Passion in front of Principle

by Vaporwave Fan01

If Miguel was in Miyagi-Do and Robby in Cobra Kai at the start of season 1 of Cobra Kai. Direct sequel to Defeat Does Not Exist. Pairings: Miguel/Sam, Robby/Tory.

13. The Only Winners

Chapter Thirteen: The Only Winners

…

Author's Note: For the love of everything. Please listen to every OST I have included, they are so helpful to the atmosphere. As I have said before, only for finales will I insist so much. They are so so, so crucial. I've tried to time the end of the first song to end at it's peak at 2:30, and the rest to be fully used.

Other than that, again, please listen to all of them, and enjoy the final chapter.

…

OST: Too Late For Love - Def Leppard

…

The 50th All Valley Under 18 Karate Championships had experienced all time ticket sale records. There was no place to be in the San Fernando Valley except for at the All Valley Sports Arena on May 19th, 2018.

The entire Arena had undergone massive renovations from the year prior.

While it was a glorified massive high school basketball court before, it was now gigantic.

The stands could now seat well over two thousand people when regularly it could seat one thousand at most.

First the crew members brushed down the wooden floor itself, cleaning it of any debris. The stands were cleared of trash and specially labeled rows for any assigned seating.

The crew began to lay down classic red mats which were arrayed like puzzle pieces.

Twelve mats were arrayed in a massive circle around the arena, and in the center all the gold laid on the tables.

All the trophies, four different medals, and the largest trophy was proudly labeled '2018 All Valley Under 18 Karate Championships - First Place'.

Snack stands needed to be filled individually. With double the normal amount of people regularly attending, the crew had to work far more than they would have previously.

More competitors were expected, the entire Arena from front to back was larger and better.

A black canvas covering the brackets was taken off, revealing the empty championships squares.

Karatekas began to arrive from all over the Valley and used the locker rooms and their assigned spots on the mat to warm up.

They hit punching mitts, did some very light practice sparring with their teammates, and then the doors were opened.

Xtreme Martial Arts, Topanga, and Krunch Karate fighters all stretched and warmed up. They talked to each other, jumped up and down on the mat, practiced straight punches, uppercuts, rolled their necks.

The nerves in the air almost electrified everything. The energy.

This was it. The greatest karate championships the entire Valley had known.

Spectators lined up around the block. And the All Valley Karate tournament was underway.

Families bought black and red shirts commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of the All Valley. They bought merchandise in designated areas including hand wraps, karategis, and other karate gear.

Tommy and Jimmy met up in the line to return to the All Valley Arena for the first time in over thirty years, they hugged proudly. Smiling.

They were brothers, there to remember the occasion.

Bobby Brown opened the sliding door to his mini van and members of his church piled out. Dozens of members from his church had come.

He wore a three piece suit as if he were dressed for Sunday mass.

Bobby looked anxious. Worried. Confused.

He saw a picture of John Kreese on a nearby wall and looked back at the staff member to pass her his ticket and enter the arena.

With a deep sigh, holding a bag of popcorn, Bobby sat down in his spot and looked out over the prepared Arena.

The mats were all completely empty. The referees weren't even there.

In the locker rooms, referees all put on red 'Referee' shirts and crew members, and young men and women of varying ages all wore black 'Official' shirts.

One referee in particular appeared to be the main judge, giving respectful but stern commands to every referee. They all wore black belts and black trousers, experienced adult karatekas with full knowledge of the rules of competition.

Every dojo in the Valley was there and began to talk and unwind before the competition on the mats began, all muttering in the locker rooms.

After a crew member let them know they had ten minutes before going out onto the mats, every karateka began getting dressed.

Yoshukai Karatekas tied on white traditional GIs. Locust Valley Karate fighter GIs had a praying mantis on their backs and included Japanese letters.

Topanga Karate fighters all had blue uniforms with the American flag on their logo on their backs. Krunch Karatekas wore very simple white uniforms with nothing but a picture of a red belt and their name on their back.

Cutting Edge Karate. Xtreme Martial Arts. All Star Karate. Rising Star Karate. Moorpark Karate.

Every dojo there was in uniform, and were ready.

The mats were prepared. All the referees ready, the trophies polished, tickets and concessions organized, the entire crowd ready.

The 50th 2018 Under 18 All Valley Karate tournament was minutes away from starting.

A referee checked his watch and gave the all clear sign to let the first officials go to their stations and organize dojos to exit the locker rooms and be introduced.

…

Daryl, a loud, bright, and bubbly member of the All Valley Committee walked out onto the mat.

"Welcome! Ladies and gentlemen from all across our great state of California! To the fiftieth competition of its kind here in the Valley."

Knowing their sister and daughter would be competing, Anthony and Amanda cheered in the stands.

Daryl spoke into the microphone in his hand proudly and loudly. "It's time to begin. The Under 18 All Valley Karate championships!"

The crowd cheered and Daryl chuckled. "That's right. We kept the old mats. We've been hearing the classic way is the way to do things. As I'm sure you've all heard." he smiled. "Now. Let's meet our competitors before the matches begin! From Granada Hills, All Star Karate!"

Bobby muttered to Tommy and Jimmy in the stands as Daryl continued to introduce all the dojos that were competing. "This is bullshit."

Jimmy and Tommy were appalled. Bobby almost never cursed. "He needs me. What the hell am I doing up here?" Bobby sighed.

"Think guys like us are a little too old for the mat." Tommy chuckled, like everything was always a joke.

Jimmy sighed. "If Daniel LaRusso could take us down. You bet your ass these kids don't have a chance against someone with way more of his training, not to mention yours."

"Isn't this interesting." muttered Bobby. "Darryl Vidal left behind nobodies to coach his dojo. What's happened to karate?"

"Think all the skill went to Ali's kid." Tommy laughed again. "Who'd have figured all along she had the genes for a fighter better than anything we'd have expected in a Mills. Thought her family were all doctors."

Bobby crossed his arms. "This is serious. Miguel loses this. And the rest of highschool will be hell for him."

"Sorry Pastor Bob. Forgot we were in church."

Jimmy crossed his arms and chuckled loudly at this as Bobby promptly slapped Tommy on the back of the head as if they were in class together at West Valley High.

All dojos but two had exited the locker rooms and stood on the edge of the mat.

"Returning to the All Valley tournament for the first time in well over thirty years. As a Sensei! Please welcome, two time All Valley champion. Daniel LaRusso, leading Miyagi-Do Karate!"

Tommy laughed heartily in his high and watery chuckle seeing Miguel and Sam follow Daniel out of the locker room wearing Miyagi-Do uniforms like his. "Where are the rest of them?"

Jimmy failed to contain his laughter as Bobby applauded with them respectfully.

"And last but certainly not least!"

"Oh. Here we go. We know what's coming." Tommy smiled as Jimmy tried to contain his smile and Bobby frowned and looked at him reproachfully.

"Last year's champion has returned. And he's wearing a new GI and got a new team! Fighting out of their original location in North Hollywood. Here are-"

"Cobra! Kai! Cobra! Kai! Cobra! Kai!"

Lucas Schwarber was the first one out of the locker rooms chanting and leading Hawk, Robby, Tory, Aisha, and the rest of the Cobra Kai dojo out onto the floor. All of them wore sleeveless black GIs with gold edges and their names on each.

"Cobra! Kai! Cobra! Kai! Cobra! Kai! Cobra! Kai!" Lucas turned and faced with all sixteen Cobra Kai students. They all roared as one. "Oss!"

Tommy smiled. "That takes me back."

"Me too." Bobby barely smiled, looking down at his shoes as Jimmy nodded.

Johnny and Kreese stood silently behind them as the audience.

"That's right! And what a badass name for a dojo! Led by two time All Valley Champion Sensei Johnny Lawrence, and Sensei John Kreese! Without further ado." Daryl smiled. "It's karate time. Let's goooo!"

…

Miguel muttered to himself, wearing a white uniform with a bonsai on his back and Daniel's old lotus headband. "I got this. I got this. I got this."

"Uh Miguel. Outside of sparring in class and for practice. Have you ever really been in a real fight before?" asked Sam.

Miguel couldn't bring himself to say no.

"That doesn't matter. Mr. Miyagi told me that no matter what. Your karate is always inside you. Breathe. Focus. Go get 'em."

Miguel bowed when a referee gestured for him to enter the ring.

A blonde karateka barely shorter than Miguel but his age from Cutting Edge karate stood in ready stance already on his line.

The referee spoke as Miguel walked to his line. "Okay. My word. Is law. In the event of any injury or stoppage. Go to your Sensei when I tell you. A point is scored, combat ends. Three points win. Bow to me. Bow to each other. En garde!"

"Come on Miguel just like we practiced!" said Daniel.

"Ait!"

Miguel froze up when his opponent came rushing at him, he went running right off the mat.

Sam groaned and Tommy laughed loudly, slapping his knee as they watched nearby in the stands.

"Back on your lines. Ready!"

Miguel was in his stance, very nervous.

"Ait!"

Miguel made Tommy almost keel over in laughter from how fast he went running right out of the ring.

Daniel caught Miguel and spoke to him, leading him back to the mat. "Remember. Focus. Your karate's there. All you have to do is use it-"

"But I think-"

"Don't think. Go! Always go. Never think! All your karate, needs to come from your whole body. Into just one inch. One inch, all of your power."

Daniel nodded to Miguel.

Miguel understood walking back to his line with a nod.

He got onto his line and fixed his GI.

The referee spoke to Miguel sternly. "You run out of the ring again, and your opponent gains a point! Fighting positions!"

Miguel got into his stance.

"Ready! Ait!"

Miguel stood there and waited for his opponent to strike. He looked calmer, more focused. Daniel began to nod in approval.

Without thinking about it when his opponent moved towards him, Miguel lunged into a reverse punch to the chest as his opponent's front kick missed and scored instantly.

White flags rose and the Cutting Edge fighter caught his breath quickly and walked over to his line.

Sam smiled. "That's it! That's it. Perfect!" she applauded.

Daniel nodded proudly in approval, smiling lightly.

Miguel was on his line and the referee spoke. "One point! Reverse punch! Ready? Ait!"

His opponent began to circle Miguel and he circled in the other direction.

When the Cutting Edge fighter struck with a reverse punch, Miguel spun around and hit him with a controlled but perfect score with a backfist to the nose.

…

OST: You're the Best - Joe Esposito

…

Bobby applauded. "My karate! Daniel's karate. Always the best man. I told you, the best!"

As he cheered Jimmy and Tommy just looked at each other and shrugged in confusion.

Lucas moved around the ring with such finesse and skill he looked like he was born to fight in the ring.

He struck first against his opponent from Yoshukai karate, staggering his front leg with his own rear leg before throwing a controlled reverse punch with his rear hand to his opponent's chin in a flash.

The crowd roared as Lucas' fist made contact and his Yoshukai opponent went reeling back slightly.

White flags rose up and Miguel looked nervous about finding out what Cobra Kai was made of.

Robby's moves also made him fearful. Miguel could clearly see Robby was skilled, strong, and above all, stylish but incredibly effective.

Facing a skilled Topanga fighter, Robby sparred with fury. He was throwing kicks and jabs and soon jumped into a back kick that missed followed instantly by a round kick to the head that scored.

Red flags instantly rose and the referee spoke. "Point Keene! Winner!"

