chapter thirty-nine:
❛ arizona strikes back ❜

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The echo of Johnny's shout-"Bubblegum!"-shook Arizona out of her lazy evening, her heart skipping as she registered the loud, insistent call outside her apartment. She was curled up on her couch, completely absorbed in Shameless, the TV blaring to fill the quiet of the room. But Johnny's yelling was unmistakable.

She glanced toward the kitchen to find her little brother, Diego, raiding the fridge. He was standing on his tiptoes, reaching for something on the top shelf, and for a brief second, Arizona couldn't help but chuckle. But then she remembered the voice outside and quickly jumped to her feet, pausing her show as she hurried to the door.

When she swung it open, she found Johnny Lawrence standing outside, looking as restless as ever, his eyes wide and an air horn clutched in his hand. The obnoxious sound from earlier finally made sense. He was practically vibrating with urgency, an energy that was half-frantic and half-excited.

"What's going-" Arizona started to ask, but her voice caught in her throat as her eyes drifted behind Johnny, up to the second level of the apartment complex.

There, on the upper walkway, her boyfriend, Miguel, and Johnny's son, Robby, were locked in a heated brawl. Miguel was throwing punches, his jaw set in determination, while Robby dodged, holding his ground but clearly not backing down. Arizona's heart lurched; this was exactly what she had feared. The rivalry between the two boys had been simmering for so long, and now it was boiling over again.

She whipped her head back toward Johnny, giving him a look that was equal parts incredulous and furious. "What did you do?" she demanded, practically hissing, as the panic surged through her.

Johnny raised his hands in defense, as if to brush off her accusation. "Shut up and come on!" he ordered, his voice clipped and urgent.

Arizona groaned, hastily slipping her black Converse on over her socks. She didn't bother with laces, just slipped them on and rushed after Johnny. Her heart was pounding as they sprinted toward the stairwell, her voice ringing out, "Guys, come on! You're getting too close to the edge!"

But the boys didn't hear her. They were too locked in their own world, eyes narrowed, hands clenched. Neither was paying any attention to the fact that they were inches from a deadly drop.

"Robby, Miguel, knock it off!" Johnny shouted, his voice echoing through the open space, but his command seemed to fall on deaf ears.

Miguel's fists flew, a flurry of quick, practiced strikes. Robby absorbed the hits, his expression grim, barely flinching under the force of each punch. Arizona's heart pounded as she darted up the stairs, Johnny right on her heels. She was gripping the railing so hard her knuckles were white, but her mind was racing ahead, flashing back to the fight at school-the last time Miguel and Robby had clashed this intensely. She couldn't shake the memory of Robby's body falling off the school balcony, the way time had slowed, and she was terrified she might see that nightmare unfold all over again.

Finally, she reached the top, just as Miguel backed Robby into the railing, his eyes wild with adrenaline. He let out a loud, fierce yell as he raised his fists. Arizona's breath caught in her throat, every muscle in her body tensing as she watched, fearing that Miguel wouldn't stop.

But he did.

Miguel hesitated, his hands falling to his sides as he took in the situation, his chest heaving as he took a step back, away from Robby. Arizona's heart skipped a beat, relief washing over her as she realized he'd found his restraint.

Robby seemed just as surprised, looking at Miguel with a mix of confusion and curiosity.

"Why'd you hold back?" Robby asked, his voice low and almost breathless.

Miguel glanced at Arizona, their eyes meeting for a second that felt like forever. She could see the struggle in his gaze, the push and pull of wanting to win but refusing to lose himself to anger. "I didn't get into karate to hurt people," Miguel said, his tone softened. "I did it to be a badass and find balance." He threw a small, almost embarrassed smile at Arizona, and she felt a swell of pride for him.

Robby nodded, processing Miguel's words, a hint of understanding dawning in his expression. "Yeah, I get that."

Miguel tilted his head, his curiosity getting the better of him as he studied Robby. "Last time we fought like this... why didn't you hold back?"

