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THE ATMOSPHERE WAS HEAVY WITH ANTICIPATION, the air vibrating with unspoken tension as the selected fighters stood on the edge of the stone platform. Torches flickered in the dim evening light, casting jagged shadows across the gathering. Kim Da-eun, with her imposing figure and icy glare, took center stage, flanked by John Kreese, whose presence was equally commanding. The pair exuded authority, their expressions leaving no room for doubt about the gravity of the occasion.

Kim's voice cut through the silence like a blade, her tone cold yet electrifying.

"Strength. Discipline. Dedication," she began, her eyes sweeping over the fighters gathered below the platform. "These are the pillars upon which this team stands. You have been chosen because you embody these virtues—not just in combat, but in your resolve, your sacrifices, your ability to rise above weakness and emerge victorious, no matter the cost."

Her gaze locked onto y/n, then Kwon, her words carrying the weight of finality. "The Sekai Taikai is not just a tournament; it is the proving ground where the world will see who deserves to reign. There is no room for failure. No tolerance for weakness. You, y/n l/n, and you, Kwon Jae-sung, have proven yourselves worthy of leading this team. As captains, you will bear the responsibility of not only representing Cobra Kai but of ensuring its dominance."

Kim's eyes narrowed, and she stepped closer to y/n, her presence almost suffocating. "Y/n, you are resilient—a survivor. But resilience is not enough. As a leader, you must be ruthless. Do not let compassion or hesitation taint your judgment. Today you have shown that even in the face of injustice, you are capable of leading with precision and fury. Well done." She bowed.

Turning to Kwon, the woman's expression softened into something more calculating. "And you, Jae-sung... strength is in your blood. Rebellion is in your nature. You command attention with your presence alone. But do not mistake that for invincibility. To lead is to shoulder the burden of others' failures and to demand perfection in yourself. I expect nothing less than absolute victory from you."

Kim reached into a box held by Yoon and withdrew a sleek, white-and-grey headband embroidered with the emblem of the elite tournament. With deliberate precision, she tied it onto y/n's forehead. "Do not disgrace this honor," she said, her voice like steel.

"Yes, sensei."

Kreese stepped forward next, his voice gruff but imbued with an almost theatrical sense of drama. "Cobra Kai is built on a single principle: No mercy. That doesn't just mean in combat—it means in life. As captains, you are the embodiment of this philosophy. When you walk into the Sekai Taikai, you do not just represent this dojo; you represent the ideals that make us unstoppable. Miss l/n, Kwon... you are the tip of the spear. Strike hard, strike fast, and destroy anything that stands in your way."

The old man retrieved another headband, identical to the girl's, and tied it onto Kwon's head with the same ceremonial weight. "Don't let me down," he muttered, his eyes piercing into the boy's, earning a sharp, "Yes, sensei!"

The gathered fighters erupted into applause and cheers as Kim and Kreese stepped back, leaving the two captains standing alone on the stone platform, illuminated by the torches. The two of them turned to face each other, the weight of the moment palpable.

Kwon's trademark smirk tugged at his lips as he met y/n's eyes, the flicker of pride unmistakable. y/n, feeling the mix of pressure and triumph, allowed herself a small smile. They bowed deeply to each other, the formal gesture of respect laced with an undercurrent of tension and camaraderie.

As they straightened, Kwon leaned in ever so slightly, just enough that his voice reached her ears and no one else's.

"That headband suits you, captain. Almost too well. Might be hard to focus with you looking this good."

Y/n's cheeks burned instantly, the unexpected comment sending a rush of warmth through her. She coughed, nearly choking on her saliva, and quickly turned back to her original position, her posture stiff with awkwardness.

Kwon straightened with his signature smirk, clearly amused by her reaction. He didn't need to look to know she was blushing; the small, almost imperceptible twitch of her fingers gave her away.

The crowd erupted into cheers again, oblivious to the brief exchange, but the girl's thoughts spun in circles. The weight of the ceremony mingled with the flustered heat still lingering on her face, making it nearly impossible to keep her composure.

Kwon, standing beside her with the confident ease of someone who knew exactly what he'd done, folded his arms casually, his smirk widening as if this victory—however small—was just as satisfying as any fight he'd ever won.

The moment y/n and Kwon stepped off the platform, Park and Lee stormed toward them, their energy like a whirlwind.

"Yah!" Park shouted, throwing an arm around the girl, nearly dragging her off balance. His voice was loud enough to echo against the dead trees. "You wiped the floor with her like Cinderella before the Royal Ball! Did you see her face when you landed that kick? She looked like she was reconsidering her life choices!"

"She didn't just wipe the floor," Lee added, pointing a finger at Y/N with a grin. "She steamrolled her. Flattened. Decimated. Boom, lights out!" He clapped his hands together for emphasis, grinning ear to ear. "Somebody needs to get her a pumpkin carriage to cry in."

Y/n let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. "It wasn't that bad," she said, though her eyes watered with mirth from their over-the-top praise.

"Wasn't that bad?" Park cried, pulling away to gape at her in mock disbelief. "You had her spinning so hard, I think you knocked her into another dimension! Come on, Yoon, back me up here!"

Yoon approached with a more subdued smile, his hands shoved in his jacket pockets. "What I'll back up," he said, raising his eyebrows, "is that our captain here just pulled off one of the most badass fights I've ever seen." He grinned at y/n. "And she looked like a cobra-ninja doing it."

The girl rolled her eyes playfully, though she couldn't help the laugh that slipped out. "Thanks, Yoon. At least someone here can tone it down."

