Ryogoku Hall
07.29.23
10:07 pm
Soft footsteps resound throughout the mostly empty corridor. A few individuals scurry about like ants headed to disparate corners of their colony, all of them blurs to Saito Yuna. Her body’s full of tension that only seems to shoot pain through her joints with every step. All of the night’s events run through her mind again and again as her eyes dart back and forth in the search for her quarry.
Tatsumaki Aoi. An indomitable legend whose vision of saving Joshi wrestling was the reason Yuna’s fought so hard to transform the very essence of her being. Not just her, all of Galaxy Defense Force have put their bodies on the line for that singular mission. A stinging sensation jabs at her neck, and Saito flinches.
Everyone’s staring at the former Interstellar Dream. The woman who’s supposed to be a solid anchor for her unit, yet has failed to protect anyone. Failure was once her natural state - maybe she’s just returning to form.
No! She shakes the feeling and stares straight ahead. A wooden door left slightly ajar as if someone departed in a hurry. On it a sign that reads ‘Management’. Despite the anxious aches plaguing her Yuna takes on step, then another.
Yuna: <Here goes nothing.>
She places her hand on the door, taking a moment to ground herself in the sensation of its smoothness. This is hard but necessary. Atonement for mistakes has to precede any further growth. Yuna pushes the door fully open and pre-emptively bows in apology.
Yuna: <Tatsmuaki-sensei, I’m deeply sorry for->
The only sound in response is her own voice rebounding off the back wall of the office. She risks a glance up and sees the only company she has here are the spartan furnishings of the room itself. A couple of desks and chairs, but not a soul anywhere nearby. No sign of Tatsumaki Aoi. The tension in her body increases, her mind flooded with the possibility this is about to get dangerous. At the sound of more taps in the corridor, she turns on her heels and forces her arms up into a fighting position.
Despite expecting Shuko MURDER-gun to leap out from behind the storage crates nearby, no attack is imminent. Just the familiar face of the man who signed off her MGP contract. Instinct forces her to bend at the waist, once again formally apologizing.
Yuna: <K-Kato-san! I’m sorry, I didn’t know you were there.>
He nods in acknowledgement, but glances down at his phone.
Kato: <Yes, it’s no concern. Thank you for your hard work, Saito-san.>
Yuna: <Kato-san, have you seen Tatsumaki-san?>
He shakes his head, half interested.
Kato: <I’m sorry, I haven’t. I’m sure she is just tending to some business.>
Yuna: <But->
The phone in his hand vibrates wildly and he nods softly to her before walking off to take the call. Her head snaps around to watch him leave and another fills her gaze. Suzuhana Shino glares at her, hands on her hips as the pair lock eyes.
Shino: <What the hell was that, Saito-san? We should be holding two of Shuko MURDER-gun’s belts right now, but you had to get in the way! This is all on you!>
Yuna’s nostrils flare and she flexes her shoulders defiantly.
Yuna: <Excuse me? I know I’ve failed you all lately, but at least I fight my own battles! I don’t need a human tower to insert herself into my business in order to win. GDF is better than that - if we resort to those methods, we’re no better than the enemy we’re trying to beat.>
Yuna jabs her finger into Shino's chest, tone daring the newer GDF member to make a move. Shino shoves Yuna back indignantly as a flurry of humanity rushes in. Shibuki immediately puts herself between her mistress and Yuna, ready to throw the first punch. Kasey and Mizuki each clamp a hand down on one of Yuna’s shoulders, pulling her back before things can escalate.
Shino: <I had that title won, Saito-san. Shibuki-san was just ensuring that I did exactly what Tatsumaki-san told us to do. We need to start taking things from Shuko MURDER-gun to show them we’re not going to be pushed over. Or maybe you forgot that you’re on a team? You only care about your personal accomplishments and winning that title back, not Galaxy Defense Force! I should be the leader of this unit.>
Yuna snarls at this insinuation, Kasey and Mizuki straining to hold her back.
Kasey: Hey, hey, calm down! The last thing we need to do is get at each other’s throats right now.
Yuna glares at her friend.
Saito: Do you want to be leader too, Vex-san? Are you coming to replace me, champ?
Kasey looks down at the belt around her waist, almost forgetting she had it.
Vex: Huh? No, of course not. I don’t even want this thing. Yuna, it’s going to be okay. We just need to cool our heads.
