The Arisawas vs. The Rodriguezes - World Warriors

Match Type: Tag Team
Victory Conditions: Pinfall, Submission, or Knockout


The audience was set. The ring was cleaned of all bodily fluids. The referee was waiting for the competitors. Overpriced goods were being sold throughout stands.

Everything was set for another exciting Tension match, and the one that was coming up soon had some real potential - Carmen and Armando, the Rodriguez siblings, going up against the Arisawas, an unknown pair. Tension was famous for its wrestling brother/sister teams: the Akamatsus, the Gastins, the Takeuchis, the Laurences. Would these two fit in? There was only one way to find out, and judging by the familiar guitar riff coming out over the speakers, that was about to happen.

First came Army, slipping out from the curtain and bouncing to the music. He waved his hands to audience, getting a modest pop, especially from the female portion. Rightfully so, too, since he looked damn good tonight. Wearing his red boxing trunks with the red trim and his matching boots, they all could get a good look at every cut muscle across his body. The wrapped fists showed he was ready to go, and whoever they were fighting tonight could expect more than a few of his better punches coming their way.

But he wasn’t alone. Carmen Rodriguez, the 24/7 Champion, came out a moment later, with her title belt in hand. For the first time in a few months, she was dressed for standard combat, dressed up in her black tight and her sports bra with her boxing robe over the whole deal. The Japanese crowd gave this a much larger reaction than Army received - she was more popular, and while people were okay with her winning the 24/7 title, that meant they didn’t get the chance to see her live and in person too often. This was a rare treat.

Army gave Carmen a little elbow in the side as they made their way down to the ring.”Ready to do this?”

She returned the elbow with one of her own, a little harder. ”Are you ready?”

”Born ready.” He spun around and hopped down the ramp, walking backwards so she could see the wide grin on his face. ”It’s just two noobs, nothing to worry about.”

Carmen let out a long exasperated sigh. ”Noobs. Right. You do know one of them is a karate champion, right?” Carmen made her way down to ringside and slid on inside, quickly giving space for Army’s bulky body to do the same.”A little research wouldn't kill you.”

”And a little relaxation wouldn't kill you.” Army bounced up to his feet and raised his fists into the air, soaking in the crowd’s cheers. ”Not every fight’s got to be some intense throw down. Sometimes, it’s just about looking good and taking them out quick, make a little statement. Easy.”

”Easy. Right.” Carmen handed her belt off to the announcer by the ringside area, letting him laying int the timekeeper booth for safekeeping. Her gaze turned towards the entrance ramp as their music started to die down, and the audience waited a debut for two new stars. Always exciting. ”We’ll see.”

Goto clenched his fists and took a breath. He was feeling ready to fight and not nervous one bit. He raised his hand and ruffled his sister's hair. "Don't be nervous, Na-chan." Goto said with a smile. "Just sit back and watch Armando-san and I have an epic battle!"

Goto slapped Natsuko on her back as his music started up Goto strolled confidently out from the backstage area. As he looked at the arena, he rested his hands on his hips and puffed out his chest. He smiled brightly and took in the scene before marching down the ramp.

After slipping into the ring, he looked over the siblings and bowed his head to Armando. "I hope you're ready to show these two how men fight!" He declared.

"H-Hey...M-Me? Oh I'm fine, I'm fine...What would make you think I wasn't fine?" Natsu's squeamish response wouldn't exactly exude overwhelming confidence after her brother patted her on her back. Peering out from behind the blackened curtains during her brother's entrance certainly didn't settle her nerves. The hundreds of fans and millions watching at home certainly was a far cry from the her normal crowd during her practice bouts, which numbered in the single digits, on a busy day...The stadium's crowds looked so much smaller on T.V...

Pre-match stretches weren't doing the trick. Pacing back and forth while practicing her yoga breathing techniques weren't helping much either. Eventually she closed her eyes to imagine themselves as the winners and all the outside noise faded into the background. Centering herself on that one clear goal helped her focus. Screw those yoga breathing techniques.

