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El Tigre: Burning Will of D Ch 4
"Wait, so let me get this straight. The very same man who allowed you to escape "The Underground" is mentoring you?" Frida questioned.
Manny, Frida, Zoe, and Carla were outside of the arcade, discussing what happened around Manny.
"Yep, his name is Doflamingo and apparently, he's a hero outside of Miracle City." Manny told them.
Zoe gasps. "You mean the Heavenly Demon?!"
Everyone minus Zoe turned to her.
"You know who Doflamingo is?" Manny tilted his head.
"Of course! I'm a huge fan of Doflamingo!"
"Wait. He's a hero? Why are a fan of a hero?" Frida questioned Zoe.
"Because Suarez, that man is so brutal, terrifying, and he reminds of a flamingo. And did I mention the man could fly too." Zoe explained with a huge smile on her face.
Manny shook his head in turmoil. "Great, so even if I try to run away, he'll just fly after me."
Carla placed a hand on his shoulder. "Manny, he won't kill you."
"You don't know that Carla! I've seen what he's done! He shot a man in cold blood! Heroes are suppose to save lives, not endanger them!" Manny argued, and shook a little as he recalled that unpleasant memory.
"Regardless, he's your mentor for an entire week. You did say he'll take you out of Miracle City." Zoe said.
Manny nods. "He said he'll take me to this place called Dressora. That's where he'll bury me for destroying the Auction House." Manny lamented.
Zoe once again gasps, this time she blushes.
"I've heard wonderful stories about Dressrosa!"
She leaned closer to Manny and nudged his shoulders. "Like how it's the place to have a perfect honeymoon!"
Frida pushed Zoe out of the way. "Hey Emo! Don't get any ideas! Because that's where Manny's taking me for our future honeymoon!"
Zoe got too close to Frida's face. "Watch what you say Suarez! Manny's going to take me to Dressrosa for out honeymoon!"
"No me!"
"No me!"
"No me!"
"No me!"
Zoe and Frida continued to argue as Manny and Carla just sweat drop at this display.
"Are they always like this?" Carla asked Frida.
"Yep. Those two may not always get along, but it's nice to know they have my back."
"Still can't believe you're leaving Miracle City." Carla sported a small smile.
"Hey don't be sad. It's only just for a week. I'll be back." Manny assured.
"How did your family take it when you told them the news?" The question made Manny wince.
"Dad of course was happy, but Mom was upset that I would be out of Miracle City, not to mention that I'll be missing even more school. And Grandpapi took it the hardest. Said something about how he planned a big heist and he was going to recruit me as the wild card. Then he and Dad argued, and I knew I was no longer in the conversation." Manny explained.
"Lucky! I have to start school tomorrow." Frida pouted.
Carla walked to both Frida and Zoe.
"Girls...I want to confess to Manny about my feelings."
Before both girls could open their mouthes, Carla put up his hand.
"I know what you guys are going to say, but with Manny leaving for a whole week, and the stress he's feeling, I just can't wait anymore. Plus, he could use some more love in his life right?"
Zoe and Frida looked at each other, both nodding and turning to Carla.
"Alright, but if you're going to kiss him, make it quick!" Zoe barked.
"Ignore her Carla, tell Manny now!" Frida cheered.
Carla smiles as she nods. The 15 year old turned to Manny.
"Hey Manny, there's something I want to tell you."
"Sure Carla what is it?"
Carla closed her eyes as she breathed in and out, then she opened her eyes.
"Manny Riveria...I like...No, I love you! And I'm hoping you could add me to your harem!" Carla blurted as her face became red.
Manny looked stunned at her proposal.
"You...Have a crush on me?"
Carla slowly nods.
"...When did you started developing feelings for me?" Asked Manny.
Carla rubbed her right arm. "When we met for the first time. I'll admit, at first, I had no feelings of love towards you, but there was a small part of me that felt entangled to you. Then when my brother turned psychotic and you promised to help me. You could've just chosen not to help me, but you did. And thats when I started falling in love with you. Despite what everybody says about you, you're courageous, loyal, kind, and selfless...Do you have feelings for me too?"
For a moment, Manny said nothing, scratching his head. "I'm going to be honest, I've developed feelings for you too. Ever since we met the first time."
"WHAT?!" Manny and Carla turned to a furious Zoe.
"IS THIS TRUE?! DOES THAT MEAN YOU WERE GOING TO ADD HER TO YOUR HAREM WITHOUT OUR PERMISSION!? WHY I OUGHTA-"
Frida covered Zoe's mouth, giving Manny a thumbs up.
Both returning to their confession. "If you've had a crush on me, then why didn't you say anything to me?" Carla asked Manny.
"Well, there's the fact that you're 15 and I'm 13. And let's not forget that fact that you almost vaporized me on a blimp." Manny deadpanned.
Carla scratches her head in embarrassment. "Once again, I'm so sorry about that. And why should that matter? You were dating two girls."
"Oh yeah, I still don't understand why you never told your family though." It shocked Carla was to learn that Manny, Frida, and Zoe's family never learned about their strange relationship.
"See Carla, it's like this, if we told them the truth, Frida's family, Zoe's family, and definitely my father would kill me." Manny told Carla.
Carla crossed her arms. "Regardless, you three are keeping them in the dark. They're your family, I'm sure they'll accept it."
"My father couldn't accept a glass eye, let alone Manny. He would burst into flames." Frida added.
