A high-pitched scream is heard...
Dominga: What the hell?
... followed by a low growl and then an aggressive hard rock/industrial metal hybrid plays to loud cheers from the Himbeergeist crowd.
Briar Lane: The following contest is scheduled for one fall!
Crowd: One fall.
Dominga: Oh, right! I almost forgot this was a wrestling show.
Shamoon: And what a match we're about to see.
Leota walks out through the sliding doors clad in a blue and white mid-thigh bodysuit. The suit has no sleeves, but the ones wrapped around her neck. She stares down at the ring with intense focus.
Dominga: She's not looking at me, is she? I know I've dissed her students, but...
Briar Lane: Introducing first. From Apia, Tuamāsaga, Samoa, standing 5 feet 9 and weighing in at 147 pounds, Kalavina Leota!
Leota takes the blue sleeve, sticks her left arm through it in one quick motion. She does the same with her right arm and white sleeve before marching to the ring in lockstep with the heavy, distorted guitar riffs and pounding drums.
A.B.: Kalavina Leota, the Mother Hen of Holds, walking straight into the fire tonight. for the honour of her students.
Shamoon: I still can't believe she ASKED for this match.
Dominga: Yeah, isn't she a road agent?
A.B.: Part-time.
Dominga: Stilll, what the hell is she thinking?!
A.B.: Chloe Davis was able to find out exactly, before the show came on the air. Let's have a look.
As Leota wipes her feet on the apron, a picture-in-picture video shows her entering the building in a tracksuit with the aforementioned interviewer following along as she speaks.
Leota: ...Two weeks ago, "Lucky" Lei D, a sweet girl, just starting out, dropped on her head in her first match on a big stage. Last week, in front of my eyes, Maya Lethbridge, 9 years in the business, my friend, my tag team partner if she needs, dropped on her neck twice, then got stomped in the ribs, coughing blood after.
Davis: So, this is about revenge? For your students?
Leota: No.
Davis: No?
Leota: Lei and Maya, dey both grown women. Dey know trade. I taight dem and I warned dem. Dey cahn settle deir own scores.
Davis: Then... why?
Leota: Because Adiambo wants me. She dat satisfaction. I'll give it to her tonight.
The picture-in-picture ends.
Dominga: That did not answer my question at all.
The arena darkens, and a low buzzing sound is heard on the speakers. A series of numbers flashes on the titantron. 4. 13. 23. 30. 4. 13. 23. 30. 4. 13. 23. 30. Over and over this sequence repeats as a big, black owl creature flies closer and closer, reaching out with its talons and SCREECHING.
Fireworks explode, purple smoke fills the arena, and an intense guitar solo plays, equal parts fast tempo, night-riding and haunting.
Shamoon: Why does her pyro keep getting louder?
Athiambo, clad in all black with round sunglasses and a long, feathery coat, makes her way down to the ring.
Briar Lane: And her opponent. From Mombasa Island of the coast of Kenya, standing 5 ft 10 and weighing in at 165 pounds, The Dark Talon, ATHIAMBO!
The picture-in-picture returns.
Leota: ... I know exactly who Adiambo is. I did my time in the Lion's Den. Hell, I helped train some of de girl dere. In dat place, Ardur Chen is de king, a god. You look at him sideways, if he didn't send his little girl to break your arm, he'd send de owl-woman to straighten you out. (points at hereself) Mr Chen liked me. I made sure of dat (shrugs) and I never won much gold, so she never had a reason, but every time we locked eyes, I could tell she was looking for one.
In real-time, Athiambo climbs the steps and walks along the apron, watching Leota with each step behind her shades. Real Leota never takes her eyes off her.
Picture-in-picture Leota: Last week, when I was checking on Maya and Adiambo was hovering over me? Dat was her still looking for a reason. I shoved her away, because I wanted to finally give her a reason. Dat's why I asked Shabani to make dis match.
Athiambo climbs a turnbuckle and removes her glasses to reveal her face, so uncannily owl-like with large eyes. Eyes that are usually cold are currently smiling, even as no other facial muscle moves.
