Breaking the ice

[SRG]

Kira was backstage preparing to sent out a message in her first promo at law. Soon her music would play as she came out to a mixture of boos and cheers. The goddesses had her belt around her waist as she dismissed anything the crowd was giving her before she stepped through the ropes and picked up a microphone”if I may I would just like to say Law is doing the worst job possible of booking me, I’m the goddess of wrestling I’ve obtained many belts but I’m never booked period! but it does give me something, Yukino Fuyumi! I know your backstage dying for the chance to attack me so come on out I have a little message for ya!” She said loudly as the crowd was left in silence waiting to see if the winter idol will come out.

[CaptainL]

It was no coincidence that Kira had chosen tonight to deliver this promo - everyone was sure of that, at least. The Idol Dragons were set to wrestle on tonight's card, which meant that they were bound to be backstage at such a time. When Kira went up to say her part, challenging Yukino to meet her face to face, Nashi and Yukino were sitting in the locker rooms, watching the screen. This was a message they needed to see, and Kira would make sure they did!

From the instant that Kira came into view, Yukino froze in place. Her eyes went wide, staring off blankly into the distance as her gaze fixed on the screen. "No..." Even after she'd had so many matches, even after she'd come as far as she had, even when she'd proven she had a chance as a wrestler after all, it was hard for her to forget her match against the veteran, one that had been a crushing and humiliating defeat that left her questioning if she even had a future. She was in no mood to relive the shame of that match, and the mere sight of Kira stirred up memories she wanted to bury.

But...when she heard Kira call her name, Yukino knew that something needed to be done. Time had passed. She'd grown stronger, and won more and more of her matches. Now, it was her chance to prove that once and for all, by taking things right to where they had all began. She couldn't run away any longer. If it had come to this...now was the time more than ever for the Winter Idol to prove she wouldn't be afraid. Even if on the inside, she was trembling in terror.

Yukino straightened herself back to her feet, reaching for Nashi's hand. Ultimately, this was her battle to fight, but knowing she had her best friend's support would make all the difference. "Nashi...promise me you'll cheer me on, okay?" Then, sucking in a breath, Yukino straightened herself to her feet, turning her chin skyward. Kira had issued the challenge, and she had no choice but to rise to it. Anything less would be an admission of defeat, and that would be a loss even more embarrassing than the first. She needed to show the world she was better than that now!

With a defiant glare on her face, Yukino pushed aside the curtains, storming out onto the ramp. The fans lit up with a cheer to see her arrival, but Yukino's gaze was fixed squarely on Kira, narrowed into a determined glare. She knew Kira wanted to see her back away in fear. She couldn't give her that satisfaction.

"I'm here, Kira!" she shouted, her fists balled tight at her sides. She refused to so much as let her voice waver. "What is it you have to say?"

[SRG]

Nashi was backstage stretching getting ready for a tag match with Yukino. That was until on screen Kira was there demanding her best to friend. She instantly began to tense up, turning towards Yukino she could tell her best friend was worried behind belief. When Yukino finally said something Nashi would nod”off course incase she tries something lll back ya up” She said with a cheeky smile to cheer up her friend.

Soon enough Nashi would walk down the ramp and wave to the crowd before entering the ring with Yukino.

Kira on the other hand had her eyes dead set on the idols when they got in”well if it isn’t my favorite jobber, you had some good fluke wins and I heard you two have been offered a championship belt from my league, it’s amusing” She brushed her back laughing before walking up to stare her dead in the eye”unfortunately I have my Apex opponent in motion but since I still control your opponent’s give me a sec” she would squint her eyes to see if anyone else was in the ring more so as a joke then anything”well since it’s only us and Nashi, and I don’t have an apex opponent….. YOUR OPPONENT WILL BE NASHI DRAGNEEL!!!!”

The audience gasped including Nashi herself. While she had previously defeated Yukino, the thought of facing her again for the most prestigious title didn’t feel right”but…. I….” Nashi couldn’t figure out the right words to say, Kira however laughed”well if that’s the case you’ll be letting down your poor fans and you don’t want that right?” She bent forward talking down to the idols as if they were nothing more then kindergartners waiting for a response.

