Friendly Spar

Saturday Afternoon – Iron Fist Boxing Gym

Jason stood in front of the heavy bag, his hands wrapped tightly in black hand wraps, his knuckles already tingling with adrenaline. Today was the day. He had promised himself he wouldn't engage in street fights anymore — only in the ring, where it belonged. Today's spar would be his first real test since making that vow.

And he wanted his family to witness it.

"Yo, Jason, you ready?" Coach Morales called from across the gym.

Jason turned, exhaling slowly. "Yeah… more than ready."

As his family entered the gym, his father David immediately looked around, impressed by the gritty, hard-nosed atmosphere. The air smelled of sweat and blood — the soundtrack of fists hammering against bags and coaches shouting instructions filled the space.

"Wow," David muttered. "Reminds me of my college wrestling days."

Sophia didn't share the same enthusiasm. She winced slightly as she saw one guy get rocked with a hard uppercut in the ring. "Are you sure this is safe?" she whispered to David.

"It's controlled," David assured her. "It's a spar, not a street fight."

Emily, on the other hand, was wide-eyed with excitement. "Oh, this is gonna be fun."

Jason walked over to them, already bouncing lightly on his feet. His entire energy radiated uncontainable power. "Glad you guys made it."

"You sure about this, son?" Sophia asked nervously. "I mean… you don't have to do this to impress us."

Jason smiled. "I'm not doing it to impress you. I'm doing it because I need this."

David clapped his son's shoulder. "Go get 'em, kid."

---

Inside the Ring

Coach Morales approached Jason as he climbed into the ring. "Alright, listen up. I paired you with Mason today. He's one of our best. Five years of experience, fast hands, heavy shots. Don't get cocky."

Jason cracked his knuckles, eyes blazing with anticipation. "Got it, Coach."

Across the ring stood Mason — 6'2, lean but muscular, sharp eyes filled with confidence. He had seen Jason work the bag but never saw him spar. He expected to humble the new kid.

"Alright, gents," Coach called out. "Three rounds. Touch gloves."

Jason approached, his face calm but his body thrumming with violent energy. Mason smirked. "Hope you're ready, kid."

Jason simply smiled. You have no idea.

---

Round One – Unleashing the Monster

DING DING DING!

Mason immediately rushed forward, throwing a quick jab to test Jason's defense. Pop! Jason's head barely moved, his gloves absorbing the impact like it was nothing.

Fast… but not fast enough.

Mason circled, launching another combination. Jab, cross, hook — Jason weaved smoothly under the hook, his movement so precise it looked inhuman. His family watched in stunned silence.

"Holy crap…" Emily muttered.

Jason decided to test Mason. He stepped in, fast. Faster than Mason expected. A sharp, piston-like jab snapped Mason's head back, drawing a gasp from the crowd. Blood already trickled from Mason's nose.

"Whoa!" David blurted. "Did you see that?"

Mason snarled, now embarrassed. He lunged with a powerful right cross — Jason casually leaned back, the punch missing by millimeters. Before Mason could reset, CRACK! Jason's left hook detonated on Mason's jaw like a bomb.

Mason stumbled. He's too fast… too powerful.

Jason didn't let up. Boom-boom-boom! His punches came like rapid gunfire. A devastating body shot folded Mason in half, air escaping his lungs. Jason's killer instinct flared — he wanted to finish him.

But then he remembered his mother's worried face.

Control it… don't break him.

Jason stepped back, allowing Mason to regain composure. "Come on," Jason taunted softly. "Is that all you got?"

Mason's pride burned. He charged like a wild bull, throwing wild hooks. Jason parried one, ducked another, and then — BAM! — unleashed a piston uppercut that lifted Mason off his feet for a brief second.

The gym exploded.

"OH MY GOD!"

"He just lifted him off his feet with an uppercut!"

David's jaw dropped. "Holy… hell…"

Sophia looked like she was about to faint.

Mason collapsed to one knee, gasping, his eyes glazed. Jason stayed poised, his body screaming for him to finish it — but he didn't.

"Get up," Jason commanded. "I'm not done with you."

Mason's pride forced him to his feet. This kid's a monster, he realized.

---

Round Two – Breaking Mason

The bell rang again. This time, Mason came out cautious. His nose was broken, his ribs screamed in pain, and his pride was hanging by a thread.

Jason slowly advanced like a predator, his eyes cold and detached. Stay controlled…

Mason threw a quick jab. Jason didn't even flinch — he weaved it effortlessly, stepping in and driving a thunderous right hook into Mason's ribs. CRACK! Mason stumbled, his entire body shuddering from the impact.

"Jesus Christ…" David whispered.

Jason didn't relent. Boom! Boom! Boom! Left hook, right cross, another body shot. Every blow sounded like a gunshot, drawing gasps from the crowd. Mason was helpless.

End it.

Jason snapped a brutal right uppercut into Mason's chin, snapping his head back violently. Mason's body crumpled like a ragdoll.

THUD.

Dead silence filled the gym.

Coach Morales instantly stepped in, waving it off. "THAT'S IT! THAT'S IT!"

Jason backed up, breathing heavily. His hands still burned with the urge to do more damage — but he forced himself to step back. His family's eyes were glued on him, frozen in disbelief.

Mason groaned, barely conscious on the mat.

Coach approached Jason. "Jesus Christ, kid. Where the hell did you learn to hit like that?"

Jason just smiled softly. "Practice."

---

Post-Fight Aftermath

As Jason climbed out of the ring, his family swarmed him.

"Holy hell, son," David blurted. "That was insane."

Emily's eyes were practically glowing. "Dude! You made him levitate with that uppercut!"

Sophia, on the other hand, looked pale. "…Is he okay?"

Jason glanced at Mason, who was slowly getting up, clearly rattled. "Yeah. He'll be fine."

"Jason…" Sophia grabbed his arm. "That was… brutal. I don't know how I feel about this."

Jason softened. "I promise, Mom. I'll keep it in the ring. Nothing outside of it — unless it's necessary."

David clapped his son's back. "Kid… you're something else. You keep training like that, you'll be champion in no time."

Jason smiled faintly. "That's the plan."

As they walked toward the exit, Jason caught Mason's eye. Despite the swollen face and split lip, Mason nodded respectfully. "You're a beast, man. I… respect that."

Jason smiled. "Thanks. I'll see you next time."

As they left the gym, David looked at his son in a new light. "You know… if you ever do go pro — the world's not ready for you, kid."

Jason smirked. "They'll have to be."