chapter fifty-nine:
❛ eunjangdo ❜

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warning: crazy shit about to go down this chapter... 🤭

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The hotel lobby buzzed faintly with the sound of distant conversation and the hum of an air conditioner. Clementine and Alison sat near the glass doors, sharing a bucket of popcorn Clementine had pilfered from her room. Clementine was jittery, her nerves fraying at the edges as the tension of the Sekai Taikai tournament hung over her like a storm cloud. Alison, ever the calming presence, leaned back in her chair, exuding a serenity that Clementine envied.

"You've got this," Alison reassured, popping a piece of popcorn into her mouth. "I mean, when don't you have this?"

Clementine smirked, tossing a piece into the air and catching it in her mouth. "If someone tries to sweep my leg again, I'm filing an official complaint."

Alison laughed softly, but their moment of levity was interrupted by the sound of boots clacking against the polished tile. Clementine glanced up, her smile fading as her eyes landed on Jackson.

He stood near the entrance, looking uncharacteristically unsure of himself. His broad shoulders were hunched slightly, hands shoved into his jacket pockets, and his head dipped just enough to give away his hesitance. It was a stark contrast to the cocky swagger he usually carried.

"Clem, isn't that-" Alison started, but Clementine's sharp intake of breath cut her off.

"What the hell is he doing here?" Clementine muttered, sitting up straighter. Her jaw tightened, her hands gripping the popcorn tub like it might explode.

Alison followed her gaze, her brow furrowing. "Is he... coming over here?"

Indeed, Jackson was making his way toward them. His boots echoed louder with each step until he stopped a few feet away, hesitating like he was calculating his next move.

"Ladies," Jackson greeted, his familiar Southern drawl heavy in the air. "Mind if I have a word?"

Clementine folded her arms, leaning back in her chair with an arched brow. "Depends. Are you here to switch sides again, or just to piss me off?"

Jackson winced, rubbing the back of his neck. "Reckon I deserve that," he admitted, his tone softer than they were used to. "But no, I ain't here to fight or cause trouble. I'm here to... apologize."

That caught Alison's attention. She exchanged a quick glance with Clementine, who remained skeptical, her arms still crossed.

"Apologize?" Clementine repeated, her voice laced with disbelief. "For what exactly? Betraying us? Siding with Cobra Kai? Or for being a general pain in the ass?"

Jackson sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. "All of it," he said simply. "I know I was a right bastard, switchin' sides like that. But I didn't do it 'cause I wanted to hurt y'all. I was... I don't know. I was tryin' to do right by someone else."

Clementine narrowed her eyes. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Jackson hesitated, his gaze flicking between Clementine and Alison. Finally, he spoke, his voice quieter now. "My grandpa-Kreese-he came to me. Said Tory needed someone in her corner, someone she could trust. Said she didn't have anyone else. He made it sound like if I didn't step up, I'd be leavin' her out there alone."

At the mention of Kreese, Clementine stiffened. "Kreese? Your grandpa?" Her tone was sharp, cutting through the air like a blade.

Jackson nodded slowly. "Yeah. I know he ain't a good man, but he's still my blood. He got in my head, Clem. Made me think I was doin' the right thing, fightin' for family. But it wasn't right. I see that now."

Alison leaned forward, her expression softening. "So you did it for Tory?"

Jackson shrugged. "Partly. But mostly 'cause I didn't know how to say no to him. Kreese has a way of makin' you feel like you owe him everything. I ain't proud of it, but that's the truth."

Clementine studied him for a long moment, her jaw tightening as she weighed his words. Finally, she stood, crossing her arms over her chest. "You broke our trust, Jackson. Do you know how hard it is to fix that?"

"I do," he said, meeting her gaze directly. "And I'm willin' to put in the work to make it right. I ain't expectin' forgiveness overnight, but I want y'all to know I'm sorry."

The lobby was silent for a beat, the weight of his words settling over them. Then, to Jackson's surprise, Clementine stepped forward and pulled him into a hug.

"If you ever pull something like this again, I'll kick your ass," she murmured, her voice trembling slightly.

Jackson chuckled softly, his arms wrapping around her hesitantly. "Fair enough, darlin'. Fair enough."

When they pulled apart, Alison stood and hugged him as well, her warmth cutting through the tension like a balm. "You've got a lot to prove," she said as she stepped back. "But we're glad you're here."

Jackson nodded, his usual cocky grin slipping back into place, though it was tinged with genuine gratitude. "Thanks, y'all. I promise I won't let you down again."

