Tourney of Victory

Tory: 08

Robby and his gang of Cobra Kais were sitting in a diner. The group was talking quietly as Robby looked from afar. Tory asked something curiously to him. "What exactly are we doing here?"

"We've been doing a lot of harassment that hasn't really lead anywhere. Yesterday was fun, but if we're really gonna stick it to 'em." Robby said in their little secluded part of the diner. "Doug had an idea."

"That fag Demitri is about to turn in a Bio assignment worth a ton of points. Thinking we swipe it from him before class tommorow." Doug shrugged. "Put my name on it."

Tory nodded slowly. "For such a dumb guy that's not a bad idea from you. Good work Rickenberger."

Lucas protested. "Wait we're just sitting here in a random diner waiting for him to show up?"

Tory shook her head, "Look who's waiting tables." Someone Lucas initially dismissed as just your average blonde waitress was in fact Yasmine. "Her parents made her get a job after she failed History last semester. Now this is a prime hang out spot for all of Sensei's rejects."

Just outside, Hawk was prepping Miguel for his "date" with Sam. "All right man, you got this." Hawk said. "Just go in there and show her who's boss."

"I thought I was gonna apologize to Sam."

"So?" Hawk reached out and began to unbutton Miguel's shirt.

Turning away Miguel looked at his friend. "Hey! What? What're you doing?"

"You're El Serpiente!" Hawk nodded. "Show her what's up!"

"Next time I'm asking Demitri for advice." Miguel buttoned up his shirt before entering the diner.

Seeing Miguel enter the diner made Tory lose focus of her conversation with Shawn.

"Ah great, look who it is." Kyler rolled his eyes. "Rhea."

"What's he doing here?" Robby wondered.

Lucas shrugged. "Maybe he just wants a burger."

"Hi. Table for two?" Miguel asked Yasmine who nodded and lead him to a table.

About thirty seconds later Sam walked in. "Perfect it's the prissy bitch." Lucas sighed in his seat. "We're wasting our time here guys."

"No wait." Tory said. "I want to see where this goes."

"Demitri's probably at that library over on Seventh and Almond." Robby said not enjoying seeing Sam with Miguel of all people. "We should just go."

Before Kyler or Doug could say anything, Lucas changed his mind. "Tory's right. We can find the right time to strike now."

"What're you doing always agreeing with her?" Robby looked at him.

"She makes a good point, nothing spells revenge like a ruined date." Doug agreed with Lucas and Tory. "I think this is a great idea."

Kyler reached forward and noogied him a bit. "Who told you to think Dickenberger?"

The two started a childish slap fight across the table before Tory flicked Doug's ear. "Can you two knock it off?"

"Sensei said he had something special planned for us today." Robby looked around the table trying to ignore Sam. "What do you all think that meant?"

"Probably means more knuckle pushups." Shawn sighed.

Doug slumped in his chair. "Oh my god this is taking forever."

"Five seconds ago you wanted to stay." Lucas tutted. "How come you got the patience of like a five year old?"

"Not everyone has as much time on their hands as you. All of us are still in school." Doug countered.

Tory glared at Sam, knowing it was nearly impossible for her to see her from afar. "What do you think they're saying?"

"Who cares?" Kyler groaned. "I'm still down for leaving."

Robby put his foot down. "These guys are the leaders of the other dojo. A proper strike here means a great victory."

"Proper strike." Doug scoffed. "Dude what're we gonna do? Douse 'em in ketchup? Steal their food?"

"Sounds like a ruined date to me." Tory said.

After waiting for a bit, Tory watched as Yasmine walked away after taking Sam and Miguel's order. "They just ordered some food. Shouldn't be too long."

"So wait we're actually just here to ruin their date?" Doug asked.

Lucas shoved his shoulder. "Pay attention. We already said we would."

Doug shoved him back. "We don't even know if they're still dating!"

