A/N:
Okay I'm SURE this won't be how it goes at all on the show, but I can dream. I'm so excited to see the tournament in S4! I'm at least trying to manifest a Sam vs Robby finals if nothing else.
Also writing fights are HARD! I've done taekwondo for 16 years, and yes I know it's not the same as karate. But the point is I understand martial arts. I understand tournaments. Everything makes sense in my head. Trying to put these fights into words though is HARD! I hope it came out alright!
The tension in the arena was palpable. Even the audience, who were completely unaware of the stakes, could sense it. There was a different weight to this tournament compared to last year. Compared to all other years. This tournament would decide the fate of karate in The Valley. Even if no one other than those in the three dojos involved knew about it. If Miyagi Fang won, nobody would ever know of the danger that was narrowly avoided. But if Cobra Kai won… there was no telling what destruction may unfold.
Cobra Kai, Miyagi Do, and Eagle Fang all blazed their way through the preliminary rounds with ease. They were heads and shoulders above the rest of the dojos in The Valley. Before long only five competitors remained. Miguel Diaz, Eagle Fang. Eli "Hawk" Moskowitz, Eagle Fang. Samantha LaRusso, Miyagi Do. Robby Keene, Cobra Kai. Tory Nichols, Cobra Kai.
Sam and Miguel watched on in anticipation as the final match of the quarter finals finished. It was Hawk versus Robby. If Hawk won there would be only one Cobra remaining. Only one last person to beat. He didn't win. Robby sent a sidekick into Hawk's chest sending him stumbling backwards. The ref blew the whistle and grabbed Robby's hand.
Four competitors left. Three more matches. Only one would end up a champion. The semifinal matches were set.
Samantha LaRusso vs Tory Nichols
Miguel Diaz vs Robby Keene
Sam and Tory's match was the first since Robby just finished. Miguel gave Sam a reassuring squeeze of her shoulders before she walked onto the mat. The two bowed to each other. Tory's face was hard, but there was no anger, no malice. She was ready to fight.
The two got into their fighting stances and the ref signaled to begin. Surprisingly, Tory did not lunge at Sam immediately, like she figured she would. Instead Tory eyed her cautiously, bouncing on the balls of her feet. Seizing the apparent opportunity Sam launched a barrage of punches at Tory. Sam was shocked as Tory blocked them all with ease and landed a perfect counter punch to Sam's chest. That wasn't Cobra Kai techniques, that was Miyagi Do!
"Point Nichols!" the ref screamed. "1-0 Nichols. Begin!"
This time Tory didn't wait for Sam to attack. She immediately threw a roundhouse kick, which Sam deflected. She tried to follow up with a roundhouse of her own but Tory had moved quick enough to close herself off and block Sam's kick. Sam feigned another roundhouse, which successfully drew Tory's attention, and followed up with a reverse sidekick to her abdomen."
"Point LaRusso," the ref announced. "1-1. Begin!"
Once again when the ref yelled, Tory immediately lunged at Sam. This time Sam was ready for her. Sam parried Tory's punches and snuck a reverse punch into Tory's abdomen."
"Point LaRusso! 2-1 LaRusso. Begin!"
Sam knew being up 2-1 meant that Tory had to come to her. Tory was the one who had to go on offense, so she sat back and waited. Tory threw a roundhouse kick which Sam threw off to the side. Sam went to move in on Tory, anticipating that she'd be all twisted up from having her leg deflected. She was wrong. Tory used the momentum of Sam's block to spin herself around and hunch over and sweep kick Sam's legs. Sam felt her legs go out from under her before she could react. Before she knew it Tory had shuffled to kneel over her and delivered a punch to her gut, knocking the wind out of her.
"Point Nichols! 2-2," the ref announced before kneeling down to check on Sam. "Are you alright to continue?" Sam looked over at Miguel and her dad who were looking at her worriedly. She couldn't stop now. She had to get up. She had to win. "Yes, I'm fine," she said as she stood up.
"Fighting positions then," the ref signaled the two girls back to their starting marks. "This is for the match. Begin!"
