This chapter will include the main characters building their relationships more as the story progresses. Many of my characters are somewhat based on El Tigre's characters in others shows. Except being culturally different with more of a vice theme and stronger influence of Latin American and other cultures. Particularly Caribbean, European, Middle Eastern, Central, and South American cultures being in a coastal metropolitan area.
From my research, the show seems to be based on some aspects of Spiderman as I noticed after watching some episodes. My story in contrast is based on Batman Batman along with some aspects of the original animated series. My story is a bit like a fan spinoff sequel of the show but into the future and fans canonically connected with different and similar traits as a way of comparing and contrasting of two different places.
Chpt 4, New School, New Beginning
North Sunny Islets Middle School, 11:45 AM.
As they entered the entrance, Manny and Zoe were amazed at the school's modern structure and at the school's campus. There is a sign at the entrance with a tiger logo that read "NORTH SUNNY ISLETS MIDDLE SCHOOL: HOME OF THE FIGHTING TIGERS!
"WOW! Their mascot is a tiger!" said Manny.
Zoe look disgusted and seeing the tiger on the sign as it reminded her why she didn't like El Tigre for what he did to her.
"Mhm, the big cat is also the high school mascot as well!" said Gibbs.
"Hey Manny, come play football with us after school and the crew!" said Calvin.
"Sure!" said Manny.
"Lol NO! He will get chewed up the minute he steps on that field!" said Gibbs.
"Futbol?! With the round ball?!" asked Manny.
The two boys laughed hard when he said that.
"LOL, no kid! American football with the oval ball, a real man's sport! We'll take you after school to play some 3 on 3," said Gibbs.
"Oh...never played American football.." said Manny.
Surprised by the school's wide land and campus buildings, the 4 walked into the school. Mr. Kook waited for them to be welcomed then gave them their IDs and packets upon their first day at the school. Upon informing principal Roberto Flores that the kids were coming, he led them to his office to discuss their school and programs. Flores then led them to Mr. Rio Diaz's class in US Civics.
"Bienvinedos a Suniami Rivera and Aves! Hope you enjoy your stay while learning with us, Calvin here is our top student and he'll show you two around the school and city." said Principal Flores walking them down the halls.
"Thanks! I'm already liking it here!" said Manny.
"Thanks Principal, I know my pops would be proud of me and you." said Calvin with a smile.
"I know, your father was a great classmate to have in college!" said Flores as he studied with Calvin's father at Suniami-Wave College.
"The hallways are clean! There's a huge cafeteria, vending machines, and a mini arcade!" said Manny in excitement, and Zoe looked at him with a confused look.
"Does look better than Leone Middle," said Zoe bitterly.
"Haha, I know, I feel like I'm in college when I walk in here!" said Gibbs talking to him.
Mr. Diaz then said: "Class, I welcome you Manny Rivera and Zoe Aves to our class! Please welcome them and show them respect during their stay here!" said Mr. Diaz.
"Welcome to the crew, you're the runt cuz you the smallest!" said Gibbs as he slapped a mini–Florida License Plate sticker with his name on his jacket startling Manny.
"Lil man right here going to need us boys!" said Leon Echevarria who is from Uruguay.
"Thanks! Good to see people like me but you're all tall!" said Manny as he met boys like him but from various parts of Latin America and the world.
"Oye! Name's Daniel and soy de Columbia!" said Danny Villagomez.
"Aye kid, name's Raul but call me RJ." said Raul James Omar who is from the Dominican Republic.
"Sup lil bro, name's Latrell and I'm from Suniami Gardens, I'm of Haitian descent and I play ball with the homies here," said Latrell shaking hands with him.
"Nice to meet all of you!" said Manny.
