[FWC] Peace Of Mind - Mikoto Kusanagi vs. Chris Morgan

Standard Match
Winning Conditions: Pinfall, Submission or Knockout

A deep, breathing sound could be heard from the nearly empty locker room. Other wrestlers and passing staff members would acknowledge but not interrupt the source in the corner of the room, a kneeling Mikoto Kusanagi performing breathing exercises to calm her mind. She began to think this a meaningless act as her thoughts remained scattered with her emotions clouding her concentration. Images of her sickly mother maintaining the financially struggling shrine in her absence bothered her deeply, wishing she was there with her now instead of back in a wrestling arena. Thinking of her younger siblings whom she bid farewell to as her family didnâ€t have the money to support them all under one roof, scattered to live with distant relatives throughout Japan. Her heart felt like a boulder weighing her down at the thought, all on the-

“Ms. Kusanagi, 60 seconds!!!” An AFW employee barged into the locker and declared Mikotoâ€s debut match was next on the agenda.

“Huh?.....Y-yes, Iâ€m right here,” Miko lifted herself up and walked with authority to her starting point behind the curtain. All on the eve of her debut match. Although her mind and heart were back home, she knew that they were the entire reason for her reentrance into the wrestling scene. Her history as a veteran Wrestle Angel still earned her some clout and nearly any member from the now defunct organization brought up ticket sales. With enough matches and if the paychecks were study enough she may just be able to-

And now, introducing first, from Yamagata, The Indomitable Miko Princess, Mikoto Kusanagi!!!

“O-oh, shoot,” Still distracted enough to nearly miss her cue, Mikoto pushed aside the curtain as her old familiar [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3mJLUZOJBM:nv7dz6wg]theme[/url:nv7dz6wg] heralded her entrance. Her fist raised proudly in the air as the audience roared with extra enthusiasm tonight, not just because the debut of any former wrestle angel was always a momentous occasion. As an WA veteran, the executives of AFW gave Mikoto the choice of who would be her first opponent, and once she saw Chris Morgan on the roster list there was no longer any need to debate. Simply seeing her name again brought up unfamiliar feelings of anger in Mikoto, who hardly held grudges or such negative emotions as she did towards Chris, the reason she felt for so much misery in her life. The chance to see a former W.A. bring down the vile woman thought to be the reason for its collapse brought the audience to a fever pitch.

Running under the ropes to the farthest corner and raising both fists in the air to rile the audience even more for the hometown hero, Mikoto jumped down and folded her arms as she glared vehemently at her soon to be approaching adversary, never having smiled this entire time…

Chris Morgan sat alone, inside a small waiting room near the ramp's exit. She kept her breathing even, despite the turmoil her mind was in. This match wasn't going to be against an opponent with whom she was starting a clean slate with. No, this time the match request didn't come from the league's producers, but instead through management, via another wrestler's request. Her name was Mikoto Kusanagi.

A former Wrestle Angel.

An aide opened the door, saying that it was time for her to start making her way to the curtain. Nodding wordlessly in reply, the blonde rose to her feet, following him out. Her mind continued to work as she walked. She knew of Mikoto, of course. During her time as the champion, she had tried to compose a list of challengers that would drum up fan interest. She had passed over Mikoto name due to the girl's youth at the time, even though her fighting style had drawn her interest. She had meant to keep track of the Japanese miko during her time with the league, watching her develop and grow before reaching out to her. Of course after the league fell apart, those plans were dashed, and Chris had lost track of everyone, retreating to her own work and mostly solitary life in the States. Who knew what had happened to Mikoto after her time at Wrestle Angels?

"And now making her way to the ring, The 'Phenomenon of Heaven', Chris....Morgan!" the announcer bellowed.
She shook of those musings as she stepped onto the ramp leading down to the ring. Her [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMlj90r09TY#t=55:2b0t1u3e]theme's[/url:2b0t1u3e] opening notes had begun before she appeared, timed so she made her entrance at the music's opening crescendo. Chris's eyes focused on Mikoto as she made her way down to the ring. The crowd's reaction was as she expected: openly hostile. They had seen her escape vengeance at the hands of Valley Doll, but now, here, there was a chance for the fans of the old league to witness true justice: Defeat at the hands of a former Wrestle Angel.

