Lyra Heartfield vs. Yukino Fuyumi: A True Taste of Real Darkness

[Pegasus]

After a random interview segment had concluded, an all too familiar scene would play out as the lights went out around the arena and plunged a sense of dread into the crowd. The crowd had their phone lights at the ready knowing a certain group had this new shtick they have been seeing lately. Even the ring announcer was on edge after what transpired last time this stuff happened. It would then happen as the first theme started and the audience waited in anticipation for the wrestler to come through the curtain.

The Selection’s Theme Song

Lyra’s Cloak

Lyra would appear coming out of the curtain just by herself as her dark blue cloak concealed her appearance, but a few strands of her blonde hair could be seen from in the shadows. She made a slow walk down the ramp and the ring announcer was really too scared to even do her job as Lyra walked far apart from the fans trying to reach out for high-fives. Normally, Lyra would be accompanied by her green pyro and would be throwing out charm necklaces to the audience, but this time, she was silent and her cloak hid mysteries about this dark presence she took on whenever she was around Jonathan or The Anomaly. She has even interfered in a few of his matches like with The Heartbreakers, Selket, and Marzia. It looks like this will be a re-debut for her.

“Um….the following c-c-contest….is set for one-fall…and….uh…introducing first, from Illinois, this is…..Lyra Heartfield….I suppose.”

Lyra came near the steps and slowly stepped up them one at a time and got in-between the ropes. Lyra didn’t show much emotion during her entrance as she simply went to a corner to wait for her chosen opponent.

[CaptainL]

The fans knew that Lyra Heartfield had been booked for the next match - but they didn't quite expect this. It was no secret that Lyra had been brought into the fold with the Selection, making an appearance at ringside in a couple of the mysterious stable's matches and intervening on her behalf. But when she competed in her own matches, she had always done so under her own name, and her own persona...until now.

When the lights dimmed on the ring, a few murmurs and whispers went through the crowd. All Lyra had to speak to her career as a member of the Selection, to this point, was a couple of run-ins and interferences - but just what would she be capable of on her own? Already, she seemed to possess incredible powers, seeming to anticipate what moves her opponents would use before they happened. When she had the Selection on her side, no one knew what to expect. Nonetheless, when Lyra stepped onto the ramp, cloaked in blue, all those whispers stopped - and everyone fell silent. They knew better than to draw the attention of the newest member of the Selection.

If anyone was keeping a particularly watchful eye on Lyra, however, it was her opponent for tonight - Yukino Fuyumi. The idol stood behind the curtain at the Gorilla position, peering through a crack at the scene outside. Her heart was racing - she had been a little nervous about going into a new match at first, but she was sure that with all her training and experience behind her, she could handle it. Now, though...it was clear she wasn't just facing Lyra Heartfield. She was facing someone greater, something beyond her wildest dreams. How was she supposed to deal with that?

For a moment, Yukino wanted to turn and run for the nearest exit and never look back. But she stopped herself, and she sucked in a long, deep breath. She couldn't do that. She knew that for everyone out there who was terrified of the Selection, and who feared the thought of the power they wielded spreading further across LAW, there was someone who wanted to see them taken down - who was waiting on the hero LAW needed to end their threat. The Winter Idol had seen herself rise to new heights as she proved herself to be a capable wrestler at the same time as she was a popular celebrity, putting forth her best efforts in every match. If she was the one to face Lyra, she would then be the one everyone was counting on. She couldn't let them down.

"And her opponent...er..."

The announcer stammered, still shaken by Lyra's imposing form. But Yukino wouldn't wait for an introduction. She suddenly stepped forward, throwing the curtains aside as she marched forward onto the ramp to the sounds of cheers!

Spoiler

Staring down at Lyra from the top of the ramp, Yukino's eyes narrowed in a glare. "I'm not afraid of you," she shouted back in defiance. At the same time, she bit down on the inside of her cheek. That wasn't quite true. Yukino was afraid - she was going into uncharted territory, against an opponent she couldn't begin to fathom the potential of. But no one needed to know that. For now, she had to be strong, for their sakes!

[Pegasus]

Lyra simply just waited for Yukino to make her entrance and spare no small talk with the ice-themed idol. No one could truly know what was going through her mind and for all they knew, it was very blank up there. Not to say she was completely stupid, but that she truly had her sights focused on this match only and had no nerves or worries. However, Yukino would trudge forward in her attempt to remain confident for the crowd and try to be the hero they needed in this time. Lyra hadn’t watched a Yukino match so her styles were up in the air for her, but she did hear this idol had a less than stellar records if her big loss to Kira Kusanagi was anything to go by.

When Yukino got closer to the ring, fire shot up from all four turnbuckles making some fans scream. Lyra just stood in her corner chanting to herself as she didn’t seem to flinch an inch. This was truly going to be a tough battle for Yukino. She truly didn’t want to mess with The Selection—let alone just Lyra. Lyra just waited patiently and stared down Yukino from underneath her cloak.

