Chapter 12: Sinestro Industries
[Intro]
[Night. Daran Norris District. Suarez Residence. Frida is peacefully sleeping. Her neck starts to turn red and then black as her veins glow throughout her body. She then clutches her chest as the pain inside her intensifies. Groaning in pain, two stubs protrude her back, her chest starts to grow as does her waist. Inside her mind, she dreams of her wedding. The family is there as well as Sergio, happy that the wedding is as promising as her. By the time the pastor starts speaking, her back sprouts demonic wings that shock the patrons, even the pastor. As she tries to calm everyone down, a shadowy version of Frida touches her shoulder and speaks.]
Shadow Frida: Hey! You know this wedding is a farce, right?
Frida: What?
Shadow Frida: A farce! A fluke! A sham! This wedding sucks and you know it!
Frida: (in denial) What? No. No. No. This wedding will make me free. Free from the failures I'm suffering.
Shadow Frida: Failures!? Have you seen the man you're "betrothed"? He's an abusive, sexist pig! I'm amazed I pointed out the fallacy of this farce!
Frida: (still in denial) I'm dreaming. (x12)
Shadow Frida: (sarcastic) Yes, this is a dream. You've clearly had a stressful day and I'm the result.
Frida: Really?
Manny: No, girl. This is real. She's real. And you need to control this power before things go bonk.
Frida: What are you talking about?
Shadow Frida: That bite mark on your neck.
Frida: What?
Manny: Yeah. This mark (shows her neck with the bite marks) I bit into it and you gained my powers. Here, I'll show you!
[Manny bites Frida's neck and she wakes up screaming in terror. Panting from the experience, she rushes into the bathroom, turns on the faucet, splashes water into her face and stares in a panicked state.]
Frida: (panicking) It's just a dream. (x5)
Shadow Frida: (sarcastic) Yeah. And I'm an imaginary friend.
[Frida turns around and spots her shadow self leaning on the bathroom wall.]
Frida: I'm dreaming. I'll try to pinch myself.
[Frida pinches and squints in pain. Her shadow vanishes.]
Frida: Whew. She's gone.
[A pinch from behind, however, changes her mind.]
Frida: OW!
Shadow Frida: Heh. Guess I'm real all along.
Frida: Who? How? When? Why?
Shadow Frida: I'm a version of you that originated from that neck bite. If I told you what's inside of you without "you know who" involved, your brain will implode. Also, I'm here to talk you out of this marriage and suggest leaving this jail cell.
Frida: (in denial) This is not real. I'm supposed to get married, leave with Sergio, and leave happily ever . . .
Shadow Frida: (outraged) Oh, grow a spine, will you! That monster wants to rip out your genitalia like it was an appendix. He's about as attractive as some sleazebag Hollywood director! You know this marriage is going to result in one thing: obsessive misery!
Frida: Well, what are my other options? I mean, I don't want to marry him but my parents demand I leave this house to obtain weaponry from him.
Shadow Frida: (shaking her head) Your parents are such asses!
Frida: They may be but they're my parents.
Shadow Frida: (outraged) YOU'RE 15!
Frida: And according to the rules here, as long as the wedding benefits "global safety", all rules regarding societal norms are null and void.
Shadow Frida: Then leave this place!
Frida: I don't have anywhere to go!
Shadow Frida: You're rich, aren't you?
Frida: My family's rich! And I can't take my family's money until I marry Sergio.
[Shadow Frida grows violent to the point that she punches a wall with a window and it smashes open to the night sky.]
Frida: (aghast) What did you do!?
Shadow Frida: The equivalent of a stress ball.
Frida: I'm going to bed. We'll talk in the morning.
Shadow Frida: UGH!
[Dawn rises as the city basks in sunlight. Manny, Django, and the Vampiros ride the S.S. Alanna into the eastern part of town. As soon as they reach a marina, the duo disembark and try to figure out where they are.]
Manny: Okay. We're here in the marina. Do you know which district is this?
Django: Honestly, I'm assuming DiCicco or Bauza. But since this is near the Atlantic, you tell me.
Rasta Vampiro: Actually, according to this map, you two are in the AndJackCo District.
Manny: (puzzled) AndJackCo?
Rasta Vampiro: Andrew Jackson Cove.
Django: Pfffh. They name an area of this state after a monster who harmed natives. Why am I not seeing the irony in this?
Rasta Vampiro: You know the rich, they name things after deceased indigenous tribes without any consideration of the tribes' feelings.
Manny: Whatever, we need to find where his factory and storage units are and demolish the crap out of them. Normally, I fly to survey the area but that would give away our location. Therefore, we need to find the correct district before the police find us first.
Django: Everybody, run!
[The group exits the marina and runs towards an empty street in the hopes of finding the factory. Meanwhile, Frida, in a white blouse, gray skirt, and white stilettos, is walking by herself, glum, while trying to deal with last night's events.]
Frida: (thinking) This is too much for me. I cannot believe a shadow came to life and spoke to me about my life choices! Perhaps this is the stress of getting married? Yeah! That's it! Marriage stress. That makes complete sense.
[Before she can contemplate, someone bumps into her and both fall to the ground. Unconscious, she wakes up with a certain someone squeezing her chest.]
Frida: Ugh! What happened? Huh?
Manny: Huh? These things are real. I mean, non-binary folk's chests aren't supposed to be this big. (notices Frida) Hey! You're the girl I found in a dumpster! How's it going?
Frida: Please, get off of me.
Manny: Hey, I came here looking for something, you should've looked up. Unless, you bumped into me for . . ?
[beat]
Manny: Woah there! I'm flattered but married people are the very reason I'm forbidden to enter French brothels without a plus one.
Frida: Umm, I'm gonna ignore that. Also, what brings you here?
Django: Hey! Stop running so fast! I swear between this and your escapade in the Middle East, no wonder those sheiks wanted your head!
Manny: First of all, I remember a certain skeleton entering an Ayatollah's closet in order to disrupt a nuclear missile headed for NYC. Second, that "escapade" was the result of bad weed and a lamb shank. Third, Mongolia!
Django: (ashamed) Please don't mention Mongolia.
Manny: (teasing) I beat you fair and square.
Django: (ashamed) I was lost and you briskly walked with a pot brownie on one hand.
Manny: I was happy and saw a sheep sing the best soprano piece this side of Lithuania has ever heard!
Frida: What happened in Mongolia?
Manny: We made a bet to see if we can walk from the Asian part of Mongolia to the European part. The winner gets bragging rights and pays for the next meal.
Frida: And you won somehow?
Manny: Yes!
Django: Before he can finish, may I ask, who are you?
Manny: Oh. Dude, this is Frida. The individual I found in a dumpster and bit into by accident.
Django: Let me see.
[Manny shows the bite marks to Django and he takes his two fingers and slides down the hole until Frida winches in discomfort.]
Django: Yep. They're that deep. Has the process happened?
