12 Even a King occasionally bows his head

I take a breath, mentally focus myself in order to get rid of any distractions and then knock on the door.

I hear Kreese's voice on the other end of the door telling me to enter.

I enter and witness the sight of Kreese and Silver looking at an old framed photograph of what I believe of themselves in their younger years during the Vietnam war.

"So, when exactly were you planning on informing me that you were coming back? In fact, when exactly did you come back?" Kreese questions like he is my superior officer.

'Damn this guy is intimidating.'

"I was back around 5 days ago, si..sensei. I initially wanted to get back to the dojo and surprise you all as soon as I was back but then mom wanted me home and to rest as she was of the firm belief that I was pushing myself. Even today she was against me being here." I answer him back.

"and you did not consider informing me of this?" Kreese questions me further.

"Give the boy a break John. I'm pretty sure he was missing his family as well and must have forgotten. But does it matter? He is here now, healthy and strong." Silver surprisingly defends me.

Kreese looks a little annoyed of the interruption but then lets it go as he too realizes that he is being a bit too hard on me.

"Fine. But the next time something happens, always contact me first. is that understood?" Kreese demands.

"Yes sensei." I automatically respond.

"Perfect. So about your injuries, are you at your peak performance? Do you still have to take it easy during training or is it safe enough for you push yourself to the utmost limits?" silver questions me in a curious tone.

"I've been at 100% for nearly a week and a half sensei. The doctors had me run through some exhausting tests themselves and they judged that there would be no issues whatsoever they believe I have reached the same stage as I was before the accident, but honestly, I feel like I have surpassed my past self. I am indeed stronger, faster and I feel a lot more skilled as compared to myself around 2 months ago." I say that to the both of them in absolute confidence.

I notice Silver's eyes light up and then look towards Kreese. Kreese himself has that self-important smug look on his face.

'I'm guessing that's his 'I told you so' face'. I think to myself in some amusement.

Kreese then says, "Good. We can then begin pushing you hard and help you perfect some of the harder techniques in Tang Soo Do. In the six or so months you spent under Johnny's tutelage, it has allowed you to become the all-valley champion. But after going through all the tapes of your fights, it is very clear that Johnny hasn't taught you everything. We will teach you everything in order to become the king of point based fighting. So you better prepare yourself, son."

"we need you to stay back after regular lessons for you to perfect these techniques. Only a select few like yourself will be taught the very essence of our style. And with these techniques we will dominate the all valley and eventually at the sekai taikai." I hear Silver speak with a passionate tone.

"one at a time, and we haven't made the decision for that world event you speak about."

"it's only a matter of time John, we need to bring Cobra Kai to the world…"

"sensei.." I interrupt them before they could go on a tangent.

"oh right, Diaz you are excused for now. Remember we will begin your lessons in earnest from tomorrow onwards. Also find the students with the most potential amongst your fellow cobras who will accompany you in these lessons. You are their leader; the king among your fellow cobras. And every king requires talents to support them in any vocation. Don't disappoint me Diaz. I'll leave you to it then" Kreese says in a dismissive tone and then proceeds to ignore me and carry on his conversation with silver.

I look at this slightly dumfounded. I nod my head, even though he doesn't notice it and then proceed to leave the room.

I hear Kreese's threatening voice again," One more thing, Mr. Diaz. If I see you speak and waste time during a fight again, I will have you severely punished. Is that understood?"

"Yes sensei!!" I say out in some panic and then quickly exit the room. I knew that it would be dumb to act like an edgy anime character. What was I thinking doing something like that?, wait that not right I wasn't even thinking. Becoming a 16 near 17 year old is bringing back some of my chuuni-ness. I cringe as I look back to my fight and hope that everyone magically deletes that off their memories, myself included. I take a breath and then just carry on.

As I am leaving the dojo I look back towards the end of my conversation with Kreese and Silver. It is clear that they want me to take up more responsibility. The fact that they are going to teach me further advanced techniques and also the mantle of choosing who would accompany me, it seems like they are grooming me. Makes a lot of sense, I suppose. Especially when one considers that the both of them are in their mid 70s and have no children of their own. The only way for the cobra kai to carry on is through the students. Their top student. ME to be exact. I can feel the legacy of cobra kai falling on to my shoulders. I feel no pressure however, and even feel some satisfaction. I do however feel a bit emotional. The fact that these two battle worn old men would willingly and blindingly put their trust on me, reminds me of the same blind trust and adoration that my parents used to give me.

I know that I may be reading too much into it, I know that both Kreese and Silver have their own agenda, but is it wrong that I yearn to feel and savor those emotions again. Cold logic dictates not to get attached to them as I could possibly betray them if thing go fuck all. But the heart wants what it wants. Humans are very contradictory in nature. They are very emotional beings. On one hand you can see us perform the heinous of acts using cold hard logic, while in the same vein you could potentially see us perform the kindest of acts that are really heartfelt. At the end of the day, I am human and can only act based on both of them. I know that I could get those feelings I spoke of earlier from my new 'mother' but a part of me will always reject the fact that that she is my 'mom'. Would she and Johnny look kindly upon me if they knew my true self or the fact that the original is already gone? Fuck no. I shouldn't even bother considering these things. Thoughts like these will only drive me into a sniffling child.

'Ignore and suppress deep within me, Yea right like that's healthy'. I think to myself feeling emotions I would rather not feel.

