Noticing the reluctance of the fighters, Adonis felt antsy through the round. He was waiting for something to happen, yet nothing was coming. A fan of a knock out ending for one, and a back and forth slug fest another, he was hoping things would pick up soon. With each effort he was still drawn in, as if something big was coming, or at least it felt like something was building. At the rounds end, Joe gave ArturoStrigliori a jab to the shoulder out of a mix of frustration and excitement.

"Another drink!"

The third round.

On the bell, the pair moved with greater life and intention.

JasonLeeScott immediately shed the closed off approach he brought in the first two rounds and launched towards Luciano. A series of jabs fell on Little Luciano's gloves, who soon found herself back stepping to lessen the ferocity of the blows. He followed each three of four jabs with a hook or a straight, keeping the pattern of strikes varied across the assault. Eleonora_Luciano was used to depending on her speed to reduce the risk of taking a hit, however Scott was not a slow man. 

It was the Chicagoan now, bearing down on a Luciano.

The LA girl was desperately timing her guard shift and trying to retain sight of where the hits would land. A right hook she didn't see hurtled above her shoulder. In that moment, she had decided to maneuver, never realising how close she came to taking the hit. Luciano now had space again and the pursuit continued. 

Scott had brought a fiery third round, throwing powerful and no doubt exhausting punches toward his mark from the bell. His defense was a second thought, though still not neglected.

The LA Angel had to fight smart to escape the advance of Scott, she began to feign movement, forcing the man to reconsider his hits. A persistent jab from the girl in sky blue kept Scott at bay. The jab struck his gloves once more and Jason exploded into motion, he drew a right while keeping Luciano behind her guard with the left. 

The right landed heavy on the girls cheek and she tumbled backward. A brief pause followed as Luciano brought herself to her feet.

The round ticked on.

Scott was hot on the tail of his own momentum, surging forward. Luciano, who had brought a balanced and strategic approach, stepped into his space and a volley of hits followed between the pair. The pair clinched, breaking.

Clinched again. 

They broke and a motivated Eleonora sprung towards a weary Scott. He shouldered her left and deflected the right, opening his guard. A surging left uppercut thrust his head backward, stumbling the man. The crowd had erupted, the third round brought that bloody satisfaction they craved. 

The bell rang.

The pair of fighters had finally laid hands on each other, though still neither took the advantage. Scott had tired from his round though and the blow to his chin looked to swell rapidly. 

Jason walked back to his corner rubbing his chin knowing he’s still even with her but taking harder breaths as he walked back to the corner feeling every minute of this grueling fight. He tried to play off the soreness and smiled and winked at Eleonora_Luciano and sat down with some ice on his chest.

The right landed heavy on the girls cheek and she tumbled backward.

"Yeaaaah!" Adonis cheered as he jumped to his feet, the whisky in his glass splashing out and onto Nikita's shoes.

"Get in there!"

The action had more than heated up. It looked like Scott was on a war path, which had Adonis gritting his teeth with each near hit and air punching each effort.

A surging left uppercut thrust his head backward, stumbling the man.

"No!"

Joe bit his forefinger as Scott took a decent shot towards the end of the round. After the bell rung, he turned to Vincent-Alo, shaking his head.

"Close. I think he had the round though. Too much pressure."

Regardless of the results, Joe was here for the epic end to this tournament. But being he had some cash in the mix behind the Chicago native, his cheering and jeering were definitely biased.

Artie moved his hands away from in front of his face.  He had been sure he was watching his investment in the fight going up in smoke with that display. 

The Lagavulin calmed his nerves. He hoped the fighter he had backed wasn’t taking too much damage. This was turning into the classic the tournament deserved. 

"YOU GOT THIS ELIE!!!!"  She screamed at the two cheering loudly for her sister.  She knew going into the fourth round this was sure to be one hell of an ending! 

Bella gave a smile to William_Bowden sure he was nervous for his student/friend... lover?  Bella had no idea what the status of Ellie and William was now if there ever WAS a Will and Ellie?  It was impossible to tell by the look on his face now.  It could have been the look of a concerned mentor as easily as it was a concerned boyfriend.  Bella wasn't going to pry now, sooner or later she'd know what the truth of things was.  Whatever the facts were... she'd support both her best friend and beloved sister regardless.

Round Four of the final bout came as the sky grayed. 

Eleonora_Luciano bounded toward her opponent as the clang cried out over the bustling crowd. She remained cautious, jabbing lightly and forcing a timid Scott backward across the canvas. JasonLeeScott looked to be weary, his gloves were held high, however there was a noted slip in focus that saw his arms waver until the punches were thrown. Luciano continued to remain mobile, burning energy to stay light on her feet and create a difficult target.

