A Two-Year Celebration Turned Sour

[ScylliasExoter]

”What happened to RISING?! What the hell did Rekka and I fight for if my girlfriend, who worked her ASS off to rise as a star, is pushed aside because you arbitrarily decided who the future is? That’s not RISING. That’s who can kiss Kenzo’s ass the best!” Gasps and stunned silence followed.

Helen, in the midst of talking Fang, gave Fang a big hug upon hearing Alexios’ outburst and thinly veiled insult towards Fang. She would yell at him later but for now, she was focused on comforting her friend.
****
Meanwhile, Marine put both of her hands on Christina’s shoulders.
“They don’t. Because they don’t see what I see…”
She drew in closer for a hug.
”You. Me. Fighting in the Tokyo Dome for all to see. You may not like me, but I will be up front with you. I want to be a wrestler. Spending all this time around my sister’s friends, I realize I want it more than anything. And you are my perfect foil to me. They see a magazine cover. I see the making of two stars whose inevitable clash will be a money match for the ages.”
Marine parted and motioned to both her and Christina’s toned (and similar) physiques.
“I mean, look at us! We’re draws. And together we’ll be even bigger draws. I see it in you plain as day. So go to them and prove it the only real way. Challenge her.”

[ZorzLeth]

And Fang heard the commotion going on between Alexios, Hiro and Kenzo. The comment on who was kissing ass was an insult to Fang, as it was not just aimed at her, but also at Hiro as well. This would not stand for Fang, as she abruptly broke the comforting hug and moved to confront Alexios.

"Don't dare assume Hiro's a kiss ass!" Fang interjected, confronting Alexios about the insult.

[Weonna]

Kenzo’s eyes narrowed, his demeanor shifting to a colder, more authoritative tone.

“Watch your mouth, Alexios. You think you can just storm in here and throw accusations around? This isn’t about kissing anyone’s ass. It’s about making the tough calls that keep this gym at the top.”

Kenzo stepped forward, his voice hard as steel.

“The decision was made for the good of the gym, and that’s final. You’re on the cover too, with Fang. This isn’t about favoritism; it’s about showcasing the best of RISING had to offer. If you can’t see that, then maybe you’re the one with the problem.”

*****

Christina thought for a moment, weighing Marine’s words.

“You’re right, Marine. I will need to prove myself once again, and I will. But if you want to wrestle me, you need to get at least three matches in. Show everyone that you’re serious about this.”

Christina turned towards the direction of the main gym, her resolve renewed. She was ready to take on whatever challenges came her way, and she knew exactly how to start. With Marine’s encouragement echoing in her mind, she marched forward, prepared to face Fang and claim her rightful place in the spotlight.

As she walked away, Christina glanced back at Marine.

“And Marine. I’ll be watching. Don’t disappoint me. Get those matches in, and I'll give you a challenge worth taking.”


*****

As Christina walks back to confront Fang, she sees her going at it with her boyfriend, Alexios.

Before Alexios could respond, Christina stormed back into the picture, eyes blazing with anger.

“Hey! Back the fuck off, Fang! You get any where closer to him it's on!”

she shouted.

“You think you can just waltz in here and take what’s mine!? You’re nothing but a puppet, willing to debase yourself to get ahead. You’re exactly like those desperate actresses who get on their knees for a better position, pretending to be all innocent while screwing everyone over. It’s pathetic!”

Before the tension could escalate further, Hiro decided to step in, anger flashing in his eyes.

“Christina, don’t you dare talk to Fang like that! ”

Christina whipped around to face Hiro, her expression full of contempt.

“Shut up, Hiro. Stay quiet like you’ve been doing all day. This is between me and Fang. You’ve already shown whose side you’re on!"

[ZorzLeth]

At this point, Fang got at her absolute angriest; perhaps the angriest that anyone there had seen her. In fact, when she got right in Christina's face, it almost looked like she was about to punch Christina right in the face.

"You want to go there!?" Fang responded furiously, "I challenged this idea of propping me up in such a manner. But if you want to keep pushing it! Acting so petty and spiteful, then fine! How about we settle this because clearly all you're doing is being a real bitch about this." Without even missing a beat, Fang suggested that both her and Christina have a match.

And based on how real close she was at Christina, and how close she was to slugging her, it was clear Fang was not going to back down from this.

[ScylliasExoter]

Fortunately, Emma and Alanna were on a coffee date this morning. Unfortunately, they finished up and were coming back to work out. Marine watched Christina storm off with a smile. Her smile quickly turned into a look of horror as the two lovebirds walked in. Marine had developed somewhat of a soft spot for Emma. The Golden Girl and her bubbly kindness seemed to soften all those near her. Suddenly wanting to protect that innocence, Marine attempted to intercept them.
”Heyy! You’re back early… say Emma and Alanna, I wanted to discuss a business opportunity with you… Let's get coffee! Again... Oh ignore the yelling they’re… practicing promos… yeah…”
*****
Meanwhile an intense faceoff was occurring in the main practice ring area. Alexios sized up to Hiro, though it was clear he was talking to Hiro, Kenzo, and Fang.
“If that’s the case, Candice, then Hiro and Kenzo shouldn’t have any difficulty articulating exactly why they’re picking you. Yet all I hear is vague ‘It’s best for the future of the gym.’ bullshit. Give us a real-”

He was cut off by Christina storming up. The two women engaged in a tense argument. Alexios stepped back as Christina and Fang verbally tore into each other. Helen meanwhile was standing there in stunned silence, waiting to pull the women apart should they brawl.

