chapter forty-one:
❛ katz got moves ❜

PLEASE DONT BE A GHOST READER!!!!! COMMENT AND VOTE PLEASE
(im being serious lol)

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The group of teens stood in the familiar, tranquil surroundings of Miyagi-Do, but the tension in the air was palpable. Miguel's revelation about Terry Silver's corruption hung heavy over them as they all processed the gravity of the situation.

Demetri blinked, trying to comprehend what he'd just heard. "W-w-wait. Okay, so Sensei Targaryen paid off the ref at the All Valley and framed Kreese for a crime he didn't commit? Never let me miss a house party again," he stammered, shaking his head in disbelief.

Alison crossed her arms, her expression a mix of irritation and regret. "Shoot, I missed all that when I left to find Clem? I should have just stayed," she muttered, her eyes flicking to Clementine, who was still standing beside Sam, both of them clearly upset with each other.

"We need to tell the senseis," Miguel said with urgency, glancing around the group. But Sam and Clementine shot him identical looks of doubt and frustration.

"What are they gonna do?" Sam retorted, her voice tinged with frustration. She exchanged a glance with Clementine, who nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, we all saw what happened to Sam's dad when he confronted Silver," Clementine added. "I don't want him getting hurt again," Sam said, her expression softening into a worried frown. The concern in her voice was evident, and the group could sense her fear for her father.

Demetri sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Besides, if this ref and Stingray are on Silver's payroll, they'll never admit anything," he added, his tone laced with skepticism.

Bert, who had been quietly listening, finally spoke up. "I'm not so sure about that," he said thoughtfully, drawing everyone's attention. "I know he's in Cobra Kai and I'm in Eagle Fang, but Stingray's still my friend. He wouldn't lie to me. At least, I hope he wouldn't."

Alison's expression softened as she looked at Bert. "Aww," she gushed, genuinely touched by his loyalty. Hawk, standing beside Alison, wrapped his arm around her shoulders and kissed the top of her head. "Think you can get him to talk?" Hawk asked, his tone more serious now.

Bert nodded with determination. "Yeah, I can try," he said confidently.

Sam exchanged a look with Miguel before turning to Bert. "Find out where he lives," she instructed. "Let's go."

With that, Hawk playfully smacked Demetri on the chest, causing him to stumble slightly. "Ow, dude!" Demetri protested, but Hawk just grinned, pulling Alison along with him as the group began to file out of Miyagi-Do, determination etched on their faces.

They all knew they were walking into something dangerous, but they were united in their cause. It was time to get the truth, no matter the cost. As they left the dojo, the sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows on the ground—an ominous reminder that the darkness was closing in, but they were ready to face it together.

Caleb wasn't sure how he had ended up on this night out with Johnny, Daniel, Carmen, Chozen, Louie, and Amanda. He barely knew most of them, except through his daughter Clementine, who was dating Johnny's son Robby. Yet here he was, stepping out of the sleek black limo, feeling slightly out of place as he stood outside a vibrant nightclub that was pulsing with energy.

As they all exited the limo, the neon lights from the club's sign reflected off the polished black car, casting an electric glow on the group. The thumping bass of the music inside the club was already vibrating through the sidewalk, making Caleb feel the beat in his chest. He adjusted his jacket, trying to shake off the awkwardness he felt.

Caleb was usually the type to keep to himself, preferring quiet nights at home or a casual dinner with his family. But tonight, he found himself thrust into a night of socializing with a group that had more history and complicated dynamics than he was used to dealing with. As they gathered outside the club, Caleb decided to make an effort, trying to ease into the conversation.

"Congratulations on the pregnancy, Cameron," Caleb said, glancing at Carmen with a polite smile. It seemed like a safe, friendly topic to start with, and he was trying to be cordial.

Carmen looked at him with a slight frown, clearly confused by his comment. "It's Carmen," she corrected gently, though there was a hint of amusement in her eyes.

Caleb's face turned beet red as he realized his mistake. He immediately facepalmed, groaning inwardly at his blunder. "Shit, I'm sorry," he quickly apologized, mortified.

Before Carmen could respond, Johnny sauntered over, a mischievous grin spreading across his face as he slid his arm around Carmen's waist. Clearly, Johnny was enjoying this little slip-up. "Can't believe you knocked her up, man," Caleb teased, his voice light but with an edge of seriousness. "Don't fuck up with this kid. Plus, my daughter's probably gonna be your child's sister-in-law. Clementine is not getting away from Robby anytime soon."