Zoe removed Frida's hand from her mouth. "And my family has been more hateful to Manny ever since he played with my feelings to help his father."
Manny groans. "I said I was sorry!"
"You still broke my heart that night!" Zoe pouted.
"And you broke my spine!" Manny argued.
"I did out of love!" Zoe shot back.
Manny face palms out of annoyance. He turns back to Carla. "I will them...Eventually...When I'm 30."
Carla shook her head. "Right now, I'm just glad you've accepted me as your girlfriend."
Manny smiled. "I promise, when I get back from Dressarosa, I'll give you a proper date. This I swear." Manny stated.
Zoe and Frida walked to them.
"Welcome to the club Carla, but just to be clear, I'm the queen!" Zoe boasted.
"No I am!" Frida head butted Zoe. The black haired girl did the same.
"No me!"
"No me!"
"No me!"
"No me!"
Manny sweat drops. "I definitely won't miss that."
"Jeeze, wheres Manny? The ship is almost here?" Rodolfo said.
He and Puma Loco were standing on the port.
"Maybe my grandson decided not to show up and had better things to do."
Rodolfo rolled his eyes. "For the last time Dad, Manny's not helping you rob a bank."
"But he's the wild card I need!"
Before their argument could continue...
"Hey!"
They turned to Manny and Maria. The former was carrying what appeared to be a comedically oversized backpack.
"Jeeze Manny, did you steal a room or something?" Puma Loco joked.
"Nah. The only way Mom was allowing to leave if I take this." Manny gestured the large backpack.
"All I want is for my baby to be safe. He's never been out of Miracle City without us before." Maria said.
"That's not true, I remember the time me and Frida were in this giant robot and-"
"THE SHIP IS HERE!" Rodolfo screamed out.
The rest turned to the ship.
It is a somewhat large ship whose main exterior and masts are dark red. Its figurehead design is a flamingo's neck and head, with the flamingo wearing sunglasses. On each side of the ship are designs of flamingo wings. The mast's sail bearing the name "Donquixote".
The ship stopped near the port as a large set of stairs were put out.
"Wow...That has to be the most stupidest ship I've ever seen!" Puma Loco stated.
"No kidding. The ship has to resemble a flamingo?" Manny looked at the ship in disgust.
"Regardless, you're going to be mentored by a hero outside of Miracle City! Aren't you excited Manny?!" Rodolfo was grinning ear to ear.
"Of course!" 'So Doflamingo is planning on killing on this strangely designed ship?' Thought Manny in distress, but he kept his fake smile up.
"Be sure to take lots of pictures!" Maria said.
"Why?"
"Well I want to see what Dressarosa looks like. I heard it's the best place for a honeymoon." Maria explained.
"HEY MANNY RIVERA!"
They all turned to a young voice on the ship.
She has aquamarine hair and dark blue eyes. She is wearing a light-colored dress and a cape with bear-like ears on the hood. She has purple monocle with purple lens and worn like an eyepatch on her left eye.
"GET YOUR ASS ON THIS SHIP! WE DON'T HAVE ALL DAY!" The 10 year yelled out.
Rodolfo places a hand on his son's shoulder. "Well Manny, before you go, just remember..."
"I know, you guys love me."
"That and not to disappoint your mentor because that would seriously be bad for-AGH!"
Maria pinched her ex-husband's ear really hard.
"What your father is trying to say is that you should do your best." Maria smiled.
Manny smiled.
He turned to stairs and walked up to the ship. The stairs were removed as the sail were open and the ship started moving.
Manny was near the edge of the ship and waived to his family. His family waived back.
"So those were your family members?"
"GAH!" Manny was startled by the ten year old girl who somehow appeared behind him.
"Okay, first question, who are you? And second question, wasn't Doflamingo suppose to pick me up?"
The 10 year old smiled at Manny. "My name is Sugar, I'm Doflamingo's family, and Doflamingo had important business to attend to, so he ordered me to take you too Dressarosa."
Manny narrowed his eyes. "Right...I'm suppose to believe that my 'mentor' had more important things to do, then looking after his pupil." Manny said in a mocking tone.
Sugar was unaffected by his words. "Believe when I say that Doflamingo is an important figure in Dressarosa, he is after all the ruler of Dressarosa."
Manny twisted his head as those words were still ringing in his head.
"Did you say...He's the king of Dressarosa?!"
Sugar's smile was huge. "That's right! Doflamingo is not only a hero, but he's also a famous king! Which means his word is law in Dressarosa!"
Manny had a strained smile while he was sweating bullets.
'SO THAT'S HIS PLAN! HE PLANS ON EXECUTING ME IN DRESSAROSA! AND SINCE HE'S KING THERE, HE CAN GET AWAY WITH ANYTHING! AH! WHY CAN'T MY LIFE BE SIMPLE!?'
"Hey Rivera, are you okay?" Sugar snapped her fingers and Manny returned to reality.
"Yeah I'm fine! I'm just can't believe Doflamingo is a king! How...Cool is that?" Manny lied through his teeth.
"Anyway, you can head into the cabin and place your stuff. We'll be at Dressarosa by tomorrow morning."
Sugar pointed Manny to the door. The 13 year old sighs and walks inside the cabinet.
Inside, he laid down his heavy backpack on the floor.
"OW!"
Manny turned his head to his backpack.
"Okay..I'm sure backpacks don't talk."
