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Chapter Fourteen: Dawning
When Carmen and Miguel had reentered their apartment, Robby was curled up on the couch, snoring softly. Frowning, Carmen carefully tugged his shoes off his feet, and set a timer on her phone.
«What’s that for?» Miguel began rubbing antiseptic over his cuts, wincing at the sting.
«Someone needs to wake him up every four hours, if he’s concussed.»
Miguel didn’t even realize his shoulders were shaking until Carmen sat down next to him on the couch and hugged him. He leaned into her embrace. They stayed there, his back aching, her breaths quiet and warm.
«You wouldn’t quit,» Carmen whispered, «no matter how much I begged you to.»
Miguel smiled sadly. «No, I wouldn’t. I’m sorry.»
«I hate being so worried, Miggy. You almost died, I just— I don’t want things going back to the way they were before. I need to know that you’re safe.»
«I try, Mom,» Miguel said. «But if I stop fighting, it doesn’t mean that other people will. We were on the defense.»
«I know, I know. And Johnny is looking out for you.»
«He’s a good teacher.» Even if his methods are rather hazardous…
«I hope he comes out of this okay.»
Carmen leaned against her son and closed her eyes.
Miguel didn’t like to think about death. He especially didn’t like to think about the deaths of his loved ones. But he knew there would come a day when he wouldn’t have Mom or Yaya to come home to, ever again. These quiet moments, a sigh, a soft touch, radiating nothing but support and love and protection, were the ones he would miss the most. Looking in the mirror, Miguel saw himself slowly stretching upward, his chest solidifying, shoulders broadening slightly. He was only an inch shorter than his mom. Two years were left before he began working his way through college, supporting himself off of a tedious blue collar job. Maybe Sensei could hire him instead. Would he ever be back in fighting shape, able to last more than one round with a high school bully? Despite his mother’s worries, Miguel knew he had to get there. He couldn’t give up. He couldn’t accept defeat.
A knock sounded on the door. Carmen hurried toward it, and in stepped Johnny. Miguel’s eyes flitted from his slightly bloody face to his slowly bruising neck.
“Sensei, are you okay?”
Johnny waved away his concern. “M’fine. You should see Kreese and LaRusso— went through a window.”
“Excuse me?” Carmen’s eyebrows had shot up. “What happened?”
“Long story. Promise I’ll explain tomorrow, I have a meeting with the LaRussos at ten. We gotta figure out what to do with the tournament—”
“Tournament?” Miguel demanded.
Johnny sighed. “I’d like you there for that, Carmen. So would Amanda.”
“I’d be happy to come along,” Carmen said, “but what exactly are we discussing?”
“Fuck, I don’t— sorry. Don’t really know the specifics. Everything happened kinda quickly.”
“Did you beat Kreese?” Miguel asked.
“Me? No. But your girl pretty much stopped LaRusso from killing him.”
Miguel furrowed his brow. “Sam?”
“Yeah, her.”
“She’s not my girl,” Miguel said. “I mean, we’re not dating. But what—”
Johnny held up a hand, swaying slightly. “Kid, it’s not that I’m not gonna tell you, but—”
“Right, sorry. You look pretty rough.”
Carmen folded her arms. “I think we all need to sleep. Johnny, do you know how to set an alarm on your phone?”
“Nah, I threw it into the ocean. Why?”
“You threw—? Never mind. Do you have anything you can set a timer with?”
“Uh,” Johnny rubbed the top of his head, wincing slightly, “I think I can do that on my oven, why?”
Carmen nodded toward Robby. “He’s definitely got a concussion. You’ll need to wake him up every four hours, just for the first night, to make sure he’s okay. If you can’t get him awake, take him to the hospital.”
“Do you think that’ll happen?” Miguel blurted out. His mother sighed.
“It’s too early to tell. I hope not.”
“We should get going,” Johnny said. He frowned at Robby. “Should I wake him up now, or—”
“Just carry him to bed, check on him in a few hours. And careful with his nose— it might be broken.”
“Right.” After some grunting and awkward maneuvering, Johnny held his slumbering son aloft. Miguel was strangely reminded of Sensei carrying him home, after that Halloween dance disaster. “What happened to him, anyways?”
“He was trying to get this guy off my back,” Miguel explained, “but the dude ended up slamming his face into the counter.”
Johnny winced. “Ah. Well. Thanks for taking care of him, guys. I’ve got it from here.”
“Goodnight, Johnny.”
“Night, Sensei.”
“G’night.”
Getting back into his own apartment— just taking his keys out of his pocket— was a pain in the ass. Robby was smaller than Johnny realized, but a lot heavier. Muscle, probably.
Johnny set him gently on the couch, and stumbled over to the oven, punching in a four hour timer. He felt weird about leaving Robby alone in the living room. What if Johnny slept through the timer, and Robby did too, and then his son was in a coma? Fuck, he wasn’t gonna get any rest tonight.
After dragging the coffee table under the TV, Johnny threw his pillow and comforter on the floor and lay down. He’d fallen asleep plenty of times on this tan, fuzzy carpet. Huh, it kinda smelled like beer. Johnny closed his eyes.
He couldn’t get the images out of his head. Kreese choking him. Daniel saving him. Kreese choking him. Daniel saving him. Kreese choking him. Daniel—
BEEEEP! BEEEEP! BEEEEP!
Johnny lurched forward. Had he really been lost in his thoughts for four hours, or had he fallen asleep? After slapping the oven’s “stop” button— and setting another timer— he knelt beside Robby, shaking his arm lightly.
“Hey, Robby, wake up. Robby, Robby. C’mon, kid, I know it’s late, and you probably feel like shit—”
Robby groaned, opening his eyes. After being met with the sight of his father, he immediately closed them. “Go ‘way.”
“I need to wake you up every couple hours, make sure you’re not in a coma. Think you can go back to sleep now?”
