Hello again, minna-san. Merry Christmas!
Welcome to the fourth chapter of AGI. Before we start, I just want to say thank you to all those who have read, reviewed, followed and favourite this story. Domo arigato!
Now, time for the match between Raimon and Gemini Storm! We have all been waiting for this, haven't we?! But, be warned though, the match description might not up to your expectation. Have to say sorry first if I'm disappointed you guys…
Okay, have to do the disclaimer first: I don't own Inazuma Eleven or any of the characters. Damn it! Now I'm hurting all over again because of this fact.
~ x ~
Chapter 4: Raimon VS Gemini Storm
They were on their way to Kasamino Junior High, and the air was so thick you could literally cut it with a knife. Kazemaru's head was down, as he looked at his hands, which were clasped in his lap. After Raimon was destroyed, they had received a call from Ichinose, who informed them that Kidokawa Seishuu had also been destroyed by a black soccer ball and a group of people called themselves aliens. Kazemaru knew, he knew very well, it was Midorikawa and his siblings' work. Squeezing his eyes shut, the blunette's shoulders started to shake slightly.
"How did the chairman know that the aliens were in Kasamino?" He heard Aki's soft whisper, properly she was talking to Natsumi.
"I don't know," and sure enough, it was Natsumi who replied. "The only thing I know is that, while we were fighting in the finals, something big was happening…"
Of course something big had happened! Kazemaru just knew it! The look on Midorikawa's face…The look in his eyes…The expression he was wearing when Endou was sent to the ground…
"Kazemaru?!" a hand was put on his shoulder, and the blunette looked up, just to see a worried look on Endou's face. "Are you okay?"
The defender shook his head. "No. No, I don't think so. Something is not right, Endou…"
"I know what you mean," Endou sighed. Lowering his voice so no one else could hear their conversation, the brunet went on. "I might not know Midorikawa as well as you do, but I know he didn't want to destroy our school. You remembered when he smirked at us? That smirk…it just looked so faked…"
"Un," Kazemaru nodded in agreement. Leaning forward a little, he whispered, voice as low as Endou's. "Do you know, he looked really worried after he kicked that ball at you?"
"He did?" Endou asked, surprised.
"He did," Kazemaru replied. "No one else seemed to notice it, because everyone was too busy checking for your wellbeing, but I saw it. I saw it with my own eyes. He was about to call out for you, you know. Already took a step towards you, until Hiromu stopped him…"
Both of them went silent. Kazemaru sighed inwardly. He knew it. He knew something was not right about the matter. And he was glad someone else also realised it, because he was now sure there had to be some sort of reason for Midorikawa's action.
"Don't worry, Kazemaru," Endou gently squeezed his shoulder. "We will find out what caused Midorikawa to do what he and his team are doing. And whatever has been troubling him, we will do our best to help…"
"Even when he and his team are aliens?"
"Yeah. Aliens or not, you're fond of that kid, right? And to me, that's enough to offer my help," Endou flashed his friend a grin. "So, don't worry. I'm sure everything will be okay in the end!"
Seeing the grin on his captain's face sure lifted up some weight from Kazemaru's heart. Closing his eyes for a brief second, before opening them again, he also flashed Endou a smile. "Un."
Eventually, they reached Kasamino Junior High, and they were right on time, too. When they arrived at the field, Midorikawa already had his leg raised up, preparing to kick the spinning ball.
"…Giving up the fight is the same as admitting that you are weak," the greenette spoke, his voice lacked of all emotions. "Therefore, you are regarded as vanquished and to be destroyed!"
"Stop!" three members of Kasamino Soccer team shouted. But it was not them that stopped Midorikawa from kicking that destructive black object.
"Wait!" No, it was Endou who caught the greenette's attention. Halting in the middle of his movement, Midorikawa turned to look at the newcomers, seeing Endou and the rest of Raimon making their way to the field. A smirk crept to his face. And again, to Endou and Kazemaru, it looked so faked on Midorikawa.
"Endou-san, what a surprise," the greenette murmured softly. "You are here, so I will take it that you wish to fight in their place?"
"Yeah, that's right!" Endou replied, loud and clear. He had a feeling that Midorikawa would not tell them what was troubling him, what had caused him to do this. So, if they had to beat him and his team to fish out the reason, then so be it!
"We're really the ones who should be protecting this place," one of Kasamino members said, eyes casted to the ground in shame. "But…we forfeited. We tried to run away…"
"Don't be like that," Endou turned and looked at Kazemaru, smiling to himself when he saw the blunette with a small smile on his face. "You chose to forfeit to protect your school, right? That's nothing to be embarrassed about."
