Zeke, Miguel, Aisha, and Hawk stretched together on the mats, the usual banter filling the room as they loosened up before training. Zeke listened as Miguel talked about his upcoming date with Sam, trying to figure out the perfect place to take her.

"I need somewhere romantic," Miguel said, stretching his arms above his head. "But not too romantic, you know?"

Hawk, ever the wildcard, suggested, "You could take her to get tattoos."

Miguel gave him a confused look. "What?"

Grinning, Hawk pulled off his shirt, revealing a large tattoo of a hawk spread across his back. "I know a guy. Just hooked me up with this bad boy."

The others reacted with a mix of awe and surprise.

"Oh, shit," Aisha said, wide-eyed.

Zeke, impressed, added, "That is badass, man."

"Right?" Hawk beamed, clearly proud of his new ink. "14 hours in the chair."

Zeke nodded, admiring the tattoo. "You gotta hook me up with your tattoo guy."

"You know it," Hawk said with a smirk.

Aisha, always the voice of reason, asked, "Wait, are your parents okay with that?"

Hawk shrugged nonchalantly. "Oh, they have no idea. Definitely going to have to wear a T-shirt until college. Probably longer. Please don't tell them."

Miguel, still focused on his date dilemma, asked, "Uh, any other suggestions?"

Aisha hesitated. "Don't look at me. Sam and I used to be friends...we're not anymore."

Miguel looked at her, almost pleading. "Okay, but I need your help."

Aisha sighed, giving in. "Fine, um... I know that she likes chocolates and astronomy."

Miguel nodded thoughtfully. "I could work with that."

Zeke chimed in, amused, "Chocolate and astronomy? Sounds like a winning combo."

Miguel then turned to Zeke. "Where do you and Moon go for dates?"

Zeke thought for a moment. "I took her to the water park the other day. That was fun."

Miguel raised an eyebrow. "You say this as if we have as much money as you."

Zeke laughed, realizing the truth in Miguel's words. "Good point. But first dates shouldn't be complicated. Just take her mini golfing or something like that."

Miguel considered the idea. "Okay, I can see about that."

Suddenly, a loud shout erupted from Johnny's office, drawing everyone's attention.

"Banned? What are you talking about? No, you don't ban me. I'll ban you!" Johnny's voice boomed through the walls.

Miguel quickly stood up. "I'm gonna go see what's going on."

As Miguel left, Hawk turned to Zeke, curious. "So, how are things going with Moon?"

Zeke shrugged, a slight smile playing on his lips. "They're alright. We've been dating for most of the year. Took her to the water park last week."

Hawk leaned in, interested. "Nice. Anything exciting happen?"

Zeke's expression darkened slightly as he recalled the incident after their water park date. "Yeah, actually...something did happen."

Last Week

The sun had begun to set as Zeke and Moon left the water park, the sky painted with hues of orange and pink. They were laughing, their hands intertwined, as they walked through the parking lot toward Zeke's car. The day had been fun, filled with rides, games, and the thrill of just being together.

As they reached the car, a group of guys, clearly lingering near the entrance with no good intentions, catcalled Moon. Zeke tightened his grip on her hand, trying to ignore them. But when one of the guys—a lanky, smirking teenager with too much confidence—approached and reached out to grab Moon's arm, Zeke snapped.

"Hey, back off!" Zeke's voice was low, dangerous, his eyes narrowing as he stepped between Moon and the guy.

The smirk didn't leave the teenager's face. "Relax, man. We're just having fun."

But before he could say anything more, Zeke shoved him hard in the chest. The guy stumbled back, surprise flashing across his face. He barely had time to react before Zeke was on him, fists flying. The first punch landed squarely on the guy's jaw, sending him sprawling to the ground. Zeke didn't stop. He followed him down, his fists pummeling into the guy's face and body with a fury that surprised even him.

