Hikari is backstage, hopping around trying to pup herself up. She has been told that she is still a part of the Young Lioness, and was given news about something big planned for them all. But first she needs to prove herself against an opponent who has a bit of losses, so the company decided to see who would win between the both of them.
Her mother Osamu is watching her daughter prepare herself. 'Remember, this opponent is going to be a lot quicker than you. But You hit harder than her, so use that to wear your opponent down before going for a big strike. Don't be afraid to use your submission skills if she starts to do the same, alright.' She says, giving her daughter forehead a kiss before sending her out on stage while the music plays in the background. Hikari smiles and makes her way down the ramp, feeling more confident with the advice her mother just gave her.
Sliding into the ring, she twirls her long braid around while bouncing around on the balls of her feet. Ready to see her opponent come out so the match can begin.
Once Hikari was settled in the ring and the chants of the crowd began to die down, Drifter's theme music began to explode on the PA system at high volume, signaling that the up and coming fan favourite was about to appear. The crowd began to cheer loudly for the lightweight wrestler who had become famous for upsets against wrestlers of higher divisions and weight classes, and even with a recent string of losses, they could not help but cheer on the underdog as she was about to appear.
As her music continued, Drifter's unique entrance began to unfold which by now was fast becoming familiar with many of her growing fans. Slowly, a pickup truck began to drive across the entrance platform, with Drifter sitting upon the edge of the back in her usual attire but also clad in a heavy coat, a beanie, and worn-out sneakers. Picking up a rucksack the lightweight carried along with her, she hopped from the back and thanked the driver by tapping the truck before he went off, an entrance gimmick that made it looked like she hitchhiked here. Though Drifter thought the whole gimmick of her entrance was silly, the fans absolutely loved it, cheering Drifter as if she had just arrived.
She began to make her way down to the ramp with quite a stride after the entrance shenanigans, tagging fans hands with gusto and getting a massive cheer as she did so. It did not take long before she was at the ring, as she tossed her rucksack by the steel stairs and took off her coat, revealing a grey sports bra and jeans outfit with a red and black flannel shirt tied loosely around her hips. She took off her sneakers to go barefoot before she entered into the ring, flipping herself deftly over the top rope before the looked to Hikari and nodded with a pleasant smile forming upon her beautiful features. Spoiler
She quickly climbed one of the turnbuckles, throwing up her arms as the fans began to chant her ring name, all whilst her music continued to blur out on the PA systems throughout the arena. After taking a moment to drink in the energy, she hopped down and entered the ring, beginning to shadow box a little and loosen her shoulders in preparation for the match that was about to begin, before she turned to Hikari once more to give her some attention before things got underway.
"Hey there! I'm Katherine, but my friends call me Kay. Hope all is well! Don't hold back and lets make sure we make this a good match for the fans. Sound good?" Kay mentioned, holding out a fist for a fist bump from Hikari. She hoped this match would be in good spirits, as her last few opponents had been anything but good spirited, recalling her match against Sandy White and Cyber Widow.
Seeing her opponent making her way down to the ring. Hikari is already starting to wind up her right arm up in a circle motion, it is just a habit of hers that she does to keep herself calm but also to let the opponent know that her right arm is her power dominant arm, and it's going to be coming at her head during the match. But stops seeing the other woman introduce herself and even hold her fist out for a bump before the match even starts. Something that is great to see since she is still considered a Young Lioness at this point and seeing some sportsmanship is great.
'Oh yea sure... Names Hikari and same here, so good luck as well.' she says before bumping fists with Kay. Walking around in a circle wanting to look at getting the best angle she can when the bell rings in the background, as she eyes her opponent wanting to rush in with a bull rush. But after the stern talking to from her mother, she decides to play it safe and hold up her hands from a test of strength.
"Alright then... let's do this!" Kay spoke out with a smile, recieving the fist bump from Hikari. Not one to take advantage in such a situation, Kay decided to take a few steps back, looking to give her opponent a chance to make a proper start as the bell began to ring. There was certainly respect between the two wrestlers as niether took advantage, both instead beginning to circle each other when the match got under way. That said, it still did not take long before both wrestlers would engage each other.
Hikari would start things off, offering her hands up, no doubt looking to take part in a test of strength. Drifter smiled in a sly manner, she was strong to be sure, but not in a test of strength... She had more power strength with was shown in her strikes, not so much in prolonged grapples or the such. Still... it did not hurt to see what Hikari was capable of, and as such she would move in, taking her hands with her own, before she would look to try and attempt to fight against Hikari's strength, trying to get the upper hand against her!
Hikari figured that since they bumped fist... her opponent would do the test of strength with her to see who can over power who. Her mother told her that this was how things were settled back in the day if you didn't like each other you would settle it in the ring like women, so Hikari thought that Kay would be like that to see who was stronger than the other.
Letting out a loud grunt, feeling her opponent fingers locking up with her own. Getting that cocky grin on her face as she starts to slowly step forward, trying to over power the other woman using her strength. 'Not bad, I know and heard that when it comes to strike your top-notch... So going head up to beat me at my own game is legit... but I got you beat.' Hikari would say... Trying to bend her opponent wrists back to force the smaller Kay onto her knees. Going for the dominant opening to show that power wise, she is the top.
