Duel of Rebirths: Alizeh Midori vs Marzia Servelli 2

[Bare]

Everything about this match so far only served to enhance the feeling of nostalgia that had washed over Alizeh since the bout had begun. The way she moved, her strategies, her movements... they were rougher and far more aggressive than anything the green haired girl was normally used too, but they were all still Marzia. After all no one, regardless of what personal changes they went through could alter the muscle memories they developed and fought with. Quite frankly it was making the whole bout all the more irksome to deal with having all the constant flashbacks to the girl's bright smile and nervous optimism reminding Alizeh of how far her friend had fallen.

But in a strange sort of way it was also motivating her even more than when she was first going into this match. She didn't just want to win to show how she herself changed or improved, but she wanted to prove to both Marzia and the world that the way SHE had changed and improved was the right way, that her fallen friend was just that fallen... and she'd prove the fallacy of her decisions... even if it meant making sure the girl would stay down.

That was why she wasn't holding anything back from the get go. Hitting Marzia with move after move, not giving her a chance to bounce back... or so she had thought at least. After all stepping over Marzia' pushing the girl down in the process had been Alizeh's method of trying to keep the girl down and stunned, at least for the time being to set up her next attack. But it appeared as if she had allowed the Italian just a moment too long to recover...

"Ngh!" Crashing down knees first against the mat as opposed to her opponent caused Alizeh to audibly grunt in pain from the failed attack. Looking up at the dark haired girl as she rolled away Alizeh glared right back at Marzia as the girl fired off her harsh criticism of Alizeh's strategy.

Pushing herself up a bit she would deepen her glare while clenching her fists in frustration towards the woman. "Maybe yeah. But then its a chance you've only wasted like a idiot!" Shooting her own harsh comments towards Marzia the green haired girl would stand to her full height and crack her neck. As if inviting the Italian for another exchange, but really all she wanted was another chance to beat her ass...

[CaptainL]

Marzia, too, could see how Alizeh had changed, yet she still recognized all the same DNA in her that spoke of who she had been when they first met. That burning determination was still there; that urge to prove herself, and to throw every inch of her effort into what she did. With every move Alizeh made, she was escalating things further, pushing past her limits and reaching for new and greater heights. It was something that Marzia had admired in her then, and something that had inspired her to keep training and to strengthen her resolve. Back then, when she looked at Alizeh, she saw the person she might have been, if she didn't have her anxieties to hold her back.

But that was the past. Things were different now. Marzia didn't have anything to hold her back any more; that part of her was gone, and she was stronger! She grit her teeth, trying to push all those memories out of her head so that they couldn't keep crawling back to the surface. They'd only drag her down, she thought. All that mattered was the here and now - and right now, even though Marzia had improved, even though she'd surpassed what had been her limits, Alizeh was still beating her down, landing move after move without giving the Italian girl so much as a chance to breathe in between them! Each attack that landed was even stronger than the last, and Marzia couldn't keep up taking them much longer. Not just for the sake of her body, but for her pride; she knew she was better than this! She needed to throw a wrench in her foe's plan, and to interrupt her momentum. And, as she threw herself out of the way as Alizeh came crashing toward her, she thought she had done just that!

Alizeh landed on her knee, the canvas rumbling beneath her weight as she fell with a wince. Marzia, too, rolled aside, getting to her hand and knees, where she brushed some hair out of her eyes with a huff. She raised her head to look back at her opponent, and her teeth clenched with a snarl. The thought of Alizeh, her old friend, throwing such harsh words in her direction was enough to make Marzia pause for a moment - but she shook that out of her head. She had to prove her wrong, and she had to use the anger and the betrayal she felt to strengthen her offense that much more!

"You don't know who you're talking to!!" Marzia screamed. This time, there was no time for formalities - she threw a fist forward as hard as she could, aiming it right for Alizeh's jaw!

[Bare]

Alizeh couldn't help but see the flashes of her old friend in Marzia. No matter how much she told herself that this wasn't the same girl, that this was her enemy, that she needed to do whatever she possibly could to beat her and make the Italian tap out. But there were flashes, brief as they were for mere moments it looked like the old Marzia peeked through. Like deep down she was still there and could be pulled out, but those were brief and fleeting moments, only to be replaced by the cruel reminder of what he friend had become.