Shino: <She’d be a better leader than you too, Saito-san. At least she knows how to win against real competition. All you did tonight was get in my way and beat up a child! Some hero you are. You won’t even listen to the one part of you that actually gets how things really are.>
Yuna doubles over as a headache suddenly seizes her. The migraine wracks her mind and a malicious shadow falls over it. In a sudden explosion of power she throws Mizuki into one of the nearby storage boxes. WHAM! She surges forward and gets mere centimeters away from Shibuki, who stares down at her defiantly. Shino looks on from the safety of Shibuki’s protection, expression bemused as she swears she can see the change she just spoke of.
Saito: <You’d better watch what you say Suzuhana.>
Vex groans in effort as she stumbles backwards, pulling Saito with her.
Vex: That’s ENOUGH!
Yuna suddenly shakes her head as if shaking off a haze and Suzuhana just sighs as the sudden fury is gone. By the time Yuna regains her presence of mind, Kasey has stepped in front of her to prevent any more escalation. Slowly Mizuki climbs up from the floor using the boxes for balance. She meets Yuna's eyes and then shakes her head and starts to limp away. Kasey watches Yuna with concern, Shibuki and Shino seem oddly disappointed. This is the state of the defenders of balance and justice as war looms.
SuzuCorp HQ
07.29.23
11:43 pm
It isn't Shibuki's way.
Her face is hot, her chest is burning.
It isn't Shibuki's way to talk out of turn, especially when it comes to Shino's affairs but... the events of Confidence Inspiring Games wounded her pride, made her feel lesser-than, made her consider a word that she did not make a habit of allowing to pass beyond her lips: failure. She paces from one side of the room to the other, to and from, back and forth. She shakes her hands as though they've gone to sleep and she's trying to shake the ants-crawling sensation off of them. She thinks of Shino seeing her in such emotional disarray and that makes her anxiety even worse, the burning in her chest even more prominent.
Shibuki: < Shino-sama, why doesn't she learn? >
Sitting on the floor with her back to the wall, Shino Suzuhana rests with her head bowed, brown hair with pink and purple highlights obscures her features. Unbeknownst to Shibuki, Shino is fighting her own battle, doing her best to contain what's boiling beneath the surface, unwilling to show Yuna Saito or Kasey Vex her true face. They've already seen enough and anymore might persuade them to begin using a term that her father liked to throw in her face when her tantrums got out of hand, even as a child: unstable.
Shibuki: < If what you have said is true... if Aoi-san brought you here to give Galaxy Defense Force an edge in the battle against Shuko MURDER-gun, then why does Saito Yuna resist? Her actions cost us dearly tonight... and for what? Pride? Honor? It is obvious that these things do not matter in the grand scheme of Miracle Galaxy Pro. >
From behind a curtain of pink and purple hair, Shino's voice is low and humorless.
Shino: < It is because she is weak. >
Shibuki: < Then why is she the leader? How did she ever win the Interstellar Dream to begin with? >
Shino raises her head and brushes the hair out of her face.
Shino: < She is no leader. >
Shino pushes herself off the floor and stands, eyeing Shibuki from several feet away.
Shino: < Is she yours? >
Shibuki: < I only answer to you, Shino-sama. >
Shino: < A true leader would not have done what she did tonight... a true leader does what needs to be done. We are at war with Shuko MURDER-gun, a faction who does not value pride, honor... the rules... they respect nothing. >
She holds up her hand and clenches a fist.
Shino: < They only recognize strength... and violence. >
Shibuki nods solemnly, agreeing.
Shino: < In the next room, Galaxy Defense Force has a weapon that could end this war in a single night... instead, Saito Yuna suppresses Devil Yuzuki and allows her childish notions of "doing the right thing" to hold us back. We will never win this war as long as she hides her true power and actively works against us. >
Shibuki: < How do we convince her to unleash this weapon? >
Shino: < We do not. >
Shibuki: < I do not understand. >
Shino: < Look at everything that has happened to her since we came here, Shi-chan. She lost her championship, was humiliated by Costanza Caponata in the process. Takeda Hiromi was kidnapped and then brainwashed against her... she was talked down to by her mentor like she is an ineffectual fool... and did nothing about it. What else must happen to provoke this Devil Yuzuki into showing herself? What else must happen for Saito Yuna to embrace it? >
Shibuki leans her back against the wall, arms folded across her chest.