'Well said, Kazemaru,' the brown-haired captain thought. Turning his attention back to Midorikawa and his team, he said again. "Okay! Let's get this start!"
"Very well," Midorikawa chuckled, before moving his head a little to the side. "Bring us a ball." He addressed the captain of Kasamino, who looked surprised and pointed at himself. "Yes, you." The greenette ordered. "Hurry up!"
"Y-Yes sir!" the poor boy stuttered, hurriedly running away to get a soccer ball.
Endou blinked. "Aren't you going to use that one?" He pointed at the black ball at Midorikawa' foot. Why needed to get another one when he already had one right here?
The alien captain scoffed. "Endou-san, we're bringing ourselves down to your level. Can't you see that?"
"Nani?" Endou gritted his teeth. He dared to underestimate them? Even after attending some of the team's practices, even after seeing up close what they could do?
"Calm down, Endou," Hibiki's voice caught his attention, and the brunet turned to his coach. "Don't get caught up in their pace."
"Gouenji-kun, Ichinose-kun and Domon-kun are not here," Natsumi said worriedly. "It'll be Someoka-kun forwarding all by himself on the field. Will you be okay?"
"Not a problem," Someoka replied, a small smirk tugged at the corner of his lips, showing his confidence. Seeing this also made Kidou smile.
"Yeah," he said. "Leave the backup to us."
Endou grinned. "Okay! Then I'm counting on you, everyone!"
Soon enough, both teams were standing in the field, facing each other. Looking at Midorikawa, Endou felt that there was something he needed to know.
"Tell me," the brunet spoke up. "Is Midorikawa Ryuuji your real name?"
"No," the greenette shook his head. "My name…my name is Reize…"
"Reize…" Endou muttered, testing the name. Sure sounded strange. Nodding to himself, he continued with another question. "Then, what's your team's name?"
"Our team's name is Gemini Storm," Midorikawa, or rather, Reize, said.
"Gemini Storm?!" Endou questioned.
"Un," the greenette nodded. "Now, let's begin, shall we?"
"Eh, but what about the ref?"
The captain of Kasamino raised his hand. "If you want, I will do it."
"Ah!" Endou nodded. "I'm counting on you then!"
"Un!" said captain gave Endou a thumb up. Once it was done, Endou's attention went back to the game. It's about time for the match to start.
And the whistle was blown.
Immediately, the ball was passed to Someoka, who took no time to lead the black and white object forward, heading straight in the space between Riimu and Diam. But, instead of dribbling the ball there, he passed it to Kidou instead, and all by himself, he ran past the forwards of Gemini Storm.
For some unknown reason, the two said forwards did not react whatsoever. They just stood there, letting Someoka ran past them, heading to the territory of the midfielders.
"Tsk," the Raimon forward scoffed. "They're underestimating me."
"Someoka!" Kidou exclaimed, kicking the ball to the person who wore number 11 of their team, who immediately called out his hissatsu the moment the ball touched his foot.
"Dragon Crash!"
Like an almighty dragon, the ball was sent hurling to Gemini Storm goal, only to be stopped suddenly by Reize, who jumped up and used his knee to halt the ball speed, before kicking it all the way back to Raimon side of the field. When he had yet landed back to the ground. All of this happened too fast for Raimon members to react, and, just like what happened back in Raimon Junior High, Endou didn't have enough time to call out Majin The Hand to stop the ball from entering the net.
"Nani?!"
Everyone's eyes widened in shock, following by simultaneous gasps from the audiences, as the whistle was blown, signalling that the first goal had been made. Softly landing to the ground like a cat, Reize looked at his opponents with a face lacked of all emotions.
"Endou!" He heard Kazemaru called out worriedly.
"Captain!" Kabeyama also called. And there was Endou, sitting on the ground, looking at his own hand in disbelief.
"N-Not again," the brunet muttered to himself. "I couldn't bring Majin The Hand out in time again." Looking up at Reize, he continued muttering. "This is…the speed of aliens?"
Reize only blinked his eyes, even when he had heard what Endou just said. Realising he was not about to receive any comment from the guy formerly known as Midorikawa Ryuuji, Endou decided it didn't matter.
"The match has only just begun after all," he said in determination, hitting his palm with his fist.
Reize blinked again. Tilting his head to the side a little, he appeared to be thinking about something for a second, before looking back at the brunet goalkeeper with a blank smile on his face.
"You know, Endou-san," he began, much to Endou's surprise. And here he thought Reize was not about to react whatsoever.
"Earth has a saying that goes like this,' the greenette paused a little, before continued. 'The weaker the dog, the more he barks."
