Playing With Fire (Terry Silver)

Chapter Twenty-One

The students all began their training. One of the new Sensei's instructed them to do reps of forward strikes and front kicks followed by a push-up.

Tory, Devon, Amara, Kyler, and Kenny all stood at the front of the class.

"They're really pushing us hard lately. Seems like we're getting ready to fight, but who are we fighting?"
Devon asks Tory. Tory doesn't respond and instead, continues her reps.

Devon sighs at her,
"Still don't want me here, huh? Why are you so dead set on freezing me out?"
Devon asks Tory angrily. Tory angrily turns towards Devon
"Because this place is dangerous. You shouldn't be here."

This catches Amara's attention. Tory was feeling the same way about Cobra Kai as she was. Devon chuckles,
"Are you scared of a little completion? Can't handle the idea of someone coming after the Queen Cobra's crown?"
Devon challenges, taking a step towards her. Tory just stared at her, not knowing what to say without giving up that she was working with Kreese. The two girls went back to their reps and Amara listened in on Kyler and Kenny's conversation.

"Hey. Slow down, man. You're making us all look bad. Come on."
Kyler says to Kenny, who is pushing his limits.
"Oh, sorry."
Kenny quickly apologizes before slowing down. Amara rolls her eyes at Kyler's behaviour.

"There you go."
He praises Kenny for slowing down.
"Hey, just remember, I'm number one around here. You just play your cards right, you'll be deuces."
Kyler explains and Amara can't help but laugh.

"What's so funny, huh?"
Kyler asks in a joking tone,
"You're number one around here?"
Amara challenges with a chuckle. Kyler goes to throw a light punch at her shoulder, but Amara quickly catches it,
"Weren't you ever taught not to hit a woman?"
Amara laughs, slightly twisting his wrist before letting it go.
"Damn, girl."
He says with a laugh, returning to his reps.

Meanwhile, Terry and Kim sat in his office, watching the cameras inside of the dojo.
"The only thing better than a full dojo is a Valley of full dojos."
Terry exclaims with a smirk plastered on his face. Kim had her arms crossed over her chest.

"Quantity means little. For where we go next, we need leaders."
"Miss Nichols is a clear leader. Wouldn't you agree?"
Terry says with a small nod. Kim shakes her head,
"She is a great student. But as a leader, there is room for improvement."
Terry purses his lips and tilts his head in agreement.
"Miss Johnson on the other hand, she is your best student. She will be strong leader. But, she is only one piece of the puzzle. We must discover who else can ride to the occasion."

Terry walks over from his position of leaning on the desk, and stands next to Kim. Both of them watching the television screen that displayed the live security camera feed.
"And how do you suggest we do that?"
Terry questions.
"Give them some real competition. The leaders will rise or they will crumble."
Kim says in a firm tone. Terry chuckles, Emily.
"Oh, I like that. Yeah."
He smirks with a nod.

The two head out to the dojo where all of the students are training,
"Alright, everyone fall in."
Terry shouts.
"The world is made up of two kinds of people. Leader and followers. Cobra Kai, like a military unit, needs both to function successfully. So, we're gonna divide you up into pairs."
"The goal of each pair is to score a point against an opponent who outmatches you. Only strong leadership will allow you to prevail."
Kim finishes.

"Sensei Kim will take the girls. Boys, you'll stay here and spar with Sensei Odell. All right, split up."
Terry instructs. All of the female students make their way to the other side of the dojo, following sensei Kim.

Sensei Kim pairs up Tory and Devon. She also pairs up Amara and Piper. She stands in the middle of the circle,
"Lee. Nichols."
She calls. Both of the girls stand up,
"Yes,sensei."
They both say and take a bow. Tory walks over to stand next to Devon. They both bow simultaneously to Sensei Kim,
"Fighting stance."
She instructs.