chapter sixteen:
❛ doubt ❜

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the reason i always say "please don't be a ghost reader" this isnt just because i want votes, i mean i do, but ive been writing on this app for 3 almost 4 years and it helps me stay motivated because that means people are reading my stuff. and unlike other people, they have so many views on their books and i know my writing isnt the best but i love to write and it just helps me stay motivated. and i know i unpublish and republish my chapters and i get thats really annoying

tw: mentions of violence and drug addiction

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Alessia stood in the quiet dojo, the faint creaking of the old wooden floorboards beneath her feet the only sound that accompanied her soft, frustrated grunts. It was the night before the All Valley Tournament, and the pressure of it weighed heavily on her shoulders. The dim glow of the moon filtered through the paper windows of Miyagi-Do, casting a soft, almost eerie light across the room. She was alone, lost in her thoughts, but trying her best to push them aside as she focused on the punching bag hanging in front of her.

Her fists collided with the bag, but the punches felt weak, unfocused, almost as if her body was betraying the anger that burned inside her. She let out a small growl of frustration, wiping sweat from her brow as she threw another punch. This one, too, landed without the force she wanted, and she felt the sting of her own powerlessness creeping in. Her breathing quickened as she tried again, another punch, but still no satisfaction.

"That's not gonna do anything," came a voice from behind, breaking the stillness of the dojo.

Alessia whipped around, startled, to find Johnny Lawrence standing in the doorway, arms crossed as he watched her with a mixture of curiosity and concern. His presence was unexpected-this was Miyagi-Do, not Eagle Fang-but here he was, leaning against the frame, giving her that familiar look of knowing something she didn't want to admit.

"I'm fine, Johnny," she muttered, turning back to the bag and winding up for another punch. "I don't need your help."

He let out a chuckle, stepping into the room despite her words. "Yeah, well, I don't care if you say you don't need help. I've been around long enough to see when someone's not using their full strength."

Alessia huffed, hitting the bag again, but it still felt off, like she was holding something back. Johnny stepped closer, eyeing her punches, noticing how tense her form was, how her anger was clouding her technique.

"Your punches-they're weak because you're too distracted," he said bluntly, walking over to stand beside her. "You're pissed off about something, and that's good, but it's not helping if you don't focus that rage."

She shot him a sidelong glance, annoyance flickering in her eyes. "I said I'm fine."

Johnny ignored her dismissal, moving to stand in front of the punching bag. "You're not, but that's fine. No one's fine the night before a big tournament. But you can't be throwing punches like that tomorrow. You'll get your ass handed to you if you do."

Alessia clenched her fists, feeling the heat of embarrassment rising in her cheeks. "What do you want me to do?"

"First, stop acting like you don't want to win," Johnny said, his voice firm but not unkind. "Second, picture your enemy. Not just the bag, not just some random opponent-picture someone you hate. Someone who pisses you off. Someone who deserves that punch."

Alessia hesitated, her fists still clenched as she stared at the bag in front of her. "I don't-" she started, but Johnny cut her off.

"Trust me. It works. Picture whoever's been screwing with your head. Picture them standing right here." He tapped the punching bag with his knuckles. "You hit this thing like they're the ones who deserve it. Let that anger fuel you, but control it. Don't let it control you."

Alessia bit her lip, her eyes narrowing as she stared at the bag. She didn't want to admit that he was right, but as his words settled in, something clicked. Her mind, reluctantly, wandered to Tommy-her ex-boyfriend. The one who left her broken and confused. The one who had crushed her confidence. The one who made her doubt herself.

Her fists clenched tighter, and before she knew it, she could see his face in her mind. Tommy, with his smirk, his manipulative words, the way he always made her feel small. That anger, that deep-rooted frustration, began to bubble to the surface.

"Tommy," she muttered under her breath, almost involuntarily.

Johnny smirked. "There you go. Now hit the bag like you mean it."

Alessia exhaled, feeling the fire in her chest, and threw a punch. This time, the impact was stronger, sharper. The bag swung back with more force. She could feel it-her anger, her hurt-all of it channeled through her fist. She hit the bag again, harder this time. And again. Each punch became more focused, more deliberate, as if she were exorcising every bit of the pain Tommy had caused her.

