{Before you read this story, I will be allowing constructive criticism to improve my writing skills. But I will not allow hateful comments on my stories. Everybody should be treated with respect.}
{This chapter takes place in the episode, "Esqueleto"}
{Original Publish Date: 5/1/2022}
{You'll see more of Jaden's soft side in the chapter. Sorry that this chapter is a little bit shorter than the first two.}
{The Diaz apartment}
We go to Miguel, training in his room, throwing punches in the air. He has been practicing to Strike First, by knowing how hard to strike and where to attack. His Yaya then knocks on his door and calls him.
"I'll be right there. Almost finished", he answered.
Yaya just shakes her head. "Mira quién llegó", she says. She walks away, thinking about the nasty.
About 5-10 minutes later, Carmen arrives home.
"Hey, guys. Mmm, it smells good in here", said Carmen.
They sit all sit down and eat.
"I'm sorry I'm late again. Things are crazy at the hospital", she explains.
"It's okay, you're short-staffed. But we saved you some food", replied Miguel.
"So, did you decide what you're going as for the Halloween dance", asked Carmen
"Well, I was thinking Deadpool, but the costume's a little pricey", said Miguel.
"Well, how much is it?"
"I mean, it doesn't have to be Deadpool", said Miguel.
"You want a Deadpool costume? We'll make you a Deadpool costume", replied Carmen.
Yaya says that it isn't a sweatshop, so a well-made Deadpool costume was out of the question. Carmen then noticed Miguel's hand because it had some bruises on it.
"What happened to your hand", asked Carmen.
"No te gustaría saberlo", said Yaya. {Translate: You wouldn't want to know} Miguel didn't know what she meant by that.
{Cobra Kai Dojo}
Jaden and Miguel are training in the dojo. Jaden is practicing some front, backflips, and endurance while Miguel works on his punches and speed. Johnny goes out of his office and asks them a question.
"Hey, you two don't happen to have any friends who wanna learn karate, do you? Oh, what am I saying? You guys have any friends", said Johnny.
"I have friends", said Jaden.
"Oh, thought you were a lone wolf. Are they Cobra Kai material", Johnny asked.
"Well, one is insecure and the other's a loudmouth so, no", replied Jaden.
"Hey, Sensei, when are we gonna learn to do some kicking? I was watching this YouTube video of this guy breaking boards and it looked badass", asked Miguel. Honestly, Jaden wanted to do kicking as well.
"Yeah, no shit. Kicking is badass. But you guys are not ready. Besides, if I don't get more students in here, I'm not gonna be able to teach you anything", replied Johnny.
"You've thought about advertising, right", asked Miguel.
I guess Johnny didn't think of that because his was no answer.
"Yeah, duh. 'Course", replied Johnny.
"In other words, no", said Jaden.
"Shut the hell up, Jaden", said Johnny.
{The next day, West Valley High, Cafeteria}
Miguel, Jaden, Eli, and Demetri are sitting in the cafeteria, eating their food. Counsel Blatt is on the mic, talking about cyberbullying.
"Cyberbullying is no laughing matter. Sending a cruel message to someone online can be just as hurtful as saying it to their face. I'm not gonna name names, but the other day a mother called me up because her son was crying after some kids online made fun of his facial deformity", said Blatt.
People started looking at Eli. Eli covered his upper lip in shame. Jaden feels angry at this.
"This b#### couldn't at least not mention the "facial deformity", said Jaden, angrily.
"Jaden, it's fine", said Eli, quietly.
Jaden decided to let the issue go. Miguel then speaks up.
"You know, if you're sick of getting bullied, our karate dojo's looking for recruits", said Miguel.
Eli looks intrigued with what he said. Demetri, on the other hand, didn't.
"Yeah, right, you hear that, Eli? A little karate training and you're gonna kick some major ass", said Demetri, sarcastically.
"I'm serious, Demetri, all right? Our sensei's the real deal, and we're sure I could get you both discounts", said Miguel.
"As enticing as that sounds, I think we'd rather spend our afternoons playing Crucible Control than getting hit in the face", decline Demetri.
Jaden looks at the girls' table. He knew that they weren't going to listen to what Blatt said.
"Oh, and one last thing. While we're all looking forward to the Halloween dance, let's make sure our costumes are culturally sensitive. For example, instead of "sexy nurse," maybe try "gender-neutral hospital employee", said Blatt.
{Popular Girls Table}
Aisha moves her chair to where Sam is.
