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✰ TAG TEAM ✰
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The next morning, Santana woke to an empty bed, the sheets beside her cool to the touch. For a moment, she just lay there, blinking up at the ceiling, trying to process everything that had happened the night before. The intensity of their emotions, the weight of their confessions, and the way they had gravitated toward one another as if they had never been apart.

But now, in the daylight, reality felt different.

Santana wasn't sure. And she wasn't sure if they were at a place where she could even ask.

So instead of lingering, instead of waiting for him to return, she got up, got dressed, and left before she had to face the uncertainty head-on.

Now, at the event, things felt... different. The tension between them wasn't as sharp as before, but it was still there, lingering in the spaces between glances and unspoken words. They had mended some of the cracks in their relationship, but the foundation was still shaky. There was a familiarity between them again, something softer beneath the surface, but there was also hesitation—an unspoken understanding that they weren't fully there yet.

And their students? Well, that was a whole other story.

If anything, the silent feud between their students had only grown stronger, fueled by competition and the pressure of the event. The stakes were higher now, the lineup narrowing down as they moved closer to the finals. No matter what happened between Santana and Feng, their students were still opponents. And as much as she wished it didn't matter, as much as she tried to stay impartial, she couldn't ignore the weight of it.

Because when the time came for the next match, when their students stepped onto the mat, all the personal turmoil in the world wouldn't change the fact that only one of them would walk away victorious.

And who knew what that would mean for everything else?

The announcer's voice boomed across the arena, hyping up the crowd as the final rounds of the competition approached. Cheers and applause echoed throughout the massive venue as the remaining dojos were recognized for making it this far. Santana barely heard any of it, her mind elsewhere as she subtly glanced across the floor to where Feng stood with his team.

But he wasn't alone.

Her gaze flickered to the man beside him—taller than Feng, older too, with neatly combed silver-streaked hair and a crisp, tailored suit that screamed wealth and power. There was an effortless air of confidence about him, the way he stood with his hands in his pockets, his sharp eyes scanning the arena with mild amusement. He didn't look like someone who just happened to be here. No, he looked like someone who had a vested interest in what was happening.

Who the hell is that?

Santana had been around the martial arts circuit long enough to recognize most of the key players, and yet this man was unfamiliar. But judging by the way he was standing with the Iron Dragons, as if he belonged there, he had to be someone important. And if he was with them, that meant Feng must know him.

"Now, here are the rules for this round!" the announcer called out, his voice booming over the excited crowd.

"Each team will face three opponents, determined by random draw, in an all-dojo tag team competition!"

The format was simple: two fighters—one from each dojo—would be inside the ring at a time, while the remaining ten teammates waited outside, ready to be tagged in and first to three points win.

No timeouts. No breaks. Just relentless combat and strategic tag-ins.

In the exact order, Red Fury Dojo would go up against Miyagi-Do, Cobra Kai, and finally, Furia de Pantera.

MATCH 1: MIYAGI-DO V. RED FURY

The crowd erupted into cheers and murmurs as the fighters processed the matchups. The tension in the air thickened—three battles stood between them and victory.

The tension in the arena crackled as Red Fury and Miyagi-Do gathered around the ring, their fighters standing at the ready. Elijah from Red Fury stepped inside first, rolling his shoulders and bouncing lightly on his feet. Across from him, Demetri took a deep breath, looking less confident but determined nonetheless.

Off the mat, Santana moved forward, casually stepping beside the trio of Miyagi-Do senseis. She glanced at them, her expression unreadable before she finally spoke.

"Three senseis for one dojo. Odds don't look good there, do they?"

Daniel LaRusso turned toward her with an easy shrug. "It's called being a unit. Nothing wrong with that."

Santana tilted her head slightly, her sharp gaze scanning each of them. The intensity of her stare made the three men shift slightly, an almost imperceptible step back. Then, she chuckled, the sound low and amused.

"Hm."

Before anyone could respond, the match was called to start. Santana turned back, her focus shifting toward the fight, eyes locked on Elijah as he settled into his stance.

The tension in the ring thickened as the match between Red Fury and Miyagi-Do officially began. Elijah and Demetri squared off, the difference in their skill level obvious from the start.

Elijah moved with fluid precision, easily dodging Demetri's cautious jabs before delivering a sharp kick to his ribs. Demetri stumbled but tried to regain his footing, throwing a punch that Elijah effortlessly sidestepped. Every move Demetri made was met with a faster, sharper counter.

On the sidelines, Hawk was practically vibrating with frustration. "Tag me in, man!" he called out, his hands raised.

Demetri ignored him, gritting his teeth as he lunged at Elijah again. It was a mistake. Elijah ducked low, sweeping Demetri's legs out from under him and sending him crashing onto his back. Instead of going for the point, Elijah smirked, took a step back, and slid out of the ring.

Nico was already in motion before Elijah even extended his hand, flipping over the ropes and landing effortlessly inside the ring. Demetri's eyes widened as he scrambled back, bumping into Hawk.

"Really?" Hawk muttered, brows furrowing.

Without looking, Demetri smacked Hawk's hand, tagging him in before shoving him forward. Hawk barely had time to react before Nico twisted into a spinning kick, his foot colliding hard with Hawk's face.

