warnings: violence and mentions of grief and death!

___

MIGUEL only pulled a muscle.

And the terror he inspired in his family and friends subdued. The cry that tore through the venue was embedded in Cameron's mind, though it did provide her with some comfort that he would not have to revisit a hospital, nor be in a coma like he once was.

He had 30 minutes to recover. 30 minutes until he had to carry on fighting. 30 minutes for Cameron to get her head in the game for her next fight against Sam LaRusso.

"How's it feel now?" Johnny asked him.

Miguel answered quietly, "Not bad. Just a little sore."

"Miggy, you don't have to continue," Carmen said calmly.

Miguel waved her off, "Don't worry, Mom. If something feels off, I won't fight."

"Make sure he's okay," she said, turning to her boyfriend.

He nodded, "Of course."

Rosa pushed through them, "Eras tan bueno ahí fuera. Especialmente cuando le diste una patada en la cara a ese niño."

Miguel huffed out a smile, "Gracias, Yaya."

"Ciao."

"All right. We've got a half-hour. Show your back who's boss." Johnny said.

Cameron walked in sheepishly after just being greeted by the Diaz women, "You really know how to scare everyone." she joked.

"Sorry,"

"Don't say that," Cameron smiled, even when he didn't. "I'm still rooting for you. More than Eli, but don't tell him that."

Miguel mustered out, "You're gonna kill it out there. Against Sam."

"Well you're gonna see that," Cameron retorted, then nodding to Johnny, "Make sure he's good. I need to go and stretch," she trailed off, turning back to Miguel, "I would ask you to help but –"

Johnny glowered, "I don't need to hear this."

Cameron laughed him off whilst she exited the medical room.

Get your head in the game, she repeated to herself as she walked through the white hallways only for her stride to falter when she spotted a Silver head of hair.

The Cobra Kai Sensei's grin had yet to be knocked off his face as he stood in her way.

"What do you want?" She snapped.

"With the way you fought today, I would've thought you were going in for the kill, striking until there was nothing left," Silver remarked.

Cameron dared to ask, "Is your student okay?"

"You're letting your natural talent go to waste," he ignored her question towering over her.

"Your words are just as empty as Kreese's," she hissed, making his eyes light up.

"Empty?" he scoffed, "When the Cobra's venom flows deep within, I've seen it, It never really leaves you. Not when you're such an accomplished fighter. A dangerous one." she rolled her eyes at the assessment. She wouldn't let it be true, not anymore. "Those people who want to accept you won't. Not when your style has a cobra's spirit. It's too much for them to handle so they'll claim you're unteachable, unstable. When you're far from it," he spoke with so much passion, had he been here a year before, she would've clung to his words.  "You're probably the most competent, most strategic fighter I've seen in years. Think about what I've said. You've got a brain, Cameron. Use it."

"Like you tried to by getting me disqualified for my meds?" Cameron dismissed everything he said.

"No, that wasn't me. That Nichols really doesn't like you much." he saw a glimpse of hurt flash through her eyes, amusing him, "but you knew that. Just like I knew about all the things you've accomplished. Natural cobras are comfortable around their own," a Red Gi didn't suit her in his opinion. "And you wouldn't want to live your life with regrets would you?"

That she agreed with, despite him waving her dad's words in her face, just like Kreese.

"No, I wouldn't. Not anymore."

"Good."

A grin appeared on her face when she retorted, "I'll remember that when I take down Tory on the mat."

"Robby Keene is ahead one-nothing as he and Demetri Alexopoulos battle it out for a trip to the finals." Daryl's announcement carried through the venue.

Robby took down Demetri, however it wasn't the quickest fight. Demetri used his long reach to combat him, but it wasn't successful.

"This semifinal match has been all Cobra Kai. Tory Nichols is on her way to the big dance."

Cameron's face hardened when Tory came off the mat with another triumph. It was time. Cameron and Sam. The time was now, but Miguel still hadn't returned.

And so after another quick stretch, she went to go find him after the countdown finished and Eli was the winner by default.

She jogged up when he emerged from the medical room.

"Hey," she looked concerned. "Is it your back, is that why you didn't fight, is it hurting again?"

Miguel sighed as he shook his head, "No. It wasn't my back. It just felt like I wasn't fighting for me anymore.

"I get that. I feel like today I have to fight for me and my dad," she quietly told him, unintentionally reminding him of what today was.

Blake James' anniversary.

"I'm sorry," he breathed out, but she shrugged. "It's just Johnny isn't my dad."

