A/N: Here it is, the final chapter! Enjoy!
The sound of wood cracking had disturbed him. The heat of the bonfire made him realize that he was no longer inside his apartment. Apparently, Johnny was sitting in the middle of nowhere surrounded by trees. Yet, he recognized the landscape in a matter of seconds.
"How…?"
"Hello, Johnny."
He stopped breathing once he saw the man sitting across from him.
"Tommy?"
His friend answered with a flashing grin. He was wearing the same clothes that he had the day of his departure. A cold sensation went down Johnny's spine.
"I'm not… dead… am I?"
Tommy chuckled. "No, Johnny, you're not."
Johnny felt relieved. "Have I gone mad?"
"Probably", smiled Tommy. They both shared a laugh.
"How's everything going, Johnny?"
"Honestly? I think I'm the vivid example when one says 'life's a bitch'."
"I'm sure it has," nodded Tommy. "But, what made you ran away?"
"I'm sorry?"
"You've heard me, buddy. What made the mighty Johnny Lawrence back down from a fight?"
Johnny shook his head. "It's not like that."
"Everyday is a fight, pal."
Johnny contemplated the flames. "I guess that… I was afraid. Everyone that I cared of ended up being screwed all because of me."
"I don't agree on you with that…".
"Tommy, if I hadn't taken you on that trip, you would probably still be with us."
"No, my friend. My time had come. You only made me appreciate my last moments and remember the good old days."
"And what about the others? Miguel, Robby, my students…?"
Tommy sighed. "Sometimes things don't go the way we wanted to. But you can still decide how to deal with them."
"I don't know, Tommy."
His friend gave him another smile. "You just gotta trust in yourself, Johnny. Remember what I told you… 'You'll do it'…".
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Johnny blinked to adjust his vision to the darkness of the room. Whether it was a dream or a hallucination, his friend's message had made him realize that he was tired of this shitty routine. He knew what he had to do. His feet directed him to his closet. He took out a duffle bag and started to pack his things. His mind was set: Johnny Lawrence was going back to his home.
.
.
.
"Come on, Jimmy, time to go home."
"Ye, m'am. I'll just take this trash to the dumpsters."
Alexa giggled. "Jimmy, how many times do I have to tell you not to call me that way? I'm not that old."
Her employee blushed. "I-I'm sorry, m… Alexa!"
"It's okay. I'll lock the entrance." As she approached the frontside, Alexa couldn't contain her curiosity and looked out with the hopes of seeing a certain blonde guy. However, her hopes were gone as she met an empty street.
She wouldn't admit to Tina how right she was when the senior pointed out how much had the quarrel affected the bartender. Still, Alexa's pride wouldn't let her get in touch with Johnny and simply left him a written paper. Who knew? Maybe after all she did have something in common with Kreese beside the passion for the martial arts.
As she turned off the lights, Alexa exited through the back of the bar to catch up with Jimmy since she would be driving him to his place. She was watched off guard once she met a familiar face.
"Alexa…".
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"One ticket to California," said Johnny.
"One way or round trip?"
Johnny hesitated before going for the first option. After he payed for his passage, Johnny placed his bag next to the chair where he waited for the bus that would take him to California. His hands were sweating because of the nerves that were emerging from the pit of his stomach.
Come on, man! You're telling me that you can drink gallons of beer without any problem, but the thought of returning to Reseda makes you want to throw up? Don't be a pussy!
Speaking of which, Johnny's inner monologue had reminded him of Alexa. He had planned to turn up at the bar and say goodbye. He didn't want to leave before looking at those green eyes one more time. But he decided not to show up for he didn't know if the fact of meeting her would change his mind and end up staying. Maybe he would give her a call as soon as he arrived, or perhaps he would write her a letter since he got repulsed by thinking of using the internet.
Just when he was about to decide what to do, his bus's departure was announced through the speakers. Johnny got up and took his backpack, letting his feet guide him through the hallway. He had already made a decision and wouldn't back down from it.
