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
Revelation
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Grand Celesta Stadium. The grandest stadium in the entire galaxy had just finished holding a big match to determine the fate of the universe. The referee's whistle had ratified the result.
However, instead of boisterous disappointment for the loss of final match host planet―that had also been the champion favorites, it was a cold silence, creeping through the whole stadium.
Salfer looked around, face paled. Witnessing the bodies of his comrades―his team's captain, goalkeeper and five mighty Shitennou―collapsed on the ground like corpses (or indeed corpses?). While he and three young substitutes, could only be stunned, speechless.
It was the same way as the audience, security officers, even the medical team. After proving the truth of Ozrock's words—that losing meant death, for the Soul users—no one dared to walk into the location. Bewilderment mixed with horrors, hold them back from taking any action.
But not for Seren, Neol, Radon, and Xeno. Those Faram players who were still on bench, responded quick. They thoughtlessly got up, rushing to their fallen teammates.
However, they soon were stunned, seeing Queen Lalaya's figure storming into the field, as if being possessed. Regardless of her highheels that make her difficult to run fast. Indifferent to her hair and the tip of her dress being trampled. The queen's steps fluttered, but were determined. Like a wounded lioness approaching her cub.
Thud!
Without any groans nor complaints, Lalaya rose to continue her steps. This time, by crawling.
One step. Two steps. Three steps.
Unable to stand the sight, Minel held the queen's shoulder. Gently, forcing her to stop.
Lalaya turned, found Minel shaking his head.
"It's useless, Your Majesty. It is too late."
Those words immediately smashed Lalaya back into the past. When she was whining to Minel to save her disappearing father. Minel's answer at that time, was exactly the same.
"It's useless, Your Majesty. It is too late."
Back to the present, Lalaya stared ahead. Towards Tsurugi's body lying two steps away from her.
Too late...?
She was the queen. She was no longer a child like years ago. She wouldn't whine, let alone cry. She would remain strong and majestic, just like before she met Tsurugi.
The medical team moved quickly as soon as they received Minel's orders. Securing seven empty bodies without souls scattered on the field. After having a quick discussion, they decided to transfer the seven directly to a hospital, instead to the stadium clinic.
Tsurugi was brought last.
"I'm going too!" Lalaya stood up and spoke, pausing medical team's rush for a moment.
"But, Your Majesty...," Minel wanted to oppose, but when he met with Lalaya's green eyes, he found a bank of tears that was about to leak soon.
"... Understood ...," Minel replied solemnly. He then ordered his subordinates to prepare a special transport for Lalaya.
No one stopped the queen, who was about to leave the stadium without commenting about her team's defeat. The atmosphere was too depressing to start a debate.
Except for one person.
"Wa-Wait!" A voice cried out. "Wait a minute!"
The entire stadium were distracted by the owner of that voice. Matsukaze Tenma, who panted as soon as he reached Lalaya.
"Tsurugi ... where is he being brought to? What happened to him?"
Tenma's eyes fixed on Lalaya. Clearly, the question was addressed to her. Even so, Lalaya herself, really didn't know what to say. She only knew, something bad happened. To Tsurugi, Argo, and also the four Shitennou.
"He…"
"He is dead, Matsukaze Tenma."
Tenma practically turned. A familiar voice, yet was toned differently this time. Very much triumphant, and ridiculing.
"What do you mean…?"
Ozrock did not immediately give an answer. He waited for the other Earth Eleven members, along with Katora and Potomuri, to arrive in the field, following Tenma.
"Isn't that right? Young scientist from Planet Kiel, Mr. Potomuri?"
Attentions immediately turned to Potomuri.
"Potomuri ...?" Katora looked at her liege. She could not believe that Potomuri, who was now the sole person in this galaxy originating from the same planet as her, had betrayed her.
Potomuri sighed heavily. His eyes shut tightly, as if not wanting to acknowledge reality. But, this was the reality. Time could not be turned back. The machine that was born through his hand had swallowed victims. And that was not just one or two.
But seven.
In the next instant, the scientist leaned into the ground, face touching the grass. Right in front of Earth Elaven members, right next to Katora.
"I am sorry, Tenma-kun, Princess Katora, everyone ...," he said regretfully. "Ozrock has changed life energy acquirement system in Cosmic Plasma Photon Cannon. It no longer takes energy from the clash between two different wills, just like what Princess Katora proposed. But rather...," Heavily, Potomuri continued. "A person's soul ... as a whole."
The revelation stung all ears that heard it. Tenma, Shindou, and all of Earth Eleven gasped.
"That means ... Tsurugi-kun ..." Minaho hesitated.
Matatagi completed. "He was sacrificed for that black-hole-destroyer machine?"
Nobody criticized Matatagi's insensitivity to the situation. As everyone also interpreted Potomuri's words in the same understanding. Only they did not know how to express it.
"Sacrificed ...? Tsurugi ...?" Tenma's eyes turned hollow. He unconsciously looked around. And realized the figure he was looking for, had departed with the Shitennou, as well as the medical team that took them.
So did Lalaya. She had left everything to Minel. Lalaya could not bear to listen to Ozrock's explanation. Right now, the only thing in the queen's mind was to be by Tsurugi's side.
