HIS SCREAM was ear piercing, but he was ultimately fine. Just an ache the on-sight doctor deemed.

But he never came out for his match... which meant that Eli would advance on and fight with Robby, which he won making Eli the All-Valley Male Champion for Miyagi-Do (something that would happen later but to digress).

With that near tragedy out of the way, Thalia could now worry about the bigger picture. The one she'd dreading since she stepped foot into Eagle Fang.

Fighting with Tory.

Thalia and Tory had both made it to the final round of the All-Valley, Thalia barely beating Sam. She caught the girl off guard when she was able to pin her down with a counterstrike she sworn she saw on TV once. Either way, she'd won her fight and she would be competing against Tory.

With that left, Thalia went to fill her water bottle up. She stood by the water fountain, refilling her bottle as her thoughts raced. The noise of the crowd and the tournament faded into the background, replaced by the deafening beat of her own nerves. The final round was looming, and the thought of facing Tory made her stomach twist.

"Hey," Miguel's voice came from behind her, soft but steady.

She turned, startled to see him still in his gi, his expression warm but tinged with something she couldn't quite place. His hair was a mess, and the damp fabric of his uniform clung to him, evidence of a long, grueling day.

"Hey," Thalia muttered softly as she approached him. "I was surprised to not see you out there."

"Yeah, um, I'm fine." He spoke. "It just felt like I wasn't fighting for me anymore."

Thalia nodded as she licked her lips. "I'm sorry."

He gave a faint chuckle. "It's okay. I figured I check on you before you went out there."

Thalia sighed. "I'm about to air out my dirty laundry for everybody to see especially when Tory kicks my ass. I barely had Sam, I mean—"

Miguel stepped closer, his voice steady. "You're not walking into anything you can't handle. You've trained for this, worked your ass off to get here. You deserve this spot, and you're ready."

"All finalists, please report to the center mat."

Thalia turned to look by inside, seeing the crowd cheer on the others as they made their way onto the mat.

With a small sigh, Thalia turned back, looking over at Miguel.

"Thanks for everything," she said softly, her voice carrying an edge of sincerity that made Miguel pause. She stepped forward, wrapping her arms around him in a firm hug.

Miguel didn't hesitate, his arms coming around her as he held her tightly and his eyes shut as he leaned into the moment. "I'm proud of you."

Thalia smiled faintly, resting her head against his shoulder for a moment before pulling back slightly. Miguel's hands lingered on her arms, his grip firm but gentle. His eyes opened, and she caught a softness in his expression that made her chest tighten.

"I'll see you out there?" she asked, her voice steady but hopeful.

Miguel's jaw tightened briefly, but he nodded with a small smile. "Yeah," he said, his voice warm but tinged with something unspoken. "I'll be there."

Thalia gave him a soft smile before turning. She made her way towards the others, the smile she'd given Miguel lingering in his mind as he turned.

He hated leaving like this, but he knew it was the only way. By the time Thalia realized he was gone, he'd already be on his way to Mexico.

"What a better way to cap off this exciting exhibition of karate than with a final match for the ages?" Darryl the announcers asked. "Representing Cobra Kai, the Queen Cobra herself, Tory Nichols! Coached by her senseis John Kreese and Terry Silver. And representing Eagle Fang, the Flying Badass, Thalia Nichols! Coached by her sensei, Johnny Lawerence, who I've just been informed will be joined by Sensei and two-time All Valley Champ, Daniel LaRusso."

Thalia furrowed her brows as she looked over her shoulder at her sensei. She didn't know much or how deep the Miyagi-Do and Cobra Kai beef went, but shock was written on her face. She couldn't imagine the two of them teaming up now or ever.

"So wait—" Daryl cut himself off as Daniel approach swiftly and back towards his students. "Oh, I stand corrected. Coached by her sensei and fellow two-time All Valley Champion, Sensei Johnny Lawrence. Let's go."

Thalia softly sighed as she turned towards the two of them. This was her first time really meeting Daniel and she wished it was under better circumstances, but alas, here she stood.

"I know you're nervous, Nichols." Johnny said. "But you know what you're doing. You've been fighting all your life. You got this."

Thalia nodded. "Yes, sensei." She looked over at Daniel who sent her a soft smile.

