Sean Parker stood in the main atrium of the HWA Academy’s training room, an hour or so after his mandated training session with Jeremy. Both of them were under strict orders from Michelle and Matt to get out of their systems whatever it was that was eating at them respectively.

Whilst both Sean and Jeremy had managed to enjoy some semblance of catharsis, both verbally and physically, Sean’s walls instantly went back up the moment they had all said their goodbyes. He had agreed to call Michelle later on and have dinner and felt bad about still telling her he was starting to feel better when in fact that feeling of rage, of pent-up frustration still swirled around his insides like a wave machine at a swimming pool. Even having a good old-fashioned spar with Jeremy did nothing to quell that bubbling anger. Creative visualization was a powerful tool but despite his own inner battles, Jeremy was still a friend.

Havoc would be a good outlet though. Maniac and Lunatik had been a formidable team in the early noughties of HWA but he and Jeremy were no pushovers in their own right. Still, that wasn’t for another week and he needed to find a way to focus his mind and there was no other way than doing everything he could to let out all that anger inside him.

The Bob dummy faced him, its plastic expression unchanging as Sean unleashed a relentless barrage of hard strikes. He started with a swift roundhouse kick, the sound of impact echoing through the room. Without pausing, he followed up with a series of rapid punches, emerald green eyes narrowed with intense focus. As he spun into a vicious elbow strike, the dummy swayed under the force, but Sean didn’t relent. He transitioned into a knee strike, driving it into the dummy's midsection with brutal aggression, each technique Sean landed was punctuated with a guttural growl. He pictured Maniac and Lunatik; their masked and painted faces taunting him, rubbing his nose in his recent shortcomings. He thought of Stu-E, the new HWA Champion and him holding the title he craved so much.

Sean then pivoted smoothly, transitioning into a side kick that slammed into the dummy's ribs, causing it to rock back. He then dropped into a low stance, spinning his leg out in a powerful leg sweep, aimed at where an opponent’s ankles would be. Rising quickly, Sean then delivered a sharp front kick, his foot snapping out with precision, hitting the dummy's chest squarely.

With his chest heaving, sweat pouring from his brow and his mouth gaping, Sean came to a halt from his assault. When he finally caught up with himself, that rage, that pent-up aggression, that perpetual feeling of just wanting to hurt somebody remained. He let out a thunderous roar of frustration, accentuated with a spinning back fist that sent the Bobby dummy toppling over. He slumped into a seated position, knees bent and head hung low. What did he have to do, save give into the horrible feelings within him and lose himself to the throngs of hatred, he thought to himself.

(???): Sean-kun, watashi ni hanashite, kudasai…

The familiar voice caught him off-guard. As he pivoted his head, the sight of Sensei Kiriyama didn’t actually move him all that much. Before he would’ve sprung to his feet.

(Sean): What’s the point, Sensei? Nothing helps. I just feel… so angry… all the time.

Red Dragon looked over at the Bob dummy toppled over and, given Sean’s look and the sounds he’d heard, he was able to easily deduce what had happened. He stooped down and lifted the dummy back to its vertical base, dusting it off before walking over to where Sean was sitting and he stood over him.

(Red Dragon): Sean-kun, have you forgotten everything I taught you?

Sean looks up, making eye contact with Red Dragon for the first time.

(Sean): What do you mean?

(Red Dragon): I’ve taught you many lessons over the years, Sean-kun, since you were a small boy. What was the core fundamental at the heart of them?

Sean stammered.

(Sean): I…um…

(Red Dragon): Am I speaking Chinese, Sean-kun?

(Sean): No, Sensei.

(Red Dragon): Then what’s tripping you up? Did you forget the core fundamentals of the lessons I’ve taught you over the last twenty years?

(Sean): Well, no but-

Red Dragon interrupted Sean, cutting him off before he could finish his sentence.

(Red Dragon): No “buts”, Sean-kun. What is the core fundamental behind every lesson I’ve ever taught you?

Sean sighed deeply, trying his hardest not to roll his eyes as he turned his head away from Red Dragon. A few seconds passed before he replied.

(Sean): Balance.

(Red Dragon): Yurushi?

Sean felt very much like a school kid being called to the front of the class after being caught passing notes, even though the training area was just the two of them.

(Sean): Balance, Sensei.

A small smile soon trickled across Red Dragon’s stoic features. He always knew how to get into the mind of his best student.

(Red Dragon): And do you think you see a man with balance at the moment? Do you feel focused? Do you feel centered?

