The Third Step: Aizen Yuzuriha vs. WYVERN III

[BlackAkuma]

Match Type: Cage
Victory Conditions: Winner by pinfall, submission, or escaping the cage.

***

Aizen strove to be an 'in-the-now' sort of person.. He tried to take each day as it came, moving one step at a time, never getting ahead of himself. While he wasn’t unmindful of the future, focusing on it had a way of taking you out of the moment, in his experience, and it always served him better to keep his eyes set on his current situation.

But this was a case where he had to break that rule. Aizen had been looking forward to this for months. Ever since his last match with WYVERN, in fact.

He would’ve loved to get back to it sooner, but their Last Person Standing match had taken a severe toll on his body, and it was one that he couldn't ignore. Even now, he could feel some lingering pains from it and the rigors that she’d put him through, pushing his body to limits he’d never thought he had. In the weeks after, he’d spent no small amount of time rewatching the bout, thinking of his mistakes and what he could do better, replaying things in his head. Strategizing, memorizing, analyzing. The moment he was well again, he’d devoted weeks to hard training, trying to shore up his weaknesses and work on techniques for the next time they clashed.

Weeks of dedicated preparation, countless hours spent, and it all led him here—to the top of the ramp, in the middle of a raging crowd, looking down at a ring with a steel cage while his

[media]]

boomed all around him. Aizen was more than a little excited.

Aizen In Action

Granted, you would never have garnered that from just looking at him as he made his way down to the ring with a placid, controlled look on his face, keeping his breathing calm and his gait steady even as the world raged around him. He made his way up the stairs and gripped the door's metal, getting a good feel for it, before he swung it open and slipped inside. He noted the latch on the door as he went, seeing that it looked reasonably solid. Still, it would hardly matter - he’d already decided he wouldn’t win this match by escaping, even if the opportunity presented itself. He was certain WYVERN would say much the same.

Aizen made his way over to the far corner, gripped the ropes, and started doing a few quick stretches while his theme tuned down, trying to get as limber as he could before the bell rang. He’d need every advantage he could get, and nothing less than 100% would do. Yes, he’d improved since their last match, but WYVERN could no doubt say the same. There was no telling what she would bring to the table or what new tricks she had to surprise him, but his heart was pounding just to think about it.

Any second, now. Any second…

[Hills]

A thrum of anticipation thrills through Wyvern, her usually stoic pre-match mental state proving impossible to reach due her upcoming opponent. Aizen Yuzuriha was beyond just another face in the crowd in LAW's colossal roster. From the moment they had first exchanged blows, the two had recognized kindred spirits in one another. Both of them lived for the fight and hungered for worthy opponents. In some ways, she felt, the sudden ending of their first match had been even worse for him than it had been for her; the humiliating loss had stung, but it had lit a fire under her that had ultimately pushed her to the next stage of her training and elevated her to a new level. The crushing disappointment of an easy victory against a seemingly worthy opponent was one she herself had felt before, and it had no such silver lining. Still, she had redeemed herself with a vengeance in their second match, a brutal fight that had seen her finally overcome the more skilled martial artist with sheer endurance and power. She knew that alone wouldn't be enough this time, and she welcomed that fact. Hearing Aizen's music fade and

begin, she strides out of her place against one of the walls of the gorilla position and makes her way out into the arena.

Inside the venue, the lights cut away. Letters pulse onto the titantron in time with the music, spelling out Wyvern's name three times at different angles before the music intensifies. Thundering drum beats are accompanied by brilliant flashes of red, a crimson storm of artificial thunder and lightning to herald the self-styled demon now making her arrival. The patchy lighting gives only glimpses of the dark figure striding forward, before she stops at the edge of the ramp, just long enough for the vocals of her entrance music to begin. The arena erupts into light once more, a dozen spotlights falling on Scarmaker as she flicks a quick glance over the crowd. Apparently satisfied that she has sufficiently played to the crowd, Wyvern's eyes lock onto the massive structure surrounding the ring, taking in the sight of the cage. For all intents and purposes, it was simply another weapon to use against each other; it never even occurred to her to try to win by escaping the cage, and she doubted Aizen was any different. They were after the fight itself, not an arbitrary victory through artificial rules.

Reaching the cage, Wyvern reaches a hand up and grips the mesh links, squeezing hard enough that the metal groans in protest. Satisfied with the durability of the material, she passes by the official marking the door of the cage and into the tight space between it and the ring. Sliding under the ropes, she pulls herself to her feet and listens for the telltale sound of the door's lock being clicked shut. Once she's satisfied that the cage is sealed, she turns her attention fully to her opponent. She rolls her neck and shoulders, somewhat eerily keeping her eyes locked on Aizen's the entire time. Satisfied with her brief (and only most recent) round of preparations, she strides forward to square up with him at the center of the ring. The Dame of Damnation breaks into a thin, bloodthirsty grin.

"All better?"