"You've seen what Miyagi-Do can do." He began. "Breathe, relax, and focus. Be you... defense or offense. Just make sure to keep your anger in check."

"Competitors, take your positions." The ref called.

Thalia bowed before her senseis before turning and making her way over to the center of the mat.

There, for the first time, she stood before Tory.

"Ladies, good luck." The ref spoke. "Face this way. Bow. Face each other. Bow. Ready?"

Tory quickly took position and Thalia blinked slowly as she took hers. She knew Tory was going to hold back, she told her so, but if Thalia were to lose, she was going to go out know that she tried her damn best.

"And fight!"

Thalia stepped forward, her body tense but fluid, every nerve on high alert. She raised her forearms to block a punch roundhouse, the impact rattling her but keeping her grounded.

The crowd roared, but it was all a blur to Thalia. Her focus narrowed to the fight, her heartbeat syncing with her movements.

In one smooth motion, Thalia twisted on her back foot, her body coiling with energy as she spun into a roundhouse kick. Her leg snapped upward, the movement quick and her foot connected squarely with Tory's face.

Tory stumbled back, her hand flying to her face as she struggled to maintain her balance. Thalia landed lightly, her stance already reset, her chest rising and falling as she steadied her breathing.

"Point!" The ref called.

"Nichols. Score, one-zero."

Without a second look, Tory turned, making her way back over to her senseis. She wasn't there long, quickly make her way back over as she bounced on her heels.

"Ready? And fight!"

Tory came in quick, moving fast as she sent a kick. Her kick met Thalia's forearm with a sharp thud, the force of the impact pushing Thalia slightly off balance.

Tory wasn't letting up. She darted in again, throwing a quick combination of punches. Thalia blocked the first two, her arms absorbing the hits, but the third—a swift, low jab—slipped past her guard, grazing her ribs.

Thalia staggered back slightly but stayed on her feet, her breath sharp as she refocused. She reset her stance, her feet moving lightly across the mat.

Tory feinted another jab, and Thalia prepared to counter, but it was a setup. Tory dropped low, her hips twisting as she drove a sharp front kick into Thalia's stomach.

The impact was solid and unrelenting, forcing the air from Thalia's lungs as she stumbled back, clutching her midsection. The crowd erupted as the referee approached.

"Point, Nichols! Score, one-one."

Thalia licked her lips, taking her position once more as the ref called out "fight" once more.

Thalia moved in first, her steps calculated as she closed the distance between them. She feinted a low kick, hoping to throw Tory off, but Tory didn't take the bait. Instead, she countered with a spinning roundhouse aimed at Thalia's torso.

Thalia barely managed to block the strike with her forearm, the sheer force sending her stumbling back a step.

The crowd was electric, their cheers blending into a blur of noise as the two sisters moved across the mat. Thalia knew she had to regain control. She reset her footing, her breathing steadier now as she watched Tory for an opening.

Tory smirked, shifting her stance slightly before lunging forward with a front kick aimed directly at Thalia's torso. Thalia tried to sidestep, but the speed and force of the kick caught her just below the ribcage. The impact sent her stumbling backward, her feet skidding across the mat as she fought to stay upright.

She nearly went down, her knee brushing the floor, but she caught herself just in time, her balance shaky but intact.

"Point! Two-one, Nichols."

Thalia licked her lips and turned back towards her senseis. She shut her eyes for a moment before jogging towards them.

"I don't know what to do." She admitted.

Johnny and Daniel gave each other a glance before Daniel chose to speak.

"Trust your instincts. Use everything that you've learned from Sensei Lawrence and the fighting styles that you've seen from Miyagi-Do. All of it."

"Daniel's right." Johnny quipped. "Every now and then."

"Come on, Thalia."

Thalia carefully nodded as she returned to the mat. Tory had been vouching back and forth on her heels as Thalia made her return.

This time, Thalia let Tory approach her, her stance steady, her eyes sharp. Tory, ever aggressive, darted forward with a combination of punches aimed high. Thalia weaved, her movements fluid, blocking the strikes with precision. Tory pressed closer, her attacks unrelenting, but Thalia waited, her patience holding steady.

Thalia blocked the first two punches, her forearms absorbing the impact, but Tory's third—a low feint—nearly caught her off guard. Thalia sidestepped just in time, planting her feet and bracing herself.