"Tone it down? Never," Park said, slinging an arm around Lee this time. "If you don't celebrate moments like these, what's the point of even winning? This is huge!"

Kwon, standing slightly to the side with his arms crossed, chuckled under his breath. "Yeah, but let's not forget how she fought," he said, his smirk fading into something sharper. "Grabbing hair, throwing cheap shots—last time I did that I got stoned by Sensei's grandfather."

"Uh, maybe because it was his hair you pulled when he was meditating under that tree." Yoon reminded, somewhat amused at that memory, making everybody laugh. 

"You were the one who told me it was wig!" Kwon fired back, making then laugh harder.

Yoon let out a hearty chortle, though his expression darkened just slightly. "It wasn't exactly clean, but hey, she still couldn't beat you, y/n/n. And that's what matters. We don't know what all we may face at the Sekai Taikai... but at least now you know that even in the worst case scenario, you will thrive."

"True," Kwon said, though his jaw tensed. "Doesn't mean it wasn't annoying to watch."

Park shrugged. "Annoying or not, you still came out on top, Captain. And now..." He leaned in dramatically. "We celebrate. Drinks, snacks—someone bring out the karaoke machine!"

"Yeah, let's see if Kwon can sing as well as he fights," Park joked, elbowing him lightly.

Kwon raised an eyebrow, his smirk returning. "You don't want to hear me sing. Trust me."

The group dissolved into laughter, but y/n's smile faltered slightly as her gaze drifted to the corner of the room. Tory was sitting alone, massaging her shoulder, her expression unreadable. y/n felt a pang of something—guilt, unease, maybe even regret. They had been on opposite sides of so many battles, but now they were here, together, fighting under the same banner. The thought unsettled her.

Kwon noticed her glance and nudged her lightly with his elbow. "Hey, don't get all serious on us now, l/n. We're supposed to be celebrating you."

Y/n blinked, her attention snapping back to the group. "Right," she said with a small laugh. "Celebrating."

"Exactly," Park said, grinning. "And if Kwon starts brooding, we'll just shove a cake in his face or something."

"Try it," Kwon said, his voice low and warning but his smirk making it clear he wasn't entirely serious.

"Don't tempt me," Lee shot back, the two boys locking eyes in mock challenge.

The girl laughed again, shaking her head as their bickering continued, but her mind lingered on Tory in the corner.

Near the trees, the blonde sulked, her jaw tight as she massaged the bruises blooming across her ribs. The sting of the loss was there, but it wasn't the worst part. It was the weight of everything else—the flight to Korea, the expectations, the death of her mother, the betrayal... and the unresolved past with the captain of her new team just added on to the pressure.

Kreese approached her, his tone uncharacteristically soft. "You fought well."

She didn't look at him. "Not well enough."

He crouched beside her, his voice almost apologetic. "You didn't fly halfway across the world for this outcome, and I'm sorry. You deserved better."

Tory finally turned to him, her expression a mix of exhaustion and quiet determination. "I didn't come here to win, Sensei."

Kreese raised an eyebrow, caught off guard.

"I came here to fight," she continued, her voice firm but laced with emotion. "Winning or losing doesn't matter to me—not like it used to. What matters is how I fight. And whether it's fair. That's why I left Miyagi-Do."

Kreese frowned. "Because you lost the spot of captain?"

Tory shook her head. "Because I didn't get to fight for it. I don't care if I'm the captain or the underdog. I just wanted a chance to prove myself, and they took that away from me." She leaned back, her gaze distant. "My mom used to tell me... it's not about winning or losing. It's about the fight itself. She wanted me to be a fighter, not just a winner."

Kreese stayed quiet for a moment, watching her. There was something in her voice, a conviction he couldn't ignore.

Tory looked toward y/n, a small, almost wistful smile tugging at her lips. "She's good. Better than I thought. I'll admit it." She paused, her voice softening. "I look up to her, you know? She doesn't give up. She never has. And today? She earned it."

Kreese's lips tightened into a thin line, not fully agreeing but respecting her perspective. "You'll get another shot, Nichols. Next time, you'll prove who the better fighter really is."

Tory nodded faintly, though her mind was already elsewhere. For the first time in a long time, the fire in her wasn't fueled by bitterness or anger. It was respect. And maybe, just maybe, a hint of hope.

The air was buzzing with chatter and laughter as y/n and her friends began to scatter, each heading off to pack up and prepare for the celebratory dinner Yoon had enthusiastically promised. The girl slung her bag over her shoulder, her mind still racing from the match and the whirlwind of emotions it stirred.

But just as she was ready to leave, a voice stopped her.

"Y/n..."

She turned slowly, seeing Tory standing there, her bruised arms crossed, but her eyes—those sharp, determined eyes—were softer now. Vulnerable.

"Hi..." Tory mumbled, her voice quieter than the y/h/c-haired girl had ever heard it. "Can we uh, can we talk...?"

Y/n's lips parted as if to respond, but her gaze flicked past Tory for a split second. By the trees, Kwon stood with Lee, his laugh breaking the silence like an anchor pulling her back to reality.

Her expression hardened. She smiled, but it wasn't warm—it was polite, distant. "There's nothing to talk about."

Tory blinked, caught off guard, but before she could say anything, y/n added, her voice calm but final, "Welcome to Cobra Kai, Tory."

And with that, she turned and walked away, leaving Tory standing alone, the words hitting harder than any blow.

All was not well and it certainly wasn't going to end well...

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