Lucia Zhena Uzha had moved to west valley high school after Christmas break. She is the daughter of Viktor and Alina Uzha, property owners. She was used to moving around as her parents always had different job opportunities. It's happened so many times she doesn't even care anymore, but they had promised this was the last time, so she can enjoy her last few months of school uninterrupted.
Monday 4th January 2021
Lucia had been introduced to the high school she would spend the rest of her teenage months by some proper freshmen that didn't seem to be blending in even after several months at school, showing her the 'impressive facilities' and her classrooms.
She wasn't the nerdy type, or the popular type; just the normal type...or at least she thought until she noticed everyone and everywhere talked about karate ALL the time. What was this school's obsession with karate?
During PE she managed to make some half friends as she helped the girls team wins against the boys. The girls seemed nice here, unlike her last school where they were all popular spoiled brats that were scared of the ball.
"That new girl, she's really good." Hawk said towards Robby as the rest of the guys walked off after the match.
"She seems like a natural," Robby replied, catching Hawks eye, wondering if he was thinking the same thing as him. "Do you reckon she would do karate?"
"She kicked our asses at dodgeball. And we need more girls in the dojo, so either way we have at least try; otherwise Kreese won't be happy." Hawk shuddered at the thought.
Lucia was heading towards the changing room when some cute boys approached her.
"Hey, I'm Robby. And this is Hawk," the brown-haired boy introduced himself and his fancy haired friend.
"Hello, I'm Lucia."
"Nice to meet you Lucia," he smiled and flashed some pearly whites at her. "We were wondering if you would be interested in joining our Karate dojo, Cobra Kai?"
"Oh, so you do karate?" Lucia started but then remembered where she was. "Never mind that, everyone at this school seems to have an obsession with karate."
"Well, it's pretty dope," Hawk spoke up for the first time. "There's a lot of history about it back from the 80s and it's been brought back, there are other karate dojos in the area but we're the most badass and our Sensei is a legend."
"Your what?" Lucia questioned. What on earth is a Sensei?
"Our teacher, Robby cut in. "He's the best out there. There is an all valley tournament for karate and they have recently added an all-girls section so we need more girls on our team so we can win for sure."
"This sounds all very interesting, but I've only just moved here and I don't know how I feel about this city's obsession with karate."
"Hey, listen. You were great back there. As our Sensei would say, you're a natural cobra. I saw the look on your face when you got someone out, you're really competitive and our dojo really needs someone like you. Please consider it Lucia." Robby had just completely boosted her ego and she didn't really know what to say so she stood there until they started to walk away.
If they needed someone competitive and could win, then they had the right person.
"Hey, wait up," She called after them. "I'll join, when is it?"
Their faces both lit up and Robby flashed her another one of those pearly smiles. "Give me your number and I'll send the details. Oh, and I think you should know that not everyone gets accepted, you have to prove your worth to Sensei by fighting someone." he explained.
"I can do that." Lucia reassured the boys she would show up and they said their goodbyes until later.
16:40 Cobra Kai dojo
Hawk and Robby were the first ones there and went straight to Kreese.
"Sensei, great news." Robby said.
"Yes?" Kreese drawled.
"We've got 5 new recruits. 3 boys and 2 girls."
"That is good news, are they any good though?" He asked.
"We think so, the boys came to us as a group and they do some sports outside of school so they should be good. One girl said she always wanted to join but her parents only just gave her the green light and then ther-" Robby was interrupted by Hawk cutting in.
"This new girl at school, Lucia, she's perfect for us." Hawk said excitedly
"And why do you say that?" Kreese asked, intrigued.
"She completely kicked our asses at dodgeball, you should've seen how hard she hits and how easily she dodged us. She's really competitive and I think she might be better than a lot of the guys here." Hawk was pouring it all out to Kreese.
Kreese chuckled and nodded in understanding, "We'll see."
17:00 Cobra Kai Dojo
Lucia and her new half friend Elle as well as 3 boys she didn't know yet walked into the dojo to be greeted by a circle of mainly boys and one girl all dressed in what she assumed were karate robes. Their teacher was stood facing towards them at the far end of the circle, looking right to left at the boys and Elle and then settling his serpent like gaze on her, lingering for a few seconds before he looked away and started to speak.
"Welcome to Cobra Kai. I'm Sensei Kreese. And I'm pleased to see new faces as the all-valley tournament is only 5 months away and we need all the power we can get." Kreese said. "However, you need to prove your worth and gain a spot on the team."
"You first." Kreese pointed at the boy on the far right. "Take off your shoes and take your place on the mat. Hawk, you're up."
She watched as the boy came up to Hawk who she had met earlier and bowed under Kreese's instruction. The fight started by the unnamed boy swinging first and Hawk dodging him. The rest of the fight was a blur but in no time was the boy on the floor, clutching at his side in pain.
"Not good enough." Kreese simply stated. "Off the mat mister."
The boy gaped at him before scurrying off the mat and straight out of the dojo.
Lucia hadn't realised how strict this Sensei Kreese was going to be. If she got pared against Hawk then how would she win if some bulky dude couldn't take him down? What had she gotten herself into...