*I can't lay down for any of them.* she thought. *Not while Hibiki Izayoi watches and waits. Not while any of them are, but her more than the others. She has to see me as a threat, someone out to steal her chance at revenge by beating the former Wrestle Angels first. And if she's focused on me, that's another Angel she's not going after. As for the rest....if they see Mikoto fall against me maybe they'll start to rally together, united by a mutual enemy. Perhaps it'll even be the start of something, them standing as one, under the gaze of the cheering fans, a sort of resurrection of the Wrestle Angel's pride and glory.*
The thought drew a wistful smile on her face as she climbed into the ring. The crowd, seeing it on the arena's big screen, booed louder, shaking her out of her reverie.
*A little much to hope for...but even the guilty can dream.* she told herself silently.
Stepping towards the middle of the ring, she met Mikoto's baleful gaze with her own, even gaze, complete with expressionless poker face. After a moment, she gestured for a microphone. Chris figured that giving Mikoto a chance to air her grievances might help her. After all, she guessed, if the younger girl challenged her, on her own accord, it meant she had an issue. Taking it, she spoke, her words making the crowd quiet.
"Hm?" the blonde raised an eyebrow. "You look like there's something you want to say...." Chris kept her voice polite, but cold.

Merely the sight of the former champion ignited a chorus of ‘boos†from the jam packed crowd, her controversial reputation preceding her wherever she went. The grandiose theme perfectly complimented Chrisâ€s aura of intimidation, the priestess†heart racing as a result, the moment soon drawing near. Mikoto needed no one to tell her how much of a mistake this may have been, this was her first official match in years, and all the preparation in the world couldnâ€t prepare her for the challenge marching down the ramp at this moment, the Phenomenon Chris Morgan. Considered to be one of the more talented wrestlers of her generation, her reign as Wrestle Angel champion still to this day cements her as one of the longest running title holders in any wrestle league.

However, in Mikotos mind all she saw was the villainess who through sheer audacity and boundless greed helped bankrupted an entire federation at the cost of hundreds of peoples†livelihoods. The media spin coverage of Wrestle Angels collapse placed Chris Morgan at the center of the controversy, a relatively simple feat considering her influential position as champion as well as a financial advisor. The money lost from no longer being able to wrestle cost Miko everything, the shrine in need of repairs, her entire family broken with the friends she made from Wrestle Angel scattered to the winds. All of this turmoil in her life happening while she witnessed Chris Morgan on the news fly to America untouched from any legal repercussion. Mikotos normally shy demeanor giving way to a boiling temper, gritting her teeth when she saw Chris smile at the situation, most likely thinking Mikoto was no threat to her.

Reaching to grab her own mic from the ref, Mikoto breathed through her nose to calm herself, public speaking actually a being hidden fear of hers, but for now she would speak from the heart. “If there was the time and I but had the words, I would tell you everything you deserved to hear. How could you dare to set foot in a ring again after all the heinous acts youâ€ve committed? Was it not enough for you the first time, that you wish to bring down another federation through your misdeeds? Using your crooked influence to maintain your championship run and bleed the company dry. Youâ€ve no idea the lives youâ€ve hurt through your actions, nor do you care I wager. People……needed……*sigh*……For some of us this is more than just a profession, for some of us this was a vital lifeline just to get by, day….by day” Mikoto lowered her mike and steadied her breathing, needing to compose herself as she looked downwards to the mat…

Chris waited stoically as Mikoto spoke. The girl's speech was terrible to hear, the accusations outright shameful, but still she listened, committing her words to memory. It was, after all, part of the reason she came back, to give the former Wrestle Angels a target for the frustration and rage that had plagued them. She wanted to protest her innocence, to say it wasn't her fault.

