chapter twenty:
❛ protect the eggs ❜

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The students shuffled nervously as Sensei Toguchi's sharp gaze scanned the line. The dojo, usually filled with the familiar presences of Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence, felt strangely intimidating with Sensei Toguchi's strict demeanor. He stood tall in front of them, his arms crossed, his eyes narrowing as he took in the group before him.

"Line up!" Sensei Toguchi called out, his voice slicing through the air with authority.

The students quickly formed a line, standing at attention, their faces a mixture of curiosity and unease. Sam glanced around, clearly noticing the absence of her father and Johnny. She leaned over to Alessia and whispered, "So, where's my dad and Johnny?"

Before Alessia could respond, Sensei Toguchi answered with an unyielding tone. "They're not here. Today, you train with me." His words were clipped, firm, leaving no room for argument.

Sensei Toguchi then spoke something in Japanese, his voice calm but commanding. The students exchanged confused glances, none of them quite understanding what he was saying. When he noticed their blank expressions, he sighed deeply, a hint of frustration crossing his face.

"Attention," he repeated, this time in English, making sure everyone understood. The students immediately straightened up, their hands by their sides, eyes focused forward.

Satisfied, Sensei Toguchi repeated his instruction in Japanese once more, though the confusion still lingered among the students. With another sigh, he kept it simple. "Bow."

Everyone followed his lead, bowing respectfully in unison. When they stood back up, he wasted no time, his sharp gaze sweeping over them.

"Cobra Kai gaining ground," he said sternly, his tone carrying an urgency that made everyone tense up. "We must prepare. Come."

He led them to a table at the side of the dojo, where an array of traditional karate weapons was laid out in a neat display. There were bo staffs, sai, nunchaku, and even a set of throwing knives. The students edged closer, their eyes wide with a mix of excitement and trepidation.

Alessia's eyes lit up when she spotted a bo staff lying among the weapons. She nudged Robby with a grin, her voice barely above a whisper. "I want that bo staff."

Robby chuckled, shaking his head. "You and your bo staffs," he teased.

"Now, we learn about Yanbaru Kuina," Sensei Toguchi announced, his voice steady and commanding.

Hawk squinted, looking thoroughly perplexed. "What is that? Like, some top secret karate move? Like a... throat rip?" He demonstrated by making a dramatic choking gesture with his hands, causing a few of the others to stifle laughs.

Sensei Toguchi's expression was dead serious as he replied, "No. It is bird. In English, called Okinawa rail. Endangered. Cannot fly."

Demetri rolled his eyes, shrugging as he muttered, "Hence, endangered," earning a few more chuckles from his friends.

With a slightly annoyed look, Sensei Toguchi turned and carefully placed a small, worn bag onto the table. He reached inside and uncovered a collection of eggs, each one delicately nestled within a bed of soft cloth.

Miguel tilted his head, his curiosity piqued. "So, these are the real eggs?" he asked, trying to sound serious but failing to hide his excitement.

Sensei Toguchi shot him a look of disbelief. "No. Trader Joe's. $3.29."

Miguel, Hawk, and Demetri exchanged amused glances, each trying to stifle their laughter at the unexpected response.

With an exasperated wave of his hand, Sensei Toguchi gestured to the table. "Just take egg."

The students stepped forward hesitantly, each one picking up an egg and holding it carefully, as if it were the most fragile thing in the world. Sam held hers cautiously, glancing at Sensei Toguchi with a raised eyebrow.

"So... what do we do with them?" she asked, her voice laced with a mixture of curiosity and skepticism.

Sensei Toguchi's gaze hardened. "Yanbaru Kuina must protect egg. From Kume Shima habu. Poison snake. You must do same," he explained, his tone low and intense.

He picked up an hourglass and turned it over, the grains of sand beginning to trickle down slowly. "Begin your preparation."

Robby looked around, his brows furrowing with concern. "What are we protecting them from?"

Without missing a beat, Sensei Toguchi's face lit up with a fierce determination. "From me."

The students barely had a moment to process his words before he snatched a pair of short training swords from the table, brandishing them in the air as he began shouting in Japanese. His voice was loud, commanding, filled with an energy that startled the students into action.

Alessia, clutching her egg tightly, was the first to snap out of her frozen state. Her eyes flicked between Sensei Toguchi's determined form and the egg in her hand. She took a quick, steadying breath, then darted off to the side, her face set in determination.

Sensei Toguchi noticed her movement and immediately set his sights on her. "Yes! Go! Protect!" he shouted, his voice sharp as he waved the swords around, each swing precise and intentional.

Seeing Alessia sprint off, the others snapped into action. Miguel and Robby exchanged a quick glance, each nodding as they took off in opposite directions, looking for cover while cradling their eggs. Hawk, a bit slower to react, tried to dodge around Sensei Toguchi, only to let out a startled yelp as the Sensei lunged in his direction, forcing him to backpedal.

"Move faster!" Sensei Toguchi barked, his voice echoing through the dojo. He swung his swords with agility, his movements quick and precise, though never actually making contact. It was clear he was testing them, seeing how well they could think on their feet.

Alessia and Robby slowly made their way toward Sam and Anthony, who were waiting at the edge of the training grounds. The sun was starting to dip lower in the sky, casting a golden glow over the beach. The air was thick with the tension of the challenge that was about to unfold, and both Alessia and Robby could feel the pulse of adrenaline building. They glanced around at the other students, noting the various hiding spots people had chosen for their eggs. It was a game of strategy, one that would test both their physical and mental agility.

Sam and Anthony were standing near a row of bushes, clearly deep in conversation as they waited for the time to start. Anthony was holding his egg cautiously, his face a mix of concentration and mild nervousness. Sam, always the calming influence, smiled at her younger brother and gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Well, think of it this way," she said with a confident tone, "you used your mind to outwit the obstacle." She flashed him a proud smile, her words lifting his spirits. "That's what Miyagi-Do's about," she added, making sure Anthony felt the full weight of her encouragement.

Robby, walking up behind Alessia, leaned against a nearby tree, his arms casually folded across his chest as he took in the scene. His gaze moved from Sam's comforting words to Anthony's slightly tense body language, and he couldn't help but add his own voice of support. "Exactly. Miyagi-Do teaches you to think outside the box. You're going to do great," he said, his voice full of quiet confidence. Sam and Anthony turned their heads at the same time, both of them smiling when they saw Alessia and Robby approaching.

"Hey," Sam said warmly, her eyes crinkling at the corners as she greeted them. There was an easy familiarity in her voice, like nothing had changed since they'd last worked together.

"Hey," Robby and Alessia replied almost in unison, their voices blending together in a smooth rhythm. Alessia smiled at Robby, a soft but affectionate expression that spoke volumes about the bond they shared.

Sam chuckled, her gaze shifting between them. "Deja vu, having you back here," she remarked with a small shake of her head. It was clear she was reminiscing about all the times they had trained together before, back when things felt simpler.

Alessia, her eyes lingering on Robby for a second longer, couldn't help but smile at the way he seemed so at ease with Sam. "Yeah, it does feel like that," she agreed, the words coming out in a soft murmur. She couldn't shake the warmth she felt, especially when Robby looked at her like that. It was as though time had folded back on itself and things felt like they were falling into place again.

Robby raised an eyebrow, his grin widening. "Like what you've done," he said as he motioned vaguely toward the training area with a tilt of his head. "How many times did your dad make you sand the deck? Did he make Alessia do it?" he asked, clearly joking.

Sam let out a laugh and shook her head, a glimmer of amusement in her eyes. "Zero, actually," she answered, completely unfazed by Robby's playful teasing.

Robby's eyes widened dramatically in mock surprise. "Zero?" he said in a tone that was exaggerated for comedic effect. Alessia laughed along with him, her shoulders shaking as the tension from the challenge seemed to fade away for a moment.

Alessia grinned at Sam. "Your dad brought a power sander," she said, her voice full of playful sarcasm. The memory of it made her laugh again-how Robby's dad had always been a bit of a construstive person. The image of Johnny pulling out the power sander was too funny not to bring up.

Robby chuckled heartily, shaking his head as if he were in awe. "Ah, sounds like him." he said with a chuckle. The easy exchange between them was a relief, especially with the pressure of the upcoming challenge hanging over them.

But then, Alessia's curiosity got the best of her. She leaned in a little, her voice soft but earnest. "So... you and Miguel are good now?" she asked, genuinely wanting to know how Robby was doing after all the tension between him and Miguel in the past.

Robby's expression softened, and for a moment, he looked down at the sand beneath his feet. "Yeah. My dad forced Miguel and I to fight it out, but we're good now. Miguel's mom is pregnant," he explained quietly, the weight of his words sinking in. It was clear this was a big shift for him-something that was changing the way he looked at things.

Alessia's eyes widened, her mouth falling open in surprise. "That's amazing, Robby!" she exclaimed, her voice full of excitement and genuine happiness for him. She could see how much this meant to him.

Sam nodded, her smile widening as she also processed the news. "Wow. That's huge, Robby," she said, her voice warm with empathy. She could tell how much the news of Miguel's impending sibling had affected him.

Robby chuckled and scratched the back of his head, his smile a little awkward but full of sincerity. "Yeah, it's crazy. Didn't expect it, but... things are changing. You know?" he said, glancing up at them both. There was a sense of hope in his voice, something lighter than Alessia had heard from him in a long time.

Before they could continue the conversation, a sharp whistle cut through the air, and they all turned toward the source. Sensei Toguchi stood at the front of the training grounds, his hands raised in the air. "Time has begun!" he called, his voice cutting through the air like a command.

Without another word, Robby grabbed Alessia's hand, pulling her gently toward the action. His grip was firm but comforting, and Alessia didn't hesitate as they both darted off together, moving quickly to find the best spots to protect their eggs. Their movements were seamless, working together with practiced ease as they navigated the field.

The sound of their footsteps pounding against the ground mixed with the distant calls of the other students, and Alessia felt the adrenaline begin to pump through her veins. She wasn't just running for the sake of the challenge-she was running with Robby, her partner, and together, they'd do whatever it took to win.

Robby and Alessia wasted no time once the whistle blew. Together, they quickly ran to a secluded spot on the beach, near the dunes where the sand was soft and undisturbed. They knelt beside each other, Alessia's fingers moving swiftly to dig small holes in the sand while Robby kept an eye out. Their movements were quick and practiced, the sense of urgency spurring them on. The plan was simple: bury their eggs deep enough that they wouldn't be easily found, then cover them with a layer of sand to hide them from their instructor's watchful eyes.

Once both eggs were securely hidden, they exchanged a quick glance of satisfaction, knowing they'd made their move. But just as they turned to head back, a sudden, sharp noise broke the stillness of the moment-an ominous thud-and they froze in their tracks.

Standing in front of them was Sensei Toguchi, a stern look etched across his face. He held a pitchfork in his hands, the sharp metal tines glinting in the sunlight as he stared them down. His eyes narrowed with purpose.

Robby's heart skipped a beat as he realized what was about to happen. His grip tightened on Alessia's hand, his body tensing instinctively.

Without a word, Sensei Toguchi moved forward, his gaze unblinking. With a single motion, he plunged the pitchfork into the sand where the eggs had been hidden. Alessia's stomach dropped as she watched in horror. The pitchfork's prongs sank into the sand with a sickening crunch, and in an instant, both eggs were impaled, cracked wide open.

The challenge, it seemed, was over before it had truly begun.

Robby and Alessia stood in stunned silence for a moment, both of them staring at the shattered remains of their eggs. Sensei Toguchi, seemingly indifferent to their shock, turned and walked off without saying a word, his footsteps deliberately slow and purposeful. He didn't need to speak; the message was clear. It was a lesson in humility, in never underestimating the obstacles ahead-even when you thought you had outsmarted the situation.

Once he was gone, Robby and Alessia exchanged a glance, the weight of the defeat settling in. Robby exhaled sharply, frustration written all over his face. He shook his head and let out a low groan, his arms crossing over his chest in a defensive posture. "Man, that's messed up," he muttered, sulking as he trudged toward the sparring deck.

Alessia, too, couldn't help but feel the sting of the loss. She followed him silently, her hand still clasped tightly in his as they made their way toward the sparring area. Her mind raced, trying to process the swift end to what had seemed like a fun, challenging exercise. It felt unfair, like they'd barely had a chance to prove themselves.

When they reached the sparring deck, Robby slumped against the wooden railing, his posture slouched with a deep frown etched on his face. He was clearly irritated, his frustration mounting with each passing second.

Alessia stood beside him, still holding his hand, but she knew there was nothing she could say that would immediately fix the sour mood that had taken over him. Instead, she stayed quiet for a while, allowing him the space he needed to let the defeat wash over him.

After a moment, Alessia leaned against the railing next to him, her eyes scanning the other students on the sparring deck. The air felt thick with tension, but Alessia was determined to keep a cool head. She was used to setbacks by now, but seeing Robby like this made her want to find a way to help him through it.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity of silence, she spoke up softly. "Hey, it's just a game, Robby. We'll get them next time. Don't let it get to you."

Robby let out a sigh, rubbing his temples as though trying to ease the frustration that had taken root in his mind. "It's not that. It's just... I thought we had it, you know? I don't like being outplayed like that," he muttered, his voice tinged with a rare vulnerability that he didn't often show.