Frida: Process?
Shadow Frida: He means have you been seeing things?! Like yours truly!
[Shadow Frida appears and the duo are nonplussed by the figure]
Frida: Oh. You two can see this. I thought I was hallucinating.
Manny: Your shadow has come to life. Hey buddy! You got a new friend!
[Immediately, Shadow Manny appears and hangs by Manny's shoulders while grinning.]
Frida: (shakinly) Wait, you got one of those shadows?
Manny: Oh, please! He's friendly. The only thing he attacks are intruders, goons, karens, weeaboos, trolls, and some guy named "Eric Bauza"! Other than that, he's nice if mischievous.
Frida: Then why is mine so rude and obnoxious?
Manny: Because that's a manifestation of your inner feelings. She's obviously outraged because you seem to have no spine.
Shadow Frida: Exactly! Even this puto knows you're a jellyfish!
Manny: Puto? Heh, try to come with a better insult, mami!
[Shadow Frida comes close to Manny's space]
Shadow Frida: I'm not your mami, puto! I'm your worst nightmare!
Shadow Manny: Nope! Youse a mami! Especially with that sexy voice of yours!
Shadow Frida: How dare you flirt with me, blowhard!
Shadow Manny: Hmm, kinky!
Shadow Frida: (gasp) You motherfucking bastard!
Shadow Manny: Ohh, harder, mami!
[Disgusted and upset, Shadow Frida grows into a gigantic demon with red eyes, sharp fingers, and spikes around her body]
Shadow Frida: (demonic) IMMA GONNA KILL YOU!
[Shadow Manny grabs Shadow Frida by the face and kisses her passionately until she deflates into a small wisp and gushes in love]
Shadow Frida: (lovey-dovey) You kiss like a true husband. I love that in a man. (tsundere blush) I mean, I'm still not impressed, fresh man!
Manny: You need not worry. He's just wild with his emotions.
[Shadow Manny snickers in excitement.]
Frida: Can we get back to the process that's beginning inside me already?
Manny: Right. Right. Right. Um, you were supposed to stay with the Vampiros while I handled those pricks outside. Besides your shadow coming to life, your body will undergo changes until the tiger's blood within you ends with either a surprise gift or making you a villain I can't defeat. Either way, you must come with me until it's safe for everyone.
Frida: (confused) I'm massively confused right now. First of all, what gift? Second, what's tiger's blood? Third, what about my soul problem?
Manny: First, it's complicated to explain but in simple terms; awesomeness. Second, it's what's inside you. And third, I'm still working on that. Also, where's the factory?
Frida: Factory?
Django: We are looking for Sergio Sinestro, his house and possibly his warehouse.
Frida: Why?
Rasta Vampiro: He's building weapons of mass destruction and planning on selling them to the United States government for some master plan.
Frida: I may know where that is?
Manny: Really?
Frida: He's my fiance. He showed it to me, my father and my mother in some grandiose spectacle to entice them for my hand in marriage. It's in the Jeff Bennett District.
Manny: And that's where in this map.
[Django shows her the map.]
Frida: I think he lied to me. He says it's east of where I live but this map says it's southeast of here.
Manny: That motherfucker! What kind of fiance lies to his bride to be? I ought to castrate that pig and replace it with some jumper cables.
[Frida, alert, felt her heart bump a bit]
Frida: You know, Sergio threatened me to rip my vagina for mentioning kids.
Django: Some fiance. Cold and nasty. Why marry him?
Frida: His technology is helping the city thrive.
Rasta Vampiro: On the rich part of town. The middle part will agree to anything the bastards say. As for the poor parts, some neighborhoods get torn down, hospitals are overcrowded with uninsured patients, road infrastructure has degraded, transportation is non-existent, water meant for farming is sent to wealthy lawns, homeowners becoming homeless, and blackouts being commonplace because of antiquated power plants. Yeah, it's helping the city alright!
Frida: He was helping the city.
Manny: Yeah, the U.S. part of the city. West Miracle City belongs to Mexico. You see the two differences.
Frida: So, you're an immigrant?
Django: No. You and everyone here are immigrants. We're domestic individuals trying to stop imperialistic actions from taking place.
Frida: And you think my fiance's factory will prevent these "imperialistic actions"?
Manny: Either that or the jackass himself. Now either help us or dumpster dive!
[Sometime in the afternoon. Sergio's mansion. Sergio, unfazed, leaves his house and enters a limo with M.G. Luke Barrington and some secret agents inside.]
Sergio: So, you people want to figure out Operation: Castellian right?
M.G. Luke: Exactly! We heard rumors circulating around the MCPD that it involves infiltration and conquering Mexico City. I assume it involves those mechs you've been building, right?
Sergio: Perhaps. But, I digress. What would the United States want with Mexico in their hands?
M.G. Luke: National security is our purpose, sir! We also want to extend our country for housing in case immigrants want to seek asylum. Some land in Mexico shall suffice.
Sergio: And what about the commoners who protest this advancement?
M.G. Luke: We declare them terrorists and have them extradited to Guantanamo for 90 years! Right, Agent Braxton!
Braxton: Yes sir!
Sergio: And what about El Tigre?
Braxton: That vile criminal! My men have been infiltrating West Miracle City to apprehend him. So far, several of them have either deserted or came back in boxes.
Sergio: In pieces?
Braxton: No, sir.
M.G. Luke: In coffins?
Braxton: No, sir.
Agent: Boxes?
Braxton: Literal mailing boxes. We even got three men inside a fridge that was mailed in to the U.S. embassy of Mexico.
M.G. Luke: And you think this is El Tigre's doing?
Braxton: Either him or those gremlins my men took photos of.
M.G. Luke: Gremlins?
Braxton: They've been spotted around some dilapidated housing project doing something. So far, our agents have either gotten injured or frightened by those things. We believe their allegiance with El Tigre is either benign or a serious threat.
Sergio: And yet you can only come up with theories?
Braxton: These creatures have annihilated our troops when provoked. It's safe to say they're organized. They make our well trained platoons look like test dummies.
M.G. Luke: And that transcript says he fights alone. Bah! My men need to have those things training them instead of that lone wolf!
Sergio: Why rely on physical strength when you have mechanical instead?
M.G. Luke: Speaking of which, when do we arrive at your factory?
Sergio: Soon, Major. But first we need to stop at the police station to pick up my in-law.
Braxton: Mr. Suarez?
Sergio: Yes! He and his police force should witness my marvelous inventions! Now, POLICE STATION, STAT!
[Somewhere in the Grey Griffin District. Manny, wearing glasses, Django, in disguise, and Frida are walking southwards to the factory. Tired, the three stop at a ritzy bistro for some food.]
Manny: (panting) Man, those Vampiros parkouring the rooftops are going to arrive at the destination faster than we imagine.
Frida: (panting) Why don't you drive a car instead of walking or running to the place?
