[Tables Match] Charlotte Ravel' vs A I R A - Fire in our hearts and honor in our souls (Apex Qualifier Match)

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Match type: tables
Victory condition: put the opponent through a table with an offensive move
Special conditions: hardcore rules are applied

"I think you should update your outfit," Victoria said, adjusting her glasses.
"Eh?" Charlotte was surprised. "Why?"

The Frenchwoman was finishing her warm-up. Considering what kind of match was waiting for her ahead, she didn't want the cold muscles to cause even the slightest problems. Of course, she paid special attention to her legs. The martial arts master wasn't too proud, but still her legs and her kicking skills were a point of pride to her. Charlotte got to her feet and looked at Victoria, slightly raising her left eyebrow.

"Dunno..." the Englishwoman shrugged her shoulders, "I think you should be more open, and an outfit with unique features will emphasize your individuality."
"In the ring, you need to take care of your opponent, not about the outfit," Charlotte reasonably remarked.
"For the audience, first of all, it's important who you are," Victoria has become more serious, "and you don't need to be shy about it, think about it."

The young woman thought about these words, but unfortunately she didn't have time. Charlotte headed for the door. There was only one thing important right now and so she could think about Victoria's proposal a little later. Her thoughts should be focused on the match, not on anything else. The Frenchwoman was about to leave the locker room, but...

"Charlotte," her manager called out, "show them a real match."

The martial arts master turned around and looked at Victoria. She could see the pride in her manager's eyes. It warmed her heart. She smiled softly at first, and then nodded confidently.

"We both will," she said.

Leaving the locker room, she headed down a long corridor. It's been a week since she and Aira made an agreement. And that meant only one thing. The day has finally come when they will meet in a match. Charlotte tried not to think about it, but it was pointless to deny that she thought about it almost every day. The thought of this match inspired her. The young woman entered the waiting room and stopped in front of the curtains. Her first qualifying match on the way to the Openweight title. A big and important step. And she was ready.

Entrance Music

Attire

Her dynamic music started and the Sand Lizard came out from behind the curtains. As always, she made three punches in the air to the beat of the music. And then, accompanied by shouts and applause, she threw up both hands, greeting the audience. There was a slight smile on the Frenchwoman's face. She gradually began to get used to the fact that thousands of eyes were looking at her. But this unusual feeling caused by the support of the audience was still something new for her. And she was grateful for that.

The young woman started walking down the ramp, waving to the audience. The hall was completely filled. Victoria told her that after the promo with Aira, the tickets were sold out within one day. The upcoming match caused a real stir. And while this was certainly a good thing, it was also an additional responsibility for the Sand Lizard and her rival. They should not disappoint the audience. But Charlotte was sure that no one would be disappointed after this match.

She took extra speed in order to jump on the edge of the ring, after which she grabbed the top rope. Jumping over the ropes, she did not stop. Charlotte quickly headed to the center of the ring. At the last step, she placed her right foot to the left of her left foot. Her body began to spin and at that moment she pushed off the mat with force. In order to cheer up the audience, she decided to show them a jumping spinning heel kick. Landing on her feet, she immediately raised her right fist above her head, smiling at the loud reaction of the audience.

When her music came to an end, the martial arts master bowed to the audience. After that, she greeted the referee, and then headed to her corner. Leaning back, she put her hands on the top ropes. She knew that a difficult and exhausting match was waiting for her. But at the same time there was no fear in her heart. Quite the opposite. The Sand Lizard knew that Aira would give her everything she had. And she was waiting for it. It would be an incredible match, Charlotte was sure of it.

[LowDefinition]

Aira sat down nervously as the time of her match with Charlotte would come soon. Her second qualifier bout, now with a honorable opponent. Her first bout was something that she really wanted to forget. Being disapproved by one of the judges despite her showing that she could last and the determination to not be taken down that easy. And even that her opponent pulled some underhanded tactics on her to take her down. It serves her as a wake up call that not everyone in this league is out for honor.

She already wore her gear and done her warm-up prior. Standing up as she keeps reminding herself that this time things will be different. A match between two honorable fighters. Even though the stipulation allows for some usage of weaponry. She shouldn't expect something sinister from her opponent. But even then, to think that the tickets for this event sold out in just a day after her encounter with Charlotte. She knew that the crowd have high expectations from them.

