─── ∙ ~εïз~ ∙ ───

as tabby walked over to the medical room, she watched as johnny lawrence exited through the door. when he saw her, his eyes went wide and instead of holding the door open, he just stood there.

"what the fuck are you doing?" she asked him, a disgusted look on her face. johnny cleared his throat, "nice fight out there." he finally spoke.

tabby raised her eyebrow, unsure as to whether he was serious or not. "thanks?" she spoke, her words sounding like a question.

"i know what it's like, you know." johnny started. tabby raised her eyebrow, "you know what? how to be so annoying?" she asked.

johnny shook his head, a slight smirk at her quick remark. "i know what it's like to be so roped up in cobra kai and kreese. but once that rope... once it unravels and you realise that they've been feeding you bullshit, i'll be—"

"are you seriously trying to poach me at the tournament?" she scoffed. "do you really think i'm going to switch sides last minute? what the hell is wrong with you?"

he shrugged. "i just want you to know that there are better options for you." johnny explained.

tabby rolled her eyes, forcing past him and pushing the door open. she stepped inside and when she saw miguel, it felt like all of the anger that she had gathered evaporated out of her. miguel sat up in surprise when he saw her, he didn't really expect her to visit him.

"hey, congrats on getting in the finals." miguel told her, giving her a curt nod. tabby's lips pulled into a tight smile, "yeah. thanks." she said.

miguel patted the area beside him on the makeshift bed. tabby tilted her head to the side with confusion, wondering why he was being so gentle to her. "come sit." he encouraged.

tabby hesitated before moving over and perching on the space behind him. "are you okay? will they let you fight?" she asked.

"i'm okay. just a pulled muscle." miguel nodded, his voice soft. "they said it's up to me if i want to fight or not, gave me thirty minutes to decide."

"that's good." tabby nodded, "gives you time to rest before you face him again." she said, not realising how his face scrunched up with discomfort. "by the way, i'm... sorry about prom. i only suggested robby goes with tory to get him off my back." she explained.

miguel seemed puzzled. "get him off your back?" he asked.

tabby sighed, "yeah... he wanted to go with me. but-but i wanted to go with you! and it was a stupid idea and i didn't think about how you'd feel—"

"wait, you and robby?" he asked. tabby grimaced at his words, "mhm. we had a... a uh, thing in the past." she saw the way miguel's eyes went wide and before he could speak, she cut him off. "it was before you, obviously. back when i hated your guts... and i didn't even know who he was then!"

miguel opened his mouth and then closed it. he didn't even know what to say. he took a deep breath, "you know what? we can talk about this later."

"good idea." she nodded in agreement.

"and thank you for apologising, i know that was hard." miguel said. tabby chuckled, "so hard." she breathed out.

miguel sighed and tabby immediately knew that the conversation was about to turn serious. "so... what's going on with you?" he asked, softly. "are you okay?"

tabby's guard quickly rose, afraid that rowan or theo had told him about her medication. "nothing's going on with me." she said, calmly.

"tabitha. i know you." miguel said. "i know you better than anyone. this—this isn't you." he shook his head.

"what are you talking about?" she asked. "i'm fine, i've just been focused. on the tournament, on training, that's all."

miguel shook his head slowly, his gaze never leaving hers. "no, that's not it. i've seen you focused before. but this... this is different. you're different. you're not... yourself."

tabitha gave him a look. she didn't like where this conversation was going. "i'm still me, miguel." she said, defensively. "i'm just doing what i need to do. you don't know what you're talking about. you don't know what i've been through these last few months."

"i mean, i know how kind you are, how caring, how funny." miguel explained. "but lately you've been someone else."

tabby's breath hitched, his words hitting her like a punch to the gut. she had been trying so hard to shut out the world, to focus on what silver and cobra kai were teaching her, to bury the parts of herself that felt weak. but hearing miguel say it aloud, that she was changing, made it all feel too real.

"i don't know what you want me to say." she said. "i'm doing what i have to do to win."

