Lightning Tournament: Round 1: Gabbie Desjardin Vs. Lucy Grange

Gabbie was feeling good as she waited backstage. After two straight victories to start off her career, she was invited to a special lightweight tournament but the AFW higher ups. She thought that winning this tournament would go a long way to prove to everyone that she had what it took to be in the league and that her greatness could shine no matter what sport she took up.

She was certain she could breeze through this tournament, even if the girl she was up against had been in a couple of pay-per-views. Maybe it was going to be her first real test, but she had looked through the matches. She was pretty sure the girl had actually wrestled in eggnog.

'I'm fighting one of my sister's opponents... this will be quick.'

"Oooh, good luck Gabbers! I'm so proud of you!" Came the chirping voice of her sister from behind her. Gabbie turned just in time to be mashed into Nicole's chest and hugged tightly. The blonde squirmed and shoved her sister off her, blushing furiously and thankful that her music started up.

"Ok, thanks... Nikki..." Gabbie said and flashed her sis a very terse smile before she exited into the arena. She shadowboxed her way down the ring, a white boxing robe trimmed in blue trim and the words DESJARDIN embroidered over a blue maple leaf. The billowing robe obscured her outfit, a white top with multicolored dots on it, trimmed in pink. She had bright pink boxing trunks styled to fit a little better in a wrestling environment. She kept her feet bare and her blond hair tied up with barrettes and a black scarf. The outfit was finished off by the pink MMA gloves that adorned her fists.

Once Gabbie was in the ring, she shadowboxed her way to the corner and waited for her opponent. She was pretty psyched even though she didn't show it on her face.

Ah Friction, Lucy hadn't been here for quite some time. Things had been crazy this year, UK Elite and all that. But still it was good to come back here, like coming back from the summer holiday and back to school. Ms Grange had been invited to take part in some tournament, with lightweight girls. Sounded fun, and felt like a good chance to cut loose and have a good match.

Knowing that looking up your opponent was important Ms Grange had done just that, seemed like she was going to be fighting someone who knew how to handle themselves. Good, that was how Lucy liked it. The last match she had was against a crossdressing guy, granted he was kinda cute but he was just lacking in well....fight to be honest. So yeah, Lucy could already tell this was gonna be a step up for sure.

In the back she was dressed in her usual British schoolgirl outfit, although the back of the jacket now displayed her and her faction on it with the union jack behind them. Lucy did some light stretching just to make sure the kinks were worked out, and then her phone went off.

It was a text message from her Brother.
"Win or lose give it your best Sis! Gonna be watching! "

Lucy smirked and responded.
"Cheers Bro! "

A stagehand informed the British girl it was time to enter the ring, silently Lucy walked to the curtain after sticking her phone in her locker. Only focusing on the noises of the outside crowd, and then it was time. Suddenly the lights went out in the arena, followed by the opening notes of Love, fury, passion, energy. by Boy Hits Car.

Orange mist enveloped the entrance ramp, and once the song broke into the lyrics that was when Lucy appeared. To a rather large reception, it seemed that given all that had happened with her Ms Grange had developed a rather large fanbase. The British girl took a second to admire the crowd, and then set her sights on the opponent in the ring.

This was then followed by Ms Grange skipping down the ramp, slapping hands with some of the lucky people in the front row. After which Lucy lept up the steel steps to the apron, and leap frogged in over the top rope into a forward roll. The British girl looked her opponent for tonight up and down a couple of times before giving a smile and nod. "S'up? The name's Lucy Grange, hope we have a good match." Lucy said as she made her way to the opposite corner of Gabbie. It wasn't going to be long till the bell rung.

Gabbie watched as the Brit came down the ramp in a much more cheerful demeanor. The way her sister might. Lucy's smile and cheerfulness might have been infectious, but Gabbie was a serious competitor looking for a serious fight.

She slipped the robe off of her and handed it to the referee. She then began stretching and rolling her arms back. As she turned to face Lucy, she bowed and then nodded.

"Gabbie Desjardin." She replied tersely. "Yeah, good luck." She said. "but... I'm not like those Christmas elves you're used to fighting." She added. As she waited for the bell, she began bouncing on the balls of her feet, her hands up in a proper guard.

When the bell rang, she bent her knees and shot out at Lucy as quick as she could. Preferring to strike, rather than grapple, she came at the Brit and aimed a sharp, snapping kick at the girl's bare thigh to try and take her off her balance and game plan.

Yep, it seemed like Lucy was going up against the strong and silent type eh? Well fine by her, Gabbie was a bit of an odd name though. But this was Japan, land where all sorts of stuff happened. What her opponent said though, that warranted a reply back. Ms Grange smirked and said "Oh! You just had to go there! Well okay, Christmas might be awhile. But don't worry, this schoolgirl has a few tricks that her old man taught her." nothing wrong with a little bit of pre match banter. But now it was going to be all business.