Clementine smirked, her hands on her hips. "Good. Because if you do, I won't hesitate to roundhouse kick you into next week."

Jackson laughed, the sound lightening the mood. "Guess I better stay on my toes, then."

The hotel lobby was abuzz with tension as teams gathered, summoned unexpectedly by Gunther Braun. Clementine stood beside Alison, her arms folded tightly over her chest, her gaze darting to Tory and Jackson, who lingered with the Cobra Kai group. Tory's expression was unreadable, but Clementine caught the way her hand gripped Jackson's just a little too firmly. Jackson, for his part, avoided Clementine's gaze entirely, his jaw tight with discomfort.

Gunther stepped into the center of the room, his commanding presence silencing the murmurs almost immediately. "My apologies for summoning you all like this," he began, his deep voice reverberating through the space, "but under the circumstances, it was necessary."

Clementine exchanged a glance with Alison, her brow furrowing. She glanced toward Robby, who shrugged, looking equally puzzled.

"The Sekai Taikai has a long and honorable tradition," Gunther continued. "We fight hard, but we fight fair. That's why I'm saddened to announce that one of the dojos here has tarnished that tradition by cheating."

A ripple of shock and confusion spread through the gathered teams. Clementine's heart sank as she leaned slightly closer to Alison, her voice barely above a whisper. "Cheating? What's he talking about?"

Alison shook her head, her expression mirroring Clementine's concern.

Gunther's gaze snapped toward the Udar Tigra team, his tone sharpening. "Sensei Ivanov, four of your students have tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs."

The room erupted in gasps and hushed whispers. Clementine's eyes widened as she turned to Alison. "No way," she murmured, her voice tinged with disbelief.

Sensei Ivanov's face darkened with fury. He glanced back at his students, who looked stricken, then stepped forward, his voice booming. "This is outrageous! You're accusing my students? My dojo?"

"You are hereby eliminated," Gunther stated firmly, ignoring the man's protests.

Ivanov's temper flared. "What the hell are you talking about? This is bullshit!" He gestured aggressively at Gunther. "Why don't you come over here and remove me yourself?"

A collective gasp swept through the room. Clementine felt her breath hitch as Alison gripped her arm tightly.

"Sensei Ivanov!" Gunther barked, his voice cutting through the chaos like a whip. "Consider yourself fortunate that your dojo wasn't banned forever. Continue this behavior, and that could be arranged easily!"

For a tense moment, the room held its breath. Then, with a growl of frustration, Ivanov waved his team to follow him. "Let's go," he snarled, his students trailing behind him as they stormed out of the lobby.

The silence that followed was deafening. Clementine exhaled slowly, her chest tight. "Holy crap," she muttered under her breath, her pulse still racing.

Alison leaned closer, her voice low. "I can't believe that just happened."

Gunther adjusted his suit jacket, his demeanor as calm as ever. "Replacing Udar Tigra will be the dojo with the next highest point total."

Clementine's stomach twisted. She didn't need to hear the name to know where this was heading.

"Wait, that means-" Devon started, her voice laced with dread.

"Cobra Kai," Gunther announced, cutting her off.

The Cobra Kai team erupted into cheers, celebrating their unexpected lifeline. Clementine's eyes darted to Tory and Jackson. Unlike their teammates, they remained frozen, their hands still clasped tightly together. Tory's face was a mask of indifference, but Clementine could see the subtle tension in her jaw. Jackson, meanwhile, looked distinctly uncomfortable, his guilt practically radiating off him.

"Of course," Clementine muttered, her voice dripping with bitterness.

Alison sighed heavily. "Because why wouldn't it be Cobra Kai?"

Gunther continued, seemingly unbothered by the murmurs around him. "And on a more positive note, we'll now announce the draws for our semi-finals."

He held up a set of cards, unfolding them with deliberate precision. "In our girls' bracket, the first semifinal will be Maria Alvarez versus Zara Malik. And in the second match, that will pit Tory Nichols... against Samantha LaRusso."

Clementine winced as Sam's expression soured, her lips pressing into a thin line as she met Tory's gaze from across the room.

"In our boys' bracket," Gunther went on, "our first semifinal match will be Diego Aguilar versus Kwon Jae-Sung. And our second semifinal match will pit Axel Kovacevic against Robby Keene."

Gunther paused, his gaze sweeping the room. "Good luck to all our semifinalists."

