Chapter 4
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Robby got off the elevator and headed towards his room. He stopped and turned around when he heard his dad call out for him. He and Daniel were side-by-side.
"Everything good?" Daniel asked.
"Yeah, I'm good," Robby replied, but then shook his head. "I was at the gym, trying to find my balance again and I saw Silver."
"What happened?" Johnny asked, taking a deliberate step forward. His fists clenched. "Listen, if that son of a—
"—No, dad," Robby said quickly, holding up his hand. "It's fine. Nothing happened. You know how he is…just trying to push my buttons."
Daniel sighed, "Yeah, that's what Silver does. He tries to get to you up here," he pointed to his head. "Once he does, that's how he controls you."
"He's going to try something," Robby sternly said, "I know it. I mean, we saw the tricks he pulled with Cobra Kai, but now the Iron Dragons. They're already tough to beat, and now that he has control…"
"Listen, Robby…" Daniel started again, "Your dad is right. We took Silver down before and we can do it again. We know how he operates. But we can't be focusing all our energy on him."
"How can you be so nonchalant?" Robby asked. "He had you locked in a dog cage. Like an animal."
"Robby, we gotta remember that we're not back in the Valley," Daniel said, "We have to look at the bigger picture here. The only thing Silver cares about is winning…if we pull that…"
"We pull him," Johnny finished.
"Exactly," said Daniel, "In the meantime, try to keep your distance. Don't let him get to you."
"Don't worry, Mr. LaRusso, I'm not going to do anything stupid," Robby promised, "But I'm not afraid of him."
"We know he's going to fight dirty…but we'll deal with him on the mat," Johnny said. The three of them nodded in agreement. "Alright," Johnny placed a hand on Robby's shoulder, "Why don't you go chill out for a bit and we'll go down and get something to eat afterwards?"
"Sounds good."
"Hey, Robby," Johnny called out again. "You kicked ass with your training today. I know you weren't feeling it before, but you got this."
For the first time in a while, Robby smiled. "Thanks, dad. That means a lot." Robby went back to the room. No one was there except Devon and Kenny. "What are you two up to?"
"Making amends," Devon said, giving Kenny a knowing smile. Kenny returned the smile and stood up on his feet.
"Are we good?" Kenny asked, holding out his balled fist.
"Never better," Devon said, giving him a fist bump.
"I'll see you later," Kenny said, bumping shoulders with Robby before leaving the room.
Robby then asked Devon, "Everything ok with you two?"
"Yeah, it's just…tying up some loose ends and taking accountability…" Devon said, moving from the chair and now sitting down on the bed. "It's going to be a relief for everyone to have Kenny back on the Team…"
Robby looked at Devon curiously. "Why do you say it like that?"
"What Sam said was right. I haven't been helping the Team. I wanted so bad to be here—
"—Devon, you earned your spot. Whatever mistakes you've done before doesn't take away the fact that you're a great fighter. Our senseis saw that. Don't worry about what Sam said, we've all been under a lot of pressure. I mean, look at me… the Team needs you. Don't ever doubt that."
"Thanks, Captain," Devon softly said, "You sound a lot like Sensei Lawrence. You get a lot of those leadership qualities from him."
"Oh, thanks…I need to start showing them a little more," Robby said.
Devon hesitated a little before she continued to talk, "And I know you've been worried about Tory, but she's strong. She always has been. If it weren't for her, I'd still be under Silver and Creese's web. I know that you and I haven't really talked much—
"It's ok, you can say it. I need to get back on the ball."
"I'm sure you've heard enough of that. I was going to say that I understand that Tory needs to find herself. I think that's why we bonded so quickly…I lost my mom to cancer," Robby turned and looked at her, his attention drawing closer. "Everything I did in my life was for her. I wanted to be a better person, a better fighter, a person who didn't give up…"
"I didn't know about your mother, I'm sorry," replied Robby.
"Grief, it…it just makes you do things…things you never thought you would. It pushes you to seek comfort and healing in ways that you never expected."
Robby sighed and sternly nodded, "She has to deal with this her way. She has to heal. I respect that. But I made it clear that I'm not going to lose my head over this. So, I ended things…"
Devon looked shocked, "Wait-you…broke up with Tory?"
"I had to do what I had to do just like how she had to do what she had to," Robby directly said.
Devon looked down and nodded her head. "Was that why…"
"What?"
"Nothing."
"No, go on, tell me."
"Tell me to mind my own business," Devon said, "But I passed by the gym earlier and I just happen to see you talking to Zara Malik. You guys seemed…or at least she seemed a little close…I saw her kiss you." Devon was studying his face trying to look for any expressions, "I wasn't spying or anything, I just happened to be walking by."
Robby sighed and shook his head. "It was nothing."
"Hey," Devon said quickly, touching his shoulder. "Don't worry, I didn't say anything to anyone."
Robby smiled kindly. "Believe me, Devon, it's nothing to worry about. I just went for a workout, we started talking and…Silver showed up." Robby's expression immediately shifted.
"Really? What did he say?"
"The regular small talk. He's going to make sure his new dojo rises to the top, goading me for not following him, threatening to bring us all down."
"Of course," Devon said, not sounding surprised.
"Anyway, she started asking about him and I just warned her to keep her distance from him," Robby explained, "She thanked me."
"I see…I'd just be careful around her. I mean, you see how she is…all into herself," Devon said, carefully. "It's all about branding for her, as she called it. I'm sure she can take care of herself." But I just have to ask…is it really the end for you and Tory though? Who knows…after this is all over…you may reconcile again."
"I don't know…let's not worry about that. Let's focus on the tournament and on winning."
