chapter twenty-seven:
❛ getting hawks mojo back ❜

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Clementine sat down in the plush chair in Dr. Francis's office, taking in the familiar, calming atmosphere. The soft ticking of the clock was the only sound breaking the silence. Dr. Francis sat across from her, pen poised over her notepad, her expression open and attentive.

"So, Clementine," Dr. Francis began gently, "what's on your mind today?"

Clementine took a deep breath, trying to gather her thoughts. "I need to talk about Eli... well, Hawk. You remember him, right?"

Dr. Francis nodded. "Yes, you've mentioned him before. You said you didn't particularly like him."

Clementine sighed. "Yeah. Things have gotten worse. Recently, Cobra Kai... they cut off all his hair. It was brutal, and it wasn't just anyone who did it. It was Robby."

Dr. Francis's eyebrows raised slightly. "Robby? The same Robby you've been sneaking around with? Your ex?"

Clementine nodded, feeling a lump form in her throat. "Yes. And now he's my secret boyfriend again. But this... this was too much. I confronted him about it, told him he needs to rethink what he did or I'm going to end things for good."

Dr. Francis leaned forward slightly, her expression serious. "How did he react?"

"He was defensive at first," Clementine admitted. "He said Hawk deserved it, that he needed to be taken down a peg. But I made it clear that I won't stand for that kind of behavior. He seemed to understand, but I'm not sure if he really gets it."

Dr. Francis took a few notes, then looked back at Clementine. "It sounds like you're setting important boundaries. How did you feel during this confrontation?"

Clementine thought for a moment, her emotions still raw. "Angry, mostly. And disappointed. I thought Robby was better than this. But also... scared. I'm scared of what this means for us and for him. I don't want to be with someone who thinks violence is the answer."

Dr. Francis gave her a sympathetic look. "It's good that you're recognizing these feelings and setting boundaries. It's important for your own well-being. Have you thought about what you'll do if Robby doesn't change?"

Clementine nodded slowly, her resolve hardening. "Yes. I'll have to end things, for real this time. I can't be with someone who doesn't respect my values or who engages in that kind of behavior."

Dr. Francis smiled gently. "That's a very mature decision, Clementine. It shows how much you've grown. Remember, you deserve to be with someone who respects and values you."

Clementine felt a small sense of relief wash over her. "Thanks, Dr. Francis. I needed to hear that."

"Anytime," Dr. Francis said warmly. "You're making progress, even if it doesn't always feel like it. Keep focusing on what's best for you."

Clementine nodded, feeling a bit lighter. She knew she had a lot to think about and some tough decisions to make, but for now, she felt a little more grounded.

Alison was finally back, but currently, she was at Hawk's house to be with him since he was depressed and had lost himself again. Clementine stood in the new Eagle Fang Karate building, her mind racing with frustration. The All Valley Tournament had decided to change the rules, and now there was a girls' division and a guys' division. Clementine thought it was complete bullshit. She could fight guys just as well as any of the boys. This new division felt like another limitation, implying that girls couldn't handle fighting boys.

"This is the worst thing that could've happened. Skills competition, bullshit. Kata isn't karate. It's dancing. What's this girls' division? Thought they were all about women's lib. They ought to man up and take a punch like the rest of us. Isn't that right, Cinnamon Girl?" Sensei Lawrence ranted, pacing around the room. His intensity matched the fire burning inside Clementine.

"Yes, Sensei! This is such bullshit. I wanna beat these guys up and show them what I got!" she yelled back, her voice full of conviction.

Sensei Lawrence snapped his fingers, pointing at her. "That's what I'm talking about!"

Miguel, standing nearby, chimed in, "Sensei, it sounds like we could use some more female students."

Both Sensei Lawrence and Clementine shot him a look. "You don't think I can't beat these girls' asses?" she asked, raising an eyebrow in challenge.

Miguel gave her a knowing look. "You know that's not what I mean," he replied calmly.

Clementine shrugged, still fired up. "Do you guys know any girls? Cinnamon Girl, do you think Ali will join?" Sensei Lawrence asked her, his tone more serious now.

"I have no idea... I'll talk to her and see. She's peace and love, but... seeing what happened to Hawk—she might wanna beat Cobra Kai's asses," Clementine said, a hint of hope in her voice.

Sensei Lawrence nodded thoughtfully. "There's this girl from the debate team," Bert spoke up from the back of the room.

"Debate team? We need killers, not more nerds," Sensei Lawrence said in disbelief.