The two got into a shoving match in the booth before Robby looked at them. "Knock it off. You two are acting like babies again."

By the time their food had come out Tory rose from the almost hidden booth. "Now."

Cobra Kai surrounded Sam and Miguel's table.

"What do you all want?" asked Miguel.

Sam glared at Robby. "How could you do that to the dealership? After everything my dad did for you."

"You mean all he did for himself." Robby countered. "I got my shoulder dislocated and got embarrassed at the tournament all for him. That's not gonna happen this year."

Miguel scoffed. "Yeah right. We'll see."

"Fuck up Rhea." Kyler said. "You got clapped like four times this year."

Tory crossed her arms. "Think we'll be taking your food. That is, if you think you can't take on all five of us."

Miguel knew him and Sam could stand on even ground against Robby and Tory respectively, however with Lucas, Kyler, and Doug providing backup they didn't stand a chance.

"Thought you wouldn't fight us anymore," Sam said.

"Oh we're not." Tory smiled. "You guys know this well enough by now, a fight isn't a beatdown."

Miguel looked away. "Just take the food."

As Cobra Kai walked off, Lucas dumped a whole glass of cold water over Miguel's head. "Weak ass idiots. You're gonna get your shit wrecked at the tournament." He said making the group of Cobra Kais laugh.

"God they just can't stop being assholes can they?" Miguel watched them leave the diner covered in water.

Tory watched as Lucas put his hands in the pockets of his light blue sweatshirt. "That last part was unnecessary," she said.

"Why?" he asked.

"We already beat them." Tory said. "Who cares if you get Miguel wet?"

Robby shook his head as the group began to walk towards Kyler's Jeep to leave towards Cobra Kai. "I do." he said. "He deserved it after the shit he pulled with Sam. After he took Hawk, our best fighter from us."

"You hate Hawk." Tory raised an eyebrow.

"So?" Robby said. "If it means an even easier victory at the tournament I'll put up with whoever I need to."

"You'd be fine training with Hawk?" Doug pointed out.

"It doesn't matter." Robby shook his head again. "You guys all think these dumb pranks are gonna mean anything? What happens on that mat is way more important than anything that happens off of it."

Lucas looked at him. "From the sound of it. You just want to get back at Miguel and Hawk for what happened at the last tournament."

Robby stopped Doug and Kyler's laughter when he just looked at him. "What'd you just say?"

"You heard me." Lucas said. "You think you have history with Cobra Kai? My mom dated the top Cobra Kai for years, I-"

"Nah. I am Cobra Kai. My dad was Cobra Kai, my Sensei is Cobra Kai." Robby stood up to Lucas who stood a few inches taller than he did. "I'm more Cobra Kai than you'll ever be."

Tory spoke up. "We should get to class."

"Yeah, we should." Robby said as Lucas wasn't fazed at all by what he said.

...

In the striking lines, Kreese was walking between his students, trying to see who was distracted. He tried to sweep Lucas' leg but he turned around in time to face his Sensei.

"Good focus. You might need to drill those boxing hands outta you, but you can definitely concentrate." Kreese said. "Nichols, presentation."

"Yes Sensei." Tory said breaking out in the square formation.

Kreese looked out over his students. "Mr. Schwarber here trained in the old art of boxing. An art far more ancient and ruthless than Karate. Because it's not a martial art, it's not a sport. It's combat. In the ring, two boxers don't stop fighting until the bell rings, or one of them drops. Say what you will, but they don't just strike hard. They strike smart."

"As you all have noticed in class, Mr. Schwarber has progressed faster than any other student because he's well attuned to fighting. You all are very much like him, but you need to find the finer points in the details of sparring. Don't just fight hard, fight smart. Your opponent is expecting the orthodox, leg sweeps, punches. In a real fight, you can use whatever's necessary to defend yourself. Using something unexpected is what gives you a true victory in a fight."

"What about strength?" asked Robby. "And speed?"

