Amanda walked into the living room and found Daniel and Sam slumped on the couch, both of them clearly sulking after the events of the last few days. Sam was still upset about the fallout with Miguel, while Daniel was grappling with his disappointment and confusion over Robby. The tension in the room was thick, and Amanda could sense it immediately.

"It's the day of the All Valley Tournament," Amanda began, trying to inject some energy into the room. "Is this the plan for the whole day? Because I was thinking maybe we could swing by the DMV or maybe a funeral. You know, put a little pep in our step."

Her attempt at humor was met with silence. Neither Daniel nor Sam responded, their expressions remaining sullen.

Amanda sighed, moving closer. "Come on, guys. So your boyfriend turned out to be a jerk," she said, looking at Sam. "And your boyfriend turned out to be the son of your mortal enemy," she added, turning to Daniel.

She paused, then decided to address the elephant in the room. "Daniel, you're being unfair to Lukas. He didn't know, and he's been nothing but respectful."

Daniel shifted uncomfortably but didn't respond.

Amanda continued, trying a different angle. "You can't expect me to go to this tournament all by myself. You know how creeped out I get by karate moms."

Daniel's voice was flat as he replied, "Nobody's making you go."

Amanda put her hands on her hips, her patience wearing thin. "LaRusso Auto Group is one of the main sponsors. One of us has to be there. You know what? Fine. Fine. I'm gonna be looking at boots on Zappos if anybody needs me."

As she turned to leave, Sam finally spoke up. "I'll go if you want to go."

Daniel looked at her, surprised. "I didn't say anything."

"I know. I just know it's your thing," Sam said, her voice soft but determined.

Daniel sighed, feeling the weight of the past few days pressing down on him. "Not this year."

Sam's eyes met his, full of determination. "Everyone I know is gonna be there."

Daniel hesitated, feeling a pang of guilt. He knew Sam was right. The All Valley Tournament was a significant event, not just for the community but for his family as well. "It is the 50th anniversary," he admitted reluctantly.

Amanda watched the exchange, her expression softening. She stepped closer to Daniel and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Daniel, you and Sam should go. It's important to both of you. And maybe it'll help clear your head about everything that's happened."

Daniel looked at his wife, then at his daughter. He could see the hope in Sam's eyes, the need for some sense of normalcy after the chaos of the past few days. He nodded slowly. "Alright. We'll go."

A small smile of relief crossed Sam's face. "Thanks, Dad."

Amanda nodded approvingly. "Good. Now, let's get ready. The tournament won't wait forever."

🐍

Jenna, Lukas, Hannah, and Robby arrived at the All Valley Tournament with a mixture of excitement and nervousness. They knew the stakes were high, and none of them had anticipated the intensity of the atmosphere. The bustling crowd, the colorful uniforms of the various dojos, and the electric buzz of competition filled the air.

Lukas and Robby, dressed in their gis, were ready to compete as individuals. They had managed to slip past the belt requirement by fudging their qualifications, a risky move but necessary to compete. Now, they stood in the locker room, warming up amidst a sea of other competitors.

As they stretched and prepared, a group of students from various dojos started to gather around them, eyeing them with disdain.

"Look at these guys," one of the students sneered. "Who do they think they are, competing without a dojo?"

"Yeah, must be real tough not having anyone to back you up," another chimed in.

Robby clenched his fists, anger boiling up inside him. "You wanna say that to my face?" he shot back.

Lukas placed a hand on Robby's shoulder, trying to calm him down. "Let it go, man. They're just trying to get in your head."

Robby took a deep breath and nodded, though his eyes still burned with frustration. They resumed their warm-up, practicing kata and sparring lightly to stay focused.

Meanwhile, in the stands, Jenna and Hannah found their seats. Jenna glanced around, taking in the scene. "This is quite the setup," she remarked.

Hannah nodded, her eyes wide with anticipation. "Yeah, it's intense. But I'm excited to see Lukas and Robby compete."

Jenna smiled. "You've got a lot of faith in them. That's good. They need all the support they can get."

Hannah chuckled. "Lukas has always been determined. And Robby... he's got this fire in him. I just hope they can keep their cool."

Jenna nodded thoughtfully. "It's tough, especially when emotions run high. But they're strong. They'll get through it."

Back in the locker room, Lukas and Robby continued their warm-up, the tension slowly dissipating as they focused on their techniques. After what felt like an eternity, the announcement came over the loudspeakers.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the 50th annual All Valley Under-18 Karate Championship!"

The crowd erupted into applause as a man walked out to the center of the arena, standing on the blue mats. "You love the new mats. All right, let's start by welcoming all the local dojos competing today."

As he listed off the names, each dojo received a round of applause. "From Granada Hills, All-Star Karate... Extreme Martial Arts... Krunch Karate... Yoshukai Karate... Locust Valley Karate Club..."