"Hey, I got a great idea for our costumes this year. I was thinking I go as sodium, and you go as chloride. And when people ask what we are, we do this". Aisha pouts some salts on the table. Yasmine laughs at her.
"What is that, some dumb inside joke you guys have", she asked.
"I mean, it's not really "inside. Sodium chloride is table salt", replied Aisha.
"Yeah, I was kidding", Yasmine said. Sam then speaks up.
"We actually decided to go as Laker girls. But maybe we can order another", suggested Sam.
"They're one-size-fits-all, which suddenly seems like false advertising", interrupts Yasmine.
Aisha sadly moves her chair back. Jaden sees the whole situation play out and he is piss.
{Cobra Kai Dojo Entrance}
It's about 30 minutes after 5:00 pm and Jaden and Miguel are waiting outside for Johnny. When he arrives, he seems in a bad mood.
"Hey, Sensei, you told us to be here at 5:00, right", asked Miguel.
Yeah, but today's training's canceled", said Johnny.
"Wait, dad, why", asked Jaden.
"Cause I said so", replied Johnny.
Johnny opens the dojo and all three of them walk in.
Wait, Sensei, there's something that we wanna show you", said Miguel.
"Look, I'm not really in the mood", replied Johnny.
"But we'll think you'll like it", said an enthusiastic Jaden.
Miguel opens up the computer and a picture of the Cobra Kai snake is there.
"Click on the snake", said Jaden.
Okay, this is the sign-in page. Now, we were thinking, maybe we can make an app where you track your progress, get a social media campaign going, get it out to the whole school. The possibilities are endless", said Miguel.
Miguel's phone ringed and the ring tone had one of the Gun N Roses songs on it. Johnny and Jaden was shocked at this. Miguel, however, doesn't answer the phone.
"Oh. That was my mom. I'll call her back later", he said.
"Hey, was that..."
Yeah. Jaden and I went online and looked up Guns N' Roses and ended up going on this whole '80s rock rabbit hole. That shit is dope", replied Miguel. Jaden laughs at his certainly choice of words. Johnny's mood now change from sad to happy.
"All right, meet me and Jaden at the high school at midnight. Don't be late", said Johnny.
"What for", asked Miguel.
"Yeah, what are we doing", asked Jaden.
"You wanna learn how to kick ass? First, you gotta learn how to kick", said Johnny.
{West Valley High Pool}
"Sensei, what are we doing here at midnight", asked Miguel.
"Are you sure we're supposed to be here", asked Jaden as well.
"Yeah, don't worry, my buddy's the night janitor", replied Johnny.
"Okay. All right, let me see y'all hands", said Johnny.
Johnny ties up Jaden and Miguel's hands up.
Jaden's mind: "Something tells me I'm going to die."
"So, what you we doing here", asked Miguel.
"When you're in a fight, your first instinct is to use your hands, right? You gotta unlearn that. And think with your legs", replied Johnny.
"Um, how do we think with our legs", asked Jaden.
"Well, you just, uh..."
Johnny then pushes Miguel in the water quickly. Jaden is in shock.
"What the hell", Jaden yelled.
"You're next son", said Johnny.
Johnny then pushes Jaden in the water. Both Jaden and Miguel are struggling to stay afloat. Johnny then uses both of his hands to grabs the two.
"Dad, we're drowning", said a scared Jaden.
"Drowning is for pussies, all right? Don't be a pussy, use your legs", replied Johnny.
Johnny then drops the two back in the water. Jaden and Miguel are still struggling to stay afloat above the water. Johnny had to grab the two again from the water.
"Please. Not again, we'll die", replied a scared Miguel.
"Both of you, Cobra Kai never die. Say it", he told them.
Miguel/Jaden: "Cobra Kai never die."
"Say it like your life depends on it", yelled Johnny.
Miguel/Jaden: "Cobra Kai never die!"
"Now, I'm not gonna help you guys up this time, all right? All right, you have all the power in your legs you need. Use it to kick your way up. Do you understand", asked Johnny.
Miguel/Jaden: "Yes, Sensei".
Miguel and Jaden were drop in the pool again. This time, the two were kicking like their lives depending on it, which it did. They were able to kick their way to stay afloat. The two then got out the pool. Then, the security guard for the pool caught them.
"Oh, shit. We gotta go, we gotta go", said Johnny in a hurried.
"I thought you knew this guy", said Miguel.
"Of course not, I lied", replied Johnny.
Jaden snickers while running.
{Cobra Kai Dojo}
Jaden and Miguel are training in the dojo, when his phone ringed. He looks at the name and goes to the back of the dojo to speak to the person.
