Out of Place [Cobra Kai OC x Robby Keene]

138 - La Escaladora

Another platform event... but this time? The stakes- and the platform- are so much higher. This is extremely daunting. The Iron Dragons and Cobra Kai both did incredibly well... and we have to too if we want to avoid elimination. I don't just want to avoid elimination, I want us to claw our way back up to the top. I want to be where the Iron Dragons are. I want to beat them, just like Mr Abelardo did, but I won't let them paralyze another El Sol student.

"Hey," Mr Lawrence says to Sam and I, putting a hand on each of our shoulders, "I know I didn't act like it before, but I wish your dad was here too. I'm sure he's okay. I'll do my best to fill his shoes until I'm back."

Him saying that to both of us means a lot to me. Sam and I exchange a smile, then look back to him.

"Yes, Sensei," Sam says. I nod in agreement, and the three of us all give a small bow before rejoining the bigger circle of Miyagi-Dos.

"Alright, bring it in, I got something to say," Mr Lawrence says, "it's been a tough day. Probably shouldn't have been such a dick to all of you, but I want you to know that I believe with every bone in my body that you can do this," he continues, "you guys know a lot more about balance than me, so remember everything Sensei LaRusso said and use all your Miyagi-Do skills to stay up there. Your captain has been giving you a great example. If you all fight like that? We'll be unstoppable."

I'm touched by everything he just said. It means the world to me that he's now backing me up in front of my teammates. One problem I had when it was just me and my dad is that it was just me and my dad. I had no friends. I wasn't close enough with anyone at taekwondo to confide in them. I felt like I was so alone at every turn. Here? Someone's got my back. That reassurance is everything.

"Yeah, let's go," Miguel agrees, nodding at me. He's ready to get this done. If there's one person who's on the same page as I am right now, it's him.

"I'm think we should start strong with our captains. Parker. Robby," Mr Lawrence says. I nod. Robby makes a point to tighten his headband around his head, looking over at Miguel. "Sam, you'll go next. Hawk. Demetri. And Miguel's our anchor. Let's do this."

His lineup is strong. If Robby can focus up and we can fight like we did in front of Sensei Barnes, we'll win no problem. Although I can't ignore the way Robby looks right now. He's annoyed with Miguel... and something else has gotten on his nerves... did things get worse with Kwon? Even if they did, I need him to shove it aside for five minutes so we can win this thing. If we move on, they can fight later. But we have to move on. We have to.

Robby and I make our way up onto the platform. My heart starts pounding. Dai, Reyes-LaRusso, relax. This is just like a show choir competition, and you've been the lead in your show. You've also danced with Robby before. It's just like that. It's all just a show. Perform like you always do.

"Just you and me," I say to Robby as we stand across from each other. He gives a slight nod to acknowledge my words. Lets just hope he takes them to heart...

Our first two opponents step up onto the platform. And the fight begins.

As we begin to fight, a familiar feeling buzzes in the air. Yes. Robby's listening to me! For a solid twenty straight seconds, the two of us fight just like we did before we came to Barcelona. But then we turn a little. I actively feel the energy from before start slipping away. No... no! What's happening?! It was going so well! The feeling from before becomes just out of my reach. So close, yet growing increasingly far away. No...