Tag Team Showdown (Sphinx x Calvinomic)

[Sphinx]

Tristan continued counting on her fingers, "Team Onslaught, Team Firebrand . . . " Chrystal shushed her with a raised finger. She didn't need a reminder of all of the tag teams the two of them had defeated together in the Ring Queens' Tournament. Each of them had been undefeated in their singles career as well -- that was the only way to get invited to RQ to begin with -- and they had gone one to become the undefeated winners as Team Huntress there. 16 women, eight teams, and they had come out on top. Tristan never failed to remind Chrystal every time an ounce of doubt crept into her mind. Tristan was always the more cavalier and adventurous (Chrystal would add "reckless" to that list) of the two.

Leaning against the ropes of the training ring, sweating from their sparring, Chrystal began with her own usual litany of reminders. "This one is different. We haven't gone against men before, and we don't know a thing about their fight history. I can't prep like I did before, not without that info, and we are going to be outside our weight class."

Tristan leaned beside her, offering her water bottle. "This is not the first time we're going outside our weight class. Team Onslaught?" Their final match had, indeed, been against older, taller, more experienced, stronger women. It had been close, but Tristan was right. They had still come out on top. "Plus," Tristan added,"this match has stricter rules. No stripping your opponent, no penetration, no groping. Their hands are tied." Tristan didn't add that these rules only applied to the fight itself. If they lost . . .

"You forgot the last rule," Chrystal sighed. "The ref. The ref decides when the rules apply. We've seen some of these matches before, and the ref was willing to turn his back."

"For once, I'm one step ahead of you," Tristan beamed, pleased to see she had been more clever than her partner for once. "And, don't worry. Win we win this match, the prize money will make you forget the cost."

"The . . . cost? How much did you . . . " Chrystal tried to hide the fact that she was a little impressed by the initiative. She hadn't finished her question before Tristan answered.

"Barely a sixteenth of our tournament winnings. The ref seemed impressed, and persuaded. He watch after us. And, again, when we win . . . " But rather than being as furious as Tristan anticipated, Chrystal was laughing hysterically. "Well, at least you aren't mad."

"I guess great minds think alike. I appreciate the effort, but it turns out you weren't one step ahead. I may have sent a bribe too." It wasn't normally like her, but she bit her thumb sheepishly despite herself.

Tristan couldn't resist a wide grin. "I like this side of you. Jesus, how much did you send? Please tell me we have plenty left." Chrystal slid down to the ground, seated, drinking deeply from Tristan's water bottle.

"Onslaught. He gets half now and half if we win. I sent Nikita this morning, along with photos of Savannah for further inspiration."

Team Onslaught had been the last team they had defeated for the title in the Ring Queens' Tournament. Tristan slid down beside Chrystal, staring in disbelief and admiration. "You fucking serious? I take it back. I LOVE this side of you. Does this mean we can take it easy for tonight? I'm starving, and it looks like we have this in the bag." But within seconds, Chrystal popped up to her feet.

"No chance. Fight is in two days and it isn't going to wait for one of your fast food runs."

 

[Calvinomic]

Victor was at the team's personal gym, standing in their practice ring facing off against his sparring partner for the day. She had actually been his opponent only a few weeks back, but after their match had grown to enjoy facing off against him. One could make a guess as to why. Michael sat outside the ring, half paying attention to the match and half to his phone. The two had been partners in these matches from the beginning, both with their own opposing yet complimentary personalities. Victor had always been more cold and calculating, the type to be thinking 3 steps ahead at all time. In contrast, Michael was a bit of a wild card, a man who enjoyed parties and doing what he wanted. The one thing the two had in common was their underlying sadistic nature. Both of them were the type who had the win no matter what, and they would show no mercy to those they defeated.

The girl standing across from Victor made the first move, ducking left, and then right, before throwing out a left hook. Victor anticipated the move and simply leaned back, her fist swinging through the air where his face had been. While she was off balance, he followed up with a swift strike to the gut and she fell to her knees. Victor let out a bored sigh. It was clear that despite her best attempts to pretend otherwise, she wanted to lose, which meant he would need to find a new sparring partner. Still, he saw no reason not to at least finish this match, so he stepped back and allowed her to get back up, not done punishing her.

Michael got a text on his phone and smirked as he read it. "Guess what?" he called to Victor from the side of the ring. "Just tell me already." Victor responded, dodging another swing with ease before sweeping his opponents legs, bringing her to the floor. "The ref just sent us the figure, and they aren't fooling around." he said with a laugh, sending a text back in response. One of the advantages of having been doing these fights for a while was that all the refs knew that if they ever were offered a bribe, The Pistons would beat it. "Do I want to know how much?" Victor asked, kicking his opponent back to the ground as she tried to get back up. With his opponent face down on the mat, Victor knelt down behind her and grabbed her by the hair, pressing her face into the floor.

"No, just know that our margins on this fight are going to be a bit low." Michael responded as he wired the money. "That's fine. This one's about more than the money anyway." Victor said. Michael was too distracted on his phone to look up as he spoke, but from the sounds the woman was making is seemed that she was already beaten. "So do you think there's any cause for concern? They did win that big tournament recently, what was it called?"

"Ring Queens" Victor responded, barely breaking a sweat as his opponent moaned uncontrollably from his assault. "And no, they're just big fish in a small pond. We'll show them- KEEP IT DOWN -" he suddenly yelled and slapped his opponents backside harshly, reducing her moans to soft whimpers. "We'll show them where they fit in the bigger picture." he finished his sentence and his opponent at the same time, standing up and getting dressed to go, leaving his opponent still whimpering on the ground. "And tell the managers I need a new sparring partner." he added as Michael stood up to walk out as well.

"Maybe you'll get your next one after tomorrow's match, the same way you got her." Michael responded with a cheeky grin as they walked out. In the corner of the gym, the tv spoke of how tomorrow's match was set to break records for viewership.