Chapter Forty-Four: Revenge

"You should see me in a crown. Your silence is my favorite sound. Watch me make 'em bow one by one by one."

~You Should See Me in a Crown by Billie Eilish~

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Revised: August 25, 2022

Warnings: abuse, addiction, anxiety, biphobia/homophobia, depression, domestic violence, slight eating disorder, langubage, panic attacks, sexual harassment/assault/abuse, violence, and other mature themes

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Zion's POV

"I can do this," I whisper to myself as I drive down the main road in Reseda. "I can do this. Just go say hi or something. Maybe he'll be happy to see you."

I make it to the complex where the Diaz family lives and automatically feel the guilt rush over me for not being here. I also feel anxious because of how close I am to Janice's, but I beg myself to only focus on one problem at a time. Unfortunately, I'm not good at controlling that.

I park a little bit away from his apartment and find myself unable to move. I'm not mentally prepared for this.

It's been two weeks since the laser tag fight. Hawk and I haven't spoken more than ten words to each other since then. The Cobras are definitely all impacted by it. Tory, thankfully, is siding with me, as well as the four other guys. 

I'm still living in the dojo and working. I've fallen into a routine and rarely ever stray from it. I can feel the impact on my mental health of not interacting with Hawk. In some ways, I guess it's a good thing. In other ways, it's like losing another important person in my life again.

I have good and bad days, the latter being more common. I've found alcohol is good at relaxing me when I have late, sleepless nights with thoughts spiraling around and around. I know I can't make a habit out of it, though.

What Hawk said about me not going to see Miguel has been weighing on me and today is one of my good days, so I decide it best to try and talk to Miguel. He's coming back to school on Monday and I'd like to see him before then.

The only problem is I don't think he'll be happy to see me. He hasn't reached out, but to be fair neither have I. It kills me because he's like my brother... but at the same time I feel like I already lost him. If I manage to get him back, who's to say he won't leave again? Or, be taken away again, is more like it?

Suddenly, someone walks out of their apartment. It's Johnny Lawrence. I duck in my car and put on sunglasses, not wanting him to see me even though I'm on the other side of the parking lot. He looks like he's okay. But what he's done isn't okay. He abandoned me and Robby and Cobra Kai. He's weak and it fills me with anger to see him living his life like nothing happened.

He walks over to the Diaz's door and I watch as he knocks on it. I hope to see Miguel answer it, but instead I see Carmen. I miss her so much, even if she doesn't miss me. She was always so sweet and instantly took on the maternal role in my life for the short time I lived with them. I know I didn't show my appreciation a bunch, but Janice kind of messed up my relationship with mom-like figures. I don't blame Carmen for not reaching out to me, though. She's had a lot going on and I don't want to be more of a burden.

She lets my former sensei in and I frown. I saw a post where Miguel and Johnny were at a concert together on Instagram. It just added salt to the wound of me now knowing absolutely nothing about what's going on with Miguel. Why is Johnny back in Miguel's life? He's the one who screwed it up. He messed up Robby's life and now he's doing the same to Miguel. I can't go to see him now. I don't want to see Johnny and I honestly don't even want to see Carmen.

I just want Miguel and I to hang out and talk like old times. We'd watch Friends together and talk about the drama of life and he'd be there. He was always there.

But I'm not good for him to be around. I don't think he wants to see me and I can't blame him. So much has changed; I've changed. Maybe there's hope for him to come back to Cobra Kai, but who's to say he'll walk again? Or, that he won't fall victim to Johnny Lawrence's teachings of mercy again?

I back out of my spot and drive back to the dojo, the weight I have on my chest not going away. I don't deserve to feel okay, anyway. I guess I'm a coward for not facing him.

I pull into the dojo parking lot and check my email for Robby's response. It's been about a week since I've heard from him.

Nothing.

That's okay. He's probably just busy.