Kreese nodded a bit. "Those are important. But your mind is always your greatest weapon, your enemies have trained in Cobra Kai. Miguel Diaz and Hawk were both Cobra Kais top students. They won the tournament last year, and their Sensei Johnny Lawrence was my top student for nearly six years. I see a bit of my old class in every one of you."

He walked between Robby, Tory, Doug, and the others as he spoke. "The vigor. The drive, the loyalty, the dedication to the true way of the fist. But out of all of you, the one I see most of Cobra Kai in is Ms. Tory Nichols. She was hit the hardest by life, harder than all of you." He looked at Robby. "Even Mr. Keene's parents are still alive, and Mr. Schwarber's parents were richer than all of yours."

Kreese looked at Kyler. "Mr. Song's parents are also incredibly wealthy. And Rickenberger as well. Not to mention those of you who are of lower income also have one distinct advantage, one of your parents is still with you. Ms. Nichols is ruthless, strong, and above all she will never back down from the ways of Cobra Kai. True loyalty to this dojo lies not in training the hardest, or fighting the hardest, or striking the hardest. But in ingraining Cobra Kai into the very fabric of who you are."

He fell silent for a moment before speaking. "These next few months, one by one, I will be testing you all in ways you've never been tested before. You will be pushed mentally and physically the way I was in 'Nam. No mercy, and no surrender. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes Sensei!"

"Good. Which is why I wanted to give you all an idea of what you will be doing later on." Kreese walked closer to his pet Cobra in its glass tank. "Our mascot is loyal, and a true emblem of what this dojo represents. However, I don't just keep it around for sentimental purposes. It will be part of your black belt test."

The class looked at their Sensei almost surprised by this as Kreese spoke. "A black belt doesn't just mean you're ready for a tournament. It means you are ready to fully embrace the true methods of Cobra Kai in every way possible. A Cobra Kai's scales are black after all. To begin your black belt test, you must strangle this Cobra and kill it. No matter what it takes."

Seeing the look on Kyler's face, Kreese approached him. "This will only be for the first student to reach the rank of black belt. The next tests will only be harder. You won't be doing something ridiculous like smashing boards or ice to earn your black belts. You will demonstrate that every part of you is ready to become Cobra Kai forever." Kreese emphasized this part the most. "Or you will be out of Cobra Kai for good."

He looked to Tory. "As such. Ms. Nichols will be participating in a demonstration today. Rickenberger, if you would."

Doug almost gulped when put up against Tory.

A few short strikes and he was down on his back, copping a fist to the eye.

"Good work. Mr. Song," he said as Kyler took Doug's place, the boy holding his blackened eye as he stepped off the mat.

Kyler was a bit tougher, but ultimately he lost to her as well. Finished off with a combination of kicks that would've knocked out most other opponents. Stumbling, Kreese chuckled. "You have a tough chin there Song. But I hope this demonstration proves to you just why Ms. Nichols should be a beacon to you all, and why she more than earns that yellow belt. Now, Mr. Song, Mr. Rickenberger, prepare for combat."

Robby turned to Kreese, seeing the look on his face he didn't say anything to his Sensei.

Doug and Kyler got into position to spar against Tory. She struck first, dodging Kyler's kick by lunging into a body punch that knocked the wind out of Doug's lungs. Using a back fist to move Kyler away, she grabbed a stunned Doug and threw him into Kyler's strike.

As his foot landed and knocked Doug clean onto the ground Kyler got nervous, knowing he was doomed. He put his hands up in time to stop the punch but her next strikes landed clean. Hitting both Doug and Kyler onto the mat, Tory stood tall above them.

"Can anyone tell me how Ms. Nichols won this fight?" Kreese asked.

Lucas raised his hand.

"You're not in school Mr. Schwarber," Kreese said, chuckling as Lucas stepped forward and bowed his head low. "There you go, go ahead son."

