#he’s forcing johnny to be there for robby

[robbyykeene]

My distaste with season 5, and this show as a whole, boils down to the fact that the writers have gone all in on the idea that the only true Character that is allowed to exist in this story is Johnny, and nearly all the others are just malleable dolls for the writers to move around and play with as they see fit to advance the story in a direction that will make Johnny the Ultimate Winner Of Everything.

And I hear the criticisms already of “but Johnny’s the protagonist! Obviously every other character is ultimately going to serve his story.” But Walter White is the protagonist of Breaking Bad and Jimmy McGill is the protagonist of Better Call Saul and Kendall Roy is arguably the protagonist of Succession. And obviously it’s unfair to compare shows of that caliber to Cobra Kai, but do you see my point? In all of the above, the characters that orbit the protagonist are fully fleshed out people, equally complex and just as motivated by their own desires and history and traumas as the protagonist is. And yet still, ultimately, their characters do end up serving the protagonist’s arc, and the story as a whole. Because that’s what good writing is.

But increasingly, all the other characters in Cobra Kai have stopped behaving like actual people—especially the ones that pose any challenge for Johnny. Their feelings get stamped down in favor of removing Johnny’s obstacles towards happiness, which only winds up reducing Johnny’s own character in complexity and likability.

I watch Cobra Kai now and I don’t find any of these characters believable, maybe Johnny most of all, because the writers steadfastly refuse to let him face any real serious consequence for his actions. Instead, they have everyone falling over themselves to forgive him, repeatedly giving him a do over—a chance to right his wrongs without ever ever fully acknowledging the hurt and pain he’s caused. This season, quite literally in the form of a new baby. And if that’s the story they want to tell, well fine. It’s their story to tell. But they can’t keep pretending like this is a redemption story, that there’s anything deeper beneath the surface of this show than just being about a guy who does karate and kicks ass and gets the girl and defeats the Big Bad of the week. This is not a story about trauma, Johnny’s or anyone else’s. It’s really not about anything at all anymore.

#cobra kai season 5 #s5 spoilers #throwing in a baby is maybe the cheapest trick in the book when it comes to writing #its so so so so so so so so so stupid #and the fact that robby AND miguel aren’t allowed to have conflicted enotions about this—theyre happy for him and were supposed to see that #signals character growth #thats just so beyond #your deadbeat dad suddenly having a new kid is hard. youre allowed to FEEL thing about that #and being inextricably tied to the kid who almost killed you? thats also hard #they threw in a baby as a cheap and easy way to get all these characters on the same page #and its lazy and boring not to mention spits in the face of everything this show originally claimed to be about #not to mention the idea that carmen would WANT to have a baby with a chronic alcoholic who shes been dating for less than a year #who she’s barely even KNOWN for a year #but what are women if not baby factories right? :) #but whatever! #and the thing is. daniel this season was the kost believable character of them all. because his actions DO have consequences. again and #again and again he is challenged with the consequences of his actions #and forced to examine whether hes making the right choices #but johnny NEVER is #and in the process theyre trying to retcon and reframe the mistakes he HAS made over the past 4 seasons #as trying to be something less severe than they were #you don’t have to water down the deoth of johnnys flaws to make him a likable character! #in fact doing that just literally makes him unlikeable #and it doesnt evade me that daniels writing being at its best happens to coincide with thebseason where he poses zero challenge to johnny #but whatever!!! its fine its fine its fine #ck negativity

[gemini-sensei]

Can you do something with Keene!Reader who is Robby's twin sister. She's really cute and shy but in a giggly way if that makes sense? Robby always has her in the background away from him or anyone for that matter so not a lot of people even know they are related. She's pretty strong but doesn't like to fight unless she has to. She more so just likes to keep quiet and watch but if her twin is in trouble she's all over who ever is messing with him.

Robby Keene x Twin-Sister!Keene!Reader

This isn't exactly what you asked for but it's something and I like the way it turned out, so I hope you do to. I would love to do more of this quiet and shy but secretly strong Keene!Reader CW: slight fighting, canon lever fighting, slight hint of Hawk x Reader, mostly sibling/familial relationships, Kenny as a brother figure.

It all started at the All Valley when their dad decided to put Cobra Kai into the competition. Reader warned her brother that fighting against them was a bad idea but he didn't care, assuring her that he knew what he was doing despite not having a dojo to back him up. He was fighting solo, all alone, no one to coach him through it. He thought a couple of months of karate training at Daniel LaRusso's house was sufficient enough to do the trick. She wasn't so sure. Nevertheless, she was there to support him and cheer him on, quietly at least.

The rowdy crowd wasn't really her scene, but she suffered through the loud noise, yelling and violence to support him. That's was siblings did after all, and at the end of the day, Reader and Robby only had each other.

She wished she could say her brother won despite the odds stacked against him, especially after that idiot with the mohawk dislocated his shoulder, but he didn't. Their dad got what he wanted and Robby walked away with his head down. Things went up and down from there.

Now Reader found herself at a crossroads. She wanted to support her brother like always, but he had joined Cobra Kai after a messy fight and some manipulation from John Kreese, someone their dad Johnny swore was dead at one point. To top it off, he was living at the dojo while Reader was forced to stay with Johnny while their mom was at rehab. She wanted to support Robby, she really did, but she couldn't. She knew it was best for him to get out of Cobra Kai, but he wouldn't listen to her.

So she did what she did best, stuck her nose in a book and tried to ignore the outside world.

That didn't stop Johnny from coming around and knocking on her door. He wanted her to join the dojo he and Daniel were trying to manage together, but it was a hot mess that she wasn't going to touch. However, to get him to shut the fuck up from time to time, she let him teach her karate in the living room. They pushed the furniture out of the way so he could teach her a lesson or two, never holding back.

It was one of those afternoons she could have been spending reading, but instead found herself getting frustrated with her dad. She wasn't giving it her all yet, she was tired and bored, but he kept pushing her. Then he said the magic words.

"Hey, how about this: if you can knock me down, I'll take ya to the bookstore," he said.

She looked at him. "Seriously?"

"Yeah, now come on, give it your all."

So she put everything into sparring with him and withing two minutes, knocked him off of his feet and jabbed his chest like he'd shown her to do. It took his breath away and he winced, but that pain passed quickly as he realized what had just happened. He jumped up and yelled, "Hell yeah! That's how it's done!"

She walked past him. "I'm going to take a shower, then you'll take me to the bookstore."

"Shit, right," he said, realizing the hole he'd dug for himself.

It wasn't long after that when Robby invited her to the drive-in. He wanted to spend time with her and thought an outing with his Cobra friends was the perfect opportunity for that. She agreed but only because it was her twin. She took her new book with her though.

"Aye yo, Keene!" Kyler had yelled as they approached the group. "Who's the hottie?"

"None of your business, Park," he seethed, quick to that protective brotherly anger her harbored. Mixed with his predominate anger and he was close to punching his own teammate in the face just for calling his sister a 'hottie'. "Leave her alone, man. If I hear you so much as talk to her, I'll-"

"Robby!" Reader called him down. "Chill out..."

"I knew I shouldn't have brought you here."

"Well, it's too late for that now. I'm here, deal with it."

The other Cobras weren't as intimidating as Reader had originally thought. They weren't all bad like her dad had made them out to be, and why should she think that when he had been one of them once upon a time? The newest and sweetest of the group, Kenny, was kind and made her laugh. She was quick to think of him as a little brother. Whenever she laughed, she dropped her head and tried to keep quiet, hiding away from everyone.

When the movie started, she tried to get into it, but it really wasn't her thing. She didn't regret bringing her book, even if Kyler teased her when she pulled it out. She became a little flustered at this and decided to go get a drink to get away from him, especially when his teasing turned into weird flirting that she didn't know how to respond to.

As she was getting her drink, she noticed Kenny carrying a ton of food and drinks back to the Cobras and she wanted to help him. She turned her back to get her drink from the vendor and turned back only to see the mohawked Hawk appeared and that all the snacks were on the ground. Hawk laughed at him, which sparked that buried away anger inside of Reader.

She charged over there and shoved Hawk away from Kenny. "Get away from him!"

"Whoa! Calm down!" Hawk laughed, amused by her sudden appearance. "We were just having a little fun."

She gestured to the ground at the mess of food. "Yeah, this looks like a lot of fun. Why don't you just go back to your friends and leave him alone?"

"Look, I don't know who you think you are, but this kid is nothing but trouble so long as he's in Cobra Kai," Hawk told her.

"Funny coming from a guy that was one of them not that long ago," she told him, then turned to Kenny and put her arm around him. He'd hidden behind her and taken quick shelter from Hawk. "Let's get out of here."

"Hey, I'm not done talking to you," Hawk said, reaching for her arm. When he grabbed it, she elbowed him in the gut and flipped him over her shoulder. He hit the ground with a hard thud and stared up at her wide eyes, somewhere between his bewilderment and anger. "Whoa..."

She stepped over him without another word and looked to Kenny. "Come on, let's go get those snacks again. I'll help you carry them this time."

When she and Kenny returned to the group, Robby approached to check on her. "Hey, what was all that about?"

She shrugged. "Just Hawk being an ass like always."

"You handled that well," he said proudly. "Where'd you learn to fight like that."

She hummed, knowing he wouldn't like the answer. She knocked her shoulder into his, smiled, and told him, "From watching my brother of course."

#keene!reader #quiet!reader #shy!reader #robby keene #brother!robby #keene twins #robby keene x chubby reader #robby keene x reader #hawk moskowitz #hawk moskowitz x reader #hawk moskowitz x chubby reader #hawk moskowitz headcanons #eli hawk moskowitz #eli moskowitz x reader #eli moskowitz x chubby reader #eli moskowitz #cobra kai #cobra kai headcanons #cobra kai x reader #cobra kai x chubby reader #cobra kai x plus size reader #chubby reader #plus size reader #gemini sensei

[splendidnothings]

Is it in your opinion that Peter would be able to manage suddenly coming into tens of millions of dollars?

We've actually seen exactly what happens when he comes into tens of millions of dollars (and his own company) post-Superior Spider-Man. And let’s just say it did not end well--

("Now, let's tear it down!" Amazing Spider-Man #31 (2015))

Truly, the man did not last more than a couple months, in-universe, before force-ejecting from the entire enterprise, super-villain plot notwithstanding. Even without Otto forcing his hand Peter was routinely giving his money away or using exorbitant amounts for the benefit of his family and friends. His philanthropic work with the Uncle Ben Foundation. Helping out May, Flash, and Carlie. Generally, giving his money away at any opportunity. He bought the Baxter Building for Johnny!

("Everyone was trying to buy this place...and I outbid 'em all..." Amazing Spider-Man #3 (2015))

Peter during Parker Industries didn’t “manage” this money at all. He spent and spent and the only reason he didn’t eventually run out was because his corporation imploded first.

So, I think the easiest answer is if he suddenly came into a lot of money, like for example, if he won the lottery, he would not so much manage the money but just use it until it ran dry and then find a gig to pay next month’s rent. 

Now, Parker Industries is a pretty on the nose example so if we disregard that run I still think it's clear that Peter would manage a million dollars just as well as he would ten dollars and that is to say quickly and/or probably for the benefit of someone else. Peter genuinely just does not care about having money just to acquire wealth. 

