chapter sixty-three:
❛ skeletons ❜

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Clementine stood in the center of the All Valley Sports Arena, her heart hammering against her ribs like a war drum. The overhead lights blazed down on the mat, casting a stark glow over the sea of spectators that stretched out around her. The air vibrated with electric anticipation, an undercurrent of energy pulsing through the crowd. But for Clementine, the noise faded into a distant hum. All she could hear was the rush of blood in her ears, the weight of the moment pressing down on her chest like a boulder.

Her stomach twisted into tight knots as she stood beside Robby. His presence was the only anchor keeping her from completely unraveling. He caught her gaze, his dark eyes steady and reassuring, and gave her a small nod. A silent promise. We've got this.

Clementine exhaled slowly, trying to find her breath, but her fingers still twitched at her sides. The stakes had never felt higher, and she wasn't sure she was ready.

The arena gradually quieted as Gunther Braun, the voice of the tournament, strode onto the mat, microphone in hand. His presence alone commanded the room, and the tension thickened as he raised the mic to his lips.

"It is my great honor," Gunther's voice boomed through the speakers, reverberating off the walls, "to introduce our guest referee, a local hero and former All Valley champion... Darryl Vidal!"

The crowd erupted into thunderous applause, and Clementine's gaze flickered toward Darryl as he stepped forward. He carried himself with the confidence of a legend, someone who had once stood in their shoes and emerged victorious. His smile was warm yet knowing, a reminder of the history woven into these mats.

"Thank you, Mr. Braun," Darryl said, his voice deep and steady. "Now tell me-are you ready for the world's best karate?"

The crowd roared in response, their cheers shaking the very foundation of the arena.

Among the noise, a familiar voice rang out, piercing through the chaos like an arrow.

"Yeah, Robby and Clementine! Kick some ass! YEAH!"

Clementine's head snapped toward the stands, barely able to stifle a laugh at her mom's enthusiastic yelling.

"Thanks, my granddaughter!" her Bubbe chimed in from the ground, her voice just as loud and proud.

Clementine chuckled despite herself, the warmth of their support settling some of the nerves twisting inside her. No matter what happened tonight, they were here, and that mattered.

Gunther waited for the applause to die down before continuing, his tone shifting into something more serious. "Of the world's sixteen best dojos, it has all come down to our final three. The Iron Dragons... Miyagi-Do Karate... and Cobra Kai."

Clementine's amusement faded as her eyes landed on Tory and Jackson. Unlike the other competitors, they stood alone on their side of the mat. No sensei. No guiding voice. Just the two of them, facing the enormity of this tournament without a leader. For the first time, Clementine felt a twinge of sympathy for Tory. No matter how many times they had clashed, no matter how much history stood between them, there was something undeniably lonely about the way she held herself.

"The rules are simple," Gunther continued, pulling Clementine's attention back to the present. "Each dojo will retain the points they earned in their Barcelona competitions. Our unfinished boy's semifinal will reset to zero-zero, and the remaining girl's semifinal will take place tomorrow."

Clementine's gaze flickered toward Axel. She could see him in her peripheral vision, standing unnaturally still. Something about his posture was off, a brief flicker of tension that hadn't been there before. His sensei, Wolf, leaned in, whispering something in his ear. Whatever was said made Axel's jaw tighten, his smirk vanishing in an instant.

Gunther cleared his throat and continued. "Each match will consist of three two-minute rounds with unlimited scoring. One point for a hit, ten for a knockdown, and twenty for a knockout. The finals will determine our individual champions, and the dojo with the most cumulative points will be crowned grand champion."

Clementine barely registered the words. Her mind was racing, jumping from one thought to the next-Robby's fight, Axel's odd shift in demeanor, the suffocating weight of everything she had carried to this moment. She had trained for this, but she couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to go terribly wrong.

Gunther paused, his expression solemn as he said, "Now, will everyone please stand and join me in a moment of silence for our fallen competitor, Kwon Jae-Sung."

The energy in the arena shifted instantly. The cheers, the excitement-it all drained away into a heavy stillness. Heads bowed. Clementine inhaled sharply, closing her eyes for a brief moment of quiet reflection.

And then-

A faint crunch broke the silence.

