ELEVEN.
( end of beginning. )

Emmy was doing her best to try and reason with Hawk that what he did costed him a lot, but of course, he was being too stubborn to listen. 

"Fine. Sit there and pout because you got disqualified like a baby. Come talk to me when you grow up," she stood up from her spot next to him, almost smiling when she heard him grumble an "ok."

She then started to walk around and look for Miguel. Since the two of them were now entered into the finals, there was a chance that they could go up against each for the championship. Emmy just wanted to make sure that he wasn't gonna take any of his Sam anger out on her. 

Spotting Aisha, she went up to her. "Hey, have you seen Miguel?"

"Yeah, I think he and Sam are talking over there. Seems pretty serious."

Emmy felt her mood drop. "Oh, ok. I'll catch you later then. Oh, by the way, you did great on your final match, don't let douchebags tell you otherwise."

The girls smiled at each other, giving each other a quick hug before going their separate ways.

"I expect you to act like a normal person," Emmy heard her sister's voice say, and turned to see Sam and Miguel conversing. 

Just by Sam's body language, she could tell that they weren't trying to reconcile. 

And not wanting to barge into their conversation without some kind of reason, Emmy spotted an unopened water bottle close to her. She quickly grabbed it, looking around her to make sure that no one saw her before she walked up to them. 

She planted a fake smile on her face, and she walked up behind Miguel. "Hey, I found that water bottle you've been looking for."

They both turned to her, and Miguel had a relieved look on his face once he saw her. He went along with her thing, taking the bottle from her hands. "Thanks. You're a lifesaver."

Sam watched them with crossed arms and a scrunched face. 

"Hey, Sam," Emmy said awkwardly, pressing her lips into a thin line. 

"Hey," the older girl's tone was snarky. "I see you got into the finals. Impressive."

Emmy tilted her head to the side. "Yeah, I did. And it is impressive. Who knows? Maybe I'll win this whole thing."

"That's a big maybe."

It caused Emmy to straighten up, and she took a step forward, but Miguel shot his arm out in front of her. He shook his head at her, and she scoffed. 

"You are just a stuck up bitch, aren't you?" Emmy squinted her eyes at Sam. 

Sam squinted hers back. "Could say the same for you."

Emmy just chuckled. "Wow. Look who's finally saying shit with her chest. Well, let me just tell you, that I am not going to hold back on your boy over there. And by the time I give him back to you, he'll just be roadkill."

Sam's smug expression faltered, and only a glare was set on her face. 

Emmy decided to take it farther, intertwining Miguel's hand with hers. And like it was instinct, Miguel did it back, which caught Sam's eye. "Just watch what we do to Robby in the finals."

✸

"Stop looking at them. You're only gonna make yourself feel worse."

Emmy cleared her throat and looked away from her family, glancing at Miguel before looking down at the ground. "Don't think that's possible. Is it weird that I feel bad?"

Miguel furrowed his eyebrows, his hands behind his back and he looked down at her. "Feel bad for what? Telling the truth? They were all assholes to you."

"I'm not talking about my parents or Sam," Emmy rolled her eyes. "I'm talking about Anthony."

Miguel pressed his lips together. He knew how much Anthony meant to Emmy. That night when she came to his apartment, all she could do was express how she didn't want to leave her little brother by himself. 

"Why don't you talk to him after the tournament?" he suggested. 

"Really?" Emmy questioned. "You wouldn't be, like, mad if I did?"

"Why would I?" Miguel had a small smile. "He's your brother. And your only family member who isn't shitty."

Emmy looked at him in slight surprise. "Who are you, and what have you done with Miguel?"

The Diaz boy lightly scoffed, and nudged her side. "I can be nice."

She just smiled at him. "You are nice. Like really nice. Too nice."

"Okay, okay. I get it," he waved her off. 

Emmy chuckled at him, before sneakily taking a step closer to him. 

Suddenly, arm were wrapped around her shoulders, and someone shoved themselves in between the two. Emmy felt her annoyance flare up, and she turned to see Hawk. He looked oblivious and was looking around the arena with an innocent grin. 

She huffed, crossing her arms over her chest. 

"So, what are we gonna do when one of you guys wins?" he asked. 

Miguel raised his eyebrows at him. "What makes you so sure that we're gonna win?"

