Yukino Fuyumi vs Gabriel Vinlee - (Apex Qualifier Match)

[CaptainL]

Yukino's plan had gone swimmingly - better than she herself had banked on, in fact. The Winter Idol rolled up onto her hands and knees, looking back over her shoulder and catching her breath just in time to see that she had indeed dodged the incoming knee strike. Not just that, though - Gabriel had hit the ropes and gone even further, sending her straight out of the ring, and leaving her to wipe out on the floor below! When she saw what had happened, Yukino didn't know what to think at first. The realization of her success came over her slowly - she panted for breath, at first focusing on getting her bearings, but then, when she looked up to see that Gabriel was nowhere to be found, she raised an eyebrow, sitting up straighter as her jaw dropped open in confusion. It was only later that she began to put the pieces together - but soon enough it dawned on her. She had done this. She'd acted just in time to save herself, and Gabriel had taken the brunt of the damage! A confident grin grew across Yukino's face as she sat up straighter, beaming with pride. But there was something even better than the fact that Gabriel had gone out of the ring. Now that she was out of the ring...she was vulnerable. She was stunned; left dizzied. And Yukino could take advantage!

She sprung back to her feet, flashing a smile to the crowd, who sent up a cheer at the promise of a triumphant comeback! The aches were still there in her head from where Gabriel had struck her before, but now, it didn't bother her any more. The adrenaline rush that had overtaken her was too strong to let that hold her back! She took off running to the ropes, closing in on where Gabriel had landed - and as she got close, she would leap over the ropes herself, attempting to come crashing down on top of her opponent for a suicide dive!

[Hagen-Autem]

Gabriel had a very simple sequence to execute after Yukino went out of the way at the last minute, as, when the blonde went through the ropes on her own momentum, she ducked into the void by hooking herself to the ropes with her fearsome velvety hands. Next she'd be swinging to spin on top of that rope and back to the ring, wouldn't she? But that sudden dizziness changed everything.

The queen had to let go and squat gently on the ground outside to wait for the dizziness to subside - will have to slow down a bit, no loud bouncing or jerking, unless it's really necessary.

How unfortunate that just as she was beginning to find taste in playing with this idol, she was begin to feel the repercussions of her carelessness. It was as if things were just settling down for Yukino to survive one more minute against this viper...

In a minute, though, she would be on her feet again, disguising her imbalance and rubbing her temples, and it was impossible for her to understand the din of the crowd - too much uneven shouting and banging on the rail.

The only thing she did understand was that... there was something behind her! Languidly she turned around, and before her body could respond because of her flashing vision, the shoulder of a flying Yukino impacted from the air with the centre of her chest, collapsing her breath as it knocked all the air out of her lungs in one breath with the weight of that idol and sent Gabriel rolling backwards like a marble! "Guogh!!!

She couldn't even balance to cushion herself: the back of the pub rep's head hit the hard floor in the fall. Rolling once and disarming herself to lie flat on the ground, struggling with
against another jolt that wants to leave her looking numb and flabby for hee opponent. "No... no..." she stammered.

[CaptainL]

As she righted herself on her hands and knees, Yukino had the chance to catch her breath, taking a look around her. After a narrow escape from Gabriel's incoming blow, her adrenaline was still surging, and her heart was pounding. She needed a moment to get her bearings; to remind herself of where she was before she threw herself back into the fray. But when she looked up, what she saw brought a smile to her face. Gabriel's trajectory had carried through, and without Yukino in her way, it had taken her under the ropes and dumped her out on the floor below. Even now, she was stunned, crumpled in a heap on the floor. Yukino knew that she was vulnerable. That meant she had a chance, and she wasn't about to waste it!

Shoving herself back up to her feet, Yukino charged for the ropes with more spirit in her than she should have been able to manage after such a grueling battle - but when Gabriel was right in her sights, when the promise of overcoming such a vicious foe who had tested her as much as she had was right in front of her, she couldn't let anything slow her down. The white-haired girl catapulted herself over the ropes with another stride, flinging herself through the air - and coming crashing down on top of Gabriel, sending her sprawling to her back!

"One!" Now that both women had left the ring, the referee began the count, but that was barely audible over the roars of the fans, who were thrilled to see Yukino make such a comeback! Gabriel had rolled away from her, but Yukino looked back up at her with her eyes narrowed into a steely glare. She pushed herself up from the floor, shoving herself closer into range. If she could get up close to Gabriel, she would grab her by the arm to try and yank her back to her feet - where she would slip her arms around the blonde's own, forcing them out to the sides to lock in a Nelson hold! A submission wouldn't count here - but Yukino was more interested in controling Gabriel's movements. She had bigger plans in store!