"Please forgive me, Princess," Potomuri said, this time addressed to Katora. "Ozrock has changed Cosmic Plasma Photon Cannon system behind my supervision. I don't know how he did it. But I can vow to you, Princess, I did follow your orders to use the clash of Earth Eleven and Faram Dite's wills, instead of—"
"Don't be a hypocrite, Potomuri. Your Cosmic Plasma Photon Cannon does need sacrifices to be useful, doesn't it?" said Ozrock rhetorically. His expression still hadn't changed. A sly smile that ignited anger of anyone who saw it. "That's why, this extraordinary invention was sealed, and considered to be forbidden on Planet Kiel. Well, at least until the planet faced the same fate as Faram Obius right now, and you had to reopen the forbidden box. Although in the end, it still failed. Or to be more precise, you couldn't bear to feed human souls, in order to operate the machine you'd created."
Still not any reaction from Katora. Potomuri did not want to wait. Therefore, despite his despair, he still tried to seek for Katora's forgiveness.
"Princess, really ... I ..."
"Please don't blame yourself, Potomuri. You have struggled enough."
Katora had known from the start, that Cosmic Plasma Photon Cannon used 'living souls' as its fuel. It did not take long for the clever princess to figure that the phrase was translated to the death of those souls' owners.
However, that did not mean there was no other way. Katora had always believed that. Even after Kiel collapsed and she became a captive prisoned on Ozrock's spaceship.
Her belief was not in vain. After the destruction of her planet, she had learned many things. And found out that the living souls needed as sacrifices, could be replaced by 'strong zeal to survive'.
"Katora-san ...?" Aoi called, awakening Katora from her contemplation. The princess smiled blandly in response.
"But, only seven people will not be enough to complete Cosmic Plasma Photon Cannon. Ozrock, you too ... have failed, haven't you?" Katora said coldly.
Ozrock responded like it was nothing. "Indeed, Princess. Because, my original plan was to use Souls of Earth Eleven members in addition."
For the second time, Shindou and the others were dropped a bombshell. Did not count Tenma, though, who accepted Ozrock's statement as just a mild flick. Because his head was still full of Tsurugi.
"Unfortunately, you—Earthlings—defeated Fake Eleven. Had you lost, you would have suffered the same fate as Shitennou and ..." Ozrock's smirked expanded before continuing. "... that traitor."
Right after Ozrock said that, Manabe felt a gust of wind—like someone was dashing quickly by him. When he turned his head, a teammate who had been standing on his left, was no longer there.
Everything happened so fast. Next thing he knew, Ozrock was lying with half of his face on the ground, and the other half emphasizing bluish bruise.
"Master Ozrock!"
Ixal Fleet players surrounded their captain. "How dare you—!"
"The real traitor here is you! You trash!"
Responsible for the bruise and the shout, a figure was standing in front of Ozrock. Rapid breaths, followed by throbbing, wrinkled facial veins, were to represent his furious rage.
It immediately stopped Ixal Fleet to give a payback to what he had done to their captain.
Even Tenma's brain, which was being filled with Tsurugi, responded to the incident just now as extraordinary. Suddenly, his memory turned back.
"... even if I have to use one hand, the culprit who kidnapped Tsurugi will be beaten to a pulp!"
That vow ... had been fulfilled.
"Tetsukado!" Shindou exclaimed, pulling hard on the ex-boxer's shoulder. "This is not a place to pick a fight!"
Tetsukado slowly pulled his left fist that was still perched in the air. Eyes closed, while breathing out a sigh.
"Tetsukado," Tenma patted the burly defender's shoulder. "That's enough. Thank you."
The other Earth Eleven members looked at each other. Why 'thank you'?
Tetsukado smiled faintly at Tenma, then retreated. But his face stiffened when he met eyes with Ozrock who had managed to stand up, wiping his cheek with back of his hand.
"Nice punch," unexpectedly, Ozrock praised. "The last time I got a wound like this, when I called Akurous, as the king of cannibal bitches, when I knew that the one who saved our spaceship was Faram Obius. Of course, he didn't hit me, who was still a boy. He just slapped me. But his big hand did leave mark."
"You deserve it," that statement blurted out from Kusaka. "You'd insulted people who saved you, after all."
"Saved, you said?" Ozrock responded sarcastically. "Indeed. He gave food, clothes and shelter to us— homeless children from Ixal. But before him, there were other people who had done the same to us. And those people ... desired the destruction of this planet. Hmm, do you understand what I mean?"
"You mean ... your biological parents?" guessed Minaho.
"Exactly. What he did was never better than our parents. On the contrary, he was no different from a farmer who raises and fattens up his cattles, until then he slaughters them for food. He was just a—"
"SHUT UP, YOU FREAK!"
A thundering voice broke. Not from Earth Eleven members. But far behind Ozrock's back. A blue haired girl—whom the audience had known a while ago as the temporary substitute for the guardian deity of Faram Obius—was panting hard, like she was out of breath after screaming earlier.
Even her friends who stood beside her were also flinched, only being able to say the girl's name, quietly.
"Ashubina...?"
"King Akurous ... King Akurous wasn't that kind of person!"
"Oh?" Ozrock turned around. Even though he was surprised, his smirk didn't fade. "What do you even know, little girl?"