Even despite her bad landing it was the first real hit Alizeh had taken so far in the match, and it would take a lot more to keep her down. Rising to her feet Alizeh made it clear how unintimidated she was even despite the failed attack. After all Alizeh was someone that was hard to strike fear into or intimidate. A tough break for Marzia. Cracking her neck again Alizeh's eye bore into Marzia's own, the intense, fiery determination burning within them showing how seriously she was taking this, how ready and even eager Alizeh was too put Marzia through the ringer, even in spite of their history and friendship, Alizeh positively despised Marzia's current self, and she was ready to externalize it into the biggest beatdown she could to herald Alizeh's own change in character and style!

Of course Marzia wasn't taking things lying down, and responded with a fiery retort of her own, short and bitter but something that conveyed all of her current contempt and frustration towards Alizeh. Something Alizeh was ready to fire right back at with. "You're right I don't! Cause the Marzia I knew wasn't a little bitch!" As she said this Alizeh would charge forward, wincing slightly from her knee but still able to move well enough. As she neared Marzia the green haired girl would duck low, attempting to bring herself crashing into Marza's stomach shoulder first. Not strong enough for a spear, but enough too hopefully drive the wind out of Marzia to set up Alizeh's next move!

[CaptainL]

When their eyes met, and Marzia saw the fire staring back at her, the Italian girl felt her lower eyelid twitch ever so slightly. She recognized that look in Alizeh - the determination, the intensity, the will to succeed. Even if so much had changed between the two of them in all this time, that hadn't changed one bit. That had been a part of Alizeh ever since the two had first faced each other, so long ago - and for a fleeting second, Marzia remembered the promises they had made to each other after that match. Where they swore they would meet again, after both of them had time to learn, grow, and improve, and that when they were back in the ring, they would both be stronger than ever before.

They had indeed gone their separate ways. They had indeed strengthened their skills. Yet now, everything had changed. There was no way they could have the same rematch they thought they would after that night. The Marzia that Alizeh had made her promises to was gone. And she was never coming back! Marzia grit her teeth, her brow furrowing and her fists clenching as she thought about how much better she was now. There was no use in dwelling on the past. There was no use in wondering what-if. There was only now - and now, Marzia was out to prove she was better than she was!

"Rrgh-!! Shut up!" Marzia shouted, stamping her foot in defiance of Alizeh's taunts. Yet, at the same time, she couldn't deny that hearing such harsh words from an old friend stung. She wished it didn't have to be this way. But...it did. And thinking about that would just hold her back from being what she was supposed to be.

Marzia began to lower her fists from her face, staring back out at Alizeh from over them with a hateful snarl. The green-haired girl charged, and though Marzia braced herself, she couldn't stop her from hurling herself headlong against her gut! Doubling over forward from the impact, she sputtered and coughed, taking a few steps back. Her back landed against the ropes, and she draped one arm behind her to hold onto the top rope, keeping herself up. Though she panted for breath, her chest rising and falling with each heave, Marzia could see that Alizeh was coming straight back at her - and as she came in close, the Italian swung her leg up with a superkick aimed at her jaw, letting loose a roar as it cut through the air! She couldn't let her do this!

[Bare]

Alizeh was honestly furious. Furious at how Marzia had changed. That this long awaited rematch was spoiled. That this was what the Italian had become and that this was going to be how their rematch went. Alizeh positively detested it. But she could do nothing to change that. Alizeh had gone her way, Marzia her own. As much as Alizeh didn't want to admit or accept the girl had changed, in most ways for the worst. As such Alizeh had to accept it for what it was, at least for this match, and beat Marzia down to show her own path was better. That she had the higher path both literally and figuratively. Even if that meant knocking Marzia off her own road.

So with these thoughts in mind Alizeh buried her shoulder into the gut of Marzia making the girl sputter in pain! Shoving the dark haired girl away from her Alizeh watched as Marzia tumbled into the ropes, landing on and using them as support to to keep herself up right. 'Perfect.' Alizeh thought to herself as she dashed forward, running at her opponent and leaping up! Alizeh's plan was simple and effective, with Marzia trapped up against the ropes Alizeh was planning buring a flying knee strike into Mariza's face, intent on stunning the girl and leaving her prime for Alizeh's next move.

What Alizeh hadn't expected however was for Marzia to suddenly spring to life! Eyes widening as she saw the girl duck low and turn there was almost nothing Alizeh could do as the Italian swung her leg back. 'Shit.' Alizeh thought to herself before being met with a face full of boot! "Gah!" Yelling in pain from the impact Alizeh's body came careening out of the air with little no control. Landing on her but Alizeh was left holding her face with one hand and supporting her weight with the other, stunned and vulnerable for whatever Marzia would try and do next!

