A/N: Since not a whole lot happens in this episode and the previous one, we will just combine the two.

Another day at the Cobra Kai dojo, Zeke, Aisha, and Miguel were surprised to see a surge of new members. The dojo was crowded, a clear result of the viral video showing Kyler getting his ass kicked. However, Zeke quickly noticed that many of the newcomers didn't seem like fighters. Demetri and Eli were among the several who stood out.

Johnny clapped his hands, calling for attention. "Quiet! Face front."

He walked over to Demetri. "Nice shirt," Johnny said.

"Thanks," Demetri replied, a hint of hope in his voice.

"I'm joking. It sucks," Johnny shot back, moving on to a kid with big glasses and large, yellow teeth.

"Word of advice: If you got shit for teeth, don't smile," Johnny advised. Zeke couldn't help but snicker.

Johnny shook his head. "My God, makes me feel like a virgin just looking at you."

Scanning the room, Johnny sighed. "When I look around this dojo, I don't see Cobra Kai material. I see losers. I see nerds. I see a fat kid with a funny hat and his tits popping out."

He paused, then nodded toward Miguel. "But in my short time as a sensei, I've seen some miracles." He then looked at Zeke. "And I've also seen some prodigies."

"So maybe there's some hope for you yet," Johnny continued. "First, I need to see where you're at. Everybody, fall in!"

The newcomers looked confused.

"That means line up," Johnny clarified. "No, not--not line up in a line. Lines. Get in lines."

"Do you mean, like, rows?" Demetri asked, clearly struggling to understand.

Zeke rolled his eyes. "Yes, he means rows!" he said, exasperated.

🐍

Johnny stood in front of the class, clapping his hands. "Fighting positions! Jab punch!" He watched the students awkwardly assume their stances. "Nope, wait till I say go."

"Hiya! Hiya! Hiya!" Johnny demonstrated, his voice booming.

The students mimicked him, their movements uncoordinated.

"Come on, you want to stand straight. Plant your feet," Johnny instructed. "Hiya!"

He walked over to a heavyset kid. "Come on, tits, you can do better than that. You got weight; use it. Ready? Hiya!"

Johnny moved his focus to Eli, who looked nervous. "Hey, Lip."

Eli flinched, his eyes darting around.

"Yeah, you. The one with the freaky lip. Who do you think I'm talking to?"

Zeke watched Eli, feeling a rare twinge of sympathy. Out of all the kids there, Eli clearly needed some self-confidence.

"Excuse me, Mr. Lawrence," Demetri interrupted.

"Sensei Lawrence," Zeke corrected, annoyed at Demetri's attitude.

"Okay," Demetri said sarcastically. "You really shouldn't make fun of someone's physical appearance."

Johnny's eyes narrowed. "Oh, is that so? So I'm not supposed to mention his lip at all?"

"Well, yeah," Demetri said. "Maybe that's what they teach you in school, but in the real world you can't expect people to do what they're supposed to do. Right? You hear that, Lip? If you can't handle someone making fun of you, how are you gonna handle an elbow to the teeth?"

"By calling the police?" Demetri retorted.

Miguel shot him a look. "Dude, knock it off."

Demetri ignored him. "What? He does realize the Nazis lost the war, right? Why should I be scared of him? Because he's got a snake on his wall? It's not like he's a teacher who can give us a bad grade. We're paying him. He works for us. It's not like he can actually hurt us."

Johnny's anger was palpable. Zeke could see the storm brewing.

"You're going to get it now," Zeke muttered under his breath.

Johnny stepped closer to Demetri. "You done?"

Demetri's bravado wavered. "What?"

"Hit me," Johnny demanded. "Go ahead, hit me. Strike me right here."

Demetri threw a hesitant punch.

"Harder," Johnny ordered. Demetri's second punch was no better.

"Is that all you got, princess?" Johnny barked before flipping Demetri onto the ground with a swift, powerful move.

Demetri lay there, stunned, as Johnny addressed the class. "Let that be a lesson to all of you."

