chapter fifty-eight:
❛ blood in blood out (2) ❜

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sorry for all the notifications wattpad is glitching for me

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Clementine stood at the edge of the mat with her teammates, her muscles tense with anticipation. The room hummed with energy, the walls alive with the sound of footsteps, claps, and heavy breathing. Sensei LaRusso and Sensei Lawrence stood before them, ready to lead them into the fight of the season.

"So we need to win this one to stay in the tournament," Sensei LaRusso's voice was steady, but there was an undercurrent of pressure. He glanced at each of them, making sure the weight of the moment was sinking in. "I know it's tough with Silver here, but remember, we're not fighting his team now. We fight as Miyagi-Do."

The words hung in the air, the intensity building as the students nodded, their faces reflecting both determination and the challenge ahead.

"We've heard this garbage going around about loyalty," Sensei Lawrence added, his tone blunt, almost taunting as he threw a glance at the other team. "Almost all of us trained somewhere else at some point, and that's fine. What matters is where our asses are now." He pointed to the center of the room where their team stood. "We're Miyagi-Do. Got it?"

"Yes!" Clementine exclaimed, her voice full of fire. The words of her sensei fueled her, and she could feel the adrenaline rising. She clenched her fists, the coolness of the dojo air mixing with the heat in her chest. This was it. Their moment to prove they were a force to be reckoned with.

"Come on, y'all. Let's go!" Miguel shouted, breaking the tension with his enthusiasm. With a determined look, he marched toward the center of the mat, leading the charge. The others followed, their steps in sync.

The energy shifted, the room almost vibrating with anticipation. Miguel stepped forward to face off against Francis, one of the Redentores' strongest fighters. The two squared up, eyes locking. Miguel was focused, his stance firm as the fight began.

"Fight!" Miguel yelled, launching the first kick toward Francis. He moved quickly, aiming for a clean hit, but Francis blocked it with ease, his own movements swift and calculated. The two continued their back-and-forth exchange-punches, blocks, kicks-each movement more fluid than the last. Miguel's footwork was fast, but Francis seemed to anticipate every strike, deflecting and countering with his own precision.

Clementine watched from the sidelines, her mind racing as she studied the battle. She could feel her pulse quicken, but she knew Miguel had this. He was strong. But the moment Francis landed a solid kick to Miguel's chest, knocking him off balance, Clementine knew it was time.

Miguel stumbled slightly, regaining his composure before glancing at Clementine and Robby, who were standing together, watching the match.

"It's time," Miguel said, his eyes serious as he tapped Clementine's shoulder, signaling for her to take over. He stepped back, offering her a quick, encouraging smile.

"Okay. You got this," he said, his voice soft but full of belief. Clementine nodded, stepping into the ring with confidence.

Clementine's heart raced, but there was a calmness that overtook her. She cracked her neck and rolled her shoulders, moving to face Francis. She could tell that the guy was brimming with confidence, but Clementine was ready to wipe that smug look off his face.

They sized each other up, each fighter gauging the other's moves before making a move of their own. Clementine made the first move, spinning around with a swift kick aimed at Francis' face. He barely dodged, but Clementine's movements were fluid, and she was already adjusting to his reactions.

Francis, not willing to back down, retaliated with a hard kick to Clementine's stomach. The hit sent a shock of pain through her, but instead of faltering, she laughed, her adrenaline kicking into overdrive. "Nice try," she taunted, twisting his arm behind his back and sending an elbow to his ribs.

Francis winced but didn't lose his focus, quickly stepping back and trying to regain his balance. Clementine's eyes narrowed, and with a burst of energy, she launched herself forward, sweeping his leg from under him and sending him crashing to the mat with a thud.

"Don't fuck with Katz," she smirked, standing tall and looking down at Francis, who lay on the mat, clearly winded. The crowd of teammates around the edge erupted into cheers, but Clementine wasn't finished yet. She gave him a cocky grin before stepping out of the ring.