Later in class, a girl walked in and sat near Zoe. Her name is Octavia Arana. Octavia is a goth teen who has long hair, blue highlights fading with her black hair from the bottom, black nails, blue eyes, light tan skin, Venezuelan/Mexican descent, wears mainly black clothing with one spike bracelet on her right arm and a necklace having a black owl on it. She sat with Zoe and talked with her for a while getting her adjusted. She looks a bit like Zoe but a bit taller and has longer hair in contrast. Zoe was more willing to talk to her compared to the rest of everyone in class due to their similar characteristics.
"Hey, my name is Octavia Arana; I know how it feels to be in here since I moved back here from New York, quite the culture shock huh?." said Octavia who sat next to her.
"Yeah, glad to see someone who's a bit like me, my name is Zoe Aves, I'm from Miracle City and I'm here for that student program," said Zoe as they continued their talk.
"Ahh, you're from Mexico, my dad and his family live near that city. I'm Mexican from my dad and Venezuelan from my mom, how about you?" asked Octavia.
"I'm Mexican as well. Sooo... How do you know Gibbs and Calvin?" asked Zoe.
"I met Gibbs in 3rd grade, I knew Calvin since preschool, I was his first friend until some jerk named Eva came along and took him away from me as he chose her over me!" said Octavia.
"Wow, I had the same problem, this wannabe punk rock star trash called Frida took him away as he had to choose who to hang out with and he chose her!" said Zoe angrily.
"Ah that Manny boy? he's cute but I have my eyes on Calvin," said Octavia admitting her small crush on Calvin.
"Yes, seems me and you are having a lot in common," said Zoe as the two goth teens related to each other during class.
"Indeed, maybe we should hang out more if you can after school to talk more watching the boys play." said Octavia.
"Yes, I rather not hang out with 3 dorks all day," said Zoe as the two agreed to hang out and go watch the boys play football after school.
"Perhaps I should be your tutor, Calvin forgets I'm in the program with him! Ignorant jerk he is but I'll talk to him about it." said Octavia.
"Definitely, glad to have a partner in crime," said Zoe with a smirk.
Orange Bowl Stadium, 3:30 PM
The boys taught Manny how the game of football works. Calvin was playing quarterback and Gibbs was on the left as a safety and Manny was the running back. The other team was Latrell, Davar, and Leon who were playing defense. Eva was watching him with others from the left side of the bleachers as being apart from Octavia and Zoe who were on the right side. As the two girls Eva and Octavia hated each other since they met in preschool when Octavia made her slip on a wet floor and caused everyone in the class to laugh at her.
"What is she doing here..." said Eva.
"See that girl with the red ponytail, that's Eva and I don't like her because she's a total jerk!" said Octavia talking to Zoe.
"I can relate, I feel the same way about someone named Frida," said Zoe.
"Octavia has a new friend, what a surprise," said Eva in the distance observing the two.
"Two boys, with all the power in the world, and yet they're hardheads," said Octavia looking at Calvin's staff and Manny's belt which Calvin left Zoe in charge of overlooking them although it's in a safety mode in a holographic box locked.
"Indeed, boys are stupid but beneficial when they can be," said Zoe.
The two goth girls looked from the bleachers as the boys were playing their game of 3v3 football which was shortened due to the other boys not being able to come.
"This is nothing like futbol." said Manny nervously as all the boys were slightly taller and buffer than him despite being in the same age range as him.
"Relax kid, just grab the ball and you run for your life to the goalpost! Don't let them hit you or you'll be limping!" said Gibbs jokingly.
"Uhhh, can't believe I can't use my powers!" said Manny.
"No cheating kid, let this be a test of your true strength and skills, don't rely on your power too much. I left my staff on the bleachers in safety mode by yo lil girlfriend and your belt is guarded by its safety system," said Calvin as he told the girls to look over their power items. Octavia and Zoe talked about the boys and their relationships with them while seeing them play.
"SHE'S NOT MY GIRLFRIEND!" said Manny.
"That's the spirit kid! Impress the ladies at the bleachers and you'll be one of the cool kids like me! Use that anger as your true power!" said Gibbs.
"Shut up and let's do this!" said Manny angrily.
