❝ mercy. ❞

━━━━━━━☆

    "WELCOME, EVERYONE, to the fiftieth annual All Valley Under eighteen Karate Championship!" The announcer's voice boomed over the crowd, filled with excitement. "Let's start by welcoming all the local dojos competing today."

    Reina sat with her friends Raegan, Demetri, and Caridad, the energy in the air palpable as they settled into their seats. She was thrilled to be there, capturing the moment on her phone, knowing how much her dad wanted to be part of it. He was a devoted martial arts enthusiast and had insisted she record the tournament for him since he had to skip out on it because it was his and Estrella's daddy-daughter day today.

    As Caridad shared the popcorn- that Reina opted out on eating because of her braces. Reina could hear Raegan and Demetri cheering enthusiastically for the teams as they entered the mat. "This has been going on for fifty years? Am I the only one that's been out of the loop?" Demetri expressed from the other side of Raegan.

    Reina was amazed by the turnout. "You're not."

    "You love the new mats." The announcer laughed into his microphone from where he stood, looking up at the crowds. "All right, let's start by welcoming all the local dojos competing today. From Granada Hills, All-Star Karate..."

    "I'm proud of you, girl," Caridad said, nudging Reina gently. "Last tournament you went to wasn't the happiest for you, and now you're back here after all these years watching a tournament."

    Reina blinked, momentarily surprised. She hadn't thought much about how she was now watching a tournament, despite how much the last one-Dre's tournament-had affected her. Sitting here with her friends, the energy buzzing around them felt thrilling, almost intoxicating.

    "From Reseda, returning to the tournament, we have-" The announcer was cut short as a chant erupted from the crowd, the rhythmic echo of "Cobra Kai!" filling the arena. Members of the dojo strode confidently onto the mat, their uniforms crisp and emblazoned with the dojo's fierce emblem. "Now that's what I call an entrance! And a badass name for a dojo! Let's hear it for Cobra Kai!"

    Miguel, standing among his teammates, caught sight of Sam a few seats away and tried to meet her gaze, but she refused to look his way. His frustration faded when he noticed Reina waving enthusiastically at him, and he couldn't help but smile back, feeling the warmth of friendship wash over him.

    "Whoo! Whoo! Go Hawk!" Raegan cheered, clapping her hands enthusiastically. "Yes, girl, cheer for your man!" Caridad teased with a playful grin.

   Raegan shot Caridad a mock glare but couldn't suppress her smile. "I can't help it! He's gonna be amazing out there!"

    Reina laughed, capturing the moment on her phone. "And finally, fighting unaffiliated from North Hills, we have Mr. Robby Keene." The announcer's voice rang out again, and Reina's eyes widened in surprise. She hadn't realized Robby was into karate, but then again, she didn't know him very well. The unexpected revelation stirred curiosity and a hint of apprehension in her. What else was she missing?

    Soon enough, the competition began, and Reina felt a rush of excitement as the first matches unfolded. The skill and dedication of the competitors were impressive, and she couldn't help but cheer along with her friends. But as she watched the Cobra Kai members in action, a flicker of concern crossed her mind.

    They were intense and fiercely focused, their commitment to winning undeniable. Reina admired their passion, but she also sensed the pressure they put on themselves to succeed, which made her uneasy. She couldn't shake the thought of how that mentality might influence her. Was this really the kind of environment she wanted to be a part of? She glanced over at Raegan and Demetri, their cheers loud and infectious, and wondered if she was getting in over her head.

    "All right, folks. Get ready. It's karate time!" The announcer exclaimed as he stepped off the mat, and the audience erupted into cheers. As names were called and matches began, the atmosphere shifted. It was win or lose, and the Cobra Kai team was determined to ensure it was the former. Johnny leaned in to whisper something to Miguel before he was called up to face his first opponent. Reina held her breath, her heart racing.

    "You got this, Miguel," she whispered, her eyes locked on him. "Step on the mat. And face me. Now," the referee instructed. "Face each other. Bow. Ready?" Miguel raised his left leg, staring down his opponent. "And fight!"

    When his opponent rushed at him, Miguel bounced on his leg and kicked with precision, landing a solid blow to the opponent's face and sending him crashing to the mat. The crowd erupted into screams and cheers as Miguel celebrated briefly before returning to his spot.

    "Point! That's one point, Diaz," the referee announced, and Reina felt a surge of pride.

    Fighting continued, and Reina watched as Robby won his round effortlessly. Aisha, too, showcased her skills, taking down her opponent with a smooth slide and a powerful punch. Hawk followed suit, his fists tearing through the air as he ensured his opponent hit the ground hard. The crowd roared, and he tore off the top half of his Gi, basking in the applause.

