Trial by Fire: Hikari Nakano vs Sanae Saitou

[Bare]

Hikari was down... again. Multiple times she had been brought down to her back, this time just moments after getting back up to her feet no less. 'What the hell is happening?' The girl thought to herself as she stared up at the lights, shocked at how much Sanae was doing to her and not sure how to respond with how foreign all of it was too her. Was this it? Was her streak to end tonight against someone Hikari didn't think worthy to even be in the same ring as her?

Minami from the sidelines however saw the look of of shellshock on her students face and seeing Sanae bolt towards the ropes knew there wasn't much time as she stood up from the commentary table. "Hikari get yourself together!" Minami snapped coldly from outside the ring, her voice cutting through the arena to the ring and sending a chill down Hikari's back as she immediately became aware of everything around her with the stop of her doubts.

Including an incoming Sanae who took to the air. 'no time to dodge or completely counter!' Hikari thought to herself as she raised her legs up. This wouldn't stop Sanae's elbow from crashing into Hikari's chest, but it would at least cause Hikari's knees to drive into Sanae's ribs at the same moment! "Ugh..." Hikari groaned out, rolling over after the encounter, holding her chest with a grimace of pain and hoping her desperate counter would buy her at least a few seconds.

[CaptainL]

Sanae couldn't believe that she was seeing this much luck against Hikari any more than her opponent could. But if that was what was going to happen, she wasn't going to complain! She threw herself headlong into the fever pitch of this match, never letting up for a moment on the intensity. No sooner had Hikari gone down that she was taking off again, bouncing off the ropes and catapuling herself toward her foe with an elbow drop at the ready! Sanae couldn't stop for even a second, not even to keep track of the sounds of the arena. Everything was going by in a blur - and she had to keep it that way, to deny Hikari the chance of a comeback!

But in the heat of the moment, Sanae wasn't watching her opponent - and she was about to pay the price. At the exact same time her elbow fell over Hikari's chest with the sound of a smack, the dark-haired girl kicked her knees up, driving them into Sanae's gut! The two blows struck simultaneously, leaving none unscathed. Hikari was winded by the impact, but, unable to press the advantage against her stunned foe, Sanae was knocked backward, crying out in pain as she reeled from the blow!

She began to lift herself to her knees, panting a few times for breath. She hugged her arm closer to herself in an attempt to protect herself against any further attack. But even then, she was quick to shake the cobwebs out of her head. Sanae knew all too well that to give Hikari the slightest moment to make a comeback would be suicide! Even now, she had to keep the advantage, lest she be swept up in a whirlwind she couldn't keep track of if Hikari won out. Clenching her teeth and holding one eye closed in a tight squint to try and keep down the pain, Sanae would draw back her arm, prepared to throw a chop across Hikari's chest the moment she righted herself!

[Bare]

Hikari had no idea how she ended up in this position. Beaten down, exhausted and unable to properly capitalize on her speed or striking prowess thanks to the work Sanae had done to her leg. It was a worst case scenario if Hikari had ever hear of one. But she wasn't out of this completely just yet. Despite what Sanae had done so far she still had her pride to think about. Not just in herself but as Minami's apprentice as well. Refusing to allow herself to lay back and let Sanae do what she wanted, Hikari would manage to lift her legs up and so some damage to Sanae as she landed on them!

Despite this benefit of getting this however it wasn't perfect. Sanae's elbow still connected fully with Hikari's chest, causing the girl to groan and cry out in pain as she rolled over onto her stomach, wincing and groaning in pain as she held her chest. "Damn it." Hikari hissed to herself as she slowly but surely got her feet under her and finally managed to rise up in order to compete once more.

Though the moment she was upright she was treated to Sanae in the same position, lashing out with a chop across the chest! "GAH!" Hikari gasped out, the sound of the blow echoing out through the arena as it rocked Hikari. 'Damn it!' Hikari thought to herself with a growl before glaring at Sanae, pulling her arm back in the process! Striking was Hikari's specialty, and she refused to let Sanae humiliate her in a contest of blows! So Hikari would lash out herself, aiming to deliver a chop of her own at full force towards Sanae's chest in retaliation!

