#Battle Spirits Double Drive

[himasgod]

Xiao x Reader

Where you rescue him, finding him defeated, and he swears to protect you.

(Today and yesterday I felt like writing about Xiao, so we have a double Xiao's one shot day hehe)

The night in Dihua Harsh was oppressive. The air was heavy with the dampness of mist and the metallic scent of ancient battles. In the background, echoes of distant wailing resounded, as if the shadows themselves were witnesses to the unquenchable hatred of the Archon War. Amidst those shadowy echoes, he stood, throwing his spear at invisible shadows, caught in a rut of endless violence. Xiao, the Yaksha Alatus, protector of Liyue and lone guardian.

The weight of his karmic debt tightened on his chest like an invisible poison, enveloping him in darkness. That night, the burden was particularly heavy, and each blow of his spear wore more on his spirit than his body. The last ghostly whisper dissipated, but Xiao felt no relief. He collapsed to the swamp floor, kneeling and gasping, as pain consumed him.

Then, a voice broke the silence.

“Are you… okay?”

It was a cautious murmur, almost inaudible through the mist. Looking up, Xiao saw you, a spark of alarm flashing through his golden gaze. There was no way a mortal could be here, so close to him and the dark forces lurking in his presence. Yet there you were, staring at him with a mix of unease and compassion.

“Stay away. You have no idea what you’re doing,” he told you, his tone full of warning. But you didn’t move. You knew it was dangerous to approach someone like him, a warrior shrouded in dark legends and struggles that mortals could barely understand. Yet worry kept you from taking a step back.

Xiao looked at you, surprised by your boldness and, deep down, by the familiarity of that gesture of kindness, something he had almost forgotten.

“I don’t need… your compassion,” he whispered, looking away. However, he didn't stop looking at you with his tired golden eyes, as if deep down he was asking for some rest.

So the moment he collapsed, you picked him up and carried him to Wangshu Inn.

One year later, since that meeting in the swamp, Xiao had kept his distance, watching you from the shadows during each day. Although he never came close, the memory of that night continued to resonate in him. Something in your gaze, in the delicacy of your words, had left a mark on his soul, a mark that, instead of causing him pain, seemed to illuminate his darkness.

On one of those nights, he saw you throw a lantern into the river. He could not hear your wish, but his heart sensed it: a prayer for peace, for the protection of someone you did not fully know, but in whom you believed. Xiao felt the loneliness that had accompanied him for centuries crack slightly, like a wall fracturing before the warmth of a persistent flame.

A strange, almost uncontrollable impulse led him to appear before you that night. His face maintained the same stoic expression as always, but something different shone in his golden eyes.

“Why do you insist on coming back here?”

He asked, his voice filled with confusion and a slight trace of anxiety. You could see the wear and tear on his features, the weight of each battle etched in every line of his expression.

“Because someone I hold dear needs to remember that he is not alone,”

You answered softly. He looked up and for a moment, hesitated, almost hoping that the darkness around him would drive you away. But you did not back away, and the reflection of the lantern light in your eyes was enough to keep his heart anchored in a place that no longer felt so gloomy.

“My duty is to protect Liyue,” he murmured, as if he were reminding himself of his purpose. But the words sounded empty even to him, because in your presence, reasons seemed to change, to evolve into something more than just duty.

With a barely audible sigh, he took a step towards you, getting close enough for the coldness of his presence to be dispelled by the warmth you emanated. The loneliness he had known, that had enveloped him for so long, was broken with every second he spent at your side, even if he himself could not quite admit it.

Finally, with a tremor in his voice, he confessed:

"Your words… that light… is the only thing that reminds my soul that there is something beyond the darkness."

And then, he extended his hand, brushing your cheek with a tenderness that almost seemed impossible for someone like him. The touch was light, almost as if he did not want to leave a mark, but in his gaze there was an intensity that spoke of centuries of loneliness dissipating at a simple gesture of humanity.

"I will protect you"

He said finally, with a firmness that did not accept doubts. Because in your presence, Xiao had found a purpose that, although uncertain and fearful of losing, filled him with a peace hadnt felt in millenia.

The light from your lantern flickered in the wind, but neither you nor Xiao looked away.

On that night in Dihua Harsh, a Yaksha and a mortal met and for an eternal instant, the loneliness seemed to fade away.

Here is my masterlist, in case you are interested in any more of my work or want to send me a request <3

[duhragonball]

What’s your overall opinion on Jiren as a character and an antagonist?

I think a lot of Jiren critics miss the point with the guy. In particular, Team Four Star keeps trying to reduce Jiren to some cutting soundbyte. He's boring, he's like U11's Superman, he's an inversion of Goku, etc. You're never going to appreciate a character unless you're willing to meet the concept halfway.

In brief, he's the Man to Beat in the Tournament of Power. Unlike the other 69 opponents in the event, who resent Goku for getting them into this mess, Jiren finds Goku to be a nuisance, unworthy of his time or effort. Jiren can sweep the entire field by himself, and he knows it, but he's so bitter and depressed that he takes no satisfaction from any of it. This is just another job for him, one more chore in a long list of tasks that only he can do.

Jiren's sick of it. He suffered all this tragedy in his past, and now he's achieved seemingly ultimate strength, and it feels pointless to him. He wants to protect his universe and uphold justice. I think he's got that much in common with the Pride Troopers at least. But there's no joy in it for him. His victories are meaningless and hollow to him. Defeat is virtually impossible. Fighting the Tournament of Power is no better or worse for him than sitting alone in his room, staring at the wall.

I think that's what frustrates a lot of fans, because they want Jiren to be this exciting and charismatic figure, a cartoonish supervillain like Vegeta, or Frieza, or Cell, or a bizarre monster like Broly, or Buu, or Janemba. But Jiren flips the script by not giving a shit about Goku. He's not mad at Goku for causing the Tournament of Power to happen, he's not excited to fight Goku, he's not charmed by Goku's enthusiasm. He just wants to dominate the Tournament and leave. Not that Jiren has anything better to do with his time. He just wants to get it over with.

I think that's what makes the Vegeta vs. Jiren segments of the tournament so fun to watch. Look, I'm a big fan of Vegeta, but nobody thought he was going to be the one to take Jiren down. Vegeta's job was to try anyway, and get beat down to show just how tough things would be for Goku. And yet, we kept seeing Vegeta diving headlong into the fray anyway. He'd fight Jiren solo, he'd double-team him with Goku, he'd watch Goku fight Jiren and look for openings. Vegeta kept coming back for more, taking any action he could get, often with a big smile on his face.

Why is it so satisfying when Vegeta manages to get those small little victories against Jiren? He never came close to winning, but he still managed to find openings in his defenses, and he kept coming back for more, and in the end, he gained Jiren's respect. Why does this matter? Because Vegeta's loaded with passion, passion that Jiren lacks. He does take satisfaction from winning, and he does care deeply about the stakes, and even if this battle were just for funsies, he'd still give it his all because he enjoys combat for its own sake. That's what makes him so tenacious, even when he doesn't stand a chance.

And that's what stymies Jiren, because on several occasions he wonders why his opponents refuse to just roll over and accept defeat. That's what he'd do in their shoes, after all, because for him victory and defeat have lost all meaning. There's similar moments with 17, Frieza, and Goku, but I think the moments with Vegeta are especially prominent, just because Vegeta is so laser-focused on defeating Jiren personally, as opposed to merely winning the tournament or running down the clock.

Ultimately, what turns Jiren around is when Goku and the others manage to win him over with their fighting spirit. Once Goku surpasses him with Ultra Instinct and he starts to despair, his teammates cheer him on, and he forges ahead. He loses the battle and Goku praises him for his performance, and he finally understands what it is that drives the others. Then he confides in Toppo that he has no friends and Toppo's like "We're your friends, dummy." So Jiren still has a long way to go, but at least he's beginning to climb out of his rut.

And that's what makes the character interesting. For his opponents, he's this wall they have to break through, but for him, it's about rediscovering something through the course of the battle.

Is he a good villain? No, but he's not supposed to be a villain at all. He's an antagonist in a story without a bad guy. He's an opponent who lacks the passion that the main cast have, and that's a weak point he discovers as the story wears on. It's a very cool thing we see. I don't know how that will work for future Jiren stories, but that's a problem for another day, I guess.

[reagansragepage]

Another LMK oc of mine! This is Xu Yang! He's the reincarnation of Hou yi! He's a mega Chang'e fanboy, so much that he learned how to make his own merch! (I don't often draw in the lmk artstyle so usually you'll see my lmk oc's in my normal artstyle sgdhdjdj)

Here is his backstory:

Xu Yang was born in a small village nestled at the foot of the towering Kunlun Mountains in China. From a young age, he exhibited an unusual affinity for archery. His father, a humble craftsman, and his mother, a schoolteacher, nurtured his interests but were puzzled by his extraordinary skill. By the age of ten, Xu Yang could hit targets with uncanny precision, and his prowess only grew as he aged.

Despite his remarkable talents, Xu Yang never felt content. A deep-seated unease gnawed at him, a constant feeling that he was not living up to some undefined expectation. This feeling drove him to train relentlessly, often to the point of exhaustion. His parents worried about his health, but Xu Yang was resolute, convinced that he needed to push himself harder.

At fifteen, Xu Yang began having vivid dreams. In these dreams, he was a mighty archer named Hou Yi, tasked with saving the world by shooting down nine suns that threatened to scorch the Earth. The dreams were so lifelike and recurrent that Xu Yang could no longer dismiss them as mere fantasies. He confided in his grandmother, a wise woman steeped in folklore and tradition. She listened intently and then revealed to him a family secret: according to ancient legend, one of their ancestors was Hou Yi himself.

The revelation was a double-edged sword for Xu Yang. On one hand, it explained his extraordinary abilities and his unrelenting drive. On the other hand, it amplified his feelings of inadequacy. How could he, a mere boy, live up to the legacy of a legendary hero who had saved the world?

Xu Yang's sense of duty became a burden. He believed that he had to prove himself worthy of Hou Yi's spirit within him. This belief led him to overwork himself, pushing his body and mind to their limits. He excelled in school and became the star of the archery team, but his relentless pursuit of perfection took a toll on his health and happiness.

Despite his achievements, Xu Yang felt isolated. His peers admired him but found it hard to relate to his obsessive drive. He struggled with the pressure of his perceived destiny, battling feelings of loneliness and inadequacy.

In the midst of his turmoil, Xu Yang discovered an unexpected source of comfort: a popular cooking show hosted by the goddess Chang'e. The show was a whimsical blend of culinary art and ancient folklore, and Xu Yang found solace in the serene presence of the goddess. Her calm demeanor and gentle wisdom provided a respite from his relentless self-imposed pressures.

As Xu Yang's interest in Chang'e's show grew, he found himself drawn not only to cooking but also to the aesthetics of the program. He admired the intricate designs and elegant costumes featured on the show, sparking a newfound passion for fashion design. In his spare time, he began sketching outfits inspired by Chang'e, creating his own line of merchandise that celebrated the goddess's grace and style.

