Chapter Text
The sunset over Okinawa came in layers—orange pressed low against the sea, pink thinning upward, purple gathering where daylight retreated. The air stayed warm, as if the day hadn’t finished speaking. Miguel never did - And honestly would never EVER - get over how breathtaking and peaceful it felt. Not just because of dusk's soothing chill coming in to cool his aching muscles, but also because of who was wrapped in his arm at this moment. Despite Sensei Chozen's rather brutal training regimen Even on his vacation which he still complains about!, he still feels at peace. This is because of his person.
Samantha...
He remembers seeing her for the first time he came to West Valley High.
He remembers seeing her smile from a distance that seemed to be way longer than it actually was.
He remembers doubting himself about asking her out.
He remembers stepping up for her against Kyler.
He remembers their first date -NOT A DATE!- and how perfect it was.
He remembers telling her that he loved her next to a swarm of cops of all places!
He wishes that's all he remembers. He wishes he can say he never hurt her. He wishes he can say that she never hurt him. He wishes he can say that they didn't hurt and/or didn't get hurt by others. He wishes he can say that it's been perfect. But he also Remembers
He remembers not trusting her with the whole PARENTS situation.
He remembers trying to hit the guy - Who is technically his stepbrother now. CRAZY!- who helped her escape to see HIM.
He remembers landing that dreaded hit on the soft cheek that he does nothing but pepper with kisses now. Or squishes on occassion
He remembers the monstrous display he put on at his first All Valley including stealing her father's move, threatening his student, and exploiting his injury.
He remembers their drunken kiss that got her traumatized, him paralyzed, and drove a lot of his friends into the arms of... well a MANIAC
He remembers leaving for Mexico without saying a word after he promised to be there for her and cheer her on.
Did he beat the big bad in the end? Sure!
Did he get the girl of his dreams? Yep, she's asleep in his arms from training exhaustion.
Did he make up with his rival? Hell yeah! And he's actually a pretty cool dude!
Did he find his father and get him back? Yes and No. But the father he got back is one that he would cherish forever.
Is everyone happy? Yes.
But...
How many scars did they pick up? How many memories that time can never wash away?
Too Many
He gently moves out of Sam's firm embrace to walk along the beach. Step by step, the looming darkness enveloped. It was only combatted by the pale moonlight shining off of every glistening surface. But even as darkness enveloped, the day didn't finish speaking for Miguel. Every day, he'd walk across the shore, fighting a battle of guild and acceptance in his head. And every time, the same impossible yet appealing question danced around in his head, as if performing the most mesmerizing of Katas.
What if?
His legs take him to the entrance of the cave were he and Sam sparred in the mornings and... sparred at night. Being here just made his guilt for how everything went down worse. But also made his relief more palpable. Relief that despite everything, they came out on top. Relief that he isn't as alone as he once was. Relief that he finally has his happy ending. The moonlight glinting from something in the cave though, broke these thoughts and stole his focus. It steered said focus in it's direction, grabbing it by the throat. His feet moved before he registered what he was doing. He found himself facing the source of the glint within the cave.
"Huh... looks like some sort of..." his words died down as he pulled the moss away. His breath hitched and froze in his lungs as he took in... a pretty badass door to be honest. He never thought he'd find silver to be cool... Not after... Yep, the dude was so shitty he made him hate actual silver
The door looked to be open slightly so he resolved to push. Taking out his flashlight, he went into a circular room. The room itself looked like something out of an Indiana Jones movie. The walls were full with drawings, engravings and so. Depicting some sort of river with a scale in the middle. At the center of the room, he saw a giant chalice filled with... Is that water?! A bit too dramatic for water...but sure I guess
Fuck he was thirsty though. And the water seemed pretty clean. He took a sip and... nothing happend...THANK GOD
He started reading the inscriptions on the chalice. He only knew a bit of Japanese, enough to get by when asking for directions, or ordering food. But he was able to understand a bit.
"Here lies the waters of the flow of... huh?! What is this? Maybe I should talk to Sensei Chozen about this in the morning." Miguel said to himself. He decided to trace back his steps through his footprints the sands of the beach before the wind blew them away. He couldn't help but think that he stumbled upon some sort of ancient ritual room or something cool. Sensei Chozen would either have no idea what this is or freak and tell him that he is the chosen one or something. Either way, he fully intends on recording his reaction as payback for all the harsh Miyagi-do training he got put through.