Shannon Keene, Robby's mother, cheered loudly for him from the sidelines as he won.

While Miguel still looked nervous having to face Cobra Kai, Hawk was ecstatic seeing Robby's mother in the crowd laughing with Doug as Lucas nudged him for this when Kreese walked past.

Robby walked over to the sidelines embarrassed at this and the Cobras moved on to their next match.

Mikey Miller of Cobra Kai sparred against Miguel, trading round kicks.

Then Miguel timed a front kick followed up quickly by a chop to the shoulder and Mikey fell.

"Point! Winner!" the referee raised Miguel's hand before he bowed to Mikey and shook hands with him.

Lucas bounced around the ring, very relaxed, very composed. His Locust Valley Karate opponent began to attack and he already was scored on in a split second.

It had happened so fast that Miguel was sure he saw things.

In the blink of an eye, he interrupted his opponent's punch towards his nose with a perfectly timed round kick to the nose.

The Locust Valley fighter stumbled backward and then shook his head, hit hard but not hard enough to violate contact.

Lucas rolled his neck slightly after winning his third point walking back to his line to accept his score and bow as the match was finished.

Lucas smirked at Daniel quickly before bowing off the ring, gripping Doug's hand and nodding to Shawn and Kreese.

Miguel was facing a very quick fighter from Yoshukai with very random jab punches and round kicks.

Miguel waited for an opportunity after blocking some shots and circling the ring before countering a front kick by blocking it and landing a round kick to the chest.

White flags were raised by the corner judges and the referee raised a hand towards Miguel. "Three points Diaz! Winner!"

Miguel quickly left the ring and followed Sam and Daniel between the mats to find a spot to sit down and drink some water. He quickly spotted a very skilled fighter who blended acrobatics, strong jab and reverse punches, and round and hook kicks into a style as flashy but effective as Robby Keene's.

Xander Stone, a brown haired and tall teenager proudly represented Topanga Karate fighting Doug Rickenberger.

Even Doug's skill was no match for Xander, and in two quick hits, Doug went down clutching his chest from a reverse punch to the chest.

Johnny sighed quietly and a bald referee raised a hand towards Xander and in ready stance, Xander tilted his head slightly forward and bowed.

Robby Keene was still sweeping legs and scoring points so quickly Miguel was having trouble believing his opponents really had any chance at all against him.

Robby swept a leg and chopped his opponent on the chest within moments against his Xtreme Martial Arts opponent.

The referee declared him the winner and Miguel looked around the arena taking in the cheer of the crowd.

In Miguel's next match, he was facing a Krunch karate fighter who was very patient like Miguel. But the moment he began to strike Miguel quickly countered him with a reverse punch.

On the next score, Miguel landed a round kick to the chest. And he won his match with a backfist to the face as his opponent threw a side kick.

Lucas was watching quietly as Miguel was awarded his third point and bowed to accept the win.

Miguel walked off the mat sure Lucas was observing his matches quietly but Miguel looked back and he was chatting with Robby and Shawn on the edge of a mat where Hawk was sparring and easily beating a fighter from Locust Valley Karate.

Robby's next match was against a Cutting Edge fighter who managed to make Robby back up and block a round kick to the head.

As they circled each other and feinted and traded jabs while nothing landed, Bobby, Jimmy, and Tommy applauded and watched the match nearby in the stands with the rest of the crowd.

"Get 'im Robby!" shouted Lucas from the sidelines.

Robby dodged an incoming punch and then hit his opponent with a front kick in the chest.

Smiling, Robby turned to his father.

Johnny was showing Robby a fist to display strength, a fist that Robby instantly raised in return.

After months of trying to perfect balance and timing, for the first time in his life, Lucas landed the flying tornado kick on an opponent from Xtreme Martial Arts.

He could hardly believe he pulled off such a precise and difficult kick when he saw the flags in the air and the referee stopping the match to indicate the score, but Kreese and Johnny both nodded to each other with a smile.

"Point!" the referee raised a hand towards Lucas. "Winner!"

Daniel saw this from the sidelines with a scowl and was speaking quickly to Miguel on his next matches.

Miguel Diaz faced his first opponent from the four friends in his group Lucas had.

Shawn Payne smirked, entering the ring and starting to spar against Miguel.

The referee made the boys bow to him and then to each other.

Then Miguel found out quickly how important size was in a fight.

Shawn used his superior range and strength but was completely outclassed in speed and skill. He landed a point near the edge of the ring with a front kick as Miguel was backing away.

Miguel rubbed his chest slightly and walked back to his line as Shawn was awarded a point.

Miguel and Shawn began to circle each other and Miguel continued to fight with very fast applications of Miyagi-Do.

He noticed how stiff and tense Shawn looked in the ring and countered a round kick the moment after Shawn missed with it.

He was hit in the side of the face with a completely controlled reverse punch as his kick finished missing and returned to his stance.

Shawn realized how badly he had lost and looked like he wanted to throw something.

"Diaz, three. Payne. One. Winner!" the referee raised a hand towards Miguel.

Miguel accepted the score with a nod and a bow.

Despite being safely in the quarter finals, Lucas still watched his teammates in Cobra Kai compete to cool down.

Mitch, curly haired and chubby, looked completely outclassed fighting Xander Stone.

Mitch completely missed a round kick to the head as Xander circled him on the mat.

Catching him directly in the center of his chest as he walked right into the easiest back kick Xander ever threw, Mitch winced in pain and looked ready to throw up on the mat from how hard Xander had caught him.

Still unimpressed, Robby and Kreese spoke to Lucas who merely shrugged and shook his head.

The preliminary and qualifying rounds were over, and the quarter finals were about to begin.

…

Lucas fixed his headband drinking from a water bottle he had packed and taken with him on the mat.

Daniel spoke. "Finally got a handle for that flying tornado kick, I remember Darryl Vidal making that one popular back in the day. What is it with you and flashy kicks?"

Lucas shrugged. "You're one to talk."

Kreese noticed this from afar.

"Lucas I don't want to get in your head before a match or anything. But um. Is. This." Daniel gestured to the sleeveless Cobra Kai tournament uniform Lucas wore. "You?"

"Yes." Lucas looked aside for a moment and then at Daniel. "One hundred percent."

"So winning means everything to you? Everything."

"Karate means everything to me. I chose Sensei Kreese over you. Because he'll always understand something you don't. It never matters what you call your fighting style. As long as you don't cheat. And you win. Karate had been forgotten for decades before Cobra Kai and Miyagi-Do came back."

Daniel listened as Lucas nodded to him and spoke. "So you bet I'll stay in Cobra Kai. You think principle is more important than passion? I say why not both? I say your passion can be your principle."

Kreese subtly turned from his conversation with Johnny and Hawk to listen better to what Lucas said.

"I've promised to call Sensei Kreese my teacher for as long as I'm alive. If honoring someone and repaying the respect and discipline they've taught me isn't principle. I don't know what is."

Lucas walked past Daniel without so much as a glance at him.

…

In the locker room, Doug sat embarrassed at his loss to Xander Stone.

Kreese entered and spoke. "Rickenberger."

"Sensei." Doug bowed to Kreese quickly.

"Good effort out there. But you lost."

"Defeat does not exist."

Kreese muttered. "You still need to improve."

"Am I off the team?"

Kreese shook his head. "Believe it or not you're more skilled than most of the class. You just faced a very tough competitor. I want you to remember something from today. Something I told Sensei Lawrence decades ago. One loss. To one fighter. Doesn't mean you're not a Cobra Kai. Is that understood?"

"Yes Sensei." Doug bowed and nodded.

Daniel didn't say a word as Doug walked past him, and Daniel entered Cobra Kai's locker room area.

"What?" asked Kreese.

"What you've done to Lucas is wrong."

"Just because he no longer abides by your teachings doesn't make him wrong. That's, ironically very narrow minded for a dojo like Miyagi-Do. Isn't your dojo all about, love and peace. And tranquility?"

Daniel sighed. "Why is torturing kids some sort of game for you?"

"No one's been hurt."

"Not yet. And don't forget. Miguel was hurt first by you, and what you've turned those kids into. You haven't changed."

"You forget yourself LaRusso," said Kreese. "I'm not the one who wrapped up the kids in all of this."

"Excuse me?"

Kreese spoke calmly. "You could've let Schwarber handle it. He can handle almost anything. Instead, you challenge us. For such a peaceful dojo you really do like fighting. And then." Kreese paused. "When you face defeat tonight. You will know you made a mistake."

"Honestly. You have nothing to threaten me with. You can't believe I'd let Lucas or any of your little Cobra Kais anywhere near me or my kids. You don't scare me."

"That's not the point of this. This is to give them a legacy. One better than the one you and Johnny got."

"Lucas is a bully now, believing only in looking strong. About. Victory. Pride. There are more important things in life than that. I hope you're proud of yourselves for making such a disgraceful dojo."

Kreese shrugged, nearing Daniel.

Both men knew if they started a fight, All Valley officials would look badly on both of their students for it. So neither remotely made a move.

"Disgrace. Bully. More important things in life than choosing to set goals based on strength. These aren't the words of a Sensei. Do you really think I haven't changed? That I haven't learned from what's happened?"

"Of course, I don't. Miguel has to be out there. Like me. Fighting his bullies. That you created. Again!"

"Hawk was hurting over your daughter picking your student over him. Shawn's from a poor family. And Rickenberger. Very much is so as well."

"A sob story you spun into justification for tormenting me. Getting revenge on me through these poor kids."

Kreese looked at Daniel up and down. "When we win in a few hours. And we raise the All Valley golden trophy. I won't even have to do anything to make you regret challenging Johnny and I for the second time. Why threaten a wounded animal? What's left to work with?"

"We won't lose."

"I'm afraid you will. Not just because we're better fighters. But because we truly understand karate. Each other. You call Lucas Schwarber or my dojo a disgrace to karate or anything again. And this will be the last civil conversation we have together."

Kreese muttered before leaving.

"Well good riddance anyway." Daniel spoke out. "Sick creep!"

Kreese didn't respond.

…

Shannon was holding her phone, speaking to Lucas, as she made her way down the stands. "Hi! Lucas right? You're Robby's friend?"

Lucas recognized her but acted like he didn't. "And you are?"

"Shannon Keene. Robby's mother. I wanted to-"

"Excuse me." an official spoke. "Ma'am. This area is for competitors and Senseis only."

Lucas nodded to her. "Just for a moment alright? There's fifteen minutes until the quarter finals."

The official looked at Shannon for a moment. "Please be quick about it."

Shannon waited for the official to leave and spoke. "Johnny's friends are here right now. I met them only an hour ago. They go way back apparently."

"Which friends?"

"They're right over there."

Tommy, Bobby, and Jimmy were all talking in the stands.

Lucas smiled for a quick second. "What do you need?"

"This is a special time for Robby." Shannon said. "He's only really been passionate about skateboarding his whole life. For him to find karate. And his dad. I have to take a picture. A special picture. One that means something."

Shannon showed Lucas a picture on her phone of the five Cobra Kais in Johnny's gang during the 1984 All Valley.

"Something like this."

"Sure." Lucas said.

…

Lucas, Robby, Shawn, Hawk, and Doug all posed in front of the mats as a few matches went on behind them.

Shannon cleared her throat. "One more."

"Mom." Robby looked thoroughly embarrassed.

