A/N: One tiny clue at the end of this chapter will come to you if you've read the prologue. 

My apologies guys, I've been having a major writer's block for the past week or so. I personally think this chapter could've been better, but I still hope you guys like it. 

I have this weird habit where I procrastinate at the end. Hard. I'll finish most of the work but procrastinate to actually finish it lol.

In the mean time, I am close to uploading a new fanfiction on a certain Cobra Kai character. Keep a lookout. I personally think he's very underrated and doesn't get much recognition as opposed to Miguel/Hawk...

As always, please feel free to send feedback/ideas/suggestions my way and enjoy this chapter. 

Happy reading!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Today was the day. The All Valley Karate Tournament.

Since the late 1970's, Cobra Kai had been competing. Win after win... after win. As the three sensei's and their representing student showed up, each glared at one another. (Y/N) took a mental note of all of her opponents.

And today, with John Kreese having stepped down from Cobra Kai, he was here to support his daughter - as well as taking down Terry and Johnny for his personal agenda.

Kreese had drilled the idea of the All Valley Championships into her head, growing up. However, his disappearance helped her lighten up a little - taking her mind off the All Valley's for a while. That was, until he returned.

For the last couple of months since she'd seen her dad, it was all muscle memory and stamina. At school, she'd avoid all her friends, Miguel and all other opportunities that could've helped her make more friends. Only to train for the All Valley. Because all she cared about was having her father back and making him proud.

(Y/N) rushed over to the centre as her name was called out, along with another opponent's. She bowed, quickly shaking hands with who she was up against. The brunette bowed, returning the gesture, holding out a lanky arm to acknowledge her.

As the referee exhaled, the whistle sent unbearable waves of noise to (Y/N)'s ears. That's when she knew it was time to fight.

"Good luck" he spoke, standing in between the two.

(Y/N) stepped back, anticipating upon the brunette to charge at her. And so he did. With an unexpected strike to her stomach, she took it like a champ, showing no sign of pain. Just as Kreese taught her.

Before returning the gesture, she took a moment to compose herself. Between that moment, she observed the audience. And that's when she saw him. Even though she loved her dad, he was there for her as much as he could be. He truly cared about her. At least that's what she believed.

"(Y/N)!!!" Miguel exclaimed, encouraging her to get back on her feet.

His face expressed genuine concern, almost as if he had taken a hit to the stomach too. She faced her opponent again, refusing to be distracted by anything else. 

(Y/N) lunged forward with her leg to the floor, sweeping her other leg under the opponent's. Kreese's favourite move. Johnny glanced over at Kreese, realising it was the same move he'd been taught as a kid.

"Finish him" Kreese mouthed as (Y/N) was panting. 

She rolled her way to land on top of her opponent, noticing that she'd taken down his good leg. Her hand curled itself into a fist, aiming for his nose as she struck. 

Her opponent clenched his nose with both his hands. The hot tears streamed down his face as he hissed in pain. 

"That's what I thought. Pussy." (Y/N) mocked, enough for him to hear.

The referee grabbed her wrist, holding it up in the air for the audience to see. After she'd bowed to the audience, it was time for her to prepare for her next round. As there weren't many tough opponents around, she was certain she'd make it to the finals. But at what cost?

"What the hell was that, (Y/N)?" Miguel demanded as he tugged her by the arm, pulling her towards him.

"That was my stay-out-of-my-way move." she sneered, throwing his arm off to the side.

"Can't you see how Kreese has corrupted you?!" Miguel fumed, grabbing her by the arm again - only this time, his grip tightened. "You've turned on ALL OF US, (Y/N). I get it, he's your dad but a good dad wouldn't make you go against everyone just because he's had a rough life."

"Can't you see why you all can't be trusted? I had to find out through someone else that Luna turned on me" she retaliated, on the verge of tears.

"No she didn't. She covered your ass. But maybe you'd know if you weren't full of yourself and actually asked her."

Without giving it much thought, she acted on her temper. An open handed blow was thrown across Miguel's cheek as he stared at her in disbelief.

"How dare you" he seethed through the impact. "That's how you wanna play? I'm not showing you any mercy either. See you in the finals!"

