Episode 45: Faram Obieus: Final Match part 1

"Warp Complete. Planet Faram Obieus." The female voice echoed and everyone let out a sigh of relief. Han was completely out.

When Tenma told them about Manuuba and Mizukawa's disappearance, the Earth Players were shocked.

"Are you serious, Captain!? I never noticed!" Sakura gasped.

Minaho was deep in thought, "Come to think if it, his actions were odd..."

"What are we going to do!? Where is the real Tsurugi? Is he safe!?" Tetsukado yelled.

Tenma hid his own uncertainty, "Everyone, we have to focus on the next match. I believe Tsurugi's fine. He's fine..."

"B-but Captain... we must consider the worst case." Manabe mumbled as he fixed his glasses.

"No, he'll definetly be fine!" Tenma nodded.

Shindou grinned, "Tsurugi's tougher than you all think. And Tenma's right, we have to focus on the upcoming match."

"Piku..." Pixie frowned as it could tell Tenma was worried for his friend. The aqua pixie noticed this too.

The Galaxy Notes soon landed and everyone exited.

"Waah!?" Konoha gasped as she looked up at the sky. Following her gaze the team saw a dark eerie sky above them. It was the rumoured Black Hole!

"...that's depressing to see..." Ibuki mumbled.

"I guess you have noticed the black hole already." Ishigashi walked up the Earth Team. "The match will be tomorrow, so I suggest you rest for today so, you'll be prepared for tomorrow."

Tenma nodded, "Thank-you, Ishigashi-san."

He bowed, "It was my pleasure."

Earth Eleven decided to have freetime today and started to explore the city in small groups.

"And? Why is this thing following me...?" Matatagi frowned at the red pixie which stayed by his side.

"The red one seems to have taken a liking to Matatagi-kun." Aoi giggled to Tenma.

"Yeah..." Tenma tried his best to smile.

"Hey Takuto~" Han grinned as he put his arm over the brunet's shoulder, "Wanna go around together?"

"Huh!? I was about to go with Shindou!" Ibuki yelled.

Shindou chuckled, "We can be a group of three you know?"

"Yeah, Masamasa."

"Masama-...!? Don't call me that!?"

"It will be the last time we can hang out, anyways..." Han whispered.

"Komori!" Sakura called to the dragonis girl, "Do you want go around together? Since Konoha already went off with Kusaka..."

Komori tilted her head to the side, "Sure..."

The pink haired girl then grabbed Komori's hand, "Then let's start shopping!"

"Hey, Zephyr! Since this is the last match, I want to talk to you before everything is over." Minaho and Manabe walked up to the blind boy.

After slightly biting his own lip Zephyr nodded and the three started to walk away.

"One more game until Space Champ, I'm going to do it, Tetsu-san!" Tetsukado shouted.

"You're fired up like usual." Narukami laughed.

"Of course! When will I be able to experience a game like this?" The ex-boxer grinned.

"Yeah..."

"? You seem down, something the matter?"

"Shin, I..." Narukami started, but stopped and shook his head, "Sorry, never mind..."

"If you have something to say, just say it."

"... I-I'm hungry...! Let's go get something?" The one-eyed boy lied.

Tetsukado noticed this, but nodded, "come one, then!"

Matatagi sighed as he looked to the side and noticed Alsius was not around. He didn't remember her going with anyone else.

"Piku...!" The red pixie flew up ahead, pointing. It was beckoning the striker to follow.

Matatagi went around the corner and spotted Alsius talking to someone. He instictively hid. Upon closer inspection, Matatagi realized it was Liberta.

"...sorry, I was caught..." He whispered.

"Of course Xerxes would've known about the mission..." The blue haired girl growled. She then let out a heavy sigh, "Guess we tried our best, but we can't defy them..." She put her hand over her left temple, the place she had her tatoo.

"...then later. On the field." Liberta concluded sending Alsius away in the opposite direction which Matatagi was eavesdropping.

After Alsius was out of sight, Liberta looked into the direction where the forward was hidden, "Come on out, I know you're there."

Matatagi stepped out.

Liberta grinned, "Long time no see~"

The forward growled, "What's with that cheery tone? I knew you aliens couldn't be trusted."

The blond Melfen chuckled, "What are you going to do about it? Do you know about the Shadowborn?"

Matatagi frowned, "What's that got to about...!?" The striker stopped when a knife flew past his cheek cutting it. Looking ahead, he couldn't see Liberta standing there any longer.

"Do you know, what my desire is...?"

A shiver ran down the burnet's sign as Liberta whispered into his ear from behind and licked the blood off his cheek.

"D-Desire?"

The Melfen chuckled.

"That's enough... Xerxes." The red Pixe transformed into his human form and clenched Liberta's arm, gradually tightening his grip.