Walking out of her locker room after putting on her respirator over her face. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath before walking through the corridors. Determined to show that with honor, she'll bring the best fight out of both her and her opponent. Standing on the waiting area, she then started to hear her theme playing throughout the arena. She huffed out as she walks through the curtain, ready to show a good fight worthy of Apex to the crowd and a honorable one at that.

Theme

Appearance

Aira walked out to the entrance stage with blue fog covering her feet as the arena lights were out. Standing at the center of the entrance stage, Aira took a deep breath. As her theme picks up the energy, a spotlight shines on her as red and white fog shoots up by her sides showing the pride of her nationality. The crowd cheers as she stood there on the spotlight, looking over to the crowd brimming with confidence. She then walks through the ramp and near the front crowd as she lend her hand towards them. Touching their hands as she walk past them.

Looking over Charlotte on the ring, Aira let out a relieved sigh as she looked determined to show the best fight. Standing right outside the ring, she took off her respirator and tosses it aside before hopping up the apron. Gripping the top ropes, she hops up and vaulted over the ropes. Spreading her arms as she spun around to the crowd to the cheers as she made her way to the center of the ring. Stopping as she looked straight to Charlotte with a confident smile. Pointing her finger at her before she raise it up the sky. Ending it with an explosion gesture as she indicates that both fighters will have a match so explosive that it'll break the ceiling figuratively. Her music faded out slowly as she walked backwards to her corner.

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Charlotte turned her head to the side when the music started, which she was already familiar with. The young woman rised her head up slightly, watching Aira's entrance. Like last time, her entrance was accompanied by some elements of the show. But the Frenchwoman didn't see anything wrong with that. On the contrary, looking at it, she again remembered the words of her manager. Maybe she really should start being a little more open. A new outfit and perhaps a brighter entrance in order to emphasize her personality.

She smiled. The match hadn't even started, but she could already learn some things from Aira in order to become better. This was quite unusual for the Sand Lizard, who was used to simple things. For example, despite the fact that she could not call herself an ascetic, she never aspired to a luxurious life. Few people knew that, but Charlotte is so rich that she could do nothing for the rest of her life. However, she lived in a modest apartment and earned a living thanks to her martial arts school and the matches she participated in here.

The Frenchwoman did not take her eyes off her rival. Aira stopped in front of the ring in order to defiantly get rid of the respirator. And then the blue-haired woman climbed into the ring and, like Charlotte, jumped over the ropes. The Sand Lizard was in anticipation, but she remained calm. Yes, she was excited about the upcoming match. But she remained a fighter and she knew that this match would not be a friendly conversation. Both she and Aira were going to show each other and the audience what they are capable of.

It seems that this was the thought expressed by Aira at the moment when she turned to Charlotte and pointed first at her, and then at the ceiling. The Frenchwoman's eyes narrowed slightly, and then she nodded to her rival. The Indonesian woman's music ended and she took a few steps back. It was a significant match and therefore the referee had a job. The girl approached Charlotte in order to check her. And when she didn't find anything forbidden, she went to Aira. When this official procedure was over, she invited the fighters to the center of the ring.

The Sand Lizard took a deep breath and walked towards Aira with a confident step. When they met, there was no more than a meter and a half between them. Charlotte's eyes were riveted on her rival's. She could feel the tension. They both knew why they were here. This was the real rivalry spirit. Charlotte clenched her right fist and pressed it to her straightened left palm, after which the martial arts master bowed to Aira.

"Today I will give you everything I have," she said after she straightened to her full height, "and I expect the same from you. May the best woman win."

After these words, to loud applause from the audience, she extended her right hand forward, offering Aira a more classic handshake. There was enthusiasm in Charlotte's eyes. In most of the other matches, she remained completely unperturbed. But it was not an ordinary match. It was a match with a truly worthy opponent. And, of course, it was a match of a much higher level than those that can be seen every day. Today they will come together in a tough match and only skill and fortitude will decide which of them will be worthy of victory.

[LowDefinition]

Aira stood at her corner with a confident smile as her heart beats eagerly in the upcoming match that is about to start. She stretches her body lightly as she watches the referee checking on Charlotte. And then moving onto Aira to check for something forbidden. Which the referee found none, nodding to the referee, Aira walked to the center of the ring.

