PLEASE DONT BE A GHOST READER!!!!!
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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!!!

The rain poured steadily outside, creating a soft rhythm against the windowpane. Belle sat curled up on her bed, a blanket draped over her shoulders as she stared out at the gray sky. Normally, she loved the rain-she'd be the first to run outside, arms spread wide, laughing as the drops soaked her through. But today, the rain felt different. It wasn't the fun, refreshing kind that smelled like new beginnings. It was heavy, cold, and isolating.

She sniffled, wiping at her damp cheeks, though she wasn't sure if it was from tears or just the warmth of her own hands. The argument with Axel had left her feeling hollow, an aching weight pressing against her chest. She hated fighting with people, especially the people she loved. And Axel-Axel had always been her person. But after what he did to Robby... she didn't know how to look at him the same way.

A soft knock at the door barely registered in her mind. She was too lost in the swirl of emotions, too stuck replaying every sharp word exchanged between them. The knock came again, firmer this time.

"Belle?"

She blinked, turning her head toward the door just as it creaked open. Sam stepped inside, dressed in her usual training gear, her hair damp from the rain outside. Her expression wasn't pitying, which Belle appreciated, but there was a softness in her eyes, an understanding that made Belle's throat tighten.

Sam glanced around the room before walking over and sinking onto the bed beside her, close but not too close. She didn't say anything at first, just let the silence settle between them, the sound of the rain filling the gaps.

Belle exhaled, forcing a small, tired smile. "You're really brave coming in here without an umbrella. What if I was in a mood and threw a pillow at you?"

Sam smirked. "I'd dodge it. My reflexes are better than yours."

That earned a small, breathy laugh from Belle, but it faded just as quickly as it came. She pulled her knees up, resting her chin on them. "I don't really feel like talking," she admitted, her voice quieter than usual.

"That's fine," Sam said. "I can do the talking."

Belle gave her a look, and Sam shrugged. "I figured I'd find you here. You kind of disappear when you're upset."

"I don't disappear," Belle murmured. "I just... don't want to bring people down."

Sam raised an eyebrow. "Belle, you could never bring people down. You're the one who lifts everyone up. But that doesn't mean you have to pretend everything's okay when it's not."

Belle's fingers tightened around the blanket. She wanted to believe that, but it wasn't easy. Being the sunshine girl, the one who made everything feel lighter, meant that when she wasn't okay, it felt like she was letting people down.

Sam shifted slightly, turning to face her fully. "I know what happened with Axel was bad."

Belle swallowed hard, her gaze falling to her lap. "He-he doesn't even think he did anything wrong." The words came out thick with emotion, and she hated it. "I tried to make him see that what he did to Robby wasn't okay, but he just shut me out. Like I was the one who didn't understand."

Sam sighed, running a hand through her ponytail. "Yeah. He's always been stubborn."

"That's putting it lightly." Belle let out a humorless laugh. "I just-I thought we got each other, you know? That no matter what, we'd always be on the same page. But now..." She trailed off, shaking her head. "I don't know."

Sam was quiet for a moment before saying, "Maybe he knows he messed up, and he just isn't ready to admit it."

Belle frowned, looking up. "What do you mean?"

"I mean... sometimes when people feel like they've lost control, they lash out. They double down because admitting they were wrong makes them feel weak," Sam explained. "I'm not saying that excuses what Axel did-because it doesn't-but I've seen it before. With Tory. With Hawk. Even with myself."

Belle absorbed that, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of the blanket. It made sense, in a way. Axel had always had a fire in him, something dangerous lurking beneath the surface. He hated feeling powerless. But that didn't make what he did okay.

"I don't know if I can fix it," she admitted.

Sam shrugged. "Maybe you don't have to. Maybe you just need to focus on yourself right now."

Belle let out a slow breath, trying to let those words settle in. It wasn't easy. She always wanted to fix things, to smooth over the rough edges and make everything okay again. But maybe Sam was right. Maybe this wasn't something she could fix-not yet.