“Mmm.” Robby turned away from him, shivering.
Johnny frowned, before gathering up his comforter from the floor, and pulling it over his son. “That better?”
“Don’t want your help.”
“Too bad, you’re getting it.” Johnny leaned against the couch. “I gotta wake you up in four more hours.”
“Fuck off,” Robby mumbled.
***
By the time Sam crawled into bed, her breathing had gotten shallower and shallower.
I’m not afraid anymore. I faced Tory.
So then why…?
I’m not afraid, I’m not!
But…
Daniel knocked on the door. “Can I come in?”
“Yeah,” Sam called, pushing herself upright. “What’s up?”
“Just wanted to check on you.” Daniel sat down at the foot of her bed.
Sam sort of shrugged. “I survived a home invasion and a fight with Tory, and I don’t even need stitches. So.”
“That doesn’t mean you’re okay, Sam. You’ve been pale all night.”
“…I stood up to her. Tory. I was panicking, but I still fought back so why— why do I feel this way?”
Daniel sighed. “Just because you faced your fear— which I am very proud about, even if I never wanted it to happen this way— doesn’t mean that fear ever fully fades.”
“It’s just…” Sam shook her head. “It’s like she lives in a completely different world. With completely different rules. I just don’t understand why she does what she does.”
“That’s how I used to feel about Johnny. Heck, I still feel that way, sometimes. But he’s changed— a bit— and I’ve gotten to know him a bit better. That guy isn’t nearly as inscrutable as he used to seem.”
Sam raised her eyebrows. “Dad, remember when you told us how you used to be in Cobra Kai?”
“Uh…” Daniel tensed. “I, yes, but—”
“What was that training like?”
“Sam—”
“Were you taught by that Kreese guy, or—”
“Samantha!”
She froze. “Sorry, I just thought… I mean, if I understand the mentality, I might know what makes Tory tick, I didn’t mean to…” Her voice quavered.
“No, no, I’m sorry for snapping at you.” Daniel ran his fingers over the comforter. “Look, it’s just… I don’t like to get into the specifics. That was a… bad time in my life. Please— don’t ask me that, alright?”
“Okay,” Sam answered softly. Daniel nodded. They sat in silence.
“Dad?”
“Yeah?”
“I think— I mean, if things keep going like this— I want to try out therapy. Um. If that’d be okay?”
Daniel tilted his head to the side. “Well, I’ve never considered… but I don’t see why not. We can find you a therapist.”
“Thanks,” Sam whispered. Her father stood and kissed the top of her head.
“You should get some sleep. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“See you.”
Sam lay down, trembling. She couldn’t close her eyes.
***
They were two hours into their Doctor Who marathon when Hawk turned to Demetri and asked, “Can you help me out with something in the bathroom?”
“Just because we’re friends again doesn’t mean I’m giving you hand jobs.”
Hawk rolled his eyes. “I want to dye my hair.”
“Wait, really?” Demetri leaned forward and tapped at Hawk’s computer, pausing the show. “What color?”
“C’mon, I’ll show you.”
Hawk led him into the small bathroom attached to his bedroom. Years ago, Demetri had almost made himself sick with jealously over the arrangement. He’d learned not to let the rich kids’ houses get to him, especially not his friends’. That was just the way the world worked. Different families had different bathroom to bedroom ratios, and it wasn’t their fault that his ratio was out of wack. Still, there were times when he marveled over the fact that some people just… grew up with their own bathrooms. That it was just a given. How strange.
Demetri squeezed past Hawk, who was setting down boxes and bottles. “Three different dyes— wait. Is this… are you going where I think you’re going?”
“I guess so.” Hawk shrugged. “I just figured— fuck it. I’m already a dead man. And it’s a bit more complicated than my usual style, so I’d appreciate the extra help.”
“Dude, I’m so down. Do you have a method for this, or—”
“Yeah, help me section it off?”
“I’ll start at the back, do you think it’s best to dye there first?”
Hawk pulled out a hairbrush, and several clips. “I’m thinking the front, actually. I have to wash it after the dye sets—”
“—and you don’t want the runoff going into the dyed sections, got it.” Demetri grabbed a box and began skimming the back. “You’re lucky I’m the taller one, it’ll be easier to put it in. Wait, so how does that work? Do you just pour it on, or—”
“No!” Hawk yelped. “Don’t pour it— there’s, like, a paintbrush thing. And actually, you should change into something else, this stuff can get messy. Here—”
Demetri hopped onto the counter, giving Hawk room to squeeze back into the bedroom. After some rummaging, he emerged with a grey hoodie, speckled in red and blue.
“Put this on, it’s what I usually wear. I don’t need it, the dye won’t show up on black.”
Sliding off the counter, Demetri took the hoodie and wriggled into it. “Thanks.”
The rest of the night— and early morning— was filled with colorful quips, and quips about color. The boys brushed, sectioned, painted, washed, and blowdried, until they stared at Hawk’s bright hair, finally finished.
“Hey, try shaking your head from side to side.”
“Okay?” Hawk obliged, his multicolored mop swishing around hypnotically.
Demetri grinned. “That’s crazy— your hair is so long when it’s down.”
“I actually got extensions when I first got the hawk.” Hawk tugged at his locks. “It’s all natural now.”
Demetri nodded, swaying slightly.
“You okay?”
“Sorry, I’m just—” Demetri let out a monster yawn.
Hawk ran his fingers through his hair. “You should get to bed.”
“You gonna sleep?”
“I told you, I can’t. Still kinda manic.”
Demetri wandered back into the bedroom, placing the laptop on Hawk’s bed. “Get your AirPods, finish the season— I’ve already seen the whole thing. We’ll talk about it in the morning.”
Five hours later, and a grinning Hawk shook Demetri awake.
“Gnnh— wha—”
“The witches are actually aliens!” Hawk shouted.
