Putting up the Stakes (For Darius)

Sitting in the backstage area, Heather would be on the bench in the locker room, holding the briefcase that she's cherished for so long in her hands. The clock was ticking on how long she had to cash it in, and she had been battling in her head on when to do so, wanting to wait until the perfect moment. Finally, making up her mind, Heather had a date set in mind, and she was going to put it into official words in just a few seconds. She had gotten the time on the show to make her announcement and she was planning on making the best of it.

Taking a deep breath, her heart was pounding fast as she stared at that briefcase for quite a while. She would bring it up to her face, pressing her lips to the briefcase for a good couple seconds before nodding her head and standing up. She would grab the handle, making her way outside of the locker room, wearing her casual attire. She wanted to make it clear that tonight wasn't the time that she wanted to fight. She had her black double breasted suit top on over her white ruffled dress shirt that went up to mid breast. Along with that she had a long black and red coat, black loose dress pants and black boots, topped off with a black choker around her neck.

Making her way through the hallways, she would step up to the curtain area, nodding to the crew members as "Outcry" From Dream Theater would begin to play over the speakers. The lights would turn to a dark blue tint as Heather would step out onto the stage area, bathed in an array of green laser lights that were coming out from the entrance area. The crowd was actually cheering a little more than her boos, which was seemingly gradually starting to happen. A slight grin would come across her face at the reaction, for the first time soaking it in as she would make her way down to the ring, sliding in underneath the bottom rope as she would call for a mic.

As her music died down finally, she would take out another breath, bringing the mic up to her lips. "As you all know..Avalanche last year I beat Kelly Conway and earned the right to challenge the AFW Champion for her title any time that I wanted from there until the next Avalanche, the one that's coming up this year.." Heather would let out, pacing in the ring a bit as she did, circling around the microphone as she did. "When Sarah Gatt won that belt later that night..I felt like..It was meant to be. I was supposed to fight Gatt that night for this very contract until she was brought up to the title match on that night and Kelly had taken her place. That turned out perfectly, and Gatt beating Akashi turned out perfectly as well."

"...Gatt Attack is still running like nothing, no hicks, they are still quite the big force in AFW, and their leader being the maain champion of the whole thing. What better way to cripple them than to take the belt from their leader...but that wasn't all..I waited and waited, trying to pick out the perfect time that I could do it..I thought..maybe wait until she got beat up nicely in a match and take advantage of it, cashing it in right away..but no, that wouldn't be enough." Heather would say, walking to the ropes as she would lean back on them, staring at the entrance. "So..I came up with the perfect venue. I've finally decided. I'm cashing in this contract as of now for a match against whoever is holding that belt at the next upcoming Avalanche Pay Per View. The Main Event spot."

"And please Gatt..don't make this whole speech for nothing. You better keep that belt on your hands before then, because I want it to be you that I take that belt away from. You thought you had problems before, Well now your biggest problem is coming right at you. If you have anything to say about it, you might as well come out here and say it now, or you could always sit back there and make the best of the fact that I'm giving you almost an entire half a year to keep that belt around you. Should really thank me for that."

It would be quite some time before any kind of indication that the one Heather had called out had actually heard her. Either Sarah was in no hurry to address this matter or she was purpously making Heather wait. Whatever the reason, after a bit of a wait the music of the Friction champ would start to blare up through the loudspeakers, and the crowd would go crazy with excitement. Sarah Gatt's arrival into the arena always brought something interesting. Like a force of nature wherever she went brutal chaos often followed. The audience was looking for some of that tonight, and soon the curtains backstage would come away to reveal Sarah herself at the top of the ramp.

The Queen of Brawl was looking as deadly as always, dressed in what she usually wore to matches. Namely her blood red one-piece covered by her leather jacket. Only this time slung over her shoulder was the coveted Friction title belt, shining bright under the stage lights. With Sarah as always was her entourage consisting of the tag team the Ancestors of Isis. The twin sisters Nha and Sha looked seductive and dangerous as the stood on either side of Sarah, the blue twin with her playful smile and the red twin her her stoit expression. Between them Sarah was all smiles, looking abou the arena at her adoring public, then at the girl in the ring who dared to call her out. Smirking in amusement, Sarah would make her way to the ring, Nha and Sha quickly falling into step behind her.

The cheers and jeers from the crowd bombarded Sarah as she made her way down the ramp. She was mostly ignoring them, but Nha and Sha were getting into it. Nha gave her waves and blew her kisses while Sha gave a few brief nods and waves herself. Why should Sarah have to deal with her fans when her people did it for her after all?

Upon reaching the ring the twins would be the ones to bound up onto the ring apron first, spreading the ring ropes out for Sarah to slip through. She would do so easily, and Nha and Sha would follow sui, and the Gatt Attack trio would join Heather Sunderland in the ring. Ignoring the girl for now Sarah would raise her hands in the air, earning her and even bigger response from the crowd, much to the pleasure of the Queen of Brawl. It was only after that when the champ would turn to face Heather, looking her up and down before raising an eyebrow.

