HAYDEN NEVER KNEW WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN IT CAME TO DR. MORGAN'S SESSIONS.

Today, however, she wasn't overthinking the session. Her mind had been racing since the moment she first read about the Sekai Taikai, the international karate tournament.

Dr. Morgan sat with her legs crossed, a notebook open on her lap. She had an unhurried, patient energy that always made Hayden feel like a ticking time bomb.

Dr. Morgan watched her carefully, her expression unreadable. "So," she started, tapping her pen lightly against her notebook, "The Sekai Taikai."

Hayden exhaled, trying to shake the tension from her shoulders. "Yeah."

"You've been thinking about it a lot."

She nodded. "Yeah."

"You stayed up almost all night researching it."

Another nod, this one more reluctant. "Yeah."

Dr. Morgan leaned forward slightly. "What does this mean to you?"

Hayden tensed. "I don't know."

Dr. Morgan didn't let up. "You do know. You just don't want to say it."

Hayden took a deep breath, trying to gather her thoughts. "It's supposed to be this big international karate competition. It's the best of the best." She hesitated. "It feels like a chance. Like a way to redeem myself for the All Valley, to prove I'm not just... that kid who messed everything up."

"And you're looking forward to competing in it?"

She swallowed, her throat suddenly dry. "It's just... it's a big deal, okay? It's an opportunity. It's a chance to prove that I'm more than just some Cobra Kai screw-up. It's like... a way to redeem myself for what happened at the All Valley, to show that I'm better than I was." Her voice grew quieter as she added, "I need to prove to myself that I'm not just a failure. That I can do something right for once. And I don't want to run from that just because of what happened before."

"What happened before?"

Her fingers curled into the fabric of her hoodie. "You know what happened."

"Say it anyway."

Hayden clenched her jaw. "Silver happened. Kreese happened. Cobra Kai happened. I got in too deep, and I didn't even see it until it was too late."

Dr. Morgan nodded like she'd expected that. "Right. And the last time you trained under that kind of pressure, it nearly broke you. So what I'm gonna ask you is-are you really ready to put yourself through that again?"

Hayden's chest tightened. "It's not the same."

"How?"

She exhaled sharply. "Silver's gone. Kreese is gone. The whole dynamic is different now."

Dr. Morgan watched her, unimpressed. "And yet you still flinched when I asked."

Hayden froze.

She wasn't wrong.

Dr. Morgan sat back, eyes sharp. "That trauma doesn't disappear just because the person who caused it isn't in the room anymore."

Hayden swallowed, but the lump in her throat didn't go away. She knew what she was doing-pushing her, making her confront things she didn't want to-but it didn't make it any easier to sit here and let it happen.

"Let's talk about what competing means for you. You've been through a lot, Hayden. And last time you were in that world-intense training, high stakes, all of that-it came with a cost."

Hayden stiffened, already knowing where she was going. "I can handle it."

"I know that you can," Dr. Morgan said, tilting her head slightly. "But the question is if you should. Are you ready to put yourself back into an environment that, last time, left you with deep wounds?"

Hayden shifted in her seat, looking away for a moment.

Dr. Morgan studied her, waiting. She was good at that-letting the silence do the work.

Hayden sighed, rubbing the back of her neck. "I just... I don't want to be afraid of it forever."

"I don't think you will be," she said gently. "But acknowledging trauma doesn't mean you're letting it control you. It means understanding where it still affects you. Silver pushed you past your breaking point-mentally, physically. You were trained under constant stress, under manipulation. That doesn't just go away because the person responsible isn't standing over you anymore."

Hayden's jaw clenched. She hated thinking about Silver. Hated how much space he still took up in her mind. "So what? I just never compete again? Never push myself? Just let him have that part of me forever?"

Dr. Morgan shook her head. "That's not what I'm saying. I'm saying be honest with yourself about why you want this. Are you training for you, or are you trying to fight ghosts? Because you don't know who you are without it?

Hayden didn't answer. Because she didn't know.

"I guess what I'm asking is... are you sure you're ready to dive back into more training, more competition? Especially after everything that happened at the All Valley?"

Hayden blinked, taken aback by the question.

Dr. Miller leaned forward slightly, her tone gentle but firm. "You're looking for redemption, not just a competition. And redemption, Hayden, doesn't always come from winning a trophy or pushing yourself to the limit again. Sometimes, it comes from figuring out why you want to prove something in the first place. What's driving you this time?"

Hayden opened her mouth to respond, but the words got caught in her throat. She hadn't really thought about it that way. She'd been so focused on the idea of redemption, the chance to erase the mistakes of her past, that she hadn't stopped to consider if this was the right way to do it.

"I'm not saying you should stop training," Dr. Morgan said evenly. "I'm saying you need to be honest about why you want this tournament so badly. Are you training because you want to? Or because you don't know who you are without it?"

The words hit harder than she wanted to admit. Her nails dug into her sleeves, a sharp pressure to ground herself. "I just-I need to prove I can do this. That I can come back from everything that happened."

"To who?"

Hayden blinked. "What?"

Dr. Morgan didn't waver. "Who are you trying to prove this to? Yourself? Silver? Mr. LaRusso? The people who doubted you? Robby? Miguel? Who, Hayden?"

Her pulse picked up, fingers twitching at her sides. "Does it matter?"

Dr. Morgan's eyes darkened slightly. "It matters if you're chasing something you're never going to catch."

Hayden's breathing was shallow now, her heart hammering in her chest. She was pressing too much, too hard. Her instinct screamed at her to shut down, to lash out, to do something to get the conversation away from her.

Dr. Morgan watched her carefully before shifting gears. "You do this a lot."

She frowned. "Do what?"

"Run."

Her stomach dropped.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" she snapped, a little too quickly.

Dr. Morgan's expression didn't change. "When things get too real, too intense-you run."

Her hands clenched into fists in her lap. "That's not true. You don't even know me."

"Isn't it?" Dr. Morgan tilted his head. "You ran when you caught Miguel with Sam. You didn't give him a chance to explain, didn't ask questions. You just left. Used that moment as an excuse to put distance between you two, even when it was clear there was something real there."

Hayden's throat tightened. "That's different."