[Hagen-Autem]

Right now Gabriel's entire will was not on attending to the imminent danger, it was on regaining HER autonomy - that is: overcoming the dizziness, regaining her balance and empowering herself by getting back on her feet enough to give a shred of her attention to fending off the next thing her fragile opponent might do to her.

Someone could take that as the anthem that heralded a knockout - one good punch and someone's chances would all be gone on a count of 3. But this match still had too much to give on both sides as to be looking to end it so soon - and Yukino didn't seem capable of going for a definitive move in her current condition.

So when Yukino grabbed one of her arms and forced her to stand up, the crowd was already bristling - partly out of excitement, half out of concern, and for their part the queen was not helping as her body allowed itself to be handled; leaving a large clear path for the smaller woman to position herself behind her and slip her arms under the queen's armpits and lock in a full nelson to dominate her!

But it couldn't get any better. "...2...3...4..." the referee continued with the threat of disqualification and end it all if they don't get back in the ring.

[CaptainL]

Yes, Yukino had taken some damage. The bruises that Gabriel's beating had left still colored her side, and as she rose to her feet, she clenched her teeth and hissed as she bristled against the pain that was stirred back up when she pushed herself too far. But she was riding on a surge of adrenaline and momentum, and she knew one thing - she couldn't go down now! She had already made such strides against the blonde that she felt like she just might have a chance. Every successful move she had made against Gabriel only emboldened her further and further; it stood as proof that her efforts were paying off. That Gabriel could be defeated - and that she had it in her to make it all the way to the top, in qualifying for Apex! If Yukino could get Gabriel to that point, she could go further beyond!

Now that she and Gabriel were out of the ring, all thanks to a well-timed dodge from Yukino, that wasn't about to slow down. Any aches and pains she felt quickly disappeared under the rush of excitement she got at knowing that she had her foe under control! She could hear the calls of the referee, counting them closer and closer to disqualification with each passing second. But Yukino wasn't going to let that worry her. She already had a plan to get things back in the ring!

"Six! Seven!"

Getting behind Gabriel, Yukino's arms swung beneath her opponent's own, wrenching her arms out to the sides - and lifting her up off the ground. Yukino wasn't done there. She doubled back toward the ring, dragging Gabriel along with her! Her heart was beating faster and faster with each step she took - she knew she had a big moment ahead of her, and every fiber of her being wanted to do it justice. Yukino would attempt to climb up the ropes with Gabriel in tow...and when she came to the top rope, she would attempt to lean back and hurl her to the mat with a dragon suplex off the top rope!

Spoiler

[Hagen-Autem]

As Yukino dragged Gabriel back into the ring, confident and calm for this moment, so much so, that the pain perhaps turned sweet. Everyone was on the verge of panic and euphoria; excited that the referee's count was nearing completion and because these two seemed to have more to give. Yukino was up to something, it wasn't just going to be about entering the ring and moving on, this idol was going to do something flashy, something that would make it clear that she wasn't a ring rat and that she was a worthy wrestler, and Gabriel was slow to counterattack to ruin it, a part of the stands was waiting for that - they wanted to see Yukino down and Gabriel up perversely.

"Eight...! Nine...!" And with that last digit the count froze, because both wrestlers had their feet on the outside edge of the canvas! Where each and every one of the spectators, judges! and referee could see what the idol would do next with the queen!

At one point in the match, Yukino started throwing the best moves to fire up the crowd, her crowd, and Was Gabriel patronising, was she planning something, did something happen on that fall that only she knows about? Whatever the reason, it was of no relevance, because the white-haired girl managed to climb over the top rope and in one fell swoop and in front of everyone, DROPPED BOTH HERSELF AND GABRIEL INTO THE RING FROM THE TOP IN A DRAGON SUPLEX!!!

Of all the daring moves Yukino had begun to make to thrill the audience and herself into the act, this was the one that set the whole scene into a scream of excitement, before becoming a collective commotion in the stands - so much so that it was petrified into a mass silence. Every fibre of the idol's body manifested itself in this demanding movement, and Gabriel's body was dragged in an arc through the air with only her weight resisting, ineffectively, the course of move had only taken about 30 seconds to perform, but the excitement made every second of this act felt.


The Viper fans were hoping for a flip, a kick or a block to ruin this, whatever it takes to make her look superior to Yukino, as it was meant to be for them.

Gabriel's full weight collided on her own shoulders and neck, bending her inwards for a second, the ring rumbled in a dull thud from that wintry hammering, and for a moment, she stood with her eyes staring at the space between her legs before inertia rolled her backwards to sit on her knees, staggering, with a lost, tired look next to a overcome expression, before she gave in and collapsed chest-first to the canvas.