"So you're the latest in a long list of whiners," Sarah chuckled as she came to face her would-be challenger. "You know, I'm pretty good with faces. Especially when they're bloody. But I piss so many people off nowadays that they all just blur together into one big face, you know. So, my question for yuou my dear is this." Sarah would then grin wickedly as she eyed Heather up. "Who are you exactly and why should I give a shit?"

Heather would wait patiently in the ring as there was a long silence after she finished her little speech. She was beginning to think that Sarah wasn't going to show up, shrugging her shoulders and shaking her head before finally the girl's theme would begin playing. She would grin, nodding her head before she would hear the crowds reaction, causing her to shake her head a bit. She couldn't believe how many people were cheering for this type of girl. She didn't understand it, and it was only multiplied as Sarah stepped out onto the ramp.

Heather would click her tongue as she saw the twins on either side of her, accompanying her down the ring. She would tap her foot on the mat, thinking she should have expected such a thing, but she couldn't deny that it worried her a bit. She knew Sarah wouldn't be past having the twins help beat her down now if she felt like it, and three on one wouldn't be the greatest odds for Heather. However, she would try to swallow that little worry as she would watch the three make their way into the ring.

Hearing the reaction as she rose her arms up disgusted her. It almost made her want to take back her happiness at the cheers that she got earlier. Though she couldn't let that get to her now, She would look at the three, shaking her head. "Figures, should have known you would have brought the whore twins with you. Can't come talk to me one on one?" Heather would let out, grinning a bit, though wondering if it was the best thing she could have said, her words getting ahead of her thoughts as usual.

When she heard Gatt's words towards her, she would clench her fists a bit, trying to hide her anger and frustration as much as she could. Acting as if she was nothing, it enraged her inside, but she would keep it inside as best as she could, trying to relax herself. "That's a shame. Would have been better if you knew me more. Then you wouldn't have any excuse when I kick your ass and take your title at Avalanche. I guess it just works to my advantage then." Heather would say, tapping her foot on the mat a bit more.

"And THAT is why you should give a shit. To be honest though, I couldn't care less if you worry or not, if you think i'm a threat or not. Hell, for me it's better if you think I'm nothing. It'll make it that much better when I beat you..though like I said it'll be annoying to hear this as your excuse, but oh well."

"Whore twins. Pfft. That's a new one," Sarah chuckled after Heather mocked her hired help, not that it seemed to bother the twins. Nha and Sha were now circling Heather closely like a pair of hungry sharks, eyeing her up and down, both of them ready to strike at a moments notice. Whenever Sarah made a ring appearance she almost always had Nha and Sha accompany her. It was a to display her power and influence in the AFW, to make people think twice about messing with her. While Sarah was crazy strong herself, a little show of force now and then could do wonders.

Back to the girl before her, who Sarah could still not identify, she stared at the girl as she made her case, looking her up and down, noticing how she kept tapping her foot, a sure sign of how nervous she actually was. Sarah smirked, amused by the tough front the girl was putting up. It was only when Heather finished with her declaring that she would take the belt around Sarah's waist that Sarah would acknowledge what was said.

"Man, they must be running out of good opponants or something," Sarah chuckled as she shook her head. "If they have to give a contract to this little nobody the whole damn league must be seriously desperate." Sarah would then approach Heather as she stood before her, looking down at the girl with a greed eyed glare. "Listen here you skinny piece of shit. If I;m going to lose this belt it's not going to be to a little nobody like you. I don't know who you scammed or bribed to get that contract but I can tell you that it won't be worth it. I've fought a lot more impressive people than you. People who's names I actually knew."

Sneering cruely down at her challnger Sarah would go on. "So tell me this. Was this an attempt to intimidate me or were you just letting me know you exist?"

Heather would narrow her eyes, getting herself as much on guard as she could as Nha and Sha began to circle her. Heather knows what the two can do and she wasn't about to try and end up on the wrong end of a 2 on one or even a three on one beating. She figured she might be able to maneuver around them, but not much further than that if it came to it. While she kept a glare directed at Gatt, she would, every now and then, glance over at one of the two twins.

"Kh..go ahead..say that now. All you're doing is pissing me off.." Heather would let out as Sarah said what she did about the league being desperate. Heather would hold her ground as Sarah approached her, her glare getting deeper as she stood before her, Heather having to look up just a bit with the slight height difference. "You really think I care who you've beat? You think you not knowing who I am is going to make me worried? Like I said, the more you put me down like this, the better it will be when I kick your ass and embarrass you in front of this crowd that seems to love your sick fucking ways so much for some reason."

"Neither. Consider it a fair warning. I think I gave you quite a bit of time before it's actually going to happen. Just, do me a favor and try not to cry when you realize a 'little nobody' just took the belt from you."

Despite Sarah's words Heather seemed unintimidated by what she just said. The girl was convinced that despite Sarah's power and skill she was going to defeat her at next years Avalanche title match. "Yeah, pissing you off is the idea, moron," Sarah chuckled down at Heather. "It means I don't think much of you. And you want to know why the crowd loves me? It's cause I give them a show. It's cause I'm not some string bean looking piece of shit that couldn't out-wrestle a cat."

