~~~~

Xavier's POV~

"And that's about it." Marc said ending his explanation of what happened earlier. While doing so, Coach Hillman and Travis sat there with disapproving faces. They'd sometimes whisper things between themselves and we'd all take that as something bad.

All throughout the whole explanation, Caleb stood beside the window with his fist clenched. The expression he wore on his face was a pained one and yet, I could somehow feel the range and anger radiating from his silent demeanour.

Austin, on the other hand, was nowhere to be found. The managers have checked everywhere but they still couldn't find him.

Axel and the rest of the team, were seated about the dining hall while the girls whom they identified as Tori and Sue, sat just across Coach Travis. Neither of the two dared to look him in the eye.

A lot of things happened in such a short span of time and I for one, would rather forget all about it. I couldn't bring myself to accept the fact that Alexi was a horrible person. Most of the guys were thinking the same thing, but the first years were starting to doubt her because of fear- fear of becoming something similar to Zeus Junior High.

It's stupid if you ask me.

"There's nothing we can do about it now." Coach Hillman said with a dismayed sigh, "Keep looking for Austin and have someone call for Alexi-"

"I'll do it." Me and Axel said at the same time. It was really awkward especially now that the tension in the room's elevating. Both of us unintentionally started a staring contest on who gets to go when Coach Hillman gave out another sigh and permitted us both to go get Alexi.

Axel and I went to Alexi's room on the second floor of the building with some dead air hanging between us until I broke the silence with a question. "Do you think she's ok?"

Axel didn't answer right away. His hands remained in his pockets and his eyes were fixated on the ground. He looked like he was thinking of something deep, but I wouldn't dare ask him what it is.

When we reached the second floor, Axel finally answered, "Coach saw her crying, she thinks we all see her as a monster and her brother ran off somewhere... so no, I don't think she's ok."

"I can't argue with that." I answered we continued to go to the left side of the hallway where Alexi's room was located. "What I don't understand is why they're making such a big deal out of this. I mean, I'm from Alieus Academy; Jordan and I did worst things than what they think Alexi did."

It's true. I've made bigger mistakes and caused even bigger troubles for the team but they still managed to forgive me. They even warmed up to Jordan despite the fact that he was the one who destroyed most of the schools in the country.

"You're right, I even managed to forgive you guys after everything you've put me through." He said as we started to walk slowly now, "You've threatened me and my sister, forced me into leaving the team and go into hiding. I should've strangled you when I had the chance."

Before I could even utter an apology and ask for forgiveness for what my past has done, he smiled a little bit and looked at me, "But I didn't. I knew you guys were just like us; you love soccer and love how it makes you feel. It gave you friends who care for you and comrades who'll fight with you no matter what. It's also because of you guys that I became stronger and was able to harness the flame that was inside me all along. So I guess, I should thank you guys. So yeah, thanks."

I was dumbfounded to hear the Axel Blaze –the guy with the legendary "Fire Tornado" that got Raimon their first point from Royal Academy and was rumoured to have started Raimon's journey from a soccer club with only 7 members to the team that saved the world from mass destruction- was actually being humble and was thanking me for something I didn't even do.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Axel asked.

"You actually thanked me, even though I was part of the team that did horrible things to you." I answered as we stopped walking.

"Yeah, I did. Why do you look so surprised?"

"You're Axel Blaze! The ace striker of Inazuma Japan, the King of all Forwards and the Emperor of Flame! I thought-"

He cuts me off, "You thought that just because I'm such a hotshot, I act like some prideful jerk?"

He quirked his eyebrow and looked at me expectantly. I quickly said an apology and tried to explain myself but he then cuts me off.

"Don't worry, I forgive you. This isn't the first time this happened actually; when I first joined the soccer team, the first years were totally intimidated by me." He then smiled, "But after a while, they found out that I'm not as cold as I appear to be and they started talking to me when they have problems like when Steve got rejected by this girl from another class, or when Timmy got his first 'F' in Biology or even the time when Jim tried to ask this girl out on a date. As their senior I listened to their problems," he then gave out another small smile, "but as their teammate and friend, I helped them out with it as best as I could."

A part of me couldn't believe what he just said, but judging from the smile he was wearing I knew that Axel Blaze was the real deal. He was a true friend to everybody, even me. This hotshot of a flame striker on the field was a genuine friend to everyone. No wonder he defended Alexi from Tori and Sue's accusations, he knew what it felt like to be judged solely on how you look and what you did in the past and he didn't want Alexi to feel that.

He then eyed the door at the end of the hall, "Everyone deserves a chance prove the world's critics wrong, that they're more than the bad reputation people gave them." He then started to walk towards the same door and I followed him. "Come on."

"Hopefully, it's not too late for us to help Alexi out and clear her name." I said as I followed him.

"It's never too late to help someone out."

"Yeah I guess you're right."

