A/n~ I'm an emotional wreck after this chapter.

The dojo was filled with the sound of heavy breathing and the rhythmic thud of bodies hitting the mat as the students pushed through their burpees. Theo's chest felt like it was on fire, each rep a reminder of the tension that hung in the air. He could feel the eyes of Johnny, Elise, and Kreese drilling into them, demanding answers about the incident at Miyagi-Do.

"This could all be over in an instant. The decision's yours," Johnny said, his voice cutting through the noise. There was a hardness in his gaze, a warning that he wouldn't tolerate any nonsense.

Elise stepped forward, her expression fierce. "Who trashed the Miyagi dojo?"

Johnny continued, his tone steady but with an edge. "Y'all know I'm no fan of LaRusso's, but that sort of bullshit we don't teach in here," he glanced at Kreese. "At least not anymore. So, I'm gonna ask you again. Who trashed Miyagi-Do?"

Chubs spoke up, his voice shaky. "It was not me, Sensei. I would never disrespect another man's dojo..."

"Shut your cake hole, Chubs. We're not looking for excuses. We're looking for answers," Elise snapped, her frustration palpable.

Theo gritted his teeth, his gaze fixed on Kreese and Hawk, who stood with a smug look on their faces. His bandaged hands throbbed with pain, a reminder of the conflict that had unfolded the night before. The memory of Daniel's hurt and anger lingered in his mind, fueling his own.

Miguel chimed in, trying to defuse the situation. "Sensei, we really don't know who did it."

Kreese leaned forward, his voice low and menacing. "Somebody knows something. Question is, who's gonna break?"

Theo could feel the pressure mounting, the tension in the room thickening. He clenched his fists, resisting the urge to lash out. He remembered the camaraderie they had built, the lessons they had learned together, and how quickly that could be shattered by Kreese's influence.

Johnny crossed his arms, his expression unwavering. "Keep going. We can do this all day."

As the phone rang in the office, the tension in the dojo momentarily broke. Johnny shot a nod to Elise and walked off to answer it, leaving the students to catch their breath. Mitch piped up, "Sensei, we need a water break," trying to ease the weight of the moment.

"Two-minute break," Kreese barked, his tone sharp but not unkind. The students hurriedly moved toward their water bottles, and Theo felt a sense of relief wash over him. He caught Tory's eye and smiled slightly, grateful for her presence as she approached him.

"Are you sure you can do this?" she asked, concern etched on her face as she rubbed his bandaged hands gently.

"I'm fine," he replied, though the throb in his hands begged to differ. He didn't want to show weakness, especially with the looming presence of his grandfather nearby. He watched them from the corner of his eye, narrowing his gaze.

Suddenly, Johnny and Elise emerged from the office, both dressed in casual clothes. Their faces held a mixture of emotions—something serious had clearly transpired behind closed doors. Elise motioned for Theo to come over.

"What's up?" he asked, sensing the urgency in her tone.

"You're in pain, so I'm pulling you out," she said, her voice firm but caring.

Theo opened his mouth to protest, but Elise placed her hands on his shoulders, grounding him. "I always wanted you to meet my old Cobra Kai buddies, and we're getting together like old times. Our buddy Tommy, he's..."

Her voice trailed off, and Theo noticed the emotion welling up in her eyes. It was a stark contrast to the tough exterior she usually maintained. Without thinking, he pulled her in for a hug, feeling the weight of her memories pressing down on them both.

"I'll go get changed," he said softly, wanting to lighten the mood. He knew this was important to her, and if it meant a moment of connection with her past, he would support her.

Taking a moment to collect himself, he changed into a fresh shirt and took a deep breath, steeling himself for whatever this gathering might reveal. When he stepped back into the dojo, he could see that the atmosphere had shifted. The students were chatting quietly, some still hydrating, while Johnny and Elise shared a knowing glance.

Theo rejoined Elise, who raised an eyebrow at him. "Ready?"

"Just need to say goodbye," he said. Elise nodded, smiling as she pushed him towards Tory.

