The Limits of Hardcore (Alexia vs Zena)

Match Type: Hardcore
Victory Conditions: Pinfall or Submission

Another night of action was promised to the fans of AFW and tonight was a special occasion. The Resident Maniacal Harlequin was slotted for a match and right in her area of expertise in a no-rules fight. The fans were already anticipating that nothing was going to be sacred and everywhere was a possible option for the match ending as the lights darkened as her theme began to play until the lights rose out from underneath the stage and Alexia stood in the centered.

The shadows from lights underneath cast an outline of Alexia's twisted smile before she stepped out of the light, already in a frenzy as she bounced her way down to the ring. When she was told that she was competing in another match of unrestricted violence had set her into a great mood as she ran towards the ring, sliding into it and quickly popping up to her feet to lunge for the ropes. Leaning against it, she would bite on the rope, her excitement practical uncontainable as her mind was racing with the possibilities that she and her opponent could have as her eyes shot towards the entrance way, releasing the ropes from her teeth as she backed all the way into the corner, anxious to start this fight!

The lights dimmed until they were out completely, and on the titantron a forest appeared, blanketed in the night darkness, with ominous music beginning to play in the background. Low, chanting voices, an organ, occasional bell tones and wolf howls filled the air while the camera moved through the forest. It was the same visual that had been displayed a week prior, with the music building up dramatically as the camera approached a lone camp fire in a clearing within the woods. Humanoid stick figures hang from the tree branches along the path, their number increasing the closer the camera came to the fire.

But unlike last time, the mysterious woman was nowhere to be seen near the fire. The camera continued to approach until suddenly the flame suddenly expanded to occupy the entire screen. As the music seemed to die down so too did the flame, molding until it made the same shape as the humanoid figures hanging from the trees, and then turning blood red while a low, cackling laugh rang in the distant background. It was the same sign warning of her eventual coming at the end of the last video. Now it announced she was here.

Spoiler:

Zena:

The music picked up again, seemingly starting anew but with a quickened pace. The chants were the same, louder and more forceful. Then right at the 1:56 mark, a spotlight flashed onto the stage and revealed Zena standing there, lips spread from ear to ear in a wicked smirk. Small flames formed lining the sides of the entrance ramp as she walked toward the ring, eyes glued to Alexia all the while. She slid under the bottom rope and stood right up, shedding the black cape from her frame and gleefully staring at the maniac in front of her. Not a word was uttered, and no one here knew a single thing about this woman. The only thing clear was she was looking forward to this every bit as much as the maniac in front of her!

The lights slowly dimmed as Alexia attention was taken to looking up above, watching the lights eventually go out as the entire arena was left in darkness before her gaze turned back to the titantron that began playing something. Her focus did not break from the giant screen as she was entranced by it, wondering just what it was that was coming to her as the members in the audience had the exact opposite of glee that Alexia had, the unnerving imagery that was beginning to burrow deep into their psyche.

Alexia on the other hand, her eyes only widened with excitement as the show was hyping her up as soon fire completely overwhelmed the screen as lights began to flicker and voices grew louder and louder. The Harlequin practically stomping back and forward in the ring as she wanted to see who was coming to her.

And then, the light shined down on the figure standing on the stage, as if she appeared from nothing as their eyes locked and never parted.

Alexia kept her eyes attached to the opposing pair until the woman was in the ring and standing right in front of her, their expressions practically mirroring each other! Alexia had no idea who this woman was, but seeing the smile as twisted as hers right in front of her, there was no need for anything like words. Normally, when Alexia was this excited she would've already jumped her opponent, but instead she stood there.

She was paralyzed but not with fear, but with utter glee at seeing someone who wore the same smile as her as she was practically frothing from her mouth!

The silence that washed over the arena as Zena’s music faded out was filled with tension. The fans knew nothing about the newcomer except that her expression and body language were eerily similar to that of Alexia. Who were they supposed to support? Or maybe a better question, should they support it at all? Of course they all knew what type of fighter Alexia was, and they had to assume Zena knew too. For both of them to have the same kind of eager expression on their faces knowing what was to come was...unsettling for many, to say the least.