"How?"

"Because I saw what I saw!" she shot back, her voice sharper now.

Dr. Morgan barely blinked. "And that was easier than facing what you were actually afraid of."

She let out a short, bitter laugh. "And what was I afraid of?"

Her voice was steady. "That you felt something real with him. That if you actually let it happen, if you let yourself be vulnerable, it would mean giving up control. So instead, you walked away."

Her jaw locked, her fingers tingling.

She hated this. Hated how she could pick apart things she hadn't even fully admitted to herself.

Dr. Morgan leaned forward slightly, pressing on. "And then you did it again. With Robby."

Hayden's body went rigid.

"You switched back to Miyagi-Do. You didn't tell Robby. You didn't talk it out. You just left. Walked in the opposite direction the moment things got real."

"Stop," Hayden muttered, but her voice lacked any real force.

Dr. Morgan didn't. "Do you see the pattern?"

Her breathing was too fast now. "I don't-I don't do that."

She raised an eyebrow. "You sure? Because you're already shutting down, just like you do every time someone gets too close to the truth."

Hayden's heart pounded in her ears, her body hot and cold at the same time.

"I'm not-" She shook her head, scrambling for words. "That's not what I-"

Hayden swallowed hard, looking away. "I just-" She exhaled sharply. "I don't do relationships like that. I don't get attached to people. It never works out."

Dr. Morgan nodded slowly, her voice even. "Because if you don't let it get too real, you can't get hurt."

Hayden felt heat rise to her face, frustration bubbling in her chest. "That's not-it's not like that."

Dr. Morgan didn't push, just watched her carefully. "You can tell yourself that, Hayden. But look at the pattern. Look at what happens every time something starts to mean something to you."

Her heartbeat pounded in her ears. She wanted to push back, to argue. But the words wouldn't come.

She hated this. Hated how right she was.

Dr. Morgan's voice softened just slightly, but the intensity didn't leave her eyes. "What are you so afraid of, Hayden?"

The words felt like a punch to the gut.

Her mouth opened, but nothing came out.

She didn't know how to answer. Or maybe she did, and she just couldn't.

Her chest felt tight, like if she didn't get out of this room soon, she might actually suffocate. She wanted to argue, to push back, to find some way to deflect-but she had nothing.

Dr. Morgan leaned back slightly, watching her carefully. "You don't have to answer that right now," he said. "But you should think about it. Because running only works for so long. Eventually, you have to stop and face what you're running from."

Hayden swallowed hard, her throat dry.

She didn't respond.

She wanted to leave, to walk out of this room and not look back. But that would only prove her point.

She forced herself to stay. Even if every instinct told her to run.

She didn't have an answer yet.

But discovering the answer meant she needed to stop running long enough to figure it out.

-

"Dude, did you watch that video I sent you of last year's Sekai Taikai?" Eli nudged Hayden as he, Miguel, and Robby walked in stride with her.

"Yeah," she nodded, gripping her duffel bag. "Who knew people could kick that high?"

"Or that hard," Robby added with a smirk.

"Seriously," Eli said, shaking his head.

"Guess that's why it's the biggest competition in the world." Sam joined them, adjusting the strap of her gym bag.

"I heard last year's winners got a car commercial in Taiwan," Eli added.

Mitch whistled. "Imagine getting that kind of money. What would you even do with it?"

"Easy," Chris said, throwing an arm around Mitch's shoulder. "Buy a yacht with a hot tub. Fill it with Smarties and hotties. You're invited, Sanders." He winked at Hayden and ran a hand down his chest in an exaggerated, slow-motion move.

Hayden wrinkled her nose, stepping away. "I'd rather set myself on fire."

The group erupted into laughter just as Daniel, Johnny, and Chozen approached, their presence quickly grounding the conversation.

"All right, let's focus up," Daniel said, his voice firm but even. "We know Cobra Kai is going to fight tooth and nail for a spot in this tournament. If they win, kids all over the world are going to have to deal with the same crap you guys have gone through."

Hayden's grip on her bag tightened. A flash of memory-her knuckles split open, her ribs sore, Silver's voice echoing in her head, telling her pain was just weakness leaving the body.

"But if we win," Sam cut in, her voice strong, "we can show the world how to stop them."

Chozen nodded. "First, you must prove you can compete with the best."

Johnny cracked his knuckles. "And to do that, you've gotta be better than the best. Which is why we're about to kick your asses into high gear." He looked around at the group, eyes gleaming with anticipation.

"Sensei Lawrence, Sensei Toguchi, and I are gonna get you ready for the presentation tomorrow," Daniel added. "So let's get started."

"Move those asses!" Johnny barked.

The group sprang into action, the playful energy from earlier fading into focused determination.

Hayden took a deep breath and rolled her shoulders before following the others onto the mat. She wasn't just here to fight.

She was here to win.

Her muscles were tight-probably from the hours of training she'd been doing on her own, trying to shake off the weight in her chest every time she thought about the Sekai Taikai.

She didn't hear Chozen approach until he crouched down beside her, his presence solid but calm.

"You are overthinking." His voice was steady, matter-of-fact.

Hayden glanced at him, raising an eyebrow. "I'm stretching."

Chozen gave her a look. "You are stretching and overthinking."

She exhaled, sitting up and rolling out her shoulders. "Maybe."

Daniel walked up then, his hands resting on his hips as he glanced between them. "You ready for this?"

Hayden shrugged, bending forward again to stretch the other leg. "I think so."

Chozen studied her, his expression unreadable. "You are strong. Fast. Good instincts." He paused. "But you do not fight for right reason."

Hayden frowned, looking up at him. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Daniel sighed, crouching down next to her. "You're putting a lot on this tournament, Hayden. I can see it in the way you train, how hard you push yourself. And I get it-I do. But you need to ask yourself: why are you really doing this?"

Hayden glanced away, pressing her palms flat against the mat. "Because it's a huge opportunity. Because if we win, we can prove Cobra Kai's way doesn't work."

Chozen nodded. "That is one reason. But not your reason."

Hayden's throat tightened. "It doesn't matter. Winning is winning."

Chozen narrowed his eyes. "No. It is not."