The sharp crack echoed through the arena.

"Point, Red Fury!" the referee called.

Hawk hit the mat hard, groaning as Nico hovered over him, bouncing on his feet with a cocky grin. "Easiest fight I've been in," he chuckled.

Hawk scowled, crawling over and slapping Sam's outstretched hand. Sam groaned, shaking her head as she slid into the ring. She immediately threw a series of quick punches, forcing Nico to back up. But he wasn't interested in engaging her for long. With a swift motion, he spun and tagged in Luciana.

Luciana stepped in with an easy smile, her movements relaxed as she lifted her leg, sending a sharp kick toward Sam. Sam blocked it smoothly. Another kick—blocked. Another—still blocked.

Luciana's smile widened as she circled Sam, her strikes growing faster, sharper. Sam kept her guard up, but she could feel it—Luciana wasn't just playing around. She was testing her.

Miguel leaned forward, gripping the rope tightly as he called out, "You got this, Sam! Stay focused!"

Sam adjusted her stance, determination flickering in her eyes despite the struggle. Luciana was fast—too fast—and Sam was having a hard time landing a clean hit. Every punch, every kick was either dodged or countered, and though Sam refused to back down, she could feel the fight slipping away from her.

Luciana, however, was starting to slow. Her movements weren't as crisp as before, her breath coming a little heavier.

"Harder, Luciana!" Santana's sharp voice rang out from the sidelines.

Luci clenched her jaw, pushing past the exhaustion. She let out a scream with every strike, her fists flying with renewed speed and intensity. Sam barely had time to react before Luciana's attacks became overwhelming—one punch after another, forcing Sam to retreat, her arms shaking from the sheer force of the blows.

Then, in a blur, Luciana grabbed Sam's arm, twisted, and flipped her clean over her shoulder. Sam hit the mat hard, the wind knocked out of her. Before she could recover, Luciana followed up with a swift kick to Sam's stomach.

The referee raised his hand. "Point, Red Fury!"

It was now 2-0 and the tension in the air was thick. Red Fury was only one point away from winning, and Sam knew it. Her frustration boiled over as she clenched her fists, her breathing heavy. She couldn't let them win this easily.

"Tag in someone else!" Robby called from behind the ropes, but Sam wasn't listening.

Instead, she let out a sharp yell and lunged at Luciana, swinging wildly. Luciana's eyes widened in surprise at Sam's sudden aggression. She quickly raised her arms to block the flurry of punches, but Sam was relentless, her strikes coming faster, harder. Each hit pushed Luciana back until she was near the edge of the ring.

Luciana grit her teeth, trying to find an opening, but Sam wasn't letting up. Thinking fast, Luciana feinted left, then suddenly dropped down, sliding between Sam's legs before she could react. The moment she was clear, she scrambled up and rushed toward her corner, hand outstretched.

Slap!

She tagged in Mariana.

Mariana, a bundle of energy, hopped into the ring with an eager grin, rolling her shoulders as Luciana stepped out. She was known for her unpredictable, fiery fighting style—troublemaker in life, troublemaker in the ring.

Sam exhaled, bouncing lightly on her feet. She studied Mariana carefully this time. She couldn't let her emotions cloud her judgment again.

Mariana smirked. "You gonna let me swing first, or are we just gonna stare at each other all day?"

Sam didn't respond. Instead, she gave a quick nod, gesturing for Mariana to come at her.

Mariana wasted no time. She dashed forward, launching a series of rapid punches. Sam dodged the first two, blocking the third with her forearm. Mariana twisted, aiming a kick at Sam's ribs, but Sam stepped back just in time.

It was clear—Mariana wasn't bad. She was fast, scrappy, and unpredictable. But Sam was better.

Mariana pivoted, trying to go for a leg sweep, but Sam jumped over it, using the opening to strike. She shot her foot forward, aiming for Mariana's stomach, but Mariana quickly crossed her arms, blocking the kick.

Not this time.

Sam grabbed Mariana's arm and yanked it upward, forcing Mariana off balance. Before Mariana could react, Sam drove a punch straight into her stomach.

The force sent Mariana stumbling back, clutching her abdomen.

The referee raised his hand. "Point, Miyagi-Do!"

A brief cheer erupted from Miyagi-Do's side as the score changed to 2-1.

Sam took a step back, rolling her shoulders as she steadied her breathing. Mariana winced but wiped her mouth, cracking her neck as she eyed Sam again.

Santana clapped her hands once from the sidelines. "Shake it off, Mariana! Don't let her get in your head!"

Mariana took a quick step back, her eyes flicking toward Nico. With a swift motion, she slapped his hand and tagged him in.

At the same moment, Sam reached out and hit Robby's hand. He let out a deep sigh, shaking out his arms as he stepped into the ring.

But Nico wasn't going to give him even a second to breathe.

The moment Robby's foot touched the mat, Nico was already airborne, spinning into a kick aimed straight at him. Robby barely managed to step back in time, but as soon as he regained his footing, another kick was flying at his ribs. He blocked it with his forearm, gritting his teeth as the impact stung.