Demetri’s first instinct was to sleepily snap at him. Then he noticed the shine in Hawk’s eyes— glimmers of pure nerdy excitement he hadn’t seen in months.
Demetri propped himself up, smiling. “Oh, man, it’s crazy, right?”
Chapter Fifteen: Sunrise
At nine-thirty in the morning, it was Johnny’s turn to be shaken awake. He blinked blearily at the figure of Miguel Diaz, who had seemingly materialized into his apartment. That, or he’d used his spare key.
“Wh…”
“Sorry to wake you, Sensei, but my mom was afraid you’d sleep through the meeting with the LaRussos. She made some extra breakfast for you.” Miguel held a Tupperware container up.
Johnny slowly stood up. “Tell ‘er I said thank—” He cut himself off with a large yawn. “Sorry. Didn’t get much sleep last night.”
“I don’t think anyone did,” Miguel said. “The Miyagi Fang group chat was blowing up like crazy. Sam was sending everyone outdated memes to laugh at, Bert kept asking us if it looked like there was glass in his knee, Mitch and Chris were arguing about the Ms. Marvel comics, and Demetri had a whole running commentary about his rewatch of Doctor Who until he supposedly passed out.”
“I have no idea what you’re saying right now, kid.”
Miguel nodded, before casting his eyes to Robby. “How’s he doing?”
“Well, at about six, he told me stop waking him up. Said he’d rather take the coma.” Johnny almost said, before checking himself. Didn’t want to say that shit around Miguel. “He’s pretty out of it. I dunno. Gotta wake him up at ten.”
“That’s when the meeting is,” Miguel reminded him.
Johnny sighed. “Fuck. Okay. I don’t think it’s good to leave him. I guess I could take him, but…”
“I can hang out here, keep an eye on him,” Miguel offered. Johnny squinted at him.
“Kid, you don’t have to do that. Really. I can figure something out.”
“Sensei, it’s fine. Not like I have any place to be. I’ll just chill here, draw. How often should I wake him up?”
“Every four hours.”
“And that’s starting at ten. Got it. Go eat, I’ll tell my mom what’s going on, and bring some stuff over, is that cool?”
Johnny nodded, reaching over to ruffle Miguel’s hair. “Yeah. You’re a good kid.”
***
Amanda tore upstairs when she heard the screaming.
Daniel wasn’t home. She’d sent him to pick up some pastries, figuring everyone could use a little extra sugar. Nobody in their house felt up to cooking, anyways. Anthony was still at his friend’s house. He didn’t need to be picked up until noon, which was a relief. Amanda was spent, and she hadn’t even fought a crazy karate master and his evil brood. Which is why she rose early, to further tidy the house, and keep watch over her slumbering family. Sam kept twitching in her sleep. And mumbling. Amanda could never make out the words.
She had no trouble hearing Sam now. Wrenching the bedroom door open, she ran to her daughter, who thrashed and kicked in her bed.
“Sam—” she touched her wrist, but Sam bolted upright. Awake. “Honey, it’s okay, it was just a dream.”
Sam’s eyes were huge. She gasped for air.
“Hey, Sam, you’re awake, you’re safe—”
“Mom?” Sam’s breaths evened.
“Yeah, it’s me. You wanna try and go back to sleep?”
Sam’s eyes were rimmed red, but she shook her head. “No, I— I can’t sleep. I need to meet with the others, make a plan—”
“You’re not doing anything today other than resting.”
“But I have to train—”
“I’m making you take the day off. It’s Christmas break, Sam. Be a regular kid. No karate, no strategizing, nothing. Leave that to your father and I— we’re meeting with Johnny and Carmen, in about—” —Amanda checked her Apple watch— “—ten minutes. Your dad’s picking up doughnuts, we got a couple cream-horns for you.”
Sam nodded. Her bedhead was the level of wild only curly-haired girls could achieve. “Thanks. I need to get dressed.”
Amanda raised an eyebrow. “You headed out already?”
“Moon texted me last night, asking to get some smoothies today. I wasn’t gonna go, but…”
“You should. Wear something cute, eat something junky. Have fun.”
“…I’ll try.”
***
When the timer went off, Miguel spent about three minutes staring into the oven, trying to find the food he thought he needed to take out, before remembering that the timer was, in fact, for Robby.
Right. Yeah. Still not fully awake. Don’t think a single one of us got any sleep last night. Except Yaya. She was asleep when I got home. She’s got the right idea, going to bed early. Maybe I should… nah. Only gonna be young for so long.
By the time he turned back to the couch, Robby had propped himself up. His nose was still pink, but almost back to its regular size. The comforter had tumbled to the floor.
“Hey,” Miguel slowly approached him. “How you doing?”
Robby blinked at him. “Kinda screwed up, I guess. You?”
“Not too bad. Just some scrapes and bruises. Pretty sore, though.” Miguel pushed aside Johnny’s comforter and sat on the floor, leaning against the couch. “I gotta get back in fighting shape.”
“I— if you need my help…Not that you’d want it. But this is all my fault in the first place. I’d be willing to…”
Miguel looked up at him and smiled slightly. “Thanks. Hey, you’re talking in actual sentences now, that’s good.”
“Was I not…?”
“You weren’t exactly coherent.”
Robby groaned. “God, I barely even remember what happened last night. I kinda remember driving home… and seeing your mom… and my dad.”
“They’re meeting with the LaRussos right now.”
“And you got stuck on babysitting duty?”
“I volunteered,” Miguel shrugged. “S’not like I have anything else going on today. And you took those hits trying to help me, so—”
“Stop.”
Miguel paused, mouth open. Robby’s fists were clenched.
“What—”
“You’re not allowed to act like— like you owe me something. You can’t. I’m the one that owes you, so— fuck!” Robby hunched over, grabbing at his head.
“Oh God, are you—”
“I’m fine— just— headache got worse.”