A weave from Scott caused the LA Angel to flinch, pulling backward. The motion turned in her favour however, and Elle made the decision to open up more on her man. Sharp, powerful blows began to land on Scott's defense. He paced backward, ducking and rolling with the hits, Luciano was now buzzing with eager energy, testing Scott more and more.

A left hook broke his defense and a right sent him tumbling. He struck the mat and the referee intervened.

He rose on the count of 5 and shook himself down, returning focus on his opponent and deflecting her attacks once more. Luciano was opening up though, riding the wave of her knock down.

The bell rang.

They returned to their corners. The fight had taken its toll, Scott had some threatening swelling to his face, however Little Luciano appeared relatively untouched and now secured the advantage. There was still another round left though.

Jason walked back to his corner smiling “bring it on he thought” he was going all 5 rounds he didn’t care this fight wasn’t ending until before a final round this time. He took some water and ice to the swelling again taking deep breaths he was at the end of his tank and everyone knew it he bowed to Ellie before going back to the ring for the 5th and final round.

Ellie trembled with a mingled thrill and nervousness.  This was the biggest high that she had felt up to this point.  It was insane!  She scanned Jason quickly to gauge his well being.  One might think she was just trying to figure how much she needed to push to win this, but truth be told, she was nervous as to how much damage she might be throwing.  Through all this she didn't know her own strength it seemed.  She was doing well in this tournament.  

Each round she had cared about the well being of her opponent and this time she found she cared for Jason... Really cared for Jason... Could she go through with this?  She caught his eye, his smile...  Her breath hitched and she smiled right back.  Heck yes she could.  Game on.

The bell rang for the penultimate time in the Seven Deadly Cities tournament.

Both fighters stood with purpose and assumed their fighting stances. 

It was JasonLeeScott that made the first move. Following a brief few taps with his left he switched aggressively to right-left-right combo's. Luciano held firm. Her gloves absorbed the blows where she couldn't avoid them altogether, though Scott was determined to maintain pressure throughout the round. He forced her backward, precision hits keeping the smaller fighter tucked within her guard.

Eleonora_Luciano had limited options. Deciding to maneuver her way out, the west coast girl waited for a pause in the assault before edging to the side. An opportunity presented itself and she swung a low uppercut. Scott blocked it with his elbow and instantly returned the favour. Luciano took the hit to the body. It produced a grimace from the girl and the force tossed her backward.

Scott pursued and opened up, landing a clumsy left to the side of her face. Then a right that spat blood out across the mat. Luciano was lucky in that Scott had to reestablish his footing before advancing once more. She made her move and began peppering him with hits. They fell with enough force to demand he blocked them, though nothing that she wanted to over exert herself on.

Scott swung again.

Evaded.

Luciano dived forwards against his outstretched arm. Her straight left bounced off the top of his head. Her right came under his guard and snapped his head back.

The Detroit crowd was rioting, at least that's what any innocent bystanders would have imagined. The barrel fires flickered, casting frantic shadows across the entire arena. Under the dim streetlights, the pair battled on.

Scott was staggered, raising his guard in time to deflect another swing. She went low, aggravating his midsection.

A clinch ensued.

Once separated they circled again. Scott swung.

Missed.

Jason Lee was countered by a right hook that laid him flat out on the canvas. 

The ref was there.

Scott didn't rise again and the parking lot erupted. Jack took to the stage, held her arm aloft and announced her the winner.

Nobody heard him.

Marie face was downcast, yet she did give her husband a small smile.  His daughter had preformed magnificently and had brought honor and respect to their family.  The small smile grew to a bit of a smirk as she thought about their "personal bet" they had made with each other on this fight.  She had no doubt that Lucky would be collecting on the bet!

They both left the second-floor cut out to head down to the ring.  They both wanted to congratulate their daughter and Marie wanted to also congratulate Jason.  He represented Chicago well.  Second place out of the 7 cities was nothing to sneeze at.  This tournament had seen a lot of great fighters.  He had nothing to hang his head about.

Go.  Just go.  Block, look for your opening, keep that dang guard up.  The punch involves more than just your fists.  That's the ending point.  All her lessons rushed through her head, every fight, every mistake, every victory blurred together in one driven feeling.  Win.  So far in this life she has muddled and interacted, made friends, traveled, but not really made a name for herself.  But today, even if she didn't leave as the victor, she couldn't say that any longer.  

This fact mingled in with her drive and competitive spirit to make for quite the whirlwind.  She danced, taking hits that were risky while delivering ones of her own.  But the dance began to reach a frantic pace.  Ellie had to do something.  She wasn't doing badly with her stamina level, but she had to do something to end this or she would be soon.  

