Kyoko Akan (c) vs Charlotte Ravel: The Caged Crown

[Monsy]

What no better way to contain and control these two wrestling behemoths than a square of IRON BARS! For the Middleweight Title no less! Ready up, because this match is won by PINFALL, SUBMISSION OR CAGE ESCAPE.

[skip-stop]

“Are you nervous? Victoria asked.

“More focused than ever...” Charlotte replied, clenching and unclenching her fists.

The Englishwoman glanced at her charge. Despite the fact that Charlotte's voice sounded firm and confident, the manager couldn't help but think that something was wrong. Perhaps the whole point is that Charlotte has always tried to ensure that there is nothing personal in any of her matches. This match was definitely an exception. And the biggest problem was that it wasn't just a match, it was a match for the middleweight title. The title that the Frenchwoman aspired to from the first day in LAW.

“You've been working towards this for a long time, so it's okay to be nervous...”

“I'm fine,” Charlotte snapped. “For me, it's not just a chance to become a champion, for me it's what I've been working for the last seven years." Charlotte blinked slowly, as if making a decision. “Today I will finally leave my past behind, today I will prove that I am not who I once was a long time ago...”

With that, Charlotte took a step forward and disappeared behind the curtains, leaving the manager alone. Victoria took off her glasses, still looking at the place where the Frenchwoman had been. She involuntarily recalled a conversation with Astrid, not so long ago the blonde shared with her her feelings about Charlotte's motivation. The manager sighed heavily. She did not find the strength to personally talk about this with her ward. And now she could only hope that she and Astrid were wrong.

Entrance Music

Attire

To the loud chords of her dynamic music Charlotte went to the top of the ramp. She squinted at the blinding sun for a moment, but then a wide smile lit up her face. At one time, she didn't care about the audience's reaction at all, but with each new match she continued to receive more and more support. And now, listening to the loud cheers and applause, she felt that she was not alone.

Due to the fact that today their arena is an open space under the sun, she and Victoria had to slightly change their approach to her entrance. Charlotte raised both arms above her head and slightly spread them apart, turning her palms to the sky. At the same moment, the silhouette of a sand lizard first appeared on the titantron, and then the name of the Frenchwoman.

Full of confidence, she began to descend the ramp, and with each step she took, large pink flames rose from her sides. When she reached the fan zone, she spread her arms out to high-five everyone who reached out to her, but she didn't stop, instead continuing to move forward. She only stopped when she got to the ringside. She looked around the steel cage where she was going to fight Kyoko Akan today.

“Today...” she muttered. "Today I'm going to show you what it means to be a real fighter..."

Charlotte climbed the metal steps and entered the cage. Despite the very limited space between the cage wall and the ropes, she grabbed the top one and deftly jumped over them, ending up in the squared circle. It was at this moment that the ring announcer took the floor.

“Ladies and gentlemen! I hope you're ready, because the next match will definitely be even hotter than today's scorching sun! You know what awaits you because you've been waiting for this! Today, two outstanding fighters will face off in an uncompromising match inside that steel cage for the middleweight title! Aaaaaaaaand now!!!! Introducing first! From Paris, the city of love! Six feet one inch tall! Weighing one hundred and fifty-four pounds! Traveled the world and the seven seas! The noble fighter of LAW! Please welcome! Charlotte! Sand Lizard!! Ravel'!!!"

To a flurry of applause, the pink-haired woman took two swift steps forward, and then pushed off the mat. Soaring into the air, her body spun around her axis and she swung her left leg, cutting through the air and, according to tradition, demonstrating to the audience one of the many kicks in her arsenal. Landing gracefully on her feet, Charlotte bent her left arm at the elbow and held it slightly back, while simultaneously raising her right fist above her head. Seeing the faces of those who came to support her today, she felt more confident than ever. Today is her day. Today she will demonstrate what she is capable of. Today she will leave this cage as a champion.

