L.A.W. - League of Anime Wrestling

Submission Match: Winner can only be decided by submission

Alizeh took a breath backstage as she cracked her knuckles in preparation for her upcoming match. Unlike any other match she'd been in up until this point there were actually some twanging nerves within her as she mentally and physically psyched herself up for her match tonight. For a self confident and extroverted dynamo like Alizeh nerves or pre match jitters were rare, exceedingly so. But tonight was different from any she'd been in up until now, even if it was against a familiar opponent.

Tonight she was having a long awaited rematch with her fellow middleweight and submission specialist Marzia Servelli. Something big that Alizeh had been waiting almost a year for. Unlike their first match however Alizeh didn't anticipate the cute Italian girl being as amicable as when they first fought, largely due to the radical overhaul in both Marzia's look and attitude with the girl trying her damndest to be a heel. All too similar to another middleweight Alizeh had history with...

Shaking her head to clear such negative thoughts Alizeh just rolled her shoulders as she grabbed a long brown leather trench coat and threw it over herself, closing it to hide what she was wearing underneath. Like the aspiring heel Alizeh had gone through her own metamorphosis. A natural change up brought about by strength training to cover what she was weak with and refining of what she was good at under the tutelage of a veteran wrestler. All prompted by Alizeh's experience up until now in LAW and to go along with her new in ring style Alizeh had saw fit to introduce the world to a new physical look as well... along with a new theme music that she had finally decided on that was only now starting to play.

Spoiler

https://youtu.be/tH1KT-cbIkc

Smiling as she heard the slow and soft build up of the music Alizeh would throw her hood attached to her coat up over head before strutting out from behind the curtain with her hands raised up in the air. Immediately, even if the majority of her body or face weren't visible Alizeh got a massive pop from the crowd. The fanbase that had been growing since her debut showing just how big and loud they gotten as Alizeh turned her back to the crowd, her hands going to the sash holding the coat together, undoing it but keeping it closed. "One... two... three.. heh show time."

Right as she finished whispering to herself is when the beat sudden dropped right at one minute mark for her song. In the same moment Alizeh would drop the coat, letting it slip over her shoulders and down her body, dropping to the floor and show her new white, orange and cheetah print attire to the world!

Spoiler

Still with her back to the now reinvigorated crowd Alizeh would look over her shoulder giving her best Goku impression, and as if the crowd wasn't already hyped enough, Alizeh was about to hype them even more.. Suddenly pivoting on her foot Alizeh swung her left leg around in an impressive high kick, and as she did so orange fireworks would go off on the left side of the entrance ramp. Then the moment her foot touched the ground Alizeh would leap up swinging her right leg around, this time causing green fireworks to erupt on the right side of the ring as she spun around before landing in a crouch finally facing the crowd.

Smirking softly from under her hair Alizeh would pop up to her feet, spreading her legs and throwing one arm straight in the air with her finger extended straight up in the air. As she did so a third and final round of fireworks went off on both sides and directly behind Alizeh. The first two being the orange and green from before, the third being bright white and gold that when complimented by Alizeh's dynamic movements and the powerful bass from her entrance music really had the fans on their feet cheering at the spectacle that was Alizeh's new look and entrance.

Smiling as she saw the reaction and doing her best to hold back some misty eyes of joy Alizeh would proudly march down the ramp with a confident sway to her hips. Smiling and nodding towards anyone nearby Alizeh would break out into a run towards the ring the moment she hit the flat end of the floor. Leaping up onto the outside apron Alizeh would leap up onto the top rope and turn around around with her arm in the air while being seated there on the rope. Letting the fans cheer and pop for a moment Alizeh would get her feet under her and back flip off the rope and into the ring where she'd make her way to her corner, entering a crouch to wait with expectant eyes for her opponent. Eager to show off EVERYTHING she had learned to the world.