The list continued, each dojo proudly stepping forward. "Fighting out of Topanga, we have Topanga Karate!"

A woman in the stands, dressed in all blue, jumped to her feet. "Yeah! Whoo, Topanga! You kick some ass, Xander! Whoo!"

The man continued, "And now, from Reseda, we have..."

Suddenly, a wave of students in black sleeveless gis marched out from the back, led by Miguel and Hawk. The Cobra Kai students chanted in unison, their voices booming.

"Cobra Kai! Cobra Kai! Cobra Kai! Cobra Kai! Cobra Kai! Cobra Kai! Cobra Kai! Cobra Kai! Cobra Kai!"

The man grinned. "Now that's what I call an entrance! And a badass name for a dojo. Let's hear it for Cobra Kai!"

Miguel, at the forefront, glanced toward the stands where Sam had just arrived. Their eyes met briefly, but Sam quickly looked away, still hurt from their recent fight.

The man then turned his attention back to the competitors. "And finally, we have two competitors fighting unaffiliated today. From North Hills, Mr. Robby Keene."

Robby jogged out from the back, watched closely by Lukas. Daniel and Amanda, seated in the stands, looked on in shock.

"I didn't know they'd be fighting," Amanda murmured to Daniel.

Daniel shook his head. "After everything that happened, I didn't think so either."

The man continued, "And finally, from Van Nuys, we have Mr. Lukas Preston."

Lukas jogged out behind Robby, joining him on the mat. He caught sight of Miguel, whose eyes were filled with anger. In Miguel's mind, Lukas had taken Sam from him, and he was determined to get her back by putting Lukas out of commission.

The announcer's voice boomed through the arena. "All right, folks. Get ready. It's karate time."

Lukas turned to Robby, offering a small smile. "Good luck, man. See you on the other side."

Robby nodded, his expression resolute. "For sure."

As the competitors took their positions, the atmosphere was charged with anticipation. The All Valley Tournament was about to begin, and the stakes had never been higher.

🐍

Lukas faced his first opponent, a tall and muscular fighter from Topanga Karate. His nerves were evident as he bowed to his opponent and took his stance. The referee signaled for the match to begin.

"Ready... fight!"

Lukas moved cautiously, trying to gauge his opponent's movements. His nerves got the better of him, and he hesitated, allowing his opponent to land a swift kick to his side.

"Point, Topanga Karate!" the referee called out.

Lukas took a deep breath, closing his eyes for a moment to center himself. He remembered Daniel's teachings: focus, balance, and control. He opened his eyes, feeling more grounded.

As the match resumed, Lukas moved with newfound confidence. He blocked his opponent's next strike and countered with a precise punch to the chest.

"Point, Preston!"

With the score tied, Lukas found his rhythm. He dodged a high kick and swept his opponent's legs out from under him, landing a final blow to secure the victory.

"Winner, Preston!"

Lukas exhaled in relief, smiling as he saw Daniel, Sam, Amanda, and Jenna clapping for him from the stands. Jenna was especially enthusiastic, cheering loudly.

🐍

Meanwhile, Robby faced a competitor from Krunch Karate. He bowed respectfully and took his stance.

"Ready... fight!"

Robby's opponent was aggressive, launching a flurry of punches and kicks. Robby remained calm, using his agility to evade the attacks. He waited for the right moment and delivered a powerful roundhouse kick to his opponent's midsection.

"Point, Keene!"

The match continued, with Robby demonstrating excellent control and technique. He blocked a high punch and countered with a swift backfist to the jaw.

"Point, Keene!"

Robby's confidence grew as he dominated the match. He finished with a perfectly executed sidekick, sending his opponent sprawling.

"Winner, Keene!"

🐍

Miguel, Hawk, and the rest of Cobra Kai were a stark contrast to Lukas and Robby. They fought with ruthless aggression, showing no mercy to their opponents.

Miguel faced a skilled fighter from Extreme Martial Arts. He used a combination of powerful strikes and illegal moves, like eye gouges and low blows, to gain the upper hand. He ended the match with a crane kick, a move he had stolen from Daniel.

"Winner, Diaz!"

Hawk, with his blue mohawk blazing, faced an opponent from Yoshukai Karate. He body-checked the kid, sending him crashing to the ground. He then landed a series of brutal kicks and punches.

"Winner, Hawk!"

Lukas watched in horror as Miguel showed no mercy to his next opponent, using dirty tactics to secure another victory. The fear began to creep in, but he steeled himself. He couldn't let it get to him.

🐍

Lukas' next opponent was a bigger, more experienced fighter from Locust Valley Karate. He knew this match would be tough.

"Ready... fight!"

