chapter fifty-five:
❛ dog in the fight (3) ❜

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Clementine stood in the center of the Sekai Taikai arena, the roar of the crowd echoing in her ears like thunder. Lights flashed across the massive stadium, illuminating the names of each competing dojo on a towering digital board. The cheers, shouts, and anticipation of the spectators were a constant buzz, a reminder of the weight of the moment. She tightened her fists, her fingers brushing against the smooth fabric of her gi. This was it—the elimination phase. No second chances.

The announcer stepped forward onto the stage, his voice booming through the speakers with practiced authority. "We have now entered the elimination phase of the Sekai Taikai!" he declared, his tone commanding the attention of everyone in the arena. The crowd hushed slightly, eager to hear the rules. Clementine felt her heart thud harder in her chest.

"The dojos who do not win tonight will be heading home," the announcer continued. "The previous rounds have determined your current rankings. The number one team will face the number 16 team. The number two team will face the number 15 team, and so on."

Clementine glanced at the towering board as it lit up with the matchups, scanning for their name. Her eyes landed on Miyagi-Do at number 12. Her stomach churned, but she pushed it down, narrowing her focus. She'd trained too hard to let nerves get the better of her now.

"Okay," she said, turning to her teammates as the board finalized. "That means at number 12, we're facing number five, Dublin Thunder."

Beside her, Eli groaned, crossing his arms over his chest. "Oh, great. Dublin Thunder. I heard they started a fight with some locals at the beach the other day. Apparently, they're always looking for a brawl."

Clementine raised an eyebrow, intrigued but not surprised. She glanced over at the opposing team, who were already making their presence known. Dublin Thunder's fighters stood confidently, shoving each other in what might have been rough camaraderie—or a precursor to chaos. One of them playfully punched another in the shoulder, sending him stumbling with exaggerated laughter. Their cocky energy radiated across the room like a challenge.

Johnny stepped up beside Clementine, his hands tucked into his jean pockets as he surveyed the scene with a smirk. He leaned in closer, his voice low enough for only her to hear. "Cinnamon Girl," he said, his tone equal parts playful and serious, "do me a favor and kick those pansies in the ass, will ya?"

Clementine couldn't help but crack a smile, the nickname always lightening the tension no matter how serious the moment. She looked at her sensei and nodded firmly. "Yes, Sensei," she said, her voice steady.

The announcer raised his hands, commanding the attention of the crowd once more. "Now, for the rules of the event," he began, gesturing toward the stage. The lights shifted to illuminate the center of the arena, and suddenly, the ground began to rumble. Clementine's eyes widened as a massive platform descended from the ceiling, its smooth, metallic surface glinting under the spotlights. It lowered slowly, perfectly aligning with the stage below, its edges surrounded by padded barriers that hinted at the intensity to come.

"Fighters will again face off on a platform," the announcer continued, stepping aside to allow the audience to take in the spectacle. The crowd erupted into cheers, the excitement palpable.

Clementine stared at the platform, her heartbeat quickening. The size of it, the height, the way it hovered over the stage like a test of both skill and endurance—it was intimidating, but also exhilarating. This was nothing like the earlier rounds.

"But this time," the announcer said, his voice cutting through the cheers, "two fighters from each dojo are allowed on the platform at one time. If one of your fighters falls, they are out, but another teammate can climb up to take their place. However, the fight never stops, so get up there quickly to avoid leaving your teammate alone two-on-one."

The murmurs from the competitors grew louder. Clementine bit her lip, processing the rules. Two-on-one situations could be brutal. Timing would be everything.

"When all the fighters of a dojo have been knocked off, the team is out," the announcer finished with a flourish. He gestured dramatically at the platform, which now stood as the undeniable centerpiece of the arena. "Let the battles begin!"

Eli muttered beside her, his tone grim. "Two-on-one? That's practically a dream for these guys." He nodded toward Dublin Thunder, who were already jumping up and down, shadowboxing, and egging each other on with wild gestures. They looked more like a gang itching for a street fight than a dojo preparing for a tournament.

