Contract Signing - Pillars of Their Division

[winner3]

Tonight was a special edition of LAW's regularly broadcasted wrestling program. The main event of tonight's show was a contract signing between the currently reigning LAW Lightweight Champion and one-third of the LAW World Tag Team Champions! The title defense was announced some time ago in a rare face-to-face confrontation between the man behind the company and the dominant Lightweight Champ. But tonight's contract signing came as a surprise to most everyone. It had only been announced by LAW officials tonight!

Aurora Estrella

Entrance Music

Clad in a flattering dress that showed off the star tattoos on her hip and with one of the tag team championship belts over her shoulder, a delighted and smiling Galaxy Cat emerged to the sound of both her entrance theme and thunderous cheers! There was an air of anticipation in the atmosphere tonight. Faceoffs between champion and challenger always resulted in tensions rising. But for Aurora and for fans watching in the arena and around the world, this was a special case. Not only did they have a fan favorite on the beloved and undefeated Galaxy Cat set to take on the woman at the top of the division, but they also had a champion vs champion match set in which one of those belts would be on the line, the first such match in LAW's long history!

As her theme song continued to play, Estrella would wave to the fans with both hands. She'd stop to give a hug to a small crowd in the front row. The group of fans was not only wearing her merch, but they held up signs depicting the Galaxy Cat holding both the Lightweight Championship and her tag belt. Cameras stopped to catch the scene of these guys and girls grouping up around the famed LAW Superstar she stopped for them. Aurora would blow a kiss to these fans and more as she departed and continued her journey toward the ring.

When she made it to ringside, Aurora carefully stepped onto the steel steps, taking care not to lose her balance in her heels as she made her way up. The lightweight played it off well, however. To the untrained eye, she made her way onto the ring's apron as naturally and as easily as any other wrestler. The ring itself was prepared specially for this contract signing. Red carpet covered the canvas from corner to corner. A long wooden table was placed in the center of the ring with one chair on each side. In the middle of that table laid the contract for the upcoming lightweight title match!

Aurora ducked between the middle and bottom ropes to enter the ring. A LAW official handed her a microphone before promoting exiting. The beautiful black luchadora took the mic in one hand and rested her gold belt on the table. She took a moment to look around the arena, and as she did, a reminder of the hype and anticipation behind the upcoming match filled the arena.

"♪ 'Rora-Two-Belts!!!♪" clap-clap-clapclapclap

"♪ 'Rora-Two-Belts!!!♪" clap-clap-clapclapclap

These chants once again started up. The crowd went at it for a good thirty seconds or so. The entire time, Estrella smiled ear to ear. The commentators at the announce table at ringside spoke on the very real possibility that Aurora Estrella could come away from her match with Rose Gold as the first double champion in LAW's history.

"Thank you all...so much!" Aurora would take a small bit of the fabric of her gorgeous dress with her free hand and curtsy for the briefest of seconds. The crowd responded with applause before she continued.

"I've accomplished so much in my time here and in my time in pro wrestling. Why, just a few years ago, I had none of this at all. I didn't have entire arenas cheering my name. I wasn't on the best tag team and stable in professional wrestling today. I wasn't a champion. I wasn't one of the best lightweight wrestlers on the planet. But today!" Aurora raised her index finger as a tone of passion filled her voice!

"Today I have all of those things! And it's thanks to my best friends Katherine Hart and Tracy Canon. It's thanks to the hard work that I put in day in and day out. It's thanks to the good men and women in the back that work hard to make this all possible! And most of all, it is thanks to the support and love I feel from each and every one of you!" Aurora would look around the arena before pointing to the cameras to reference the fans watching at home.

"And you guys, too, of course!" The masked woman would mouth to the cameras before continuing this promo.

"If you guys can believe it, I can hardly fathom it myself but, my legacy is just getting started!" Aurora put her hands together excitedly.

"I was chosen by management to be the number one contender for the LAW Lightweight Championship...!"