Robby's face grew serious, a flicker of guilt darkening his features. He looked down, his voice tinged with regret. "I wanted to finish the fight. I mean, not like that. I just-I had tunnel vision and got so angry that I... I barely knew where we were." He paused, swallowing hard as he forced himself to meet Miguel's eyes. "I'd take it back in a second if I could."

Arizona felt a pang in her chest, her heart aching for both of them. This was what Miguel had needed to hear-Robby's admission, his apology. She knew how much Miguel had been waiting for this moment, how much he had needed to know that Robby regretted what happened.

Robby's voice broke a little as he continued. "I was the cause of the worst moment in your life. If it's any consolation, it was the worst moment in my life too."

Miguel took a slow, deep breath, nodding as he absorbed Robby's words. A small, understanding smile crossed his face. "Yeah... I'll take it," he replied, the weight of forgiveness evident in his tone.

The tension seemed to melt away as Johnny stepped forward, a relieved grin spreading across his face. "So, is it over? Are you guys good?"

Both boys nodded, the unspoken truce settling comfortably between them. Arizona felt the tension ease in her own shoulders, an overwhelming relief washing over her.

"Thank God," Johnny muttered, practically rolling his eyes with relief. "Cause if you still hated each other when the baby gets here-"

He froze, realizing his slip, his eyes widening as he tried to backtrack, but it was too late.

Arizona's eyes widened in shock, her brain processing his words at lightning speed. "The baby?!"

Robby tilted his head, his eyebrows knitting in confusion, while Miguel shot a bewildered look between Johnny and Arizona. "Wait, what? Like, you and my mom?"

"Holy shit, you knocked up Carmen?!" Arizona exclaimed, a mix of disbelief and laughter spilling from her.

Johnny sighed, knowing the cat was out of the bag. "Yeah, we're... having a baby," he confessed, looking sheepish. "But we were supposed to tell you together, so, uh, act surprised when she brings it up, alright?"

Miguel's shock melted into pure excitement, a huge grin spreading across his face. "Holy shit!" he shouted, practically bouncing with joy.

Robby's face lit up, his earlier tension completely gone, replaced by genuine happiness. "Dad, that's awesome!" he exclaimed, throwing his arms up in celebration, his smile as wide as Arizona had ever seen.

"That's amazing!" Arizona cheered, clapping her hands in excitement as she watched Miguel and Robby pull Johnny into a tight hug, a real, heartfelt embrace. The sight warmed her heart, a happiness settling over her as she realized how far they'd all come. They were family, in a way, and in that moment, she knew it.

But then, a thought hit her. She had made peace with Miguel and Robby's friendship, but she hadn't fully made peace with Robby himself. Her lingering resentment still hung in the air, and she realized it was time to let it go.

"Robby," she called softly, stepping forward, and he turned to look at her. She extended her fist toward him, her smile genuine. "Friends?"

A grin broke across Robby's face as he bumped his fist against hers. "Friends," he agreed, his gaze flicking between her and Miguel, a sense of finality settling over him.

But then, Robby's face turned mischievous, his lips curving into a playful smirk. "Since we're being honest here... I used to have a crush on Arizona," he admitted, raising an eyebrow as he waited for their reactions.

"What?!" Miguel exclaimed, his head whipping toward Arizona in surprise. She raised her hands in surrender, shrugging with a sheepish grin. "What can I say? The guys like me. Robby, Dylan, Miguel..." She started counting off on her fingers, sending Miguel a playful look.

Miguel shot her a playful glare, his narrowed eyes barely hiding his amusement.

Johnny scoffed, rolling his eyes but grinning despite himself. "Alright, we get it, Bubblegum. You're a babe," he deadpanned, a hint of affection in his tone.

Arizona burst into laughter, the sound carrying through the night, filling the air with warmth and joy. Surrounded by the people she cared about, with laughter and love binding them together, she felt a deep, unshakeable sense of belonging. In this moment, everything was exactly as it was meant to be.