(“I don’t value it.” Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #10 (2019) I personally think this is a clunky panel because it’s telling us instead of actually showing us he doesn’t value money but alas it suits my purposes for this post.)

This is obviously not to say he doesn't know the value of money or that he is oblivious to the fact that he needs money for rent or that having money makes life easier. Most of his struggles come from a lack of money. But he doesn’t view money in the long term, he’s not thinking of it as a potential investment but merely a tool to solve immediate problems. Even when he comes into a bit of surprise money he needs it all just to cover bills (Thanks Robbie!)--

(“I have [a savings plan]?! You mean when Robbie made me sign all those forms last year?... That’s just enough for my back rent and a pizza!” Spectacular Spider-Man #126) 

Peter and his relationship with money is established early as core to his character and in connection with his economic status. When you are poor any money you earn is for immediate necessities, not something to be saved and managed. 

("Without Uncle Ben, we've no money to pay our bills." Amazing Spider-Man #1) 

He just needs to make enough to pay rent, for May's medical bills, for food. Maybe he wants to get something nice for May or Betty, Gwen, or MJ. Later on, his money worries are in relation to being able to support a wife (this occurs with both Gwen and MJ). But it's all short-term and a means to an end. Past the immediate obstacle where the money is needed, he doesn't care about money at all.

His very first superhero team-up was less of a team-up and more of Peter thinking he could make money by joining the Fantastic Four!

("There's the way I can make some money--by joining the Fantastic Four!" Amazing Spider-Man #1) 

I’ve been using multiple panels from Amazing Spider-Man #1 so far because I think it’s important in showing how ingrained Peter’s overall views on money are to the character. This is his second appearance ever (after Amazing Fantasy #15) and not only is his socio-economic class crystal clear but so is how he handles and thinks about money. 

Canonically, almost every time Peter does come into a little extra money he gives it away. This is also a pretty consistent trait of his. He's just not one to keep extra cash around unless he's specifically saving for something. Why would he hoard money when he can help someone he loves or give it to a New Yorker who needs it more than him at that moment. 

(...other people need it more than me, right?) 

Further, he doesn’t view Spider-Man as something that holds monetary value. 

(Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #1(2019))

And he knows how important money is for the average person-- 

(“If that money isn’t recovered, what happens to relief payments this month?”)

And--let’s be clear here--Peter could very easily make all the money he wants. He could easily make loads of money. Whether it be because he is a certified genius. Or because he has superpowers and could employ them in a variety of different ways to get money...and he knows this.

("If money's a problem, then I'll just get money." Amazing Spider-Man #542)

(“I can go anywhere! No one, nothing can stop me! Any amount of money could be mine...” Amazing Spider-Man #1 (ASM #1 really doing the most work in hammering home so many core character traits huh!)) 

But, Peter is just not a character who aspires to be wealthy. He wants to be comfortable. He wants an apartment with a tiny skylight so he can easily sneak out and be Spider-Man. He wants enough money to take care of the people he loves. But that's it.

In fact, the jobs that have made him money usually become a problem because they get in the way of him being Spider-Man. He values being Spider-Man over making a name for himself, finishing grad school, making big science lab money, etc., etc. or he wouldn’t be dropping these pathways to a better economic status. He's had many well-paying science jobs throughout canon and he doesn't keep them because he eventually stops showing up. He's a flake who at the end of the day doesn't value that work or that money more than being Spider-Man and helping people Grad school meant so little to him at one point that he full-on dropped out, in part, because he thought he needed to make money to pay for Felicia's medical bills--

(“I might not have quit school to devote more time to making a living...OH WELL...”)

Pulling back a bit we also have to look at Peter and his purpose as a fictional character that requires thought and consistent theme-work. A Peter who acquires wealth. Who hoards such a valuable resource is kind of antithetical to his whole deal. Arguably, his most well-known villain is Norman Osborn the literal embodiment of what an evil man with lots of money and no responsibility can do. So, it really doesn’t make for a character like Peter so rooted in the lower class, so known for helping the ones who truly need him for him in his civilian life to be a well-off guy. Spider-Man is THE street-level hero dealing with street-level crime. At his best he is stopping muggings, beating up unfair landlords, or wealthy people taking advantage of the unfortunate. He's a man of the people and doesn't like when people misuse power and what gives people power more than money?

("...I had the most money!" "Oh, give it a rest." Spectacular Spider-Man #145) 

Wrapping this up, I also think a big reason Peter never feels so beholden to money is because he knows how self-sufficient he is. He invents his own webbing, web-shooters, is shown to be extremely handy, and is a genius. Why should he care about money beyond his basic needs? He can figure things out as the situation calls for it even if all he has is $23.50 in his bank account :p 

#peter parker #marvel comics #marvel #marvel meta #long post/

[wazzappp]

FUCK IT Lolirock has Shanilla, H20 Just add water had their full moon bullshit, WE CAN HAVE THIS.

@moosemonstrous enabler extraordinaire came up with this and brain went BRRRRRRRTTTTTTT

Once a month during the full moon a familiar and their fighter will sort of ‘merge’. I figure it’s a way for them to stabilize their magical connection and bond as a team (they’re SUPPOSED to be a team obviously some are more… teamy than others). So for about 12 hours each month they gotta deal.

I think Danny would actually enjoy flying. He can get away from everything and leave all his problems below. Nothing much changes for Frank or Cat-stle, they were both just planning on napping the night away anyway. Johnny and Roxanne spend the day/night just having one big date day (Roxanne has a singular goal to make Johnnys tail wag as much as possible because !!!! CUTE!!!). Robbie is forced to just. Chill tf out for once. Coiling around his loved ones to keep them close (and so they keep him warm) isn’t the worst thing in the world.

Eli keeps the delirious hope that JUST MAYBE he can skew something so that he gets an at least semi human body back but it’s more like he just goes to sleep. It’s like a recharge and reconnection time for familiars (get knocked tf out bitch).

Also more lamia Robbie because I very clearly play favorites and he really gets the short end of the stick here.

#ghost rider magical girl au #my art #sketch #robbie reyes #gabe reyes #lisa (ghost rider) #danny ketch #johnny blaze #frank castle #eli morrow #I am. unwell.

[lvndrfucks]

don’t leave me hanging omg, write the concept. miguel brain rot is on 24/7 — 🧠

You were surprised none of Miguel’s neighbors had complained yet. There were teenagers scattered all around the inside of Johnny’s apartment and the outside, loud music blasting and a fair share of drinks being passed around. At least everyone was getting along after the long overdue karate feud.

You were nursing a red solo cup while standing in the corner of the room, taking small sips. The taste of alcohol didn’t really appeal to you. Your friends engaged in chatter that you chimed in once in awhile, but you were a bit distracted.

“Are you going to talk to him or keep eye-fucking?”

“What?” Your eyes moved away from Miguel’s. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You guys have been staring at each other all night,” your friend pointed out. “He’s single, you’re single.” She made gestures with her hands for emphasis.

You shook your head while looking down to hide how red your face had gotten. “He doesn’t like me like that. We’re friends.”

“Lame,” your other friend bursted. “Go talk to him! Congratulate him on winning karate again or something.”

You rolled your eyes while taking a drink to avoid the conversation.

Her friend smirked suddenly with an idea. “Hey, can I borrow your jacket? I’m a little cold.”

You were feeling hot from the crowded room, so you were a little confused on how she was the opposite, but you did so nevertheless. You removed the cropped denim jacket to expose more of the little black dress you had on. You smiled while handing it to her.

Miguel felt his mouth go dry. His eyes scanned up and down your body from afar, the silk perfectly hugging your body and exposing valleys of skin he had never seen before.

A pat on his shoulder made him jump as he was forced to look away.

“Hey, man,” Hawk greeted. He noticed you and looked back at Miguel with a smirk. “You gonna make a move tonight, or what?”

Miguel chuckled nervously and shook his head. “I don’t think she likes me like that. I mean, we’ve been friends since we were both in Cobra Kai. Isn’t that a bit weird?”

Hawk scoffed. “No. That just builds up more chemistry. And pent up frustration.” Miguel looked at him curiously as he clarified. “Sexual frustration.”

“Dude.”

“It’s true! Remember that time you went out with Sam and she nearly broke some kid’s arm. Or when she got asked out and you broke the practice dummy.”

Even though Hawk’s statements were technically true, Miguel still had his doubts. What would a girl like you want with a guy like him?

“You just gotta go for it, man. Before someone else does,” Hawk advised and motioned his head towards Chris and Mitch who had started talking to you. You immediately started smiling and laughing at what they were saying.

Miguel held back a glare as he handed his cup to Hawk. He cheered, “That’s my boy!”

Your laughter died down as Miguel approached the three of you. You smiled at him in greeting that he returned before looking at Chris and Mitch.

“Robby wants you guys to refill the cooler outside,” he told them.

“But I just did five minutes ago,” Mitch said.

“Well, he wants you to do it. Again.”

Miguel was grateful Chris was the smarter one between the two as he was beginning to catch on.

“Yeah, it’s no problem.” There was almost a smug smile on Chris’ face. “Come on, man.” He began dragging Mitch away, the boy complaining that he already did once again.

That just left you and Miguel.

You glanced behind you to see your friends had ran off somewhere, of course. There was a small beat of silence between you two.

“How are you?”

“This is a great party.”

You two spoke at the same time. You both laughed.

“Sorry. You go first,” Miguel insisted.

“I said this is a great party,” you repeated. “I’m surprised your mom was okay with it.”

“Well, Johnny told her that it was just Miyagi-Do and Eagle Fang ‘hanging out.’”

When you were about to respond, someone knocked into you. As you tripped forward slightly, Miguel had his arms out to catch you. You sheepishly apologized while standing straight.

“Um, did you wanna go somewhere less crowded,” he proposed.

You nodded and started following him out. People from school were still showing up and it seemed the outside was becoming just as packed. You maneuvered around while still trying to keep up with Miguel. He turned to face you and offered his hand out so you wouldn’t lose each other. You took it, trying to hide your growing smile.

He guided you across towards his apartment. He opened the door and let you inside first. You were still able to hear the music and chatter of people, but it reduced slightly. Plus, you guys were completely alone now.

“Sorry. I thought it would be better here to talk and stuff. Unless you wanted to go back to the party. I’m fine with either, I just assumed—“

“It’s fine, Miguel,” you cut him off with a light chuckle. “It was getting a little overwhelming out there.” You set your empty cup on the dining table and moved to lean on the edge of the couch.

“C-can I tell you something,” he asked, standing in front of you.

“You can tell me anything.”

Your smile made him weak in the knees. His hands suddenly felt clammy as he clenched and unclenched his fists.

“I…I really like you.”

“I like you too.”

Miguel gulped. “No. I mean I like-like you. Like more than friends type of way.”

“Oh.”

Oh?

“If you don’t feel the same way, it’s fine. I get it. We’ve been friends for a long time and I understand not wanting to ruin that. It’s just that when I’m around you, I feel different. Different like you’re the one person in my life I’d hate to lose or I wouldn’t mind kissing. You know, that was probably a really weird thing to say. I’m sorry—“

“Miguel.” You laughed a bit. “It’s okay. I like-like you too.”

“Really,” he breathed out in disbelief.

You nodded. “And you’re the person I wouldn’t mind kissing either.”

Your hands reached forward to grasp his flannel and pull him closer towards you. The heels gave you an advantage to be nearly face to face with him. The close proximity made you both nervous, but someone had to make the first move.

