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
Unexpected Subtitutes
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Fifteen minutes left until the end of first half.
Faram Dite―the team which was named after their planet's sun―seemed to dim in broad daylight. No Faram Dite player dared to initiate a counterattack, let alone to break into the opponent's backline area. With the strength that Ixal Fleet had just exhibited, and Faram Dite's current score which was still one point ahead, it was best to maintain this lead until the match was over.
For a team that had been accustomed to super aggresive play style, this was clearly not an easy task. By relying on instinct, Faram's non-defender players struggled to protect their goal.
Faram Dite's forwards had been pushed back over their own back line, before the whistle echoed. Tense breaths held in their chest, were blown out in relief. But only for a moment, because Tsurugi predicted that Ixal Fleet had not exerted all their strength.
"If you know they aren't serious, why not just try to attack them?" said Salfer, the reserve player.
"It could be precisely what they want. If we loosen our defenses and go for an attack, it will make our opponent easier to execute a counterattack," Ryugel commented.
"In my opinion, they should be able to take one more point from us without using tactics like that." Argo―Faram's goalkeeper whose clean sheet had just tainted―agreed with Tsurugi.
"Really? But, why ...?" Seren asked in surprise. Her busy hand distributing towels and water bottles stopped. Only continuing after Neol reminded her with a nudge.
"Easy," Ryugel replied, like some genius professor. "They're aiming for a dramatic effect, by showing the spectators when they turned the situation around at last moment."
"Dera... derama ... ," Gandales tried parroting, "... Derama what, Ryugel-nii?"
"Dramatic effect," Hilary snatched, getting annoyed. "They let us have a bit of hope of winning, but then ruin the excitement at last minute. That's the tactic Coach Donolzen taught us before. Have you forgotten?"
"You're right. Just look! That old hag is smiling."
Everyone looked at where Rodan's chin was directed to. A smile spread on Ruza Donolzen's lips when speaking in front of Ixal Fleet members. Obviously not natural, considering they were still one point behind Faram Dite.
"Now we know that, then what? Still want to play?"
"That's all we can do, isn't it?" Hilary countered. "After all, our defense was not too bad. No ball could reach Argo after the first goal from Ozrock earlier."
"But I don't like defending! It's not fun!" Gandales whined. "Right, Ryugel-nii?"
Ryugel did not immediately say yes. "Hey, Earthling Coach, don't you have any plan, do you?"
Silence. Faram Dite's members were waiting for Coach Kuroiwa's answer. And for the first time, they finally heard the coach say something ever since they entered the stadium.
"Ixal Fleet's formation is a defensive formation with five defenders and two midfielders. There are a lot of empty gaps in the middle. Obviously inviting us to attack."
Coach Kuroiwa looked at Faram Dite. Nobody knew what kind of gaze emitted behind those sunglasses. His head movements swept from right to left at medium speed, as if scanning his players one by one.
"Gandales and Ryugel," Coach Kuroiwa called out.
Not expecting their names to be mentioned, Baran brothers stammered, "Y-yes?"
"You two, retreat as defensive midfielders. Your main task is to mark Ozrock. Don't let him take the ball, approach the goal, or receive passes from his teammates."
"Eeh, why? I also want to attack!" Gandales protested again.
Coach Kuroiwa was indifferent, and continued his instructions. "Rodan and Tsurugi, you two remain as forwards. But do only counter attack if there is a chance." He emphasized on the word 'only'. "Other than that, you join in the defense."
Time to start the second half. Not giving time for Faram Dite to debate their coach.
"Ugh ..." Gandales still had difficulty accepting. "Ryugel-nii, say something!"
"Well, if it's decided like that, what can I do?" Ryugel shrugged and turned. "Come on, let's go back to the field!"
"Eeh ~?" Whining, Gandales followed in his brother's steps.
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Faram Dite was fortunate to have a large defensive wall like Barga. Despina, Ixal Fleet's forward-winger, cluck her tongue, when her ball was taken.
The ball dashed in the air, leaving Barga's feet, heading for Hilary. But Gandales suddenly cut its path, resulting Hilary's complaint.
Right after Gandales won the ball — without holding back — three players of Ixal Fleet instantly blocked him. Gandales snorted in annoyance. They had already read his intention to intercept the ball.
Amidst the tight guard, Gandales saw a gap to pass to the right. Seren, aware of Gandales' eyes, nodded her head. Gandales knew the magenta-haired girl was good at keeping and passing the ball. But, Gandales did not like to defend.
In the end, without releasing the ball, Gandales decided to push forward. Some feints he tried. Left, Right, Right, Back ...
Unfortunately, Ixal Fleet players were more alert. One of them skillfully kicked the ball loose from Gandales' feet. Another then swept the ball and brought it away.
"Damn!"
The ball quickly switched to the other side of the field. Followed by several Ixal Fleet midfielders who helped disrupt the defense of Barga, Xeno, and Radon.
