Chapter 27 — The Hawks Make Their Move
Two days before the big game against the Hawks, the Dodgers met for another team practice.
The air felt sharper.
Heavier.
Like the whole field was holding its breath.
Zach noticed it the moment he stepped on the grass.
Tyler jogged toward him carrying a helmet on backwards.
"ZACH! Something is strange today. I can FEEL it. My spidey-sense is tingling."
Zach tilted his head.
"Isn't that just because you had two energy drinks?"
Tyler gasped.
"Maybe."
Blake walked over next, slower than usual.
His shoulders tense.
Jaw tight.
Eyes unfocused.
The system pinged immediately.
Ping.
"Team Link: Alert."
Subject: Blake."
Emotional State: Uneasy • Pressured • Hiding something."
Zach frowned.
He opened his mouth to ask—
But a car pulled up.
Not Ethan's.
Not a parent's.
A car the Dodgers had never seen before.
Mason Arrives — But Not Alone
The doors opened.
Mason Hayes stepped out.
And behind him—
Three more Hawks players.
Bigger.
Stronger.
Older-looking.
Radiating confidence.
Tyler screeched,
"I KNEW TODAY FELT LIKE DOOM!"
Coach Ramirez stepped forward immediately.
"What do you boys want?"
Mason smiled politely, too politely.
"Just wanted to talk."
Ethan stepped beside the coach, arms crossed.
"You've done enough talking."
Mason shrugged.
"We're just here to say hello. Nothing else."
But his eyes slid toward Zach, Blake, and Tyler.
Cold.
Measuring.
A predator sizing up prey.
Zach felt the system pulse nervously.
Ping.
"Synergy Link Alert."
Team emotional spike detected."
The team was scared.
Except Blake—
Blake wasn't scared.
Blake was angry.
The Hawks Confront Blake
One of the Hawks—tall, lean, with a mean smirk—stepped forward.
"You're Blake, right?"
Blake stiffened.
"…Yeah."
"You were the pitcher who fell apart against the Foxes, weren't you?"
The Dodgers gasped.
Tyler yelled, "HEY! HE DID NOT FALL APART—HE JUST TEMPORARILY… PARTED!"
The Hawks ignored him.
Another one, a heavy-set catcher, added:
"Mason told us about you. Said you're talented but mentally weak."
Blake's fists balled.
Zach stepped forward immediately—but Mason raised a hand.
"Relax. I told them not to bully you."
Zach glared.
"But you ARE bullying him."
Mason shrugged.
"We're just stating facts."
Blake's breathing grew faster.
Zach felt his emotions flare:
"Shame • Anger • Fear • Pressure • Determination"
Zach opened his mouth—
but Blake took a step forward, jaw clenched.
"I'm not weak."
The tall Hawk smirked.
"Prove it. Pitch against me."
Ethan barked,
"No. He's resting his shoulder."
Coach Ramirez added,
"Back off. This is your last warning."
Mason turned to his teammates.
"Guys. Enough."
For a moment, it seemed like things would end quietly.
But then Mason looked Blake dead in the eyes.
"Your shoulder's hurt, isn't it?"
Blake froze.
Zach's heart dropped.
The Hawks' catcher chuckled darkly.
"A hurting pitcher? That's cute."
Blake shook, fists trembling.
"I said I'm fine."
Mason leaned in slightly.
"You're not. I can see it. And if you pitch against us like that…"
He smirked.
"We'll break you."
Silence.
Cold.
Sharp.
Heavy.
Blake's face drained of color.
Zach felt Tyler step behind him like a frightened kid hiding behind a bigger kid.
Zach stepped forward calmly.
"You won't break him."
Mason raised an eyebrow.
"You think you can protect him?"
Zach nodded, expression firm.
"Yes."
The Hawks stared at Zach.
Then Mason laughed quietly.
"Good. I wanted to see if you actually had a backbone."
Zach blinked.
"What?"
Mason stepped back.
"We weren't here to threaten you. Just to see your reaction."
Tyler yelled angrily,
"YOU CAN'T JUST DO PSYCHOLOGICAL WARFARE ON CHILDREN!!"
Mason ignored him.
Instead, he addressed Zach directly.
"You passed. For now."
Then he turned to leave.
But before he reached the car, he stopped.
Spoke without turning back.
"Two days. Hawks vs Dodgers. Don't embarrass yourselves."
They left.
The field went silent.
Blake Breaks
As soon as the Hawks' car disappeared, Blake's knees buckled.
He dropped his glove.
Zach rushed to him.
Blake's voice trembled:
"They know… they know about my shoulder… they know…"
Zach clasped Blake's shoulders.
"You're not alone."
Tyler knelt beside them.
"Yeah! We're with you! Even if we're small and squishy and easily scared!"
Blake's breathing slowed.
Barely.
Zach felt the system pulse again.
Ping.
"New Mission Unlocked."
Mission: Support Blake."
Objective: Restore Blake's confidence before the game."
Reward: Team Synergy Boost."
Zach nodded to himself.
"We'll help you. All of us."
Blake looked up.
"…Why? I almost yelled at everyone yesterday. I've been a jerk. I didn't trust you guys."
Zach shook his head.
"That doesn't matter."
Tyler added,
"Yeah! Friends can be jerks sometimes. We still love you!"
Blake's eyes glistened softly.
He swallowed.
"…I don't want to lose."
Zach smiled gently.
"We won't."
Coach Speaks
Coach Ramirez walked up, kneeling in front of Blake.
"That kid Mason? He's good. And cocky. And strong."
He placed a firm hand on Blake's shoulder.
"But he's wrong about one thing."
Blake sniffed.
"What?"
"You're not weak."
His voice was deep and steady.
"You're growing. You're learning. You're becoming a real player. And real players face fear head-on."
Blake nodded slowly.
He wiped his face with his sleeve.
"…Okay."
"Good," Coach said. "Now get up. We train."
Zach Feels Something New
As training resumed, Zach kept checking on Blake.
Helping him stretch.
Helping him warm up.
Helping him breathe.
And the system responded—
Ping
"Synergy Link Strengthening…"
"Blake's Emotional Connection Increased."
"Team Bond Deepened."
Then—
A new line appeared.
"New Ability Approaching Unlock: Shared Focus."
Zach blinked.
"Shared focus…?"
This was new.
Big.
And possibly game-changing.
He looked at Blake—
pushing through shoulder exercises, breathing hard but steady.
Looked at Tyler—
cheering Blake on in a ridiculous superhero pose.
Looked at the rest of the team—
angry, motivated, ready.
Zach felt his chest fill with determination.
"We'll be ready," he whispered.