Yukino Fuyumi vs Gabriel Vinlee - (Apex Qualifier Match)

[CaptainL]

After her own attempts at standing up to Gabriel had left her rattled, one more headbutt was all it took to knock the wind out of Yukino's sails - and with a crack, the Winter Idol dropped like a sack of potatoes, her limbs landing limp at her sides as she groaned breathlessly. Yukino's fans looked on with concern in their eyes, wondering how she was going to make it out of this one...and the worst part was, Gabriel wasn't even done! Everyone could only look on in horror as the blonde got down on top of Yukino, running her fingers slowly and senuously along the girl's sides, and up toward her chin. No one knew what Gabriel was planning, or what might be up her sleeve. And that very fact made everything all the more terrifying - she could have anything readied!

Yukino was slowly blinking herself back to her senses as consciousness returned to her, but it was only through weary, half-lidded eyes that she was able to look back up to see Gabriel staring down at her. She let out a hoarse and muffled groan, too dizzied to even fully process what was about to happen to her. But she was about to be cruelly reminded of her fate - as Gabriel slammed her head down one last time into Yukino's own!

A scream ripped through the air as the idol fell back, landing in a heap against the canvas once again. A trickle of blood had begun to form across her brow from all the punishment it had taken, and her eyelid twitched as her teeth locked together in a grimace of pain and sheer anxiety as to what was coming next. Because, sure enough, Gabriel still wasn't done. First, she would shove Yukino's head down and forward, mashing her face up against her breast. A muffled groan left Yukino's mouth as she found her world consumed in the stifling warmth and darkness. But then, Gabriel kicked her knee up to slam it into Yukino's gut, and her hips bucked into the air, her whole body lurching against the momentum! With every blow that landed, Yukino twisted and turned this way and that, barely able to recenter herself before the next strike came. Her midsection grew red, and her breaths grew hoarse and ragged as she struggled just to move air into her lungs against the relentless assault. She didn't know how much more she could take...

And it was precisely for that reason that Yukino knew something had to be done. She couldn't wait around any more and take punishment she knew she couldn't afford! She sucked in a breath, ready to commit herself to action. She couldn't see her opponent, and she could barely focus on anything around her...but she did know she was right up against Gabriel. And the right amount of force, applied in the right direction, just might be all she needed.

As Gabriel's knee swung up another time, Yukino would make her move. She'd hop off the ground, looking to swing her legs apart only to clamp them shut around her opponent's leg before her blow could land! If that worked, she would shove her weight forward, pushing at Gabriel's shoulders to try and drag her down, while she clenched tighter with her legs and pulled back in an attempt to stretch Gabriel's leg in a kneebar while dragging her footing out from under her! If she missed her shot, she would surely end up in a difficult position, but that wasn't a concern to Yukino right now. She had to take the risk when the consequences of inaction were just as bad!

[Hagen-Autem]

Gabriel was exercising her legs now that she could do whatever wanted with the idol's body, stretching hee knees against that smooth abdomen in a parade of pernicious blows to see how long she could hold out before collapsing from the sadism expressed in every imperial blow.

She was enjoying the way she was ramming the girl's belly. And the blonde would never have anticipated that Yukino still had some grey matter left in her head as to calculate the intervals of that thrust, jumping up to save her abdomen from one more blow and, in the act, squeezing the blonde leg between her own!

"Huh!?" The queen was impressed, the crowd howled to cheer on the prey, she could comeback! Gabriel almost lost her balance from that manoeuvre, but she recovered by hopping on her free foot, and adjusted herself as best she could so as not to stumble when the other woman tried to knock her over like a rotten log. For the Royal Viper no matter how much fuss the stands made about stoking Nashi's friend's will, she wasn't going to lose her position in this match so easily, she was just beginning to try it out!

So she would take action by releasing her from her embrace so that could slip her own arms between Yukino's and push them outward to remove them from her shoulders. She would assume that the difference in strength and performance was still in her favour, then continue her move by raising her elbows and dropping them on Yukino's clavicles to control her. Gabriel doesn't know what will happen if she is knocked down, so she will do everything she can to prevent it and get her leg back.

[CaptainL]

Yukino was swiftly growing dazed. Not only was the embrace of Gabriel's bosom a stifling one - all around her she could only feel the heat radiating off her body, and each breath she took was only whittling away at what little stale air she had - but Gabriel kept ramming her stomach with her knee, each time driving a little bit more air out of her lungs. With each blow that struck, Yukino gasped and groaned, and her hips bucked. It was only the rhythm of knee after knee hammering her in the gut that was keeping her from drifting off into unconsciousness - the pain reminded her of where she was, and what was happening to her. But even then, it was robbing her of what little air she had every time another gasp escaped her throat. She could feel her body growing heavier, and her eyes starting to roll back in her head. Yukino couldn't let this go on. She knew she had to do something!

