For Chris, what started off as something thrilling had slowly grew into a drain. He was supposed to be here to have fun, learn self-defense, and make new friends.

But Miguel, Aisha, and especially Hawk were always ribbing him and Mitch. Sensei Lawrence preferred flash over substance, it felt like. And it had become clear there was no fun to be had in the dojo.

He voiced this to Mitch. "Just give it a chance," said his friend. "It's just initiation shit. You saw them at the All-Valley. They're gonna make us into badasses."

Was being a badass worth this?