[CaptainL]

Yukino had issued the challenge, not just with her words, but with her presence. The Selection was out to rule LAW by fear - no one knew that they wanted, or even the limits of what they were capable of. Perhaps their powers could be explained with special effects, but there was always that doubt out there that, just maybe, there was something stranger going on. And in the ring, those mysterious powers had allowed them to dominate foe after foe, not just bringing them to their knees, but seemingly commanding their minds as well. No one would dare to challenge them. And yet, Yukino wouldn't let herself be intimidated. She knew that all of LAW was counting on her to make a change. It was a heavy burden resting on her shoulders, but if she had to shoulder that, so be it! When she stood at the top of the ramp, glaring down at her opponent, the message was clear - she wasn't going to let Lyra get in her head.

And Lyra...said nothing. She just stood there, quietly watching Yukino, as though the white-haired girl's words meant nothing to her. At that moment, Yukino bit her lip, and her eyelid began to twitch. Was all her defiance and bravado for nothing? Was Lyra just...going to ignore her? A feeling of unease began to creep up from her stomach, and each step she took fell with hesitation as she made her way closer to the ring. Could Lyra see through her mask of bravery? Or was she simply so confident in herself that defiance meant nothing to her?

Still, Yukino couldn't let it hold her back. She sucked in a breath, holding her back straight - she had a job to do, she knew people had come to see her put an end to the Selection, and she wasn't about to let everyone down. She came to the ring, about to climb inside - and it was just then that a gout of fire shot up from the turnbuckles!

With a gasp, Yukino jumped back. If she was just an inch off, she could've been set alight! The color drained away from her face as she stood there, mouth agape - and just a moment later, the chilling realization hit Yukino that in her moment of surprise, she had undermined herself. She wanted to stand up to the Selection, to be stronger than them, to prove they had no power here. But she had already shown fear. And that had thrown her entire reason for being here into question.

Through it all, Lyra still said nothing. When Yukino looked back up at her, her teeth clenched. She might have been wary of the Selection's powers...but she knew it was her who had done this to make her look like a coward and a fool, and that was enough to embolden her to make the next step. She couldn't let her get away with this. Her fingers grasped the ropes, and she hoisted herself higher, getting into the ring. There, she shot a glare at her opponent. "Are you going to say something-!?"

[Pegasus]

Lyra just stood there as Yukino hopped into the ring and glared her down for her trick. The fire should’ve been talk enough that if Yukino wanted to put Lyra on ice, the fortune teller just had to break it away with the flames of doomsday. Lyra didn’t fear Yukino and neither did The Selection. To them, the ice pop idol is just another ant to step on as she inches closer towards Apex and her own pursuit for the Openweight Championship. If Lyra wins that title, The Selection rules the roost and no one could stop them. LAW will be annexed into the control of The Anomaly and a new age of darkness will sweep everything in its sight.

Lyra simply threw back her hood and revealed the red irises in her eyes as The Anomaly’s signature color dominated her eyes. She removed her cloak and folded it up to sit in the corner as her attire remained the same as it always had. The referee bit her lip as that told her this match was now underway and she called for the bell as soon as Lyra inched forward.

DING! DING! DING!

[CaptainL]

Even when Yukino called out to her opponent, Lyra stayed silent. The white-haired girl's teeth clenched as she sank into a stance, her fingers curling and uncurling into tight fists as she sucked in breaths. Lyra was doing everything she could, from the outset of the match, to intimidate her, making her feel small and helpless against the unthinkable, unfathomable power she was up against. Yukino couldn't help but shudder at the thought that she was facing an opponent she couldn't even begin to understand, that she had no idea as to what she was capable of. But she couldn't let it get to her. She had to keep fighting.

Her eyelid twitched as she and Lyra locked eyes, the red lights in the fortune teller's piercing back into her own. But she raised her hands nonetheless and took a step closer. "It...doesn't matter-!" she shouted back. "I'll do whatever I need to-!"

As the bell rang, Yukino began to circle Lyra, but she decided to stay back for now, seeing what move her opponent might make instead of moving into range. When she didn't know what to expect from her foe, it reassured her to think she could play it safe and wait for Lyra to make the first move.

[Pegasus]

Lyra would simply close her eyes taking in her beginning vision from the universe as she normally did and saw Yukino deciding to steadily approach her in order to lock her right arm behind her back. After that, Lyra saw Yukino try locking her in a chokehold as that would have to be her time to strike when Yukino attempted the submission. She came out as the referee stood back letting both girls get to work as Lyra circled Yukino before offering her palms up in a test of strength. Both girls would interlock hands, but Lyra pushed Yukino back as quickly as she could into the corner and the referee grabbed Lyra by the torso breaking off the spot. The two ladies would try again as Lyra had tried to push Yukino back into the ropes and again the referee stepped in to push her back.

Lyra, at this point, was trying to get Yukino riled up with anger so she could strike and complete what was in her vision. If she could express some superiority over Yukino, this could be her chance to bring things full circle as Yukino would go on the offensive. From there, Lyra could execute her own plan when she was locked into the hammerlock and the chokehold.