"is that really what you want? to be angry all the time? to push people away?" he interrogated, his voice gentle.

her defences started to crumble, her shoulders slumping as she looked down at the floor. she didn't have an answer. everything felt like it was spiralling out of control, and she didn't know how to stop it.

"i don't know anymore..." tabby shrugged. miguel sighed. "i miss you. the real you. not the version of you that's trying to be something you're not."

a lump formed in her throat, her eyes stinging with unshed tears. she had been pushing everyone away for so long that she hadn't realized how much it was hurting her too.

"i don't know how to get back to that." she said, her voice cracking. "you're not alone, tabby. i'm here, always." he told her.

miguel reached over and placed his hand over tabby's. she glanced up at him, her tense expression immediately softened at his touch. the boy smiled at her and she didn't hesitate to return the gesture. "i'll see you out there?" she asked.

miguel slowly nodded. "yeah, see you out there." he said.

tabby got to her feet and moved to the door. as she was about to pull it open, she turned around and smiled at him one last time. for the first time in weeks, she wasn't sure if she was doing the right thing. but one thing was clear, she couldn't ignore the person she had always been. not anymore.

she rushed back into the arena, hoping that she hadn't missed the entirety of her brother's match. she jogged over to her team, feeling calmer than she had been all day, all week. "what's the score?" she asked.

piper glanced over at her, "two-one to robby. where have you been?" she asked. her question caught silver's attention, he turned to look at her, wondering where she had gone. tabby hesitated, "the toilet... i have terrible uh, constipation." she explained.

tabby learned that the best way to avoid many questions was to make the conversation awkward and uncomfortable. she had also learned in group therapy that the best way to do so was to talk about bowel problems.

but piper seemed more concerned than disgusted. "are you okay?" she frowned. tabby winced, not expecting her reaction. "yeah, i'm great, thanks." she nodded. she quickly turned to face the match to see her brother blocking a high kick from robby.

unfortunately, theo wasn't quick enough to block the next hit from his opponent. robby pulled the boy's arm, flipping him onto the mat before striking him in the stomach. "point, winner!" the referee yelled out, raising robby's arm.

theo picked himself up off the ground and made his way back over to the team. she watched as he received pats on his back from his teammates and sensei. but sam was more affectionate. she pulled him into a deep hug, caressing his head affectionately. tabby crossed her arms, not taking her eyes off of them.

after a few more words, the boy pulled out of the embrace and stepped away from his team, out of the main arena.

∙ ~εïз~ ∙

seeing her brother sit alone on the bench made tabby frown as she felt an unfamiliar ache in her chest. she sighed, slowly making her way towards him. "hey... you were really good out there." tabby said, gently.

theo glanced up, surprised to see her. a small smile tugged at his lips, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "thanks. but, you know... not good enough." he shrugged.

tabby sat down next to him on the bench, folding her hands in her lap. for a moment, the two just sat there, the distant noise of the tournament fading into the background. "seriously, teddy. you've come insanely far. robby's... no joke." she explained, sincerely. "you held your own out there."

theo studied her face for a moment, surprised by the sincerity in her voice. he nodded slowly, a small smile finally reaching his eyes. "thanks, tabs. i am proud of how far you've come. i mean, a year ago, i couldn't even throw a proper kick. and now? semifinals? i didn't think i'd make it this far."

tabby smiled at him, her heart swelling with pride for her brother. she had been so caught up in her own struggles and ambitions that she hadn't stopped to appreciate just how much theo had grown.

"you should be proud. i know i am."

the two sat in comfortable silence for a moment before theo cleared his throat, his expression growing more serious. "so, uh... after the tournament. are you... are you gonna come back home?"

tabby clenched her jaw, she had been avoiding this question for months, ever since she moved in with silver. she knew theo had been hoping for her to come back, but... things were different now. complicated.

"i don't know." she shrugged, awkwardly. "i doubt mom even wants me back at this point."

theo frowned. "that's not true. mom loves you. she's just... worried about you, you know? but she's not giving up on you." he shook his head. "and neither am i."

tabby blinked, caught off guard by his words. she had spent so much time convincing herself that she was a burden and had pushed everyone too far. but hearing theo reassurance, the unwavering support in his voice, made something inside of her switch.

