▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃

✰ CHEATERS EXPOSED ✰
▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃

Luciana barely heard Mia speaking as her attention was pulled toward the commotion across the lobby. The air was thick with tension as Tory shoved Kwon roughly, her eyes burning with frustration. The sudden movement silenced most of the conversations happening between the dojos, and all eyes turned toward the confrontation.

Kwon barely stumbled before his anger flared. His fists clenched at his sides, and before anyone could react, he lunged at Tory, his jaw tight as if he were about to strike. A few gasps echoed through the room, but before anything could happen, Sensei Kim's sharp voice cut through the tension like a blade.

"Enough!" she snapped, her voice laced with authority.

Kwon stopped mid-step, breathing heavily, his glare still locked onto Tory. His jaw twitched, and after a long pause, he scoffed under his breath and stormed off, his shoulders tense with barely restrained fury.

Luciana watched as the scene unfolded, her brows furrowing. Cobra Kai wasn't even in the next event, so what were they still doing here? And what had just happened between Kwon and Tory?

Mia turned back to Luciana, opening her mouth to speak again, but Luci was already moving, her instincts pulling her toward Kwon.

"Luci-" Mia started, but Luciana waved her off, weaving through the groups of fighters in the lobby.

She followed after Kwon, stepping into the dimly lit hallway just beyond the main area. There, she found him pacing back and forth, muttering curses under his breath in rapid Korean. His hands were balled into fists, his breathing uneven.

Luciana hesitated for a moment before stepping closer. "Kwon?" she called out cautiously.

He whipped around, his dark eyes flashing with anger before recognition set in. He exhaled sharply and ran a hand through his hair, shaking his head.

"What do you want?" His voice was sharp, but there was an underlying exhaustion beneath it.

Luciana crossed her arms, tilting her head slightly. "I just wanted to say you fought good out there."

Kwon scoffed, turning away from her, but he didn't start pacing again. That was progress.

Luciana sighed. "Look, I get it. I know it's sad to lose when you know you're good--"

Kwon let out a bitter chuckle, cutting her off. "I am not just good, princess. I am great. Robby is lucky bastard."

For a moment, there was silence. Kwon's shoulders were still tense, his breathing still heavy, but something about her words seemed to make him hesitate.

Maybe, just maybe, he needed someone to listen.

"I'm just saying... you did great out there, and it sucks to see you go," she stated, her voice carrying a rare note of sincerity.

Kwon arched a brow, the corner of his mouth twitching. "Ah, looks like someone would miss me."

Luciana rolled her eyes, sliding her hand away. "Whatever," she scoffed, shaking her head.

Kwon chuckled, tilting his head smugly. "It's okay. I'd be sad to see me go too."

A small laugh escaped her lips before she could stop it, but then silence settled between them, not awkward, not uncomfortable-just there.

Kwon's usual cocky expression faded slightly, his dark eyes meeting hers in a way that felt different than before. Luciana wasn't sure why she did it, but before she could overthink it, she leaned in, pressing a soft kiss against his cheek.

When she pulled away, she caught the flicker of surprise on his face, but instead of saying anything, she simply sent him a small nod, a silent acknowledgment, before turning on her heel and heading back toward her team.

Kwon stood frozen for a moment, watching her go, before a smirk played on his lips again-this time, not just out of arrogance, but something else.

Then, moments later, the lobby was filled with dojos, even the ones that had been eliminated, and even all the senseis' as well.

The training room was silent except for the rhythmic sound of Santana's fists hitting the training dummy. She moved with precision, her black leggings hugging her curves as she twisted and struck, her tight black athletic tank top clinging to her body as sweat glistened along her skin. Her focus was razor-sharp until the door creaked open.

She didn't have to turn around to know who it was. She felt his presence before she saw him.

"Well, hello," Santana greeted, her voice softer than she intended as she reached for her water bottle and took a slow drink.

Feng leaned against the doorframe for a moment, watching her, clad in his black sweats and a fitted black tank, an Iron Dragons windbreaker draped over his broad shoulders.

"Where are your students?" he asked casually, stepping into the room.

Santana smirked, wiping her forehead with the back of her hand. "Worried about kicking your students' asses?" she teased, her arms crossing over her chest as she watched him.

Feng chuckled, stepping further inside and shutting the door behind him. "Ah, I doubt it."

He unzipped his jacket and let it fall to the ground, revealing the defined muscles of his arms. Santana's brows lifted slightly, intrigue flashing across her face.

"What are you doing?" she questioned, stepping forward as he rolled his shoulders.

