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Sam LaRusso bit her lip as she turned her key in the ignition of her snow- white Mercedes. The Sekai Taikai was two days away, and her bags were all packed for the groups’ red eye flight to Okinawa. She groaned inwardly at the thought of being stuck on a plane for damn near 20 hours with a bunch of teenage boys - particularly Hawk and Demetri who had entered a honeymoon phase that put everyone else's' dojo PDA to shame, but cracked a soft smile when she remembered one of them was Miguel. Sam was admittedly still a little impressed at the ease at which Miguel had forgiven her for their homecoming fight, and her… training with Sensei Silver, but it was sorely needed. His strength had helped heal them both, and she felt a newfound balance as a result. Of course, Sam was nonetheless anxious to take off to Hawaii after the competition- it would be the first time she’d be truly away from her family and friends- Miguel, most of all. Still, she did her best to have faith, and as her wounds slowly healed, her courage became easier, and when Sam finally stepped back into the dojo, it brought back a piece of her soul she thought she had long lost as she felt the familiar feel of her sais in her palms once more. Since then, it had been relatively smooth and her and Tory had bonded quite quickly, much to everyone’s surprise. They initially didn’t have much of a choice, since Kreese had escaped prison and was now under the protection of Sensei Kim due to some laws Sam didn’t care to recall. All the pieces in Sam’s life had finally fallen back together- yet, there was one sliver she couldn’t etch from her skin- or rather, Silver. Sam had seen how unified Miyagi Fang had become, but she also knew what Silvers’ methods were- and that Kreese was of a similar vein. Not to mention, Sensei Kim, who based on Tory’s previously injured hand, was even more cutthroat.
Sam remembered something her mom had said to Johnny during training, when Kreese had first broken out.
“To beat a monster, maybe you need a monster- like before.”
Johnny, however, had shaken it off, and so had Daniel, both rightly refusing to visit a certain pony- tailed man behind bars, and so the matter had been dropped. But with the match looming, Sam had begun to wonder if Amanda had a point. Of course, her father shut down at any mention of Terry, especially after the events of what happened.
“Sam, he tried to KILL you!” He had shouted, tears swelling in his deep cocoa eyes.
She’d let it go then, knowing he too, had a point.
Yet, Sam knew they could not lose this competition. Not with them all graduating and leaving, Sam had to ensure that they would end on a good note- no matter the cost.
So, with her bags in the backseat, and her foot on the pedal, she turned right once more- the airport being in the direction of the left.
***
Sam flinched as the loud security gate opened and she stepped through security.
“All clear,” The female guard said after she scanned Sam and searched her pink Coach purse.
Sam smiled politely at the worker, before another officer stepped up to her.
“Ms. LaRusso, this way.” He said as he motioned to a winding corridor.
She followed, doing her best to ignore the obscene cat calls of other inmates, a slight chill encompassing her body as she wrapped her white cardigan around her magenta A- Line corseted dress tightly.
“Are you sure about this? The guard asked as they reached an isolated room.
Sam nodded, though her heart was screeching louder than a bass guitar.
“There’s a button on the left if you need anything- and Ms. LaRusso- good luck. This one packs a punch.”
Sam smiled.
“So do I.” She retorted as the officer unlocked the door, and swung it open, the lights flickering on.
Her brave aura could only do so much, though, as a sharp exhale escaped from her throat as that familiar grin came into her peripheral.
“Well, well. If it isn’t my little songbird- back from the dead.” Terry Silver murmured, a smirk etched on his face that sent straight chills to the very core of Sam LaRussos’ heart.
Nevertheless she swallowed her nerves and lifted her head high as she sat down across from the platinum blonde man, a mere table between them.
Her eyes wandered down to his wrists, which were bound by cuffs, and Sam silently smirked at the apt role reversal.
“No thanks to you,” Sam scoffed, wondering how she ever feared the feeble old man in front of her- at least, that’s what she told herself.
It worked a little as Sam shifted as Terry glanced down, letting out a sigh of what almost sounded like regret.
“Yes, I am sorry. It was never my intention to… I assure you it was meant for that puppy- eyed partner of yours- you LaRussos certainly have a type, don’t you?”
