Chapter Nine: A New Tournament

"Kyung-nae!"

Shawn, Rickenberger, Mikey, Hawk, Big Red, Edwin, Dieter, Kenny, and every Cobra Kai boy student had left the flagship dojo.

The Lankershim location had been returned to looking exactly the way it did when it first opened in the 1980s, and they all stood in white Cobra Kai uniforms bowing to Kreese and Lucas, who were wearing black Sensei uniforms.

Kreese and Lucas bowed to each other, and Lucas spoke, facing all of his friends.

"Welcome. To the first day of Cobra Kai karate's countdown to the Sekai Taikai." said Lucas. "As hard as it may seem to believe. The show's not over."

Hawk smirked, nodding.

"USA karate is not a joke, so forget about karate on the world stage. The best of the best in the entire world will be on the mat at the Korea Open, and we need to be ready."

Lucas continued to speak. "Your kicks punches and sweeps need to be impeccable. Your conditioning and speed impeccable, timing and reflexes impeccable. And that's only scratching the surface of the intricacies of karate."

Kreese chimed in. "Sensei Terry has separated the dojos for a reason. Everyone's seen Nichols, and especially the newly appointed Sensei Schwarber compete. Everyone, and I mean everyone knows who they are."

"But no one knows any of you yet." Lucas said respectfully. "Has anyone here ever competed in a final match at a tournament? No?"

The room was silent.

"That doesn't mean this dojo can't win championships. Even without me competing in this next tournament."

Hawk was confused. "Wait, what?"

Lucas sighed. "I'm going to try coaching during the warm up tournament we're having to the Sekai Taikai. In December, we're competing in USA karate nationals in Chicago."

"The best in the entire country will be there, and all of you know I don't use the word best lightly." said Kreese.

"But Lucas would take home gold easily." Shawn shrugged, tucking his hands into his black belt. "He's the best in the entire world."

Kreese approached him slowly.

Even someone as large and strong as Shawn nearly gulped.

"Cobra Kai cannot exist under the name and actions of a single person. Are you afraid of needing to step up for once Mr. Payne?"

Shawn took a deep breath. "No Sensei."

"What about you?"

"No Sensei!" said Hawk.

Kreese took a look around the dojo. "Every single person here needs to prove they have the capacity to be a champion." Kreese pointed at Lucas. "He did it. Four times by now, once to literally the entire world. What have you all done, huh?"

Hawk frowned and Kreese continued. "The division of Elite kumite, or sparring or combat, of sixteen to seventeen year olds will be extremely competitive, quite exactly, the most competitive ever in the country. Basically among the most competitive on the globe."

"Why won't Sensei Silver be helping us?" asked Kenny.

Kreese stopped walking past the lines of Cobras.

He glanced at Kenny. "I've been training boys for a total of over fifteen years. Sensei Schwarber here is currently the best boy fighter on the planet. With that in mind, it's time to turn all of you into champions. Lucas can't hold your hands forever, and he certainly can't let Nichols alone take gold."

"It almost sounds like we can't rely on the girls at all anymore," Hawk said.

"Not at all," Kreese muttered. "It's just that we need to focus purely on this team right here right now. After all, we're in separate divisions."

"So is that why we're separated?" wondered Kenny.

"Precisely." Sensei Kim Da-Eun said.

Her and Silver were standing at the front of the Flagship dojo's main mat. All of Cobra Kais girls were there listening in full uniform of black and red.

Silver spoke. "Sensei John Kreese and Lucas Schwarber have already done what this dojo's accomplished. Besides the world championship and the three time title, Cobra Kai has already proven its boys can be champs many times over."

"But not its girls." Kim crossed her arms.

She scoffed, glancing at Tory. "Look at you. Losing to someone as out of shape as Robinson. Not having an ounce of skill or experience at all." Kim looked at Devon, Piper, and Sarah.

"Nationals will be the only way to prepare any of you for the Sekai Taikai." said Silver. "And currently speaking, none of you are ready."

Kim uncrossed her arms. "So. Let's begin."

"How'd the first day with the new team go?"

Moon was wearing an outfit that looked amazing on her. A white skirt with frills and a simple pink tank top. Moon looked great in just about anything but she looked absolutely fantastic today.

We were at the aquarium together, Yasmine was busy today so she couldn't go with us.

"It went. Okay." I watched a large fish swim past behind the glass tank.

"So it sounds like it didn't."

I chuckled. "It went about as well as could be expected."

"Fine. Wow, look at that one!"

A huge catfish swam by.

The mesmerized expression on Moon's face at the aquarium, reminded me just how genuinely happy Moon was. And how it made me so in the same way too.

She made a slight gasp of surprise when I wrapped my arms around her shoulders and kissed her.

"Hm!" Moon wrapped her arms around my waist.