Johnny nodded approvingly as he watched her. "See? That's what I'm talking about."

Alessia didn't respond, too lost in the rhythm of her punches now. The weight of the anger she'd been holding onto felt lighter with every hit. Her breaths were ragged, but the tension in her muscles loosened as she threw herself into the exercise. Punch after punch, she imagined Tommy's face, imagined every hurtful thing he'd ever said or done.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Alessia stopped, her chest heaving as she backed away from the bag. Her hands trembled slightly, but she felt... better. More in control.

Johnny gave her a nod of approval. "Not bad. Tomorrow, you bring that same energy. Just remember to focus it, and don't let that anger make you sloppy."

Alessia wiped the sweat from her brow, giving him a small, tired nod. "Thanks," she muttered, though the word felt awkward on her tongue.

Johnny shrugged. "Don't mention it. Just kick some ass tomorrow."

As he turned to leave, Alessia looked after him, feeling a strange mix of gratitude and frustration. She didn't like admitting she needed help, especially from someone like Johnny, but she couldn't deny that his advice had made a difference. And tomorrow, at the tournament, she knew she'd need every ounce of strength she could muster.

With one last glance at the punching bag, she clenched her fists and whispered, "Tomorrow."

Alessia's heart pounded as she heard the distant roar of the crowd echo through the walls of the hallway. Her feet shifted constantly, bouncing her weight from one leg to the other as if she could shake off the nerves that threatened to consume her. She was dressed in her Miyagi-Do gi, hands balled into fists, but the trembling in her fingers betrayed her attempt to seem calm.

"Chill, Alessia. What's up with you?" Demetri's voice cut through her thoughts, but she barely registered it. She shot him a sharp glare, and Demetri threw his hands up in surrender, backing off immediately.

Eli, watching them both, furrowed his brow. He took a step forward, grabbing Alessia's hands to stop her pacing. "You okay?"

Alessia hesitated, taking a deep breath, but the weight of everything crushed down on her at once. "No," she finally admitted, her voice strained. "I didn't tell my family that I was competing today... they don't even know about this." Her words spilled out in a rush, faster with every breath. "I can't have them here because I feel like I'll get psyched out... and I have to see Robby. And-" her voice cracked, "I almost relapsed at prom. I'm so pissed off at myself. I went to a meeting this morning, but I feel like I'm gonna explode and relapse any minute now."

As she spoke, Silver, lurking nearby, overheard her confession. A smirk crept across his face as he slowly walked over to the referee, whispering something into the official's ear before sauntering away.

Eli, oblivious to Silver's scheming, held onto Alessia's hands firmly. His gaze softened, and he stepped closer, his voice low. "You got this, Alessia. Forget those thoughts, okay? Focus on the moment. You've worked hard for this."

Alessia nodded weakly, her mind still swirling with anxiety, but Eli's steadying presence helped her stay grounded, at least for the moment.

Just then, Daniel's voice broke the tense atmosphere. "Okay, kids, let's go!"

One by one, the Miyagi-Dos began filing into the main room of the arena. Alessia's heart rate picked up again as she heard the roar of the crowd grow louder with every step closer to the main stage. Her breath quickened, but she tried to focus, tried to block out everything that made her hands tremble and her knees weak. Eli squeezed her hand briefly before letting go, and Alessia followed the others as they marched out into the blinding lights.

"This next dojo took last year's title. But they're under new management!" Daryl's voice boomed across the arena. Alessia froze mid-step, her feet suddenly glued to the floor. Daryl's words echoed ominously as she glanced at her teammates, who all wore the same tense expressions.

Daryl continued his introduction, "And last year's runner-up. He may be wearing a new gi, but one thing's for sure, Robby Keene and his team are ready to strike!"

At the mention of Robby, Alessia's heart skipped a beat. Her hands began to shake again, and she quickly dropped them to her sides, trying to hide her anxiety. She couldn't bring herself to look over at Cobra Kai, but she knew Robby was there, standing with his team. The weight of their complicated past pressed down on her chest, making it hard to breathe.