Zeke leaned down to Demetri, his voice low and threatening. "That's what happens when you mouth off. Remember that next time, or it'll be worse."

1984

The autumn sun bathed the schoolyard of West Valley High in a warm glow as students milled about, enjoying their lunch break. Daniel LaRusso stood near the soccer field, chatting with Ali Mills. Laughter punctuated their conversation, creating a bubble of normalcy and lightness.

That bubble burst as Michael Kreese, flanked by Bobby and Dutch, approached with a predatory glint in his eye. The trio moved with purpose, their presence casting a shadow over the scene.

"Hey, LaRusso," Michael called out, his voice dripping with contempt. "What's going on here?"

Daniel turned, his smile fading as he saw the approaching bullies. "Just talking, Kreese. Leave us alone."

Ali stepped forward, her expression firm. "Michael, this isn't right. Just go away."

Michael's eyes flicked to Ali, annoyance flaring. "Keep walking, Ali. This has nothing to do with you."

Ali opened her mouth to protest, but Michael ignored her, turning his full attention back to Daniel. He shoved Daniel hard, causing him to stumble back.

"Think you can just waltz in here and act like you're something special?" Michael taunted, his fists clenched. "You're nothing, LaRusso."

Daniel straightened, trying to maintain his composure. "I'm not looking for trouble, man."

"Too bad," Michael sneered. "Trouble found you."

With a swift, practiced motion, Michael launched a punch at Daniel, landing it squarely in his stomach. Daniel doubled over, gasping for breath. Bobby and Dutch laughed, their voices harsh and mocking.

Ali tried to intervene, stepping between Michael and Daniel. "Stop it, Michael! You're going to hurt him!"

Michael pushed Ali aside, his eyes blazing with the anger and frustration fueled by years of intense training under his father. "Stay out of it, Ali. This is between me and him."

He grabbed Daniel by the collar, yanking him upright. "You want to play tough guy with your karate? Let's see how tough you really are."

Michael unleashed a series of precise punches and kicks, each move a testament to his brutal training. Daniel tried to block, but he was outmatched, each hit landing with painful accuracy.

"Michael Kreese!" A teacher's voice rang out, sharp and authoritative. Michael paused, his breath heavy, eyes still locked on Daniel.

"This isn't over, LaRusso," Michael hissed, releasing his grip. "It's only going to get worse."

With one last act of defiance, Michael kicked a soccer ball across the yard, the force of the kick sending it flying. He turned and walked away, leaving Daniel bruised and Ali shaken.

As the teacher approached, Ali knelt beside Daniel, her concern evident. "Are you okay, Daniel?"

Daniel nodded weakly, his body aching from the beating. "Yeah. I'll be fine."

But as he watched Michael's retreating figure, he knew this was far from over.

🐍

Michael stood at the edge of the mat, his hands clenched into fists, as the roar of the crowd faded into a dull, oppressive hum in his ears. He had just lost to Daniel LaRusso in the semi-finals of the 1984 All Valley Tournament. It wasn't supposed to happen this way. His father had drilled into him the tenets of Cobra Kai—strike first, strike hard, no mercy—and yet, somehow, he had failed. The final blow from Daniel had left him on his back, gasping for air and grappling with the reality that he had underestimated the new kid from Reseda.

As he stood there, replaying the match over and over in his mind, he felt his father's presence behind him. Michael didn't need to turn around to know that John Kreese was watching him, his expression one of cold, calculated disappointment. The silence between them was suffocating, each second stretching into eternity as Kreese's expectations weighed heavily on Michael's shoulders.

Johnny Lawrence, Michael's closest friend and Cobra Kai's top student, had made it to the finals, and Michael knew that his father was now pinning all his hopes on Johnny to restore the dojo's honor. But Michael also knew that the sting of his own loss would linger, a silent testament to his failure in his father's eyes.