Meeting halfway, Miguel’s lips pressed against yours in a savory kiss. His hands rested on his either side of your neck, his thumbs on the underside of your jaw and pulling you in even closer. You pulled away briefly, seeing his heart-shaped pupils and puffed lips parted. He pulled you back in with urgency.

There was only the heat of the moment, the electricity between you two, and the pure, unbridled passion of your kiss. It was a moment you would remember forever, a moment that would stay with you long after the kiss had ended.

The buzz of Miguel’s phone brought you back to Earth. He seemed to have no intention of stopping, though.

You pulled away, his lips immediately attaching to the side of your neck. “Do you wanna get that,” you asked, slightly breathless.

“Not really,” Miguel answered and kissed you again.

His phone eventually stopped until whoever was calling decided to call again. You laughed slightly at Miguel’s annoyance when he pulled away.

“It’s okay,” you reassured, one of your hands combing through his hair.

Miguel begrudgingly answered the phone with a haughty, “What?”

“Dude, where are you,” Hawk asked from the other line.

“I’m a little busy right now.” Miguel pinched your hip lightly in warning as you continued sucking on the skin of his neck.

“Well, I’ve been looking everywhere for you. I need a beer pong partner.”

“Ask Robby.” Your hand began to trail down his body.

“I’m going against him, dumbass.”

He held back a groan when you squeezed his hard on over his jeans. “I gotta go.”

“But—“

Miguel hung up and tossed his phone on the couch. You yelped in surprise when he lifted you, your legs wrapping around his waist in response.

Once in his room, he had shut the door swiftly with his foot. Next thing you knew, you were lying back on the bed with Miguel hovering over you, leaving wet kisses and sucking on your exposed chest. One of your hands was threaded in his hair as the other tightly gripped the comforter. His hand slowly trailed up your thigh, giving a soft squeeze and earning a low moan from you.

Miguel pushed the bottom of your dress up to your stomach, exposing the black shorts underneath. He looked at you as you were panting already from the build up.

"You okay," he whispered.

"Of course."

He pecked your lips before going down on his knees at the edge of the bed. He ran his hands over your thighs, placing light kisses ever so often. Eventually, he hooked his fingers onto the waistband of your shorts and pulled them off, leaving just your underwear.

Miguel was hesitant at first as he ran his thumb over the wet patch, but you moaned softly from above as you tried closing your legs if he wasn't in the way. He repeated the motion with more pressure, causing you to jolt. He enjoyed the reactions.

He gently guided your underwear over your hips and slid them out from under you. A soft gasp emitted as you felt Miguel slip his tongue between your lips. Your mind went blank as he licked, his tongue spreading over your clit in smooth strokes. His open mouth panted heavy, moist breaths over your cunt, absorbing every drop of essence as it pooled on his tongue.

Your fingers tugged on his hair, your back arching off the bed slightly. You could feel a growing sensation low in your stomach, your orgasm twisting and winding into a tight knot.

A sudden gasp fell from your lips as he slowly pushed a finger inside of you. You inhaled sharply, eyes rolling back as he pushed his pointer finger in knuckle by knuckle until he rubbed the tip of his finger against that tougher spot inside of you.

His finger slipped in and out a few times until he added a second. It made you choke, walls clamping down and tightening painfully, tears pricking your eyes in a mix of pain and pleasure. Miguel kept them still as he leaned forward to press soft kisses on your clit.

“You're doing so good, baby. I just need to relax, okay?"

You nodded, even though you were sure he couldn't see it. You exhaled loudly, gasping just as loud before groaning and bucking your hips unconsciously. He resumed pushing in and out, his fingers shined with arousal.

You could feel every inch of his fingers inside as his mouth continued to stay hot and slick against your cunt, letting his spit collect all around. Your eyes rolled back when your stomach began twisting, feeling as though something was on your chest. You whimpered, followed by a groan of his name as your body relaxed once the knot snapped, and your vision blurred.

Miguel lapped up the mess and licked his fingers clean, watching the way your chest rose and fell rapidly. You looked utterly fucked the way your hair was sprawled out and little breaths leaving your plump lips, your head tilted to the side and eyes still shut.

He moved beside you and kissed your temple, combing your hair back. “You still got one more left for me?”

With shining eyes, you looked up at him and nodded.

Miguel grinned as he started to remove his flannel and shirt. Your thighs rubbed together while staring at him undo his jeans. You shakily stood on your knees and shuffled closer to him.

He gave you a tender, slow kiss, but you weren’t ready for such gentleness at this point in time. Instead, you wrapped your arms around his neck and pulled him closer to you. A low groan released from his throat as his hands moved from your hips to the zipper of your dress. You pulled away to disregard the rest of your clothing before pulling Miguel onto the bed.

He sat back as you straddled him, lips moving together once more. Reaching between the two of you, you grabbed his leaking cock so you could set him up at your entrance. As you lowered yourself, you inhaled slowly through your nose since the preparation and care he had given you had made the stretch easy to endure. As a result, all you felt was the full sensation he had given you.

You performed an exploratory hip roll once you were seated completely. You let out a groan at the feeling, every little motion causing electricity to tingle through your body.

Miguel sat up, you two now chest to chest while he held you firmly. “Fuck, you feel fucking amazing.” He placed wet kisses along your chest.

The noises of the party drowned out his moans as you began to ride him in earnest. His hands settled on your hips, causing the soft flesh to crease as he started responding to your thrusts with his own. You could feel him moving deeper with every motion, until eventually you could almost feel him in your stomach.

“Miguel,” you gasped out, meeting his gaze.

“I’ve got you, amor.” His mouth attached to one of your breasts, making you whimper.

His actions left your limbs feeling like rubber while he proceeded to fuck into you harder. Your tongue grazed his flushed skin, your head tucked into his neck.

“Making me feel so good,” you told him gently in his ear. “Want you to finish in me. Want all of you.”

Your babbling was cut off by a higher pitched moan at Miguel’s hard thrusts, your words egging him on more.

“Think you can take it all, baby?” His forehead pressed against yours as you nodded with a pleading look. “I’ll give you everything. Again. Again. And again.” He punctuated with each thrust, your grip on his shoulders tightening. “You gonna cum? Can feel it.”

“Please.”

Your loud moans echoed throughout the room as your legs tightened around his, your body moving faster to keep you on your high. You could feel Miguel spilling out of you, the warm feeling comforting the both of you. His arms wrapped around your waist to cease your shudders as he placed light kisses upon your shoulder.

Miguel, though he didn’t want to, slowly removed himself from you, a small whimper slipping past your lips. He laid you down on his bed and told he’d be right back. When he returned, he had a damp washcloth in one hand and a water bottle in the other. He carefully cleaned you up, knowing your legs must be sore, and sat you up to take a few sips of water.

He smiled gently at you and kissed your forehead, making your face flush in admiration. He grabbed an extra t-shirt for you and changed into a pair of new boxers for himself. Once settled beside you, Miguel draped the comforter over both of your bodies.

You both stared at each other, a grin on your lips as you leaned forward for one last kiss in the night.

hera speaks!

sorry for the long wait. i honestly get embarrassed writing smut, but this has been on my mind for a long time

#miguel diaz #miguel diaz imagine #miguel diaz smut #miguel diaz x reader #cobra kai #cobra kai imagine #cobra kai smut #cobra kai x reader #xolo maridueña #xolo maridueña imagine #xolo maridueña smut #xolo maridueña x reader

[kitausu]

Johnny and Daniel trying to relate to their kids would be so hilarious because Daniel would be the King of research and reading parenting articles like "this is what your teens slang really means" and he'd be the parent saying everything "is the slap" with this gleeful "Did i do it right??" Face. Meanwhile, Johnny doesn't know what anything is. He's never heard of transformers, "whose barbie??" And has on multiple occasions accidentally thrown away toys/games/accessories because he thought they were literal garbage.

Daniel hates how Johnny is somehow the cool parent when he doesn't even know what Hamilton is!

Johnny thinks that's exactly why he's the cool parent and Daniel has to force Robby and Sam to stop pretending they don't know him. But he doesn't say it...(to Daniel's face anyway) because he's learned restraint and also likes sleeping in his own bed thanks very much.

#lawrusso #kit writes hc #STILL THINKING ABOUT THEM TBH

[purpleheartskies]

Robby has a "Hero's Journey"

Also titled Robby is the underdog - Part 2 and "Finding balance" - Part 2

Follow up to Robby is the underdog - Part 1 and Part 1.5, as well as "Finding balance" - Part 1

The Hero's Journey is a transformative character arc that doubles as a popular story structure and is often mapped to the 3-act structure, another popular story structure. In analyzing Robby's story, I found that Robby has a Hero's Journey that matches a lot of the major beats in the overall story in the show. Given that there are multiple characters going through transformative arcs, I've been working on analyzing other characters' journeys as well, but this post will focus on Robby's Hero's Journey.

The "inciting incident"

Robby's "want" and "need"

Characters with transformative arcs usually have a "want" and a "need". The "want" is an external goal that is linked to the plot. The "need" is linked to the character's "internal conflict/struggle" and as well as to the overall theme. The character starts out believing in their "lie" (their false view of themself and/or the world) and pursuing their "want". They eventually believe in the "truth" and achieve their "need" in a positive change arc, or reject the "truth" and don't achieve their "need" in a negative change arc. The "ghost" is the event in the past that haunts the character. The "wound" is the deep pain point at the heart of the character's need for transformation. The "wound", "want", and "lie" result from the "ghost".

Robby's "ghost" is Johnny abandoning him. His "wound" is his trauma from Johnny abandoning him. His "wound" has manifested into his main character flaw, his "hate"/"anger" that is mentioned throughout the series. His "lie" is believing that he is like Johnny and will end up like him because Robby is filled with "hate". He believes that his "hate" is a part of who he is. He also believes that he is to blame for Johnny abandoning him. Robby's "truths" are the opposites of these "lies".

Robby's "want" is a true relationship with Johnny. This has been a huge driving force for him. In s1, he wanted to get Johnny's attention when he got a job with the LaRussos and later when he showed up at the s1 avt. When Shannon told Robby that Johnny wanted him to move in (s1) and that Johnny wants a relationship with him (s2), Robby went to Johnny. Robby has always wanted Johnny to genuinely try to change. Robby wants Johnny to want a genuine relationship with him, but Robby knows, based on Johnny's behavior, that Johnny isn't trying for one. Robby comments about this throughout the series. In s1, he said that Johnny didn't care for 16 years. In s2, he said that Johnny cares more about the rivalry with Daniel than about him. In s3, he asked Johnny where he'd been for over a month since the school fight and why he missed the juvie visit, also pointing out that Johnny chose Miguel over him again. In s4, he said that Johnny wants a relationship now just to feel better about himself. In s5, he said that he and Johnny still have issues, some that are too big to solve. This was in stark contrast to Johnny's claim that he and Robby are good now.

Robby's "need" is that he needs to "find balance in his life" by overcoming his "hate" and understanding who he is. As I mentioned in my "Finding balance - Part 1" post, finding balance in life is a major theme in the story and is about coping with and consciously working through trauma long term. Robby's ultimate goal as a character is to break the cycle of generational trauma that is being passed down to him, especially through Johnny but through Daniel as well (because of Daniel's history with Cobra Kai). This aspect of Robby's story is also being explored through his mentorship with Kenny. Breaking the cycle is incredibly difficult and with the most odds against him, Robby is the underdog in the series.