He then yelped when there was a sharp pinch to his back, and he turned to see Emmy glaring at him. "What was that for?"

"Don't put things like that out into the world," she scolded. "Of course we're gonna win. That's what you're supposed to say and think. Plus, there is no way I am letting the family stealer steal this win. One of us is winning and I'm gonna make sure of it."

"Family stealer?" Hawk questioned out loud. 

Emmy felt her annoyance rise again, and she smacked his side. "Ow! Stop hitting me!"

"Then stop talking," she countered, rolling her eyes at him. 

"Whatever," he said, lightly tugging on her hair. "So, what's the plan? For celebrating the victory?"

"I was thinking going out for food and having a sleepover at your house," Emmy explained, and Hawk furrowed his eyebrows. 

"Why my house?"

"Well, I live in a small apartment, Em doesn't really have a home anymore, and Aisha's parents don't like Emmy. So, that just leaves you," Miguel explained. 

"Fine," the boy grumbled. "But you guys are paying for food. And I'm ordering. A lot."

Emmy snorted, shoving him to the side. Hawk responded back, jabbing an elbow into her side. Miguel just chuckled and shook his head at his two best friends, not being able to contain his smile. 

✸

"Emmy."

The girl spun around in surprise, not expecting anyone else to be in the locker room since Miguel and Robby's fight was just in a few minutes. But she really didn't expect her own mother to be standing in front of her. 

Her face dropped with dread, and she thickly swallowed. "What do you want, Mom?"

She watched as the woman tried her best to smile, but it never quite reached her eyes. "I..um...I just wanted to see you. See how you're feeling."

Emmy couldn't help but scoff. "See how I'm feeling? Is that some kind of sick joke?"

Amanda sighed. "Emmy ⎯"

"No!" Emmy cut her off, slamming her locker shut. "You have no right to come in here, at the most important event of my life, and do this to me."

"Emmy ⎯ "

"No!" she exclaimed again. "You can not do this to me."

"Em ⎯ "

"Don't you dare!"

"Emmy ⎯ "

"Get out."

"Emmy Larusso!"

"Fuck you, Mom!"

Silence immediately followed Emmy's words, and both of their eyes widened. Amanda reeled back in shock, while Emmy stayed frozen, not believing that those words came out. 

Emmy felt the tears spring in her eyes at the look on her mom's face. "Mom, I'm sorry ⎯ "

"I came here to make peace with you," Amanda spoke sternly, silencing her daughter. "I came here because, even if you don't think it, I care about you. I am your mother. I deserve to know how you're doing."

"You know," Emmy began. "You stand there and say that, but you haven't even tried to contact me since I left."

Amanda bit the inside of her cheek. 

"I pour my heart out. I tell you everything I've ever felt. But when I leave I don't get so much as an 'are you okay?' And you want to make peace with me?"

"Of course," Amanda harshly huffed out. "You're my daughter. I am not going to sit back and watch as this rips apart our family."

"This?" Emmy repeated. "I would love to hear how you would explain this."

Amanda huffed. "Emmy ⎯ "

"No? Can't? Well, let me," the girl took a step towards the older woman. "This, is me being treated like shit for my entire life. It's my entire family going on like I'm nothing. It's me finally realizing, for the first time in my life, that I am a person that others really can love. That's what this is, Mom."

Emmy sucked in a breath, trying to conceal the hurt in her eyes. "So, I'm sorry if this is tearing apart our family, but don't act like it's my fault. I didn't ask to be put with parents who couldn't even care about me."

Amanda had her arms crossed over her chest, staring intensely into the ground, not saying a word. 

Then there was the sound of the crowd cheering, and Emmy glanced over at the door. "Sounds like my cue. How about a nice, hard reflection on yourself? Hmm?"

Emmy walked past her mom and hurried out the door, leaving the woman in the locker room by herself. 

✸

"If you don't win. I'll never forgive you," Miguel huffed, eyes glaring daggers into the boy on the opposite end. 

"Why? Cause you lost?" Emmy said mockingly, rolling her eyes at him. "Don't blame me for your silly mistakes. Plus, you won't have to forgive me because I'm gonna win."

"And you're so sure because?"

She deadpanned at him. "Uh, excuse me. Fix that attitude please."

Miguel sighed, his shoulders falling. "I'm sorry. Just...upset."