The final match between Johnny and Daniel played out with an intensity that had everyone on the edge of their seats. Johnny was relentless, each strike landing with the precision and power that had earned him his reputation. But Daniel, battered and bruised, was resilient, refusing to go down without a fight. Michael watched, his jaw clenched, as the match unfolded. With each exchange, his anxiety grew. He knew what was at stake—not just for Johnny, but for Cobra Kai as a whole. His own loss was already a blow to the dojo's reputation. Another loss would be catastrophic.

Then, in a moment that would be seared into Michael's memory forever, Daniel executed the crane kick. The kick landed cleanly on Johnny's face, and the crowd erupted in cheers as Daniel was declared the winner. Johnny fell to the mat, his expression a mix of pain and disbelief. The realization that Cobra Kai had lost, that *they* had lost, hit Michael like a freight train.

Kreese's face was a mask of fury as he marched onto the mat, his eyes locked onto Johnny. The disappointment in his gaze was unmistakable, and Michael knew that his father would not let this go easily. Kreese had always been a harsh taskmaster, but this loss was different—it was personal. It wasn't just about the dojo's reputation; it was about Kreese's legacy, the philosophy he had spent years instilling in his students.

As they left the arena and made their way to the parking lot, the tension among the Cobra Kai students was palpable. No one spoke, the silence only broken by the sound of their footsteps on the asphalt. Michael walked beside Johnny, both of them struggling with the weight of their respective losses.

In the dimly lit parking lot, the storm finally broke. Kreese turned on Johnny, grabbing him by the collar and shoving him against a car. "You're off the team!" Kreese snarled, his voice laced with venom.

Johnny, still reeling from the match, looked at his sensei in shock. "That sucks! I did my best!"

Kreese's eyes narrowed dangerously. "What did you say?"

Johnny, mustering what little courage he had left, repeated himself. "I said I did my best!"

"You're nothing!" Kreese hissed, his grip tightening on Johnny's collar. "You lost! You're a loser!"

Johnny, his fear turning to anger, pushed back. "No, you're the loser, man!"

Kreese's face twisted into a snarl. "Oh, I'm the loser?"

"Yeah," Johnny shot back, his voice trembling with a mix of defiance and fear.

Without warning, Kreese grabbed Johnny's trophy and smashed it against the pavement, the golden figure shattering into pieces. "Now who's the loser?" Kreese growled, his voice dripping with contempt.

Johnny stared at the broken trophy, disbelief and betrayal written all over his face. "You're sick, man," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.

The words were a trigger. Kreese's anger erupted as he grabbed Johnny by the throat, pulling him into a chokehold. Johnny's eyes widened in panic as he struggled to breathe, his hands clawing at Kreese's iron grip. Michael, horrified, rushed forward, trying to pry his father's hands off Johnny, but Kreese was too strong, too consumed by his rage.

"Dad, stop!" Michael pleaded, his voice frantic, but Kreese didn't listen. The other Cobra Kai students, including Bobby and Dutch, joined in, desperately trying to pull Kreese off Johnny, but it was no use. Kreese was lost in his fury, blind to everything but his own anger and frustration.

"Let him go!" a calm, authoritative voice suddenly cut through the chaos. It was Mr. Miyagi, Daniel's sensei, who had witnessed the scene unfolding.

Kreese ignored him, his grip on Johnny's throat tightening. Johnny's face was turning red, his struggles growing weaker with each passing second.

"I said, let him go!" Miyagi repeated, stepping closer, his voice firm and unyielding.

Kreese sneered, his anger now directed at the elderly man standing before him. "Beat it, slope, or you're next," he spat, his voice dripping with menace.

Miyagi's expression didn't change. With a swift, decisive movement, he reached out and grabbed Kreese's arm, forcing him to release Johnny. In a fluid motion, Miyagi twisted Kreese's arm behind his back, immobilizing him. Kreese struggled, but Miyagi's grip was unbreakable, his calm demeanor a stark contrast to Kreese's wild fury.

Miyagi then dodged each of Kreese's strikes, causing him to hit a car windows, making his knuckles bleed.

Kreese dropped to his knees, gasping for breath, his eyes wide with shock. The Cobra Kai students watched in stunned silence as Miyagi, with minimal effort, had overpowered their fearsome sensei.