She understood, "I know."

He cleared his throat, as he took a step closer, "Anyways, uh, I just wanted to wish you good luck. And let you know... "

Daryl announced, "The last semifinalists, please report to the centre mat."

Cameron let out a deep breath and glanced up, "I gotta go. But I'll see you out there rooting for me, right?"

"I'm always rooting for you, Roni," he promised, yet his smile didn't reach his eyes.

He wanted to kiss her, like before, but it wouldn't feel right. His lips met her cheek instead, soothing her worries for the moment before she left him in the hallway alone.

"Here comes Cameron James and Eagle Fang Karate and Samantha LaRusso and Miyagi-do. Get ready folks, this one won't have an easy victor." Daryl announced as the two girls spoke to their Senseis.

"She'll probably use whatever you've been teaching her," Cameron murmured.

"That doesn't matter James. Your styles are different. I know what you can do and will do, ignore all that noise, all that bullshit. It's you and her on that mat. You know your strengths." Johnny advised, "Don't let whatever has been said get to you. All the pain that you've endured," he said pointedly, knowing exactly what this day was. Everyone did. "All of it, use it, this is your moment kid. Yours alone."

Cameron slowly nodded, hearing the words of encouragement from her teammates as she and Sam both jumped onto the mat, eying each other down.

She was the same height as Cameron – same reach – fought defensively – but not anymore – fought rigorously – and she's just as focused as me. 

"Bow to each other," the Referee instructed, "and then to me. Ready? Fight!"

Sam let Cameron advance, ducking when a fist extended her way. Sam was spun on her heel, thinking she would land a kick to Cameron's side, but it was blocked.

"Keep it up, James!" Johnny yelled, narrowing his eyes with every hit that almost landed.

Cameron then caught Sam's hand and tugged, pulling her overhead and striking her stomach.

"Point James!" the referee announced as the girls bounced up and returned to their stances.

"Come on girls!" Carmen cheered from the stands, beside their mothers who shouted their daughter's names.

"Remember to breathe Sam!" Daniel reminded her as she did just that.

"Ready? Fight!"

Cameron bounced on her toes, when Sam surprisingly decided to attack first, following Johnny's lessons, going to deliver a kick to Cameron that she blocked. More jabs were thorough, colliding with limbs.

"No point! Continue," the referee instructed when Cameron evaded a punch to the face, only for her to neglect to see another punch to the side. "Point LaRusso!"

"Keep those hands up, James!" Johnny yelled.

From the stands, Drew watched on, highly conflicted as he rubbed at his jaw.

Cameron's elbow struck Sam's hand as she deflected another advance. Daniel was increasingly aggravated when he saw their styles were nearly morphing as one. Cameron grunted as Sam groaned with every attack.

Cameron then huffed, furrowing her brows when she laid out an inside block and delivered a kick. Sam avoided it and returned the action quickly yet unsuccessfully.

They dodged each other's punches and side jabs only for Cameron to finally bend, sweeping out her leg and striking Sam's side with her foot.

"Point James!"

"Come on Cameron!" Devon screamed,

Eli caught the aggravation on Daniel's face. One more point and Cameron would win. Which meant they needed an equaliser. Eli had cheered for his teammate but secretly hoped Cameron would come out on top.

"Ready Fight!"

Sam thought Cameron dropped back with her attack or defence, but instead, she slapped the mat with a pivot, and thrust out her heel, hoping for it to hit Sam's Jaw, Sam instead pulled at her leg and struck her knee.

"Point LaRusso! 2-2 next point wins."

Cameron groaned as she returned to her side, whilst Sam bounced on her heels. It was hardly a simple fight. A variation of styles was used, it was unpredicated on both sides.

The Cobra Kai's peeped at the fight, Tory stood, seemingly unbothered next to Kreese, who watched on intensely.

and she's just as focused as me... make her unfocused!

Cameron deeply inhaled, mirroring Sam when they got into their fighting positions, ignoring the outside noise and the chanting and cheers. They locked eyes and nodded.

"Ready Fight!" The Referee instructed, and the girls began circling each other, shocking both Sensei's. Cameron feigned left then rushed forward, and was met with a low block when she threw a punch.

Cameron craned her neck to the side, reeling her body to the side when Sam spun and tried to land a tornado kick. Despite being impressed, Cameron didn't relent in her defence, only attempting to tire Sam out. And with the deep breaths between every yell, she could tell it was working.

"Come on baby!" Alexis yelled.