Carmen raised an eyebrow at that, her expression hovering between surprise and curiosity, but Johnny's grin only widened. Caleb, trying to regain some composure, huffed in response. "Yeah, I like Cinnamon Girl, but I don't like you. So at their wedding, we act like we're friends, then hate each other secretly," Johnny quipped, his tone playful but with a hint of genuine challenge.

Caleb, who was already flustered, managed a nonchalant shrug. "Gladly," he replied, trying to keep his cool. This back-and-forth with Johnny wasn't exactly what he'd signed up for, but he was determined not to let Johnny get the best of him.

Carmen, clearly exasperated by their bickering, sighed and stepped in as the voice of reason. "Come on, you and Daniel finally hashed things out. Why not Caleb? This is why I invited him tonight. What even happened for you guys to hate each other? You two used to be best friends," she pointed out, trying to steer the conversation toward some kind of resolution.

Johnny rolled his eyes, clearly not eager to dig into old wounds, but Carmen's question hung in the air. He finally gave in with a reluctant shrug. "I dated Ali before him, and he got mad and stopped being friends with me. Then he met Alexandria during our senior year and got her pregnant," Johnny explained bluntly, his tone matter-of-fact but with a hint of old resentment.

Caleb shot Johnny a sharp glare, his jaw tightening. "Hey, you're not supposed to tell anyone that," he retorted, his voice low but filled with tension. This was a part of his past he didn't like to discuss, especially not with a group of people who didn't know the full story.

But Johnny wasn't done. He continued, his tone less confrontational now, more curious as he pieced together the timeline. "Wait, the dates don't add up. Tyler was born in 2001... so how—wait, you... you have another kid?" Johnny's voice trailed off as the realization hit him, and he stared at Caleb with wide eyes.

Caleb shifted uncomfortably, feeling the weight of everyone's gaze on him. He bounced slightly on his heels, a nervous habit he couldn't quite shake. "Lexi and I's parents forced us to give the baby up for adoption," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. The confession was filled with regret, and it was clear this was something he'd carried with him for a long time.

"Holy shit. Do Clementine and Tyler know?" Johnny asked, still reeling from the bombshell Caleb had just dropped.

Caleb shook his head, running a hand through his hair in a gesture of frustration and anxiety. "Only Tyler. He found out a few months back. Clementine doesn't know, and it's gonna stay that way. I don't need her to hop town again," Caleb said, his tone firm and protective. He didn't want this secret to come out, especially not now when things were finally starting to settle down.

He gave Johnny a pointed look, making it clear that this was something he was serious about. "And you can't tell anyone," Caleb added, his voice low but resolute.

Before the conversation could get any heavier, Daniel, Louie, Amanda, and Chozen walked over, breaking the tension with their arrival. "What are we doing standing here? Let's go!" Louie exclaimed, his enthusiasm cutting through the awkwardness.

The group began to make their way into the club, passing through the line and security checks. The thumping music grew louder as they approached the entrance, the bass reverberating through the ground. Caleb followed the group, trying to shake off the intense conversation he'd just had. As they stepped inside, the club's vibrant atmosphere hit them full force—flashing lights, pounding music, and a sea of people dancing and enjoying themselves.

As they walked in, a server passed by with a tray of cocktails, and Caleb, eager to distract himself, didn't hesitate to snatch one. He downed it quickly, feeling the burn of the alcohol as it slid down his throat. The warmth spread through his chest, helping to loosen him up a bit.

"Oh, man. I'm already feeling buzzed!" Caleb exclaimed, his mood starting to lift as the alcohol took effect. He decided to throw caution to the wind and headed straight for the dance floor, his movements growing more animated and carefree as the alcohol continued to work its magic.

"Dang! Katz got moves!" Louie called out from the bar, watching Caleb with a mix of amusement and disbelief. Caleb's usually reserved demeanor had completely transformed, and he was now fully immersed in the club's lively atmosphere.

"Katz! Get over here! We have shots!" Louie shouted, beckoning Caleb over with a grin.

Caleb, feeling the alcohol buzz strong in his veins, stumbled over to the bar. His face was flushed, and he was grinning from ear to ear as he wrapped an arm around Daniel and Louie. "Hey, guys," he slurred, barely getting the words out before he reached for the shots of vodka lined up on the bar.

"Woah, slow your roll, Caleb," Daniel warned, watching as Caleb downed all the shots in quick succession. But Caleb was already feeling the effects, the room spinning slightly as he swayed on his feet.