"Thought I'd help you stretch," he shrugged, the excuse smooth yet playful as he took another step closer, the air between them growing heavy with something unspoken.

Santana chuckled, tilting her head. "Oh, you missed that part," she teased, but before she could say more, Feng closed the space between them, his hand sliding to her waist, pulling her flush against him.

"You can never get enough of that," he murmured, his smirk barely forming before his lips descended onto hers.

The kiss was slow, deep, full of restrained hunger. His hands tightened on her hips, fingers pressing into the curve of her waist as he deepened the kiss. Santana responded instantly, her arms draping around his neck, pressing her body against his as she lost herself in the heat of it.

Just as the moment threatened to progress further, a sudden crackle from the loudspeaker interrupted them.

"Attention, all Sekai Taikai competitors. All dojos convene immediately in the main lobby. Including the ones who have been eliminated."

Santana groaned against Feng's lips, reluctantly pulling back as reality crashed down on them. Feng let out a quiet chuckle, resting his forehead against hers for a brief second before stepping back, his hands lingering on her waist.

"Saved by the announcement," he teased, his voice low and amused.

"Shut up," Santana muttered, shaking her head as she caught her breath. She took a step back, smoothing her tank top, trying to ignore the heat still coursing through her.

The lobby was packed with fighters from every dojo, their chatter a low hum beneath the fluorescent lights. Some competitors leaned against walls, arms crossed, while others stood close to their teammates, whispering theories about why they had all been summoned. Even the senseis were present, their expressions ranging from curiosity to mild impatience.

Gunther stepped forward, clearing his throat as he raised his hands to quiet the room. "I apologize for gathering everyone so suddenly," he began, his accent thick but his tone steady. "However, it is important that I inform you all of what is happening."

A hush fell over the crowd as all eyes turned to him.

Gunther's sharp gaze swept across the room, his presence commanding absolute attention. He took a measured breath before continuing, his voice firm.

"We fight hard, and we fight fair. But someone has broken that rule by cheating."

A ripple of murmurs spread through the crowd. Fighters exchanged uneasy glances, their curiosity turning into tension. The senseis stood more rigid, their expressions unreadable.

Gunther let the words settle before his piercing eyes landed on a particular dojo. He exhaled sharply, then spoke the words that sent a shockwave through the room.

"Sensei Ivanov!"

All heads turned toward Tiger Strike. Their students stood stiffly, their expressions shifting between confusion and dread. Sensei Ivanov, a tall, broad-shouldered man with a sharp jawline, remained composed, but his narrowed eyes betrayed his displeasure.

"Four of your students have tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs."

Gasps erupted across the lobby. Some fighters covered their mouths, others exchanged hushed whispers. A few shot disgusted looks toward Tiger Strike, while some just gaped in stunned silence.

"You are hereby eliminated," Gunther declared, his voice unwavering.

Ivanov's eyes widened in shock, his posture stiffening as his brow furrowed. "What the hell are you talking about?" he snapped, taking a small step forward, his anger evident in the clenched jaw and the fire in his gaze.

The weight of Gunther's words hung heavy in the room, and the air seemed to thicken with tension. It was clear now-Tiger Strike was out of the tournament, but the question lingered: who would take their place?

Gunther's eyes swept across the room, catching the attention of every competitor, every sensei. His gaze didn't falter as he spoke, every word cutting through the growing murmurs. "The person with the next highest score will take their spot."

The room fell into stunned silence. Everyone's eyes darted around, searching for answers. The finalists, already brimming with nerves, exchanged confused glances, uncertain of what this meant for their own chances.

Gunther paused, letting the moment stretch out for just a second longer before he finally made the announcement.

"Cobra Kai!"

The words rang out sharply, breaking the stillness. A mixture of gasps and wide-eyed stares rippled through the crowd. Cobra Kai? The dojo that had barely squeaked by in previous rounds? The announcement sent a wave of shock and disbelief through everyone in the room, especially the finalists.

It was as if time froze for a split second, the weight of the moment sinking in. Cobra Kai had just been handed an unexpected opportunity-a chance to move on to the tournament of champions. The dojos who had fought tooth and nail to get here were now forced to contend with the unexpected twist that Gunther had just laid before them.

"Now to end on a good note. I will announce the draws for the semi-finals" Gunther states as he is handed a piece of paper with the draws and begins to read them out loud.

The matchups would be:
Zara Malik vs. Luciana Mendoza
Tory Nichols vs. Sam Larusso
Kwon Jae-Sung vs. Nico Cruz
Robby Keene vs. Axel Kovačević

The meeting had concluded, but the air was thick with tension. Everyone exchanged wary glances, sizing up their opponents. The realization settled in: the upcoming battles wouldn't be easy.

