chapter forty-nine:
❛ best of the best ❜

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Clementine stood with Sam, Miguel, Hawk, and Demetri in the dojo, the sound of shuffling feet and deep breaths filling the air as they stretched together. The morning light filtered through the windows, casting a soft glow on the group. Sam, always one to keep conversations going during training, broke the silence first.

"I heard Aisha got into UC Santa Cruz," she said, her tone casual but pleased for her friend.

Miguel's head stayed down, his attention seemingly fixed on the floor. He muttered something under his breath, clearly preoccupied, and Clementine noticed the tension in his posture. Sensing something was off, she decided to check in.

"You heard anything from Stanford?" Clementine asked, her voice gentle, as she leaned forward to stretch her legs.

Miguel let out a sigh, his shoulders slumping slightly as he shook his head. "No," he muttered, his voice tinged with disappointment. "I've been checking my emails, like, every day, but still nothing." The frustration was clear, his usually bright energy dulled by the uncertainty of waiting.

Clementine's heart went out to him. She knew how much getting into Stanford meant to Miguel, and she couldn't stand seeing him so down. "I'm sorry, Mig," she said, offering a small but sincere smile. "Hopefully, you'll hear something soon." She reached out, patting his arm softly before leaning back into her stretch.

"Don't stress, man. It'll come. I mean, Demetri hasn't heard from MIT yet, so..." Hawk's voice cut in, his tone casual, but it carried an edge of competitiveness, as if he was trying to downplay Miguel's worry.

Demetri, who had been quiet until then, shot Hawk a look. His eyes narrowed slightly, and he couldn't resist the opportunity to set the record straight. "Yeah, I did," he said, as if it were the most normal thing in the world. "I got in."

For a moment, it seemed like the air had been sucked out of the room. Clementine, Miguel, and Hawk froze, their eyes widening in disbelief.

"What?!" Clementine exclaimed, her surprise breaking the silence as she looked at Demetri in astonishment. "Demetri, that's amazing!"

Miguel and Hawk both echoed her shock, their voices blending into a chorus of disbelief. "What?" they said simultaneously.

Sam, standing beside Demetri, smiled at him with quiet pride. She had known, of course, but seeing the others react made the moment even better. Demetri, for his part, soaked in the attention with a smug grin.

"Well, yeah," he said, shrugging like it was no big deal. "Why are you all so surprised? I worked my ass off for this. That would be like LeBron James getting turned down by the Lakers." He made a playful gesture, pretending to shoot a basketball into an imaginary hoop, his cockiness on full display.

Sam chuckled, her admiration evident. "Congratulations, Demetri. It's a really hard school to get into."

"Yeah," Demetri agreed, "it certainly is. Especially when you don't apply," he added with a pointed look at Hawk, the smirk on his face growing wider.

Hawk blinked in disbelief, his mouth hanging open for a second before he scoffed. "Real subtle," he retorted, the sarcasm barely masking his irritation. He and Demetri had come a long way, but there were still moments like this where their rivalry simmered just beneath the surface.

Demetri shrugged, clearly not fazed by Hawk's reaction. "Hey, I'm just saying, you miss 100% of the shots you don't take."

Clementine, sensing the brewing tension, let out a sigh. She patted Hawk's shoulder lightly before deciding it was time to change the scene. She walked over to Robby, who was setting up some boxing mitts on the other side of the dojo. The moment she reached him, she leaned in and kissed him softly, her hand resting on his arm.

"Hey," she greeted him with a warm smile, her voice light and affectionate.

Robby returned her smile, his eyes softening as he slid on the boxing mitts. "Practice your hitting?" he offered, holding the mitts up in front of her.

Clementine smirked, playfully rolling her shoulders before launching a series of quick punches into the padded mitts. "How's your dad?" Robby asked as he caught her punches, his tone gentle but curious.

Clementine's smile faltered slightly, her punches slowing down as she thought about her father. "I haven't talked to him in a few weeks," she admitted, her voice tinged with a mixture of frustration and sadness. "Everything's been kinda hectic, you know?" She punctuated her words with another sharp jab into the mitts, as if releasing some of the pent-up stress.

Robby nodded, catching her fist easily as he looked at her with concern. "When's his trial date?" he asked, his voice careful, as if not wanting to push too hard.

"November 16th," she replied, her fists connecting with the mitts again. "His lawyer's pretty confident he can get my dad out on probation or at least with an ankle monitor." She paused, her brows furrowing slightly. "Besides that, I just need to focus on winning the Sekai Taikai. Silver already stole my All Valley win by paying off the ref."

Robby caught her next punch and gently lowered her fists, removing the mitts. He looked at her seriously, his voice soft but firm. "It's still better than always coming in second," he said, the weight of his own past losses evident in his words.

Clementine frowned slightly, stepping closer to him. "Rob, this is bigger than the All Valley," she said, her voice more insistent. "This is gonna be televised all over the world. If we win, that's all anyone's gonna remember."

