chapter sixty-five:
❛ strike last (2) ❜

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!!!

the reason i keep unpublishing and republishing is chapters is because when i see views go up and votes aren't... its really annoying. cause its not hard to vote and show support on fanfics.

can you guys please stop being ghost reader and just freaking vote please. this is so annoying

THIS IS VERY ANNOYING TO SEE VIEWS GO UP BUT NOT VOTES. its annoying for us writers. so please just vote and comment!! its not that hard!!!!!!

STOP BEING A GHOST READER!!
im so sorry for all the notifications but please stop being a ghost reader!!!! i dont how many times i have to say this. i am so sorry for the notifications but this is really annoying to see views go up when the votes aren't. PLEASE JUST FREAKIN VOTE!!!

✸ ✸ ✸ ✸ ✸ ✸ ✸ ✸ ✸ ✸ ✸ ✸ ✸ ✸ ✸ ✸ ✸ ✸

Clementine stood at the edge of the mat, her heart pounding like a war drum against her ribs. The roar of the crowd was deafening, a chaotic storm of cheers, whistles, and chants that blurred together into an overwhelming hum. She barely registered the noise, though-her mind was locked onto one thing.

This was it. The championship match. The final fight. The moment that would define everything.

And, of all people, her opponent was Zara Malik.

Zara. The most egotistical, self-obsessed, manipulative bitch to ever step foot on a mat. The girl who carried herself like royalty, who acted like she was above everyone else, who sneered at her opponents as if they were unworthy of even breathing the same air. The girl who had crossed a line no one should ever cross-who had taken advantage of Robby when he was drunk, then paraded it around like she had won something.

Clementine clenched her fists at her sides, her nails digging into her palms. Beating Zara wouldn't just be a victory-it would be justice. It would be shutting her up once and for all, proving that she didn't get to walk all over people without consequences.

Her stomach churned, but she refused to let the nerves shake her. She shifted on her feet, scanning the sea of faces in the crowd. She needed to find him.

Miguel.

If she could just see Miguel, even for a second, maybe the storm of emotions raging inside her would settle. Maybe she wouldn't feel like she was one wrong move away from unraveling completely.

Before she could spot him, a firm nudge to her arm pulled her back.

"Cinnamon Girl."

The familiar, gruff voice cut through the noise like a grounding force.

Johnny Lawrence.

He stood beside her, arms crossed, his expression unreadable but his voice steady. "Just focus on what you need to do out there and nothing else."

His tone was serious, but there was an undercurrent of encouragement in it-because he knew. He knew what this match meant. He knew what it would take to get through it.

Clementine swallowed hard, nodding, her gaze flicking back to Zara. The other girl stood across the mat, exuding smug confidence, her smirk practically daring Clementine to lose control.

Not happening.

Before she could say anything, another presence stepped up beside her.

Miguel.

Relief bloomed in her chest the second she saw him.

Johnny, however, wasn't finished. His sharp gaze flickered between them. "Both of you," he said, voice firm. "Don't worry about your overall points. Just win your fight."

Clementine opened her mouth to respond, but Miguel beat her to it.

"No."

She turned to him, confused. "What?"

Miguel's jaw was tight, his eyes burning with determination. "There's no way in hell we're letting Silver buy himself another title."

His voice was unwavering.

Clementine's lips twitched into a slow, sharp grin. He was right. They had come too far, fought too hard, to let Silver's corruption win. They had a chance to prove that true skill-true karate-could beat dirty money and rigged officials.

"We can close the gap," she said, a flame of confidence sparking inside her.

Johnny smirked. "Badass."

Just then, Gunther stepped onto the mat, microphone in hand.

The energy in the arena surged, all eyes snapping to the center.

"Who is ready for some karate?" Gunther's booming voice rang out, and the crowd erupted into thunderous cheers.

Clementine rolled her shoulders, shaking out her arms, every nerve in her body electric. Across from her, Zara stood tall, her expression dripping with arrogance, like she had already won.

Not today.

"Our championship finals bout will follow the same structure as our semifinals," Gunther continued. "Three rounds, two minutes each, with unlimited scoring. Knockdowns are worth ten points, and if a downed fighter cannot reengage within ten seconds, they will be considered knocked out and their opponent awarded twenty points."

