"LADIES AND GENTLEMAN, YOU'VE BEEN WAITING A LONG TIME... BUT WE'RE FINALLY HERE."

Daryl's voice boomed through the speakers, sending a ripple of electricity through the crowd. Cheers erupted, excitement crackling in the air.

"Dojo's from all across the Valley have been training for a year for their shot at glory! You ready to meet 'em? You? You?"

The crowd's roar was answer enough.

"This next dojo took last years title. But they're under new management. Can they reign supreme once more? And last year's runner-up. He may be wearing a new gi, but one things for sure, Robby Keene and his team are ready to strike! Hailing from Reseda, last year's defending champions, and still the most badass name for a dojo... here comes Cobra Kai!"

A wave of black and red emerged from the fog-filled tunnel, moving in unison. Their strides were controlled, almost militaristic, each fighter exuding unwavering confidence. They weren't just competitors— they were predators. Unbeatable. Unshaken. Unstoppable.

But something was wrong.

Robby felt it immediately.

He kept his eyes forward, jaw locked, but his heart pounded in his chest. His hands clenched behind his back as he discreetly scanned the sea of fighters.

Hayden wasn't there.

A flicker of unease shot through him. Maybe she was just running late. Maybe Silver had her coming in from another entrance, pulling some dramatic stunt. But every second that passed, every cheer from the crowd, every step toward the mat—his stomach twisted tighter.

Where the hell was she?

The Cobra Kai fighters fell into their formation on the mat, standing tall. Still, no Hayden.

Robby's pulse thrummed in his ears. His gaze darted to Silver, who stood on the sidelines, unfazed. If he noticed her absence, he didn't show it.

Something wasn't right.

The announcer's voice boomed again.

"Next up, this dojo is making their All Valley debut, though you'll recognize a few familiar faces. They've got fire, they've got fight, but do they have what it takes to go all the way? Please welcome... Eagle Fang Karate, led by Sensei Johnny Lawrence and defending champion Miguel Diaz!"

A swarm of red t-shirts burst through the tunnel, hyped and ready. Miguel jogged in front, rolling his shoulders, a confident smirk in place. Robby barely paid attention.

His eyes were still searching.

Where is she?

And then—

"This sensei and dojo need no introduction."

The crowd exploded in cheers.

"This sensei and dojo needs no introduction. He took the All Valley by storm in 1984 and 85, and quickly became one of the greatest underdogs in the history of the sport. Last year, this dojo came out of nowhere and made it to the finals. They've got some new fighters, and they're ready to show the world that they're the best around. Give it up for Miyagi-Do Karate, led by two-time All Valley champion Daniel LaRusso!"

The tunnel filled with smoke, golden light spilling onto the mat. A procession of white gis emerged from the fog, stepping forward with calm, measured steps. They moved as one, composed, unwavering.

And in the front, leading them—

Hayden Sanders.

Robby's breath caught in his throat.

For a moment, the entire arena froze.

Silver's smirk faltered. Tory stiffened. The Cobra Kai fighters exchanged wide-eyed glances.

And Robby—

He couldn't move.

He couldn't breathe.

Because Hayden was standing with them.

With Miyagi-Do.

White gi. Blue patch. Chin high, gaze sharp, standing beside Daniel LaRusso like she had always belonged there.

Like she had never been Cobra Kai at all.

Kreese's face darkened. The betrayal was evident, even as he worked to keep his features unreadable. He had been grooming her for this, preparing her. He had wanted her to be Cobra Kai's champion—to take the crown, to prove that Cobra Kai bred warriors.

And now she was standing across from him, beside Daniel LaRusso, like none of it had ever meant anything.

Tory's entire body tensed. She stared at Hayden, disbelief flashing through her features before it turned sharp—cold. Hayden had fought beside her, trained beside her, had broken herself down in the same brutal way she had, just to prove she was the best. And now? Now she was one of them?

Tory's jaw clenched.

Kenny's mouth parted slightly. Even Kyler, for once, had nothing to say.

And Robby.

Robby felt something crack deep in his chest.

It didn't make sense. It couldn't make sense.

He had seen her break herself for Cobra Kai. He had watched her push through pain, exhaustion, everything—because she believed in it. Because she was loyal.

Because she was his.

So why was she standing there?

Hayden met his eyes across the mat.

For a moment, everything else disappeared—the crowd, the cheers, the tournament itself. It was just the two of them, standing on opposite sides, staring each other down.

And in Robby's expression— in the way his jaw tightened, his hands curled into fists, his chest heaved slightly like he had just taken a gut punch— she saw it all.

The hurt.

The anger.

The disappointment.

He didn't have to say a word. His face said everything.

She had betrayed him.

And maybe she had.

But Hayden just lifted her chin, keeping her expression unreadable. Because in the end—

It had to be done.

"At the end of the day, only one of these dojos can be crowned grand champion. Welcome to the 51st Annual All Valley Under-18 Karate Tournament!" this earned a standing ovation from the crowd, applause erupting from everyone. "It's karate time."

"Miyagi Do's, bring it in."

Hayden wasn't sure how Miguel managed to do it. To convince Mr. LaRusso to take her back, despite everything she'd said and done. But now that he did? She felt more out of place than anything.

She'd worked herself to death the past year to get here, and when she did so, she imagined standing next to Robby, fighting until they both held a trophy in their hands. Then going to celebrate with each other afterwards.

She didn't imagine standing with Samantha LaRusso of all people, the person she was ready to take down in the All Valley just to humiliate her in front of everyone.

But in the moment, her hatred for Silver overshadowed her hatred for the LaRusso's by miles.

She wanted Silver to feel the humiliation instead.

"Some of you have been here before," He eyed Hayden, and she stared down at the ground, the white gi feeling foreign on her body. "And for some of you, it's your first karate tournament. I still remember my first All Valley where I stood here profoundly with my sensei."

Hayden looked around her, everyone had been listening to Mr. LaRusso intently, but she caught some of the weird side-eyes sent her way. She couldn't say it wasn't expected. They didn't trust her.

"...and where I faced down the bullies of Cobra Kai." This made Hayden twitch slightly, glancing over at the Cobra Kai group. They had been whispering to one another, glancing in her direction with dirty, snide looks. She quickly looked away, picking at her nails anxiously.

That made Hayden twitch slightly. Her gaze flickered across the mat to where Cobra Kai stood.

They were whispering to each other, snickering, eyes darting in her direction.

She forced herself to look away, picking at her nails anxiously.

In Cobra Kai, she had felt untouchable—the black gi and the patch on her shoulder made her someone else, someone stronger.

Without it?

She didn't know who the hell she was.

An anxious, unsatisfactory, mediocre fighter.

Everything Silver had torn her down to be.

"Now getting here hasn't been easy. There've been some bumps in the road, to put it mildly, but remember what's at stake. If Cobra Kai wins, our dojo closes for good. That means no more Miyagi Do. We're not gonna let that happen, are we?"

"No, sensei!" Everyone responded in unison.

"Of course not! Because we have something that Cobra Kai doesn't... we have Miyagi Do. So let's get out there and show Cobra Kai what we're made of. Are you ready?"

"Yes, sensei!" The answer came loud and unified.

"All right, let's warm up—"

"Can I say something?"

The words came out before Hayden could stop them.

The group turned to her, and suddenly, the spotlight was on her.

A couple of the younger students looked curious. Daniel gave her a small nod, like he already knew what she was about to do. Sam crossed her arms, her expression neutral but sharp, while Hawk barely concealed the skepticism in his face.

Hayden exhaled, bracing herself.

"...I know I don't belong here."

A silence fell over the group.

She swallowed. "I know a lot of you don't trust me. I don't blame you."

Sam's gaze hardened slightly. Hawk's arms stayed folded, unimpressed.

Hayden squared her shoulders, forcing herself to own it.

"I get it," she continued. "I've done a lot of shitty things in the name of Cobra Kai. To some of you. To all of you." Her gaze flickered to Sam, to Hawk, to Daniel—people she had fought, humiliated, torn down. People she had hurt.

And now she was standing beside them.

"I bought into what Silver and Kreese were selling. I let them get into my head, I let them make me into something I wasn't." Her throat tightened, but she forced the words out. "And I hurt people because of it."

Nobody spoke.

She took a steady breath. "I'm not asking you to forgive me. And I don't expect you to trust me overnight." Her hands clenched into fists at her sides. "But I am asking you to believe me when I say I want to take Cobra Kai down just as much as you do. And I'm willing to do whatever it takes to win."

A silence stretched between them.

Hayden held her breath.

Then—

Sam, of all people, gave her a small nod. She was one of the loudest protesters when Miguel told the LaRusso's that she wanted to come back to Miyagi Do.

She didn't trust her at all, thought she was too unpredictable and too far gone to even be considered. But, her dad trusted her. So, she could tolerate her.

One of the younger kids looked at her, hesitant, but nodded too.

A beat later, Demetri shrugged. "I mean, if Mr. LaRusso trusts you, I guess I can tolerate you."

Hayden let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.

Hawk scoffed. "I still don't trust you."

She expected that. "I don't blame you."

"But..." Hawk's lips quirked in something almost like amusement. "That was a damn good apology."