Daniel sighed, shifting his stance. "Look, I know what it's like to go into a fight carrying more than just the fight itself. When I was younger, every tournament I entered felt like it had to mean something. Like I had to prove something to everyone, to myself. And when you fight like that, it's dangerous. It makes you reckless, emotional. It makes you forget the reason you started in the first place."

Hayden exhaled sharply. "So what, I should just not care about what this means?"

"No," Daniel said simply. "But you need to be clear about why it means so much to you. What it'll mean when you stand on that mat. Because if you don't, you're going to step onto that mat carrying more weight than you can handle."

Chozen nodded, standing up. "Fighting with anger weakness, not strength."

Hayden stared at the mat, chewing the inside of her cheek. After a moment, she let out a breath and stretched her arms over her head. "Not gonna lie, you guys are really killing my pre-training vibe."

Daniel smirked, shaking his head as he stood. "That's what we're here for."

Chozen crossed his arms. "If karate used defend honor, defend life, karate mean something. If karate used defend plastic metal trophy, karate no mean nothing."

Daniel eyed the man next to him, a faint smile quirking at his lips. A Mr. Miyagi saying.

Hayden nodded slowly, rolling her shoulders. "Right. Defend honor." She murmured to herself, the words running through her head repeatedly.

Daniel patted her shoulder before turning toward the center of the dojo. "Come on. Let's get to work."

Hayden took one last breath, then pushed herself up to her feet.

Maybe everyone was right. Maybe she needed to figure out why this tournament meant so much to her.

But for now, all she could do was train.

And she'd make damn sure she was ready.

-

Everyone got the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, representing Miyagi-Do with their respective talents, showcasing what they excelled at.

Nate and Bert demonstrated the sand the floor technique as Daniel walked the Sekai Taikai administration around the dojo. "We use chores to create muscle memory. Once they have that down, they can master their defense."

"Show me sand the floor," Chozen instructed Chris and Mitch. They moved in sync, executing the technique with precision.

"Only after they master their defense do we teach offense," Daniel continued.

"But with a badass twist!" Johnny cut in, turning to Miguel, Eli, and Robby. "Show them the screaming eagle. Ready? Yah!"

"Aits!" Miguel yelled, all three lunging forward at the same time, leaping into the air to kick and simultaneously landing with a yell.

The Sekai Taikai officials murmured among themselves, taking notes, but Daniel wasn't done yet. He gestured toward the mat.

"And it all comes together like this."

Hayden and Sam stepped forward on the platform, already wrapping their hands, no words needed. They faced each other, dropping into fighting stances, their energy calm but charged.

Chozen clapped once. "Begin."

Sam moved first, striking fast, but Hayden absorbed the attack effortlessly, blocking each hit with fluid precision. There was no hesitation, no wasted movement-just sharp, instinctive defense.

Sam pivoted, launching a high kick. Hayden ducked and countered with a lightning-fast sweep, forcing Sam to jump back just in time. The exchange was clean, controlled, each counter met with another, each block followed by an immediate shift in strategy.

The officials leaned in slightly, eyes tracking every movement.

Then Hayden switched-flipping from defense to offense in an instant. She surged forward, forcing Sam to react, her strikes sharp and deliberate. Sam barely had time to adjust, slipping into full defense mode now, absorbing Hayden's speed with a practiced calm.

It was offense and defense, seamlessly woven together. Attack and counter. Force and control. Neither overpowering the other, but both perfectly balanced.

Sam went for a final counterstrike, twisting into a spinning kick, but Hayden anticipated it, shifting at the last second. Instead of blocking, she caught Sam's leg mid-kick and held it there for just a beat, having the opportunity to take it a step further and take the point, hurting sam in the process. She held it there, having caught the faintest hint of fear in Sam's eyes-just long enough to make a statement-before smoothly letting go and stepping back.

The match was over.

Hayden exhaled through her nose, expression unreadable, and Sam nodded in quiet acknowledgment. No trash talk. No showboating. Just mutual respect.

Daniel turned back to the officials. "This is what we teach. The balance of offense and defense. Strength with control."

One of the officials, who had barely reacted to any demonstrations before, murmured something to the others before making a note in his folder.

Johnny smirked. "Yeah, impressive. Alright, don't just stand there! Back to training! Move those asses!"

The students dispersed, but as Hayden turned to walk away, Chozen stopped beside her, studying her for a moment before giving a single nod.

"Good."

Hayden nodded with a small smile, adjusting the tape around her wrist and walked back onto the mat, already shifting her focus to the next fight.

An hour later, they ended up at Johnny's dojo.

If you could even call it that.

It was really just an old, beaten-down warehouse with a massive eagle painted on the wall, the scent of motor oil and dust thick in the air.

"No fancy crap here," Johnny announced proudly, pacing in front of the Sekai Taikai administrators. "Our dojo is old school. We don't spoil our students. We make 'em earn things the hard way."

To emphasize his point, Sam stood in the center of the room, kicking a watermelon that hung from a chain. The rest of the class stood off to the side, watching.

Hayden leaned toward Miguel, lowering her voice. "You guys actually trained in here?"

Miguel glanced at her and let out a quiet laugh. "Yeah. You get used to the gas fumes." Then, in a more serious tone, "Maybe try limiting your breathing."

Hayden snorted, shaking her head, but whatever quip she had died the second Sam delivered a harder kick-this time, the watermelon exploded, splattering all over one of the Sekai Taikai officials.

A collective gasp rippled through the group. Eli's eyes went wide. Quiet murmurs scattered around.

Hayden could feel the laughter bubbling up in her chest-she was seconds away from losing it. But before she could, Robby clamped a hand over her mouth, effectively muffling the sound. She slumped against him, her shoulders shaking as she tried to keep it together.

Johnny hesitated. "Look, man, I'm sure this probably all seems weird to you, but sometimes you gotta train outside the box to get to another level. Some people use the latest high-tech junk to get there, and some people need to run up a mountain in the snow and yell-"

"Drago!"

The administrator, a tall blonde man, suddenly shouted, cutting Johnny off and making the entire class flinch. "Rocky Balboa is my hero."

Johnny blinked at him, stunned for half a second before breaking into a grin. "No shit! Mine too."