The other guys in the group froze, unsure of what to do. They clearly hadn't expected this level of aggression. Moon stood nearby, her eyes wide with fear, not just at the guy who had tried to grope her but at Zeke's reaction. She had seen him angry before, but never like this. The intensity, the violence—it was too much.

Zeke's knuckles were bloody by the time he stopped, the guy beneath him groaning in pain, barely conscious. Breathing heavily, Zeke stood up, his face flushed with rage. The other guys quickly backed away, not wanting to get involved, and ran off, leaving their friend behind.

Zeke turned to Moon, his expression softening slightly as he saw the fear in her eyes. "Are you okay?"

Moon nodded, but the tremble in her voice was unmistakable. "Yeah...I'm fine."

Zeke wiped the blood from his hands on his jeans, suddenly feeling the weight of what he had done. "Let's get out of here."

They got into the car in silence. Moon's hands were trembling slightly as she buckled her seatbelt. As Zeke drove, the adrenaline from the fight began to wear off, replaced by a gnawing sense of unease. He glanced over at Moon, who was staring out the window, her face pale.

"Moon..." he started, unsure of what to say.

But she shook her head, cutting him off. "Just drive, Zeke."

The rest of the ride was quiet, the tension thick between them. Moon couldn't shake the image of Zeke's face twisted in anger, the way he had relentlessly beaten the guy, how he seemed to lose control. It scared her—not just what happened, but what it meant. She had always known Zeke could be aggressive, but this...this was different.

He had lost all control. It's as if he didn't give the guy a chance to breathe.

And it scared her to think on what else could have happened.

🐍

The All Valley Tournament Committee meeting was underway. Michael had not yet arrived, but since the tournament was coming up, the committee needed to begin affairs without him.

Ron called the meeting to order. "Let's bring this to order. Now, we have a proposal on the table to change the color of the mats for the under-18 tournament."

Sue objected immediately. "We've had the classic red mats with the white fist logo for over 30 years. It's tradition."

Ron wasn't swayed. "You know what else is a tradition? Dwindling attendance."

Daryl, who often saw the need for change, chimed in. "Look, we need to shake things up. I say we go with blue mats and a gold fist."

Just then, the door creaked open, and Johnny Lawrence entered, his presence cutting through the room like a blade.

Johnny was unphased, though his tone held a simmering frustration. "Gold fists?" he asked, half incredulous, half derisive.

Ron cleared his throat, attempting to maintain order. "Uh, excuse me, sir? If you're looking for the AA meeting, that doesn't start until 9 o'clock."

Johnny's jaw tightened, but he held his ground. "No, uh, I'm John Lawrence, here for the tournament committee meeting."

A murmur ran through the room, but George, one of the more level-headed committee members, tried to handle the situation diplomatically. "Are you here because of what happened at last year's tournament? If so, we can assure you we've hired an entirely new food vendor. We had no way of knowing those corn dogs had turned."

Johnny waved off the concern. "No, I'm sorry about your corn dogs. That's not why I'm here. I'm here because my dojo's been banned from the under-18 tournament, and I want to see about an appeal."

Sue, still focused on procedures, looked puzzled. "I'm confused. We banned someone?"

George furrowed his brow, flipping through some papers in front of him. "We banned someone? I didn't know we could ban anyone."

Ron shrugged, equally perplexed. "Is that a thing?"

The confusion didn't sit well with Johnny. He was already on edge, but what really ignited his temper was the figure that stepped into the room next. Daniel LaRusso, all smiles until he saw Johnny standing there.

Daniel wasted no time. "Cobra Kai." The words dripped with venom.

Ron greeted Daniel warmly, clearly missing the subtext. "Daniel, you made it."

"You know I never miss the annual meeting, Ron. And boy, am I glad I didn't miss this one."

The tension between the two former rivals was palpable. Ron, oblivious to the brewing storm, continued, "Well, you're just in time. Mr. Lawrence here says his dojo was banned from the tournament. He wants to re-enter."

