A/N: Hey guys thanks so much on the support on chapter 1 and welcome to chapter 2, in this chapter Manny makes a new friend and takes on a gang.
A couple weeks had passed since Manny met his father, who also happens to be the hero of Miracle City, White Pantera. Since then, Manny has been gallivanting around town as El Tigré, Miracle City's newest defender. So far, he had mostly stopped petty crimes such as purse snatchers and jewel thieves. But he hadn't dealt with anything to serious.
And although he did a good job of stopping criminals his father saw how aggressive Manny could be as sometimes, he would break someone's arm or leg. But Rodolfo chalked it up to Manny's previous lifestyle of living upon the streets. And maybe he just needed something to calm his more aggressive side. So, Rodolfo came up with a plan.
It was a Wednesday night and Manny had just gotten back from patrolling as El Tigré. He was currently watching TV when his father walked into the room. "Hola Manny." Rodolfo greeted which caused Manny to turn away from the TV. "Oh hey. Where have you been?" Manny asks. "Well, I had to get some paperwork filed." Rodolfo informs. "Paperwork? What paperwork?" Manny said completely confused. "Well for one I needed to sign a few documents that officially place you in my care. And then I had to sign you up for school." He announces to Manny. And just like that Manny froze. He couldn't believe what he had heard his father said.
"You what?" He asked still to shell shocked. "I signed you up for school. You can't just stay here all day when you're not being El Tigré. People might get suspicious." He reasoned. But Manny couldn't get past the whole "going to school" part. And he responded in a furious tone. "Why would you do that?!" He said seething in anger.
"Níno, you must understand you need an education. You also need to interact with people your age." Rodolfo says. "I don't need to interact with others!" He angrily says. "I'm just fine on my own." "Manny, no one can go everyday of their life being alone. If someone did, they go crazy. So as much as you deny it, you do need people in your life." He tells his son with his vast wisdom. "Ugh." He says he disgust. "Fine I'll go. But I'm only giving it one chance." He expresses.
Rodolfo simply nods before exiting the room, leaving Manny to his thoughts. 'Hmp. I don't need any friends. They'll just slow me down.' Manny thinks still feeling very unhappy about the situation.
The next day had come. And Manny was feeling very dreadful. First, he had to wake up at seven o'clock, then he had to brush his hair, and then he had a single piece of toast for breakfast before leaving the house. And now he was heading to school.
"Still can't believe I let you talk me into this." Manny says as he still feeling upset. "Don't be like that Manny. Who knows maybe you'll meet that special someone." Rodolfo says with sly smirk on his face. However, Manny simply scoffs at the idea before replying "Don't get your hopes up." And soon enough they'd reach Miracle City High School. It was a fairly large building with four towers at each end. Manny however wasn't in awe of the building before him.
"Eh, it's alright." He remarks. He then turns back to Rodolfo. "Now remember Manny, just relax and try to have fun today." He reminded him. "Don't keep your hopes up." Manny said pessimistically as he then walks towards the school.
Once inside he then takes a look at his schedule and tries to find his class, but of course he's lost. After three minutes of wandering around Manny bumps into someone causing both of them to fall. "Hey, watch where you're going you-" He stopped when he realized he had bumped into a girl. A pretty one too. She had light tan skin, blue hair and was wearing a white shirt with a red skirt and goggles. Manny was in awe of her, but he quickly shook it off as he stood back up. "You should really watch where you're going." He said averting his eyes from her gaze. "I could say the same to you." She responded with a playful smirk. "Wait a minute, you're the new kid right?" She asks Manny. "How could you tell?" Manny said raising his eyebrow. "You have that lost dog kind of vibe. Anyway, I'm Frida Suarez, you need help finding your class?" She asks.
Manny was a bit taken aback by someone actually trying to help him, but he remained rather stubborn about actually accepting help. However, the girl wasn't going to take no for an answer as she grabbed his schedule and looked at it. "Oh, you're in Ms. Jackson's room for first period. Cool, I'm in there too. I can show you where it is." She says as she grabs Manny by the hand and proceeds to take him to the classroom. 'Man, what is this girl's deal?' Manny thought. It somewhat weirded him out on how this girl had an interest in him.
Over the next two and a half hours the day progress. Despite being at the disadvantage of starting school two months behind his fellow classmates Manny was able to keep up with the lesson. Even if it bored him out of his mind. However, he did have Frida to talk to as they shared their first two classes. Of course, he mostly listened to her talk and rarely responding. He was still trying to figure out why she was so interested in hanging out with him.
By lunch the two were seated together near the cafeteria's exit. "So, you enjoying your first day here?" Frida asks Manny in an upbeat tone. "Well, it's not as bad as I pictured but I wouldn't say I'm happy to be here." Manny replied as he tried to keep uninterested view about school. "Yeah. That's how it was my first year, but this school really grows on ya you know." She says as she looks around the room. "If you say so." Manny chuckled.
