warnings: violence, mentions grief and sexual assault!

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"SO, what I'm hearing is this entire time we've been fighting with someone who cheated their way onto the team. Someone else who doesn't care to be here, when we could've been fighting with the best and beating everyone's asses throughout the events?" Cameron reiterated all that Sam said to her once they came to Demetri's and Eli's room. 

"Told you she'd take it well," Eli mused to Sam.

"The only reason Devon made it onto the team was because she spiked Kenny. I just... I just can't." Cameron ran a hand over her face, worrying her friends.

Sam placed a hand on her shoulder, "Are you okay?"

"No, I'm pissed. For more reasons than one," she muttered.

Robby, Demetri and Devon were on the other side of the room. The former could feel her worried yet annoyed eyes on him.

"Kenny's taking Devon's place," Sam said.

Cameron scoffed, "You mean the place that should've been Kenny's to begin with."

Demetri strolled over to them, "Hey, at least Miguel's coming back."

"Shut up, cheater," Cameron snapped, startling them. Especially when Daniel and Chozen entered the room.

Demetri raised his hands in defence, "Hey, I didn't cheat on my girlfriend."

"Oh, you did. And she broke up with you for that. But hey, at least you've got MIT." She drawled.

"Jesus."

"We've got some news for you all," Daniel announced drawing their attention. "Silver is back."

"What?!" They all exclaimed.

Some rose from their beds, others just shook their hands in disdain.

"He's in charge of the Iron Dragons," Daniel added on, still in disbelief him. "He's determined to win, to shame us like we shamed him."

"But he tried to kill Chosen," Cameron argued.

Sam said, "He's a criminal."

"Just like Kreese," Robby muttered.

Devon sighed, "Can't karate just be about Karate?"

"It never has been," Cameron scoffed. The younger girl cowered away at the glare on her face. 

Demetri rolled his eyes, "This is just it's fucking fantastic."

Everyone stewed in silence. Frustrated but he turned off events. They knew the Sekai Taikai wouldn't be easy, far from it but now, it was something else. It was more than personal.

The door was thrown open shortly after and in walked an excited Johnny, Miguel and Kenny.

"We're back, bitches, eager to kick ass. Who's ready to win this thing?" The former exclaimed, but his mood faltered when no one else shared his energy. "What crawled up everyone's butts?"

Daniel and Chosen led Johnny outside, whilst the teens greeted Miguel and Kenny.

"Kung-fu Kenny," Cameron managed to smile and gave him a hug.

He smiled, "Hey, Cameron."

When she pulled away, she turned to her boyfriend. They hadn't been on the best terms, but when she saw his arms she practically collapsed into them. Oh, how she missed them. Oh, how she fucking missed him.

"I've missed you too," he muttered.

"So can you believe that Silver is back?" Cameron mumbled when she drew back.

"I can't believe this shit, isn't this against the rules or something?" Miguel exclaimed.

"It's silver, he doesn't play by the rules." Cameron scoffed, "It's a fucking mess."

Her gaze trailed over to Robby who just finished updating Kenny. Miguel's brows furrowed when he saw her concern.

"I need something to eat," she uttered.

"Hey. If Miguel's back, why is Kenny here?" Demetri whispered to Sam.

Eli joined the conversation, "Oh, 'cause he's taking Devon's spot."

"What, so he just forgave her all of a sudden? After what she did?" Demetri rolled his eyes, then turned to Cameron who stared at him. He ushered her and Miguel over. "I don't buy it. Cameron, disregarding our issues. I feel obligated to inform you that we may have a potential traitor in our midst. Kenny."

They all, par Robby turned to see Kenny and Devon now getting along.

Cameron's dry laughter confused him.

"You sound threatened," She spoke up.

"What? Why would I be threatened by him?"

"You haven't landed a single point since you arrived." Cameron deadpanned. "You're worried that when he begins fighting he'll outperform you. And considering he's faster and packs a great uppercut, you're gonna be the black sheep."

Demetri huffed, "Look, I'm saying this to help the team."

"You're saying this to plant doubt." Cameron glanced at the others. 

"All I'm saying is we know that Silver's gonna cheat. The only question is, how?"

She snarled, "Shut up Demetri. Save your conspiracy and just start fighting like you care. Or give up your spot to Devon."

"Roni," Miguel pulled a face.

"Just saying," she innocently shrugged and moved past them.

She did not need that bullshit, nor did she want anyone else to believe it. Demetri was their liability. A big fucking liability. She had bit her tongue multiple times but he took it too far.