"Uh huh," she looked him up and down. "Don't take it out on me. And I hope you know me better than thinking I'll let Robby Keene beat me."

"I know, I know."

"Good," she told him, before placing a hand on his shoulder. "Don't be upset. Be happy that you even made it this far. I promise to do my best."

He raised his eyebrows at her. "And by your best you mean you'll win."

Emmy grinned. "You know me so well."

He in turn rolled his eyes at her, before bringing her into a hug. "Break a leg."

She giggled, rocking them side to side. "I'll break both of them."

Miguel laughed, pulling away and patted her shoulder. "Go win this whole thing."

Emmy smiled and nodded, taking a stand next to Johnny. 

"You ready?" he subtly asked her as the announcer walked to the center of the mat. 

"I have to be," she sighed, rolling back her shoulders. "God, just looking at him makes me sick."

Johnny looked in the direction she was looking at, and made eye contact with Robby. The teen boy's eyes fixed into a glare, and the man looked down in guilt. "Yeah, well. Don't throw up."

"This is it, folks. The moment we've all been waiting for. The final match to determine who will be victor and champion. Will it be Emmy LaRusso from Cobra Kai Karate? Will it be Robby Keene, unaffili ⎯ "

Suddenly, a woman in a red dress ran up to him, stopping him in his sentence. She quickly whispered something into his ear, silencing everyone for a second. 

"Daniel LaRusso's gonna coach?"

Emmy's head whipped to the side, face falling as she looked at the announcer. "What?"

And as if he heard her, he brought the microphone back to his mouth to inform everyone. "Daniel LaRusso is gonna coach! I'm sorry, folks, there's been a change."

Her eyes flickered as she caught view of her father stepping up next to Robby. Her heart felt heavy, and her eyes started to burn. 

"Pinky, get it together," Johnny muttered into his ear, noticing the look on her face. 

"I think I'm actually gonna be sick," she whispered, not being able to take her eyes off of the two males. It made her stomach churn watching her father support someone else. 

"Robby Keene will now be fighting for Miyagi-Do Karate with former champion Daniel LaRusso as his sensei!"

Hearing the cheers for her dad was just ringing in Emmy's ear. 

Was this the universe's way of getting back at her? She teamed up with the man her father hates the most so her father goes and teams up with the boy she hates the most? Was this what karma was?

Johnny looked at Emmy, who all of a sudden, had a distant look on her face. "Hey. Hey!"

"I don't think I can do this," she quietly told him, sucking in a sharp breath. 

He scrunched his eyebrows. "What?"

"I can't do this," she gasped out, looking at him with wide, glassy eyes. "He's my dad."

"So what?" he told her. "He sure as hell wasn't when he did nothing for you. Or when he treated you like garbage your whole life. Or when he chose a stranger over his own daughter."

Emmy just shook her head. "I thought I was strong enough but this is just too much."

"Hey, listen to me," Johnny bent down to her level, and placed his hands on her shoulders. "You are strong enough. I know that you stood up for yourself to your parents, which takes a lot of strength by the way. You told them whatever the hell they were doing wrong and you got the hell out of there. If that isn't strong then I don't know what is."

She nodded along. 

"You are one of my best students, and I know that you can beat him. Don't let your old man bring you down anymore. Don't let him ruin karate for you again."

If they weren't in front of a bunch of people, Emmy would have bursted out crying, but she settled for throwing her arms around her him. "Thank you."

Johnny was stiff for a moment before hesitantly hugging her back. "No problem, Pinky."

"Okay," she sucked in a big breath, quickly wiping away her tears. "I got this."

"Yes you do," he reassured her. "Now go kick some ass."

She laughed, sniffling and nodded. "Yes, Sensei."

He gave her a small smile, before giving her a light push forward. 

Emmy took a deep breath, shaking off her limbs as she stalked up to the center of the mat. Robby followed her actions two seconds after, a harsh look on his face. 

She cracked her neck. "You really have some nerve."

Robby just smirked at her, tightening his belt. 

"Face me. Bow," the referee spoke, and the two teens turn to him and bowed. "Each other. Bow. Fighting positions. Ready? And fight!"

Emmy's heart was beating what felt like a thousand miles per hour, and she let out a shout before swinging her fist Robby's way, which he skillfully blocked. 

