Chapter Twelve: Champions
…
Daniel sipped a cold martini at a bar quietly. After a few minutes of waiting, Johnny arrived.
They both groaned.
"You gotta be kidding me," said Johnny. "This was your idea?"
"Technically Bobby didn't lie. We both agreed to get a beer. Just weren't expecting to get one with each other."
Johnny scowled. "So. How about we both forget Bob ever tricked us and we forget this?"
"I mean. We have a decent bit to talk about."
"Bullshit." scoffed Johnny waving a hand.
"The Johnny Lawrence. Ace Degenerate. Can't handle one beer?"
Johnny froze, balling his fists.
He walked up to the bar, pulled a stool next to Daniel and slapped the bar table. "Coors Banquet."
The bartender quickly served him one and Johnny cracked it open, glaring angrily and quietly at Daniel the entire time.
Daniel groaned quietly. "You gonna be like this for the rest of the time we talk?"
"Like what?"
"Like our title fight in '84 happened yesterday?"
"What is it with you and Bobby thinking I haven't changed at all since I was seventeen? Like I'm stuck in some sort of time warp?"
Daniel sighed. "Because the truth is Johnny. You made a mistake."
"Opening up Cobra Kai was a mistake?"
"Letting John Kreese teach alongside you was. What he's done to those kids. It's wrong. And I would think that after what you went through you could see that."
Johnny frowned. "We've spent almost an entire year training these kids together. The guy's changed."
"War changes people Johnny. I've seen it. Mr. Miyagi healed, or at least tried to from what happened to him. But I bet you John Kreese wears his scars on his sleeve, to justify what he does to people. They took two opposite paths."
Johnny shifted where he sat in the stool next to Daniel. "I didn't know Mr. Miyagi was a war hero."
"I didn't meant to brag about it. But my point is something's clearly left Kreese unhinged, and dangerous. You're one thing but he's another."
"Whoa. I'm one thing?"
"Johnny you trusted John Kreese at all after what he did to you."
Johnny bit the inside of his mouth. "Well maybe I did it to help these kids."
"Cobra Kai never helped anyone with anything."
"Yeah well. It sure helped me." Johnny sipped his Coors Banquet.
Daniel looked over at Johnny. "Helped you what? Bully me. Bully the entire town when you were supposedly king of West Valley High?"
"No, it helped me stop being bullied."
Daniel was quiet.
"Who in the world ever bullied you?"
"Well, not at school. But my mom married a real prick. My stepdad was a regular piece of shit to both of us. I'd let out that anger at school, get in plenty of fights. Cobra Kai taught me I didn't need to fight anymore, except when it was necessary."
Daniel scoffed. "Like when I wanted to stop you from harassing Ali at the beach?"
"That wasn't your business man. You wanted to get involved. So I got you involved."
"Right. Well it was a while ago," said Daniel. "But what happened with these kids. This is all happening very recently Johnny."
"So what's your point?"
"That it needs to be over. I want to make a solemn promise with you that this will be over. That's why Bobby set this up."
"So you wanted to sit down with me and talk?"
"Maybe not, until I realized what Bobby wanted. Even though you're still teaching alongside that psychotic son of a bitch. I'll forgive you for everything. And walk away from this feud regardless of who wins this tournament."
Johnny nodded slowly. "So it's all my fault."
"I never said that."
"Really. Because it sounds like you're on a high horse so high it might as well be on Mount Everest."
"Look, we let this spin out of control way too quickly Johnny. When I met Lucas I really wished he had just been honest with me and tell me he just wanted to win the All Valley. But he wanted to learn from Kreese specifically too. He sought him out. How or why I'll never know." Daniel spoke as he finished his martini. "He's many things. A liar, a bit manipulative sometimes. But he's still a kid, and I've never known him to be a bully."
"He's better than what you think of him LaRusso. He deserves to use the way of the fist to defend his title."
"Is that what this is about for you Johnny? You trying to strike back at me for everything that happened decades ago?"
"Like I said it's about these kids. I let them down the moment I let them lose, but it's about more than that now. I'm changing them for the better."
"With strike first. Strike hard. No mercy? You can't tell me the dojo's changed. It's literally in the exact same spot where it once was. Taught by the same person."
Johnny sipped from his Coors. "I want to be there for Ali's kid man. For all my students."
"Hard to do that with Kreese in your corner."
"You haven't changed since high school either man. You're still insufferable and sneering all the time. No wonder you let your kids get their asses beat all the time."
"And now you're sounding like a bully. Guess you haven't changed either."
Johnny frowned silently.
"I just meant that your issues with me have impacted these kids. And it isn't right."
"I agree with you. But the problem over all of this is John Kreese. He tried to fake his own death. A teenage kid made him appear out of thin air for the first time in decades. And you really think this should continue after this tournament?"
"No."
"Then do the right thing."
Johnny nodded. "I think Lucas is a good kid. But if Kreese is the problem. Then so is he."
"Why's that?"
"Because he's more loyal to him than I ever was. I was Kreese's student. I followed his lessons, and helped him lead class a few times. But I never looked up to him the same way he does. That level of respect I never shared. I don't know why or what it is."
"Do you think he does that on purpose?"
"What?"
"Emulates you. All the time. The headband, the clothes, the motorbikes. He's not old enough to drive yet, but soon enough there'll probably be fancy cars."
Johnny glanced at Daniel. "Is that a problem?"
"No. I just imagine you were living the life. The same way he is now."
"How is that any different then from how you live now?"
"I'm not saying there's anything wrong with it. I'm just saying the more and more Luke can act like you used to as a kid. The more dangerous things can be for him."
Johnny was completely quiet.
"What?" asked Daniel.
"I already told him about that."
Daniel was shocked. "You. Told Lucas. To try to act more responsible?"
Johnny nodded quietly.
"I wasn't expecting that," said Johnny. "I wasn't expecting any of this to be honest. Kreese to come back. Me as a Sensei. It really brought back a part of me I thought was gone for good."
Daniel was looking right at Johnny and couldn't have related more to the look on his face and how and what he had said.
"But you're right. What's the point. We were assholes to each other in highschool, no reason to try and work this out."
Johnny finished his Banquet, put a five dollar bill on the bar counter and began to leave.
"Bartender." said Daniel. "Another round for both of us please."
Johnny was surprised, but still sat down to join Daniel.
…
I stood in Junbi stance with the rest of the class on the mat of the Cobra Kai dojo, fists out in front of me.
Sensei Kreese was pacing between the lines of all of us, speaking. "Cobra Kai Karate has dominated almost every tournament it's competed in since 1979. Every, single, one. All but two. The dojo responsible for its defeat is one all of you know rather well."
I blinked and continued to listen, staring forward.
"Miyagi-Do Karate. In this very room, in early November of 1984. Miyagi himself challenged this dojo and defeated Cobra Kai for the first time in years during competition. You are here to redeem that loss. Students, with all the talent in the world. Squandered that victory."
Kreese paced by me. "Students, that are actually one of your two Senseis. Sensei Johnny Lawrence was my top student back in the day. But he let his emotions cloud his judgment. He put his priorities before the dojo. He wanted to win so badly, he didn't see victory was right in front of him."
"All of you have been given provisionary black belts, a sign of respect, but not rank from Sensei Lawrence and I, declaring you ready to compete for this tournament. Miyagi-Do Karate only has two students according to Mr. Keene. Samantha LaRusso, and Miguel Diaz."