I was a bit taller than her, and I was able to look around the aquarium to see who was watching over the top of Moon's head. People could talk, I was pretty famous after all.

I led her by the hand to a very secluded corner of the aquarium where I made sure no one could pass by. It was already very dark in here anyway, we were basically in a custodian's closet.

I raised Moon up onto the wall, she curled her bare legs around my hips.

"Lulu." Moon moaned, holding me tightly and panting into my ear. "I missed you Lulu," she repeated, gasping.

I passed my hands around her large naked rear beneath her skirt, clasping her tightly while we made out and Moon unbuckled the belt holding up my jeans.

"We shouldn't leave Yas out of this." Moon gulped, kissing my neck.

"I know. We'll bring her up to speed later."

"Sounds good to me."

Moon was incredibly beautiful, had a perfect body, and above all, a perfect tan.

But that wasn't what made want to do this so suddenly in such a public space. It was that she was so willing, so understanding.

I was able to squeeze her chest through her clothes, hold onto her tightly, and we didn't leave until we were both done.

In my bedroom at home, Moon chuckled as I leaned back and sat on my bed.

"Never could've imagined an aquarium of all things could get me sweaty." she gently laid a sweatshirt of hers near the foot of my bed.

She slipped off her clothes and leaned on the open doorway to the bathroom connected to my room with her left hand. "You joining? I'll take up all the hot water if you don't get a move on."

"Er. In a second." I leaned back and raised my phone up.

Crap. Hawk and the guys were gonna come over pretty soon.

I listened to the shower run and watched Moon's figure as a shadow through the shower blinds clean herself.

"You good?" I heard her ask.

"Yeah I'm fine. It's just that the squad's coming over in an hour."

"Oh then you definitely need to get in here."

I laughed, walking over to the bathroom sink and leaning on it.

"Moon. Do you and Yas ever have to wonder which one of you two I like better? Because I swear this shouldn't be a competition."

I could see Moon freeze and put down a bar of soap.

"No." I heard her say. "We agreed to leave jealousy or spite at the door."

"I like both of you okay? Yas was just busy today, that's all."

"Okay, enough," Moon muttered. "Lucas. Get. In. The shower."

I laughed, unzipping my jacket before I obliged her.

The Cobra Kai boys roared, they were playing Halo together on the TV and Xbox in Lucas' garage.

"Let's fucking go!" Rickenberger leaned back on his couch and chuckled, sipping a beer out of a cooler Mitch brought.

"Can't believe you let me join the squad man." Mitch laughed.

"Watch it assface." Hawk raised an eyebrow. "Hey Luke. I think I forgot to grab that agility ladder you said I needed today."

"Oh, there's a spare one up in my room man. You can go grab it."

"For sure." Hawk passed his controller to Shawn Payne.

Hawk walked up the stairs to Lucas' bedroom and entered it.

His foot nudged something strange, that clearly did not belong in Lucas' room.

It was a West Valley Highschool cheerleading team sweatshirt.

Hawk looked across the hall through the open doorway in Lucas' room. He knew for a fact Ava, Lucas' younger sister was likely trying out as a freshman in the fall for the team, but Hawk found it a little odd regardless even if such a sweatshirt would be in his house easily.

Ali could switch up the Schwarber sibling's laundry occasionally right?

Hawk grabbed the agility ladder and walked downstairs.

He took his spot next to Lucas on the couch.

"Hey man. If you were piping someone." Hawk chugged his beer. "We'd be the first to know right?"

"Of course man." Lucas chuckled.

"Really? So like. You haven't hit up anyone since you and Tory broke up?"

"No man. I've used this time to focus on the dojo, work out more."

Hawk nodded slowly.

Shawn chuckled. "The guy probably got tired of all the drama. Even with his Luke magic even girls can get to be too much."

Lucas looked at the older Payne brother. "I'm sorry. Luke magic?"

"Yeah, dude." Mitch laughed. "Chicks are like, hypnotized by you. No one knows how to explain it, so we all basically call it magic. 'Bout time you wanted to spend more time with your boys than all these chicks."

"Any proof?" asked Lucas.

Hawk sighed. "The hottest chicks in town like you within a few weeks man. Moon, Tory. Freaking Yasmine. Even Charlotte for a time. You've gotten laid more in these past few years than I think most people ever do. So, we just call it magic."

All the boys chuckled quietly.

"Whatever man." Lucas rolled his eyes.

"What the hell happened to you man?" wondered Mitch.

Hawk rolled his eyes. "Penis Breath, enough."

"No I'm serious." Mitch said. "Last summer you were screwing Moon and then a few other chicks later when school started. You challenged Robby to a bike race downhill and could've died. You used to drink all the time, fool around with hot girls regularly, and always showed Miyagi-Do wassup. What happened?"