As the laughter settled down and the night's revelations finally began to sink in, Miguel gently tugged Arizona's hand, guiding her away from the group. The others-Johnny, Robby, everyone-were too caught up in their own excitement to notice the couple slipping away to the quieter side of the walkway, under the soft glow of the nearby streetlamp.

Miguel's face softened as he looked at her, his dark eyes filled with a mixture of regret, hope, and vulnerability. He took a deep breath, and Arizona felt her pulse quicken, knowing this was a conversation they'd both been needing for a long time.

"Arizona... I'm sorry," he began, his voice a soft murmur, his gaze never leaving hers. "I'm sorry for everything. For the way I hurt you. For losing your trust." He hesitated, clearly struggling to find the right words. "I know I messed up. And I know that saying sorry isn't enough, but... I need you to know that I mean it."

Arizona felt a lump rise in her throat, and for a moment, she looked away, gathering her thoughts. His apology felt raw, genuine-something she'd been waiting to hear, but also something she knew was only part of the healing process.

"No, Miguel..." she replied softly, finally meeting his gaze again. "I'm sorry too. This past week... it's given me a lot to think about." She paused, her fingers fidgeting nervously with the hem of her hoodie. "I realized that I've been holding onto a lot of pain, and maybe some of that wasn't fair to you. But tonight, seeing you here, watching you hold back in that fight and seeing how much you've grown... it reminded me of why I care about you so much."

Miguel's lips curled into a tentative smile, a spark of hope in his eyes, but he stayed quiet, giving her space to say everything she needed to.

"Miguel," she continued, taking a step closer to him, her voice soft yet steady. "I want us to be boyfriend and girlfriend... officially." She said the words with a quiet confidence, and the look on Miguel's face was worth every bit of vulnerability it had taken to say them.

"I forgive you for what happened," she continued, her voice tender but firm. "I forgive you for cheating on me, and I trust you now. I want us to have a fresh start, with no baggage from the past."

Miguel's face broke into the brightest smile she'd seen on him in ages, and his hand instinctively reached up to cup her cheek. She leaned into his touch, feeling the warmth of his palm against her skin.

"But..." she added, her voice a bit hesitant, and his face softened as he waited, patient and understanding. "I'm not sure if I'm ready to say 'I love you' yet. I want to, someday, but... I need a little more time."

Miguel nodded, his thumb gently brushing her cheek. "I get it," he said, his voice gentle, full of understanding. "I don't want to rush you, and I don't expect you to say it until you're ready." He paused, swallowing as he gathered his own emotions. "I know I hurt you, Arizona, and I know it's going to take time to earn that trust fully. I'll wait as long as you need."

A small smile tugged at Arizona's lips as she looked up at him, the weight of their shared pain beginning to lift. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice filled with gratitude.

Miguel pulled her into a warm, comforting hug, his arms wrapping around her tightly as if he were afraid she might slip away. She sank into him, feeling the steady beat of his heart against her, and for the first time in a long while, she felt at peace.

When they finally pulled apart, Miguel brushed a stray hair from her face, his fingers lingering at her temple. "So... does this mean I can officially call you my girlfriend?" he asked, a teasing glint in his eyes.

Arizona laughed, feeling a giddy warmth fill her chest. "Yeah, I guess it does," she replied, her voice light, the playfulness returning between them.

They stood there for a moment longer, just taking each other in, until finally, hand in hand, they walked back toward the others. It wasn't a perfect resolution-there were still things to work through, still pieces of trust to rebuild-but it was a new beginning. And for now, that was enough.

The cozy warmth of the Diaz apartment was filled with the clatter of dishes and laughter as Arizona, Miguel, Robby, and Johnny gathered around the dining table. Johnny had outdone himself, ordering a small feast from Olive Garden, and the table was laden with pasta dishes, salads, and the famous breadsticks he'd raved about.

"All right, dig in," Johnny said, grinning as he motioned for everyone to grab a plate.

