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Marisol stood in the expansive aquarium, the soft hum of water filters filling the air and the glow from the tanks casting an ethereal blue light over everything. She leaned against the railing, her arms folded tightly across her chest as her eyes followed Tory and Kwon posing with other teams for the Sekai Taikai captain photos. The flashes of the camera reflected off the glass tanks, briefly illuminating the room in bursts of artificial light. Marisol's stomach twisted as she watched them. Despite her carefully neutral expression, a mix of frustration and regret simmered beneath the surface.

She suddenly felt eyes boring into her. Turning slightly, she caught sight of Eli standing across the room with Miguel and Demetri by his side. His gaze was steady, his lips pressed into a thin line, but his eyes were filled with something she couldn't quite place-concern? Disappointment? Marisol shifted uncomfortably, her jaw tightening as she turned away, her attention snapping back to the tanks.

But just as she tried to look away, her gaze landed on Therese standing near the edge of the room, her face lit with a smirk that made Marisol's blood boil. Therese waved at her, slow and deliberate, a gesture that felt mocking and condescending. Marisol's fists clenched at her sides, her nails digging into her palms. She couldn't stand being in that room any longer. Without a word, she turned on her heel and walked briskly out, her footsteps echoing down the corridor.

Marisol wandered through the aquarium until she found a secluded room, its only occupants the fish swimming lazily in their tanks. The space was vast and quiet, illuminated by the shifting glow of the tanks, their colors painting the walls in soft blues, greens, and yellows. She exhaled shakily, leaning against the railing as she watched the fish glide by. Their slow, rhythmic movements were oddly calming, even though her mind refused to settle.

She didn't hear the footsteps at first, but when they stopped, she turned sharply to find Eli standing a few feet behind her. His arms were crossed, his posture tense. The look in his eyes was hard to read, but there was no mistaking the determination in his expression.

"Are you gonna finally tell me why you did this?" Eli asked, his voice cutting through the stillness.

Marisol straightened, crossing her own arms defensively. "I joined Cobra Kai again for my sister," she said, her tone clipped.

Eli raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "Mila wouldn't want you back in Cobra Kai," he replied, his voice steady but tinged with a quiet firmness that cut straight through her.

Marisol rolled her eyes, letting out a frustrated scoff. "I know, but you guys didn't even give me a chance to compete for captain!" she snapped, her voice rising. "Mr. LaRusso handed it right to Sam because apparently Tory and I weren't 'mentally' ready. What the hell does that even mean? My sister went to juvie, and Tory's mom died, so suddenly we're too fragile to compete?"

Eli let out a long sigh, his arms falling to his sides. "Marisol, you were manic. Tory was depressed. Mr. LaRusso wasn't trying to punish you-"

"Who chose Therese to replace me?" she interrupted sharply, cutting him off mid-sentence.

Eli hesitated for a moment. "Mr. LaRusso," he finally admitted.

Marisol let out a bitter laugh, shaking her head in disbelief. "Of course he did," she muttered, her voice dripping with resentment. She turned back toward the tank, her reflection staring back at her, distorted by the rippling water.

Eli stepped closer, his voice softening. "Look, Therese wants to make amends with you. We all do. We want you back on the team, Marisol. Therese even said she doesn't mind if you take your spot back."

Marisol whipped her head around to face him, her expression incredulous. "That's such bullshit," she spat. "Therese has been smirking at me this entire time! She's out to get me."

Eli frowned, clearly confused. "No, she hasn't," he said, shaking his head.

"Really? You didn't see her wave at me mockingly earlier? Right before I walked out?" Marisol snapped, her voice rising again.

Eli paused, searching his memory. "No, I didn't," he said honestly.

"Exactly," Marisol said bitterly, turning her attention back to the fish. Her reflection in the glass tank felt like a stranger, her face hard and closed off. She didn't like how she looked right now, but she couldn't bring herself to soften. Not yet.