Hesitantly, she glanced up and her eyes met Robby's from across the arena. His face softened for a moment, his usual hardened expression faltering. Alessia's heart clenched, and she quickly looked away, guilt and longing crashing together in a confusing mess inside her. Eli noticed and gently took her hand again, squeezing it in silent support. But Alessia couldn't shake the feeling of missing Robby. Eli was sweet, and he liked her-she knew that-but her heart wasn't in it. It was still tangled up with Robby, no matter how hard she tried to move on.

"And finally... this dojo is making their All Valley debut, though you'll recognize a few familiar faces," Daryl announced, drawing everyone's attention to the new entrant. "Please welcome Eagle Fang Karate, led by Sensei Johnny Lawrence!"

As Johnny led his students into the arena, Alessia's head felt light, her thoughts scattered between everything that had happened-Robby, her near-relapse, the impending tournament-and it all felt like too much.

Daryl's voice rang out again. "At the end of the day, only one of these dojos can be crowned Grand Champion!" The crowd erupted into cheers, the noise rattling Alessia's already frazzled nerves.

"Bring it in, Miyagi-Dos!" Daniel called, motioning for them to gather around. His smile was confident, reassuring, but Alessia could barely focus on what he was saying, her heart racing too fast.

Daniel's voice softened as he addressed his students. "Some of you have been here before, and for some of you, it's your first karate tournament. I still remember my first All Valley, where I stood proudly with my sensei. Where I faced down the bullies of Cobra Kai. Now, getting here hasn't been easy. There've been some bumps in the road, to put it mildly."

Eli glanced down at Alessia again, his concern evident. He slowly reached for her hand, but Alessia pulled away this time, clasping both hands behind her back, forcing herself to focus on Daniel's speech.

"Remember what's at stake," Daniel continued, his tone growing more serious. "If Cobra Kai wins, our dojo closes for good."

Alessia's stomach dropped. She could feel the pressure crashing down on her all over again, the weight of everything making it hard to think. Her hands clenched tightly behind her back, and she bit down on her lip, trying to hold back the flood of emotions rising in her chest.

"Now," Daniel said, a smile creeping back onto his face. "Let's get out there and show Cobra Kai what we're made of. Are you ready?"

"Yes, Sensei!" The Miyagi-Dos responded, though Alessia's voice was much quieter than the others. She was trying her hardest to sound determined, but all she felt was the chaotic swirl of anxiety and fear.

Daniel clapped his hands, stepping back to let his students warm up. "Great! Go ahead and warm up."

As Alessia moved to start her routine, her mind drifted back to Robby, to her family, to everything she was keeping bottled up inside. She forced herself to start moving, but the feeling of dread wouldn't leave her, gnawing at the edges of her focus. Tomorrow, everything would be decided. Tomorrow, there would be no more hiding.

Alessia stood at the edge of the mat, her breath shallow as she waited for her name to be called. The bright lights of the arena felt almost too intense, reflecting off the polished floor as the crowd buzzed with anticipation. Her heart pounded in her chest, the weight of everything-the tournament, her family, Robby-pressing down on her, making it hard to focus.

"Now, we have Alessia Chavez from Miyagi-Do!" Daryl's voice boomed through the speakers, pulling her out of her thoughts.

Alessia stepped forward, her feet feeling like lead as she moved onto the mat. The crowd clapped, but it felt distant, muffled by the adrenaline pumping through her veins. She took a deep breath and let her eyes scan the faces in the stands, searching for something to ground her. Eli gave her a nod from the sidelines, his expression encouraging, but Alessia couldn't shake the knot of anxiety lodged in her stomach.

The routine for the skills competition was something she had practiced countless times, but right now, everything felt like it was hanging by a thread. She had to be perfect. Her mind flashed back to Daniel's words-if Cobra Kai wins, our dojo closes for good. The pressure was suffocating.

Alessia took another breath and bowed toward the judges. As she straightened up, she glanced briefly at the other competitors, feeling their eyes on her. Robby was in the crowd somewhere, watching. She pushed the thought away and got into her starting stance.