Moving on, Tang Soo Do is not just wanton violence like how Larusso makes it out to be. It too has its own traditions and history just like Miyagi Do. I again, think back to the trust given to me and I feel a sense of resolve build up within me. This style that would make be a dangerous striker will not fall to the haphazard combination of Miyagi Fang and their future ring leader Robby Keene. I personally swear to drag this martial art to the top and crush anything that hopes that we would die.

'After all cobra kai never dies.' I think to myself and then get out the dojo.

As I leave, I notice Tory waiting for me. She notices me as well and then says, "Just shut up follow me."

Well, I am definitely not defying her for the moment. I follow her in amusement for the next 10 or so minutes. Eventually, we reach a park. I immediately recognize it as the one where we first kissed and had officially become a couple. I look towards her and notice her looking towards me as well with a look that I cannot really decipher.

'She really is good with the whole poker face thing when she wants to' I think to myself with a smile.

"I'm glad you brought me out here. I can't believe that it has only been around 4 months since then. So many things happened." I tell her trying to start a conversation.

She just doesn't say anything and I'm honestly getting a bit uncomfortable myself.

A sigh with a bit of reproach at myself and then say, "Look Tory I'm sorr.." but before I could complete my apology I see her come towards me with purpose. Then she rapidly dashes to me at a close distance and before I can react she essentially Judo flips me on to the grass and then quickly straddles my waist.

"Oofffh!!" I grunt and feel uncomfortable as I feel my breath leave me. I immediately notice the dangerous area she is sitting on.

I look towards her face and notice her eyes give out an angry glare and hiding some tears of hurt.

Out of some sense of false bravado I laugh a bit and tell her, "Looks like someone missed me."

Her face scowls a bit more and I take that as my warning and quickly realize that this was no time for my wisecracking.

"I'm sorry Tory, I should've called you earlier. I honestly wanted to surprise you and due to my stupidity, I didn't consider your feelings."

"Six days Miguel. You didn't bother contacting me for six days. For a week I tried calling you and not once did you bother replying. Not even a text telling me that you were okay. I thought you were avoiding me. For nearly a week I was wondering if I had done something wrong and now you tell me that you just wanted to surprise me". Tory says in angers and hurt.

Again, I realize the blunder I have committed. Dammit!! Relationships are hard. I realize I was selfish in my intentions and am now paying for my inexperience in relationships. Okay how to make this work?

"I really wanted to tell you in the beginning. When I arrived back home I wanted to meet you immediately, but I figured you would be busy with school, the dojo and your work. And my need for meeting you in person and seeing your surprised face won out. what was initially waiting for one days turned out to five as I decided to just stick to surprising you. I'm really sorry Tory I let my selfishness hurt you. I feel terrible, I really do. I've felt terrible the moment I looked you in your eyes when I first saw you in the dojo earlier. I fucked up..I'm really sorry." I say in truth.

She is silent for a while and I can see the turmoil in her eyes. Eventually, I notice her shut her eyes, and take deep breaths for what seems like for around ten seconds? She sighs and I can feel her anger drain away. She opens her eyes again and they seem calm again, but I also notice a hint of danger in them.

I gulp as realize that something is coming. I can't predict it to be honest. It is clear that this is a different Tory. The counseling sessions have already had some impact on her. She is a lot calmer and has slightly learned to curb her impulsiveness. This Tory is no longer the one that would immediately fly off the handle like in the original timeline. I have no real information on this Tory and this situation of not having control over the situation honestly makes me feel a bit restless.

She immediately notices my restlessness and I see her eyes gleam in dark amusement.

"You do remember what I said about you looking at other girls, right?" she questions me in a tone that promises retribution.

"Err.. you didn't tell me anything regarding looking at girls, you did mention something about kissing other girls though." I say and then immediately regret it as I notice her narrow her eyes in a predatory way.

She takes both of her hands and then quickly slams them both against the side of my face, I flinch unwillingly and then essentially puff them up like a child in anger.

"You've learned to enjoy the sound of your own voice after your accident. Luckily for you I enjoy it too." She says and then proceeds to bring her face to mine and then kiss me hard in a desperate and possessive way. I kiss her back instinctively and then think to myself that this may be a good thing. Right?

As I kiss her back I feel her fingers start brushing through my hair and then come down to my face and then chin which further lowers to my chest and abs. I feel her start grinding against my waist. Something is rising and its definitely not the shield hero.

She obviously notices my erection. She stops kissing me and continues grinding against me.

"Looks like someone has missed me too.." she says in a teasing lilt.

The erection and the teasing, makes me feel like my face is on fire. Fucking hormones!! I completely forgot about them. I start breathing heavily and can feel myself inching towards a release.

As I reach out towards nirvana, Tory kisses me deeply again and immediately pulls back and gets of me.

I groan in disappointment and feel the oncoming blue ball syndrome. Of course this version of Tory punishes me through the art of blue balling. I might have preferred her punching me in the face as I come to realization that I haven't had a release in what seems like months. The original was a fuckin sage. Even though the dude was clearly packing heat.

Tory just laughs in amusement at my pain.

"Come on lover boy, you are going to come with me to the roller rink and help me out there for free. And don't even think that your punishment is over." She says in a husky tone

I just sigh in helplessness and just accept my defeat. I readjust my pants and walk towards her and take hold of her hand.

"I really am sorry.." I tell her quietly again.

"I know.." I hear say back quietly as we continue on towards the roller rink.

As we continue walking hands held together, I think back to her jealousy and threats and wonder if this girl is on her way of becoming a yandere? I think back to a pink haired yandere anime character and immediately feel a shiver run down my spine.

"What's wrong Miguel?" I hear Tory ask me in sweet tone and a smile on her face.

"NNnothing…Absolutely Nothing"…..