Chapter Four: Confusing Times
…
I walked home watching my mom sit on the couch sipping tea. She looked troubled.
"You okay ma?" I asked.
"Where were you?"
"I was. At Miyagi-Do."
Mom was confused. "I thought you were a Cobra Kai."
"There'll never be any doubt about that. But I needed to hash some things out. Is something bothering you?"
Mom shook her head. "No. There's great news. As well as some, not so great news?"
I watched Mom smooth out her long blonde hair. "What's the matter?"
"I'm pregnant. With Johnny's child."
I was too shocked to say anything.
"H-How. Why. What are you going to do?"
"I have two choices the way I see it." Mom started. "Either leave and not get married to Johnny. And stay, and marry him."
"Marry Johnny Lawrence? The lowest rated Uber driver in the Valley? Are you kidding me?"
"No. Mom and Dad said that I'm long past the age where I can make my own decisions, but if we stay here. I have to follow their rules."
I scoffed. "Then screw their rules. You more than make enough money as a doctor to find our own place."
Mom shifted uncomfortably on the couch.
"What?"
"Luke I think I want to marry Johnny."
"Why!?" I barked.
"Because it'd be good for me. And it'd be good for you too."
I was shocked. "How would this be good for me?"
"Luke Johnny's family and friends have all been devastated by your karate dojo. People have been beaten, betrayed, had their hearts broken. All of it over a stupid rivalry during my highschool years. This is a chance to start healing that. Please Luke, understand."
I shook my head. "You've been dating him for what? Three months now?"
"Three years in fact, counting the total time we were together. I'm not taking this decision lightly. I'd never marry someone unless I thought it would work."
Mom sighed.
"When I. Married your father. I knew Greg wasn't going to be the best husband. Or father, or person for that matter. But I did know he could help me provide the best life for my children."
I blinked rapidly. "So you never loved dad?"
"Gregory is completely unlike you Lucas. He's passionless and completely self absorbed. But Johnny is the opposite. He's helpful, and kind, and simply wants to help others and do the best he can."
I shook my head again. "Where's Tory?"
"She refused to leave until you two talked after you left. She's upstairs in your room."
"I don't think you have to worry about her staying the night ma."
She didn't react to this, I didn't blame her.
…
I closed the door behind me, Tory was sitting on my bed.
She stood up when I walked in.
Tory spoke slowly. "H-Hey."
"Hey there."
"Where'd you go?"
"To Miyagi-Do. I talked with Daniel LaRusso, I want to make peace."
Tory looked like she just got smacked across the face.
"You want to, what now?"
"I want to make peace, I feel guilty over everything that happened. It's time to start moving on and living normal lives. You agree don't you?"
Tory sounded as shocked as I was downstairs. "What the hell is going on?"
"I don't know anymore? Johnny Lawrence knocks up my mom and now they're getting married. I wronged Miguel Diaz so badly, someone I know to be a good person for a fact, that he can't even look at me properly anymore. No one deserves any of this shit anymore."
Tory squinted at me. "The fuck!? You literally start Cobra Kai. And now you turn your back on it?"
"This is so like you Tory. You claim you get me, that you're here for me. And you think I betray you the moment I start thinking for myself. That I don't absolutely stand by one hundred percent of Cobra Kai, makes me weak?"
"Lu how can you possibly want to make peace after everything that happened?"
"It's because of what happened that I want to make peace."
"So I was right. This whole time I was your fling from the poorer side of town. Miyagi-Do was what you really wanted, from the beginning."
I knew I was starting to lose my temper, so I stayed calm.
"I can't believe how blind you are. You have no idea what I've sacrificed for Cobra Kai."
"Oh boo-hoo you had to leave a mansion and a fine family back in Denver."
I shook my head. "No. I had to overlook my flaws, yours, Hawk's, both of our Senseis', all just to win. And then I won again, and again. All of it just to get a bunch of innocent people hurt and angry."
"In what way are Sam LaRusso and her family and friends innocent?"
I scoffed angrily. "Tory, all that shit that happened before with Miyagi-Do was over thirty years ago! Do you really think it's worth not making amends with people who truly deserve it after we've already made Cobra Kai unbeatable?"
"Luke-"
"No matter what happens for the next thirty years, Cobra Kai will be a statewide franchise. Do I look like I care about wanting yet another gold medal? Sure, first place is fun. But at what cost? I'm more Cobra Kai than anyone except for our Senseis maybe, but even I have my limits. There has to be some sort of code you have to hold to besides just winning!"
Tory looked down at the carpet of our bedroom. "So. What are you saying?"
"I'm not going to let people think I'm sort of monster anymore. And I'm not gonna let Sensei Silver or anyone tell me who to be anymore."
"Even me?"
"Especially not you," I said to Tory calmly.
"You don't want to hear me out." she said blankly.
"When you're being unreasonable. I can't listen to you." I muttered.
Tory muttered. "You're right. Our Senseis are two old guys teaching old ass karate, we should be able to make our own paths. But I can't let myself forgive the fact that I trusted you cared about what we shared. We were supposed to be the two champions. We were supposed to do all of this together."