The larger fighter came at Lukas with a series of powerful strikes. Lukas used his speed to evade, remembering Daniel's lessons on using an opponent's strength against them. He blocked a heavy punch and countered with a swift kick to the knee.

"Point, Preston!"

The bigger fighter was relentless, but Lukas stayed focused. He dodged a high kick and landed a punch to the ribs.

"Point, Preston!"

With the final point on the line, Lukas used his agility to avoid a sweeping kick and delivered a precise roundhouse kick to the head.

"Winner, Preston!"

The crowd erupted in applause, with Daniel, Sam, Amanda, and Jenna leading the cheers. Jenna had made her way down to where Amanda was sitting, and Hannah and Sam were talking animatedly.

Robby's second match was against a fierce competitor from Granada Hills. The fighter was quick and aggressive, but Robby was ready.

"Ready... fight!"

Robby used his agility to dodge a series of rapid punches. He countered with a spinning back kick, hitting his opponent square in the chest.

"Point, Keene!"

The match continued with Robby showcasing his excellent technique. He blocked a high kick and delivered a swift punch to the stomach.

"Point, Keene!"

The final point came when Robby dodged a sweeping kick and executed a flawless axe kick, bringing his heel down on his opponent's shoulder.

"Winner, Keene!"

Lukas' quarterfinal match was against another skilled fighter from Topanga Karate. The stakes were higher, and the pressure was immense.

"Ready... fight!"

Lukas moved with confidence, his previous victories boosting his morale. His opponent was fast and precise, landing a quick punch to Lukas' chest.

"Point, Topanga Karate!"

Lukas took a deep breath, focusing on his training. He blocked a high kick and countered with a spinning backfist.

"Point, Preston!"

The match was intense, with both fighters giving it their all. Lukas remembered Daniel's teachings and used his opponent's momentum against him, delivering a powerful roundhouse kick.

"Point, Preston!"

With the final point on the line, Lukas stayed calm and focused. He dodged a high kick and delivered a swift sidekick, securing the victory.

"Winner, Preston!"

The crowd erupted in applause, with Jenna going crazy in the stands and Amanda, Sam, and Hannah cheering enthusiastically.

Robby's quarterfinal match was against a tough competitor from Yoshukai Karate. He knew this match would test his limits.

"Ready... fight!"

Robby's opponent was aggressive, launching a barrage of punches and kicks. Robby remained calm, using his agility to evade the attacks. He waited for the right moment and delivered a powerful roundhouse kick to his opponent's midsection.

"Point, Keene!"

The match continued with Robby demonstrating excellent control and technique. He blocked a high punch and countered with a swift backfist to the jaw.

"Point, Keene!"

With the final point on the line, Robby executed a flawless spinning hook kick, sending his opponent to the ground.

"Winner, Keene!"

Miguel continued to dominate his matches, using illegal moves and showing no mercy. He faced a strong competitor from Topanga Karate and used a combination of powerful strikes and dirty tactics to win.

Miguel used a crane kick, a move stolen from Daniel, to finish the match.

"Winner, Diaz!"

Lukas watched as Miguel's ruthless behavior continued. It scared him, but he knew he couldn't let it affect his performance.

🐍

The arena was buzzing with excitement as Lukas prepared for his quarterfinal match against Xander Stone, the previous champion and a highly acrobatic fighter from Topanga Karate. Lukas knew this would be his toughest match yet, but he was determined to use his Miyagi-Do training to its fullest potential.

"Ready... fight!"

Xander wasted no time, launching into a series of rapid acrobatic kicks and flips. Lukas watched carefully, staying grounded and balanced. He knew he couldn't match Xander's agility, but he could use his opponent's momentum against him.

As Xander executed a high spinning kick, Lukas ducked and swept Xander's legs out from under him.

"Point, Preston!"

Xander got up, a look of respect in his eyes. He adjusted his stance and moved in again, this time with a series of rapid punches. Lukas blocked each one with precision, then countered with a quick jab to Xander's ribs.

"Point, Preston!"

The crowd erupted in cheers, but Lukas stayed focused. Xander, now more cautious, circled Lukas, looking for an opening. He attempted a flying kick, but Lukas sidestepped and delivered a sharp roundhouse kick to Xander's side.

"Point, Preston! Winner, Preston!"

Lukas exhaled in relief, extending a hand to Xander. "Great match. You've got incredible skills."

Xander smiled, shaking his hand. "Thanks, man. Good luck in the semis."

🐍

Lukas watched from the sidelines as his next opponent, Hawk, faced a fighter from Locust Valley. Hawk was a stark contrast to the shy kid Lukas had once known. Now, with his red mohawk and brutal fighting style, he was a force to be reckoned with.

"Ready... fight!"