"i don't know if i deserve it." she said, quietly. "after everything i've done."

theo shook his head, his voice gentle. "you deserve to come home. you're still figuring stuff out, and yeah, it's been hard, but you don't have to go through it alone. you've got me, and you've got mom. and... well, diego and rowan too. we're all here for you."

tabby bit her lip, feeling a lump form in her throat. she hadn't realized how much she needed to hear those words, how much she had missed the comfort of her family.

"i'll think about it." she said. "i just... i don't want to let anyone down."

theo smiled, nudging her shoulder gently. "you won't. just... don't let yourself down, okay?"

tabby nodded, a smile on her face. "okay."  she said.

"and that's tory nichols earning her spot in the finals! this means that cobra kai has scored the most points during this all valley tournament." daryl exclaimed. tabby's head shot up with disbelief.

she glanced over to theo, who seemed just as surprised, "holy shit, that means sam lost." he muttered. "wait... does that mean you're against tory in the finals? how does that work—"

tabby quickly stood to her feet, grabbing her water bottle. her vision became blurry and her head felt like it was rushing, a response to her standing up too fast. "i'll see you in there?" she asked.

"see you out there." theo agreed. he watched as she stood up, but before she could take a step away, he spoke again. "hey... i love you." he said.

tabby bit the inside of her cheek, glancing down at him. "i love you too... you big softie." she replied, a chuckle escaping from her lips. when tabby arrived at the water fountain, she saw miguel pacing back and forth.

she immediately rushed towards him, wondering where he had been. "hey, what— what happened?" she asked. miguel was surprised by the sound of her voice but glad that she was the one who caught him. he took a deep breath, "i'm fine. i just... i just couldn't do it. it didn't feel like i was fighting for me anymore." he explained.

tabby nodded. "that's fair." she said. "are you coming back in for my match?" she asked.

he sighed. "right. about that. i'm sort of—i'm going to uh, mexico." miguel admitted. tabby's face scrunched up with confusion. "is this some new place at the mall? you know how they say when you taste their food it's like you're actually there."

miguel laughed at her words, "no. no. i'm... i want to find my dad." he admitted. "he's in mexico and i need to go see him."

"by yourself?" tabby frowned. miguel nodded, "yeah, the bus leaves in an hour and i've got to go home and—" he started.

"wait, so... you're missing my match?" tabby questioned. "i don't understand."

"tabitha, i am so sorry." miguel shook his head. "but i think that i've got to put me first for once, not karate. i need to figure out who i want to be and find out where i came from."

"i get that... i just don't want you to go all the way to mexico alone. you'll be like... bored, right?" she asked. miguel raised his eyebrows. "yeah, i guess?"

"isn't there a later bus you can take?" she asked. "then i can go in, win my match and then come back and maybe go with you?" she suggested. but miguel shook his head, this is the last one today." miguel told her.

"miguel, if i come with you then i'm throwing away my chances of being the female all valley champion." tabitha spoke, pacing back and forth. it didn't seem like she was talking to him anymore, it was more her having a battle in her mind about what she should do.

miguel nodded in acknowledgement. "i know. and i'm not saying you have to come or i'll be upset if you don't. i just wanted to tell you that i wouldn't be here for your fight."

"do you have to go?" tabitha frowned.

"i'm sorry." miguel sighed. he gently smoothed down her hair with his hands. "good luck, okay? you'll always be my winner, no matter what happens." he gently pressed his lips onto her forehead.

"that's really cringe, miguel." tabitha grimaced at his words, but her heart warmed at his touch. he chuckled, "i'll see you soon, okay, don't forget what we talked about."

tabby nodded, allowing him to embrace her. "i won't."

∙ ~εïз~ ∙

"ladies and gentlemen, the wait is finally over. it's finals time!" daryl announced, "now, we've never seen this happen before but as cobra kai has overall the most points, they have already been announced grand champion! but these two matches will decide who will be our male all valley champion and our female all valley champion."