Marzia and Alizeh were alike in many ways. Both had similar strengths when it came to their in-ring style. Both had competed against one another before, putting their command of submissions to the test. And, perhaps most pertinently of all, both had grown concerned that how they had conducted themselves in and out of the ring up to this point wasn't working for them - and both of them, under the tutelage of another wrestler, had looked to reinvent themselves.

For this match, there was one other thing they had in common. Both, in the leadup to the bout, were biding their time backstage, trying to calm their nerves.

This was a feeling Marzia had more familiarity with than Alizeh did, but nevertheless, this match had her questioning herself more than ever before - or at least more than she had since she had adopted her new persona. It wasn't her first match since she had trained with Gail and vowed to assert herself more, but it would be her first match going up against an opponent she'd faced prior, before she'd joined forces with the Tornado.

And not just any opponent, either. This was none other than her rematch against Alizeh Midori.

The first time their paths had crossed, Marzia and Alizeh had walked away from the match with a mutual appreciation for each others' hard work and talent. They had seen what they were each capable of, and they saw one another as worthy opponents. But it was a match that everyone knew would not be their last. It had ended in a tie, with both Marzia and Alizeh passing out in a mutual headscissor - and after they had woken up, they had both agreed it would only be a matter of time before they met in the ring again. They needed to settle the score, and to determine once and for all who between them would come out on top.

They saw themselves as friendly rivals, then. A rematch was only to be made in the name of good-natured competition.

But at last, when the time had finally come, Marzia had to doubt if it would be so friendly after all.

In the time that had passed since their last bout, Marzia had changed. She had met Gail, and after defeating her, managed to impress her opponent with her potential. All she needed was to overcome her anxieties that were holding her back. She needed to stop worrying about being so nice, and to know when to get serious. It wasn't something that came to Marzia naturally, and she was afraid of what she could be capable of. It felt wrong to act this way. And yet...neither she nor Gail could deny that it was getting her results. Marzia questioned it, and the fans didn't know what to make of her new attitude. But, for better or worse, she was going to stick with it. It was working for her, and Gail was only growing more and more impressed with her abilities.

The question now was how Alizeh would feel.

Would she still look at Marzia as her friend? Could Marzia even bring herself to treat Alizeh with the aggression she had accepted was part of being a successful wrestler now? And if Alizeh rejected her...could she handle the loss of a friend?

No, she told herself. She couldn't let any of that hold her back. She shook her head, biting her lip and taking in a breath as she rose to her feet, her fists balled at her sides. She'd have to treat this match like any other, Alizeh or no Alizeh. She was in the ring against an opponent - and she had to do whatever she could to win. Heading to the locker room door, Marzia slung a leather jacket over her shoulders, waiting in the wings for when it would be her time to arrive on the scene.

She was watching Alizeh's new entrance, taking in each step the green-haired girl took, and each blast of colorful fireworks that accompanied her every move. On an instinctual level, it gave Marzia pause - her first thought was that her own presentation could only fall flat by comparison. She never had an entrance like that. How was she going to compete with someone who did?

But the Italian shook her head. There was no time for such thoughts. There was only one thing left for her - and as Alizeh settled in the ring, Marzia knew what to do.

"HOLD IT!!"

Spoiler

A moment ago, the crowd had been cheering Alizeh's display, but as soon as Marzia stepped onto the entrance ramp, all eyes turned to her. She stormed down the ramp, her fists balled at her sides. Marzia wasn't going to do any fancy moves or flashy effects like Alizeh did. She would let her actions speak for themselves.

At seeing the other half of this long-awaited rematch coming down the aisle, a few excited fans at ringside threw their hands in the air to greet Marzia as she passed, starting up a chant of "Welcome Back! Welcome Back!" But Marzia turned on her heel, jabbing a finger in their direction that silenced them on the spot. "Shut it!!" she hissed. "I'm not doing this for you, you know-!" Already, a few boos had begun, as Marzia made her way toward the ring. An anxious feeling bubbled in the pit of her stomach hearing them; did she really want to be doing this? But she quickly set that thought aside. There was no time for any hesitation. Not against her.