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"Alexa…".
The brunette crossed her arms. "We're not attending any more customers. The bar is closed, Sal."
The giant cackled. "Oh, I'm not her for a drink. At least, not for now…".
"Then what do you want?"
He showed his sharp teeth. "I want a payback."
"Excuse me?"
He pointed his finger at her. "You heard me. You and your boyfriend have been a pain in my ass. Because of blondie, I ended up in jail and have become the 'clown' of this town. That was the last straw."
Alexa raised and eyebrow while taking out her phone. "Alright, I'm calling the cops."
"No, you won't," smirked Sal and whistled. Three large men came out of the darkness alongside a beaten Jimmy. That made Alexa stop what she was doing.
"Now, hand me the phone."
She threw the device towards him. Once he catches it, Sal dropped it and smashed the phone with his boot.
"What are you planning to do, Sal? You know damn well how the law works if you try to commit murder."
"Oh, I'm not planning to kill anyone." He took out a box of matches while his gang started to spread some gasoline outside the bar. "I just want to leave a message that will let everyone know not to mess with me."
As he started to approach the building, Alexa stood in his way and took a fighting position. "The hell I'm going to let you do it."
The grizzly man gnarled. "Suit yourself." He raised his fist which was about to release a powerful blow like a wrecking ball.
"Hey, asshole!"
Sal turned around to see who dared to intrude in his business. A lethal cobra was staring menacingly at the group that dared to disturbe Alexa. "You and I have an unfinished business," exclaimed Johnny.
"Carl, Ed, take care of this bitch," shouted Sal. "Bruce, let's shut this fucker's mouth."
Sal charged like a mad bull. Yet, his attack failed as a powerful kick took out the air from his lungs, and a pair of knuckles collided with his chin. Johnny was quick enough to dodge Bruce and throw a side kick at the gorilla's back.
Meanwhile, Alexa twirled her body to strike one of her attackers with a spinning hook kick. She was able to react just in time to deflect a fist and retorted with an elbow strike.
Both Johnny and Alexa were engaged in a dancing routine that consisted of evading punches. Their movements flowed with each step taken by their opponents. Every offensive action was met with a karate technique. Two of the adversaries were knocked over. The battle had become one on one.
It seemed that the fight was about to end until the cards turned over when Ed locked Alexa in a bear hug. She struggled to get free, but the troll's grip was strong. Because of this, Johnny got distracted and didn't see when Sal threw some dirt at his face. He was caught off guard and was thrown to the floor.
Sal took out a sharp knife from the back of his pants. "Got any other ninja tricks, blondie?"
"Yeah," retorted Johnny. With a quick movement, Johnny swept his leg, making Sal tumble next to him.
In the meantime, Ed's nose cracked by the impact of Alexa's reverse head-butt. This allowed her to stump her feet over his toes, jab his ribs, and pushed him with a kick. The blood coming out from his nostrils kept him busy as he started to whine.
Sal tried to incorporate himself, but his teeth met a mighty blow, and he was kept on the ground by Johnny's knee. The pinned man. Spat some blood and heard the sound of sirens approaching the scene. He howled hysterically.
"What's so funny, asshole?"
"You're out of luck, blondie."
"Oh, yeah? How so?"
"Once the police arrive and see how you and that chick attacked a bunch of guys who were just hanging out, you'll be behind the bars!"
"You're crazy."
"Oh, really? Tell me, who do you think they'll believe? A man who has live in this town for his entire life and that had grown up with some of those officers, or are they going to take sides with a complete stranger who has done nothing but drown his misery with alcohol? You're doomed!"
"I don't think so."
They both looked turned their heads to look upon a bruised Jimmy.
"Oh, really? What are you going to do, insect? Shiver until you wet your pants to convince the police that this was my scheme?"
"No," said Jimmy. He took out his phone and played a video in which Sal explained his strategy. "You're in trouble, Sal".
"Shit…".
