9 Free Man

As five years have passed and a few things have changed. Frank retired from coaching. Isaiah Cross became heavyweight champion. William was living out his dream as a fighter. And Leo continued fighting in prison until he served his full sentence.

As the young man packs up his belongings in his cell, he thinks about everything that was taken from him. His youth, his career, his dream. He lets out a sigh and turns to the old man that has helped him all these years.

"Now, don't get all soft on me, youngblood. You're free now. Go enjoy yourself." The old man tells him.

The two share a hug and Leo walks out of the cell, as a tear falls down the old man's face.

"I'm gonna miss that boy." He says to himself.

When Leo walks outside, he breathes in the fresh air for the first time in five years. A question that almost scared him then popped up in his mind.

"Now what?"

A few days later, Leo starts the job that William got him as assistant trainer. As William is training with a fighter named Mike Huston, Huston throws a kick after the bell that William avoids. Leo then gets into the ring to calm down his brother.

"Huston, listen for the bell, man." Leo says.

Huston smirks.

"Relax. Jail bird."

Leo let's out a sigh and checks on William.

"That's what I love to see." A familiar voice says.

Leo turns around and sees Sunny Morgan with the same cop who set him up and nose he broke all those years ago.

"A brother taking care of his brother. Welcome back, Leo. It's good to see you." Morgan says with a smile.

Leo doesn't say a word and just stares at Sunny and the cop.

"Hey, Mr. Morgan." William says, breaking the tension.

"William. Leo, you remember Mr. Cato, right?"

Leo and Cato scowl at each other.

"Leo." Cato finally says.

"Mr. Cato has retired from the force. He works for me now."

Leo smirks.

"Must be a big change for you. How's the nose doing, by the way?"

Cato gets visibly annoyed by Leo's comment.

"I hope you learned to stay out of trouble."

Morgan puts his hand on Cato's shoulder to calm him down.

"He's learned his lesson. Now Leo. I'm sorry about the ways things worked out for you. But, I've been taking good care of Raymond while you were gone. We can't afford any disruptions. I hope we can count on you to help your brother."

Leo stays silent for a moment, then looks at Morgan.

"I will always do what's best for my family."

Morgan smiles and leaves, as Leo continues with Williams training.

Later as Leo watches William train, he thinks to himself that it was good just being back in a gym and seeing his little brother living out his dream. He then looks over and sees Danielle Morgan punching a heavy bag, with short shorts and a tank top on and thinks that it's really good to be back in a gym.

After William leaves for a break, Leo walks over to Danielle.

"Put your weight in your lead foot and turn your hip some more. It'll increase your power." Leo says with a smile.

Danielle smiles back and does what he says as Leo holds the bag.

"Thanks for the advice." She tells him.

"Well it's my job now. Can't exactly stand by and watch you slap box."

Danielle laughs.

"So you have jokes, huh? Nice, I was starting to think you didn't like me."

Danielle gets close to Leo, with the punching bag in between them.

"Sorry. Being on the outside takes some getting used to. I'm still adjusting, is all."

A somber look appears on Danielle's face as Leo starts to walk away.

"Don't worry, I like you just fine, Danielle. Always have."

Danielle smiles when he says this to her and continues her workout.

Later on, Leo is putting up some of the workout equipment. When he finishes, he looks over and sees William sparring with Mike Huston again. When Huston gets punched in the arm, he hits William below the belt, angering Leo.

"The hell was that, Huston!? Stay above the belt!"

Huston scoffs at Leo.

"Ah screw you, has been. That shit wasn't low."

"It felt pretty low to me." William says, hunched down in the corner.

"What do you know about it anyway? You're not even a real fighter anymore. Why don't you go clean some toilets or some shit, and let the real fighters get back to work."

Leo let's out a sigh of frustration and walks away.

"That's right, bitch, go scrub those toilets. I left you a present in there for you."

Leo quickly stops walking for a moment. As Huston laughs and turns around, dirty mop water is thrown all over him. Angered by this, he turns back around and sees Leo with a mop bucket in his hand.

"Big mistake, has been." Huston says, with anger in his voice.

Leo then jumps into the ring, ready to put Huston in his place.

"Get out of the ring, William." He says.

"Leo, think about this for a-"

"William, get out of the ring."

William hesitates for a moment, but then sees an arrogant look on Hustons face and leaves the ring. Leo takes off his shirt and takes a fighting stance. Huston takes off his gloves and smiles.

"I'm gonna fuck you up."

"Go for it." Leo replies.