"Oh, I'm sure he does," Daniel replied with a smirk, his arms crossed over his chest.

Ron remained impartial. "Well, let's get this cleared up then. Mr. Lawrence, what is the name of your dojo?"

Johnny opened his mouth to respond, but before he could, Daniel interrupted. "Cobra Kai," he spat out. "You mean to tell me that this man, Johnny Lawrence, who was the star pupil of a dojo that terrorized me and others, is now asking for an appeal? After everything that dojo has done?"

Ron blinked, clearly out of his depth. "Terrorized?"

George, ever the historian of the group, leaned in. "Oh, yes. The All Valley Committee of 1985 issued a lifetime ban on Cobra Kai for the unethical and unsportsmanlike conduct shown by Senseis Terry Silver, John Kreese, and their student, Mike Barnes."

Ron's face flushed as he realized the gravity of the situation. "Well, there you have it, Mr. Lawrence. We're sorry we wasted your time, but a lifetime ban is a lifetime ban."

Just as it seemed Johnny might lose his chance, the door swung open again. Michael, dressed sharply in a suit, walked in with a confident stride.

"Now hold on a minute, let's hear what my old friend has to say," Michael said smoothly as he entered the room, drawing the attention of everyone present.

"Michael," George greeted him, visibly relieved. "We're glad you could make it."

"My apologies for being late, everyone," Michael replied as he approached the committee. "I had some things to get done at the office."

Daniel muttered under his breath. "Like we couldn't wait any sooner."

Johnny, who had been wrestling with his anger and frustration, suddenly found himself taken aback. "Mikey? Is that you?"

Michael smiled, extending his hand. "Johnny Lawrence, how you been, man?"

Johnny took the hand, but his expression remained serious. "My business has a lifetime ban I didn't know about. How do you think I'm feeling?"

Michael nodded, sympathetic. "I'm fully aware, Johnny. Which is why we should have you plead your case."

Daniel scoffed, his frustration boiling over. "Of course you're going to side with him. You were part of Cobra Kai, so naturally, you're going to make sure they get the ban lifted."

Michael turned to face Daniel, his tone even but firm. "I'm just doing what any good lawyer would do, Daniel. Listening to each side of the argument before making any decisions on the matter."

The committee members exchanged glances as the tension escalated between the two men. Before things could get out of hand, Sue stepped in, trying to steer the conversation back on track. "Mr. Lawrence, what is your relationship to this Terry Silver?"

Johnny, still thrown by Michael's presence, shook his head. "Ma'am, I have no idea who that even is. I'm just a small business owner trying to make a living."

Daniel couldn't resist taking another jab. "Oh, please, ask him about John Kreese."

Johnny hesitated. He hadn't seen his old sensei in years and wasn't sure how to respond. Before he could say anything, Michael spoke up.

"As I mentioned last week, Daniel, my father John Kreese is currently living with me and my family," Michael explained. "And I assure you, he poses no danger and hasn't for a long time. He's moved on from everything that occurred during those times."

Johnny's eyes widened in shock. His old sensei, alive and living with Michael? After all these years? He had more questions than answers, but he kept silent for now.

Daniel wasn't convinced. "Give me a break."

Sue, growing tired of the hostility, snapped at Daniel. "Daniel, show a little respect."

Daniel turned on her, his voice rising. "Respect? Are you kidding me, Sue? You don't know the history here. John Kreese and Cobra Kai were the embodiment of everything this tournament stands against. And this guy, Johnny Lawrence, he was his star pupil. And this guy, who shouldn't even be in this room right now, is his son. He's the worst of them all. We'll be dishonoring the entire sport by reinstating Cobra Kai. I mean, come on."

Johnny had had enough. His voice cut through Daniel's tirade, firm and unwavering. "Look, I admit Cobra Kai had its share of problems in the '80s. My sensei didn't always play by the rules. That's why I left. But my Cobra Kai is different. It's a place where kids can come and feel like they belong. Where they won't get picked on just because they're a bunch of losers. Er, because they're unique."