Clementine's eyes snapped open, and she turned her head just enough to catch Mitch crouched on the floor, casually munching on a bag of chips as if nothing were happening.

A snicker escaped her lips before she could stop it. The absurdity of it all momentarily eased the tension in her chest.

Gunther lifted his head, clearing his throat before speaking again. "Thank you."

The hush lifted, and the air in the arena shifted once more-this time thick with anticipation.

"For our first match-or should I say, rematch..." Gunther's gaze swept across the two fighters. "Axel Kovacevic versus Robby Keene."

Clementine's breath hitched. Her heart pounded as she looked between Robby and Axel.

It was time.

Clementine's breath came in quick, sharp bursts, her chest rising and falling as if she had just sprinted a mile. The noise of the crowd was a dull roar in her ears, a distant hum drowned out by the pounding of her heart. Her fingers dug into the fabric of her gi, knuckles turning white.

Robby stepped onto the mat, bowing to their senseis with the same effortless confidence that made Clementine's stomach twist with both pride and dread. She knew how much this meant to him-how much he needed this win, not just for himself but for everything he had endured. He had fought so hard to get here, to prove that he wasn't just some kid with a past but a fighter who deserved his place among the best.

But Axel stood across from him, a shadow of cold precision. Clementine's gaze flickered to Sensei Wolf, the man standing just behind Axel, whispering something low and deliberate. The way Axel responded-a sharp nod, his jaw tightening-sent a chill down her spine. He wasn't just listening; he was obeying. He was a weapon, forged and sharpened under Wolf's control. And that made him dangerous.

The match began.

Axel lunged first, a ruthless kick aimed straight for Robby's ribs. But Robby was quicker. He shifted, deflecting the strike with ease, his body moving with practiced precision. Clementine held her breath as the two clashed in a flurry of strikes and blocks, their movements so fluid it was like watching a deadly dance.

Her teeth dug into her bottom lip. She had seen Robby fight Axel before, and it hadn't ended well. The memory of that night still lingered in the back of her mind like a ghost she couldn't shake. The tension coiled tighter in her stomach as Axel struck again, throwing a rapid series of punches.

Robby blocked every one.

He was calm, focused, his movements controlled. Clementine's heart swelled with a mix of admiration and anxiety. He was holding his own, but Axel was relentless, his attacks growing sharper, faster. And then-bam.

Robby spun on his heel, his foot connecting with Axel's chest in a brutal, calculated kick.

"Point!" Darryl Vidal's voice rang out.

The crowd erupted, but Clementine barely registered the noise. She was too focused on Axel's reaction-the brief flicker of anger in his eyes, the way his gaze darted toward Sensei Wolf. There it was again, that silent exchange. That need for approval.

Clementine swallowed hard. She had seen it before, the way Axel fed off of his sensei's expectations, the way he let it consume him. And she knew, deep down, that this wasn't over.

Axel's posture changed. His stance lowered, his muscles tensed, and something in the air shifted-like the calm before the storm.

"Shit," Clementine muttered under her breath, fingers gripping the edge of her seat.

Axel struck fast. This time, Robby barely managed to block. The impact sent him stumbling back a step, and Axel seized the moment, landing a brutal kick to Robby's side.

"Point! Two points!"

Clementine flinched, her heart hammering against her ribs as she saw Robby wince. He was hurt. She could see it in the tightness of his jaw, in the way his movements were just a fraction slower than before. Axel knew it too. And that made him even more dangerous.

Then came the final round.

The energy in the arena was electric, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife. Robby and Axel surged toward each other, their yells blending into the chaos of the crowd. Every strike, every block, every counter was a battle for dominance.

And then-it happened.

Robby went for a kick. Axel was faster.

In one swift, merciless motion, Axel grabbed Robby's leg mid-air. His grip tightened like a vice, and before anyone could react, he twisted-hard.

A sickening crack split the air.

Robby's scream tore through the arena like a knife to Clementine's chest.

The world tilted.

Robby collapsed onto the mat, his body twisting in unnatural angles, his face contorted in agony. Blood seeped beneath him, dark and stark against the pale fabric of his gi.

Clementine shot up from her seat, her vision blurring. "Robby!" she screamed, her voice breaking, but it was lost in the chaos.

Her stomach plummeted.