For a moment, it looked like Miyagi was going to strike Kreese again, but instead, he simply released him and honked his nose, his calm expression never wavering. "No more fighting," Miyagi said quietly, his words carrying a weight that resonated with everyone present.

Kreese, humiliated and beaten, scrambled to his feet, his eyes burning with a mixture of rage and humiliation. He glared at Miyagi, but the fight had gone out of him. With a final, hateful look at Johnny, he turned and stormed off into the night, leaving his students and his pride shattered in the parking lot.

Johnny, still gasping for air, leaned against the car, his body trembling with a mix of fear and relief. Michael moved to his side, placing a hand on his shoulder, both of them too shaken to speak. They watched as Mr. Miyagi walked over to Daniel, who had been watching the entire scene unfold with wide eyes.

"Come," Miyagi said softly to Daniel, leading him away from the chaos. Daniel, still processing what had just happened, followed his sensei, casting one last glance back at Johnny and Michael.

As the dust settled, Michael felt a heavy weight in his chest. The image of his father, once a figure of strength and invincibility, was now shattered. The man who had been his mentor, his guide, was nothing more than a broken, angry man whose own hatred had led to his downfall. Michael watched Kreese disappear into the night, the man he had once admired now a stranger, a shadow of what he used to be.

The parking lot was eerily quiet as the Cobra Kai students slowly dispersed, each lost in their own thoughts. Michael remained by Johnny's side, both of them silently grappling with the realization that nothing would ever be the same again.

And it wouldn't be.

🐍

Michael Kreese stood at the entrance of the All Valley Tournament boardroom, his hand hovering just above the doorknob. It had been years since he'd last set foot in a place that had anything to do with karate, let alone the All Valley. He took a deep breath, straightened his tie, and pushed the door open.

Inside, the room was much as he'd expected—plain, functional, and filled with a few familiar faces. The All Valley Tournament committee was gathered around a long table, and all eyes turned toward him as he entered. Ron, Sue, and George, the long-standing members of the committee, looked up with expressions ranging from curiosity to mild surprise. It wasn't every day that a well-known lawyer, someone with a solid reputation in the community, expressed interest in joining their ranks.

"Michael Kreese," Ron said, rising to shake his hand. "Good to meet you in person. We've heard a lot about you."

"Likewise," Michael replied, accepting the handshake and giving a firm squeeze. "Thank you for having me here today."

They all took their seats, and the meeting began. The usual formalities were exchanged, with Ron leading the introductions and laying out the agenda. But Michael could sense the unspoken tension in the room. His name carried a weight, a legacy that he knew couldn't be ignored, no matter how much time had passed.

After the initial pleasantries, Sue, the most direct of the group, leaned forward, her gaze steady. "We're impressed that someone of your stature wants to join the committee, Michael. But given your history with Cobra Kai, we have to ask—why now? What's your motivation for wanting to be part of this?"

Michael nodded, having expected this question. "I understand your concerns," he began, his voice calm and measured. "Yes, I was involved with Cobra Kai when I was younger, but that was a long time ago. I'm a different person now than I was in high school. My interest in joining the board is rooted in wanting to give back to the community and to ensure that the All Valley remains a positive influence on young people. I believe my background as a lawyer can bring a valuable perspective to the committee."

George, the quietest of the group, cleared his throat and spoke next. "Your relationship with your father, John Kreese, is something we can't ignore, either. He's been... a controversial figure, to say the least, especially after the events of the 1985 tournament."

Michael tensed slightly but kept his composure. "I understand," he said carefully. "At the time of the 1985 tournament, I was in law school, and I was as shocked as anyone by what happened. My father made mistakes, and I won't defend those actions. However, that was over three decades ago, and I believe he's learned from them. He's not the same man he was back then."

Sue leaned back in her chair, considering his words. "And what about your relationship with Mike Barnes?" she asked, mentioning the name with a slight edge.

Michael shook his head. "I don't know Mike Barnes personally. I've heard the stories, but I never crossed paths with him. My focus back then was on my studies, and I wasn't involved in the dojo during that time."

