El Tigre copyright Jorge Gutierrez and Sandra Equihua
The MASK copyright Dark Horse Comics/New Line Cinema
Revenge Of Talon
Chapter 03: The Silent Stalker
[Aves Home]
Carmelita Sat At a Counter In Her Kitchen.
She Held a Coffee Cup, But Her Hands Were Shaking Violently.
She Tried To Steady Herself, But She Found It IMPOSSIBLE.
Finally, She Took a Sip And Drank Her Coffee.
"Mij-
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Shrieked Carmelita
Grandmami Aves Just Eyes Her.
"What IS With you!
You`ve Been Acting Crazy All Day!"
Carmelita Sighed.
"S-Sorry, Mother...I`m Not Feeling Very Well."
"Then, Maybe You Should Lie Down."
Carmelita Had a Blank Stare.
"Yes...I Think I Should."
Carmelita Got Up And Walked Away.
The Old Woman Sighed Sharply.
"That Girl Has To Stop Hanging Around That White Pantera...She`s Starting To Act Like Him!"
Carmelita Walked Into her Living Room And Flopped Down On The Couch.
Her Body Was Still Trembling In Fear, Unsure Of What To Do.
Well...There Was ONE THING She Could Do.
Carmelita Instantly Grabbed Her Cellphone And Dialed a Number.
It Rang For a Few Minutes...The Whole Time Carmelita Was Fidgeting Her Fingers.
CLICK!
"Hello?" Said The Voice Of Maria Rivera
"MARIA!
It`s Me...Carmelita Aves."
"Oh, Hello, Carmelita..." Said Maria In a Sweet Voice
"I Saw You Fighting That Talon Guy On The News...I`m So Glad Your Oka-"
"Maria, I Think It`s HIM." Said Carmelita, Her Voice Stern And Serious
"Him?
What DO You Mean?"
Carmelita Sighed.
"vinnie..."
Maria Gasped.
"But...But, That Can`t Be!
I Thought You Said He`d NEVER Find You!"
"Yeah, That`s What I Thought!
But, I KNOW It`s Him...I Saw His Face."
Maria Exhaled.
"carmelita, i`m-"
Carmelita Began To Cry.
"maria, what am i gonna do!...
I Thought I Was Finally Rid Of Him, I THOUGHT Zoey Was Safe From Him!"
Carmelita Sighed.
"Maria...I`m Scared.
I Have Never Felt SO Scared In My Entire Life.
PLEASE HELP ME, MARIA!...your my best friend.
I`ve Told You Things I Have Never Told My Mother...SO, I Really Need Your Help."
Maria Sighed.
"Well...If He Knows Where You Are.
Them Maybe You Should Stay Someplace Safe...Just Until We Solve This Mess."
"WHERE!"
Maria Thought a Bit.
"Well...How About MY HOUSE!"
"Your House?"
"Sure!
My Mansion Has PLENTY Of Room And, I have Some Very "Cutting Edge" Security As well."
Carmelita Pondered This.
"Oh...I Don`t Know.
I`ll Have To Think About It."
Maria Sighed.
"Okay...Let Me Know When You Make Up Your Mind."
"Okay, I Will..."
Carmelita Was About To Hang Up.
"Carmelita..."
Carmelita Listened.
"Yes?"
"Don`t Worry...Everything Is Gonna Be Fine."
Carmelita Frowned.
"i hope so..."
Carmelita Hung Up Her Phone.
She Inhaled Deeply, Then Finally Exhaled.
She Then Got Up And Walked Away.
Carmelita Walked Into Her Room, Then Went Inside Her Private Bathroom.
She Faced a Small Mirrored Door, Opened It And Took Some Aspirin.
She Sighed Deeply As She Swallowed Some Pills.
Then Put The Bottle Back And Closed The Door...Only To See Talon Standing Behind Her.
"GAAAHH!" Shrieked Carmelita, Who Turned And Faced Talon
"heh heh heh...Have a Tough Day At the Office, Hon?
That`s Okay...Mine`s a "Killer", Heh! Heh! Heh!"
Carmelita Tried Her Best To Look Brave...But, Fear Was Still Clear On Her face.
"What Are You Doing Here?
How Did You get Past-"
"Security?
