 ( chapter thirty four )
TERRY SILVER.

"Yo, guys. My boy Rory, he got some free tickets to the drive-in tonight. I think they're going old school with something called Bloodsport?" Kyler spoke, walking up to Syd, Tory, and Robby. "I know that movie. My dad left an old VHS at our place. For a while it was the only evidence I had that he existed." Robby replied. "I heard it's pretty dope." Kyler stated, ignoring all of what Robby had just said. "So, if you guys are in, let's do this."

Tory shrugged. "Depends on how late I have to work tonight. My new boss put me on the schedule for today. Guy's a total creep." Syd frowned, wishing she could do something to help her friend. Every time she offered Tory would get upset, talk about how she doesn't need handouts or pity. Syd just decided to only give if Tory ever asked after the 5th time.

"You got a new job? Where you working?" Robby wondered innocently. "It's none of your business." Tory shot back. "Okay." Robby frowned. Syd sighed, turning her attention to Kenny as he angrily walked through the door. "Look who made it." Robby spoke.

Kenny just moved between Robby and Tory, frowning. "What's up?" Robby wondered. "I was at the high school yesterday and these older kids started messing with me. This one guy told me I should quit Cobra Kai." Kenny explained. "Who was he?" Robby asked. "I don't know. He had this spiky red hair." Kenny further explained.

Syd frowned, watching as the three around her all looked between her and each other for a moment. "We still owe that Judas some payback." Tory vocalized. "Hell yeah." Kyler agreed, cracking his knuckles. "What do you say, Syd?" Tory asked, looking at the girl. "I'd rather not be included or even know what you're thinking. It's all still a bit... fresh." Syd spoke, choosing her words carefully. Yeah, she was pissed at him now for messing with Kenny and Cobra Kai, but Syd did not want any part of whatever Tory was thinking. Honestly, she was just hoping Tory would forget about it again like she'd done the last time.

Kenny just looked around confused, not knowing any context. "I'll catch you up later." Robby promised, patting the boy on the back. "Everyone fall in." Sensei Kreese suddenly spoke, walking into the room.

Syd did as told, moving to her spot as she waited for Sensei Kreese to start the days lesson. "As you know, our enemies are working together. They are combining their styles to beat us. But they are destined to fail. Because there is only one way. And what is that way?" Sensei Kreese asked. "The Way of the Fist, sir!" Everyone responded.

It had been programmed into their minds for months and it was almost automatic for Syd to reply with the answer. "Exactly. However, that doesn't mean that we can't double down. Class, meet Sensei Terry Silver." Sensei Kreese spoke, ushering toward the back where another man walked out. "Co-founder of Cobra Kai and one of the most ferocious fighters in the history of the sport. Together, we built Cobra Kai from the ground up, and now he is here to help you prepare for the All Valley."

The two Sensei's turned to each other, bowing. "Thank you, Sensei Kreese. It's an honor to be here." Sensei Silver spoke, facing the students again. "With two senseis, you will receive twice the instruction. That means twice the work. And if you are not prepared to put in 200%, then you can leave right now." Sensei Kreese spoke. Sydney was excited. She was ready to take it to the next level.

"But if you dig in and follow our lead, we're gonna take you to the next level." Sensei Silver finished, almost like he was reading Syds thoughts. She smiled lightly, ready to put everything into winning the All Valley.

When practice was over, Syd felt her phone buzz in her pocket. She looked down, seeing Eli was calling. "Miss McKinley. A word?" Sensei Kreese asked from behind her. Syd turned her phone off, turning around to face the man. "Of course, Sensei."

She followed him into his office, Sensei Silver already waiting inside. "Is everything all right?" Syd wondered, nervously. "Of course. I just wanted you to meet Sensei Silver more personally. I told him about the talent we had with you." Sensei Kreese spoke. Syd smiled lightly, nodding. "Oh, thank you, Sensei." She turned to the other Sensei. "It's good to meet you, Sensei Silver."

He nodded, smiling lightly. "The pleasure is mine, Miss McKinley. Sensei Kreese has spoken highly of you, I'm excited to see if you live up to his words." Syd nodded, the goal now setting itself in her mind. "We didn't just ask you in here to pay you compliments, Miss McKinley. Sensei Silver and I wanted to ask you a question." Sensei Kreese stated.

Syd looked at him, anxiously awaiting whatever he had to say. "Now, I know how hard it must have been to have Hawk betray us the way he did, especially for you." Sensei Kreese continued. "That's over, Sensei." Syd quickly hid, speaking instantly to make her story known. "I know, I know, don't worry. I just bring it up because Sensei Silver and I know a thing or two about being betrayed. Now, I've noticed you haven't made use of the ability to come to the dojo after hours since the betrayal. I wanted to make sure you knew the invitation was still there. Sensei Silver has also requested that you take some private lessons with him." Sensei Kreese explained.

