Juno Sawyer vs Sayumi Arai: The matters of loss and pain!

The walk to Rhein’s office was an alien path. Never before had Juno been summoned to her manager’s office before. Usually, the green haired, spectacle wearing woman would seek out her clients and speak to them personally. It was strange to receive something like a text from Rhein, and it was pure luck that Juno even knew her number to stop her from deleting the text.

The text said it was urgent, and that she had to be at her office immediately. Honestly, it was a bit dramatic, but considering how pushy Rhein usually was, and how much worse she could make Juno’s life, she decided to simply get it over with a see what it was she wanted.

The door to Rhein’s office was unmarked. Unlike the other managers of the AFW, Rhein wasn’t technically employed by the federation. From what Juno was told, Rhein is something of a middleman. Someone who was hired by someone else who apparently had access to a number of contracts. Despite calling them “clients”, they were closer to her employees at this point. Due to this difference, there wasn’t any real markings to show Rhein being anywhere inside the office. Just a blank door.

With a quick knock, Juno would find herself inside Rhein’s office for the first time since she had gotten here. Rhein herself was sitting in her chair, leaning back with her arms crossed and a stern glare directed squarely on Juno. The bluenette blinked a bit in surprise…what exactly was this about?

“Sit down Juno.”

She would do as she was told, but not without some grumbling,

“What did I do now, Rhein? What’s so important you need to see me right this minute?”

Rhein simply stared at her…watching her. There was a hint of distain in her jade eyes, but it was hard to see clearly. Rhein was good at hiding what she was thinking, but this time she hardly bothered to hide it. The reasoning came in the form of an orange envelope, that Rhein casually tossed onto her desk. Juno stared at the envelope for a moment before returning her gaze to the woman across from her. A smug smile silently creeped onto her face as Rhein sighed.

“You really did it…You actually went behind my back and did it, didn’t you?”

“Rhein, you are going to have to be a little more specific if you-“

“DAMNIT JUNO! You went and got a match against Sayumi Arai! I told you she was off limits!”

“You said I needed to broaden my horizons. I was just taking your advice and experimenting a bit.”

“Juno, just don’t. We both know why! This has nothing to do with your horizons, or your experiences! This isn’t even about Sayumi! You’re just trying to get at Cicilia through her girlfriend!”

The glare that came from Juno’s emotionless eyes was as cold and hard as ice. Rhein was well aware of the hate and malice Juno and Cicilia De’Reighnhardt shared with one another. Rhein had to interfere with their last scuffle, due to the fact Juno had almost gotten herself thrown into prison. It was a miracle Rhein was able to talk her fellow German down and keep her from using any evidence against Juno.

Now she was going after her lover…

“I told you, you would get your chance to go against Cicilia soon! You don’t seem to understand how much shit you bring to my door step every time you pull one of these stunts. The fact that someone even let you suggest the idea of going against Sayumi shows that either the big brain up top either doesn’t pay attention, or doesn’t care.”

“Isn’t that a shame…So when is the match?”

“I wasn’t finished Juno.”

“What else is their to tell? I assume you bringing up your superiors at all means I got the match.”

“…Yeah, you did. You got your fight against Sayumi, but it isn’t going to be the fight you requested.”

Rhein reached over and began to tug the contents of the envelope out onto the table. She quickly found what she was looking for, and slid it over towards the nurse across from her.

“You were trying to get a hardcore match, right? Well, I’m happy to say I still have some influence around here, even if it is last minute.”

Juno snagged the paper, glancing over the only details that really mattered in this sort of document.

Match request: Approved.
Time: Tuesday, the 23rd. 12:30 pm
Combatents: Juno Sawyer vs Sayumi Arai
Match Type: Standard.
Referee: Hakana Mitsumi

The cold eye of the Nurse narrowed further…a standard match would limit her and how far she could take things.

“You will have a referee in the ring to make sure you don’t do anything illegal. No weapons, no low blows, no intensive care! Just a semi-normal fight that should stay clean.”

Juno took her time to read a bit further down the page before tossing the paper back onto the desk. It was clear she was irritated, but not discouraged.

