chapter thirty-six:
❛ strike last (2) ❜

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Alessia stood at the edge of the mat, her heart hammering like a drum against her ribs. The roar of the crowd was deafening, a chaotic storm of cheers, whistles, and chants that blurred together into an overwhelming hum. She barely registered the noise, though-her mind was locked onto one thing.

This was it. The championship match. The final fight. The moment that would define everything.

And, of all people, her opponent was Zara Malik.

Zara. The most arrogant, self-obsessed, manipulative bitch to ever step foot on a mat. The girl who carried herself like she was untouchable, who acted as if she was above everyone else, who sneered at her opponents like they were unworthy of even breathing the same air. The girl who had taken advantage of Robby when he was drunk and then had the audacity to act like it was some kind of victory.

Alessia clenched her fists at her sides, her nails biting into her palms. Beating Zara wouldn't just be a victory-it would be justice. It would be shutting her up once and for all, proving that she didn't get to walk all over people without consequences.

Her stomach twisted with anticipation, but she refused to let the nerves shake her. She shifted on her feet, scanning the sea of faces in the crowd, searching for something-no, someone.

Robby.

If she could just see him, even for a second, maybe the storm inside her would settle. Maybe she wouldn't feel like she was one wrong move away from unraveling completely.

Before she could find him, a firm nudge to her arm pulled her back.

"Chavez."

The familiar, gruff voice cut through the noise like a lifeline.

Johnny Lawrence.

He stood beside her, arms crossed, his expression unreadable but his voice steady. "Just focus on what you need to do out there and nothing else."

His tone was serious, but there was an undercurrent of encouragement in it-because he knew. He knew what this match meant. He knew what it would take to get through it.

Alessia swallowed hard, nodding, her gaze flicking back to Zara. The other girl stood across the mat, exuding smug confidence, her smirk practically daring Alessia to lose control.

Not happening.

Before she could say anything, another presence stepped up beside her.

Miguel.

Relief bloomed in her chest the second she saw him.

Johnny, however, wasn't finished. His sharp gaze flickered between them. "Both of you," he said, voice firm. "Don't worry about your overall points. Just win your fight."

Alessia opened her mouth to respond, but Miguel beat her to it.

"No."

She turned to him, confused. "What?"

Miguel's jaw was tight, his eyes burning with determination. "There's no way in hell we're letting Silver buy himself another title."

His voice was unwavering.

Alessia's lips twitched into a slow, sharp grin. He was right. They had come too far, fought too hard, to let Silver's corruption win. They had a chance to prove that true skill-true karate-could beat dirty money and rigged officials.

"We can close the gap," she said, a flame of confidence sparking inside her.

Johnny smirked. "Badass."

Just then, Gunther stepped onto the mat, microphone in hand.

The energy in the arena surged, all eyes snapping to the center.

"Who is ready for some karate?" Gunther's booming voice rang out, and the crowd erupted into thunderous cheers.

Alessia rolled her shoulders, shaking out her arms, every nerve in her body electric. Across from her, Zara stood tall, her expression dripping with arrogance, like she had already won.

Not today.

"Our championship finals bout will follow the same structure as our semifinals," Gunther continued. "Three rounds, two minutes each, with unlimited scoring. Knockdowns are worth ten points, and if a downed fighter cannot reengage within ten seconds, they will be considered knocked out and their opponent awarded twenty points."

Alessia took a slow breath, steadying herself.

Gunther wasn't finished. "The individual title goes to the competitor who scores the most points over these three rounds."

From the bleachers, a familiar voice rang out.

"You got this, Alessia!"

Robby.

His voice cut through everything else, reaching her like an anchor, something solid to hold onto.

And just like that, the last of her nerves melted away.

"And now," Gunther announced, "the final match to determine our female world champion. Please welcome to the mat, Alessia Chavez of Cobra Kai and Zara Malik of The Iron Dragons!"

The crowd erupted once more as both girls stepped forward, meeting at the center of the mat.

The heat of the lights burned overhead. The energy in the air vibrated with tension. The weight of the moment pressed down on her, but she didn't falter.

She looked Zara in the eye, standing her ground.

Zara smirked.

Alessia smirked right back.

Let's finish this.

