Jim followed Braxton down the hallway. It was only a little before nine. Technically, they still had a whole hour before they had to be in their rooms. But knowing what they were walking towards made it feel like they were out after hours anyway. Either way, he did not want to see an instructor or one of the commanding officers right now.
Sy had retired to his room with Hogarth and Varian to discuss some science subject that Jim honestly did not care about right now. Though, he would be sure to check in with them about it later, because Future Jim might just find it interesting.
Present Jim only cared about Braxton not being found out and kicked out of the school.
No one knew exactly why the teachers hadn't removed him from classes yet. And no one knew why he hadn't been expelled and shipped off planet.
But they all knew it was coming
Maybe they just needed more evidence. Maybe there was so much evidence that it was taking forever to shift through. Maybe it was being drawn out because they were having too much fun.
Whatever the reasons, they all knew it was coming.
And that was why the three boys were currently walking down the hall to meet Stalkenew so he and Braxton could fight.
The leopard was waiting in the gymnasium as promised. His arms were crossed as he frowned down at the cyborg. "What's with the goonies."
"They're lookouts," Braxton answered without hesitation. "They won't be in the fight at all, trust me, I don't need them. But if someone's coming this way, they'll give us a shout."
Stalkwenwe hesitated a moment, then nodded. "Yeah, probably smart. Alright, let's do this."
Jim and Matt took their leave.
Braxton shrugged off his jacket and tossed it to the side. "Glad were getting the chance to do this before I get thrown out." He stretched his arms over his head. "If for any reason we get caught, it was my fault, yeah? I approached you, I started it. No need for both of us to get tossed off this hunk of rock."
Stalkewnew flexed his claws and eyed up the cyborg. "Surprisingly generous of you."
Braxton shrugged. "Gotta love your enemies, yeah?"
Stalkenew snorted. "I suppose."
Without any further conversation, or any warning at all, the two of them flew at each other.
The leopard's style was open and vicious. Wide sweeps of his claws that could easily rend flesh from bone. He lashed out easily and without warning with all four limbs. Sometime before Braxton had arrived he'd removed his boots, leaving his dangerous hind feet available for both kicks and freeing his back claws.
Braxton ducked and weaved his way through the attacks. He didn't bother to strike just yet, instead biding his time as he studied his opponents' style. Stalkenew was smart, and experienced. The cat had clearly paid attention through the years as they had learned to fight.
Still, Braxton knew how to beat him. He just needed the right opportunity.
It was maybe a minute and a half into the fight that the chance came.
Tired from the constant onslaught, Stalkenew was getting sloppy. He swung just a little too wide, stretched just a little too far.
And that was Braxton's chance.
The cyborg dipped under a wide swipe of Stalkenew's claws and slid past the follow up kick. He dodged inward, a move he'd been avoiding so far. The leopard, not having expected his opponent to be so close, startled. Off balance now, he staggered a step or two back.
Braxton used the chance to drive his fist into the leopard's stomach. Stalkenew doubled over as he gasped for breath. Braxton wasted no time, his fist connecting again with his chest, and a knee following up less than a second later. As the leopard reeled upwards, Braxton brought this arm down across his back.
Stalkenew tumbled forward to recover with a surprisingly dignified roll.
He was barely on his feet again before Braxton was on him once more. Braxton locked his arm around Stalkenew's throat from behind, securing it in place by grabbing his own wrist. Stalkenew grasped Braxton's forearm and elbow, his claws digging in slightly as he tensed his grip. He tucked his chin, trying to step down and back out of the choke.
Braxton stepped with him, rotating slightly to maintain control. He boosted himself upward and locked his legs about Stalkenew's hips, securing himself to the leopard's back. He tightened his chokehold.
Stalkenew threw his whole body backwards, slamming Braxton into the closest wall as he tried to dislodge him. The cyborg stubbornly held on. Stalkenew slammed himself into the wall again before leaping forward to land on all four limbs. He bucked his back legs up, trying to toss Braxton off his back. When that failed to work, he rolled over to crush him under his weight instead.
Braxton released his grip. Stalkenew leaped to his feet, his chest heaving as he gasped for air. "Are you insane!?"
"I wasn't going to kill you. I would have let go after you passed out."
"Oh, well, thank you!"
"Hey, no problem. Anything for a frenemy!"
The two boys sprang for each other again, as if that had been the cue to fight. Fist and face connected. The door banged open, startling them back apart.
"Teacher coming!"
Braxton immediately was by Matt's side. "Which one?" He demanded as he pulled his jacket back on. Both of them set to doing up the buttons as fast as they could.
"Mrs. Parr. Jim's chatting with her to try and buy us some time." Matt glanced at the door again over his shoulder. "Want me to go see if I can help him stall?"
Braxton shook his head. He crossed the room again and knelt to lace up Stalkenew's boots. "No. Too suspicious. We'll be fine. Stalkenew's fur will cover his bruises, and he didn't even touch me, so I don't have any."
"Why you-!"
"Teacher's coming." Braxton smirked, cutting off the leopard's protests before they could even start.
The doors slid open and Mrs. Parr stepped in. She folded her arms across her chest and gave Jim, who was trailing just behind her, a look. "That would be Braxton, in case you still don't remember your extremely close friend."
Braxton glanced at Matt for an explanation.
Matt sighed. "Mrs. Parr asked him where you where and his reply was 'Who's Braxton'."
"I panicked, alright?" Jim muttered, his face heated in embarrassment. "We've all been jumpy about you getting expelled."
Braxton snorted. "You're such a dolt. Hello Mrs. Parr. How are you tonight?"
"Fine." Mrs. Parr looked pointedly between him and Stalkenew. "I hope nothing is happening here?"
"Nope!" Braxton grinned. "Not since you walked in. Darn. There goes our plot for world domination and all."
"Or to finally fight?"
Braxton just laughed. "Were you looking for me for a reason, or were your 'detect fight super powers' going off?"
"Well, I certainly don't have fight detection powers," Mrs. Parr answered just a little too seriously, "But I do have three children, so I would say my skills are a little above average. That wasn't why I came to see you, though, no. Your hearing has been scheduled for tomorrow, after classes end. You are to attend in person, other students are not allowed at the hearing. Any questions?"
"No Ma'am." Braxton's voice was unusually subdued. "Thank you."
"Good luck, Braxton." Mrs. Parr smiled at him. "I have already submitted my recommendation against expulsion. You've got a lot of potential. You just need to learn how to harness it. I'll see you at the hearing tomorrow."
AN: Hey friends! Guess who's a touch behind in writing? yup, it's me. I've still got about a month of backlog left, so we're not at the end yet, but we'll see how things stand by February. I promise that I'm working at it, I just don't write quite as fast as I thought I would! I promise I'm doing everything I can to make sure that things are as perfect for y'all as your love and dedication deserves. There's little that makes me as happy as checking my stats and seeing the counts jump every time someone reads the story through. Love you all and I promise to stick as close to my schedule as I can. See you next week! 3