"I'm heading off with my mother and Johnny," he said, glancing back at the duo as they prepared for the evening ahead. There was a mix of excitement and nervousness about meeting Elise's old friends, but he knew it was important to her. "Will I be able to see you tonight?" he asked, the hope in his voice evident.

"Come over, I'm making pizza," Tory replied with a bright grin, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm, leaning up to kiss his cheek. Theo felt a warmth spread through him at Tory's words, her kiss lingering on his cheek. It was a small gesture, but it filled him with a sense of comfort and reassurance He lightly squeezed her hand before letting go, the connection between them unspoken yet powerful. "Stay safe, I love you, rockstar."

"I love you too," he responded, a smile breaking across his face as he watched her. There was something about the way she called him "rockstar" that always made him feel special, as if she believed in him more than anyone else.

—————

As Theo drove the van into the San Bernardino Hospice Centre, a heavy feeling settled in his stomach. The sign loomed ahead, and he could sense the seriousness of the meeting weighing on Elise.

"Oh fuck, this isn't a happy meeting," he muttered, glancing over at his mother, whose frown deepened as they approached the entrance.

"Yeah," Johnny agreed from the back seat, his tone somber. He reached out to pat Elise on the shoulder, offering a small gesture of support.

They all piled out of the van, and Theo took a moment to gather himself as they made their way to the elevator. The atmosphere was thick with unspoken emotions, and he could feel the gravity of the situation as they ascended.

When they reached the front desk, a familiar face awaited them. Bobby, one of Elise's and Johnny's old friends, stood there with a warm smile. "Johnny, Elise."

"Hey, Bobby," they both replied, their voices brightening slightly at the sight of an old friend.

They embraced him, exchanging the comfort of familiarity. Bobby turned to Theo, curiosity in his eyes. "Hey. Who's this?"

Elise smiled, pride shining through her concern. "This is Theo, my son. I wanted him to meet you guys."

"Nice to meet you, man," Bobby said, extending a hand.

"Nice to meet you too," Theo replied, clapping hands with him, grateful for the warm welcome.

"Long time, guys," Bobby continued, his gaze drifting to the two old friends.

"Yeah. You look good, B," Elise said, her smile genuine despite the circumstances.

"Few more wrinkles, but, you know, not too bad," Bobby chuckled, the lightness in his voice a brief respite from the heaviness of the day.

"Yeah, what about you? You'd think with all that preaching and praying, you'd get some of that hair back," Johnny teased, the camaraderie evident in his tone.

They all shared a small laugh, a moment of levity in an otherwise serious setting. But Bobby's expression softened as he continued, "Yeah. Unfortunately, God doesn't work that way. But I've definitely been doing a lot of praying since, you know..."

Elise nodded, her concern returning. "Yeah. How's he doing?"

Bobby's smile turned wistful. "He'll be happy to see you guys. Room 112."

As they walked down the corridor, Theo glanced at his mother, noting the mixture of determination and vulnerability in her expression. He reached out and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.

As they entered the room, the atmosphere shifted slightly. Johnny couldn't help but smirk as he caught sight of Tommy. "You're watching soccer? It's worse than I thought," he quipped, his playful tone easing some of the tension.

"Johnny. Elise. You didn't have to come all the way out here. Who's this?" Tommy asked, his voice warm yet slightly surprised.

"Yeah, you were gonna come and see us? This is my son, Theo. I wanted him to meet the old gang," Elise replied, her pride shining through despite the somber setting.

"Nice to meet you, kid," Tommy said, extending a hand.

"Nice to meet you too, Tommy," Theo responded, holding back his emotions as they clapped hands. He could sense the kindness emanating from Tommy.

"Does it hurt?" Johnny asked, his expression shifting to concern.

"Nah. Meds do their job," Tommy replied casually. Then, with a hint of mischief in his voice, he added, "Oh, did you see? They already got me a priest."

The group shared a knowing smirk, and just then, Bobby walked into the room.

"I'm a pastor, Tommy. But if you wanna confess about that 50 bucks you still owe me, the Big Guy's listening," Bobby teased, a grin spreading across his face.

"Damn it, you just reminded me that he owes me 50 too," Elise chimed in, shaking her head with a mock exasperation.

