We Are Not Finished

The sound of footsteps echoed down the empty hallway. The pink-haired girl had just finished watching a match and now she was about to meet a person for whom she had rather mixed feelings. Charlotte has always been a difficult person, it has always been difficult for her to understand her own feelings. But after long deliberation, she was finally able to determine exactly what she feels about the person for whom she was here today.

Charlotte accepted Alaina Sanders as her friend. But their rivalry in the ring was one of those things that pushed her forward. In addition, the Frenchwoman understood that she still felt true sympathy for this woman. She had no doubts that a woman like Alaina would never want to see a girl like Charlotte next to her. But she couldn't help herself. Even after sessions with a psychotherapist, when she was finally able to deal with some problems in her life, she was not ready to give up her feelings so easily. Maybe she just needs time.

Attire:

It has been some time since the last match of the Sand Lizard. Victoria did everything possible to ensure that Charlotte's career did not enter the stage of stasis, but despite everything, the girl received a break. But she used this break to get stronger. She worked on herself every day and now she could say with confidence that she became stronger. She was ready to move forward and was determined to reach the top. This is the way.

Charlotte stopped in front of the door leading to the locker room. The girl stood in front of this door and leaned her back against the wall. She didn't want to embarrass Alaina by invading her locker room, especially since the American girl had just finished the match. Therefore, the pink-haired girl decided to wait for her here. They needed to talk. But more importantly, Charlotte was about to propose to her rival. And she wanted to discuss it.

“Hey there,” Charlotte said, smiling softly as Alaina walked out of the locker room and greeted the Frenchwoman, “doing alright. And you too?”

At first glance, it was clear that the Amazon was tired after the match. Charlotte was in the guest room and watched her friend before coming here. However, it looked like the brown-haired girl had become a little more inspired after seeing the martial arts master.

“Not really,” the girl answered when asked if she was preparing for the match, “I'm here today for you. Maybe we will not stand still and walk a little?" she suggested.

Perhaps it sounded a little ambiguous, but the Frenchwoman herself did not notice it. The girls headed down the corridor. Charlotte didn’t want to throw her proposal straight into the Amazon’s forehead, so she decided to just have a little chat first before moving on to the main point. Plus, unlike Charlotte, her friend and rival has had a much busier schedule lately.

“Nice match. As always, you were at your best and did a good job,” said the pink-haired girl.

Indeed, while the Sand Lizard got a break due to her manager, Alaina continued to take match after match. This is partly why Charlotte was forced to step up her training. She did not want to lag not even half a step behind her rival. So while Alaina honed her skills, Charlotte worked on her body. To some extent, we can say that both of them have become stronger since their last meeting.

“I didn't say it was an easy match, I said you did a great job,” added Charlotte.

Indeed, in most cases, the Frenchwoman was too straightforward and she did not like when her words were perceived incorrectly. How it was now. She had no doubt that Alaina was not in her best shape after the match and that she had to make an effort to control the pain. Charlotte watched this match from start to finish. And she had no doubts that her rival did her best. This is what she wanted to emphasize.

“You seem to have contracted my habit of not beating around the bush,” the Frenchwoman chuckled slightly as she heard the Amazon question.

It seems like she really shouldn't have said that she purposefully came here for Alaina. She hoped she could wait a little with this. But it looks like she got her friend excited and now she had no choice but to talk about her thoughts. Charlotte stopped and looked Alaina in the eye.

“I want to face you on the Avalanche, Alaina,” she said in an smooth voice, “and I want nothing to limit us this time. I want this to be a test for both of us. I want to face you in a Steel Cage Match.”

She thought about it for a very long time. And Charlotte was ready to admit that she had friendly and even romantic feelings to the Amazon. However, their rivalry became one of those things that allowed Charlotte to find purpose in life. After their two matches, she felt like she was ready to start moving up. And that perhaps this is what will allow her to solve her emotional problems once and for all. Not only. However, even if this was not the case, the martial arts master wanted to check one thing. Is she strong enough to not just keep up with Alaina, but to step forward and get ahead of her?

Charlotte tilted her head slightly to the side, watching Alaina's reaction. Well, in fact, she could well understand the doubts that were probably tormenting the mind and soul of the American girl now. The martial arts master already had time to think about it and make a decision, while Alaina had to make a decision right here and now. Charlotte really thought about it for a long time, weighing the perspectives and possible consequences.

She was not stupid or naive. The pink-haired girl has already explained to Alaina her position on defeats. Defeat is unacceptable. At least from Charlotte's point of view. Someone perceives defeat only as a reason to move forward. But to Charlotte, defeat meant much more. And yet, even with all her seriousness, which many other fighters hardly possessed, she understood that life did not end with defeat. A real fighter can always find the strength to raise his head and move on.

But this was not the case now. A match during such a momentous event as the Avalanche has always raised the bets to a new level. And even though Charlotte was not ready to say that losing would put an end to the career of one of them, she knew that it would be a real test. But she set a goal for herself. And to achieve this goal, she must to take a step forward. Charlotte smiled as Alaina accepted the challenge.

“I appreciate our friendship, Alaina,” said Charlotte, “but even more I appreciate our rivalry. And I won't back down, no matter what. I'm going to win."

With these words, she held out her hand to the Amazon for a handshake. She did not know how to lie, so and this time she was honest and said exactly what she thought. The martial arts master wanted her opponent to know that this match would be possibly one of the toughest of her career, because Charlotte was determined to give everything she had. She was determined to make this match far more meaningful than any title and belt match.

“You must be…” Charlotte began.

But then she noticed how Alaina winked at her and the girl laughed a little. Well, it was nice that her friend didn't take it as a fight to the death. Although… considering how tough and grueling their last match was… and considering that this time there would be absolutely no rules… goose bumps ran down Charlotte's spine. She always had a feeling. And usually that feeling was either good or bad. But this time she could only say that this feeling was strange.

She had already thought about it. Indeed, given the strength and skills of both women, it was difficult to imagine how amazing this cage match would be. But it also fueled her enthusiasm. Charlotte considered herself a real fighter and a real fighter always needs a worthy challenge. And she didn't know a more worthy person than Alaina to face this challenge together. If there was a person with whom Charlotte was ready to face in battle to the last drop of power, it was Alaina.

“Don't be so harsh, or I'll think I'll need a head start, haha,” Charlotte said, releasing the American girl's hand.

The pink-haired girl headed down the corridor. However, the silence did not last long, she was going to talk about one more thing. It wasn't serious enough to keep standing still, glaring at each other. But still it was important, so the Frenchwoman could not be silent about it.

“By the way, I think we have to announce this officially,” she said, “you know, I don't have an overblown conceit, but I think this match will cause a lot of excitement. Plus, as far as I know, popular news publishers and our fans have questions for both of us. How about we have a conference where we announce our match and let them ask questions to us?”

Yes, indeed, such questions did not bother Charlotte much before. She didn't seek fame or anything like that. She just wanted to fight and win. Martial arts were her life and without the desire to win she was nothing. However, then she began to notice more and more that she managed to win the interest of the public. At first, the fans chose her as the second babe of the month after Alaina, and then Victoria said that the Frenchwoman had gained real popularity on forums and other resources. She's definitely not used to it. She knew for sure that Alaina constantly participates in such events, because she was known not only for her outstanding career, but also for her social activities. Although this was new to the martial arts master, she was confident that the conference was what they needed.