"All right, go run some laps. Maybe it'll jog your memories," Sensei Lawrence ordered. Clementine and everyone else, except Miguel, began to jog around the dojo.

As they ran, Sensei Lawrence added, "Try not to breathe too much. There's black mold in the corner." Clementine shot him a look, but kept running, her mind still buzzing with thoughts of the unfair rules and the challenges ahead.

As she jogged, Clementine couldn't help but think about Hawk. Alison was with him now, trying to lift his spirits, but she knew it would take more than just a pep talk to bring him back to his former self. Clementine felt a surge of determination. She would train harder, fight smarter, and prove to everyone that she could take on anyone, regardless of their gender.

Miguel dragged Clementine along to help Johnny find some new students for the dojo. They were now standing in the middle of a field, surrounded by girls practicing various sports. Clementine scanned the area, taking in the bustling energy of the athletes around them.

"Okay. This is it. This is where most of the girls' teams practice," Miguel told Johnny, his voice filled with anticipation.

"Are you sure you'll be able to convince 'em? You don't want Miguel and I to talk to anyone?" Clementine asked Johnny, her skepticism evident.

Johnny gave her a look of disbelief. "Please. When I went to this school, the only thing I was better at than karate—and I was pretty good at karate—was talking to chicks," he said, patting her shoulder with a smirk. "Watch and learn, Diaz. Watch and learn."

Clementine sighed, pinching her nose in exasperation. "This isn't gonna go well," she muttered under her breath, shaking her head as Johnny strutted away.

Johnny approached a group of girls who were practicing soccer. He watched them for a moment, then confidently stepped forward. "Hey, ladies! Who wants to learn how to kick ass for real?" he called out, his voice booming across the field.

The girls stopped and looked at him, some with confusion, others with amusement. A tall girl with a ponytail stepped forward. "Uh, who are you?" she asked, crossing her arms.

"I'm Johnny Lawrence, Sensei of Eagle Fang Karate. We're looking for some badass girls who want to take their skills to the next level," Johnny explained, striking a pose that he probably thought looked impressive.

The girl raised an eyebrow. "Eagle Fang? Seriously?" she said, a hint of a smile playing on her lips.

"Yeah, seriously. We're the real deal. Just ask my top students," Johnny said, gesturing towards Clementine and Miguel, who were watching from a distance.

Clementine gave a small wave, trying to look encouraging. Miguel nodded, his expression earnest.

The girl looked back at her teammates, who were giggling and whispering to each other. "I don't know... we already have a lot on our plates with school and sports," she said hesitantly.

Johnny stepped closer, his tone more serious. "Listen, karate isn't just about fighting. It's about discipline, confidence, and learning to stand up for yourself. You join us, and I promise you'll be stronger in every aspect of your life."

The girls exchanged glances, their interest clearly piqued by Johnny's words. The tall girl turned back to him. "Okay, I'll bite. When and where are the classes?"

Johnny grinned triumphantly. "Eagle Fang Dojo, every weekday after school. First class is free. Come check it out and see for yourself."

The girls nodded, some of them already starting to discuss the idea among themselves. Johnny turned and walked back towards Clementine and Miguel, a smug look on his face.

"See? Told you I could do it," he said, patting Miguel on the back.

Clementine rolled her eyes but couldn't help but smile. "All right, Sensei Lawrence. Maybe you do know what you're doing," she admitted.

Miguel grinned. "Yeah, that was pretty impressive, Sensei."

Johnny smirked. "Just wait till they see what Eagle Fang is all about. We're gonna take the All Valley by storm."

Johnny kept trying to talk to different groups of girls, but everyone seemed pretty freaked out that an older man was there. Frustrated, Johnny suddenly got an idea. He turned to Miguel with a gleam in his eye. "I've got it. We need to show 'em what we're all about. Miguel, you're gonna show off those muscles."

Clementine, already amused, raised an eyebrow. "Seriously, Sensei?"

Johnny nodded confidently. "Trust me, the chicks are gonna love this." He grabbed a bottle of baby oil and poured a generous amount into Miguel's hands. "Here, rub this on. It'll make your muscles pop."

"Hey! Too much," Miguel protested, his hands slick with oil.

"You gotta get it into every groove," Johnny insisted, undeterred. "It's about molding highlights to emphasize curvature."

Miguel sighed but began rubbing the baby oil over himself, his discomfort evident. Clementine chuckled at the sight, finding the whole situation hilarious. "Lighten up, Mig!" she said, patting his shoulder.

