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Flashback
July 2017; Cheyenne Frontier Days; Cheyenne, WY

"Mom! Mom!" Ava Walker heard as she brushed her trusted horse, Life in the Fast Lane. Turning her head, she smiled as she saw her children and her husband walking into the barrel racer's tunnel.

"You be careful out there honey." her husband, Nathan Walker said as he wrapped his arms around her.

"You know I will." Ava smiled as she wrapped her arms around her husband's neck.

"Good luck out there mom." her daughter, Stella smiled as she embraced her beloved mother. "You know you're the best barrel racer around."

"You're better than Lisa Lockhart any day." her son August smiled as he embraced his beloved mother

"Thank you my precious angels." Ava smiled as she embraced her beloved children. "But it's about doing what you love, not about a trophy. Always remember that."

After embracing her beloved husband and children one last time, Ava put on her cowgirl hat, and Nathan, Stella, and August walked to the arena to sit with their friends and Janette, but what they didn't expect was for the rodeo to take a devastating turn.

"From Austin, Texas, Ava Walker and Life in the Fast Lane!" the rodeo announcer announced

Just as Ava was about to kick her heel to spur the horse, the horse itself got spooked, and knocked Ava off the horse. As the horse ran out of the tunnel, Ava's spur was caught in the stirrup of the saddle and drug her through the arena.

Ava's husband and children were too stunned to speak or move, but when they saw her break free, only to be thrown against the chute and hit the back of her head, Nathan's face, which once beamed with love and pride, contorted with horror. Stella and August's heart's began to pound and their blood ran cold. Deep down, all three of them knew this was the end.

"This young lady may be hurt!" the rodeo announcer said. "Paramedics are on their way in."

"Mom!" Stella cried through tears, and tried to run to the arena, but was held back by her father, brother, and grandmother

Three days passed, and Ava was airlifted to St. David's Medical Center in Austin, where she was in a coma with a subdural hematoma. Nathan made the decision to take her off life support. After her funeral, the family packed up and moved to the San Fernando Valley, where their lives changed, forever.

_____

Present Day
— San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, CA, August 2017

𝐈𝐓 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐀 𝐐𝐔𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐏𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐄𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 AM when the alarm clock on Johnny Lawrence's bedside table began to buzz as the blonde reached over and attempted to turn it off, until eventually slamming on the snooze button. Sitting up, he reached over to grab the coors banquet bottle that was nearly empty before taking a sip, then spit it out and rubbed his temple.

Getting out of bed, he walked over to the closet to grab an outfit for the day. After getting dressed, he walked over to the kitchen, and began to make breakfast, which constisted of fried bologna with hot sauce. As he opened the fridge to put the bologna away, he looked at the small photo of his son, Robby, that adorned his fridge, whom he hasn't seen for almost sixteen years. Sitting down at the table, and grabbing the remote, he turned on the tv, which played Iron Eagle.

In the neighboring Reseda apartment, widower Nathan Walker, a legendary Texas Ranger, stood in the kitchen making breakfast for his children, Stella Walker, a twenty-six year old nursing student, and August Walker, a sixteen year old high school student. After the tragic death of his wife, Ava, he and his children packed up and moved to the Valley, much to Stella's dismay.

The Walker siblings took out the trash, where Johnny was also taking out the trash. "Hi, I'm August, this is my older sister Stella. My family and I just moved into 109." the Walker teen said, as he and Stella kept a close eye on the man in front of them.

Rolling his eyes, Johnny sarcastically remarked, "Great, more immigrants."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean, asshole?" Stella spat

"Don't worry about it, princess." Johnny smirked and Stella rolled her eyes in annoyance. She already hated California, and this asshole was making it worse. But, she couldn't deny how hot he was.

"Actually, we're from Texas." August said, as he and Stella followed the blonde to the trash bin. "Anyways, I was wondering if you're having trouble with your water pressure, cause I know our sink has been acting weird and..." he started but was cut off, when Johnny put the trash in the wrong bin. "Oh, bottles go in the blue ones."

"Listen, cowboy. I've lived in this shithole for over ten years. The pipes don't work, and every fountain's full of piss. The only good thing here is that I don't have to talk to anybody. So, nice knowing you." Johnny said, as he picked up the tool box and walked to his car

"Okay, well...have a nice day...I guess." Stella said, as she rolled her eyes, then walked back towards the apartment. "Perfect welcoming committee." the brunette mumbled

"Hey, who was that guy?" Nathan asked as Stella and August walked through the door

"Grouchy neighbor. He doesn't talk to anyone." Stella said as she sat down on the couch.

"Well, I'm heading out, I'll be home later. You two going to be okay?" Nathan said as he grabbed his keys and placed his cowboy hat on his head

"We'll be fine dad." August said. "But you seriously think it's a good idea to be wearing your cowboy hat in the valley?"