Nico was relentless, his attacks fast and precise, using his legs in rapid succession. Robby widened his eyes, struggling to find an opening as he deflected kick after kick. Every time he tried to strike back, Nico was already moving, already positioning himself for the next attack.

Robby's eyes darted toward Miguel, who had his hand out, ready for the tag.

Just as Robby lunged toward him, reaching out—

Nico grabbed his arm and yanked him back.

Before Robby could react, Nico twisted, pulling him forward and slamming a sharp punch into his bicep. The force sent a jolt of pain through his arm.

Then, without hesitation, Nico dropped low and swung his leg into Robby's knee.

Robby let out a sharp grunt as his leg buckled, sending him down onto one knee.

Nico didn't waste the opportunity.

In one fluid motion, he spun around and delivered a powerful kick to the side of Robby's head.

Robby hit the mat hard, the impact echoing through the gym.

The referee's hand shot up. "Point, Red Fury!"

Cheers erupted from the Red Fury side as the score locked in at 3-1—securing their victory for this match.

Nico smirked down at Robby, bouncing on his feet slightly. "Told you—easiest fight I've had."

Robby groaned, rolling onto his back as Miguel and Sam rushed in to help him up. On the other side, Red Fury celebrated, Santana nodding in approval as her fighters stood tall and turned toward the three Miyagi-Do senseis—Daniel, Johnny, and Chozen—who stood watching with tight expressions. She tilted her head, a slow smirk creeping onto her face.

"Three senseis and still couldn't pull off a win?" she mused, her tone dripping with amusement. "Maybe too many cooks in the kitchen, huh?"

Johnny scoffed, rolling his eyes. "Yeah, well, let's see how cocky you are when you're not hiding behind your students."

Santana chuckled, stepping forward just enough to make all three men straighten slightly. Her gaze was sharp, analyzing, and for a brief moment, she let the silence stretch.

"Hm," she finally murmured, her smirk never fading. "Maybe next time, boys."

With that, she turned back to her fighters, leaving the Miyagi-Do senseis stewing as Red Fury basked in their victory.

Red Fury Dojo stood in a loose circle, some stretching out their sore muscles while others chatted about their last match. Luciana rolled her shoulders, shaking out her arms, while Nico stood beside her, cracking his neck.

"You good?" Nico asked, giving her a side glance.

Luci exhaled through her nose. "Yeah, just getting warmed up. We've still got Cobra Kai to go through."

Nico chuckled. "Hope they put up a better fight than the last one."

Before Luci could respond, a shift in the atmosphere made her turn. Cobra Kai was approaching. Kwon led the way, a smug smirk plastered across his face, flanked by his fellow fighters. Tory walked a few steps behind them, her arms crossed, looking unimpressed by the whole thing. Unlike the others, she didn't seem interested in the sizing-up game.

The rest of Red Fury quickly took notice, standing to their feet and stepping behind Nico and Luciana in a silent show of unity.

Kwon stepped forward, his eyes locked onto Luci as he let out a low chuckle. "Can't wait to see you out on the mat, princess." His voice dripped with mockery, and his crew, minus Tory, snickered behind him.

Luci's jaw tensed. This was the first time she had seen Kwon since their... lovers' quarrel—though she wouldn't exactly call it that. It wasn't like she had been falling for him.

Nico's smile was all edge, no warmth. "Yeah, now we can settle this, and I can kick your ass."

Kwon lifted his eyebrows, his grin widening. "Oh, you wish."

Then, he shifted his attention back to Luciana. Bending slightly, he looked down at her, lifting a hand as if to brush his fingers against her cheek.

Luci's reaction was instant. She slapped his hand away, her eyes flashing, and then she bumped against his shoulder as she pushed past him without a word.

Kwon's smirk didn't waver. Instead, he turned slightly, watching her walk away. "See you, princess," he teased, lifting a hand in a mocking wave.

Nico took a step forward, his glare unwavering, but Kwon only laughed. "Didn't mean to make your girlfriend upset," he quipped.

Before Nico could fire back, Kwon's gaze flicked to the side. Tory had already turned and was walking off, clearly tired of the antics. A brief look of irritation crossed Kwon's face before he shrugged it off and rejoined his crew, leaving the tension lingering in the air as Cobra Kai moved on.

Mia stepped beside Nico, her arms crossed tightly over her chest as she watched Kwon walk away. She scoffed, shaking her head. "He's such a culo," she muttered under her breath.

Nico let out a low chuckle, nodding. "Yeah, tell me about it," he murmured, still watching as Cobra Kai disappeared into the crowd. His jaw clenched slightly—he had no doubt Kwon was going to be an issue later.

Before he could dwell on it, movement from the side caught his attention. Santana was approaching, her expression unreadable, her sharp eyes locked on Wolf as she came to a stop beside him.

Even from a distance, the tension between them was obvious. Wolf, usually the cocky, confident type, stood stiffly, his hands resting on his hips, while Santana's face remained impassive, guarded.

Santana came to a stop beside Wolf, a smirk tugging at the corner of her lips as she glanced up at him. "Didn't see you in bed this morning," she mused, crossing her arms. "Guess I deserve it, though. Payback and all."

