Chapter 2: Roanpur Fight Club
Roanapur wasn't a city with any kinds of self defense classes, but that didn't really matter. As long as you had enough money, anyone was willing to teach you some moves, or beat the shit out of you, same difference really. Rock had some time off, so he decided to go looking for an instructor/sparring partner. Most knowing who he was, weren't willing to engage him in any kind of confrontation. Last thing they needed was a new asshole courtesy of Two Hands. Still, he was never one to give up.
"Why the hell dontcha ya get one of yer co-workers to teach ya how to fight?" a bulky Caucasian man asked. He was around Benny's height, looked to be in his mid to late 30s, with a buzzed haircut, with slight facial hair coming in. He wore blue jeans and a white tank top, most likely due to the crazy heat. "Your captain is ex-military I hear, and god knows Two Hands knows a thing or two about brawling."
"Yes, that's very true," Rock agreed. "However, you may be familiar with Revy's…more than colorful personality…"
The man just stood there for a moment, crossed his arms, and arched an eyebrow, and gave a sly grin, seeming to get at what he was saying.
"I figured it would be a lot easier to learn from some outside sources," Rock went on. "I've heard things about your skills around town, plus I've seen you get into a few skirmishes and hold your own quite well. I haven't had much luck finding an instructor."
"I ain't exactly a black belt or anything, kid," the man chuckled.
"I don't think that's important," retorted Rock. "Places like this, knowing how to throw a punch and dodge quickly are a bit more important. At least, starting out. And I am willing to pay you, of course."
"How ya gonna explain the bruises and shit?" he asked.
"Place like this," Rock began with a coy smile. "Pretty sure muggings are nothing new."
"Fair point," he said. "Guess fifty a lesson should do me fine."
"Very good," exclaimed Rock, reaching out his hand to his new instructor. "My name's Rock."
"Name's Filo," he shook back, smacking his hand hard into rocks and gripping it tight. "Be prepared, kid, I won't go easy on ya."
"I don't expect you to," Rock said with a reluctant smile. "This is gonna be interesting…"
"So, when should we start?" asked Filo.
"Well, this all depends on what day's I'm free," replied Rock. "Do you have anything going on today?"
"Guess not," Filo replied. "I know a place we can duke it out."
Rock followed Filo to what appeared to be an abandoned warehouse. While it certainly wasn't being used for any kind of business or storage, it was occupied by dozens of shirtless men beating the shit out of each other.
"What is this, Fight Club?" Rock asked.
"HA!" Filo laughed. "Somethin' like that! Cept we encourage folks to talk about it as much as possible!"
"Cost anything to join?" asked Rock.
"Course not," replied Filo. "But ya ain't payin' them to teach ya how to fight."
"YO, FILO!" a Hispanic man shouted enthusiastically, despite blood smeared on his face. He was lankier than Filo, but around the same height, and longer hair. "Haven't seen ya in a few days! Back in tip top shape?"
"Ya know it!" exclaimed Filo, slapping hands together. "Got ourselves a new member. This here's Rock. Rock, this here's Jimmy.
"Nice to meet you," said Rock.
"Likewise," Jimmy replied, giving rock a hard slapping handshake. Then he looked at him for a moment. "Hey, Filo, ain't this the Jap that hangs out with Two Hands!?"
"Relax, Jimmy," assured Filo. "Kid's payin' me to teach him some moves. Sides, once he loses the shirt and tie, I doubt anyone here will recognize him."
"Lose my shirt and tie?" Rock asked in confusion.
"No shirt, no shoes, no ass whoopin'!" exclaimed Filo. "Plus, wearin' a tie is just askin' yerself to get strangled."
"Fair point," Rock sighed, and began removing his tie, shirt, undershirt, and shoes. While he had put on a bit of muscle from heavy lifting, he was still what you'd call scrawny. Jimmy burst out laughing just looking at him.
"Jesus Christ, Filo!" exclaimed Jimmy. "This fuckin' scrawny runt won't last a round in there!"
"Hey, like you said, he hangs out with Two Hands," said Filo. "I'm sure he's already learned a few things!"
"No fuckin' way, man!" Jimmy continued to chuckle.
"Wanna make a bet on that?" asked Filo.
"What did you have in mind?" asked Jimmy, with curious look.
"Simple bet on how long he lasts," explained Filo. "I bet fifty he makes it three rounds before passing out or tappin' out."
