❝ that was badass as hell! ❞

―

WEEKENDS WERE ALWAYS THE SAME.

Dash and Emery usually spent their weekends watching Demetri and Eli play the same games over and over or re-watching the same exact shows for the thousandth time. Honestly, they were tired of it. Just once they wished they could do something else. When they weren't at Demetri' or Eli's house, the twins were at their own house with their mother keeping a watchful eye on them.

Their dad didn't seem to care what they did. He actually encouraged them to put themselves out there more and experience the world no matter how much their mother told him not to. He wasn't as overprotective as she was. In fact, he was the exact opposite.

But it was an entirely different story when Emery mentioned the possibility of joining karate. While he thought it was a good idea for her to have an outlet to let out some steam, he didn't think that joining karate was such a good idea. For once, he was on the side of Eleanora.

If Dash was being an entirely didn't understand Emery's fascination with karate. It hadn't even crossed her mind until Miguel had showed up and when his sensei told her that girls can't do karate, that just made her want to join even more. If there was anything Emery hated more than the popular girls, it was being told she couldn't do something because she was a girl. Those words only made her even more motivated and determined.

Dash had always been the exact opposite. When someone told him he couldn't do something, then he didn't do it. He would immediately forget about it and try to occupy his mind with something else. That was exactly how he had started crushing on Demetri. After his crush on another boy hadn't worked out, Dash tried to focus his attention elsewhere and it just so happened to fall on Demetri. Now, he was in far too deep, and he couldn't seem to redirect his attention.

But karate? Dash was certain that karate would never occupy his thoughts. There were far better things to concern himself with than joining a karate dojo. Sure, it'd be nice to learn how to defend himself but was it really worth it? He wasn't sure, but Emery sure thought it was. It was nothing but karate this and karate that. Dash was convinced that she only wanted to join because Eli was starting to show interest and had been talking about considering joining for the past week, but Emery was adamant that wasn't the case.

It didn't matter how many times she tried to say it was because she was interested, Dash didn't believe her and neither did Demetri.

For a while now, Demetri had been suspecting that Emery had a crush on Eli. It was the little things she would do. Things like complimenting him whenever she got the chance, always reaching for his hand to comfort him, and glancing at him and smiling at the most random times. When she had said she'd kiss him in the library the other day, that just confirmed it for him.

He was now convinced that Emery had a crush on him and even more convinced that Eli had a crush on her. Whenever he tried to bring it up to him though, Eli would say that there's no way a girl like Emery could ever like him. He was so hellbent on the idea that if he joined karate then maybe he could become cool and girls would actually start paying attention to him, but Demetri had dismissed that idea quicker than Eli dismissed the idea of Emery having a crush on him.

It seemed like karate was all Emery and Eli could talk about anymore. Demetri and Dash were starting to grow tired of it. It all got even worse when Miguel told them that Aisha had joined Cobra Kai. Aisha even told Emery on several occasions that she should join, only fueling her interest in even more.

Emery hadn't even joined karate yet and she was already acting like it was the greatest thing that had ever happened to her. He didn't even want to imagine how much she would talk about it if she actually ended up joining.

Lunchtime at school was no different. Emery, Eli, and Miguel spent the entirety of lunch talking about karate. Every single day of the week. Dash thought it was starting to get boring and redundant, and Demetri thankfully agreed.

The entire time they were in line getting their food, Emery, Eli, and Miguel were talking each other's ears off about how cool it would be if Emery and Eli joined Cobra Kai. Dash and Demetri were wrapped up in their own conversation, trying to avoid listening to anything that involved karate.

The group of friends began to walk to their lunch table when a loud clang broke their conversations, causing them to pause and turn their heads in the direction of the sound. Across the cafeteria stood Sam and Kyler, who having what looked to be a heated conversation.

The twins could only guess what they were talking about. They had heard the rumors about Sam that Kyler had spread around. Dash and Emery didn't believe it for a second, but they weren't going to get themselves involved especially not where Kyler was concerned.

"I seriously can't believe he would spread lies about her like that," Emery sighed. "And the fact that so many people just believe it?"

Dash nodded his head. "Yeah. I feel bad for her."

"Hey guys," Kyler addressed the cafeteria. "You know that billboard with the big-ass dick on it? I guess Sam takes after her dad."