Hawk smiled and Shannon spoke. "One more sweetie please."

The Cobras posed for one more and then Jimmy walked over with Tommy, and Bobby was awkwardly following him.

"Mind if we join?" asked Jimmy.

"Excuse me." a referee spoke quickly. "No spectators near the mats. We-"

"Wait." Johnny made his way over in his Sensei uniform. "Hold on. Just one second. Shan. You're taking pictures?"

She nodded.

Johnny sighed, understanding quickly. "Let's make this quick."

Johnny, Bobby, Jimmy, and Tommy all posed in front of the mats with Lucas' group in front of them. They weren't arranged randomly, Johnny jokingly set each of them to pose in front of the person they "resembled most for some reason."

Johnny stood with Lucas at the edge of the line. Ali's son wore Johnny's old headband with pride, Johnny smiling at the camera with him with a hand on his shoulder.

Bobby and Robby were both shorter than all their friends, still smiling at Shannon's camera on her phone brightly.

Tommy and Shawn had no clue why they were paired together for the photo but didn't object.

Jimmy and Doug knew exactly why they were made to stand next to each other within minutes of meeting each other.

"Lost in one of the first rounds?" asked Jimmy.

Doug nodded sadly.

Jimmy sighed and rubbed Doug's shoulder. "Been there."

Hawk was confused standing by himself. "Is my guy dead or?" Hawk trailed.

"Dutch is up at Lompoc. Think he's serving thirty years or something. Twenty, couldn't remember." said Johnny.

Shannon spoke. "Okay. A few more." she nodded. "Just the old men now."

Tommy quickly made a joke. "She's talking about you pal."

Shawn's laugh was deep but genuine after what Tommy said to him.

Robby groaned. "Mom!"

"Give us a sec kid." Johnny said as he, Bobby, Jimmy, and Tommy posed and smiled in front of the camera as Shannon used her phone to take another picture.

Lucas led his group towards the mat where the last matches of the miniature girl's division were winding down.

Sam was sparring Tory, and blocking each of her attacks.

Kreese watched and Sam quickly countered her at close range, scoring a point with her rear hand on Tory's ribs.

"Point LaRusso! Winner!"

Sam and Tory shook hands and Kreese smiled seeing Tory storm off the mat.

"What?" Lucas asked Kreese.

"Nothing. That same look in Johnny's eyes when he lost to Vidal. Nichols has it too." Kreese muttered.

The respect Lucas had for Tory quickly seemed to increase when he looked over at her after hearing this.

Lucas weaved past a pair of Topanga students and spoke to Tory.

"You did great out there." Lucas neared Tory.

Tory shrugged. "No I didn't."

"You nearly had her with that heel kick combo. Almost scored in the last round too."

"You saw?"

"Posing for pictures. Sucks." said Lucas.

Tory laughed. "Thanks."

The referee spoke out, needing to check a small sheet of paper an official passed to him to see what the brackets were. "Robinson. On your line. LaRusso, you have one minute to cool down before your match."

Kreese spoke to Aisha. "She might be your best friend Ms. Robinson. But we both know you can win this."

Aisha nodded. "Yes Sensei."

Lucas applauded. "Go Aisha!"

"Let's go Aisha!" cheered Hawk.

He watched after Sam caught her breath and bowed back onto the mat.

In the first round, Sam and Aisha traded shots evenly. Aisha scored the first point with a back kick.

Kreese smiled and Lucas nodded, the next round continued.

Sam blocked a round kick to the chest and hit Aisha with a chop on the shoulder while moving behind her as Aisha overextended with a reverse punch.

Aisha scored the next point with a roundhouse to the ribs as Sam was moving back. And Sam scored the next with a pair of reverse punches that countered Aisha's missing front and round kick.

"Two two. Next point wins! Ready! Fight!"

Aisha struck first right as combat began and managed to quickly score a point with her foot, catching Sam right on the chest with a front kick.

"Whoo!" cheered Lucas as the Cobras and a few people nearby watching in the crowd cheered, including Aisha's parents.

"Winner. Robinson." The referee raised Aisha's hand.

An official muttered to Daryl and he walked over, microphone in hand.

"Alright. In ring number six. Our new girl's subdivision has just wrapped up. In fourth place we have, Charlotte Everston, Charlotte Everston."

Charlotte walked forward and bowed, a new All Valley bronze medal being placed around her head as the audience applauded lightly.

"In third place, Tory Nichols. Tory Nichols!"

Lucas applauded with the other Cobras as Tory walked forward to receive a bronze medal just like Charlotte's.

Tory shook hands with the official who handed her her medal and bowed again.

"And in second place. Samantha LaRusso. Samantha, LaRusso."

Sam walked forward and was given a silver medal.

"And our new first girl's subdivision champion. Aisha Robinsooon!"

Aisha's parents were applauding off their feet in the stands. She was given a gold medal and Lucas and all the other Cobras and a larger yet still small section of the crowd applauded.

The official who had finished placing a gold medal around Aisha's head as she bowed and walked off the mat spoke to Kreese.

"All quarter-finalists are to compete in two minutes."

"Alright." Kreese nodded to Johnny and called out. "Gather 'round."

The last Cobra Kais still in the All Valley listened to their Senseis.

Hawk, Robby, and Lucas stood around Johnny and Kreese.

"These will be the last three rounds of the entire tournament. Use your training. Do not hesitate." said Kreese. "And do not. Lose."

Johnny glanced at Kreese for this quickly. "Just have fun out there guys. We all want you to win. But this is just a silly bet with LaRusso made over old bad blood. We all go home feeling great, no matter who wins, hopefully you guys but still, and this will be behind us."

Bobby heard this from nearby in the stands and smiled while Kreese was completely surprised and in disagreement but said nothing.

"Just remember what we've taught you. Understood?" asked Kreese loudly.

"Yes Sensei!" barked Hawk, Robby, and Lucas in unison.

"Ms. Robinson." Kreese turned to a happy Aisha and said something he never would say under any circumstance otherwise. "Good job."

"Thank you Sensei." Aisha smiled brightly having won first place, and having warmed an old man's heart. He smiled too.

Johnny patted Aisha's shoulder with a very proud smile and posed for a picture with her parents.

…

The crowd's energy had returned. The stands were still bursting with people. The quarter finals were about to begin.

They cheered loudly when Daryl walked out onto the mat. "Alright. We're back!"

Eight teenage boys all stood in karate GIs with their Sensei on the main mat. Among them, Xander, Lucas, Robby, Hawk, and Miguel all stood.

"There are a few matches still left ahead of us folks. First up, Diaz versus Hawk!"

Robby bowed off the mat with the others who were not competing, he looked over at the brackets for a moment.

SCHWARBER from Cobra Kai was matching against POST from All Star Karate. KEENE from Cobra Kai was going to face LEE from Cutting Edge. And STONE from Topanga Karate was matching against WRIGHT from Xtreme Martial Arts. HAWK from Cobra Kai was matching against DIAZ from Miyagi-Do.

Hawk jumped with both feet onto the main mat. "Get ready to face the fury of the Hawk."

Miguel was completely unimpressed as he walked to his line across from Hawk.

"Face me. Bow. Face off. Bow." Miguel bowed completely to Hawk while Hawk didn't so much as twitch. "Fighting positions!"

Miguel and Hawk were in their stances, Hawk bouncing as Miguel was relaxed but stable in his stance.

"Ready. Aits!"

The referee moved away and Miguel was almost instantly overwhelmed.

…

Cobra Kai OST: My Right Way

…

Miguel had trouble landing anything remotely. Hawk was chasing him around the ring and Miguel's counters weren't landing anywhere near him.

He dodged a jab, blocked a round kick and started to counter before Hawk hit him directly in the chest with a back kick.

Miguel was knocked right off his feet and groaned.

Miguel's mother Carmen and her grandmother Rosa looked worried as Hawk clearly scored his point.

Hawk muttered as he walked over Miguel. "Don't feel bad. You never stood a chance anyway." he said quietly as Miguel winced on the mat.

Hawk smirked down at Miguel.

"That's okay Miguel!" said Daniel and Sam applauded, silver medal still around her head. "Just remember to breathe and focus!"

Standing on his line, Miguel shook his head quickly and realized he needed to change his strategy.

He looked at Daniel who quickly nodded.

Then Miguel spotted Bobby in the audience who just smiled at him.

Miguel looked back over at Hawk and the referee spoke. "Point goes to Cobra Kai! Ready!"

Miguel didn't bounce, he just stared right at Hawk.

"And fight!"

Miguel struck first right off the line. Hawk was not remotely expecting Miguel to fight so aggressively, and Miguel swept Hawk's leg and delivered a punch right to his chest as Hawk rushed forward.

"Point Diaz!"

"Yeah Miggy!" cheered Carmen.

Daniel was confused and Miguel continued to completely control Hawk and where he moved around the mat.

"Fight!"

Hawk roared and threw a wild jab punch that Miguel dodged.

Miguel threw a pair of punches and stayed at close range with Hawk. Miguel reached behind Hawk's head and smacked him with his foot in a hook kick.

"Point!"

Miguel walked back over to his lines.

"Two points Diaz! Hawk one. Ready! Fight!"

Miguel now stayed on offense, Hawk's counters were now ineffective.

And Miguel kept Hawk on defense for the remainder of the round. Until ultimately Hawk was sent spinning right off the mat as he blocked a round kick.

The judges were flicking their flags around left and right.

"Out of bounds! No point!" said the referee. "Back on your lines! En garde! Ready! Fight!"

Hawk rushed forward and Miguel struck first and split Hawk's guard, kicking him so quickly and so hard he still scored despite Hawk blocking.

He was thrown right off his feet and struck onto his back from the kick to the head, and Hawk smacked the mat behind him in frustration and grunted in anger.

Shawn, Doug, and Kreese looked upset with the loss, Johnny and Robby were confused, and none of them caught Lucas smiling and nodding for a moment.

"Point three! Winner, Diaz!"

The crowd cheered loudly for Miguel.

Miguel bowed and walked forward to shake Hawk's hand but he ran off the mat in frustration.

Johnny nodded. "Nice try-"

Hawk ignored Johnny and brushed right past Robby, walking so fast he was almost running towards the locker rooms.

Tory smirked. "Glad to see Hawk finally knows he needs to up his game."

"That's it." Lucas muttered.

Tory looked to him, standing directly on Lucas' left. "What's it?"

"Diaz has very little left to prove at this point, beat everyone who messed with him by three to one. It'll be a miracle if he gets past Robby. And then. We'll see." Lucas muttered. "Either way. I'm impressed."

Tory smiled. "Then so am I." Tory nodded as Lucas nodded as well.

"He never beat me," Doug said.

"Because you lost too early." Tory said as Shawn smiled.

"Can you two focus?" asked Lucas. "We're still competing."

…

"What was that?"

Miguel shrugged at Daniel's question. "Me winning?"

"No. I mean I never taught you to fight like that. With any aggression."

"It's what Sensei Bobby taught me. I lose this tournament and it's all over. I might as well move to a different school for how badly they'll hang this loss over my head." Miguel threw a hand towards the Cobra Kais on the other side of the center mat. "I have to win this, even it means being on offense. But I guess you don't know what it's like to know that they never should've gotten the best of you."

Those words stuck to Daniel. They made him stand utterly silent. Sam watched her father's face freeze completely.