"Gotta a lot of faith in this 'student' of yours," chuckled Jimmy. "I'm still goin' with he falls in the first round."
"Deal!" Filo and Jimmy said in unison, shaking on it. Rock had no idea what he was going to do. Filo then put his arm around Rock's shoulder to take him aside for a moment.
"It's real simple, Rocky," Filo began. "Two guys per fght, no shirt, no shoes, anything goes, cept for killin'! Get enough of that shit outside. Each round last till one of ya taps out, or ya go unconscious. Ye get about half an hour in between fights to gain a bit of composure."
"You really expect me to last three rounds against you on my first fight?" asked Rock.
"Ya ain't gonna be figntin' me, Rocky!" chuckled Filo. "Ya definitely ain't ready fer that!"
"Then, how exactly am I supposed to be learning anything from you?" asked Rock, seriously confused at this point.
"Think of me like the old guy from them boxin' movies," explained Filo. I'll shout out moves to go with while yer fightin' out there."
"I'm not gonna be fighting some giant am I!?" Rock panicked.
"Giant or not, they're gonna be better fighters from the get go," retorted Filo. "Ya ever been in a real fight?"
"Well…not exactly," said Rock. This was definitely true. He'd been hit plenty of times (these days in particular by Revy), but he'd never really done much real back and forth fighting.
"Relax," exclaimed Filo, giving Rock an enthusiastic slap on the back. "Just keep yer ears open to my instructions and you'll do fine."
While Rock appreciated the enthusiasm from his 'teacher,' he wasn't exactly excited by how he was going about it. But, he had to do what he had to do.
"Ok, let's do this," said Rock.
"That's the spirit, Rocky!" exclaimed Filo. "Oh, and, hope ya don't mind the nickname."
"Nah, it's fine," said Rock. It wasn't much different from Revy calling him Rocky Baby, something he wasn't going to admit he liked.
Rock and Filo walked over to some nearby brawls going on. It was surprisingly organized for a warehouse full of what were most certainly criminals. While there was more than one fight going on, they kept to only two per fight, with everyone making sure there was adequate space for the brawlers to duke it out. It was a hodgepodge of sparring partners: scrawny guys fighting big guys (with a mix of either winning), tall fighting short, some even missing eyes and limbs. It was unreal to him. Filo took him to a circle, where a big guy was definitely winning his matches. He was someone of Asian descent, taller than rock, broad shouldered, muscular, flat topped. His latest opponent being taken out by knockout.
"He should do," grinned Filo.
"Him!?" exclaimed Rock. "He's twice my size!"
"He's clearly been fightin' a while today," replied Filo. "Won't be in top form, perfect for a beginner like you!"
"I'm beginning to think this wasn't worth it," Rock thought, making Filo burst out laughing.
"Yer funny, Rocky!" exclaimed Filo. "Come on, let's get ya some bloody bruices! If yer real lucky, maybe even some fractures!"
"Fractures!?" Rock exclaimed.
"They heal back stronger that way!" Filo winked.
They approached the circle.
"Who else wants some!?" the winner shouted.
"I got someone fer ya, Rodel!" exclaimed Filo.
"Ya want another ass whooping, Filo!?" Rodel exclaimed.
"Not me today," exclaimed Filo. "My new pupil!" he yanked Rock to his side and grinned wide. There was a bit of silence in the room for a few seconds, then there were loud bursts of laughter. Rock had a look of annoyance on his face. Plus side, Filo was right, without his shirt and tie nobody seemed to recognize him. No special treatment, which is what he wanted…he supposed.
"That scrawny little shit!?" exclaimed Rodel, holding his sides. "You outta your fuckin' mind, Filo!? I think you've had too many punches to your head!"
"He may not look it, but this scrawny little shit will fight like a cornered dog!" exclaimed Filo. Rock felt he was overselling him by miles!
"No fuckin' way, Filo!" Rodel exclaimed. "I know the rules, and I ain't sending some scrawny newbie to the morgue! Today anyway!"
"What's the matter, afraid you can't take me?" Rock suddenly chimed in, giving his best tough guy look. While it was certainly suicidal on his part to egg this guy on, but he wanted to get started before nightfall. Everyone else in the area let out some ooh's at Rock's taunt, he figured this guy wouldn't appreciate his manhood being tested.
"Alright, fine!" Exclaimed Rodel, Rock's taunting worked. "Let's get this shit over with!"