Once the guitar riffs of her theme started playing, Natsu would come bursting out from behind the curtain in dramatic fashion by dashing head on down the ramp at maximum velocity with her white headband flowing behind her. Decked out in her high-school seifuku comprised of her naval blue skirt, white top, sparring gloves and bright red Converse sneakers. Her youthful exuberance and eagerness was an infectious trait that led to her getting a decent round of applause, but her speedy entrance didn't give the audience much chance to react as she had already slid under the bottom rope and was bouncing on her feet while the announcer was midway through pronouncing her name.

"Whew!! I can't wait to do that again!!" Natsu cheerfully proclaimed with a beaming smile towards the Rodriquez's in their opposite corner, still bouncing up and down on the balls of her feet in hyperactive giddiness. The rebellious vocals and guitar riffs of her theme coupled with the the Japanese audiences inherent favoritism towards schoolgirls had resulted in a resoundingly positive reaction. The thrill of her first entrance in a Tension match had Natsu electrically charged, bursting at the seams to get things underway.

"OH, and you!!!" Natsu happily exclaimed before emphatically pointing at Carmen. "You're AWESOME!! And you!! Uh...you're, uh you're ok, I guess..." Natsu said while pointing at Army, wincing slightly and shaking her hand in a so-so, wishy-washy manner before resuming to point at Carmen. "But you, you're awesome!!"

As Carmen met their opponents for what would be her first tag team match with her brother, she was immediately met with conflicting feelings.

On the one hand, she loved Natsu at first glance. She was the sort of girl - or young woman - that Carmen loved to have at her boxing school. Fresh and energetic, bright and cheerful, with an infectious grin that seemed to spread out through the audience. It even had Carmen smirking, and she usually kept things serious all the way once she stepped through the ropes.

On the other hand, though, her brother was starting to make her lose that smirk. Two seconds in, and Styx was immediately reminded of her father. It seemed like Army saw the resemblance, too. ”Ha!” Army had a short but full belly laugh and returned Goto’s bow. ”I like this guy! Notsomuch the girl, but the guy had great taste.”

”You would.” She fought the temptation to roll her eyes and stepped forward. Carmen extended her hand towards Natsu, with a small nod on top. ”Pleasure to meet you. And thanks, it’s nice to know I’m awesome.” She threw a quick glare towards Goto, then focused back on the shining lady before her. ”Seems like your brother doesn’t agree, though.”

Goto looked at Natsuko and shook his head. "Natsuko-san! How unbecoming!" He scolded. They were opponents. Respect, when deserved, was fine, but adoration? It showed how green Natsuko was.

Goto ignored Carmen and began to bounce on his heels in anticipation. "I'm eager to start!" He said, focusing only on Army. "I hope you are too! They would prattle on all day if we let them." Goto said dismissively in regards to Carmen and Natsuko's cheerful introductions.

"I came here for a fight, so let's fight!"

In case Natsu hadn't made it anymore abundantly obvious by now, she was kind of a fan of Carmen's. In a league where most female competitors resort to shoving their tits in the guys face as a a fighting strategy to be proud of, the list of lady brawlers who can go toe to toe in terms of grappling and fisticuffs with the dudes was a short and selective one. Compound being a Tension champion into the mix, and it was a safe assumption that Natsu had good reason to be spazing out right now.

"Yah, umm...well, my brother's a great guy once you get to know him. Just try not to get too angry once you do..." Natsu briefly tilted her head in Goto's general direction before cheerfully accepted the offered hand. A decision Carmen may regret once Natsu began emphatically shaking Carmen's arm in spastic motions. Not taking into account the fair amount of strength she was putting into it. "But yeah, pleasure's all mine!! Oh, I caught your crazy title defense last year!! I loved the way you bashed that T.V. onto that crazy card dealer's head and stuffed her into a closet!! And then there was the time you smacked that King guy with the weight bar when you won the title!! And then there was the time..."

Natsu's inner "green" fan-girl would take over most of her motor functions at this point, clearly content to list off all of the highlights of Carmens career if uninterrupted...

Carmen didn’t want to let the 24/7 title belt get to her head, but she had to admit, this heroine worship was growing on her. She didn’t fight for praise, but Natsu just kept going and going, like an even-cuter Energizer Bunny. She couldn’t help but puff her chest out a little bit. Involuntarily, but it still happened.

