Chapter 6

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The spotlights shone over the Sekai Taikai's remaining dojos as they all stood facing centre stage where the tournament's host, Gunther Braun stood with the committee behind him.

"Top eight dojos, welcome to our final group event. Over the course of the tournament, you have each proven yourselves worthy of your place atop the leaderboard." As Braun spoke, the tension spread across the arena. Daniel, Johnny, and Kreese all shooting daggers at Silver, who stood there with a calm, cool, and cocky smile on his face. "And after today, only the best of the best will gain entry into our tournament of champions."

Braun went on to explain the rules of the round. There were more looks being given across the dojo lines, including Axel giving Miguel a look that had a mixture of fury and jealousy which confused Miguel. Robby then turned his head back and looked at Zara, who after a second caught his eye. She smiled at him, and he smiled back.

"Fighting will be continuous. No stoppages, no timeouts. So, use your teammates wisely. The first dojo to score three points wins the match. By the end of today, your captains will either be fighting in the tournament of champions or be eliminated, watching from the sidelines. May the best dojos win!"

The Iron Dragons and Cobra Kai had their rounds first. The Iron Dragons against the Tiger Strike from Russia and Cobra Kai against the Storm Vipers from France.

By no surprise, Zara and Axel had full control of their opponents from the commencing fight. There was no need to tag in their fellow Dragons who stood their ground on the sidelines of the decagon. Their fighting consisted with a mixture of agility and power and their synchronicity as partners was on point. Together, they showcased a stunning and unstoppable symphony of combat easily making them earn their three points to win.

Cobra Kai was just as ruthless in their first round. However, it mostly came from Kwon's effort. It was now Tory's turn to become disheartened and distracted in her fights. She wasn't focused and this was noticed by the onlooking dojos.

Miyagi-Do was up next against Furia de Pantera from Spain. Robby thought Team started off strong, but there was confusion and misalignment amongst them, specifically around Kenny. Sam managed to earn them a point, making them tie with Team Pantera, but they were soon thrown again. Robby along with the rest of the team except for Demetri, begged Eli to tag Kenny in. They knew he was the secret weapon for the Team, but Eli refused. His feet shifted side-to-side, and his head turned in all directions around the decagon, including in Silver's direction. Robby also turned his head to look at Silver who he noticed was notedly looking on. He was knocked back into focus when he felt Eli slap his hand and tag him in. This caught him off guard. He tottered into the centre.

"What are you doing?" Robby hardly had time to react. He was immediately taken down by a foot sweep by one of the Pantera fighters. He got back up and just barely blocked a few kicks and punches. Miguel noticed his distress and stretched out his hand, desperate for a tag. But the Panteras knew they had Robby where they wanted him, so they barred him from tagging him in. After a few more blows, they earned their third and winning point against Miyagi-Do leaving Team stunned and frustrated.

Robby banged on the mat in frustration. "Damn it!"

"Team Pantera with an impressive victory," the announcer said through the intercom, "Miyagi-Do's loss puts them on the verge of elimination after their first match."

Zara stood with her dojo by the curtains. She looked on worriedly as Robby struggled to hold his ground. She then glanced over at Silver and noticed the taunting smiles he had toward the Miyagi-Dos.

Meanwhile, the dispute continued on the mat.

"You completely disappeared after the Shittening. And then you coincidentally come back the same time as Silver," Demetri pointedly said to Kenny. "You really want to tag in a mole?"

"Are you serious?" Kenny exclaimed. "I fly all the way here to help us win, and you won't even give me a chance? Everybody laughed at me in the woods, but now somehow, I'm the bad guy, right?"

"See? He's still pissed," Eli now said, "It'd make sense why he'd want revenge."

Kenny now came face-up to Eli, "Say something, you—

"Hey!" Robby said, coming in the middle of them. "This isn't about Kenny. I'm the one who lost the match. Me." With that, he stormed off in vexation.

Robby couldn't believe he started off the elimination round like this. Regardless, if he expected to be tagged in or not, he knew he should've been ready for any scenario. There was a break before the next round. He wanted to be alone to give himself some time to get back on track. As he walked around, trying to gather his thoughts, he stopped when he noticed Silver and Sensei Wolf hovered around Zara. He noticed Silver whispering something in her ear, while her Sensei pointed his finger at her, telling her something else.