Hayden blinked.

Sam, who had been quiet the whole time, finally sighed. "We'll see if you mean it."

It wasn't acceptance, but it wasn't outright rejection, either.

And she could live with that for now.

—

"Ladies and gentlemen, it's time to begin our skills competition!" Daryl's voice boomed through the arena, excitement rippling through the crowd. "Up first, Demetri Alexopoulos from Miyagi-Do Karate, who'll be showcasing the kamas!"

Hayden stood at the edge of the mat, arms crossed, watching as Demetri stepped forward.

The first half of the competition flew by in a blur—Demetri with his kamas, Chris demonstrating board breaking, Devon Lee and Kenny showcasing their kata routines, Miguel and Nathaniel performing a synchronized kata. There were other acts from various dojos, each fighter bringing their own style to the mat.

Hayden found herself impressed—especially by Demetri's performance. She hadn't seen him train, but it was obvious he had been working hard since the last time they were on the same team.

She smiled somberly. He'd come a long way.

And even if they hadn't always been on the best terms, she felt a quiet sense of pride watching him.

The second half of the competition brought even more impressive routines—Sam performing with her sais, Robby integrating gymnastics into his kata, Piper executing a flawless gymnastic board-breaking routine, Tory wielding a katana with deadly precision, Kyler mixing kata with cement board-breaking, Hawk attempting a high kick well above his head— only to fail spectacularly.

Mitch, in true Mitch fashion, tried to twirl a bo staff around his fingers, only to accidentally fling it at the judges' table and run off the stage in horror.

Hayden took in every single move. Every little mistake, every moment of hesitation, every miscalculated strike. She would not repeat their errors.

She was the last act.

Daryl's voice rang out:

"We saved one of the best for last—Hayden Sanders from Miyagi-Do Karate, showcasing the nunchucks!"

She stepped forward in her white gi, back straight, chin high, the green Miyagi-Do patch stitched on her shoulder instead of the snake.

For a split second, as she stood under the spotlight, the weight of it all hit her.

She had fought so hard to earn her place in Cobra Kai. Spent a year killing herself to be their best fighter. But now, she was standing here against them.

She bowed low.

Then she began.

The moment she moved, everything else faded.

The nunchucks blurred in her hands as she flipped them over her shoulders, under her arms, her movements fluid and unstoppable. She twisted, launching a sharp kick into the air, never breaking the flow of her weapon.

Her grip was perfect—seamless transitions between hands, behind her back, around her waist. The nunchucks barely seemed to exist—just flashes of speed, a blur of motion.

Gasps rippled through the crowd as she sped up, the nunchucks spinning so fast they nearly disappeared from sight.

Then, with one final burst of velocity, she launched the nunchucks into the air so that they blurred in a perfect circle.

They flipped in a perfect arc—spinning high, catching the light.

And in the same moment, Hayden flipped backward—a perfectly executed backflip, landing in time to catch the nunchucks mid-air.

She snapped forward, driving a final strike into the air.

"Ais!"

The moment she bowed, the arena exploded.

Cheers, screams, applause—it all blended together into a deafening roar.

But one voice stood out above the rest.

"That's my sister! Woo!"

Hayden barely had time to smirk before she spotted Logan in the stands, jumping up and down, waving a huge homemade sign that read:

HAYDEN SANDERS #1 FAN scattered with hearts.

Hayden smiled, shaking her head.

She turned, walking off the mat as Daryl's voice echoed through the arena:

"Wow! What a way to end this year's skills competition! Hayden Sanders, everyone! That'll sure bring Miyagi Do up some points, almost matching Cobra Kai!"

Silver glared at the girl who glanced at him for a spare second, and like she was gaining her confidence back, she winked.

For the first time, she didn't feel like she had to prove herself to anyone.

"I can't believe Cobra Kai beat us in skills." Chris huffed out as Miyagi Do huddled around.

"I thought we had that one in the bag." Sam agreed, arms crossed.

"It's my fault. I couldn't break the last board. I'm really sorry." Hawk frowned, and Hayden shook her head, patting his back.

"Okay. Forget that, okay? You all did great. Thanks to Hayden, we're right on their heels. This is far from over."

Hayden glanced around. She wasn't sure what to expect when she turned back toward the team.

Suspicion? Wariness?

But when she looked up, what she saw instead was something completely different.

They were smiling at her.

Sam, who had been the first to challenge her place in Miyagi-Do, gave her a nod of respect, the corners of her lips twitching up just slightly. Demetri, who had once been on the receiving end of her Cobra Kai cruelty, actually grinned at her like he had known she had it in her all along.

Even Hawk— Hawk, who had been right there with her when they fought on the opposite side last year—gave her an approving smirk.

And then there was Mr. LaRusso.

Hayden braced herself when she met his eyes, still half-expecting that hint of doubt, that are you really one of us? hesitation she had felt since stepping into the dojo.

But he just smiled.

It wasn't smug, or surprised, or even relieved.

It was certain. Like he had always known this was exactly how it was supposed to go.

Like he believed in her.

And that was when it hit her.

She wasn't just part of Miyagi-Do now. She was their best shot at winning the All Valley.

Hayden swallowed, something tight forming in her chest.

She had spent an entire year breaking herself down for Cobra Kai. Doing whatever it took to make Silver believe she was worthy. She had fought and clawed her way to the top, just to be thrown away.

Now, for the first time, she didn't feel like she had to prove anything.

Because when she looked at her team—when she saw the way they looked at her—she realized something that shook her to her core.

They already believed in her.

As everyone dispersed to warm up, Hayden stayed rooted in place, her gaze locked on the Cobra Kai huddle across the mat. Her stomach twisted at the sight of Robby—his expression hard, unreadable. Cold.

Had he always looked like that? Had she just been too blinded by her own anger to notice?

"I'm glad you're back."

She blinked, turning her head to see Hawk standing beside her. His arms were crossed, but there was no bite in his tone, just an odd sincerity that caught her off guard.

Her brow arched. "You are?"

"Yeah. I mean, I don't trust you." He shrugged. "But I know what it's like to come back to the ground after feeling the high of Cobra Kai for so long."

Hayden shifted her gaze, staring off to the side. She let out a slow breath. "I'm... I'm sorry about your hair." The words felt heavy, but she forced them out anyway. "That was an asshole move. Even for me."

Hawk was quiet for a beat before he shrugged. "It'll grow out."

A muscle in Hayden's jaw twitched. That was the thing—he shouldn't have had to wait for it to grow back in the first place. She forced herself to look at him, at the buzzed sides that had once held the vibrant purple mohawk he was so proud of.

"It was my idea." She finally admitted, her voice quieter now. "It was a bitchy call. I was mad at everyone, and I took it out on you when I shouldn't have."

She glanced down at her feet, maybe out of guilt, maybe because she just couldn't bring herself to meet his face after saying it.

Hawk watched her closely. He'd never seen her like this before—Hayden was always an enigma, a wall of steel that never cracked. A stoic badass, unshaken, unmoved.

But here she was, vulnerable.

He exhaled, running a hand over his buzzed head before giving her a sideways glance. "Yeah, it was a bitchy call."

Hayden snorted lightly, shaking her head. "You're not supposed to agree."

Hawk smirked. "Yeah, well, you said it first."

For a moment, they just stood there. The air between them wasn't exactly light, but it wasn't as suffocating as before.

"Look," Hawk said after a pause, rubbing the back of his neck. "We've all done some messed-up shit. Me, you, Robby, Miguel—everyone. But if you're here, actually fighting for Miyagi-Do, then... I guess I can get over it."

She finally lifted her gaze, meeting his eyes. "Yeah?"

He smirked and held out a fist. "Yeah. But if you ever shave my head again, I'm kicking your ass."

A small, amused smile played on her lips before she bumped her knuckles against his. "Fair enough."

And just like that, the past felt a little less heavy.

—

The fighting portion of the tournament came quick.

The crowd's energy was electric. The All Valley had always been the biggest stage for fighters like her, but this time, it felt different.

This wasn't just about winning anymore.

This was about proving that she was good enough. That Silver was wrong about her. She wasn't weak. She wasn't a liability.

Hayden adjusted her gi, rolling her shoulders as she took slow, steady breaths.

Across the mat, her opponent— Sophie Johnson, a bulky fighter from Topanga Karate—cracked her knuckles, rolling her neck side to side. She was built like a truck, all muscle, fists clenched so hard her knuckles had gone white.

She recognized her stance immediately. Pure offense.

No patience. No restraint. Just force.

That was her first mistake.

From the sidelines, Robby leaned forward slightly, brows furrowed, arms crossed so tightly his biceps tensed against his gi.

He hadn't looked away from her since she stepped onto the mat.

He wanted to be mad.

He wanted to ignore the way his chest tightened watching her not in black. The way it felt so wrong seeing her in white.

But he couldn't.

Because for the first time in a long time, she looked... lighter.

Not physically. Something deeper.

Miguel, standing a few feet away from him, saw it too.

She had looked like a ghost the last time he saw her in Cobra Kai.

The bruises she tried to hide. The dark circles under her eyes. The way her body seemed to constantly be bracing for impact, like she was always waiting to get hit.