“All right, that’s fine. It’s not as if I will need weapons or such things. It will be just as fun breaking her apart with my bare hands. A fine prelude to break Cicilia’s spirit one last time before our final fight. I’m going to need to make a video…is there anything else? I’m sure you have already called Cicilia, and I’m sure she through a myriad of slurs my way…it doesn’t matter. I finally get to break something precious to her~”

__

It had been a long day. Dealing with Juno was always stressful, and now? With this fight hovering overhead? It only made things worse. It didn’t help at all that the match was basically just around the corner. Rhein had hardly any time to prepare! No time to stop it! That was probably the Nurse’s intention, the sly bitch. It was only dumb luck, and calling in a ton of favors and gave out a few that Rhein was even able to change the match type! Now she was going to have to let Cicilia about the fight that was coming up practically the next day. They had made a deal with each other, and yet Rhein couldn’t help but feel like she failed her.

Rhein’s home was a cold, empty home. It was hardly lived in, with only the bedroom having any semblance of possessions in it. The bed was a mess, her casual clothes strewn about. Rhein worked day and night every day, so she never cleaned her room. Her suits were in a separate closet, and she left some spare clothes in the office. Looking at the wide space and all of the empty rooms only made her feel worse.

It wasn’t a pleasant job…but in the end, it was hers to do and hers alone.

Rhein poured herself a drink before grabbing her phone, the woman shedding her suit jacket and tie just as she sat down on her couch. She flipped open her phone, scrolled down to Cicilia’s number…

And took a drink.

[b]*Meanwhile... Elsewhere...*

Cicilia's day had been a lazy one indeed and she was doing everything she could to enjoy it. In the one hand, she had a small bowl of snacks (couldn't gorge on the junkfood anymore) and in the other a controller, her eyes locked firmly on her game. The German had been going to a therapist for a little while now, someone that could help her with her explosive temper and her latest prescription for improvement was to "stop worrying about everything so much." Easier said than done... but she was willing to try! Losing herself in the world of games tended to make the real one fade away... and god knows she felt like she needs an escape. Life had never eased up on the poor German... at least... until she found Sayumi.

Before the boxer had devolved into a couch-potato, her precious Sayumi had told her that she had gotten a new match, a routine round of warnings the two of them gave each other... It wasn't something they talked about, merely something they fell into, wishing each other luck, sharing a hug and a kiss and whatnot. Everything felt generally routine and safe, which only helped the boxer relax more, the Juggernaut giving her partner a long, loving smooch on her lips before she made her way out the door.

"I'll be here waiting for you..." She would whisper with the softest of smiles, her sanguine eyes warm with her love...

Watching her leave was always the hardest part of the day, the stray worry of her not coming back biting at her heart the moment the door closed behind her... But once she had gone, the German had found it... easy to lose herself in her game. Hard, patience-rending, torture-like games that forced the German's full attention were the things she prescribed herself this day, A diet of Dark Souls, Bloodborne and Battletoads taking up her time...

...Until her phone rang... and her character died.

Confused as to who could be calling her, the boxer scooped up her phone...

"Rhein...?" She muttered, lips curled into a frown. "What could she want...?" Cicilia quickly answered.

"Hello...?"

...The lack of immediate response instantly chilled Cicilia. She could feel Rhein's heavy breath on the other end as if she were staring down her worst fear and was unable to speak. The boxer felt her blood turn cold, her eyes snap wide, sweat rolling down her pale skin fore she knew something was wrong. Rhein managed the nurse... controlled her to a degree and had promised her safety from her perverse, evil influence... The boxer stood up from her seat on the couch, walking towards the center of the room anxiously.

"H....Hello...?" Cicilia said again, her voice softer... weaker.

The first words she heard were not an explanation... but an apology... a sorrowful, exhausted apology and instantly, Cicilia knew what had happened. Cicilia's eyes flicked over to the door, her heart SLAMMING against her ribs as the image of Sayumi leaving... all bubbly and happy replayed behind her eyes... The Boxer's lips quivered, her body shook as Rhein began to speak, revealing... That Juno had a match with Sayumi today.

Cicilia's phone crashed to the floor as her hand lost it's grip upon it, the boxer's legs giving out soon after, bringing her to her knees...

"No..." She muttered as tears began to roll down her cheeks, her sanguine eyes flooding with expressions of despair, fear and sorrow.  "No..."

Stepping out of the apartment complex Sayumi eyed the overcast sky. It looked like rain. Thankfully she had the forethought to check the forecast since she was going to walk to the arena today. She raised her watermelon patterned umbrella to rest across her shoulders. Her arms came up and over to dangle lightly as she walked quietly, reflecting on things.