Wolf—Feng—shook his head, a small chuckle slipping through before his usual tough demeanor returned. "It wasn't like that. I had to meet a friend," he defended, his voice casual but firm.

Santana arched a brow, turning her head slightly to follow his gaze. A tall man with silver-gray hair stood a short distance away, his presence exuding an air of quiet authority. He was definitely older, and definitely not just some friend.

"Is it that old guy over there?" she asked, tilting her head.

Feng nodded once. "Yeah."

Santana studied the man for a moment before glancing back at Feng. "He seems important."

A sigh left Feng's lips, his usual cool expression giving way to something more serious. "He is. He really is."

Before Santana could ask more, an announcement rang through the air, calling fighters to prepare.

"The match between Red Fury and Cobra Kai will begin shortly. Fighters, get ready!"

Santana exhaled, shifting her weight before looking back at him. "Guess I'll see you around then."

A slow smile tugged at Feng's lips before he schooled his expression back into something unreadable. He held her gaze for a moment longer before his voice dropped to something softer, almost teasing. "Walk away before I do something I shouldn't."

Santana's smirk widened. "Well then, maybe I should stay right here." She lingered for just a second longer before chuckling, taking a slow step back, then another. With one last glance, she turned and strode back toward her students, ready to lead Red Fury into battle.

MATCH 2: COBRA KAI V. RED FURY

The tension in the air was palpable as Red Fury and Cobra Kai circled their respective sides of the ring, their eyes locked on each other. The first fighters to step into the ring were Yoon from Cobra Kai and Nico from Red Fury.

The match started fast, both fighters moving with expert precision. Yoon struck first, aiming a sharp kick toward Nico's ribs, but Nico sidestepped with ease and countered with a quick jab. Yoon wasn't deterred, throwing a spinning kick that barely missed Nico's head. The fight was balanced, both fighters landing solid blows, neither willing to back down.

Then Yoon went for the unexpected—he flipped onto the ground, rolling smoothly and preparing to strike from below. But the moment he lifted his head, Nico was already there. With a powerful kick straight to Yoon's face, Nico sent him sprawling back onto the mat.

"Point, Red Fury!" the referee called out as Yoon groaned, shaking his head as he stumbled back to his feet. He shot a glare at Nico before turning to his team and tagging in Tory.

Nico raised both hands in a playful surrender, smirking. "All yours, amiga," he quipped before sliding back and slapping Mia's hand.

Mia let out an excited yelp as she leaped into the ring, immediately launching a barrage of fast, hard strikes at Tory. Caught slightly off guard, Tory managed to block some, but her focus wavered, and Mia wasn't giving her a chance to recover.

"Vamos, perra!" (come on, bitch) Mia shouted, her fiery energy driving her forward as she pressed the attack.

Tory gritted her teeth, trying to keep up, but Mia was relentless. Spotting an opening, Mia drove her knee hard into Tory's side, making her grunt in pain. Without hesitation, she spun around so that their backs were to each other, then swiftly hooked Tory over her shoulder.

With a powerful motion, she slammed Tory onto the mat, the impact sending a sharp echo through the room. Before Tory could recover, Mia stomped her foot down onto Tory's stomach, knocking the wind out of her.

"Point, Red Fury!"

The scoreboard now read 2-0. Cobra Kai needed points, and fast.

Kwon's voice cut through the noise. "Tory, tag me in."

Tory groaned, clutching her stomach as she pushed herself up. Mia grinned, knowing she had landed a solid victory.

Luciana, watching intently, knew what was coming. She took a step forward and called out, "Tag me in!"

Mia and Tory both looked back at their teams. Without hesitation, Tory slapped Kwon's outstretched hand, tagging him in, and Mia swiftly backed up, tagging Luciana.

Luciana and Kwon stepped into the ring at the same time, their eyes locked as the energy between them crackled with intensity. Kwon smirked, tilting his head slightly as if to tease her, but Luci wasn't playing his game.

She dropped down quickly, aiming to sweep his legs out from under him, but Kwon was ready. Using his impressive agility, he leaped high, avoiding the kick before twisting midair. As he landed, he spun around, aiming a kick at Luciana's side, hoping to score a point.

But Luci was just as fast. She slid back smoothly, dodging his attack before springing back up, the two of them now circling each other, studying the next move.

"Kwon! Fight back!" Sensei Kim's sharp voice rang from the sidelines, urging him forward.

Luciana took that as her cue, stepping forward and swinging her fist toward him. Kwon dodged, but something about their movements felt off—almost as if they were both holding back.

And then Luci looked up at him, just for a split second. It was a mistake.

A flash of memory hit her—their kiss in the elevator, his hands gripping her waist, the way their lips had crashed together with unspoken tension. That moment of hesitation was all Kwon needed.

Before she could react, his fist connected with her chest, sending a jolt through her body as she stumbled back.

"Point, Cobra Kai!"

From the sidelines, Santana's sharp eyes narrowed as she crossed her arms. "Tag in Nico!" she barked.

Luciana clenched her jaw, shaking off the moment as she turned back to her team and slapped Nico's outstretched hand.

