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𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐀𝐘𝐒 𝐅𝐎𝐋𝐋𝐎𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐀𝐂𝐂𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐓, Stella was discharged from the hospital, the LAPD caught the drunk driver, and she was placed on medical leave.

On the day of the tournament, Stella chose to remain home. She decided she would let August and Johnny fill her in later, rather than push her still-healing body too far.

Janette entered the cozy living room carrying a delicate china cup of tea. She set it gently on the side table and studied her granddaughter with tender concern.

"How are you feeling?" Janette asked softly.

"Still pretty sore, but I'm feeling better," Stella admitted. "Johnny's been staying with me, and he's really helped me out—especially with the bruised ribs. Seems to be his specialty, since it was an ongoing karate injury."

Janette's expression wavered with guilt as she pulled Stella into a warm embrace. "I'm just so sorry this happened. It shouldn't have happened."

"I shouldn't have been so distracted while I was driving," Stella said, her voice catching. "It's just—with everything that's going on, and Terry Silver showing up at my job—"

Janette pulled back sharply, eyes wide. "Wait—back up. He showed up at your job?"

Stella nodded, solemn.

"Sweetheart, why didn't you tell your father?" Janette pressed.

"And make matters worse? Grandma, you know Dad would have made a scene—or worse."

Janette exhaled, torn between agreement and worry. "I know, honey. But with this tournament, we have to prepare ourselves for the worst. Call it a hunch, but something bad is about to happen. I can feel it."

"I know." Stella leaned her head against her grandmother's shoulder, finding comfort in her steadiness.

Janette's gaze drifted toward a small box tucked in the corner of the room. "What's that?"

"Oh," Stella said softly, "I was going through my spare closet and found a box of memorabilia from Mom's childhood. Grandma Abilene wanted to keep it, but I just couldn't bring myself to part with it."

Janette retrieved the box, setting it on the ottoman. Together, they sifted through its contents—old photographs, toys, worn posters. Laughter broke through tears as they uncovered fragments of Ava's youth.

One photo caught Janette's eye: Ava and Nathan together in early 1989, their smiles wide, love radiating. Another showed Ava and her sister Kellie, arm in arm.

"I remember this." Janette said as she smiled fondly at the photo of Ava and Nathan in Charlotte in 1990. "Your mom had just won her first rodeo. They were going to use the money and put a down payment down on the ranch."

Flashback
— Fall 1990; Austin, TX

The newlyweds parked in front of a sprawling ranch, its two-story home and guest house bathed in golden dusk.

"What do you think?" Nathan asked, shifting the truck into park.

Ava's face lit with wonder as she caressed her baby bump. "Oh, my sweet Nathan, it's beautiful."

"Well, it's officially ours." Nathan dangled the keys with a grin.

Her eyes widened. "Are you serious?"

"I don't say things I don't mean, babe. Come on—let's go take a look."

Hand in hand, they walked to the porch. Nathan opened the door, but Ava cleared her throat. He turned back, brow raised.

"Humble as it may be, sweetheart, this is the first home of our own. You'd better carry me over the threshold."

Laughing, Nathan swept her up bridal style, carrying her inside. Her laughter echoed against the bare walls until he set her down. They looked around, imagining their future.

"So, what do you think?" Nathan asked.

"I love it," Ava whispered, smiling up at him.

Nathan surprised her then—pinning her gently against the wall, kissing her with a heat that left her breathless. Resting his forehead against hers, he whispered, "Next to marrying you, this is the happiest day of my life."

"Our life," Ava corrected sweetly, caressing his cheek.

"Ava Walker, as God is my witness, I swear I'll work harder than any man to give you the life you deserve. We'll raise a family and watch generations of Walkers thrive here." His voice cracked with devotion.

"I love you," she whispered, eyes shining.

"I love you more," he answered, sealing it with another kiss.

End of Flashback

"I was so happy for the two of them when they bought the ranch. Ava talked nonstop about teaching you how to barrel race." Janette smiled, eyes glistening

Stella brushed away her tears, smiling softly at the photograph. "That was the house that built August and me. A lot of great memories... yet not nearly enough."

･ ⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･

Stella was curled up on the couch, absently scrolling through her Snapchat feed, when a soft knock sounded at the door. Setting her phone aside, she got up and pulled it open, finding August on the other side. His face carried a melancholy heaviness that made her heart twist.

"August, I thought you were supposed to be at the tournament?" Stella asked, stepping back to let her little brother inside.

"Yeah," he sighed, easing down onto the couch. "I hurt my back, but I'm alright. Sensei doesn't even know I left."

Stella followed him, sinking onto the cushion beside him. Her voice softened. "August, are you all right?"