"You can do this Sam!" Amanda screamed.

The girls below them winced as they watched. Anala looked between her fingers, Moon covered her mouth and Lily's mouth gaped open.

Make her unfocused, a yell tore through Cameron's throat as she feigned a punch to Sam's right, only for her to contort her body into a side aerial, stunning the crowd when her foot landed and smacked into Sam's cheek, sending her to the mat.

"Point Winner!" The Referee stated, holding up a shocked Cameron's hand whilst the crowd cheered on for her.

"Oh, it's gonna be a battle for the ages, because here comes Cameron James and Eagle Fang," Daryl declared, now it was her going up against Tory. "The girl's final is set."

Alexis beamed for her daughter. Whilst Amanda felt for Sam, seeing Cameron help extend a hand aiding Sam off the mat, made her smile.

"Bow to each other," The Referee instructed the two girls, "Then to me."

When Cameron jogged off, despite her sore limbs she smiled at the loud support.

"I knew you could do it," Devon praised.

"You did well kid. But you gotta come down hard if you're gonna win this." Johnny excitedly corrected himself as he patted her shoulder, "Sorry, when."

That earned a laugh from her.

"Those acrobatic tricks are insane," Mitch commended.

"Gotta teach me some," Bert added.

"I will," Cameron mused, then looked around wondering where Miguel was.

"All finalists, please report to the centre mat," Daryl announced, now the spotlight was all on him, and each dojo was standing outside the mat. "Ladies and gentlemen, the wait is finally over. It's finals time!" the crowd cheered. "Since Cobra Kai scored the most points," he pointed to them, "they only need to win one match to be crowned Grand Champion. But if Miyagi-Do or Eagle Fang either both match, the title is anyone's. Ooh, high drama! Up first, the boys' fight! Good luck to all of our fighters! Let's go!"

"Come on Eli!" Lily screamed watching him walk onto the mat. He and Robby bowed to the Referee and then each other. Her stomach was in knots, so he had to be worse. She felt as if she couldn't look as they fought, she gripped Moon's hand and flinched when Robby hit Eli's chest. "Fuck."

"He'll be alright," Anala reassured when Eli went to speak to Daniel, "or at least I hope."

Lily muttered, "Not helping."

"Balance is key," Moon advised, gasping when the fight resumed and Eli attacked first, keeping Robby on his toes, then delivered a high kick to his chest, sending them both to the mat. "Oh my god!"

"Come on Eli!" Drew yelled, standing up behind them. As the next round commenced it was much more intense, kicks were blocked with more speed even when they collided with the mat once more. Feigning moves left and right. They were equal since they had both trained at the same dojo's for the same amount of time. "Let's go!" Robby's Gi seemed to be loosening which Eli used to his advanced, and just as he pulled Robby to the ground a buzzer went off. "What the hell?"

The two fights went back to their sides.

"Unbelievable!" Daryl exclaimed, coming onto the mat, "These two amazing competitors have reached their three-minute time limit in a one-on-one tie! Which means their championship match will be decided, for the first time since 1985, by sudden-death overtime!" the room erupted in cheers, "Let's go!"

"Damn," Cameron muttered, as both fighters went to their senses but returned fully determined. Her eyes rolled when Robby ripped off his Gi and threw it to Tory, prompting Eli to do the same, passing it to a confused Demetri as he rolled his shoulder's back, showcasing his tattoo before he turned around. "Come on Eli!" she screamed, feeling the energy shift.

"Next point wins. Good luck, gentlemen. Ready?" The Referee questioned when they got into their fighting positions, Robby grunted as he did so. "And... fight!"

The crowd gasped as they advanced, showcasing their talent, Robby backflipped off Eli's knee, whilst Eli dropped backwards, arching his back and jumping up, only to rush forward, attacking Robby. But unfortunately, Robby took him down and had him pinned to the mat.

He would only need one punch.

Just one.

But he hesitated, driving Eli to kick his extended arm, and pulling him to his feet.

They circled each other once again.

Cameron's mouth flew open when it was obvious that Robby wasn't as focused as before. Eli was flying out there, throwing Robby off his game, especially when his head got grazed by a kick. They each had blocked each other, yet one more point had to be given.

One more point was needed.

And that's what Eli obtained when he dragged them both to the ground and slapped the heel of his foot against Robby's chest.

"Point! Winner!" The referee grabbed Eli's hand pulling him to the feet, driving the Miyagi-do's to the mat as he screamed.