I listened to her calmly. "I don't care about the dojo either next to how important family and friends can be. But I joined Cobra Kai to get closer to you."
"Huh?"
"Every girl joined back at the old dojo because they had a crush on you. Or at least, they wanted to train with you. When you and I finally got together, I thought we could be Cobra Kai's future. Or at least, we could do all of what you wanted, together."
I wanted that too. But Tory needed to change.
"I hope we can be too. But if you're going to stay hateful and petty, when we've already won. There's no us anymore. I can't stay with someone who doesn't appreciate at all how I feel. It's as selfish as it gets."
"You're calling me selfish?"
"Yup."
Tory's eyes widened. "You're seriously breaking up with me?"
"I'm at least considering it."
"Ugh! I can't believe you'd even. Luke you-" She turned around, throwing her hands up into the air. "I can't!"
"Hold on we're not done talking-"
The second I touched her wrist I'm pretty sure I got hit with a back kick.
I went flying backwards and struck my desk, bumping my head on the back of my bedroom wall.
I winced, rubbing the back of my head as I looked around. I had snapped my 49th All Valley Tournament trophy upon impact.
Tory stood there, eyes widened, frozen.
"You see what I'm talking about?" I asked. "I need a break Tory. I love you but, I can't do this until you change."
Tory ran out of my bedroom.
…
All top students at Cobra Kai's flagship dojo were given a key card to train whenever they wanted.
Tory Nichols was beating a dummy on one of the mats until it looked like she might pop its head off.
And then she almost did.
"Something the matter?"
Tory turned around, Kreese was there, standing in regular clothing.
Tory panted, wiping the sweat off her forehead with a towel. "It's late. What are you doing here Sensei?"
"Thought I might work out myself." Kreese nodded to the dented foam in the standing dummy's chest and legs. "Helps me sleep."
"Me too."
Kreese saw the look on Tory's face. "What?"
"It's nothing."
"You can tell me."
"It'll make me seem weak. It's, personal stuff, it has nothing to do with karate."
Kreese nodded slowly. "Probably. But I couldn't call myself a teacher if I didn't at least listen." he bowed onto the mat when he walked towards Tory.
"Luke and I. Are taking a break from one another."
"Hm." Kreese nodded again. "And let me guess, that wasn't what you wanted. He wanted it more."
"Definitely."
Kreese crossed his arms with a sigh. "What exactly happened?"
"He was acting all weird. He went to Miyagi-Do, said he wanted to apologize to LaRusso after closing down his dojo. And his mom's pregnant, think her and her boyfriend are getting married."
Kreese stood quiet for a moment.
"What?"
"I'll be damned. Johnny and Ali are actually getting married." Kreese frowned. "I was sure if he'd ever get her pregnant it would have been in high school when he was still my student."
He seemed to think for a moment.
"Look." Kreese shook his head. "This is a confusing time in Luke's life. He has more fame and prestige in martial arts than any teenager on earth." he chuckled, rubbing his hands with a shrug. "There's even talk of adding karate to the Olympics now."
"Then, doesn't he know that I want to be there for him?" Tory frowned. "Why is it when I put my trust in someone I get hurt? I'm always picking up the pieces after others. Why couldn't he have been honest with me? And told me he just saw Cobra Kai and myself as just. Temporary?" Tory frowned.
Kreese sighed again. "I haven't dated anyone as a teenager in decades. But I do know Lucas. If he truly wanted to treat you that way he would have done it. He's many things, but dishonest isn't one of them."
"So it doesn't bother you that he visited Miyagi-Do? That he feels bad about Diaz and all of them?"
Kreese was silent for a moment.
He looked around the empty Cobra Kai flagship dojo in Encino.
"Lucas has always had a very unique relationship with Miyagi-Do. He purely subscribed to its karate, but never its philosophy. Except, in a way he always did, but not enough to make me question him. Because it was done in a manner that included my ways."
Tory nodded. "That makes it all okay?"
"Tory you and Lucas are each other's greatest allies. There is no greater help or power in this world than truly loyal allies, it's like having family except it isn't by blood. I learned this in war. Having someone follow you, through the highs and lows of life makes everything easier. No matter who they are."
Tory looked at Kreese up and down. "Like you and Sensei Silver?"
"In a way." Kreese shrugged and stood up straight, looking at Tory right in the eyes. "You need to ask yourself if you truly want to stay with Lucas, and if he wants the same too."
"He said he still loved me. But I needed to change." Tory scoffed. "It's bullshit. He should change."
Kreese smiled as Tory looked away. "Love is often hard to define. But I do know this. If you want to be with him, then change. Then, he will."
"Sensei did you ever?-" Tory paused. "I probably shouldn't ask, nevermind."
"Probably not. But you should do it anyway."
Tory took a deep breath. "What was it like when you loved someone? If you did, I mean?"
Kreese frowned.
"I only ever loved one person. When they were taken from me, I became the world's very first Cobra Kai. I shed my weakness, and embraced my true strength."
Tory nodded. "So what should I do? The same?"