Sam glared, but pushed onwards.
“I’m not here to play games.” She snarled.
Terry laughed.
“Ms. LaRusso, you know by now that neither me or you have to play games around each other.” He replied, and Sam, for all her carefully crafted control, simmered.
“ALL YOU DID WAS PLAY GAMES WITH ME! YOU PROMISED THEY WOULD BE SAFE! AND THEN THE NEXT THING YOU KNOW I- I PUSHED MY OWN FATHER. With my own two hands, like he wasn’t the person who raised me, but an enemy to be tossed aside if he got in my way- and he did. I am lucky that he is my dad and he caught me, before it was too late or I…” Sam trailed off as that familiar stinging shame seared through her veins as Terry Silver successfully slithered under her skin once more.
“I don't even know why I’m here. Clearly, it was just a waste of gas money.” Sam added, determined to maintain her outward resolve, even if internally, she was quivering.
Terry raised his eyebrows in amusement as he absorbed her words in complete and utter quiet, and her former Senseis’ silence infuriated her even more than his slimy words ever had.
“Say something, you fuck!” She snarled, her hands intuitively slamming down on the table as she rose in an unbridled fury.
A wordless gasp escaped from her chest as she realized what she had done, and somehow, Sam managed to sit back down again, her ragged breaths slowly halting.
Terry just smiled.
“So that’s why you came to me, and shut me out. I did warn you, little songbird, that you would be powerful and untouchable- not even your own blood could control you. You and your little Miyagi Fang may scoff at me, but I am a man of my word- I just take different roads to get there.”
“Yeah, like bribing referees and manipulating underage teens to subscribe to your warped karate vision.” Sam couldn’t help but quip.
Terrys’ smile morphed into a low chuckle.
“God, I will never tire of that LaRusso spunk- it runs through every strand of your DNA. I almost admire it. Yet, I ask you this, most people would get a restraining order against someone that, intentionally or not, drove a katana into their gut. You didn’t- and I could just as easily say the same for our Danny-Boy.”
Sam glowered at his mention of her father, but was quiet. Despite everything, the older man saw right through her walls.
“You’re right. I didn’t come here to chat- and no, we could have. We almost did- you…”
Her hands pressed against her stomach as she recalled the brutal events of that day. Still, she carried on.
“I should have gotten an order, hell,I should want you dead for all the pain and suffering you have caused my family and I- but, I am better than that. I am better than you.”
“And yet,” Terry interjected, astutely picking up on the slight faltering in Sams’ tone.
Sam blinked, her azure eyes shining with tenacity.
“And yet, for all your misdeeds, Mr. Miyagis’ teachings still mean something- and that includes a second chance to do the right thing for once in your miserable life. The tournament is two days away, and I trust Tory but Kreese… with Sensei Kim, he… I need to know how we beat him. I know my dad and Johnny went to him to help take you down- and I know you want payback for your old bridge partner or whatever Sensei Lawrence said. Eye for an eye and all that.”
Sam grinned as Terry shifted. It would seem that Sam could also strike a vein or two- and that she had.
However, it was brief as he quickly regained his composure.
“My, my. It would seem that you are not a songbird, but a phoenix. Determined to rise from the ashes and protect those you love. I told you then, and I will say it now. Deep down, Ms. LaRusso, you know that to capture a predator you can’t be a little mouse, easily preyed upon. It’s why you came to me then, and it’s why you sit across from me now. You think that I am not self- aware. My dearest songbird, I know exactly who I am- and I think you do too. You know, you were so free with me. You were an equal, and even above. To beat John, it is the same thing. He has a weakness- and I think you know.”
“He doesn’t give two shits about Sensei Lawrence.” Sam protectively spat.
Terry tilted his head.
“Are you so sure? If not Lawrence, then surely Nichols. He will flinch when she gets hurt, and she will. That Nichols is quite the strong one- breaking stone walls is not even the half of it. Yet, she is a lot like you- tough on the outside, but quite delicate in reality. Sensei Kim knows it and she won’t hesitate to cut down any flower in the way of winning the Seikai Taikai- her loyalty to Kreese won’t withstand that. But you don’t need me to tell you that, songbird. No, no, you came to me because there is still that hunger in you- and you know I’m the only one that will tell you to lean into it- and that the only way you can beat Kreeses’ and Sensei Kim’s Cobra Kai is if you do. You need me, after all this time, despite what I’ve done to you, you need me. You can hiss and stand there like an angry God, but you and I both know that for all your feigned prestige, you are no saint. My dear, you ache to be covered in sin- because you know that in order to beat the beast, you need to become one.”
