"Sam said they were close around here." Fleur spoke, reading the text as her other hand was locked with Demetri, him swinging their arms. "I do not see anyone."

Demetri held his head up higher, looking over the crowd of people. "Hang on, I see Mr.LaRusso."

He pulled her by her hand deeper into the hallway, finally coming across Miyagi-Do. Eli sighed when he saw them. "Nice going. Ten minutes late."

"Not my fault he makes me stop the skateboard every few minutes because he's scared i'm gonna throw him off." Fleur rose her hands in surrender, Demetris clasped hand in hers doing the same. "What'd we miss?"

"Nothing. They were just about to announce us." Sam said, the group standing near the entrance. "Are you ready?"

"Not really stoked about fighting my cousins team, but, yeah." Fleur nodded her head with a deep inhale.

"Johnny will love you either way." Sam shrugged in return. "Even if you take out the girl he got."

"Sam, we don't take out anyone." Daniel gave a knowing look

Fleur gave her a subtle wink as Daryl's voice rung over the speakers. "This sensei and dojo need no introduction. He took the All Valley by storm in 1984 and 85' and quickly became one of the greatest underdogs in the history of the sport. Last year, this dojo came out of nowhere and made it to the finals. They've got some new fighters, and they're ready to show the world that they're the best around. Give it up for Miyagi-Do Karate, led by two-time All Valley champion Daniel LaRusso!"

Demetri looked back at Fleur to see the shock in her eyes as they ran to take their place on the mat, the crowd cheering for them as Fleur laughed in shock. Sam cracked a grin. "This next dojo took last years title. But they're under new management. Can they reign supreme once more? And last years runner-up. He may be wearing a new gi, but one things for sure, Robby Keene and his team are ready to strike! Hailing for Reseda, defending champions and still the most badass name for a dojo, here comes Cobra Kai!"

Fleur watched Robby walk with the rest of Cobra Kai, lead by Terry Silvers and Kreese. Fleur wanted to catch Robbys eye, looking past Daniel, but he faced forward with a stern face. "And finally... this dojo is making their All Valley debut, though you'll recognize a few familiar faces. Every year, a new dojo rises up the ranks. Does this newcomer have what it takes to win it all? Please welcome Eagle Fang Karate, led by Sensei Johnny Lawrence and defending champion Miguel Diaz!"

Fleur smiled as she slapped Demetris arm, watching Johnny and Miguel walk out with their team. As they ran to their spot across the mat, Fleur sent Johnny a little wave. He sent one back subtle. "At the end of the day, only one of these dojos can be crowned Grand Champion. Welcome to the 51st annual All Valley Under-18 Karate Tournament! It's karate time."

As the announcement ended, and the competition started to began, Fleur was getting nervous. Daniels speech made it a little better, starting their warm ups. Demetri nodded as he rubbed Fleurs shoulders. "You freakin out?"

"Just occurred to me how embarrassing it'll be if I get eliminated." Fleur said back, some of her hair started to fall.

"Hey." he leaned down some to meet her eye. "You walk around with me all day. That's embarrassing enough."

Fleur laughed slightly, nodding sarcastically. "You're probably right."

He turned to pull her hair up better, avoiding it falling again. He grabbed her shoulder to turn her back around when finished. "I know you're gonna do obsesses worthy out there."

Fleur nodded slightly, pushing into her tip toes to kiss him on the lips quickly.

The skills competition went over smoothly at first. Each dojo was doing very well, between Demetris impressed opening starter, which Fleur applauded, to Miguel's fighting skills, Kenny's board breaking, Flaurs demonstration on how to use Bo, it was going extremely well. Toward the end, Eagle Fang started to slip up when Mitch threw a Bo at the judges and Devon missed a few of her boards. Cobra Kai hadn't messed up once, perfecting every time. Miyagi-Do was the same until Eli missed his highest board.

"It's okay, it was too high anyways." Fleur patted his back as they regrouped, watching their dojo drop to second place.

"I can't believe Cobra Kai beat us in skills." Nate spoke up.

"Well, damn. Why'd you hold the board freaking high?" Fleur glared his way.

"I was holding it where I was suppose to." he argued, Daniel waved them both off.

"It's my fault. I couldn't break the board. Sorry." Eli apologized guilty like.

"Okay. Forget that, okay? You all did great." Daniel stop any of the negative talk from lingering. "Besides, we're right on their heels. This is far from over."

Fleur leaned her head on Demetris shoulder when the mic squeaked, Ron there instead of Daryl. "Ladies and gentlemen, the male and female division qualifiers are about to begin. And with them, we enter a new era! That's why we need a very special guest to kick things off. Let's give a dig All Valley welcome to multi-Grammy-award winning international superstar, Carrie Underwood!"

