Sarabeth Chummers-Ashworth vs. The Selection (Gauntlet Match)

[Pegasus]

Match Type: Gauntlet Match
Rules: The only way falls are counted are by pinfall, submission, count-out, DQ, or knockout. The order of the gauntlet entrants are Saka —> Miza —> Roxanne —> Cecilia —> Kanon. The match ends after Sarabeth defeats all opponents or one of the Selection members defeats her.

Sarabeth wasted little time coming out of the entrance even before her music hit as she made a dash for the ring. This was going to be the toughest match she ever fought and she didn’t want to give The Selection any reason to think she wasn’t going to take them seriously. Sarabeth wouldn’t be ambushed backstage or even risk getting caught in the crowd so she just decided to screw the theatrics and go towards the ring to get this over with. This match was foretold after what transpired after Nightmare on LAW Street and the proceeding months where the Selection took an interest in recruiting Astrid, but Sarabeth interjected herself in their way. That only made it all the more necessary to take care of her and they already shown they could defeat Jessie and Matilda easy enough. She originally wanted her friends to team with her, but Jessie was too petrified to even try and go against them so soon. Matilda would have teamed with Sarabeth, but someone had to protect Jessie just in case the Selection saw fit to go after them again. They stayed back at the dorms for their own protection.

Astrid would also be unable to join Sarabeth as she had to help take care of the farm since William was getting overwhelmed with the chores. Sarabeth was going at this all on her own, but was sure that her friends and family got to witness her take on the Selection all by her self. She had a lot to prove in this match and even beating a few members should show this hellacious group that she could plow through their numbers. It was time to finally face these creeps head-to-head as Sarabeth rolled in the ring and looked all around making sure she was covering all corners so she could stop a surprise assault. Sarabeth bent her knees a little and placed her hands on there looking for any sign of the Selection.

Sarabeth Chummers-Ashworth

*Ignore the horn*

[CaptainL]

This was a bold move for Sarabeth indeed. As a Young Lioness, to be taking on the Selection was no small task - to do so alone was a step beyond. The faction had established themselves as a force to be reckoned with, taking down some of LAW's top stars thanks to their brutality and their devious mind games. Not even the people in charge at LAW seemed to be able to do anything to stop them - they were the masters of their own domain. But now, Sarabeth was going to confront no less than five of them, all by herself. Several people had tried to talk her out of it. But after Nightmare on LAW Street, where the Selection had terrorized not just Lyra but her adoptive mother and her friends as well, Sarabeth had made up her mind. Someone was going to need to stand up to them - and it was going to be her.

Once she was in the ring, that was it. Misa didn't want to be there; even the referee hovered nervously off to the side, making herself scarce. For this match, LAW had no authority over anything that happened except in name. This was the Selection's game, and they were the ones who were really pulling the strings. Soon enough, they would make that perfectly clear. The arena lights fizzled and flashed, blinking on and off a few times, before they finally dropped and plunged the arena into darkness. It would only be a moment later that another light would shine down - a smaller one, barely enough to illuminate the whole of the ring, and bathing everything in a deep blood-red. But under that light stood the first off Sarabeth's opponents - Saka, otherwise known as Misako Enjoji.

Spoiler

She hadn't made any entrance that Sarabeth had seen or heard. As soon as the lights came back on, she was just there, staring dead into the green-haired girl's eyes. Without a word, she began to raise her fists, sinking into a stance and cracking her knuckles. When at last she spoke, it was in a cold, mechanical monotone, but when her eyes locked on Sarabeth's, they did show a glint of emotion - pure, hateful malice, staring right into the girl's soul.

"You made a mistake, girl," she growled. "Don't you realize it's too late to go back?"

[Pegasus]

Sarabeth saw the lights flicker on and off before going out knowing this was just the beginning of the freak show that she subjected herself to. She knew that going into this alone….with these monsters that disguised themselves as humans….she knew it wasn’t going to be easy or anything fun. Her mother went through hell just trying to fight off two of them and Matilda and Jessie were hounded at very possible moment afterwards. Jessie literally had nightmares for weeks afterwards seeing Kanon’s red glowing eyes everywhere that there was no light to turn to safety. Sarabeth hated these fuckers even more when they terrorized her family and friends. Little known fact unheard by her, but they thrive off emotional responses and use it to their advantage.