Santana turned to face her students, her expression hardening with determination. "I need you all to get changed and meet me outside," she commanded, her tone firm yet encouraging. "This isn't something we can take lightly. The semi-finals are critical. This is where we prove whether or not we deserve a spot in the finals. And that's exactly what we're going to do."

She clapped her hands together, her eyes scanning her students. "Let's make this count."

"¡Apúrate, vamos!" she shouted, urging her students forward. They moved quickly toward the elevator, heading to their rooms to prepare for the intense training ahead.

Feng, standing beside Santana, couldn't help but shake his head slightly, a small grin tugging at his lips. "Looks like it's our students facing each other again," he remarked, his voice quiet but laced with a hint of amusement.

Santana suppressed the smile that threatened to break through. "I guess it is," she replied, a spark of pride in her eyes. She leaned in, patting Feng on the back before turning away. "But don't feel defeated when Luci kicks her ass."

With that, she walked off, her footsteps purposeful, ready to prepare her students for the challenges ahead.

Santana and her six students arrived at the beach, the warm sand beneath their feet and the sound of crashing waves filling the air. It wasn't far from the hotel, just a short walk to get there, and Santana made sure they all got their steps in for the day. The salty breeze mixed with the scent of sunscreen and beach food, but there was no time for relaxing. This was about preparation.

Nico squinted against the bright sunlight, his eyes scanning the busy beach. "What are we doing here?" he asked, a touch of skepticism in his voice as he looked around at the waves, families lounging on the sand, and the distant horizon.

Santana stood tall, arms crossed, her eyes sharp as she pointed toward a large red umbrella at the far end of the beach. "I want you all to run down to that umbrella," she instructed, her voice steady and authoritative.

"All of us?" Elijah raised an eyebrow, his hands resting behind his back as he exchanged a glance with the rest of the team. "We aren't fighting in the semi-finals. Why are we doing this?"

Santana's gaze never wavered. "We may not be fighting right now, but we are still a team," she said, her tone unwavering. "And a team trains as one. So, I want you to run to that umbrella and back in three minutes. I'll be timing you."

"Three minutes?" Luciana groaned, her face scrunching in disbelief. "That's like yards away, and we have to run all the way back!"

Santana raised an eyebrow and turned her wrist, tapping a few buttons on her smart watch as it beeped to signal the start of the timer. "Now isn't the time for complaining. It's time for running." She gave them a firm look. "And the timer's already started."

The team blinked in surprise before their eyes widened. Without another word, they sprang into action, sprinting down the beach in a straight line toward the red umbrella, the sand slipping beneath their feet.

Santana watched them go, her expression focused. It wasn't about the distance or the time-this was about pushing limits, teamwork, and staying sharp under pressure.

As her students ran, their footsteps were a rhythm that matched the intensity of the training, and Santana knew they'd need every ounce of stamina for what was coming next.

Thirteen minutes later, the group trudged back to Santana, their breathing heavy and sweat dripping down their faces from the heat and exertion. As they neared, Elijah, who had been trailing behind, finally collapsed into the sand, gasping for air.

Santana, however, was standing there, cool and collected, a smoothie in her hand. She took a long sip, glancing up at her students as they stumbled toward her.

"You had time... to get a smoothie?" Nico breathed heavily, resting his hands on his hips as he shot her a questioning look.

Santana grinned, shrugging nonchalantly. "Yeah, you guys took longer than expected."

"Yeah, because those boys about fifty yards that way decided to throw beach balls and soccer balls at us on the way back!" Mia complained, holding her stomach as she wiped the sweat from her brow.

Santana smirked, keeping her eyes on her stopwatch. "Well, think of that as karate. People randomly throw punches at you, but you have to learn how to dodge them."

Nico furrowed his brows. "Did you just try to create a meaningful quote out of that?"

Santana finished her smoothie, tossing the empty cup into a nearby trash can with perfect aim. She wiped her hands and walked back to her students, clapping her hands together. "Okay, line up."

Exhausted but obedient, the team slowly staggered into line, standing side by side. Elijah, still panting, groaned from the sand where he had collapsed.

Santana bent down slightly, her eyes softening as she patted Elijah's head. "Elijah, just stay there," she said, her voice gentle but firm. "Rest up. You've earned it."

Elijah nodded weakly, flopping back into the sand as the others stood in line, trying to catch their breath.

Santana gathered her students further down the beach, away from the crowd and the noise, where the sound of the waves crashing against the shore was more prominent. The air was still warm, but the breeze was cooler down here, offering them a moment to focus.