Amidst the chaos, Ryugel desperately limited Ozrock's movements. However, it was indeed difficult by himself. Ozrock finally escaped his guard, and received Despina's cross kick. Committing a conclusive move, Ixal Fleet captain evened the score at 2-2.
While Faram Dite were still left stunned, Ryugel approached Gandales. Responding to his brother approaching, Gandales grinned a nervous smile.
"R-Ryugel-nii, sorry ... I ... didn't mea—"
Slap!
Not expecting a sharp sting on his left cheek, Gandales's apologetic smile instantly vanished.
"You know that our job was to keep the ball away from Ozrock! Why did you go attack instead!?"
"I…"
"See what you did?! Do you want us to lose home and roam within the black hole as ghosts?! Is that what you want?! Is it!?"
Not just Tsurugi. Even Faram Dite's members, who had known Baran Brothers for so long, this was the first time they saw Ryugel being so angry at Gandales.
Ryugel cluck tongue and looked away. Leaving his brother speechless and bowing his head.
"Hey, Tsurugi! Ask the coach to replace this fool with Salfer."
Ryugel's words jerked everyone, even Gandales who immediately raised his head. Half in disbelief, he looked for seriousness on his brother's face as well as a reaction from Tsurugi.
"Wait a minute, Ryugel! Are you serious?" Hilary confronted the older Baran. "Indeed, I was upset because Gandales stole my ball. But, if one of you is not here ..., our team ..."
Unexpectedly, coach Kuroiwa agreed to that. Salfer the reserve player, while hesitated, stood up and took position. Although in his heart, he did not deny that he was happy to have a turn to shine.
With a sullen face, Gandales sit on the end of the bench. Making distance as far as possible from Kuroiwa, not even hiding his sulk to the new coach.
"Look closely," Coach Kuroiwa's voice caught Gandales's attention.
"At what?" Gandales replied in a snap, still vexed.
"You always see your opponents' movements. Sometimes, you also need to pay attention to your friends'."
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Meanwhile, down there, Matatagi's Soul — Hayabusa the Eagle — managed to reverse the score. Earth Eleven was now leading with 3-2.
During the process of Matatagi's penetrating into the opponent's defense, not a single member of Fake Eleven summoned their Soul to defend. Which led to Matatagi's suspicion that their ability to 'imitate', actually not to the level of being able to master Earth Eleven's Soul.
Matatagi pronounced his suspicion to Tenma. But the captain did not immediately agree. He was silent, as if contemplating something. Getting that reaction, Matatagi sighed.
"I know, you may not really like it if the key to winning this match is Soul Power. Because that means, you who haven't master your Soul, wouldn't have to take part. Right?"
"I-It's not like that ...," said Tenma. "I'm just surprised, why are they so easy to let us attack. Even though they were really that confident during the first half…."
Shindou-san must have guessed that Fake Eleven was up to something, Tenma thought. But, what they're planning ... I can't guess it at all.
Matatagi shrugged. "It's up to you, Captain, to agree with my suspicion or not. After all, we're leading now. And seeing how the situation went earlier, I may just break into their goal again."
Matatagi turned around, going back to his position. The match would resume soon. Not giving chance for Tenma to discuss with Shindou who was still sitting on the bench.
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The score was 2-2. Faram Dite who could no longer rely on defense strategies, returned to their attacking formation. If this match ended in a penalty shootout, even Gandales knew, Faram Dite wouldn't have a chance.
Only shortly after the substitution, Tsurugi and Rodan were able to match themselves with Salfer. Tsurugi was grateful, because he had previously forced Rodan to practice specifically with himself and the reserve player. Tsurugi believed Salfer would be needed. But he did not expect that it would be Gandales being replaced by Salfer.
On one occasion, Tsurugi and Salfer managed to create a gap so that Rodan could break into the penalty box.
Rodan called out his Soul, Doruuga, right in front of Ixal Fleet goalkeeper. This time, the smallish striker was not kidding. Although it took a moment to compete with Phobos, Rodan's ball was caught in the net.
Faram Dite was back to 3-2 lead. Restoring the spectators' enthusiasm that had receded.
But the real nightmare had just begun. Ozrock's face mirrored that.
The next kick off was conducted by Ozrock and Despina.
Rodan was astonished to find the ball stopped at his feet, deliberately given by Despina. Moreover, Ozrock then grinned and said, "Go ahead," pointing his thumb at Ixal Fleet's rear line, "To our goal."
"They are making fun of us again!" growled Hilary.
Tsurugi tried to keep a cool head, "Don't fall into their provocation. Rodan, pass me the ball!"
But Rodan apparently agreed with Hilary. Alone, the smallish striker dashed forward against Ixal Fleet.
"Rodan!" Tsurugi exclaimed, but in vain. Rodan had transformed himself into Doruuga.
The audience cheered, so convinced that Rodan's shot would bear the next goal. But not so with Tsurugi. Since Ozrock and Despina kicked off, he had felt something wrong.
