Warnings: Mature Language, Violence, Blood, Trauma, Crying, Mentions of Abuse, Mentions of Assault/ Attempted Manslaughter, Prison, Manipulation, Degradation
A/N: Hello readers I am officially back and I apologise it has taken me so long to write this story once more. I've took comments on board and re read what I've written so far so hopefully this all makes sense :D! Unedited <3
𝐈'𝐦 𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐤𝐲...𝐓𝐨 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐮𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐥𝐲...𝐓𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐞 𝐜𝐫𝐲, 𝐰𝐞 𝐜𝐫𝐲, 𝐰𝐞 𝐜𝐫𝐲~𝐖𝐞 𝐂𝐫𝐲-𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐭
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐞𝐰 𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬 with Tory had been wonderful, but joy doesn't last long. "Tory, I have to go home." I whispered to her gently, her arms were around mine as her hands ran through my hair. "I don't think you do." Her voice softly said in my ear. I'd managed to get lucky, I avoided suspicion from Terry and mom whilst I stayed at Tory's these past few days as well as keep Nancy quiet...For now. I looked up to my girl and pressed a soft, loving kiss onto her lips. Tory returned the kiss brushing her lips against mine more passionately, "Iz, I've missed this." Tory said against my lips, I broke away from her breathlessly. "Me too, Tor, but I genuinely have to go." I seriously told her, gingerly moving her arms from being around mine.
As much as I wanted to stay in this moment I had to have my wits about me. If I was out anymore Terry or my mom would get suspicious and I know what they're capable of now. I got up from Tory's bed, went towards my bag and changed into gym leggings and a Rolling Stones oversized t-shirt. I placed my now blonde hair into a bun as I felt arms pull me back. "Toryyy.." I whined out quietly as she pressed a gentle kiss on my neck. "No I know you need to go but just let me kiss you." Tory said huskily in my ear. I spun around, "I'm waiting." I smiled to her, allowing her to passionately kiss me once more.
I reluctantly broke apart, she cupped my face, "Are you sure you'll be okay there?" Tory asked, worriedly. "Babe, I've been there for a while now, I know what I'm doing. We just need to take it as slow as we can." I told her sternly. "You're right." She agreed, tucking a strand of my hair behind my ear. "Sorry, can you say that again?" I teased her, causing Nichols to smack my shoulder and let go of my face to do so. "That's our problem Iz, we go too fast, we need to make sure we have one another's backs." Tory explained. "T, we need to separate our love from the dojo. At the dojo, we need to do what they tell us- no questions asked." I sternly stated. "So you want to hurt me?" She frowned.
"No, no, Tor I don't. You're the last person I wanna hurt, ever. But Silver's gotta think we're broken up, or he'll catch on. If any of those Sensei's ask you to hurt me, do it." I seriously explained. "Yeah, you're right, we gotta be smart." She agreed. "Wow, twice in a night? I am a lucky girl." I smirked to her, pressing a final kiss onto her lips.
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𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐦𝐨𝐤𝐞 filled my nostrils, the faint sound of crying surrounded me as I stepped into Terry's mansion. "Miss Kreese, let me take that for you." Carla offered quietly, opening her arms for my bag. I placed my bag gently in her hands, "What's going on?" I questioned gently. "You better ask your mother." She muttered before walking off. I let out a sigh before walking towards the main living room, I stood in the doorway to see my mom sat near the fire with tears streaming down her face. I watched her for a few moments, unsure what to say to her. She doesn't deserve my pity, not really.
"Why are you crying?" I finally asked, leaning against the doorway. "Oh, Isabelle." She shakily said, standing up and walking towards me, she wrapped her arms around me, sniffling. "Get off me." I sternly ordered, she instantly did so. "Answer my question." I demanded, coldly. She never properly explained why she spoke to Lewis, but I didn't need to hear it. "Terry's kicked me out, I've got an hour to get my things together and leave." Mom sniffled to me. "I'm getting Carla to get your things together now." She informed me as I scoffed.
"Why would you do that? He's kicked you out, not me." I retorted harshly to my mother. "You're leaving me on my own?" Amelia frowned. "You're getting no sympathy from me, you deserve everything that's happening to you right now." I snarled to my mom who got in my face. "How dare you disrespect your own mother like that! After everything I've done for you." She glowered to me, I grabbed her arms and shoved her against the doorframe.