Clementine tore her eyes from them and turned back to her team. Her voice was calm but firm as she said, "We've trained for this. They might be scrappy, but we have discipline on our side. We stick to the plan."

Johnny clapped her on the back, his grin widening. "That's my girl." He leaned closer and added, "Just remember—when it comes down to it, finesse is overrated. Sometimes you just gotta hit harder."

Clementine laughed softly, the tension in her chest easing for a moment. But as the announcer began calling the first teams to the platform, the reality of what lay ahead settled over her once more. She inhaled deeply, her focus narrowing.

This wasn't just a fight for survival in the tournament. It was a fight to prove Miyagi-Do's worth on a global stage—and she was ready to give it everything she had.

Clementine's eyes stayed trained on the Iron Dragons, her gaze sharp as they celebrated their victory. Axel, the towering fighter, let out a victorious roar as he stepped forward, his muscles rippling beneath his gi. Zara, by contrast, was all flair as she blew a dramatic kiss to the crowd, her smile infectious even from a distance. The audience was eating it up, cheering their names as the pair soaked in the spotlight.

Clementine shifted her weight on her feet, her arms crossed as she observed them with a critical eye. Iron Dragons, she thought, letting the name roll around in her mind. They were good. No, they were more than good. Axel was clearly a powerhouse, while Zara had that fluidity and precision that made them a dangerous combo. She couldn't help but respect them—this wasn't a random victory. They'd earned it.

"Advancing to the next round, the Iron Dragons!" the announcer boomed, his voice carrying across the arena.

Axel's roar shook the air as he stepped forward, fist raised in triumph. His excitement was palpable, and Clementine found herself taken aback by his intense energy. There was something unsettling about the rawness of it—like a primal force unleashed. Zara, ever the showwoman, followed suit, blowing kisses to the crowd like it was second nature, drawing even more attention to herself.

"Was this dude made in a lab?" Eli's voice cut through her thoughts, his tone dripping with disbelief. He turned to Demetri, who nodded enthusiastically.

"He's like a mix between the Winter Soldier and Frankenstein's monster," Demetri added, eyes wide in awe.

Clementine shot them both a pointed look, but Sam was quicker to respond, her voice soft but firm as she glanced at them. "Don't call him a monster," Sam said, her expression more serious than Clementine had expected. "People have to deal with a lot of stuff. You don't know what his life's been like."

Clementine's eyes flicked over to Sam as she spoke, noting the genuine empathy in her tone. Interesting, Clementine thought, sensing an undercurrent in Sam's words that wasn't there before.

"Exactly," Sam added, her voice softer now, as if to emphasize her point. She was looking at Axel again, her eyes lingering on him longer than necessary. Clementine caught the glance, a slight furrow in her brow. Hmm, she thought, taking a subtle step closer to Sam. Something seems off.

She glanced quickly over at Miguel, but he was too busy with his own thoughts, his attention elsewhere, as usual. His mind often seemed a million miles away, especially when it came to anything not related to karate. But this time, Clementine couldn't shake the feeling that something was going on—something between Sam and Axel. Was there an attraction there? Was Sam getting a little too caught up in the moment?

Clementine's gaze drifted back to Axel as he continued to bask in his victory. The Iron Dragons were undeniably formidable, but she couldn't help feeling there was more to Axel than what met the eye. Was that just a glance? she wondered, eyes narrowing slightly. She didn't like it. It felt like something Sam wasn't telling her.

Clementine shook her head, deciding not to press it for now. She had her own match to prepare for, but this... this situation was definitely something to keep an eye on.

"Clementine?" Sam's voice broke her focus, and she snapped back to the present, meeting her friend's concerned gaze. "You okay?"

Clementine gave a tight smile, forcing herself to look less bothered than she was. "Yeah, just thinking," she replied quickly, turning back to the stage as the announcer called for the next team to come forward. The tension in the air seemed to have thickened, and Clementine was determined not to let it distract her. But as the fight went on, she couldn't quite shake the feeling that something was brewing beneath the surface—something that might affect all of them, sooner or later.

The lights in the Sekai Taikai arena dimmed, casting long shadows over the platform as the announcer's voice echoed through the massive space. The crowd was buzzing with anticipation, their energy electric. The next match was crucial, and the stakes couldn't be higher.