Through this creative outlet, Xu Yang started to find a balance in his life. Fashion design offered him a way to express himself and connect with something he loved without the intense pressure of perfection. He realized that being a hero, whether in archery or in life, didn't mean sacrificing his well-being. It meant embracing his passions and finding joy in the journey, just as Chang'e's show brought joy to him.

[presidentbungus]

Demo’s room generally doubles as his workshop, more or less, since for some reason Engie and Medic tend to get priority in taking over the big flex rooms in the abandoned factories and half-demolished military stations they get shoved into for every new battle-site. Which is not ideal, but fine, and it saves him the walk, which is helpful when it’s nighttime and he’s getting a little too in his own head and his hands are buzzing and if he doesn’t do something right now he might just explode himself… and it’s just a short crawl out of bed, to the big antique worktable he makes a grand effort of carting from base-to-base, usually propped up against the wall farthest from anything he doesn’t want to cover in ash and various other highly combustible powders. On this desk is about thirty abandoned projects, two or three barely-not-abandoned ones, and a helpful dosage of semi-useless garbage; lucky trinkets, bottles, half-burnt volumes on chemistry and physics he borrowed from Engie and doesn’t have the guts to return, bottles, bottles. There’s a relatively clear half-moon around the bench, size varying based on the room, and then the rest of the room closes in.

It doesn’t matter how big it is; Demo has the rare talent make any space feel like a labyrinth if he has access to enough thrift-store antiques, which if he drives far enough, he will. Ash-covered tables, assorted suits of armor, grandfather clocks and couches cluster around what could barely be described as exceedingly narrow corridors of space, every flat surface in the room covered in bizarre statues, presumably haunted amulets and snowglobes, seashells and nerd shit action figures, a tiny useless trinket borrowed from everywhere he’s ever visited; ancient jade figurines, vials of mysterious powder, fantasy playing cards. All painstakingly arranged in a way only remotely decipherable to himself, of course; delicately balanced so a spare gust of wind could send just about everything in the room careening at once to the floors, but that’s alright, he seems to manage. The walls are covered in thrift-store paintings and weapon racks, the favorites of his swords hung proudly above the chaos, the rest shoved haphazardly in a golf bag under the singing fish. A grand bookshelf sits off to one side, more expensive-looking than anything else and painstakingly taken to every location the mercs visit, filled with ancient history volumes, spellbooks, and exceedingly dense fantasy novels.

It’s unnavigable to anyone besides esoteric, overwhelmingly sentimental Tavish DeGroot. It’s built-in defense against intruders until Scout tumbles in with begrudging permission and accidentally sets free about six vengeful ancestral spirits from various shattered vases and amulets with an unfortunately placed sweep of the arm. It’s probably not representative of a healthy mental state. He makes it work

[darthkvznblogs]

Two Kass questions. 1.) Is Ikaros still alive, or has our favorite bird found its way to Elysium? 2.) As the goddess of heroes, has she ever tried to help any demigod even if indirectly?

1) Ikaros lived out its natural lifespan back in the 400s BCE, but Kassandra summoned its spirit as her eternal companion upon being elevated to godhood! Not that Kassandra gets out much, but spotting an ethereal eagle soaring overhead is a telltale sign that she's around.

2) It's rare, because Kassandra isn't really worshipped (or even that well known) outside Atlantis, but whenever a demigod tries to appeal to their own sense of heroism to achieve some seemingly impossible task, Kass becomes aware of it. She doesn't always do anything about it, because heroism is a double-edged sword - it materializes the best in us, driving us to go above and beyond what we could normally achieve, but it can also make us reckless, forsaking caution and common sense and potentiall leading to an early (though of course, heroic) death. Still, sometimes it's a fucked up enough scenario that helping them out is better than nothing.

This is also a big reason why she rarely participates in battles with anyone that isn't the Amazons; her divine aura instills heroism on those around her, whether they want it or not, and she refuses to be responsible of the heroic deaths that might ensue - the Amazons, at least, go into battle accepting that risk, and their magical enhancements make them less likely to go down in a blaze of glory.

[idolswrestlingadventure]

Wrestlemania III (1987)

Wrestling baby! We’re back and good lord that one of the biggest crowds I have ever seen. I always question events that get this kind of capacity thinking “surely, it’s not that popular right?” Turns out like other things in my life, I’m often wrong. But golly that sure is an immense audience for this burly sport! It’s also odd to see people wearing tuxedo’s outside in the daylight but who am I to judge?

We get our yearly dose of pure melancholy filled ‘Murica with the amazing Aretha Franklin playing piano to start the show off. The lady can sing! Is this going to be a ritual for all Wrestlemania’s? Overdose on patriotism before decanting your spirit with airborne flesh assaults? Kudos if they can keep this up over the 90s. Well it’s certainly better than Liberace and his dancing girls. Let’s get on with the show!

The Can-Am Connection V “Cowboy” Bob Orton & The Magnificent Muraco (w Mr. Fuji) - Fuji back to bring the boos and apparently Muraco in the intervening years has turned heel, but no less meaty than the last time we saw him. The Can-Am connection seems to have the frantic energy of a duo who are struggling for their audience to tell them apart, this is literally the era of the perm and when everyone has curled hair, no one does. Can-Am takes the win in a standard by the books match -Tier 5-

Bob Orton Away!

Billy Jack Haynes V Hercules - I didn’t realise Hercules was literally cosplaying the Greek demi-god so literally. Talking about breaking Zeus and Samson and unleashing a mighty dury upon Billy Jack Hayes. Whom appears in the ring, in another tiny ring. Which is hilarious! I want one of those to drive around town! 

A battle of titans ensues. Slaps happen, slams occur, each fighter giving it their all, resulting in a double countout. Hercules breaks possibly the fakest looking set of chains onto the face of Billy post-match in an effort to sell the fury. I’d like it to stop now, thanks. -Tier 6-

All that glitters is god-awful

Hillbilly Jim, Haiti Kid and Little Beaver V King Kong Bundy, Little Tokyo and Lord Littlebrook

I take that back, I’d like to go back to the previous match please. How did Bundy sink so low, not a pun. Literally midget wrestling…I thought that was a myth! It’s absolutely ridiculous to watch and, although there’s not much “serious” with wrestling, it’s hard to take any of this at face value. Hillbilly and his cadre of smaller billy’s take the win on this occasion, am I entertained? A bit. Do I have second-hand embarrassment from what I watched, absolutely. -Tier 10-

Something tells me this match is a little one-sided

Interlude - Macho Man interrupts The Lovely Elizabeth’s interview with some nonsensical gibberish which, although not as energetic as his previous promo’s, is somehow still entertaining.

Harley Race V Junkyard Dog - Harley professes himself as the King of Wrestling, meanwhile the black guy in chains comes out to profess that America didn’t need no King. I do like the Junkyard Dog but god damn, the 80s suck for this kind of optics. And now they have him bowing before the King…yikes. However he does at least put a chair in the back of his head, whilst Jesse complains that he’s never seen such a cheap shot in all his life…yeah okay Jesse, okay…-Tier 9-

Honestly, still better than King Charles III's coronation

Interlude - Hulk continues to wipe the coke stains from his moustache and flex infront of Vince’s pouting face, also he seems to never stop talking. And people were surprised these guys were problematic later in life?

The Dream Team V The Rougeau Brothers - A skating team lost on their way to the rink versus two guys who have the dress sense of a blind drug-addled car salesman. Greg “The Hammer” Valentine still looks like he came straight from the pub too, three pints in, yeah I can take ‘em! Yeh and he moves pretty much like that too. Some of the usual wrestling with a ref distraction for added drama, but a quick bout at least. -Tier 7-

"Brother, I don't think this is the Toronto Ice Rink"

I should probably explain Tiers and my rating

Tier 1: Superb, one for the ages, should absolutely not be missed.

Tier 2: An amazing match, extremely entertaining, worth anyone’s time

Tier 3: Good wrestling and/or drama, a great watch!

Tier 4: Just great quality, solid example of good wrestling or entertainment.

Tier 5: Just a match, nothing good or bad, just the middling tier.

Tier 6: An okay match, some problems, overall decent.

Tier 7: Not great, too quick or too sloppy.

Tier 8: Terrible, performers uninteresting and nothing going on

Tier 9: Absolutely awful, nothing redeeming about this match, avoid at all costs

Tier 10: Incredibly problematic, dire wrestling, objectively harms wrestling.

"And here at Madam Tussauds we replaced our wax figure with the real Andre, because honestly who can tell the difference..."

“Rowdy” Roddy Piper V Adrian Adonis (Hair V Hair Match) - I still don’t quite get Adrian’s gimmick, but am enjoying Roddy’s righteous fury although I’m not sure if I’ve ever seen a Hair V Hair match before. But you know, Adonis can throw himself about really well despite his size. This works as a better comedy match than the earlier midget wrestling purely as it’s more farcical. Roddy’s heel status works well here and you want to root for him against the forces of…absurdity? Although I’ll be happy when WWF stops using trans characters as bad guys, again, the 80s…despite that, good match, lots of energy and fun. -Tier 4-

"Just a little off the top sir?"

Danny Davis & The Hart Foundation V Tito Santana and The British Bulldogs - Oh hey, I know Bret Hart! He was from all the 90s wrestling my friends watched! And of course we remember the Bulldogs from last year's antics, complete with a small bulldog which we’re lucky didn’t do its business on the turnbuckle.

These are some of the biggest tag team names in wrestling for this moment and you can see why. Some good moves and although no storyline really to follow, this is an engaging match with the crowd going wild for Tito Santana once more. -Tier 3-

Jimmy Hart wondered for a moment if he should suplex a dog...

Butch Reed V Koko B. Ware - All I can think is, that poor bird. Being thrown about like that then perched on the edge of the stage infront of thousands of screaming people. This absolutely has to be before animal cruelty laws were brought in. Also “slick” does seem to have that pimp energy, not sure how long his gimmick will go on for. Some standard wrestling, doesn’t excuse torturing the bird. -Tier 8-

"After this match I'm biting that man's nose off..."

Ricky Steamboat V Randy Savage - Going to put it out there, this might be the most impressive match I’ve watched in all of these events so far. The energy is outstanding, it absolutely paid a lot of respect to the talent of Ricky Steamboat and made the Macho Man more than just his goofy promo’s. I’m becoming a big fan of Ricky Steamboat the more I see of him, he’s absolutely top talent during this era. And this match is electric, with not even myself expecting Steamboat to get the win on this occasion. Not sure about the bit with Hairy George and Miss Elizabeth, but I’ll give that a pass for some quality in ring action. -Tier 1-

The production of The Karate Kid is currently sueing the Steamboat Estate

The Honky Tonk Man V Jake Roberts - Alice Cooper! And he shows his guns for some in-ring action wow! I also dig the hokey nature of the Honky Tonk Man’s Elvis impression, he commits for the bit for sure! Bonus points for Jimmy Hart getting a snake to the face. This was an entertaining match! Give me more Alice Cooper’s skinny arms in the ring! -Tier 2-

"We're the perfect team Gene, he's the muscle, and I'm nothing else"

 The Iron Shiek & Nikolai Volkoff V The Killer Bees - Oh they are back, the crowd’s favourite antagonists. When does the Soviet Union collapse again? Ah it’s not for a while yet. Okay fine but they get notably interrupted by the spirit of America in Hacksaw Jim Duggan which, well, i don’t know which is worse to be honest. 

