Inside of the gym ring, Dawn Sawyer struggled to win her test of strength against Rio Kazama. The two of them pushed with all their might until Kanae stepped up to the apron. She blew a whistle through her fingers to get their attention. The two girls stopped and let go of each other's hands.

"What's up?" Dawn asked.

"Just wanted to let you know that Rogue, Jackal, and Inoba are going to announce the next match card at the end of the day. They said it was a big one."

"How big?" Rio asked.

Kanae shrugged. "They didn't say. But Juri's coming over, so maybe it has to do with Miyabi."

"Not surprising." Rio said. "We Berserk wrestlers don't just fight each other, you know. Since this is a gym, we get booked to events to represent it. Sometimes, we wrestle each other and sometimes, we wrestle others who are outside."

"Okay. I get it." Dawn said. "You don't have to explain it like I'm a rookie. So you think one of us is going to face a Miyabi wrestler?"

"Possibly." Kanae said. "Though, we don't usually have owners of other promotions come and announce the matches with ours. Must be special."

"Maybe she wants to personally apologize to Hagiwara for Yoshiko's actions." Rio said. "I swear, that girl can make a hundred enemies without even trying. I hear she's even hated by the Cutthroats."

"Yeah." Dawn said. "She's not the only one."

Kanae turned curiously at Dawn. "What do you mean by that?"

"You guys didn't hear?" Dawn asked. "Luciana confronted me in the park a few nights ago. Said she wanted me to transfer over to her team."

Rio shared Kanae's surprise. "Well, what did you say?"

"I said no, obviously." Dawn said. "I'm not leaving you guys."

"Well, that's noble of you," Kanae said, "The fact that the Cutthroats are scouting you is still an issue. They don't make offers; they make demands. And if you don't meet those demands, you're in for a lot of trouble."

"So what?" Dawn asked. "You're saying I should have accepted?"

"No. I'm just saying, it'd be wise for you to watch your back. You'll never know when they might attack you."

That comment made Dawn a little nervous, but she wasn't going to admit it. "Okay. I'll take that under consideration."


Once the gym was about ready to close, most of the Berserk wrestlers met up at the center where Sayuri Rogue, Jackal Tojo, Misaki Toyoda, Inoba, and Juri Sanada were.

"Thank you all for coming." Inoba said. "We wanted you to personally hear things from our guest here before we get started."

Juri took a couple of steps forward. "I just wanted to say that I know Berserk and Miyabi are different gyms, we have no animosity toward you. Sure, I helped Elena interfere with your matches and Yoshiko attacked Hagiwara unprovoked, but the last thing I wish of you is ill will. And to show you that, we have decided to settle any grievances both our gyms have in the ring."

"Wait." Sakura said. "You mean…"

"That's right." Misaki said. "This Friday night, we shall host a cross-promotion event. Berserk vs Miyabi."

"You're kidding." Chinatsu gasped.

"We kid you not." Sayuri said. "We believe this is the best way to show that were is no bad blood between our gyms. So we will be having nine matches. Each match will have a Berserk wrestler against a Miyabi wrestler. And whichever gym has the most wins at the end of the night will get sixty percent of the profits."

"Sounds like fun." Dawn said. "Who are we facing?"

"First, Rio Kazama." Inoba said. "When you first met Elena Miyazawa, you threw her around in a sparring match. About a year later, under the guise of the Blue Panther, Elena interfered with your match and knocked you out quickly."

Rio groaned. "Did you have to mention that last part?"

"Well, to settle this, we are pitting you and Elena together in your first official match." Jackal said.

"Bout time." Rio said. "I was hoping if I was gonna get another shot at her."

"For our next match," Juri said, "We have decided to pit two of our mightiest wrestlers against each other. Chocho Miyazaki, your opponent will be Tania Smythe."

Dawn almost lost her balance when she heard that name. "Did you say Tania Smythe? She's not like an amazon-like bodybuilder, is she?"

"Actually, that's exactly like her." Juri said.

Dawn sighed. "That's what I was afraid of."

"Do you know her, Dawn?" Sakura asked.

"I'm afraid so. Back in America, Smythe was a champion bodybuilder who decided to be a wrestler. I was her debut opponent back in my independent circuit days."

"So you faced her?" Chocho asked. "What's she like?"

Dawn sighed. "Completely unbearable. She's super proud of her strength, but to be fair, she can back it up with ease. When I fought her, she utterly demolished me."

Sakura widened her eyes. "Are you serious?"

"As a heart attack." Dawn admitted. "She outclassed me at every aspect and won't stop gloating about it. If I were you, Chocho, I'd train extra hard."

Chocho thought to herself for a second. "Sounds like a real challenge. But if I can beat her, then I'll surely be ready for Misaki."

"All right then." Inoba said. "For our next match, we have Crimson Fury."

"For real? Us?" Yumi asked pointing to her and Ina.

"Yes." Juri confirmed. "And you'll be up against a tag team from Miyabi, the Fireflies."

"You're kidding." Rio said. "I've heard of them. They're basically the Miyabi versions of Digger and Hornet. The only difference is there's no incredible size difference between them."

"So they cheat?" Sakura asked.

"Yes." Rio said.

"Next up," Inoba said, "We have Queen Bee against Artemis Creed."

"Artemis Creed?" Kanae asked. "The boxer?"

"Boxer?" Dawn asked. "I thought this was a wrestling match."