"What about Terry Silver?" Ron interjected, his tone more neutral but still probing. "He was close to your father, wasn't he?"

Michael hesitated, but only for a moment. "Terry Silver is an old friend of my dad's. He's also my godfather, but we haven't spoken in quite a long time. Our lives went in different directions, and I haven't kept up with him. My focus has been on my career and my family."

The room grew quiet as the committee members absorbed his responses. Michael could see them weighing his words, trying to reconcile the man before them with the legacy of the name he carried.

George spoke again, his voice softening. "And your father now? What's your relationship like with him?"

Michael looked down for a moment, gathering his thoughts before he answered. "My father is currently living with us," he said, his voice betraying a hint of the uncertainty he usually kept hidden. "He's older now, and while he can be set in his ways, he's also been a presence for my daughter and especially my son. He's trying, in his own way, to be a better person. He made some questionable choices in the past, but I believe he's learning from those mistakes."

He paused, letting his words sink in before continuing. "But if I'm being completely honest with you, I don't fully know how much he's changed. We've had our ups and downs, and there are still things about him that I struggle to understand. But I want to believe that people can change, that they can learn from their past, no matter how hard that may be."

The room was silent for a moment, each member of the committee processing what Michael had said. Finally, Ron nodded, as if coming to a decision. "Thank you for being honest with us, Michael. It's clear that you've thought a lot about this. We'll take everything you've said into consideration as we move forward."

Michael nodded in return, feeling a mix of relief and lingering unease. He knew this was only the beginning of what would be a complex relationship with the All Valley Tournament and the legacy of Cobra Kai.

As the meeting wrapped up, the committee members stood to shake hands with Michael, each offering a few polite words as they did. Michael responded in kind, maintaining his calm exterior. But as he left the boardroom and stepped out into the sunlight, he couldn't shake the feeling that the shadow of his father's legacy would always be just behind him, no matter how far he tried to move forward.

The real test, he knew, was yet to come.

🐍

As the class filed into their seats, the atmosphere buzzed with the usual chatter, but it was tinged with an undercurrent of mockery directed toward Sam. The bright red Blow Pop stuck to her back had become a cruel symbol of the latest rumor circulating the school, and she could feel the eyes of her classmates on her as she walked to her lab station.

"Thanks for the Blow Pop, guys. Really never gets old," Sam said sarcastically, trying to mask her embarrassment with a veneer of confidence.

Demetri, seated nearby, couldn't resist piling on. "It's 'cause she gives blowjobs. Get it? Blow Pop. Blow job."

Miguel shot Demetri a look of disapproval. "Yeah, I get it. It's just a rumor."

Before the conversation could continue, Mr. Palmer, their biology teacher, interrupted the growing tension with his usual boisterous humor. "Hey, everybody. Who let the pigs out? I did, because I ordered the fetal pigs. But seriously, get in your groups."

As students shuffled around, Sam raised her hand. "Mr. Palmer, my partner's absent."

Palmer scanned the room, his eyes landing on the various clusters of students already paired off. "Oh, who wants to take Samantha in? This little piggy needs a group."

Silence. No one raised their hand. Sam felt a lump forming in her throat as the room seemed to close in on her.

Moon, catching Sam's eye, gave a small, almost mocking smile. "Guess no one wants the Blow Pop girl," she whispered to Zeke, who was standing next to her.

Zeke rolled his eyes at Moon's comment. "It's probably just a rumor," he said, his tone dismissive.

Moon looked at him skeptically. "How can you be so sure?"

Zeke sighed. "Because Kyler's a bully. Remember how he was beating up Miguel? That guy lives off making other people look bad. This is just another one of his games."

Moon hesitated, her skepticism wavering as she considered Zeke's words. "Yeah, but what about what you did to Rory?"

Zeke's expression hardened. "Rory had it coming. That's different."

Mr. Palmer's voice cut through their conversation. "Don't all volunteer at once."