The first move came smoothly. A deep stance, her arms extended in front of her, controlled, precise. Her body moved like clockwork, shifting from one technique to the next, her legs sweeping out in a wide arc as she pivoted into a roundhouse kick. The familiar motions began to calm her nerves, if only a little.

She executed a flawless series of blocks, her arms moving in quick succession as she imagined an invisible opponent. Each punch, each kick, had to be exact. Alessia's mind raced to stay ahead of her body, focusing on every detail-the snap of her kicks, the tension in her core, the extension of her punches.

But as she moved into the final section of her routine, her thoughts drifted. She pictured Robby for a split second, standing across from her like he had so many times before. The memory of their training sessions together tugged at her heart, and for just a moment, her form faltered. She clenched her jaw and shook her head, forcing herself back into the present.

Focus, Alessia, she told herself, tightening her stance.

The final part of the routine was the most challenging. A rapid combination of strikes and sweeps, ending with a jumping kick. Alessia's muscles tensed as she prepared, her eyes narrowing with determination. She launched into the air, her leg snapping forward in a perfect jump kick, landing smoothly on her feet.

The crowd cheered as she finished, but Alessia barely registered it. She was breathing heavily, her heart still racing as she bowed to the judges one last time. As she stepped off the mat, the weight of everything came crashing down again. The routine had been solid, but was it enough? Was she enough?

Eli met her at the edge of the mat, offering her a small smile. "You killed it out there," he said, his voice reassuring.

Alessia forced a smile in return, but her mind was still spinning. She couldn't help but glance across the arena at the Cobra Kai team, her eyes searching for Robby. Their gazes met, just for a brief second, and Alessia quickly looked away.

She walked back to the sidelines with Eli, her hands trembling slightly at her sides. The competition was far from over, and today would bring the real test. But for now, she could only hope that what she'd just done was enough.

The skills competition didn't go as planned. Alessia stood to the side, her heart sinking as she watched Tory bow to the audience. The Cobra Kai students erupted in cheers as Tory sauntered off the stage, a satisfied smirk plastered on her face. Alessia clenched her fists, frustration bubbling up inside her.

"And just like that, Miyagi-Do has been snake-bit as Cobra Kai takes the lead, with our qualifier rounds up next!" Daryl's voice boomed through the speakers, announcing Cobra Kai's victory in the skills competition. Alessia's shoulders slumped as she sighed deeply, turning to Daniel just as the rest of the Miyagi-Do students began huddling up.

"I can't believe Cobra Kai beat us in skills," Sam groaned, her voice laced with disappointment.

Alessia shook her head, biting her lip. "I thought we had that in the bag," she muttered softly, her gaze dropping to the floor. The sting of defeat was still fresh, and the pressure of the tournament was beginning to weigh on her.

Eli, standing nearby, looked down in defeat. His brow furrowed as he shook his head, his voice barely above a whisper. "It's my fault. I couldn't break the last board. Sorry." His shoulders sagged under the weight of his own perceived failure.

Instantly, Daniel stepped forward, shaking his head firmly as he pointed at Eli. "No, Eli. Forget that, okay? You all did great. We're on their heels, and this is far from over." Daniel's voice was steady, filled with encouragement, trying to remind them that one misstep didn't mean the end.

Alessia glanced at Eli, offering him a small, sympathetic smile. "He's right. We're still in this."

Before anyone could respond, a new voice crackled through the loudspeaker. "Ladies and gentlemen..." The man's voice was unfamiliar, and Alessia turned her head along with everyone else, her brows furrowing in confusion.

The crowd's murmurs quieted as a short, bald man stepped onto the stage, holding a microphone with an awkward grin. His presence seemed out of place, and Alessia exchanged puzzled glances with Sam and Eli. "The male and female division qualifiers are about to begin," the man continued, his voice rising with excitement. "And with them, we enter a new era!"