Exactly as he expected. Rodan, who was so sure he would make it into the goal, suddenly stopped in the middle of the field. His form as Doruuga dissolved, replaced by his human form. His face implied pain, as well as confusion, because he did not know the cause of the sudden pain that was plaguing his body.
Thanks to the abrupt stop, Tsurugi managed to catch up with Rodan, and found a pained expression on the boy's face.
An expression that Tsurugi had never thought could be put on by a sadist like Rodan.
"Hey, what's the matter?" Tsurugi asked.
Instead of answering, Rodan crouched down. Both of his hands were hugging his chest, as if trying to hold something that was about to come out, tearing his body from inside.
Tsurugi looked around. And found that it was not just Rodan. Hilary and Ryugel's expressions also implied the same suffering. Even Barga, and Argo the goalkeeper, began to whimper in pain.
"What's happening…?" Seren, who seemed to be just fine, wondered.
Realizing that Rodan could not control himself, Tsurugi took the initiative to keep the ball away from the boy's feet. However, it was too late.
With a speed that was difficult to pursue, even by Tsurugi, Rodan reincarnated back into Doruuga, then shot the ball into the goal. Not Ixal's goal, but their own goal.
An own goal that evened the score, to 3-3.
Boisterous confusion spontaneously reverberated among spectators. Faram Dite citizens had already known well their team's skill. They were not third-rate players that can be easily fooled into accidentally committing own goals. Moreover, what Rodan did earlier, did not seem like it was an accident.
Without giving the spectators chance to find the answer, another own goals followed. From Ryuugel's Pelion, also Barga's Gandoran. Score was now 5-3 for Ixal Fleet.
Tsurugi looked at Ozrock. A suspicion that Ixal Fleet was the cause of the irregularities committed by his teammates, came to him.
Ozrock smirked, as if to confirm Tsurugi's suspicion. "Berserk Ray."
" Berserk ... ray ...?" Tsurugi repeated. His eyes widened when looking at the entire Ixal Fleet formation. The players formed a pentagon. Every point that Ixal Fleet player's feet stepped on, was emitting faint lights.
"All Soul users in your team, have become our puppets."
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Earth Eleven were astonished. The ones sitting on the bench also unconsciously stood up. Ibuki stared in disbelief at what had just passed him.
Matatagi's Hayabusa scored a point. The point that should have been celebrated by Earth Eleven. If only the ball had been directed to fake Ibuki.
Before Tenma could ask Matatagi about the own goal that he had just committed, Tetsukado's Buffalo added the advantage of Fake Eleven. Followed by Zanakurou's Lion.
Earth Eleven, who had been leading 3-2 a few minutes ago, turned into a desperate loser with a score of 3-5.
Ibuki growled in frustration. Cursing his Mammoth, which, for some reason, could not be summoned. Resulting all those suicide attacks entered his goal without a hitch.
As usual, the goalpost was the target of Ibuki's anger. But suddenly, he felt—not only the strength of his hands—but also the strength of his legs also vanished. His knees bent, then his entire body collapsed into the ground. As if there was a magical hand that pushed and locked his body, so he could not rise again.
"Damn ...!" Ibuki gritted his teeth. That's the only expression of anger he could make. "What the hell is this…?!"
One by one, the members of Earth Eleven joined Ibuki, collapsed in pain. They were uprooted, scattered all over the field. Only Tenma and Shinsuke were still standing.
Panicking, the two approached their closest fallen teammate. Even Aoi and Shindou, immediately without a command, stormed into the field.
Near his feet, there was Ibuki, unable to stand up. Ibuki, who, despite Shindou's most painful torture, would always stand tall. Shindou almost lost for words. But the playmaker's anger was greater than his bewilderment, so he asked. Loud.
"What have you done?!" The question was aimed at fake Tsurugi. Or anyone from Fake Eleven who was willing to answer.
Fake Eleven exchanged looks. Tsurugi shrugged, representing his teammates.
"Liar! It's all your doing, right?!" Shinsuke also spoke out. Near him, Tetsukado repeatedly tried to get up, but in vain.
"We don't know anything," Tsurugi declined his accusation. "Maybe Ozrock did something in his match against Faram Dite. And that was affecting you."
"What do you mean? What is that Ozrock have done?" Tenma demanded. As he knew, it was Tsurugi and Faram Dite who were now facing Ozrock. Tsurugi might be in the same condition as Matatagi and the others.
"How do I know," replied Tsurugi lightly. "What's important now, are we still going to continue the match? The referee's whistle can't wait any longer. If this score keeps up, you will lose."
Tsurugi was right, and that silenced Tenma. He looked at Matatagi, who was now able to barely sit down.
"Matatagi, can you stand?"
Half-heartedly, Matatagi grabbed his captain's helping hand. Standing up, yet he soon swayed again. Tenma immediately put Matatagi's arm around his neck, helping him to leave the field.
"It does seem impossible to continue, huh ...," Tenma muttered quietly. "Do you feel any pain somewhere, Matatagi?"
Matatagi winced. "Nothing. It's just that my strength is like being drained without reason."
