Chapter 48: New Motive
I step outside and rejoin everyone else at the sparring deck. Bert had just finished and was stepping off the deck.
"James-san, ready to try again?" Sensei Toguchi asks. I nod. "Then let us begin." He says. I step on the sparring deck. Sensei Toguchi looks at Miguel and Robby and they step on the sparring deck as well.
"Oh man, I can't wait to see this." The rude Miyagi-Fang student says.
"Remember deal." Sensei Toguchi says. I nod. I only needed to last ten seconds. If I managed not to get hit for ten seconds, then that would prove that I could hold my own against Cobra Kai. I get into a fighting stance along with Miguel and Robby. What could my new motive be?
"You got this, James!" Chase shouts. I look at him and see him smiling. It was nice seeing him happy despite everything that happened to him. He got his kneecap broken because I was stupid and got ambushed my Steve. He's been assaulted at the food court, alleyway, and mall and nobody had been able to do anything. He was unable to defend himself. God, if only I was there. I clench my fists. I look at Brian and think about everything I did to him. If only I could take it all back. Seeing Steve assault him made me realize just how much of an asshole I had been. I look at Miguel and picture him as Steve. However, I'm not filled with rage or crippled by fear. I'm not fighting Steve for me, I'm stopping him from bullying everyone else.
"Ready? Fight!" Sensei Toguchi shouts. Miguel runs up to me and tries to kick me in the chest. I use the 'paint the fence' movements to knock his leg down. He tries to punch me in the face but I dodge. I picture Brian on the ground. I'm the only thing that's stopping Steve from getting to him. Miguel tries to kick me in the face but I grab his leg and throw him to the side. That's when I remember Robby. Without thinking, I roll forward. Robby's foot misses the back of my head. I get up and face him. I picture him as Aaron. I picture Chase on the ground, unable to defend himself. Robby aims several punches to my face and chest but I use the drum technique to push his fists away. Robby jumps up and tries to front kick me in the face but I put up both of my arms and block it. Miguel runs up to me and tries to sweep my legs. However, I jump over his leg. Miguel gets up and attempts to roundhouse kick me in the face. I put up my arm and block. Robby attempts to punch me but I grab his arm and throw him to the side. Miguel and Robby keep trying to kick and punch me but I manage to block it all. Finally, Robby is able to kick me in the chest before Miguel sweeps my legs. However, I quickly get up.
"How long was that?" I ask.
"Twelve seconds." Sensei Toguchi says while smiling.
"Yes!" I shout. Miguel and Robby are confused as to why I'm celebrating.
"Big deal." The rude Miyagi-Fang student says.
"If you think it's so easy, why don't you come up here?" I ask.
"No thank you." The rude Miyagi-Fang student says.
"Now that you have learned how to defend yourself against multiple opponents, it's time to teach you some offense. Come." Sensei Toguchi says, motioning to me. I step off the sparring deck. "Teach other students offense. There is something I want to teach James-san." Sensei Toguchi says to Mr. LaRusso and Sensei Lawrence. They nod and I begin walking with Sensei Toguchi.
"So, what did you want to show me?" I ask.
"I teach you new technique. It will help you with taking out Cobras." Sensei Toguchi says.
"Really? What is it?" I ask.
"It's called flying double kick. It's a certain combination of moves that help take down two opponents." Sensei Toguchi says. I can't help but smile.
"Okay, I think I'm ready." I say.
Third Person POV:
Training at the Cobra Kai dojo had ended and curiosity was getting the better of Aaron. He just had to know who Tristan was. He takes out his phone and searches Tristan's full name into the search bar. What he saw made his eyes widen. He approaches Tristan.
"Hey." Aaron says.
"Yeah, what's up?" Tristan asks.
"I know what you did." Aaron says. Tristan sighs.
"I knew someone would find out. Didn't expect it to be so soon." Tristan says.
"Is it true?" Aaron asks.
"Yeah." Tristan says.
"Why?" Aaron asks.
"Let's talk outside." Tristan says. The two boys leave the dojo and walk until they find a bench. "You really wanna know why?" Tristan asks.
"Yes." Aaron says.
"You saw how I couldn't hit Sensei Kim, right?" Tristan asks.
"Yeah." Aaron responds.
"It's because she was a woman. I didn't want to hit her. It reminded me too much about how my dad would hit my mom." Tristan says before looking away.
"Oh…I'm sorry, I didn't know." Aaron says.
"It's not your fault. My dad was a piece of shit." Tristan says.
"Well, I know what it's like to have horrible parents. I…I'm not a normal kid. When my parents learned I had SPD, they abandoned me. The police found me lying in the middle of a sidewalk. I was only an infant." Aaron says.
"How did you deal with it?" Tristan asks.
"I didn't really know my parents, so adjusting wasn't really that hard. That doesn't mean I had an easy life. I got arrested a couple months back for dealing drugs. I know what it's like having to deal with the law." Aaron says.
