Tia, Mei And Thran were sitting in Micro Ice's room, just talking about little things. Micro was a bit irritated, like why choose his room? They had their own bedrooms here in Aarch Academy. The conversation was reaching dangerous topics and it was harder to ignore them. Finally, Mei's voice bore into him. "I didn't say anything bad, did I? It was just a harmless observation… Nothing else." Thran shrugged. "What do you understand under harmless observation?" Mei leaned closer to the older twin. "Thran, you should take some notes from Ahito and know when to shut up."

Said younger twin was sleeping soundly on D'Jok's bed with a smile. "Nevermind that…"

"Oh, please don't go there. If you wanna start something, do it elsewhere." Micro Ice said, trying to read his comic he borrowed from Rocket.

Mei stood up. "Don't be such a spoilsport, we weren't fighting or anything. Just a friendly exchange of words."

Micro also stood up, facing Mei. "That didn't sound too friendly to me, Mei. I know you've wanted to talk about something or else you wouldn't gather everyone in my room when I have my free time."

"Ooh, someone didn't have enough sugar today. Well, I've received some juicy news and it concerns romance."

Micro Ice snorted. "Yeah, your theme 1. Sorry, I am not interested in your gossip. Also, this is my room and I would appreciate if you continued this fruitless conversation anywhere but here." Micro turned a page of the comic, but Mei approached him and shut it. "Oh, come on, Mice. You could join our conversations from time to time, you know. We all know that whenever Tia sees Rocket nowadays, she turns bright red." Tia who was quiet now turned a few shades of pink. "What? Why are we talking about me and Rocket?" Mei resumed with her speech, completely ignoring her friend and roommate. "Everyone knows that, Tia. Also, I had a few… encounters with romance in the past, but it nothing major like you and Rocket. How many years is it now? Three? Four? But that wasn't what I was going to talk about. Oh, no. Let's talk about Sinedd." Mei slurred her last words, demonstratively raising her eyebrows at Micro Ice who opened his comic again and wanted to read. "Oh, leave me alone. I don't care about that jerk."

"Well, he really doesn't even look at you, maybe it's because of your height difference?"

Thran joined in the conversation. "Mei, stop it. He clearly doesn't want to talk about it." Mei said, waving the matter off. Micro Ice bursted out and slammed the damn comic on the bed, sitting up. "What did I say? That jerk doesn't interest me in the slighest!"

Mei fell of the bed, raising her hands up in defense. "Ahaha, that was just a joke! Also, I've heard that D'Jok is getting friendly with our Shadows striker, much more friendlier than he should. Oh, but you don't care about that, do you?"

Micro Ice rose up and faced Mei who got back on her feet. "And what? For all I care, they can do whatever the hell they want!" And he stormedd off, heading outside his room.

When he exited the elevator downstairs, he ran into Yuki, Mark and Rocket who came back. "Oh, hey, Micro Ice! Where are you going?"

Said young man didn't look up at them as he passed by. He didn't care where he went as long as he didn't have to think about Sinedd. They had nothing in common. Since childhood, Micro was convinced the other man hated him and he decided to hate him back. But he couldn't. Whenever they met on the pitch and their gazes met, he felt something, something indescribable in his heart that bubbled up on the surface. He was afraid to admit what it was. If he admitted it, he'd be left with a broken heart.

Somehow, his steps have taken him into the town, to his mom's workplace, Planet Akillian. He hoped he'd have a moment of reprise there, alone. It was still good twenty minutes of walk before he reached it with his slow pace and outside it was freezing; he regretted not bringing a coat.

Meanwhile Tia and Thran were getting angry at Mei for being tactless. "Mei! You know how emotional Micro Ice gets when someone mentions his name around him. You shouldn't have provoked him like that. Also, you should apologize. You were being like a harpy lately."

Mei sighed as she put on her jacket. "Fine, fine. I get your point. I just wanted to help him. It's better if he faces his problems rather than running away."

Tia shook her head. "That's not for you to decide, Mei. I know you meant well, but you should select your words more carefully in the future. Especially when you're talking with Mice." Mei went outside along with Tia and Thran. His elder brother left his twin to sleep, he was exhausted from today's training focused on him. Ahito deserved it.

The three went out to the cold weather and headed to the town. Mei knew where they could find the elusive Micro Ice – at Planet Akillian.

Micro Ice reached the main street and his feet hit an empty tin. He needed to went out his anger somehow. Mei sticked her nose where she shouldn't. He walked and hit it repeatedly. "Mei can sometimes be so mean to me… man I am angry at her. Who does she think she is?" He kicked one last time and stopped, hands deep in pockets, chuckling at himself. "Now isn't that super. I am talking to myself… " His gaze fell upon a cafe where he noticed two people in the back. They were standing out – even sitting they were tall and… he went closer, ducking a bit so that he wouldn't be seen. His eyes widened. No, it… that's not possible! What are they doing together? They were supposed to hate each other's guts! He gaped at his best friend, D'Jok and Sinedd who were obviously having lots of fun, even smiling at each other. Micro Ice gritted his teeth and leaned closer, so he could take a closer look at them.

They were too close… suddenly their hands touched and Micro Ice balled his fists, tears of frustration falling down on the frozen concrete. He's seen enough…

"Well, well, if it isn't one of the Snowkids." A voice said. Micro Ice looked to the left and saw that he had company… two another Shadows players. He wiped his tears away and started to walk off. "Where are you going?"

