A/N Spring time has arrived. But there's one thing I hate most during these times. Sever storms...tornado's...ugh
El Tigre The New Adventures Season 2 Episode 63 – Training day
"WE NEED TRAINING MUSIC!" said Frida excitedly as she went through some music on her phone.
"YES! I DIDN'T THINK OF THAT!" Ronnie squealed jumping and down.
"Yo, that's a good idea! I'm going to be jamming AC/DC when I train!" said Carmen with a grin on her.
"What do you have in mind Frida?" asked Manny as she watched Frida do through her playlist.
The four of them had all gathered at Manny's place to talk and prepare for the training that they were going to do following the weekend. Everyone had thrown in ideas of training dummies, weights, and all sorts of workout equipment.
"Oh you know which one I got in mind!" said Frida with an excited smirk on her face as she played the song. "RISING UP, BACK ON THE STREET!" Frida began to sing as the song played
Manny, Carmen, and Ronnie's faces lit up.
"DID THE TIME-TOOK MY CHANCES!" Carmen sang happily.
"WENT THE DISTANCE, NOW I'M BACK ON MY FEET!" Ronnie sang cheerfully.
"JUST A MAN AND HIS WILL TO SURVIVE!" Manny sang, singing passionately.
The four of them continued the song till it landed on the most well know lyrics-
"IT'S THE EYE OF THE TIGER IT'S THE WAY OF THE FIGHT! RISING UP TO THE CHALLENGE OF OUR RIVALS!" The four of them sang together with their arms wrapped around each other's shoulders.
The four of them ended up laughing as they sat back down. Frida turns off the song, as Maria stepped into the room with a batch of freshly baked cookies. Maria was giggling a bit as she placed the plate of cookies on the living room table.
"It seems like you all are having a great time," said Maria, with a big smile on her face.
"Eye of the tiger will you make you feel like you can take on an army super villains!" said Manny as he began shadow boxing.
"Heck yeah! Although I'm still going to be blasting AC/DC in my ear," Carmen said with a smile and a shrug.
"Uhh what is AC/DC?" asked Ronnie curiously.
Frida and Carmen had both let out a loud gasp. They looked at each other and back at Ronnie. At each other, then Ronnie, then each other, and then Ronnie again. The two of them sighed and lowered their heads.
"Uhh…guys?" Ronnie said, staring at the two of them.
"Frida…" said Carmen, looking at Frida seriously.
"I know," said Frida, nodding and having the same serious expression on her face. She grabs her phone and places earbuds in Ronnie's ears. She then places her AC/DC playlist on shuffle and hands the phone the Ronnie. "Just sit, and listen."
Ronnie did so. In the matter of minutes that followed she was dancing around and jamming to Hell's Bells.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, we got her," Carmen said, fist-bumping Frida.
"AC/DC never fails baby," Frida said with a proud smile on her face.
Maria let out another giggle. Happy to see them having so much fun. But then she noticed that Johnny and Marcus weren't around. She looked over at Manny and asked "Where are Marcus and Johnny?"
"Oh, Johnny went to go get Marcus. The two of them should be meeting up here in an hour or so," Manny replied.
"Is Marcus ok? I haven't seen him in a couple of days," asked Maria, worriedly.
"Yeah, he's fine. He's just been doing a lot of training and he's just been pushing himself too hard,"
"He seems to like overworking himself and being a butt," said Carmen, scowling. She then flinches a bit at Ronnie, who tripped over her shoes and falls over.
"IF YOU'RE INTO EVIL YOU'RE A FRIEND OF MINE!" Ronnie sang loudly, as she laid out across the floor.
"Well I hope you all won't do the same," Maria said, as she looked over to where Ronnie had tripped to see if she was ok.
"Don't worry mom we're going to be just fine. We're all just going to refining our abilities and make them stronger. Nothing too harsh," said Manny with a relaxed smile.
Carmen nods, as she and Frida helped Ronnie. "Yeah, we're not going to be practicing moves on each other or anything," she said for sure.
"Wait we're not?" said Ronnie, disappointingly.
"Well if you say so," said Maria, as she couldn't help but smile.
"Jeez where are those two?" asked Frida, in a bit of an impatient tone, referring to Marcus and Johnny.