After greeting the referee, the Sand Lizard headed to her corner. Pressing her back against the turnbuckles, she put her hands on the ropes at her sides, after which she took a deep breath. Damn. It was incredibly hot here because of the sun. Surely some viewers had hoped that she and her rival would wear bikinis today. But Charlotte would rather sink through the ground than agree to something like that, after all, it was a damn important day for her and she wanted to be remembered here for her skills and her fighting spirit, not for the beauty of her almost naked body. Now all that remains is to wait for the champion.

[Fairy Dragon]

Another bigtitle match for the best Middleweight Champion. Kyoko still felt unnerved after the way her last big match went down. It as a good result but one that didn't bode well for what this would bring her. But any doubts were gone by the time her music hit, reminding her that she was the champ and that a less than perfect title defense was still a title defense and she would overcome Charlotte as well. When she came out she did so alongside one of her stablemates, the young Kirie Kato who was beside her Ron the throne that was brought out for her entrance, emerging with it as the music properly picked up. After taking a second to bask in the boos from the crowd Kyoko stepped off her throne and started to march down to the ring with Kirie staying behind, a cage match would make her useless helping anyway, she was here for one purpose only. With the mic in her hand she raised it to speak while Kyoko made her way to the ring.

Spoiler

Spoiler

"Now introducing the one you're all waiting for! The biggest star in all of wrestling and the golden standard for champions all over. She's wrestled all over the world and has defended her championship across three continents, and eight countries. From Kyoto Japan and weighing in at 150 pounds, the Belly Queen Kyoko Akan!" Kirie said, doing Kyoko's entrance and finishing right when Kyoko was in front of the door to the cage. Once it was closed the two would be locked in Mortal Kombat, and Kyoko knew she had to be ready to do anything to win. Every title match was a must win but Charlotte's words and the incident at her birthday made this more important than other matches. She couldn't let Charlotte accuse her of having lost her honor and get away with it by taking her championship, it would tarnish the years of work she put into her legacy and damage it beyond repair. Winning was the only option for her, and if possible she'd do it decisively, by beating her in the middle of the ring. This place was going to be the Sand Lizard's prison...and then her grave. Kyoko finally stepped into the ring and then raised both of he title belts in the air, marching around the ring before stopping in front of Charlotte and keeping both belts raised while staring her down. After she was done she stepped back and handed the Middleweight belt to the ref, not saying a word as she was focused on getting ready to destroy Charlotte.

[skip-stop]

Literally immediately after Charlotte's entrance, another music began. A throne was placed at the top of the ramp, on which the current middleweight champion sat. Unlike the warm applause that Charlotte received, Kyoko received a large portion of boos. However, this did not stop the Japanese woman from proudly rising from her throne and heading to the ring.

In order to emphasize the status with which she came here, it was not the ring announcer who took the floor, but one of the members of her stable. Accompanied with the impressive achievements, Kyoko climbed the metal steps and entered the cage. As soon as she did, the referee closed the door behind her. The champion and the challenger were locked together. And only one of them will come out of there today with a victory. The Frenchwoman intended to make sure it would be her.

Charlotte did not take her eyes off her rival as she performed a lap of honor. And even when the purple-haired woman stopped in front of her, showing off her two belts, the Sand Lizard only blinked slowly. It was a much more personal match for her than any other. Moreover, it was by far the most important match of her career, and it wasn't just that the middleweight title was at stake. She had been preparing for this day for a long time, she worked hard on herself. She only has to take the last step and then her past will be behind her.

When the champion stepped back and handed over both her titles to the referee, the Sand Lizard pushed off from her corner and with a smooth but confident step headed towards the center of the ring. Her eyes were still fixed on Kyoko's. She knew for sure that this woman was ready to do anything to win. It was a way for her to maintain her status. But for Charlotte, it was a chance to show how different they are. She had chosen her path, and she wasn't going to turn away from it. To win, to become a champion, she needs nothing but her own strength.