Hawk attacked aggressively, delivering a series of powerful strikes. The Locust Valley fighter managed to score a point with a quick punch to Hawk's chest.

"Point, Locust Valley!"

Hawk's eyes flashed with anger. He moved in quickly, delivering a devastating roundhouse kick that sent his opponent to the ground, clutching his stomach.

"Point, Hawk! Winner, Hawk!"

Hawk shouted triumphantly, looking towards Lukas with an evil smirk. It was clear he was relishing the thought of facing Lukas in the semifinals.

🐍

Meanwhile, Robby was facing his own quarterfinal match. His opponent was fast and aggressive, launching a series of rapid attacks. Robby stayed calm, blocking each strike with precision.

"Ready... fight!"

Robby's opponent tried to land a high kick, but Robby blocked it and countered with a sharp kick to the chest.

"Point, Keene!"

The match continued with Robby demonstrating excellent control and technique. He blocked a high punch and delivered a swift punch to the stomach.

"Point, Keene!"

With the final point on the line, Robby executed a flawless spinning hook kick, sending his opponent to the ground.

"Winner, Keene!"

Miguel's quarterfinal match was just as intense. His opponent was skilled, but Miguel was determined to win. He used a combination of powerful strikes and dirty tactics to gain the upper hand.

"Ready... fight!"

Miguel's opponent managed to land a punch to Miguel's chest.

"Point, Extreme Martial Arts!"

Miguel's eyes flashed with determination. He moved in quickly, delivering a flying kick to his opponent's jaw, earning three points and securing his victory.

"Winner, Diaz!"

The semifinals were set:

- Robby vs. Miguel
- Lukas vs. Hawk

🐍

The energy in the arena was electric as the semifinal matches were about to begin. The crowd erupted in applause as the MC, Daryl, stepped to the center of the stage, his voice booming through the speakers.

"Yes! Let's give it up for all of our competitors. You're all winners. We have seen some great fighting today, haven't we? Huh? There can be only one true winner, and he is standing on this stage right now. Will it be Miguel Diaz from Cobra Kai Karate?"

The crowd responded with loud applause, and Miguel stepped forward, a confident smirk on his face.

"Will it be Hawk... well, I guess it's just Hawk from Cobra Kai Karate?"

Another round of applause followed, and Hawk, with his fierce demeanor, took a step forward.

"Will it be Robby Keene, unaffiliated?"

Robby received applause as well, looking determined and focused.

"And last but certainly not least, Lukas Preston, unaffiliated."

The loudest cheers came from Jenna and Hannah in the stands, who were ecstatic as Lukas stepped forward, trying to keep his nerves in check.

Daryl then called Xander Stone, last year's champion, to say a few words.

Xander stepped forward with a humble demeanor. "I just wanted to say, even though I love to fight, we all need to fight together against hatred. I pray for every race, religion, and gender that we can all live together in peace. Please join me in a moment of silence as we strive to end intolerance in our time."

The arena fell silent for about five seconds before Daryl, looking impatient, took the mic back. "All right! First up, Keene versus Diaz!"

The crowd roared as Robby and Miguel took their positions on the mat. Robby was determined to keep his cool, but he knew Miguel's aggressive style would be challenging.

"Ready... fight!"

Miguel immediately launched a series of rapid strikes, aiming for Robby's chest. Robby managed to block most of them, but Miguel's ferocity was overwhelming. He struck Robby hard in the chest, earning the first point.

"Point, Diaz!"

Robby took a deep breath, trying to refocus. He remembered Daniel's teachings and used Miyagi-Do dodges and moves to avoid Miguel's attacks. He landed a quick jab to Miguel's side, earning a point.

"Point, Keene!"

The match continued with both fighters exchanging blows. Miguel's anger and more aggressive training started to show as he landed a brutal kick to Robby's face, causing him to stagger.

Miguel saw his opportunity and delivered a powerful strike to Robby's chest, sending him to the ground.

"Winner, Diaz!"

Miguel stood tall, looking down at Robby without offering a hand to help him up. Amanda, watching from the stands, nudged Daniel.

"Oh, come on, you're not gonna cheer for your own student?"

Daniel sighed, "No, he's not my student. I--Amanda, I can't. The kid lied to me."

"So he lied. So what? He's a kid who obviously wasn't in it with Johnny, or he wouldn't be fighting his students."

Daniel sighed, realizing Amanda was right. He stood up and walked over to help Robby to his feet, glaring at Johnny, who looked guilty as he watched his son being lifted by Daniel.

Meanwhile, Lukas watched in slight fear. Miguel had just taken out his friend, and he had his own semis match against Eli. Or Hawk, whoever the hell he was now.

🐍

"Miguel Diaz is headed to the finals. Next up, Hawk versus Preston."

