Chapter 49: Backyard Rumble

James's POV:

I'm sitting at a table, not taking my eyes off of Steve. We have been glaring at each other this entire time.

"So, when are you going to stop the staring contest?" My dad asks.

"I'm not gonna let Steve attack me." I say.

"I doubt he'd do it when he's surrounded by witnesses." My dad says.

"He did it at the mall! Multiple people saw what was going on but refused to help." I say.

"I don't think he'd do anything in front of his parents. I mean, they can't be as bad as him, right?" He says.

Third Person POV:

"That's the kid who assaulted Matthew?" Steve's mom asks.

"Yeah, that's him." Steve says.

"God, maybe you should go over there and kick his ass." Steve's dad says.

Later…

Things were extremely awkward at the Alfonso table.

"Okay…so does anyone want to get food?" Detective Alfonso asks. Violet and Brian say nothing and continue to look away. "Okay, I don't know what's going on between you two, but you guys need to put your issues aside for now." Detective Alfonso says.

"No! Violet has been brainwashed by Cobra Kai." Brian says. Detective Alfonso glares at his daughter.

"You're in Cobra Kai?" He asks.

"What the hell is your problem?" Violet says to Brian.

"Don't talk to your brother that way." Detective Alfonso says. Violet gets up.

"I'm gonna get some food." Violet says. Violet walks over to the food table and bumps into a familiar girl. "Emma Martin, it's so good to see you." Violet says while trying to size up Emma.

"What the hell do you want?" Emma asks.

"Nothing. I'm just here to see how you're doing at Miyagi-Fang, traitor." Violet says.

"Why don't you just back off?" Emma asks.

"Aw, is that supposed to be threatening? That's cute, bitch." Violet says. Emma clenches her fists.

"Listen, if you approach me again, I'll beat you so bad you'll wish you never joined Cobra Kai. I know two fighting styles, and you only know one. So why don't you go back to your brother. I'm sure even he can kick your ass." Emma says before walking away. Violet was fuming.

Later…

"I'm gonna go get something to drink." Steve says before standing up. He approaches the giant cooler and pulls out a soda. When he turns around, he bumps into Tristan.

"Well, look at this. We meet again." Steve says.

"Why are you acting like that?" Tristan asks.

"Like what?" Steve asks.

"Like a cheesy cartoon villain." Tristan asks. Steve glares at Tristan.

"Well…why are you acting like a…a dick?" Steve asks.

"Oh my god, you're so childish." Tristan says before reaching into the cooler.

"Oh yeah? The only reason you beat me in the dojo was because I wasn't prepared. I'm ready for round two, freak." Steve says. Tristan looks at Steve and rolls his eyes before walking away. "Hey! I'm not done with you, asshole!" Steve shouts. Tristan ignores him and walks away.

James's POV:

I was sitting at the table, looking around until I spotted Violet.

"Um, I need to go talk to somebody. Be right back." I tell my parents before standing up. I approach Violet and she glares at me.

"Why the hell are you here?" Violet asks.

"I know, you have every right to be mad at me, but I am truly sorry for everything I did to your brother. It's inexcusable." I say.

"Sorry isn't gonna undo everything. You and your friends can go to hell." Violet says.

"Violet, I may have only known you for a short time, but I know this isn't you. You need to get out of Cobra Kai while you still can. Cobra Kai manipulates you into becoming a monster. It happened to my friends Eli and Robby." I say.

"You say Cobra Kai turns you into a monster? You're in Miyagi-Do, yet you still did horrible things. You assaulted numerous Cobras and even broke one of their hands. If anything, you're the monster." Violet says.

"Violet, listen-" I begin to say.

"Is this man bothering you, Ms. Alfonso?" A commanding voice asks. I look up and am terrified to see Terry Silver.

"As a matter of fact, he is." Violet says.

"Why don't you go back to your family. Let me have a word with Mr. Evans." Terry says. Violet smirks at me and walks away. I begin breathing heavily as Terry Silver steps closer to me.

"Listen, I'm only going to tell you this once. Stay away from students. If you don't, they won't hesitate to show you no mercy." Terry says. That's when a kid I'm unfamiliar with walks up to us.

"Who's this?" The kid asks.

"Mr. Owens, this is James Evans. James, this is Tristan Owens." Terry says. Tristan and I lock eyes. For some reason, it felt like he was analyzing me. "Why don't you run along, Mr. Evans." Terry says. I quickly walk away in the direction of the pool.

Third Person POV:

Mr. and Mrs. Evans were sitting at the table until Terry Silver joined them.

"May I sit here?" Terry asks.

"Um, sorry, who are you?" James's dad asks.

"Sorry, I'm Terry Silver. I'm here to talk about your son." Terry says.

"Our son? What about our son?" James's dad asks.

"You may not know this, but I run Cobra Kai. You're son has been terrorizing my students." Terry says.

"What are you talking about?" James's mom asks.

"Oh, you didn't know? Your son has been assaulting Cobra Kai students for no reason. He attacked four students at the water park, splitting one of their heads open. He attacked another four students at the arcade, bashing one guy's head into an arcade machine. He also ambushed two of my students who were walking down the street and broke one of their hands." Terry says.

"What?! That's not true!" James's mom says.

"I'm afraid I have proof." Terry says before pulling out his phone. He scrolls through photos, showing all the injuries that James caused to the Cobras. "That's not even the worst part. Your son relentlessly bullied one of my students. This kid was assaulted twice and locked in a dumpster. I just thought you should know." Terry says before standing up and walking away. Mr. and Mrs. Evans were shocked. They couldn't believe everything they just saw and heard.