Django: (panting) First of all, we need to be discreet here. Two, we got into some trouble with a dealership because we asked for an electric car. And three, we're 1 district away from Jeff Bennett.
Manny: (panting) One if we parkour our way there.
Django: Ahem. What about her?!
[Django points to Frida]
Manny: I mean, her powers might be starting out but I know we can make it.
Django: (grits teeth) Remember the Empire State Building?!
[Manny stares back in bewilderment]
Manny: Thank goodness for photoshop.
Frida: Uh. I prefer walking instead. Besides, wings flying downward might alert us, right?
Manny: Oh, right. Heh.
Waitress: Hello! Welcome to Portia's! Here are our menus and our speciality menu. Are you ready to order or do you need some time?
Manny: I'm ready. One macaron platter, surf and turf and mint tea.
Django: (covering his face with a menu) Tomahawk, medium. Single malt on the rocks.
Frida: Some water, please.
Manny: Ignore her. She wants conchas.
Waitress: I'm sorry, what?
Manny: Conchas. You know, shell shaped pastry.
Waitress: We don't serve poor people food, sir.
Manny: Challah bread then?
Waitress: What's that?
Manny: Fine, donuts.
Waitress: Do nuts?
Manny: (sighs and looks at the menu) Croquembouche with gold flakes and some hot chocolate.
Waitress: Oh, of course! I'll bring in your drinks first. Thanks!
Frida: Why did you change my order?
Manny: Look at you! You need to be fed, not starve! Ignore Sergio for a moment and live a little!
Frida: Why croquembouche then?
Manny: You look like someone who favors sweetness.
[Frida smiles a bit]
Django: Then explain the absence of the other desserts, though?
Manny: This is the United States, remember.
Django: But donuts?! That's obviously an American icon that should be everywhere here?
Frida: It's the rich part of town. Poor people's food is forbidden here, even chicken wings.
Django: (upset) That's it! I hate it here!
Manny: Shhh! People might hear us!
Django: Shit! Curse my love of chicken wings!
Manny: Yeah. That last Super Bowl was the weirdest night ever.
Django: I'm not apologizing.
[Two tables away, a customer hears the trio conversing with each other. Said customer is the owner of the dealership the duo went to last time they entered.]
Waitress: Here's your bill, Mr. Hawke.
Hawke: Thanks! And that's Dealin' Dan Hawke II to you, ma'am!
Waitress: I'm so sorry, sir.
Hawke: That's good. You know, I'd give you a tip but that remark made me rethink my decision. Perhaps, you can do me a favor?
Waitress: Anything to lower my car payments
Hawke: Who are those people up there? I recognize the girl but those two boys got me baffled?
Waitress: I don't know but the one on the left asked me if we serve poor people food?.
Hawke: Interesting. Do you mind if I sit with them?
[Meanwhile, Manny converses with Frida]
Manny: And with that, my year in France resulted with 200 pleasured people. And some croissants.
Frida: How are you still single?
Manny: I don't know.
Hawke: Hello there, you three! How are you!?
[Frida, knowing that voice, gets freaked out a bit and tries to look for the waitress. Hawke, intrigued, tries to steer the conversation.]
Hawke: So, tell me, you know who I am?
Manny: Given the amount of cheap cologne and hair gel, I'm guessing sleazebag.
Hawke: (laughing) No! My name is Dealin' Dan Hawke II. I'm the son of the original Dealin' Dan Hawke of California. I'm here to expand my father's dealership empire beyond the United States of America. I sell discount vehicles to various clients for reasonable prices! I came to this establishment one day for whiskey and a fancy ham sandwich they called jamon iberico bocadillo and I received a call from one of my workers that TWO BOYS WRECKED MY DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THEY WANTED AN ELECTRIC CAR! I DEMAND TO KNOW IF THOSE PRICKS ARE YOU TWO SITTING HERE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY ORDERING FOOD AND DRINKS LIKE IT WAS JUST A NORMAL DAY!
[Manny, Django, and Frida just look at Hawke with confused looks before the waitress comes back with their drinks, Frida's croquembouche, and Manny's macaron platter. Trying to break the silence, Manny pours the water in the teapot into his cup, takes a macaron, dips it and eats.]
Manny: Honestly, I have no idea what you're talking about.
[Hawke, livid, takes a macaron and eats.]
Hawke: (livid) I know it's you! There are only a few people who look distinctly Mexican and you fit the bill!
[Django drinks his single malt]
Django: You probably have us confused. I remember a dealership but it was probably a different location. I mean, how many dealerships are in East Miracle City?
Hawke: (lividly pointing) 19! And only 10 of those are under my ownership!
Django: And we probably went to the 9 dealerships you didn't own.
Manny: Again, you have us confused.
Hawke: This ain't over! I will find out it was you two and when I do, expect lawsuits!
[Dealin' Dan Hawke leaves in a huff]
Manny: Man, what a sleazebag?
Frida: You know he's the type of person who's got contacts in this town?
Django: Yeah and we've faced people like him before. Spoiler alert, it ends with us laughing over a bottle of absinthe.
Manny: Those were good days. That poor salesman though.
Django: Hey, he had it coming.
[Suddenly, the waitress arrives with the dishes the duo ordered]
Manny: Sweet, my surf and turf!
Django: Hey, you want the tomahawk steak!
Manny: Yes, please!
[Django rips the meat and gives the plate to Manny while he eats the bone part]
Manny: Let's see here. Tomahawk cut, asparagus, brussels sprouts, and cherry tomatoes. Hey, individual!
Frida: (eating her croquembouche) I'm a girl.
Manny: Not according to your medical records.
Frida: Well, refer to me as a girl. I may be non-binary but I still have feelings.
Manny: Okay. Hey, girl. Take this.
[Manny gives a piece of tomahawk along with some asparagus stalks and a cherry tomato to Frida.]
Frida: (sotto) Thanks, but I can't. My figure is of importance.
Django: (upfront) HEY! Most people would tear up with an offer like this!
Frida: Okay.
[Frida takes the plate and eats it along with her croquembouche and hot chocolate. Manny takes his surf and turf, which was filet mignon and a lobster tail, and eats it while chewing his tomahawk. He then proceeds to eat the vegetables, macarons, and drink his tea. Django continues to eat the bone while sipping his malt. By the time they finish, the waitress takes their plates and comes back with the bill.]
Manny: Okay, let's see the damages. $670?
Django: $670!? That's impossible. What was the most expensive item in our meal? My meal in total costs $80. Yours is, surprisingly, $100. Her order, $30.
Manny: Then the overall total should be $210, right?
Frida: Then there's the additional tip, right?
Django: Let's see. $20. So, in total, $230.
Manny: SO, why $670?
[Django reads the bill and finds an additional $440 attached to their bill along with a note from Dealin' Dan Hawke.]