Miguel rolled his eyes but began to flex, his muscles gleaming in the sunlight. Clementine laughed even harder, especially when he struck a pose and kissed his bicep. "Start flexing those muscles! You've been working out the last few months! Show them off!" she encouraged, her laughter infectious.

Miguel played along, striking exaggerated poses while Clementine kneeled over, dying of laughter.

Clementine walked between Johnny and Miguel as they navigated through the field of practicing athletes. "I don't get it. I thought girls were supposed to be tough," Johnny said, frustration evident in his voice.

Clementine shot him a look. "You're like the only toughest girl I ever really met. You don't whine like LaRusso," Johnny corrected himself, making Clementine smile.

"Why can't we find anyone for our team?" Johnny asked, exasperated.

Miguel shrugged. "Maybe not everyone needs karate. Especially girls who are already on sports teams."

As they continued walking, Moon's voice rang out. "Hey, Clem and Miguel!" The two looked over and saw Moon approaching with a bright smile.

"Hey, girl!" Clementine waved back.

"Hey, Moon, what's up?" Miguel asked, curious.

"Apparently, some perv was creeping on the track team, so we're gonna practice inside," Moon explained, shaking her head.

Clementine turned to Johnny with a smirk. "I guess you're the perv," she quipped, and Johnny gave her a glare.

"Can't believe you dated Robby and never told me," Johnny countered, deflecting the accusation. Clementine shrugged casually.

"I thought you knew," she said.

"What are you guys doing here?" Moon asked, tilting her head.

"We're trying to get some girls to join Eagle Fang," Clementine explained, gesturing to Johnny and Miguel.

Miguel's eyes lit up with an idea. "You know, you should join, actually," he suggested to Moon.

"Really? Okay. Yeah, that sounds like fun," Moon replied, her enthusiasm clear, but then her face fell slightly. "Wait. Do... do I have to hit anyone?"

Clementine smiled nervously. "Hell yeah, you do!" Johnny said with his usual bluntness.

"Oh, no, then I-I'm out. I... I can't do the whole physical aggression thing," Moon said, shaking her head.

Clementine chuckled. "You and Alison would be good friends. She can't do the whole aggression thing either," she commented.

Moon laughed. "How are her and Hawk?" she asked, genuinely curious.

"Good! They're really happy. I still dislike him, but it's gonna take a while for me to tolerate him," Clementine admitted with a shrug.

Moon gasped as an idea struck her. "Wait, you guys should ask my ex!" she said with a smile.

"Hawk? Yeah—" Miguel began, but Moon shook her head and interrupted him.

"No, my... my other ex. She's the best athlete in school and she's not afraid to get into a fight," Moon suggested.

Johnny turned to Miguel and Clementine, a spark of interest in his eyes. "Sounds like the badass babe we've been looking for," he commented.

Moon nodded. "Yeah, you might want to take a different approach with her. Want some pointers?"

Miguel nodded eagerly. "Absolutely."

Moon led them to a quieter corner of the field where they could talk more privately. "Okay, her name is Piper. She's super competitive and loves a challenge. You need to appeal to that side of her," Moon advised.

Johnny listened intently. "Got it. How do we make karate sound like the ultimate challenge?"

Moon smiled. "Tell her it's not just about fighting. It's about pushing yourself to the limit, mentally and physically. She loves that kind of stuff. And maybe throw in that it's a way to prove she's the best. She'll eat that up."

Miguel nodded, taking mental notes. "And what should we avoid?"

"Don't make it sound like you're recruiting for a team just because you're desperate. She hates feeling like a backup plan," Moon added.

Clementine smirked. "So, stroke her ego a bit, make it a competition, and avoid sounding desperate. Got it."

Moon nodded. "Exactly. She's got a bit of a chip on her shoulder, so if you challenge her, she'll rise to it."

Johnny clapped his hands together, clearly excited. "All right, let's go find this Piper and bring her into Eagle Fang."

As they walked back towards the field, Clementine felt a renewed sense of determination. With Moon's pointers and Johnny's enthusiasm, they had a solid plan to recruit a new member for their dojo.

Clementine couldn't help Miguel and Johnny talk to Piper. She had just received a frantic call from Alison, who was begging her to talk to Hawk because he had quit karate. Demetri and Alison had already tried talking to him, but he wouldn't budge. Alison felt like Clementine might be able to knock some sense into him.

Arriving at Hawk's house, Clementine was let in by his mom. She made her way downstairs into the basement, where she found Hawk sitting on a couch with his hood pulled over his head, his laptop resting on his lap. Without a word, she walked over, took the laptop off his lap, and grabbed his wrists, pulling him onto his feet.