"Hey, we may not live in Texas anymore, and I may be the chief of police, but I will always be a Texas Ranger." Nathan smiled. "Love you both.

"Love you too."

──────

Later in the day, when August was unpacking boxes in his room, Stella was in her room, unpacking boxes in her room. As she unpacked her photos, she came across a photo of Ava.

She was pulled out of her thoughts, when she heard a soft knock at the door. "It's open." Stella said

"Hey, wanna check out that mini-mart?" August said. "Besides, I could go for a Pepsi."

"How are we even siblings?" Stella laughed. "Pepsi is too sweet. If you're going to drink a soda, drink coke, and yes. Let's check out the mini mart. Besides, I'm sick at my stomach anyway."

"Stell, you—"

"August, It's just nerves. One thing I forgot to have dad put on the grocery list was pepto." Stella said as the siblings walked out of the apartment and towards the mini mart

The Walker siblings walked to the mini-mart, which was a few blocks away from home. As they opened the door, they noticed Johnny standing over the counter waiting for his food.

"That one." Johnny said as he pointed at the pizza slice. Noticing the cashier wasn't wearing gloves, he said, "Aren't you gonna wear gloves? Can you put that on a plate? C'mon what's Spanish for just give me my damn slice."

The cashier glared at him, then looked at the Walker siblings and spoke in Spanish. "Puto idiota. Probablemente tenia una pequena polla."

"What did he say?" Johnny said, as he turned to the two laughing siblings, trying to control his heart rate as he looked at Stella.

"Trust me, you don't want to know." August snickered, and shook his head, trying not to laugh.

"Look, I know it's something bad, just tell me." Johnny said

"He said you have a tiny dick." Stella said

"He said I have a tiny wang? Tell him he has a tiny wang." Johnny shot back

"I speak English, asshole." The cashier said

"Oh, really?" Johnny sarcastically said as snatched his slice of pizza, and left the store 

As August was paying, a group of boys walked into the shop and went for the beer. One was tall with black hair, one was on the chubbier side and had curly red hair, another was dark-skinned with black hair, and the other was on the skinner side with red hair as well.

"They look like they're in high school." August said to his sister. The worker, hearing this, told the boys to put the beer down or he'll call the cops.

"What the hell are you doing? Why you gotta blow my spot?" The tall boy yelled as he shoved August out of the shop

August and Stella both stumbled backward, pushing their way out of the shop in fear. "Dude I—" he started

"He thought we were in college." The boy shouted.

"I didn't know you were trying to buy beer! I'm sorry!" August said

The boy pushed August backward, sending him tumbling into the grass. "Leave him alone, you stupid asshole!" Stella shouted.

"Oh, aren't you a sassy ball of fire!" The tall boy said, then turned to August and snatched the pepto bismol out of his hand. "What do you have? Pepto? We should call him Rhea."

"Give it back dude." August asked politely

Stella, having it to the roof with these idiots, pushed her brother aside, took the bottle and threw it at one of their heads. "It's obvious politeness doesn't work around here August. They're a bunch of self centered assholes, who have no idea how to respect others."

"Oh, hottie got a temper!" The tall boy said. "That's exactly how I like them."

"I don't give a flying fuck how you like them dipshit! I'm too old for you." Stella said, as she rolled her eyes in annoyance. "Besides, I like cowboys."

"Asshole." August mumbled not so quietly

"What did you just say, Rhea?" The tall boy said, as he pushed punched August in the gut

"That's brute, Kyler." one of the boys said

"Get the fuck away from him." Stella said, as she punched Kyler in the jaw with her strong right hook

"Did you just hit me?" Kyler said as he got in her face

"What are you going to do about it?" Stella challenged as she pushed her brother back and got in his face

Kyler tried to punch her as she quickly moved out of the way, leaving him and August to bump into the car. "Hey! Watch the car, man!" Johnny shouted

"Who the hell is this dude?" One of the guys asked as he looked Johnny up and down

"Just leave the dork and the girl alone. You don't hit girls, man." Johnny said

"What?" Kyler said. "You see this guy? Eating his dinner at the mini-mart like a bum." The chubbier boy said causing the others to laugh.

"Wait, I think I know this guy. He's the jerk-off that cleaned my dad's septic tank." Kyler said.

"At least this guy has a job, unlike you rich prick jerk-offs, who have to rely on mommy and daddy's money to get what you want." Stella spat, earning a grin from Johnny.

"That explains why he smells like shit." The chubby boy said

"Trust me, you are pissing off the wrong guy on the wrong day, all right? I'm warning you, leave them alone." Johnny said, as he walked closer to the group of guys. When he saw Stella, his eyes twinkled and her eyes did the same.

"Really? Get out of here, loser." Kyler said, shoving him back. Big mistake.

