Cobra Kai: Season Five: Burning Resolve

Part 9: On Our Own; Eli "Hawk" Moskowitz

Dedicated to AbbyWatson4

"I still can't believe we didn't get caught," marveled Demetri as he and Eli walked through the open-door entrance of the West Valley high school.

"Yeah, me too," agreed Eli, distantly.

He was just as surprised as Demetri was that they escaped but, not for the same reasons. They'd gotten into Silver's office and discovered his blueprints without being detected (which still seemed unbelievable) but there was no doubt that Tory saw them. Something had been off with her recently, during both the dodgeball game and at the dojo. She hadn't acted like the aggressive Tory that he'd trained with for almost a year. That person never would have hesitated to hurt the enemy.

Is it possible that she noticed the flaws of Cobra Kai too?

"So, are you and Moon hanging out tonight?" asked Demetri, bumping Eli's shoulder jokingly.

Eli shook out of his thoughts and returned his attention back to their conversation.

"Nah, she's helping Yasmine plan her eighteenth birthday party," explained Eli, sheepishly.

He couldn't help but smile when he discussed his girlfriend, Moon.

"Oh, that's right! In all the chaos of breaking into the dojo which by the way still sounds wrong to say, I completely forgot that Yasmine is coming back tomorrow," rambled Demetri.

He practically sent his backpack flying off his shoulders due to his excitement.

She really does make him happy.

"Watch where you swing that thing," warned Miguel as he barely avoided being smacked in the chest by the heavy boulder known as Demetri's loaded backpack.

Miguel looked mostly the same as when he saw him two weeks ago. He wore an orange crew neck sweater paired with navy jeans. His black hair was tousled just above his bruised left eye. He did seem to be noticeably more careful with his steps, though Eli mostly summed that up to his injury during the tournament.

"Hey, man. Nice to see you," commented Eli as he and Miguel patted each other on the back.

His arrival was followed up by Sam who at least seemed calmer than when Eli and Demetri had last talked to her right after Daniel's injury had occurred.

Probably because Miguel is back. Still, I feel bad for Sensei LaRusso.

"I'm sorry we lost the tournament. I should have helped you guys some more, I just had something really urgent to do," apologized Miguel as he pulled a few books out of his locker.

"Unfortunately, I don't think anyone was going to dethrone the cobras," stated Demetri, honestly.

They all just nodded sadly. They might not have wanted to admit it but it was pretty clear from the beginning of the tournament that Cobra Kai had the upper hand, between Robby's knowledge of Miyagi-Do and the sheer number of students that Senseis Kreese and Silver had managed to gain throughout the prior few months. Although, they'd all been quick to agree that they would have had a much better shot at winning if Daniel and Johnny had allowed them to continue to train as Miyagi-Fang students.

"But you did miss the fight of the century! Eli "Hawk" Moskowitz triumphantly won over Robby "The King" Keene," announced Demetri, cupping his hand into the shape of a microphone.

"Seriously! That's awesome!" exclaimed Miguel, high-fiving Eli, enthusiastically.

"Thanks," said Eli, smiling proudly.

Never in a million years would he have expected to be able to beat Robby during the tournament, especially considering how poorly he performed during the skills division. But ever since he had, his confidence had returned.

And this time, I don't need to act like a jerk to do it.

"Oh, look who it is, daddy's little princess," taunted Piper as she pretended to bow at Sam, graciously.

"Just back off, Piper," stated Sam firmly.

She tried to push past Piper but she wouldn't move. Her fellow cobras just stood behind her with wide grins on their faces.

"She said back off, Piper," Miguel warned as he, Eli, and Demetri stood next to Sam, ready to defend their friend if need be.

"You're one to talk, quitter," retorted Kyler as joined Piper at the front of the group.

Both groups just stared at one another, each person locking eyes intently with their enemy.

All the students bustling around them suddenly stopped short, waiting expectantly for a renewed school brawl.

"Don't do it, It's not worth it. Trust me, they have teachers everywhere," commanded Tory, gesturing towards the door.

The other Cobra Kais scoffed angrily for a moment before leaving with Tory at the rear.

Why did she just avoid another fight?

"That was, different," commented Demetri, relieved.

"Is Sensei Silver still telling his students to avoid fights?" Questioned Sam as they watched the surrounding crowd slowly dispersing.

At the mention of Silver, Eli and Demetri suddenly remembered what they saw in Silver's office.

"It doesn't really matter as long as we don't have to fight," responded Miguel quickly.

Sam looked at him with a skeptical expression.

"Guys, we have something to tell you, in private," whispered Eli as he and Demetri pulled them aside.

Luckily for them, the crowd had mostly returned their attention to their phones after being disappointed by the fight (or lack thereof). Eli pulled out his phone and inconspicuously showed them the picture of the map. Now that they were getting a closer look at it, they could see several red pin-pointed locations where he clearly planned to buy out first.

"We found this in Sensei Silver's office," explained Eli before stuffing his phone back in his pocket.

"How did you get there without a key?" asked Sam.

"Um, well, we kinda broke in," confessed Demetri, nervously.

It only took him two seconds to break. Must be a new record.

"So he's not just trying to erase other dojos from the Valley, he's trying to make Cobra Kai the only way to train in karate in general," reasoned Miguel.

"Yes, and of course he's starting with all the major groups like Alpha Star karate," added Demetri.

"He can't just buy out the companies like that, can he?" asked Miguel.

"No, but he has enough money to at least carry him half the way there and the rest might as well join him, unless they wanna lose every tournament," answered Eli.

If Cobra Kai is the only dojo then there'll be people like Kyler everything.

"We have to stop him before he turns karate into a sport for only bullies," stated Sam. determinedly.

Eli did have to admit that he admired how brave she was, regardless of the circumstances.

"We should tell Sensei Lawrence and LaRusso, they'll know what to do," suggested Demetri, hopefully.

"We can't yet, they already have so much to deal with," argued Miguel, softly.

"I agree. Until we find out more, we need to do this ourselves," said Sam.

None of them felt very confident with this conclusion (especially Demetri) but they didn't really have any other options.