    "Hot damn," Raegan muttered, making Reina giggle while Demetri looked at him in disbelief. "I cannot believe this actually works," Demetri commented, shaking his head.

    The Cobra Kai team cheered as Bert started his fight, but things took a turn when his opponent executed a flashy jump, flipping over him and leaving him disoriented before landing a decisive kick. Bert lost the round, and the energy shifted again.

    "And that brings us to the quarterfinals," the announcer proclaimed. Miguel had beaten his opponent, sending him straight to the semi-finals. Although Aisha had lost. So she stormed off to the locker room in frustration. The remaining fighters were called to the mat, and Reina immediately stood up, determined to find her friend.

    She spotted Aisha sitting against a wall, looking defeated, while Sam tried to comfort her. "Aisha," Reina called out, hurrying over.

    Aisha looked up, her expression a mix of frustration and disappointment. "Hey, Reina," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

    Reina knelt beside her, feeling the weight of Aisha's defeat. "I saw your match. You were amazing out there! You almost had him."

    Aisha shrugged, running a hand through her hair. "Almost isn't good enough, you know? I wanted to win. I trained for this."

    "I know honey," Reina replied softly, trying to choose her words carefully. "But you put up a great fight. It takes a lot of courage to get out there."

    Sam chimed in, "Yeah, and you showed everyone what you're made of. It's just one match. You'll come back stronger next time."

    Aisha sighed, looking away. "It just sucks to work so hard and not see it pay off."

    Reina felt a pang of empathy. "I know it's tough, but this doesn't define you. You're so talented, and there will be more tournaments."

    Aisha managed a small smile, gratitude shining through her disappointment. "Thanks, Reina. I just need a moment to process."

    "Take all the time you need," Reina said, giving Aisha a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "We'll be right here cheering for Miguel." She noticed Sam shift uncomfortably at the mention of her ex-boyfriend. "Miguel's really is sorry for what he did," Reina added quickly. Sam's eyes widened in surprise.

    Just then, the announcement for the semi-finals echoed through the venue, and Reina felt a rush of excitement again. "Let's go watch. You can't miss Miguel's match!" she said, despite telling Aisha to take all the time she needed to process her loss.

    Aisha nodded, pushing herself up from the floor. "Okay, but only if you promise to keep the cheering to a minimum," she teased, a hint of her old spirit returning. Reina laughed, grateful to see her friend bounce back even a little. As they made their way back to their seats, they were confused as to why Xander had the microphone in hand.

    "I pray for every race, religion, and gender that we can all live together in peace. Please join me in a moment of silence as we strive to end intolerance in our time." Although many people were unsure, they joined in, bowing their heads in solidarity.

    "Is he forreal?" Caridad asked Reina, who simply hushed her and suppressed a smile.

    From the mat, Johnny whispered to Miguel, "Hey, kick that pansy bitch in the face."

    He quietly chuckled, "Yes, Sensei."

    The announcer waited long enough and grabbed the microphone. "All right!" cheers and applause flooded the room, "First up, Stone versus Diaz!" Miguel was on offense, yelling and ducking as Xander continued his advance, making Carmen hide behind her mother in the stands out of her fear that he would be injured. "Go on now punch him in the face, Xander!" Xander's mom yelled, who sat below Reina and her friends. "Use your hands! Come on!"

    "Shut up!" Reina immediately yelled at his mom. "Yes, Miguel!" Reina yelled, cheering when he extended his leg so high it brought Xander to tumble down, earning a point. "Es so es!"

    He yelled at Xander, who palmed his face.

    "That's 2-1 Diaz," the referee stated, as Miguel got in his stance, mirroring Xander. "And fight."

    "Let's go Diaz! Don't let him trick you!" Johnny yelled, as the two boys stopped circling each other and attacked. Xander flipped, and Miguel slid across the mat before rising to deliver a jumping sidekick to Xander's ribs, knocking him down. "Yes!"

    "Point! Winner," the referee held up Miguel's hand as Xander's mother screeched in dismay while Reina looked on with joy.

  "Miguel Diaz is headed to the finals!" The announcer announced. Reina continued to film, beaming at how talented they all were. Robby and Hawk stepped onto the mat; well, Hawk jumped after fist-bumping Miguel. He had a mean grin on his face as he approached.

    "Come on, Hawk!" Raegan shouted. The first point went to Hawk, who threw Robby to the ground and delivered a punch to the stomach.