Shino: < We do not have to convince her to do anything. We simply have to convince everyone else in Galaxy Defense Force to see things our way. We must convince them that peace is not the answer. >
Shibuki: < You are saying we do not need Devil Yuzuki... >
Shino: < We just need numbers. >
Shibuki sighs.
Shibuki: < Kasey Vex will side with Saito. Their viewpoints and disciplines align perfectly. You saw how she felt about her new championship. She took no pleasure in claiming that trophy from the enemy... a clear victory and she is disappointed in herself. >
Shino: < The others will fall in line. >
Shibuki: < What about the Hixx sisters? They are not impressionable rookies. >
Shino: < They are idiots. They will do as they're told. >
Shino steps closer to Shibuki and looks up at her, reaching up and caressing the side of her face. Shibuki bows her head, appearing to relax upon Shino's touch.
Shibuki: < I am sorry, Shino-sama. >
Shino: < What happened tonight was not your fault. >
Shibuki remains silent. Shino tilts her head slightly. Her tone is quiet, almost motherly.
Shino: < We will continue as we have since we arrived here. Ending this war with Shuko MURDER-gun is our top priority, whether that requires awakening Devil Yuzuki or conditioning the rest of Galaxy Defense Force to see that might makes right. One way or another, we will win and no one, not even Saito Yuna, will stop us. >
Shino uses her other hand to brush the hair out of Shibuki's face and then brings her face closer to hers. The tips of their noses touch. Their lips... almost. Shino smiles.
Shino: < But going forward, I need you to do what I pay you to do... watch my back... protect me... and that means the next time that Saito Yuna tries to stop you from doing your job... >
She whispers.
Shino: < You knock her the fuck out. >
She pats Shibuki's cheek.
Shino: < Okay? >
Shibuki silently nods.
Suimda River Walk
08.10.23
5:43 AM
Tap-tap-tap. The sound of Saito Yuna’s footsteps echoes in the early morning emptiness; it’s the only sound apart from the ambient hustle and bustle of Tokyo. A chill runs down her spine as the breeze wafts up off the Sumida river below. Each of her steps is a shambling half-stagger. She’s fortunate that the guardrail is there, or she might accidentally stumble over into the waters and be carried out to the bay.
She hasn’t slept well since Confidence Inspiring Games, and now it’s all coming to a head. When she tried to rest this morning the walls all felt as though they were closing in on her, the apartment becoming suffocating. So she’s out to clear her mind by the riverfront. Tap-tap. The extra echoes from nearby remind her she’s not alone. Yuna gazes through the densely unkempt brunette locks hanging in her face over at Mizuki.
Yuna: <Suzumi-sensei, I’m ashamed of what happened.>
Mizuki taps her hip anxiously, flinching as her fingers brush against the bruise that’s formed there.
Mizuki: <It wasn’t you, Yuna, and you know that.>
Yuna looks down at the birds gently bobbing in the river, unable to meet her roommate’s eyes.
Yuna: <I guess you're right. With everything that’s going on, I just - I feel like I’m losing everything. My accomplishments, my friends, my mind, even my mentor! And everyone around me just expects me to be able to fix it and be the leader. I don’t know if it can be fixed.>
Mizuki shuffles up to her, then leans in close enough that Yuna can feel her trainer’s breath on her neck.
Mizuki: <I don’t know either. But I do know one thing.>
Yuna feels a tingling in her mind, exploratory tendrils trying to gain a foothold there. As a little headache starts to grow, she fights the urge to scream and throws up mental walls. She can’t let Devil Yuzuki in. Only once the headache subsides does Yuna look over at Mizuki.
Yuna: <What’s that?>
Mizuki musses up Yuna’s hair.
Mizuki: <You are a leader. A bit reckless of one, but still a leader.>
Yuna: <Reckless? What do y->
Mizuki: <Following your passions and issuing a challenge to Shuko MURDER-gun for Without Equal. What was that about?>
Yuna sighs and looks out at the river again.
Yuna: <They’ve hurt us badly. They’ve humiliated us repeatedly and made us look weak. I have to - we have to prove that we’re not going away quietly. We have to hit them back hard, no matter what that takes. Vex-san taking their belt was a good start, but we have to keep pushing them back if we’re going to defeat them. And I have to know if I’m worthy of being the leader.>
Just thinking of the pressure of expectations makes her yearn for the freedom of the birds floating in the river. Suddenly she’s thrown off balance as Mizuki grabs her shoulder and pulls her close.
