This was a horrible idea, but Jayberry was no quitter.

So despite the aching of her ribs--she had checked and, thankfully, they were not cracked, just bruised--she trotted into the wrestling ring with her head high, muscles loose, looking for all the world as though she had no troubles at all.

Her ears twitched, and her tail stood high, as she waited for her next opponent to show their face.

@Imperia
@Glory
@Azizos

Imperia was still furious they had lost the battle against Eythan. Their chance of keeping their title, gone!

They needed to get into more battles. It had been too long since they had last fought - clearly, their skills were starting to weaken. So after this competition, they'd maybe go out and find some gembounds to fight. Sharpen their skills. They'd need it if they were going to reclaim their title next year.

As they stepped onto the ring, they eyed their opponent. Younger than them, but clearly experienced in battle. They'd heard little of the bloodberries, but they had heard of them. Not much - just that they liked to fight and kill and had worked together as a sort of family.

It was a lot like what Imperia once wanted. What they never got.

They stood on the ring, staring at their opponent. They'd have to wait for a judge to announce them, so for now, they thought about how best to fight them. They had to win. No matter what it took.

Speech Thought

@Jayberry

The lion-stag perched atop the ledge, calling out names with a bellowing voice: "here, we have Jayberry and Imperia. They have lost their previous matches, but will continue to fight on, here."

Moonlit eyes spared either competitor a bemused glance as a doppelganger gracefully bounded off of the stone. Once his copy had fallen between the canine and feline, Azizos continued, "as you know, there shall be no blood shed. Neither of us, the judges, should see any use of teeth, claws, or intentionally harmful moves."

In a magnificent rearing motion and with a bellowing roar, the match would, "BEGIN!"

Azizos sat down to watch, sparing a quick whisper to Glory: "this should be interesting."

@Jayberry @Imperia

Jayberry observed her opponent as they walked into the ring, not entirely sure what they were. A cat of some sorts, tawny in color. A good foot shorter than her, so she would have to be careful in her fight, think before she acted, seeing as she would probably be more agile than her.

She breathed deep, inclining her head to the cat, wagging her tail as she tried to ignore the twinging of her ribs. The burns from the stag had already scarred over, and so there was no pain from them, thankfully. Even if she was hurting, she probably would have still entered the Wrestling competition.

The hybrid-judge called out their names, announcing that they had both lost--her ears twitched in irritation--but would keep fighting. She didn't hesitate to charge forward when the match began, shoulder first and head tucked to the side, intending to bowl the cat over.

Round: 1/5
Attempt: Ram with her shoulder
Defense:
Injuries: Bruised ribs, uh... scars?

@Imperia

Imperia hardly listened as the judge announced them. Their eyes narrowed as it was announced they had lost their previous matches, though it seemed Jayberry was annoyed as well about that. Their eyes were narrowed as they watched the wolf.

As soon as the match was set to begin, the wolf was charging for them. The wolf was larger than him, so he couldn't simply brace himself. Much as he hated starting the fight with this, his best course of action was to dodge.

So he waited for the right moment before attempting to move to the side, hopefully successfully maneuvering out of the way.

Round: 1/5
Attempt: dodge
Defense: -
Injuries: slightly sore from previous match

Speech Thought

@Jayberry

The caracal dodged, so close that Jayberry could feel their tawny fur against her own. A flash of her teeth in frustration, before she quickly covered them again. She was being closely watched, she know, and didn't want to risk being called out for an untruth.

Twisting her paw, she whirled around, using her momentum to charge at the cat again.

Round: 2/5
Attempt: Ram with her shoulder
Defense:
Injuries: Bruised ribs, uh... scars?

@Imperia

Imperia had narrowly managed to avoid the attack. His eyes narrowed at the flash of the wolf's teeth, but it wasn't long before it was gone. He couldn't help the smirk though, at knowing he had caused that. No doubt this wolf would be careful. But how careful?

He hardly had any time to react before the wolf was charging at him again. This time, he wouldn't dodge. He wasn't a coward; he'd always hated it when his opponents dodged. What was a battle if it was just one attacking and the other dodging?

Waiting for the right moment, he prepared to strike. He intended to lash out - claws in, of course - and essentially slap her as she ran by. Hopefully, it'd be strong enough to at least knock her off course.

Round: 2/5
Attempt: slap Jayberry
Defense: -
Injuries: slightly sore from previous match

Speech Thought

@Jayberry

Even if she tried, the she-wolf wouldn't have been able to stop her momentum. A smirk replaced her snarl when the caracal didn't dodge, instead bracing themselves. She wasn't able to knock them over but, as she skidded by, a yelp tore from her throat as a paw struck her sensitive nose.

Oh, that just wasn't right. Even she wasn't cruel enough to hit someone's nose. A growl rumbled, low in her chest, but she was careful to keep her teeth hidden even as she whirled again, charging towards the Caracal. Her paws left the ground, intending on tackling the Caracal.

Round: 3/5
Attempt: Knock Imperia over!
Defense:
Injuries: Bruised ribs, uh... scars?, bonked nose

@Imperia

Imperia smirked as his paw made contact with the wolf's noise. That's gotta hurt! His suspicions were confirmed when Jayberry growled. But he didn't have much time to think about that as Jayberry was soon charing at him once more.

He noticed that her paws were starting to leave the ground and he quickly attempted to rear up, hoping to meet her in the air, with his hind legs still firmly planted on the ground, and tackle her to the ground.

Round: 2/5
Attempt: rear up and meet jay
Defense: -
Injuries: slightly sore from previous match

Speech Thought

The cat attempted to rise, attempting to meet her. Jayberry couldn't quite tell if the Caracal had lost their balance, or if she had just been quick enough, but she had struck him before he could hit her.

The feeling of flesh on flesh was satisfying and welcome, and she grunted as she hit the ground. Twisting, she aimed to drop her weight (carefully, not wanting to hurt Imperia), in an attempt to pin the Caracal.

Round: 4/5
Attempt: Pin Imperia down
Defense:
Injuries: Bruised ribs, uh... scars?, bonked nose

@Imperia