"Alright," Santana began, turning toward her students. "We're going to start with some sparring sessions. I want you all to push yourselves, but remember, don't let the noise around you distract you."

Nico, Luciana, Mariana, Elijah, and Julian all nodded in agreement, stretching and preparing for the sparring session. Mia stood beside Santana, waiting for the others to get ready. Santana turned to face them, keeping her voice steady. "Let's do this. We'll start in pairs, and you'll have three minutes to showcase your skills. Keep it controlled, but don't hold back."

As the sparring began, the sand beneath them shifted with every move. Julian and Elijah were first to square off, their feet kicking up small clouds of sand as they blocked and attacked with swift, practiced precision. Next, Luciana and Mariana went at it, their movements fluid and fast, each trying to outsmart the other with quick strikes and well-timed counters.

Nico and Mia faced off last, their hands poised and eyes sharp, watching each other's every move. The sparring continued for another half hour, and Santana kept a watchful eye on each of them, calling out corrections and tips where needed. The sounds of their sparring, punches landing on pads, and the occasional grunt of exertion mixed with the distant sounds of the beachgoers.

When the sparring finally ended, Santana called them in, her voice calm but firm.

"Good work, everyone," she said. "You all gave it your all, but it's not just about strength or speed. It's about focus. Control." She demonstrated with a slow, controlled breath, holding it for a beat before exhaling. "Now, we're going to wind down with some calm breathing exercises. Clear your minds, center your focus."

The students gathered around her as she sat on the sand, crossing her legs and guiding them into a meditation posture. She guided them through the exercise, making sure each of them slowed their breathing and settled into a state of calm focus.

The sound of the ocean, the occasional call of seagulls in the distance, and the faint chatter from other beachgoers all faded as the group closed their eyes and focused on their breaths.

As the final exhale left her lips, Santana opened her eyes and looked around at her students. They all seemed more grounded, even though their muscles were sore, and their faces still glistened with sweat. She gave a small, approving nod. "Alright, I think that's all we got in us for today," she declared with a satisfied smile.

Mia, always the one to break the tension, grinned widely and clapped her hands together. "Guys, let's go swimming!" She pulled off her tank top, revealing her sports bra, and kicked off her shoes with enthusiasm.

"Hell yeah! Come on, Sensei!" Elijah cheered loudly, already removing his shirt. He and Mia started sprinting toward the water, kicking up sand behind them as they rushed toward the waves.

Santana laughed, shaking her head. "You guys go ahead," she called out, waving them off as she watched Luciana, Mariana, and Julian begin to remove their shoes and jackets, ready to dive in as well.

Nico, who had been standing a little further away, turned to Santana with a mischievous grin. "You don't want to join us?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

Santana scoffed, flashing him a playful smile. "I think I'm good," she joked, crossing her arms over her chest as she surveyed her students already wading into the water. She watched them, amused by how carefree and excited they were.

But before she could say another word, Nico lunged forward, grabbing his sister's arm with surprising strength and started dragging her toward the water.

"Nico! Nico, I am your sensei!" Santana shouted, laughing in mock protest. "Don't you dare!"

But Nico was already running, and with the help of Elijah and Julian, who had noticed what was happening, they all swooped in and began lifting Santana up.

"No, no, no!" Santana yelled, trying to wriggle free, but it was too late. The three of them hoisted her off the ground and carried her toward the water. "Guys! I swear to-"

And with that, they all ran toward the surf, laughing, and before she could protest any further, they dunked her straight into the water. Santana came up for air, spluttering, her hair sticking to her face, but before she could catch her breath, a wave of water was splashed in her face.

"Alright, that's it!" Santana shouted with a grin as she splashed water back at them, her eyes glinting with playful mischief.

Laughter echoed around her as the group enjoyed the playful water fight. Nico dove under the water, and when he resurfaced, he had Mia on his shoulders. "You ready for this?" he asked, grinning as he hoisted her up higher. Mia squealed, clinging to his head as she laughed in surprise.

Meanwhile, Elijah, who had gotten Luciana on his shoulders, spun in circles, causing her to laugh and squirm.

Santana shook her head, watching her students enjoy the moment. For a second, it felt like everything had slowed down. The competition, the training, the stress-it was all forgotten in the waves.

And for just a few moments, they were simply a team, enjoying the beach, the water, and each other's company.

Which wouldn't last long because tomorrow they would go into the semi-finals...

▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃

authors note:
this chapter is a little short but i wanted to like spilt up this episode in two chapters like the others one because the next one will be so good and it's the big fight! i hope you enjoyed! thank you!

thoughts? 💭

words: 3649