But that something was about to come. Gabriel had pushed her to the brink of passing out, but she had also given her even more motivation to free herself. Yukino knew how important this moment was; how many people were watching her, and how much she had to prove through winning the match. She simply couldn't succumb now! And with all the strength she had, she managed to hop up and catch Gabriel's leg between her own, halting the blonde's advances!

For a moment, a smile broke across Yukino's face. She had done it - she'd saved herself! But her relief was short-lived. No matter how much Yukino tried to lean back and pull on Gabriel's leg in an attempt to drag her down, the blonde wouldn't budge. She teetered, but she wouldn't fall! As the realization washed over her, Yukino's eyes went wide, and the color drained away from her face. She'd made a last-ditch attempt to turn the tables, but it wasn't enough. This match was far from over!

Gabriel was quick to assert that fact - her arms swept upward to loop under the idol's own, wrenching her arms off to the sides! Yukino's fingers grabbed at the air, struggling to stay on, but it was no use. Soon, she was caught in Gabriel's grasp, her hands swept away from her foe. And Gabriel would continue to push the advantage, as she slammed her elbows into Yukino's shoulders!

With another jolt of pain lashing through her, Yukino's head was thrown back, her body reeling in an arc as her spine buckled inward. She began to slip further down Gabriel's leg, scooting inch by inch along her thigh. But her legs would only coil tighter around their target - Yukino knew she couldn't let go now; she had to hang on like her life depended on it! Evidently, bowling Gabriel's leg out from under her wasn't going to work. So Yukino had to try something else. Luckily, though, Gabriel's hold on her head had loosened - and that meant Yukino was free to move. She sucked in a breath, the air feeling fresh and cool against her lungs. If she had air, she could keep it up. More importantly, though, it also meant she could turn that head into a weapon - and she would soon throw it forward to ram it into Gabriel's sternum as hard as she could!

[Hagen-Autem]

Gabriel was already prepared to throw off her grip. She didn't even enjoy the look on Yukino's face when she couldn't take her down on the first try, and the queen went straight to sink hers strategy in with a double elbow to the shoulders that left the little princess sliding down Gabriel's body in pain, and heading for the ground!

The Royal Viper had a broad grin on her face at this, because that was all the bar rep wanted from this wrestle- even grabbed her by the arm to stop her from falling- that her foreheads met three times violently was too much for anyone, that her body could shake and defend itself against the imperial Knees Mash only represented that she still had life, but with a smother cutting off the oxygen supply to her lungs - Yukino would have had her time counted down before she was a ragdoll in the hands of the wicked girl who was dominating her. Though with the idol's tragic collapse, the queen was already taking it for granted that the one-sidedness would be made official this match from now on.

And the Heel was about to savour it, ready to give her another verbal dagger where it seems to hurt the most. Following it up with her trademark gesture before she ended up besieging her again to see how long she could hold out. But none of that was going to happen because when Gabriel opened her mouth to tell her theirs made-up truths, the idol shut it by stretching upwards in a hard headbutt to the blonde chin!

"To b- gouhg-gh-gh... The impact caused Gabriel to bite her tongue, and arch backwards with watery eyes and face creased in pain, losing all mettle to collapse backwards onto the canvas, dragging Yukino with her through the single-legscissor, and leaving the Royal Viper with their hands in her mouth as savours her own blood.
"mhhgh-gh...mmh..."

[CaptainL]

Yukino was sore. She was weary. She had come close to passing out in Gabriel's grip, and even now, at the corners of her eyes, her vision was blurred, the thoughts in her head swimming as she tried to focus on something, anything to ground her. When she felt the pain that lingered in her body coursing through her, she hissed under her breath, her fist clenching and her muscles pulling tense when she was reminded all too harshly how much the match had taken its toll on her. But she knew one thing. Gabriel had gone down, bringing Yukino down with her as she was forced to sink back against the lunge of the idol's weight and the ram of her skull into her chest. Her grasp on the white-haired girl had gone slack in the process, buying Yukino that much more all-too-valuable room to rise, shaking off Gabriel's hold on her and pushing herself up onto her elbows and knees.

As she got up, she shuddered and hissed in pain. Her body lurched; she felt laden down with the weight of the fatigue on her shoulders, making even taking in breath feel like an arduous effort. But when she looked down, she could see that Gabriel was crumpled on the mat beneath her. At long last, the seemingly invincible foe she had been up against was starting to crack - and it was all at her hands. When she saw that, Yukino could feel her smile growing wider, and her stance grew more stable as her confidence soared. If she had accomplished this...then perhaps she really did have a chance after all!