Lucas frowned. "Different summer I guess. New me."

Hawk glanced over at the agility ladder Lucas borrowed him.

"Yeah. New you." he muttered.

I invited Yasmine over to my garage, it was the one place where my family never bothered me. Everyone knew my friends regularly came over to hang out and stuff, and since I told mom, girls never did anymore.

Until they did.

"Hey."

Yas looked very pretty today.

She wore a simple lavender colored dress and converse shoes. I always liked when she wore her blonde hair up in a ponytail.

I sat down on the couch in my garage and put a movie on my TV.

I leaned back on my couch and Yasmine chuckled, looking over at me. "So this was a veiled excuse just to make out?"

"No. I wanted to catch up with you. And, also tell you Moon and I spent some time together at the aquarium today."

Yasmine ran her hand across her ponytail. "Well I had some training done with Lindsay and Heather done earlier. Guess I know why Moon wasn't there."

"You do cheer stuff over the summer?"

"Every now and then just to stay sharp." muttered Yas. "We find a mat, and practice for a little. Moon gave the captainship back over to me so I have to stay in touch with the team."

"How are they?"

"Lindsay is single, Heather's alright, Mackenzie showed up with Elaena, they're both fine too. And what about you?" Yas saw the empty beer bottles tucked away very conveniently out of sight of any place Mom, Ava, or Pops or Nana could find them. "See you and the squad had some fun lately."

"Yeah everyone tried to work out a little but we busted out the beers and just gamed for a few hours instead."

Yas chuckled. "You guys are such guys. Bet you just talked about karate and sports all day huh?"

"Is there are reason I'd tell you any of the tea when you're known to gossip a lot?"

"Yes." Yas placed her bare leg across my knees.

I chuckled at this, it was fun when Yas was reasonably flirtatious.

I ran my hand along it. "Is that an offer?"

"You can tell me everything I want. If you get what you want."

"Isn't this what you want too?" I asked.

"Yeah. But guys want it more right?"

I shrugged. "I mean, I don't know."

Yasmine sighed. "Just play along Luke, come on."

I nodded. "Well I'm not telling you a word. I'd never ruin the trust of any of the guys."

"Your friends date two of the people on my cheer squad. Please, I need to know some of this."

I'm sure both Piper and Mackenzie wouldn't mind not knowing all the very 'bro' shit Hawk and Shawn spit respectively in my garage fueled on beer, testosterone, working out, and pizza.

I shook my head. "The ultimate betrayal would be to stab my own squad in the back. They're all I got besides the dojo and my actual family."

Yas nodded. "Fine."

Oddly, she didn't take her leg off my lap. Instead, she sat in it.

"Wait." I was surprised as she ran her hand across my hair. "You still want to-"

"Yeah! Could you imagine? Me trying to manipulate you with sex?"

I smiled. "I miss this Yas, a lot."

"Same here." she muttered before we began to make out.

Yas started to take my shirt off as I ran my hand across her nude back and rear. Yasmine was admittedly flatter on both sides than any of the girls I'd been with, except Charlotte I suppose, but I truly didn't mind.

She was beautiful.

I heard both Ruben and Donnie Junior bark on the other side of the garage door.

"Hey Luke!" Ava said through the door. "I'm back from the park!"

Yasmine froze, we were halfway through on my couch.

"Yeah, great!"

Ava spoke again. "Can I let the dogs stay with you for a bit?"

"Um. Please no? Can you keep them company or whatever?" I asked as Yasmine bit my earlobe lightly, kissing my neck. "Or just let them out in the backyard."

"Hmm." she hummed loudly, making me wince in anticipation if she'd unfortunately walk in. "Okay!"

I could hear the paws of both Donnie and Ruben across the hardwood floor of the hall as they followed my younger sister away.

Yasmine laughed, her arms still wrapped around my shoulders. "Wow, that was close."

"Sure was." I said as Yasmine moaned lightly a bit.

We had a good thing going at the beginning of the semester before last. Not just the bit of sex I guess, I enjoyed spending time with her.

I tightened my grip beneath her legs.

Why complicate things though? That was what both the girls wanted.

"So we'll be back to normally letting Moon in right?"

I nodded. "Big time."

Piper sat cross legged on Hawk's bed, both Cobra Kais chatting quietly.

"So we're gonna see each other at practice tomorrow right?"

"How could you forget dummy?" Piper chuckled. "We train at different dojos now remember?"

"But we're still both Cobra Kai though."

Piper shrugged. "I guess. But Sensei Kim said we always need to rely on our team first, we technically have different teams."

"Funny. Sensei Kreese said the same thing."

Piper frowned. "You're still mine though okay?"

"Um. I get we're dating, but you don't own me. Why would you say that?"

Piper laughed quietly again. "Let me think. Oh, I have an idea. You dropped something."