[Weonna]

Christina's eyes narrowed further, a wicked smile forming on her lips.

“Fine, Fang. You want a match? You’ve got it. I’m going to destroy you in the ring. And then everyone will see who the real star is.”

The gym fell into a tense silence as everyone watched the confrontation unfold. The air was thick with unresolved emotions and the promise of an impending showdown.

*****

Emma had no idea what was going on as she and Alanna had just arrived at the gym.
However Emma, with her cute personality, brightened up and reached into her bag.

“Hey Marine! We brought you a delicious snack from the café. I thought you’d like it,”

she said, offering her a beautifully wrapped treat. Emma had saved a delicious homemade macaron for Marine, a delicate pastry filled with creamy chocolate ganache. It was beautifully wrapped in a small, decorative box tied with a ribbon.

*****

Ever the opportunist, Kenzo saw an opportunity to make Christina and Fang match up for the upcoming summer PPV event called LAW 7. He stepped forward, a calculated grin spreading across his face.

“You know what? I think this is exactly what we need,”

he said, his voice dripping with anticipation.

“Christina versus Fang, in the upcoming LAW 7. Let’s see who truly deserves to be the face of RISING.”

The gym’s atmosphere shifted as everyone’s attention turned to Kenzo. His eyes gleamed with excitement and cunning.

“Think about it,”

he continued, raising his voice to ensure everyone heard him.

“A match between two of our best female wrestlers. It’s perfect. The fans will love it, and it will prove once and for all who deserves to be in the magazine cover!”

Kenzo turned to Fang and Christina, his grin widening.

“You both have something to prove, don’t you? Christina, you want to show everyone that you’re still the top dog around here. And Fang, you need to prove that you deserve this spotlight, that you’re not just here because of favoritism.”

Kenzo’s gaze shifted to the rest of the gym, making sure everyone was paying attention.

“We’ll promote this match as the ultimate showdown in this gym's history. Christina, the powerhouse who’s been with us since day one, versus Fang, the rising star with everything to prove. It’s perfect! And the best part? The winner becomes the definitive face of RISING, no questions asked.”

He stepped closer to Christina, his grin widening.

“Christina, you’ve been demanding respect and recognition. Here’s your chance to earn it. Show everyone why you’re the best. Prove that you’re not just another wrestler, but a legend in the making.”

Then he turned to Fang, his tone softening slightly but still carrying a sharp edge.

“And Fang, you’ve got the opportunity of a lifetime. To compete in such a big stage! This is your chance to show that you deserve all the recognition you’ve been given. Prove that you’re not just a rising star, but the real deal.”

He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in.

“So, What do you think, ladies? Are you prepared to dive into business? Are you ready to show the world who rightfully deserves to represent RISING?”

The gym fell into an even deeper silence as everyone waited for Christina and Fang’s responses.

[ZorzLeth]

Fang said nothing, but did not give ground and instead gave Christina a cold look of determination. It would seem that Christina's words were not spooking Fang at all. Before she could actually say anything about a match, Kenzo intervened. And as soon as he started speaking, it was clear to Fang what was going on. Kenzo was taking advantage of this situation and wanted her and Christina at each other's throats; more than anyone else.

She noticed this most with Kenzo's sharp tone when he spoke to her. It seemed like he was playing both sides and no matter who won, he stood to benefit; meanwhile this would certainly make the potential loser of this PPV match feel grossly humiliated.

Of course, if she tried to say anything about, she could make herself look paranoid to everyone else; as well as trying to make an excuse not to fight. All in all, Fang and Christina were part of this game, and she had no choice, but to play. She was momentarily hesitant, but this quickly changed, as she regained her composure.

Having heard Kenzo asked if whether or not they were in, Fang (not wanting to be seen as weak in this moment) stepped forward.

"I accept." Fang responded before Christina, who she turned to and offering a handshake to Christina as an agreement to match and sternly asked, "You?"

---------------

Meanwhile, Sylva (Fang's older sister) had just arrived to the RISING Pro Wrestling Gym. She had on a brown, leather jacket, with a blank tank top underneath, blue jeans and blue runners.

She was not a member, but was instead planning to meet up with Fang to do a few things after her younger sister had done some training. Now upon arriving, she heard some shouting and a large crowd gathering that almost resembled a mob; which made her understandably confused.