Lucas explained. "She knew that if they kept going they could overwhelm her. She needed to end the fight quickly, and use their numbers against them."

"An excellent explanation Mr. Schwarber," Kreese said as he crossed his arms. "He's right. You see the longer a fight goes on the longer the chances are of you losing. Your enemy's ally is more likely to step in, anything could happen the longer a fight goes on. The fight may only end when you say it does, but that doesn't mean it should go on forever. Knowing when to finish a fight is just as critical as knowing when to start one. Which is why I am forbidding you all under any circumstances to break this truce we have with LaRusso."

"So how do we defend ourselves?" asked Robby.

"Oh you can defend yourselves. But a Cobra doesn't strike like a wounded animal. It does so." he clapped his fist loudly onto his palm. "When he knows he can win. Class dismissed."

...

Outside, Tory watched as Robby walked up to her. "Hey, great work in there, glad to see you kick Kyler and Doug's asses."

"No prob." Tory saw the look on his face. "You seem in a great mood. Why?"

"No reason. Maybe we could celebrate our new yellow belts by hanging out tonight? Maybe Golf 'N Stuff?"

Tory looked at him. "Chris works there."

"So? Doesn't mean he can do anything. Last I heard he got a new manager." Robby shrugged. "So, you in?"

Tory smiled. "Yeah totally. I'll pick you up here at 7."

Robby nodded as he walked away. "All right, I'll see you at seven."

Lucas appeared offering a hand to clap. "You stomped Kyler and Doug at the same time? That's my girl!" the two did a shoulder bump. "What'd Robby want?"

"Think he just asked me out on a date?"

Lucas chuckled in surprise. "Did he? Tor, you need a haircut badly if you're going out tonight."

"You think?" Tory said looking at how long her hair got. "Wait you can cut hair?"

"Yeah, I used to cut my mom's hair all the time. My little sister's too."

"Okay, I got a pair of scissors at my place." Tory offered.

Lucas turned around. "You won't regret it, I promise."

...

Sitting down in a chair in her kitchen, Lucas began to spray her blonde hair with water as he prepared to start cutting. "So girl. Spill the tea." he said making a sassy accent jokingly. "How excited are you for this date?"

"We're probably just gonna go play some mini-golf and play some games together. Nothing special."

"Really?" Lucas said as he started brushing her hair back. "Well he looked excited."

"Nah. Robby doesn't get excited over much." Tory said. "Unless, you really think he did."

Lucas laughed. "Trust me, I saw him after class. Whole gruff demeanor changed, guy actually started laughing around us for once."

"Doug's jokes aren't even that funny." Tory said as Lucas kept brushing her hair back.

Lucas shrugged a bit. "Eh still. Mine are." Lucas said. "Must be kind of weird though, knowing your exes are going out." Lucas said as he started cutting her hair. "Now. Tell me about how the little confession with Miguel went."

Tory sighed. "Terribly. I don't know what I was doing taking your advice."

"Well here's my advice for today." Lucas said showing her cleanly cut short hair. "Knock. His. Pants. Off."

Tory had many questions. "That was fast. Also it's our first date."

"You look stellar girl." Lucas said.

"Yeah this looks great." Tory said looking at her short hair in the mirror. "How much do I owe you?"

"I want to clean your house. Also you need to take Robby out on a killer date."

Practically pushing Tory out the door, Lucas spoke out after his friend. "Cobra Kai!"

"Cobra Kai!" Tory said getting in her car and driving off.

...

Robby was shocked by how good Tory's new haircut looked. "Whoa. Uh." he put his phone away. "You look good."

"Thanks you too. Ready to go?" she asked.

Nodding, the two reached Golf 'N Stuff.

Seeing who walked up to his station, Chris sighed. "God you two again? Do I need to call the police?"

"No need chubbs. Two golf clubs please." Tory said.

Reluctantly, Chris accepted. "12.99 please."

After Robby and Tory walked off, Chris texted Hawk.

