chapter sixty:
❛ strike last (1) ❜

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The old Cobra Kai dojo stood in ruins. The once-pristine mats were torn and covered in dust, the mirrors shattered into jagged fragments, and the walls were layered with crude graffiti. The scent of mildew and stale sweat lingered in the air, mixing with the sharp tang of spray paint. The roof creaked under the weight of time, and faint traces of past fights still seemed to echo in the silence.

Arizona stepped through the doorway first, her boots crunching against a piece of broken glass. She let out a slow, almost reverent breath as her eyes swept over the destruction.

"Damn," she murmured. "This place has seen better days."

Miguel followed close behind, running his fingers over a cracked section of the mirror, smudging the dust. His reflection was distorted, warped by the damage, and something about it sent a chill down his spine.

"Yeah," he said, his voice carrying a hint of sadness. "Feels weird seeing it like this."

Arizona took a few more steps forward before stopping near a particular spot on the mat. A flicker of nostalgia crossed her face, her lips tugging into a small, almost mischievous smile.

"Remember when we first kissed?" she asked, tilting her head slightly toward Miguel.

Miguel's eyebrows lifted in recognition before a quiet chuckle escaped him. "Oh yeah," he said, turning to face her fully. "When we fake dated."

Arizona let out a soft laugh, crossing her arms. "I like how we never told anyone we fake dated and just-" she shrugged, "-fell in love on our own."

Miguel grinned at her, his eyes warm with affection. He took a step closer, his hands finding their familiar place at her waist. "Yeah, that's pretty on brand for us."

Arizona smirked, resting her hands against his chest. "You mean chaotic?"

Miguel chuckled, tilting his head. "I was gonna say 'natural,' but sure, chaotic works too."

She rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress the smile spreading across her face. The distance between them closed as Miguel leaned in, their lips meeting in a kiss that was slow and unhurried, like they had all the time in the world. The scent of dust and old memories faded, replaced by the familiar comfort of each other. The ruined dojo, the broken glass, the vandalized walls-none of it mattered in that moment.

Then-

"Ahem. Lovebirds."

Arizona and Miguel broke apart instantly, spinning toward the entrance.

Johnny Lawrence stood in the doorway, arms crossed, watching them with a look of pure exasperation. His eyes flicked between them before he exhaled sharply, shaking his head.

"Bubblegum. Diaz. Get changed into your gis," he said in his usual gruff tone. "We've got training to do."

Arizona groaned, dragging a hand down her face. "You really know how to kill a moment, Sensei."

Miguel, struggling to contain his laughter, nudged her toward the locker room. "C'mon. Before he makes us run laps."

"Oh, you're already running laps," Johnny called after them, smirking.

Arizona shot Miguel a glare as he tried to suppress his amusement. "Worth it," he murmured before jogging off to change.

Arizona sighed, but despite the annoyance, a small, satisfied smile lingered on her lips. The dojo might have been in ruins, but standing there with Miguel-bickering, laughing, kissing-it reminded her that some things, no matter how much time passed, never really changed.

The air inside the old dojo felt heavier than usual, charged with something electric. It was like the walls themselves remembered everything that had happened here-all the battles, the rivalries, the victories, the defeats. The once-proud banners of Cobra Kai had long been ripped down, leaving behind faded outlines where they once hung. The mirrors along the wall were streaked with dust, reflecting the past just as much as the present. Arizona and Miguel stood on the worn-out mats, side by side, their bodies taut with anticipation as they waited for their sensei to speak.

Johnny Lawrence paced in front of them, his boots scraping against the floor with each slow, deliberate step. His arms were crossed over his chest, his brow furrowed in deep thought. He wasn't just their sensei-he was the one who had shaped them into the fighters they were today. For Miguel, this was the place where he had gone from a scrawny kid with no confidence to a champion. For Arizona, it was the place that had given her a sense of purpose, a fire she never knew she had inside her.

Johnny stopped suddenly, turning to face them, his blue eyes intense. He took a breath, steadying himself before speaking.

