For the Thrill of the Fight: Vida Fenix vs. Emily Blascowicz

From backstage, the sounds of the fans came through as a muffled drum. Whatever the previous match was, it had seemed to rile them up, and they were eager to see the next match get rolling. Their chants and cheers, however, were no match for the pounding of Vida Fenix's heart against her ribcage. That was nearly loud enough to keep her from hearing the road agent calling her out to the entrance, telling her to take the stage.

Reponding after the third call, Vida sheepishly laughed and took her position. Since returning to AFW, this would be the young latina's first singles match. Her first night out there alone, without her veteran mentor to lean on for support. Considering that her last singles match had put her on the shelf for some time, Vida was more than a little nervous about tonight's challenges.

Then, her music hit and it all seemed to go away. Heart still pounding, Vida exploded onto the entrance ramp to a warm reception. She grinned, ear to ear, as she waved and hopped. Despite her less-than-stellar record, it seemed the vivacious young latina could still draw good heat from the crowd ...

Making her way to the ring, high-fiving and waving to fans all the way, Vida scaled the corner ringpost and stood tall at the top turnbuckle. Spreading her arms like wings, she soaked in the adoration of the fans. Closing her eyes, she let the arena lights and pounding cheers soothe her, though nothing could steady her nerves completely. Diving off the turnbuckle into a forward flip, Vida rolled through to her feet. Acknowledging the referee, Vida turned her attention to the entrance ramp. Whoever her next opponent may be, whatever sort of competition she was going to bring in, Vida prayed that she would be ready.

Emily sat in the locker room backstage, lacing up her boots when she heard her cue to come onto the stage. Taking a moment to focus herself, the redhead allowed that familiar, almost predatory, grin to come to her face again, wondering who they'd have her up against next. Since that debut with Neske, Emily had yet to lose a single match, something that was honestly starting to worry her. She'd heard about the big league fighters, but so far, it seemed that she kept missing them.

Allowing a resigned sigh, the redhead took solace in the knowledge that, at the end of the day, all that really mattered was that the match was fun, which it usually was. Finally, the drums kicked in on her theme and the redhead took to the stage with roaring applause, clad only in her usual outfit of a bikini, wrestling boots, and a wanton smile. Making her way down the ramp, the redhead took in the sight of her opponent, a cute latina girl who was almost bursting with energy.

Oh yes, this will be fun indeed.

Her grin widened as she took the girl in before climbing up into the ring, eyes on her opponent the whole time.

"Well, looks like the crowd's all psyched up," Emily remarked, "Let's give them their money's worth, shall we?"

Vida's hopping settled down, a bit, as her opponent's music blared over the loudspeakers. As usual, the aspiring luchadora had no advance warning or notice of who her opponent would be, or what to expect out of her. Part of her liked it that way. Another part, though, was trying to get as quick a read of the confident redhead coming down the ramp toward her ...

Something about her felt "off." The grin, the steady glare. Vida shivered visibly, as she watched her opponent approach. She tried to hold her expression calm and steady, even as her eyes traveled nervously up and down Emily's figure, sizing her up.

"Of course," Vida promised, "hope you're ready to bring your best, too!" That seemed honest enough, but there was still something about that smile that made Vida visibly nervous. Regardless, the youthful latina extended her hand to offer a respectful handshake before the opening bell.

The redhead looked down at the offered hand curiously before looking back up at Vida. Emily considered taking a cheap shot right here and now, but soon decided otherwise. It would be much more fun to lull the girl into false sense of security first. With that in mind, Emily reached out and shook Vida's hand.

"Oh don't worry about that," Emily said with a smile, "I just hope you can handle it."

With that, the redhead would step back to her own corner, waiting for the bell to ring.

Vida grinned from ear to ear, as Emily shook her hand. The girl's comments about 'handling it' were a bit confusing, but her show of sportsmanship was enough to earn Vida's trust. This was going to be a nice, solid match, and Vida was pleasantly comfortable in that.

When the opening bell rang, Vida went in swiftly. Sidling up to Emily, she reached out, and tried to take hold of Emily's wrist. If she could catch hold of her that way, the young luchadora would attempt to catch her in an arm wringer, hoping to throw the young woman off her game early and get the match underway, in her favor.

Emily felt the anticipation bubbling within her as the bell rang. It seemed her opponent took it that way too, swiftly charging in and reaching for the redhead's arm. Emily's widened at her speed, reacting on reflex by lashing out with a boot, trying to score a hit on the young latina's toned stomach.

A rush of adrenaline surged through Vida's head, as she threw herself into the match. It had been far too long since she'd faced one-on-one competition, and now she finally had her chance to get back in the thick of it. Grinning from ear to ear, the youthful Latina grasped at her opponent's arm, mind racing with thoughts of what she could do, next.

All of that came to a grinding halt, though, as Emily's boot thrust hard against Vida's abs. "HHHhhhgggnnnn!" she groaned, doubling over in pain. Vida immediately wrapped both arms around her belly, Emily's strength and Vida's own momentum making sure the kick landed with horrible force.

Stumbling back, doubled over at the waist, Vida's body was trembling. "Uughh," she moaned, trying to look up at Emily. She was in no position to defend herself, at the moment, but Vida still wanted to try and see whatever might come next ...

With Vida bent over like that, the redhead was tempted to lead into an ab stretch right then and there. However, a submission this early in the match could provide the Latina an opportunity to counter, so she decided to go with something a bit more straightforward.

Turning to face Vida properly, Emily launched a knee straight for Vida's head, bent forward as she was.

Stunned and dazed, Vida struggled to get herself back up to a vertical base. Core muscles aching and tightening, it was all Vida could do to clutch at her aching belly and keep herself from falling down. She was easy pickings for Emily's knee strike to the face, a flash of white bursting behind her eyes before she fell back.

"Aaaoww!" Vida cried out, the hard knee slamming straight into her forehead. Emily laid the wobbly latina out with the strike, leaving a panting and gasping Vida flat on her back. Arms and legs splayed out in every direction, Vida stared at the ceiling, trying to lift her head to at least look at her opponent. "Oooh," she moaned, struggling, but managing to remain conscious.

Seeing her opponent laid out like that, the redhead found herself unable to resist the temptation any longer. However, she managed to keep herself from trying some elaborate, instead simply moving over to try to pick up Vida's legs, intending to turn the Latina over and lock in a Boston Crab.

"You still there?" Emily called out.