Or, he doesn't want me. Why would he? Why would he even want me in his life? He had the princess herself, Sam LaRusso. I don't compare. I sleep on the floor of the dojo.

No. Whatever Robby and I have going on is real, whether it be romantic or platonic. I have so many fears bothering me, but I refuse to give into them any more.

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"Tell the story again," Mikey says to Assface.

I'm over stretching with Tory and overhear the guys wanting to catch James aka Keanu Reeves up on everything he missed because he's been on vacation for the past two weeks.

"Man! It was so sick," Assface smiles. I swear, if I have to hear this laser tag story one more time I'm gonna kill somebody. "Tory was just kickin' ass, I took care of Chris-"

"I was also kicking ass," I interrupt him with a smirk.

"Hell yeah you were," Tory smiles and puts her arm over my shoulder.

Assface rolls his eyes at us, still not liking me. Our dojo has been so obviously divided that it makes me wonder if the Miyagi-Dos are catching on in school. I hope not.

"And Hawk got that beta, Demetri, in an arm bar like Chris Jericho and just," Assface mocks the sound and motion of bones breaking. "Cold-blooded. No mercy!" 

"Way to go, Hawk," Big Red cheers him on as usual. I frown, hating that I wasn't the one to do that. 

"You know, I didn't think you were actually gonna do it," Tory walks over to Hawk skeptically.

I turn away, pretend I'm not listening, and get on the ground to do my split warm-ups. I also take this time to put my hair up, even though it's still pretty short and some of it hangs in my face no matter what. It's definitely grown out a little and my brown roots are prominent.

"Yeah, well, they got what they deserved for what they did to Miguel," Hawks says.

Tory nods awkwardly. I never bring up Miguel with her; it's a touchy subject for both of us. Apparently Hawk has no problem mentioning him, though. 

"You still haven't seen him yet, have you?" he asks Tory.

"I don't wanna talk about it," she says.

I make the mistake of glancing up and meeting Hawk's eyes as they land on me. I look away immediately; if only he knew how much I miss Miguel.

Tory walks back over to me to create a barrier between us, "How the fuck are you so flexible?" 

I laugh and am about to respond when the door to Cobra Kai opens and the bell rings. I turn to see a group of teenagers walking in. Oh shit.

Among them are Kyler, Brucks, and Walker. 

One guy whistles and it only takes me a second to realize they're targeting me. I try to ignore it. I've been catcalled many times before and it's best not to give them a reaction.

"We'll meet up with you," I hear one of them say to their friends. I get suspicious when I hear footsteps linger outside.

"Hey, we're trying to get your attention," one boy says.

I timidly turn around to see two of the four guys standing smugly a couple feet behind me. I try to hide my fear as I turn away again and continue walking to my car. I'l drive away and go to another store if I can just get to my car.

Then, the tall one with brown hair blocks my path, "Hey, hey, hey, sweetheart."

I stand up to be on guard, about to lose my shit. Why are they here? What are they doing here? They're basically invading my home, my safe little spot in the world. It fills me with rage and panic.

Tory notices, "Z, what's wrong? Are you okay?"

"Class," Sensei Kreese walks out and speaks before I can. "Welcome our new students."

My blood runs cold. New students? They're going to be in Cobra Kai? What's going on? This can't be happening.

Hawk looks over at me with a look of worry and it surprises me. I look away from him, still pissed about what he said. But now there are arguably bigger problems in the dojo. This can't go well.

"I'm gonna call you guys, uh, Chodenose and Tankbreath," Assface walks over to Kyler and Brucks who are in front. What an idiot.

"What the hell did you just say?" Kyler steps closer to Assface, towering over him. And he's not even the tallest of them all. Walker is. And he's about the same height as Rickenberger.

"Oh, uh, nothing. It's just a thing we do around here sometimes," Assface smiles. Kyler fakes out Assface and he flinches, "Okay."

I move to go talk to Sensei and see Hawk is also headed that way.