Manny zipped open his bag and his eyes widen.
"ZOE?!"
The raven haired girl jumps out from Manny's back pack.
"SURPRISE! I hid in your backpack! Now we can head to Dressarosa together!" Zoe chirped.
Manny held his head. "No no no! Why are you here?!"
"I just told you, so we can be in Dressarosa together!" Zoe said.
"But...Are your mom and grandma going to be worried you're gone." Asked a concerned Manny.
Zoe shook her head. "Turns out they told me they would be going away for a week, they said that they were going to clean out something outside of Miracle City. But what's important, is that I'm here now!"
Manny pressed his fingers on her lips.
"Quiet Zoe before-"
"WHAT'S GOING ON HERE!?"
Both teens turned to Sugar who was eating grapes on her gingers. She eyed Zoe.
"Who's that? Are you a stowaway?"
Zoe turned to Manny. "Who's the pipsqueak?" She points to Sugar, though the name obviously offended her.
"Pipsqueak?! How dare you! I'll have you know I'm one of Doflamingo's best officers! So show some respect!"
Zoe scoffs at this. "There's no way Doflamingo made someone small, weak, and puny an officer."
Sugar lost her smile as she walked closer to Zoe. 'You won't be insulting me once I've turned you into a toy!' She reached out her hand, before Sugar could touch her, Manny got in the middle of them.
"Everybody calm down!"
Manny turned to Sugar. "I'm very sorry. This is my girlfriend Zoe Averez. She never been to Dressarosa before. So I had to stuff her in my backpack just to come along." Manny explained.
Zoe wraps her arm around Manny. "It's true. My tigre would be quite lonely in Dressarosa without his girlfriend."
Sugar rubbed her chin, pondering on what to do next.
"...Alright, she can come with us. As long as she doesn't do anything stupid." Sugar told them.
The 10 year old then walked out of the cabin.
Manny sighs in relief.
"Well that turned out alright." Zoe said.
Manny stared at Zoe. "What?"
"Doflamingo is the king of Dressarosa and he plans on executing me there." He said with his strained smile once again.
Carla was sitting on a large window. Looking outside her mansion.
"I already miss him."
"You really care about him don't you?"
Reiju had a different look from last time.
Her ascot was wrapped around her hair. Both of her eyes were seen, her swirly eyebrows were covered by sunglasses, she also wore a pink jacket and a purple undershirt and a pink skirt. And she wore regular shoes.
"Yeah, him and I recently became a couple." Carla said.
"Congratulations. Though I am confused. You once told me that he was already in a relationship with two girls." Spoke Reiju in confusion.
"Yeah, lets just say I've been added to his personal..."
"Harem?"
Carla's face turned pink. "No! Don't say it like that! It's more like a circle of lovers for Manny since it's obvious he cares for us equally and can't decide who loves who more."
Reiju tilts her head. "Isn't that what people call a harem?"
Carla deflates. "Yeah..."
"But you know what, Manny D. Rivera is the least shittiest person I've met since coming here to Miracle City. I'm sure he'll make a great boyfriend." Reiju said out of confidence for Carla.
Carla looks out the window and recalls how both them came together.
Flashback
It was the day after the fake funeral. Early in the morning, Carla was sitting in a bakery shop. The chiming of the bell could be heard as Carla turned to the door, an individual smaller than her was wearing a grey hoodie. She looked towards Carla and walked to her table. She pulled a seat and sat down in front of Carla.
Carla didn't recognize who it was at first, but she saw a strand of pink hair and instantly recognized the individual.
"Rei-"
Reiju slammed a hand on Carla's mouth to shut her up.
"Think for a second. What would happen if people hear that the daughter of Judge Vinsmoke is here in a bakery shop?" Reiju whispered.
Carla nods in understanding.
"Sorry."
"No matter, anyway, the reason I wanted to talk was because I wanted to know more about you."
"Really? How so?"
"Like...What was your family like?"
Carla looks down at the table as she stares at her own reflection.
"Where do I even start? Looking back, I wish things were different. Back then, my brother was spunky, and energetic. My father was neglectful and a drunk. He never showed up to anything important like our 6th birthday. And finally, there was my Mama. Out of everybody in the family, she always smiled no matter what. She was the light to the our family."
Reiju had a feeling where this was going. "What happened to your mother?"
"...She was shot by a criminal who entered our home. After her death, things changed. Our asshole of a father left us, and it was just me and our brother. We had to fend for ourselves for a while. But then the Hero League helped us out and gave us our powers and superhero identities. Then we became arrogant and selfish. We took what we want, did what want we wanted without thinking of the consequences. Then we met Manny and things changed. That's when my brother became unstable and did many horrible acts. Out of everybody in Miracle City, he was the only one who came to my aid. Not even the Hero League decided to help me, considering they allowed my brother to do whatever he wanted."
Carla clutched the edges of the table. "Then I found someone had killed my brother. Maybe it was one of the people he wronged, I don't know. All I knew was at that moment, I had no one left in my family...And that really sucks."
Carla didn't realize she was crying until one of her tears dropped on the table.
She wiped her eyes and chuckles softly.
"And you want to know the real fucked up part? That funeral we went to yesterday, not one person gave me condolences about my brother...No one did. All the heroes were more concerned about the award then my own dead hermano! It makes me wonder if these so called heroes really give a damn about us!?"
Carla closed her eyes as she breathes deeply.