"This is where it all started," he said, his voice firm and unwavering. His gaze flicked between them, taking them both in. "Diaz, you were my first student. Bubblegum, I was your first sensei."

Arizona's chest tightened at the nickname, at the way it instantly transported her back to when she was just a girl stepping onto these mats for the first time. Back when things were simpler. When she had only cared about proving herself. She stole a glance at Miguel, who was standing tall beside her, his jaw set with quiet determination.

Johnny's voice cut through the silence again. "I taught you both the same style of karate that was taught to me. The kind that doesn't back down. The kind that makes you a fighter, not just in tournaments, but in life." He paused, his expression darkening just slightly, like the memories of everything that had happened since were creeping in. "We've been through a lot of Cobra Kai bullshit since then. You know that better than anyone."

Arizona's fists clenched instinctively. The betrayals. The fights. The way Cobra Kai had been twisted into something it was never meant to be. Miguel swallowed hard beside her, his shoulders tensing.

"But none of that matters now," Johnny continued, his voice growing stronger, more commanding. "Because this is our Cobra Kai." He stepped forward, his presence radiating authority. "Not Kreese's. Not Silver's. Ours. And tomorrow, we're gonna show the world that nobody strikes harder than us."

The words hit like a lightning bolt, setting fire to something deep inside Arizona's chest. She could feel Miguel's energy shift too, his body practically humming with adrenaline. This was what they had been training for. This was what it all came down to.

Johnny's smirk returned, just barely tugging at the corner of his lips. "Is that understood?"

Miguel and Arizona didn't hesitate. Their voices rang through the empty dojo, sharp and unshakable.

"Yes, Sensei!"

Johnny nodded in approval, rolling his shoulders back like he was already preparing for battle. "Good." He took a final glance at the two of them, his expression unreadable for a moment. Then, with that signature Johnny Lawrence confidence, he said, "Now let's show these international assholes how we do things in the Valley."

Arizona exchanged a glance with Miguel, her heart still hammering in her chest. No more distractions. No more doubts. Tomorrow, they wouldn't just be fighting for themselves.

They'd be fighting for everything this dojo had ever stood for.

Arizona's fists connected with the training dummy, the impact reverberating up her arms, but she ignored the sting. She barely felt it anymore. Her breath came out in sharp exhales, her heart pounding like a war drum in her chest. The dim light of the old dojo flickered overhead, casting long shadows against the cracked walls. The scent of sweat and aged vinyl mats filled the air, the kind of smell that clung to her memories of training here years ago.

Johnny Lawrence stood behind her, arms crossed over his chest, his expression hard and expectant. His pacing was slow, deliberate, the kind that made her shoulders tense, knowing he was about to push her even harder.

"C'mon, Bubblegum, that all you got?" His voice was sharp, carrying that familiar Cobra Kai edge that always got under her skin. "You hit like you're in a Pilates class. I said harder!"

Arizona clenched her jaw and swung again, her knuckles slamming into the dummy's chest. Thud. The force rocked it slightly, but it wasn't enough.

Johnny scoffed. "That wouldn't knock over a middle schooler. You wanna win tomorrow? You wanna go out there and show those international punks what the Valley's made of? Then you better start hitting like you mean it!"

Arizona gritted her teeth, shifting her stance, planting her feet firmer against the mat. She focused, inhaled, then twisted her body as she drove her fist forward again. BAM.

"Better!" Johnny barked. "But still not good enough."

Her frustration boiled. She didn't need him to tell her that. She already knew it. The pressure was suffocating-tomorrow wasn't just another tournament. It wasn't just another match. It was a statement. It was proof that Cobra Kai wasn't dead, proof that she and Miguel weren't just fighters but warriors. And right now, she needed to be relentless.

She exhaled sharply and threw another punch. Then another. Each strike faster, more controlled. A combination-right hook, left hook, knee strike.

Johnny stepped closer, his voice rising. "That's it! You hesitate, you lose. You hold back, you get your ass handed to you. You strike first, strike hard-"

Arizona growled through gritted teeth, throwing a roundhouse kick that sent the dummy tilting off its base before it snapped back into place.

