Trial by fire- Gail and Mariza!

[SubtleRoar]

*While the more strategic, or in Gail's eyes, cowardly Soozie kept her cards close to her chest, Marcy refused to show Mariza any quarter whatsoever. As the frenzied female closed in on her target, she suddenly felt as if something was missing; namely, her target!* "GGGUUH!" *The psychotic bully bounced off of the metallic pillar that was conveniently located behind the diminutive woman, causing the blonde bombshell to collapse against the ring in a crumpled heap!*

"How...did she..?!" *Officially perplexed at her pupil's uncanny ability to maintain outstanding ring awareness, Gail lurched forward, nearly falling out of her seat with interest at what was going to happen next. Undoubtedly, she had counted Mariza out just a handful of seconds ago, but it seemed as though the tables had finally turned in her favor!*

"Y..you brat!" *Not too appreciative of how she had maneuvered around her friend's colossal attack, Soozie was determined to try and salvage whatever she could of this brawl.* "Consider yourself lucky this isn't the streets, because I wouldn't hesitate to kill you where you stand!" *She shouted, raising her guard up around her face before inching forward, eventually throwing a thrust kick aimed at the smaller woman's stomach!*

[CaptainL]

Marzia had acted on the spur of the moment if nothing else, her actions driven by her instincts to survive at all costs. But it had worked for her nonetheless. Her adrenaline giving her a burst of speed, Marzia shoved herself down across the ground and between Marcy's legs, getting out of the way of her opponent's fist just in time for her to only punch the unforgiving steel of the post behind her. Marzia wished she could take credit for that, but in reality, it had just been her will to escape. The fact there happened to be a post in the way of Marcy's fist was just a coincidence - but a convenient one nonetheless, and it was one she wasn't about to pass up.

Rolling to the middle of the ring, Marzia pushed herself to her feet, now concerning herself with the other woman Gail had wanted her to face off with. Soozie was now gaining on her, rushing towards Marzia with her fists raised. Ordinarily, her violent threats would be enough to intimidate the girl, but she had found herself emboldened by her prior success. Now, she was ready to keep it up! Seeing Soozie approach with a kick, Marzia went to swerve off to the side and get out of the way, looking to return it with a sole kick into her side!

[SubtleRoar]

*Confident that her big boot was going to knock Mariza to the ground, Soozie deliberately underestimated the extraordinary levels of tenacity that her opponent possessed! Like a bolt of lightning, the agile Italian veered out of her immediate range, only to remind the denim-clad bully of her presence with a menacing shot to her flank!* "Ggguaah!" *She shrieked, staggering to her side before inevitably collapsing to the floor.* "Aaahh..h..how...?" *Was the only question racing through her mind, unable to summon the strength to return to her feet while trying to figure out how someone so puny was so powerful.*

Spoiler

"Hmhm...there it is." *Gail remarked under her breath, finally beginning to realize the latent genius that Mariza had been concealing throughout this entire endeavor. It had taken her a little longer than the miniature tsunami had anticipated, but now that it was on full display, Gail was expecting something marvelous to occur. Her two confidants were merely pieces of meat to satiate the appetite of her prodigy, and the ringleader was elated to witness what would happen next!*

[CaptainL]

Thus far, Marzia had been staying on her feet, steering clear of anything her opponents had lined up for her. But she also realized that she could only get so far just being evasive. Sooner or later, she would have to hit back - and that was just what she did, as she kicked back at her foe with a shot directly into the side.

When Soozie fell, it was as much news to Marzia as it was for the blonde herself, and Marzia had to catch herself, looking back with a gasp. She was never really a striker - but, it seemed, when she did hit, she could still hit hard, at least if what had just taken place was any indication. She gulped. But a moment later, she beamed with pride. Whatever she was doing, it was evidently working!

Now that she had her foe taken down, Marzia couldn't just sit around waiting. She had to act. But luckily for her, having an opponent off their feet was just where she usually excelled. She kneeled down behind Soozie, reaching now to grab at her throat and pull her into a sleeperhold!