Robby smiled, his mood lifting at the thought. "It would be nice to stand on that podium," he mused, the idea clearly exciting him. "Side by side, for the entire world to see."

Clementine grinned at him, her excitement matching his. "Let's make a deal," she said, holding out her hand as if sealing a pact. "No matter what, we stick together, and we win the Sekai Taikai. Just you and me. Against the world. Katz and Keene."

Robby chuckled, his eyes brightening as he leaned in to kiss her again, this time longer, filled with warmth and affection. Clementine smiled into the kiss, feeling a rush of excitement about what lay ahead.

"All right, circle up," Sensei LaRusso called out, his voice commanding yet calm as he emerged from the small hut near the front of the dojo. His presence instantly refocused the group's attention.

Robby and Clementine exchanged one last glance before walking hand-in-hand back to the group, joining the others as LaRusso began to speak.

"The Sekai Taikai needs our final roster in three days," LaRusso began, his voice serious and direct. "Now that we know who's going, it's time to name our male and female captains. The captains are not just the leaders of the team-they're the ones who will be fighting in the finals, if we make it that far."

Sensei Lawrence, ever the showman, chimed in with a grin. "Plus, they get to fight on live TV. Who knows what comes after that? Wheaties boxes, chop-socky flicks, ZZ Top videos-the sky's the limit."

Clementine exchanged a quick, excited glance with Robby, the prospect of fighting on such a large stage clearly energizing them both.

"You'll all get the glory if we win," LaRusso continued, "but yes, the captains will be in the spotlight. They need to represent the best that Miyagi-Do has to offer. And Sensei Lawrence and I want to assure you that the decision will be completely unbiased."

Lawrence nodded in agreement, adding, "That's right. In two days, Sam will face Tory and Clementine for the female captain spot, and Robby will fight Miguel for the male captain."

LaRusso picked up the explanation again. "We know you've all fought plenty of times before, but now that we're on the same side, this is still the best way for us to see who's progressed the most."

Lawrence clapped his hands, bringing the energy back up. "All right, enough talking. Time to train. You five, get inside. I'm gonna whip your butts into shape."

Clementine chuckled softly, feeling the buzz of anticipation in the air as she and Robby joined the others, ready to prove themselves in the upcoming battles.

Johnny stood in front of the four teens, his energy radiating across the dojo. Clementine and Miguel stood at the front, with Tory and Robby positioned just behind them. The air was still, the only sound being the soft shuffle of feet and the quiet breathing of the teens as they closed their eyes, awaiting Johnny's next move. His voice broke the silence.

"Big circle. Big circle. Breathe in. Breathe out."

Johnny moved his arms in wide arcs, and the teens mimicked the motion, their hands tracing two large circles through the air, their breathing syncing with his instructions. It was calm, almost meditative, and for a moment, it seemed like Johnny was leading them in a classic Miyagi-Do kata.

But then, Johnny's voice took on a new intensity.

"Elbow to the face! Punch in the throat! Lift his ass up-and dump him!"

Clementine's eyes shot open, and she had to bite her lip to stop from laughing as she executed the moves. The sudden shift from calm breathing exercises to aggressive strikes was classic Johnny Lawrence. She stole a glance at Miguel, who was equally amused, but they both kept their focus as Johnny's drill continued.

Behind them, Tory and Robby followed suit, their movements sharp as they threw elbows and punches at imaginary opponents.

"Kick to the stomach! Block his attack! Grab his nuts-twist, twist, twist!"

Clementine nearly lost it. The absurdity of Johnny's instructions, combined with his dead-serious tone, was almost too much. She could feel the laughter bubbling up in her chest, especially as she caught sight of Daniel walking into the dojo from the corner of her eye, his expression one of utter disbelief. His eyes were wide, almost bulging, as he took in the scene, clearly horrified by Johnny's unconventional teaching style.

Johnny, oblivious to Daniel's reaction, grinned proudly at the teens as they flawlessly executed the sequence. "Nice work, all of you. You got that down fast." He gave them an approving nod, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction.

He pointed to the floor. "Alright, have a seat."

The teens dropped down to the mats, still buzzing with the energy from the kata. Johnny, without missing a beat, ran into the other room and reappeared moments later, dragging in a coffee table with a small, outdated television perched on top.

"Close your eyes. Breathe. Clear your minds," he instructed, waving his hands around dramatically as if to emphasize the importance of this next exercise.

Clementine, Miguel, Tory, and Robby obediently closed their eyes, though Clementine had to stifle another laugh. She knew exactly why Johnny wanted them to close their eyes-he was struggling to get the old TV working. They could hear him fumbling with the remote, muttering under his breath as he wrestled with the wires and buttons.

After what felt like forever, Johnny finally managed to get the TV to cooperate. The unmistakable sounds of an old martial arts movie filled the room.

"Perfect. Open your eyes!" Johnny announced, a triumphant grin spreading across his face.