"Marisol," Eli tried again, his voice quiet but insistent. "You don't have to do this. Cobra Kai isn't the answer."

"Please, just go," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. Her shoulders tensed as she stared into the water, refusing to look at him.

Eli lingered for a moment, his eyes searching her face for any sign of change. When he didn't find one, he let out a soft sigh and turned to leave. His footsteps echoed as he walked away, growing fainter with each step until the room was silent again, save for the bubbling of the tanks.

Marisol remained by the railing, her gaze locked on the fish as they swam back and forth, oblivious to the turmoil churning inside her. The water was calm, its surface unbroken, and for a brief moment, she envied it.

Marisol sat slumped on a cold metal bench, her arms crossed tightly over her chest as she stared into the glowing aquarium tank in front of her. Fish of every shape and color glided through the water, their serene movements mocking the chaos she felt in her chest. The soft hum of the tanks filled the room, and for a brief moment, she let herself sink into the quiet. Her thoughts, however, were anything but still.

The sound of approaching footsteps broke her focus, and she sighed heavily without even looking up. "You too?" she asked, already bracing herself.

Devon stepped into the dim room, her expression hesitant. She walked over and took a seat beside Marisol, keeping a respectful distance. "Yeah," Devon replied softly. "Just talked to Tory. Now you."

Marisol didn't respond immediately. Instead, she leaned back, her eyes still fixed on the glowing tank. "Talk to Mila lately?" she asked, the question coming out as casual as she could muster.

"Yeah," Devon said, her voice lightening just a touch. "Her and Anthony are back together."

Marisol nodded, her gaze flickering down to her feet. "Yeah," she muttered under her breath, as if trying to make peace with the small piece of information.

Devon shifted slightly, clasping her hands in her lap. "I get why you both did it," she said after a moment of silence.

Marisol let out a bitter laugh, leaning forward and resting her elbows on her knees. "That's one person," she said, a sarcastic edge in her voice.

Devon chuckled softly. "I'm not here to gang up on you, okay? I just... I don't think you're crazy or anything." She hesitated. "But... about Therese-are you sure she's out to get you?"

Marisol turned her head sharply, her expression incredulous. "Are you kidding? You've seen her, haven't you? Smirking, waving at me, mocking me every chance she gets?"

Devon shook her head gently. "I watched the whole thing earlier," she said, her voice measured. "You looked at her, yeah. But she wasn't smirking or waving at you, Marisol. She was just... staring at you. With a frown."

Marisol froze, her mind racing. "What?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I think..." Devon hesitated, not wanting to push too hard. "I think maybe you're seeing things that aren't there."

Marisol blinked, her chest tightening. "Are you saying I've been making it up this whole time?" The disbelief in her voice was palpable, her hands clenching in her lap.

Devon gave her a sympathetic look. "I know you're going to hate me for asking this, but..." She paused, then forced herself to continue. "Have you been taking your meds?"

Marisol's hands stilled, and she looked down at them, her jaw tightening. "No, I haven't," she admitted quietly, her voice tinged with shame. "But I'm not manic like I was, okay? I'm fine."

Devon tilted her head, her expression both understanding and concerned. "Marisol..."

"I know," Marisol cut her off, her voice barely above a whisper.

Devon sighed, shifting closer to her on the bench. "We're all worried about you. And Tory. And Robby..." She paused, letting the weight of her words sink in. "He's having a hard time with all of this, too."

Marisol frowned, the mention of Robby cutting through her defenses. "Robby?"

Devon nodded. "Yeah. Seeing his cousin and his girlfriend switch sides-it's not easy for him. He's trying to stay focused, but it's messing with his head. And we need all three of you on your game right now."

Marisol's frown deepened, guilt gnawing at her. "What about Eli? And Sam?" she asked, her voice quieter.

"They seem okay," Devon said carefully, though she hesitated. "But it's... different for them."

Marisol's chest tightened further. Both Eli and Sam had been such big parts of her life, and now... everything felt fractured. She stared down at her hands, her voice barely audible. "I thought this would be good. I thought it would make things better. But now that I'm here... I don't know anymore."