Miguel, who had been quietly watching the exchange, suddenly spoke up. "We'll take her."

Sam looked at Miguel, surprised and grateful. "Thank you. I'm gonna go grab a chair."

Miguel smiled awkwardly, his cheeks flushing slightly. "Yeah. No problem."

As Sam moved to grab a chair, Zeke smirked at Miguel, leaning in to give him a light-hearted jab. "Blushing over there, man?"

Miguel tried to play it cool, shrugging off Zeke's teasing. "Shut up, dude."

But Zeke wasn't letting him off that easy. "I'm just saying, you got it bad, bro."

🐍

Back at the dojo, the atmosphere was starkly different from the day before. The energetic buzz had faded, leaving behind an almost oppressive silence. The group of dedicated students had significantly dwindled, their absence palpable in the emptiness of the dojo.

Johnny stood at the front, surveying the remaining students with a critical eye. "Okay, everybody fall in," he commanded.

Zeke, along with a few others, fell into formation. Johnny glanced around the room, his expression one of displeasure.

"Where's everyone?" Johnny demanded, his tone edged with irritation. "Crater face? Nose ring? Slingshot?"

Miguel, stepping forward, answered with a hint of resignation. "They quit, Sensei."

Johnny raised an eyebrow, the anger in his eyes momentarily replaced by a glint of satisfaction. "You serious? I mean, good. That was a test. I wanted to see who the quitters are."

He looked at the remaining group with a mixture of approval and challenge. "Not you guys. You're in it to win it. Right, you could be at home, playing your iComputers, playing your video games, eating candy. Instead, you're here, doing pushups, learning how to fight."

Zeke, barely containing a smirk, added, "A bunch of pussies anyway."

Johnny's gaze shifted to Eli. "Lip. Look. Even Lip's tougher than those guys. He's no quitter."

Eli's face tightened, and he spoke up, though his voice was barely above a whisper. "Could you please not call me that?"

Johnny's eyes widened with mock confusion. "Excuse me, what?"

Eli repeated, more firmly, "I said, could you please not call me that."

Aisha, sensing the tension, stepped in. "Um, I'll warm 'em up, Sensei."

Johnny ignored her. "No, no, no. Lip has something he wants to say. Sorry, speak up, Lip. Or is your tongue messed-up too? Are you one of those challenged kids?"

Eli hesitated. "Um, the doctor said I could be on the spectrum."

Johnny shrugged dismissively. "I don't know what that is, but get off it pronto."

Zeke, uncomfortable with the interaction, spoke up. "It's not like that."

Johnny turned on him. "Got something you wanna say, Zeke?"

Zeke shook his head. "No, Sensei."

Johnny, satisfied with Zeke's response, turned back to Eli. "Good. All right? If you don't want me to call you Lip, then don't have a weird lip. Can't you get surgery for that?"

Eli's face flushed with embarrassment and frustration. "I was born with a cleft lip. This is the scar from the surgery."

Johnny's expression remained unchanged. "You mean it was worse before that? Or did the doctor just screw up? Because if this is the after photo, that sucks, man. You should sue."

Eli's patience snapped. "Can we just please change the topic?"

Johnny grinned, reveling in the discomfort he was causing. "You don't think I want to? It's tough when it's right in front of me. If you want to be something other than a nerd with a scar on his lip, then you gotta flip the script. Okay? Get a face tattoo. Or gauge your eye out. We'll call you Patch, all right? No, don't do that one. You'll still look like a freak."

Eli had reached his breaking point. His face was flushed, and his eyes were misty with anger and hurt. With a final, pained look at Johnny, he stormed out of the dojo.

Johnny's satisfaction quickly turned into annoyance. "Uh, great, really? Another quitter? Go away. No more lessons today."

Miguel, watching the scene unfold, followed Johnny back to his office, leaving Zeke behind. Zeke, however, wasn't done yet. He decided to find Eli, feeling a pang of sympathy for the kid who had always lacked self-confidence.

Zeke tracked Eli down outside, where he found him leaning against a wall, his face a mixture of frustration and resignation.