Clementine opened her eyes, and the moment she saw Best of the Best playing on the screen, she had to clamp her hand over her mouth to stop herself from laughing out loud. She vividly remembered her brother Tyler and her dad Caleb forcing her to watch this movie with them, and now here she was, sitting in a dojo with Johnny Lawrence, watching it again.

"Watch closely. Watch closely," Johnny said, his eyes glued to the screen like a kid watching his favorite Saturday morning cartoon. "Here comes the good part."

The room fell silent as the movie played, the tension building onscreen. Johnny leaned forward, his excitement palpable. "Hell yeah!" he cheered as the action unfolded, turning to the students with an almost childlike enthusiasm. He jabbed a finger at the screen, his eyes wide with admiration.

"That's Alex Grady. Lost his shoulder in the first movie. In the second movie, it's miraculously healed. If you believe in yourselves, you can be like Eric Roberts too."

Clementine exchanged amused glances with Miguel. Johnny's intense love for Best of the Best was almost contagious, but the sincerity in his voice was what made it oddly inspiring. The four teens nodded, trying to keep straight faces while they absorbed Johnny's words-at least attempting to appear as though they were deeply moved by the motivational speech.

Then, suddenly, Johnny clapped his hands together, the sharp sound echoing through the room and making all four teens jump. He smirked at their startled reactions before gesturing toward the backyard.

"Alright," he said, standing up and motioning for them to follow. "Let's head out back."

As they got up and followed him outside, Clementine couldn't help but smile. Only Johnny Lawrence could go from teaching a kata that ended with a nut-twisting maneuver to showing them a cheesy martial arts movie and then expect them to be inspired. But somehow, it worked.

Johnny stood in the backyard, brimming with his usual unorthodox energy as he led Clementine, Robby, Tory, and Miguel towards a punching dummy in the far corner. Meanwhile, Daniel, not trusting Johnny's methods for a second, lingered inside the dojo with the rest of the students. He'd instructed them to work on their kata but couldn't resist stepping outside to keep a close eye on Johnny and the four teens. He crossed his arms, suspicious, as Johnny dug around in his bag.

Johnny suddenly pulled out a random assortment of items: a t-shirt adorned with the French flag, a black beret, and a marker. Clementine glanced over at Robby, and from his knowing look, she could tell he was also trying hard not to laugh.

Johnny was oblivious. "Mr. Miyagi fought for America. You're gonna have to do the same," he declared with pride, drawing a mustache onto the dummy with a flourish.

Clementine grinned, leaning in toward Johnny. "Nice touch," she whispered, giving him an approving nod.

Johnny flashed a smug smile in return. "Thank you, Cinnamon Girl," he replied before stepping aside and gesturing dramatically for her to step up to the dummy.

Clementine walked forward, rolling her shoulders back. She unleashed a series of kicks and punches, working through the moves she knew needed fine-tuning while also showcasing the ones she had down cold. After a few solid strikes, Johnny called her back, ready to switch things up.

Johnny changed the dummy's outfit again, stripping away the French attire and replacing it with a Chinese flag shirt. He wiped off the mustache with a quick swipe of his hand and turned toward Miguel. "Diaz, you're up," he announced, stepping back.

Miguel went at the dummy with precision and force, his strikes clean and controlled. Johnny, satisfied, turned to Robby, Tory, Clementine, and-most importantly-Daniel, who was still watching with furrowed brows.

"Foreign kids don't speak English," Johnny began, as if unveiling some grand wisdom. "But they do speak karate. So you're gonna have to kick higher and harder than ever before."

Daniel's frown deepened, but before he could respond, Johnny had already swapped the dummy's outfit again, this time dressing it in a beanie and a t-shirt bearing the Canadian flag. Tory stepped forward, her turn up next. She attacked the dummy with intensity, landing her kicks and punches hard. Once she finished, Johnny changed the dummy's outfit once more, this time leaving it with nothing but a t-shirt displaying the Soviet Union flag.

Clementine crossed her arms, letting out an exaggerated sigh as Robby prepared for his turn. "Johnny, the Soviet Union doesn't even exist anym-" Daniel began, trying to interject.

"Quiet!" Johnny cut him off, waving his hand dismissively.

Johnny then glanced around the dojo, his eyes landing on the balance board floating in the middle of the koi pond. A mischievous grin spread across his face, and without saying a word, he began walking toward it. The four teens exchanged confused looks before Clementine huffed, resigned, and followed after Johnny.

It wasn't until they got closer that Clementine noticed the pitching machine stationed on one end of the yard. She had a sinking feeling about what was coming next.

Johnny reached the machine and pointed dramatically at the balance board. "Cinnamon Girl! Get up there!" he shouted.

Clementine sighed, giving him a wary look as she stepped into the koi pond. The water was cool, and she muttered under her breath, "I'm scared," as she climbed onto the board, careful not to slip. She pressed her hands on the board, pushing herself up and managing to balance without toppling over.

Once she was steady, Johnny cracked open a bottle of Coors Banquet, taking a long, triumphant gulp. "The key to Miyagi-Do is balance," he announced, as if the beer in his hand gave him wisdom. "You gotta stay on your feet no matter what life throws at you."