"Hello", he answered.
"Hi, honey, how are you", asked Shannon.
"Hey, I'm good", answered Jaden. "How's Robby", he asked in a worried tone.
"He's, not good", replied Shannon. "He not the same ever since you left." I know he still care for you though, just doesn't show it," said Shannon.
Jaden understands why he doesn't call or answer his texts.
"Will he speak to me", asked Jaden.
"No, I don't think he'll ever will", replied Shannon.
Jaden didn't really feel like talking after that.
"Hey mom, I have to go, but its good speaking to you again", said Jaden.
"Oh, ok, love you honey", said Shannon.
"Love you too", replied Jaden. Jaden hangs up the phone and goes to where Miguel's training.
"I wish I could show my mom what I did to those boards, but if she knew where I was right now, she would kill me", said Miguel.
"Same", replied Jaden.
"Oh Jaden, where is your mom", he asked.
"Um, she lives in North Hills", said Jaden uncomfortably.
Miguel notices Jaden's confidence is a bit shattered, so he stops asking questions. Johnny then comes up to them kinda upset.
"What wrong with you", asked Jaden.
"Nothing", said Johnny. Put your costume on, Miguel. I'm driving you guys to that dance, and we're gonna pick up some more students."
Miguel puts on his costume, and it looks horrible. It looked like it was made out of a dress. Jaden's mood turned around and he was chuckling.
"What the hell is that", asked Johnny.
"This is my Halloween costume.
"My ya-ya made it. It started off as Deadpool. Then I think it was Spider-Man, and then it just kinda became some generic superhero", asked Miguel.
"Yeah, a poor one at that. You're Poor-Man.
Miguel looks down on the ground, knowing that his costume was dog shit.
"Hey, where's your costume Jaden", asked Miguel.
"Oh, I don't have one. Figure I just hang around in my normal clothes", answered Jaden.
"Well, I can't let you go out like that. And you need a costume. We have a reputation to uphold", said Johnny.
"What do you suggest", asked Miguel.
{West Valley High Enterance}
Johnny, Miguel, and Jaden go into the school. Both Miguel and Jaden are wearing skeleton costumes, the same kind Johnny wore in the 80s. Johnny looks at Jaden and smiles.
"What", asked Jaden.
"Nothing", replied Johnny. "Hey, you two have fun. I'm going to put up these flyers." Both Jaden and Miguel say goodbye and they were on their way.
{West Valley High Halloween Party}
The two skeletons walked in the party. They then found Eli and Demetri and went to them.
"Oh, skeletons, classic", said Demetri
"Thanks", answered Jaden. "I like your sorcerer costume", said Jaden.
"Sorcerer? I'm a necromancer. What? Didn't you see "The Amulet", asked Demetri.
Jaden's mind: "I give you a complaint and you always have to act like a smartass."
Miguel looks at Eli's costume.
Miguel: "So are you a regular doctor, or..."
"Plastic surgeon. I fix lips", answered Eli.
There was an awkward silence between the four friends. Jaden grabs some punch and then looks at Sam. It seems like she's talking to Aisha. At least she making up with her. Kyler then grabs Sam's hand and took her somewhere. It seems like Daniel and Jaden had the same idea.
"Hey, um, I'll be right back", said Jaden.
{A little bit later}
Jaden had tried to see where Sam and Kyler went when he saw his dad hanging up posters. Daniel then looks at Johnny angrily.
"What do you think you're doing", asked Daniel.
"Promoting my business. Why don't you try minding yours", said Johnny.
"Y-you you know what? Look, this is- this is ridiculous, okay? We can both be adults here. I just don't know why you'd ever wanna bring back Cobra Kai after what your sensei did to you", said Daniel.
"Is his sensei Kresse", asked Jaden.
"Yes, he was an evil man", replied Daniel. "You really want your son to become like you, someone who doesn't control their anger and act first", said Daniel.
"Don't talk about him like that", said Johnny.
'Besides, I'm not Kreese. And the lessons worked", answered Johnny.
Strike first, no mercy. Real good lessons. If you think I'm gonna let you fill these kids' heads with that garbage, you're nuts, man", said Daniel.
Jaden decided to leave the two man-children arguing scene and went to find where Sam is but couldn't find her. However, he found her when Sam was speed walking upset. Jaden went up to her.
"Hey Sam, wait", said Jaden.
"What do you want", she replied.
"Wait, why are you angry", he asked.
"Because my dad is an asshole because he thinks Kyler wants to get in my pants", said Sam.