At once, that fatigue that had taken hold of Yukino's body no longer dragged her down. She panted for breath, but each breath she sucked in made her feel reinvigorated and ready to fight! She lifted her head to the sky, and a smile broke across her face. She had Gabriel right where she needed her - and she wasn't going to let her go so easily!

Yukino threw her weight to the side, looking to roll around and get behind her opponent's back. If that worked, she would sling her arm around her throat, attempting to hold down a sleeperhold - while at the same time, she would kick up her legs and lace them around Gabriel's waist to further compress her airways!

[Hagen-Autem]

The blonde head had lost the perception of time with that headbutt and fall - it was ironic, purely ironic. Her hands were busy covering her mouth as she was rolling over on her own in a daze from biting her own tongue. Yukino only gave her the final push to accomplish that task and leave her lying on her abdomen, exposing her to a sleeper hold!

Gabriel's neck was exposed to the inaugural Rear Choke and her waist was embraced by her opponent's legs. The queen was being tackled for the energised intentions of this other chic when she felt a suffocating pressure in her throat, making her gasp out a high-pitched scream and open her mouth with a drop of blood adorning the corner of her lip. "Mmgahk!"

Immediately one of her strong hands went to one of Yukino's forearms to squeeze the muscles holding the idol's fingers in tension with her strong fingers, simultaneously, when the referee was about to ask her the usual questions, the queen only responded by pumping her other elbow into Yukino's ribs! "Let...go...of...me, god-damn it!

[CaptainL]

No sooner had Gabriel gone down that Yukino found herself on the offensive. Her opponent was vulnerable; she was on her back, she had brought a momentary lull to the action, and she wasn't going anywhere! That meant that Yukino was poised and ready to strike! When Gabriel had proven to be such a formidable foe, the white-haired girl knew full well that she couldn't afford to sit around. She had to make every moment count; every moment had to be one she was reaching toward claiming victory for herself. It didn't matter how much she hurt, or how sore she was - she had taken Gabriel down, and that told her she had a chance! Even more so when it had been by her own efforts - if she could claim success once, she could do it again! She just had to strike before Gabriel could get away, or worse, counter!

Yukino's arm snapped into place around Gabriel's throat, squeezing as hard as she could. Her legs coiled around the blonde's waist like pythons, bearing down all the pressure she could muster to force the air out of her lungs. Her teeth clenched into a snarl as she held on tighter, leaning in closer to Gabriel, trying to sink herself down into the hold to secure her grip. She had fought too hard for this. She wasn't going to let it slip away so easily!

Even as Gabriel fought back, Yukino wouldn't let it stop her. She only squeezed even harder, wrenching at Gabriel's throat as her legs sank deeper into her sides. She threw her weight from side to side, rolling Gabriel back and forth in the process, all while she let loose a roar that was muffled behind her clenched teeth. When Gabriel tried to pry her fingers apart, Yukino buckled and winced from the pain, but still she wouldn't let go. It would only be as Gabriel threw her arm back, hammering it into Yukino's ribs, that the Winter Idol would finally break.

The blow landed with a thud, and an explosion of pain shot through the idol's body. Letting out a howl of pain, Yukino bucked into an arc, her head tossed backward. Her legs slipped from around Gabriel's sides and dropped to the mat. She panted a few times to get the air back in her lungs, but just as quickly, she threw her weight over to the side to roll out of the way, knowing better than to leave herself open to Gabriel. As she rolled her way over to the ropes, Yukino got her knees under her to start lifting herself up, while she draped her arms over the ropes for further stability. She panted for breath, the aches and pains catching up to her - but when she set her eyes on Gabriel, she sat a little taller, with a smile growing across her face. Now, she had proven she had it in her to hurt her foe. Now, she'd proven she had a chance!

[Hagen-Autem]

Gabriel had to stay calm. Panic and stress consume oxygen faster- and trapped in a chokehold, that is the doom of every fighter. She must calm her body and not give up her grip on Yukino's arm. She still has a chance. Consistency and efficiency are the major pillars in a martial technique - both for uke and nape.

So, when Yukino bent inward by gabriel's elbows, the blonde did so as well to prevent the Winter idol from hyperextending her spine, and with that the Sleeperhold could not evolve into something more damning.

And she also took her distance when that inquiring damage to Yukino's ribs opened the choke. Rolling on the mat and then kneeling like a sphinx on the mat and looking like an alert predator towards Nashi's friend, who managed to take support from the ropes to lean on.

The idol's renewed fervour at achieving such a breakthrough was evident - though short-lived, her smile announced it as a personal victory. And Gabriel smiled back

She bared her teeth in a lovely encouraging grimace from cheek to cheek. Her bright irises pointed at no one else but the little girl who clung to the ropes to pull herself together as she gave more of herself in this test.