Frida turns to face him before asking a question. "Hey Manny, your last name is Rivera, right?" She asked almost hesitantly. "Yeah, why?" He questioned not sure on why it was important. "Are you any chance related to Rodolfo Rivera? He's one of my neighbors and I was just wondering." She says in a nervous tone. And for some reason her question caused Manny to tense up.
"Yeah. He's my dad." He said with clear strain in his voice, as if he didn't like the fact he was his son. "How come I've never seen you before then?" Frida asks innocently as she could say. However, when hearing the question Manny's anger almost burst out as he says, "Look! It's something I REALLY don't want to talk about. So I'd appreciate it if you drop it." He said in a rage. But it immediately disappeared when he saw the look on Frida's face. She looked a mix between upset and scared. "Sorry. I have this habit where I can be overbearing at times. I'll leave you alone." Frida says as she gets up from the table and sadly walks away. Manny looks on now feeling guilty about his outburst. 'Of course I'm a jerk to the one person who actually tried to be nice to me.' He thought.
The rest of the school day had come and went. And now that it was over Manny was waiting patiently for his father to arrive and pick him up. As he was waiting he saw something weird. It was Frida and she was surrounded by two boys. At first thought they were her friends, but then he saw how one place his hand on her shoulder and how uncomfortable she looks. Seeing this angered Manny. They weren't friends, they were harassing her. Manny knew he couldn't do nothing, so he walked over towards them. When he gets close enough, he pulls Frida away from them an close to him. "Leave her alone!" Manny says while glaring at the two. "And who's going to make us? You?" One of the boys said.
The two boys were taller than Manny, but he wasn't intimidated in the slightest. "I'm warning you. Back off." Manny threatens. However, the two boys chuckle at Manny's threat, and then one shoved him down. "Ha, looks like you were all talk." The boy laughed. And in that moment Manny snapped. His eyes got sharper and turn an emerald shade of green. It was like he had the intent to kill. He leapt at the first boy a punched him straight in the face before quickly elbowing the next guy in the stomach. The two boys got back up and tried to hit Manny, but he was moving too fast for them. Then he kicks one of the boys in the leg with much force that it nearly bent back and he grabbed the other one by the arm and snapped it like a twig, breaking it. Both scream out in pain from they're bones being broken.
As for Manny his eyes shift back to their normal brown and he seems to have calmed down, but he kept his glare. "Now get out of here before I do worse." He warned. The two boys pick themselves up and were about to leave when one of them turn back to Manny. "This isn't the end of this kid. Better watch your back, cause when you mess with one Red Dragon you mess with all of us." He said before leaving. Manny then let out a huff before turning to Frida. "You okay?" He asks concerned. "Are you out of your mind!?" She questions visibly mad. "What are you talking about? I just saved you from those guys!" He said defending himself.
"Do you have any idea who those guys were?!" She asks. "Some punks, who cares?" Manny says nonchalant. "Those weren't some punks. They were apart of the Red Dragon gang. One of the most dangerous gangs in the city, and they have a history of getting even with anyone who crosses one of their members." She says explain the severity of the situation. "Okay, so I have a couple gang members on my tail, so what?" Manny says showing no fear. "Manny I'm telling you, they're dangerous. And it won't be two or three of them. It will be eight or nine of them." She informs him. "Don't worry Frida, I can take care of myself." He assures her. Then he sees his dad's car start to pull up to the school. "Anyway, I got to go. I'll see you later." He tells her with a wink. He then gets in his dad's car as the two drive off. "See ya." Frida says worried.
Later on, that day Manny was in his room doing his homework. Then he thought back on what had transpired earlier. He's willing to admit that he probably should have handled the situation better. But those two jerks were harassing someone who actually wanted to be his friend. And although he didn't show it in front Frida, he was kind of nervous about some gang members after him. But if he was going to be a hero he was going in this town have to deal with something like this at some point. Another thing he was thinking about was when he was fighting those two Red Dragon thugs. It felt like he was more aggressive than usual. Almost animalistic it seemed. It really did confuse him.
As he was thinking about this his Rodolfo enters his room. "Hey Manny. Are you finish your homework yet?" He asks his son. "Yeah, pretty much. Hey, can I ask you a question?" Manny asks. "What is it?" Rodolfo questions. "Have you ever heard of a gang called the Red Dragons?" Manny ask with some concern in his voice. "What did you do?" Rodolfo ask while folding his arms and narrowing his eyes. "Why do you automatically assume I did something?" Manny said defensively. "You wouldn't know who they were if you didn't get into trouble with them. Now, what did YOU do? He asks more stern this time.
Manny sighs before saying, "I may have gotten into a fight with two Red Dragon thugs after school." He confessed as Rodolfo's eyes go wide in shock. "Why would you do something so reckless?!" Rodolfo cries. "They were harassing this girl name Frida and I couldn't just let it happen." Manny states. Hearing this caused Rodolfo's gaze to soften but he was still a bit on edge. "I'm glad you helped her, but next time Manny you need to get an adult. You put yourself and your identity at risk." He tells Manny. "Right." Manny responds a bit dismissively. "But what do you know about the Red Dragons." He inquires.