[SubtleRoar]

*While Soozie attempted to convalesce against the ground, still groggy from the earlier blow she had sustained, it appeared as though Mariza had hit her second wind!* "H..hey..what are you..GGAACK!" *As her professional hands snaked around the base of her throat, the ignorant bombshell began to thrash about in a futile attempt to try and shake the persistent twerp off of her! However, this tactic would instantly backfire, as she inadvertently rolled onto her backside with the petite italian still clinging to her!*

Spoiler

"GGHHH...nnnrrrhh..." *As her energy continued to diminish at a rapid pace, Gail curiously leaned forward and watched while her subordinate's movements became weaker and weaker, gradually being reduced to that of a simplistic, feeble motion, and ultimately going limp. Nodding in satisfaction, the jade whirlwind rose from her chair and ambled towards the outskirts of the ring, malevolently snickering under her breath.*

"I think she's out~" *Gail stated, gesturing towards Soozie's unresponsive form.* "Outstanding job on the submission hold. Seems as though that's a forte of yours." *She remarked, placing her hands on the edges of her hips while an impressed expression crept across her face.*

[CaptainL]

Marzia held fast to Soozie's throat. She couldn't give up now. The Italian girl may have gotten off to a rocky start, but now she was sure that she was turning things around, and she wouldn't let go of that momentum! Gritting her teeth, she tensed her arm even further to try to hold the blonde down. Even as Soozie's struggles caused the two of them to slip, with Marzia going down underneath her opponent, she didn't let go. All she did was keep Soozie held in place, and it didn't matter to her what position she had to do it from!

Soozie attempted to struggle, but the longer this went on, the weaker and limper her motions became - until, at last, she finally went slack in Marzia's arms, crumpling against her limp and lifeless. It took Marzia a moment to realize what had happened. She felt her weaken, but she didn't notice that Soozie was truly out until Gail stepped closer to congratulate her.

At the sound of her voice, Marzia opened her eyes, looking around her. "Huh-? I did..?" Her gaze fell on Soozie, laying there motionlessly - and then, she realized that Gail was right. It almost seemed like it was too easy, a fact that left Marzia sitting there blinking in disbelief. Had she really just done that?

Perhaps, she thought, Gail was right to see the potential in her...

Her grasp on her opponent's throat relaxing, Marzia let Soozie slump to the floor before getting back up and turning to Gail. "Yeah. Always have been, really. I find they work well enough for me, since I don't have to worry about being strong, or hitting hard...I just gotta know what to do." At the same time, though, she looked back over her shoulder in the direction Marcy had been. She braced herself for some sort of trick, knowing it would be entirely within her foe's wheelhouse. This couldn't be this easy, Marzia thought.

[SubtleRoar]

*As the once dynamic pair of vivacious blondes lied at the feet of their superior, Gail took this opportunity to slip beneath the bottom rope, popping back to her feet while maintaining a visible smirk from the devastation Mariza had wrought.* "You have a tendency to underestimate yourself, Mari. It's a thing of beauty to watch you at work, but with a little motivation, you can genuinely be something special." *Peering across the ring, the diminutive tornado kept a close eye on her comrades, fully aware that both had been properly dispatched.*

"Oh, don't worry about them." *Gail confidently reassured her compatriot.* "I'm pretty sure you could have heard the noise Marcy's face made all the way in the nosebleeds." *Trailing her gaze towards Soozie, she quietly shook her head.* "And to think, all that bluster just to have the life choked out of you." *However, refusing to tarry on the subject, the punk rocker snickered at their misfortune while clasping Mariza's closest hand.*

"Come along now, kiddo." *She stated, attempting to escort her out of the ring.* "I've already got a match planned out for you, plus a new outfit I'm sure you're going to absolutely love. You're alright with studded jackets, yeah?" *She inquired, already having a unique vision for her newest protege.*

[CaptainL]

Marzia stared behind her blankly, trying to process what she was seeing. She couldn't believe her eyes - and she had been the one responsible. Knowing Marcy and her tricks, she was almost convinced that she had to have something on her sleeve she was just waiting to spring on the unsuspecting Italian when the time was right. But...she wasn't even moving. Had she really knocked her out? That easily?

A hand ran behind her head, rubbing at her skull with confusion. "I'm...not really that strong, am I?" But Gail chimed in with words to the contrary - and Marzia had to admit, she was right about that. She looked over to her with a huff. "I guess...I do, yeah. I never really thought I was all that special, but...that was easier than I thought."

It wasn't news Marzia was expecting. But she would be lying if she said she didn't welcome it. Her heart began to pound faster in her chest as her spirits rose, surveying her handiwork. Maybe, she thought, her wrestling talents really were worth something...

Gail took her by the hand, and Marzia turned to follow her. "A-All right-!" she said, falling in behind her. "Wait, another match? New outfit? How much did...you have planned?" She didn't know how deep this rabbit hole would go - but, at the same time, she would be remiss to say that it didn't make her feel powerful. And she also had to admit, she did think she could rock a studded jacket.

Maybe, she thought, this wouldn't be so bad after all.

[SubtleRoar]

The End