Johnny's grin widened. "No mercy!"

Arizona barely registered his words. She didn't even realize she was breathing heavily until she took a step back, her arms feeling like lead, her chest heaving. Sweat dripped down her temple, dampening the collar of her gi. But inside, she burned like a wildfire.

Johnny clapped his hands together. "Now that is Cobra Kai." His smirk turned cocky as he nodded toward the dummy. "Y'know, maybe I should start calling you Black Licorice instead of Bubblegum. You're not as soft as you used to be."

Arizona shot him a glare, but she couldn't hide the flicker of amusement in her eyes. She wiped the sweat from her forehead, rolling her shoulders as she turned back to the dummy.

"Again?" she asked, already raising her fists.

Johnny smirked. "Damn right."

And with that, she struck again, pouring everything into each hit, because tomorrow-when she stepped onto that mat-she wouldn't hesitate. She wouldn't break. She would win.

Arizona took a deep breath, rolling her shoulders back as she stood in front of the ball machine. The dojo was silent except for the low mechanical hum of the contraption as it warmed up, ready to launch a barrage of rubber balls at her. The air smelled faintly of sweat and wood polish, the familiar scent grounding her as she widened her stance, raising her hands in a defensive position.

She had done this before. Countless times. But there was something different about it now. Maybe it was the weight of everything leading up to this moment-everything she had learned, everything she had fought for. Or maybe it was the fact that Daniel LaRusso and Sam were standing off to the side, watching her with the kind of quiet pride they rarely gave out freely.

The first ball fired.

Arizona's body reacted instantly, her right hand sweeping in a circular motion-wax on-redirecting the ball away from her chest. The next one came just as quickly, aimed lower, and she instinctively deflected it to the side-wax off.

The movements were fluid, effortless, embedded into her muscle memory from all the training she used to complain about. She could almost hear Daniel's voice in her head, the same way he had lectured her and the others back in Miyagi-Do's courtyard: "Trust the technique. Let your body do the work."

Another ball shot toward her, faster this time. Arizona barely had a second to react, but her left hand moved up-wax on-knocking it away before it could slam into her shoulder. Her breath stayed steady, her eyes focused, her entire body locked into the rhythm of the drill.

From the sidelines, Daniel nodded approvingly, arms crossed over his chest. "Looks like someone's been paying attention," he remarked.

Sam, standing beside him, smirked. "And here I thought she was rolling her eyes every time you made us do this."

Arizona flicked a glance their way, the ghost of a smirk tugging at her lips, but she didn't let herself get distracted. Another ball launched, and she moved instinctively-wax off. The next one came right after-wax on. Faster. Harder.

She was in the zone now. The machine picked up speed, launching ball after ball, forcing her to rely purely on instinct. Her arms moved in perfect, circular motions, each deflection controlled and precise. She barely had time to breathe between each hit, but she never lost focus.

Then, almost without thinking, she did something different.

The next ball came flying toward her face, and instead of simply redirecting it, she twisted her wrist just slightly-just enough to aim-and sent it flying right back. It bounced off the machine with a clunk, making the whole thing rattle for a second.

Daniel raised his eyebrows, a slow grin spreading across his face. "Not bad."

Arizona finally stepped back, shaking out her arms, her breath slightly uneven but her expression triumphant.

"Yeah, yeah," she said, rolling her eyes with a smirk. "Maybe Miyagi-Do's not completely useless."

Sam crossed her arms. "High praise coming from you."

Daniel stepped forward, patting Arizona on the shoulder. "You might have Cobra Kai in you, but deep down, you've got some Miyagi-Do too."

Arizona looked down at her hands, flexing her fingers as she let that sink in. Maybe he was right. Maybe she wasn't just one thing. Maybe she had taken the best of both worlds and made them her own.

She exhaled sharply and turned back to the machine.

"Let's go again."