Ignoring Daniel's advice, Caleb pushed himself back onto the dance floor, his earlier worries and the heavy conversation fading into the background. The music thumped around him, and he lost himself in the rhythm, his movements increasingly wild and uncoordinated. The alcohol had taken full control, and Caleb was now the life of the party—at least for the moment.

The group watched from the bar, both entertained and slightly concerned, as Caleb danced with abandon, his earlier concerns about his past and the secret he was keeping from Clementine momentarily drowned out by the booze and the beat of the night.

Hawk, Sam, Miguel, Demetri, Alison, and Clementine appeared behind Bert at the door, their presence immediately causing Stingray to freeze mid-sentence. The tension in the air was palpable as they all stood there, a united front, facing him down.

"Miyagi-Fangs?" Stingray questioned, narrowing his eyes suspiciously. His voice was laced with a mixture of confusion and realization as he eyed the group. "Oh! This is a trap. Oh, you Admiral Ackbar-ed me. Et tu, Bert-tay?" he continued, trying to inject humor into the situation with a nerdy reference, his voice rising with an almost desperate attempt to deflect the seriousness of the confrontation.

But Clementine wasn't having any of it. She rolled her eyes, her patience already wearing thin. "Knock it off with your nerdy shit," she retorted sharply, cutting through Stingray's attempts to lighten the mood.

Hawk, standing beside her, nodded in agreement, his expression steely as he added, "We know Kreese never hurt you." He stepped forward and fist-bumped Clementine, their united front against Stingray clear to everyone in the room.

Stingray faltered, his confident facade slipping. "According to my testimony in a court of law, he did. So... read the transcript," he stammered, clearly unnerved by the group's unexpected appearance. His hand moved to shut the door, desperate to end the conversation before it could escalate further.

But Sam was quicker. Just as the door began to close, she swiftly placed her foot between it and the frame, stopping it in its tracks. Her expression was firm, her voice filled with quiet determination as she stared Stingray down. "You lied to the court, and you lied to my dad. But you're not going to lie to us."

With that, she pushed the door open, stepping inside without waiting for Stingray's permission. The others followed her lead, their determination clear in their expressions as they filed into the room behind her, the atmosphere charged with unspoken resolve.

Stingray looked around, flustered and overwhelmed by the sudden intrusion. "You're just gonna let her— Now you're all walking in," he stammered, his voice tinged with disbelief as he realized he had lost control of the situation. He watched helplessly as they all entered, their presence filling the space with a sense of inevitable confrontation.

They all stood around Stingray's table, their expressions a mix of frustration and determination. The air was thick with tension as they tried to coax the truth out of him, their patience wearing thin.

"Okay, okay. All right. Let's try this one more time, okay?" Demetri began, his voice calm and measured as he tried to reach Stingray. "What happened that night? Who hurt you?" He kept his tone even, hoping to ease Stingray into opening up, but the others around the table were far less patient, their glares burning into Stingray.

Stingray, however, wasn't ready to cooperate just yet. He avoided Demetri's question, turning instead to Bert with an unsettling question of his own. "Hey, Bert, how does it feel?" he asked, his gaze fixed on the younger boy. "To stab a grown man in the back between his shoulder blades and stare at the blood as it trickles down his back?"

Demetri, refusing to be sidetracked, leaned in closer. "Look. Look at me. Look at me," he urged, trying to regain control of the conversation.

But Stingray continued his bizarre line of thought, ignoring Demetri. "God, enough!" Hawk suddenly shouted, his voice full of frustration as he slammed his fist on the table. The sudden outburst made everyone flinch, but it was Clementine who pushed further, her patience long gone. "No more games!" she exclaimed, her voice sharp and commanding.

Seeing Hawk and Clementine working in sync, Alison couldn't help but squeal with excitement. Her best friend and boyfriend were finally getting along, and despite the serious situation, she couldn't hide her delight.

Stingray faltered under the pressure, his bravado crumbling. "My dad went through a lot of pain because of you and Silver. Now a lot of other people will too if you just sit back and do nothing," Sam said, her voice full of frustration and a hint of desperation.

Stingray's eyes welled up with tears as the weight of the situation pressed down on him. "But if I tell you what really happened, you know, he—he'll find out. I can't. It's not that easy, you guys," he admitted, his voice shaking with fear.

His words hung in the air, leaving the room in a heavy silence. But then Stingray looked up, an idea forming in his mind. "Actually, there... um, wait," he said, his gaze drifting to his D&D board.

Miguel frowned, his arms crossed. "I don't think we have time for this," he said, clearly unimpressed.