Mizuki: <Those sound like the words of a leader to me.>
Yuna gazes over at Mizuki inquisitively.
Yuna: <But how can I possibly get this team to work together?>
Mizuki gives it some thought, then shrugs.
Mizuki: <Honestly, I’m not sure. That’s not something I can figure out for you - you’re going to need to do that yourself. But I do know that I’m the wrong person to ask that.>
Yuna: <Then who should I talk to?>
Mizuki laughs suddenly, a spontaneous outburst of bemusement that catches Yuna off guard.
Yuna: <What?>
Mizuki: <It’s obvious. You need to go to your teammates and figure this out with them. And then->
She trails off for a wistful moment. What’s this about? Yuna’s frustration builds until she finally shouts.
Yuna: <Then WHAT? What do I do then?>
Mizuki pats her on the shoulder.
Mizuki: <Then the three of you kick the collective asses of Shuko’s girls.>
Yuna wants desperately to remain serious, and her blood is still boiling thinking of what Shuko MURDER-gun’s done to her beloved GDF. Something about the bluntness of Mizuki’s words forces the corner of her mouth to tug up into a tiny grin though.
Yuna: <Right. I should get going then, shouldn’t I? I need to check in with Tatsumaki-sensei so she knows I’m taking my responsibility seriously. And to make sure she’s not keeping any other important information from us.>
Tatsumaki Dojo
08.10.23
10:00 AM
This isn’t how it’s supposed to be.
It’s been a few days since Confidence Inspiring Games and there’s been no sign of Tatsumaki. Waiting patiently for her to turn up or make contact has turned up nothing, so Yuna’s taken matters into her own hands. The office around her looks as though a typhoon has ripped through Tatsumaki’s workspace. Folders, notebooks and dozens of small items have been scattered to the four corners of the room.
Yuna: Where did she go? There has to be SOMETHING here, a note, a map, anything!
Kasey: Yuna, it’s no use. She just.. vanished.
Yuna: What do you mean vanished?
Kasey: That’s just it. After everything that happened at Confidence Inspiring Games she took off on her own.
Alone. The visionary legend who saw value in her has left her chosen warriors to fend for themselves. When the going’s gotten tougher than ever, she couldn’t be found to guide the disparate remnants of Galaxy Defense Force. A bloodcurdling scream rips out from Yuna’s lungs as she sends a trash bin careening across the dojo - CRASH! It bends in half from the impact as Yuna stands with her head hung low.
Yuna: All those big words lecturing me about being the leader GDF needs, and she just abandons us? After she promised us a sparkling future at the top level of Joshi Puroresu, then dragged us into some personal shadow war?! What kind of woman does that? Instead of helping us, she’s just told us to ‘figure it out’ and thrown us to the wolves!
Kasey runs a hand through her black hair, her fingers getting caught in some wayward tangles. The slight tingle of pain on her scalp brings her back to the moment.
Kasey: I have no idea, Yuna. Maybe this is some kind of test? Lord knows we’ve been through enough crap these past few months.
She lets out a long sigh, leaning back against the wall and sinking down until she is crouched on the floor. She drapes her arms across her knees, and hangs her head as her black hair falls like a curtain in front of her face.
Kasey: I’ll admit, when I first came here I didn’t have the first clue about this faction stuff. I didn’t know MGP was going to turn into some kind of mafia turf war. Not to mention all the other crazy supernatural-type stuff going on. It’s really been making me stop and think about my future here.
Yuna: What are you saying, Vex-san? Are you leaving?
Kasey’s head snaps up, hearing the distress in her friend’s voice. In such a short time, she and Yuna had formed a strong bond, and it pained Kasey to see her friend in so much turmoil. First with losing the Interstellar title, and now with whatever internal battle she seemed to be facing within herself. So to hear the pain in Yuna’s voice when she thought that Kasey was leaving the company…it broke her heart. So she flashes Yuna a cheeky grin and a wink, in the hopes of picking up her spirits.
Kasey: Not by a long shot. You’re not getting rid of me that easy, Saito. If anything, it’s making me want to stay and fight even more.
The young Japanese woman flashes a relieved grin, before her brow furrows in concern once again.
