Meanwhile, in the ruins of Onyx. Filled with debris and smoke, the whole pocket dimension reeks of rust and dirt, buildings are on the ground, glasses broken. Barriers cracked. The whole James and Alex fight took a huge toll on the ground. In the mess, Alex sits in center, wearing a vest, holding his large hat down, his expression is unreadable, he just stares on the ground.

‘’What’s wrong with Alex?’’ Wisp asks. ‘’Dunno, he’s been like that for two days.’’ Henry replies, stacking his fire like solitaire cards.

‘’Maybe, he’s hungry? We saved a cupcake just for him!’’ Sharon exclaims, grabbing a table which shows a single soggy cupcake.

‘’Maybe he’s mad about something? What is he mad about? Aureole? He is always mad about it. But he looks depressed. Did someone dump him? Is my makeup alright?’’ Ghostly asks, but realizes something, ‘’Oh, right. I’m invisible.’’ She sighs, disappointed.

‘’Well, guess we leave him be, right?’’ Wisp lights up a cigarette, smoking. ‘’Jin and Jun. You got anything to say on this situation?’’ Wisp turns around, the smoke blowing in the air.

Jin and Jun both shake their heads in refusal. ‘’Great. So, I’m supposed to take things in my own hands.’’ Wisp walks, throwing the cigarette away. ‘’Hey, Disney Princess, why don’t you address the elephant in the room?’’

‘’There’s no elephant in the room.’’ Sharon says, confused. ‘’It’s an--…whatever. Tell us, what happened to Crane?’’ Wisp asks.

‘’If I remember nicely, he sacrificed himself to save Monsieur Alex. He also got captured by Team Aureole and the seniors, so yeah, poor sir’s being held captive.’’ Sharon looks down.

‘’And you didn’t even help him?’’ Henry says, spinning around, fire glowing in his hands, ‘’You’re useless, you know that. Why didn’t Alex send me? I’m the most mentally insane person in the group who pirates games and plays them on emulators in free times, or buys an anime girl body pillow, and after that start going on Incognito Mode and search about some seriously interesting stuff. And also, I’m up-to-date with the news about World War 3!’’’ Henry pants heavily, his eyes manic.

‘’Are you done with your insanity outburst?’’ Wisp asks, lighting another cigarette. ‘’That’s what they call it nowadays? Huh, I’ve never been on Wikipedia in two years. I wonder if it’s working now. I was also an admin on the Metal Gear fan---‘’

‘’Enough, Henry. You’re just blabbering nonsense and wasting time. This is about Alex, not about your past nerdy life.’’ Wisp walks to Alex.

‘’I’m a nerd?’’ Henry asks loudly. ‘’Wait, who’s a nerd?’’ Sharon asks, baffled.

Alex sits down, looking at the pond, his reflection showing. He gazes on it, eyes just frozen. Wisp walks and looks at him, concerned. ‘’Alex?’’

Alex is just frozen, staring at the pond. He drops a rock on the water, making it ripple. Wisp stares in confusion, he blows smoke in the air and sits down, sighing.

‘’Lord Alex. Are you alright?’’ Wisp asks, voice soft. Alex is still frozen, not responding. ‘’Is this about Crane?’’

Alex shakes his head. ‘’Is this about James?’’ Wisp asks. Alex shakes his head. ‘’Aureole?’’

Alex refuses, looking down. ‘’Then what are you upset about?’’ Wisp throws the cigarette away.

Alex sighs heavily, even taking a breath is hard on his throat. ‘’I’m upset about nothing, just leave.’’

‘’But you are sitting here, looking at the pond, like an NPC! Tell us the problem, we’re not enemies, we’re your friends. Why can’t you see that?’’ Wisp puts a hand over his shoulder.

‘’The fact of the matter is, I don’t deserve people like you. That’s it. Now leave, and start scheming.’’ Alex keeps gazing at his reflection. Wisp is shocked by his response, ‘’Lord Alex….’’

‘’And call me Alex, alright?’’ Alex replies, tears forming in his eyes. Wisp stares at him in shock, ‘’What’s bothering you, man? Tell us.’’

Alex stands up, angrily. Tears streaming down his face. He shouts at Wisp, ‘’You want the full answer? Well, the answer is I’m an idiot, I’m a fraud, I’m a fool. I treat you guys like trash and yet, you still show up for me and die for me like I’m some kind of saint. Why? I treat you like pawns, people who do the walk and talk, and you sacrifice yourself for me? Why are you kind to people like me? People hurt you?’’ His voice breaks down, and he start crying, tears streaming as he shouts, all the pressure breaking through like a dam, ‘’I’m selfish, and you are selfless. There’s a difference! You paint it like I calm you down and treat you to lectures, but I don’t. Just why? I’m a terrorist, you can’t be kind to a terrorist!’’