The crowd erupted into cheers, their excitement reverberating through the arena. The man chuckled, leaning back dramatically as he soaked in the applause. Alessia watched him closely, her confusion only growing with each passing second. Then, the man raised his hand, gesturing for silence. "That's why we need a very special guest to kick things off. Let's give a big All Valley welcome to multi-Grammy-award-winning, international superstar, Carrie Underwood!" he shouted.

Alessia's eyes widened in disbelief. "What?" she whispered under her breath, glancing at Eli and Demetri, both of whom had equally bewildered expressions. Demetri squinted at the stage, his mouth hanging slightly open in confusion. "Is this real life?"

Sure enough, Carrie Underwood herself walked onto the stage, waving at the crowd with a beaming smile. The audience erupted in screams and cheers, competitors and spectators alike losing themselves in the unexpected star power. Alessia, still trying to process the surreal moment, covered her mouth with her hands to stifle her laughter.

"Hello, All Valley!" Carrie cheered, her voice ringing out clearly. The crowd roared in response, and Alessia couldn't help but let out a small chuckle. This is insane.

Carrie smiled warmly as she scanned the arena, her gaze sweeping over the crowd and the competitors alike. "I am so honored to be here. I didn't see a lot of karate growing up in Oklahoma, but you guys know I love to compete, just like these wonderful young men and young women."

Alessia exchanged amused looks with Eli, who raised an eyebrow, still unsure of how to react. "Is this seriously happening?" Alessia whispered, trying to contain her laughter.

"One thing I have learned is that everyone gets their shot, their chance in the spotlight," Carrie continued, her voice softening as she turned her attention toward the students. "Everyone gets their moment."

Alessia's laughter faded as Carrie's words sank in. Despite the bizarre circumstances, there was truth in what she was saying. This tournament was their moment, their chance to prove themselves, to rise above their struggles.

Carrie smiled, her gaze moving across the competitors, and Alessia felt a strange sense of reassurance. "This one's yours," Carrie finished, her voice filled with encouragement.

As the crowd cheered once more, Alessia took a deep breath, her nerves settling just a little. Maybe things hadn't gone as planned, but there was still a long way to go. She turned to Eli and Demetri, her smile returning. "Let's do this."

The arena was buzzing with anticipation as Alessia Chavez stepped onto the mat, her heart pounding in her chest. This was it-her match against Tory Nichols, one of Cobra Kai's fiercest competitors. Alessia wiped her palms on her gi pants, trying to keep her nerves at bay. She knew this fight was going to be intense, but she had no idea how personal it was about to get.

"And now, from Miyagi-Do Karate, Alessia Chavez!" Daryl's voice echoed through the speakers, and Alessia gave a slight bow as the crowd cheered for her. She took her stance, focusing her breath, her body moving into the calm, measured poses of Miyagi-Do's kata.

"And from Cobra Kai, Tory Nichols!" Daryl continued. The energy in the room shifted as Tory walked onto the mat, her eyes narrowed, her presence radiating danger. The Cobra Kai section erupted in applause and whistles, and Tory gave a quick, confident bow before squaring up in front of Alessia.

"Only two points to win. Fighters, ready?" the referee called, his hand raised.

Alessia dropped into her fighting stance, her movements fluid, her mind focused on the core principles of Miyagi-Do-balance, defense, and redirection. Tory, in contrast, was a coiled spring of aggression, her posture signaling her readiness to strike first and hard.

"Begin!" the referee's hand dropped, and immediately, Tory rushed forward with a swift jab aimed at Alessia's face.

Alessia dodged easily, pivoting her body just enough to avoid the blow. She let the motion flow into a defensive block, redirecting Tory's next strike and maintaining her calm, collected rhythm. Alessia moved smoothly, her stance rooted in Miyagi-Do's defensive style, using the attacker's energy against them.

Tory came at her again with a side kick aimed at Alessia's ribs, but Alessia stepped back, allowing Tory's kick to miss by inches. She answered with a quick, sharp movement, her hand slicing through the air as she performed a counterstrike, aiming for Tory's midsection.

Point Miyagi-Do!

Daryl's voice boomed as Alessia landed the first point, and the crowd let out a cheer. Tory scowled but didn't back down, her eyes dark and intense.

