Pegasus and Sirius
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The dramatic entrance of Earth Eleven's Pegasus, did not make Ozrock tremble. It instead triggered the Ixal captain to go further.
"Very interesting!" Ozrock's lime eyes closed for a moment, before glinting in madness. "Let's see to what extent that creature can match me!"
Starting with a roar, a pitch-black aura enveloped Ozrock, turning his body into Ixaal. The eight-tentacled beast of Soul that had previously slaughtered Tsurugi and Faram Dite. This time, he manifested himself in a much larger size. Not satisfied with that, he then took off, far beyond everyone's head, accompanying the rocky lumps that floated around the dark sky of Lost Galaxy dimension.
"W-what is he going to do ?!"
There was no answer for Shindou, not even from Ixal Fleet members.
Ozrock in Ixaal's form was now preparing to launch an attack, just like the one he had aimed at Ibuki.
Meanwhile, on the side of the field, Sarjes gasped when he noticed that Tsurugi's body lying beside him began to squirm.
"Are you okay?" Sarjes asked ... Is it Akurous, or the boy named Tsurugi has returned to his body ...?
Tsurugi opened his eyes, and sat down. Without even bothering to pay attention to Sarjes' question, he ran to Earth Eleven in the middle of the field.
"We have to stop Ozrock immediately!" Tsurugi urged, as he came to Tenma. "He can destroy us all if he manages to unleash that attack!"
"But, how?" Tenma, who initially wanted to welcome his friend's return, was forced to postpone that wish.
Tsurugi turned to Ixal Fleet players.
"Stand back, if you don't want to be finished off by your own friend."
Exchanging looks for a moment, Despina and her companions followed Tsurugi's demand without comments.
Earth Eleven gathered in the middle of the field. Circling, hand in hand, surrounding the legendary Soul, Pegasus, who was still standing meekly, as if waiting for them.
"...Why does it feel like we've done this before?" Tenma half-mused.
Surprisingly, the others also felt the same way. Everything was so natural. The faces on their right, left, and in front of them felt so familiar. No. Not because they were teammates. It was as if they all had lived together, once upon a time.
Pegasus neighed. Its figure turned back into light and scattered into twelve pairs of wings for the twelve members of Earth Eleven.
Although being amazed, Tenma and his friends decided not to make a fuss about the oddities that kept going on, and chose to focus on stopping Ozrock's attack.
It didn't take much time for Earth Eleven with their new wings to catch up with Ozrock. Seeing those weaklings floating in a circle around him, Ozrock was unpleasant.
"Move, all of you! You really wanna die so much?!"
"Ozrock," Tenma started. "We will stop you."
Which of course was answered by mocking laughter.
"Stop me? Huh! You will be reduced into ashes before you can do it!"
"Ozrock," Tsurugi called out, forcing Ozrock to glance at him. "I know everything turned out wrong for you, but..."
Ozrock turned violently.
"You don't have to do this," Tsurugi emphasized again. "Your power exists to create a beginning. Not to destroy."
"Shut up! You ..., you ...," Mad eyes swept across the twelve members of Earth Eleven. "You don't know anything about me!" shouted Ozrock, half panting.
"What about your friends?!" Ibuki snapped. "You want to destroy them all too?!"
Ozrock paused for a moment, before grinding his teeth. "If it's to finish you and destroy Faram Obius, they are willing to die with me!"
"Of course they're not, you fool!" Matatagi's rebuttal gushed. "No one wants to die just to fulfill other people's selfishness!"
"Selfish...?" Ozrock chuckled in a bitter and disgusted tone. "How am I selfish? While there was Faram Obius burning the other planets for their own glory!?"
"I didn't mean you!" Matatagi snapped. "But your predecessors, your parents, your grandparents ... all those selfish adults who imposed their grudges on you!"
A tint of doubt surfaced, but Ozrock immediately covered it with angry shouts.
"Watch your mouth! What do you know about our suffering in the hands of that damned planet?! Selfish or not, I'm no longer care! My dead predecessors' hatreds are my hatred! Faram obius deserves what they have given us!"
"Even though he knew your origin ..." Tsurugi spoke again. "... Akurous loved you as much as he loved his own planet. Doesn't that change your view of them at all? Towards this planet?"
"It's all lies! Lies! Fake hospitality he created to control us!"
"That's not true!" Tenma exclaimed.