Suddenly an opening! She would take it.  And everything she learned in mind, she delivered the final blow. Jason hit the mat and this time he didn't rise.  In no time Jack was at her side and announcing the results but his words were lost in the roar that followed.  Eyes wide, Ellie looked around the crowds.  They cheered, they went wild...  They were calling out for her.  

But before she found she could enjoy the victory, she moved to intentionally drop to her knees beside him as he came to work the care of the medics.  She wouldn't allow herself to be waved off this time.  She leaned in quietly, her eyes locked upon his before whispering something for his ears only.  Her eyes snapped with a fire that few for to experience outside this tournament.  A passion that accompanied her love for this sport, something she hadn't thought possible, and it was something she shared with him.  Withdrawing from the young man so that the medics could make sure he was alright, she rose again to face the crowd, their cheers swelling again.  One could bet there would be many hoarse voices in the morning.  

​​Seven wondrous cities, seven fantastic people, and here she stood.  Her mind hardly knew how to process it all.  Few thoughts made it through save for a few.. one of the loudest was of her father, Salvatore_Luciano .  This whole tournament, while she did it for herself and for her city, she also did it in hopes to earn the pride from those she so longed to hold closest.  So it was that she quietly sought out the eyes of him, isabella-luciano, gavinandtarabyrne, and william_bowden.  She smiled to all deciding she'd try and sort all those thoughts at a later time.

Jason slowly rose to his feet shaking the cobwebs, hearing Eleonora_Luciano's voice still in his ears and a small smile on his face as he slow staggered up, he went to JackMezzo and instead of his customary bow gave the man instead a big hug. "Jack from the bottom of my heart thank you for all of this, for the chance for each of us to shine, for all your hard work and your belief we could all unify as a country and get behind this tournament and entertain everyone, you are visionary and should be recognized for all your work thank you brother." 

Jason staggered towards Ellie with his swollen face before kissing her cheek "Thank you for the fight angel told you I didn't hold back last time you're just simply put the best of us I do hope we continue to dance together in this life though perhaps with less punching" He wiped the little blood of Ellie before kissing her head and hugging her.

Seeing Marie_Lucania and Salvatore_Luciano enter the ring he ran up to them to speak with them quickly so they could congratulate their daughter. "Marie I am sorry if I let the city down I gave it my all every match and always tried to fight with honor, you both should be so proud of her she's the fiercest fighter in the world I dare say, congrats to both of you." Jason hugged marie and bowed to sal before going to address the crowd!

"LADIES AND GENTLEMAN!!!! First and foremost I want to see every person in this place give it up once again to the greatest fighter in the tournament and arguably in the world, Ellie the Angel Luciano!!!!!!" Jason waited a little bit for the thunderous applause to die down before continuing. "How are we all tonight? Sorry about the face and all Ellie seems to enjoy using it as a punching bag, I am so honored to stand here before you as the runner up to this glorious tournament I figure if you're going to lose you may as well go down to the best right? This moment is bittersweet for me it is nice to go back to a regular life with less vigorous training and know I brought Chicago prizes, and honor but sad that I lost even though it was to the fiery angel of LA and sad most of all that this tournament which brought this country together to compete for pride, honor, bragging rights is over. This tournament once again could not be possible without all the fighters who gave their blood, sweat, and tears so once again thank you Heston, Space-Pole, Artie_Bucco, Draven, and NicodemoMangana so once again thank you for your participation and and work. Thank you to the event planners and venue owners who helped support us fight and entertain you as well house these fights so without further ado let's give it up for some of the unspoken heroes of this tournament Marie_Lucania, Spaceman, Adonis, Isabella-Luciano, William_Bowden, and Joseph_Ligambi without which this concept would've been nothing but a great idea in Jack's head so thank you for helping make it a reality. I'm sure you're all tired of hearing me ramble so allow me to get out of the ring because as much as I say it this time dim the lights and let Ellie shine this is her moment give it up for the champion aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand THE BEST IN THE WORLD ELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLEONORAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA LUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCIANOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" 

With that Jason bowed to the crowd and left the ring, head down as he went to change before coming out and mingling with any spectators who wished to talk.

It was a great showing, from both fighters, Adonis thought as he smiled wide and clapped enthusiastically from where he had enjoyed every minute of the unfolding action, now standing tall and at the edge of the ruined building overlooking the aftermath below. His fingers helped along a whistle, the erupting crowd and the buzz of the appreciation from all having him try that little bit harder for his own sounds of thanks to be heard.