Time at home with Cicilia was great, as always. Playing game together, watching things of the television, or just messing around like two experimental little schoolgirls all the time. Nothing had really changed in their day to day from when they first moved in… save for Sayumi getting better at cooking, slightly. But that was part of the problem, things were too great.

There was always a growing concern Sayumi had about Cicilia's anger. It never really manifested at her, but it weighed heavy on her girlfriend, she knew. The two really never spoke about it, they didn't talk about wrestling much at all save for their weekly training. It wasn't that Sayumi wasn't interested… she watched every match Cicilia had. The problem was that she was worried. The more recent turn of the crowd on her girlfriend coupled with how downright caustic the German was getting with her opponents, it was several steps back from the progress she thought they had been making. She wanted to help but found herself too scared to really confront Cicilia. The two of them were doing perfect… why should she rock the boat?

She smiled in passing to the local grocery, flashing him a small piece sign. He struck one of her in ring poses meant to mimic the Japanese Idols which hot a laugh from her. When she found the time she'd be sure to stop by and chat with him later and see how his family was doing. Wasn't his daughter graduating soon?

Her walk was mostly uneventful, but she was getting stopped these days more and more. People asking for photos or her to sign things. Maria, her manager, had been making huge strides to push her new branding and it was doing wonders. Despite a lack of matches, she was everywhere on the press circuit that she could squeeze into. It was fast becoming a total wave of popularity that she never would have had if she had stayed an unsigned free agent.

After taking a few minutes to chat up some plans just outside of the arena she made her way inside, slipping her umbrella down off her shoulder to idly twirl it between her fingers. She gave the security team a small wave in passing before heading straight to the locker room. While she had made good time, she'd have to hurry to get in gear and fix up her hair. It was important to put forward the best her she could be when she hit the ring!

One day More~

The apartment’s usually relaxed atmosphere was now in exstatic disarray! The speakers above the shelf playing a gentle tune that carried itself all throughout the rooms of the woman’s home. Fabric was scattered throughout the floor, needles and thread stuck in sofa cushions, knitting trays, and even fruit that laid in the kitchen. Books were strewn all about, thrown every which way! Pages were left sprawled outs, torn from random books and thrown around, getting crushed under foot as the woman moved with elegant grace. As though the music itself was her puppeteer, she threaded the seams of her latest project, a happy, loving smile on her face~

The time is now,
The day is here!

She twisted to the side of her project, adjusting the sleeve’s seams just a bit, giving her stitching a decent tug to ensure it was nice and tight! The thread was strong, her craftsmanship secure and quality. The music swelled once again, and soon she was moving again, finishing the last seem before her creation was absolutely perfect for her lover!

One day more to revolution,
We will nip it in the bud!
We'll be ready for these schoolboys
They will wet themselves with blood!

She dashed across the floor, crushing a romance novel under foot as she all but pounced onto the laptop that rested on the counter. Her cheerful eyes peering at the loading screen, seeing if it was finished. The most critical piece her joy in life had worked on for so long the past few months.

There's a new world for the winning,

There's a new world to be won!

100% completed! Ready to upload.

It was all finished. Every preparation completed and ready for the following days war. The final thrust into that cruel woman’s heart was almost upon them, and she couldn’t help but giggle in excitement. A chance to destroy all of her enemies’ desires, dreams and hopes with a single target…

We will learn their little secrets,
We will know the things they know!

Tomorrow is the judgement day

Tomorrow we'll discover,
What our God in Heaven has in store!

One more day
One day more

__

The whether forecast had said to expect light showers out today, so when Juno left, she wore a rather heavy white hoodie. With her, she carried a duffle bag, containing her latest creations that were made in celebration of this day. She had slept rather well the night before, and the soft droplets of rain that surrounded her gave her a strange sense of calm. She had expected more hesitation, more doubt…but for some reason, she didn’t feel any of that.

Perhaps Cicilia was right after all…

Juno shook the thought out of her mind as she finally arrived at her destination. AFW was only a brief walk from her apartment, as it turned out. Just past the local grocery. Had it really been so long since Cicilia and her had their confrontation there? Months seemed to flash on by with every year. If she had went down the street, the gym where Cicilia had first interfered with her could be in sight.

Memory’s are so treacherous.