Marzia hopped up on the ring apron, leaning against the ropes and jabbing a finger toward Alizeh. "You know, Alizeh...that was a pretty nice show back there. But this...this is wrestling! It doesn't matter how good you look outside the ring if you can't back it up between the ropes...and I don't need any showy displays to kick your ass!"

She climbed through the ropes, looking up at Alizeh with a glare and cracking her knuckles. A few fans gasped, seeing the threats she was making against her old friend. "We've both changed. You're talking all about how you want to show a new side of yourself to the world...but I did that months ago, and you know what? Now...now I've been seeing success I never dreamed of before!"

Marzia's hands were quaking as she spoke. She was still afraid, deep down, at the thought of chewing Alizeh out. But she knew she had to, and she let the worlds flow before she could even think through what she wanted to say to her opponent. "What I've learned since our last match...is that nice girls finish last. And I'm through being nice. I know that everyone wants us to still be friends - I know you want that - but to hell with that!" She punctuated her outburst with a stomp against the canvas. "What matters to me is that I can win. What matters is that I'm not going to be treated like a joke any more, with loss after loss after loss. I knew that when we met again, I was going to give it my all. And you know what? I'm stronger than I was before! So here I am! And you know what else?"

Marzia stood straigher, pushing out her chest as she squared up her shoulders. Her heart was still beating faster than she could keep track of, but she knew what she had to do. She couldn't hold back. She had to make everything count, and hesitation would only slow her down, no matter how much she wanted to second-guess herself. As she took a step closer to Alizeh, she let the jacket fall from her shoulders, getting into her old friend's face. She locked eyes on Alizeh, the two standing shoulder to shoulder and chest to chest.

"If I have to fuck you up to prove that...so be it!"

While waiting for her opponent to come out Alizeh idly wondered what kind of bout this would be. She of course knew about Marzia's change in attitude and frankly a part of her wasn't looking forward to seeing those changes in person. Even if she had already seen it on tv or from backstage Alizeh had a hard time believing that the girl acting like that and saying those things was the same one she had fought to a draw almost a year ago. Worst yet... she already had a sinking feeling that nothing she could say would matter to Marzia in either changing her mind or making it to where things between them would be fine after. Sighing to herself Alizeh resigned herself to let the chips fall where they may in this match.

Soon she wouldn't have to wonder anymore, a screech came over the intercoms as Marzia came out. As Alizeh thought even if it was her Marzia was letting this level of aggression she had going on fire at all cylinders even towards her. The crowd which had previously still been cheering for the greenette had turned their attention to Marzia, trying to start a chant in favor of her only to be silenced at ringside by Marzia herself. Narrowing her eyes in response to this Alizeh briefly walked to the side of the ring and knelt down, extending her hand out so when a worker noticed they would promptly slap a mic in the open palm.

The whole while as she waited though she never once took her eyes or ears off Marzia. Watching as the girl hopped on the apron Alizeh stood to her feet, microphone clutched in one hand as she watched Marzia gradually approach her with cracking knuckles, tough words and basically anything else the Italian could do to appear tough. But Alizeh showed positively no visible reaction at the act, not in the slightest.

Even through Marzia's entire rant Alizeh remained impassive. The threats, the explanation, the stomp, the shots at how she changed and the fans all of it. Nothing seemed to affect the stoney, tight line lipped expression Alizeh had since the dark haired girl had come out. To the point some fans wondered if she even had anything to say in response to the triad that Marzia had bombarded her with. But in truth Alizeh was just waiting for it to be over.

Now that the two were quite literally in each others faces with barely an inch between them it appeared Marzia was done. But if Alizeh had to stand and listen to Marzia's words, she'd be damned sure to return the favor as she raised the mic to her lips.