"And I've gone out of my way to plead with the boss for the opportunity to have this contract signing between myself and the champion." As more references to the champ were made, dissenting reactions and opinions from the audience could be heard.

"So what say we get right down to business. I believe she likes to be addressed this way if I recall correctly. Ahem." Aurora would clear her throat.

"Lightweight Champion, Rose Gold. Won't you join me out here for a moment or two? I made sure to send word or this contract signing to your green-haired companion so I know I'm not blindsiding you, entirely. Nor do I intend to."

"I don't know that we'll agree on much...but I am sure we can agree on one thing. The two of us have much ground to cover." Aurora finished with a smile before situating herself in the seat that was facing the entrance ramp. An official would approach to place a microphone on the Lightweight Champion's side of the table. Anticipation mounted as everyone laid eyes on the entrance ramp and watched it expectantly. All the while, Aurora's bubbly yet confident smile never faded. Everything from her posture to her expressions and tone communicated that she felt as ready for this as she has for all of the other challenges she had faced in her career thus far!

[SuckerPunch]

Theme

(Start at 1:21 for replays)

The sudden pounding of music brought with it lights that flared in time with the beat. The song was instantly recognizable. Music that had become synonymous with the League's Self-proclaimed Ace! Every pump of bass brought on another flicker of gold stage lighting. And with it another brief vision of the Venomous Vixen herself!

And when the beat dropped, the gold-toned lights flared fully to life! Gold confetti rained ceremoniously down from the ceiling. It refracted the light in a dazzling display of gaudy gold. And at the top of the stage stood the Lightweight Champion!

Spoiler

There was something different about her presentation tonight. Her match at We Are LAW 5 had hardly passed, and while she'd won, she'd done so in a contentious manner. The Lightweight Champion still wore the marks of the war she'd been through. Her face was still reddened below her left eye, even through her makeup. And her right arm was put up in a sling that hung from her shoulder. These unwelcome blemishes served as contradictions to the demeanor of invincibility Rose Gold otherwise presented.

She wore her attire, tight-fitting and daring. The black bottoms that would only qualify as shorts in the world of pro wrestling only barely covered her inner thighs and left the swell of her backside exposed. Her top was practically painted on. It tightly packed her modest breasts, offering a soft bounce to them when she walked. The upside-down spade in its center offered a delicious view of the curve of her tits as they pressed against one another. And even before the music stopped, her black and gold boots were clanging down the ramp.

And lastly, she carried the symbol of her reign. The crown that made her Queen. The Lightweight Title. It hung over her shoulder, clutched by one hand. Its face was showing, her name embroidered prominently upon it.
--
The normal cheers and boos that accompanied her appearance were mixed with ponderous murmurs. There was a change in the air and in her aura. The grace of her distinctly predatory gait was somewhat syncopated. She continued until she got to the ring, sitting upon the apron and rolling under the bottom rope. And once inside, she paused. All of this without ever looking directly at the Galaxy Cat who had summoned her.

She mounted a turnbuckle, pointedly showing her back to her foe and allowing her as much of her backside as she wished to observe. "LAW!" She demanded attention! "Welcome your ACE!" She threw the hand that held the title skyward and allowed the lights to shine upon it!

She closed her eyes and drank in the sounds. Cheers. Boos. They were all the same to her. Attention. And only when she had sated herself on the crowd did she finally descend from upon high and turn to face Aurora.

"To think, that you would summon me. The audacity." She licked her lips as she looked over the other woman with an expression that made it clear she found her wanting. "But then... I can respect audacity. However, before we get started, let's get something straight." Her eyes narrowed on Aurora, her brows furrowing in irritation.

"It'll take more than a nomination from Daddy DeFranco to take my belt. Don't get me wrong. I understand why he chose you." She swept the microphone in front of her, palm up as if presenting Aurora to the crowd. "You're a champion in your own right. And undefeated at that. As you say. You've worked hard. Made a name for yourself. Gathered a following. I'll give you that." Her expression softened as she allowed Aurora some charity.

