"Cora." Sam hugged her tightly as she showed up at the All Valley in her Miyagi-Do gi. "My dad told me this morning you were gonna fight with us."

"I hope that's okay." Cora hugged her back tightly. "You can trust me."

"I know." Sam smiled, getting a nod to Eli.

"Aye, C-Dog." Demetri greeted Cora.

"D-Dog." she said back, the two doing a bro hug. Eli shook his head in disbelief.

"Good, the two of you are here." Daniel sighed in relief at the pair, looking to Cora. "Cora, I know you have only been training with me for two weeks-"

"I know. Defense. Balance. Got it." she nodded her with an an exhale. "Just keep your promise, don't let Cobra Kai get to you."

"They won't." he nodded, looking out of the door. "Okay, everyone line up. They're about to announce us.

Daryl's voice came from over the mic just a few moments later, Eli and Cora shared a look. "This sensei and dojo need no introduction. He took the All Valley by storm in 1984 and 85' and quickly became one of the greatest underdogs in the history of the sport. Last year, this dojo came out of nowhere and made it to the finals. They've got some new fighters, and they're ready to show the world that they're the best around. Give it up for Miyagi-Do Karate, led by two-time All Valley champion Daniel LaRusso!"

Cora smiled at her uncle as they ran to the mat, standing between Sam and Eli as she tried to contain her nerves. "This next dojo took last years title. But they're under new management. Can they reign supreme once more? And last years runner-up. He may be wearing a new gi, but one things for sure, Robby Keene and his team are ready to strike! Hailing for Reseda, defending champions and still the most badass name for a dojo, here comes Cobra Kai!"

Cora's face fell slightly when she watched Cobra Kai emerge from the doors. Though, her face was nothing when they all saw her. A swarm of chatter went across the Cobras, Terry Silvers looking like he could commit murder right then and there. Daniel reached back to touch Coras shoulder, a reassuring nod. "And finally... this dojo is making their All Valley debut, though you'll recognize a few familiar faces. Every year, a new dojo rises up the ranks. Does this newcomer have what it takes to win it all? Please welcome Eagle Fang Karate, led by Sensei Johnny Lawrence and defending champion Miguel Diaz!"

They watched Johnny Lawrence lead his kids out onto the mat, just beside Miyagi-Do. She looked to Eli again, giving a nod as he gave one back. "At the end of the day, only one of these dojos can be crowned Grand Champion. Welcome to the 51st annual All Valley Under-18 Karate Tournament! It's karate time."

As the announcement ended, and the competition started to began, Cora was looking nervously toward Cobra Kai, who was clearly talking about her. Eli noticed, touching her elbow. "Hey. Ignore them."

"They're gonna kill me out there." Cora shook her head in a panic. "This was a bad idea."

"It wasn't a bad idea." he held her shoulders with a promising nod. "You love karate, you deserve to compete."

"Not enough to die for it." she said back, he chuckled as she sent a punch into his arm. "Stop laughing at me."

"I'm not laughing." he said back, trying to contain it. "Look, you can't die on the mat. If anything, they'd wait to kill you after."

Cora shook her head, hiding a comical smile. "I hate you."

"I know." he wrapped his arms around her shoulders.

The skills competition went over smoothly at first. Each dojo was doing very well, between Demetris impressed opening starter, Coras and Sams duet on their practiced Tonfa routine, to Miguel's fighting skills, Kenny's board breaking, it was going extremely well. Toward the end, Eagle Fang started to go down hill when Mitch threw a Bo at the judges and Devon missed a few of her boards. Cobra Kai hadn't messed up once, perfecting every time and they all made sure to look in Coras direction when they ended it. Miyagi-Do was the same until Eli missed his highest board.

"I can't believe Cobra Kai beat us in skills." Nate spoke up after they huddled together.

"I tried to motion for you to lower it down." Cora argued. "It was way lower in practice."

"Was not." Nate argued.

"It's my fault. I couldn't break the board. Sorry." Eli apologized guilty like, Cora rubbed his lower back.