"You, who have not lost your relatives and home ... how could you understand our feelings," the statement came from Ishigashi, Earth Eleven's former guide who always put on an expressionless face. Even right now, even though he just referred something called 'feelings'.
"Sorry, but you're wrong," a midget boy, one of Ashubina's friends, answered. "We did experience them. Losing parents, siblings, home... Not because of anyone. But our own people."
For a moment, the boy turned his gaze to Counselor Ruza Donolzen who watched the ruckus with a smile perched on her lips.
"No matter how much we want her to pay for her deeds, she still steps freely on this land."
"It's different! You'd never feel how painful it was, to let go of the hands of your parents who forced you into the spaceship, while you knew if they stayed out there, they would dissolve along with your devastating planet!"
This time it was Phobos, Ixal's goalkeeper, to unravel his anger which had been buried for two hundred years.
"But once you got here, you got food, clothing and shelter from our king. Something that were very difficult for us to get, almost throughout our lives. Do you know how we felt after hearing your story?" The boy inhaled. "Jealousy."
At this point, there was silence. Three of Faram's other children also agreed with their midget friend, whose manner of speaking far exceeded his body size. The irony that there were people, not from their planet, earning a more decent livelihood than them, was indeed painful. But they knew, it was not Akurous' fault.
Also not Lalaya's fault either. Maybe...
A sniggle. It started quiet, before turned into a loud laughter. Donolzen stood proudly, though because of her old age, still stumbling as she left her seat.
"Very interesting. Who would have thought that someone would want King Akurous to come back to life. Unfortunately, you kids are unlucky. Living in the days of Puppet Queen Lalaya. Maybe you have hoped for that earthling resembling the previous king. But, look what happened to him! Just like the previous king, he became a sacrifice for my ambitions."
"Earthling ... who resembled the previous king ...?" Shindou murmured in surprise. "Is she talking about Tsurugi?"
Shindou was close enough to Tenma, that his murmuring was heard quite clearly. Tenma turned to Shindou, before turned back at Donolzen.
Tsurugi resembled this planet's previous king? Is that why he was brought here?
Tenma was craving to ask, before Katora's soft but firm voice took over.
"Ozrock," she said. "Your plan to recreate Cosmic Plasma Photon Cannon at the expense of Faram Dite players has failed. Therefore, can you return them? We will start again, using the real life energy. If done properly, no casualties will occur."
"Failed?" Ozrock laughed mockingly. "You are mistaken, Princess. This is just the beginning of my plan."
Ozrock's attention then turned to Tenma and company.
"Earth Eleven, you will be the next victim," Without waiting for the reaction of his interlocutors, Ozrock continued. "Tomorrow morning, in this stadium, you will fight us―Ixal Fleet. If you win, our souls will be sacrificed, and you can erase this black hole, along with our whole existences. How's that? Not a bad offer, right?"
Tenma didn't respond right away. "If we win, will Tsurugi and the others return?"
"Of course." Ozrock answered without hesitation.
Contrastingly, it made Shindou doubt him even more. Ozrock had cheated them since the beginning of this tournament. Not just Ozrock. Coach Kuroiwa too. Sure, even though the enigmatic coach had been on their side—it was only until the semifinal match.
Remembering Coach Kuroiwa, Shindou's eyes immediately circled the stadium, looking for Faram Dite's bench that had been emptied.
He should be there.
But Shindou did not find anyone there.
.
.
.
"Are you serious to accept Ozrock challenge!? If you lose, you will all die!"
Minel's voice was loud. Loud enough for a voice issued in a hospital hallway. No problem actually, since the hall was part of the most remote hospital ward, used to preserve soulless bodies.
"We thank you for your consideration," Shindou answered politely, representing Earth Eleven. Previously, Minel had introduced himself to them as Queen Lalaya's aide. "But if we don't stop them, nobody else can."
"Isn't there still another way? Leave the rest to our Faram Dite team, to fight against Ozrock. They are not Soul users. That way, there would be no risk involved!"
"But, if you lose, Cosmic Plasma Photon Cannon won't be completed. In what ways do you erase the approaching black hole?" Shindou replied, half-questioning, even though he himself knew the answer. "Faram Dite's defeat has caused all your spaceships used for evacuating to be exterminated to no trace. The only way left is to defeat Ozrock and take over Cosmic Plasma Photon Cannon from him. This is also for the universe."
Minel was left speechless.
"Turns out ... you all... are no different from Master Tsurugi," Minel's saying was more like a muttering to himself.
"Eh?"
Voices of shock at the mention of 'that name' still remained. Although Tenma right now, was not in the midst of his Earth Eleven peers. Together with Katora, the captain was behind the door not far from them. The door to the room that preserved Tsurugi, Argo, and the Shitennou's soulless bodies.
Minel continued, "Before the final match begins, I once asked him, why he was willing to do this task, to the point he was willing to betray his own planet. He said the same thing as you"
"Tsurugi ... say that?"
"Back then, I didn't understand what he meant. But now, I can only think, that Master Tsurugi might have known ... Faram Obius's situation would be like this."
Minel then recounted Tsurugi's conversation with Faram Dite members, which he eavesdropped just before the final match began.
"If it wasn't for Master Tsurugi, Faram Dite would have crumbled, even before facing Ozrock and his team," Minel concluded.