"Not a lot. They first appeared in the city 7-8 years ago. They do a lot of drug trade. Some say they even do some weapons trade. I've ran across them a few times as White Pantera, but I've never gathered any info to take them down." Rodolfo explains. "The most I know is that they've been involved in lots of arson and homicide cases." He adds. "Which means I'm going to have my hands full tomorrow, as both Manny and El Tigré." Manny figured. "Just be careful." Rodolfo says with a distressed tone.
Manny nods. And as Rodolfo turns to leave the room Manny was about to tell him about his animal like behavior from earlier, but decided against it. 'Probably should only tell him if it becomes a problem.' Manny thinks.
The next day had come. Manny was progressing through the school day as normal. So far nothing bad had happened. But that was about to change.
Manny was in math class. As he and Frida sat next to each other. Manny looks at Frida and could tell she was on edge. "Hey, why are you so tense today?" Manny whispered to her. "Really, after the stunt you pulled yesterday you're asking me that." Frida whispered yelled. "Ah, you worry to much. I'm telling you those Red Dragon jerks aren't going to do anything to you or anyone on my watch." Manny states somewhat cockily.
*Pow* *Pow* *Pow*
Multiple shots fired off from the halls, causing the kids inside the classroom to panic and duck for cover.
"Listen up you little snot nose punks. The Red Dragons are here. Now, we're looking for a brown curly haired brat." A man from the hall says. Hearing that caused Frida to give Manny a side eye look. "That could be anyone." Manny says in a cheeky tone of voice. However Frida make a face that said she was not amused by how nonchalant Manny was being about the situation. "Okay, okay that's not funny." Manny admits. "Just wait here, I'll take care of this." Manny says. But just as he was about to head towards the door Frida grabs his hand. "Are you crazy?! If you go out there they'll kill you!" She whisper yells. "Just trust me." He says with a warm reassuring smile. Frida remains a bit hesitant but she let's him go, and Manny proceeds to sneak out of the room while the teacher wasn't looking.
Once out of the room Manny was sneaking around the hall trying to find a place to change into his El Tigré costume. He also had to avoid the Red Dragon members that were in the halls. Soon enough he enters the restroom undetected, where he changes into El Tigré by spinning his belt buckle.
He then exits from the restroom and begins to scour the halls looking for the Red Dragons. After a couple minutes of searching he finds a total of nine them congregated near the library. "Hey, I heard you guys were looking for someone. Well you found me." Manny jokes as he announces his presence to them. "It's some sort of cat freak!" One thug says. "Just shoot him!" The boss says. They do as he says and begin shooting at El Tigré, but thanks to his superior reflexes and athleticism he was dodging all the bullets. Then he slashed apart the guns of three of the thugs, then kicked two into the lockers, followed by a reversal throw to another.
"And for the record I'm a tiger." El Tigré quips. "Tiger or not we're still going to kill you." The boss says as he and two other thugs rush at El Tigré, each one of them throwing countless punches at him but the hero kept dodging. El Tigré then countered one thug's attack with an elbow strike to the face. Then he takes out the other one with roundhouse kick to the chest. This left only the boss as he and El Tigré going back and forth both trading blows. Eventually the two wrestled each other to the ground. Both struggle for a few moments until Manny kicks the boss of of him, followed by pinning him before knocking him out with a punch square to the face.
"Phew, it's over." El Tigré says with a sigh of relief.
Later we see all the students outside the school as the police come to arrest the Red Dragon members.
Manny and Frida were off to the side as he explains what had happen(from a certain point of view). "So after you ran out of the classroom you went to call for help, one of the Red Dragon members spots you, you two begin to fight and just when it seems like he's about to kill you a stranger in a mask calling himself El Tigré comes and saves you as well as take dow the rest of the Red Dragons." Frida says as she repeats what Manny told her. "Essentially yeah." He says plainly. Frida gives him a look of skepticism but drops it after a moment. "I'm just glad your okay." She says.
"I told you there was nothing to worry about." Manny replies. "Just don't do something like that again." Frida says with a serious expression. "Only if you promise to be my new best friend." Manny says in a whimsical tone. "Really?" Frida questions. "Yeah. I overreacted yesterday, all you did was ask me a question. It's just me and my dad have an uneasy relationship at the moment. But that's no excuse for how I acted. Anyway you're a real interesting person and I want to try this whole friend thing. So what do you say?" Manny asks. Frida smiles before replying, "Sure. Nice to officially meet you best friend."
Manny smiles as the two then proceed to walk home.
A/N: End of chapter 2. Manny now has a friend, but has also made enemies in the Red Dragon gang. Will these events cause him problems in the future? Find out in chapter 3.