[Tables Hardcore Match] Charlotte Ravel' vs Amy Evans - The parable of the Lion and the Lizard (Apex Qualifier Match)

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Sleep is a magical time. During sleep, you don't care about anything. During sleep, you don't feel anything. In a sense, sleep is absolute peace. Of course, there are exceptions, but these exceptions are so rare that they do not change the main essence at all. They say ignorance is bliss. And now it really was Charlotte's case.

Sleep not only allowed her to get rid of unimaginable pain. Sleep allowed her to miss the moment when her hand fell on the mat three times. Sleep allowed her to miss the moment when her opponent finally let her go and her body collapsed lifelessly on the mat. Sleep allowed her to miss the moment when the bell rang, marking her defeat. Sleep allowed her to miss the moment of the Lion's smile, which put an end to this story, confirming what she said at the very beginning.

Sooner or later, though, you always have to wake up.

Since the blonde was in no hurry to get to her feet, the referee decided to check Charlotte's condition. Turning the Frenchwoman on her back, she lightly patted her cheeks, trying to understand how deep her loss of consciousness was. This was the moment when the pink-haired woman began to come to her senses. And there was nothing pleasant about this one.

When her sleep ended, the first thing she felt was pain. Far from the best thing you can feel after waking up. And although her whole body left much to be desired, the most burning pain was right on the pink-haired woman's face. Her skin felt like it was on fire, which in a sense was true because of the red spots after her rival's hands. The young woman closed her eyes because of the bitter taste in her mouth, although she understood that it was only her imagination.

"Shall I call the medical team?" asked the striped shirt.

"Non... donne moi juste une seconde..." Charlotte said softly, opening her eyes again.

It took her a few seconds to realize that she had said it in French. It seems her brain has not fully recovered from sleep yet. On the other hand, her mind was occupied with completely different thoughts. She knew perfectly well what had just happened. She knew perfectly well that it was over. And she knew perfectly well that nothing could be changed.

"No, just give me a second," she repeated this time so that the referee would understand her.

It wasn't just the pain, of course. It was about the fact of exactly how it all ended. The first defeat. Not only in Apex, but in her LAW career. It was bound to happen sooner or later, Charlotte knew that. There was only one woman in this federation who never loses, no matter who her opponent is and what conditions are in the match. And it definitely wasn't Charlotte. But how it all started, and how it all ended, squeezed her heart harder than a hydraulic press.

Feeling that she was not ready to get to her feet, the Sand Lizard decided to take at least a sitting position. She had to grit her teeth the moment she bent her arm and put her palm on the mat. After the last drops of adrenaline left her blood, her muscles seemed to turn to stone and now even slow movements were a big problem for her.

But still she was able to sit up. For a moment, she felt dizzy again, which made her take a slow breath. Losing consciousness for the second time in a row would not be very good, given the circumstances. Glancing at the referee again, she nodded briefly, making it clear that she was fine and that there was no need to worry. Besides, the striped shirt has a job to do, because she still hasn't raised the winner's hand.

[Fairy Dragon]

Amy took her time getting herself back to her feet, nothing could make the pain go away like victory. The blur started to fade as the fans started to embrace her on the big win, while most fans liked to root for an underdog like the smaller Charlotte would have been, the match was too intense and thrilling for fans to be upset at the outcome. Her natural durability had been tested but even in this new setting she could overcome anything and come back swinging, smiling through the pain that it brought her. As a person Charlotte was not a person Amy liked just from the short time she knew her, she seemed too judgmental and easy to anger for Amy's taste. They would not share a drink after this or be friends or pals, and if Amy heard her get mad over another of Amy's innocent comments she might punch her in the jaw so she didn't talk for a few days. As a fighter the Sand Lizard proved to be a real threat, not only skilled on her own but able to use the ring environment to her advantage like a natural. There was plenty to respect in that even if Amy didn't have the strength to voice it.

She didn't even talk or brag, instead silently letting the ref take her arm and raise it in the air while she could stand slouching since it was easier on her back after that battle. Her hand would rub the back of her head wondering how many more people were like Charlotte in LAW. Amy hadn't faced that many people and if she could get this kind of competition all the time just by shooting for the top she knew she made the right choice. Amy had been wandering aimlessly most of her career, just looking for some action, but if the Open weight title brought girls like Toshiko and Charlotte, she couldn't care less if she liked them she just needed them to bring it and Amy would live a life she could be proud of. Eventually Amy would raise her other arm despite a wince leaving her when she did it and taking in the moment, one she could remember until her last day on earth. She looked at Charlotte to make sure she was okay but didn't make any move to get closer to her once she seemed to be awake.