"Eh give 'em time, you know how Marcus is, probably being a lazy introvert as usual. Just leave It to Johnny. They'll be here in no time," said Manny, placing both of his hands on the back of his head as he laid across the couch with feet propped up.
Frida walks over and sits down on Manny's stomach, causing Manny to let out a loud OOF.
"Well true. I just hope they don't end up getting into a big fight," said Frida.
"Why are you sitting on me?"
"Because you're hogging the couch," Frida replied simply.
"Umm…can you get off?"
"Nope,"
…
Johnny had arrived at Marcus's home finally. A lot of the time he had spent getting to his home was spent turning around and walking off, and then turning around to head back on the path. He didn't want to go see Marcus at all. But, he knew how much Ronnie wants Marcus to come train with them. That, and there was that ONE question that Johnny wanted out of Marcus. And, as much as Johnny hated to admit…he did sort of cared for Marcus. So, he didn't really have much of a choice.
Johnny walked up to Marcus's front door and knocked.
There wasn't an answer.
Johnny knocked once more. And waited a couple of seconds.
Still no answer.
"Great…he's not home," said Johnny. "Well, all that indecisiveness sure bit me in the ass…"
Johnny turned around and was about to walk off till he heard the sound of locks being turned. He turned around and saw the door open, and Marcus, peeking out from the slightly opened door. Marcus had deeper black bags under his eyes and he looked horrible.
"Oh…you are home," said Johnny surprised.
Marcus's eyes moved from the left and right, noticing Manny, Frida, Ronnie, and Carmen weren't with him. "You by yourself?" he asked tiredly.
"Pretty much," Johnny replied. "Everyone's at Manny's place."
"Doing what?"
"Getting ready for the group training. Didn't you get the text?"
"No, I didn't,"
"Of course," said Johnny, rolling his eyes. "Can I come in?"
"What?"
"Can I…come in?" Johnny repeated.
Marcus stared at Johnny for a moment. Johnny stared back and raised a brow, "Sure I guess…"
Marcus opened the door completely. Johnny walked over and entered Marcus's home. The living room was filthy. Clothes were scattered all over. Dirty shirts, pants, and socks were littered on the couch and floor. The room had an order in it as well. That and Johnny spotted dirty dishes and cups of noodle cups littered across the table.
"For heaven's sake Marcus!" Johnny shouted as he turned to him. "You aren't the only thing that looks like crap around here!"
Marcus just walked past Johnny and hopped back on the couch "You're the one who wanted to come in, dumbass," said Marcus, placing the covers across his face. He heard Johnny go quiet for a moment and he removed the covers that were across his face slightly to see what he was doing.
Johnny had grabbed the clothes basket that Marcus NEVER used ever and started placing the dirty clothes in the basket.
"Does this place have a washing machine?" asked Johnny, holding the basket full of dirty clothes. "Well?" he asked one more with a bit of tone behind it. Irritated at Marcus's blank stare. "Yes or no?"
"Down the hall," Marcus replied pointing down the hallway.
"Wow, it does have one? I bet it looks brand new," said Johnny as he went down the hall. "WOW, IT DOES LOOK BRAND NEW! IT'S LIKE IT'S NEVER BEEN USED!"
Marcus let out a groan and placed the covers over his face. Suddenly the covers were yanked off of Marcus.
"Almost forgot this," said Johnny, taking the covers to the laundry room.
"Who the hell do you think you are!? Jackass!" Marcus screamed, glaring at Johnny as he walked off with his covers.
"You need to get off your lazy ass and meet up with the rest of us!" Johnny said from the laundry room. As he started loading the clothes into the washing machine. "No more being a bum!" Once he was done with that he returned to the living room with a vacuum cleaner. "Do you know what this is?"
Marcus glared at Johnny with murderous intent.
"This is what you used to clean carpets with. It's called a vacuum cleaner," said Johnny, as he plugged it into the wall and turns it on. Once the Vaccum cleaner touched the carpet, it made all sorts of cracking noises. "No surprise there."