Wearing just a small skirt, Piper picked up a small book Hawk had laying on his bedroom floor.

"Here." she turned around and offered it back to her boyfriend, with both eyebrows raised.

Hawk gulped. "Thanks." he turned around slightly to lean back on his desk and put the book down.

Piper slowly rubbed Hawk's red mohawk with her fingers. "Now. Spill. Is there anything in the garage squad going on I should know about?"

"Do girls always do this?"

"Luke and his group are notoriously scum bags. The cheer squad deserves to know if they're being played."

Hawk frowned. "That includes me. Do you not trust me baby?"

"Of course I do. I just, don't trust your friends."

"Not much is happening."

Piper tilted her chin downward a little. "Not good enough."

"Come on babe please."

Piper placed herself against Hawk, then pecking him on the cheek. "Not." she pecked him on the neck. "Good enough."

Hawk frowned. "Well I guess Luke is-"

Piper froze. "What?"

He sighed. "That's my best friend. That's a no go Piper."

"Hm. So you don't trust me then?"

"No, I trust you."

"Then spill."

Hawk frowned, rubbing Piper's hips slightly.

"Look, I'm pretty sure Luke is back to his old business with Moon or Yas again."

"How can you tell?"

"I found one of the same kinds of sweatshirts I know your cheer team has in his room. And he was weird when I asked him about it."

Piper raised an eyebrow. "Is that all?"

"That's all. I swear."

Piper held Hawk by the back of his head.

"Good boy." Piper pecked him on the lips.

"That piece of shit." Sarah shook her head.

The Cobra Kai girls were back in their favorite booth.

"So wait." Piper looked at Tory. "You told Luke rhetorically he could fool around with as many cheerleaders as he wanted. And then he went to do exactly that? How spiteful and petty could a guy be?"

"I know right?" asked Tory. "What the hell is his problem?"

"I bet Rickenberger knew." Piper shrugged.

"Probably." Sarah nodded. "And probably high fived his ass when he found out."

"Now what do we do?" asked Tory.

"Maybe be reasonable about things?" asked Devon.

All three other girls looked over at her.

"What?" Devon said. "You two were on a break when the party thing happened, and you aren't dating anymore right now."

"So?" asked Tory.

"So it's not his fault he didn't know you still cared. You dumped his ass hard as a bag of bricks." Devon muttered. "Anyone would've done the same."

"No they wouldn't have." Piper looked directly to her right. "Because you're new here I'll give you a pass. But you are really not feeling the vibe right now."

"Yeah, read the room Lee." Sarah said, making Devon shyfully shrink into her seat in the booth.

"I knew Luke didn't care." Tory scoffed. "Sensei Kim was right. So was Sensei Silver, we're the future of Cobra Kai. Sensei Kreese is mostly the past."

"But, you and Sensei Kreese started training together since this whole thing started." Sarah said.

"So? He'd let Luke cheat on anyone or act terribly to anyone if it meant he kept bringing home gold medals." said Tory. "Now, it's our goddamn turn to win for once."

Piper nodded. "I like the sound of that."

Sarah laughed. "Hell yeah."

Devon sighed. "I do like the idea of taking first place."

"I'm not gonna let Aisha Robinson keep taking first place," said Tory. "It's my turn to win."

Piper nodded slowly. "It's time for all of Lankershim to get the cold shoulder. People are going to remember the Flagship dojo, not them."

The girls smiled at each other.

"Great." Silver threw a small medal ball across his desk in frustration. Kreese watched him speak. "We decided to split the dojo up and it only makes things worse. This is what happens when you rely on teenagers. One bad decision and we have a full blown gender war on our hands."

Kreese spoke. "I think it's for the best."

"Excuse me?"

"This was our agreement. I train Schwarber, you train Nichols. It wasn't an easy decision for me, they were both my best students."

Silver scoffed, putting his palms flat on his desk. "We're the only karate dojo in the entire San Fernando Valley. Now, we're training two teams to international glory, not one."

"We have different teams Terry. This is the way things should be."

"What?"

"Schwarber appreciates the old way of doing things. He appreciates Lankershim, he appreciates-"

"He appreciates you." Silver said. "Is that what you're saying? Because you spoil him?"

"I'm not the one trying to give him teachers he clearly doesn't get along with," Kreese said. "Kiki is obviously not meant to teach him. He's a Sensei now." Kreese pointed slightly at Silver. "Or do you regret doing that too?"

Silver nodded a bit. "So you're ending our partnership is what you're saying?"

Kreese looked over slowly from the edges of Silver's office in the Flagship dojo over at him. "I'm getting the feeling this split between all the kids won't be permanent. Children, fight, it's just a fact at this point, some make amends just as fast as they fought. But you and I Terry, our dream is basically a reality at this point. And I'll always respect the fact we both made that happen."