Emmy would never say it out loud, but she knew that Robby was good. Because she knew her dad was good. I mean, he wasn't a champion for nothing. 

Robby was able to duck and block every single one of Emmy's attacks, and landed a kick square in her chest. Emmy stumbled back, feeling her face heat up from embarrassment. 

She took a few deep breaths as she stood back up, rapidly blinking her eyes to try and clear her head. It was the look on her own father's face that made her want to retreat back to the locker room. The look on his face when Robby landed the kick. The look of pure and utter joy. 

Emmy clenched and unclenched her fists, swallowing thickly. 

The two competitors both got back into their fighting stances, but Robby faltered a bit as he looked at her. She looked off. Not like the usual Emmy who was confident and very out spoken. She looked almost defeated. And his eyes softened. 

But then, "Ready? And fight!"

Emmy became more aggressive, practically charging at him. Her face resembled one of extreme angry and agony, like she was in actual, real, and physical pain. She gave her best kick, merely missing his chest by a centimeter. 

She gave a grunt, ducking under his own kick, having to constantly back away from his attacks. Emmy was running off of adrenaline, and charged at him again. 

She shoved her elbow into his injured shoulder, weakening him for just a moment and his chest was wide open. She scowled, before her fist connected with his chest. 

"LaRusso and Cobra Kai with the point!"

Emmy let out a shaky breath, staring up at the ceiling and gulped. She closed her eyes for a moment before looking at Robby again, seeing him glaring at her. 

"Is she okay?" Hawk asked in concern, observing her body language. 

"She's got a lot on her mind," Johnny answered. "Just...give her some time. She'll pull through. She always does."

She cleared her throat, rubbing her hands together before getting into her stance. 

Robby copied, eyebrows furrowing as he stared at her. "You alright?"

"Shut up," she immediately told him. 

He raised his eyebrows in surprise. "My bad for being nice."

"Shut the fuck up," she sighed. "Your voice is making this even harder for me."

His face went cold again, and he rubbed his hurt shoulder. 

"Ready? And fight!"

This time, they both rushed forward, Emmy throwing the first punch again while Robby quickly swatted them away. She didn't give up, using the sound of Daniel LaRusso cheering for Robby Keene to fuel herself. 

Robby then threw his own punch, which Emmy pushed away with her hand, and twisted her body so that her elbow made contact with his shoulder again. Robby shouted in pain, almost completely dismissing the fight to hold his shoulder. 

Emmy took the chance to sweep him off of his feet, making him hit the mat with a hard thud. She smirked to herself, rushing over and struck his chest with her foot. 

"That makes it two points for LaRusso!"

"Time! Time!" Daniel sprang up from his seat, rushing over to his student. 

Emmy scoffed, turning her back on them as she walked back to her sensei. "This is ridiculous."

"What was that back there? You looked like a whole different person," he raised his arms in disbelief. 

She looked at him for a moment, before looking off to the side. "Nothing. I just...lost myself for a minute. But I'm fine."

"You better be," he pointed a strict finger at her. "Because I am not losing to Daniel LaRusso."

Emmy tiled her head at him. "You're not the one fighting. It's me who's not losing to Robby Keene. You're not gonna turn this huge moment for me into something about you. Do you understand?"

He was silent, but Emmy just assumed his answer was the one she wanted. 

"All right, LaRusso. Let's go."

She looked harder at Johnny, seeing he was avoiding eye contact with her. The man confused her more than Miguel did. First, he was all about her being strong and winning this whole fucking thing. But now? He was looking like a beat up puppy when he should have been looking thrilled. 

"Men," she grumbled with a shake of her head, turning back and walked back to her place. 

She loosened her limbs once more, taking a deep breath as she and Robby connected eyes. It infuriated her even more to think that she had not gotten a single word of encouragement from her family. Especially her dad. 

Emmy thought that if he saw her doing really well, then he would finally come to his senses. But she figured that it was wishful thinking. 

Robby was clutching onto his shoulder like it was going to fall off, and Emmy traveled her eyes down to it. That was his weak spot. 

"Fighting positions. Ready? And fight!"

Almost immediately, Emmy noticed the change in Robby. And she almost felt like she was 7 again and watching her dad practice through the slit in the door. She threw a kick, but she knew that Robby would block it. 

