Creek and Crew

*Thump*

A heavy and hard thump resounded. A shout quickly cloaked the silence, "Point!". Liam stood still in the centre of the mat as his sparring partner laid on the floor groaning in pain clutching his abdomen in a fetal position. The other Cobra Kai's stood in a circle around the mat spectating the spar despite it basically being a one sided beating.

Kreese who was off to the side spoke "ok, good, so who's next, fighting Liam can help find your own weakness so you can train, come on, the only real way to learn is to do". Many of the students looked around at each other while sparing glances at the bow on the floor. While they were all mulling over their choices Liam stepped over to the boy on the floor in front of him. He extended his hand out offered it to the boy.

The boy saw his hand and then looked to his face. Instead of a look of arrogance or pity his face portrayed no such emotions. The boy, with an annoyed expression, said with a grouchy voice "I don't need your pity". Liam's eyes didn't waver and his hand stayed outstretched "I am not showing you pity, no one of able body and mind deserves pity, I am merely showing you the respect one should show to an opponent, especially one who chose to fight a losing battle, and for that you have earned some of my respect Eli". Eli, otherwise known as Hawks, was shocked but still a little aggravated at his opponent's honour and nonchalance with which he described their fight. Hawks sat up and reached out for Liam's hand. He grabbed his hand and quickly pulled himself up. He patted his gee and joined the group of students on the sidelines murmuring about fighting Liam.

One student raised his hand "I want to go next sensei Kreese". The one who raised his hand was Miguel Diaz, probably the second strongest student after Liam. Kreese directed him to step on the mat using a wave "good Diaz, Johnny said you were a warrior and seeing this makes it even clearer to see". Miguel stepped onto the mat and took up his stance opposite Liam. Liam spoke clinically "I will treat you as I did Eli, we will spare, you are not to hold back, this is to see your weaknesses so you can improve, not giving it your all will only slow the process".

Miguel nodded and then responded with a nervous smile "I'll try but I hope you won't go too easy on me". Liam held a stern expression as he lowered into his stance "I don't go 'easy' on any opponent. Remember, 'no mercy'". Kreese looked between the two and raised his hand "you ready?" Neither of them responded, both having their gazes fixed on their adversary. Kreese interpreted the silence as affirmation and quickly chopped his had downward "Fight!"

Miguel immediately jumped into action closing the distance and launching a front kick. Liam calmly took a step as he used his palm to push the extended leg to the side, turning Miguel in the process. Miguel was a little startled but instead of getting into stance straight away he instead went for a spinning back kick because as his sensei said 'the best defense is more offense'.

Liam reeled his head back while lowering his stance more. Miguel backed off a little so as to regain balance. Liam murmured something. "Huh, did you say something?" Miguel asked as he stayed tightly in his stance fearing that this could be a ploy. "You lack foresight, you aren't experienced enough to properly predict counters or blocks, it showed in your stance" Liam said in a slightly louder tone. Miguel was a little perplexed because he wasn't expecting advice during the spar "a-alright, I'll work on it".

When Miguel finished his sentence Liam decided to go in for the attack. He threw a quick jab which unsurprisingly Miguel blocked and tried countering. Miguel threw a hook. Liam crouched down onto the floor and performed a simple leg sweep on Miguel's leading leg. Miguel stumbled but managed to stay standing. Liam sprung up from the ground and sent a sidekick to Miguel's chest. Miguel this time was unable to block and was knocked onto his back.

Liam looked at Miguel as he rushed to get up. Miguel rose to his feet, choosing to ignore the pain, and got back in his stance. Liam again went in throwing a jab just like he did the first time. Instead of repeating his previous actions Miguel instead chose to strike Liam with a front kick. This was an improvement from before to him because now Liam couldn't close the distance properly due to his kicks reach being longer than Liam's punches.

Liam in response to the kick pivoted on his front foot to the outside of the kick. Miguel seeing this reacted quickly and turned his torso trying to use his extended leg to perform a hook kick. Liam took a quick step closer and snaked his arm under Miguel's extended knee and raised it, again causing Miguel to fall onto his back. As Miguel slammed into the floor Liam sent a harsh kick to his abdomen.

"Point! Alright, match is over, Next!" Kreese yelled as he looked to the students in anticipation.

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*Ding*

The soft chime of a bell rang as Johnny stepped through the threshold of the Cobra Kai dojo. Miguel who was talking with Hawks looked over and saw Johnny walk in. He excused himself and greeted Johnny. "Hey sensei, I'm sorry for your loss" Miguel said in a solemn tone. "Thanks" Johnny answered shortly hoping to throw himself into something else rather than dwell on the dreadful reality of the situation. "So how was the funeral?" Miguel asked. "As good as any funeral can be" Johnny responded.

"So, how have things been around here while I've been gone?" Johnny asked. Miguel answered as he looked his sensei in the eye "great. I mean, sensei Kreese is tough but he knows what it takes to win". Johnny just nodded and walked into the office.

When Johnny stepped in he noticed a very clear change, everything was tidy. He dropped the bag he had slung over his shoulder onto the desk. He looked around the room a little annoyed and uttered "who moved my stuff? What the hell happened here?" A voice answered his question "I spent some time organizing the place, bills were unpaid and invoices were backed up. The military man in me couldn't resist". The voice was Kreese who stood in the doorway glancing around the room.

Johnny looked to a framed picture on the wall. The picture shows a young Kreese in military uniform holding a gun with a stern expression, the photo was in black and white and was particularly faded around the edges. The frame of the photo had his name and title along with his notable accomplishment of being a karate champion.

While looking at it Johnny asked with judgement clearly present in his voice "making yourself right at home, huh?"

Kreese ignored the question and instead focused on the photo "a buddy of mine took that photo…" A short silence filled the room. Not wanting to hear Kreese's awkward attempt at empathy and sympathy over losing a close friend, Johnny left the office while commenting "yeah, it's nice. I got a class to run".

In the main room of the dojo the students were chatting while not wearing their gees and instead were wearing comfortable clothes. "Get changed, training starts in five minutes!" All the students showed clear confusion.

Johnny asked "yeah, what's wrong?" as a few students stepped closer. "Nothings wrong sensei,it's just that I thought we were going to the woods for a special training today…" Miguel said confused as he looked between Kreese and Johnny. Johnny looked back at Kreese "What's happening in the woods?" Kreese stepped out from the doorway and next to Johnny, he rested his hand on Johnny's shoulder as he directed towards the students "well, I thought it was time to separate the men from the boys…"

He then caught a glimpse of the few female Cobra Kai students "the girls to I suppose". Johnny simply replied in his usual tone "how?" Kreese looked him in the eye.

"Coyote Creek"

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Johnny, Kreese and the students were now in the woods, the ground was coated in layers of leaves and other shrubbery. Trees blocked most of the sunlight making it a little cooler and dimmer. Johnny stood and briefed the students on the challenge as he noticed something. He quickly questioned Kreese on thing matter.

"Hey, where's your kid?"

Kreese smirked in response "he's just doing some research". Johnny just shrugged his shoulders thinking it was related to school or something.

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Liam was standing in the blistering heat in a white tank top, an open short sleeve white button up shirt, black shorts and sliders.he was standing outside of a wooden building with what seemed to be a small parking lot filled with many well preserved cars, it was Miyagi Do.

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Author

I wrote 'gee' but some people write it as 'gi'.

Sorry for the infrequent updates. I write when I feel like it.