Robby's characterization is that he has childhood trauma and that has worsened to c-ptsd as the series has gone on. A big part of Robby's trauma is that he doesn't know who he is, that is Robby has not formed a self-identity (which can happen for people with such trauma). In s4, he said that his fear is that he will end up like Johnny but that he won't because he is better than Johnny. Robby is better than Johnny. Robby just doesn't know this (yet) because Robby needs to understand himself, especially why he has "hate", to develop a healthy relationship with himself as he heals. His statements like "You were right. It was a mistake trying to help me because I can't change," "All those years you weren't there, I blamed myself," and "I screwed everything," indicate his exaggerated self-blame. Robby has also called himself his own worst enemy. Robby also needs to understand that he is not to blame for Johnny abandoning him. In s5, Robby started fawning, which is essentially giving up who he is. Robby needs to start healing, actually working through his trauma and believing his "truths" instead of his "lies", and discovering who he is so that he can visualize the future he wants and make it happen.

Robby's "want" and "need" are related. Robby has trauma primarily due to Johnny's behavior and Johnny having never established a (healthy) relationship with him. Robby's "want" and "need" drive his Hero's Journey.

Robby's Hero's Journey 

I'm going to talk about Robby's "Hero's Journey" using Christopher Vogler's 12-stage model mapped to the 3-act story structure. (Quotes from references are in blue.)

1. The Ordinary World - We see the hero's normal life at the start of the story before the adventure begins.

This stage was all of Robby's scenes leading up to him seeing Johnny give Miguel the gi and hug near the end of s1e5. In these scenes, we're introduced to Robby's (unhealthy) relationships with his parents, his lack of a stable home life, his partners-in-crime/bullies Trey and Cruz, his truancy, and his delinquency; basically, his life and world before he started on the Adventure.

2. Call to Adventure - The hero is faced with an event, conflict, problem, or challenge that makes them begin their adventure.

The "event" is also known as the "inciting incident" and usually happens in the midpoint of Act 1. s1 was Act 1, and this happened near the midpoint of s1. The inciting incident in a story has the following qualities:

Happens to the protagonist (Robby)

Protagonist's first (not full) awareness of the story's central conflict (finding balance)

Tailored to the protagonist's dominant character flaw (Robby's "hate")

Should be linked in some way to the antagonist or antagonistic force (Johnny and his behavior)

The inciting incident was Robby seeing Johnny give Miguel the gi and hug when Robby went to see Johnny, after Shannon said that Johnny wants Robby to move in with him. After the incident, Robby went to the LaRussos to get a job so that he can get a LaRusso Auto shirt with his name on it to "get back at" his dad. Robby took a more decisive action to pursue his "want".

This stage spanned the scenes from the inciting incident in s5e5 to the end of s1e6, ending with the Call itself.

Call to Adventure Daniel: "You wanna stick around. Learn something." Robby: "Sure"

3. Refusal of the Call - The hero initially refuses the adventure because of hesitation, fears, insecurity, or any other number of issues.

This occured in s1e7. Although Robby had started learning from Daniel, Trey and Cruz threatened Robby to help them steal from the LaRussos. Robby at first gave in and was going to help them, but he ultimately didn't because of Daniel's bonsai lesson. This stage ended when Robby changed his mind and stopped them, thus embracing the Call to Adventure after all.

4. Meeting the Mentor - The hero encounters a mentor that can give them advice, wisdom, information, or items that ready them for the journey ahead.

This spanned s1e7 to e10. Robby's mentorship with Daniel had already begun when he was faced with the Refusal of the Call, but Daniel's bonsai lesson inspired Robby to keep moving forward with the Adventure.

The Mentor "Well, you are the tree, Robby. You've got strong roots. You know who you are, right? So now all you've gotta do is visualize what you want your future to look like, and then you make it happen."

Daniel's other lessons were important too, especially this one:

The Mentor "You may know the moves, but none of that matters unless you have balance.... I didn't mean balancing your body. I mean balancing your life. Look, Robby. I know it's hard growing up without a dad, believe me. Mine died when I was young, so I know. But when those bad feelings all weigh you down, you gotta... you gotta search inside for the good stuff, you know, and just... Because then you can find some balance in your life. Understand. It's not easy, but you'll do it."

These two lessons are tied to Robby's "need" as a character. He needs to figure out who he is ("search inside for the good stuff") and overcome his "hate" ("bad feelings") so that he can find balance. Daniel also indirectly mentioned Robby's "want" (the relationship he wishes he had with Johnny because he grew up without him) when talking about the "need" to find balance. Robby's Adventure isn't to just learn Miyagi-Do/karate, as much as it is to learn how to "find balance in his life". After Daniel said this second lesson to Robby, he flashed back to Johnny giving Miguel the gi and hug---the inciting incident.

Later, Daniel found out about Robby's relation to Johnny and kicked Robby out. Robby then went to the avt wanting to get Johnny's attention; that is, Robby was still pursuing his "want". Robby's conversation with Daniel in the avt locker room was especially important. When Robby had been facing off against Hawk, Robby was focused on Johnny and lost his "balance". Daniel reminded Robby about what he'd learned (their lesson in the woods about "finding balance"). Later, in the locker room after Hawk injured Robby, Daniel reiterated the "need".

The Mentor Robby: "I just wanted to get back at him [Johnny]." Daniel: "I know. But you're never going to find balance that way. You can't let that bad blood change who you are. I'm not saying you need to like the guy. I know I never will, but he... he is your father. And believe me, you're lucky to have one. You just gotta try to remember, he's... he's not a monster. He's just a guy with a lot of demons. Mr. Miyagi always told me there's no such thing as a bad student, only a bad teacher. And your dad had the worst teacher there ever was. It sent him down a wrong path. But you don't have to go down that path. Do you understand? You don't have to ever become him. Trust me. You let go of all that anger, and I guarantee you, no matter what happens tonight, you go home feeling great."

Robby's "want" and "need" were referred to again in this conversation. Daniel also presented Robby with the "truth": he is not like Johnny and doesn't have to end up like him. That is, Robby can break the cycle of generational trauma that Kreese passed down to Johnny and that is now being passed to Robby. After this, Robby continued with the match, saying that he has to face him [Johnny]. Robby found balance for the rest of the match. 

5. Crossing the Threshold - The hero leaves their ordinary world for the first time and crosses the threshold into the special world.

Daniel and Robby ended s1 reopening Miyagi-Do primarily to take down Cobra Kai, thus crossing the threshold into the "special world" of the dojo war.

Crossing the Threshold "I know I said you have to let go of your anger and show forgiveness, but... when the fight comes to you, you have to be ready to fight back."

This marked the end of Act 1 of the 3-act story structure. In fact, Kreese made his first appearance in the series in s1e10 and closed out s1 with the line "the real story has only just begun". (In the big 3's interview with the Koves, Hayden said that they knew they had a series based on two moments: (1) Robby going to Daniel for a job and (2) Kreese returning. The first moment starts Robby's Call to Adventure. The second is one of two major expansions of the special world: Kreese's return. The other expansion being Daniel and Robby reopening Miyagi-Do.)

6. Tests, Allies, and Enemies - The hero learns the rules of the new world and endures tests, meets friends, and comes face-to-face with enemies.

This spanned everything Robby experienced in s2e1 to s4e4. Throughout this stage, Robby lost allies and enemies and gained new ones all while experiencing many tests. He's at first mentored by Daniel, with the Miyagi-Dos, and started dating Sam. He then lost them all after he accidentally injured Miguel in the school fight (the 1st pinch point in the 3-act structure). The Miyagi-Dos abandoned him and didn't have his back while he endured juvie. He eventually joined Cobra Kai and was mentored by Kreese and later by Silver, with the Cobras, and eventually started dating Tory (in late s4). 

While in each dojo, Robby tried to fulfill his "need" to find balance by using the karate philosophies to overcome his "hate". In Miyagi-Do, Daniel told Robby that he needs to "let go" of his anger to find balance. However, Robby struggled to do that in s2. For example, twice Robby was at the punching bag trying get his anger out: (1) after Shannon abandoned him and (2) after Johnny trounced his Miyagi-Do demonstration. He also wanted to fight the Cobras who wanted to join Miyagi-Do, but Daniel told them that he had once been a Cobra and all that mattered now is that they're all Miyagi-Do. In the school fight, Robby had been pushed to his limit and the results were devastating. After the school fight, Robby gave up trying to find balance using Miyagi-Do, "It was a mistake trying to help me because I can't change." In s3e9, Tory told Robby that in Cobra Kai you learn to channel your anger into fighting. She'd presented Robby with another option for overcoming his "hate" to find balance. Robby later joined Cobra Kai, after first refusing to, knowing how toxic it is and not wanting to be used in the dojo war. In s4e4, Silver said that Robby had learned to channel his anger into fighting. Robby told Johnny in s4e10, "I had all this hate inside of me. I thought I could use Cobra Kai to control that." After the avt, Robby gave up trying to find balance using Cobra Kai. 

During all of this, Johnny continued to hurt Robby by continuing to neglect and abandon him, and choose Miguel over him, even doing things like trouncing Robby's Miyagi-Do demonstration, not helping him after the school fight, missing the juvie visit that Johnny himself had scheduled, leaving Robby with that mark on his head with Kreese, and brushing off Robby when he said that Miguel had attacked him in school fight. Overall, Johnny became further from him after the school fight and even further from him after Johnny decided to move on from the past at the end of s3 (because of conversation with Ali). Robby's "wound" (trauma) deepened, his main character flaw ("hate") worsened, and both his "want" and "need" became harder for him to obtain. 

During this stage, Robby's bullies also rubbed his "wound" in his face. In the school fight, Miguel taunted Robby after headbutting him that Johnny taught Miguel that move. In juvie, Shawn taunted Robby that his dad hates him. (Both bullies also taunted Robby about Sam not loving/wanting him.)

Daniel also affirmed Robby's "lie": "This whole thing was a mistake. You wanna end up like him. That's up to you." Although Daniel later apologized, his actions at the time contradicted his words (that Robby isn't defined by his mistakes), so Robby didn't believe his apology. Everyone thinking the worst of Robby after the school fight also affirmed Robby's "lie" that he is like Johnny and can't change. 

Between Robby using "Cobra Kai" in s3e5 for the first time and Robby officially joining Cobra Kai at the end of s4e1, Tory and Sam both commented about the type of person Robby is wrt his choice of dojo/people. In s3e8, Tory told Robby, "I know who I am. You're still pretending to be something you're not," insinuating that he isn't Miyagi-Do. In s4e1, Tory commented that Robby was still straddling the fence. Later, Sam told Robby that he's a "good person" and is making the "wrong choice" because she assumed that he had joined Cobra Kai, thus insinuating that he isn't Cobra Kai.

Kreese and Silver both told Robby to challenge his "lies". Robby told Johnny, "You know, all those years you weren't there, I blamed myself. Sensei Kreese is right. I can't be my own worst enemy, but you can be." Though Kreese told Robby in s3 that he's like Johnny. In s4, Kreese told Robby that he has the potential to be better than Johnny. Silver later told Robby, "You're afraid... you need to dig out that fear and face it...." 

