chapter twenty-six:
❛ t-r-a-i-t-o-r ❜

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the reason i always say "please don't be a ghost reader" this isnt just because i want votes, i mean i do, but ive been writing on this app for 3 almost 4 years and it helps me stay motivated because that means people are reading my stuff. and unlike other people, they have so many views on their books and i know my writing isnt the best but i love to write and it just helps me stay motivated. and i know i unpublish and republish my chapters and i get thats really annoying

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Daniel's voice rose above the hum of the gathering crowd, his frustration palpable as he addressed the newcomer standing defiantly in front of him. Arizona, eyes wide with curiosity, pushed through the sliding doors cautiously, drawing Hawk and Miguel with her. The group huddled together, their breath held in anticipation of what might unfold.

"Arizona! What are you doing?" Sam whispered, glancing around nervously as they crept closer to the threshold.

"Finding out what's going on," Arizon replied, her voice barely above a whisper. She edged closer, her heart pounding in her chest, and they all pressed against the glass door, peering outside like kids sneaking a peek at something they shouldn't.

"Your dad is pissed. Who is that guy?" Miguel asked, squinting to get a better look at the stranger who seemed to tower over Daniel.

"I have no idea," Sam replied, her brow furrowing in confusion.

"Dude looks like a Highlander," Bert chimed in, his voice laced with the excitement of his latest pop culture reference.

"The Highlander. There can only be one," Nate quipped back, a smirk on his face as he nudged Bert.

But the banter faded as the tension outside intensified. Arizona and the others strained to hear, and while the words were muffled, Kreese's voice cut through the air with razor-sharp clarity. "Just remember our deal. If Cobra Kai wins the All Valley, you two are done teaching. For good."

The revelation hit the group like a freight train. Arizona's eyes widened, and she gaped at the others, horror etched across her face. "Oh shit," she breathed, glancing around at her friends' expressions of shock.

Miguel shared a concerned look with Hawk, their minds racing as the implications of Kreese's words settled in. "We can't let that happen," Hawk said, the defiance in his voice matching the fire in his eyes.

"What do we do?" Sam asked, anxiety threading through her words as she glanced back at Daniel, who was visibly agitated, and the imposing figure of Kreese, whose smirk suggested he reveled in the chaos he was orchestrating.

"We need a plan," Arizona declared, her resolve hardening. "We have to figure out a way to support Mr. LaRusso and make sure Cobra Kai doesn't win."

"Right," Miguel agreed, stepping back slightly to reassess the situation. "But first, we need to find out more about that guy. He seems like trouble."

"Yeah, a lot of it," Hawk added, crossing his arms.

As they whispered amongst themselves, the door slid open slightly, prompting the group to retreat just a bit. The air felt thick with the weight of what was at stake, and the tension only amplified as they realized they were standing at a crossroads that could change everything.

"We need to be ready for anything," Arixona said, her heart racing. "Let's stick together and figure out how we can help. No one is getting kicked out of this dojo, not on our watch."

With a sense of urgency and determination, the group exchanged resolute nods, knowing that they were about to embark on a fight that was much bigger than themselves.

Arizona walked through the crowded school hallway, her thoughts drifting until a burst of laughter made her pause. Turning her head slightly, she saw Sam and Dylan standing together by a locker. Dylan was leaning in, his face lit up as he made some goofy science joke, his usual awkwardness making Sam laugh. The sight made Arizona's chest tighten involuntarily.

She froze, watching them for a second longer than she should have. It didn't make sense-she'd rejected Dylan multiple times. He was just her friend. But seeing him laugh with Sam, sharing an easy moment that used to belong to her... it stung. Especially because it was Sam. Memories of how Sam had swooped in and started dating Miguel-knowing full well how Arizona felt about him-flooded her mind.

Was it happening again?

Before she could fully process the thought, a soft kiss on her forehead jolted her out of her reverie. She gasped, spinning around to see Miguel standing there with a grin. He looked amused at having startled her.

"Hey, what are you looking at?" he asked, following her line of sight toward Sam and Dylan, still chatting and giggling like they were the only two people in the hallway.

Arizona felt her face flush. "Nothing," she mumbled, but Miguel wasn't buying it.

He chuckled, crossing his arms as if he had just solved a mystery. "Oh, good," he said, nodding toward them. "Sam's finally found someone new... and it looks like Dylan's moving on from his crush on you."

Arizona's stomach did a weird flip. "Yeah, I guess," she muttered, but Miguel noticed her tension immediately. He raised an eyebrow, leaning in a little closer.

"Arizona," he said, drawing out her name with a teasing tone. "Are you... jealous?"

Her heart skipped a beat, and she quickly shook her head, even though her cheeks burned in betrayal. "No! I mean-Miguel, come on." She stumbled over her words, her mind racing for a good excuse. "I don't... well..." She sighed, knowing she wasn't fooling anyone. "Yes?"

Miguel's grin widened. "I knew it."

"I don't have feelings for Dylan," Arizona quickly added, her voice defensive. "It's not that. I swear. I just..." She paused, feeling her throat tighten. "I know you and I never really talked about... you know, that kiss outside your apartment. And I really want to take things slow between us." She looked up at him, hoping he understood what she was trying to say. "But I think I'm just jealous that Sam's interested in someone who's been... associated with me. A friend of mine."

Miguel's expression softened. He took a step closer, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "I get it," he said, his voice gentle. "But you don't need to worry about Sam. I don't like her like that. I've got my eyes on you." His hand lingered for a moment before he pulled it away. "And I'm fine with taking things slow. However long you need."

Arizona felt a weight lift off her chest. She gave him a small smile, grateful for his patience and understanding. "Thanks, Miguel," she said softly.

"Come on," he said, the playfulness returning to his voice as he grabbed her hand. "Let's go over there. I need to show you guys something."

She hesitated but allowed him to lead her over to Dylan and Sam. When they approached, Dylan was mid-joke, clearly repeating the same science quip that had made Sam laugh earlier.

"So, if a proton and neutron walk into a bar..." Dylan said, grinning, and Arizona forced a laugh, though it came out more nervous than amused.

Miguel pulled out his phone, interrupting the moment. "Okay, guys, check this out." He turned the screen toward them, showing Johnny's latest tweet. The tweet read: LAWRENCE VS LARUSSO REMATCH TONIGHT. Hashbrown deadmeat.

Dylan snorted. "Does he not know it's 'hashtag,' not 'hashbrown'?"

Arizona giggled, this time more genuinely. "Trust me, we've tried to explain it to him. He just doesn't get it."

Sam rolled her eyes, crossing her arms. "This is probably my dad's fault again," she muttered, sounding exasperated.

Arizona, still feeling a little tense from her earlier jealousy, couldn't resist the jab. "Oh, Sam, are you finally realizing your dad isn't the only saint in this whole rivalry with Johnny?"

The words came out sharper than she'd intended, and Miguel nudged her in the side, his eyes warning her that she had crossed a line. Sam's face darkened, her lips pressing into a tight line.

Arizona's heart sank as she realized her mistake. "Sam, I'm sorry," she blurted, quickly backtracking. "That was out of line." She didn't wait for a response before turning away, embarrassment and regret bubbling inside her. She needed to get out of there.

Dylan, ever observant, followed her. "Hey, Arizona," he called, catching up to her as she tried to make a hasty exit. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," she lied, her voice clipped and tight. She kept walking, not wanting to face him or anyone right now.

Dylan frowned, clearly not buying it. "Come on, I know you better than that. Something's up."

Arizona stopped abruptly, the frustration she'd been trying to suppress finally boiling over. She whirled around to face him. "Dylan, can you just drop it?" she snapped. "I don't want to talk about it!"

Dylan's face fell, hurt flashing in his eyes, but he didn't push further. Arizona turned and stormed down the hallway, her mind a chaotic swirl of guilt, anger, and confusion.

Arizona had decided to join Hawk for his tattoo appointment, feeling a mix of excitement and trepidation. The idea of getting a tattoo-a small symbol on her wrist that represented her struggles with anxiety-had been swirling in her mind for weeks. Even though her episodes had become less frequent, they still lingered like shadows, and she wanted something tangible to mark her journey.

As they arrived at the tattoo parlor, Arizona felt a buzz of anticipation. The shop was filled with the scent of antiseptic and ink, the walls adorned with vibrant artwork and the buzzing sound of tattoo needles at work. Arizona glanced over at Hawk, who was sprawled out on the tattoo table, absorbed in his phone. She could see Moon's name pop up on the screen, and as she leaned closer, she caught a glimpse of the message: So rumor has it there's a prom coming up.

A fond smile crept onto Arizona's face, seeing the joy radiating from Hawk. The way his eyes lit up and the way his lips curved into a smile were contagious. "Aww, Hawk-" she began, teasing him about his apparent excitement, but before she could finish her thought, the door swung open with a loud creak.

"Hey, Rico, you good?" came Kyler's voice, and instantly, Arizona's heart sank. She whipped around, just in time to see Hawk shoot up from the table, his expression shifting from relaxed to tense in an instant. Kyler strolled into the room with a casual air, flanked by Tory, Robby, and a couple of other Cobra Kai members, their presence dominating the space.

Arizona's eyes widened in disbelief as she took a step back, instinctively glancing for an exit. She felt a knot tightening in her stomach as Kyler's eyes locked onto her. "Tattoo shop's closed for the day," he announced with a smirk, his tone dripping with arrogance.

Kyler lunged toward her before she could even react. "Where'd you two think you're going?" he taunted, blocking her escape. Hawk immediately pushed the tattoo table toward him, hoping to create a distraction, but Kyler sidestepped with agility, sending Hawk crashing to the ground.

"Let me go!" Arizona shouted as Tory advanced toward her, grabbing her foot and swinging her around like a rag doll. Arizona fought against the grip, panic surging through her veins as she struggled to break free. But Tory was relentless, lunging forward and pinning Arizona by the waist, dragging her back toward the tattoo chair.

Across the room, Hawk was struggling against Kyler, who had him pinned down with a washcloth pressed against his throat, while Robby rummaged through the parlor's supplies, looking for something-Arizona could only guess what.

"You weren't that hard to find, you little bitch," Kyler spat at Arizona, a malicious grin stretching across his face. Arizona kicked her legs, desperate to break free, but Tory's grip tightened around her, rendering her powerless.

With a swift motion, Tory threw Arizona into the tattoo chair, forcing her to sit down. The room felt like it was closing in on her as she tried to steady her breath, but fear gripped her heart. The buzzing of the tattoo gun filled the air, sending shivers down her spine.

"No, please don't!" Arizona pleaded, her voice trembling. But Tory didn't hesitate. She brought the tattoo gun closer, the needle glinting menacingly under the fluorescent lights. Arizona's heart raced, panic rising in her throat as she realized what was about to happen.

"Hold her down," Tory ordered a nearby Cobra Kai member, who grabbed Arizona's arm, pinning it to the chair. Arizona squirmed and screamed as the needle pierced her skin. The pain was sharp, slicing through her thoughts like a knife. The word TRAITOR began to take form, each letter a stab of agony and betrayal.

She glanced over, tears streaming down her face, and her heart shattered as she saw Hawk, still struggling against Kyler. Robby had found the clippers and was moving closer, a predatory look in his eyes as he approached Hawk. "No! Stop!" Arizona shouted, her voice hoarse and desperate.

But Robby ignored her, grabbing a fistful of Hawk's hair. With a swift motion, he switched on the clippers, and the harsh buzzing filled the room, drowning out Arizona's cries. She watched in horror as the clumps of Hawk's hair fell to the floor, a physical representation of the identity he had embraced for so long. "Your hair...," she whispered, her heart aching for him.

Through the agony of the tattooing, Arizona felt her breath quicken. The pain of the needle was nothing compared to the emotional turmoil brewing inside her. "I can't believe this," she gasped, the tears flowing freely now. The chaos around her faded, and all she could focus on was Hawk-her friend, her confidant-being violated like this.

Finally, Tory pulled the tattoo gun away, stepping back to admire her handiwork. Arizona's heart raced, the panic attack building as the reality of the situation crashed over her like a wave. The word TRAITOR throbbed on her arm, the pain from the tattoo merging with the emotional agony she felt watching Hawk's identity being stripped away.

Arizona stumbled back, collapsing against the wall as sobs wracked her body. The room spun, and she felt as if she were drowning in a sea of despair. Hawk, now shorn of his mohawk, crawled over to her, his expression a mix of determination and empathy. "Arizona," he called softly, his voice strained but unwavering. "Hey, it's... it's okay. I'm here."

Arizona looked up, her vision blurred by tears, and she saw the pain mirrored in Hawk's eyes. "Your... your hair..." she managed to say through her gasps, her heart aching for him.

Hawk wiped his eyes, the tears falling freely now. "I know," he said, his voice cracking. "I know. It's gone."

"I'm so sorry, Hawk," Arizona whispered, her voice breaking. "This is all my fault. I dragged you into this mess."

"No," he replied firmly, reaching out to hold her shoulder. "Don't blame yourself. We'll... we'll get through this. Together."

When Dylan arrived, a small crowd had already gathered, whispering and speculating about what was going to happen. Dylan pushed his way to the front, eager to get a clear view.

Sam looked up and saw Dylan approaching. "Dylan? I didn't realize you were coming," Sam asked, surprised.

Dylan shrugged. "Yeah, thought it would be cool to check it out." he chuckled.

Sam smiled at him. "Cool." she said, crossing her arms, with a small blush on her cheeks. "Cool." Dylan muttered, repeating her words, scratching his neck.

Sam chuckled and walked back to her spot beside Miguel. Just then, Johnny emerged, wearing a black gi, and stepped onto the deck. Dylan scanned the area but couldn't spot Hawk or Arizona anywhere. Pulling out his phone, she quickly sent Arizona a text, hoping she'd reply and say she was on his way. Dylan was worried about Arizona.

Meanwhile, Miguel and Sam approached the senseis. Miguel nodded and instructed, "Face us. Bow. Face each other. Bow."

Sam nodded in agreement. They both took their stances, and Sam waved the flag between them. "Fight!" Miguel shouted.

Johnny launched a series of kicks at Daniel, with Dylan gasping each time. They engaged in hand-to-hand combat, and Johnny managed to punch Daniel in the side. Dylan winced as the crowd reacted. Sam stepped forward, waving the flag. "Point, Lawrence," she declared.

"Sensei Lawrence strikes first!" Chris called out. "True to the motto painted on his former dojo wall and carved into his very being!" Mitch added, trying to sound like a sports commentator. He received strange looks for his effort.

"What? I'm trying to capture the spirit of the thing," Mitch stammered, earning a weird look from Dylan.

"Score, 1-0 Lawrence," Miguel announced from behind his sensei.

The fight resumed, with both combatants testing each other. Daniel switched legs and kicked Johnny harshly. Miguel waved the flag. "Point, LaRusso!" he yelled.

"That definitely had to hurt," Dylan cringed.

"Score, 1-1," Miguel announced. Sam and Miguel held their flags between the pair.

"Ready! Fight!" Sam called out, and the two fighters backed up. Johnny launched a series of kicks at Daniel, missing but coming close. After some punching and blocking, Daniel landed a hit on Johnny's stomach. The crowd erupted in cheers.

Chris held his camera up high. "Hell yeah! Two-to-one. LaRusso takes the lead," he shouted.

Sam and Miguel took the center again, flags raised. "Score, 2-1 LaRusso. Ready!" Daniel resorted to Miyagi-Do training, his hand movements reminiscent of Robby's. "Fight!" Sam added, and she and Miguel retreated to their corners.

Johnny twisted on his heels to kick Daniel, who blocked the attack with his hands. Johnny then jumped, wrapping his legs around Daniel's waist and pulling him down with a hit to the chest. The crowd cheered again as Miguel awarded the point to Johnny.