"Marzia..." She said softly making some think she may go with the more empathetic route generating a wave of whispers before silence as Alizeh continued. "Will you please... Shut the fuck up?" A chorus of gasps and ran through the crowd and at home at the sudden snap from Alizeh, the curse carrying with it more weight than normal given the circumstance and people involved.

"First off don't you dare begin to lecture me about wrestling! I've been doing this since I was five years old and I know damn well how to back up every spark, every note, every single light in my entrance with my actions and I don't think you of all people need to be told that." As she spoke Alizeh punctuated her words by jabbing her finger into Marzia's before continuing. "This whole week leading up to this match I've been watching what you've been doing and saying, wondering how I was gonna approach tonight, how I was gonna fight my friend and bring her back cause you're right about one thing and that's that we've changed." She said with a fierce tone to her words that matched Marzia's but carried with it a certain fire to it that burned even brighter in Alizeh's gaze as she stared into Marzia's own dark eyes.

"Cause you're right I do wann a be friends still, but I wanna be friends with the old Marzia, not this bitter, dollar store wanna be punk rock lite version of her!" She shouted getting a round ooohs and cheers from the crowd before continuing. "So you talk all you're big talk Marzia, act like you're some toughie thats not shaking in your boots at the thought of facing me it doesn't matter!" As she said this Alizeh took a step forward closing whatever distance was between them, their bodies practically meshing together now with the only thing separating their face being the mic in front of Alizeh's lips.

With their forms so close however Alizeh's height advantage however slight gave her the edge in intimidation as she looked down on Marzia both literally and figuratively. "Nice girls finish last? Maybe but I ain't no nice girl standing in front of you. I'm the same badass that kicked you're ass to a stand still before. Only difference is I'm sharper, smarter, a better version of my old self. You though? You're just playing dress up cause whether you want to admit it or not you're the same squishy Italian girl I choked out before. THATS why you're so obsessed with proving this shit that doesn't matter." SHe snapped with a far more aggressive tone to her voice.

"So you say you're gonna prove those points? That you're gonna beat my ass? Fine." As she said this Alizeh tensed her arms as her lips curled into one last expression of anger and determination.

Bring it bitch!"

With that last word Alizeh threw the mic out the ring before raising her arms up and pushing against Marzia's own body. As if inviting her to take the first show while bracing herself for whatever Marzia could do and getting ready to counter any such moves her opponent made.

Marzia didn't know what sort of a response she could expect from her old friend. She knew that facing Alizeh now, after she had committed to her new persona, wasn't going to be easy; that she would have to put the past in the past and avoid letting old feelings get in the way. But she reminded herself of all she had learned with Gail, and all the success she had enjoyed since she had put aside trying to be nice. She was sure that same philosophy was going to hold true now.

But when the turn passed to Alizeh to say her part...Marzia still couldn't prepare herself. At the soft tone Alizeh had taken, her eyes widened, looking back at her in shock. Despite it all, was Alizeh still going to hold to their friendship?

The thought that Alizeh would forgive Marzia even now was enough to shake her. But not as much as what came next - with the realization that Alizeh would not. Despite all her best attempts to be tough, and to ignore what anyone thought and to live for herself...Marzia still winced at Alizeh's words. Her eyes narrowed, her teeth clenched, and her hands balled tighter at her sides, her nails digging into her palms.

Deep within her, a part of Marzia wanted to run away, to take it all back. She wanted to hold on to what she and Alizeh had.

But she knew she couldn't.

Marzia could feel that anger welling up in her once again as Alizeh went on, talking about how she was fake, how she was all talk. It was those words that reminded her of how much she wanted to show the world she wasn't going to hold back or be nice any more. That this was the new her, the stronger her, and that no one would stand in her way any more. She grit her teeth, locking eyes with the green-haired girl, and no matter how long her speech was, Marzia didn't blink a single time through it. She wouldn't concede any ground.