"Well, hey, if it makes you feel better, your dad does care for you", said Jaden.
"I know it's just, he doesn't trust me", said Sam.
There was an awkward silence in the air after this. Sam realizes she was talking about herself to much.
"Oh, um, anyway, how are you", she asked.
"Oh, I'm good", Jaden replied. "How Aisha", he asked.
"She's fine. "I talked to her, and we made up."
"I have a question Sam", said Jaden.
"Yeah, what's up", she asked.
"Why did you stop hanging out with me, said Jaden.
Sam then went silent. She saw the serious tone of Jaden's face.
"I... I'm mean"...
"Great, no answer", said Jaden. "Me, you, and Aisha were best friends. Why you stop contacting me".
"Because my dad wanted me to stop talking to you", said Sam.
"Bullshit", said Jaden. "We always hid our friendship. You're parents never knew I existed until my dad open the Cobra Kai dojo", said an angry Jaden. "You just wanted to become popular with Kyler and does douchebags.
"Hey!", yelled Sam. "Don't talk about them like that. They are good people."
"Good people, huh. Those good people were beating up me and my friend", said Jaden.
Sam went silent. She never knew that Jaden was getting beaten by them.
"I didn't know, said Sam. "Yeah of course you didn't", said Jaden. "All you rich people only care by yourselves. Good seeing you Sam", finished Jaden. He walks away leaving Sam with tears in her eyes. Jaden had to use the bathroom and went there. He saw Miguel, Eli, and Demetri walk in there as well.
"So, any of you got dates", asked Jaden.
"Nope", said Miguel. "We just stand there, drinking punch.
"First high school dance in the books, and we didn't even make an attempt", said Demetri. "Well, statistically speaking, zero for zero is better than zero for one, so it could've been worse", he continued. And speaking of worse, Kyler, Joesph, and their friends walked in the bathroom.
"Yo, so frustrated, man. I was just about to give her the bracelet", said Kyler.
Like that cheap one you gave to that East Valley slut", asked Rory.
"Yeah, it worked on her, so might as well try it again. But Sam's dad had to ruin everything", replied Kyler.
"I'm sorry, dude, you had her in the palm of your d###", said Brucks.
Eli and Demetri accidentally knocked down some sports supplies, which made Kyler and his friends looks at them. Miguel and Jade stay, while Eli and Demetri ran like Sonic when he finds a chill dog.
"You better watch out, Rhea and Goldilocks. That bum's not here to save you two this time", said Kyler.
"He's not a bum", said Jaden.
"He's our sensei", finished Miguel.
"Watch out, guys. Rhea knows karate now", said Matthew. Miguel and Jaden were angry. Jaden was about to tell Miguel it's not worth it, Miguel kicks Kyler in the stomach, knocking him down. The bullies were angry and attacked Miguel.
Miguel got punched by Kyler and Matthew helped. Rory, AJ, and Brucks took on Jaden. Jaden was able to fight them for a bit when Matthew sent a kick to his back, losing his balance. Jaden sent a punch and kick to Matthew, which he countered with elbowing his ribs.
Kyler got some kind of tennis racket to hit Miguel.
"Get off of him", yelled Jaden.
Matthew was beating up on Jaden, while Miguel was held by Brucks, Rory, and AJ. Kyler then hit with the racket three times. Matthew finished Jaden with a kick to his leg and punch to his stomach, knocking Jaden out.
"P####", said Matthew.
Miguel was having trouble breathing, and Jaden was on the ground trying to move, but couldn't. Jaden then started to cry. He rarely ever cries since his dad always wanted him to be tough, but in this situation couldn't hold control it. He always screws up everything. First with Robby, then with Sam, and now with Miguel. Johnny came running into the boy's bathroom. He saw his son crying on the floor and Miguel breathing heavily.
"Dad, I'm sorry", said Jaden crying.
"It's fine, Jaden, let's go", said Johnny.
Johnny picked up Jaden. Jaden was able to stand straightly again. Johnny then picked up again as he couldn't walk. The two then left the bathroom and left the school.
{I tried to make expand Jaden's emotional side as well as his relationship with his mom, Shannon, as well as his former friendship with Sam}
{Question Of The Day: Who are your top 10 Cobra Kai characters}
These are mine:
1. Miguel Diaz
2. Johnny Lawrence
3. Daniel LaRusso
4. Eli Moskowitz
5. Terry Sliver
6. Robby Keene
7. Demetri Alexopoulos
8. Amanda LaRusso
9. Samantha LaRusso/Tory Nichols {tie}
10. John Kresse