He paused, gathering his thoughts before continuing. "I've watched firsthand as my students have gotten stronger. Gained confidence. Learned how to stand up for themselves. Cobra Kai is making a difference in these kids' lives. And honestly, they're making a difference in mine as well."

Michael nodded, stepping forward to back Johnny up. "This could be an opportunity for redemption. I admit, my father had some questionable methods, but times have changed now. Johnny is molding young individuals into more confident versions of themselves, teaching them life lessons, and what it's like to be a part of something. I know because my son is involved, and it's helping him a lot."

Johnny's brow furrowed in confusion. Surely he would know if a Kreese was in his dojo. He had a lot of questions to ask Michael, but now wasn't the time.

However, he was happy to have the support of his old friend.

"Thank you," Johnny smiled, his voice sincere.

Ron, visibly moved by Johnny's speech, nodded. "That doesn't sound at all like the old Cobra Kai. Badass name for a dojo, by the way."

"It really is." Michael smirked.

Sue, who had been skeptical at first, now seemed convinced. "I think I speak for all of us when I say the community could use more men like you, Mr. Lawrence."

Johnny gave a slight nod. "Thank you, ma'am."

But Daniel wasn't ready to let this go. "All right, this is horseshit. This guy was the biggest bully in my high school, and he hasn't changed at all. I can prove it."

George, who had remained neutral up to this point, finally spoke up. "I'm sorry, Mr. Lawrence. I don't know you, but I do know Daniel LaRusso, and if he says no, I'm with him."

Daniel nodded in agreement. "Thank you, George."

"Seems the only fair solution is to put this to a vote."

Michael nodded, unbothered. "Fair enough."

George, trying to maintain some decorum, addressed Johnny. "Mr. Lawrence, would you mind waiting outside while we cast our ballots?"

Johnny, always one to play it cool, replied, "Not at all. Thank you all for your careful consideration."

Daniel, less patient, waved Johnny off. "Yeah, yeah, yeah. Just wait outside, all right?"

As Johnny left, Michael glanced at him with a smirk. "We'll have to catch up later, Johnny. For old times' sake."

"Yeah, for sure. It's been a while," Johnny replied before closing the door behind him.

Daniel barely suppressed a groan. "Okay, guys, this sob story... I mean, you were not there."

The room grew quieter as Daniel, visibly frustrated, began to outline his reasons why Cobra Kai should not have their ban lifted. The memories of his teenage years, the torment he faced at the hands of Cobra Kai, flooded back. Some committee members nodded, considering his words carefully.

"And personally," Daniel continued, his eyes narrowing as he looked directly at Michael, "I think we need to reconsider whether our newest member should even be included in such decisions."

Michael, who had been patiently listening, raised an eyebrow. "Okay, Daniel, what is your problem with me? Because I bullied you in high school thirty five years ago? Because I was a stupid teenager who made bad choices like anyone else?"

Daniel didn't back down. He brought up several incidents from the past—things Michael and his Cobra Kai friends had done to him. The way they tormented him, the pranks, the relentless bullying.

Michael, keeping his composure, shot back, "If I'm not mistaken, you butted your way into my friend's personal life. That's what started this whole conflict. And let's not forget about that little stunt you pulled—dousing me with water at the Halloween dance."

As the tension escalated, the committee members tried to calm the situation, but Daryl, always one for drama, seemed to be enjoying the show.

Michael took a deep breath, realizing he needed to deescalate. "You're all right. My apologies."

But Daniel wasn't done. "I don't want my kids growing up to be bullied like I did."

Michael's expression softened slightly, though his voice remained firm. "If I remember correctly, my son is in the same grade as your daughter. And there haven't been any issues, have there?"

Daniel hesitated, the mention of their children throwing him off balance for a moment.