The tension is there, two honorable fighters standing close in front of each other as Charlotte gave her a martial artist salute. To which Aira replied by standing straight and bow her head down together with her upper body slightly. Straightening herself after Charlotte, her gaze full of determination. "Likewise, I'm giving you all I got, may the best woman win." After the exchange of words, the crowd applaused at the sight of the honor between the two fighters. Aira took Charlotte's hand and shakes it as she smiled enthusiastically and excited for this match.

Letting go of Charlotte's hand, Aira stepped back slightly before she put her right foot to the back. Her arms raising up to her chest as she put up a fighting stance. "Let's make this match a worthy one for the crowd... the judges... And most importantly, us." She said, ending it with a tender smile before the referee signals for the bell to ring. Starting the match right away...

Aira starts off the match carefully stepping to the side and circled around Charlotte and the ring. Breathing in to focus into the match as her expression changes into a more serious one. And to open it up... Aira stepped forward into range and goes big as she lift her right foot up. Swinging in a great arc and raising it as she aims to land a high kick from the side onto the side of Charlotte's head!

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They met in the center of the ring and exchanged greetings of real fighters. Charlotte was glad to hear that her rival intended to return the favor and give her everything she had. But she was even more pleased to see this fire in the blue-haired woman's eyes. When two women who are striving to the top meet in the ring, it is always exciting, especially when they are connected by something much more important than hatred for each other. Yes, their words were the pure truth. The best woman will really win today. Because today they will have to go through a real challenge.

To loud applause from the crowd, they shook hands, after which each of them took a few steps back, creating a free space between them. Aira took a fighting stance. Charlotte didn't hesitate either. She closed her eyes for a moment. And after she reopened them, she left her right foot a step back. Her fists clenched. The right fist rose to the level of her chin, and the left fist remained at the level of the middle of her torso. The Frenchwoman slightly turned her left side to her opponent. The young woman took a deep breath. She was ready.

The referee was ready to start the match and Charlotte focused on Aira. But before the bell rang, the Indonesian woman dropped the last sentence, expressing her desire to make this match worthy for everyone, especially for them. Now was not the time to give in to emotions, because in a moment they had to enter the fight and it was impossible to think about anything other than the opponent. But it was difficult for the Frenchwoman to remain completely cool-headed after such words, because she fully supported them. The corners of her lips lifted slightly and she nodded to Aira, confirming everything she said. After that, the smile disappeared from her face, and her eyebrows furrowed. The referee put her hand down.

Ding-Ding-Ding.

It seemed that there was an explosion around, but in fact it was the reaction of the audience, who had high hopes for this match. Charlotte undoubtedly took a step forward, but at the same time she did not rush into the attack, since her opponent behaved quite cautiously in the first seconds of the match. The Frenchwoman's eyes never left Aira for a second, both women circled around each other. The Sand Lizard felt incredible pressure, realizing the importance of this match, but at the same time she remained focused.

Aira was the first to attack. Charlotte braced herself, trying to gauge exactly what her opponent's first attack would be. The step she took was too wide, so the probability of a fist attack was not that great. And this assumption turned out to be correct, because in less than a second the leg of the blue-haired woman began to rise above the mat. Oh, Charlotte was able to fully appreciate her rival's zeal. Few people start a match with a kick because any kick is much slower than any punch. But at the same time, the Sand Lizard also started the match more than once with the help of a kick. In a sense, she could partially see her reflection in Aira.

The pink-haired woman's left arm bent at the elbow and rose up, Charlotte tensed her muscles and created an obstacle between her head and the Indonesian woman's foot. Although she had to clench her jaw hard at the moment when Aira's foot crashed into her block. Damn, it hurt. Charlotte knew perfectly well that it was better to dodge a kick, because if you constantly try to block such attacks, then over time the pain in your bones will become unbearable.

So why did she choose to block her opponent's kick instead of trying to dodge? Each fighter must be ready to take some damage in order to get an opportunity along with it. And now the Sand Lizard wanted to take advantage of the fact that Aira was standing on only one leg after the kick. She was determined to push away her opponent's attacking leg and at the same time use her left leg to turn around. Kicks have always been Charlotte's best weapon. And now she was going to demonstrate this by lifting her right leg bent at the knee, and then straightening this leg in the direction of her opponent's bare stomach. One of the fastest, but at the same time hard kicks, a back kick!