For a moment, no one spoke. All were lost in their own's thoughts. Including Shindou, Ibuki, and Tetsukado. Those who basically couldn't understand Tsurugi's betrayal, were musing for answers.
Tsurugi ... what exactly were you thinking ...?
"I had warned you, right? But you instead made such stupid decision."
Eleven heads of Earth Eleven players flinched. Also Minel. Naturally. Since they were just now thinking of someone, the relevant's voice suddenly rang out.
"Master Tsurugi ...?" called Minel doubtfully.
But when they look at him more carefully, eleven other figures walked in, following the figure of the voice's owner.
"Fake eleven, huh..." Ibuki snorted. A little relieved, but mostly disappointed. A moment ago, he forgot that these people were still around. At Tenma's request, they were taken to the same hospital as Tsurugi and the Shitennou, to receive treatment after their feet had been pricked by those shoes planted with drugs.
"They are imposters," Shindou explained the situation briefly to Minel. "They had sabotated us before. But apparently they would not do anything for a while. Please rest assured."
"I see," Matatagi concluded. "No wonder, you guys didn't copy us to the point where you could master Souls. Because, if you'd done that, you would have automatically suffer the same fate as Faram Dite if you lose. What a bunch of cowards."
"You fool!" reproached Matatagi. "Even if we didn't master Soul Power, we would also still be locked up dead there. But, we would rather die in vain because of poison gas than die and become sacrifices to satisfy Ozrock's ambitions."
Seeing the possibility of a fight, Shindou hurriedly mediated.
"This is not the time to start a new problem!" Shindou said, especially to Matatagi. Turning to Matatagi, Shindou continued. "I don't know what you are planning to do next. But I hope that you won't hinder us anymore."
Matatagi shrugged his shoulders without objection. "No problem. After all, our business is done. Besides, if you really don't want interference, you should just let us die in underground then."
Tetsukado retorted, "We don't help you either because we want to, you know!"
Tsurugi looked around, and did not find Tenma.
"Your captain ... must be at Tsurugi's place, huh?"
"Why? Are you jealous?" accused Matatagi, half teasing.
Tsurugi sighed, looking away, "Give me a break…."
"Then what?"
"I just want to collect your captain's promise. He said the earth was willing to accommodate us, right?"
.
.
.
Lalaya had asked, half forced, so that no one accompanied her into the mortuary. Like it or not, the guards retreated, leaving her alone without being disturbed.
Therefore, when she heard the signs of someone's arrival, Lalaya immediately turned around.
"Wh-Who's there?!" Lalaya asked, unintentionally loud, to disguise tears in the corners of her eyes.
"Please excuse us," Tenma spoke, in a quietest voice possible. Hoping Lalaya would also lower her voice. Even though no one might hear, they must respect the bodies that were with them in this room. "In the end, I really want to meet Tsurugi."
Lalaya stared, "You are ... the one from Earth Eleven ...?"
Katora followed silently behind Tenma.
"I apologize for causing all this to happen," Katora said, gently. Even though she felt Lalaya might not understand what she just said.
In the room filled with rows of beds in tubes, the three were silent.
"So, can I ... see Tsurugi?" Tenma repeated again, breaking the silence.
"Wait a minute. What do you mean by you caused all this happen?" Lalaya's voice was alert, directed at Katora. In spite of Katora's 'good person' vibe, she was still a stranger who claimed to be the cause of the sudden death of six of her people and somebody else... whom she treasured very much. Lalaya didn't want to be fooled anymore.
"The story is quite long," Katora said diplomatically. "But I shall not tell it all here. So may we ... come out and talk...?"
Lalaya looked down for a moment before raising her head and asking back, "If indeed you are the cause, can this conversation bring them all back?"
"I don't know," Katora answered honestly. "But there are things that you really should know as the queen of this planet."
"…Queen…?" Lalaya repeated hollowly, as her fingers touched the glass dome separating Tsurugi's body from free air. Tsurugi who continued to believe in this useless queen until the end.
Lalaya was determined to do anything so that Tsurugi and the others could return. Whatever it would be.
Not as their queen. But rather as ...
What is it? Friend, maybe ...?
But ..., did she deserve to be called their friend ...? Beyond names and reputation of their victories so far, Lalaya did not know anything about Argo and the Shitennou. Never mind them. Lalaya even felt unworthy to be Tsurugi's friend — even though she had claimed the boy as her future husband.
All this time, Lalaya had only told Tsurugi her problems. Without ever letting Tsurugi talk about himself.
How his feeling, what he liked, what he hated, how his life so far, how his family, his friends. What'd make him happy ..., what'd make him sad ...
Lalaya didn't know anything at all.
Even if there were, it was only the uncomfortable hunches she had felt since the match began, which turned out to refer to this event. Tsurugi had departed, leaving unresolved question, why he was willing to oppose his own home, for the planet that was not even his native land. Is it for me ... or ...
"What would you say, Queen Lalaya?" Katora pulled Lalaya back to reality.
Not immediately answering, Lalaya turned to Tenma.
"Are you ... Tsurugi's friend?"
To that simple question, Tenma was stunned for a moment. Before finally nodding while smiling.
"Yes. He is my friend. My most valuable friend."
