𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗲𝗻 / ❛ winner ❜

[ episode ten, mercy ]

It was the semi-finals, and Miguel was now up against Xander Stone. The score was tied 1-1. Both fighters moved with precision, exchanging kicks and punches, each blocked or dodged with skill.

Miguel landed the next point with a spinning kick, sending Xander tumbling to the mat.

"Yeah, Miguel!" Marlee cheered, clapping alongside the rest of the Cobra Kai team.

The two fighters circled each other cautiously before Miguel surged forward, throwing a flurry of punches. Xander blocked them, retreating toward the edge of the mat. Suddenly, he flipped back onto his hands, landing on his feet with renewed energy.

Xander launched himself into a spinning kick, but Miguel sidestepped just in time. As Xander landed, he tried to throw a punch, but Miguel countered with a sharp kick to the stomach, knocking him back and sealing his victory.

The referee raised Miguel's hand. "Miguel Diaz is headed to the finals!"

Marlee jumped to her feet, a wide smile lighting her face.

The announcer's voice boomed again. "Next up: Hawk versus Keene!"

Robby stepped onto the mat, his expression calm but focused.

"Something wrong, Sensei?" Hawk asked, noticing Johnny's tense expression.

Johnny shook his head, his eyes narrowing. "No. Show him what you've got—for Marlee."

Hawk froze for a split second, his glare sharpening as he turned toward Robby. Marlee, catching the mention of her name but not the context, glanced at the two in confusion. Hawk gave a curt nod, exchanging a handshake with Miguel before jumping onto the mat with confidence.

The two bowed, and as soon as the referee called, "Fight!" both surged forward.

Robby led with a high kick, but Hawk stepped back, blocking it and deflecting two more kicks in quick succession. Hawk grabbed Robby's torso, shoving him to the ground before landing a solid punch to the stomach to earn the first point.

"Point, Hawk!" the referee announced.

Marlee watched intently, her foot tapping anxiously.

Robby stood and reset himself at his starting position, taking a deep breath. From the front row, Daniel LaRusso called out, "Focus, Robby! Remember your training!"

Robby nodded, exhaling deeply as he moved into a slow, deliberate stance. Marlee tilted her head, confused. "What's he doing?" she muttered to Miguel, who shrugged.

"And fight!" the referee called again.

Hawk leaped forward with a front kick, but Robby blocked it cleanly. The two exchanged a rapid series of blows—kicks, punches, and deflections—before Robby managed to land a powerful kick to Hawk's face, sending him crashing to the mat.

Marlee winced, her jaw clenching as she struggled with who to go for. "Come on, Hawk," she whispered under her breath, fiddling with her fingers.

Hawk stood, his sneer cutting across his face. He crouched low, his stance poised. "That was a lucky point. It's gonna be your last," he hissed.

Robby raised an eyebrow, his smirk teasing. "Yeah? Guess Marlee was right—you talk a big game, but you can't back it up."

Hawk's expression darkened, his fists clenching. Marlee caught the exchange, her eyes narrowing as she tried to make out what was said.

The referee called for the match to resume, but before Robby could even turn back around, Hawk stormed forward and landed a hard kick to Robby's shoulder from behind.

Marlee flinched, her hands flying to her mouth.

"Illegal contact!" the referee barked, stepping between them. "You're disqualified!"

"Bullshit!" Hawk shouted, his voice echoing through the arena.

Johnny rushed to the mat beside Robby before the referee pushed him back, his expression livid. "What the hell were you thinking, man?" he yelled to Hawk.

Hawk whipped around, his glare cold. "What was I supposed to do? Be a pussy?"

"What's wrong with you?" Marlee snapped, her voice cutting through the tension as she approached.

Hawk turned to her, his face hard. "I wasn't gonna let him run his mouth and walk away."

Marlee's jaw tightened as she watched Robby walk off toward the back. Miguel stepped in, shoving Hawk lightly. Hawk yanked his arm away, in frustration. Marlee stood there, her shoulders tense, her gaze trailing after him, conflicted.

.・゜゜・・゜゜・

After a short break to let Robby recover, he stepped back onto the mat.

"This is it, folks!" the announcer declared, the excitement in his voice palpable. "The final match to determine who will be this year's champion. Will it be Miguel Diaz, representing Cobra Kai karate?"

Miguel stepped forward confidently, bowing as the crowd cheered.

"My money's on Miguel," Jace muttered, leaning toward Marlee.

She nodded, her gaze locked on the competitors. "Yeah, especially with Robby's shoulder. Miguel's got the upper hand."

The announcer continued. "Or will it be Robby Keene, unaffiliated—"

He was interrupted by a woman whispering something in his ear. Straightening, he grinned. "Correction! Robby Keene will now be fighting for Miyagi-Do Karate under the guidance of former champion Daniel LaRusso!"