"He doesn't hear us anymore," whispered Shindou to Tenma. "We have to stop him here, before he finishes us off first."
Ozrock's ears that were sharpened due to his current form which almost matched the god of death, did not escape hearing Shindou's words.
"You don't have to bother doing anything against me," he sneered. "Because you all will die accompanying me here, right now!"
Shindou and Matatagi were jolted in surprise, when they could no longer feel Tsurugi's grips on their hands. They both, and also the others, looked confusedly as Tsurugi released himself from the circle, and was floating slowly towards Ozrock.
"Hey, Tsurugi ...," Shindou's call was ignored.
Tsurugi's soft wings folded peacefully. Both of his arms stretched out, before hugging Ozrock's Ixaal form into them.
The action was not reacted to without resistance.
"L-Let go!" roared Ozrock blindly. But only to extent of hitting and snapping, just like a tantrum child. It seemed as if Ozrock had forgotten, that he was now in a form possessing the power to destroy up to ten people at once with one jolt.
Tsurugi did not flinch.
Seeing that, Tenma was moved to do the same. Thus, the more violent Ozrock became, as he found himself caught between the two people he really wanted to kill.
"It's love," muttered Konoha.
"""Love?""" repeated the others, staring at Konoha.
"Captain and Tsurugi-kun intend to tame Ozrock with their love."
"Tame him...?" Minaho raises an eyebrow. "Is that even possible?"
"He's right. Never mind Ozrock, even ordinary animals can not be tamed easily if not handled by experts," doubted Manabe.
"No, Konoha is right," Kusaka chimed in. "This could be a way to save everyone, without sacrificing anyone."
"With love?" Sakura repeated, swayed between conviction and doubt.
Shindou looked at his two juniors, who were struggling with the embodiment of the death itself.
"Tenma, Tsurugi ..."
Gathering back his courage that once scattered, Shindou went forward. Embracing Tenma and Tsurugi's shoulders, joining the two of them. Covering Ozrock.
"Shindou?" Ibuki stared in disbelief. But that doubt turned into hope when he realized the earnestness of Shindou, as well as Tenma and even Tsurugi, to some extent, influencing Ozrock's rage. His monster-like appearance as Ixaal began to diminish, reverting into Bitway Ozrock's human form.
Along with Kusaka and Konoha, Ibuki finally followed Shindou's action.
The remaining ones: Matatagi, Sakura, Tetsukado, Minaho, Manabe, and Zanakurou, looked at each other.
"I still can't forgive him," uttered Tetsukado, while his wings flapped toward the mass that enclosed Ozrock.
"Incompatible words and actions ...?" Minaho murmured. Tip of his left ear twitched, hinting at the boy's piqued curiousity.
"Minaho-kun ... What are you ...?" Manabe expressed his surprise to Minaho who released his hand, and moved towards Tenma and the others.
"A strong heart is a heart capable of enduring for the greater good," Zanakurou followed Minaho. "This could be a good practice."
Manabe and Sakura exchanged looks, before sighing and giving up.
"Please say this will work," muttered Manabe.
Before Matatagi decided to follow suit or not, from beneath his feet, Pixie-Sarjes flew toward him.
"Piku ~"
"You are...Pixie?" mentioned Matatagi. After not seeing the little fairy for a while, he didn't expect to see it again at a time like this.
Pixie circled Matatagi for a moment before transforming himself into Sarjes.
Which left Matatagi gawking.
"AAAHH!" Matatagi pointed at Pixie noisily. "So you are that Pixie!?"
"Why are you still here?" Sarjes complained. "If you don't join others, Ozrock might explode again!"
"Give me a break!" Matatagi refuted. "How can you stop the end of the world with just hugging?"
Sarjes didn't answer, as he was listening to Akurous instructing him through his mind.
"Ozrock's strength was born out of resentment and hatred," Sarjes recounted. "If by those alone he can destroy, then with love, you should be able to turn things around."
"That kind of nonsense—"
"AAAAH!"
"KYAAAA!"
Matatagi's words were interrupted, for the sake of seeing how Tenma and friends were ejected, scattering away from Ozrock.
"No, this is bad ..." Sarjes hissed.
Fortunately, Tenma and the others were unharmed. Even though being bounced out, everyone managed to hold themselves together and stay floating in space.
"So strong...," huffed Shindou.
"It's impossible ... at this rate ...," Ibuki panted.