The administrator nodded, voice serious. "His victory over Russia effectively restored my fractured homeland."

Johnny looked at him like he'd just found a long-lost brother. "You get it."

"I do," the man replied. "Show me more."

Johnny snapped to attention. "Yes, sir."

The class let out a collective breath of relief. Somehow, Johnny had actually talked his way out of that one.

-

The next hour was all Hayden and Robby.

Mr. LaRusso had asked them to demonstrate the wheel technique in the pond, and the moment they stepped into the water, a rush of memories came flooding back.

They'd both trained here before, balancing on the wooden wheel, trying (and often failing) to move in perfect sync. It had been frustrating back then. But now?

Now, it was easy.

"For this next demonstration," Daniel began, "we'll be showing one of Miyagi-Do's most essential training methods. It's not just about offense or defense-it's about balance. Precision. Control."

He turned toward Hayden and Robby, who stood at the edge of the pond, their feet already sinking slightly into the water. "You two ready?"

They both nodded, stepping toward the pond.

As Hayden rolled up her sleeves, she glanced at Robby with a smirk. "You remember the first time we did this?"

Robby let out a low chuckle. "Yeah. I fell off, like, five times in a row."

"And the sixth time, you took me down with you," she reminded him, stepping into the water. "Still think that was on purpose."

Robby grinned. "I know that was on purpose."

Hayden shook her head, suppressing a laugh as they waded to the wheel. "Let's try not to humiliate ourselves in front of an international panel this time."

Robby smirked but nodded. "Deal."

The moment they stepped onto the wheel, the lightness between them faded, replaced by sharp focus.

Once their feet hit the wooden surface, the entire structure wobbled beneath them, and they instinctively adjusted, bending their knees slightly, evenly distributing their weight.

Daniel turned to the officials. "This isn't about fighting an opponent-it's about working with your partner. Every movement has to be precise. If one of them moves out of sync, the balance is lost."

"Begin." Chozen's voice was calm but firm.

The second they locked eyes, it was like everything else faded away. No crowd, no Sekai Taikai officials-just them.

Hayden and Robby inhaled at the same time. Then, they moved.

Each step, each strike, each shift in position had to be mirrored exactly. They moved as one, pivoting with controlled precision, executing a synchronized kata that required absolute timing.

It wasn't about overpowering each other. It was about trust. About knowing where the other would be, feeling the shift before it happened.

A high block. A counter. A turn. A forward strike.

The wheel wobbled beneath them, threatening to tip, but they didn't falter. They adjusted in unison, instinctively reading each other's movements, feeling the shift in balance before it even happened.

Hayden stepped forward with a precise punch-Robby matched it perfectly. They pivoted at the same time, sweeping low before rising into a defensive stance, their movements like a reflection in the water below them.

The officials murmured among themselves, their expressions shifting slightly as they took notes.

The final motion-a strong forward strike, feet planted just right. If one of them was even a second off, the board would tip, sending them into the water.

But they weren't off.

They landed in their final stance-strong, grounded, perfectly aligned.

Still. Balanced.

Silence.

Then Daniel nodded. "That is what true balance looks like."

One of the officials-who had remained stone-faced throughout most of the day-scribbled something down and exchanged a glance with his colleagues.

Johnny clapped his hands together, grinning. "Alright, that was solid! But let's not get cocky. Back to training, move those asses!"

The students dispersed, but as Hayden and Robby stepped off the board, Robby shot her a smirk. "Guess we finally got it right."

Hayden exhaled, running a hand through her hair. "Took long enough."

They exchanged a look-just a flicker of shared understanding.

-

The decision had been far from what anyone had expected.

And Hayden wasn't entirely sure how she was grappling with it.

The night was still, the only sounds coming from the gentle ripple of the koi pond and the distant hum of crickets. Hayden sat on the wooden deck outside the dojo, arms draped over her knees, staring out at the water.

The others had gone home hours ago, but she couldn't bring herself to leave. Not yet.

Her therapist's words echoed in her head.

"Are you training because you want to? Or because you don't know who you are without it?"

At the time, she hadn't answered. Because she didn't know.

Hayden exhaled, rubbing a hand over her face.

She heard footsteps before she saw her, but she didn't look up.

"You're still here," Sam said, her voice quiet as she walked over.

Hayden let out a breath. "Yeah."

Sam hesitated for a second before sitting down next to her, folding her legs underneath herself. "You're thinking about tomorrow."

It wasn't a question.

Hayden exhaled through her nose. "You're not?"

Sam shrugged. "Of course I am. But I think we both knew this decision was coming."

Hayden let that sit for a moment before glancing at her. "You really think it should be me?"

Sam studied her. "I do."

Hayden frowned, shaking her head. "I don't even know if I want it."

Sam tilted her head slightly. "Then why are you still here?"

Hayden didn't have an answer for that.

Sam sighed, leaning forward, resting her forearms on her knees. "You don't have to figure everything out right now, you know. You just have to be honest about why you're hesitating."

Hayden swallowed, staring at the water. "I don't know if I'm fighting for the right reasons."

Sam didn't speak right away. She just waited, giving Hayden space to sort through her thoughts.

Finally, Hayden exhaled. "I used to think fighting was the only way to prove I was worth something. That if I was the best, if I won enough, then no one could say I didn't deserve to be here." She picked at her sleeve again, voice quieter now. "But winning never actually fixed anything."

Sam nodded, her expression softening. "Yeah. I get that."

Hayden glanced at her, skepticism flickering across her face. "Do you?"

Sam huffed a quiet laugh. "I know what it's like to feel like you have to win. That if you don't, it means something about who you are." She shook her head. "But I've also learned that winning doesn't really change you. It just shows you who you already are."

Hayden let that sink in.

Maybe that was what she was afraid of.

Maybe she wasn't scared of losing. Maybe she was scared that even winning wouldn't give her the answer she was looking for.

She sighed, rubbing her hands over her face. "I don't want to do this just to prove something."

"Then don't."

Hayden looked at her.

Sam met her gaze, voice steady. "Do it because you want to."

Hayden's throat tightened slightly. "What if I don't know if I do?"