Michael seized the opportunity to make his case. "Daniel, I'm a changed man. I'm 52 years old. I have a demanding job and a family. I'm not the same person I used to be. And like how anyone can change, I believe that Cobra Kai can change. Our methods were flawed, sure, but I stand by my old friend. And I believe he's doing great things for the community, as well as the kids who walk through his doors wanting to be better versions of themselves. I believe he should be given a chance to prove that."

Daniel's lip curled into a sneer. "Spoken like any dirty attorney."

George nodded in agreement with Daniel, but the other members of the committee exchanged glances and murmurs. After a moment, Sue called for a vote.

The results were not in Daniel's favor. The committee decided to lift the ban on Cobra Kai, despite his impassioned pleas.

As the meeting adjourned, Daniel quickly caught up with Michael in the hallway, pulling him aside. "You might have gotten away with it, but you won't stay on the committee for long."

Michael's response was calm, almost dismissive. "I won't, actually. I'm leaving because I can't be around individuals like you who get so heated over trivial matters and issues of the past."

Michael gave Daniel a condescending pat on the shoulder before turning away with a smirk. "Now if you'll excuse me, Danny boy, I have things to do and a family to get home to."

Daniel stood there, watching Michael walk away, his frustration boiling beneath the surface. He knew this wasn't over, not by a long shot. But for now, he had to accept the committee's decision and figure out his next move.

🐍

Johnny and Michael sat at a dimly lit bar, the familiar clinking of glasses and low murmur of conversations filling the space around them. It had been years since they'd last seen each other, and the beers in their hands felt like a necessary buffer between the past and present.

Michael took a sip, glancing over at Johnny with a slight smirk. "Last I heard, you were laying bricks and cleaning gutters. How'd that go?"

Johnny shrugged, a wry smile on his lips. "Yeah, well, kept me busy, it sucked. But a lawyer? You always were smart, but I figured you'd find a way to avoid work somehow. A lawyer, though? Good shit, man."

Michael chuckled, reaching into his pocket to pull out his phone. He scrolled through his photos and then passed it to Johnny, showing him a couple of wedding pictures. "Yeah, met Diana at USC. She's from Colombia. We've been married almost 18 years now."

Johnny examined the photos. Diana was stunning, her dark hair and bright smile lighting up the images. "Damn," Johnny said, handing the phone back. "You did good."

Michael smiled, a hint of pride in his eyes. "Thanks, man. She's something else. Marriage, though—it's got its ups and downs. You ever settle down?"

Johnny grew quiet, his thoughts drifting to Robby. The memories were complicated, and the emotions that came with them were even more so. He shrugged, trying to shake off the weight of it. "Not really."

Michael noticed the shift in Johnny's demeanor and decided to drop the subject. "Well, you might not be missing much," he said with a laugh. "It's not all sunshine and roses."

Johnny forced a chuckle, but the topic had stirred something in him. "Yeah, maybe. So, uh... what's going on with Kreese?"

Michael's expression darkened slightly, the conversation taking a more serious turn. He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "He was in a homeless shelter for a while. Been there for years, actually. Felt like the right thing to do, you know? Give him a place to live."

Johnny leaned back in his chair, his eyes clouding with old memories. "I remember after '84... Kreese almost choked me. Broke my damn trophy right in front of everyone."

Michael grimaced, nodding. "Yeah, but my dad's in his 70s now. What's he going to do? He was telling a war story to my daughter the other day, and I swear it sounded fake. He's probably got dementia."

Johnny remained silent, the image of Kreese's hands around his throat still vivid in his mind. The past wasn't so easily forgotten.

Sensing the tension, Michael added quietly, "Johnny, that wasn't a good night for anyone. Including me."

Johnny finally spoke, his voice low. "Except LaRusso. Can you believe the nerve of that guy?"

Michael scoffed. "Yeah, what an asshole. Hasn't changed since high school. He calls me dirty? He's a car salesman."