"Next on the platform, Dublin Thunder versus Miyagi-Do!" the announcer boomed, and the crowd's roar filled the air as both teams made their way toward the platform. Clementine's heart raced as she adjusted her stance, her breath steady but quick. The weight of the moment was heavy on her shoulders, but she'd trained for this. She couldn't let nerves get the best of her.

Johnny and Sam walked over to their team, their faces serious, yet with an underlying confidence. Clementine stood in the middle of the group, eyes focused on the Dublin Thunder team as they approached. The noise of the crowd almost drowned out the tension in the air, but Clementine could feel it, a tightness in her chest as the reality of what was at stake hit her once again. One loss, and they were out.

"Alright, let's bring it in. I got something to say," Sensei Lawrence's voice broke through the hum of excitement, drawing everyone's attention. His tone was firmer than usual, and Clementine could sense the sincerity behind his words. As he spoke, she couldn't help but notice Robby standing at the edge of the group, his expression unreadable, his eyes avoiding hers. It was hard to miss the tension between them—both of them still carrying the emotional weight of their recent breakup. Clementine had wanted to talk things through, but Robby had pulled away, and now they had to fight side by side, despite the distance that had grown between them.

"It's been a tough day," Johnny continued, his voice softer than usual, almost like a confession. "Probably shouldn't have been such a dick to all of you, but I want you to know that I believe with every bone in my body that you can do this. You guys know a lot more about balance than me, so remember everything Sensei LaRusso said and use all your Miyagi-Do skills to stay up there."

Clementine swallowed hard, feeling her resolve tighten. She wasn't going to let them down, not when everything was on the line. Johnny's words hit deeper than she expected, and for a brief moment, she felt the sting of regret—of the things she and Robby hadn't said to each other, the things they hadn't worked through. But she couldn't dwell on that now. The fight was about to start, and they needed to focus.

Johnny's gaze swept over the group. "I'm thinking we should start strong with our captains. Cinnamon Girl. Robby."

Clementine's stomach flipped at the mention of her name. She nodded, standing a little taller, but her eyes flicked toward Robby again. This time, she saw him glaring at Miguel, his jaw tight as he tied his captain's headband with unnecessary force. There was so much unspoken between them, but now wasn't the time to deal with it. They had a match to win.

"Devon, you'll go next. Hawk. Demetri. And Miguel's our anchor," Johnny finished, and they all bowed to each other, the ceremony grounding them for a moment before they stepped onto the platform.

As Clementine walked toward the edge, the noise of the crowd intensified. Dublin Thunder was already on the platform, cracking their knuckles and giving each other fiery looks. The fighters were strong, aggressive, and had a reputation for being unpredictable. It was going to be a tough fight, but Clementine wasn't backing down. Not this time. Not after everything she'd been through.

She glanced over at Robby, who was still at the edge of the group, his eyes locked on the Dublin Thunder team. There was something in his posture—an unease, a frustration—that only made the tension between them worse. She couldn't afford to let this affect their fight, but it did. It always did. The last thing she wanted was to let their issues bleed into the match.

The whistle blew, and the fight began.

Immediately, the Dublin Thunder fighters came charging, fists flying, aggressive and coordinated. Clementine was quick to engage, ducking under a punch and sweeping one of the opponents off their feet. She was fluid, calm, relying on everything Sensei LaRusso had taught her. But the fight wasn't as easy as she'd hoped. She glanced at Robby—he was in the middle of his own battle, his movements stiff and uncoordinated. His eyes kept darting to her, but not in a way that suggested they were on the same page.

She landed another hit on her opponent, but a split second of hesitation—a glance at Robby—was enough to leave her open to a quick counter. Her opponent kicked her in the side, sending her stumbling back toward the edge of the platform. She caught herself just in time, her hands gripping the edge to keep from falling off.

Robby, still distracted, had made a similar mistake. One of Dublin Thunder's fighters feigned a punch, only to dodge and land a solid kick to his chest. He lost his footing, stumbling back, and before he could regain his balance, he was shoved off the edge. Clementine's heart dropped as she watched him fall, the crowd's roar almost deafening in her ears.

