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“Hey, have you seen Sam?” Miguel Diaz asked Sensei LaRusso as the Miyagi Do crew geared up for the first Sekai Taikai match.
Daniel shook his head, and threw a concerning look at Johnny, who also shrugged.
Miguel frowned.
The dojo had never been more on edge and Miguel found his own self breathing raggedly as he recalled the past 72 hours.
****
“I’m done” Tory had shrieked and stormed off. The dojo had watched on, helpless in hurt and horror, but knowing that to poke the Queen Cobra was akin to asking for death.
However, as Miguel looked at Sam, he knew that there was one person that refused to be deterred.
“Sam...” Miguel murmured in concern.
“This is my fight.” Was all Sam said as she looked to her Senseis and Miguel with vehement conviction.
So, they let her go as she followed in pursuit of Tory.
Exactly a day later, Tory had returned to Miyagi Do- but she was not wearing her gi. Instead, she handed it to Sensei LaRusso, a sigh of relief washing over her.
“For so long, I defined myself by my karate. After my mom died, it was…. You were right, I’m sorry. I was just so angry- and I still am- but I want to get better and be the woman my mom would really be proud of. So, I am resigning my spot from the Sekai Taikai. Funny, I thought just two days ago that winning that damn competition would be my Hail Mary. But a wise sensei once said that true karate is not here, it’s here.” She grinned, tears welling in her dark green eyes.
“She already is. Oh, Tory.” Sensei LaRusso murmured as he swept Tory in an unyielding hug. The rest of the dojo followed suit, before a familiar voice cracked through the overjoyed murmurs and tearful sniffles.
“Well, you jump, I jump Jack.” Robby Keene quipped.
“Robby, you don’t have to…” Tory whispered, clearly overwhelmed by the support she was receiving despite her earlier outburst and just about everything else she had done over the past handful of years to the Miyagi Dos.
Robby shook his head, his dusky brown hair flopping in front of his face.
“No, I want to. I think it’s time for me too. I have limited myself to karate for so long. It’s time for me to start applying to colleges and get a real job, you know, make something of myself outside of karate. Besides, it’s not goodbye forever. I’m a strong tree, so my roots will survive, right?”
This elicited smiles from everyone, most of all Daniel.
So, Robby and Tory withdrew from the competition, effectively making Sam and Miguel the official Miyagi- Do Sekai Taikai captains. Daniel also deftly made arrangements for Hawk and Anthony to take Robby and Tory’s spots. Kenny naturally resented the decision but with some assuage from Robby, managed to shelve his frustration for the time being.
However, one person had been missing- a girl with radiant blue eyes and curly hazel hair.
Miguel had worried late into the night, tossing in his bed, the snores of Demetri not helping.
The Senseis- well, Sensei LaRusso, had booked a hotel for them close to LAX, and Sam was supposed to room with Devon,Miguel with Demetri, and Hawk with Anthony.
“MHM!” He’d cried as a hand clamped over his mouth abruptly.
“Shh, gosh you’re such a sea guppy.” A familiar voice teased.
“Sam! What are you??” Miguel paled as he realized he was in his sleep clothes and he instinctively pulled the sheets up to his chest.
Sam chuckled.
“Relax, babe. I’ve seen a shirtless guy before. Besides, I definitely have no complaints about this view.” She winked, her sapphire eyes shimmering with mischief.
Miguel blushed, trying to find his capacity for speech.
“We were so worried about you! What are you doing here, aren’t you rooming with Devon? If Demetri sees you…” Miguel rambled, his heart echoing rather loudly in his brain despite the two being nowhere near each other.
“Demetri is so asleep, you could probably put the Eiffel Tower on him and he’d be unaware. I’m.. ok.. I just wanted to see you- and tell you that no matter what, I love you, and I believe in you. You’re gonna be okay, I meant it. I just… hope…anyway.”
Miguel furrowed his brows in concern, but knew better by now than to interrogate a LaRusso- especially Sam.
Suddenly, a yawn erupted from Sam, and Miguel’s ration crumbled.
“Your dad is so gonna kill me.” He muttered as he scooped Sam in his arms and the two snuggled into the bed, with her head leaning snugly against his chest.
“Worth it.” She rerouted as she nuzzled into him.
