[SEASON FOUR: EPISODE TEN]
[PART ONE]

"Good news. Looks like it's just only a pulled muscle. It may ache for bit, but you'll be fine in a few minutes." The female medic said reassuringly as she pressed her hands on his back. After they got Ethan in the medical room, she began checking for any other injuries.

"Oh, thank god." Elizabeth breathed out in relief.

"So.... That means I can still fight, right?" He asked, looking up at the nurse.

"They've given you 30 minutes to recover. So let the pain guide you. If it's telling you to back this one out. I'd listen." She explained.

"I'll get you an ice pack."

"Thanks, doc."

The medic had left the room to retrieve an ice pack, providing them with some privacy to discuss about what happens next.

"How does it feel now?" Johnny asked.

"It doesn't hurt as much. Just a little sore." The boy replied, shrugging his shoulders.

"Ethan, you don't have to continue if you don't want to. I'm not gonna force you." His mother reassured him.

"She's right, Williams. If you're in pain, you can sit this one out."

"Don't worry, guys. If anything feels off, I won't fight, I promise." Ethan stated. Lois pushed herself between Johnny and Elizabeth, stopping in front of her grandson.

"You were good out there. Especially when you kicked that one boy in the face." She chuckled, making him giggle.

"Thanks, grandma."

She patted his cheek before exiting the room with her daughter, leaving Johnny and Ethan alone in the room. Suddenly, the boy felt so uncomfortable.

"All right. We've got half-hour. Show your back who's boss." Sensei stated, then walked out of the room and came face to face with a familiar person.

"How's the boy?" Kreese asked.

"Like you give a shit."

"Look, what happened with Terry back in the old dojo." The old man sighed heavily.

"I didn't know he was gonna do that."

"I don't have time for this shit." Johnny declined, moving back towards the arena.

"It didn't have to be this way, Johnny. You could have been with me and your real son."

"You don't care about Robby any more than more about me." The blonde man immediately retorted, facing the older man.

"Bullshit. I cared about you than anyone."

"You had a funny way of showing it." He stated, stepping closer to him.

"You forced me to fight dirty."

"Sweep the leg. You have a problem with that?"

"No, Sensei."

"No mercy."

"You sacrificed my soul so Cobra Kai could stay number one."

"That is not true." Kreese shook his head in disbelief.

"I wanted you to be number one. But you were down two-zero. And you were about to be beaten. I knew that would take you into a downward spiral. Because no matter what people say, it does matter whether you win or lose in this life."

"And if I could help Robby win, he'll remember it for the rest of his life. And maybe some day he can do the one to keep Cobra Kai going."

"No, that's never gonna happen. Because tonight, Cobra Kai's gonna die." Johnny stated before turning around and walking away from him.

Back in the medical room, Ethan jumped off the table and stepped out the room, feeling pain shoot through his back. He had definitely lied when he said it felt better, but honestly, it didn't feel good. He didn't want to let everyone down by admitting the truth.

He quickly used the bathroom and headed back into the medical room, only to find it empty inside. It seemed to be a very common occurrence for him to be alone, even in a crowd full of people. He shook his head and started stretching out both of his legs around, hoping to alleviate the tension and pain he felt in his lower back.

"The remaining boys semifinal match will resume in five minutes."

He groaned as he felt a twinge of pain shoot through his back. He knew it wasn't too serious, but also understood this pain wouldn't be something he could get over within five minutes.

"Here, rub some of this on." Johnny said, stepping into the room and tossing him a white tube of cream.

"We have to hurry."

"Sensei, I-I don't know that if I can do this right now." The boy stammered.

"Yes, you can. You can do whatever you want if you want it bad enough. Look, I know you're not hundred percent, but you've got the heart of a champion. Everything you've learned and has been through was just a warmup for this moment."

"It's time to show the world what you're made of. Give it your all. Do what I tell you, and we'll not only show Cobra Kai, we'll show LaRusso and everyone else who's really the best."

"So, that's what this is about." Ethan muttered, looking down at his feet.

