𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐦𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐦𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝

—Hey, sorry I was late —said Tory to him

—You came just in time —replied Robby with a smile.

—LaRusso! Nichols! —called Johnny to his students.

—You and I on the podium, right? —asked Robby contentedly.

—Right —nodded the blonde.

—Yeah —said Robby, eager to get away from his girlfriend.

—Break a leg! Not literally —joked Amanda to Tory, who was standing next to her.

Sam and Tory came upstairs, ready to face each other. Everyone was watching attentively, with Amanda and Daniel feeling happy and proud of their daughter.

Their rivalry with Tory was over; now she would have a fair fight. Although Tory looked rough, with swollen eyes and messy hair, Sam was ready and poised to fight, a smile on her face.

—Bow to me —indicated Johnny, prompting them both to do it, and Tory bowed to him.

—Now bow to each other —he instructed, and they did as told.

Sam approached Tory, making a fist with her hand, and said cheerfully, —May the best woman win!

Tory remembered her mother's hand as she had found it the night before. The flashback invaded her, but she high-fived Sam's hand just the same.

—Fighting positions! —Johnny announced.

Tory got into a fighting pose, a sad look on her face as she thought about her mother's words.

—It's okay, sweetie. Life dealt us a bad hand, but we can change that —the words echoed in Tory's head. —Because we're fighters now.

—Ready? Fight! —Johnny signaled for both girls to start.

Tory was the first to attack, attempting a kick, which Sam avoided by sidestepping just in time.

—Fighting positions! —replied Johnny. He looked at Tory, who seemed too sad to fight, while Sam appeared confused.

—Ready? —Johnny asked. —Fight!

Tory spun to deliver a kick, but Sam blocked it with her leg. Sam then tried to punch Tory, but Tory dodged. Sam attempted to sweep Tory's leg, but Tory was prepared; she turned around, moving her legs gracefully.

Amanda appeared and said, —Daniel, we need to stop the fight!

Daniel didn't understand what was happening.

Meanwhile, the girls continued to fight with quick movements. Tory executed another kick, trying to sweep Sam's leg, but Sam slowed her leg down, preventing the move.

Tory stood tall, throwing a blow, but Sam blocked it again and again. Finally, Tory grabbed Sam's arms, ready to deliver a powerful hit. Sam looked scared.

Johnny watched closely as Tory was about to strike. Just then, Daniel took her hand, preventing her from hitting his daughter.

—The fight's over —said Daniel.

—That's not fair! —said Tory. —That could have been a point.

—What the hell are you doing? I'm the red! —Johnny said, confused, looking at LaRusso. —I'll decide when the fight is over.

—I'll explain, I promise —said Daniel.

—Don't stop the fight, please! —requested Tory.

—We can't do it in front of everybody —said Daniel to Johnny.

—I'm fine, Dad, really —said Sam quietly.

—No, Sam, that's not— Come on, please, girls! —Daniel urged, trying to get them off the deck.

—Don't tell them what to do! I'm the sensei! —Johnny protested, annoyed.

—Well, end the fight —said Daniel.

—Why? —asked Johnny, confused.

—BECAUSE MY MOTHER DIED! —shouted Tory. Everybody turned to look at her.

—Tory, I'm so sorry for your loss —said Daniel, but we can't continue this fight. This is not the time —he tried to explain, hoping to calm her.

—Yes, it is! —she told him defiantly.

—I have to fight now —said Tory.

—No, Tory, I want to fight too, but it's not right —said Sam.

—Sensei Lawrence, some help, please! —asked Daniel, looking at Johnny.

—It's not up to us —answered Johnny.

—If Nichols wants to fight, she should —the blonde interjected.

—Johnny! —said Daniel, frustrated.

—We'll find another way to appoint the captain —said Daniel.

—Find a way! —said Tory incredulously.

—No, you do not understand! None of you understand! —yelled Tory.

—My mom would have wanted this! —she said, her voice breaking as she addressed Amanda.

—I have to do this. I have to do this for her! —she insisted, staring her in the face. —I have to fight!

Robby walked up to her and said, —Tory, let's just take a second and try to help.

—No, Robby, just breathe! —she replied.

Amanda approached her gently and said, —Tory, I know how you're feeling, okay? I also know that you're not in the right headspace to decide.

—You don't want me to beat your daughter! —Tory shouted, pulling away from her.

—No, —said Amanda sadly.

—When push comes to shove, you're going to choose her over me! —Tory said, pain evident in her voice.

—No, it's not that —Daniel interjected, trying to calm the situation.

—Hey, we're not taking sides —Amanda added.

—Are you sure about that? —Johnny replied, giving his opinion.

—Johnny! —said Daniel, cutting him off.

Tory turned and snapped, —You want the fight to be over? Ask her! —she was angry.