"But you're not just facing Miyagi-Do. You're facing the best competition the Valley can offer. Fighters like Xander Stone, and others. These are dojos who have all been competing for far longer than almost all of you have. Besides Mr. Schwarber and Mr. Keene, you haven't competed before."
Kreese stood now at the front of the class and spoke. "But this dojo does breed champions. It still does. It has since I brought it to life right here on Lankershim. The tournament, is only two weeks from today."
"You've grown stronger, and smarter. Faster, and more skilled. But there is one lesson holding back every single one of you, one that Sensei Lawrence continues to insist is mostly unnecessary."
Kreese looked out over all of us. "And that lesson is No Mercy. All of your life, you've been told to avoid fights. To avoid conflict, to not step out of line. That there is only good, and evil. Nothing less. But the truth is, the world is more often grey."
I thoroughly agreed.
"On the mat on Saturday, the nineteenth of this month in the All Valley Sports Arena. You may still show no mercy within the rules of the All Valley tournament. To show your strength. Your power. The world will fear Cobra Kai and all of you after this victory. And be proud of it when it happens. Never, show shame in what Cobra Kai helps you become."
"Never, hesitate to show your strength. Never, let anything stand in the way of your victory. And I promise you, this championship will be yours. Is that understood?"
We yelled as loudly as we could in unison. "Yes Sensei!"
Kreese clapped his arms to his sides in Charyot, and then we all did the same.
We all bowed to him as part of the nonverbal order of Kyung-Nae.
…
As class broke out I was called into the office.
"Schwarber. Sit down."
I pulled in the chair as I did so.
"I wanted to congratulate you."
"On what?"
"On your new rank of first gup, brown belt. It's month twenty four of your Cobra Kai training under me. It's where you'd be ranked regularly if you had trained that long with me back when this dojo was in business in the eighties."
"Thank you Sensei."
Kreese nodded slightly from behind the desk. "Another three months and you can test for Cho Dan Bo. Which is a junior black belt, and at month thirty six of your Cobra Kai training, you'll be the first person to take and likely pass the first official 1st Degree Black Belt test in Cobra Kai since 1984."
Kreese went on. "You've really learned a lot. Your karate has improved, you've improved. Managed to incorporate Miyagi-Do into Strike First, Strike Hard, No Mercy in a manner I never could've imagined. But during all this time, you never truly went out of your way to strike first for the sake of it."
"That's not what either you or Sensei Lawrence have taught me sir. If you're going to strike, you need to have a target to attack with all of your power."
Kreese chuckled. "No. But a few months back towards the end of last year. I noticed something."
"Yes?"
"Both Everston and an um. Random weakling, Alexopoulos. Insulted you in the hallway at your school. Was any of it your fault?"
"No Sensei."
"Did you make it clear that it wasn't and that you wouldn't allow it?"
"Yes Sensei. But this happened almost four and a half months ago. Why are you bringing it up now?"
"Because now is the time Cobra Kai is going to be better known than it ever has been. You might've made it clear this is where you'll train. That this is your dojo. But it hasn't won a championship since 1983. A while back when you and I used to train together on our own, I mentioned to you, about how to channel your anger."
I nodded.
"Your striking form is reaching a level of precision and speed I haven't seen in well over thirty years Schwarber. But this tournament, and more important the kind of fighter and person you will be. Is based on your anger and how you use it."
"You think I need to use it."
"How to use it intelligently. And correctly, in a healthy manner." Kreese nodded. "I've fought in karate tournaments since 1970. Here in the Valley, overseas when I was in the Army. The best fighters are never angry, otherwise, they lose. But I can't lie to you. When you fight with anger, you win. At the snap of your fingers, you brought your entire school in line." Kreese chuckled quickly. "And all you did was kick a binder."
I nodded.
"Stop being ashamed of your skills Lucas. Your strength. You taught me how to fight again. I want you to fight. The same way you've shown me kata and all those strange Miyagi counters aren't useless, I want to convince you. That your anger is nothing to be ashamed of. You know how to use it, to make you stronger."
I wanted to address a giant elephant in the room. But I didn't want to make it seem like I was questioning Sensei Kreese.
We shared a level of loyalty and respect with one another I don't think anyone shared. Except for maybe Robby's connection to Johnny as a son.
I knew that was rather similar to what I shared with Sensei Kreese.
"Sensei. If anger is nothing to be afraid of. Why does Sensei Johnny insist so often that it's bad for us?"
"Because he was the town troublemaker back in the day, anger was part of him every day almost. He was the one kicking LaRusso around so hard that when he kicked back the repercussions led to the downfall of this dojo. Because of his own failures, and my own too. We projected that onto you. And we shouldn't. It's not right."
Kreese muttered. "I promised myself I'd let you. Be you. All of you. Anger or otherwise. Does that makes sense Mr. Schwarber?"
It made perfect sense.
"You want nothing more than anyone to melt your entire snowflake generation. There is no better encapsulation of everything weak. About karate, about our time. Than Xander Stone. And you will most likely face him in the tournament. Do you understand what I mean Schwarber?"
I did. And I liked the idea. No rule breaking. Just what Cobra Kai was about.
"Yes Sensei," I said standing up and bowing to him before I left the office.
He refused to let Tory cheat during her final match with Sam in the fourth season. He genuinely seemed to want to make amends with Johnny during the 51st tournament.
I respected him for it. He wanted the same for me.
…
Daniel and Johnny were chuckling as they kept drinking together.
"Hold on. Dutch gave you that joint?"
"He gave me all of them. That's why I got so mad. It was kind of our thing."
Daniel chuckled. "Never took him for a stoner, even in high school."
"Eh. We only did it occasionally."
"Bobby never came across as the kind to get into that either. Surprised to hear that."
Johnny frowned.
"What?" asked Daniel.
"Him and I were kinda best buds all throughout high school. And you're training my neighbor with him every day of the week.
"Your neighbor," said Daniel. "Is a bullied sixteen year old kid. Bullied by your students, okay?"
"And you're fine with Bobby teaching him Cobra Kai?"
Daniel shook his head.
"Then why put up with it?"
"Because I know it's what's best for Miguel."
Johnny frowned. "You want Miguel to win that title so badly you let him copy exactly what Luke did didn't you? Just so he'd have a better chance."
"Miguel insisted. Weren't you the one who recommended Bobby reach out?"
"Yeah as a priest."
"He's not a priest he's a pastor." Daniel sighed quickly again. "What are we doing here Johnny? We both have kids now. They even go to the same highschool together. What is the point of all this?"
"Why can't we call this off? Pretty simple actually. You're insisting Kreese is bad for these kids. Then you came into my dojo and issued a challenge, for the second time. Mind you."
"Kreese is bad!" said Daniel loudly. "He's the reason why Eli turned into a bully. I knew him before he met you alright. Eli was a kind and soft spoken person. Cobra Kai turned him into a monster."
"His girl was stolen. He had no choice, these kids are sixteen now they do stuff like this."
"You're letting history repeat itself at the cost of these kids? For what?"
Johnny frowned. "We can't let this rivalry get friendly. It's bad for the kids."
"It's bad for the kids no matter if the rivalry's friendly or not."
"You stole my best friend," said Johnny spitefully. "You've been stealing stuff from me since high school man."
Daniel muttered. "Bobby's no best friend of mine I assure you. He's been willing to talk to you this entire time."