In s4e1, Robby told Sam that Johnny had a choice and he chose to become a drunk loser who still hasn't figured out his own life and now he wants to make up for lost time to feel better about himself. In s4e8, Robby told Miguel that Johnny is just using him to feel better about screwing up with Robby. These are "truths" that contradict Robby's "lies". Johnny and his behavior are to blame for Johnny not being there for Robby.

Overall, Robby was in Miyagi-Do for all of s2. Then the school fight happened and he had a whole season where he transitioned from Miyagi-Do to Cobra Kai. His transition happened in s3e5, the midpoint of his season of transition, in the episode titled "Miyagi-Do" that introduced the offensive side to Miyagi-Do. Of the different Miyagi-Dos who went on offense, only Robby's actions are considered to be Cobra Kai, highlighting the major transition in Robby's journey from Miyagi-Do to Cobra Kai and two options for his identity.

Robby stayed at Cobra Kai at the end of s3 after a violent confrontation with Johnny. This was the midpoint of Act 2 and of the series. The midpoint usually features a major reversal of some kind. The most significant shifts in alliances in the external conflict happened at this point. Robby's allies, the "good guys" (Miyagi-Do), became allies with his enemies (Johnny and Miguel), and Robby became allies with the "bad guys" (Cobra Kai). The flipside is that Johnny's alliances changed. He now teamed up with Daniel and Miyagi-Do and officially stood against Kreese and Cobra Kai. He was still on opposing sides to Robby. This is actually the midpoint of Johnny's Hero's Journey. (I plan to make a post like this for him. Note, anti-hero characters, like Johnny, can also be written with Hero's Journeys.)

In s4e1, Robby joined Cobra Kai and stayed for a whole season. He is the only kid to specifically have distinct season-long arcs in the two main warring dojos, matching the major overall story beats of those seasons. It's also notable how the other characters and the plot (dojo war) are affected by which dojo Robby is in. 

7. The Approach - The initial plan to take on the central conflict begins, but setbacks occur that cause the hero to try a new approach or adopt new ideas.

Robby's central conflict is overcoming his "hate" and figuring out who he is so to find balance. 

The Approach was from s4e4 to s4e10, and started with Silver's conversation with him in s4e4 about facing his fear---that is, facing his "lie".

The Approach "You've learned to channel your anger, but you're afraid... If you want to become a champion, you need to dig out that fear and face it. Because if you don't, it's going to hold you back forever."

Robby went to Johnny after this. In their conversation, Johnny told Robby that Cobra Kai is a poison and that Kreese had brainwashed Johnny. Robby said that Johnny had trusted Kreese, but Robby doesn't trust anyone anymore. Robby then told Johnny that Robby's greatest fear is ending up like Johnny, but that's not going to happen because Robby is better than Johnny. That is, Robby's greatest fear is related to his "need": who he is. In this conversation, Johnny also once again proved that he doesn't care about Robby and chose Miguel over him again.

The Approach "For as long as I can remember, I've been afraid... afraid that I'm gonna end up like you. But that's not gonna be my fear anymore... because I am better than you."

Before the school fight, Daniel had told Robby, "This whole thing was a mistake. You wanna end up like him. That's up to you." After the school fight, Robby told Daniel, "But, you were right. It was a mistake trying to help me because I can't change." Robby has always believed that he'll end up like Johnny, but Daniel's lessons about understanding who he is and finding balance had given Robby hope that he can change. After the school fight, Robby believed once again that he is like Johnny and will end up like him. Robby had tried to find balance by letting go of his "hate" but he hadn't been able to let go of it.

The Approach started with Silver stating that Robby had learned to channel his anger into fighting, which had been a reason for Robby joining Cobra Kai. Robby was now ready to take on his central conflict of finding balance. In s4e1, the future Robby visualized for himself was to become a champion. But to do that he needed to figure out who he is, which meant rooting out his fear and facing it. His fear is that he will be like Johnny, but he wants to be better than Johnny. In s4e6, when Daniel came to Robby, Robby first commented that Daniel will say, "this isn't who you are, Robby...". At one point, Daniel said, "...you won't be you anymore. One day you'll find yourself with some kid's blood all over your shirt, and you'll hope it's not too late to change course." Robby and Daniel both referred to the "need" in this conversation. In s4e9, Daniel taunted Robby about wanting to get back at his dad, a reference to their s1e10 conversation that had also been about Robby's "want" and "need". Daniel then told Robby to never put his passion ("want") in front of principle (essentially, his "need") because even if you win you lose. (Note! This is an important foreshadowing for Robby's next 2 stages.) In s4e10, after Robby lost the championship, he cared more about who he had become to try to win the championship than he cared about his loss. He had trusted Kreese during his match with Kenny and hurt him. Robby decided that who he is isn't worth sacrificing for this future of becoming a champion using Cobra Kai's teachings. He doesn't want his fear to become a reality. He doesn't want to become like Johnny by trusting Kreese and losing who he is to Cobra Kai. Robby doesn't want to repeat the cycle. Like Daniel had said, Robby would end up with a kid's blood all over his shirt and he'll wonder if it's too late to turn back. In s4e7, it was revealed that Robby's weakness is his compassion. This is the opposite of his "hate". Robby's compassion is a big part of who he inherently is. This is the part of himself that he had to give up in order to become Cobra Kai.

8. The Ordeal - Things go wrong and added conflict is introduced. The hero experiences more difficult hurdles and obstacles, some of which may lead to a life crisis. Usually involves looking in a mirror, literally or metaphorically. Can include being pushed to their limit until their identity is shattered or they face death or their greatest fear, and their essence (greatest flaw) is revealed. The hero also faces his shadow (his greatest villain) and reaches his goal. The goal itself does not satisfy the hero's deepest need.

"But eventually, we all need to look ourselves in the mirror and realize who we really are... It's not about how you start. It's about how you finish." - Robby after joining Cobra Kai in s4e1

The Ordeal is the "crisis" and usually marks the midpoint of the journey or is delayed to later in Act 2, like in Robby's case. (I mentioned earlier that Johnny's midpoint is in s3e10. Johnny's confrontations with Kreese and Robby is Johnny's crisis/Ordeal.)

This stage spanned s4e10 to s5e5 and started with Robby looking at Kenny during his match with Hawk in s4e10. Later, Robby went to Johnny and told him:

The Ordeal "It's this kid, Kenny. I took him under my wing... Be the mentor I wish I had when I was younger. But when I saw him today, and it... uh... It's like looking in a mirror. And I realized I screwed everything up. And I had all this hate inside of me... and I thought I could use Cobra Kai to control that. But it just made things worse and now it's never gonna get better... ... I'm sick of blaming you, Dad."

The Approach and the Ordeal are always tied together, as the Approach is the lead in to the Ordeal. In s4, Robby's only scenes with Johnny are related to these two points in Robby's Hero's Journey. s4e4 kicked off the Approach with Robby's conversations with Silver and with Johnny, while s4e10 kicked off Robby's Ordeal with his confrontation with Kenny (the mirror) and with Johnny (his Shadow). During this time, Daniel (the Mentor) also approached Robby twice (s4e6, s4e9) and talked about Robby's "want" and "need", reminding Robby about his central conflict (finding balance).

The Shadow is one of several character archetypes that plays a role in the Hero's Journey. The Shadow can be the part within the hero that they don't like or that is deep repressed feelings or trauma. The antagonist or villain to the hero usually is the physical version of this Shadow. (Take Sam's dream in s5e3. She also has a Hero's Journey, and she was fighting the darker version of herself in her dream. She had been relying more and more on her aggression in s4. Her darker version had Tory's voice. Tory is Sam's antagonist and the source of Sam's ptsd. Sam's dream was her Ordeal.) 

Robby's main conflict is with his "hate", as his main goal is to break the cycle of generational trauma. Robby's "hate" due to his trauma is his internal Shadow. Johnny is the character and antagonistic force who represents and causes Robby's "hate"; Johnny has been Robby's external Shadow throughout the series. Daniel called Robby's conflict with Johnny "bad blood" in the avt locker room in s1e10. In s2e1, Johnny also said that he doesn't want to have "bad blood" between them. In s3, Robby said that Johnny should be his worst enemy because he abandoned Robby. In s1, after Robby saw Johnny give Miguel the gi and hug, Robby went to Daniel to piss Johnny off. In s4, when Sam brought up that Johnny knows Robby is a "good person" and that Johnny's "trying to change", Robby shifted to anger and said that Johnny had a choice and he chose to become a drunk loser who still hasn't figured out his own life and now he wants to make up for lost time to feel better about himself. Robby then joined Cobra Kai to prove that the Cobras and he are better than them, the Miyagi Fangs. Robby especially wanted to prove that he is better than Johnny. Robby reacted based on his "hate" both times. In this scene in s4e10, Robby is talking about this "hate" that he feels because of Johnny's behavior and him choosing Miguel over him consistently. (He can also be referring to the school fight wrt his "hate" for Miguel, but had Johnny supported Robby over Miguel after the school fight, Robby's "hate" for both of them probably wouldn't have worsened so much.) Although Miguel is an antagonistic force towards Robby, Miguel is more an extension of Johnny (and Sam). Robby's actions are primarily driven by his "want" (a genuine relationship with Johnny) and his "need" (understanding who he is, overcoming his "hate", and finding balance), which are both tied to Johnny as he is the main source of Robby's trauma and "hate".

"The Ordeal is all about taking your protagonist to their lowest of lows so that they can rise up and be resurrected in such a way that they can truly handle the major conflict once and for all."

After s4e10, Robby is faced with all of Johnny's behavior in s5. Robby starts to fawn, which involves completely "letting go" of his "hate" by giving up who he is as a person to be who others, especially Johnny, want him to be. Robby first started fawning when Johnny abandoned him at the bus stop in s5e1. He still resisted becoming friends with Miguel in s5e4, even stating that he'll never be friends with him. That is, until Johnny pushed Robby to his limit by essentially unleashing Miguel's wrath onto Robby in s5e5. After this and then the baby news, Robby started fawning completely with Johnny, Miguel, and all the other "good guy" characters.

"This is when the protagonist hits rock bottom, making them — as well as the reader and audience — feel as if they are at the dark end of their days." "Two Hero's Journey stages away from The Ordeal is The Resurrection — The "climax" where the hero faces their final test, using everything they have learned to take on the conflict once and for all. Within that Resurrection, your protagonist needs to have a moment of transformation. But before that transformation can occur, something has to push them to the brink — to their lowest point. While losing an ally or mentor can help set the stage for the need for them to transform so that they can handle the final test, we need more. They need to lose hope, courage, or strength to carry on. The reader and audience need to feel as if there's no returning to the Ordinary World because that is how bad things are."

The Ordeal started with Robby believing, "I screwed everything up... It just made things worse and now it's never gonna get better". After looking in the "mirror", Robby decided not to act on his "hate" anymore: "I'm sick of blaming you, Dad." In s5e2, Robby was tested with the inciting incident again. After Johnny tricked, lied, manipulated, and endangered Robby so that Johnny could safely retrieve Miguel, Robby watched Johnny give Miguel a fatherly hug in a way that Johnny has never given Robby. This time, Robby didn't act on his "hate", as part of his "new approach" to his central conflict.