Bro. We have a problem.

Robby and Tory enjoyed themselves very much spending hours at Golf 'N Stuff together. They rode the Ferris Wheel together, they bought some ice cream, they also enjoyed mini golfing together. They enjoyed every single part of the place as much as they could.

"You're gonna go 0 for 4." Tory said as Robby attempted a put.

"Watch me." Robby said aiming a ball.

Seeing him miss terribly Tory laughed. "Why do you suck so hard at mini-golf?"

"Hey this is like my first time playing it all right?" said Robby.

Tory picked up her golf club. "Watch." she said sinking a ball perfectly. "Um." Tory looked at Robby. "Best two outta three?"

Chuckling, Robby shook his head. "Let's take a break."

Eating their food on a bench Robby spoke. "This has been the most fun I've had since I've been outta Juvie. But I wanted to ask you something, why're you being so nice to me?"

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"Well back at the parole office you were nice to me even after the fight at the school." Robby said. "You should hate my guts."

"Oh I did." Tory admitted. "You were hanging around Sam, you sided with her dad. But then after what happened with Miguel. God. Nevermind."

Robby saw the look on her face. "I'm not Kyler or any other guys. You can talk to me about this."

Tory sighed. "After the fight at the school I was hopeless. Cobra Kai was, done. Sensei Kreese was all we had to pull us through it. And then Hawk left, my mom was dying, and we lost that fight at the LaRusso's. I needed you guys, and you really came through."

"Anytime." Robby rested a hand on her shoulder.

Tory looked back at him. "And you? Why're you being so nice to me?"

"You're the most Cobra Kai outta all of us. You heard Sensei today. But you were a huge reason why I joined."

"Why me?"

Robby smiled, brushing back her newly cut short hair. "Well you seemed honest beyond that whole biker chick vibe. I gotta hand it to you, you're the only Cobra Kai I feel I can get along with."

"Really? No one else?"

He shrugged. "Doug's stupid. Kyler's a dick. Shawn and I sort of get along. And Luke's just...actually I kind of like him."

"After all the shit you two go through?"

Robby smiled. "Apparently Sensei told me he could be the Bobby to my Johnny if we got along better. Whatever that means."

Tory smiled back. "Means you're a real one."

"Like Hawk?"

"No." Tory said leaning in to kiss him. "Much better."

"Nah bullshit." A voice spoke up. "Figures." Robby and Tory turned and stood up off the bench to see Hawk and a large group of Eagle Dos. Chris, Mitch, and a few others had arrived and Hawk was cracking his knuckles. "I knew you two had a thing going since the moment you started hanging out."

"What do you want? Get outta here." Robby said.

Hawk shook his mo-hawked head. "Uh uh. I heard what you did, you ruined Miguel and Sam's date today. Figured I could get some revenge while serving it back."

Tory sniffed, raising her fists. "You can't fight us."

Blocking Robby's fist with a drum block, Hawk spoke. "It's like you said Tory," he said cracking Robby's wrist as Mitch grabbed Robby from behind. "A fight isn't a beatdown."

Tory was overwhelmed facing four different people. She could stop half of them but Chris knocked her over into another Eagle Dos grasp. Tory watched as Hawk beat Robby mercilessly. "Stop!"

Hawk ignored her, striking Robby cleanly across the face with fists. Him and Mitch laid into him with all they had. "Hawk stop!" Tory shrieked.

Holding the top of Robby's head, Hawk pushed Robby's face into the dirt, walking towards Tory to glare at her. "You assholes had this coming. You forgot one thing about us, we're more Cobra Kai than you ever will be." Relenting from hitting a girl, Hawk spat on the ground in front of her. "Bitch."

Pushing Tory over, Chris let her go as Eagle Do walked off victoriously. They had scored the first point back, Hawk making sure to kick Robby in the ribs before he left.

Tory ran to Robby's side. "Are you okay?"