Johnny glanced at Stella and winked at her before turning back to the kid in front of him. He  roundhouse kicked the boy in the face sending him to the ground. The other two boys ran at him throwing punches while Johnny blocked them with ease, while Stella and August stood off to the side and watched the scene unfold

Johnny punched and kicked each boy as they ran at him. The chubbier boy grabbed him around the waist and pushed him backward, but Johnny easily sent him to the ground. The boys all laid on the ground groaning.

Stella and August looked around, and then looked at Johnny, and August said, "Holy shit. How did you—"

"Look out!" Stella said

Kyler grabbed Johnny by the waist, and flung him to the ground. He elbowed Johnny in the ribs before putting him in a headlock, and pulled him off the ground. "What's the matter? Having trouble breathing?" Kyler asked cockily

Johnny elbowed him in the stomach before flipping over to the ground, looking at the group he said, "Is that all you got ladies?"

The chubbier boy helped Kyler up, and said "Let's just go."

However, after shoving his friend off of him off, Kyler tried to lunge at the blonde, but was stopped by Stella, who stood in front of him, and pushed him to the ground. "You ever met a pissed off southern woman? Congratulations. You've just met one."

"You little—" one of his friends said, as they ran at her, but she easily dodged them. As they tried to punch her, she punched them, and he fell to the ground.

Johnny got Kyler in a choke hold, as police sirens were heard. "What's the matter? Having trouble breathing?" he mocked

"Get off the kid!" A policeman shouted, as he ran at Johnny, then pepper sprayed his face causing him to let Kyler go

"No! It's not his fault!" August shouted. "He helped us!" Stella shouted

"You two need to go home. It doesn't concern you." The officer yelled back as the Walker siblings watched as Johnny was taken away in a squad car, but not before, Johnny's and Stella's eyes met once again, feeling a spark that she had never felt before in her life.

──────

Stella had been tossing and turning all night. As much as her body tried willing her to sleep, her mind was just not having it. Her hands clutched the pink sheets that once belonged to her mother, and her eyes had been closed, but she couldn't get that sexy blonde man out of her mind. She didn't even know his name.

Everytime she came close to sleep, she would see those hypnotic blue eyes of the mini-mart stranger piercing through her soul, and hearing her mother's favorite tune, Sweet Dreams of You didn't help matters any. She and her brother might not be alive had it not been for him.

That is precisely why, the very next morning, when the beautiful brunette got out of bed, she had the clear intentions of sitting by the living room window and waiting for the man to return.

"August, he's back!" Stella called out to her brother, as she checked her hair in the mirror, then opened the door to see Johnny walking to his apartment.

As Stella closed the door behind her, August ran up to the blonde. "Hey, I just wanted to thank you." he said and Stella walked beside them

"All right, well, you said it." Johnny said as he walked to his apartment.

"So last night was that, like Tae Kwon Do, or jujitsu or MMA or something?" August said

Rubbing the back of his neck, Johnny said, "It's karate. Old school karate."

"You think you could teach me?" August asked

"What? No." Johnny said, as he shook his head

"What? Come on, when school starts, those guys are gonna make my life miserable, and they're gonna talk about how hot my sister is." August said as he gagged at the thought of one of those punks talking about his sister.

"It's not my problem." Johnny said as he grabbed his mail

"Look, if I knew a little of what you knew then I would be—" August said

"Forget it. I don't do karate anymore, all right? Besides, I need to find a job." Johnny said

"Well you could open your own karate school." August said

"It's called a karate dojo." Johnny said

"You could open your own dojo?" August suggested

"Look, I'm not getting into this with you. I'm not even sure I'm allowed to be around kids right now. All right, you want my advice? Stop being so annoying. Maybe you'll stop getting your ass kicked." Johnny said before unlocking the door to his apartment

"I'll see you at home." August said to his sister and walked away

Sighing deeply, Stella stood in front of Johnny, their eyes meeting, both feeling a spark. "Look, I wanted to thank you for what you did. Not just for helping my brother, but for helping me as well. I truly mean that. Now I don't know what's happened to you, it's really none of my buisness, but I know that a person isn't so bad that they can't be redeemed."

Johnny couldn't help but think about everything he lost. His first love, Ali Mills, all because of a stupid mistake, then stupid Daniel LaRusso coming to the valley and stealing away his girl, when he wanted to try and win her back, but was sadly not meant to be.

Then his mind wandered to the beautiful brunette in front of him. She was different. He could tell that she was broken beyond repair, but she carried a kind and compassionate soul.

"We haven't been formally introduced. My name is Stella. Stella Blue Walker. I don't think I caught your's."

"John Lawrence, except nobody calls me that. It's Johnny." Johnny said as he shook her hand, which fit perfectly in her's, almost as if it was meant for him to hold.