"Well, yes and no." He rubbed the back of his neck. "I just feel like Sensei was putting too much pressure on me to win, and it's not fair. I know what you're gonna say because he's your boyfriend, but—"

"August," Stella cut in gently, "Johnny might be my boyfriend, but you're my brother. Family comes first. Mom put family above everything, and so do I."

Her words made his shoulders sag with relief. "I just need to get away for a while. I mean, I know I have school—"

"Where do you want to go? You're not leaving without me," Stella said, reaching for his hand.

"Home. I want to go home."

Squeezing his hand, she met his eyes with quiet determination. "All right. Let's go home."

Rising from the couch, Stella moved to her bedroom, quickly packing a bag and changing her clothes. When she returned, the two walked out together, heading for her father's old truck—the one gifted to her after her jeep was totaled. They made a quick stop at the Reseda apartment complex so August could gather his things. He left a note for Janette and Nathan before rejoining Stella, the weight of his decision written all over his face.

"You sure you wanna do this?" Stella asked as they climbed into the truck.

"I've never been more sure of anything, sis. Let's go home. Back to where it all began."

"All right. You've got it." Stella turned the key in the ignition, the old engine rumbling to life. Together, they pulled out of the lot, leaving the Valley—and all its tangled drama—behind as they headed for Texas.

･ ⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･

After the tournament—won by Cobra Kai—Johnny made a quiet detour to the old dojo. The space was stripped bare, shadows lingering in corners like ghosts. He stood in the silence until the door creaked open and Robby walked in.

"Robby?" Johnny blinked, confused. "What's going on?"

"I followed you," Robby admitted.

Johnny scanned the room. "What happened here?"

"Moving to a new location. Multiple locations, I think," Robby said.

Johnny gave him a nod, voice softer. "You kicked ass today. Could've gone either way."

"Yeah, thanks," Robby muttered.

"Hey, it's just a match. Don't let it eat you up, trust me," Johnny said.

But Robby shook his head, eyes wet. "It's not that. It's this kid. Kenny. I thought I could take him under my wing, be the mentor I wish I had when I was younger. But when I saw him today, it was like looking in a mirror." His voice cracked. "I realized that I screwed everything up. I had this hate inside of me—for you and for August. I thought I could use Cobra Kai to control that. But it just made things worse, and it's never gonna get better."

"That's not true," Johnny said firmly. "You had a good thing going with LaRusso. I got in the way of that. Don't blame yourself. Blame me."

"I'm sick of blaming you, Dad," Robby cried, his voice breaking, and Johnny pulled him into his arms.

"It's gonna be all right. We'll figure this out." Johnny held his son tight, as if grounding them both.

Later that night, Johnny made it back to his apartment. As he neared the Walker place, voices carried into the courtyard—sharp, panicked. His gut tightened. He pushed open the door.

"What's wrong? Where's August and Stella?" he asked, heart already pounding.

"Show him the note," Nathan said tightly, his jaw clenched.

Janette's hands trembled as she passed the folded paper to Johnny. He unfolded it with shaking fingers, scanning the words, each line hitting him like a blow.

Dear Dad and Grandma,

I'm sorry for having to leave a note like this, but it's the only thing I could do. After everything that has happened, these last few months were definitely a roller coaster—my back injury, rehab, me and Sam, Johnny and Mr. LaRusso, Stella's accident.

I thought I could convince myself that I could power through all of that by focusing on the tournament, and I thought that if I won, everything would work out like it's supposed to.

But I realized I was wrong. Tell Sensei I'm so sorry I bailed on him, for having a shot at winning. His karate helped me grow as a person, but I'm still not sure who I want to be.

For me to figure it out, I think I need to return to my roots—back to where it all began. Stella too. Honestly, we're scared about going back home, but overcoming that fear is the fight I have to win, instead of competing for some stupid trophy.

We just want to go home, and this is something we need to do on our own. Please try not to worry about us—we'll be safe and we'll be back soon. We love y'all so much.

Love,

August and Stella

Johnny's vision blurred as he finished. The words twisted like a knife in his chest. Stella—his Stella—was gone. The girl who had become his heart, his second chance at love, had left him with nothing but ink on paper. His greatest fear—the one that gnawed at him in every quiet moment—was coming true. She'd left.

"This is all my fault," he rasped, voice breaking.

"No it's not, Johnny." Nathan said

Johnny's swagger cracked, his defenses gone. "But it is! I pushed August too hard, made him fight when he didn't want to, treated him like he was just another damn student. And Stella—" his breath hitched, the name coming out like a prayer. "I wasn't there for her when she needed me most. She almost died, Nathan. And now—now she's gone."

He turned away, dragging his hand down his face, trying to hold himself together, but the facade was gone. His worst fear—losing her—was real, and he couldn't fight it with his fists.

"I called the police. I—I don't know what else to do." Janette stuttered.

"Everything's gonna be fine." Johnny said, pulling himself together. "I'm gonna go find them, and I'm going to bring them home."