Clementine took a slow breath, steadying herself.

Gunther wasn't finished. "The individual title goes to the competitor who scores the most points over these three rounds."

From the bleachers, a familiar voice rang out.

"You got this, Clem!"

Robby.

His voice cut through everything else, reaching her like an anchor, like something solid to hold onto.

And just like that, the last of her nerves melted away.

"And now," Gunther announced, "the final match to determine our female world champion. Please welcome to the mat, Clementine Katz of Cobra Kai and Zara Malik of The Iron Dragons!"

The crowd erupted once more as both girls stepped forward, meeting at the center of the mat.

The heat of the lights burned overhead. The energy in the air vibrated with tension. The weight of the moment pressed down on her, but she didn't falter.

She looked Zara in the eye, standing her ground.

Zara smirked.

Clementine smirked right back.

Let's finish this.

Zara and Clementine stepped onto the mat, their eyes locking immediately. The crowd roared around them, but the world seemed to narrow down to just the two of them standing there, each ready for the battle ahead.

Zara, as always, exuded an air of confidence, almost too much of it. She stood tall, chin tilted up slightly as she studied Clementine with a smug smile, and with a practiced grace, she performed a quick, formal bow to her opponent. The kind of bow that was meant to show respect-but it was far too calculated, too cold.

Clementine stood still, her arms relaxed by her sides, her eyes never leaving Zara. She didn't bow. She wasn't going to. She wasn't here to play nice or to pretend there was any respect between them. Zara didn't deserve it.

Zara took a step forward, closing the space between them, her smirk unwavering. "Just wanted to say thanks for your friend, Tory," she started, her voice dripping with sarcasm and disdain. "That little stunt she pulled on my social media back in Spain? Played the slut-shaming card, doubling my followers."

Her eyes gleamed with a twisted sense of satisfaction, as if she was proud of the chaos she'd caused. "What an achievement," she added with an exaggerated shrug, as if it was some grand accomplishment to be proud of.

Clementine's lips curled into a mocking smile, but her eyes narrowed. "Oh, really?" she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "That's an achievement, huh?"

Zara's smirk only grew, sensing that her words were getting to Clementine. "Play it cool all you want, but we both know it eats you up," Zara continued, her voice low and venomous, "that no matter what happens today, everyone still loves me. And they'll never love you."

Clementine felt the anger building inside her, rising in her chest like a storm. She clenched her jaw, her muscles tightening, but she held her ground. Zara wanted a reaction. She wanted to see her falter, to see her lose control. But Clementine wasn't going to give her the satisfaction.

Instead, she stepped forward, closing the remaining gap between them. The arena seemed to fall silent for a moment as she locked eyes with Zara. "You took advantage of my boyfriend, bitch," Clementine spat, her voice low but fierce. "And you're gonna regret it."

For the first time, Zara faltered, her expression momentarily losing its smugness. She blinked, her confidence slipping just slightly. It was the crack in her armor Clementine had been waiting for-the moment Zara realized that she had gone too far.

Before the tension could escalate further, the referee stepped between them, his voice cutting through the silence. "Girls, take your places," he said firmly, holding his hand out to separate them.

Clementine's eyes never left Zara, but she took a step back, rolling her shoulders to shake off the frustration. Zara, still looking rattled but recovering quickly, retreated to her side of the mat. The two of them stood, waiting for the signal to begin.

The silence that followed was thick, the energy in the air crackling with the intensity of the moment. But inside, Clementine's mind was focused-laser-focused. She wasn't here to get caught up in Zara's games. This was her moment. And no matter how much Zara wanted to twist the situation or manipulate people, it wasn't going to stop Clementine from claiming her victory.

This wasn't about who people loved. This was about showing the world who she really was.

The noise of the crowd was deafening, their cheers rising and falling like a tidal wave, but for Clementine, everything else seemed to blur. The lights above her were blinding, the sound of her pulse thumping in her ears louder than the roar of the arena. She was facing Zara, the girl who had tormented her in so many ways, and now, here, on this mat, was her chance to prove herself. But something in her head, a knot of insecurity, had her doubting everything. The words Zara had said before the fight, "Everyone loves me. They'll never love you." Echoed in her mind like a constant, menacing whisper.

