chapter forty-one:
❛ the silver bullet ❜

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The door to Sam's house opened, and Arizona stepped in, the familiar sound of laughter and chatter greeting her ears. It was clear that everyone was in high spirits-celebrating their entry into the Sekai Taikai competition was no small feat, and the excitement in the air was palpable. But as Arizona walked through the door, she couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more going on. The weight of her Cobra Kai involvement, her secret spying, and the looming threat of Silver hung over her, making it hard to fully relax. Still, she pushed the thoughts aside as she saw Sam, Dimitri, and the others gathered in the living room, chatting and laughing.

She smiled at Sam, who waved her over with enthusiasm. Arizona gave her a small wave back but turned her attention toward Johnny and Chozen, who were sitting together at the kitchen table, a little apart from the celebration. They weren't joining in the festivities, their faces drawn and serious.

"Hey," Arizona called out, making her way toward them. Johnny looked up first, his usual grin plastered on his face, but it quickly faded as he saw the way she was carrying herself.

"Arizona," Chozen greeted with a nod, his tone formal, but there was a warmth in his eyes. Johnny stood, gesturing for her to join them.

"Glad you made it," Johnny said with a wink, clearly pleased to see her, but there was something different about his demeanor tonight-something more serious.

Chozen immediately got to the point, his expression one of calm determination. "Arizona-san, we need your help with something important."

Arizona raised an eyebrow, wondering what they wanted now. "What's up?"

"We need to decide on the boy competitor for the Sekai Taikai entrance competition," Johnny said. "We're debating between four options: Miguel, Robby, Hawk, and Dylan."

Arizona blinked, taken aback. Miguel, Robby, and Hawk made sense, but Dylan? She raised a questioning eyebrow at Johnny, who simply shrugged and smiled.

Chozen continued, "Dylan has been catching on quickly in his training. He's been progressing well."

Arizona's surprise was evident. Dylan? He had been such a wild card in the beginning, struggling to keep up with the others. She couldn't quite believe it. "You're seriously considering Dylan?" she asked, her voice laced with skepticism.

Johnny chuckled and leaned in, clearly amused by Arizona's reaction. "Yeah, I know. I can't believe it either. But the kid's been putting in the work, and Chozen's been impressed."

Arizona couldn't hide her surprise. She turned toward Chozen, her expression softened slightly, but still unsure. "Really? Dylan's been keeping up that well?"

Chozen gave a small nod, his demeanor calm but firm. "He is progressing at a faster rate than expected. He has potential."

Johnny, with his trademark grin, couldn't resist throwing in a teasing comment. "Bubblegum here might have some competition, huh? Dylan's getting close to your level, Arizona."

Arizona's expression shifted. Her gaze narrowed, and her lips pressed into a thin line. "I think it should be Hawk," she said decisively, her voice firm and clear.

Johnny's grin faltered slightly, but he didn't push back. Arizona wasn't one to back down from her opinions. "As much as I'd love it to be my boyfriend, Miguel," she added with a sly smile, glancing over at Miguel, who was talking to some of the others across the room, "Hawk deserves it. He won the All Valley fair and square. He's earned his spot."

Her words were sharp and final, leaving no room for argument. Chozen exchanged a glance with Johnny, and the two men seemed to accept her stance, though Chozen's expression remained thoughtful.

Arizona wasn't interested in waiting for further debate. Without another word, she turned on her heel and headed toward the kitchen, her mind already elsewhere. She couldn't let herself get too comfortable in Cobra Kai's world-not when she was trying to figure out Silver's next move.

Bert was handing out pizza to some of the others when Arizona approached. She took a slice, the cheesy warmth grounding her as she took a bite. But the moment was short-lived.

"Mitch," she muttered under her breath, sensing his presence behind her before she even saw him. She turned, raising an eyebrow as he leaned casually against the counter, his signature smirk plastered on his face.

"So, how's it feel to be a Cobra Kai again?" Mitch asked, his tone light and teasing, but there was something off about the way he said it. It made Arizona pause, the casual mockery in his voice sending a jolt of unease through her.

She shot him a sharp look. "I'd rather not be one," she replied, her voice steady but laced with irritation. "I'm just spying on them."