She couldn't breathe.

For a split second, she wasn't here. She wasn't standing in the All Valley Arena.

She was back there-on the ground, blood pooling beneath her. Pain searing through her side. The world fading in and out.

She clutched at her ribs, phantom pain lacing through her body. The memory slammed into her with full force, leaving her dizzy.

She forced herself to blink, to push past the fear threatening to consume her. She had to move. She had to get to him.

But all she could do was watch as medics rushed onto the mat. As the tournament-the fight, the crowd, the world-faded into the background.

All that mattered now was him.

Clementine paced outside the medic room, her arms wrapped tightly around herself as she tried to steady her breathing. The fluorescent hallway lights buzzed faintly overhead, their sterile glow only making the cold tile beneath her feet feel even harder, even less forgiving. The distant roar of the tournament crowd still echoed in the background, but it felt like a different world now-one she wasn't part of.

Robby was in there.

Her fingers dug into the sleeves of her gi, jaw tight as she glanced toward the closed door. Every second that passed stretched unbearably, her mind running through worst-case scenarios like a skipping record. The way he had screamed-the sheer, raw pain in his voice-still rang in her ears.

She swallowed hard.

Just as she was about to force herself to take a breath, footsteps approached. Clementine looked up instinctively, and that's when she saw her.

A woman with long, dark blonde hair and striking eyes, her expression a mixture of worry and exhaustion. She was beautiful, but there was a weariness to her, something deep-rooted. Like she had spent years fighting battles no one else could see.

Clementine knew who she was instantly.

Robby's mom. Shannon.

They had never met before-not in the entire time she and Robby had been together. Clementine had seen pictures, had heard the little things Robby had mentioned, but standing face to face with her now felt... surreal.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then Shannon's gaze flickered to the medic room door before settling on Clementine, eyes scanning her as if piecing together who she was.

"You're Clementine, aren't you?" Her voice was softer than Clementine expected, with an underlying gentleness that didn't match the tension in her shoulders.

Clementine nodded, her throat suddenly dry. "Yeah," she said quietly. "That's me."

A pause.

Shannon crossed her arms, exhaling sharply. "I should've been here sooner," she muttered, mostly to herself. "I was sitting in the audience and I just-" She cut herself off, shaking her head as if she didn't know how to finish the sentence.

Clementine didn't know what to say to that.

It wasn't like Robby ever talked much about his mom. Not in a way that gave Clementine a clear picture of their relationship. But she knew enough-enough to understand that it was complicated. They were close, but now they werent.

"I-" Clementine hesitated, glancing toward the door. "He's tough. He's gonna be okay." She didn't know if she was trying to reassure Shannon or herself.

Shannon huffed out a small, humorless laugh. "Yeah," she murmured. "That's what scares me."

Clementine frowned. "What do you mean?"

Shannon looked at her then, really looked at her, like she was measuring her words before speaking. "I know my son," she said. "I know how much he's been through. And I know how hard he tries to pretend he's fine when he's not." Her lips pressed together. "He's always been like that."

Clementine felt something tighten in her chest because-God-she knew that about him too. She had seen it.

"He doesn't have to pretend with me," Clementine said softly.

Shannon studied her, something unreadable passing through her expression.

Then, after a long beat, she gave a small nod. "Good," she said. "Because he needs someone like you."

Clementine wasn't sure what to say to that, so she just swallowed and looked back at the door.

Silence stretched between them.

Then, after a moment, Shannon sighed. "I should warn you," she said, crossing her arms again. "If Robby's anything like his father, he's gonna be stubborn as hell about whatever injury he's dealing with in there."

Clementine let out a small breath of a laugh, shaking her head. "Oh, trust me. I already know."

Shannon raised an eyebrow, and for the first time, a hint of a smirk played at the corner of her lips. "Yeah," she said, her voice a little lighter now. "I bet you do."

And just like that, the tension between them eased-just a little.

Clementine still didn't know what to make of Shannon, and she was sure Shannon felt the same about her. But at that moment, they were just two people waiting for the same person, hoping-praying-that when that door finally opened, he'd be okay.