"I'm sorry for being like this."
Reiju shook her head and smiled. "No. You should feel angry. Considering what you went through, thats more than fair."
Reiju put an elbow on the table as she leaned closer. "So tell me more about this Manny D. Rivera I keep hearing about."
She had to admit, after yesterday, she was more interested in him.
"To be honest, I really don't know much about Manny outside of murmurs and chats I hear from time to time. So basically, his father is a hero named White Pantera, and his grandfather is a villain named Puma Loco."
"Really?"
"Oh yes, it's complicated I know. And I hear there are times Manny as El Tigre do many heroic things also things are considered villainess."
"So is he suppose to be a hero like his father, or a villain like his grandfather?"
"For Manny, it's not that simple. He wants to be known as the type of person people could look up to without those labels."
From those words alone, Reiju understood that there was more to Manny D. Rivera than meets the eye.
"So tell me, do you think Manny can help me?"
"Huh?"
"You know something Carla, you and I have more in common than you realize...I also lost my mother." Reiju lost her smile.
Carla puts a hand over her mouth.
"I'm so sorry."
"Don't be, it wasn't your fault. If anything, my father's to blame for her death." Carla noticed the amount of hate in her voice when she spoke of her father.
The pinkette clenched her fist. "I've hated that man ever since she died. Judge Vinsmoke is a monster. He doesn't care about me or his soldiers, all that matters to him is power. You're probably wondering what he's doing in Miracle City correct?"
It was strange to Carla that Judge Vinsmoke would be in this city but why though?
"I'm not suppose to say anything about this because its top secret but..."
Reiju leaned closer and whispered something into Carla's ears. Her eyes widen as she lets out a small gasp.
"He wouldn't...But that's inhuman!"
Reiju gave Carla a sympathetic look.
"My father only cares about weapons and that's what he plans on doing in Miracle City."
Carla ran her hands through her hair due to the stress of this situation.
"We need to let the Hero League know about this!"
"Carla, if they didn't lay a hand on your twin brother for the actions he has committed, do you really think they'll give a damn about this? Not to mention the possibility that they allowed Judge to do as he wants."
Carla bit her lip in anguish. She knew Reiju was right though, the Hero League won't stop Judge.
"Well then, what do we do?"
Reiju smiles as she puts a camera on the picture.
"We'll expose his sins to the entire world. But before we can do that, I'm going to need your help."
"How so?"
Reiju pointed to her back.
"Judge implanted a tracking chip in my neck. That means he can track my location."
Carla's eyes widen at the information.
"Relax, he doesn't know I'm gone...For now though. But I need a way to remove this chip. Do you know anyone in Miracle City with the technology to do so?"
Carla then smiles. "In fact, I do. But first..." Carla raised her hand.
"Ma'am can I get a two chocolates with churros."
Later...
"So let me get this straight, you want me to remove a tracking chip from her body, create a clone of her, and place the tracking chip I removed into the clone?"
Dr. Chipotle Jr. did not expect two females who weren't Frida Suarez to come to his secret lair. One of them being the daughter of Judge Vinsmoke!
"Yes, that's literally what I told you to do." Carla stated in annoyance.
"First of all, I would like to know how you found out my secret lair!"
"Your dad gave me and my brother a tour after we kicked his ass for stealing avocados from grocery stores."
He tapped his chin multiple times with his robotic arm. "Ah! Now I remember! By the way, I'm very sorry for your loss. But I won't do it."
"Why?"
"Because I want something in return!" Dr. Chipotle Jr demanded.
"Fine. Do you want money, gold, jewels, dia-"
"NONE OF THAT! I want a lock of hair from this beautiful girl named Frida Suarez!...UNTIL YOU DO I WON'T DO SHIT!"
Reiju walked up to the boy and grabbed his neck.
"HEY! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING! PUT ME DOWN THIS INSTANCE OR-"
"Shut up." Reiju spoke in a cold tone even though she was smiling. Which freaked out the boy.
"Now here's what you're going to do. You are going to remove my chip, create a clone of me and put the chip in that clone so my father doesn't get suspicious. And you will do that without questions."
Even though he was startled, he still wasn't giving in. "Oh yeah! And what are you going to do to me if I don't?!"
Reiju punched the wall a few inches close to his face. He slowly turned and saw the large spider cracks that were formed by that one punch alone.
"And that was me holding back. Next time I'll aim for your face and won't pull my punch." She threatened.
At this point Dr. Chipotle Jr was crying.
"OKAY! OKAY! I'LL DO IT! PLEASE DON'T KILL ME!"
Both girls smiled in satisfaction.
Much Later...
"How are you feeling Reiju."
"Don't worry about it. Didn't really hurt that much."
"AHEM!"
Both turn to Dr. Chipotle Jr. and some type of guacamole blob.
"I placed the tracker onto it. I just need your hair."
"Why?"
"You'll see."
Reiju pulled out a pinch of her hair and the boy snatched it with his robotic arm. He placed it into the guacamole. The blob contorted and shifted until it took form of a Reiju...Except it was naked.
"SUCCESS!"
Both girls were impressed by this.
"Woah, what is that?" Carla wondered.
"That my dear friends is a new type of guacamole monster I created, I call it...Copcamole! It takes the form of anyone by eating its hair!"
Reiju walked up to her clone and analyzed it.
"I'm impressed, it looks exactly like me."
