Chapter 47: Intense Sparring

Third Person POV:

It was a new day and a new chance for Steve Turner. He was once again at the Cobra Kai dojo. He entered just as training was about to begin. To his surprise, he saw more sensei's than just Terry Silver.

"Mr. Turner, back again so soon?" Terry asks.

"I want to rejoin Cobra Kai." Steve says.

"Did you not understand what I told you last time?" Terry asks.

"I'll do anything. Whatever test you make me do, I'll pass with flying colors! Just let me prove my worth." Steve says.

"You have nothing to prove. No matter what you do, I will never let you back into this dojo." Terry says. Steve couldn't hide the anger that was beginning to form on his face. He looks around at all the Cobras.

"None of your students here can beat me. I'm the best shot you have at taking down Miyagi-Fang." Steve says.

"That's not true. You're not the strongest here." Terry says.

"Prove it! Pick a student to fight me! I'll beat them in a heartbeat!" Steve shouts. Terry laughs.

"Alright, we'll do things your way. Mr. Owens." Terry says. Tristan stands up and approaches Steve.

"Who the hell is this guy?" Steve asks.

"Mr. Owens joined us just yesterday." Terry says. Steve chuckles.

"Oh, this is gonna be easy." Steve says. The two get in a fighting stance. "Bring it on, asshole." Steve says while smirking. Tristan just stares at him.

"Fight!" Terry says. Tristan runs up to Steve, jumps up while spinning, and delivers a powerful kick into his face. Tristan then knees Steve in the chest and delivers an uppercut to his jaw. Steve stumbles back.

"Alright, you're dead." Steve says. He runs up and aims two front kicks towards Tristan's face. He blocks the first one and catches the second. Tristan elbows Steve's knee and he yelps in pain. However, Tristan doesn't stop. He elbows Steve's knee two more times before letting go. Steve falls to the ground and struggles to get up. "What kind of bitch move was that? Too scared to actually fight so you target my leg?" Steve asks. Tristan glares at Steve. Steve attempts to punch Tristan in the face but he grabs his arm. Tristan punches Steve in the face, elbows his arm, elbows his neck, then punches him in the face one more time. Tristan lets go and sweeps Steve's legs. Steve collapses to the ground in pain. Tristan stomps on his chest then stomps on his throat. Tristan lets Steve get back to his feet before delivering a roundhouse kick to his face. Steve collapses to his knees and Tristan knees him in the face. Steve hits the ground and Tristan gets on top of him. Tristan repeatedly punches Steve in the face over and over again. Tristan then picks Steve up and punches him in the face again. Tristan finishes him with a spinning back kick to the chest. Steve collapses to the ground, moaning in pain.

"Prick." Tristan says before walking back to his spot next to the other Cobras. He wanted to go further, but he knew he couldn't. If only this fight didn't have an audience. Aaron, Kenny, and Kyler stare at him in shock.

"Dude, that was…intense." Kyler says. Tory, Devon, and Violet were also shocked.

"How did he do that?" Violet asks.

"He's definitely got speed." Tory says. Steve eventually stands up, humiliated.

"Screw you guys!" Steve says before running out of the dojo.

James's POV:

I arrive at the dojo and realize that besides Sensei Toguchi, I'm the only one here.

"Sensei, where is everyone else?" I ask.

"I told them come five minutes late. I talk with you first." Sensei Toguchi says.

"Okay, what did you need?" I ask.

"Answer honestly. Your answer determine what we learn today. What is the biggest problem when it comes to bullies?" Sensei Toguchi asks.

"Well, It's not just Steve I have to deal with. I've been getting jumped by multiple Cobras at once." I say.

"Then that is what we will practice. How to defend yourself against multiple attackers." Sensei Toguchi says.

Later…

Eventually, Mr. LaRusso, Sensei Lawrence, and the rest of the Miyagi-Fang students arrive.

"So, why did you want us to come late?" Sam asks.

"I wanted to talk with James. See what major problem Cobras present. Today, each of you will spar with two opponents trying to attack you at once. We prepare when multiple Cobras attack." Sensei Toguchi says.

Later…

The top students got to go first. Miguel, Robby, Eli, Sam, and Demetri were obviously the best and didn't need much improvement besides extending their kicks more. Next up was me.

"So, who are my opponents?" I ask. Sensei Toguchi looks at the Miyagi-Fang students.

"Miguel-san, Robby-san." Sensei Toguchi says. Everyone looks surprised.

"Woah, are you sure this is a good idea?" Mr. LaRusso asks.

"No offense James, but you're…James." Sensei Lawrence says. Sensei Toguchi simply nods his head. Miguel and Robby step on the sparring deck.

"I'm not sure about this." Miguel says.

"Yeah, is this really necessary?" Robby asks.

"To prepare for Cobras, one needs to go against best. James-san needs to learn hard way. Go all out." Sensei Toguchi says.

"All out?" Miguel asks, surprised. Sensei Toguchi nods. I'm extremely nervous as I get in a time fighting stance. "Sorry." Miguel says as he and Robby get in a fighting stance.