Sam gave her a small, knowing smile. "Then you'll figure it out. Either way, you belong here, Hayden. You don't have to prove that to anyone."

The words settled in Hayden's chest, heavy but not suffocating.

-

Daniel and Chozen stood near the dojo entrance, deep in conversation when they heard footsteps approaching. They turned to see Hayden and Sam walking toward them, their expressions serious.

Daniel straightened, hands on his hips. "I take it you've made your decision?"

Sam nodded. "Yeah. We-"

Before she could finish, Hayden interrupted. "It should be Sam."

The words landed like a surprise strike.

Sam's head snapped toward her. "Wait, what?"

Daniel blinked. Even Chozen, usually unreadable, raised an eyebrow.

Hayden kept her posture steady, her voice firm. "It should be Sam." She glanced at Sam, something unspoken passing between them, before turning back to Daniel and Chozen. "It's like you said-I need to figure out what winning means to me. And right now? I don't have that answer."

Daniel's brows furrowed. "Hayden-"

"I know I can win," she cut in, her jaw tight. "But so can Sam. I don't want to step on that mat until I know what this actually means to me. If I'm fighting, I want it to be for the right reasons-not just because I want to prove to everyone how good I am."

A beat of silence.

Chozen studied her carefully before nodding once, a glimmer of approval in his expression. "This is wisdom."

Daniel let out a slow breath, his expression shifting from surprise to understanding. "That's a big thing to admit."

Hayden shrugged, shoving her hands into her hoodie pockets. "Yeah, well. My therapist would be thrilled."

Sam was still staring at her, as if waiting for her to take it back. "Are you sure?"

Hayden met her gaze, and for the first time, she actually was.

"Yeah," she said simply. "I am."

Daniel nodded. "Alright. Sam, you'll be representing Miyagi-Do."

Sam exhaled, nodding in return. "I won't make you regret it."

Hayden looked between them, then took a step back. "Guess that's settled."

Daniel's voice softened. "You'll find your answer, Hayden. And when you do, I know you'll be ready."

Hayden nodded slightly. "Yeah. Let's hope it doesn't take too long."

She turned, walking off into the night, leaving them watching after her.

She still didn't know what winning meant to her.

But she was finally ready to figure it out.

-

The next morning, Hayden wasn't sure how to deal with the session with Dr. Morgan.

She hated when she just looked at her like that. Like she was waiting. Like she knew the answer before she did.

"So," Dr. Morgan started, tapping her pen against her notepad, "you let Sam fight for Miyagi Do."

Hayden sighed, tilting her head back against the couch. "I made a choice."

Dr. Morgan hummed. "Right. And what was that choice based on?"

She huffed. "I don't know."

Dr. Morgan raised an eyebrow. "Yes, you do."

Hayden clenched her jaw. "I just wasn't sure if I was fighting for the right reasons, okay?"

"The right reasons." She repeated the words, letting them hang between them. "And what are those?"

She exhaled sharply, rubbing her hands over her face. "I don't know."

"That's not an answer."

Hayden shot him a glare. "Then maybe I don't have one."

Dr. Morgan just watched her, unshaken. "Hayden, let me ask you something." She leaned forward slightly. "If you had stepped onto that mat, and you won-if you took down whoever Cobra Kai put in front of you-what would that have done for you?"

She opened her mouth to answer. Stopped. Because what would it have done?

She shrugged, looking away. "It would've proved that I could. That I'm good enough."

Dr. Morgan tilted her head. "To who?"

Hayden's fingers twitched. "To everyone."

She didn't blink. "Who's everyone?"

Her throat tightened. "I don't know, people."

"Be specific."

Her jaw locked. "Why does it matter?"

"Because you didn't fight," she said, voice even. "Because you chose not to. And I think it's because, deep down, you already knew the answer to that question."

Hayden swallowed. She felt the frustration bubbling up, hot and restless. She wanted to get up, wanted to end the session early, but that would only prove his point.

She took a slow breath, fingers gripping her knee. "I think... I think I wanted to prove it to myself."

Dr. Morgan nodded slightly. "And what exactly did you need to prove?"

She hesitated. Then, quietly-almost too quietly-she muttered, "That I wasn't a failure."

Dr. Morgan leaned back, watching her. "And winning would have done that?"

Hayden exhaled through her nose. "No."

"Then what does?"

She didn't answer.

Because she didn't know.

Dr. Morgan's voice was softer now. "Hayden, you've spent so much of your life fighting like your life depended on it. Like every match, every punch, every win or loss defined you. But what happens if you take all of that away?" She paused. "Who are you then?"

Her stomach twisted. She hated how much that question scared her.

She swallowed hard, staring down at her hands.

"I think..." She hesitated, voice rough around the edges. "I think I've been fighting so hard to prove I deserve to be here. That I belong. But the truth is..." She exhaled, her throat tight. "I don't think I ever needed to."

Dr. Morgan let that sit. "Because you already do."

Hayden blinked, staring at the floor like it held the answer to everything.

Had she really spent this long trying to prove something that was never in question?

Dr. Morgan spoke again, but his voice was quieter this time. "So maybe the real question isn't why are you fighting." He met her gaze. "It's why do you want to fight now?"

Hayden sat with that.

For once, she wasn't thinking about winning. About proving something. About making up for every mistake she'd ever made.

She was thinking about how much she loved it.

How, before all of it-the anger, the pressure, the expectations-karate was the one thing that made her feel alive. How it gave her something no one could ever take from her.

She exhaled, shaking her head slightly. "Guess I need to figure that out,"

Dr. Morgan gave her a small, knowing smile. "I think you're already starting to."

-

The tension in Cobra Kai's new dojo was thick, a silent hum beneath the fluorescent lights. The Miyagi-Do students stood near the entrance, their expressions guarded as they waited for the matches to begin. Across the mat, Cobra Kai fighters stretched, wrapped their hands, prepared to do what they did best.

Hayden stood near the edge of the group, adjusting the wrist wraps around her hands, out of habit more than necessity. Even though she wasn't fighting today, it still felt like she should be getting ready.

She heard footsteps beside her.

"You good?"

She turned to find Robby standing there, hands in his pockets, watching her carefully.

She smirked, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Why wouldn't I be?"

