[SEASON FOUR: EPISODE TEN]
[PART TWO]

"Ladies and gentlemen, the wait is finally over. It's finals time! Since Cobra Kai scored the most points, they only need to win one match to be crowned Grand Champion. But if Miyagi-Do wins both matches, the title is theirs! Ooh, high drama! Up first, the boys fight! Good luck to all of our fighters!" Daryl exclaimed, following Ethan's decision to step down from his fight with his friend Eli.

"This is it."

"Time to show LaRusso and your father that you don't need them. That you're strong enough on your own." Terry stated, and Robby nodded his head in agreement.

"This is my chance to get back at Robby for what he did to me."

"This is not about him." Daniel shook his head in disbelief.

"The biggest battle is always the one within. Okay, concentrate: defense, focus, power. You find your balance, and all those points will come. Alright?"

"Fighters." The referee called out.

"Go out there. Give him your all."

"Face this way. Bow." The two boys bowed to the ref, then to each other, before assuming their fighting stances.

"Ready and fight!"

Robby initiated the kicked, followed by his opponent. He then threw a punch and swiftly moved his other hand behind his back before landing a hit in the chest, earning the very first point. Cobra Kai cheered for him, clapping their hands together.

"Point! One-zero, Keene."

"Let's go, baby!" The boy cheered loudly, bouncing on his mark. Then Eli called a timeout, annoying his opponent.

"He knows all my moves. He trained at Miyagi-Do way longer than me."

Daniel began to think as he slowly glanced at Sam and Demetri.

"Yeah. But you were in Cobra Kai longer than him. You each know each other's karate than anyone. Put him on defense."

"Ready? And fight!"

Hawk kicked forward, stepping sideways to block his opponent's punches, and spun around before sending his own strikes. Keene blocked them and then stepped high to avoid being attacked from underneath.

Eli sent a kick, but his ankle was caught and shoved away. Just like he did with Ethan, they both jumped on sync, landing kicks at each other, and it was definitely clear he hit his opponent first.

"Point, Miyagi-Do!"

He ran forward, kicking his leg off in a twist, as his opponent latched onto it and tossed him back against the mat. He attempted to throw the first punch, but completely missed.

The two stood up again, both sending kicks at each other's direction before blocking each other. Eli quickly moved around and delivered a kick to his enemy who was down on the mat.

"No point. Blocked."

Robby threw a punch, causing Hawk lean backward to dodge the attack. Then he grabbed onto his opponent's body, pulling him back to the mat as their feet pushed at each other, rolling apart. His black Gi started to loosen itself as he attempted to land a kick, but Eli blocked it in return.

But he tried again, and Hawk ducked underneath his arm as his opponent attempted to strike forward, running too fast, causing the force of the motion to pull him backwards, further away.

Eli send a kick at his waist, but it was blocked. He followed with punches, which was also blocked. Then, Robby shoved him harshly, kicking off his left leg and sending it right into both of the boy's covered hands.

He attempted to land a kick, causing his opponent jump backwards to avoid it. But with a firm grip, he yanked aggressively, causing his enemy to backfire. The Miyagi-Do student flipped him over his back, sending him down on the mat.

Suddenly, the buzzer rang loudly above them, signaling the end of the match as the referee called them back to their Sensei's.

"Unbelievable! These two amazing competitors have reached their three minute time limit in a one-one tie! Which means their championship match will be decided, for the first time since 1985, by sudden-death overtime!"

The whole crowd went absolutely wild as Eli and Robby bowed to each other before heading back to their respective dojos.

"You're showing him respect. This fight should be over by now."

"Do you wanna fight him?" Keene questioned, raising an eyebrow. Sliver turn around and stepped forward, but Kreese stopped him from going any further.

"You're angry. Good. Use it."

"That was incredible!" Daniel exclaimed.

"Any advice on the last point?"

LaRusso looked over at his daughter, then up at Johnny, before formulating an answer.

"Give him all you got."

"Competitors, to the mat." The referee called out. Robby fumbled with his Gi, searching for the string to tie it back up. Growing annoyed, he yanked it and tossed it to Tory. The man shrugged as Eli stripped off his top and threw it to Miyagi-Do's side.

"Next point wins. Good luck, gentlemen. Ready?" The referee positioned himself between the two fighters.

"And.... Fight!"

Keene kicked high, his leg bouncing off in the air, hoping to finish this battle. However, his opponent ducked underneath him, dodging it completely. He attempted the move again, pressing his feet into his opponent's thigh as he kick backward, flipping back in the air. Eli fell against the mat, but quickly pushed himself off his palms and onto his feet before Robby was finally up.