Then, she saw it: a gap in Tory's guard as she overreached on her next punch. Without hesitation, Thalia stepped in, twisting her body and driving her fist into Tory's torso. The punch landed cleanly, the force sending Tory stumbling back.

"Out of bounds." The ref called. "No point."

Thaila snapped her head towards him and back over at Tory. She could've sworn she landed it before Tory stepped foot out of bounds, then again, she might've been too focused to notice it.

Regardless, Thalia stepped back and the word "fight" left the refs mouth again.

Thalia left her stance, her hands steady as she focused on Tory's movements. Tory's frustration was evident in the sharpness of her attacks as she lunged forward, feinting a kick before throwing a quick jab toward Thalia's face. Thalia deflected it with her forearm, her feet moving lightly as she circled her sister.

She surged forward, her body twisting as she threw a perfectly aimed punch straight into Tory's chest. The force of the impact made Tory stagger backward, her footing unsteady as the crowd erupted in cheers.

"Point. Nichols!" The referee returned to the center of the mat. "Score's two to two. Next point wins. Ready? Fight!"

Tory lunged first, coming in with a sharp jab aimed at Thalia's ribs. Thalia sidestepped, deflecting the blow with her forearm and countering with a quick front kick that forced Tory to retreat.

But Tory rushed forward, grabbing Thalia's arm and twisting into a hip throw.

Thalia hit the mat with a hard thud, the air rushing from her lungs. Pain shot up her back, but she refused to stay down. She rolled quickly, catching Tory off guard as she grabbed her sister's leg and used the momentum to flip them over. Now, Thalia was on top, pinning Tory down with her hands pressed against her shoulders.

In the heat of the moment, as Tory tried to shift her weight, her arm jerked upward and her elbow connected sharply with Thalia's face. The impact stunned both of them, Thalia flinching back as pain radiated through her eye.

The crowd gasped, and Tory's eyes widened in shock.

"Warning." The referee called. "Know to the face. Go to your senseis."

"Warning?" Johnny snapped. "That should be a point deduction!"

"I didn't mean to." Tory breath out, standing to her feet as her sister continued to sit in the ground, her face in her hands as the pain ricochet through her. "No, Thalia I swear it was an accident. Thalia—"

"Go to your senseis." The referee repeated.

"You okay?" Johnny asked.

"Yeah," Thalia muttered, blinking slowly. "I think I can continue."

After a quick cool down, Thalia and Tory returned to the mat and Tory stood there for a moment as the bruise had already began to form around Thalia's eye.

She held her apology back as the referee placed a hand between the two girls and the word "fight" left him for the last time.

Tory's jaw tightened, her guilt barely hidden beneath the surface as she lunged forward, striking with a flurry of punches.

Thalia blocked the first two and ducked the third, retaliating with a sidekick aimed at Tory's midsection. Tory twisted just in time, deflecting the kick and countering with a spinning back kick that landed squarely against Thalia's chest.

The impact was devastating. Thalia staggered backward, her balance faltering, before her legs gave out beneath her. She hit the mat hard, the breath knocked from her lungs. The crowd roared, a mix of cheers and gasps filling the gym.

Tory's eyes widened in alarm, her victory forgotten as she stepped forward. "Thalia," she said, her voice low, almost pleading. She crouched down, reaching out hesitantly. "Are you okay? I didn't mean—"

Before she could finish, the Cobra Kai team swarmed her, pulling her back in a wave of celebratory cheers.

Thalia shut her eyes, breathing heavily as she laid there on the mat, she slowly picked herself up, propping herself up on her elbows and could already feel the sting of tears in her eyes.

Tory barely registered their words, her gaze fixed on Thalia as her sister struggled to sit up on the mat.

Thalia's eyes flickered toward Tory for a brief second—there was no anger in her gaze, only exhaustion.

Tory tried to step forward again, but Cobra Kai tightened their circle, lifting her arm in victory as the two trophies—one for Tory the other for Cobra Kai as a whole.

The crowd's cheers grew louder, but to Tory, it all felt muted, distant. She glanced over her shoulder as Thalia finally stood, her movements slow as she made her way back over to Johnny.