The next boy also failed and Kreese was starting to look a bit mad. "Boy 3, I hope you have what it takes because I don't want my time wasted any longer." Kreese said. Yep, he was definitely mad.
Luckily the third boy managed to take down Hawk. "What's your name kid?" Kreese asked.
"Jacob" he said.
"Welcome to Cobra Kai, take your spot on the team."
Next was Elle, who was basically evaporating from nerves at seeing the others take on the team's wrath.
"Okay, first girl, show me what you've got. Tory, you're up." Kreese commanded.
Lucia could see that Elle was basically melting under that Tory girls' gaze. She had to admit, the girl seemed intimidating but everyone had their weaknesses so she wasn't too worried.
The fight was pretty much how Lucia thought it would go. Elle had stormed out the dojo barely containing her tears. Yikes.
"Now you," Kreese looked at her. "You must be Lucia." He said.
"Uh, yes sir." Had the boys told him about her? Why not the other 4? Interesting.
"Take your place on the mat, Lucia."
She had already taken her shoes off and walked into the circle, opposite Tory. The girl was staring at her as if she had a huge mole on her face. What was her problem?
They bowed, maintaining the eye contact with what seemed like such strong hatred you would be surprised to know that they had just met. The fight started by Tory trying to kick her in the face but Lucia dodged, striking Tory at the side. Lucia defended some hits here and there before Tory managed to strike her in the face, she didn't flinch though, but Tory had definitely hit a nerve and Lucia started to double her efforts and in no time had she punched her so hard in the stomach that Tory fell backwards by the feet of Kreese.
"Well, what do we have here?" Kreese said. "A new female champion maybe? Take your spot on the team, Lucia." He looked at her for a few seconds before walking to the front.
"We now have two new students in Cobra Kai, making us stronger than ever before. Whilst they may not be as experienced as the rest of you, they will be training at the same level. I expect you all to put in enough effort so you are improving every day. Do I make myself clear?" Kreese said as he looked around the room to each individual student, his gaze lingering on me and Jacob.
"Yes Sensei." The class chanted at the same time, Lucia catching on and joining in at the last second.
The rest of the evening went by pretty fast. Lucia had learned some basics of karate from Robby and Hawk, who seemed the nicest there. It was quite tense though; she could feel Tory's eyes on her as she talked to the boys. She completely understood her, if someone had taken the crown from Lucia she would be pissed as well.
18:00
After the class had been dismissed, Lucia went to explore the place and found a workout area as well as a bathroom and office. She decided to blow off some steam before heading home so she went to the punching bags and practised what she learned today.
Kreese had just done some paperwork for his new students and went to do his daily workout when he spotted Lucia in his spot. Instead of approaching her though, he just leaned against the door frame and watched her practise. The boys were right, she really was good. Even though she had no experience with karate; she had taken down his current female champion with ease. Natural Cobra.
Lucia had given up on doing the new karate and was just punching the bag as she pleased when she felt like someone was watching her. Turning to look around, she locked eyes with Sensei Kreese.
"Are you watching me?" Lucia asks.
Kreese regards her for a moment before unfolding his arms and striding towards her. "I'm just observing my new student." he says simply.
"Oh."
"Your form could use a bit of help. Spread your legs further, elbows in." He said as he touched her elbows and brought them slightly closer together. "Feel a difference?"
"Yeah, I do actually. Thank you."
"Thats what I'm here for Lucia. I'd like to see how much you've learned today." He said and stood opposite her. "Hit me."
"Umm, do I have to?" Lucia asked uncertainly.
"What's wrong, scared to hit an old man?" he teased. "Show no mercy Lucia."
As you wish, Luciu thought as she struck her fist just for it to be smacked away. She tried a few different tactics but didn't manage one hit on him. Then she tried kicking and Kreese, instead of dodging her foot, caught it. He was just holding it as she tried to hold her balance on one foot.
"Now what?" he asked.
She tried to kick towards him but he manoeuvred her foot sideways so she spun away from him and fell at his feet.
"Nice try." He chuckled as he stretched his hand out to pull her up. Lucia had something else in mind though. She took his hand and pulled it down so he landed on the floor in front of her and she climbed on top of him to stop him from moving.
"Gotcha." she said.
Before Lucia could register what was happening, she was flipped upside down with Kreese on top of her, his hands at both sides of her head.
"I've never seen that karate move before, care to explain?" he breathed towards her.
Lucia was so flustered she couldn't even answer. She hadn't ever been this close to a man before, and this man was intimidating as hell. What was she thinking doing that to her Sensei?
Kreese saw her reluctance to speak and chuckled to himself before lifting off of her. He stood and once again extended his hand for her to take. He had this glint in his eye, as if daring her to do something again.
There was no way she was going to pull him down again after that, so Lucia gently took his hand and allowed him to pull her up.
"You did well today, I look forward to seeing you tomorrow." He nodded at her and left.
What an odd interaction. Sensei Kreese was quite a teacher. She wasn't sure if the word 'legend' works for him though, as Hawk had called him. Seems as if he is hard on everyone and will only respect you if you are good enough.
Lucia understood the hype about the karate now. It was so rewarding to beat someone, although quite humiliating if you lose. That's why Lucia vowed to train harder than she had ever done anything else to win this tournament thing.