Robby raised an eyebrow. "You gave up your spot, Hayden."

She huffed, glancing away. "I chose not to fight. There's a difference."

Robby didn't push, just kept his gaze steady. "So... why?"

She exhaled, rolling her shoulders. "Because I needed to figure out what winning actually means to me." Her fingers tightened slightly around her wrist wraps. "I spent so much time thinking I had to win. That it would fix everything. But I think... I think I finally get that it doesn't."

Robby studied her, something softening in his expression. "So what does it mean to you now?"

Hayden swallowed. "I don't know yet." She glanced at him, voice quieter. "But I want to figure it out."

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then, Robby smiled slightly. "That's a big thing to admit."

Hayden scoffed. "Yeah, well. Personal growth or some shit."

Robby chuckled, but there was something else in his eyes-something fond. He shifted, nudging her shoulder lightly with his own. "You'll figure it out."

She tilted her head up at him, arching a brow. "Yeah?"

His smirk faded slightly, something softer taking its place. "Yeah."

The air between them felt charged, something unspoken lingering there. But before either of them could say anything else-

She saw her.

Tory.

Standing across the mat, arms crossed, her gaze sharp and unreadable.

It was the first time Hayden had seen her since the All Valley.

The memory hit her like a punch to the gut. The final moments of their match-her on the ground, bruised, beaten, defeated. Watching Tory's arm get raised, hearing the crowd cheer for someone else.

It shouldn't still affect her. It shouldn't.

But something inside her twisted, deep and ugly.

Because it wasn't just about losing.

It was about what losing had made her feel.

That maybe, no matter how hard she fought, no matter how much she tried-maybe she was never going to be enough.

Tory's gaze locked onto hers. For a second, neither of them moved. Neither of them looked away.

Hayden clenched her jaw. She wasn't that girl anymore.

She forced herself to exhale, rolling out her shoulders.

Then, she turned away.

Because this time, she was the one choosing what mattered.

And Tory Nichols wasn't it.

Hayden and Robby had pulled Anthony to the side, running him through extra drills.

"Your stance is too wide," Hayden said, stepping beside him, nudging his foot in slightly with her own. "You keep leaving yourself open."

Anthony frowned, adjusting. "Like this?"

"Yeah. Now, reset and try again."

Robby folded his arms, watching. "You're actually listening for once. Proud of you, dude."

Anthony shot him a look. "Yeah, yeah." He turned back to Hayden, throwing a punch. "Like that?"

"Better," she said, nodding slightly. "But don't force it. Let it flow."

Just as Anthony reset his stance, a sharp voice cut through the air-

"Keene! Sanders!"

They turned just in time to see Kenny storming toward them, fists clenched, expression furious.

"Now that's some messed up shit." Kenny stated, his voice tight with anger. "You guys training the kid who bullied me."

Robby's expression shifted immediately, his shoulders tensing. "Heard you're the one doing the bullying now."

"Oh, he deserved everything that comes to him." Kenny snapped, cutting him off. His glare flicked to Hayden. "You, too?"

Hayden's brows furrowed. "Kenny, I don't think you actually believe that. It's Cobra Kai. It's what they do to you."

Kenny scoffed, eyes blazing.

Robby exhaled. "Look, I know how things can start from nothing and get bigger and bigger until all you feel is hate. I've been there," He glanced over at Miguel, looking back to Kenny. "But I'm telling you, it is so much better to let that hate go. You and Anthony might actually get along if you got to know each other."

Kenny shook his head, stepping forward. "Yeah right. He made me life a living hell. He's the reason I came to you in the first place."

Hayden's jaw clenched. She could feel the eyes on them now, the other students pausing their drills, tension rising like a wave. "Kenny, trust me, I know what that feels like. To want to get payback on someone because of everything they've done to you," She glanced at Sam, taking a breath. "But it leads no where. That hate is wasted energy and Silver capitalizes on that."

Kenny let out a bitter laugh. "You know what? You guys are lucky you're not on the mat today. Tory would just beat you again."

Hayden looked him in the eye, nodding slowly. She tried not to let his words affect her. He was just hurt, and blinded by Cobra Kai.

It was Cobra Kai talking. Not him.

Kenny scoffed, flickering his gaze to Robby. "Guess Hawk will have to do."

Then he turned and walked off, his steps heavy against the mat.

A long silence stretched between them.

Hayden exhaled, shaking her head. "Well. That went great."

Robby sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah."

Anthony shifted uncomfortably. "Maybe I should-"

"No," Hayden cut in, her voice firm. "You should keep training."

Anthony hesitated. Then, slowly, he nodded.

-

The tension in Cobra Kai's dojo was suffocating, the air thick with anticipation. Everyone was gathered around the mat, watching as Eli and Kenny squared off in the center, their stances strong, their expressions unreadable.

The ref called for the fight to begin.

Kenny lunged first. Aggressive. Fast. A blur of motion.

Hawk blocked the first strike, dodging the second, countering with a clean roundhouse that should've earned him a point-

"Out of bounds," the ref called.

Hawk's head snapped toward him. "Are you kidding me?"

Kenny didn't hesitate. He took the opening, striking hard-no restraint, no hesitation. His movements were sharp, but there was nothing controlled about them.

Hawk recovered quickly, locking back in. He weaved through Kenny's attacks, managing to land a precise backfist-another clean hit.

No point given.

Murmurs rippled through the crowd. Miguel and Robby exchanged uneasy glances, and Hayden clenched her jaw.

Kenny wasn't just fighting to win. He was fighting to destroy.

Hawk gritted his teeth, trying to adjust, trying to play smart-but every point he earned, every legal strike he landed, the ref waved it off.

"Stay focused, Hawk!" Johnny called from the sidelines.

Hawk reset, exhaling sharply. He wasn't going to let them shake him.

But Kenny's eyes were locked in.

Cold. Calculated. Predatory.

And then-Hayden saw it.

The shift.

Kenny's stance changed-slightly, subtly. But she recognized it.

It was a Silver move.

Before Hawk could react, Kenny struck.

A brutal, precise hit to the solar plexus. Hawk's breath ripped from his lungs. His body locked up, and he staggered back, eyes wide.