She knocks on the clones head and felt how hard it was.
"It even has my iron skin?"
Carla turned to the little scientist. "It can talk right?"
"Yeah...It hasn't learned how talk yet. But I would give it a few days tops."
"Don't worry, as long as it has the tracker chip, it should be fine. Not to mention that me and Judge barely talk at all."
"So we just give it your clones and we call it a day!"
Reiju nods.
"WAIT BEFORE YOU GO!...Can you give me Frida Suarez's hair?"
Flashback End
"Thank you for agreeing to help me Carla."
The former golden eagle twin smiled back at her.
"Hey, us girls have to stick together. Now we just need to wait for Manny before we truly begin our plans."
Rodolfo was at the police station, he was in the office with Emilio.
"Still nothing?"
Emilio shook his head. "Forensics has been analyzing the body for days Rodolfo and the results are still the same."
This was not something Rodolfo wanted to hear. He was a hero. He needed to solve this case.
"I just don't get it. Who in their right mind would murder a 15 year old boy?"
"Probably the people who were feed up with his bullshit."
Rodolfo narrowed his eyes. "What are you trying to say Emilio?"
"Do you have any idea how many crimes that boy has committed through out this entire month? Theft, bribery, breaking and entering, and let's not forget homicide. A 15 year old has committed amounts of homicide to both criminals and civilians! Civilians Rodolfo!"
Emilio slams his hand hard on his desk. "You know, I've brought up many of these cases to the Hero League, the very league you're working for! And do you want to know what they said to me each time? They said, 'Not to worry about it. We have the situation under control!'. Tell that to the many dead people who were bleeding out on the streets!" The police chief vented out his anger and frustration.
"Look, I can understand the Hero League lately has been doing some...Questionable things. But that doesn't mean that they're corrupted though." Rodolfo defended.
Emilio pinches the bridge of his nose and stares deeply at White Pantera. "Emilio, you are my closet friend. So forgive for saying this but...That's complete bullshit."
The police chief opened his drawer to pull out a file. He slides to Rodolfo.
"A month ago a man who looked too rich to belong Miracle City came to my office to file arrest warrant. He told me that some kid punched him in the face multiple times. I knew he was hiding something though, so I used my skills to make him talk. And boy did I learn a lot."
Rodolfo saw images of women in revealing clothes, the women serving drinks to rich people, but what really shook him was the image of an auction house for slaves. And then there was the interior. To say he was shocked was an understatement. He recognized some of the heroes he worked with in the Hero League. They looked to be bidding for slaves!
"And get this, that place is called The Underground and it has been there for a long time. Meaning they've been doing this shit for years. And there are slaves orphans who are children to villains. The males are treated worse than scum while the females...I don't even want to think about it. And from what I learned from the guy, some kid freed all the slaves and everyone involved blamed Carlitos, so they beat him up, including Doflaimngo, the hero who's mentoring your son by the way.'
Rodolfo put down the folders, shaking his head in denial.
"I need to go."
Rodolfo pulled out his chair and walks out of the door.
"Not all heroes are good. When are you going to finally understand that?" His friend walks out of the office.
Emilio sighs heavily.
'Does he know that his son was in "The Underground" ?'
Another drawer showed a picture of Manny in his El Tigre form inside the Auction House.
Manny yawns as he stretches himself. He then realized that he had a pair of hands attached to him.
Manny turned his head and was surprised to see Zoe holding to him while she was asleep. This made Manny blush.
"Zoe, oh Zoe. Wake up."
The raven haired girl slowly opened her eyes, seeing her boyfriend.
"Morning Manny."
"Morning Zoe."
"WE'RE HERE!"
This made both teens stand up and walk out of the cabin.
They both see the island. At the center of the island stands a huge, rocky structure.
"Woah, what is that?" Asked Manny.
"That is King's Plateau." Both teens turn to Sugar.
"We just need to port at Acacia and we'll head to the castle." Sugar said.
A few minutes later the boat stopped at the port.
Manny and Zoe got off the boat.
"AHHH! Manny we're here! Our place for our future honey moon!"
Manny sweat drops. "You still won't drop it will you?"
"Nope!"
"Hey! We have a schedule to keep you know!" Sugar stated as she exits the boat.
"Doflamingo is not the type of man you should keep waiting." Sugar continued.
Manny crossed his arms. "Oh yeah, if that's the case, how come he's not here yet? For all we know he could be sitting on his ass on that throne of his, looking at the clouds as we speak."
"To be fair, cloud watching is quite comforting."
That haunting feeling Manny had returned as he slowly turned around to his executer.
"AH! YOUR DOFLAMINGO! I'M A HUGE FAN!" Zoe stated, ignoring her boyfriend shivering.
The man wearing shades smiled. "Glad to see you made it. Welcome to Dressarosa. Come, we have much to discuss." Doflamingo turned around and put his hands in his pocket while walking in a strange fashion.
'Great, so my executioner walks like a chicken. Then again, I've faced weirder villains.' Thought Manny as he walked to what he thought was his final destination.
On the way to the castle, Manny and Zoe walked through a town and noticed there were a lot of toys. Not just that, the toys were interacting with people.
"What's the deal with all these toys?" Asked Manny.
"From what I've gathered, toys starting appearing in Dressrosa after Doflamingo freed the kingdom from the corrupt king." Zoe explained.
"But still, where did they come from? Cause they at least have to have an origin." Manny pressed.