[BlackAkuma]

Aizen kept a serene, calm face as WYVERN’s music played, but inside, he was anything but. His mind was still going through the steps from their last fight, replaying the battle repeatedly. With most of his fights, they tended to fade from memory quickly - he had so many bouts and opponents from every walk of life that it was easy to lose track of them, and only see them as a flurry of action. But that wasn’t the case, here. Everything about their Last Person Standing Match was fresh in his mind, every memory was clear and focused, and he was still trying to analyze it, right up until the moment she came through the ropes.

It all stopped at that second, when the two of them locked eyes. The electricity from their last encounter was still fully charged, this palpable energy that drew him forward to the center of the ring. She seemed confident, as she should’ve been, as she’d claimed the first real victory between them, but was that the only reason? What else had she learned? What new techniques was she going to try?

Aizen had never been much for Birthday presents, but he had to imagine that this was about as close as he’d get to the feeling of receiving one: The anticipation of something incredible coming his way.

He’d never been much for smiles, either, but when he saw the hint of a feral grin on her face, he couldn't hold back the tiniest smirk. She was ready. They both were. ”100%.” He held his fist out, looking to bump fists. His respect for her was strong, no sense in pretending otherwise. [color=#0000000]”Yourself?”[/color]

[Hills]

"Same."

Wyvern extends a fist, tapping the edge of Aizen's knuckles with her own.

"Wouldn't be here if I wasn't."

Her words were true. She wouldn't, couldn't face Aizen in anything less than perfect condition. He was a perfect opponent to test her skills on, and the mixture of excitement and nervous energy that had flooded through her all day would have made her feelings on the matter inescapable if she had had any doubts before. Now, though, in the ring and facing her opponent down, everything else fades into the background. The roars of the crowd seem to recede, and the thrum of excitement pulsing through her body fades to an easygoing anticipation. With Aizen, she had an understanding she reached with few others. They each wanted to fight. No holding back, no hard feelings. No need to navigate the winding maze of social expectations that marred most of her interpersonal interactions.

Wyvern pulls back and raises her arms into her favored fighting stance, a form that was by now well familiar to Aizen. When he inevitably takes his own form for the coming fight, the bell rings. Last time, both fighters had erupted at the ring of the bell, colliding almost instantly. While her body is still coiled up like a whip, this time Wyvern shifts tactics. Unlike their previous fight, she doesn't try to take the offensive immediately. Leaning her weight onto her back foot, she leaves her front leg free, ready to lash out with a swift kick as soon as Aizen is within range, or just strike out with a fist or elbow. It's a balanced, flexible, and defensive position, giving her numerous options to counter if he makes the first move.

[BlackAkuma]

Aizen could feel the fine hairs along his arm standing at attention when they tapped fists, as a chill ran through his body. Excitement, sheer excitement. In other fights, he’d felt things like this before but never as pronounced as when he took on WYVERN. IHis mind was racing, trying to anticipate what she would come at him with, what new moves she’d learned since their last fight, what she would employ to counter him. Taking her on felt like less of a wrestling match and more like high-level speed Chess

”Good.”

He responded simply to her question, then moved back and slunk into his fight stance, raising his fists and going for a more relaxed pose this time. He stayed on the balls of her feet, always shifting from side to side, trying to hide his movements and make himself harder to read. He stayed that way, too, for a few seconds after the bell rang. Bouncing, bouncing, bouncing…

Aizen dashed in quickly and lashed out, throw a jab straight towards WYVERN’s face. Quick as it was, it was easy to telegraph, and that was sort of the point: He pulled it back before it got into the danger zone, a feint, and jumped back out of range to test her reaction.

[Hills]

As the fight begins, Wyvern can feel her senses expand. The air feels crisper, the colors more vibrant, the roar of the stadium somehow both clearer and quieter. She knew the sharpening of her senses would dull from exertion soon enough, but for now she can soak in the clarity and vitality that surges through her whole body. It was the most frustrating part for her. When she fought, every second seemed to last an eternity, but every match was done all too soon, sending her back to a . For now, though, she could savor it.

The first few moments are spent in relative stillness. Both combatants remain on the balls of their feet, loose and ready to act, neither makes an immediate move. Wyvern stays back, letting her posture show that she doesn't intend to throw the first punch. She was happy to play the aggressor, but Aizen was too skilled of an opponent to risk gassing herself out too early. She forces herself to suppress her eagerness and act logically. Hold back, see what he does.

Her senses strained to their limits waiting for Aizen's attack, Wyvern responds instantly as he comes at her. In the back of her head, some degree of conscious thought reads his intentions; the attack was too light, inadequately committed to be a real strike he intended to follow through on. She couldn't afford the risk, though. It might always be a double bluff, or some other technique she wasn't familiar with. Her arm flicks in a minute adjustment, moving to block Aizen's incoming strike. At the same time, she shifts her weight forward, and pivots into a whiplike low kick that cuts past Aizen's shin as he retreats.

