In the meantime…
"Hm… you really don't get angry, hun. Just like Sena." Venus tried to aggravate Xavier however, failed in doing so.
Xavier smiled with a nod, "But, I do take revenge."
Venus blinked confused, "For what?"
Xavier stepped forward, an inch distance between the two's faces, Xavier's eyes flashed craftily, "Against those who mess with me."
"Hah!" Venus gasped wildly, "That would be an overwhelming feat."
Xavier beamed with a nod. His usual gentle look enveloping his face, "Indeed." Poseidon agreeing with him gave a high-five.
While, a little further...
Alan, having wandered aimlessly, finally stopped in front of a vending machine. Bending slightly low he inserted a coin and pressed the button for lemon soda. With a clank, the can dropped down. Leaning against the machine, he opened it and took a sip, exhaling deeply. "Ah... how boring. And annoying!" he complained.
"Boring? What's so boring, Pakistan's Galaxy?" questioned a familiar voice.
Alan, slightly on alert, glanced to the side.
A red-haired boy leaned against the other side of the machine, looking out the arena's window. "As for annoying, who had the guts to annoy you anyway?" he asked peeking aside.
Alan took another sip and replied, "Who can it be? You guess. But, contrary to my surprise, what brings you here, Feyz Saleh?"
"Nothing much, I just stumbled upon you here on my way back to the hotel. We're up against Islamabad next. Everyone's heading to Quetta soon," Feyz explained.
"Oh," Alan responded.
"So, what are your plans? It's Islamabad after all." Feyz asked.
Alan simply shrugged. "I'm not part of the team in this match, nor can I interfere in the match. The outcome isn't in my hands either. However, those facing Islamabad are some of the best from our base. I'm sure they'll put up a tough fight. The least I can say is that we are not ready to lose." he assured.
Feyz stood up straight, tossed his fruit juice can into the nearby bin, and pulled his jersey's hood over his head. A relaxed smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. "Very well. Best of luck then. And, don't complain about boredom. You won't get to chance to think about it once the match starts." he said walking away.
Alan watched him leave, then circled his finger around the can's rim for a moment before heading towards the dressing room. "Did he just come here to say this? Doesn't my sight annoy him?" he simply wondered.
____
"Hey, look! There they are!" More playful voices immediately rushed over before the two teams.
"Haitam?" Haruf guessed as the Multan Sultans joined them.
The backstage suddenly buzzed with life.
"There you all are. This time we were the ones who were late." David added, clapping Evan's hand.
"The middle schoolers?" Aaron asked.
"They're back at the lodgings. Don't forget we have our match next. After our defeat against Romeo, our team is quite hyped, especially the middle schoolers." Yahya added.
"Are they alright, the middle schoolers?" Romeo asked Haitam, slightly concerned.
"Of course, who do you think they are? Those brats are aiming for the World cup." Haitam assured him.
Romeo smiled, relieved. "That's good to hear."
"So kind!! Captain Romeo cares about the opposing team too!" Islamabad's middle schoolers thought, with proud beams and sparkling eyes.
Ryan and Gabriel glanced at each other, sharing an annoyed look. "Childish," they uttered together.
"Right, we're going to have Multan Sultans as our rivals in the next match," Nagi recalled.
"Yes, and I do hope Haruf joins the next match," Haitam anticipated.
"If Head Coach Nidou selects me, I'll be more than glad," Haruf responded with a gleam.
"Looks like I'll have to put in a request," Haitam winked playfully.
"Honestly, we haven't even started playing, and here you are going on and on about your match," Wasif sighed.
"Why? Are you jealous?" Milan patted his shoulder.
"No way," Wasif replied curtly.
"Anyhow, best of luck to both of you," David encouraged, "We'll be there to cheer both of you on, so give your best."
Rauf looked at Romeo, who nodded, then turned around and went his own way. The rest followed. Haitam went back to the audience stands while Romeo and his team went to the opposite side. In their silence, they had both encouraged and declared rivalry against each other.
"What's wrong?" Kenzo asked Helios who walked behind him scrutinizing his every single movement.