"Actually. I wanted to come see if you two had gotten into bar fight with each other this whole time." Bobby said taking the stool on the other end of Johnny.
"Hey Bobby." Daniel smiled as Johnny frowned.
"So it's true. You train at Miyagi-Do now?"
"I couldn't very well train at Cobra Kai after I wanted to come back to karate. Not with Kreese running things."
"Kreese doesn't run things. We run things together."
"Yeah. Sure." Bobby scoffed as he nodded to the bartender. "Light beer."
"Light beer is for pussies." Johnny said instantly.
"Or for people who don't stumble into their bedroom piss drunk every night," muttered Bobby.
Daniel snorted at this while Johnny looked angry. "So you've been training Diaz. What have you taught him?"
"Simple stuff. How to strike first, the front sweep," answered Bobby.
"So you taught him our karate?" asked Johnny.
Bobby scoffed. "It's not like I stole it. Don't tell me Lucas never taught you any Miyagi-Do."
"No. He doesn't. You two really want to beat me at this tournament so badly. That you." Johnny turned to Bobby sitting on the stool to his left. "Are willing to go to coach at an All Valley wearing a Miyagi-Do GI? And you." Johnny turned to Daniel. "Are willing to cross train with Cobra Kai?"
"I had no choice," admitted Daniel.
"Neither did I," Bobby said.
"Well. Miyagi-Do is the right way." Daniel said calmly. "Think you had a choice Bobby."
"Miyagi-Do is a way. It's not the only way." insisted Bobby.
Daniel scoffed. "What do you call your karate then? You obviously have no respect for Cobra Kai anymore."
"It doesn't matter, karate doesn't have to have a name to be special. Or work." said Bobby.
"Well Miyagi-Do does have a name. A name going back centuries. Think that does make it the right way to teach Miguel and Sam."
Bobby said nothing as Johnny scoffed. "We've been taking smack talk from this smug little shit since high school man. And here we are. Grabbing beers and still taking it."
Bobby couldn't hide his smile as Daniel spoke. "Speaking of highschool. Looks like you two haven't given up on bullying me in one way or another."
"That wasn't bullying," said Johnny.
Bobby didn't seem to agree nor disagree.
"So shoving me down a cliff? That wasn't bullying."
"That was messed up of me. Sure. But it was to tell you to stay the hell away from my dojo."
Daniel looked at Johnny and spoke with a strong tinge of anger. "My mom worked right across the street from it. I bet it's even still open across from where you teach every day now."
"That restaurant closed. It's like a deli or something now." Johnny waved a hand. "I think you're still so convinced that your little win during our title fight still makes you some sort of unstoppable karate master."
"Well I didn't lose our rematch to convince your psychopath of a Sensei to have a tournament to settle this."
Johnny's stool at the bar loudly scraped across the floor of the bar when he pushed it out. "Okay. I don't need to take this. I'm out. For good. See you in two weeks LaRusso at the All Valley." he finished his Coors Banquet.
"Johnny. Sit down-"
"Anywhere anytime LaRusso. You always win by just one point. I bet if we went again, I'd win."
"Johnny be reasonable here." said Bobby.
"Always the peacekeeper." Johnny chuckled. "Can't believe you'd choose LaRusso over me in all this man."
Bobby sighed as Johnny stormed off.
"Do you think that maybe you're sometimes responsible for setting him off?" asked Bobby.
Daniel shook his head quietly.
"I think Johnny's onto something. All of this could've been avoided, even back when we were kids if you just knew where and when to be snarky."
"You don't think Johnny mistreated Ali on the beach? You were there too."
"I mean." Bobby turned to Daniel. "You have to understand that constantly antagonizing Johnny would lead to some kind of response. Besides," Bobby saw the look on Daniel's face. "The incident pushing you off your bicycle."
"That's what I'm talking about though. Even as a grown man. He's following Kreese's lessons. That's why all of that is terrible. Turns everyone into terrible people."
"It hasn't. I've watched Miguel grow much stronger, not just physically. Mentally, he's more sure of himself. He even grew closer to your own daughter."
"That's what I'm afraid of. Sam going out with a Cobra Kai, even if you're his teacher."
Bobby glared at Daniel blankly. "The most I ever did to you was tripping you during a soccer match. You had a temper that was so bad you instantly punched me in the face for it."
"Are you mad about that? Over thirty years later?"
"No. I'm mad that you honestly don't have any respect at all for what I'm trying to teach Miguel."
"How can I? It's the same lessons that led to his bullies bullying him. And you and Johnny bullying me in highschool."
"I was never your bully."
"Then why didn't you quit Cobra Kai before kicking me in the knee?"
Bobby frowned.
"Minutes later after you were disqualified you quit anyway. You could've walked away from our match instead and the arena. And at least I could've faced Johnny on a healthy knee."
Bobby sighed. "I only did that because I felt I had no choice. Kreese, Johnny. All of them. They were like my family."
"Again. A family you quit minutes later."
"You really are smug you know. You and I have never honestly had a clean match."
"Because you jumped right on my knee with a kick."
Bobby looked at Daniel in surprise. "When I was seventeen Daniel. Johnny was right. You really don't know how to let things go."
"At least I'm not the one siding with Kreese."
"For the last fifteen minutes you've failed to see reason with either Johnny or myself. All I've done is tried to be fair. With you. With Johnny. And with Miguel."
Daniel turned slowly towards Bobby. "Did you ever stop and think what it was like for me?"
"Everything that happened in high school? I mean-"
"No. I mean watching you teach the same lessons all of you in Cobra Kai used against me. To Miguel. My student. You taught him how to sweep the leg, to strike hard."
"But I taught him mercy," said Bobby.
Daniel shrugged. "Still mostly the same lessons."
"Tell me you don't think what I know is best for Miguel."
"Maybe in a fight. But it's not what builds the best morals. If Miguel goes to a party or a bar when he's older and he gets into an argument. His first reaction is to fight. That's not reasonable at all. That's not what's right."
"So only Miyagi-Do. That's the only way to train Miguel."
Daniel shrugged. "When I was his age, in the exact same position he was. Miyagi-Do beat all the bullies at Cobra Kai in this tournament."
"Well it never beat me. And I don't mean that so we can have a petty rematch. I mean it for the best thing for Miguel. You're making it sound like you were forced to team up with me."
Daniel nodded. "I just said it. I had no choice."
"You know what? I've wanted to be there for Miguel this whole time. I've seen him grow muscles he didn't have a year ago. Gain discipline, and strength. Things he needs to overcome Cobra Kai. But if you still think Miyagi-Do karate is the only way to fight. The only way to live your life. Then there's no point in arguing about it. And there's no point in even bothering anymore."
Daniel frowned.
Bobby spoke. "We're done training Miguel and your daughter together. Sam and Miguel at this point will do very well without my help if it's so un-needed."
…
We were just finished with training for a few hours in the warehouse together.
We decided not to let Aisha or Tory know even though Tory and Robby weren't really together at all but might've liked each other. It was kind of our spot.
Hawk was learning skateboard tricks across the old warehouse floor, the same kick flips and other moves, from Robby, that he once taught me last year.
"Dude finals and the tournament?" Doug groaned, sipping his cola. "Glad I finished studying last week. Otherwise, I'd be too busy to do all this."
"Same," muttered Shawn.
I was scrolling through Instagram when I found a post I was surprised by.
Yasmine was throwing a party in the canyon. And there was no hint of 'VIP' or anything like that. She was just, throwing a party apparently.