It couldn't be! Yukino had managed to get to this point in her plan! The crowd once again unleashed their cheers towards the idol, they wanted more, they wanted to see if there would be a final step or if she had another manoeuvre to play. Although, how would Yukino have looked after executing such an aerial move?

[CaptainL]

Yukino had taken a risky gamble in bringing the action outside the ring. The floor didn't have the padding to cushion her body against whatever her opponent could do to her, and with every second that passed, she put herself one second closer to being disqualified from the match - a finish that would surely be an ignoble stain on her career, when she had come into this match looking to make sure it would deliver on her promises to reach for the stars and to be the best she could be when the world was watching. Certainly, after the punishment she'd already taken at Gabriel's hands, it was doubtful if she could withstand much more. Her body was bruised, her breaths had become labored, and her brow trickled with sweat. Every muscle ached, both from the holds she'd been contorted into and the exertion she'd forced out of herself. But now, that gamble was paying off. Now, Yukino had taken control - and it was Gabriel's turn to taste domination!

The white-haired girl secured her with the Nelson hold, keeping her still enough to haul her back up to the top rope. The fans looked on with rapt attention as Yukino held onto her foe, displaying her to the world in a silent rebuttal to all the doubters and the naysayers who thought she wouldn't stand a chance against Gabriel, let alone a chance to get as far as she had in Apex and in LAW. But the real crux of the moment came next - when, at last, Yukino threw her weight backward, catapulting Gabriel into the ring, and dragging her down to a resounding thud against the mat!

As the two girls landed, the stands burst out in cheers. Fans clapped for Yukino, jumping out of their seats and roaring their approval. Gabriel tumbled backward off the momentum, and Yukino, too, rose to her knees. Her eyes were half-lidded, and her face was red from lack of breath as she took in a few pants to try and reclaim her stamina. Even now, she teetered from side to side on her knees. A stiff breeze could have toppled her over from the looks of it. But as she sucked in a few more breaths, Yukino began to steady herself. Her motion slowed, and she sat up taller, looking out toward the crowd, where her eyes widened into a look of pride and confidence! She knew that when she raised her chin to look out on the cheering masses, every one of them was cheering for her. She had overcome all obstacles, inside and outside. She had risen to the challenge. She had proven she was strong enough to count herself among those who could make it to Apex, to contend for a shot at the Openweight Championship. The more she thought about it, the wider she smiled. But she also looked back at Gabriel - she knew she wasn't quite done!

Finding strength from the adrenaline rush that hit her now, Yukino pushed herself back up to her feet - the fans cheering her even louder to see her standing tall and proud! She still teetered from side to side, but she circled behind her foe. Gabriel was dazed and flat on her face - which meant that if Yukino had an opportunity to capitalize on, this would be it. She wouldn't waste it!

First, she grabbed her opponent's wrists, pulling back on her arms. Then, Yukino fell to the mat behind Gabriel, doing the splits! One leg was drawn out straight back, while the other pressed between the blonde's shoulder blades, as she cranked back on her arms to bend her spine into an arc! This was Yukino's setup to her finishing move - the Ice Splitter!

Spoiler

[Hagen-Autem]

The excitement and pride that erupted in the stands placated any naysayers of this idol. Yukino was progressing where others would have sunk in acceptance and pity; she took risks, confronted provocations head on, and sought routes against the relentlessness of her opponent - until the point of catapulting herself back into the ring, with Gabriel in tow, and connecting on the blonde a throw that would send anyone with headaches to sleep. That Herculean move screamed what she was willing to do to prove that she could reach belt. She could do it!

The white-haired girl practically had most of the audience in her corner, encouraging her to take what already seemed to be hers with their roars while the other woman was still lying on her stomach, breathing heavily and with no sign of stiffness. But this could not be true...

For the small part that was still loyal to the Queen this had to be part of a plan, Gabriel couldn't be left out just like that, she was capable of coming back from such an impact, or worse. But as Yukino became more empowered, the excitement of what was going to happen grew more intense in them. And maybe Yukino had that same feeling, because instead of trying a count, she went for something more infallible: her finisher!

The only one who could prove what would have happened if she had heard the slaps on the mat, she was enraptured and exposed to be dominated while the idol took possession of her, stretching one of her arms and legs backwards, while planting a boot on her back and bending her like a bow, flush to the ground, causing all that sleep to vanish and forcing her to open her eyes to show her radiant colour.