"Sounds like a plan," Devon said with a nod. "Coming down for dinner?"
"Yeah, I'll be right there. I'm just gonna grab a shower first."
Devon nodded and left the room.
XX The next day XX
There were now eight dojos left in the Sekai Taikai event. Today was the final group event. Robby knew it was do or die for Miyagi-Do. If he didn't turn things around, they'd be going home. He told himself he wasn't going to make any slip-ups or any silly mistakes. He went out into the hallway and saw Sam, Eli, and Demetri talking.
"What are you guys whispering about?" he asked.
"Nothing," Eli said.
"It's not nothing," Demetri replied.
Sam sighed. "They're just worried about Kenny's loyalty. They don't think it's a coincidence that he shows up at the exact same time we find out Silver's here."
"Not me, really," Eli said, he turned and gave Demetri a look, "It's him."
"Don't you think it's a bit convenient though? We're no strangers to Silver's tactics and Kenny can turn on us at any minute."
"Guys, come on," Robby said, putting his arms up. "We can't be worried about something like that now. All that is in the past. People change. Things have changed so much in the last year – with all of us!"
"Kenny is a wild card, Robby," Demetri explained, "It's already a miracle we've even gotten this far in this tournament." Sam rolled her eyes at him. "But now that we have, we can't afford any surprises or screw ups."
"Yeah, you're the one to talk about screwing up," Eli muttered, undoubtedly implying more than one thing toward his friend.
"You're really gonna go there again?"
"Guys, enough!" Robby shouted. "Look, I get it, you're worried. But what we can't afford is to shut people out. We didn't just come here to fight. We came to compete. To win. What you're doing here, is exactly what Silver wants. He's making you paranoid and we haven't even gone up against his Team yet."
"Robby's right," Sam said, "We have to unite. Not fight each other."
Demetri sighed out in frustration, "Alright, fine. But if he pulls anything, it's on the both of you." He gestured to the two Captains.
"I'm hungry!" Robby said, "I need some fuel before tonight's event. Anyone want to check out another restaurant with me? Seriously, this hotel's got plenty."
"I'm actually going to go meet Miguel," Sam said, "Now that he's back, we're going to explore more of Barcelona together while we still have the chance to be here."
Robby would've preferred if Sam had accompanied Eli and Demetri as he noticed the two were always going at each other over the smallest thing. He wasn't sure if it all stemmed from that night at the Tapas bar or from when Eli revealed that he did not apply to M.I.T.
"Alright, well, I think I'm going to check out the W Lounge," Robby said, "If any of you want to join…feel free."
Robby made his way down to the W Lounge in the hotel. He was amazed by its interior. When you step inside, the first thing that strikes you is the colours, with deep blues and rich purples and whites, that were reminiscent of the ocean's depths which the lounge overlooked. There were plush, oversized sofas adorned with luxurious fabrics inviting guests to sink in and unwind. In one corner, there was a clean and sleek bar that stretched along the wall, stocked with a colourful array of selections. There was also a soft hum of Spanish music that breezed through the lounge.
"Hey, boss. I'll get a menu," said Robby, leaning against the bar.
"Not a problem," one of the hosts handed him a menu.
Robby turned his head in and around, continuing to admire the spacious and elegant lounge. He then looked between the white pillars and tilted his head when he noticed Zara sitting on one of the long couches. She sat cross-legged, occupied on her phone. Robby was going to leave her be but decided to go over.
"Prepping your followers for tonight?" he asked, startling her. She looked up at him through a pair of sunshades. "Sorry. Didn't mean to scare you."
"No, it's ok," she quickly said, stuffing her phone into her pants pocket. "I was just checking some things…" She then stood up and walked past him. Robby frowned at her hurriedness to get away from him.
"Hey, sorry if I was interrupting something," Robby said, sounding a little amused as he walked after her. "You don't have to leave." He caught her by the arm, stopping her. "And why are you wearing sunglasses in here?" Robby removed them from her face, much to her dismay. The amused look on his face slowly faded as he noticed a bruise on her face. Her skin was swollen, and it was tinged with a slight red and purple underneath her eye.
"Woah, what happened to your face?"
"Nothing, just give those back!" Zara grabbed her shades from Robby's hand.
At first, Robby thought she was wearing shades to make herself look more appealing for one of her livestreams, but he could see now, that clearly wasn't the case.
"How did that happen? That wasn't there when I saw you yesterday," Robby said, "And we haven't had any events recently." Not that anyone's been able to touch Zara on the mat, Robby thought as an afterthought.
"It was a training accident," Zara quickly said, trying to avoid his gaze. "It's not a big deal."
Robby's expression now shifted again, turning more serious. "By accident, you mean Silver."
"By accident I mean accident."
"Zara, you don't need to defend him!" Robby said, grabbing her arm. "I know what he's capable of."
"I just told you. It wasn't him," Zara shot back, yanking her arm away from him. She looked around again, making sure they weren't drawing any attention. "I don't know what your beef is with that guy, but it wasn't him. It was my Sensei…"
"Sensei Wolf? Why would he do that? Why would he hit you?" Robby pressed. "And I've had my share of training under different senseis over the years. I can tell that wasn't an accident."
"He found out that I was speaking to you…"
"And…what?"
"I'm not supposed to be talking to opponents."
Robby paused not really knowing what to say. He could not tear his eyes away from the bruise on her face.
"Your world doesn't revolve around being on the mat, you know…"
"I have to go," Zara said, putting her shades back on. "I'll see you out there tonight."
Robby was left in the lounge staring after her. He heard both Demetri's and Eli's voice coming from inside the lounge. He forgot everything about how he had invited them. He hesitated for a moment, but then left the lounge and went after Zara.