Miguel twisted open the bottle of Ibuprofen Carmen had sent him over with, and handed Robby two pills. “Here. I can get you some water.”
“It’s okay.” Robby swallowed them dry, and leaned back against the couch. “Thank you. But this is what I mean. You want me to help you with something, I will. I owe that to you. At the very least—”
“There is something you can do,” Miguel blurted out. “I mean, you’re not gonna like it.”
“What…?”
“Live here. With your dad. For… for a month, maybe? Give it a shot, I think he’s gonna start trying harder. To be a dad, I mean.”
Robby made a face like he was sucking on a lemon. “I… yeah, I hate that. But if that’s what you want… I’ll try. Not like I can go anywhere else, with my head like this.”
“How bad is it? I mean, do you know what’s been affected?”
“No idea.”
Miguel clambered to his feet. “We could run some tests.”
“What, are you a doctor?”
“‘Course not. But I couldn’t sleep last night, ended up doing some research. Oh, and the group chat’s been a little crazy, you might want to check it out.”
“Group chat?” Robby pulled out his phone and frowned at it. He swiped through the notifications and squinted. “I can’t— I can’t read this.”
“Yeah… that might happen for a little while.”
Robby nodded, biting back his frustration. “So, those tests…”
“Yeah, get up, try walking in a straight line.”
Robby’s stumbling wasn’t exactly straight, but he didn’t keel over, so the boys decided it wasn’t a total failure. Miguel asked him questions, had him follow his moving finger with his eye, touch his toes. Robby wasn’t exactly quick to the punch, but he got there eventually.
Miguel deduced that his concussion was mild. “But you should probably visit, y’know, an actual doctor.”
“Mm.” Robby crumpled back onto the couch. “Think I might—”
Someone timidly rapped on the front door.
Miguel stood. “I got it. Hey— Demetri?”
“Hi.” From the doorway, Demetri held up Robby’s backpack. “I found this at the dojo, is Robby here? I got the address from Sam but…”
From the couch, Robby gave a jerky wave. Miguel stepped aside, letting Demetri pass. “Yeah, he’s here. You okay?”
“My circadian rhythms are way off, but otherwise, I’m alright. You?”
“Could be better, could be worse.”
Demetri set Robby’s backpack down on the couch. “You look a lot better than you did last night.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“It was more of a healthy amount of concern, but whatever floats your boat.”
Robby smiled at him. “Sorry for not writing back to you. When I was in juvie.”
“Don’t even worry about it. After El— Hawk broke my arm, I kind of lashed out a bit, and then got embarrassed because that wasn’t even your fault… You might wanna just delete those.”
“Wait—” Robby shook his head. “He broke your arm?”
Miguel frowned. “Yeah, we talked about this yesterday…?”
“I don’t remember…”
“He’s probably disoriented. From the concussion, which I’m assuming you have.” Robby nodded at Demetri. “That’s unfortunate. Well, it doesn’t matter any more. Hawk and I have spoken, and the Binary Brothers are back together. He actually drove me here.”
Robby just gave Demetri a long stare before shaking his head. “I don’t— I think I need a nap.”
“That’s probably advisable. Actually Hawk wants to talk to you, Miguel, he’s waiting outside.”
Miguel tugged at his hoodie’s strings. “Oh. Yeah, I’ll go out, talk to him. It’s— you’re really friends again? I mean, he’s really back?”
“Yes,” Demetri’s voice grew quiet. “At least, I sure hope so.”
Robby stretched out on the couch, and closed his eyes. “If he gives you trouble, I’ll kick his ass.”
“Because you’re absolutely capable of that in your current condition,” Demetri snarked. “Sorry. Sarcasm aside, I do appreciate the offer. I just don’t think— well, I always knew he’d come around. And he did.”
Miguel returned Demetri’s smile with one of his own. “If he’s done raging, I’m glad to be friends again. I’ll go talk to him— you keep an eye on Robby?”
“Sure.”
“Don’t need a babysitter,” Robby mumbled into the cushions. “Just want a nap.”
“I’ll be quiet,” Demetri promised.
Miguel nodded, and slipped out the front door.
***
The first thing he noticed was the Sentra. Hawk had taken to showing up to school on his motorbike, but Miguel supposed an actual car would be better suited to chauffeuring one additional person plus luggage. It was the hair that really stood out.
“El Serpiente!” Hawk called, sliding out of the driver’s seat. “How ya holding up, man?”
Miguel couldn’t help but goggle at him. “I’m okay— dude, your hair!”
“You like it?”
“Tilt your head, let me see it all.”
Hawk obliged, showing off his tricolor mohawk. The front section was a vibrant pink, the middle a bright purple, and the back was his original blue. His eyes flicked nervously to the floor. “What do you think?”
“It’s awesome!” Miguel beamed. “It’s the bi pride flag, right?”
“Yeah… I mean, everyone already pretty much hates me, so what’ve I got to lose by coming out, y’know?”
Miguel placed a hand on Hawk’s shoulders. “Hey. I don’t hate you.”
“You— you don’t?”
“I think you did some shitty stuff, but you came around in the end, with warning everyone. I saw you helping Demetri during that fight, trying to help me… Kreese kind of pushed all your worst parts to the front of you for a bit. But you’re a good guy. I know you are.”
Hawk closed his eyes and let his head drop. “Guess I just gotta… work on proving that to the others.”
“Hey, Demetri seems happy to have you back,” Miguel pointed out. Hawk shrugged.
“We talked last night. He helped me with my hair. Once we decided we wanted to be friends again, he just started acting like we were totally fine again. Which— I guess we are, but… I don’t think we should be?” he sighed, shaking his head. “It’s confusing.”
Miguel gave Hawk’s shoulder a squeeze before dropping his hand. “You two’ll get back to normal some day, trust me. I knew you’d be back eventually… though I hoped Tory would as well.”
