Cobra Kai x ' Shamo '

Adam returned to the Cobra Kai dojo the very next day. The fight with Trey and the tense exchange with Miguel and Samantha kept replaying in his head. He wanted to understand what was happening to him, but deep down, he was afraid. That fear, however, was buried beneath a newfound determination.

Johnny Lawrence discreetly observed Adam as he warmed up on a punching bag. He saw raw potential in the kid—a fire that, if properly harnessed, could make him a formidable fighter. But Johnny also noticed something else: a shadow he couldn't quite define.

Johnny clapped his hands to get the students' attention.

"Today, we're working on mental and physical resilience," he announced. "Hits don't just land on your body; they hit your mind, too. If you want to be a winner, you have to learn to take it and never break, no matter what."

He gestured for two students to step forward for a sparring match. Adam watched intently, studying their movements, but that familiar voice echoed in his mind once more.

"Children playing at fighting. Ridiculous. You want to be strong? Then strike before they strike you. Don't wait for permission."

Adam shook his head, trying to ignore Ryo's voice, but it was relentless.

"You've already tasted power. Why hesitate now?"

Johnny noticed Adam's distraction and signaled Miguel to spar with him.

"Adam! Miguel! You're up next. Show us what you've got."

The two boys faced each other on the mat. Miguel, curious but competitive, wasn't about to hold back. He knew the dojo's rule: no mercy. Adam, on the other hand, clenched his fists, feeling the rage simmering beneath the surface.

Johnny gave the signal, and Miguel attacked immediately with a quick kick. Adam stepped back, barely dodging it, but something felt off. This wasn't just a fight against Miguel—it was a battle within himself.

"Dodging is for the weak," Ryo murmured. "Strike back!"

Adam blocked another blow, then, in an instinctive motion, landed a right hook that connected with Miguel's face. The punch was powerful—far stronger than Adam had intended. Miguel staggered back, dazed but still standing.

Johnny whistled, impressed.

"Not bad, kid. But keep your control."

Miguel came at him again, unleashing a flurry of quick strikes. This time, Adam didn't just block. He entered a zone where he wasn't thinking anymore. His movements were precise, brutal, almost mechanical. He swept Miguel's legs out from under him and, before Miguel hit the ground, Adam was already over him, ready to deliver a finishing blow.

But Johnny stepped in.

"Stop!" Johnny shouted, grabbing Adam's wrist.

Adam froze, his breathing heavy. He looked around, realizing that all the other students were staring at him with a mix of admiration and fear. Miguel slowly got up, wiping a streak of blood from his lip.

Johnny fixed his gaze on Adam, his expression stern.

"That was a good fight, but we don't injure our partners here. Got it?"

Adam nodded, but deep down, he knew it hadn't been entirely him in control.

At home, Adam locked himself in his room, his heart heavy. He collapsed onto his bed, fists pressed against his forehead.

"What are you doing to me?" he whispered to Ryo.

The voice replied calmly, almost amused.

"What you refuse to do yourself. I'm making you strong. I'm making you capable."

Adam slammed his fist into his pillow, frustrated.

"But I don't want to hurt people. Miguel didn't deserve that!"

"And you? Do you deserve to stay weak? Do you think Miguel would hesitate to beat you if it meant his survival? This world won't give you any favors, Adam."

Adam closed his eyes, tears streaming down his cheeks.

"This isn't who I want to be," he whispered.

But deep down, he felt a part of himself agreeing with Ryo's words.

The next day, Adam was prepared to avoid Miguel altogether, but to his surprise, Miguel approached him before practice began.

"Hey, that was a solid hit yesterday," Miguel said with a grin. "Seriously, you're strong. But you need to learn to ease up a bit."

Adam stared at Miguel, taken aback by his casual demeanor.

"I… I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you."

Miguel shrugged.

"It's Cobra Kai. It happens. But listen, if you want some advice: control yourself. Being strong is great, but being out of control? That's dangerous."

Those words struck a chord in Adam. Miguel was right, but Adam knew that controlling this part of himself—controlling Ryo—would be easier said than done.

After practice, Adam stayed behind in the dojo, long after the others had left. He pounded a punching bag over and over, trying to vent his frustration.

"You know what you need to do," Ryo murmured.

"No," Adam said aloud, his punches slowing.

"Yes."

In a burst of rage, Adam struck the bag so hard that it tore slightly. He fell to his knees, exhausted, but Ryo's shadow remained, ever-present.

"You can't fight me forever," the voice whispered.

Adam, out of breath, murmured:

"Then I'll find another way."