"Everyone, don't give up yet!" exclaimed Tenma. "Let's try it once-"
"Tenma, watch out!"
Without planning, Tsurugi pushed the captain out of the rush of danger. Ozrock's attack missed its target, pulverizing one of the lumps of rock floating around them.
Ozrock didn't stop. Failed on the first attempt, causing him to scatter his attacks blindly.
"STOP IT!" Tenma and Tsurugi shrieked.
Instead of dodging the attacks like their other friends, the two dashed towards Ozrock. Maneuvering to avoid bursts of death aura from Ixal's spell-caster. Sometimes, Tenma and Tsurugi had to fold and twist their own wings to block the attack.
Ozrock frowned. Without realizing it, he ended up retreating himself away from Tenma and Tsurugi. But in the end, his pride overcame his fear.
Therefore, he dashed too. By himself, face to face with the incoming captain and ace striker of Earth Eleven towards him.
"Come on!" dared Ozrock. "I'll crush you before you even manage to touch me!"
A few meters before reaching Ozrock, Tenma and Tsurugi had agreed, through the glances they aimed at each other. That they wouldn't attack Ozrock.
We just need to show how much we care for him! Both of them cried out their resolve in unison.
At least, until another figure shot past Tenma and Tsurugi, and reached Ozrock just before them.
"Matatagi ...!" Tenma gasped. He and Tsurugi were compelled to stop if they didn't want to hit the dark-skinned boy's back.
Ozrock too, widened his eyes at the sudden interruption.
Tenma and Tsurugi looked at Matatagi worriedly.
"Matatagi ..., what are you ...?"
"Do it!" challenged Matatagi, stretching out his arms, ignoring Tsurugi. "Destroy me! Destroy us all! That's what you want, right !?"
Ozrock narrowed his gaze. Looking for soberness in Matatagi's blue eyes, before realizing that he shouldn't care whether that soberness was reflected there or not.
I just need to finish them off.
One hand of Ozrock raised up, taking the exact position like he did when about to crush Ibuki earlier.
"Fine ..., then... I won't hold back ..."
Simultaneously with that answer, Tenma and Tsurugi were back to their senses, and insisted on what they had intended to do.
Ozrock roared. Scorching heat and blinding light radiated from his body uncontrollably. But it did not stop Tsurugi and Tenma. Their persistence finally managed to embrace Ozrock back into their arms.
Sarjes frowned in concern.
"Those two alone can't possibly hold Ozrock down!" He turned to the other members of Earth Eleven. "Everyone! Embrace Ozrock one more time. At this rate, Tenma and that boy will get roasted!"
Shindou and the others looked at each other in doubt. Meanwhile, Matatagi was still rooted in his floating spot, instead of helping Tenma and Tsurugi. The boy's gaze locked completely on the struggling Ozrock.
"Actually, you're afraid, right?" Matatagi hissed, a faint grin carving his lips. "You are afraid to destroy yourself, although then you can avenge yourself, no ..., the grudge of your ancestors."
"Shut up ...," breathed Ozrock fiercely. "You foolish trashes knowing no fear ... You ..., and this universe will surely perish in my hands."
"Then prove it!" demanded Matatagi. "Prove that you can roast the two people who're hugging you right now!"
The more Ozrock struggled, the stronger Tenma and Tsurugi embraced him. Soon, Sarjes followed suit.
Shindou and the others stared in disbelief at the scene unfolding before them. Turned out, Sarjes was not alone. Three new figures appeared out of the blue, accompanying him.
"Potomuri ...?" Tetsukado was the first to recognize.
"And ... Coach ... Kuroiwa ...?"
No, Shindou thought then. He's the legendary genius who was once about to destroy Coach Endou and Inazuma Japan, Kageyama Reiji!
Another figure was Akurous. The only impression that Shindou and the others caught was the fact that he was very much like Tsurugi with his hair down.
Together with Tenma and Tsurugi, the three of them surrounded Ozrock as closely as they could. Matatagi who was standing closest to them, still unmoved from his position, neither there was sign that he would join soon. This inevitably made Shindou and the others hesitant to fulfill Sarjes' request.
"What should we do?" Kusaka asked the others.
Ozrock's power was born from hatred, mused Matatagi, repeating Sarjes' words. And the key to overcome it, is ...
It was kind of tricky for Matatagi to mention it, even only in his head.