Leota just walks right up to her, staring up, fearlessly. The crowd pops when Athiambo looks down from her perch. Neither woman blinks.
Dominga: I still don't get it. She avoided this woman for years, knowing what she's capable of; knowing she's been looking for an excuse to kill you, and you just give in?
A.B.: The way I see it, it's now or never. Although this time, Arthur Chen isn't here to tug on Athiambo's leash.
Dominga: Exactly! There's no benefit to having this match.
Referee Georgia Holliday urges Leota to back up. She does not obey.
Dominga: Seriously, what is it with all the stubborn old women on this brand?
A.B. (voice dangerously low): And what's that supposed to mean?
Dominga: NOTHING!
The picture-in-picture returns with Leota's final words to Chloe Davis.
Leota: ... I don't know if I'm gonna walk out of dat ring, or I'm gonna crawl out, or I'm gonna be carried out. I DO know dat if dere's a soul under all dat flesh, blood... feathers (gets right in Chloe's face, menacingly, teeth-bared, voice low), I'm taking a piece of it.
The clip ends. Holliday finally manages to widen the space between the two.
Shamoon: Ha! I get it now. She's such a tsundere.
A.B.: A what?
Dominga (gritting teeth): I wanna say it. I wanna say it so bad.
Shamoon: Athiambo hurt two of Leota's students already. There's quite a few women on this brand whom Leota helped get into the business that we're going to see tonight. I think she made this match hoping Athiambo will leave them alone after getting what she wants.
Dominga: Well, that's stupid.
A.B.: I think it's noble, and I hope her gamble pays off.
Athiambo takes off her jacket and hops down from the turnbuckle, keeping her eyes firmly on the older Samoan woman, who, in turn, never looks away either.
Holliday calls for the bell. The match officially begins, but the staring contest continues.
Shamoon: Somebody blink, please!
Dominga: Nerd like you hasn't heard of weeping angels? Blink, and you di-AY CARAMBA!
A.B.: ATHIAMBO WITH A ROUNDHOUSE KICK! LEOTA WITH NO TIME TO REACT!
Shamoon: How is she still standing?!
Athiambo pulls her leg back and tilts her head to match the current angle of Leota's. The Mother Hen peaks out from under her long, voluminous hair and holds up a single finger.
Shamoon: What does that mean?
A.B.: That was a free shot.
Dominga: She left herself open for a head kick on purpose?! This lady is loco!
A.B.: She is Leota, and I think Athiambo has realised she's not going to be bulldoze her like she did
Shamoon: That was how she beat Lei D. One kick, and the Butterfly Piledriver, and it was over.
Leota straightens her neck and bends forward, her single pointed finger becomes an open hand with flexing fingers raised high overhead. She holds out her other hand, low.
A.B.: And now a callback to last week. Maya Lethbridge initiated a Knuckle Lock.
Shamoon: Yeah, but it was supposed to be a trap. She tried to go for a German or something.
Dominga: And got an elbow for her trouble.
Athiambo squints before crouching as well. She locks fingers up high, but not low. They stare at each other again before locking their lower hands and engaging in a pushing match.
Shamoon: Leota's not a power type wrestler, is she?
Dominga: If she wasn't, that kick would have decapitated her.
A.B.: It's an understated aspect of her style, but I'm not sure she can match Athiambo.
The two women struggle for a moment, neither giving an inch, but Athiambo, the taller and heavier woman, slowly gains ground. Leota's feet don't move, but her back starts to bend.
A.B.: Just as I suspected, Athiambo gaining the adv- Headbutt by Leota!
Dominga: Hey, that's cheating!
Shamoon: How?
Dominga: She's Samoan.
Shamoon: That's fair.
A.B.: Athiambo dazed on her feet. Leota still keeping hold. Pulls her into a Belly-to-Belly! Here's the cover. Athiambo kicks out.
Shamoon: So, she's human after all.
Dominga: Lucky shots!
A.B.: Leota going for a grounded headlock. Blocked. Athiambo slips out, now taking the top position. Forearm strike- Blocked! Leota takes top! Armbar attempt. Athiambo locking her hands. Not letting Leota get that full extension. Oh, there's a pin, Leota kicks out. Both women back to their feet!