Standing a few steps away from her opponent, Charlotte clenched her right fist and pressed it against her outstretched left palm, after which she bowed to her opponent. This bow served as an expression of her respect for Kyoko's fighting skills. Usually, after bowing, she would extend her hand forward, offering her opponent a handshake, thereby expressing her respect for the opponent as a person. But she didn't do it this time. By her own actions, Kyoko lost the right for this gesture from Charlotte.

Having finished with the last formalities, Charlotte took two steps back. Taking a deep breath, she clenched her fists. Her right fist rose to the level of her chin, while her left fist remained at the level of the middle of her torso. She bent her knees slightly, and then turned slightly to her opponent with her left side. Taking her signature fighting stance, she nodded to the referee, making it clear that she was ready. Ready to start far from the first, but the only truly important match for her. Today she will prove that all the way she has come has not been in vain.

As soon as the referee received Kyoko's confirmation of readiness, she raised her right hand above her head. It was at this moment that the ring announcer took the floor again.

“Ladies and gentlemen! Take a deep breath and don't blink! A steel cage match!! For the middleweight title!!! Begins!!!”

To the deafening roar of the crowd, the referee abruptly brought her right hand down.

Ding-Ding-Ding.

The most important match in Charlotte's life has begun.

[Fairy Dragon]

The entire time she came down, she could see Charlotte looking at her. As she should, since she was now facing down the most dangerous fighter in LAW and the toughest opponent she would ever meet. The Belly Queen smirked and celebrated the crowd's boos knowing that they thought this woman would be the one to take her out before turning back to Charlotte. However the Sand Lizard herself surprised her by giving her a bow when she didn't expect it, taking the smirk off her face. Then instead of offering a handshake she just walked away, Kyoko knew enough about Charlotte to tell what the message was, and the Queen didn't like it. At all. She almost reached up to grab Charlotte and make her answer for her actions but stopped herself when she realized that maybe that was what Charlotte wanted, even if it wasn't it wasn't a good idea to show that she was angry from the act. Instead she huffed and stayed away watching Charlotte get her guard up for the match to start, making Kyoko prepare as well and get into a proper stance for a fight, while the announcer and the ref seemed ready to get the match to start...the next big match in Kyoko's career with a fighter deadset on proving a point, no matter what Kyoko couldn't let her win and disrespect her entire reign.

The bell rang, making the champion step forward and circle Charlotte as the crowd exploded around them calling for violence. Kyoko was going to answer that call but when she was ready to strike, watching Charlotte for an opening and seeing none just yet. So she knew she'd have to make one, she'd try to test her reaction speed by going for a double leg takedown but stopping on her knees, sliding and moving away from Charlotte before she could strike back once she realized it was a feint, then she'd step in again and throw a test jab at Charlotte's face to test that as well, looking like she was going to step back and then throwing a proper right at Charlotte's face in case she actually did decide to move in to follow it.

[skip-stop]

After the bell rang and the audience filled the arena with enthusiastic roars, Charlotte prepared to rush towards her opponent. However, Kyoko had slightly different plans, and instead of immediately closing the distance, the purple-haired woman began circling the ring. Well, the Sand Lizard was ready to play this game.

Moving in time with her opponent's movements, the martial arts master looked calm and collected. Slowly closing the distance, she tried to figure out how exactly the champion intended to start the match. Something told the pink-haired woman that she shouldn't rush things now, she should let Kyoko make the first move. She focused on the smallest movements of her opponent. And it wasn't in vain.

When the distance between them had closed enough, Kyoko dived towards Charlotte's legs. Without delay, the martial arts master took a short step back, not giving the champion the opportunity to do what she had in mind. But then it became clear that it was all part of the Belly Queen's plan. Taking advantage of her position, she slid across the mat, finding herself slightly to the side of Charlotte.

“Merde...” flashed through the Frenchwoman's mind.

