The glow of the tv screen illuminated the girls nestled in on the couch. They watched the screen as the actors projected their lines, two men in a bar discussing one joining the other's circus show resulting in a musical number.
Sunny quietly mouthed the words as she watched, she clearly liked this song. Indigo admitted it was catchy, she was actually enjoying the movie overall. Who knew she'd be interested in musicals?
"This-" Indigo hesitated, looking for the words. "Isn't as bad as I thought it would be."
"Baby steps." Sunny giggled. "You'll be a theater kid before you know it."
"I think I'll stick to what I know best."
"Suit yourself." She shrugged. "I'm glad you're giving it a shot."
"I wanna understand more about it. You seem to like musicals and junk. I don't quite get it yet, but I'll get there."
"Aww." She smiled over at her. "You can be really sweet sometimes, you know?"
"Whatever."
"Dad's gonna be watching wrestling later if you wanna hang out with him too."
"Wrestling? Like the fake stuff?"
"Choreographed." She corrected on instinct. "Dad's always been a big fan, and growing up watching it with him, we don't really think of it as 'fake'. The matches are determined, but the stuff they do looks really painful."
"You actually watched it?"
"What is wrestling if not a form of physical theater?"
"Okay. You have a point." She crossed her arms. 'A cross between something we both like,' She scoffed internally. 'Watch it be super lame…'
When Solar came home that evening the girls joined him in watching the live show that night. "So, Indigo, did you ever watch wrestling?"
"Nah. Never could get over it not being real."
"Ah, you gotta suspend that disbelief. It's basically a real life anime in some cases. Depending on the story of course."
"Right, so what should I know going in?" She asked.
"Well, this match is between Michiru and Ronin. It's for the world title." Sunny began. "Michiru has been the mainstay at this company for years. She basically had to carry it when some of the other big names either left or needed time to recover, then they did a combined show with a company in Japan and Ronin is the top dog there."
"Ronin and Michiru faced off twice in the last year and it's built to this match tonight."
"But why are they fighting?"
"Ronin challenged her and because Michiru couldn't beat her the first time, she sorta started to go nuts." He explained. "Michiru actually attacked her after a match in Japan, and tore her mask."
"Mask?"
"Ronin wears a mask. Let's just say they're fighting for supremacy. Ronin wants to end this feud and Michiru wants to show that she can beat Ronin."
Music hit, a peppy and upbeat track played as the announcer spoke. "The following contest is set for one fall, and will have no count outs, and it is for the UWW World championship! Introducing first, from Tokyo, Japan. She is the Heart and Soul of UWW, Michiru Miiiiiishiiiiiimaaaaa!"
The young woman that stepped out onto the stage wore a red and black hooded vest, rabbit ears atop the hood, one ear looked to be torn. She looked up slightly from under the hood before pulling it back as her name was called. Short purple hair with green highlights, the black and red theme followed into her top and trunks, a rabbit face on the hip of her trunks seemed to be being eaten by a red goo monster. Something told Indigo she saw this character in a comic book somewhere, or maybe a movie. She held a championship belt in one hand, lifting it up before bringing it to rest on her shoulder.
She swaggered to the ring, as if she wasn't even bothered that she was about to face an undefeated foe, climbed the ropes and looked out into the crowd as people clapped along to her theme.
"And her opponent, 'The Wandering Warriorrrr', Roooooniiiiiiiin!" The peppy music cut out and a heavy rock song began, creeping in intensity as the silhouette of a woman stepped in front of a spotlight. Walking out of the light and onto the stage, was the challenger.
Magenta skin, a black mask with a scar along her right eye, piercing green eyes. She wore a long sleeveless coat, dragging the tail behind her as she walked. Black and silver trunks and top, tattoos running along her arms added to her intimidating look. She climbed the steps and got into the ring, staring down the shorter woman as she pulled the coat off and more ink ran along her back and chest, even on her legs, the spots between her trunks and kneepads.
Sunny glanced over, seeing Indigo watch the screen, the bell rang and the women started swinging, blocking, ducking and dodging. Ronin was whipped off the ropes, ducking a punch and retaliating by bouncing off the second rope, backflipping and catching Michiru's head as she landed the full flip. She dropped her with a reverse DDT.