"Yeah. Even though I was eventually released, it was still a scary process." Tristan says.
"I…I think I understand why you did what you did." Aaron says.
"It was an accident." Tristan says.
"I'm sorry for bringing all this up." Aaron says.
"No, thank you. It was actually nice to talk about this with someone." Tristan says. Aaron nods.
"I'll see you around." Aaron says before walking away.
James's POV:
I approach the rest of the Miyagi-Fangs who are all busy working on their offense.
"Miguel-san, Robby-san, step on the sparring deck." Sensei Toguchi says. They do so and I join them.
"What's going on?" Miguel asks.
"James-san wants to practice new technique he learned." Sensei Toguchi says. Robby shrugs his shoulders and gets into a fighting stance along with Miguel. I'm in the middle of the deck with Miguel and Robby on either side. I'm shaking a bit so I breathe in order to calm myself down.
"Ready? Fight!" Sensei Toguchi shouts. Miguel and Robby run at me at the same time. However, I don't move. Miguel tried to punch me and Robby tries to kick me. I quickly duck, causing Miguel and Robby to hit each other. I quickly use both my arms to elbow both Miguel and Robby in the crouch. This causes them to bend over. I quickly get up, jump and extend both my legs in order to kick both Miguel and Robby in the face at the same time.
"Oh my god! I did it!" I shout. However, Miguel quickly sweeps my legs before Robby stomps on my chest. Sensei Toguchi just laughs.
"Can't get too overconfident." He says as I groan in pain.
Later…
Training was over and I was back home.
"So, how was training?" My mom asks.
"Amazing! Sensei Toguchi taught me a new technique that lets me hit two opponents at the same time." I say.
"Sounds like you'll be using that a lot." My dad says.
"I'm not gonna go looking for fights, but I might have to use it soon." I say.
"Oh, before I forget, one of my work friends is holding a party at her place. It's going to be a barbecue in her backyard. Her house is like three times the size of ours. Anyway, she invited a lot of people, including us. Do you want to come with your dad and I?" My mom asks.
"Yeah, sure." I say.
"All right. Be ready in about an hour and a half." My mom says.
Third Person POV:
Brian was in his room playing video games when Violet walked in.
"What do you want?" Brian asks while glaring at his sister.
"Where have you been going these past few days?" Violet asks. Brian knew there was no point in hiding it as she would most likely find out anyway.
"I joined Miyagi-Do." Brian says. Violet stares at her brother in shock.
"Why? How could you?" Violet asks.
"Maybe because Cobra Kai is made up of jerks and bullies that need to be put in their place!" Brian shouts.
"Bullies? James was the one who bullied you! Now you're on his side!" Violet shouts.
"I forgave him! He saved me when I was getting beat up by the Cobras!" Brian shouts back.
"Bullshit! They told me you attacked them." Violet says.
"They're lying. Don't tell me you believe them over your own brother." Brian says.
"I'm taking the word of my dojo over you." Violet says.
"Oh my god, you've been brainwashed." Brian says.
"No, I just finally realized how Miyagi-Fang needs to be taught a lesson. If that means I have to hurt you, then so be it." Violet says.
"You'd actually hurt me?" Brian asks. Violet responds by walking out of the room.
James's POV:
We arrived at the house. To say it was massive would be an understatement. This place was huge. When we got into the backyard, we couldn't believe how big it was. There were multiple families hanging out, kids running around, and even people in the pool.
"Oh no." My mom says.
"What's wrong?" I ask. That's when I see them. The Turner family. Steve was glaring at me.
"We don't have to stay if you don't want to." My mom says.
"No, I'll be fine." I say as I continue to glare at Steve.
Third Person POV:
The Alfonso family arrived at the house.
"Is there something going on between you two?" Detective Alfonso asks. Brian and Violet have been looking away from each other. Occasionally, they would glare at each other. Detective Alfonso gives up on talking to them and exits in the car. Brian and Violet follow. The three enter the backyard.
Later…
Chase and Emma arrived at the house.
"I don't understand why you needed to bring your girlfriend." Chase's dad says.
"Dad, don't be rude." Chase says.
"I can say what I want." Chase's dad says. Chase rolls his eyes as he and Emma step out of the car. The three enter the backyard.
Later…
Terry Silver, Tristan, Aaron, and Tristan's mom step out of the limo and begin walking towards the house. When Terry invited Tristan to come with him, Tristan requested if he could bring Aaron.
"You didn't have to do this." Tristan says.
"Please, you're my guest. I want you to have some fun." Terry says. The four of them enter the backyard.
Author's Note: James, Steve, Tristan, Chase, Aaron, Emma, Violet, and Brian all in the same place? I'm sure everything will be okay. When will James use the new technique he learned? What did Tristan do that caused him to get arrested?