The LaRusso house was quieter than usual, but the tension inside was sharp enough to cut glass. Daniel paced the living room with his arms folded, his jaw tight, muttering half-sentences under his breath. Amanda sat on the couch with her arms crossed, watching her husband like he was about to combust.
"Daniel, you're working yourself into a corner," Amanda finally said, her tone firm but not unkind. "This isn't you. You don't get angry like this. You think. You plan."
Daniel stopped pacing and whipped toward her, eyes blazing. "How can I think, Amanda, when Cobra Kai is spreading like wildfire? Kids are fighting in the halls, breaking bones, drawing blood like it's a sport. And Johnny—" He cut himself off, frustration boiling. "Johnny's turned them into something… savage. It's not karate. It's war."
Amanda's lips tightened. "And what exactly are you planning to do? Fight him? Again? What is that going to solve, Daniel? More bruises, more kids in hospitals, more parents ready to sue us both into the ground?"
Before Daniel could answer, the sliding glass door opened. Samantha froze in the doorway, overhearing enough to know what this was about. She tried to retreat, but Daniel's sharp eyes caught her.
"Sam." His voice softened, though the tension didn't leave. "Where were you tonight?"
Her throat went dry. "Out."
"Out where?" Daniel pressed.
Sam faltered. She thought of Miguel, of the moments stolen under the stars where the rest of the world didn't exist, of the secret she was trying to guard. If her dad knew she'd been with him—she couldn't let that happen.
"I was with Kate," she said finally. Not exactly a lie, since Kate had covered for her.
Amanda gave her a searching look, but before she could say anything else, a knock came at the door. Daniel stiffened. He wasn't expecting anyone. When he opened it, his eyes widened.
"Chozen?"
The Okinawan stood there, rain dripping from his jacket, his expression unreadable but his eyes sharp and steady.
"Daniel-san," Chozen said, bowing slightly. "You called. I came."
Daniel blinked, relief flooding his features for the first time in weeks. "You don't know how glad I am to see you."
Amanda muttered, "Great. Another karate guy with anger issues. Just what this house needs."
Andrea's Side
The city streets were slick with rain when Andrea spotted them. Samantha and Kate, standing near the corner of a small café, their voices hushed but urgent. Andrea had been wandering, restless, her mind still spinning with Cobra Kai drills and Johnny's relentless orders. She almost kept walking—until she heard Miguel's name.
She stopped dead.
"…I don't care if it's dangerous," Sam was whispering fiercely. "He doesn't belong with them. Miguel's better than that. I can pull him out if I keep trying. He listens to me."
Andrea's stomach dropped. Her blood ran hot in an instant.
Kate smirked, tossing her hair. "Good luck with that. Cobra Kai's like poison, Sam. Once you drink it, you're never the same. But hey, if anyone can pull him out, it's you. You've got him wrapped around your little Miyagi-Do finger."
Andrea's fists clenched so hard her knuckles ached. Her chest heaved, her heart hammering in her ears. Sam. Kate. Talking about Miguel like he was some prize to be won. Talking about dragging him away from Cobra Kai—from her.
She didn't think. She stormed forward.
"Funny," Andrea snapped, her voice sharp enough to slice the night. "I didn't realize Miguel was some kind of toy for you to fight over."
Sam froze, eyes widening. "Andrea—"
Kate smirked wider. "Well, well. Cobra Kai's guard dog."
Andrea stepped closer, her eyes locked on Sam. "Stay. Away. From. Him."
Sam's jaw tightened. "He's not yours to control."
"You don't get it," Andrea spat. "Miguel is Cobra Kai. He's not going to be your little Miyagi-Do project. And if you think you can pull him out, you're dead wrong."
Kate laughed. "Look at you. Acting like Miguel's yours. Pathetic."
Andrea's fist flew before she even registered it. Kate stumbled back, clutching her lip where blood smeared across her hand. Sam shoved Andrea, fury breaking through her usual restraint.
"Enough!" Sam snapped.
Andrea's grin was sharp, wolf-like. "You want to fight me for him? Fine. Let's see what Miyagi-Do's princess is really made of."
The Fight
The rain-slicked street became their arena. Kate lunged first, swinging wild, but Andrea ducked under, driving her knee into Kate's stomach. Kate wheezed, stumbling back, but Andrea didn't stop. Her elbow cracked across Kate's cheek, sending her sprawling against the café wall.
Sam shoved Andrea hard from behind, spinning her around. "You don't touch her!"
Andrea smirked. "What, jealous?"
Sam's fist connected with Andrea's jaw. Andrea stumbled but snapped back fast, retaliating with a savage roundhouse that barely missed Sam's head. The two circled, soaked by rain, faces twisted with anger.
Sam struck with precision — Miyagi-Do blocks, sharp and measured. Andrea countered with Cobra Kai's brutality, raw and fast, striking harder than Sam could deflect. Their fists clashed, the sound echoing down the street.
Kate, bloodied but furious, scrambled back up and tackled Andrea from behind. Andrea slammed her elbow back into Kate's ribs, twisting free, before kicking her hard enough that Kate fell to her knees.
"Stay down, bitch," Andrea hissed.
Sam screamed, charging again. The fight blurred into chaos — fists flying, rain mixing with blood on the pavement. Sam landed a kick to Andrea's ribs; Andrea shoved her against the café wall with a snarl. Kate clawed at Andrea's arm, drawing blood. Andrea spun, headbutting her so hard Kate collapsed again.
Andrea's breaths came ragged, her eyes burning with wild fire.
"Both of you," she spat, voice low and lethal. "Stay away from Miguel. Or I'll make sure this fight looks like a warm-up."
Enter Tory
A voice cut through the chaos.
"Well, well. What do we have here?"
Tory strode into the circle, rain dripping from her leather jacket, a cruel grin spreading across her face. Her eyes locked on Kate.
"You again."
Kate staggered upright, wiping blood from her mouth. "You think you scare me?"
"You should," Tory purred, stepping closer. "Because next time, I won't hold back."
Andrea stood there, chest heaving, soaked in rain and sweat, a dark smile tugging at her lips. For a moment, she and Tory shared a look — rivals, allies, predators circling the same prey.
Sam helped Kate upright, glaring daggers at Andrea. "This isn't over."
Andrea smirked. "You're right. It's just the beginning."
Back at LaRusso's
Daniel's phone buzzed. He answered, face darkening with every word. When he hung up, Chozen's sharp gaze was already on him.
"What happened?" Chozen asked.
Daniel's voice was tight with fury. "Andrea Johnson. Cobra Kai. She just fought Sam in the street."
Amanda gasped. "Is she okay?"
"She's fine," Daniel muttered. "For now." He clenched his fists, his body trembling with rage. "Johnny's poisoning them all. And if he won't stop this… then I will."
Chozen's expression hardened, his tone low. "Then you must be careful, Daniel-san. If you fight with anger… you will become the thing you hate."
Daniel stared out the window, the rain streaking down the glass like scars. "Maybe that's what it's going to take."