"No." Robby groaned, clearly beaten severely. "God, what were we thinking?"

"Honestly I had fun. Except for this." Tory said helping him up. Robby winced in pain.

"Just take me back to the dojo." he groaned.

...

Seeing Robby, Kreese crossed his arms as he spoke to Tory. "I take it your date was interrupted."

"Sorry Sensei." Tory said. "Golf 'N Stuff is the perfect place for first dates."

"So I've heard. Glad to hear it hasn't changed since back in the day." Kreese spoke. "Except you got Robby beaten up quite badly. What if they had broken one of his arms? What would we do then?"

Tory looked down. "I don't know Sensei."

"I thought you did. You took down two opponents today without breaking a sweat. But you let our best student get humiliated." Kreese sighed. "Who exactly did this?"

"Hawk and his crew Sensei." Tory frowned, still avoiding eye contact. "Brought like eight people. Apparently, he still knows Cobra Kai."

"Clearly he does." Kreese turned Tory's face back to him. "You might be like a daughter to me. But if you let this happen again to any of our students, the consequences will be severe. Don't disappoint me ever again like this."

"Yes Sensei," Tory said bowing her head.

Dismissing her, Kreese was disappointed in Tory for the first time. "Childish." he tutted closing the door to the dojo behind him.

...

Opening the door to her home, Tory spoke sadly. "Hey. How's my favorite housewife?"

Smiling, Lucas put his rag away. "Quite well actually. Uh, better than you apparently. What happened?"

"Hawk."

Hearing this, Lucas shook his head. "Wow. I thought those guys were too scared of us to actually do anything."

"Apparently not." Tory crossed her arms. "Thanks for cleaning up everything. You can head back to your place."

"Nah you need a break after today." Smiling, Lucas nodded. "I know what'll cheer you up."

Tory saw the expensive Scotch Lucas withdrew from a cabinet. "Where'd you get that?"

"A 1947 Hibiki Whiskey. Worth at least 5 grand. Stole it from the dealership after we raided it." Lucas said. "It may taste like shit, but it will get us. Fucked. Up."

"Sounds fun." Tory said.

About ten minutes later, the TV played as Lucas and Tory were laughing as hard as they could.

"How're we this drunk?" Lucas asked. "How? Just how are we this drunk?"

"I have no idea." Tory said taking another drink. "Want some more?"

"Yes please." Lucas said.

Lucas shared a quick story. "This was in my sophomore year of high school. My mom was heading back from a medical conference right, and I had a girl over in my room. My baby sister Hannah was still asleep, so I had to be super duper quiet."

Tory smiled. "Okay."

"Then out of nowhere, my mom comes home. Then she comes upstairs." Lucas leaned his head back. "Then I had to sneak the girl out of my room through the window. She had to leave through the roof and then my treehouse. Not to mention this was after a party, we were both, really messed up. Almost broke her arm."

Laughing, Tory shook her head. "And she still talked to you after that?"

"She broke up with me the next day. It was fine I guess, I was seeing like four different people at the time." Lucas explained.

Tory slapped his arm. "So you really are a scumbag!"

"Great observation." Lucas said. "Where's your little brother? We're making quite the racket."

"He's having a sleepover at a friend's house." Tory said swigging some more whiskey.

Lucas burped loudly. He held his mouth. "Ohp. Sorry."

Tory took this a challenge, burping much louder.

Lucas shook his head as he laughed. "Yeah, those were old times. I changed after college."

"How so? You still slept with like thirty women in your first month here." Tory said.

"Yeah but, I called most of them back. Had to explain why I couldn't see them again."

"Because of Sensei."

"Bingo." Lucas held his dark brown hair. "Speaking of which I am way too drunk to stumble back to my apartment. And you are even drunker, so you can't drive me."

Tory looked at him. "How did you even afford a place?"