"It is." Kanae said. "You see, Artemis Creed was an undefeated boxing champion from Puerto Rico until she faced off against Jackal Tojo."

"Jackal boxed against her?" Sakura asked.

"Not exactly. It was a charity special event, boxing versus wrestling. Jackal won, but after that, Artemis followed her to Japan to learn the ways of pro wrestling so she can be better prepared for a rematch. She joined Miyabi so she can learn under Jackal's top student."

"So I'm against an ex-boxer, huh?" Dawn asked. "Well, I was never really a fan of boxing, but I say, bring it on."

"Glad to hear that." Sayuri said. "Our next match is a request from the Berserk representative, Excavator Sakuya."

Most of the gym widened their eyes in surprise.

"Hold on." Rio said. "Sakuya requested for a match herself? Who's she facing?"

"Well, that's the real kicker." Juri said. "Her opponent is going to be Eve L."

Kanae gasped. "What? Is she insane?"

"Why?" Dawn asked. "Who's Eve L?"

"No one knows." Kurea said. "A lot of people are saying that she was birthed by darkness itself. All that we know is that she is a hellish devil girl who pulls off tricks that imitate the dark arts."

"A bunch of superstitious mumbo jumbo." Rio said.

"Oh, really, Rio?" Kurea asked. "Then explain how she put her last opponent in the hospital with a voodoo doll."

"Say what now?" Dawn asked. "And Sakuya's going to face her? I know the brat is cocky, but this is insane. She's gonna have to cheat to stand a chance against her."

"Yes. You'd think that." Misaki said with a suspicious look in her eyes.

"Anyway, onto our next match." Inoba said. "Representing Berserk will be Manta Rei."

The blue-masked wrestler leaped up with cheer. "Yes! Finally, I get my shot!"

"Don't celebrate too soon." Juri said. "Your opponent is Talon, and she's cruelty incarnate." That made Rei gulp.

"For our next match," Inoba said, "We have Moe Fukuoka against Lisa Hinata."

Moe's eyes lit up. "Wait. Lisa's in Miyabi? How did she not tell me that?"

"You know her, Moe?" Sakura asked.

"Yes, I do." Moe said. "She's my homeroom classmate and karate rival. Back at the karate tournament, she was my opponent for the finals. Still, I had no idea she was a wrestler now."

"Guess you can talk to her about it next time you see her." Sakura said.

"Yeah. Maybe I will."

"Okay then." Sayuri said. "Now, for our penultimate match…"

"Penultimate?" Moe asked.

"It means next to last." Chinatsu said.

"Oh."

"We will be featuring a match that I'm sure everyone is expecting. Sakura Hagiwara will be going against…"

"Yoshiko." Sakura guessed.

"Correct." Juri said. "And I have assurances from her that no matter the outcome, this feud between you and her would be settled."

"Hey." Kurea called up. "If you don't mind, I'd like to be at Hagiwara's corner when she faces Yoshiko."

That suggestion certainly surprised Sakura. "You want to be at my corner?"

"Don't forget, I'm not Yoshiko's biggest fan either." Kurea said. "I'm the only Berserk wrestler who's faced her before, so you're going to need me there to guide you in case you get in over your head."

"Thanks… I guess." Sakura said.

"Okay then." Inoba said. "Finally, for our main event, we have a battle between aces."

Everyone basically had their eyes popped out reading between the lines. "You mean…" asked Yumi.

"That's right." Misaki said. "It's me…"

"Against me." Juri finished. "What better way to wrap up the event than with a champion versus champion battle?"

"That sounds epic." Dawn commented. "I'd love to see that!"

"Now that all that is settled," Sayuri said, "I'll go make the match-card public and start selling tickets. The rest of you have got a busy week ahead of you. For now, enjoy your night."

Everyone agreed and headed out the front door. Only Kanae remained and approached Misaki and Juri.

"You two going at it in the ring?" Kanae asked. "This is almost too nostalgic."

"Tell me about it." Misaki said. "Remember our last match, Juri?"

"I don't count that." Juri said turning her head.

"You're only saying that because you lost." Misaki said smugly.

"Well, this Friday will turn things around in my favor." Juri said.

Kanae chuckled. "You know, if you included me, we could have ourselves a triple threat match."

"Wish we could," Misaki said, "But since you're a Berserk wrestler, you'd also be representing this gym. And two Berserk wrestlers and one Miyabi wrestler doesn't seem fair."

Kanae shrugged. "Don't worry. I got it. But I'll tell you what. I want the winner in a match. Also, since I won't be wrestling, I guess I'll cover the even with Natsuki for our magazine."

"That's fair enough." Juri said. "See you at the event, Misaki?"

"Bet on it."


Author's Note: I'm back. Sorry this took a while. Anyway, our next chapter will begin the Berserk vs Miyabi matches. For those who are awaiting Kaito's debut match, I'm afraid you'll have to wait until after the event. Here's a quick recap of our match-card.

Rio Kazama vs Elena Miyazawa
Chocho vs Tania Smythe
Crimson Fury (Yumi and Ina) vs the Fireflies
Queen Bee vs Artemis Creed
Excavator Sakuya vs Eve L
Manta Rei vs Talon
Moe Fukuoka vs Lisa Hinata
Sakura Hagiwara vs Yoshiko
Misaki Toyoda vs Juri Sanada

If you need help remembering some of these characters, check out their profiles in chapters 9, 28, and 29. Which match are you looking forward to? Who do you think is going to win these matches? Any and all comments are welcome.