Juno pushed on, ignoring the apartment building lot they had fought in, that doubtlessly kept a woman hiding from the world, weeping at her failures. Such an annoying enemy, and yet she continued on. The pained strikes, the gripping fear, the cruel insults all ate away at her and fueled her convictions. By the time she had made it to the AFW steps, it was almost a relief.

Juno always came in a bit early, simply to get her tapes to the video booths. After her last few videos, they had raised concerns that Juno’s videos might not be appropriate to show to a large audience…but since no higher ups ever said she couldn’t, they begrudgingly continued to play her tapes. Sometimes she would get to upload and prepare the videos herself using the AFW system…she had grown familiar with it over the years.

There was only one technician there today, and when he asked what was on the tape this time, Juno simply shrugged. He was aware at how they all looked at her. Like a monster, waiting to strike out at anyone who passed her. She didn’t see herself that way at all, however. She simply knew what she wanted, and what she did not want. Everyone else’s opinions mattered little when it all broke down to the bare bottom of things.

After dropping off her tape, it was time to get changed. She never usually used the locker room, due to her…reputation. Most people didn’t like Juno’s videos, and had since begun to give her a wide berth. Normally she just changed in a spare room, but today, she needed to make sure her new outfit would fit properly. It would take a bit longer, but the results were important.

Thankfully, the room was just about empty. Just a few other competitors here and there. Juno pulled the hood from her jacket and peered around for an empty spot. She finally found a fairly secluded corner. far away from with the entrance or the exit. A nice little spot of seclusion. She tossed her duffle bag on a bench, and had just zipped it open when her peripherals caught a familiar sight…a haircut and hair color she had spent month’s looking at in photos and videos…but never seeing it in person.

S̷̨̅å̵̮y̷u̷̙͑ṁ̶̗i̵̞̔ ̴̛̱Ã̴̲r̷̳͐a̴̳͂i̸̡͋

Did she dare? Could she? Cicilia always bragged that her lover would never know any of her enemy’s names…but was that true? Juno stared at the back of the woman’s head for what felt like months. A part of her wanted to lash out and attack right there…another part simply wanted to talk…to learn. What type of person could love such a vulgar beast? Was she as mad as Juno had predicted? Questions upon questions bubbled to the surface…

And soon, she found herself standing directly behind the lavender haired woman, her hands in her pockets.

“Excuse me…You wouldn’t happen to be Ms. Arai? Would you?”

Juno’s cold blue eyes watched with intent…her normally indifferent expression curling into a kind, warm smile. Her tone was gingerly…soft and sweet. Though her eyes may have appeared empty, everything else seemed genuine enough as she tilted her head at the pretty woman.

“My name is Juno Sawyer…I heard so much about you, but never seen you in person before~…”

Spoiler:

Tis the season as they say, and what better way to celebrate the spookiest time of the year that a bit of dress up? She wasn’t sure if it was the greatest idea given she was still establishing her look with the audience but any excuse to make a new set of ring gear had been an opportunity she had jumped on. Festive orange and black, frills and folds galore as was her way. Everything she touched needed a bit of girlish flare, one of the only things she missed about her old Idol tryouts. It had been easier to outfit herself in tonight’s attire, by the time she had fixed the felt cat eats on her head she still was well ahead of schedule.

She turned from side to side, looking herself over in the long door height mirror glued within her locker. It all looked spot on, save for her bowtie being a bit off center. An easy enough fix as she fiddled with the ends until they stayed just right. Cute as a button and ready to go! She slipped her umbrella into the locker before starting to close the door, catching the reflection of someone moving up behind her just before they spoke out to her.

“Mhmm!” Sayumi perked cheerfully, not evening needing to turn on the charm that simply radiated off her as she turned to face Juno with a beaming smile. There was no sense of recognition in her eyes for the woman who stood before her. It was a cruel twist of irony that in a bid to protect her from the horrors of the world that surrounded Cicilia she hid away who this woman was, putting her now in this position of danger she was unaware of. The lavender haired girl clasped her hands before herself, giving Juno a deep respectful bow.

“Pleased to meet you Ms. Sawyer. You can call me Sayumi if you’d like. I’m normally not very formal.” She gave a firm nod to emphasis that point, listening to what the other woman had to say. Her head tilted slightly as her smile only grew. It felt great to be recognized, especially by people who worked for AFW. So often people kept to themselves due to the competitive nature of the business so it was refreshing when someone reached out.