Johnny chuckled, "You're gonna fight this."

Tommy's expression shifted slightly, a hint of resignation in his eyes. "Nah. That part's done." He pointed to his head. "It's in here now. Besides, you and Elise were always the better fighters."

"Bullshit. Remember that tournament back in '83? You beat Vidal to get to the semis," Elise shot back, a playful spark igniting between them.

"Yeah. Who beat me in the finals?" Tommy countered, a cheeky grin on his face.

"All right. Yeah, but you didn't make it easy on me," Johnny admitted, laughter bubbling up in his voice.

Theo watched the exchange, feeling a mixture of warmth and sadness. It was clear that these were not just friends; they were family, bonded by memories that spanned decades. He admired the way they could bring humor into such a heavy moment, and he felt grateful to be included, even if just for a short while.

Just as the tension in the room began to fade, another figure stepped in—Jimmy, bustling with energy. He placed a colorful basket of flowers on the counter while speaking into an earpiece. "Yes, hon. I know. All right. I love you, too. All right, gotta go. Bye."

"Hey, sorry I'm late. Elise, you look great. Who's this?" he asked, his gaze shifting to Theo.

"Wow, I'm repeating myself a lot today. Jimmy, my baby boy, Theo. Theo, this is Jimmy," Elise introduced them, her pride evident.

"Nice to meet you, man," Theo said, clapping hands with Jimmy.

"You too, kid," Jimmy replied, his smile warm as he greeted Johnny and Bobby next before turning to Tommy.

"Hey, buddy," Tommy said, his voice filled with familiarity.

"Hey. Jenny and the kids send their love," Jimmy responded, and Tommy's face softened.

"Aw, tell Jen and the boys, I said hi," Tommy replied.

Just then, a nurse entered, clipboard in hand, and Tommy's tone shifted. "Oh, you again. Guys, give me a minute."

Theo, Elise, Johnny, and Bobby filed out into the hallway, sensing the need for privacy.

"I spoke with the doc," Jimmy began, his brow furrowing. "He can sign out for 24 hours, but I don't know. Is he gonna even be able to make it to the car?"

"What are you talking about?" Johnny and Elise asked in unison, confusion etched on their faces.

"You didn't tell them?" Jimmy pressed, looking at Bobby.

"Look, we can't let Tommy rot in this place. He deserves better," Bobby declared, his voice filled with conviction.

Elise's interest piqued. "What do you have in mind?"

"Road trip. Give the guy a wild night to remember. Theo, you in?" Bobby asked, turning to him.

Theo hesitated for a moment. He had plans with Tory for the night, but something about this idea tugged at him. He enjoyed the company of Elise's friends, and the thought of giving Tommy a memorable night felt important. "Let's do it," he finally said, determination in his voice.

"That's my boy!" Elise exclaimed, wrapping her arm around his shoulders and shaking him excitedly. Jimmy and Bobby clapped Theo's hands, celebrating the decision.

But then, Johnny's expression turned serious. "I don't know, man. In his condition..."

Before anyone could respond, a sudden alarm echoed through the hallway. The heart rate monitor inside the room flatlined, and panic surged as they all rushed back in.

Inside, they found Tommy ripping out the wires attached to him, a defiant look in his eyes. "Let's get the hell out of here," he said, a mix of determination and urgency in his voice.

"Are we really doing this?" Theo asked, a hint of excitement creeping into his voice.

"Hell yeah, we are!" Tommy grinned, already moving toward the exit.

—————

An hour later, the group was transformed, decked out in leather jackets, black helmets, and sunglasses, ready for their adventure. They had rented Harley Davidsons for the road trip, and the excitement in the air was palpable.

"Holy fuck, this is badass," Theo exclaimed, laughing as he revved his engine, lining up between Elise and Bobby. The group chuckled at his enthusiasm.

"Let's ride," Johnny called out, and they all pulled their masks up over their noses, revving their engines in unison before taking off in formation.

As they cruised along the winding roads, the wind whipping through their hair, the thrill of freedom enveloped them. After a while, they pulled into a bar at Big Bear Lake, the lively atmosphere welcoming them. To their surprise, no one asked Theo for ID as they settled down at a table, beers in hand.