I honestly didn't want to go. But was already happy to see the positive impact on Yasmine's values I was having.
I showed the post to Shawn.
"Shouldn't we be training instead?" he asked as he went over some notes for a class he had.
I shrugged. "We've been training non stop since spring break. We literally are cooling down from two hours of cardio and strikes right now." I waved a hand towards Robby and Hawk skateboarding.
"Isn't that our spot though?" asked Doug after he saw the post too. "But I guess you want a piece of Yasmine though so."
I frowned. "I don't."
"Yeah you do man. Who doesn't? She's a solid dime." Doug said.
"Do you call all girls dimes or," I said.
"Look." Doug shrugged. "She wants you man. She wants you. Fuck 'er and get it over with."
It was hard to believe sometimes that the closest comparison in my group of Cobras to the one in the eighties for Doug was Jimmy. I highly doubted Jimmy was ever like this.
"I don't need distractions before this tournament."
"Yasmine kinda sounds like the perfect distraction though, not gonna lie." Shawn chuckled.
I frowned as Doug laughed too.
"I'm not going there to drink. Got a title to defend. Gotta stay focused."
Doug smiled. "What. You mean like, women weaken legs or something?"
"Basically. I lost the first girlfriend I ever made. Turned into an asshole minutes later." I said. "If we're gonna go. We gotta do something first. The tournament's right around the corner after all."
"Luke. We're ready. We can't get much more ready than we are now."
I pointed to Doug. "On the contrary. The only day I stopped training, was the day I had to compete."
There was one more day. The date I had with Charlotte at Golf 'N Stuff.
I shook my head out of that thought and spoke. "One last drill and we can check this party at the canyon out. Just gotta stay focused, gotta stay strong. Balanced."
I spoke out. "Hawk. Robby. Come over here."
Everyone listened to what I said now.
"Sensei Kreese told me that for a three minutes karate match. You have to train for three thousand minutes. Well in the All Valley, you don't just have one match. You have several. Now we all have the cardio, technique, muscle strength, and speed necessary to fight."
I went on. "But what you all lack. Is balance. You build a good and strong center of balance and you're basically untouchable."
And moving in a circle constantly, that helps greatly with karate matches.
"You're finally teaching us Miyagi-Do?" asked Doug. "Thought you just cared about it for the kata and counters?"
"Nope. This isn't technically Miyagi-Do. This is my own style."
With help from Shawn I lifted a long wooden beam about three quarters of a foot wide and laid it between two blocks of cement less than a foot off the ground.
We had bought mats to occasionally spar and roll on so we laid them beneath to catch us in case we fell.
"Okay. This is called, crossing the log."
"So it is Miyagi-Do," said Hawk as Robby and Doug chuckled.
"It's my Miyagi-Do. My lessons. Anyway you gotta move across the whole wooden beam throwing hook kicks, punches, whatever. But if you strike or move when you're off balance, you fall. You fall, you messed up on the mat. Messed up on the mat, you lost a point."
Hawk shrugged. "Let's see you do it first."
Robby, Shawn, and Doug all nodded in agreement.
"Fine," I said.
I got onto the wooden beam acting as the wooden balancing log Daniel once trained me on and I quickly demonstrated a simple hook kick from a balanced stance.
Then a jab punch and a reverse punch to the body. Then to show how well I could keep my center of balance and how well I understood my lines and angles in a sparring match, I launched off my legs into a flying tornado kick.
And landed directly on both feet without so much as staggering.
"Now it's your turn. Remember guys. Balance. Is crucial. I already told Robby this before. Now we learn it."
…
In Bobby's house, Miguel sat down with him at a table in his house and watched videos on Bobby's iPad.
It was a highlight reel of Lucas' sparring matches the year prior against several karatekas far older and more experienced than him losing significantly against him.
The All Star Karate champion Lucas dethroned and completely defeated three to nothing in the semifinals was eating point after point against a Lucas who was merely days away from turning fifteen.
Bobby watched quietly and at the end, Miguel spoke. "So. He's super strong right?"
"The problem isn't his strength. Although. He is physically very very strong for someone that young. The problem, is his speed. That's his entire style, speed. This kid's style of karate. It doesn't technically exist, he came up with it."
Miguel groaned and leaned back in his chair.
"Until you basically learned what he did."
"Well." Miguel sighed. "Even if I could last more than a minute against him. And that's a big if. How am I supposed to combine both styles when he has twice as much experience in both as I do?"
"Daniel will help you."
"You mean. You will too right?"
Bobby frowned. "No." he said quietly.
"Are you quitting?"
"Daniel knew I just wanted to help you. But his rivalry with Johnny and his hatred of Kreese has blinded him. He's coaching you himself."
Miguel was shocked. "But half my skills you gave me."
Bobby spoke. "Do you want me to be honest with you Miguel?"
Miguel nodded.
"You never came across as a bad person. Cobra Kai. Is supposed to turn you into a bad person by design. Now, there's no such thing as a bad student. Just a bad teacher. Daniel and I, we're not bad teachers right?"
"Not at all," said Miguel.
"Well Cobra Kai's current teacher. Is the worst there is. John Kreese convinced me evil is real. His style of karate, the one I've taught you without any of the sick. Finishing your opponent's nonsense. Has made it really tough for Daniel and I to properly reconnect."
"But you apologized for what you did."
Bobby quietly muttered. "That day in the arena. Jumping on someone's knee with a kick. Watching them collapse to the mat in pain, yelling. Scarring. It was scarring to see myself injure someone that badly. All of my friends in Cobra Kai were shocked. And while I was the first one to go, I followed this man for over three years."
"Mr. LaRusso is wrong though. I need every ounce of technique I can have to beat Cobra Kai."
Bobby shifted in his seat. "I'll be honest again. You've trained in Miyagi-Do for longer than a year. All these bullies you have at your high school. I guarantee you you'll be able to beat them with what you already know. Daniel had a quarter, no, a sixth of the time you had to train."
Bobby explained. "And he beat every single Cobra Kai who ever trained in that dojo. Except for me. And I've taught you for almost a year as much as I can."
"So I have to fight with only Miyagi-Do now for basically the whole tournament probably. Just like the current champ did?"
"It'll probably be enough if you want my honest opinion."
"But these Cobra Kai guys. They're really really tough Sensei Bobby."
"You can call me Mr. Brown now."
"Think I'm sticking with Sensei."
Bobby smiled. "They might be tough. But so was Tommy, Dutch, and the rest of us."
"You were best friends with all these guys?"
"Life long brothers. And then this Kreese business tore me and Johnny apart sort of."
Bobby checked the time on his microwave.
"It's getting late kid. I'll drive you home."
"Drive me to LaRusso Auto, I had to be there anyway."
…
Daniel was trimming the bonsai he sold to customers as Miguel used the key Daniel had lent him.
"Hey Miguel. Was hoping you could help me practice this again. I know how good you are at trimming so."
Daniel watched as Miguel stood there, looking right at him.
"You know about Bobby," said Daniel.
"This exercise is great." Miguel pointed to the bonsai for a moment. "You carve out what's inside of you. Your dreams, hopes, emotions. All of it. Into your vision for the future right?"
Daniel nodded quietly.
"That's what Mr. Miyagi wanted. Right? A vision that's fair, for everyone. How can a man as fair as Mr. Miyagi ever exclude Bobby Brown? You know how good of a person he is. And always was apparently."