Miguel and Sam announced the 2-2 score, waving their flags, and Sam called for the fight to resume. Johnny charged at Daniel in anger, trying to land kicks, but Daniel dodged them. Daniel grabbed Johnny's shoulders and pushed him over, but Johnny rolled forward.

Dylan winced as he watched with his eyes was glued to the action, her jaw dropped. Dylan gently closed her mouth.

As the fighters stood, they exchanged punches, with Johnny moving as Daniel fell into a wooden post. The crowd winced as Johnny attempted a finishing kick, but Daniel dodged again. They blocked each other's attacks, and both attempted kicks. Spinning around, Daniel kicked Johnny in the face while Johnny punched him, both hitting the mat simultaneously.

Dylan burst into loud laughter, drawing everyone's attention. "Seriously, Dylan?" Demetri scolded with eyebrows raised and Dylan shrugged with a smirk.

"Point, LaRusso!" "Point, Lawrence!" Miguel and Sam announced, looking at each other in panic.

"Are you sure?" Sam asked Miguel, her eyes wide.

"Check the replay!" Demetri suggested, pointing at Chris.

Chris played the video for everyone to watch. Johnny shook his head in frustration.

"Go to another angle," he demanded.

Chris looked at him, puzzled. "There is no other angle."

"Don't you guys have another phone?" Johnny asked, exasperated.

"Hawk? Arizona?" Miguel's voice cut through the tension as the group turned to see a figure in a black hoodie emerging from the fence. Dylan's heart dropped when the figures faces was illuminated by the lights. Tears stained their faces, a sight he hadn't seen in so long.

"What happened?" Dylan asked, worry etched in her voice. Hawk avoided eye contact, pulling the hood off his head to reveal the remnants of his once vibrant purple Mohawk. Dylan eyes widened, her mind racing. Then Arizona pulled her sleeve up and revealed a "T-R-A-I-T-O-R" tattoo.

"Oh my God," Miguel stepped forward and pulled Arizona into a hug. As Arizona cried, Dylan was very angry. All he wanted to do was hurt the person who did this to his best friend and cousin's best friend.

Johnny pushed through the crowd to stand in front of Hawk and Arizona. "Who did this?" he demanded.

"Cobra Kai," Eli replied quietly, keeping his eyes down. He pulled the hood back over his head, clearly uncomfortable. Arizona stopped the sobs and kept her head buried in Miguel's chest.

"Kreese and Silver did this. They need to pay," Johnny said bitterly.

"Jesus, Johnny. Please," Daniel interjected, disbelief written all over his face.

"Hawk... Arizona, who was it specifically?" Dylan pressed, her voice taking on a demanding tone he rarely used. Hawk looked at him, tears still in his eyes.

"Robby," he finally revealed, his voice barely above a whisper. "Tory for me..." Arizona muttered, her voice croaking.

Dylan's heart sank. Dylan was so angry, he didn't realize Johnny and Daniel's fighting until Sam's voice cut through his ears.

"Enough, Dad," Sam said, grabbing Daniel's arm to stop him from escalating. "Johnny's right. It doesn't matter how many times we stand up to Cobra Kai; if we don't strike back, they're going to keep coming at us."

Daniel stared at Johnny in disbelief. "And you were worried about my influence on your kids? Is this what you want, Johnny? To have my daughter and the rest of my students acting like you?"

"You don't have to worry about it anymore. We're done," Johnny said, stepping off the mat.

Daniel nodded. "Works for me." He addressed his students, "Eagle Fangs, let's go." Johnny turned and walked off, his students following closely behind.

Dylan watched as Arizona walked away with them with Miguels arms wrapped around her.

Dylan wasn't just gonna let this go. Tory and Robby were gonna pay.

ASH SPEAKS!

CLIFFHANGER... lets just say dylan will have his own chapter next... and will be going on a revenge spree on cobra kai ;)

arizonas own (was) bsf tory did this to her:((( the season 6 sleepover scene is gonna be BRUTAL.

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