Tenma's soft answer tore the queen. Just by looking at Tenma when saying that, Lalaya realized how strong the bond formed between the two.
I am... nothing, compared to this person ...
"Then ..." Lalaya looked down. She could not oppose Tenma's eyes. "Can you watch over Tsurugi here ...? I will be out ..."
.
.
.
"Queen Lalaya!" Minel welcomed when he saw the queen coming out, accompanied by Katora. "Are you all right?"
"Yes ..."
Lalaya circulated her eyes, realizing the increasing number of figures waiting in front of the mortuary.
Ah, these are ... Tsurugi's friends.
But the queen expression immediately changed, when meeting someone's eyes.
"You...?"
Tsurugi raised an eyebrow.
"He is an imposter," Katora explained in a whisper to Lalaya.
"Imposter…?"
Katora nodded. "We will also explain this to you later, Your Highness," she continued.
The signal made by the princess' eyes made Manuuba fail to open his mouth.
Lalaya, though clearly looking very curious, tried to quell her curiosity.
"Minel," she then called. "Can you ask Faram Dite to lend me their meeting room? If it's from here, it's too far to go back to the palace."
Minel, without asking many questions, nodded his head and resigned.
"If possible, both Earth Eleven and Fake Eleven ladies and gentlemen too," Katora added. "We have something important to discuss."
"Discuss...?" asked Sakura. She did not like the word. It would only made her head dizzy.
Katora nodded. "I, and also Queen Lalaya, must tell everything we know to you."
Hearing herself called so by Katora, Lalaya quickly turned her head.
"Me too?"
.
.
.
Lalaya and Katora were out. Now it was just Tenma being all alone with the soulless bodies.
Tenma took slow steps. Heading towards Tsurugi's bedside, whose occupant remained still despite the arrival of someone whom he should have really wanted to meet at this time.
"Tsurugi ...," Tenma called. Trying to sound as normal as possible, even though he knew he wouldn't get an answer. "'It's been a long time' ..., is something we should say right now, huh?"
A bitter chuckle.
"I ... all this time I've been with your imposter, so I didn't feel anything wrong, until the imposter revealed his identity. How stupid was I, huh? Tsurugi, you can be angry with me, really. To your heart's content. I'm ready."
At this point, Tenma paused for a moment, imagining Tsurugi was sulking at him. Facing his back towards him, not answering.
"When I was discouraged because you disappeared, Aoi once said, I was the captain. I must not be carried away by personal feelings. I must be the one who led the others."
Accompanying each of Tenma's words, the faint sounds of complicated machines of Faram Obius's technology that kept the bodies of Tsurugi and the others intact.
"I don't know, which is more painful. Knowing that you were no longer with us, or knowing you had turned your back to us, taking sides with our opponent. Although I'm sure, you must have your own reasons for that. But still, I finally understood. Whatever the reason, not being with you is the most painful thing for me."
Therefore, if there is still a chance ...
Tenma took a breath before continuing.
"I want you to be the ace striker of my team. Now and forever."
.
.
.
"Is that a marriage proposal?"
"You fool! What's the use of a proposal if the person concerned doesn't hear it?
" Ah, I also always declare my love for Princess Katora, even during my exile. Even though it was impossible for her to hear me."
"You two timer! I thought you were already with Potomuri."
"Ah, about Potomuri, it's a different case. I respect him as a fellow soldier. But take it easy. If it's about you, Your Highness, I consider you to be higher than that, really!"
"See? You really are a two timer! Watch out if you seduce me again! I'm older than you, you know! And already have a child!"
"More importantly, King Akurous, we came here not to have a fight, did we not?"
"Well, you're right, Sarjes. We came here to help him."
The two inaudible voice owners slowly appeared behind Tenma. As a result of being too focused on Tsurugi, Tenma was unaware of their appearance.
Until Sarjes called him.
"Psst, Tenma!"
The one who was called spontaneously turned around and almost took off his heart when he realized there were living people(?)―moreover, two―besides himself, in a room that should only be inhabited by the dead bodies.
"Sa-Sarjes!?" Tenma was shocked. "How did you come in...? Ah, more importantly, where have you been?! Pixie suddenly disappeared since Katora came to us at Galaxy Nauts—"
"My bad, my bad!" Sarjes scratched the back of his head, a sign of regret, even though his face laughed. "There are various things that I have to take care of. Including helping Potomuri complete his strange machine—"
"Not a strange machine. It's Cosmic Plasma Photon Cannon," corrected another figure who accompanied Sarjes. "Try to remember the name a little!"
"Yes, yes! That is the name," Sarjes confirmed, turning his face with an innocent look at the figure beside him. "It's okay, right? I just forgot for a moment!"
"Who is this?" asked Tenma, staring at an unfamiliar, yet familiar figure, beside Sarjes.
"Oh, his name is Akurous. He is—"
"I am Akurous. The former king of Faram Obius, father of Lalaya," his strict expression momentarily softened when he mentioned his daughter's name. "You must have meet that daughter of mine before, right?"
The former king?! Tenma held his breath, shocked. Especially after hearing the rumor about how Tsurugi resembled him. And Tenma had to admit that was true. Dark wavy hair, thin lips that bent down, and the most similar part: a pair of golden eyes that shone sharply. Not just the face, the aura they emitted was exactly the same.