But now?

Her stance was looser. Her eyes clearer.

She was still Hayden. Still fierce.

But she didn't look like she was drowning anymore.

She looked like she had come up for air.

The ref stepped forward, raising his hand.

"Fighters ready?"

Hayden took her stance. But she didn't just sink into one form.

She shifted her weight. Relaxed her shoulders.

She had spent months moving like a Cobra Kai fighter. Precision. Brutality. Domination.

But now she let herself move like both.

Like her.

The ref's hand dropped.

"Hai!"

Her opponent lunged.

Hayden didn't move.

She saw the punch coming before she even threw it. Her body was too rigid, too predictable.

The moment her fist came toward her, she stepped to the side, barely dodging as she whiffed air.

Miyagi-Do.

Redirect. Deflect. Control.

Her frustration was instant. She whirled around, throwing a second punch, faster this time.

But Hayden was faster.

She snatched her wrist mid-strike, twisted, and in one smooth movement, flipped her over her shoulder.

She crashed onto the mat, stunned.

The crowd gasped.

Miguel grinned.

Robby exhaled sharply, shaking his head. He hated how instinctive it was, the way his body almost wanted to react, almost wanted to cheer for her.

He forced his arms to stay crossed. Forced himself to stay angry.

But then Sophie scrambled back up, shaking off the shock, face burning red.

And Hayden's stance shifted.

Her feet planted harder. Her body coiled tighter.

Her opponent charged again, this time feinting left before aiming a high kick at her ribs.

Hayden didn't dodge.

She blocked.

And then she hit back.

This time, it wasn't Miyagi-Do.

It was pure Cobra Kai.

A sharp front kick—precise, brutal, nothing held back—slammed straight into Sophie's ribs.

The crack echoed in the arena.

Sophie stumbled back, coughing hard. Her eyes flickered with hesitation now, like for the first time, she realized what she was up against.

She wasn't just one thing. She wasn't just one fighter. She had taken the best of both.

The crowd had never seen fighting like this.

Miguel couldn't stop the proud smile from spreading across his face.

Robby swallowed hard, hands clenched into fists.

She was so good. And that pissed him off. Because this was supposed to be them. Fighting together. Winning together.

Not this. Not her on the other side.

Hayden cracked her neck, resettling her stance.

Sophie hesitated now. The confidence was gone.

She could end this.

She went for a last desperate swing.

Hayden didn't even flinch.

She ducked under her arm, grabbed her gi, and in one effortless motion, used her momentum against her—flipping her over her hip and slamming her flat onto her back.

The ref's whistle blew.

"Point! Winner—Sanders!"

The crowd exploded.

Logan was screaming from the stands, jumping up and down.

Miguel was grinning, clapping loudly. Johnny leaned over, "You seriously couldn't snag her over to Eagle Fang?"

He rolled his eyes playfully, "She's right where she belongs." He murmured as he kept his eyes on her, the smile on his face feeling more permanent than ever.

Robby was still. His heart was beating too fast.

He felt something inside him tighten when she turned, exhaling deeply, looking up at the sidelines.

And for a split second, their eyes met.

Her chest was rising and falling, sweat clinging to her forehead. But her eyes—those dark, intense, stormy eyes—held onto his like she knew exactly what he was thinking.

Like she knew this was killing him. Because he couldn't deny it. Not to her. Not to himself. No matter how mad he was.

He still wanted her to win.

—

Hayden's chest was still heaving from her match, her heart pounding so hard she could feel it in her throat. The energy in the arena was suffocating, the crowd's cheers blending into an overwhelming roar in her ears.

She wasn't in Cobra Kai anymore.

She wasn't fighting with Robby anymore.

But that didn't mean she'd stopped caring.

And now, as she stood near the edge of the mat, her arms folded over her chest, she watched him step up for his fight.

Robby Keene.

Cobra Kai's star fighter.

Her former teammate.

Her—

She swallowed hard.

His expression was unreadable, as always, but she could see the way his jaw clenched as he stared ahead at his opponent—a fighter from Viper's Claw, a smaller dojo with something to prove.

Hayden recognized the stance his opponent took—sharp, aggressive, all power and no patience. It reminded her of herself before.

But Robby?

Robby was balanced. Light on his feet, calm in a way that made the other fighter uneasy.

It was like he was waiting.

Hayden had always admired that about him. His ability to see everything before it happened. To not just react, but control the fight before it even began.

The ref raised his hand.

"Fighters ready?"

Robby didn't blink.

"Hais!"

The moment the word left the ref's lips, his opponent lunged.

Fast. Reckless.

And wrong.

Because Robby wasn't there anymore.

He sidestepped effortlessly, causing the guy to stumble past him, and before the other fighter could even think of recovering, Robby's foot was already snapping up—

A perfect spinning back kick to the ribs.

The impact was sharp, brutal. His opponent barely stayed standing, gasping, gripping his side.

Hayden clenched her fists.

He was so good.

Not just with Cobra Kai.

Not just with Miyagi-Do.

With both.

Just like her.

But while she had been made into a fighter through pain and pressure, Robby was something different. Something effortless.

Something natural.

She didn't realize she was holding her breath. Didn't realize she had moved closer.

Until Hawk's voice cut through the noise beside her.

"You still rooting for him?"

Hayden stiffened, glancing sideways. Hawk was watching her with a small, knowing smirk.

She exhaled sharply. "No."

Hawk hummed, crossing his arms. "Right. That's why you're staring at him like you forgot which team you're on."

Hayden rolled her eyes but didn't argue. Because what was she supposed to say?

That despite everything—despite his anger, despite his disappointment, despite how much she knew she had hurt him— she still wanted him to win.

She was rooting for her team.

But she was still rooting for him.

On the mat, Robby's opponent recovered enough to attack again, this time throwing a desperate flurry of punches, his frustration visible in every movement.

But Robby?

Robby didn't falter.

He blocked every strike smoothly, effortlessly, his arms barely moving, deflecting each hit like he had been expecting them.

Then he struck.

A swift parry, a shift in weight, and then—

Boom.

A perfect leg sweep.

His opponent crashed to the mat, winded, and before he could even react, Robby was already on him, pressing forward, landing two quick, clean strikes.

The ref blew the whistle.

"Point! Winner—Keene!"

The crowd erupted, Cobra Kai standing on their feet, cheering loudly.

And Hayden just exhaled, something warm and tangled in her chest.

She was proud of him.

Even if she wasn't supposed to be. Even if he wouldn't look at her right now.

But then he did.

As he stepped off the mat, as the referee lifted his arm in victory, his eyes found hers.

And for a second, it was just them.

No tournament.

No rivalry.

No teams.

Just Hayden and Robby.

His breathing was heavy, his eyes dark and stormy like they always were when he was trying to hide how he felt.

And she saw it.

The anger.

The hurt.

But beneath all of it—

The undeniable understanding.

Because they were the same.

They were the only two fighters here who knew what it felt like to stand on both sides.

To carry both legacies.

To be more than just one thing.

His eyes flickered, jaw tightening—then he turned away.

And Hayden felt it all over again. The weight of what she had done. The truth she couldn't run from. She hadn't just switched teams. She had switched sides.

And to Robby, that was a betrayal she couldn't take back.

—

Hayden sat on the edge of the mat, arms draped over her knees, eyes scanning the fights unfolding before her. She wasn't just watching. She was calculating.

Every fighter had patterns. Even the best of them. No matter how skilled, no matter how fast, everyone had a flaw—and she was determined to find them all.

Her gaze landed first on Piper.

She was a natural athlete—fluid, flexible, and fast. Her gymnastics background made her an unpredictable fighter, blending acrobatics into her attacks with ease. Her kicks were high, sharp, and precise, and she used her agility to keep opponents on edge, never staying in one spot for too long.

But she was overconfident.

She left herself open after big movements, especially after her spinning kicks. Every time she landed, there was a fraction of a second where her weight wasn't balanced—where she was vulnerable.

Hayden smirked. Noted.

Her eyes flicked to Devon Lee.

Devon was tenacious. What she lacked in experience, she made up for in sheer drive. Her punches were sharp and deliberate, her form precise. She had learned well from both Eagle Fang and Cobra Kai, blending aggression with technique.

But she was too reactive.

She countered well, but she didn't take initiative—she waited for the fight to come to her. Against someone who dictated the pace, she'd be at a disadvantage.

Then there was Tory.

Hayden felt her jaw tighten.

Tory was fierce. Aggressive, relentless, and deadly with a weapon. Her strikes were brutal, her instincts sharp. Unlike most Cobra Kais, she wasn't just a brawler—she was smart. She could adapt.

But Hayden knew her weakness.

She fought angry.

Tory's biggest strength was also her biggest flaw. When she was in control, she was terrifying. But if someone got under her skin—if they could break her focus—she could be baited.

Hayden had fought her enough times to know.

She was her biggest competition at this tournament.

She smirked. Noted.

Then, finally—

Her eyes landed on Robby. Her stomach twisted. He was the hardest to read now. Which stung because before she could read him like an open book.

He'd shut himself down to her.