"You're worthless mom, going back to someone who spent years abusing you and your children. I'm glad Terry's kicking you out, I can't stand the sight of you." I sneered to her. "You were always a disappointment." Mom retorted, I tightened my grip on her. "This disappointment knows exactly what you and Terry did to Stingray and Kreese." I snarled back, it brought joy to me how her face instantly fell. "T-That was all Terry, I just went along with it because I love him." Amelia stammered. "Lies." I glared. I let go of my mom who grabbed her bags and went towards the door, "Don't let the door-" I went to say with a smirk when I saw Terry stood there.
"Terry, baby, please! We can make this work." My mom begged, dropping her bags and walking towards the tall man. She put her hands on his biceps and looked to him pleadingly. Terry looked down to my mother, his face stone cold. "Save it, Amelia. You made your bed, lie in it." He sternly told her. "Do you want me to beg?" She questioned him, her voice barely above a whisper. My sensei leant down to her level, "No, because begging is for people who deep down are worthy of forgiveness. You aren't." Terry seriously explained, it was shocking to watch the scene play out as there was no malice in his voice yet such desperation in my mothers.
"Are you really going to do this to Isabelle? Leave her without her mother?" She frowned. Terry glanced up to me as he stood back up properly, finally acknowledging I was there. "Firecracker doesn't seem too upset, now, leave." He ordered, my mother sighed, "I love you, Terry." She seriously told him before leaving. I didn't know why I did this, but even after all the shit Terry's done I still pitied him. I couldn't forget the mentor he'd been to me for the past months- no matter how hard I wanted to do the "right" thing. I walked up to Terry and wrapped my arms around him, he hugged me back. "It'll be okay, Terry." I softly assured him, shutting my eyes.
"I'm glad I can count on you Isabelle, thank you." Terry sincerely replied. "You can, I promise." I promised him, pressing a small kiss onto his cheek- I felt a rush of guilt for betraying him. I wanted to be a good person, but I wasn't exactly sure what that meant. Who was I meant to side with? I snapped out of my thoughts and let go of Terry. We didn't say a word as we walked towards the living room, I sat down on my favourite arm chair as it was close enough to the television yet near the fire to the point I'd not melt. Terry went towards the small bar and poured us both a scotch, I accepted the drink from him, not wanting to admit that I'm trying to give up drinking. Ever since Louie, I've tried to limit myself.
"I've not seen you around the house for a few days, where have you been?" Terry wondered, sitting opposite me. I swirled the scotch in the tumbler, "Well, I figured you and mom could use the space so I crashed at Kanis'. She's been going through some things too, she needed me." I lied convincingly to him whilst he drank his scotch. "I'm sorry I questioned you, I've not been myself recently. I know I'm not proving myself to be a great step father nor a good role model. I hope you can still see me as a father figure." Terry apologised as I took a small sip of my scotch, teasing myself with the taste almost.
"I don't see you like that." I told him yet I instantly regretted it as his expressions changed. "I already see you as my father." I smiled to him, drinking the rest of my scotch. Terry's face softened, "And you're like a daughter to me Firecracker." He smiled, placing his glass down. "Listen, why don't we go out somewhere? I heard that movie you wanted to see is on in forty minutes." Terry offered. "What? You really wanna go see Aladdin?" I questioned. "It beats sitting at home getting drunk, what do you say?" He wondered with a small smile. "I say let's go, just not in these outfits." I smirked, seen as both of us were in gym attire. He let out a small chuckle, "Meet you back down here in twenty." He said, walking off towards his room.
I looked down at Terry's phone that he left on the coffee table. I looked out of the living room to see no one there, I heard Terry's footsteps echo as he walked up the stairs. I grabbed his phone from the table, typed in his password- I mean it's incredibly obvious. "Shit." I cursed seeing a message from Nancy pop up on his phone.
Nancy: Terry, this is important. Isabelle is playing you, she's working with LaRusso. You need to stop her while she's ahead or else...
I held down the message from Nancy.
*Message Deleted*
I could've snooped further on his phone, yet I knew it was a risk so I stopped myself. I wiped down his phone, in an attempt to shield my fingerprints on the screen then I went upstairs to change. I wasn't sure what I was going to do, but I knew that I just wanted to enjoy this moment with Terry.