Assisted by Aoi, Shinsuke, and Shindou, one by one Earth Eleven members returned to the bench.
Now only Tenma, Shinsuke, and Shindou were left. Three of them, returned into the field, facing Fake Eleven who were still complete in number. Shinsuke took over the position of goalkeeper, while Shindou and Tenma, as two-top players, prepared to kick off .
"Hey, hey, are you guys seriously going against us with only three people?" Matatagi laughed mockingly, followed by his teammates. "At this rate, it's clear who will win!"
Tsurugi, amidst the confidence of Fake Eleven, squinted at his three opponents. The look on his face hardened. You fools who know no despair!
"Listen!" Tsurugi pointed a finger at Tenma and company. "We won't play half-heartedly, even though your number is now less than a half. We will win, and take over your planet! Remember that!"
The corners of Shindou's lips lifted. "That's good. That's what I was hoping for, Tsurugi!"
"Shindou-san ...?" Tenma looked at his upperclassman, confused, at the same time surprised.
"Don't worry, Tenma," Shindou muttered. "We will definitely win this!"
Shindou raised his hand. Asking for the referee's attention. "A minute, Referee! This match is no longer part of the Grand Celesta Galaxy, right?"
The referee, though confused, finally answered. "Yes, this match is purely to determine who has the right to return to planet Earth. That's all."
Shindou's smile widened. "Then, it is legal to summon them, right?"
"Them…?" Tenma was confused.
One by one, Shindou started to name.
"Maestro, Titanius, Pegasus, Oda Nobunaga, Liu Bei and Arthur. Indeed, if we add three of us, there will only be nine people. But, I think that's more than enough."
"Huh? Who are you calling by name?" 'Matatagi' laughed again. "Obviously no one can help you now!"
But for Tenma and Shinsuke, Shindou's words were like a beam of light that erased long darkness. The two's faces were suddenly bright, confusing even their teammates at the bench.
"Hey, what is Shindou talking about?" Tetsukado asked in confusion. "What are those names of foreigners he mentioned earlier?"
"About that ..." Aoi, while laughing, tried to explain. Carefully. "Well, it was a long story ..."
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Being whacked out by Berserk Ray, Faram Dite's condition was not much better than Earth Eleven's. Only Tsurugi, Salfer, Seren, Neol, Radon, Xeno and Gandales who was seated on the bench, were in condition to play properly. Except for Gandales, all of them were not Soul users.
Compared to Ixal Fleet and their Soul users who were still in good condition, Faram Dite was like a lion that lost its teeth.
"Never mind the difference in power. As per the rules, we won't even be able to continue if we don't play with eleven people!" Salfer said. His voice was hopeless.
"Do we ... have to give up ...?" Seren made a faint mutter.
All members were silent. Tsurugi bit his lip, staring at the tip of his shoes. Damn, we have come this far, and yet ...
Ozrock looked at Donolzen sitting on their bench, remembering her saying, back when she gave a short training to Ixal Fleet.
"Without Soul users, Faram Dite are no more than toothless cubs!"
The old woman's words were proven to be true. It was indeed not in vain to accept her to become their coach. The hopelessness expressions of Faram Dite players slightly relieved Ozrock's thirst for revenge.
But, not yet! This is still nothing! I will show you, what the real and true despair is !
"Don't give up, Faram Dite!"
"You can't lose!"
Faint exclamations were heard. At first, it came from one person, and then two, and counting. Becoming more insistent as they were echoing against the stadium walls.
"You guys will win!"
"You are the strongest team in the galaxy! Faram Dite of Faram Obius!"
"Beat them!"
"Do not give up!"
As the exclamations turned into cheers of encouragement, the spectators stood up. At the very least, their feet might be able to become supporting pillars for Faram Dite, against the enemy desiring to seize their homeland.
Called out by those voices, Faram Dite players, one by one, raised their heads. Aside from Hilary, who naturally wasn't that easy to be carried away. She snorted. The cheers were not powerful enough to bring her strength back.
"Easy for you to talk. But do you dare to come down here and face those Ixal monsters?"
As if responding to Hilary's challenge, a group of people - to be exact, a group of children - jumped down from the audience tribune, and immediately went to Faram Dite bench.
"Let us help too!"
"We don't want Faram Obius to be seized by those people!"
Tsurugi was fazed. The faces in front of him were not foreign faces. "You guys are ..."
"Tsurugi, you know them?" Seren asked.
Half-conscious, Tsurugi nodded. They are ..., there's no mistake. They were the homeless children, whom he met while investigating Faram's capital city some times ago. That was the time when Tsurugi realized that Faram Obius was not as bright as he saw through the window of Lalaya's palace.
The children consisted two boys and two girls. In terms of numbers, it was enough to cover the current shortage of Faram Dite players.
"But...are you not a Faramian like us? Why are you competing for our planet?" A sharp-nosed boy — almost matching Pinocchio — asked Tsurugi. The question came out innocently, without any suspicious tone. To a degree, Tsurugi was relieved.