Hayden had spent so much time training with him, fighting beside him, learning from him. She knew his strengths better than anyone.

Balanced. Fast. Unshakable.

He had the calm precision of Miyagi-Do but the ferocity of Cobra Kai.

But even he had weaknesses.

Hayden was so caught up in her observations, in dissecting every fighter's weakness, that she barely noticed someone approaching.

Until Miguel plopped down beside her on the edge of the mat, his presence warm and steady.

She tensed for a moment, glancing at him. His gi was slightly disheveled from his last fight, a light sheen of sweat still clinging to his skin. He wasn't even looking at her, just staring at the matches ahead, like he had just happened to sit down next to her by accident.

Except Hayden knew better.

"You know," Miguel finally spoke, still keeping his gaze forward, "if you stare at them any harder, you might set them on fire."

Hayden let out a short breath—something between a scoff and a laugh. "I'm just... studying. It's how you win, right?"

Miguel nodded. "Yeah. But I think you already knew that."

She didn't respond.

For a moment, they just sat there, side by side, watching the fights unfold in front of them. It was oddly peaceful—like they weren't competing against each other, like they weren't on opposite teams.

Like things weren't so complicated.

Then Miguel spoke again, quieter this time.

"I'm glad you're here."

Hayden's fingers twitched. She wasn't sure how to respond to that. "Here like here at the All Valley or here in a white gi instead of a black one?"

He shrugged, "Both," He turned to face her, his brown eyes searching hers. "I meant it. You look... different."

She arched a brow. "Different how?"

Miguel hesitated, like he was choosing his words carefully. "Stronger. Not just in karate, but... in yourself." His voice softened. "You look happier."

Hayden swallowed.

She wanted to argue. She wanted to say that happiness wasn't something she really had the luxury of feeling these days. But the way Miguel was looking at her made her feel like maybe—maybe—he was right.

Maybe stepping away from Cobra Kai, from Silver's manipulation, was making her better.

She didn't notice Robby glance in their direction mid-fight, arm up to strike and score the third and final point to win the match.

He paused, eyes flickering between Miguel and Hayden as his breathing got heavier and before he knew it, he was thrown down and pinned to the mat, losing a point that he should've been up one. He slammed the mat.

"Well," she muttered, breaking eye contact, "I guess I have you to thank for that."

Miguel tilted his head. "What do you mean?"

She let out a breath, fingers idly tracing the fabric of her gi. "Well, you're the one who convinced Mr. LaRusso to let me back in."

Miguel didn't deny it.

"Why?" she asked, genuinely curious. "After everything I did. The way I treated Sam. The way I—" she hesitated, biting her lip. "I wasn't exactly the best person to you last year."

Miguel studied her for a moment. "No, you weren't."

Hayden exhaled sharply. "Ouch."

"But," he continued, "neither was I, if we're being honest."

She blinked. That wasn't what she expected him to say.

Miguel leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees. "Look, I get it. Cobra Kai messes with your head. Makes you think you have to be someone else to survive." He shook his head. "I fell into that trap too."

Hayden thought back to the Miguel from freshman year—the one who wore the Cobra Kai gi like it was a second skin, who fought dirty at the school fight, who turned into something else under Kreese's watch.

He understood more than most.

"You weren't a bad person, Hayden," he said, voice softer now. "You were just lost. And you found your way back."

She looked down at her hands, flexing her fingers. "If only everyone saw it that way."

Miguel smiled. "They will."

Hayden swallowed, something warm settling in her chest.

There was a beat of silence. The noise of the tournament faded into the background, and for a moment, it was just them.

Miguel rubbed the back of his neck. "I, uh— I should probably go warm up."

Hayden nodded. "Yeah. Go be the 'defending champion' and all that."

Miguel smirked as he stood up. "You better not let me down out there, Sanders. I put in a good word for you."

She rolled her eyes, but there was a small smile playing at her lips.

Before he walked away, Miguel hesitated—just for a second.

And then he reached out, giving her hand a brief squeeze.

Not long enough for anyone to notice. But just enough for her to feel it.

By the time Hayden processed it, Miguel was already walking away.

She exhaled slowly, staring at her hands.

Yeah.

Things were still complicated.

—

The fighting portion flew by in a blur.

The crowd's cheers blurred into white noise as Hayden stepped onto the mat, rolling her shoulders. Another opponent from some random dojo—tall, lean, and overly confident. She didn't know her name. Didn't care.

The ref called the fight, and Hayden moved first. No hesitation.

Her opponent threw a high kick, telegraphed and slow, and Hayden caught it easily, twisting her off balance and shoving her back. She stumbled but recovered quickly, resetting her stance.

She tried to bait her in, bouncing lightly on her feet, but Hayden wasn't falling for it. She stepped forward deliberately, hands steady, waiting—

Then she lunged, a fast jab toward her ribs. Hayden sidestepped at the last second, letting her momentum carry her forward before driving an elbow into her stomach.

Point, Miyagi-Do.

She backed up to her side of the mat, exhaling through her nose. Her focus was sharp, honed in only on the fight—

Until she caught a glimpse of him.

Robby stood near the edge of the Cobra Kai section, arms crossed, expression unreadable. His eyes weren't on her, but they had been earlier. She knew it. He'd been watching just as much as she had.

But the tension between them was thick, the weight of everything unsaid pressing down on her.

She didn't have time to think about it.

The ref called the match back in, and Hayden snapped her attention forward just in time to see her opponent charging. She dodged the first strike, but she pivoted fast, throwing a spinning back kick—

Too slow.

Hayden ducked under it and swept her legs out from beneath her, dropping her hard onto her back. She moved in an instant, striking down before she could recover.

Point Sanders, match over.

As the ref raised her hand, she finally let herself breathe, glancing subtly toward the sidelines.

Tory was watching her now.

Not with scorn, not with hatred—but with something far more dangerous. Calculation.

Hayden met her gaze for only a second before turning away. She didn't need to look any longer to know—Tory had been watching everything. Watching the competition.

Between fights, Hayden continued to move around, stretching, keeping her muscles warm. But her mind? Her mind was never still.

She watched everyone. The entire time, she watched everyone's bad habits and flaws. Things she could capitalize on.

She saw Miguel face off against another random fighter, his footwork clean and precise, his strikes sharp. He won effortlessly.

She saw Hawk go against some Eagle Fang kid, wearing that same confident smirk as he overwhelmed the guy with fast, unpredictable movements.

She saw Sam take down an opponent with practiced Miyagi-Do patience, waiting for the right moment before striking.

And then she saw Robby.

His fight was brutal, efficient—every strike calculated, every counter executed with perfect precision. He moved like a fighter who already knew he was going to win.

Hayden watched him closely, her fists tightening.

She knew his tells. Knew the way his body moved. Knew how he fought like he could anticipate every move before it happened.

Because she used to fight with him.

Now? She had to fight against him.

And across the gym, with a smirk so slight it could've been imagined, Silver watched it all.

Waiting. Planning.

And Hayden had a sick feeling that whatever happened next was exactly what he wanted.

—

"He telegraphs his kicks." Hayden murmured, arms crossed but a hand on her mouth as she analyzes the fight between Chris and Kyler. "If Demetri or Eli end up facing Kyler, they can use that as an advantage."

Mr. LaRusso glanced and her, a faint smile on his lips as he nodded. "So if it were you, how would you do that?"

The question didn't make Hayden blink twice. "I'd bait it. Use it to my full advantage. The moment they commit to that kick, they can't take it back. A well-timed strike and, that's a point for us."

Daniel nodded, "Your still as sharp as ever. Just how I remember you to be."

Hayden glanced down at her feet, "Yeah, but at what cost?" She muttered.

"We've all made mistakes, Hayden. Its okay. It's what you do moving forward that counts."

She nodded, trying her hardest not to beat herself up over something that was already done.

"Hey, great news." Sam approached the two. "Demetri just won his match. That puts him in the quarterfinals with me, Hayden, and Hawk."

"Great," Daniel nodded, looking forward at the match they were watching.

"How are we doing here?"

"We're still in second overall. Hayden and I were coming up with strategies against Kyler. We still have four fighters still alive. We just need one of them to advance and we can take the lead." He looked at Chris, "Come on, Chris! You got this!"

The two fighters circled each other, eyes locked, their movements careful and calculated.

Chris started off strong, keeping his stance balanced as he blocked Kyler's strikes with well-timed defensive maneuvers. But something was off. Kyler wasn't just attacking like a typical Cobra Kai fighter—he was patient. He wasn't recklessly throwing punches; he was baiting Chris, waiting for the right moment to counter.

Hayden felt her stomach drop as she watched Kyler deflect Chris's strike with a perfectly executed Miyagi-Do block, stepping back just enough to redirect the attack before sweeping Chris's leg.

Daniel's arms were crossed, his expression thoughtful, but as Kyler transitioned smoothly into another defensive maneuver—one that only Miyagi-Do students should know—his brows furrowed.

Hayden remained quiet, her arms folded tightly across her chest, watching as Kyler continued to counter Chris's attacks using moves that weren't supposed to be part of Cobra Kai's arsenal. And the worst part? It was working.