As the ref said begin Sam sucked in a deep breath. She forced herself to find balance and focus herself. She remembered all those long days sparring with Miguel at Miyagi Do. Tory, once again, charged at Sam with a fury of punches. This time Sam was prepared. She took a half step out of Tory's reach and leaned back. She spun and threw an outer crescent kick towards Tory. She felt the side of her foot graze skin and as she turned all the way around she saw Tory hit the mat.
"Point LaRusso!" The ref screamed, grabbing her hand and raising it in the air. "Samantha LaRusso is going to the All Valley Finals!"
Sam passed Miguel on his way to the mat. She gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder, whispered goodluck. Miguel whispered back a thank you and continued past her. Neither of them needed to say what was on both of their minds. If Miguel won, they won. Cobra Kai was eliminated.
Miguel and Robby took their spots on the mats and bowed to each other. Miguel was surprised to see that there was no anger in Robby's eyes, just like Tory. He looked calm and collected. The ref yelled begin and before Miguel could even react Robby threw a roundhouse which connected with his chest.
"Point Keene!" The ref announced, "1-0 Keene! Begin!"
This time when Robby lunged at Miguel he was ready. Robby threw a roundhouse but Miguel blocked it. He tried to counter with punches but Robby managed to cover up. Miguel attempted to sneak a front kick in but Robby blocked it downwards. With Miguel thrown off balance from Robby's block Robby seized the opportunity to plant an elbow into Miguel's chest.
"Point Keene!" the ref called, "2-0 Keene! Begin!"
Miguel didn't wait for Robby to attack this time. He immediately threw himself at Robby with a flurry of punches. Robby blocked the first few before he was overwhelmed and Miguel managed to sneak a hit into his gut.
"Point Diaz!" the ref screamed, "2-1 Keene! Begin!"
Robby came at Miguel with a crescent kick, which Miguel blocked. He tried to advance with punches of his own but Robby was able to cover up. Robby threw an axe kick in Miguel's direction forcing him to back up. Using the extra distance that was created Miguel threw his back leg to gain momentum. He threw himself into a corkscrew and landed a roundhouse on an unsuspecting Robby. The audience roared with applause at the technique.
"Point Diaz!" the ref yelled out, "2-2, this is for the match! Winner advances to the finals to face Samatha LaRusso!"
The crowd began to stand in anticipation. They were still oblivious to the stakes riding on this round. To them, it was as simple as Miguel getting to defend his title. They had no idea that if he won this match then it didn't matter who won between himself and Sam. If he beat Robby they won. Miyagi Fang won. He could end it all here. He turned around to see Sam. She didn't need to say anything. He could see it in her eyes — like he always could— she knew it too. Looking at her gave him the boost of confidence he needed. He turned back to fight Robby and let out a confident yell as he got into his fighting stance.
The ref looked between Miguel and Robby. When the two boys nodded their heads that they were ready he yelled out, "Begin!"
Neither Robby or Miguel made the first move this time. They circled each other like a dance. It reminded Miguel of the wheel technique. He could see that Robby was remembering it too, remembering training at Miyagi Do. Remembering training with Sam and Daniel. It was Robby that finally broke their stalemate. He launched a roundhouse at Miguel and used his momentum to turn him around and throw a reverse sidekick in his direction. Miguel was just barely able to avoid his foot. As Robby was still turned Miguel tried to throw a roundhouse of his own but Robby blocked it. Miguel threw an elbow strike but Robby brought up both of his forearms to block it. Coming out of the elbow strike Miguel tried to throw a backfist but Robby blocked that as well. Robby threw Miguel off him and the two stood apart staring at each other waiting for the other to make the next move.
Miguel took a step in to throw a barrage of punches. Robby sidestepped. Or at least Miguel thought he was sidestepping out of the way. Before he realized what was happening Robby lifted his front leg and threw a hook kick. Miguel didn't have time to react. The kick connected with his face.
"Point Keene!" The ref grabbed Robby's hand, "Robby Keene will face Samantha LaRusso in the finals!"