Nico wasted no time. The second he entered the ring, he was already moving, flipping around Kwon in an effort to throw him off balance. His strikes came fast—punches, kicks, sharp movements meant to overwhelm.

But Kwon wasn't backing down. He met Nico's speed with his own, dodging, countering, matching him hit for hit.

The fight was on.

Nico and Kwon were locked in a fast-paced battle, their movements fluid and calculated as they exchanged blows, each fighter refusing to give an inch. The energy in the ring was palpable, both teams watching closely, knowing the importance of every point.

Kwon dodged a swift kick from Nico, his body twisting as he nimbly evaded the strike. He smirked, but his breath was labored, and he knew it wouldn't be long before he'd have to tag out.

"Tag in, Kwon!" Kreese's voice rang out from the sidelines, cold and commanding.

Kwon sighed, stepping back, his gaze locking onto Nico one last time before he tagged Tory. Without missing a beat, Tory flipped into the ring with grace, landing effortlessly on her feet. She wasted no time and charged forward, her strikes coming faster and harder than ever.

Nico hesitated for a moment. He knew Tory was a powerful opponent, and she was already known for her ruthless style. He blocked every hit she sent his way, dodging each punch and kick, but he was getting pushed back with every move.

With a swift leap, Nico tagged Mia in. He knew she'd fought Tory before, and if anyone could beat her again, it was Mia.

Mia stepped in with a smirk on her face, but it faltered when she saw Tory's unwavering determination. They had battled before, but this time, Tory wasn't holding back. The two exchanged quick, fluid strikes—punches, kicks, elbows, each of them trying to find an opening.

Tory came in hard with a spinning kick, but Mia ducked just in time. The moment of hesitation was enough for Mia to find her opening.

In a flash, Mia dropped low, sweeping her leg around to trip Tory off balance. Before Tory could react, Mia snapped back up and, using the momentum, delivered a brutal Muay Thai elbow strike directly to Tory's midsection.

Tory gasped, the wind knocked out of her as she staggered back. Before she could recover, Mia spun around with lightning speed, delivering a devastating roundhouse kick to Tory's chest, sending her sprawling onto the mat.

The referee immediately stepped in, calling out, "Point, Red Fury!"

The crowd erupted in cheers, and Mia stood over Tory, her chest heaving as she caught her breath. She didn't let up, standing tall and confident as she locked eyes with her teammates.

Red Fury had won 2 out of 3 matches for this event so far and they were already on the path to stay for the rest of the tournament and possibly make it to the finals. All they had to do was keep going and win this last fight with Furia de Pantera, but they also have won both their matches, so this is the battle of the greats.

The air was thick with anticipation as the final match between Cobra Kai and Miyagi-Do ended. The crowd was buzzing with energy, the tension hanging heavy in the air. It had been an intense showdown, one that had the crowd on the edge of their seats. But now, it was over, and Miyagi-Do had emerged victorious.

As the Miyagi-Do students celebrated, the attention of the crowd shifted to Red Fury, who had taken their spot in the ring. Red Fury's fighters stood tall, their eyes locked in on their opponents-- Furia de Pantera-- sizing them up. They were ready, eager for the challenge, knowing this would be their opportunity to show the world what they were made of.

Nico, Luciana, and the rest of the Red Fury dojo stood in their circle, stretching and preparing themselves for the upcoming battles. They could feel the weight of the moment. The tournament of champions was just around the corner, and earning a spot would take everything they had.

"Alright, guys, we've earned this," Nico said, his voice low but full of conviction. "We've trained for this moment, and now it's time to show what we're really made of."

Luciana stepped forward, her eyes burning with intensity. "We're not here to just make a statement. We're here to dominate."

The rest of the dojo nodded in agreement. There was no doubt in their minds—they were ready.

"¿listo?" Santana calls out as she steps towards her students, giving them a comfort pat on the bat. "I have no doubts that you'll win, so win" Santana smiles as she gives her brother a longing tap on the back as she watches as Furia steps around the ring.

Santana then looks to the score board and sees the teams that are going to the tournament of champions. Iron Dragons, Miyagi-Do and Tiger Strike and Santana would love nothing more than to have her dojo on that list.

Santana's gaze drifts to the scoreboard, her eyes narrowing as she reads the names of the teams that had made it to the Tournament of Champions: Iron Dragons, Miyagi-Do, and Tiger Strike. Her heart quickens, a sharp pang of determination surging through her chest. She would love nothing more than to see Red Fury on that list, but that was still to be earned. Her dojo wasn't just fighting for victory today; they were fighting for a place among the best.

As Santana keeps her gaze locked on the scoreboard, the sound of footsteps breaks her focus. Luciana, standing a few feet away from her, watches Kwon leaving the arena, his expression clouded with defeat. He walks with a slight limp, a sure sign of how hard he'd fallen in his match with Miyagi-Do. Luciana watches the Cobra Kai leader for a long moment, her thoughts drifting.

She could feel the weight of the fight ahead, and though she knew the nature of competition meant no room for distractions, part of her couldn't help but feel a flicker of sympathy for Kwon. It wasn't much, but she understood what it meant to lose so close to the goal. His shoulders were slumped, his usual bravado now hidden beneath a wave of frustration and exhaustion.