Back in those days, the days he had yet known of Midorikawa's, or Reize's, true identity, Endou always enjoyed hearing the greenette saying his proverbs. But now, at this moment, the proverb annoyed him. Even when he knew there had to be some sort of reason for Reize to act like this, even when he knew Reize probably didn't mean to taunt him, he still couldn't help but grit his teeth at the insult.
The match continued, with the ball passed to Someoka, who kicked it to Kazemaru. The blunette received the ball, and wasted no time to use Shippuu Dash to get past Gringo. Yet, his movement got cut off by Io instead, who swiftly stole the ball from him before the blunette could even know his opponent was there. The only thing told him the ball was no longer in his possession was the gust of wind that was created by the speed of the midfielder, which was more than strong enough to knock him down.
"Kazemaru!" Kidou shouted, as he and Max ran to Io, intended to get the ball back in Raimon's possession. But, they ended up like Kazemaru instead, when Io flipped through them, creating another gust of wind with his movement, before passing the ball to…
"A miss?" Shourinji asked, surprised when he saw the ball bounced in between him and Shishido without anyone following it. Of course, he soon found out he had thought so soon, because, the next thing he knew, he and Shishido were also sent to the ground when another member of Gemini Storm ran past them, taking no time to get the ball in their possession.
It was truly insane, as Raimon kept losing point after point. From one, they now lost four. Then eight. Then nine. Then ten. Then another. Then another one. The audiences couldn't believe what they were seeing. It was like watching an one-side match.
"No way…"
"Raimon is…"
Back in the field, Raimon members were panting hard, all of them covered in sweats. Gemini Storm was a team from a whole new level, completely different from all the opponents Raimon had ever faced. Not only they had unnatural speed and incredible moves, they hadn't even broken a sweat. Sure said something, really.
"Shishido!" Endou's cried, earning everyone's attention. Turning to the direction of the goal, they watched as Endou crunching down next to the orange-haired midfielder, whose ankle appeared to be sprained.
"I-I'm sorry," he said, looking up. "B-But my leg…"
Endou's eyebrows furrowed, as he bit his lip. What were they supposed to do now?
Whichever deity that was looking down upon Raimon seemed to hear his unspoken question, and had decided to give them a little help. From the side, Endou heard the familiar voice called out.
"Change players!"
It was no one else but Gouenji that was making his way over, much to the happiness of his teammates. Stopping next to Endou and Shishido, he kindly addressed the injured boy.
"Can you stand, Shishido?"
"You're here, Gouenji-san!" said injured boy's face brightened up. Gouenji nodded lightly, and together with Endou, they helped Shishido stood up. After leaving him in the care of Megane, Gouenji took a good look at their opponents, and couldn't help but be taken back when he saw just who exactly was standing in front of them.
"But…isn't that…"
Endou nodded. "Yeah. It's him, alright."
"But…why?!"
"I will explain later."
Nodding in understanding, Gouenji then removed his jacket, before joining with the team. "Let's do this then, Endou."
"Yeah!" Endou grinned. With Gouenji here, they might have a chance to fight back! "Alright, guys! Counterattack!"
"Hai!" The team shouted. Yet, after seeing this, Reize's expression didn't change. He just stood there with the rest of Gemini Storm, staring blankly at Raimon players.
Not that members of Raimon cared.
"Use Inazuma Break!" Endou gave out his order, as he left the goalpost and making his way forward.
"All right!" Someoka smirked, passing the ball to Kidou. With Inazuma Break, there was no way the aliens could stand a chance.
Once he had the ball, Kidou immediately kicked it upwards, all the way to the air. The purple atmosphere appeared right after that, swallowing the ball inside it, with lightning struck downwards to the ground. Just like that, Kidou jumped up after it, following by Endou and Gouenji, who flipped their body to perform a bicycle kick, while Kidou performed a normal one. And together, they kicked the ball all at once, sending the object straight to Gemini Storm goal.
This was it! They were going to score!
Sadly, fate said they couldn't score with this combination hissatsu. Yawning in boredom, Gorureo brought his hand forward and caught the ball with ease.
"NANI?!" Endou exclaimed in shock.
"He didn't even look at the ball?!" Handa said, couldn't believe in what he just saw. How? How? It was Inazuma Break for God's sake! Then how come he could catch it without even looking?!
Handa was not the only one who wore a shock look on his face. The other members of Raimon, the managers, and even the audiences, all had their jaw dropped to the floor, eyes widened. This. Was. Unreal!
Gorureo sighed mockingly. "You know, that was a pretty laid-back shoot." He said, then threw the ball back to the field, where Diam reached it before anyone else could. With a back flip, the brown haired forward sent the ball back to Raimon's side of the field, heading straight to the goal which was in serious lack of goalkeeper.
Oh, Kebeyama was there though.