"But you still look very young ...?"
"Ah, you said the same thing as that boy when he first met me," Akurous's eyes pointed at Tsurugi's sleeping figure. "Do I really look that young?"
"It's better this way! I prefer you being young," Sarjes said, still with a earnest face.
"I told you not to seduce me!"
"Seduce…?" Tenma blinked in confusion at the two men, different of origin and social status, in front of him. Later, Tenma realized, the gloomy gray wall that should be behind their bodies, could be seen by him faintly.
They ...are ghosts?
Akurous, as reported, was indeed dead. So it shouldn't be weird anymore. Then, maybe Sarjes too, he actually already ...?
Akurous cleared his throat. "So, you are Matsukaze Tenma, Tsurugi's friend?"
"Yes," Tenma nodded, surprised. "How did you...?"
"I told him," interrupted Sarjes without being asked. "Also everything about Earth Eleven. Anyway, everything I know, he also knows."
Tenma looked at Sarjes, then back at Akurous. Although Sarjes claimed that he was the one who told everything, Akurous spoke like he had met Tsurugi in person.
Tenma then ventured to confirm that.
Akurous's answer surprised Tenma.
"More than meet, I have always been with him since he was brought to this planet. I was the one who told him to leave Earth Eleven and join Faram Obius."
Tenma was shocked. So ..., Tsurugi betrayed Earth Eleven because someone ordered him? And again, by this person ...?
"B ... but, why ...? For what ...?"
Akurous raised his eyebrow, as if it was unnatural for Tenma to be surprised by that. He turned to Sarjes, "Hey, you didn't explain the situation properly to him, did you!?"
Sarjes only scratches his head, grinning innocently.
"Sorry, all I said to him was… Earth Eleven must win. I didn't catch exactly the complicated stuff that Potomuri said. After all, when I was explaining, I suddenly returned to being Pixie."
"Pixie?" Akurous looked at Sarjes for a moment, but soon he understood what he meant. "Oh, you mean, the name Earth Eleven kids use to call our little form?"
"Our ... ?" Tenma was surprised.
Akurous returned to Tenma and nodded. "I too, when first met Tsurugi, not in this form. I was in 'pixie' form, like when Sarjes came to you."
Tenma opened his mouth wanting to ask again, but Akurous did not seem to let him.
"After death, my soul and Sarjes should be placed in Lost Galaxy—a gathering place forSouls who have lost their vessels. But somehow, our souls still remain in the living world, and moreover, we end up able to take a new form."
"That new form ..., do you mean 'Pixie'?" Tenma asked.
"Right. Even though that form is easier to manifest and doesn't consume a lot of energy, in the end, we can't properly talk to you, can we? Meanwhile, maintaining our original form to be seen by those of you who are still alive, can only be done in a short time because it requires far more energy. "
"That's why," added Sarjes. "Because we don't have much time, listen carefully and don't ask questions!"
Right after saying that, the figure of Sarjes's dashing blond curly man, was suddenly engulfed in light. It was replaced by the figure of a tiny yellow Pixie sitting on the floor.
"Pii ... ku...," the little creature sounded irritated.
"See?" pointed out Akurous. "I will disappear soon, although compared to Sarjes, my Soul has more stamina. Moreover, my young figure consumes less energy. Therefore, I can last longer than him."
Tenma picked up Sarjes's pixie and put him on his shoulder.
"Then, what do you want to convey to me?"
Akurous exhaled heavily, then folded his arms in front of his chest. "I will say it frankly. The team of yours now, will not win against Ozrock now."
Tenma was silent. He was not surprised. Although he didn't know the details, the fact that Faram Obius' strongest team was destroyed in their hands was enough to prove Ixal's strength.
"I trained Ozrock myself. I know exactly what he is capable of. That is not an ability that can be achieved only with hard training." Akurous looked straight at Tenma. "Harted. That's the biggest source of Ozrock's power."
"But," Tenma objected. "Everything that happened on Ozrock's home planet is actually not your fault right? That's ..."
"It is often said, children inherit the mistakes of their parents," Akurous looked away. "Lalaya inherited my mistakes, as I could not erase those children's hatred."
"But…"
Akurous raised his hand to silence Tenma, "Never mind. There is no point in discussing what has passed. The most important thing now, is whether you can match ..., no, whether you can go beyond Ixal Fleet's unlimited power, or not."
Putting aside his dissatisfaction, Tenma realized that Akurous was right. He nodded, waiting for the king's next instruction.
"If Tsurugi is still around, maybe you still have hope. His Soul was able to keep up with Ozrock's."
"Really…?" Tenma was pensive, unconsciously turned his head to Tsurugi's still body. "But if that's the case, why did Faram Dite still lose ...?"
"I told you, right? Ozrock and his friends have a great source of power that no one has. Berserk Ray. That is the incarnation of their grudge. With that hissatsu tactics they are capable to make the opponent's Souls on the field to go uncontrollable and commit advantageous actions for Ixal. "
That statement jerked Tenma. The incident during the underground match with Fake Eleven immediately came to him.
"Don't tell me ... what happened to Matatagi and the others at that time, also..."
"To defeat Ozrock, you must surpass him."
"But, I haven't even been able to awaken my own Soul..."