Another sigh gushed from Sean, from his nose this time and again his head lowered.

(Sean): No, Sensei.

Red Dragon gestured with one hand, motioning for Sean to get up.

(Red Dragon):Good. Now on your feet.

Sean looked confused.

(Sean): Sensei?

(Red Dragon): Am I speaking Chinese again? Tachiagatte, kudasai!

Sean slowly and resignedly climbed to his feet.

(Red Dragon): Now, if you’re done bullying training dummies, go grab a shower and meet me in my office in ten minutes. I have a lesson for you.

(Sean): Yes, Sensei.

Sean trudged off to the locker room to shower as Red Dragon had instructed. As he did so, Red Dragon started walking back to his office which was on the same floor as Butch’s and Wisdom’s. On his way back, the former was walking towards him, a quizzical look on his face.

(Butch): What was all that racket in the main training room? You going hard on some more rookies, Kiriyama-san?

Red Dragon smiled slightly at his old friend as they stopped in the hallway.

(Red Dragon): Īe, Butch-san. Sean desu.

Butch’s face dropped and he sighed knowingly.

(Butch): I really need to talk to him. Where is he?

Red Dragon held a hand up.

(Red Dragon): Īe, Butch-san, I have it under control. He’s taking a shower. I have something in mind that I’m sure can re-center him.

Butch looked helpless. Sean was like a son to him but he always knew that he and Matthew had developed a special bond since that fateful day they were introduced when Sean was just a child. And since his own kids had come along, especially David, Butch had been conscious he had neglected Sean to the point he was worried their relationship was suffering for it. Red Dragon was also always one to pick up on people’s body language, especially those he knew well and Butch was no exception. He reached forward with a consoling hand and placed it on his old friend’s shoulder.

(Red Dragon): Butch-san, I hope you do not think I am overstepping with Sean-kun.

Butch shook his head.

(Butch): No, not at all. Sean idolises you more than anything and I’m grateful he has you as his teacher, as another father-figure in his life. God knows he needs all the support he can get right now. I fear for him, Matthew, I really do. What happened at Ring Master crushed him. He put himself through hell with that surgery, all so he could be the first one to lift that title, to emulate me. Y’know I had to ask Stu not to antagonise him?

(Red Dragon): I heard.

(Butch): I feel like the overprotective dad asking a bully’s dad to take it easy on his kid. Like he needs it. And I know he’d never forgive me if he knew I’d asked Stu of that. When Sean’s dad died, Diana and I were all he had. We raised him from when he was two like he was my own son. And since Evina and David were born, I feel more and more that I’m losing touch with him. I know he’s resented by most of the roster because he’s my family but what can I do? He’s genuinely one of the greatest wrestlers in the world right now, I can’t very well lock him away. And his temper? Three guesses who he gets that from? I can’t call him out on it, even as his boss because I was just like him at that age… to a degree I still am.

Red Dragon smiled.

(Red Dragon): What do you mean “to a degree”?

His light-hearted jab drew a slight laugh from both men and Butch looked to have relaxed somewhat as Red Dragon looked to further reassure his oldest friend.

(Red Dragon): Butch-san, Sean-kun loves you. You know this. But he is not a child anymore. He has grown into a man you should be proud of. But he needs to learn to make mistakes and try to find out the answers on his own… and when the road he’s traveling down begins to fork, it’s up to us to make sure we steer him right. And that’s what I plan on doing today.

(Butch): Thank you, Matthew. You’re a good friend. So what is it you have in mind?

(Red Dragon): Let’s just say I’m going to take him on a little trip down memory lane. Also, I have something else if I think he’s ready.

(Butch): Sounds ominous?

(Red Dragon): Trust me, Butch-san, Sean-kun will be alright.

(Sean): What do you mean “Sean will be alright”?

Sean’s voice startled both men, catching them both unawares. He was freshly showered, his dirty blonde hair still slightly damp as he stood in front of them in the hallway, having only just caught the very last part of Butch and Red Dragon’s conversation.

(Red Dragon): Nothing, Sean-kun, I was just telling your uncle you’ll be alright for Havoc in your tag team match with Jeremy-san.

Sean’s eyes narrowed slightly as they flitted between his uncle and his sensei. He knew they had been talking about him and he had spent enough time in both men’s company to know when they weren’t being entirely truthful. He didn’t press it though; Sensei had this lesson planned for him and he wasn’t about to risk being given laps around the academy building for insubordination.

