The implication that Lowems Park, and by extension Stowchester, had become something of a lawless zone hadn't sunk in yet.

He could be lying, I thought.

It was hard to get a read of Emulsion-Man given his face was covered in the near skin-tight celluloid filmstock wrappings, and his eyes had a shiny quality to them like plastic-and-paper 3D glasses.

"So you looking to start a fight?" Clang's voice rang.

His tone wasn't so much challenging as it was conversational.

"Reputation is an idle and most false imposition; oft got without merit, and lost without deserving," said Emulsion-Man, "But I must say your reputation proceeds you."

"In English?" Clang's voice rang.

"He means we're famous," said Snap.

"Quite right," said Emulsion-Man, "And do forgive me, this is rather exciting. You three are the same souls who saved the day in Fauncherton Green recently, are you not?"

After making sure that Bramble hadn't moved from where she was standing on the opposite platform, I then asked, "How'd you know about that?"

"We saw the phone footage hosted on the Mice-Network," said Emulsion-Man.

"So there's footage of us in Fauncherton Green on this Mice-Network thing?" I resonated.

"Yes, yes," said Emulsion-Man, "Though you two-"

He pointed two celluloid-wrapped fingers at Snap and I, "-look a little different. It's quite clear it was the three of you that saved that woman's life. Unless I'm mistaken?"

Snap and Clang shot glances my way.

"Nah," I resonated, "That was us."

"Well that is a relief," said Emulsion-Man.

"I don't mean to be rude," said Snap, crossing her arms and flicking back some of her hair out of her eyes, "But what's, like, your deal?"

The few hanging lengths of celluloid filmstock across Emulsion-Man's suit tightened. In turn, what light had peeked through the suit before, shone through the film stock instead, lighting up the frames of the suit in various technicolour reds, blues, greens, and yellows.

A sudden swooping noise filled the air and right after Bramble landed gracefully beside Emulsion-Man.

"Lowems Park is under our protection," she said.

Bramble spoke in a surprisingly mature voice. And then she asked, "Why are you here?"

Snap and Clang threw glances my way. I could tell they were both ready to fight at a moment's notice. My Intuition however seemed to be actively telling me that this encounter was not a cause for concern. From the very moment the two strangers revealed themselves, my Intuition had gone into overdrive analyzing every little detail about them.

Given it had already been several minutes, my Intuition had gleaned enough already to tell me that neither Emulsion-Man nor Bramble would harm us, so long as we didn't try to harm them first. Even so, I was ready to fight in a micro-second if need be on the off-chance my Intuition was wrong.

"We're passing through," I resonated, "We're intending to go down Winchester road, round the sports centre, then into Ripperly."

"Good heavens," said Emulsion-Man, "You don't want to go knocking about Ripperly. Lowems Park might be a No Man's Land, but Larkston and Ripperly are both warzones."

"Whose at war?" Clang's voice rang.

"Gangs," said Bramble, "And the Mice joined with them."

"It's a war over territory," said Emulsion-Man.

"So what?" said Snap, "Is this, like, your territory, then?"

Bramble nodded slowly.

I found myself hoping that Ripperly in particular hadn't become enough of a warzone that my family was already in serious danger. Although I felt this panic deep inside my chest, I managed to remain cool and collected on the surface – thanks somewhat to my resin-visor obscuring the concern which was likely readily apparent in my eyes.

"So you're a gang?" Clang's voice rang.

"No, no," said Emulsion-Man, "Merely concerned citizens. We won't stand idly by whilst the government lets Lowems Park descend into Barbary."

Silence followed this statement from Emulsion-Man. The stiff night breeze continued to rustle rubbish including crisp packets, newspapers, and empty plastic bottles, back and forth along both platforms.

Over Emulsion-Man's shoulder I noticed a Transport For London poster behind plastic casing.

The poster depicted a giant ominous looking eye in the shape of an exclamation mark. Text below the eye read: If it looks suspicious say something to our staff or the police.

I put my attention back to Bramble and Emulsion-Man.

"So what do you want from us?" I resonated.

"If you were a member of one of those gangs," said Emulsion-Man, "We wouldn't have introduced ourselves so politely. You're quite fortunate we recognised the three of you from the Mice-Network footage."