"Holy shit…"
"She's hooked." Solar smirked.
Sunny giggled as Indigo scoffed. "It was just a cool flip, that's all."
The match went for a few minutes, Ronin ducked through the ropes to avoid a strike, Michiru turned and hit the ropes before diving through the middle rope, only to be caught by a jumping knee.
"Geez. That's some pretty good timing." She said with a smirk.
Michiru caught Ronin with a surprise roll up, only getting a two count, but as she got to a knee, Ronin was already to her feet, and swinging a hard punch to the shorter woman, dropping her face first to the mat.
"Ronin, seething in anger." One commentator spoke.
"She feels disrespected, and I agree quite frankly. Michiru has done nothing but spit in the face of her superior."
"Superior? That's a bit much. Sure she's talented in the ring, but that doesn't mean she's better than Michiru in general."
"Look, when you're tapped on the shoulder and told to represent an entire company, much less country, you have to be a step above all your contemporaries."
"Michiru is also from Japan."
"And that-"
"And she's representing her own promotion. Both of those statements define both women in there, what are you on about?"
"Just because you don't get it, doesn't mean that I don't." The man said curtly.
Indigo tilted her head, whatever those guys were talking about sounded important to the story. Though some of it sounded rather muddled. "So why are they fighting again?"
"Ronin has beaten Michiru twice and Michiru wants to prove she can win. Sometimes it's that simple." Solar chuckled. "But the commentators will try to put a spin to make it more dramatic."
Michiru bounced off the ropes, ducking a roundhouse kick, stopping immediately behind Ronin, cracking her with an elbow shot to the back of the head. The echo was loud and the strike sent the taller woman to her knees.
"Damn! There was a wake up shot from Michiru! One of the most dangerous strikers in the underground!" The 'good' announcer called.
"That was clearly a cheap shot! Is the referee blind?"
"What company do you work for? Why are you so against Michiru?"
"She's an embarrassment as a representative. Loses both matches and begs for a third? I think Ronin is beyond kind to humor her a third time."
As they spoke, Ronin pulled herself up to her feet, turning to face her opponent, who quickly tied up with her, pushing her back to the ropes. They struggled for control until Michiru pushed against Ronin's throat, choking her as she leaned her over the top rope. The taller woman grabbed her arm, falling back into an armbar over the top rope. The referee quickly moved to try to break it up, Ronin letting go at the count of 4.
Michiru clutched her arm, but thrust kicked Ronin right in the midsection, throwing her to the floor below as she dropped to the mat, flexing her fingers to regain feeling back in them.
"Choking! And attacking a prone opponent! How are you going to twist that into Michiru being the hero?"
"I'm not twisting anything! Those were illegal and she shouldn't have done them."
Ronin quickly slid back under the ropes, a look of pure malice written on her face. Michiru, just as quickly swung a right that Ronin ducked, turning to catch her with her own. Michiru stumbled back, flinging herself to the mat as a spinning roundhouse came inches from her head.
Fear. Michiru stared up at the woman who stood above her. She brought two fingers close, mouthing "That close." To the woman. Michiru scrambled out of the ring.
"That was cool." Indigo noted.
"Ronin's Finisher is that roundhouse. When it's done right, that move looks like a world ender."
Michiru climbed up to the apron, the referee began their count. "1!"
"I hear you!" She huffed, looking over for a second. Ronin stepped closer and she quickly used the middle rope to slingshot herself directly into Ronin's midsection.
"The slingshot spear! She goaded her into position brilliantly." The commentator said as she pulled her leg up in a cover.
"1! 2!"
"Kickout! What does Michiru have to do to put her away?!" He asked as she grabbed Ronin's arm, draping it over her shoulder and locking in a crossface, torquing the shoulder painfully.
"Her feet are planted on the mat, Ronin has nowhere to go! No escape!"