"But-" Her expression darkened. "You said it yourself. You begged to be here. You relied on the good graces of others to get you this gifted opportunity." She clicked her tongue.

"But make no mistake honey. Those people you relied on are using you too! And they won't be around to save you from me at Fight the LAW. The people you've relied on to lift you up will just be people disappointed in you when you don't fit their mold." She stepped towards Aurora. Centimeters separated them as intensity blazed behind her auric eyes!

"This isn't a blessing, honey, It's a curse!"

[winner3]

Rose didn't take long to make her appearance. And with her entrance, the contrast between the two top stars was one of the many things that would stand out about their interactions and exchanges tonight! From the imposing music and the gaudy gold lights, from the needless confetti and her shamelessly provocative attire, everything about the presence and presentation of the champion tonight gave Aurora and many of the fans a particular impression. The impression that beyond the visible bruises and injuries and beyond all the pomp and circumstance was a woman that didn't just want to be treated like she was a big deal. No, the challenger believed that for better or for worse, Rose needed it. She needed this! And the very thought that this all of this bravado was coming from a place of insecurity rather than from the intention to live up to all the status and dignity that should come with calling oneself "The Ace" made the Galaxy Cat let out an unamused sigh as Rose made her to the ring.

But Aurora's perky, confident smile very quickly return to her. The luchadora remained composed and cheery even as things got raucous! Roars and a whole range of reactions from fans in attendance filled the arena! And Rose ate them up! The two-toned blonde milked those reactions for all they were worth at every opportunity! She strut her stuff on her way to the ring. She scaled the turnbuckles. She closed her eyes to take it all in. Not to resonate with these feelings and relate to the crowd as Aurora had, for her own self-indulgence and validation! And when she finally got her fill, Rose turned her attention to Aurora gave her a piece of her mind!

Rose Gold's ability to overcome her wear and tear from her match with Astrid Ostberg by riding the high of the attention she was getting was arguably impressive. Almost as impressive as this cult of personality she had built up around herself. It was palpable as she went on about her challenger and the circumstances of Aurora meeting her here. A range of reactions could be heard from the capacity crowd as the champion dissected all this and offered her take. And in contrast to the boos, cheers, whistles, and jeers, Estrella's expression remained fixed for the most part! Though the implications of her having begged for this and about her relying on people did strike a chord, Aurora hid her discontent over these allegations quite well!

The Galaxy Cat maintained an aura of coolheadedness, confidence, and grace. The smile on her face never once waned! Her form-fitting dress tightened against her petite yet formidable frame as she straightened up when the champion drew close. Slowly, the luchadora tilted her head. The afro puff hairdo she had bobbed as she leaned in, shortening the gap between herself and the lightweight champ from centimeters to millimeters before winking at the blonde!

"Hehe~" Estrella laughed.

"We'll see for whom it's a blessing and for whom it's a curse, won't we?" Fans reacted with intrigue at this cryptic, yet pointed comment. Aurora would gesture towards the table in the center of the ring.

"But first, as I said, we have much business to discuss, don't we Rose? Come, won't you? You touched on very many things and I think that the Fight The LAW match is as good a place to start as any." Aurora would circle the table, stepping delicately and daintily in her high heels. She pulled the chair out one side and then the other before taking a seat on the side with the clipboard and contract. Estrella would motion to Rose with her hands to encourage her to take a seat in the chair directly across from her that she pulled out. The Galaxy Cat seemed as perky and as confident as ever taking command of things in or own manner and style. Regardless of whether or not Rose cooperated, the star-studded luchadora would continue.

"Let's start with the most basic matter, shall we? Let me make sure I address you correctly, as we progress and as I ask my first question. Ahem..." Aurora cleared her throat, causing some fans to chuckle in anticipation of what was to come.

"Lightweight Champion, Rose Gold....I believe that's what you asked our boss to call you, correct? So I'll do the same if that feeds your ego..."