    "One point! Hawk!" the referee declared, cutting through the tension in the air. With Daniel's encouraging words echoing in his ears, Robby inhaled deeply, preparing himself. Hawk charged forward but received a roundhouse kick to the face, crashing to the mat.

    "Shit," Reina grimaced, her heart racing.

    Harsh words flew between the opponents, and Reina felt a surge of anger when Hawk shoved the referee aside, attacking Robby from behind with a brutal kick to the shoulder that sent him sprawling.

    Outrage erupted in the crowd.

    "That's enough! Illegal contact. You're disqualified!" the referee yelled, pushing Hawk back.

    "Bullshit!" Hawk spat, fury etched on his face. Reina watched as Sensei Lawrence approached Robby, concern written all over his face, only to be shoved aside by the referee. "What the hell are you thinking, man?" he said, slapping Hawk on the arm as they walked away.

    Hawk scoffed. "What was I supposed to do, be a pussy?"

    Miguel yanked him off the mat, glaring at his friend. "I can't believe you just did that."

    Hawk grunted, pulling his arm away. Robby was helped off the mat, and due to the illegal contact, he was automatically through to the finals. Reina stood up, feeling the weight of the situation. "I'll be back," she told her friends, heading toward the restroom but diverting to the men's locker room. She gently knocked on the door before stepping inside, covering her eyes just in case.

    Peeking through her fingers, she saw Robby and Daniel looking at her with furrowed brows. "Hey, Reina. What are you doing here?" Daniel greeted with a small smile, recognizing her from her dad's frequent visits to LaRusso Autos.

    She smiled back softly. "Just came to check on Robby."

    "All right, I'll leave you two to it," Daniel said, giving Robby a final look as he held an ice pack to his shoulder before stepping out.

    Reina took a seat next to Robby, the tension between them palpable. "What are you doing here Ms. Car Expert?" he asked, managing a small smile despite the pain.

    "I'm sorry about Eli-Hawk, whatever he goes by." She sighed, feeling the weight of her words. "I don't speak for him, but he's my friend, and I just wanted to let you know that I think what he did wasn't cool."

    Robby looked at her, a mix of surprise and appreciation crossing his face. "Thanks, Reina. That really means a lot."

    "Yeah, it was pretty wild out there," she replied, glancing at the ice pack he held against his shoulder. "You were doing great until Hawk let his temper take over. Are you still going to fight?" she asked, concern evident in her voice.

    Robby finally turned to her. Her hair fell softly over her shoulders as she looked at him with those caring eyes. He didn't want to worry her, especially since he knew how much she cared. "Yeah, I will," he replied, his voice low. "I have to."

    "You don't have to push yourself like this," she said, trying to soothe him. "It's not that simple. There's more at stake than you realize," he admitted, feeling the weight of unspoken thoughts. "Is it something you want to talk about?" Reina asked gently.

    Robby gave her a faint smile, grateful for her support. But shook his head regardless. He stood up with a groan, stretching slightly as he faced the mirror. His gi hung loosely, slipping down his back as he pressed the ice pack to his shoulder, steeling himself for the fight ahead.

    She left the locker room and returned to her friends' side. Soon enough, the final match had begun, revealing that Daniel was coaching Robby under the Miyagi-Do dojo.

    "This is it, folks! The moment we've all been waiting for. The final match to determine who will be the victor and champion. Will it be Miguel Diaz from Cobra Kai Karate?" The announcer's voice boomed through the microphone, echoing across the packed venue as flashing lights danced around the room, casting vibrant hues on the eager crowd. "Will it be Robby Keene-unaffiliated..." He trailed off, glancing at someone beside him, his eyes widening. "Wait! Daniel LaRusso's gonna coach? Daniel LaRusso is gonna coach!"

    The audience erupted in cheers as Daniel stepped confidently onto the mat beside Robby, his presence commanding attention. "I'm sorry, folks, but there's been a change! Robby Keene will now be fighting for Miyagi-Do Karate with former champion Daniel LaRusso as his sensei! How about that? Good luck, gentlemen!"

    The senseis approached each other, their expressions serious, while the students remained on the sidelines, anticipation hanging thick in the air. The referee's voice cut through the noise. "All right, senseis, let's take your corners."

   Johnny leaned in close to Miguel, his tone intense. "You know what to do. You've trained all year for this."

    Miguel met his gaze, determination etched on his face. "Don't worry, Sensei. I won't let LaRusso or that kid go home a winner."

    Reina clapped enthusiastically, her heart racing as she watched Miguel stride toward the center of the mat. "Come on, Miguel!" Despite her budding friendship with Robby, her loyalty to Miguel as her best friend overshadowed everything else.