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"𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐞'𝐫𝐞 doing the right thing?" I asked Tory down the phone, worry coursing through my veins as I walked towards Cobra Kai. I opted to walk because I was going in early, plus I didn't want Terrys associates overhearing anything. "You've seen what Silver is like Iz, you can't think that's normal." She replied gently to me. I knew Tory was trying to be careful with what she said to me and I can't say I blame her. "No, I don't think it's normal one bit. What he did to you was horrible and I don't agree with it one bit but..." I trailed off. "There is no but angel." Tory sternly told me. "You didn't see how he was last night. He was like a dad to me T." I tried to excuse, I couldn't help but be torn.
I wanted to do right by my dad and by Terry, yet I knew Terry wasn't a good guy and I didn't know what my dad was like- not properly. I was torn on what to do, despite already making my choice. "You have a dad Iz, you don't need someone let Terry to get in your head anymore. Just trust me when I say it's the right thing." Tory seriously yet softly told me. "I trust you." I promised her sternly. "I trust you too, I gotta go see John. I'll speak later." She admitted to me. "Be careful Tory." I seriously said. "Back at you." Tory replied. "Love you." We both said before hanging up.
I let out a small sigh as I stood outside Cobra Kai, "Are you just going to stand there? Or are you going to come in?" Sensei Hyan Woo sternly questioned me, I snapped out of my thoughts once more. "Sorry Sensei." I apologised, putting my phone in my bag and walking inside the dojo.
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𝐈 𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 changing rooms in my Cobra Kai gi to see Sensei Kim Da Eun stood in the dojo on her own, was I late to something? Was I interrupting? I stepped forward, my palms sweating yet I kept my head level and my gaze focused on my Sensei. Sensei Kim intimidated me yet if I was honest, I was glad to have some one on one time with her- just because I was working with my dad doesn't mean I couldn't pick up tips whilst behind "enemy" lines. "Kreese, I see you're one to show up early." She simply commented, nodding towards the space in front of her. "I like to impress Sensei." I replied, a small smile on my face as I stood where she nodded to.
"What are you smiling for?" Sensei Kim questioned sternly, my face instantly fell. The atmosphere instantly got intense, "Am I not meant to?" I questioned softly. "Most students around here I can figure out easily, they're all the same...But you, not so much." The Korean woman began as she circled me, another intimidation tactic. "Is that a compliment, Sensei Kim?" I wondered. "You're hiding something, Kreese...I think it's time we test your loyalty to this dojo." She declared, stopping behind me. "Sensei, I can assure you, I am Cobra Kai for life. My devotion is to this dojo only." I sternly told Sensei Kim, the same story I've said ever since I joined this dojo. Did I mean it? I think so...
"You will have no problem proving it then." Kim sternly said, I could hear her footsteps faintly against the floor as she walked off only to come back moments later. "Why have you got Sai's?" I wondered as she twirled them around. "No talking." She snapped, "Fighting position." She instructed as I obeyed, she did the same. She was going to spar with me but with the Sai's, it was a test. If I reacted like the model Cobra Kai student, then she'd know I was loyal. I had to keep my mindset, I had to impress Kim. She was a really good fighter, but so was I. Although, I'd never properly fought against Sai's before...
"Are you going to strike?" She questioned, her voice a thick sneer. I huffed and struck hard, throwing my fist towards her face yet she instantly blocked me- the Sai scraping across my hand. It hurt, but I've had worse. I didn't wince, yet I pulled back. "Is that pain?" Kim sneered to me. I didn't answer her, instead I pretended to go sweep her leg when in reality I went to punch her side. Before I could make contact she struck me hard in the stomach with the sai, making me fall to the floor helplessly. She threw the Sai's down and towered over me, I looked down to see I was holding my stomach- weakness.
"How is this a test of loyalty?" I questioned, looking up to her. In response she stamped onto my stomach, I didn't make a sound, I gritted my teeth tight together. "Is this really what Cobra Kai's strongest-" Kim went to taunt yet stopped when I lifted her leg off me slightly and punched her hard- knocking her back. I jumped up, going to tornado kick her yet Sensei Kim picked up the Sai and attacked me with it. I fell back down once more, harshly. I glanced up to Sensei once more, ignoring the fact she's scratched my side with the Sai. "Test isn't over." Sensei Kim hissed to me, I got up and stood next to her. I was unsure what to do, what else could she do? What even was this test?
"Pick your favourite machine." The black haired woman instructed, "Yes Sensei." I sternly replied to her as I walked towards the black dummy. It was a classic yet effective. I got into a fighting position in front of the dummy, "Strike like this is your enemy." She ordered to me, I imagined Nancy in front of me and struck forward as hard as possible. I felt a slight sting on the back of my leg, Sensei Kim tsked at me and the sound of the cold wood hitting my leg echoed the dojo. "Is that even a punch? If you are fighting an enemy you need to make them feel pain, the way of the fist means you don't hold back. No matter who you fight, you attack with all your might." She snarled to me.