Lukas took a deep breath, walking up to the stage. Hawk jumped in front of him, his eyes gleaming with intensity. "Prepare to face the fury of the Hawk."

Lukas just stared at him, his mind racing. The referee stepped between them. "Face me. Bow." They bowed to the referee. "Face each other. Bow." They bowed to each other.

"Fighting positions. Ready? And fight!"

Lukas, distracted by his concerns, was caught off guard. Hawk picked him up and threw him down, delivering a punch to his chest.

"Point, Hawk! One point, Hawk."

Daniel watched from the sidelines, concerned. "He's not focused. Remember what you learned, Lukas!"

Lukas turned to see Daniel, Robby, Sam, and Hannah cheering for him. He nodded, focusing on their support. He flashed back to his training in the woods with Daniel.

"Search inside for the good stuff, you know, and just... because then you can find some balance in your life. It's not easy, but you'll do it."

Lukas remembered the good things in his life—his friends, his aunt, and Sam, who was cheering for him today. He breathed deeply, finding his balance.

The referee called them back. "Okay, fighting positions. Ready? And fight!"

Lukas opened his eyes, blocking Hawk's strikes with precision. He dodged Hawk's next strike and slid on the floor, delivering a roundhouse kick to Hawk's face.

"Point, Preston!"

Daniel cheered from the sidelines. "Yeah! There you go, Lukas!"

Jenna shouted from the stands. "That's my nephew! Keep it up, Lukas!"

Hawk glared at Lukas. "That was a lucky point. It's gonna be your last."

Lukas shook his head. "What the hell happened to you, man? You start karate for one week and you get a dumbass haircut? Come on."

Hawk, enraged, shoved the referee to the side and delivered a sharp kick to Lukas' shoulder, knocking him to the ground and dislocating his shoulder.

"Hey! Illegal contact. You're disqualified."

Hawk shouted in protest. "Bullshit!"

Jenna had to be held back by Amanda. "You're lucky you're a minor, you little shit!" she yelled at Hawk.

Johnny rushed over to Lukas. "Are you okay?"

Lukas winced. "I think my shoulder popped out."

The referee intervened. "Hey, back on your side."

Johnny dragged Hawk away, furious. "What the hell are you thinking, man?"

Hawk sneered. "What was I supposed to do, be a pussy?"

The referee checked on Lukas. "You all right, kid?"

Lukas grimaced. "I don't know, my shoulder's dislocated. Fuck!"

The MC's voice filled the arena. "With that disqualification, Preston earns a trip to the finals. We'll see him back here after a short break."

The referee escorted Lukas to the locker room, followed by Robby and Daniel.

🐍

Daniel and Robby rushed into the locker room, where they found Lukas wincing in pain, his shoulder clearly causing him discomfort. Daniel knelt down beside him.

"You remembered to focus," Daniel said, a mix of pride and concern in his voice.

Lukas, managing a weak smile, replied, "You had us up on that tree for hours."

Daniel sighed deeply, then took a moment before speaking again. "Lukas, I owe you an apology. I know it was unfair of me to ghost you like that. I've already talked to Robby about Johnny, and I want to explain things to you too."

Lukas winced again but listened intently. "I'm just scared, Mr. LaRusso. My friends, they've turned into different people. Fighting them, it's... it's terrifying. You were right about Cobra Kai."

Daniel nodded, understanding the weight of Lukas' words. "You know, Mr. Miyagi always told me there's no such thing as a bad student, only a bad teacher. And your dad," he said, turning to Robby, "had the worst teacher there ever was. He's not a bad guy, he just had a lot of demons."

Lukas looked at Daniel, seeking reassurance. "I don't know if I can do this. My shoulder's killing me. I...I don't think I can fight."

Daniel gave him an encouraging smile. "We'll see about that."

He rubbed his hands together, a move that both confused and intrigued Robby and Lukas. After a moment, Daniel stopped and called out, "Medic! Is there a medic?"

The call for help was just in time, as Daryl announced over the loudspeaker, "The final match will begin shortly. Miguel Diaz vs. Lukas Preston."

As Lukas was being attended to, Miguel approached Sam.

"Sam," Miguel started, his voice a mix of frustration and regret.

"Hey, I'll see you later," Sam said to Aisha, turning her attention to Miguel.

"Look, I'm sorry about what happened the other night," Miguel said, his tone softening.

Sam crossed her arms, her expression stern. "You mean when you hit me?"

"It was an accident. I wasn't trying to hit you," Miguel defended himself.

"You shouldn't have been trying to hit anyone," Sam retorted.

Miguel's frustration boiled over. "You bring some dude to the party the other night and expect me to be okay with that?"

Sam shook her head. "That 'other dude' is your friend, and he was just helping me down."

Miguel responded sarcastically, which only made Sam angrier. "You don't even know Robby, and you started a fight with him and Lukas? What's wrong with you?"