Oh, Please...Your Grandmother`s Security System Is Like Her: "ANCIENT"
Wasn`t TOO HARD To Get In Your House...Plus, My Suit`s Cloaking Program Helped Too."
Carmelita Looked At Talon`s Suit Up Close For The First Time.
"Looks ALOT Like Mine...How`d You Get Out Technology?"
Talon Chuckled.
"Trade Secret...
Let`s Just Say: I`ve Not Only Duplicated Your "Bird Tech", I have IMPROVED IT!"
Talon Displayed His Harness/Pack.
"Like It?
It`s An ANTI-GRAVITY HARNESS.
Like What a BLU-RAY Is To DVDs, My Harness Is To Your Jetpacks...
It Runs On It`s Own Energy, So There Is No Need For Rocket Fuel.
Doesn`t Need a Thruster, I Attain TRUE FLIGHT Through The "Invisible Gravity Field" It Creates.
Plus, It`s As SILENT As a Feather Falling On The Ground...Not Like Your "NASCAR Moter"
"And The Wings?"
"Nanobots...Ones That I Control."
Talon Chuckled Evily.
Carmelita Faced Him.
"What Do You Want!
"I Want To Claim What`s Mine."
"Yours?"
"Yes...What You Stole From Me Years Ago."
"I Stole NOTHING!
If Anything...YOU STOLE FROM ME!"
Talon Chuckled.
"You Wanna Play That Way?...Fine."
Talon Walked Off Into Carmelita`s Room.
As She Followed Him, He Opened And Window.
"Oh, By The Way...You have a "Nice Daughter", Carm."
Carmelita Cringed At Talon`s Words Talon Just Glared At Her Sinisterly.
"she`s so much like her father..."
"GET OUT!" Shouted Carmelita
Talon Smirked.
He Flew Away Outside, Laughing Insanly Into The Night.
Carmelita Quickly Ran Up And Closed The Windows, Locking Them.
She Began To Hyperventilate...Obviously Enduced By a "Panic Attack".
Carmelita Then Grabbed Her Phone And Dialed It.
CLICK!
"Hello?"
"Maria!, It`s Me."
"Carmelita?"
"Maria, He Was IN MY HOUSE!"
"WHAT!" Gasped Maria
"Maria...How Soon Can My family Come Over?"
"Well...Right Now If You Wan-"
"I`ll Be There In TEN MINUTES."
Carmelita Shut Her Phone Off.
However, There Was a Figure Kneeling Atop a Building From Afar.
Talon Had His Finger At His Helmet...Listening In On Carmelita`s Phone Call.
He Smiled Evily.
"Hmmmm...Interesting, heh heh heh."
[Later, At Maria`s Manor]
KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!
Maria Walked Up And Opened The Door.
She Saw The Aves Family Standing There With Some Large Suitcases And Luggage.
"Carmelita, Hi!" Said Maria Cheerfully
Carmelita Smiled Weakly As She And Her Family Walked Into The House.
"Hello, Maria...Sorry We`re Not Meeting On "Better" Circumstances."
"Oh, Don`t Worry About It...I`m Just Happy To Help."
The Aves Walked Into The Main Lobby Of The Manor Which Was Pretty Large, With Hallways And a Grand Staircase That Led Upstairs.
"(Whistle)...Look At This Place!
I Can`t Believe I Never Think Of Robbing Her-"
Grandmami Aves Looked At Carmelita...Who Was Glaring At her.
"N-Not That I Think That Way, Anymore!
Because I Don`t, ANYMORE!...that is to say." Said Grandmami Aves Nervously
Maria Walked Up.
"You Can Leave You Things ANYWHERE...
We`ll Unpack Later, First You need Something To Eat."
"Thank You, Maria." Said Carmelita
Maria Smiled.
Then, Zoe Looked Around.
"Where Is Chris?"
"He`s In His Room...Been In There For HOURS.
I Think He`s Developing The Photos He Took At The Towns Square Ceremony."
"Oh...Okay.
I`ll Remember To Knock, Then."
Zoe Ran Upstairs.
Carmelita Sighed As She Watched Her Leave.
Maria Walked Up To her Friend.
"you haven`t told her?" Asked Maria Softly
Carmelita Was Speechless, She Just Shook Her Head.
"Carmelita, She NEEDS TO KNOW."
Carmelita Sighed.