Sam inhaled as Terry’s apt insights pierced through her.
She wanted nothing more than to deny him vehemently, but her throat remained closed as tears welled in her eyes.
“Why’d you do it?” Sam murmured as she found herself at his mercy once again, months of training and therapy gone in a heartbeat.
“Why’d you have to put your goddamn fangs into my back and bleed me? I tried so hard to move on, to be normal, to be Miyagi Fang’s female heir, but goddamnit, you put a fever so deep in me. I just wanted to protect my family and to be strong and now…”
Terry’s own blue eyes watched, and if Sam didn’t know any better, she would have sworn she detected a hint of affection as he reached for her hand.
His movements jolted her back to reality as she yanked her hand away, remembering that fateful night.
Terry placed his hands above his head as a result, the metal prison cuffs clanking loudly.
“Don’t worry, Ms. LaRusso, I won’t touch you that way again. I never did, did I? I told you, I just needed to be given something in turn- something that I knew would be more precious to you and Danny- Boy than any other material thing. Besides, I’m paying for it now, aren’t I? A grown man and a 17 year old and all that…”
Sam paled, but was just as taken aback by his ‘self- awareness’.
“It wasn’t about your age, you know- or his. Contrary to belief, I’m not like that. I told you, I needed to have you entirely- and I did. Though your father won’t admit it, he did the same thing. I didn’t make either of you do anything you weren’t already too willing to do at the time. I just gave you the means, as I am now. Don’t you remember our training at all?’
Sams’ eyes flickered as she recalled one session that had, admittedly, been a key reason for why she had stayed as long as she did.
*****
It had been the night before Halloween. Sam and Miguel had made up, but there was still a divide between them, despite their best communication efforts, the reality was that she would be leaving for the University of Hawaii and Miguel would be remaining in California. Frustrated and hopelessly in love, Sam had driven inflamed to the dojo, and was ready to pretend her problems didn’t exist by focusing on her training and the tournament.
“My, my, LaRusso. I think you’ve taken to my teachings better than Danny- Boy, and Nichols ever did- and dare I say, are on par with even my abilities.”
“Not on par,” She’d growled.
“Better.” Sam finished as she successfully crescent- kicked a training bag well off its hinges, much to Terrys’ wonder as he grinned amusedly in response.
“What seems to be troubling you, songbird? I don’t think I’ve seen you this… emboldened before.”
Sam huffed, a stray dark curl falling on her forehead.
“I just feel so goddamn helpless. Like I mean, for all optics, Miguel and I are fine. My dad and I are fine. Miyagi Fang- fine- ugh, I guess I’m just fucking sick of fine. I want it to be great. I want Miguel to actually tell me how he feels and that he’s scared of us falling apart like before, I want my dad and Senseis to admit that they’re also scared to lose the Sekai Taikai and I want… I want to be okay again. I’m getting there, but it still feels like there’s something missing.” She confessed, biting her lip as her words lingered in the air.
Terry, for once, was still for a moment as he processed the young LaRussos’ revelation.
Then, he’d grinned and Sam would always remember the immediate chills that traveled through her veins- and the curiosity.
“I think I understand you perfectly, little songbird. It seems I have been going about teaching you the wrong way. Don’t look so surprised- unlike your stubborn Yorkie of a Sensei and father, I can admit when I’m wrong. All this time, I’ve been trying to distract you, teach you that pain is something to run from- and therefore your problems. It’s why you have gotten stronger, but not unlocked that full songbird potential I know that is in you and that you so desire- don’t deny it, the scent of it is practically wafting off you, Ms. LaRusso. No, I think it’s time you scream at the top of that proverbial mountain and feel it. Then and only then will you truly be unstoppable.”
Sam had raised her eyebrows, unsure of what exactly Terry was playing at.