They all reached for a breadstick, but Arizona held up her hand quickly, stopping them just before anyone took a bite. "Wait!" she called out, her eyes bright as she raised her breadstick. "Cheers to being friends and back together again," she said, her voice filled with warmth as she looked around at everyone, feeling a surge of gratitude for this little makeshift family they'd created.

"To family," Robby added, raising his own breadstick with a small smile, glancing at Miguel and Arizona. There was something genuine in his voice, something that spoke of a desire for connection.

"Family," Miguel nodded, his eyes reflecting a similar sentiment.

"And to an old relationship," Arizona added, giving Miguel a soft, teasing smile that made his face light up. She wanted to acknowledge the past between them while also marking the new beginning they were building together.

"Wow, you weren't kidding about these breadsticks, Dad," Robby said with a chuckle as he took a bite, clearly impressed.

Johnny grinned, clearly pleased. "I wouldn't lie to you, kid," he replied. "Especially not about food. Three times... in the same day."

Just then, the front door creaked open, and Carmen entered the apartment, looking slightly worn out from her shift but smiling at the sight of them all gathered together. She wore her usual purple scrubs, her hair tied back in a loose ponytail.

"Hi, Mom," Miguel greeted her with a warm smile, visibly pleased to see her.

"Hi." Carmen looked around, her gaze softening at the sight of the unlikely group. Her eyes lingered on Robby for a moment, surprise mingling with a gentle warmth. It was clear she hadn't expected him to be there.

"Hello, Carmen," Arizona greeted her with a friendly smile, always grateful for Carmen's kind presence.

Carmen's lips curved into a soft smile. "Hi, Ms. Diaz," Robby spoke up, a bit shyly, his usual confidence tempered with respect. "I hope it's cool that I'm having dinner here."

"It's very cool," Carmen assured him, her hand resting lightly on his shoulder in a motherly gesture that seemed to put him at ease. "You're welcome anytime here, Robby." She leaned down to kiss the top of Miguel's head lovingly. "Hola, amor."

Miguel's cheeks flushed slightly, but he leaned into the affectionate gesture, murmuring, "Hola."

Carmen moved around the table and gently placed her hand on the top of Arizona's head, her fingers brushing affectionately through Arizona's hair. "Hola, Arizona," she said with a soft smile.

"Hola!" Arizona replied cheerfully, biting into her breadstick with a grin as she watched Carmen and Johnny step aside, clearly wanting to have a private word.

As they moved to the side, Carmen lowered her voice, speaking just loud enough for Johnny to hear. "They seem... happy," she said, a hint of pride in her tone as she looked over at the group around the table. "All of them together, like this."

Johnny nodded, looking a bit uncomfortable but pleased. "Yeah, took a lot to get here," he admitted, glancing back at them as they laughed over something Miguel had said. "But they're like... I don't know, like some weird, dysfunctional family." He smirked, his eyes softening as he watched the kids enjoy themselves.

Carmen chuckled, her hand resting on Johnny's arm for a moment. "You've done well, Johnny. They've all grown because of you."

Johnny shrugged, looking down as if embarrassed, but there was a touch of pride in his expression. "Yeah, well, maybe they taught me a thing or two, too."

Meanwhile, back at the table, Arizona leaned closer to Miguel, her hand finding his under the table as they all continued to talk, each of them knowing that this moment was a rare and beautiful one. For tonight, they were together-united by the challenges they'd faced and the trust they were rebuilding. And for once, it felt like things might just be okay.

The day after the dinner at Miguel's, Arizona was surprised to see a message from Sam, asking her to come over to her house. She hesitated for a moment, feeling slightly uneasy about the impromptu invitation, but ultimately decided to head over. When she arrived at the LaRusso home, the sight awaiting her was unexpected.

As she stepped through the door, Arizona found herself facing not just Sam, but also Johnny, her grandmother Alba, and, to her surprise, Chozen Toguchi. Their expressions were somber, weighed down by the seriousness of the situation. Arizona glanced around, trying to piece together what was happening. She noticed Amanda standing nearby, her arms crossed, a frown creasing her forehead.