[CaptainL]

Yukino knew that Nashi was there to back her up, and that made her feel just a little more prepared when she knew she was flying straight into the fire. But at the same time, she knew Nashi was just as nervous as she was. She could feel the anxious energy radiating off of her friend, and she could see how every muscle in her body was tense. She knew what this meant. When Yukino had taken on Kira, Nashi had been there the whole time - she had seen all of her cruelty and brutality first-hand. When even Nashi, who could take on Astrid Ostberg herself in a steel cage without so much as a second thought, was afraid, that said something.

It didn't help that Yukino was already sure of what Kira would have to say. As part of their stipulations, when Kira beat Yukino, she would decide her opponents for her Apex qualifiers - an event that Yukino had never even intended to enter, but when Kira challenged her, how could she possibly turn it down? To back away now would be a confirmation of her cowardice and her hopelessness. But Yukino had beaten the odds. She'd taken on every opponent, all of whom seemed far above her skill level, and managed to hold her own, showing she had the willpower and the potential in her to succeed if she pushed herself to that level. It was that determination that qualified her for Apex. But now that Kira was calling her out, Yukino could be sure what lay ahead for her. It was time for the Golden Goddess to decide who her opponent for Apex would be. And it would almost certainly be Kira herself.

Yukino was tense as she made her way out to the ring. Her heart was pounding in her chest. Even after how far she'd come, she didn't know if she could withstand another match with Kira, after she'd seen what she could do to her. But her previous successes had told her that, just maybe, there just might be hope for her yet. That possibility still existed. And that was what she would have to hold onto for dear life, even if she couldn't hold onto anything else.

Her fists were balled tightly and her back stiffened as she turned her head up to lock her gaze onto Kira. Even when she flinched, seeing Kira laugh at the very prospect of Nashi and Yukino competing for a championship, she knew she couldn't let her composure break. If Kira saw how scared she was, she would almost certainly use that against her. And if the fans saw that, her career was hopeless. She balled her fists tighter, gritting her teeth to try and stay focused.

But it was what Kira said next that truly left Yukino shocked. She had tried psyching herself up for having to face Kira...but she never even considered she would have to face Nashi! Her eyes went wide, and her jaw dropped into a gasp. "WHAT!?" When Yukino spun back around to face her friend, her eyes were still open in a glassy stare, as she stared back toward Nashi. She knew exactly what this meant. One of them was going to have to win this match. Both of them wanted to reach for the stars. But now, only one of them could make it to Openweight Champion status - the other would have to go home disappointed. Yukino didn't want to have to do that to Nashi - and she knew Nashi wouldn't want it to happen to her, either.

A tear began to bud at the edge of Yukino's eye as she trembled, thinking about her predicament. But she knew what Kira said next was true, too. If Yukino denied this match, it meant she would be admitting defeat. She'd prove she had let Kira beat her at a battle of wits. And when both Nashi and Yukino had blossomed into capable wrestlers, the fans were already starting to cheer at the prospect of a rematch, wanting to see how much they had grown. Backing out now would indeed mean disappointing all of their fans - and when Yukino was eternally grateful for all their support, to do that would be simply unthinkable.

There was no good option. It seemed like an eternity passed where she could only stare into space in silence, never looking anyone in the eye for fear of what she'd see. But some time or another, she would have to make a choice. At last, Yukino cleared her throat, turning back toward Kira. She tried to focus her gaze on her, but she quickly glanced away. She began to stammer, and her body shook. Yukino wanted to hold firm, but she was simply overwhelmed by everything hitting her at once. She didn't even have time to think of how she was letting everyone down. She couldn't help it.

At the same time...if there was one thing Yukino knew, it was that she couldn't surrender now. She couldn't let Kira win.

"I...I...If that's...what you want..." Suddenly, the white-haired girl cleared her throat, blurting out a few words of defiance. "...t-then I ACCEPT!!" The whole crowd gasped at such a statement. "If I need to face my best friend...just to show you I have a future...t-then I'm willing to risk even my chances at the title for it..! I can have faith that whatever happens...Nashi won't be mad. That she will always take my side..! Because we're best friends!!" Lifting her head, Yukino looked back at Nashi, waiting on her response.

