Dᴏɢ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ Fɪɢʜᴛ
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"Alright, Jackson, let's go." Johnny says as Jamie steps up with her staff
"Remember to stay focused." Daniel says
"Don't be afraid. Get in there." Johnny says as Jamie looks towards him, "Get in there. Be aggressive."
"Just take it slow."
"No, not take it slow. We gotta go after 'em."
Jamie lets out a shaky breath right before the match starts. She blocks her opponent's bo before smacking it away. The girl just barely catches it before spinning and swinging at Jamie again. Jamie steps back.
"Go after her! Stop backing up!" Johnny says
"Slow down." Daniel says as Jamie's eyes bounce between them. She looks back just as the girl swings her bo again. Jamie ducks and swings at the girl which the girl blocks.
Jamie brings her bo up again to block and the girl quickly hits Jamie in her side earning the point. Jamie groans as she grabs at her ribs. Her stomach turning as she realizes she lost.
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"Everyone, listen up." Daniel starts as they all gather around in the hotel lobby, "All right, this morning's event was tough, but let's not get discouraged just yet. We have two more events today. Eliminations don't begin till the second one."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa." Demetri says, "If that wasn't the elimination round, what is? Getting our heads cut off with swords?"
"We knew this wasn't gonna be easy. We're going up against the best dojos in the world, but don't forget you guys are one of 'em too."
"Yeah, so start fighting like it." Johnny says. Jamie looks down as Miguel rubs at his arm.
"Johnny, come on, man. The best thing you can do right now is just clear your minds, get some rest, you know, put this behind you. You got this, all right? I believe in you."
The teens start to make their way back to their rooms. The group filing onto the elevator in complete silence. As the door shuts, Demetri sighs, "We're so screwed."
"I don't think we need that right now." Hawk says
"I'm just being honest."
"We just need to focus." Priscilla tries, "Like Sensei said, we're here for a reason."
Jamie didn't realize her face had scrunched up at Priscilla's words until Devon looked over at her. Jamie's eyes drifted over to her as the girl shrugs.
As Jamie sighs and straightens her body out, Priscilla turns to her, "Something wrong?"
Jamie turns to her with a glare as the elevator door opens, "If something was wrong, you'd know."
Jamie then leans off of the wall and exits the elevator. Demetri's eyes go wide as the boys walk out behind her. The girls staying behind to get off on the next floor. The boys stay a few steps behind Jamie as they follow her down the hall.
Hawk leans over, "Is she okay?"
Miguel looks to him, "I think it's just her dad being here. I haven't had the chance to talk to her about it."
"You probably should." Demetri says, "Before she rips someone's head off."
Miguel sighs as he watches Jamie enter the room she shared with Sienna. His brows furrowing as she slams the door shut behind her.
"Yeah, dude. She's not good." Hawk says. Miguel turns to him before following him in the room.
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As Jamie prepared for her next event, she hears a knock at the hotel door. She grabs her bag before walking over and opening the door. Her heart drops as she comes face to face with her mom.
"What's wrong?" Jamie asks
"Nothing, honey." Amber shrugs, "Just came to give you some words of encouragement."
Jamie shakes her head and shuts the door closed behind her, "As much as I appreciate it, Mom, I don't really have time for it."
"You have a few minutes, Jamie." Amber says following her down the hall, "I know this whole thing is nerve racking, but this is an amazing opportunity for you and I know you can do it."
"Thanks." Jamie mutters
Amber stops, "Jamie."
Jamie sighs as she turns to her, "What?"
"I'm not sure where all of this attitude is coming from, but it's not necessary." Amber says, "We're here to support you."
"Yeah, so I've heard." Jamie scoffs
Amber furrows her brows, "Did something happen?"
"No." Jamie sighs, "I just need to go."
Jamie turns away again, but Amber stops her, "Jamie."
"What, Mom?" Jamie exclaims turning toward her
"What the hell is the matter with you?"
"I need to go. I don't have time for this."
"No, you're gonna make time." Amber says stepping closer, "What's wrong with you?"
"I know about you and Dad." Jamie blurts
Amber's breath hitches as Jamie stares back at her, "What?"
"I know you guys have been sneaking around. And don't try to lie to me because I saw it with my own eyes."
"Jamie-"
"I don't care about whatever excuse you're going to try and come up with." Jamie says, "But it's clear that neither of you actually wanted to be here for me. You just wanted to be together."
"Jamie, it's not what you think." Amber says, "Just let me explain, okay?"
"I'm not stupid, Mom." Jamie scoffs, "But not only do I have the pressure of making sure we actually make it through this tournament, but I have the weight of you two being liars and managing to make my life so much harder than it already is. So, thank you, Mom."