"This a gym or a town hall meeting?" Sylva muttered to herself until she saw Fang confronting someone she did not recognize. She did not know what was going on exactly, but she could tell that this meant one thing; her sister and this other woman was going to clash, and it wouldn't be pretty. As she tried to get closer there was silence and then she heard another voice talk. A male's voice. One she heard before. Kenzo.

She learned who this Kenzo was, especially what he did to Fang and trying to sabotage her relationship with Hiro. This automatically meant that Sylva really did not like Kenzo, as she viewed him as a lowly schemer. But with what he said, she picked up something wasn't right.

Oh you scheming weasel! Sylva thought to herself, not saying it out loud, What are you up to this time with Fang?

Spoiler

Sylva

[ScylliasExoter]

Marine was stressed at the struggle to protect Emma’s innocence and happiness, but the sweetness of the macaron gift both put her mind at ease and gave her an opportunity to direct her away from the chaos in the gym. Marine pulled Emma into her arms for a big hug. She wrapped Emma up tight and buried the Canadian’s head in her chest to keep her unaware of what was going on in the gym.
”Oh Emma, my dear, mon ami. The sweet, kind sister I never had…”
Alanna scowled and was about to have words with her sister. Marine, having turned them around so that she could look at Alanna, mouthed to her sister in French,
”We need to go. It’s bad in there.”
A puzzled expression crossed Alanna’s face but then she heard the fighting and realized what was happening.
“I am so happy you came flying into Alanna’s life like a frog splashing into a pond out of nowhere,”
she giggled at referencing their first encounter where Emma defeated Alanna. Alanna flipped Marine a middle finger.
”Let’s get sushi. My treat. I would like to ask you something so important.”
Marine began trying to bodily drag Emma away.
“Yes mon amour. Marine has something very important to ask you away from everyone else.”
***
Meanwhile the gauntlet was thrown down and the challenge set. Helen was confident no one was going to brawl here. So she stepped back and went over to Rekka.
“This wasn’t the gym I joined,” she said, giving him a hug.
Alexios continued to stare down Hiro. They were 1-1 in official matches and he was feeling the urge to face him again, but now the focus was on the women. He went to stand by his girlfriend Christina as the staredown continued.

[Weonna]

Emma, very confused, wanted to say hi to everybody else, not knowing what was happening.

“But Marine, I wanted to greet everyone first. We just got back, and I’m sure they’d love to see us.”

Emma began to whine...

*****

Although this match was unplanned, Hiro remained steadfast by Fang's side, positioning himself near the center to help keep everything in check and prevent any chaos from unfolding.

Meanwhile Christina’s eyes narrowed, and she stepped forward, gripping Fang’s hand tightly in a handshake.

“You bet I do. Get ready, Fang. I’m going to destroy you.”

The handshake was more of a test of strength, both women squeezing tightly, neither willing to show any sign of weakness.

Kenzo’s grin widened, satisfied with the outcome.

“Excellent. This is going to be one for the history books. LAW 7, ladies and gentlemen—Christina versus Fang. May the best woman win.”

As the handshake finally broke, both women stepped back, their gazes never wavering. The die was cast, and the match was set.

[ZorzLeth]

A match? Over what? Sylva thought to herself as she continued to break through the crowd, trying to get to her sister.

-------------------------------------------

Fang did not respond to Christina's threat of "destroying" her, only keeping a very firm handshake. After an intense few seconds with that handshake, the two parted ways, not backing down.

She stepped away for a bit with Hiro in tow as the crowd dispersed and it was the two of them. She took a deep breath to relax, as she was still a bit riled up. She then turned and saw Sylva approaching.

"Oh...hey sis." Fang said to Sylva. She put a bit of a smile on as she greeted her sister.

"So I figure that I come on by to the gym, say hello my little sister, spar for a bit." Sylva said, in a tone that sounded positive but slowly had a mixture of confusion, concern and irritation, "So can you tell me what all that was about?"

Fang took a deep breath and explained the whole situation to Sylva, from how this started over who was being featured in a magazine to the backlash that came from Christina as a result of Fang being picked, as well as the arguing that was certainly hot enough to cause fighting, and finally the match between Fang and Christina for the PPV "Law 7". Quite frankly, Sylva looked unimpressed. Quite frankly, she found the reasons for this match to be quite petty.

"Are you fucking kidding me?" Sylva asked in annoyed disbelief. She turned to Hiro and asked, "So do people in this gym have a habit of causing drama over stuff like this?" And then she turned to Fang, "And I thought you weren't interesting in competing in top spots for magazines. In fact, don't you only do photo ops for business and fun?"

Fang was pretty and capable, but she had been known to be humble. She never really competed for these sorts of things in the past.

"Well, after a talk with myself, Hiro and..." Fang tried to explain before...

"Kenzo?" Sylva said rhetorically, "Very interesting how he says you are the definitive female spot for all this, but then decides to change it to be whoever wins in this match." As the three of them talked separately from the rest of the others, Sylva expressed how she found this to be fishy.