Django: (reading Hawke's note) "After finding out my dealership was totaled, I decided to drown my sorrows in whiskey and other spirits for 3 straight days. The end result was an unpaid tab which I decided to leave it all to you two. Thanks, Hawke!" (crumples note) Well, we've been billed, again.
Manny: (shaking his head) Soho House. At least we have reserves with us.
Django: Pesos, Francs, Euros or Dollars?
Manny: Yes!
[Manny leaves a stack of bills on the table as the waitress comes to them and takes the money]
Manny: Keep the change!
Waitress: Thanks! Have a wonderful day!
[The trio leave and head eastwards to Jeff Bennett. They stop at an intersection and the police sirens alert the duo to hide. Frida, unaware, hears several police cars heading north. One of them exits the entourage and heads towards her. Worried, Frida shakes until Manny speaks to her.]
Manny: (telepathic) Hey! Try to look inconspicuous.
Frida: (telepathic) Where are you?
[Manny turns visible for a moment]
Manny: (telepathic) Behind you.
[Frida turns around]
Manny: (telepathic) Turn back!
Frida: (telepathic) Since when can you become invisible?
Manny: (telepathic) Since whenever! Now look normal!
[Said police car stops and Astra and Jorge get out of the car]
Jorge: Frida? Frida Suarez!?
Frida: (meek) Yes.
Astra: What are you doing here?
Frida: Um. Um. Nothing.
[Astra puts his hand on Frida's shoulder]
Astra: Okay. Answer me this. What are you doing here in this hour!?
Frida: Um.
Manny: (telepathic) Oh my god. Just say you went for a walk.
Frida: I went for a walk.
Astra: (dumbfounded) At this hour?
Frida: Yeah. I mean, I can't walk alone in the safest part of town without being stalked by men.
Manny: (telepathic) Motherfucking men!
Frida: I'm not saying that.
Astra: What?
Frida: Nothing.
Jorge: Well, we are assigned to protect you until your wedding day approaches.
Astra: So, in essence, we aren't stalking you but doing our jobs. Besides, word out here states that El Tigre is loose here. You haven't seen him, have you!?
Frida: Do I look like someone who's a target?
Manny: (telepathic) In fact, you cocksucking pigs are the reason for why I, a beautiful, non-binary girl, am shotgunned into this farce of a wedding to an abusive, chauvinistic, pedophobic pedophile while my asshole of a father verbally, mentally, and psychologically abuses me like I DESERVED IT FOR NO REASON OTHER THAN MASTURBATIONAL EXPERIENCES!
Frida: Can you at least tell my dad to leave me alone? I'm sure he'll say yes gleefully.
Astra: All right. Sorry for the intrusion. Let's leave, Jorge.
Jorge: Okay!
Astra: Just remember to head back to the banquet hall. God only knows your father must be worried.
[The cops leave and head back to the entourage. Manny turns visible while Django jumps out of a manhole and the trio continue heading east.]
Django: Dude, what was that for?
Manny: What?
Frida: The last part. The one involving masturbation.
Manny: Ugh. Nothing. Just bad memories.
[Suddenly, Rabbi Vampiro runs towards the trio as they walk towards the district]
Rabbi: Oy! Where were you?
Manny: Rabbi! Nothing, just stopped for a bite. That's all.
Rabbi: You should've parkoured! It's easier.
Manny: What about her?
Rabbi: Oh right. Um, how are you?
Frida: Fine.
Rabbi: Come! Let me see your neck. (checks neck) I see. The tiger's blood is flowing within you. We need to bring you in after this is done.
Frida: Why?
Rabbi: Trust me, all of this will be revealed once you're with us.
Django: So, you found the weapons?
Rabbi: We found something.
[The trio follow Rabbi Vampiro and head towards an industrial park with lots of warehouses surrounding the area. Trying to find the factory, Manny discovers numerous Vampiros running around with mechanical parts and runs towards them. Frida and Django follow suit as Rabbi runs towards a parking lot, jacks a vehicle, and drives towards Manny. Finding an open gate, Manny finds the Caribbean Vampiros dismantling guns and putting them in boxes.]
Anny: Hey, D.R. Vampiro:
D.R. Vampiro: Yo! How's it going?
Manny: I just arrived! Are these the weapons they plan to sell to our yankee armies?
Haiti Vampiro: Nope! Just confiscated arms collected by our corrupt policemen. We're just breaking them apart and turning them into useful ingots.
Django: As for the bullets?
P.R. Vampiro: We're giving them to you!
Frida: Is this a contraband warehouse? You know this is stealing from law enforcement, right?
Rasta Vampiro: Those thugs with guns aren't going to miss 5% of what's inside this warehouse. Also, this weed is just 50% cilantro, 45% yerba buena, and 5% avocado leaf.
Manny: Hmph! They use herbs and try to pass it off as weed. Suffice to say, they probably use powdered detergent to pass it off as cocaine. Right?
Rasta Vampiro: Yeah, man! We found out via our drug test. The only thing that's real here are the arms and they're neanderthal items: handguns and rifles.
Frida: And that's a bad thing?
Manny: No, it's a smart move, just a cheap trick. If you're going to have street cred, at least let your product be the real deal.
Rabbi: Oy, kid!
Manny: Rabbi?
Rabbi: The area isn't here. Come with me and I'll show you.
[Manny, Django, and Frida enter with Rabbi and head off to the location. Exiting the industrial park and into an empty road, the group see numerous buildings with an entrance sign saying "Sinestro Industries" indicating their arrival. Assuming the car will enter the facility, Manny is surprised as the car continues driving the road, skipping the factory. The car stops near an empty field and finds a barn in the middle of the dead end.]
Manny: A barn? You made us leave the warehouse, skip past the factory and expect me to assume something inside this barn.
Rabbi: Trust me, our scanners detected something inside of this barn.
Django: Scanners?
Rabbi: We've "appropriated" an aircraft carrier.
Frida: How?
Rabbi: Government agent!
[Frida gives a confused look]
Manny: It makes sense in context.
[Manny opens the barn door and the first thing he sees are schematics about recent inventions. Some schematics on the left side are labeled "Useful Findings" and on the right side are labeled "Government".]
Manny: Government? 16G wideband security? VR ultrasound? Digital tooth extraction? Solar updraft plants!? These things he labeled government the types of necessities my people need and want! Motherfucking rich asshole!
Rabbi: There's more downstairs.
[Rabbi Vampiro points to a hatch under their feet. Django spins the wheel and opens the hatch as they descend to a darkened room. Turning on the lights, it reveals a hallway containing several separate rooms with black sludge covering the walls inside each room. Manny, aghast, starts to feel lightheaded]
Rabbi: You okay, boy.
Manny: Y-yeah. (panting) Just a headache.
Frida: You sensed something, right?
Manny: No. Just a headache.
[Suddenly, Frida feels a sharp pain running her spine]
Django: It's the blood, right?
Frida: No. It's nothing.
