A One-Sided Battle

Jessica pushed herself up, fists clenched tight as she forced herself to her knees. Her eyes burned with defiance. Even with the pain, she wasn't ready to back down.

John sighed, cracking his neck like he had all the time in the world. "Of course, you're not making this easy."

With a grunt, he decided to treat this like a sparring session—just something to wrap up.

She came at him first, throwing a wild punch. John dodged it effortlessly, stepping to the side and countering with a sharp right hook to her jaw. Her head snapped back, but she didn't drop.

Before she could get her bearings, he landed another punch—this time to her chest. The impact made her gasp, air whooshing out of her lungs, but somehow, she stayed standing.

John tilted his head, watching her stumble. "Not experienced," he thought, noticing the way she struggled to catch him.

She charged again, fists swinging, but John was already moving. He slipped to the side with ease, planting his foot before delivering a clean, upward kick to her face.

The hit landed perfectly. Her body rocked back, and this time she crumpled to the ground, groaning in pain. She rolled slightly to her side, but it was clear—the fight was draining right out of her.

John stood over her, steady and calm, his fists up but clearly losing interest in dragging this out.

He decided to end it quick.

Closing the distance, he went on the offensive.

Strong? Yeah.

Durable? Sure.

Fast? Nope.

Does she feel pain? Absolutely.

Without giving her a chance to stand, he kicked her in the face. Hard.

As her head turned from the blow, he noticed blood trickling from her nose. He didn't feel a thing about it. This was necessary—for him and for her.

Jessica groaned, trying to push herself up, her arms shaking under the strain. Her defiance hadn't faded, but her body was reaching its limit.

John shook his head. "You don't know when to quit, do you?"

As she tried to rise, he stepped in with a sharp kick to her ribs, sending her rolling onto her side, coughing. Still, she didn't stay down. She swung weakly, reaching for his leg. John dodged effortlessly, sighing.

"Alright," he muttered, almost regretful. "Let's finish this."

Jessica growled, dragging herself to her knees again, but John didn't give her the chance to fully stand. Grabbing the front of her shirt, he yanked her up just enough before driving his fist into her stomach. Her body jerked forward, a gasp escaping as the air left her lungs. Her hands clawed at his arm, but there was no strength left.

John didn't let up. Pulling back, he delivered a clean punch to the side of her head. Her eyes fluttered, her body swaying unsteadily. He leaned in, his voice low and firm. "Stay down. It's over."

Jessica, stubborn to the end, attempted one last, sluggish swing. That was enough for John. With one quick, decisive motion, he let her go and delivered a final strike—an open-handed chop to the side of her neck.

Her body went limp immediately, collapsing into his arms before he let her fall gently to the ground. He crouched beside her, checking her breathing—it was steady. She was unconscious but not seriously hurt.

Sensing movement, John turned around to see Daredevil standing there.

Looks like he's recovered enough, John thought, watching him carefully.

Daredevil glanced at Jessica's unconscious body on the ground. His expression was unreadable, but after a moment, he spoke. "What now?"

Daredevil couldn't help but notice that throughout the fight, John hadn't taken a single hit. It was as if every attack from both the Punisher and Jessica had been anticipated, like they were moving exactly how John expected them to.

He was no longer convinced that John was just some random human—or even a typical mutant.

Still, since John hadn't made any move against him, Daredevil decided to let it go. For now, he wouldn't question him.

John, oblivious to Daredevil's thoughts, was focused on what needed to be done next. Even if he did know, he wouldn't care.

Kilgrave needs to be isolated somewhere, with his mouth sealed, John thought. His gaze shifted to Jessica. And she can't be left behind either.

He is thinking what should he do with her.

"We can't leave Frank and her here," John said, glancing at the Punisher's unconscious body, then at Kilgrave. "And we need a place to keep him—somewhere he can't come into contact with anyone else."

He didn't want to risk anything that might lead to Kilgrave's escape.

Daredevil crossed his arms, weighing John's words carefully. After a moment, he nodded. "I know a place where we can keep him."

He understood exactly what John intended to do.

"Then let's go," John said, stepping toward Jessica. Without hesitation, he lifted her, slinging her over one shoulder with ease.

He crouched down to grab Kilgrave next, hefting him onto his other shoulder like it was nothing. Adjusting their weight, John stood tall, carrying both without breaking a sweat.

Daredevil, already with the Punisher slung across his back, gave a small nod. "Let's move."

John followed silently, his focus sharp as they headed toward their destination.