Clementine stood quietly at the doorway, her gaze never leaving Robby as the medic carefully adjusted his gi pant leg, pulling it down to expose his bruised skin. The room was dimly lit, and despite the soft fluorescent lights above, there was a tense, almost suffocating atmosphere. The medic finished his assessment with a quick glance at Robby's injury, nodding to himself as he stood up.

"I'll let the judges know. You did well out there, young man," he said, his voice warm but curt, before turning to exit. The door clicked shut behind him, leaving only the distant hum of voices from outside the medic room.

Daniel slammed the locker with a sudden, sharp clang that echoed against the walls, his breath shaky as his hands gripped the edge of the metal. "Damn it," he muttered to himself, his face twisted with a combination of anger and helplessness. The frustration in his voice was palpable, a raw edge that had been building ever since Robby's match had started to go south.

He turned to Chozen, the quiet calm of the older sensei in stark contrast to Daniel's visible agitation. "Ch-Chozen, do you know how to...?" Daniel's voice wavered, trailing off as if he was grasping for a solution, any solution, that might help. His hands rubbed together nervously, trying to ground himself.

Chozen, his face as unreadable as always, shook his head slowly. "Heat massage not magic, Daniel-san," he said firmly. His voice was matter-of-fact, almost clinical, and his expression gave nothing away. "Broken bone needs time to heal."

Daniel exhaled sharply, shoulders sagging as the weight of their situation settled deeper into his bones. "I just can't believe Silver's gonna get away with this," he muttered bitterly, pacing the small room. His hands raked through his hair in frustration, but his mind was racing with thoughts of how to fix the damage.

Clementine, standing in the corner, shook her head slightly, refusing to let herself get lost in the anger that was suffocating everyone else. She stepped forward, her voice firm and unwavering. "Not with me competing," she said, locking eyes with Daniel, her words cutting through the tension in the room. "We lost one fighter, yeah. But we still have Jackson. Even if he's not Miyagi-Do, even if he's Cobra Kai... he can beat Axel. Jackson's a hell of a good fighter. Trust me."

She allowed herself a brief, self-assured smile. "If he's good at bull riding, then he's good at karate. You'll see."

Daniel's eyes softened a fraction, doubt still flickering behind them, but he didn't challenge her words. He knew Clementine's ability to see potential in the most unexpected places.

At that moment, Shannon moved closer to Robby, her face softening as she brushed his damp hair away from his forehead. There was something maternal in the way she touched him, a gentle reassurance that spoke volumes without a single word. "Hey," she murmured, her voice thick with pride and emotion. "You were awesome. I'm so proud of you."

Robby, who had remained mostly silent since the medic left, slowly turned his head toward her. His expression was strained, but there was a softness in his eyes as he looked at her. "Thanks, Mom," he said quietly, his voice tinged with exhaustion.

Shannon smiled warmly at him, brushing the hair from his forehead again. There was a tenderness there that Clementine couldn't help but envy, the kind of bond that Robby had clearly craved but only recently seemed to begin to receive.

Robby shifted on the table, his face tightening slightly in discomfort as he glanced at his father and Chozen standing by the door. "Do you guys mind if I can have a minute to myself?" he asked, his voice low and tired.

Chozen, ever the calm and collected one, gave a brief, understanding nod. "Take all the time you need, Robby-san."

Daniel gave Robby a reluctant but understanding glance. "Yeah, of course." He motioned for Shannon to follow him, and the two left the room, their footsteps quiet as they faded into the hallway. Johnny lingered behind for a moment before following them out, leaving only Clementine and Robby alone in the room.

The door clicked softly as it closed behind them, and suddenly, the room felt even smaller, as if the walls were pressing in on her. Clementine's fists clenched involuntarily, her nails digging into her palms. She couldn't let it go-couldn't let the anger twist inside her. She leaned forward, her breath coming out in harsh whispers. "That asshole cheated," she hissed. "I swear to God, I'm gonna murder him and his entire team."

Johnny, standing off to the side with his arms crossed, gave her a sharp look. "Just worry about winning your fight. And Tyler, of course. How is he?"

Clementine felt her chest tighten at the mention of her brother's name. She closed her eyes for a moment, forcing back the wave of fear that threatened to break through her calm exterior. "He's not awake yet," she said, her voice strained, the words tasting bitter on her tongue. "Doctors think he had a TBI... but right now, I'm focused on you." She swallowed hard, trying to suppress the tremble in her voice.