And the events of last night weighed on her mind. Miguel could tell something was wrong but he didn't know what. He at least thought they'd talk before the next event, or even when they got changed but she hadn't said a word.

And now they stood waiting to fight.

Gunther announced, "Top eight dojos, welcome to our final group event. Throughout the tournament, you have each proven yourselves worthy of your place atop the leaderboard. And after today, only the best of the best will gain entry into our tournament of champions."

Cameron craned her neck to the side and reached out for Miguel's hand, which he gently took. She faced ahead, whilst Miguel's gaze scanned the crowd, he met Axel's fierce glare much to his confusion.

"Now, here are the rules for this round. Each team will face three opponents, determined by random draw, in an all-dojo tag team competition!" The crowds roared at the proclamation. "Two fighters inside the ring. One from each dojo at a time. The other ten fighters remain outside, waiting to be tagged in by their teammate. So use your teammates wisely. The first dojo to score three points wins the match. By the end of today, your captains will either be fighting in the tournament of champions or be eliminated, watching from the sidelines. May the best dojos win. "

Iron Dragons were up first, and Cameron's scowl hadn't left her face. She envisioned battering Zara for what she did. Miguel noticed her stiffening and felt her hand tremble.

Cobra Kai struggled in this event, mainly Tory. She wasn't focused. Yet they still won.

Robby glanced down to see Cameron's apprehension.

And now they were against Furia De Pantera.

Their male captain Diego — whom the Miyagi-do's called Spanish hawk — confidently fought Demetri first. Demetri's attacks didn't deter him, which infuriated the American teen, who rejected help.

"Demetri tag Eli in!" Cameron yelled, just before a 180 spin kick took him out. "Damn it!"

He landed in front of her and tagged her in.

Cameron slid in, and attempted to sweep the leg to which Diego deflected. He was on his guard when she jumped up and thrust out her feet. He blocked her kicks and tried kicking her in return. She was relentless, as was she fueled by her anger.

Diego quickly spun away and tagged in his female captain Maria. She fought in a similar style to Cameron. Agile. Maria laughed with her movements, which Cameron deflected in seconds, before striking her leg and knocking Maria down and sticking her chest.

"Yes!" Her Senseis cheered alongside Devon.

The referee announced, "Point! 1-1!"

She tagged in Eli whilst Maria tagged in another teammate.

"Let's go!" Miguel growled.

The round was vicious, and though Eli had the upper hand, his opponent fought manically.

"Hawk, tag me in," Kenny called out to him.

Sam screamed, "Hawk, tag in Kenny."

"Tag in Kenny!" Cameron yelled, then groaned when he instead tagged in an unexpecting Robby. "What are you doing?!"

Robby was knocked down with ease then struck in the chest winning a point for Furia De Pantera. Robby staggered on to his feet whilst another opponent was tagged in. He attempted to tag in Miguel but his hand was kicked away, which ultimately lead to another point being awarded to Furia De Pantera.

"Point! Winner!" The referee declared

The male announcer stated, "Team Pantera with an impressive victory. Miyagi-Do's loss puts them on the verge of elimination after their first match."

When the mat cleared, Miguel approached his friend in irritation, "Eli, why didn't you tag in Kenny when you had the chance?"

"He just got here. You expect us to trust him?" Eli scoffed.

Kenny arched a brow, "Trust me to what? Not get my ass kicked like you and Demetri?"

"Like you'd do any better against Spanish Hawk," Demetri argued. "You completely disappeared after the Shittening. And then you coincidentally come back at the same time as Silver. You really want to tag in a mole?"

"Are you serious?" Kenny snapped, "I fly here to help us win, and you won't give me a chance? Everybody laughed at me in the woods, but somehow, I'm the bad guy?"

"He's still pissed." Eli pointed out. "It makes sense he'd want revenge."

"Say something, you..." Kenny took a step forward.

Robby came between them, "Hey! This isn't about Kenny. I'm the one who lost the match.Me."

He stormed off.

"You are fucking idiots you know that," Cameron snapped at Eli and Demetri. "He's here to fight for us," she defended Kenny. "And don't even start," she glared at the Demetri. "You lost that point because you thought you could take on their captain when you couldn't." She faced her friend, Eli. "And you tagging in Robby who was unprepared when Kenny could've had a shot to prove himself."

She held up a hand when they both attempted to defend themselves.

She shook her head and followed Miguel. But her boyfriend was obstructed by Axel who purposely walked into him.

"What the hell was that?"