"You think that was good?" Tory hissed under her breath, wiping her mouth. "You're not going to win this."

Alessia ignored her, staying focused on her training, but there was a flicker of something dark in her chest. She could feel Tory's animosity creeping closer, threatening to throw her off balance. But she pushed it away, returning to her stance, her breath steady.

Tory lunged again, faster and fiercer this time. Alessia met her attack with precision, blocking a high punch and countering with a graceful palm strike that missed by a hair. Tory wasn't backing down, and she wasn't making it easy.

Suddenly, Tory stopped in her tracks, her expression shifting slightly, almost as if something was on her mind. "You know, I never really apologized... for what I did."

Alessia's brow furrowed, confused by Tory's sudden words in the middle of their fight. "What are you talking about?" she growled, eyes narrowing.

Tory's smirk faded for a moment, her voice lower, almost apologetic. "When I took you to the middle of the woods and left you there. That was messed up. I shouldn't have done that."

Alessia froze. The memory of that day-being dragged by Tory, feeling helpless as she was dumped in the middle of nowhere-came rushing back to her. Her blood boiled, and her heart pounded in her ears. Tory's apology wasn't making her feel better. If anything, it just fueled her anger.

"You think now is the time to say that?" Alessia snapped, her hands tightening into fists. Her movements changed instantly. Gone was the calm, defensive style of Miyagi-Do. She could feel the switch flip inside her, and without thinking, her body moved into the aggressive, forward-striking motions of Eagle Fang Karate.

Tory barely had time to react before Alessia lunged at her, her fists flying with newfound intensity. She delivered a powerful roundhouse kick, hitting Tory in the side and sending her stumbling backward.

Tory looked shocked for a split second, then tried to regain her balance, but Alessia wasn't letting up. She moved in again, this time launching a hard punch aimed directly at Tory's chest. Tory blocked, but Alessia was relentless, throwing a flurry of Eagle Fang strikes, pushing Tory back with each hit.

With a final burst of energy, Alessia drove a hard side kick into Tory's midsection, knocking her off her feet and onto the mat.

Point Miyagi-Do! Winner-Alessia Chavez!

The arena exploded in cheers, but Alessia barely heard it. Her chest was heaving, her fists still clenched as she glared down at Tory, who was slowly pulling herself off the mat. The rage Alessia felt inside was still simmering, and it took every ounce of control not to attack again.

She turned, her breathing still ragged, and walked off the mat. Daniel approached her, his expression serious, concern etched across his face.

"Alessia," Daniel said sharply, his voice cutting through the noise. "That wasn't Miyagi-Do. You were using Eagle Fang out there."

Alessia stopped in her tracks and spun around to face him. "What's your point? It worked, didn't it?"

"Using that style goes against everything we've trained for," Daniel said sternly. "We're not about aggression. We're about balance. You can't let your anger control you like that."

Alessia's frustration flared, and she snapped. "I had to, okay? I wasn't going to let her mess with me again." Her voice cracked slightly, the emotional toll of the fight starting to catch up with her. "I did what I had to do to win."

Daniel frowned, but before he could respond, Sam appeared at Alessia's side, gently putting a hand on her shoulder. "I think you did the right thing, by the way," Sam whispered, her voice soft but supportive.

Alessia's anger slowly ebbed away as she looked at Sam. She sighed, her muscles loosening just a bit, and gave her a small nod. "Thanks," she muttered before stepping down beside her, trying to shake off the lingering adrenaline.

Before Alessia knew it, the semifinals were upon them. The crowd roared with excitement as the remaining competitors prepared for their matches. On the girls' side, it was Sam, Alessia, and Tory. On the boys' side, Miguel, Eli, and Robby had made it through the earlier rounds. The atmosphere in the arena was electric, anticipation building for the final showdown.

"And now, our first semifinal match will be Miguel Diaz of Eagle Fang versus Eli Moskowitz of Miyagi-Do!" Daryl's enthusiastic voice echoed across the arena as the audience erupted in cheers. The two boys, who had once fought as rivals, were now facing each other as friends.