Before Devon could respond, another voice echoed through the room.

"Devon."

Marisol's head snapped up, her heart sinking as she saw Sam standing in the doorway. Her arms were crossed, her expression carefully neutral, but Marisol could see the tension in her posture.

"Let's go," Sam said, her tone clipped.

Devon hesitated, glancing between the two of them. She slowly stood, giving Marisol a small, almost apologetic smile. "I'll see you later," she said softly before walking toward Sam.

"Sam, wait," Marisol called, standing abruptly. Her heart pounded as Sam stopped, turning slightly but not fully facing her. Marisol hesitated for a moment, then took a tentative step forward.

"What?" Sam asked, her voice cold and distant.

Marisol swallowed hard, forcing herself to speak. "I'm sorry. I-I didn't want things to be like this."

Sam finally turned to face her, her arms still crossed. Her eyes were sharp, but there was an undeniable hurt behind them. "You didn't want things to be like this?" she repeated, her tone incredulous. "Marisol, you think this is how any of us wanted things to be?"

Marisol flinched but held her ground. "I didn't have a choice," she said defensively.

"You didn't have a choice?" Sam snapped, her voice rising slightly. "You had every choice, Marisol! And you didn't come to me. Or to Eli. Or anyone who cares about you. You just switched sides like none of us mattered."

Marisol bristled, her own frustration bubbling to the surface. "I did what I thought was right!"

Sam shook her head, her voice trembling slightly. "You didn't even try to let us help you. I thought we were okay now, Marisol. I thought we were finally in a good place." She paused, taking a shaky breath. "I wanted to help you. Eli did, too. But you just... shut us out. Again."

Marisol opened her mouth to argue, but the look in Sam's eyes stopped her. The anger was still there, but it was overshadowed by something deeper: disappointment.

"I didn't think you'd understand," Marisol said quietly, her voice losing its edge.

Sam let out a long, tired sigh. "You didn't even give me the chance to try," she said, her voice softening. "But you know what? If this is what you want... if you really want to own this choice, then fine. I can respect that." She paused, her eyes glistening slightly. "But that doesn't mean I have to agree with it. Or that it doesn't hurt."

Marisol's throat tightened, her chest aching with the weight of Sam's words. "Sam..."

Sam shook her head, stepping back. "Good luck, Marisol," she said, her voice resigned. Then she turned and walked away, leaving Marisol standing in the soft glow of the aquarium, the hum of the tanks the only sound in the heavy silence.

The next morning, Marisol stood with her Cobra Kai teammates in the Sekai Taikai arena, surrounded by the energy of competitors and spectators alike. The vast arena hummed with anticipation, and the stakes were palpable. Marisol's eyes wandered across the gathered dojos, pausing briefly on Miyagi-Do. She spotted Sam and Robby standing at the center of their team, their expressions calm but determined. A pang of unease twisted in her chest, but she shook it off, straightening her posture. This was her moment to prove herself.

Gunther stepped into the center of the arena, commanding attention as he addressed the competitors. His voice boomed, "The time has come. Welcome to our first event. I hope you're all well-rested and ready for a new and unique competition." He paused, letting his words sink in. "We call it the Captain's War. As we told you, your captains are crucial to your success. So, let's see how well you protect them."

Marisol exchanged a tense glance with Tory. The pressure on them as Cobra Kai fighters, and especially as part of their team's leadership, was immense. Gunther continued, "Four dojos will take the mat. Only one will be left standing. If you hit the mat, you're out. If your captain hits the mat, your entire team is eliminated from this round. Check the boards to see your group, which was decided by random draw. Group A, you're up!"

Marisol's gaze snapped to the large digital display board. Her lips curled into a smirk as she read the matchups: Falchi Della Notte, Iron Dragons, Miyagi-Do, Cobra Kai.

As the arena shifted into motion, teams huddled together to strategize. Cobra Kai quickly formed a tight circle, their backs to the rest of the competitors. Kwon, one of their senior fighters, immediately took the lead.

"We take Miyagi-Do first," Kwon said confidently, his tone leaving little room for argument. "They're the weakest. Let them come to us, then we fight the other dojangs."

Marisol frowned, glancing over at Miyagi-Do's huddle. Her eyes focused on Sam and Robby at the center of their team. A realization struck her like lightning: they weren't going to attack. They'd be playing defense, protecting their captains like they were guarding an egg.

"That won't work," Marisol said, cutting into Kwon's plan. The team turned to look at her, some with confusion, others with annoyance. "I know them. They're going to protect the egg. We can't just wait for them-we need to attack. Break their front line and get to the captains."

Kwon's eyes narrowed as he scoffed, dismissing her. "Be quiet, okay? You and Nichols just stay out of the way and don't fall down."

Marisol's jaw clenched, her fists tightening in frustration. She glanced at Tory, silently pleading for support, but Tory only shrugged, clearly unwilling to get involved in the conflict.

Frustrated, Marisol spun on her heel and stormed toward where Sensei Kim and Sensei Kreese stood watching.

"I know what to do, but they won't listen," Marisol said urgently, her voice sharp with frustration. "We're ready to win. No distractions."

Sensei Kim raised an eyebrow, her expression unreadable. "Why are you telling me? Go do it. Give them no choice but to follow you."

Marisol hesitated, turning her gaze to Kreese. His thin smile carried a challenge. "It's all yours," he said calmly.

Gunther's voice boomed over the arena. "Ready?"

Marisol returned to her team, her resolve hardening. Without a word, she shoved Kwon to the side, breaking their huddle.

"What are you doing?" Kwon demanded, glaring at her.

Marisol squared her shoulders, her voice loud and unwavering. "Not giving you a choice!"

Gunther's voice rang out. "Begin!"

Marisol surged forward, her focus locking onto Therese, a tall, lithe fighter from Miyagi-Do. She struck first, her movements aggressive and sharp. Her fists flew toward Therese's torso, but Therese moved with the practiced fluidity of Miyagi-Do, her arms circling to redirect Marisol's strikes away from her body.

Marisol gritted her teeth, her strikes growing more forceful. She threw a spinning kick aimed at Therese's side, but Therese sidestepped, raising her arm to block and shifting her weight to remain balanced.

Therese's calm defense only fueled Marisol's frustration. She aimed a flurry of punches at Therese's upper body, her fists snapping through the air. But each strike was met with precision blocks, Therese's movements almost serene in their effectiveness.

"Come on!" Marisol snarled, launching a powerful front kick. Therese ducked, her hands deflecting the kick upward as she slid backward to create distance.

Across the mat, Tory was locked in a fierce battle with Devon. The two exchanged quick, brutal strikes, their movements a blur of offense and counterattacks. Tory feinted to the left before spinning into a high roundhouse kick that caught Devon off guard. With a sharp cry, Devon stumbled and fell to the mat.

"Devon, out!" Gunther's voice rang out, signaling her elimination.

Back on Marisol's side, she was still struggling to break through Therese's defenses. Sweat beaded on her brow as her strikes became wilder, less controlled. Therese, in contrast, maintained her composure, her blocks precise and unyielding.

Marisol's frustration bubbled over, and she shouted, "Tory! Help!"

Tory turned from Devon's fallen form, her sharp eyes locking onto Marisol and Therese. Without hesitation, she charged across the mat, her movements fluid and aggressive.

"Move!" Tory barked as she reached Marisol's side.

Tory launched a high kick aimed at Therese's head, forcing the Miyagi-Do fighter to duck. Seizing the moment, Marisol aimed a sweeping kick at Therese's legs, trying to take her off balance. Therese jumped back, but the combined assault from Tory and Marisol kept her on the defensive.