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Aira was surprised that Charlotte didn't choose to dodge her kick and instead just blocked it. Surely with her experience that it's better to dodge than straight up blocking. Unaware of the intention, she was then made aware of it when Charlotte pushed her right leg away... Taking her off balance as she watches Charlotte turning around. When Charlotte raise her right foot up, Aira glanced down slightly as she seem to notice what Charlotte would aim for, her exposed stomach. But she was late to realize this as she then felt that foot kicking straight to her stomach!!!

"Guh!!!" Aira gasped out of breath as she staggered back, her hands clutching onto her stomach as she doubled over, her feet gave out on holding her stance as she knelt down. It was clear the difference of her experience to her opponent's... But she refused to be down in just one strike. Coughing out as she tried to get her breathing back, she then slowly put her left foot forward, attempting to stand back up and look straight at Charlotte as she raise her right hand up. She pointed her index finger up as she wags it while shaking her head. "No, this isn't enough... to bring me down..." She let out, wanting to challenge Charlotte to give more strikes to her!

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The Frenchwoman was impressed that her opponent decided to start the match that way. Most fighters prefer a more measured pace in the first moments of the fight. Someone just circles around the opponent, someone offers a test of strength. And only a few are ready to launch an active attack immediately after the bell rings. But most of all, the Sand Lizard was impressed that Aira decided to use a kick.

Charlotte has never been one of those who considered themselves superior to others. But now there was a thought in her mind that the blue-haired woman was a little lacking in experience. The Sand Lizard used many martial arts, but taekwondo was her most formidable weapon. A kick is a ferocious and dangerous weapon. But any kick has two main problems. Any kick is always slower than any punch. And with considerable probability, the trajectory of a kick can be read. That is why it is necessary to choose the right moment for each kick, which maximally eliminates the disadvantages of a kick.

Aira's kick was powerful, but power alone is not enough. When Charlotte blocked the Indonesian woman's kick, her eyes flashed. Now she was going to show why every kick needs the right moment. Pushing away Aira's attacking leg, the Sand Lizard turned, and her right leg headed towards Aira's stomach. One short moment later, the Frenchwoman's foot crashed into her opponent's belly.

The air left Aira's lungs. The blue-haired woman first backed away, and then knelt down, hugging her stomach. The hall at that time was filled with enthusiastic shouts from the audience, who clearly liked such a dynamic start to the match. The Sand Lizard put her foot back on the mat and took a deep breath. That's why the right moment is needed for a kick. Even though Aira had the opportunity to see the kick coming, she had no options to do anything about it.

The pink-haired woman clenched her fist and took a step forward, but before she could get close to her opponent, the Indonesian woman got to her feet. Charlotte raised her left eyebrow slightly as she saw Aira shake her head. It was commendable that her opponent didn't intend to let things go so easily. But if she has time to talk during the match, then it would be better if she spent this time on something more productive. The Sand Lizard only grunted slightly in response to Aira's words. Unlike her opponent, Charlotte didn't like to chat in the middle of a match.

"Then get ready," she mentally turned to Aira.

Whatever it was, she was going to accept her rival's words. So suddenly the Frenchwoman rushed forward. The distance between them was not too great and now it was in Charlotte's favor. The young woman intended to take a diagonal step forward and to the right in order to slightly disorient Aira. And at the moment when it seemed that now was the time to attack, the Sand Lizard was going to make a pendulum movement with her torso down and to the left.

Two punches. A short but heavy combination. This is what Charlotte was going to try. When her torso began to rise, she intended to send a left hook to the right side of Aira's body. But she didn't need it to cause significant damage, only to shift her opponent's defense. And if she had succeeded, then she would have immediately sent a right cross to the chin of the Indonesian woman! Aira didn't have to ask Charlotte for more because today the Sand Lizard wasn't going to slow down until the very end of the match!

[LowDefinition]

Aira readied herself, standing straight once more and put up her stance. Seeing Charlotte stepping forward, Aira put up a guard as she watches Charlotte's body moving. A left hook she read, Aira moved her right arm to block the blow. She knew an experienced martial artist like Charlotte wouldn't go for just that to bring more damage, she expected more... And then she watches that right fist fly towards her chin.

What follows next was Aira raising her left arm up and grabbed onto Charlotte's wrist and quickly uses the momentum in her favor. Twisting her arm and follows it up with some diligent steps to Charlotte's side. Keeping that arm straight and twisted, Aira quickly forced Charlotte to double over with her left arm pushing onto Charlotte's shoulder! Not stopping there, she turn her back and laid her back onto Charlotte's. Forcing her down to lay on the canvas as the Indonesian trapped her into a Fujiwara Armbar!