Sarah would then suddenly smirked, and would unexpectedly unsling the Title belt from over her shoulder. "But you know? I don't give a shit about this thing. I don't need a goddamn belt to tell me I'm the toughest bitch in this place. No matter how shiny it is. You want it? You can take it." And then Sarah would simply toss the belt between her and Heather. The plan was for Heather's gaze to follow the belt on the way down to the mat, and when that happened Sarah would cock on fist back before she would try to send it plowing into the girl's face. If this worked and Heather was sent stumbling back it would be right into the waiting arms of Nha and Sha, who would hold the girl fast to prevent her from getting away or fighting back.

"Tch.." Heather would let out, frustrated at Sarah's words and chuckle as she shook her head. She heard the girl's next words and would let out a little scoff. "The crowd is as sick as you are then. Like I even care though. I don't need their support to kick your ass anyways." Heather would say, trying to stand her ground in the little vocal war as much as she could before Sarah would do what she did next.

Heather would tilt her head as she would unsling the belt from her shoulder before she would hear the girl's words, causing her to grit her teeth. "What?? You-" Heather would let out before Sarah would toss the belt like it was nothing in between them, and just as Sarah expected, Heather's glance would shift over to the gold that fell between them, leading her to be taken by surprise by her cheap shot punch. She would let out a pained grunt, stumbling back before she was grabbed by Nha and Sha, causing her eyes to widen.

"F-fucking...let go!!" Heather would let out in a panic, in a slight daze still from the punch as she would frantically try to pull herself out of Nha and Sha's grasp.

Sarah's tricky manuever had worked out perfectly, and thanks to her punch Heather was now secure in the arms of the lustful Nha and the brutal Sha, holding Heather between them and easily holding her fast despite her desperate struggles to escape. Sarah grinned wickedly as she came to lay eyes on the helpless Heather, and would bring up the fist that she had nailed her with before kissing it. "Never leave home without it," Sarah chuckled.

Leaving the belt where it lay for now Sarah would approach her captive challenger with clenched fists. There was only one thing that Sarah had in mind and the crowd knew it. WIth the twins holding Heather's arms at her sides Sarah would step riht up to the girl before she would send another harsh punch into HEather's face, and then another one into her stomach, and soon Sarah was unloading a merciless barrage of blows on Heather, striking her wherever she could. Her face, her ribs, her stomach her breasts, there was nowhere Sarah wouldn't hit. THe Queen of Brawl would do what she did best, namely beating the living hell out of someone with her barehands.

"Gh..y-youuu...y-you better fucking let go. I'm..not kidding!" Heather would let out, glaring back and forth at Nha and Sha as she continued her struggling, yanking her body around to no avail as the two seemed to have her held securely. It was more than frustrating for Heather, and she was finding herself in the exact spot that she had feared in getting into since Sarah came out with the twins.

"Kh...fuck you..I-guagh!!" Heather would let out before she would feel Sarah's fist collide with her face in another hard punch, sending her for quite the daze before she would feel the next punch collide with her stomach, causing her to cough violently as spittle shot out of her mouth. However, the girl didn't stop there. The punches would keep colliding with her, connecting with quite a bit of her body as she was continuously losing the energy to even support herself, slumping in Nha and Sha's grasp as she felt like her body was caving in, stinging everywhere that Sarah was hitting, a bit of blood dripping from her mouth.

Over and over again Sarah would drive her powerful fists into Heather's body and face, with the girl seemingly helpless to defend against her. With Nha and Sha holding her arms in place Heather would have nowehere to go and no way to block the incoming blows, meaning Sarah was free to use Heather like she was a punching bag. The crowd was filled with a mixture of boos and cheers; Sarah's fans delivered the cheers while Heather's was a chorus of boos. Both were drowned out by Sarah who was far to into delivering a savage beatdown on the girl who had dared challenge her.

Soon though, after delivering countless punches into Heather, Sarah would finally hold off, waving her sore knuckles about after they had collided with Heather so hard. The Queen of Brawl would then look upon the damage she had inflicted on her victim, grinning in approval at sight of the blood. With Nha and Sha still olding her secure, Sarah would grab Heather by her face, squeezeing it uncomfortably between her hand. "Listen to me very carefully, loser," Sarah whispered to Heather. "This is my league. Mine. Nothing and nobody is gonna change that. You can fight me, but you'll lose. Simple as that."

Sarah would then suddenly swing her foot up to try and connect with Heather's crotch, and at the moment Nha and Sha would release Heather's arms, so that when the blow connected Heather would be free to double over like Sarah expected her to. If that happened Sarah would immediately pull Heather's head between her legs, trapping her there, holding her so she wouldn't get away. "This is the closest you'll ever get to the belt!" Sarah cackled, and would then try to hook both of Heather's arms behind her back. Once she did that, Sarah would haul Heather up with a grunt of effort, holding her by her arms upsidedown in a piledriver position. For a brief couple of seconds, Sarah would hold Heather up like that, position her so that she hung directly over the Friction Title Belt that was still on the mat.

Fianlly, without further adi, Sarah would kick her feet out from under her, looking to deliver a double-underhook piledriver to Heather directly into the golden belt, nailing her with Sarah's newest finisher, the Slut Driver.