Akemi Ishikawa’s Debut: Akemi Ishikawa vs Emily Nelson

[Weonna]

"ONE..."

The referee's hand hit the mat as Emily collapsed across Akemi’s chest, using every ounce of her remaining strength to keep the Japanese veteran pinned. The crowd was on edge, their cheers and shouts echoing through the arena.

"TWO..."

Akemi’s chest rose and fell in labored breaths, her body nearly limp from the grueling match and the catastrophic impact of her missed shooting star press. It was clear she was in no condition to mount a counterattack. Her limbs barely moved, trembling as her body fought against the toll the match had taken.

"TWO... AND A HALF!"

Just as the referee's hand came down for the third count, Akemi’s body jerked instinctively, her shoulder lifting off the mat in defiance. The crowd exploded into cheers, their admiration for her resilience reaching new heights. Akemi had kicked out, not as a sign of a comeback, but as a testament to her unbreakable spirit.

Akemi’s face was contorted in pain, her body too battered to fight back, yet her willpower refused to let her stay down.

The referee checked on Akemi, who weakly rolled onto her stomach, her arms shaking as she tried to push herself up but couldn’t manage more than getting to all fours. It was a heartbreaking and awe-inspiring sight—the veteran’s body was failing her, but her spirit was unbroken. The crowd’s chants of

"A-KE-MI! A-KE-MI!"

filled the arena, urging her on even though it was clear she had nothing left to give.

Akemi’s kickout had been a declaration, a statement that no matter how broken she was, she wouldn’t go down easily. It was up to Emily now to finish the veteran once and for all.

[Underdoggo]

Against all odds, Akemi kicked out.

The crowd, predictably, went wild. Emily, for her part, knelt upright, staring down in disbelief at the battered.Japanese woman. Placing her hands on her thighs, she took a few seconds to pant for breath. "Why...won't ye...bloody...stay down..." she panted, her exasperation bringing her Scots accent to the fore.

Fine. If Akemi wouldn't stay down, then Emily would have to knock her out. She could not simply pin or submit this woman: Emily would have to eliminate her ability to fight back, period.

Standing up, Emily took a few steps back, catching her breath and waiting for Akemi to get back up. Leaning against the corner, she panted for breath as the crowd around her chanted Akemi's name, trying to rouse her to her feet.

The moment Akemi did get upright though, Emily would lunge forward, aiming to drive a hard boot into her face with a devastating, and hopefully match-ending, claymore kick!

[Weonna]

SMACK!!!

The impact was brutal, Akemi’s head snapping back violently from the force of the blow. Her body went limp immediately, her legs giving out as she crumpled to the mat.

The crowd gasped in shock at the devastating strike as Akemi’s body landed flat on the canvas, arms and legs splayed out in a starfish position. Her chest rose and fell faintly, her eyes half-lidded, barely responsive. The once-defiant warrior was completely still, her body motionless, the Claymore kick having knocked her clean out!

[Underdoggo]

And just like that, Akemi fell, floored instantly by Emily's brutal kick and toppling onto her back in a crumpled, unmoving heap. Around them, the crowd went wild with dismay as Akemi had just been seemingly knocked out.

As far as Emily was concerned though, this was the only way the match could have ended in her favour: Akemi was too proud and stubborn to ever tap out, and would not be easily pinned. Taking a deep breath, Emily lay down across Akemi's sprawled form, hooking one of her legs as the ref began the countdown.

"ONE...TWO..."

[Weonna]

"ONE...TWO..."

The referee's hand slammed against the mat, the crowd’s energy reaching its peak as they watched their hero, Akemi Ishikawa, completely motionless, starfished on the canvas. Her chest barely rose and fell, her eyes shut, her limbs sprawled out in defeat.

Emily, drenched in sweat and breathing heavily, remained firm in her pin, hooking Akemi’s leg securely. She knew this was it—Akemi wasn’t moving, wasn’t fighting back. The Claymore kick had done its job, knocking the Japanese veteran completely out.

The fans, though devastated, knew they had witnessed something special. Akemi had fought until her body gave out, proving just how much willpower she had. But in the end, even the strongest warrior could fall.

The referee raised her hand for the final count...

"THREE!"

The referee’s hand struck the mat for the final count, and the bell rang immediately, signaling the end of the match. The crowd erupted with mixed emotions—cheers for the incredible contest they had just witnessed, but also disappointment that Akemi had fallen in her grand return.