Bobby leaned back, a mischievous grin on his face. "Then there was that time that Tommy got that horrible fake ID, and the bartender served us all dishwater."

Laughter erupted as they reminisced.

"And I drank the whole thing because I didn't know what beer was supposed to taste like," Tommy added, shaking his head at the memory.

"I remember that," Elise said, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

Jimmy chimed in, "We made up for it the next weekend, remember?"

"Dutch got so hammered, he stole the dartboard," Elise laughed.

"Oh, no, no, he didn't steal it. He smashed it. That's the first time he went to juvie, remember?" Bobby corrected, and the group nodded in agreement, their shared history binding them together.

"Man, I got so wasted that night, I missed Ali's birthday," Johnny said, shaking his head at the memory.

"Oh, that's right," Elise replied, recalling the incident.

"Remember that?" Johnny asked, looking around at the group.

"Boy, she reamed you out, John. I don't know what was scarier? Her or my old man," Elise teased, a smirk on her face.

"That's a name I haven't heard in a while. How's Kreese?" Jimmy asked, a hint of curiosity in his tone.

"My father's doing well. Johnny started his own dojo, and I help there," Elise replied proudly.

"What... For real?" Bobby asked, raising an eyebrow in surprise.

"Yeah. It's over in Reseda. It's doing pretty well, actually. Lot of good kids. Theo's there," Johnny added, a sense of pride in his voice.

"I have a legacy to live up to. Three-time All Valley champion right here," Theo declared, puffing out his chest.

The older guys looked impressed, whistling in admiration.

"What's it called?" Tommy asked, genuinely intrigued.

"It's called Cobra Kai."

The three shared a glance, a mix of surprise and nostalgia crossing their faces.

"You brought back Cobra Kai?" Bobby asked, incredulous.

"Yeah, it's not all that's back," Johnny replied, his voice dropping slightly as he hinted at Kreese's return.

"This is the stupidest thing I've ever heard," Jimmy chimed in, shaking his head in disbelief.

"It's not stupid," Johnny shot back, his tone firm.

"John Kreese is bad news. All that crap we dealt with after high school, taking that 'no mercy' bullshit out into the world," Bobby added, his voice laced with concern.

Theo and Elise exchanged glances, both wanting to defend Kreese since he was family. But given some of the recent stunts he had pulled, they hesitated to speak up.

"And you guys got it the worst. Don't you remember?" Jimmy continued, his expression serious.

"Of course, I remember, but people can change," Johnny insisted.

"Not everyone," Elise mumbled to herself, taking a sip of her beer, her thoughts swirling.

"Just like Cobra Kai can change," Johnny pressed, his passion evident.

"Yeah, right," Jimmy scoffed.

"No, I'm serious. Elise and I are trying to change Cobra Kai, and Kreese is on board," Johnny explained, his conviction unwavering.

"Do you trust him?" Tommy interjected, his brow raised.

Elise and Johnny fell silent at the question, while Theo shrugged his shoulders, taking a sip of his beer and messaging Tory on his phone.

"You know Kreese. He's always got something up his sleeve," Bobby warned, his skepticism clear.

"Nah, he's a different man. Besides, doesn't it say something in your book about forgiveness? 'Cause all I know is, everyone deserves a second chance," Johnny countered, pushing back against the doubts.

Tommy decided to shift the mood. "You know what I think? I think I wanna play some pool. Theo, you're my partner."

"Oh, then we're so winning," Theo grinned, feeling the competitive spirit rise.

"Hey, you guys wanna play some pool with me?" Tommy asked, looking around.

"Yeah, I'll play some pool with you, Tommy. Come on. Let's go get a table. Elise, you're with me," Johnny said, the conversation shifting as the group stood up, eager for some fun.

As Theo, Elise, Tommy, and Johnny approached the pool table, a scene unfolded that made their blood run cold. They walked past a man harassing a woman, his demeanor aggressive and threatening.

"Whoa, whoa. Where you going, honey? We're just getting to know each other," he sneered, leaning too close for comfort.