As Alizeh closed in the distance between them, so too did Marzia step forward to match her. They were close enough to feel the heat radiating off their bodies now, their generous busts making contact. Marzia's breaths quickened, and her heart pounded faster in her chest. The tension was rising. Every word Alizeh spoke told her that she didn't believe in her newfound persona, that she was convinced she was lying to herself. Deep down, Marzia had always feared that people would only see her as a fake, no matter how hard she tried. And now...not only was she hearing that firsthand, but it was coming from Alizeh Midori, someone she had trusted. Someone she believed in. Everything she was afraid of had been confirmed.

It was a realization that might have struck fear into the old Marzia, sending her quaking and running away, unable to face reality. But...that was the old Marzia. Tonight, Alizeh was facing the new Marzia. And she was going to make sure she knew it.

Planting her hands on her hips, Marzia leaned in closer, pushing back against Alizeh with her hips and breasts as the two closed in again. "Hmph!" She snorted under her breath like a raging bull. "Still don't believe me, huh? There's only one thing that'll prove my point, then!"

*DING DING DING*

The bell had rang, and that was all the encouragement Marzia needed. Even before the last ring had finished, the Italian was already making her move. Her hands reached up to grab for Alizeh's head, as she prepared to shove her skull downward and kick up with her knee at the same time to drive it into her chin. If Alizeh still doubted her, Marzia would make sure that doubt wouldn't last long!

Alizeh glared at Marzia the whole way through her speech and the tense silence that followed. Never in her wildest dreams did she expect for this to be the way the two met in the ring again. Nor did she want it to be, she wanted to have a fun and competitive match with Marzia like before, to settle who was best once and for all in a decisive contest. Yet now.. they'd be settling who was better yeah... but the match would be far from fun.. it would be intense, probably one of the most heated in Alizeh's career here so far in LAW. But she'd have to buckle up and deal with it. No matter how much she didn't want it to be like this.

If nothing else as she waited for the bell Alizeh did notice one thing created from her words across the Italian's face. Those being flashes of regret and discomfort. Brief signs that maybe meant there was still hope for the girl if Alizeh played her cards right.

If Alizeh could she'd more than happily bring Marzia back from the brink she'd brought herself too and into the light. Hell nothing would please Alizeh more than to embrace her friend in such a way again. But... Just as quickly as those glimpses of hope had come they also disappeared just as quickly. Before she knew it Marzia had doubled down on her big words and settled into full heel mode before Alizeh, in turn causing Alizeh to release a soft sigh of disappointment.

Fine then. If that's how it would be... so be it.

With their bodies pressed up against each other anyone in any other situation may have expected some sensual action between the two... But no... this was more akin to two wolves vying for territory and getting into eachothers space as a result. It was a prelude to the violence and mayhem that would soon be happening between the two women...

Hearing the words from Marzia before they started Alizeh released a dry chuckle in response as she was shoved back before stepping forward herself, shoving Marzia back in retaliation. "Yeah there is.. too bad for you it isn't gonna work out too well for you." Alizeh shot back in a deadly soft tone before the bell rang finally starting the match between the two opposing vixens!

Start the two did. Immediately Alizeh winced as her hair was grabbed and her head forced down followed by a knee to the chin from her opponent! "Guh!" She groaned out as her jaw rattled from the impact but she was far from done. Grabbing onto the hand holding her hair Alizeh would swing her arm up in order to smash her fist into Marzia's stomach with a fierce uppercut!

If the blow connected successfully than Alizeh's hand would tighten over the wrist holding her hair which would hopefully loosen as a result of her uppercut. If it did than Alizeh would pull the hand out of her emerald locks before spinning around behind Marzia to try and pull her arm behind her in a hammerlock! "That the best you got?" Alizeh would say if successful, her other arm also coming around to wrap around Marzia's neck in addition to the arm lock if she was able too!