"Ready? Fight!" Sensei Toguchi shouts. Miguel runs at me at an insane speed and tries to hit me in the face with a flying side kick. I doge but that's when Robby sweeps my legs. He then punches me in the chest. I'm groaning in pain as Miguel and Robby go back to their spots. "Again!" Sensei Toguchi shouts. Robby runs at me and I block his front kick. However, he hits me in the face with a roundhouse kick. Miguel kicks the back of my right knee, making me collapse to my knees. Miguel then knees me in the face, making me hit the ground. "Again!" Sensei Toguchi shouts. Miguel runs up to me and tries to punch me in the face but I block and grab his arm. However, he uses his free arm to elbow my arm and then my face. He then punches me in the chest, making me stumble back. Robby kicks me in the back making me fall back into Miguel. Miguel then kicks me in the chest, sending me flying off the sparring deck. I can hear some of the Miyagi-Fang students laughing and I can't help but think of Steve. I reluctantly get back on the deck.

"I think that's enough." Mr. LaRusso says. Sensei Toguchi ignores him.

"Again!" he shouts. Miguel and Robby run up to me at the same time. Miguel delivers a roundhouse kick into my face while Robby sweeps my legs. I collapse to the ground in pain. I can hear more of the Miyagi-Fang students laughing now.

"Jesus, what a pussy!" I hear one of them say.

"What the hell did you just call me?!" I shout while standing up.

"Oh, I'm so scared!" The student says while putting his hands up. Him and a few more students continue to laugh. I clench my fists and step off the sparring deck.

"Hey! Where are you going?!" Mr. LaRusso shouts. I ignore him and step inside.

Third Person POV:

Training in the Cobra Kai dojo was running smoothly. Tristan was working on the punching bag. Sensei Kim was observing him. She couldn't help but notice the slight smile on his face.

"Owens! Come with me." Sensei Kim says. Tristan follows her to the corner of the dojo. "Do you think you're good?" she asks.

"Well, not to brag, but I think I'm the best student you have." Tristan says confidently.

"So, you think you know everything?" Sensei Kim asks.

"No offense, but I don't think there's anything new you can teach me." Tristan says.

"Let us see. Hit me." Sensei Kim asks. Tristan tenses up.

"Excuse me?" Tristan asks.

"I asked for you to hit me? Are you afraid?" Sensei Kim asks.

"Uh…no." Tristan says while getting into a fighting stance. However, he couldn't stop himself from shaking.

"Go ahead." Sensei Kim says. Aaron couldn't help but notice what was going on. Tristan just stood there, a pit forming in his stomach. He couldn't bring himself to hit her. Sensei Kim responds by delivering a spinning back kick into Tristan's face. She then sweeps his legs and steps on his throat. "I'm not planning on showing you mercy, neither is your opponent. You need to wake up and realize that no matter who your opponent is, you show them no mercy." Sensei Kim says while stepping off of Tristan. Tristan gasps for air before standing back up. "You still have a lot to learn." She says. As Sensei Kim leaves, Aaron approaches Tristan.

"Hey man, you good?" Aaron asks.

"I'm fine." Tristan says before walking away.

James's POV:

I'm staring at the picture of Mr. Miyagi, hoping that somehow, I could figure out what to do. That's when Sensei Toguchi enters the room.

"Hey, sorry for storming off like that. I just needed a break." I say.

"I understand." Sensei Toguchi says. I look down at the ground.

"No matter what I do, I will never be able to stand a chance against Miguel and Robby. I tried to fight Miguel once and I couldn't even get a hit in when he wasn't going all out. Now you want me to fight him and Robby at the same time? It's impossible." I say.

"Let me ask question. What motivates you to fight?" Sensei Toguchi asks.

"Standing up to my bullies." I say. Sensei Toguchi shakes his head.

"That not true. What is true motive?" He asks.

"I…I don't know." I confess.

"When you beat bullies, how do you feel?" Sensei Toguchi asks.

"Powerful." I say.

"When bullies beat you, how do you feel?" Sensei Toguchi asks.

"Weak, pathetic, like I should have never existed." I confess.

"When Miguel and Robby beat you, when the others laugh at you, you feel those emotions?" Sensei Toguchi asks.

"Yeah. It reminds me of Steve. Every time someone beats me, I think of Steve and everything Cobra Kai has done to me." I say.

"So your true motive is to retain power. You wish to be powerful?" Sensei Toguchi asks. I nod.

"I wish I could just be stronger than everyone. I hate how there are people out there who are stronger than me, who can beat me." I say.

"This include Miguel-san and Robby-san?" Sensei Toguchi asks. I reluctantly nod.

"Every time they landed a hit on me, I realized how pathetic I was." I say.

"You're not pathetic, you just need different motive." Sensei Toguchi says.

"A different motive?" I ask.

"Yes. Something besides power that encourages you to fight." Sensei Toguchi says.

"And what is that motive?" I ask.

"Only you can figure that out." Sensei Toguchi says. I nod. "I make you deal. You pass exercise if you can not get hit for ten seconds." He says.

"Ten seconds?! I can't even last three!" I say.

"Don't think like that. Think about different motive." Sensei Toguchi says as he begins walking outside.

"Wait! Even if I do manage to beat my opponent, I might accidentally go too far. How do I know when to show mercy?" I ask.

"Sometimes, mercy isn't for your opponent, it's for you. It shows yourself that you're not a monster. It shows, unlike your opponent, you have honor. If you show mercy to even worst enemy, then you prove your true strength." Sensei Toguchi says before walking away. I just stand still for a while, thinking about his words.

Author's Note: I really enjoyed writing the conversation between James and Chozen. I can't wait to develop that relationship further. What else could Chozen teach James? It was nice that Steve got his ass kicked.