Lauren vs. Yukino: Apex Qualifier

[Highfly]

Lauren heard Nashi speaking to her and she stopping showboating making her way over to the ropes to lean over and respond to Nashi. "You are popular singers who show up and have fans from day one. I don't look the right way or wrestle the right way so I get ignored until I put in the work, wrestle match after match for years to get noticed! You prissy little girls don't respect anyone who had to do it the hard way and pay their dues!" Lauren shouted in response.

[CaptainL]

Yukino had been lucky in breaking Lauren's pin - the question, now, was how long her luck could last her. She'd been slammed into the mat with enough force to leave her stunned, and though she had managed to summon enough strength to escape from a close brush with defeat when Lauren had pinned her, it was up for debate how much more she had in her - or if that would be enough to last her the rest of the match. She had all but accepted her fate, sure there was no way for her to bounce back from this one...until she heard Nashi's voice call out.

"Huh..!?" Stirring herself back to her senses, Yukino shook some cobwebs out of her head, looking back and forth before staring back at Nashi with a gasp. At first, she was confused about what her plan was. When she heard Nashi call her the sweetest person in the world, she blushed hard at the compliment. But soon, the plan became clear. Nashi, in calling Lauren out and starting an argument with the blonde, was trying to buy Yukino time to recover...but then, Yukino didn't know if it was worth it. The words Nashi had used made her shudder - not only because she was afraid of Lauren's reaction, but because she felt guilty if she needed to win with such low and underhanded tactics, with her partner being so rude. And especially when she was supposed to be in this match to prove her own skills.

Rolling up to her knees, Yukino waved her hands, trying to catch her friend's attention. "Nashi!! Stop! I know you want to help, but...I need to do this for me, okay?"

[SRG]

Nashi heard what Lauren said and fired back”ohh really now? Maybe if you wrestled better people would actually like you” she crossed her arms with a grin as the crowd all sat saying”ohhhhh snap” Then she heard her friend calling out telling her to stop. Her body shaked In surprise before nodding. It was Yukino’s match to win and because of that Nashi had to not interfere. The firey idol stepped back until her back was against the barricade and didn’t say another word.

[Highfly]

Lauren heard Nashi and Yukino have a little exchange and she decided it was time to focus back on Yukino. The big blonde pulled Yukino up by the arm, looking to whip her across the ring towards the ropes! As Yukino bounced back Lauren would take a few steps towards her and leap. Lauren was trying to fly into the running Yukino to hit her with a cross body block, thinking that if she could continue her momentum this match would be over shortly! She had to prove she could wrestle better than these young newcomers, her experience had to count for something during her climb up from wrestling in bingo halls in front of 20 people.

[CaptainL]

Even as Nashi stepped away, Yukino still winced, thinking about the parting words she had left Lauren with. She was sure this could get the heavyweight seeing red, and that was no position she wanted to be in. But Yukino wouldn't get much choice in the matter, either - before she could so much as catch her breath, Lauren grabbed her by the arm, dragging her back upright! The next thing she knew, she had been shot straight across the ring, going running into the ropes at top speeds! Even when her legs were stiff and weary, against this much momentum she had little choice in the matter!

She barely had any time with which to catch her breath before she went crashing into the ropes, letting out a groan as they stretched against her weight. Then, she was shot back at Lauren like a slingshot, and her jaw dropped in a gasp when she saw her opponent flying straight at her! If Lauren got this hit in, Yukino knew it would be trouble. But then...she got an idea. She had just pledged that she would need to win this match for herself - she wasn't about to go back on that promise!

Just before Lauren could make impact, Yukino ducked down, using the momentum of her charge to transition into a roll - and slip beneath Lauren in the process! If all went according to plan, she would get out of the way, leaving Lauren to crash into the canvas instead!

[Highfly]

The big woman leapt up and was mid-air sailing at Yukino... until Yukino wasn't there anymore. Lauren shook her head and was wide-eyed in surprise! "No! No w-UGH!" Lauren groaned as she crashed hard to the mat, her size working against her as the ring shaking impact and sound echoed through the arena! Lauren groaned and rolled onto her back weakly kicking the mat as she cradled her mid-section in pain on the mat.

[CaptainL]

As the heavyweight broke into a charge, Yukino rolled underneath Lauren, coming to a stop on her knees just moments before the blonde came crashing down against the mat. She winced, clenching her teeth and pressing her hand against the mat to steady herself as the canvas shook, and she took in a few gasps for breath - but when she looked up, she smiled a confident smile nonetheless. Yukino knew what this meant. She had narrowly avoided disaster, and now that Lauren would surely be stunned from the fall, it meant she had gained an advantage she could act upon! Even if Yukino was still weary, even if her legs quivered beneath her as she tried to push herself back to her feet, she still found it in her to get up, and she looked back at Lauren with a defiant glare. She was standing up to her opponent - this was proof she could!

Letting out a battle cry, Yukino broke out into a charge of her own, closing in on the fallen Lauren. She was emboldened by the adrenaline rush that came from knowing she was making a comeback, and that stirred her to new heights! Now, she hopped off the ground, swinging her fists back over her head as she prepared to slam down on top of Lauren with a double axe handle! She'd spent too much of this match getting pushed around - now, it was her turn!

[Highfly]

Lauren was on her back when the rapid footsteps approached and a flying Yukino came crashing down onto Lauren, hammering her abdomen with a double axe handle strike! "ARGH!" Lauren howled as she flopped her limbs about, again weakly kicking the mat with her left leg as she was now reeling as Yukino was surging her way into control while Lauren was struggling to recover. This was not good for the big woman...

[CaptainL]

Yukino had actually done it! It seemed like just a moment ago, Lauren had this match in the bag - she was laying into the white-haired girl with blow after blow, and the idol was growing winded from all the punishment she had absorbed. She'd even had a couple of close brushes with being pinned - too close for her liking. But now, it seemed, she was well on her way to making a difference. She had brought Lauren down - and now, her axe handle slammed into her hard, leaving her coughing and gasping for breath!

A grin flashed across her face as she rose to her knees, clapping her hands and throwing a fist in the air. "YES!!" Yukino cried. The more she managed to keep the pressure on Lauren, the more she was growing assured of her own success. It wasn't long ago that she was worried she wouldn't be able to make it, but the fact that she was making a comeback now gave her all the hope she needed. Now, she thought, she really had a chance! She straightened her back, looking over her shoulder at Nashi with a nod - but then, she turned her attention back to Lauren. It was time to make her move!

Yukino saw the heavyweight kick her leg up from the mat - but that was all she needed. Now that Lauren had been stunned, she was sure she would stay down for the count. Ducking lower, Yukino hooked Lauren's leg in her arm while it was off the mat - and she leaned forward to weigh down on her, going to hold her shoulders to the mat for a pin!

[Highfly]

Lauren felt Yukino pin her and she was surprised by the offense of the young woman but to say that she was already beat was a bit of a surprise to Lauren. She groaned and heard the first count and flopped her free leg to the mat. As the second count hit she kicked the mat, bucked her hips while thrusting to the side to break out.

"Y-you think that is all I got?" Lauren said, gasping and trying to shove Yukino away so she could rise to her feet.