Marcus sat back down and crossed his arms. He tapped his finger on his arm impatiently as he watched Johnny vacuum his carpet. Once that was done he heads into the kitchen, looks for a trash bag, and pile up all of the empty cups of noodles into the trash bag, then placed the metal forks in the sink along with whatever was on the table. Johnny grabs a broom and dustpan and begins sweeping around the kitchen piling up all the dust and crumbs that were scattered around.
"You know I can get you a maid outfit if you want," said Marcus, as he watched Johnny clean.
"If you make smart remarks then you can get dressed," Johnny replied irritably.
"Ugh…" Marcus lazily gets off of the couch and heads to his room.
"Take a shower first! You stink!" Johnny called out to him.
"Kiss my ass bird boy!" Marcus called back aggressively, as he heads into the bathroom to freshen up.
Once Marcus was in the shower, Johnny decided to tidy up Marcus's living room. He took the cushions off of the couch and pats them down. Dust and food crumbs were falling out onto the carpet.
"Crap…now I have to vacuum again," Johnny groaned as he looked between Marcus's couch to see his phone laying there. "No wonder he didn't get the text it was stuck between his cushions!" Johnny picked it up and turned it on. His phone was on 5% and he could see all of the text that Manny had sent him.
So Johnny decided to vacuum over the carpet again. He then takes out the sucker and started getting in between the couches. He did the same behind Marcus's couch and in corners. The whole time he did this he found so much dirt, clutter, and even some dead bugs. "All of these cleaning tools and he doesn't use them. Unbelievable!" He complained. As he grabs a duster and begins dusting down the cobwebs that were gathering around the ceiling "Seriously how does he live like this!?"
Marcus cuts off the water and steps out of the tub. He grabs a towel and drys off. He places on his clean clothes and exists the bathroom. The first thing he noticed was the smell of eggs and toast. Johnny was in the kitchen fixing up breakfast. He stood over the stove cooking up eggs.
"You're cooking my breakfast now?" said Marcus, as he was drying his hair.
"Have you eaten anything at all?" asked Johnny, as he stared down at the eggs as they cooked.
"Well…no…"
"Then breakfast it is," said Johnny, in a, and that's that type of tone. "By the way, doesn't it feel better in here now that the whole place is clean?"
Marcus looked around his home. Everything looked so clean from top to bottom. The windows were open as well, which thanks to that it aired out the odor that filled Marcus's home. His couch was made up and neatly put together. Marcus walked into the kitchen and pulled up a chair and sat down.
"Yeah it does feel better," said Marcus, softly.
"Mhmm. Keeping a clean home is healthy too. A dirty home is very bad for you," Johnny handed Marcus his plate of eggs and toast. Marcus looked down and picked up the fork and began eating.
"This is really good. I've tasted eggs before but, I never tasted some like this before," said Marcus, sincerely.
Johnny's eyes widened and he blushed a bit. Every time someone complimented something he made. But Johnny wasn't use to Marcus complimenting him which made him not only surprised but very flustered. He quickly turned around so he wouldn't see.
"T-Thank you," stuttered Johnny. Once all the fluster wore off. Johnny remembers the question he wanted to ask Marcus. "So…I wanted to ask you something,"
"Mhm?" Marcus responded as he ate his toast.
"What happened to you out there?"
Marcus stopped eating. He swallowed the food he was chewing and looked over at Johnny. "I was wondering when that question was coming…" He said in a deep tone.
Johnny turned around to face Marcus and leaned on the counter. "After seeing what you turned into can you blame me?" He stared at Marcus.
Marcus sighed and averted his eyes away from Johnny. "I guess not. But can I ask why you followed me into the forest? Were you stalking me or something?" He asked, his tone just a tad bit aggressive.
"A kid who was around was playing with his dog. It ran into the forest and he was too scared to go get it. He told me he heard roars coming from the forest and he ran to get help. He just happened to run into me at the time," Johnny explained.
"Fair enough I guess," said Marcus, placing down his fork on the plate.
"So? What exactly are you? Some freaky monster demon thing?" Johnny asked pointing at him with raising his whole arm.
"You're the second person to call me some freaky monster demon thing," said Marcus, letting out a sigh. "And no I'm no monster, I am a human being…just a human being with a complicated bloodline."
Johnny raised a brow "Does this have anything to do with your eyes glowing red with that creepy-looking pentagram in it?" He asked. Johnny had always wondered about Marcus's Devil's eyes. But he's never asked before.