Miguel rolled his eyes in mock annoyance, but his smile betrayed him. As he began tracing small circles on her back, he too began to feel the lull of sleep nip at him. So, Sam fell asleep and Miguel soon followed.
Luckily Sensei Lawrence was the one that had knocked on the doors and the six haphazardly made their way through LAX security and somehow managed to get their seats. Sensei LaRusso apparently had a shit ton of miles saved up, so the students and Sensei Lawrence found themselves in first fucking class.
Sam sat next to Miguel, but she was shockingly quiet, in stark contrast to the chattering students and even Sensei Lawrence who were enjoying their newfound privileges to the max.
Miguel ached to know what was tugging at her soul, but wanting to learn from his past, remained quietly supportive, holding her hand during takeoff- turns out the mighty Bonsai Badass was deathly afraid of flying as she grimaced as the wheels began to hit the ground at unparalleled speed.
*****
That was the second to last time Miguel had seen her. They had all arrived at the hotel together, and unpacked their belongings in their respective rooms.
“I, uh, I just have to go do something, but I’ll catch you later, ok?” She’d said, no sooner than she had settled in her own room and meandered her way to his.
“Yeah, sure. Demetri and Hawk are still frigid with each other, so I think I’ll probably take them somewhere cool to try to thaw the ice.” Miguel replied.
Sam grinned.
“Good luck with that. You’re gonna need it.” She teased.
Miguel groaned, knowing that she was absolutely right.
“Yeah, thanks.”
“Don’t worry, my beloved matchmaker. If anyone can do it, it’s you.” She remarked playfully as she leaned on her tiptoes to engage him in an impassioned embrace.
Miguel responded just as warmly, his hands gently caressing her neck. He’d never wholly get used to the feeling of kissing Samantha LaRusso- it was the most intoxicating combination of the scent of strawberry shampoo mixed with the familiar taste of salted caramel toothpaste.
It had ended all too soon as the space where she’d been quickly emptied and Miguel watched bittersweetly as she left.
But, the night passed, and even the success of Demetri and Eli making up in- a rather unique but effective way didn’t appease Miguel’s growing concern.
“Dude, relax! She’s probably just partying with the girls. I’m sure she’s not distracted by some hot Spanish hunk with even hotter Spanish muscles! I mean, she likes F1 right? Maybe she’s just looking at the Grand Prix, it’s next weekend right? She’s probably just exploring the track.”
Demetri offered, doing his best to console his distressed friend.
“Yeah, Dem’s right. Sam’s chill- besides, you’re a stud, you got nothing on these hombres.”
Hawk seconded.
“Yeah, you’re right. I’ll just go to bed, I’m sure she’ll be back tomorrow.”
So, Miguel had dejectedly headed to bed. Demetri eventually joined him and Miguel sighed as the familiar snores greeted him. Eventually, he too fell asleep, though his mind still troubled him.
***
This had led them here- it was finally the day of the first semi final and Sam was nowhere to be found.
“I’m sure she just overslept.- girl’s probably got a nasty hangover if she’s anything like me- but that’s how I know that LaRusso’s a tough one. She’ll be here.” Sensei Lawrence assured both Daniel and Miguel.
Johnny’s explanation made just enough sense that they decided to believe it for the time being- besides, it wasn’t like they had any other option as the clock dwindled.
Tying the last knot on his gi, Miguel followed the rest of his dojo mates to the bus where they headed to the arena.
It was unlike anything Miguel had ever dreamed possible, and his wonderment grew as they descended down the stairs and onto the cool floor.
Every country imaginable was there, and suddenly Miguel realized just how small the Valley was. Still, his resolve was unshakeable. As he looked at his senseis and teammates, a hush fell over the room.
Miguel’s breath damn near stopped as the recognizable black gis faded into view, one after the other- but with a few tweaks.
He swallowed as Sensei Kim soon entered.
What happened next though, sent the blood in his body to turn ice cold.
Instinctively, his eyes flew to Johnny and Daniel as Sensei Kreese emerged from the billowy shadows, cloaked in the Cobra Kai Sensei gi once more. This time though, with the flag of South Korea stamped on it.
Besides him, Daniel had grown eerily still. The rest of his dojo mates also watched in stunned fear.
Sensei Lawrence sighed, shifting his body uneasily.
Yet, Miyagi- Do did their best to remain steadfast.
