╔.𖥸. .════════════════╗

𝗖𝗟𝗔𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗬

chapter six
and that was the moment
I knew

╚════════════════. .❀.╝

ALYSSA STEPPED OUT of her car, Moon and Demetri in tow, staring up at the sports center that had people walking in and out of. It was the day of the All Valley tournament, and she was there to show her support for Cobra Kai . . . okay, maybe not Cobra Kai, because she still hated that strike first strike hard no mercy bullshit, but she was there to support her friends.

Things were still impossibly weird between her and Eli. She didn't understand why he had acted up, especially towards her, the night of the party. And she also kind of regretted calling him a dick (emphasis on kind of — he was acting like a dick.) The two hadn't really talked about it at all and were just acting civil, but anyone could see the tension brewing between them beneath the surface.

Which is why Eli's mohawk was the first think she looked for. She found it, quite easily, standing in front of the sports center with the other members of Cobra Kai.

Might as well extend the olive branch. She didn't want to live in this weird sort of thing she had going on with Eli anymore of not talking about their issues and just trying to ignore them. They were never like that, and she definitely didn't want them to start being like that.

"Hey, I'll be right back," Alyssa told the other two. "I'll catch up inside."

"We'll save you a seat," Moon promised, her usual radiant smile on her face.

Moon and her had actually rapidly become friends once Alyssa started to hang around each other. She truly was an absolute sweetheart who always saw the good in people, and Alyssa couldn't help but love her.

Alyssa couldn't help but smile back at her. "Thanks. Be right back."

While Moon and Demetri went up to the doors, Alyssa steered herself over to the Cobra Kai's. Her stomach churned with nerves, although she didn't really know why she was so nervous. She wiped her sweaty palms against the jeans she was wearing as she got closer. Alyssa let out a deep breath as she stopped next to Eli.

"Hey," Alyssa greeted quietly, making Eli look over at her, almost questioningly. "How are you feeling? About the tournament, I mean. Big day."

"Fine," Eli answered. "Kind of weird, but fine."

"That's good." Alyssa cleared her throat. "I — um, I just wanted to say that I'm sorry for the other night at the party, for calling you a dick and stuff. And for doing anything that upset you, it was just . . . a really weird night."

Eli blinked at her, and for a moment, a flash of understanding went across his face. "It's cool. I mean, we're cool, yeah?"

Alyssa felt relief wash over her. "Yeah. For sure." She looked over at him and offered him a small grin. "I also wanted to say that I'm rooting for you, and good luck."

Eli smirked a little — she still wasn't used to it, but it was better than nothing. "Thanks Lys."

She then turned to look at the other boy in front of her, and tilted her head in thought as she watched Miguel punch literally nothing. "Do you think he's aware he's fighting the air?"

Eli looked at Miguel. "Yo, Miguel, calm down, man. Save some for the tournament."

Miguel merely glanced at him before facing forwards and punching again.

"Hey, don't even bother," Aisha replied. "He's been super aggro ever since the breakup."

Alyssa sighed. "Miguel, can you stop punching the air for a second? Just one?"

Miguel relaxed out of his fighting stance and looked at her with a facial expression that just screamed what do you want? Alyssa offered him a small, sad smile before walking up to him. She rose up onto her toes and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him close to her and hugging him tight. The tension from Miguel's body momentarily faded as he sunk into her, putting his arms around her waist to hug her back.

"I'm sorry about Sam," Alyssa told him softly, squeezing him once before letting him go. "But she'll come around. You just have to give her time."

"Will she?" Miguel asked. "I'm not liking my odds right now."

"Everything will be okay, I promise. It'll all work out at the end." She held her fist out to him. "Good luck out there."

Miguel bumped his fist against hers. "Thanks, Ally."

Alyssa gave a smile to Bert and Aisha as well. "And good luck to you, too. I'll be cheering you all on." She pointed at Aisha as she started to walk away. "Especially you, Aisha."

Aisha let out a small laugh at that, even through the annoyance she seemed to have. Alyssa's smile slightly widened at it as she got in the line to get in. Once she made it inside, she glanced around for a moment, staring at the huge banners of people from past tournaments. She spotted a young Daniel LaRusso, of course, doing his infamous crane kick.