Miguel was shaking Bobby's hand in the stands who was congratulating him on his performance in the tournament.

Daniel saw this and then looked very thoughtful.

Sam frowned. "That seemed kind of rude but still. Are you alright dad?"

"I'm okay." said Daniel.

…

Miguel watched as Robby and Lucas won three to nothing against both of the opponents they faced in the quarter finals.

It was if they hadn't met a challenge during the entire tournament.

Xander Stone advanced after winning his own match three to one.

STONE and SCHWARBER were going to have one of the semi final matches listed on the brackets. And then DIAZ was matched against KEENE.

Daryl spoke. "Well folks. We've had some great fights so far! But there are still three left. First up. Our two semi final matches to determine who will advance to the final round. And be crowned, All Valley Under 18 Champion!"

"Will it be Robby Keene fighting for Cobra Kai!?"

Robby stepped forward and bowed, the crowd and especially his mother cheered for him.

"Or Lucas Schwarber, from Cobra Kai as well. Last year's champion!?"

The crowd cheered Lucas as well as he bowed. Charlotte was surprised to see Tory cheering as loudly as Doug and Shawn.

She looked back at the locker rooms as was Aisha, surprised to see that Hawk had not left the locker rooms.

"Can it be Miguel Diaz!? Fighting for Miyagi-Do!?"

"Or will it be, Xander Stone. Last year's runner up? From Topanga Karate!"

Xander did a front flip onto the mat next to where Daryl was standing.

"Thank you all," he said almost swiping the microphone from Daryl's hand. "As we celebrate this momentous yearly occasion. It's time to remember suffering and injustice worldwide. Please partake, in this moment of silence. With me."

Kreese looked so angry that Lucas saw him seethe for a moment.

Kreese whispered in Lucas' ear. "I want you to melt this snowflake so badly the entire arena will see your total strength. This is karate. Not ballet."

Lucas' eyes lit up.

He whispered back in a very calm tone. "Yes Sensei." Lucas' fists balled seeing Xander hang his head and lead the entire arena in a moment of silence.

Lucas walked forward and took the microphone from Xander's hand and the audience was a little shocked to see such a regularly calm competitor do so and then politely hand the microphone back to Daryl.

"Er. Thank you," he said. "First up! A rematch from last year's final match! Schwarber! Versus Stone!"

…

Lucas walked directly over to his line, and Xander saw a look of pure and completely controlled and seething rage it was almost shocking.

The karateka he faced the year prior in the finals didn't look like Lucas did. Not at all.

The referee tied a red ribbon behind Lucas' black belt and Robby cheered. "Go get him Luke! Go get him!" he said.

"Let's go. Get him like last year Luuuuke!" cheered Hawk.

…

Cobra Kai OST: Mecha Robby

…

"Face me. Bow! Face each other, and bow! Fighting positioooons! Ait!"

The referee moved away, lifting the hand he had extended forward.

Xander bounced in place, watching as Lucas just eerily and slowly walked towards him.

Xander was completely confused, Lucas wasn't even in a fighting stance. Xander moved back, too confused and a bit afraid to do anything.

Xander continued to bounce, and then when he moved forward to attack, Lucas had switched angles instantly and hit him so hard Xander went flying to the side, clutching his chest.

Xander went for a reverse punch to the head but Lucas had stepped aside and hit him as hard as he could in the chest directly in the ribs with a side kick.

Red flags rose.

"Point!"

They walked back onto their lines and the referee spoke to Xander. "You okay Stone?"

"I'm fine. Where's the contact penalty?" he grunted out.

"Unless he hit you with a knee or elbow or broke something. There are no contact penalties to the body." muttered the referee as he led Xander back to his line.

"On your lines. En garde. Continue!"

Lucas now was on offense jabbing right off the line, Xander was completely unable to do anything but randomly try to block but within three seconds Lucas had almost scored again.

"Aiiyaaa!"

After quickly making him lower his hands with a reverse punch to the chest, Lucas went directly for the point. Xander had been hit with a jumping front kick directly to the jaw and Xander went staggering back. Xander had been able to block in time, but Lucas had kicked him so hard that his arm flew backward into his own head.

Barely saving Lucas from a contact penalty.

His mother, Patricia, wearing a Topanga Karate GI in the stands gasped, surprised as Xander fell onto a knee, completely dazed.

It wasn't hard enough to bruise Xander or draw any blood, but Xander had still been nearly scored on very strongly. He had been hit so hard, he was hit with his own arm.

"Back on your lines! No point!" the referee crossed his hands over each other in front of him. "Clash! No score!"

Lucas continued staring directly at Xander.

Kreese was staring directly at Xander's Topanga Karate Sensei. A tall and old bald man with a white beard and glasses who was shocked seeing Kreese nodding at him as if to say: 'Call it off.'

Bobby watched as Lucas now got into his stance, something he hadn't done against Xander without just standing in front of him getting ready to attack or counter first.

Xander almost seemed to gulp and he got back into his stance.

"Score one zero! Ready! Fight!"

The referee had barely begun to back away lifting his hand as Lucas had already scored.

"Usasaaaaaahh!"

Xander barely had enough time to block or move or so much as twitch before Lucas had back kicked him directly in the chest.

The precision and power of the blow were perfect. Lucas had targeted the solar plexus with his heel the moment he seemed to predict the referee would begin to move away.

Xander was wincing and holding his chest on the mat as the red flags had risen for Lucas once more.

He panted as the referee helped him up but the fight was over.

…

The Topanga Karate Sensei had rushed onto the mat and held Xander waving a hand to the referee. "He's done. We're done. He's done." he said quickly.

Xander didn't remotely protest, instead shrunk, panting, being walked off the mat by his Sensei.

"Winner by forfeit." the referee raised Lucas' hand and the crowd cheered, completely surprised how strong he had grown from the previous year.

Sam was a bit confused. "Why are they cheering?"

"Maybe strong kicks are all it takes to think something is cool. It's what makes Cobra Kai work," muttered Daniel as the Topanga Sensei walked with Xander off the mat.

Upset, but still keeping a level head, the Topanga Sensei began walking towards Kreese.

"Hey. What's the big idea?" he asked in a calm quiet voice.

Kreese shrugged. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Look I get you're old school. And PC might not have its place in a championship to you. But whatever that was, has no place in a tournament."

Kreese chuckled, glancing up at the tall man. "This is karate. Not anything else. That's all I'll say. We have a national anthem at the start. And we bow when we enter the mat. This is a sporting event. There's nothing else to pay respect to here except the rules. I don't bow or hold my tongue to anything except the noble sport of karate. Not whatever it is you preach."

An official walked over. "Everything okay here gentlemen?"

The Topanga Sensei fixed his blue uniform. "Everything's fine," he muttered before walking away from the line of Cobra Kais on the side of the mat.

Johnny muttered to Kreese. "Look I wanted to see that joke of a karate dojo lose more than anyone. And I hate that PC shit more than you could imagine. But that. Was just uncool."

"Look." Kreese flicked his chin towards the Miyagi-Dos on the other end of the mat.

Johnny looked over, seeing Daniel, Miguel, and Sam muttering in anxious confusion.

"We might've stayed within the ruleset. Schwarber is so precise he even managed to do just that." said Kreese. "And look at our champion."

Johnny looked over.

Lucas bowed off the mat smiling and greeting all his proud friends in Cobra Kai.

"He agreed that Topanga needed to get put into its place. Properly." Kreese said with pride.

Doug, Hawk, who had returned from the locker room after Shawn and Tory spoke to him, and almost the entire dojo nodded in approval of Lucas' victory.

Big Red and Shawn smiled and nodded, patting Lucas on the shoulder as he walked off the mat and onto the line of other Cobra Kais.

Charlotte, Aisha, and Robby, couldn't say a word to Lucas, or even look at him.

Something he was too busy smiling and talking to Hawk and Tory to notice.

…

Daniel was instantly challenging the previous semi final match.

"Now what was that?"

The referee in charge shrugged. "It's called Mubobi."

"What?"

"It's an old rule. If you can't protect yourself, and you don't have the proper guard or stance. Or reflexes and technique, your opponent isn't given a contact penalty with proper control. Schwarber threw a kick against his opponent's arm. Stone's arm struck himself in the face, not Schwarber's foot. Besides, you know better than anyone what constitutes excess contact."

Daniel scoffed. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"That both you and Schwarber followed the ruleset." explained the referee calmly.

"Lucas Schwarber returns to the finals this year. Again, without having lost a single point!" Daryl spoke on the mat. "The following match of the semi finals. Will determine who will face the defending champion! Will it be Miguel Diaz!? From Miyagi-Do Karate?"

Miguel was surprised when Sam hugged him from the side, smiling brightly.

"Or Robby Keene? Advance to the final round?"

Johnny turned to Kreese. "Alright. I'm done with this. Go ahead. I dare you. Do it."

"Do what?" asked Kreese.

"Ask Robby to try to take out Diaz. Just like you asked Bobby to take out LaRusso."

Kreese snorted. "What are you talking about?"

"You haven't changed. The John Kreese I remember would've said exactly what you just said to that guy from Topanga. Cobra Kai needs to change. It will always be badass. But it doesn't need to be cruel."

"There's no cruelty in sending a message. Diaz knows what Schwarber is capable of. Now they'll settle this whole thing if Diaz can beat Robby fairly."

Johnny opened his mouth to retort but the referee walked over. "Gentlemen. Sensei. Sensei." he nodded to both Johnny and Kreese as he spoke. "Will your fighter be competing? Or not. Is there a problem?"

Johnny and Kreese looked at each other.

Johnny muttered to his son. "You got this."

Robby nodded, bowing onto the mat as Lucas cheered.

"That's right Robby! You got this!" he said as the other Cobras applauded and cheered Robby on.

Robby gave Lucas an angry glare for a moment before walking towards his line.

Lucas was confused at this before Robby stood in ready stance in front of Miguel.

"Show 'im what you got Rob!" cheered Hawk.

"Watch the control gentlemen. Anything to the face or head area needs to be controlled, the rest. As much contact as you like so long as the score is with a kick or reverse punch. Like you saw in the last match. Face me. Bow."

The referee gestured towards himself and Robby bowed to the referee and Miguel did so a second later.

Daniel quietly knew this was the closest his teenage self could ever get to a rematch with Bobby. Even if their fighting styles and experienced varied greatly. He glanced back at Miguel's other Sensei in the stands behind him with Jimmy and Tommy, thinking silently.

The referee gestured between Miguel and Robby. "Face each other. Bow. Fighting positions. Ready. Aits!"

Robby and Miguel circled each other.

Robby blocked a round kick to his head.

He dodged a punch and swept Miguel's leg as he was throwing a kick. Miguel landed flat on his back and Robby instantly scored a chop on Miguel's chest before Miguel could recover.

"Alriiight!" Doug roared.

Robby and Miguel walked back onto their lines and the referee spoke.

"One point Keene. Ready! Ait!"

The referee moved away and Miguel managed to strike first.

He nearly connected with a round kick to the body after making Robby move back and dodge a punch to the head.

Robby missed a pair of punches and Miguel tripped Robby over his leg with a simple hip throw.

Robby rolled away in time and when he stood up, Miguel countered his round kick with a punch to the chest and landing first.

Sam smiled. Daniel nodded.

"One point Diaz, score is one one. Ready! Aits!"