"Sensei, I don't think these guys are Cobra Kai material," he says. 

"Weren't you the one saying that we should get new recruits?" Sensei Kreese questions him.

"Well, yeah, but look..." Hawk hesitates and stumbles over his words.

"Sensei, these guys have a past with us. I don't think they're what we're looking for," I chime in, trying to get my sensei to understand they're bad people. Hawk looks at me in surprise for agreeing with him.

"They're natural athletes. Which is exactly what's been missing in our dojo," my sensei counters. He gives Hawk and I a stare and I see the boy with the mohawk cower. "Everybody fall in."

Hawk bows to our sensei. He couldn't get through to him, but maybe I can.

"Sensei, if you could just consider-"

"Are you scared, Z?" Sensei asks me quietly so nobody can hear.

"Hey, you look hot," Walker gives a creepy smirk my way and I back up until he backs me into the wall. "Your name is Zion, right?"

I try to go around him, but he's strong and pushes me back against the wall, towering around my figure. I try to control my shaking to find the best angle to kick his crotch.

"Black Widow fits you well. I really like your costume," he grabs my hips and leans in. "I've always had a thing for her, you know."

I tense, not wanting him to know that I actually am nervous having Walker here. He assaulted me and I won way back when, but he's grown taller and stronger now. I don't know if I can beat that.

"I owned my fear and pain and anger and you know what? It saved my life."

"No, Sensei. I'm not scared," I say.

This is all in my head. I will not let my fear control me. I'm taller and stronger now, too. Sensei gives me a small nod of approval and I bow to him and then fall in.

"Joining Cobra Kai is a privilege. It's not a gift. Which is why our recruits must earn their position in this dojo," Sensei Kreese explains.

The new recruits file into the back. I peek over my shoulder to see Kyler, Brucks, and Walker smirking at each other.

"Prepare yourselves for combat. Only the strong will survive."

Sensei Kreese says and we all move to line up along the edges of the mat. I stand by Tory with my hands behind my back, trying to shake out my nerves. I have to believe in myself. 

"Pet snake. Legit, yeah," Brucks says with a laugh as his two friends follow him to find a spot.

"Since when can girls do karate?" Walker laughs as he looks at Tory and I as he walks by. I don't think he recognizes me.

I see some of the boy Cobras looking at us now and I feel my blood pressure rise. I won't let some skinny, misogynistic boys get the best of me. Not this time. Never again.

One thing I remember about Walker is how weak he is. At the Halloween dance I beat him and that was before I even joined Cobra Kai. Thanks to Sensei Kreese, I know how to take on a much bigger opponent now. 

"Holy shit!" Kyler stops in front of Hawk. Oh no. Kyler was his bully longer than he was mine. "You know what I realized? It's the kid with the lip. Oh, I thought he moved."

"Oh, shit! You're right, Ky," Brucks says.

"The hair kinda distracts you from it, though," Walker chimes in about the mohawk.

Hawk reaches up and covers his lip self-consciously and I feel myself slipping back into my old feeling to protect Eli. But he isn't Eli anymore. He doesn't need my protection. I need to accept that.

"All right, class," Sensei Kreese speaks up and the trio moves to stand beside Hawk. "Let the games begin." I stand tall as Sensei looks around for someone to pick first. "You," Sensei gestures to Kyler. 

"Ooh! All right, bro. You got this," Brucks cheers him on.

I see Walker eyeing Tory and I; once a pig, always a pig... that's offensive to pigs.

"You," Sensei chuckles and points to Assface who smiles.

"Kyler is captain of the wrestling team," I hear Elijah whisper and automatically I get worried as Kyler and Assface get ready to face-off. "Walker is point-guard for the basketball team and Brucks is on the football team." I listen to Elijah's explanation and silently worry about them making the team. I don't really pay attention to sports, but it's no wonder their egos are so inflated. 

"Man, I'm so pumped," Brucks says.