"Robby!" she shouted, but there was no time to check on him. Her focus snapped back to the fight at hand.

She had to keep going. She had to win.

Clementine's next move was swift, knocking her opponent off balance and sending them tumbling off the platform. She felt a surge of adrenaline—finally, she was in control. But Robby's fall lingered in her mind, the image of him tumbling through the air haunting her for a split second.

"Great, thanks for the help, Robby," she muttered under her breath, her frustration boiling over. She wasn't sure if he could hear her, but it didn't matter. She was pissed. She was fighting for both of them now, trying to pick up the pieces of a fight that should have been their victory.

As the match continued, Clementine kept pushing, refusing to let her emotions cloud her judgment. But each time she looked over, she saw Robby off to the side, his back turned, and it stung. She wasn't sure if he was still in it—if he even cared anymore.

In the end, the fight was theirs to lose. And when the last of Dublin Thunder's fighters was knocked off the platform, Clementine stood victorious, but the satisfaction felt hollow. Robby's failure had weighed her down, and despite the win, there was a part of her that wondered if their breakup had cost them the unity they needed.

Would they have been better off together? Clementine wondered as she stood there, catching her breath, her heart still pounding. Robby stood behind her, his jaw set, not meeting her eyes.

This fight wasn't over, and Clementine knew that the real battle wasn't on the platform. It was in the space between them.

The arena was alive with the roar of the crowd, but Clementine's mind was a whirlwind of emotions, her pulse pounding in her ears as the last of the Dublin Thunder fighters was sent tumbling off the platform. She stood tall, sweat dripping down her face, her breath heavy in her chest. The victory was hers, but the hollow feeling in her stomach refused to go away. Robby was still on the sidelines, his gaze locked somewhere else, clearly distracted, and it gnawed at her. She needed him to be present, needed him to fight by her side—but instead, she was here alone.

She snapped back into focus when the next whistle blew. Devon was up. It was her turn to join the fight, and she moved with purpose, stepping onto the platform as she adjusted his headband and cracked his knuckles.

"Cinnamon Girl, hold it down for me," Devon called out with a grin, his voice full of confidence. Clementine shot him a nod, trying to push the frustration of the previous fight out of her mind. Devon was a fighter—a solid one—but she was also new to this level of competition. She'd trained him well, but she had yet to face anything like the Dublin Thunder.

As Devon took her position, Clementine couldn't help but feel a flicker of hope. Maybe she could turn the tide. She'd just cleared the first hurdle; now, with Devon's help, they could finish the job.

The Dublin Thunder fighters wasted no time, charging forward with brutal efficiency. One of them immediately squared off with Devon, a hulking figure with fists the size of bricks. Devon dodged a powerful strike, her footwork smooth, and she countered with a kick to the guy's ribs that sent him staggering back. It wasn't a knockout, but it was a good start.

Clementine moved in to back him up, but before she could fully engage, another Dublin Thunder fighter came from behind, launching a spinning kick toward her head. She ducked just in time, feeling the whoosh of air as the kick missed by inches, but the distraction was enough for the other fighters to press forward.

Devon was holding her own for the moment, using her speed to her advantage, darting between strikes and landing a few solid blows of his own. But the Dublin Thunder team wasn't going to go down without a fight. They weren't just strong—they were smart, calculating every move.

Clementine glanced over at Devon, who was now locked in a fierce struggle with the same hulking fighter. The guy had pinned him against the edge of the platform, and Devon was struggling to break free.

"Devon, watch out!" Clementine shouted, rushing to her side, but as she moved in, she was intercepted by another Dublin Thunder fighter who shoved her back, forcing her to focus on defending herself. She barely managed to block the incoming strike with her forearm, the force of it pushing her back.

The fight was starting to feel like it was slipping out of her control. Devon had barely lasted a minute longer before the pressure overwhelmed him. The hulking Dublin Thunder fighter finally found an opening and shoved Devon off balance, sending him crashing to the ground with a brutal hit to his midsection.