Clementine squinted at him, puzzled. "What are you-"

Her words were cut off as Johnny casually loaded the glass bottle into the pitching machine and fired it straight at her. Clementine's eyes widened in pure terror. "Oh my God!" she screeched, ducking just in time to avoid the glass hurtling toward her head.

Behind her, she could hear Miguel, Robby, Tory, and Daniel gasp in shock. But Johnny was unfazed. He grabbed another bottle and loaded it into the machine. "Come on, Cinnamon Girl! Use those reflexes!" he yelled, clearly enjoying the chaos he'd created.

Panic surged through Clementine. She had no idea what to do with a bottle flying at her face, but instinct kicked in. She slapped the glass bottle out of the air with the palm of her hand, sending it splashing into the koi pond. Her palm stung like she'd just slapped a brick wall, and she shook her hand, wincing from the pain.

"That's the Cinnamon Girl I know!" Johnny cheered, completely ignoring the fact that she'd nearly been decapitated by flying glass. "Switch with Nichols!"

Clementine slid off the board, relieved, as Tory stepped up to take her place. Just like Clementine, Tory dodged the first bottle and managed to slap the second one away, though not without groaning in pain as her palm burned from the impact.

"Good job, Nichols!" Johnny shouted, totally oblivious to the injuries he was inflicting.

Next, it was Robby's turn. Having seen what happened to the girls, Robby smartly dodged both bottles, not bothering to slap them away. Johnny was thrilled. "That's it, Robby!"

Finally, Miguel stepped up. As soon as he stood on the balance board, Johnny loaded a bottle into the machine. Clementine watched, her heart racing. But instead of dodging, Miguel caught the bottle mid-air with one hand, as smooth as ever. Johnny groaned in frustration.

"Dodge, not catch!" Johnny snapped, loading another bottle into the machine.

Miguel tossed the bottle aside and turned just in time to see the next one flying straight at his face. He gasped and dropped flat onto the board, lying down in a plank to avoid the bottle. Johnny groaned again, exasperated. "Get up, Diaz!" he yelled, his frustration growing.

Clementine's eyes widened, and she exchanged nervous glances with the others. This was a classic Johnny Lawrence training session-dangerous, chaotic, and absolutely absurd.

Clementine stumbled through the front door of her house, her legs heavy from the day's insane training session with Johnny. Her whole body ached, and to make matters worse, a queasy feeling had settled deep in her stomach. She rubbed her temples, hoping the nausea would pass. The house was quiet except for the faint thumping of music coming from upstairs-Tyler's room. Of course.

As she headed towards the kitchen to grab some water, the music suddenly got louder. She winced, realizing Tyler was probably in one of his "moods" where he blasted music without a care in the world. Normally, she'd let it slide, but today she wasn't in the mood for any of it. The queasiness was quickly morphing into something worse.

Clementine groaned and headed upstairs, each step making her stomach churn more. She reached Tyler's door and raised her hand to knock when she noticed it wasn't fully closed. The music was so loud now that it vibrated through the walls. She pushed the door open, ready to tell him to turn it down—and froze.

Her eyes widened in horror as she found Tyler, half-naked, with Sierra-Alison's sister-on his bed, both of them tangled in sheets, clearly not expecting to be interrupted. Sierra's hair was a mess, and Tyler was shirtless, scrambling to pull the covers over them. The color drained from Clementine's face, and before she could even think, a screech escaped her throat.

"TYLER!" Clementine shrieked, slamming the door shut without another word. Her hand flew to her mouth, the nausea now hitting her full force.

"Oh my God, I'm gonna be sick!" she gasped, bolting down the hall towards the bathroom.

She barely made it to the toilet before she started throwing up, her stomach heaving violently as she gripped the sides of the porcelain bowl. Between the shock of seeing her brother like that and the already overwhelming nausea, it was too much to handle.

Moments later, she heard Tyler's door fly open and his footsteps pounding down the hallway. "Clem! Clem, I'm sorry!" Tyler's voice was frantic as he banged on the bathroom door. "I didn't know you were home, I swear!"

Clementine wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, still hunched over the toilet, her face flushed with both sickness and anger. "Are you kidding me?!" she yelled, her voice hoarse as she leaned back against the wall. "Thanks a lot, Tyler! That's exactly what I needed after the day I've had!"

Tyler stood outside the door, clearly panicking. "I said I'm sorry! I didn't-"

"You didn't what?" she snapped, her voice rising with each word. "Didn't think that maybe blasting your music while you've got someone in your room would get you caught?! Or, I don't know, maybe not bring Sierra into the house when everyone's home?!"

There was a pause. "Look, I-" Tyler started, but Clementine cut him off.

"Tyler, I already felt like I was going to puke, and then I walk in and see that?! Thanks for ruining my night even more!" She groaned, still feeling the queasiness in her stomach.

