MONDAY CAME TOO quick. At school I was shoving books in my locker before first period, talking to Suzi about an assignment we got in class when Freddy came up behind me, tapping my shoulder lightly.

I turned and smiled, "Hey, how's it going?" Freddy didn't return my smile and my own started to slip. "What's wrong?" I asked him. Freddy had trouble meeting my eyes and he seemed to stumble for words. I put my hand on his upper arm but he gently shrugged me off.

"Look, I - I can't go to the dance anymore. I've got a family dinner to go to."

"Oh. Well, that's okay, I don't need to go to the dance. We can go to dinner with your family instead. I don't mind," I said, trying to lighten the conversation that Freddy was obviously nervous having.

"No, uh you should go to the dance. Just... We can't go together okay?"

I studied Freddy's face, "Do you... Do you not want to go with - me to the dance? Is that what this is really about?"

Freddy went to reply but he glanced behind him to where a group of other students stood. One with light blonde hair was watching the scene casually as he talked to his friends. Johnny.

My attention returned to Freddy as he spoke again, "I just can't go with you (Y/N). I'm sorry,"

I sighed as Freddy walked away, speeding down the hallway and passing Johnny who looked at him once before turning back to his friends again.

I didn't know what to feel. Should I be mad? Sad? No, I felt betrayed. Angry, and betrayed. Because when I looked at Johnny and his gaze met mine, I knew exactly what he had done. I knew that he had most likely "talked" to Freddy and told him to not go to the dance with me. I knew Johnny and the guys didn't like him because they thought he was a nerd but that was no excuse for what had just happened.

"(Y/N)? You okay? That was... weird." I heard Suzi's voice next to me but I was still staring at Johnny, our eyes locked in a silent duel.

I pulled away my gaze first and grabbed the books I needed for my first class, "I'm fine." I didn't look at Johnny when we passed but I could feel his lingering gaze on my back as I departed with Susan.

That next day's afternoon was a drag. My father hauled me into the dojo early to train before class. I'd been at it with pushups and pull ups for the last hour at the back of the dojo. Sweat dripped down my forehead and I desperately needed a water break. I glanced over at my father for a split second when I was resting in between a set. His features were stony and I quickly glanced away.

I wasn't going to ask questions about anything. After the events of yesterday, I told my father that I'd participate in the All-Valley Tournament. The truth was I didn't really care if I won. I just needed something to focus on. Something to put my heart into and not regret it for a second.

As I was prepping to start another set of pushups my father told me to stop. It was almost time for our routine class to start and the other boys on the team would be getting to the dojo soon.

My father clasped my shoulder and nodded to me, "You're getting stronger." It was the only compliment he had given me so far through the entire workout and I grasped onto it like a lost love letter. After so many years of not having a father, I wanted to do my best to make him proud. Sure, things had happened long ago in the past which made it difficult to like the guy at times but ultimately, he was my father and I'd always love him no matter what. And as my new Sensei, I knew he had my best interest in mind.

When I finally got the chance, I was gulping down a whole bottle of water as the door to the dojo opened and the familiar faces of the class strolled in, shrugging off their shoes and tossing their duffle bags aside.

Sensei Kreese commanded the attention of everyone in a matter of a second as his voice boomed off the walls of the dojo. "Everyone! Fall in!"

No one questioned him and they fell into line, even though no one had been given the chance to change into their gi besides me.

My father stood at the front of the class, looking over his students one by one. The look on his face was daunting. After pacing back and forth between the rows, he finally stood at the front again and addressed the class. "We are doing something different today. Today we test your skills as a Cobra Kai and see who is the strongest! The most fearless! And the ones who will show no mercy! Winners!" Sensei Kreese narrowed his eyes at us, a menacing expression on his face. "Are you ready?"

There was no hesitation when the entire class responded with, "Yes, Sensei!"

My father's mouth quirked up in a cocky smile, "Good. Let's go!"

We ended up leaving the dojo. The place we arrived at was just off a hiking trail near Coyote Creek. The forest was a nice change of scenery and I embraced the quiet sounds around me of the rustling trees and the chirping birds.

My father passed out hachimaki karate headbands to each student and we fastened them around our heads. The class was separated into two teams; red and black. I was given a red headband.

"Today, those people across from you are not your friends. They are the enemy. And the enemy deserves no mercy. The goal of today is for your team to win. How you do that is up to you. There are no rules except to remove all of your rivals' headbands. Understood?"

"Yes, Sensei."

Sensei Kreese nodded, "Get into starting positions."

Both the red and black team went separate ways.

I ended up near the creek, its water gurgling over the rocks of the riverbed. A twig snapping caught my attention and I saw it was Tommy across the stream. He had a red headband on his forehead and I relaxed a tad, leaping the creek in a bound so that we were on the same side.

"Find anyone yet?" He asked and I shook my head.

"Just you."

Just then one of the boys stepped around a nearby tree. His name was Miles and he stopped short when he saw us. His black headband was seen easily under his red hair.

Tommy and I glanced at each other before bolting towards him. Miles sprinted off but Tommy was too fast and he knocked him down. They rolled on the leaves for a second before Tommy pulled the guy up and snatched his trophy off his head.

"Ya!" He yelled in triumph.

I caught up and punched him lightly in the shoulder as I noticed someone else walking through the trees. I pointed to the right, "Over there."

Tommy followed my gaze and we saw it was Bobby. Tommy smirked at me, "You get this one."