With this showing it had Adonis feeling like he did when he would use his fists on the streets of New York. That eagerness, that aliveness that such a spectacle enticed. The thought of seeking out William Bowden for a friendly sparring session, more so to keep fit, but also to challenge the man who put down the wolf, to see if he still had a little something in the tank to offer. With those thoughts and as he kept his clapping going he also figured it best to seek out one of tonight's champions for some tips at some point.

What a fight! Worthy of a final, for sure. When it reached the end, Nicky clapped his hands vigorously. What a sight he had just watched. He waited for everything to calm down, and when it happened, he went to meet the fighters, to congratulate them on the great final, and congratulate Ellie for the title. 

The thoughts running through the mind of the young LA angel were so jumbled and insane that it was likely to take weeks and weeks to sort them.  But paramount was joy and pride.  She allowed her gaze to sweep the arena in amazement.  All these people brought together from many different cities all for one purpose.  To see the next chapter in this piece of history.  To see who would take the tournament that has built up for weeks in intensity as the fighters learned and adapted to the challenge.  Each one had grown, had changed, had persevered...  But as the battles heated up, they were brought down in their numbers...  First to four, then to two and finally...  To one.  Ellie saw Jason pushing himself to his feet too late to help him.  But he soon moved to hug Jack then moved in her direction.  Tensing a little, but she turned to face him, her gaze moving up to bore into his.  She felt her pulse quicken.  As her eyes took in his face, still handsome despite the swelling that had taken place...  She felt a pang in her heart.  How could she hit that face like that?  She honestly could hardly even remember doing it...  She just hit, trying to win...  She really needed to pay more mind to where she aimed...  In the future, if she fought anymore that is, she would try and remember that.  But she smiled as he spoke softly to her after kissing her cheek.  Oh heck, surging forth as she felt her heart hammer in her chest, she hugged the man right round the middle, fairly oblivious to possible repercussions of her act.  "I thank you just as much...  I mean every word...  And I certainly hope for the same...  Certainly with less punching!"  A soft and carefree laughter lifted from her even as he carefully cleared the blood from her soft face.  She felt her cheeks color but she held his gaze solidly, searching it in silence.  He had such pretty words to say, did they match what was truly in his mind and heart?  One could drive themselves insane with that question alone.

Soon enough Jason was on the move again, jogging off to intercept two people that she wanted very much to speak with.  But for now she held her place there at the center of the ring.  The cut she had sustained bled, but she ignored it as she stood beside Jack, soaking up the screaming from the crowd.  Their adoration, especially from those of her own city...  But not everyone who screamed her name hailed from Los Angeles...  It was truly a sight to behold.  Yet before she knew it, he was turning to address the screaming crowd.  As he called for silence from the crowd and began to sing praises and thanks to those connected to the tournament...  Herself included.  Her face flushed and she found herself withdrawing out of her own sheepishness.  But no!  This was her turn to bask in the adoration...  But all too song his pretty speech was done and the Chicago Godfather was backing up and then walking out of the ring and out to some unknown destination, leaving Ellie to speak if she so chose.  

Now up to this point, Eleonora had remained silent before and after the fight.  She had tried to keep her voice to herself in regards to the fights...  But now...  Now it was her time. She had earned her place here as the victor, fighting tooth and nail, laughing at the idea that she couldn't make it in something like this...  She smiled and would raise up a single fist.  "My dear friends of our beautiful unified cities!  Thank each and ever one of you for coming out here tonight!  This tournament...  What would we be doing it for if the seats were empty?!  It's for you that sit out there that we do what we do here!  I would like to echo each of the thanks that Mister Scott has called out with one added for him...  He is as fantastic in this dance as he is in others.  It has been a pleasure learning to fight alongside him and the others of this tournament."  She paused for a breath realizing she was rambling a little.  "Look at us.  In the ring each of us is ferocious, eager to make a name for ourselves...  But outside the ring, we are friends, compatriots...  Joined together in one purpose...  That is what it means to be as unified as we have become.  One family unified in deed and purpose but spread over seven great cities."  She walked around the ring, realizing she was getting nervous.  "And one man with the imagination and the drive and the gumption to bring us all together.  Please join me once more in celebrating this man here, our Master of Ceremonies, Jack Mezzo!"  She smiled warmly as the crowd exploded for the one who made all this possible.  "I'm excited to see what comes next as this life always looks to the next step.  The next big adventure.  The next fight.  So I look forward to exploring this with you all when the time comes but you can bet that if there is a challenge to be met, it will be met with the fiercest and the best...  And I hope to be among them!  This is to be a close of this chapter, but always stay alert because the next chapter could be right around the corner!"  

