I'm still here

[LowDefinition]

The arena started playing out the theme of Platinum Sky after a Young Lioness match opener. Haruka walked out to the entrance ramp. Waving lightly to the fans as she isn't dressed to wrestle. A mic on her hand tells that she's here to do a promo. She strutted through the ramp in confidence and seriousness unlike the usual upbeat she had. Entering the ring, she walked to the center of the ring and stood there as she looked around the crowd before she raised the mic close to her mouth. The theme fading out slowly to a stop.

Appearance

"Well, it's quite a rare thing that I opened the show with a promo huh?" Haruka opened, seeing the crowd wondering about her intention here. She then points towards a LAW Apex banner that hangs around the arena. "Well you see, I have gotten myself a qualifier match at We Are LAW 5 Pay-per-view..." She continued on, pointing towards a We Are LAW 5 banner. The crowd cheered slightly as she starts mentioning about a match at We Are LAW 5.

"And now you doubters would ask, who's going to make me lose and everything... Well, let me tell you a little story that I've been holding out then, listen carefully, you might want to catch who it is before I call her out." Haruka struts forward to the ropes and leaned onto the top rope. Looking around the arena as she twirled the mic around while tapping her toes on the canvas. She could see the crowd letting out hushed murmurs wondering what she'd say next.

"So, where to start... How about how I came to this place? Hey, I came here without any legacy, I was just a fan coming here." Haruka leans away from the ropes and pace around the ring as she speaks... "Yeah, you heard me, years ago I was just like you! Watching the legends of the past in our TV, doing backyard stuffs, imitating them..." She continued, climbing the corner pads and sat on top of it. "And then, I seriously trained to be ready for this... Under the guidance of Haruna-sensei." She took a breather as she looked around the crowd once again. Balling up her fist as she's about to continue.

"I won't lie, the training was harsh. To this day, Haruna-sensei still called me and my sister puppies... Exhausting regiments, and everytime I underperform... She'll make me feel bad... But I persevere through all of that!" Haruka let out loudly and greeted with cheers and clapping from the crowd. "And as for why I'm still standing here... Even with all the things that happened to me, and all the setbacks, and also you guys who doubted me... No offense." She hops down from the corner and struts to the center.

"No matter!" Haruka raised her voice and her expression changed into a serious one, one that would say she meant business. "No matter how hard you look down at me! No matter how you bring me down repeatedly! No matter how you would think I won't come back from this..." Haruka declared out loud, her voice lowered slightly at the end as she let out a gritty smile. "I'm still here... Ready to fight for my place." She let out softly as she breathed in. "So LAW Universe, bring me everything you got." She raised her hand slightly and gestured towards the hard camera to come at her.

Haruka took a breather as she walked around the ring while the crowd cheered and clapped loudly at her declaration. Basking in the cheers and support for a while as she leaned her back onto the ropes. "And there's one more thing I'd like to address.. So, about my opponent... Well, how do I put it..." She rolled her eyes lightly as she turned her gaze towards the entrance slightly. "She likes to call whoever below her 'puppies'... Well, I don't really understand that word meant puppies she says until Aira came in and told me what it means." She said as she walked to the ropes near the ramp. "And well... She have done some despicable things that I'd say she should really feel remorseful about." She glanced around to the crowd as she starts to get obvious with the recent promos happening around the Openweight Title announcement. "But see, she won't feel bad at all because she believes she'll be the champion and she shouldn't be reprimanded for what she did." She continued, mocking on her opponent's promo.

"You all know who I'm talking about here! And I'm calling you out!" She let out loudly before pointing to the entrance. "Karla. Ray. Reinhardt. You spoke as if you won already... And you know what? Bring me your damn worst! And I'll make you regret all the things you did... You know how the old saying goes right?" She spoke out once again while walking to the center of the ring. "What's the saying again... 'History is written by the winners' was it? This hundchen is going to overcome you and make sure you'll get reprimanded for the despicable things you did! Come on out!"