Actually, yes I do, it’s the Killer Bees. Who thinks of this as a team style? “Hey let’s wear striped bottoms and pretend our stings are lethal!” Maybe bringing awareness for the  declining bee population? Mostly an uninteresting match with the asian bloc taking the win, getting the crowd riled up for the main event. -Tier 7-

The perfect American, and his 2x4 patriotic plank

The Main Event: Hulk Hogan V Andre The Giant - Here it is, the event to end all events. The pure exhilaration of Hulkamania meets the largest man ever to wrestle. And it’s kinda disappointing? A supposed clash of the titans but met with Andre’s inability to move very well and his lack of doing anything other than standing, grappling and taking the occasional hit. The Andre heel turn is quite funny though, I absolutely get Bond Jaws vibes from the whole exchange and it definitely reads as “we needed Andre to be the heel, so let’s just make him turn because why not”. Hulk does perform a slam on him which is impressive, that could not have been easy on either contestant. Oh and Hulk going Super Saiyan will never not be funny. -Tier 6-

"So...want to just go get a drink and wait for this whole thing to blow over?"

Overall Average Tier - 6 Randy Savage Driveling Rambles Out Of 10

On a side note I realised I still have literally hundreds of PPVs to go through, so I might not do so much writing for each individual event, but pics and commentary will continue. Next up Survivor Series (1987)

[monstersdownthepath]

Monster Spotlight: Valkyrie

CR 12

Chaotic Neutral Medium Outsider

Bestiary 3, pg. 277 (pic from 2e Bestiary 3, pg. 281)

Angelic servants of battle itself, the Valkyrie are born fully formed within the Maelstrom from the souls of soldiers who wish beyond all wishes to keep fighting. While most Valkyries can be found in the service of various Chaotic deities--typically, but not limited to, gods of war, valor, and courage--many instead act as independent agents or even cosmic warriors for hire, gifting their skills to anyone who can pay their strange prices. Valkyrie are responsible for gathering souls worthy of being transformed into Einherjar, plucking them from battlefields all over the Great Beyond to bring them into the Maelstrom, baptizing them in the chaos to transform them into immortal, nigh-invincible soldiers.

To this end, Valkyrie can Plane Shift themselves at will, taking with them only their gear and whatever mount they happen to be astride (typically some variety of fantastic steed, like a pegasus or the centipede-esque sleipnir). They instinctively seek out battles, typically shortly after they’re over... but they’re no strangers to joining battles that are still in progress. Able to cast both Aid and Death Ward at will to make their allies or themselves fearless and immune to death effects, Valkyrie practically exist to arrive from above with a dramatic spear thrust downwards into a huge monster, turning the tide of battle. They can even provide their own dramatic background, able to Call Lightning Storms 3/day!

Equipped with a permanent Deathwatch, Valkyrie take stock of the allies they’ve chosen, deciding which deserve to live and fight another day and which shall accompany them to Valhalla the Maelstrom. Those who still show a drive to grow into ever more powerful warriors are graced with a Heal to restore them to peak condition, or even a Breath of Life if they perish before their mission is completed. To those whose lives have come to a close, a Valkyrie can Choose the Slain, drawing the soul of a willing creature into their weapons to later transport them to the Maelstrom to transform them into Einherji. This power only works on a willing creature; an eternity as a deathless warrior is one that must be chosen. There’s no limit to the number of souls a Valkyrie can transport at once, but choosing the slain only works on a fresh body, and thus they can use Gentle Repose at will to preserve the freshly-fallen until after the battle is done and there are no further enemies.

But how do they get rid of said enemies? Mostly, a lot of charge attacks. Though they’re expert fliers, Valkyrie are built to have steeds beneath them, their specific feats--namely Ride-By Attack and especially Spirited Charge--making them extremely dangerous when they’re mounted, and as such even if their current mount is killed or otherwise incapacitated, a Valkyrie can summon a Sleipnir to their side 1/day. As CR 11 creatures that are extremely fast and all-terrain with a flurry of natural attacks and Prismatic Spray 3/day, the summoned steed is dangerous enough on its own... but once the angel of battle hops on, things get so much worse.

Valkyrie who aren’t blasting foes with their called lightning (5d6 Electricity damage) mainly use +2 Returning Spears, able to make up to four attacks a round (five if they’re under the effects of their 3/day Divine Power) in melee, or one attack a round from a range, each dealing 1d8+8 damage (1d8+12 under Divine Power) which triples on a critical hit. Decent! But nowhere near as scary as it can be. I don’t mean their Power Attack or Vital Strike, mind, though those certainly factor in; I mean Spirited Charge. This delightful little feat doubles damage done with their weapons during a mounted charge, which is tripled AGAIN if that damage is a critical hit. An especially lucky Valkyrie may deal upwards to 96 damage in a single full-round action (120 under Divine Power), which is a hell of an opening act! And because their summoned Sleipnir has Air Walk constantly, they can easily skitter right back into the air and charge into the next enemy next round.

However, ‘enemy’ can be subjective; you may notice that they’re Chaotic Neutral. Good and Evil don’t matter to them, so it’s a complete coin toss on whether or not they’ll fight for OR against Lord Deathmonger von Dogstomper in the climactic assault on his Kingdom of Vilebad. It can be a little disheartening for Good-aligned rebels against a wildly evil force to see literal angels descend from above and begin massacring them, one would assume.

You can read more about them here.

[msweebyness]

Mirrorverse Crossover- Marinette

Well, lookie here! Ya’ll get a double-feature today, fitting for our fave pair of besties! Here’s our girl Mari! Enjoy!

A strong tension filled the air between the two young women who sat in the room. Marilan’s intense, sharp bluebell eyes never left her fur-clothed counterpart for a single moment, unwilling to give her even the smallest chance to pull something shady. Marinette DeVil wouldn’t admit it if her life was on the line, but that fierce and focused gaze was actually quite intimidating…So was the gleaming sword that rested at her hero-self’s hip, standing out against the pink silk of her casual hanfu. The fashion maven thought that she might as well try to break the ice, maybe it would get the other girl out of ‘warrior mode’…

“You can relax, you know, darling. I’m not going try and hurt you. Even a villain like me knows better than to attack a highly-trained fighter who has a weapon on their person when I myself am unarmed.”, Mari DeVil said in the cool and just-slightly-condescending tone she had mastered over the years.

“Forgive me if, after meeting those that you keep company with, I’m not the most inclined to trust you when you tell me you mean no harm.”, Marilan said firmly, not letting up even a little, her eyes narrowing as her delicate fingers moved closer to her blade out of instinct.

“Whatever you say, dear.”, Mari DeVil sighed dramatically, waving her hand dismissively as she tried to think of another way to get the girl to let her guard down. Her fair skin was starting to burn from that glare! Remembering that little incident with her universe’s Kim earlier on, she found a new topic to test out.

“So, darling, you and your universe’s Kagami and Adrien seem quite close. Your partners in a romantic sense, I assume?”, the villainous fashionista ventured, a teasing little smile crossing her lips.

“Yes. Do you take issue with that somehow?”, the warrior asked, her eyes narrowing once more as if daring the other girl to say something against her relationship or others like it.

“Oh, my god, no, love! To be completely honest, I have my eye on a few lovelies myself. If you can have them all, why should you choose? Especially when you can watch them all battle for your hand!”, Mari DeVil said with a mirthful cackle.

Ignoring the last part, for the first time, Marilan’s demeanor seemed to ease as she thought of her brave fighter and her gentle prince, warmth spreading through her heart as she sighed softly.

“I don’t know where I would be without either of them. Kagami, my yǒnggǎn de*, she is my inspiration, her proud spirit drives me to be a worthy warrior to stand by her side.”, she said as she took up her blade, looking at her reflection in the shining metal with a wistful smile.

Mari DeVil managed to keep herself from rolling her eyes. For wickedness’ sake, these heroes really were a bunch of saps, weren’t they? She snapped back to attention as her hero counterpart continued.

“And Adrien, my jīn huā**, he is such a gentle soul. His kindness and compassion never ceases to amaze me.”, Marilan went on to say warmly as she sheathed the sword, before turning solemn, “I will do anything to protect him, and I know Kagami feels the same.”

— — —

Back with rest of the heroic and villainous teenagers, a loud, obnoxious, and mocking laugh sounded out from arguably the most arrogant person in the room.

“HA! You need your widdle girlfwiends to protect you, Mister Princess?! Pathetic! What kind of a man needs a couple of girls to do his fighting for him?!”, Kimton sneered, before launching into another peal of mean-spirited laughter. LeOnDine giggled in agreement, seeking his approval as usual.

The egotistical hunter was suddenly the target of a barrage of fiery, angry glares from the heroic half of the gathered assembly, one of the fiercest coming from his own counterpart. No one got away with bullying their Adrien!

“I-I don’t like fighting…or hurting people…”, Adripunzel choked out quietly, tears welling in the sensitive boy’s luminous green eyes.

“I figured asss much.”, Jafardrien scoffed, disgusted at how easily this counterpart of his was wounded emotionally. It only took one measly insult to get him crying?

“I-I just like healing people, not causing them pain.”, Adripunzel timidly explained, his demeanor starting to brighten again, to the relief of his friends. As the boy began to hum the tune of a certain song, his long golden hair donned a soft, beautiful glow. Not noticing that a certain other blonde donning a dark cloak was now watching him like a predatory hawk.

”Your…your hair…”, Lacey Gothel rasped, catching everyone’s attention, “The magic of the sundrop flower…”, hand drawing her trusty dagger as she began to move towards the suddenly frightened prince, whose hair had returned to its dormant state.

Before the demented murderess could reach her target, however, a fearsome wall of a woman stood between them. One who was currently aiming a lethally sharpened arrow straight at her forehead. Lacey Gothel jumped back with a start.

“If you take so much as one step closer to him, I will put this through your skull and end your miserable existence faster than you can blink.”, Kagamerida spoke in a voice of solid stone, the flames behind her glare promising truth in each word.

Around her, many of the other heroic students were also taking defensive stances and drawing their own weapons, all ready to defend their friend, no matter what. The villainous Lacey gulped, she may have overestimated her chances here…

“Settle down now, ya’ll.”, Doctor Cabello intervened smoothly, “Lacey here was just messin’ around, weren’t you?”, they assured, giving the girl in question a meaningful look, with the blonde hastily nodding.

“A-ah, yes, of course! My apologies, if I frightened you!”, Lacey Gothel rushed out, visibly sweating under the glares of the hero clan, “Shall we get back to watching then?”

— — —

“Hey, don’t forget about me! I’m important too!”, a high, somewhat nasally male voice suddenly cut through the air in the room. Mari DeVil started, and began to look around the room for the source. When she turned back to her counterpart, a black cat with luminescent green eyes had appeared seemingly from thin air.