Before Arizona could ask, Johnny took a deep breath and explained, "Apparently, Terry Silver attacked Daniel-brutally. It happened at Stingray's place." His voice was low, his words heavy with the gravity of the situation.

Arizona's heart skipped a beat, a pang of sadness flickering in her eyes for her ex-sensei. She may not have been close with Daniel, but he had tried to show her a different path, one not tainted by Cobra Kai's ruthlessness. But as Johnny continued to talk, Arizona became even more confused. Why was she here? Why were they involving her in their efforts to help Daniel?

"And we wanted to ask," Johnny said, his tone softer now, almost hesitant, "if you would consider... going back."

Arizona's eyes widened in surprise. "To Cobra Kai?" she asked, as if she hadn't heard him correctly. The very idea felt surreal, considering all the pain and betrayal she'd experienced there.

"Yes, Arizona-san," Chozen interjected, nodding firmly. "This plan has great potential. You know Cobra Kai from the inside; you understand their tactics."

Arizona instinctively glanced over her shoulder, where her grandmother stood, a quiet but comforting presence. Alba's face softened, and she quickly moved to Arizona's side, crouching down to her eye level. "Baby, you don't have to do this if you don't want to," Alba said gently, her voice filled with both love and concern.

Arizona could see the reluctance in her grandmother's eyes. She remembered the pain and anger she felt when she'd first shown up at Alba's home, crying over the way Cobra Kai had treated her-how Tory had branded her as a "traitor" by tattooing the word on her arm. Her grandmother had comforted her then, helped her heal from the scars, both physical and emotional. Going back felt like reopening an old wound.

"She's right," Amanda LaRusso spoke up, stepping forward with a sympathetic look. "You have every right to say no."

Arizona's gaze drifted to Sam, who sat silently in the corner, her face clouded with worry. Sam hadn't said a word during the entire conversation, but Arizona could tell by her expression that she was opposed to the idea. Still, Arizona knew what Sam was feeling-a mix of worry and fear for what Cobra Kai could do. They both understood, on some level, how dangerous Terry Silver was, how he seemed capable of anything to get what he wanted.

Arizona took a deep breath, letting the weight of the decision settle on her shoulders. She was hesitant. The thought of rejoining Cobra Kai made her stomach churn. She remembered Kreese's manipulation and control, how she'd been twisted and molded into something she didn't recognize. But then, a chill ran down her spine at the thought of Terry Silver having free reign over the valley. If there was any chance she could help stop him-even if just in a small way-she felt compelled to try.

After a long pause, Arizona finally looked up and spoke, her voice steady. "I'll do it."

A small, defeated sigh escaped Sam as she slumped back in her chair, her expression showing a mix of disappointment and reluctant admiration.

"Are you sure?" Alba asked, concern deepening in her eyes. She searched her granddaughter's face, hoping for a sign that Arizona wasn't rushing into this decision without understanding the risks.

"I'm sure," Arizona replied, her tone firm. She knew this was dangerous, but she was willing to face it if it meant protecting the people she cared about.

Johnny nodded, his face serious. "But that means you need to communicate," he added. "We're not letting you go in blind. You tell us everything that happens there-every training session, every tactic they use. No secrets."

"Every detail," Chozen added, his gaze intense. "We need to know everything, Arizona-san. If you ever feel uneasy or start having second thoughts, you tell us immediately."

Arizona swallowed, taking in their words. She was fully aware of the stakes, of the challenge she was signing up for. "Okay," she murmured, nodding in agreement.

Alba was taken aback by how quickly Arizona had agreed. She had expected her granddaughter to take a few days to think it over, maybe consult her friends or even seek their opinions. But Arizona seemed resolute, her eyes steady and filled with a new determination.

Sam, who had been silently stewing in her worry, finally spoke up, a hint of pride in her voice. "Even though I'm not completely on board with this plan, I'll admit-you're pretty badass for considering it."

Arizona couldn't help but smile, her tension easing slightly at Sam's approval. "Please," Johnny said, grinning, "she's Bubblegum. She's calm and actually thinks."