“Well, here I am! Can I help you with anything? I don’t mean to be rude, but I have a match coming up in a bit so I was just finishing up getting ready. I still have some time though.” She glanced back, reaching to give her locker a small nudge to close it the rest of the way.

Spoiler:

The Nurse’s face didn’t budge an inch, but inside she was laughing. Laughing so hard, she couldn’t breathe. Her shoulders shook silently, but was ready to write it off as excitement, or even being a bit nervous. This sweet little morsel was truly in the dark! Cicilia had kept her word about everything! And now Sayumi was treating Juno as though she were a friend. The irony was absolutely delicious.

The Nurse simply chuckled to herself, acting completely charmed by the kindness of the other wrestler. Her festive costume, her kindness, and her sweet looks were all easy to love. No wonder she had attracted such a horrendous brute to her side.

“Sayumi it is then~” The nurse purred, “It’s so nice to finally meet you. With everything that has happened, I feel as though I practically know you. I will try not to keep you, since I have a match myself in a few moments but…”

The bluenette tilted her head, looking Sayumi’s costume over a bit. She smiled with motherly affection. Warmth, comfort, kindness seemed to radiate from that smile. Truly, a charming woman, and yet the Nurse had a question that seemed to bother her.

“Well…its more a personal question, if you don’t mind.” The Nurse’s smiling face slowly drifted away, with the woman awkwardly rubbing the back of her neck, “See…there’s this girl I know… I can’t say we are on very good terms at all. In fact, it’s the exact opposite. The first time we ever met, she attacked me while I was training at the gym. It was all so sudden at the time…She hates my guts, and I’m not too fond of her either. It’s like a cat and a dog where thrown in a room whenever we meet, but lately it getting worse. She threatened to do all sorts of things to me last time…really dark stuff.”

The nurse would slowly lift up her bangs to reveal her right eye. The pupil was misshapen, it’s shape no longer a solid circle, but a gruesome X.

“She did this to me not too long ago…I can still see, thank god, but its always their now. Every time I look in the mirror, I see what happened to me. I have to think about it every day…”

She let that statement hang in the air, letting implications and assumptions grow in Sayumi’s mind before continuing on with her plight,

“I guess…I guess I was wondering what you would do with someone like that? You seem so kind, and gentle…how would you approach someone who starts fights in alleyways, parking lots, and gyms? Who beats their opponents beyond what was called for simply because their temper escaped them? Would you leave that type of relationship?”

The woman reached out and gently took Sayumi’s hand, her eyes suddenly looking tired, and empty.

“Or would you stay? Would you try to persevere through such a person? I just…want you opinion, if that’s alright…”

Was this what gaining a bit of fame was like? She was no stranger to random people asking her for a picture or an autograph in the street, but this was something else entirely. Perhaps Maria had gone through with that in house publication about her to help promote her image? Last they talked they had scrapped that idea in favor of keeping much of who was behind "Cherry Bomb" was to build interest. As odd as this all seemed, she rolled with it.

"Well, I can try to help to the best of my ability." Sayumi straightened herself up, creating more of an air of authority around her. She didn't claim to be the best advice giver out there but would hardly turn someone away if they felt she could aid them in some way. So she listened quietly and thoughtfully as Juno spoke.

"I have actually encountered stuff like that around here a few times actually. Especially around the gyms that cater to other AFW talent. You get these girls who are very territorial I guess you could say. I know I have had my fair share of misunderstandings caused by myself too." If only she knew the common thread, both women were on such a similar page. Sayumi's own first encounter with Cicilia had been a fight at a gym as well that ended with her getting pummeled. She took full responsibility for that and the two had brushed it aside before becoming friends… then girlfriends.

Then there had been people like Haruko. Just mean spirited and nasty, going out of her way to hurt Sayumi… just because? She still wasn't sure the motives. It was almost like the larger woman had vanished into the ether after that encounter despite supposedly working for AFW.

Sayumi tilted her head, eyeing the strange deformity as it was presented to her. She wasn't sure what to think really, especially when Juno admitted it still functioned as it should. She couldn't help but thing back got the day she had been motivated to change her life and get into wrestling. Someone had threatened to dose her with acid, a not too uncommon way of mugging someone in a country with such stick weapon laws. She had been saved that day, but she could have very well have been left with some sort of scar that altered her body forever as well. It made her shudder.