But Alison saw something in Stingray's eyes, something that made her pause. "No, let's listen to him. I think he's gonna tell us in another way," she said, her voice gentle but firm.

Stingray smiled weakly at her support. "Yeah, what happens in the campaign, Stingray?" Hawk asked, trying to coax him into revealing the truth.

Stingray took a deep breath, exhaling slowly before beginning his story. "Okay, so, once upon a time, there was a dwarven monk, and he was a member of the most badass guild in all the land. Uh, he was banished for a time. You know, typical PC crap. But, um, once he paid his penance, he returned. Only by then, the guild was under new leadership," he explained, using the D&D figures to illustrate his point.

The group listened intently, their expressions ranging from confusion to curiosity. Clementine furrowed her eyebrows, trying to piece together the metaphor. "What did the monk do?" she asked, sensing that this story was more than just a game.

Stingray continued, his voice taking on a somber tone. "The monk, he made a pact with a silver-haired king who would usurp the leader. And it was early one morning, before any of the warriors had arrived, that the king struck the monk down. Again, and again, and again. It was then they framed the leader for the assault, and the leader was put in chains, and the silver-haired king took over the guild," he said, the weight of his words sinking in.

Demetri chuckled, understanding the metaphor now. "And you were... the dwarven monk, was let back into the guild?" he asked, a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

Hawk raised his eyebrows, seeing the connection as well. "Yeah. With benefits," he scoffed, looking around Stingray's house, clearly unimpressed.

Stingray nodded solemnly. "Aye. With benefits, yeah."

Alison, still piecing things together, asked, "So why can't he tell anyone what really happened?"

Sam stood up abruptly, her anger boiling over. "Because he doesn't wanna lose his benefits," she retorted, her voice dripping with frustration.

Stingray shook his head, desperate to make them understand. "No! No. I would... The—the monk would give it all back if he could, but the silver-haired king, you know, he... he almost killed the monk. He could have killed him. And why? To get power. So, yeah, the monk fears what that king would do to keep that power. But I think the monk just... the monk just wanted reentry into the guild because he thought that he could be like a... like a proud and noble warrior. Just like you, Hawk, Clementine, Samantha, all you guys," he explained, his voice trembling with regret and fear.

He looked down at his D&D figures, his hands trembling slightly. "But he's neither proud nor noble. Definitely not a warrior. He just sits around playing with them all day. The monk's just scared. I just can't. I'm sorry," Stingray said, his voice breaking as he spoke down on himself.

Sam groaned in frustration, the reality of the situation hitting her hard. "That's great. Thanks for nothing," she snapped sarcastically, her voice full of bitter disappointment as she stormed out of the house, her emotions boiling over.

Miguel hesitated for a moment, glancing back at the group before following Sam, his heart heavy with the knowledge that they had come so close to the truth, only to have it slip away.

After a long night, Caleb found himself swaying unsteadily outside, the effects of too much alcohol finally catching up with him. He staggered to the side and leaned over, his stomach churning violently as he emptied its contents onto the pavement.

Daniel, standing a short distance away, glanced back at Caleb, noticing the sorry state he was in. "Katz! Wanna come with us, or are you going home with Carmen and Amanda?" Daniel called out, raising his voice over the noise of the bustling street.

Caleb waved him off weakly, still hunched over with one hand on his stomach, trying to regain some semblance of composure. "I need to get home. I feel sick," he muttered, his words slurred and punctuated by a loud burp. The foul odor of alcohol and bile wafted toward Daniel, making him wrinkle his nose in disgust.

"Yeah, please," Daniel replied, quickly stepping back as he tried to avoid the smell. He shook his head slightly before turning to head toward the limo where the rest of the guys were already waiting.

As Daniel climbed into the limo, Caleb fumbled for his phone, his hands trembling as he tried to focus on the screen. He could see Carmen and Amanda a little further down the sidewalk, chatting together as they waited. "I'll call for an Uber," Caleb muttered to himself, his voice hoarse and strained. He tapped on his phone, struggling to steady his hand long enough to summon the ride.

Carmen and Amanda glanced over at him, noticing his struggle. Amanda gave him a sympathetic smile, while Carmen stepped a little closer, ready to help if needed. Caleb, still feeling the aftermath of his rough night, managed to pull up the Uber app and request a ride, hoping it would arrive quickly before his stomach decided to betray him again.

ASH SPEAKS!

one more chapter until s6!!! AHHHH

amanda, carmen and caleb are gonna be an iconic duo next chapter HHEHE

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