Tyler, on the other side of the door, sounded like he didn't know what to say. "Clem, I-"

"Just go back to your room," Clementine snapped, pressing the back of her hand to her forehead. "And turn off the music while you're at it!"

There was a brief silence, then she heard him mutter a soft "Sorry" before his footsteps retreated down the hallway, the music finally lowering to a dull murmur.

Clementine leaned her head back against the cool bathroom tiles, letting out a long breath. "Unbelievable," she muttered to herself, rubbing her stomach as she tried to calm her breathing. The nausea still hadn't fully passed, but at least now she could breathe without wanting to hurl again. The day had been exhausting enough, and Tyler's little incident just tipped everything over the edge.

"What is my life?" she whispered under her breath, half-glaring at the ceiling before she closed her eyes, hoping the nausea would finally subside.

Clementine stood on the sparring deck at Miyagi-Do, her heart racing as she prepared herself for the match that would decide who would be female captain. She had mentally geared up to face Tory, but when she looked around, Tory was nowhere in sight.

"Where's Tory?" she asked, turning to Robby, who stood beside her.

Robby shrugged, his brows furrowed. "I have no idea. I tried talking to her yesterday, but she didn't show up."

Clementine knew how close Robby and Tory were-just friends, of course-so she wasn't worried. But her concern for Tory still lingered. Something was clearly off.

"Good luck, babe," Clementine said, leaning in to kiss Robby softly on the lips. He smiled, appreciating her support, before stepping onto the sparring deck to face Miguel.

Clementine turned back, her eyes scanning the mat as the two boys squared off. She felt the nervous energy in the air, and her stomach twisted with anticipation. Daniel stood between them, looking back and forth, before stepping aside.

"Fight!" Johnny's voice rang out, and the two boys immediately launched into action.

Miguel threw a barrage of punches, relentless and fast. Clementine tensed as Miguel swept Robby's legs out from under him, sending him crashing to the floor. Miguel followed it up with a punch to Robby's stomach, knocking the wind out of him.

"Point, Diaz!" Daniel called out, and Clementine instinctively brought her hand to her mouth, nervously picking at her lips. She could see Robby struggling to refocus as he got back on his feet.

"Come on, Robby," she whispered to herself, silently urging him on.

"One point, Diaz. Zero points, Keene. Ready? Fight!" Johnny's voice cut through the tension again.

Robby and Miguel squared off, both of them waiting for the other to make a move. Robby spun around, aiming a kick for Miguel's head, but Miguel dodged it just in time. Clementine's breath caught in her throat as Robby stumbled back slightly.

Miguel went in for another hit, but Robby blocked it, only to take a swift kick to the face, sending him crashing to the ground once again.

"Point, Diaz! Two points." Daniel's voice rang out.

Clementine bit her lip, her heart pounding in her chest. Robby seemed off, distracted. She couldn't figure out what was going on until she noticed his sudden change in demeanor. He was staring at something behind her. Clementine turned, following his gaze, and saw Tory finally walking into the dojo.

Her posture was stiff, and she looked exhausted-eyes red and puffy, hair disheveled. She didn't look like herself at all. Clementine's heart ached seeing her like that.

"Go, Robby! You got this, babe!" Clementine cheered, turning back to Robby with a smile, trying to shake the uneasy feeling about Tory. Robby smiled back and blew her a kiss, which made Clementine blush. She knew if Alison had been there, she would have squealed and gushed about how cute they were.

"Are you okay?" Clementine asked Tory quietly, sensing that something was seriously wrong. But Tory didn't respond. She didn't need to be close to Tory to know something was deeply off with her.

Before Clementine could press her further, Daniel's voice pulled her attention back to the sparring deck. "Ready? Fight!"

Miguel was quick on his feet, throwing a kick at Robby, who blocked it with precision. This time, Robby was different-he was back in the zone. He blocked every hit Miguel threw at him and, when Miguel tried to sweep his legs again, Robby flipped over him, causing the dojo to erupt in gasps.

Clementine watched in awe as Robby skillfully countered Miguel's moves, finally landing a punch right in Miguel's chest.

"Point, Keene. Two to one."

"Yes!" Clementine whispered, feeling a surge of relief.

"Ready? Fight!" Johnny called once more.

Miguel launched into another series of attacks, but Robby dodged and blocked them all, showing incredible defense. Miguel backed Robby towards the edge of the mat, but Robby pushed him back, regaining control. Then, in one fluid motion, Robby jumped and spun, landing a kick square in Miguel's face.

"Point, Keene!" Daniel yelled.

Clementine gasped, eyes wide in disbelief at how well Robby was handling the fight now. Beside her, Eli leaned in with a smirk. "Two to two. Wanna bet on who'll win?"

Clementine rolled her eyes but smiled. "Robby, 100%."

"My money's on Miguel," Eli teased, and Clementine scoffed, playfully.

"Game on."

The fight resumed, and Clementine felt like she was holding her breath, her heart racing as the two boys went back and forth. When they both ended up on the ground, she finally exhaled, letting out a small gasp.

