The arena lights darkened, leaving the surface of the water surrounding the ring black and glassy. A moment later,
Bengal's theme began playing over the loudspeakers. The Blaze Tiger couldn't use her usual pyrotechnics in this aquatic arena, but the rest of her entrance more than made up for it, with billowing clouds of smoke and pulsing strobe lights. She was wearing her white tiger garb; something in the air tonight had told her that his would be a challenging match, and she liked the extra confidence the imposing monochrome outfit gave her. Of course, tonight's match wouldn't be decided on confidence alone. That's what all her training had been for.
Bengal, the Blaze Tiger
Bengal swaggered down to the edge of the pool, kicked off her striped boots, and lowered herself soundlessly into the clear water. She began moving toward the combat area with swift, powerful strokes. Like the feline that inspired her name, she was obviously an excellent swimmer. She reached the platform in the middle of the pool within a few short moments, before rolling nimbly into the ring. The ring announcer's voice carried out over the water, proclaiming her arrival:
"Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is an Aquatic Royale Match! The first wrestler to be thrown into the pool loses! Introducing first..." he gestured toward Bengal, who was shaking water out of her snowy hair.
"Standing five feet, seven inches, and weighing 140 pounds...from Kolkata, India...THE BLAZE TIGER! BENGAL!" The crowd booed the longtime heel, as the Tiger narrowed her heavy lids and scowled.
"And her opponent," the announcer continued.
"Standing at five feet, five inches, and weighing 135 pounds...from parts unknown...THE DARK PHOENIX!" There were a few scattered cheers, mainly from people rooting for Bengal to lose. But the overall response was muted and confused. Nobody seemed to know much about this silent, mysterious fighter.
Bengal, however, had pricked up her ears upon hearing the word "phoenix" - her actual ears, not the cat ones on her headband. She realized now why her opponent looked so oddly familiar. She was strikingly similar to Celina McCloud, the "Neo Phoenix" that Bengal had defeated in her first mud match, with the same red eyes and elegant face. But this woman's hair was jet black, not blonde. And her face looked more mature somehow, more experienced - and angrier.
An older sister, out for revenge, Bengal thought to herself, a catlike smile spreading across her face.
How adorable.
"Phoenix, huh?" she sneered, watching her opponent hungrily for any sign of a reaction. "I guess you're looking to get your ass kicked, the same way I did with Celina?" She kept talking, not even giving the black-clad woman a chance to answer her question. "You know, it's funny, in a way. I got your sister all dirty, beating her down into the mud. Now, I get to clean you off in the pool!" She wrinkled her nose with feigned disgust. "You could use it, too. You smell like you need a bath..."