"That's because he will get married to - Ouch!" Neol yelped. The tip of Tsurugi's shoe apparently landed on her toe.
"I want to save - not just your planet - but also the entire universe." Tsurugi turned his gaze for a moment at Ozrock. "For that, he ... must be defeated."
Seren changed subject. "Do you really play soccer, kids?"
Those doubts were answered with nods of enthusiasm.
"We're good! Look!" Another boy — with long horns, but only the size of Rodan's body — showed the ball he was carrying. He put down the ball in his hand. Then showing off his ability to volley. Quite a strong kick, and almost hit the spectators. If only Xeno the defender did not readily jump and block the ball with his broad chest.
"But his shots never got past me," a tall, thin girl with blue hair braided in a ponytail style, said proudly. "I'll be your goalkeeper!"
Other children began to mention their respective expertise. Faram Dite had no choice. Time was running on, while the score was still 3-5. Without having time to argue, the children were allowed to appear as substitutes.
"Tsurugi, Salfer and Gandales." Coach Kuroiwa called, right before the three returned to the field. "I want you to do something."
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"Gandales," Tsurugi called his two-top partner softly, while waiting for kick-off whistle. "You'd better not use Soul. I don't know whether Ozrock's Berserk Ray influence still remains or not. But you should ..."
"Yeah, I know," interrupted Gandales. "I won't use it. Rather than that, I'm more interested in trying what the coach ordered us earlier. You too, right?"
Tsurugi agreed with a smile.
The children were quite helpful. They were good at escaping from opponent's guard. Their passes were neat and accurate. Two boys who became midfielders, proved to be able to correspond with Tsurugi and the other strikers. While Ixal Fleet did not do much movement. They were so confident that they would win.
After successfully receiving the ball from Neol, Tsurugi gave signal to Gandales to charge into the front line, in advance of him.
Tsurugi's way was blocked by Ozrock, who appeared out of blue. The Ixal Fleet captain possibly had been stalking Tsurugi, waiting for him to get the ball.
But Tsurugi wasn't the type to just stop because of that. He knew, with the stamina he had now, he had no chance against with Ozrock.
Far to the right of the front, Salfer waved. Tsurugi prepared to pass.
A long pass, huh? Ozrock smirked. If I can took over the ball here ...
One of Ozrock teammates also seemed to realize that. A defender was prepared to cut the ball, in case Ozrock failed to steal the ball from Tsurugi.
However, it wasn't Salfer whom Tsurugi was aiming for. But the substitute player — a girl with blazing orange eyes. The girl was free to move since none of Ixal Fleet players was marking her.
As planned, while waiting for the ball to reach its destination, Tsurugi joined Salfer and Gandales to make a formation.
Two midfielder of Ixal Fleet did not stay silent. They moved to attack the orange eyed-girl carrying the ball. But the girl had anticipated. Long before Ixal's two players confronted her, the ball had moved to Neol. A perfect one touch from the midfielder delivered the ball safely to Tsurugi.
The formation of three forwards was ready.
"KOUTEIPENGUIN..."
Salfer and Gandales received the ball.
"2-GOU!"
Escorted by penguins, the ball shot towards the goal. Ixal defenders efforts to block it were left in vain. Ixal Fleet goalkeeper did not expect to get attacked by three Faram forwards at once. Moreover, this was a combination that had never existed before.
The goalkeeper did not even get to call his Soul or Hissatsu.
The score was now 4-5. Faram managed to catch up a little.
The Shitennou couldn't help but be amazed.
"Awesome!"
"What was that?"
Their reaction was natural. Gandales and Salfer had never been shot together before. Gandales always clung to his brother, and never opened up opportunities to collaborate with other team members. Moreover, this collaboration was led by Tsurugi who originally was not their teammate.
What could make them this unified in such short time?
All this time, Faram Dite was famous for the individual skills of its players. The only form of teamwork that stood out was the combination of Baran Brothers. Other than that, they were accustomed to doing everything by relying on their own's abilities.
But this time, Tsurugi and Kuroiwa had succeeded in introducing teamwork to the wayward team. That was the power of Earth Eleven brought by these two people to Faram Dite.
"Never thought that Earthlings have this kind of power…" uttered Argo in amazement.
"Koutei Penguin is a hissatsu that puts a very heavy burden on its users," Coach Kuroiwa said, drawing the attention of the Shitennou. "By doing it with three people, they can share the burden."
Lalaya was not left behind the fanfare. She stood up and cheered in her royal box. "That was great, Tsurugi"
Salfer was very satisfied. As the only forward who was not a member of Shitennou, he had been often marginalized. This was the first time he had gotten an equal role with Shitennou.
"You little...," Ozrock growled. "What a way to make me run out of patience!"
A dangerous aura rushed out from Ozrock's body. At that time, the kick off whistle had already blown. Tsurugi deducted that Ozrock was about to use Berserk Ray again.
"Gandales! Get out of the field quick!"