[CaptainL]

The pain of landing against Hikari's knees, with all her momentum delivering her straight into the trap, had yet to leave Sanae. Even now, as she rolled to her knees, she winced and shuddered from the lingering sensation. But she grit her teeth, determined not to let it hold her back. Against an opponent as fast and unpredictable as Hikari was, she knew all too well she couldn't afford to take her eyes off of her for a moment. No matter how much it hurt, she needed to keep forging ahead, to inflict as much damage as she could!

She knew she had still gotten a good shot off on Hikari's chest, so Sanae's next move was aimed for the same spot, hoping she could whittle away at her opponent's defenses. Her arm shot out with a crack, landing across her opponent's sternum with the sound of a thunderclap. Watching her reel back, the aspiring idol smirked with satisfaction at knowing her plan had worked - but Hikari was just as ready for her. She would strike back in retaliation, clapping Sanae across the chest with a chop of her own!

This time, the sound of the smack was even louder. It caused Sanae's ample bosom to sway from the force of the blow, and she doubled back, her back curling into an arc as she let out a scream. Sanae thought she could stand up to her foe, but now it was Hikari's turn to remind her that she was an expert striker, and the green-haired girl suddenly felt hopelessly out of her element. Now, panting for breath, Sanae looked back up at Hikari through a glare of clenched teeth and narrowed eyes.

In many matches, a confrontation like this would only lead to a volley of more such strikes being exchanged. But now, Sanae could feel a numbing sensation going through her whole body - and knowing Hikari, she surely had more stored up where that came from. She didn't think she could win this duel, but waiting around was only going to leave her hopeless and vulnerable. She needed to create more distance - instead, she went to throw herself backward, looking to roll herself away from Hikari! There wasn't any time to get to her feet - she just needed to escape!

[Bare]

Sanae had made a mistake that Hikari was more than willing to take advantage of when going for that high flying move. Granted Hikari had to take a painful hit too to damage Sanae back, but it was something she was willing to live with. Especially now that she had a chance to fight back against Sanae with the two now up and trading chops with each other. After all, strikes was Hikari's area of expertise, something she had made sure Sanae knew about with the brutal opening segment of their match.

That being something no one could take away from Hikari as she got up to her feet fully and glared at Sanae, already braced for the next chop.... only for it to not come as instead Sanae would... roll back and away from her? Something that made Hikari grit her teeth in absolute fury. Now? Sanae was choosing now to be smart? What the hell was this even?! Gritting her teeth in barely contained rage Hikari would march forward in Sanae's direction.

Hands balled up into fists so tight her knuckles were growing white Hikari would try and lock eyes with the fleeing Sanae, her legs still sore but at least feeling somewhat steady again. "You wait till now to show you're true colors you coward?!" Hikari said, no demanded as she marched closer and closer to Sanae, "I will destroy you for the humiliation you put me through!" Hikari promised as, with a sudden dash of speed she tried to close the gap between her and Sanae, leaping up as she did so to try and land a running knee on Sanae's chest!

[CaptainL]

Sanae had been encouraged by the success she was seeing against Hikari. She could see that her efforts had borne fruit, and that was starting to get to her head. She couldn't help but hold hope that if she continued to push her success, she could well win this match! But reality began to set in, and she realized her mistake. In a battle of strikes, she was simply outmatched - the painful sensation that still lingered in her body even after Hikari's blow had landed told her as much. She was going head-first into a situation where Hikari was able to do what she did best, and sticking around to deal with that would only lead to disaster. Instead, before Hikari's next blow could hit, Sanae would roll away, looking to regroup.

She rolled a short distance away, rising back up to her knees when she felt the coast was clear. Her eyes scanned back and forth across the ring to gauge her surroundings - and then it hit her. Sanae was just shy of the ropes! If she could get a little bit further, then it would be her turn to do what she did best. Hikari would surely find herself outmatched if she had to contend with the green-haired girl's aerial offense. That could well turn the tides, and just thinking about it left Sanae grinning wider. Finally, she thought, she knew what she needed to do. She could win this match yet!