Thus far, all to be expected As she moves, though, the Scarmaker drops her extended foot to the ground, placing her weight onto it as she keeps her rotation going. Moving in further to get back in range of Aizen, she whirls into a potent back kick that thrusts in towards his chest!

[BlackAkuma]

It was tempting to go at this from the start, push his limits, and see what WYVERN had to offer—tempting but foolish. If one thing had been made abundantly clear in their last match, it was that this woman had an insane level of stamina to work with, possibly one of the hardiest people he’d ever tangled with, ridiculously resilient for her weight class. He strongly doubted he would ever get her to submit, and since escape was right out, that left pinfalls as the only option.

He would need to take his time, wear her down, pick every opportunity, and make them count. So, there was no big, wild, crazy opening. He just wanted to assess, throw some bait out, and see how she reacted.

He wanted movement and movement was what he got, as she came at him with an explosive burst. He brought his leg up and stepped back just in time to avoid the low kick, but he resisted the urge to try and make his way in, suspecting she had something more substantial coming behind it. Her suspicions were confirmed when she kept spinning about, and her heel shot towards his chest.

Aizen leaned and leaped back all at once, taking him out of range, but only by a few scant inches. Instead of retreating, he planted his feet and drove forward the moment that the way was opening, coming her way a tight guard and raised fists, slipping into a boxer’s stance for close range.

A jab - a real one, this time - and a straight to follow it up on, both aimed towards her face. A bread-and-butter combo, but not without good reason.

[Hills]

Wyvern puts her full force behind both kicks in her chain, making them lightning-fast and nearly as powerful. She had fully expected Aizen to dodge the first kick; fast or not, it was conservative, with low range. The second, though, had longer reach and was far harder to predict due to its unconventional opening. The slight sense of disappointment she feels as the attack strikes only air is quickly overwhelmed by excitement. Even as her opponent, watching Aizen respond to her kick so quickly and precisely was a thing of beauty. She didn't have long to appreciate his skill, however. The her back kick had left her overextended; usually it wasn't an issue, since it would send even a blocking opponent reeling, but with Aizen's skillful dodge he's in a perfect position to take advantage of her momentary vulnerability while she withdraws.

Wyvern has barely gotten her foot to the ground before Aizen throws out his first punch, easily sliding inside her range while she recovers. Lacking her opponent's astounding level of experience and skill, she can't respond as well as he did to her kicks. Where skill fails, however, durability provides. She closes her raised arms in a firm guard, intercepting both punches with her forearms. The two blows force her to take a step back, and she lowers her center of gravity to maintain her defensive posture. Between her arms, Aizen can see the Scarmaker cracking a thin smile. Tensing, Wyvern shoves powerfully off of her back foot at full force; instead of another strike, she keeps her arms braced to protect her as she barrels forward, aiming to crash bodily into her opponent!

[BlackAkuma]

Without thinking, Aizen found himself slipping into a tight boxing stance, favoring a tight guard and a solid stance. While he’d never boxed before officially, he’d fought more than a few who specialized in the style and was familiar enough to do an effective approximation. Against someone like WYVERN, the choice made a good deal of sense - she was faster, nimble, but if he could power through her offense and deliver the goods, he could start piling on the damage. In an environment like this, he needed to take as few direct hits as possible, and this would keep him safe.

In theory.

Early tests proved positive. While she managed to block his strikes, they did drive her back, clearly having an effect. He was confident that a straight would crack that shell, and he stepped forward to deliver it, only for WYVERN to go low at the last second and barrel forward. His punch sailed over her head and her shoulder drove hard into his stomach, forcing him back against the ropes - most times, that wouldn’t have been too bad of a thing, but with the cage…

Aizen cried out at the impact as his back slapped against the unforgiving steel, making the entire structure quiver and weakening his legs. Knowing he needed to create some space right away, he brought his arm up and tried to drive his elbow into her spine from above, switching from boxing to a bit of a muy thai.

[Hills]

"Hehehe..."

Aizen can hear a low chuckle from below him as Wyvern slams into him like a freight train, her unconventional offense paying off by taking the more experienced fighter off-guard. With her strength, she easily tears him off his feet, arms wrapping around his torso to make sure he can't slide out of the way. The forward charge doesn't stop until the two crash heavily into the bars of the cage. If Wyvern has any concern for the potential damage she'll take from impacting the unyielding steel, she gives no sign, not slowing down at all before she drives Aizen into the wall of the cage. Despite the bruising to her arms from the impact, Wyvern keeps her grip locked around Aizen's torso to prevent him from escaping.

"Kch..."

Aizen's elbow strike to her spine elicits a soft hiss of pain from Wyvern, but this isn't enough to successfully dislodge her. On the contrary, she begins tightening the pressure, squeezing her bearhuge tighter around Aizen's ribs. At the same time, she continues to push forward, grinding Aizen's back against the cell bars as he's crushed between Wyvern's seemingly unstoppable force and the immovable cage walls!