Kreese's tone changed. "But you tried to turn me against Schwarber."

"When?"

"When you told me I had to choose between him and you the night we won the All Valley. I chalked it up to you not understanding he's just as much my family as you are." said Kreese. "But as much as winning means everything to me. The greatest victory, is having a kid like that be family to me. You infringe on that again, and you and I will have a major problem."

Silver nodded. "Likewise. If you go anywhere near Nichols. I have my champion, you have yours. That's that."

"Agreed." Kreese left the office quietly after he spoke.

Sam, Miguel, Robby, and Demetri were hosting a meeting between Steel Eagle and Miyagi-Do karate in Mr. Miyagi's backyard.

"So I guess we're in the biggest karate tournament in the world now." said Robby.

"Yup." said Bert quietly.

"And we mostly have to coach ourselves." Miguel said. "It's time for us to step up. We've been given a second chance to beat Cobra Kai."

"A third chance you mean," Chris said.

Miguel raised an eyebrow. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"That we already lost," Nate said. "Two times over. How is anyone supposed to beat Cobra Kai now?"

"Aisha beat them," Sam said.

"Aisha's quitting," Bert said with crossed arms. "Technically Sensei Johnny and Sam's dad can't be our Senseis anymore. Our only alternative is a madman from Okinawa who chases us around with weapons."

"How is that supposed to get us ready for a world class karate tournament?" asked Chris.

"Guys-"

Bert cut Sam off. "We don't even have a mat. Or a roof. Or any first place championships. Cobra Kai has all of that not to mention a whole lot more."

They began to walk off and Miguel spoke out. "Do you really want people to remember Cobra Kai karate as being the best in the world huh? Do you really want people to remember us giving up?"

Bert stopped.

Then, a very quiet Steel Eagle student spoke up.

Dirk, a Philipino boy with long hair spoke in his deep voice. "It's over, this dojo was closed for a reason. We lost fair and square Miguel."

With a sad shake of his head, everyone followed him away.

"Guys!" Robby said.

They all left.

Demetri shrugged. "They have a point."

Robby looked at him. "Do you have to be such a pessimist twenty four seven?"

"It's pretty obvious Chozen knows a thing or two about karate." said Demetri. "But does he know anything about competing globally?"

Robby, Sam, and Miguel couldn't say a word.

Demetri balled his fists. "My very, best, friend. Is unrecognizable, and for the second time I have to compete against him. I don't care if we don't stand a chance. All I want is for Eli to see things the way they should be, all I want is for us to realize there's nothing really worth fighting for at this point."

"Eli is a lost cause." Sam said.

"Then so is Miyagi-Do." Demetri said sadly before he left in the direction Bert did. "Or whatever this Team Lightning thing is supposed to be."

Sam, Miguel, and Robby all looked at each other.

"I guess we'll have to get ready for Nationals just the three of us?" asked Robby.

Miguel looked down at the ground. "At that point we might as well not even bother going. Or to Taikai anyway."

Sam rubbed her boyfriend's shoulder blade lightly, and Robby and Miguel had to carpool quietly and bleakly back to Reseda.

Johnny had dinner with his son and neighbors in the Diaz household.

Carmen smiled. "So you and Sam are going strong huh? You're cute together, I like her."

"Yeah." Miguel said.

Rosa said something in Spanish.

"My mother wants to know what you plan on naming your baby." Carmen said to Johnny.

He cleared his throat. "Ali and I don't know if it'll be a boy or a girl yet."

"Your best guess," said Carmen with a shrug as she chewed fried beans and chicken.

"Um. We still don't know." Johnny said.

Robby and Miguel had barely eaten a thing.

Johnny was as blunt as always. "The hell's wrong with you two?"

"Johnny," Carmen said quietly.

Miguel tapped the back of his fork on his beans. "The team Sensei Chozen is putting together barely has three people on it. Just, Sam, Robby, and I."

"So? Honestly that's a plus given how well everyone did in the last All Valley."

He looked at Miguel. "I'm kidding."

Robby gave a sad smile at his father's honesty. "And Aisha's not on it."

"What?"

Miguel shrugged. "Yeah."

Johnny was confused. "Aisha Robinson doesn't want to compete?"

"She said she wanted to focus on school and spending more time with her mom." Robby said.

"Bullshit." Johnny scoffed.

"Johnny!" said Carmen.

"I've known Aisha for almost three years by now. If she doesn't want to fight, something's up." Johnny said.

Carmen shrugged. "Maybe it's for the best."

Johnny looked over at her. "What?"

"Karate has only gotten Miguel bullied and hurt worse than when before he needed it. Maybe the kids should focus on other things."

"Besides, weren't you the one telling Mr. LaRusso to give up was the right idea?" asked Robby.

