Blake pov
The next few days were nothing short of intense, militaristic, and miserable.
While my aggressive approach worked for some time, I grew sloppy which made me angrier which only made me more sloppy. What went from easy and brutal victories turned to humiliating losses to the likes of Miguel, Tory, and even one to Aisha.
Why can't I do it?! I keep asking myself what suddenly changed. The only people able to keep up with me have been Miguel and sometimes Hawk. Also, Sensei Kreese STILL refuses to let me spar against Hawk. I don't get it. Does he not want Hawk to get his retribution? This only made my blood boil hotter.
Things were pretty lonely also. No one wanted to talk to me. They all think I trashed Miyagi Do and are cheesed about me beating up Hawk. He FRAMED ME!
Every day after training, I would storm into the back room and let loose on the punching bag. Today was even worse because my losing streak was at an all time high. Each time I lost, Sensei Kreese sneered at me in disgust like I was hot garbage.
I'm pretty sure everyone was done with my shit as well. They could all go to hell.
I'm losing my touch. IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE! I'm not holding back so why do I keep losing?
"Ack! oof," I cry out and grunt as Miguel's bone shattering roundhouse collides with my temple and sends me face first into the mat.
"Finish him," Kreese nonchalantly orders.
Miguel yanks my head up by the hair and slugs me right in the eye.
I collapse in a heap and squeeze my eyes shut. Damn that hurt.
"Get up Mr. Murphy. Off the mat. Quit wasting everyone's time," Kreese remarks.
I punch the mat in a fit of anger and trudge over to my spot. I looked like a total baby and I knew it, but I can't figure out what's wrong with me. Why do I keep losing?!
I watch in a daze as the rest of the sparring matches take place.
"Perhaps you'd like a chance to redeem yourself?" Sensei Kreese asks snapping me out of my stewing anger.
I look up at him and stand.
"Nichols, on the mat," Kreese orders.
We walk across from each other. At this point, I didn't even have energy or the fire I usually had when it was my turn to show what I could do. I just wanted to get this over with so I could go home and take a nap.
I get in a stance and she follows suit.
"Combat! AITS!" Kreese barks and we begin to fight.
For a second, I feel the fire. It's almost as if fucking Tory with a Y of all people can predict my moves before they even happen.
She simply evades and blocks my flurry of punches and kicks. I let out a cry of frustration as I charge her, but she drops down sweeps my leg.
I let out a startled yelp as I lose my footing and tumble across the mat like a rag doll. I stop with a grunt and roll into a kneeling position.
I'm panting like a dog as I get up and throw every punch and kick I can think off. Finally, I just get too tired and Tory catches my fist and delivers a reverse punch to my nose.
I land flat on my back with the wind knocked out of me.
"Pathetic, just pathetic. Finish him and let's get this over with," Kreese sneers and turns away completely.
I see Tory lift up her leg and I suddenly get the urge to continue. I let out a cry of determination as I balance on one hand and perform the helicopter sweep, but this one was different. It wasn't just a handstand sweep, but more of a breakdance.
Tory let's out a surprised cry and falls down on her butt. She rolls away and gets on her feet as I slowly stand and glare murderously at her. I charge her again as she has a slightly fearful expression.
I use every ounce of strength I have left and even some very likely illegal moves such as a head butt to push her back. Finally my fist collides with her nose and she lets out a pained cry and I hear a pop.
Without hesitation, I leap and twirl through the air before bringing down my shin onto her stomach. She lets out a guttural grunt. Everyone gasps at my act and Kreese raises an eyebrow.
However, they aren't surprised, but… angry. Miguel immediately lunges forward and shoves me.
"What the hell man?!" He yells and goes to pick her up.
I just stare down at her in shock.
"I-I.." I begin to stammer to deaf ears
Doug runs up and blindsides me with a punch to the side of the face. I bare my teeth at him and am about to retaliate, but then Kreese barks at us.
"ENOUGH! Save it for tomorrow," he orders and we stop.
"What's tomorrow?" Ames asks curiously.
"Well, Sensei Lawrence is finally returning to the dojo so I figured that it was time for Coyote Creek," Kreese answers with his hands gripping his belt.
"What's Coyote Creek?" Hawk asks.
"A special yet classic training exercise. Sensei Lawrence and myself will explain everything tomorrow. However, you won't be needing your gi's. We will be training in the forest so I suggest you all dress accordingly. Meet at the dojo at 9:30 tomorrow morning. DISMISSED!" He barks.
We bow and disperse, but I head right for the back room and let out everything on the punching bag. I was angry, I was scared, but more than anything… I was just sad… and alone.
I finally stop and walk over to my bag to grab some water as I wipe sweat from my forehead. I hear heavy footsteps approaching and know exactly who it is. I'm really not in the mood for more down talk from Kreese right now.
I glance over and see Sensei Kreese standing there folding his arms.
"Been a rough few days, hasn't it?" He asks casually.