"Where do you think? Back to Academy." One of them halted him. "Wait just one moment. We want to know why you're spying on Sinedd. " Another one held his wrist and Micro Ice was furious. He forcefully freed himself from the iron grip and turned to face the player. "I wasn't spying on anyone! Least of all Sinedd!" Micro Ice yelled, but he didn't care. He made one step when the one in front of him bumped into Micro Ice, preventing him from moving another inch.

"Oh, you are not fooling us. We can smell a spy in 10 meters radius."

"I bet you were ogling Sinedd. You have the hots for him, right?" The one behind him said, smirking. Micro Ice's blood was boiling as he turned on his heel. "Leave me the hell alone!"

"What a bloody idiot."

Micro Ice was on the verge of doing something stupid, so he decided to calm himself down. Now, calm down. You came here to cool your head, now ignore them. Ignore them… he repeated to himself, but it wasn't working.

The player in front of him wasn't done. "You know what? I've heard from Sinedd that you mean nothing to him." He couldn't help it, tears fell again. Micro was gripping his hands firmly, shaking with raising anger and despair, because he knew they spoke the truth and it was hurting him. The player leaned in as he sweetly whispered the last words into his ear: "Absolutely nothing."

Enough! He closed his eyes for a moment and he didn't know how… and he slapped the Shadows player right across the face.

Micro Ice regained his composure and looked at the swelling cheek. Micro Ice made a few steps backwards, ready to run away… Shadows players were known for their uncontrollable anger outbursts. "Ouch! He slapped me! He really slapped me!"

The other player approached his teammate. "Wow, one can see the fingerprints… does it hurt?" And he touched it, but the now angered player lashed out at him. "Of course it hurts!"

Micro Ice knew he needed to apologize or things could turn ugly… for him. "I am sorry! I didn't mean to hurt you!"

"Shut your mouth! You'll pay for that. Hey, call the others. We'll teach this little Snowkid a lesson he won't forget so soon." He said to his teammate who nodded and disappeared inside the cafe. Micro Ice was starting to panic; he didn't stand a chance against them. And using Flux would only endanger his football career and he didn't want that. He had only one option – run for it.

But… "Do you need backup to beat me up? I thought Shadows were supposed to be tough."

"I don't want to beat you up, pretty boy. I want to give your face a little skin care, if you catch my meaning." He said, smirking. He was in a pinch. He's not gonna wait around for them - he ran as fast as he could, not looking back.

Inside the cafe was a small commotion. Sinedd and D'Jok finished talking when a Shadows player came in, rambling something about a little spy who dared to interrupt them on their time off. Remaining players inside liked the idea and went outside to confront the spy or whatever. D'Jok also rose up from his chair. "Think about what I said. It's never too late. But enough of that… aren't you gonna see who they're chasing?"

"Nah, it's probably another reporter searching for a scoop. I'm not interested."

"Well, I think we should go, too. I don't think it's a reporter, it's most likely some passer by who's now scared out of his wits."

Sinedd sighed as he stood up. "Fine. Curse you goody – two shoes attitude. "

D'Jok didn't respond to that, only smirked as they exited the cafe. The street was empty, save for two teenage girls on the other side of the street who were eating. They walked over to them. "Hey, girls. Have you seen a bunch of guys in black chasing someone?"

One of them nodded, pointing at the direction of the Academy. "Yes, it all happened too fast. One young man was chased by ten or so tall men clad in black. We didn't dare to interfere…"

"Thanks for the info. Let's go." Sinedd said and they ran in that direction.

Whoever the young man was, he was in trouble – all of his teammates were drunk, some more than usual. And when they were drunk, they looked for trouble. And he was the one saving the day.

They ran through many alleys, asking passing people if they saw the Shadows players chasing someone and the people showed them which way to go. Well, this didn't look good for the man, Sinedd thought. In the past, there was nothing. In the last year, the street was packed with many new buildings. That wouldn't be a problem – if it wasn't built like a freaking maze. The man was probably forced into a corner and he's in danger.

He picked up his pace, looking around. "I hope you've got your comfotable boots on. This is some rather dangerous district, full of criminal characters."

"How do you know?" The redhead asked between his teeth as they were running. "Well, let's say I got around in the past. Look, over there… A blind alley… how awfully clichéd. Wait a minute... it's looks like I found my team..." They stopped for a moment to catch their breath.

D'Jok went closer to the group and what he saw almost made him flip out. His best friend was laying on the concrete, unmoving with his eyes shut. A small trickle of blood was flowing out of his nose. "Micro Ice!"

Sinedd approached the group and his own blood froze over.

...Why were they chasing him? Also... why him? Then, his blood reached the boiling point and his anger erupted. It doesn't matter why.

They're gonna pay for hurting Micro Ice.

~TO BE CONTINUED~

AN – Here's a little something in between when I try to write the end for Sweet with a bit of ice. Don't worry peeps, it's on good track. This will be a two shot. The idea popped in my mind when I was watching an old episode of Winx Club, season one episode nine (don't judge me too hard n_n) and I saw one particular scene. I couldn't help it. This practically wrote iself in one night. It's based on that episode, but with a twist. The title is a bit misleading, but Micro feels betrayed by D'Jok. And why was he meeting with Sinedd in private behind his back? You'll find out in the next and final chapter. Oh, almost forgot. The story begins somewhere after the end of second season and before they head to Paradisia. Mei can a bitch (but we love her anyways) sometimes. I'll end my rant here. Have a good day/night.