"What on earth?" Fleur asked, frowned her eyebrows. "What's she got to do with Karate?"

Demetri chuckled, tossing his arm around her with a rub to her head.

"Hello, All Valley!" The blonde smiled as she took the mic. "I am so honored to be here. I didn't see a lot of karate growing up in Oklahoma, but you guys know I love to compete, just like these wonderful young men and young women. One thing I have learned is that everyone gets their shot, their chance in the spotlight. Everyone gets their moment. This one's yours."

The competition went on, and each person from each dojo had done shockingly well. Fleur had competed twice now, winning at the end of each one with a bright grin. She watched Robby compete, and she realized that the more she left him in the dark about being related, the more he went on thinking he had no real family. She knew he thought Johnny didn't care about him, and it seemed pretty clear his mom was beyond careless. Fleur remember how safe and happy she felt when she realized she finally had family that wasn't crazy or had hurt her.

Fleur knew she needed to tell him, no matter how angry she was after what happened with Eli.

"All right, folks. We witnessed some great fighting today. But you haven't seen nothing yet." Daryl got over the mic again. "Because we have arrived at the quarterfinals! Which means things are about to get intense. Of the eight boys and eight girls on this stage, one of each will be named All Valley champion. And then we'll talley all the points to determine which dojo has earned the title of Grand Champion. And since the points get higher in each round...it's still any dojos game! So keep your eyes on this here blue mat, because we are just getting started!"

"Come on, Fleur!" Demetri cheered for her as Fleur was against the only girl at Eagle Fang, feeling weary about it. She looked to Johnny, he gave a small nod to show it had been okay.

"Face me, bow." the ref encouraged, making the two do so. "Face each other, bow."

Devon and Fleur did so, bowing to each other. "Fight!"

Fleur waited for her to strike first, blocking her kick with ease, doing the same with her other two wrist, a final kick, Fleur used her free hand to punch Devon in the chest, scoring the point.

She felt bad for feeling board with how she just fought, a burning urge to fight like Devon was.

"Fight!"

Fleur kept her blocks smart, ducking under Devon as she swung a leg over her. She punched her way, Fleur blocking her with a hand shove. Devon kicked Fleur in the face, making her grasp her face, scoring the point.

"Sorry." Devon gave a weak smile.

Fleur shook her head, adjusting her jaw. "You're fine."

They took their marks again, Fleur met Johnnys eye over Devon's shoulder. She thought about all he'd taught her, how good she was at showing offense rather then defense. She thought about how tempted she was to join Eagle Fang just to express her skill more.

Devon swung at Fleur, the Khori girl ducking down before kicking off her back leg, her foot colliding with Devon's face.

"Oh shit." Eli's jaw dropped, not expecting it.

"What's she doing?" Demetri spoke up with a shocked expression.

Daniel sighed. "She's using offense."

Fleur nodded at Devon. "You okay?"

"Yeah." Devon adjusted her jaw, but she was like Fleur, hot headed.

"Fight!"

Devon swung at Fleur, the lavender-blonde shoving her wrist backwards, swinging at her as well as Devon dodged it. Fleur spun, ducking down as Devon's leg flew over her. She rose, kicking Devon in the side, throwing one leg around her shoulder as they twisted in a circle, Devon falling backwards as Fleur hit her in the chest. "Winner!"

Fleur smiled widely, going to help Devon before she was storming off the mat already. Fleur nodded to the ref, running back to Miyagi-Do.

"That was amazing!" Sam complimented her, catching her in a hug as Fleur grinned. "I didn't know you could fight like that."

"Fleur." Daniel caught her attention. "Eagle Fang?"

"Yeah, so?" Fleur asked almost defensively.

"So, that's not how we fight. You know that." he spoke gently, yet firm, to her.

"I won. Aren't you at least happy I just made it through again?" Fleur grew defensive his way.

"Of course I am. I just want you to fight how I've taught you." Daniel tried to reason, Fleur looked away, her face reddening in embarrassment.

"Hey." Demetri nudged her. "I thought it was cool."

Fleur gave a small grin. "Yeah?"

"Flawless." he corrected himself with a grin. "Now you've just gotta beat Tory. And i'm praying for you."

Fleur looked toward Tory, who was stronger and taller. "Me too."

•

kylie speaks

as i was writing i realized
we never got to actually see
fleur fight to her full potential
and that's insane bc she's literally related to johnny, what
does daniel expect lmao?
sweet baby has anger issues.

ALSO! i'm usually not a fan
of height differences between
couples bc it's just not my cup
of tea to see someone way
taller dating someone way
shorter but the large height
difference between demetri and
fleur is really cute to me.