“Lucky for you, this side of the dojo has been newly renovated- with brick and mortar. I think you are familiar with punching through tough materials, no?”
Sam had stared incredulously.
“I’m familiar with your “bloody knuckles” method and if you think I’m punching through that, you’re crazy.” She’d retorted.
Terry had only beamed.
“Well, I won’t bore you with the details then, little one. But, you know deep down, you want to. Picture all the things that have ailed you, haunted you, don’t you want to defeat them? Or maybe you’re just your daddy’s obedient daughter after all- weak and meek to the bone.”
He had struck a nerve and Sam had sauntered up to the brown brick wall, her eyes glowing with rage.
“I'M HERE BECAUSE I WANT TO DEFEAT THOSE STUPID COBRAS AND PROTECT MY FATHER YOU SICK SON OF A BITCH! I AM FAR FROM WEAK!!!” She screeched, her hands flying towards the wall.
The impact was immediate as she winced as the wall did crumble beneath the intensity of her punch, but her fist was subsequently gravely injured, bright red blood coating the outside of her knuckles.
Sam had collapsed to the ground as the adrenaline quickly wore off, her now damp curls falling over her face, and she had wondered if this was how Lucifer felt when he was cast out of heaven.
Yet, despite the crimson stains on her hands, Terry had been right. After he had surprisingly tended to her hand, she had fallen asleep at the dojo, and the following training sessions after that were even better. Despite her best attempts at denial, she was soaring under Silver’s instruction and her promise only grew. Until her father began to notice her late night disappearances and subtle injuries and one night, in a blazing moment of impulse, Sam had pushed him hard against the kitchen counter in the middle of yet another argument between the two. The guilt had been immediate and Sam remembered melting into a pool of tears as her kind hearted father and Sensei just held her close as she confessed everything that had happened between her and the Cobra Kai Sensei, and the pair stayed like that, her cradled in her father’s arms like she was a little girl all over again, until she left to end things with Silver.
****
As Sam sat across from Sensei Silver now, the look on her father’s face haunted her still. Yet, she knew by now that it was Terry’s teachings that had caused her to do what she did, and not her own darkness. At least she was determined to tell herself that.
Nonetheless, her eyes automatically wandered down to her knuckles.
Terry smiled.
“A curious part of the body, isn’t it. The knuckles. They heal so quickly but yet possess such a power to destroy- though little and unassuming they may be.”
Sam glared.
“Look, are you gonna help me or not?” She snarled, her patience starting to wear thin.
Terry tilted his head, clearly entertained by the eldest LaRusso.
“Little songbird, I already have. You know I have given you everything- but you also know that the only way for you and your… merry band of misfits to win is for me to defeat him. I know him best. Just get me out of here, and I promise you, I won’t hurt you. Train with me like before. You know you miss it. You know you miss me.” He murmured, his voice as deadly and enticing as poisoned silk.
Sam wanted to scream, she wanted to curse him out for all the anguish he had caused. Yet, as she gazed into those unwavering cobalt colored eyes, she was at his clemency once more. Sam felt her resolve snuffing faster than a blown out candle as he closed the distance between their palms, his thumb grazing her wrist. This time, she did not recoil from his touch as her breath fluttered.
“I…” Sam tried to speak, but it came out a mere whisper, and she knew she was utterly in his grasp once more, deep in a pit of vipers with nowhere to run- or hide.
She felt her eyes flutter shut as the taller man began to close the distance between them, his lips mere inches away from her own, ready to seal both their fates.
“LIKE HELL YOU WILL!” A familiar voice interrupted and Sam blinked and upon realizing where Terrys’ hand was and what he was about to do, yanked her hand away as if she had been charred by a searing flame.
A jagged exhale escaped her body as Miguel Diaz entered the frame. Sam considered herself a feminist through and through, but her heart couldn’t help but glow with affection as Miguel stood protectively in front of her.
“Mr. Diaz, to what do we owe the pleasure? I’m surprised you aren’t halfway to Okinawa by now.”
Miguel scowled.
“Almost. When we noticed Sam was gone, Sensei LaRusso put me in an Uber and sent me after her. He would have been here, but someone had to take the rest of us to the airport. Now, if you please, stay the hell away from my girlfriend and us, you silver haired numpty!”