The Crowd roared.

Cameron marvelled when she laughed, ignoring the look on Johnny's face when she did.

Daryl approached holding the trophy,  "Your boys' champion, Eli Moskowitz!" he passed the trophy over.

"Yeah!" Eli screamed, lifting it in the air as Robby rushed over the mat.

"And with that, Miyagi-Do vaults into the overall lead! It all comes down to the girls' final, coming up next."

Eli screamed again,  "Yeah!"

Cameron blew out her cheeks upon realising that it all came down to her versus Tory.

"Sensei," she spoke to Johnny, almost apprehensively, and he knew what it meant.

And Daniel seemed to be reading her mind as he came over and gestured to Johnny to the side as she warmed up.

"You got this Cameron," Devon encouraged, grimacing when she saw Tory jump up by her teammates.

Cameron just nodded, sending a fleeing glance to where her Sensei stood, only for her to stare in disbelief when she saw Johnny and Daniel bowing to each other.

"I did not expect that," she breathed out.

"We're both gonna coach you," Johnny explained as he jogged over to his student. Daniel joined them, sending her a reassuring nod. And despite the animosity previously created, it wouldn't follow her into this fight.

"What better way to cap off this exciting exhibition of karate than with a final match for the ages?" Daryl stood now in the centre of the mat, "Representing Cobra Kai, the Queen Cobra herself, Tory Nichols!"

Cheering and applause followed.

"Wasn't Cameron the Queen Cobra before?" Anala leaned over to ask.

"Yup," Lily nodded in agreement, feeling sick as she readied herself to watch this.

Tory caught Cameron's mean stare whilst she kept stretching her arms.

Daryl stated, "Coached by her senseis John Kreese and Terry Silver."

Each of them nodded.

"And representing Eagle Fang, the Danger herself, Cameron James!" Cameron stood tall, despite the name. She embraced the cheers, hearing her family cheer the loudest from the stands. "Coached by Sensei Johnny Lawrence..." Daniel jogged over to Daryl, whispering in his ear, before jogging off to join Cameron. "I stand corrected, two-time All-Valley champion," Johnny grinned at the correction. "And fellow two-time All-Valley champion Daniel LaRusso!"

The Cobra Kai's and a few Miyagi-do's were shocked by the change.

"All right Cameron. Ready to kick some ass?" Johnny said when she turned to look between them.

Cameron nodded, "Yes, Sensei." her voice was firm.

She turned to Daniel.

"Look, this tournament has given you some curve balls. You handled it one way and then you improved on that," Daniel stated, causing her to straighten up. "Whether it's defence or offence, Miyagi-Do or Eagle Fang. I want you to trust your gut. Just make sure you keep your anger in check."

Cameron mulled over everything he said.

"Anything else?"

"Go kick some Cobra Kai ass," Daniel said, smirking slightly.

The referee requested, "Competitors, take your position."

Cameron bowed to her Senseis, then joined and stood facing Tory.

"Come on, CJ!" Eli yelled.

Demetri cheered her on, "James!"

Chris clapped beside him when the Eagle fangs joined them.

Drew didn't care for his aching feet, he had been standing for quite some time. He didn't know how this would go down. His cousin and his ex. He let out a shaky breath when they faced the Referee, then each other.

balance, balance, balance, echoed through Cameron's head when she got into her fighting position.

"Ready?" The Referee paused, "And fight!"

The girls bounced on their heels, before Tory advanced, trying to land a kick on Cameron's stomach, and when she failed, going low, grunting when Cameron thrust out her feet and drove it to her face.

"Point!"

"Yes!" Johnny clapped, next to a supportive Daniel. Eagle Fang yelled loudly.

"James. Score, one-zero."

"A crane kick, really?" Daniel laughed in disbelief and Johnny innocently shrugged.

Tory rushed to her Senseis, annoyed and panicked, "She's being more defensive. Not as aggressive as she was before."

"Then make her angry." Silver fiercely instructed, "You know what's inside of her and I've seen what's inside you, make sure she lets it out. Come on!" he clapped hard when she returned to her spot.

"Ready? And fight!" The Referee said. Tory bounced on her feet, advancing angrily, but was blocked. Blows were almost exchanged as were more kicks, but when Cameron jumped up to deliver a forward kick to Tory's middle, she was met with a high block and a blow to the face, startling her as she rubbed her cheek. "Point, Nichols! Score, one-one."

Johnny reeled back, "Now she's pissed off." No one has ever landed a punch to her face. Kicks sure, but never punches.