The dojo was silent except for the steady sound of Arizona and Sam's bare feet shifting against the mat. The air between them was thick with anticipation, neither of them making the first move just yet. They had sparred countless times before, but this felt different. There was something unspoken between them-a silent challenge, a need to prove something, though neither of them would say it out loud.

Johnny and Daniel stood on opposite sides of the mat, watching intently. This wasn't just a sparring match. It was a clash of styles, of histories, of everything that had led them to this moment.

Arizona rolled her shoulders back, her muscles loose, her weight balanced perfectly on the balls of her feet. Sam's stance was pure Miyagi-Do-steady, grounded, waiting for the attack to come to her. Arizona, true to her Cobra Kai roots, wasn't planning on waiting long.

She lunged forward first, throwing a sharp jab toward Sam's center, testing her defense. Sam moved like water, sidestepping the strike and redirecting Arizona's arm with a smooth parry. Before Arizona could fully recover, Sam countered with a quick front kick, aiming for her ribs.

Arizona barely dodged in time, twisting her body just enough to let the kick skim past her. "Nice," she said with a smirk, bouncing lightly on her feet. "You've gotten faster."

Sam's lips quirked up. "You're just getting slower."

That was all it took. Arizona shot forward again, this time faking a high kick before sweeping low, trying to knock Sam off her feet. But Sam saw it coming. She jumped just in time, landing lightly before snapping a roundhouse kick toward Arizona's shoulder.

Arizona blocked, but the force sent her stumbling back a step. Sam pressed her advantage, stepping in with a quick combination-palm strike, hook, then a spinning back kick aimed at Arizona's chest.

Arizona gritted her teeth, absorbing the first hit, dodging the second, and barely managing to block the third. Sam wasn't holding back.

"Alright, LaRusso," Arizona muttered, shaking out her arms. "Let's see how you handle this."

She sprang forward, feinting a punch before twisting into a powerful tornado kick-Cobra Kai style, fast and ruthless. Sam barely ducked in time, her hair whipping around her face as she rolled to the side and popped back up in a defensive stance.

Arizona didn't give her a second to breathe. She threw a flurry of quick strikes-fast jabs, a knee, a roundhouse kick-keeping Sam on the defensive. Sam blocked and dodged with expert precision, her Miyagi-Do training showing in every movement. She didn't panic, didn't overreact. She just flowed, waiting for the right opening.

And then she found it.

Arizona overextended on a high kick, and Sam took her chance. She sidestepped and grabbed Arizona's arm, using her own momentum against her. In one swift motion, she flipped Arizona onto her back, pinning her down with her forearm.

Arizona let out a sharp breath, blinking up at Sam, who was grinning triumphantly.

"Yield?" Sam asked, her voice teasing.

Arizona huffed, but a smirk played on her lips. "Yeah, yeah. You got me."

Sam released her, stepping back and offering a hand. Arizona took it, pulling herself up with a sigh.

Johnny clapped his hands together. "Alright, not bad. Bubblegum, you were too aggressive-sometimes you gotta think before you strike. And LaRusso, good work using her momentum against her."

Daniel nodded in approval. "That was textbook Miyagi-Do. Nice job, Sam."

Arizona rolled her eyes playfully. "Alright, enough with the Miyagi-Do praise. Next round, I'm taking you down."

Sam smirked. "We'll see about that."

The dojo was filled with the sharp scent of wood and sweat, the air humming with anticipation as Arizona stepped onto the mat. Dylan and Hawk stood on either side of her, each gripping a thick wooden board. The weight of their stares pressed against her, but Arizona didn't waver. She had done this before-countless times-but tonight, it felt different. There was something electric in the air, a need to prove herself, not just to them, but to herself.

Johnny stood a few feet away, arms crossed, watching her closely. "Alright, Bubblegum," he said, his voice carrying through the dojo. "Let's see if you still got that Cobra Kai power in you."

Arizona exhaled slowly, planting her feet firmly on the mat. She rolled her shoulders, stretching out her arms before settling into a stance. First up was Dylan, holding the board steady at chest level.