Sugar walked in front of Manny.
"Who cares where they came from. Sometimes in life things happen that can't be explained. Besides, don't have you zombies, skeletons, and sentient robots in Miracle City?"
"Yeah so?"
"So where did they come from?" Sugar questioned with a smug look on her face.
"Oh, she got you there Manny." Zoe said.
"Who's side are you on?!" Manny exclaimed. Before he cleared his throat.
"So where are we going?" Manny asked.
"We're going to Doflamingo's castle." Sugar answered.
This brought a smile to Zoe's face.
"Ah! A castle?! I've always wanted to go to a castle!" Zoe stated.
"Well your dream is going to come true. Believe or not." Sugar said.
Later...
"Here we are! castillo dulce castillo!" Doflamingo gestured to the huge castle in front of them.
Zoe squealed.
"AHHHHHH! THIS IS IT! MY DREAM IS COMING TRUE!"
"Follow me."
Doflamingo walked inside. Sugar followed the man.
"Come on Manny!"
Zoe grabbed Manny's arm as she dragged him inside.
"This my fellow apprentice is Dressarosa's Royal Palace."
"Funny, I don't ever recalled wanting to be your apprentice in the first place." Manny shot back.
"Ha! You're funny. Sugar, please show our guests to their living quarters. I'm going upstairs to discuss some very important things." Doflamingo ordered.
Sugar nods and turns to the teens.
"You've heard him. Follow me."
Manny and Zoe entered a fancy bedroom.
"Wow, this is somehow more elegant than my apartment." Manny stated.
"Glad to see you like the living arrangements."
"Hold up. There's only one bed."
"Yeah, well were expecting just YOU. But since you decided to bring your girlfriend here, I'm afraid you're going to have to manage." Sugar explained.
Zoe turned red.
"Wait! Can't you just prepare another room for Zoe?!"
"Not my problem. One more thing, take a look over there."
Manny and Zoe turned to desk, but it was something on the desk that drew their attention.
It was a snail, that had a get up exactly like Doflamingo.
"IT'S SO CUTE!" Zoe mewed.
"That is called a Den-Den Mushi. It works like a phone. Except the phone is a snail."
"Your point?"
"You'll receive a call from Doflamingo if he require his services."
"What do you mean 'if'?" Manny questioned.
"Later."
And Sugar left the room.
Manny groans in frustration.
"This is stupid right Zoe?...Zoe?"
Zoe was petting the small snail.
"IT'S JUST SO CUTE!"
Manny stared at her girlfriend in disbelief.
"You know what? I realized we haven't had any breakfast. So we should find a kitchen."
"YES YOUR SO PRECIOUS! SO CUTE!"
"...She'll come when she's hungry."
Manny said to herself as he exited the room. And into the hallway.
"There's got to be a kitchen around here somewhere...Actually, now that I think about it, I should use the bathroom first...Ah! This is probably the bathroom."
Manny entered the bathroom and it was as fancy as his bedroom.
"Wow, being a king does have his perks...I could use a shower anyway."
Manny took this time to disrobe his own clothes and luckily for him, he had a towel.
"Time to take a long relaxing show-EEEEEEEEEE?!"
Manny moved the curtains only to reveal a naked black haired woman.
The woman had her eyes closed and heard the sound of the curtain being moved.
"Huh, that's odd. I don't remember moving..."
She opened her eyes and saw a 13 year old boy staring at her naked and curvy body.
"..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"...AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" The black haired woman screamed.
Manny was lost in his own world as he stared at her huge breasts.
"Hey Manny, there you are, I heard someone-"
Zoe followed the sound of the scream and turned to see her boyfriend naked and he was staring at another woman.
Of course Zoe being Zoe found the scene disturbing.
"AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" This time it was Zoe who screamed.
Her scream brought Manny back to reality as he turned to his girlfriend.
"AH! Z-ZOE! IT'S NOT WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE!" Poor choice of words.
"Really? Because it looks like to me that you came here to stare at my body you pervert!" The black haired woman accused Manny.
"I'M NOT A PERVERT! I DIDN'T KNOW YOU WERE IN THE SHOWER HONEST!" Manny pleaded.
He then felt a dark aura in the room.
He slowly turned around and saw Zoe ready to kill him.
"MANNY D. RIVERA!" Zoe jumped at him.
"¡Por favor! ¡Tenercompasión!"(Please! Have mercy!)
"AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Manny's cries echoed all over the palace.
Manny, Zoe, and the woman were in a kitchen.
The woman wore a robe that hugged her body.
Manny and Zoe wore regular clothes.
"Oh mi amor, I'm so sorry for what happened earlier." Zoe said.
"Yeah...Apologize after you almost killed me!" Manny shouted.
"That was your own fault. You should've known someone was in the bathroom." The woman said.
"No it wasn't!"
'They're just kids...But maybe some fun wouldn't hurt.'
She used her index and thumb to form circles over her eyes.
"What are you doing?"
"Nothing...Just trying to forget that you barged into my bathroom without permission.
'Maybe you should've locked the damn bathroom next time.'
"I don't lock the bathroom because I know no one dumb enough would to come in when a women's showering." She answered.
'Wait, how did she know that?'
"Now that I think about it, I don't remember seeing you brats here."
'Who are you calling a brat?!' Thought Zoe.
"I'm Manny D. Rivera, and this Zoe Averez. My girlfriend." Manny introduced.