But there was no time to dwell on that now. Luciana snapped herself back to the present, her heart pounding as she felt the adrenaline start to build in her veins. She had a match to win, and her team was counting on her. She forced herself to focus, even as her mind questioned if this distraction had been part of Kwon's plan all along. The last thing she needed was to second-guess herself, but the thought lingered, just for a moment.

Santana, watching from the side of the mat, keeps a straight face, her eyes hardening as she focuses on the opponent across from them—the Sensei for Furia de Pantera. There was no turning back now. This was the moment they had all been working for, the moment that would define them.

The referee calls the teams forward, signaling that the fight was about to begin. Luciana takes a deep breath, her focus narrowing to the ring in front of her, pushing aside all distractions.

The first two fighters from Red Fury step forward: Diego and Nico. The tension in the room escalates. The crowd's energy pulses in time with their anxious heartbeats. Diego steps into the ring with a sharp look, ready for anything, while Nico's eyes are locked onto the other team. This was the start of it all, and both of them knew they had to give everything they had.

"Let's do this," Nico mutters under his breath, the words a low promise to himself and his team. He meets Diego's eyes for a brief moment before they both position themselves, adrenaline surging in their veins.

"Ready?" The referee calls out, eyes flicking between the two fighters.

Diego cracks his neck and nods, his stance low, prepared for the fast pace of Red Fury's style. Nico mirrors him, equally determined. The tension between them is almost unbearable, but they know it's only the beginning.

"Fight!" The signal rings out, and the match erupts into action.

Nico moves first, his footwork quick and fluid, a blur of motion as he sidesteps Diego's initial swing. His fist comes in hard, but Diego blocks, countering with a spinning kick aimed at Nico's side. Nico pivots just in time, catching the kick with his forearm and immediately following up with a swift jab to Diego's chest.

The two continue to trade blows, both refusing to give an inch. Diego's strikes are powerful, but Nico is quicker, his experience in the ring giving him the upper hand. Red Fury had been preparing for this, training relentlessly for moments like this. Every kick, every punch, was calculated and precise.

With each strike, the crowd grows more and more invested, their cheers echoing around the arena. But it's clear that Red Fury is on top. Nico steps back, timing his attack perfectly. He ducks under Diego's heavy swing and lands a solid blow to his opponent's midsection, knocking the air from his lungs.

Diego stumbles, but quickly regains his balance, eyes blazing with determination. He's not out yet, and neither is Nico, but it's clear who has the momentum.

Nico sees his opening. As Diego lunges forward with another strike, Nico slides under his guard, locking his opponent's arm with a swift twist and sending Diego to the mat with a well-timed takedown. The referee calls out the point, signaling Red Fury's first win.

Diego's fist slams into the mat, frustration clear on his face as he pushes himself to his feet. He wipes the sweat from his brow, then turns to his team, tagging in Maria with a sharp motion. "Go get 'em," he says, his voice heavy with defeat, but Maria just grins, her confidence soaring.

Nico steps back, his chest heaving, the adrenaline still coursing through him as he gives Luciana a nod. "You got this," he murmurs before taking his place by the sidelines.

Luciana exhales slowly, the weight of the fight settling in her chest. She clenches her fists, feeling the sting of her previous exertions, but she's ready. She bounces on her feet, eyes locked on Maria, who's already warming up, flipping and swinging her fists in the air.

Maria's eyes gleam with excitement. "Let's do this," she mutters under her breath before she rushes forward with a series of flips and quick jabs. Luciana counters effortlessly, blocking every hit with sharp precision. The two move with incredible speed, but Luciana's calm focus seems to be gaining the edge. She swings, aiming for Maria's head, but the agile fighter ducks and then springs back up, using her knees as a weapon.

Luciana sidesteps, narrowly avoiding the impact, but she can feel the pressure of Maria's relentless onslaught closing in. Before she can get the distance she needs, Maria suddenly lets out a battle cry and spins, her leg connecting solidly with Luciana's cheek, sending her crashing to the mat. The crowd reacts with a collective gasp as the referee calls the point for Furia de Pantera.

Luciana's head spins, and she can taste the iron of blood in her mouth. She winces, feeling the warmth trickle from the corner of her lips, but her gaze stays focused. She pushes herself up, wiping the blood away as she glances up at Maria. The cocky grin on Maria's face makes Luciana's blood boil.

Nico's voice cuts through the tension. "Tag someone in if you need to, Luci!" His words are filled with concern, but Luciana shakes her head, spitting blood onto the mat with a snarl of determination. She doesn't need to tag anyone else in. Not yet.

Luciana's body coils like a spring, and with a guttural scream, she launches herself at Maria with an intensity that surprises even herself. Fast punches and high kicks blur as she pushes herself to the limit, her focus narrowed solely on Maria. The red haze of anger and adrenaline fuels her every movement, each strike faster than the last, and Maria struggles to keep up.

