Episode 34: Guardon: VS Guardon Eleven

Matatagi looked around the empty scenery around him. He was having this dream again. Sighing, he watched the figure appear before him.

A short black spikey haired boy came up. He was missing his right arm, but that was covered by the sleeve of this robe. His left arm was sleeveless and he wore a black glove. A strange lime green tattoo was visible on his left cheek.

"When are you going to stop coming…?" Matatagi frowned.

The boy smiled, "Don't worry, we'll meet in person eventually, Hayato."

For some reason, talking to this boy made Matatagi feel safe, secure and strong. This boy, Zed. Since the match against the Arcania, Matatagi dreamt of this boy on and off. As time passed, these dreams became more and more frequent.

During these dreams, Zed would teach the striker many things about Melfelse, the world and himself. He'd also engaged in simple conversations with Matatagi, like a friend.

"You've probably noticed that many members of the Arcania have partners, correct?" Zed asked, "That will be no different for you either."

"Do I have to search for someone? No way!"

Zed smiled, "As No. 0 Wild, your partner should be the Ancient Dragon, Koryuu, however that Koryuu doesn't exist any longer. There is someone with her power however.

"Who?"

"That is for you to find, Hayato." Zed finished before disappearing again.

Matatagi suddenly woke. It was still dark outside, but he didn't feel sleepy anymore. He decided to walk outside to get some fresh air. At night, Guardon's temperature was quite cool, making it easily bearable. He noticed someone atop the Galaxy Notes.

Alsius took a deep breath, hoping to get even a slight scent of the missing Shindou or Ibuki. No luck.

"What are you doing?" Matatagi climbed up frowning.

"Can't sleep?"

The forward sighed. The two sat in silence for a while. Putting a light in between her teeth, Alsius went back to a manga she was reading.

"Hey, do you know who Ze…" Matatagi started, but stopped midsentence.

Alsius took her eyes off her book, "Who?"

"…nevermind."

The girl returned to her manga, not asking any further questions.

"The match between Earth Eleven and Guardon Eleven is about to begin! Which planet will gain the right to move their piece forward?"

"We're going to play without Ibuki and Shindou!?" Kusaka repeated.

The Coach nodded, "We can't afford forfeiting the match."

Tenma turned to the rest of the team, "Shindou-senpai and Ibuki will return, I believe in them. We'll do our best until they do!"

"But will Han be able to play keeper…?" Sakura asked.

Han nodded, "Don't worry. I'll do my job."

Tenma nodded back, "We're counting on you."

"The lineup is…

FW- Matatagi Hayato, Komori

MF- Matsukaze Tenma, Nozaki Sakura, Kusaka Ryuuji, Kurogane Haku

DF- Morimura Konoha, Minaho Kazuto, Tetsukado Shin, Zephyr Illous

GK- Kurogane Han."

Mizukawa read out and the team nodded.

The teams lined up and entered the field. Each went to their respective benches as the crowd cheered for them. As the tournament went along, people from various planets came to watch the games, rather than only those native the home planet.

"Where's Narukami-kun?" Konoha realized.

Tetsukado sighed, "He refuses to come out of the Galaxy Notes…"

"Is it because of what happened in Porui?" Tenma asked.

"Nope." Han snorted, "It's just too hot, remember, he couldn't even survive Sandorius."

"Oh…" the captain laughed nervously, "Are you sure you're alright Han? You look a little pale…"

"I'm fine." Han force a smile. He added quietly to himself, "I'm the only one who can do keeper here anyways…"

"Ygg will do best to support!" The dog boy cheered. Though he stated he could play soccer, he sucked horribly at it. So, he became their third manager instead.

"We'll prove we're superior with our evolved arms we have made for ourselves." The captain and keeper, Arbega Gordon laughed.

Komori tilted her head, "Besides keeper, you can't use hands though…?"

"Haha, you're totally right about that." Matatagi cackled.

"Uwah!?" Komori yelped not realizing the striker was there.

"Don't tell me you're still no used the team…"

"…sorry…." The girl whimpered.

"Well, she is trying her best…" Tenma sighed.

"Reminds me of what Konoha was like before…" Kusaka added.

"Mm…" Konoha mumbled playing with her hands.

Both teams had taken their positions on the field. Like usual, the other team had a member of the Faram Obiues Shitenou on their side. This time is was a short, hooded boy.

"Heheh, Nice to meet you, Earth Eleven players, I'm Rodan." He snickered. "Seems you are missing some of your players…"

"Huh? How do you know?" Tenma demanded.