Sam felt her heart sink to her stomach when Robby's foot connected with Miguel's face. Her head was spinning as the ref held up Robby's hand. Miguel lost. She was all that was left. Everything was in her hands. The future of karate in The Valley all came down to her. She turned on her heel and ran out of the arena before anyone could stop her.
Miguel was the first person to find Sam after she left the arena. He sat down next to her, but didn't move to touch her. He knows Sam. When she is like the way she is now she doesn't want anyone to touch her. If she needs someone, she'll make the move. Until then Miguel was going to give her space.
"The match is going to start in five minutes. They're just giving Robby time to rest," he said softly.
"Thanks," Sam replied dryly, "Sorry about your match."
Miguel simply nodded. The two sat there in silence for a minute. Not wanting to talk about what they knew they were both thinking. Eventually Sam scooted closer to Miguel and put her head on his shoulder. His hand automatically went to her hair and started playing with it. She reached for his hand and he allowed her to take it. She started tracing circles on the back of it with her thumb. She allowed the tears she had been holding in to come out in choked sobs.
Eventually Sam broke their silence. "I don't know if I can do this, Miguel," she whimpered.
"Yes you can," Miguel responded confidently. His unwavering confidence shocked Sam, although she knew deep down it shouldn't have.
"I'm not sure I'm good enough," she said between her waves of sobs.
Miguel gently lifted Sam's head off his shoulder and turned to face her. He took both her hands and squeezed them in his. "You are the best fighter we have in our dojo. You can beat anyone Sam, including Robby. You're amazing, don't doubt yourself like that. I have complete faith in you. Miyagi Fang is in your hands now Sam. You can win it for us. You can do this. I believe in you."
Sam looked Miguel in the eyes. She could see his confidence in her burning in his eyes. There wasn't a flicker of doubt or hesitation in them.
"But what if I lose," she asked quietly.
"If we lose, we'll deal with it. Together. No matter what happens out there Sam, we'll deal with it together. Got it? You. Me. Your dad. Johnny. All of Miyagi Fang. We got your back, win or lose. And win or lose we'll deal with whatever comes next together. I promise."
Sam had stopped crying now as she looked at Miguel. She didn't know how he did it. How he always had so much hope and inspiration.
The person she saw in front of her now wasn't at all like the person she spoke to at the tournament a year ago. A year ago she looked at Miguel with so much sadness and frustration. The person she saw that day wasn't the person she knew he was. That person was buried underneath his Cobra Kai training. The loving and compassionate person she knew he really was had been covered up by the cold and heartless fighter. That was not the person who was sitting next to her now. The person she was sitting next to now was that loving and compassionate person that she fell in love with. The person with so much happiness and confidence that it was contagious.
And now her heart soared as she realized all that hope and confidence was directed towards her. He believed in her one hundred percent. He was behind her completely. That's when she realized that he was right — like always. When all was said and done he'd still be by her side. He'd still have her back. With that knowledge she knew she could take on anything, including Robby.
"I love you," she told him.
"I love you too. Now, let's get you back into the arena."
"No. First we have to go to the locker room real quick. There's something we need to do…" Sam said with a smile. Miguel regarded her skeptically, but he obediently followed her into the locker room.
Eventually the two walked back out into the arena hand in hand. They didn't care who saw. Miguel didn't care that people saw the former All Valley Champ being soft with a girl. Sam didn't care that people saw an All Valley Finalist holding hands with someone right before her match. The only two people that mattered in that moment were each other.
Miguel and Sam stopped next to Johnny and Daniel. Eagle Fang was sitting off together in the front row of the stands. The rest of Miyagi Do were standing right on the edge of the mat.
Daniel looked up and took in what Sam was wearing. She had the Miyagi Do gis top on, but she was wearing Miguel's red Eagle Fang pants, and his belt. She clearly had to roll them a few times given how much shorter than him she was.
"I know it's not our normal gi, and I'm sorry if you think it would embarrass Mr. Miyagi and Miyagi Do, but I'm not just representing Miyagi Do. I'm representing Miyagi Fang, and I figured I should be dressed appropriately."