Marcus took a deep breath and exhaled. He placed his left elbow on the table and rested his chin on the palm of his hand. "My Ancestor, from what I've been told, was in a tight spot. To keep living…he sacrificed his humanity and became a devil. That and the element of fire was born. The gene and power of becoming a devil and wielding the art of fire was born," He explained, placing his eyes back on Johnny, who was staring at Marcus in awe.
"Wow…I never knew it happened that way," Johnny said, sounding as though he had lost breath after what he heard. "That's incredible honestly,"
Marcus let out a shallow chuckle "You think so?" He said, smiling weekly. "Honestly…I hate it,"
"Huh?"
"At one point in time. I wanted to find out anything I could about my family history. But…" Marcus paused. He began staring off at nothing, lost in thought.
"I don't get it. You hate it, but you're training to control it?" Johnny said, as he crossed his arms and stared at Marcus perplexed.
"That's right," Marcus replied. "But I don't have a choice. I have to control this form. The last time I transformed into what you saw I nearly killed everyone around me. I can't stand it…but If I can control it…then I'll be stronger!"
Johnny stared at Marcus for a moment. Johnny removed his right hand from his pocket and rubbed his head and sighed "I understand Marcus," He said softly. "But don't you think you're doing too much?"
"No I don't," Marcus replied, the tone of this voice sounded slightly irritated.
"You're losing sleep because you're training all wrong! Not to mention you aren't getting anywhere!"
"OH WILL YOU SHUT UP AND MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS!" Marcus screamed, shooting up from his seat.
"NO, I WON'T!" Johnny screamed back. "LOOK AT YOU! YOU LOOK AWFUL! QUIT TRYING TO DO EVERYTHING BY YOURSELF!"
Marcus flinched and just stared at Johnny dumbfounded.
"DAMN IT YOU PISS ME OFF! YOU GOT EVERYONE WORRIED ABOUT YOU AND YOU'RE STILL JUST A STUBBORN JACKASS! YOU DON'T GIVE A DAMN ABOUT WHAT ANYONE THINKS YOU UNGRATEFUL PUNK!" Johnny yelled. He gets off the counter he was leaning on and heads for the door. "STAY HERE FOR ALL I CARE! I HOPE YOU DON'T SHOW!" He opens the door leaves, slamming the door behind him.
Marcus sat there in silence trying to process everything that had happened. Marcus clenches his fist and grits his teeth. "I…I'm not ungrateful…I just…" The sound of chime went off. It was Marcus's phone. He had forgotten that he had lost it and saw that it was plugged Into the kitchen socket. Johnny must've found the charger which he also lost. Marcus gets up from his seat and goes to check his phone. It was a text from Ronnie.
Ronnie: "Are you really not coming…?"
He also saw all of the other text as well from the group that he didn't see from earlier today.
Carmen: "Hey you're still meeting up with us right?"
Manny: "Hey, I'm not going to bug you or anything but it'd be really cool if you come with us for our group training! If not then it's ok, maybe next time!"
Frida: "Hope to see you with us today!" Frida had placed a heart at the end of her text.
Marcus just stared at the phone for a couple of seconds.
Marcus sighed "Damn it…"
…
The rest of the group had met at the spot where they would be training at. It was in a ghost town that was away from Miracle city that was in the eastern parts. From Manny had explained, a lot of thugs and super villains use to meet up here at one point. But then, Marcus had arrived and always got lost and ended up here and picked a lot of fights. There was this large warehouse that used to be a boots factory but ended up closing down. That factory was now the property of Team Rivera! And a good second hang-out spot if needed. Frida had already begun setting up decorations all over the place. Rockstar posters of KISS, Metalica, guns and roses, and other cool bands. Carmen had set up this BIG poster of AC/DC in her corner. Manny had brought in TV from their apartment that his grandfather puma loco had given him for the hang-out spot. (Manny was pretty sure it was stolen. But hey, a free TV!) He also had placed his posters up as well of his favorite comic superheroes and professional wrestlers.
Once everyone was getting ready to head outside, Ronnie was sitting on a stool, her elbows rested on her thigh and her chin buried in her hands.