Tory threw a rapid series of punches, her strikes forcing Therese to retreat. Marisol darted in from the side, aiming a powerful side kick at Therese's midsection. The kick connected, sending Therese stumbling.

"She's off balance!" Tory shouted.

Marisol surged forward, her leg sweeping low to catch Therese's ankles. Therese toppled backward, her arms pinwheeling as she tried to regain her footing. Tory delivered the finishing blow, a sharp kick to Therese's chest that sent her crashing to the mat.

"Therese, out!" Gunther's voice boomed over the arena.

Marisol stood over Therese's fallen form, her chest heaving as she caught her breath. She turned to Tory, their eyes meeting in a moment of shared victory.

"Nice work," Tory muttered, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

Marisol smirked, wiping the sweat from her brow. "Told you I knew what I was doing."

As the match continued, Marisol felt a surge of confidence. For the first time, she felt like she truly belonged-like she had proved her worth, not just to her team but to herself.

Marisol's heart was still racing from the fight with Therese, but she didn't have time to celebrate. Her eyes scanned the chaos unfolding across the mat, her focus locking onto Miguel. He moved with precision, taking down an Iron Dragons fighter with a clean sweep, his skill on full display. For a moment, Marisol hesitated-Miguel had been her friend once, someone she respected. But that hesitation was fleeting. She clenched her fists and charged toward him without a second thought.

Miguel turned just as she reached him, his instincts kicking in. His eyebrows furrowed as he recognized her. "Marisol?" he asked, a mix of confusion and disappointment in his tone.

She didn't answer. Instead, she swung a sharp punch aimed directly at his chest. Miguel reacted instantly, blocking the strike with his forearm and stepping back to create distance.

"Guess this is happening," he muttered, shifting into a defensive Miyagi-Do stance.

Marisol didn't give him time to adjust, launching into a spinning kick aimed at his side. Miguel pivoted, narrowly dodging the attack, and turned to face her again.

"You really switched sides," Miguel said, his tone even, though his words carried an edge of disbelief.

Marisol's jaw tightened, but she remained silent, her focus entirely on her movements. She followed her kick with a flurry of punches, her strikes fast and deliberate. Miguel blocked two, dodged a third, and caught her wrist mid-swing.

"Marisol, come on," Miguel said, his grip firm but not aggressive. "You don't have to do this."

She yanked her arm free, her eyes flashing with anger. "Don't act like you understand," she snapped, her voice low but venomous.

"I don't understand," Miguel admitted, his voice calm but probing. "Why Cobra Kai? You're not like them."

The words struck a nerve. Marisol's movements became sharper, her strikes more aggressive. She swung another kick, this time aiming for Miguel's ribs, but he caught her leg and pushed it aside, forcing her to stumble back.

"Is this about being angry? At us? At Robby? At Sam?" Miguel asked, his voice steady but persistent as he circled her.

Marisol growled in frustration, charging forward with a powerful strike aimed at his shoulder. Miguel blocked it with both arms, grunting slightly as he absorbed the impact.

"Why'd you switch?" Miguel pressed, his tone more urgent now. "You could've stayed with us. We could've-"

"Shut up!" Marisol snapped, her voice cracking as her emotions bubbled to the surface.

She lunged forward with a spinning elbow, which Miguel ducked just in time. But her momentum carried her into another strike, a sharp knee aimed at his abdomen. Miguel twisted his torso, narrowly avoiding the hit, and countered with a low sweep toward her legs.

Marisol jumped back, her eyes narrowing as she reset her stance. Miguel stood across from her, his gaze soft but determined. "You don't have to prove anything to anyone, Marisol," he said, his voice quieter now. "You're better than this."

The words sent a jolt of anger through her. "Stop talking like you know me!" she yelled, charging forward again.

Miguel blocked her first strike, sidestepped the second, but her third-a hard shove to his chest-caught him off guard. He stumbled back, losing his footing slightly. Marisol saw her opening and didn't hesitate. She spun behind him, hooking her leg around his ankle and sweeping his feet out from under him.