The whistle blew, the fight started, and Zara didn't waste a second. She surged forward with speed, her body a blur of practiced precision. Clementine barely had time to react as Zara's roundhouse kick whizzed past her face, the rush of air almost making her dizzy. She stumbled back, her stomach tight with anxiety, but it wasn't the physical fight that was causing her to falter-it was the mental one.

Zara's insults haunted her. Everyone still loves me. They'll never love you. I've got this. You're nothing. Clementine's focus was shattered. Her movements were sluggish, hesitant. Zara's next punch landed to her side, and the impact made her wince. The referee called it: "Ten points for Zara."

No. No. Focus. Clementine thought, shaking her head to clear the fog that had settled in her brain. But it wasn't working. The crowd's chant, "Zara! Zara! Zara!" was like a wave crashing over her, drowning out everything else.

Zara saw her weakness and pounced. Another strike landed-a solid punch to her shoulder-and the referee shouted, "Ten points for Zara." Clementine stumbled back again, her breath ragged, and that's when she couldn't take it anymore. She felt the pressure building in her chest, and without thinking, she lifted a hand, shouting, "Timeout!"

The referee blew his whistle, giving her a moment of respite. Clementine backed up quickly, leaning forward with her hands on her knees, trying to slow her breathing. Her heart was pounding, her pulse racing. This wasn't like her. She was better than this. But the doubts, the words from Zara, kept getting in the way. She was too rattled.

Johnny was there in an instant, his voice cutting through the fog. "Clementine," he said, his tone firm, but there was concern behind it. "You've got this. You need to flip the script. Don't let her control this. Let her come to you."

Clementine nodded slowly, but the words felt too heavy. She felt like she was drowning in the pressure of it all. The crowd's energy was infectious, and Zara's taunting gaze from across the mat made her feel smaller by the second. "I can't, Johnny," she muttered, her voice shaky. "She's in my head. I'm just... I'm not good enough."

Johnny stepped forward, placing a hand on her shoulder, his voice low and steady. "You are good enough, but you've gotta stop letting her dictate this fight. When she goes airborne, that's when you make her pay for it. You hear me? She's vulnerable when she's in the air-she loves showing off, so make her pay for it."

But Clementine wasn't convinced. The crowd was still chanting for Zara, their voices deafening, drowning out everything Johnny was saying.

Then Robby, his crutches tapping against the floor with each step, limped toward the edge of the mat. He had been watching from the stands, but now, he was here, limping closer, his eyes locking with Clementine's. He looked determined, but his face was pale with the strain of walking on his injured leg.

"Dad, let me talk to her," Robby said, his voice sharp but filled with an urgency that cut through Clementine's swirling thoughts. Johnny hesitated for a moment but stepped back, allowing Robby to take the lead.

Robby moved in front of Clementine, standing close enough to reach her but far enough to respect the space. He was breathing a little heavy from the exertion of walking over on crutches, but his eyes were calm, steady. "Hey," he said softly, his voice cutting through the panic swirling in her chest. "You've got this. You've always had this."

Clementine looked at him, feeling the familiar wave of comfort that only Robby could give her. "I-I'm not sure, Robby. She's too much. I can't keep up with her."

"No," Robby said, shaking his head. "Listen to me, Clem. You're not fighting her. You're fighting for you. You're not gonna let someone like her-someone who uses people to get ahead-take you down. You're better than that." He paused, his eyes intense, his voice stronger now. "I know it's hard. I know she's getting to you. But I also know you're stronger than her. You're the one who deserves to win this."

His words hit her like a ton of bricks, the weight of them sinking deep into her chest. She could feel her heart steadying, the panic that had been suffocating her slowly fading away. Robby was right. She had worked too hard for this moment to let Zara's mind games tear her down.

"You can do this, Clementine," Robby said, his hand gently cupping her cheek. "You will beat her. I believe in you. Now, let's show them who you really are."

For a moment, Clementine just looked at him, and the fear that had gripped her loosened. She felt a sense of calm wash over her, the anxiety receding, replaced by a steady determination. Robby believed in her. And that belief gave her the strength to believe in herself again.

Clementine smiled, just slightly, but it was enough to show Robby that she was ready. "Alright," she whispered, more to herself than anyone else. "Alright. Let's do this."

