I smile wide, spinning fast, twisting my back and my lower body. I duck and spin on one foot, and before he could put his hands up, I landed a hard kick back! Spin back kick! and it lands on Frank's chest... and pushes him back, and Frank almost loses his footing, but he grabs himself on the ring, and he does not look hurt; in fact, he just looks shocked... And I grunt as I feel my back killing me again. I was aiming at Frank's face, but I only ended up kicking his chest, but still, I landed a hit on him....
And before I could take a second to breathe, bam! I feel something hit my face; it was fast and hard, and I fall down. I could not even see Frank's punch, and I fall down, and I cough, and I blink fast, and a few seconds later, I realize, 'I lost...' Well, that's to be expected, but at least I landed a hit on him. I chuckle. Now I can say I once landed a hit on the fucking Punisher... and while I was on the floor, the speaker speaks loudly! "AND WITH A BOOMING PUNCH THE COLD KILLER WINS!!!! AHHHHHH!!!"
A few minutes later I drag myself slowly out of the ring. The guard helps me back to the waiting room, and I sit down and speak, "Ah, thanks, boss man," and the guard just smiles and speaks, "Don't thank me; this is my job, crazy lad!" Here, take your stuff, and don't worry, kid; I put in a good name. You'll win the next time for sure!" and I just nod and smile bitterly.
I take my phone, MP3, and earphones back, and I walk fast out of the club. I did not think because there was someone I wanted to meet before he left... and I looked around for something, and then I found a van parked in an alley. I knew what that van was; it was the Battle Van, and I slowly walked to the van, and I looked around.
I don't see anyone, and just then I hear a voice from behind me: "What are you up to, kid?" And I look back fast, and I keep a casual face even though I was a little scared on the inside. I say, "You! Teach me how to fight!" And Frank looks at me, and then he grunts, and he walks to the van, but I move quickly and get in his way, and I speak again stubbornly, "Teach me how to fight! I swear I give you money!" ....
And Frank seemed not shocked. Well, Frank thought, "So he thinks I am after money. Well, it makes sense to fight in a place like that; it could only mean I want money, this stupid kid..." And Frank pulls out an envelope out of his coat, and Frank pushes the envelope on Leo's chest, also pushing Leo back, and Frank grunts out, "I don't want money; here is the money. Leave me alone, kid!"
And I grab the envelope and for a second and fast open it to check the money, but then I look away, and I look at Frank, and I speak, "I don't want money either; just train me!" I want to learn how you fought!" And Frank looks at Leo annoyed, and Frank speaks, "Why?" And Leo was stunned for a second; he did not know what to say...
Frank speaks again. "Tell me, why do you want to learn how to fight, kid? Is it for the thrill of it? or the money, or do you enjoy punching people?" And for a second my stupid kid act almost falls apart, and I actually think about it, and I speak in a much calmer voice: "Because I want to be strong... I don't want to be weak. That's why I am asking you to please train me... I owe you one. If you ever need help, I'll be there... please..." and I look down... I was almost begging right now, and yes, most of this was an act, but still there was a part of Leo that really did want to learn from Frank...
"Meet me tomorrow on ###257 street in the morning at 7 am sharp near the warehouse..." And then Frank, without another word, gets in the van and drives off, leaving Leo standing there with an envelope in his hands and Frank thinking, "Kid... what a kid. He seems good but wanted to get stronger?" Not only that, but if I don't train him, I am pretty sure he will keep going to places like this to fight... Anyway, he also lied about not wanting the money... What a fucked-up world...'
And on the other hand, Leo holds the envelope in his hand like it is the most precious thing in the world! And now Leo slowly starts to walk back to his apartment, and Leo thinks about everything that has happened this night... finding the club, finding out it's an underground fighting ring, which is not a boxing club, fighting Red Fire... and winning, fighting Viper and winning, and noticing that the Punisher was here and then fighting the Punisher, getting beat up pretty badly, at least landing one hit on the Punisher, and well, not only that, but also I get the money, and also I end up making the Punisher train me...
"Hahahahah," I laugh a little, and right now I look like a crazy guy, but I don't realize this as I think, "Well, I pulled off the stupid boy act and got the Punisher to train me, and I also got money. Well, that's all good, but I still can't get comfortable around the Punisher; he is sharp... Anyway, the fight was ok. Well, I did not win, but… I never wanted to win…