If it's about Tenma, I'm not even surprised. But Tsurugi? Where the hell did his 'love' for Ozrock come from? Hasn't that monster killed him once? ... So, why...?
"I don't know," Shindou answered Kusaka. "If Morimura's guess is correct, that what Tenma and the others are doing now is giving their love to Ozrock―"
"We should hug him too?" Ibuki blurted out. "But you saw for yourself earlier. Even if we twelve united, we still couldn't stop Ozrock."
"Maybe because Ibuki-kun lacks love," Minaho uttered.
"S-shut up!" said Ibuki annoyed. "You all are also the same, right?! How can anyone love someone who wants to kill them?"
"Right, it couldn't be," Shindou agreed. "But ..., what we're trying to save... isn't just Ozrock, is it?"
Shindou's words shook Earth Eleven's doubts.
"That's right," muttered Sakura. "Everyone is waiting for us on earth."
The girl's hand grabbed Manabe's, which was floating beside her.
"Our love is not for Ozrock alone!"
"Our love is for the universe!"
Shindou smiled affirmatively. The rest of Earth Eleven nodded in agreement. Getting together, holding each other's hands. Uniting their strong determination to save the universe, into one name.
"THE EARTH - INFINITY."
Not far away from them, Ozrock was still captivated in the arms of Tenma, Tsurugi, Potomuri, Sarjes, Kageyama, and Akurous. His resistance weakened, especially after Shindou and the others joined, although only through their feelings, instead physically. Still, even those sincere feelings still had the effect of softening Ozrock's will to destroy everything.
Why? Why can't I finish them?
Ozrock groaned, unable to think. Isn't killing for me an easy matter, like what I did to that old hag, Donolzen? But why...?
"Because of their love, they don't want anyone to be sacrificed anymore," Ozrock heard Potomuri's mind talking to him. "Even you!"
"Nonsense!" shouted Ozrock "What about you? You should have hated me! I tricked you and took your Princess Katora hostage! You don't deserve to pity me!"
Potomuri was silent.
"Even so," he said shortly thereafter. "Their will to save the universe is still much bigger than my hatred to you. Therefore, you can not win, Ozrock."
Ozrock growled, before his scream shook the entire Lost Galaxy dimension.
Then, everything was dark.
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"Now explain!"
That demanding remark forced Potomuri to look at Kageyama. Meanwhile, Sarjes and Akurous glanced at each other.
"What should we explain?"
"OF COURSE ABOUT WHY EARTH ELEVEN SUDDENLY CAN GROW WINGS, AND STOP OZROCK JUST BY HUGGING HIM!" the ten members of Ixal Fleet hollered in unison, impatiently.
"Hmm ...," Akurous put his hand on his chin. His face was serious. Less commensurate with his position: sitting neatly on the ground, with Ozrock's head sleeping soundly on his lap.
That was it. After all the commotion, Ozrock and Earth Eleven, both sides successfully lost consciousness. Earth Eleven members had their angelic wings crumbled into lights, reverting to their usual appearance. Ozrock's dreadful aura also had evaporated without a trace. Now, they were all sleeping like some helpless children. Except for Ozrock who got a special place in Akurous's lap.
"So that when he suddenly wakes up, he will not immediately throw a tantrum as he sees me," Akurous reasoned.
"We don't want to take responsibility if his reaction contradicts your expectations, okay?" Sarjes and Potomuri warned.
Back to the curious Ixal Fleet members.
"I myself have only heard the story from ancient tales," replied Akurous. "If you want the more reliable explanation, you better ask Earth Eleven coach," he pointed at Kuroiwa Ryuusei — whose figure was currently the young Kageyama Reiji.
"Who is he...?" Despina voiced out Ixal Fleet's confusion. "Wasn't Earth Eleven's coach an old man with white hair and beard?"
"Why do you think I took this young appearance?" Akurous pointed at himself. "He's just like me. Already dead."
Looking back at Ixal Fleet curiously waiting for his answer, Kageyama then spoke.
"Have you ever heard of Starseed?"
Ixal Fleet members turned to each othef.
One of them, Loge, tried to answer. Just like Ozrock, he also studied some magic during his childhood on Ixal.