Jamie turns and storms off leaving Amber in the hallway. Amber lets out a shaky sigh as her hand comes up to her forehead.
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The team looks over as Jamie finally makes it over to them.
"You were supposed to be here 15 minutes ago, Jackson." Johnny says
"I know." Jamie mutters. Jamie looks up and her eyes land on Miguel. He nods to her with a worried expression. She nods lightly before looking down.
"In this final points round, competitors will try to knock their opponents off their platforms. Once you have fallen, you are out. Points are determined off of wins, losses, and time." The announcer says, "Final rankings after this event will determine placement in tonight's elimination round. We will now call up the first group of fighters."
"All right. Listen up." Johnny says, "Looks like I'm taking charge, so we're doing things differently. No more waiting around like scared little bitches, waiting for them to come to you. All right? You go at them. Aggressive. Knock 'em off first."
"Those platforms are pretty narrow. My dad would want balance." Sam says
"Yeah, well, your dad's not here. All right?" Johnny says, "It's time for us to start scoring some points."
"Sora Haruto from Hirobukan on platform one. Devon Lee from Miyagi-Do on platform two."
"All right. Don't let me down, Lee." Johnny says
"Yes, Sensei." Devon nods before walking off
As she makes it up on the platform, the group watches, "You got this, Lee. Be aggressive."
"Come on, Devon!" Miguel claps
The round starts off with Devon kicking before she's blocked. She swings again and her opponent blocks. The girl grabs Devon's arm and pulls it. Devon brings her other arm around and swings and her opponent blocks.
"Come on, Lee. Don't sit back. Strike." Johnny says
The girl twists Devon around before Devon attempts a roundhouse kick. Devon stands on her tippy toes to keep her balance and her opponent takes the opportunity to kick her in her back. Devon groans as she falls off of the beam.
"Lee out. Time, ten seconds."
"We need to do better. Let's go." Johnny says as Devon walks over with her hand on her back, "After that, you all need to step up, all right? Come on. Let's do this."
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"Keene out. Time, 45 seconds."
"Okay, Ms. Jackson. You're up." Johnny says, "You got it."
Jamie sighs as she stands up. As Miguel watches her pass, he could tell she wasn't present. Before Jamie could make it on the platform, she hears someone call out for her.
"You got this, Jamie!"
Jamie looks up as her dad claps for her. Brittany at his side cheering the girl on while her mom stood on the other side with Sienna. Jamie's heart races as she looks away before climbing onto the platform.
Jamie lets out a deep breath that doesn't do much to settle her nerves. As soon as she gets in position, the girl charges at her. Jamie side steps her before kneeing her in her stomach. Jamie steps around her and swings at the girl. She gets blocked before having to lean back to avoid a punch.
Jamie blocks a few more punches before managing to kick the girl back. The girl stumbles before regaining her balance and charging at Jamie again. Jamie turns and roundhouse kicks the girl landing a kick to her cheek. The girl grabs at her cheek before Jamie charges at her.
The girl blocks a punch Jamie sends before trying her own. Jamie pushes the girl's arm away before kicking her in her stomach.
"Come on, Jamie!"
Jamie looks up again and for the split second she is distracted, her opponent kicks her in her side. Jamie gasps as she loses her balance and lands on the ground.
"Jackson out, 55 seconds."
Jamie sighs as the buzzer goes off. She stands up and trudges over to her team.
"All right, Miguel. You're our last chance for points. Come on, let's get it done." Johnny says
Miguel looks over to Jamie who had her head in her hands. He turns and makes his way onto the platform. He bows to his opponent before he charges at Miguel. He attempts to tackle Miguel off, but Miguel fights back. He groans before kneeing him in his stomach twice and pushing him off. He blocks a few punches before grabbing his arms and twisting them. Miguel grunts as he pushes him back before his opponent steps around him and grabs his stomach.
Miguel struggles for a few seconds before kneeling and releasing his hold. He then grabs and twists his arm before kicking at his shoulder. His opponent attempts a backhand which gave Miguel the opening he needed to kick him in his stomach. The boy groans as he falls off of the beam and hits the ground.
"Phan out. Time, 40 seconds."
Johnny looks toward the board as Miguel smiles at him, "Oh crap."
"Sensei?" Miguel says stepping off, "Sensei, did you see that knee?"
"It's too little, too late, man. We're near the bottom of the standings. There's nothing to celebrate here."
"What?" Miguel breathes
Johnny looks over as his students start to walk out, "Hey! Where the hell you think you're going?"
"Back to the hotel to wash off this disgrace." Demetri says
"You're not getting off that easy." Johnny says, "Locker room. Now."
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