"Okay. Forget that, okay? You all did great." Daniel stop any of the negative talk or arguing from continuing. "Besides, we're right on their heels. This is far from over."

Cora looked back toward the mat as Ron emerged, she locked eyes with Kreese. "Ladies and gentlemen, the male and female division qualifiers are about to begin. And with them, we enter a new era! That's why we need a very special guest to kick things off. Let's give a dig All Valley welcome to multi-Grammy-award winning international superstar, Carrie Underwood!"

"Holy shit, she's the reason I bleached my hair blonde." Cora grinned, shaking Eli quickly as he was taken back by the movement.

"You're not a natural blonde?" Demetri looked over in questioning.

"Hello, All Valley!" The blonde smiled as she took the mic. "I am so honored to be here. I didn't see a lot of karate growing up in Oklahoma, but you guys know I love to compete, just like these wonderful young men and young women. One thing I have learned is that everyone gets their shot, their chance in the spotlight. Everyone gets their moment. This one's yours."

The competition went on, and they all were doing impressively well, high on the board still. Cora nailed each of her competes, using Miyagi-Do and holding herself back from striking first. Robby, Tory, Piper, and Kyler all doing the same as well as Miguel, Devon, and the majority of Miyagi-Do. With a few mike intense rounds, more of them had gotten knocked down, and only some remained stood. Cora being one.

"All right, folks. We witnessed some great fighting today. But you haven't seen nothing yet." Daryl got over the mic again. "Because we have arrived at the quarterfinals! Which means things are about to get intense. Of the eight boys and eight girls on this stage, one of each will be named All Valley champion. And then we'll talley all the points to determine which dojo has earned the title of Grand Champion. And since the points get higher in each round...it's still any dojos game! So keep your eyes on this here blue mat, because we are just getting started!"

Daniel turned to Cora with a knowing nod. "You can do this. Just focus on what we have learned."

Cora looked toward Devon on the other side of the mat. "I'm a few inches taller then she is, won't I hurt her?"

"It's not about height, or weight, it's about karate." he met her eye with a questionable look. "I've seen you out there, you've learned a lot."

Cora nodded her head, stepping onto the mat as she headed for her mark. "Face me. Bow. Face each other. Bow."

Cora and Devon took their stance, bowing to each other. "Fight!"

Cora waited for Devon to strike first, blocking each of her kicks she sent her way. Cora bend down some to block her foot, really ducking as Devon's foot went over her head. She stood up quickly, hitting her in the stomach. "Point!"

"Yeah, C!" Eli cheered for her with the rest of Miyagi-Do. Her and Devon took their marks one more time, preparing for their second match. Cora didn't even get the chance to move before Devon's foot collided with her cheek, getting a little yelp.

"Point! One-One."

Cora rubbed her jaw a second, taking her position once again. "Fight!"

Devon swung her fist her way, Cora backing up to dodge it. She ducked down, letting Devon swing at her over and over before Cora fell back on her hands, keeping her core tight, kicking Devon in the stomach before coming over her own head to stand. "Point!"

Devon held her gut a second as her and Cora took their places a third time. "Fight!"

Devon kicked Cora in the leg, making her stumble as she punched her arm. "No point. Block."

Devon ducked down as Coras leg went over her head. As she stood up, she tried sending a kick in Coras chest, the blonde shoving her fist away each time a she backed up enough to kick her. Only, despite aiming for the cheat, her foot collided with her nose. "Oh!"

"Point! Winner!" the ref held Coras hand up as Devon held her nose.

Cora pulled her hand away and helped her up. "Hey, are you okay? I was headed for the chest."

Devon said something, leaving the mat with a hurt nose while Cora headed back over. Daniel gave a questionable look as Cora shook her head. "I was aiming for the chest. I swear."

"Just try to remember when you're fighting people shorter then you, you've got to aim a little lower." he nodded his head. "You did good."

Cora smiled, falling in line with the rest of the time as Eli shook her shoulders. "You did it."

"This time." she said, latching onto his hand as he gave a little grin down to her.

•

kylie speaks

i can't believe we are
also done here, feels
like i was just now publishing
the first chapter when cora
had her heavy makeup on.