However, just as she began to lift herself to her feet, Hikari struck again. When she stormed toward Sanae with anger in her eyes, the aspiring idol grew tense and dropped into a stance; she was sure she'd have to make her next move at a split-second's warning, knowing how quickly Hikari could move. And then, with that same breakneck pace, Hikari came blitzing toward her! Her mouth dropped open in a gasp; even when she had witnessed it earlier in this match, Sanae still couldn't help but be amazed by how quickly her opponent could move. And it was already too late for her to escape - Hikari hurled herself closer, smashing both of her knees into Sanae's chest!

Sanae's screams of pain split the air as she doubled over forward, coughing and gagging. She went stumbling back into the ropes, but now they would be of no use to her - she slumped against them, starting to sink lower as her feet drifted apart and she panted and groaned for breath. It was only the fact that she was able to grab onto the top ropes, with her arms draped around them, that kept Sanae from falling. When she began to lift her head up, she locked a glare back at Hikari, but it was through an eye squeezed shut in a wince and teeth that were locked in a grimace. No one could deny that she was in trouble now.

[Bare]

Hikari had been totally humiliated in this match. The amount of offense Sanae had gotten in being totally unacceptable to her and her mentor. Unfortunately that was something Hikari wouldn't be able to live down, she'd just have to live with it in the future. But she could still make things right. Finally she had managed to force the pendulum of the match to swing back in her favor. No after dropping Sanae with a knee to the chest wanna be idol was now propped against the ropes... Ripe for Hikari's next attack.

Meeting Sanae's glare with one of her own Hikari would crouch slightly before breaking out into a run. Wincing at the pain going up her leg still with each step Hikari would force herself to keep going in spite of it. Nearing Sanae the dark haired striker would leap up as she neared, extending her legs as she came in, trying to landing a running drop kick into Sanae's chest and head area, trying to put her through the gap between the ropes and leave her hanging halfway out of the ring on the middle rope!

If this managed to work Hikari would get back up to her feet, wincing again at the pressure surging up and how it felt worse than before. Biting her tongue tight to keep from saying anything Hikari would try and slip between the ropes to stand on the outside apron next to Sanae. Reaching to try and grab Sanae's hair Hikari would force her upper body up somewhat. "This is what you get... for messing with me!" She'd yell if uninterrupted, trying to start deliver multiple rising knee strikes into Sanae's chest while she was in this helpless position!

Spoiler

[CaptainL]

For a time, Sanae had managed to take control of the match. There was a glimmer of hope, for Sanae and for all of her fans, that she just might overcome the odds once again and walk away victorious. But that hope proved a fleeting one. Just as quickly as Sanae had seized the momentum, so too could Hikari take it back. And once Hikari had her foe open and vulnerable...she was not one to forget how much she'd suffered at the aspiring idol's hands.

Sanae knew she was in trouble. With how fast Hikari was, she knew that she needed to push herself out of the ropes and get out of danger as soon as she could, lest her foe make her regret not acting faster. But her arms felt like lead weights, and everything around her was spinning. She tried to push herself back to her feet, grasping the ropes and struggling to hoist herself back up. But even as she clenched her teeth and snarled against the strain, it was no good. Hikari had already took off - and her feet planted directly into Sanae's face with a dropkick!

A loud scream ripped through the air, causing a fair few fans to wince as Sanae fell back. Her grip left the ropes, and she flopped over the middle rope, her head and arms dangling low over the edge. Suddenly finding herself upside down, Sanae began to panic - she writhed and flailed her legs, her legs kicking in the air. She was able to roll over, but her stomach was still draped over the rope. That wasn't good enough for her - if she couldn't go anywhere, and Hikari was still on the move, it spelled disaster for her prospects. And yet, Sanae still couldn't disentangle herself - every time she moved too far, the pain in her head and chest caught up to her, and she sank back down with a groan.

Through all of this, Hikari could see her chance. Dizzied by the offense she'd taken, Sanae could barely see it coming as her opponent got around to meet her on the apron. When she felt her fingers in her hair, dragging her back up, she let out a gasp, reaching up to try and pry Hikari's wrists off her scalp. But it was too late. Hikari rammed her knee upward again into Sanae's still-aching chest, and she cried out in pain, hacking and coughing as the air was driven out of her lungs. She sank lower against the ropes, curled into an arc, and began to pant, one eye held shut in pain, the other watching Hikari warily. She knew that still more punishment was coming...but she was hopeless to save herself from it.