Sam shifted, resting her elbows on her knees. "Actually, that's kind of why I came. Tory's been training for the Sekai Taikai, but she's been struggling. I think having you there could help."

Belle blinked, caught off guard. "Me?"

"Yeah. You and Tory have a lot in common," Sam said. "You both fight with your emotions, but you know how to channel them when it counts. And right now, I think you need something to channel yours into."

Belle hesitated. "Sam, I don't know... I'm not exactly in the best headspace to be sparring right now."

"That's exactly why you should." Sam gave her a knowing look. "Sitting in here, replaying your fight with Axel over and over-it's just gonna keep hurting. But if you come train, at least you can put that frustration to good use."

Belle bit her lip. The idea of moving, of doing something other than stewing in her emotions, was tempting. She didn't want to feel like this-stuck, lost, like the rain outside was pouring straight into her chest.

Sam nudged her shoulder. "Come on, Belle. What's the worst that could happen? You end up kicking Tory's ass?"

Belle let out a soft laugh, finally lifting her head. "If she makes me mad, maybe."

Sam grinned. "Then let's go."

Belle hesitated for only a second before sighing. "Fine. But if Tory annoys me, I'm blaming you."

Sam held out a hand, smirking. "Deal."

Belle took it, letting Sam pull her to her feet. And as they walked out of the room together, something inside her felt just a little bit lighter.

The old Cobra Kai dojo wasn't what it used to be. The once menacing black walls, which had been adorned with the fanged snake logo and Sensei Silver's ruthless slogans, were now stripped bare. It smelled like dust and sweat, like memories of battles fought and lost. But despite its history, today it was a place of rebuilding-of something new.

The door creaked open, and Belle stepped inside, shaking out her damp hair from the light drizzle outside. A playful smirk danced on her lips as she placed her hands on her hips, scanning the room where a few students were warming up.

"Someone call for Isabelle Wu to help train?" she announced, tilting her head dramatically.

Tory, who had been stretching near the center of the dojo, immediately turned at the sound of Belle's voice. Her face, which had been locked in its usual mask of intensity, softened in surprise. For a second, she just stood there, as if not believing Belle was actually there. Then, without hesitation, she crossed the room in a few quick strides and threw her arms around Belle in a tight hug.

Belle barely had time to react before she found herself enveloped in Tory's fierce embrace. She let out a surprised laugh, but quickly hugged her back just as tightly.

"Okay, okay, I get it. You missed me," Belle teased, though her voice was warm.

Tory pulled back, rolling her eyes but unable to hide the small, genuine smile that tugged at the corner of her lips. "Yeah, well, don't let it go to your head, Wu."

Belle grinned. "Too late."

From across the room, Sam smirked, arms crossed as she watched the reunion. "Alright, enough with the sappy stuff. We called Belle here for a reason."

Tory turned back toward Belle, her expression shifting back into something more serious. "I need to be ready for the Sekai Taikai," she said. "I need someone who won't hold back."

Belle's playful smirk returned as she pulled off her jacket, tossing it to the side. "Well, you're in luck. I'm in a bit of a mood today."

Tory cracked her neck. "Good. Then let's go."

The other students cleared out of the way as the two girls stepped onto the mat. They moved instinctively, their stances falling into place like second nature. Belle bounced lightly on the balls of her feet, shaking out her arms. Tory's eyes were sharp, calculating, her muscles coiled like a spring ready to snap.

"No mercy?" Belle asked, cocking an eyebrow.

Tory smirked. "No mercy."

The second the words left her mouth, she lunged.

Belle barely had time to dodge before Tory's fist shot toward her ribs. She twisted, countering with a sharp front kick, but Tory blocked it with ease. They circled each other, their movements fluid, controlled. The dojo was silent except for the sound of their feet sliding against the mat and the occasional sharp exhale of breath.