"I'm sorry." Thalia muttered, tears falling from her eyes.

Johnny shook his head, his expression serious but not unkind as he stepped toward her. "Don't do that, Nichols," he said firmly. "Don't apologize."

Thalia wiped at her face, her tears falling faster despite her effort to hold them back. "I could've done more. I could've—" Her breath hitched, and she shook her head, unable to finish the sentence.

Johnny crossed his arms, his tone softening. "You think you didn't give it everything? Because from where I was standing, you were out there fighting with everything you had. I saw it. Everybody saw it."

Thalia looked away, her hands trembling as she clutched the edge of her gi. "It wasn't enough," she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper.

Johnny sighed, the weight of her words sinking in. He knew how much this match meant, not just because it was the All Valley but because of who she was up against. The tension between Thalia and Tory had been brewing for months, their relationship fractured and complicated in ways only they could understand.

"Listen," Johnny said, stepping closer. "I get it. I know how much this fight meant to you. But this—" he gestured toward the mat behind her—"this isn't the end. You think a trophy defines you? It doesn't. What defines you is getting back up after you've been knocked down, and you just did that."

Thalia sniffled, her gaze dropping to the floor. "It just feels like I keep losing. With her, with everything."

Johnny placed a hand on her shoulder, his grip firm but comforting. "You're not losing, Nichols. You're learning. And that's how you get better. Tory knows how good you are—hell, everybody does. Don't let one fight mess with your head."

She looked up at him, her tears slowing but her face still etched with pain. "It just... hurts. I wanted to prove something."

Johnny's eyes softened. "You don't have to prove anything to anyone except yourself. And as far as I'm concerned, you already did."

Thalia stood there for a moment, Johnny's words settling in her chest, but the ache of defeat and the weight of everything still lingered. Without thinking, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug.

Johnny stiffened at first, his arms hovering awkwardly at his sides as if unsure what to do. Hugs weren't exactly his thing, and this caught him completely off guard. But after a moment, he let out a small sigh and patted her back, his hand resting there in a gesture that felt as close to fatherly as he could muster.

"You've got heart, kid," he muttered, his voice softer than usual. "That's all that matters."

Thalia didn't let go immediately, burying her face against his shoulder as more tears spilled over. She wasn't crying because of the fight anymore—it was everything. The tension with Tory, the pressure she put on herself, the sheer exhaustion of fighting battles that weren't just on the mat.

Johnny let her stay there, his grip tightening just slightly as he realized how much she needed this—and, deep down, maybe he needed it too.

After a long moment, Thalia pulled back, wiping at her face with the sleeve of her gi. "Thank you, Sensei," she said, her voice steadier now, though her eyes were still glassy.

She dropped her arms down to her side before bowing before him.

Johnny licked his lips and softly nodded, bowing before her. "I hope to see you back."

Thalia, with her lips pressed together, forming a faint smile, gave him a slight nod before she gently moved past him and back towards the locker rooms.

She quickly got out of her gi and made her way home. She would shower, check on her mother and brother, before she crawled into bed, her eyes shutting tightly as she pulled her knees to her chest and her fuzzy blanket covering her body as she slept.

Tory would also return home, but her victory was brewing, not anymore. She repeated her same routine, but hesitated as she stood outside Thalia's bedroom door.

She gently knocked against it, but didn't hear a response. Tory pushed the door open and found the girl in bed, the only light on was the lamp at sat on her bedside that had to be close to dying out as it hit the dimmest the warm light could get.

Tory stepped into the room and turned the light off. The guilt practically eating her upside as she stepped out of the room.

Tory sighed, pressing her back against the door with her eyes shut.

It just felt like neither of them could win, not matter how hard they tried.

Their best was never good enough.

— lucy has something to say !!

okay let's talk about tanner's monologue at the end...

anyway im writing the fight scenes how I WANNA to make to easy for ME fuck cobra kai on that part i do what I WANT

im not gonna lie i didn't know this chapter had duplicated itself from what i last wrote (which was 300) words so when i came back and it was only 300 words i was gonna k!ll myself and unpublished this fic

thalia is the daughter that johnny will soon have (because carmen is pregnant duh) he'll have practice at least 🙂‍↕️

final part of this act by the way we've come a long way chat

bye :))))