"Well… it sounds like you and this other person just don't mix well. You might want to look into getting the authorities involved, the police I mean, if they are harassing you. Worse case scenario you can file for a restraining order." She reached out a hand, attempting to gently set it on Juno's shoulder, leaning in a bit to peer up under the woman's blue hair at her face. "Don't feel like you are trapped or powerless here, you know? You are in charge of yourself. Don't let other people define who you are or what you can do."

Sayumi flashed the woman a small smile when her hand was taken, cupping her free one over top of them and giving Juno's a light supportive squeeze. "I hope that helped, if just a little."

Sayumi really was a sweet girl. Not even the Nurse was sure how she would react to basically a total stranger reaching out and clasping onto her hand. The way this place worked, so dark and twisted, like long strands of black hair that had grown filthy with dirt and grease and knotted into a nasty mess. No one trusts the other person in the locker room, the person across the ring. It was all smiles and pleasantries for a while, but deep down this place was rotten! The people that fought, the people that ran this place…the people who controlled all of the pieces of the chess board all were self-serving little monsters that fed off the violence and money that pumped through this place like bad blood. Police and authorities wouldn’t touch this place no matter how loud one scremed and begged for help. And yet this lavender haired woman heard the Nurse’s tail of woe, and comforted her as though she were a friend. She gave kind, and honest advice…something that might actually help the woman’s situation in a fitting manner. Kind, understanding, welcoming…

And so unbearably S̶̮͂́t̷̰̋̔u̸͇͗p̷̩̎i̵̛̫̯͐ḋ̴͉̘!!!

As Sayumi cupped her strange new companions’ hand, the Nurse would return the gesture. Only she would squeeze Sayumi’s hand much harder than before. It would be quick, but far from painless. No sooner did she squeeze her hand then the Nurse released her, her once sorrowful eyes softening slightly as she began to wipe something away from them. Her smile returned…a warm and grateful smile that was like that of an innocent child’s.

“Yes…yes I suppose you are right. I don’t…I don’t know why I never thought of that before. I’m so sorry to have bothered you with this just before your match, but I really appreciate your advice. You have given me so much to think about…I only hope that this doesn’t distract you with your match tonight~”

With that, the Nurse gave her final smile and well wishes to young Sayumi before turning away and slinking back the way she came. The Nurse’s head hung low, a swirl of thoughts flying around inside her head like a swarm of bats. So many negative images, so many cruel inhuman thoughts…all the plans she had to make this woman suffer! It almost distracted her from the fact that she had her own preparations to make before their match~

Today…would be a very good day, Sayumi. A very good day to die~

Sayumi was always a firm believer in paying something forward. A kindness done for her was one she could return to several other people, who in turn could do the same until they had created a tidal wave of good will. She loved helping where she could, though she couldn't help but feel slightly out of her depth. While many of her own experiences came close to some of the things Juno asked about, the exact situation was never something she had been involved with, to her knowledge.

The lavender haired girl gave a small since at the squeeze of her hand, passing it off as nothing more that nervous energy from Juno bubbling over. An innocent mistake.

"Some people get worked up in our whole business here, ya'know? Think everything has to be solved in a ring or with a promo. While it may be good for entertainment, it's a toxic kinda culture. It's never a bad thing to reach out for help." Sayumi gave a cheerful little more, subtly nursing her hand after the rough squeeze. "It wasn't a problem, no need to apologise."

"Good luck with your problem Ms. Sawyer! I hope everything works out alright." Sayumi called after the retreating woman, giving one final wave before Juno had left her sight. She was left with a small smile to ponder the oddity of their seemingly random encounter. Life was strange sometimes. With a tiny shrug, she reached down to the bench behind her to scoop up a plastic jack-o'-lantern basket filled with candy she had set on the bench, looping her arm into the black plastic band. She turned to leave with a bounce in her step, making her way towards gorilla position. She had a match to get to.

A peculiar thing would happen to Sayumi along the way to the gorilla position. As she moved to leave the changing room, a quiet, but distinct click came from the entryway door. Perhaps it was too quiet to hear for the excited combatant, but the results produced would be all the same. As Sayumi turned the knob to the door, the thick lock prevented it from turning all the way. Sayumi could wiggle the knob and turn it as much as she liked, but the door would not open. The feint outlines of somebody waiting on the other side might were visible. Their shape was indistinguishable, who it was…impossible to figure out. All that could be seen was its vague movements as it appeared to be looking down, as if it were looking at something. Soon, the television in the changing room would come to life, the warm hum being the only sound that filled the room, inviting its single audience member to watch what was about to unfold.

