"Watch your hook, Mac!" Aran called as he dodged the teenagers punches. Mac threw a quick jab before throwing another hook, but the movement caused him to jerk his body further than he wanted, thus leading him to tire himself out even more than he already was. He groaned in tired frustration as he leaned over the ropes and regained himself to try again. Training was meant to be one of his favorite parts of the day. Mac was meant to enjoy training, just like he had every day beforehand. But he couldn't, and all because of Dean's words ruminating in his head.

"Most of the guys are just...like that...they have a one track mind...it's nothing new"

It was wrong. It wasn't true. Dean didn't know. Dean was just mad about Mac asking him to come on Friday night. Like "How dare he ask me to come!" The Cheek! The Absolute Cheek! To say that this bothered Mac was an understatement. Frustration boiled in the Teens mind and looked like the lid of release would pop off at any point. After a few smacks to his own head, he finally got back into a comfortable groove. However, his opponent was noticing the signs of frustration, and, as most people knew, if there was a pot, Aran was going to stir it. With a snicker, he began throwing a few light punches in between making conversation, "What's up wit' ya?" He asked. Mac didn't respond. The teen seemed dead focused on throwing punches. This would be typical Mac behavior for Aran but he knew something was up so he asked again"Oi, shithead, what's ya bloody problem?"

"Nothing" Mac finally groaned in response, Aran wasn't convinced "It's obviously something!" He said, "Yer throwing wayward punches left 'n right!"

"Nothing is wrong, Aran," Mac said firmly as he threw a quick jab, "Can we just focus on this, please?", "Nah, lad" Aran replied, dodging the lunch and throwing a few hooks of his own, "Yer acting up! C'mon ye can tell ol' Aran, eh?"

Mac paused before shaking his head, "You tell no one of this, ya got me?" He demanded. The Irish man gave a small nod and a coy smile. He didn't trust it but he was as good as he was gonna get. Mac sighed "My friend..." He trailed off, trying to think of a lie, "...um...Gene..." Nice one "...I've been offering him to come to my fights since I've known him but the stubborn bastard won't budge..."

"That's it?" Aran asked, a little disappointed, expecting something more. Though it clearly meant a lot to the boy as Mac scowled at him. Aran chuckled nervously, "...Sorry, I mean...how come?", "I don't really know...I know it had something to do with his dad dying here..." Mac explained.

"His dad died here?" Aran asked

Mac nodded "Yeah, though he won't tell me exactly what happened" he lied. Mac knew the cause, though he didn't dare elaborate for Dean's own safety.

"Ah, is 'at right?

"Yeah, and it's pissing me off!" Mac yelled, throwing a variety of punches towards Aran. "I ask him nicely each time, I tell him it's all expenses paid, yet each and every time he says No!" A few more wild punches were thrown amidst Mac's fury. For once, Aran was struggling to dodge them. "He says that The guys here would force him to get in the ring!"

"O-okay Mac, watch it" Aran said, as his sides were met with furious hooks. Usually Aran could handle it, but at this point they were becoming more painful by the second. More than he was used to.

Mac gripped his hair furiously and began to advance towards Aran, with more furious punches in tow. "I ask him why, he never specifies WHY, just 'Oh it brings me unpleasant memories!' If he just told me WHY it did then I could understand his position better!"

"Oi Mac! S-slow it down!" Aran protested as his stomach was met with various hooks and jabs. The teens power began to increase, as did the power behind his punches. "I could help him! I could get him through it!" Aran was getting pushed further back into his corner, unable to fend off the hits much longer "MAC! CUT IT OUT!" He screamed, but the Teen boy's fury overpowered his cries. "BUT HE JUST WON'T TELL ME!!" Mac screamed. In his fury he coiled his arm back, as it did, the infamous blue light of the star punch began to emit itself from Mac's fist.

Without a second thought, Mac's fist flew towards Aran's body and blew him backwards, sending the stunned Irish man flying off the mat and into the ropes. His body twisted and tangled amongst the many ropes until he was barely able to move. After shaking himself from his stunned state, Aran tried to wriggle himself free from the grasp, but to no avail. Mac's furious veil soon came undone as he saw what he had done. "OH SHIT!" he cried, dashing to the Irish man's side and trying his best to help him out. "FECKIN' HELL! LOOK WHAT YA DID, MAC!" Aran screamed in what sounded like a mix of fear and anger.