Maria tries to block a particularly vicious high kick, but Luciana's foot just grazes her shoulder, knocking her slightly off balance. That's when Luciana takes a breath, using the moment to leap sideways, landing lightly on her feet.

Maria, however, isn't willing to back down. With a quick glance at her team, she decides to tag in her next teammate, a formidable guy they called Animal. Luciana watches him closely as he steps into the ring, his eyes narrowing with intent. But she's not giving up yet.

Luciana continues her assault, her legs a blur of high kicks, aiming to land them with precision. But Animal doesn't hesitate. He charges at her, blocking a few of her blows before swinging a punch, forcing her to back off. Luciana takes a step back, but the moment gives her the opportunity she needs.

She spins, doing a backflip to land gracefully on her feet. Without a moment's hesitation, she slaps the hand of Elijah, who had been waiting for her cue just behind her. He's in the ring now, ready to pick up where she left off.

Luciana stands outside the ring, breathing heavily, blood still dripping from her mouth, but her expression is fierce, unwavering. She watches Elijah take his place with determination, and with a defiant smile, she spits the remaining blood onto the floor.

Elijah and Animal circle each other, their eyes locked in a silent challenge. The crowd watches with bated breath as the tension between them builds. Elijah takes the first step forward, launching a quick jab toward Animal's face, but the larger fighter easily deflects it. Animal's movements are swift, his strength undeniable, as he counters with a hard punch that Elijah narrowly ducks.

Both men are quick to react, each blocking, dodging, and parrying with impressive speed. Animal tries another low kick, but Elijah spins, narrowly avoiding the attack before firing a punch of his own to Animal's ribs. Animal grunts, but his smile only widens as he adjusts his stance, sizing up Elijah.

With a roar of determination, Animal suddenly slams his foot down onto Elijah's, pinning him in place. Elijah's eyes widen in pain, but before he can recover, Animal spins with brutal force, his elbow crashing into Elijah's shoulder. The force is enough to make Elijah stagger back, and Animal doesn't waste a second.

He turns, his foot coming down hard into Elijah's chest, sending the younger fighter crashing to the ground with a heavy thud. The referee immediately calls the point for Furia de Pantera as Elijah groans, unable to catch his breath for a moment.

The score now 1-2.

Elijah raises a hand, signaling for his teammate. Nico's eyes narrow as he watches the brutal takedown, and without hesitation, he steps forward, quickly moving to help Elijah to his feet. "You good?" Nico asks, his voice low but concerned.

Elijah nods, gritting his teeth as Nico helps him into a fighting stance. "I'm fine. Let's do this."

The crowd murmurs as Nico steps forward, ready for his turn. Animal backs up, tagging in Diego with a nod. Diego steps in with a fiery determination, his posture different from before—more confident, more fierce. He cracks his knuckles and gives Nico a challenging look. "You want to go again, chico perra?" he taunts with a smirk.

Nico chuckles, his stance widening as he squares off with Diego. "Bring it on, pendejo," he fires back, the fire in his eyes matching the challenge in Diego's.

The two fighters clash, each one throwing powerful blows and dodging with lightning reflexes. Diego's strength is evident, but Nico's agility keeps him from taking a clean hit. With every strike Diego throws, Nico weaves and counters, never allowing Diego to fully land a punch.

But with Furia de Pantera only needing one more point to win, Nico knows he can't let up. Diego is tougher this round, pushing Nico harder than before, but Nico isn't backing down. Not now.

Every blow is calculated, each movement a dance of strategy, and both men are giving everything they've got. As they continue their back-and-forth, the outcome of this match hangs in the balance—one slip-up, one misstep, and either team could walk away victorious.

Nico grins, knowing he's ready for the next move. And Furia de Pantera? They won't get another point that easily.

Nico and Diego continue their back-and-forth, the intensity between them palpable. Every strike from Diego feels like it could be the one that lands, but Nico is fast—sliding just out of reach, ducking and weaving with a confidence that shows he's been training hard for moments like this.

Diego grows frustrated, his movements becoming more aggressive, but also more predictable. Nico watches closely, reading every one of his opponent's moves. He knows Diego's going to try something big, something reckless. Nico just needs to wait for the right moment.

Then, Diego charges—swinging a heavy right hook aimed at Nico's head, but Nico's reflexes kick in. He ducks low, sliding underneath the punch as Diego's arm swings wide. In the split second of opening, Nico spins on his heel, using the momentum to launch himself off the mat and into the air. He twists his body mid-flight and, with perfect timing, lands a powerful kick right into Diego's ribs, knocking the wind out of him.

The crowd gasps as Diego stumbles back, losing his balance. Before he can recover, Nico lands back on his feet with a swift roll, closing the distance between them. Diego tries to swing again, but this time Nico anticipates it—he grabs Diego's arm mid-swing and uses his opponent's own force against him, flipping Diego over his shoulder in a clean judo throw. Diego crashes onto the mat with a loud thud.

Nico doesn't hesitate. He steps forward and presses his foot to Diego's chest, pinning him down with a smirk. The referee steps in immediately, calling the point for Red Fury. The scoreboard lights up, and the score is now tied 2-2.