Daniel spoke slowly and clearly to Miguel. "That's not why I don't want Bobby to be a part of this when we face Cobra Kai on the mat."
"Then what is it? Because his karate is different? The opposite of what you teach? Because he's best friends, or used to be best friends with the guy who brought back Cobra Kai which made my bullies? Do you think I care about that?"
"I forgive Bobby. I truly do. But, this isn't why I've respectfully decided to part ways with Bobby as a co Sensei. We both agreed to it."
"Well I care alright. Forget the tournament. Forget beating Cobra Kai or my bullies. This is about doing the right thing. And without Bobby Brown. Why bother?"
"Because his karate isn't right."
"What? His karate is finally taught the right way. No bullying, no hatred. Nothing. What is your deal? What is this paranoia and hatred for all things remotely Cobra Kai. I get it was rough for you but it couldn't have been this bad."
Daniel was scowling as Miguel went on.
"That's it then. After everything Sam and I learned, he's done. Cobra Kai's going to win even if both Sam and I win the championships? That's it? Mr. LaRusso, are you listening. It's over before we've even-"
"I was scarred alright?"
Miguel frowned as Daniel looked very upset. He shoved aside the shears he used to cut bonsai.
"I was scarred by Cobra Kai. Just not only the kind you were thinking. While Bobby and Johnny. Shoved me off a bicycle and down a cliff. And broke my leg during a tournament and beat me up worse than anyone should be beaten up on Halloween. A man came into my life, and tried to separate me from Mr. Miyagi. To lead me towards Cobra Kai."
Miguel was shocked. "What? Why!?"
"He wanted to abuse me. But ultimately his goal was to show me how weak and insignificant I was compared to Cobra Kai itself. The power it gave. The skill. The strength. When I was a Cobra Kai, I was weak. I was barely eighteen when I first joined." said Daniel.
"The summer after my senior year of highschool I went on a trip to Okinawa with Mr. Miyagi. When I got back, I had to beat Cobra Kai all over again. Because I was a Cobra Kai for a time."
Miguel nodded a little.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because I'm not proud of it. Because I wasn't even supposed to be a Cobra Kai student, it was part of what you could consider a very twisted. Very violent. Very evil prank. At one point I couldn't even recognize myself or what I was doing."
Daniel gulped.
"After Mr. Miyagi led me back on the right path. I spent decades rebuilding our relationship and building a family. After Mr. Miyagi passed and Sam was too old, and, too disinterested, to keep doing karate, the most I could pass on was these bonsais." Daniel turned towards the bonsais arrayed in a large wooden table around him. "To customers who bought my cars."
"I'm going to tell you something equally as personal. While the bond you and I have formed is special. There is a reason why I can't allow Bobby to help you compete. Why anything remotely Cobra Kai is pretty off limits for me."
Miguel spoke. "I'm listening."
"All my life I wanted both Anthony and Sam to learn Miyagi-Do karate. To connect to an ancient fighting style and wisdom that saved me from bullies, and my own demons. And even saved my own life at one point. For nearly a decade, neither of my kids wanted anything to do with it."
Daniel kept speaking. "The girl of my dreams at one point was a girl named Ali Mills. She was the reason I even became a victim of Cobra Kai at all to begin with. I never saw her at all after high school after we broke up."
Miguel sat down on the wooden stool across from Daniel and listened. "I hadn't heard at all from Ali in over thirty years. And one day, the summer before last. She apparently has a son. Who flew all the way from Denver just to learn my karate."
"This kid. Brought me back to karate. Back to Mr. Miyagi's legacy. And my suspicions all along ended up being true. The entire time, he was part of Cobra Kai. Or, at the time what was left of it."
Miguel mumbled. "Lucas Schwarber."
Daniel nodded.
Miguel looked at Daniel quietly and Daniel muttered. "The same man. Who attempted to teach me Cobra Kai, and tormented me. Has admittedly very many similarities to him during the year I got to know Lucas."
"A very strange very unique kind of charisma. Not even making you realize that they're lying to you. Even their smile and their laugh. It was a bit shocking to find out what I did. And even more so when after Lucas won his tournament he decided to go directly to Cobra Kai."
"But if it meant so much to you. Why not make up with him? To prevent him from going to Cobra Kai?" asked Miguel.
"I'm not saying that. This person. Who tricked me into joining Cobra Kai. Who completely tortured and abused me. Was ever on the same level of cruel as Lucas. But the level of lying, manipulation, and conspiracy. Really bordered on that. That's exactly what I don't want happening to you."
Miguel understood. "After what happened to both of you. You don't want the same thing happening to me."
Daniel smiled lightly. "Even the tiniest bit of Cobra Kai can make you want to seek and indulge in it. Which is automatically what makes it wrong. That's why Mr. Miyagi was truly the best teacher, he never rewarded or fostered any sort of aggressive or cruel behavior of any kind in me. I know Bobby has meant well. But try as he might, he's teaching the exact opposite karate that Mr. Miyagi intended."
"So. To deal with all the traumatic parts of this for you. Miyagi-Do is basically, a therapy for you?"
"The closest thing to it," said Daniel.
Miguel sighed. "It's really disappointing Bobby won't be there to help coach. But if this is honestly what's best for you. What you want for me." Miguel picked up a pair of shears and began to trim bonsai with Daniel. "Then I'll do it. I promised to be a Miyagi-Do always. That's what I'm going to do."
Daniel smiled and the two trimmed bonsai in occasional silence together.
…
The party at the canyon actually ended up being a rather relaxed affair.
I didn't drink, neither did Robby. I was only really there to see Yasmine try to reconcile with Aisha.
When I got a chance, I struck first to try to make amends with someone I had never really apologized to for when dumping an entire tray of meatloaf and spaghetti and meatballs over during a country club social dinner.
I approached Yasmine and nodded. "Hey."
"Hey," she said after clearing her throat.
"I uh. Got you a birthday present. Since. It's your birthday."
I passed a gift box to her.
Yasmine unwrapped it and smiled. "A history of cheerleading through the ages. Old copy but um. Thanks."
"It's my mom's. I took over her old room when I moved in with my grandparents and it happened to be in one of her cabinets." I said. "Thought she might want you to have it since she was a cheer captain too."
Yasmine was slightly surprised. "Who is your mom?"
"Ali Mills."
"Wow. She's a legend in West Valley Cheer. Won several state cheer championships, was there at almost every playoff game for football and such."
"I knew she was a cheerleader just not. The cheerleader you know."
"She really was." Yasmine nodded slightly and put the book away in a fold in her jacket. "I um. Wasn't expecting anyone to remember it was actually my birthday."
I was surprised. "What?"
"Moon was the only one who remembered and got me something. Sam and I haven't talked for a bit." said Yasmine. "Just um. Thanks Schwarber."
"No problem. And sorry about calling you Bitchell for most of last semester."
"That was Char. Not you so." Yasmine shrugged.
It was Charlotte. Time to talk to someone else before I had to remember any more.
"Sure you don't wanna beer dude?" Hawk asked.
I smiled remembering this was the party where Hawk and Moon started dating.
"Hey. You know Moon?"
Hawk shrugged as I walked near him. "Yeah."
"Think she's hot?"
"Definitely."
"What's stopped you from striking first?"
"Nothing man. I was just waiting for a moment to go talk to her," said Hawk. "She's been talking to Sam and um. Anyway. Wanted to ask you real quick. What do you think of Nichols?"
"Really. That's why you're not hitting on Moon right now?"