This was one of those submissions that, once closed, put the full weight of the balance in the tori's favour. Gabriel's teeth gritted at the abrupt tension, her mind awoke to the signs of pain and her expression became that of someone whose hair was being fervently pulled; but she didn't give it to her, she refrained as if it were a primal instinct not to scream. The blow may have disarmed a lot of her head, but the pain building up in her hip, shoulder and shoulder blades was so overwhelming that it was driving her crazy. the Viper was shaking her head from side to side like an animal trying to get away. There were things in her that would never never happen even when she was in a daze- how to submit, and when the referee asked her if she was giving up, the withering look she gave her made it clear. This would not be enough.

[CaptainL]

With every move Yukino made, the fans had begun to cheer louder and louder. How could they not? Not only was she a perennial fan-favorite, she was taking back control of the match by force! She was out to prove that no matter how rough a start she might have had, she wasn't going to let it stop her - that she was going to rise to the challenge, and show that she had it in her to be a wrestler worthy of the honors of even making it to Apex. She had plenty of fans before this match had even started, but with her determination, willpower, and well-honed strength on full display, she had already made plenty more. She had just pulled off a sequence of carefully trained moves, one flowing naturally into the next, that grew grander and more impressive with each manuever! The Dragon Suplex from the top rope was an admirable display in and of itself. And when Yukino grabbed Gabriel's arm to pull her into the Ice Splitter, the cheers were growing even louder. This was it, it seemed - this was the big finish Yukino was working toward ever since she first came to Apex!

At least, so it seemed. But despite the beatdown she'd received up to this point, and despite how impassioned Yukino was in executing the Ice Splitter, Gabriel still had the strength in her to fight back - and she was quick to defy Yukino's unspoken but well understood demand to surrender! When she saw the blonde thrashing back and forth in a desperate struggle to escape, Yukino's eyes went wide, and her jaw fell open in a gasp. She began to reel backward from her foe - it seemed impossible that, after it all, Gabriel would still have anything left in her, and the fact she was fighting back now had sent a shock through the Winter Idol's system. For a moment, doubt creeped into her thoughts. She had already pushed herself to her limits. This had been, in Yukino's mind, the pinnacle of achievement she had in her. If that still wasn't enough...would anything be?

But just as quickly, Yukino shook that thought aside! She heard the cheers rallying behind her, urging her to fight back, and that reminded her of how far she'd come - of why she was fighting. Everyone was counting on her to make this work! She had come too far to let them all down! Yukino still scanned the crowd - but her eyes would settle on one person in particular, at ringside. Nashi. She had been her inspiration and her encouragment. She had given her the courage she needed to be in this ring at all. She especially couldn't let her down.

Gritting her teeth, Yukino glared back at Gabriel. Her fingers wrapped tighter around her wrist, holding on with an ironclad grip, and her heel pressed against the girl's back, grinding into her spine. She couldn't let up now - she had to put everything she had into this! Whether or not Gabriel escaped, Yukino at least wouldn't say she hadn't given it her all!

[Hagen-Autem]

Gabriel was in a difficult situation, all her initial effort to hold on was being put to the test by the other woman's positional advantage over her. For every ounce of resistance from her, Yukino was putting on more pounds of effort to dislocate her further and keep this snake's teeth away from her jugular and frankly, Yukino was being the star here - climbing higher and higher until make a milestone in this Apex Qualifier match.

But Gabriel wasn't just a wrestler who was motivated by her own whims - the blonde began to quiet the cries of pain under her skin. Or one who could afford to do whatever she wanted in a ring without repercussions outside of it - she was sweating from the remaining pain, her muscles were trembling, and her heavy breathing was the biggest placebo she had, If Yukino could bend her any further, everyone is sure she would do it without hesitation. And Gabriel was no diva so forward as to lose important matches over trifles - Her large chest was dilating and contracting painstakingly as everything else prepared to get down to real work. She had responsibilities to attend to, merits to prove and a stable to represent, and she let Yukino show off, now it was her turn to show her who was the higher pinnacle between the two of them.

The queen inhaled deeply one last time before biting her lips and transforming her expression of fatigue into one of power from the tremendous effort she was going to give to regain her limbs back! "Gggr.... ghhhggg...!"

Her muscles strained like steel straps - countering the blockade was the sensible thing to do to improve her presence in the partio, and the quicker she got out of it the better, but Gabriel is one of those fighters who fabricate anti-Orthodox plans. She was lucid enough to come up with a much more impressive plan than just trying to escape- she needed Yukino to keep insisting on dominating her - and for her part, she would only insist on opposing her long enough to keep her in that position of dominance, long enough until she found the perfect second to take advantage of this submission. "Ghhfhm... *Inhale* mpfmpppff!"