Miguel dodged Robby's front kick, dodged an inside crescent kick and then caught Robby's round kick before landing his own round kick on Robby's chest.

Johnny grunted.

White flags stayed in the air for Miguel as he walked to his line.

"Two one, Diaz! Ready. Aits!"

Lucas watched as Robby traded kicks with Miguel.

Robby dodged a punch from Miguel and managed to almost land his signature jumping back kick expecting Miguel to attack.

Miguel blocked it off the lower part of his forearm and then blocked the follow up punch from Robby.

Miguel dodged a jab punch in time but was caught behind the head with the same hook kick Miguel had used on Hawk in the previous quarter final round.

At close range before Miguel could do anything, Robby threw a perfectly timed hook kick behind Miguel's head, hitting him on the back of the head.

Sam winced for Miguel and Daniel looked frustrated.

"Back on your lines. Point Keene! Two two, next point wins! Ready!"

Miguel took a deep breath inward and both he and Robby were in their stances.

"And fight!"

Miguel successfully made Robby raise his hands with a pair of punches. A one two straight punch combination over the top towards Robby's chin.

Robby moved away, bouncing on his feet with neither fighter throwing anything.

And then Miguel struck first, he hit Robby directly in the mouth by instantly rushing forward and jumping onto his front foot placing it behind where Robby's front foot was and jutting his front hand forward like a spring coil.

Miguel kiai'd at the top of his lungs after his punch landed. The point he scored could not have been clearer to the judges.

Carmen and Rosa cheered with the rest of the crowd.

Robby blocked but not properly in time, Miguel's punch had already reached his face by the time he had begun to block. Miguel scored the last point.

"Vamos Miggy!" cheered Carmen loudly as Miguel bowed on his line as the referee spoke.

"Point. Jab punch. Winner!" the referee raised a hand towards Miguel.

Miguel bowed his head forward and shook Robby's hand.

"Good match," said Miguel.

"You too man," Robby muttered back.

Robby walked back over to his line as Daryl spoke. "We have our finalists folks! Miguel Diaz, from Miyagi-Do Karate! Will face the defending champion, Lucas Schwarber, from Cobra Kai. In this final match. Coming up, after this short break."

…

Miguel sighed in the locker room.

He listened to Bobby laughing as he approached him.

"You um." Bobby kept laughing.

"What?" asked Miguel.

"You kicked some serious ass today." Bobby said.

"Well it's not over yet." Miguel said. "I still gotta face. You know. Teenage Chuck Norris."

Bobby laughed again. "Yeah. He's one of the greats. But so are you."

"I mean. I'm kind of lucky to have even made it this far."

"No. This is what tournaments are all about."

…

Cobra Kai OST: The Wrong Path

…

Daniel stopped just outside the locker room, listening to Bobby speak.

"When I was your age. I never would've imagined some kid from Jersey with no training at all would properly kick Johnny's ass. And he had none of the training you've had."

"This guy's different."

Bobby shook his head. "A rich bully from the Hills riding around on bikes with his dirtbag friends. Making everyone in town miserable. These kids, are no different. You saw what he did out there to Stone, same thing Johnny did to Vidal in the semis but just a bit crueler."

"Then why'd you pose for photos with them?"

"This tournament's an occasion. It's the 50th All Valley. I think this will be an upset. The greatest upset in All Valley history. I'm here for everyone. All sides. But it's time you showed the world who Miguel Diaz really is."

Daniel smiled.

"You're more than myself. Or even Daniel. You're you Miguel. That headband on your head, that bonsai on your back. Doesn't define who you are. Show this arena the real you. By winning this match."

"You're right about all that. But I just don't have what it takes. I don't want to go out there. Just to lose."

Daniel now walked into the locker room area Miyagi-Do had. "You do have what it takes. You've already beaten Cobra Kai. All but one."

"I'll be. Going now."

Daniel smiled at Bobby. "Stay."

"You mean-"

"Yes. You are Miyagi-Do Bobby. I don't care what Miguel learns. So long as he's happy. He's happy."

Miguel smiled widely.

"I'm happy." said Daniel.

Bobby bowed to Daniel.

And Daniel bowed back.

Miguel surprised both of them, hugging Daniel, and then hugging Bobby.

"I'm uh. I'm ready. I'm ready to go out there now." said Miguel. "This is what I needed."

"Not before I say this."

Bobby looked at Daniel.

"I preach God's forgiveness. But I never properly asked for forgiveness from you."

Daniel scoffed. "You don't have to-"

"I hurt you."

Miguel listened.

"I tried to break your knee. Over a dojo. Over a tournament. When you never deserved it."

Miguel was shocked to see two grown men get so emotional.

"Any of it." Bobby said calmly.

Daniel's voice almost shook. "And neither. Did you. None of what Kreese did to you. Or wants to do to these kids."

"I get it now." Miguel said. "This isn't about the tournament or bullies. This is about me. The biggest battle is."

Daniel nodded. "The one within."

Bobby spoke. "Miguel you go out there. And give him everything you got. Everything, both of us taught you. And no matter the scoreboard. You go home a champion. And he won't."

Daniel smiled at this.

Miguel cleared his throat. "So what do we call our dojo now. If Cobra Kai is technically a part of it?"

"I am not Cobra Kai," Bobby said with pride. "But I'm not Miyagi-Do either. Because it's time you realized that you don't need a name either. That this."

Bobby pointed between Daniel and himself. "And that nonsense with Johnny and Kreese. It's ancient history. None of that bad blood is yours. You need to make your own path. Become the champion this Valley deserves."

"To become yourself," Daniel said.

"To become yourself." Bobby echoed, sounding like he couldn't agree more. "That's more than what our karate can give. That's what you need."

Miguel smiled. "Why am I getting the feeling you two should've been friends all along since you met?"

"No." Bobby said quickly.

Daniel shook his head. "No."

"Miguel you've grown a whole lot from when I met you. Stronger. Tougher. A better fighter. But you need to know that you don't need to think of that trophy out there as defining who you are. That can lead you down a very dark path."

"It can lead you to Cobra Kai like it did to others. It's. The wrong path."

Miguel nodded. "Okay then. For real now. I'm ready."

"Then let's go kick some major Cobra Kai ass," Daniel muttered before they all bowed to each other.

Miguel bowed to his two Senseis.

Bobby Brown and Daniel LaRusso bowed back to Miguel.

…

Cobra Kai OST: The Main Event

…

"This is it folks! The match to determine who will be our new 2018 All Valley Under 18 Karate Champion! Will it be! The defending champion Lucas Schwarber! Fighting for Cobra Kai Karate, coached by his Senseis, Johnny Lawrence!? And John Kreese!?"

The crowd was off their feet cheering.

"Or will it be? Miguel Diaz, from Miyagi-Do Karate. Coached by Sensei Danie-"

An official had rushed out from the long table in front of the tournament brackets to mutter in Daryl's ear.

"Bobby Brown is gonna coach?" Daryl spoke as the official nodded to him. "Bobby Brown is gonna coach!" Daryl said as loudly and excitedly as he could into his microphone.

The crowd cheered. Sam and Daniel applauded loudest of all besides the church members he came with as well as Jimmy and Tommy.

"Ladies and gentlemen! 1983 Runner up champion, and All Valley veteran, Bobby Brown, will now be coaching Miguel Diaz alongside Sensei Daniel LaRusso for his final match against the defending champion! Three points win! Good luck to both our competitors."

The spotlights faded and Kreese began walking towards Bobby who was fixing his collar in his three-piece suit on the walkway between the high table and the center mat.

"What are you doing?" asked Kreese.

"Teaching you a lesson."

"What lesson would that be? Betrayal?"

Bobby chuckled. "I don't care how much that kid looks up to you. You've been a bad role model for him. And now I'm going to show it in front of this whole arena."

Kreese shook his head. "You'll never understand what I share with my students."

"I think I have a good idea." Bobby smiled and walked away.

Lucas watched as Kreese walked back to Johnny's side.

"I don't know what those body shots against Stone were," said Johnny. "But this kid's far tougher. He knows your style. Be careful, use your jab. Use your speed."

"I wouldn't worry about Brown and LaRusso teaming up last second here. He might know your style. But. He knows it far less," said Kreese. "Half your experience. A reach and height disadvantage. Not to mention he's just not as fast or strong. Nor skilled. Finish this quickly."

Nodding, Lucas looked over at Johnny who hesitated before speaking.

"Just fight fair. You've done that all day today, and you even technically did it against Stone. You got this."

"Yes Sensei." Lucas bowed to Johnny and Kreese, who both bowed back.

"Remember what I've taught you." Daniel said to Miguel with Sam and Bobby next to him. "No aggression at all."

Bobby cleared his throat as loudly as he could.

"Okay." Daniel sighed. "Some aggression. But where it is appropriate."

"You stay up in his face. Stay on offense. Go all out. Hold nothing back. And you'll be surprised at how well you can fight him. Don't hesitate. Just go for it."

Sam smiled brightly at Miguel. "Good luck."

"This is a final match. Head in the game Diaz," Bobby said seeing Miguel's smile at this. "Focus!"

"Gentlemen. On your lines." the referee called out.

The people cheering. The noise. The crowd. The lights.

The All Valley Arena almost felt like a glowing bubble, like a meteor from how many lights and how much noise there was.

But it didn't affect Lucas or Miguel at all.

It was still just a ring.

Lucas and Miguel heard absolutely nothing. Saw absolutely nothing, but their opponents. Each other.

The Cobra on the uniform on Lucas' back walked through Johnny's view of Miguel, looking at the student his rival had trained.

Cobra and Bonsai were going to clash for the last time in the entire tournament.

The referee walked behind Miguel and tied a red ribbon around his black belt.

Lucas stood almost an entire inch taller than Miguel. His black and gold rimmed Cobra Kai tournament GI showed off his large, long, and muscular arms. A short and clean cut of dark hair and a tight black headband tied around his head. One his mother gave to his Sensei.

Miguel looked far less impressive, to both the crowd and his opponent. The unthreatening bonsai on his back instead of a Cobra, a headband of a lotus petal. Given to him by Daniel. Miguel was shorter, and looked far less strong with his entire upper body covered by his GI. His hair was cut short as well, but Miguel seemed to lack any sort of threatening or strong presence Lucas carried to the ring.

The crowd applauded but was sure the match would be over quickly still.

They saw nothing but the most out of place karateka in the world facing off against the fighter widely considered to be the teenage incarnation of American Karate legends like Joe Lewis, Pat Johnson, and Chuck Norris.

Lucas stood in the calmest ready stance possible, as if he was in class. Not a final match.

The referee stopped discussing something with one of the officials at the judge's table behind him. He walked forward on the mat towards Miguel and Lucas and spoke.

"My word are the rules. And the rules are law here gentlemen. Good luck to both of you. Turn this way. Bow."

Miguel and Lucas quickly did so.

"Face off."

Lucas and Miguel faced off.

"Bow."

Miguel and Lucas bowed to each other.

…

Cobra Kai OST: SDO

…

"En garde!"

The Arena watched. The final match began.

"Aits!"

Lucas was bouncing up and down in his stance.

He went on offense immediately, rushing forward to try to land a punch to the chest, a kick to the head, and a back fist to the head that all missed.

Lucas circled Miguel, being patient.

And then as quickly as Lucas began to switch angles and set up a round kick, Miguel caught Lucas completely by surprise.