It all went exactly how Drifter was expecting.... not her way! Though strong, as mentioned Drifter's strength came from striking power rather then prolonged efforts. For certain she could lift well above her weight, making her quite a presence in the lightweight division... but against a strong and dedicated wrestler like Hikari, she was never going to defeat her in a test of strength! Already, Kay's arms were straining as Hikair began to step forth, gaining a better vantage before she began to slowly pull Kay's wrists back.
Kay gasped out, slowly feeling herself drop to one knee to try and relieve the growing pressure, but all it did was give Hikari more of an advantage. Kay grimanced and struggled, trying to stand back up, but by now it was useless. "Uugh... well... we've played your game... Fancy having a new game where we punch each other and see who wins?!" Drifter suggested, trying to see if Hikari would bring the fight to her own level. It was not likely... but it never hurt to ask!
Hikari could say that she is pretty naive when it comes to wrestling. Since her mother has been getting on her case about taking the foot off the gas pedal when she has her opponent down and out, instead she from what people have been saying about her is that she lacks the killer instinct that made her mother and other legendary wrestlers have. Hearing that did put a damper on the mood when she would start training for this very match against Kay, the drifter who was able to take a former champion to a long battle before losing... or taking on a infamous heavyweight who while crushing her with many painful holds.
The drifter did not say she quit or surrender, as she was forced to pass out from the pain... that toughness is what made Hikari take this match up in the first place. So hearing the question about being asked to just get in a strike battle and see who wins... after Kay agreed to her battle of strength, well she was never one to deny fair play at all as she lets go of her opponent hands and steps backwards.
'Sure thing... you did play my game of whom stronger. And I heard that you're pretty tough with taking shots and strikes, so you know what, lets put that to the test then.' Hikari would say as she starts to rotate her right arm in a circle motion, almost as if she is charging it up with a grin on her face. 'Just so that it fair... You get the first hit, and then we go from there.'
Kay could not help but admire Hikari's fighting spirit as it where. The young lightweight wrestler had felt a little foolish for taking on the woman at her own strength, but it seemed she was more than willing to do the same thing for her after it was clear Hikari was physically the strongest between the two of them. Kay winced as Hikari released her from the grapple, having brought her down to her knees and twisted her wrists. In truth Kay was pretty trapped and at Hikari's mercy, but she was kind enough to let her go after Kay jokingly suggested they fight to her preferred strengths. It was a surprise to see Hikari agree, but Kay nodded in apprieciation.
"That's mighty kind of you... I'm told I'm really good at hitting though. I may be a lightweight on paper but they say I strike like a heavyweight. With that in mind... how about you start things off? I'd like to see what you got in the engine. You already proved you're strong.. I'd like to see how good you are at throwing a punch... or perhaps a kick if you prefer." Drifter mentioned, shaking her wrists out as she bounced a little on her feet. In truth, Drifter had certainly improved frighteningly enough. Already a dangerous striker to begin with holding a raw talent, her time with Tia had actually improved her striking game significantly. It was no longer just raw instinct to Drifter's strikes. There was percision now... actual form and techinque.... She had been taught well and was still learning now.
For now though she was content to see what Hikari could do, to see what she was going up against.
Hikari starts to rotate her arm, eager to show her smaller opponent what she is made of. In truth, she could have easily sent Kay flying since she did have the upper hand in the strength area and the smaller woman on her knees but as soon as the other woman made a mention of fighting with her style, well she was never one to turn down a challenge at all and eagerly accepted it.
Her mother always warned her that in a match you fight using your own strength and beating your opponents with ease, not by trying to beat them using their own strengths since you would be at a disadvantage trying to model your style after someone else's own.
But she is not her mother and will win doing things her own way, and right now it is telling her to go toe to toe with the drifter... the woman who has been training under a former MMA fighter and what better way to earn some love and respect is by out striking the student, then everyone will talk about her and hero status as the better striker. 'Alright then let's do this...' as Hikari would lunge forward and throw a straight right punch right into Kay's toned stomach with her fist, putting a lot behind the blow to start the battle of strikers off.
The impact of Hikari's fist echoed out as it dove right into Kay's hard abs. Naturally the lightweight grunted, as the crowd could not help but gasp out as they heard the impact all the way from the back row. Kay took a few steps back, grimacing as she favoured her belly after Hikari's fist dug deep into her bare stomach... By now however, the crowd knew of Katherine's reputation for taking the beats, and as good as the hit was, Kay was able to take a deep breath and remain standing. She looked noticably uncomfortable, no doubt still reeling from the blow and a little winded, but otherwise she looked to have taken it.
"Heh... nice hit! You're not bad at this." Drifter complimented, taking another breath to recover before she lifted her own guard upwards. It was her turn now. It was her intent originally to strike Hikari in the face as she normally aimed for with most people, but after being hit hard in the stomach she figured it was only kind enough to return the favour. Sharpening up her stance as Breaker taught her, Drifter would approach Hikari with her dangerous fists at the ready.
Drifter would emulate Hikari's own strike, going for a straight punch herself, aiming her more powerful left hand right into Morizumi's core. Drifter carried a lot of strength and percision into the strike, hitting Hikari hard, looking to display just how powerful she was when it came to striking! Like before, a loud echo began to ring out that was heard everywhere, as Drifter stepped into her strike to add more strength into it. She pulled her fist back after burying it hard into Hikari's abs, looking to see how the fellow wrestler coped with her own striking power!