I listened to all the words she sneered to me, "Imagine that this is your father." Sensei Kim told me, standing behind me. "But isn't family everything?" I wondered cautiously, Kim tutted in response. "Cobra Kai is your family. LaRusso's don't care about you, they are the enemy and what do we show the enemy?" She questioned, turning me around to face her. Out of my peripheral vision I could see a wooden stick in her hand, the same wooden stick she whipped Tory and I with a mere week ago.
"The way of the fist, Miss!" I yelled out to Sensei Kim. "Then show it, an enemy deserves as much pain as possible." She hissed to me. I span around, ignoring the slight pain I still felt and obeyed Kim's orders. I struck so hard that it felt as if my bone was going to shatter to pieces. "Test over...For now." Kim said sternly and eerily before walking away. What the fuck just happened? Did I pass?
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"𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 up of two kinds of people. Leaders and followers. Cobra Kai, like a military unit, needs both to function successfully. So...We're gonna divide you up into pairs." Sensei Silver declared, I stood next to Kanis and Kenny as I listened to his speech. My "test" from Sensei Kim Da Eun left me puzzled, I knew what she was speaking of, yet I wasn't sure how well I did...This nerved me. I had to be the model student, I had to survive through the pain, I had to be what Cobra Kai should be. "The goal of each pair is to score a point against an opponent who outmatches you. Only strong leadership will allow you to prevail." Sensei Kim explained. Strength and determination are important. I need to remember the rules of Cobra Kai and follow them.
"Sensei Kim will take the girls. Boys, you will stay and spar with Sensei Odell. Split up." Terry ordered sternly, as we all obeyed.
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𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐢 𝐊𝐢𝐦 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 girls all sat around the mat, she stood centre, looking intimidating as per usual. "Lee." She stated, looking at Devon. "Yes Sensei." The sixteen year old spoke, shooting up. "Nichols." Kim said, Tory replied with a yes sensei and shot up. I looked up to my girlfriend and gave her a discreet yet assuring nod, luckily Sensei's back was turned. I was worried about what might happen, but I knew I had to push that down. I knew that Tory was supposed to be the leader yet Devon struck for Sensei Kim first, determined to say the least. Kim retorted by grabbing her fist and kicking her harshly, the sixteen year old clutched her side.
"Hey, what are you doing? We work together, listen to me." Tory shouted to her, clearly frustrated. "Now you wanna work together? Stay out of my way. I can get her." Devon cockily retorted to my girlfriend as she continuously tried to attack Sensei Kim who flipped her hard onto the ground before kicking my girlfriend in the jaw. I didn't utter a word, yet my fists clenched nonetheless- I hated having to watch Tory get hurt. I hated having to be helpless. Devon let out a small groan, yet persevered with Tory. The pair both tried and failed which led to Devon wincing on the floor in pain. "What was that sound?" Sensei Kim taunted smugly, towering over Devon.
I felt sympathy for the younger girl, she was convinced this was right, that she had to go through this pain...Well, I suppose I've done the same. "Was that pain?" Our Sensei mocked. "Pain does not exist, get off the mat." She demanded with a sneer, as they obeyed. I glanced up to Kenny who was storming off with Sensei Silver, I need to check on him soon- see where his heads at. "Carlyle." She hissed out her name. "Yes Sensei." Lola sternly stated, standing up with her head held high. "Kreese." Kim called out my name, "Yes Sensei!" I yelled, jumping up. "Fighting positions." She demanded as we obeyed.
It was obvious that I was the leader and Lola was the follower, even if she didn't know it yet. "Follow me bunny." Lola told me, I nodded and allowed her to strike first getting swept to the floor. "Ha, follow you, I don't think." I snarked back, going to side kick Sensei Kim's side yet she grabbed my leg, twisted it and shoved me to the floor. "Fuck." I hissed through gritted teeth. I shot a look to Lola and nodded, we both jumped up at once. "Go left." I ordered, hoping she'd understand what I was planning. Lola went right as I went left yet Sensei Kim was too smart, too strong. No matter what punches or kicks we tried to throw, Kim managed to beat us down harshly. "Off the matt." She snarled to Lola as I got up.