"Aww come on Ronnie, maybe he'll show up next week," said Frida softly, as she pants her on the back.
"Yeah, I mean he's probably just tired is all from his training," said Manny, who was doing some stretches.
"I don't care if he shows or not!" said Johnny, bitterly. "Hey can stay in his stupid home by himself for all I care!"
"Johnny come on don't be like that!" said Carmen, glaring over at Johnny.
"It's fine…" said Ronnie, hopping off of the stool. "Like Manny said he's probably just tired." Even though she said that her tone sounded sad and disappointed. "Is everyone ready?"
"Yeah I am…" said Carmen, who looked at Ronnie worriedly.
Everyone else was ready. The group was about to go outside when the door to the warehouse was opening. At first, they thought it was a bunch of bandits or even the mustache mafia. But stepping through the door, was not bandits or the mafia. It was Marcus. He wore a black tank top shirt with grey warm-up pants and work out shoes that were colored
"MARCUS!" said Ronnie, her eyes glowing up.
"Alright look who finally decided to show up!" said Carmen with a big smile on her face.
"YO MARK!" said Manny with a big grin on his face.
"You made it!" said Frida, beaming.
Johnny didn't say anything. He just stood there with his arms crossed and glared at Marcus.
Marcus rubs the back of his head as his eyes were away from his friends "Hey," He said shyly.
"Well well well look who decided to show up!" said Frida cheerfully as she walked up to Marcus and slapped him on the back.
"You're just in time! We are just about to begin!" Manny said, patting Marcus on the shoulder with a smile. "Come on!"
As Manny, Frida, and Carmen head outside, Ronnie wrapped her arms around Marcus bringing him into a big hug. "I'm glad you came!" She said as he lets him go and heads outside.
Marcus turned around and saw Johnny walk past him.
"Thank you," said Marcus, sincerely. "For…cleaning up my messy home. I really do appreciate it, Johnny."
Johnny stopped walking. He slowly turned around to face Marcus, but he didn't look him in the eyes. "It's no problem…I always helped my mom clean around the house so…" He said softly, still avoiding Marcus's eyes.
"You did a good job," Marcus complimented with a soft smile.
"Thanks…" Johnny replied quietly. "I'm sorry…for what I said…"
"Huh?"
"I shouldn't have snapped at you like that. I'm sorry," Johnny's voice was a bit hoarse and his face turned red.
Marcus chuckled and scratched his cheek. "I was being stubborn. So you weren't too far from the truth. And I deserved it anyway, especially after all you did for me."
Johnny finally placed his eyes on Marcus's but only for a moment and he looked away "So…uhh…I did want to ask you…umm…Ummm…" His face began to turn redder.
"Uhh, Johnny?" Marcus asked with a chuckle "This isn't like you."
Johnny groaned, took a deep breath, and asked "Can you show me how to maintain my fire control?" He asked hesitantly.
"You're having trouble?"
"Well…I just have a hard time channeling it and using it the way I need to. That's all. I mean you can form whole dragons and stuff so I thought you could show me a thing or to," Johnny said, embarrassed.
Marcus couldn't help but smile warmly at Johnny "Sure, I can help," He nods. "But I did promise to help Ronnie with her new ability's. Maybe the next training session we have?"
Johnny smiled and he looked at Marcus. "Thanks," He said softly.
Once the two of them finished talking they went outside. Carmen had transformed her silver morphing weapon into a staff and began practicing on her Bo staff skills. She was working up a sweat and had her hair tied up. Ronnie transformed into her speed witch attire. Ronnie stood there, holding out her hand trying to generate electricity with her hands. Manny, of course, was not trying to break the seal yet but was practicing new slashing styles with his claws. Frida was shadowboxing, practicing by hitting a matt that was against the wall of the warehouse.
"Oh you guys finally came out!" said Frida smiling at them.
"Sorry for the wait!" said Marcus, with a big smile on his face. "Hey Johnny, you're good with kickboxing and stuff. Help Frida with that and I'll help you with Fire control in a bit." Marcus sounded more upbeat and full of energy.
"Sure thing!" Johnny said with a nod.
"Hey Ronnie, let me give you a few tips on how to maintain an art ability!" said Marcus, walking over to her.