"Ready?" Sensei Kreese asks and the two get into position. "Ai!"

Assface sends a kick to Kyler's face, earning him the point instantly. I guess we're not fighting by tournament standards. Good to know.

"Now you're dead," Kyler threatens.

Assface swings and I get excited, but then he keeps missing and Kyler is actually good at blocking and dodging. Suddenly, he flips Assface and they land on the ground. I widen my eyes as Kyler puts him into a headlock and he taps out. This isn't good.

Sensei Kreese looks at me with a knowing smirk. I look down in dismay. He's right about natural athletes. Kyler stands up and my sensei speaks, "Finish him."

Without hesitation, Kyler picks Assface up by the collar and punches him back to the ground. Damnit. Kyler walks away smugly and celebrates with his bros.

"Yo, lights out, baby," Kyler gloats as Assface struggles to stand up. 

"Where are you going?" Sensei Kreese asks Assface.

"To my spot," Assface answers.

"You lost to an untrained fighter. He's going to take your spot on the team," Sensei Kreese says. Oh no.

"All right!" Brucks cheers for his friend.

"Nice one," Walker says. I look at Hawk and we share a look of concern. I don't want Kyler here. Assface looks to Hawk for help.

"Sensei, Assface has been loyal to the dojo," Hawk says.

"I'm afraid he's not Cobra Kai material," the man says coldly.

Damnit. I'm not as mad at who we've lost, but rather who we've gained.

"I told you. Only the strong will survive."

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A little while later a few more people have fought and we gained some new members, but mainly kept the old.

I watch Tory fight, grabbing the girl she's going against by the arm and swinging her around. Tory is stronger and taller, but this girl has determination. I have no doubt, however, that Tory will win.

Tory dodges more punches and then kicks her opponent's ankle before sending a back thrust kick to her face. The girl goes down and stays down. Tory front kicks the girl in the mouth and wins the point.

"You chip my tooth, bitch," the girl says and touches her mouth.

"You needed braces anyway," Tory retorts and I smile.

"Good job, Nichols," Sensei smiles and then turns to the other girl. "You know the drill. Off the mat." The girl reluctantly moves away and Tory walks back over to me.

"You were great, as usual."

She returns my smile, "Thanks."

"Damn, girl," Brucks says.

"Do you see that ass?" I hear Walker whisper and my stomach churns in disgust. Tory frowns and I glare at the boy.

My stomach drops when I remember how Adam touched me-

Not here. Not now. Please.

"You," Sensei gestures to Brucks. "Big Boy."

"Ohohoh, yeah. Who's going down next? Come on," Brucks asks cockily.

I roll my eyes. I hope whoever he gets paired with makes sure he stays out of Cobra Kai.

"Let's go," Kyler cheers him on.

"You got this, buddy," Walker laughs.

"He's mine."

My head turns to Hawk walking across the dojo with a sinister look on his face. I believe in him, truly I do, but Brucks is twice his body mass and I'm actually worried for Hawk. 

I shouldn't care... but I do.

"Get him, Lip!" Kyler laughs.

"Okay, all right. Let's see if I can fix that lip of yours, then," Brucks taunts.

Hawk drops the top of his gi and reveals his back tattoo and muscles. I look down, not wanting to fall into that trap again. He tosses the gi to the side and stands shirtless, turning around to face Brucks. I see the Grim Reaper tattoo above his abs and try to control my heartache. It doesn't matter. He doesn't matter to me anymore.

"Duuude," Brucks looks at it, intimidated. 

I see my sensei motion for the flags to be put down. Hawk gets into position and smirks at Sensei Kreese, who just looks away, giving Hawk the green light.

Hawk spin kicks Brucks in the face, sending him back instantly. Oh, so this is going to be a dirty fight? Awesome.

I watch in satisfaction as he punches Brucks twice and then knocks him off balance. He pulls Brucks back by his hood and gives two punches to his face. Brucks struggles to fight and Hawk elbows him in the nose.

