The next morning, Anthony woke to the rumble of construction equipment. The nearby site for the new DMV Metro station had been a constant source of noise, but today's sounds were different—louder, more intense. As he groggily opened his eyes, he could hear the distinct sound of drilling and what he thought might be dynamite.

Hazel was already up, peering out the window. "Sounds like they're really going at it today," he said.

Anthony groaned and rubbed his eyes. "Yeah, but why does it sound like they're right under us?"

Watts, who had been up late researching, sat up in his bed. "Probably because they are. The Metro project is supposed to go right through the area with the tunnels."

Anthony's eyes widened. "Shit. Do you think they'll find them?"

As if in answer, there was a sudden, deafening crash, followed by a series of smaller rumbles. The floor beneath them seemed to shake slightly.

Hazel frowned. "That didn't sound good."

Later that day, the group gathered in the common room, buzzing with curiosity and concern. The TV was on, tuned to FOX News, where a breaking news segment was underway.

"...a major discovery at the DMV Metro construction site. Workers unearthed an extensive network of tunnels believed to date back to the Civil War era. The site manager is being hailed as a hero for uncovering this significant piece of history."

The screen cut to the construction manager, a middle-aged man with a smug grin on his face, standing in front of the chaotic scene. He was surrounded by reporters and construction workers.

"It was a lucky find," the manager said, obviously basking in the attention. "We knew this project was important, but to stumble upon something like this... well, it's beyond our wildest expectations."

Anthony, Hazel, and Watts exchanged disbelieving looks. The rest of the group, gathered around the TV, looked equally stunned.

"This is bullshit," Yang muttered, her fists clenched. "We found those tunnels first."

"Yeah, and we didn't get any praise for it," Elm added, shaking her head. "Just more headaches."

Ozpin nodded. "It's infuriating. We did the real work, and now this guy's taking all the credit."

Anthony's eyes narrowed as he watched the screen. "We can't let this slide. Those tunnels are part of our history too."

"Exactly," Hazel agreed. "And we need to make sure the truth comes out."

The group gathered in their usual spot in the common room, the TV muted but still displaying the news segment. They were all frustrated, but determined to come up with a plan.

"We need to find a way to get our side of the story out there," Watts said, pacing back and forth. "Maybe we can talk to Mr. Carpenter again. He might be able to help."

"Or we could use social media," Harriet suggested. "We can spread the word faster that way."

Anthony nodded. "Good idea. But we need to be smart about it. We can't just go shouting about the tunnels without any proof."

The group spent the next few days gathering all the evidence they had about the tunnels. Watts compiled his research, Hazel took detailed notes on their findings, and Anthony worked on putting together a compelling narrative.

They also reached out to Mr. Carpenter, who was initially reluctant but eventually agreed to help. He provided them with additional information and even some old photographs that could support their claims.

"We need to make sure this is airtight," Mr. Carpenter said. "If we want to be taken seriously, we need to present this like professionals."

With their evidence in hand, the group put together a detailed presentation. They decided to hold a press conference of their own, hoping to draw attention to the real story behind the tunnels.

They booked a small conference room at a local community center and invited local reporters, historians, and anyone else who might be interested. The turnout was better than they expected, with several news outlets showing up.

Anthony took the lead, standing at the front of the room with a projector displaying their findings. "Thank you all for coming," he began. "We're here today to share the true story of the tunnels beneath Henderson Academy."

He went on to explain their discovery, the history of the tunnels, and the significance of what they had found. Hazel and Watts chimed in with their research, and Mr. Carpenter provided additional context.

The reporters seemed genuinely interested, asking thoughtful questions and taking plenty of notes. The group felt a sense of relief and accomplishment as they shared their story.

As the press conference wrapped up, one of the reporters approached Anthony. "This is quite a story," she said. "Why didn't you come forward sooner?"

Anthony shrugged. "We wanted to make sure we had all the facts straight. And, to be honest, we didn't expect someone else to take credit for our work."

The reporter nodded. "Well, you did a great job today. I'll make sure to cover this in my segment."

The next day, the news started to spread. Local papers and TV stations began covering the real story of the tunnels, crediting the group for their discovery and research. The construction manager's claim to fame quickly faded as the truth came to light.

At school, the group found themselves the center of attention. Students and teachers alike congratulated them on their work, and even Mr. Carpenter seemed genuinely proud.

"You all did an excellent job," he said, smiling. "I'm glad the truth is finally out there."

With their discovery finally recognized, the group felt a sense of closure. They continued to explore the tunnels, documenting everything they found and sharing their findings with the school and the community.

Anthony, Hazel, and Watts became known as the "Tunnel Trio," and their story became a part of the school's history. They knew there was still much to learn, but they were ready for whatever challenges lay ahead.

As they stood in front of the rustic metal door once more, Anthony couldn't help but smile. "We've come a long way," he said. "And there's still so much more to discover."

The group nodded in agreement, their bond stronger than ever. Together, they knew they could face anything the future held, united by their shared curiosity and determination.