Robby, always quick on his feet, pushed Miguel off, flipping him onto the ground before running towards him and landing a final punch in Miguel's stomach.

"Point. Winner!" Daniel declared, and the dojo exploded with cheers.

Clementine screamed with joy, clapping as loud as she could. She was so proud of Robby, but she made sure not to overdo it, giving Miguel a sympathetic smile as he got to his feet, clearly upset but not bitter. The two boys fist-bumped, easing the tension.

Robby walked over to Clementine, picking her up and spinning her around before kissing her passionately. Clementine melted into the kiss, her heart soaring with pride and happiness.

"Your male captain-Robby Keene!" Daniel announced, raising Robby's arm into the air as everyone cheered for him.

Clementine beamed, clapping for her boyfriend, but her eyes drifted to Miguel. She gave him another soft, understanding smile, which he returned, though it was tinged with sadness.

As the boys stepped off the deck, Clementine bounced nervously on her toes. Now it was her turn, and she knew she had to face Tory.

Robby kissed her again. "You got this."

Clementine nodded, taking a deep breath, ready to step onto the deck and prove herself.

Clementine stepped onto the sparring deck, her heart pounding in her chest as she faced Tory. The air between them was charged with tension, but Clementine forced a soft smile, hoping to ease whatever storm raged inside her friend. She extended her fist in a tentative gesture, the familiar sign of their old Cobra Kai handshake. "May the best Queen Cobra or Eagle Princess win," Clementine teased, her voice light, trying to break the heaviness with humor.

Tory's eyes flicked to Clementine's fist, her gaze lingering on it as if uncertain of what to do. After a long pause, Clementine's smile faltered, her hand starting to tremble as doubt crept in. Before she could pull it away, Tory glanced up, sighed heavily, and with a reluctant sigh, met Clementine's fist halfway, executing their handshake with a robotic motion, as if she were simply going through the motions.

"Fighting positions!" Daniel's sharp voice cut through the tension, forcing both girls to step back and raise their fists. Clementine's pulse quickened, watching as Tory's expression darkened, her anger growing with each passing second. Anxiety tightened in Clementine's stomach, but she shoved it aside, hoping she could break through to Tory before things went too far.

"Fight!" Daniel commanded.

Before Clementine could fully react, Tory lunged at her, a scream escaping her as she aimed a kick directly at Clementine's face. She dodged just in time, the wind from Tory's foot grazing her cheek. But Tory wasn't backing down. She pressed on, throwing punch after punch with wild intensity. Clementine barely kept up, her arms flailing as she tried to block each blow. Her breath came in ragged gasps, her arms sore from the effort.

Then, as Tory swung a powerful kick at her head, Clementine ducked low. Using the momentum, she swept her leg, knocking Tory off balance. In that split second, Clementine sprang to her feet, rushing forward to land a solid punch to Tory's stomach.

"Point, Katz!" Johnny called out from the sidelines. Tory let out a frustrated groan, slamming her hands on the mat before pushing herself up. Clementine stepped back, eyes narrowing as she watched Tory pace furiously, her movements agitated, almost animalistic. Something wasn't right.

"Tor, are you okay?" Clementine asked softly, leaning toward her, concern in her voice.

Before Tory could respond, Johnny raised his hand. "Ready?" he barked, not waiting for an answer before signaling for the fight to continue. But Tory didn't wait for the official word. She charged again, fists flying with even more fury than before.

Clementine blocked as best she could, her arms growing heavy with each deflected punch. She tried to meet Tory's eyes, hoping for a flicker of recognition, a sign that somewhere deep down, her friend was still there. But Tory was consumed with rage, her strikes coming faster and harder. Clementine could feel the strain, knew that she wouldn't be able to keep defending for much longer.

Suddenly, with a roar, Tory kicked Clementine in the side. The pain shot through her like a lightning bolt, and she collapsed to the mat, gasping for air. Her neck slammed into the floor, sending another wave of agony through her body. As she lay there, looking up at Tory, the anger on her face was undeniable. She stood over Clementine, unyielding, her expression cold and distant.

Clementine's vision blurred, and she could hear Daniel's voice breaking through her disorientation. "Clementine?"

She blinked, forcing herself to focus. Daniel was waiting for her to rise. Every part of her body screamed in protest, but Clementine pushed herself up, her voice shaky. "I'm... I'm fine," she stammered, though the tremor in her tone betrayed her.

Daniel didn't look convinced. His face tightened, anger flaring as he turned toward Tory. "That should be no point-"

"No!" Clementine cut him off, her voice firm despite the pain. She couldn't let Daniel take the point away from Tory; it would only fuel her anger. "I'm okay," she insisted, trying to sound as convincing as possible. Daniel hesitated, then reluctantly turned to Johnny, who gave a curt nod. The fight had to continue.

Johnny let out a sigh and raised his hand. "That's a warning, Nichols. Next one's a deduction, got it?"