The referee called the point in Kyler's favor, and Hayden exhaled slowly, gripping her biceps to steady herself.

Chris got back up, determination in his eyes, but the fight kept playing out the same way. Kyler used their techniques—Miyagi-Do footwork, redirection, patience—all while Chris fought hard, unaware he was up against his own dojo's teachings.

Daniel took a slow step forward, his eyes scanning the mat with growing realization. Then, as if sensing something bigger, he turned his head, looking around the arena.

Hayden followed his gaze.

And suddenly, she saw it too.

Across multiple mats, Cobra Kai was using Miyagi-Do techniques.

Tory, Piper, Kenny—they were all weaving Miyagi-Do principles into their fights. It wasn't perfect, but it was clear enough. They weren't just using aggression anymore. They were blending styles.

Kenny had just won his match using the wax on, wax off methods. He jumped off the mat, Robby smirking at him proudly as they did the signature Cobra Kai handshake.

"How the hell—" Sam started, her voice sharp with disbelief.

"Guys..." Hayden began nervously, looking and gauging Sam and Daniel's reactions. "I have to tell you guys something."

Daniel slowly turned back toward Hayden, his expression unreadable. "How do they know this?"

Hayden's throat went dry. She felt the guilt sink into her stomach like a stone.

She could lie. She could pretend she didn't know. But she wasn't that person anymore.

She inhaled sharply, forcing herself to meet Daniel's gaze. "Because... Robby and I showed them."

Silence.

Sam blinked, her face shifting from confusion to betrayal. "What?"

Daniel's face remained still, but there was something else in his eyes now—something that made Hayden's chest tighten.

"I was—" she stopped herself, shutting her eyes for a brief moment before forcing herself to look at Daniel and Sam. "I was so caught up in it. In winning. In proving I was the best. Cobra Kai got in my head, and all I cared about was beating everyone, no matter what it took."

She swallowed hard, voice tight. "I wish I never did it. I wish I never showed them Miyagi-Do. I was lost in all of it, in proving myself, and I didn't think about the consequences. I didn't think about what it meant for all of you."

Sam stared at her, arms still crossed, but her expression wasn't just anger anymore—it was disappointment. Somehow, that was worse.

"You didn't think about what it meant for you either," Daniel said after a moment, his voice even. "Cobra Kai doesn't just teach people how to fight. It teaches them to think a certain way. You let it get inside your head, and now we're all paying the price."

Hayden bit the inside of her cheek and nodded. She wasn't going to argue. He was right.

"I'm sorry," she said quietly, the words almost painful to admit. "For everything."

Daniel studied her for a long moment before sighing and glancing back at the mat, where Kyler was basking in his victory. His expression hardened.

Daniel ran a hand down his face, sighing heavily.

Sam, on the other hand, looked at her like she was seeing her for the first time. "You taught Cobra Kai our moves? Our karate? And now they're using it to beat us?"

Hayden looked down, jaw clenched. "Yeah."

"You've got to be kidding me," Sam muttered, crossing her arms, shaking her head.

Daniel was quiet for a moment, processing. He looked back at the fight, where Kyler had just landed another Miyagi-Do-style counterattack, securing his victory.

Chris got up, frustration clear in his posture, and walked off the mat. Meanwhile, Kyler smirked, basking in the cheers from the Cobra Kai section.

Daniel finally exhaled, turning back to Hayden. "You and Robby made a mistake," he said evenly, though there was no anger in his voice. "And now, we have to fix it."

Hayden swallowed hard and nodded.

Because as much as she hated to admit it— Cobra Kai was winning. And it was because of her.

—

Several fights later, Sam, Hayden, Hawk, and, surprisingly, Demetri made it to the quarterfinals for Miyagi-Do. Tory, Kyler, Piper, Robby, and Kenny advanced for Cobra Kai. Only Miguel and Devon remained for Eagle Fang.

Miyagi Do's group was small, but strong. She had faith that they weren't out of it yet.

"All right, folks! We've witnessed some great fighting today, but you ain't seen nothing yet," Daryl's voice boomed over the speakers. "Because we have arrived at the quarterfinals!"

The crowd erupted into cheers. Hayden rolled her shoulders, shaking out the tension in her arms.

"Which means things are about to get intense. Of the eight boys and eight girls left, only two will be crowned All Valley champions! And then we'll tally up the points to determine which dojo has earned the title of Grand Champion!"

Sensei Silver stood with his arms crossed, chin raised high, a quiet smirk resting on his lips. The way he watched the fighters, cool and calculating, made Hayden's skin prickle.

Daryl continued, "And since points get higher in each round, it's still any dojo's game! So keep your eyes on this mat, because we're just getting started!"

The first match began, Miguel going up against a boy from a smaller dojo. Unsurprisingly, Miguel dominated the fight with smooth counters and precise strikes, securing his spot in the semifinals.

As the ref held Miguel's arm up, his eyes found hers immediately. And she was brought back to when they were only freshman and he won his first All Valley under Cobra Kai.

When things were simple.

She smiled at him and he nodded back, like they shared the same thoughts.

Hayden rolled her neck, standing at the edge of the mat as the next match was announced.

"Next up, Tory Nichols for Cobra Kai versus Devon Lee for Eagle Fang!"

The crowd buzzed with excitement, knowing this would be an explosive fight. Hayden crossed her arms, watching as Devon stepped onto the mat, shaking out her limbs, her expression set in fierce determination. Tory, on the other hand, looked focused—sharp in a way that told Hayden she was confident in the outcome before the fight even started.

Hayden had watched both of them fight. She knew Devon was scrappy, relentless, and always looking to prove herself. Tory was aggressive, fast, and unrelenting.

"Face me. Bow."

Both fighters bowed to the referee.

"Face each other. Bow."

They did.

"Ais!"

Tory moved first, lunging in with a sharp front kick. Devon blocked it cleanly, countering with a quick punch to the ribs. Hayden's eyes narrowed—clean hit.

No call.

Her stomach twisted.

From the sidelines, Johnny immediately threw his arms up. "What the hell was that?! That was a point!"

Daniel shook his head in frustration. "That's the second time today."

Devon didn't hesitate, though. She moved right back in, keeping the pressure on, forcing Tory to back up. She landed another solid strike—a quick jab right to the chest.

No call.

Miguel took a step forward, eyebrows furrowed. "They're ignoring her points."

Then Tory threw a wide, almost lazy hook, barely grazing Devon's shoulder—

"Point, Cobra Kai!"

Boos erupted from the Eagle Fang and Miyagi-Do side.

Hayden's jaw clenched. She flicked her eyes toward the ref, then toward the Cobra Kai section, where Silver stood with his arms crossed, his smirk small but knowing.

The fight resumed, and Devon—clearly frustrated now—went in more aggressively, trying to force her points to be recognized. But she was making mistakes, and Tory knew how to capitalize on them.

Hayden watched closely, taking in every detail.

The pattern was becoming clear: Every questionable call went to Cobra Kai. Every close call against them was ignored.

Tory swept Devon's legs out and struck her across the chest before she could get back up.

"Point! Winner—Cobra Kai!"

The Cobra Kai section erupted in cheers. Devon pushed herself up, frustration evident in every movement, but she kept her expression neutral. Still, Hayden saw the slight shake of her head as she walked off the mat. She knew.

Hayden flicked her eyes toward the Miyagi-Do and Eagle Fang sections. Sam and Miguel were both frowning. Daniel and Johnny were muttering to each other, clearly pissed off. Hawk looked like he was ready to storm onto the mat himself.

The realization settled deep in Hayden's stomach.

Cobra Kai had Miyagi-Do's moves. They had strength, speed, aggression. And now, they had the refs on their side.

Hayden felt a weight press against her ribs. She had played a role in this. She and Robby had brought Miyagi-Do into Cobra Kai. Given Silver the blueprint. She had been so caught up in winning, in proving herself, that she hadn't thought about what that meant.

Now, it was staring her right in the face.

And she hated it.

—

Hayden wasn't sure how she knew. It was like a sense she had. A sense where she could immediately spot Robby in a crowded room.

She couldn't get him alone all day. And finally, he was.

No Kenny or Silver whispering in his ear. Just him with his hands on his hips, watching a match with the same stoic, hard expression he'd been wearing all day.

It was like he knew she was coming, turning and seeing her slowly approach him, his jaw clenching.

She opened her mouth, but before anything could come out, someone else beat her to it.

"You wanted to beat Miyagi-Do so badly, you gave Cobra Kai all of our secrets."

Hayden turned to Daniel, who stopped right next to her. His voice came calm, but the weight behind it was unbearable. He wasn't angry. He didn't need to be. The quiet disappointment in his face cut deeper than anything else.

Robby shook his head, like he found humor in his words, "The goal is to win." Robby shrugged, completely unfazed. "I did what I had to do."

Hayden noticed the way he didn't include. Not like he used to. It was back to 'I' instead of 'we' like he always said.

Mr. LaRusso sighed, shaking his head. "If all you care about is winning, then you really didn't learn anything I taught you."

Robby scoffed. "You know, everybody thinks their way is the only way. You, my dad, Cobra Kai. Truth is, it doesn't matter which way you fight, as long as it works. And I'll use whatever it takes to win." He didn't sound remorseful. He sounded sure. Like he had no regrets at all.