Mitch raised an eyebrow, not buying it for a second. "Oh, yeah, right," he said, a sarcastic lilt in his voice. Arizona stared at him, trying to figure out what was behind that tone. Was he being dismissive, or was there something more to his words?

Before she could dig deeper, a familiar hand wrapped around her waist. Miguel appeared beside her, his presence instantly calming. She smiled as he leaned down to kiss her forehead, a simple gesture that spoke volumes. Arizona couldn't help but relax in his arms, the tension melting away.

"Hey, I missed you," Miguel said softly, his voice warm and reassuring. He pulled her closer, his lips brushing against hers for a brief but meaningful kiss. Arizona's heart skipped a beat, her worries momentarily forgotten as she leaned into him.

He pulled back slightly, his expression serious now. "How's the whole spying on Cobra Kai thing going?" he asked, his voice low, as if he didn't want anyone else to hear.

Arizona sighed, her mind immediately going back to the pressing matter at hand. "Not much new to tell," she admitted, glancing around the room to make sure no one was eavesdropping. "Except for the fact that Silver is planning on teaching someone the Silver Bullet."

Miguel's face dropped. His eyes widened, and a string of curse words left his lips under his breath. "Oh, shit," he muttered, his grip on Arizona tightening slightly. "That's not good. Not good at all."

Arizona nodded grimly. "I'm going to find out who it is," she said, her voice determined. "But I need to be careful."

Miguel nodded, his expression full of concern but also resolve. "We'll figure it out. Together."

Arizona's heart fluttered at the sincerity in his eyes. She knew they had to be cautious, but she also knew they were stronger when they worked as a team.

"I know," she said softly, giving him a reassuring smile. "I know."

The conversation faded into the background as they stood together in the kitchen, the noise from the party around them seeming distant and irrelevant. The real battle, Arizona knew, was just beginning.

The night had fallen heavy with tension as Arizona walked through the dimly lit halls of Cobra Kai, the familiar scent of sweat and determination hanging in the air. The sound of punches, kicks, and grunts echoed from the dojo, but tonight, everything felt different-like a storm was brewing, and she was about to be caught in its eye.

She had spent most of the evening in her own head, trying to figure out how to balance her life at Miyagi-Do and her role as a mole within Cobra Kai. Her loyalties were being stretched thin, and she knew she had to make a choice soon-whether to stay within Cobra Kai for the information, or finally break free of it entirely.

But tonight, Silver was the priority. Arizona had to see it for herself. She had to find out what the hell he was up to, especially now that he was planning to teach someone the infamous "Silver Bullet"-a move she'd heard whispers about, but hadn't seen in action until now.

As she quietly slipped into the dojo, the lights were dimmed just enough to create an ominous atmosphere. Kenny was standing in the middle of the floor, sweat dripping down his face as he moved through a series of stances and strikes under Silver's watchful eye. Arizona leaned against the wall, watching silently from the shadows as Silver demonstrated the move, his voice calm but authoritative.

"The Silver Bullet," Silver began, his tone cutting through the silence. "A move that is not only about strength, but about control. It's about speed, precision, and breaking your opponent's defenses with a single strike. If done right, it can knock someone out before they even see it coming."

Silver moved fluidly, executing the sequence with practiced ease. He snapped his leg into a spin, then delivered a swift, brutal punch, followed by a knee strike-each move flowing seamlessly into the next. Kenny watched closely, trying to mimic the technique as best he could, but it was clear he was still struggling with the complexity.

Arizona's heart raced as she watched the precision of it all. It was lethal, beautiful, and dangerous. The Silver Bullet was a weapon in and of itself-one that Arizona wasn't sure she was ready to learn, let alone master.

But then Silver turned, his sharp gaze catching hers as he straightened up. Arizona froze, heart pounding in her chest. There was no getting out of this now.

"Ah, Alvarez," Silver said, his tone smooth and calculating, as if he had known she was there the entire time. "I see you've decided to join us. I was wondering how long it would take."

Arizona tried to remain calm, even as every instinct in her body screamed at her to leave. She couldn't-she was too far in now. "I'm just watching," she said, her voice steady, though the unease crept into her words. "I've seen it before."

Silver smiled, a knowing look crossing his face as he stepped toward her. "You've seen it, but you haven't felt it. The Silver Bullet is not something you can truly understand until you've experienced it yourself."