She focused, feeling the energy in her body, grounding herself. Then, without hesitation, she struck.

Her fist shot forward like a bullet, smashing through the board with a loud crack! The two halves fell to the mat as Dylan whistled low, shaking out his hands.

"Damn, alright," he muttered, impressed.

Arizona barely acknowledged it. She was already turning to Hawk, who held his board up higher, challenging her. She met his gaze, her blue eyes steady, unshaken.

"You sure you're ready for this?" Hawk smirked, gripping the board tighter.

Arizona just smirked back. "I was born ready."

She took a step back, inhaling deeply before spinning into a powerful tornado kick. Her foot connected with the board, splitting it clean in half. The force sent the two pieces flying, one hitting Hawk in the chest.

"Shit," Hawk muttered, stumbling back a step, rubbing where the wood had hit him. "You trying to knock me out?"

Arizona laughed, shaking out her leg as she turned to Johnny. "That good enough for you, Sensei?"

Johnny nodded approvingly, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Not bad, Bubblegum. You hit hard-real hard. But you hesitated before the last strike. Next time, don't think. Just hit."

Arizona wiped her hands on her gi, a flicker of determination crossing her face. "Next time, I won't hold back."

Johnny grinned. "That's what I like to hear."

Arizona had just changed back into her clothes, the comfortable fabric of her jeans and hoodie a stark contrast to the stiff, sweat-soaked gi she'd been wearing for most of the day. Her muscles ached pleasantly, a reminder of all the effort she'd put in, but the rush of adrenaline had faded, leaving behind a sense of accomplishment. Sam, ever the eager sensei, had a glint in her eye as she turned to Arizona.

"Hey, I want to show you one more thing," Sam said, her voice a mix of excitement and focus. "My dad learned this in Okinawa. It's sort of a last resort."

Arizona nodded, intrigued. She followed Sam's movements as Sam stood in front of her, her right arm extended in front while her left arm was tucked behind her back. Sam pivoted slightly, twisting her body with grace, and executed the move, a sharp, precise motion that seemed to come from deep within her core. The flow of the technique was clean, controlled, but there was a force to it that made Arizona raise an eyebrow in surprise.

"Is there a counter to it?" Arizona asked, shifting her weight slightly to get a better look. She extended her own arm, mimicking the stance Sam had shown her, her fingers tingling with anticipation.

Sam smirked, clearly enjoying herself. "Ask the drum," she said with a wink, nodding toward the traditional Okinawan drum hanging on the far wall of the dojo.

Arizona's lips twitched into a smile at the joke. The sound of Sam's laughter-light, genuine, and free of any tension-filled the space between them. Arizona hadn't realized how much she had missed moments like this, moments where they could just be.

As Sam continued to demonstrate the technique, Arizona felt a shift in her chest, a release of something heavy that she hadn't even realized was there. It wasn't just about the karate. It was about them, about repairing what had been broken between them. She felt the weight of the past fade into the background, like a distant memory that was losing its power.

Just then, Amanda and Daniel-Sam's parents-walked into the dojo. Amanda, ever the practical one, raised an eyebrow and asked, "Haven't you two gotten your fill of training for the day?" Her tone was light, but there was an underlying concern in her voice, as if she'd been watching over them like any good mother would.

Sam, however, wasn't deterred. "Hey, if you love karate, you can never get too much of it," she said, grinning. She turned toward Arizona with a playful glint in her eye. "Unless, of course, it's the night before a title fight. Then, maybe take a break and get some rest."

Daniel, standing next to Amanda, gave a small nod of agreement. "Yeah, you've gotta rest up, Arizona. It's all about being at your best tomorrow." He clapped her on the back, giving her a smile that spoke of encouragement and support.

Arizona stood there for a moment, her gaze shifting from Sam to Daniel and Amanda. She had thought the moment would be like any other-casual, routine-but something inside her shifted. There was a heaviness in her heart that she hadn't expected, a rush of emotion that made her chest tight.

