The days blurred into each other, and Mike found himself caught in the rhythm of the Cobra Kai dojo. He had his role—teaching the kids discipline, control, and strategy—but the dojo's culture was still in stark contrast to his old military mindset. He'd been used to clear, defined orders. Here, it was more about personal conflict, rivalry, and ego.
Johnny had, reluctantly, allowed Mike to run a few lessons that focused more on mental strategy than the typical Cobra Kai way of "Strike first, strike hard, no mercy." But it was clear Johnny still didn't fully trust his new recruit. There was something about Mike's calm, measured approach that rubbed Johnny the wrong way. Maybe it reminded him too much of what he had once been, before Cobra Kai had become his crutch.
Still, Mike pressed on. He was here for a reason. And if he could get through to these kids, show them that strength wasn't just physical, that real power came from control and awareness, maybe he could help them avoid the mistakes he'd made in his own life.
One evening, after a grueling training session, Mike watched as the students filtered out of the dojo, talking amongst themselves. Miguel and Hawk lingered at the edge of the room, talking in low voices. There was tension between them, something unspoken but palpable.
Mike saw potential in Hawk. The kid had raw talent, a natural ability to fight, but it was clear that Hawk's anger often drove his actions more than his skill did. And Mike knew that kind of impulsive rage wasn't sustainable. Not in the military. Not in life.
He approached the two boys, who immediately stopped talking when they saw him.
"Hey," Mike said, his tone casual but firm. "What's going on? You two seem like you're about to square off."
Hawk, who was wearing a smirk, shrugged. "Just some… differences of opinion."
Miguel shot Hawk a look before turning his gaze to Mike. "Yeah. Just… you know. School stuff. Nothing to do with karate."
Mike studied them both for a moment. He could tell there was more to it than that. It wasn't just school. The tension between them had been building for a while, and Mike knew it wouldn't resolve itself without some kind of intervention.
"Alright," Mike said, stepping closer to them. "You're both warriors. But warriors don't solve problems by fighting every time someone rubs them the wrong way."
Hawk shot him a challenging look. "What do you mean? If someone disrespects me, I fight. It's the Cobra Kai way."
Mike didn't flinch. He had heard it all before, seen it in every soldier who let their anger control them. The "do it my way or else" mentality. But that wasn't the kind of strength Mike believed in anymore.
"It's not about disrespect," Mike said slowly. "It's about control. You don't fight because someone disrespects you. You fight because it's necessary, because it's the right thing to do. You're not a fighter if you let your emotions take the wheel. You're a puppet. And trust me, you don't want to be that."
Hawk's smirk faltered for a moment, but then he scoffed. "Yeah, well, maybe I don't care. Maybe I like being the bad guy. Maybe I want to be the one who stands out."
Mike turned his gaze to Miguel, who was silently watching the exchange. "And you, Miguel. What about you? Are you willing to let your emotions rule your actions, too?"
Miguel hesitated. He had grown a lot since the first day Mike had met him, but there was still that uncertainty, that vulnerability hidden beneath his cocky exterior. "I try to think before I act, Mike. But sometimes, it's just hard. People don't always give you a chance."
Mike nodded, understanding. "Life doesn't give anyone a chance. You take it. But you have to take it with your mind, not just your fists."
Johnny, who had been observing from a distance, finally spoke up. "Alright, that's enough of the touchy-feely stuff, Mike. These kids need to learn to fight, not sit around talking about how to control their feelings. They need to get tougher."
Mike locked eyes with Johnny, his gaze unflinching. "They need to learn both, Johnny. Toughness comes from knowing when to fight, and when not to. You can't be a warrior if you're constantly looking for the next battle to pick."
Johnny's jaw clenched. "Not everything is about controlling your emotions, Mike. Sometimes, you just gotta hit first and worry about the rest later."
Mike took a deep breath, trying to maintain his composure. He wasn't going to back down, but he also knew Johnny wasn't going to change overnight. So, he let it go—for now.
"We'll see," Mike said quietly, turning back to Miguel and Hawk. "You two want to fight, then fight. But don't think it's going to solve everything. And don't think I won't be watching."
The students both nodded, albeit reluctantly, and Mike turned to leave. He had tried. He had offered his perspective. But in the end, it was up to them to decide whether they were going to follow the old ways or try something new.
A Week Later
Things at the dojo had shifted in subtle ways. The rivalry between Hawk and Miguel was still there, but it had taken on a new form. It wasn't as explosive as before, but it was there. Mike could see them both struggling with the balance of what they had been taught and what they were learning from him. And that was something, at least.
Mike found himself standing outside the dojo late one evening, looking up at the sky. The streetlights buzzed softly around him, and the sound of traffic was distant. For the first time since he'd arrived in this new world, he felt like he was making a real impact. It wasn't easy—there were too many old habits, too much pride—but he could see the cracks beginning to form. There was room for change. Room for growth.
A shadow approached from behind, and Mike turned to see Johnny walking up, a bottle of beer in his hand. "You out here thinking again?" Johnny asked, raising an eyebrow.
Mike shrugged. "Someone's got to."
Johnny chuckled, though it was bitter. "You're making it harder for me, you know that? I've been doing this for years. Cobra Kai's been my thing. And now you're coming in here talking about balance and control and all this other crap that doesn't work in the real world."
Mike didn't flinch. "I know. But sometimes, Johnny, the real world isn't about fighting. Sometimes, it's about knowing when not to."
Johnny took a swig from the bottle and stared out at the dojo. "Maybe. But what if I don't know any other way?"
Mike stood beside him, his eyes still on the dojo. "Then maybe it's time to learn."
Johnny's gaze flickered toward him, but he didn't say anything. The night fell quiet again, as if the world was holding its breath.