Robby's eyes softened, and he extended his hand out to her, his fingers curling gently around hers. "Clem," he said quietly, his voice a low murmur. The concern in his tone made her heart ache, but she refused to let the tears come. She gave him a strained smile, squeezing his hand back.

She let out a shaky sigh, bending down to press a soft, lingering kiss to his forehead. The contact was gentle, a quiet gesture of reassurance that she hoped conveyed everything she couldn't say. When she pulled back, her lips brushed against his skin one last time before she stood up.

Robby gave her a tired, grateful look. "Thanks," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion.

Clementine didn't respond right away. She just gave him a nod, her throat tight. She lingered for a moment longer, taking one last look at him, before turning toward the door.

As she left, she caught sight of Johnny in the hallway, his eyes following her with a mixture of understanding and concern. He said nothing as she passed him, but she could feel the weight of his gaze. Clementine didn't know what would happen next, but for now, she had to focus on Robby, on the fight ahead, and on keeping everything from falling apart completely.

Clementine's heart hammered in her chest as she walked down the sterile hospital corridor beside her father. Caleb's steps were measured, slow, but his hand gripped hers tightly as they approached Tyler's room. The fluorescent lights above buzzed softly, casting a cold, unfeeling glow on the walls. Everything felt distant-too quiet.

When they reached Tyler's room, the door was cracked open, the faint beeping of machines inside offering the only indication that he was still alive. Clementine's throat tightened as she peeked in. Her brother lay there, unconscious, bruises covering his face, his arm wrapped in a cast, his head wrapped in gauze. He looked so small on that hospital bed, like a kid who had been torn apart and put back together again.

A doctor stood at the foot of the bed, his arms crossed and his expression grim. He looked up as Caleb and Clementine entered. "Mr. and Miss. Katz," the doctor said, nodding in their direction. "We're doing everything we can, but Tyler's condition is critical. The trauma he endured during the assault... we're not sure when he'll wake up."

Clementine's chest tightened, the words cutting through her like a blade. She felt the floor tilt beneath her, and the weight of the doctor's words pressed heavily on her chest.

"What do you mean, 'not sure'?" Caleb's voice was low, controlled, but his fists were clenched at his sides. He took a step forward, his face drawn in concern. "What kind of time frame are we talking here? Days? Weeks?"

The doctor's face softened, but it didn't offer any reassurance. "The injuries were severe. There's a lot of swelling in his brain, and the damage to his head is significant. The best we can do is wait and monitor his progress."

Clementine could feel the blood rush to her face, hot and suffocating. Her grip on her father's hand tightened, her nails digging into his skin. She took a deep breath, her chest rising and falling rapidly as her anger flared. "Wait? Wait?" she snapped, her voice cracking with frustration. "You're telling me my brother is lying here unconscious, and you don't know when he's going to wake up? That's your answer?"

The doctor shifted uncomfortably under her gaze, his eyes darting to the floor before he spoke again. "I understand this is difficult, but we need time to assess-"

"I don't give a damn about your assessments!" Clementine shouted, her voice trembling with fury. Her eyes burned with unshed tears, and the impulse to lash out at someone, anyone, was overwhelming. "How is it that you don't know when my brother will wake up? He was jumped! How can you not have answers?"

Caleb's voice was calm but firm as he stepped forward, his hand on Clementine's shoulder, guiding her back a step. "Clem," he said softly, his voice steady, "this isn't the doctor's fault."

"I don't care," Clementine spat, jerking away from her father's touch. She felt like she was losing control, her mind racing with thoughts of Tyler, of the injustice of it all. She could feel her emotions boiling over, anger and fear swirling inside her like a storm.

Without another word, Clementine spun on her heel and stormed out of the room, the sound of her feet pounding against the sterile floor echoing in her ears. Her chest felt tight as she exited the hospital, the cool air hitting her face like a slap. She pulled out her phone, her hands shaking as she dialed Johnny's number.

The phone rang once... twice...

"Hey, cinnamon girl," Johnny's familiar voice finally crackled through the speaker. "I was just about to call you."

Clementine could hear the hint of a smile in his tone, but she wasn't in the mood for small talk. Her voice was low, controlled, but there was an edge to it-anger and desperation blending together.