Sam swallowed as pride filled her heart.
Yet, even while restrained, Terry was not one to falter.
“Dear Mr. Diaz, you possess such a temper for a man claiming to be filled with honor. Your little songbird came to me, all but begging on her hands and knees for me and my help. Just like she did all those months ago, right, Sam?”
She was quiet as Miguel processed the former Senseis’ words.
Yet, a smile formed on her face as Miguel’s resolve only furthered, his coffee- colored eyes shining with determination.
“I don’t care what she did, and if she came to you, it’s only because you put it in her head. Don’t worry though- there is no corner of this earth that will stop me from drawing every last bit of poison you put inside my girlfriend, or so help me. Speaking of, there’s someone who’d like to talk to you, since he couldn’t be here in person.”
Both Sam and Terry watched as Miguel reached inside the pocket of his leather jacket and brought out his phone, a knowing grin etched on his face.
“You stay the hell away from my daughter, you sick son of a bitch! We will get a restraining order, this time, and you get to rot behind bars like the dying snake you are.” The familiar voice of her father boomed through the screen of Miguel’s phone.
Sam swallowed, tears forming in her eyes. After everything, she was still so protected, and still so loved. She had fallen prey to Terry, but now, he had unlocked something even he would soon fear.
“Danny- Boy, there’s no need to get worked up. I am sorry for all the trouble I have caused, but you and her needed to be taught a lesson. Besides, she came to me as I was telling Mr. Diaz. See, I told you, the same darkness that lay inside you is in her very cells too. I am curious, did she tell you how we bonded in the dark? In some ways, I was the father figure for her you never could be- and she gave herself in other ways too- willingly, might I add.” He sneered, and Sam felt a sudden knot in her stomach.
It melted just as quickly as Miguel instinctively wrapped an arm around her, and she leaned into it, her nose burying in the crook of his chest.
“Terry, I swear if you touch my daughter ever again I will not be held responsible for the hell I will bring upon you. All of us. But I’m not gonna waste my breath. See, we’re gonna win the Sekai Taikai, and you’re gonna stay in jail and fade from all our memories- especially hers. What’s that you said? Wake up and smell the coffee, you’re done… Silver.”
With that, the call ended and the three were left with nothing but silence as Terry ignored Miguel to turn his attention back to Sam.
“As I said- that LaRusso spunk- no, that fire. Well, it seems I’ve been beat, little songbird. Besides, I can’t tell you anything with your floppy- haired guard dog next to you. Yet, I will say this, what I said earlier, it’s true and you can deny it all you want, but you know.”
At that, Sam finally felt the boldness she had long been missing and aching for return to her as she rose once more, Miguels’s arms wrapped soothingly against the small of her back.
“You’re right. I do need to become a beast. But I will do it my way. I will erase every mark of you and Cobra Kai and I will be better than you and those before me. We will win- but we will win with honor and truth. Goodbye, Terry. See, you are right. I am a songbird, I am a phoenix but you will never ever catch me and cage me again. That is my final vow. I just needed a reminder- and I got it.”
Before Terry could whisper words of poison once more, she nodded to Miguel who pressed her tightly against him as the duo exited the jail and got in Sam’s Mercedes and dropped it off at her house before heading to the airport.
As the plane took off, she felt her eyes flutter shut, a sigh of relief washing over her as she snuggled against her boyfriend. They had all been through so much, but there was one more fight left to win, and knowing what Sam knew now, she knew they would. Not because she was the Bonsai Badass, or had trained under Chozen, Johnny, her dad, and even Terry, but because they were Miyagi Fang. Because they were stronger than any para- noir Cobra Kai could try to instill. They had love. Love that whether separated by states or not, would never waver. Especially the love between her and Miguel.
That love, Sam realized, was the most true and constant of all. It was the type of love and devotion that would be the reason Cobra Kai would always lose, and why Miyagi Fang would always reign victorious.
And reign victorious they did as Sam won her match and Hawk won his, and the final remnants of Cobra Kai were shattered, and Terry Silver was slammed with more charges, making it very clear that the rest of his life would be spent in nothing short of a padded cell.