"Zed-san... Long-time no see..."

Matatagi stepped back.

"You sure seem to enjoy the control..."

"Keh, I'll stop bothering your boy." He licked his lips, "So stop glaring... Kukuku..." After bowing Xerxes showed a wide, creepy smile, he disappeared.

"Shadowborn... They've gained more power than before..." The short black haired boy frowned. He turned to Matatagi, "Are you alright?"

"What...?"

Zed sighed, "The next matches will become quite different from what was supposed to occur, but I guess you'll be alright."

Matatagi continued frowning, "You seriously make no sense..."

"I'm not supposed to." Was all the boy said before transforming back to the red pixie again.

"H-hey!?"

"Piku?"

The day of the final match of the Grand Celesta Galaxy had finally come. Many planets didn't think it would be Earth of all planets to make it all the way here. This truth had one Earth Eleven many fans.

Tenma slapped his face to keep focused. He had too many things on his mind, not just Tsurugi, but the words Manuuba left him.

"Be strong, and save her."

Who did he mean by 'her'?

"Tenma." Shindou called. "I know you're worried, but you're the captain. You have to be able to keep the team together."

Tenma nodded, "Thanks Shindou-san!"

"We're ready for anything, Captain!" Sakura grinned.

"All we have to do is win!" Kusaka nodded.

Minaho and Manabe smiled, "Since we're all the way here, let's finish it with a perfect score."

"To save Earth and...

The entire Galaxy!" The Earthlings cheered in unison.

"They've become quite a team haven't they..." Alsius mumbled.

Narukami agreed but his eyes quickly saddened.

Xerxes looked at each player from the Faram Obieus team.

"Hmm..." He mumbled, "Not bad, but not great either..." He pointed at two players, telling them to get off the team replacing them with two new players.

"Of course you'll be captain, right?" The raven haired boy chuckled as he passed the band to one of the newcomers.

"Of course. I'll crush them!" He sneered.

Both teams finally entered the arena. First Earth, then Faram. The team was unsurprised to see the Shitennou they have fought throughout the tournament. Tenma's eyes widened when he saw the captain, however.

"Tsurugi!"

"Huh!?" "How!?" "Impossible!" Gasps arose from the Earth team.

"Tsurugi, what are you doing there!? Why are you wearing Faram's uniform?" Tenma yelled.

"To guide Faram to victory. We will prevail, Tenma!" The dark haired striker sneered in response. He put both hands in his pocket as he returned to his new team's bench.

"Tsurugi... why?"

"Get a hold of yourself, Tenma!" Shindou scolded, "You are the captain! What we need to do now is to win! To save the Galaxy; isn't that what Katra told you?"

"Piku!" Pixie agreed.

"Y-yeah..." The captain's response was considerably weaker.

As both teams began huddling together, Liberta stood alone, "I-I'm kinda on the enemy team too, you know..." He sighed. No one seemed to notice him over Tsurugi's impactful presence. "Tohoho..."

"Tsurugi..." Lalaya mumbled as she was seated above to watch the match. Minel stood next to her with Hilbert's dolls guarding the entrance.

The princess was frustrated on how much they were being controlled. At first the Shadowborn helped them rid of Dohoruze's plans to take over the ruling power, but then they took themselves. She also didn't understand what made Tsurugi want to, or perhaps forced Tsurugi to play for Faram's team.

"Lalaya-sama..."

The princess tried her best to keep her tears in, "Why am I so powerless...?"

"Hmm, so that's what you're worrying about the whole time~" Xerxes suddenly swung down from above becoming face-to-face with Faram's young princess. This made her feel uneasy.

"...you...!" Minel cursed.

"Don't look so scared... They're just playing soccer, nothing so violent."

"B-but..."

Xerxes sneered as he leaned over and whispered into the princess' ear, "What if I told you, that you're the reason Tsurugi's playing."

"W-what...!?"

The princess' shocked expression satisfied the black haired Shadowborn. He was about to add more when Alicia knocked to get their attention.

"We found him. The plan may go as planned."

"P-plan...!?"

"Good, good..."

"Kick off!" The whistle blew from below and the match began.

Xerxes grinned.

Tsurugi easily passed through his former teammates.

Minaho and Manabe went to stop him however, to their surprise the striker performed a back pass to his Faram teammate, Hilary Flail from the Sazanaara match.

The blue haired alien then kicked the ball into the air. Tsurugi was there!?

"Bicycle Sword!" The striker went right to a hissatsu. The ball seared past Ibuki who wasn't fully prepared for the shoot. The game just began and Faram had the leading point!

Tenma tries his best not to show, but is conflicted with Tsurugi being on the opposing planet's team. The strong wills of both sides collide and new souls are awakened! Episode 46: Faram Obieus: Final Match part 2: Tenma VS Tsurugi.