Muscle Memory

Ace Degenerate(1)

December 19th, 1984 

“Alright, Ladies and Gentlemen,” an announcer holding a 1 st  place karate trophy yelled into the microphone. “This is the moment we’ve been waiting for. The presentation-” He trailed off as a beautiful blonde girl ran up behind him, whispering to him. “Daniel LaRusso’s gonna fight?”   

Then, Daniel LaRusso himself limped out onto the floor. “Daniel LaRusso’s gonna fight!” The crowd cheered excitedly.   

A tall muscular blonde, Johnny Lawrence, glared at Daniel and stood resolutely waiting for the referee's instructions. They bowed to each other, and the referee gave the signal for them to begin. Johnny charged at Daniel with a kick, but Daniel kicked dodged out of the way.   

They circled each other like predators stalking their prey, waiting for the other to strike. Johnny was quick to charge at the smaller boy again with a series of rapid kicks. Daniel blocked them, punching Johnny in the stomach.   

Daniel walked away, Johnny pushing him slightly, fuming with anger. They got back into their fighting stances, energized. Johnny got a hold of Daniel, pushing him to the ground, but Daniel kicked Johnny off of him, getting back up, ready to strike back.   

Johnny was in the middle of a kick when Daniel tripped him, making the tall blonde fall face first into the ground. The blonde held his nose that was dripping blood as he got up. “Go to your sensei!” the referee told him, and Johnny quickly when to his sensei, John Kreese. 

Kreese wiped Johnny’s nose, checking it with an unimpressed look on his face. “Sweep the leg,” he ordered Johnny. 

Johnny stared at him in disbelief. 

“You have a problem with that?” he snapped at the blonde. 

Johnny quickly shook his head, “No, Sensei.” 

“No mercy,” Kreese reminded, then Johnny slowly walked away. 

Johnny and Daniel got back into their fighting stances as the referee reminded, “Two points, LaRusso. Lawrence, nothing.” He glanced between the two teenagers, “Ready? Fight.” He signaled for them to begin. 

Johnny charged at Daniel, sweeping his injured leg, causing Daniel to collapse on the mat with a cry of pain. The crowd booed loudly.   

Daniel managed to get back up, limping as he got into his fighting stance. He went to kick Johnny, but the blonde caught his leg, jerking him to the floor. Johnny tried to kick Daniel several times as the smaller boy rolled, dodging his attempts until the blonde kneeled, quickly jabbing his elbow into Daniel’s side.   

Once again, Daniel got up, holding his side and limping as he walked back to his spot. Johnny strikes first with a series of kicks, pushing Daniel out of bounds.   

Then, Daniel was about to strike when Johnny ducked to the ground, tripping Daniel as he went. Once they were both up, Daniel charged at Johnny, throwing the blonde to the ground, but Johnny quickly kipped up.   

They both got back into their fighting stances, and began to fight once more. Johnny kicked Daniel, and the smaller boy tried to fight back, but Johnny punched Daniel causing the boy to fall to the mat again.   

Johnny backed up, turning to kneel in front of his sensei as Daniel rolled on the floor in pain. However, Daniel forced himself back up despite the pain wracking his body, and Johnny jumped up, turning to face Daniel again.