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It seemed to her that it lasted forever. Trying to take slow and long breaths to maintain consciousness, Charlotte watched first as her opponent got to her feet, and then as the referee raised her hand, officially declaring Amy the winner. And all this time the blonde had a wide and satisfied smile on her face.

At such moments, time really goes too slowly. Perhaps it wasn't just Charlotte. Woe to the conquered. Defeat is never joyful. And those who knew the Frenchwoman at least a little, had to understand exactly what it all means to her. It was pointless to blame the Lion for something, because it was a fair match. She came. She said she could handle everything. And she did it. Just like that, she proved that everything she said was true, and that she was right that she is better than Charlotte from the very beginning. Game, set and match.

Bending her left leg at the knee, Charlotte used this leg as a fulcrum. Pushing off the mat with her hand, she rose to one knee. She had to close her eyes and take another deep breath because of the sudden dizziness. Gritting her teeth, she forced herself to her feet.

The pink-haired woman staggered slightly, but found the balance by putting her right foot back a step. Someone might have wondered why it was necessary at all, because she could have just left the ring. Yes, the Frenchwoman was not going to deny that she had such a desire, especially considering that the fans shouting the winner's name pressed on her like a thousand boulders. But there are things that need to be done, despite the pain, even so much.

Clenching her right fist, she pressed it against her straightened left palm, then bowed to the blonde. Only after that Charlotte turned around and head for the ropes. Being a person of honor, her code obliged her to show respect to her opponent. But she had nothing to say.

She wasn't going to say things like "I'm Charlotte Ravel' and I'm going to kick your ass" at the beginning of the match. And she wasn't going to say things like "next time I'll beat you" at the end of the match. Not because if she failed, she would look like an idiot, but simply because she believed that such things were unworthy of a real fighter. However, as they say, the winners are not judged. And since Amy won the match, it essentially proves that they have the right to say whatever she wants.

After rolling under the bottom rope and ending up on the floor, the Sand Lizard began to climb the ramp. And with each step she took, she felt more and more heavy. In the heart. Slowly, but surely, she began to realize that she used her body to the maximum possible limit for her, but it was not enough. The conclusion was very simple. If it wasn't a qualifying match, but the Apex match, then her path to the openweight title would be over. Considering that she was the second strongest in their team, just a step behind Astrid...

Charlotte disappeared behind the curtains, leaving the winner alone with the audience. She did not linger in the waiting room, immediately leaving through the door into a long corridor. After that, Charlotte pressed her right shoulder against the wall.

"Mauviette..." burst from her lips. "Mauviette..."

The pain and heaviness in her heart began to turn into anger. But not at the blonde or anyone else. She was only angry at herself. She wanted to hit the wall, but honor stopped her. After a fight, it makes no sense to use fists. Charlotte's heart began to beat faster. Because of this, a mist appeared in her eyes again. Now she needed rest, and not anything else. She heard a step ahead and even saw a silhouette, but it didn't bother her.

The pink-haired woman took a slow step forward, and then another. She wanted to get to the locker room before her strength completely left her. On the third step, her legs gave way and she began to fall forward. She closed her eyes, bracing herself for the hard landing on the floor. Her body slammed into something, but it didn't feel like a hard floor. The Sand Lizard opened her eyes, trying to figure out what had just happened.

"Bad day, huh?" she heard a familiar voice.

"Astrid..." Charlotte said softly, then allowed herself a slight smile. "Tell me, have you ever had a really bad day?.."

"Yeah, when Aurora kicked my ass for example, huh," the Norwegian woman chuckled slightly to cheer her friend up.

As it turned out, Charlotte fell on her friend's back. Astrid wrapped her arms around the Frenchwoman's legs and put her completely on the back. The Norwegian woman headed for the locker room. The Sand Lizard felt strange for the first few seconds, but then she slowly exhaled and relaxed, hugging her friend around the neck. She had never been in such a situation before, but now she felt good. And deep down she understood that it was thanks to the blonde's support.

"What are you going to do?" Astrid asked in a more serious voice, knowing perfectly well how her best friend was feeling right now, so she wanted to make sure she would hear the right answer.

"To train," Charlotte answered after a moment's pause, but without a single doubt in her voice, and this answer satisfied the blonde..

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The winner by knockout is Amy Evans