[Bare]

Hikari had been on the back foot for a long while in this match and it would forever go down to the girl as one the lowest and all time worst moments of her career. Now though she had finally managed to turn the tide once more. Landing successive massive hits on Sanae that left the girl stunned and unable to do much of anything in response to Hikari's assault. Now having Sanae halfway out of the ring and delivering multiple strikes into her sternum Hikari would grit her teeth and hiss softly in pain with each successful hit.

After all.. Sanae's own holds and methods of attack had been rather effectful. Leaving Hikari's legs severely impaired so delivering knee strikes and other hard kicks probably wasn't the best thing to do. But Hikari's arsenal of moves was mostly leg and kick focused, so she would just have to grit her teeth and bare it. Keeping this in mind Hikari would yank on Sanae's hair after delivering one last knee strike. Tugging and pulling on Sanae Hikari would ignore the cries of the ref pleading for Hikari to leave things in the ring as instead she sought to get Sanae out onto the outside apron along with her.

If she managed to do this successfully Hikar would try and force her opponent's head in between her thighs. Granted most of Hikari's moves were leg based.. but this was one of the rare exceptions. Bending down to loop her arms around Sanae's waist Hikari would suck a breath in as she pulled up, only for a pang of pain to shoot up her leg at the added pressure causing her to drop Sanae back down to the apron.

'Damn it... fucking... do as I say!' She thought to herself while biting her lip to the point of drawing blood before pulling back up on Sanae's body, this time managing to successfully lift Sanae upside down in an all too familiar piledriver position! "I told Minami I'd end you.. this is how.." Hikari said as she took a single, agonizing step to the side, repositioning themselves so that they faced out towards the audience... and so Sanae's head was now level with the floor!

[CaptainL]

A moment ago, when Sanae managed to turn the match around and take control after what seemed like a grueling ordeal, her spirits were riding high, her veins pumping with adrenaline. She could win this, she thought! But those same fortunes could just as easily turn back to bite her - and now that Hikari had the reins again, Sanae had all but forgotten the thrill of knowing she was so close to victory. Every time Hikari struck at her, she lurched from side to side, crying out in pain; her head cracked this way and that. When Hikari grabbed at her hair, Sanae doubled over backward, whining from the aches that ran through her sore body. Her knees twitched and trembled beneath her as her balance threatened to give way, and she panted in an effort to draw the air back in her lungs. But she knew the worst was yet to come - and she sucked in a breath and held it in her lungs, her body tense with anticipation of what was sure to hurt.

Yet, no matter how she tried to psyche herself up, nothing could prepare her for what came next. When she tipped back more and more, she shuddered, up until she could just barely feel the tips of her toes leaving the ground beneath her, causing her to yelp in a panic. Her blood ran cold in her veins as it all hit her. Her head was aimed right for the floor below. Just a moment later, she thought, it would all be over. If Hikari brought her down, she didn't have a chance of getting back up...

And then, she noticed it. A shudder ran up Hikari's leg - she was hurting. She hesitated. In that moment, the world around Sanae slowed to a crawl. Suddenly, it all made sense. Suddenly, she realized it was still possible - she could still win! The look of shock and terror on her face began to change into a grin of confidence. Hikari might have been fast...but for just this one moment, she was forced to slow down. And for those precious few seconds she had slowed...Sanae could think. Now, she realized, she had a plan. A plan that could make all the difference!

Even as Hikari hoisted her higher, tipping her back for the piledriver, Sanae was undeterred. Even as she hung upside down in the air, her hair dangling low, she wouldn't falter - she had realized what she had to do now. She waited for the moment Hikari's weight began to shift, and when she started to tip back, ready to leap into the air. But when that happened, the green-haired girl would suddenly swing out with her legs, throwing her body backward in an arc to curl over Hikari's shoulders. She grabbed for her head with her thighs in turn. And, to the sounds of gasps and cheers, she flipped herself over in the air, now attempting to turn Hikari head over heels with her - and send her crashing head-first into the floor instead!