"i know...
i`m just not sure how to tell her, yet."
[Meanwhile, In Chris`s Room]
Max The Dog Lay On The Bed As Chris Was Working At a Desk...
He Was Looking At Talon`s Shattered Blade Weapon From Under a Microscope.
"hmmmm...fasinating." Muttered Chris
KNOCK! KNOCK!
"Who Is It!" Called Chris
"It`s Me!" Replied Zoe
Chris Looked Back.
"Zoey?
Come In!"
The Door Opened And Zoe Walked In.
Max Barked Happily As He Walked Over To Her.
Zoe Bent Down And Pet The Jack Russle, Who Licked Her Face.
She Then Stood Up And Walked Over To Chris.
"Those Don`t Look Like Photos..." Said Zoe, Looking At The Blade
"Oh, That...
I Finished Developing Those Hours Ago, This Is My MAIN FOCUS."
"What Is It?"
"Came From that Talon Guy..."
"Oh...I See." Said Zoe, a Little Shaken
"What Did You Find Out?"
Chris Sighed Sharply.
"Well, For Starters...The Guy Has Some Pretty Advanced Tech.
This Blade WAS Levitating In The Air Back In The Fight...
Then, It Melted Into a Silver Mist And Formed Into His Glider Wings."
"How Is That Possible?" Said Zoe, a Little Curious
Chris Moved His Chair Back.
"Just Look."
Zoe Looked Through The Microscope...
Her Eyes Widened At What She Saw: Tiny, Orb-Shaped Robots.
"What...What Are They!"
"Nanobots."
"Nano-What?"
"Nanobots...
They Are Thousands Of Microscopic Robots That All Work Together In Union.
Some Scientists Use These Suckers As a Way To Repair And Restore Damaged Machinery...
But, This Talon Guy Has Figured Out How To Weaponise Them...But, that`s Not All."
Zoe Looked At Chris.
"What Do You Mean?"
Chris Reached Into His Desk.
He Pulled Out a Laptop Computer And Turned It On.
"Before I Came To The Ceremony...I Placed Timed Digital Camera`s All Over Town Square.
I Was Hoping To Capture Pics Of The Ceremony At Every Angle For Extra Credit For The Maracka..."
Chris Looked At Zoe.
"But, When Talon Attack...I Got Something Else."
Chris Clicked a Folder On His Desktop.
Images Of Photographs Appeared...Photos Of Talon.
"I Took The Liberty Of Digitally Enhancing These Pics...Check It Out."
Zoe Looked At The Images, Her Eyes Widened In Shock.
"Look Familure?" Said Chris
"Yes...He DOES.
His Suit Looks Just Like My Family`s Suit."
"So Does His Gear...
I Even Cross Referenced It On My Computer.
Aside From Some "Extra Features" And a Few "Upgrades"...
His Suit And Gear Are An Identical Match To The Flock Of Fury`s Tech."
Zoe Looked At Chris.
"How Is This Possible?"
"Beats Me...
All I Know For Sure, Is That the Guy Knows ALOT About Your Family...Maybe EVERYTHING."
Zoe Sighed.
"He Was In Our House..."
"What!"
"Mom Saw Him In Her Room...
He Somehow Got Pass Grandmami`s Security And Snuck Up On My Mom."
"Is She Okay!" Said Chris, a Little Worried
"Yeah...Talon Didn`t Attack Her.
But, He Definetly KNOWS Who We Are...That`s Why Your Mom Offered To Let us Stay Here For Now.
Chris Smiled.
"Mom Always DID Like To Help People In Need...
Afterall...Why Else Would She Pick Up a Kid Off The Streets And Adopt Him."
Zoe Smiled.
She Then Looked Back At The Screen.
"Hey...What`s This?"
Zoe Pointed At The Pack/Harness On Talon`s Back.
"One Of Talon`s Many "Modification"...
I Think It`s Some Kind Of "Anti-Gravity Harness."
"Anti-Gravity?"
"Yeah...
It`s ALOT Quieter Than Jetpack Thrusters And Generates It`s Own Energy.
Scientists Have Much LARGER Versions Of this As a Generator They Use For "Astronaut Training"
By Casting Invisible Energy Fields that makes things Heavier Or Lighter...Often Inducing Levitation.
Seems That Talon Has Constructed a Smaller Version That He Can Wear Like a Backpack Or Harness."