Mr. LaRusso studied him. "Why?" His voice was quieter now, but just as firm. "To get back at your dad? Me? Sam? The world? Because if that's the case, then I have another Miyagi-Do secret you can slip to your friends—never put passion in front of principle. Because even if you win, you lose."

With that, he walked away, leaving them standing there.

Silence stretched between them.

Hayden exhaled, rolling her shoulders like she could shake off the sudden, suffocating pressure in her chest.

Robby was standing there, arms crossed, jaw clenched, eyes burning into her like she was a stranger.

For a second, neither of them moved.

She had played out this conversation in her head a thousand times. Maybe it wouldn't happen at all. Maybe they'd just fight in the tournament and that would be the end of it. Maybe he wouldn't even care.

But looking at him now—

Oh, he cared.

She exhaled, steadying herself. "I was wondering when this was gonna happen."

Robby tilted his head, an unamused chuckle leaving his lips. "Yeah? You saw this coming? Cause I sure as hell didn't." His voice was too calm, too steady. It wasn't like he was just angry—he was furious.

She nodded. "I figured you'd want to get a few things off your chest."

"Oh, I do." He took a step forward, shaking his head. "But where do I even start?"

She swallowed, holding his gaze.

"You just left," he muttered, his voice quieter now, but still sharp. "Didn't say a damn thing. Didn't even warn me."

"Robby—"

"No," he snapped. "You don't get to act like this is nothing. Like you didn't just—" He stopped, exhaling sharply, running a hand through his hair. "You left me."

Hayden's throat tightened.

"I woke up, and you were just gone," he continued, voice cracking slightly. "Did you even hesitate?"

"No," Her voice was calm, sure of herself. "Because I knew if I did, I'd stay. For you."

That made him pause.

But only for a second.

His expression hardened. "And that's supposed to make me feel better?"

"No, it's supposed to make you understand," she said, voice firm. "I couldn't stay, Robby. I couldn't keep doing this."

His lips curled into something bitter. "This?" He gestured vaguely. "You mean fighting? Winning? Actually standing a chance?"

"No, I mean Cobra Kai." She took a step forward, closing the space between them. "It's wrong, Robby. The way they teach, the way they think—it twists you into something you're not."

Robby let out a sharp laugh. "Bullshit. How could you do this, Hayden? After everything—"

"I was wrong!" she snapped, voice breaking. "I got lost in it. I wanted to be the best, I wanted to win, and I thought that was all that mattered. But I see it now, Robby. Cobra Kai is wrong. Silver—Kreese—they don't care about us. They don't care about you."

Robby's expression darkened. "That's rich, coming from you. You think Miyagi-Do cares about you? You think they'll ever see you as anything other than the girl who betrayed them?"

Hayden flinched. She hated that it hurt.

"They gave me another chance," she said quietly. "They saw that I wanted to make things right."

Robby let out a breath, shaking his head. "Right. So, fuck me and Cobra Kai, right?"

"That's not what I'm saying."

"Then what are you saying, Hayden?" He took a step closer, voice dropping, eyes burning into hers. "Because from where I'm standing, you're the traitor, not me."

The words hit her like a punch to the gut.

She exhaled, shaking her head. "Look at yourself. Look at what they've turned you into."

"What about me?" His voice was like a loaded gun.

"You're not you anymore." The words came out before she could stop them. "You think this is just about winning, but it's not. It's about who you are when you do."

Robby's jaw clenched. "That's not for you to decide."

She threw her arms out, exasperated. "I'm trying to get you to see it! Cobra Kai doesn't make you stronger, it just makes you angrier."

Robby scoffed, shaking his head. "Right. Because I should totally trust you on what's right and wrong."

"Damn it, Robby, listen to me!" Hayden stepped closer, shoving his shoulder. "This isn't who you are! You know that deep down, I know you do."

Robby took a step back, expression darkening. "You don't know shit."

Hayden's breath hitched.

"You wanna talk about who I am?" Robby's voice was quieter now, but there was something dangerous in it. "Who I was? I was a screw-up. A nobody. You were the only person who ever had my back. It was supposed to be us against the world, remember?"

Her stomach twisted.

He scoffed, eyes burning into hers. "And then you switched sides."

"I didn't—"

"Yes, you did." His voice was sharp now, cutting. "You just went and left me behind like it was nothing. And now you show up and tell me I've changed?"

She hesitated, but forced herself to keep going. "You used to fight with a reason. Now you fight just to win."

"That's the point," he shot back.

"No, it's not." Her voice wavered slightly. "Winning doesn't mean anything if you lose yourself in the process."

Robby scoffed, shaking his head. "You sound just like them."

She clenched her jaw. "Because they're right."

His nostrils flared, frustration radiating off of him. "You're so full of shit."

She exhaled sharply. "Robby—"

"You're a traitor."

That one hurt.

Because she knew what she had done. She knew how it must have felt. But hearing it from him—it cut deeper than anything Silver ever did to her.

"I did what I had to do," she whispered.

"No," Robby said, shaking his head. "You did what was easy."

"You think I don't know how it feels? To believe in something so much, to think it's the only way? I was right there with you. But look at what it does to people, Robby. To you."

His jaw clenched. "And what, you're better than me now? You're suddenly above all this?"

"No, that's not what I'm saying—"

"You're a goddamn hypocrite, Hayden," he snapped, eyes blazing. "You were fine with it when it was you and me. When we were the ones on top, taking everyone down."

Hayden flinched, but she didn't back down. "I was wrong."

"Oh, and now you see the light? Just like that?" His voice was cold, laced with something dangerous. Robby scoffed, shaking his head. "You don't get to do this. You don't get to stand there and act like you're so much better because you changed your mind. Because you switched sides." His voice dropped, something raw slipping through the cracks.

Hayden's throat tightened.

"You betrayed me. Like it the easiest overnight decision to make."

"It wasn't like that—"

"Yes, it was," he cut her off. "It was supposed to be us against the world, Hayden. That's what we said. Us. But you left. You didn't fight for me. You didn't even try."

The words hit her like a punch to the gut.

"I am trying," she whispered.

"No, you're not." He took another step forward, voice thick with anger. "You're just trying to convince yourself that you made the right call."

She clenched her fists, breathing through the ache in her chest. "And you're trying to convince yourself that I didn't."

They stood there for a long moment, neither of them backing down.

Then, finally, Robby exhaled sharply, shaking his head.

"I don't even know who you are anymore."

Her stomach twisted.

Because she had thought the same thing about him.

And that scared her more than anything.

Hayden swallowed hard. "That's not fair."

"Fair?" Robby let out a bitter laugh. "You wanna talk about fair? You bailed the second things got hard!"

Her breath caught in her throat.

"The moment you got in your feelings, the moment you doubted it, you didn't say a damn word. You just ran."

Hayden blinked rapidly, forcing the sting behind her eyes to disappear. "I was scared."

"For who?" Robby shot back. "For me? Or for yourself?"

Her mouth opened, but she had nothing to say.

Robby exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "You know what? It doesn't even matter."

"Yes, it does," she insisted.

"No, it doesn't." He took another step back. "Because I don't trust you anymore."

That hurt more than she expected.

For a moment, silence stretched between them. Hayden swallowed, blinking back the sting behind her eyes.

This wasn't how it was supposed to go.

She had thought, somehow, he'd listen. That he'd see what she saw. That they'd get out of this together.

But the look on his face said everything.

They weren't on the same side anymore.

Hayden took a slow step back, her stomach twisting as she realized—

She had already lost him.

And watching him walk away felt like losing the only thing she had left.

—

The quarterfinals seemed like they were flying by. There were only a few matches left before they reached the semi finals.

The crowd roared as the referee raised Demetri's arm in victory, earning his spot in the semifinals.

"Winner!"

Hayden smirked, clapping as Demetri turned back toward their team, looking both stunned and triumphant at the same time. "I actually did it," he muttered, running a hand through his sweaty hair.

Hawk threw an arm around his shoulder, shaking him excitedly. "Hell yeah, you did, dude!"

"Who would've thought?" Hayden teased, leaning against the barricade. "Demetri Alexopoulos, semifinalist at the All Valley."

Demetri rolled his eyes, adjusting his gi. "I'll have you know, I'm the hidden weapon of this dojo."

Hayden snorted. "Yeah, hidden under layers of self-doubt and excessive Star Wars references."

Demetri shot her a look but before Hawk could hear his response, another voice caught his attention.

"Your little friend's lucky he didn't have to face Cobra Kai."

Hawk tensed as he turned toward the Cobra Kai section, where Kyler and a few of the other Cobra Kai guys stood with matching smirks.

"Can't say the same for you though," Kyler continued, arms crossed over his chest. "Lip."

Hawk's whole body went rigid. His jaw tightened, his fists flexing at his sides.

Hayden hadn't noticed the scene until they walked away, rolling her eyes. She watched him carefully.

Don't let them get to you.

Before she could give her words of reassurance, a familiar, angelic, hippie-eyed girl approached them.

