Hot For Sensei

Chapter Sixty-Nine

At the sound of Ivy's scream, everyone quieted and looked toward Eli. His mohawk had been completely shaven off, save for a few purple tufts left to humiliate him further. An ugly red line pulsed from around his neck, showing them that at the very least he had been choked. His blue eyes were pleading, drained of all hope and scared. Ivy pushed through a few of the others to get to him, cupping his face in her hands.

"What happened?" her voice was a desperate whisper as she searched his eyes, "Who did this?"

"Ivy, please." He pushed out, trying to hold back more tears.

Johnny came forward to look him over and Ivy moved to the side to let him see. His face was just as heartbroken as the teens, but his posture quickly stiffened in rage.

"Who did this?" Johnny repeated, urging him to talk.

"Cobra Kai." Eli pushed out, his gaze dropping to the ground in shame, and he pulled his hood back up as everyone else let out sympathetic gasps.

"Kreese and Silver did this, they need to pay!" Johnny said sternly, his eyes trained on Eli.

"Jesus, Johnny, please!" Daniel sighed from behind him, and Johnny turned, "Kreese tried to kill you last time. What, do you wanna fight them both?"

"Damn right I do!" Johnny shouted, "Look what they did!"

"Dousing the fire with gasoline, that's your answer?" Daniel huffed, throwing his arms out to the side, "Why am I not surprised?"

"Sensei, stop!" Miguel cut in to try and calm Johnny.

"You still think your way is the only way." Johnny growled, shaking his head at Daniel, "You were so proud when they pulled their little sprinkler prank the other day, but if they stood their ground and kicked some ass like I taught them, this never would have happened!"

"And if they fight every time they're provoked, where does that lead?" Daniel rose his voice to challenge him, "Back to the hospital? Or jail? Come on, just cause you spent your share of time-"

"No, dad!" Sam stopped him, and Daniel looked to her in horror, "Johnny's right! It doesn't matter how many times we stand up to Cobra Kai, if we don't strike back they're going to keep coming at us!"

"And you were worried about my influence on your kids?" Daniel snapped at Johnny sickly.

"Look at what your influence did to Eli!" Ivy let out a cry, but Daniel only glared at her before turning back to Johnny.

"Is this what you want, Johnny?" he asked darkly, "To have my daughter and the rest of my students acting like you?"

"Yeah, well you don't have to worry about it anymore." Johnny said harshly, getting nose to nose with Daniel, "Cause we're done."

"Works for me." Daniel let out a sigh that was both defeated and relieved.

"Sam, no!" Ivy gasped at her.

"I don't know what to do." Sam whispered back, tears pooling in her eyes.

Daniel and Johnny stood in silence, starring each other down with all the rage and hate they could muster. Miguel and Ivy shared pleading looks with Sam and Dimitri, knowing that if they separated now that everything would truly be broken, but no one said anything. What was there to say?

"Eagle Fangs, let's go." Johnny ordered sharply, turning to leave.

The students were hesitant, not agreeing with the break, but when it was clear that all the hope was gone, they started to shrug to each other apologetically and nod wordless goodbyes. Sealing the deal, the Dojo's physically broke apart as the Eagle Fangs separated from the Miyagi-Dos to leave. Eli grabbed Ivy's hand and squeezed it tight, and they shared a determined nod before following the others. They stalked in unison away from the outside Dojo, the ice of Daniel's stare piercing through their backs as he watched them go. As helpless as both sides were, there was no turning back now. The alliance was broken, and they were all on their own.