𝐓𝐄𝐍. 𝖬𝖤𝖱𝖢𝖸

The morning of the All Valley Karate Tournament was buzzing with excitement, a feeling of tension and anticipation hanging in the air like static electricity. Johnny stood at the front of the dojo, his eyes scanning the group of students gathered before him. They were all here, the ones who had worked so hard to earn their place—Miguel, Hawk, Dimitri, Aisha, Tory, and Zhen.

Today was the day that would define everything they had worked for.

Johnny ran a hand through his hair, trying to shake off the nerves that threatened to overwhelm him. He had trained them all to fight with heart, to never back down, to show no mercy to their opponents. But today—today would be different. Today, it was more than just fighting. It was about honor, about proving to themselves that they were more than the labels people had put on them. It was about showing that Cobra Kai was more than just a dojo—it was a family.

“Alright, listen up,” Johnny said, his voice commanding attention. “You’ve trained hard. Now it’s time to put it to the test. But remember, the third rule of Cobra Kai: Mercy is for the weak. You’re not weak. You’re not here to make friends, you’re here to win. You fight until you can’t fight anymore. You leave it all on the mat.”

He paused, his eyes flicking over to each of them. Miguel. Hawk. Dimitri. Aisha. Zhen. Tory. All of them had come a long way, and Johnny could see it in their eyes. They were ready.

“Remember what you’re fighting for,” Johnny continued. “You’re fighting for yourselves. You’re fighting for respect. You’re fighting because you deserve to be here. So when you step into that ring today, you leave everything behind. Don’t show mercy. Show them who Cobra Kai is.”

There was a beat of silence before Hawk, ever the hothead, cracked his knuckles. "Let's do this."

Aisha, looking serious and focused, nodded in agreement. "We’ve got this."

Dimitri, despite his usual awkwardness, stood tall. "We’ve trained for this. No one can stop us."

Zhen remained silent but felt the weight of Johnny’s words sink into her chest. She had always held herself back, always played it safe, but today—today, she felt a fire she hadn’t realized was there. She wasn’t just here to fight for Cobra Kai; she was here to prove something to herself, to show that she was stronger than she had ever given herself credit for.

As the students prepared to head to the tournament, Johnny’s phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out, his eyes narrowing as he read the message.

It was from Robby.

Robby: I’m signing up today. But I’m doing this on my own, Dad. I’m not affiliating with Cobra Kai.

Johnny’s heart dropped. The words stung more than he expected. Robby had been keeping his distance from him for weeks now, but this—this was a slap in the face. Johnny had always hoped that Robby would follow in his footsteps, that one day they would rebuild their relationship, but now it seemed that hope was slipping further away.

He shoved the phone back in his pocket, trying to keep his focus on his students.

"Alright, let’s get to the tournament," Johnny said, forcing the frustration down. "No distractions. Stay sharp."

---

The All Valley Karate Tournament was packed, the bleachers filled with spectators, the air buzzing with the excited chatter of fans. It felt like a circus—loud, bright, and filled with anticipation. The bright lights and the thundering sound of the crowd were enough to make even the most experienced fighter nervous.

Johnny's students lined up backstage, each of them dressed in their Cobra Kai gi, their faces a mix of determination and nerves. Hawk, ever the confident one, cracked a grin as he adjusted his headband. Dimitri was pacing nervously, trying to calm his shaking hands. Aisha, her arms crossed, surveyed the room with a quiet intensity. Zhen stood still, her gaze far away, lost in thought.

"This is it," Hawk said, clapping Dimitri on the back. "Time to show them what we’re made of."

Dimitri shot him a nervous smile. "Yeah, just don’t get too cocky."

Johnny stood at the edge of the room, watching his students carefully. Despite his earlier frustration with Robby, he couldn’t help but feel a swell of pride as he looked at them. This was his dojo, his students, and they had all come so far. Today was their chance to show everyone what Cobra Kai was really about.

Suddenly, the door to the backstage area opened, and a familiar figure walked in, causing Johnny to stiffen.

It was Daniel LaRusso.

"Johnny," Daniel said with a tight smile, walking toward him. "I see you’ve got a whole army of misfits here."

Johnny narrowed his eyes. "What’s the matter, LaRusso? Scared?"

Daniel raised an eyebrow. "Scared? I’m just here to make sure my daughter doesn’t end up in the middle of another fight with your students."

Johnny snorted. "You don’t have to worry about her. She can handle herself."

Daniel’s gaze shifted, and he seemed to notice the tension in the room. "Listen, Johnny, I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing, but I’m here for the kids, not for you."

Johnny bit back the words he wanted to say. "Right. It’s always about the kids with you, isn’t it?"

Just then, the announcer’s voice echoed through the arena, signaling that the tournament was about to begin.

Johnny clapped Daniel on the shoulder, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Looks like it’s time to get to work, LaRusso. See you in the ring."

