Hi Everyone! This story can be considered to take place after the events of my other story, 'Helga's Transference'. But in this story, it is not about Rodrigo's friendship with Helga.
This story is a part II kind of story that takes places years after from Cre8ivelybankgrupt87's story, 'The Mitigators'.
I would like to thank Cre8ivelybankgrupt87 for allowing me the honour to write this part II story. After reading the story, I was so inspired by it, that I wanted to do a sequel of it.
PLEASE NOTE: This story contains spoilers from 'The Mitigators' story, so if you do not wish to know how that story ended, then please DO NOT read this story. ALSO, it is REQUIRED for the reader to read 'The Mitigators' story first, in order to understand my story.
I wrote this story on the assumption that the reader has already read my previous two stories, 'Helga's Confession' and 'Helga's Transference' and is already familiar with the new character that I incorporated into Arnold's world, Rodrigo Castile de la Serna. Although it is not required for the reader to have read these stories, it will certainly help in understanding what is happening in this story.
To help you understand this story a bit more, as well this new character, Rodrigo Castile de la Serna, I would suggest reading Chapter 5: Eugene's Saviour from my story, 'Helga's Transference'.
I do not own any of the Hey Arnold characters! They belong to Craig Barlett and Nickelodeon, except Rodrigo Castile who is a creation of my imagination.
During lunchtime...
Rodrigo said nothing throughout the time he listened to Gerald tell the tale of their noble and historical battle against Ludwig and his army of sixth graders and how Arnold heroically lead his rough band of friends dressed in outlandish and comical costumes in order to bury once and for all, the ugly and seemingly abusive tradition of Trash Can Day that Ludwig attempt to re-institute at their PS118 elementary school.
Like a little kid listening to his grandfather's stories, Rodrigo watched attentively with wide and exciting eyes as Gerald attempted to re-enact the battle that took place on Gerald's field. The entire gang was present at the lunch room table as Gerald re-told what eventually became their finest hour. Helga, Phoebe, Harold, Patty, Sid, Stinky, Eugene, Nadine, Lila, Sheena, Park, Lorenzo and Peadpod Kid, veterans from the battle and whom supported Arnold, were all there, sitting and listening to Gerald.
Heck, the whole group got so into Gerald re-telling the story, that even Helga was inspired to re-enact her famous 'Trash Can Day' speech that she no doubt took from the inspired play of William Shakespeare's Henry V.
"And the first Monday of June shall never again go by, from this day till the end of our school, but we in it shall be remembered." Helga exclaimed as she was standing on top of the table, attempted to replay her exact words on that fateful and glorious day with the same passion and inspiration. "We few...we crazy few... we band of misfits; for all you who fester in garbage with me today shall I call brother and sister, be you ne'er so trashed. And kids of Public School 118 now afar shall think themselves wusses that they were not here, and hold their girlhoods cheap when any speaks that fought with us on Trash Can Day!"
"Yay!" *claps* *whistles*
Some of the other students who were at the other tables cheered as soon as Helga finished her speech, prompting everyone in the gang to turn around, smile and wave at them. Indeed, some of the students who fought on their side ended up going to the same high school as they did. Although they were not really friends, those that went to the same high school still looked up to Arnold's group and would even ask for their advice from time to time.
Helga simply smiled and took a few bows.
Although Rodrigo did not cheer, he was just as enthusiastic as they were. Completely taken into by Helga's speech, his blood was boiling, his veins were pumped with adrenaline and his heart was racing. Was what her speech intended, he was itching for a fight! But alas, he had to calm down so as not to get out of hand, and to let Gerald finish the story.
"And there we were, only but a brave few sixth graders against a horde of them, ready to take them on!" Gerald exclaimed with much suspension and excitement as he told their story. "But by virtue of Helga's speech, as well as being inspired by us in taking a stand against Ludwig and protecting the lower graders, our ranks began to slowly swell. At first it was only a few, but gradually, those same lower graders that we were protecting, who once quivered in fear, joined us instead, ready to fight against that brutal tradition of Trash Can Day and everything that it stood for."
Finally, Gerald told Rodrigo how eventually Arnold's group overwhelmed Ludwig's army, captured Ludwig and threw him into a trashcan. He also told how Wolfgang unexpectedly showed up and managed to convinced a dirty and disgruntled Ludwig to give up in trying to reinstall this absurd tradition and to just focus on other things in life, prompting Arnold and his friends to declare final victory over their former oppressors!
"Wow..." was all Rodrigo could say after Gerald finished.
