(Part 9)

"Boys, just tell me one thing. You didn't mess with the wrong guys or any mafias in the past before did you?" Alan sighed ironically.

The thirteen of them eyed each other speechless. "I don't remember ever doing something like that before." Seraph replied as Adam, Helios and Ryan too shook their heads. "Kenzo, Azazel and Gabriel… do you remember something like this happening?" Cassiel asked them specifically, sensing the dangers they hold within them.

Kenzo and Gabriel hearing their name taken exclusively glared at him with veins popping on their foreheads. "Brat, who did you take me for?" Kenzo asked cross while Gabriel clicked his tongue annoyed. Azazel too shaking his head rejected alongside Heber, Ezekiel and Feng.

"And judging you three, I don't think anyone would even resent you." Alan commented Xavier, Poseidon and Cassiel who blinked their eyes confused. "Are we that kind?" Poseidon asked amused.

"Nope, not kind. You are just too innocent." Alan responded.

Xavier instantly chuckled, "Hehe, innocent? That amuses me." "But to think you'd go so far just to find us back. I feel quiet weird I can't explain." Feng stroked his hairs from the back feeling happy and conflicted at the same time.

"Looks like you forgot little one. I told you all very clearly that I want to conquer the whole world alongside you. You might've taken my words as a joke up until now but believe me I wasn't joking at all. So coming so far just to find you all shouldn't be weird in any way." Alan replied seriously.

Kenzo tracing his determination stared silent. "Why us?" Seraph asked back, "As strong as you and the highschoolers along with your brother are. You could easily take over the world. There's no need for us to even step in between… then why?"

Alan looking at the baby rabbit who jumped into Xavier's arms while Poseidon played along responded, "Because you are my team." The boys hearing his words gasped, "Huh?" "The highschoolers are my brother's team members who once tried to conquer the world but lost the chance. What I want right now is not my brother's team however, my own! That's the sole reason it could only be you all and none else… since, you all successfully enthralled me."

"And what if we don't want to go alongside you?" Azazel asked, his expression blackened. Alan hearing him smiled, "Then, that's your call. I am in no position to stop you from making your own decisions. Too bad, I was looking forward to your marvels. Do whatever you like but, don't regret your decision at the end."

Gabriel closing his eyes exhaled while Kenzo rolled his eyes unamused. After a short while Alan stood up as his vision instantly blackened out. "Oops…" he whispered about to fall however, Cassiel caught his arm pulling him up. "Are you alright?" he asked worried.

Helios too concerned beside Poseidon helped Alan who grabbed his neck hissing. "It's nothing…" he assured painfully as Cassiel removed his hairs from his neck revealing a purplish sore resting the middle of his neck. Xavier eyeing Alan's hand which was bandaged from the IV treatment patted the rabbit concerned. "It was injected quite mercilessly…" Cassiel murmured. Ezekiel and Feng to grasped a look.

Alan standing straight assured, "It alright, don't fret about it. A moment it will hurt and the other it would turn fine, get a rest all of you. It's still night." he headed out. "Where are you going?" Gabriel squinted his gaze doubtfully. Alan smirked teasing, "Watching out for you all, what else? In case, that panther brings a claw of panthers together to devour you."

Ezekiel and Feng hearing him shuddered, "If that a joke then it's not funny at all!"

"Haha! That's why just stop worrying and sleep already. Take a look at your eyes, Helios. They are as red as a vampire's while Gabriel your arm is not in a good condition at all. Make sure Adam sleeps well, and forgets all this. Take your time and recover all of you. Let's talk later in the morning."

Alan turned around stepping outside as Kenzo whispered, "Why do you thing I should believe even a single word you just said right now?" Alan hearing his words turned around along with the others puzzled.

"What if those people were behind you and dragged us along within this mess? What if you hired them and are pretending to be a hero of justice before us? What if it was set up just by your base or your brother and we are merely pawns being controlled over senseless rules and what if…" Kenzo guessed as Xavier interrupted confounded, "Hey, Kenzo calm down…"

"Everything is your fault in the first place?" Kenzo ended.

Alan stared at him wide eyed. "Everything's your fault in the first place, Alan… ain't I right?" the same voice from the past hovered his head. Hearing his continuous mock even Gabriel eyed Kenzo stunned. "Hey, Kenzo…" Cassiel glanced at Alan who stood with his expression blackened.

"Think whatever you want your highness." he interrupted in between straightforwardly, "Make me a villain or an antagonist or what so ever you feel comfortable with. Because I don't think I am born to win over your trust either your amusement in anyway. However, hear one think out very carefully..." "I despise two things in this world a lot. One is Lies and the other is Betrayal. Since, the first one shatters faith while the other shatters the person facing it completely. Feed my sincerity to the dogs or whosoever, but don't regret your decision at the end." Alan ended heading out, "Good night."

"Alan." Poseidon called eyeing his figure leaping outside and vanishing into the darkness. For a while the cave hoarded with the air of silence as Xavier asked, "Why did you say all that? It was really harsh."

Kenzo smirked, "Little Genius, don't tell me you trust him now?"

"I don't think it's about trust anymore. He just saved our lives a moment ago and followed us all the way here injuring himself in the time being when he just fainted right before our eyes in the stadium. On the contrary, I want to ask him if he's a fool or something to go this far?" Ezekiel interrupted.

Seraph looking at Adam who snored clutching his clothes tightly spoke up, "I know it might be hard to work everything out but your words were still harsh Kenzo. I know why you might doubt him since, even I am not clear on the assumptions but what if he really didn't had anything to do with it?"

"Those black arrayed men. Why did they abduct us in the first place is the most prominent question that needs to be answered. Alan has no connection to us whatsoever. We just met him two days ago, so how could this be simultaneously correlated together? If we don't have an answer to this then we are no one to blame him." Cassiel added.

"And even if we weren't caught by those people Alan was ready to contact our academies to find us. I don't think it's a mere coincidence." Feng crossed his arms.

"Yup, his eyes before were full of sincerity when he said that he wanted us as his team." Poseidon smiled. Looking at Kenzo he continued, "I know it must be hard for you to believe his words since you watch over and protect us. But for once… I would like to trust him."

"Yeah, he looked earnest here and as well as back in the stadium." Heber agreed. Kenzo laid down closing his eyes, "Do whatever you all want? When I said I don't trust him. I don't! And I won't apologize for anything I just said earlier either. This king will find out the truth in his own way."

Gabriel's lips curving into a light grin he nodded, "Yeah… I am doing the same." "And me as well." Seraph concurred. Helios sighing patted Poseidon's back "Looks like I am not on your side this time, Poseidon. I'll watch out as well." he gave his final decision.

"Alright, let's see who wins then." Poseidon challenged him confidently. Ryan asked Xavier lightly, "What will you do, vice-captain?" Xavier who smiled after a long while carressed the rabbit in his arms, "Alan might lie despite hating lies. He might use us as well and turn out to be mistrustful too but this little life won't be. Seeing how tired he is. I just want to listen to my heart. After all Alan looks just like you and Adam to me, still a child but a strong one… no matter what his age is."

Cassiel smiling patted his back. "Then, I'll watch over you." Ryan said. Xavier nodded, "I'll be counting on you, thank you." "I am with Vice-captain!" Ezekiel exclaimed hugging Poseidon from behind. "And, I am with captain." Azazel whispered eyeing Kenzo who slept. "And I watch over both of you." Heber patted Azazel's head. Cassiel exhaled, "Who knew we could all be conflicted at some point as well."

The night long resting over their heads. Surrounded by confusion and wild, the thirteen boys even trying to rest weren't able to sleep a wink.