Daniel smiled at her, tears forming in his eyes as he listened to her. She had grown up so much just in the past year alone. She was no longer just a little girl. "You look great. Mr. Miyagi would be so proud of you," looking at Miguel as well who had on Sam's pants, "he'd be proud of the both of you."
"I can't technically coach you since I'm not on your team, but I know you got this," Johnny said with a warm smile.
Turning to Miguel. "You can sit with the rest of us in the stands, or you can stay here with Sensei LaRusso and Sam"
Miguel turned to look at Sam. "I'm staying right here. This is exactly where I'm supposed to be."
Johnny nodded and turned back to Sam and Daniel. "Bring it home Miyagi Doe." Sam smiled at the nickname Johnny made for her. Then he bowed to Sam and Daniel before turning and walking to sit with the rest of Eagle Fang.
Daniel then turned towards Sam. "I'm sure I can't tell you anything Miguel hasn't already said. Just know that I believe in you too. I'm so incredibly proud of you."
Sam smiled brightly. She stretched out her arms and motioned for a hug. Daniel immediately moved in to accept the hug. Sam then looked over her shoulder to see Miguel standing out of the hug, giving them their moment — the respectful boyfriend as always. She reached out her arm and gestured for him to join in too. Miguel joined in and the three hugged each other tightly.
Just then the announcer came over. "It's time to begin. Ms. LaRusso I need you to come to the mat."
Daniel and Miguel both gave Sam one last squeeze of the shoulder before she walked onto the mat. They watched as she whispered something to the announcer as they walked towards the mat. The announcer nodded and took his place at the center of the mat.
"Ladies and Gentlemen…" the announcer boomed. His voice echoed throughout the arena. "Welcome to the finals of the 51st Annual All Valley Karate Tournament!" There was thunderous applause from the audience.
"In the red corner we have Robby. Keene! Representing the Cobra Kai dojo! His sensei's are John Kreese and Terry Silver." The crowd cheered as Robby walked onto the mat with Silver and Kreese standing on either end of him. The group stopped at the center of the mat.
"Now on the white side we have a change of dojo affiliation! Ms. Samantha LaRusso will be representing the Miyagi Fang dojo! Her sensei's are the pair of two-time All Valley Champs, Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence!" Johnny was left stunned where he sat in the bleachers. He looked at Sam and she nodded at him, indicating for him to join her on the mat. Johnny and Daniel both moved to flank Sam and the three met Cobra Kai at the center of the mat.
Sam could feel Johnny and Daniel glaring at Kreese and Silver on either side of her. She could feel the tension in the air. This was it. This was what they had been training for for the last five months. As she looked at Robby she felt that pang of guilt that still remained surface again. Robby had been one of her best friends at one point last summer. Dating him had been a mistake, but she still failed him. If she had done things differently maybe he never would have joined Cobra Kai. Maybe he wouldn't be facing her in the finals. Watching Robby's face Sam could tell he was thinking the same things she was. She could tell he was remembering too. The simpler times, oh how she wished she could go back and change the past.
The announcer broke the silence as he instructed both dojos to face each other and bow. They all did so, all maintaining eye contact the entire time.
Before they left the four sensei's shared words.
"Here we are Danny-Boy, I hope you prepared your daughter for this. This is where the real pain begins." Silver said with a devilish smirk.
Daniel instead chose to look at Sam as he responded. "She's ready," he said. The confidence Sam could hear in his voice energized her even more.
"This is it Johnny. I gave you a chance to join us, but you decided to stay with them. When this is all over Cobra Kai will be all mine, and you will go back to being that pathetic loser you were."
"No. I won't. Because we won't lose." Johnny responded looking directly at Sam. There was no hesitation or doubt in his voice either, Sam realized. Johnny believed in her, they all believed in her.
With all the senseis off the mat only Sam, Robby and the refs remained. The ref gestured for them to bow to each other. "Ladies and Gentlemen! The 51st Annual All Valley Karate Tournament Finals! Robby Keene vs Samantha LaRusso! Fighters, are you ready!?" Both responded with a yell as they got into their fighting stances.
