L.A.W. - League of Anime Wrestling

”2…!”

Dang it. Valerie hated this part. The last count was always the worst. It was only one second, but she swore, it was like time could freeze, like she had all night to contemplate what she did wrong and how she could’ve improved anSd every one of the countless micromistakes that brought her shoulders to this canvas.

She had time to try and move, to goad her body into doing things she knew it wasn’t going to do. She fought for every twitch. Strained. Squirmed. Gritted her teeth. Fought.

None of it worked. None of it could stop that hand from falling, one last time.

”3…!”

She let out a long, haggard sigh and deflated, closing her eyes as the match’s results washed over her.

The bell rang and Alaina gasped for breath as she staggered up to her feet. She was hobbling and swaying as she dtood, rubbing her own lower back unable to fully stand up.

She won but she had been through a battle. Alaina had just barely managed to beat young powerhouse Valley making this the third generation of a hall of fame family she had wreslted.

"You... damn." Alaina gasped as she held her hand out to help Valley up. "I wasn't sure I was going to ever keep you down."

She lost. Valerie lost.

On some level, she knew she shouldn’t have been ashamed of this result. She’d had a good match against a veteran. Though Alaina wasn’t a young woman anymore by any standard, she had experience and she had power, and she was well out of Valerie’s weight range. She’d given it her all, and that was a match anyone could be proud of

But…but…

”But you did.” With a sigh, she accepted the hand and let herself be pulled up, rising up on unsteady feet. ”You’ve still got it. Wow.”

Alaina saw the look on Valley's face. She nodded to the younger wrestler. "You are pissed." Alaina said with a small smile. "I get it. I was like that too. I am old but still heavier. I can still use the power even though you are more than strong enough to slam me with some serious thunder." Alaina said.

"You are gonna be there and soon. A title belt around your waist is something I can see and that isn't me being old and senile." Alaina added.

"Face me again. Bring it. When you have momentum put the pedal down and never let up." She added before patting Valley on the back and making her way to the ropes to exit the ring.