With each inhale and exhale she took, the thoughts of what Alizeh and Marzia had came bubbling back to the forefront of the Italian girl's mind. She didn't have to do this, she thought; they could still be friends, if only she hadn't...

But each time they did, she shook them out. She grit her teeth, tossing her head back and forth, and only shaking out her hair further into an unkempt tangle. She might have had Alizeh as a friend then, but she was weak. Hopeless. She was stronger now than she was then, and she didn't have to let anything hold her back. She didn't have to go soft. Alizeh meant nothing to her, now. She could only be her opponent.

As the green-haired girl shoved at Marzia's shoulders, forcing her to stumble backward, it only reminded her that she was here to prove herself stronger. Now, that held truer than ever before. Marzia had improved - and if anyone was going to see that first-hand, she could think of no one better than Alizeh Midori. When she looked back up at her foe, it was with a fire burning in her eyes. She was ready to strike.

Marzia lunged in closer, her fingers coiled into claws as she grabbed at Alizeh's hair and shoved her head downward into a rising knee strike. The crack of Alizeh's skull meeting her knee caused several in the crowd to wince; even Marzia herself could feel her eyelid twitch as the brief thought of causing her old friend such pain flashed by the forefront of her mind. But she bit down on her lip with an angry snort, putting that aside - and either way, she soon felt Alizeh strike back at her, as she swung a fist in an arc into Marzia's stomach!

The Italian's body shook as she let out a pained groan, going stumbling back away from Alizeh. Panting, she doubled over forward, using one hand to clutch at her gut while her other remained in a white-knuckled grip on Alizeh's hair. But she raised her head nonetheless, staring daggers back into her opponent's eyes. Her gaze narrowed and her teeth clenched, as though she were a predator making a threat to its prey. "Damn...you..." she huffed; her words came out shaky and half-gasped, as though she was second-guessing them even as they left her mouth.

But no sooner had Alizeh pulled free of Marzia's grasp that she quickly circled around behind the girl, twisting her arm behind her back! Her spine bent in an arc and she threw back her head, bellowing in pain - just before Alizeh silenced her screams with a squeeze of her neck as she threw her arm around her throat! Her words giving way to growls of rage, Marzia twisted and turned, attempting to struggle free of Alizeh's grip, or at least to loosen it even by a little. At the same time, she raised a foot from the ground, aiming a kick behind her!

Alizeh had gone into this match knowing exactly what Marzia had become, but with the slight hope that she could bring about the old version of the girl. But within moments it had become starkly clear that such a thing would be totally impossible.

However Alizeh wasn't the type to lament such a thing. No... For the green haired girl there was no greater sin than betraying her trust, turning against her for no significant or serious reason. After all Alizeh valued trust worthiness and fair play from everyone, including herself first and foremost. So when that trust was betrayed.. Alizeh didn't hold back. Not in how hard she fought, not in what she would be willing to do... no. She wouldn't cut any slack for the Italian... She would do everything within her power to punish the girl for this transgression.

Locking horns with the girl after Marzia's pre emptive attack Alizeh would tell that the dark haired woman had improved herself, it wasn't just that she was more vicious now, her hits and strength were greater as well... But she wasn't the only one that had improved herself. Alizeh would show not only Marzia this but everyone in the arena. Everyone in the back. Everyone around the world. She would show them all not only her own improvements and increased skill... she would also show everyone what happened when you betrayed her.. by using Marzia as an example.

Despite the knee to her head Alizeh would be well onto her way in showing everyone what her vengeance looked like. Starting off with a brutal blow of her own in the form of a uppercut to Marzia's gut Alizeh forced her one time friend to back off giving her just the opportunity Alizeh needed. Grunting softly from the hand in her hair Alizeh's lips would contort into a small grin in spite of the sharp pain the Italian's tugs on her scalp caused. It was no matter cause it only benefitted her in the long run.