[CaptainL]

Alizeh's shoulder charge struck Marzia straight in her center of her mass, causing her to cough and gag as her body lurched over, bent at the waist. She went staggering back into the ropes, stopping just in front of them in time to pull herself back up straight. When she did, her eyes caught sight of Alizeh - and that caused her brows to narrow into a glare, and her teeth to clench into a snarl. Alizeh wasn't her friend any more, she told herself. The green-haired girl had already made that clear through her actions. Even if Marzia wanted things to be different...she knew that was impossible. She was naive to ever think that she could get away with being nice, and she was naive to think that could change anything now. Alizeh was her opponent. And if Marzia wanted to prove she was stronger as a person than she ever was before...she needed to tear her apart.

Alizeh was coming barreling back toward her, but Marzia was ready. At the last minute, she ducked down - and her boot swung up, slamming hard into the base of Alizeh's chin! With the sound of a crack, she was thrown backward, driven off her feet and to the mat. Now, she was vulnerable. And Marzia knew this meant it was her time to strike.

The Italian stormed in closer, glowering down at her foe with her fist balled tightly at her side. As she looked down at her former friend, seeing her still reeling from pain that Marzia herself had inflicted, for the briefest of moments she felt herself grasped by regret. She bit her trembling lip, and her fist shook; she had to squeeze even tighter, digging her nails into the palm of her hand, to steady herself. That was before, she told herself, taking steady breaths in and out to try and focus. This was now. Alizeh was her enemy. And her enemies needed to suffer.

Marzia threw back her head, roaring out a battle cry - a battle cry aimed just as much to convince herself this was what she needed to do, to punctuate her commitment to the deed, as much as much as it was to intimidate her opponent. Stomping her feet on the floor, she got to Alizeh's side, throwing her arms around her head and holding tight before she hoisted her off the ground, bending her back and chin in a Crippler Crossface!

Spoiler

[Bare]

Alizeh was rocked. That much was clear due to the dazed expression on her face as she sat on the mat after her failed attempt at flying high to dig some offense in on Marzia. But the Italian woman had other plans, managing to not only call her attack but counter with a vicious superkick which landed square against Alizeh's jaw and brought her right back down to the mat. 'Dammit. I can't believe I let her get me like that.' Alizeh thought to herself in frustration and annoyance towards herself, mad that she underestimated how readily Marzia was to make a counter attack. Now she was going to pay the price for that, because up till now Alizeh had held the advantage in this rematch, but now it appeared it was Marzia's turn!

Looking up slightly Alizeh was greeted with three blurry visages of black clothed legs before her and knew that Marzia was upon her. Gritting her teeth at this Alizeh weakly swatted her hand out, trying to hit the girl but she ended up hitting air. Nothing was quite clear for her and Alizeh was out of it, but her fighting spirit refused to let her be a rag doll for Marzia.

However determined she was however in wanting to fight back nothing Alizeh did was especially effective in getting Marzia to back off. In fact ironically enough it was Marzia herself that didn't press her attack for some reason, not that Alizeh could imagine why. But it didn't matter, cause soon enough whatever hang up Marzia had was wiped and the girl sprung into action on Alizeh!

Forced down face first against the mat Alizeh was caught full force by both Marzia's weight as her hands lashed around her head and pulled her back for the brutal crippler crossface! "AGHHH!!!" Screaming out immediately in response to the hold Alizeh began thrashing and struggling beneath the dark haired girl, Alizeh's hands going up to Marzia's, prying at them and trying to get them off from around her!

[CaptainL]

With a swing of her foot aimed right at Alizeh's jaw, Marzia managed to counter her opponent's next move, intercepting her charge. As the green-haired girl flopped flat on her back, Marzia took a moment's pause to catch her breath, stepping in closer to where her former friend had fallen. She clenched her fist at her side and took in a breath, all while regrets and doubts flashed through her mind. This was Alizeh, she thought; this was her friend. They had promised each other a rematch, and she wished it could be under better terms. What if it didn't have to be this way? What if they really could have the friendly rivalry they'd wished for so long ago?

But Marzia clenched her teeth and shook her head, fighting a battle just as fierce with her inner thoughts as she was with her opponent. She couldn't let such intrusive thoughts get in her way. After all, that was what had made her so weak, so hopeless, before she took it upon herself to grow stronger and to overcome her fears. The last thing she needed was to let that ruin her moment of triumph now - her chance to grab the glory she had so long been denied, thanks to her own weak will!

"H-Heh..." Marzia turned her head down to lock eyes on Alizeh, a smirk crossing her face as the green-haired wrestler slapped aimlessly at the air. "It helps if you actually hit...you know..." It wasn't the best comeback, and her wavering voice made it clear that she was fighting against the urge to hesitate and to hold back. But she needed to speak up; she needed to throw that barb against the girl who had once been a friend, just to prove that she could - to prove to herself that Alizeh truly meant nothing to her any more!