From the previous experience, Tsurugi figured that Berserk Ray only affected the Souls users on the field. Even Gandales understood that. Without any complaint, the younger Baran did as Tsurugi said.
But in fact, it wasn't Berserk Ray that was activated. An embodiment of Soul Power burst out, replacing Ozrock's human figure. Ixaal. Eight of his tentacles shook wildly, as if sowing darkness and despair around him.
Salfer stared in horror. Unconsciously stepping back away.
No time to feel afraid. Once he figured what Ozrock was about to do, Tsurugi ran to the rear line. It wasn't that he didn't trust the blue-haired girl acting as substitute goalkeeper. At least, he might be able to reduce the power of the shot, before it reached the goal. Ozrock himself seemed to want to gather all his strength into this one shot, so he took a long time. When Ozrock was ready to fire, Tsurugi was already in the rear.
Ozrock shot straight towards the goal Faram Dite like a torrent of waterfalls. But before the attack reached Tsurugi, a line of other players preceded him.
"Everyone…!" Tsurugi's eyes widened at the presence of Neol, Seren, Radon, and Xeno building a living fence out of their bodies in order to withstand Ozrock's attack, replacing him.
"Tsurugi, there's no need for you to handle something like this!" Neol exclaimed, just as Ozrock's shot arrived at them.
"Hurry and go back to the frontline!" Radon ordered, the defender who always hid his eyes behind his bangs. "Your job is to shoot this ball to the opponent's goal!"
"But…."
"It was you, wasn't it, who taught us that teamwork was the most important?" Seren reminded.
"Aren't you done here? Just go!" Xeno was to send his captain away, with a smile. "You can believe in us!"
Tsurugi, driving away his doubts, nodded and returned to the front.
Ozrock was vexed to see Faram Dite's captain escaped his attack. In fact, if he could choose, it was Tsurugi whom Ozrock wanted to demolish first.
These four ... What an annoyance !
"YOU FOOLS!" Ozrock cursed. "PERISH!"
Along with that shout, Ozrock finally managed to ravage Faram's living fences. And now he was continuing his journey towards the substitute keeper.
The blue-haired skinny girl firmly pressed both of her feet in front of the goal, trying hard to keep her knees from shaking. It was only a matter of time until Ozrock's shot reached her.
Can I really …?
"ASHUBINAAA!"
"YOU CAN DO IT!"
Her three friends at the front line took turns calling out her name. Sending her a big package of confidence.
The collision between the ball and the goalkeeper's gloves created a powerful shockwave. Even with her legs firmly planted, in the end, she was dragged backwards. But the girl did not want to back down. Every time she got slidded back one step, she always tried to go forward one step.
This goal ... and also our home planet ... I will definitely protect both !
After struggling for a long time, the shot managed to be overcome. Still, unfortunately, Ashubina failed to capture the ball perfectly in her hand. The ball came loose, and bounced wildly into the middle of the field. Ixal's players, without command, scrambled to catch the no-man's ball.
However, Salfer jumped higher than them, and succeeded in taking it first.
I, too, can't lose to them!
Salfer released a long-distance pass to keep the ball away from Faram's area. One of the substitute received it. With an impressive agility, he and his friend exchanged short passes, avoiding Ixal's midfielders. Their aim was Gandales, who had returned to the field.
"Gandales-san!"
"Got it!" Gandales dribble the ball briefly, before passing it to Tsurugi.
Ozrock, who had been waiting for that, blocked Tsurugi's path to the goal. One on one between the captains was inevitable.
"I'll destroy you first."
Hearing Ozrock's hissing vengeful voice, Tsurugi couldn't help but wonder. For some reason, the captain of Ixal Fleet acted as if he also held a grudge against Tsurugi - who was not even a Faramian - more than anyone on this planet.
"Don't push yourself. You've used up a lot of energy with that shot earlier." Tsurugi said, more like a sincere warning than just heating up his opponent.
Tsurugi's saying was coinciding with an image from his past. Igniting rage inside Ozrock's chest.
"YOU NO NEED TO BABYSIT ME!"
The explosion of fury once again transformed Ozrock's figure to Ixaal. The aura of the eight-legged Soul was so fierce, pressing Tsurugi so much that he was dragged backwards. Nevertheless, he was still able to keep the ball at his feet.
"Tsurugi! Get away from there!" Rodan shouted from sidelines bench. "It's too dangerous to face him alone."
Tsurugi agreed. But Ozrock didn't seem to want to let him go.
With one swift motion, one of the tentacles hit Tsurugi's body, removing him from the ball. At the same time, the other tentacles grabbed the ball and aimed it directly at Faram Dite's goal.
Neol, Seren, Radon, and Xeno were still lying on the ground after being knocked down by Ozrock's previous shot. They were too weak, even just to chase one more shot. They could only stare helplessly when Ozrock's shot was splitting the ground towards their goal.
Argo growled in exasperation at the scene. Damn ...! What am I doing here?! I should be the one guarding our goal there!
