Chapter 42 — The Counter Strategy
The Dodgers jogged back to the dugout after Noah's insane catch.
The crowd buzzed.
Momentum was hot—
but Zach could feel something else.
The Hawks weren't panicking.
They were planning.
Mason walked into the dugout, spoke to Hunter, and the two nodded like they shared a brain.
Tyler shivered.
"I don't like that. That's villain-cooperation energy."
Coach Ramirez clapped.
"Alright team, good inning. Reset. Stay sharp."
Zach breathed deep.
Selective Channeling hummed quietly inside his mind.
Blake walked up.
"You okay?"
Zach nodded.
"That pitch… the one Mason almost hit—I need to refine it."
Emma adjusted her glasses.
"It moved unpredictably. That's good AND bad."
Tyler leaned in.
"It moved like my emotions at 3AM."
Everyone ignored him again.
The Dodgers were about to bat—
but the Hawks were coming prepared.