"If I'm not mistaken..., it refers to a soul which once lived a life in another higher dimension before undergoing life in a lower one. Unfortunately, most of them would not be aware of it, because in order to maximize the potential of that Soul, one must open twelve doors of supreme self-realization. Like a god who no longer stands on mortal world. "
"Right. But I prefer to call them the twelve lights of night. Because the twelve of them...," Kageyama glanced at Tenma and friends who were still unconscious. "... got their lights from stars of their own choosing—although they might never be aware of it. The twelve stars whose existences have been attached to the various cultures, tribes, or nations around Earth since time immemorial."
"Various cultures...?" Potomuri repeated in amazement.
"Horse, wolf, lion ..., those Soul embodiments that they manifest are basically defined from twelve beasts whose tales are attached to those twelve stars."
"What do you mean?" Sarjes didn't understand yet.
Kageyama took a deep breath, before starting, "The star of Rigel is Ibuki Munemasa. This star's name means 'the foot of the giant'. Aurignacian, an archeological culture, carved the star along with the constellation of Orion on a mammoth tusk as a reminder. It opens the door of the first light: resoluted heart and strength. "
Potomuri remembered, when he was still Mizukawa Minori. Ibuki was stubborn and had prideful attitude. He started to soften after mingling among Earth Eleven. But the good side of his, the determination that wouldn't back down by any obstacle, remained unchanged.
"The star of Procyon is Konoha's Morimura. In Greek mythology, the star and its constellation are Teumessian fox, a gigantic fox destined never to be caught. It opens the door of the second light: love and wisdom."
Potomuri never forgot. Konoha was timid and shy, but also very loving towards the small creatures around her. She started to find her confidence after joining Earth Eleven.
"The star of Arcturus is Minaho Kazuto. The Mi'kmaqs of Eastern Canada named this star 'The Owl'. It opens the door of the third light: truth and pure knowledge."
Minaho, whose late father was a police detective, possessed more curiosity than anyone. His honest and straightforward manner sometimes clashed him with others. But it was because for him, finding the truth was above all.
"The star of Polaris is Manabe Jinichirou. For the Miami Tribe of North America, this star is the guide for the way back to Achiika, the fisher, who lost its head while hunting. It opens the fourth door of light: mastery and action."
Manabe, who wanted to escape his family's restraint, dreamed of being able to live independently. Before understanding that the restraint set by his parents was a form of their love. On the other hand, he did not flinch when asked to leave soccer, because this was the path he chose himself.
"The star of Aldebaran is Tetsukado Shin. The constellation that houses it, is the symbol of a bull, and this star is its fiery red eyes. It opens the door of the fifth light: courage and sympathy."
For the sake of helping others, Tetsukado was forced to leave boxing world that had raised him. Despair engulfed him, before he turned his athletic talents to the soccer field. At first, it was just for his family, but slowly he began to love the sport that didn't require him to use his hands.
"The star of Dubhe is Kusaka Ryuuji. In Arabic, it means 'the bear'. It symbolizes the back of the big bear constellation. Opening the door of the sixth light: patience and kindness."
Resolving everything by force was the trademark of Kusaka Ryuuji before joining Earth Eleven. If the former delinquent's friends on earth met the present Kusaka, they would have a hard time recognizing him.
"The star of Capella is Nozaki Sakura. In Latin, it means 'the little goat'. In Greek mythology, the star is Amalthea, the Cretan goat who cares for the god Zeus. It opens the seventh door of light: devotion, as well as change."
She was a girl dreaming of being at the top. Alone. Now, her dream had not changed. She still dreamed of the top. Together with her new friends.
"The star of Enif is Matsukaze Tenma. Its name comes from Arabic language, marking the nose of the flying horse in Greek mythology. It opens the door of the eighth light: joy and purity."
The next three people were the adherents for Earth Eleven. The team which were originally nothing more than an impromptu bunch put together randomly without any solid foundation.
"The star of Peacock is Shindou Takuto. Roman mythology views its constellation as a pet peacock of the goddess Juno. Opening the door of the ninth light: guidance and harmony."
With different characteristics and views, the three of them completed different sides of Earth Eleven, through different roles, in different ways.
"The star of Sirius is Tsurugi Kyousuke. Chinese, followed by our people—Japanese, named this star with two letters meaning 'the wolf of the sky'. It opens the tenth door of light: bond and unity."
Tenma with his simplicity, Shindou with his idealism, Tsurugi with his tolerance. Though contradictory, all flowed in one, as the main pillar of Earth Eleven.