--

The crowd was a light one today. There was no clear reason why that was. Perhaps it was due to how close Halloween was, nearly there and creeping up on the world. Most people were out gathering various garbs and trinkets to celebrate the dying holiday, not staying in an enlarged arena listing to others scream like hyenas in heat. Still, the staff had decided to dress the arena up for the festivities. Pumpkins littered the entryway ramp with various faces carved into them, lights flickering inside them to show off their sinister smiles and eyes. Mechanical bats flew around on strings overhead, wing’s flapping nice and slow due to management’s orders. They didn’t want anyone to mistake the creatures for the real thing and cause a panic. People weren’t always the most intelligent when put in a situation with a crowd.

Certainly, there was quite a bit of care given in the decorations, and many enjoyed the novelty of the display, but that was simply a sweet extra for why they were really there. The main event was about to begin, with the few knowing members in the audience well aware of what would soon be at stake.

Naturally, the lights dimmed as a silent way to quite the audience down and ensure their patience was well rewarded. The fight would soon be underway, and everyone would need to take their positions.

The light’s continued to grow darker, even as everyone was seated and their attention drawn to the ring. The film crew were beginning to cast the view live, showing up on every monitor in the building including the changing room. It was difficult to make out anything due to the lights in the stadium nearly shutting off entirely. A quick pan of the audience showed their confusion, their heads shifting back and forth as if they weren’t sure if this was part of the show, or simply a power malfunction.

Only when a single white light bloomed forth on Sayumi’s entrance.

Many people began to shift around uncomfortably. Many of them didn’t know why, but something was bugging them as that bright white light burned through the dark like a torch. The light flickered gently against the wall, as if it were simply a projector warming up. It had to be years older than anything the federation usually used, which simply made it all the more peculiar. The silence that hung over the crowd was deafening, until the distinct sound of a projector changing slides played over the speakers.

At first, it simply caused the white light to blink. Nothing was revealed for the moment, but people began to grow interested in the white light. Something was finally happening, and curiosity was piqued, even if it was only a slight hint of movement.

The projector would click again, shrouding the crowd in darkness for a brief second before it clicked again, faster than the time before. Slowly, it was picking up pace. The changing slides came more rampantly, flipping over and over to simply reveal a white wall. Until one final click…

It was difficult to make out at first, due to the constant blinking of the bright white light, but an image finally appeared over Sayumi’s entry way. While it was a strange sight, most people were able to recognize what the picture was near instantly! A gabbing, bleeding maw was projected for the crowd to see. Teeth that were once a pure white now stained with blood that seemed to seep from the cut gums above and below the exposed skeleton. No one needed to be a doctor to know that such an amount of the red liquid meant that whomever had their photo taken was in serious condition…

Another slide clicked away, this time the camera pulled back from the mouth ever so slightly. The person’s bruised cheek was now in frame, the discolored flesh surrounded a disgusting cut that oozed more scarlet streams. Some of it had dried on the persons face, a few strains of the patient’s long black hair visibly stuck in the dried, crusty flecks of blood that remained on their face.

The clicking grew faster. What was once a steady increase becoming more random and rampant!

Another slide would reveal a much deeper laceration over the subject’s red eye. The victim appeared groggy, in a critical state the way their eye seemed as though it would roll in the back of their head. People were able to get a better idea of who this person was in the picture…It was a woman, many could see…long black hair, burning red eyes…a woman who had been beaten severely.

Another slide revealed more of the wordless story. What appeared to be crime scene photos plastered the wall. It was hard to tell if they were simply props or the real deal…but what was photographed was simple, yet effective. Baseball bats smeared with blood, a freshly purchased crowbar with a liquid like substance near the base of the handle…and a pair of broken sunglasses. The pictures were taken in an alleyway, signs of a struggle clear as day to anyone who could see. Trash was thrown about all over the dingy area. Something was in the corner, lying on a pile of torn apart trash.

The next slide zoomed closer to it.

It was still difficult to make out…it looked like a dead animal, as white fur stained in red was the only real visible piece that could be deciphered from such an odd angle.

The next slide zoomed closer.

…A bomber jacket, torn to shreds. Its sleeves had slashed ripped into the forearms, as though someone were guarding themselves from their attackers. The painting of the picture the author of this weary presentation wanted to show was slowly beginning to connect their twisted plot thread.