Cameron peered over to see Axel walking away, "I... I don't know."

They strolled away together.

Cameron cleared her throat, "Listen, I umm, there's a lot I need to tell you. And there's a lot I can't."

"Okay..." Miguel's brows pinched together.

"But you should speak to Robby okay?" She touched his shoulder and encouraged him to speak to his surrogate brother. "I need to clear my head."

"Okay," Miguel repeated and went off.

Cameron exhaled deeply and then glared when she caught the familiar logo of the Iron Dragon uniform.

Zara Malik felt her gaze and wiggled her fingers in a mocking wave.

Cameron stormed over to her, "I just thought you were a vapid bitch but you're worse than that. Watch yourself on the mat."

"Oh really?" Zara tilted her head.

"Really," Cameron hissed, "you think your sponsors want to hear about how you take advantage of drunk boys?" Zara's amusement was wiped off her face. Cameron then mockingly nodded, "Yeah, just wait until it's me and you on that mat."

Cameron stormed off in the opposite direction, away from the spectators who had caught the heated interaction.

"Cameron!" Tory rushed after her, having seen it all. Cameron faltered in her stride when she heard her voice. "Wait for a second."

"What?" Cameron's chest rose and fell and when she turned around to see her. "What do you want from me? Tell me how well you're coping huh?"

"No," Tory breathed out. "Look, I saw what happened last night." Cameron's eyes widened. "You and Robby and then him and Zara..."

"What? Me and Robby... you know what happened between him and Zara?" Cameron said quietly, not wanting anyone else to hear.

Hurt, Tory confessed, "I saw them kissing."

"You've got it wrong." Cameron immediately responded.

Tory scoffed, "Oh really?"

"Yes really. Do you want to speak about him or us?" Cameron groaned when she didn't answer instantly "Just... just keep fighting Tory. You seem to be doing fine. You need to worry about your delusional teammates, who have no issue with harassing me. Did you see that as well?"

"I told them to stop." Tory blurted.

"And then they tried attacking me after that." Cameron rolled her eyes. "But seriously," she glanced behind her, to see Zara live streaming. "Watch out for that bitch." Tory was pissed but had no clue why Cameron felt the same. "Now I have a team to co-lead. Bye."

It broke her to not say more. But what happened to Robby wasn't her business or secret to share.

She also couldn't bear the thought of Tory at Cobra Kai. It hurt her to sit back and let one of her closest friends go through that again. But if it came down to it they had to fight. She knew Tory wouldn't back down. She knew that feeling all too well. It was like a nagging, whispering in your ear not to stop. So Cameron couldn't either. She didn't agree with Tory. but she knew where she came from. Still what Tory said to her weighed on her mind, even though she was determined for it not to. Feelings need to be set aside. Tory made her decision and everyone else needed to make theirs.

It was announced, "The next match between Cobra Kai and Tiger Strike will begin in 15 minutes."

"You guys ready?" Cameron breathed out when she approached some of her team. Miguel and Robby seemed to be in better spirits. "Where's Kenny?"

Eli spoke up, "I saw him speaking to Silver."

She huffed, "Of course you did. Look I get Demetri believing this shit, but you?"

Demetri looked offended.

Eli argued, "I wouldn't lie to you. He was talking to Silver."

"Did he approach Silver or was it the other way round? — you know what. It doesn't matter." Cameron waved him off.

Demetri scoffed, "You're only saying that —"

"Because we need to focus. We all need to have all our attention in this next round. We cannot afford to lose. Right, Robby?" She turned to him.

Robby nodded in agreement, "Cameron's right. C'mon."

Daniel and the rest of the Senseis gathered the team around.

Daniel started, "So we need to win this one to stay in the tournament. We know it's hard with Silver here, but we are not fighting his team now."

Johnny continued, "We've heard this garbage going around about loyalty. Almost all of us trained somewhere else at some point." Most of the students agreed with that. "What matters is where our asses are now. We're Miyagi-Do. Got it?"

Miguel exclaimed, "Come on, y'all. Let's go!"

They were up against Redentores, the Brazilian team.

Miguel's skill shone through when he fought their opponent.

He turned and rushed towards Robby, "It's time. Okay. You got this." He tagged him in.

Robby jumped on his heels, "Ais!"

He spun and kicked out his leg, driving into the fighter's chest. He dodged a few more attacks, before striking his side, sending him to the ground.

"Point!" The referee announced.

"Yeah!" Cameron cheered.

"Let's go!" Miguel jeered.