He shrugged. "Wasn't as hard as I thought. Found a place on Fifth avenue that matches my budget. I guess when you only work out and punch your card all day you can make some bank."

Tory looked back at the TV, putting her feet up drunkenly. "So tell me about Denver. What were you like before you came here?"

"I think I kind of did already." Lucas said. "I was the Golden Son. Got perfect grades, wrote the best essays, won a few prizes for that."

"Nice." Tory said.

"I won boxing tournaments, I won soccer tournaments. I basically couldn't stop winning. It was then that when I got into community that my mom and dad divorced. I couldn't see my little sister Hannah anymore. Mom was too busy trying to find work in a different hospital to talk to me, and my dad...changed. He started drinking more, and I."

Tory saw the look on his face. "What?"

"We got into an argument. Called me a total failure., things got physical. I had boxed for years, and he was pretty drunk. So I almost knocked him out. After that, I tried apologizing but he threatened to call the cops. That's when I had to drop out to go find mom when she was here during Christmas. Then you know the rest."

Tory sighed. "Wow. So life was quite shitty to you."

"Not as bad as yours. Like Sensei said, at least my parents are alive. Rich assholes, but alive."

"Do you think your mom still wants to talk to you?" Tory wondered.

Lucas shook his head. "Don't care, don't know. Blocked her number after the fight at the country club on Christmas."

"Christmas." scoffed Tory. "God you missed quite the fight at Christmas. Would've won too if it wasn't for Hawk."

"Hawk. God that guy sounds like a dick. Like a stupid dick."

"Stupid dick?" Tory laughed drunkenly. "God you are drunk."

"You are too. Way more actually. Little miss lightweight." Lucas chuckled.

Tory tried to stand up but failed miserably. "Who you calling lightweight Taco Boy? I can still kick your ass!"

"Oh yeah. Come on Golden Girl come on!" Lucas egged her on.

The two ended up wrestling drunkenly together. Tory sat on top of him laughing. "Tonight was pretty shitty." Tory said looking down into his eyes. "But you really turned it around."

"No prob Golden Girl."

"Taco Boy." Tory said leaning down to kiss him.

He would've moved away but Tory was holding his head in place strongly. Keeping his eyes closed, Lucas gulped. "Stop."

Tory pulled away, opening her eyes. "What's wrong?"

Lucas looked away from her. "I can't."

Tory got off him. "Because of Sensei?"

"Forget Sensei." scoffed Lucas. "It's Robby."

"What?" Tory asked simply.

Lucas explained shamefully. "I respect him. He's more than a great fighter, he's a great leader. He's a great friend."

"That sounds stupid!" Tory protested.

"It's not!" Lucas surprised Tory by how angry he looked. "I know things are bad but this'll only make it worse! Doug, Shawn, Kyler, and Robby might be assholes to me sometimes but they're the only friends I got now okay? Cobra Kai is all I have left. I don't have my mom, my sister, my dad. You guys are my family now. If we do this retarded thing, whatever it is, it'll ruin me. It'll ruin both of us. I know it for sure."

Tory understood what he was saying despite how drunk they were. It was clear that he meant it as honestly as possible. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be. It's not that I don't like you. Believe me I do." Lucas sighed, holding his eyes. "You're butch but sexy. You're hot but strong. You're, god there's no other way to say it you're the Golden Girl. It's why I cut your hair."

Tory raised an eyebrow. "You're a guy, and you're-?"

"Yup. Since you're dating Robby at some point I hope, like officially, it doesn't matter because for now, I'll bow out. Cobra Kai is family. It's not a dumb Karate dojo, it's way more than that. Sensei made that clear. You guys made that clear." Accepting a kiss on the cheek, Lucas smiled a bit. "Stay strong Golden Girl. Things will get less shitty. I promise."

"So wait. I have to deal with both you and Robby liking me?"

