The Way of the Fist 🐉Tory Nichols🐉

26. BACK IN ACTION

JACK

DAYS LATER

"How the hell are you walking already?" Johnny asked astonished as I stretched my legs in front of him with a wide smile. "I kept pushing myself. Wanted to get better. Also...I really want to see my friends." I answered doing a roundhouse kick happily, feeling like my old self again. "And you know. Be a badass again at Cobra Kai." I added. Johnny sighed. "Look, Jack. About Cobra Kai. I don't think it's a good fit for you anymore. You're better than them. You have a mind of your own. Don't let Kreese corrupt you." Johnny said. I shook my head. "Look, I appreciate everything you've done for me, Sensei. But, I want to get back to my old life. And right now, that means hanging out with my friends at the dojo." I said walking out and leaving the apartment. I looked down at my legs with a smile before looking at the new motorcycle keys in my hand. I looked back down at my legs before breaking into a run towards Cobra Kai. I have to admit...they're a little sore. But I'm glad that I feel any sort of pain in my legs at all at this point.

I arrived at Cobra Kai out of breath. I leaned against the door before walking in. I saw students lining the square as I looked around. "Can we help you?" Kreese asked. "What happened to the snake on the wall?" I asked turning around pointing the wall. "Jack!" Miguel exclaimed with a smile. I smiled back. "Hey, man." I said. "Renshi Holland. Glad to see you back on your feet." Kreese said with a smirk. "Trust me. No one's happier than I am. You would not believe what I've been through to get here. I literally ran here from my house. Kinda out of breath but I'll live. So, uh...what I miss?" I asked looking around at the new face. I recognized Kyler from school. "Itching to get back into a fight I see." Kreese stated. "Getting jealous watching you guys fight from behind my phone--is that a snake?" I said getting distracted by the black snake in the box. "Oh, yeah. His name's Jack." Hawk answered. "Really? Why?" I asked. "Well, we named him after the best fighter we know." Kreese explained. I looked up at him before smirking. "Wanna get in the square?" He asked. I smiled widely. "I thought you'd never ask." I said with a smirk.

I stood in the square barefoot. "Who's up?" I asked. "Holland...You're the highest rank here. You choose. But I gotta warn you. Whoever you choose and beat...get's kicked off the team." He said. I shrugged. "Then I better choose right." I said turning to one of the newbies. "You." I said pointing to the most muscular of the new ones. Kyler let out a laugh. "Something funny, shithead?" Kreese asked him. "No, sir." Kyler answered. "I can't hear you." Kreese shouted. "No, sir!" Kyler yelled. "You, Square. Now. Let's go." I said to the muscular guy spotting Tory amongst the group. She looked away blushing a bit. I turned around before taking off my sweatshirt to allow for flexibility. Most of the students murmured seeing the tattoo on my arm, the various bruises and the scar on my back. I bounced from one foot to the next. "Just saying, you can back out at any time." I told the guy. "Why? In five seconds. You'll be knocked out and I'd have your spot on the team." He answered cracking his knuckles. I scoffed. "Not so sure about that." I said bouncing from one foot to the next. "Fight!" Kreese announced. The man ran at me before I dodged out the way tripping him. I grabbed his arm, twisting it as memories of Robby's fight resurfaced. I furrowed my brows slamming the 6'4" teenager to the ground with a shout. "I've only lost one fight. I sure as hell not losing to you, Robby." I spat before slamming my fists into his face multiple times. His blood splattered onto my knuckles. With each punch, Robby appeared in my mind. The more I punched, the more the memory played out. I continued punching until I watched Robby kick me over the railing. I drove my fist one last time into the his face with shout before looking up breathing heavily. My knuckles bruised and covered in blood. I got to my feet. "Anyone else?" I asked looking around at the others.