Sarabeth stomped her left foot forward and stood her ground against Saka.

“If I didn’t know the consequences going into this, I’d still be here facing you fuckers. I ain’t running. My mother didn’t, my friends didn’t, and this is for them!” Sarabeth exclaimed.

[CaptainL]

It was official - Sarabeth was in this match to stay. Even if she was facing down the cold, steely gaze of an agent of the Selection, one that promised her no mercy, the green-haired girl was undeterred. But if that was the case...so be it. If that was what she wanted, Saka was ready to show her what her foolishness would get her. She took a stance, cracking her knuckles, but the expression on her face didn't change, and her tone was just as flat and just as piercing. She wasn't moved in the slightest.

"Ah. There you are, striking out blindly at the darkness...you're just like your mother. And you'll meet the same fate."

*GONG*

The Selection was in control here, and when the bell rang, it wasn't the normal ring bell, but the loud, ringing thud of a church bell. If Sarabeth stayed around to ponder that, though, it would already be too late. Betraying not even a hint of hesitation, Saka began to stride toward her with a measured, even pace. As she came within range, she would attempt to catch Sarabeth off-guard with a forearm strike aimed square at her chest!

[Pegasus]

Sarabeth was probably looked upon as the stupidest person to ever exist right now. She was super serious about facing down aggressive and brutal people that wouldn’t bat an eyelash if they broke her arm or shattered her ribs. That is what they were going to set out and make sure Sarabeth didn’t even get past the first few. Sarabeth knew she was going to have to fight like hell to get out of this total nightmare and even have a slight chance of escaping clean just out of reach. The gong of the church bell sounded and Sarabeth covered her ears not expecting something else to have replaced the original ring bell. Had these freaks really gain enough control to where they were making their own status quo and letting poison seep into LAW? Sarabeth did grimace at that thought, but she had to push back those thoughts and remain defiant.

Saka strolled towards her opponent looking to strike first blood, but Sarabeth ducked and launched her left shoulder into Saka’s ribs to back her up! She couldn’t run! She needed to show no fear! Sarabeth ran trying to go for an opening lariat to take things fast in the beginning. She was in for the worst horror marathon of her life and it was all nonfiction.

[CaptainL]

The Selection had thrown the first blow even before the match had begun. They had taken over the very presentation of the match, putting their own twist on the lights and sounds. That sent a message - no one would deny that they were in control here. Not anyone watching, at home or at the arena, and certainly not Sarabeth. If she wanted so badly to oppose the Selection, then she would have to do so where they held the home field advantage. And if the Selection had their way, all of LAW would be that home field.

Sure enough, Sarabeth seemed perturbed by the influence the Selection claimed over the match. That worked out just fine for Saka's purposes. While the green-haired girl had her guard down, she quickly rushed in, her fist drawn back to slam straight into Sarabeth's face! Just moments before it hit, though, Sarabeth's survival instincts kicked in - and she ducked out of the way before shoving her shoulder against her opponent's chest, forcing her to go doubling back!

Saka took a few steps back from Sarabeth, but as she ground to a halt, leaning slightly forward and keeping her eyes on her foe, her composure hadn't broken at all. She remained as stoic and unmoving as ever. So what if she faced a setback here, she thought? In the grand scheme of things, their victory was still assured. In fact, they were going to try and get that point across to Sarabeth. The girl had come running for Saka, but she would bring her hand up to try and catch her forearm as she whipped a lariat in her direction. If she could catch the impending blow, she'd kick up one of her knees, attempting to stab it squarely into Sarabeth's chest!

[Pegasus]

If Sarabeth wanted to get out of this, she had to get on the ball taking each of these horror rejects down fast and efficiently. Maybe that would be easier had they not convinced the entire world that the powers of the supernatural were on their side being led by a fucking demon—or at least someone who claimed to be under the influence of one—of all things. Not to mention she was doing this on her own. No father. No mother. No friends. Not even an ally she may have made beforehand. This was all her and she wouldn’t have it any other way. To beat the Selection would not only drive a nail in their plans for the meantime, but it would show she was just as capable and strong like her new mother. Astrid would be so proud of her and she wanted to make her happy. Maybe it could hurl her towards her graduation as a Young Lioness, but these were thoughts for after obtaining victory….if she could manage it.