    The referee commanded, "Face me. Bow. Each other. Bow. Fighting positions." They mirrored each other's stances, tension crackling between them. Miguel let out a fierce shout. "Ready? And fight!"

    "Hiyah!" Miguel charged, his body coiled with energy. Robby, adopting a defensive stance, expertly blocked Miguel's initial blows. With a swift motion, he pushed Miguel back and delivered a powerful kick to his chest, sending him crashing to the ground.

    "Point!" the referee declared, the crowd roaring in response. Reina groaned, frustration bubbling within her as she watched Miguel slap the mat in annoyance. "It's okay, Miguel," she called out, trying to reassure him.

    The announcer's voice rang out over the noise. "Keene and Miyagi-Do get the first point!"

    "Just one point," Johnny said, attempting to keep Miguel calm. "You've got this."

    Aisha shouted from the sidelines, "No mercy!"

    "Remember the pitching machine! Don't get hit!" Johnny encouraged as they returned to their fighting positions. "Ready? And fight!" the referee signaled. Drawing on his training, Miguel evaded every swing and kick, landing an overhead kick to Robby's shoulder followed by a punch to his gut. "One point!" the referee announced.

    Aisha cheered, "Yeah!"

    The announcer continued through the cheers, "Diaz and Cobra Kai with the point! Now it's one-one!"

    "Come on, Miguel!" Reina shouted, excitement coursing through her.

    "Ready? And... fight!" the referee instructed.

    The boys approached each other again, Miguel exuding aggression as he aimed for Robby's injured shoulder. He flipped onto the ground, sweeping Robby's legs out from under him and sending him crashing to the mat.

    "Point!" the referee shouted.

    "Yeah!" Hawk screamed, his excitement infectious.

    The announcer added, "That makes it two points for Diaz."

    "Time! Time!" Daniel yelled, waving his arms to halt the action. "Time?" Miguel scoffed, frustration evident as the referee guided him back to his corner. Robby approached Daniel, wincing and clutching his shoulder.

    Reina locked eyes with Miguel, concern flooding her heart as he slumped down on the edge of the mat. The referee called Robby back into the fight without delay. "All right, Diaz. Let's go," he instructed. Miguel sprang up, moving into his fighting position, ready for another round.

    "And fight!" the referee commanded. Miguel charged again, undeterred by Robby's defenses, but this time Robby tackled him to the ground. "Stop! Out of bounds. Out of bounds. No point. Out of bounds," the referee called, halting the action. They resumed, and the referee shouted, "Ready? And fight!"

    Miguel pressed forward relentlessly, driving Robby down and targeting his injury, bringing his foot down once. But before he could do it again, Robby expertly kicked his legs up, forcing Miguel back. The announcer exclaimed, "How about that? A two-legged kick!" Frustrated, Miguel retaliated when Robby approached to help him up, yanking his injured arm down and sending him sprawling back to the mat.

    "What the hell?" Reina gasped, a mix of shock and anger flooding through her. Miguel had promised her that he wouldn't fight dirty, and she hoped this wasn't just the beginning. Caridad and Raegan exchanged worried glances, aware of Reina's strong feelings against dishonorable tactics in martial arts.

    "Maybe he didn't know his own strength," Raegan suggested, attempting to comfort Reina. She wanted to believe that Miguel wasn't being unsportsmanlike. Reina decided to go along with it, even though it felt absurd. She couldn't bear the thought of Miguel breaking his promise, especially one made with the awareness of how strongly she felt about playing fair.

    "Yeah!" Hawk shouted, drowning out the boos from the crowd. "Ref! Come on!" Daniel called out, frustration etched across his face as he reacted to the unfolding events.

    "That's one warning for unsportsmanlike contact," the referee declared, acknowledging Daniel's dismay with a stern look.

    Miguel strode confidently over to Johnny, a gleam of determination in his eyes. "I found his weakness, Sensei. It's his shoulder."

    Johnny shook his head, concern evident in his expression. "Look, I know we want to win, but it's got to be the right way. We don't have to fight dirty."

    Miguel scrunched up his face, defiance radiating from him. "Dirty? There's nothing dirty about winning, Sensei. You taught me that. Don't worry. I got this. No mercy."

    The announcer's voice cut through the tension. "Whoever wins the next point will be our new champion!" The crowd buzzed with energy, the atmosphere electric as the students returned to the mat.

    "It's 2-2. Next point wins," the referee stated firmly, his eyes shifting between the two competitors. "Okay, good luck to both of you."

    "Go, Miguel!" Aisha cheered, her enthusiasm palpable as she clapped her hands.

   "Ready? And fight!" the referee commanded.