"Well, I need to get home, but, if you ever need to talk, you know where to find me." Stella smiled, then walked away.

"Yeah." Johnny smiled fondly at the beautiful brunette before he walked into his apartment

──────

The next day, Johnny arrived at LaRusso auto. Pulling his hood over his head, he walked through the entrance. "How you doing? Would you be interested in one of—" a salesman started

"No." Johnny cut him off, and walked over to a woman who sat down at a small desk. Pulling out a piece of paper he said, "Hi, I just need to pick up my car. I'm in a bit of a hurry."

"Oh, this came in, last night? It'll be a couple of weeks, but we'll call you with an estimate." The woman smiled, as she placed the piece of paper down.

"No, my car was not supposed to come here. I want it towed to a different body shop." Johnny said as he took off his sunglasses

"Why? We have the number one service team in the Valley. We beat all prices. We kick the competition." The woman smiled

"Can you hurry it up? I gotta go." Johnny said

"Um, it says your car is one of our intake lots. I'll figure out which one." The woman said.

"You know what? I'll just come back tomorrow." Johnny said, as he turned back around and started walking towards the exit door

"Johnny?" Daniel said, and Johnny froze then turned to give him a fake smile. "Johnny Lawrence! I...I...I knew it was you!" Daniel said happily rushing over to give him a hug. "Holy...How the hell are you?" Daniel asked letting him go.

"Hey man." Johnny said.

"Oh my god, look at you. You still got those golden locks, eh? God, this is crazy. How you been?" Daniel asked

"Great, man. Thanks, I've been great." Johnny responded with a fake smile

"That's great. Hey Anoush, come here! Louie, get over here! I want you to meet somebody." Daniel said as he called Anoush and Louie over 

"I gotta go." Johnny said, but Daniel stopped him and pulled him back

"No, no, no. This is Johnny Lawrence. He and I go way back. Right, buddy? This guy was the toughest guy in my school. When I first moved here from Jersey, he and I...we got into it a little bit. This guy really had it in for me." Daniel explained.

"Well, you did move in on my girl." Johnny said

"Well, she actually wasn't really your girl anymore, was she?" Daniel said. "All right. That's all water under the bridge."

"Wait. Is this the karate guy, the guy from the tournament?" Anoush asked Daniel

"Oh, this is the guy who's ass you kicked?" Louie asked

"Uh, listen, it was a really close match. But if you wanna get technical...I kicked his face." Daniel said making both him and the guys laugh. "I'm just busting your chops." Daniel said to Johnny

"It was an illegal kick." Johnny replied 

"Oh, illegal? Really? Come on. What about that elbow to my knee?" Daniel asked

"Yeah, I got a warning. You got the win." Johnny said taking a threatening step forward

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! No fighting in the showroom, guys." Anoush said

"Alright back to work." Daniel told them

"Nice meeting you." Anoush said and he went back to helping customers

"Enough reminiscing, right? So, what brings you in? You're looking for a new ride?" Daniel asked

"He wants his car towed to a different body shop." Sheila said walking up to Daniel

"Oh no, Johnny. We got the best prices in town. That crook at Cole's on Van Nuys, he'll try to screw you over. Sheila, let me see the estimate. A Pontic?" He looked at Johnny and he nodded his head "Firebird?" Daniel asked.

"Yeah." Johnny said

"Wow, someone did a real number on this thing. Maybe it's time for an upgrade. Why don't we walk the lot? I'll give you a deal on a certified pre-owned..." Daniel started

"I just want my car." Johnny said annoyed

"All right, all right. You got it, all right? Let me see how low I can get this repair. Friends and family... my own personal code. You know what? It's on the house." Daniel said

"No way. I don't want your charity." Johnny said looking at Daniel.

"No, you'd be doing me a favor. Our guys aren't used to working on a car like this. They could use the practice. You could use the repairs. This is a win-win." Daniel said

"I said I'll handle it." Johnny said

"All right. Okay, but it's... John, it's gonna cost more than the car is worth. Listen, don't worry about it. It's my pleasure, all right?" Daniel said

──────

After leaving LaRusso Auto, and reaching the parking lot, Johnny dropped the small tree onto the ground. He called a taxi and went back to his Reseda apartment. When he got back to his apartment, he saw the Walker siblings outside the apartment buildings handling some recycling. Then, Johnny approached them from behind.

"Are you sure you two are ready? Cause once you go down this path, there's no turning back." Johnny said and the two of them looked at him in complete shock

"Are you going to be our karate teacher?" August asked

"No. I'm going to be your sensei." Johnny said. "I'm going to teach you the style of karate that was taught to me, a method of fighting your pussy generation desperately needs. I'm not going to teach you how to conquer your fears. I'm going to teach you, how to awaken the snake inside. And once you do that, you'll be the one who's feared. You'll build strength, and when the time is right. You'll strike back."

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