No wonder Johnny likes the guy. They are both sadists in training!
As he was thinking to himself all the glorious blackmail material he can create to get back at his rom-com loving Sensei, he didn;t realize that he was so close to the beachside house. Until he saw the looming shadow of his girlfriend. Her arms crossed, eyebrow raised, and foot tapping on the creaky floorboards of the front porch. He could see his Sensei in the background with...
POPCORN?! DOES HE THINK THIS IS SOME SORT OF TV SHOW?! SAM MAY ACTUALLY KILL HIM FOR SCARING HER BY DISAPPEARING LIKE THAT! OH GOD SHE LOOKS LIKE BATMAN!
"H-Hey...babe... I thought you needed y-your beauty sleep..." Miguel stammered with Vietnam flashbacks that put Kreese's to shame. He was fucked and he knew it. But something was wrong... he felt weird. Sure he felt slightly afraid of the enraged chipmunk know as his girlfriend in front of him. But something was different. He was off balance. He started swaying left to right and stumbling like a drunk.
"Beauty Sleep?! Miguel I was worried! I couldn't find you at the house or anywhere nearby! Are you drunk?! You've been gone for hours-" Sam ranted waving around her hands like saw blades. He loved the concern she displayed. Truly. But he was stuck on the fact that she said hours?! He was gone for like 20 minutes?!
"Babe what do you mean hou-" Miguel started but his throat clenched suddenly. His balance was completely lost as he tipped over. He could hear the muffled screams of alarm feel the droplets of tears from his girlfriend's face. His Sensei calling an ambulance while trying to check for a pulse on his limp arm. Was he dying? Was this it? Was the face of his love breaking down the last thing he was destined to see? His eyes started to shut from the sudden fatigue. He could hear Sam begging him to keep his eyes open through her sobs. But even if he could, it was futile. Black spots were already forming in his vision. He expected to be in heaven or something, maybe even total darkness, or maybe to wake up in the hospital.
Sure enough, he awoke to spotlights too bright for his pupils to decipher immediately. Great... the hospital... again... he DID NOT miss the smell of... sweat? Wait... he tried to gather his senses and found that he has strength back in his body. He stood up abruptly and looked around to the shocked and concerned faces of those surrounding him. Aisha, Hawk, Sensei, Sam in the stands... wait stands?! Where the hell....
"What happened Diaz? Are you ok? The guy didn't even land a hit on you." Johnny said with his hands cupping Miguel's cheeks with concern. He was about to ask him what he's doing in Okinawa, until he saw what was behind him. A scoreboard... for the 50th All Valley...
Holy shit....
"Diaz? Diaz! You still with me?" Johnny asked his student. It was clear he got spooked. Well all Miguel had to say about that was GET IN LINE!
"Y-Yes Sensei... just didn't eat much. Pre-fight jitters and all. I'll be fine." Sensei looked like he wanted to protest, but the medic agreed hearing my excuse and told me to eat something up and finish my match later.
"Alright Diaz. Just tell me if you aren't feeling alright. No shame in backing down to fight at your best another day." Sensei said with concern coloring his tone. All Miguel did was nod with a slight smile of appreciation running his hand through his hair. He was soon swiftly reminded of his extreme gelling habits that he -by gods grace and Sam's insistence- left in the past. As he was walking backstage to get something to eat, he spotted her... and god it was like seeing her for the first time all over.
To anyone who didn't know her, Sam just had the most deadpanned face as she stared at him. He couldn't really blame her after... in her time... last night. But the flicker of concern she had in her blue eyes was not lost on him. She actually still cared. Even when he was being an asshole. Eating his protein bar with a quick drink, all Miguel could do was think.
If this isn't a dream, the this is it...
This is his chance, to get the perfect ending. To undo all -well most- of the damage that he did. This time it will be different. Because while destiny always struck first, this is a rare opportunity for him to prestrike. But he will look back on this day and realize that destiny will always strike back, strike hard, and with No Mercy!.