"I see, so you have a girlfriend and yet you decided to be a peeping tom." She smirked.
'IT'S NOT MY FAULT YOU HAVE A BODY LIKE THAT!'
"So you find my body attractive don't you?" She teased.
"WHAT?! NO!...I MEAN..."
'She did it again! It's almost as if she can read my mind!'
"That would be weird though right? If I could read your mind."
"CAN YOU READ MINDS?!" Manny exclaimed.
"Of course not." She stated.
'Oh yeah? If she can't read minds...Then I'll show her this!' Manny closed her eyes.
The woman stared at Manny before gaping in shock while blushing.
'What the hell?! How does a 13 year old see something like this?!'
Manny remembered that Underground Auction House and decided think about the maids in those skimpy outfits like.
"What's with the reaction? It's not like you can read minds right?" Manny asked in a smug tone.
The woman sighs in defeat.
"Alright kid you win. I can read minds."
"I knew it!" Manny cheered.
"Wait, how can you do so? Are you psychic?" Zoe asked.
"Close, have you children ever heard of Devil Fruit?"
Manny and Zoe gasp.
"You ate a Devil Fruit?!" Both stated at the same time.
"So you have heard about them. I ate the Giro-Giro no mi. All I have to do is stare at people like this and I enter their thoughts."
"Woah, that is scary. But you should know I ate a Devil Fruit too."
"Really?"
"Yep!"
Manny's hand erupted into flames.
"Amazing, you ate a logia fruit?"
"Logia?"
"You don't know the Devil Fruit types?"
"Nope. All I know is that I've had this for an entire month."
"Okay, it's clear that I have to tell you about more about Devil Fruits."
She cleared her throat.
"You see, nobody knows where Devil Fruits came from. But finding Devil Fruits are rare. Some sell them for a whole lot of money. I would say one is worth a million dollars at least."
"A MILLION DOLLARS?!" Manny exclaimed. That means Frida was REALLY lucky to find one. If he hadn't eaten that Devil Fruit right away, he might've sold it for tons of money.
"But why would Devil Fruits be worth a lot of money?"
"Good question. Because eating a Devil Fruit gives people powers and abilities. Most importantly, it really depends on the types of Devil Fruit you eat. There are three types. Paramecia, Zoan, and Logia."
She placed a hand on her chest.
"I'm a Paramecia type myself. Which means I have supernatural abilities such as reading into people's thoughts. Zoan types have the ability to turn into animals upon will."
'Huh, it does explain why Carlos and Carla were able to turn into an eagle. They ate a Zoan fruit.'
"And then there is the Logia type. Which is what you are. Logias can turn into any natural element."
"I get it! Fire is an element!" Zoe stated.
"Yes, not only that, but his element makes his body intangible to physical attacks." She explained.
"Wow. So that explains why lately attacks just go through me." 'Though that doesn't explain how Frida and Zoe are still able to hit me.'
"Yes, but you are aware of the weaknesses fire has right?"
"Water is definitely a no no for me." Manny said.
"Ah! Now that you mentioned it, do you know about the drawbacks of eating a Devil Fruit?"
"...I'm sorry what?" Manny questioned.
"I see you don't. In exchange for eating a Devil Fruit, you lose the ability to swim. In other words, if your body is fully submerged in sea water, you'll sink like an anchor."
"...WHAT?!" Manny exclaimed.
"Huh. Thank you for telling me. I definitely don't want to lose the ability to swim if I eat a Devil Fruit." Zoe said.
"HOW CAN YOU SAY THAT SO CASUALLY?! I CAN NEVER SWIM AGAIN!" Manny shouted to Zoe.
"Manny...Are you actually a good swimmer?"
Manny raised his hand to protest, but couldn't utter anything because he knew Zoe had a good point.
"Now that I explained Devil Fruits to you, it's time for your explanations. What are you two children doing here?"
"Well I was 'invited' here by Doflamingo to be his 'helper' for the entire week. And my girlfriend just so happened to tag along with me."
"Really? I was never told about this...But I guess that's just his method of thinking."
"How do you know him anyway?"
"...I'd rather not talk about it...Anyway, you kids don't seem to be bad...At least not your girlfriend."
"Please just let it go." Manny begged.
"By the way, my name is Viola." The woman named Viola told them.
"Well...It was nice to meet you Viola, so we'll be out of hair." Manny waived. Zoe joined Manny as they walked away from the woman.
"Now that we had our breakfast, what do you want to do Mi Amor?" Zoe asked Manny.
"Actually...There is something I want to do."
"YEAH! WOAH! SO AWESOME!"
Manny and Zoe were in a colosseum were they finished watching a battle.
"Miracle City never had a colosseum like this!"
Zoe grumbled.
"I was hoping we would be somewhere more ROMANTIC, but I got admit it was fun."
"Exactly! Too bad it's over."
Manny and Zoe began to exit the colosseum.
On their way, someone with a blue hood pushed Manny to the side.
"I'm sorry!" The hooded figure said before running off.
"HEY! GET BACK HERE AND APOLOGIZE PROPERLY FOR BUMPING INTO MY BOYFRIEND!" Zoe yelled.
"Relax Zoe, its not...Wait a minute..."
Manny checked his pockets and realized what was missing.
"THAT SCUMBAG STOLE MY WALLET!" Manny shouted.
"Manny wait!"
It was too late as Manny rushed to get to that thief.