"I don't like Tory dude. I was asking if you did."
"Well no. But why?"
Hawk teetered from side to side a little. "Because you two would kind of make perfect sense."
No. We wouldn't.
"Dude. Robby's into her. Total bro code violation."
"First off." Hawk said. "To violate bro code. You have to not wait at least a month to swoop up an ex. After they were dating officially. Officially. Robby and Tory went on like two dates and apparently, nothing else happened. That's as unofficial, and un-dating as it gets."
I was surprised.
"No way."
"I don't know what got in the way but the last time I talked to Rob he said he didn't want to talk about it. At least for now, that's over."
I spoke honestly. "I don't have time to try to get a new girlfriend."
"Who said anything about girlfriends?" Hawk smiled and nodded.
"I don't have time for that either." I sighed. "I have to win this goddamn tournament. Or else my shot at basically becoming the best All Valley karateka to ever live. Is gone."
Hawk leaned over from how hard he started laughing. I don't think he was that drunk, it seemed genuine.
He looked at me. "Luke. You already became a fuckin' legend. In a single week, you became a martial arts star for what you did at the All Valley. You owned our school overnight, you made the cover of Black Belt magazine like a week after you turned fifteen. I get you want to follow that up. But you're guaranteed to."
"No, I'm not."
"How the hell is Rhea supposed to-" He saw the look on my face. "Sorry. How the hell is Diaz supposed to ever make it past the last qualifying rounds or even the quarter finals. Let alone be able to beat Robby, or even you!?"
I actually didn't blame Hawk for underestimating Miguel this much. I was technically the only person besides maybe the rest of Miyagi-Do who knew what he was truly capable of.
From what I knew. Miguel Diaz had a maddening level of skill. If he truly had trained with Bobby and Daniel since Hawk beat up Miguel on the beach last summer.
I knew he'd be a seriously tough opponent.
"Let's say you face Robby in the finals. Most of the time when we spar, you win. Let's say you face Diaz, or Stone in the finals. Or me, Shawn, Doug, or whoever else probably makes the quarters. Again. You win."
Hawk's overconfidence was honestly going to be great to watch melt when he probably lost to Miguel.
Hawk is a great fighter. He's ranked third overall in the dojo behind myself and then Robby. But against Miguel who had his same level of experience combined with Miyagi-Do and Cobra Kai hybridized ever since he started training.
I think he was guaranteed to lose. Even Robby, as much as he never underestimated Miguel and admittedly respected him to some degree, had no idea the absurd degree of skill Miguel had.
Even after recovering from a coma, he fought an Eli Moskowitz with two years of mixed and choppy Cobra Kai, Eagle-Fang, and Miyagi-Do training. Very evenly.
"You'll see man. But I'm not going to touch booze or chicks until after the tournament."
"Alright." Hawk surprisingly nodded in respect of this. "I get it now. Well I'll make sure to line up a huge party at my place soon as we bring home the gold. Turn that faucet a little loose." he cackled, tapping me on the shoulder with the back of his hand.
Doug interrupted our conversation to show Hawk something stupid he probably just recorded on his phone.
It was then that I quietly decided to exit the party. I walked towards my bike, and put my helmet on.
I was done here. I had shed everything that left me unfocused, I had returned to what I knew best.
And even if these next two weeks weren't that much time, I would keep focusing on the tournament.
The only question now was to make a certain statement. Against Xander Stone actually and the karate norm I had broken, but a different one I made than last year.
Before I started up the engine to my motorcycle, someone approached.
"Hey there. Lucas."
I looked towards Demetri. "Hi."
"Saw you and Yasmine talking down there. Couldn't help but notice the fact that um. I already told you I liked her."
"That was ages ago. Thought maybe you moved on."
"Just because I liked her for two years without saying anything to her doesn't mean I don't like her."
I had to use a decent bit of self restraint to not laugh at this.
"What do you want man?"
"To maybe get my chance. You know. Us little guys can't compete with your. Morning news making karate trophies, and muscles. Magazine covers. And money, and popularity, and ability to silence an entire hallway by just harassing someone. Which you still haven't apologized for by the way."
I had forgotten how pathetic Demetri was for most of the entire Cobra Kai series. Especially because this was a real person I went to school with instead of a character on a screen. I adapted to this a long time ago but still.
"I was angry. In the same way you might be angry that Yasmine doesn't want to give you a shot, possibly with me in the picture. Yeah. I'm angry I lost the only girl I knew who was interested in me before I won my title last year."
Demetri smiled weakly. "Well. What about Sam?"
"What about her?"
"She liked you the month you guys met remember?"
He was there for that. Yeah.
"We've hated each other quietly for the better part of two years now. And I literally was never interested in her."
"Then maybe you have nothing at all to be angry over."
I remembered something Sensei Kreese had taught me.
"Everyone. Has something to be angry over. It's just how we process it that matters."
Demetri scoffed. "Well can you keep all your anger wisdom away from Yasmine please? I kind of. Liked her for an entire year, two years. Before you decided to make out with her last year before finals just to make a point."
"What point would that be?"
"That you can make out with cheerleaders literally right in front of football captains and no one can do anything about it. And no one will mind either."
I sighed. "To be honest. I can't make any decisions about girls at least until after the All Valley in two weeks. Until then, let the winds flow where they may." I added with a strong bit of boredom.
"What does that even mean?"
I keyed the ignition to my bike. The engine roared to life and I yelled over it. "That you gotta strike first Demetri. Shoot your shot. All this romance shit is beyond me until I successfully defend my title!"
I then made sure not to hit Demetri as I flew past him on my bike.
…
I found it pretty ironic that Sensei Kreese didn't move out of Pacoima even though he finally managed to find a place to live.
Sensei Johnny and Sensei Lawrence split dues, and there sure were a lot of them after how popular the dojo got after I won my title.
I saw him smoking a cigar near a streetlamp on a completely dead part of the street.
I walked towards him after parking my bike on the sidewalk. "Sensei?"
"Thanks for coming."
He put his cigar out under his heel before walking up a few flights of stairs of his apartment building and leaning against a railing overlooking a decent part of Pacoima.
"I wanted to talk to you. Get a proper gauge on what your thoughts are before we go to the championship on the nineteenth."
"My thoughts on what exactly?"
Kreese seemed to be in deep thought.
"You're finishing what I've started. Decades after it opened, you have people talking about Cobra Kai. I do mean this now. You are the greatest Cobra Kai student I've ever trained."
"But I've never overcome a real opponent yet in competition. Or even out of it."
"In the event this tournament ends up being a challenge for you. Somehow. I am sure you'll win. But I mean this not because of your amount of skill and dedication. Which is considerable. I mean this, because you genuinely sought Cobra Kai. Not from Johnny, however, from me. Me. The founder of it."
Kreese looked at me. "That makes me proud. Prouder than ever to call you my student from the level of loyalty you've shown."
"Well I promised myself I'd always call you my Sensei. No matter what happens."
Kreese now seemed to have no issue breaking his toughness in front of me. He smiled in front of me.
In a way I never saw him until now.
I knew he couldn't admit it. But it was probably touching to him.
"Back in the office at the dojo. I told you about your anger. I understand your apprehensions Lucas. Truly, I do. You're not an angry person at all. Which is ironic considering you were born to become a Cobra Kai. You think anger has cost you."
"Cost me with Charlotte. Cost me with Demetri. Cost me with myself."
