The scene opens up with Justin Smith stepping out of LAX and into the warm evening air of Long Beach, California. He takes a moment to adjust his jacket, soaking in the neon lights and distant sound of waves crashing on the pier. Before exploring the coastal city, Justin pulls out his phone and decides to give his friend and former trainer, Casey Williams, a call. The camera catches the determination in Justin’s eyes as he leans against a streetlamp, phone pressed to his ear.
Justin – Hey Casey, are you excited to see me go to war with Alex Raven?
Casey – Excited, yes… but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t concerned. Alexander Raven isn’t like Felix or the others you’ve faced. He’s unpredictable, ruthless.
Justin – Concerned? Did you not watch what I did to Felix Hernandez? I dismantled him. I proved I can put anyone down when I lock in.
Casey – I did see it, and you impressed me. But Alex is cut from a different cloth. He’s been places you haven’t yet, and if you underestimate him, even for a second, he’ll eat you alive.
Justin – Yeah, well, underestimating isn’t in my vocabulary. I’ll do what I always do—fight with everything I’ve got. No excuses, no fear, no hesitation.
Casey – That’s the spirit. I’ll call in some reinforcements. Dying Breed and Hitamashii are already in town—they’ll help sharpen you up. Train hard with them. Make sure you’re ready for anything.
Justin smirks, nodding his head with intensity before gesturing at the cameraman to leave. The lens lingers on his face as his expression turns deadly serious. The shot fades to black.
The next morning, the scene cuts to Justin unlocking his rental car, shades on, as the sun rises over the Pacific. He heads to a gritty local gym where the camera pans inside to reveal Andrew Garcia and Ivan Darrell of Dying Breed already sparring with Hitamashii, the sound of fists hitting pads echoing through the room.
Andrew – You’re late, Smith! Training waits for no one!
Justin – Blame the California drivers. Half the people out there don’t know how to use a turn signal.
Ivan – Excuses don’t win matches. Let’s get moving. We’ll work on sharpening your edge.
Justin – Fine by me. Let’s do this!
The four men circle up, sweat already dripping onto the mats.
Andrew – Everyone knows your power and speed are your calling cards. But raw talent isn’t enough. Raven will test you in ways Felix couldn’t dream of. We’ll mold your strength into a weapon that no one can stop.
Justin – Sounds like my kind of training.
Ivan – Show me those strikes. Full intensity. Don’t hold back.
Justin squares up with Ivan, unleashing a flurry of strikes. The first attempt is stiff, off-timed.
Andrew – Not good enough. Again!
Justin grits his teeth and goes again. This time, his rhythm is sharper, his fists cracking against the pads with purpose.
Andrew – Better. That’s what we want to see! Feel the pace. Own it.
The training intensifies. Grapples, reversals, bursts of speed against Hitamashii’s agility drills—Justin pushes himself until sweat pours down his face, muscles burning. Finally, Andrew claps his hands.
Andrew – That’s progress. You keep this up, and maybe, just maybe, you’ll have the edge on Raven.
The camera zooms in on Justin’s determined expression as he nods silently. The scene fades to black.
Later that night, Justin is spotted at the Yard House in downtown Long Beach, a plate of food in front of him. The atmosphere is buzzing with laughter and clinking glasses, but Justin ignores it all, turning toward the camera with a cold, sinister grin.
Justin – Alexander Raven… the prodigal son returns. Everyone is so quick to praise your legacy, your cunning, your darkness. But I’m not like the others who cower at the sound of your name. You’ve been gone a long time, and I know what that means—you’re rusty. And when you step back into that ring with me, you’re not facing a stepping stone. You’re facing a man who refuses to break. A man who refuses to quit.
He leans in closer, eyes narrowing.
Justin – You’ll probably say the same tired garbage everyone else does—that I don’t belong here, that I should walk away, that I’ll never measure up. But I’m still here, proving everyone wrong, one broken opponent at a time. Felix Hernandez learned that lesson. And soon, so will you.
Justin cackles darkly, the sound sending a chill through the restaurant atmosphere. He casually leans back, snapping his fingers at the server.
Justin – BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger. Coke. And make it quick.
As the server walks away, Justin begins humming his theme song, “Madness” by Liliac, his grin lingering like a scar across his face. The camera fades to black with his low hum echoing in the background.
The camera fades back in later that evening. The bustling noise of Long Beach nightlife is muted behind thick hotel curtains as the scene opens on Justin Smith sitting at a small desk in his dimly lit hotel room. His half-finished Coke sits beside him, condensation dripping down the can. A single lamp casts shadows across his face, giving his expression a more sinister edge. He leans forward, hands clasped, staring straight into the camera lens.
Justin – Sunday, the world watches. Sunday, Alexander Raven walks back into the ring, expecting his grand return to be glorious, triumphant. But Sunday… Sunday is when his legend collides with reality.
Justin runs a hand through his hair, eyes narrowing as he continues.
Justin – I’ve been told all week that you’re dangerous. That you’re on another level. That I should prepare myself for the storm you bring. And you know what, Alex? I believe it. I believe you are dangerous. But so am I. And I’m hungrier. Hungrier than you, hungrier than anyone else in this company. I fight with desperation. I fight with fury. I fight like a man with nothing to lose.
He smirks, leaning back in the chair.
Justin – And that’s what should scare you. A man with nothing to lose has everything to gain. You want to paint me as a nobody, a rookie, an easy target? Fine. Paint whatever picture you want. But when the bell rings, when the lights hit us, when it’s just you and me in that squared circle… your return becomes my moment. Your story becomes my stepping stone. And I will not hesitate to crush it.
Justin stands up now, pacing the room. The camera follows as his voice grows darker.
Justin – You see, Felix Hernandez thought he could embarrass me. He thought I wasn’t ready. And now? He’s gone, just another casualty. And you, Alex? You’re not special. You’re not untouchable. You’re not immortal. You’re just another man about to feel the full weight of Justin Smith. Remember that. Remember it when I drive you into the mat. Remember it when your comeback dies at my hands.
He stops pacing and glares into the camera one last time, his voice dropping to a venomous whisper.
Justin – Sunday, Raven… you don’t soar. You fall.
Justin flicks off the lamp, plunging the room into near-darkness. Only the faint light from the city skyline peeks through the blinds as the screen fades slowly to black.