She shook her head a little as she rode high on her own adrenaline rush.  "I once again thank every one of you for your support for your candidates.  Without you, none of this is worth doing.  Goodbye and goodnight for now...  Until next time, fly high and fly true."  She wasn't sure where exactly that had come from, but it seemed to be fitting because the crowd again erupted with their enthusiasm as she walked from the center of the arena toward where her father and step mother stood, approaching carefully and not yet speaking the first word.  Exhaustion lined her excited face, but she would move to greet and mingle for as long as was wished.  Tonight... Was a good night.

Gasps of air were heard, heaving, as grunts of hard work was heard all around, Charlie Pavanno was putting himself to work, making sure that he stayed fit now and did not want to return to being the scrawny bastard that he was before. He needed to be able to defend himself, the work of the Irish had left that impression on him and he was not going to be weak anymore. 

He was also training for the next Boxing Tournament, whatever it would be, he needed to be ready and this was the first step towards it. He was throwing jabs, hooks, and uppercuts against his sparring partner. Trying his best to work around him, but found that he had to use his speed and quickness to get one over on the man. He learned that against his boss, Adonis, the man was a truly terrifying presence in the ring. 

"Come on Charlie! Keep at it! Otherwise, those bastard Irish are going to keep eying you like your a freaking tart!"

Charlie growled as the memory of his beatdown came back, colliding with him like a train colliding with another train. He was soon overcome with rage and started to trade blows with ease, no longer wanting to keep it easy with his partner in this situation and soon started to become a lot better with his positioning, as well as timing his dodges, soon enough, he would teach those Irish to never fuck with him again!

Spartacus wandered into the gym and drew in a breath. The smell or blood and sweat made him grin as he peered around. He had heard about the places that did the fights but he hadn't yet visited one and he simply stood back against the wall as he watched Charlie_Pavanno and some others train. 

Glancing around he saw some pictures of some of the fighters that had visited there and he for a second thought about attempting to join this venture. Hearing a loud crack, he then turned and watched as someone fell to the mat. The slight blood that oozed from the persons lip as they laid almost lifeless like on the mat made him smile. He shook his head and then cracked his neck a bit. "Maybe another day." He mumbled to hisself and then drew in one more breath. "Maybe oneday soon." He grasped his coat towards him and then ventured back out into the evening.

Deep breaths were heard as the punching of a boxing bag was also heard, in the distance we see Charlie throwing a couple blows, training, seemingly. He seemed determined as his stance was orthodox, his trainer watching him with narrowed eyes, trying to see how he could improve in other areas. He stepped back, allowing Charlie to go wild for a while, before he took the boxing bag, moving it to the side, stopping Charlie and his momentum, causing the striker to look at his trainer with narrowed eyes.

"Is there a reason you're stopping me mate? Because I know that we need to do this, alright? Family first and she just came back, I ain't losing her again, especially to these Irish fuckheads."

Charlie's trainer sighed, knowing that there was nothing more that he could do to stop Charlie and his determination to take the Irish down once and for all, they had been getting braver lately, even without O'Bannion and his band of fuckheads to lead them, O'Connell was the only one that remained and due to recent business, transitions, and plenty of other things, they had gotten stronger, much more different from how things were run with O'Bannion. They ran themselves like a Mob, something that pissed the boss of Tops off.

"Yeah Kid, I'm just saying, the anger ain't good for ya, you need to pace yourself, otherwise, you'll end up like the others who wanted to take on the world and win. You'll end up dead kid."

Charlie sighed, before continuing his blows of the bag, knowing that his trainer was well caring and wanted him to succeed, Charlie sighed once more, removing the thoughts from his head, knowing that it was not good for him considering that the business at hand was his training. Only the Irish remained on his mind, knowing that at some point, he would deal with them for their betrayal, once and for all.

Cecelia walked into one of the larger buildings, carrying a duffel bag with her gym gear. She had just moved into town, so she hadn't yet staked out a local gym, but this place should do. It seemed like there was a handful of regulars, but the place itself had seen better days. More popular days. With a shrug, she realized beggars couldn't be choosers and went to go lift weights. She hid her gun underneath some magazines in her bag, but kept a concealed blade in one of her shoes, as it never hurts to be careful.

After a while, she took to the punching bags, aiming her well-supported jabs toward the stoic being. Satisfied with her effort, she continued to rotate throughout the buildings, finding herself wandering into a dark room, filled with nothing but cobwebs and obviously lost memories of the prior owners. After a thoughtful pause, she returned back to one of the previous buildings to continue again.

Nobody bothered her during her workout session, so she picked up her belongings and headed out, surely to return another day. For now however, business was calling, and boy-oh-boy did it never put down the phone.