Saka was not going to allow such delusions to stand, because as Sarabeth went in for a hard Lariat, Saka caught the arm and secured a tight grip. Sarabeth would try to fight out of it, but felt a hard sensation against her chest as she coughed out seeing the knee penetrate her. She freed herself from Saka’s grasp and held her breasts as she spat out saliva. Sarabeth wheezed looking up in defiance, but first blood had been struck from the Selection and they would make it literal soon enough.

[CaptainL]

Pitiful. That was the word going through Saka's mind right now. It was pitiful that Sarabeth actually thought she could beat her with brute force alone. Had she already forgotten what they'd shown her at the start of this match? They were in control. Anything that happened between these ropes was at their whim, as they wished it. She was watching her foe, ready for anything. As Sarabeth leaned forward and prepared to charge, Saka was already tracking her every motion. All she was doing was delivering her right into her hands - as she lifted a hand and grabbed her by the arm, halting her charge in its tracks, before she drilled a knee straight into her chest!

Stunned, Sarabeth was sent reeling backward. Even as she sputtered and gasped, the look on Saka's face never changed, staring as flat and blank as ever. She had no sympathy for anyone who dared to oppose her masters. They were just obstacles in her way. But obstacles that could be dealt with. She brought up her hands and cracked her knuckles - and then, tailing after Sarabeth, she would unleash punches left and right, aimed squarely at her head, as she attempted to back her into a corner with her volley of offense!

[Pegasus]

Sarabeth may have had a little voice chastising her for even thinking she was strong enough to take on The Selection alone, but this was the same woman that threw herself to kick all their asses at once in the cold freaking weather! Baltimore is where Sarabeth showed that she wasn’t afraid of challenges. Whether she won or lost matches didn’t matter if she showed guts to go the lengths of a champion. Never backing down. Never giving up. Those are the values her stepmother taught her. Her father taught her to never let people talk her down. Never devalue where she came from. Her biological mother threw her out, because she was too scared to tell her daughter the truth. The truth that Sarabeth was destined to be fucking powerful some day with a better family right at her side. That’s why she fights The Selection and that’s why she’s going to beat them on her own!

Saka tried throwing things into a street brawl as she went for lefts and rights, but Sarabeth met her head on throwing her own boxing strikes back. Sarabeth was taught some kickboxing in her off training so she was ready to throw down. Sarabeth was getting hit, but she was throwing her pain back ten times as hard trying to sock Saka in her jaw and hoping to crack it in the process. She needed to keep up to stay alive. She couldn’t slow down!

[CaptainL]

Saka didn't care about technique, or tactics, or looking fancy. None of that mattered right now - the only side she was on was that of the Selection and the Wild Jackals. Not the crowd. She didn't care what they thought, and she wasn't in this to show off. No, all she cared about, here and now, was making sure Sarabeth hurt - when she lashed out at her with punch after punch, throwing as many strikes as she could will out of her body! Hopefully, that was at least one too many for Sarabeth to keep up with! With Saka tailing after her, she was steadily beginning to box her into the corner. Every direction Sarabeth could've looked, Saka would've had another punch coming - there was no escape! Even if some of the punches missed, it wouldn't matter - not as long as Sarabeth was being contained.

But any wild animal, when backed into a corner, would discover there was no other option than to strike. And so too, if Sarabeth couldn't run away, she'd just bring the fight straight to her foe! She swung out a fist as hard as she could, and it slammed against Saka's jaw, causing her head to spin to the side as she reeled from the momentum of the impact. Her eyes rolled back, and she groaned a groan that was muffled against her mask as she was thrown back into the ropes. Sarabeth could really hit hard - particularly when she was threatened! Even Saka was feeling that - her jaw had gone numb, and her head was spinning as she landed against the ropes, draped off of them.

A few fans, brave enough to challenge even the dominance of the Selection, let out a cheer for Sarabeth's comeback. Saka looked out at the stands with a scowl. This match was far from over, and she'd show them soon enough what challenging them really meant - leaning back against the ropes, she'd use their momentum to spring herself forward, and at the same time, she'd whip her foot up to hit Sarabeth in the jaw with a superkick! An eye for an eye, she'd say!