"That was before Aisha-" Johnny sighed, tucking into his dinner again quietly. "Nevermind."

Robby and Miguel looked at each other quietly as Johnny seemed to eat his dinner upset now.

Sandra Robinson answered the door to her home.

"Oh, hi Johnny. How can I help you?"

"Is Aisha home?"

"I'll go get her."

In a few moments, the girl walked downstairs.

"Hey Sensei, wassup?" she leaned on the doorway, fixing her glasses.

Johnny took a deep breath. "We need to talk."

Crickets sang around Aisha's backyard. Around her pool, the light in the water was the only source of it Aisha and Johnny had talking on lawn chairs.

"I hear you're quitting the team."

Aisha shrugged. "Considering I'd get into fist fights over a freaking karate tournament? Yeah, I'd say it's not worth it anymore."

"Come on we both know that's a load of horseshit." Johnny chuckled.

"Is it?" asked Aisha. "I seem to be the only one sick of all the fighting. None of this stuff was worth it. We all gave each other broken bones 'n black eyes and stuff over what? A karate dojo rivalry? Tell me that's a sane thing to do."

"Since the day we met you convinced me it doesn't matter who you're up against you'll give them your best fight." Johnny ignored this. "You're fearless Robinson, what the hell made you want to quit?"

"This whole mess, that's what."

Johnny stood up straight, inhaling quietly.

"This will be my last lesson given to you as a Sensei. My last request," said Johnny. "Tell me, what's truly bothering you. And I'll never have to talk to you again if you want."

Aisha looked off quietly into the water, at her own reflection.

"I'm not fearless," Aisha said. "I've actually always been afraid."

"Of?"

"Of people being right about me," said Aisha. "I was always told that I was fat, I was ugly, that I wasn't worth anything. Karate was the first and only place I felt like I belonged."

Johnny listened.

"Everyone who was into science and computers were all guys. I never got along with girls that well until I started karate. So, I'm still scared." said Aisha. "That if I lose, they'll be right. If I go to Nationals, and then Taikai. And lose? That the one place I belonged wasn't for me."

Johnny nodded a little.

"You think people will bully you again if you lose?"

"I think that everyone at school will know for the rest of their lives my win over Tory was a fluke. Look at me. It's a miracle I won the All Valley twice. How is a National karate champion supposed to be called what I am?"

Johnny leaned forward a little. "Fuck them."

Aisha was silent.

"You know I won my two All Valley championships and felt on top of the world. I convinced myself if I could just win a third, I could piece my whole life back together when it all went to shit during my senior year of highschool. My Sensei would be proud of me again, I could get my girl back, the whole town wouldn't think I was a joke for losing a fight to an old ass man."

Aisha smiled and Johnny spoke. "And you know what? Losing didn't mean shit. I was the one who threw myself down farther. I was the one who picked up drinking, neglected my only son, worked a dead end job. And the only championship I've won since I started karate again, was the same one I won in the past, once, with my same piece of shit Sensei."

Aisha's smile slid off her face slowly.

"And now I'm married to that very same girl who started it all. We're having a kid together, we have a family now."

Aisha watched as Johnny spoke with a hand on her shoulder. "I fought to be a degenerate back then. To impress my asshole Sensei and my friends, get a girl, beat up some helpless kid. You're better than I am Aisha. You're fighting to prove something to yourself. Key word, there. Yourself. Not anyone else. So compete, fight, win. For, your, self."

Aisha listened.

"That's more important than winning or anything. I promise you that."

"But what if I can't do it? What if I can't win nationals or the Korea open?"

Johnny shrugged. "Then you can't. But besides LaRusso and myself, who else has won the All Valley twice?"

"Lucas Schwarber?"

Johnny shook his head. "You. The only reason people keep paying attention to him is because his dojo won it all, not yours. If you had competed when Luke first did, I promise you. There'd be two three time champs of the All Valley, not one."

"How do I know if karate's worth it anymore?"

Johnny shrugged. "Find a karate class and watch it again. That's what I recommend."

Aisha had no idea what made her want to quietly watch a kid's karate class in the Cobra Kai dojo on Lankershim and Magnolia.

Sensei Lucas Schwarber was teaching a class of only children between the ages of five and twelve.

She was surprised to see Lucas kneel down to fix the knife hand block of one of the kids and speak respectfully. "Always start it from next to your chin."

"Poomsae one. Ais!"

The class began to practice blocking and punching techniques in unison.

"Remember, we practice more than strikes and blocks. We seek to develop your discipline." with Kreese's same sleeveless GI, Lucas gave respectful and strangely kind instruction. "Your character."

"Aiya!"

"Nice kiai, turn, begin again! Ais!"

Aisha watched the class proceed.

Oddly, despite what the front of the dojo would lead her to believe, Aisha found, watching from the waiting area behind the wooden gate, Lucas wasn't a very tough teacher.