With renewed focus, Clementine straightened her posture, giving a nod to the referee. The timeout was over. The whistle blew again, signaling the return to the fight. This time, Clementine was ready.

Zara came at her with the same aggressive energy, launching another high kick. But this time, Clementine didn't back off. She sidestepped, the fluid motion coming naturally, and as Zara twisted in mid-air, Clementine was waiting. She saw it-Zara's vulnerability.

The moment Zara's foot left the ground, Clementine struck. With a swift, powerful jab to Zara's ribs, she made her pay for it. The crowd's roar shifted as they saw the tables turn, but Clementine didn't stop. Her focus was sharp, her movements precise. She was fighting for herself now, for everything she had worked for.

And when she looked across at Zara, that smug expression was gone, replaced with surprise. Clementine's confidence surged. She wasn't going to let anyone-least of all Zara-stop her now.

The atmosphere in the arena felt electrified, crackling with energy as the fight was about to resume. The crowd's noise was deafening, but for Clementine, everything faded into a dull hum. Her mind was sharp, her body taut with adrenaline, every muscle in her being ready to spring into action. Her gaze locked onto Zara, who was standing opposite her on the mat, a smug grin still plastered across her face.

But Clementine wasn't fazed anymore. The words Zara had thrown at her earlier, the taunts, the insults-everything that had plagued her mind before-suddenly didn't matter. Her resolve had solidified, and now, all that mattered was the fight. The energy of the crowd, the tension of the moment-it was all feeding her, driving her forward.

Zara made the first move, swinging a hard punch toward Clementine's face, but Clementine ducked and countered with a sweeping leg kick that knocked Zara off balance. The arena buzzed with excitement. Zara's expression flickered-she was rattled. Clementine wasn't just defending anymore; she was on the offensive, and Zara wasn't prepared for it.

With a swift maneuver, Clementine pushed forward, unleashing a barrage of rapid punches. Zara's arms flailed to block, but Clementine's strikes were sharp, quick, and precise, each punch landing with controlled force. She mixed styles seamlessly-the defensive grace of Miyagi-Do, the sharp, aggressive power of Cobra Kai, and the relentless intensity of Eagle Fang. Her footwork was fluid, like a dancer weaving between strikes, but each movement held lethal intent.

Zara staggered back, her confidence cracking with every blow Clementine landed. She attempted to retaliate with a spinning kick, but Clementine anticipated it. She side-stepped effortlessly, her movements almost fluid, her mind as clear as water.

"Not good enough, Zara," Clementine muttered under her breath, her eyes cold with determination. She wasn't about to let this girl get the best of her, not after everything she'd endured, not after everything Zara had put her and Robby through.

Zara swung another desperate punch, her fist cutting through the air, but Clementine blocked it with a sharp twist of her forearm and quickly followed up with a devastating roundhouse kick that connected with Zara's midsection. The impact sent Zara crashing to the ground, the air whooshing out of her lungs.

For a split second, the crowd fell silent, watching Zara struggle to push herself back to her feet. Clementine stood over her, watching her every move, waiting for the right moment. But something inside her shifted. The roar of the crowd came rushing back, and with it, a wave of doubt. Zara's words echoed in her mind, like a poison seeping into her thoughts.

"We both know it eats you up that, no matter what happens, everyone still loves me."

It stung. The way Zara had been so sure, so smug. It made Clementine's blood boil. But this time, instead of faltering, the words fueled her.

"You took advantage of my boyfriend, bitch. You're gonna regret it."

Clementine's chest heaved, and her eyes narrowed as she took a deep breath. She wasn't going to let her doubts control her anymore. She wasn't going to play it cool, she wasn't going to hesitate. This fight was about more than just proving herself-it was about setting things right, once and for all.

Zara, now on her feet again, lunged forward with another wild punch, but Clementine saw it coming. She sidestepped, the smoothness of her movement a testament to her years of training. She used the momentum from Zara's attack to pull her into a devastating leg sweep, sending Zara crashing to the mat with a sickening thud. The crowd gasped as Zara groaned in pain, struggling to get back up.

"Come on, Zara. Keep up," Clementine taunted, her voice cold and steady.