Ever the history geek, Rodrigo understood the full significance of the morality of the story, but unlike some of his peers, he took it further. For him, the great moral battle that took place on Gerald's field almost five years ago was not just simply to stop the re-introduction of an obscene practice that explicitly indicated an unfair hierarchical and 'survival of the fittest mentality. Nor was it just about categorizing those who were 'geeks' and subjugating them to such humiliating endeavors. This was as much as about inclusivity in the general sense of the term as one can get.
Rodrigo completely took the lessons learned on that day to indicate that not only can lower graders go about their lives without the fear of one day getting thrown into a trash can, but everyone, including those of different racial/ethnic backgrounds, different sexual and gender orientation, different people who just didn't conform to the standard trend, that can and should go about their daily lives without the fear of being intimidated, oppressed and excluded from society for who they are. Indeed, instead of particular groups attacking one another for power, influence or scarce resources over their 'rivals', Arnold took a more radical, if not revolutionary approach; to stop with the bickering and allow everyone a fair share of the pie, so to speak. Everyone should be included into the system and never be afraid of ever being deprived of their rights and privileges for simply expressing themselves as they want to.
Even well after Gerald finished telling the story, Rodrigo still said nothing and continued to sit on his chair, still in awe.
"So, what do think, Rodrigo?" Gerald finally asked him.
"Holy s***! That was incredible! Where the hell was I?!" Rodrigo finally said something. "Oh yes, I was back L.A., doing absolutely nothing other than going to school and trying not to get shot." he continued sarcastically.
"I would have traded my right arm just so I could have been there with you guys! Never have I heard of a story that was so...inspiring, noble and heroic, almost legendary really!" Rodrigo continued to exclaim with excitement.
"What you guys did those kids and for preceding generations... no words can ever express the full magnitude of your actions." he continued.
"Rodrigo, quit being overly dramatic about this." Helga interjected with annoyance in her voice. "We just saved a few kids from getting thrown into trash cans and stopped a rather stupid tradition from ever resurfacing again. It's not like we changed history, you know."
Rodrigo looked at her with a bit of confusion on his face. He wasn't sure if Helga was simply downplaying the importance of the event that she participated in, or if she never fully grasped its moral significance."
"No, you didn't change history, Helga." Rodrigo responded back. "But you definitely changed things, at your former elementary school at least. Your actions on Gerald's field not only changed a 'few kids', but entire generations. Since you guys left PS118, have you heard reports of kids ever inflicting that much humiliation and torture on others?"
"Not really." Phoebe responded. "Gerald and I visited our old school last year to visit some of our old teachers and none have reported of kids humiliating others in that manner. Actually, when we spoke to Mr. Simmons who still teaches there, he told us that he was surprised at how inclusive students have been in the few last years before we went on to attend high school. Although there are still the occasional bullies and fighting, Mr. Simmons told us that the grade fours and fives that he now teaches are much less prejudiced against one another, with very little rivalry between graders."
"So what?" Helga interjected again. "That doesn't mean that what we did back then had any direct influence as to how kids in our old school behave today."
"Actually, Helga, yes it did." said a student who just approached their group, prompting everyone to turn around and face him.
"And who are you?" Helga bluntly asked him, while she crossed her arms.
"My name is Jason. I'm in grade nine at the moment, but I used to go to PS118 with you guys. Actually, I was there at Gerald's field with everyone fighting off Ludwig. I was in grade four back then."
The news didn't surprised anyone, but it only served to annoy Helga as she gave Jason a frowning face, who didn't appreciate just barging into their conversation.
Jason took notice of her being displeased with him being there, but remaining unfazed, continued to talk.
"I know you don't remember me, but I sure remember everyone of you guys. Everyone who was there at Gerald's field on that day remembers you. You underestimate how much you helping us from getting thrown into trashcans has influenced us. Us lower graders took your brave actions to heart and we carried on the tradition of not just helping others, but also in not allowing any particular group, especially the bigger kids, in oppressing others. We not only ensured that Trash Can Day never returned, but we continued to ensure what we learned most from Arnold; not leaving anyone out. Our grade tried to include everyone in our games, activities and even in class, we tried to help each other out, really. Sure there is still a hierarchy, but it is now based on respect and merit, rather than through fear and intimidation. I can honestly say that since that day, things have gotten better for many kids at that school. And it continues to be that way. I know this because I have a little brother who is in grade five right now and he has heard of the legend of the Mitigators and how their heroic actions led for a series of new changes in the way kids treat each other. We haven't forgotten you guys, for what you did."
Everyone in the gang looked at Jason and smiled at the wonderful news. Despite the years, they were amazed that their actions have not only not been forgotten, they have led to a series of positive outcomes. Indeed, everyone at that moment, even Helga who ceased her frowning, still felt like a hero.
"There you go." said Rodrigo as he pointed to Jason. "Thanks Jason for proving my point."