Moon stepped forward, looking as the group walked away. "Hey," she murmured gently, grounding him. "Ignore him. He's always been a bully, but that's not who you are."

Eli stared at the floor. "I don't know who I am these days."

Moon stepped even closer to Hawk, her expression softening. "You're not defined by your haircut, you know. I mean, don't get me wrong, I loved it. I was really digging the purple, actually. But, I liked you for your energy, your confidence."

He finally looked at her, and Hayden swore she saw something shift in his face—something vulnerable, something raw. "Yeah, well, I, uh, lost my confidence, so."

"Eli..." Then, before anyone could process it, Moon leaned in and kissed him.

The crowd noise faded for a moment, the two of them in their own little world. And when they finally pulled back, Hawk blinked at her, dazed.

"Next up in the quarterfinals, it's Kyler Park of Cobra Kai versus Eli Moskowitz of Miyagi Do." Daryl's voice cut through their moment, making them pull away from each other.

"Looks like you've got a fight to win." Moon said simply, smiling at him and walking away.

A stupid grin spread across his face.

Hayden, who had been watching the whole exchange with an amused smirk, finally spoke. "I'm happy for you, dude." She patted his back, watching as Moon strutted away from them. "But, damn, how'd you pull that?"

Hawk snapped his head toward her, narrowing his eyes. "What's that supposed to mean?"

She shrugged. "She's hot. And you're you."

Demetri choked on his water. Hawk blinked.

Hawk, still looking mildly flustered, pointed at her. "You— you like—" Girls?

"Don't we all?"

Hawk stared at her for a second before shaking his head, muttering something under his breath. But there was no malice, no tension. Just familiarity.

For the first time in a long time, it felt easy between them.

Then, she clapped him on the back. "Go kick Kyler's ass, Eli."

Hawk froze.

He hadn't heard his real name from her in months.

She called him that before everything. Before Cobra Kai, before the war. But after everything that had happened between them, she had never once slipped. Never once acknowledged the kid he used to be. It was always Hawk.

Until now.

He tried not to react, but she saw the way his lips twitched, the way his shoulders relaxed just slightly.

But he didn't say anything. He just smirked, nodded, and turned toward the mat.

And when he obliterated Kyler in under a minute, Hayden was the first one on her feet, smirking.

"Yeah, Eli!"

—

Losing wasn't an option.

Not when Hayden had gotten so far. So when she saw she'd be facing Piper in the quarterfinals, she was determined to not let her see anything coming.

Hayden's eyes narrowed as she stood across from Piper. The crowd's deafening roar was like a distant hum in her ears, as all she could focus on was the girl standing before her.

"All right, folks, next up we have Hayden Sanders from Miyagi-Do against Piper Elswith from Cobra Kai!" Daryl's voice rang through the gymnasium, and the crowd erupted into cheers, some loud and excited, others full of disdain, particularly from the Cobra Kai section.

Hayden stepped onto the mat, rolling her shoulders as she exhaled slowly. The crowd was loud, the lights hot, but all she focused on was the girl standing across from her. Piper had a cocky smirk on her face, her stance relaxed, like she had already won.

"This should be easy," Piper mused, stretching out her arms. "I mean, you're good, but let's be real—you're just another Cobra Kai reject playing pretend with Miyagi-Do."

Hayden said nothing.

Piper tilted her head, grinning. "Nothing to say? That's new. You were a lot louder when you were shaving Hawk's head and terrorizing half the valley."

Hayden's fingers twitched at her sides, but her face remained neutral.

Piper scoffed, shifting into her stance. "You're just a traitor. And you know what happens to traitors?" She leaned in slightly. "They lose."

Hayden finally lifted her gaze, steel meeting fire.

"We'll see."

"Face me, bow." The referee's voice cut through the noise. They complied. "Face each other, bow."

Hayden barely inclined her head. Piper, of course, made a show of it, flipping her ponytail over her shoulder as she smirked.

"Ready?"

The second the ref stepped back, Piper lunged.

She came in fast, a barrage of quick, aggressive strikes. But Hayden had spent the past few weeks training with Miyagi-Do, perfecting the art of patience. She absorbed the attacks, shifting smoothly, letting Piper's energy work against her.

Piper threw a high kick, but Hayden caught the way her shoulder tensed right before she moved. A tell.

The second Piper's leg shot up, Hayden sidestepped and swept out her standing foot, sending her crashing onto the mat.

"Point! Miyagi-Do!"

Piper scrambled up, her smirk faltering as she adjusted her stance. She hadn't expected that.

"You got lucky," she muttered, bouncing on the balls of her feet.

Hayden stayed quiet.

"Ready? Fight!"

This time, Hayden struck first. She surged forward, throwing a controlled combination of punches, forcing Piper to back up. Piper blocked most of them, but Hayden could see it—the irritation setting in.

Piper faked a kick, then went for a spin hook. Hayden read it instantly, ducking beneath her leg and countering with a sharp backfist to the ribs.

Piper stumbled.

"Point! Miyagi-Do!"

The crowd erupted, but Hayden barely heard it. She could feel eyes on her—Miguel, Sam, Hawk, and Robby, who stood stiffly near the Cobra Kai side, arms crossed.

She couldn't let herself look.

Not yet.

Piper exhaled sharply, rolling her shoulders. "Okay. Fine. That's how it is?" She smiled sweetly, but her eyes gleamed with something sharper.

Hayden didn't react.

"Fight!"

Piper attacked again, this time more aggressively, throwing a combination of high kicks and feints, testing Hayden's defense. Hayden deflected them all, keeping her movement fluid, balanced.

Then it happened.

Piper swung her leg high, and Hayden caught it—right as Piper twisted unnaturally midair and yanked herself free, sending Hayden off balance.

It was sloppy. A trick.

But the ref still called it.

"Point! Cobra Kai!"

The Miyagi-Do side erupted in protests.

"What?! That wasn't a point!" Hawk shouted, throwing his hands up.

"She didn't even land it clean!" Daniel added.

Johnny scowled. "Oh, come on, that's some Silver-level bullshit."

But Hayden said nothing. She looked past Piper and saw Tory and the rest of Cobra Kai clapping and cheering, as if the point wasn't a fraudulent one.

It fueled her anger.

She walked back to her side of the mat, her face unreadable, her mind sharpening like a blade.

She wasn't going to argue.

She was going to win.

The ref called the fight again, and Piper smirked as she lunged, confidence renewed. She went for another kick, but Hayden was already moving.

She sidestepped, baiting her forward, her movements slow—too slow.

Piper took it, taking the opening, throwing a punch aimed right at Hayden's ribs.

And that's when Hayden struck.

She turned, catching Piper's wrist mid-swing, twisting it just enough to throw her off-balance before driving a perfect side kick straight into her chest.

Piper hit the mat with a thud.

Silence.

Then—

"Point! Match—Miyagi-Do!"

The crowd erupted.

Piper stared up in disbelief, chest heaving. Hayden took a step back, offering no words, no expression. Just the same unreadable, quiet intensity she always carried.

The referee lifted Hayden's hand.

She finally let her gaze drift past the crowd, landing on Robby. He was staring. Not angry. Not proud. Just watching, chin tilted down, lip between his teeth, eyes staring straight into hers.

Hayden exhaled slowly.

One more match down.

Johnny, Hawk, and Daniel were all shouting with pride from the sidelines. "Atta girl, Sanders!" Johnny shouted, and Hawk let out a triumphant yell.

Miguel's face broke into a small smile, watching her as she stood there—stoic, silent, and undefeated in her resolve.

Despite the crooked calls, despite everything working against her, Hayden had proven that she wasn't a liability. And nothing—nothing—was going to stop her now.

—

Hayden had seen Robby fight a hundred times.

She had seen him at his best, moving like a force of nature, precise and lethal. She had seen him fight with fire, with purpose, with something to prove.

But she didn't know if she could watch this.

She stood on the sidelines, arms crossed tightly over her chest as she watched him face off against Kenny. The tension in the air was suffocating. Cobra Kai vs. Cobra Kai.

It was a match that shouldn't have happened.

Yet here they were.

Kenny was fast. He had always been fast. But Robby was controlled. Calculated. More experienced. Every move was designed to punish. He blocked every strike with ease, countered every attack without hesitation.

It was almost unfair.

Because there was no warmth in Robby's expression. No flicker of empathy. Just cold, ruthless emptiness.

And then it happened.

Robby dodged Kenny's punch, grabbed him by the gi, and threw him forward.

Hayden flinched.

Kenny was getting frustrated, throwing punch after punch. Robby was playing with him, effortlessly blocking and dodging the punches. He kicking him back with his foot, though it wasn't even a point. Just a meaningless taunt.

Kenny stumbled forward and when he scrambled to his feet, Hayden knew what he was going to do before he even did it.

He charged forward—

And, without hesitation, Robby leaped into an air kick, knocking him in the face. Hard.

Too hard.

The crowd collectively gasped, some people having to look away from the brutal blow.

Kenny crumpled to the ground, clutching his face, his breathing sharp and pained.

The entire arena went silent.

Hayden felt her stomach twist, her hands tightening at her sides.

She had seen Robby fight hard before. She had seen him go all out. But this wasn't strategy. This wasn't calculated.