Tory nodded, barely containing the fire in her eyes, while Clementine braced herself. Daniel called them into fighting positions again. Johnny leaned in, his voice steady. "That's one to one. Ready? Fight!"

Clementine knew she couldn't just keep defending. Tory was too angry, too wild, and if she didn't take control soon, it would be over. When Tory lunged again, Clementine seized the moment. She grabbed Tory's arms, spun her around, and sent her stumbling backward. Before Tory could recover, Clementine kicked her square in the stomach.

"Point, Katz! Two to one!" Johnny announced.

Clementine's heart pounded as she wiped the sweat from her brow. One more point, and this nightmare would be over. But looking into Tory's eyes, she knew it wouldn't be that easy.

"Fighting positions. Ready? Fight!" Johnny called, and before Clementine could even adjust, Tory let out another war cry, charging at her with renewed rage.

This time, Tory didn't just throw punches. She grabbed Clementine by the arm and threw her to the mat. The impact was brutal; Clementine's knees slammed into the ground, sending pain racing up her legs. She groaned, struggling to look up as Tory raised her leg, ready to strike again.

Reacting instinctively, Clementine wrapped her leg around Tory's waist, pulling her down with everything she had left. The floor cracked as they landed, but Tory was quick to scramble to her feet, another cry of frustration escaping her.

Before Tory could strike again, Daniel rushed forward, grabbing her fist to stop her. Clementine froze, her breath catching as she realized just how close she had come to serious injury.

"The fight's over," Daniel said quietly, but Tory yanked her hand from his grip, her voice rising in protest.

"That's not fair! That could have been a point!" she yelled, her frustration spilling over.

Daniel shook his head, his expression weary. "We can't do this right now. Not in front of everybody."

Tory's anger seemed to melt into desperation as she turned to face Daniel. "Don't stop the fight. Please," she begged, her voice trembling.

Ignoring her, Daniel gestured for the girls to step off the mat. "Come on. Please, girls. Off the deck. Let's go."

Clementine's confusion deepened as she took a step closer to Tory and Daniel. Johnny scoffed, moving onto the mat. "What's going on?" Clementine asked, her voice tinged with concern.

"Don't tell them what to do. I'm their sensei too!" Johnny snapped.

Daniel whirled to face him, frustration boiling over. "Well, then, end the fight!"

Clementine shook her head, glancing between the two men, confused. "What's going on?" she repeated, her worry growing.

Johnny turned to her, nodding in agreement before addressing Daniel sharply. "Yeah, why stop the fight?"

"Because my mother died!" Tory's outburst hit like a punch to the gut. The raw emotion in her voice left everyone stunned. Clementine's heart sank, her breath catching in her throat. She had never known Tory's mother, but the pain in Tory's voice was unmistakable.

Clementine instinctively took a step forward, but Tory flinched, practically jumping away. "Tory, I... I'm so sorry," she whispered, empathy flooding her heart. "But we can't keep fighting. This isn't the time."

Tory's eyes welled up with tears, but she turned to Daniel, her desperation growing. "Yes, it is! I have to fight now!" she pleaded, her finger stabbing at the ground.

Daniel sighed, torn. He didn't want to push Tory further, but he knew this couldn't continue. He looked to Johnny for help. "Sensei Lawrence, some help here, please."

Johnny stepped toward Tory, his expression softening. The air in the dojo thickened, as if everyone was holding their breath.

"It's not up to us. If Nichols wants to fight, she should," Johnny said, his voice cutting through the tension. Everyone in the room turned to him, stunned by his words.

Daniel shot Johnny a glare, but Johnny ignored him, focusing instead on the two girls. Clementine watched as Tory took a step back, frustration bubbling over. "Find a way? No! You don't understand! None of you understand!" Tory yelled, her voice breaking as tears welled in her eyes. She turned and ran toward Amanda and Robby, her small sob escaping as she cried, "My mom... she would've wanted this. If I don't fight... I have to do this for her."

"We'll find another way to decide on captain," Daniel insisted, starting to walk away.

Finally, as if she couldn't bear it any longer, Tory spun around, exhausted and emotional. "You want this fight to be over?" she shouted, her voice trembling with the weight of everything she had kept inside. "Fine! It's over!" And with that, she stormed off the deck.

Clementine started to follow, but Robby was quicker. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her back as she tried to break free. "Let's leave her be,"

"Gather around, please!" Daniel's voice echoed through the dojo as he and Johnny approached the sparring deck. The top six students lined up in front while the rest of the class stood behind them, anticipation buzzing in the air. Once Daniel and Johnny stood before their students, they began.

"Training for the Sekai Takai has been hard on all of us," Daniel said, a warm smile spreading across his face as he scanned the crowd. "But now, training is over. While most of you won't be going to Barcelona, we know you'll be there with us in spirit."

Johnny nodded in agreement, his expression serious but proud. "Since Tory will not be going with us..." he trailed off, allowing the weight of the moment to settle. "We've decided Hawk will take her spot."