"The star of Altair is Matatagi Hayato. The Babylonians and Sumerians called it 'the eagle star'. Opening the door of the eleventh light: promptness and faith."
His body basked in the light. But his heart was always hidden in the dark. He prefered to wallow in the shadows and show his weaknesses, rather than to be alone. Now that his heart was exposed to the light, which would never set down, he had succeeded in gaining unmatched power, without losing any friends.
"The star of Regulus is Ichikawa Zanakurou. The Arabians regard it as 'the heart of the lion'. The meaning of the name itself is 'the little king'. On our planet, lion is regarded as the king of all animals. It opens the door of the last light: dignity and serenity."
Nobody ever thought that he would go down the path of soccer. Even himself. He prefered calm, calculating movements on stage of Kabuki plays. However, the charm of soccer, which was rushed and full of surprises, also managed to soften his stiff attitude.
Kageyama's long speech was responded with a lmoment of silence.
Akurous was the first to speak. "It's hard to open twelve doors by yourself. But Earth Eleven is willing to get rid of each other's egos, and do it together."
"The Souls that become the key to the opening, were born from various nations and cultures," Potomuri muttered in awe. "All this time I thought, Earth was just a small planet."
"Earth is truly a planet full of surprises," sighed Sarjes.
l
Kageyama smirked. "I'm glad you like my story. To be honest, I actually gathered them because I wanted those godly power they possess. I could practically rule the universe if I managed to manipulate those children."
Gasping breaths leaked out. Kageyama meant it.
"You've seen it yourselves. They managed to stop Ozrock. Had they not been hindered, the life energy they generated could destroy that black hole―"
Akurous blinked at Kageyama's confession.
Wait ... What did he say? Black..hole ...?
"AAAARRGGHH!" Akurous hollered as he stood up. Ozrock, who was sleeping on his lap, was automatically thrown to the ground.
"W-what's wrong?" Sarjes blinked.
"The black hole!" Akurous fiercely pulled and brought Potomuri to his face. "What about the black hole that will engulf Faram Obius, my planet!? Earth Eleven and Ixal Fleet are all here, the life energy that must be used to erase the black hole won't accumulate ... Potomuri! How do you compensate for this ?!"
"About that ... there's no need to worry, Your Majesty," Potomuri held back his laugh. "Fake Eleven and your planet's representative team, Faram Dite, are now working hard to gather the energy."
"Fake Eleven? Who else is that?"
"Earth Eleven's imposters who helped Ozrock thwart our plan to gather life energy through the clash of two strong wills of Earth Eleven and Faram Dite. They might want to make up for their actions with this."
"You really forgot about that, didn't you?" Kageyama shook his head.
"Well ... it can't be helped," Sarjes shrugged, half defending Akurous. "Too many things happened today, even for ghosts like us."
"Oh! Ozrock!" Ixal Fleet members exclaimed when realizing their captain had awakened.
"How do you feel?"
"Are you okay?"
"You are...?" Looking around, Ozrock still seemed to be able to recognize the looks of his friends. Sighs of relief released.
However, his expression hardened instantly when he recognized Akurous and the others.
"You ...! Ukh ...!" Ozrock swayed. His friends immediately supported.
"Don't push yourself," Potomuri ventured to get closer. Ozrock didn't seem that threatening anymore.
"You're lucky you survived," added Sarjes.
"Khh ...," growled Ozrock, trying hard to swallowed his fatigue. "Just dying ..., is much better for me than seeing you alive."
"Ah, in that case, you don't have to worry. We are already dead, after all," Sarjes casually responded. "Besides, here should be the realm of the dead. The real abnormalities here are all of you, the living humans who come here like it was nothing."
"But, well ... thanks to Ozrock opening this Lost Galaxy portal, four of us, as wandering spirits can be anchored in the right place," Akurous sincerely uttered. "So I guess, I should really thank all of you, Ixal Fleet ..."
Potomuri nodded in confirmation. "But either way, you can't stay here. Please return before it's too late."
"If you want to go home, don't forget to bring along Tenma and the others too. I know that they are your enemies. But if Tenma didn't return to the real world ...," Sarjes looked away bitterly. "Princess Katora would be very sad."
Likewise Lalaya , Akurous's heart shuddered. Even if I can't go back, at least Tsurugi must be able to ...