He was honest and respectful, as well as strong sure, but he was very patient with each of the children. He was strict when one of them clearly disobeyed him, but never overtly rude nor cruel.

Lucas had all of them sit on their heels and close their eyes, as he did the same facing.

"Remember a crucial part of karate is the clarity of mind, in combat, in life, in everything. You keep your mind clear, any obstacle can be overcome."

Aisha smiled, watching a pair of mothers in the waiting area chat and laugh quietly while watching Lucas teach the class.

"Alright. Charyot!"

The class of kids sprang onto their feet in ready stance with a snap of their matching white GIs.

"Good effort. Remember, Tuesday night's parent's night is a way for me and Sempai Moskowitz to help lead fun in the dojo and give the parents a night off. Just to watch movies and stuff and play some karate theme'd games. Oss?"

"Oss!" the class of children roared in unison.

"Great job guys, kyung-nae!"

Everyone bowed to each other and left the mat jumping to high five Lucas' hand.

Aisha watched the mother's guide their kids off the mat wearing flip flops while speaking to Lucas.

"Thank you for class Sensei Schwarber."

"Oh it's no trouble at all. Martin and Tammy are incredibly gifted students."

The mother cleared her throat, curling some of her hair around her finger while the other mother walked off with both children. "So, do you have adult classes. Maybe one on ones?"

Lucas chuckled. "Those are for people who are serious about competition."

"Oh perfect."

"Who are also under the age of thirteen." Lucas added with a respectful tilt of his head.

"Oh um." the woman cleared her throat. "Thank you Sensei."

"My pleasure." he bowed respectfully.

Lucas started to clean mats while Aisha approached.

"You dropped the headband."

Lucas turned, smiling when he saw Aisha. "Saw it didn't fit me anymore. Gave it back to your Sensei."

"He's not my Sensei anymore."

Lucas frowned, remembering.

"Was it worth it?" wondered Aisha.

"You know what winning feels like as much as I do." said Lucas. "You should know."

"Wish that was the case." Aisha muttered.

"What are you doing here?"

Aisha shrugged. "Wondering if karate was still the right thing for me anymore."

"Well Cobra Kai barely has competitors of your caliber besides Tory. We'd be more than happy to have you."

Aisha laughed. "Yeah. No, I was thinking of joining Team Lightning."

Lucas put his broom on a chair nearby. "Makes sense. Sam would need a sparring partner, shame how the LaRussos always think they're the stars. Until someone wakes them up hard."

"Careful." someone said. "If you get too close to him he'll try to fuck you."

Both Aisha and Lucas turned to see Tory standing with her arms crossed.

"What are you talking about?" asked Lucas.

"You're a classic fuck boy. Nothing more." Tory muttered.

Aisha stood up straighter. "Maybe you should've seen how kindly he was leading a kid's class a minute ago."

"Oh no. He'll seem like a nice guy on the outside. Then you'll find out too late who he really is."

Aisha nudged Tory out of the way. "I'm gonna wipe your ass on the mat Nichols at Nationals."

"Yeah see ya then."

After Aisha left, Lucas spoke with his arms crossed. "Is it fun for you to just, like, hate everyone and everything?"

"Is it fun for you to be unable to go five seconds keeping your pants on?"

Lucas sighed. "You know about me trying to spend yet another summer trying to get away from your bullshit."

"My bullshit? Luke, I was a great girlfriend, what is your problem?"

"My problem is that you're petty. And selfish, and cruel. I wanted to be with you, and you prove me right. The second someone does nothing wrong, if you didn't like it. You get angry."

"How would you like it if I slept with people the second we broke up? That's basically what you did."

Lucas sighed. "We're not dating anymore. The fact that you'd threaten such a thing shows how petty you are."

"I'm not threatening- You know what?" Tory scoffed. "Forget that I came here."

"I can't but okay," Lucas said.

"Sensei Kim was so right. I really am the only person I can rely on."

"Tory I'm trying to teach classes to kids, make something more out of Cobra Kai than a gold medal factory. I wish I could say I was sorry about what I've done, but the truth is, all I've been is honest with you. I'm trying to improve myself, you're the one acting the same way."

"Same here. It's not me, it's you."

"Yup. Same here too."

"Yup."

"Yup." Lucas replied quietly.

They both turned around and were frowning sadly well after the other one left.

I blew off a lot of steam on the mat that day.

I was pretty frustrated, so I pounded the white hanging bag over the mat with a pair of shin and protectors.

"Burning the midnight oil?"

"Sensei Kreese." I wiped the sweat off my forehead.

He chuckled. "Teenagers haven't changed since the 80s. They have relationship issues, and their first reaction is to hit something. Or someone."

He bowed onto the mat. "I'm guessing class went well today?"