“Of course, Plagg! What would I do without you?”, Marilan laughed warmly, her eyes crinkling with a smile as she stroked under the cat-Plagg, she had said-‘s chin. Until she noticed that Mari DeVil was giving her companion a look she didn’t particularly like.

“Such beautiful, silky black fur…he’d make a perfect shawl...”, the dual-haired vixen muses, admiring the shine of the feline’s coat and earning a sharp hiss in response.

“Excuse me?”, Marilan gaped, placing a hand protectively over her guardian’s head as she took a step back from her villain-self. What on Earth was wrong with this girl?

“Well, that’s all a mangy, fleabitten little beast like him is good for anyway, dear!”, Mari DeVil sneered, looking at Plagg and her counterpart with distaste, “Bah, pets! I’ve never understood why people keep the filthy little menaces with them!”, she went on to declare, tossing her hair haughtily.

“All creatures, be they people or not, are deserving of compassion!”, Marilan said firmly, fire filling her soul at the other girl’s cruelty, as well as the urge to draw her trusted blade.

“And I’d like to see you try and skin a guardian spirit, lady!”, Plagg snapped, arching his back and hissing once more as he shot her a warning look.

“Well, isn’t that sweet? I’m going to have to disagree with you though, love!”, Mari DeVil laughed wickedly, ignoring the feline’s outburst, “I LIVE for furs, I WORSHIP furs! One day I’ll have the pelt of every animal on the planet! Who could be more fashionable than me then?”, she declared grandly, twirling around as she stroked the white tufts of the coat she currently donned.

“You really have no regard for any life that isn’t your own, do you? The fact that you are my counterpart is an insult to myself and my family! I have never met so dishonorable a person in my life!”, Marilan snarled, her hand on the hilt of her sword as she shot the loathsome villainess a hateful glare.

“Why thank you, darling! You really are too sweet!”, Mari DeVil howled in a mad fit of cackling, “Though I’m curious to know how you’d plan to stop me from taking your little kitty there!”, she taunted, a crazed look in her eyes as she eyed this little girl who fancied herself a hero and a warrior, before descending into villainous laughter once more.

Only for that laughter to abruptly stop when her pink-clad counterpart moved too fast for her eyes to even track, and finding herself with one of Marilan’s hands restraining her own behind her back and the other holding that blasted sword against her throat.

“Does that answer your question?”, Marilan snapped in a voice as frigid as the power wielded by the Marc from this universe.

“Oh…bother.”

- - -

* “Brave One”

** “Golden Flower”

- - -

And there it was folks! Don’t mess with Adripunzel, or threaten the people and animals Marilan cares about! As always, shout out to @imsparky2002 and @artzychic27! As usual, leave your thoughts in the comments and reblogs! And keep an eye out for Artzy posting the Naths!

[yaoi-yaoieverywhere]

The Sound of Wind and Eruhaben

If there was one thing Thief was when she was alive, it was quick. But only on her own. In the end, she wasn't even quick enough to die on her own terms. Pinned by a boulder- double the cruelty in the sick reminder of the White Star's own lack of an Earth ability and his envy. She drowned because she was tired of dragging bubbles of air to her ruined lungs when even the voice of her last wind elemental friend could not speak to her. (Her family was scattered. How could they ever find her to save her?)

Half her spirit remained there and the other with the top's whip halfway across the world. Her true hoard remained safe for ten thousand years, only occasionally used by the descendants of her childhood friend to stay alive. It was what their village would have wanted. So she hoped. She went childless and free.

Except, now she had Cale.

And through Cale's senses, she met Eruhaben.

Maybe it was because Cale viewed dragons as people instead of beasts that she really thought about him as a person and not an immovable force. He was such a funny old dragon too. She had the feeling he'd be the type of grandpa to hand out sweets to kids if only he'd frequent human shops. It was all there in the sound of his voice with its rumbling valleys and laughing peaks. He played along with Cale's schemes like an indulgent (exasperated) family member and sighed after him with familiar fondness. She remembered the feeling of brushing against his skin once and recalled that it was smooth but thin like paper. A thousand years had worn him well.

Thief had listened through Cale's ears as he snarled at this copycat White Star that he would never, ever be able to touch his children so long as he lived. Warm mana pressed into Cale and Raon like living armor. When had she last felt safe like this in the middle of a battlefield?

And suddenly she wanted him to live with Cale for more than just another year. The thought stewed in the back of her mind during her short waking hours. Even though she knew exactly the kind of cruel test that must be taken to save her old home so the jug could be fully used. Cale would do it for him. She only regretted that she hadn't known this future when she was alive and whole. If it was not to be found for these ten thousand years anyway… Couldn't she have been kinder in her grief?

Still. It was worth trying.

Then that blasted dragon refused to take more than enough to last through the final battle. She bristled at the rejection. She had stolen the elixir of life itself that was made from her people to save others, Cale had suffered through a test meant to drive out all hope for it, and this dragon refused? Still, she settled, hearing Cale's words in her soul. Cale was not cocky when he promised that one day soon Eruhaben would come asking for the jar of his own volition. There was no one alive she trusted more.

When the day finally came when the battle with this second White Star ended and Cale succeeded in pressing Eruhaben into taking it- taking it all, she flexed her palms as she felt him press that jug tight to the dragon's lips with one hand while cradling his chin in the other. The frantic swallows rang in her ears and she would have curled a wicked grin if only she still had lips to use. The feeling of the jar cracking-

Just like when her top was smashed, she felt the call of freedom for those souls trapped within. And in return, Eruhaben's skin was growing firm. Ten thousand years of waiting. She let them go gladly and focused on the jaw under Cale's fingertips.

"…That dragon named Mila put it back together properly. That dragon is going to be young again."

[eusarca]

“One thing we all share is the desire to see tomorrow, right?”

In the vast white expanse left behind by the fantastical kingdoms, Kyrie stood among the forces opposing the Demon Lord. Their hair no longer unfurled like a flower, and the natural power they could tap into was what they’d earned in death. The dagger they held was once again what they’d asked for through Spirale’s strange ATM-like terminal. They gripped the handle tighter, finding relief in the familiar. 

They were dead again, but that was as it should be.

Although they stood on Spirale’s — Ofiuco’s — side, disgust bubbled up and burned at the idea of considering themself part of the allied armies. They resolved to ignore everything around them and fight as if they stood alone. Taking on what they could handle and leaving the rest to whoever was unfortunate enough to be attacked by it: that what they could bring to this table, and it would simply have to be enough.

Kyrie began their solo battle by fading from view. As soon as it realized it had lost its target, one of the repulsive creatures under the Demon Lord’s command stopped its approach. The spirit faintly rematerialized behind it, a see-through illusion except for a very solid hand wielding a very solid dagger reaching around the creature. They plunged the dagger into its chest, wrapping their solidifying arms around their victim and holding it close. The embrace was tender and firm; their continued stabbing was vicious and uninterrupted by the creature flailing its arms. When it slackened and started to fall over, Kyrie let go and disappeared into nothingness again.

The bloodshed around them intensified as Spirale’s captive force let their true powers free. Compared to those who could wipe out a line of enemies in one strike, Kyrie’s contribution was slow and methodical, eliminating one enemy at a time. Their head and heart were clear, feeling neither anger nor joy. Three down. Four down. Five down. All fell to personal, physical attacks — not that Kyrie imagined their illusions would influence monsters as well as they did humans.

After the fifth, they halted their counterattack. Out from among the Demon Lord’s minions strode a figure they knew: a silent version of themself walking among unending mist. None of the panic Kyrie felt when up against it before returned. This time, they were either on equal ground, or Kyrie was even higher. 

“I guess it’s time to finish this, huh?” Kyrie said through the din. Mistrie responded by dashing forward, and Kyrie reacted in kind. 

As they were about to clash, Mistrie went incorporeal, expecting their last encounter to repeat itself. A solid Kyrie did pass through it, but lost their own form the second afterward. Incorporeal touched incorporeal, and they took a big handful of MIstrie’s hair and yanked it toward them. It stumbled backward but still uttered no sound.

“I don’t think you deserve this,” Kyrie explained with a grunt of effort, pulling hard enough to toss Mistrie to the ground. “I don’t even know how much of a consciousness you have. Maybe you’re just as alive as I can claim to be.”

Mistrie didn’t answer; only pushed itself up and tried to drive its dagger into one of Kyrie’s calves. Kyrie stepped back, hovered, and focused on their own weapon. The night fragment reacted to their desire and briefly wrapped the dagger in shadows. 

“But I can’t stop now. Sorry,” they continued sincerely, a bitter smile on their face. Back when they’d faced their unstable but normal double in the city, they’d chosen to let that Kyrie take them both down rather than force them into submission. Ismael had been right there, too. It was painful and probably unnecessary, but it felt right. That Kyrie had never hurt anyone, and had never truly been hurt. 

Standing, Mistrie charged them again. This time it transformed into Ismael before their eyes, still holding that dagger with the intent to kill. With their own stability intact, Kyrie could recognize it as the illusion it was and only briefly hesitated. It was still long enough for that dagger to tear into their sleeve and upper arm, but then they grabbed that wrist holding the weapon and twisted until the illusion dropped it.

“I want to see the real Ismael again,” Kyrie said as they threw their weight on Mistrie, intending to put them both on the ground, “And Perona, and Sal, and—” They cut off the instant before they hit the ground, when the most dear face looked up at them— 

And after they hit the splattered white floor together, Kyrie laughed. “And Yaira. God, what’s wrong with you?” they asked as they pinned Mistrie down with one knee on each side of its torso. They didn’t get an answer; just the Mist Reaper reverting to its true self as a mirror.

Maybe under different circumstances, they would have tried to defeat another self by turning into the Onai sisters. Was this tranquility better, or worse?

“I’m sorry, again,” they said, and drove the point of their dagger through the neck of their Mist Reaper. They only realized it wasn’t entirely tranquility they felt when tears dropped from their face onto Mistrie’s.

The body soon began to evaporate as if it had never been there at all. Now alone, Kyrie stayed where they were for just a little longer.

“I’ll see you on the other side, if I ever get there.”

[arkadiaasks]

Card game anime without tournament arcs focusing on the card game

Battle Spirits Shonen Gekiha Dan

Battle Spirits Brave

Battle Spirits Sword Eyes

Battle Spirits Double Drive

Future Card Buddyfight 100

Future Card Buddyfight X

Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS

Cardfight!! Vanguard overDress Season 1

Cardfight!! Vanguard will+Dress Season 2

[razieltwelve]

KFS... Kung Fu Santa

"So...” Santa slipped the reins of the sleigh into the hands of the closest elf and got to his feet. “You’re finally here.”

Behind him, perched on the back of the sleigh, was the First Drop Bear. For countless years the two of them had waged an epic duel over the souls of mankind. Santa wanted nothing more than to bring good cheer and smiles to humanity. The First Drop Bear wanted nothing more than to devour humanity and plunge the world back into another era of koala-ruled mayhem and violence.

For the longest time, the First Drop Bear had been content to send his minions to attack Santa’s convoy whenever he ventured into Australia. Each time, Santa and his loyal elves had repelled them, but not without cost. Countless elves had fallen in the line of duty, and the reindeer had to be regularly rotated out to allow them to deal with the trauma of facing such terrifying creatures.