The cafeteria erupted into a fit of laughter, but Dash, Emery, Demetri, and Eli just kept walking to their table. They did not want to get involved. Miguel on the other hand, had no problem inserting himself into Sam and Kyler's confrontation. Dash tried to get him to stay back, but Miguel pulled his arm away.

"Hey Kyler!" Miguel said, causing everyone to turn and look at him as he slammed his tray down on a table. "Why don't you just shut the hell up and stop being such an asshole?"

"You want another beatdown, 'Rhea?" Kyler asked as he pushed Miguel. "I'm ready for your lame-ass karate this time."

Kyler shoved Miguel a second time, causing him to fall back into the table where Aisha sat. She slowly stood up, backing away from the table.

"It's not lame ass-karate," Miguel responded as Kyler tried to swing at him, but Miguel caught his arm. "It's Cobra Kai."

Miguel punched Kyler in the face, causing him to stumble backwards and the cafeteria to react in shock. Kyler ran at him and pushed Miguel onto a table as people around them began pulling out their phones to start recording. He slammed him against another table and then pulled him into a headlock as he dragged him across it. Miguel managed to get out of Kyler's grip and kicked him causing him to fall to the ground.

"No mercy!" Aisha shouted.

Then, all of Kyler's friends came running towards Miguel, but he fought them all off like it was nothing. He even used a tray to hit them, which seemed like something you'd see in a movie.

When the fight was over, everyone began clapping and cheering. Dash couldn't help but stare in shock. Had Miguel learned to do all that from a few karate lessons? It was no wonder karate was all he could talk about.

Emery couldn't stop smiling. Seeing Miguel punch, kick, and dodge like that was probably the most exciting and coolest thing she had ever seen—much cooler than the time she and Dash had taken that trip to Vegas with their parents and saw a magic show which before now had been the coolest thing to ever happen to them.

"Hey!" Counselor Blatt shouted. "Get down from there right now."

She grabbed Miguel's wrist and pulled him off the table. She dragged him out of the cafeteria as the students continued to cheer.

"That was awesome!" Eli exclaimed.

"Awesome?" Emery asked. "That was badass as hell!"

Dash and Demetri exchanged a glance with each other. Emery and Eli spent the entirety of the lunch period talking about how amazing that had been and how they wished they could do that. Even Dash and Demetri had to admit, the way Miguel had managed to singlehandedly fight them all by himself was pretty badass.

Even though Dash found himself slightly jealous and wishing that he could learn how to fight like that, he refused to let karate completely consume his mind and his life. Emery already seemed too far gone. At least one of them had to maintain their sanity.

At home later that day, Dash and Emery sat on the couch, scrolling on their phones. Videos of Miguel fighting off Kyler and his friends in Sam's honor covered their feeds. Dash groaned, turning his phone off and placing it on the table next to him.

Emery turned to look at him. "Dash, come on! How cool would it be to learn to fight like that? We could finally stand up for ourselves and actually have it mean something."

"You mean we could stand up for ourselves and land in detention," Dash replied. "Or worse not live to see another day because mom would actually kill us."

"I'm sure we could manage to convince her," Emery shrugged her shoulders. "I mean, dad said so himself. It'd be a great way for me to find an outlet."

Dash sighed. "You can try all you want, but I want no part of it. I don't even want to join karate."

Eleanora called the twins for dinner. They walked into the dining room and took their seats at the table. Emery waited until they all had food on their plates before she brought up the topic of karate.

"I know you already said no, but I would like you to reconsider the idea of allowing me to join karate," Emery began, looking directly at her mother.

Eleanora let out a sigh. "Emery Danielle, I thought I made myself very clear."

"You did, but aren't you the one that taught me to never give up and to go after what I want?" Emery questioned. "And I want to join karate. Mom, I wanna learn how to defend myself if I need to."

"Then you can take some self-defense classes," Eleanora suggested. "I'm sure I can find somewhere that offers them."

Emery shook her head. "No, mom. I want to try karate. You know, the other day I got told that girls can't do karate? I mean, you're a huge female rights advocate and equality activist, don't you think that's wrong?"

"It is wrong," Eleanora nodded her head. "But you could get hurt, Em."

