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


The bell rang for round three. Valentina wasted no time, she came out aggressive, stalking Amelia with that same smug swagger, gloves low, shoulders twitching with every step.



She snapped a jab out, then stepped in with a right hook kick that slammed off Amelia’s guard, loud enough for the front row to hear. She followed with a blunt kick to the midsection that shoved Amelia back a step.



But Amelia didn’t retreat this time. She planted her feet and fired a straight right down the middle. It landed clean, smacking into Valentina’s chin and knocking her back a step.



Valentina grinned. "Did I Finally wake you up, huh?" She launched a left kick toward Amelia’s ribs, but Amelia turned into it and caught her with a stiff jab to the face. Then another. Both landed beautifully, gaining a cheer from the audience.



Valentina responded instantly with an overhand right, Amelia was able to block it but she was immediately pulled into a clinch. Valentina blasted two short knees to Amelia’s thigh. Amelia tried to push her away, but Valentina stuck to Amelia like a bad habit which surprised Amelia.



Amelia squirmed and freed her arms, delivering a snapping elbow over the top. Valentina ducked just enough for it to graze, then shoved Amelia away. Before Amelia could raise her arms, Valentina hit her with a left hook that spun Amelia’s head.



Still, Amelia didn’t back down. She stepped right into Valentina’s range and started firing like a gunsmith. A one-two combo was followed by a left hook which then came with a right cross that cracked Valentina’s nose just enough to leave a trace of red.



Valentina seemed surprised but didn't back down. Amelia pressed forward, nothing reckless, but confident. She ducked under a high kick and countered with a low hook to Valentina’s liver. Valentina gritted her teeth and Amelia stepped in to keep up the gruesome pace.



Amelia comfortably swung a right cross, but Valentina ducked it, landing a devastating uppercut against Amelia's jaw. Amelia's eyes rolled back, her ears were ringing, her arms dropped significantly as her legs began to wobble.



Valentina followed up with an absolutely brutal spinning heel kick, which nearly took Amelia’s head off. Amelia's gumshield flew out from her mouth. Amelia crashed to the floor and the crowd went wild, Valentina looked down with a grin before walking back to her corner.



The referee didn’t register Amelia as knocked out, which was a shock decision but Amelia did begin to stir. She grabbed the bottom rope and began to pull herself up, but she was moving at a snails pace, especially compared to the ten count, she wasn't going to beat it....



DING!



The bell rang, sparing Amelia from taking further damage, for now. She rose slowly, pulling herself up with the help of the ropes, every movement a testament to the punishment she'd endured. Gritting her teeth, she made her way back to her corner, determined to reset and regroup.



Amelia sat in her stool, chest rising and falling fast, sweat dripping down her back, she was still somewhat rocked.



"You're alright, you got caught but you didn't make it easy." Angelina said, wiping her face. "You’re in this now. She’s slowing down, she’s not invincible. Keep that pressure up. You've got this."



Amelia nodded, sipping water, still catching her breath. Her right glove clenched tight.



Across the ring, Valentina dropped onto the stool slower than before. Sweat clung to her brow, and a thin trail of blood dripped from one nostril. Her chest rose and fell in quick, sharp breaths.



Her coach knelt in front of her, pressing a towel gently to her nose. "She’s not backing down anymore." He said in a steady tone. "You’re still ahead-"



"Did you consider merchandising for this fight?" Valentina interrupted coolly from her corner.



Her coach froze mid-wipe, visibly rattled. "I-I…. Um.… N-No, ma’am." He stammered, his hands trembling slightly as he dabbed away the sweat from Valentina’s brow.



Valentina didn’t respond right away. She swished water in her mouth, spit into the bucket, then stared at the canvas between her feet, in a silent declaration of disappointment.



"You’ve failed me for the last time...." Valentina muttered coldly. "You’re fired. Get out of the ring."



Her coach stood frozen, stunned, but the fear in his eyes kept him from arguing. Without another word, he scrambled out of the ring, humiliated and speechless. Within seconds, a young female intern stepped up to take his place, headset still dangling from around her neck.



"Congratulations on the promotion." Valentina said without looking at her. "For this round, mock up some merchandise concepts. I’m here to maximise profits, not entertain the working class."



"Yes, ma’am!" The intern replied sharply, energised by the sudden rise in status.



Round four began and neither woman wasted time.



Amelia surged forward, gloves up, eyes locked. There was no hesitation now. She was done surviving, now she was matching Valentina blow for blow.



Valentina met her in the center, almost amused. She snapped a jab into Amelia’s guard, then whipped a right hook at her temple, Amelia slipped just under it and came back with a hard jab that cracked Valentina’s lip.



They clashed like waves. Every motion was tight and reactive, one fired, the other answered. Amelia’s hands were sharper now. Her rhythm had caught up to Valentina’s pace.



A jab-straight combo from Amelia found its mark and forced Valentina to cover up. She used the moment to hammer a left hook to Valentina’s ribs, the kind that left a mark under the skin.



Valentina grunted and pushed Amelia off with a front kick, regaining her range. Then she darted back in, this time more precise, sending out two quick jabs and a body shot, finished with a fast kick to Amelia’s hip that thudded loud.



But Amelia wasn’t giving up ground anymore. She ate the kick and came back swinging, letting out a right-left hook combo that Valentina blocked, however Amelia shot out one last right that grazed her temple.



For the first two minutes, the round was dead even, frenzied but clean. Amelia’s straight punches snapped Valentina’s head back more than once. Valentina’s counters, especially her kicks and body shots, punished Amelia every time she got too close.



Then came the final minute and it turned into an all out war.



Both women met in the center again. Amelia fired a sharp left to the body. Valentina answered with a right hand to the chin. Amelia’s head snapped, but she kept coming.



Amelia slipped a jab and cracked Valentina with a left hook. Valentina fired back with a push kick, missed, then lunged in and that’s when it happened.



Amelia dipped her left shoulder, baiting the counter, then crushed Valentina’s jaw with a right hook. Valentina’s head whipped to the side, sweat spraying under the lights. At the same instant, Valentina’s uppercut slammed into Amelia’s ribs. Both women froze for half a beat, rocked and gasping.



Then they each took one step back, chests heaving, eyes wide. No more words. Just pure grit. The crowd was electric, on its feet, screaming as the bell rang. Ending round four.



Amelia sat hard, arms hanging over her knees. Her ribs burned where Valentina had dug in that uppercut.



Angelina knelt close, voice low. "She felt that hook, you hear me? You cracked her. She’s fading, Amelia. Keep that fire. Stay clean, stay smart and beat her ass!"



She nodded, not even looking at Angelina, her eyes never left Valentina’s corner. Although, Angelina still gave placed a soft kiss on Amelia's forehead.



Across the ring, Valentina sat back with her mouth slightly open, wiping blood from her lip. Her nose flared with every breath.



"She hit you a lot." The intern murmured, almost under her breath.



"I’m aware." Valentina replied coldly, her tone cutting. "Now, what about the merch reports?"



"I’ve drafted a few mock-up designs. Just waiting on initial feedback." The intern handed over her tablet, displaying a selection of sleek, creative concepts.



Valentina gave a single approving nod. "Excellent. Great job.... You may be useful after all."



Valentine exhaled slowly, her eyes drifting across the ring to Amelia. The smirk was gone now, replaced by a hardened intensity. No more games. Just the will to win.