Rock and Rodel made their way into the fight circle, it was still fresh with blood splatter.
"So, how do we begin?" asked Rock.
"Like this!" exclaimed Rodel, punching him square in the face. Rock went flying back, some guys caught him and pushed him back towards his opponent. Rodel, followed with a bunch straight to the gut, enough for Rock to cough out a little blood.
"Listen, scrawny, you got balls, I'll give you that," said Rodel. "But, you ain't got a chance in hell against me. Gonna give ya a chance to tap out now."
"Don't let him fuck with ya, kid!" shouted Filo.
Rock isn't sure how long he remained silent, he was breathing heavily at this point. He was pretty sure he had a cracked rib (which, if Filo was correct, would make them heal and become stronger). He finally stood back up, spat out some blood, cracked his shoulders, and clenched his fists real tight.
"That all ya fuckin' got!?" Rock shouted, grinning like an idiot. "Cuz I was just testing ya! Gotta say, I ain't impressed!"
Everyone else surrounding the circle cheered Rock on with glee. Rodel's blood was boiling now, he flung forward with another punch.
"DUCK!" shouted Filo. "Then hit him as hard as ya can in the ribs!"
Rock took his teachers advice, while it wasn't a hard punch, he clearly made a bit of impact.
"NOW STOMP HIS FOOT!"
Rock made another contact, the toes being more tender this one had more of a reaction. Rodel cried out, grabbed Rock by the head and butted heads with him. Of course, most don't win in a headbutt, so it wasn't pleasant for either.
"KICK THE SHIN!"
The fight went on for a few more minutes, neither showing signs of giving up. Finally, Rock managed to leap onto Rodel's back and put a choke hold on him. Rodel decided to tap out instead getting knocked out.
"OK, FUCKIN' OK!" Rodel shouted. "YOU WIN THIS ROUND, SCRAWNY!"
Rock released his grip on his opponent, rolled off him, and fell flat on his back, panting heavily. The crowed roared with excitement. Filo knelt down to Rock to congratulate him.
"Awesome job, Rocky!" exclaimed Filo. You were fuckin' incredible!"
"Ya…really…think so?" asked Rock, between sighs.
"Absolutely!" exclaimed Filo. "For a first fight, it ain't half bad. And now, Jimmy owes me some money!"
"Fuck I do!" exclaimed Jimmy. "You said three rounds! It's only been his first!"
"Think you can go another round with Rodel?" asked Filo.
"Only if he's up for it," grinned Rock.
"Whaddya say, Rodel!?" exclaimed Filo.
"Fuckin' A right!?" exclaimed Rodel. "But first…I need a fuckin' break!"
"Sure thing!" chuckled Filo. "We'll get back to the fight in half an hour."
Filo took Rock to a nearby bench to sit for a bit. He then splashed a whole bucket of water on him, causing him to shiver.
"What the fuck!?" exclaimed Rock.
"Don't wantcha passin' out before your next round, Scrawny," chuckled Filo. "I think that nickname fits ya a bit better."
"Gee, thanks," said Rock, clearly annoyed.
"Gotta say, Scrawny, I'm mighty impressed," exclaimed Jimmy, walking over. "I knew Filo had an eye for talent, but I never woulda guessed a little shit like you would put up such a fight on his first round!"
"Thanks a lot, Jimmy," said Rock, grinning with a little embarrassment. "Filo was definitely a big help out there."
"And I'll keep on helping ya, Scrawny," Filo said with a big smile.
"No fuckin' way he's gonna last this next round," said Jimmy. "He's a rookie, and Rodel was already tired out from his previous bouts."
"Then I guess we'll have to raise the stakes," grinned Filo.
"Oh, fucking great," sighed Rock.
Before the second round, people began making bets on if Rock would make it past a second round with Rodel. More had faith in him then he expected. "This is fucking insane! Revy and the others wouldn't believe this!" Finally, the second round was about to begin.
"Now that I know what your made of, Scrawny, I won't be goin' easy on your tiny ass," chuckled Rodel.
"Maybe you shouldn't be focusing on my ass, Rodel," Rock retorted, causing Rodel to laugh.
The two began to fight again.
AN: Ok, this seems like a good place to end this chapter. I hope you like some of the characters I introduced. And yes, this is still a romance story at its core, just gotta be patient. Also, in case it wasn't obvious, Italics typically mean something is thinking internally.