The crowd was getting restless, though - as fun and gratifying as this was, it wasn’t what they’d paid money to see. ”Ano, Natsu-chan,” Carmen derailed her praise-train with a slight bow and a pat on her shoulder. ”But I think we can talk more after the match. Right now, we have a little family business to attend to.”

”Damn straight.” Army started bouncing on his heels, shaking the ring every time he came down and throwing out a few practice jabs. ”If you ladies don’t have any more chit to chat, me and the Japanese Ryo over here can get down to-.”

Army had just started to move forward when Carmen casually stepped in his way. ”Let me start this one, hermano. I think Natsu’s brother has a little misunderstanding about me that I’d like to correct.”

Carmen started to undo her robe, glancing back at Goto with a soft smile as she pulled the sash loose. ” That is, if you’re willing, Goto-san. I’ve read about you, seen a couple of your matches. I’d like to experience your skill firsthand.”

Goto laughed as Carmen stepped forward and held out his hand to pause her. "I DO think I've been mistaken!" He said, as though Carmen's words and implicating tone sunk in. He looked past her at Armando and nodded.

"How rude of us! It's only right for us to let them have their fun first. Once they've worn themselves out, then we can step in and have a proper match!" Goto then looked at Carmen. "Of course, I think you're quite capable." Goto said. "I fully expect you to help me show my sister the error of her ways with your skill! I think it would be unfair if Armando-san were to step in, even though Natsuko-san insists that she fight with the men." Goto shook his head.

"A preposterous thought. You'll do well enough." He said and stepped through the ropes and onto the apron. He reached out and ruffled Natsuko's hair. "But don't get my wrong, Natsuko-san. I still expect you to fight as best as you can!"

Natsuko raised a hand to pinch the bridge of her nose once her brother started in with his chauvinistic response to Carmen. She could have just crawled into a rock at the center of the deepest cavern of Mars and died for how embarrassing her brother was acting. Their was a faint hope that Goto could have gone just one conversation without letting it be known how much of a bigoted jerk he could be...

"Yeah...Thanks for looking out for me." Natsu groaned from the scuffing of her hair, turning from her corner and approaching Carmen and Army dejectedly. She was slumping her shoulders as if she were physically burdened with the shame of her brother's reaction on her back. "Well, I dunno about you guys, but I have some anger issues that could use some sorting out..." Natsu said before straightening her slouching stance with an emphatic punch into her open palm. "...so whatya we get this show on the road!!"

By this point the crowd was getting rather restless and eager for the festivities to commence, the perky school-girl bouncing in place until an idea popped up in her head. "Actually...Hey Carm, I think my brother might just have a point. Let's you and I have go of it before the big, strong, guys show us innocent ladies how it's done~...?"

Carmen had come to Japan knowing that it wasn’t exactly a country widely known for its progressive attitude towards women. That was fine with her - neither was Puerto Rico, and she’d done just fine there. To her surprise, though, she hadn’t run into any real problems in the two years since she set foot on Japan’s shore. Maybe the talks of sexism were exaggerated, or it could’ve just been because she was noticeably taller and bigger than the average male. Either way, she wasn’t complaining.

But Goto seemed to be intent on making up for lost time, and she was aching to make him regret it. Not just that, but Carmen didn’t save the idea of punching Natsu in the face. She’d do it, sure, she wanted to win. But if she could save that aggression for Goto, unleash it all on the guy who was really asking for it, it would be much soothing to the soul.

Eventually. Maybe. She could be patient.

Carmen slipped the robe off her slim frame and passed it to the one of the stagehands, as Army mirrored Goto and went over to their corner. Natsu wasn’t the only one bouncing around the ring, now. So was Carmen, hopping from heel to heel as the referee took her place between them. Up came the guard, a loose orthodox stance, keeping it wide and fluid for the moment. She wasn’t sure what to expect from Natsu just yet, best to be safe until then.

”Completely agree.” Carmen threw out a couple of quick practice jabs as the bell finally rang, slicing through the air in quick succession. She started to move in, keeping her eyes set on Natsu with both steps she took. Calm. Cool. Collected.