"Begin!"
Sam didn't wait for Robby to come at her. She immediately threw a crescent kick in his direction which he only narrowly avoided. She followed it up with a flurry of punches, but Robby passed them with ease. Taking advantage of Sam's over extension Robby stepped in and landed a punch to her gut. It wasn't nearly as hard as Robby could deliver, but Sam felt it nonetheless.
"Point Keene!" the ref yelled out. "1-0 Keene! Begin!"
Once again Sam threw herself at Robby as soon as the ref yelled to start. She launched an axe kick in his direction but he backed out of range. She followed it up with a front kick, wanting to keep him on the retreat. Robby kept back pedaling as Sam threw a roundhouse at him and launched herself into a spin crescent kick using the momentum of her first kick. Robby found himself at the edge of the mat, much like he did last year with Miguel advancing on him. He threw down his one hand and launched both of his feet out, connecting with Sam's face as she advanced towards him.
"Point Keene!" the ref announced over the roar of the crowd. "Ms. LaRusso you're bleeding, go to your senseis."
Sam walked over, head hung at being down 2-0. She reached the edge of the mat and sat on the bench. Miguel sat down next to her and wrapped his arms around her. He rubbed circles on her back to try to calm her racing heart. Daniel grabbed a towel and immediately went to dabbing the blood off his daughter's face.
"Look kid, as much as I hate to say it but this offensive stuff isn't working. Robby is beating you with your own Miyagi Do techniques. He's completely flipped the script on you. You're fighting like a Cobra Kai and he's fighting like a Miyagi Do. Let him come to you. You can still win this thing kid," Johnny said.
Sam took a sharp breath. She was one point away from losing everything. She was one point away from losing the legacy that Mr. Miyagi left behind. She wasn't just fighting for herself. She was fighting for Miguel. For Daniel. For Johnny. For the rest of Miyagi Fang. For the very legacy of Miyagi Do and Mr. Miyagi. She couldn't lose. She wouldn't.
Sam stood up and gave her dad a hug. She turned and nodded at Johnny before deciding that wasn't enough. She wrapped her arms around him, and after a moment of hesitation he wrapped his arms around her.
In their months of training Sam had begun to view Johnny as more than just her sensei. She learned what it was that Miguel saw in him. Miguel never knew what it was like to have a dad. And as much as Sam could imagine what it was like she knew she would never really understand. Which is what Sam realized one night months ago. It's when Sam realized that just as Miguel was getting closer to her dad, getting to know him better, she too was getting to know Miguel's dad. Johnny Lawrence was the father that Miguel never got the chance to have. She had met the rest of Miguel's family, Carmen and Rosa, but in a way she had realized that Johnny was the missing piece that she got to know as well.
After breaking her hug with Johnny she turned to Miguel. He wasted no time wrapping his arms around her. The two didn't say anything. They just hugged each other tightly. Both remembering what they had talked about before the match. They could handle anything as long as they had each other.
Reluctantly Sam broke her hug with Miguel and walked back to the mat. When her and Robby were set the ref gave the signal for them to bow to each other again.
"2-0 Keene. Begin!"
This time around Sam didn't lunge at Robby right off the bat. The two circled each other, just like they did on the balance wheel, almost a whole year ago now at this point. Robby threw a roundhouse at Sam but she parried it and threw a jab into his sternum. She felt the punch connect.
"Point LaRusso!" The crowd erupted as Sam scored her first point. She glanced back and saw Miguel — watching her intently as always. "2-1 Keene. Begin!"
Robby immediately threw himself at Sam this time. She had just enough time to back away from his axe kick that came down right where her head had been moments before. Robby followed up with a wave of punches that Sam blocked. She tried to launch a roundhouse of her own only for it to be batted away by Robby. With Sam off balance Robby leapt into the air and attempted a Superman punch. With no time to spare Sam managed to lift up her foot and stick out a perfect sidekick into Robby's chest. The impact knocked him backwards on his ass. He landed with a hard thud.