"Nope. Not the whole world is this stupid game." Lucas said reaching for the liquor bottle. "I may be a degenerate, but like you I see the world for what it is. And we're probably the only ones around who do. It's full of shit. Romantic games are for children. Dojo rivalries are just dumber versions of that. This is about a war. To make the world a little less shitty."

"You're drunk." Tory said.

"Yeah. But tell me I'm not spitting the truth. LA's full of shit too, can't believe I'm stuck here now."

"Ya leavin?"

Lucas nodded. "Someday. If I can put myself back on my feet, and see my sister again. Then maybe. Eventually hopefully."

Tory snickered at this. "You're gonna miss me so bad when you're gone Luke Schwarber."

"Probably. This is the last time I'm coming over. Whether or not Sensei knows about us." taking a strong swig, Lucas nearly passed out. "Night," he said blacking out quickly on the couch.

Tory herself would've stumbled back into her room but was far too drunk to do so. She moved to a different part of the couch and just stared at the TV blankly. Then she reached for her phone and texted Robby.

Hey.

Hey.

Sorry about tonight. Not the best first date but not the worst.

You've had worse?

Tory smiled at her phone.

Way worse trust me. How's the eye? And the rib?

They're okay. I'll get Hawk back.

Hawk's a chump. Remember. You're the real real one.

The real real one? Are you okay?

Quite drunk actually. No idea how I'm typing this.

Robby took a moment to respond, the bubble icon appearing and disappearing for a moment.

Hoping our next date goes better. That is if you want to go out again.

Tory took a moment of her own to respond as well. She looked over at Ali's son passed out next to him. She knew the friendship Lucas so desperately needed to have with Robby and how dear Cobra Kai was to him. Moreover, she knew Robby truly liked her, and that Lucas was ashamed of how he felt. At least to her.

Definitely. How about the movies?

Awesome. But this time you pick where to go.

Tory chuckled.

Totally.

Tory took a moment to consider everything. Despite how drunk she was, she reasoned clearly. Miguel, Hawk, and especially Sam could be quite the challenge for them at the tournament, her first date with Robby proved that. The tournament would be no cakewalk after tonight. Hawk was no idiot anymore, he had learned since the fight at the restaurant. And since Miguel wasn't much dumber either, he'd probably get in shape too.

Lucas' confession made her sadder on that note. Things were quite bad for the both of them, but he made it seem as though things could get better. That there was hope. His words stuck with her.

'I see the world for what it is. It's full of shit. Romantic games are for children. Dojo rivalries are just dumber versions of that. This is about a war. To make the world a little less shitty.'

Tory considered this, even though in the morning she might not even remember it. It reminded her very much of something she had said to Miguel before he left.

'Some people have it good. But the rest of us? We have to fight for every inch of what's ours.'

Tory then decided to make a mental note to herself if she could remember it.

'Sam stole Miguel from me. Johnny tried to steal Cobra Kai from us. These people can't stop stealing.'

Tory curled her hand into a fist.

'Luke's right. We can't stop fighting, for every inch of what's ours.'

...

...

...

Author's Note: All I can say is that Karate Kid and the franchise of Cobra Kai by proxy is at its core a teen drama about romance ironically. Johnny hated Daniel because he started to get with Ali, and Miguel and Johnny only started a bunch of beef because of Sam and Robby. The second season continued this too, with Sam and Tory fighting over Miguel and Robby and Miguel fighting over Sam.

Then, season 3 is the fallout of this. At the same time, I love Cobra Kai because it creates very human and real interpersonal drama. Every single character has very human reasons for doing the things that they do. Even Kreese, as wrong as he is, truly believes Cobra Kai is the way Karate should be.

I'm just hoping I establish Luke as well as the other character have. Because regardless of how the tournament will play out in the way I have written it, the final resolution of this fanfic lies with him. That's all that I can say.

I like Johnny too, but this fanfic revolves solely around my favorite characters. Tory, Hawk, and Robby.

Thanks for the lovely lovely comments, and I'll see you all next time.