Hawk ran forward to wrap both his legs around his opponent's shoulders, attempting to swing at him, but it backfired, with his back against the mat. Robby his fist raised up as his eyes Kenny's, who kept yelling and cheering him on. This distraction gave Eli the perfect opportunity to land a kick in the boy's shoulder, separating them.

Robby dodged the kick and backed up to avoid the multiple kicks his opponent was sending his way. Twisting around to send his way, he managed to evade them. Ducking underneath his opponent's arm, he found himself on the opposite side. Both fighters were breathing heavily and appeared exhausted. Keene spun around and attempted to land a kick to the face but ended up blocking a punch instead. With a harsh hit to his side, he failed to score the point.

They back off only for a second before Hawk turned around on his left and wrapped the other one around to his opponent's waist, taking them both down. Then he send a kick straight down to Robby's chest.

"Point! Winner!"

Immediately, the Miyagi-Do team ran onto the mat, pulling Eli into a big group hug. The referee handed the trophy over to him, who raised it up in the air triumphantly.

After Miyagi-Do won the boys' division, they only needed to win the girls' division as well. Sam would by facing Tory. Before the final match began, Daniel needed one more thing: Johnny's help to win the girls' All-Valley division.

"Johnny." He called out, getting his attention as they walked toward each other.

"What do you want?"

"I want your help." LaRusso answered, as the blonde man raised one eyebrow.

"Look, you and I may be set in our ways, but these kids, they're still growing. They can learn from both of us and use what we teach them to create their own way."

"I guess I didn't want that to happen because I cared so much about honoring Mr. Miyagi's legacy. But I forget one of his most important lessons."

"Just like bonsai choose own way grow because root strong, you must choose own way do karate, same reason."

"Yeah, but I do it your way."

"Hai. One day, you do own way."

"I was scared of the influence you were having on Sam. But I see now some of what you teach can be good sometimes. I'm sorry I didn't realize that sooner."

"I'm sorry too." Johnny apologized.

"I saw you and Ethan bonding again, and I freaked out. I was afraid of losing that connection. Now I'm paying the price for it. I shoulda just let him train with you. He would've been a stronger fighter."

"He always was strong fighter, even when I saw him for the first time. But since it seems the water is flowing back under the bridge, what do you say we team up again?"

"You want me to help Miyagi-Do win?"

"Miyagi...." Daniel started, before coming up with a different name for their combined dojo.

"Fang. Uh, just for today." Sensei looked over his shoulder to gauge Sliver's reaction.

"Let's do this." The two grown men bowed to each other before returning to their own students.

"What better way to cap off this exciting exhibition of karate than with a final match for the ages?" Daryl asked over the mic, as all the spotlights shined on the blue mat.

"Representing Cobra Kai, the Queen Cobra herself, Tory Nichols! Coached by her Sensei's John Kreese and Terry Silver."

"And representing Miyagi-Do karate, the bonsai badass, Samantha LaRusso. Coached by her father and sensei, two-time All Valley champion Daniel LaRusso, who I've just been informed will be joined by Sensei Johnny Lawrence."

"Oh, I stand corrected. Fellow two-time All Valley champion, Sensei Johnny Lawrence!" The announcer shouted, as Johnny walked over to Miyagi-Do to stand by Daniel's side.

"Let's go!"

"Ladies, good luck." The two girls made their way onto the mat, bowing to each other before assuming fighting stances.

"Ready? And fight!"

Tory angrily struck first with a kick, but her enemy blocked it. She went at her again, swinging her foot as Nichols tried to sweep out both of legs. Sam twisted around and landed a kick across her opponent's face, earning the first point.

"Point, LaRusso!"

They took their marks again, Tory bounced on the mat in front of her opponent. She kicked forward, then swung a punch backward as she circled around her.

The brunette blocked it before laughing her own attack, with both forearms raised up to protect herself from the barrage of punches Tory threw. She then kicked out to the side and landed a punch in her stomach.

"Score, one-one. Fight!"

Sam landed a kick towards her opponent, but it was blocked. Nichols twisted around and retaliated with a kick aimed at the girl's side once again.

"Point! Two-one, Nichols."

She stood in front of her, using balancing hand motions, while Daniel gave her a proud look. Her opponent looked oddly confused as the brunette ended it with one fist above her head and the other behind her back.

"Ready? And fight!"

Tory strike first with a kick, which Sam blocked it, then received a hit to her ribs. She retaliated with a punch towards her opponent, but the Cobra Queen blocked it. The Miyagi-Do student had tossed her own leg over Tory's head before taking her original position. They both backed up only for a few seconds.