If Miguel was acting like that, it made Alyssa wonder how Sam was doing. Not good, she assumed.

Alyssa walked further into the stadium, walking down the steps. She glanced through the crowds of people before spotting Demetri and Moon, sitting at a spot near the middle. There was an empty spot between them, obviously reserved for Alyssa. She squeezed through the crowds to get to them and settled down on the bleachers once she made it.

"Did you talk to Eli?" Demetri questioned.

Alyssa nodded. "I also stopped Miguel from punching air. It was a riveting time." She tucked some of her hair behind her ear. "He's not doing too well after his breakup with Sam."

Demetri nodded. "Well, he did hit her and cause her to fall."

"Maybe don't mention that around him. But I gave him a hug, so I'm hoping that made him feel better."

"That's actually so cute," Moon admitted. "You two seem close."

Alyssa shrugged. "I like to think we are. He's a good friend."

Their conversation stopped momentarily, mostly because it was a little hard to hear over all the chatter. Alyssa looked down at the mat. Surrounding the mat were all the dojos competing — well, she couldn't spot one very specific one, but she assumed they would show up sooner or later. There was a table with all of the trophies on it and a table for the judges.

"Welcome, everyone, to the fiftieth annual All Valley Under Eighteen Karate Championship!" the announcer exclaimed, and the crowd cheered, making Alyssa clap along with them.

Demetri looked around. "This has been going on for fifty years? Am I the only one that's been out of the loop?"

Alyssa patted his shoulder. "We'll catch you up, don't worry."

"You'll love the new mats," the announcer continued. "All right, let's start by welcoming all the local dojos competing today. From Granada Hills, All-Star Karate."

He continued to list of all of the dojos that were competing. Alyssa, however, just glanced around at everything else. Surprisingly, she saw Sam with her family sit right in the front row. Alyssa's eyebrows knit in thought. She thought Sam had said she wouldn't be at the tournament, and it sounded like she really meant it at the time.

"Fighting out of Topanga, we have Topanga Karate."

"Yeah!" a woman dressed in all blue shouted, standing up. "Whoo! Topanga! You kick some ass, Xander! Whoo!"

"Huh," Alyssa commented, raising an eyebrow as her claps slowed down. "She's enthusiastic."

"From Reseda, returning to the tournament, we have—" the announcer began.

Suddenly, a chant of Cobra Kai over and over sounded. Alyssa looked over, only to see the entire Cobra Kai dojo jogging out onto the mat, decked out in black and yellow outfits. Following them was Sensei Lawrence, wearing all black.

"Now that's what I call an entrance!" the announcer voiced as all of Cobra Kai's students stopped jogging. "And a badass name for a dojo! Let's hear it for Cobra Kai!"

"Whoo!" Moon yelled. "Whoo, go Hawk!"

And then the uncomfortable feeling in Alyssa's stomach that she felt at the party suddenly came back. She pushed it away for now, not really wanting to dwell on it.

"And finally, fighting unaffiliated from North Hills, we have Mr. Robby Keene," the announcer finished.

The boy that had come to the party with Sam then ran out onto the mat. Alyssa stared at him in fascination. So his name was Robby.

"All right, folks. Get ready. It's karate time."

So, as Alyssa had come to learn, there were these things called preliminary rounds. It was basically to narrow down all the competitors from all the dojos to eight people, then to four for the semi-finals, then to two for the finals, and then one, who would be the champion.

She pretty much only watched Cobra Kai, occasionally looking out for Robby Keene. Miguel easily won his first round by doing Daniel LaRusso's crane kick. Aisha won hers, too, which made Alyssa cheer impossibly loud. And then came one of Eli's turns. When he won, he let out a yell of victory and ripped off the top of his . . . gi (?), throwing it down on the ground.

Moon stared at him, a dumbstruck look on her face. "Damn, he is so hot."

True.

What?

Alyssa ignored whatever just happened in her head, shaking it like it would make it go away. Her eyes then widened as Eli turned around and rolled his shoulders back, making it look like the hawk tattoo on his back was flying.

"I cannot believe this actually works," Demetri said.

It was then Bert's turn. Alyssa watched him like a proud mom, because, well, he was her son at one point in time. However, Bert was beat pretty easily because the boy was a lot bigger than him.

More and more fighting went on. Miguel obviously made it to the semi-finals, and so did Robby. Aisha unfortunately got knocked down, and Alyssa watched with a frown as she stormed off, clearly frustrated with what just happened.

"Yes, let's give it up for all of our competitors," the announcer stated once the preliminary rounds were done and the four semi-finalists were chosen. "You're all winners. We have seen some great fighting today, haven't we? There can be only one true winner, and he is standing on this stage right now. Will it be Miguel Diaz from Cobra Kai Karate?"

Alyssa clapped and cheered. "Let's go, Miguel!"

"Will it be Hawk . . . well, I guess it's just Hawk from Cobra Kai Karate?"

Alyssa frowned a little at that, her claps slowing down. She did really support his whole transformation into Hawk, but it made her feel strange when it seemed like that he was just erasing all of Eli. Alyssa glanced over and shared a look with Demetri, who seemed to be thinking the same thing.

"Moskowitz," Demetri responded. "It's Eli Moskowitz."

"Will it be Robby Keene, unaffiliated?" the announcer inquired. "And last but certainly not least, last year's champion, fighting out of Topanga Karate, Xander Stone!"

Xander then did a roundoff into a back layout across the map. Alyssa blinked in surprise at the movement.

"What the fuck, I wanna do that," Alyssa revealed. "Sign me up for gymnastics."

Xander took the microphone. "I just wanted to say, even though I love to fight, we all need to fight together against hatred. And as I look around this arena, I pray for every race, religion, and gender, that we can all live together in peace. Please join me in a moment of silence as we strive to end intolerance in our time."

Everyone bowed their heads for the moment of silence. Alyssa, however, gently elbowed Moon.

"He reminds me of you," Alyssa whispered quietly.

Moon slightly giggled and elbowed her back. "Thanks."

The announcer took his microphone back. "All right! First up, Stone versus Diaz! Let's go!"

"Come on, Miguel!" Alyssa shouted as Miguel and Xander faced each other. "Let's go!"

The fight was intense. Both of them were very good fighters, throwing multiple punches and kicks at each other. In the end, it was Miguel who won, gaining all three points while Xander only got one. Alyssa cheered so loud that she thought she was going to lose her voice when Miguel got that final kick.

"Miguel Diaz is headed to the finals," the announcer told everyone. "Next up, Hawk versus Keene."

"Oh God, I feel like I'm gonna be sick," Alyssa said to herself, wrapping her arms around Demetri's as she watched Robby step up onto the mat.

"If you're going to do that, at least aim it away from me," Demetri replied.

Eli jumped up onto the mat. He said something to Robby that Alyssa obviously couldn't hear before him and Robby bowed to the ref and then each other. They got into their fighting positions, and when the ref called that they could fight, Robby stepped forwards and kicked. Eli leaned back and blocked all of Robby's advancing moves before he put his arm around Robby, bringing him to the ground and punching him in the stomach.

Alyssa let out a laugh of amazement. "Holy shit, he's good."

Robby got back up. He went back to his side of the mat, facing Eli again.

Daniel LaRusso then stood up, cupping his hands around his mouth. "Remember what you learned, Robby!"

Robby nodded in understanding and closed his eyes, taking a deep breath, seemingly grounding himself. The ref told them to get into their fighting positions, and when he announced that they could fight, Eli was the one who struck first. He advanced on Robby with a kick, but Robby quickly blocked it. Eli kicked again, but Robby placed a hand on his back and pushed him across the mat. He regained his ground and kicked again, which Robby blocked. Robby swung and missed, but he kicked Eli across the face, making him fall to the floor.

Alyssa winced. "Ooh. That could not have felt good."

She watched as Eli and Robby exchanged a few words. It must've been shit talk, because Eli looked absolutely livid at whatever Robby had said. The ref held out his hand to signal when they could start, but Eli knocked him aside, walking up to Robby and kicked him straight in the shoulder. Alyssa gasped in shock as Robby fell to the mat and Eli got pulled away by the ref. The ref pushed Eli back as he went to start advancing, meanwhile Sensei Lawrence went to Robby's side.

"That's enough!" the ref shouted. "Illegal contact! You're disqualified!"

Eli removed the ref's arms from him. "Bullshit!"

"Oh no," Alyssa muttered, her mind spinning because she realized that she didn't really recognize the boy on the mat for a moment. "Well, that's not good."

Eli clearly had some choice words to say with Sensei Lawrence before hopping down, standing next to Miguel off the mat. Another ref helped Robby stand up, who was cradling his left arm onto his chest.

"With that disqualification, Keene earns a trip to the finals," the announcer explained. "We'll see him back here after a short break."

Alyssa let Demetri's arm go. "I'm not really keen to see Miguel fight Robby." She then scrunched her nose up a little. "I didn't mean to make an accidental pun of keen and Keene."

"Yeah, that's a bad one," Demetri commented.

"You know what? I'm gonna start making fun of you every time you make a bad pun."

"But you already do that."

Alyssa's eyebrows knit in thought. "Oh. I guess you're right." Her eyes then slid to the edge of the mat, where Sam and Miguel were talking, but it didn't seem to be a good conversation. "Um, I'll be back real quick."

She stood up from the bleachers, squeezing past all of the people and bounding down the steps. Alyssa stopped in front of Sam, who had her gaze averted down to the floor.

"Sam," Alyssa called. "Hey."

Sam's head snapped up, and Alyssa could see the tears starting to form in her eyes, making her frown. "Oh. Hey, Ally."

"I just wanted to check up on you. See how you were doing." Alyssa crossed her arms across her chest. "Which is evidently not good."

Sam glanced back at Miguel. "Yeah. It's all a little . . . much, right now."

Alyssa stared at Miguel for a moment before turning back to Sam. "Did he do something? Like, other than hit you? Because he may be one of my friends, but I'm not afraid to beat him up for you." She then paused. "Actually, that's a lie. He knows karate, and I don't."

Sam shook her head. "Don't worry about it."

"Well, for whatever it's worth, I'm sorry." Alyssa's face then slightly lit up as an idea came to mind, and she pulled her phone out of her pocket, extending it to Sam. "Here. And give me your phone. Give me your phone."

Sam took her phone, and with her eyebrows knit in confusion, handed her own phone to Alyssa. "What for?"

Alyssa typed on Sam's phone. "Put your number in, and I'll put my number in yours. If you ever need to talk about anything, I'm always available." Alyssa smiled and offered Sam's phone back to her. "Really, I've been stuck with boys my whole life and could really use some girls."

Sam took her phone and handed Alyssa's back, sniffling a little. "Thank you. But, uh, I'm gonna go."

"Of course." Alyssa nodded in understanding. "Call me anytime."

Alyssa gave her shoulder a comforting squeeze before climbing back up the steps, heading back to Moon and Demetri. She sighed as she sat back down on her spot in between them, putting her phone back in her pocket.

The lights in the arena suddenly dimmed, and Miguel and Sensei Lawrence stood in one corner of the mat while Robby stood in the other. Yellow lights shone around the mat as the announcer walked forward to the center. Alyssa clapped along with the cheering crowd, her stomach twisting with nerves for Miguel.

"This is it, folks," the announcer voiced. "The moment we've all been waiting for. The final match to determine who will be victor and champion. Will it be Miguel Diaz from Cobra Kai Karate?"

"Yeah!" Alyssa cheered. "Come on, Miguel!"

"Will it be Robby Keen, unaffili—" the announcer started to say, but a woman ran up onto the mats, whispering something to him. "Daniel LaRusso's gonna coach?" He turned back to the crowd, making his voice louder. "Daniel LaRusso is gonna coach!"

Alyssa's eyes widened a little. Well, she wasn't expecting that. Apparently, nobody did. Miguel and Sensei Lawrence looked positively pissed.

"I'm sorry, folks, there's been a change. Robby Keene will now be fighting for Miyagi-Do Karate with former champion Daniel LaRusso as his Sensei!"

"Miyagi-Do," Alyssa repeated quietly to herself. For some reason, she felt something spark inside of her when she heard the name. It peaked her interest. "Hm."

"How about that?" the announcer inquired. "Good luck, gentlemen."