"Hey," Zeke said, approaching him. "Eli, wait up."

Eli looked up, his expression guarded. "What do you want, Zeke?"

Zeke took a deep breath. "I know Johnny can be a real jerk sometimes. I've seen him push people too far. But, honestly, he's got a point. If you don't want to get picked on, you have to stand up for yourself. That's what Miguel did. That's what I did."

Eli's gaze was conflicted. "Yeah, well, I guess I have to stop being a little bitch and actually do something about it."

Zeke nodded, understanding where Eli was coming from. "Exactly. You can't just sit back and let people walk all over you. It's tough, but if you don't stand up for yourself, things will just keep getting worse."

Eli looked down, processing Zeke's words. After a moment, he sighed deeply. "Yeah, I guess you're right. Thanks for talking to me."

🐍

As Zeke and Moon shared a lingering kiss outside the dojo, Moon felt a mixture of excitement and unease. The connection between them was undeniable, but Zeke's intensity and aggression had started to unsettle her. For the past four months, their relationship had been marred by her discomfort with his more aggressive tendencies, which were becoming more apparent.

A flashback from the previous day replayed in her mind. It was during gym class, a setting where Zeke's aggressive nature had taken center stage. The gym was filled with the usual chatter and activity, but Moon's attention was drawn to a confrontation between Zeke and another student.

The other student, a lanky kid with glasses, had accidentally bumped into Zeke while playing dodgeball. Instead of letting it go, Zeke's face twisted into a scowl, and he pushed the kid hard, causing him to stumble. The kid tried to apologize, but Zeke's anger flared. He pushed him again, his voice rising in frustration.

"Watch where you're going!" Zeke shouted, his eyes flashing with intensity. The kid's attempts to explain or make amends only fueled Zeke's anger. When the teacher intervened, Zeke's body language remained aggressive, and he glared at the kid as if daring him to challenge him again. The scene left Moon feeling deeply unsettled, her unease growing with each of Zeke's aggressive reactions.

She cared about him for sure, and he was such a good guy. However, his aggressive behavior and anger scared her. Way more than she thought she would.

Aisha spoke up, her tone reflecting the ongoing issues. "Three more absences, Sensei."

Zeke's expression hardened. "Bunch of pussies."

Johnny, trying to rally the remaining students, took a different approach. "No, it's my fault. Since you joined Cobra Kai, I have been hard on you. I've called you names. I've humiliated you. Some of you I've hit. And for that, I don't apologize."

His gaze swept over the group, his voice a mix of tough love and raw honesty. "Cobra Kai is about strength. If you're not strong on the inside, you can't be strong on the outside. And right now you're all weak. And I know that because I was you. I used to have no friends. Used to be the weirdo kid. Not that weird; I still hooked up with babes and all, but..."

Johnny paused, letting the words sink in before continuing. "The point is, I wasn't always the badass sensei I am today. Just like a cobra, I had to shed my loser skin to find my true power. And you guys will too."

The dojo's door swung open, and a new figure entered. It was Eli, now sporting a bright blue Mohawk, a stark contrast to his previous appearance. Johnny's eyes lit up with recognition. "Welcome to Cobra Kai."

Miguel approached Eli, his curiosity piqued. "Eli, what happened?"

Eli's response was confident. "I'm flipping the script."

Zeke watched with approval, nodding to Eli. The transformation was impressive, and Zeke respected the change. Johnny, catching the shift in mood, addressed the group with renewed fervor. "Wait, are you the kid with the lip?"

Zeke added, "Nice cut, bro."

Eli returned the gesture, dabbing up Zeke. "Thanks for the talk, man."

Johnny's tone became more encouraging. "You see that? Doesn't matter if you're a loser or a nerd or a freak. All that matters is that you become badass."

Johnny turned to Eli, now calling him by his new nickname. "Hawk. Fall in."

Eli, or Hawk as he was now known, took off his shoes and stepped onto the mat, clearly thrilled with his new identity. Johnny continued with the dojo's core tenets. "Fear does not exist in this dojo, does it?"