Ronnie's eyes glowed and a huge smile came across her face. "YEAH!" She nods, sounding happier than ever.
Manny and Carmen looked over at Marcus. Carmen was leaning on her pole, watching as Marcus was giving Ronnie a few tips as the two of them happily watched.
"Now this is a true group get together huh?" Carmen said to Manny.
"Yup! Did you see how Ronnie's lit up when Marcus came in?" Carmen asked with a giggle.
Manny chuckled "Yeah! That just screams crush!"
"Speaking of crushes, when are you going to seal the deal with Frida?" Carmen whispered to Manny.
"W-Wait what?" Manny blushed.
"Come on she's not going to wait forever,"
"Carmen stop!"
Carmen lets out a laugh "I'm just messing with you Tiger boy. Come on! Spar with me!" she said yanking her pole out of the ground "Don't worry I'll go easy on you!"
"Alright then! Let's go!"
Carmen and Manny began sparing. Johnny was showing Frida the correct way to throw good kicks and punches. Marcus began showing Ronnie the basics of controlling an elemental ability.
"Alright, the first thing you need to learn is concentrating your inner energy that's within your body into your current power. Take deep breathes and exhale. Clear your head and get a feel for it," Marcus took deep breathes. Ronnie did the same. "And exhale,"
Ronnie exhaled.
"Again," said Marcus, taking deep breathes, then exhaled. Ronnie did so as well.
"Now once you get a feel for the KI Just-"
Suddenly there was a high-pitch squeal followed by "OH MY GOD MANNY MY BAD!"
Everyone turned around to see Manny on the ground curled up with both of his hands clenched around his crotch. "Critical hit…to the cajones…" said Manny in a painful tone. Ronnie who was at first, completely absorbed into her training, burst out laughing, ending in a snort.
"Sorry Frida…" said Carmen with a nervous chuckle.
"Ummm…why are you apologizing to me?" asked Frida, raising a brow at Carmen.
"Uhh…no reason?"
After sitting helping Manny and giving him an ice-pack the group had gone back to training. Except for Manny, who was lying down on a mat clenching his lower area. (He'll be ok). Marcus went back to showing Ronnie how to control her Ki. He repeated the steps that Marcus told her. Concentrate the energy into your current power. Inhale, exhale. Ronnie repeated all of these steps as she closed her eyes. Ronnie fell off into a trance. In her she a spark.
"That's it," Marcus said in his head.
A spark had appeared around Ronnie's hand, sparked once more, then came a stream of electricity around her hand. Ronnie opened her eyes and looked at her hand. Her eyes widen and a big smile grew across her face.
"I'M DOING IT!" Ronnie shouted happily. "I'M DOING I-"
Suddenly the surge of electricity shoots out from Ronnie's hand zapping everyone around her. Ronnie paused for a moment and stared at her hand in shock. She then places her eyes on everyone who was lying on the ground twitching. Frida and Carmen's hair was standing up with slight electricity going through them.
"THAT WAS AWESOME!" Frida squealed, then jolts when the electricity surged through her.
"Dude my phone is now at 100%," said Carmen, who also jolted.
Manny was lying face down on the ground. "Dude….why me?" he groaned.
"Well…I'd say you got the basic down…" said Marcus, getting to his feet and jolting at the sudden surge of electricity that went through his body.
"I'd say so too," said Johnny, as he also jolts.
"hehe…sorry guys," Ronnie said with a blush as she rubs the back of her head.
Once everyone had recovered they continued with their training. Manny had begun to feel better from his unfortunate accident and began trying to free his ancient tiger spirit. At first, Manny thought that he was getting better at it breaking the seal, but each time it would end up with the seal stopping at him immediately.
"You ok Manny?" Carmen asked in worry.
"Yeah…I'm fine…" Manny reassured. "I'm going to break this seal…I know I can!"
Johnny was now beginning to train Frida on flexibility, starting with her legs.
"Alright Frida…slowly, easy…easy,"
"Dude…how are you so flexible?" asked Frida in awe, as Johnny had completely done a full split.
"I've always been flexible as far as I know," Johnny replied.
Marcus and Ronnie had continued their training, at a safe distance of course. Ronnie was holding out her hands and a stream of electricity was surging through her arms.