Then, horror of horrors, Kreese moved aside and an all too familiar scent greeted Miguel’s senses, followed by an even more discernible figure.
“No,” Miguel murmured, tears threatening to spill from his cocoa- colored eyes.
Kreese grinned as Samantha LaRusso took her place right by Kreese’s side. Her hazel colored hair had been dyed obsidian, complemented by cherry red highlights. The sleek black gi flowed effortlessly around her body, and her sapphire eyes shone with a frightening resolve. She was dazzling as ever. Dazzling and even more deadly.
Miguel gazed at Sam, pleading internally for this to be some kind of sick joke. However, it was all too real as she quickly turned away from the intensity of his glance.
Daniel, to Miguel’s left, looked just as petrified as Miguel, and Sensei Lawrence appeared like he was one step closer to committing first- degree murder.
The whole of Miyagi- Do was left breathless and shattered, with the competition kickoff just minutes away.
“Well, let the games begin. It seems that more than this tournament is a different beast, now.” Kreese sneered as the lights dimmed and the tournament announcer made his way to the mat.
****
Sam LaRusso swallowed as she faced her former friends, boyfriend, and her father. She could feel the shock in their eyes, the hurt in their hearts. She wanted nothing more than to run to them. However, Kreese ensured that she remained still, snaking an arm around her back.
Sam exhaled shakily as she recalled the events that had led her here.
***
She had chased after Tory, and she had immediately wanted to call the cops when it lead her to John Kreese.
“Tory, you know better than this, he’ll just let you down!” She’d urged.
It quickly became a battle of wits and persuasiveness as both Kreese and Sam tried to sway Tory,
Eventually, Tory had grown tired of them both and stormed off.
“Now, look at what you did. God, you just can’t leave well enough alone? Just go back to Korea or whatever padded sicko cell you came from and leave us all alone. It’s over. Let her go- let this go.” Sam barked, her irritation growing stronger by the second.
Kreese had just laughed.
“You know, I really do admire that LaRusso spunk. You know very well I can’t “leave alone” as you said. It’s the same reason you can;t give up karate either. It’s in our blood you see. Karate is the very essence of who we are.” Kreese murmured as he stepped closer to her.
Sam hissed.
“Miyagi- Do karate, you mean. Cobra Kai is just a bunch of bullshit that hurts more than it helps.” Sam growled.
Kreese tilted his head.
“Is that so? So, Johnny’s training didn’t help you whatsoever? Or did I imagine that spinning tornado kick at the last All- Valley? Not to mention, I heard Sensei Barnes was quite impressed by your skills with the chickens.”
“I…” Sam stuttered momentarily.
“Sensei Lawrence and Sensei Barnes are nothing like you.” She managed, her blue eyes glowering with unrestrained contempt.
Kreese scoffed.
“Sweetheart, they were Cobra Kai students, were they not?”
Sam was rendered silent then, much to her chagrin- and shame.
“Look, I’ll make you an offer. I’ll let Ms. Nichols go- but someone must take her place. Someone equally as skilled and ruthless.”
Sam’s skin had crawled..
“You don’t mean…”
“Oh, yes I do.”
“I’d never.” She’d snarled, though it came out more of a whisper.
“Think about it. You’d learn so much under mine and Sensei Kim’s instruction- and you’re tough enough to endure the rigorous training and keep up with the rest of the students, if not surpass them. I may not like your pansy ass family, but I won’t deny a skilled fighter when I see one. Plus, you would have all the styles under your belt- you’d be formidable, and I’m sure your win would help ensure several college spots- and oh, get you that closure you so clearly long for.”
Sam paled, but had no counter defense.
Tears swimming down her eyes, she’d silently agreed, and Kreese quickly swept her up in a crushing hug.
“Welcome to Cobra Kai, Ms. LaRusso. Of course, we can’t reveal this little ace just yet. You will go to Spain with the rest of Miyagi Do, and the night before the semis, you will come join us. Understood?”
“Yes, Sensei.” Sam had cried, burying her head in grief and resignation.
Yet, she knew it was the only way.
**
Tory and Robby were safe and she had trained under Kreese and now they were here.
As she stared at the mats, Sam’s intentions were clear; as her own darkness rose, she could only hope that Miyagi Do’s light- that Miguel’s light would be strong enough to meet it.
And with that, the Sekai Taikai tournament began.