Clementine spun around, her excitement bubbling over as she clapped for Eli. The rest of the class joined in, cheers erupting as Eli laughed and stepped forward. He made his way to the line of students heading to the Sekai Takai, standing proudly beside Clementine, who nudged him with her shoulder.

"You seven will be fighting for Miyagi-Do," Daniel continued, his voice steady. "It will be the toughest challenge you've faced yet. And to win, we're all gonna need to be there for each other."

Johnny added, "Captains, step forward." He raised his hand, gesturing for them to approach. Clementine stepped forward eagerly, locking eyes with Robby, who mirrored her smile.

As Johnny walked up to Clementine and Daniel approached Robby, he glanced at Chris, who was lingering at the back of the crowd. "Chris, bring up the official Sekai Takai captain headbands," Daniel called. Chris quickly ran up, carrying a case in hand.

Daniel opened the case, revealing two headbands that glimmered with significance. Johnny took Clementine's headband, his expression turning proud as he turned back to her. As he began to tie the headband around her head, a chuckle escaped Clementine. "Thank you for being my Sensei," she said, warmth flooding her voice.

Johnny's smile deepened. "Thank you for making my son happy," he replied, glancing between Robby and Clementine, the bond between them evident. As he finished securing the headband, the atmosphere shifted, filled with camaraderie and determination.

Clementine stared at the pregnancy test resting on the bathroom counter, her breath catching in her throat. The unmistakable positive line seemed to pulse with reality, and her heart raced as a whirlwind of emotions crashed over her. Just days ago, she had been feeling queasy, dismissing it as nerves or a stomach bug. Now, everything clicked into place, and the gravity of the situation settled heavily on her chest.

Memories of that night with Robby came flooding back-laughter, warmth, and intimacy. But she remembered too late that she hadn't taken her birth control pill that month. Panic washed over her like a cold wave. How was she going to tell Robby? The thought of his reaction sent a shiver down her spine. Would he be excited? Terrified? And then there was Alison-her best friend who had always been by her side. How could she share this news without breaking down?

"What about my dad? Or Tyler?" Clementine's mind raced. She had always envisioned a different future, one that didn't involve the possibility of being a young mother. Was she even ready for this? The weight of the decision loomed large, and she felt overwhelmed.

"Clem! Come on!" Alison's voice sliced through her spiraling thoughts. The reminder that her friend was outside waiting for her pulled Clementine back to the present. Alison was coming to Barcelona to support her and Robby, even though she wasn't competing. The thought of having her best friend there for her gave Clementine a small sense of comfort.

"C-Coming!" she stammered, forcing herself to shake off the anxiety. Quickly, she opened a drawer beneath the sink, her hands trembling slightly. She slipped the test inside, shutting it just as Alison appeared in the doorway, a bright smile lighting up her face.

"Everything okay?" Alison asked, her eyes narrowing with concern as she stepped into the room. Clementine felt her heart race again, but she masked it with a smile, determined to keep her secret for now.

"Yeah, just... packing," she replied, her voice betraying none of the turmoil inside. She watched Alison's expression shift to one of understanding, yet she could see the curiosity lurking behind her friend's eyes.

"Okay, but hurry! We don't want to miss the bus," Alison urged, her enthusiasm infectious.

Clementine nodded, trying to focus on the moment, the excitement of the upcoming trip slowly pushing her fears aside. She took a deep breath, reminding herself that she needed to be present for her friends. The storm inside her would have to wait-at least until she found the courage to face it.

After hours of flying to Barcelona, battling nausea that had her barfing into a brown paper bag on the plane, and enduring a sleepless night filled with anxiety, Clementine stepped into the tournament arena. The vibrant atmosphere buzzed with excitement, but all she could focus on was the tight grip she had on Robby's hand. The warm comfort of his presence was a fleeting distraction from the tumult swirling in her mind about how to tell him she was pregnant.

Clementine positioned herself beside Robby and Sam, her hands clasped tightly behind her back to keep them from shaking. As she glanced at her best friend in the stands, Alison cheered them on. "Go, Clementine and Eli!" The sound of her friend's voice brought a small smile to Clem's face, yet the queasiness in her stomach intensified. She fought to keep the bile from rising again, knowing she needed to stay strong.

As she surveyed the crowd, her eyes landed on the entrance where Cobra Kai was walking in. A wave of anxiety washed over her, her heart skipping a beat when she spotted Kreese smirking in their direction. The tension in the air thickened, and she could feel her pulse quickening.

Then, her worst fears were confirmed as Jackson and Tory strolled in side by side, exuding confidence. "What the fuck?" Clementine blurted out, her voice sharper than she intended, drawing curious looks from those around her.

ASH SPEAKS!

ILL SEE YOU GUYS IN NOVEMBER 💔💔 ILL MISS CLEMENTINE AND ALISON SO MUCH

THANK YOU GUYS FOR THE SUPPORT ON THIS BOOK!!

AGAIN, ILL SEE YOU GUYS ONCE PART 2 COMES OUT :)

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