Arizona took a deep breath, steadying herself. "So, what's first?" she asked, looking between Johnny, Chozen, and her grandmother, ready to hear the plan.

Johnny's expression turned thoughtful. "Since you left Cobra Kai once, Silver's gonna be cautious. He's not just gonna let you walk back in and hand you his plans on a silver platter." His face twisted into a slight smirk. "So, we're gonna have to change up your look and personality a bit."

Arizona raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "I'm flipping the script?"

Johnny nodded, the mischievous glint in his eyes unmistakable. "You're flipping the script." His smirk widened. "Silver expects the same girl who walked out of Cobra Kai. We're gonna give him someone different-a version of you he won't see coming."

Chozen stepped forward, nodding in agreement. "You'll need to act as if you've changed. Keep your emotions in check, hide your true intentions. Become what he expects from a Cobra Kai student-but only on the surface."

Arizona let their words sink in, realizing just how much this plan would test her strength and resilience. But she was ready to do whatever it took to stop Terry Silver's influence from spreading, even if it meant stepping back into the shadows she'd once escaped from.

Taking a deep breath, Arizona squared her shoulders, the resolve firm in her voice. "Let's do this."

Kyler's voice broke the silence as he groaned in disbelief. "What the hell are you doing here?" His gaze was fixed on the open door, eyes wide in shock.

"Arizona?" Tory's voice trembled with disbelief, her head snapping toward the entrance. Her jaw dropped, clearly not expecting to see her old friend standing in the doorway.

Arizona stood confidently at the threshold, her presence unmistakable. Her bright pink streaks now stood out vividly in her freshly cut, short hair, a sharp contrast to the rest of the intimidating dojo. She stepped inside the Cobra Kai flagship dojo, her posture tall and assertive, her eyes scanning the room.

The room was filled with tension as every pair of eyes turned toward her. Even the coldest of warriors couldn't mask their surprise at seeing Arizona again, of all people, walking into this notorious training ground. The sense of disbelief was palpable in the air, but Arizona walked in as if she owned the place.

Tory's posture stiffened, sitting up from her spot on the floor with an expression that flickered between confusion and wariness. It wasn't just Arizona's unexpected arrival that threw her off-it was the fact that her ex-friend had the audacity to step back into the dojo they once trained in together, and without any hesitation.

Devon Lee, who had once been neutral toward Arizona, offered a small smile when their eyes met. There was an unspoken understanding between the two of them, though the smile was tinged with a mix of curiosity. Arizona had never been one to make a grand return, but here she was. Still, there was a certain wariness in her gaze. She hadn't been part of Cobra Kai for a while, and it was clear that Arizona wasn't here just to rekindle old friendships.

At the front of the room, Sensei Terry Silver stood, his piercing eyes locked on Arizona. "Sensei Kim," he called across the dojo, his tone commanding attention, "this is the young lady I told you about. Miss Alvarez. Kreese's top girl."

Arizona's brow furrowed in surprise. Why was Silver talking about her like that? She hadn't even directly interacted with him before, not since leaving Cobra Kai, and certainly not under his watch. She had left before he'd taken over, and to her knowledge, she had no significant connection to him. Yet here he was, introducing her like she was part of his inner circle.

She raised an eyebrow, glancing over at the woman training the girls, whose sharp gaze met hers. Arizona could feel the weight of the words spoken about her-Kreese's top girl-but she had no idea why Silver would bring her up now. Had he been watching her from afar, or did he think he could manipulate her into some twisted form of loyalty again?

There were a lot of questions swirling in her mind, but she kept her composure, determined not to let any uncertainty show.

ASH SPEAKS!

arizona's pink streaks are back!!

i got this idea for arizona to spy on cobra kai last minute... i was re-reading janiabeans eli book and i was like... i kinda want arizona to flip the script again... so this whole idea i got is inspired by her :)

PLEASE DONT BE A GHOST READER!
COMMENT AND VOTE. IT HELPS US WRITERS STAY MOTIVATED:)