Chapter 17: Progression
James's POV:
When I make my return to Miyagi-Do, I notice one big difference. Hawk is here.
"Hawk? What are you doing here?" I ask.
"I'm here to support my binary brother." Hawk says while looking at Demetri.
"Glad to hear you've joined the team. So…do you go by Eli now…or?" I ask.
"It doesn't matter." Eli says with a smile.
"Cool." I say.
Third Person POV:
The Cobras were warming up before the Sensei's arrived. Chase has shown massive growth in the few days he's been in Cobra Kai. Being a natural athlete, he doesn't get as winded as everyone else. Also, being on the taller side also has its advantages. Right now, Chase is in the back room, sparring with Robby. Chase attempts to kick Robby in the face, but he easily blocks it. Robby quickly goes in to punch Chase in the face, but he puts up both of his arms to block it. However, this leads to Chase's body being completely exposed. Robby quickly uses his other hand to punch Chase in the chest.
"I got another point." Robby says.
"Dammit." Chase says.
"Try not to leave one place in your body completely unguarded. Let me teach you some defense." Robby says. Chase spends a lot of time with Robby learning two moves. First, Chase is taught wax on, wax off. When he has gotten better at it, Robby also teaches him the drum technique. With both of those moves, Chase has gotten better reaction time, and better blocking technique.
"I'm tired, I need to take a water break." Chase says. Robby nods and Chase leaves the back room. He left his water bottle by his shoes at the front entrance. However, before he can get to it, he overhears Steve and Kyler talking.
"I can't believe how well your plan worked. Using Chase to hurt James and then getting him to join Cobra Kai, I didn't think you could pull it off." Kyler says.
"Yeah, now that's twenty bucks you owe me." Steve says. Chase can't believe what he's hearing. "The dude is so gullible. He broke the second his girlfriend dumped him. Thanks for giving me the idea to make that post by the way." Steve says. That's when Chase realizes everything. Steve was the one who made those posts, not James. Steve is the one responsible for making Chase's girlfriend break up with him. Steve lied when he said James wanted to fight him at the skatepark. Everything was orchestrated by Steve. Chase was just a pawn. Chase angrily approaches Steve and Kyler
"You son of a bitch!" Chase shouts. He punches Steve in the face and he falls over.
"Dude, what the hell?" Kyler says. Chase ignores him and begins yelling at Steve.
"You used me! This whole time I thought you were my friend! You just used me to hurt James!" Chase shouts. Steve actually looks nervous.
"What the hell are you talking about?" Steve asks, playing dumb.
"I heard everything that you said. I'm going to tell everyone at school that you were the one who posted those horrible things on James's account." Chase says.
"What the hell is going on?" Tory says as she approaches Chase. Robby has now also headed into the main room.
"You guys are insane. I'm leaving." Chase says. Before he can leave, all of the Cobras stand in front of him.
"You're not going anywhere." Steve says. Tory kicks Chase in the chest and he stumbles back. Kyler attempts to grab both of Chase's arms, but Chase easily escapes his grasp. Chase then kicks Kyler in the face, knocking him down. When Tory goes to punch him, Chase uses wax on, wax off, to block the punches. However, Steve sweeps both of Chase's legs and he falls to the ground. Steve, Kyler, Tory, and Robby pin Chase to the ground.
"We don't treat traitors nicely around here." Steve says with a sadistic smile.
James's POV:
"Hey James? You okay?" Mr. LaRusso asks. I guess I couldn't hide the worry in my eyes.
"I…I did something…horrible at school." I confess.
"What did you do?" Mr. LaRusso asks.
"I don't want to say. I just got mad…and I did it. But that's not that worst part. I actually enjoyed doing it." I say.
"Well, what do you think brought this on?" Mr. LaRusso asks with concern on his face.
"I…I'm just tired of Steve pushing me around. Let's face it, I'm never gonna be as good as everyone, but I just wish I could be good enough to beat Steve. I'm worried that he'll continue to attack me after the All Valley, and I won't be able to protect myself. I don't want to end up in the hospital again." I say. Mr. LaRusso pauses for a moment before speaking.
"Stay after class." Mr. LaRusso says. I'm confused but I don't complain. After the rest of the Miyagi-Dos leave, Mr. LaRusso begins talking again. "I'm about to show you a move that nobody else can do. Not Sam, not Demetri, not Eli, not even Miguel." Mr. LaRusso says. I'm extremely nervous now.
"Uh, what is it?" I ask.
"Before I show you, just know, only use this move if absolutely necessary. Like if you're getting attacked by Cobra Kai. I'm not even sure if you can do this move during the All Valley." Mr. LaRusso says.
"Uh…okay." I say.
"Promise me that you'll never use it aggressively?" Mr. LaRusso asks.
"Yeah, I promise." James says.
"I'm gonna teach you…the Miyagi pressure point technique." Mr. LaRusso says.