In s5e4, Robby told Tory that he and Johnny still have issues, some that are too big to solve. Robby looked in Miguel's direction, indicating Johnny's relationship with Miguel. Later, in s5e5, Johnny pressured Robby to fight Miguel, ignoring Robby's request for space from their relationship. Robby stopped fighting at one point, allowing Miguel to continue. After Miguel stopped, Robby took all fault and accountability between them. Johnny then dropped the baby news, and Robby started fawning completely. A baby with Carmen, as Miguel said to Johnny "you and my mom", meant that the Diazs would now be permanent family with Johnny and the baby would be another priority over Robby. Robby's hope of having the relationship he's always wanted with Johnny are pretty much gone given that Johnny already prioritizes them over Robby in every way including allowing Miguel to beat the shit out of Robby because of the baby coming. "Now it's never gonna get better." Robby's Ordeal culminated with these two events in s5e5, which are the 2nd pinch point in Act 2. The 1st pinch point and the 2nd pinch point are usually related in some way. The apartment fight in s5 was like a redo of the school fight in s2. 

9. The Reward - After surviving The Ordeal, the hero seizes the sword — a reward that they've earned that allows them to take on the biggest conflict. It may be a physical item or piece of knowledge or wisdom that will help them persevere. This can also be a person or relationship. 

Robby's Reward started with the dinner scene in s5e5. He seemingly got his "want": a relationship with Johnny. But one thing about the Reward is that it's supposed to feel unfulfilling:

"It is here that the hero receives the object of desire they have been pursuing in the story thus far. But it cannot be enough to fulfill the central conflict in the story. That's because your hero must have an internal need that the object doesn't satisfy."

Robby's Reward has come at a great cost. Robby was going to lose his "want" if he expressed how he really felt when he heard the baby news, so Robby resorted to losing himself. Fawning is also described as "self-abandonment". Robby decided to completely let go of his "hate" by giving up who he really is in order to have a relationship with Johnny, falsely believing that he has also now found balance. That is, Robby gave up his "need" in order to obtain his "want", falsely believing that doing so satisfied his "need". Daniel had told Robby never your put your passion ("want") in front of principle ("need") because even if you win, you lose. This statement in s4e9 was a foreshadowing of Robby's decision in s5e5 that Robby will give up his "need" for his "want" and obtain a false victory. Also, by giving up who he really is, Robby has given into his "lies" and rejected his "truths": that his "hate" is part of who he is and that he is to blame for Johnny abandoning him. That is, that Robby is the one who needed to change himself so that Johnny wouldn't abandon him.

From s5e6 to s5e10, Robby also returned to Daniel and Miyagi-Do to take down Cobra Kai. He apologized and reconciled with all, though they didn't acknowledge their faults against him or offer any apologies in return. They all "successfully" took down Silver and Cobra Kai, Robby showed Kenny the truth about Silver, and Robby made up with Tory. Victory was seemingly achieved in the "special world" of the dojo war.

"The hero can also be too easily satisfied with the Reward, leaving unresolved conflict. This sets up an even more shocking twist later when the Shadow rears its head again, shattering the false comfort provided by the physical Reward."

The writers have said in their interviews that all the feelings are still there. There was a glimpse of this in Robby's comment to Johnny about fatherly advice in s5e8 when Johnny was giving fatherly advice to Miguel but gave none to Robby and got annoyed by Robby's comment. Robby then played it off as a joke and went back to fawning. However, Robby's comment indicated that Robby still hasn't obtained his "want", a true relationship with Johnny, despite his decision to give up his "need" during the Ordeal.

The end of s5 was the end of this stage and brought Robby's journey to the end of Act 2 in the 3-act structure.

10. The Road Back - The hero returns to the original world and sees the light at the end of the tunnel, but they are about to face even more tests and challenges.

"One version of step ten sees the hero returning to their ordinary world, believing that the adventure is over. It seems like the hero has defeated the Shadow because the Reward has been claimed. This false sense of security creates the massive fake-out you're setting up! This scene often shows the hero and the remaining cast of characters at peace, feeling safe and secure."

The Reward (end) / The Road Back (start)

In the external plot, Miyagi-Do (Fang) have taken down Silver and Cobra Kai and seemingly won the dojo war, which ends their time in the special world. Robby has also seemlingly defeated his Shadow and obtained his "want". However, Robby gave up his "need", falsely believing that he has achieved it. Given that he hasn't achieved his "need", his journey isn't over yet. And, this stage includes the "fake ending". The writers have said that they had more planned for s5 but decided to leave those things for s6. They wanted to leave the characters at the end of s5 feeling good because they'd won. This implies that this stage will continue into s6 and something bad is in store next for the "good guys". This fits because the Road Back to the ordinary world is often tumultuous and contains the 3rd plot point of the 3-act structure. Regardless, the writers have always known where the story was headed after s5, as tweeted during filming s5. They have also left cliffhangers:

Kreese escaping, and Johnny's unresolved conflict with his own past; Johnny himself has yet to wipe out Kreese's legacy, as Johnny has promised. (Daniel taking down Silver wouldn't count for Johnny's journey.)

Robby's "resolutions" were all one-sided, so are all technically unresolved. Johnny and Robby not having a proper resolution is the biggest one. Robby's and Johnny's Hero's Journeys are both tied to their relationship.

Silver's arrest is tenuous (Hayden confirmed that Silver's biggest issue will be his damaged reputation)

The Sekai Taikai (the final big battle in the dojo war) has yet to happen (the writers confirmed it most definitely will)

11. The Resurrection - The climax. Also known as the "dark night of the soul". The hero faces a final test, using everything they have learned to take on the conflict once and for all.

12. The Return - The hero brings their knowledge or the "elixir" back to the ordinary world.

These last 3 stages should happen in s6, which will be Act 3. During "The Road Back", Robby's Shadow, aka his "hate" and Johnny, will rear its ugly head. An event that will be the 3rd plot point in the 3-act structure will happen. The 3rd plot point usually involves the biggest paradigm shift. (For example, with Robby's pov largely untold, this could be when Robby's pov starts to be told.) Robby will once again be confronted with his central conflict and with the "truth" about his "lies". This time, he will make the decision that fulfills his "need" properly, regardless of whether he can obtain his "want", and he will be firmly on the right path to finding balance in his life. He will also become ready to try once again to become a champion... of the Sekai Taikai. 

Robby's Adventure hasn't just been to learn karate, as much as it's been to start his journey of healing and finding balance in his life. But, healing from trauma is never easy. It's a not a smooth, linear path. It's not just "letting go" in the moment but is a constant struggle of working through your emotions due to your trauma, which is difficult to do especially if the trauma is ongoing as in Robby's case. Daniel for example has also struggled throughout the series with his own trauma and finding balance in his life. 

So far, Robby has been trying to find balance using what he's learned from each dojos. However, Robby's healing can't happen until he can either give up pursuing his "want" or obtain it in a healthy way, so that he can obtain his "need". Whether he gets his "want" will be up to Johnny and if he chooses to heal himself (that is, address his own "need" of making up to Robby directly for screwing up with him). Regardless, in s5, Robby clearly recognized that Johnny and him still have problems. Robby is aware of Johnny's continued abandonment, neglect, and abuse, but Robby understandably "wants" his dad and chose to win his "want" in s5, not realizing that he lost his "need". Robby needs to work through his trauma in a healthy way and learn/accept who he really is, regardless of having a relationship with Johnny, in order to "find balance in his life". The lessons about balance aren't just for karate but are for life as well. In s4e10, Daniel told Hawk the following during his match with Robby, but this also applies to Robby's journey and his conflicts with his "hate" and with Johnny: "This fight is not about him. The biggest battle is always the one within. Okay, concentrate, defense, focus, power. You find your balance, and those points will come. All right?"

Robby's Hero's Journey is coming to a head. The climax, aka the Resurrection, is around the corner. From my analyses, the other characters' journeys are converging at this climax. Given that Robby is the main protagonist (as he is the character most central to the characters and the dojo war), it's most likely that his Resurrection will play a role in the other characters' Resurrections. We'll just have to wait for s6 to see...

References:

I referred to a lot of sources while preparing the post. These are some of them.

Christopher Vogler's book "The Writer's Journey.

https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/

https://screencraft.org/blog/

https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/

https://thewritepractice.com/

(Note: Please don't reblog or reply with any dismissive comment or tag expressing negativity towards the show writers, the writing, or the serious aspects of the show. Such comments/tags minimize the contents of the post. This blog (link) explains more about my general thoughts about posting after s5.)

#cobra kai is robby's story #robby keene

[wicked-jade]

Here's a moodboard I made for the @allvalleyskillschallenge. There was supposed to be a story that went with it, but life (a.k.a. my parents and their tiny, hollow bones) once again got in the way. I'd hoped maybe I could at least get the first chapter posted before Halloween, but it was sadly not meant to be. But I thought I'd at least share this, and a brief summary/preview of the story.

When six-year-old Robby begs his dad to take him Trick or Treating, Johnny has to scramble to come up with a plan. Having recently been laid off from his construction job and struggling to make ends meet, he realizes he can't afford the Ninja Turtle costume that Robby really wants. So he's forced to get creative. After spending a whole day DIY-ing him a costume, Johnny makes use of his rich kid past and takes Robby trick or treating in his old stomping grounds in the Hills. By the end of the night, Robby has a pail overflowing with full-sized candy bars and Johnny has a tired, happy kid. They're just about to call it an evening, when Robby sees a cool TMNT-themed jack-o-lantern on a porch, and begs his dad to ring one, last doorbell...

(AU where Shannon ran off much earlier, leaving a struggling Johnny to raise Robby on his own. Pre-Lawrusso.)

I really love the idea of this story, so hopefully I'll get it written when things calm down. Until then, I hope everyone has a Happy Halloween!!

#allvalleyskillschallenge #avsc: october 2023 #theme: trick or treat #avsc: moodboards #johnny lawrence #robby keene #the karate kid #cobra kai

[puella-peanut]

Johnny & Robby.

[+2¢Q]: Do you think R is necessary in J’s narrative?

I sometimes feel he’s one of those characters that if they didn’t exist the series would be the same. Like J & D would still be friends/co-senseis and J would still get the family + romance with the Diaz’, nothing changed.

Robby WAS necessary in Johnny's narrative once upon a time when the writers actually cared about Johnny as a father, and cared about his overall character-development. Robby WAS most important in season 1, where his sad and terrible lack of a relationship with his own deadbeat dad was a great contrast to the relationship Johnny so readily and quickly built with Miguel. (Easy to do so when you don't have to apologize and try and rebuild and work hard to overcome 16 some years of NOT BEING A DAD TO YOUR BIOLOGICAL KID.) Why not just start over with this conveniently available neighborhood kid who is a bright, clean slate? Easy peasy, look, I can be a mentor and a dad too haters111!1!!!

From season 3 and up to the current season 5 however? Lmao, Robby could die and Johnny would probably care for about 10 minutes before popping open a cold one and asking Carmen if the baby's here yet. Outside of some incredibly forced and very poorly written relationship "bonding" (everything in season 5 between them), Robby is entirely unnecessary to Johnny in...every way.

Robby's a fascinating character on his own, a good kid at his core who has had no proper guidance in his life, and is simply there for Johnny to use as some sort of scapegoat. He is important only in his own narrative, and would continue to be even if Johnny didn't exist whatsoever. Robby's a good enough character on his own that he doesn't need to use anyone else as a crutch to prop up his own development.

But if Robby didn't exist?