The tension in the room was palpable as teams began to disperse, murmuring among themselves. Miyagi-Do remained rooted in place, the weight of the announcement hanging heavily over them.

"Axel the Invincible and Sam-Tory Chapter a Billion," Demetri quipped nervously, breaking the silence. "It's less than ideal."

Clementine and Alison both turned to glare at him, silencing him instantly.

Clementine turned back to Robby, her grip tightening on his hand. Her eyes searched his face, finding the quiet determination she had come to admire. "You got this," she told him softly, her voice filled with unwavering confidence.

Robby nodded, his jaw set as he gave her a small, reassuring smile. "Yeah. I do."

Clementine sat on the cold stone stairs with Robby beside her, their teammates scattered nearby. The tension in the air was thick, a tangible pressure pressing down on everyone. Johnny paced back and forth in front of them, his expression a storm of frustration and disbelief.

"This is horseshit!" Johnny finally exploded, running a hand through his hair. "How many times do we have to kill that son of a bitch until he stays dead?"

"Kreese is like cockroach," Chozen interjected calmly, his arms crossed as he leaned against the banister. His voice was steady, a stark contrast to Johnny's boiling anger.

Clementine snickered despite the heavy mood, unable to stop herself. "You're not wrong," she muttered with a faint smirk.

Alison, seated on her other side, nudged her firmly in the ribs, her expression a mix of warning and disbelief. "Clem, seriously," Alison whispered.

Clementine sighed, the small moment of humor fading as she leaned back and rested her head on Robby's shoulder. "Fine," she said quietly, her voice softening.

Chozen didn't miss a beat. "But he is not one fighting on mat," he reminded them, his sharp gaze moving across the group.

Robby straightened slightly, his voice cutting through the heavy silence. "Sensei Chozen's right. We still have the rest of the day to tune up for tomorrow. What's the plan?"

Johnny stopped pacing and turned to him, his jaw set in determination. "Knock Kreese's head off his neck, for starters," Johnny growled.

"Dad?" Sam called out suddenly, her voice cutting through the conversation. All eyes turned to Daniel, who was seated on one of the steps a few feet away, staring off into the distance. His face was tense, his gaze unfocused as if he were a million miles away.

"Mr. LaRusso?" Clementine echoed, her brow furrowing.

Daniel blinked, startled as if he'd forgotten they were there. "What?"

"Training? For our final fights?" Sam prompted, her concern clear.

"Oh, yeah," Daniel said quickly, waving a hand in a dismissive motion. "We'll run through the usual stuff."

His words lacked conviction, and his eyes drifted again, lost in thought. Chozen frowned, exchanging a concerned glance with Sam before stepping forward to take control. "Senseis need time to discuss," he said firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Go get changed. Meet me at gym," he added, nodding toward Sam and Robby.

The team began to shuffle away, murmurs of unease passing between them as they headed toward their rooms. Clementine, however, lingered on the steps with Robby and Alison, her arms crossed tightly over her chest.

"That was weird," Clementine said, breaking the silence. She glanced between Robby and Alison, her brow furrowed.

"You're not wrong," Alison agreed, her gaze still on Daniel, who remained seated on the steps, his expression distant. "He seemed... off. Like, way more than usual."

Robby let out a soft sigh, running a hand through his hair. "He's been like that since we got here," he admitted. "But today... it's different. He's not with us. Not really."

"Do you think it's because of Kreese?"
Clementine asked, her voice low.

"Maybe," Robby said with a shrug, though his tone carried a hint of uncertainty. "It's not like Kreese is new to him. But with everything going on, I wouldn't be surprised if this is hitting him harder than he's letting on."

Clementine frowned, biting her lip as she glanced back toward Daniel. "It's just... it's not exactly comforting, you know? He's supposed to be the one keeping us grounded, and now he's the one zoning out? That's not a great sign."

"I think he just needs time," Alison said gently. "Whatever it is, it's weighing on him, clearly. Maybe Chozen will talk to him, figure out what's going on."

"Yeah, but we don't have time," Clementine pointed out, frustration creeping into her voice. "We're supposed to be training for the biggest fight of our lives, and our head sensei is barely holding it together."

Robby placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, his voice steady and calm. "We'll figure it out," he said firmly. "Even if Mr. LaRusso's not one hundred percent, we've got each other. We've come this far, haven't We?"

Clementine sighed, leaning into his touch. "I guess."

Alison smiled faintly, stepping closer to them.
"We've been through worse, Clem. Whatever's going on, we're still a team. We've got this."