Silver noticed Robby standing there, looking at them from a distance. He grinned and opened his arms to him. "Ah, Mr. Keene. I'm a little disappointed. I once saw that skill and that rush in you, but when it came to having that killer instinct…you never could release it, could you?" Robby's fists clenched. He recognized this tactic immediately. He was trying to play on his vulnerabilities again. "Quite frankly watching that loss was like watching a car crash in slow motion."

Robby charged up to him, his patience hanging by a thread. "You don't intimidate me."

"Hey," Sensei Wolf said, giving him a push back, "Easy, son. Don't do anything stupid."

"Robby!" Miguel called out from behind.

"You see," Silver laughed, his face brightening at Robby's aggressiveness, "This is what I'm talking about. This is what we want to see."

Miguel came up from behind him, "Robby, what are you doing? Come on."

"Run along, Mr. Keene," Silver said, "Sensei Wolf and I have our dojo to attend to before our next match. But I wish you all the luck."

Miguel tried pulling Robby back. "Don't react to it. Let's go."

"Alright, I'm good, I'm alright," Robby said, moving his arm away from him. He walked away from Silver and Wolf. Miguel followed him up the stairs to the second floor of the stadium. Zara stood in between the two men, and stared after Robby, but quickly diverted her eyes, not wanting to attract attention from her Sensei.

Robby leaned against the railing, looking down and over the stadium.

"Yo, Robby!" Miguel said, coming up beside him. "What's going on? What was that about?"

Robby folded his arms. "You can see what's going on. I'm completely screwing it up out there."

"If you're talking about the match, that's not on you. That was a team loss, ok?" said Miguel, "What's really going on? What happened while I was away?"

"A lot," Robby responded, "Tory and I ended things. Well, more like, I ended things and then—

"What? I thought you guys were just gonna give it some time?"

"It's done…we're over."

"Right and then….?"

"I hooked up with Zara Malik."

Miguel shook his head in disbelief. "Wait-what? Zara Malik? The Iron Dragons captain?"

"Yeah," Robby simply said, shrugging his shoulders. "At first, I thought I only did it because I was messed up about Tory, but…I realized it was more than that. She and I got closer. And then Silver appeared again…and I don't know…I thought I was over him, but he still has this way of pushing my buttons. It's like an old wound was reopened."

"And that's why you got so triggered. Now that he's got the Iron Dragons…you think he'll go after her."

"Yeah," Robby sighed. "Worst thing, it's no one's fault but my own. I'm blowing it on and off the mat. You were right. You should've been captain."

"That's bullshit," Miguel responded, shaking his head. "You earned that spot, ok? You're just in your head right now. I get it. Who wouldn't be? And I'm not going to judge you, especially not with all the battles you and I have had with each other over the years. But the Team is hanging on by a thread. And we need a leader."

"Yeah, I know. But I'm not it."

"That's more bullshit. Look. Robby, you got Kenny to Miyagi-Do. You led the charge for everyone to leave Silver. And now you're trying to do it again for someone else. Like it or not, bro, you're a natural-born leader. Ok? You fight for what you believe in, and you don't give up. So, this whole "I'm not a leader" thing is…is…"

"Bullshit," Robby finished with a small smile.

"Yes. So, lead us and we'll follow. I'll follow. Even though I've been acting like an asshole to you before I left. It was just…it wasn't you."

"It's ok."

Miguel looked at him deep in the eyes. "When the time is right, you're gonna step up. Like you always do. Like the leader you are."

Robby took a deep breath and nodded. "Thanks, man."

"I got you," Miguel tapped him encouragingly on the shoulder.

Robby took a little more time for himself before heading back downstairs. After that talk with Miguel, he suddenly felt a lot lighter. He went back over to his Senseis who were looking rather pleased with themselves about something.

"Hey, you alright?" Johnny asked.

"Yeah, I'm good, dad."

"Look, don't get discouraged," Daniel said, "We can get through this. All we need to do is—

"—Stay focused, stay balanced, and breathe," Robby said, with a smile. "Don't worry, I know."