"Whoever gets this point, wins and is moving onto the tournament of champions!" The announcer states and that means both dojos have to give it their all or they will be heading home and that's something neither of them want to do.

"Whoever gets this point, wins and is moving onto the tournament of champions!" The announcer's voice booms across the arena, the tension thick in the air. Every eye is on the fighters now—each dojo is on the edge of victory, but one wrong move could send them home. The stakes couldn't be higher.

Nico steps back, his chest rising and falling with each breath, and looks at Luciana. "You got this," he says, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.

Luciana nods and steps into the ring with fire in her eyes, ready for the final fight. Diego immediately backs up, tagging in Maria, who struts confidently into the ring, cracking her knuckles.

"Looks like you'll be heading home," Maria taunts, a smirk dancing on her lips.

Luciana raises an eyebrow, her stance calm but ready. "We'll see about that," she mutters under her breath.

Without another word, Luciana charges in first. She throws a quick punch, aiming for Maria's face, but Maria ducks under it just in time, narrowly avoiding the strike. In a swift motion, Maria retaliates, attempting to land a punch right to Luciana's chest. Luciana, however, is prepared—she blocks the hit with a forceful arm, her muscles tense with the effort, and takes a quick step back to regain her balance.

The two of them circle each other, sizing one another up. Luciana bounces lightly on her feet, waiting for an opening, watching Maria closely.

Then, with a burst of speed, Luciana rushes forward again, her foot snapping out in a high kick that crashes into Maria's shoulder. Maria grunts and stumbles back slightly from the impact. Luciana doesn't hesitate, bringing her foot down hard, aiming for Maria's chest to try and knock her completely off balance.

But Maria, quick on her feet, rolls to the side and evades the attack just in time, landing nimbly on her feet. She kicks herself up with a graceful spin and turns back to Luciana, her eyes narrowing with determination. They both stand poised for the next move—two fighters, equally matched, both unwilling to give an inch.

"You got this, Luciana!" Mia's voice rings out above the rest, filled with encouragement, and Luciana feels the weight of her team's support surging through her. The crowd is alive with energy, the atmosphere electric as cheers for both dojos fill the air. Red Fury. Furia de Pantera. Both teams were equally skilled, but Luciana's focus never wavers.

She could hear the roar of the crowd, some cheering for Red Fury, others for Furia de Pantera. The battle was fierce, and both fighters had pushed themselves to the limit. But Luciana was determined. She wasn't just fighting for herself—she was fighting for her dojo, for her teammates, for everything they had worked for.

The seconds felt like hours as both girls stood at the edge of the ring, staring each other down. The moment of silence between them was broken only by the rush of adrenaline that surged through Luciana's veins.

Then, Luciana let out a battle cry, and time seemed to slow.

They both launched themselves toward each other with the force of a storm. Luciana's body felt weightless as she jumped up, executing a move she had been practicing for months. She used her chest as leverage, walking briefly on it before her foot collided with Maria's chest with a satisfying thud, knocking the wind from her opponent.

But Luciana wasn't done. With a fluid motion, she swung her foot higher, sending a powerful uppercut to Maria's chin, the impact sending her stumbling backward. The crowd gasped, the force of the strike clearly taking Maria off guard. Luciana's heart pounded in her ears as she saw Maria's body falter.

In one graceful move, Luciana backflipped off Maria's chest, landing firmly on her feet, her balance perfect as she faced her opponent. It felt as if everything had come together in that one moment—the years of training, the countless hours spent perfecting every move, all leading to this.

And then, the referee's voice cut through the noise.

"Red Fury wins!" he declared.

The crowd erupted into wild cheers. The Red Fury dojo went crazy, all their hard work and sacrifice paying off in this single moment. Luciana's teammates rushed toward her, surrounding her in a sea of smiles and hugs. Mia pulled her in tightly, beaming with pride.

"We did it!" Mia shouted, her voice filled with excitement.

Luciana smiled, feeling the adrenaline slowly ebb away, replaced by the overwhelming sense of achievement. She had done it. They had done it. Red Fury had earned their spot in the tournament of champions, and Luciana had delivered the final blow to make it happen.

As the referee's voice still echoed through the arena, Santana's heart swelled with pride. She watched as Luciana, surrounded by her teammates, beamed with triumph, her fists raised high in victory. The Red Fury dojo had done it. They had won, earning their place in the Tournament of Champions.

One by one, Santana hugged them—Mia, Nico, Elijah, and finally, the rest of the team. Each embrace was a silent promise, a moment that spoke louder than words.

The crowd continued to cheer, their admiration clear, but in this moment, Santana only cared about the faces in front of her—the faces of her fighters who had worked tirelessly for this moment.

The crowd's cheers erupted again, a thunderous sound that filled the entire arena, as Red Fury stood together, stronger than ever.

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authors note:
thanks for reading and i hope you all enjoyed! next chapter is the big brawl soooo i can't wait! and i did wanna say that obviously some stuff had to get changed around. because furia de pantera were in the tournament of champions i believe but i had to get red fury to take their place for reasons but its nothing major or that i cant not write around but i wanted to explain so thanks again for reading!

thoughts? 💭 what do we think is gonna happen?

words: 8055 (longgg)