Clementine nodded reluctantly, her gaze softening as she looked at them. "Yeah," she said quietly. "You're right."

Together, the three of them rose from the steps and headed off to prepare, the weight of the upcoming battles pressing heavily on their shoulders. Even with their doubts about Daniel, their determination remained unshaken.

The next day, the energy in the arena was palpable, the crowd buzzing with anticipation as the semifinal matches of the Sekai Taikai were about to begin. Clementine stood near the edge of the competition floor, her heart racing. She glanced up, her gaze catching Alison walking toward the exit with her phone pressed to her ear. Clementine furrowed her brow, her curiosity piqued.

"And now, the moment you've all been waiting for," Gunther's commanding voice echoed through the arena, pulling Clementine's attention back. "The Sekai Taikai Tournament of Champions!"

The audience erupted into cheers, and Clementine felt a surge of excitement pulse through her. The thrill of the tournament, the stakes, and everything they'd worked for all hit her at once. She turned to Robby, her eyes shining, and without thinking, she leaned in and kissed him passionately.

Robby smiled against her lips, his hands resting gently on her waist. "We've got this," he whispered as they pulled apart, his confidence steadying her nerves.

"Welcome, competitors, to the semifinal round of the Sekai Taikai," Gunther continued, his voice firm and authoritative. "Each dojo will retain the points they have accumulated thus far. Each match will consist of three two-minute rounds with unlimited scoring and no stoppages. One point for a hit. Ten for a knockdown. And should anyone score a knockout, that's worth 20. So it's still anyone's tournament to win."

Clementine's fingers tightened briefly around Robby's hand as Gunther's words sank in.

"Because at this stage of the tournament," Gunther concluded, "no deficit is too large to overcome. Best of luck to you all. And may the best dojo win."

The competitors dispersed to prepare, but Clementine's focus drifted toward the exit Alison had taken. Unable to shake her curiosity, she turned to Robby. "I'll be right back," she said.

He nodded, giving her an encouraging smile. "Don't take too long."

Clementine made her way out of the arena, weaving through the bustling crowd until she reached the hallway. She spotted Alison near a quiet corner, her expression animated as she talked on the phone.

"Alison?" Clementine called out, approaching her.

Alison looked up, quickly ending her call. "Clem! I was just about to find you," she said, her face lighting up with excitement.

"What's going on? Who were you talking to?" Clementine asked, folding her arms.

Alison took a deep breath, her smile widening. "Your dad."

Clementine froze, her eyes narrowing in confusion. "Wait... my dad? But he's in jail."

"Not anymore," Alison said, her tone triumphant. "The jury let him out. They agreed with his side. And that's not all-Tyler's coming, too!"

It took a moment for the words to sink in, but when they did, Clementine's face broke into a grin. "Wait, what?!" she exclaimed, practically bouncing on her feet. "Tyler's coming? And Dad's free?!"

Alison nodded, laughing as Clementine squealed and jumped up and down in excitement. "Yes! They're both on their way here, Clem. They'll be here soon."

Clementine grabbed Alison's hands, her joy spilling over. "This is amazing! I can't believe this is happening!"

Before Alison could respond, a voice interrupted them. "Clementine," Kwon said smoothly, his presence cutting through her excitement.

She turned, her smile fading instantly. "Kwon. What do you want?"

Kwon smirked, his gaze sliding over her in a way that made her bristle. "Just wanted to wish you luck. Though, you don't need it-you're already the best-looking fighter here."

Clementine's expression hardened, her voice firm. "I thought I made it clear that night was a one-time thing. Whatever you're trying, it's not going to work."

Kwon rolled his eyes, his tone dripping with mockery. "So, you and Keene are back together?"

"Yes," Clementine said sharply.

Kwon's smirk twisted into a scowl. "Of course you are," he muttered, his voice tinged with bitterness.

As the tension thickened, Jackson strode over, his boots clicking against the floor. "Now hold on there, partner," he drawled, his Southern accent thick and unmistakable. "Don't reckon I heard that right. You givin' Clem a hard time?"

Kwon glared at Jackson. "Wow. So, you're friends with the enemy now?"

Jackson scoffed, crossing his arms. "You dang right I am. Been best friends with Clem since elementary, and I'll be damned if I let some city-slicker like you disrespect her."

Clementine couldn't help but smile at Jackson's fierce loyalty, even as Kwon's frustration bubbled over.

"You're pathetic," Kwon snapped, his voice rising.