"I'm sorry! Hang on, I'll get you out!" Mac replied, gently trying to move the ropes around Aran's body. Unfortunately, it wasn't doing much as instead it kept tugging on Aran's skin and causing them to become tighter. "M-Macky!" Aran cried, a gurgling noise emitting from his throat, "Stop t-tuggin' 'at one! I...I can't breathe!" he said. Mac then realized that the rope he was pulling on was wrapped tightly around Aran's neck. This had become too delicate a process for Mac to deal with, but he couldn't leave Aran in there to dangle. So he tried again, this time pulling on a rope around his foot. He managed to only get the rope barely loose when he felt a strong hand yank him out of the way.

"OW! What the f-" Mac started, quickly stopping when his eyes were met with the furious gaze of Bald Bull. "YOLDAN ÇEKIL!" His voice boomed, Mac had no clue what it meant, but seeing as Bull was practically blood red in the face, he didn't wish to question it. Mac dashed to the side and watched as Bull went in to remove Aran from the ropes. He muttered something in Turkish under his breath, and though Mac couldn't understand it, he was certain it was about him. It was then that Mac had noticed a few of the other boxers had clamored around to see the situation unfold, Kaiser and Hugger rushing to help Bull from the outside.

Before long, Mac's trainer finally appeared to see what was happening. Shocked couldn't begin to describe the look on Doc's face as he approached the ring. "Son..." Doc started, looking at Mac, "...What...what did you do?" Mac was taken aback by that. Of all people to get on his case about this, Doc was the last he expected. Mac began to splutter with an answer, "N-nothing! I mean...not on purpose anyways but-"

"Little Mac Reckless!" Bull shouted, interrupting Mac, "Your moves is not good for ring!" He continued. His English was a bit broken, but Mac was able to see he had fucked up big time. Mac felt his heart sink as he saw the angry boxer undo another rope, "I-I'm sor-", "Mac! Mais qu'est-ce que tu avais en tête?" A voice called. Turning around he could see Glass Joe staring with a disappointed and frustrated look, "How on earth could you be so careless?!" he yelled, "Knocking Aran into the ropes that way! You could've hurt him!"

"He DID hurt me" Aran said, "But it's alright, I can ha-", "Shush!" Bull said, yanking another rope free from around Aran's leg.

"Little Mac needs to control strength" Soda explained, "This could have been worse than last time"

"Don't remind me" Doc grumbled.

"He didn't mean it," Hugger piped up, turning everyone's attention to the trio by Aran, "He would never mean to hurt Aran...not outside of matches anyhow", "Ja, sehr richtig" Kaiser added, "Little Mac vould never actively hurt someone unless he needs to, right Mac?"

"Of course I wouldn't! You know I wouldn't!" Mac protested as he slid out from the ring, trying to reason with the boxers. However, very few seemed actually convinced. With the exception of Kaiser and Hugger, most of the disapproval came from most of the older crowd. Especially from Doc, of all people.

"Ah, Leave 'im alone ya plungers! I'm fine!" Aran yelled, trying to get the heat off of Mac, "He's just upset about 'is mate! Nothin' to get yer knickers in a twist over!", "Does not excuse the fact he did it'' Great Tiger said, "Some consequence must be given, I say a loss of Boxing privileges for the rest of the afternoon."

"WHAT!?" Mac yelled, by the way he reacted you would've believed someone had fired him, but it felt the exact same. "It'll just be for today, Mac" Hondo explained. His explanation did very little to ease the teens mind however as Mac's face grew angrier. "Come on! I didn't mean it!" he protested. However, most of the boxers were in agreement with Tiger's idea. Doc pushed his way to Mac and held out his hand, "Hand 'em over, Mac" he said. Mac's face grew in frustration, he turned his eyes up to look at Doc, in complete disbelief. But Doc's face was stern, and unmoving, he simply gestured for Mac to take his gloves off with a flick of his fingers. Eventually, the boy caved in. In a fit of rage, he ripped his gloves off his hand and threw them at the older man, stomping out of the training area, but not before giving them all a "FUCK YOU ALL!" as he stormed off. The door slammed shut and Doc simply shook his head as he looked at the gloves. He looked to the gangly man in the ropes and Aran's disapproving stare. Even if he was just dangling there he could feel the disappointment coming off of Aran immensely. I should've handled that better...I shouldn't have questioned him. I know he wouldn't ever...This isn't the past anymore...this isn't...it isn't... Doc's thought's trailed off into nothing as he turned his gaze back to the gloves. Only to have it be broken only a second later.