Zara and Alessia stepped onto the mat, the weight of the moment settling in the air between them. The crowd's cheers were distant, like a low hum in the background of the rising tension between the two girls. The floor beneath them seemed to tremble with anticipation.

Zara, always the picture of confidence, bowed with the grace of someone who knew the world revolved around her. It was the kind of gesture that could have been a sign of respect-but Alessia knew better. It was a calculated move, a way to rub in the fact that she thought she was already above Alessia.

Alessia didn't bow. Instead, she stood tall, her posture unyielding as she locked eyes with Zara. She had no respect for someone like Zara-not after everything that had happened.

Zara's smile didn't falter, though, as she took a step closer, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "Just wanted to say thanks for your friend, Tory," she began, her eyes gleaming with malice. "That little stunt she pulled on my social media back in Spain. Played the slut-shaming card, doubling my followers."

She paused, as if savoring the satisfaction of delivering that statement. Alessia's lips curled into a sharp, mocking smile.

"What an achievement," she replied, her voice thick with sarcasm.

Zara's eyes narrowed, but she didn't let the sting of Alessia's words show. Instead, she leaned in, lowering her voice as if to whisper a secret meant only for Alessia's ears. "Play it cool all you want, but we both know it eats you up inside that, no matter what happens, everyone still loves me," she said, her smirk widening. "And they'll never love you."

Alessia felt the heat of those words hit her like a punch in the gut. She clenched her jaw, fighting to keep her composure. Zara had a way of getting under her skin, of twisting the knife in ways that made her feel small. But this time, she wouldn't let her.

Her gaze hardened, and she stepped forward, her voice low but laced with fury. "You took advantage of my boyfriend, bitch," Alessia spat, the words feeling like venom on her tongue. "You're gonna regret it."

For the first time, a flicker of hesitation passed through Zara's expression. Her eyes flicked away for a split second, betraying the tiniest crack in her confident facade. It was a small victory, but Alessia held onto it, unwilling to show any weakness now.

Before anything else could be said, the referee stepped forward, his whistle cutting through the tension. "Girls, take your places," he commanded, his voice stern and professional.

Alessia didn't take her eyes off Zara, her jaw still clenched, but she slowly backed away to her side of the mat, readying herself for the fight that was about to define everything. The referee raised his hand, signaling for them to get into position.

The air between them was electric now, charged with the weight of their animosity, but also the undeniable knowledge that this wasn't just about winning a match-it was about something deeper. Something personal.

The crowd quieted in anticipation, and Alessia's heart thundered in her chest. She wasn't going to let Zara's words-her lies-define her. This was her moment. She wasn't just fighting for herself; she was fighting for the truth, for the justice that had been denied.

She focused, narrowed everything down to the here and now.

The final match.

Alessia was ready.

The crowd's energy in the arena was thick with anticipation. The sound of feet shuffling on the mats, the buzz of whispered conversations, and the occasional clang of a water bottle or the loud cheer of a fan filled the air as everyone waited for the match to start. On the far side, Zara stood with her usual cocky smirk, her eyes scanning the mat as she cracked her knuckles, sizing Alessia up like prey. Alessia, however, was not intimidated. She stood firm, eyes locked with Zara's, but there was a deeper fire inside of her now, a fire fueled by everything Zara had done to her-everything she had put her through.

"Let's get this over with," Zara's voice rang out coldly, but there was a hint of arrogance beneath it. She bowed slightly, just enough to show respect in her eyes, but her posture was clearly meant to undermine Alessia.

Alessia didn't bow. Instead, she stood tall, unflinching, her hands tightening into fists at her sides. The ref called for them to take their positions, and the crowd fell silent, tension building.

"Go ahead. Make your first move, Zara," Alessia said, her voice laced with defiance. She didn't flinch when Zara took a step closer.

Zara's lips curled into a mocking grin, and she took her first step, lunging with a speed that seemed almost too quick to follow. Alessia barely had time to react, but she was ready. She shifted her weight, moving back just in time to avoid Zara's incoming punch. Zara, not one to be deterred, followed with another swift strike-a roundhouse kick aimed at Alessia's side.

But Alessia was fast. She ducked low, feeling the air from the kick brush her face, and quickly retaliated with a low sweeping kick that landed solidly on Zara's shin. Zara stumbled slightly, her smirk faltering for just a fraction of a second. It was all Alessia needed. She pressed the advantage, snapping a punch straight to Zara's stomach, forcing the wind from her lungs. Zara grunted, taking a step back.

The crowd gasped, and a new wave of excitement rippled through the spectators. Zara had been knocked off her game. For once, she wasn't in control.

But Zara wasn't done. She quickly regained her composure and moved in again. The two fighters circled each other, exchanging a flurry of punches and kicks, each one faster and harder than the last. Alessia's strikes were more aggressive than anyone had seen before, each one filled with an intensity that came from the depths of her anger. She wasn't holding back anymore. Her heart raced, and her muscles burned, but she pushed through. She had something to prove.

Zara moved in to strike again, but Alessia was already one step ahead. She dodged a vicious punch and stepped into Zara's personal space, throwing a powerful elbow into her opponent's midsection. Zara gasped, stumbling backward in surprise. For a split second, Alessia saw the surprise flash across Zara's face-she was starting to panic.

In that moment of hesitation, Alessia surged forward with all the strength she could muster. She threw a high spinning kick that landed squarely on Zara's chest. The sound of the impact echoed through the arena, followed by the unmistakable sound of Zara's body hitting the mat with a heavy thud. The crowd went wild, but Alessia didn't stop. She pressed forward, ready for whatever came next.

"10 points to Alessia!" the ref called out, his voice barely audible over the roar of the crowd.

But Alessia didn't care about the points. She only had one thing on her mind-Zara.

Her gaze flicked toward the stands instinctively, and there, standing at the edge of the arena, was Robby. His expression was focused, but when their eyes met, everything else in the world seemed to fade away. She didn't notice the blood trickling from her cheek or the fatigue creeping into her muscles. She only saw Robby's eyes. He gave her a subtle nod, his lips barely moving as he mouthed the words, "You've got this."

And in that moment, Alessia felt more determined than ever. But Zara wasn't done. The moment Alessia turned her attention back to her opponent, Zara, who had gotten back to her feet, launched a vicious, illegal strike aimed right for Alessia's face.

The blow connected with a sickening crack. Alessia's head snapped to the side as the force of the punch sent her staggering backward. Blood instantly began to drip from the side of her face, splattering onto the mat. A stunned silence fell over the crowd as they saw the extent of the hit. Alessia's vision blurred for a second, but she didn't let it faze her. She clenched her jaw, wiping the blood away with the back of her hand. It stung, but it only fueled her anger.

The ref's whistle cut through the tension. "That's an illegal hit, Zara! A warning!"

Alessia's breath came in ragged gasps, her face burning with both the sting of the blow and the rage it sparked inside her. Blood trickled down her cheek, but she didn't care. She was going to make Zara regret ever laying a hand on her.

Johnny, already on his feet, was furious. His voice cracked through the air, sharp and demanding. "That's bullshit! She should be disqualified! You can't let that slide!" He was pointing furiously at the ref, his face flushed with anger as he tried to get the official to take action.

But the ref, while hesitating, didn't seem to agree. Zara had just received a warning. Alessia's heart pounded harder as she fought the dizziness threatening to overwhelm her. She wiped more blood from her cheek, feeling the heat of her fury rise like a storm. Zara had crossed the line, but she wasn't going to get away with it.

Johnny stormed up to the edge of the mat, his anger still palpable. "She should be kicked out for that! This is outrageous!"

Alessia, though still reeling from the impact, turned toward Johnny with a cold, hard gaze. "I'm fine, Johnny," she said through gritted teeth, her voice steady. "I just want to kick this bitch's ass."

The pain on her cheek didn't matter. What mattered was putting Zara in her place. Alessia turned to face her opponent again, her body tense, her eyes burning with resolve.

As Alessia began to step forward again, her attention flickered toward the stands once more. She saw Robby walking toward the edge of the mat, crutches under his arms. His movements were slow, but his focus was razor-sharp. The crowd parted for him as he made his way toward her, his face serious but caring.

When he reached her, he gently placed a hand on her shoulder, his eyes softening as he assessed the blood on her cheek. "Alessia," Robby said, his voice low but full of authority. "Make sure you fight fairly. Don't let her get under your skin."

Alessia, despite the blood dripping down her face and the overwhelming rush of adrenaline in her veins, couldn't help the smirk that tugged at her lips. "How can I, Robby?" she asked, her voice dripping with bitterness. "She took advantage of you. She doesn't play fair."

Robby's expression softened, his eyes locking with hers. And then, without warning, he leaned in, pressing his lips to hers in a kiss that stole her breath away. The world around them seemed to blur, and in that moment, everything else disappeared. The pain, the anger, the frustration-all of it melted away, leaving only the feeling of his lips against hers.

When they pulled apart, Alessia's heart was pounding, and her body was flushed with more than just the heat of the fight. Robby rested his forehead against hers, his breath coming in short bursts. "I love you, Alessia," he whispered, his words soft but full of certainty, like a promise.

Alessia's heart skipped a beat, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "I love you too," she said, her voice steady, stronger than ever.

With those words, her resolve was solidified. She was going to finish this. The blood, the pain, the anger-it didn't matter anymore. This fight was hers, and she was going to end it.

She turned back to Zara, her eyes now burning with a fury that only a betrayed heart could hold. The crowd roared in the background, but all Alessia could hear was the steady rhythm of her heart, her mind focused entirely on Zara. This was the final round, and she wasn't backing down. Not this time.

Alessia's heartbeat thudded in her chest as she stood at the edge of the mat, the sting of blood on her cheek and the echo of Robby's words ringing in her mind. Her hands were tight fists at her sides, and the fire in her eyes blazed brighter than ever. Zara had pushed her too far, and now, Alessia was ready to finish this.

Zara stood opposite her, still with that smug, infuriating grin plastered on her face, though there was a nervous flicker in her eyes. She had expected Alessia to falter, to be weak after that blow to the face. But Alessia wasn't backing down-not for anyone.

The ref signaled them both to take their places again, and the crowd grew hushed, anticipating the next move. Alessia's muscles were tense, adrenaline coursing through her veins as her body practically hummed with energy. Zara bounced lightly on the balls of her feet, but there was something off about her movements now. Her confidence had slipped-just a little-but Alessia could feel it.

Without hesitation, Alessia launched herself forward, her body a blur of motion. Zara tried to raise her guard, but Alessia was too quick. She swung a sharp punch aimed at Zara's jaw, and Zara barely managed to dodge it, the punch grazing her cheek. Zara attempted a kick in retaliation, but Alessia was already stepping to the side, using her momentum to spin into a swift knee to Zara's gut.

Zara staggered back, winded. Alessia didn't wait for her to recover. She pressed forward, this time throwing a combination of punches and quick jabs, each strike more powerful and controlled than the last. Zara barely had time to react, each blow landing with precision, rattling her frame.

Zara's cocky grin faded as she tried to find a way to regain control. She swung a wild elbow at Alessia, but Alessia ducked low, narrowly avoiding the hit. Before Zara could recover, Alessia shot forward with a low kick to Zara's legs, knocking her off balance.

The crowd gasped as Zara's legs buckled beneath her, sending her crashing down onto the mat with a loud thud. The ref raised his hand. "10 points to Alessia!"

Alessia stood over Zara, breathing heavily but not pausing for a second. She was too close, too far gone now. The anger, the pain-it all fueled her movements, her desire to prove that Zara's cheap tactics and mind games were no match for her skill and heart. Zara rolled onto her side and pushed herself up, looking shaken but not defeated yet.

Zara's eyes flickered with something darker now. She was getting desperate, and that desperation made her reckless. She lunged forward, kicking Alessia's legs out from under her in an attempt to knock her down. Alessia, feeling the pressure of the move, dropped to the mat but immediately rolled backward, using her arms to push herself up in one fluid motion. It was like she was anticipating Zara's every move, reading her intentions before they could even happen.

Zara looked frustrated, almost furious, as she swiped at Alessia's legs again, but this time, Alessia caught her leg mid-air, twisting and flipping Zara onto her back. The crowd roared in approval, the sound deafening as Alessia maintained her grip, locking Zara into a hold.