"All this power in the world, two boys who don't deserve it at all, so foolish yet likable." said Zoe.
"Agreed, you know he broke my heart once you know," said Octavia pointing at Calvin.
"Really? Manny broke my heart too; he used me," said Zoe.
"So did Calvin. He used my affection for information to prevent me from stealing millions from several banks downtown as he and I bonded close together, such a fool I fell for it." regretfully said Octavia as her hands balled up.
"Manny used my attention to know my family's schemes, I was hurt and wanted to kill him for that." said Zoe looking at the necklace Manny gave her.
"I almost killed Calvin too, he apologized but I almost killed him because my anger was intense, and because of that I like him more." said Octavia showing Zoe a spiked bracelet Calvin made for her.
"He made you that? Manny did the same for me," said Zoe, showing her the necklace.
"Nice, guess somewhere in their rotten souls they have a heart," said Octavia.
"Indeed, so you're a villain?" asked Zoe.
"Yes, I go by Oscura, a shapeshifting owl-themed shadow villainess. And you?" said Octavia.
"Nice, I go by Black Cuervo, a raven-themed villainess with blasters and wings," said Zoe.
"Aww I heard about you; you inspired me to be a villainess since I saw myself in you, but in respect let's keep our identities a secret," said Octavia shaking hands with Zoe with the two showing an evil smirk.
"Nice to know I inspired someone," said Zoe smiling with Octavia.
The girls watched Calvin hand the ball to Manny who nervously ran but got tackled by Latrell.
"Ouch!" said Manny.
"Geez kid you're soft!" said Davar.
"That's what you get for hanging out with a girl too much! She turned you into a complete wuss that blue-haired chick!" said Gibbs.
"SHUT UP! That's my best friend leave her alone!" said Manny.
"Ready! Set... Hut!" said Calvin as he passed the ball to Manny as they were less than 7 yards to the end zone.
"I'm going to get hit! I hate this sport!" cried out Manny running to the end zone, he scored a touchdown, but Davar tackled him in the end zone, and he almost hit the goalpost.
"Ouch! You guys play rough!" said Manny.
"Nah bro, you played a real man's sport, this how we do it in Florida!" said Latrell.
"True that! We raised tough here and you're getting a taste of it!" said Davar.
"Nice score kid, maybe you're not bad after all," said Calvin.
"Ow! Thanks but I'm done for the day!" said Manny limping with Calvin helping him to the stands.
"That's what you get Rivera for hurting me," said Zoe seeing Manny limping on the field.
"Sore as I am, maybe he's a hardhead like Calvin," said Octavia.
"You got that right, both of them are, but I still like Manny," said Zoe.
"Heh, maybe we should get them both to date us, I have an idea to do that!" said Octavia.
"Hmm, what do you have in mind?" said Zoe.
"We interact with them more, get them interested. Think about it, if your rival isn't here to have his full attention, this is your only chance to do so. Men can easily be tempted to do things compares to us women. Eva's leaving for Europe soon so I can get Calvin to myself!" said Octavia.
"Hmm, sounds like a good idea, I can get my vendetta after all. And Manny all to myself!" said Zoe with and evil look along with Octavia
Estrella Island, Vanguard Mansion, 6:35 PM.
After a long day at school, Gibbs went to his home in West Town, and the rest went to Calvin's residence, a mansion that is owned by the Vanguards. It shows the teal water sea with a clear view of the big city's skyline. But they're not there since they went on a business trip in Portugal for the remainder of the month.
"Wow nice place, I can see the whole ocean and city from here! You're filthy rich!" said Manny.
"Welcome to the crib, please makes y'all selves at home," said Calvin.
"Kid you'll be sleeping with me in my room on a separate bed. Miss Aves, you will have my parent's bedroom to your liking," said Calvin.
