Out of Place [Cobra Kai OC x Robby Keene]

126 - I Know

"The announcement just came out!" Eli announces to the rest of us, who've just been hanging out in the back yard after warming up. Things have been way better since Tory, Sam, and I had all that heart to heart. We're sparring like normal again. Things are great. I'm so excited to find out where the tournament is gonna be held. I would love for it to be in Italy. I've never been, although the opportunity that was presented to me over the summer resides in the back of my brain. I just couldn't take it... my Nonno and Nonna haven't spoken to me in years and suddenly they just wanted to fly me to Italy like nothing happened? I have to uproot my life to go to them, but they can't even call me? My thinking is that if the Sekai Taikai is in Italy, then I could maybe go on a little side quest after we compete and try and fix things with my grandparents.

"Alright," Eli says as we all gather around him and his tablet, "who's ready to find out where we're going for the Sekai Taikai?"

"Congratulations on your admission to the Sekai Taikai. We're excited to finally announce the host city for this year's competition. Martial arts has always had a rich history in the East, and the Sekai Taikai has held many tournaments throughout Asia," the representative in the video states, "but in recent years, European teams have shaken up the competitive landscape, bringing a whole new style to the event. Within that region, there's one nation that has continued to stand tall amongst the pack for its growth and dominance in both junior and senior competitions. It gives me great pleasure to announce this year's Sekai Taikai will be held in Barcelona, Spain."

Okay, it's not Italy, but Spain! We all cheer and celebrate a little. A spanish speaking country! I know spanish varies heavily from country to country, but still! I won't have to learn a new language! My first time leaving the country and I'm going to Spain! I can't wait to tell Abuelita, she'll be so excited! I think she might've studied in Spain when she was younger. No sé, she's like Mr Abelardo; she has a lot of lore that I don't know about.

"As you prepare for your journey, we'll also present the rules of registration," the video continues, "we intend to test your dojo's quality, not quantity, and each dojo must select six fighters to compete. These six fighters will participate in team events, with one boy and one girl serving as captains to enter into the individual competitions, which will be televised around the world. We wish a hearty bona sort to all competitors, and we look forward to seeing you in Barcelona."

With that, the video ends, and Eli puts the tablet down. My heart pounds in my chest as my stomach turns. Six fighters...

"What exactly does that mean?" Robby asks, although I think he, and all the rest of us, know.

"It means we don't all get to go..." Miguel answers. We all look around at each other. We have way more than six people, and more than six people who could feasibly make a good team. Not to mention only one boy and one girl being captains that will be the ones to actually be televised? Just when we've finally gained a sense of unity, we have to be split up again... the best six will be separated from the rest... and the best boy and the best girl will have to make themselves known...

Our senseis get us quieted down and lined up. This is terrifying. What am I supposed to do if I don't make the team? What if I'm not as good as I think I am?

"The Sekai Taikai is coming," Mr Lawrence says, "it's up to us to pick our six most badass fighters. And there are no easy decisions. We know you all wanna go to Barcelona. Some of you think you're shoo-ins, that you're at the top of your game, that nothing or no one can stop you. Some of you think you're the underdogs, and you don't know if you have what it takes, and that you feel left out and left behind. But it's a level playing field. Anything can happen."