As for Zena herself, she hardly moved while staring her foe down, and never spoke a single word. But she wouldn’t sit so still for very long. The ref called for the bell, and it rang to start the match. The exact moment it did the newcomer bolted straight forward at Alexia! Then leaping forward, Zena tucked her legs in only to kick her feet out, aiming to blast her target right back into the corner behind her with an explosive shotgun dropkick!

The longer the referee took to start the match, the more eager and uncontrollable she felt, practically digging her heels into the mat so hard that she would've probably left an indent of her foot print very shortly, but luckily for her, the bell finally rang. The Harlequin wouldn't waste a second as she sprinted out of the corner and charged at Zena with the intention of tackling her down to the mat and starting the match off with a fury.

However, Zena had similar ideas as she had gotten the first step on Alexia, giving her enough time to cut the ring in half and leap into the air as Alexia's charge was stopped out of shock before the two feet plowed into her chest, blasting her off of her feet and flung back into the corner. The back of her head hit the second turnbuckle as her lower back crashed into the bottom, crying out in pain as she quickly pulled herself back up with the assistance of the ropes, not planning on being slowed by that violent attack!

Grinning ear to ear after blasting her enemy into the corner, Zena quickly rolled right back up to her feet while taking a couple steps back, making sure she'd have plenty of room for a good running start. Then without a moment of hesitation she took off in another rapid dash straight at Alexia. The moment she was close enough, Zena threw herself forward while twisting through the air. Her leg whipped around, aiming to hammer right into the side of Alexia's head with a heavy spinning wheel kick while she's still against the corner!

Alexia was dazed after that sudden attack, her head was spinning and balance was difficult as she planted her feet underneath her to try and rise up to her feet, holding onto the ropes for extra balance. But as she got up she barely saw Zena crashing at her, one because of the speed of her opponent and the fact she was still seeing double as Zena's foot crashed into her head! Her head snapped back again as her balance failed her as she tumbled forward, over Zena as she rolled towards the center of the ring, trying to catch her breath!

Zena’s wild kick connected, and she was thoroughly enjoying the sight of its effect. Alexia was sent stumbling right over the sorceress and rolling out toward the middle of the ring, looking wonderfully vulnerable. Letting out a low chuckle, Zena slid out under the bottom rope and pulled herself up on the apron.

Gripping the ropes, she took aim while stepping on the middle rope and pushing up to give herself a boosted hop up onto the top rope. Then the witch sprang off of it and dove through the air, looking to descend right on Alexia’s torso with a springboard double knee drop! It was reckless, and had potential to prove horribly costly for Zena if it backfired. But she knew how much it would hurt Alexia if it hit, and that was all the motivation she needed to take the big risk here!

Alexia quickly rolled onto her back after tumbling over Zena as she shook the cobwebs out of her head, she was definitely hit hard before by hits she didn't see coming and this was no different. Her eyes saw the figure of Zena on the outer end of the ring and soon saw her jumping over the top with both of her knees poised to drive them down into her body. The weight of Zena's body being driven into her was enough motivation for the crazed Harlequin to frantically roll to the side, looking to get some distance from Zena and get to her fours.

Like a crazed animal, Alexia would fling herself at Zena looking to deliver an equally brutal first strike on her opponent as she used her head like a javelin to try and headbutt her opponent!

A rush of adrenaline surged through Zena while she soared through the air toward her downed foe! But by the time Alexia had moved out of the way, it was too late for the enchantress to change course. She came crashing knees first onto the canvas, letting out a sharp hiss of pain as she stumbled onto all fours. Much worse than that, was that Alexia was already launching her counterattack, and Zena had no means of even seeing it, much less defending against it.

A sudden explosion of pain rocked the witch’s head as Alexia’s skull hammered into her own, immediately dropping Zena onto her back! Her hands went to rest over her throbbing head while her legs kicked against the mat. Yet, despite the intense pain she was feeling from that blow...she was smiling, as if she was actually enjoying the pain she was in!