James's POV:

I stood by the pool until my longtime bully approached me.

"Hey, pussy." Steve says. I was fed up with Steve's crap by this point.

"You know what, Steve? Why don't you just jump into the pool and drown." I say.

"What the hell did you just say?" Steve asks.

"You heard me. The world would be a better place without you." I say. Steve clenches his fists. "That reminds me, you seem to have a bad relationship with pools. Remember the house fight and prom? Beating you was so easy." I say. Steve was staring daggers into me. "You know what else was easy? Beating you at the All Valley. That made me realize just how pathetic you were. You act all tough, but in reality, you're a sad, lonely man who bullies people for attention." I say. Steve was shaking at this point. "Beating you up right now, would be as easy as beating up your brother was. Matthew screamed so much when I hit him. Maybe you'll do the same." I say while getting in Steve's face. Steve screams and picks up his hand to punch me in the face. However, I quickly block it. People were now staring at us. I knew exactly what to do. I put Sensei Toguchi's lesson to use and block all of Steve's hits. He tries to kick me in the chest. I block. He tries to punch me in the face. I block. He tries to sweep my legs. I back up. I make sure not to use any offense.

"Attack me you son of a bitch!" Steve screams. However, before Steve can throw another punch, Brian runs up behind him and pushes him into the pool. "Why the hell am I always falling into pools?!" Steve screams. I have to turn my head to hide my laughter.

"Are you okay?" Brian asks.

"Never better." I say. Everyone had just seen Steve start a fight. I just proved to everyone at this party that Steve was an aggressive asshole.

Third Person POV:

"I'm going to be inside. I want to have a word with the hostess. I'm going to have a long talk with you when we get home." Detective Alfonso tells his daughter. Violet nods as her dad leaves the table.

Later…

"So, how's the party so far?" Tristan asks.

"Eh, it's okay. I don't think this is really my scene." Aaron says. That's when he spots Chase. "I think I know how to make things more interesting." Aaron says while approaching Chase.

"Oh, goddammit." Chase says as he sees Aaron approaching him.

"What? Not happy to see me?" Aaron asks. Chase tries to walk past Aaron but Aaron sticks out his leg, causing Chase to trip. He quickly gets up.

"What the hell is your problem?" Chase asks.

"What? I just wanted you to stay." Aaron asks.

"Screw you. Unless you actually want to start a fight in front of all these people, I suggest you walk away right now." Chase says. Aaron smiles before punching Chase right in the face.

"Boom, baby!" Aaron shouts. Everyone was now staring at them. Chase throws two punches which Aaron is able to block. Chase tries to kick Aaron in the face, but he ducks. Chase then tackles Aaron to the ground and prepares to punch him when Tristan pulls him away. Tristan punches Chase in the face twice and then pushes him to the ground. This is right when James and Brian arrive back from the pool.

"Hey! Don't touch him!" James says as he runs at Tristan. James attempts to punch Tristan, but he dodges. Tristan knees James in the chest and punches him in the face. James throws a roundhouse kick which Tristan is able to catch. He then throws James to the ground. Aaron takes the chance to continue fighting Chase. He manages to kick Chase in the chest before he himself is kicked in the back.

"Don't touch my boyfriend you jerk!" Emma shouts.

"Hey!" Violet says before running up to Emma. Violet throws a front kick to Emma's face which she is able to block. Violet tries to elbow Emma in the face, which is blocked. She then manages to punch Emma in the chest. Emma responds by kneeing Violet in the chest and then sweeping her legs. Brian was watching the chaos unfold, not knowing who to help. That's when Steve runs up and tackles Brian to the ground.

"You thought you could just get away, asshole?" Steve says before punching Brian in the back of the head. Tristan was still fighting James and was winning. James tries to throw a punch but Tristan catches it and bends James's arm down. This causes James to go down slightly, giving Tristan the chance to knee James in the face. Tristan then delivers a left hook into James's head before kicking his left leg out from under him. All the parents and kids were watching this rumble unfold.

"Hey! Stop! Let go of our son!" James's mom shouts.

"Yeah! Kick his ass Steve!" Steve's dad shouts. Terry Silver was sitting down, sipping some wine while smiling. Detective Alfonso re-enters the backyard to see everyone, including both his kids, fighting.

"Everyone, stop!" Detective Alfonso yells at the top of his lungs. This causes all the fighting to stop. "I've about had it with all this rivalry bullshit. If you all don't cut the crap, I'm gonna arrest everyone! Do you understand?!" Detective Alfonso yells in a loud but commanding voice. All the kids sheepishly nod before Detective Alfonso approaches his two kids. "You two are in so much trouble." He says. James looks between Tristan and Steve before walking back towards his parents. Chase and Emma leave together as Aaron glares at them.

"What a show." Terry says.

Author's Note: I hope you guys enjoyed that small rumble. I'm saving the big fights for later. Tensions are at an all time high with all these rivalries. Will it ever go away? James finally got back at Steve in a small way. What will Steve do in response? James and Tristan got their first interaction and fight, which was fun to write. How will Tristan handle Miyagi-Fang in the future? Will Chase ever be able to stand up to Aaron? Will Emma ever be able to beat Violet? Will Brian ever become a more confident fighter? What will James's parents do now that they know everything that their son did to the Cobras? What will Detective Alfonso do now that he knows Violet is in Cobra Kai?