She watched as Sensei Lawrence and Mr. LaRusso approached each other. Old enemies, Alyssa remembered — it had been decades since Mr. LaRusso defeated Sensei Lawrence at the All Valley.

Alyssa's leg bounced up and down anxiously as Miguel and Robby took their places on the mat. Demetri took notice to this and looked from her bouncing leg to her face. He placed a hand on her knee, stopping her from bouncing it, but in comfort, too. Alyssa glanced at him with a small smile and placed a hand on the top of his arm, giving it a squeeze of thanks.

Miguel and Robby bowed to the ref and then to each other before getting in their fighting positions. The ref announced they could fight, and Miguel approached first, throwing punches at Robby. Robby blocked them, plus Miguel's kick and his knee. Miguel continued to punch, which Robby dodged. Robby pushed Miguel's arm out of the way and kicked him in the stomach, making Miguel fall onto the mat.

"Shit," Alyssa said before raising her voice as Miguel hit the mat in anger. "It's okay, Miguel!"

"Keene and Miyagi-Do get the first point," the announcer stated.

Miguel and Robby both got in their places on the mat and raised their fists in their fighting positions. The ref told them they could fight, and once again, Miguel struck first, aiming a kick at Robby that Robby blocked. Robby advanced on Miguel with kicks, which Miguel blocked. Miguel dodged the punches Robby threw at him and lifted up his leg, kicking Robby on the back of his shoulder. He then punched Robby in the stomach. Robby fell back onto the mat.

"Diaz and Cobra Kai with the point!" the announcer exclaimed. "Now it's one-one."

Alyssa tilted her head in thought as she watched Robby clutch onto his shoulder for a moment as he got in a fighting position. Miguel got in his fighting position too, and once the ref announced they could fight, both of them approached each other at the same time. Robby blocked Miguel's punches, and then Miguel hit Robby in the shoulder, making him cry out in pain and stumble back. Miguel then bent down and kicked his leg, making Robby fall onto his back on the mat. Before Robby could get up, Miguel punched him in the chest, earning himself another point.

"That makes it two points for Diaz," the announcer said.

"Time!" Mr. LaRusso called as Robby continued to lay on the ground, clutching his left shoulder in pain. "Time!"

Mr. LaRusso ran up to Robby on the mat while Miguel retreated back to the Cobra Kai's.

"He doesn't look too good," Alyssa commented. "I think Eli really fucked his shoulder up."

Robby then stood back up, making Miguel do so as well. They both got in their fighting positions once more, and the ref announced they could fight, and Miguel struck first. He aimed a kick at Robby, which he blocked. Miguel paused for a minute before advancing with punches that Robby blocked. Robby then pushed Miguel off to the side, but since he was over the black part of the mat, it was out of bounds.

"I never knew this could be so entertaining," Alyssa admitted. "But I'm also a bundle of nerves."

Miguel and Robby went back to their respective sides of the mat. The ref announced they could begin, and Miguel ran forwards, throwing punches at Robby. Robby dodged, but Miguel pushed Robby down, making him fall. He then kicked Robby's shoulder. Robby rolled back away from Miguel and pushed himself up on one hand, kicking Miguel with both of his feet in his stomach.

Alyssa's jaw fell open in shock. "Holy fuck, dude, no way."

Moon giggled at her. "You know, I'm on the cheer team. I can get you a spot if you want to learn some acrobatics."

She looked at Moon hopefully. "You mean you can teach me how to do a cartwheel?"

"Absolutely I can."

"Oh my God. It's a plan."

"How about that?" the announcer shouted. "A two-legged kick!"

Robby walked up to Miguel, who was still kneeling on the mats, recovering from the kick. He extended a hand out to Miguel to help him up, but instead, Miguel grabbed his other arm of the shoulder Robby had hurt and yanked. Alyssa stared at Miguel in disbelief — Miguel had never seemed like an angry sort of guy to her, not until now. She didn't know if she liked the Miguel she was staring at right now.

The ref only gave Miguel a warning for unsportsmanlike contact. Mr. LaRusso called Robby over for a minute while Miguel went back to Sensei Lawrence. After a moment, Miguel and Robby came back onto the mat.

"Whoever wins the next point will be our new champion!" the announcer revealed.