"A friend of mine will train you. Besides, Sarjes will recover soon. He will also help."
"Sarjes ...?" Tenma was initially hesitant, but he decided to nod in understanding, at least for now. "Then, how about you ...?"
"I ..." Akurous was about to speak, but a strange sensation suddenly ambushed him.
Tenma also realized it. The young king's figure began to fade away.
"Wa-wait!" Tenma exclaimed in panic. "Don't disappear yet."
Akurous was no less upset. Damn it! This isn't time to go back to being a midget! I still have a lot of things to do ...!
Tenma reached out, but Akurous figure soon dissolved into pale light fragments, which instantly split apart and disappeared.
Quiet. Tenma waited for Akurous' Pixie to take shape, like what happened to Sarjes. But nothing appeared.
Thud!
Tenma turned back and―although it was hard to believe―he was sure that the sound came from inside the tube where Tsurugi was lying.
Holding his breath, Tenma ventured to get closer.
A pair of sharp eyes lighting up at him.
"Hurry up! Get me out of here!"
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" Berserk Ray ?" Shindou repeated, eyes widened in disbelief at Katora sitting before him. "Is that the real cause of Faram Dite's loss ...?"
Earth Eleven who sat behind Shindou, were also bewildered at the explanation from the Kiel Princess. They did not watch the full match of Faram and Ixal. But according to Minel and Lalaya's account, the even score which had been achieved, turned into a nightmare when Ozrock succeeded in taking control of Tsurugi over his Soul , just in the final seconds of extra time. Seizing the opportunity that was originally created by Tsurugi for the sake of Faram Dite, to become Ixal's winning goal.
"Our opponents ... can do things like that?" Minaho muttered, more to himself.
"No, that's not all," interrupted Manabe. "Remember when we fought Fake Eleven? We also experienced it, right? When our Souls seemed to be taken over?"
"I see!" Tetsukado shouted loudly, rivaling the sound of his bump against table. "So that's what they did!?"
"They have troublesome techniques," Ibuki gritted his teeth.
"It's not troublesome!" Sakura exclaimed. "That's cheating!"
"But, Your Highness, if I may ask," Shindou raised his hand before he was allowed to stand. "Why did you want Tsurugi? Is it because he resembled the previous king of this planet?"
Shindou's question that came out frankly, momentarily created silence in the entire room. In unison, all looked at Queen Lalaya, waiting for her answer.
The queen took a short glance at Minel. Seeing how the man nodded, she opened her story.
"Sekai ni kiki ga otozureshi toki, warera ga mirai wa nanatsu no hikari no saki ni aru, aoi hoshi no monotachi ni yudanerareru (When doom approaches this world, our future lies in the hands of a blue planet far away at the end of seven lights)[1]
"What I said earlier are the words of my father, the previous king of Faram Obius. Whereas the real Faram Obius' legend only says, that there will be a blue planet at the end of seven lights, who is able to surpass Faram Obius."
"That blue planet ..." Minaho hesitated to continue, "... do you mean Earth ...?"
"Yes. Our counselors and advisers thought that it was a prophecy of Faram Obius being destroyed by outsiders. They even had suggested to issue an attack on your planet."
Faram wanted to attack Earth? Earth Eleven exchanged gaze of fear, but they decided to keep listening.
"Then...?"
It was Minel's turn to continue. "King Akurous was against it. According to him, 'surpassing' did not necessarily mean 'destroying'. It was precisely because they were able to surpass us, they would be able to do something we cannot do."
"The Blue Planet will be the savior of Faram Obius," Lalaya uttered. "I always believe in those words of my father. And for that reason, I took Tsurugi from you."
"I see…." Shindou muttered softly. So it's not just because he resembled the king ...
Lalaya closed her story by bowing her head deeply.
"I am really, really sorry!"
Matatagi glanced at Minaho, exhaled in satisfaction. "Turns out, Mr. Holmes could be wrong too, huh?"
"Hm?" Minaho glanced behind. "What do you mean, Matatagi-kun?"
"If I'm not mistaken, you previously thought that Tsurugi was brought here to hinder us reaching the final round. But in fact?" Matatagi shrugged, sarcastic. "He was brought here just to be a guinea pig proving the king's tale."
"Oh," Minaho rounded his mouth. "Indeed, when viewed from the perspective of the previous king's version, my deduction is indeed off the mark. But, for those who believe in the original version of that legend, it's better to have only one person arrive here, than thirteen people, right? Because of that, they sent Shitennou to hinder us. When viewed from that perspective, my deduction is not entirely wrong. "
"Shitennou's sending to hinder Earth Eleven was Counselor Donolzen's order," Minel interrupted, not wanting his Queen to be further cornered and feel guilty. "It has nothing to do with Queen Lalaya!"
"Donolzen?" Shindou repeated, staring at Minel, asking for an explanation. "Who?"
Minel intended to answer, before Lalaya was preceded.
"She is ... my former royal couseleor. She is now acting as Ixal Fleet's coach."
Before Earth Eleven recovered from their surprised state, Seren, representing Faram Dite team, added.
"She is also our team's coach, until the semifinal."
After the match, Seren and friends almost did not say anything. Witnessing their most formidable comrades snatched away by defeat, apparently enough to leave trauma on them.
"So, you guys too ..." Shindou did not continue his words.