Lucas barely dodged Miguel's jab in time, moving aside to a different angle.

Lucas threw a front kick and a reverse punch to the body. Miguel blocked both easily, and then they clashed in the center of the ring.

They threw punches back and forth, using head movement and blocked before countering. And then Miguel began to move away and expertly maneuvered around Lucas' guard.

He knew Lucas would catch his front kick and stepped into a very fast strike to land first and catch Lucas as he countered with a punch to Miguel's chest or head.

The front part of Miguel's foot landed directly on Lucas' chin as he began to strike.

He staggered back as red flags rose.

"Point! Miyagi-Do!"

"Miggy! Incredible!" said Carmen as Rosa applauded. "That's my son! That's my son!" she said proudly to the other spectators.

The crowd was off their feet in cheers as Daryl announced. "Miguel Diaz has just become the first person to ever score a point on Lucas Schwarber during an All Valley tournament match!"

Lucas turned towards a disappointed line of Cobra Kais.

He walked back over to his line and rubbed his jaw.

"On your lines. That's a front kick. One point Diaz. Fighting positions! Ait!"

Lucas struck right off the line, making Miguel back away and make all of his attacks miss.

Lucas's jab punch had enough speed and power to tear Miguel's head right off its shoulders, but he caught Lucas in time as he dodged and spun him away.

He kicked, trying to score on Lucas as he readjusted his stance but Lucas blocked.

"Ais! Ais, ais! Ai!"

Lucas kiai'd as he missed all of his attacks, and then ran towards Miguel and flew into spinning kicks in the air.

Miguel evaded all of them but Lucas caught Miguel the moment he landed back on the ground.

Lucas spun Miguel right off his legs with a spinning leg sweep as Miguel tried to attack with Lucas back in range.

It missed but Lucas came back up continuing to kick in a spin using the missed sweep's momentum, and caught Miguel directly on the cheek with a kick.

Hawk, Tory, and Shawn cheered.

Kreese smiled, his hand tightening into a fist.

"One one! Ready! Aits!"

Lucas and Miguel stood dead center of the ring throwing straight punches, front kicks, trying to score anything on each other.

With very precise head movement and angle changes, Lucas was able to manipulate Miguel's center of gravity to where he was off balance.

In a split second, Lucas rushed forward and nearly caught Miguel with a reverse punch to the body.

Miguel switched angles mid-dodge and his round kick to Lucas' stomach was barely blocked just in time.

Lucas jabbed, throwing a front kick as Miguel blocked both and then he threw a side snap kick to Lucas' head.

He dodged but a hook kick made him change angles and then walk right into a back fist to the nose while throwing a punch to the body.

Miguel scored the next point so fast the crowd exploded into enough cheers that it was almost deafening.

Miguel's backfist caught Lucas cleanly on the nose.

Lucas' counter attacks were being countered.

Bobby's eyes were wide. "What the."

Daniel, Johnny, Kreese, and even Lucas were shocked.

"Two one, Diaz! On your lines! Ready! Fight!"

Lucas moved backwards, dodging a jab punch, and then ducking underneath a round kick to the head to try to precisely time his own back fist to Miguel's nose which missed.

Miguel blocked a series of very tightly compacted and fast attacks.

Lucas threw a reverse punch to the body with his rear hand, a follow-up lead strike with his front hand to Miguel's face and finished the attack with a spinning hook kick.

Miguel had managed to avoid all of them.

Lucas dodged a round kick to the body and precisely timed his attack.

The moment Miguel's foot settled back down Lucas already had closed the distance and threw a controlled punch to Miguel's jaw.

"Yes!" said Johnny.

Doug applauded loudly with the other Cobras.

"Two two. Next point wins. On your lines! Ready! Ait!"

The Arena was now shocked.

Lucas wasn't beating Miguel utterly for the remaining minute of the fight. They were fighting evenly.

Miguel was reading Lucas' attacks, Lucas' ring IQ was great.

He could dodge in time, set up good counters. Be aggressive and move Miguel and his balance where he wanted it to. But every time Lucas was in range or on time to score with his rear or front hand or foot, Miguel had slipped away and sneaked in a fast counter Lucas could just barely avoid being hit with.

Lucas committed himself utterly to a one two combination over the top.

Miguel dodged the face level punches perfectly, even blocking the correctly timed round kick to the body that was added from how he had read Lucas' attacks.

It almost didn't even feel real to Lucas.

As time went on, Lucas' attacks began to feel less and less effective, on offense to strike first or on defense to counter. But so did Miguel's.

They felt like they were fighting another person in syrup. Their jabs, hook and round kicks slowing down.

But to the audience they were flying at each other. Backfists, reverse punches, front kicks.

Nothing landed. They seemed to be perfectly even with each other during each exchange.

Then when they stood near the edge of the ring not striking but instead bouncing around backward and forward moving in a circle around each other, something strange happened.

"Stop!" the referee stood between them.

Had they scored a point without hitting each other?

One of the corner referees was spinning their red flag in the air. Time was up.

"Amaaaazing!"

Daryl ran out onto the mat and stood between Miguel and Lucas.

"What an incredible performance! These two are now in a tie. Of two, to two! And for the first time since 1985, will be going into sudden death overtiiiime!"

The crowd was off their feet in cheers.

Carmen was in complete disbelief at the degree of skill, determination, and willpower it had taken to score evenly in a match with Lucas for three full minutes.

Bobby and Daniel were speechless and utterly shocked for a moment. So were Johnny and Kreese.

Someone had been able to fight one of the most talented, experienced, and creative fighters in All Valley history, Lucas Schwarber, completely evenly.

Rosa could not stop applauding for her grandson.

"Go to your Senseis."

Lucas and Miguel stood in complete awe of the Arena. How many people there were. How much they cheered.

Nodding slightly to Miguel, Lucas bowed deeply.

The 49th All Valley Karate Champion was showing enough respect to Miguel to bow to him even when not ordered to do so.

Nodding back slightly as well, Miguel bowed back to Lucas.

"Go to your Senseis." the referee repeated as Lucas and Miguel did so.

The match was almost over.

But it wasn't over yet.

Lucas and Miguel had fought each other for three full minutes.

And the crowd kept roaring.

Lucas began to walk over to his side and his whole dojo was impressed. Cobra Kai was speechless for a moment.

No one had expected Miguel to fight so well or so hard, but for Lucas to meet that strength and skill with his own.

Miguel received the same level of respect from the three Miyagi-Dos, Daniel, Sam, and Bobby.

The Arena knew these two just had one point left to decide who was truly champion.

…

Lucas frowned as he walked over to Johnny and Kreese. "Those four months in a cast really took way more out of my speed than I thought."

"It doesn't matter," said Kreese. "Because you're still faster anyway. The next point's yours either way. Just be first. You're always first."

"Most of those exchanges, you almost came out on top more often," Johnny said. "I've seen matches like this kid. Next point's yours. Trust me."

Lucas smiled. "Thank you Sensei." he bowed to both Kreese and Johnny.

Miguel walked over to Daniel and caught his breath. "I guess you both were right."

"When you stop hesitating. The whole match comes together doesn't it?" asked Bobby.

Miguel smiled. "Guess so."

Sam was smiling at Miguel. "You got him."

"Yeah." Daniel nodded. "This next point is yours. It will be. Just trust your instincts. Breathe. Focus. This last point is yours."

…

Lucas' GI was completely fine despite how hard he had fought Miguel.

It somehow felt a little uncomfortable on him, and Lucas had an idea he knew no one else would have.

…

Cobra Kai OST: Shirts Off

…

Lucas tore his uniform clean off his chest, revealing a sculpted body he had spent over two years dutifully keeping in utmost fighting shape.

He politely took his headband off his head and placed it in a very confused Johnny's hand.

Then with a slight smirk he tossed his GI to Tory.

She looked very worried about the match. But Lucas nodded with a confident wink but she was still terrified of Lucas not taking the match seriously and looked over to Hawk, Shawn, and Doug in confusion.

"Put your GI back on now or I'll disqualify you. Schwarber. Schwarber I'm not joking here." the referee threatened. "Wait a minute. Diaz. Diaz-"

The referee was drowned out over the cheers from the audience.

Miguel didn't want to win on disqualification and had no problems meeting Lucas' challenge.

He took his uniform off and threw it over to Sam. He folded his headband and handed it to Daniel.

While Miguel completely lacked the amount of raw muscle on his body as Lucas, Bobby had still succeeded in making him having a noticeable amount.

He looked strong. Very strong, leaner instead of chiseled but not nervous at all to face Lucas.

Miguel and Lucas walked back over to their lines.

"Guess I can't disqualify both of you. On your lines."

Miguel and Lucas got into their stances.

"Ready! Fight!"

Neither made a move at first after the referee moved away, then the crowd watched as now Miguel and Lucas threw everything they had each other.

Lucas got a running start and pulled off a kick impossible to believe he could pull off effectively, and that Miguel was able to block.

A triple flying kick.

Lucas soared through the air of the All Valley Arena.

Lucas' legs were so strong, and he flew so fast through the air that he kicked Miguel three times as he spun and fell back down.

Once on the head, once on the chest, and the last on the leg.

Miguel blocked all three spinning kicks with a tight guard and then the closest title bout in karate history continued.

Lucas and Miguel threw jab punches, reverse punches, and front kicks as fast as they could at each other.

They never stopped circling each other like Miyagi-Dos, they never stopped dodging and throwing strong strikes like Cobra Kai.

In a game of speed and the volume of strikes in order to score, neither was better.

Kiai'ing loudly, Miguel rushed right towards Lucas with a jab punch and Lucas caught him at close range and threw him away.

Lucas faked a reverse punch to the body to instead throw a hook kick.

Miguel blocked and the two continued to throw strikes so fast and strong they were like missiles at each other.

Lucas tightened his guard and withstood a blow so strong, that Miguel threw his entire body weight behind the kick to the head and Lucas still stumbled despite blocking.

Lucas threw a reverse punch right at Miguel's chest as fast as he could but it was blocked off Miguel's elbow. Having closed the distance, Lucas swept Miguel's leg but Miguel again shocked the crowd.

He was fast and skilled enough to catch Lucas's arm as he fell and throw him away with the momentum of his own grab.

Instantly both Miguel and Lucas rose up to face each other and circled each other around the ring.

Kreese had no remote idea how Lucas and Miguel were able to stay standing with how much energy they were putting into the fight for well over four minutes, let alone spar.

Miguel led with a jab punch and Lucas parried.

Lucas threw a front kick as Miguel threw a round kick and both missed.

Lucas moved his head around, dodging Miguel's jab and reverse punch to the face and blocking.

Miguel jumped into a spinning back kick, made Lucas raise his hands and nearly caught him with a backfist as Lucas dodged.

Miguel threw repeated front kicks and Lucas blocked all of them.

Lucas immediately went for a grab to sweep Miguel, but with no GI of any kind to grab onto and Miguel instantly backing away it missed.

Lucas struck first with a creative pair of kicks. A back kick led into a round kick to Miguel's head followed by a punch to the chin.

Miguel dodged and blocked all of them and Lucas and Miguel felt like they were falling into the same syrup they felt in the previous round.

It was becoming increasingly impossible to land anything at all or even get close to scoring until they both went for a score at the same time.