In the heat of the moment, she felt no remorse, considering her rational thinking was clouded by the idea of Kreese's words. They replayed through her head, throughout the tournament. 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

As the rounds had progressed further, Xander observed the way (Y/N) fought each opponent. In time, he realised just how badly he wanted to win. Even if it meant resorting to violence. Thus, going through any lengths to beat his opponent. He turned to Terry, then back to (Y/N).

"I can't do this." he whispered to Luna who stood at the front, cheering him and Miguel on. "I'm forfeiting."

"Why?" she inquired, showing a great amount of concern. 

"I realised karate isn't about violence. And she was the one who told me that when we argued - back when I was the former champ" he verified, occasionally throwing glances to (Y/N). "It was traumatic for me, that you got involved. She was the one who discouraged it. And now look at her."

Luna sighed, reminiscing the moments where she had her best friend. The real (Y/N). The one who wasn't so caught up with finding her father that she forgot her whole family had been with her the whole time. Time never mattered. (Y/N) failed to realise that. 

"It doesn't matter anyway." Luna scoffed. "I just wish she'd realise time doesn't mean shit. Just because her dad was with her, doesn't mean he has her best interests at heart now."

Xander paced back and forth until he heard his name had been called out. He ignored his opponent, rushing directly towards the emcee. Without further ado, Xander snatched the microphone as he examined the audience, eager to hear what he had to say.

"Ladies and gentlemen... I'd like to welcome you all to the All Valley Karate Tournament. And I'd like to thank you for coming." he commenced, after clearing his throat. "Someone once told me, karate isn't about violence. Even though I love to fight, we all need to fight for the right reasons. And in saying that... I, Xander Stone... am stepping down from this year's tournament. Thankyou."

As Xander concluded his speech, he bowed and made his way to the room's at the back of the venue. Luna followed, desperate for answers. Mumbles and distinct conversations took place amongst the audience - who were sincerely shocked. Xander had given them the biggest and most unexpected cliffhanger, given he was a former champion at one point.

"Why'd you forfeit?" she questioned, looking at him skeptically with a need for answers as he made his way back to her.

"(Y/N). She quit karate for the same reason I am forfeiting now. This isn't how I want to win. All the best to you guys..." he admitted, with nothing but honour this time. "In my spare time, I've been sending applications to colleges around the world."

Luna gasped, unaware that he had never told her. Heck, he'd never told anybody. 

"I'm leaving tomorrow evening."

Luna could feel her throat tighten as she replayed those words in her head. Tears threatened to escape as she didn't know what she would do, given her best friend is against her. And her ex-boyfriend cared about her even though there was bad blood between himself and (Y/N).

"Why didn't you tell me?" she gasped, completely stunned, resting her hand on his shoulder.

"I don't need to be here. Not with my dad. Believe it or not, my relationship with him has been toxic. And I think (Y/N)'s is too, with her father. I hope she realises it sooner than I ever did. Luna, I can't fight him. The best way to win is to do better."

She acknowledged his words of wisdom, wrapping her arms around his waist. During these tough times, she couldn't thank him enough. He'd truly changed after seeing his dad hire his fighters to beat her to a pulp. To say goodbye to him - even after he'd wronged her best friend, yet fought for her... was the hardest thing she'd ever done.

- - - - - - 

After Xander forfeited, (Y/N) had repeatedly beat her opponents black and blue. On one occasion, she was threatened by the coordinators - to step down if she proceeded to play dirty. And then came her final round. Just as she expected.

Her final match. The audience was eager to see two former champion come face to face.

"You're going down, Diaz. You hear me?" she spat, while in the process of stretching and cracking her neck.

"Feeling's mutual" he fired, returning the gesture.

"I've competed in the All-Valley tournament before." she boasted, extremely cocky at this point. "With a boy who had similar features to you. And I showed him no mercy, thanks to my dad..."

(Y/N) gestured over to Kreese as he nodded approvingly. He crossed his arms, each hand covering the biceps.

"Do you really want to take me on, Miguel?" she threatened.

"I fucking dare you"

Although deep down, they didn't want to fight each other, this was the only way to settle things down. The tension could not be justified. Miguel wanted his girlfriend back and (Y/N) wanted her family back.

All is fair in love and war?

Bullshit.

. . .