Another fighter was tagged in, he flipped into the round, prompting Robby's defensive kicks, and blocks. He ducked down when the fighter flipped over him.

"Robby, tag me," Kenny called out.

Eli challenged, "No. Over here. Tag me, tag me!"

Kenny urged, "Tag Kenny!"

"Do not tag Kenny. Do not tag him!" Demetri practically pleaded.

"Listen to your gut Robby!" Cameron yelled.

Robby rushed out of the way and slapped Kenny's hand. Kenny was eager.

"Come on Kenny," Cameron watched him deeply inhale and throw his punches. "You've got this!" He yelled with his jabs and then grunted when he blocked a few kicks. And as he jumped into the air, his fist came down hard on the fighter's face. "Yes!"

"Point! Miyagi-Do, two." The referee declared, before Kenny rolled on the mat, jumped onto his heels and delivered a fierce uppercut to the fighter, knocking him down. "Another point! Miyagi-Do wins!"

The team celebrated loudly, whilst Eli and Demetri admitted their wrongdoings and joined them.

Robby and Miguel carried Kenny as he tauntingly flipped off Silver who couldn't help but grin in reponse.

"With the win, Miyagi-Do moves to 1-1. If they win their next match, they advance to the tournament of champions." It was announced.

"Whatever you said to Robby really helped babe," Cameron beamed at her boyfriend.

"Well you know I try my best," he innocently shrugged, making her laugh for the first time today. "And um, Robby told me you looked out for him last night." Her eyes briefly flashed with anger. "I'm not mad that you can't say what happened but, at least you two are getting on. C'mon, captain."

"Shut up," she joked.

It wasn't long until they were all going themselves in the locker room, and varying emotions splayed across their faces. They were going to go head-to-head with Cobra Kai again. And hopefully for the last time. A final time.

Robby's voice broke the silence, "Come on, guys. We beat Cobra Kai before. We can do it again."

Miguel's eyes glossed over as he smiled, "One more time. Let's send our captains into the finals." 

"One last time," Cameron said, stifling her emotions. "Win or lose, this is the last time we'll ever fight together as a team." She stated, looking around the room.

Sam breathed out, "Wow."

"Damn. I guess I never thought about it like that." Miguel's voice cracked, "After everything we've been through, this is... This is it."

Robby asked, "So? How do we wanna go out?"

It made them think.

Demetri faced to his best friend, who sat opposite him.

"Eli?" He stood up.

Eli rose off the bench, "Dude. I'm really sorry." They pulled each other into a hug. "I... I didn't mean to hurt you."

"Oh, I... I know you didn't." Demetri said, pulling away. "I... I'm just scared of losing my best friend. I'm gonna miss you so much, man."

"Yeah. But you'll always be my brother."

They hugged again.

Devon wiped a tear and laughed, "Okay, that's enough. There's no crying in karate."

The girls laughed as they shed a few tears.

Miguel joined the hugging boys, "Come on. Come in here, boys." Kenny chuckled at them. "You guys are always gonna be my brothers too." He turned around and spoke to the team. "We're a family. All of us."

Robby smiled to himself as he stood up, and then the rest of them did.

"Who are we?" He asked.

They answered, "Miyagi-Do."

"Who are we?" He asked again with more passion.

"Miyagi-Do!" They answered a little louder, attracting the attention of their Sensei who stood outside the door.

Robby yelled, "Who are we?"

They shouted back, "Miyagi-Do!"

"I said who are we?!"

"Miyagi-Do! Miyagi-Do! Yeah!"

Their cheer paused when their Sensei's came into the room.

"You know, we did have one real doozy of an inspirational speech planned," Daniel spoke.

Johnny smiled, "Looks like you guys beat us to it."

"Our senseis taught us well." Sam tearily said, before she hugged her dad.

"All right. Enough of this kumbaya crap." Johnny exclaimed, "It's time to get out there and kick some Cobra Kai ass!"

They yelled in response. Cameron clapped and although she and Johnny still needed to talk, their smiles didn't waver.

Because it was time.

Miyagi-do vs Cobra Kai.

"Because both Miyagi-Do and Cobra Kai are one and one, whoever wins this match advances. And whoever loses is eliminated," the male announcer said. 

Miyagi-do huddled around their Senseis once again.

"All right. Remember, trust, tag, teamwork." Daniel stated.

Johnny then asked, "You got this, who's in first?"

All of them nodded toward Robby confidently.

When the round was about to start, Tory pushed past Kwon and stood across Robby.