Then he collapsed.

A sharp wheeze tore from his throat as he curled onto his side, clutching his chest, struggling to pull in air.

The dojo was silent.

And then-

"Hawk is unable to continue. Winner: Kenny Payne."

The words rang in Hayden's ears, but all she could do was stare.

Kenny straightened, his expression unreadable, barely sparing Hawk a glance as the ref raised his hand.

This wasn't victory.

This was something else.

Something ugly.

Miguel and Robby rushed forward to help Hawk sit up, while Johnny stormed toward the ref, already yelling. But Hayden-

Her gaze flicked up just in time to see someone slipping toward the exit.

Tory.

She was moving fast, weaving through the crowd, unnoticed.

Hayden hesitated for only a second before following.

-

The alley behind Cobra Kai was quiet, the distant hum of traffic the only sound cutting through the still night. Hayden followed Tory outside, her instincts kicking in the second she saw her slipping away unnoticed.

"Tory."

Tory froze.

For a second, she didn't turn around-like she was deciding whether to keep walking, whether she could pretend she hadn't heard.

Then, slowly, she turned to face Hayden, her expression unreadable. "You shouldn't be out here."

Hayden crossed her arms, tilting her head slightly. "Neither should you."

Tory exhaled sharply, glancing back toward the dojo. "You don't get it."

"Then explain it to me."

Tory hesitated, jaw tight. She took a step closer, her voice lower now. "I can't be seen talking to you."

Hayden frowned. "Why not?"

Tory just shook her head, her throat bobbing like she was fighting against something.

Hayden studied her, the way her body was tense like she was holding something in. "Tory... what the hell is going on?"

Tory inhaled sharply, shifting on her feet. She looked like she wanted to say something-like the words were right there.

But then, just as quickly, she swallowed them down.

"I have to go," she said instead, voice tight.

Hayden stepped in front of her before she could turn away. "Tory, you don't have to stay here."

Tory's breath hitched slightly, but she shook her head. "You don't get it, Hayden. I do."

"No, you don't." Hayden's voice was steady, firm. "You think you do. You think that if you leave, you lose something. But what the hell has this place actually given you?"

Tory's jaw clenched, her shoulders tight with something unspoken.

Hayden's gaze softened. "Come to Miyagi-Do. You don't have to do this alone."

Tory let out a quiet, breathless laugh, shaking her head. But there was no humor in it. "You really think it's that simple?"

Hayden didn't break eye contact. "Yeah. I do."

Tory exhaled, but the look in her eyes-God, the way she was looking at her-made Hayden's stomach twist.

Like she was memorizing her.

Like she wanted to say something else.

Like she couldn't.

Hayden's heart pounded, something deep in her gut telling her that whatever Tory wasn't saying mattered.

Tory swallowed hard. "Just... don't follow me again, okay?"

Hayden clenched her jaw. "Tory-"

"Please."

The way she said it-soft, almost desperate-made Hayden hesitate.

Tory held her gaze for just a second longer, something breaking in her expression.

Then she turned and walked away.

Hayden didn't stop her.

But something inside her knew-this wasn't over.

Not even close.

-

The music was loud. Too loud. The kind of bass-heavy beat that vibrated in Hayden's chest, making it hard to focus on anything else.

Which should've been a good thing.

She wanted the noise, the chaos of the party, the distractions.

But all she could hear was Tory's voice in her head.

"You don't get it, Hayden. I do."

Hayden exhaled sharply, running a hand through her hair as she sat back on the couch, gripping the red Solo cup in her hands. Around her, the celebration was in full swing-Miyagi-Do and Eagle Fang had finally secured their spot in the Sekai Taikai, and Johnny had insisted on throwing a party for it.

People were drinking, laughing, celebrating like nothing else in the world mattered.

And Hayden?

She felt like she wasn't even here.

Her eyes flicked across the room, barely registering the groups of people dancing, the cheers whenever Chris started some ridiculous drinking game, the way Demetri was dramatically arguing with Eli over something nerdy in the corner.

None of it felt real.

Not when she was still out there.

Not when she didn't know what the hell was really going on with Tory.

Hayden took a sip from her cup, barely tasting the alcohol, and leaned back into the couch, sighing.

"Not having fun?"

She glanced up to find Miguel plopping down next to her, stretching his arms over the back of the couch, his usual easygoing energy settling into something more relaxed.

Hayden shrugged. "You, of all people, should know I'm not a fan of parties."

Miguel smirked. "Yeah it's written on your face. What's up?"

She snorted but didn't deny it. "Just thinking."

Miguel nodded, but before he could say anything else-

"Miguel!"

Hayden barely had time to register the voice before a girl appeared in front of them, flipping her hair and giving him the kind of smile that was way too calculated.

"I thought that was you," she giggled, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "You're the All Valley champ, right?"

Miguel blinked, caught off guard. "Uh-yeah."

The girl beamed, leaning in slightly. "That's so cool. Like, seriously impressive."

Hayden raised an eyebrow, glancing between them. Oh, boy.

"Uh, thanks," Miguel said, rubbing the back of his neck.

But before he could say anything else-

Another girl slid in next to the first one, flashing him an even brighter smile. "Oh my God, wait, you're Miguel Diaz, right?"

Miguel hesitated. "Uh... yeah?"

Hayden took a sip from her drink, trying not to laugh.

The second girl bit her lip. "That kick you did at the All Valley? Insane."

The first girl nodded enthusiastically. "So crazy. You have to show us some moves."

Miguel let out a nervous chuckle, glancing at Hayden like he needed backup.

But Hayden wasn't paying attention to him anymore.

Because there was this pit forming in her stomach.

Something she didn't like.

Something she didn't want to name.

It was stupid.

Miguel could talk to whoever he wanted. He could have girls throwing themselves at him all night, and it wasn't her problem.

So why the hell did she feel like she wanted to throw her drink at them?

Miguel must've noticed the shift in her expression, because his brows furrowed slightly. "Uh, actually, I-"

He was cut off again.

Another girl.

This one sitting way too close.

"Do you have a girlfriend?" she asked, twirling a strand of hair around her finger.

Miguel coughed. "Uh-"

That was it. That was enough.