I smirked back and made a move to stalk Bobby down the trail he was taking. I snuck up as close as I could before I made myself known and leapt out of the brush to take him down. He ducked away from my punch just in time. His eyes were wide with surprise and I lunged again, this time with a swift kick that connected with his torso and made him stagger back a step. He recovered quickly and sprang up with his own fist, aiming for my face. I blocked him and elbowed his jaw hard. The blow made him tumble to the ground and I reached down, grabbing his band.

"Good match Bobby."

I heard clapping in the background and saw Dutch and Johnny standing about twenty feet away. Dutch stood with his arms crossed and a smirk on his face, obviously ready for a fight. Johnny however was leaning against a nearby tree on the side of the trail, causally picking at something under his fingernail.

"So, who's first?" I asked, mocking a playful attitude and flashing my teeth in a smile that I hoped resembled more of a threatening snarl. When Dutch stepped forward I grinned viciously, wanting to show that I could be just as badass as he could. Honestly, Dutch was a good fighter but he lacked patience. That's how I'd bring him down.

When he lunged I dodged low, throwing a punch into his ribs. My fist hit the hard bone and muscle and my knuckles stung for a second before I launched my second attack. I came at him and he blocked my blow which would have gone to his neck. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Tommy hiding in the brush a few feet from us. He was looking at me, waiting for the opportunity to help come after Dutch.

I hit Dutch in the groin and he almost toppled over. When Tommy came bursting out of the trees I let him finish off Dutch while I lunged at Johnny who had slowly stalked closer and closer to the duel. Realizing that I was not alone, he sprang into action.

He blocked my blows and kicks. Tommy tried to jump in to help but Johnny saw his move and snatched the band off of his head as he tried to punch Johnny. "Damn it!"

When I finally landed a punch to Johnny's jaw I growled at him through my clenched teeth, "I know what you did! Don't think I won't tolerate it!"

Johnny laughed and grabbed my arm throwing a punch to my side, "I did you a favor. Trust me, you'll be thanking me later."

With the breath knocked out of me it was hard to speak but I grit out the words if it was the last thing I did, "The only thing I'll be thanking anyone for is the praise I'll be getting after taking your headband."

The two of us broke apart from our clash, catching our breath. As we did, I noticed the rest of the teams had found us. My father was among them. "Looks like it's just my star students left." Sensei Kreese stood back and watched, enjoying the scene and waiting in wonder at what would become of it. Of who would win.

I looked at Johnny, "No mercy today."

Johnny returned my stare and nodded, "No mercy."

We circled each other. "Come on Johnny!" A voice in the crowd said.

"You can take him (Y/N)!" Cried another which I thought to be Tommy.

Yes. I could.

I lunged first, launching a kick to his front which Johnny parried with his forearm but was completely vulnerable when my other leg thrusted out to catch his shoulder. Johnny grimaced but then used a series of his own kicks too. One caught my foot and I stumbled back into a tree. I ducked his next punch and his fist collided with the tree trunk. I grabbed his arm and punched his torso twice before he grabbed me by the back of my shirt and launched us down onto the ground.

Twisting away, I avoided a jab punch to the gut and scrambled back to my feet, ready again for the next assault. Johnny was already there though and knocked me down again. We rolled on the ground, leaves crunching under our bodies and when we hit the edge of a decline in the earth, we barreled down it.

During the fall we broke apart. I grunted with pain in my back but stood again, sending a roar of rage as I punched Johnny's face and kicked out his legs from under him. I let go two punches to his gut and I could tell by the groan of pain he was hurting. I smashed his nose next and blood leaked. My rage was a hot fury now. But when I went in for a final punch, I hesitated.

For a moment, as I looked at Johnny I saw my mother's face instead. The look of fear still plastered on her features even in death. Blood was smeared on her clothes from where glass from the car's windshield had tore at her body and her face. She had been barely recognizable in her mangled state.

I closed my eyes, trying to rid myself of the horrible images spinning through my mind. I tried to think of something else. But the only thing else I could think of was how I was hurting someone right now. How someone was in pain and the fact that I had caused it. Again.

My previous teacher, Mr. Tamaki would have never allowed me to do such a thing. 'Karate is not here,' I remembered Mr. Tamaki pointing to my fists, trying to get his point across. 'No, karate is here,' And he pointed to where my heart was. 'Fighting not make you strong. Love, kindness, compassion. That what make you good student and good person.'

The moment of my flashback faded as I heard my father's voice. "Finish him." Johnny was gazing up at me, expecting the final blow. "Well? What are you waiting for? No mercy!"

No. "No," I said and pulled away from Johnny slightly. "This isn't the way. It isn't how I was taught."

My father's unwavering gaze was scary as hell as he narrowed his eyes to slits. He looked every bit like a cobra. Menacing and dangerous. "This is the way I teach. Now finish it!"

"No," I said calmly this time. My father wasn't right about everything. And now I realized he was training me to be someone I could feel was wrong.

"Finish it, or I will," My father said.

"No. I'll finish it." I barely had time to react as Johnny kicked out, sending me onto my back. He stood above me and reached down to grab my band. I let him.

The black team roared with triumph and slapped Johnny on the back in congratulations. I sat up on my elbows and watched as my father didn't give me a second glance before walking away. I didn't need him to tell me to know what he was thinking. Weakness. I was weak.

I wasn't weak. There was just a better way to win rather than fighting like an animal. I wouldn't let him conform me into whatever he thought I should be. No, it was up to me how I wanted to live my life and make my choices. I would not be cruel. And I was not weak to think that way.