—Fine, it's over! —Tory shouted, retreating under the deck.

Robby followed her, asking, —Tory, where are you going?

—I'm done yell tory walking away from Miyagi-Do! —she answered defiantly.

Tory stormed out of Miyagi-Do. She had trained hard, she had worked hard. It was her only chance to become captain. She felt she had let her mother down and, even more so, herself.

–Always a competitor, never a victor.

–Always a fighter, never a champion.

–Always close, but never quite enough.

These were the words she repeated endlessly. The frustration she felt was overwhelming. She wanted to scream, to cry in her mother's arms, but all she had now was the memory of her mother.

Then she remembered Kreese's words. No matter what, LaRusso would always choose his own.

She opened the door to her house and stormed inside. She tore off her gi and threw it in the trash. So much effort wasted, so much adapting for nothing.

No matter how much she trained, it would never be enough. Now, all she had left was her brother, her only purpose. And one must do anything to survive even return to Cobra Kai.

She set off without hesitation, her mind made up. There would be no more rules, no more compromise. She would return to the world she knew, where her sensei had taught her to thrive. She was the Cobra queen, and she had to reclaim her throne.

As she passed through the bushes, she noticed an Asian man training some boys in black and white gis.

She searched with her eyes for Kreese, but instead, she found the woman who had made her "strong": Kim Da-eun.

–Nichols, you're back – the sensei said in surprise, noticing Tory's hand, injured from breaking a block of solid stone and then being trampled on.

Tory covered her hand but held her ground.

–The world's cruel to us, and we have to learn to fend for ourselves. Wounds heal, but lunatics run free – she said fearlessly, adding, –Insolent. Psychopath.

–Enough – Kreese interrupted, having overheard. He turned to Tory and said, –Well, it looks like the cobra has shed its skin.

Tory held his gaze without saying a word.

–So, LaRusso won, and they kicked you out. I told you, you don't belong there. This is your place – Kreese gestured toward Kwon, who was teaching techniques Kreese had passed on.

–That guy is going to lead the Sekai Taikai? – Tory scoffed, mocking him.

Kwon heard the laughter of the others, but he approached Tory as the session ended and said, –You could never be a leader.

You're just a crybaby – he said arrogantly.

–I have more experience in leadership than a rookie like you – Tory retorted firmly.

–I'd love to see what you're capable of – Kwon sneered, provoking her.

–Believe me, you won't like it – Tory shot back.

–I want to see what you can do. Surprise me, Nichols – Kwon challenged, eyes gleaming.

–Kwon, why don't you show her what we train here? – Kreese spoke up.

–Yes, sensei – Kwon replied. –I hope I won't hurt you, golden chuckles.

–You won't, you can count on that – Tory mocked, defiant.

–Positions – Kim ordered. They both complied.

–Begin – the command rang out.

Tory aimed a kick, but Kwon dodged. She followed with punches, but he blocked them with ease. Frustrated but persistent, she launched a kick at his abdomen, forcing him back.

–Not bad – Kwon said smugly. –But now, let's see you dodge this.

He spun, landing a kick to her face, knocking her to the ground.

–You're strong, but not strong enough – he taunted.

Tory touched her face but didn't back down. This time, Kwon attacked. She blocked his moves, one by one. Kwon aimed a punch, but Tory used a technique she learned at Miyagi-Do.

–Looks like Mr. Bonsai taught you something – Kreese remarked.

–Not bad, blondie, but I'm not done yet – Kwon said, confident.

Tory grew more aggressive, her punches faster and more relentless. In a swift move, just as Kwon was about to knee her, he grabbed her leg, and they both fell. Their eyes locked, not in passion but in raw fury and a thirst for dominance.

–I've seen enough. Tory, Kwon, stop at once – Kreese ordered.

–Let go of me – Tory demanded, pushing Kwon away.

He released her, not because she told him to, but because he didn't want to stay in that position either.

–Look what you did—got my gi dirty – Kwon grumbled.

–Oh, I'm sorry – Tory said sarcastically. –You should probably take a bath before you smell like a goat.

–I can't stand you, especially now that you're going to be the leader. By sensei's orders, I'll comply – Kwon muttered.

–I'm not leader by anyone's orders. If Kreese called me back, it's because he knows you couldn't handle this on your own – Tory shot back.

With this fight, it was clear Tory was meant to be the new leader. She had the blocks; Kwon had the strength. Together, they'd be unstoppable in the Sekai Taikai. Tory could implement what she learned from Miyagi-Do, and Kwon could share his improvements.

–That's enough for today. Dismissed.

Kwon and Tory left, exchanging a final glance of disdain.

–See you, chuckles – Kwon said.

–See you,Chinese – Tory replied.

Before parting ways, they both knew deep down that they needed each other. But their pride would never let them admit it.