Syd smiled. "Really? That sounds great." Sensei Silver smiled. "I'm glad to hear it. I think that we can get a lot out of you that you don't even know you're holding back. And with the help of myself and Sensei Kreese, I can see you being Cobra Kai's shining star."

Syd didn't know how to contain her excitement. She wanted to show the two men that she could be everything they wanted and more. That she could be what they wanted to see from Cobra Kai. "We will start tomorrow." Sensei Kreese spoke and Syd nodded. "You're free to go now." Sensei Silver finished.

"Thank you, Sensei's." Syd bowed, walking out after. The two men looked at each other, smirking lightly. "I see the fire. Now let's just see if we can redirect it to where we see fit." Sensei Silver spoke. It seemed things were just beginning.

Syd walked out to her car and got in, noticing Eli calling again. She answered this time, putting the phone on speaker. "What's up?" She wondered, pulling out of the parking lot. "Hey, I wanted to see if you wanted to go to a drive-in movie tonight. I thought it could be a cute date." Eli spoke through the phone.

Syd frowned. "Cobra Kai is already going to that so we couldn't. Also, I heard about what you said to Kenny." She heard a sigh from the other side. "I never get to see you anymore. Also, who's Kenny?" Eli spoke. "The boy you cornered at the high school and told to quit Cobra Kai. Did you seriously do that?" Syd questioned.

"Look, I don't even think you should be in Cobra Kai but you've made it clear that you're not leaving and I respect your choices. But that doesn't mean I'm not gonna warn people who aren't as in it yet to get out while they can." Eli spoke honestly. "I guess if I see you at the drive-in you can try again to scare kids into leaving something they enjoy. Bye." Syd replied.

"Wait Syd—" Eli tried before the girl hung the phone up. She sighed, frowning as she took breaths in. It was hard enough to know her boyfriend was anti Cobra Kai, but it was worse that he now was actively trying to keep people from joining. She understood his side, how he was becoming someone he didn't want to be and she respected that. But she didn't understand how he couldn't see that she only became who she wanted to be after joining Cobra Kai.

Things just seemed to be getting a lot more complicated as time went on.

———————

Syd found herself in the back of Kyler's car with Robby and Tory next to her. She stared out the window with a frown as the movie played, really not in the mood. After she'd hung up the phone on Eli he'd texted her to tell her there was a chance Miyagi-Do and Eagle Fang would show up to the drive-in. All she wanted was one peaceful night without constant drama.

"Hey, I'm feeing this movie, man. This Jean-Claude Van... Damn! Right in the nuts!" Kyler freaked as he laughed up front with Edwin. He'd asked Syd to sit up front with him but quickly took back the invitation as she slammed her foot down on his. Kyler continued to freak out about the movie as Robby looked at Tory, noticing the way the girl wasn't exactly paying attention. "Not into the movie?"

"Oh, it's fine. I just had a shitty day." Tory replied. "I'd ask, but it's none of my business." Robby smiled. Syd continued to look out her window, feeling completely trapped between the two up front and the two beside her. It was moments like these she missed her old friends, how easy it was to hang out with them all.

She watched as Kenny walked past, moving to Reds car and handing all the snacks and drinks the boy had been asked to get. It was obvious all the guys were just using him and disguising it as earning his spot, but Syd didn't think it was hurting anyone so she just ignored it.

"Here's your stuff." Kenny spoke. "Hey, yo, bitch boy. What about mine?" Kyler wondered. Syd just rolled her eyes. "You said you didn't want anything." Kenny reminded, looking at the boy. "I want some now. Get me two buckets of popcorn with butter, four large Cokes, two hot dogs with mustard, no ketchup, and a pretzel." Kyler ordered.

Kenny frowned. "But I can't carry—"

"Oh, and some nachos with extra cheese and jalapeño poppers, all right? Hurry up, man." Kyler finished. Kenny frowned, moving to walk behind the car and get the request. Syd sighed, getting out of the car. "I'll help." Kenny smiled. "Thanks."

"Hey. Don't worry about him. Just hazing the new guy. It's a good thing." Robby spoke, hopping out of the car after Syd. "It is?" Kenny questioned. "Yes. Trust me, it's a lot less dangerous than what I had to do. Just keep your head up, you'll earn respect. Got it?" Robby spoke. "And, um, get me a Butterfinger."

Syd rolled her eyes, smiling lightly. "Magic word?" Robby looked to her, laughing slightly. "Please." Syd nodded, pulling Kenny with her toward the food as Robby went back into the car.