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"Thanks, officer." Once Johnny had finished giving his statement, he walked towards a swollen Jimmy who was being attended by the medical staff. "Hey, kid…".
Jimmy raid his brown eyes.
"Nice work."
"Thanks," smiled the youngster.
Funny how this nerdy stuff had helped them to show Sal's true colors. Maybe he would give it another shot. But for now, Johnny's mind was set on another issue. He soon caught sight of the person that had kidnapped his attention for the past couple of weeks.
"Hi…".
A pair of jade orbs greeted him. "Hey," smiled Alexa.
"Are you alright?"
She let out a sigh. "Yeah, but I think I went a bit far with those dudes…".
"Nah, they deserved it. Nice kick, by the way."
"Nice sweep."
They both laughed.
"Johnny…" "Alexa…".
"You go first," spoke the bartender.
"I'm sorry… for everything that has happened."
"Johnny…"
"No, wait. Please… None of this would have happened if it wasn't for me. You have been nothing but a kind person to me. I shouldn't have reacted that way the night I found out about… you know… him."
She placed her hand over his arm. "I understand why you acted that way."
"But…"
"Nu-uh!", she put a finger over his lips, "now it0s my turn to speak."
He bobbed his head.
"As I said in my letter, I had time to think about what happened. Johnny, you've been through so much that it made sense that you were shaken by the unexpected news. Besides," she flashed him a grin, "my life has been quite a ride since I met you, caveman."
Johnny snorted, a thing that provoked them to burst into laughter. But her happiness went down once she noticed the bag hanging over his shoulder.
"You're leaving?", whispered Alexa.
"Yes… I need to put my life together and face my past."
She acknowledge his statement.
"Come with me."
"What?"
"To California… I'll show you my favorite spot, just like you did back then."
She gave him a sad smile. "Johnny, you know I can't go. I have to manage the bar… more than ever after after what went down here."
"I know," he put his hands inside his pockets and smirked, "at least it was worth the shut, huh?"
Her hand left his arm to caress his cheek while her lips placed a soft kiss on the other side of his face.
"Good luck, Johnny."
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"Passengers heading to California, the bus has now arrived. Please approach door number three."
Johnny put away Alexa's note and walked towards the signaled spot. After all this time, we was finally going back to his home state. The first thing he would do would be to visit Robby and then look up for Miguel, whether it was at his place, the hospital… or even the graveyard. He immediately discarded the last option. Miguel was a strong kid, and he wouldn't give up without a fight. That's the thing that Johnny liked about Miguel. He reminded him of his younger self. And last but not least, he would come face to face with Kreese and take back his dojo and his students.
"Hey, Johnny!"
The tall man stop dead in his tracks as he recognized that voice.
"Wanna have a road trip to California?", asked Alexa while jiggling her car keys.
"Alexa? What are you doing here?"
She strode towards him to close the gap between them.
"After having a moment to myself, I figured out that you might need a friendly hand to give you some support. Plus, it's been a while since I've taken some vacation."
"And what about the bar?"
"Don't worry, I've taken care of it."
"Tina?"
"… and Jimmy."
Johnny chuckled.
"So," said Alexa, "is your offer still up?"
Her question was answered by an unexpected hug.
"Thank you."
She returned his gesture. "Don't mention it."
Once they stopped embracing each other, Alexa signaled towards the other side.
"Shall we?"
Johnny grinned. "Yeah, let's go kick some Kreese's ass."
Alexa rolled her eyes playfully. "Oh, Johnny, how I've missed you…".
"You're not the only one."
And so, the pair headed towards a black Shelby that would lead them to an unknown future. None the less, they weren't afraid for they knew they would always have each other's back. They would make sure to find their path.
A/N: And that's a wrap! Thanks to everyone that had dedicated some time to read this story. I hope you guys enjoyed it as much as I did. I was a bit afraid to write this fic and post it. But now that I've finished, I'm glad that I gather the courage to upload it. I wish you all had a nice time reading this and hope that it distracted you for a bit and have some chill time. :)