Brucks charges at Hawk again, but he slips behind the big boy and knees his abdomen before throwing him to the side. Brucks is still standing and begins pleading, "Wait. Stop."

Hawk flips Brucks over and I stare in shock at how much muscle he really has to do that. Brucks' face is already bleeding.

"Finish hi-"

Sensei Kreese is interrupted by Hawk's grunts as he pounds his fist onto Brucks' face. He didn't even finish let Sensei finish his sentence. The boy's mouth is gushing blood by now and I have to admit it's gruesome to see.

Hawk doesn't let up, though, and I see Kyler and Walker looking away at the state of their friend. It feels good to see them worried. Hawk yells and grunts as he continues taking out the years and years of anger and pain on his former bully, truly showing no mercy.

After another moment, Hawk stands up and I see blood on his hands. I look down. It's not a pretty sight, but I look up again out of curiosity to see him spit on Brucks and slowly walk back towards his spot.

He stops in front of Kyler with a cold stare, asserting his dominance. Kyler looks down and Walker even looks away, but he doesn't look quite as scared. He doesn't know Hawk the same way that Kyler does. Brucks groans on the floor as Sensei speaks up,

"All right, class. I think we can call-"

"No."

My voice echoes through the dojo. Sensei Kreese looks at me with a smirk while everyone else stares in confusion. If Hawk can do it, I can do it, too. And better. I'm a winner. I'm the next champion.

"It's my turn."

Sensei Kreese only nods to me to signify his approval. I walk around the line of newbies, pretending I don't know my target. Everyone is already thrown off by what Hawk did and Brucks has now crawled outside of the mats to sit. My eyes scan over them and I stop right in front of Walker. 

"You," I say, my voice sounding deep and angry already.

"Me?" he laughs in response as if this is a joke. I nod and he looks at me closer a minute, his eyes meeting mine. "No way. You're that chick from last year! You look so different, but I know that face," he says in amusement.

He looks at me as if I'm some spectacle or discovery or something inhuman. It's good to know that he remembers; I'll give him something to remember.

"Zion," Kyler says my name and I tense as it's spoken in this dojo. My dojo.

"Fuck, that's right," Walker laughs. "The one in the Black Widow costume, remember?"

"Wait, I thought she's the girl who cheat with the guy who paralyzed 'Rhea," Kyler says timidly, still shaken up about earlier.

I hate the name he used for Miguel, I hate what he did to all of us at the beginning of last year, I hate that he called me a cheater, and I hate that everyone always feels the need to use these lies against me. These goddamn rumors about me will never stop.

"Seriously?" Walker laughs carelessly. I curl my hands into fists. He talks like I'm not even here. "I always knew she was sexy, but she's also a whore?" He turns to look at me, "Were you just playing hard to ge-"

"Sometimes it just happens in the moment."

"OW!"

Walker lets out a groan of pain and touches his eye. I gave him a black eye. Me. I did that.

I don't hesitate to continue, taking his arm and doing a hip throw backwards, sending him flying onto the middle of the mat and having him land on his back.

He moves onto his knees and struggles to stand up, but before he can I give a spin kick to his face and send him to the ground. I smirk a little, really enjoying this. He's so much taller than me, but he's on the ground right now like a wounded animal.

"Oh my God," he groans and struggles to stand up. I walk over and pull him up by his collar with one hand. He doesn't know what's happening and I get in another good hit, sending an uppercut punch to his jaw and it makes a loud noise of contact. He lets out a whine of pain, "Why are you-"

I let go of his collar and sweep kick his legs, sending him to the floor and this time he falls forward on his stomach. He groans and moans; I love the power, dominance, and rush of beating him up. As far as I'm concerned, he represents all the boys I've dealt with, all of the creeps- although that's too nice of a word for Adam.

"Let go of me!" I whisper-yell.