Kreese nodded. "What are you afraid of then?"
"Fear does not exist," I muttered without hesitation.
"What do you doubt you can become then?"
"I've only met two people who I can say I respect. Because of their views on what it takes to win. What karate should be. You, and Robby. I'm worried, that Robby will betray me. He might leave the dojo, or worse. He might become my enemy."
Kreese shrugged. "Why would he do that?"
"Sensei Lawrence has made it clear that Robby most closely resembled Bobby Brown out of all the friends he had. He didn't just leave the dojo Sensei. He sided with LaRusso against us. If I become too much like Sensei Lawrence, Robby will end up where Brown is right now."
Kreese looked pensive again.
We stood there in silence for a moment.
"Never in my life did I imagine I'd be reopening Cobra Kai ever again. Let alone with a fifteen year old kid. Those days in the loading dock behind the old supermarket. Building what we would want the dojo to look like."
Kreese chuckled, looking toward me for a moment. "I did that same thing with Terry decades ago. And that failed. This championship is everything. It's redeeming those mistakes. The way I failed with Johnny. His failure at his own All Valley."
"Anger cost Johnny his title."
"It won't cost you yours. Not if you know how to apply it. Because you're a better, smarter, and more precise fighter. During your final match, with whoever you end up facing. Stone, Robby." Kreese then scoffed. "Or even Miguel Diaz, if he even makes it that far. Anger will probably hold you back unless you know how to control it. But you can use it as a weapon in the last few rounds."
I looked a bit distraught but Kreese calmed my fears. "Not to hurt or break the rules. No. I mean to strike fear into your opponents. You can always be just on the border of contact. Cobra Kai is about strength. You Lucas, have stronger strikes than anyone you'll face at the tournament. It'll just be a matter of speed and skill at that point. I don't want you to be afraid of your full potential."
I nodded.
"Don't be afraid to remind that arena that you are in fact the reigning champion. Johnny squandered his strength. Couldn't counter the most telegraphed kick possible. Partly because of my fault but still. I know you won't make that mistake."
"Sensei Lawrence insists No Mercy means No Honor."
Kreese laughed quickly and quietly.
"Does he?"
"He did mention it."
"You fight with honor Schwarber. I think you should be proud of that. But you also fight with passion. With a fire. A degree of speed, technique, and power like no other. The entire tournament last year you used the ring, you used your jab. Your counters. All your points until the finals, were off your counter attacks. You didn't truly attack your opponents until the very final match. And you knocked down that ponce of a fighter, Stone."
I nodded. He was right.
"You convinced everyone you knew that the idea. That Cobra Kai trained soulless and ruthless monsters and machines was completely simplistic. Now it's time for you to prove that. That the world was wrong about Cobra Kai being wrong. But also about Cobra Kai not having what it takes to win a tournament since 1983."
I looked right at him as he then spoke. "Do you think you can do that?"
"Yes Sensei. Yes I do."
"We planned a brumation almost two years back. Where Cobra Kai would spend time growing strength, waiting to emerge. We will emerge properly during this All Valley. It's a historic occasion. The Valley's fiftieth Under eighteen karate championships. You remember what I've taught you. And, what I've told you."
Kreese looked away from me and spoke. "And I think you just might win this."
…
The Friday night before I had to wake up and go to the All Valley I mostly relaxed.
I drank cold iced water, built a Lego set of Luke Skywalker's X-wing in my bedroom, and thought to myself.
About everything. I reflected back on the commitments I had made, the person I had become.
Above all, who Lucas Schwarber was.
I had long since passed the apex of the first two years of my training in karate. Reached levels of physical and mental prowess most professional point fighters wouldn't be able to and I was turning sixteen in only a matter of days.
I truly wanted to not go back on my word. And it terrified me more than anything.
I tried focusing on my Lego set. Just to clear my head before the tournament I had to wake up for and go to tomorrow morning.
This was Lego Set 6212.
It held a special place in my heart, because it was one of the first sets I ever played with.
It almost held a connection to me between the universes I had lived in. This was the set I had built both as a very young kid in my previous life and as Lucas Schwarber.
I looked at the little lego minifigure of my namesake that could fit in the palm of my hand.
Luke himself.
Growing up I could see myself being this standard self sacrificing hero. But the truth is I never was.
I respected Daniel LaRusso when I was given the chance to become All Valley champion. But I felt John Kreese was like a father to me.
That he wanted what was best for me. That he truly had gone through struggles I never had.
I wanted to ask him what his relationship with his father was like. Because both in my previous life and especially in this one, it wasn't all that great.
Kreese was more than a mentor to me. We had changed each other's lives for the better.
As a young kid old enough to do little more than play outside all day and build Lego sets like this. I was afraid of seeing Kreese on screen. I hated him. He was the bad guy.
I smiled, putting little Lego Luke down next to the unfinished X-wing set.
While I saw a side of Kreese probably no one alive ever did. The exterior of him, the truth was that he would alienate people.
That he was alienating people already.
He alienated Robby and Johnny. And pretty soon, the dojo might actually split at this point considering they hadn't fully agreed on the dojo's future since we reopened it a year ago.
Something had to give. And regardless of how this tournament turned out, I found it likely it would then.
I sighed and sipped from my water bottle, spinning around in my desk chair.
I had no hatred for Johnny Lawrence, no more than I did for Daniel LaRusso.
But I was proud of the fact that even fully knowing who he was, what he did, and the fact that only sign of mercy at all in John Kreese was one time in a tournament after decades of reflection. I still sought him.
I found him.
I laughed, remembering.
I found him thinking I was Jehovah's witness. That I might waste his time. That I didn't understand the way of the fist, that I didn't have what it took.
And now Cobra Kai is a part of me.
But it's not everything.
I stood up out of my chair and walked to a drawer I had.
I opened it and looked at a small fish hook.
And I think that day was ultimately one of the most touching I ever had.
It was during the rut I was having knowing lying to both Daniel and Kreese could ruin the mentorships they gave me forever.
…
On the same lake where Daniel would take Sam when she was troubled, a fourteen year old Lucas Schwarber fished with Daniel on a wooden boat.
"So. You finally managed to figure out that two legged kick huh?"
Lucas chuckled, patiently waiting for a fish to nibble on his line. "Yeah. I pulled off part of it skateboarding with Robby."
"He's still learning that Cobra Kai stuff from his father though?"
Lucas nodded slightly.
Daniel frowned. "What's the matter?"
"You considered Mr. Miyagi to be a father to you right?"
"The real one I had died when I was only eight."
Lucas glanced at Daniel. "The one I had. Couldn't even say goodbye to me when I flew into LAX from Denver at the beginning of last summer. I would see him practically once a month, maybe. He lived working in a hospital."
"What was his name again?"
"Greg Schwarber."
"So what's your point?"
"Robby's father probably didn't have the best relationship with him. I found him trying to steal from my beach club. I told him off for it, and it got him back in touch with Johnny."
Lucas raised an eyebrow slightly and looked at Daniel. "Miyagi-Do might give balance. But there's nothing more balancing than getting to know your father."
Daniel said nothing.
"It sounds like you're speaking from personal experience to know what it's like to miss out on that."
Lucas said nothing.
It was impossible for him to say anything. Just as impossible to tell his other father figure and mentor, John Kreese, that he learned karate and about life under Daniel.
"My history with Cobra Kai. Is long, and complicated. But I meant nothing by it."
"Yeah."
"Luke." Daniel smiled.