"Ok then," Daniel said, looking at Johnny and Chozen.

"You guys seemed a lot cheerier just now…" Robby said, looking at the three of them. "What's going on?"

"Let's just say we have enemies under our control," Chozen said strongly.

Robby and the rest of the Team received a quick pep and prep talk from Johnny and Daniel before the next round. What they needed to understand is that they were no longer individuals fighting each other, they were one dojo, they were Miyagi-Do. Silver being present had shaken everyone up, but they needed to focus on who they were fighting in the moment.

They were up against the Redentores from Brazil for the elimination round. Robby stood strong, with his fists clenched, ready to redeem himself. Miguel tagged him in, he got in the centre in his fighting position. He kept his balance and earned his first point. Then there was the decision of loyalty. Kenny was desperate for a tag, as was Eli. Demetri was still adamantly against Kenny. Miguel's voice then sounded in Robby's head: "So lead us, and we'll follow." Sometimes all it takes is a reminder to get yourself back on track. Those were the words he needed to hear. He felt a wave of control flow through him. His heart was racing, and he knew what he had to do. He rushed over and tagged Kenny in. Kenny readied himself on the spot, but only for a minute. His defence was on point against his Brazilian opponent. Then, in a moment of perfect execution, he launched himself up and delivered a striking blow to the face. He was on a roll, literally. He rolled over and delivered a second blow to the face.

"Another point! Miyagi-Do wins!" the referee yelled, raising his hand.

"Yes!" Robby yelled.

He and Miguel hoisted Kenny on their shoulders in celebration.

Miguel slapped Robby on the shoulder. "Good job, captain!"

And for what felt like the first time in a long time, a huge smile appeared on Robby's face. He breathed an air of relief. He could feel the ground under his feet again. If Miyagi-Do won their next round, they'd advance to the tournament of champions. He finally felt like a true captain. He bowed to Daniel in happiness and satisfaction. As he continued the celebration with Team, he turned and once again caught Zara's eyes. She still stood watching from the background. She gave him a smile and gently applauded him. He smiled back at her and gave her a nod. Team made their way back to the locker rooms before the next and final match. Robby said he'd be in shortly.

He went over to Zara who stepped away from her team members. Her Sensei and Silver were not in sight.

"That was a smart tag, captain," Zara said as she smiled at him.

"Thank you, captain."

"See? All you needed to do was take a step back and you found your feet again," she said.

"I appreciate your confidence in me," responded Robby. "How's the face?"

"It's ok," Zara said, putting a hand just below her eye. Her bruise was not as obvious as it was before, but it was still visible. "Bruises fade."

"Well, yeah…the ones on your face do." Zara gave him a look, but did not respond to that statement. Robby shook his head. "Sorry, that came out wrong. Listen, I wanted to apologize for earlier."

"What do you mean?"

"For losing it the way I did with Silver in front of you."

"Don't worry about it."

"Yeah…" was all Robby could say. "I realized the only one who was making him a problem was me."

"You shouldn't apologize for how you feel, Robby," said Zara. "I was more worried about what it was doing to you."

"Like you said…it's how we get through our battles, right?"

Zara smiled, her gaze softening. She felt her cheeks flush, a mix of surprise and content that he remembered what she told him.

"You got this," she said. Robby felt her hand entwine with his.

"Oh wow…" a voice came from behind him. Kwon strolled over, a teasing grin on his face. "Look at this." Robby and Zara exchanged looks. "One girlfriend not enough for you. You move fast." Zara just glared at him and shook her head. Robby also didn't bother to say anything. He was tired of Kwon's snarky remarks. "Enjoy her while you can. After the next match…you'll be saying goodbye."

"See you on the mat," Robby said, in a challenging tone. Kwon chuckled and continued walking. Robby turned back to look at Zara. "I gotta get back. I'll see you."

"Ok, see you," Zara said, waving to him. She stared after him for a minute or two.

Up next was the tie-breaking match against Cobra Kai. Robby was feeling anxious, but a good anxious. It was the final round. A chance to be rid of Cobra Kai once and for all.