[Monsy]

The crowd’s white noise ushered into the norm.
Nothing could be heard as they awaited the music. But the lights never dimmed. Nor did any spotlight spring to life. Neither did the ominous winter-storm instrumental play its tune. Soon, though, the titantron flicked on, and there Karla stood. The room around her was a fine-detailed gold and pearl-coloured hall, with a self-portrait painting looming behind her, flanked by two muscular suited men, their faces shrouded in full-head black masks. She was dressed in white trousers that overlapped her black coat, a folded collar and a folded scarf filling the V in the middle. Her wrists donned diamond cufflinks on a white undershirt that came out a few centimetres from the coat.

Spoiler

“Was that my cue?” She pursed her lipstick-heavy lips, the disapproval dripping from her gaze could melt her mascara. “To dim the lights, flick on my spotlights, play my music? Ha…ha…ha…HA… No, am afraid that’s not how this works. You do not summon miss main event. I am the Reinhardt and you are the dog.”

Boos sparked from that last line, but Karla continued, “But as, well, some token to you. I’ve decided to make this statement. It’s kinda amusing.” She smirked, pleased with herself, “For a little girl who tries so hard, you don’t really have much to show for it. Do you? Do. You? Not like me, I’ve created nothing but waves and success. Remember that man who beat, no, destroyed you? Killer something, I don’t know, he’s irrelevant now.”

She frantically snapped her fingers, and the audio popped with each one, making it an unpleasant ear-rake for those who listened. A black-sleeved arm stretched into the scene, their hand being gloved. He held out a platter, then removed the hood to unveil Killer King’s mask, which she tapped its nose. “Because I retired him. I beat him, not once, but twice, and took his livelihood. His identity. And he was the last person to try and steal victory from me.” She waved the platter off, and it left the shot.

“Now, there’s a general rule of thumb that with every good book, you have to read between the lines. I’ve told you what’s between mine so allow me to read between yours.” Her smirk turned lopsided as she folded her arms above her chest, then she sighed. “Haruka Tatsumi. You’re just a loud, mediocre, fragile Hundchen whose spark can only be seen when placed under two larger shadows. Just because you’re surrounded by people who are successful, it doesn’t mean you will be too. Sorry, not sorry. And I’ve seen you prance around and talk like a million dollars, but when it comes time for your skills to pay the bills, I feel more pity for you than an over-worked waitress.”

She took a step towards the camera, “But. If you want to rant about my actions, or tell me what colour you'd like your future collar, then why don’t we get real close, where you can say just what you’re going to do to me at We Are LAW 5. But unlike the 2020 last woman standing tournament.” Another step, and she grabbed the camera edge, lifting it face-level. “You better not choke.” Then her hand covered the shot, and the lights went dark.

And when they came back, the audience’s voices rumbled into a collective roar. Karla was just three feet behind her.

[LowDefinition]

Haruka looked onto the entrance in anticipation. But Karla didn't show up, but after a while waiting. The Titantron flickered into a scene where Karla stood with two muscular suited masked men behind her. Clicking her tongue as she showed her irritation while watching Karla not directly showing up in the flesh. She listened onto the entitled redhead looking down on her. The crowd shared her sentiment as Karla went on... Until she was reminded of that certain man, who destroyed her a long time ago.

"No way..." Haruka let out as she gripped the top rope upon the platter showing the mask of the man that destroyed her once. Remembering the nightmare, Haruka took a few steps backward as she covered her face. "No..." Her confidence wavered, even after the mask left the shot. She gritted her teeth as she kept her focus on the screen. The hatred in her eyes formed as Karla stated that she won't be successful no matter how hard she tries. It was evident from her results so far... But she still have the fire in her that she wanted to prove that she'll be successful in her effort...

