Chapter 24 — The Hawks' Warning Shot
The next day, Zach arrived at the sports store with a skip in his step.
Blake's shoulder was resting.
Tyler had brought healthy snacks (even though he complained).
Ethan was planning new drills.
Everything felt good.
But the moment Zach stepped inside…
He felt it.
A tension in the air.
Something sharp, heavy, unfamiliar.
Then he saw why.
The red-jersey boy from yesterday
—stood inside the store with two teammates.
The Ridgeview Hawks.
They weren't laughing.
They weren't browsing.
They were staring.
At him.
At Blake.
At Tyler.
Sizing them up like predators.
Tyler whispered behind Zach,
"Okay… so… if we run now… can we outrun them?"
Zach whispered,
"No."
"No?! Why?"
"They're bigger."
Tyler gasped. "We are doomed."
Blake stepped forward, jaw tight.
"Why are you here?"
The red-jersey kid smirked.
"I'm Mason Hayes. Captain of the Hawks. We came to see what our rivals look like."
Zach blinked.
"Rivals?"
Mason rolled his eyes.
"You beat the Foxes. That puts you on our radar."
Blake scoffed.
"So what?"
Mason's teammate, a tall boy with glasses, crossed his arms.
"So now we want to make sure you know your place."
Tyler squeaked.
"I DON'T LIKE WHERE THIS IS GOING."
Ethan Intervenes
Before anything else could happen, Ethan appeared from the back.
He crossed his arms.
"Boys. You here to buy something, or cause trouble?"
Mason turned smoothly.
"No trouble. Just scouting."
"Scouting?" Ethan laughed. "This isn't Major League Baseball."
Mason shrugged casually.
"Maybe not. But we take our games seriously."
Zach could feel it—
Mason wasn't bragging.
He believed it.
The Challenge
Mason pointed at Zach and Blake.
"I want to know if you're actually good… or if your win was a fluke."
Zach remained quiet.
Blake stepped forward.
"It wasn't a fluke."
Mason raised an eyebrow.
"Prove it."
Ethan sighed.
"No fights in the store. Outside. Now."
Tyler whispered,
"This feels like a wild Pokémon encounter…"
Zach nodded.
"It does."
Outside the Store — A Mini Showdown
Ethan set down a cone twenty feet away.
"Fine. Three throws each. Accuracy challenge. Hit the cone."
Mason grinned.
"Perfect."
Blake stepped to the mound first.
He flexed his shoulder—still sore.
Zach touched Blake's arm gently.
"You don't have to do this."
Blake shook his head.
"Yes I do."
He took the mound.
Throw 1:
Missed by a foot.
Mason smirked.
Throw 2:
Closer.
Six inches off.
Throw 3:
Perfect strike.
DING.
The cone toppled.
Blake exhaled in relief.
Tyler cheered wildly.
"LET'S GOOO— WAIT WE'RE NOT DONE, ARE WE?!"
Mason stepped forward.
His posture changed.
Relaxed.
Deadly confident.
He didn't wind up like a normal Little Leaguer.
His form was older.
Cleaner.
Almost middle-school level.
Ethan's eyebrows shot up.
Zach felt a chill.
Mason Throws
Throw 1:
PING.
Direct hit.
The cone flew.
Throw 2:
Even harder.
On target.
Throw 3:
He didn't even look.
He turned his head and launched the ball.
PING.
Direct hit again.
Tyler whispered,
"That wasn't human."
Blake clenched his jaw.
"He's good."
Zach's system chimed sharply.
Ping!
"New Data Acquired."
Player: Mason Hayes."
Strength Level: High Tier (Kid Level)."
Skill: Advanced Pitching Mechanics."
Warning: Difficult Opponent."
Zach inhaled slowly.
So this was the Hawks' captain.
Mason Faces Zach
Mason walked up slowly.
"You're next, Zach."
Tyler flailed.
"WHY ZACH?! HE'S JUST A BABY— A VERY STRONG BABY BUT STILL—"
Zach stepped forward calmly.
"I'll try."
Mason smirked.
"That's all I want to see."
Zach took the mound.
He closed his eyes.
He thought about:
Blake's determination
Tyler's trust
Ethan's lessons
Coach's faith
His team's cheers
The system's glow
He opened his eyes.
The world felt focused.
The system chimed.
Ping.
"Team Synergy Activated: 62%."
"Temporary bonus: Accuracy Boost +1."
Zach exhaled.
Zach Throws
Throw 1:
Smooth.
Fast.
Controlled.
PING.
Direct hit.
Mason's smirk faded slightly.
Throw 2:
Higher angle.
Sharper release.
PING.
Tyler gasped.
"He hit the cone's SOUL!"
Blake smiled slightly.
Mason's teammates shifted uncomfortably.
Zach inhaled.
One throw left.
He aimed.
Focused.
Threw—
Throw 3:
Perfect spiral.
Low and steady.
PING.
Direct center.
Silence.
Mason blinked.
Then narrowed his eyes.
"You're good."
Zach tilted his head.
"Thank you."
"You'll still lose," Mason added.
Zach shrugged.
"Maybe."
Mason frowned.
"Maybe?"
Zach smiled slightly.
"We're getting better."
Mason stared at him.
Then laughed softly.
"Alright then. We'll see."
He turned, motioning for his teammates.
"We'll see you in a week, Dodgers."
The Hawks walked away.
And Zach's system chimed one more time:
Ping.
"Major Rival Event Set."
Game: Dodgers vs Hawks."
Difficulty: Very High."
Reward: System Evolution."
Zach stood still, heart pounding.
A big challenge was coming.
But unlike before—
He wasn't scared.
He was ready.