“Something’s up with her,” Hawk said. “She’s been stressed, and acting weird. I can’t figure it out.”
“My mom and Sensei are talking to the LaRussos about a game plan. I talked to Sensei a bit this morning, he said that we’re gonna settle things with Cobra Kai at the next tournament, I think.”
“Oh, shit, really? Good thing we got the former champ!” Hawk knocked Miguel’s arm playfully.
Miguel grimaced. “You probably have a way better shot of winning than me. I’m really gonna have to step up my training— not that Mom or Sensei will let me…”
“You’ll get there, man.” Hawk’s phone buzzed. “Crap, my mom needs the car. I gotta go.”
“I’ll send Demetri out,” Miguel said, already heading for the door. “Oh, and Hawk?”
“Yeah?”
Miguel pointed at Hawk’s hair. “Me too.”
Hawk scrunched his brow, before widening his eyes in understanding. He burst into a grin.
Outline
DECEMBER
- The adults come up with a plan, they decide to not start training until New Year so that the kids get a break.
- Sam goes to the smoothie place and waits for Moon but Piper texts her from Moon’s phone cancelling because something came up.
- Robby and Demetri talk about Hawk.
- Hawk and Demetri leave and Robby tries to read a book but he can’t read and it frustrates him. Miguel, who is intrigued by the book, offers to read it aloud and that’s what Johnny comes home to.
- After getting himself a new phone, Johnny brings Robby his stuff from the LaRussos, pills that Carmen recommended he get, and a mattress for the spare room. They talk, and Robby says he wants to visit Shannon
- Sam tells all the kids what the plan is, they discuss this in several groups and forms (group chats, one-on-one conversations, etc.)
- Johnny and Robby visit Shannon. Johnny pulls her aside and that’s when he thinks to get Robby a skateboard for Christmas. Shannon asks Johnny to bring him by on Christmas too, and though they’re not super friendly, they bond over wanting to be better parents.
- Aisha shows up at Tory’s place and takes her on a date where they talk about things. They come to an understanding and it’s a moment where Tory lets herself be vulnerable.
- Sam and Demetri hang out and talk, they see Aisha and Tory being cute and after they hide from Tory. Demetri is like “I don’t understand how Aisha can hang out with her” and Sam is like “I hate her but you’re not exactly one to talk seeing as you dated Yasmine” and Demetri is like “oh god don’t remind me I just wanted someone to make out with. I think she made me stop liking girls” and she teases him. Then they write a bunch of bad yelp reviews for Cobra Kai.
- Miguel goes through physical therapy exercises at home and Carmen suggests inviting the Lawrences over for Christmas dinner. Miguel is cool with it so she has him go over to Johnny to ask.
- On Christmas day Johnny takes a confused and disgruntled Robby to the skate shop to pick out a board. Robby is surprised and kind of happy, and on the way back, asks if his dad is trying to buy him. Johnny vehemently denies that and ends up talking about Sid and Robby’s perception of his dad changes slightly.
- They have dinner with the Diazs and it’s a fairly quiet affair. Robby is pretty wiped out and Miguel is talking about training with Carmen and Johnny, who don’t want him to do any sparring, which he’s dismayed about, until they remind him they won’t let him compete in the tournament. Someone says something about Robby having a better chance of winning that year and Robby says he’s not gonna be doing karate anymore
- That night, Robby sees Miguel practicing karate in the courtyard. He watches him through the window until Miguel spots him and he comes outside. They sit and Miguel says that Robby should do karate with Cobra Kai taking over, and he’s lucky that he’s allowed to spar and stuff. Robby says he doesn’t want to hurt anyone after what he did to Miguel. Miguel tells him that he has to learn how to show mercy, like he did. Miguel goes inside and Robby stays out alone.
- Johnny comes out and sits with Robby in silence for a while before asking if he wants to watch a movie. Robby says no, the screen and noise will hurt his head, and Johnny offers a game of cards instead. Robby says he’s too worn out and he’s just gonna go to bed, and Johnny accepts this without complaint.
- Tory comes home late from training, exhausted, but she hears her little brother having a nightmare about their mom dying so she takes care of him.
JANUARY
- After some rest and recovery, cut to first day of joint Miyagi-Do/Eagle Fang training. Johnny is pleased to have Aisha back, and congratulates her on changing the tide in the fight against the Cobras. Everyone is getting in their places when Robby, who had previously acted like he was done with karate, enters and says, “got room for one more?” (paralleling Sam rejoining Miyagi-Do).
- They warm up and then Daniel wants to teach the kids about fighting together so he has Sam and Robby demonstrate the wheel and says in order to form unity between the dojos the kids will be put in pairs with someone from the other dojo to learn the wheel. Hawk doesn’t understand how the wheel is helpful until someone points out that that’s how Robby and Sam won the mall fight.
- Everybody is working with their partners and Daniel is going around helping out. He starts to tell Miguel and Robby about his high school days with Johnny until Johnny yells at him that he doesn’t want a repeat of the Christmas party with Ali. Partners include Sam and Aisha, Miguel and Robby, Demetri and Hawk, Chris and Mitch, Nate and Bert. Then Piper comes in and asks to learn karate in order to defend her and Moon from sleazy guys (why she and Moon had to cancel hanging out with Sam), and Johnny is more than happy to help.
- Daniel pulls Johnny aside and says that he talked to the school about letting Robby back in but they need to have an actual meeting with Robby and his dad. Johnny agrees to this and calls Robby over to talk about it. Once Robby leaves Johnny mentions something about Hawk, perhaps wondering if he’s a double-agent, and Daniel mentions how Hawk reminds him of Johnny when he was in high school. Johnny has a bit of a crisis.
- Cut to Kreese giving his Cobras a creepy violent lesson. Tory gets a text from Aisha about Kyler harassing Moon and Piper and she brings it up with him. Kyler brushes it off and acts homophobic so Tory tries to frame it as bringing people on to the other side.