"Point LaRusso!" The crowd stood up as the point was called. They began banging their noisemakers together. The excitement in the arena was palpable. They were one point away from having a new All Valley Champion.
"Timeout!" Silver screamed from the sideline.
Robby slowly stood up and looked at Sam. At one point last year he always knew how to read her, but looking at her now he didn't know what she was thinking. He silently turned and sulked over towards Silver.
"Listen here boy. This is no longer about winning," Robby looked at Silver confused. What did he mean it wasn't about winning? Wasn't that what this was all about. If they won then Cobra Kai won. That's what he wanted. Wasn't it?
"The LaRusso girl just put you on your ass. She is making a fool out of Cobra Kai, and you. And we can't have that. I don't want you just to win anymore. I want you to break her," Silver said. Robby looked at Silver skeptically. When he joined Cobra Kai he told himself there was a line that he would never cross. He didn't join Cobra Kai because he was bad or a bully— he joined because it's the only place that seemed to care about him.
"Her legs, her arms, her ribs, maybe even break her spine like you did to that boyfriend of hers," Now Robby looked at Silver in horror. Maybe he was wrong about him. Maybe he was wrong about all of Cobra Kai. Maybe they didn't really care about him either. Robby had many feelings about Sam, but none of them wished her harm. If he did this he would be crossing a line he promised himself he would never cross.
Robby turned and looked over his shoulder to where Sam was standing on her side of the mat. Miguel had his arm draped over her protectively. Her dad was talking animatedly at her. But then he saw Johnny. He wasn't paying attention to Sam at all. He was staring directly at Robby. The look in his eyes haunted Robby. It was like Johnny knew what they were talking about. Like he knew they wanted Robby to hurt Sam. It wasn't anger he saw in his eyes though, it was sadness and regret. It was what Robby had longed for his entire life. He could see in Johnny's eyes that he knew he failed, and he didn't want to fail. Not anymore at least.
Without saying another word Robby walked back to the center of the mat. Sam joined him not long after. He looked Sam in the eyes again and saw the same look. This time though he understood what that look was. It wasn't anger. It wasn't pity. It was regret and sadness. A part of her still cared about him.
Five months of training — it all came down to one decision. Not one round. One single decision.
"I concede!"
Sam's mouth flew upon right as the words left Robby's mouth.
"Did… did you just say you conceded…?" the ref asked, stunned.
"Yes."
The ref called the Tournament Committee over. In the 51 years the tournament had been going on there had never been a conceded match, let alone the finals. Finally it was Rob that came up to Robby.
"You're conceding the match?"
"Yes. I am."
"Why?"
"Because you should know exactly who Cobra Kai is. Sensei Silver didn't just want me to win. He wanted me to injure Sam. Potentially put her in the hospital. And this isn't the first time he's done something like that. Sensei Silver and Sensei Kreese have a history of assaulting students in their dojo."
"This is a very troubling revelation. I will need to confer with the rest of the committee. Thank you for your honesty, Mr. Keene."
Robby nodded his head as he watched Rob walk off to talk to the rest of the committee. He turned back to Sam who was still staring at him in shock.
"I'm sorry, for everything. I won't hurt you though."
Sam didn't know how to respond. "For what it's worth, I'm sorry too, truly." Robby nodded in response and walked over towards Tory, who had distanced herself from Silver and Kreese.
Tory put her arm around Robby. "You made the right call. These rivalries have gone on long enough. It's time to move forward."
Robby kissed her on the top of the head. "Yes. They have."
As they stood there Rob called for everyone's attention.
"Ladies and Gentlemen. We have had a stunning admission made to us just now by Mr. Robby Keene of Cobra Kai. According to Mr. Keene's accounts, Sensei Silver had instructed him to incapacitate Ms. LaRusso," the crowd began whispering amongst themselves. "It has also been brought to our attention that this is not the first offense that Mr. Silver and Mr. Kreese has made. Mr. Keene also informed us that they have a history of assaulting their students."
The arena gasped in shock. Across the mat Robby saw Johnny, Daniel and Miguel all looking at him intently.
