Summary: A collection of one-shots/drabbles centered around the young villains/heroes.
Chapter summary: And they'd loathe him their whole lives long.
Genre(s): Angst/Hurt/Comfort.
Disclaimer: El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera is copyrighted by Nick, Mexopolis and its creators Jorge R. Gutierrez and Sandra Equihua. Any referenced works are owned by their respective creators.
It takes little to bear a grudge.
The first time you see him, you are still innocent, a trusting soul- eager to meet people, excited to be living your dream.
(a cowboy, brave, courageous, handsome, just like those movies. with your loyal steed and a hat in hand, adventures await you, in a land where you can be whoever you want-
-anyone but the bored- stupid, unloved, smothered- little boy in that cold mansion back in Italy)
He looks friendly, approachable, easy to talk to.
(you'll never admit it out loud). He is the first person you reach out to in that city.
That was your first (and you wish it would be, but it's not your last) mistake.
It takes one sentence. One single, little sentence and your life is in shambles.
(you can still remember the laughter- how it followed you everywhere, as if the entire town was synchronized in its intent to mock you)
There's a churning feeling in your stomach. It burns, burns, burns; it's acid in your veins, fire in your lungs. You want to scream and cry- it's not fair!
(something's stuck in your throat- a vile, disgusting thing you're not familiar with; your eyes burn with unshed, bitter tears, and you're trapped in a limbo. you need something- anything!- to get you outoutout)
Eventually you stand up from your pitiful hole of self-pity (because you didn't come here to be humiliated by a nobody, to be defeated before you could show them all what you're really capable of!) and start to work. There's just enough material and just enough money, so you can build what will be the key to your rightful vengeance (to a whole new life, to a whole new world).
It takes a while but it pays off. Soon, your armor is complete. The beautiful cold metal body is welcoming, as you take it for a test drive near your home. It's perfect.
(you also add a mask with a hat and mustache; try again and again, until you find the perfect tone of voice- just like that one actor you always enjoyed seeing in the westerns. it's all for the sake of a perfect disguise, but hey, why not have some fun while you're at it?)
You have the armor, the hat, the mustache, the accent- but there was something missing… just what could it be? Ah, yes, you remember as you take Mr. Broomyhorse in your hands, of course- what's a cowboy without his trusty, mighty steed?
A joyful (vicious) grin blooms in your face as you take off to Miracle City's Recycling Center.
You can almost taste the cold dish that is your revenge.
(your dream can still come true after all)
But perhaps it was hatred at first sight.
The first time you see him, it isn't when he and his father (unfairly, unreasonably) throw your father in jail. No, it is much, much earlier than that.
You are a young, confused creature- practically newborn, fresh out of the oven-or lab. You have a home, but you are alone.
(everywhere you go, everywhere you look, there are pictures and images and sights of adults and their children. having fun, being together. you soon learn of family and its concept. And you want it- so, so badly…
-you are so, so very lonely)
And then, you see him; without a worry in the world, a big smile on his face. He's with a tall masked man in a suit and a short old man with a big, (obnoxiously) yellow sombrero. He's-they're- having the time of their lives. Together. Enjoying each other's company.
(family. warmth. love.)
(things you never had.
things you still don't have despite all your efforts)
You want it. And you can make it (your ingenious, brilliant mind can make it). So you do. A little bit of samples with your DNA here, a little bit of tampering on the machines of your lab there, inserting information about the world, and Miracle City and families, and it's done. A father and a grandfather, a family, just like you always wanted.
(like you still want)
Things don't really go as expected. Your papi isn't as tender as you expected, your granpapi already looks like he's on the brink of senility. But you try. You try and teach and interact until things seems to be taking a turn for the better. Your relationship with your family is finally improving! Your father ruffles your hair, your grandpapi tells you stories and all is fine.
Until it's not fine anymore. Until your father is sent to jail, and when he gets back, gone is good part of the progress you both made. In your father's mind, now, there's only one thing, and one thing only- revenge on White Pantera!