The crowd erupted into cheers. Marlee raised her eyebrows in surprise, exchanging a look with Jace.

"Interesting twist," Jace murmured, but Marlee's focus was on the mat.

Miguel turned to Johnny, who placed a firm hand on his shoulder. "Stay focused. No mercy."

Miguel nodded, walking past Marlee and Jace. Jace fist-bumped him. "You got this, man."

Marlee smiled, offering Miguel an encouraging nod. "Go win it."

The fighters stepped onto the mat, bowing to each other before taking their stances.

"Fighting positions! And... fight!"

Miguel started aggressively, throwing a flurry of punches and a kick, which Robby blocked with ease. As Miguel pressed forward, Robby countered with a sharp kick to the stomach, sending Miguel to the mat.

Marlee winced but clapped, murmuring, "Come on, Miguel."

"Point, Keene!" the referee called.

Miguel got up quickly, determination etched on his face. As the fight resumed, he moved with precision, throwing a series of kicks and punches. Robby managed to block most of them but left an opening, allowing Miguel to deliver a spinning kick that struck Robby's injured shoulder.

Robby stumbled, clutching his arm, and Miguel capitalized by landing a clean punch to his stomach.

"Point, Diaz!"

Marlee clapped but bit her lip, feeling conflicted.

The referee called them to their marks again. As they resumed, Miguel's strikes were more forceful, his punches aimed with deadly precision. Robby, despite his injury, managed to block them and retaliated with a sweep that knocked Miguel off his feet.

Miguel rolled quickly, standing before Robby could press the advantage. The two exchanged blows, Miguel targeting Robby's injured shoulder with a well-timed kick.

"Time!" Daniel called, rushing onto the mat to check on Robby.

Miguel stepped back reluctantly, his jaw tight. Marlee watched with wide eyes, her fingers gripping the edge of her seat.

After a brief pause, Robby got back into position. The referee restarted the match. Miguel moved aggressively, but Robby's movements had shifted. His stance was fluid, his focus razor-sharp. He blocked Miguel's strikes effortlessly, countering with a high kick that grazed Miguel's chin.

"Out of bounds!" the referee shouted as Miguel's momentum carried him off the mat.

The crowd gasped, and Johnny yelled for Miguel to focus.

The match restarted. Miguel threw a punch, but Robby dodged, countering with a spinning kick. Miguel caught his leg and twisted, sending Robby to the mat.

"Unsportsmanlike contact. That's one warning," the referee said sternly.

Marlee clenched her fists, glancing at Johnny, who gave Miguel a small nod.

"Whoever wins the next point will be our champion!"

The tension was thick as they reset. "Ready... and fight!"

Miguel rushed forward, his strikes faster and more aggressive. Robby moved fluidly, blocking the attacks with one hand while countering with precise strikes. Miguel landed a kick to Robby's knee but missed his follow-up punch.

Robby used the opening to spin, landing a powerful kick to Miguel's chest that sent him stumbling. Miguel grabbed Robby's injured arm in desperation, twisting it. Robby groaned but pulled away, using the momentum to deliver a clean kick to Miguel's side.

"Point, winner!" the referee yelled, raising Miguel's arm.

The crowd erupted into cheers. Marlee smiled, despite how she felt about it all, joining the team as they rushed to celebrate. She hugged Miguel tightly as he laughed, hoisting the trophy in the air.

"You did it!" she yelled, grinning as Miguel twirled her off her feet.

"I just wanted to say that if it weren't for my sensei, I wouldn't be here right now so this is for Sensei Johnny Lawrence and Cobra Kai!" Miguel shouted into the mic, his voice filled with triumph.

As the crowd continued to cheer, Marlee caught Robby's gaze. She stepped forward, blocking his path. "You did great out there," she said softly, her tone sincere. "It wasn't a fair fight, but you gave it everything."

Robby smiled faintly, nodding. "Thanks, Marlee. Guess I won't see you at the skatepark for a while."

Marlee chuckled. "Yeah, maybe not. But I'll keep an eye out."

They shared a smile before Marlee turned back, only to be scooped up by Jace, who spun her around in celebration. She laughed, her worries momentarily forgotten amidst the cheers of victory.

As Marlee laughed in Jace's arms, her joy lighting up the moment, Hawk stood a few steps away, his fists clenched at his sides. Everything in him screamed to go over there, to explain, to apologize, to get her back. But his feet stayed rooted to the ground, something holding him down like an anchor. Hawk gazed at Marlee, his chest tight with regret, knowing that the words he needed to say might never be enough.

.・゜゜・・゜゜・