When we reached the front of the door we could hear soft sobs from the other side. It immediately broke my heart to hear Alexi cry like that. I turned to Axel and saw that he was feeling the same thing.

"A-Alexi?" he said in a soft voice.

She didn't answer.

"Alexi, you have to come out." He tried once again, "We'll help you clear your name; we know you're not that monster they think you are. Please, let us help you."

She still didn't answer.

"Alexi.." I said her name in a longing manner that made Axel feel uncomfortable, "please...please come out..."

She still didn't answer.

"Let's go, we can't force her to confront something she isn't ready for." Axel whispered. With a sigh he started to make his way downstairs, back to the dining hall and I followed.

No matter how it pains me to leave her there crying, Axel was right. As I trudged on to what seemed like a mile long walk, I could hear the voices from inside the dining hall getting louder. We went inside only to find Sue running her huge mouth as always.

"I just don't understand how you could harbour such criminal and trust her with training this team!" Sue yelled, "No offense Coach Hillman, but these are my friends we're talking about. I can't let them be trained into ruthless players by that- that monster!"

"WATCH YOUR MOUTH!" Caleb said from the window. Nobody dared to go near him, even Jude looked a little scared of how Caleb was acting. His fist was clenched, his brows furrowed and his eyes gleamed a dangerous- almost deadly spark.

When his eyes landed on us, his gaze softened, "Where's Alexi?" he asked in a worried tone.

"She still won't come down." Axel replied sadly, his eyes couldn't meet Caleb's; maybe because he can't accept the possibility that Alexi and Caleb were dating. And I couldn't blame him. Alexi deserved to be happy with someone who can love her and stay with her through her ups and downs.

I want to be that someone.

"Maybe the witch can't handle the fact that she's been discovered; serves her right!" Sue's words dripped off her lips like acid. Caleb looked like he was about to murder Sue, but luckily Axel stopped him by getting in between them.

"That's enough!" Coach Travis finally spoke. He turned to Sue with a look of detestation that made even Tori flinch in her seat, "Miss Hartland and Miss Vanguard, I understand that you both are only looking out for your friends, but may I remind you that whatever dealings we have inside the team are none of your business. I was tasked to be the Coach of Japan's Representative and I have taken it as an honour; although, I cannot take in this task alone considering the state this team is in. They are weak compared to the world, and so Coach Hillman-"

"-and so I sought out help from the Oracle of the Field." Coach Hillman said as he cuts of Coach Travis mid-sentence. "Do you think I'm stupid enough to take in a trainer that can destroy this team?"

Nobody answered. Both of the girls looked down in embarrassment like the rest of the team as silence hung in the air.

Coach Hillman continued, "Whatever bullshit those TV reporters stuck into your mind, get rid of 'em. They don't have a clue on who she is and what she's been through. I, on the other hand have known her for quite some time. I knew she had the ability to make you strong enough to face the world, and by the gods she did! Look what happened this morning, you won didn't ya?! You were able to beat one of the strongest players the world has to offer. If you were watching the game from the sidelines, you'll see how different Japan was to the other players in terms of skill and strength."

He let those words sink in before he continued, "But Alexi managed to close the gap for you so that the training Coach Travis gave you could pave the way for your victory. Everyone from the bench saw it, didn't they? They saw Alexi's ability to predict the match and the accuracy is mystifying; even the notebook she was writing on was solid evidence of her capability."

Coach Travis then continued, "Even in training, she was able to help me prepare you. You witnessed her abilities first hand, you know she's real."

"And I'm assuming that you've all met her right?" Coach Hillman continued, "You've worked with her for the past few days so you know what kind of person she is. She's gone to my shop for advice on how to help you, she's been working non-stop just so she can provide you with the service you needed. She's juggling her duties as trainer, team operator and manager just so she could help you guys improve; if you think that's easy, think again."

"But that doesn't explain anything about her intentions." Sue said making the Coaches sigh at the same time.

"It depends on who's intentions you're interested in; The Oracle of the Field's or Alexi Knight's." Coach Hillman answered, "The Oracle is a person capable of predicting the outcomes of games and can train players to be at their best. She's a complete mystery. Alexi Knight is a young girl whose abilities were harnessed, improved and used by Ray Dark. She's a victim. Both has made a decision to help you get to the top so the only thing left for you to do is to trust them. The decision on who to trust lies completely on you. Remember, there's a huge difference between the title they give a person and who the person really is without it."

The coach was right. And from the looks on everybody's faces, they all understood what had to be done.

"Coach, we all want to apologize to Alexi." Marc said as he gestured to all of us, "We knew we shouldn't have doubted her and... we regret that we did."

Coach Travis nodded, "But even if you want to, we can't force her to come out. It's obvious that what happened managed to hurt her real bad."

"I'll get her." Caleb said plainly as he walked pass us and straight to the door.

"Are you sure you can get her to come out?" Axel said as Caleb opened the door.

"Yeah, I'm sure." Caleb answered before leaving the dining hall.