[Before Manny says something, a door opens and out comes a corpse covered in sludge as it squirms towards the group]
Corpse: (raspy) Help . . . me. Help . . . me. Help . . . me!
Frida: Umm, guys!?
[Django pulls out his magnum and fires a bullet in the corpse's head. Said corpse falls down and melts after being shot]
Corpse: (raspy) Thank you.
Frida: (scared) What was that?
Manny: An experiment. My guess is that Butterman was involved here.
[Suddenly, the minute Manny said "Butterman", Frida eyes turn white as vague memories cloud her mind and then wakes up in a hospital bed with Butterman and Evaristo side by side]
Butterman: You know what needs to be done?
Evaristo: Of course, to have my perfect family.
Butterman: We need to break some eggs!
[The memories flash-forward]
Evaristo: My wife is growing antsy. Are my daughters complete?
Butterman: Why don't you take a look?
Anita: Hello, father!
Nikita: Hello, father!
Frida: (unconscious) OW!
[Memories flash-forward]
Butterman: Now say it!
Frida: My name is Frida . . .
[Butterman slaps her face]
Butterman: (angry) Nien! Nein! Nein! You must say the phrase! Say it!
Frida: My name is Frida . . . Suareez?
[Butterman slaps her again]
Butterman: (angry) You stupid girl! You have one phrase to say and you can't get it right!
[Memories flash-forward]
Frida: My name is Frida Suarez and I accept your hand in marriage, Sergio.
Sergio: Wonderful! And if you behave, we'll be a glorious family, my Mastramina!
[Memories end as Frida wakes up in her stupor and finds Manny hugging her as he continuously pats her back]
Frida: Huh? Huh. Huh! Let go of me!
Manny: You're awake! You're finally awake?!
Frida: Awake!? I've been mind controlled by a monster into marrying a pig for weapon deals and now we're inside his lair for reasons! I'm going to kick that bastard in the balls once we leave this dump!
[Manny, Django, and Rabbi Vampiro look at Frida, surprised]
Manny: Will you marry me?
Frida: (flinched) No thanks! I'm 15!
Manny: (hands up in the air) Just checking! Also, I'm 16.
Frida: I'm underaged!
Manny: Just checking!
Rabbi Vampiro: If you two are done flirting, we can continue with the search in this bunker.
[They walk downstairs and reach a vault door. Django opens the vault, they enter the room, and find a book titled "Memories". Manny picks up the book and opens the first page.]
Manny: September 2, 1994. The orphanage today was bleak. I think Brutus wants to mock me for using a 6 syllable word. We were told breakfast was ready but I never attended since it's always porridge for breakfast. Abbess Sophia insists on porridge since we must earn our daily bread through hard work. Stupid Sophia! At least Sister Mastramina has the empathy to see my brilliance! Mastramina. A beautiful, blue-haired angel in this hellhole of an orphanage. She gave me an orange and told me that my intelligence was a gift from God himself. I felt warmth from her wonderful words. I hope I meet someone like Sister someday.
[Manny stops reading and looks at Frida for a moment]
Frida: What?!
Manny: No wonder he's obsessed with you. You remind him of this nun he met in his childhood.
Rabbi Vampiro: Sister Mastramina. I think we met her on one of our travels.
Manny: You sure?
Rabbi Vampiro: You know. Small Italian village, quaint Catholic church, you went in to confess some sins and mistook the organist for a thug.
Manny: Oh, yeah. I remember.
Django: You fought in a church?
Manny: No. I almost threw a punch before the pastor intervened and tried to quell the misunderstanding. But wait, Sister Mastramina is a nun. I'm pretty sure a nun can't be married, right?
Pastor Vampiro: In truth, yes. However, the Rarinos are the exception. A nun and a criminal turned pastor are proof that love conquers all.
Rabbi Vampiro: How did you find us?
Pastor Vampiro: Scanner.
Manny: Of course.
Pastor Vampiro: Anywho, the Rarinos have claimed that they met when Melinda Mastramina was kidnapped, was sympathized by her captors, and in turn converted them into Catholicism. The head of the kidnappers eventually proposed to her and since then they've become owners of the town's only church and have two children in their lives.
Manny: But that still leaves us with how this is all connected?
Django: We'll need to confront Sergio to get more details. In the meantime, we need to keep exploring.
[Django, finishing his conversation, clangs to a closed door]
Django: What the? Is this another diary vault?
Rabbi Vampiro: Let's see.
[Rabbi turns the wheel handle and opens the door revealing shackled people with metal hats that were offline. Manny, reviled, turns his eyes to a corner only to see corpses layered on the floor with bullet holes in their chests. Frida, disgusted, tries to run forward to vomit and opens a door to reveal thousands of women, hanged on nooses, with a few on the ground whose bodies have transformed into cocoons. Horrified, she opens another door and finds a row of stretchers with corpses covered in sheets. Frida, scared, pulls a sheet and finds a woman who has her hair, her skin, her eyes, and her lips. This woman, however, is unresponsive and Frida leaves the room and finds papers detailing her fiance's experiments]
Frida: What? First subject, a failure. Still has memories of her old life. Second subject, a failure. Her blood still retains STDs. (starts whimpering) Fifth subject, a failure. Her chest was too big and thus inept for someone like me! Sixth subject, almost succeeded. She just needed to remember my name right! Seventh subject, a failure! It's the fifth one all over again! (starts tearing up) Tenth subject, failure. Too much drugs and cigarettes left her a burnt husk. I laughed as she wailed in pain. What a waste of skin! Eleventh subject, failure. Kept pleading for mercy in exchange for "favors". I felt bad for her. Yeah right! Twelfth subject, failure! This one turned into a guy! Shot it 35 times until his body became nonexistent!