But that wouldn't be true.
*I should've seen it. There was no way I could've held the belt that long against the rest of the roster. A lot of them were good, more than capable of being able to beat me. But a lot of the title matches were practically set ups. And even when I lost, I found myself back in the title hunt before too long.* Chris thought back to her time in the league. *But, I thought I was just that good. God, I was so stupid, so arrogant. When I found out about the finance issues, I should've blown the whistle, but the President told me that the league would have to close while being investigated. So I tried to fix it...and couldn't, no matter what I tried!*
For a brief moment, while Mikoto was facing the mat, Chris's expression was one of misery and guilt. However, she composed herself quickly. She didn't have time right now to pity herself. That would be selfish, in her view. Because again, Mikoto was right. Chris managed to pick up the pieces of her life, turning to her accounting and business finance skills to make a living. For many others....wrestling was all they knew. So, while the blonde wanted to scream that the Japanese woman was wrong, that she did care or else she would've never come here, she couldn't. She had a part to play.

"You're right." Chris spoke finally. "I don't know how many lives I've ruined with the Wrestle Angel's collapse. At the moment though...I only see you in front of me. So, yours is the one I'm concerned about right now. Your 'lifeline'....this 'day to day' existence you found here in the AFW. Defend it. Fight for it, with everything you've got....." she paused.
*Oh god this is it....once I say it, there is no turning back.* Chris had time to think.
"...because if you don't, it's going to be taken from you and you'll be left, broken and beaten."
Although Chris didn't say it would be her doing, alluding instead to Hibiki Izayoi's proclamation of war, which had happened before the Japanese woman's arrival to the AFW, the crowd roared in defense of Mikoto. Chris let the mic drop to the mat, where a ring attendant grabbed it before hurrying out.

Mikoto hands would tremble after her heartfelt proclamation. She didnâ€t think she had in her, for some one as quiet and introverted as her to express her feelings so truthfully in front of the entire world. Bottling up her emotions and being the support pillar for her family was how she was raised, but she had never felt so helpless before as her life fell apart around her. The media had done such a thorough job of pinning the blame on Chris, the lavish and imposing executive/champion whose image fit the role perfectly. Mikotos fragile state of mind and her pent up frustrations made her highly susceptible to the slanted spin coverage, easily latching onto Chris as the source of her suffering. She didnâ€t know who she resented more, this detestable woman for taking it all away….or herself for letting it all happen.

*Eh?! She….she canâ€t be serious. She really knows no remorse for all the damage sheâ€s done?! Does she really have no heart at all?!* Her eyes lit up and shot straight to her opponent at Chris†cold hearted statement, but it was what she said next that truly caught her by surprise. Was she really threatening to perpetrate the same crimes once again, to leave her without a way to support her family and ruin the lives of so many more?! Raising her mic with a shaking hand, Mikotos resolve in this match would reach new heights as she gave a steely eyed glare to her opponent. “…You truly are a monster…..I….I WILL defend it, and I WILL see you pay for all youâ€ve done!!!”

Flicking her mic to the referee, Mikoto ran full speed towards the towering blonde former champion, the bell ringing in mid sprint. Mikoto never thought she would find herself in the ring against Chris Morgan of all people, running straight on towards her monumental challenge. In Wrestle Angel she was never thought to be considered on her level in terms of skill, but this was her chance to prove that she had what it takes to compete with the greats of their former league, some of whom were friends she may never see again. Wrapped up in the moment, Mikoto would hopefully run low enough to try and deliver a concentrated elbow strike to the phenomâ€s abs.

*Here she comes....* Chris thought as she readied herself. She had caught Mikoto's look of shock turn into pure determination. The crowd backed her words with a mighty roar as the shrine maiden rushed the Californian colossus!

Chris tried to lash out with a clothesline as Mikoto came in, but the Japanese woman went low and under, slamming her elbow into her midsection with jarring force. Staggering back, she doubled over as the crowd cheered Mikoto for taking the delivering the first strike!

*It…It worked?* Mikoto had practically closed her eyes in prayer the split second before her strike found itâ€s target, the well-defined abs of the blonde former champion. She dreaded her impulsive attack was too brash and easily countered but her speed earned her the advantage, which she had every intention of keeping.