"Whoa..."
"He Also Seems To have Some Cloaking Technology...
One Second He Was There, Next Second...He Just Disappeared."
"Meaning You Can Never Know Where He`ll Be Until It`s TOO LATE."
Chris Nodded.
"Yep.
He`s Like The Ultimate "Bird Of Prey"
Chris Sighed.
"There Is Another Thing That Worries Me..."
"What?"
"He Attacked The Ceremony On Purpose...Because He KNEW There Would Be Alot Of People There.
He Put Countless Innocent People In Danger, And He KNEW IT...Enjoyed It Even."
Chris Faced Zoe.
"Talon Has a Total Disreguard For Human Life...And, I think He Knows It.
This Guy Needs To be Stopped Before Somebody REALLY Gets Hurt."
Zoe Nodded.
"Yeah...Your Right.
I Just Wish I Knew How He Got His Hands On My Family`s Technology."
"Right Now...I`m Having Trouble Figuring Out How He Built His "Improved" Versions Of It.
Even If he`s a Genius, He`d STILL Need Access To a Lab Of Some Kind...If Only To Store His Weapons."
Zoe Placed Her Hand On Chris`s Shoulder.
"Don`t Worry, Chris...You`ll Figure Something Out."
"I Hope So...
Because, I Don`t Think The Mask Can Handle This One." Said Chris Softly
Zoe Sighed.
She Then Looked Around Chris`s Room.
"Nice Room...I Don`t Think I`ve Ever Been Inside This Place All That Much."
"No...Your Really Not."
Zoe Looked At The Stack Of DVDs At His Television.
Most Of Them Were Of LOONEY TUNES, TOM AND JERRY And TEX AVERY Cartoons.
"You Sure Like Cartoons..." Said Zoe
"Only Certain Kinds."
Zoe Then Looked At a Stack Of Comic Books Nearby...
The Titles Were: BATMAN/SUPERMAN, SPIDER-MAN, X-MEN, IRON MAN, THE HULK, Ect.
"Hmmm...Nice."
Zoe Then Walked Over To His Closet.
She Opened It, Looked Inside...And Saw a Green, Wooden Mask Atop The Shelf.
"Is THIS Where You Keep Your Mask?...With Your Laundry?"
Chris Looked At Zoe.
"Uhhhh...Yeah.
I Figured It`s The Last Place Anyone Would Look For It."
Zoe Looked At The Mask And Stared At It Awhile.
"So...What`s It Like When You Put It On?"
Chris Raised An Eyebrow.
"You Mean...What Does It Feel Like When I Transform?"
Zoe Turned And Looked At Chris.
"Yeah!...What`s It Like?"
Chris Exhaled As He Thought a Bit.
"It`s Hard To Explain...
But, I Suppose It`s Like Experiencing TRUE FREEDOM."
"Freedom?"
"Yeah...
See, The Mask Unleashes Your True Desires.
When I`m The Mask...I can Do ANYTHING I Want, And I Do Mean "Anything".
"I Know...I`ve Seen Your Powers.
There Incredible...Your Like The Most Powerful Superhuman Alive!"
"Yeah...And That`s What Worries Me.
If Those Powers Ever Fell Into The Wrong Hands, It Would Be a Disaster."
"Like When Mikla Had The Mask?"
"That`s One Way To Put It...
But, I Once Screwed Up And Let a Dangerous Gangster Wear The Mask."
Chris Sighed Sharply, Guilt Evident On His Face.
"So Many People Died...And Mainly Because I Was Irresponsible."
Zoe Looked At Chris.
"I...Didn`t Know."
"Yeah, Well...
That`s What Happens When a "Deranged Psychopath" Wears a Mask That Unleashes Your TRUE YOU."
Zoe Cringed a Little.
"Then, You`d Better Keep Your Closet Locked...Miracle City Is Just Full Of Psycho`s."
Chris Smiled.
He Walked Over To Zoe And Touched Her face.
"You Know...I Only Kept That Thing To Keep It Away From Evil People.
But, I Have Grown To Enjoy Using It As Time Has Gone By..."
Zoe Smiled.
"Yeah...I Noticed.
That Trick You Pulled On Spike Was Funny."
Chris Chuckled.
"Yeah, It Was.