"No, Sensei!"

Johnny pressed on. "Pain does not exist in this dojo, does it?"

Miguel answered with conviction. "No, Sensei."

Johnny's final question was met with determined voices. "Defeat does not exist in this dojo, does it?"

Zeke, along with the others, shouted, "No, Sensei."

Johnny's approval was evident as he concluded, "Class, are you ready to learn the way of the fist?"

The unified response from the students was a resolute, "Yes, Sensei!"

🐍

The atmosphere in the meeting room of the All Valley Tournament Board was familiar to Daniel LaRusso. As he walked in, he nodded to a few of the members he recognized from previous years. The board was deep in discussion, their voices a low murmur of logistics and preparations for the upcoming tournament.

Daniel took his seat, settling into the routine of the meeting. He listened as Ron, one of the senior members of the board, went over the usual agenda items. The room had a sense of camaraderie, built over years of working together to uphold the tradition of the All Valley Karate Tournament.

But that sense of normalcy was shattered when the door opened, and Michael Kreese walked in.

The moment Daniel saw him, a wave of unease washed over him. His grip on the edge of the table tightened involuntarily. He hadn't seen Michael in decades, not since high school, but the memories came flooding back as if it were yesterday. The bullying, the fights, the fear—Michael was part of that dark chapter in his life.

The room fell silent as Michael took a seat at the table. There was a sense of curiosity among the board members, but Daniel could feel something else—a quiet tension, as if a storm was brewing.

Ron cleared his throat and began the introductions. "We have a new member joining us today. This is Michael Kreese, a well-known attorney who's expressed interest in contributing to the All Valley Tournament."

Daniel felt his heart race. He knew he had to speak up. "With all due respect, Ron," Daniel started, his voice tight, "I don't think it's a good idea for Michael to be involved in this tournament."

The other board members turned to him, surprised by his sudden outburst. Ron raised an eyebrow. "Daniel, what's the issue?"

Daniel struggled to keep his voice steady. "Michael Kreese... He was a Cobra Kai back in the day, just like his father, John Kreese. We all know what Kreese did during those tournaments—he taught his students to fight dirty, to show no mercy. This is the same man who terrorized me and my friends in high school."

The room grew tense. Daniel could see the doubt in some of their eyes. It was as if they couldn't reconcile the man before them with the bully from decades ago.

Michael, calm and composed, finally spoke. "Look, that was a long time ago. High school was... well, high school. We were all different people back then. I've changed, Daniel. I'm not the same person I was when we were kids."

Daniel shook his head, unable to hide his frustration. "It's not just about high school. Your father nearly destroyed this tournament with his toxic teachings. You can't just walk in here and expect us to believe you've changed without question."

Sue, another board member, interjected gently. "Daniel, people can change. It's been over thirty years. Michael has a respected career now, and he's been nothing but upfront with us."

Daniel could feel his pulse in his temples. "I'm not saying people can't change. I'm saying this is too close to home. This tournament represents something more than just a competition—it's about honor and respect. Letting Michael in... it just doesn't feel right."

Michael looked directly at Daniel, his expression sincere. "I understand your concerns, Daniel. But I'm here to help, to make sure this tournament continues to be a positive force in the community. My father made mistakes, and I've had my own struggles, but I'm not my father. I'm here as a father myself now, trying to set a better example for my own children."

The board members exchanged glances. There was a pause, a moment where Daniel felt the weight of the past and the uncertainty of the present.

George, one of the more senior members, spoke up. "We appreciate your input, Daniel. But we also believe in giving people a second chance. Michael has assured us he's here to contribute positively. We'll be keeping a close eye on everything."

Daniel felt a mix of disappointment and dread. He wanted to argue more, to convince them that this was a mistake, but he could see their minds were made up. He sighed, knowing he was outnumbered.

"Just remember," Daniel said, his voice firm, "if anything happens, I won't hesitate to step in. This tournament means too much to let history repeat itself."

Michael nodded, understanding the gravity of Daniel's words. "I wouldn't expect anything less."