[Frida drops the papers and starts sobbing in horror over the revelation of Sergio's work. Manny, outraged, picks up the papers and reads the vile man's words]
Manny: March 19, 2019. East Miracle City. I had my first meeting with this man. His name was Butterman. He told me that some liquid he obtained here is the answer to my quest for complete happiness. No more shall I be ridiculed for being more intelligent than others, have authority figures give me what "ethics" prohibit, lose my one true figure who believed in me. With this liquid he'll provide, all of my struggles will vanish one by one. March 26, 2019. East Miracle City. I have felt nothing but pain. Burning, teeth grinding, sharp pain. If this is what a caterpillar goes through into a butterfly, then nature really is cruel. April 3, 2019. My barn. I have spent the next few days having lucid dreams. One of them involves Sister Mastramina telling me to continue contributing to society with my intelligence. I also had another with Abbess Sophia warning me about arrogance. I shot her 900 times until she dissipated. It amused me! May 6, 2019. East Miracle City. I can now store more knowledge than the average genius. I have been developing ideas that'll contribute to my utopian vision. I've also rubbed elbows with this city's elite. One of whom is part of the city's police force. His presence felt odd but I digress. April 20, 2019. Fort Polk. I have developed for the U.S. military a herbicide that aims and obliterates the cannabis plant. Their silly drug war is of no importance for me but their big checks are necessary for my ongoing experiments. I've also patented my herbicide as an incentive. May 6, 2019. My barn. I have finally obtained volunteers to make my dreams come true. I have purchased or rescued prostitutes from the streets, bars or brothels of Mexico. These were girls, discarded from families, cast aside for thinking for themselves, living on the streets, begging for scraps to lonely men. For Abbess Sophia, these girls are the major reason why our world is corrupt. To me, perhaps she was correct. These girls need salvation and I'm willing to oblige. May 16, 2019. Sergio Industries. My grandiose laboratory is complete. Unbeknownst to the unsuspecting public, the front of the building is just a cover. A storage facility! Only a simpleton would reveal the truth in plain sight. No. My actual laboratory is underground! With a passageway to my barn only known by me alone! Here, I can perform my experiments with a fresh crew of subjects without "ethics" breathing down my neck! When I was told my facility was hiring people, I was angry because these new, average scientists will let "ethics" get in the way of progress. That is, until, a lightbulb lit literally and metaphorically. June 2, 2019. Sergio Industries. My facility was packed with new hires left and right. I am elated that they follow my exact instructions, especially with the hats my crew must wear in the lab. June 5, 2019. Sergio Industries. One of those scientists' hats was malfunctioning. I remember a certain employee, who doesn't work with us anymore, reported to me about a rumor circulating around the facility that certain employees were self-malfunctioning their hats because they thought my rules were silly. Those employees were fired immediately. Afterwards, my military division was in need of my supervision. June 14 ,2019. Sergio Industries. My military division was in need of funds. I think I need to cease certain divisions in order for my facility to thrive. I think this factory needs restructuring. June 26, 2019. Sergio Industries. The west wing of the facility is closed. Gas explosion. That is all. Note: Need more prostitutes! July 6, 2019. Sergio Industries. My military division is thriving! I am earning more money than a Wall Street broker. My stock on the NASDAQ has quintupled in the past 2 weeks! My employees, however, wanted to unionize for better pay. Perhaps I need some restructuring done? July 10, 2019. The east wing is closed. Only my middle sector remains. The facility shall thrive on Military and Mechanical sectors. July 13, 2022. Suarez Residence. My dreams have come true! Attending a party with Miracle City's elite, my eyes astonish me as I spot a girl who reminds me of the nun in my youth. I went up to the chief of police and asked who she was. He told me that she's his daughter and spoke nothing but obscenities about her. Ignoring him, I went up to her and introduced myself! She looked downwards as I spoke humbly about my recent accomplishments, like the city's internet infrastructure to the herometer. I suppose she was shy about her inability to surpass my intelligence. This was, indeed, the beginning of a wonderful relationship. July 14, 2022. My barn. I couldn't stop fantasizing about her. Her blue hair and thin body shook the lower parts of me. Just thinking about her sends me in an euphoric mood. I must have her! She's my destiny!. July 25, 2022. Suarez Residence. I went to the front door, knocked, and out came her mother. Although surly, my determination led to an amazing date! She was still shy but I know she'll change her mind once I reveal my vast fortune. August 10, 2022. My barn. The last few months were life-changing. I finally secured a proposition with the United States military regarding certain operations. I've begun a schematic that'll deal with that pest, White Pantera, and win this city's trust from all sides. My schmoozing with the elite has opened doors to potential experiments being complete. And I propose to my girlfriend! The wedding shall commence soon. Nothing will destroy these plans. Not even God!
Priest Vampiro: Thou shall not use God's name in vain. Even if you plan to get married.
Rabbi Vampiro: We need to stop this man! How he treats people is astonishing! How he sees his fiance is creepy! How he manipulates the public is vile!
Manny: True dat! Motherfucker needs to die before things go south!
Frida: (astonished) Die? I mean, he's crude and stuff, but he doesn't deserve death.
Manny: (dumbfounded) Do you not hear what he wrote? He met Butterman! Butterman! That nazi asshole probably gave him Xibalba blood! If that prick has it in him, we are all fucked!
[Manny turns around and wonders where Django went. Suddenly, a noise was heard near a room behind them. Entering the room, they find Django in an altar room.]
Manny: Yo, Django! What are you doing?
Django: Ever wonder how a guy went to his facility very easily? Turns out, there's a secret passageway hidden there.
[Django points to a mosaic of Sister Mastramina and in it lies a door that reveals a hyperloop.]
Priest Vampiro: Such sacrilege! Hiding a transportation system in an altar room! This man truly is cunning.
Frida: How is this cunning?
Rabbi Vampiro: Because, he's using her image to deceive people from finding this secret. That's like trying to hide a nuclear missile in a painting of Moses. Unforgivable!
Frida: My dad's an atheist, by the way.
Priest Vampiro: Why are you telling us this, my child?
Frida: To tell the truth to you, father. According to him, religion is for people who "want to waste a day going to some dumb building". Sergio also thinks Jesus was "some idiot who died for something"
[The group, sans Frida, stop for a minute and stare at her, insulted]
Frida: What? It's my father's words, not mine!
Django: Another reason to hate him.
Rabbi Vampiro: Religion is for people who want answers nitwits can't deny.
Manny: Those "buildings" are temples that man built out of commitment!
Priest Vampiro: God spent 6 days making the world and all they ask is for you to spend one day thanking them for the beauty around you. Another thing to tell your fiance, Jesus died for your sins! An idiot would sell out his disciples rather than facing the enemy head on! You, and the rest of those Suarez's, shouldn't insult God like that. It won't end well.
Manny: Let's just enter this tube and find that jackass!
[The group enter the tube one by one and as soon as Frida is the last one to enter, we switch to Sergio and the U.S. military as they enter the facility and see one of Sergio's mega mechas]
M.G. Luke: Woah! Is this "Operation Castellian"?
Sergio: As if! This, my favorite buyer, is the Sinestro Bot Mark 8! The latest in my line of Sinestro Bots! These will make sure the enemies of the world will crumble from the invincibility of these mechas! Today's price for one is $13 billion dollars with interest.
M.G. Luke: (hesitantly) Now hold on a minute! I can't purchase one without understanding how and if it works. I can end up buying a ginormous lemon if I go gung ho on all this.
Sergio: Oh, but of course. If a test run is what you want, then one shall commence!
[Sergio snaps his fingers and the floor opens to reveal a test subject for the demonstration: A "terrorist" chained up, blindfolded, and duct tape covering his mouth]
Soldier: Who's that?
Sergio: A terrorist we "appropriated" out of Old Miracle City. We found him in the streets beginning to slit a tourist for some cash. Now, he'll pay the price with his life!