[CaptainL]

Yukino kept her eyes on Lyra, never breaking her gaze for a moment. She could see that the blonde was offering her hands, and she didn't seem to be going far from her spot. Yukino gulped - it looked as though she had no choice but to accept her offer of a test of strength. Doing so would surely put her in a vulnerable position, leaving herself open for her opponent to seize the advantage - and she could only imagine what sort of tricks Lyra might have up her sleeve to do so. But there was nothing to be gained in hesitation. Sucking in a breath, she lifted her hands and stepped forward to meet up with Lyra face to face. At the very least, she was hoping that she could use her greater strength to overpower Lyra.

But it seemed as though Lyra could sense Yukino's hesitation. Before the idol even got the chance to shove her weight in against her, Lyra steered her backward, pushing her as hard as she could! Before she knew it, she had ended up in the corner; it was only the referee guiding Lyra back to the center of the ring that kept her out of trouble. A blush spread over Yukino's face - it wasn't one of her proudest moments, letting herself be so easily controlled. But she looked back up at Lyra, her eyes narrowing in defiance. She could still make it right. She'd just go in for it a second time!

But her second attempt ended up much the same as the first - the moment Yukino took Lyra's hands, the fortune teller forced her back up against the ropes, steering her before Yukino had the chance to center her stance! Now, this was getting frustrated. It almost felt as though Lyra was mocking her - and Yukino wasn't having it. She growled under her breath, her teeth clenched as she snorted a gout of hot air from her nostrils. She was here to prove she wouldn't be intimidated, and so far it seemed like Lyra could dominate her effortlessly. Now, she was going to have to show Lyra she wouldn't let this keep happening to her!

Once again, Yukino would close in on Lyra, moving to grab her for a lockup. But this time, if Lyra moved to accept, Yukino would throw a kick toward her shin, hoping to trip her up. If she could get Lyra to stumble in surprise, the white-haired girl would try to take control, swinging behind her to grab her for the hammerlock - and, if that worked to go for the chokehold with her other arm. Little did she know, this rising aggression was exactly what Lyra wanted out of her!

[Pegasus]

Lyra would accept a third attempt at a lock up, but Yukino was about to get the quick jab in on her. Yukino threw a kick at her shin as Lyra hobbled a little bit and the crowd cheered Yukino on pulling a fast one over the cloaked wrestler. Yukino didn’t stop pulling Lyra’s arm behind her back and combining it with a strong chokehold. Lyra groaned and coughed as the cheering grew louder, but these fans didn’t understand and underestimated Lyra’s abilities as she wanted this to happen. Yukino got mad enough to lock in these predictable moves thinking it would incapacitate Lyra. However, Lyra wanted this all along.

“You’re far too easy to trick…,” Lyra finally mumbled as she tried throwing her free elbow into Yukino’s head.

If Yukino got hit and backed off, Lyra would try to hammer her back with three elbows guiding her in the corner. Lyra would then try to hit swift kicks to the gut to down Yukino.

[CaptainL]

Slowly but surely, Yukino was gaining ground. No one could deny she had a daunting task ahead of her - she was up against an opponent with the backing of the Selection, and their reputation preceded them for a very good reason. Even aside from that, Lyra's presence had been an intimidating one from the get-go, stirring a moment of doubt into her heart - Yukino didn't know what she was going into, what she might be faced with, or what she might be in store for if she faltered. But she had to move past that. She needed to stand up for LAW, to make a stand that this sort of meddling wouldn't be tolerated. She needed to be stronger than the Selection - and when everyone cheered for her with each move she landed, it made Yukino's heart beat faster and faster as her confidence grew. Maybe, she thought, if everyone believed in her, she had a chance. As she moved in for the chokehold, Yukino thought to herself that Lyra didn't seem so daunting of an opponent after all - and when the fans cheered her on all the way, she looked up toward them with a smile. It only motivated her all the more to win it for them!

But little did Yukino know, she was only playing right into her opponent's trap! When the time was right, Lyra was willing to flip the script. As soon as the white-haired girl heard her foe mutter under her breath, her eyes grew wider as her jaw dropped. "What..?" Had Lyra...let all of this happen to her? At once, all the confidence Yukino had built up fell away from her. Her face grew pale and she froze in place as a shudder went down her spine. Everything she thought she knew had just been thrown into question. But she wouldn't have the chance to think much on it - because she had given Lyra all the time she needed to take control!

"Gaah-!!" As Lyra's elbow struck its target, Yukino's head snapped backward, thrown in an arc. She had no choice but to release her grip - and from there, Lyra kept on hammering her with elbows, steering her slowly back into the corner. She groaned with each blow that landed, making her stagger a few steps back each time, until Lyra knocked a volley of kicks into her stomach that took her off her feet! Yukino dropped straight down, landing with her back against the corner as she panted for breath. But when she looked up to focus on Lyra, she winced. Now, she was quite literally cornered, with nowhere to run to, and no energy to do so even if she could. And Lyra most certainly had plans. Her body growing tense, the idol froze in fear, only able to anticipate what might come next...