"Don't touch me, asshole," the woman shot back, clearly uncomfortable and afraid.

The man turned his attention to Theo as they approached. "Something I can help you with, boss?" he asked mockingly, sizing Theo up.

"Yeah. We got next," Theo replied, his tone flat, refusing to engage with the man's bravado.

The man chuckled, eyeing Tommy with disdain. "That is the ugliest Make-A-Wish kid I have ever seen. I'll tell you what. Here's my wish. You can suck my—"

Before he could finish, Theo acted swiftly. In an instant, he grabbed the man's wrist and twisted it viciously, the sound of a snap echoing in the crowded bar. The man cried out in pain as Theo yanked out his piercing, blood oozing from the wound in his ear.

The commotion stirred the attention of nearby patrons. Johnny and Elise were quick to join the fray, their instincts kicking in. They squared off against the man's friends, who had jumped in to back him up, fists flying and chaos erupting.

Jimmy and Bobby rushed over from the pool table to assist, their faces set in determination as they joined the fight. The atmosphere shifted from laughter and camaraderie to a whirlwind of punches and shouts.

Meanwhile, Tommy chose a different approach. With a sigh, he took a seat at the bar, watching the brawl unfold. He shook his head, a mix of amusement and concern on his face as he sipped his drink. It was a familiar scene, one he had seen unfold many times before.

The bar erupted into chaos as fists flew and shouts echoed off the walls. Theo, Johnny, and Elise moved with practiced precision, their Cobra Kai training kicking in.

Theo darted forward, using his agility to sidestep a punch from one of the man's friends, then delivered a swift kick to the guy's knee, sending him crashing to the floor. Johnny followed up with a quick jab to another assailant's gut, doubling him over, and Elise expertly spun around, delivering a roundhouse kick that caught a third man off guard, knocking him back against the bar.

The scene was a blur of movement and adrenaline. Theo and Johnny worked seamlessly together, anticipating each other's moves as they took down their opponents one by one. Elise darted in and out, striking with precision, her training evident as she used her speed to keep the attackers on their toes.

But just when it seemed like they had the upper hand, the man whose wrist Theo had snapped recovered enough to retaliate. In a fit of rage, he lunged at Elise, catching her off guard and wrapping his arm around her neck in a chokehold.

"Let her go!" Johnny shouted, anger flaring as he moved to intervene.

Theo, seeing Elise's struggle, didn't hesitate. He spotted a bottle on a nearby table, quickly grabbing it and smashing it over the man's head. The sound of glass shattering filled the air, and the man released Elise, slumping to the ground, unconscious.

With their last opponent incapacitated, the remaining thugs looked around, realizing they were outmatched. The sheer intensity of the fight and the skill displayed by the Cobra Kai group was enough to make them reconsider their bravado.

Bobby and Jimmy joined the fray, helping to finish off the last few men who had been too slow to retreat. A well-placed punch from Bobby sent one of them sprawling to the floor, while Jimmy tackled another, holding him down until the chaos finally settled.

Panting and adrenaline pumping, Johnny turned to Elise, who was regaining her composure after the chokehold. "You okay?"

"Yeah, fine," she replied, brushing herself off.

Theo stepped closer, a mix of concern and pride in his eyes. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to let him get his hands on you."

Elise shook her head, giving him a small smile. "It's fine, Theo. I think I owe you one."

With the fight behind them, the group stood together, their bond strengthened by the chaos. The bar patrons slowly returned to their drinks, some cheering the group on while others simply shook their heads in disbelief.

As the adrenaline began to wear off, Johnny looked around at his friends, a grin spreading across his face. "Well, that was more excitement than I expected tonight."

"Let's get back to pool," Tommy said, finally rising from his seat at the bar, a satisfied smirk on his face. "I think it's our turn to break."

—————

The crackling of the campfire filled the quiet night as Theo and Tommy sat together, their beers in hand, the glow of the flames casting dancing shadows around them. The rest of the group had turned in for the night, leaving the two of them to unwind after the chaotic evening. Theo was currently telling him about Tory.