Her opponent spun around twice, attempting to land a kick but having each one blocked. She then blocked Sam's attack and countered with a hit her of her own, linking their arms together before harshly yanking her around.

The brunette broke free and ducked as Tory swung her fist above her head. She struck her in the chest, causing Nichols to stumble back over the line.

"No point. Out of bounds."

"What?"

"Come on, ref!" Daniel shouted angrily.

"She went out after she got hit!" Johnny called out in annoyance.

The two take their positions again, with one of Sam's legs rising upwards in a high kick. She swung her fist out, but Tory blocked it before sending a kick her way. However, her opponent countered it swiftly. Both of them were moving so fast this time. The brunette managed to hit Tory in the chest, earning herself another point.

"Score's two to two. Next point wins. Ready? Fight!"

Tory threw both her legs out in her opponent's direction, but her attack was blocked. Then they both rose their hands, each attempting to strike above their heads but getting blocked. Sam kicked her opponent's back, only for Nichols to grasp underneath and throw her down onto the mat.

The girl flipped her over and got back up on her feet. She grabbed Tory's waist and then rolled forward. Suddenly, she felt an elbow collide with her eye.

"Warning. Elbow to the face. Go to your Sensei's." The referee ordered.

"Warning?" Johnny questioned.

"That should be a point deduction!"

"I didn't mean to. No, it was an accident." Tory stated before getting up on her feet and looking down at Sam, who held her eye in pain. LaRusso waved his daughter over to him and stepped onto the mat to look at her swallow eye.

"Are you all right?" He asked.

"Yeah." She nodded slightly.

"She got me good, but I can still fight."

"Ready? And fight!"

Sam send a kick her way, only to have it blocked. They slightly began circling around each other. Tory threw a kick above her opponent's head, but it was immediately blocked as she landed a punch to the girl's chest.

The brunette countered it with both her arms up. Nichols was so close to hitting her chest, but her opponent was too quick and adept at blocking.

Then Sam came close to landing a kick, but Tory quickly blocked it and stuck her leg out, causing her fly backwards. Twisting around, she harshly kicked the enemy, and despite having it blocked, Sam's shorter body began stumbling back. Tory crouched down and landed a powerful kick to her opponent as she fell down on the mat.

"Winner!"

"Johnny." Elizabeth called out, getting his attention as she rushed over to him with Lois by her side.

"One of the parents told me that they saw Ethan get in an Uber."

"What's an Uber?" The blonde man asked.

"It's like a taxi. He left before the finals." She answered, feeling her heartbeat loudly in her chest.

"Shit. I'm so sorry." He sighed heavily.

"It's all my fault."

"I'm sure my son just wants to be alone. We're gonna head home."

"Okay. You guys go. I'll meet you there."

"Some days of this life I wish we could have a do-over."

"I know the feeling."

After making a very quick stop to the old Cobra Kai dojo, Johnny made it home to his apartment complex. He stepped towards his front door, then heard someone speaking from the Jones apartment. The blonde man opened the door, only to find Elizabeth and her mother arguing about something.

"What's going on?" He asked worryingly.

"Mom, show him the note." She said, as her mother handed the letter over to him. The man opened the letter.

Dear Mom,

I'm sorry for leaving a note like this. I should've told you something, but I thought it was the best way to put it, maybe even the only way, to say what I have to say. These last few months were definitely a wild adventure. My back injury, rehab, mine and Sam's relationship, Sensei and Mr. LaRusso.

I thought I could convince myself that I could power through all of that by focusing on the tournament. And I thought to myself that if I won everything would work out like it's supposed. But I realized I was wrong. Tell Sensei and Mr. LaRusso that I'm so sorry I bailed on them for having a shot of winning.

Both of their karate helped me grow more as a person, but I'm still not sure who I wanna be. For me to figure out, I think I need to know where I came from. Sensei was too scared to find out the truth about his past, and honestly, I am too.

But overcoming that feeling of fear is the fight I have to win instead of competing for stupid a trophy. I need to meet my father. This is something I have to do on my own. Please try not to worry about me. I'll be safe and I'll be back soon. I love you so much, Mom. And Lois too.

"I called the police. I-I don't know what else to do." Elizabeth stuttered.

"Everything's gonna be fine." Johnny reassured her.

"I'm gonna find him. I'll make sure he's safe."

"Johnny." She inhaled her breath before continuing.

"There's something I didn't tell you about my ex-husband."

"I know. You said he's a bad dude. Don't need to worry. I can handle myself. And I'm sure he'd never hurt his own son."

"That's just it. Matthew doesn't even know Ethan exists."

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EDITED; 3/17/2024

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