One that seemed to be tiring and resisting less and less damage while the queen barely gasped in exasperation, recovering faster and faster as if she were a motivated animal. All because Yukino was gaining more and more of Gabriel's attention. And that blonde only wiped away her grimace to spit a drop of blood to the near edge of the ring without breaking eye contact. Already her intentions were not clear...until the queen shot up in a rush to tackle Yukino's face! Taking advantage of the fact that the idol was now on the rope, and at halfway, Gabriel would jump to drive her knees into hers face.

[CaptainL]

Yukino had tasted the excitement of being in control of the match, of having Gabriel at her mercy. She had fought so hard for this feeling, and she didn't want to let go of it any time soon. Her entire reason for being here was to prove that she truly had what it took - that she could make a case for herself as a worthy inaugural Openweight Champion. She was up against a formidable foe, one who had already tested her, and at last she looked like she was starting to turn the tides. She couldn't give up on that now! But as much as Yukino fought to stay on top, Gabriel was making that hard. With the blonde attacking her ribs, she had no choice but to abandon her hold, rolling back toward the ropes.

There, Yukino wrapped her fingers around the rope, starting to pull herself back up. She hissed in pain; a bruise had begun to form across her side, and when she moved, it reawakened the sensation that had left it there, causing her to wince. But at the same time...for just a moment, she had Gabriel under control. She had proven it was possible. And that gave her hope that she could do it again!

That didn't mean it was going to be easy, of course - Gabriel was still on the warpath! As Yukino lifted herself higher, she looked back at Gabriel, seeing the piercing glare she shot back - the glare that seemed to look straight through her. She could see the mercilessness, the hatred, the intent to put Yukino in her place - and after seeing what Gabriel was capable of, Yukino had no doubts that she was every bit capable of achieving such goals. It sent a chill through her spine, and her muscles tensed up in preparation to act. When Gabriel spat out a little bit of blood at the canvas, Yukino's teeth clenched - had she done that? But she knew all too well she couldn't let her guard down. Whatever she had inflicted on Gabriel, she was out to avenge it, and she had to be ready!

It was there that the blonde pushed herself back to her feet, taking off toward Yukino in a charge! At first, the Winter Idol gasped - one moment, she was panting and bleeding on the mat, and the next she was taking off ready to pounce. What was this woman made of!? But she just as quickly shook that thought out of her head. Gabriel was surely out to hit her hard. Yukino couldn't afford that!

As she came closer, Gabriel pushed her feet off the ground, her knees bent, prepared to launch herself straight toward Yukino's head. But it was right at that moment that the white-haired girl's survival instincts kicked in, and they gave her the extra push she needed! She pushed off from the ropes, ducking down to try and roll underneath Gabriel's charge, hoping her knees would only hit the ropes!

[Hagen-Autem]

Gabriel was doing an excellent job of disguising all the effects of the blows on herself. She was panting, yes, but she quickly built up enough to shoot herself into a run to get to Yukino and damage her!

The queen's forehead barely had a slight bruise in the middle, her chin, lacerated; her arm, thighs, shoulders and back? Glistening with sweat as her chest rose and fell in an iteration from the gasp that let her endure that choke before lunging for the idol - she made her damage look superficial, like an animal disguised as a woman. And no wonder the English Cub has her as their most eligible wrestler to compete for a championship.

As she ran towards Yukino, the Royal Viper jumped up and targeted her opponent's head with her knees for a devastating Running Double Knee! But the aforementioned idol had just enough to duck underneath the queen's flight, letting the blonde's impulsiveness get her through the ropes and into the air! Although her hands snagged the top rope just as she realised she was never going to hit it, freezing that catastrophic fall with her anchor arms, and shaking her entire body with that brake before she was left hanging on the outside of the ring. And that's when it all became a blur for a moment.

"Wow..." her body felt light. Overcoming one headbutt is possible, but four? Even if two of them were from her to Yukino, and executed using Lily's technique; it was still damage to the brain - even worse, that the last one was executed as a kind of uppercut to the blonde chin,that one really shook her brain! And Gabriel's suddenness in rushing in like that. Her whole body would need a moment to become stable again, dangerously, this was THE WORST time for that.

The only option she would have before something worse happens to her would be to let go immediately and cushion her descent to the floor as best she can to crouch down on her feet and hands, and wait for the dizziness to pass. Bearing in mind the time offered by a 10-count from the referee when he starts it. Perhaps not even the crowd or the judges doesn't realise what is happening to her. And also perhaps Yukino has not taken the risk to find out and, consequently, to take advantage of it.