"The Wall!" the defender called, trying to use his hissatsu to stop the attack. Useless attempt, of course, for he still ended up having the ball smashed into his face, throwing him back to the ground before making contact with the net.
"Oh no!" Endou worriedly ran back to the goalpost, where Kurimatsu and Shourinji were calling out for the fallen defender.
"Kabeyama!"
"Kabeyama! Are you okay?"
Kazemaru, despite also worried for his teammate, decided to watch Reize's expression instead. He needed to make sure his theory was right, that Reize indeed didn't truly want to do this…
And sure enough, for a second, a worried look washed over the greenette's face.
'You still care, don't you?' the blunette thought, unconsciously balling his hands into fists. 'Then why…?'
The score was 16-0 now, but Raimon still tried their best. The chance they could make it a tie was almost next to none, they knew it very well, but, as long as they still had time, they were not about to give up.
"Gouenji!" Someoka called out, as the ace striker of their team making his way through the defence of Gemini Storm. Bringinng his leg up, Someoka shoot. "Dragon…"
"…Tornado!" Gouenji received the ball, and adding his own strength to the shoot. Dragon Tornado was sent hurling toward the goal on Gemini Storm side…
…only to be stopped by Reize, who seemed to come out of nowhere, and kicked the ball back to Raimon's goal, hitting Kageno straight in the stomach.
"Kageno!" Endou yelled, running to his teammate's aid.
"I-I'm fine…" Kageno replied weakly, trying to stand up. "Trying" was the keyword though, because the pain soon caused him to sit back down.
"Our hissatsu techniques don't work on these guys?" Someoka gritted his teeth, his shoulders shaking. How could it even possible…
"Hissatsu?" Reize tilted his head to the side a little, murmuring. "You call those hissatsu techniques?"
"And what's wrong with that?" Someoka snapped.
Reize smirked faintly. "Those…can't be called as hissatsu," he looked at them all. "They only show your limits…"
"We don't have any limits!" Endou shouted back, causing Reize to blink.
"It seems, Endou-san does not know when to give up," his voice sounded…almost sad. "You know, this attitude will only invite destruction…"
"I thought you have to know by now, that not giving up is one of our hissatsu techniques too?!" Kidou looked at the captain of Gemini Storm while supporting Max to stand.
"We have…always won with that!" Shishido continued, with his hand on Kageno's shoulder.
"We are not afraid of you!" Kurimatsu also joined in.
Reize looked around, seeing the same look on the faces of Raimon members. Determination. Even when all of them had had a fair share of bruises all over the their bodies now, they still refused to give up. Closing his eyes before reopening them again, Reize let out a sigh.
"Very well," he said. "Then I guess we will have to make it so you can't defy us ever again."
With a signal from the Gemini Storm captain, thing started to turn from bad to worse. Instead of paying attention to earning score now, Gemini Storm players seemed to have a new goal: injuring Raimon members. They kept kicking the ball at the players from Raimon, sending them sprawling painfully over the ground. This went on for almost all the rest of the match, even knocking Endou unconscious for a moment after he was hit directly by the shoot that was made by Reize himself.
How long had he lay there, Endou wasn't sure. All he knew was that, when he opened his eyes again, none of his teammates could be seen standing. They were all on the ground now, appeared to be unconscious. His eyes moved to the form of Kazemaru. Judging from where he was lying, Endou knew he must have pushed him out of the way and received the shoot that was meant for the brown-haired goalkeeper instead.
"Kaze…" he never got a chance to finish his sentence, for Reize had already made his way over. Looking down at Endou, without saying a word, the greenette pushed the ball, which was in front of Endou, to the goal, ending the game with the score of 20-0.
Gemini Storm was the winner.
"The game is set," Endou gritted his teeth when Reize spoke up, voice quiet, as he held the black ball in his hand. "You know, Endou-san, Earth has a saying that goes like this: Avoiding unnecessary talk can prevent disaster from falling upon one."
With that said, the black ball was sent hurling towards the building that was Kasamino Junior High, and in no time turned it into a wrecked mess.
~ x ~
Holy mother of Afuro Terumi, this thing takes forever to complete! I'm so glad it's over now. Any longer and I might collapse out of exhaustion, really. After all, I have been gluing my eyes to the laptop screen for what, nearly five hours straight to complete this.
Thank you everyone for reading this chapter. And again, I apologise for the suckiness of the match. I have tried my best, and I have failed miserably. I know, I know. Again, sorry for those who expected more of this. So sorry.
Okay, enough moping. Merry Christmas, everyone. I wish you all a happy holiday. Thank you again for continue reading AGI, and please leave a review on your way out. Remember to stay tuned for more chapter of 'Aliea Gakuen: Invasion?'
See you in New Year!