AFTER A day of fighting events, the elimination round had begun. Isabella's body ached, though Cobra Kai was ranking 3rd place and Miyagi-Do was ranking 12th. Isabella could practically sense the anger that radiated from Miguel; it appeared that everybody still blamed Robby for the events of yesterday.

"We have now entered the elimination phase of the Sekai Taikai." The Host announced, "The dojos who do not win tonight will be headed home. The previous round have determined your current rankings."

According to the board, Cobra Kai was fighting Polarslaget. A high platform was secured a few metres in the sky, thick mats secured at the bottom for when a student had been kicked off.

He continued, "Fighters will face off on a platform. Two fighters from each dojo are allowed at one time. If one of your fighters falls... they are out, but another teammate can climb up to take their place. The fight never stops, so get up there quick to not leave your teammate alone, two-on-one. When all the fighters of a dojo have been knocked off, the team is out!"

When a student had fallen, Isabella was prepared to take their place. She quickly joined Tory on the platform, immediately sending a flying kick towards a Polarslaget's students chest. Tory and Belle had an advantage, they were clearly both better fighters than the two students on the platform with them.

The platform shook slightly as the student hit the floor with a thud, Isabella sending a punch to collide with their jaw. Her fist was forming new bruises, staining her skin with colours of purples and greens, though she sent another punch to the boy's face.

The boy from Polarslaget climbed to his feet, stumbling and wincing with every step. Isabella jumped, spinning in the air before turning to kick him around the face; the boy grunted, spitting out blood as he fell forcefully onto the mats below.

Tory had dragged a girl off the platform a moment later, before picking up a tooth from the floor. Isabella panted, reeling back her adrenaline as the two girl's joined hands and raised high. The crowd cheered, and Tory beamed a grin at Isabella

"Wow. An impressive performance from Tory Nichols and Isabella Diaz of Cobra Kai." The commentator spoke as the crowd continued to shout, "They advance to the next round!"

Isabella stood in amongst the audience with Cobra Kai, watching as Miyagi-Do was wiped out by Dublin Thunder. Robby, Sam, Hawk, and Devon had all fallen off the platform overtime, leaving only Miguel left. Isabella watched her brother from within the crowd as he fought two-on-one with the students. The fight would've been unfair, though Miguel had the advantage of pure rage. He was fighting blindly, alike his sister did, and had already kicked one student off the platform.

"Holy shit," Tory muttered, glancing at Isabella who had the same shocked expression.

Despite seeming like the calmer twin, Isabella knew that Miguel could get just as angry. The difference was, Isabella used her anger a lot and Miguel bottled it inside of him. The girl watched as her brother dragged the remaining student off the platform, before letting out a yell of pride yet hidden rage for what was happening with Robby.

***

"Is your hand okay?" Tory asked from the bathroom, as Isabella flicked through the shows on the TV. She walked out of the bathroom in a white robe, her hair tied up in a towel and a tooth brush placed in her mouth. Tory added, curious, "Have you taken your meds?"

"Yes and yes." Isabella hummed, her eyes fixated on the TV as she let out a breath. She paused, before glancing at the girl sarcastically, "I can feel you staring at me, Tory."

"Good," The girl mused, her voice muffled from the toothpaste in her mouth, "Because I know your lying about your hand."

Tory cocked an eyebrow, sarcastic, "And how do you know that?"

Tory deadpanned proudly, "You ate dinner with your left hand. Also, you usually hold the remote in your right."

Isabella held back a smirk, squinting her eyes playfully, "Stalker."

"I'm serious, Issy," The girl raised her eyebrows, disappearing into the bathroom to spit in the sink. She walked out of the room, taking out her freshly washed hair from the wrapped towel. Tory climbed into the double bed, "We can call the room service to bring us ice, or something."

Tory reached towards the black phone of the table beside Belle, though the girl stopped her, "No, it's fine. Really—"

"I'm calling them," Tory teased, "Issy, your hand is swollen—"

"Nope."

"Come on—"

"I'm okay."

"No, you're not," Tory raised her eyebrows stubbornly, biting back a smirk, "Move, Isabella Diaz, or I will move you."

Isabella squinted her eyes, taunting lowly, "I'm starting to want you to make me."

"That's it," Tory laughed, before bundling Isabella; the two girls rolling around the bed in attempt to stop each other from reaching the black phone.

Isabella had managed to straddle Tory though, somehow, the girl had managed to flip her off. Tory turned around onto her stomach, reaching for the phone, as Isabella stood up from the bed and grabbed onto the girl's ankles. She laughed, because she used to fight Miguel like this all the time, and began to drag Tory off the bed by her ankles.

"Issy, Issy! Issy!" Tory laughed in panic, attempting to grab onto the sheets to save herself from hitting the floor.

KNOCK! KNOCK!

A pattern of taps echoed from the door, saving Tory from being dragged off the bed. Isabella chuckled at the girl, before opening the hotel door with heavy breaths. To Isabella's surprise, the visitor wasn't Robby or Miguel... but Johnny. The man was in a rush, seeming to be hurrying somewhere, which was Isabella's first concern as Johnny never rushed anywhere.

"Johnny?" Isabella questioned, glancing back at Tory who shared the same confused expression.

Johnny hesitate, cocking an eyebrow, "I feel like I'm... interrupting, but it's important."

"Oh. No— No! You're not interrupting anything." Isabella defended, trying to slow down her heavy breathing from previously bundling Tory, which Johnny had no clue about. The girl added, "Look, if you're here to lecture me about Cobra Kai then—"

"No, kid, it's not that." Johnny cut her off in distress, "Rosa called me from the hospital. It's your mom."

Isabella's heart dropped, and so did her expression. She panicked, "What?"

"Something's wrong, kid," Johnny explained hesitantly, "Pack your things. We're leaving tonight."

Tory was stood in an instant, grabbing Isabella's suitcase from underneath the bed and throwing in her clothes from the closet. Isabella left the door open for Johnny, as she helped Tory throw things into her suitcase.

"What about Miggy?" Isabella asked quickly.

"I already told him," Johnny replied, "I haven't told the others."

"Issy," Tory placed the final belongings in the suitcase, zipping it up quickly. She asked, "Where's your shoes?"

"Over here." Isabella gestured to the door, picking them up and placing them on her feet. She looked at Johnny, "Did Grandma say anything else?"

"I know as much as you do, kid." Johnny gave a small shrug, "Are you ready?"

Isabella glanced at Tory in distress and worry, "Are you gonna be okay?"

"Yes, I promise." The girl passed her the suitcase. Tory placed a quick kiss on her lips, aware of Johnny who was stood at the door, "It's gonna be okay. Your mom's strong— go. I love you."

"I love you." Isabella nodded, calling back to her as she closed the hotel door, "Beat that Iron Dragon girl, okay? She's a bitch."

Tory let out a quiet chuckle, "I will."

"Good luck, Tory."