Nobody was able to catch that shot. Except ...
"Tsurugi!" Lalaya screamed, closing her mouth in horror.
Even those on bench did not believe what they saw. Tsurugi — or maybe, someone who looked like Tsurugi, because that figure had darker skin and smooth purple hair. But, no one commented on that. All they knew, he was rushing alone to face Ozrock's Ixaal.
"You idiot! You can't!" Hilary shouted.
Not a single Ixal Fleet player had been watching over Tsurugi, since he was knocked down by Ixaal's tentacle. They were all busy boasting Ozrock who was to add one more point to Ixal.
At a that moment, Tsurugi could only think of one way.
Okita-san... please, lend me strength ...
To hell with Avatar and Mixi-max ban. What Tsurugi needed now, was Okita Souji's lightning speed to deliver his body to the front of Ozrock's shot. But he did not stop there. Facing the approaching ball, Tsurugi ran to receive the ball that was rushing like a cannonball.
Lalaya could not take it anymore. Dark skin and purple hair surely did not look like the ones Tsurugi had, but she knew for sure it was Tsurugi. Although she still didn't know what she could do there, she felt obliged to stop this deadly match.
The queen burst out of her VIP box without being able to be prevented by Minel.
"Your Highness!"
Some guards intercepting her way, she removed with one command.
"Move!"
Minel who followed later, gestured to his men to obey Lalaya.
When Lalaya was already downstair, there was no longer Tsurugi's figure in sight.
"Tsurugi ... where is he...?"
Instead of Tsurugi, there was one foreign creature of a wild being, having a tight tackling duel with Ozrock's Ixaal.
"Tsurugi ...?" Lalaya muttered softly
Master Tsurugi ... has managed to master his Soul Power. That was the only conclusion that Minel could think of, in response to the scene in front of him.
Even Lalaya also recognized the beast as Tsurugi, although she did not see how the transformation process.
Slowly but surely, Ixaal started getting pushed back. The eight-tentacled creature was forced to revert back to his human form. Ozrock was thrown. Meanwhile, Tsurugi's beast continued to penetrate into Ixal Fleet area.
The commentator of the match, Ducksgun Babyu, called the name of the new Soul as 'Ookami'.
"Ookami ...?" Lalaya spelt it out, half-consciously.
The young queen was then perfectly awake, when 'Ookami' managed to even the score 5-5. The cheering from the crowd revived, followed by the enthusiasm of Faram players who were still on their bench.
Tsurugi, reverting to his human form, stood panting in front of Ixal Fleet goal. In contrast to the refreshing glitter effect that usually appeared after a person returned from his Soul form, Tsurugi's expression was foggy, as if being not sure of what he just did. But, he did found the ball ended up captured in the goal net, along with Phobos - the goalkeeper of Ixal Fleet.
"That was...?"
Gandales was the one who made him realize.
"Tsurugi!" Gandales without permission tackled him. Harshly, but also joyfully. "You did it! That was Soul, you know! SOUL! Your own soul!"
Ugh, he acts a bit like Tenma ...
Salfer approached, congratulating. "Your Soul may even be stronger than Rodan's Doruuga, Tsurugi!"
"What did you say?! That's impossible!" Rodan exclaimed disapprovingly, dispersing the forward group.
Tsurugi saw Rodan had returned to the field. Followed by Argo, Hilary, Barga and Ryugel.
"Ryugel-nii!" Shocked and excited, Gandales ran to his brother. "Ryugel-nii, are you okay?"
"Well ..." Ryugel tried to answer coldly. After nagging at his younger brother earlier, he wanted to keep a little distance.
"You can rest easy. It's our turn now," Hilary said while helping Seren and Neol stand up. "You must have used up all your strength holding back Ozrock's shot earlier."
Meanwhile, Bagra and Ryugel approached Radon and Xeno. They pat the backs of the two defenders as appreciation. Argo, the goalkeeper, even ruffled Ashubina's blue hair. His face that was usually inexpressive, spread a smile that implied pride.
It was hard not to play anymore, but Neol, Seren, Radon, and Xeno, as well as Ashubina, were well aware that they had reached their limit. They returned to the sidelines, while Hilary, Rodan, Ryugel, Barga and Argo acted as their replacements.
Shitennou's recovery, together with Argo who was known as the guardian deity of Team Faram Dite, immediately returned the hopes of Faram Obius inhabitants. Only one point was needed, to be able to finally beat Ixal.
.
.
.
The involvement of Pegasus and others - unexpectedly – turned out to have an extraordinary effect. Data about these abilities was only owned by Shindou and Tsurugi. It was not processed in depth by both of them, because they did not expect Tenma and his friends to take advantage of those mythological creatures and historical figures they had in themselves.
The game's whistle ensured Earth Eleven's victory over their imposters.
Tsurugi slowly stood up, amid Fake Eleven members who were still kneeling in defeat.
"You won," he said, flatly. "Congratulations."