"Johnny," she said, her tone hard. "If you're bringing Cobra Kai back... I'm in. No mercy."

There was a pause on the other end, and for a moment, she thought Johnny might have misunderstood. But then his voice came through, steady and sure, with the quiet confidence that she knew so well.

"Are you sure about this, Clem?" he asked, his voice serious, but there was a sense of pride underneath it, too. "You've been through enough already."

"I don't care," Clementine replied, her breath coming fast. "I'm done waiting. I'm done letting people get away with this." She took a deep breath, her chest tight with emotion. "Tyler's not waking up because of them. I'm not sitting around anymore."

Johnny was quiet for a beat, as if weighing her words, before his voice softened. "Alright, Cinnamon Girl. We'll get him back. But you've got to trust me on this. No mercy means exactly that."

"I'm ready," Clementine said, her voice fierce, unwavering. "I'll make them pay for this."

There was another long pause before Johnny spoke again.

"Alright. We'll do it together. Just keep your head in the game, Clem."

Clementine's heart was still pounding, but the anger had settled into something else-something darker, more determined. She knew what she was about to do, and she was ready for it. No mercy. It was time for Cobra Kai to rise again.

The arena buzzed with energy, but it was a tense kind of anticipation-a stillness that hung like a heavy fog over the crowd. Gunther Braun's voice sliced through the murmurs, clear and commanding, drawing the attention of every single person in the vast, packed space. "The Sekai Taikai has always been unpredictable, but this year has been unlike any other," he announced, his tone steady, yet charged with significance. The words landed with a subtle, palpable weight, stirring curiosity in the air as the crowd fell into rapt attention. He let the silence stretch for just a beat, letting the anticipation grow thick.

A subtle ripple ran through the audience. It was in the stillness of the room, the way the air seemed to grow heavier with every passing second. Gunther continued, his voice controlled, purposeful. "Clementine Katz has elected not to fight for Miyagi-Do," he said, his words ringing out clearly. "And Tory Nichols has also decided to step down."

The Iron Dragons, known for their cold efficiency and brutal mastery of the art, exchanged glances-short, calculated. Their expressions were unreadable at first, but the faintest trace of approval spread across their faces. There was something about this decision-this shift-that worked in their favor, something they hadn't expected but were now undeniably pleased by. Their eyes glimmered with the quiet satisfaction of those who had just been handed an advantage.

But Gunther wasn't finished yet. His words landed like a heavy blow. "This decision officially ends Miyagi-Do Karate's impressive underdog run," he announced with a dramatic pause, his voice echoing through the arena. A tense silence followed, the weight of his statement hanging over the crowd like a dark cloud. "Let's give them a round of applause."

A faint, almost polite smattering of applause rose from the crowd, but it was lackluster-half-hearted, unconvincing. The audience had expected more, something far more exciting than this anticlimactic conclusion. Whispers circulated among the spectators, murmurs of disappointment as the atmosphere shifted from what could have been a thrilling climax to an air of uncertainty. Even the competitors in the stands seemed disoriented, their reactions muted and unsure. This wasn't the grand moment they'd been expecting.

Gunther's posture remained impeccable, his suit sharply pressed, his presence commanding. He allowed the tension to linger in the air before he broke the silence once more. "This now concludes our semifinal matches. Cobra Kai's decision not to name a replacement for their fallen captain means that Axel Kovacevic automatically becomes our new male champion."

A round of polite applause followed-again, not the loud, celebratory roar of a true victory. The crowd had wanted drama, not predictability. They wanted something to feel invested in. But this moment felt hollow-almost too easy.

Gunther adjusted his tie, his movements deliberate as he surveyed the room, letting the silence stretch. Then, he dropped the bombshell.

"However," he said, his voice now lowered, sharp with anticipation. The room seemed to draw in a collective breath. Every single person in the audience leaned in, eager for what came next. "They have named a replacement. Jackson Kreese! And replacing Tory Nichols... Clementine Katz!"

The atmosphere in the arena shifted in an instant. The Iron Dragons exchanged confused glances, their smirks faltering just slightly. This wasn't what they'd expected. They were caught off guard-shifting from smug satisfaction to genuine uncertainty. Whispers of surprise rippled through their ranks.