She cleared her throat, suddenly feeling a bit awkward but needing to say something. "Actually," she began, her voice quieter now, "I just wanted to thank you guys... for trusting me again. And for not hating me anymore."

Her words felt too small, inadequate for what she truly wanted to express. Arizona took a deep breath, trying to steady herself, but the emotion bubbled up anyway. "I feel really bad for how I treated Sam... for letting my jealousy get the best of me. I hurt her, and she didn't deserve any of that. We were best friends, and I-I ruined it." Her voice cracked slightly, and she quickly wiped at her eyes.

Sam, who had been standing beside her, reached out and pulled Arizona into a tight hug, her arms wrapping around her like a protective shield. It felt like the world stopped for a brief moment, the weight of the past and present meeting in the quiet of the dojo. Arizona, overwhelmed by the comfort of the gesture, squeezed her eyes shut, allowing the tears to fall freely.

"It's okay," Sam whispered, her voice soft but full of warmth. "I know. And I forgive you."

Arizona's chest tightened with a rush of gratitude. She couldn't remember the last time she had felt this cared for, this understood. It wasn't just about the apology-it was about healing, about moving forward together. And she knew, deep down, that this was only the beginning.

Amanda, standing by the door, smiled warmly at them, her eyes soft with understanding. "You two have come a long way," she said, her voice thick with emotion. "I'm proud of you both."

Daniel nodded in agreement, his eyes twinkling with pride. "Yeah, me too."

Arizona smiled through her tears, glancing over at Sam's parents. In this moment, it didn't matter that the past had been messy or complicated. What mattered was that they were here now, stronger than before, and she wasn't alone anymore.

As Sam pulled away, Arizona gave a shaky laugh, wiping her face. "I guess we're really back to being friends, huh?"

Sam chuckled, brushing her hair back with her hand. "Yeah, looks like it."

The LaRusso family exchanged a look, as if silently acknowledging that everything-finally-felt right. And Arizona? She knew, deep down, that she was exactly where she needed to be.

That night, Arizona walked into her house, still buzzing with the energy from the dojo and her emotions swirling from the conversation with Sam and her parents. It had been a day full of growth, apologies, and reconnections, but the night was still young, and she was eager to unwind.

As soon as she opened the door, she heard Diego's voice calling from the other room.

"Arizona!" he yelled, his voice full of excitement and urgency.

Arizona dropped her bag by the door, furrowing her brow as she walked into the living room. Diego, wide-eyed and grinning from ear to ear, rushed toward her holding an envelope.

"Look! You got a letter from Stanford!" he said, practically vibrating with excitement. Arizona's heart skipped a beat. Stanford? She hadn't applied to Stanford. What in the world could it be?

She took the envelope from Diego's hands, glancing down at the emblem on the front. The logo looked official, the weight of it sending a small thrill through her. There was something about receiving anything from such a prestigious place-it felt surreal.

"Stanford?" she asked, half-dazed as she stared at the letter. Diego was bouncing on his feet, waiting for her to open it, his energy contagious.

"I swear, this is the real deal!" he said, eyes wide, practically on the edge of his seat.

Arizona's fingers fumbled a little as she tore open the envelope, the anticipation making her heart race. She unfolded the letter carefully, and then her eyes locked on the words in bold:

Congratulations! You have been selected to study abroad in Okinawa, Japan as part of our exchange program for the upcoming semester.

Arizona froze for a second, her mind racing. Okinawa? The connection to karate, the place Sam had shown her-the place where her journey with martial arts had really started. Her pulse quickened, and without thinking, she screamed out in joy.

"What?! I... I got in?!"

She couldn't contain herself. The letter was in her hands, but her body moved before her mind could catch up. She leaped into the air with a jubilant shout. Her whole body buzzed with energy, and then, the emotions came pouring out of her-tears welling up as she realized what this meant. It was a dream come true, the culmination of everything she had worked for, and here it was in her hands, the opportunity she'd only dared to hope for.

"Arizona!" Diego yelled, his eyes wide as he watched her break into tears. He leapt forward and wrapped his arms around her in an awkward but excited hug. "That's so awesome! You're going to Okinawa! That's like, the dream place for karate! You're gonna be amazing there!"