But before she could fully step back, another Redentores fighter entered the ring to replace Francis.

"Clem, tag me!" Kenny called from the sidelines, practically bouncing on his feet with excitement.

"No. Over here! Tag me, tag me!" Hawk insisted, his voice growing more impatient.

Clementine rolled her eyes, clearly over Hawk's eagerness. He wasn't about to take over-especially not when Kenny was raring to get in. Without even looking at Hawk, she slapped Kenny's hand, sending him into the ring.

"You got this!" she yelled, her voice full of support. Kenny gave her a quick thumbs-up, then focused on the boy now facing him.

"Finally!" Kenny yelled, cracking his knuckles and getting ready for the next round.

"No, no!" Demetri yelled from the sidelines, already anticipating a disaster.

"Shut it!" Clementine snapped, rolling her eyes as Demetri fretted over every little move.

Robby gave her a quick smile, his eyes sparkling with appreciation. "Thank you," he said, quietly enough for only her to hear.

Clementine smirked, her lips curling up. "We need to talk later," she muttered, her voice low as she watched Kenny take his stance.

Kenny and his opponent locked eyes, circling each other as the fight began. Kenny wasted no time, swiftly kicking the boy's leg and following up with a punch. The other fighter blocked, but Kenny wasn't backing down. He dodged a spin kick with ease, swinging his leg around and launching himself into the air, his fist landing square on the boy's jaw.

Clementine gasped, a proud smile spreading across her face. She couldn't help but cheer as the referee called the point.

"Point! Miyagi-Do, two!" the referee shouted, holding his hand up to signal their victory.

Kenny wasn't done. He lunged forward, delivering an uppercut that knocked the boy back and sent him crashing to the mat.

"Another point! Miyagi-Do wins!" the referee yelled, raising his hand to officially declare the victory.

Clementine and Robby wasted no time, running to Kenny and hoisting him onto their shoulders in a victorious celebration. The crowd cheered louder, their voices shaking the dojo with their energy.

"Let's go! Come on!" Kenny shouted, pumping his fist into the air.

But as the cheers continued, Clementine's gaze shifted to Kenny. He had a glint in his eye-a mischievous, defiant look. Without missing a beat, he turned to face Terry Silver, who was watching from the sidelines, a frown plastered across his face.

Kenny flashed Silver a wide grin and raised his middle finger high, sending a clear message.

Clementine's eyes widened in amusement, and she couldn't help but laugh, pride swelling in her chest. She clapped Kenny on the back, her voice full of approval. "I'm glad you chose the right side, Kenny," she said with a smirk, her voice full of sincerity. "And telling off Silver? Perfect move."

Kenny shrugged, his smirk growing. "I learned from the best," he said, giving a nod toward Clementine and Robby. "You guys know how to handle business."

Clementine's smile softened as she watched him, proud of the growth he had made. "You made the right choice," she repeated, her voice now more serious, but full of belief. "Don't let anyone forget it."

Kenny's eyes softened, and for a moment, he looked grateful, but then his grin returned, and he shoved her playfully. "Yeah, yeah, I know. Let's just enjoy the win."

The locker room was thick with tension. Everyone sat in uneasy silence, their thoughts heavy with what was about to come. The air felt thick, like it could suffocate you if you let it. But no one moved or spoke; it was as if the collective weight of what they had been through-and what they were about to face-had left them frozen in time.

Clementine, always the one to break the silence, exhaled a loud raspberry, the sound sharp and out of place in the stillness. "Come on, guys," she said with a playful tone, trying to lighten the mood. "We beat Cobra Kai before. We can do it again." She gave a small smile, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. She knew this fight was different. This wasn't just about proving something; it was about the end of an era.

Robby, who had been staring off into the distance, nodded slowly, his voice steady but tinged with the same heaviness that hung in the room. "One more time. Let's send our captains into the finals," he said, looking around at each face. They all understood what he meant. This wasn't just about winning; it was about going out with everything they had, leaving no regrets.

Miguel, who had been trying to hold back his emotions, let out a shaky breath. "One last time," he murmured. "Win or lose, this is the last time we'll ever fight together as a team."

Clementine felt a lump form in her throat. It was hard to process. "Damn. I guess I never thought about it like that," she muttered, her eyes focused on the floor, as if staring at it would help her wrap her mind around the finality of it all.

Miguel, his eyes glistening with unshed tears, sniffled, his voice breaking. "Same. After everything we've been through... this is... this is it," he said quietly, shaking his head as if trying to make sense of the whirlwind they'd all been caught in.

Robby smiled, a small, bittersweet curve of his lips. He glanced around the room, scanning the faces of everyone who had become so much more than just teammates. They were family. "So?" he asked, his voice full of determination. "How do we wanna go out?"

There was a brief pause. Demetri, who had been lost in thought, looked over at Eli, his best friend and once-fiercely-competitive rival. He was uncertain but finally spoke up, his voice soft but sincere. "Eli?" he said, his tone a quiet invitation to open up.

Eli, who had been slouched in his seat, his posture stiff and defensive, straightened up. His eyes met Demetri's, and for a brief moment, there was a flicker of vulnerability in them. "Dude..." Eli started, and his voice cracked. He didn't know how to put the words together, but they were there, hanging in the air. "I'm really sorry."

Demetri's face softened, his eyes full of understanding and love for the guy who had been by his side for so long, through thick and thin. Without thinking, Demetri stood up and pulled Eli into a tight, full-bodied hug. Eli stiffened at first, but then, slowly, he relaxed into the embrace, returning the hug as if he'd needed it more than he realized.

"I didn't mean to hurt you," Eli murmured, his voice filled with remorse.

Demetri chuckled, his face pressed against Eli's shoulder. "Oh, I know you didn't. I... I'm just scared of losing my best friend," Demetri admitted, his voice shaky. "I'm gonna miss you so much, man."

Eli pulled back a little, his eyes dark with the weight of what he was saying. "Yeah. But you'll always be my brother," Eli said, his voice thick with emotion.

Demetri smiled, but it was small, laced with a bittersweet sadness. The two hugged again, a little longer this time, as if trying to make up for lost time. Clementine watched the moment unfold, her throat tight with the shared weight of everything they'd all been through. She hadn't realized how much she'd taken her friendship with Demetri and Eli for granted until now. They weren't just friends-they were brothers. And she was going to miss them all.

Clementine sighed, her own thoughts swirling in a complicated mess. "I guess if we're saying sorry..." she started, her voice quiet, almost uncertain. Her gaze drifted toward Robby, who was sitting next to her. He looked at her, his eyes expectant but calm.

Without another word, Clementine leaned over and grabbed Robby's face, pulling him into a kiss. It was sudden, intense, and the room seemed to hold its breath as they shared a quiet moment. Robby had clearly been caught off guard, but he kissed her back, a natural instinct kicking in. It was messy and urgent, their lips coming together in a collision of emotions that neither of them had known how to express before. When they pulled apart, the space between them felt charged, like they were both trying to figure out where to go next.

Clementine didn't waste any time. She tugged him away from the group, pulling him to the side, her hand still gripping his. "Robby, I'm sorry for hooking up with Kwon," she whispered, her voice full of apology. "I'm sorry for breaking up with you. I was scared. I thought I was pregnant." The confession rushed out of her, as if saying the words aloud could somehow bring relief.

Robby's eyes widened in disbelief, and his hands immediately found her shoulders, his grip tight as he searched her face. "Wait? What? Are you..." His voice trailed off, panic flashing across his features. "If you are, you are done with this competition. I don't want you to get hurt," he rambled, his concern overwhelming his words.

Clementine chuckled softly, wiping away a stray tear from her cheek. "Robby, no. It was a false positive," she explained, shaking her head with a small smile of relief.

Robby let out a breath, almost laughing at how ridiculous it all seemed. A tear escaped down his cheek as he wiped it away. "I miss you," he admitted, his voice thick with emotion. "I'm sorry too. I hooked up with Zara... even though I don't really remember."

Clementine frowned, her expression softening. "That will be a conversation for another time," she said gently, her tone light but serious. This was their moment, and there would be time to talk about everything else later.

And then, without any more hesitation, they kissed again. It was slow and deliberate this time, the passion of their emotions coming through as the kiss deepened. It was everything they had been afraid to say before, wrapped in a single gesture that spoke louder than any words ever could.

Just as they pulled away, Devon, who had been watching from the doorway, sighed exaggeratedly. "Okay, that's enough! There's no crying in karate," he said, his voice gruff but affectionate.

Clementine and Robby turned toward the sound of Miguel's voice. He had his arms wrapped around both Eli and Demetri, pulling them into a group hug.

Miguel's voice cracked slightly, but he smiled through it. "You guys are always gonna be my brothers too," he said, his voice thick with emotion. The bond between them had been forged in fire, and they all knew it.

Clementine's voice joined Miguel's when she said softly, "We're a family."

"Yeah, all of us," Robby added, his voice low but filled with affection.

"Who are we?" Robby asked, raising his voice with playful energy.

"Miyagi-Do!" they all replied in unison, the words ringing through the room, louder and more certain with every repetition.

"Who are we?" Robby shouted again, his voice stronger now.

"Miyagi-Do!" they answered back, their voices rising with passion.

"Who are we?" Robby shouted one final time, his excitement contagious.

"Miyagi-Do!" they all shouted in unison, their voices filling the room with a fierce, undeniable unity.

The door swung open, and Sensei LaRusso and Sensei Lawrence walked in, their faces beaming with pride.

"You know," Sensei LaRusso began, crossing his arms and leaning against the doorframe, "we did have one real doozy of an inspirational speech planned."

Sensei Lawrence grinned, his eyes sparkling with humor. "But it looks like you guys beat us to it."

Sam, who had been holding back tears, smiled through them as she walked toward her father. "Our senseis taught us well," she said softly, her voice filled with gratitude.

Her father, Daniel LaRusso, pulled her into a side hug, squeezing her tight. "I'm proud of you, kid," he said simply.

"Alright," Sensei Lawrence declared, clapping his hands together, breaking the emotional moment. "Enough of this kumbaya crap. It's time to get out there and kick some Cobra Kai ass!"

The room erupted in cheers. "Yeah!" they shouted, their voices full of energy and determination.

And with that, they headed out of the locker room, ready for the fight of their lives, knowing that whatever happened, they had each other.

The Sekai Taikai arena was massive, the air thick with anticipation as the crowd roared in excitement. The floor beneath their feet was a polished, gleaming surface that seemed to shine in the harsh lights overhead. It felt like the whole world had narrowed down to this moment. Robby and Clementine stood side by side, their fingers intertwined tightly. She could feel the strength in his grip, the steady pulse of his heartbeat matching hers as they both focused on the battle that lay ahead.

Clementine's gaze shifted to the other side of the arena, where the Cobra Kai team stood, their eyes burning with determination. Her heart skipped a beat when it landed on Jackson, his gaze locking onto hers with an intensity that made her stomach churn. He smiled-one of those smug, self-assured grins that made her blood boil. They had so much history, and now, more than ever, she felt it. They were back together again, in the worst way possible. But they weren't the only ones with unfinished business.

The announcer's voice rang out, a booming sound that filled every corner of the arena. "Because both Miyagi-Do and Cobra Kai are one and one, whoever wins this match advances. And whoever loses is eliminated." The words hung in the air, the stakes clearer than ever. The outcome of this fight would change everything.