Kreese shook his head. "You're blessed with a different opportunity. You haven't lost Lucas yet at all. He just needs time, as do you. But do what I've taught you, when you have a perfect opportunity for victory. For what you truly want? Strike. Strike first."
Tory smiled, nodding. "Thank you. I uh, think I got it."
Kreese didn't mind at all that the girl forgot to bow to him or call him Sensei.
She just tucked her things into her gym bag and left.
Kreese smiled, thinking to himself quietly on the mat after Tory left.
…
"He said what now?" Piper sipped her soda quietly at the booth in Smitty's diner.
All the Cobra Kai girls met up to talk in their favorite booth.
Piper, Sarah, Devon, and Tory all sat together and spoke.
Tory was leaning her elbows on the booth table. "He said he wanted space."
"Well you kinda kicked him into his trophy." Devon chuckled, shrugging for a moment. The three other girls looked at her and Devon shrank into her spot in the booth. "Sorry."
"What should I do?" asked Tory.
Piper chuckled. "The best way to snap your man back in line is to give him the cold shoulder. It's what I do with Hawk. Just, pretend he's not there."
"But I want him back."
"So?" asked Devon. "You're an absolute knockout that came one point away from being the All Valley champion. The first female All Valley champ! Let him come to you!" she shrugged.
Piper nodded. "Hell yeah."
Tory sighed as Sarah spoke up. "Look you're not going to get another shot like this again."
"Excuse me?" asked Tory.
"I don't think you'll ever meet a guy as special as Luke. Put aside the fact that he's hotter, richer, and more famous than anyone we may ever know." Tory looked like she didn't know how to take this for a moment before Sarah went on. "He was honest, said he just wants some space, that he wants you to change. He could've just, led you own, cheated on you, treated you like crap just because. Instead he said the truth."
"And?" asked Tory.
"And that means he cares girl! He was just mad over what happened with his mom." Sarah smiled. "For crying out loud. I bet you right now, Luke's over at Rick's house talking about how badly he felt about the whole thing."
…
The Cobra Kai boys were blasting Metallica's Master of Puppets and pumping iron in Rickenberger's garage.
Edwin and Big Red had come along just to get a work out in and play video games in Rickenberger's garage too.
"My guy, she did not break your first trophy." Hawk fixed his hair in an old mirror Rickenberger had in his garage.
"She did!" Lucas groaned. "God, what is wrong with her? Can't a guy be allowed to just speak his mind without being called a traitor or something?"
"Did you fuck another chick or something?" Rickenberger belched, putting his beer down before curling a dumbbell in both hands.
Lucas scoffed. "No!"
"Then there's nothing you got to apologize for." Big Red muttered on Rickenberger's garage. "Dude. Forget these bitches, this whole summer's gonna be just like this my guy. Sit down, grab some iron or a beer or an Xbox controller. Loosen the fuck up, don't worry about her!"
Mikey and Rickenberger nodded in approval as Edwin chuckled. "Boy's never had a girlfriend obviously."
The guys all laughed together as Big Red shoved Edwin's head aside.
"You know what you need?" Hawk but the barbell down with a sigh. "Luke, we need to Ride."
"Absolutely my dude." Rickenberger nodded along to the music.
Shawn chuckled, putting his dumbbells down. "Fuck yeah!"
"Can we come?" asked Edwin as Big Red nodded.
"Do you guys have a leather jacket and a motorcycle?" asked Mikey.
Edwin and Big Red both looked aside in disappointment.
Lucas nodded. "Yeah, we can go for a Ride."
"It's been so goddamn long." Hawk sighed. "Too goddamn long."
"We just gotta invite one person. And then I'll go," said Lucas.
…
Johnny muttered the lyrics to Metallica's Master of Puppets while listening to it on his walkman.
"Master. Faster!"
He threw the garbage away in a trash can next to his apartment complex while banging his head against an invisible wall.
Johnny Lawrence was in a good mood. He had secured an engagement to his high school sweetheart, the woman of his dreams and the love of his life. He was getting married to Ali with an I.
Cobra Kai? Who were they?
A pair of dark figures snuck up on Johnny easily and suddenly wrapped a gloved hand over his eyes and picked him up by his legs and shoulders.
"Hey! What the-!"
Johnny writhed and struggled, clearly whoever had captured him had received some form of formal martial arts and self defense training, within moments Johnny was subdued and captured.
"You assholes are gonna pay! Come on-"
Johnny was tossed into the trunk of a mysterious car, bound and gagged.
Johnny roared from the back trunk.
The car pulled out of Johnny's apartment complex's parking area and drove away into the night, Johnny still banging the trunk from the inside of it as hard as he could.
Just a little bit later, Johnny's son walked out to knock on Miguel's apartment door across the hallway when someone spoke to him.
"Rob."
Robby turned around, attentive.
He had no expression or emotion on his face when Lucas Schwarber was standing there wearing Robby's father's old red leather jacket and black headband.
Offering Bobby's Brown's blue jacket to Robby with both hands.
"At least for tonight?" Lucas asked hopefully.
Robby turned to Miguel's front door, considering his options for the night quietly for a moment.
Then he picked up Bobby Brown's jacket without delay.