They shared a bitter laugh, the camaraderie of shared disdain bringing them back to their old ways. But Michael was curious about something else. "So, how's the dojo? Got any kids that impress you?"

Johnny's face brightened a bit as he talked about Cobra Kai. "Yeah, I've got some real natural Cobras. But they're all good kids, you know? There's this one kid, though—tough as nails, strong, got a bit of a chip on his shoulder. Reminds me of someone I used to know..."

Michael listened intently, a small smile forming as Johnny described the student. "That definitely sounds like my son."

Johnny's eyes widened in surprise. "Your son?"

Michael nodded, a hint of pride in his voice. "Yeah, I think he's part of your dojo now. Has been for a while. Chip off the old block, I assume?"

Johnny blinked, trying to piece it together. "Let me see that picture of your family again."

Michael obliged, pulling up a family photo on his phone. The picture showed him, Diana, Sofia, and—

Zeke.

Johnny's heart skipped a beat as he stared at the image. One of his star students, was the grandson of his old sensei—a man who had once tried to kill him.

Johnny handed the phone back, his mind racing. He had to process this new revelation, but for now, all he could do was stare into his beer, lost in thought.

🐍

Zeke was in the middle of his workout, his muscles burning from the strain, when his phone buzzed on the bench beside him. He paused, wiping the sweat from his brow with the back of his hand, and glanced at the screen. It was a text from Moon.

Can you meet me?

A smile tugged at the corners of Zeke's mouth as he read the message, but it quickly faded, replaced by a slight frown. Moon had been quiet lately, more distant than usual, and it had been gnawing at him. They hadn't spent much time together recently, and the last few times they'd hung out, something had felt off. But now she was reaching out, and he wanted to believe that maybe things were about to get back to normal.

Still, a part of him was skeptical. There was a knot in his stomach that wouldn't loosen. Shaking off the unease, Zeke grabbed his towel and wiped down his face, his chest rising and falling with each deep breath. He told himself not to overthink it. If she wanted to meet, maybe it was something good.

He replied to her text, agreeing to meet, and after a quick shower and change, he headed out. The place she chose wasn't far—a small, walk-up joint they'd been to a few times before. It wasn't fancy, but it had a laid-back vibe that Zeke had always liked. He hoped that whatever was on her mind would be easier to talk about here, in a place that felt familiar and comfortable.

When he arrived, Moon was already there, sitting at one of the small, wooden tables outside. She had a milkshake in front of her, but she wasn't drinking it. She was just staring into it, lost in thought. Zeke's heart gave a nervous flutter as he walked over to her.

"Hey," he greeted her, his voice steady, though he could feel the tension creeping in.

Moon looked up, her expression soft but guarded. "Hey, Zeke."

He sat down across from her, studying her face, trying to read her mood. "Everything okay? You've been kind of quiet lately."

Moon looked down, twisting the straw in her milkshake with her fingers. "Yeah, I've just been thinking a lot."

Zeke waited for her to say more, but when she didn't, he pressed gently. "What's on your mind, Moon?"

She took a deep breath, and Zeke could see her brace herself. Then, in a soft but firm voice, she said, "We need to break up."

Zeke blinked, the words hitting him like a punch to the gut. He leaned back slightly, trying to process what she'd just said. "Wait... what? Why?"

Moon didn't look at him as she spoke, her eyes focused on the table. "It's just... I've been thinking a lot about what happened at the water park. And it scared me, Zeke."

Zeke's brow furrowed, his mind flashing back to that day. Some guy had been messing with Moon, and Zeke had stepped in, making sure the guy got what he deserved. "Scared you?" he repeated, confused. "That guy was harassing you. He deserved what he got."

Moon nodded, but her expression was pained. "Yeah, maybe he did. But, Zeke, the way you hurt him... you looked like you lost control. It wasn't just about defending me. It was like you wanted to hurt him, like you needed to."