Arizona frowned, ready to backpedal. "I'm not here to-"

Silver held up a hand, cutting her off. "You're here, Alvarez, and that means you're part of the family now. So, if you're going to fight alongside Cobra Kai, it's time you learned the tools that will make you a weapon. You've been around long enough to know that the Silver Bullet isn't just for anyone-it's for those who can truly master it."

He glanced at Kenny, who had stepped back, waiting for instruction, and then back at Arizona. "Now, I want you to step forward."

Arizona hesitated, her body stiffening, but her pride wouldn't let her refuse. She didn't want to show fear in front of Silver, especially not in front of Kenny. Slowly, she walked into the center of the room, her legs feeling like lead with each step. Her mind raced, the weight of the decision settling into her chest. She didn't want to learn this. She didn't want to become even more like Cobra Kai than she already was. But if she backed out now, Silver would know she was lying, and that would mean everything was over.

Silver stood across from her, his expression unreadable. "You're going to learn the Silver Bullet," he said. "But first, you need to understand the core of Cobra Kai. You strike hard. You strike fast. You break them down before they have a chance to even think about getting up again. You are the weapon. It's not just about strength-it's about breaking your opponent's will before they know it."

Arizona exhaled sharply, steadying herself. She hadn't been ready for this. But she had no choice. If she wanted to survive in this world, if she wanted to gather information for Miyagi-Do and keep her friends safe, she had to play along.

"Now," Silver said, his voice cool and firm. "Watch closely."

He demonstrated the Silver Bullet again, this time with even more speed, making the move seem effortless as he transitioned from one strike to the next. Arizona swallowed hard, trying to commit every movement to memory. She was already beginning to feel the weight of the technique-the force, the control, the potential for destruction.

"Your turn, Alvarez," Silver said, his voice almost a challenge.

Arizona took a deep breath and moved into position. She started slowly at first, unsure of herself, hesitant to put too much force into the strikes. But Silver was quick to correct her. "Faster. Stronger. Don't hold back. You must strike like your life depends on it."

Her heart pounded as she picked up speed, mimicking the movements Silver had shown her. She could feel the force in her strikes, the power and precision. It wasn't as perfect as Silver's, but it was close. He nodded, approving her progress.

"That's it, Alvarez," he said. "You're learning. Now let's see if you can take it to the next level."

Arizona grit her teeth, fighting back the frustration and fear. She was doing it. She was really doing it. But as much as she hated it, she couldn't deny the effectiveness of the technique. There was power in the Silver Bullet, a raw, unrelenting strength that matched the very essence of Cobra Kai.

Silver stepped closer, adjusting her form slightly. "Remember, Alvarez. It's not just about the technique. It's about mentality. Cobra Kai lives by the motto: strike first, strike hard, no mercy. If you can't embody that mindset, you'll never be able to use the Silver Bullet properly."

Arizona nodded stiffly, though her mind raced. What was she becoming? And how far would she have to go to stop Silver's plans without losing herself in the process?

As she practiced, she heard Silver's voice again, this time softer, as if he knew exactly what she was thinking. "You'll be unstoppable, Alvarez. You just have to trust the process."

Her muscles burned as she executed the moves over and over, trying to perfect them, but deep down, Arizona knew that the Silver Bullet was more than just a physical technique-it was a philosophy. And that philosophy was everything Cobra Kai stood for.

She didn't want to become like them. She didn't want to believe in their rules. But the longer she stayed, the more she realized that the line between Cobra Kai and the person she used to be was blurring.

Arizona stood at the doorstep of Miguel's apartment, her hand hovering just inches from the doorbell. It had been a long day filled with secrets, strategy, and the unsettling weight of what she had just learned about Silver's plans. Every part of her wanted to run, to escape the suffocating pressure Cobra Kai was starting to put on her. But she couldn't leave-not yet. She needed to know more, especially about the Silver Bullet and what Silver was really after.

With a deep breath, Arizona rang the doorbell, hoping that Miguel would be home. As the door swung open, she was greeted not by Miguel, but by his mother, Carmen. Arizona immediately noticed the tightness in her face, the worry etched deep in her features. Carmen looked exhausted, like she hadn't slept in days. Her eyes, usually warm, were shadowed by something darker now.