Usually, at a time like this, the ceiling would scatter a packet of confetti. However, instead of confetti, it was a bunch of purple gas that suddenly spread out from four corners of the ceiling.
"W-what is this?" Sakura spontaneously closed her nose. "It stinks!"
"In an hour, this place will be filled with poison gas," Tsurugi's answer instantly turned confusion into panic. He pointed to the door on the back side of Fake Eleven goal. "Hurry up and get out. Before you die with us."
Shinsuke ran towards the door in question, proving that the door could indeed be opened. Earth Eleven flocked to follow him out. But Tenma did not necessarily leave.
"Then you must go with us too!"
"We can't," Tsurugi, or Manuuba, responded with a bitter grin. "Our shoes have been tampered with a drug that will be injected immediately after we lose. And now ... you can see for yourself ... the effect ... Just standing up ...is difficult ..."
As the drug effects were getting stronger, Manuuba folded his legs, crouched down resignedly on the ground.
"Hurry up and go," he said again to Tenma. "You want to save ... your Tsurugi, right? You can't die here."
Tenma did not answer. Instead, he slid his hands under Manuuba's knees and back, taking that Tsurugi-like figure into his arms.
"W-what are you doing!?" Manuuba tried to rebel. But his body was too weak for that.
"A place for fifty people, you said? Of course we have that on earth!" Tenma answered, while running after his already evacuated friends. "Even if you don't like the earth, you can use planet Mars, or whichever you'd like in our solar system! Anyway, don't let yourself belong to Ozrock to the end!"
Manuuba flinched. He wanted to say something, but was too tired to argue with Tenma.
"Captain! What are you doing ?!" Tetsukado was bewildered, seeing whom Tenma was carrying. "He's an enemy!"
Was Captain that obsessed with Tsurugi that he picked up the fake one too?
"Tetsukado! Hurry and help Manuuba's friends!" Tenma pleaded while putting down Tsurugi on ground. "They can't walk because of some kind of drug injection in their shoes!"
"Huuh? Aren't they our enemies? Just leave them alone!" Matatagi replied, annoyed. Just to what extent, the limits of this person's kindness ?!
But Tenma had gone back inside. Trying to drag 'Ibuki' who was the closest to the door.
"Captain, you go help the others!" Ibuki said, while taking over Ibuki from Tenma. "Hurry up! The exit is closing soon!"
Turned out it was not just Ibuki. The others also intervened, helping each of their imitations.
Matatagi whispered to his imposter, "You owe me one, you know!"
Princess Katora took Sakura's one arm, helping Sakura bring her out of the room. Meanwhile, Shinsuke and Aoi helped Manuuba's friend, the referee who had disguised himself as Ishigashi.
Just as everyone was evacuated, the exit closed. Everyone sighed with relief.
"Where are we going now?" Shindou asked, looking around. Their place was only lit by a dim light. There was no way out.
"There's no need ...," Manuuba answered. "This elevator ... will take you up."
"Oh, so this is an elevator?" Minaho later realized the floor under their feet was pushing them upward.
"Tsurugi's match ... should have been over too ..." Tenma murmured.
"I wonder who have won?"
Nobody could answer Shinsuke's question. But everyone knew, the answer would appear if they got out of here.
It was Potomuri who welcomed them once they reached the surface. The scientist was very delighted to see Princess Katora safe.
"I was panicked when I realized you were no longer on Ozrock's spaceship," Potomuri said. His eyes filled with tears, but a relieved smile was clearly applied on his lips. "It turned out that you went to Tenma and the others, to warn them about Ozrock's plan, Princess?"
"Yes, I did," Katora answered. She also was relieved, the tension that had engulfed her was over. "I'm sure Tenma and his friends can do it."
Potomuri looked at Tenma gratefully.
"Thank you, Tenma-kun. Everyone."
"So, what about the life energy?" Katora asked again. "You managed to complete the machine, didn't you?"
Potomuri's face changed. "Th ... that is ..."
Staring around, Tenma finally began to recognize where they were. One of the corridors of a stadium, which was directly connected to a soccer field.
And in the middle of that field, he caught a figure that he was very familiar with. The figure was not wearing Earth Eleven uniform. But he immediately knew who it was.
"Tsurugi!" Tenma called loudly, running to him.
"Wait, Tenma! It's dangerous!" Shindou warned. "Tsurugi is on our enemy's side! We don't know what he's up to!"
But Tenma ignored his senior. Especially when he saw Tsurugi responding to his call, by turning his head to him.
"Tsurugi!" Tenma called again. I knew it, Tsurugi hasn't changed at all. He still recognizes me!
"Ten ... ma ..." Tsurugi's voice was barely audible. The reaction contrasted with his mixed feelings when he saw the owner of name he just mentioned. Joy and relief, merged with a little sadness.
The figure of Tenma who was running toward him from a distance, would be the last sight he saw.
For the first time since coming to Faram Obius, Tsurugi felt very blessed.
While musing that, Tsurugi smiled. Giving up his soul. Letting his body collapse, and go still.