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Chapter 19 - No Mercy, No Escape

The beeping of the heart monitor was the only sound in the hospital room. A sharp, steady rhythm that cut through Daniel LaRusso's chest like a blade. Samantha lay still on the bed, her face pale against the pillow. An oxygen tube sat beneath her nose, and bandages wrapped around her temple where Andrea's last strike had landed.

Amanda sat in the chair beside her, fingers wrapped around their daughter's hand. Her shoulders trembled, though she tried to stay strong. Anthony stood at the corner, arms crossed, but his eyes were glassy, fixed on his sister.

"She looks like she's just sleeping…" he whispered. His voice cracked. "She's gonna wake up, right?"

Daniel's throat tightened. He couldn't answer.

Amanda shot him a look — desperate, pleading. But Daniel couldn't meet her eyes. His fists clenched so tight his knuckles went white.

"This wasn't an accident," Daniel finally said, voice low, venomous. "Andrea Johnson did this. Cobra Kai did this. And Johnny Lawrence…" He shook his head, anger boiling. "He's not just teaching them karate anymore. He's teaching them how to destroy."

Amanda's voice broke. "Daniel, stop. Don't do this now—"

"I have to," Daniel snapped. He turned toward Anthony, who flinched at the fury in his father's eyes. "Do you see this? This is what Cobra Kai does. This is what happens when violence becomes your life."

Amanda's eyes softened. "Daniel..."

But Daniel was already storming toward the door. His voice was sharp, final. "No more waiting. No more holding back. Johnny Lawrence has crossed a line — and I'm ending this tonight."

The dojo was alive with movement. Hawk, Kenny, Bert, and Mitch were sparring in pairs, their strikes fast and merciless. Kyler leaned against the wall, smirking as he watched Bert stumble back from a hard hit.

"You hit like a Girl Scout, bro," Kyler taunted.

"Shut up, Kyler," Bert snapped, panting.

Tory smirked, circling Andrea in the center. Their spar was brutal, every strike echoing through the room. Andrea's face was cold, her movements sharper than ever. She wasn't just fighting anymore — she was unleashing something darker.

Miguel stood to the side, freshly out of the hospital. His return had shocked everyone, but instead of relief, there was tension. His gaze flicked between Andrea and Tory, his jaw tight.

Johnny barked from the front. "Faster! No mercy! You think the world's gonna go easy on you? No! You strike first, you strike hard, you finish it!"

Andrea landed a hard elbow against Tory's ribs, knocking her back. Hawk whistled. "Damn, Johnson's got claws tonight."

Andrea smirked faintly but said nothing. Her eyes flicked briefly toward Robby, who was leaning against the back wall. He hadn't joined the spar yet, but his gaze lingered on Andrea. Something about the way she fought — raw, vicious — stirred something in him.

Their eyes met. For a second, the chaos of the dojo faded.

And then—

The door slammed open.

Daniel LaRusso stepped inside, Chozen at his side. Amanda was behind them, her eyes hard, her face pale with grief.

The room froze.

Johnny turned, eyes narrowing. "What the hell is this?"

Daniel's voice was sharp, shaking with fury. "This ends tonight, Johnny."

Andrea's eyes widened slightly, but then narrowed. Hawk smirked, bouncing on his heels, ready for whatever came next.

Johnny stepped forward, standing his ground. "You don't get to walk into my dojo and make demands, LaRusso. You got a problem, take it outside."

Chozen's voice was calm but deadly. "This problem is outside. And inside. Cobra Kai poison spreads everywhere."

Kyler muttered under his breath, "Uh, who's samurai grandpa over here?"

"Shut up, Kyler," Tory hissed.

Daniel pointed toward Andrea, his voice shaking with rage. "That girl — your student — put my daughter in the hospital. She could've killed her, Johnny. And you just stood by and let it happen."

Andrea's jaw tightened. "She came at me first," she muttered.

"Shut your mouth," Daniel snapped, fury flashing. "You don't get to justify what you did."

Robby stepped forward, voice tense. "Daniel—"

"Don't you say a word," Daniel cut him off sharply. His glare landed on Johnny again. "I'm done talking. If Cobra Kai wins this war, my family won't survive. So here's the deal: tournament decides everything. If Miyagi-Do wins, Cobra Kai disbands — permanently. If Cobra Kai wins…" He hesitated, then spat, "I don't even want to say what you'll do, because I don't trust you to stop at karate anymore."

Johnny's eyes darkened. He stepped closer, face inches from Daniel's. "Fine. You want to raise the stakes? If Cobra Kai wins… I don't just take your dojo. I take your family. Your students. Everything you love. And I'll break it."

Gasps echoed around the room. Even Andrea's eyes widened at Johnny's words.

Amanda's voice broke. "Johnny… please."

But Johnny's eyes were cold, his voice low. "No mercy."

The tension snapped like a wire. Hawk stepped forward, grinning darkly. "Hell yeah. Let's do it."

Kenny's eyes gleamed. "We'll crush them."

Daniel's fists clenched. Chozen's hand hovered near his side, ready to strike.

And then—

A voice cut through the room.

"Now that's the Cobra Kai I remember."

Everyone froze.

From the shadows at the back of the dojo, an older figure stepped forward. His presence was commanding, his smirk chilling.

John Kreese.

"Johnny," he drawled, voice deep, gravelly. "Looks like you've finally learned what it means to win."

Johnny's face drained of color. "Kreese…"

Andrea's heart skipped. Hawk muttered, "No way…"

Kreese's eyes swept over the room — Daniel, Chozen, Johnny, the kids. His smirk widened.

"Let the real war begin."

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