"What do you think?" I sarcastically snap, but instantly regret it.
"S-sorry Sensei, I just…" I say.
"I get it. You're frustrated, angry, and doubting yourself," he responds shrugging.
"Yeah, pretty much," I mumble with my head hanging down.
"Excuse me?" He asks sternly as he slowly walks toward me.
"I-I agree, Sensei," I say regaining my posture.
He nods slightly, but still looks ominous.
"I know that you're wondering why I've kept Hawk away from you these past few days," Kreese remarks.
My head perks up at this. My eyes dart toward Kreese curiously. This causes him to smile slightly.
"I thought so," he rasps out in almost a whisper and begins to slowly pace around the room.
"You desire to return all the pain he's caused you. You crave to see him suffer the same way you did and each day, those feelings grow, correct?" Sensei Kreese claims.
I nod and my eyes gaze down at the mat. They suddenly grow glassy as the pain returns. Everything from the angry looks of my friends, the look on Moon's face when she turned her back on me that night, and worst of all, the pain on everyone's faces when I would beat down on them until they began to return the favor. Now I was the punching bag against students such as Miguel, Aisha, and Tory.
"I've withheld the chance for you to instill retribution because I wanted your resentment and desire to grow. If it remained dormant and bottled up, the satisfaction would not only be greater once you went all out, but also a clearer message. The time has finally come for you to enact your justice. Tomorrow at Coyote creek, I'll make sure you and Hawk and placed on different teams. Then… it's open season," Kreese affirms
I nod in satisfaction and grin slightly, but still have trouble swallowing the growing lump in my throat. Kreese snaps me out of my thoughts and I push my emotions deep into the back of my head. His expression turns cold and I begin to sweat.
"Are those… tears, Mr. Murphy?" Kreese asks almost challenging me.
"N-no, no," I stammer and aggressively wipe my face.
Kreese roughly grabs my arm and forces me to look him in the eye. He looks pissed off now and I'm feeling uneasy so I squeeze my eyes shut in shame.
"Do you have a problem with the way I speak?!" He asks raising his voice.
"N-no Sensei, it's just… been a rough few days that's all. A lot has changed and things have been hard," I answer my voice shaking a little.
"Let me tell you something son. Those wins you earned back before all this bullshit outside the dojo mean nothing anymore. Nothing at all. What matters is the here… and the now. You've began fighting solely with your emotions and not your mind. Sure, anger can be a deadly weapon. However, You don't anticipate. You don't predict. You just attack blindly. Sure it worked temporarily, but once your teammates saw through your new style, they pounced and made mince meat out of you. Turned you into a loser," Kreese sneers.
I just look away.
"Look at me when I'm speaking to you, Mr. Murphy," Kreese demands.
I look back up at him. I feel so weak right now. I feel as if i'm pathetic and nothing. Maybe I deserve this after all.
"The moment those tears leave your eyes, you lose. And there are no losers in this dojo. Is that understood?" Kreese growls.
"Yes Sensei," I quietly answer.
"I can't hear you!" He snaps.
"Yes Sensei!" I repeat in a firm voice.
"Are you winner or a loser?" Kreese asks and steps back.
"I'm a winner Sensei!" I answer.
"LOUDER!" He bellows.
"I'M A WINNER!" I bellow at the top of my lungs and do everything I can to suppress my emotions.
Later that night
"I'm a winner. I'm a winner," I keep repeating to myself as I lay down in my bed and stare at the ceiling.
As it's been for the last few days, my phone has gone mostly silent. No texts from Miguel, Tory, or even Ames. I mean I shouldn't exactly be surprised, but still. This reminds me all too much of last summer before school started when I was still new. After my scuffle with Kyler, no one wanted to talk to me, but at least I had the potential to make friends. I had a clean slate and a chance to redefine myself. No one knew anything about me besides the fact that I had some face scars. Those last few days before school were miserable and dull. I feel my eyelids grow heavy, but a voice snaps me out of my drowsiness.
"Mr. Murphy," a voice I haven't heard in a week snaps.
I look over and see Sensei Lawrence in my room. What the fuck was he doing here? Suddenly, the Miguel, Hawk, Tory, and Doug walk into my room.
It's 2:00 am. Why are they in my room and how did they even get into my house?
They look pissed.
"Sensei, what's going on?" I ask as I pull the covers closer to me.
"You lied to me," Sensei growls out.
Miguel and Doug walk stone faced and grab me. They drag me out of my bed and my struggles are futile as they hold me still.
"You told me Hawk trashed the dojo, but it was YOU! You're a liar and a traitor. You're an embarrassment and no longer a Cobra Kai!" Sensei demands.
"What?! No I didn't do it! I swear! I swear to God!" I scream as tears roll down my cheeks.
"Stop lying to everyone!" Miguel yells in my ear.
"Miguel, I didn't do it! HE DID!" I spit toward Hawk who begins to slowly walk toward me.