"You're welcome." he responded back with a small smile. "Sorry to have interrupted your conversation guys. I overheard you talking about that event and I just wanted to let you guys know that your actions were important to us. Thanks again."
Jason then left to rejoin his group of friends who were only beside the gang's table. Rodrigo then looked at Helga with a smirk on his face.
"See? What did I tell ya?" he said to her.
"Fine, whatever." Helga responded back as she rolled her eyes, accepting defeat...for the moment.
While this was going on, Rhonda was scanning her phone, trying to find some of the pictures that she managed to recuperate from that day. Finally, she managed to find them.
"Here. Take a look, Rodrigo." she said to him as she handed him her phone.
Rodrigo scanned through the pictures. He then stopped to take a closer look at a particular picture. Then suddenly,
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Rodrigo burst out laughing.
*sigh* "I take it you saw the pictures of the costumes that Arnold and myself were wearing?" Gerald asked exasperatingly.
Rodrigo was laughing so hard that was not able to verbally respond to Gerald. He only managed to nod his head.
"Out of all the pictures that could have been lost on that day, those had to be salvaged?" Gerald remarked annoyingly at Rhonda.
Rhonda just smiled at Gerald and shrugged her shoulders.
"Oh my God! HAHAHA! This is what you guys wore?! HAHAHAHA!" exclaimed Rodrigo as he put his head on the table, still laughing.
Although Rhonda would normally be offended that a piece of her work was being mocked at, in this case, after looking back at what she, Sheena and Nadine actually made, granted it was not their greatest piece of work. But more importantly, she realized that those costumes threw off Ludwig and his army off of their game, becoming completely confused as to why Arnold, Gerald and Phoebe were wearing such ridiculous costumes. In the end, they played a vital role in their victory, albeit not the way that Rhonda and Eugene had originally intended.
Instead of being mad, Rhonda just chuckled at remembering them.
Helga on the other hand just watched in annoyance, impatiently waiting for Rodrigo to stop laughing. She was not appreciating that he was laughing at Arnold. Granted, his costume was comical and horrible, but NO ONE laughs at Arnold and gets away with it. Only she had that privilege.
"Are you done?!" she finally asked him irritatingly.
"It's too bad I couldn't salvage the photos of you and Phoebe in your costumes, Helga." Rhonda remarked with a smirk on her face.
"Consider it as a sign that the Heavens decided to let you live a few more years Princess, lest I would have ended it if you ever showed those photos to anyone!" Helga barked at her.
Finally, Rodrigo managed to regain his sense of control and slowly ceasing his laughter.
"I'm sorry guys but, hahaha, that was funny. Hahahaha. But seriously, I can see why just how much of an effect those costumes must have had on that day." said Rodrigo.
"You do?" Gerald asked him with a raised eyebrow.
"Yup." He responded back. "I know it would have completely thrown Ludwig and his army off. I mean, how were they suppose to take a bunch of pre-teens dressed in hero costumes on a such important event as Trash Can Day? They weren't expected it! As funny as they were, it was a brilliant diversionary and even psychological tactic. I commend you Rhonda, Sheena and Nadine for that."
"Well, glad to see that you saw the seriousness in an otherwise comical appearance." Nadine remarked.
"Despite the costumes, I would have killed to have been there. I would have loved to have contributed to such a noble cause. Much respect to you guys." Rodrigo complimented his friends.
"Including you four." he continued as he pointed towards Sid, Stinky, Harold and Patty. "Even though you guys originally sided with Ludwig, I'm glad you were able to see the error of your ways and switched sides."
"Well, we couldn't have done it had it not been for Harold's bravery. He was the first to rebel against Ludwig's influence, even at the risk of being thrown into a trashcan." said Stinky.
"Really?" Rodrigo asked with a surprising look on his face.
"Ya, that's my Harold." remarked Patty with a loving smile, as she rubbed Harold's hat.
"Aww it was nothing you guys." Harold responded back bashfully.
Rodrigo said nothing as he continued to smile at his friends and their bravery for standing up for what was right. Indeed, he was envious of them. Despite their comical hero costumes, Rodrigo did see them as heroes and he lamented himself for not taking part in it.
Nevertheless he remained hopeful to one day make his own mark on this and to continue on with what Arnold had essentially entrusted his friends, including the lower graders that they saved since he left; to create a world that no longer spreads fear, intimidation and shame for being who you are; to create a more just world.
I do hope I can one day do my share to continue on with Arnold's legacy. Rodrigo thought.
I want to make it clear that I did not write Helga's speech. That was written by Cre8ivelybankgrupt87 in her story, 'The Mitigators'. It was such a good speech that I felt it needed to be heard again.