"GET BACK HERE!"
The hooded figure turned around to see Manny catching up.
The hooded figure made a right in order to blend in with the crowd.
Manny skits to a halt as he stops in front of many people.
"Damn it. I can't make my way through here...Unless..."
The hooded figure went into an alley and stopped. Looking around to see if Manny was still there but didn't see him.
"Phew...I think I lost him."
Out of nowhere, two hands clutched the thief.
"GOTCHA!"
The thief looked up to see Manny in his El Tigre costume.
Manny was coming to the thief.
"AAAHHHHHHHHHHH!" The thief screamed as both Manny and the thief crashed into each other. Which left them tumbling until Manny was on top of the thief.
"I got you know you thief! Now let's who you really are!"
Manny removed the hoodie to reveal the thief. Only to be shocked.
What he didn't expect was a girl! She had pink hair and blue eyes.
'She's so pretty!' Thought Manny while blushing.
It was at that moment Manny also realized that he and the girl were in a very...Odd position.
'Crap. I really hope Zoe doesn't see this or-'
"MANNY! WHERE ARE YOU!"
'Why?...Why can't my life be normal?' Grimaced Manny.
"There you are, I get you wanted to catch the thief but there was no need to-"
Zoe walked into the alley and stopped talking when she saw Manny was on top of another girl...In a very odd position.
"...AGAIN MANNY?!" Zoe screamed as she looked pissed once again.
"IT'S NOT LIKE I'M DOING THIS ON PURPOSE ZOE!" Manny argued, though he was somewhat afraid of getting hurt by Zoe again.
"A coincidence is one thing! But a pattern is another!"
"I was trying to catch this thief cause she took my wallet...Speaking of which..."
Manny turned to the girl.
"Give me back my wallet!...What's your name?"
"...It's Rebecca. And if you could kindly get off of me, I will."
"Right."
Manny did just that and Rebecca stood up.
"Here you go."
Rebecca handed Manny his wallet.
"Well I'm sorry for taking your wallet now if you'll excuse me I'll-"
"HOLD IT! I'm not dumb. I know you took the money from my wallet. So hand it over."
Rebecca then pouted.
"...Fine."
She then handed Manny his money.
"Thank you Rebecca. Was that so hard?"
"You're mean!"
"How am I mean?"
"Well...You chased an innocent girl, then dragged me to the ground, and finally laid your filthy body on me."
"First of all! I just took a shower this morning! And second of all, you stole my wallet! That doesn't make you completely innocent."
"Well..." Rebecca then smirks.
"I'll just tell my Daddy that you tried to violate me! After all, he'll believe anything I say."
"And is it that same Daddy that knows his daughter is most likely a thief that pick pockets from people." Zoe questioned.
Rebecca looked pale and started sweating.
"Um...Well...You see..."
"...You don't have any parents taking care of you, do you?" Manny asked.
Rebecca then looks at the ground in sadness.
"You, hit the mark. I...Never knew my Daddy. And my Mother passed away a few years ago...I've been alone ever since."
Now Manny and Zoe understood Rebecca, she was an orphan.
"Well, then say no more! Because you're going to live with us!"
"WHAT?!" Rebecca exclaimed.
"Manny?!" Zoe added.
"We're actually not from Dressarosa, but we come from a place called Miracle City! Right now, you'll live with us in the castle."
Zoe grabbed Manny's shoulder.
"Manny, can I speak with you?"
"Um sure Z-WOAH!"
Zoe dragged Manny away from Rebecca.
"Really?"
"What?"
"Another girl just shows up in your life and you decide to help her?!" Zoe said.
"I want to help her."
"Your just saying that cause she's cute." Zoe started
"No...Maybe...Okay I'll admit she's cute." Manny stated.
Zoe crossed her arms and huffed.
"But I want to help her because she's just like Carla, having no parents to rely on. I don't want her to end up like Carlitos...Because no one else helped her."
"Mi Amor...You still blaming yourself for his death?"
"No! Of course not!...I'm...Just trying to save Rebecca!" Manny said.
''...Okay, but we need to hide Rebecca. Sugar was not happy when I came uninvited. So she definitely won't be happy when we bring in a street urchin."
"HEY! I HEARD THAT!" Rebecca shouted.
"We'll be careful." Manny said.
"Alright...Oh and Manny?"
"Yeah?"
Zoe leaned closer to his face. And her gaze was deadly.
"If I see you doing something naughty with another girl one more time...You won't like the punishment I'll give you." Manny knew that wasn't a promise, it was a gurantee.
"It won't happen!" Manny stated scared.
"That also remains to be seen."
Zoe turned to Rebecca smiling.
"Come on Rebeeca! We'll go somewhere to eat. And my boyfriend will be more than happy to pay for lunch."
"He's your boyfriend? Then he definitely needs to learn some manners." Rebecca.
"I know. But he is a really good guy once you get to know him."
Manny spun his belt buckle and returned to normal.
He sighs.
"Once again, why can't my life be normal?"
Manny turned around to catch up to them.
Unknown to them. Someone else was watching them.
Out from the corner of the alley.
It was a toy soldier. What was odd about the soldier was that it only had one leg, the other looked like a stump.
'Rebecca...Why did you run away from me?'
Chapter End
Author's End: Hope you all liked this chapter. In the next chapter, Manny's adventure in Dressarosa will continue. Until then, Scourge7 is out!