Devon let out a pained gasp, but before she could recover, the Dublin Thunder fighter kicked him in the chest, sending him sprawling off the edge of the platform. Clementine watched as she fell, her heart dropping into her stomach.

"No!" she cried out, her voice filled with frustration. It wasn't supposed to happen like this. Not after everything.

The crowd let out a collective gasp as Devon was eliminated, and Clementine's breath caught in her throat. She turned back to the remaining fighters from Dublin Thunder, her fists clenched, but the weight of what just happened pressed down on her.

As the platform rocked from the intensity of the battle, Clementine's heart raced, her breath coming in quick bursts as she steadied herself. Devon had just been knocked off, and the Dublin Thunder fighters were now looking to capitalize on the momentum. She didn't have time to think about the implications of what had just happened—Devon was out, and she was the next line of defense. The pressure was on her shoulders now, but she wasn't backing down.

Just as she braced for the next attack, she felt a hand clap down on her shoulder.

"I've got you, Cinnamon Girl," Hawk's voice was low but full of confidence.

Clementine whipped her head around to see Hawk stepping onto the platform, his usual cocky grin in place. "Let's make this quick."

"Thanks, Hawk," Clementine replied through gritted teeth, her pulse hammering in her ears. The two of them stood side by side, ready to face the remaining Dublin Thunder fighters.

Hawk moved with ease, his style sharp and aggressive, but it was also calculated. He dodged and blocked blows with precision, and Clementine could feel his energy spurring her on. Together, they created an unspoken rhythm, one that felt like second nature despite their differences. But even with their combined strength, the Dublin Thunder fighters were relentless.

The first Dublin Thunder fighter lunged at Hawk with a powerful right hook. Hawk barely had time to react, but with a quick shift of his body, he blocked the punch and countered with a roundhouse kick that sent his opponent stumbling back. But that was just one fighter, and there were two more coming for them.

Clementine locked eyes with Hawk as they moved together, taking on the remaining fighters. She ducked a kick aimed at her head, narrowly avoiding the blow, and in a fluid motion, she spun and landed a solid punch to her opponent's midsection. He grunted but quickly recovered and aimed another strike at her. Before she could react, though, the second Dublin Thunder fighter swooped in and hit Hawk hard in the ribs, sending him off-balance.

"Come on, Hawk!" Clementine shouted, but before she could reach him, she was forced to defend herself against another strike.

Hawk, still reeling from the hit, tried to regain his footing, but the Dublin Thunder fighter was too fast. A moment later, Hawk was knocked off the edge of the platform. He didn't hit the ground as hard as Devon had, but the force of the fall still left him groaning as he tried to stand. He was out.

"Damn it!" Clementine swore under her breath, frustration boiling in her chest. It was down to her again, but she couldn't afford to be the next to fall. Her head snapped toward Demetri, who had been waiting for his turn.

"Demetri!" she shouted, but Demetri was already moving.

Demetri stepped forward with a determined look on his face, quickly positioning himself between Clementine and the remaining Dublin Thunder fighter. With a few quick steps, he took on one of the attackers, moving more gracefully than most would have expected. But the Dublin Thunder fighter, massive and relentless, had the upper hand. He caught Demetri off guard with a sweep of his leg, knocking Demetri to the ground before kicking him off the platform.

"No!" Clementine screamed as Demetri fell. He landed hard on the ground below with a thud, and she felt the weight of their losses mounting.

The remaining Dublin Thunder fighter grinned, turning his attention to Clementine. There was a gleam in his eye—he thought it was over.

Clementine clenched her fists, about to charge at him, but then, just as the Dublin Thunder fighter took a step forward, a familiar voice called out from the sidelines.

"I'm not letting this end like this," Miguel said, stepping onto the platform with a look of fierce determination. His eyes were locked on the Dublin Thunder fighter, and Clementine let out a breath of relief.

"You're not alone, Cinnamon Girl. Let's finish this," Miguel added, giving her a quick nod of reassurance.

Together, they stood side by side. The tension between them from earlier in the tournament had shifted, and now they were united in the fight. Clementine's heart still ached from the mess with Robby, but she couldn't focus on that now. She needed to stay in the moment. With Miguel there, she finally felt like they had a chance.