Gunther turned toward the entrance, his eyes gleaming with the thrill of the moment. He had set the stage for something far more dramatic. The lights dimmed briefly, the air thickened, and then a plume of smoke began to rise, swallowing the entrance in a haze. The crowd held its breath as they waited, the tension so thick it could have been cut with a knife.

The smoke parted, and out of it emerged two figures-Clementine Katz and Jackson Kreese. Their movements were sharp, synchronized-striding confidently toward the arena floor, their black and yellow Cobra Kai gis gleaming under the arena lights. Their entrance was a statement. Every step they took seemed to resonate with authority, as if the very ground beneath their feet acknowledged their presence.

The crowd, initially stunned, erupted into applause-loud, almost chaotic. The shock had been replaced with an explosive surge of energy as they recognized the shift in momentum. Clementine's heart thudded in her chest, her every nerve alight with the intensity of the moment. She exchanged a glance with her mom in the stands, catching Amanda's eye.

Amanda, despite the frenzy around her, met Clementine's gaze and smiled-a warm, prideful smile that made Clementine's heart swell. Her mother's voice cut through the noise, clear and full of emotion. "Go, Clementine!" she called out, her hands cupping her mouth. "Show them what you've got!"

Clementine's lips curled into a grin, her heart racing as she met her mother's eyes. It was an unspoken bond-one that had been complicated, full of struggles and reconciliation, but it had become something deeper than either had expected. There was a knowing there, an understanding. And in this moment, it felt like they had both overcome so much-together.

Gunther's voice once again rang out, amplified through the speakers. "Coached by the two-time All Valley champion and their new sensei... Johnny Lawrence!" The words sent another wave of energy through the arena, and the crowd's reaction was immediate-a new surge of excitement. Johnny Lawrence walked into view, his iconic smirk spreading across his face as he took in the sea of people. His presence commanded attention, not through arrogance but through the quiet confidence he had cultivated over the years.

Johnny stepped onto the mat with Clementine and Jackson, joining them with a relaxed, confident air. His arms were crossed as he stood tall, radiating an almost effortless authority. The crowd's applause was thunderous, their admiration for the trio unmistakable. This wasn't just a team-it was a declaration. A statement to the world that things had changed, and that change wasn't going to be easy to stop.

For Clementine, the moment felt electric. It was like every nerve in her body was awake, alive, filled with energy that surged through her. The weight of what this represented was not lost on her. This was more than just winning. It was about making a stand. It was about defying everything she had been taught, everything she had been forced to endure. And now, in this arena, under the watchful eyes of everyone who had ever doubted her, she was going to prove herself.

Her gaze drifted across the arena, settling on the far side where Terry Silver stood with his team. His gaze was cold, calculating, his expression unreadable. But when his eyes met Clementine's, something shifted. His gaze narrowed, his lips pressing into a thin, unforgiving line.

Clementine smirked back, her eyes locking onto his with a fire that burned brighter than ever before. This was her moment. No more hiding in the shadows. She had fought long enough under Silver's oppressive control. And now, with Johnny by her side, she was taking control of her own destiny. This was the beginning of something new, and she wasn't going to let anyone, not even Terry Silver, stop her.

She took a deep breath, the smirk still on her lips as she held his gaze. This moment would be remembered, not just for the fight ahead, but for everything it stood for. Clementine Katz wasn't just here to win. She was here to show the world that she was no longer his pawn.

And she would make sure Terry Silver never forgot it.

ASH SPEAKS!!

we only have 3-4 chapters left :((

i decided to have jackson be the male captain instead of miguel... this is the only fic i'm doing this in! all my other fic miguel wins :)

ALSO DOES ANYONE REMEMBER IF I HAD CLEM AND ROBBY SAY I LOVE YOU YET I CANT REMEMBER PLS TELL ME

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

PLEASE STOP BEING FREAKIN A GHOST READER!!! PLEASE VOTE! PLEASE!!!!! stop being ghost readers!!!! its really annoying!!!

STOP BEING A GHOST READER!!
i'm sorry for all the notifications but us writers work hard on these chapters. i know i ask this a lot, but i really don't like ghost readers because i work super hard on these chapters so when i see views going up but votes are not... its hard for my motivation!