And then suddenly, the thought of she was fighting her dad slipping in her mind, and she clenched her fist harder. She made an obvious swing at him, causing him to dodge and end up on the left side of her. And with a shout, she shoved him to his knees. And immediately sent a kick to his shoulder, causing him to roll back. 

She went to stomp on his shoulder again, but Robby barely rolled out of the way. And right as she went to kick him again, Robby sent her tumbling back by kicking her back with both of his feet. 

Emmy was taken by surprise, eyes wide. The cheers around her caused even more embarrassment to seep into her, and she wanted to hide her face from everyone. 

Her chest ached as she got onto one knee, seeing feet coming up to her. She looked up, seeing Robby standing in front of her with his hand out. 

And for a split second, she was going to grab it, but then she heard him. 

"Finish it, Robby! You can beat her! I know you can!"

And it was like a switch went off in her head, and her face went completely blank. She looked up at Robby, before pushing herself up and yanking on his left arm, therefore yanking on his bad shoulder. 

She pushed herself fully up, wiping her mouth as she could see Robby falling to his knees beside her from the corner of her eye. She stared right at her father as she spoke to Robby. "Don't play Mr. Nice Guy. Doesn't suit your pretty face."

"That's one warning for unsportsmanlike contact," the ref told her, and she just nodded along.

Robby went over to Daniel, while Emmy went over to Johnny. 

"The hell was that?" he asked her. "We can't afford warnings right now. It's the finals!"

Emmy looked at him in disbelief. "You're seriously giving me this talk? What happened to no mercy? Or is this another strike to your ego because you don't wanna look bad compared to my father?"

"Look, I know we wanna win,  but it's gotta be the right way. We don't have to fight dirty."

"Dirty?" Emmy repeated, looking at him in confusion. "Since when was it dirty to win? You're the one who told me to use everything to my advantage. And that advantage is his shoulder. That's my ticket to this thing. Don't worry. I got this."

Johnny opened his mouth to speak, but Emmy walked away, putting herself into a fighting stance for the final point. The point that concluded who would win. 

"Ok, good luck to both of you. Ready? And fight!"

And with new found strength, Robby threw a kick first, but Emmy shoved it away with much aggression. She swung for his face, but Robby ducked out of the way, spinning the two around and kicked her lower back. 

Emmy stumbled back, but quickly regained her balance, taking a deep breath before charging through. At the same time, she and Robby raised up their legs and thrust them into each other's direction. 

They both swerved out of the way, now on opposite sides from where they started. Robby then let out a cry, lifting his foot again, aiming for her shoulder, but Emmy swiftly caught it, missing the way Johnny shook his head. She raised her again, slamming it into his shoulder. 

Robby stumbled, face twisting into complete and utter pain. And Emmy spun around, her foot connecting with his chest, sending him to the ground. 

The place erupted into cheers so loud that Emmy thought she was going to bust an eardrum. She breathed heavily as she looked around, not believing what just happened. She felt her arm get raised in the air, and she turned to her team. 

"Point! Winner!"

She breathed out a laugh, a sincere grin forming on her face. Aisha was the first one to reach her, the two wrapping their arms around each other. Hawk and Miguel followed suit, jumping up and down as they hugged the girl in excitement. And soon enough, everyone from Cobra Kai had reached her and were screaming in happiness. 

Emmy still couldn't believe what was happening, tears springing in her eyes. It felt as if the smile on her face was permanent, and she turned to Johnny. 

But it would turn out that her smile was not permanent, and she saw his solemn face. Her eyebrows knitted together, as she followed his line of sight, only to see Robby's back. Her dad then caught her eye, and there was a glimmer of hope that he would even feel a sliver of proudness. But his face showed nothing. He wasn't happy for her. And neither was Johnny

"No one saw that coming, huh? I know I didn't," the announcer said as he walked up to the female champ. "Without further ado, let me present the trophy to this year's new champion, Emmy LaRusso and the Cobra Kai dojo!"

She was handed the trophy, but her eyes never left her dad and Robby, even when they left. Her heart was pounding, and she felt a tear roll down her face. 

"I'm sorry," she said, handing the trophy to Miguel before rushing away. 

"Emmy!" Miguel shouted after her, but was scooped away by the cheering and excited teens. 

✸

Robby was disappointed that he lost. Even after gaining the confidence to enroll himself into the competition, he couldn't beat her. And if he was going to be honest, he knew it was a long shot. 