Jackson stepped forward, his gaze steady. "Takes one to know one, son. Now, why don't you mosey on back to your team before you embarrass yourself any further?"

Kwon's jaw tightened, but he didn't respond. With a glare that could cut glass, he turned and stormed off.

Clementine exhaled deeply, turning to Jackson. "Thanks for that."

Jackson tipped his head, a grin spreading across his face. "Ain't no trouble, Clem. Just doin' what I've always done-lookin' out for ya."

Alison laughed softly, shaking her head. "You two are something else."

Clementine smiled, the warmth of her friends' support bolstering her even more. "Come on, let's get back. We've got a tournament to win."

Clementine and Jackson walked back into the arena just as Robby's match with Axel was about to begin. The energy in the air was electric, the crowd buzzing with excitement. Clementine did her handshake with Jackson, the two exchanging a quick nod before he jogged back to the Cobra Kai section. She watched him go, feeling an odd mix of camaraderie and tension, but all of that faded as her eyes locked on Robby stepping onto the mat.

Her heart fluttered with a mix of pride and worry. She took her spot beside Miguel, who gave her a reassuring smile.

Robby and Axel bowed to each other, their movements precise and respectful, though the intensity between them was palpable.

"Fight!" the referee called, and the match began.

Robby wasted no time, lunging forward with a sharp kick aimed at Axel's torso. Axel staggered back but quickly regained his footing, his defense impenetrable. Robby followed up with a quick punch, but Axel deflected it with a firm push, causing Robby to stumble slightly.

Clementine's eyes narrowed as she leaned forward, her hands clenching into fists at her sides.

"Come on, Robby," she muttered under her breath.

Robby adjusted his stance, throwing a high kick that Axel narrowly dodged by ducking beneath it. Robby swung his leg in a wide arc, but Axel blocked with ease. A moment later, Robby launched another kick, but it missed by mere inches.

"He's good," Daniel murmured from the sidelines, his brow furrowed in concern. "His defense is on point. Robby can't get through."

Clementine felt her stomach knot as she watched Robby's strikes being deflected again and again. Axel wasn't just defending; he was wearing Robby down.

Robby swung a fist, spinning around for added momentum, but Axel caught his arm mid-motion. With a swift, calculated move, Axel spun Robby around and tried to push him down. Robby, however, used the momentum to press his palm against the mat and cartwheel out of Axel's grip, earning a gasp of admiration from the crowd.

"Shit," Clementine muttered, her voice tight with tension.

Axel's composure didn't waver. He pressed forward, his movements growing more aggressive. Robby tried another kick, but Axel blocked it with both arms, the impact making Robby stumble back slightly.

"Axel! Attack!" Sensei Wolf barked in Chinese, his voice cutting through the noise.

Clementine's eyes widened as Axel shifted gears, his stance shifting to offense. He lunged forward, delivering a powerful kick that sent Robby stumbling. Robby retaliated with a punch, but Axel deflected it with a brutal block, seizing Robby's arm and twisting it back.

"Damn it," Clementine hissed, her heart pounding.

Axel followed up with two sharp punches to Robby's stomach, causing him to stagger backward, winded.

"Point!" the referee called.

"His offense is even better," Clementine muttered, her voice barely audible.

She couldn't take it anymore. Turning to Miguel, she buried her face in his shoulder. "I can't watch," she whispered, her voice trembling with fear for Robby.

Another sharp crack echoed through the arena, and Clementine flinched. When she finally opened her eyes, she saw Axel holding Robby upright, gripping his arms tightly.

"Are you going to keep defending," Axel sneered, his voice dripping with disdain, "or are you going to fight?"

With a sudden shove, Axel tossed Robby into Kwon's arms on the Cobra Kai side of the mat.

"Hey!" Clementine shouted, her voice cutting through the noise.

Kwon smirked, holding Robby in place with the help of Yoon. His expression was one of mocking arrogance.

"Let him go!" Clementine yelled, her anger boiling over.

"Come on, Kwon! Let him go!" Jackson shouted from the sidelines, his Southern drawl laced with frustration.

Kwon glanced at Jackson and sneered. "Stay out of it, country boy," he taunted before driving an elbow into Robby's side.

Clementine's fury erupted. Without thinking, she stepped onto the mat, her movements fueled by protective rage. Miguel followed closely behind her, his stance tense and ready for action.

"This is bullshit!" Chozen yelled from the sidelines, his voice booming with authority.

Miguel made his way toward Robby, but before he could reach him, Axel stepped forward and shoved Miguel back.

"Hey!" Clementine shouted, her voice sharp with anger.

Just as she stepped closer, another figure emerged from the Cobra Kai side-Zara. The dark-haired girl moved with lethal precision, her eyes locked on Clementine.

"Stay out of this," Zara snarled, her voice cold.

Before Clementine could react, Zara launched a swift, unexpected kick to her face. The force of the blow was blinding, and everything around Clementine spun.

The last thing she heard was Miguel's voice shouting her name before darkness enveloped her.

The sensation of something cool against her face dragged Clementine out of the darkness. Her head throbbed like a drumbeat, and her body felt heavy, like she was still floating in a fog. A faint patting sound reached her ears, and when she blinked her eyes open, she saw Jackson leaning over her, his face a mix of relief and concern.

"Clem? You with us?" Jackson's voice was laced with worry, his hand gently patting her cheek, urging her to wake up.

Alison was kneeling beside him, her eyes wide with anxiety as she held Clementine's arm to steady her. "Come on, girl. Wake up. You're alright," Alison said softly, though her tone was tight with panic.

Clementine groaned, her vision blurry as she slowly tried to sit up, the world around her spinning as she took in the scene. The bright lights of the arena, the once-organized rows of competitors, were now chaos incarnate. Shouts and the clang of bodies colliding filled the air. The tournament had devolved into an all-out brawl, with every dojo represented there-Miyagi-Do, Cobra Kai, Eagle Fang, and even the lesser-known dojos-fighting one another.

"What the hell happened?" Clementine muttered, her voice hoarse as she rubbed her aching forehead.

Jackson exchanged a glance with Alison, both of them clearly hesitant to explain, before Jackson finally spoke. "Zara. She's the one who kicked ya, Clem. That girl... she's trouble." His words were tinged with anger, as if he was already planning how to deal with her himself.

Clementine furrowed her brow, her anger bubbling up at the mention of Zara. "Zara?" she repeated, her voice cold, as she shakily pushed herself up onto her feet. She looked around, trying to regain her bearings, but the brawl was overwhelming-punches were thrown, bodies collided, and the air was thick with tension.

Before she could fully grasp what was happening, a loud crash caught her attention, and her eyes snapped to the left. Yoon, a member of Cobra Kai with a vicious streak, was charging at her, his expression twisted in malice. Clementine barely had time to react as Yoon's fist came flying toward her, but Alison was quicker. She stepped in front of Clementine, deflecting the blow with a sharp block.

"Watch out!" Alison shouted, her voice urgent as she squared off against Yoon.

"You think you can just go around hitting people?" Yoon sneered, lunging forward again.

Clementine's heart raced. "Alison, I've got this," she called out, her voice steady despite the chaos around her. She was tired of being a victim of this madness. She wasn't going to back down.

But before she could even step forward, Jackson threw himself into the fray, grabbing Yoon's wrist and pulling him back. "You got a lot of nerve," Jackson growled, twisting Yoon's arm to force him into a defensive stance.

Yoon gritted his teeth, clearly furious, but Clementine wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of thinking he could intimidate her. She was done with that.

"You wanna mess with me, Yoon?" Clementine snapped, her voice low but carrying. "You're gonna have to do better than that."

Yoon sneered and rushed at her again, but this time, Clementine was ready. She ducked under his punch and delivered a sharp knee to his midsection, followed by a spinning kick that knocked him backward. He barely stayed on his feet, but his rage only grew.

"Is that all you got, huh?" Clementine taunted, feeling her confidence surge as she squared off with him again.

The chaos that erupted around Clementine seemed to freeze everything for a moment.
She could hear the frantic shouts, the clashing of fists and feet, the grunts of pain echoing through the arena. She turned her head quickly, her eyes locking onto Zara, who was still looking smug, as if she had already won.

Clementine's body was already surging with adrenaline as she charged toward her. She could feel the anger burning deep inside her -anger not just for the fight, but for everything Zara had done to manipulate Robby, to hurt him.

"Taste this, bitch!" Clementine yelled as she launched herself at Zara, her leg extended in a powerful, precise kick aimed directly at Zara's face. The impact was hard, and Clementine felt the satisfying crunch of contact, her foot smashing against Zara's jaw. Zara staggered back, her head snapping to the side. For a moment, Clementine thought she might have actually knocked her out.

But Zara quickly recovered, her eyes flashing with rage as she straightened up, wiping blood from her lip. The moment Zara's feet planted back on the ground, two more Iron Dragons surged forward from her side, surrounding Clementine.

Without hesitation, Clementine ducked under a wild punch from one of them, delivering a swift roundhouse kick to the second one's midsection, knocking him back. Her heart was pounding in her chest as she shifted her focus, but she had little time to react before Zara charged at her again.
This time, Zara was faster. She lashed out with a vicious kick, catching Clementine off guard. The force of it sent Clementine flying backward, crashing into the floor with a heavy thud. Her back slammed into the mat, knocking the air out of her lungs.

For a second, everything went black. She couldn't breathe, couldn't think, her vision blurring from the impact. But before she could fully process what had happened, Zara was on top of her, her elbow crashing down into Clementine's chest with a sickening force.

Clementine gasped, her ribs screaming in pain. She could feel the weight of Zara's body pinning her down, but she refused to give up.
She raised her arms in an attempt to block Zara's next punch, the blow landing on her forearms with enough force to make them ache, but she held her ground.

"You're weak, Katz!" Zara hissed, her voice filled with venom. She drew her fist back and slammed it into Clementine's stomach.

Clementine gasped in pain, the wind knocked out of her once again. But even as the pain coursed through her, she felt a burning desire to push through.

Clementine couldn't allow herself to stay down. She refused. Every punch Zara threw, Clementine blocked. Every hit that came, she countered, each movement slower than the last, her body growing heavier under the barrage.

But through the haze of pain, something caught her eye-a familiar figure sprinting toward her.
Robby.

Her heart surged with hope. He was there, charging into the fray like a force of nature.
Before Clementine could even react, Robby grabbed Zara by the waist, his grip firm as he spun her around and threw her to the side with a roar of effort. Zara's body slammed into the ground with a grunt.

"Get off her!" Robby shouted, his voice filled with a protective fury that made Clementine's heart skip a beat.

He reached down to her, his hand outstretched. Clementine took it with trembling fingers, allowing him to pull her up.

She winced as the movement sent a jolt of pain through her body, but she stood, her knees shaking but unyielding.

"Clem! You okay?" Robby asked, his concern clear in his voice. His eyes searched her face for any sign of injury.

She nodded, breathing deeply to steady herself. "Yeah... I'm okay," she muttered, her voice tight from the pain.

Just as they were catching their breath, Zara staggered to her feet, her face red with fury.
She glared at Robby, her expression contorted in disbelief.

"You'd really choose her over me?" Zara sneered, the words dripping with disdain.

Robby didn't flinch. His jaw set in a firm line, and his voice was unwavering when he spoke.
"It's not even close."

Clementine couldn't help but scoff at Zara's desperation. The thought of her ever having a chance with Robby was laughable. "Just because you had sex with Robby-by the way, you took advantage of him when he was drunk, bitch," she snapped, her voice sharp like a whip.

Zara's face flushed a deep shade of red, a mix of anger and humiliation. Before she could say anything more, another figure appeared from behind Clementine. A girl, one of Zara's lackeys, grabbed Clementine's ponytail and yanked it hard.

"Ah!" Clementine grunted in pain as her head was pulled backward, but she wasn't going to let this go unnoticed. She quickly swung her elbow back, hitting the girl square in the side.The girl gasped, loosening her grip just enough for Clementine to twist out of it.

Without skipping a beat, Clementine kicked the girl in the stomach, sending her stumbling backward with a shocked gasp. The girl fell to the ground with a thud, clutching her abdomen.

But before Clementine could take a step forward, she felt a sharp pain in her side as another punch landed from one of the Iron Dragons still in the fray.

"Damn it," Clementine muttered under her breath, tightening her fists and getting back into her stance. But the fight wasn't over, and she wasn't about to let anyone else think she was down for good.

She was ready for whatever came next.

The atmosphere in the room was thick with tension. It was as if time itself had slowed down. Clementine's heart raced in her chest as she watched Kwon, his eyes locked onto Alex. He stood in the center of the room with a sword, a cold, calculating expression on his face. There was no mistaking it-he was going to attack.

"No!" Clementine shouted, her voice cracking with urgency.

Her blood ran cold as she sprinted toward him, fear and instinct propelling her forward. There was no time to think. Her body moved of its own accord, adrenaline coursing through her veins. She couldn't let Kwon hurt anyone-not Alex, not Robby, and certainly not anyone else in the room. She wasn't about to stand by and let it happen.