Before Arizona could even respond, the sound of footsteps echoed down the hallway, and then Daniella, her mother, came running into the living room. She looked worried for a moment, but when she saw Arizona standing there with the letter and tears streaming down her face, she gasped.

"Is this... is this what I think it is?" Daniella asked, her voice catching in her throat.

Arizona, still crying but laughing through her tears, handed her the letter. "It's from Stanford, Mom. I got accepted. I'm going to Okinawa!"

Daniella's hand flew to her mouth, her eyes welling up with tears as she processed the news. Then, she pulled Arizona into a tight hug. "I'm so proud of you, mi vida," she whispered, her voice filled with emotion. "This is everything you've worked for. You deserve this."

Just then, Alba, Arizona's grandmother, appeared at the door, her face lit up with curiosity. "What's all the commotion? I heard shouting." She froze when she saw the letter in Arizona's hands and the joy on her face. "Mi niña... You got it? You really got it?"

Arizona nodded, unable to speak for a moment as the tears spilled freely. Alba's face lit up in pure joy, and she came forward, wrapping both arms around Arizona.

"I knew you could do it! I knew you were meant for something special!" Alba cried, her voice thick with pride.

Diego, still hanging off Arizona, shouted, "This is the best news ever! My sister's going to Okinawa! She's going to be a karate master like no one else!"

The whole room erupted with excitement as Arizona laughed and cried all at once, feeling completely overwhelmed. She could barely take it all in, and for a second, it felt like the whole world had shifted. There was so much ahead of her-so much potential, so much she could do with this opportunity.

"I don't even know what to say," Arizona managed, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. "I didn't even know this was a possibility. Okinawa-this is huge."

Daniella squeezed her shoulders, beaming at her daughter. "You've always had it in you, Arizona. I know this is the start of something big for you."

Alba added with a wink, "And remember, mija, it's not just about karate. It's about finding yourself, too. Okinawa will help you do that."

Arizona smiled through the tears, looking around at the faces of her family-her mom, her grandmother, and Diego-who were all so proud of her. She felt so much love and support in that moment, her heart full.

"I can't believe this is really happening," she whispered.

As the evening unfolded, the joy only grew, and Arizona knew that her journey-her real journey-was just beginning. It was going to be a new chapter, one that would challenge her and change her in ways she couldn't yet understand. But for now, all she could do was let herself bask in the happiness of the moment, surrounded by the people she loved most.

And tomorrow, she'd start the next step of her path.

ASH SPEAKS!!!

i wanna get you guys prepared. we only have 2-3 chapters left of this fic so thats why i split episode 14 into 2 chapters:(

i cant believe its almost the end. im gonna loose arizona im gonna cry

RANT TIME!!!

the reason i keep unpublishing and republishing is chapters is because when i see views go up and votes aren't... its really annoying. cause its not hard to vote and show support on fanfics.

i dont understand how hard it is for people to vote. i know im annoying with the unpublishing the chapter and republishing every few minutes or hour but its because of these freaking ghost readers.

can you guys please stop being ghost reader and just freaking vote please. this is so annoying

okay end of rant.

THIS IS VERY ANNOYING TO SEE VIEWS GO UP BUT NOT VOTES. its annoying for us writers. so please just vote and comment!! its not that hard!!!!!!

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COMMENT AND VOTE. IT HELPS US WRITERS STAY MOTIVATED:) STOP BEING A GHOST READER!!! PLEASE JUST VOTE!!!!

PLEASE STOP BEING FREAKIN A GHOST READER!!! PLEASE VOTE! PLEASE!!!!! stop being ghost readers!!!! its really annoying!!!

STOP BEING A GHOST READER!!
im so sorry for all the notifications but please stop being a ghost reader!!!! i dont how many times i have to say this. i am so sorry for the notifications but this is really annoying to see views go up when the votes aren't. PLEASE JUST FREAKIN VOTE!!!