El Tigre: Evolution
"...it's just not an evil color."
-Puma Loco
Chapter 16
Blitz sat across from Nacht in their prison cell. Nacht was silently reading a book from the prison library while Blitz just hung his head and twiddled his thumbs. Prison life had been…interesting for them so far…to say the least. The other inmates regarded Blitz with a quiet fear. He was, technically, the one who took down White Pantera. But the Von Krieger Brothers just mostly kept to themselves.
Nacht looked up at his older brother, who avoided his gaze. Nacht closed his book.
"It wasn't the only way," said Nacht.
"I regret nothing." Blitz replied.
"It wasn't the only way," Nacht repeated.
"It was our mission, Josef! Our mission to kill those object-wielding freaks!" He scoffed. "Chosen by the gods…"
Nacht frowned. "My pendant…do you think I am a freak?"
Blitz sighed. "You know I didn't mean it like that, Josef…"
"Then how did you mean it, Ulrich?"
Blitz looked down at the floor again.
Black Cuervo soared through the night, on the lookout for potential targets. She wasn't supposed to be out, she was still technically grounded, but her mother just didn't seem "with it" since White Pantera died. She knew Vultura would never admit it, but she probably missed Sr. Rivera.
She was surprised to see a familiar face sitting on one particular rooftop, the one that had got her into all this trouble; Puma Loco. He was looking out over Miracle City. She scowled and was about to fly on, but something made her stop and hover. She sighed and went in for the landing.
Puma looked up from his vigil as Cuervo came up behind him. "Oh, it's you. It's been a while," he said in a melancholy tone.
"I was grounded for associating with the Riveras when that story hit the papers."
"Ay…won't you get in trouble now?"
"Do I look like I got where I am today by worrying about getting into trouble?" the villainess asked, standing defiantly. "Anyway…feel like robbing the museum? It's been easy pickings ever since…oh, right, sorry…"
But Black Cuervo's thoughtlessness didn't seem to faze Puma Loco. He simply kept his eyes on the traffic below. Without looking up, he spoke:
"I remember the first time I realized that young Rodolfo wanted to be a hero…to be good! How…disappointed I was…
FLASHBACK…
A much younger Puma Loco was walking down the street, whistling a tune when something made him stop and sniff the air. He knew that smell…
It was the smell of money!
He glanced to the opposite street corner and saw the source. It was an old blind woman with a cane shaking in her hand. She appeared to be attempting to cross the street, but to no avail. The traffic simply would not break long enough for her slow moving gait. Her pocketbook was stuffed, no, overflowing with cash.
Puma Loco sniggered and rubbed his hands together. This would be easy.
Until he noticed little Rodolfo coming up behind the woman. Rodolfo looked like a man on mission (even though at this point he was a young boy). Puma's eyes lit up when he realized what was about to happen. It would be Rodolfo's first crime! He would come home and show his Papi the money and make him so proud.
Puma Loco had to wipe a tear away from his eye.
As Rodolfo got closer and closer to the blind woman, hand outstretched, Puma Loco began to shake with anticipation. And then the moment came when…Rodolfo grabbed her hand and helped her across the street?
Puma Loco had to blink a few times to make sure he was seeing right. Yes, Rodolfo was indeed helping the old blind woman across the street. He was perplexed, and thought for a second. Surely Rodolfo was just gaining her trust, and would rob her once they got to the other side of street. But alas, that is not what happened. The lady patted Rodolfo on the head, and he went off, happy as a clam.
"Hola, Papi!" he said as he passed Puma Loco, who was horrified and almost hyperventilating like Maria.
INTERRUPT FLASHBACK…
Puma Loco gave a weak laugh. "And then there was the time when…
RESUME FLASHBACK…
"So Rodolfo," said the slightly older Puma Loco to the teenage Rodolfo. "Have you decided on what to call yourself yet?"
"I have," Rodolfo announced proudly. "I am…" he paused to rip his shirt off to reveal the white suit beneath, "WHITE PANTERA!"
Puma Loco rubbed his chin. "Hmm. I like the Pantera part…but I don't understand the white…it's just not an evil color."
"Um, about that," said the newly-dubbed White Pantera
"Unless," Puma went on, "you intend to use it to lull your enemies into false sense of security, yes? Then BOOM! Stab them in the back! Am I right?"
"Papi…I don't want to be evil. I want to be a superhero!" Rodolfo exclaimed.
"What…you…no…hero…I have no son!" Puma roared. Rodolfo ran off crying.
END FLASHBACK…
"It all seems so silly now..." Puma Loco lamented. Black Cuervo patted him on the back, much like the time before they teamed up, only this time she really meant it.
The alliance met in Casa del Macho later that evening. Antonio and Frida were already there, so it was just Trina and Mer coming in. The blonde came in first, and hugged Manny, making him blush slightly.
"I'm sorry about your papi, Manny," she said.
"I know…" Manny replied. He had heard that a lot today.
Mer walked in shortly after. "I don't know why we didn't just teleport, it would've-" He stopped when he eyed Manny. They kind of stared at each other for a moment. Mer appeared to be searching for something to say. At last he settled on, "Condolences, kid."
"Now that we're all here," said Antonio as they gathered together, "We must get to the matter at hand. The last page of the Tome."
Trina nodded. "We need to get it before Luxe does. From the Temple of El Dios de las Arañas."
Manny blinked. " Exactly where is this temple?"
"Please be right outside of town, please be right outside of town," Frida prayed.
"It's far away, so the journey will be a long one," said Maria.
"Aw, nuts!" Frida complained.
There was the sound of someone clearing their throat. Everyone turned to Mer, the throat-clearer. He waved his caduceus in the air.
"Aren't we forgetting something? Teleportation powers over here!"
"Can that thing take us to the temple?" Antonio inquired.
Mer smirked. "It'll take you anywhere you wanna go. You got a picture of the place? It helps to visualize."
Maria handed Mer a book titled "Ancient Temples" opened to the correct page. He studied it for a second, and then slammed it shut. "Ready! Let's go! Gather 'round everyone!"
Everyone stepped closer to Mer, except for Maria. She just stood there, a sad look upon her face.
"You coming, mom?" asked Manny.
"I…I can't…" she said, shoulders sagging.
"Are you sure?" Antonio pressed. "We could use Plata Peligrossa."
"…I'm sorry," she said.
Antonio nodded.
"Mom…" Manny whispered.
Mer raised the caduceus. "All aboard! TELEPORT!"
With a flash of light they were gone, and Maria was alone.