Johnny would still be a 50+ year old drunk who can barely hold down a job. He'd still build a relationship with Miggy, and this time there wouldn't be any shadow of contrast between this new relationship and what he should have had with Robby. He still would have ended up with Carmen, and would have still been given a new baby to try out fatherhood on one more time like this is a corny Hallmark movie. (At times, I almost think it is.)

Like I said: Robby only mattered to Johnny in season 1. Season 2 as well. But from then on? Nope.

Thanks for the ask!

#robby keene #johnny lawrence #sweep the leg #cobra kai #in which i respond to your inquiries

[fodenswhore]

cobra kai s5 rant

- thoroughly enjoyed this season, i thought it was funny, not as cringy and the fight scenes were so good. however, there were a few things that really annoyed me or made me question why i have a netflix account. here they are:

pregnancy storyline - when i tell you this plot annoyed the fuck outta me, i mean it. as soon as carmen said ‘i’m late johnny’ i was like oh ffs and i paused the tv and started ranting to my friends over snap. it’s such an unnecessary storyline and it aggravated me every time it was mentioned throughout the rest of the season. like, come on writers, could you be any more predictable? don’t get me wrong, i think babies are cute n stuff, but throwing a baby into a book or a show ruins it for me. also, johnny runs from all of his problems so who’s to say he won’t do that when things get challenging with his new baby?

robby - i love love love robby, but the way he gets treated is not it. whilst johnny is funny i’ve come to the realisation that he is a really shitty person. he only acknowledges his own feelings and doesn’t care about anyone else’s - especially robby’s. and robby’s reaction to the pregnancy threw me off guard. he was happy??? he deserves to be angry about it, hell i would be. his dad literally neglected him his whole life and is now having a baby with miguel’s mum? i’d be more than pissed. robby needs a hug and i volunteer to give him one, he deserves the world <3

carmen and johnny - carmen really pissed me off this season idk why, she just did. like girl, how’re you gonna have a child with a man who still acts like one😭😭😭 and johnny annoyed me too, he literally prioritised everything over robby. and then he forced robby and miguel to fight out their issues, when what they really needed to do what sit down and talk about them (i am glad they’re all good now tho).

silver - even just his face annoys me, had to hold myself back from punching the tv every time he had a scene tbh. he’s a good villain tho.

kenny and kyler - dumb and dumber, harry and marv, whatever you wanna call them, they both single-handedly embarrassed themselves every time they spoke. i’ve always disliked kyler, how anyone can be that annoying and cringey is beyond me. kenny annoyed me as well, like bro i think you’ve messed with anthony enough leave him alone. and then when he tried intimidating robby and miguel, like honey know your place x

sam - sam annoys me every season, i really want to like her but i just can’t. this season, she annoyed me significantly less than usual, however she made miguel’s circumstances in mexico about her and then had the audacity to get mad at miguel when he kissed another girl after she’d broken up with him.

okay, rant over. i’m sure there’s more that annoyed me but i can’t remember atm lolz. so apart from the pregnancy storyline that it is so stupid, pointless, basic, predictable, annoying, ew and the characters mentioned above (except robby i love him, just the way he was treated annoyed me), the season was really good.

times the word annoyed/annoys was used in this rant = 10

#robby keene #karate kid #johnny lawrence #daniel larusso #cobra kai imagine #cobra kai imagines #miguel diaz #eli moskowitz #hawk #dimitri #demetri alexopoulos #demetri cobra kai #anthony larusso #kenny payne #tory nichols #samantha larusso #sam larusso #chozen toguchi #amanda larusso #john kreese #terry silver #netflix shows

[thecranekick]

ok i’m gonna do it. it’s just. i’m going to try and articulate this the best i can without rambling. (edit - yeah this is way longer than i meant it to be.) unbelievably long and jumbled j*rmen/baby thoughts incoming:

i’ll start off by saying this: maybe i’m dumb but i feel like any development of a genuine romantic relationship between johnny/carmen has been done off-camera and we have no indication they’ve even done that. there is like, below zero amounts of relational development whatsoever and then suddenly she’s pregnant and he buys her a ring (where did he get it?? with what money???). i literally didn’t even notice the ring until i saw some gifs of the lawrusso moment. to me that’s a…huge deal? johnny’s never been married before, he never married shannon, he’s never had a traditional family like that…it doesn’t seem like him to just go out and buy a ring because he found out his gf of approximately 2 weeks is pregnant??? like damn these are like Big Life Decisions and you’d think we’d get more screen time on it rather than “oh this is happening now.” like you think we’d actually see him propose and tell his thought process out loud when he does it if they wanted it to actually be a plot line or show any type of genuine character development on johnny’s part. it just seems so random to me, so out of touch, and OOC and just forced.

also i can’t stand the way they had johnny “accidentally” ~spill the beans~ about the b*by to miguel and robby right after they beat the shit out of each other and were having their own moment, and now this is being dumped on them like? it is SO unrealistic that they’re both immediately happy like it’s just WEIRD? and it doesn’t even sound natural coming out of johnny’s mouth. he would never actually say that lmao. he’s dumb but he’s smarter than that? (i could write another essay on that). johnny’s face when they hug him and just his overall demeanor in that moment is so awkward and he genuinely is so weird about it. there’s no excitement, no joy, just??? weirdness??? isn’t that ‘supposed’ to be a happy moment??? coupled with the way he acts about it when the adults find out, and the way he tells shannon about carmen’s dream (not the fact that he tells her, the literal way that he tells her)…it’s just so insanely obvious.

another thing: there is a LOT of growing for johnny to do that can be done without having a newborn at this point in his life? it’s just such a stretch and so outrageous and yes i have a very strong opinion on this because it just doesn’t sit right with me at all for some reason. especially for robby’s sake. like in all seriousness an adult may be able to compartmentalize or like work through this, but robby has yet to work through the trauma he already has and yet i’m supposed to believe he’s gonna be chill watching his previously-absent father play super dad to this newborn? after he already has to watch him play super dad to miguel right in front of him (and continuously choose miguel over him?????) ????????? and is literally being forced to be okay with it and happy about it and get along with miguel???? like it’d be great if he and miguel could be friends because i do think they’d make great friends and get along, but that doesn’t mean robby has to like… feel good about the situation? just the whole thing is so wrong lmao.

also, why does carmen seem so happy and excited?? i could go on about it honestly, it’s so impractical and makes no sense and she is a very cautious and practical person every other moment of the show? but with this she’s just like “yay newborn with this 50 year old guy i met like a year or less ago, why the fuck isn’t he over the moon about this???????” also we’ve got no indication that she actually knows anything about him or his life or that there is any relationship outside of hooking up????? johnny actually confirms this when they tell miguel about their ‘relationship.’ he literally says they’re ‘hooking up’ and then carmen kinda gives him a look and he can’t even say it, MIGUEL has to say it and he’s like ‘uh yeah’ and literally looks like he’s going to throw up. the fact that carmen wasn’t like….upset about that is so strange because he never once alludes to wanting a relationship and she’s the one that’s pushing this like secular family weirdness, so for him to just be like ‘yeah we’re hookin’ up’ and not being able to even CHOKE out that they’re dating is so weird. it’s really, really weird considering we’re apparently supposed to believe that he’s now apparently ready to be married to her?? nothing is exactly wrong with either of them as people, but i just know for a fact they both want different things and are forcing themselves into boxes for each other.

the audacity of carmen to get upset at his trepidation about this is really irritating to me considering she clearly has no idea what’s gone on in his life, or maybe she doesn’t really care?? maybe she just wants to create this happy family bullshit????? idk before s5 i truly loved carmen so the way they’ve had her acting about this whole thing just doesn’t sit right with me and seems very OOC. also i don’t think real life johnny lawrence would be as calm as he was about it and like, not losing his shit at this point in his life. she’s actually lucky he didn’t freak the fuck out?? considering everything i think he was actually pretty damn supportive and cool about it. he literally could have actually lost his mind? all he did was look at the dad with the screaming baby in a carrier and look a little anxious about it? he’s not allowed to be……worried? nervous? intimidated? be so fucking for real right now.

AND ANOTHER MF THING. johnny literally made the same exact mistake in his mid-30s with shannon that he’s making in his mid-50s with carmen. he’s a grown-ass man and at this point knows how “protection” works etc, spent his whole life hooking up with girls and NOT getting them pregnant, like they make him look so damn stupid all the time and FOR WHAT? like i’ve said multiple times, yeah he’s a little ha-ha-dumb but he’s not actually genuinely stupid. they write him that way when it “benefits” their storyline, and literally change his character when it benefits other areas. it’s so inconsistent and frustrating. in what way, shape, or form is having him just repeat past mistakes (just on camera now) going to further his development as a person. if he didn’t know before he certainly knew after knocking up his girlfriend and having robby. like do you think he thinks that just….doesn’t happen?? carmen saying “these things happen johnny,” talking down to him like he’s a 12 year old, when yeah no shit he literally has a kid from the EXACT same fucking thing!!!!!!!!!!????????? likeeee uggghghghghhghhg PLEAAAAASE be so serious rn. they aren’t even really in a proper relationship!!! she knows nothing about him!!! nor has she ever seemed to care very much!!!!!!!! he literally told miguel they were “hooking up” and could NOT make himself say anything else!!!!!! because they AREN’T!!!!!!!!!!!! is the character development supposed to be him sticking around this time? even if the white-picket-fence life she’s pushing makes him miserable?? it’s clear that johnny cares about her like i’m not trying to say that he doesn’t, i think carmen just pities him and thinks she can “save” him by giving him a “real” life?? does that make sense??? like i just. idk idk idk.

i could scream about all of this for days but ANYWAYS tl;dr: johnny and carmen want very different things in life and have no romantic relationship established outside of hooking up and the whole thing is extremely weird

#i could literally go on #it’s bad #this is all i think about #i feel like i shouldn’t tag this. it’ll find its target audience :) #i censored j*rmen in hopes it won’t show up in the tag i don’t want anyone getting mad lmao #ck negativity

[robbyykeene]

Cobra Kai season 6 predictions:

Homophobic homoeroticism is present in multiple scenes

Terry Silver dies (turns out the evil was stored in the ponytail, and the hairbands all turned against him and strangled him to death)

Robby keeps living with Johnny for [insert any forced reason here]

Kreese sacrifices his life to save Johnny, prompting Johnny to insist on naming the jarmen baby “Miyagi Kreese Lawrence” after the “two greatest men he ever knew”, much to Carmen’s dismay

Johnny/Carmen, Daniel/Amanda, and Miguel/Sam all go on triple dates together. Robby and Yaya stay home and get stoned together

Bobby officiates Johnny’s wedding, and the og cobras are groomsman. He names Daniel as his best man, causing Dutch to go on a murderous prison rampage out of sheer rage and jealousy

#s6 predictions #ck predictions #cobra kai

[landslided]

in ur superstore au is daniel married with kid. if so i think (hear me out) i think (really hear me out) i think mike barnes best fits the role. of the amy husband character. also i think the teenagers from the show should fully work there with them it would be so embarrassing for them. pov ur johnny and ur coworker is demetri. you've done things in life such that u end up at age 35 at the same place he is at at age 15. also i think (hear me out) i think kreese should be a myrtle-like holographic greeter. finally. i think louis should be their flop boss. also johnny accuses daniel of nepotism over this <3 like every day <3

