He wasn’t sure if Michelle was still putting up some semblance of a front after the conversation they’d had at her appointment. If she was, then she was a damn good actress. Nevertheless, despite him still wanting to rip Fallen’s diseased head off, Sean was feeling the most positive he’d felt in weeks. So much so he’d managed to get a full night’s sleep and he’d gotten up early to head to the academy to do some training before his sequel match with Stu-E.
He is deep into a high intensity interval training workout when the scene opens up. The Academy echoes with the sound of weights clanging and grunts of exertion. Sean, dressed in his training gear, was in the middle of a HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) workout, and the sweat pours down his brow. He moves through a series of explosive exercises, pushing his body to the limit.
Red Dragon stands nearby, a stoic presence exuding wisdom and strength. He watches Sean with an eagle eye, offering guidance and encouragement in his deep, calming voice.
(Red Dragon): Breathe, Sean-San. Focus your mind and channel your energy.
Sean nodded, drawing on the years of discipline he had learned under his Sensei’s tutelage. With renewed determination, he launches into the next round of exercises. He starts with box jumps, leaping from the ground to a high platform with remarkable agility. A crowd of fresh trainees cheers him on as he moves like a panther, his movements both powerful and precise.
Next up are burpees - a dreaded exercise that even the most seasoned athletes find challenging. But Sean attacks them with the same tenacity he brings to his matches. He drops to the ground, performs a perfect push-up, and then springs back up into a vertical jump. It is a display of his explosive strength and incredible conditioning. For a moment he had forgotten about everything that had went on. He was in the zone, ignoring everything around him.
Amidst the grueling workout, Red Dragon’s words echo in Sean's mind. ”Stay focused, Sean-San. The mind and body are one. Let them move as a harmonious unit.”. With every repetition, he visualizes his moves, every leap off the top rope, every kick and punch.
As the workout continues, Red Dragon introduces a circuit of medicine ball slams. Sean grabs the heavy ball, hoists it overhead, and slams it onto the floor with a roar of determination. The floor shook with each impact, and he revels in the cathartic release of energy.
(Red Dragon): Focus your energy, Sean. Let it flow through you like a river.
With his heart pounding, Sean powers through the last set of exercises. The battle ropes whip through the air as he puts every ounce of energy into each stroke. The relentless effort demonstrate his commitment to honing his skills.
As the final buzzer sounds, Sean collapses to his knees, gasping for breath. The other trainees gather around him, clapping and cheering for his extraordinary effort.
(Trainee 1): Way to go, Sean!
(Trainee 2): You crushed it, man!
Red Dragon approaches Sean and offers him a hand.
(Red Dragon): Good effort, Sean-San. To be able to refocus your energy after what’s happened, it’s commendable. How are you feeling?
Sean manages a light smile before gulping down half a bottle of water.
(Sean): Thank you, Sensei. Better than I have been all week. I’m still not sure if Michelle is putting on a brave face or not but she seems to be genuinely trying to move on from it and not let what happened get the best of her.
Red Dragon nods with approval.
(Red Dragon): She is stronger than she gives herself credit for, Sean-San. You are very well-suited.
(Sean): Is that you giving us your approval, Sensei?.
The joke goes over his head.
(Red Dragon): I am neither your father nor am I hers, so you do not need my approval to date, Sean-San.
Sean rolls his eyes subtly and let’s a light smile tug at the corners of his mouth.
(Sean): Of course not, Sensei. Can you believe she wants Legion reinstated?
(Red Dragon): It doesn’t surprise me. She is a very forgiving person. She sees the best in people. To be honest, I can see her point.
Sean’s face screws up in confusion.
(Sean): Seriously, Sensei? You think he should be? Don’t tell me you bought that crap he was spouting in that press conference.
(Red Dragon): Sean-San, do you seriously think Legion is that intelligent to be able to lie his way out of something like this? He’s a simple foot soldier who doesn’t have any sense of direction unless he’s being told what to do, where to go or what to say. Do I agree with what he did? Absolutely not? Was what he did deplorable? Of course. But is it worth ruining a young man’s career for following a patriarch family member’s instructions?
Sean rolls his eyes less subtly this time. He couldn’t believe he was almost agreeing but Sensei’s logic and reasoning was rarely out of place.