"You have to strike first. You don't wait for the enemy to attack," Miguel shot back.

Sam's eyes filled with tears. "The enemy? Do you even hear yourself? I don't even know who you are anymore."

Miguel's voice was cold as he said, "Well, just wait. Watch what I do to Lukas in the finals. It'll be a lot worse than what Hawk did to him."

Sam turned away, tears streaming down her face. "He's just a different person now, and I'm worried about Lukas," she confided to Hannah.

"If Miguel does anything to hurt him, I'll find a way to beat him up," Hannah vowed, trying to comfort her friend.

Jenna popped in with a remark that made Sam laugh bitterly. Amanda approached, concerned. "Do you need to go home?" she asked Sam gently.

Sam debated for a moment but decided to stay and support Lukas. "No, I want to stay and watch."

Back in the locker room, a medic was checking on Lukas' shoulder. "Are you feeling any pain here?" the doctor asked.

"Uh, yeah. Little bit," Lukas replied, wincing.

"Does it hurt when I do this?" the doctor asked, gently moving Lukas' shoulder.

Lukas winced again. "Yeah."

Daniel looked at the doctor. "Okay, are you ready?"

The doctor nodded. "I'm sorry. It's a slight anterior dislocation, so I just popped it back into place, but you're gonna feel it for the next few weeks."

"Okay, thanks, Doctor. Appreciate it," Daniel said gratefully.

Lukas nodded. "Thank you."

The doctor left, and Daniel turned to Lukas. "Listen, you don't need to fight."

Robby interjected, "Yes, he does."

Lukas took a deep breath. "Right, I'm gonna have to face him sooner or later."

"Might as well be today," Robby added with a determined look.

Robby then smiled and said, "Just do me a favor."

"What's that?" Lukas asked.

"Kick his ass for me," Robby said with a grin.

Lukas laughed and fist-bumped Robby. "Shake and bake, man."

Robby chuckled. "I can't believe you pulled a Ricky Bobby quote out right now."

"It's such a great film," Lukas replied, smiling.

Daniel, seeing the camaraderie, felt a surge of pride. "All right, Luke, let's get back out there."

As they were about to leave, Daniel called Lukas back. "I want to give you something. Mr. Miyagi gave me this when I first met him, and I think it's fitting since I wore it for my first tournament."

Daniel handed Lukas a white headband with a lotus flower design on the front. Lukas hesitated. "This is great, Mr. LaRusso, but I can't take this. It means a lot to you."

Daniel smiled warmly. "Mr. Miyagi would have loved to have you as a student. I know you'll wear it with pride. Win or lose, you're showing great resilience. Don't let your friends in Cobra Kai tell you different, especially Miguel. And remember, Sam is watching."

Lukas smiled, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. He tied the headband around his head and followed Daniel and Robby out of the locker room.

The crowd was buzzing with anticipation as the final match was announced.

Daryl's voice echoed through the arena. "This is it, folks. The moment we've all been waiting for. The final match to determine who will be the victor and champion. Will it be Miguel Diaz from Cobra Kai Karate?"

The crowd roared with excitement.

"Will it be Lukas Preston, unaffili--"

Before he could finish, someone whispered in Daryl's ear.

Daryl corrected himself. "Daniel LaRusso's gonna coach? Daniel LaRusso is gonna coach! I'm sorry, folks, there's been a change. Lukas Preston will now be fighting for Miyagi-Do Karate with former 2x champion Daniel LaRusso as his sensei!"

The crowd's excitement reached a fever pitch as Lukas walked up to the mat, his lotus headband secure on his head. Daniel and Robby stood on the sidelines, offering words of encouragement.

For a brief moment, Johnny Lawrence watched from the sidelines, a flashback of 1984 running through his mind. He saw Lukas and Daniel on the other side, reminiscent of a younger Daniel and Mr. Miyagi.

Daniel leaned in close to Lukas. "Remember, no aggression. Just let him come to you. All right?"

"Yes, sir," Lukas replied, his determination evident.

Robby added his encouragement. "You've got this, man. Just do your best."

Lukas bowed to Daniel, then turned to face Miguel. The tension between the two fighters was palpable.

"Ready... fight!" the referee called.

🐍

The tension in the arena was palpable as the final match began. Lukas and Miguel faced each other, their expressions a mix of determination and resolve.

The referee called them to their positions. "Face me. Bow. Face each other. Bow. Fighting positions. Ready? And fight!"

Miguel lunged forward, throwing a barrage of hard strikes at Lukas. Drawing from his Miyagi-Do training, Lukas blocked each one, his movements fluid and precise. He then delivered a powerful kick to Miguel's chest, sending him to the ground.

"Point, Preston!" the referee announced.