[Underdoggo]

And with that, the count reached three.

Emily exhaled the breath she only now realized she had been holding, and flopped down onto her back, her chest rising and falling as she took the opportunity to catch her breath. Her body glistened with sweat, her lavender hair sticking to her forehead as she stared up at the arena lights. Around her, the crowd both cheered and howled in disbelief at the end result of this match.

But she had won. At the end of the day, that was the important thing.

Gingerly, Emily rolled to her feet and allowed the ref to raise her arm in victory. Shrugging her arm free, she wearily walked over towards the downed Akemi and leant over her fallen opponent, fearful that she had done more damage than intended.

"Hey...Akemi-San," she breathed, gently tapping at her opponent's cheek. "Are ye alright, love?"

[Weonna]

For a moment, there was nothing. Just the sight of Akemi’s battered, sweat-soaked body sprawled out on the canvas, her chest rising faintly with shallow breaths. But then—a small stir.

Akemi’s eyes slowly fluttered open, hazy with exhaustion. Her head barely turned, just enough for her to weakly meet Emily’s concerned gaze. She looked completely drained, her limbs heavy, her body refusing to move beyond that slight shift. And yet, despite the pain, despite being left laid out, she smiled.

"Just... enjoy your moment, you earned it~"

Akemi rasped, her voice barely above a whisper. Her lips curled into a faint smirk, one of pure sportsmanship. She knew Emily had earned this win.

[Underdoggo]

To Emily's relief, Akemi stirred, regaining woozy consciousness as she lay at her feet. As battered and hurting as she was, the Japanese veteran continued to show the same sportsmanship and honour she had shown throughout the match, and was being gracious evening defeat.

"That may be so," Emily breathed, "but this is your bloody debut."

And with that, Emily would grab a hold of Akemi,'s hand: regardless if Akemi objected or not, Emily would move to haul her up to her feet, before lifting her arm overhead triumphantly, gesturing for the audience to applaud her heroic opponent.

[Weonna]

Before Akemi could respond, she felt Emily’s hand grasp hers. The Scotswoman’s grip was firm yet respectful, her intention clear. Akemi barely had the strength to resist—not that she wanted to. With a strained exhale, she let Emily pull her up, her legs wobbling beneath her as she was lifted to her feet.

The crowd erupted into applause, their admiration for both women shaking the arena. Chants of

“A-KE-MI! A-KE-MI!”

echoed through the rafters, their appreciation for her unwavering resilience evident.

Akemi swayed slightly, her body protesting against standing, but Emily steadied her. And then, just as Emily had raised her own hand moments ago in victory, she lifted Akemi’s arm high, showcasing her to the audience.

Akemi blinked, momentarily surprised by the gesture. Her body ached, her head was still ringing, but as she took in the roaring crowd, she felt something else—gratitude.

A soft chuckle left her lips as she turned to Emily, still catching her breath.

"You really are something, aren’t you?"

she mused, shaking her head slightly.

Her legs wobbled again, but she remained standing, looking at the woman who had just given her a match she wouldn’t forget. Emily Nelson had earned this win, fair and square.** And even in defeat, Akemi couldn’t help but feel pride.

She turned her gaze back to the audience, lifting her free hand slightly in acknowledgment before leaning in toward Emily, lowering her voice so only she could hear.

"Enjoy this one, Emily… but next time, I won’t be so easy to put down."

The smirk on her lips said it all.

[Underdoggo]

For a moment, Akemi seemed genuinely confused as to what was happening. Then, little by little, she seemed to realize what was going on as Emily raised her hand, and the crowd around her began to chant her name. Even if Akemi didn't already have the reputation that she had, Emily would have raised her arm anyway: the woman had fought with skill, honour, courtesy and sportsmanship, and had given her one hell of a fight in the bargain. She deserved to be recognized for that.

As the crowd continued to chant Akemi's name, Emily smiled at Akemi's comment. "And I'd be disappointed if ye were," the Scotswoman replied, releasing Akemi's arm to allow the Japanese veteran to stand on her own power.

And with that, Emily turned and slid through the ropes to exit the ring, basking in the glow of victory and quietly happy that she had just found her first friendly rival here in LAW.


Winner: Emily Nelson by pinfall