YELLS literally you are SO RIGHT ACTUALLY this is MUCH FUNNIER!!!! god... myrtle-like kreese hologram im gonna die. johnny kind of always awwws at kreese while he's still alive meanwhile everyone is like Johnny He's A Crazy Racist Please Wake Up.

i think mike barnes husband makes sense except i think he'd be a worst husband than adam in every way also. i think daniel had sam when he was a teenager (with amanda? or with somebody else) a bit after kk3 and when he leaves mike he has a one night stand with another woman (maybe amanda?) and that's how we get the anthony arc where johnny is like well...... do i even ask him out he's gonna have a KID.

robby also works at the store and it's the worst thing ever because well, his dad is there but also mr larusso is very nice to him and so it's okay except when mr larusso finds out he's johnny's son he doesn't help robby anymore because he's pissed and robby ends up putting every item in the store at 25 cents with the barcode maker. he also spends his day glaring at the new hire miguel who brings his dad lunches and that everybody in the store likes.

louie IS the flop boss and daniel is very much the one managing the whole store behind the curtains but louie is certain that he's doing a great GREAT job.

moon is there as the cheyenne role, heavily pregnant teenage girl, she's super nice and she keeps reminding daniel that he was also a teenage parent and he's now OLD. hawk is her cringe fail boyfriend and baby daddy who writes terrible rap.

i think bobby is there also, maybe as a district manager and daniel hates him he HATES HIM. johnny thinks daniel is just hungry for power and daniel is like NO JOHNNY, HE BROKE MY LEG AND NOW HE IS TRYING TO TAKE OUR JOBS AWAY. meanwhile, bobby hates his fucking job with a passion (and also daniel).

there's some sort of evil forces in the valley that seem to dislike daniel personally because all his high school bullies come to work at his store but also johnny puts stars on the ceiling on his first day and well... maybe daniel needs to look for moments of beauty... maybe

(superstore AU from this post)

#like it works IT WORKS!!! #ask aus #*asks #lawrusso

[afurioushawk]

Fic authors self rec! When you get this, reply with your favorite five fics that you've written, then pass on to at least five other writers. Let’s spread the self-love 💗

Only counting completed works, and not in any particular order:

El Serpiente y El Halcón: My S4 fic I wrote before the season aired and by far the longest fic I’ve ever written. It was a very ambitious fic that had to juggle a lot of storylines and character beats, while also dealing with making Miguel and Hawk a couple. I learned a lot about the structures of writing while working on this one, and it’s probably still the fic I’m most proud of. Plus, I predicted that Hawk would get his mohawk shaved by Robby lol.

The Wheel of Imbalance: This one started because I’d seen so many people use the balance wheel as short-hand for saying characters should be a couple, and I was like, “Okay, but what if the characters hate each other and managed to nail it?” I wanted to examine just how similar Sam and Hawk are in a non-romantic setting. I’m still heartbroken that canon decided to pretend that everything between Sam and Hawk in S3 never happened but at least I got to give it the hyperfocus this rivalry - the best rivalry the show ever had - deserved in this story.

Let’s Try Coronas Instead: Another Miguel/Hawk fic, this one was in many ways actually more difficult than “El Serpiente y El Halcón” because, for a majority of the fic, it’s only about two characters. That turned out to be a lot more difficult to center a story around than I imagined. But it did mean I got to do a long character study of both of them, but especially Miguel. It was just the breather fic I needed to write at the time. We’ll always have Migueli in Mexico.

Three Seconds: The most depressing fic I’ve ever written lol. But this “What if things went really south during the forced haircut” scenario also gave me a chance to write things from multiple POVs: Robby’s, Miguel’s, Sam’s, and Johnny’s. If I did my job right, you feel for every character in this, and you understand why there was no way this fic could have a happy ending. It’s emotionally taxing, but it’s supposed to be.

Uncaged: The fic I wrote for Halloween last year, it was fun writing Hawk going in the opposite direction after his mohawk was shaved, where instead of reverting to his S1 meek self, he instead goes the other way and takes his S3 bastard self up to eleven and goes full hammy slasher villain. I did still try to have a theme about toxic masculinity in there but it was also just a delight to play with horror movie tropes, especially since this one was inspired by Jennifer’s Body.

#cobra kai #miguel diaz #cobra kai hawk #samantha larusso #johnny lawrence #robby keene #migueli

[wazzappp]

Alright whose ready to see my lose my mind over continually more ridiculous au ideas? Trick question your gonna see it happen anyway (I have. so much bullshit. i have an entire other au that I havent posted about yet and i am thinking. about the re7 au again brother. I have fallen into the pits don't come save me or I'll drag you down too).

also jesus FUCK @moosemonstrous coming in clutch again with both star wars knowlege and the ability to actually remember things beyond a day and a half of talking about them THANK YOU.

STAR WARS AU

The Jedi originally came to Tatooine looking for Gabe. Sensing his strength with the light side of the force they thought he would be a prime candidate for training. Unfortunately for them, Robbie and Gabe are a package deal. They begrudgingly allowed him to come along as well because he is also force sensitive, but a little older than they would usually let in for training. Robbie agrees to because 1. if he just says no who KNOWS if they'll just take Gabe away forcefully and 2. STEADY FOOD SOURCE. ROOF OVER THEIR HEADS. ADAQUATE MEDICAL CARE. NO MORE FUCKING SAND. He doesen't trust these people as far as he can throw them but FUCK anything must be better than here.

During a sparring session another padawan purposefully infuriates Robbie, causing him to reach out to the dark side. He nearly kills the other padawan with the strength of his outburst. It then becomes EXTREMELY EVIDENT that Robbie is VERY strong with the dark side of the force. As a result of this outburst, one of his eyes gets the usual 'sith look', he gets special training to try and suppress those feelings, and he gets permanent pariah status in the Jedi Temple (I have. plans. i am being vague on purpose because FUCK I want to draw this scene in my head so bad but I also want to get this out to yall in the same month so it will be coming later. my dramatic bitch syndrome demands it).

After the clone wars get started (he's around 16 at this point) the Jedi realize that they need more people to fight. Robbie, though being previously disqualified for his history, is accepted for training and assigned Jedi Knight Johnny Blaze as a master.

Unfortunately, along the way Johnny starts picking up more solo missions and eventually disappears about 6 months in and everyone thinks he's defected (he's spying on the sepratist's for the republic). Which MEGA sucks for Robbie because 'holy shit the unstable padawans master defected' is getting thrown around and thats really not great. He wanders off deep into the temple where he can hopefully find a place to throw his feelings around in peace and stumbles into the artifact room, which opened in response to sensing the dark side. Bad news, you cant use the same method to get out.

Even MORE unfortunately one of these sith artifacts starts talking to him. After telling him how to get tf out of the vault and convincing Robbie that things are about to get bad ('I FELT what you could to out there kid do you REALLY think they're gonna let you stay? You gotta get out of here. And if you take me with you I can guide us to a ship they can't trace')

So Robbie sets out to run away, fully planning on taking Gabe with him and gets second thoughts while packing to which Gabe goes 'fuck that were GOING' (he's like. 11. But he'll be damned if Robbie goes somewhere and leaves him who knows how long). While escaping via unauthorized ship takeoff, Elis holocron makes it look like Robbie has fully gone to the dark side and there are clones sent to stop him.

Robbie responds by using the force to throw another ship at them and escapes with Gabe. Now they're both on the run. Robbie wanted by the jedi council for kidnapping, and Gabe wanted back to complete his training.

Eli died as a dark side user and a wannabe Sith. He never really graduated into full sithhood and spent most of his time working for Senator Ivanov and his dealings in Hutt space. He was OBSESSED with the prospect of immortality and sought ways to survive even after death.

When he was used as a scapegoat by Ivanov (he reported Eli to the Jedi council to make him look a little less suspicious), his back up plan of imbuing a holocron with his force presence was put into use. He's been sitting gathering dust in a vault of darksided relics for the past 10 years, just waiting for his chance to get out.

Gabe is an EXCEPTIONAL student in the Jedi temple. He enjoys learning about the force and how to use it, and for the most part gets along with his peers. His mobility aid has been improved since Robbie first built it for him out of scraps he was allowed to take from working on ships on Tatooine. Some days are still better than others, and there are times when a wheelchair is more appropriate, but generally the braces are good for daily use.

He is VERY defensive of his brother and absolutely will not hear a bad word said about him (many bad words are said about him. everyone things Gabe is incredibly sweet, but also to blinded by his love for his brother to see that he poses a threat). It very much so does frustrate him, he's just better at dealing with those feelings then Robbie is.

Anakin gets his fun force choking so I think that Robbie should get something fun and funky and special too so enter: JAW BREAK!! Yes it is very ring inspired but I wanted to make it MORE. So fuck it he rips the whole jaw off its hinges I think this would also probably kill you very dead.

Plus some doodles because brainrot brainrot brainrot brainrot

#ghost rider star wars au #FUCK. WORDS NOT WORDING WELL TODAY. THIS COULD BE BETTER IM SORRY #THIS IDEA MAKES ME UNWELL IM GONNA POST MORE ABOUT IT #AAAAGAGGHHHHHHH #AAAGH #ghost rider #robbie reyes #gabe reyes #eli morrow #my art #sketch

[docgold13]

365 Marvel Comics Paper Cut-Out SuperHeroes - One Hero, Every Day, All Year…

October 27th - Ghost Rider / Robbie Reyes

Roberto ‘Robbie’ Reyes grew up in a part of Eastern Los Angeles plagued by corruption and criminal activity.  A bright lad with a great knack for auto mechanics, all Robbie wanted was to earn enough money to be able to move him and his developmentally disabled younger brother to a safer neighborhood.  Still in high school, Robbie worked part time in an auto body shop and made money on the side participating in illegal street racing.  

When he heard about a high stakes race with a huge pay-out it was too much for Robbie to pass up.  He was an exceptional driver and, with the souped up Dodge Charger he had been working on at the shop, he felt he was certain to win. Unfortunately, this car actually belonged to mobsters and had been used to transfer narcotics.  These mobsters caught up with Robbie and shot the young man dead. They then poured gasoline on the car and set it ablaze to hide the evidence of their crime.  

The inferno had the effect of reviving Robbie, now in blazing armor resembling a skeleton. Overwhelmed by what had happened to him, and possessing incredible new powers, Robbie chased down his attackers and took a fiery vengeance.  

Following further misadventures, Robbie was sought out by Johnny Blaze, the original Ghost Rider.  Together they discovered that Robbie was not possessed by the Spirit of Vengeance, but rather by the soul of a satanist killer known as Eli Marrow.  Marrow’s pledge to the demonic forces enabled him to possess Robbie and wield the powers of The Ghost Rider.  

Yet Robbie’s will proved stronger than Marrow had anticipated and the young man was able to maintain control over his resurrected body and the awesome powers it now possessed.  Transforming the Dodge Charger into a flaming chariot, Robbie set out as the new Ghost Rider.  The young man would later be recruited into The Avengers and found himself fighting alongside Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.  

A version of Robbie Reyes featured in the television series, Marvel’s Agents of of Shield, portrayed by actor Gabriel Luna.  The hero first appeared in the pages of All-New Ghost Rider #1 (2014).  

#365 Marvel Comics Heroes #Ghost Rider #Robbie Reyes #Avengers #Agents of Shiled #Gabriel Luna #cut-out #paper art