Daniel turned to the audience briefly before focusing on Eli. "All right. Don't forget to breathe out there," Daniel said, his brows raised in encouragement. "How you feeling?"

Eli took a deep breath, shaking his hands to loosen up. "I'm okay... Not exactly thrilled to be fighting my friend, though." He exhaled heavily, clearly feeling conflicted about going up against Miguel.

Alessia offered Eli a reassuring smile, sensing his tension. "At least you know how he fights. Johnny taught you both, so you're prepared," she said, hoping to calm his nerves.

Eli nodded, her words giving him a little boost of confidence. "Yeah, you're right," he replied, a small smile forming on his lips. Alessia gestured toward the stage with a nod of her head.

"You got this," she encouraged, giving him a final supportive smile before he stepped onto the mat.

As Eli moved toward the center of the stage, Alessia turned her gaze to the Eagle Fang section, watching Miguel step up onto the platform as well. Johnny's loud voice rang out from the sidelines, "Go, Diaz!" But Alessia noticed a flicker of something in Miguel's expression-an annoyance, maybe frustration. Whatever it was, it didn't seem like the typical excitement Miguel usually brought to the mat.

Eli and Miguel met in the center of the ring, sharing a few quiet words of respect before doing their handshake. The crowd watched closely as the two friends turned competitors prepared to face off. They both took their stances, ready to give it everything they had.

"Fight!" The referee signaled, and just like that, the match began.

Miguel wasted no time, charging at Eli with a barrage of punches. His movements were fast and aggressive, but Eli was ready. He blocked each strike with precision, moving swiftly to defend himself. The crowd gasped at the intensity of the opening exchange, their eyes glued to the action.

Eli responded with a series of kicks, attempting to find an opening in Miguel's defense. But Miguel was just as quick, blocking the kicks with ease. It was a back-and-forth battle, neither boy willing to give an inch.

Both fighters jumped into the air simultaneously, aiming kicks at each other. But they blocked each other's moves perfectly, their feet colliding in midair before they both landed on the mat.

"No point, that's a block! Continue!" the referee called out, resetting the fight.

Eli and Miguel immediately got back into position, their determination unshaken. Johnny's voice rang out from the sidelines again, "Let's go, Diaz!"

Miguel glanced briefly at his sensei, nodding before turning his focus back to Eli. Alessia's eyes widened as she saw Miguel leap into the air again, this time aiming a high kick directly at Eli's face. It was a powerful, fast strike-one that could turn the match in Miguel's favor.

But something went wrong. Just as Miguel was about to complete the kick, his balance faltered. His leg gave out midair, and he collapsed to the mat with a painful thud. The sound of his body hitting the ground sent a chill through the arena.

Miguel's face contorted in pain, and before he could stop himself, he let out a scream that echoed through the silent crowd.

"Miguel!" Alessia shouted, her heart dropping as she saw him writhing on the ground. Without thinking, she jumped onto the mat, rushing toward him. Eli was already at his side, wide-eyed with concern.

Alessia knelt beside Miguel, her mind racing as she tried to assess the situation. "Are you okay? What happened?" she asked, her voice shaky.

Miguel's face was twisted in agony, his mouth clamped shut as he tried to stifle his cries. But the pain was too much to bear, and finally, he let out a desperate cry for help. "Sensei!" he called out, his voice filled with pain.

Johnny was already sprinting toward them, panic in his eyes as he reached his student. He knelt beside Miguel, his hand immediately going to his shoulder. "Miguel, talk to me. Where's the pain?"

Miguel winced, clutching at his back. "My back... it's my back again..." he muttered through gritted teeth, the memory of his previous injury clearly flooding back.

Alessia exchanged a worried glance with Eli, who looked just as shaken. The crowd had fallen into a stunned silence, and all eyes were on Miguel as medics rushed onto the stage.

Alessia stepped back, giving the medics space as they examined Miguel. Her heart raced, worry gnawing at her insides. She didn't know what would happen next, but one thing was certain-the semifinals had just taken a dramatic and unexpected turn.

ASH SPEAKS!

one more chapter to go and then we're onto season 5! you guys might hate me for what i might do in the next chapter...

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