One for the Books: Bengal VS. Nix Severin (D)

[BengalTheBlazeTiger]

Bengal crawled catlike on top of her oblivious opponent, watching with grim satisfaction as the light drained from Nix’s half-lidded eyes. Seeing the other woman’s condition, she didn’t even bother to hook the leg or apply any leverage. This hunt was over, and there was no chance her prey would escape now. When the referee knelt down to examine the former librarian, Bengal turned toward him with a playful chuckle. “Hey, ref…she looks pretty checked out, don’t you think?”

The official sighed with exasperation. Clearly, he was just as sick of Bengal’s terrible puns as the rest of the audience, but he had to do his duty nevertheless. As he began to count, he slapped his palm down especially close to Nix’s ear, perhaps secretly hoping that the noise would rouse her, and wipe that infuriating smile off the Tiger’s face.

No such luck. The count went off without a hitch, while Nix remained silent and unmoving, her face as blank as an unused diary. “ONE! TWO! THREE! That’s it…she’d done,” the referee proclaimed, unable to keep disappointment from creeping into his voice, as he signaled toward the announcer’s table. The victory bell rang out, echoing through the arena rafters - yet still not loud enough to awaken the vanquished fighter. This truly was the end.

The end of the match, at least. But Bengal wasn’t done with her torment quite yet. This contest had been far too close for comfort, and she knew that she had to send a message, before the rookie got any funny ideas about a rematch. It wasn’t enough to knock Nix out; she had to break her spirit too. First, however, she would have to wait for her target to regain consciousness…

Bengal's Pin

[Delalily]

As consciousness slowly returned to Nix, the realization of her predicament hit her like a tidal wave. She was flat on her back, the cold, unforgiving mat pressing against her battered body. The crowd’s voices were a distant murmur, drowned out by the pounding in her head. Her muscles screamed in protest as she tried to move, every inch of her body aching from the brutal punishment she had endured.

She rolled onto her front with a pained groan, her hands instinctively reaching out to push herself up. Her arms trembled under her weight as she attempted to crawl away, her legs dragging behind her like deadweights. Each movement was a struggle, every centimeter gained a small victory. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t seem to escape the shadow of defeat—or the looming presence of Bengal.

The Blaze Tiger stood nearby, her amber eyes glittering with cruel satisfaction as she watched Nix’s feeble attempts to flee. She simply waited, watching as Nix dragged herself uselessly across the mat.

Nix clawed at the mat, her breaths coming in ragged gasps as she dragged herself forward.

Nix attempts to get away

But it was no use. Her body betrayed her, strength finally spent. Her arms gave out, and she collapsed back onto the mat, her cheek pressed against the canvas. She could feel the heat of the arena lights, smell the sweat and blood that clung to her skin. And she could sense Bengal approaching, her footsteps slow and deliberate, like a predator closing in on wounded prey.

Nix's failed getaway

[BengalTheBlazeTiger]

Bengal stalked across the ring, bearing down on her helpless opponent like an oncoming storm cloud. Yet before she could put Nix away for good, nature did it first. The rookie’s many injuries had finally caught up with her. Her heart wanted to keep going, but her broken body couldn’t handle the strain. The former librarian buckled like an overloaded bookshelf, her limbs splayed at awkward angles, her rear end sticking up into the air like a flag of surrender.

“Well, that’s anticlimactic,” the Tiger sighed. Kneeling down next to the prone woman, she brushed a strand of blonde hair out of Nix’s squashed face. “I was gonna ask you to stand and deliver, but you can’t even stand. Let me help you with that!”

Straddling the defeated fighter, she snaked her arms around Nix’s shoulders, then clasped her hands behind her opponent’s neck, locking in a tight Full Nelson. With a grunt of effort, she straightened, dragging the other woman to her feet. Then she began to frog-march Nix around the ring, displaying her wannabe rival like a trophy to the dismayed crowd. The referee buzzed around her in a panic, an inconsequential fly that was easily ignored.

“Take a good look at her!” the Blaze Tiger howled, brandishing Nix in front of her, as if she was holding a placard at a protest rally. “THIS is the hero of your story? No wonder nobody reads anymore…” She laughed at her own put-down, throwing her head back toward the vaulted ceiling. Blinded by her triumph, she didn’t notice the figure climbing over the barricade, approaching the ring…

Bengal Displays Nix

[Delalily]

Before Bengal could gloat further, a sharp voice cut through the chaos. “Let her go!” All eyes turned to a woman climbing over the barricade, her face etched with fury. Her resemblance to Nix was unmistakable—her mother, Julia, had arrived.

Julia Severin was a towering presence, her eyes blazing with maternal protectiveness as she stormed toward the ring. “You think you can humiliate my daughter like that?” she barked, her voice carrying the weight of authority. “You want to fight someone? Fight me!”

Bengal’s smirk widened, her arrogance undeterred. “Well, well, looks like the bookworm’s mommy came to save the day,” she sneered, releasing Nix from the Full Nelson. The rookie crumpled to the mat, her body limp and exhausted. Bengal stepped back, her amber eyes gleaming with amusement. “Fine. I’ll take you on too. Let’s see if the apple falls far from the tree.”

With a dismissive flick of her wrist, Bengal turned and exited the ring, leaving Julia to tend to her daughter. The crowd buzzed with anticipation, the atmosphere electric with the promise of another clash.

Julia knelt beside Nix, her hands trembling as she brushed the blonde hair from her daughter’s bruised face. “Nix...” she whispered, her voice soft despite the storm in her eyes. “You were incredible out there. You fought with everything you had. Don’t let her words break you.”

Nix groaned weakly, her eyelids fluttering as she struggled to focus. “Mom…I—I couldn’t…”

“Shh,” Julia interrupted gently, cradling her daughter’s head. “You did great. You stood up to her, and that’s what matters. Now, let me handle the rest.”

As Julia’s comforting words washed over Nix, the rookie’s trembling subsided, her breathing steadying. Julia’s gaze hardened as she glanced toward Bengal, who was now smirking from the entrance ramp. The Blaze Tiger had no idea what she had just unleashed.

The stage was set for a new chapter in this story, and Julia Severin was ready to write it herself.

Winner By Pinfall: Bengal