"That's it, Ronnie!" Marcus said excitedly.
Sweat was going down her head as she concentrates. Ronnie turns her hands sideways and the electricity surged from left to right, creating a connecting stream. Ronnie then let's go and starts panting.
"Man…this is hard…" said Ronnie as she sits down wipes the sweat off her head.
"It is. But once you get the hang of it, it'll all be second nature to you," said Marcus softly.
"How hard was it for you?"
Marcus thought for a moment. "Well, I can say that when I first saw fire appearing around my arm I freaked out and thought I was going to blow up," He thought back to that day. "I was scared of even using it. I was afraid I was going to burn someone or burn down a building. I didn't start training with it seriously 3 years after I left home."
"R-Really? So you're still really new to it?" asked Ronnie in awe.
Marcus scratched his cheek "Yeah pretty much,"
"But you're so good at it! I mean I've seen you make a whole dragon with fire!"
Marcus chuckles "That stuff isn't easy. The amount concentration and understanding of your element needs to come into play," He explained holding out his hand and a surge of fire appears around his hand "Control and stamina. Everything in your body needs to be in synch."
"I see…" Ronnie said, watching the fire dance in Marcus's hand. But then Ronnie moved her attention from the fire over to Marcus. Marcus was smiling, watching the fire roar around his hand. The glow from the fire lit up Marcus's eyes. He looked so calm, and at peace. Ronnie smiled, staring into Marcus's eyes. She was lost in them.
Marcus looked over at Ronnie "Ronnie? Are you ok?"
"Huh?" She snaps out of her daze "Oh yeah! Just daydreaming, hahaha!"
"Well if you're feeling up to it, let's keep going,"
"Right!" said Ronnie, hopping to her feet.
The group's training had gone on till dawn. Once they were done they sat on the soft grass, staring up at the now appearing night sky. Frida, Ronnie, and Carmen began eating some fruit snacks that they brought along. Manny had brought some bags of hot-flavored chips with Soda. Manny had offered some to Johnny, while Marcus turned it down.
"Hot food isn't my thing," Marcus stated.
"A guy who can breathe fire can't stand hot food? That's something," Manny said surprised. Manny reached into his bag a pulled out a bag of cheddar chips and offered them to Marcus. "Here ya go!"
"That's more like it," said Marcus, taking the chips.
"Good job today guys!" said Carmen happily. "I felt we got a lot of progress done today!"
"Besides getting hit in the jewels and electrocuted," Manny frowned.
Ronnie and Carmen chuckled nervously.
"When should we get together again?" Frida asked
"I say every Saturday is a good idea!" Ronnie replied cheerfully.
"I can work with that!" Carmen agreed.
"Oh, by the way, look what I brought with me!" said Frida, reaching into her bag and pulling out a portable radio.
"OH MY GOD YES!" Carmen eye's widened excitedly "Let me plug in my phone!"
"PLAY SOME AC-DC!" Ronnie squealed in excitement.
Manny, Marcus, and Johnny watched as the girls were geeking out over their music. Manny then looks over at Marcus, who was staring up at the purple night sky. He looked so at peace. Manny smirks and nudges Marcus gently.
"What?" Marcus asked
"You look a lot better now. The last time we saw you you look like you were about to fall apart," said Manny.
Johnny nods "I can second that,"
Marcus couldn't help but chuckle. He then slightly frowns. "Sorry about that yesterday guys," he said gently.
Manny pats Marcus back "Dude, don't worry about it! We're just glad you came around!"
Marcus smiled warmly "Thank you," He whispered
"I WANNA ROCK!"
The three of them suddenly jolted when a loud blast of I wanna rock by Twisted sister coming from Frida's radio. The three of them were singing along happily to the lyrics passionately as they danced around.
Manny, Johnny, and Marcus looked at each other and just chuckled.
The group decided that they were going to spend some time together just a bit longer.
To be continued
A/N I sat on this chapter for a few days. My itch for gaming has returned to me and I've been getting back into it. I wanted to end this chapter on some fluff with the group. But, I think I was heavily overthinking it. So anyway, I hope you all enjoyed it! And till then, see you all in the next chapter!