She yanked his hood off and grabbed his face, forcing him to look at her. "Knock it off! You're Hawk! You're this confident guy who swept my best friend off her feet! You are not Eli anymore," Clementine yelled at him, her voice filled with intensity.

Hawk frowned, his eyes filled with conflict. "But I don't want to be Hawk. I don't want to be a bully. That's how I lost my mohawk," he said, his voice breaking slightly.

Clementine slapped him, and he held his jaw, looking at her in shock. "What the hell?" he exclaimed.

"Fight me," she demanded, getting into a fighting stance.

He threw a weak punch, and she easily grabbed his wrist, pinning his arm back. "Come on, Eli! Fight me! You don't need to be a bully to be Hawk. You can be Hawk with a little bit of Eli in you! Come on!" she shouted, her voice urging him to action.

For a moment, Hawk stood there with his arm pinned back, his mind racing, processing her words. He clenched his jaw, determination sparking in his eyes. With a swift movement, he kicked Clementine's foot, causing her to lose her balance and collide with the ground.

Clementine quickly recovered, rolling back onto her feet and smiling at him. "That's more like it," she said, her voice softer now. "You don't have to give up everything to be Hawk. You just need to find a balance. Be the confident, strong guy that Alison fell for, but also keep that part of Eli that knows right from wrong."

Hawk looked at her, the conflict in his eyes slowly fading. "I don't know if I can," he admitted.

"You can," Clementine insisted. "And you have all of us to help you. Just don't give up on yourself. We need you, Hawk. Alison needs you."

He sighed, but there was a hint of a smile on his face now. "Okay. I'll give it a shot."

"That's all I ask," Clementine said, giving him a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Now, let's get back to training and show everyone that Hawk is back, better than ever."

Hawk nodded, a newfound determination in his eyes. With Clementine's encouragement, he was ready to face his fears and find a new path, blending the best parts of Eli and Hawk into one stronger, more balanced individual.

Clementine paused for a moment, considering something. "You know, Hawk... Maybe instead of rejoining Eagle Fang, you should try something different."

Hawk looked at her curiously. "What do you mean?"

"Join Miyagi-Do," Clementine suggested. "I know it sounds crazy, but hear me out. Miyagi-Do focuses on defense, on finding balance within yourself. It could help you find that middle ground between Eli and Hawk. Plus, you'd have Demetri there with you. You two were always great together as friends."

Hawk's expression shifted as he considered the idea. "Miyagi-Do... with LaRusso?" He seemed hesitant.

"Yeah," Clementine said earnestly. "Daniel LaRusso is a good guy, and he genuinely cares about his students. You'd be learning a different philosophy, something that might help you rebuild your confidence without resorting to the kind of aggression that got you into trouble."

Hawk sighed, thinking it over. "I don't know. It feels like...betraying Johnny."

Clementine shook her head. "It's not betrayal. It's about doing what's best for you. Johnny wants you to be strong, and sometimes being strong means knowing when to change paths. Besides, Johnny's all about badassery, right? Imagine how badass it would be to master both styles of karate."

A small smile tugged at the corner of Hawk's mouth. "Yeah, I guess that would be pretty cool."

Clementine grinned. "There you go. Talk to Demetri about it. He can fill you in on what it's like. And if you decide to join, I'll be there to support you every step of the way. Alison will too."

Hawk nodded slowly, his resolve strengthening. "Okay, I'll talk to Demetri. Maybe... maybe Miyagi-Do is what I need right now."

"Good," Clementine said, relieved. "Just promise me one thing. Don't give up on yourself. You've come too far to let this break you."

"I promise," Hawk said, a determined look in his eyes. "Thanks, Clem. For everything."

Clementine smiled, giving him a hug. "Anytime, Hawk. Now go talk to Demetri. You've got this."

With renewed hope, Hawk set off to find Demetri and discuss his next steps, ready to embrace a new chapter in his journey.

After spending the afternoon with Hawk, Clementine felt a sense of accomplishment. She had managed to get through to him, and now, he was considering joining Miyagi-Do. She hoped it would be the fresh start he needed. She drove home, thinking about how she would explain the situation to Johnny and Miguel. Pulling into the driveway, she noticed that the house was unusually dark.

"Tyler must have gone out," she thought, unlocking the front door and stepping inside.