"Just a wild guess…" Rodan sneered.

Without any more time for chit-chat, the whistle blew.

Komori passed the ball to Matatagi who kicked it back to Tenma. The captain then started to dribble the ball up.

"Let's see what the Earthlings are capable of shall we?" Rodan snickered running towards Tenma.

"Z-Slash!" Tenma zig-zagged, avoiding the short forward. "Alsius!"

Alsius received the ball and continued to bring it forward.

"Haah!" a Guardonian defender charged at her successfully stealing the ball.

"Huh?"

"Urgh…" Alsius grunted and chased after the Guardon player to steal it back.

"Leave it to me! Trace Press!" Reading his opponents movements, Minaho mimicked them and stole the ball from their possession. He passed the ball up. "What's the matter Alsius? It's unlike you to have the ball stolen that easily."

"I won't let it happen again." Alsius mumbled.

"No, that's not what I meant." Minaho continued, but Alsius had already ran off.

"Something bothering you…" Konoha asked.

"No… it's fine for now…"

"Go, Matatagi!"

Jumping around the air and finishing with a back kick, Matatagi shot the ball towards the net, "Parkour Attack!"

Arbega put his mechanical hands out, stopping the hissatsu with ease. "See the power of our evolved arms!" he laughed.

"Tch…" Matatagi growled.

"We'll get it next time!" Tenma encouraged.

Zephyr frowned and looked in Alsius' direction. She was holding her head and seemed to be in pain, though she was doing a good job hiding, Zephyr could sense it. He knew what was causing her pain too.

However, he could do nothing about it. The game resumed with Guardon ball. The ball was quickly brought up by the Shitenou, Rodan.

The short alien snapped it hands creating fire and electric energy with the friction. Spinning up towards the ball, he back kicked it towards the net, "Kazanrai!"

Han twisted his body to gather dark energy onto his right hand, "Dark Cat!" The Shitenou's shoot overpowered the boy as he was flung back into the net along with the ball.

"Argh!"

"Han!?"

"Heh heh, this keeper's not as good as the other in this environment. Just like I predicted." Rodan cackled as he made his way back to the half line.

"… you're the cause for the disappearance of their players!?" Arbega demanded.

"I don't understand what you mean?" Rodan sneered, "I'm here to help you worthless, flightless birds win. You should be thankful!"

"How dare you speak ill of our evolution…"

"All you have to do is play along with me. It's the only way Guardon has a chance at victory."

"It's only one point, we can get it back!" Tenma yelled.

Han punched the ground in rage, "I have to do this…" he growled.

"Hmf, trying to act tough aren't you, Han." Zephyr snorted.

"Shut up…" the keeper glared, breathing heavily.

"You still refuse to tell Alsius, huh."

Han grunted getting back up onto his feet, "Focus on the game."

"Soul… I need to awaken my soul…" Tetsukado whispered.

A Guardon forward dribbled towards the ex-boxer. "Magma Carpet!" Jumping onto the ball, the bird alien conjured flowing lava which hardened instantly, trapping Tetsukado on the spot.

"NO... I won't let you!" He screamed. A red light surrounded him and a scarlet buffalo emerged from it. Forcefully breaking himself loose from the magma, he tackled the Guardonian with his large horns. Tetsukado was successfully able to steal the ball.

"I did it! I was able to awaken my SOUL!" he cheered.

"Good job, Tetsukado!" Tenma laughed.

"Alsius!"

Alsius was about to trap the ball, however he hestated for a second missing it completely, "Kch…"

"Thank-you!" Rodan cackled, using his hissatsu shoot again. "Kazanrai!"

"Not… this time!" Zephyr pleapt up storing wind energy onto the ball, "Cyclone Beast!" He shot the incoming ball towards the other net.

"What!?" Rodan gasped, "A shoot counter!?"

Tenma ran alongside the ball, "Shin Mach Wind!" he kicked the ball once more tying the score.

The whistle blew indicating the end of the first half.

"Hey Alsius, what are you doing!? Missing a perfect pass like that!" Matatagi growled. When she didn't answer, he grabbed her by her jersey collar. "Say something…"

Alsius pushed his arm aside and started to make her way to the bench.

With Alsius and Han become unable to play luckily, Shindou and Ibuki return! With new powers and knowledge of the Shitenou's devious plan. Will the arrival of the two lead Earth Eleven to victory? Episode 35: Guardon: Dual Soul!