Zeke was stunned. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. "I was just trying to protect you, Moon."

Moon finally looked up at him, her eyes sad but resolute. "I know. But it's not just that. There have been other times too. Like with Rory..."

Zeke stiffened. Rory was a sore spot for him. To him, it had been justified. Rory had it coming.

"I was sticking up for my friends," Zeke argued, his voice tight. "There wasn't another way."

Moon shook her head, her gaze unwavering. "Maybe there was. But even if there wasn't, the way you handled it... it wasn't just about standing up for your friends. It was like you were... I don't know, trying to prove something. And that's what scares me."

"So I guess it's done then," Zeke said, his voice low, the fight drained out of him. He stared at the table, not wanting to look her in the eyes.

Moon nodded, her expression softening with sympathy. "Zeke, you're a great guy. You're protective and fun, and I've really liked being with you. But... you have some real issues. I don't want to be with someone who's so angry all the time, who thinks fighting is the way to solve everything."

Zeke's hands clenched into fists, his knuckles white. He couldn't believe this was happening.

"You need to get help," Moon added quietly. "I don't know what's going on with you, but you can't keep going like this. It's not healthy."

Zeke felt a lump rise in his throat, but he swallowed it down. He wasn't going to let her see how much this hurt. He stood up abruptly, not trusting himself to say anything more without his voice cracking.

Moon looked up at him, her eyes full of regret. "I'm sorry, Zeke."

He didn't respond. He just turned and walked away, the anger simmering just beneath the surface. When he reached the trash can, he threw his shake into it with more force than necessary, the cup making a loud thud as it hit the bottom. He could feel the rage building, but there was nothing he could do with it—not here, not now.

Zeke reached his car and got in, slamming the door shut. He sat there for a moment, gripping the steering wheel so hard his knuckles ached. This wasn't fair. Moon had no right to do this to him, to make him feel like he was the problem when all he ever tried to do was protect her.

He didn't do anything wrong.

He started the car, the engine roaring to life. He needed to get out of here, to go somewhere where he could burn off this anger. He didn't care where—he just needed to hit something, to feel the impact of his fists against something solid.

🐍

Zeke stormed back into the house, his anger still simmering beneath the surface. The door slammed shut behind him, reverberating through the empty hallway. The house was quiet except for the faint sound of a movie playing in the living room. As he moved past the foyer, he saw Diana, curled up on the couch, her attention focused on the screen.

She looked up when she heard the door and immediately noticed the stormy expression on Zeke's face. Her eyes filled with concern as she set aside her remote control and stood up. "Zeke, ¿qué te pasa?" she asked softly, her voice laced with worry. "¿Por qué estás tan alterado?"

Zeke's shoulders tensed. He hadn't expected her to notice so quickly, and he struggled to keep his emotions in check. "Moon and I... we broke up," he said, his voice rough. He didn't go into details, not wanting to explain the whole messy situation. He knew his mother wouldn't approve of his fighting, and he wasn't ready to discuss it.

Diana's face softened as she approached him. She reached out and placed a comforting hand on his arm. "Lo siento mucho, hijo. ¿Qué pasó?"

Zeke shook his head, trying to suppress the anger rising within him. "I don't know. It came out of nowhere. I don't get it."

Diana's eyes searched his face, full of maternal concern. "A veces, las personas tienen sus propias razones. No siempre las entendemos, pero eso no significa que no te duela."

"Gracias, Mom," Zeke said, his voice cracking slightly. "I need to go downstairs. Get this out of my system."

Diana gave him a sympathetic nod, though her eyes remained troubled. "Está bien, hijo. Pero si necesitas hablar, aquí estoy."

Zeke managed a tight smile and headed down to the basement. As he descended the stairs, he tried to focus on the physical exertion that lay ahead. The basement was his sanctuary, a place where he could let his emotions out without judgment. The walls were lined with punching bags, and the familiar sight of them brought him a measure of comfort.