Dominga: Okay, nevermind.
Athiambo squints again before holding up her hands. Leota lets out a small breath before doing the same.
A.B.: Collar-and-elbow Tie-up! Another test of a strength that is going to- Leota slipping out, Standing Wrist-lock.
Shamoon: Twisting Athiambo's arm.
Athiambo rolls forward, kips up and counters into a Wristlock of her own.
A.B.: Perfect show of athleticism and technique by the Dark Talon. Turning the tables. There's the go-behind, still in control of the arm.
Shamoon: Leota still has one free arm.
A.B.: Indeed, she does, and there's a Snapmare Takedown! Leota back in control. Sleeper Hold- No, Athiambo keeps the arms apart. Getting back to her feet. Elbows to the gut. Forcing the separation- No, Leota with a German Suplex! A textbook Suplex. There's the bridge, pinning predicament. Athiambo kicks out again!
Shamoon: Leota's still got the Waistlock.
A.B.: Both women back to their feet. Athiambo trying to break the Mother Hen's grip. Look at the strain, the clenching of the jaw.
Shamoon: I haven't seen her so much as frown before. Leota's really making her work tonight.
Dominga: Yeah, but for how long?
Athiambo drives Leota back into a nearby corner.
Holliday: Leota she's touching the ropes. Let her go.
Leota doesn't let go. Athiambo elbows her in the head. Still no release.
Holliday: Hey, stop that!
Athiambo uses her other elbow, then the first one and back again. Alternating, each strike more vicious than the last, but Leota still refuses to release the waistlock.
Dominga: Leota's going to get concussed or disqualified. What is she doing?!
Holliday: Alright. 1! 2! 3!
Leota suddenly releases and quickly jumps onto the middle rope.
Dominga: ¡Dios mío!
A.B.: Diving Bulldog by Leota! She is not a high flyer, ladies and gentlemen.
Shamoon: She's got her in position! For the Bulldog Choke!
The crowd goes wild.
A.B.: She has put so many people away with this move... And there it is! Submission applied. Centre of the ring. Athiambo with nowhere to go!
Shamoon: Look at the way she's sitting forward. She is cranking on the neck!
Dominga: It's like she's trying to rip her head off!
A.B.: And the eyes! The eyes of Athiambo! Desperately struggling. Trying to break the grip. Trying every which way to escape! Pulling! Pushing! Twisting! Nothing is working!
Crowd: Tap! Tap! Tap!
Shamoon: Leota promised. She promised she was going to take a piece of Athiambo's soul tonight. I think Athiambo's finally remembered that she has one.
A.B.: She wanted this! She wanted this fight. She's been wanting it, craving it, and she's getting more than she bargained for.
Crowd: TAP! TAP! TAP!
Dominga: Leota like an anchor stuck in a rock. She just does not move!
Shamoon: The way she's snarling. Like a bulldog herself!
Crowd: TAP! TAP! TAP! TAP! TAP! TAP! TAP! TAP! TAP! TAP! TAP! TAP! TAP! TAP! TAP!
Dominga: I... I think she's about to. I think this is over!
A.B.: Some white whales are not worth cha- No, Athiambo found a sweet spot! Rolling Leota onto her shoulders! Pinning predicament! Leota has to kick out!
Dominga: How did she do that?! How did she escape?!
Shamoon: She moved forward at just the right angle and rolled too fast before Leota to readjust!
A.B.: An incredible counter, but it may have only delayed the inevitable.
Athiambo sits up, clutching her neck and breathing heavy. This allows Leota to grab her in an Inverted Facelock and drag her to her feet.
A.B.: Leota going for TDD! The Discipline Drop- Knee to the face by Athiambo!
Shamoon: She should know that doesn't work by now!
A.B.: Another knee! Right to the eye! Leota forced to let go.
Athiambo falls to a knee, taking a deep breath and mouthing something barely audible.
Shamoon: She just said something. What'd she say?
Dominga: She said, "Enough."