(you were bitter with being forced to feel loneliness again. you were even more because they took your family from you. you swore vengeance because they ruined every little bit of your dreams, of your fantasy of the perfect family)
El Tigre would pay for imprisoning your father, for ruining your family. He would soon know the pain you felt. Soon.
And the resentment just grew…
The first time you see him, it's through your grandmother's personal archives. You've heard of him before (the many, many angry rants nana Sartana had about the Riveras certainly helped).
(angry rants you realize are soundly justified now, for those three do nothing but ruin everyone and everything around them- disgusting meat-bags, wastes of air and space! -it's all their fault, all their fault! your life- your family-)
He looks…underwhelming and disappointedly normal. This is what had been causing grandmother trouble lately?
(pathetic, it truly is time for the old hag to retire permanently and give the spotlight and the throne and the power to you)
But you're not one to give in so easily into first appearances and so, you decide to investigate the infamous family further- until you know what makes them tick, until you know the tiniest little cracks that makes them vulnerable and weak.
(and that you did, to a most wondrous result! everything would've gone fine if not for that stupid ingrate- howdarehehowdarehe)
You are a perfectionist. Everything is carefully planned: from how you'd first appear in public (a remarkable, ambitious entrance with the slightest sign of vulnerability- just the thing to get him to empathize with you); to the grand finale where you'd manipulate the boy into ending his own family (wicked whispers feeding the fire you'd seen in his eyes- you almost laugh as you see it grow, grow, grow).
Your grandmother is surprised, but not at all convinced of your plan. A charming (forced, teeth grinding) smile, hours of arguments and talking, and she's graciously allowing you to set your plan in motion.
And everything, everything had been going so perfectly, just according to plan (they'd all been your little marionettes, dancing to your twisted tune). The boy is quite entertaining and, you admit despite yourself, full of potential. You can't help but think that he'd make a good villain.
Or so you thought. Until that blasted brat makes the worst mistake of his life and throws your masterpiece into jeopardy and you in the lava.
(you refuse to admit that you'd had fun with that imbecile. talking and joking and just being a teenager for once. is this what is like to have a frie-
you never dare finish- acknowledge- that disgusting, fleeting, traitorous thought.)
Everything goes up in flames as you turn to dust and go back to the banished, deserted land.
Oh well, you think, a shame, but it's his loss.
(it's not over yet, not at all)
Time to start from zero. It'll take a while until you're back to Miracle City and among the living, but that's just fine. Once you're back, oh, you will have quite a surprise waiting for them.
It doesn't matter how long it takes, your revenge will be perfect.
(he'll wish gods and devils were punishing him instead)
El Tigre will pay and revenge will be yours!
(no matter how long it takes)
El Tigre will pay and Miracle City will be yours!
(once he perishes)
El Tigre will pay and the world will be yours!
(you'll have everything you ever…)
(and thus it begins, rise, fall, rinse and repeat. if only you knew, if only you knew…
-no, no, all lies, you'd do it anyway, you'd repeat it all anyway.
for what is a villain without a nemesis, who to hate and blame for the world's cruelty and misfortunes, who to win against and gloat in victory?
for with all bad comes good, and what would be the good- the taste of finally having it, finally succeeding, finally happy- without the bad?
…the good?
ah, if only you knew, if only you knew…
oh, well!
whatever. soon he would pay- he would! no matter how long it takes!
and as for you… ah, you'd enjoy the ride in this strange new world that's opened it's doors for you.
Welcome, Miracle City.)
Author's note: …Geez, drama queens much?
This one's been sitting for a while in my computer… I originally had a different idea for this one, had planned to add more stuff, but I think it's better this way. I think I had most trouble in how to end it…
But, anyway, this ficlet was inspired by some info revealed about these characters and my personal interpretations/headcanons about them. Also, I wanted to experiment with that kind of writing style. Eh, whatever.
Anyway! Hopefully I'll soon post more stuff that isn't, uh…this. More fun stuff, ha. Hope you guys enjoyed it, have a nice weekend!