Miguel began to lunge into a reverse punch to the head jab punch to the face combination as Lucas spun in the air with a back kick.

It glanced off Miguel's arm and then as Lucas settled back down he committed completely to a round kick that Miguel blocked.

As they rushed forward both striking at the same time Lucas had timed his attack better and was more committed.

He landed a completely controlled yet missile like fast reverse punch directly to Miguel's mouth.

Miguel staggered slightly under the blow and white flags flew upward.

"Point! Winner!" the referee raised a hand towards Lucas.

…

In that moment time froze again for Lucas Schwarber.

It felt like he had melted where he stood. Bones and all.

Into an utterly awed puddle woken up by the disappointed and frustrated look on Miguel's face.

He gripped Miguel's hand. "Hey. Great match man. Respect." Lucas nodded repeatedly. "You're alright Diaz."

"Hey you too." Miguel had barely finished his sentence before Hawk and Robby rushed out onto the mat and Cobra Kai flooded the entire mat, bursting with cheers.

"Yoooo! Hooollyyyyyyy shiiiit!" roared Doug at the top of his lungs as he and Shawn cackled.

Bobby and Daniel led Miguel off the mat.

"You did great." said Daniel.

"Nice try. That was incredible. You gave the champ six minutes of pure hell." Bobby nodded.

"For the second year in a row. Your champion! The first two time All Valley champion since nineteeeeen. Eightyyy. Fiiiive! Lucas. The flash! Schwarbeerrrr!" announced Daryl.

An official bowed to a shirtless Lucas as they handed his second All Valley Champion trophy to him.

With one hand, he held it high in the air and Lucas cheered.

"Yeaaaaaaahh!"

The crowd were off their feet again and couldn't stop cheering and applauding.

Tory handed his uniform back to him and Lucas put his GI back on his chest without retying his black belt. "Anything you want to say?" asked Daryl, offering the microphone.

"I just have one thing." Lucas panted. "One thing to say."

The crowd listened with baited breath.

Lucas yelled into the microphone as loudly as he could. "Coooobraaaaaa! Kaiiiiiiiiii!"

Tory laughed, as did Robby and Doug and the rest of Cobra Kai. Cheering, jumping up and down, and lifting Lucas up into the air.

Kreese walked right past Daniel and Bobby with a smirk as Lucas, the microphone and his trophy he held in both hands were tossed into the air repeatedly like a pizza by the other fifteen Cobra Kais.

Smiling and laughing, Lucas grinned as widely as he could, the Arena continued to cheer.

Johnny looked right at Daniel and Bobby after Kreese did. But instead of looking smug, Johnny looked apologetic.

And seeing the looks on their faces. He looked at Kreese differently as well.

"Cobra Kai! Cobra Kai! Cobra Kai!" The Cobra Kai students all kept chanting. "Cobra Kai! Cobra Kai! Cobra Kai!"

…

Doug Rickenberger stood on a pool lawn chair in my backyard wearing an unbuttoned shirt, swim trunks, and sunglasses.

"Let's get fucking annnihilaaaaaated!" he leaned back and roared into a mic a large speaker I had included.

He was right. Everyone was getting pretty hammered.

Everyone in Cobra Kai threw the biggest rager we possibly could after my second win at the All Valley.

It felt good to be champ. Again.

But I hadn't heard anything from Johnny, Robby, Aisha, or Charlotte since I left the tournament to set this party up an hour and a half ago.

"Luke." Hawk kept having a drinking contest with Doug. "You find out where Robby's at?"

"I think I have a good idea." I said.

Hawk's parents were having their house fumigated so we decided to throw the rager here at my house. My grandparents couldn't be bothered to go to my tournament to support me and they were both out of town for the weekend at a medical conference in Denver.

I walked to the front patio of the Mills Manor.

I was surprised to find none other than Miguel Diaz standing on my front lawn where two people were quietly making out and a few other people were talking. He was wearing a simple sweatshirt and jeans.

I don't think he was going to stay here long but I wanted to talk to him anyway.

"Hi."

Miguel nodded. "Hey. Lucas."

"Hell of a match." I quoted my Sensei. Possibly my ex Sensei now. "Could've gone either way."

I saw how upset he looked.

"Dude. It's over."

"It's not that man. It's you."

"What about me?"

Miguel sighed. "Look Stone didn't deserve what you did to him on the mat. But it's not like you cheated against the guy I guess. But, I think Cobra Kai might not be the best thing for you. For anyone."

"Why's that?"

"Because you and I are meant to be Miyagi-Do."

I didn't say a word.

Miguel spoke. "We can finish this. No more bullying. No more rivalry. Nothing. It'd be over. You need to let go of Kreese. And this is all over for good. You have to leave Cobra Kai."

"I can't do that."

"Look at what it's costing you."

"I thought you said Stone-"

"Almost a decent fourth of your dojo left dude."

I was surprised. "What?"

"Sensei Bobby has agreed to in part help train Steel Eagle Karate. Your Sensei, no longer your Sensei but still. He's left Cobra Kai."

I nodded.

"Am I safe to assume Aisha. Char. And Robby have left as well?"

Miguel nodded silently.

Shit.

"I didn't mean to. But they. Leaving Cobra Kai is not the best thing for me. Even if Robby's gone."

"They disagree with Kreese on every level because he's inhumane. That moment of silence shit was dumb sure. But you were hitting him way too hard for it man."

"In the body. In the head that was his arm-"

"I'm not here to argue. Your entire dojo knows what a great fighter you are. The whole Valley already knew that. You leave Cobra Kai. You ditch Kreese. It's over. Who will ever stop you? Who will ever hurt Miyagi-Do? The right way of karate. If you're with us?"

"I'm not a Miyagi-Do."

"Bullshit. You're-"

"I said I'm not," I repeated, stronger this time. "I think Miyagi-Do can be helpful. But not for people who are ambitious. It was created by fishermen trying to survive. Not people who could see much farther than their little island of Okinawa. In more ways than one. Its philosophy ultimately doesn't agree with me."

Miguel nodded.

"So that's it. Even if your friends leave me alone. You win. I lose."

"If that's how you see this, Mr. LaRusso failed to train you properly."

"Keep the trophy Lucas. Because I did the right thing. You know I did. Since the moment we met that day on the beach last year. And since then, I've done nothing but lose. I had a chance, a good chance of winning this. And you let someone as shitty as Kreese win."

"You can't make claims about a man you don't know."

Miguel scoffed. "I think I know enough at this point."

"But you don't."

Miguel shrugged. "I do."

"Hey do you need a ride home or-"

"Sam's house is walking distance from here. Enjoy the party."

"Miguel-" I put a hand on his shoulder.

He didn't throw it off but turned around to make my hand slide off.

"Go away." he shook his head at me. "Just please. All of you guys at Cobra Kai. Please. Go away for once."

Miguel looked hurt. "Just. Leave me alone okay? Leave people alone it can't be that hard for Cobra Kai."

I frowned. "I'm sorry alright!?"

"Keep your apology. You'll never know what it's like to be stepped on for an entire year." Miguel threw his hands up in frustration and walked down the street to where I knew Sam's house was.

…

I rested my trophy in my bedroom and sighed.

I cracked open a beer and sipped from it as I looked out from my balcony in my bedroom.

People were jumping in my pool. Having a good time.

And here I was. Feeling sorry for myself.

When was the last time I actually enjoyed myself at a party? Or walked away from winning an All Valley without pissing somebody off?

I think I was on my sixth beer before someone walked into my bedroom.

"Am I intruding?"

"No."

Yasmine looked nice tonight. Just a decently low cut t-shirt and jeans. Nothing fancy or overdesigned.

I liked that. I really liked to see this for once.

"So congrats." said Yasmine.

"Yup."

"Are you okay?"

I wiped the beer off my lip. "I'm getting drunk by myself at my own party. Or Doug's party. I don't."

I didn't. I couldn't. I didn't know.

"I just." I stuttered. "I."

"How many of those beers did you have?"

"Like. I stopped counting after five." I smiled. "Guess you must be pretty drunk to talk to my brooding ass instead of everyone else down there."

Yasmine laughed.

"Plus I." I sighed. "Treated you unfairly after all the stuff that happened with Aisha."

That seemed to remind Yasmine of something.

"Look Lucas. That day you dumped spaghetti and meatloaf over me. It. It woke me up. To what I was doing wrong. With Aisha. With everything."

"We all fuck up. Believe me. You're good."

"I think I heard. Robby will come around."

I finished my beer.

"The best friend I ever made. Who supported me when I was spiraling a little. Who."

I laughed drunkenly.

"Who. Who. Who like a brother, I loved."

I bit my lip.

"I helped him find his father. He helped me find myself. And he's gone from my dojo. In other words. We're not friends anymore. We're not anything."

He was basically the first person I ever connected to here who was my age.

Yasmine put her hand on mine on the balcony.

"I don't know a thing. About karate. But Lucas you are like. Like a genuinely good person."

"Diaz and Robby are too. And they hate my guts right now."

One moment he was hoisting me up into the air on the mat of the All Valley as I got my trophy. And then he left.

"Luke you don't rub your fame anywhere. Which is odd considering how much you have after tonight. You told me I was a bully, when I really was."

"What a great double standard I have. I didn't have the guts. To tell Hawk and Doug. And Shawn. That they needed to leave Miguel alone too. And look what it cost me with Robby."

"You love Rickenberger and the others too Luke!"

I frowned.

"You guys ride those dirtbikes everywhere. You wear those matching jackets. You just won this tournament together. They are your brothers. It can be hard to be in a family. Especially a karate family apparently."

I nodded.

She was very right.

I looked at Yasmine.

She was very pretty. Gorgeous. Her nose didn't look weird at all for some reason as I thought it might up close. She had perfect blonde hair, a kind smile.

I needed to ask her.

"Why are you here right now?"

"Because. You're the only reason I came to this party." she admitted.

"Really?"

She nodded. "Is that wrong?"

"No."

"I saw you compete today. You were incredible. And. Hot. Admittedly." she said shyly and quietly. "I didn't expect you to take off your shirt like that."

"It's called a GI. Or a uniform." I laughed in surprise. "Wait. You went to go watch a karate tournament?"

"I knew it really mattered to you."

I thought a girl as superficial as she could be couldn't be this kind to me. Mostly after such a horrible first impression I had on her.

I muttered quietly. "You know what I want right now?"

"What?"

"I want to enjoy myself at a party for once."

Yasmine nodded. "I think I can help."

She tried to lead me out of my room towards the party but I stumbled pretty hard.

I laughed. "Yeah. I can't go down there."

Yasmine nodded. "Can I get drunk with you in here?"

"I think I straight up drank all the beer I had in here."

Yasmine laughed and quickly got us some more from downstairs.

…

We talked for about an hour. I didn't move from the foot of my bed and she didn't either. We just sat on the carpet talking and drinking.

Her parents designed clothes. That was why she used to be so cruel to Aisha about body image and size, she had to conform to that. It was also why she wore such overstylized clothes.

She was made self conscious about being too skinny or not.

I related very heavily to this.

Yasmine looked over at my closet where Johnny Lawrence's old red leather Cobra Kai jacket hung. "You have no idea how to dress. I gotta help you." Yasmine sipped another beer.

"I know how to dress. I look badass. Everyday. Classic 80s headband worn by the king of our school at one point? Please. I got style."