"With this information we would like to announce that Mr. Silver and Mr. Kreese are officially banned from this tournament. Security, could you please escort them out."
Security immediately surrounded Silver and Kreese. They scowed at Robby as they were escorted out of the arena. The crowd booed them as they left.
"In addition, Mr. Keene has conceded his match. Which means… The winner of the 51st Annual All Valley Karate Tournament is… Samantha LaRusso!"
Upon her name being called Miyagi Do and Eagle Fang immediately charged towards Sam, who was still standing on the mat. None of them were quicker than Miguel though. He was by her side before Rob even finished saying her name.
When Miguel reached her he immediately picked her up off her feet. You could hear her giggle as she was swung around by him in the air. Her legs instinctually wrapped themselves around his back. The rest of her teammates threw their hands in the air and patted her on the back.
Tory whispered something in Robby's ear and the two walked over to Rob.
"Hey Princess," Tory called out. "I think this is yours." Sam tapped Miguel on the shoulder to let her down. She walked over to where Tory was standing, Miguel right by her side. Tory held out the trophy and gave it to Sam.
"Thanks. Look Tory I never got to apologize. I'm sorry. For everything over the last year. I know it's just a start, but I do want to start over. What do you say?"
"I'm still calling you Princess," Tory responded with a smirk, "but I'd like that." Tory nodded at Miguel and then walked away.
Next it was Robby who came up to Miguel and Sam. He wrung his hands nervously. He cleared his throat and began talking.
"Look Miguel, I never meant to kick you over that railing. I know it doesn't change anything, but I am sorry. And Sam, I'm sorry for lashing out at you and turning away from you and your family. I see now that you guys were just trying to help me. I hope one day you'll be able to forgive me."
Sam looked at Miguel and he nodded at her. The two had no need to exchange words. They were both thinking the exact same thing.
"You know the door to Miyagi Do is always open for you, Robby."
"Miyagi Fang," Miguel corrected, "but yes. Sam's right. I don't want to fight you any more. It's time to be better than our Senseis — err your dads I mean," he said as he looked between Robby and Sam, realizing that technically the senseis were also their parents.
Robby bowed at Miguel and Sam and walked off to join Tory. The rest of Miyagi Fang had congregated over on the side of the mat and were talking excitedly amongst themselves, leaving only Miguel and Sam remaining on the mat.
Miguel smiled at Sam with what might have been the widest and brightest smile she had ever seen. It was then that she really began to grasp what had just happened. Miyagi Fang had won.
"I told you we'd win," Miguel said.
"Yes. You did." Before Miguel could say anything else Sam grabbed his gi and pulled him into a passionate kiss. The whole arena watched them, but she didn't care. Two All Valley Champions, but to each other they were so much more.
Sam won that day. Miguel won. Daniel and Johnny won. Miyagi Fang won. Robby Keene won. Tory Nichols won. Cobra Kai lost. John Kreese and Terry Silver lost.
Mr. Miyagi's legacy lived on in Sam, in Daniel, in Miguel, even in Johnny and the rest of Miyagi Fang. And with Robby and Tory turning their lives around Sam realized that one day Mr. Miyagi's legacy will live on in them too.
The people of The Valley will never know what was truly at stake that day. They will never know what stood to be lost. May 18, 2019 was the day Samatha LaRusso became an All Valley Karate Champion, just like her dad before her. Just like Miguel. It was the day Robby Keene saved karate in The Valley. It was the day rivalries ended once and for all. It was the day the Soul of The Valley was saved.
A/N:
Like I said I guarantee this won't at all be canon but I can dream!
There's so much pressure on these kids for this tournament. It's so unfair. At least Sam has Miguel to lean on for support though. I can't wait to see them together at the tournament. It's going to be such a change from how they interacted at the tournament in S1.
I'm done with my semester which means I'm going to have more free time the next few weeks. That said I want to open up this series to requests. I have one or two more ideas but I want to know if anyone has any requests on one shots they want me to write. It can be either a potential S4 scene, or a rewrite of something in the past. I will try my absolute best to get them out before S4 drops!