The last Dublin Thunder fighter rushed toward them, but Miguel was ready. He met the attack head-on, dodging and countering with a fluid, precise movement that had Clementine's heart racing. She moved with him, their synchronization almost perfect. They were working as a team now—no hesitation, no room for doubt.

Miguel ducked under a punch and delivered a swift elbow to the Dublin Thunder fighter's side. Clementine followed up with a series of rapid punches, each one landing with a satisfying thud. The fighter staggered back, trying to regain his balance, but it was too late. Miguel stepped forward, landing a powerful kick to the fighter's chest, and Clementine followed with a spinning kick that knocked him off the platform.

With that, the fight was over. The crowd erupted in cheers, and Clementine couldn't help but feel a wave of relief wash over her as she caught her breath. They had won.

Clementine turned to Miguel, her eyes wide with disbelief. They had done it. They'd won the round—and the team was still in the competition. Miguel shot her a grin, his chest heaving as he gave her a playful wink.

"That was a close one," he said, and Clementine laughed, shaking her head.

"Yeah, too close," she replied, smiling despite herself.

She looked down at the platform below, her teammates all cheering and clapping. It had been a long, hard fight, but they'd pulled through. They weren't done yet, but they'd made it this far—and that was something to be proud of.

Miguel and Clementine stood together, side by side, their chests heaving with the intensity of the fight. The cheers from the crowd still rang in their ears, but they couldn't quite process it all yet. The Dublin Thunder fighters were out, and the Miyagi-Do team had won. But it wasn't until they both let out a triumphant roar, their voices carrying through the arena, that it truly hit them.

"Yeah!" Miguel yelled, his fist raised in the air. Clementine grinned beside him, her heart still racing from the adrenaline. They had done it. They had made it through, together.

The moment the last word of their victory cry left their lips, their teammates swarmed the platform, rushing forward to meet them. Eli was the first to reach them, throwing his arms around both Clementine and Miguel in a bone-crushing hug. "You guys were awesome!" he yelled, lifting them both off the ground in an embrace that made Clementine laugh despite herself.

"You did it!" Demetri cheered, practically jumping up and down. He grabbed both of them and pulled them into another hug, his excitement palpable. "I can't believe we made it through!"

"Hell yeah! I was getting worried for a second there," Sam said, beaming with pride as she pulled Clementine into a tight hug. "You both were amazing! We're going to the next round, no doubt about it!"

Johnny was behind them, clapping his hands, his face beaming with pride. "Now that was a fight!" he said, his voice full of admiration. "You guys made it look easy. Miyagi-Do's not going down without a fight!"

Then, without warning, all of the Miyagi-Do members piled on, lifting Clementine and Miguel up off the platform, their cheers and excitement filling the air as they celebrated. It was pure joy—their hard work, the struggles they had faced together, and now the victory that was all but within their grasp.

For the first time in a while, Clementine felt a wave of warmth spread through her chest. The tension she'd felt throughout the entire tournament seemed to melt away in the embrace of her teammates. Despite everything she had been through, this moment felt like they were all one team—no doubts, no distance between them.

They pulled away from the hug, but only slightly, enough for Clementine to take in the faces of everyone who had helped them get this far. Her eyes lingered on Miguel, who was standing next to her, his smile wide as he ruffled his hair. His presence had been a solid anchor through everything, and she could see the same pride in his eyes.

"We're in this together," Clementine said, her voice loud enough for everyone to hear. "Let's keep going, team. No one's taking us down."

The crowd continued to cheer as the Miyagi-Do team, now united stronger than ever, gathered together for a group photo. As Clementine and Miguel exchanged a knowing look, she couldn't help but feel a flicker of hope. They were still in the game—and they weren't going to stop until they were standing at the top.

ASH SPEAKS!!!

clementine and miguel >>>

onto episode 8... there will be angst.... maybe some tension with kwon🤭

PLEASE DONT BE A GHOST READER!!!!!
COMMENT AND VOTE. IT HELPS US WRITERS STAY MOTIVATED:)

please please stop being a ghost reader. its annoying for us writers :)