Daniel and the crowd cheered loudly.

"Preston and Miyagi-Do get the first point."

Miguel slammed his hand to the mat in frustration before getting back up. Johnny called out from the sidelines, "Remember the pitching machine! Don't get hit!"

Miguel nodded, refocusing. The referee signaled to resume. "Fight!"

Lukas launched a series of kicks at Miguel, who dodged them skillfully. Seizing an opportunity, Miguel targeted Lukas's injured shoulder with a swift kick, followed by a sharp strike to his chest, sending Lukas to the ground.

"Point, Diaz!" the referee called out.

Lukas struggled to get back into his fighting position, wincing as he tried to raise his injured shoulder. Miguel and Lukas traded blows, and whenever Lukas was distracted, Miguel ruthlessly targeted his shoulder, landing another harsh punch and sweeping his leg.

Miguel's strategy was clear: exploit Lukas's injury. From the stands, Sam watched in distress, horrified by Miguel's ruthless tactics.

Daniel called for a time-out. "Time! Time!"

Miguel protested angrily, "Time?" before the referee escorted him to his side.

Daniel approached Lukas, concern etched on his face. "Hey. You all right?"

"Yeah," Lukas replied, though it was clear he was in pain.

"All right, listen to me. Look at me," Daniel said, gripping Lukas's good shoulder. "Just remember to breathe and focus. All right? Just... find your balance."

The referee returned. "All right, Preston, are you ready? Can you continue?"

Lukas nodded. "Yeah."

The referee turned to Miguel. "All right, Diaz. Let's go. Fighting positions. And fight!"

Lukas took a deep breath, centering himself with a kata, finding his balance as Miguel charged. Miguel's strikes were relentless, but Lukas blocked each one, his movements a testament to his training. With a swift motion, Lukas threw Miguel out of bounds, but Miguel quickly retaliated, pushing Lukas violently to the edge of the mat and targeting his shoulder once more.

Despite the pain, Lukas drew on his inner strength. As Miguel advanced, Lukas executed a backflip, landing a kick squarely on Miguel's face and sending him to the ground.

The crowd went wild, and Daryl's voice echoed through the arena. "Point, Preston! Miyagi-Do leads!"

Miguel, furious, ripped his arm away as Lukas offered to help him up, causing Lukas to fall in pain. The crowd booed loudly at Miguel's unsportsmanlike conduct.

Robby shouted, "What the hell?"

Daniel protested, "Come on, ref!"

Sam was visibly upset, while Jenna had to be held back by Amanda and Hannah.

The referee issued a warning. "That's one warning for unsportsmanlike contact."

Hannah shouted, "That should be a fucking disqualification!"

Miguel glared at Hannah, then at Sam.

Daniel knelt beside Lukas. "Lukas, come here. I'm gonna tell him to end it."

A/N: WHY COULDN'T YOU LET TORY FIGHT DANIEL?

"No, no, no, no, no. Let me finish," Lukas insisted.

Daniel sighed but nodded. "Okay, just... be careful."

Lukas nodded. "I will. I got this."

Daryl announced, "Whoever wins the next point will be our new champion! It's 2-2. Next point wins."

The referee called them back. "Okay, good luck to both of you. Fighting positions. And fight!"

Miguel targeted Lukas's shoulder again, but Lukas blocked the attack. Miguel attempted a kick, but Lukas lifted his leg, causing Miguel to lose balance. As Miguel tried to strike, Lukas shoved him away, freeing himself from Miguel's grip.

Miguel, flabbergasted, grew even angrier and launched a furious assault, aiming for Lukas's shoulder. But Lukas blocked every attack, moving with the precision and grace of Miyagi-Do. He then executed a flawless backflip, landing a roundhouse kick to Miguel's face.

"Stop!" the referee shouted. "Point! Winner!"

It was over.

Lukas Preston was the All Valley Champion.

The arena erupted in cheers. He stood victorious, the crowd chanting his name as Daniel and Robby rushed to congratulate him.

Daryl's voice boomed through the speakers, filled with excitement and surprise. "Who saw that coming, ah? I know I didn't. Without further ado, let me present the trophy to this year's new champion, Lukas Preston of Miyagi-Do Karate!"

Lukas, holding back a mix of exhaustion and elation, stepped forward to receive the trophy. The crowd erupted in cheers, celebrating his remarkable victory. Daryl handed him the trophy and then leaned into the microphone. "Lukas, would you like to say a few words?"

Lukas hesitated, clearly nervous, but he mustered the courage to speak. "Uh, thank you, everyone. This means a lot. I couldn't have done it without my Sensei, my friends, and, uh, everyone's support. Thank you."

Daryl took back the microphone, beaming. "Let's hear it for our new All Valley Champion! Thirty-four years after his Sensei Daniel LaRusso won his first tournament!"