[A mega mecha is activated and points its machine gun arm towards the test subject as the guy starts begging for mercy]
"Terrorist": (sobbing while muffled) NO! PLEASE FORGIVE ME! I DON'T DESERVE TO DIE LIKE THIS! I HAVE A WIFE AND TWO KIDS! I WAS STOLEN FROM MY HOME BY THE POLICE! MY YOUNGEST SON IS . . .
[Before the guy can finish his words, the mecha fires every bullet and missile towards the target until he's reduced to mere ash. The soldiers react with amazement and shock.]
Soldier: Our enemies would kill numerous allies to obtain these weapons.
Soldier: We sure will make the world obey us and only US!
M.G. Luke: Well, I'm impressed! If that terrorist was eradicated with these mechas, then our military shall protect our country, our allies, and insure eternal peace! Mr. Sergio, you got a deal!
Sergio: Thank you! And to celebrate our achievement, I present with these hats.
[The soldiers put on the hats except Luke who makes an excuse to Sergio]
M.G. Luke: Thank you but I need to leave right now. Some new recruits have arrived at Fort Polk and I need to introduce them! I shall inform them about our deal, though. Goodbye!
[M.G. Luke leaves the facility as Sergio turns around, pulls out a remote and presses a button. The result were lights on the hats turning on and the soldiers becoming mindless drones. Sergio, smiling, confronts and questions them]
Sergio: SO, you people wanted to see my mechas and use them to enforce your foreign policy! Something tells me that you Americans want more than my great genius! What else are you hiding!?
Soldier: We were sent by Major General Luke to infiltrate the factory in response to the missing prostitutes the Mexican government have been preoccupied with!
Sergio: Uh huh! What else!
Soldier: N.A.T.O seeks to arrest Sergio Sinsestro for making weapons of mass destruction and selling said arms to black market dealers. He is also wanted by the Italian government for sending the prime minister, senate and president nuclear bombs intended to obliterate the person of interest and the buildings in them!
Sergio: Hmmph! Those gigantic morons ask the imperialists for a favor and fail to inform them about my brilliance! Anything else?!
Soldier: Members of Fort Polk want to know about Operation Castellian!
[Sergio gives a death glare]
Sergio: (outraged) NEVER! THAT OPERATION WAS INTENDED TO BENEFIT ME AND ME ALONE! I WILL NOT ALLOW THE U.S. IMPERIALIST GOVERNMENT TO ROB ME OF MY DREAM! EVERYBODY SHALL LAUGH AT ME NO MORE!
[The soldiers, lifeless, witness Sergio's breakdown as Sergio pushes a button to activate a soldier to use his pistol and aims it at the second soldier. Before he can pull the trigger, a bullet rings the open storage area as it hits Sergio's chest. Clutching his chest, Sergio tries to find the one who shot him. Another bullet rings the silence, misses him by an inch and hits the hat on the first soldier. Paranoid, Sergio aims the gun at the area he suspects where the sounds are. Before anything can happen, someone ruins the surprise]
Hawke: Hey! I'm looking for the guy named Sergio here! I want to see if that wedding is still going on. If so, I would like to inform him that I spotted his fiance with some unsavory people. (spots Sergio) Oh, hey. (sees the situation) Okay. I'm going to get into my car and head back to my estate and when I wake up, I will be eating that cake with some tequila on the rocks. Okay! Bye!
[Dealing Dan Hawke II leaves the scene awkwardly before Luke arrives with a minigun and aims at the sleazebag.]
M.G. Luke: Not yet, you're not! I would like to know who shot our prized customer!
[The shooter walks out the shadows and is revealed to be Manny Rivera himself. Also coming out are Django, Frida, and numerous Vampiros with M-16 rifles. The crowd, minus Sergio, reacts in anger]
M.G. Luke: IT'S YOU! THE EL TIGRE!
Hawke: I knew you were bad news from the minute you came into my eyes!
M.G. Luke: AND IT'S HIS COMPATRIOT! THE MOST WANTED ASSASSIN N.A.T.O HAS ASKED TO DETAIN: DJANGO OF THE DEAD! AND HE HAS KIDNAPPED FRIDA SUAREZ! AND THE GREMLINS ARE HERE!
Django: They're not gremlins. They're Vampiros.
M.G. Luke: I know what a gremlin looks like and those things are gremlins! Now hand over the girl and nobody gets hurt!
Manny: What about him! (points to Sergio, still clutching)
M.G. Luke: (reiterating) Nobody that wasn't shot right now!
[Suddenly, Hawke cocks his gun at Manny]
Hawke: You wreck my dealership, act all cocky towards our meeting, and dare kidnap a member of one of Miracle City's most impressive echelons! Now you have to die!
Manny: Put down the peashooter before you regret those words.
Hawke: Peashooter! This is a Beretta M9! A man's gun!
M.G. Luke: (aims his minigun at Hawke) Put down the gun before I arrest you for interfering in a hostile situation! I'm not afraid to riddle bullets to a civilian! Especially a filthy Mexican immigrant!
Hawke: I'm from California, dumbass!
Shadow Frida: Honestly, will you people shoot already! I'm getting bored!
[The appearance of Frida's shadow makes Luke fire at the apparition. Bullets fly everywhere until his men get caught in the crossfire. Hawke hides near a mecha's leg while Frida runs towards a door. Luke then controls his minigun after the recoil and shoots both Manny and Django. The hailstorm of bullets pierce Manny's skin as Django crosses arms to his face while the Vampiros run towards the mechas to disarm them. After his minigun runs out of bullets, Manny, fallen down after the gunfire, stands up, his bullet wounds vanishing, spits out bullet after bullet until a wad of fired bullets comes out his mouth and in his hands. Django, meanwhile, picks off the bullets that pierced his tibia and fibula as the holes revert back to its original state. Both Luke and Hawke are baffled and horrified from witnessing this revelation. Suddenly, both boys speak to the idiots.]
Manny: Is that all? I mean for a Major General, you sure got some abysmal accuracy!
Django: Not to mention horrible taste in weaponry.
M.G. Luke: (crapping his pants) I . . . You? What the fuck!
[Meanwhile, Hawke flees from the factory with his skin intact]
Hawke: Gremlins, demons, talking skeletons! What's next, an elephant on my car lot?! (beat) Why does that sound familiar?
[We switch back to the duo facing the major general head on. Trying to speak out of fear, his soldiers react by shooting the duo with their guns]
M.G. Luke: (astonished) Wait! No! Stop! They're immune to bullets, dammit!
[Manny and Django dodge each fire and fight back]
Manny: So, your hats came off. Now I can show the Neo-Roman Empire the power of Mexico!
Django: Same here.