But before Zara could recover, Clementine moved in for the kill. She launched herself forward with lightning speed, catching Zara off guard. Her fist connected with Zara's face, a sharp punch to the jaw that sent the girl stumbling backward. Zara tried to retaliate, but Clementine was already on top of her, her body fluid with purpose, every strike hitting harder than the last. A series of swift punches landed on Zara's ribs, knocking the wind out of her.

Zara barely had time to breathe before Clementine delivered a powerful roundhouse kick to her chest, sending Zara flying backward across the mat. The arena held its breath as Zara struggled to get back up. But Clementine wasn't finished.

She could see it now-Zara's confidence was shattering. She was slowing down, trying desperately to regroup, but it was too late. Clementine was in control. The mix of styles she had perfected over the years was coming together, the strikes faster, more precise, more deadly.

As Zara attempted to get to her feet, Clementine lunged forward, landing a brutal uppercut to Zara's chin. Zara's head snapped back, her mouth open in a silent scream of pain as she staggered backward. Clementine followed up with another strike-a fast jab to the ribs-before finally sweeping Zara's legs out from under her.

The sound of Zara's body hitting the mat echoed through the arena. Clementine's heart pounded in her chest, but she wasn't finished yet. She was going to end this, once and for all.

Zara struggled to push herself up, but Clementine was already there, moving like a blur. She planted her foot in Zara's chest, pinning her down. With one final, precise motion, Clementine launched a vicious punch straight to Zara's face. There was a sickening crack as Zara's teeth flew from her mouth, landing on the mat in a bloody mess.

The entire arena fell silent for a split second, before erupting into a deafening cheer. The fight was over.

"Welcome to the Valley, bitch," Clementine muttered under her breath, her voice cold as she looked down at the defeated girl beneath her.

For a moment, the world seemed to stop. But then, like a floodgate opening, the crowd went wild. Clementine's name was shouted from every corner of the arena, the cheers reverberating off the walls.

Robby, crutches and all, pushed his way through the crowd, his eyes locked on Clementine. He was grinning ear to ear, and despite the crutches, he hobbled forward with an urgency that made his heart race. When he finally reached her, he didn't wait for her to say anything. He pulled her into a tight hug, his arms wrapping around her waist as he lifted her off the ground slightly.

"You were incredible," he breathed, his voice full of awe and admiration.

Clementine, still catching her breath, smiled up at him, her heart swelling in her chest. The adrenaline was still pumping through her veins, but having Robby there, holding her, made everything feel worth it.

"I couldn't have done it without you," she whispered back, her hands resting on his shoulders.

The rest of her team was there now-Miguel, Sam, Demetri, Hawk-all grinning and slapping her back in congratulations. The energy in the air was electric, but it was Robby who mattered the most. He cupped her face in his hands, his eyes searching hers, full of love and pride.

Without saying a word, Robby leaned in, pressing his lips against hers in a kiss that sent a surge of warmth through her body. The crowd cheered even louder, but Clementine didn't care. In that moment, it was just her and Robby. He had always believed in her, even when she didn't believe in herself.

As they pulled away, he whispered, "You did it, Clem. You beat her."

Clementine smiled softly, her heart full of pride. She had done it. She had fought not only for herself but for everyone who had ever believed in her. And she had won.

ASH SPEAKS!!!

sorry for splitting episode 14 into so many chapters but i just dont feel like writing TWO fights today! next chapter will be miguels fight :)

PLEASE DONT BE A GHOST READER!!!!!
COMMENT AND VOTE. IT HELPS US WRITERSl see 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!!!

the reason i keep unpublishing and republishing is chapters is because when i see views go up and votes aren't... its really annoying. cause its not hard to vote and show support on fanfics.

can you guys please stop being ghost reader and just freaking vote please. this is so annoying

THIS IS VERY ANNOYING TO SEE VIEWS GO UP BUT NOT VOTES. its annoying for us writers. so please just vote and comment!! its not that hard!!!!!!

STOP BEING A GHOST READER!!
im so sorry for all the notifications but please stop being a ghost reader!!!! i dont how many times i have to say this. i am so sorry for the notifications but this is really annoying to see views go up when the votes aren't. PLEASE JUST FREAKIN VOTE!!!