"The hell was that!?", The group had now turned their attention to Disco kid, "You heard him say over and over again he didn't mean it and you STILL got all over his ass as if he caused the plague!", "You don't understand what he did, it carries a lot more weight than you think" Joe explained. Disco had to snarl at that, "I'm sure it does, but you know he wouldn't ever try and hurt someone on purpose! Even if it is Aran!", "Thanks, Devon, really appreciate it" Aran replied bluntly from still in the ropes.

"Disco is right" Doc spoke, "That should've been handled a lot better...especially by me" "Jerome-" Joe went to speak, but a hand by Doc hushed him. "I should've been less harsh on him but...I guess I was caught up in the moment" the older man confessed. The room was full of quiet murmurs before Sandman's voice boomed, "WHAT ARE YOU ALL STANDING AROUND FOR?" Even when he was just 'speaking' his voice still managed to shake the room. "GET BACK TO IT!" he demanded, besides the group helping Aran, the rest of the crowd began to disperse. Only Doc and Sandy remained. "Doc," Sandman started, in his calmer low tone, "I'll handle training for now, I think you need to go talk to Mac." Doc nodded in agreement. "Alright, you all get back to what you were doing...I...I need to go find my boy" he explained. The older man made his way towards the exit. Sandy only sighed as he heard the Twang! of the final rope come undone and Aran's yelp as he fell onto the floor.

"I'm okay!...I think..." he muttered.

------------------------------

Finally being home after a long day wasn't as worth it as one would think. In Dean's case it just made him feel worse. Probably didn't help that Giovanni sent him to do the dishes straight after dinner. It was the worst. Another cup clinked against the dish rack as Dean wiped off the remaining suds. He sighed as he saw his reflection in the water. It gazed at him with pitiful eyes. "What're you looking at?" Dean said to the reflection as he tossed another cup in the sink. The boy pondered about the conversation with Mac. He might've been a bit too harsh there with his delivery, but how many times can you say 'No' before it gets old? For Dean, it had been way too many times to count. Just as he finished scrubbing the last cup, happy murmurs came from the living room. He placed the cloth down on the bench and peaked his head around the corner, looking at Giovanni, his wife, Aria and their children, Luna and Luca. Giovanni was by himself on a small couch, Aria was sitting just on the side arm, and the two kids sat on the floor, eyeing the screen in anticipation. They were watching one of the WVBA matches that aired tonight, Hoy Quarlow VS Narcis Prince.

Dean had never met them but according to Mac, they were apparently a part of a secondary bracket of boxers. He had no real interest in them however, besides Dragon Chan, they all seemed pretty standard, and frankly kinda rude. Especially that Mad Clown guy. Giovanni didn't like him at all. In any case, Dean was more focused on the primary Bracket. The bracket he knew. The bracket that he and Giovanni had known since Dean was 3. The bracket he had known all his life...No...no thinking about it now. Just...keep looking forward...do your best.

Turning his head, Giovanni noticed the boy standing just behind the wall. "Mio figlio, come sit" he called, "I need to ask you something." Dean made his way over to the couch and sat down next to Giovanni. "I heard your-a conversation with Mac" he said, Dean gave a guilty chuckle as he turned his gaze away, "Ya did, huh?...Well what did ya hear?"

"Oh just something about a ticket, and you not wanting to go" Giovanni replied, gently placing his hand on Dean's shoulder, "My boy, why do you not want to go?", "Oh come on, G! You already know why" Dean said firmly. "I don't think I could go back in and stomach everything like it never happened...just the vibe of that place is..." he trailed off, looking at the TV. On screen, Hoy Quarlow was standing proud as Narcis lay on the canvas, with the referee counting down. He sighed, recollecting himself, "...and in anycase, what will the guys say when I go back? They haven't seen me in 10 years! What if they hate me for running away from them?"