They'd been able to get everything and Syd stacked food up in Kenny's arms with a smile. "So you're not going to actually help?" Kenny wondered. "Hey, I've got the Butterfinger." Syd replied, laughing. He just sent her a look, the girl rolling her eyes before grabbing the drinks and one of the popcorns. "You're no fun."

She suddenly noticed Kenny stopped, looking where he looked as Bert and Nate stood there talking. Syd frowned, annoyed that Eli had been right and they'd ended up coming to the drive-in. She turned around upon hearing the sound of food falling to the ground, now being face to face with Eli as he looked at Kenny. "Damn. That sucks!"

Syd frowned, placing what she had in her hands down as she moved to stand beside the young boy, crossing her arms over her chest. Eli then saw her, eyes widening slightly as he realized she'd seen everything that had just happened. He looked at Kenny again. "You should really watch where you're going, kid."

Syd noticed Bert and Nate now circling as well, almost feeling the urge to laugh. "Maybe you should watch who you're slamming into." She replied, sending the boy a look. "She's right." Robby spoke, walking up from behind and going to Syds side.

She watched as Bert and Nate moved to stand beside Eli, the boy just watched as Robby placed a hand on Syds back to bring the girl closer to his side of the face off while Kenny moved to stand behind the two.

"Look who it is." Eli sneered, anger now fueling him as he noticed Robby's hand lingering around Syd. He wanted to punch the guy in the face. "You betrayed Miyagi-Do. Traitor." Nate frowned. "Oh, there's a traitor here for sure. He's gonna get what he deserves." Tory spoke, walking up with the rest of Cobra Kai behind her.

She stood by Syds side, grabbing the girls hand and squeezing lightly. "I don't think so." Sam spoke, walking up suddenly with Miguel and other members of the two dojos. "Not if I have anything to say about it, Princess." Sam continued, making note to emphasize "Princess." Syd just rolled her eyes. "Don't you guys have anything better to do than harass a kid?"

"Hey, guys. Can you believe that they have Mr. Pibb and Dr. Pepper?" Demetri spoke, suddenly walking up. Everyone on both sides turned to him, confused by the boy not seeing what was going on. He frowned. "Oh shit. Not another rumble."

Tory glared at Sam. "Careful, LaRusso. Your mommy isn't here to play peacemaker." Sam frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Guys, stop! Okay? We can't do this. We'll beat 'em on the mat." Miguel spoke. Syd laughed lightly, shocked that he could think so. "Oh really? You do remember what happened last time we fought, right?" Robby questioned. "Okay. Meet us at the baseball diamond in 30 minutes." Miguel decided. "And no weapons." He finished, looking right at Tory.

She scoffed. "Yeah, we won't need 'em." With that everyone moved to walk in opposite ways. Syd caught Eli's eye for a moment, looking at him sadly before once again feeling Robby's hand on her arm. "Come on. He isn't worth it." Syd just turned away from Eli, walking off with the rest of her team.

Eli stood there for a moment longer, frown deepening as he watched the exchange. He had all the more reason now to destroy Robby Keene at the All Valley.

30 minutes later the group found themselves at the baseball diamond, looking around for the Miyagi-Dos and Eagle Fangs. "You guys see anything?" Kyler wondered. "They'll be here." Robby replied. "They'd better be." Tory shot back.

Suddenly the lights began to turn off around the field before the sprinklers turned on all around the group, drenching them. Syd looked forward, immediately seeing Eli's mom's car with its lights on moving to leave. "We can't let them get away with this!" Kyler yelled out.

Syd just stared forward, glaring daggers as she did so. If they wanted to light a fire under her then all she could say was congratulations, because that was exactly what they had done.

"We won't." Robby promised.

———————

"We gotta hit 'em back with a home invasion. They hit us with a sprinkler? We gotta hit them even harder." Kyler yelled. "This is such bullshit. Just shut up and let—" Tory tried, tired of hearing the boys voice. "No cause can you actually shut up? No one can think with you constantly screaming." Syd agreed, Tory nodding. "I'm sorry do you two have an idea?" Kyler wondered, looking at them.

Syd rolled her eyes. "Anything would be better than home invasion. Like actually anything." Tory nodded. "Yeah just shut up, Kyler."

"Okay, okay! Everyone shut the fuck up and let's figure something out." Syd shouted, silencing the room. "Now let's actually make a plan because going in swinging only works when it's not expected. We need to outsmart them, not just attack them."

"Syds right. We can't just keep reusing the same moves and expect a different result. We need to think this one through and make it hurt." Tory agreed. Everyone nodded in return. It was time to plan and they wouldn't be embarrassed like that ever again.

AUTHORS NOTE!
trouble in paradise moment