Yuna: We still need to figure out where Tatsumaki-san has gone. It just seems so strange that she would just disappear like this when we’re about to go to war with Shuko MURDER-gun.
Kasey rises up and pushes off against the wall, pacing a few steps in the middle of the room.
Kasey: Well, maybe she actually is testing us. She’s seeing the tension in the ranks, and she wants to know if we can handle it ourselves, without her intervention.
She looks over to see Yuna giving her an incredulous look, and Kasey just shrugs her shoulders.
Kasey: Well, it’s a working theory. Regardless, we really should just focus our efforts on getting ready for Without Equal. We’ve got a tall order in front of us, and with you and Shino kind of at each other’s throats…not to mention the…uh…well, whatever you’ve got going on inside you.
Immediately Kasey cringes, knowing that she could have used a bit more tact in her wording. She chances a glance over at Yuna, and is surprised to see her looking a little shameful. Kasey crosses over and puts an arm around her shoulders.
Kasey: I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it like that. Look, you don’t have to explain it to me if you don’t want to. But I just want you to know that whatever you’ve got going on, I’ve got your back one hundred percent.
Yuna gives her a small smile and nods. Kasey flashes a cheerful grin and squeezes her shoulders.
Kasey: Alright. Well, since we’re not gonna get much further in trying to find Aoi, why don’t we get changed and get a little training in? Maybe we can work on a few double-team moves to try out at Without Equal.
The two women leave the office and head off to the locker rooms chatting excitedly.
Tatsumaki Dojo
08.15.23
1:34 pm
Days have passed for Shino.
The harsh sensation of betrayal never does.
The training ring reeks of sweat. Shino's hair is pulled back away from her face in a tight ponytail. She's traded her purple, pink, and white gear for a t-shirt, athletic shorts, and sneakers. Latoya Hixx wears a look of frustration as she wanders toward the corner, exhausted after a quick back and forth with Akari Hino. Hino is beaming with pride after taking the famous Hixx sibling to the limit. Shino stands across the ring from Hixx, unimpressed by her performance.
Shino: < Latoya Hixx... is that the same fire you will bring to the ring with you when you face Shuko Shiori? >
Latoya runs her hands through her blonde hair and turns to face Shino. Across the ring, Akari Hino sits on the top turnbuckle, smiling, appearing to take pleasure in her ability to outwork the journeywoman competitor. Chigusa stands at ringside, head in her hands... smiling, happy to be here.
Shino: < I assure you... it will not be enough. >
Latoya responds in Japanese as best she can.
Latoya: < Why don't you let me worry about Shuko Shiori. I've been dealing with Shuko MURDER-gun for a lot longer than you have. Don't you have your own match to focus on anyway? >
Shino smiles and puts her hands behind her back as she steps closer to Hixx. Shibuki watches from the apron, recognizing the look in Shino's dark, doll-like eyes.
Shino: < Why don't I let you worry about it? Because if I let you worry about it, this match will end up like your last six... humiliating defeats. Shuko Shiori is unlike any opponent you have ever faced. Her partner is... >
Latoya: < Her partner's a kid that doesn't know what she's gotten herself into. Trust me, I'm gonna bend Takeda Hiromi over my knee and teach her a lesson that she won't forget. She'll be begging to come back to Galaxy Defense Force when me and Deena are done with her. >
Shino puffs her cheeks out, amused by Latoya's bravado.
Shino: < Doubt. >
Latoya: < You know, I've about had it with your attitude. Ever since you joined Galaxy Defense Force, you've been nothing but disrespectful. You might get away with talking to Saito Yuna the way you do, but that's not flying with me. Do you understand? >
Akari looks down from her seat on the top turnbuckle, locking eyes with Chigusa.
Akari: < Grandma fight! >
Chigusa's eyes light up. She pounds on the mat with both hands.
Chigusa: < GRANDMA FIGHT! >
Latoya and Shino both turn and look at the newest members of Galaxy Defense Force, annoyed.
Shino: < Hey, who are you calling a grandma, you little shits?! >
Latoya: < Yeah, she's way older than me! >
Shino grabs a handful of Latoya's hair, giving it a good pull.