"You stop that right now" Aria piped in, leaning past Giovanni and putting a hand on Dean's face. She smiled and cupped his face in her hands. "Those boys care about you, they would never think any less of you for taking time for yourself", she said, Dean shook his head as he placed his hand on hers and pressed it against his face, "I don't know," he said. Giovanni thought to himself, looking at the boy as he pondered about his situation. So many hurtful memories flooded that boy's mind. He didn't deserve it. He was only 9 when it happened. Far too young to have to deal with that, and live with the burden for 10 years.

Suddenly, an idea popped into Giovanni's head. He turned to the boy and smiled as he took Dean's hand, "I'll tell you what," he said, "Tomorrow we can go to the WVBA, together"

"What!?" Dean yelled, visibly distressed at the idea. Aria looked at her husband, "Mi amore, how will that-", "Uh uh uh, hang on a second" Giovanni interrupted, "We'll go to the WVBA, but we'll dress you up so that they don't recognize you!"

"And Lie to them?" Dean said, taken aback by the idea, "I mean-", "We tackle it head on, like-a ripping off a bandaid!"

"Y-yeah but-"

"Come on now, we can give it a try" Giovanni said softly, "We'll go when all the boys are training, so we don't risk anyone seeing you! We can just browse the pictures, don't even need to stay for long, just get you in and let the fear just....go." Dean looked at Giovanni with worried eyes, "I mean..." he began, slowly trailing off. Giovanni shuffled closer and brought both hands onto Dean's shoulders. "Mio figlioccio," he began, "I promise you, I will keep your identity hidden. No one will know it's you...I'll keep you safe, I promise...just like I promised your dad"

It took a while for Dean to respond, but after a bit he sighed and smiled. "Okay then," he said, "I'll go", "Eccellente! We'll leave for the WVBA tomorrow! 4 o'clock sharp!" Giovanni said with a smile, gripping Dean tightly and pulling him into a hug. Both laughed as they returned each other's embrace, Giovanni giving Dean a firm pat on the shoulder as the two turned to face the TV once again. Dean had to chuckle as the ref called TKO on Narcis Prince. How an old man won against an opponent in his early 20's was beyond him. He wondered if he'd meet this man tomorrow...probably better if he didn't.

------------------------

"Mac!" Doc called, finding the boy sitting on the steps just outside the WVBA. Mac didn't even turn his head, his gaze was fixed on the ground, angrily. Doc sighed as he slowly approached the boy, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder, "Mac-", "Piss off" Mac replied, shoving Doc's hand off his shoulder. "I ain't in the mood, Doc" Mac growled. How could the man that he trusted get on his case for something he never intended on doing, and then walk up as if nothing happened? Did he think he wasn't gonna resent him for that? Childish as it was, he had every right to be pissed. Doc sighed, "I...I know, I'm sorry, son" he said, taking a seat next to the boy. "I shouldn't have been as harsh on ya, but..." the man began, looking behind him to the building, "...I suppose I was caught up in the moment...you could've killed Aran..."

"Doc, come on! Why on earth would I try to do that!? As annoying as he gets, I would never hurt Aran that way!"

"I know but..." he trailed off, looking intently at his hands, "...have I ever told you how we lost Quickie?"

Mac looked up from the ground and stared at the man with curiosity, "...No...I don't think you have...", "Well...the night it happened...everyone was so shaken from it" Doc explained, "and I mean EVERYONE...even Bull", "Really?" Mac asked, surprised. He didn't realize the impact of his death was THAT big. "Yeah...it was...it was pretty bad" Doc continued.

-------(FLASHBACK)-------

July 2nd, 1987

That night, it was Quickie against a rookie fighter from somewhere in New York. All of us boys were in the locker room, freshening up from training or a previous match. Everything was fine...until...