"this is really intense." rowan muttered to his dad. "i wonder how they're feeling." he said. diego nodded in agreement, "i would've fainted from pressure if i was up there." he admitted.

esther chuckled. "that's because you're too sensitive, baby." she said, taking his hand in hers.

"ooh, high drama!" daryl grinned, clearly enjoying his job. "up first, the boys' fight! good luck to all of our fighters! let's go!"

"this is it." sensei silver spoke to his competitor. "time to show larusso and your father that you don't need them. that you're strong enough on your own." he said.

robby glanced over to tabby, but she was looking at her grandfather, soaking in his words. "competitors." the referee called them over. robby stepped onto the mat to meet his opponent. the two strode over to each other and bowed.

"ready and fight!"

robby struck first, and the two began to kick and punch each other, robby landing the first hit in eli's stomach. "point! one-zero, keene." "let's go, baby!" robby began to bounce on the spot, taunting eli.

"on your marks-" "time out." eli called, moving back over to his team. robby stepped back over and tory handed him his water bottle for him to drink out of. tabby's eyes travelled over to where eagle fang stood. seeing everyone there but miguel made her frown.

"ready? and fight!" the referee announced. the two boys continued to brawl and eli managed to score the second point. rowan grinned from the crowd, "whoo, go eli!" he yelled out, catching the boy's attention. eli looked over and waved at him, a warm smile on his face.

"hey, you ready for our fight?" tory asked the girl. tabby looked at her and shrugged. "still don't know why we're fighting. it doesn't make any sense. why not just let the boys' fight decide who wins? or they should've been smarter and not allowed two members of the same team get into the finals!"

tory could tell that the girl was frustrated and stressed out, but she was unsure as to why. when talking about the potential of them going against each other before, tabby seemed confident and assured. now she was under immense pressure.

"yeah, i get what you mean." tory nodded. "but that wouldn't be very inclusive and pro-equality of them."

"i don't care." she shrugged. "it's stupid and—" tabby was cut off by a buzzer ringing through the hall. she snapped her head to the match and saw eli and robby both on the ground, eli was ready to strike the boy and gain another point.

"back to your sides." the referee commanded.

daryl rushed to the centre. "unbelievable these two amazing competitors have reached their three-minute time limit in a one-one tie! which means their championship match will be decided, for the first time since 1985, by sudden-death overtime!"

the crowd erupted in applause with excitement at the announcement.

"go to your senseis."

"you're showing him respect!" sensei silver exclaimed, his hands on his hips. "this fight should be over by now." robby looked irritated at his words. "do you wanna fight him?" he challenged.

silver stepped forward but kreese pushed him back. "you're angry. good. use it." kreese spoke.

"competitors, to the mat."

robby began to struggle with the top half of his gi, before ripping it off of his body and tossing it behind him. it smacked tabby in the face and she immediately tore it off, a look of revulsion on her face as she passed it to tory.

eli glanced at the referee for assistance, but he simply shrugged. he reluctantly tugged off his uwagi and threw it behind him. theo managed to catch it, a confused look on his face. the boy pivoted to face his team, circularly moving his shoulder blades.

esther snickered from the audience. "is this how all the final matches are?" she asked. rowan shrugged, leaning forward. "i'm not complaining." he said, making the two laugh.

as much tension as this fight was creating, tabby had no interest in it. she rolled her eyes and leaned over, grabbing her water bottle from the ground. tory watched her irritation. "what's up with you? are you going somewhere?" she asked.

"relax." tabby spoke. "i'm going to the toilet." she explained. tory nodded, "okay, just making sure you're okay." she explained. tabby forced a smile. "i'm perfect."

she managed to sneak away without catching the attention of anyone else on her team. the girl made her way to the toilet, entering a cubicle and shutting it behind her. she pulled the toilet seat down and perched on it, her head in her hands.