(Butch): I’m sorry we haven’t had much time to talk since Ring Master, Sean. I know you’ve been hurting but you can talk to me, you know that, right? I’m-

(Sean): -I’d rather not. Wouldn’t want you telling anybody else on the roster to take it easy on me, would I?

Butch’s expression dropped again; he looked crestfallen. Of course he found out.

(Butch): Sean, I didn’t mean-

(Sean): -No, it’s fine, just wrap me in cotton wool and try and shield me like you always do. I can handle myself just fine and if Stu wants to try and push my buttons, then it’s his funeral. Stop trying to protect me, you’re not my father!

Butch looked like he had just taken a dagger to the heart as Sean stormed off towards Red Dragon’s office. Red Dragon turned to Butch.

(Red Dragon): He did not mean that Butch-san, do not take it to heart. I will sort this, I promise my friend.

Butch didn’t even muster a verbal response; instead opting for a meek nod before turning and making his way to the exit of the Academy. As soon as he saw Butch disappear out of his eyeline, Red Dragon’s expression changed. For the first time since the Art of War Press Conference, he looked angry. He walked with purpose towards his office, walking through the door to find Sean standing, arms folded across his chest. Red Dragon stormed up to his student, uncharacteristically pointing in his face.

(Red Dragon): I am trying to help you, Sean-kun. I understand your hurt and your pain but your uncle? He is doing his best by you and you had no right to speak to him that way!

(Sean): He’s trying to control me, Sensei! Telling Price not to wind me up? Like I need protection from him? Like I can’t handle myself. He’s not my dad!

(Red Dragon): Jūbun! Enough! That man has raised you since before you could walk. He is your father and you will respect him and you will apologise for dishonouring him!

(Sean): You’re the closest thing I have to a father, Sensei! You’re the only one who ever believed in me, who listens to me, who’s watched out for me. Why do you think I went to Japan with you? I needed to get away from him, from being a Parker.

(Red Dragon): Sean-kun, your uncle has done nothing but be there for you your entire life and I will not have you disrespect him! Am I understood?

Sean went to speak again but Red Dragon cut him off, raising his voice.

(Red Dragon): Rikai dekimashita ka?!

Sean instantly and involuntarily felt his head lower, like a beta wolf being barked at by an alpha.

(Sean): Hai, Sensei…

Red Dragon placed his finger under Sean’s chin, tilting his chin up to look at him.

(Red Dragon): Sean-kun. I know you are angry… I know you are hurting… but you cannot let hurt and anger rule your heart. It almost did with James last year and you rose above it. You can do it again and I will help you. Let me help you.

Sean exhaled deeply through his nose.

(Sean): What did you have in mind?

Red Dragon guided Sean to his desk.

(Red Dragon): Take a seat.

Sean looked confused but did as his Sensei instructed, lowering himself into the seat in front of Red Dragon’s desk. The latter walked around and went into one of the drawers and pulled out a square piece of paper, placing it on the desktop and sliding it in front of Sean. He looked at the paper, his face still painted with an expression of confusion and then up to Red Dragon.

(Sean): I don’t understand, Sensei.

(Red Dragon): Do you remember the first thing you ever asked me, Sean-kun?

(Sean): To teach me karate.

Red Dragon nodded with a smile.

(Red Dragon): Hai. And what did I have you do to prove you had the patience to learn?

Sean’s realization set in, his mind instantly casting back over two decades to his first meeting with Sensei Kiriyama.

(Sean): The crane…

(Red Dragon): Hai. Learn to master this. Learn patience, to take your time, take a step back when things get hard. Show me you can do that… and I’ll know you’re ready for the final lesson. But before that, show me you remember what I taught you. Show me balance. Show me focus, Sean-kun.

Sean stared at the blank, square piece of paper for the longest time. He lifted his hands up. They were shaky at first. But soon, the muscle memory returned. His breath slowed. As he folded the paper meticulously along the lines as the bird began to take shape. The first fold was most important. Sean pulled the top corners inward, carefully matching them up to create the perfect triangle. He ran his thumb tip across the edges of the paper, the smooth, crisp sound of the paper’s creases collapsing created an instant calmness in him.

Quickly that fire and rage he had felt so prominently before started to burn out. Sean felt a sense of calm wash over him as the wings began to take shape, then the long slender neck and eventually the head. Sean cradled his creation in his hand, the perfect balance of delicate and sturdy.

(Red Dragon): Kanpeki. You are ready, Sean-kun.

(Sean): For what?

(Red Dragon): Your final lesson.

The scene faded to black.