Shino: < Hey! You take that back! >
Deena Hixx steps out of a nearby office and slides under the bottom rope upon realizing what's happening in the ring. She tries to push Shino and Latoya apart, prompting Shibuki to enter the ring and plant her hand firmly on Deena's chest, pushing her back. Shino lets go of Latoya's hair and Shibuki gets between them, effectively ending the confrontation. Latoya is furious, pointing past Shibuki at Shino.
Latoya: < You're out of line, Shino! >
Latoya turns and looks at Deena, shaking her head.
Latoya: She's out of line.
Deena: I know. I saw the whole thing.
Chigusa sighs.
Chigusa: < No grandma fight? >
Akari pouts.
Akari: < What a disappointment. >
With the Hixx sisters in one corner and Shibuki checking on Shino in the other, Akari and Chigusa don't even notice the door to the training dojo opening up behind them. Though it's already quiet beyond the chatter going on in the ring, a noticeable hush falls over the room once Yuna Saito and Kasey Vex are noticed by the occupants.
Noticing the awkward tension in the room, Kasey shoots what she hopes is a disarming smile amongst her faction mates.
Kasey: Hey, don’t stop on our account.
Beside her, she feels Yuna go tense, and she follows her gaze to the ring to see Shino glaring straight at them both. She sighs heavily, pushing a hand through her hair.
Kasey: Oh brother. I was hoping to avoid confrontation today…well, we might as well get this over with.
She links an arm with Yuna and pulls the younger girl along with her towards the ring. She rounds the outside until she and Yuna are standing on the floor next to the corner that Shino is in. Shibuki moves to stand in front of Shino, narrowing her eyes down at the two women on the floor. Yuna’s eyes narrow right back, but Kasey puts her hands up between them with open palms in a calming gesture.
Kasey: Look, I don’t know what the heck is going on with the GDF lately, and I’m not gonna pretend that we all need to be BFF’s or anything. But with Aoi going AWOL and Shuko MURDER-gun breathing down our necks, we all need to get on the same page, at the very least. Especially us three.
She points at herself, Yuna and Shino in turn.
Kasey: We’ve got a chance to start putting some serious boots to Shuko MURDER-gun, and we need to make sure that we don’t implode before we even hit the ring at Without Equal. I know LUNA’s probably got a serious grudge against me for winning the title that she got handed to her in the same night, so she’s gonna be coming at us hard and fast. The other two are dark horses since they’re the newcomers, but we can’t overlook them. There’s a reason they got recruited by SMG, after all. So we need to stay united and put up a strong front if we want to make sure that we come out of the other side of this match as the winners. Got it?
Yuna nods along with most of her friend’s speech, but her eyes never leave the tandem in the corner above her. Once Kasey finishes she climbs up onto the ring apron and motions into the ring.
Yuna: Maybe some people have forgotten, but I’ve been leading the fight against Shuko MURDER-gun since the very beginning. When everyone else failed to see the danger they posed, I was the one on the front lines scoring decisive wins over any monster Shuko could dig up. It’s because of me that they started targeting Galaxy Defense Force. They tried to end my career with their cowardly attacks just because I finally found something worth fighting for. Trust me, no one wants to utterly destroy Shuko MURDER-gun more than I do. This alliance they’re creating with the Gaijin Assault Army and the Black Company is out to ruin everything the Ring of Dreams is supposed to be. No one else would listen when I called for an alliance to stop them. Tatsumaki-san had her own agenda. Caponata-san laughed in my face even when that alliance might just eat her whole. The last thing we need now is for Galaxy Defense Force to be splintered too.
She lowers her arm and sighs.
Yuna: I’ve always said that we need to make sure Shuko MURDER-gun can never pose a threat to this special place again. It was just that if we stooped to their level in order to accomplish our goal, we’d be no better than them. But they escalated this into a full blown war after they took Takeda-san from us. We have a golden opportunity to finally put Shuko’s thugs on the defensive. So I agree, we need to work together and beat the hell out of the trio she’s sending after us. And as much as I hate to admit it, we need Shibuki-san’s help to keep the rest of MURDER-gun from getting involved.
For a moment she stares down at her feet, gathering the strength of mind to speak her peace. Finally she looks up with intensity burning in her eyes.
Yuna: I didn’t ask to be the leader of GDF. But I earned that status by helping beat three of Shuko’s earliest recruits. I earned it by enduring the full power of the entire MGP roster and still getting my hand raised as the first Interstellar Dream. I didn’t need to resort to cheap tactics to accomplish any of that.
