Some time had passed and Robby and Johnny were still enjoying each other's company. Even outside the dojo, they would do some light sparring. Often, Miguel would join. This day, they were taking a break and just spending some time together. The teenager's face was concerned-looking. He glanced at the two.
"Do you think we've got a chance at winning the tournament?" Miguel asked them both.
"Of course. Cobra Kai's record used to be perfect." Johnny said, confidently though the thought of when that ended pained him.
"What about the other dojos?" Miguel asked. "We know we're better than the Miyagi-Dos, but we don't know what the others are doing."
"That's why we train the way we do." Robby stated, taking a sip of his drink. "We can't know what they'll do, so we just have to be as ready as possible for any outcome. The better we are, the better chance we have to do that."
Miguel was satisfied with that answer, but another question came to him. "What about Sensei Hyde?"
"What about him?" Johnny inquired.
"Well, doesn't he have a dojo too? Are we going to be going up against his own students?"
Johnny hesitated. The two of them had not spoken about that. "Would David actually join and fight us or would he be on our side? Kaldur's with us, so he'd be going against his son too."
The guys hung out for a bit longer until Miguel went back across to his home, but Johnny's mind had not left his words. They did not know all their opponents, but these were some they could be aware of after some questions were answered. He was not sure if it would be fair to ask the Manta dojo to sit it out. Still, the sensei just wanted to know what his students would have to do and who they would have to fight.
That evening, David was at the dojo again and he continued giving occasional comments to the students. His advice was the same as before, technically good but also dangerous. A change was noticeable in Hawk and some of the others, though. Their attacks were becoming increasingly violent and filled with hate. During a spar, Miguel was almost unsure if he was fighting his friend, Hawk, or a real foe.
"Easy, Hawk." He said, just dodging a heel to the face.
"No." Kreese chimed in. "Your enemies won't stop. The only way to prepare yourself for that is to train for it here. Well done, Hawk."
The young man looked pleased with himself and smiled at the sensei. The grin turned to a spiteful smirk when he glanced back at Miguel. Johnny barely noticed it and kept thinking about the other sensei's dojo. While Kreese took over some of the lessons, he went to David. The father turned to him.
"About the tournament," Johnny began, "is your dojo going to be in it too? Just figured we should know how to prepare."
In the proceeding pause, Johnny noticed some nerves creeping into him. Finally, David answered.
"No." he said, plainly. "I have been training your students. I know their strengths and weaknesses now. My dojo has already won plenty of tournaments. We do not need another. I just want Kaldur to win. He represents me as much as my students do."
Johnny was not sure if he agreed with that sentiment, but he had to admit to himself that he was relieved they would have one less group of opponents.
"You really should come to my dojo some time." David offered. "It is a bit of a distance away, so Kreese would have to take care of the students here. If you come, you should bring Robby and Miguel. Though we shall remain allies, it could be nice for them to see the type of fighters they might have to combat."
"Yeah, that could work. I've been meaning to get out there. If tomorrow works, I bet we can go then."
"I see no reason why it would not." The other sensei said with a smile.
Feeling better, Johnny returned to teaching. After the classes were over, several students left with Hawk. Kaldur had a suspicious feeling and followed them from a short distance. Something was going on and them all going in the same direction, almost walking in step, was not comforting. Kaldur watched them until they reached another building. It looked like a home.
"Why would they come here?" he wondered, then it hit him as his eyes widened. "This must be where Miyagi-Do is located. I imagine they did not come just to say hello." "What are you guys doing?" Kaldur asked, revealing his presence.
They jumped at his voice, then the concern on Hawk's face faded as he was recognized.
"When did you start following us?" he questioned.
"That does not really answer the question, Hawk. There is no reason for us to be here."
Hawk sneered at him before starting to walk again. The group marched up to the home and kept going until they reached the backyard.
"You are trespassing." Kaldur told them, frowning. He did not want to have to stop them, but he would if it came down to it. "They will know it was us and Sensei Lawrence will take the brunt of that blame. Is that what you want?"
"Can't dissuade me now, Kal. Sensei Kreese told me to strike first, strike hard, and not show mercy. I'm just following his advice and Sensei Lawrence brought him into the dojo, so their ideals can't be that different."
Frown deepening, Kaldur went over to where they were. It was about to start. Hawk was going to kick into some area by a pond and it was clear that Kaldur's words were not going to stop him.
"What do you think you are doing?" a cold voice asked behind them.
It chilled Kaldur and the others stopped. Turning, they saw David. He had a stern glare on his face as he assessed the situation.
"I'm following what Sensei Kreese said to do." Hawk told him, a bit of hesitancy in his voice.
"If he suggested vandalism, then you might need to rethink your actions." he said. "None of my students have ever needed to ruin a dojo and that will not change today. Go home before I make you."
They eyed the sensei and saw the sincere look on his face. It did not take much to realize that even if they all fought, they would lose. Still, they did not want to fight him. He was their sensei as much as Kreese was. His piercing eyes seemed to burn through them until they moved back onto the concrete and away from the house. Though visibly upset, they said nothing to the man. The group dispersed until the only ones remaining were David and Kaldur. The young man regarded his father with surprise.
"Why did you do that?" he asked. "What they were about to do seemed like the type of action you would normally support."
David shook his head. "Destruction is not needed to send a message. Anyone can destroy inanimate objects. Destroying people is more respectable."
A low scoff came from Kaldur and he started to leave. "Well, thank you for convincing them to leave."
"Hold on." David said. "I was talking with Johnny about him bringing Miguel and Robby to the dojo tomorrow. Would you like to join us?"
Kaldur stopped dead in his tracks. "You are bringing them there? Did they decide that?"
"There was no coercion, if that's what you are implying." He replied. "It is simply a matter of two senseis helping their students. They do not have to and neither do you, but I thought your company would be enjoyed for all parties involved."
Kaldur frowned. "Of course, he is having them go to the lion's den and pretending that I have a choice. I cannot leave them to his mercy. And they will be horribly outnumbered there." "I will go." He said, still frowning.
"Well, wonderful." David said. "Still, you do not have to if it is so distressing."
"You know I do." Kaldur told him. "Why play these games?"
"No games, Kaldur. Whether you go or not, they will be safe. You have my word, though I am sure that means little to you; however, have you known me to explicitly lie?" Kaldur remained quiet, pondering over his words. "You do not have to decide right now. I just wanted you to have the option."
David began to walk away from the scene and Kaldur stood there a few more moments, thinking about everything.
"Can I trust that? If I do, who knows what he might do to them, and if I do not, then he gets what he wants." The youth sighed and put a hand to his throbbing head. "That is better than the alternative."
He returned to his empty home and wondered what his friends were doing. Surely, they were enjoying themselves more than he was at the moment. Did they see David's true self yet or was he still alone? Well, that was only the natural state of things, so he was accustomed to how that felt. Resigned to the idea of joining them, Kaldur went through the next day as he would any other. He had to laugh at how things he dreaded always took forever to arrive yet came too soon. After work, Robby and Kaldur joined the others and rode to the spot. It was here that unwanted memories hit Kaldur. He looked at the window as they neared the building. When they arrived, he was the last to get out. He had to be ready for anything. Only time would tell the outcome, so with his senses as alert as ever, Kaldur exited the car prepared himself for whatever was to come.