Zoe started to go to the room and unpack her belongings, one of them being her villainess suit, thinking to herself if she'll ever use it during her trip. As she looked across the room, she saw a large portrait of Calvin and his adoptive parents. Along with family pictures of the three traveling to different parts of the globe. There's a clear glass cabinet with a collection of expensive artifacts of Latin American and Asian culture, but she couldn't steal them due to the high-tech security of the room. She noticed another picture frame near the TV of Calvin's adoptive parents in a college graduation picture with his biological parents holding a baby Calvin in their hands as they all graduated together.
"Wow, quite the family he has," she said.
She then lay on the king-sized bed, thinking to herself about what she'll learn on this trip and what she'll do. Along with thinking of Manny despite her earlier encounter with someone else, seeing she might have a slim chance at getting his full attention to herself. Along with making a new friend who was just like her but in a different part of the world.
Manny also started to unpack his stuff in Calvin's room, Calvin was talking to Eva on the phone in the living room. He saw Calvin's memorabilia like the Mexican and Salvadoran flags on the wall, a picture with him in El Salvador visiting his cousin, another of his grandma in Mexico, a mariachi hat, and a calavera themed in black, blue, and white art frame on the wall made by him.
"Wow, this guy is from many cultures, I wonder how he became a hero," said Manny as he thought about what made Calvin into the person he is today.
He picked up a picture showing an infant Calvin in his dad's arms wearing his military uniform along with his mother. Seeing this made him wonder about his own parents as he remembered seeing a similar picture of his parents holding him as a baby.
Wow, he's a bit like me, only he grew up differently compared to me," said Manny. Manny saw a bit of himself in Calvin, as almost seeing a parallel version of himself with some differences.
He looked out the window seeing the nearby futuristic skyline, highways, and palm trees feeling the vice tropical vibes compared to his city's rustic and spicy culture.
"This feels like a dream, I can't believe what I'm experiencing let alone where I am currently in the future," said Manny thinking about what his future is like where is he currently, who is his wife, his career, and the children he bears.
While packing, Manny decided to talk to Calvin in private as he was paranoid if this was a trick or the real deal.
"Hey man can I talk to you?" said Manny.
"Sure," said Calvin.
"This feels weird! It's like I'm in a dream! Um so what's really going on?" Manny said nervously.
"I understand, I was homesick being in your town, but still I brought you here because I need your help solving a mystery," said Calvin.
"A mystery?" said Manny.
"Yes, me and Gibbs we're trying to figure out what has happened to the original people of Miracle City, since it has dramatically changed over the years, possibly your folks and family involved, along with your bad guys possibly having a connection to the ones here," said Calvin to Manny as he was shocked to hear.
"What? What happened to me and my friends and family?!" asked Manny in worrisome.
"Well, something terrible happened before I was born, a lot of people lost their lives with some missing and being found to this day." said Calvin.
"Oh man no! What about me?!" asked Manny.
"You're still here, you're an artist and was married a longtime friend while continuing to be the tiger but the relationship went quite sometime later. You had kids three with her and possibly one with another unknown." said Calvin.
"Wow, so I started a new life, a family, and I went to college? But who is this longtime friend?" asked Manny.
"Yeah, but can't say because you can't know too much of your future, plus I don't much about you now due to lack of information. But I need your help in my time figuring out these bad guys and your lost relative who could be living here along with your well-being. In return, I'll take you to your city. Do we have a deal?" Asked Calvin with his hand out to Manny. Manny was reluctant and shocked but agreed with him.
"Deal!" said Manny as he shook hands with Calvin making a double deal.
"Great, I knew you're the tiger dude, you inspired me as I was thinking of you when I was deciding what to do with my new powers since I felt like this is what my pops would've wanted me to do." said Calvin as he was looking at the techy yet magical staff, reflecting on his years of training to be a hero. Manny showing a smile knowing he inspired a young man in the future to be a bright hero.
Estrella Island, Vanguard Mansion, Kitchen 6:30 PM.