Zara struggled, thrashing beneath her, but Alessia wasn't letting go. She tightened her hold, using every ounce of strength to keep Zara in place. "You thought you could break me?" Alessia grunted, her voice low but filled with an intensity that shook Zara to the core.

Zara, now realizing she had no escape, let out a frustrated yell as Alessia applied more pressure. The ref stepped forward, raising his hand. "10 points to Alessia! Match point!"

But Alessia wasn't done. She wasn't going to let this fight end like this-not when Zara had pulled so many dirty tricks to get to this point. Zara's struggles slowed, her resistance weakening as the energy drained out of her.

Alessia finally released her hold and stood tall. She didn't take her eyes off Zara, knowing that one more mistake could cost her everything. The audience held their collective breath, watching in awe as Alessia prepared for the final moments of the match.

Zara, visibly winded, pushed herself up slowly, her face flushed with rage and frustration. She was running on empty now, every movement sloppy and slower. She launched another desperate strike, but it was far too slow for Alessia, who easily sidestepped it.

Before Zara could even recover, Alessia spun, her foot connecting with Zara's ribs in a fluid, perfect roundhouse kick that landed with a resounding crack. Zara's body jerked violently, and she crumpled to the mat, unable to even catch her breath.

The ref immediately raised his hand, signaling the end of the fight. "Alessia wins! 10 points!"

The roar of the crowd was deafening. Alessia stood there, chest heaving with exertion, the blood on her cheek a mere reminder of the battle she'd fought-not just with Zara, but for herself. She had proven she was more than just a target, more than just a girl caught in someone's drama. She was a fighter.

Zara lay on the mat, gasping for air, her arrogance shattered. The smug look that had once been so familiar on her face was replaced with disbelief and, beneath it all, a deep-seated humiliation.

Alessia's gaze flicked to the stands, and there, she saw Robby-his crutches still under his arms, but his face glowing with pride and admiration. Their eyes met, and the connection between them was instant. She hadn't fought this fight for anyone else but herself, but knowing Robby was there, cheering her on, had made all the difference.

With a quick, determined glance at the referee, Alessia finally allowed herself to relax. She took a deep breath, walking toward the edge of the mat, a smile creeping onto her face as she heard Robby's voice calling her name.

He made his way toward her, moving slowly with his crutches, but every step seemed to carry the weight of all the moments they'd shared. When he reached her, he didn't say anything at first. Instead, he simply pulled her into a warm, reassuring embrace. She leaned into him, her bloodied face pressed against his chest.

"I knew you'd win," Robby whispered, his voice filled with admiration. His fingers gently brushed against the side of her face, wiping away the blood that still stained her skin.

Alessia, her grin wide, pulled back just enough to look into his eyes. "Thanks for believing in me, Robby."

Without another word, he kissed her-soft, slow, and full of meaning. It wasn't just a kiss of victory. It was the kiss of someone who had been by her side through it all, someone who understood the struggle, the pain, and the triumph.

"I love you," Robby whispered against her lips when they pulled apart.

Alessia's heart swelled. "I love you too," she said with a grin that made her eyes sparkle with both mischief and relief.

And as the arena erupted in cheers around them, Alessia knew this moment was more than just a victory in the fight of the Sekai Taikai Championship. It was a victory for herself, for her strength, and for the love that she shared with Robby. She had fought hard, and she had won-against Zara, and against everything life had thrown at her.

ASH SPEAKS!!!

miguels fight next chapter!!!:)

sorry idk what else to say...

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

PLEASE STOP BEING FREAKIN A GHOST READER!!! PLEASE VOTE! PLEASE!!!!! stop being ghost readers!!!! its really annoying!!!

the reason i keep unpublishing and republishing is chapters is because when i see views go up and votes aren't... its really annoying. cause its not hard to vote and show support on fanfics.

can you guys please stop being ghost reader and just freaking vote please. this is so annoying

THIS IS VERY ANNOYING TO SEE VIEWS GO UP BUT NOT VOTES. its annoying for us writers. so please just vote and comment!! its not that hard!!!!!!

STOP BEING A GHOST READER!!
im so sorry for all the notifications but please stop being a ghost reader!!!! i dont how many times i have to say this. i am so sorry for the notifications but this is really annoying to see views go up when the votes aren't. PLEASE JUST FREAKIN VOTE!!!