Leota, blinking her eye and shaking her head, attempts to grab Athiambo again and gets a swift punch to the gut, followed by an open palm uppercut, then a kick to the calf and a forearm to the face. Blood and spit flies. The crowd grows increasingly silent.
A.B.: Athiambo with a vicious flurry! Going back to her wheelhouse of strikes.
Another forearm, a slap to the ear, a knee to the face, a European Uppercut, another punch to the gut, forcing Leota to double over.
Dominga: That's a lot of "free shots" there, Leota!
Athiambo grabs Leota's shoulders and forces her to stand straight so she can knee her in the back. She then wraps her arm around the older woman's torso and picks her up for a Sideslam Backbreaker. She keeps Leota on her knee, grabbing her leg and chin and pushing down, trying to fold the Mother Hen in Half.
A.B.: This match has completely turned! Athiambo's in firm contro- OH MY GOD! AN elbow to Leota's throat!
Dominga: Another one for the tab, and I don't think she's going to be paying it.
Shamoon: This is torture. The ref needs to stop this.
Leota coughs and wheezes. Holliday moves to check on her, but Athiambo doesn't give her the chance. She grabs the Samoan by the hair and sticks her head between her legs before hooking both her arms.
Shamoon: Oh no. No!
A.B.: Athiambo going for the Tiger Driver!
Shamoon: It's not a Tiger Driver! It's a Kneeling Butterfly Piledriver!
A.B.: Whatever you call it, Leota's fighting it!
Dominga: Why? Just let go. You're only making it worse!
Athiambo tries lifting Leota, but she kicks her feet and sandbags her as much as possible, keeping her centre of gravity low. Athiambo readjusts and attempts another lift, the result is the same. She decides to unhook one arm to continue the punishment, and Leota seizes the opening to slide that newly-freed arm between the Dark Talon's legs and pick her up in a Fireman's Carry.
A.B.: Samoan Drop coming- No, elbows to the face! Again and again and again. Leota dropping to a knee, losing strength, losing focus, losing the will to fight!
Shamoon: Holliday, ring the bell! She can't defend herself anymore! Oh no, not again!
Athiambo gets Leota in the Double Underhook once again and lifts her up, holding her for a moment as if to display her for the fans, some of whom desperately cheer for their beloved Mother Hen. She then drops to her knees, spiking Leota headfirst into the mat.
Dominga: Owl Wing Driver! There's a name for you!
Holliday: 1! 2! 3! Ring the bell.
The intense guitar riffs return.
Briar Lane: Here is your winner... the Dark Talon, ATHIAMBO!
A.B.: Mercifully, this is over.
Holliday raises the arm of the victor, who is currently rubbing her throat, still feeling the lingering vice from Bulldog Choke. The ref then kneels down to check on Leota, grabbing her by the hand.
Holliday: Leota? Leota, can you hear me?
Shamoon: Gosh, I hope she's okay...
Dominga: I'm sure she's just having a nice old nap. What do you think?
A.B.: I hope it was worth it. I hope Athiambo was satisfied.
Leota squeezes Holliday's hand. The ref sighs and calls for the medics. Athiambo turns away and is about to exit the ring before looking back at the Samoan and taking steps back towards her. The crowd starts screaming
Shamoon: What is she doing?
Dominga: She's coming back for more.
A.B.: No, come on! You've done enough. What more can she give you?
Holliday screams and pleads with Athiambo to leave well enough alone, but the Dark Talon ignores her. She stands right over her head, looking down with that familiar cold gaze. Her eyes are no longer smiling.
A.B.: We need some help out here! Leota's defenceless.
Dominga: Wait...
A.B.: Send Steele! Send-
Shamoon: Hold on. She's kneeling. Athiambo's kneeling.
A.B.: She's... What is this?
Athiambo, now on her knees with Leota motionless on the mat, bows deeply.
Dominga: What?
A.B.: Athiambo with a show of respect to the fight that Kalavina Leota gave her. And it was a fight!
Shamoon: A little hard to register when you drop someone on their head.
Athiambo then stands up and leaves as the medical team rushes into the ring.
A.B.: Safe to say, Athiambo's hunger for the Mother Hen has been sated.
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