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"...but…?" I resonated, wanting them to get to the point.

"Things are escalating every day," said Bramble, "We are doing everything we can to keep Lowems Park safe, but we can't be everywhere. Things are desperate enough already. It's only been the gangs coming into Lowems Park so far, but sooner or later they're going to bring Mice with them."

"Wait," Clang's voice rang, "So you've not had a fight with any other Mice yet?"

Bramble shook her head in a sign that she hadn't.

"Oh," Clang's voice rang, "You're both new to this then?"

"We're well-versed in combat techniques and the usage of our powers," said Emulsion-Man, "But alas besides policing ruffian gangs we haven't yet tested our mettle against any Mice except our own sparring sessions."

I noticed Clang was grinning, with the gold hue of his eyes shining like burning coals.

"So you're looking for a fight," his voice rang, not as a question, but a statement of fact.

"A skirmish," said Bramble.

"Wait, what?" I resonated, "We've only just met and you're asking to fight us?"

"We wouldn't ask just anyone," said Emulsion-Man, "As I said before, your reputation precedes you."

Snap broke into giggles.

"Sorry," she said, putting up a sharp-nailed hand, "It's just a little ridiculous, you know?"

"You're serious?" I resonated, "You really want to fight?"

"Spar," said Emulsion-Man, "Merely to practice in a friendly contest. It should also give us an opportunity to become better acquainted."

"And if we refuse?" Clang's voice rang.

"No harm, no foul," said Emulsion-Man, "Though I will add we have a plentitude of food and drinks to share for refreshments, to make it worth your while."

Clang looked at me as if I were Santa Clause and he was a child about to tell me what he wanted for Christmas.

"Hold on," I muttered resonantly to Clang.

I looked back to Emulsion-Man and Bramble and resonated, "Give us a minute to discuss?"

"Oh yes, yes," said Emulsion-Man, "By all means."

I turned and walked away and Snap and Clang kept pace until we were at the far end of the platform huddled together. I could see they were both wary and excited about the new opportunity which had presented itself to us.

"This is nuts," I whispered.

"They're nuts," whispered Clang.

"It could be a trap," whispered Snap.

"I don't think so," I whispered, "My Intuition's telling me they're legit. It could be wrong though."

"It hasn't been wrong so far," whispered Snap.

"But we don't need this," I whispered, "We can just carry on to – no. Wait. Crap."

The smiles from the other two faltered.

"What is it?" whispered Snap.

"With these two around we can't go anywhere that'll give away my identity," I whispered.

"So we'll have to wait until they've gone," said Snap.

"But in the meantime?" whispered Clang, "What have we got to lose getting to know them?"

"A lot," I whispered, "If they're secret Sub-Divisioners or something we're in big trouble."

"I say we do it," whispered Clang.

He put his hand into the middle of our huddle.

"I'm with you," Snap whispered, looking at me.

"What do you want to do?" I whispered.

Snap revealed her fangs as she smiled.

"Let's have some fun," she whispered, her raccoonish and beautified face beaming with excitement.

She put her hand in.

"...okay," I whispered, grinning a little.

I put my hand in too.

In unison we turned back to face Emulsion-Man and Bramble, both of whom were waiting patiently.

"Okay," I resonated, "We're open to spar a little if you want."

I didn't need heightened vision to notice the subtle elation in Emulsion-Man and Bramble's body language.

"Very good, very, very good," said Emulsion-Man, fist-pumping the air.

He turned to Bramble and offered her a high five, which went ignored.

What my Intuition was telling me about them was startling.

No, really? I thought, Is that even possible?

But I decided to keep the little revelation to myself for the time being.

"Where are we gonna do it then?" Clang's voice rang.

Emulsion-Man stepped forwards.

"Give me my scallop-shell of quiet, My staff of faith to walk upon, my scrip of joy, immortal diet, my bottle of salvation, my gown of glory, hopes true gage, and thus I'll take my pilgrimage – Sir Walter Rayleigh wrote that."

And as if everything he had just said were plainly understood, Emulsion-Man turned and bounded across to the other platform. Bramble bounded after him.

With one last cautious look from one to another, Snap, Clang, and I followed after our soon-to-be sparring partners.

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