"Yes, we are the same as you all. Victims of betrayal. But at least, Master Tsurugi betrayed Earth Eleven not for his own sake."
The word 'at least' in Minel's words did not make the atmosphere better. Shinsuke bowed. Ibuki looked away. Tetsukado clenched his fist.
For a moment, Shindou mused to himself. If Tsurugi did all this to save the universe, could it be that coach Kuroiwa too ...?
Matatagi sighed seeing his friends' sentimental reaction.
"So now what?" Matatagi broke the silence that had been lingering. "Tsurugi, who was mistaken for the queen as the savior from the blue planet, has been brought down by Ozrock to no more than a cripple. That means we have no hope anymore, right?"
Katora shook her head at Matatagi's pessimistic remark.
"No. There is still hope. Earth Eleven, you are the ones refered to by the legend. You will save the universe and take it back from Ozrock's hands. Only you can do it. Therefore I beg you. Please. Please do not surrender."
Katora stood up and bowed, emphasizing her request. Seeing that, Lalaya did the same thing, followed by Minel.
Seeing their queen's action, Faram Dite's remaining members looked at each other, then nodded. At that moment, they had made a decision.
"When it comes to Berserk Ray. You don't need to worry," Seren added. "If things get worse, we are ready to be your substitutes."
The members behind Seren agreed. "This is also for Tsurugi and the others!"
There was a slight envy in Lalaya's gaze. Even they could do something for Tsurugi's sake ... As for me ...
Seeing the seriousness of Faram Dite in spite of their recent painful defeat, Shindou smiled and exhaled. It's hard to believe those words came from people who were supposed to be their final opponents.
"If it has turned out like this, we have no choice but to win, huh?" he said.
"Shindou-san was right."
Earth Eleven turned around. The recognizable voice came from the entrance behind their backs.
"Tenma?" Aoi exclaimed, surprised as well as happy.
"For the sake of the Earth, Faram and all. We must win," Tenma stepped aside, letting someone to appear from behind him. "Together with Tsurugi."
A tall figure wrapped in Earth Eleven's blue and white uniform. Navy-blue hair piled arrogantly on his head. Contrasting the dangling ends, which formed a loose ponytail.
All pairs of eyelids in the room simultaneously widened in shock.
"Tsurugi?!"
Tetsukado, who first woke up from his exposure, exclaimed happily. He jumped up the table in front of him to reach his comrade in arms.
"Wait! Wait! You sure he's the real one!?"
Like Matatagi, other Earth Eleven members also didn't believe their eyes at first.
Until they saw Tsurugi gripping Tetsukado's offered hand tightly, with his familiar smile that was not made up. Soon, all of Earth Eleven joined in welcoming their ace striker's return.
"Damn you, Tsurugi!" Ibuki scolded in a snap. He ruffled Tsurugi's hair — which, despite being tall, was still shorter than the former basketball ace, "Don't pretend to be dead again, you silly! I thought I had lost my training partner!"
Tsurugi frowned, seemed to be annoyed. Realizing that, Ibuki stopped his ruffling. Changing it to a pat on the shoulder.
"Are you really alright, Tsurugi?" Shindou asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine."
Tsurugi's answer slightly made Shindou raise his eyebrow. Doesn't Tsurugi always use polite speech when talking to me?
"So ... how can you be...hm...alive again?"
"What are you talking about, Shindou!?" Ibuki chimed in. "Tsurugi is standing in good condition here. That means he never dies from the start! Right, Tsurugi?"
"Ibuki's right!" remarked Tetsukado. "Ozrock just talked big. Tsurugi won't fall just because of a strange machine!"
Distancing herself from the circle of Earth Eleven surrounding Tsurugi, Lalaya stood still. She felt not deserve to approach, let alone to join among them. Among Tsurugi's friends.
"Guys, we're out of here."
Lalaya spontaneously turned her head. That was Tsurugi's voice. But it did not come from the Tsurugi whom she was staring afar.
' Tsurugi', or Manuuba moved to leave. Followed by his team.
Meanwhile, Earth Eleven were still blocking the doorway. For a moment, both parties looked at each other. Especially Tenma and Tsurugi.
"Don't forget," Manuuba opened a conversation, pointing his finger. "You still owe us your promise."
"Hey! Is that how you talk to your helpers!?"
Manuuba ignored Sakura's protest. With a gesture, he told Earth Eleven to move aside, as he and his entourage passed.
Not even five steps, one voice called his name. His real name.
"Manuuba!" Tenma raised his palms in front of his mouth, exclaimed. "Wait for us! We are going home together!"
Manuuba only allowed half of his face to turn, before walking away.
"Fool ...," he hissed as he left.
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That night, all members of Earth Eleven — without exception — slept soundly after various strategy meetings, also practicing all day.
Until midnight, when Tenma opened his eyes. Changing clothes and going out. He walked quietly to a room, two doors from his room's right side.
As if already knew there would be a guest, the door into the room was open. Revealing the figure behind it.
Tenma greeted softly.
"So, where should we practice, Tsurugi, I mean, King Akurous ...?"
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Notes:
[1] This line is officially said by Lalaya at the beginning of Galaxy second trailer. Nevertheless, the story behind the line and its legend are completely a made up by the author.