"Nothing, I was just wondering. What would happen to the entire team if I would leave you alone to lead them?" Helios wondered aloud.
Kenzo furrowed confused.
"What could happen? We'll leave him like prisoners escaping from jail." Ryan replied sarcastically.
"No… I think Kenzo would be the first one to run away." Poseidon guessed.
"Pft! Haha!" Cassiel laughed beside Feng and Ezekiel.
The highschoolers trying to suppress their chortle, pretended to ignore them. Azazel sighed while Heber glanced at Kenzo anxiously.
Kenzo who was about to respond was suddenly interrupted by various echoing stomping sounds, steady, disciplined, and unwavering.
The boys halted.
Behind them a group of soldier officers marched. Four on the right side, four on left. Their gears clinked as soon as they stopped.
Adam slightly frightened, grabbed Seraph's hand hiding behind him.
"Soldiers?" Isa frowned.
Helios narrowed his gaze confused, beside Xavier and Gabriel.
Instantaneously, the highschoolers stepped before them. Their gazes stern and fearless. Be it Noah, Ren, Aigou or even Aaron. All of them stood there like lions ready to protect their territory and team.
The middleschoolers stepped back silent and troubled. However, amongst them Azazel had realized something. "Stop…" he uttered, cutting in between them, and making his way out. Standing before the path, he gulped, only to be greeted by a familiar voice and figure. "Azazel Minhas." it called, sternly and rough.
"Grandpa…?" Azazel asked puzzled.
"Grandpa?!" Orion thought stunned beside Feng, Adam, and Ezekiel.
Supported by a walking stick, Azher stood before them, his back lean, upright. His gaze was both stern and startling. Next to him, Ahmed gave a slight nod. Azazel, suddenly recalling how he was reprimanded back at home, without wasting a single second stood straight. Raised his right hand to his forehead and saluted, "Azazel Minhas greets Sir Azher Minhas!" his voice crisp and sharp.
The highschoolers blinked surprised.
Unaffected by his call, Azher scanned the rest of the boys once again fixing his gaze at Azazel. Just by his expression he appeared quiet displeased.
"What is grandpa doing here?" Azazel thought confused. Simply asking that question felt like drinking water full of nails.
"So these are your so called friends?" Azher asked unimpressed.
Azazel managing to meet his eyes nodded introducing the highschoolers and middleschoolers.
"Did you forget me as well?" Kenzo however, asked Azher calmly. "What about Heber?" he pointed at Heber next who nodded slightly wary. Clearly trying not to offend him.
Ahmed smiled, "Even if we try to forget you we can't. It's been a while Kenzo ShahJahan."
Kenzo grinned, "That's better."
Kazuna looked at Senri silent.
"Azazel Minhas." Azher called.
"Yes?" Azazel flinched looking up.
"I have been posted in Lahore for duty for two weeks and, as expected, I can't see you wasting your time in this useless farce. So today, I'll test you. Either this place is worthy of your standards and makes use of your full potential, giving you something valuable, or not. If it seems like a waste of time, we are heading back home." Azher ordered.
Azazel blinked staggered, "What…?"
Ahmed looked low, slightly depressed.
"I-I won't go back. I-I told you, I'll show you that I'll perform here. Didn't you see my last match, grandpa…?" Azazel refused.
However, "I don't care about that," Azher shot back with a glare.
"Everything you must show is right now in this match. Else, we are going back home. There's no need for you to stay amid these ruffians."
"Ruffians?" Gabriel repeated, cross.
"Sir Azher Minhas." Isa called, "I know you are an important figure of our country but I hope you do refrain from using such words for us. We are chasing a passion not seeking validation."
"Isa Sikandar… aren't you?" Azher realized, his expression turning disappointed, "What pity for my friend. You elder brother left the house to pursue your so called passion while here you are doing the same. Two birds of the same flock." he mocked.
Isa blinked stunned and cross, his fists clenched tight.
"Elder brother…?" Seraph wondered.
"I don't want to repeat my words. I mean what I say and I am very serious." Azher warned Azazel.