"It's okay, babygirl," his hand slowly moves down in front of me and to the waistband of my sweatpants. "I'm going to make you feel good."

"Get up," I demand coldly. Walker looks up at me with a fresh bruise beginning to form on his eye. "I said. Get. Up." He stands up, his legs shaking in fear. I react immediately, grabbing him by the neck forcefully, pushing him back. The rest of his body is forced to follow his neck and head as I force him backwards and the students in the way jump to the side to avoid collision.

I slam the back of his head into the wall and the weapons hanging there rattle. I cut off his airway as he gasps for oxygen, flailing in panic because he doesn't know how to get out of the well-executed position I put him in. When his face starts to turn color, I release my grip and he falls forward, leaning on his knees as he gasps for air. He relaxes, thinking it's safe now. It's not.

I knee him in the nose, sending his head back against the wall again. I react quickly, spinning his body around so his face is towards the wall now. I pin his arm behind his back and bodyslam him into the wall once. The weapons rattle and he lets out girlish squeals of pain.

I do it a second time, even harder as I channel my past fears and vulnerability into this fight.

"Sensei, stop her," I hear a young, male voice speak up.

I don't even try to stop as I bodyslam him a third time. The weapons fall off the wall from the impact. I pull more on his arm, most likely dislocating his shoulder now. 

I grab his hair in my fist and slam his as face hard as I can into the wall. I feel his body go limp; I've knocked him unconscious. I finally let up on my grip, shoving his motionless body back into the center of the dojo.

He falls with a thud into an awkward position on his back. He looks like hell. Blood is everywhere on his face and his bruises are already coming in. I can't help smiling a little, proud of what I've done.

The dojo is silent. Nobody knows how to react; nothing has ever been taken this far in here.

I tower over the limp body and let out a small, singular, dark laugh. I look up to see all the students almost paralyzed in shock with either their eyes on me, Walker, or the floor. I don't say anything, knowing that I got my point across.

I look at Sensei Kreese proudly and he returns the pride with a big, malicious smile on his face.

After another moment of nothing happening, I step away from the body and walk back to my spot next to Tory. I move slowly, commanding respect as I walk past the other Cobras and those who failed.

I glance to see Hawk looking at me in concern, complete confusion, and fear. He must be wondering what led me to such a dark place.

But nobody will ever know.

And it'll never happen again.

I stand beside Tory and she seems a little less afraid of me than the others, but she definitely seems worried about my new bloodlust.

And lastly, I glance at Kyler. He's looking down at his friend and I see terror in his body positioning and face. 

"All right. I think we can call it a day," Sensei Kreese breaks the silence.

The students don't move. 

"Somebody pick him up," Sensei says. "Z, come into my office."

My sensei walks into the tiny room and I follow him. The students relax and begin to move when I leave and I love the power I have. I proved myself today. Finally.

"I'm proud of ya'," Sensei Kreese says and I smile. He's proud of me. I'm proud of myself. "You could be the new champion I've been looking for. You took my lessons and applied them well."

"Thank you, Sensei," I nod happily.

"There's a lot to clean up out there," he says.

"I'll get right on it," I assure him. I clean the dojo as a way to thank him for letting me crash here.

"I was going to say for you to take the day off. Enjoy your victory," Sensei tells me. "You're a winner, Z."

I smile happily, thankful for the validation from my sensei. Finally someone else believes it, too.

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A/N: I don't even know what to put as an author's note for this chapter, honestly. I told you shit would get real;)

Thoughts? I'd love to "hear" from you.

The face claim for Walker is under the season 1 chapter, so go check it out if you haven't.

It's hard to tell from Zion's point of view because she doesn't know any better, but Sensei Kreese is manipulating her in this scene similar to how he did with Hawk. He knew she'd snap and that's why he let it continue, so there's some insight into that to keep in mind.

Also, because of the time jump her hair has grown out, but not enough to where it can all be put up. This is what I imagine it to look like now: