Scarlet & Crimson Collide! (Hakune vs. Scarlaheart)

[dlamp]

Last Man Standing Match
Win via Ten-Count Knockout

The House of Hegemony. It was a familiar name to Hakune, but as she started to properly research the organization she found her heart nearly stopping. It was... a large group of family members, that much she knew, but looking into the actual businesses and lineage of that family... it nearly overwhelmed the Samurai's senses. The Reinhardt MNC... probably in the top percent of business, along with having a surprisingly mixed history depending on the sources one looked into. It was... kind of harrowing really. This was a family of some of the richest people on Earth and here they were trying to take over LAW in both popularity and business. And Hakune's opponent in peculiar and vicious group seemed to be something of a black sheep in the family.

Scarlaheart, Maria Reinhardt. A former MMA fighter within the family. That's where most of the information started and ended. She wasn't some villainous mastermind or some deviant businesswoman with a sadistic urge. She seemed... like a normal fighter, and a pretty good one at that if her MMA record was anything to go off of. Maybe... it wouldn't be as bad a matchup as she was thinking. Yeah! Scarla-san might just need a good match to realize her family's dark ways! Hakune pumped her fists, nodding to her thoughts. "I'll just have to clash wills and spirits to awaken the noble warrior within her!" Facing off against a former MMA fighter would be a tough match, but spirit might be able to overcome experience if she tried hard enough! And soon after these thoughts, the quiet strings of her theme started to sound out. It was time to go.

The stage was coated in a white mist, the crowd in a low hum as they watch the visibility lower. Then, in a quick flourish of silver lines, the mist dissipated, revealing Hakune's red-clad form to the cheers of several audience members.

Spoiler

She immediately sheathed her blade, offering a smile to the crowd as her serious expression turned bright. Making her way down the ramp, she offered the crowd waves and smiles, even high-five-ing a few of the members at the edge of the ramp. The atmosphere along charged the Samurai's spirit, washing away all her anxieties about the match. That's right! This is all for them! Just focus on that and giving them and Scarla-san spirit!

Reaching the edge of the ring, she removed her sword and left at the apron before climbing over the roofs. There she moved to the center of the ring, looking over the audience before giving them a bow, taking in the last bit of cheers before the match began. And with that done, finally moved to her corner, waiting for her opponent to arrive.

[Monsy]

They say evil lurks in the shadows. But what about in open view? The kind that's loud and unmissable, the type that walks with a big stick, and the type to shout what they'll do before they do it. Those were Reinhardts. And as silver fog brought the masses, a great noble warrior, one who in for the crowd's love, offered them nothing short of respect. A combatant who takes nothing for granted and leaves nothing behind. Fight with honour and dignity, the shackle of rules to guide their lock-ups and holds, where no malice is fronted, no urge to harm beyond the scope of competition. Such a defined way of wrestling was earnest, not even they can deny, but it made her predictable. Prey to those who look beyond such a scope. Everything she is not. That's who she shall face tonight.

Platform vestiges in the stands. Though not too far from the ring, it was high-up, elevated beyond the lesser crowds like a large pillar. Red lights flicked on from its base, illuminating five scarlet and gold throne chairs in a row. To the far left was Karla Ray Reinhart, the front-woman of the group thus far, postured tall with hands in her lap. Beside her was Johanna, a behemoth of a woman, double Karla's size, even more in weight. Adelaide, wrestling veteran and Reinhardt MNC's CFO was in the middle with an elbow postured on the arm, her cheek planted on a propped fist. The following seat was empty, then Karolina Ray Reinhardt, the family matriarch, was beyond that. She stood, walked to the platform's lip and raised her arm high. Red stage lights flicked on, and Maria's theme now began in earnest.

Spoiler

Spoiler

An orchestra beginning, quiet and melodic. A pop of vocals overlayed, choir, then lyric and together they rose like a metal tide. Maria strode out amidst that rise, where a spotlight donned on her entrance. She shielded her eyes, looked up, "Really, Mother? A-Ah…" Her hush protest died when she saw her family on the platform, then dropped her arms and continued down the ramp.

She was dressed in a black cropped jacket and short shorts. Her coat had a red collar, with gold trim in-between, and long sleeves that led to her gloves: one fingerless, the other complete. The theme followed with her legs; black boots, one leg swallowed by a thigh-high, the other enveloped by a dragon tail that stretched around hour-glass hips and the creature planted across a smooth belly.

Jeers rained on the woman, so she propped her elbows on her side, stuck her forearms out with open palms face-up. Boos would follow as she reached the steps, where she lugged her feet, delaying the entrance with a long interval pause with each step. An arm hooked the top rope when she took the apron, then her other, facing the audience, then kicked back to flip into the ring. Her shoulders rolled over the top, her feet sky-bound, then arched over, slammed onto the canvas. They scampered to stick the landing. The edge of her feet, a grip on the ropes, and bent knees are what kept her standing. She popped back upright, raised a foot and swung it to pivot on her ankle. Her hands now rest in her shallow pockets, and now, her sole focus was on Hakune. She smiled beyond her scarf, chuckled and pointed to them. "Look at you. You're so cute. You sure you belong in the ring with a Reinhardt? Especially this one!"

[dlamp]

It wasn't until Hakune turned to face the stage did she finally notice the rather obvious and almost cartoonish platform and thrones within the crowd. It's structure and gaudy nature spoke leagues of its function, along with the people occupying its seats. A line of red hair and haughty expression. It couldn't be any more an excessive show of wealthy and bombast if it tried. The House of Hegemony was towering over the crowd and Hakune both. And at the woman standing, Hakune's eyes immediately narrowed. Karoline Reinhardt... The Samurai made no effort to hide her disdain for the woman, watching with sharpen eye as she summoned a spotlight to display what was likely her her champion for this match.

Hakune eyes flicked over to the stage, seeing another redhead come out from the stage, this one in a surprisingly punk-ish attire. A black, asymmetrical outfit to set the dark and fractured image of a villainous fighter, a wild dragon tattoo that seemed to be inked over the woman's entire lower body, along with, of all things, a red scarf not too dissimilar to Hakune's own. In a way, it was like looking in a mirror. However, the jeers and hisses from the audience brought Hakune back to reality. There was one clear difference between the two besides height.

And a she hopped into the ring with surprising flash given her demeanor, the two met eyes. The girl seemed to have a more relaxed disposition about her, but her words were still dripping with arrogant! Hakune pursed her lips, straightening her expression.

"It's because of your lineage I face you in this ring, Scarla-san!" She announced, pointing right back at her opponent. "You and your foul family need to learn humility, and my unwavering spirit shall make you understand it!"

[Monsy]

Her finger froze in place, and a brow quirked. "Scarla-san?" She wondered. That was new and formal. Yet, they still denounced her family in the same breath. Respect with a threat is an exciting cocktail. She knew someone on stage who that'd arouse... but was getting heavy eyelids just from deciphering the intentions. Her head shook, "Humility, huh…." Her hands threw up in a shrug, "We have the humili part down, just with ate instead of ty, you know? Perhaps you should be very careful how you place your words. This match might be one on one, but you're very outnumbered here, got it?"

She trailed off with a wink; a frown sat snug behind her scarf as she strode forward, then offered her hand. Fingers splayed wide, arm fully out, and her scarf pulled down to show a flat look. "Let's try that again. Come shake my hand. It's customary that you give me the respect I deserve."

[dlamp]

Hakune's eyebrow twitched. Even if Scarlaheart was one of the apparently more approachable members of her family, the arrogance and privileged nature that marked the Reinhardt family still remained. The woman's words having Hakune's lips curl into a short pout as she let out a quiet and huffy sigh. "I assure you I made no mistake in my wording, Scarla-san. But I suppose I'll have to show you my intent through my fists rather than my words." She said, making her way toward the center of the ring and meeting her opponent right at in the middle. Up closer now the Samurai now had a full look at the woman. They almost mirrored each other in a way. Hakune's determined glare meeting Scarlaheart's lazier and dulled gaze. Both red-scarfed warriors ready to do battle as only the look of their eyes showed their expression.

Though... admittedly Scarlaheart was a least a head taller than Hakune... and fairer skinned... and riddled in tattoos... Well, they were close enough anyway.

"..." Hakune glanced down at Scarlaheart's hand, pulling her own scarf down to reveal her curious and sour expression. "A handshake implies mutual respect, Scarla-san." She corrected. "But very well. To a fair and spirited duel." And with that final statement, she took the woman's hand for a firm shake.

[Monsy]

Maria’s tongue clicked, and she shook her head at that. This was the pinnacle of ignorance. Strong words uttered by nothing but a lesser, like they poked the feet of giants. If the ruby-lighted stage just beyond didn’t sink in, then nothing will. She could only ram it into her skull. They met centre-ring, and Scarlaheart’s chin dipped against her collar. Her eyes peeked over the scarf’s lip, but she smiled, almost cackled behind the fabric, then raised her hand to wave her fingers at them. Hello down there.

The handshake was offered, and it felt cold. Thankfully, she needn’t feel it. Maria took the lead and shook their mutual grip. “Oh, well. I respect you for showing up and giving me this match.” Their hold was shaken one last time, but her fingers turned to claws, and the tips dug into Hakune’s hand. The fingerless-gloved hand reached up to pull her own scarf down. Her expression was flat as she uttered… “But I never said anything about fair…”

The free hand cocked back and drove forward like an industrial piston. It swung like a hook, aimed and honed in on their cheekbone to deliver what might be a bone-smacking revelation.

[dlamp]

"...?" Hakune looked up at Scarlaheart. That phrasing was... odd. Even as she took Hakune's hand, there was a sharp tone about the statement. It sounded like one last cocky taunt before the match could begin in earnest, something to rile Hakune's spirit into action and face down her opponent with all she had. But... the cold expression Scarlaheart wore told her otherwise. A chilling and dead look at nearly froze her hand in place...

Wait, her hand was locked in place!

"Ah!" Scarlaheart didn't release her hand. Moreover, she was giving it quite the vice grip, her nails nearly digging into the back of Hakune's hand. "M-Matte!" She tried pulling her hand back, but it was a futile effort. Scarlaheart had her looked in place, and she immediately used that to her advantage.

The crack that ring out in the ring had several audience members wince.

Hakune's whole body, unprepared to the low and dirty trick, careened off to the side as a near explosion burned around her cheek. "Grrah!" Her mind swirled as she took the full brunt of a punch from an experienced MMA fighter completely unprepared, hobbling toward the ground as her vision already blurred.

[Monsy]

It was predator and prey at first hand-grip. From stone words, look, then punch. It looked like two bricks rebounding off the other. Her hand cried out, all five knuckles inflamed, blushed, and its pain receptors went off like fireworks. A hand cupped her still-clenched hand, and she hissed, lurched over and groaned. She shook the arm out, winced as wind aggravated the minor bruise, but it hurt less over time, and she stood upright again. "Ring the bell, dammit." She said to the referee, whose reluctance plastered their face like a static work of art. The stare-down continued until they broke, shuffled over to the ropes and gave the signal for the bell.

Maria pulled up her scarf and grinned, "You're real naïve." She said, then charged Hakune, pulled back her leg, and unleashed its full might to punk-kick them right in the stomach. "Don't even bother getting up!"

[dlamp]

"A-Aaa-" The stinging pain throbbed throughout Hakune's jaw as she writhed along the mat, hand over her cheek as she gasped for air. A dirty trick from a villainous woman. The hope that this one would be at least somewhat fair to start out was dashed away in an instant. The pain at her jaw proved this was just another cruel fighter that wanted to tear someone apart for whatever reason. "Nnh..." And just as the world started coming back, she caught a glimpse of Scarlaheart's words, seeing a leg move her way.

"N-No!" Her plead came to late, quickly cut off by the sharp kick to her stomach. Her eyes widened as the air shot out of her. She rolled back, hands clutching her stomach as the dizziness set back in. "A-Aaah... Aaaa-" Even breathing was getting more difficult. The match was quickly turning into a trial of endurance. And it was a trial Hakune was dreading.

[Monsy]

Scarlaheart was left tall after that kick. She stood at their flank, looking up as the bell rung, the boos hurled at the ring, and Maria took the moments to close her eyes and almost fall asleep to the sound of their staggering breaths. It was as ambient as rain…“You know, I was getting real irritated with that self-righteous speak.” Her cheek fell to her right shoulder, “Honestly, I don’t know what inspires people to tell their superiors how they should act… Isn’t it exhausting, all those moral technicalities?” She crouched, then reached for a fistful of their hair to pull them up, face-to-face. “Come on, how’s this for a fair and spirited duel?” Her hand came to slap them on the cheek. “Are you feeling the grace of competition?!” And another… And another…