As she entered, she reached for the light switch. The lights flicked on, and to her surprise, Robby was standing there, holding a small bouquet of flowers. Balloons with the word "Prom?" floated behind him, and a nervous but hopeful smile spread across his face.

"Robby! What are you doing here?" Clementine exclaimed, her heart pounding with a mix of excitement and confusion.

Robby took a step forward, his eyes locked onto hers. "Clem, I know things have been rough, and I've made a lot of mistakes. But I really want to make it up to you. So, I was wondering... Would you go to prom with me?"

Clementine's eyes widened in shock. "Prom? Robby, how are you going to go to prom? You're expelled. They won't just let you walk in."

Robby's smile didn't falter. Instead, he held up a folded piece of paper. "I figured that part out. All you need to do is get this paper signed. It's a permission slip from Principal Lopez. If you can get her to sign it, I'll be allowed to attend as your guest."

Clementine looked at the paper and then back at Robby. "You really thought this through, didn't you?"

Robby nodded. "I had to. I know I messed up, and I want to make things right. I want to be there for you, and I thought this would be a good start."

She took the paper from him, her mind racing. "You really want to do this? Even after everything?"

"Especially after everything," Robby said earnestly. "I want to show you that I'm serious about us. I'm willing to do whatever it takes."

Clementine felt a warmth spread through her chest. Despite all the drama and complications, Robby was here, trying to make an effort. She took a deep breath and smiled.

"Okay, Robby. I'll get this signed. And yes, I'll go to prom with you," she said, her heart swelling with happiness.

Robby's face lit up with joy, and he pulled her into a tight hug. "Thank you, Clem. You won't regret this, I promise."

As they stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, Clementine felt a sense of hope for the future. No matter what challenges lay ahead, she knew they could face them together.

She pulled back slightly, looking up into Robby's eyes. "You really mean it, don't you?"

Robby nodded, his eyes serious and full of emotion. "I do, Clem. I want to be with you, and I want to make things right."

Without thinking, Clementine leaned up and pressed her lips against his. The kiss was tender at first, a hesitant exploration of emotions. But as the seconds ticked by, it deepened, becoming more passionate. Robby's arms tightened around her waist, pulling her closer, while her hands moved to cup his face.

When they finally broke apart, both were breathless, their foreheads resting against each other. "I love you." Clementine whispered, her voice barely audible.

"I love you too," Robby replied, his thumb gently stroking her cheek. "Thank you for giving me another chance."

Clementine smiled, feeling a sense of peace and happiness she hadn't felt in a long time. "Let's make this work, Robby."

"We will," he promised, sealing his vow with another kiss. As they stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, Clementine knew that they were on the path to healing and a brighter future together.

The next day at the Eagle Fang dojo, Clementine was growing increasingly impatient. Piper, the new recruit they had high hopes for, was supposed to show up but was running extremely late. Clementine leaned against the wall, tossing a ball at it repeatedly, her irritation evident.

"She's superrrr late, Sensei," Clementine reminded Johnny, who was trying to maintain his composure.

"All right, so she's a little late, no big deal. Just a few minutes," Johnny replied, trying to sound nonchalant.

"Uh, twenty minutes, actually," Clementine corrected, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

Johnny rolled his eyes. "Okay, uh, I'll DM her. See where she is," Miguel interjected, pulling out his phone.

Clementine watched Miguel's face contort with disbelief and anger as he read the message. "Miguel, what is it?" she asked, a sense of dread creeping in.

"Oh no," Miguel muttered, his eyes still glued to the screen.

"What?" Johnny asked, his tone sharpening with concern.

Clementine and Johnny moved over to look at Miguel's phone. Piper was live on social media, but not at Eagle Fang. She was at Cobra Kai.

"You've gotta be shitting me!" Clementine cursed, her voice seething with anger.

In the video, Piper was beaming. "Nothing but the best for the best. Can't wait to kick ass with Cobra Kai," Piper said enthusiastically.

Clementine clenched her fists by her sides, her body vibrating with anger. "She joined Cobra Kai?" Johnny said, his voice tinged with disbelief.

"No shit!" Clementine snapped, her temper flaring.

Miguel continued to scroll through the live video, providing a grim commentary. "Uh, looks like they made designer gear for all the new students. They got a bunch of new recruits."

Clementine's frustration boiled over. She turned to the punching bag hanging in the corner and let out a harsh kick, sending it swinging violently. The dojo fell silent for a moment, the tension palpable.

ASH SPEAKS!!

we're nearing the end of s4!! close to s5... but next chapter is gonna be filled with DRAMA!