"Style? Please." Yasmine shook her head. "Leather? Ew."

I laughed with her and I realized she sort of fell onto me.

Yasmine smiled. "You can be full of yourself but. Getting to know you. Surprised to see how much respect you can have."

"Thanks."

We made eye contact. She had very nice light grey eyes. They were almost blue in a way.

I ran my hands through her hair and held her close.

I think we began to make out for a bit.

"Yas." I muttered.

She nodded.

"I forgot what I was going to say."

She barely laughed and we kept kissing.

Either because I was pretty drunk, or because I stopped caring about. Everything after Miguel and Robby can barely talk to me now. I made out with Yasmine increasingly nude on my bed now.

The door to my room opened slightly and a fellow Cobra entered.

"Nichols? Shit." I stood up and covered Yasmine behind me who was just in a bra and jeans right now.

Tory was drunk too. We were all decently tipsy right now apparently.

"I needed to get away from Rick."

"Rick the prick," I said which was something we sometimes called him.

"Indeed he is." Tory nodded and sat on the edge of my bed. "Nice catch."

Poor Rickenberger. He probably got so wasted someone possibly was still sober enough down there to make sure him nor no one drowned in my pool or something.

That'd be awkward to explain to police in the morning. Floating bodies in my pool I couldn't make sure didn't end up there because I was too busy making out with Yasmine.

"Well this is gonna be awkward as shit." I admitted.

"I mean. There's still some cool stuff in here." Tory looked over at my desk. "Looks prettier up close."

"What?"

The trophy.

"I know," I said. "Like um. Like you." I turned to Yasmine who had quickly put her shirt back on.

"Clever."

We kissed and soon Tory nearly bounced me off my own bed.

"Hey! You're hogging all the room."

I sighed. "Why the hell are you wearing a bikini?"

"To swim in your pool," Tory said.

She looked good in this goddamned bikini. She had in fact been swimming.

"That means you got chlorine all over the." I sighed. "Fuck it. I'm not." I sighed again. "Sober enough to care right now."

"Hey Yas." Tory said suddenly.

"Yeah." she said from the other side of me.

"Can I like? Touch Luke's muscles. Would you mind?"

Why wasn't she asking me first? Not that I'd object.

"Low key I don't blame you."

Tory smiled at me. "Yup. Quite the abs."

Apparently she was waiting for me to approve, I managed to nod to her as I continued kissing Yasmine.

Before Tory put a hand on me I spoke. "For the love of God close the door. Don't want repeats of anyone walking in."

"The door's already closed genius."

"I meant lock the door. Lock it. Please."

She did so and I made out with Yasmine again before Tory flopped on my bed.

Tory started feeling up my entire chest and stomach, that I had actually forgotten was bare as I wasn't wearing a shirt. I was surprised when Tory kissed me on the cheek.

I looked over at Tory with a 'are we going to make out or not look?'

She soon answered by kissing me deeply on the mouth.

Kissing Tory was about as good as kissing Yasmine. Better? Different kissers. It felt great.

We made out for a decent bit until Yasmine got bored I guess and joined in by kissing me.

I looked at Tory's chest clad in a swimsuit. "Quick question. Can I help you um. Take this off or? Up to you."

She nodded quietly and she held me by the wrist and led my hand to her back where I undid the knot holding up a pair of really huge-

Wow.

I didn't say a word as Tory threw it aside, tossed her blonde hair back, and her bikini top hit the floor of my bedroom.

I was afraid that if I said anything it'd ruin everything. So I stayed quiet, or as quiet as I could for the next.

Twenty minutes.

…

I woke up with a slight headache.

Guess I had better hangover resistance than I thought.

I looked around my bed. "What the. Shit." I muttered.

I didn't even want to think about the state of my house right now.

Yasmine was asleep. And from what I understood, stark naked in my bed now beneath the sheets. There was a smooth leg tucked over near my knees and a long amount of clean blonde hair strewn across my pillow.

I wanted to snuggle closer to her but someone else in the room interrupted.

"Happy birthday." I heard someone say bitterly.

I looked over at Tory. "What?"

She was equally as naked as Yasmine. Completely.

"It was your birthday earlier this week. Happy birthday."

Right, I turned sixteen just three days ago on the seventeenth.

I had to avert my eyes before Tory said something. Even after the events of what should've happened last night I didn't want to stare.

Tory started to dress herself and gather her things from around my room.

I groaned quietly. "God, what did we-"

"Exactly what you're thinking apparently."

Purely in indulgent terms, I think winning the All Valley twice was now the best decision I ever made.

This had all actually happened.

"Where are you going?"

"The hell home."

"But can we like. Debrief or something?"

"Debrief?" Tory scoffed. "There isn't anything to debrief."

I laughed. "Yeah there kind of is."

Tory spoke loudly. "There's nothing at all to-"

"You'll wake up Yas."

"She's out, trust me." Tory raised an eyebrow and snorted.

Right.

"Still. Can we talk?"

Tory used a mirror in my bedroom wearing little more than her underwear and tied her blonde hair into a ponytail. "I have to get to work."

"You work on Sundays? And. I thought the roller rink was a nightly thing."

"No, I have shifts at a shitty sushi bar." Tory glanced around my room. "We can't all have houses this nice, some of us need to provide for ourselves."

I frowned.

Tory continued to dress, gather her things and start to leave. I didn't want her to leave in such a bad mood.

"Can we talk, please? About. Anything. Before we go back to like. Months of silence and awkward stares at the dojo?"

"That's what's best for both of us."

"Can we. Look. Tory please-"

"You have feelings for Yasmine Luke. Yas. Not me."

I did like Yasmine. But I didn't want Tory just pretending like I didn't care that losing Robby from the dojo was a loss I felt too.

I shrugged. "So? I mean. You're cool too. Strong. Someone I can trust. I mean. You're fun to be around at practice. But." I looked back at an asleep Yasmine. "I don't know what the fuck this is." I looked back at Tory. "Or what we are after this. Or what anything in the past forty eight hours even is. Or what has happened."

The only part that made sense of any of this. Was threeway.

This was not a dream though. The trophy was still there on my desk. I was naked, Yasmine was naked, and until she just got dressed again, Tory was naked.

I don't know if I was actually proud of or even sure of this or not. A part of me truly did wonder how fucked up losing Johnny, Robby, Charlotte, and Aisha from Cobra Kai the night we won made Tory and I feel.

It sure tore me apart instead of just enjoying the fact that this happened.

"I'm not gonna be a part of this again. I literally got in here by accident last night." Yasmine stirred quietly as Tory shrugged. "I'm never gonna be a third wheel to you two." she picked up her shirt from the floor and put it on.

"But you're not-"

"And! I'm not going to be some fuck toy for a pair of spoiled, snobby, rich kids."

Tory did have somewhat of a point. Every time we shared a conversation she had a problem with something I did, and I explained why I thought she was wrong without remotely agreeing with what she said. Yasmine and I could definitely come across as snobby to her I'm sure. But still.

She was the one who decided to be here. She stumbled into my room. Mine. No one dragged her here. Why was she here then!?

"Okay, now you're being completely unreasonable here. I just don't want to leave things awkward between us after this and you're mad at me for no reason."

I realized that came out wrong enough to make her want to fly out of my room.

"See you at practice," Tory said with a tone bitter enough to almost make us want to leave my bed and talk to her.

"Tory-"

She slammed the door to my bedroom loudly enough to make Yasmine stir next to me.

I leaned back on my bed and groaned to myself.

"Fuck."

Yasmine kept snoozing on the pillow we were sharing. Completely asleep still apparently.

I considered literally everything that has happened in the last two days. It was too much honestly this was both fun but not fun.

Miyagi-Do and Johnny's version of Eagle-Fang, Steel Eagle. Were now my rivals even if I never wanted them to be. I didn't blame them, after Xander Stone and winning a trophy with a man as hated as John Kreese. This looked really bad for me.

When all I wanted to do here was win three trophies. And I was punished for it. When and how did this end?

I sighed.

"Double fuck." I muttered to myself.

I think I won the All Valley and then had some sort of whatever this was with the hottest blonde girls I knew!?

Why was it always blondes I got with? Hawk would make some dumbass joke or Rickenberger would about an "Oedipus Complex" if they found out about this and I'd probably almost smack them in the head for it.

At some point during last night, we all might've admitted we thought each other were hot for a decent bit of time but needed last night to admit it. At least Tory and Yas with myself, and myself with both of them to reciprocate that feeling.

I still struggle to remember. I might've been making that up my memory was foggy for reasons besides the strong bit of beer I had drank.

I had won two All Valleys. But it had cost me a Sensei, a really good friend, my best friend, and Aisha.

I sighed out. "Triple fuck."

...

...

...

Author's Note:

Okay.

That was Passion in Front of Principle.

I have finals for a bit. Need to figure some stuff out. And I should be back in a few weeks, three at most, with the third book.

I wanted to talk about the fic itself, the response, everything.

First off a huge huge thank you to jerilmaster, Anon, Jack, and Golden-Black Dragon along with everyone else for supporting the fic. You guys are awesome.

These past two books. Nearly two hundred thousand words long at this point, have been a bit of an experimental project.

Mostly beyond just the question of. What if a fan was self inserted into Ali's son Lucas Schwarber and he happened to be played by Dylan Minnette? I really wanted to dive into the characters and world of Cobra Kai and do them justice.

The characters of Miguel, Johnny, and Kreese are great. And this fourth season left a lot to move forward from so I used the development of four seasons and spun it into an AU. Add Robby, Tory, and a decent bit of more focus on the karate.

And this fic is the result.

Particularly now with the female characters I felt I needed to do them justice too. I felt like I've been writing them sort of in the background of most conflicts for a while now.

I wanted to thank Jack above all for noticing my intention to successfully capture the Cobra Kai world and characters itself and "warp into another universe."

For the longest time, fics in this archive haven't really done it for me. Never disliked any, just wanted to write a fic I wanted to see. To Jack, if you do want something to read as you are "scoping out fics" I can only really recommend a single series as a quality read in my book.

That's the Murphyverse by Dontatme420. New Cobra Comes to Town is Book 1, and in progress is Book 2 which is Two Dojos one family. Great author, great fics.

Above all my intention here was to create an alternative universe world of Cobra Kai's first season and the "season" prior but adapted faithfully. Faithful fanfic adaptations are very hard to come by.

I wanted to accurately capture the voice and characters of everyone involved. Pay respects to the original films and Netflix series. But do it in a new way where a new character, Lucas, who I would see played by Minnette for several reasons, would impact the plot.

Familiar and respectful to what we already had adapted, but new and original.

I didn't want the plot to be just, Season 1 plus cardboard cut out Minnette OC with no overall change. Accuracy and faithfulness to the original world and characters, but with a completely coherent new thing.

To that end I think I have succeeded, from the comments so far I got the feeling that I have done that. But your closing thoughts on this exactly would be much appreciated.

I'm just sitting here thinking. Thinking what a great bit of fun it was writing this fic. Envisioning the characters and plot developing.

My main rule for writing this fic was that unless I could see any of this realistically happening with the given actors, characters, writing, and plot of Cobra Kai itself with a single Self Insert twist. I wouldn't include it. To that end, again. I'm satisfied and would like all of your thoughts.

Also Season 5's trailer has come out and I am hyped.

All of you. Thank. You very much. Stay safe, and goodbye.