While Calvin and Gibbs were getting dinner from the Azucar Factory, Manny was exploring the house and looked over the bright lights of the skyscrapers glittering with the night sky and the bustling beach life through the glass door. Behind him lurked Zoe and slowly going by his left side at a small distance looking over the city.
"This guy has everything any kid would want, guess that's the benefit of being a hero in the states," said Manny in his mind.
"Yes, spoiled brats. I can't believe I got picked to go to America, especially with you," said Zoe.
"Agrees, I was surprised too with you coming with me, they need me to help them solve a mystery about their city and ours," said Manny.
"I overheard you're still being the tiger and you have kids, they did tell you who?" asked Zoe.
"No and I rather not know since it could be dangerous knowing too much about the future," said Manny.
"Hmm I guess, I wonder what I look like now?" said Zoe.
"Well, I'm not sure, I wonder what I look like too," said Manny.
The two looked over in silence keeping a small distance from each other. The two were shy and nervous as they talked slowly but were interrupted.
"HONEY I'M HOME!" screamed Gibbs startling the two. Him and Calvin prepared dinner as the 4 went around the table and ate the food they bought from the Azucar Factory.
"This is good food; I like this American food!" said Manny eating a trio of colorful burgers.
Zoe sat alongside him while Gibbs was alongside Calvin on the other side of the table.
"So, what can I do about this mystery," said Manny.
"Well first we have to figure out if one of my bad guys is connected to yours, and 2nd we will go to your city on a short visit before you guys leave for more information to find," said Calvin.
"Wow, good to hear that but how's Miracle city?" asked Manny.
"Well, the city is very different today, more modernized and futuristic compared to your time period with everything going from old school to new school. New villains and new heroes which are way different than yours, even city officials want me to join after hearing me out even Gibbs!" said Calvin.
Manny was surprised that his city wanted Calvin to become their new protector, but meeting his possible future successor left him many questions to ask but not willing to ask about his own future. Zoe on the other hand was curious to learn of Miracle City's future let alone hers.
"Hey one more thing, I need at least one sample of your hair and hers to better find where y'all at since it's our best chance at finding y'all through DNA tests." said Calvin.
The two agreed and they gave their hair samples Calvin placed them in medically graded bags and sent them to a lab for testing for their whereabouts.
Estrella Island, Vanguard Mansion 12-22-2030 12:59 AM
Calvin was deep asleep while Manny was getting a glass of water, again looking at the sparkling skyline of Suniami through a glass door. Zoe woke up to use the restroom and decided to have a small talk with Manny afterward.
"Manny, I have so many questions being here and more," said she.
"Well, me too, but I rather leave it be." Said, Manny. Zoe looked straight at him; Manny responded shyly.
"Well, um..." he tried to talk while scratching his head but was shy to talk to her but thought of something quick.
"Well, I hope ou-the future will be good for the two of us, you know as in good terms wherever we go..." said Manny nervously. Zoe felt confused and a bit touched at what he was trying to say.
"I hope so too. Say, want to hang out with me and my new friend later? You and Calvin can come." said Zoe.
"Ummm, sure, I would like to!" said Manny
"Good. Well, goodnight," said Zoe as she walked past him looking at him, the boy was mesmerized by her looks as she walked into her room with a slight smile on her face.
"Even though I started liking someone else, maybe this is my chance to be with him and get his attention once and for all," said Zoe in her mind wondering about Manny a lot seeing that she is closer to him ever than before as she sleeps overnight in bed.
"Maybe this trip will be good for me, learning from this kid along with someone I feel deserves more of my attention," said Manny in his mind laying in the other bed aside from Calvin. Watching his slightly glowing staff and his belt hanging on the wall as he soon fell asleep.
Seems like things are slowly heating up slowly, for both Manny and Calvin who are almost alike but different in terms of being raised in different cities, cultures, and the way they live their daily lives. As the same can be for Zoe and Octavia who seem to alike as well with similar issues and aspects as the two get to know each other more.