Hayden exhaled sharply and shot up from the couch. "I need air."

Miguel blinked. "Wait-"

But she was already walking away, shoving past the crowd, barely registering the way the music pulsed around her.

Because she needed to get the hell out of here.

Because the pit in her stomach was getting worse.

And she really didn't want to think about why.

The cool night air hit Hayden the second she stepped outside, but it did nothing to settle the fire burning in her chest. Her hands clenched at her sides, her breath uneven, the echo of laughter and music still ringing in her ears.

She hated this feeling.

The pit in her stomach. The weight in her chest. The way her thoughts felt like they were pounding against her skull.

She didn't know why she was so worked up-if it was because of Miguel and the girls practically throwing themselves at him, or if it was because of Tory, the way she had looked at her earlier, like she was holding something back.

Maybe it was both.

Either way, she just needed a second.

A second to breathe.

But then-

She saw her.

Tory.

Standing by the street, her arms crossed, gaze distant, like she wasn't sure she even wanted to be here.

Hayden froze. For a second, she thought she was imagining it-like her thoughts had conjured Tory out of thin air, because she'd been replaying their conversation from earlier over and over in her head.

But no. She was really here.

And Tory looked just as surprised to see her.

Neither of them moved. Neither of them spoke.

Then Hayden narrowed her eyes. "What are you doing here?"

Tory swallowed, shifting on her feet. "I-" She hesitated. Then, voice quieter, she muttered, "I have to tell you something."

Hayden frowned, watching her carefully. Something was off. "Okay... say it."

Tory exhaled sharply, looking away like she was debating something. Like she was fighting against the words trying to claw their way out of her throat.

Then, finally, she spoke.

"I should've told you sooner."

Hayden's stomach twisted. "...Told me what?"

Tory hesitated for just a second before looking at her again, something raw in her expression.

"Silver cheated."

The words hit like a physical blow.

Hayden blinked, her body tensing. "...What?"

Tory swallowed hard, her voice unsteady but firm. "At the All Valley. The ref- he was paid off." She exhaled, looking away. "You didn't lose, Hayden. You won."

The words landed like a slow-building explosion.

The words rang in Hayden's head like a siren.

You won.

But she had spent months believing the opposite.

Hayden didn't move. Didn't blink. She just stared.

And then-anger.

A sharp, bitter rage clawed its way up her throat, constricting her chest, making it hard to breathe.

She won.

She actually won.

And all this time, she had believed she wasn't good enough.

All this time, she had doubted herself, ripped herself apart, gone to therapy because she couldn't shake the feeling that she deserved to lose.

She had spent months fighting against the voice in her head telling her that one mistake had cost her everything.

And Tory had let her believe it.

"You-" Hayden's voice cracked, her hands clenching into fists. "You knew?"

A crowd was forming now-Miguel, Robby, Sam, the others stepping outside, their conversations dying as they took in the scene.

Tory's eyes flicked toward them, her body stiff with tension. "Hayden-"

But Hayden wasn't listening.

"You knew," Hayden snapped, voice rising, something dangerous in her tone. "You knew this whole time, and you didn't tell me?"

Tory looked away, guilt flickering in her eyes. "I wanted to-"

"Oh, spare me," Hayden scoffed, shaking her head. "You let me think I wasn't good enough. You let me sit there in my own head, ripping myself apart, going to therapy, trying to figure out why I wasn't enough-and you knew I won?"

Tory's throat bobbed. "It wasn't that simple."

Hayden let out a sharp, humorless laugh. "It's exactly that simple."

She could feel the rage burning under her skin, her heart pounding because how dare she.

How dare she stand there, looking guilty now, after letting Hayden suffer for months.

"I worked myself into the ground for that title," Hayden said, voice shaking. "I put myself through hell-Silver's training, the fights, the injuries-all of it. And when I lost, I thought-" She broke off, inhaling sharply. "I thought maybe that was my fault. Maybe I deserved it."

Tory's expression broke slightly, but Hayden didn't care.

Because she was the one who had to live with this. She was the one who had to wake up every day thinking she had failed herself.

And Tory had known.

Tory swallowed, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm sorry."

Hayden laughed again, but this time it was cold. Hollow.

"You're sorry?" she said bitterly. "Sorry doesn't change shit, does it?"

Tory flinched, but Hayden didn't care.

Because this wasn't fair.

None of it was.

And the worst part?

Even now, even furious, she could see it-the way Tory was looking at her.

Like she felt something.

Like she cared.

Like she-

Hayden inhaled sharply, forcing the thought away.

It didn't matter.

Nothing mattered.

Her body was moving before she even realized it, anger surging through her like a wildfire.

She stepped forward-fast, aggressive-

But before she could get anywhere near Tory, hands grabbed her arms, holding her back.

"Hayden, stop!"

Miguel.

Robby.

One on each side, pulling her away, their grips firm but careful.

She struggled against them, her breath ragged, her blood boiling.

"Fuck off of me-"

"Not happening," Robby gritted out, tightening his grip. "Calm down."

Hayden clenched her teeth, her entire body shaking.

Tory stood frozen, eyes wide, breathing uneven. The attention, the looks, the murmurs-she felt them all.

She shook her head, stepping back. "Just... stay the hell away from me, Tory."

Tory opened her mouth like she wanted to say something-like she wanted to fight for something-but she didn't.

She shook her head, her face twisting with something Hayden couldn't quite place.

Embarrassment. Guilt. Something breaking inside her.

Then-without another word-she turned and ran.

Pushing past the crowd, slipping into the darkness, disappearing before anyone could stop her.

The second she was gone, Hayden let out a sharp breath, her body still trembling with rage, with betrayal.

Miguel and Robby slowly loosened their grip, but they didn't let go completely.

She turned and walked away, her pulse pounding, her chest burning.

Because nothing had ever felt this unfair.

And she wasn't sure if she'd ever forgive her for it.

authors note.
this is a lazy chapter i'm sorry there was so many little details i wanted to include that i didn't have the energy to write and i didn't even do eli's and kenny's fight like match for match just wrote the interesting parts or the celebration after they got a spot in the sekai taikai like i was lazy im sorry guys