Story by https://www.deviantart.com/notlord3gan


Valentina Aragon sauntered out of her corner like she owned the ring, chin high, shoulders loose, arms swinging just enough to make a point. She didn’t bounce or rush. No need. Her red and yellow gloves glinted beneath the lights.



Across from her, Amelia O'Connor moved with calculated purpose, light on her toes, her gloves held high. Her calm expression wasn't unfaithful to the fierce fire burning beneath the surface.



They met at center ring, and for the second time that night, Amelia offered her glove. Again, Valentina refused, her silence spoke a thousand words. Amelia blinked once, sighed; lowered her hand, and reset her stance.



The space between them immediately vanished. Amelia opened sharp, sending out two jabs flicked from her left, testing the Valentina's speed and reflexes. Valentina tilted her head, avoiding the first, catching the second on her guard with relative ease.



Amelia stayed outside, circling, light on her feet. She jabbed again, this time feinting low and stepping to the right, keeping Valentina guessing. But sadly, Valentina wasn’t falling for Amelia's strategy. She knew Amelia was more of a heavy hitter than a strategic fighter.



A sudden inside leg kick smacked against Amelia’s thigh, exhoing throughout the venue, followed by a fast, looping right hook. Amelia blocked it, but the glove thudded off her forearm with weight. Valentina smirked.



"You know, if you wanted to dance, you could’ve at least asked for some lessons first." Valentina taunted, her voice dripping with arrogance.



Amelia shot back, her annoyance now evident. "Keep being cocky, and we’ll see where that gets you."



Valentina’s eyes narrowed, her tone icy as she responded, "It’s not cockiness when you can back it up, sweetheart." The words stung, pushing Amelia to the brink of losing her cool.



Amelia didn't answer. Instead, she slipped in and fired a crisp one-two combo, a left jab, and a right straight. Although the jab didn't land, the straight did, snapping Valentina’s head back slightly. The crowd stirred.



Valentina’s grin flickered. She came forward fast, throwing a barrage of straight punches, her goal wasn't to hurt Amelia but instead overwhelm her, so she could open Amelia up and land some heavy hitting damage



They traded for the next minute, kick for punch, punch for kick. However nobody really landed a clean strike. Amelia was able to guard and tank the abuse while Valentina was able to slip and avoid any incoming blows.



By the second minute, the rhythm had settled into a dead heat. Amelia threw a clean uppercut in close that almost snapped Valentina’s jaw upward. Valentina took a few steps back, allowing Amelia to continue with her momentum, forcing Amelia to come to her.



With seconds left in the round, Amelia threw a leg kick, trying to get one back but Valentina checked it and launched a straight right hand that clipped Amelia’s cheek. Just before the bell rang.



The bell echoed, ending the round, but neither woman moved. Amelia held her ground, breathing steady, staring into Valentina’s eyes. Valentina raised a single eyebrow, then turned away without a word.



Valentina had a team to help her, so in the idea of fairness, a team was provided for Amelia, however, Amelia declined in favour for her girlfriend Angelina.



Amelia dropped onto the stool. Angelina was already at her side, pressing a cold pack against her thigh where the first kick had landed.



"You're reading her well babe." She said. "She’s fast, but she’s leaving herself open when she resets. Tag her right after she kicks."



Amelia nodded, breathing through her nose. Her face was calm, but her cheek pulsed with dull pain. Still, she felt good. It was even, but she couldn't shake off the headache that was Valentina's attitude.



Across the ring, Valentina stood while her cornerman dabbed her forehead with a towel.



"She’s as tough as she looks...." He muttered, almost reluctant to acknowledge Amelia's skill.



Valentina’s gaze snapped toward her coach, sharp and commanding. "Did I ask for your opinion on my opponent?" She shot back, her voice laced with authority.



"N-No, ma'am."



"Exactly." She smirked, leaning back with a chuckle as she took a sip of water. "She’s cute.... Thinking she belongs in here with me." Valentina rolled her neck, then shook out her shoulders, never once sitting down, her confidence radiating with every movement.



The bell rang to signal round two, Amelia stood from her corner, slowly, almost methodically, as she met Valentina in the center again.



Valentina stepped in like a blade, sharp, direct and with no wasted motion. Her expression was different now. She was more focused.... Cruel even.



Valentina swung her leg in and connected beautifully with Amelia's body. It stung like hell but Amelia tried to smile, as if she was hoping that Valentina would be put off.



"Do that again! I want to feel something!" Amelia demanded, her intensity was a bit nerve-wracking, but Valentina didn't waste time fulfilling her promise.



She swung that kick in again, crashing into Amelia's abs for a second time, leaving a noticeable mark on her body. But then suddenly, Amelia circled right, jabbing, trying to re-establish control.



Valentina parried the jab and shot forward, throwing a jab, followed by a cross, and a wicked body hook that caught Amelia under the ribs. She grunted, guard dropping by a hair.... and Valentina noticed.



She backed Amelia up with a front kick, then feinted low. Amelia, slightly panicked, bit on the bait and Valentina punished her for such a foolish mistake.



A roundhouse kick slammed into Amelia’s abdomen, Valentina strategically placed it where Amelia asked her to hit her. The sound echoed through the arena, causing some fans to wince at the impact.



Amelia folded slightly, her guard wavering as the breath whooshed from her lungs. "Still want me to hit you there?" Valentina questioned as she pressed forward.



Amelia tried to clinch, which was going to play into her power advantage. Valentina struggled to get her off and landed a knee to the body. Amelia retaliated with a desperate elbow in close, it landed, but without full power. After two more knee strikes, Valentina was able to push Amelia off.



Valentina stayed close, walking Amelia down now, mixing high and low strikes. A right cross split Amelia’s guard. A step-in hook kick turned her head, knocking spit out from Amelia's mouth.



Amelia gritted her teeth trying to not allow Valentina to get comfortable. She ducked under a wild overhand and fired back with a clean straight right that landed flush.



The crowd roared, but Valentina didn’t stop. She smiled through it, nodded once, then snapped off a jab of her own. Throwing a combo of punches simply to force Amelia into protecting herself.



Time slowed for Amelia. She was still in the fight, ut the tide had turned. Valentina wasn’t just show anymore. She was a danger.... A real danger.



The bell saved her from a final flurry, and she backed away, chest heaving, sweat dripping from her chin. The difference between then was like night and day.



Valentina turned toward her corner slowly, like she had all the time in the world. "This is my ring." She called over her shoulder. "I'll see you soon."



Amelia dragged herself over to her corner and sat down, Angelina patted her body with ice almost immediately while Amelia tried to catch her breath.



"She's messing with your head! You need to focus on hurting her before you want to give her a taste of her own medicine." Her VIP partner pleaded, both of them learned in real time that Valentina was a powerful striker.



Valentina still refused to sit, leaning casually into her corner as her team cooled her down after an impressive round. She barely looked winded, only focused.



"What are our stock values looking like right now?" She asked, checking on her business rather than a fight.



"Well, ma’am, they were stagnating for a few months…. But this fight’s gone viral. We’re up about 140 percent!" Her coach replied, almost in awe.



"Excellent." Valentina’s tone sharpened as she locked eyes with him. "Now we know where the business is. During this next round, I want you scouting for potential partners and future opponents. Do I make myself clear?"



"Y-Yes, ma’am!" The coach stammered.