Note: The Manuuba in this story will have a differing role and appearance than the one in the anime and games. Please keep that in mind as you read! Thanks!

Episode 44: Manuuba

The team silently gathered around the small dirt mound which Banda lay under. Kusaka kneeled in front of it in greif. He placed flowers gently on top.

"Banda... We'll win and save the galaxy... I promise." Kusaka grinned.

"Piku..." Pixie poked Tenma as it pointed.

"What is it?"

"Piku~"

"Perhaps its talking about the stone?" Tsurugi smirked to himself as he spoke.

"Maybe you're right, Tsurugi!"

"Then let's go..."

Tenma and Tsurugi followed Pixie.

The two players found themselves in a green lit area, protected by a large tree's roots. A small hollow was opened up in the bark as if something was supposed to be inside it.

"Piku!?" Pixie flew towards the hollow, crying in confusion.

"It's not here?"

"What!?" Tsurugi growled.

A bright light shone from Pixie as it transformed into a young blond man. Tenma stepped back in surprise.

Tsurugi's eyes widened, "Sarjes...!?" He gasped.

"What?"

"N-nothing..."

The man was still focused on the empty indent, "This isn't what I heard... The shard was supposed to be here..." He growled.

"P-Pixie...?" Tenma asked.

"Huh?" The man frowned and then noticed he had transformed, "Oh, sorry! Didn't realized I changed! I'm Sarjes! This is my true form."

"Huh...!?"

"Enough with that though..." Sarjes groaned, "Without this shard, the possibility of saving the universe is gone!"

Tenma thought for a bit, "Could the Ratoniik moved it someplace else? I'll go ask someone nearby!"

"Yes!" Sarjes followed.

Tsurugi kneeled down to search for anything he could use as a clue. He took a small device out from his pocket and took pictures.

"Tsurugi! Hurry!" Tenma called.

"Coming!"

The striker hid the device and went to the captain.

"Let's hurry!" Tenma urged. However as the brunet turned, his foot slipped causing him to lose balance. He was going to fall!

Tenma closed his eyes. Sarjes attempted to grab his hand, but as he got a hold of the boy's shirt, Sarjes reverted back to his Pixie form. "P-Piku!?"

When Tenma lost hope, he felt someone grab his wrist. The captain dangled over the large branch and grabbed the wrist of his rescuer. Looking up slowly, he saw Tsurugi desperately hang in the top.

"Tsurugi!?"

"Rgh...!" The striker pulled the boy and pixie up. What am I doing...?

"Thank you... Tsurugi..." The captain wheezed. His arms were trembling.

"...be careful!"

"Tenma, Tsurugi! Where have you been!?" Shindou yelled when the two finally returned to the Galaxy Notes.

"We were looking for the final shard... Sorry..." Tenma sighed.

"Did you find it?"

The captain shook his head sadly.

"...that's not good..." Mizukawa frowned, "I scanned the three shards you have already obtained and found out they were the Mythril Stones; ingredients for the mythril."

"Mythril?" Shindou repeated.

"The main mineral to create the Cosmic Plasma Cannon; a machine which can destroy the black hole."

"Destroy the Black Hole!?"

Tsurugi slipped back to his room. He needed to contact that person. Closing the door behind him, he turned on a disc-like device on his desk. A screen shone above it with a single figure displayed on it.

"What is it?"

"The final shard seems to have been taken already..." Tsurugi started.

"Don't worry, I have informed Ozlock of its location already. It'll be under his possession soon." The figure grinned, "Bring the rest immediately, Manuuba."

Tsurugi paused for a second, "...yes. Potomuri as well?"

"Yes..." The device then turned off. Tsurugi let out a heavy sigh. He quickly shook his head, it was too late for second thoughts.

He readied a teleportation machine and laser gun. "..."

"Haku-nee...?"

Alsius turned to see Han standing by the entrance of her room. She closed the manga she was reading, "What?"

"...You better not chicken out now. You know its going to happen soon..."

"I know! Stop bothering me about it."

"The mission comes first." Han finished, "Remember that."

Alsius buried her face in her arms. This was the reason they joined the team, she knew that, but...

Narukami was trying to play with his yo-yo, but couldn't seem to concentrate. "Haah... We're almost at Faram..." He sighed.

"What's with the long look, Naoto?" Tetsukado noticed.

"...just nervous." The Melfen lied.

Tetsukado wasn't convinced, but didn't ask anymore, "Well, we'll do fine! We can all save the Galaxy!"

Narukami forced a smile and nodded.

The Galaxy Notes was about to warp, however, Tsurugi and Mizukawa were not seated yet. Worried, Tenma went to get them.

"Tsurugi?" The captain knocked on his friend's door. However there was no answer.

"Don't move." Tsurugi's voice whispered in Tenma's ear as he felt something pointed at him, "The shards have been taken by me."

"You weren't Tsurugi... Were you..."

Tsurugi snorted, "So you noticed. Since when?"

"I noticed you were strange..."

"Potomuri's with us along with the shards..." After a slight pause he continued, "...the next battle will not be the last... But stay strong... and save her..."

"Huh?" Tenma turned to see fake Tsurugi's face return to his true self. A human like appearace and long pointed ears. His hair was a pale pink with a long dark blue flick.

"Good luck..." The alien's body was starting to become transparent.

"What's your name!? At least tell me your name!" Tenma gasped.

"...Manuuba. Manuuba's my name." He was no longer here.

"...there is something much bigger happening in the Grand Celesta Galaxy... We have to stay strong."

"Rgh...!" Tsurugi grunted as Hilbert threw him onto the ground in front of Xerxes.

"Ahh, so he's the rumoured striker of Earth..." Xerxes' eyes moved to the short boy Hilbert still held, "and Konan..." He smirked.

"You..." Tsurugi glared.

The black haired Shadowborn was not intimidated at all as he chuckled in response, "I just need your help to destroy the black hole, my friend..."

"What?"

Xerxes walked up to the earthling and lifted Tsurugi's face by raising his chin.

"Don't look into his eyes!" Konan desperately yelled.

It was too late, Xerxes' gaze captured the boy's eyes, "You will do as I say..."

"If I refuse?" Tsurugi spat.

Xerxes frowned. His powers didn't work? He tried once more, however, it still didn't work.

Hilbert frowned, "What's the matter?"

A smile crept over Xerxes' face, "Tsurugi Kyousuke... You may be more amusing than I thought. How about you play for Faram's team... for your princess?"

"Lalaya!? Where is she?"

Xerxes leaned over and whispered something into Tsurugi's ears. The Earthling's eyes widened.

"A-are you telling the truth...?" Tsurugi gasped, "Is she really capable of..."

Xerxes shushed him, "Whether you believe my words or not... Is your decision."

He then Tsurugi away. After the striker was gone, Xerxes turned his attention back to Konan.

"Long time no see, brother..."

"Don't call me that!" The small boy growled. He tried to get loose from Hilbert's hold, though he lacked the strength. He clenched his teeth in rage.

"Now we only need Juke..." Xerxes smiled.

Earth Eleven has finally arrived on Faram Obieus. Each with their own feelings, the members prepare themselves for the final match. And the captain of the opposing team is...!? And then all 7 Shadowborn are gathered!? Episode 45: Faram Obieus: Final Match part 1.