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𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐀 drove down the busy Los Angeles freeway towards Valley Fest as Reba McEntire's Whoever's in New England played softly through the speakers. She parked her jeep in a tight spot, slid her sunglasses onto the crown of her head, and killed the ignition. With a breath, she stepped out and melted into the colorful crowd until she spotted her friends.

"There you are, I was wondering what took you so long." Kara smiled, her tone cool and polished as she slipped an arm around her best friend in an embrace that was both genuine and elegant.

"I was trying to find a good outfit to wear." Stella smiled, embracing her best friend

"Oh, babes, who are you kidding? You were trying to look great for Johnny." Lori laughed, tossing her hair with flair, her oversized shades sparkling in the neon lights as she leaned in for her own embrace.

"Speaking of, how did the date go? You forgot to call and give us the details." Amy asked, pulling Stella into an easy hug before sipping her cherry limeade through a straw, her eyes steady and curious

"It went great. We went to Sal's for a burger, as they have the best burgers I've ever had, and then he took me up to this beautiful lookout, called the Encino lookout." Stella said, reaching into Lori's popcorn bag.

"We're glad you're happy, Stella." Carter said between bites of funnel cake, his arm draped around Lori's shoulders. "Also, how did the lunch with your dad go?"

"It went good. We went to Art's deli, where Joni Mitchell and Graham Nash dined quite frequently, and they have the best sandwiches. We seriously need to go there for our next lunch." Stella said.

"I'm down." Kara replied, plucking a kernel of popcorn from her bag with elegance. "Especially since Joni Mitchell and Graham Nash dined there."

As the day progressed, the group of friends played different games, including a ring toss game, which Stella has always loved, and was unbeatable. The sun had set and the sky was now an inky black. Bright white lights lit up the stage in the center while a blonde guy with a guitar played for the crowd.

"Coming up next, do I have a treat for you. Please direct your attention to the LaRusso Auto booth for a presentation from Miyagi-Do Karate." The woman on stage announced pointing to the booth

The lights dimmed, and the only light that could be seen was that of the light coming from the booth. The silhouettes of Robby, Sam, and Daniel were the only things you could see against the orange light that was projected onto the Miyagi Do symbol. The three bowed to the crowd before they got into their stances. As the two teens were sparring, and moving in perfect rhythm of one another, Stella couldn't help but smile in amazement

Amanda ran behind the booth, and grabbed a staff, quickly giving it to Daniel, before returning back to Stella and her friends. Slow drums started playing as Daniel twirled the staff, then Sam and Robby moved around him while punching the air, then turned to Daniel.

As Daniel tried to strike Sam with the staff, she brought her arm up, and blocked it. Then he swung at Robby, who flipped over it and the crowd gasped in amazement, then applauded. Sam, Daniel and Robby bowed again.

"Now time for the grand finale." Daniel said to the crowd.

Daniel ran behind the booth and grabbed the handle of a wooden stand and pushed it on the stage. It had blocks of ice in it. As they were reaching the center of the stage, the power went out.

"Cobra Kai!" August shouted.

Stella's head whipped toward the sound.

"No fucking way." she muttered, her voice sharp. "You've got to be fucking kidding me."

The Cobras stormed in, chanting their dojo's name with the force of a headline-grabbing scandal. The crowd erupted—arms reaching, cheers rising—while Stella and her friends stood their ground, arms crossed.

Amy, her voice low but firm, asked, "What the fuck is going on, Stell?"

Scowling toward the stage, Stella said, "I have no unearthly idea. But I have a feeling it has something to do with advertising."

"What the hell is going on here?" Daniel barked on stage.

A banner dropped, Cobra Kai branded in bold black and yellow. They all yelled as they demonstrated different moves, such as punches and kicks.

"Cobras, show them what real karate looks like!" Johnny commanded from the side

The Cobras began sparring throwing kicks and punches, flipping each other over, until August was the last one standing, and the crowd went wild.

Hawk grabbed Demetri and pulled him on to the stage. "Asshole." Stella muttered. Demetri was handed a board, before Hawk walked a few feet away. Hawk jumped into the air and broke the board and the crowd went crazy. The Cobra Kais swarmed the stage again, holding up Cobra Kai merchandise, such as towels, tee shirts, even sweatpants. The crowd screamed and held their hands out, and the Cobras threw the merchandise and the crowd went crazy, elbowing people out of the way to grab it.

Johnny walked onto the stage and stopped behind a row of concrete blocks that had been set up. "Cobras, light it up." he instructed

Two Cobra Kais ran onto the stage, and one poured lighter fluid on the concrete, while the other one lit the fire. As the fire grew Johnny stepped forward, he made a fist, then brought it down and broke the fiery concrete, then the crowd went wild, chanting the dojo's name.

Lori muttered with a scoff, "So extra." Kara's lips pressed into a quiet, unimpressed line, while Amy simply shook her head, cool and detached.

On stage, Johnny smirked, flanked by August and Hawk. His eyes locked on Daniel, sharp as a dagger. Amanda quickly guided Daniel, Sam, and Robby away, while Stella's friends instinctively pulled her back from the madness.

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"What the hell is wrong with you?" Stella's voice cut sharp through Johnny's Reseda apartment, her heels clicking against the linoleum as she stepped inside. Her arms crossed, her eyes blazing. "What did you think you were doing?"

"Something called advertising, Stella." Johnny muttered, sinking into the worn couch and snapping open a beer. He tipped it back like armor. "Sure as hell didn't hurt him to advertise his dojo and run mine into the ground."

Stella scoffed, throwing her hands up. "You've got to be joking. Look, I'm sorry he called out your dojo, but what you pulled—what all of you pulled, including my idiotic brother—was wrong."

Johnny's jaw tightened. His voice rose, harsh and defensive. "What we did was wrong? He's offering free karate! How the hell am I supposed to compete with that? He called my dojo a snake in the grass, Stella!"

"Johnny, it's a free country!" Stella shot back, her voice breaking with both anger and pleading. "You're not the only one entitled to run a dojo. Let it fucking go—"

"Did you not hear what I just said? Free karate!" Johnny barked, running his hand down his face, exasperated, before snapping upright. "I was taught to strike first! That's how I've survived."

"Johnny—" Stella's tone softened, desperate now. "I just want you to stop and think—just for once—that maybe your actions might hurt. Think about Robby. He's your son."

The words hit him square in the chest, but instead of crumbling, Johnny's temper flared. His fist came down hard on the counter with a thunderous crack.

Stella flinched.

That tiny movement—the way her body recoiled—froze him. His eyes darted to her face, and what he saw there hollowed him out: fear. Fear of him.

The bottle slipped from his hand, forgotten, rolling across the floor. He stepped back like the apartment walls were caving in. "Stell..." his voice dropped, suddenly raw, shaky. "I—I didn't mean—"

Tears streaked down Stella's cheeks as she wiped them with trembling fingers, her breath uneven. "Johnny, all I'm asking from you is this: instead of striking first, you need to think first. Be the better person. I don't know what Kreese is preaching to you, but I don't like it. Not one bit."

"Stella, please don't—" His voice cracked, the fight gone, panic setting in. He reached for her like she was already slipping away.

But before he could say more, Stella turned. She walked to the door, every step deliberate, and pulled it shut behind her with a soft click that sounded louder than any slam.

Through the window, he heard the rumble of the Impala starting. Then she was gone.

Johnny stood frozen in the middle of his apartment, his hands still trembling, his chest hollow. Finally, he sank back onto the couch, muttering curses at himself, his voice breaking in the empty room.