Grabbing hold of that hand Alizeh looked up matching Marzia's fierce expression with one of her own. In doing so she would also reach up, grabbing Marzia's hand and pulling it off, in the same moment she would also spin around, locking her opponent's arm behind her back in a tight hammerlock completed with a arm wrapped tightly around the girl's throat in a choke hold in addition to the hammerlock!

But of course however Marzia wouldn't Alizeh to have her way. Good. This lesson wouldn't do if Alizeh let the girl off so easily. Grunting from the girl's struggles and resistance Alizeh knew she needed to do something quick. "Grrr!" Growling softly in pain as she felt Marzia's leg connect with her Alizeh decided to return the favor by ramming her knee up into Marzia's tailbone in order to help maintain the hold.

If successful Alizeh would switch up her grip, trading in the hammerlock in favor of grabbing the girl's wrist and forcing it up while also taking her arm off Marzia's neck and if successful she would grasp Marzia's other arm by the wrist. She would then attempt to pull both arms up and around Marzia's neck in a straight jacket hold. Following it up should she be successful by falling backwards, lifting her legs up in the process to brace her knees against the Italian's back. So if she managed it than Alizeh would fall back and slam Marzia down with a back stabber!

Marzia was in this match for more than just winning. She too had a message she wanted to send to everyone - and in her case, it was that she was stronger than she'd ever been before. She wasn't going to be held back by her own doubts and insecurities. She was going to surpass where she'd been before, to stand tall and triumph, and nothing was going to stand in her way. Not even Alizeh. Not even the girl she had seen as a friend. When she tore Alizeh apart...it would prove to everyone that she wasn't messing around any more.

Even as the Italian had struck Alizeh with a brutal knee strike, her opponent wasn't about to go down. She only came back at her with more strength and vigor than ever, as she shot an uppercut to Marzia's gut that caused her to double over with a cough, gasping and groaning and clutching at her stomach. From there, Alizeh was able to twist herself free, getting behind Marzia and pulling her into a hammerlock and a sleeperhold at the same time. Marzia winced in pain, her shoulder forced to twist in on itself further than she could bear, while the pressure mounting around her throat was squeezing the air from her lungs.

But she had to stand up to Alizeh. She couldn't let anyone think even for a second that this was the old Marzia, the one who would crumble against such offense. She was stronger than this - and she would let Alizeh feel that, as she struck behind her with a kick!

The blow landed with an impact that Marzia herself felt. But it wouldn't be enough to stop the green-haired girl - if anything, it just emboldened her to fight back harder! Alizeh hammered her knee back against Marzia's spine, causing her to jerk backward as her back twisted into an arc and she threw back her head with a howl. Even if the two were locked together, they were still intent on trading whatever blows they could!

Alizeh, though, wasn't done - she would only escalate things further. Grabbing at the Italian's arms, she pulled both up to lock them into place around Marzia's own throat. The pressure that was bearing down on her neck caused Marzia to cough and sputter even more, and her eyes had begun to roll back into their sockets. But things were only getting started - as Alizeh dropped backward, pulling Marzia down onto her raised knees!

A thump rang out through the arena, and Marzia buckled against the force of the blow, her own weight driving her down onto Alizeh's backstabber. Her back bent in an arc, and her teeth gnashed in pain and rage alike. As Alizeh released her, she would slowly slide off of her knees, rolling onto her stomach on the mat beside her. For a moment, Marzia lay there, her back rising and falling with labored breaths. Then, though, Marzia would begin to rise, getting her arms underneath her and starting to pick herself back up. It hurt, and her back was still aching. But if there was one thing the Italian woman knew, it was that she couldn't stop now!

Pushing herself back on her elbows and knees, Marzia raised her head to lock a glare onto her foe. "This...isn't over-!"