Finally, however, the First Drop Bear had committed himself to the battle. If Santa could defeat him, then he would be able to buy at least a decade or two of peace. If he failed... Christmas would be over and only tragedy and horror would rule the world.

“You can’t save them,” the Drop Bear growled in a voice that was crafted from the very depths of humanity’s nightmares. “No matter how hard you try, the darkness in them will always be stronger.”

“I don’t have to save them all. I just have to save a few... they’re better than you believe. They always have been. They rest will follow my example, the same way they always do.”

“Not if I kill you.”

“We both know you can’t.” Santa raised his fists. “As long as there is kindness, generosity, and good cheer, I’ll exist.”

“Then I’ll simply have to tear those out of humanity myself.” The Drop Bear readied himself. “The same way I’ll tear out your throat!”

And then the Drop Bear sprang.

What followed was less a physical battle and more a metaphysical struggle for supremacy. Santa’s fists were wrought of all that was good in humanity, and his strength was fuelled by the same emotions that made Christmas special. The First Drop Bear was made of humanity’s primal fears, a being born when the first human stared into the night and feared what lay beyond the dimming circle of the fire, a being whose strength only grew when human began to fear what lay beyond death and to retreat into their cities to escape the growing hostility of the wild places of the world.

The First Drop Bear was everything humanity feared, the terror and horror that had stalked humanity since the ancient days given form. To those with the Sight, he was a swirling morass of darkness, a koala-shaped hole in the world that gorged on the collective psychic energies of mankind to birth fresh nightmares. It was the First Drop Bear who had caused the first murder, his whispers driving sane men mad and turning their fear into crazed bloodlust. Where there was fear, where there was death, where there was suffering, sorrow, and woe... the First Drop Bear was there, his power grown beyond all estimation as humanity’s numbers grew and grew and grew.

That still didn’t stop him from reeling back when Santa punched him in the jaw with enough force to turn a mountain into powder.

“Merry Christmas, mother fucker!” Santa bellowed before a kick to the gut doubled over his foe. “And a Happy New Year!”

For all the First Drop Bear’s power, Santa was no mere random spirit to be cast aside or devoured. He was the light that showed the way, the example of what humanity could be. Kindness, generosity, caring... those were his calling cards, and as much as the First Drop Bear liked to claim they made him weak, he couldn’t be more wrong.

Santa was kind.

Santa shared.

Santa cared.

And that made him mighty.

The blows he took from the First Drop Bear would have been enough to slay the great spirits of the Old Days a thousand times over, but Santa took them gladly, for his was a strength that only grew when used for others. Hope, an oft mocked thing, was his power, the dream of a better year and new beginning, the emotion that dwelt in every child’s heart when they peeked into a stocking to see what they got.

It was hope that let him find his feet each time he fell, and it was hope that gave his fists the power to drive back the oldest nightmare in the world. On any other night, perhaps, the First Drop Bear might have been more than his match, but Christmas was special. The collective desires humanity had for something better, for a world where every day was like Christmas, they gave Santa strength he could never have hoped to call upon on any other night.

And he used that strength to punch the First Drop Bear halfway to the moon.

“Is it over?” the elf asked quietly.

Santa stood tall, his clothing torn, and his chest heaving with exertion. “For tonight. He’ll be back. He always is. But I’ll be ready for him next year, the same way I always am.”

X     X     X

Author’s Notes

My customary Christmas tale of Santa being a bad ass and Australia being the most dangerous place in the world. Of course, the spirit of humanity’s fears and sins is a koala. Because what else could it be?

Also, don’t fuck with Santa on Christmas. As spirits go, he’s nothing special for most of the year. But on Christmas? The collective sum of all humanity’s fears and sins is getting punched halfway to the moon.

[lunarpanda]

OK apparently tumblr has a tag limit because I went off about Battle Spirits Burning Soul in that anime post but it didn’t catch it apparently.

But yeah, that show sucks as well. Sucks so bad that the only person that cared about subbing Battle Spirits fucking peaced and the rest of the show was never subbed.

Heck even that seemed to be the last straw because after W (Double Drive), Battle Spirits just made three ONA series and that was it from them. IDK if they’re gonna make a new ONA series or not.

[mayhemproduces]

Jade Suzuki has been a near unstoppable force since her shocking debut for MPW. Knocking off one of the greatest wrestlers in history in Alex Shelley was just the beginning, as she wreaked havoc over the roster. Pummeling through the roster all the way to Darkness Falls, where she beat Sardonyx on her first try, a feat that very few can claim to hold. That with her stature, her size, her power, makes Jade an incredible foe. But Riley’s no stranger to standing up to bigger and worse threats; she’s looked people like Josh Bishop, people like Abigail, in the eye and swore to paint the arena with their blood, and somehow lived to tell the tale. She went toe to toe with Bryan Danielson for over sixty minutes - with an injured neck. And through it all, her spirit never died.

History pushed aside, streamers descend into the ring, covering the area as Steve Guys wraps up our announcements. Our foes now stand across from each other, Jessica Carr checking on them, making sure there are no illegal weapons and both contestants are ready to get this one underway, as most of the streamers are rapidly cleaned up. The sound of the bell tolling feels like a knife slicing through the tension, but it only amplifies as these two stare each other down. A thunderous ovation of “LET’S GO, RILEY!” vibrates throughout the venue tonight. They’ve been in for a crazy ride, but these fans weren’t slowing down anytime soon, and we know our wrestlers won’t either. No matter how long this one takes, we’re going to stick with it til the very end.

The venue, though intimate compared to larger arenas, amplifies the sound as Riley and Jade lock eyes with one another. Slowly, they approach. Jade uses her much larger stature to stare down at Riley, with a small smirk on her face, as Riley squares her jaw. With each passing second, the atmosphere thickens, a palpable excitement rippling through the rows of spectators, until Riley holds out her hand. Despite the words thrown at each other, Riley extends a sign of respect. For someone who honors the ring as much as Jade does, maybe Riley’s trying to show her that they’re not too different after all, but Jade just snubs her nose and moves to the side. Circling each other now, they engage in a collar and elbow tie up, battling for control. She spins Riley on the ropes before snapping them down to the mat, trying to get control, but Riley flips over, straddling Jade’s back. Suzuki immediately gets out of it and locks their hands together in a Greco-Roman knuckle lock, bringing them to their feet. Riley hits a drop toe hold and jumps on Suzuki, but Suzuki defends, struggling on the mat until they’re back on their feet, and in another collar and elbow. Suzuki presses the advantage, starting to back them up in the ropes, her power advantage coming to play early, but Riley’s elusiveness has her switching places with Suzuk, instead pinning her on the ropes. Slowly, Riley disentangles herself from Jade and pats her on the chest. And Suzuki slaps the shit out of her for it! Quickly, Suzuki gets her in a front facelock. Squeezing on the head and neck, whilst Rley tries to break it by driving Jade into the corner. Suzuki blocks it and brings them to the mat, continuing to apply pressure. But Riley is able to keep her feet posted under her. In doing so, Riley is able to roll out of it, grabbing control over Jade’s left arm and transitioning right into a top double wristlock. She gets her leg wrapped around Suzuki’s head for extra leverage. Suzuki is able to wriggle out of her current predicament, using her long legs to grab Riley by the head and force her to the mat, locking in a headscissors. Instinctively. Riley rolls over, trying to kip out of it as we have seen many times before, but Suzuki blocks it with her elbows, not allowing Riley the space to move. Instead, Riley eventually rolls Jade onto her stomach and bridges back until the tips of her toes are on the mat. She rolls, freeing her head, and wraps Jade’s legs in an Indian Deathlock! Riley wrenches on the legs before snapping back, applying even more damage to them, until Suzuki grabs her by the head. Pulling Riley into a side headlock. They gradually get to their feet, and Riey brings them to the ropes, shoving Jade off. On the rebound, Riley drops down at her feet. Going again, Suzuki flattens her with a shoulder tackle! But Riley trips her up, straddling Suzuki and trying to rain down elbows to the face, the torso, wherever Jade will allow her to strike, but she leaves no available room. Keeping her arms up, keeping up the defense, until she’s able to wrap her arms around Riley, trying to put her in an arm triangle. Riley escapes before it’s properly locked in and locks their fingers together. Suzuki uses her feet to shove Riley off, but Riley gets to her feet and pulls Jade up with her. She slips one hand free, and blasts her with an uppercut! Suzuki gets a snapmare, and fires off a nasty kick to the back! Riley grimaces, her face contorting in pain, as the audience gasps at the sound of impact. Jade isn’t going to be pulling any punches tonight, that’s for sure.

Taking hold of the left arm, Suzuki shoves it to the mat, grinding on the back of the shoulder with her knuckles as she manipulates the joint. She stands, twisting it in a hammerlock/ Suzuki wraps it up tight before trying to grab the right. With punches and forearms to the ribs and the sides, Suzuki softens her up, forcing the right arm to come into her possession. With the wrist in hand, Suzuki gradually leans back to its full extension before she suddenly drops back, snapping the arm! Riley cries out from the sudden sharp pain that shoots through her arm, but Suzuki’s next move is already in motion. With the left arm still in her possession, she grabs the right and crosses them locking Riley in a straight jacket chinlock. Jade stands as she applies this hold, but eventually drops to her back, driving Riley’s spine into her knees! She wrenches deeper, bending Riley’s spine practically in half! Riley cries out from the agony of it all, but vehemently shakes her head. Suzuki moves, pinning Riley on her stomach and driving her knee into the middle of her back, using it as a fulcrum to yank back on the hold. While this does incredible damage to the back, there’s also the lingering factor of that herniated cervical disk she suffered back at State of Emergency, and continued to wrestle on for months. It wouldn’t be hard to imagine that Jade has spent all week planning ways to use that to her advantage. Gradually, Riley is able to get back to her feet and twist, reversing the pressure, but Suzuki immediately turns Riley inside out with a clothesline - but Riley lands on her feet! She nails Suzuki with an enzuigiri, dropping her to her knees, before landing a buzzsaw! Suzuki drops to her hands and knees, and Riley jumps on her back, rapidly ramming her elbow into the side of Jade’s noggin, before pressing her into the mat, and locking in a grounded Octopus Stretch! Twisting Suzuki in a pretzel with a deeply cinched in submission, Carr drops to the mat, checking on Jade and listening for a verbal submission. Suzuki is able to roll, shifting her hips until she’s able to muscle her out of the submission and throw Riiley off. But Riley jumps up, nailing her with a 720 kick to the side of the head! Riley picks Jade up and throws her to the ropes. Riley drops down, then leap frogs over Jade. But on the third rebound, Suzuki flattens her with a big boot! Riley goes head over heels, but Suzuki scoops her up rather quickly, dumping her with a Saito suplex! Planting her high on her neck and shoulders! Riley grabs at the neck as she tries to roll away from Suzuki. Suzuki picks her up, whipping her across the ring, but Riley ducks! She rebounds, and flips Jade with a Dragonrana! Suzuki lands on her tailbone as Riley runs the ropes, nailing her with a Rocket Kick, right on the temple!

Suzuki's staring up at the lights as Riley quickly hops to the apron. Springboarding off the top, she goes for a 630 senton - but Jade gets her knees up! Riley's back lands square on her knees! To make it worse, Suzuki quickly grabs her, rolling Riley onto her stomach, before rocking back into a Bow and Arrow stretch! Riley's spine is stretched across Jade’s legs, as she's practically bent in half! There's nowhere to go in a submission like this! And Jade has it expertly locked in. Inflicting immense damage to the back, but when that proves not to be enough, Jade flattens her back out on her stomach. She bends the leg, reaching up to lock her in a camel clutch STF. Before she can get it fully cinched in, Riley grabs the left wrist, pulling Suzuki to the mat with her. She flips over, pulling the arm back into a bridging Fujiwara Armbar! But Riley's barely able to start wrenching back on it before Suzuki reverses, bringing Riley down for a crucifix. Pushing her to her feet, Suzuki jumps up as well, but it's Riley landing a rather stiff looking forearm as she does! She follows up with a round kick, a pow kick placed on the side of the leg. A chop lights Suzuki up, and Riley follows up with a back elbow, then a roundhouse kick! Suzuki wobbles, but tries to grab Riley's arm. Riley somersaults and nips hack up, throwing Suzuki off. But Jade still has control of the wrist, and pulls Riley into a HUGE chop! The impact seems to echo throughout the arena, and it definitely had to hurt! Riley tries to cover up, but Suzuki grabs her from behind, folding her arms up as she tries to guide her to the mat, looking to put Riley in a Cobra Clutch! Riley fights it off, but Suzuki converts into a waistlock, planting her with a German suplex! Suzuki holds on, bringing them back up, and holding Riley in a waistlock. She marches closer towards the center of the ring, before planting Riley with an elevated German suplex, bridging into the cover!

1… 2… Kickout!

Holding on, Suzuki brings them to their feet, switching from a waistlock to a full nelson. She lifts Riley up, trying to plant her on her tailbone, but Riley throws her off and out of the ring! As Suzuki tries to find her footing on the floor, Riley gets herself situated on the top rope. She takes flight, wiping Suzuki out with a beautiful corkscrew Moonsault! Riley basically lands on her feet, too, and celebrates with our rowdy fans here in San Jose. She then picks Jade up, and nails her with an uppercut! Suzuki falls back and lands in a seat, and Riley lights her up with a series of round kicks and uppercuts, alternating between the two heavy strikes until Suzuki is pliant. Riley backs up to the other side of the barricade, giving herself plenty of room to charge, crushing Suzuki into the barricade with a meteora! Driving her into the steel with double knees! Riley comes out of it rolling her shoulder, rolling her neck, before she picks Jade up - but Suzuki nails her with an uppercut! Riley stumbles back, and Suzuki nails her with a wicked chop! She lands another uppercut before grabbing the back of Riley's head, slamming it onto the announcer's table, making eye contact with Violet as she does. Suzuki grabs her and throws her back into the ring - but Riley teeter totters, bringing Suzuki crashing to the venue floor with a huge Cutter! What a counter! Riley scores big with that one, and throws Suzuki back into the ring, trying to capitalize with a slingshot - but Suzuki catches her with a STIFF knee! She sets up for another move, but Riley counters with a hip toss, cartwheeling next to her, and nailing her with a dropkick! Jade never sees it coming, and Riley immediately hooks the right leg!

1… Kickout!

Suzuki finds a second wind, and pulls Riley straight down into a Cobra Clutch! Wrenching back on the neck, putting incredible torque on the spine. Riley finds a way to elbow out of the submission, turning over and straddling Jade, before racing down brutal elbows to the jaw and throat. Suzuki's arms go limp before Riley stands, wrists captured, and she rains down a flurry of stomps! Riley's fired up when she finally lets Jade go, and Suzuki immediately rolls out to the ropes as Riley calls on the support of the fans. Suzuki is picking herself up in the corner when Riley turns around, charging, but Suzuki moves! Riley barely has enough time to turn around before Suzuki pops off an uppercut, then nails her with an enzuigiri! Quickly moving Riley to the center of the ring, she's scooped up and planted with a full nelson bomb, Suzuki flattening her out, and snapping into the Rings of Saturn! With her opponent being much smaller, this allows Jade to get an even tighter, snugger hold, adding to an already deadly submission. And one that Jade is very familiar with. But Riley doesn't quit. She claws herself towards the ropes, dragging all of Suzuki's weight with her. But when she gets close enough, Suzuki pushes off the ropes, moving Riley away from them, but this gives Riley an opening to counter, trapping Jade in a triangle choke! For those of you keeping score, Suzuki had a very similar reversal to the ultraVIOLET last week, but it seems she's prepared for it, as Suzuki busts out of it and tries to trap Riley in a submission. It looks like she wants some sort of Cattle Mutilation, but before she can enact her plan, Riley counters. She brings them up to their feet, spins Jade around, and nails her with a step up bicycle knee strike! Jade’s out on her feet as the knee strike spins her around. Riley jumps up, and spikes her with a Poison Rana! Jade gets dropped on her head, and Riley scoots back, trapping her shoulders on the mat!

1… 2… Kickout!

Picking her up, Riley goes for a hip toss - but Suzuki lands on her feet! She blasts Riley with a huge thrust kick! Jade quickly scoops her up and charges towards the corner. She tosses Riley with a buckle bomb, but instead of throwing her at the top, Jade throws her at the second turnbuckle! At such low velocity, Riley hits hard and whiplashes even harder, holy shit! Riley practically bounces back out of the corner with how hard she hits! But Jade isn’t done. Putting Riley on the top rope, she tucks Riley’s head against her shoulder, and plants her with a gruesome Muscle Buster! Suzuki with a lateral press to take it here!

1… 2… Kickout!

Riley kicks out of the Muscle Buster but immediately grabs for her neck, writhing on the mat in agony. That move definitely did some serious damage, on top of Suzuki's previous punishment, but it’s far from over between these two. Suzuki’s already dragging her to her feet, a handful of purple hair clenched in her fist as Suzuki batters her with stiff, almost shoot like elbows to the jaw, pummeling Riley down. Riley’s able to throw one back, managing to stumble Jade a bit with it, but it was more due to the shock than anything else. Suzuki smirks, asking for more, asking for everything she’s got, and Riley delivers with a wicked forearm, but it’s barely enough to even move her. Suzuki rears her hand back, and fires off a HUGE chop to Riley’s chest! As Riley grimaces, Suzuki spins, nailing her with a discus forearm! As the shot spins her around, Riley’s legs are like jelly, struggling to keep her afloat, and Suzuki quickly wraps her arms around her head and throat, locking her into a Rear Naked Choke. With those vicious blows to the head, and the damage done to the body, Riley’s fading fast. Once she’s gone limp in Jade’s arms. She plants her feet, turning her around for the Gotch Style Piledriver - but instead, Riley jumps over Jade’s head, bringing her crashing down with a sunset flip powerbomb! Jade’s shoulders are trapped on the mat!

1… 2… KICKOUT!

Jade barely escapes! In a mad dash back to their feet, Riley’s faster, and she’s able to leap up, using Jade’s hips as a standing point to drive the points of her elbows into Suzuki’s triceps, knocking her down to her knees. Riley gets back to her feet, and nails her with a spinning back kick! Suzuki’s head whips to the side before she falls, face first, hitting the mat with a far gone look in her eyes. Riley points to the top, intending to fly. She waits until Suzuki gets back to her feet before taking flight, going for MX, the diving Codebreaker - but Suzuki catches her! Riley’s eyes just about pop out of her head as Jade carries her, and dumps her in the corner with another disastrous buckle bomb! Riley hits hard once again, and Suzuki quickly scoops her up, wanting to hit that Muscle Buster again, but Riley slips out the back door. Suzuki whips around, and Riley nails her with the Celestial Code! Snapping back from the force of it, Suzuki finds herself in the corner, and Riley nails her with a flash of round kicks, whacking Suzuki’s chest with rapid fire, until Jade can barely stand. Once she slides, Riley quickly makes her way across the ring, touching the opposite corner before sprinting back, nailing Suzuki with a high angle dropkick, straight to the face! Suzuki slides to the bottom as Riley runs back, repeating the pattern, but this time, she nails Suzuki with a HUGE hesitation dropkick! Suzuki gets crushed! Riley rolls back, sitting up on a knee as she stares Jade down, before pushing her out of the ropes. Riley rolls back, lining her up, before nailing a 720 kick to the back of her head! Riley seems to be setting up for something, and something big by the looks of it, but before she can enact her plan, Jade cuts her off with a BIG forearm, knocking Riley down! Before she falls all the way, Suzuki grabs her by the waist, planting her with a German suplex! Suzuki holds on, bringing Riley up, and planting her with a Dragon suplex! Suzuki brings them up again, crossing both arms, and completes the sequence with a straight jacket German suplex, posting up to complete the bridge!

1… 2… Kickout!

After ragdolling Riley like that Suzuki backs up, calling her up. With a hand on her neck, Riley rises, and Suzuki catches her with a HUGE chop, connecting flush on the chest! And just like that, Riley’s sent back to her knees. She tries to cover up, to try and block the stinging from that heavy handed chop. And Suzuki swats her down with a wicked buzzsaw, connecting flush on the side of the head! Riley drops, face first on the mat, and Suzuki drops multiple knees across her sides, targeting the ribs. With how technically judicious as Suzuki is, we do not doubt that she’s softening up those ribs for her plethora of submissions; not only to wear her down, but to make sure she struggles to breathe the deeper into this match we go. And here we go - Suzuki locks in a Cobra Clutch! She wrenches back on it, trying to bend Riley’s torso in half with the deep angle she’s got on it. Suzuki eventually moves so her knee rests against her lower back, using it to wrench it in even deeper. When it’s clear that Rile has no intentions of tapping out to this, Suzuki flattens her back against the mat, putting her down for further punishment to the ribs and the back, before landing a jumping knee drop to the base of her spine! Suzuki gets back to her feet, watching as Riley, despite all the punishment, still tries to sit up. She can’t let Jade continue to beat her like this. Grabbing onto the ropes, Riley tries to pick herself up, but Jade has seen enough. She grabs her by the back of the head, clinching Riley close to her chest and peppering her with several powerful knees to the chest, before knocking her down with one final, hard knee, and Riley drops once more. Suzuki stands over her, a smirk spreading over her lips, as she rests her boot against the back of Riley’s head. The crowd boos loudly at this condescending display, but Jade simply laughs. Eventually, she jumps up, dropping a second knee drop, this one to the base of the skull! Riley immediately grabs for it, writhing in pain as Suzuki stands above her, and grabs her by the hair. She rips Riley off the mat and throws her in the corner, before crushing her with a big uppercut! Suzuki falls back and charges, landing a running uppercut, nearly knocking Riley’s head into the third row! Suzuki pulls her out of the ropes, and knocks her to the mat with a third straight uppercut, taking Riley off her feet!

There's a bemused look on her face as she looms over her opponent, as she has done for several minutes now; but there's more of a swagger to her movements, too. If things continue down this path, it’ll end up being over before we know it. But for now, Suzuki toys with her victim. Using her foot to kick her in the head, a modest tap to wake her up. It feels almost humane compared to the violence we’ve seen thus far - until Jade sits her up, just to slap the taste right out of her mouth! Somehow, Riley’s able to get to her feet, and Suzuki throws another shot, but this one’s caught! Riley spins her, spinning in the opposite direction - but Suzuki FLOORS her with a discus clothesline! Riley gets turned inside OUT, and lands right on her face! Riley immediately rolls to the ropes, either trying to force a break or try to locate her equilibrium,  but Jade doesn’t give her the reprieve. Dragging her up to her feet, Suzuki wraps Riley’s arms around the top rope, using it to keep her afloat as Suzuki repeatedly slaps her on either cheek, alternating between hands before throwing in a forearm, then a back elbow. She runs the ropes, and nails her with a running uppercut! Riley falls from the ropes, and Suzuki grabs her, pushing her into the corner. Jade kicks her leg out for extra leverage before sending Riley off with an irish whip, Suzuki hot on her heels - but Riley jumps onto the second rope, then jumps to the top, jumping right over Jade! Riley hits the ropes, picking up steam - and Jade plants her with a MASSIVE Black Hole Slam! Jade with a lateral press!

1… 2… Kickout!

While Riley finds the will to kick out once more, you start to wonder how much more she can withstand. Once Jade was able to kick this match into second gear, she has been steadily in control. Every time Riley tries to counter, Jade counters back. With every shot Riley has, Jade hits back harder. With every move Riley employs, Jade’s got one that’s bigger, that’s better. But still, Jade has not cracked the code to put Ishimori down. And now, as she tries to send Riley into the corner, Riley counters her irish whip! She runs after Jade, but Suzuki moves out of the way and sneaks behind her. Grabbing Riley by the waist, she rushes her into the corner before falling back, hitting an O’Connor roll, and planting Riley with a HUGE German suplex! But Suzuki holds on, capturing the leg left in a single leg Boston Crab! She wrenches back, trying to rip the leg apart at the knee, as she puts all of her weight on Riley’s back. And that is nearly 200 pounds, for those of you keeping track. Despite the pain being afflicted, Riley doesn’t consider tapping, instead trying to pull herself towards the ropes. Bending the leg, Suzuki traps the foot behind her knee and reaches her arms up, clasping her hands in front of Riley’s face, switching straight into an STF! Wrenching back on the neck while torquing on the back, and Riley is in big trouble now! She’s all twisted up and still quite a ways from the ropes, but that doesn’t stop her any. With grunts of adrenaline, sounds of suffering joining every inch gained, Riley finds herself mere fingertips away from the promised land… but Jade puts her foot on the ropes, pushing them back towards the center of the ring! In doing so, she loosens her grip on the leg and wraps both arms around her throat, moving right into the rear naked choke! With 9 inches of her opponent, Jade is actually able to hold Riley off the mat, completely hanging her by her neck. Needless to say, the trip to unconsciousness is a quick one, especially as Jade places her on her knees, cranking her neck forward to choke out that last bit of fight. Almost like a sign of mercy, Jade spins her around… and spikes her with the Gotch Style Piledriver! Jade rolls her over, sitting on Riley’s chest, as the ref counts….

1… 2… KICKOUT!

Not only does Riley kick out, but she’s able to sit up, screaming out a pure battle cry - apparently getting dropped on her head woke her up, as Riley’s still in this fight! She jumps up and charges Jade, nailing her with a bicycle knee strike! Jade goes to a knee, and Riley springboards off the ropes. She leaps at Jade, but Suzuki catches her by the legs, pushing her to the mat - but Riley pulls her down too! She traps Jade in a triangle choke! Not only is she choking Suzuki out, but she starts peppering down elbows to the top of the dome. Eventually, however, Suzuki is able to part Riley’s legs, raining down a vicious elbow to the throat, forcing Riley to let her go. Jade then backs up, bounces off the ropes, and floors a seated Riley with another huge clothesline! Taking her down with another swift shot, and now Suzuki lifts her up, putting her on the top rope. She tries to climb up with her, but Riley chases her away. Kicking and punching at Jade until she moves back to the mat. Riley moves, sitting on the actual top rope itself. Suzuki tries to charge her, but Riley reaches out, and suckers Jade into a cross armbar, hanging from the top rope! She’s tearing at Jade’s arm, trying to pull it apart! Riley holds on for every valuable second before she has to relinquish, and Jade immediately moves back, clutching the arm. Riley moves back to the top turnbuckle, setting her feet - when Suzuki jumps to her feet! She leaps directly onto the top rope, grabs Riley, and they come crashing down with a HUGE Superplex! Suzuki picks them up again, and plants Riley for a second time, hitting her with a Michinku Driver! Jade pulls the leg close, making the cover!

1… 2… Kickout!

No sooner than Riley kicks out, Suzuki flattens her out, and rocks right back into a Bow and Arrow stretch! Suzuki’s bouncing Riley’s spine along her legs, stretching her out - but Riley flips! She lands on Suzuki’s chest, making the cover!

1… 2 - Jade throws Riley off!

Scrambling to their feet, Riley goes for a running Dragonrana - but Jade moves out of the way! Riley lands hard on her tailbone, and Suzuki knocks her down with a penalty kick, straight to the chest! Riley gets pancaked by it - but she sits back up. Bracing herself, Riley shakes her head, and Suzuki lands another brutal kick. Riley rises as Suzuki kicks her, switching to chops, but Riley won’t go down! She fires off a stiff knee, cracking Jade under the jaw! Landing a hip toss, Riley rears her leg back, and CRACKS her jaw with a second stiff knee! Riley’s immediately on her, tucking her legs together, and she sinks into Beyond Oblivion! Dead center in the middle of the ring, Riley’s got it locked in! She rocks fully back, her forehead touching the mat, as she rips back, squeezing Jade’s throat with every ounce of strength she has. This may be Riley’s best shot - if not her only shot - of the night, and she’s not letting it slip through her fingers. Jade’s eyes are wide as she struggles to suck in a breath, trying to get her arms under her to find some leverage, but there’s none to be had here. Lowering herself back to the mat, Suzuki wraps her arm around Riley’s head and neck, and repeatedly slams her skull into the mat, until Riley can’t hold on anymore. Even then, Suzuki dribbles it one more time for good measure.

Stumbling to her feet, Suzuki holds her throat, trying to regain her breath, as Riley jumps up and charges. She steps up into the bicycle knee - but Jade cuts her off mid step up with a MASSIVE thrust kick! Riley eats it to the teeth! But Jade rips her directly from the mat and into a full nelson bomb, slamming Riley down on her tailbone! Suzuki flips her over, going for the Rings of Saturn, and she’s got it locked in once again! Riley struggles and writhes - but turns so Jade’s shoulders are on the mat!

1… 2… Kickout!

Scrambling to their feet, Suzuki goes for another thrust kick, but Riley’s able to catch it! She holds onto the foot for a moment before sending Jade up, and head over heels! She lands on her knees and Riley PLOWS through her with a bicycle knee strike! She puts all of her strength behind that one, and they’re both down!

Both women are spent, but Suzuki slides towards Riley. Grabbing her by the back of the head, they come forehead to forehead, and Jade makes Riley stand up with her, whether she was ready to or not. But Riley’s able to land an uppercut! Jade responds with a wicked chop - but Riley grabs her arm! She pulls Suzuki to the mat, firing off quick elbows to the crook of the neck before grabbing the arm. She flattens Jade to the mat, and floats into a bridging Fujiwara armbar! She wrenches back on the arm, trying to take away even an ounce of that striking power, but Jade might be the better technical expert, as she’s quickly able to slip her way out of it - but Riley rolls into a Triangle choke! Still, Suzuki’s able to throw her off. She jumps to her feet, grabs Riley’s throat mid-charge, and plants her with a HUGE Chokeslam! Jade drops to her knees and holds her right arm, moving her fingers to try and regain some of the feeling she lost in her time spent in the hold. But still, Jade is a warrior, as we know, and isn’t going to let some minor numbness stop her from cracking some skulls. On her knees still, Jade grabs another handful of Riley’s hair, shoving her upright. Riley leans forward, barely able to hold herself up - and Jade smacks the hell out of her! One stiff palm strike across the cheek, but Riley responds with one in kind! They trade slaps up to their feet, where they switch out for forearms. Riley hits a shot that sends Jade back about an inch, and she uses that space to rear her arm back, and SLAPS Riley’s soul clean out of her body. You can see any remaining fight evaporate with that one shot, and Riley’s legs nearly give up under her. But Suzuki keeps her upright, using her left and right forearms to bash against Riley’s jaw, pendulum it between two immovable objects, until she pins Riley against the ropes. Once there, Suzuki relents on the forearms to pull her arm back and lands a vicious chop to the chest, and it sounds like a gunshot just went off in the Civic Center! Holy shit! As Riley tries to fall forward, Jade just grabs her by the wrist, pulls her out of the ropes, and decks her with another stiff forearm - and she’s done. She’s done. Carr tells Suzuki to stay back as she checks on Riley, who has slumped into the corner, and she looks unresponsive. As worry flashes over Jessica’s face, she’s suddenly pulled back, as Jade is DONE waiting. Her prey is ripe for the picking, and if Carr wants to get in her way again, she’s going to have to stop the match.

Holding Riley up by the hair, Suzuki pulls her arm back, and nearly caves Riley’s chest in with another ruthless, frying pan-like chop! Despite how loud the crowd is in response, you can hear the sound echo in the building, and Riley drops. There’s nothing left in the tank. Jade promised to beat the fighting spirit out of Riley Ishimori tonight, and it seems that she has done just that. Pinning her against the middle turnbuckle, pulling her head back by the hair, Jade bashes her with more violent, callous forearms. With each blow, the skin protested, flushing red where knuckles met flesh - a warning, a cry for help that went unheard. It started small, a bloom beneath the skin, then grew wider, darker, with every forearm landed on the jaw. Blood spreads over the surface, coming from god knows where. We have had an outright incredible night of wrestling thus far. We’ve seen new chapters written in some of our most bitter feuds. We’ve had exciting debuts, awe inspiring Lucha libre, and gruesome deathmatches. We’ve helped to shape the future of women’s wrestling, and we've had some downright incredible dream matches, matches we will never forget. But this? This isn’t a wrestling match anymore. This is a beating.

With her face busted open, Riley’s finally given room to fall. But still, she’s trying to push herself up. But she can’t. There’s no fight left in her body, her heart just hasn’t caught up yet. The sight of her blood pooling on the mat is accompanied by the sound of a headset slamming against the announcer’s desk. Violet has marched towards the ring, with a white towel in hand, but a very conflicted look on her face. It’s clear to everyone that Jade isn’t stopping until the bell rings, and there’s nothing anyone can do about it unless they wanna be next. But that is her best friend, her family. How can she stand by and let this happen? But how can she be the reason Riley loses? Before Violet can make her choice, Matsumoto runs out from the back and grabs her hand. Shaking their head, they pull Violet close, signing that they need to have faith in her. But as this happens, Jade just laughs - a terrifying sound, that is - and picks Riley’s head up, pulling her back by the hair. She forces her to look at her friends, the people in the crowd, and watch as they cower at the sight of her now. Watch as Violet blinks back tears, as Matsumoto starts to second guess themself. "Look at what you're doing to them." Suzuki mocks, whispering into Riley’s ear, in her mother tongue, "All because you're too stubborn to accept you're already dead." And with that, Suzuki steps over Riley, snuggly wrapping her arms around her throat, and she’s got the rear naked choke locked back in. Whatever light that managed to stay on is long gone, but Riley feebly reaches out. To not just the ropes, but to every person in this building who has supported her tonight. To her friends, a silent plea to them, before she chokes out, “Please.” And it’s gone. Violet turns, burying her head in Matsumoto’s chest, as Jade spins Riley around. Scooping her up, Suzuki spikes her with the Gotch Style Piledriver. Riley’s carcass flops to the side, and it’s merely a formality as Suzuki gets a deep cover, finally giving a merciful end to this massacre.

1….

2…

3- KICKOUT!

WHAT?!?

HOW?!? How in the hell DID SHE KICK OUT OF THAT?! You’ve gotta be kidding!

The whole roof just about pops off the arena in disbelief. A rabid, hungry fanbase starts cheering their hearts out for Riley - if she was able to find a way to kick out of that, she can find the will to get back into the ring. But Jade has quickly gotten over her state of disbelief, and now, she’s just pissed. Grabbing Riley by the back of the head, Jade pulls her up just enough to whack her back down with another sickening forearm, but Suzuki doesn’t let her go. Riley’s a carcass as Jade drags her out of the ropes and towards the center of the ring. She holds Riley up and slaps her again! It sounds like a gunshot just went off in the Civic Center with how hard that one hit, but Riley stays on her feet. She’s not going down at all. With the power of friendship and the will of the people. The will of her own heart. She calls on that fighting spirit once more, as Jade slaps her, over and over again, but Riley shakes her head. She lets out a battle cry of pure adrenaline, of pure passion, and SLAPS Suzuki across the face! Another slap and Jade falls back! Riley gets wrist control, quickly spinning her out, and WALLOPING Suzuki with the Bitchmaker! Jade’s out on her feet! Riley’s battle cry is drowned out by the rabid fans as Riley jumps to the ropes, flips, and brings Suzuki crashing down with Dead Scream! But Riley isn’t stopping there! She holds onto Jade’s neck, guiding her up to her feet. She shoves Jade back, nailing her with a quick sole kick before Riley turns to the corner. She jumps onto the second rope and bounces onto the top - but so does Jade! She immediately grabs Riley by the waist, flinging the both of them with an avalanche German suplex - BUT RILEY LANDS ON HER FEET! She sticks the landing! The crowd ERUPTS as Riley charges Suzuki, crashing into her with a rocket kick. But Jade doesn’t move an inch. Riley put it all behind that kick. And it’s not enough to even move her. Riley stares up in shock as Jade just smirks down at her, brushing her shoulder, brushing off the attack entirely. And before Riley can even react, Jade charges, running her over with a MASSIVE big boot! But she isn’t finished! Suzuki lifts her up again, and quickly plants her face first with the End of Days! This is it! Jade rolls into the cover, hooking both legs to seal it!

1… 2… KICKOUT!

Riley kicks out AGAIN. Jade simply looks puzzled by it; she’s starting to wonder what will it take to keep this stubborn, stubborn girl down tonight, but in truth, she doesn’t seem too worried about it. Suzuki slides back, pulling herself up in the corner as she calls Riely to get up. Telling the fans to cheer louder for her, to help her get up, as she can’t do it on her own anymore. Jade has beaten that right out of her. But stand Riley does. Suzuki charges - but Riley catches her with a bicycle knee strike! The shot spins Suzuki around, but instead of leaping up as she normally does, Riley grabs the arms, and DRILLS Jade with the Godkiller! Holy SHIT. She pulled that one out of nowhere! Riley dives into the cover, trying to hold Jade down for three!

1… 2… KICKOUT!

Just what the hell is it gonna take to end this thing?!

With that, Jade becomes a member of an exclusive club of people that have kicked out of the Godkiller, with the very first being Pandemonium at this very same show, almost three years to the day. Not only has Jade survived it, but she’s already getting up. But Riley’s on her feet. Somehow. Her face is still swollen, with blood still smearing across her eyebrow. Her neck is fucked, her back is fucked, but she’s got Jade right where she wants her. One after another, firing off stiff round kicks to the chest, knocking Jade back with each one, before Riley lands a buzzsaw kick, then a spinning back kick! Spit flies out of Jade’s mouth as she falls face first onto the mat - but she’s still getting up. She’s almost back to her feet as Riley makes it to the corner, jumping onto the second rope. She looks behind her and sees Jade coming, so instead chooses to divert and backflip over her. Riley runs the ropes, and connects with the rocket kick, turning Suzuki inside out! She practically lands on her face, but still, Suzuki will not stay down! But Riley’s lying in wait. Once Suzuki is up, Riley charges, and SPIKES her with the Kakugan! Suzuki practically does a headstand before flopping onto her stomach, and now, there’s a fargone look in Suzuki’s eyes, but she just keeps getting up. From the second rope, Riley bounces to the top and jumps off. Jumping back, she wraps her legs around Suzuki’s neck, and SPIKES her with a Poison Rana from the TOP ROPE! Holy SHIT! The crowd starts to chant it, but Riley immediately falls back into the cover, folding Jade up DEEP.

1…  2… 3!

“Here is your winner, the Godkiller, RILEY ISHIMORI!"

Holy shit.

It was over for her so many times; the piledrivers, the bitch slaps. The forearms. There were times when she looked downright unconscious. But somehow. Somehow. Riley managed to pull out the win. As she rolls off of Jade, Riley stares into the lights, San Jose losing their absolute shit, and tears start to fall down her face. Violet and Matsumoto slide into the ring, immediately going to comfort, and slightly scold, their friend. They help Riley sit up, while Jade finally starts to come to. On her hands and knees, Suzuki crawls towards them. She sits up, looks Riley in the eyes… and she bows. Riley, a banged up emotional wreck, bows back to her. Suzuki rolls out of the ring as Riley continues to lay there, too exhausted to even move until Matsumoto helps her stand, as the ring is covered with streamers and flowers.

And that’s all for tonight, folks. We hope that you enjoyed every moment of this show as much as we here at MPW did, but if nothing else, we hope that tonight showed you just a little bit of magic. We’ll see you next week, as we get back on the road to Hell on Earth!

[wonderencyclopedia]

Name: Dark Angel First Appearance: Wonder Woman 131 (1998) Creators: John Byrne Abilities: Immortality, mind control, time and size alteration, and teleportation.

Backstory: Dark Angel has long tormented any humans foolish enough to summon her with dread and doom, but the mythical bringer of disaster began her comic life as an evil spy in Spy Smasher comics during the Golden Age. Decades later, incarnations of the villain bearing the name in the modern era have served as a mystical antagonist to an array of DC heroes, but she is most notably tied to (and responsible for much of the convoluted history of) Wonder Girl.

During the modern era, the wandering evil spirit Dark Angel was called forth by Wonder Woman’s first recurring villain, Baroness Paula Von Gunther. She then possessed Von Gunther and attacked the then-acting Wonder Woman, Hippolyta, who battled the malicious villain on several occasions. Eventually Dark Angel appeared on Themyscira intending to kidnap her daughter, Diana, but accidentally kidnapped Diana’s magical double, brought to life with Themyscirian sorcery, instead.

Dark Angel forced the double to live endless lifetimes characterized by suffering— each one ending in brutal tragedy, with her life being restarted and erased from the world’s memory, hoping that the painful cumulative effect of her daughters suffering would drive Hippolyta insane. Instead, the double was able to grow stronger, and finally became the independent entity now known as Donna Troy.

In the Return of Donna Troy mini-series, Donna discovered that Dark Angel was in fact her counterpart from Earth 7, and was saved from the burning apartment by the Anti-Monitor, and raised her to be his harbinger. When the Multiverse was reconfigured in one single Universe, Dark Angel (who had somehow escaped the compression of every Donna Troy into one single being in the new Earth), sought to kill Donna and make her relive the lives of the other alternate Donnas as a way to avoid the merging. When Dark Angel was defeated, Donna became the true sum of every Donna Troy that ever existed on every Earth, a living key to the lost Multiverse. During Infinite Crisis, a new Dark Angel would appear, again serving the Anti-Monitor.

[hremington]

Hadley Remington was born with a silver spoon in her mouth, hailing from one of the wealthiest families in New England high society. However, from a young age, it was clear she had a daredevil spirit that defied her privileged upbringing. At the age of 12, Hadley's father surprised her with a junior racing go-kart, instantly igniting her passion for speed and competition.

While excelling academically at the elite preparatory schools her family name secured admission to, Hadley's true devotion lay on the racing circuit. She spent her free time and summers tearing up tracks, winning regional go-kart championships. Her parents were aghast but ultimately indulged her unconventional hobby, recognizing her unshakable drive.

Against all expectations, Hadley turned down her Ivy League acceptances, instead accepting an opportunity to join the racing development program of a Formula One team based in Italy. Relocating abroad, she delved into the intensity of F1 racing, climbing the ranks from developmental leagues into Grand Prix events.

On the international circuit, Hadley's peerless wealthy background clashed with the grit and muscle of F1's competitive arena. She faced uphill battles and skepticism from an insular world dominated by European racers who descended from more traditional motorsports families. However, her tenacity and raw talent behind the wheel proved undeniable.

In a male-dominated sport, Hadley carved her name into the record books as one of the few women in Formula One history. She became a media sensation, with companies clamoring to sponsor the affluent American upstart who was unafraid to get her designer overalls dirt-streaked from wheel to wheel combat.

The riches and societal access from her family's name allowed Hadley to surround herself with top-flight coaches, mechanics, engineers and trainers. With unparalleled resources behind her, she steadily achieved podium finishes and ultimately grand prix victories on the storied courses of Monte Carlo, Silverstone and Monaco.

Off the track, Hadley embraced the luxurious indulgences of her double life. One moment she'd be pushing a multi-million dollar vehicle to its mechanical limits, the next she'd be dripping in designer jewels and haute couture at the Monaco grand prix after-parties. She reveled in the dichotomy between her high-octane profession and her high-society roots.

Now at the apex of her professional racing career, Hadley has become a transcendent figure straddling the worlds of extreme motorsports and posh aristocracy. She shuns perceived limitations, operating from a perspective that her inherited wealth and elite status are resources to be utilized, not trophies for display.

With adrenaline fueling her competitive spirit on the track and her family's vast fortune funding her ambitions off it, there are no limits to how far Hadley Remington can go in leaving a trailblazing legacy. From the hallowed halls of New England boarding schools to the blacktop curves of Monte Carlo, she is utterly fearless in iterating her own iconic identity.