He looked at him slowly. "Yeah?"
"Get on the bow of the boat."
Lucas scoffed. "What? We're fishing."
"Mr. Miyagi always taught me this when we were fishing. Get on the bow of the boat. It'll help you perfect balance. Trust me."
Lucas put his fishing rod down and stood on the bow of the boat.
"First kata."
"Mr. LaRusso-"
"First. Kata. Close your eyes. Breathe. Focus. Just how I taught you."
Lucas did so.
"What do you hear?"
"Those geese over there. Nothing else really."
"Listen deeper."
Lucas nodded.
"The boat's rocking slightly. Even if the water's calm."
"Good. Now, start doing the kata."
Lucas began to swivel his hands around with his eyes closed, and then Daniel rocked the boat as hard as he could.
Lucas instantly fell off and went right into the water.
Daniel began laughing as loudly as he could.
Lucas swam to the side of the boat and Daniel quickly pulled him back in.
"Why'd you do that!?" asked Lucas.
"The secret to Miyagi-Do Karate. Is never knowing when you might lose your balance. Mr. Miyagi could spend hours up on that bow meditating. I couldn't move him off it with a forklift. It has to do with your stance, how you measure the rocking of the boat."
Daniel smiled, raising his hands. "You've been upset lately. But look around. The water's calm. The weather's perfect. It's a beautiful day out. You've really gotta reach inside you."
Daniel curled his hand into a fist and clasped his other hand over it. "Tighten what makes you calm. And focus."
Lucas shook himself dry like a dog and Daniel covered his face. "Okay! Okay. Okay. Back on the bow."
Lucas did so and closed his eyes again.
His face was scrunched up in concentration.
"Don't anticipate when the boat might rock. Just keep your balance."
Lucas breathed. He waited. He was calm.
When the boat suddenly rocked, he wasn't stiff. Nor loose. So he automatically readjusted his stance to stay steady.
"Good. Keep doing your kata."
Lucas had to focus on the kata. His stance. When the boat might rock.
But all he did was stay calm. He reacted. And soon, nothing Daniel could do would throw him off his spot.
Daniel chuckled. "You're a natural. Sit back down. Got something that might make this fishing trip of ours a little shorter."
Lucas smiled. "What is it?"
Daniel opened the old tackle box he had and pulled out a very old green fish hook. "Here."
"What's this?"
"The same hook Mr. Miyagi once gave me after I learned what you just did. I was nineteen, just started college. And he liked the way I kept learning that same lesson. I want you to have it. Whenever you see it. Or even take your son fishing one day. You can pass on Mr. Miyagi's wisdom too."
Lucas stared at it blankly in his palm.
"Mr. Miyagi's karate does have something almost magical to it. It's true. It's other worldly. And soothing. Strange. And I agree it works. But, does Johnny Lawrence's karate have no merit at all?"
Daniel nodded without hesitation. "Everyone who ever trained in Cobra Kai was led down the wrong path. They turned into angry, violent, and hateful people. It's done nothing but spread violence and fear for as long as I've known it. You know Mr. Miyagi told me there was no such thing as bad students. Just bad teachers. Cobra Kai's teachers."
"Were the worst there was you told me." sighed out Lucas.
"Johnny might mean well. I'm sure he does. And maybe Robby can benefit from that. Hell, at his age, I would've loved to learn any karate from my dad just like he is. But there is nothing worse about how karate can be taught than Cobra Kai. Winning, is not all there is to life. There's something more important. Always."
Lucas nodded, understanding. "Balance."
"That's the secret to Miyagi-Do. To life. To everything in balance. Think about his lake. That flock of geese." Daniel pointed towards them. "The river down the lake. Everything. It's all in some sort of harmony. Those geese, and us. Eat the fish that are swimming around in this lake. The slowest or most gullible fish might get caught."
"But people have evolved past this winner take all, survival of only the fittest, world for the fittest mentality. That's what Miyagi-Do helps you do. To grow past being a power hungry, vicious, monster. Do you get that?"
"The best way to find yourself again. To let everything just be. Is with balance."
"Couldn't have put it better myself." Daniel smiled. "There's nothing more crucial. Than balance."
…
"Nothing more crucial than balance," I muttered to myself putting the old fishhook back into its drawer.
Fishhooks, bonsai, and kata could only get me so far in life.
John Kreese and Daniel LaRusso would never understand each other. They wouldn't even be able to understand that my true goal of finding them was linked to a world where they were both fictional.
Two years in this life. I felt like I had more than grown past the manipulative, lying, and mischievous freshman who basically scammed both Daniel and Kreese out of their karate.
I had earned their trust and respect for a time. Both of them. For months.
And now I realized something.
I wanted this trophy I could earn tomorrow more than anything.
Robby and Johnny would have their reasons for leaving if they did so. And if Charlotte walked with them, it would probably devastate me.
But if I did win.
I would never forget everyone in Cobra Kai cheering with me as I became a two time All Valley champ. The first in decades.
Something that made me that happy. That almost brought a tear to my eye.
Doug Rickenberger, Aisha, Bert, Dieter, Mitch, Edwin, Big Red, Tory, Mia, Charlotte, Robby, Hawk, Shawn, Mikey Miller, Ryan, who Johnny had called Virgin even after he got his GI, and Dirk.
And Senseis John Kreese and Terry Silver cheering for me with them.
Just the thought of that happening made me happier than anything else.
The fact I could be so happy with basically all my friends cheering as I became champion again. Told me that my goal hadn't changed, but I knew I wasn't the same person anymore.
They made me happy to be their friends and student. All of them, everyone in Cobra Kai made me happy to be Cobra Kai's top student.
I wasn't expecting that when I started this journey. To become connected to people, not fictional characters anymore. But people.
People I had learned from, and had learned from me.
I wasn't technically born first within this universe. But that didn't mean any more that winning that trophy was all I still cared about. I wanted it, but I wanted more.
To properly redeem Cobra Kai's name tomorrow.
I wouldn't just fight with everything both Sensei Johnny and Sensei Kreese had given me.
I'd fight for Cobra Kai.
...
...
...
Author's Note:
Hi everyone. This is the second to last chap of the entire fanfic. I'd like to thank jerilmaster, Golden Black Dragon, monroekeishan84, Anon, and Jack for reviewing and supporting this fic to its end.
The All Valley tournament itself will be the final chapter of the whole fic. Like always, I will politely ask now and in the A/N at the beginning of next chap to absolutely listen to the OSTs now considering how fitting they can be.
I'd like to quickly address the review of a very review loyal and awesome person, Anon who has asked.
"Did he forget he was an insert in the first place?"
Lucas never stopped being an insert. He just spent two years in this world. This is a pretty huge character arc for him, think of it as. The main transition has to be of Luke as someone who is playing the world he was put into like a video game. To an actual person in that world. He initially thought this would all be straightforward and easy, swindles Daniel and Kreese for a year of their karate. Win the tournament. Profit?
In other words, he moved from being a fan of the show having no idea how or why he was there. Who was fully aware of the impact he was having on people around him, who started to enjoy and like being in that world. An observer to a character with very, very advanced knowledge.
Even though he's perfectly aware of what the consequences of everything might be. No one ever connected to Kreese on this level. He didn't even expect it himself.
Regardless, thank you all for your time, and the final chap should be out Friday or Saturday. Again, please make sure to listen to all listed OSTs if you can. And enjoy the last chapter folks, thank you all.