Alizeh with absolute ruthless intent bent Marzia almost all way back, driving the woman's back into her knees with a rough backstabber move that sent a resonation all throughout the woman's body and earning a scream of pain as a result. This wasn't how she wanted to do this. She didn't want to hurt Marzia, not like this at least. But this had been the route her friend had chosen, this was the path SHE wanted to go down. Unfortunately for her Alizeh wasn't sentimental enough to cut her any slack because of their former friendship.

After allowing the dark haired girl to slide off her knees Alizeh would lean backwards before throwing her legs forward to kip up to her feet. As she did so she would look down at Marzia and momentarily felt a pang of grief. This really wasn't how she wanted this long awaited rematch to go.. but.. but.. as the thoughts of regret came Alizeh's gaze met Marzia's and the hateful glare the girl was sending her.

Just like that the brief moments of grief evaporated. Instead Alizeh clenched her fists while grinding her teeth as her anger spiked at Marzia's stubbornness. "Suit yourself." Alizeh growled out snapping her leg forward to kick Marzia square in the face with vicious precision.

If she succeeded than Alizeh would turn around and dash at the ropes, picking up speed as she turned on her heel in order to rebound off the ropes. If successful with the rebound Alizeh would make a beeline right for where Mariza lay on her stomach. If able Alizeh would hop up, kicking her leg out to land with one foot on Marzia's back, using the Italian as a stepping stone as Alizeh bounded past her. Turning she would once again rebound off the rope and back towards her opponent.

This time as she closed in to her opponent Alizeh would leap up much higher than before. As she did so Alizeh would tuck her legs up to her chest and tilt forward doing a roll mid air. As she did so Alizeh would angle herself a specific way as she descended down towards her opponent once again as she now extended her legs just a bit. If successful than Alizeh would crash down knee first right towards Marzia's unprotected back!

Marzia winced as she pushed herself back to her hands and knees, taking a glance over her shoulder to look back at Alizeh with a twitching eye. Her body still stung from the impact she'd taken against the green-haired girl's knee, yes - but, at the same time, when her eyes settled on Alizeh, all the memories of their first match, and the friendship they had forged through it, came flooding back. They had vowed it wouldn't be the first time their paths would cross; that they'd keep matching off with each other as they continued to grow and develop their skills, all in the spirit of friendly competition. Now that they had finally met again, though, the terms they were on were far less friendly. And yet, Marzia couldn't help but wonder what might have happened if she hadn't teamed up with Gail. Would they still be able to call each other friends?

No, she reminded herself, letting out a bestial growl as she tossed her head from side to side to shake away the thought. If she wasn't with Gail, she'd have never gotten better. She'd still be weak, hopeless to stand up against Alizeh. This was the only way, and she couldn't keep holding onto those parts of her that were keeping her down!

The Italian girl began to rise further, lifting herself into a seated position. But before she could get anywhere else, Alizeh lashed out again, connecting a sharp kick to her face! Her head snapped backward and her balance gave out beneath her, knocking her to her back. Marzia was quick to roll herself onto her stomach with a grumble, but Alizeh was already on the move, kicking off her back as she sprung herself toward the ropes! Marzia fell back on her face against the force of the stomp, crying out in pain - but this time, when she propped herself back up on her elbows, she looked back toward her foe with fire burning in her eyes, and a hateful glare. She wouldn't hold back now.

Continuing on her momentum, Alizeh sprung into the air, rolling her body into a ball with her knee poised like a dagger toward Marzia's back. The fans gasped at the sort of acrobatic expertise she commanded - but to Marzia, all she saw was an opportunity she could take advantage of. As Alizeh came plummeting back toward the ground, she suddenly rolled herself to the side, leaving Alizeh's knee to come down against the canvas!

"What? Still showing off?" Marzia barked as she rolled herself up on her side. "You think you'd know by now you're only giving me a chance! Idiot!" She bit her lip as the harsh words left her mouth; the thought of cursing her friend out caused her to feel the bile rising in her throat. But she needed this. This was who she had to be.