He knew that Emmy LaRusso was more passionate about karate than everyone he ever knew. She had things to lose and stuff on the line, and her determination pulled through. He had to respect that. 

"I'm just going to get my stuff and then we can leave," he told Daniel before he jogged over to the locker room. But as he about to reach the room, he heard an odd noise nearby. 

He furrowed his eyebrows, his feet carrying him closer and closer to the sound. It brought him to a two way hallway, and he glanced to the left and right before doing a double take to the left. 

A girl in braids, dressed in a black and yellow gi was curled up on the floor, head in her hands, sobs leaving her mouth. 

He recognized her right away. "Emmy?"

She gasped and raised her head, making eye contact with him. He could see her red and puffy eyes, and concern bloomed with him. "Are you okay?"

Emmy immediately got to her feet, wiping her face. "Yeah. Bye."

She tried to move past him, but he grabbed her wrist. Emmy looked at him with narrowed eyes. "What are you doing? Let me go."

"Not until you tell me what's wrong."

She yanked her arm away from him, eyes flickering. "Why do you care? I just beat you for the All Valley Championship."

Robby rolled his eyes at her not-so-subtle brag. "Because I'm a decent person and I'm a little worried why the All Valley Champ is crying in a hallway."

Emmy scoffed, wiping her undereyes. "You wouldn't get it."

"Try me."

She raised her eyebrows at him. "Really? Because something tells me that someone is happy for you and proud of you right now."

He looked at her confused. "What are you talking about?"

Emmy let out a shaky breath of defeat, feeling the tears come back. "No one is happy for me. No one thinks that I deserve this."

Robby was even more confused. "Still don't know what you're talking about."

"I had a small thought that my dad would be happy for me. That he would finally get why I fought so hard to do what I wanted but he's too busy hating me," her voice broke as she spoke. "My own dad hates me and I'm actually just feeling it now. And I thought at least my sensei would be happy, but he wouldn't take his eyes off of you for whatever stupid reason."

"But all of your friends are happy for you."

"That doesn't even matter to me anymore," she slid down the wall and set back down on the floor. "For the first time in my life, something has gone right. And they're not happy about it. I actually think my dad hates me even more now that I beat his student, and I just...I don't know what I did wrong."

Robby stared at her sympathetically. He had thought as to why Emmy was never mentioned whenever Daniel brought up his kids, and he assumed that she was a problem child. But it was clear that even she didn't know why.

"I'm happy for you."

Emmy looked up at him with her teary eyes and heartbroken expression. "What?"

"I'm happy for you," Robby repeated. 

Emmy just kept on looking at him. "What ⎯ how ⎯ why are you happy for me? I'm the reason you lost this whole thing."

Robby shrugged, crossing his arms and leaned against the wall. "I might've lost, but that doesn't mean I can't be happy for you. You're good at you do, Emmy. Really good. And if I'm gonna be honest, I kinda knew I wasn't gonna stand a chance against you."

She furrowed her eyebrows, confused on what was happening right now. 

"It shouldn't matter if people are happy about it or not. As long you're happy for yourself then that's all that matters. But if you really need it, then just know that I'm happy for you. It might not mean anything to you, but I just want you know that there is someone who is happy for you."

Her face was now pulled into a mask of shock, lips slightly parted. 

Robby gave a tight lipped smile. "Congrats on the win, Emmy. I hope you're proud of yourself."

She watched as he walked away, and hurriedly got to her feet. "Robby!"

He stopped and turned around. 

Emmy swallowed her pride. "Thank you. And...I'm sorry about your shoulder. You don't have to excuse it or anything but, I was angry and I did some things that I maybe shouldn't have done. And...I'm sorry."

There was a beat of silence, before Robby gave a sly smile. "Thank you, Emmy. I accept your apology."

He turned his back once again, and Emmy's eyes followed him. "And don't you dare tell anyone about this!"

She heard him laugh, and he turned back around, starting to walk backwards. "Wouldn't dream of it!"

She watched his back once more, watching him disappear around the corner. Emmy stood there for a moment, before a small smile bloomed on her face. 

AUTHOR'S NOTE !

HEY GUYS IM BACK
so sorry for leaving yall hanging like that but we have officially finished season one!!!!

ANDDDDDD the ship is starting to sail!!!