"So, how's everything with  this Tory?" Tommy asked, taking a swig of his beer, his expression curious.

Theo leaned back, staring into the fire for a moment as he considered his words. "It's good. She's been really supportive, you know? Just being there for me as I work on the band and everything."

"That's great to hear, man. You two seem really good together," Tommy replied, nodding with approval. "What's she like?"

"She's got this fierce spirit," Theo said, a smile breaking across his face. "She's passionate about what she believes in, and she's always pushing me to be better."

Tommy chuckled. "That's important. Having someone who believes in you can make all the difference."

"Definitely," Theo agreed. "I feel lucky to have her in my corner."

"Keep nurturing that," Tommy said, leaning in slightly. "Relationships take work, but it sounds like you're both on the right track."

"Yeah, I hope so. I really want this to last," Theo replied, taking a sip of his beer.

Tommy smiled, giving him a reassuring nod. "You're a good kid, Theo. Just keep being yourself, and you'll be fine."

With that conversation wrapped up, Tommy stood up, stretching his arms overhead. "Alright, I should hit the sack before I turn into a pumpkin. Goodnight, Theo."

"Goodnight, Tommy," Theo replied, feeling grateful for the bond they shared.

The sun peeked through the trees, casting a warm glow across the campsite, but Theo's peaceful slumber was shattered by the sound of shouting. He jolted awake, disoriented, as he stood up and noticed Elise, Jimmy, and Bobby frantically surrounding Tommy, who lay still on the ground.

"Fuck, Tommy! Come on!" Elise cried out, her voice filled with urgency and fear.

Theo's heart raced as he rushed to their side, confusion turning to dread as he realized the gravity of the situation. Elise was performing CPR, pressing hard against Tommy's chest, desperation etched on her face.

"Tommy, please!" she pleaded, her voice breaking. "You can't leave us!"

Theo felt a wave of emotion wash over him as he watched, memories of the night before flooding his mind. They had been laughing and sharing stories, the warmth of the fire still fresh in his heart. And now, here was Tommy, unmoving, surrounded by friends who were fighting to bring him back.

"Is he...?" Theo stammered, his voice barely above a whisper, the reality crashing down on him.

"We're trying!" Jimmy shouted, his hands shaking as he assisted Elise. Bobby stood nearby, his face pale, unable to grasp what was happening.

Just then, Johnny emerged from his tent, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. Upon seeing the scene, his expression shifted instantly from groggy confusion to alarm. "What's going on?" he asked, rushing over.

"Tommy... he's not moving!" Bobby exclaimed, panic creeping into his voice.

Johnny dropped to his knees beside them, his face tightening in concern as he assessed the situation. "Come on, Tommy!" he urged, his voice fierce and commanding.

Time felt like it stretched infinitely as they worked, the world around them fading into a blur. The sound of sirens eventually pierced the air, but even as the ambulance arrived, the look of hopelessness began to creep into their eyes.

The paramedics rushed over, taking charge of the situation, but it felt like a cruel game of waiting. Theo stood frozen, his heart heavy as he watched the professionals try to revive Tommy. Moments stretched into what felt like hours, but ultimately, it was clear.

One of the paramedics stepped back, shaking his head gently. "I'm sorry. He's gone."

The words hit Theo like a punch to the gut. He couldn't process it, the reality of losing Tommy.

Elise fell to her knees, tears streaming down her face as she realized the truth. "No... not Tommy," she whispered, her voice choked with grief.

Johnny's face fell, his expression a mix of shock and disbelief. He reached out, placing a hand on Elise's shoulder, trying to comfort her but feeling the weight of his own pain.

Jimmy and Bobby stood nearby, their expressions equally shattered. They exchanged glances, each feeling the weight of their loss, the void left by Tommy's absence.

Theo felt a lump in his throat as he stepped closer, kneeling beside Elise. He reached out, pulling his mother close to him, but he felt helpless. Words failed him; nothing could ease the pain or the sense of loss that enveloped them.

Tommy had passed away peacefully in his sleep, quick and painless, surrounded by those he considered family. The warmth of the fire from the night before felt like a distant memory, replaced by the harsh reality of grief.