And, as she roared with defiance of her own doubts, Marzia dropped down, her hands lacing into place around Alizeh's head! With a sharp tug back, she bent Alizeh into an arc, twisting her spine beneath her own weight! She could feel Alizeh struggling beneath her, fighting her way out, but Marzia couldn't let her get far. Clenching her teeth, she hissed at her, the venom rising in her voice. "Stay...down-!" Marzia cursed, rocking her body from side to side to try and press down against Alizeh to keep her in place. She felt her reach out for Marzia's clasped hands, but she couldn't let her get a grip on them. Instead, the Italian kicked out with her legs to try and wrap them around Alizeh's shoulder, squeezing as hard as she could to further tighten her hold!

[Bare]

The longer the match went on the more Alizeh was starting to forget the old Marzia and their promise. Or not so much forget, but rather the more that past image of the girl was getting destroyed. At every turn the Italian doubled down on her attitude and heelish tendencies, making it harder and harder for Alizeh to forgive her for her transgressions as time went on. It was a situation she never wanted but had to adapt too now that she was in it. As much as she hated to have to do so.

Unfortunately for the green haired girl she was in no place to properly react or punish Marzia for her new bully attitude towards things. Instead she felt things getting worse and worse. Both with the way Marzia had knocked her down and taunted her after doing so. But that was far outside of Alizeh's main focus right now. Instead she was forced to deal with a pair of arms looping around her face and pulling her backwards with a brutal and painful crossface submission that left Alizeh yelling and kicking the mat in pain while trying to resist the Italian's vicious submission hold.

But unfortunately Alizeh's resistance only motivated a more painful reaction from Marzia who tightened her legs grip around the green haired girl's shoulders! "Ngh.. agh!" Yelping and groaning in pain from the submission Alizeh knew that she needed to do something and fast in order to get free and save herself from more pain from the hold!

So Alizeh would take a deep breath and grit her teeth softly as she clenched her hands, one tightly gripping Marzia's leg... the other hand getting a tight handful of Marzia's hair. If she did so Alizeh would slowly start pulling herself up, shifting her legs under her to get into a kneeling position. If she was successful Alizeh would tighten her grips on Marzia to prevent the girl from trying to abandon ship. If she managed this Alizeh would push herself up to try and get herself into a full standing position with Marzia on her shoulders! If she managed to successfully do so while keeping Marzia from letting go... Alizeh would then jump up and throw herself backwards, attempting to counter Marzia by landing a makeshift Samoan Drop!

[CaptainL]

Hooking her hands tightly around Alizeh's face, Marzia tightened her grip into a white-knuckled grasp. Her fingers cupped the underside of her opponent's chin, and she held on as forcefully as she could, gritting her teeth to bear out the strain she forced her body through. She hauled back on Alizeh's head to contort her spine, and she let out a stifled hiss from behind her grimace as she wrapped her legs tightly around her old friend's shoulder. Sweat was running down her furrowed brow, and her eyes were squeezed tight. "Just...tap...already-!!" she snarled.

One part of her wanted this match to be over quickly, so that she wouldn't have to face Alizeh any more, and she wouldn't have to be reminded of how much she had failed her - how much she had let her down, turned her back on their friendship, and ensured that the friendly rematch they promised each other could never be. But the other part of her wanted this match to keep going. She wanted to keep this locked in as long as she could, tormenting Alizeh, bending her until she broke and listening to her cry and beg for mercy - if only to prove to herself that she could, and that she wouldn't let their bygone friendship hold her back any longer.

Either way, it was Alizeh who managed to break the hold. She took hold of Marzia's leg with one hand, and with the other she yanked back on her hair. At once, the Italian's eyes snapped open as she let out a gasp. She had grown so used to having her foe under control, the fact that she was mounting a resistance now caught her completely by surprise. But resisting she was - and soon Marzia found herself high in the air, atop Alizeh's shoulders! For a brief moment, she was snapped out of her bravado. Now, she could only anticipate the impact that was about to come. Her grip on Alizeh relaxed, but it wouldn't let go entirely - until the green-haired girl threw herself backward, slamming Marzia hard against the canvas!

The mat rumbled underneath her impact, and Marzia let out a scream, one that seemed far more frightened and pained than she was used to showing to the world. She kicked her legs up into the air as she let go of her opponent, but then her body settled to the mat, staring up at the lights as she panted and groaned. Her chest rose and fell with each breath, but she couldn't find the strength in her to rise.