"Where are you telling me to go home to...?" Ozrock hissed, quietly but sarcastically. "To the planet Ixal, which is now no more than— Ouch—"
Akurous's finger tapping on his forehead muffled Ozrock.
The 'young' king turned his back on them, before clearing his throat, "Tsurugi has clearly rejected his engagement to Lalaya. From now on, you all are officially my family. People of my daughter. Therefore, I entrust her to you."
"What do you mean ...? You intend to buy us by making us your family?" Despina, Ozrock's teammates, responded skeptically. "You think it can be that easy? Even if we go home, Galactic Federation Council must immediately sentence us to severe punishment. At the very least, dismissal."
"You deserve it ..." Sarjes said spontaneously. Potomuri elbowed him.
"How about you prepare some witnesses?" Potomuri suggested. "The winner of Grand Celesta Galaxy tournament―whether it will be Earth Eleven or Faram Dite―can testify that Ozrock and Ixal Fleet have been instrumental in helping rebuilding Cosmic Plasma Photon Cannon used to destroy the black hole threatening Faram Obius. Surely, it will in some way improve people's views of you and perhaps, lighten your punishment."
Akurous was considering.
"That would be attainable. If the black hole is already gone, and Earth Eleven returns to the real world safely, at least this tournament's delayed final match can be held like it should be."
"Is that so? Faram Dite definitely doesn't want to testify to make it easy for Ozrock, after what he did to their planet," Sarjes doubted.
"But Earth Eleven will," Potomuri assured him. "We've seen it ourselves, they are people who won't throw anyone away."
"That means they have to bet on Earth Eleven's victory in this tournament ..."
"Wait a minute! Why is it you who decided?!" Despina was angry. "We never once asked you to interfere in lightening our sentence!"
"After all, to be honest, Ozrock could not possibly return us to the real world," added Ozrock's other friend. "There is no spell to pull you back from the realm of the dead."
"Heh ..." Suddenly, Kageyama gave a short chuckle. "Earth Eleven are almost godlike entities now. Dragging you back home? That'd be an easy problem for them."
The debate was delayed for a while, for the sake of realizing that Tenma and friends, one by one, began to squirm in their sleep.
As their former coach, Kageyama Reiji welcomed. "You slept for a long time, ...Earth Eleven."
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"So ..., that's what happened ...?" Tenma said after listening to the long explanation. "But this isn't something I can decide alone."
Switching from Sarjes, Potomuri, and Akurous; Tenma turned to his friends, asking for their opinion.
"What do you guysthink?"
Hesitation. After everything Ozrock had done, it must be difficult to forgive him. But the fact that he had done a lot in helping made Potomuri's invention a reality was undeniable.
"What do you want to do, then?" Tsurugi tilted his head to one side.
"Tenma, you are the captain. Don't hesitate to express your opinion first," supported Shindou.
Tenma glanced at Ozrock's face, and found "I don't need your help" glare there.
Tenma smiled. He already decided.
Immediately, Tenma's smile provoked the smiles of the other Earth Eleven members, as soon as they heard their captain's decision.
In fact, before Tenma even spoke.
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"I used to think, I would become a god after dying..."
Kageyama Reiji's murmuring raised Akurous, Sarjes, and Potomuri's eyebrows. They had just finished witnessing Earth Eleven and Ixal Fleet leaving the Lost Galaxy. The dimensional portal that Tenma and the others opened, had now completely closed. Cutting off the path for the four wandering spirits to reach the world of mortals again.
"Things never go my way ..." Kageyama continued. "But those kids, ... Earth Eleven ..., got what I've been desiring, without losing anything ..."
His words were like chaos. But there were no ripples of playfulness on the thin rectangular face, with that pointed nose jutting down.
"Kindness and persistence that helped them achieve it," said Potomuri. Compared to the other three, he was the one who spent the longest time with Earth Eleven. "Maybe, that's why Princess Katora was attracted to Tenma."
Sarjes sighed, smiling in agreement.
"Lalaya too ...," added Akurous.
"No ... Your daughter obviously chose Tsurugi because he resembles her father. Nothing more," poked Sarjes, heedlessly.
"That's not true," argued Akurous. "Lalaya has also become more independent, thanks to him! Something ... I failed to do for her when I was alive ..."
"Isn't that because Tsurugi has more dignity than you, Your Majesty?" Sarjes grinned, being insensitive to Akurous's regret.