Daniel gritted his teeth when he saw the satisfaction on Silver's face.

"This can't be good," Demetri commented.

Eli shook his head, seeing the anger nearly breach his friend's face.

"Shit," Sam breathed out, actually hoping Cameron didn't lose it.

The two fighters took their stance again, more amped up than before. When the round commenced, Cameron went to attack fist, thrusting out her arms, quickly, punches were evaded, with downward, or high blocks, especially when she tried to hit Tory's face.

But her plan backfired once again, when Tory landed a kick to her side, earning a groan from Cameron.

"Point! Two-one, Nichols."

"Damn it!" Cameron rushed to her Senseis. "I'm trying to not let her get to me. But it's working."

Daniel nodded in understanding, "You need to listen to yourself Cameron, no one else. Think about all you've gone through to get to this point."

"You're in Cobra Kai anymore Kid. Using aggression only works when you let it," Johnny added, seeing the conflict on her face. "You're not in Cobra Kai anymore. You're not that person."

She began to slowly nod, "So just trust my instincts?"

"Use everything you've learned from me and Sensei Lawrence. All of it," Daniel advised.

Johnny agreed, "Sensei LaRusso's right. Every now and then."

"Come on, Cameron!" Daniel clapped, as she returned to her place, hoping that their advice worked. And seeing as she morphed between kata as she readied her stance, perplexing Tory, it was.

"Ready? And fight!" The Referee instructed.

Cameron reeled back, moving her feet at the punches Tory tried to throw. She quickly evaded the advances and then threw jabs whenever she could.

Circling an aggravated Tory, then moved to land a quick punch to the leg, but it was blocked.

"No point. Blocked."

Cameron didn't stop, and neither did Tory, they became tangled with their throws but broke from it when Cameron landed a hook punch to Tory's side.

"No point. Out of bounds," The referee decided, despite Tory's foot only landing outside the mat seconds later.

"What?" Cameron exclaimed, lowering her hands just briefly.

"Come on, Ref! She went out after she got hit!" Johnny yelled whilst the crowd booed in Cameron's favour.

Cameron couldn't let this deflate her energy, and so she returned to her spot. Use all that me and Sensei Lawrence taught you.

"Ready? And fight!" The Referee stated.

The girls battled it out, grunting with every action, using their strength to block the other.

Cameron went low.

Believing that she would sweep at her legs, Tory jumped too soon, gasping when her legs were pulled down and a head struck her chin, making it click as she fell to the mat.

"Point, James."

Cheering bounced around them, whilst Tory rubbed at her jaw and bounced up on her feet.

"Score's two to two. Next point wins. Ready? Fight!"

They attacked at the same time, attempting moves that the other knew, using defence at the same time.

A glimpse of Cameron's anger showed Tory's grew, resulting in her leg thrusting out just as Cameron's did, knocking them both to the mat.

"That's a block. No point!"

They bounced up, despite their exhaustion and continued. Tory captured Cameron's arm but was pushed away, as Cameron blocked another punch.

They stood, glaring at each other, then advanced, pulling the other back when they moved forward, striking at the side harder before it was blocked. Even on their knees, they kept pushing on, yelling out as they tumbled around until Cameron cried out when an elbow hit her right eye.

"Warning. Elbow to the face." The Referee instructed as the two girls pulled apart, "Go to your Senseis."

"Warning? Should be a point deduction!" Johnny yelled.

Cameron winced touching her eye, missing the worry flickering through Tory's face.

"I didn't mean to. No, it was an accident," she tried but was ignored.

"Go to your senseis." The Referee repeated.

Cameron trudged over to Johnny and Daniel, trying not to rub at her eye.

"Are you all right?" Johnny could already see some bruising around it.

Cameron forced out, "She got me good, eyes scratchy because of the contacts but I can still fight. I know I can. If she wants to play dirty then fine. But I don't need to cheat to win." she told them, "I can do it on my own. My own instincts."

"Good," Daniel hummed.

"And if she takes out this eye, I have another to fight with."

Daniel was stumped by her retort, but the pride on Johnny's face informed him that it was another odd lesson.

She bowed at them both then returned to her place, slightly wincing as she looked through her sore eye.

"Ready? And fight!" The Referee instructed.

Cameron's jumping kick was punched away.

She didn't flinch when Tory attempted to get in her face, she remained calm, maintaining eye contact while circling. She yelled when she pushed away a forward kick, face twisted up as she moved rhythmically. She grunted as she blocked more punches, and she yelled and pushed away another kick.

