The Serpent Queen

Mercy | Part Five

The announcer stood on the centre of the main blue mat with the lighting of the massive space dimmed with one spotlight on him, while another shone on the leaderboard, specifically at the finals and the All Valley Champion. "This is it, folks. The moment we've all been waiting for. The final match to determine who will be victor and champion. Will it be Miguel Diaz from Cobra Kai Karate?"

The audience once again for what must have been the hundredth time that day, clapped and cheered for one of the two final competitors.

"Will it be Robby Keene, unaffili..." Daryl was interrupted by Sue quickly jogging onto the mat. She whispered something to him. "Daniel LaRusso's gonna coach?" The woman quickly nodded and quickly left. "Daniel LaRusso is gonna coach!"

Daniel stepped up next to Robby while rolling the sleeves of his shirt up.

"I'm sorry, folks, there's been a change." Daryl announced to the arena. "Robby Keene will now be fighting for Miyagi-Do Karate with former champion Daniel LaRusso as his Sensei! How about that? Good luck, gentlemen." He jogged away as the two Sensei's met in the middle of the edge of the mat.

"What do you think you're doing?" Johnny asked Daniel.

"Coaching my student. Somebody needs to be there for him."

"You think this is funny?"

"Do you see me laughing?"

"You're gonna regret this when it's over."

Daniel sighed, "Yeah, right. Like this'll ever be over."

"All right, senseis, let's take your corners." The referee for the final match instructed. The two rivals went their separate ways to opposite ends of the soft central stage.

"Remember, no aggression. Just let him come to you. All right?" Daniel advised his student.

"Okay." Robby simply replied.

With one final glance to his son, Johnny went over to Miguel, "You know what to do. You've trained all year for this."

"Don't worry, Sensei. I won't let LaRusso or that kid go home a winner." He said to him, before glancing back to Phoebe.

She stood in the sidelines and smiled at him. She gave him a thumbs up. "Go, Miguel! You can win this!"

He gave her a nod before turning his attention back to the match. He stepped onto the mat and met Robby in the middle.

"Face me. Bow." The Ref instructed. Which the boys did. "Each other. Bow." Robby and Miguel bowed to each other. "Fighting positions."

Miguel put his fists out at chest fight and had his right foot back. "Hai!"

Robby did the same, but had his left foot forward. His stance was defensive, a far cry from his opponent's offensive stance.

"Ready? And fight!"

Miguel struck first and moved forward delivering some hard hitting jabs. Robby blocked and dodged each of them, even ducking under a kick. He shoved Miguel back, which gave him enough room to send a roundhouse kick to Miguel's chest, sending him to the mat.

The Ref ran into the middle of the fight, "And stop! Point!"

"Keene and Miyagi-Do get the first point." Daryl announced to the packed audience. They cheered.

"Boo!" Phoebe yelled among the cheers.

Johnny looked a little disappointed, but he didn't let it get to him. Miguel still had every chance to win.

The Cobra on the mat didn't look every happy either. In fact, he felt annoyed and angry at himself. Miguel got back up from the mat and met Robby in the middle again, "Hai."