"Oh, honey, it's you," Carmen said, her voice soft, but with a hint of concern. "Miguel's not here, he's out with Johnny."

Arizona's shoulders sagged slightly, but she forced a small smile. "Oh, okay. I'll come back later then."

But Carmen stepped aside, waving her in. "No, no. Come in, please. You don't need to leave just because Miguel's out. You can stay for a while."

Arizona hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Alright, if you're sure."

As Arizona stepped inside, she could feel the tension in the air, the kind that settled like a weight in the room. Carmen led her to the living room and gestured for her to sit on the couch. Arizona took a seat, feeling a sense of unease she couldn't shake.

Carmen sat down across from her, the concern in her eyes never leaving. "What's going on, Arizona? You seem... different. You look like you're carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders."

Arizona sighed deeply, her hands fidgeting in her lap. She knew Carmen was perceptive, but she didn't want to burden her with the truth-not everything, at least. But she couldn't keep pretending that everything was fine.

"I'm just..." Arizona began, unsure of how to explain everything. She paused, then blurted out, "I'm spying on Cobra Kai."

Carmen's brows furrowed, her concern deepening. "Spying? On Cobra Kai?" she repeated, her voice laced with disbelief. "But you're with Miyagi-Do, aren't you? You're on their team, you're-"

"I'm doing it for them," Arizona interrupted quickly, her voice soft but steady. "I'm not... I'm not really part of Cobra Kai. I'm just trying to find out what they're planning. I have to, Carmen. There's something bigger going on, something dangerous, and I can't let them get away with it."

Carmen studied her for a moment, her eyes searching Arizona's face. "But it's getting to you, isn't it? I can see it in your eyes, in the way you carry yourself. You're getting pulled back into it, into their world. You're doing all of this to protect people, but what happens to you? What happens to the girl I know?"

Arizona's chest tightened at the words. She had been trying so hard to ignore the gnawing feeling that Cobra Kai was slowly starting to seep into her, into her thoughts, her actions. The darkness that had taken root in the dojo-she could feel it even when she wasn't there. It was like a constant hum at the back of her mind.

"I'm worried that it might be getting to me too," Arizona admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I know what they stand for. I know what they teach. But I'm doing this because I have to. I can't let them hurt anyone else. I'm just trying to stay focused... but it's hard, Carmen."

Carmen's face softened, her gaze full of understanding. She leaned forward, folding her hands in her lap. "I know Miguel told me about you spying on Cobra Kai," she said quietly. "He told me you were doing this to protect everyone, and I understand that. I do. But Arizona, if you ever feel like you can't do it anymore, if you feel like they're starting to change you, you need to stop. You need to walk away."

Arizona looked up at Carmen, her heart pounding in her chest. She had been waiting for someone to say it, someone to give her permission to back out, to give up on Cobra Kai for good. The truth was, she had been teetering on the edge, wondering if it was time to finally walk away. But the mission-knowing she was so close to figuring out what Silver was planning-kept her tethered to the dojo.

"I think I'll stop after the Sekai Taikai entrée," Arizona said, the words escaping her before she could stop them. "Once we get through this competition... I'll be done. I'll figure out a way to get out of this without betraying anyone. I just need to make it through this one last thing."

Carmen's gaze softened, a sad but knowing smile tugging at her lips. "I understand, honey. I do. But you can't let it get to you. Don't lose yourself in the process. If you find that it's too much, you need to walk away, no matter what. And you'll always have a place here, with Miguel and me. Always."

Arizona nodded, grateful for Carmen's support, even though she didn't know if she could follow through with her promise to stop. It was hard to imagine just walking away from Cobra Kai, especially after everything she'd been through. But for the first time, she felt like she had someone she could talk to, someone who understood her struggle.

"I will," Arizona said softly, though doubt lingered in her voice. "I'll figure it out. I just need to make it through the Sekai Taikai first."

Carmen reached over, placing a hand on Arizona's. "You're stronger than you think, Arizona. You'll find your way. Just don't let them change who you are."

Arizona gave her a faint smile, appreciating the sentiment, but deep down, she wasn't sure how much longer she could hold on. She was in too deep now. She just hoped that when it was over, she would still recognize the person looking back at her in the mirror.

ASH SPEAKS!

splitting this episode into 2... i have a bit of a plan for next chapter 🤭

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