This was brutal.

This was merciless.

And when she looked at him—when she really looked—she saw it.

That cold, sharp glint in his eye.

Not regret. Not concern.

Nothing.

Her chest tightened, a strange, unfamiliar feeling creeping in. She forced herself to take a breath, to steady herself, but she couldn't stand there anymore.

Couldn't watch this.

So she turned on her heel and walked away.

Robby barely heard the referee call the match. Barely registered the way Kenny stayed on the ground, clutching his face in pain. His heart was still hammering, his breath still coming in short, controlled exhales.

But then—

His eyes flickered up, searching for her.

Hayden stood just beyond the mat, her posture rigid, her hands clenched into fists at her sides. But it wasn't her stance that made something inside him waver.

It was her face.

She wasn't just angry. She wasn't just disappointed.

She was concerned.

She looked at him like he was someone else. Like she didn't recognize him.

Like she was scared of him.

And just for a second—

That cold, ruthless focus he had been drowning in cracked.

His chest tightened, something uneasy creeping into his bones.

Because Hayden never looked at him like that.

And for the first time since stepping onto the mat, Robby felt the weight of what he had just done.

—

Hayden needed air.

She needed space, needed to get away from the image of Robby standing over Kenny like he was nothing. Like he meant nothing.

She knew Cobra Kai would do this to him. Knew it would twist him into something unrecognizable. But seeing it with her own eyes, watching him become that person—it was different.

It was too much.

So she walked.

Didn't know where she was going, didn't care, until she turned a corner and nearly ran straight into Miguel.

He caught her arm before she could stumble back, his grip steady, warm. "Whoa—"

She blinked up at him, startled. "Oh."

Miguel released her immediately, stepping back, but his eyes flickered over her face like he was reading every single thought running through her head.

"You okay?"

Hayden exhaled, forcing her composure back into place. "Fine."

Miguel gave her a knowing look. "Robby's match?"

She clenched her jaw, looking off to the side. "Yeah."

Silence stretched between them. Not uncomfortable, but heavy.

Miguel, to his credit, didn't push. He just nodded toward the mat behind him. "I was warming up. Eli's next."

Hayden crossed her arms, tilting her head. "You nervous?"

He smirked. "You wish."

She rolled her eyes. "Please. If you lose to Eli of all people, I'm never letting you live it down."

Miguel chuckled, shaking his head. "You're acting like Eli's not good."

"He is good," she nodded, as if it was a fact, not an opinion. "But you? You're Miguel Diaz, defending champion. So if you lose, it's embarrassing."

Miguel grinned. "So you do have faith in me."

Hayden huffed, crossing her arms. "Don't let it go to your head."

His smirk didn't fade. "Too late."

She rolled her eyes again, but there was something different in the way she looked at him. Less guarded, more familiar. And for a second, it almost felt easy again.

Almost.

Miguel studied her quietly, and something in his expression softened. "How's the switch at Miyagi Do? Everyone playing nice?"

She raised a brow. "As nice as they can be to someone who made their lives hell. I kinda feel like an outsider looking in. Like I don't belong."

Miguel chuckled, "They wouldn't have said yes if they didn't want you there. They'll warm up to you."

Hayden shrugged, "Maybe. I won't blame them if they don't, though. I was a bitch to them... and you."

Miguel faltered, he didn't expect her to be so blunt about it. "We don't—"

"We do. Because I haven't given you your apology yet. And you deserve one."

After trying so desperately hard to get Robby to realize that Cobra Kai truly does change you and her pleas falling on deaf ears, she realized it was the same thing when Miguel tried to tell her and she refused to listen.

Maybe if she did, she wouldn't be in this position with bruises everywhere and shattered confidence.

"You never gave up on me. No matter how much I wanted you to, told you to leave me alone, criticized you for it. You saw the better in me." She glanced down at her hands. "I was mad when I saw you with Sam at Miyagi Do. But I never really gave you a chance to explain yourself—"

"About that—"

"It's okay. I believe you if you say nothing happened. I spent so much time being angry at you and Sam, trained hard just to humiliate and beat you guys. When, in reality, I was beating myself. Wasting my energy and exhausting myself to death obsessing over winning."

She shook her head, "Anyways, I'm sorry."

Miguel was quiet, processing her words. "You know, I went to the hill everyday."

Hayden furrowed her brows. "You did?"

"Yeah, I could say it's cause I wanted to see the stars. But the truth is, I didn't care about the stars or their stories unless it's you telling me about them."

Hayden's breath hitched. "So why'd you go?"

His answer came quick. "I waited to see if you'd show up. I'd wait for hours, staring at the sky, hoping I'd hear your footsteps. Couple times I thought I did but no one was there." Hayden was almost starting to feel bad that she didn't go.

A beat of silent passed, Hayden not sure how to respond. But she didn't have to when he spoke again.

Miguel sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I get it, you know."

Hayden glanced at him. "Get what?"

"The whole... not knowing where you belong thing." His voice was lower now, less teasing, more real. "Lately, I feel like I don't fit anywhere."

Hayden watched him closely. "Why?"

Miguel hesitated, his fingers tightening slightly around the strap of his gi.

There was so much he wanted to say.

How Johnny was more like a drill sergeant than a friend these days, how winning this championship was suddenly everything to him. How the night of prom, Johnny had called him by Robby's name instead. How, no matter what he did, he never felt like a priority to anyone.

How, as the days passed, he felt lonelier and lonelier.

And how he thought—maybe—going to find his dad was the only way to fill the gap inside him.

The words sat heavy on his tongue.

But before he could say them, before he could even try, he reminded himself—he couldn't be the one to risk getting her in trouble.

So instead, he swallowed it all down and forced a smile. "It's just... a lot."

Hayden narrowed her eyes slightly, like she could see straight through him.

He wanted to tell her.

Wanted to ask her.

Would she come with him? Would she just be there?

But he already knew the answer.

So instead, he stood up before she could press any further.

"I'll see you out there, then?"

Hayden studied him for a moment, like she wanted to say something, like she knew something was off.

But eventually, she nodded. "Yeah."

Miguel felt his stomach drop.

Because he dreaded leaving her side. But he turned away anyway.

Because if he didn't, he wasn't sure he'd be able to.

—

Hayden approached the mat slowly, arms crossed, forcing herself to stay calm.

She wasn't sure why she felt so nervous.

Maybe it was because she hadn't seen Miguel fight up close in a while. Maybe it was because this was the semifinals, and no matter what happened, one of them—Miguel or Hawk—wasn't making it to the final round.

Or maybe it was because, even though she'd never admit it, she actually cared what happened to Miguel Diaz.

She watched as he and Hawk met at the center of the mat, exchanging a few words, before leaning in and doing their old handshake.

Hayden swallowed.

She remembered that handshake. She remembered sitting on the sidelines, rolling her eyes every time they did it, teasing them for their ridiculous bromance.

Back when things were easy.

Back when they were on the same side.

The referee's voice cut through her thoughts.

"Face me, bow. Face each other, bow."

Both boys bowed.

"Ready? Fight!"

They circled each other, testing the waters, before Miguel struck first—fast left jab, quick and controlled. But Hawk ducked, avoiding the hit, countering with his own punch that Miguel sidestepped effortlessly.

The match was a dance.

Hawk lunged, Miguel dodged. Miguel attacked, Hawk blocked. The whoosh of the air between them was constant, their movements perfectly in sync.

And then, at the same time, they both jumped—

Two kicks aimed at each other—

No points.

The crowd roared.

Hayden exhaled sharply, her fingers twitching at her sides. She could feel her pulse in her throat.

She recognized Hawk using the wax on, wax off technique to deflect Miguel's next flurry of punches. Miguel caught on quickly, shifting his stance, throwing a high kick. Hawk leaned back, just barely dodging it, retaliating with a low sweep—Miguel jumped, barely missing the trip.

Then, Miguel exploded forward, leaping into the air, knee aimed straight for Hawk's chest—

A perfect shot—

Except Hawk twisted at the last second, Miguel landing hard but keeping his balance.

And then Miguel did it.

He lunged forward, spun mid-air, aiming for the final kick that would send Hawk flying.

It was a perfect move.

A move that should have won him the match.

But the moment he lifted his leg—

A horrendous sound echoed across the arena.

A sickening crack.

Miguel's face twisted—

And then he crumpled.

He hit the mat with a loud thud, his body curling inward, hands flying to his back.

Silence.

Then—

Gasps.

A murmur swept through the crowd, people standing, whispering, some even covering their mouths.

Hayden's stomach dropped.

She knew that sound.

She knew that reaction.

Miguel had just reinjured his back.

His horrible sounds of pain filled the room, cries and shout of pain. His hand clutching his back and he gently rolled and cried.

The sound of Hayden's own gasp filled the room.

authors note.
CHAT 14k WORDS IS CRAYYY THATS THE MOST IVE EVER WRITTEN
i also made the manip gif for season five and i hate it BADDD but it literally took forever so im using that shit
also so much happened in this chapter guys goddamnnn
Next chapters worse don't worry!!!!!
i'm high sorry guys
kk i'll start writing next chapter bye bye