Miguel hit the mat with a loud thud, his arms flailing as he tried to catch himself.

"Marisol-" he started, but before he could finish, she drove her shoulder into his chest, forcing him flat on his back.

"Miguel, out!" Gunther's voice echoed across the arena.

Marisol stood over him, her chest heaving as she glared down. "You don't know anything about me," she muttered under her breath before turning away.

As she turned back to the fight, her eyes immediately caught sight of Robby across the mat. He was in a tense exchange with Kwon, their movements fast and brutal. But something about Robby's stance was off-he wasn't moving with his usual confidence.

Robby hesitated mid-step, his guard briefly lowering as Kwon advanced. Marisol's stomach dropped.

"What's the matter, pretty boy?" Kwon taunted, his voice dripping with mockery as he closed the gap between them.

Robby's hesitation gave Kwon the perfect opening. He surged forward, slipping behind Robby with a speed that made Marisol's heart race.

"No!" she shouted instinctively, but her voice was drowned out by the noise of the arena.

Kwon locked his arm around Robby's neck in a tight headlock. Robby struggled, his hands clawing at Kwon's arm, but the grip was unrelenting.

Kwon smirked, using his leverage to lift Robby slightly off the ground before slamming him down onto the mat with a sickening thud.

"Miyagi-Do, out!" Gunther declared, his voice booming over the chaos.

Robby smacked his hand on the mat in frustration, his face twisting with anger. He slowly pushed himself to his knees, his chest heaving as he glared across the mat.

His eyes locked onto Marisol, the betrayal and fury in his expression cutting through her like a knife.

Marisol froze under his gaze, her own emotions swirling in a storm of guilt and determination. The arena noise seemed to fade away, leaving only the heavy weight of their unspoken words hanging in the air.

Her fists clenched at her sides, and for a brief moment, she considered looking away, but she couldn't. She held his gaze, her own eyes hardening as she forced herself to push the emotions aside.

This wasn't about him. Not now. This was about winning.

Marisol's breathing was heavy and uneven as the buzzer blared, cutting through the air like a knife. The announcement followed immediately.

"Falchi Della Notte and Miyagi-Do captains are down. They are both out. Only Cobra Kai and the Iron Dragons remain alive."

Marisol stood in a tight triangle formation between Tory and Kwon, the only three remaining fighters for Cobra Kai. The tension was palpable, and the Iron Dragons loomed across the mat like an impenetrable fortress, all six of their fighters still standing strong. Axel, the towering captain, stood in the center, flanked by Zara, his co-captain, whose petite stature was misleading compared to her deadly precision.

"Six to three," Tory muttered, her jaw tightening.

"What's the strategy now?" Kwon asked, wiping sweat from his brow but keeping his composure.

"Same as before," Tory said without missing a beat. "We're outnumbered two to one. Pierce the front line and go straight for the captain. No distractions."

Marisol nodded, clenching her fists tightly. Her mind raced through possible moves. She didn't want to admit it, but Axel was a whole different beast. They needed to rely on speed and precision to get through him.

"Let's do this," she said, her voice steadier than she felt.

The trio lowered their stances, ready to charge. Kwon let out a yell to rally them, and together they sprinted forward in perfect sync, their movements sharp and calculated.

But as they neared the Iron Dragons' front line, their opponents did something unexpected. The four fighters in the front knelt down suddenly, lowering themselves into a tight defensive stance.

Marisol skidded to a halt, nearly colliding with Kwon. Tory stopped beside her, eyes narrowing as she tried to assess the situation.

"What the hell are they doing?" Marisol muttered under her breath.

The four kneeling fighters then stood back up in perfect synchronization and calmly stepped behind Axel and Zara, creating a protective wall around their captains. It was a bold statement: Come and get us if you dare.

"They're making us come to them," Tory growled.

"Fine. I'll take the little girl," Tory said, pointing toward Zara. Her voice was clipped and focused. "You two handle the big guy."

Marisol glanced at Kwon, who gave her a sharp nod.