The bell rung and the match was underway, show time. Lucy approached Gabbie, an idea already forming in her mind. Based off of how Gabbie carried herself there might not be much point in slugging it out fist to fist, Ms Grange was no stranger to doing that given how back in school she got into fights against guys bigger than her. And usually came out better than they were, but still....

That surprise kick was the proving point, Lucy let out a yelp in response to it. Inwardly kicking herself for not wearing something to cover the leg, but it was part of the image that she had. Ms Grange staggered slightly, first strike to the enemy. Not good, but it didn't knock the British girl down. And that was when Lucy went on the attack, moving in to try and bust out a quick fireman's carry. Gabbie proved her adept speed with strikes, but if there was one thing Lucy could do good it was wrestling moves. The height and weight difference wasn't one to consider, perfect seeing that the British schoolgirl had learned a few powerhouse moves in her time in the squared circle.

Gabbie's plan had worked and Lucy was off balance. She hadn't expected Grange to go down, but she could keep working over Lucy's leg until she not only would fall down, but couldn't stand back up if she wanted to.

Gabbie shuffled forward to follow up and plant her foot for her next kick when Lucy decided to shoot. Gabbie grunted as Grange's shoulder buried itself into her tummy but as the Brit tried to heave, Gabbie swung her elbow down to try and jam it hard into Lucy's head, neck or shoulder to hopefully prevent her from completing the lift.

Lucy had an inkling that this wasn't going to be easy, any momentum gained in this match was going to be hard earned. No quarter given and all that stuff, which was fine. Ms Grange's old man taught her nothing worth anything in life came easy. And the school of hard knocks proved that much true, which was the Asian wrestling indie circuit.

Gabbie was showing that things weren't going to be easy, Lucy had her close in the grapple. But the opponent was firing out a shot, blasting the British girl in the shoulder and giving an audible grunt. It was a pretty good elbow shot, stunning Ms Grange for a second or two. Perhaps trying to continue this course for now was folly, maybe mixing things up could help Lucy's odds.

With that in mind Lucy would stand up and attempt to Irish whip Gabbie across the ring to the ropes. Perhaps this could lead to something that Ms Grange could use to her advantage, Gabbie already had two hits in a row thus far. Hopefully third time's the charm, and hopefully in regards to the British girl.

Gabbie felt Lucy's strength give when her elbow connected. She slipped off of the blonde Brit and knew her exact response once her feet were back on solid canvas. Facing each other, their bodies close, Gabbie rested her hands on Lucy's shoulders, looking to drive her knee as hard as she could into Lucy's gut. She could work from there, she knew that much.

However, her arm was swiftly grabbed, forcing her to readjust. Before she could, the bigger girl turned her light body and sent her flying off towards the ropes. Gabbie picked up steam. Even though her pure wrestling ability was limited, she knew to turn and hit the ropes with her back rather than crash into them front first. So she did, and lightly spun on her feet and crashed back against the ropes and propelled herself towards Lucy.

Gabbie put her head down as she ran. If the Brit wanted power, Gabbie would show her and when she got close, she leaped at Lucy, aiming a flying kick at the blonde's ample chest.

Lucy didn't like how this match had started, Gabbie was delivering some good shots in. But she had to have a weakness, everyone did. This match had just begun, it was going to take more than some blows to the body to put down Ms Grange. The young woman needed to get in a decisive move, it was time to rely more on the wrestling techniques that she had learned in her time.

Britain's baby girl was known for her striking ability, but she had felt that wasn't going to work in her favour here against Gabbie. Maybe some hit and run tactics sure, but a pitched out slugfest would probably work in the favour of the enemy. The enemy came from the ropes, Lucy stood where she was. Ready and hoping to accept.

And Ms Grange was correct in her mental assumption, looked like another strike attempt. Fair enough to stick to what you know, but third exchange was going to be the charm. Lucy tensed up and moved close to the side, in the hopes of being able to get one arm around Gabbie's leg and the other around her hip. To use the momentum and bring the enemy down with a spinebuster! Considering that Lucy had spent quite a bit of time going up against bigger opponents it wasn't something she usually did, but in sparring and being on the taking end of it thanks to her Brother. Well Lucy figured she knew how to pull one off.

Gabbie soared through the air, eager to send Lucy flying and put the blonde on her back. However, when Lucy seemed to side step Gabbie's kick and her leg was caught, the Canadian knew she wasn't in a very good position at all. She crashed into Lucy and was halted in a jarring fashion.

"Nngh!"

Unfortunately there was not much she could do in the split second between being upright and being hoisted in the air and put on her back as Lucy dropped to the canvas holding Gabbie.

"Oooughhh!"

Gabbie writhed in her loose position on Lucy's lap. Her eyes widened and she threw her arms behind her back clutched her head. That one hurt. A lot.