He sniffs and cries, holding his face, ‘’Leave me alone, leave me alone, I’m looking like a total crybaby in the ruins of my marvelous pocket dimension. Who am I thinking? I destroyed it. Out of an obsession to reunite with my older brother.’’

‘’Alex.’’ Sharon says softly.

Alex turns around, eyes red and puffy. Sharon holds his hand and looks him in the face, ‘’It’s gonna be okay.’’

Alex continues crying, on her shoulder, ‘’Is it though? Our home and hideout are ruined. Crane got taken. The school knows where we are, we are not gonna be okay, we are in danger.’’

‘Hey, what happened to the Alex that was pragmatic and thought ahead? Why are you behaving like this, man? You said it yourself, you always have a plan for everything. So why aren’t you acting like the Red Demon?’’ Henry shouts in anger

‘’I was never the Red Demon.’’ Alex whispers sadly.

‘’What?’’ Henry Is shocked

Ghostly walks, ‘’Alex. We can’t keep staying here like you said. We might get caught, won’t we?’’

‘’Stay put, invisible girl. Alex is healing.’’ Henry pushes her. ‘’Hey, I’m invisible, remember?’’ Ghostly crosses her arms. ‘’Whatever. Die.’’ Henry rolls his eyes.

Alex continues crying loudly, ‘’Why are you there for me? Why did Crane have to put his life in danger to save a person like me? Why?!’’

‘’Just like what he said, monsieur.’’ Sharon holds his face and looks at him, ‘’We are family.’’

Alex gasps, those words hitting him like a ton of bricks. ‘’But…James is---‘’

‘’Listen, Al. If James won’t be your brother, then we will be your brothers and sisters. I know you can’t replace blood, but just know, we will be there for you.’’ Wisp admits, extending his hand for a handshake.

‘’Really?’’ Alex asks in shock, sniffing his nose. ‘’You mean it?’’

‘’I’ve never broken a promise. And also, we joined because we share your vision. Let’s burn this school to ash.’’ Wisp smiles.

Alex nods, ‘’Indeed. And also, I promise to treat you better and care for you. Whenever you’re in trouble, I’ll save you.’’

‘’Look at you, James. You said you would always be there for me. Well, look at yourself now. You aren’t here for me now.’’ Alex thinks. ‘’You know what?’’ Alex shouts, ‘’If you are my family, then that means I have to get stronger, so one day I can protect you.’’

Alex walks towards Wisp and gives him a white crown, ‘’From now on, you are my vice.’’

‘’Really? I’m gonna be your vice?’’ Wisp asks, stunned. He can’t believe he’s doing it.

‘’You have qualities of a good leader. I’ll give you that. No, you held the group when I wasn’t able to. Thank you.’’ Alex grabs his white hat and wears it.

Wisp nods, putting on the crone, ‘’Thanks, Al.’’

‘’Now about the pocket dimension. Since it’s ruined. What do we do about our shelter?’’ Ghostly asks.

‘’Well, that’s what I was thinking as well. But if I’m being stupid and serious at the same time, then…’’ Alex looks up in the sky, an aura of light shining on him. ‘’I’m going to fight Nexus to gain control of Dimension Z.’’

‘’What?!’’ They all shout in shock. ‘’Are you serious?’’ Henry asks. ‘’Have you lost your mind?!’’ Wisp shouts.

‘Surement pas, you’re doing that!’’ Sharon says, stunned. Jin and Jun drop on the ground like statues.

‘’Nexus is the strongest senior in Aureole. He is the most powerful and holds the school together. If you want to fight him, you will instantly get killed.’’ Ghostly says, holding her mouth.

‘’I don’t care. What matters is, the guy has lots of pocket dimensions, and we have changed numerous times, this is Dimension Y which is Onyx. And all these pocket dimensions were made by Ren…who sadly died in a fight.’’ Alex looks down, ‘’But still this is the last chance we have. It’s either be caught or gain control. I’m choosing control, it’s the only way we can rescue Crane safely. Do you agree with me or not?’’

The Root Burners share unsure looks. Wisp sighs, ‘’Look I get it, we have no choice. But really? Nexus? There’s no other safer way?!’’

‘’Yeah, Nexus will get us deep-fried or grilled. And I don’t want to be deep-fried.’’ Henry says in horror.

Sharon Is still holding her mouth, ‘’It’s a terrifying choice, Alexander. Are you sure you want to do it?’’

Alex stands, determined. ‘’As long as I have you guys by my side, then I am sure. But I will need everyone’s approval. So, let’s agree to disagree. In a meeting.’’

Jin and Jun both ring the bells, both singing, ‘’Meeting, Meeting, Meeting, Meeting. Meeting.’’

‘’Oh, boy. I don’t know when was the last time we had these.’’ Henry grins.

Multiple strings rain from the sky and Shade lands, along with Roy. ‘’Did someone say meeting?!’’ Shade asks, holding popcorn.