~~~~

Caleb's POV~

If it weren't for Axel, I would've killed that girl. Who does she think she is judging people like that? I sighed internally as I approached Alexi's room.

The walk to my cousin's room was a blur; all I could think of was how hurt she must feel right now. She tried so hard to work for the team's sake, she took care of us and used up all her strength just to make sure we were in top condition; and yet, despite of it all those twerps had still doubted her thanks to those girls.

Although, I'm grateful for Axel and the Coaches for standing up for Alexi. I wanted to tell those two girls off, but if I revealed the fact that I'm her cousin, it might make matters worse.

All I can do now is to become stronger and keep my position in this team, that way I could keep an eye out for them.

I finally reached Alexi's room and from the outside I could hear her faint sobs. My heart ached as I could only imagine what she had to go through, how she might've felt when the friends she thought she had suddenly thought she was a monster.

I swallowed the pain and knocked three times, "Alexi? It's me Caleb. I'm coming in, alright?"

I opened the door and saw her clutching a pillow as she sat on the corner of her bed, just near the window. Outside, dark rainclouds cascaded the early evening sky as lightning ran passed the clouds. Near her bed was a table with stacks of paper, notebooks and a closed laptop. Regardless of the fact that her gift of predicting the outcome of the game came naturally for her, she still trained herself rigorously.

That's what makes her so amazing yet scary at the same time; she has this laser-like focus that's so intense that it makes her predicting skills twice as accurate and yet, she still strives to be better than she was before.

On the field, she's the perfect picture of a trainer; calm, focused, quick in making decisions and she knows how to take charge. But as I looked at her now –tears falling down her currently dull blue eyes that's stricken with pain- I knew all of the confidence and composure she had on the field is now crushing down on her.

"Alexi... I found out what happened earlier." I said as I pulled her into a comforting embrace. She stopped crying and buried her face on my chest as I held her tighter.

"Caleb?" her voiced sound hoarse from all that crying, I gently let her go and brushed some of her hair from her eyes.

"Yeah?"

"I have to quit the team."

I couldn't believe it. "What are you talking about? Everyone needs you here!" I told her, but she looked away and tears started to fall from her eyes once more.