"What are you doing?" Robby asked, in confusion.

"Don't act like you don't know." Tory gritted out, "You and Zara."

Robby's face fell just as the referee instructed their fight. Tory was using all she felt, anger, heartbreak, confusion and letting it out to her boyfriend... ex-boyfriend. It resulted in Robby on the ground and him quickly tagging in Cameron.

She sprung up, punching away Tory's kicks, and spin on her heel, thrusting out her legs. Tory wasn't backing down. She swung out an arm, hoping to land a punch, but Cameron gripped it and tugged her over her body. Tory collided with with the mat.

Kwon slapped Tory's extended hand, startling Cameron who backed up and started fighting.

"How can you be mad at me when you end things?" Robby asked, leaning over to talk to Tory.

She snapped, "I said pause, not hook up with our enemies."

"So it's okay to hook up with your new teammates then?" Robby retorted.

She scrunched up her face, "What's that supposed to mean?"

"You and Kwon." Robby angrily answered.

They turned back to the fight, watching as Kwon unfortunately landed a kick to Cameron's chest.

"Point!" The referee announced.

She quickly tagged in Miguel.

He valiantly fought Kwon, needing to knock the smug look off of his face.

Tory scoffed, "There is no me and Kwon, you idiot."

"What?" Robby glanced at her.

Tory snarled, "Your dumb ass got played."

The paused couple turned back to the fight, with a newfound anger. Robby's glare was unwavering when he stared at Kwon. Kwon tagged in another fighter who lost a point for Cobra Kai against Miguel.

"Point! Miyagi-Do, 1-1!" The referee declared.

Yoon rolled onto the mat and sprung up, just as Miguel tagged in Demetri. The Miyagi-do's watched in wonder when Demetri evaded any attacks and then tagged in Eli. Their eyes darted back and forth, between the binary brothers who were determined to wear out their opponent. They wouldn't let him tag out. Their final attack prompted Kenny to be tagged in, rolling across Demetri's back and sprightly sending jabs prompting Yoon to become disoriented. Kenny tagged back in Eli again, who kicked away Yoon's desperate hand, tugging on his arms, jumped up and kicked his feet into Yoon's chest.

"Point!" The referee announced amongst the cheers. Eli bounced up, as did an annoyed Yoon. "Miyagi-Do, 2-1."

Kwon was now back in, as was Miguel.

"Okay Let's go." Kwon taunted, "number two."

Kwon attacked first, jumping up and spinning his kicks with great speed. Miguel narrowly avoided them, only to be kicked back onto the mat.

"Point, Cobra Kai. 2-2! Next point wins." The referee pointed out.

Miguel tagged in an enraged Robby.

"You got this, Robby." Sam was encouraged when he fiercely kicked out Kwon's extended leg. "You can do this!"

Kwon chuckled, staring at Robby, "It's about time. Let's see what you got."

"Come on Robby!" Cameron yelled, anxiously jumping on her heels and watching him keep up with Kwon. He was confident and did not back down, amusing Kwon. But his amusement faded when Robby kicked his face, and then his side, and hand. A Cobra Kai teammate extended his hand, but Kwon's ego was bruised and wasn't letting it go. "Keep it up, Robby!"

Robby dragged him to the ground once and then again, in a taunting manner. He then gripped the back of Kwon's head, causing his back to arch and eliciting a scream.

He was humiliating him.

They fought and landed on the ground, then swiftly jumped up.

Robby's determination and balance lead him to turn around and deflect more speedy attacks. Kwon could've landed a point — he had Robby backed against Tory, who fortunately shoved him away.

Kwon was desperate, especially when a spin kick, bruised his face, and another kick sent him tumbling backwards.

He yelled, smacking the mat.

He and Robby ran, then jumped up with a scream.

Cameron cheered when Robby's leg, smacked Kwon's chest, sending him face down onto the mat.

"Point! Miyagi-Do wins!" The Referee stated, drawing cheers from his team.

The male announcer stated, "With the win, Miyagi-Do advances to the tournament of champions! Incredible!"

Miyagi-do rushed to the mat and circled their male captain. Their Sensei's joined them, excited and joyful.

Cobra Kai's hand to aid Kwon off of the mat, he angrily shrugged them off. They trudged away, with a sad Tory in tow.

Sam spoke up, to the blonde "I, uh... I wish you could be celebrating with us."

Cameron said nothing when Tory followed her team. Instead, she jumped into Miguel's arms.

They had a chance of winning. 

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a/n:

one last chapter until the end of part 2.