Kneeling, Tory expected Cameron to block yet another backwards kick...

But she didn't and screamed Cameron landed on the mat.

"Point. Winner!" The Referee announced, pulling Tory up.

Yet she stared, concerned at Cameron. She rushed forward, asking, "Hey. Cameron are all right?"

Cameron looked up in frustration and annoyance, especially when Tory was pulled back by Cobra Kai who loudly celebrated her win.

From the stands, Cameron's family and friends were upset, seeing as she was picked up from the mat by her Senseis who reassured her that all was fine.

"You did amazing out there," Johnny rubbed her back.

"Brilliant," Daniel added.

"What a match! What a match! Give it up for your first female champion, Tory Nichols!" Daryl's announcement just deflated Cameron even more. The crowds went wild, but the other dojos hardly moved. "And the winner of the Grand Champion trophy and still the baddest dojo in the Valley, Cobra Kai!"

Cameron patted her eye when Sam joined her. Neither spoke a word, but their silence conveyed enough. Cameron felt oncoming tears, stinging her sore eye. She wanted this. She needed it. Because if she couldn't win, then what had it all been for?

Silver took the microphone and spoke to the audience, "Thank you. Thank you." Daniel looked broken as he heard, "We couldn't be prouder of our hard-won victory. And we're just as proud to announce we'll soon be opening Cobra Kai franchises throughout the entire Valley, so every one of you young men and women here can be part of our championship dojo and learn Cobra Kai's Way of the Fist!"

Eli tugged at Cameron's arm, pulling her glossy gaze toward him and away from the chanting of Cobra Kai.

"Oh," she rasped through her throat, "I'm still proud of you bro. Even though I didn't win"

He snaked an over over her shoulder, "Rage twins for life?"

She choked out a laugh, "For fucks sake and yes."

When their family and friends left the stands, she joined them.

For once, she accepted their sympathetic glances and looks. Carmen and Rosa informed her they'd be leaving, letting her know that Miguel had done so before the finals, which hurt her even more.

Lily gave her a warm embrace.

Moon sported a supportive smile.

Anala knew now wasn't the time for her to speak or say anything unhelpful, so instead she kissed her cheek and walked off with the others.

Amanda reassured Cameron that she did her best as she left to join her distressed family.

"It's okay baby," Alexis felt her daughter cling to her. "It's okay."

Cameron bit down on her lip to prevent her cries.

Drew didn't know what to say. He had already texted Sam, stating he wouldn't leave his cousin's side, which she understood.

Cameron's hand reached for his as they left the venue.

Their fingers interlinked when they were greeted by the fresh air.

Unlike last year, they were going home with more love than loss, but the tears wouldn't stop flowing.

Not for Cameron when her phone went off and brought forth more hurt that trembled through her aching body.

miggy <3

roni, i had to do this.
for me. i just had to and
i know this will hurt and
i'm not trying to hurt you.
i'm always rooting for you.
so root for me on this.
please. and please forgive
me. but overcoming that
fear is the fight i have to face
instead of competing for a
trophy. i need to meet my
father. this is something i
have to do. please try not
to worry. i'll be safe and i'll
be back soon. i love you,
mi amor.
seen

▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃

END OF SEASON 4

a/n:

it's funny that up until this chapter, cameron and sam never physically fought (apart from that football match), it was all verbal. so all their frustrations had been building up to this. even at the last all valley tournament cameron started beef between her and sam.

writing these last two chapters have been insane, especially since she would have to fight 2 people. in between all this mess. and the fact that cameron finishes this chapter without miguel, or the win just hurts, especially since we all know she won the title but it was silver who took it away. damn these men with too much time on their hands!

i loved writing this season overall, the ever-growing changes, the new characters thrown in, and even mentions of upcoming things as well. over this season cameron was battling with a lot, especially the trust in her senseis, and their methods. miguel even stated in the chapter before she ended balance so of course i added the canonical scene of cameron going up to both daniel and johnny when she fought tory. i do think tory and cameron's are fuelled by similar things but their fighting style is different. agility vs combative and sam is rigorous.

any predictions for next season or any thoughts for this one? any theories? anything you liked about this season or anything you missed compared to the others?

it was a short yet gut-wrenching chapter (and other readers of mine know i love writing those)

hope you enjoyed it, feel free to reread. check out my tumblr for one shots and rants and tiktok for edits.

thank you for the support.

- liv