"So?" Emery asked. "I can get hurt going anywhere or doing just about anything. I could get hurt right now if I accidentally bit my tongue while chewing or choke on my water or something. I could fall out of my chair or accidentally slice my finger off with the knife."

Eleanora turned to Damien, asking for his help to back her up. Damien shook his head as he finished chewing the piece of steak that was in his mouth.

"She makes good points," Damien responded, causing Eleanora to glare at him. "Although, your mother is also right, Em."

Emery sighed. "Can't I at least try it out? Why are you so against karate?"

Eleanora and Damien shared a look with each other. Damien shrugged his shoulders, to which Eleanora responded by shaking her head.

Dash and Emery turned to face each other; mirroring looks of confusion on their faces. It was clear that their parents were hiding something from them. What exactly that was and what it had to do with karate, they had no idea.

Eleanora turned back to Emery. "Let your father and I discuss it. I'll let you know our final decision tomorrow."

A smile former on Emery's face. "So, what I'm hearing is that it's no longer a definite no?"

"I said we'd discuss it," Eleanora responded. "Now, eat your dinner."

A smile spread across Emery's face as she picked up a piece of steak with her fork.

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The next morning, Emery was eager to know what her parents' final decision was. She slipped her feet into the slippers she kept by her bed and made her way down the stairs. Her parents both stood in the kitchen, mugs of coffee in their hands. Appearing as though they were still deep in conversation and had yet to notice Emery's presence, she cleared her throat.

They turned their heads to look at her, in unison. Damien glanced at Eleanora, taking a sip of coffee from his mug.

"Well? What did you decide?" Emery questioned, unable to take the silent stares for a second longer. "Can I join karate?"

Eleanora placed her mug down on the counter behind her. "Your father and I have decided that we will allow you to join karate."

Emery started clapping her hands, thanking them over and over again.

"On one condition," Eleanora spoke, causing Emery's celebration to halt. "Your father and I would like to meet with the karate sensei."

"That's all?" Emery asked. "When? Today?"

"We both have to work today, so it'll have to wait until another time," Eleanora told her.

"And can I still go to practice today?" Emery asked. "Or does that have to wait until you can meet the sensei?"

Eleanora shook her head. "No. You may go to practice today."

Emery started jumping excitedly again, running up to her mother and father to embrace them both in hugs.

"I assume you're letting her do karate," Dash said as he walked into the kitchen.

"Against our better judgment, yes," Damien responded.

Dash opened the fridge and pulled out the carton of orange juice before grabbing a cup from the cabinet. He placed the cup on the counter and started pouring the juice into it.

Dash took a sip of his juice and then swallowed. "Well, I decided that I also want to do karate."

Emery and their parents turned to look at him, confused looks on their faces.

"Why the sudden change of mind?" Damien asked.

"Yeah, Dash," Emery stepped closer to him, her arms folded across her chest. "Why did you suddenly change your mind? Does it have anything to do with the fact that Demetri decided to join?"

Dash gulped. "N-no. It has nothing to do with that."

"Suuuure it doesn't," Emery teased him. "Eli texted me last night saying that he managed to talk Demetri into it, and I can only assume Demetri told you all about it."

Dash rolled his eyes in annoyance. "Okay. Fine. Demetri asked if I would go for moral support, and I agreed. Happy?"

Emery furrowed her eyebrows. "Wait, so you'll go to give Demetri moral support but not me? Your own sister?"

Dash took another sip of his juice and then nodded his head. "Yeah, pretty much."

Dash walked out of the kitchen, not saying another word to anyone. Emery turned around, giving her parents a look that said, 'Can you believe him?' Eleanora and Damien just shared a laugh.

A few hours later, Dash and Emery stood in front of the Cobra Kai dojo. Next to them, stood Demetri and Eli. The other hopeful teenagers around them, some of which they had seen around school, buzzed with excitement as they waited for their sensei to arrive.

— EMILIA'S NOTES

added dialogue and some altered storylines from the original version. rather than their parents not knowing about the twins joining karate, now they do. it makes more sense for the sake of the storyline.

also yes, they will be meeting johnny which did not happen in the original version. i'm sure we can all speak confidently when we say that's going to be awkward!!