Clementine's eyes flickered to Sensei Kim, who was talking to Tory and Jackson, her voice low and commanding. Clementine could barely make out the words, but she knew what was coming. Whatever they had planned, it wouldn't be pretty.

"Remember, trust, tag, teamwork," Daniel's voice broke through her thoughts. He was right beside her now, his expression a mix of pride and seriousness. "You got this," he added, his tone full of encouragement. Clementine gave him a tight nod, her nerves bubbling to the surface. This wasn't just about winning; it was about proving themselves. Proving that they were a team, that they could fight back, no matter who stood against them.

"Who's in first?" Johnny's voice was low but direct, his gaze scanning their group as he assessed their lineup. His confidence in them was almost palpable.

They all exchanged brief, tense glances. It felt like everyone was thinking the same thing-this fight was theirs to win.

Robby, Sam, Hawk, Demetri, and Clementine stepped onto the mat, the arena's energy building with every step they took. The air felt heavier now, more oppressive as the crowd buzzed with energy. Clementine swallowed hard, her grip on Robby's hand tightening as their eyes scanned the opposing team. And then, as if in slow motion, Tory and Jackson strode toward them.

Clementine's stomach dropped, her heart racing. "What are you doing?" she asked, her voice sharp but controlled, her eyes narrowing at Jackson's smug expression.

Jackson shot her a glare, his eyes burning with an intensity that felt like it could pierce right through her. "Don't act like you don't know," he snapped, his voice dripping with bitterness. His words felt like daggers, each one aimed at her heart.

Robby and Clementine exchanged a brief but meaningful look. They knew what was coming. They could feel the tension radiating between the two teams.

Tory stepped forward, her lips curling into a taunting smile as she locked eyes with Robby. "You and Zara," she said with venom, her words loaded with unspoken accusations. Clementine's stomach twisted as the weight of her words settled in.

Jackson, with his eyes still fixed on Clementine, added with a sneer, "And you and Kwon."

Before either of them could respond, the referee's voice cut through the air. "Fight!"

The sound of the whistle was like a starting gun, and before Clementine could fully process the moment, she found herself facing Jackson across the mat. His stance was already defensive, his body poised and ready for whatever she threw at him. His eyes were hard, a mixture of anger and something else-something almost personal. But Clementine wasn't about to back down. This wasn't about him; it was about her, about proving that no one, not even Jackson, could control her anymore.

They lunged toward each other, the clash of their bodies resonating through the arena. Clementine reacted instinctively, her fists moving in fluid, controlled motions as she blocked Jackson's swift attacks. His strikes were fast, calculated, but she could read him like a book. She ducked beneath one of his blows and countered with a quick jab to his midsection, sending him stumbling back.

But Jackson wasn't about to be defeated that easily. He recovered quickly, launching another round of blows that Clementine barely managed to dodge. She could feel her muscles burning, her heart pounding in her chest. She wasn't just fighting him physically; she was fighting her past, fighting everything he represented.

The fight dragged on, neither of them willing to give an inch. Every move was calculated, every strike precise. Time seemed to blur as they danced across the mat, each of them pushing the other to their limits.

Through the haze of their fight, Clementine barely registered the sounds of Tory facing off against Robby. She could hear the grunts and the rapid thud of feet against the mat, but her focus was entirely on Jackson. She didn't dare look away, not even for a second.

A burst of movement from Jackson snapped her attention back to the fight at hand. He swung high, aiming for her head, but Clementine ducked low, her body spinning beneath his reach. She shot out a kick, landing it square in his chest, and Jackson staggered backward, finally losing his footing. It was enough. Clementine sprang forward, using the momentum to bring him down to the mat with a swift and calculated maneuver.

Jackson hit the ground with a heavy thud, his chest heaving as he struggled to get up. But it was too late. The referee called out, "Winner-Miyagi-Do!!"

