Bengal smirks as she feels Aoto's hand tapping frantically on her back, just between the straps of the Tiger's top. She shoves the younger woman roughly away, like she's pushing a trash can outside for pickup. "Yeah, that's right! You never had a chance!" she sneers, seeming to forget how close she came to losing to Sapphire's smother holds. She's hoping that the fans will forget it too, hoping that her victory here will make up for her struggles earlier in the match. But the crowd isn't buying it. They're still staunchly on the rookie's side, even after her defeat, chanting her name and urging her to rise. The Young Lioness may have lost her match tonight, but she's gained a loyal following.
The Tiger pumps her fist into the air triumphantly a few times, trying to draw the crowd's attention. But that only results in louder and louder boos, every time she raises her hand. Finally, she gives up and lets the referee lift her arm instead, pouting, while the bell rings. DING-DING-DING! The ring announcer's voice makes it all official:
"Here's your winner, by submission...THE BLAZE TIGER! BENGAL!"
More jeers from the stands, more accusations of cheating. What really makes the taunts sting is that they're all 100% true. The referee notices the way Bengal's right eye starts to twitch, and wisely drops the Tiger's arm, backing away. The Indian woman scans the crowd, lips pursed. Then, she seems to decide on something. She grabs her prone opponent by the ankles, and begins dragging her across the canvas.
The ref runs over, waving his arms.
"What are you doing, Bengal? She's already tapped, you can't-" CRACK! The Tiger's elbow lashes out, and the official drops like a stone. With no one left to hold her back, the Indian woman continues dragging Aoto toward the edge of the ring. Bengal exits first, sliding under the bottom rope. Then, she uses the ring apron to assist herself in hoisting Sapphire onto her shoulders. She doesn't often use powerhouse moves like the one she's planning now, but they're easy to set up when her target is so limp and helpless.
She carries Aoto to the barricade that separates the ringside area from the seats. Then she stops, planting her feet firmly on the hard floor. Turning to the stands, she addresses the rows of fans as they continue to repeat the rookie's name. "You like her so damn much?" Bengal calls out, her voice thick with rage. "Fine, then! YOU CAN HAVE HER!"
With that, she pushes up on the rookie's leg, lifting Sapphire upside down so her blue hair dangles around her face. A second later, Bengal drops her opponent over the barricade, and the Japanese girl falls headfirst into the crowd. Bystanders panic and scatter back, leaving nothing to cushion the rookie's impact. The Tiger calls this move "Burning Bright", and it's devastating enough when it's used on the canvas inside the ring. How much worse will it be, then, when it's used on the hard surface outside? Aoto is about to find out...