"I'm getting the feeling the kids are passionate about what they do."

"Are any of them talented?"

"Some more than others. A few already had some decent Shotokan and Tang Soo Do experience, so a mixed bag overall."

Sensei sighed. "And I take it Nichols stopped by."

I split the bag so hard with a roundhouse to the chest the chain jumped.

"Yeah."

The calmness in Sensei when he caught my foot before I attacked again reminded me just why this old man was enough to convince me Cobra Kai karate was just built different.

"Talk to me."

"What do you want me to say?"

"Luke, I haven't seen you this upset over anything, in well, ever." he said. "It's an hour before midnight on a Saturday during the summer. Something's bothering you."

"Taikai."

Sensei shook his head slowly.

"Fine. Tory's bothering me."

"That girl still cares about you."

I laughed. "She'd trash this whole dojo just to remind me how much she hates me."

"That's Nichols for you." Sensei Kreese muttered. "Do you remember one of the first lessons I've taught you?"

"Strike first?"

"No, the more advanced application of that."

I shrugged.

Sensei walked towards me on the mat, put a hand on my shoulder and pointed a finger towards the center of my chest.

"Your enemies can hurt you. But not nearly as much as your friends sometimes. Nichols, is worth this much pain."

"I thought pain does not exist."

"Did you ever stay up late at night kicking a hole through a punching bag when you ended things with other girls?"

I frowned, silent.

He nodded. "If she didn't care she wouldn't have bothered talking to you again."

"But she's mad."

"Oh no she's furious, even for her," Sensei said. "But this is the only time I'll say this. You have to let her, strike first."

"Why?"

"Because at the end of the day, she's a girl. You, did nothing wrong."

"But you don't know what happened."

"I'll repeat myself. You, did nothing wrong."

I squinted at him. Was John Kreese being sexist or did I not get it?

"What do you mean?"

"You never lied to Nichols, never hid your true feelings. She was making you uncomfortable, and she struck too hard. Now, you let her come to you. Either you wait, or you're going to be spending every night like this." he glanced at the bag I was just beating on.

"What does her being a girl have to do with anything?"

"She's just going to react differently to things, there's nothing wrong with that." Sensei said, taking his hand off my shoulder. "Love is hard when you're young. But I promise you, as easier as other girls may seem now. Nichols will be the only one loyal enough to stay by you for a very long time."

The way things looked, I might as well forget we ever dated.

"Thank you Sensei." I bowed to him.

He nodded in return before I left.

Might as well do what he said. Wait, if John Kreese, the John Kreese was telling me not to strike first for once, might as well do it.

So.

I made out with Moon and Yas, one at a time, over Moon's house for the night.

Relaxed with them, ate some food with them, did some stuff with them. Did some other stuff with them.

Did enough stuff with them that eventually Yasmine blanked out on Moon's couch.

Wearing only an oversized t-shirt beneath the covers, Yas snoozed quietly next to Moon and I.

"You still up?" I asked.

Moon nodded on the couch next to me.

I checked my phone. "God, it's late."

"Need to be somewhere tomorrow?" asked Moon.

I shook my head. "Nah just like to sleep consistently."

Moon wrapped me in her arms.

I chuckled, listening to her. "Then sleep."

I muttered. "Do you think we'll wake up Yasmine?"

"Nah." Moon shrugged. "She's a pretty heavy sleeper. Plus I'm not the loud one."

"Is that a challenge?"

"That wasn't what I meant, but alright."

"Wait. I didn't mean-"

Moon tied her bare legs around my waist.

We started to make out and I sighed against Moon's neck. "Is it wrong that this is better when we're doing this right next to Yas?"

"I mean, I'd want to be awake to see you two making out cause it'd be hot. But yeah, this is great."

I had to admit, I was thoroughly impressed by how comforting a comforting summer with the intention of being comforting was with Yas and Moon.

These girls really were something else.

I kept making out with Moon before I heard Yasmine stir.

"Damn." she groaned, yawning. "What time is it?"

"2 AM."

Yasmine stretched as I spoke. "I didn't wake her up did you?"

Moon shook her head. "Uh uh."

"Thought you said she was a heavy sleeper."

"Were you two fooling around without me?" Yasmine looked over at Moon and I sleepily, the only light in Moon's living room playing the movie we were watching.

My eyes widened. "Uh…No?"

"We agreed not to do that anymore." Yasmine raised her eyebrows and said in a sing song voice.

Moon and I seemed to have the same idea, looking at each other for a moment.

Moon untied her legs from around my waist, and both of us slipped around under Moon's blanket to.

Apologize, to Yas.

"Guys wait."

I heard her gasp above the covers on the couch.

"H-Hold up!"

It was enough to get her to forget about the whole thing. And the three of us fell asleep together after that.