- Sam has her first therapy session and talks about it to Robby. He tells her about the meeting and she gives him some tips on how to get on Counselor Blatt’s good side.
- Miguel asks Aisha to spar with him privately but she says she won’t because Johnny and Daniel made it clear to the others that Miguel wasn’t allowed. Miguel is frustrated and goes to Hawk instead, who is reluctant, but agrees because it’s Miguel. When Hawk asks how Miguel is going to get to fight in the tournament, Miguel points out that he has five months to figure something out. They go to the dojo early to spar but get too into it and Johnny, who comes by to get ready for class, catches them. He gets angry, Miguel gets angry and storms off. Johnny goes to yell at Hawk but remembers how Tory yelled at him for being a bad sensei and instead goes “look I get that you want to help your friend but you can help him by giving him time to recover” and Hawk agrees to this. Johnny also apologizes for being a shitty sensei to him.
- Johnny, Daniel, and Robby have a meeting with Counselor Blatt where they advocate for Robby. Robby amps up the bastard charm and ends up running the meeting which surprises his “dads” but Blatt ends up liking it and decides to readmit him, saying she’s glad that his “fathers” are looking out for him. She briefly mentions how they’ve hired a karate elective teacher so that kids will be able to get out their aggression in a safe and non-contact environment under school supervision. Daniel and Johnny are surprised but come to the unspoken conclusion that more practice will be good for the tournament.
- On the way out they run into Tory and Kreese who are going to have a similar meeting. Kreese gives Robby another offer to join Cobra Kai and the “dads” get aggressive but Robby reins them back and calmly tells Kreese to fuck off.
- Tory talks to her mom about the meeting and how she’s going back to school and will keep out of trouble. Her mom is worried because she doesn’t expect to live any longer than a few more years and wants Tory to be able to take care of her little brother. Tory, though very worried and upset, maintains a brave face as her mother talks about using the money paying for her dialysis for rent once she’s gone, and later breaks down when she’s alone. She checks the GoFundMe she has set up for her expenses but she’s nowhere near her goal.
- Johnny and Robby get back to the apartment and see Miguel shadow boxing in the courtyard. He asks to talk to Robby privately so they take a walk and Miguel asks to spar with him on the sly. Robby doesn’t want to because he’s afraid of hurting Miguel and having everyone hate him, but Miguel gets angry again and points out that he wouldn’t need this if Robby hadn’t kicked him off the balcony, and Robby said he would help him get back into fighting shape, so Robby agrees to it. He also realizes that Miguel is a lot angrier than he lets on about his situation.
- They do some sparring in a local park and Robby tries really hard not to be too rough, he’s really just letting Miguel come at him and being defense only. Miguel, who has a lot of emotions to get out, goes a little wild but he’s not at a level where he can really hurt Robby yet. When they’re done, Miguel is grinning as he really missed just sparring with someone. Robby is exhausted and has a bad headache but he keeps quiet and lets Miguel be happy as they walk back.
- Robby gets home and Johnny’s actually trying to make dinner, to his surprise. It’s not going great and Robby ends up jumping in and saving it. Johnny tells Robby he got some school supplies for him and that Miguel will be riding to school with them tomorrow. After they eat Robby immediately goes to bed because he’s so worn out, but he can’t help but feel triumphant that he’s doing something his dad would hate, but then that feels hollow. Then he remembers how happy Miguel was after they sparred, and feels better.
- First day of school! When Yasmine sees that Aisha is back she immediately scurries away. Demetri decides he’s going to stick with Aisha so he doesn’t have to deal with her. Then Tory approaches Aisha and Demetri is like “nope never mind, bye”. Robby wears a beanie because he doesn’t want to be recognized as the guy who almost killed Miguel but Sam points out that he was literally at the school for only one day and only the karate kids know who he is. She helps show him around and after ditching Aisha, Demetri latches onto them and helps.
- Robby and Miguel show up together but Hawk makes a beeline for Miguel upon seeing him and Robby doesn’t want to deal with that so he wanders away until he runs into Sam, who’s chatting with Moon and Piper. Demetri joins them.
- Someone bumps into Miguel when they’re on the balcony and he shuts himself in an empty classroom and has a panic attack. Tory, who’s trying to find her class, runs into him there and they talk briefly.
- The karate kids have their first class of their karate elective, which is taught by none other than Terry Silver. He comes across as a fun teacher and teaches them new moves. They aren’t allowed to make contact with anything, only the air, and that’s how they don’t realize that doing these moves on someone will actually hurt their own selves.
- Hawk and Daniel talk about Hawk joining the joint dojo, something Daniel isn’t very happy about.
- Kreese tries to plant doubt in Hawk’s mind about switching sides.
- Miguel sees Robby struggling with homework in the library due to his concussion and helps out. Shawn, who has gotten out of juvie, sees Robby and goes to talk to him. Robby is worried that Shawn is going to start something but Shawn is chill, though he finds the fact that Robby and Miguel are friendly to be quite funny. Once he leaves, Robby explains to a confused Miguel how Shawn kept picking fights with him in juvie until Robby struck first and then they didn’t snitch.
- Johnny offers Robby a congratulatory beer for his first day back at school. Robby says he doesn’t drink, and Johnny assumes aloud that he’s waiting until he’s 21. Robby corrects him, saying he doesn’t drink, period. Johnny gets confused and Robby bitterly explains that he’s seen how terrible his parents are when they’re drunk and he doesn’t want to be like that. He’s also afraid his genetics are predisposed to be an alcoholic like them, so he doesn’t want to risk anything. Johnny is like “that’s fucking weird but hey you’re the smart one.”