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Boxing wasn't Charlotte's best weapon, but boxing is an immortal classic. Many fighters started their way in martial arts with boxing. Charlotte was no exception. She couldn't call herself a guru in this field, but she knew more than enough to be able to use her fists for their intended purpose.

The Frenchwoman's plan was quite simple, but, nevertheless, this did not make her plan ineffective. At least that's what she thought. Quickly closing the distance, she made a pendulum movement. One of the best boxing techniques to deceive an opponent. Charlotte wanted to disappear from Aira's field of vision for a split second in order to catch her off guard.

The Sand Lizard's left arm went to the blue-haired woman's torso. She specifically chose not the most common target, so as not to leave her opponent a chance. But, to the surprise of the Frenchwoman, Aira managed to react to this punch. Despite the pendulum movement and a very specific target for the blow, her opponent put a block, making Charlotte's attack almost completely ineffective.

For Charlotte, that really came as a surprise, but it was not a reason to lose concentration. An unsuccessful strike can become the foundation for another strike. Therefore, the Sand Lizard sent her right fist into the head of her opponent. Since the Indonesian woman's defense was focused elsewhere, Charlotte counted on her second punch to reach the target.

"What the..." flashed through the pink-haired woman's head.

Her second punch didn't find its target either. Everything happened quite the opposite. With a kind of superhuman speed, Aira grabbed Charlotte's hand. The Sand Lizard's attack was a complete fiasco despite her best efforts. She could not say that she underestimated her rival, because she treated Aira with all seriousness. But the Sand Lizard really didn't expect such a level.

And this unexpectedness caused an instant deterioration of the martial arts master's position. Having gained an advantage, Aira was going to use it. The blue-haired woman quickly twisted Charlotte's arm, forcing her to bend down. In addition, the she protected herself from possible blows, because she was standing to the side of Charlotte and thus was out of reach of the Frenchwoman's free hand.

Like a policeman catching a criminal, she lowered Charlotte to the mat. And after a moment, Aira lay down on the back of the Sand Lizard. It all happened too fast, even by Charlotte's standards. Aira didn't stop there, she was still holding Charlotte's hand. And, of course, there was a reason for that. The Indonesian woman started pulling Charlotte's arm up, thereby exerting terrible pressure on her shoulder joint.

"Aaaahhh!!" Charlotte screamed involuntarily.

She clenched her jaw tightly, but continued to make painful groans. It was a very dangerous and painful hold. In the blink of an eye, the Sand Lizard's position was far from the best. Aira used her weight to press her to the mat. It seems the blue-haired woman had a good experience in such close contact.

Not wanting to get injured at the very beginning of the match, Charlotte strained the muscles of her right arm in order to resist the pressure. But it was clearly not enough. She needed to get out of this hold as soon as possible. And this was the main problem, because it was very difficult to get out of such a hold, especially considering that the Sand Lizard did not have too much physical strength. But hardcore rules were applied in this match, so it was useless to hope for a rope break. Thus, Charlotte had only one way out.

Clenching her will into a fist, she used her legs and her free arm to start rising. Aira's weight created big problems and with every second the pressure on Charlotte's shoulder joint increased. But she understood that the longer the Indonesian woman kept her in this hold, the worse it would be in the future. Therefore, the Sand Lizard was going to get up on all fours, if it could be called that, given that she could only use three limbs, and then push off the mat and jerk to the side in order to pull her arm out of Aira's grip.

[LowDefinition]

Aira kept on holding Charlotte's arm and pulled it back to strain her shoulder joint. Firmly planting her foot onto the canvas and her back onto Charlotte's. She carefully looked around and inspecting Charlotte's movement while keeping her hold firm. She could feel herself rising up a bit as Charlotte struggled onto the hold, her back slowly pushed away...

Rising up a bit as Charlotte pushed herself up. Aira looked back, wanting to know what Charlotte's next move are... And as Charlotte jerked her body away, Aira quickly let go of Charlotte's arm and pivoted herself towards Charlotte. Pouncing forward onto her opponent as she raised her arm up. Her other hand reaches to grab onto Charlotte's shoulders before she then starts hammering Charlotte's head with her forearm! Knowing the stake of the match and that she had to resort to this sort of attack when Charlotte is at her most vulnerable. Aira looked down with full intent on delivering the hurt onto her opponent!