[SRG]

Nashi was still processing all of this. She worked so hard to win her last two qualifiers and one against one of them by sheer luck! While it make it easier to find an opponent it would the person she never wanted to steal the spotlight… until Yukino yelled out in defiance she accepted the challenge… it left the pink haired girl gasping wonder if this was real or not.


Then it was Nashi’s turn, she looked down before staring back up with a look of determine as if fire was truly in her eyes”I accept! I’ll admit I never want to fight Yukino, she’s my best friend and the thought of having to hurt her stings me more then being given the pink slip ” She put her arm around her best friends shoulder to pull her in for a tight hug.


Kira rolled her eyes”friendship is pathetic…. But it will make good entertainment seeing a pair of swimsuit models try to fightShe smirked evilly before saying”enjoy your last moments in the spotlight ” She laughed before turning to leave the ring.

[CaptainL]

When Nashi accepted the challenge, the arena lit up with cheers. In even their short time in LAW, she and Yukino had endeared themselves to the fans thanks to their dedication to prove themselves and their stunning moves alike. A match between the two of them, at their current level, with both of them giving it their all for the greatest prize in the company, would be nothing short of stunning. Not to mention, the fact they were standing up to such a feared veteran as Kira without any hesitation was well worthy of praise.

And yet, Yukino couldn't bear to think about it. She wanted to prove herself; she wanted to make everyone proud of her. She knew she couldn't back down now, when the world was watching. But at the back of her mind, no matter what she said to the cameras, she knew she would have to be facing her best friend - and that if she won, she would deny her the chance of becoming LAW's first Openweight Champion. The thought of that was enough to make her feel sick to her stomach.

Even after Kira left the ring, Yukino lingered there with Nashi, hugging her close. She sniffled just a little as she wormed her way in closer, whispering to her friend. "Nashi...I'm sorry...I never wanted to have to do this...I hope you won't be mad at me..!"

[SRG]

Nashi heard the arena’s excitement as they cheered so the heavens can hear them. All the while Nashi, knew that a match between her and Yukino after all they’ve been through would be a match of a lifetime for theyre careers, they were still best friends at the end of the day. The pinklette couldn’t imagine having to punch Yukino in the face, or putting her in an Boston crab. That’s why when Yukino leaned in she wrapped her arms around her tightly”win or loose, one of us will win, and besides even if we weren’t fighting each other… one of us would still get the belt…” She whispered back into her friends ear as a tiny tear drop ran down Nashi’s cheek and onto her friends shoulder.

[CaptainL]

When the fans lit up the arena with their cheers, entranced by the prospect of seeing Nashi and Yukino face off with one another at the peak of their potential, no one could possibly imagine the turmoil that was going through their heads. Ever since their first match against each other, they had decided they wanted to conquer the wrestling world as a team, not as adversaries. They were best friends, they had always done everything together, and they had no intention of changing that. But it was Kira who got in the way. Kira knew that the only thing that would hurt Yukino more than having to face her was having to face Nashi. And with that one announcement, she had struck a blow directly to the Winter Idol's heart, a blow harder than anything she could deal to her body. Just looking at Nashi, Yukino recoiled at the mere thought of having to fight her. To feel her blows hitting her, or to hear her crying out in pain as she bent her in a hold...it was just something she couldn't accept.

She had to cling to Nashi for support, wrapping her arms around her pink-haired friend just to know that she was close to her, and that she wouldn't ever think of hurting her. She needed to convince herself of that. But as she drew close, she could hear Nashi whisper to her, telling her that if nothing else, at least one of them would make it to the title scene. "...Yeah..." Yukino said with a sniffle, feeling another tear run down her cheek. "I...guess so..." What she didn't say, but that both of them already knew, was that she didn't want to have to be the one to cut Nashi's dreams short. But maybe there was something worth keeping in mind even then...

"...And if one of us wins...I guess that gives the other something to strive for, right..?"

[SRG]

Nashi would listen to Yukino and gave her winter friend a smile”off course we always gotta push ourselves beyond” She said sweetly while storming the back of Yukino’s hair before whispering”maybe we should go before the next match” She added with a light chuckle before holding onto Yukino’s hand and began to make her way backstage.