I can't do anything right. Is there a reason I'm so weak?

Black Cuervo was serious about this. More serious than anything. Sailing across the sky, she briefly observed her surroundings, waiting for the right moment to strike. But for now, she was enjoying herself.

Flying across Miracle City felt liberating to her. Even if the skies were polluted, she felt as if she could do anything when she was flying out here. Not like at home, where her mother's strictness controlled her.

Her eyes landed on her final destination in the far distance. Her jet thrusters increased speed, hoping to get there faster.

Her destination: The Rivera household.

Slowing down gradually, Cuervo was now floating in mid-air, closer to the house. Smiling to herself, she flew forward to land near the building, tucking in her wings. She landed softly, her boots making a small click against the top of the building in which the Rivera house stood.

Manny had to be here. He had said that he was going to be at home with Frida while discussing their plans at school.

Taking a quick look into the window, she saw them both on the couch, watching something on TV.

They were so unknowing of what was about to happen, that it made Cuervo feel a fleeting moment of guilt.

Her guilt was quickly replaced with anger at herself for being so foolish. She had no reason to feel guilty. She was just dealing some much deserved karma on the boy who had broken her heart.

Opening the window just a smidgen, Cuervo listened closely at anything the two could be saying.

"...so glad you got this movie, Frida!" she heard Manny say, cheerfulness in his voice. "I've been wanting to watch this movie forever!"

"Yeah, me too! The zombies are gonna smash those aliens hardcore!" Cuervo rolled her eyes and stifled a groan. How juvenile, but it fit the two's interests.

"Y'know, Frida?" Manny said, pausing the movie. "I don't say it enough. You're a really good friend of mine. In fact, you're the best friend I've ever had."

"Duuude, you're getting all sappy!" Frida said teasingly. "But I feel the same way. You really are a great guy, and whenever I'm with you I feel like I always have the time of my life."

Cuervo grimaced. You're the best friend I've ever had.

It wasn't always like that. There was a time when Manny could've said that about Zoe Aves.

The Miracle City Preschool was a fun little place for young children to grow and learn. That, and so parents could get them out of their hair for a few hours.

Zoe Aves was an... interesting little girl. Many of the kids were scared of her, and the adults felt uneasy around her as well. Was it her piercing red eyes? The constant glaring? A bit of both? Either way, she gave off a strange vibe. It didn't help that she was a trouble-making child, often getting time-outs for her misbehavior and senseless cruelty towards the other students.

Sitting at the glitter and glue-stained children's table, Zoe watched as the other kids played with building blocks, crayons, and dolls. She liked playing with building blocks, if only to knock them down soon after. Maybe she would knock down what the kids were building right now, just for laughs. She was sure her mom would be proud, her being a villain and all.

Scooting her seat back to leave the table, Zoe tried sneaking over to the two boys playing with the blocks. She didn't get very far before someone tapped her on the shoulder. She froze.

"Are you the girl that everyone's scared of?"

Turning around, she saw a boy with dark skin and curly black hair. He was wearing Queso Sarcástico pajamas, so his parents must not have had time to get him dressed before sending him here.

"Hmph! That's none of your business." She replied, glancing behind her to check if the boys were still playing with the blocks.

"You like building blocks? I can tell by the way you're looking at 'em that you like 'em."

"...Yes, I do. Especially when you get to knock them down."

The boy smiled. "That's my favorite part, too! It's so much fun to see them fly everywhere!"

Zoe couldn't help it - she grinned. "It is nice, isn't it... uh, what's your name?"

"Manny. You're Zoe, right?"

She nodded.

"It's nice to meet you, Zoe!" Manny said, sticking out his hand. She took it, and they shook.

"Hey, Zoe. Do you want to play with some of the action figures? They've got some cool ones here!"

Thinking for a moment, she nodded. Both of them ran over to the toy boxes, and started to play with the figures. Zoe played as a villain, while Manny was a hero. Just like his dad, he said. Zoe had been asked to keep her family's identity a secret, so she couldn't tell him about her mom being a villain.

And with that interaction, the two became inseparable throughout preschool. Even though the other kids were still scared of Zoe, she didn't mind as long as she had Manny to play with.

However, those days would ultimately prove too good to last.

Snapping back into reality, Cuervo cursed quietly to herself. She shouldn't be letting this get to her. Those days were in the past, and she would never be that close to Manny again.

If that was the case, then why was she feeling this way?

Sighing, she eyed her wrist. She could hear the faint hum of her laser, which she had been charging for the last minute or so. The humming stopped, signaling its cancel.

She couldn't do it, and she didn't know why. She hadn't hesitated to fight him in the past, so why...?

A blaring loud beeping noise from her wrist interrupted her. Oh no.

Why, oh why did she think it would be a good idea to bring her Flock of Fury communicator with her? What was she thinking?

Realizing that Manny and Frida could hear her, Cuervo extended her wings out and flew as fast as she could out of there. Daring to look behind her, she saw Manny looking up out the window towards her.

Manny had seen her. A twinge of sadness shot through her.

While this was happening, her communicator was still going off. Knowing that not answering would lead to horrible consequences, she pressed a button to activate the message. Staring right at her was her mother's infuriated face.

"ZOE AVES, YOU GET HOME RIGHT THIS INSTANT!" She shrieked, her voice loud enough to wake the dead.

"WHAT WERE YOU THINKING, LEAVING HOME LIKE THAT!? WHEN YOU GET HOME YOU ARE GROUNDED!"

Her grandmami's face appeared in place of Voltura's, looking just as angry, although her voice was slightly calmer (but that wasn't saying much).

"Get home right now, mija! If you don't, you'll be grounded even longer! You know it's for your own good, so-"

Cuervo shut off the communicator, not caring if that would land her in more trouble. She thought back to what she did at the Rivera house with regret.

Why was she so weak? Why couldn't she be like her mother, who got over Manny's dad back in high school?

Feeling tears coming on, she tried ignoring her feelings of inadequacy as her jets flew faster, leaving the skies of Miracle City covered in a purple smoke.