"Well...," Potomuri intervened. "We as the adults have done our parts. For the rest, let us leave it to those children. To determine their own future."
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Grand Celesta Stadium was flooded with emotions. Katora was teary. Lalaya burst into relief tears. Aoi and Shinsuke scrambled into the field. Everyone welcomed the return of Tenma and company.
In contrast to the overwhelming excitement, Ozrock and the Ixal Fleet team were silent. There was no resistance from them when Minel as commander of Faram Obius approached, delivering the orders to dismiss Ozrock and the detention of Ixal Fleet, by Galactic Federation Council.
Until Lalaya pushed forward and knelt in front of Ixal Fleet. The breaths of those watching were choked in disbelief.
"Queen Lalaya!" Minel shierked. Her Majesty humbled herself, apologized to the terrorist group that nearly destroyed the universe.
But Lalaya knew she deserved it. And Ixal Fleet deserved it too. The beginning of the terror launched by Ixal, after all, started with Faram Dite's merciless aggression hundreds of years ago. Her planet was no better than them.
Although Lalaya sincerely apologized, she also firmly stated that she would leave Ozrock's case to Galactic Federation Council completely . After all, what Ozrock and friends had done, had not only endangered her planet and its people, but also the universe.
"Is that an appropriate thing to say by someone who intended to take over people's home planets to save her own?"
Matatagi's quiet comment resulted in Tsurugi's sweet stomping on his left foot.
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"Are you leaving already?"
Manuuba looked up. Tenma stood nearby while he was busy checking the spaceship that Faram Obius gave him, in return for his help in gathering Life Energy to erase the black hole, and his courage to betray Ozrock.
"Well, there's no point in us continuing to be here," said Manuuba, immersing himself back in his business. Staring at the face that was temporarily so similar to his, made him very uncomfortable. "We'll go and find our own new planet to inhabit."
"Why not stay here? Didn't Queen Lalaya give you permission?"
"We don't like hitchhiking," Manuuba replied curtly. "After all, in the end, we couldn't beat Faram Dite. And we aren't the real winners of Grand Celesta Galaxy tournament, who managed to subdue Ozrock with divine power, like you guys."
"Ahaha ...," Tenma could only laugh. Divine power, or whatever it was, in the end, Tenma didn't feel any significant changes in him since returning from the Lost Galaxy. So did Tsurugi and the others. Kuroiwa Coach's story and their amazing experience of 'taming' Ozrock, now felt like a mere dream.
"We're leaving," Manuuba gave a short goodbye from the doorway of his ship.
At their location not far from the space station where Earth Eleven's spaceship—the Galaxy Nauts—was parked, only Tenma watched their depart. Other members of Earth Eleven were still dwelling in the party hall of Faram Obius Palace. The party continued the awarding ceremony for Grand Celesta Galaxy winner, Earth Eleven, which had brilliantly defeated the host planet's team by a narrow score of 5-4. The captain managed to slip out of the party and returned to Galaxy Nauts, using the classic excuse of wanting to go to toilet.
Tenma nodded and waved at Manuuba's ship taking off.
"Give us some news after you find your own planet, okay!"
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"Tsurugi, do you think I can become a great king like Father?"
Lalaya held out her hand, even though she knew Tsurugi might not understand what she meant. In Faram Obius, holding out hand was the gesture when a Faram Obius' legitimate ruler asked an oath of their spouse-to-be to stay by their side for their whole life. There was no way Tsurugi would understand.
That was why, how shocked she was when she saw Tsurugi respond by bending one knee in front of her, and taking the tip of her outstretched hand.
"Queen Lalaya would definitely be. I guarantee it."
Lalaya, with teary eyes, squeezed the fingers under her palms, before then lowering her body to hug Tsurugi's still kneeling body.
"Thank you…., Tsurugi," whispered Lalaya in the midst of her tears. "You don't know how much those words mean to me."
Lalaya's hug was so tight that Tsurugi could feel Lalaya's tears streaming down his ear.
"Tsurugi," whispered Lalaya again, still hugging.
"Yes…?"
"Tonight, there will be another party, to commemorate your team's victory. So don't go home yet, OK?"
"Again?" Tsurugi raised an eyebrow, before sighing in smile. "Well ..., alright ..."
"Other than that…"
"…What?"
It took several seconds before Lalaya could continue her words.
"After the party, I'd like to talk to you alone."
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