---

The tournament was a whirlwind of excitement, punches, and high-energy fights. Cobra Kai’s students dominated their matches, their hard work and determination paying off as they easily advanced to the finals. Hawk, Dimitri, and Aisha all had successful matches, leaving their opponents gasping for air. Zhen, too, found herself in the zone, her movements fluid, controlled, and sharp. For the first time, she truly felt the power of Cobra Kai’s teachings in her bones.

But as the day wore on, a familiar face from Johnny’s past resurfaced. Robby. He had entered the tournament as an unaffiliated fighter, and when he stepped onto the mat, Johnny’s heart skipped a beat. He had been hoping to see his son, hoping to reconcile, but seeing him here, fighting as if they had never shared a bond, hit Johnny harder than he expected.

Robby’s eyes didn’t meet Johnny’s. He was focused, his movements sharp and precise. He was a skilled fighter, and Johnny couldn’t help but feel a mix of pride and disappointment. This was the son he had hoped would follow him, but now, it seemed that Robby had his own path to walk.

In the final match, it came down to Cobra Kai against a few other formidable opponents, with Zhen and Tory facing off against a group of skilled fighters. The tension was thick, but neither Zhen nor Tory faltered. They knew what was at stake—not just for the dojo, but for themselves.

Johnny stood off to the side, watching with pride as his students fought, their moves a blend of grace and power. Despite everything that had happened, despite the rocky road, he knew that this was where they were meant to be. And in that moment, Johnny realized that Cobra Kai was more than just a dojo—it was a family.

And this family was going to show the world exactly what they were made of.

---

As the tournament progressed, the intensity in the air only grew. The final round was fast approaching, and Johnny’s students, Cobra Kai’s best, were ready. Hawk was practically brimming with adrenaline, his eyes wild with determination as he prepared for his next match. Dimitri, still nervous, had calmed down significantly, having come to grips with his fear and self-doubt. Aisha, the quiet powerhouse, stood at the ready, her eyes steely and focused, every movement calculated with precision.

Zhen’s heart raced as her turn came up. She had already won her previous matches, but this next one felt different. This was the one that could make or break everything. If she won this, she would prove to herself that she belonged, that she wasn’t just a misplaced shadow in a world that hadn’t given her the chance to shine. But there was something more at stake, something deeper.

Her mind flickered back to the conversation she’d had with Tory earlier in the day. They hadn’t spoken much, but there had been an unspoken understanding between them. They both knew what this moment meant, not just for them but for everyone they had trained with. They had fought their own demons, fought for a place here, and this was the moment where they would finally prove they were worthy.

"You’ve got this," Tory had said to her, her voice full of confidence, something Zhen had never expected to hear from her. It meant more than Zhen had let on.

Zhen felt the familiar weight of her Cobra Kai gi, the fabric stiff with the years of history it carried. Her palms were sweaty, her legs slightly shaking, but her resolve was firm. This wasn’t just about winning; it was about showing that they were more than just a team. They were a family. They had each other’s backs, and together, they were unstoppable.

As Zhen stepped onto the mat for the final match, she faced her opponent, a fierce-looking girl from one of the other dojos. The crowd was cheering, the lights blinding, but Zhen only saw the mat and her opponent. Everything else faded away.

Johnny’s voice echoed in her mind: Mercy is for the weak.

But in that moment, Zhen wasn’t thinking about mercy. She wasn’t thinking about the rule. She was thinking about the years she had spent fighting, about the struggle to belong, about the bond she had with these people who had become her family. She wasn’t just fighting for Cobra Kai—she was fighting for herself.

The match began, and her opponent came at her with speed, throwing a series of powerful kicks. Zhen dodged the first one, countering with a low sweep that sent the girl off balance. The crowd gasped. Zhen’s heart pounded as she pressed on, using everything Johnny had taught her, every muscle she had trained, every ounce of determination that had gotten her here. The fight was quick, brutal, and full of tension. But in the end, it was Zhen who came out on top.

The crowd erupted into applause as Zhen stood victorious, chest heaving with the effort. Her opponent had been skilled, but Zhen had something she didn’t—heart.

Tory was on her feet, clapping, her eyes gleaming with pride. Aisha and Dimitri were next, their cheers echoing through the gym. Hawk, ever the proud fighter, slapped Zhen on the back, a grin spreading across his face.

“You did it!” Hawk yelled, his voice booming.

Johnny stood off to the side, his arms crossed, a smirk on his face. He didn’t need to say anything. His approval was written in the way his eyes lingered on Zhen, proud and unwavering.

As Zhen turned to face her teammates, her heart swelled. She hadn’t just won a match—she had proven herself. She wasn’t just a student of Cobra Kai; she was a fighter, a warrior, and part of something bigger than herself. This was where she belonged.

But as the celebration continued, her thoughts were interrupted by a familiar figure stepping onto the mat. Robby.

Johnny’s heart stopped as he saw his son approach. Robby had remained unaffiliated, choosing to enter the tournament on his own terms, but seeing him here, standing among the Cobra Kai students, sent a wave of conflicting emotions through Johnny.