But, Seriously...I Have Been Considering On Some People Who I Could Trust To Wear The Mask Other Than Me."
Zoe Eyed Him.
"Oh...Like Who?"
Zoe Thought a Bit.
"It`s Not FRIDA Is It?..."
"NO...Absolutely NOT.
Giving Someone As CRAZY As Frida a Mask Of Chaos Is Like Giving Sartana The Remote To a Nuclear Bomb: Insane And Stupid."
"Oh, I Can Understand That."
Zoe Though Some More.
"Manny, Then?"
"Also No...
He Can`t Even Decide If He Wants To Be a HERO Or a VILLAIN So, I`m Pretty Sure Wearing The Mask Will Drive Him Crazy...Or CRAZIER."
Zoe Sighed.
"Okay, I Give Up...Who?"
Chris Looked At Zoe.
"you."
Zoe Looked At Chris In Shock.
"M-ME!"
Chris Nodded Zoe Sighed Sharply.
"Chris...I Understand Why You`d Trust Me So Quickly, Me Being Your Girlfriend And All.
But...I Don`t Think I`m The Right Person To Keep Your Mask Besides You."
"How Come?"
Zoe Sighed.
"Well, Because...I`m a Villain!"
"USED To Be a Villain...You`ve Changed, Remember?"
"I Still Feel Like a Villain.
And, You Said The Mask Unleashes Your "True Desires"..."
Zoe Sighed, Holding Her Head.
"Chris...I Am a Girl With ISSUES.
I`m Aggressive And Vengful...So, I Really Don`t Think I Should EVER Wear Your Mask!
What If I Put It On And It Makes Me Do Something So Horrible...I`ll Regret It For The Rest Of My Life."
Chris Looked At Her, Then Sighed With a Smile.
"Zoe, You Got It All Wrong.
The Mask Doesn`t CONTROL You And Make It Do What "It" Wants...
The Mask Only INFLUENCES Feelings That You Already Have In Your Heart."
Chris Looks Into Zoe`s Eyes.
"Just Answer Me This: Would You Ever Kill Someone...Even When You Were a Villain?"
"Of Course Not!
It Goes Against My Family`s CODE OF HONOR!"
"Good...Then, You Have Nothing To Worry About.
Because If Zoe Doesn`t Kill...Then, "Mask Zoe" Won`t Kill Either.
Just Like I Would Never Kill Or Be Cruel When I`m The Mask...Because I`m Not Like That."
Zoe Sighed.
"i guess your right..."
Chris Kissed Zoe Softly.
"i trust you, zoe...that`s all i need."
Zoe Smiled Weakly.
Just Then, Something Beeped Loudly In Chris`s Pocket.
"What Is It?"
Chris Checked His Beeper.
"Oh, It`s The Maracka.
Mr. Francisco Must Want His Pictures, Already."
Chris Walked Over And Grabbed Some Photographs.
He Stuffed Them In a Backpack And Put It On.
"I have To Get These Over To The Office Real Quick."
Chris Gave Zoe a Fast Kiss.
"Be Back Soon, I promise."
"Just Be Careful..."
Chris Smiled, Then Walked Out Of His Room.
Zoe Sighed As She Sat Down On His Bed.
Max Jumped Up Into her Lap And Zoe Petted Him.
[Later, In Downtown]
Chris Walked Down The Street With a Frown On His Face.
"I Can`t Believe I Just Spent Several Hours Listening To That Quack Rant And Rave Over How Pathetic My Alter Ego Was Against Talon!
(Sigh) And, What a Headline: "GREEN FACED WACKO IS PUMMELED BY NEW BIRD VILLAIN!"
Sheesh...As If I Didn`t Feel Bad Enough About How Easily I Was Beaten By That Guy!"
As Chris Walked Down The Street...a Blurry, Ghost-Like Image Followed Him From The Rooftops Of Various Buildings.
The Ghost Image Faded...And The Figure Of Talon Stood There.
He Smiled Evily, Then Pressed a Button On His Helmet.
His Golden, "Beak" Visor Zoomed In On Chris Like Advanced Binoculars.
Talon`s HUD Appeared, Which Read: "TARGET LOCKED"
Talon Then Flexed His Clawed Gloves, Which Shimmered Like Blades.
"come to me, my PREY..." Said Talon In a Sinister Voice