"No they don't!" Alexi said in a pained voice.

"Yes we do." I held her shoulders, "Without you, we couldn't have won the damn game. Without you-"

"-without me, the team wouldn't be scared of getting turned into monsters! 'All destruction and no direction'!" Alexi said, the pain she felt started to resonate all the room.

"You know that's not true!" I said as I pulled her into another embrace, "Alexi, you're not what they think you are. Those guys aren't gonna let some rumor change their image of you. You're part of this team Alexi, and no matter what happens, they will accept you."

Hearing this, she pushed me off, stood up and gawked at me like I said something wrong. Her eyes were so dull and dark that it almost looked black. "Caleb..."

"What is it? What's wrong?" I asked. I tried to grab her arm but she pulled it away too fast.

"Do you think they can accept someone like me?!" she yelled angrily. Her eyes then started to glow from blue to violet, then to silver and then to gold then to red and finally it went back to being blue. The transition was fast enough to make me notice and the colours were bright enough to make them stand out.

It's getting worst.

"Look at me Caleb! I'm different from them and they'll never accept who I am. I've done so much damage in the past that I can never fix." She said as she started to fall on her knees and sob.

I did the best thing I could think of.

I knelt down and hugged her as I gently stroked her back. This was the very first time I saw Alexi broke down like this and I had no idea what to do. I couldn't take back the mistakes she made, and I couldn't make her forgive herself from making them...but I can assure her that I'm right here.

She's always like a sister to me, so there's no reason for me to comfort her while I still have the capacity to. Because that's what families do, they pick you up when you fall and hold you close when you needed them to.

After a while, she started to calm down. "Caleb... I have to leave the team."

I looked at her and wiped the remaining tears from her face, "You know you can't. Al, you have a job to do remember?" I sighed and tried to give her a smile, "I won't make you face the team if you still can't. I know the pain and guilt you're handling that's why I won't ask you to do anything about it until you're sure you can handle it."

"Thank you." she said while she looked down and she dried off her remaining tears.

"Anytime Alexi." I said with a sincere smile, "But you know, if there's one thing I noticed about this team, is that they're all good people. They look out for each other; they're just like you and me. This team is a family. And as a family, we all have to learn to trust each other."

"So what are you trying to say?" Alexi asked with a small pout.

I smiled, "What I'm trying to say is that you need to show them that they can trust you."

"I can't." she said, quickly dismissing the idea, "I don't know how. They know what the Oracle of the field can do and what she's capable of creating. How can they trust someone like her? Someone so dangerous..."

"Then show them that they can trust Alexi Knight first." I answered as I held out my hand to her, "Right now, she's all that matters. We can worry about the Oracle later. Now come on, you've got some explaining to do."

She thought about it for a while and then she smiled, the glow in her sapphire-blue eyes were starting to come back. She then took my hand and I helped her up and together, we went back to the dining hall.

Whatever happens later, I will stand by her side.

~~~~

Hey guys!!! I'm really sorry if I took too long to update this! I really had to plan this out carefully because the next chapter is REALLY important to the story progression.

I hope you guys aren't getting bored with this. I know that it's straying away from the original plot (an I apologize greatly for that) but I already made finished the WHOLE outline so making the story can be easier for me. Also, I have midterms on the 26th till the 28th, so I may not be able to update anything. But I promise that I'll make it up to you after the tests so please be patient my beloved readers :)

Sooooo, how'd ya like it? was it any good? Do you guys have any questions or comments? Is the story getting too complicated? Just comment on what you think and I'll be more than happy to respond :3 I know Caleb is really OOC here (and the other chapters) but it's simply because I believe that the characters are more than what they appear to be in the anime. So I hope that you guys can forgive me for making things sooooo complicated.

But for everyone who kept supporting this story, THANKS SOOOO MUCH!!! I just noticed that this story got over 3k reads and I swear, I never thought it was going to make it this far but I'm glad that it did! i love you guys so much and I really appreciate everything that you did to support me and my stories!

Watch out for the next chapter!

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