I'm Somebody Else Now, but a Monster?

A/N: Hey Cobra Kai fans, here with my first post season 4 story. I know I have other CK fics in progress but I had to get this out. I have no idea how long this one will be. I'm saying that up front, but I really wanted to write some Robby and Tory, comfort/ angst/ reflection, determination, with a healthy dose of Robby and Johnny as well and take a look at both Robby and Tory's arcs this season and how that might affect them going forward, how they might make amends. So the focus might not necessarily be on all of the elements of season 4's end at least to start. But other characters will pop in as the season's end events catch up with everyone. I don't have this *completely* planned, it's mostly exploration and just a way to explore all of the feels and writing a pairing that I never have before but really want to try. But I hope you enjoy this start.

Disclaimer: I do not own Cobra Kai or the Karate Kid, anything you recognize belong to the creators and owners of Karate Kid and Cobra Kai, not me. Just playing in the world showing appreciation for a franchise I love.

Chapter One: An (Un)Fair Fight For Every Inch

Tory's POV

I can't believe this shit. I want to scream, but I can't. The asshole will hear. Sensei Silver paid off the judge. I storm down the hall, adjusting my bag on my shoulder, and running my hand over my cell phone, pressing the one button to hide what I know I shouldn't have done. I know if I don't show up to this Cobra Kai victory party what that will look like. Maybe I can get away with being late. There's something else I have to do first. I open up the text messages on my phone and begin to type furiously.

[Somewhere we can talk, privately?] I send the message and take a deep breath hoping for an answer. I hadn't seen him around since the match ended, but maybe he would answer. Maybe he would show.

"Yo Nichols you coming Queen Cobra?" Kyler whoops. And I finally realize, I had gone out to where I knew Kyler's car was parked. Total autopilot. Totally not what I wanted to do. But…do I really have a choice?

And I force a smile, a laugh, hoisting the trophy high, even though it feels like lead in my hand. "Hell yeah!"

Robby's POV

"It's gonna be alright, we'll figure this out…"

I'm not sure how long I'm hugging Dad, but I find I can't let go. This is what I've wanted for so long, but everything had to go to shit for everyone, to get there. Kenny, my Dad, Mr. LaRusso, Sam Miguel. Everything was messed up. Because of me. What am I doing? What am I doing? I can't catch my breath, and I let go, I back up, the tears still streaming down my face. My legs are shaking.

"Robby… Robby hey…" Dad follows me. "It's okay."

"No, it's…it's not." I shake my head. "We can't figure this out…I…I messed up. I…" My chest is tightening up.

"Robby!" Dad takes his hands and braces me in place, his voice cracking too. I want to flinch, to strike, expecting an attack but his grip isn't hard. He's not planning on taking me to the ground…not this time. Not like at this spot last year. And it's then, I realize, I'm so screwed up. "Breathe, just breathe."

I take in lungfuls, in and out, and it seems like hours before I actually catch it. "I can't stay here…" I surprise myself when I speak. I know I don't just mean this spot, this dojo despite what I say next. "I need to get out of Cobra Kai."