The library was quiet, save for the soft rustle of note cards and the tick of the old wall clock. Dust floated in the slanted afternoon light, gold against the dark wood tables.
Bianca was mid-story, hands moving as she talked.
"And then Mark just—boom. Caught the bat and broke his wrist."
Payal's eyes were wide, actually impressed. Even Austin had paused sorting his cards, one eyebrow lifted.
Stitch was a name he knew. He tutored on weekends. The stories were always different, but two things never changed: the guy was a complete lunatic, and he was very dangerous.
Austin adjusted his glasses with a small smile. The lenses caught the light.
"Well done, you two. Especially you, Mark. You exceeded my expectations. I like that in a student."
His voice was playful, but there was weight behind it.
Mark sat with his back straight, arms crossed. Calm.
"Well, it's easy to get this strong when you're literally taught by the best. Especially if they don't show mercy. I still remember the grueling times like it was just yesterday."
Payal giggled, covering her mouth.
"That's because it _was_ yesterday, silly."
Mark scratched the back of his head and chuckled. The bruises on his knuckles were still faint.
"It already feels like it was a while ago."
Bianca was watching him the whole time, a small smile on her face.
"Hey," she said, voice bright with that competitive spark. "What do you say to a little sparring later, when we're well rested?"
Mark met her eyes. No hesitation.
"As long as you promise not to hold back."
Bianca winked.
"Hope you won't regret it, Stray."
The nickname hit him like a light shock. He wasn't used to it yet. But it was starting to grow on him. Slowly.
Payal pouted and leaned forward on the table.
"It's not fair, I wanna join too."
Bianca threw an arm over her shoulder, pulling her in.
"After you learn how to defend yourself, sure."
Just then—
_BANG._
The library doors slammed open.
Everyone at the table already knew who it was. No one else was that loud.
"Hey guys, the Riot's back!"
Connor strolled in, red hair sticking up, uniform wrinkled and dusty. His knuckles were raw. Signs of a fight, fresh.
A pen shot past his cheek and _THUNK_—buried itself in the wooden wall behind him.
From the desk, the librarian looked up. Frail. Kind eyes. Polite smile. One finger to her lips.
"Shhh."
It was a soft sound. Mundane. Docile.
Connor froze mid-step. A nervous bead of sweat rolled down his temple.
"Sorry," he mouthed, grinning sheepishly as he slid into a seat.
Austin smirked.
"You've gotten pretty brave, messing with the librarian, haven't you, Connor?"
"I'd genuinely forgotten how scary she can be," Connor whispered back, rubbing his neck.
Everyone let out a quiet, shared chuckle. Except Mark and Payal.
They were both staring. Frozen.
Compared to the others, they were new. Especially Mark. Three weeks in Brookhaven and he still didn't know half the rules.
And in that moment he remembered.
His first day. Adrian vs Sato in the cafeteria. Two monsters. Stopped cold by one hit each from the cafeteria lady.
That's when it clicked.
_Why Silver High was so orderly despite the chaos._
Students didn't retaliate against teachers. Because the teachers were monsters too.
After all, there was no way a monster's will would bend to the authority of a mere human.
The thought eased something in his chest. But his hands still trembled a little, despite himself.
---
Connor dropped into the seat like he'd been waiting all day to do it. He was already pulling out his phone before his bag hit the floor.
"Wait wait, this is my favorite part."
His face was beaming. The screen lit up — a livestream from 20 minutes ago. Blue High kids getting folded in an alley.
The whole table leaned in.
Eyes widened. Then everyone winced at the same time. Even Austin.
Mark shook his head.
"You didn't have to do 'em like that."
Connor just grinned, elbows on the table.
"It was the wish of the viewers." He swiped the video off. "But that's enough about my experience. How'd your fight go?"
Bianca took over. She retold everything — Stitch, the lackeys, Caesar and Ethan dropped in two blows. Then her and Mark teaming up to finish it, with Mark taking the lead.
Connor's grin got wider.
"Wait. You're telling me you saved two guys, jumped another, AND landed a back kick? Badass. You've improved fast, Marky boy."
He pulled Mark into a shoulder hug. Mark didn't resist. He was used to it by now.
The library doors opened again, quieter this time.
Adrian walked in first. Lollipop in his mouth, hands in pockets, that casual swagger. Hakim followed behind him. Calm energy, but his white blazer was wrinkled and scuffed. Tells you everything.
Mark clocked it instantly. Adrian hadn't thrown a punch. Hakim did all the work.
They slid into seats at the table.
"Sup guys," Adrian said, looking Mark up and down. His grin widened. "You won, right?"
"Yeah," Mark said with a small smile. "But I didn't do it alone."
"A win's a win," Hakim said, patting his back. Laid back smile. "Don't undermine it."
Austin adjusted his glasses.
"Where's Sato?"
Adrian shrugged.
"Last time I saw him we split up to cover more ground. He's probably still at it."
"He does get immersed," Adrian continued. "Found that out when we teamed up at the hospital."
Austin closed his eyes for a second, thinking.
"I guess that's for the best. This is 1A's problem, after all. Receiving 1C's help to this degree is already too much."
"I agree," Hakim said, crossing his arms. "From this point we need to handle this on our own as much as possible."
Austin reached into his pocket and placed Aaron's phone on the table. Everyone went quiet.
"Which brings us to why I called you back. Mark and Bianca got information that'll be very useful."
On the screen: a flyer.
*GRAND OPENING. UNDERGROUND FIGHT CLUB FOR TEENS. OLD RAILWAYS.*
Hakim leaned forward.
"You're right. With this, we attack 'em when they least expect it."
"But," Austin said, tapping the screen. "It's coded as an 'all black party.' And there's something about masks." He looked up. "I'm not gonna lie to you guys. There's a pretty decent chance this is a trap. Are you still ready to do this?"
Adrian stretched his legs out on the table, lollipop shifting to the inside of his cheek.
"Since when have we been scared of something so minor? Of course we will. Right, boys?"
One by one, they nodded. The body language said it all.
"Good," Austin said. "The plan is simple. We crash the party. Use the chaos from the clash on our side against theirs."
Bianca crossed her arms, playful but serious.
"That's a great plan. But aren't you forgetting us girls?"
Payal nodded beside her.
Austin's voice softened, but stayed firm.
"No. You've already done enough. Leave the rest to our class. You help back here in any way you can."
They paused. Then both nodded.
Mark spoke up next.
"That's a great plan, but how are we going to decisively beat Bruce with everyone there? You said there'll be dangerous fighters. Even if not ranked. And Bruce himself. How do we make sure we beat him effectively?"
The table went quiet for a beat.
Everyone was surprised. Because of the way he said it — he was coming.
Connor looked the most shocked. He'd seen Mark terrified of Bruce at the mall. And now he was volunteering anyway.
Austin smiled. Small, but real.
"You're right about that, Mark. But don't worry. I've got a plan. So all you need to do is be in top condition in two days. Be at the old train tracks, early evening."
No one argued.
The boys all silently agreed.
---