"Why do you think I've asked for your time and arranged for us to meet here like this, tonight? I'm curious to hear more of your thoughts." Aurora would take the pen on the clipboard and click it once. She rested her free hand on her lap as she smiled at Rose and focused her attention on the blonde in anticipation of what her rival champion had to say. And as Aurora focused, so too, did the commentators and ringside and all the fans in attendance and watching around the world!

[SuckerPunch]

Rose Gold's luminescent eyes dimmed, narrowing on her opponent. She chose to play carefree and unflappable.

Her confidence, whether it was genuine or a mask, was irritating. One of the Lightweight Champion's fists closed as the emotion surged through her. She turned her head to eye the desk and chairs and stared at them as if she could set them on fire with a glance. She drew in a breath and closed her eyes. Then, she let out a slow exhale. When it was done she turned her attention back towards Aurora and wore a smile once more.

"Have we much to discuss?" She chirped as she moved to the seat that had been indicated for her. "Fine. I'll humor you then. I'll generously let you play ring leader for this little circus you've arranged." She conceded before settling into the chair across the table from her upcoming opponent. She let her sling rest on the table in front of her as she scooted up to it.

"Don't patronize me, kitten." She sat up in her seat and peered across the table. "You don't have to give me your respect. In a few weeks, I'll take it from you. So rather than worrying about my comfort, I'd suggest you pamper yourself. As for why you called me here, I certainly hope it is to do more than insult me." She gestured onward with a wave of her hand.

"Surely it is to try and weasel your way into stealing something that -I- have earned." She used her uninjured arm to loft her title belt skyward. While she did it to get a pop from the fans, she also gave a look at Aurora as if she was helping a dullard understand the subtlety of her statement.

[winner3]

As the two champions continued exchanging words, tensions in the arena continued to rise. Still, Aurora's smile didn't waver. Her heterochromatic eyes met Rose Gold's luminescent pupils. The death glares and the wicked tone didn't seem to faze The Galaxy at all. Aurora continued conducting herself and this standoff between the pillars of LAW's Lightweight Division with a brand of pose and confidence that had become synonymous with her by this in her career!

The luchadora asked her question and she got an answer. The crowd popped when the one-armed woman raised her title and declared proudly that she had earned it, and that Aurora was bent on stealing it somehow!

"Earned?" Estrella began in a rather serious tone that contrasted all of her behavior up until this very point! The moment she interjected, the noise in the arena amplified as fans got behind her!

Aurora placed her free hand on her own title belt. She stood up from her seat. In one hand she held her mic. With the other, she lifted the golden tag title belt high, standing across Rose Gold and striking a pose similar to the Lightweight Champion's own! Aurora paused for a moment to let the crowd have their fill. Surely this shot of both champions having a standoff would be a storied moment in LAW's history! Estrella would set her title down as she continued!

"This title! The World Tag Team Titles were earned in a gauntlet match between the best teams in the company at the time! Their legacy forged in the fires of tremendous contest after tremendous contest between veteran tag teams and rising stars alike!" As Aurora got hot about this, the fans continued to react!

"Your title! The Lightweight Title was "earned" from a rightful champion in a farce of a match! From a woman you had to injure before you could challenge her in an official contest. And you followed your own example quite well! Your legacy as champion is one that consists nearly entirely of farces. Soulless Midas Touch Matches that are as devoid of meaning as they are predictable. You've besmirched that title and quite frankly, the wrestling industry as a whole. And after I defeat you, I will work tirelessly to restore the image of that belt and the division it represents, and bring them both the honor that they deserve!" Aurora lectured sternly. She slowly descended back into her chair. She studied the look on Rose's fave carefully. She gave these words the pause they needed to marinate. And then....when she opened her mouth again.

"How was that? Convincing enough for you? You see, I'm more than capable of playing the part of flagbearer for you if you'd like me to, Rose." Aurora seamlessly transitioned back to her cool and collected demeanor. The smile returned to her face. If the Lightweight Champion bought into the act, Aurora's grin would look that much more satisfied! Eyebrows would raise around the arena as the audience and the commentators covering this began to wonder exactly what the luchadora's intended meaning was here!