Tory attacked again, this time aiming high with a roundhouse kick. Belle ducked, but Tory anticipated it, switching her momentum and sending a low sweep toward Belle's legs. Belle barely managed to leap over it, twisting mid-air before landing with a controlled skid.

A grin spread across her face. "You've been practicing."

Tory smirked. "You haven't seen anything yet."

This time, Belle struck first, feinting with a jab before stepping in with a spinning back kick. Tory blocked it, but the force made her stumble slightly. Belle took the opening, sweeping her foot forward and catching Tory off balance.

For a split second, Tory was falling. But at the last moment, she caught herself, rolling into the impact and springing back to her feet.

Their eyes met.

Both of them were breathing hard, but neither was backing down.

Belle wiped the back of her hand across her forehead, grinning. "Not bad."

Tory smirked, rolling out her shoulders. "You're still slow."

Belle scoffed. "Oh, you're so full of-"

Before she could finish, Tory lunged again, forcing her back into the fight.

From the sidelines, Sam and the others watched as the two warriors clashed, their movements a blur of power and precision. This wasn't just training. This was something more.

This was the beginning of something stronger.

The night air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of asphalt and the lingering humidity of the day's heat. Belle stepped out of the old Cobra Kai dojo, rolling her sore shoulders as she pulled her jacket tighter around herself. The session had run longer than expected, but she didn't mind. It had been a good distraction-one she desperately needed. After everything that had happened with Axel, her emotions had been tangled, raw, impossible to process. But here, on the mat, in the rhythm of movement and the snap of punches meeting flesh, things had made sense again. At least for a little while.

Behind her, the others were trickling out, some chatting in low voices, others walking off in silence. Sam shot her a quick wave before disappearing down the sidewalk, leaving Belle alone in the dim glow of the streetlamp. She exhaled slowly, feeling the exhaustion settle deep into her muscles.

Then, a voice broke the quiet.

"Belle."

She turned, blinking as she saw Tory standing in the doorway of the dojo. The harsh fluorescent light behind her cast deep shadows across her face, making her features unreadable. For a moment, neither of them spoke. Tory shifted slightly, hands shoved deep into the pockets of her hoodie, her weight rocking back on her heels like she was still deciding whether to say anything at all.

Finally, she took a step forward.

"I just wanted to say... thanks," Tory said, her voice quieter than usual. "For helping me." She hesitated, then shook her head slightly, as if frustrated with herself. "After everything I did to you... you didn't have to."

Belle studied her carefully, taking in the tension in her posture, the way her fingers clenched inside the fabric of her sleeves. Tory wasn't the kind of person who apologized easily, and Belle could tell these words weren't coming lightly.

Instead of responding right away, Belle let the silence settle. She tilted her head, a small, knowing smile playing at her lips.

"We've all changed, Tory," she said finally, her voice soft but firm. "We've all been hurt these last few years." She paused, letting the weight of those words sink in. "I think we're just tired of fighting the wrong battles."

Tory held her gaze for a long moment. Something flickered in her eyes-something vulnerable, something almost relieved. Then, with a slow nod, she exhaled, the tension in her shoulders easing ever so slightly.

"Yeah," she muttered. "I think you're right."

Belle gave her one last look before turning away, her boots clicking softly against the pavement as she walked off. The night wrapped around her like a blanket, cool but not unwelcoming. The distant hum of cars echoed in the background, blending with the rhythmic sound of her own footsteps.

Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out her phone, the screen glowing faintly in the dark. She hesitated for a moment, staring at the name that had been sitting at the top of her messages all night. Axel.

Her thumb hovered over the keyboard, her mind racing with everything she wanted to say. But in the end, she kept it simple.

Call me.

She sent the text before she could second-guess herself, slipping the phone back into her jacket. Whatever happened next-whatever Axel had to say-she was ready to hear it.

ASH SPEAKS!!!

sorry for the long wait on this chapter! havent been motivated:)

sorry for the shortish chapter but spliting ep 14 into 2/3 chapters cause i dont want to say goodbye too quickly

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!!!