FEBRUARY
- Feb 4 - Robby’s birthday. Robby says he doesn’t want to do anything for his birthday but after Miguel mentions that it’s his birthday to Sam, she and Demetri drag him to Golf n Stuff and they have a good time. Robby later finds out that it was Miguel who told them and is oddly pleased.
- Piper and Hawk geek out over Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Daniel overhears them and joins in. Hawk thinks he’s the cool teacher now.
- Moon and Demetri hang out and talk, Moon helps Demetri realize that he has a crush on Hawk and has for a long time.
- Miguel tries to teach Hawk how to skate and they run into Robby at the skate park.
- Aisha, Hawk, and Miguel sense that something is up with Tory. They investigate at her old jobs and apartment, where they run into her landlord, who immediately makes a comment about Hawk’s lip. Hawk shoots something back about his mutilated finger, and the landlord talks about what Kreese did. At her sushi job, they speak to the manager who says she was paid by Kreese to fire Tory, and at the roller rink, they’re given a similar story. Miguel hypothesizes that Kreese is making Tory completely reliant on him, and that’s why she can’t leave Cobra Kai.
- After plenty of conversations, Daniel is finally able to put Robby in therapy because Lord knows that kid needs it.
- Daniel catches Miguel and Robby sparring at the dojo. He walks in on Robby pinning Miguel to the ground (and it’s a strange moment where they’re just staying there looking at one another because romantic tension) and then Daniel is like “are you guys sparring?” Robby lies and says Miguel was helping him practice his one-step punching (series of defensive moves) and Daniel is fine with that. Later, Miguel asks Robby what one-steps are and Robby teaches him.
- While they are sparring Miguel shows Robby a move and holds him in an arm bar but Robby is too “hggg cute boy touching me” to pay attention.
MARCH
- Miguel and Robby get together over spring break when Robby tries to teach Miguel how to surf. They have their first kiss when sitting on a surfboard facing each other and bobbing in the waves.
- Hawk finds out about Robby and Miguel’s secret relationship and gets upset. He confronts Robby without actually letting on that it’s the relationship he’s upset about and they fight until they end up talking and coming to an understanding.
- Hawk and Sam run into each other at In’n’Out and come up with a plan to steal Miguel’s trophy from Cobra Kai, which they secretly carry out.
- Daniel finds out about Silver teaching his kids when he sees him talking to Sam outside of the school. He freaks out.
- Hawk goes over to Demetri’s house to work on a school project. He pets Schrödinger (Demetri’s cat), who is okay!
- Kreese’s request for guardianship over Tory gets approved.
APRIL
- The Cobras go after Demetri for the trophy theft, he gets injured.
- Aisha breaks up with Tory for all the unwarranted violence.
- Hawk goes after Tory, they have a street fight. He ends up pretty beat up but gets with Demetri, who is hysterical with worry over him. Tory cuts Hawk’s hair and he’s really upset until Sam is like “just get extensions and you can still have the hawk" and he's like “wait shit you're right”.
- Robby offers to help Johnny out with the paperwork for the All Valley, and Johnny gratefully accepts. This is how Miguel is able to compete without anyone realizing, because Robby registers him as well..
- Daniel misses an All Valley Board Meeting due to training his kids and when he calls one of the members to apologize they tell him it’s fine, that they were just having a hearing for banning some intense moves so that no one gets hurt. Daniel is fine with that and doesn’t know that it’s actually Kreese who’s getting Chozen’s techniques banned. Daniel has taught Chozen’s techniques to the kids so that they can use them in the tournament.
- Johnny and Daniel discuss uniforms. Daniel is gonna have the Miyagi Do kids go with their usual white gi and Johnny talks to the Cobras about what to do. Piper says her older sister dragged her to the tournament last year and that she thought the Cobra Kai black gis were really cool, and they should do something like that. That gives Miguel an idea, and he asks if anyone is good with sewing. Hawk hesitantly raises his hand and refuses to explain how. Miguel explains his plan (but not fully so the readers gets a surprise at the AVT.)
- Johnny is handing out tournament waivers to kids and Bert refuses his because he says he too small to make a difference, he’s not gonna win any matches. Johnny remembers one of his first matches after he had just joined Cobra Kai, and gathers everyone for a demonstration. He shows how getting in close to a larger opponent gives you the advantage no matter how much smaller you are. Bert’s enthusiasm is restored.
MAY
- A week before the All Valley Tory’s mom has a doctor’s appointment and the doctor says they found a kidney donor for her and if the surgery goes well she’ll be recovered in a few months. Tory is super happy about it and tells Kreese and Silver and a few others. Kreese is worried she won’t have the same anger to win the All Valley so the day before the tournament he goes to Tory’s house when she’s not there, pretends to be a doctor person to her younger brother who lets him in, and then messes with Tory’s mom’s machine. When Tory gets home her mom is really sick so she calls an ambulance and then panics further because they’re expensive. Her mom is rushed into the hospital and Tory is really upset.
- Miguel and Aisha can immediately tell something’s wrong with her. Aisha isn’t ready to talk to her so Miguel speaks to Tory, who tells her how well things were going with her mom until this happened. Miguel tells this to Aisha, and they immediately deduce that Kreese is behind it. They go to Carmen, Amanda, and Ali (who flew down with her kids to see the tournament) and tell them this. They say that Carmen and Ali’s position in hospitals could help them investigate, and Amanda can help with the legal side of things (Aisha suggests bribing people as well). The three take off immediately to investigate, and Yaya watches over the kids. Miguel is worried about Tory but admits that he’s relieved how his mom won’t see him compete.
- All Valley
- Miguel v. Tory is one of the first fights, she beats him. But since he’d been concerned about her and they’d talked, she doesn’t go as hard on him as she could’ve, which Kreese notices. There are so many matches happening in the beginning that Johnny doesn’t realize Miguel is competing until it’s already happening. During it, he and Daniel are watching concerned and trying to figure out how it happened. Daniel asks if Johnny accidentally put Miguel’s name on the paperwork and Johnny mentions that Robby helped him with it and Daniel puts two and two together and turns to Robby. But right then, Tory injures Miguel on the mat, and Robby flies to his side asking him if he’s okay, and the wheels start turning very slowly in Daniel and Johnny’s heads.