Clementine's breath came in heavy gasps, her body trembling with exhaustion, but a triumphant smile spread across her face. She had done it. She had beaten him. But there was no time to dwell on it. As she looked up, her eyes widened in disbelief. The Cobra Kai team was being escorted off the mat-eliminated. Her heart raced as the reality of their victory hit her. They had won. They had done it.

The crowd erupted into applause, and Clementine felt a surge of pride, of relief, of something indescribable. She turned to Robby, who was already walking toward her, a wide grin on his face. The others-Sam, Hawk, and Demetri-followed behind him, their faces beaming with pride.

"You did it!" Sam exclaimed, her voice full of joy as she pulled Clementine into a hug. Hawk and Demetri joined in, all of them surrounding her with congratulations.

Robby reached her last, his arms wrapping around her in a tight, loving embrace. "You were amazing," he whispered, his voice full of awe.

Clementine laughed breathlessly, her heart swelling with happiness. "We did it," she said softly, her eyes meeting his. And for the first time in what felt like forever, Clementine felt like they were unstoppable.

As the celebration swirled around Clementine, her heart still racing from the intensity of the match, she couldn't shake the sight of Jackson and Tory walking away. Their shoulders were slumped, faces devoid of the pride and energy that had filled the arena just moments before. They seemed like shadows, faded and small against the bright lights and vibrant cheers of the arena.

Clementine's gaze followed them, a part of her still wishing things had been different, wishing that their rivalry could have ended on a more peaceful note. As they walked past her, she couldn't help herself. Her voice broke through the noise, softer than it had been during the fight, but still heavy with emotion.

"I wish you were both celebrating with us," she called out, her words catching in the stillness around them.

Jackson didn't stop, but he threw a glance over his shoulder, a sneer twisting his lips. "Celebrating?" he scoffed, his tone sharp, almost mocking. "Nah, this ain't no country club. This is life. We win some, we lose some." His words felt like barbs, meant to sting. He looked at Tory, who was walking silently beside him, her face a mixture of frustration and resignation. With a quick tug on her arm, he pulled her closer. "Let's go, Tor," he muttered, turning away from Clementine.

Clementine's eyes narrowed, but her voice rang clear, her frustration bubbling to the surface. "Jackson!" she shouted, louder now, her words cutting through the tension in the air. "You know who you are! Don't let your grandpa get into your head!"

Jackson froze for a second, and for the briefest moment, Clementine thought she might've reached him. His jaw clenched, and his fingers tightened around Tory's arm, but he didn't turn around. His back stiffened.

"You don't know anything about me, Clem," he called back, his voice low and tinged with bitterness, as he tugged Tory further away, not looking back again. "You can't fix everything."

Clementine's breath caught in her chest as he walked away, her chest aching with frustration. She didn't know what more she could say to him. She had tried. She had tried to reach him, to make him understand. But deep down, Clementine knew there was more at play here, more than just the fight, more than just Cobra Kai or Miyagi-Do. There were ghosts from Jackson's past that she couldn't possibly know, battles that went beyond the dojo.

But it still hurt. Seeing them walk away like that, knowing how close they once were and how far they had fallen.

As Jackson and Tory disappeared into the shadows of the arena, Robby walked up beside Clementine, his hand finding hers in a reassuring gesture. He looked at her with understanding, his eyes softening. "You tried, Clem," he said gently.

"I know," she sighed, squeezing his hand. "But sometimes, no matter how hard you try, people have to choose their own path."

The cheers from their team, the high-fives, and the laughter of victory filled the air, but for Clementine, the moment felt bittersweet. She had won the fight, yes. But in a way, she had lost a little piece of what could have been. She wished things had been different-for Jackson, for Tory, and for herself. But maybe, just maybe, in time, they could all find their way back to something better. She could only hope.

ASH SPEAKS!!!

i'm sad to say we have 1 more chapter left until part 3 in february:(

no alison content cause i didnt know how to fit her in this chapter!

robby and clementine are back together!!! woooo

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