"Are you sure? Cause it seems like you did. I beat you Murphy. No one cares about you. You're nothing. No one. You're an enemy to Cobra Kai and you'll ALWAYS be alone," Hawk declares and punches me square in the stomach.
Since I'm being restrained, I can't defend and I cry out. Why did Hawk's punch feel like a bullet. I hear my ribs crack. Hawk begins pummeling me as I feel my body growing weak as my bones crack and snap and blue blood runs from my nostrils and mouth.
"STOP!" I pathetically cry out, but no one listens.
"You're no leader. I'm ashamed that I ever called you my friend! You're no brother and you never will be!" Miguel yells and throws my broken body to my bedroom floor.
Everyone including Sensei Lawrence begins kicking and punching me.
"NO! I didn't do it I swear! I'm sorry! Stop! PLEEAAASE STOP!" I beg and I cry in the fetal position.
Suddenly Tory picks me up by the collar and raises her fist with her teeth bared. She slides her spiked bracelet from her wrist to her hand like a brass knuckle and balls her fist.
"Tory, don't," I weakly beg in a whisper, but she doesn't listen.
"Finish him," they're all chanting.
"An enemy deserves no mercy," I hear Hawk shout.
"Right!" Miguel agrees with a grin of pure glee on his face.
"No. Mercy," Tory ominously mumbles and reels her fist back.
All I can see is Noah all those years ago and I feel myself panicking. This wasn't happening right now. No way. Make it stop. Anyone. I couldn't go through that again. I couldn't.
"No, no, wait nonono Na—!" I cry out as her balled fist with her spiked bracelet fly toward my face, but as soon as I hear a sickening slice.
"NOO!" I scream and shoot upward in my bed.
I'm hyperventilating and covered in sweat.
I'm covering my eyes and trembling. I frantically look around my room and see no one else there.
It was just a dream. Kinda ridiculous because I was bleeding blue and thought nothing of it.
Authors note: yes this is a bit weird, but don't tell me you've never had dreams where weird things happen like two rooms from different buildings being in the same house, hanging out with a very oddly mixed group of people that usually don't interact in your daily life, or something like that and you think it's completely normal until you wake up. Idk…, but you get what I'm saying
As my breathing slows, I see Hawk's psychotic grin as he beat the stuffing out of me. My temper flares again.
This ends tomorrow. One way or another. I've had it up to here with him haunting me and living rent free in my head. I'm gonna break my losing streak and win whatever game we're playing.
I check my phone and it reads 4:32 am.
I sigh and set my alarm for tomorrow before falling asleep again.
The next day, I wake up with newfound motivation. I know we'll be fighting in the woods so I walk over to my closet after I shower. I dig through various athletic clothes. However, one hoodie stands out.
That same mid weight dark green camouflage hoodie that I wore the day I defeated McCarthy for the first time in the woods. The day I truly embraced Cobra Kai and found meaning. The day I became the fighter I am today.
I slip on with a black Houston Rockets t-shirt with the red R in the middle. I zip up the hoodie about a quarter ways and put on charcoal grey sweet pants.
Authors note: Blake was a Rockets fan when he lived in Austin and not a Dallas Mavericks fan.
I head down, grab some breakfast and head to the dojo. I see come cobras lingering outside the dojo. When I walk up to them, the only greeting I get is a slight nod from Miguel and a small smile from Amelia. Tory is back to glaring at me like she used to. I just glare back.
However, shit doesn't really hit the fan until five minutes later after we're standing inside the dojo. Hawk walks in with Mitch and we lock eyes. I glare with pure loathing at the person responsible for all of my pain the last few days. I expected Hawk to look down or away, but he glares back instead. I ball my hands into a fist.
It was on all right. Today, I was going hawk hunting.
Authors note: happy late Thanksgiving everyone. I've been extremely busy this last month getting ready for finals and with thanksgiving. It's been a long wait, but here it is. You know things are about to pick up big time. Next few chapters are Coyote Creek. Plus, it's about time the Scar Twins finally settled the score. I'm not exactly sure how long it will take for me to upload the next chapter, because of my exams coming up, but I will do my best to get it up as soon as I can.
Also, I said I had a big reveal at the end of my authors note. Here it is. Starting when I finish season 2 of this story, I will also be writing "What if scenarios" regarding my story along with the canon season 3 story.. Most of these will change everything. Some will be long stories and others will be short. I've thought of a bunch, but I can't reveal tjem all right now because I would be spoiling the future of the actual cannon storyline. However, here are some I CAN reveal. (I'm also gonna be listing soundtracks for fights that happen in my story at the end of chapters that do not already happen in cannon)
"What if Blake and Sam dated in season 1 instead of her and Miguel?"
Title TBA
"What if Blake remained friends with Kyler and his gang?"
Murphy the Menace
"What if Blake lost his fight to McCarthy in the woods?"
The Long Road Up