"Now....please don't misunderstand." Aurora gave an assuring look to the fans and then to the cameras.

"I stand by everything I said. I do intend to capture your title and to right your oh so many, many wrongs....buuuut" Aurora raised her index finger.

"That's not the energy and the attitude that I'll be coming at you with, love. You see, that type of righteous indignation, that desire to see you subjected to poetic justice; that's something that many a woman has approached you with, haven't they? Fans and regrettably some wrestlers in this very company on social media constantly demanding your comeuppance. Opponents of varying competence and threat level doing the same. Even the likes of Astrid Ostberg fought you precisely because she wanted justice. She wanted to make you eat crow for your actions, isn't that right?"

"To your credit, Rose Gold, that attitude is something that you've consistently proven you can overcome. You've done it time and time again. Dare I say, righteous indignation is something you're rather comfortable dealing with by this point in your career." Aurora would lean forward in her seat. Her right dress struggled to accommodate her features as the masked woman's tone grew frighteningly low and serious. She gripped her microphone with both hands and continued. Aurora locked eyes with Rose Gold, as if she was staring right into the Venomous Vixen's very soul!

"Rose Gold, let me be candid with you: I am not here to make you comfortable." A single raised eyebrow and a slow, subtle shake of the head sold yet another change in attitude.

[SuckerPunch]

Rose Gold watched as Aurora was stirred to action by her words. She rose from her seat and lifted her belt up high! The fans went wild, those supporting Aurora battled those supporting Rose Gold.

There was something of an amused smirk that crossed the Lightweight Champion's face as Aurora cut her promo. None of the words she said were surprising to her, or to anyone else. They were not unlike the words that Alizeh had fired at her during their meeting on the cruise. The hero's declaration and the devaluing of the sinister villainess that was Rose Gold. She might have felt angry or threatened... If this hadn't been her intent the whole time.

However, when Aurora retook her seat Rose Gold's smirk faded. And her fist balled around her title belt so hard the leather creaked.

Her expression shifted to something that was more akin to shock. Like a kid with their hand caught in the cookie jar... Aurora had read through her in a way that her past rivals hadn't... The ire she stirred in the hearts of her opponents skewed their focus... Like Astrid Ostberg, their emotions and self-righteousness got the best of them... Had they wrestled with a clear mind, Rose Gold might have been toppled long ago... But her Aura was as much a part of her skillset as her Judo. And... Aurora had sorted that out.

She looked away from Aurora's glare and drew a deep breath, centering herself. The strategy she'd gotten so comfortable with had been disrupted. She was so confident that she'd never thought of a secondary plan of emotional attack, and so it was she who took the damage.

The belt came down on the table. A cacophonous bang that helped to restart her mind.

"Maybe you're right Kitten. Maybe I have been too comfortable." She seemed to have regained her composure, but she hadn't wiped away the sweat on her face. "So you think that you're the one to offer a real challenge then?" She clicked her teeth. "Fine. I accept."

She put pen to the bottom on the contract. But then she paused, and her eyes lit up the way they had when she'd first lofted the belt high.

"On the condition that your teammates are barred from ringside! I'll not have them cheating on your behalf. I want a clean match!" She grinned as wide as she could.

[winner3]

Aurora's more serious expression and tone persisted as she studied Rose's face. The tag team champion could see the lightweight champion falter. The whole world saw the same as this promo continued airing live. But that wouldn't stop Rose Gold, no. Aura or no aura, emotional attacks or not, there was more to Venomous Vixen than this. And Aurora came prepared with a plan to whittle away at it. To whittle away at all of Rose until there was quite literally nothing left!

The Lightweight Champion found her composure nearly as quickly as she lost it. She was quick to cross swords with her challenger once more. The fans watched and listened with vested interest! She accepted the terms of the contract, demanding a stipulation in the name of keeping things "fair".

Aurora nodded at this. The luchadora's expression and attitude returned to the same unwavering and perky smile and disposition that she had come out to the ring with.