By now, everyone was far too invested in the slides to noticed the lab coat wearing figure stroll into the center of the ring and gently lean into the blue corner. Their mask kept any expression they had from view as they watched the chaos unfold along with the audience...and artist watching their work flourish!

The manic pace of the turning slides stopped. Once again, they were on a picture of a mouth…the very same mouth as before, but no longer bleeding. In fact, it was smiling. It was a warm, loving smile. One where it seemed as though nothing could please it more then it was at that very moment.

Then the slide turned

More of the woman’s smiling face became visible. Her long black hair cascaded over her shoulders that were being hugged tightly by a familiar jacket…a jacket with white fur around the collar.

…:

Then the slide turned

The slide showed more of the subject’s body, her hands laced with another’s as they seemed to be walking down a warm street with the sunset on their backs. Fans of the authors opponent might recognize this new person’s jacket. After all, it was a classic for the fighter.

……:

The next click of the slide revealed…Madness.

The remainder of the picture was torn, scratched out, or otherwise drawn over with the furious strokes of a pen! The faces were mutilated beyond recognition! False smiles were drawn on one woman’s face, while the subject’s eyes had thumbtacks pressed through their eyes in a horrible display of rage and hatred!

This image would linger for a few seconds more before finally disappearing, leaving the crowd to mutter amongst themselves what the slideshow could mean. It was only when the speakers burst to life that a new horror began to play across the screen! The once white square turned bright red! The blackened stadium melting into a small corner of hell as the room’s one source of light burned an evil color! Instead of stills, it was instead a poorly shot video, one that was grainy, and just a bit unsteady. The video would pull back, slowly…revealing the hellish color was, in fact, the eyes of Sayumi’s dearest lover. Though they were not in any form Sayumi would have seen before. They were the eyes of the broken, the defeated, and the terrified! It was as if all hope, all joy, all positivity had been sucked away from the poor woman who sat in her bed, the hellish music crushing the figure on screen with the absolute feeling of despair. It was clear in this woman’s tearful eyes…

She couldn’t go on like this.:

Slowly, the broken woman began to turn her head, some unseen force drawing her attention away from the filthy bedsheets she sat in. It was painful to see her move, years of battery and neglect proving to make even the slightest movement a challenge for the woman on screen.

Her eyes locked on something. Her face did not change, but more tears streamed down her cheeks. She had been through this torture so many times, she no longer screamed, and yet it still hurt all the same. The last thing anyone would see before the video blanketed the crowd in darkness was the woman’s fear…that which made her suffer the most, which broke her body, mind, and sprit!

The lavender haired beauty stood silently, smiling at the broken woman in her bed. Her features were obscured…hidden by a bright, righteous light as she silently laughed at her prisoners’ pain. Her beautiful features were twisted in her cruelty, the camera slowly loosing focus of the woman as her shoulders shook with laughter! The last thing anyone could see…

Was the face of a Monster…:

Before the world

Went

Black!

__

The lights inside Sayumi’s room would suddenly shut off, as well as the television the played out the horrifying video to dear sweet Sayumi. Leaving the lavender haired beauty in total darkness. There was no sound outside no source of light to cling to but whatever she had on hand. The changing room she was in was thought to be empty, but the sound of foot steps began to be heard behind her. They were quiet…like someone only wearing their socks was gliding across the floor. They were walking around the lavender haired beauty… at first, they were behind her.

Then in front of her.

Now to the side!






How many were there?




The door to the outside world finally opened, a small light leading the way to the gorilla position. A lone figure stood in the doorway, peering in to look at the woman inside…

The figure wore Sayumi’s face...her hair, her clothes, her look…she was the spitting image of the woman, all except for her dead, uncaring eyes that glared at her without so much as a hint of sympathy. A false copy that looked at the original with disdain at what it was based on. All of this to mentally torture the woman inside, then dare her to accept the challenge that lay waiting beyond the door. Would she accept? Would she venture out into the world to face someone so cruel as to orchestrated this hell specifically for her? Or would she lay comforted in the shadows, and hide from the demons that scurried around in that room. The copy didn't care about what the original did. She would simply walk out of sight, leaving the door open for the original Sayumi to escape if she so desired, her burning eyes casting once last disgusting glare before vanishing as though she was never there.

Spoiler: