Overshadowing the Grand Duchess: Oleander (debut) vs Alena Stepanova

[ClockwerkSamurai12]

Match type: Four out of five submission match.
Rules: The first fighter to make their opponent tap out via submission three times in a series of five rounds will be the winner.

The 27 year old Englishwoman starts humming Fairytale by Alexander Rybak as she gets herself ready, tying her long hair in a ponytail.

Oleander: *To herself* I would not care if I lost my mind, for I’m already cursed..

Cashmere: Hei kjæresten!

Oleander: Gah! Oh, it’s just you Cashmere.. nearly gave me a fright there!

Cashmere: Oh.. beklager Ollie, I just vaunted to vish you luck for your debut match! I even made you zis! (She pulls out a black cloak with magenta trim) I figured you can vear it for your entrance, in order to get ze message across zat you are not one to be trifled vith!

Oleander: Aw, that’s so thoughtful of you!

The two girlfriends share a hug and a quick smooch before Oleander puts on the cloak.

Cashmere: I should varn you though, your opponent vill not be a pushover!

Oleander: With how she’s known by many as the Grand Duchess of the Octagon, I figured you don’t get that moniker just because you’re descended from royalty.

Cashmere: Zat is correct, Alena Sergeyevna Stepanova is not someone to take lightly! Even if she is younger and smaller zan you, Alena’s made a name for herself. I’m not sure taking her on in a submission match is a good idea..

Oleander: You worry too much Cass.. I’ll be fine! Now if you’ll excuse me, I have an entrance to prepare! (She gives her a quick peck on the cheek before heading towards the gorilla position)

Cashmere: Hm.. please be careful Ollie.

Cap: Eh, don’t worry about her CM! She can take care of herself! Need I remind you she was able to last three rounds against ya?

Cashmere: Fair point..

Velvet: *Offscreen* Cashmere, Cap.. I am ready for my makeup treatment!

Cap: Looks like your cousin needs us, better get a move on!

Cashmere: Right, need to make sure her debut goes off without a hitch!

[CaptainL]

Oleander might have been getting ready backstage, but whatever might have been going through her mind, it wasn't privy to Alena at all. The only thing the Russian grappler was focused on right now was the next match ahead of her - and it was one that she couldn't wait to embark on! She'd faced a few worthy opponents in LAW so far, and a few she found hopelessly disappointing - but if she was being put into a best-of-five submission match, that definitely sounded to her liking! As skilled as Alena was in submissions, such stipulations would play to her advantage - and if it was to be contended under multiple falls, that could only give her that much more time to showcase her skills to the world and prove how strong she could be! Alena was well aware that her fame was rising to meteoric heights since she'd come to LAW, but if there were still any doubts remaining as to how capable she was, she would make sure to answer them tonight! As she stood behind the curtains, Alena tapped her fists together, readying herself for battle, and a confident grin flashed across her face. She was going to give this her all!

"Coming first to the ring, from Perm, Russia! At 5'2, weighing 116 pounds...the Grand Duchess of the Octagon, ALEEEENAAAAAA STEPANOVA!!"

Spoiler

From the moment Alena's name was called, the arena had already lit up with cheers. In her typical fashion, Alena's entrance was aimed to make a statement about what she had to bring to the table, with a few bodyguards in suits and dark glasses stepping out onto the ramp to flank her on her way down. But she emerged from the curtains with her fist held high in the air - and was only greeted by even louder cheers!

As she reached the ring, Alena climbed through the ropes and settled into her corner, cracking her knuckles in preparation for the match. What she knew of her opponent told her that she was debuting tonight, and yet untested. Alena could only hope that this Oleander could keep up with her...

[ClockwerkSamurai12]

Fairytale by Alexander Rybak blares through the speakers as black and magenta colored pyrotechnics go off on the other side of the stage, with a gray mist forming together as a hooded silhouette slowly makes her way to the ring.

Announcer: Once a bookworm who became the subject of countless bullying due to her being born with melanism, she ended up getting homeschooled during the morning and taking part in 3 hour MMA classes in the afternoon! Her relentless nature’s made her a force to be reckoned with in the octagon, and is now looking to vent her frustrations in LAW! Standing in at 5ft 8in, weighing 141lbs, making her LAW Debut all the way from the United Kingdom.. the Scholar of the Shadows herself, OLEEEEANDDDDERRR!!

The crowd started to cheer as Oleander removed her hood from the cloak she was wearing, waving at those who had came to see the well versed submission specialist in action. Oleander would then climb into the ring and remove her cloak, revealing her iconic MMA attire before making her way to the center of the ring having a staredown with Alena.

Oleander: Thank you so much for agreeing to this matchup your highness, I look forward to grappling with you! (She extends her hand out to Alena as a sign of good sportsmanship.)

[CaptainL]

With Alena having arrived on the scene, it was time for Oleander to make her presence known. If this was to be her debut match, she was intent on making an impression - and no one could deny that she'd done just that! When Alena saw the pyrotechnics flare up before her and the mist pour across the stage, her eyes went a little bit wider with rapt attention. Her interest had definitely been piqued. Oleander's credentials certainly sounded impressive, too - she could only hope that she could live up to them when the bell rang!

"A pleasure indeed," Alena said, nodding her head to Oleander as she stepped forward to meet her for a handshake. "I see you share my passion for theatrics - let's just hope that isn't the only thing we have in common!"

After that, Alena took a step back into her corner to do some stretches, warming herself up for the match ahead of her. The bell rang...

*DING DING DING*

...And with the first fall underway, Alena was out to start things off strong! She took one step closer to Oleander to close the distance, but with her second step, she suddenly kicked her leg up from the ground, aiming a kick square for the Englishwoman's midsection! Hopefully, it would prove fast enough to catch Oleander off guard, and bypass her defenses!

[ClockwerkSamurai12]

Oleander sees the kick coming, catching her leg before preforming a leg sweep and trapping her in a figure four leglock.

Oleander: If you were trying to catch me off guard, I’m afraid you’ll have to do better than that!

[CaptainL]

Alena had half a mind to open this match off with a bang, attempting to test Oleander's reaction time by throwing a powerful kick at her right out of the gate - but Oleander would pass that test. Not only did she manage to catch Alena's leg, she would go right to sweeping the other one, taking the Russian girl off her feet! Swept into the air, she went tumbling over and landed on her side with a thud, gritting her teeth as she hit the canvas. And from there, Oleander was able to lock her legs around Alena's own, maneuvering her into a figure four leglock!

As she felt the force of her opponent's grip coming down around her, Alena's teeth locked in a grimace and she hissed under her breath. Oleander was able to generate considerable force, and that, coupled with her larger size, put a lot of pressure on Alena. To make matters worse, it was a technique she was less versed in, coming from a different discipline...but it wasn't so different that Alena didn't have a few tricks up her sleeve to defend herself with!

Grimacing through the pain, Alena managed to swing one of her arms in between her leg and one of Oleander's. Then, pushing herself up from the ground, she would grab for the foot Oleander was using to lock in the position with her other arm and pull it back...then locked the ankle to stretch her leg out straight in a kneebar!

Spoiler

[ClockwerkSamurai12]

Oleander: *Grunts* Nice transition.. but that won’t be enough to stop me! (She escapes the kneebar before backing up a bit) Let’s see how strong your strike game is!

[CaptainL]

As Alena managed to reverse her opponent's leglock into a kneebar, the crowd cheered on such a display of the Russian's expertise when it came to submissions and ground fighting. It was all a testament to how skillfully she could work her way around locks and holds to exert control over the match - and Alena herself could only beam with pride at the thought of what she had accomplished. But it still wasn't going to be enough to take Oleander down, as the newcomer managed to pull herself out of her grasp. Alena huffed in frustration, but she rolled over onto her hands and knees nonetheless before she picked herself back up to her feet and dusted herself off. This would only be a minor setback, she reminded herself. This match was far from over, and she still had plenty up her sleeve to show for it!

In fact, as Oleander issued the challenge for Alena to show off her strikes, the Grand Duchess wasn't the least bit deterred! With her eyes narrowed in a focused glare, she nodded her head, cracking her knuckles and rolling out her neck to prepare herself. 'I think you'll find I'm more than capable of handling myself," she began - right as she took a lunge toward Oleander to close the distance, drawing her fist back to deliver a right hook straight to her face!

[ClockwerkSamurai12]

Oleander staggers a bit before composing herself.

Oleander: Not bad, now let’s see you handle one of mine! (She rushes at Alena before connecting a Superman punch, transitioning into a mount position and hammering her with mounted punches) Time for you to hit the books!

[CaptainL]

Alena might have been short and slight of build, but she wouldn't let anyone assume, not even for a moment, that she couldn't pack a punch. When her fist plowed into Oleander's head, it sent the Englishwoman cracking backward like the strike of a whip! Such a show of strength was, in its own right, enough to win the Grand Duchess a few cheers! Alena grinned to herself, taking a step back and cracking her knuckles as she readied herself for what Oleander had up her sleeve next. But when Oleander said that she had a punch of her own to show her...she meant it!

Oleander didn't just strike back - she hurled herself at Alena, her arms outstretched to come crashing into her like a battering ram! The Russian girl barely even had time to gasp before she was bowled over under her opponent's rush, falling to her back with Oleander on top of her. She threw punch after punch straight to her face, knocking her head back and forth, and causing her to cough and gag with every blow!

"Gah-! Ow! When you said you would trade me back...THAT wasn't what I had in mind-!" Nevertheless, Alena grit her teeth. Even if Oleander was on top of her and raining down punches, she still knew a way out - there were plenty of counters from a mount! First, she brought her hands down to give a sharp two-handed shove into Oleander's midsection, while she bridged up with her back at the same time, trying to create space between her and her opponent. With that newfound room, she'd use one leg to push at Oleander's foot - then, her ankle would slip under her opponent's own, allowing her to push her leg up into the air, enough so that she could throw her weight over to the side as she snapped her leg around Oleander's to try and roll into a half guard!

Spoiler