"You go low, I go high," Kwon instructed her.

"Got it," Marisol said, tightening her ponytail as she adjusted her stance.

The two of them darted forward, weaving past the outer ring of Iron Dragons and heading straight for Axel. The giant stood his ground, his imposing figure a wall of sheer strength.

Kwon launched the first attack, a high roundhouse kick aimed at Axel's head. Axel raised his massive forearm to block the blow, the impact echoing loudly across the arena. As Axel focused on Kwon, Marisol darted to the side and crouched low, aiming a powerful sweeping kick at Axel's legs to take him off balance.

Axel grunted as her kick connected, but he didn't budge. His stance was as solid as a mountain. Instead, he retaliated with a swift downward punch aimed at Marisol's shoulder. She narrowly rolled to the side to avoid it, using her momentum to flip back onto her feet.

Kwon took advantage of Axel's brief distraction and leaped into the air, spinning into a tornado kick that struck Axel's chest. The big man staggered slightly but remained upright, his sheer strength absorbing the blow.

Marisol saw her chance. She sprinted toward Axel, using Kwon's attack as a distraction. At the last second, she vaulted into the air, flipping forward with her legs scissoring in an acrobatic move aimed at wrapping around Axel's neck. If she could get him into a chokehold, she might be able to bring him down.

For a moment, it seemed like her plan was working. Her legs locked around his neck, and she twisted her body to apply pressure. But Axel roared, his hands shooting up to grab her waist. With an explosive burst of strength, he yanked her off and hurled her to the ground with a bone-crushing slam.

Marisol hit the mat hard, pain radiating through her body as the wind was knocked out of her. She groaned, rolling onto her side as Kwon shouted at her.

"Get up, Marisol! Move!"

But Axel wasn't done. He swung his massive leg toward her, forcing her to roll away to avoid the strike. By the time she scrambled to her feet, she was winded and shaken.

She backed off the mat, frustration boiling in her chest. She caught Sensei Kim's sharp gaze from the sidelines. The older woman approached her, her expression unreadable but stern.

"You have the agility and the skill," Kim said, her voice low and controlled. "But you let him overpower you. That is unacceptable. Never let size intimidate you. Use it against them."

Marisol swallowed hard, nodding. "Yes, Sensei."

Kim's eyes softened slightly, but her tone remained firm. "You have potential, Marisol. But potential means nothing if you don't execute."

Marisol stepped aside, her frustration simmering as she turned her attention back to the mat.

On the mat, Tory squared off against Zara. The two fighters circled each other like predators, their movements measured and precise. Tory launched forward first, her roundhouse kick blazing through the air. Zara ducked under it effortlessly, countering with a spinning elbow that Tory narrowly avoided by leaning back.

Meanwhile, Kwon was still locked in battle with Axel, but the size difference was becoming more and more apparent. Axel grabbed Kwon mid-kick, hoisting him into the air before slamming him onto the mat with a thunderous crash.

Marisol winced at the sound, watching as Kwon struggled to get back to his feet.

Back in the fight with Zara, Tory managed to land a quick jab to Zara's ribs, forcing the smaller fighter to backpedal slightly. But before Tory could press the advantage, Axel stormed over, grabbing Tory by the arm and tossing her into Kwon like a ragdoll.

The two Cobra Kai fighters tumbled to the ground, completely disoriented.

Gunther's voice boomed over the arena.

"Both Cobra Kai captains are down. The Iron Dragons win!"

The crowd erupted into cheers as the Iron Dragons raised their fists in victory. Axel and Zara stood tall, their team members rushing to surround them in celebration.

Marisol clenched her fists at her sides, her nails digging into her palms. She glanced at Sensei Kim, who gave her a small, sharp nod.

The message was clear: This was just the beginning. Next time, there would be no excuses.

ASH SPEAKS!

im gonna make axel and marisol friends!!!

updates will be every 2-3 days. im not doing it everyday cause writing fight scenes are my enemy

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