"Come on, Miguel," Alyssa whispered.

Both of them got in their fighting positions. The ref announced, they could fight, and Miguel advanced, throwing a punch that Robby blocked. Miguel kicked Robby's leg out of the way. Robby then spun around, aiming a kick at Miguel. It hit Miguel's leg but didn't knock him down, and the two turned back to each other. Robby then came at Miguel with a kick that landed behind Miguel's shoulder, but Miguel lifted up his own leg and kicked Robby's hurting shoulder. He stumbled back and Miguel kicked Robby in the stomach. Robby fell back onto the mat, earning Miguel the full point, and therefore making him champion.

Alyssa didn't know much about karate. However, she wasn't stupid. That fight obviously wasn't fair. Miguel had specifically targeted Robby's bad shoulder to win. Nevertheless, she still shot up in her chair and cheered for her friend, because he did deserve to win after all the training he had done.

The ref lifted up Miguel's arm. "Winner!"

All at once, the entire Cobra Kai dojo ran up to the mat and brought Miguel into a giant group hug. Alyssa felt Moon sling her arms around her shoulders, and Alyssa leaned their heads together, the two of them laughing and cheering together. They started to jump up and down like they were little kids, but it didn't matter. Demetri just watched them in a mixture of amusement and bewilderment.

"Who saw that coming, huh?" the announcer asked. "I know I didn't. Without further ado, let me present the trophy to this year's new champion, Miguel Diaz and the Cobra Kai dojo!"

Miguel lifted up his trophy and let out a yell of victory. Alyssa let out a small laugh of amusement at him and reached up, holding Moon's arms that were still around her.

"Is there anything you wanna say to the people, son?"

Miguel took the microphone. "I just wanna say that if it wasn't for my Sensei, I wouldn't be here. So this is for Sensei Johnny Lawrence and Cobra Kai!"

All at once, the dojo resumed their chant of Cobra Kai over and over again. The crowd followed alone with them . . . but Alyssa didn't.

When the hype started to die down, everyone in the arena started to trickle out. Moon had left immediately to go see Eli, understandably. Alyssa wanted to go see him, too, but she didn't really want to see Eli and Moon make out while she stood there awkwardly. There would be time to see Eli later, anyways. So, Alyssa and Demetri descended down the stairs of the bleachers, walking up to Miguel.

"Miguel!" Alyssa shouted, running up to him and throwing her arms around his neck. "Congratulations!"

He practically caught her in his arms, spinning her around once to regain his balance. "Thanks, Als."

"Hey, man, there he is," Demetri said, bringing Miguel into a hug once Alyssa let him go. "Listen, Ally and I are reconsidering joining Cobra Kai."

Alyssa blinked and looked up at him. "We are? Did I miss a conversation? I did not agree to that."

Demetri ignored her, making Alyssa shake her head in disbelief. "I'm still not into the idea of getting hit in the face and all, but I respect the safety in numbers aspect of joining a gang."

Miguel didn't seem to register what Demetri was saying at all and instead continued to glance around. "Okay, uh, have you — have you seen Sam?"

"She left," Alyssa told him, giving Miguel a knowing look. "A while ago. Like, right before the finals."

Miguel's face visibly fell. "Okay."

Demetri patted his shoulder. "Well, hey, great job not sucking."

"Thanks, man."

Alyssa gave him a smile, holding onto Demetri's flannel so they wouldn't lose each other. "Go celebrate, you deserve it."

Once she knew Miguel couldn't see her anymore, Alyssa let the smile slowly flicker off of her face. She didn't like how Miguel targeted Robby's pain to win, and she definitely didn't like how Eli had kicked Robby to make his shoulder like that. And there was only one explanation to what made them that way.

Strike first, strike hard, no mercy.

So, yeah. Alyssa Liu didn't like Cobra Kai.

•─•°•❀•°•─•

𝙴𝙽𝙳 𝙾𝙵 𝙿𝙰𝚁𝚃 𝙸

OH

OH MY

THAT'S MY MF FACECLAIM !!! EVERYONE GIVE IT UP FOR JODI

also anyways, that's the end of part one :) part two is where more action is involved and miss ally gets back into karate <3