    The two boys advanced toward each other, a whirlwind of energy and determination. Robby pushed Miguel aside, preparing for a harsh kick. But Miguel was quick, capturing Robby's leg and targeting his injury, driving him backward. Reina's heart sank; no, no, no-this couldn't be happening. Not like this. Miguel is better than this.

    With a swift movement, Miguel spun on his heel, delivering a final kick to Robby's chest that sent him crashing to the mat. The crowd erupted into screams, the Cobra Kai students roaring in approval. "Point! Winner!" the referee announced, raising Miguel's hand in victory. Reality washed over him, and the venue erupted into cheers as the Cobra Kai students rushed to him, clapping his shoulders and shouting in his face, celebrating their champion.

    "Let's go! Sensei, we did it!" Miguel exclaimed, grabbing at Johnny before he could take a step away.

    Sensei nodded, a broad smile breaking across his face. "Yeah!"

    "Who saw that coming, huh? I know I didn't!" The announcer announced into the microphone, standing between the karate dojos with the gleaming trophy in hand. "Without further ado, let me present the trophy to this year's new champion, Miguel Diaz and the Cobra Kai dojo!" Miguel beamed as he took the trophy, raising it high above his head while cheers erupted around him. He could hear the excited screams of his mom and grandmother cutting through the noise. "Yeah! Miguel! Is there anything you want to say to the people, son?"

    He stepped up to the microphone, his heart racing. "I just want to say that if it wasn't for my sensei, I wouldn't be here, so this is for Sensei Johnny Lawrence and Cobra Kai!"

    "Yeah!" Sensei Lawrence stood stoically, pride evident in his eyes as his students erupted into a chant. "Cobra Kai! Cobra Kai! Cobra Kai!"

    With that, the match concluded, and the gym began to empty. Cobra Kai celebrated their victory, while others hung their heads in defeat. Reina felt a wave of despair wash over her, her eyes stinging with unshed tears as she waited for Raegan to finish congratulating Hawk. She just wanted to escape the gym with Caridad and Raegan, away from the triumph that felt like a dagger in her heart.

    "Reina!" A voice pierced through the crowd, and she turned, her stomach dropping at the sight of the last person she wanted to see. She instinctively started to walk away, but he gently grabbed her arm.

    "Get the hell off me," she snapped, yanking her arm away. "Whoa! Did I do something wrong?" Miguel asked, confusion written across his face. "Did you do something wrong?" She repeated sarcastically. "What the hell was that, Miguel?" she shot back, anger bubbling beneath the surface.

"I won!" Miguel exclaimed, then noticed she was seriously upset. "And you're not happy for me?" he asked, confused. "Happy for you?" She sneered, bitterness lacing her words. "You promised!"

    Miguel looked at her, confusion etched across his face, as if he genuinely didn't understand what she meant. That lack of comprehension made it all the more heartbreaking for Reina; how could he forget the promise they had made?

    "You promised me you would never play dirty!" she reminded him, her voice cracking with emotion. The words hung heavily between them, a painful reminder of their earlier conversations about honor and sportsmanship. "Miguel, you used that injury against him!" Her heart raced, the frustration mingling with disappointment. "That's not who you are. At least I thought that wasn't.."

    He opened his mouth to respond, but the words caught in his throat. "I-I didn't mean to hurt him," he finally said, his tone softer, as if trying to justify his actions. It was a lie, but he just wanted to get back into Reina's good graces. "I just wanted to win."

    "Winning at what cost?" she pressed, her fists clenching at her sides. "You can be better than this, Miguel. You were better than this!"

    The cheers and celebrations around them felt distant, the joy of his victory fading into the background. She saw the doubt flicker in his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by defensiveness. "It's just a match, Reina! I thought you'd be proud of me."

    "I was proud of you before," she replied, fighting back tears. "Not like this. Not when you hurt someone just to win."

    Miguel's expression softened, and for a moment, she thought he might understand. But then he shrugged, the bravado returning. "It's all part of the game. You gotta do what it takes."

    "Not if it means losing yourself in the process," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I can't support that. Clearly Cobra Kai's turned you into a merciless winner," Reina continued, her voice steady but filled with hurt. "You're not my best friend. You're nothing to me as of right now."

    "Rey..." he started, his voice faltering. He could feel tears welling up in his eyes. Why did this breakup of their friendship feel more painful than the love breakup one he had with Sam?

    "I have to go." She sniffles. With that, she turned away, the weight of their unspoken words heavy on her heart. The echoes of the crowd faded as she walked, each step pulling her further from the person she thought Miguel was and closer to the realization that perhaps they were on very different paths.