"WHAT'S GOING ON- KID QUICK HAS BEEN CAUGHT IN THE ROPES! KNOCKED IN BY HIS OPPONENT!" A shrill cry was heard from the locker room TV. It was usually used to give the boxers their cue to go to the ring, but tonight it was used to show the most graphic sight any of the boys would see. All heads turned to see Kid Quick dangling in the ropes. Each rope wrapped around him, his limbs strewn about in positions not thought to be possible. "SACRÉ BLEU! QUICK!" Joey screamed. Soon, all boxers had been flung into a panic, bolting out of the locker room and towards the ring entrance.

We dashed as fast as we could. Every passing second his screams grow louder. The only coherent words I could hear from him?

"I CAN'T BREATHE! I-I CA-A-AN'T BRE...EA..TH.EE"

Security tried to hold us back, but they couldn't block us from what was happening. A Pale white face, flailing legs and a young boy trying to climb into the ring. Crying out for his father as he was being dragged back by an older man. And then...just like that...silence...

'

The ring fell into shocked murmurs and quiet cries. The commentators fell into silence. The Referee stood in shock. Quickie's opponent? Backing slowly out of the ring and trying to look for the closest exit. The other boxers stood in the ring entrance, mouths agape, eyes tearing up from shock. Unable to form coherent words. The only sound that came from the entrance were the cries of anguish from Joey as he collapsed to the ground.

We all went back to the locker room. Everyone on edge...waiting for an answer...something to give us hope...but what we got were the words we all dreaded hearing...

"Kid Quick...has died..."

-----(BACK TO PRESENT)-----

"After that, nothing was the same," Doc went on, "Plenty of the big names in the business left...a rookie with potential gone before he even started...and plenty of us...still grieving", "...Oh geez, Doc I'm sorry I never knew..." Mac began, but a gentle hand was placed in front of him to hush him, "You don't need to apologize for anything" Doc said. The older man sighed and shook his head, "But now you understand everyone's frustration...I hope at least" he said softly, "Losing Jordan like that was horrible enough...I don't think we could lose another the same way...considering how much we lost because of it I-"

"-You couldn't bare to go through that all again..." Mac interjected, turning his whole body to face Doc, "I get it now..." he continued. Doc smiled, "Well...I'm...glad then...and again, I'm sorry about how I reacted...it wasn't fair on you..." he said, "...Look tomorrow, we'll put this all behind us and focus on Friday, yeah?"

"I think that'd be great," Mac replied. Both smiled at each other and stood up as Mac's phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out to see a message from his mother, reading:

Hey Hun! Cya at home by 7, yeah?

Mac smiled, "Mom wants me home, I better scoot", "Of course, Mac" Doc said, "See you tomorrow after school, yeah?", "You know it!" Mac replied, happily. He picked his bag off the ground and slung it over his shoulder, beginning to walk off until a thought popped into his head. A small...yet important thought. "Hey, Doc?" he began, Doc hummed in response. "How come you don't talk about Quickie more often?" he asked, "It seems like you two got along really well...I'm surprised you don't-"

"I'm gonna stop you right there, Mac Baby..." Doc said, sternly. Great, he had pissed him off AGAIN. Doc looked down and sighed, "...Most of my memories with Quickie are...well...it just hurts to talk about him...too many painful memories"

Gosh didn't that sound familiar? Why was that the only answer people ever gave when he asked them those questions? But Mac only gave a defeated sigh and nod in response, "Ok then Doc," he said, disappointed, "Well I'll see you then", "See ya, Mac baby" Doc replied as he waved the boy off.

As Mac disappeared out of sight, Doc sighed and wiped at his eye with his palm. "What are we gonna do, Jordan?" he asked quietly, turning his gaze upwards to the skies.

Hours passed and 10 o'clock struck New York's bright, sunset skies slowly disappeared as they were blanketed underneath the dark blanket of night. Stars dotting the skies and providing a small glow as the moon gazed over the now sleeping city. Well...almost. Mac laid in his bed, staring at the ceiling. Posters of the WVBA hung above, old generations and new. They were all so happy. Every single one of them. Even grumps like Bald Bull knew how to smile at least. So why was that so different now? Why was everyone on edge?

Well, tomorrow, Mac will get the answer he wanted. But for now, sleep. After everything today...he definitely needed it.