She listened as the fans reacted with a range of emotions, mostly boos upon hearing that Rose Gold wanted to see neither hide nor hair of Aurora's fellow tag champs and partners. Aurora gripped her mic.

"So you'd like "Super Kitty" Katherine Hart and "Circus Cat" Tracy Canon banned from ringside during our title match, is that correct?" Estrella raised an eyebrow, inciting the crowd to rain down more boos. She paused for a moment to continue letting fans react. But those reactions would soon transition to sounds of shock.

"Deal." Aurora shrugged.

"As a matter of fact, this is a fantastic segue. Rose, why don't you do me a favor? That contract before you, it's only what? One, two pages tops? Why don't you do me a favor and give it a once over."

"Please, go right ahead." The Chromatic Cat would gesture towards the paper in front of Rose. She paused for a moment to allow Rose time to read before she continued.

"That document is written in plain english. There is no legalese. There are no traps. The terms are exactly as you see them there. I'm sure everyone's expectations were a standard match between us at Fight The LAW." Aurora would look towards the fans for a moment before eventually returning her attention to the woman sitting across from her.

"But no no no. We can't do that. In fact, I specifically lobbied against it. Rose Gold, so long as you select and announce them now, you are going to decide on the stipulations of our title match!" Aurora exclaimed, much to the shock of the commentators covering this segment.

"If you want a submission match- an I Quit Match? You've got it!"

"You want a cage match? Fine by me!"

"Best of 3 falls, sure!" Aurora would lean in towards Rose, microphone still in hand.

"You want my fellow SWAT Cats banned from ringside? You. Have. Got it." Very quickly she perked back up.

"As a matter of fact, they're banned from ringside right now!" Estrella threw the comment out there and let it sit for a second, adding to the confusion and bewilderment in the arena.

"I'm sure you have oh so many questions about all of this. And I'm sure you won't be signing that contract until you have your answers. Isn't that right, Rose Gold?" Aurora nodded sarcastically.

"Then let's start filling in some blanks."

"By now I'm sure you've come to realize that I'm a little....let's say, quicker, on the uptake than many of your prior "challengers". I'm a girl that likes to do her homework. I like to come prepared. On that paper, you'll find DeFranco's signature. I had to jump through many hoops to meet him but when I did, he reluctantly agreed to these terms. Terms that I pushed for." Aurora gestured by bringing her hand over her bosom.

"And on that same paper, you'll find the signature of one Lexy Alan..." The mere mention of Lexy elicited some boos from the audience.

"The very same woman who demanded that my teammates be banned from ringside during this contract signing! At the cost, of course, of keeping you in the dark about all this until it came time. It's all in that contract. Again, you can read it, yourself."

"You can call it overconfidence. You can call it bravado. You can call it whatever you'd like. So long as you name your stipulations and sign that paper, I really don't care. What I do care about is this..." The masked lightweight would open her palm and gesture broadly at Rose as she continued.

"This aura, this cult of personality you've built around yourself, this LAW Lightweight Title reign of yours.....like all things....whether it's now or later, eventually, like anything else, it will come to an end...."

"And...! So long as I have the power to end it by my own hand!" Once more, the luchadora would lean in, this time once again, assuming a more serious tone.

"I don't want you to have the comfort- the luxury of having an excuse to fall back on. You understand?"

"No, the story of your downfall will not be that you were screwed by LAW management and DeFranco.....It won't be that you were swindled by your new favorite 'kitten', as much as you might want that."

"No, by the time I'm done with you, the one and only person that Rose Gold will be able to rightfully blame for her fall from grace....is Rose Gold." Aurora's heterochromatic locked eyes with Rose's piercing amber eyes here. By her slow, weighty tone here, it was very clear that she meant business. And the crowd backed this side of Estrella wholeheartedly!

[SuckerPunch]

Rose Gold's grin was practically as wide as the arena in the wake of her demand. It was a trap. Aurora would have to be an idiot to accept those terms! But Rose Gold's smirk faltered as the woman across the desk agreed almost immediately. There was a pause, but that pause was for the fans... Rose Gold could see it in her eyes the moment she'd finished saying the names of her partners... Not only did she acquiesce... She didn't care.