Robby locked eyes with his father, but neither said a word. The distance between them felt wider than ever, but something in Robby’s stance told Johnny that things were changing. Robby didn’t look angry, not like he used to. There was a sadness in his eyes, a sort of quiet understanding, but no words were spoken.

Johnny knew Robby wasn’t ready to come back to him—not yet. But as they stood there, facing each other in the same arena, Johnny felt something flicker inside him. Maybe this was the beginning. Maybe they could still fix things.

As the last few matches played out, the Cobra Kai dojo kept their focus. Hawk continued his streak, Dimitri finally came into his own as a fighter, and Aisha dominated in her own quiet, determined way. But it was Zhen’s victory that seemed to ignite something in the dojo. It wasn’t just about the tournament anymore. They had proven themselves. They were fighters, every single one of them.

As the final match of the day drew near, Johnny gathered his students together one last time before the championship match began.

“Today’s been a hell of a ride,” he said, his voice steady, though there was a hint of pride in his tone. “You all fought hard, and I’m damn proud of each of you. But we’re not done yet. We’ve come this far, and now it’s time to finish this.”

They all nodded, their expressions serious, the weight of the moment pressing down on them. This was the final fight, and there was no turning back.

Zhen exchanged a look with Tory, a silent understanding passing between them. They were in this together, and no matter what happened next, they would always have each other’s backs. This tournament was just the beginning. They had come a long way, but the road ahead was still full of challenges, and Zhen knew that the journey wasn’t over.

Johnny clapped his hands together. "Let’s go out there and show ‘em who Cobra Kai really is."

As the dojo team walked toward the mat for the final showdown, Zhen felt the weight of their shared bond. They were more than just teammates. They were a family. And together, they were unstoppable.

The tournament was almost over, but their story was just beginning.

---

The energy of the tournament was electric, the crowd roaring with excitement as the final matches wound down. Cobra Kai had dominated, their presence felt in every corner of the arena. Johnny watched with pride as his students stood tall, their hard work and dedication on full display. But for Zhen, the noise and celebration faded into the background as she stepped outside the arena to catch her breath.

The cool evening air wrapped around her, a stark contrast to the heat and adrenaline inside. She leaned against the wall, her heart still pounding from the intensity of her final match. Victory tasted sweet, but the emotions swirling inside her were far more complex.

Footsteps approached, and she glanced up to see Tory walking toward her, a slight smirk playing on her lips.

“Needed a break from all the noise?” Tory asked, her voice softer than usual.

Zhen nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. “Yeah. It was getting a bit… overwhelming.”

Tory leaned against the wall beside her, the two of them falling into a comfortable silence. The bond they had formed over the past weeks had grown stronger with each passing day. They had each other's backs, both in and out of the dojo, and that connection had only deepened tonight.

“You were amazing out there,” Tory said after a moment, her eyes fixed on Zhen. “Seriously. I’ve never seen you fight like that before.”

Zhen’s cheeks flushed, the compliment catching her off guard. “Thanks. I couldn’t have done it without you, though. You’ve helped me more than you know.”

Tory shrugged, but there was a softness in her expression that she rarely showed. “You didn’t need me. You’ve always had it in you. You just needed to see it.”

Zhen’s gaze dropped to the ground, the weight of Tory’s words sinking in. For so long, she had doubted herself, unsure if she truly belonged. But tonight, something had shifted. She had fought, she had won, and she had proved to herself that she was stronger than she had ever imagined.

“You really think so?” Zhen asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Tory turned to face her fully, their eyes locking. “Yeah. I do.”

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The world seemed to pause around them, the distant sounds of the tournament fading into the background. Zhen’s heart raced, not from fear or adrenaline, but from something else entirely—something new, something unexpected.

Tory took a small step closer, her gaze never wavering. Zhen could feel the warmth radiating from her, the intensity of the moment pulling them together like a magnet. Time seemed to slow as Tory leaned in, her breath soft against Zhen’s skin.

And then, it happened.

Their lips met in a gentle, tentative kiss, the world around them disappearing completely. It was soft at first, a quiet exploration, but quickly deepened as they both gave in to the emotions they had been holding back. The kiss was electric, filled with unspoken words and the promise of something more.

Zhen’s hands found their way to Tory’s waist, pulling her closer, while Tory’s fingers brushed against Zhen’s cheek, the touch sending shivers down her spine. It was a moment of vulnerability, of trust, of connection.

When they finally pulled apart, their foreheads rested against each other, their breaths mingling in the cool night air. Zhen’s eyes fluttered open, meeting Tory’s, and she saw the same emotions reflected back at her—fear, excitement, and something that felt a lot like hope.

“Well,” Tory said, a playful smile tugging at her lips, “that was… unexpected.”

Zhen let out a soft laugh, her heart still racing. “Yeah. But not unwelcome.”

Tory’s smile grew, her confidence returning. “Definitely not.”

For a moment, they stood there, wrapped in each other’s presence, the world outside forgotten. Whatever challenges lay ahead, whatever battles they would face, they knew one thing for certain—they weren’t alone anymore. They had each other.

And together, they were unstoppable.