Pressing forward, Miko would clasp both hands behind Chris†head and pull her in closer to Mikos chest allow for several concentrated knee strikes to her abs. The crowd was behind the priestess in a way that had never been before, roaring out loudly despite the match only just starting. Finally having her hands on Chris made this entire situation feel so much more real to Miko, this actually was her chance to bring justice to this cruel woman! Each knee strike had more and more intensity put into it, Mikoto working on what she hoped would be a weak spot for the rest of the match. After her last knee strike, Miko would jump up and wrap her arm around Chris†neck in a front facelock. Her legs crossed behind Chris†back and squeezing tightly on her ribs, hoping her added weight would force the Californian to her knees.

“Y-you donâ€t deserve to be in this ring…”

Chris's eyes opened wide as each knee impacted her midsection. She knew the Asian woman would come at her hard, but this was something else. Either Mikoto had been spending a lot of years training, or she really had an issue with her. Probably both.

The smaller woman swung her legs up around her waist, while applying a front facelock, tucking her arm around Chris's neck. The crowd was going crazy, seeing Mikoto attack so aggressively right at the outset. Chris barely heard Mikoto's spoken words.
"You don't deserve to be in this ring."

The words jarred loose a memory from Chris's youth during her time in the Wrestling Angel's developmental training league. The large, blonde haired American had been a target for the rest of the women there, being the outsider. It was the favorite taunt of the other wrestlers she trained alongside as well as some of the trainers. To this day, those words never failed to get her ire up.
"And who are you to say that...to me!?" was her reply back then, and they came into play now. And as always, they always were followed by a demonstration of her strength.

Chris caught herself, supporting Mikoto's weight, her arms wrapping around the girl's middle to hold her close. With a loud yell, she ran straight towards one of the corners and it's turnbuckles, then leap towards it. Her face, tucked down as it was, would clear the top turnbuckle, but Mikoto's body would be caught between the American's and the corner.

Mikoto had meant every word of what she had said, not in regards to the Phenomâ€s skills in the ring, which should go without saying. If Chris truly was guilty of the crimes the media had accused her of, than Mikoto felt she had no right stepping back into the ring after having abused her power for her own personal gain. The priestess herself couldnâ€t believe how riled up she was, her heart beating a mile a minute as she squeezed tighter on the hold. This was all so foreign to her, normally being calm and composed no matter who her opponent was, but Chris had done more than enough to earn her frustrated attitude. Unfortunately, her brave declaration against Chris was poorly worded, looking shocked as she was raised into the air.

“Wha?” Miko thought for sure her front face lock was bringing Chris to her knees and choking her out, but the blonde Californian for some reason got a surge of adrenaline as she sprung up from her crouching position and ran full steam towards the nearest turnbuckle. With barely any time to react Miko could only shut her eyes in a futile attempt to brace herself. “Ahh!!” Miko felt every bit of Chris†renowned strength as the muscled impact crushed Mikoto between the colossus†well-toned body and the turnbuckle, the corner itself shaking slightly as well. Her head lowered on Chris shoulder, the brutal tackle made her wonder if everyone on Chris's level was this strong. The crowd gave out a collected “ohh..” from the display, Miko herself going slack in Chris†clutches, slowly releasing her from the front face lock and too stunned to try and escape…

Free from the miko's facelock, Chris was free to draw herself up to her full height and study Mikoto. The other woman's real meaning wasn't lost of the blond, who knew if their roles were reversed she'd would feel the same way. Her fit of temper was born more out of a gut reaction to the words being used by the smaller woman. However, Chris knew that most of those women were long gone. One of her few joys in the last year of the Wrestle Angels was handing those bullies their walking papers. Mikoto though, she told herself, she wasn't one of them. In fact, Mikoto was like most of the roster, knowing only the story that made it into the headlines and magazines.
"And what do you know of it anyway?" Chris mused aloud. "You were a child back then...."


Deciding that the same tactic she used against Valley Doll in her first AFW match would be a good one here, Chris grasped a hold of the second rope with both hands one on either side of Mikoto. Then, she squatted down and lunged, while pulling herself forward with her arms, burying her shoulder into the smaller girl's midsection with surprising force, considering she had no running start. The American would repeat this again and again, until after the fifth time, she would listen to the ref's warning to let Mikoto out of the the ropes and back away....