The Lightweight Champion's eyes narrowed. She opened her mouth to say something, but the other woman continued on, taking the lead in their dance. Rose's fingers tightened on the clipboard in her hand, squeezing it hard enough to make the wood creek in her grasp. She was right... It was a short document. Easy to read at that. Whoever wrote it up did not have the assistance of a legal team, or at least specifically tailored it so that the signer wouldn't need one.

She looked up from the clipboard, into the eyes of the luchadora across from her. She still wore her smirk... But it was incomplete. There wasn't a chink in her armor... But a crack. And every one of Aurora's boasts seemed to cause the spider-web-like fault to spread. Rose Gold couldn't get a word in edge-wise. Aurora wouldn't let her... But even if she did, the Ace was so used to being in control that she couldn't find her own voice. And when she looked for it, she found something she hated more than anything else... Fear. Real... Genuine fear.

She threw the clipboard down. Not in a rage, but as if it was covered in spiders! She pushed away from the desk and got to her feet! Her frustration forced her to action... Foolish action.

"Screw you, Aurora Estrella! This is bullshit!" She was tense and just barely resisted slashing her arm across the table and scattering its contents across the canvas! Instead, her one good hand came down in a fist atop it with a microphone-amplified crash!

"You think I'd need an excuse!?" She balked! "Me? The woman who has carried this filthy company for the past three years!? When the world was at its darkest when people were afraid! I gave them something to cheer for! I put this company on my shoulders! I gave the world something to cheer for! I created opportunities for women whose names would have been otherwise lost! I've made this belt the biggest prize in the damn industry! And you think you can expose -me-!?" She growled as she took hold of a pen! Her eyes were wild with emotion, protesting far too much.

She didn't bother reading the contract. She couldn't think clearly. She was consumed by a maelstrom of emotion. All of them were negative. A mesh of anger and terror drove the tip of the pen down into the white of the paper. "You're right! A standard match won't do! I won't settle for a match where you can just -tap out-! I'm going to prove you're beneath me!!!" She practically gouged her signature into the contract!

"I'm going to tear you apart! And when I'm done, I'm going to make you watch as I climb back to the summit of this division, where I belong! You're going to watch me, on your belly like the worm that you are! While I take my position far, far above you!" She jabbed the pen down, narrowly missing the clip board and embedding it into the table like a knife! "Because at Fight the LAW 2, we're going to have the first-ever Ladder Match!"

She didn't bother sitting back down. She couldn't. The fire in her veins wouldn't allow her to rest. "When our match is over, you'll have no choice but to eat your words! The whole world will watch as I once again define my position as Undisputed!"

[winner3]

Indeed, this was a trap. From the very moment that Aurora had been named the number one contender, she planned for the events of this contract signing to unfurl in the exact manner that it had up until now! The Galaxy Cat engineered a situation in which we'd get to see someone truly, genuinely get under the skin of the LAW Lightweight Champ! And what a sight it was a sight to behold! Images of the confident, conniving, sadistic grin leaving Rose's face, clips of these moments were already being played on instant replays and making rounds on social media! The viewers could practically see Rose Gold's wicked spirit give pause before dissipating entirely and exiting her petite, slender frame! All the while, Aurora not only remained unfettered as she stared into the windows of Rose's soul, the standout luchadora smiled as she relished in the moment, herself! In a roundabout way, Estrella proudly and wittingly made the point that she went out of her way to give the champion stipulations of her choosing because Aurora was confident that she could make good on the wishes of the fans and the GM to see Rose done in and vanquished as champion!

Despite having total control over the terms of the match, Rose was meant to feel like she had no control over this rivalry would play out at all. Certainly, the commentators covering this and the fans in attendance felt the champ cracking under the pressure. The way she discarded the clipboard certainly drove that point home. Even as her fist came down on the table, Aurora merely raised her eyebrows and eyed the champ curiously as she continued to react and exclaim!

This time, as Rose spoke, it would be Aurora's eyes that would narrow, but for only a second. As the champ asked her rhetorical question, citing that Aurora truly believes she can and will be the one to expose Rose, The Galaxy Cat turned her palms upwards and repeated the same motion of a small nod while mouthing the words "I do", as if it was so obvious that it didn't need to be said out loud.

Aurora's expression would soon shift to one of focus. She studied Rose as Rose took the pen in hand. The emotions in the champion's face, her words, her movements, they were palpable. It was clear that all of this was coming straight from the heart. Any and all pretenses were finally being shed. Whatever fire there was left still burning in the champion was burning bright, fully igniting this rivalry! After seeing the champion sign and cap off her impassioned speech with the promise of a total victory that would see the tag team champion eat her words, as Rose stood there with an intense air and demeanor, some fans began to cheer the act of Rose arguably baring her soul here! Even Aurora was stunned momentarily! The Galaxy Cat paused to let everyone around the arena react. She allowed the moment to breathe before picking her mic back up.

"Strong words, Rose Gold...." The luchadora remarked.

"You painted quite the picture, didn't you? I'm glad you did. I'm glad you have fire in you yet!" Aurora would rise as she, too, cast aside the need to put on airs so that she could voice her truth!

"I stand by my words, Rose! When I take that championship from you! When your world implodes! I want no excuses! Your arm should be fine and you should be medically cleared well before it comes time for our match on the pay-per-view!"

"You want a ladder match in which you get to cement your victory physically and metaphorically. You want a chance to make me eat my words?"

"Done!" She'd declare as she gripped the pen in her hand firmly and brought it to the paper to sign the contract with immaculate penmanship! As the audience chimed in with cheers to celebrate the match being set in stone, Aurora interjected!

"Oh, but you and I aren't quite finished here! You see, now that the match has been put to paper, now that you have no way out! I don't have to keep up appearances anymore! I can tell you exactly what's on my mind!" Aurora leaned in towards Rose, mic in hand.

"I said that I do my homework. I said that I come prepared. Throughout all this. Through all my careful planning, through sitting here with you and suffering your presence, unlike a lot of your past rivals, I've taken very special care...not to ask you...for anything!" Aurora accentuated her last word by drawing a horizontal line with a hand gesture.

"But now that this match is inevitable, there's just...one thing...that I feel compelled to ask of you, Rose. And that's the opportunity to ask you a question....a question for which I don't think you'll give a proper answer." The luchadora shrugged, channeling her cooler, more unshakable demeanor from earlier. She gave pause for a moment here, allowing the champion a chance to interject with an answer.

[SuckerPunch]

Rose Gold was seething as she watched Aurora put her pen to paper. Her brows were furrowed and her lips pulled back in a snarl. At the time, she was far too angry to ponder whether or not she'd made a mistake. Rather than put the fire out, she'd thrown gasoline on it. She'd escalated the situation far beyond what she'd planned... And plans had been the foundation of her entire reign.

From the day she'd won the belt, to today... She had sewn the seeds of her victories. Pulled strings. Controlled the circumstances. But tonight, hers was the illusion of choice. And she'd acted in passion rather than premeditation!

Aurora signed the contract. The deed was done. There was no turning back. And Aurora's words rang true... The reality of the situation did finally dawn upon her. And made her brow furrow somehow harder!

"You..." The word was so venomous they could have melted the canvas upon which they stood. And it was clear it was meant to be followed by something scathing and hurtful. But she couldn't conjure any weapon that would do the damage she wanted. There was no word in the english or japanese language that would strike Aurora dead just by hearing it. But long and intently did she search for it!

And without it, she was left only with the desire to get the proceedings over with. Her eyes looked past Aurora and settled on Lexy. And Lexy could read the wrath within them... She would have her work cut out for her tonight. "Go on. Let's have your question then!" She demanded, the very opposite of Aurora. Unable to find her normally smooth, serpent-like composure.