"Hey. We're not gonna get another shot at this. It's now or never. You know what's that stake, right? If we lose I'm not your sensei anymore. You want that?" The blonde man asked as the boy shook his head, not trusting his voice to let him speak.

"All right, then prove it. Fight for it. Show me you're not a kid anymore. All right? Show me you're ready to be a man, now. Can you do that?"

"Yes, Sensei." He replied, his voice sounding emotionless.

"Alright. Rub that on. You got this. I'll see you out there." Sensei said, handing the cream to him and patting his shoulder before exiting the room, leaving the poor boy all by himself.

"Cobra Kai and Miyagi-Do are neck and neck on the leaderboard. But there's a dark horse out.... Or should I say a dark bird? That still has a chance. Will Eagle Fang Karate stay alive in our dojo race? We're about to find out. Ethan Williams has one minute to return to the mat!" Daryl announced, as a timer appeared on the screen behind him, slowly starting to count down.

"Countdown clock? Kind of dramatic, isn't it?" Devon questioned, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah, it's the All Valley." Mitch said, while Johnny remained silent, turning around to glanced over at the door again, waiting for Ethan to walk out.

Sam, on the other hand, didn't care if he chose to fight or not. She just wanted him to be okay. With his back pain aside, he seemed to be feeling different lately. Like there was something going on that she didn't know about it. Hell, she just wished there was a way she could help her boyfriend.

The clock kept ticking, counting down to twenty-five seconds, causing everyone to look around and murmur in confusion and excitement.

"They're really taking it down to the wire, huh?" Bert asked nervously.

Terry anxiously watched the door as well, wondering what decision his grandson would make. He hoped he was okay.

"Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one!" The crowd cheered loudly as a buzzer sounded throughout the arena, and Daryl stepped back onto the stage.

Johnny looked down at his feet, his tongue pressed to his cheek as he tried to stifle the overwhelming feelings he suddenly felt; anger, betrayal, and disappointment, all directed at himself.

"Well, it looks like Ethan Williams is not gonna fight. Which means that the winner by default is Eli Moskowitz, who advances to the final where he will face Robby Keene. The finals are up next." He explained. The whole crowd let out sounds of disappointment and excitement.

The blonde man stormed off the mat, heading to the medical room where Ethan was. He knocked on the door.

"Ethan? Can we talk please?" The man asked, but there was no response.

"Come on, kid. Let's talk." Johnny demanded, frustratingly turning the knob and flinging the door, only to find it empty.

Meanwhile, Sam stood near the water fountain, filling up her sliver water bottle, and taking a drink of water before her next match was set to start.

"Congrats, Sammy." Ethan's voice spoke, making her turn around to look up at him.

"I heard you made it to the finals."

"What happened to you? Are you okay?" She asked, stepping closer up towards him with concern in her voice.

"Yeah, I'm alright." The boy replied, shrugging his shoulders.

"It just felt like when I was out there on that mat, I wasn't fighting for myself anymore."

"I get that." She agreed with him.

"I feel pressure from my dad all the time."

Williams looked down for a second before getting the courage to speak. "Yeah, except that Johnny nor Daniel, they're not my father. I know they're trying to be, but...."

"Anyways, I just wanted to wish you good luck with your match against Tory. I know you can beat her. I've seen you done it two other times before. And—" Ethan was cut off by the sound of the intercom ringing throughout the whole arena.

"All finalists, please report to the center mat."

"I gotta go. But I'll see you out there rooting for me, right?" She asked.

"I've always been rooting for you, Sam. Since day one."

"I'm so sorry about prom night, I just wanted it to be perfect, and—" He started, before Sam kissed him on his lips.

"It's okay." The brunette reassured him, also sensing a nervous feeling coming from him that she couldn't quite describe.

"I'll see you out there, Sammy."

"So, you'll be cheering me on?"

"You know I will."

Then she walked back into the arena, the boy taking one last look at her, his mind filled up with a feeling of regret.

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SEE YOU ALL GUYS IN THE NEXT ONE!!!!

ONE MORE TO GO THEN WERE DONE UNTIL SEPTEMBER 9TH!!!!

EDITED; 3/17/2024

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