∙ ~εïз~ ∙

"what better way to cap off this exciting exhibition of karate than with the final match for the ages?" daryl spoke to them all. "while cobra kai has undeniably won this 2019's all valley, this final match will give us our female victor."

the crowd roared with applause, excited to see another brawl with two members of the same dojo. esther's knee was tapping with anxiety and diego noticed. he placed a comforting hand on her leg, "hey. she'll win this thing. i have no doubt." he said.

"neither do i." esther nodded.

"on our left side, representing cobra kai, the queen cobra herself... tory nichols." daryl exclaimed. the audience rose in applause at the sight of the blonde girl. those who supported cobra kai were waving around their black and yellow balloons. "now only coached by her sensei john kreese."

the man turned to face the right side of the mat. "and on our right. make some noise for the silver serpent! tabitha silver herself, coached by her very own grandfather, sensei terry silver!" the audience began to applaud and holler again, waiting to see their champion walk out.

but she wasn't there. and terry silver stood alone. he glanced around the arena with confusion, wondering where she could've gone. the applause seized and the sound of confused murmurs echoed in the room.

silver marched over to the other side of the mat. "where is she?" he demanded. tory shrugged at his question, as bewildered as everyone else. "i don't know. she was—she was just here."

"tabitha silver?" daryl spoke into the microphone again. "miss silver has one minute to return to the mat until her absence is confirmed as a forfeit." he announced. esther shot up from her seat at his words, rowan and diego on her tail. the three began to search the building for her as the loud clock ticked in their ears.

"where could she be?" theo questioned, his arms over his chest.

∙ ~εïз~ ∙

tabitha ran as fast as she possibly could. she had no idea what time the bus would be leaving and hoped she would arrive on time. as she continued to run, she eventually spotted the blue bus. tabby forced herself to run quicker, seeing the lights on the bus were on, indicating they were ready to leave.

"miguel!" she yelled out as she ran. "miguel!" as the windows were open on the bus, they could all slightly hear her voice.

miguel's heart leapt into his throat. he glanced out of the window, his eyes wide with disbelief. tabby was sprinting toward the bus, her face flushed, her eyes filled with determination. without a second thought, miguel rushed to the front of the bus and pleaded with the driver.

"please, can you open the door? just for a second. that's—that's my girlfriend." he begged. the driver, grumbling something under his breath, reluctantly hit the button, and the door slid open and he instantly stepped off of the bus, his arms wide open. with tears welling up in her eyes, tabby launched herself into his arms. he immediately wrapped his arms tightly around her, lifting her slightly off of her feet as he laughed.

"you came!" the boy exclaimed. "why aren't you at the tournament?" he asked.

tabby pulled back slightly, looking up at him with tears threatening to spill over. she shook her head, her voice trembling. "none of that matters, miguel. not if you're not there. i'm with you, no matter what. tournament or not, i choose you."

miguel couldn't help but smile at her words. he knew how much this meant to her, the girl had told him herself that if it came down to him or karate, love or ambition... she'd choose ambition. and yet here she was, choosing love. "are you sure about this?" he asked, softly.

she nodded, "i'm sure. they all know i would've won anyway—"

the bus driver cleared his throat, reminding them that they didn't have much time. miguel glanced back at the driver, then at tabby, his expression softening. "okay, let's go."

he took tabby's hand and led her to the seats he was originally sitting in. as the bus began to pull away from the station, their hands remained intertwined. she reached into her pocket and pulled out her earphones. without a word, tabby placed one into her ear and another into his.

⎯ ❃ jania speaks!
this was the plot twist! and such a pivotal point for tabby's character. her whole thing is that karate/ambition > love. but now look at her choosing miguel over the championship title.

this concept was so hard to do but basically sam losing to tory in the semi finals meant that cobra kai basically already won the all valley. tabby was always going to throw the match and leave with miguel so i couldn't have her and sam in the finals because of the show's plot ofc

and i couldn't not have tabby in the finals because silver would literally kill her and she's too good to not make it to the end (pls don't ask any questions because i can't even explain it)