Kwon raised the sword with precision, his eyes narrowing as he prepared to strike. The blade glinted menacingly in the light, and in the split second before he swung, Clementine leapt forward, her hands reaching for the hilt.

"Stop!" she screamed as she grabbed the sword, her fingers curling around the steel, desperate to wrestle it out of his hands. But Kwon's grip was like iron. He fought back, twisting the sword, trying to break free from her hold. Every muscle in Clementine's body strained with the effort, her arms burning with the intensity of the struggle.

But then, with one swift movement, the sword slipped from his grasp. It was in her hands now, the weight of it unfamiliar and heavy. Clementine tried to twist the weapon away, to disarm Kwon once and for all-but in her panic and haste, she miscalculated.

The blade of the sword shifted in her hands, and before she could react, the tip of it plunged deep into her chest. The sharp, searing pain exploded through her body in an instant. Clementine's breath caught in her throat, and for a moment, the world around her seemed to stop. The sound of her heart pounding in her ears drowned out everything else.

"No!" she gasped, her voice weak with disbelief as she stumbled back, the sword still lodged in her chest. Her hands trembled as she looked down at the blood now soaking her gi, warm and sticky, spilling out from the wound. Her vision blurred, and the pain surged through her body like a wave crashing down on her. She was having trouble breathing, the world spinning around her as her legs buckled beneath her.

The room went deathly silent, the shock of the moment hanging in the air. Kwon's face twisted in horror as he realized what had happened. His eyes widened, and his hand shot up to his mouth, his breath coming in ragged gasps.

Before Clementine could process it further, a scream pierced the air-Kwon was on his knees, his hands trembling as he stared at her, unable to comprehend the situation. Blood pooled beneath him, and for a moment, Clementine was too dazed to understand what was happening.

But then her eyes locked onto Robby, who was rushing toward her. His face was pale, his expression one of absolute panic. "Clem! No!" His voice was hoarse with fear, and he reached her just as her knees gave out, her body collapsing into his arms.

Clementine's hand instinctively reached for his shirt, clutching at it with what little strength she had left. Her body felt heavy, like it was made of stone, and the world around her was fading to black.

"Clem!" Robby said, his voice thick with panic, his hands shaking as he tried to keep her steady. His arms wrapped around her, pulling her close as if trying to protect her from the darkness closing in.

Clementine tried to speak, tried to tell him she was okay, but her voice was a whisper, barely audible. Her vision was clouded, her breath shallow. She felt the blood rushing from her body, her senses dulling as everything began to fade.

Then she noticed the searing pain in her side-the wound she hadn't noticed earlier. Her hand instinctively pressed to her stomach, and she gasped, realizing that blood was staining her gi. The world tilted, and she could barely keep herself upright. She looked down at her side, seeing the blood spreading rapidly, soaking through the fabric of her gi.

"No..." Clementine whispered, her lips trembling as the truth began to sink in. She was losing too much blood. She wasn't sure how much longer she could stay conscious.

"Clementine!" Alison's voice called out, frantic. "You're bleeding!"

"Clem!" Jackson added, his voice equally frantic as he rushed to her side.

Clementine's body felt numb, her limbs like lead. She looked at Robby, her vision unfocused, and tried to smile through the pain. "I'm sorry," she whispered, barely able to form the words.

But Robby wasn't listening. His face was filled with terror, and he held her tighter. He could see the blood now, seeping through her hands, staining his shirt. His chest tightened with the overwhelming fear that he might lose her right here, in front of everyone.

"Call an ambulance! Someone! Please!" Robby screamed, his voice breaking. He looked around desperately, but he didn't know who could help. They were in Barcelona, far from home, and the panic that had settled in his chest was suffocating.

Clementine's eyes fluttered weakly, her hand slipping from his shirt as she slumped against him. She tried to hold onto consciousness, but the pain was too much. The darkness pulled her under, and she could feel herself fading, her body betraying her. Her vision blurred even more until all she could see was Robby's face, and then nothing at all.

The last thing she heard before everything went black was Robby's voice, calling her name in a broken scream, and the frantic shouts of the others as they rushed to try and save her. But it was too late. She had already passed out in his arms.

ASH SPEAKS!!!

hi dont hate me pleaseee for the cliffhanger 🫶🏻🫶🏻🤭🤭 i will be back in february for part3! in the meantime, keep this book in your library and check out my other books also!!!<3

PLEASE DONT BE A GHOST READER!!!!!
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