(Red Dragon): It is commendable you are fighting her corner even though you do not agree with her reasoning, Sean-San. She has most definitely had a positive impact on you. Are you going to speak to your uncle?
Sean sighs, his gaze reflexively casting to the first floor where Butch’s office is housed.
(Sean): I kinda have to. I’m a roll with keeping promises and this one means a lot to Michelle.
(Red Dragon): Do you want back-up?
(Sean): Yes, please.
The two make their way upstairs to the office floor. Red Dragon knocks and opens the door, walking with Sean behind him. Butch is looking over some paperwork at his desk when the two walk in, peering through a pair of reading glasses. Sean looks taken aback, an almost comedic smile crossing his face.
(Sean): Since when you did you wear glasses?
(Butch): Since always. What can I do for you both? How are you feeling anyway, Sean and Michelle?
(Sean): As far as I can tell she’s in a better mindset now; she made a breakthrough the other day. That’s kinda why I’m here…
(Butch): Why do I get the feeling I’m not gonna like this?
(Sean): It’s about Legion’s firing….
Butch rolls his eyes, taking his glasses off and he chews lightly on one of the legs.
(Butch): I knew it…the answer is no.
(Sean): You don’t even know what I’m going to ask…
(Butch): You’re going to say that he didn’t have any ulterior motives, that his little speech the other day was genuine and that I should renege my decision to fire him.
(Sean): Slightly paraphrasing but yeah. I mean I don’t believe him but it means a lot to Michelle. She’s forgiven him and feels he deserves a second chance.
(Butch): But you don’t believe me?
(Sean): I wouldn’t trust him as far as I could throw him but that’s not the point. I’m doing this for Michelle. Plus, if he’s reinstated, I can’t get arrested for beating the shit out of him.
Butch just stares at Sean, not amused by his joke.
(Sean): I’m joking…
Butch’s eyes shift to Red Dragon who hasn’t said anything.
(Butch): You’re very quiet over there. I’m guessing you agree with this?
(Red Dragon): I merely pointed out to Sean-San that we are probably giving Legion a little too much credit regarding any potential ulterior motive.
(Butch): And Fallen? What are Michelle’s thoughts on him?
(Sean): No dice. She shuddered when I even mentioned that bastard’s name. She’s willing to forgive Legion but I think even the sight of that lowlife would be too much.
There is a long silence before Butch answers.
(Butch): I’m not making any decisions about this now on a whim. I need to speak to Wisdom and our legal team.
(Sean): So…is that a maybe?
(Butch): No, it’s a “I’m not making any decisions about this now on a whim. I need to speak to Wisdom and our legal team”. I’d love to chat more, but I have to a lot of paperwork to go over before Havoc and for the pay-per-view coming up. Good to see you back looking like your old self, Sean.<\font>
(Sean): Thank you, tell the kids I miss them.
(Butch): You can come over for dinner on Saturday and see them as long as you don’t bring up Fallen or Legion.
(Sean): I’m sure I can do that..
As Sean leaves, Butch speaks again.
(Butch): Matthew, can you stay for a moment? I need to talk to you about some of the new recruits, I’d like a progress report for the dark match at Havoc.
(Red Dragon): Of course, Butch-San.
He turns briefly to Sean as he’s leaving Butch’s office.
(Red Dragon): Good workout today, Sean-San. Good to have you back.
(Sean): Thank you, Sensei.
Sean leaves his two mentors to talk shop and as he makes his way downstairs, he pulls out his phone and sees the video of Fallen making his statement, taunting both him and Michelle. His face contorts in anger and as he passes by one of the heavy bags, he unleashes a hard punch on it out of frustration along with a roar which catches some of the newer students off-guard. He takes a deep breath through his nose before he goes back to his phone, dialing a number as he leaves the Academy building.
(Sean): Surprise, asshole. Now, you listen and you listen well. I made a promise to Michelle I wouldn’t hunt your ass down and make you regret every life decision you ever made and I intend to keep that promise. However I didn’t make any such promise about beating seven colours of shit out of you if you come anywhere near her. So, do your worst, you cancerous f*ck. You come anywhere near her and I will make you regret the moment you laid your hands on her.
Sean hangs up before storming towards his car as the scene fades to black.
Message Thread
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