Sensei Kim stood behind me, "You are weak." She hissed in my ear, I didn't care that everyone was watching us. "Then make me a warrior." I retorted coldly. "Nichols thinks she's better than you, she thinks you're weak too. You're no champion, you're a loser. You wouldn't survive a day in my class in Korea." She snarled to me, I grabbed her arm and flipped her hard over my shoulder. We began to get into a bitter fight, despite her trying to hide it I was getting a few strikes in...Until Sensei Kim kicked where she'd scratched me earlier and I toppled over onto the floor.
"You lose, get off the mat." She snarled to me as I scowled in response, "I won't lose forever." I hissed out before sitting down next to Tory and Kanis. "Are you okay?" She whispered, ever so quietly to me as Sensei Kim ordered two others to stand up. "Do you think I'm weak?" I whispered out to her, Tory grabbed my hand. "You're the strongest person I know." Tory softly told me, I squeezed her hand before letting it go. Yet I didn't feel assured, Sensei Kim and Sensei Silver's words over the past few weeks keep lingering on my mind. I had to remember Tory's words- what we were doing was right. I had to keep focused on the main goal...
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"𝐎𝐡, 𝐒𝐚𝐦." 𝐈 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 as she opened the door to her house. The lesson only got more intense today, Kim and Silver are pushing us further than I ever thought. I wanted to see my dad, talk to him, get his input on the situation. "What are you doing here?" She scowled to me, "Is dad in?" I wondered curiously. "He's not in, you can wait if you have to." Sam sternly said, I rolled my eyes at her hostility yet I didn't blame her. "I deserve that." I nodded, sitting down on the couch. I looked up to see Sam had been watching Gossip Girl, she sat down on the couch as far away as she could. "What are you even doing here? I thought you gave up on your petty plan." Sam frowned to me as I puffed on my vape. She gave me a look of disgust yet I didn't call her out on it.
"I never gave up on my plan, I need dad's help...I'm not surprised you're watching Gossip Girl, I bet you relate to Serena a lot." I commented, taking another puff of my vape. "You watched Gossip Girl?" She raised her eyebrows at me in shock. "Of course I have, it's the best show ever. I used to wish I was Blair when we all know I'm Vanessa." I sadly commented, staring at the floor. "You could pull off Blair." Sam softly said. "You know, the only reason I was ever mean to you is because I was jealous of all this. I'm really sorry, for all of it." I sincerely apologised to my half sister.
"Dad told me a bit about your-" She tried to say yet I cut her off, "Don't go there." I told her sternly. "Don't try sympathise Sam, you can't. I've not exactly made up for it have I? But I never regret joining Cobra Kai, despite everything." I admitted honestly to her. "Why do you even want to be there? You could leave right now but you don't." Sam snapped slightly. "Because Cobra Kai is my family, as fucked up as that is, it's true." I confessed as she muttered something. I stood up and went towards the kitchen, Sam followed me. "I said, you and Tory would know. You're both psychopathic, bitches. Why did I think you could be different?" She snarled to me. "You don't insult Tory in front of me. She-I...Fuck you!" I snapped back to her. "Hey, woah, what's going on in here? Sam is everything okay?" Dad asked, raising his hands up. Sam? What about me?
I thought back to the past couple weeks, I never thought that if I had a good dad that I'd feel like he was miles away. That's what it felt like with Daniel. I was putting myself on the line and for what? I don't belong in Miyagi Do, I doubt I ever will.
"Terry was right, you LaRusso's are all the same. Why the fuck did I think I could be in this perfect little family with me in it?" I harshly said to the pair. "Just go, Izzy." Sam scowled. "What's wrong?" Dad asked, his arm around Sam still. "What's she doing here?" Anthony glowered. "My point exactly. Bye LaRusso's." I frowned, storming out of their house and shutting the door. I didn't give them a chance to talk or chase after me. Instead I rang Tory, but it went to voicemail. "Hey, it's Tory. Leave a message and I might listen."
"Tory, I can't do it...I can't go against Silver. He's like a father to me, he's not perfect but he cares. Daniel doesn't care and truthfully I don't care about him, I can't force the bond. You don't deserve anything he's done to you and I won't stop you. But I'm Cobra Kai for life." I admitted to her voicemail before hanging up...
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(I miss cast interviews like this sm!)
A/N: Sorry it's taken me such a long time to update this fic, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I'm currently rewatching the Karate Kid for the sixth time and I love it so much! I hope you've had a good day or night, thank you so much for reading <3 Please feel free to vote or comment :)