Ronin scratched and clawed, trying to reach the ropes. Michiru shifted to block, but lost balance as Ronin turned, rolling her over into a pin. "1! 2!" Michiru released the hold to kick out. Both women powered to their feet, Michiru turning to face Ronin and-
-CRACK!-
Michiru crumpled to the mat as Ronin brought her leg back down. The spinning back kick caught the champion right against her jaw. It was so sudden that the crowd took a moment to react before exploding out of their seats. The taller woman quickly dropped to cover her, but Michiru used the hesitation to follow up to roll closer to the ropes, falling to the floor and just out of reach.
Ronin sat on her knees for a moment, catching her breath before going out after her. The camera was perfectly placed, Michiru sat against the steel steps, a tired arm raised to ward her off. Ronin stepped into frame as she stalked toward her.
"Back up! C'mon, give me a second!" Michiru begged, covering her head as Ronin grabbed her.
"Man, she shifted quickly. Why is she such a coward now?" Indigo asked.
"Pretty sure getting kicked by a professional would have something to do with it." Sunny teased.
Michiru grabbed Ronin's top, pulling her forward and face first into the steps behind her. Frantically, the woman scrambled back into the ring, waving for the referee to count faster.
"Aw, that's cheap. What a let down…" Indigo pouted as the referee counted to three.
"They have a ten count to get back in." Sunny chuckled.
"...Oh."
"I'm not sure why the referee is counting though, wasn't this supposed to be under no count outs?" Solar mused.
"Heat of the moment?" Sunny asked with a shrug.
The masked wrestler rolled under the rope at 9. Michiru groaned, pushing herself to her feet again. She reached down to drag Ronin back up as well, the taller woman deftly swiped her arms away and pushed her back before spinning her heel into Michiru's jaw again. This time she crumpled to the mat, Ronin falling on top of her.
1!
2!
3!
"We have a new champion!" The commentator cheered as the crowd erupted as Ronin's music played.
"Here is your winner and THE NEW UWW CHAMPION, ROOOOONIIIIIN!" The announcer said, dragging out her name as he spoke.
"That was pretty awesome." Indigo admitted.
"Well, I'm glad you like it, kiddo." Solar chuckled. "I'd love to show you some of my all time favorites."
"Totally." She stood. "It's late, I think I'm gonna head to bed. Good night."
"Good night." He smiled up at her as she passed. Sunny stood soon after.
"Gotta ask her something but I'll be back." She offered before he could ask, following her to her room. "Hey Indigo?"
"Hmm?" She glanced over her shoulder to the girl in the doorway.
"Thanks for giving it a chance. You looked like you were enjoying yourself."
"How could you tell? The match was going on."
"I focused more on you. I wanted to be sure you weren't pushing yourself. You gasped at all the right spots. You're such a reactive viewer. I'd love to have you at one of my performances."
Indigo felt that familiar tingle in her chest. "Whatever. I told you I was gonna go to your next one…" She crossed her arms.
"Wonderful! Now, how do we go about getting the other girls to join us?"
"Lemon." Indigo said simply. "Sour is likely to listen to her and Sugarcoat is trying to open up. You could offer her a ticket."
"You seem to be picking up on our new friends rather quickly." She said with a small smirk.
"That's...normal, right?" A twinge of worry shot across her face.
"Of course it is. It shows that you care a fair bit about them to learn about them so quickly."
"Alright, is this genuine or are you teasing me?" She asked. "I'm still learning your tells."
"I assure you, I'm not teasing. It's just," She thought for a moment. "If you were to tell me that a few months ago, the school's ace athlete would be my closest friend. I suppose I'm still adjusting to the person that you really are and not the one that you showed off at school before now and I must say, I prefer the real you." She smiled. "You hide how considerate you are, it's sweet how you try to keep up with everyone, despite working through your own problems."
Indigo looked down, blushing lightly at the praise, but the reminder hurt a little bit. She'd been through a lot in the past week alone.
"I'm proud of you." She put a hand on Indigo's shoulder. "Now, I'll stop talking and let you go to bed. Good night." With a soft squeeze she let go and turned to leave.
"Good night." Indigo offered before sitting on the bed, looking down at the floor. 'Why'd she have to say such sappy stuff?' Her heart raced as she fell back. 'Dammit…'