She takes a deep breath, during which Shino snorts derisively.
Shino: The world has changed, Saito Yuna-san. Your way doesn’t work anymore.
At this Yuna flinches, one eye squinting in pain as a headache comes on. Kasey climbs up to the apron and places a hand on the younger woman’s shoulder to steady her. Shino and Shibuki just shake their heads. Then suddenly Yuna’s head shoots up, whipping her hair back wildly. She storms into the ring and gets right up in Shibuki’s face, her eyes wild and her posture threatening violence. In this moment it’s clear who’s stepped into the room.
Devil Yuzuki: And who put you in charge, hm? Make no mistake, I do like how you do things. What I disagree with is people who get a big head and try to dictate who’s in charge. People who do that to me find out pretty quick just how big a mistake that is. You understand me?
Kasey steps into the ring and takes a step towards her friend; Devil Yuzuki spins around and glares down at her.
Devil Yuzuki: Were you gonna say something? Hm? I don’t have time for someone who doesn’t even have pride in the title she just won. Tell you what, you don’t want it? Lay down for me and I’ll take it off your hands. At least I’d take it seriously.
Kasey and Devil Yuzuki both square their shoulders, ready to throw down right then and there. Just as suddenly as the malevolent force surfaced, the malice vanishes from Yuna’s face. She blinks, looks down at Kasey and recalls where she is. Clearly unnerved by this turn of events, she takes a moment to collect herself and look at each of the women in the ring. The Hixxes, CHIGUSA, Akari, Kasey, Shino and Shibuki. Slowly she steps to the middle of the ring, where she turns to face Vex and Shino.
Yuna: I’ve also always considered GDF to be my family. Even if we disagree on how to do this, we all agree that we have to win this war with Shuko MURDER-gun. Our only goal should be to leave no doubt that GDF is strong, and that when we’re pushed into a corner we fight back hard. We are three of the best wrestlers in the world, and if we’re united in the single focus of destroying LUNA and her new friends, there’s nothing they can do to stop us. I have let all of you down since Lightspeed to Kyoto. I was too focused on proving myself again and again. That ends now. I will be the first to lift up our newest members. I will be the first to draw blood against our enemy. And I will not rest until we’ve beaten Shuko MURDER-Gun.
Her eyes narrow as she looks to Shino and Shibuki.
Yuna: I asked for this fight because I believe with all my heart that we can defeat Shuko MURDER-Gun together. As the leader of GDF I accept full responsibility for the outcome of this fight. And a good leader listens to her teammates. So I’m asking you now, what do you need from me?
Shino steps around Shibuki, though not so much that her bodyguard can’t intervene on her behalf.
Shino: You’d better take responsibility. As for what I need from you? It’s simple, I need you to do your damn job. And let Shibuki-san do hers. Do whatever it takes to defeat LUNA, Kaneko and Shikishi. Can you handle that, or do you still refuse to get your hands dirty?
Kasey takes a few steps to join Yuna, but Yuna shakes her head to decline any intervention from Kasey.
Yuna: I’m not afraid to shed their blood like they’ve shed ours. I’m sure they’re going to try and use their numbers to stop us, so we need to do the same to even the odds. When that bell rings I’m going to be focused entirely on ensuring we send a clear message to Shuko MURDER-gun. If Shibuki-san happens to become involved while I’m not looking, so be it. We can’t afford to lose this battle. I’ll fight my way, you fight yours. If we each do what we do best, we’ll destroy them.
There’s a long, stiff silence as the trio stare at each other warily. There’s still the tension that permeated Ryugoku Hall, but there’s something else as well. Kasey is the first to break the silence, placing her fist in the center of the ring.
Kasey: We do this together. We win this fight together. Agreed?
Yuna’s gaze drifts from Kasey to Shino, and she touches her fist to Vex’s.
Yuna: Agreed. Defeating MURDER-gun is what’s important. We’ll overwhelm them with Vex-san’s resilient aggression, Suzuhana-san’s creative tactics and my unstoppable beating heart.
Shino hesitates for a few beats before following suit, touching her fist to those of her teammates.
Shino: Agreed. Winning this war is all that matters. We can sort out the rest later.
All three women stand there, fists joined as they silently focus on one singular goal: victory over Shuko MURDER-gun, no matter the cost.