Sam, Hannah, Robby, and even Demetri rushed to congratulate Lukas. Sam threw her arms around him, her voice filled with pride. "I knew you could do it."

Lukas smiled shyly. "T-thanks, Sam."

Jenna, overwhelmed with joy for her nephew, cheered from the sidelines. As Lukas approached Daniel, the pride in Daniel's eyes was unmistakable.

"Mr. LaRusso," Lukas began, "We did it, I can't believe it."

Daniel placed a hand on Lukas's good shoulder. "You did great, Lukas. Mr. Miyagi would have been proud of you. You showed true strength and heart out there."

Lukas beamed, his earlier nerves melting away. "Thank you, Sensei."

Sam bounced with excitement. "Can we go celebrate now?"

Daniel chuckled but shook his head. "I want to show you and Robby something first. It's important."

Lukas nodded, though he grimaced slightly. "Yeah, okay. But, uh, I probably need to get a sling for my shoulder now that it's over."

As they began to leave the arena, Johnny and Miguel watched them go. Johnny couldn't shake the feeling of deja vu, remembering his own loss to Daniel back in 1984. Seeing Lukas and Miguel brought back those memories in full force. He sighed, trying to offer some comfort to a quiet and clearly upset Miguel.

Miguel, unable to hold back his frustration, marched over to Sam, his expression stormy. "Sam, wait."

Sam turned to face him, her arms crossed defensively. "What, Miguel?"

Miguel's voice was tight with anger. "You're just gonna go celebrate with him now? After everything?"

Sam's eyes flashed. "Lukas fought with honor. You... you targeted his injury. That's not who you are, Miguel."

Miguel's face twisted in hurt and anger. "You don't even know who I am anymore, Sam."

Sam's eyes filled with tears. "Maybe I don't. But this isn't the Miguel I cared about."

Miguel clenched his fists. "Fine. Whatever. Have fun with your new champion."

As he stormed off, Hannah placed a comforting arm around Sam. "Come on, Sam. Let's go out and forget about him for a while."

Sam nodded, wiping away her tears. "Yeah, let's do that."

Together, they left the arena, ready to celebrate Lukas's victory and find solace in each other's company.

🐍

Robby, Lukas, and Daniel sat in the car, driving to an unknown location. Robby, holding his semi-finalist trophy, sighed. "I was so close. So close."

Daniel glanced at him through the rearview mirror. "You fought with honor, Robby. Miguel didn't, and you saw how that worked out for him against Lukas."

Lukas, beaming from his victory, nodded. "Yeah, you did great, Robby. Congrats."

Robby smiled, though his thoughts were elsewhere. "Thanks. But my dad's gonna be pissed. Maybe this means Cobra Kai will get more students and take over the valley."

Daniel's grip tightened on the steering wheel. "Over my dead body."

Robby looked out the window. "So, where are we going?"

Lukas echoed his curiosity. "Yeah, what is this place?"

Daniel simply said, "Come on. You'll see."

As they arrived at a house with several classic cars parked outside, Robby raised an eyebrow. "Whose cars are these?"

Daniel gave a small smile. "Don't worry about it. Just follow me."

Lukas's eyes widened as they walked past the cars. "Wait, this is... the house. Mr. Miyagi's house."

Robby's eyes flickered with interest. "This where you bury your bodies or something?"

Lukas shook his head, still in awe. "This is the house."

Daniel led them through the gate and turned on the lights, revealing a beautifully landscaped backyard with a koi pond. The serene setting was breathtaking.

"I know I said you have to let go of your anger and show forgiveness," Daniel began, "but when the fight comes to you, you have to be ready to fight back. And to do that, we'll need more students."

He gestured around the yard. "Welcome to Miyagi-Do Karate."

🐍

Back at the Cobra Kai dojo, Johnny sat in his office, staring at Miguel's runner-up trophy. He sighed, feeling the weight of history repeating itself. He remembered teaching his students to use dirty tactics and now, another runner-up trophy stared back at him, just like thirty-four years ago.

Suddenly, the bell at the dojo's entrance chimed.

Johnny called out, "Sorry, we're closed!"

Silence.

He got up and walked to the entrance. "Miguel?"

A dark figure stood in the doorway, shrouded in shadows.

The figure spoke, voice laced with a sinister edge. "You were so close, so painfully close. But Cobra Kai is back where it belongs. Back on top. And now that it's back, we can take down that LaRusso disciple together. And get our revenge."

Johnny's eyes narrowed as the figure stepped into the light, revealing an aged but formidable John Kreese.

Kreese smirked, his presence commanding. "Everyone closed the book on us. They thought we were done. But now they see..."

He paused, letting the moment sink in.

"The real story's only just begun."

End of Season One