- Kyler v. Sam is one of the semi semi finals, she gets revenge on him for sexually harassing her with a strike to the groin.
- Bert goes up against a tall Cobra but manages to defeat him. He doesn’t advance too far but he’s very proud of his improvement.
- For the semi finals, it’s Tory v. Sam. Sam uses Chozen’s techniques on Tory, who panics after her arms go numb. Kreese calls a time out and Sam is almost disqualified but she argues that she didn’t know about the ban. The refs are like “hmm maybe we should just give Nichols a point then” and Tory cleverly points out that Sam’s father is on the Board so of course she had to know. Sam is disqualified and when she protests Tory just snaps at her to get out, that she’s not even worth her time.
- The final match is Aisha vs. Tory, which Aisha wins (this is a Torisha parallel to the Kiaz final match of the last AVT.)
- After Aisha wins the tournament, the senseis talk as the kids celebrate. The Eagle Fangs, who had been wearing their old Cobra Kai uniforms with a red eagle path over the yellow fist, rip off their patches to reveal the yellow ones underneath and cheer because they get to be Cobra Kai again. Kreese says that they don’t have anything written, they can’t force him to give back the dojo, and Daniel tells him he slipped something into the paperwork he signed in the All-Valley. Silver points out how they can just open another dojo, and then Carmen, Amanda, and Ali show up with the cops who arrest Kreese for attempted murder. Tory realizes that Kreese is why her mom almost died and flips out
- After the tournament, Silver tears into Tory in the parking lot and Daniel and Johnny share a look before Johnny beats the crap out of Silver.
- Tory’s mom eventually wakes up from her coma and is able to have her transplant, she still has a lot to recover from and many medical expenses.
- The kids, though they don’t really like her, want to help Tory after all she’s been through. Sam suggests another car wash, but Miguel finds Tory’s GoFundMe and they decide to anonymously donate to that instead, partially because Demetri points out that Tory won’t want a handout after how Kreese manipulated her,
- Prom
- Tory has been very in and out of school as she’s been trying to figure things out with her mom, living situation, Kreese’s arrest, etc. One day Sam shows up at her house while Tory is a bit of a mess. Tory is confused and defensive and Sam is like, “finish up whatever you’re doing, we’re shopping for prom dresses” and Sam helps her get ready for prom because, while she doesn’t like Tory, she’s beginning to learn how much the poor girl really needs a break.
- Daniel is also being kind toward her (giving her a job at LaRusso Auto) because he’s starting to understand how she was manipulated similarly to how he was with Terry Silver. So Sam sort of takes pity on her and helps her get gussied up for prom because she also knows that Aisha is hoping Tory will be there even if they aren’t really talking at the moment. Tory is reluctant to go with Sam at first but she does go.
- She sees Sam’s scars when they’re trying on dresses and apologizes, saying how she felt really guilty how the whole fight spiraled and ended up hurting Miguel. Sam says she wasn’t blameless, accusing Tory of stealing and kissing her boyfriend, and that they should just move on for Aisha’s sake. Tory gets quiet and says she doubts Aisha wants anything to do with her, and Sam insists that Aisha likes her, even if Sam herself doesn’t see it. Tory is also uncomfortable with the fancy places Sam takes her, and Sam realizes how insecure Tory probably was when they met at the club and they talk about that.
- Miguel and Robby are finally public about their relationship. Prom is being discussed very excitedly by all the kids so Daniel and Johnny understand that it’s a big deal. Robby hesitantly goes to Daniel to help him find an outfit, saying that he doesn’t trust his dad’s sense of fashion. Daniel is more than happy to help him. Robby wears something dark, and Miguel wears a red suit.
- Johnny asks Robby if he’s going to prom with anyone and he says that he and Miguel will carpool and meet the others there. Then Johnny asks Miguel if he has any plans and Miguel says he’s going with Robby in a way too dreamy to sound like he’s just a friend. Johnny is confused but pulls Carmen aside later and asks if their sons are dating. Carmen says yes, and that Robby didn’t want Johnny to know. Later, Johnny asks why Robby didn’t tell him he was dating Miguel (and Robby chokes on his cereal). Robby is startled and afraid but Johnny is supportive (and a bit embarrassing).
- Hawk straight up wears a leather jacket to prom. Demetri thinks it’s ridiculous but also really hot. They are caught making out in various places.
- Sam goes with Luke, Ali’s son, but just as friends, because they get along really well. Chris and Mitch, who also don’t have dates, go with them. Tory rides with this group, and she’s nervous, but Luke, who doesn’t have history with her, is good at putting her at ease and everybody is okay with it.
- Aisha rides with Moon, Piper, Demetri, and Hawk, and they have a good time, though Aisha can’t help but feel melancholy over Tory, which Moon immediately picks up on.
- When they get to the prom they have fun but Aisha eventually finds herself outside, where Tory is sitting all alone. They talk, and they can hear music from the building, and Aisha asks Tory to dance, and they end up getting back together
- When a slow song comes on, Robby turns to Miguel (in front of their friends) and asks him to dance. Miguel quietly (and surprisedly) asks him if he’s okay with being public, to which Robby affirms. Miguel responds by passionately kissing him, and get some shocked (but supportive) feedback from their friends, before they go to dance. Hawk, for his part, is loudly glad he doesn’t have to keep that a secret anymore. After people are surprised he knew, they ask him for how long, and he says since March. His friends start joking, peeved that they’ve been keeping it a secret for so long, and Miguel and Robby dash away to dance as an excuse. The story ends with all of the kids being happy at prom.