Alessia nodded, understanding where he was coming from. "Yeah, I get it. But that's the point of training, right? Learning to handle these surprises and still keep going." She looked up at him with a small, encouraging smile. "Besides, you're tougher than you think. We'll bounce back."

Robby gave her a sideways glance, a half-hearted smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "I know. Thanks, Alessia." His mood seemed to shift slightly, the anger starting to fade as he appreciated her words. It didn't fix everything, but it was a start.

As they continued to watch the others spar, the feeling of defeat slowly began to lift. There was a long way to go before they could truly master the art of martial arts, but together, they knew they could face whatever challenges came next-both on and off the sparring deck.

Meanwhile, Robby was curious about how Hawk had been taken out of the game. "How'd he take you out?" Robby asked, but the question was met with a sharp glare from Hawk.

"Shut up. Don't talk to me," Hawk retorted, the tension between them immediately palpable. Alessia understood the animosity-Robby had been the one to shave off Hawk's mohawk, a deeply personal attack in the Cobra Kai war.

Robby, sensing the unresolved anger, tried to apologize. "Dude, if this is about the mohawk, I'm sorry. But if anybody knows how Cobra Kai can turn you into an asshole, it's you," he shot back, trying to bridge the gap but only fanning the flames.

Hawk's eyes narrowed, his pride wounded by Robby's words. "So I'm an asshole?" he countered, his voice laced with disbelief and anger.

"Yeah, well, let's see," Robby began, his voice rising as he ticked off the offenses on his fingers. "Uh, you attacked me and Sam at the mall. You broke Demetri's arm. You trashed this entire dojo-"

Before Robby could finish, Demetri stepped in, raising his hands in a desperate attempt to diffuse the escalating argument. "Guys! Enough! Enough! All right? You're both ex-assholes now. Great. Can we focus on the issue at hand? There is a madman out there using weapons on us," Demetri rambled, gesturing wildly as he referred to Sensei Toguchi's weapon-wielding antics that had smashed so many of their eggs.

The tension began to ease slightly as Robby and Hawk took in Demetri's words, both realizing that their personal grudge wasn't helping their current situation. Alessia asked, "Who's even left?" Her voice broke the silence, reminding everyone that the exercise was still ongoing.

Alessia's eyes widened as she connected the dots. "Holy shit. Miguel and Sam are left," she breathed out, the realization dawning on her that two of the strongest fighters and exes in their group were still in the game, facing off against the relentless Sensei Toguchi.

As Miguel and Sam's eggs met the same fate as the others, everyone gathered around to watch Sensei Toguchi fry them on a portable pan. Alessia frowned, her eyes fixed on the sizzling eggs. "I miss our eggs," she sighed, referring to her lost egg with a hint of dramatic sadness. Robby, standing beside her, gave her shoulder a reassuring pat.

Sensei Toguchi, catching the comment, looked at Alison in disbelief. "You are not good at Yanbaru Kuina," he remarked bluntly, shaking his head. He stood up, his expression stern as he addressed the group. "Snakes will take you down one by one. I have tried to tell you what you must do. But you do not listen. You must learn to adapt. Or soon, you will be extinct. Take new eggs. Try again."

Sam walked forward, grabbing the container holding fresh eggs and distributing them among the group. Each person took one, bracing themselves for the next round. Demetri, ever the observant one, commented, "Sensei Toguchi's real cryptic, like Mr. LaRusso, but aggressive like Sensei Lawrence."

"It's like the hardest part of both styles," Alessia agreed, nodding thoughtfully.

"Uh, no. No, um... G- Guys, uh, wait," Anthony stammered, his voice filled with a mixture of excitement and uncertainty. Everyone paused, turning back to him with curious expressions. "He said that the snakes will take us down one by one. Right? Just like he took us down one by one, but... But what if we weren't a bunch of ones? Like, what if we were..."

Alessia's eyebrows shot upwards as the realization hit her. "Together," she finished for him, her voice clear and confident.

Anthony nodded, his excitement growing. "Yeah, exactly. Like, um, a raiding party in Dungeon Lords," he continued, his voice gaining momentum.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah! Even if you're a level 85, you can't mount an attack on the grand realm alone," Demetri added, catching onto Anthony's train of thought.

"Exactly! You need a team. And everybody has a special role," Hawk exclaimed, the idea resonating with him.

"The only way we win is if we work together. As one," Anthony said proudly, his face lighting up with determination.

Alessia and Robby shared a smirk, exchanging a look that said they were ready for whatever challenge was coming next. This time, they had a plan, and they weren't going down without a fight.

As everyone stood on the sparring deck, they were gathered around a hat containing their eggs, ready to defend it with everything they had. Each person was in a fighting stance, their eyes darting around, scanning the area for any sign of Sensei Toguchi. "So we're sure we want to put all our eggs in one basket? You're specifically not supposed to do that," Demetri asked, clearly wary of their strategy.

"This is gonna work," Anthony replied with a determined look. His confidence was infectious, even if the plan seemed risky.

Sensei Toguchi's sharp whistle cut through the air, making everyone tense up. "Oh no, oh no. Oh God," Mitch muttered, his anxiety evident.

Alessia shot him a glare. "Get it together, Penis Breath!" she snapped, trying to keep everyone focused.

"Has anyone seen him yet?" Sam questioned, her eyes scanning the surroundings.

"No idea," Alessia replied, shaking her head.

The group fell silent, their senses heightened as they looked around for any sign of Sensei Toguchi. Then, they spotted him, sneaking up on them with surprising speed. "Oh shit," Miguel cursed under his breath.

Sensei Toguchi charged forward, letting out a fierce battle cry as he brandished his bō staff. "Ready!" Miguel yelled, and the group sprang into action.

Alessia was the first to react, lunging forward to grab the bō staff. Robby quickly followed, kicking the staff to try to disarm Sensei Toguchi. But Sensei was quick, spinning around and sweeping the staff in a wide arc, forcing everyone to back away or dodge. Robby went in for a punch, but Sensei blocked it with the staff and then swiftly knocked him to the ground.

Hawk was next, grabbing the bō staff and trying to wrestle it from Sensei's grip. But Sensei was too strong, spinning Hawk around and making him lose his hold. Demetri attempted a kick, but the bō staff blocked his path. Sensei then kicked Hawk, causing him to stumble back, but Alessia was there to catch him.

"Grab the bō!" Hawk yelled. Alessia lunged for it, and soon everyone was helping them, their combined strength almost overpowering Sensei. But just when they thought they had the upper hand, Sensei Toguchi let go of the staff and ducked under it, causing the group to stumble forward.

Anthony, who had been watching closely, kneeled down, positioning himself protectively over the eggs. As Sensei Toguchi reached for them, Anthony grabbed the hat just in time. Alessia tried to spin around with a kick, but Sensei blocked it, countering with his own attack. Robby stepped in, delivering a kick to Sensei's side, but he blocked it with ease. Miguel and Sam both attempted kicks, but Sensei deflected them all, his movements smooth and precise.

Finally, Sam managed to grab Sensei's wrist, giving Miguel an opening to kick him in the stomach. But even then, Sensei backed away, pushing Sam off him before she could pin him down. Robby and Hawk exchanged a look, then attacked simultaneously, their kicks hitting Sensei at the same time and forcing him to stumble back.

Alessia, not missing a beat, dropped to the ground and tried to sweep Sensei off his feet, but he quickly moved his foot out of the way. Sensei then dodged another kick from Hawk, only to grab Alessia by the waist and throw her to the ground as she lunged at him.

Despite their best efforts, Sensei Toguchi remained a formidable opponent. But as he stood in the center of the deck, surrounded by the group in their fighting stances, he couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. They had fought together, adapting and working as a team, and it had paid off.

Sensei Toguchi stepped forward, testing them one last time. The group moved in unison, ready to defend the eggs, their determination evident. Seeing this, Sensei Toguchi sighed, realizing they had finally learned the lesson he was trying to teach.

"Snake concede," he said, bowing to them in respect. Alessia smiled, and everyone turned to Anthony, celebrating him with daps and hugs for his brilliant idea.

"This is what we have that Cobra Kai does not. Their movement is a mile wide, but only an inch deep. But our movement is an inch wide, but a mile deep. Now that you have learned to work together, I will teach you how to master your defense," Sensei Toguchi stated proudly. He then spoke something in Japanese, and everyone stood up straight, their hands at their sides, before bowing in unison, ready to continue their training with a newfound sense of unity.

ASH SPEAKS!

the teens deserved so much more screentime in s5... what is this shit cant even fit alessia into every episode 😭

s6 part 2 is soon!!

PLEASE DONT BE A GHOST READER!!!
COMMENT AND VOTE! IT HELPS US WRITERS STAY MOTIVATED:)