And at the last warning as the screen is covered by Karla's hand. So does the lights around the arena. When it flickered back on, Haruka heard the crowd roaring out as she slowly turned her head around to see Karla standing behind her. Her eyes were slightly teary from the insults that Karla threw at her earlier. She tossed the mic away and stomps the canvas as she approaches Karla. "You... How dare you..." She muttered as she stood face to face to her opponent for We Are Law 5. Raising an arm to point onto Karla's face as her lips shook, trying to muster out words to fight back against the German. "I'm... I'm gonna make you regret you say all those things about me..." Her words were seething with rage, and full on denial of what she is so far.

"Come We Are LAW 5, I'm going to put you down AND MAKE YOU REFLECT ON YOUR ACTIONS!" She raised her tone, her anger and hatred slowly taking over her. Her other hand that wasn't pointing at Karla balled up into a fist, visibly shaking.

[Monsy]

The only awkward thing was the closer they got, the more she needed to crane her head up. When she did, though, and the retort rained down its venomous trickle, Karla tilted her head and smiled through it. The finger thrust in her direction made Karla part her arms, fold them up at her side like one big shrug. She looked shoulder to shoulder as the excitement mounted in the crowd, then back to Haruka’s overflowing vim, which steadily wore Karla’s smile down into dull apathy. Her posture stiffened as her feet came together, heel to heel, her arms folded behind her back, and her shoulders rolled back. This loud-mouth’s tirade seemed just about over; even a murderer could get queasy from the vigour. Karla’s lips pursed, not uttering a thing, then turned to the side and walked across the ring, bent over to pick up the microphone. She flipped her hair back when she stood again, now silently nodding, then shook as she started to growl. Flinches rattled her upper lip, and her left eye twitched. She needed a deep breath, letting it out, then turning around on heel to face Haruka with a smile, walking forward and reclaiming their face-to-face posture.

“You’re going to put me down? You? Oh, hundchen… You have the skill of Holly Matheson, with the charisma of Alvin Simpson, a look so bland, you make Skylar Jones look actually presentable. You’re so forgettable, not even Shiori Takeda knows who you are. So, trust me when I say this, because I’ll only warn you once. At We Are LAW 5, it won’t be me reflecting on my decisions, it will be anyone who ever thought to support you. I will liquidate whatever confidence you have left in this ring, so whenever you step between the ropes, all you can think of is me. And while you may not be retired for losing… Heh. You might as well.”

The microphone was flipped in her hand, brandished like a baton as she took a step forward, wound up her arm, then swung it overhead in an attempt to bludgeon them on the forehead.

[LowDefinition]

Haruka glared onto Karla as she looked down, gritting her teeth as she tried her best to hold back despite her wanting to really punch this arrogant girl in front of her. Her posture was that of an angered person about to let loose, but she thought that if she were to go on the offense first, Karla would've seen it and then she ended up in the place that Karla described. No, she doesn't want to be the bottom bitch in this. She have to hold it out as much as she really wanted to let it out. Haruka's eyes followed into Karla's movement as she picked up the mic.

As Karla berated everything about her to rile her up. It worked, Haruka's arms shaking in anger, her hateful glare escalating as she was compared to the Loser Champion Holly Matheson in skills. She knew that she's way better than Holly. And to think that Karla insulted her skills and everything that is entirely false. Haruka would really love to prove her wrong right here right now... And the opportunity to show her exactly that comes the next.

Haruka could see Karla winding up the microphone and swinging it over in an attempt to bludgeon her. She stepped forward and ducked under the swing. As she stepped behind Karla, Haruka quickly turned around with her fist balled and swinging following the turn. The crowd roared out in cheers as Haruka showed her retaliation towards Karla when she landed the backhanded fist right on the side of Karla's face. Haruka moved to emphasize on her advantage and making sure Karla know who she's up against! Grabbing Karla's right wrist and pulled her right arm and trapped her hand between her legs. She grabbed the free arm, roaring out loudly as she lifted Karla sideways into a fireman's carry!

