Prisca's_Writing_Area

Title: Mercy and Honor
Character: Johnny Lawrence
Challenge: Fandom Battle
Word Count: 629
Finished: 10.04.2021

:::

The All Valley Championship. The day which was supposed to be the one of his greatest triumph. The day which had shattered all his dreams into pieces. When he crept out of the hall defeated, he had lost every hope.

The last he had thought was that he would ever stand here again, years later, enjoying the heated atmosphere and the tension before the last fight. Miguel, the best fighter of the Cobra Kai Dojo against Robby, his son, who refused to have any contact with him.

A part of him knew that it wasn't fair to blame him for it; he had never been a good father. A good husband, neither. Maybe he deserved it that his son only showed disdain for him, but it did hurt anyway that he preferred to practice karate with Daniel Larusso instead of joining his father's dojo.

With a stony face, Johnny watched the two rivals stepping onto the mat, a short introduction by the referee, followed by the classical bow to show each other respect. He could see the fierce determination in Miguel's posture; yes, he was his best student, willing to follow the dojo's rules. Strike first! Strike hard! No mercy!

His eyes wandered to Robby, and he knew this would not be an easy win. He had made the mistake once to underestimate Daniel's way of karate, a way of harmony and self-composure but not less powerful than his way.

:::

The door closed behind him, and he rested his head against the mirror. Inwardly he was still shaking. The fight was over, as expected, a long and hard one; for a long time, the score had been even until Miguel finally made the chop which could bring the decision. Robby was lying on the ground, struggling for air, a part of him still not ready to accept the defeat, when Miguel jumped forward again. The kick into Robby's ribs was hard and ended the fight.

The referee lifted his hand to announce the winner; the other Cobra Kai students stormed the mat to celebrate Miguel, the audience was clapping and hooting. Miguel had lifted the trophy over his head when he came over to him. „Cobra Kai, Cobra Kai,“ he shouted, „No mercy!“

Johnny forced a smile on his face and slapped on his shoulder. „Good job,“ he murmured,“ I always knew you would make it.“ Then he turned around and rushed into the washroom.

The cold glass of the mirror finally allowed it to breathe again. „No mercy!“ Miguel's word still in his head, he did remember the grimace of pain in Robby's face when he finally did stand up again, looking for a hold at Daniel Larusso's arm. No mercy!

This was wrong. Suddenly the scales fell from his eyes. Miguel's behavior had shocked him; Robby would have lost the fight anyway; the last brutal attack had been totally unnecessary.

But he couldn't blame him. He was a teenager, all of his students were, and they looked up to him. Because he was their sensei. They did believe every word he told them. Without thinking about it, he had drum the old dojo's rules into their heads. Strike hard! Strike first! Losing a fight is not an option; gaining victory at all costs is the only target.

What has he done? Afflicted he squeezed his eyes shut. His dojo did carry home the All Valley Championship trophy tonight, something he had always dreamed about. But instead of celebrating with his students, it felt as if he was the loser, again, the one who had failed entirely.

Because as a good sensei, he should also have told them that fighting hard alone was not what made you a winner. Karate was also a question of respect and honor.