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the movement of her opponent's hand. As she turned to face Kyoko, she immediately raised both hands up. It was extremely difficult for her to defend herself from this position, and it was only by a miracle that she managed to block that quick jab, protecting herself from damage. However, the jab was immediately followed by a right cross and the Sand Lizard had no way to defend against it, Kyoko's position was too good. The fist smashed into her left cheek.

“Guuuhh!!!”

Charlotte's head jerked involuntarily to the right and her body was ready to follow in the same direction. Damn. This woman is strong. Considering how many sparring sessions Charlotte had with Astrid, she was well aware of what a missed punch in the head was. It was hard to surprise her, but the champion's arms were like sledgehammers. Impressive. The Frenchwoman might not have been completely stunned, but the first exchange of blows was definitely not on her side. The most logical solution would be to retreat as quickly as possible, but…

“If you get hit, don't stop, your persistence will discourage your attacker...” sounded in her head.

Instead of retreating, Charlotte let her body follow her head. Placing her left foot slightly to the right of her right foot, she intended to allow her body to spin, thereby gaining speed in order to swing her right leg up in an attempt to ram Kyoko's head with a sudden and powerful spinning heel kick!

[Fairy Dragon]

Kyoko moved in for the kill, targeting Charlotte's pretty face. She smiled all the way into the attack striking Charlotte's face, and hearing her scream for pain right when her fist made contact. She was going to keep swinging and drive Charlotte into that cage where she would smash her all over until the bitch was crying. That was her hope anyway, when she saw Charlotte spin in place she thought her punch did more than she thought, and then when she kept spinning around she realized that Charlotte had something else in mind and was spinning around to bring her foot right back to Kyoko's face.

"Pppuuh!" Kyoko screamed taking the kick to the side of her head and feeling her own skull forced to turn away from Charlotte as the spinning heel kick really dug into her cheek. She spun away from the impact and staggered for a few seconds before stopping herself. Growling in pain while reaching to touch the spot she took the kick. Hissing like a predator the now angry Queen would try to rush back into the fray and attempt to make Charlotte pay by knocking her down with a lariat.

[skip-stop]

When Charlotte's heel smashed into her opponent's skull, an eerie click reverberated through the arena. With a painful groan, Kyoko stepped back, simultaneously covering the place of the kick with her hand. The purple-haired woman staggered, probably hearing the ringing of bells in her ears due to the powerful kick of the Sand Lizard. However, she managed to stay on her feet and even regain her balance, Charlotte did not expect anything less, she was not so naive as to believe that just one kick would be enough to send the champion to the mat.

Soon Kyoko's painful groans were replaced by an annoyed growl, it seems she was not happy with this scenario. An even clearer proof of this was the fact that she almost immediately rushed to Charlotte with the clear intention of taking revenge on the Frenchwoman.

With flashing eyes, the Sand Lizard rushed towards the Belly Queen, while simultaneously focusing her gaze on the Japanese woman's rib cage in an attempt to notice how exactly she was going to attack. And when Kyoko stretched out her right arm to the side, the corners of Charlotte's lips lifted slightly.

Back in days, when she had just started her career in LAW, she considered this move very risky, but since then she had become much stronger and therefore this time there was not even a shadow of doubt in her soul. She knew exactly what she had to do to turn Kyoko's movement against her.

“Puuuu…” she filled her lungs with air.

She continued to move forward as if she was just going to let the Belly Queen hit her, but a moment before colliding with Kyoko's arm, she intended to throw both hands forward. She was going to grab Kyoko's left shoulder with her right hand, and grab the wrist of the champion's attacking arm with her left hand. Of course, this would not stop the lariat, so the Sand Lizard intended to take another step forward while arching in her back.

It was a hell of a tense moment, because if she'd picked the wrong moment, it would have been a disaster. However, she didn't just take this extra step. As soon as her feet were behind the line of Kyoko's arm, Charlotte pushed off the mat with maximum force. Instead of crashing into Kyoko’s arm, she was about to jump, shifting her center of gravity backwards to do a backflip over Kyoko while still holding her arm and shoulder.

Spoiler

With this unusual movement, she wanted to force Kyoko go down, while Charlotte herself would have the opportunity to twist the champion's arm. Directing all her strength into her arms, she intended to start pressing on the Belly Queen, thereby limiting her ability to move, while simultaneously pulling her arm back at an unnatural angle. Although she wasn't going to break the champion's arm, with this modified standing fujiwara armbar she was going to make the purple-haired woman realize that she was dealing with a worthy contender.

[Fairy Dragon]

The champ was on the move, marching at Charlotte and preparing to take her head off and keep trucking like the monster she had been throughout her reign. She had run over bigger and badder than the Sand Lizard and once Charlotte realized it she would lose all the at silly talk of honor and realize how far behind the pack she was. Kyoko saw her moving in but could tell that the way she was moving she wasn't going to get out of the way out her lariat in time, and that made Kyoko commit to the move completely, ready to take Charlotte's head off and take a bit of her chest as a bonus. That as until Charlotte's hands reaching up to sorta catch her arm, but not in a way that would stop her either. Then she watched the Lizard basically rolling off her arm and using it to soar past Kyoko, flying past her arm and coming down with her feet now on the other side, surprising Kyoko before she felt her arm being pulled along with her, bringing her down to a knee while Charlotte secured a modified armbar that she was pulling back on to make sure Kyoko felt it...and felt it she did.

"AAAGGGGHHH!" Kyoko screamed feeling her arm pulled back far enough that she started to feel it getting close to being hyper extended. She tried to pull it back but from Charlotte's angle the momentum was in her hands. She tried to reach out with her other hand and pull on Charlotte's hand around her to try and loosen her grip and fight the hold. If she could weaken it a little she might be able to find room to try and push herself to an angle where she could slowly weaken the pressure and fight out of the hold a little better.

[skip-stop]

With her impressive maneuver, Charlotte was able to avoid Kyoko's attack, moreover, she closed the middleweight champion in the submission hold. In another situation, she might have allowed herself a smile when the purple-haired woman's painful screams echoed through the arena, but instead the Sand Lizard focused on holding her opponent in place while inflicting damage to her trapped arm.

However, the Belly Queen did not put up with this state of affairs. Due to Charlotte's position, her ability to move was severely limited, but she still had one hand free. Kyoko used this hand to try to loosen Charlotte's grip on her shoulder. This made the Frenchwoman to grit her teeth.

In terms of pure physical strength she was most likely inferior to the purple-haired woman, so she knew for sure that Kyoko would be able to loosen her grip sooner or later, it was only a matter of time. Therefore, the Sand Lizard wasn't going to check when exactly this would happen.

She intended to increase the pressure on the trapped arm of the Belly Queen as sharply as possible, she wanted the impulse of unbearable pain to distract the champion for at least a second. What for? Because in the next instant, the martial arts master was about to remove her right hand from her opponent's shoulder.

It might have seemed like it didn't make any sense, because now she had virtually no chance of holding Kyoko in place, the champion would surely have been able to break free in the next five seconds, because now Charlotte was holding the champion in place only by the grip on her one arm. But then why did the pink-haired woman do it?

Charlotte wasn't going to delay to answer.

Charlotte clenched her right palm into a fist and aimed it directly at Kyoko's face. And it wasn't a classic punch, it was a straight punch with an upright fist position, which in Wing Chun was called a yat chi kuen punch. Such a punch possessed truly amazing speed and, consequently, much greater power. Therefore, the Frenchwoman intended to start sending punch after punch in the face of the Belly Queen, trying to both deprive her of strength and stun her. Yes, of course, the champion will be able to get out of Charlotte's grip, but how many punches in the face will she get before that happens?

Spoiler