The crowd cheered on loudly seeing the German redhead getting her comeuppance over the insults as Haruka spun around slightly in her anger fueled strength. "You better take that back when I beat you in We Are LAW 5!" Haruka let out as she lifts Karla over her before driving her headfirst into the canvas! Hopping up and wrapped her legs onto the german's chest as she kept Karla upside down and bent. Landing her finisher Immortal Blue as the crowd exploded in cheers!

[Monsy]

The hot-blooded red monarch let loose a lethal dose of her venom, with Haruka’s anger having this adrenaline-inducing effect. Her arms felt loose, and oh how her feet could bounce. She felt eighteen, ready to box and pound the flesh-bag right in front of her. It just couldn’t be helped that they’d make such a lovely canvas, with brown hair and such emanating rage; a truly potent candy that Karla couldn’t refuse. So she swung as though she’d strike a misbehaving toddler. But there was only air. “HUH?!” Her voice pinched inside her throat, and her heart punched against her ribcage. She turned around, and the reaper’s hammer snapped against the corner of her jaw. The squeal was like stepping on a puppy’s tail.

Her head bucked one way, and an eye flinched shut as spit cannoned out her glistening velvet lips. Her noodle legs shivered like a scared newborn lamb. An stuck out to one side as she reeled back a step. Her shoulders wobbled like a sloshing tide, followed by her head as her cheek nestled onto her collar, and the microphone dropped. Karla formed a stiff right arm and swung, twisting her hips even to find Haruka. But her eyes became so drunk, she’d hurt her shoulder from over-extension, and Haruka took the limb between her legs. “N-NO!” Her voice attempted to growl - but cracked as her cheeks turned red. And when she arched over their shoulders, where black high-heels kicked, with one falling off. Haruka trapped one arm, so she flailed the other arm, trying to find Haruka’s scalp and dig a trench. When she did, it was too late. The back of her head spiked the canvas, and her brain turned to spoiled-brat stew. The leg coaxed on her ballooning breasts coaxed a slow exhale, that trapped arm now sprawled outward, shoulder-height, fingers splayed flush onto the warm canvas. Her bloodshot eyes bulged from their sockets, then rolled back, and those teeth welded and bared as her face flushed of all colour. Both legs folded, with her barefoot and high-heel that clung by the Reinhardt’s toes now square by her ears, the Reinhardt-wide hips, dressed in skin-tight white to capture each cheek firmly presented in the air, with only her shoulders down, the rest suspended in an unconscious bodily arc. Soon, even her teeth relaxed, and her maw lay open for drool to seep at the corners, with loose frizzy velvet hair spilling on the mat and onto her face.

To this, she had only one thing to retort… A drunken, quiet, and gargled… “Blegh…”

[LowDefinition]

Haruka huffed out and took a few deep breath as she sat there looking down on Karla who laid motionless after she drove her head down. Bent with her legs spread... It felt good for her. And the crowd cheered out loudly for her when she brought down the Reinhardt. Dragging herself away she turned onto the dropped microphone and picks it up. Breathing out, she pushed herself onto her feet and then bends down close to her humbled opponent. "Don't. Ever. Consider me in the same spot as Holly. This is your warning." She let out before backing away and leaned her back to the ropes.

"See that? That's how I put down those who look down on me." Haruka swept her bang slightly as she looked over to the crowd. "Not that I'm going to slam you doubters! I don't want to get into trouble with the management." She said reassuringly. "But with that said... No matter how often I've been brought down... I'll rise back up and be stronger. And at We Are LAW 5... You all going to see me rise as the Immortal Blue!" She raised her voice at the end as she tosses the microphone away. Walking away from Karla and retreated back to the ramp with the crowd cheering and chanting for her.

Going through the ramp, she turned around and walked backward. Glaring at Karla as she looked determined and ready to show an example out of her in the Apex qualifier. Her look was telling that she meant business and not going to take this match lightly as she wanted to prove the doubters wrong and that she deserves to be in the main event spot... All this to come at We Are LAW 5...

To be continued... Here