He moved to the largest bag, wrapped his hands and began to hit the bag with a steady rhythm, the thudding sound echoing through the room. With each punch, he could feel some of his anger dissipating, though it wasn't nearly enough to quell the rage inside him.

Kreese, who had been observing the interaction between Zeke and Diana from the top of the stairs, decided to make his presence known. He moved silently down the steps and into the basement. Sofia, who had been on the phone talking about trivial matters with a friend, barely noticed him passing by.

When Kreese reached the basement, he saw Zeke furiously hammering away at the punching bag. The old sensei's eyes narrowed as he took in the scene. He walked up to Zeke and cleared his throat, causing the young man to pause momentarily.

"What happened?" Kreese inquired, his voice gruff.

Zeke stopped and wiped the sweat from his brow, his anger momentarily giving way to frustration. "Moon and I... we broke up. She said she couldn't handle my aggression."

Kreese's expression didn't change. He stepped closer and pointed at the bag. "Let me show you something."

Without waiting for a response, Kreese moved to the bag and demonstrated a stance, his movements precise and controlled. "Get into this stance. It'll help you channel your energy better."

Zeke followed Kreese's instructions, adjusting his position as the older man watched critically. "Aish!" Kreese shouted, and Zeke punched the bag.

"Again!" Kreese commanded.

Zeke hit the bag with renewed force, his anger fueling each blow. "Again!" Kreese shouted once more.

This time, Zeke's punch was harder, his frustration clearly visible. Kreese nodded approvingly. "Your technique's perfect, kid. But there's still a long way to go."

Kreese then moved behind the bag and delivered a powerful punch, causing the bag to swing violently. Zeke watched, impressed by the force behind Kreese's strike.

Without warning, Kreese turned and struck Zeke lightly, catching him off guard. Zeke stumbled slightly, his eyes wide with shock. "What the hell was that?"

Kreese's face was impassive. "You let your guard down. At any moment, someone can exploit your weakness."

Zeke frowned, trying to understand. "What are you talking about?"

Kreese's gaze was sharp. "This girlfriend of yours."

Zeke's face hardened. "Ex-girlfriend. And what about her?"

Kreese continued, "That hippie girl who was always talking about world peace and other nonsense. Honestly, Ezekiel, this is a good thing."

Zeke raised an eyebrow. "And why is that?"

Kreese sighed, his tone more serious. "Did I ever tell you why Johnny lost to Daniel LaRusso?"

Zeke shook his head, curiosity piqued. "No, Dad said something about a crane kick—"

Kreese cut him off. "No, it wasn't that crane crap. There isn't a kick on Earth that could stop Johnny Lawrence in his prime. He lost because he let his emotions get the better of him. He thought he was in love. It distracted him. He lost his focus. Just like you're doing now with this Moon girl."

Kreese's words stung, but Zeke couldn't deny the truth in them. He had let his emotions cloud his judgment, and now he was paying the price.

Kreese placed a hand on Zeke's shoulder, his expression intense. "This is a good thing, Ezekiel. The sooner you realize that, the sooner you can focus and become closer to being a winner."

Zeke looked at Kreese, taking in his words. The weight of the message settled on him, and he nodded slowly.

Kreese's gaze was unwavering. "If you want to tap into your full potential, you need to forget everything else. And strike."

Zeke returned to his stance, his mind clearer now. He took a deep breath and threw another punch. "Aish!" Kreese shouted, his voice echoing through the basement.

Zeke's punches were more focused, his anger channeled into each strike. As he hit the bag with renewed intensity, he felt a sense of release, a glimmer of clarity amidst the chaos of his emotions. Kreese's words had struck a chord, and Zeke was determined to use this moment as a turning point.

Kreese watched, a small, approving smile on his lips. He believed his grandson had the potential to surpass even Johnny Lawrence, and this was the path to achieving that potential.