to hear his own voice, but in a kind of speech that was very different from his usual one. The voice used harsh sentences, screamed the word 'Super' so many times, and was mad about Zanakurou still being not good enough.
Hearing that absurd narration from the calm and proper Zanakurou, Earth Eleven were left dumbfounded. Except for Tenma and Shindou who immediately knew whose voice he had meant.
Zanark Avalonic.
Shindou cleared his throat. "Hm ... so everyone hears strange voices. Except me ..."
"Maybe Shindou actually heard something too, but because he's so stubborn, he didn't hear it," Ibuki said scathingly. The goalkeeper seemed to be still bitter, remembering Shindou who wouldn't move away from the goal even when Ibuki told him.
Shindou calmly replied, "How about you, Ibuki? Did you also hear something?"
"Yes. I heard ..." Ibuki's voice was cut off, his face turning red. Shindou's voice? Huh, how can I say that in front of the person concerned?
"For me ...," Tenma the captain, finally got a chance to talk. "I heard Tsurugi's voice, when he was still fighting with me ..."
"Eh? Fighting?"
"Yes. I told you before, right, Tetsukado?" Tenma repeated the story a little for the others.
"Same with me, then," Ibuki revealed unconsciously.
"Same?"
"Ibuki-kun also fought with someone, huh?" asked Minaho
"Oh, that's right. He's with Shindou-san ..." Manabe remembered.
"Hey! It's not him!" said Ibuki immediately. "I didn't hear Shindou's voice nagging at me at all!"
"Well, you surely didn't," Minaho replied sceptically. But decided not to continue to tease Ibuki any further. Instead, he issued an analysis, "I don't know in what way, but it seems they are the ones causing the voices." Minaho's eyes pointed to Fake Eleven. Who instead of taking a break, enjoyed Earth Eleven discussion like watching some roadside performance.
"They can imitate someone's voice and behaviour. Maybe they can also possess someone's mind." Manabe guessed.
Katora who had listened to them all this time, finally spoke. "I have heard, there was a remote planet which citizens have innate ability to hypnotize, use telepathy, and even mind control. Even so, they are not open to outsiders. Because of this, all this time it was thought their existance was just a rumor... "
Hearing that, Shindou seemed to think for a long time. When the second half was about to start, Shindou surprisingly volunteered to sit on the bench, replaced by Shinsuke. Shinsuke himself was going to play as defender, occupying Tetsukado's position. While Tetsukado was asked to cover Shindou's position. The former boxer was clearly shocked to hear that decision.
"But, Shindou-san ...," Tenma objected. "Tetsukado's expertise, is to resist attacks and firing them back to the opponents."
Shindou had his reasons. "We can no longer rely on that strategy, since our opponent also has the same ability."
Shindou embraced his teammates, whispering something.
Matatagi didn't seem to agree, but Tenma assured Matatagi that Shindou's plan might work.
"Please, Matatagi," Tenma pleaded. Matatagi rolled his eyes, but he didn't argue anymore.
The second half began. Matatagi's fast legs dribbled the ball towards Fake Eleven area. He went through both Matatagi and Zanakurou well.
Matatagi was so satisfied, when he succeeded in leaving his impersonator behind. "You don't deserve to call yourself me. I'm better than you!"
"Matatagi! Pass here!" Kusaka called from the side of the field. The ball then moved and was passed on to Tetsukado. Then Tenma. Finally, towards Zanakurou who had moved through the opponent's defense.
"Stop him!" Fake Tsurugi exclaimed.
Before Fake Eleven defenders could take action, a brown-haired figure with dark skin darted across the long pass aimed at Zanakurou. The ball was now lodged in his feet, replacing the feet of the kabuki actor.
The nearsighted Manabe was excited at first, because he thought the one who cut the ball was Matatagi from their side. After all, according to his calculations, it was impossible that Earth Eleven's Matatagi could reach Zanakurou's place due to the distance. Until Shindou's voice from Earth Eleven bench made him realize.
"Good one, Matatagi!"
Shindou smiled with relief. It was not easy to move quickly over such a distance. But Shindou was sure, Matatagi would be able to.
Unfortunately, because Matatagi cut the ball that was initially passed to Zanakurou, the shooting range that should have been short became longer than intended. Moreover, Tsurugi who seemed to be starting to read Shindou's tactics, changed his direction to block Matatagi.
"Tch!" Matatagi clucked. But he was no less resourceful. "Nozaki!"
"Huh?! Me?!" Stuttering, Sakura received the ball. She getting the ball, was clearly different from the plan Shindou had described.
Ouch, what should I do? While Sakura thought, Fake Eleven began to chase after her. Resulting the girl's panic.
"Sakura! Go up!" Tenma shouted, giving instructions.
"U-up?" Sakura turned her head and looked up. Above me…?
"It's useless!" Sakura jumped. Anticipating Sakura's next movement.
A second later Sakura finally understood. Instead of jumping up, she decided to kick straight up. The ball soared high, surpassing Sakura's jump .
"What!?"
Shinsuke ran to receive the ball from behind. He jumped higher than Sakura .
"BUTTOBI JUMP!"
The ball from Shinsuke shot down, through the wind. Sakura, still in mid-air, was not given the opportunity to hold it.
"WILD—!" Ibuki was helpless.
The whistle blew loudly. Earth Eleven gathered to celebrate their first goal.
Except for Ibuki.
"What the heck!? I'm not that bad, to the point I can't stop that midget's shot!"
Minaho who heard Ibuki's grumble, smiled. "Don't worry, Ibuki-kun! He is not you, isn't he?"
Ibuki blinked to hear Minaho repeating Shindou's sentence, but then he realized. Those words were meant to be a praise.
"Well, you had a point there ..." Ibuki scratched his blushing cheeks
The match resumed again, with a score of 2-1. Fake Eleven still on lead.
The next minute, for the first time in this match, Zanakurou pulled out his Soul and evened the score. Fighting spirit once again bloomed among Earth Eleven players.
"No matter how sneaky they are, there's no way they can imitate our Souls!" Tetsukado exclaimed.
"One point left!" Shinsuke jumped to be able to take Tenma's high-five.
Zanakurou approached the two. "I think I understand why it was difficult for us to defeat them. Seeing the opponents who are the copy of us, we unconsciously became challenged to compete one on one, so that we ended up scattered and acting individually."
"Oh, is that so?" said Shinsuke who was not copied by anyone. "But if we unite, we will definitely win, right?"
"Certainly!" Tenma answered quickly. "We will win, for Tsurugi's sake too!"
"Eh, Tsurugi too?"
Tenma nodded confidently. "Even though he is on the enemy side now, he must be waiting for us. If we lose here, we will never meet him."
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Notes:
Lalaya's speech isn't described in detail, because it already happens in canon (Galaxy episode 37)