[Manny lunges himself towards a soldier aiming at him. He pulls out his razor claws, pierces the soldier's chest, pulls the ribcage open and exposes the organs to which the grunt faints and dies. Another, reacting in terror, fires his rifle towards the tiger to kill him. Manny dodges, slashes the rifle, pokes the soldier's eyes, and pulls them out his sockets as he wails in pain and faints. Django, meanwhile, pulls out his magnums, aims them at the remaining troop, fires his guns and it hits their limbs before they fall off their bodies. The major general flees towards a container in the middle of the factory, opens it, and exits on a tank. Returning to the battle, he aims the tank's cannon at the duo]
M.G. Luke: Hahahaha! You know the difference between boys and their toys? This boy has an experimental tank set to be released once my deal with Sergio goes legit! This thing is made of very indestructible armor; the type that can withstand 90 mortar fires, 75 rocket shells, and 55 anti-tank rifles! This bad boy also has a plasma cannon that can wipe 50 buildings within a 100 mile radius! Hahahaha! After I murder you and your love partner, I can finally have the president thank me for my hard work! (smiles creepy) I might even get a dollar bill with my face plastered! So boys, what do you have to say now!
[The general looks at the boys as they look nonplussed by his behavior]
Manny: Is it waterproof?
M.G. Luke: (confused) It's a tank! Why does it need to be waterproof?
Django: THAT!
[Django points his bony finger up as the major general feels something grabbing the tank. Opening the lid, he spots Shadow Manny lifting the tank to the heavens as he looks down at the duo waving goodbye to him]
M.G. Luke: Well, that's not fair at all.
Shadow Manny: Sorry. I don't give a fuck!
[Shadow Manny throws the general towards the sea]
M.G. Luke: I'LL GET YOU BOYS SOMEDAY!
[Shadow Manny shrinks and returns back to Manny's side]
Manny: Hey, you. Where have you've been?
Shadow Manny: (chuckles) I got lost!
[Manny smiles from his response]
Manny: Croatia. It's all coming back again.
Django: (breaking the fourth wall) For context; the whole "pitchforks and torches" thing villagers do is a brutal insult to Romani culture and you, the reader, should be ashamed for it!
Manny: (breaking the fourth wall) One more thing, the person making this fanfic would like to remind you that we can break the wall at any time we want but choose not to out of your feelings. So please, enjoy the show as things will get violent later on.
Django: Anywho, where's the bastard?
[The duo turn around and find corpses of the U.S. soldiers but no Sergio. Manny, however, finds puddles of his blood on the floor but said blood is black instead of red. His eyes go from normal into sharp as the black drops signify disaster. His focus, however, is on a different matter]
Manny: Hey, where's our non-binary companion?
[Outside the factory, an armored cop car on an empty lot starts running and leaves the premises afterwards. Inside the car is Astra, furious, driving in the night with an unconscious Frida in the backseat. Beside him is Hawke, petrified by the events that have happened]
Hawke: We need to contact the police chief about this. I don't know about you, but those boys spell trouble and last time I witnessed trouble like that lead me to forgo fortified wine!
[Astra hits the car brake really hard]
Astra: YOU NEED TO CALM DOWN! What you've witnessed was just a drunken hallucination!
Frida: (waking up) Huh? Astra? How did you find me?
Astra: After our last encounter, I placed a tracking chip on your back to find your location!
[Frida notices that she's been handcuffed]
Frida: Astra! What the fuck?!
Astra: Frida! Watch your tongue! You're about to get married for goodness sake!
Frida: MARRIED! Like hell! I saw my fiance's underground lair full of women! Innocent women being mutilated into his sick, demented image of me! You have to arrest this monster before it's too late!
Astra: And what evidence do you have with this "underground lair"?
Frida: Manny will tell you everything!
Hawke: That loony! And that walking skeleton you were chummy with forgot to mention he was Sartana's grandson?!
Frida: That's not true. Manny is innocent.
Astra: Bullshit! I'll tell you what happened! You were kidnapped by a terrorist, drugged up for his sick enjoyment, and made the whole thing up from a coma fantasy! We will say nothing! You will enter the banquet hall a blushing bride and exit a married woman! We will take the deal Senor Sergio has offered! And everyone who says otherwise is a FUCKING LIAR! GOT IT!
[Both Hawke and Frida stay silent]
Astra: That's better! Now let's head home.
[Before he can start the car, a sharp stab pierces Astra's belly. Before anyone can respond, the front door breaks open as a shadow hand grabs Astra and pulls him outside. The armored car skitters from the driveway and into the grassy field. Hawke tries to flee by grabbing the keys and starting the ignition before the car gets slashed in two. Now wetting his pants, Hawke flees from the scene and disappears in the night. Frida, meanwhile, curls up out of fear before the backseat door opens. In it, she finds Manny, relieved that she's safe. Slicing the cuffs off her, they both exit the car]
Manny: Are you alright?
Frida: Yeah, I'm fine. Is Astra alright?
Manny: Astra? That stooge who we encountered?
[Gunshots break the silence as the two see Astra running towards them with a shotgun. He fires one at Manny before he grabs the front door to shield themselves. Astra fires again before Manny throws it at him and he blocks it with his shotgun]
Frida: Astra! That's enough!
Astra: Stay out of this, tonto!
[Manny, enraged, turns into El Tigre and lunges after Astra. He responds by pointing his gun at the hero only to have it sliced to pieces. Hectic, Astra pulls a handgun out his holster, aims it at El Tigre, and fires several bullets at the hero. Manny either dodges or takes the bullets only to remain unfazed. He grabs the cop and suplexes him to the ground. Standing on top of him, Manny proceeds to slash the cop furiously until Frida intervenes]
Frida: Hey! That's enough! He's dead! He's dead! HE'S DEAD!
Manny: I'll keep slashing until his spirit feels this in the afterlife!
[Suddenly, Manny falls unconscious before he can finish his thought. Frida tries to wake him out of it before she sees something unsettling. Out of the darkness comes Sergio, walking as if nothing has harmed him, coming to Frida with an angry look. Paralyzed with fear, Frida tries to stand up]
Frida: You malicious, sexist, unethical, unscrupulous, demonic, homophobic, son of a bastardized whore! I want to see someone like you hanged, butchered, electrocuted, shot at, and thrown in a volcano rather than accepting some sham marriage! I know about the den of whores you try to transform into me! I heard you forced people to wear those helmets and have their emotions stripped out of them! I also heard about Operation Castellian. What you and my father want to do with the State of Mexico is not just disgusting but goes beyond horrifying! Once my new friend here wakes up, I'll make sure you feel the type of pain only your spirit will feel in the afterlife! And another thing . .
[Before Frida can continue, someone grabs her out of nowhere and she immediately faints from the struggle.]
Sergio: So, after all that, she still continues to resist! This is why I demanded these "Happy Helmets" to be placed on her! I guess my hunch was correct!
Evaristo: I doubt that! Even with the El Tigre loose, putting on such a trinket would make my daughter a walking target for nosy onlookers! You are wanted by Interpol, after all!
Sergio: I can handle those idiots! It's the "new heroes" that are the problem! You told me they can be handled with a lift of your finger!
Evaristo: There is so much I can do without upsetting the Mexican government. I need to keep a modest reputation after all. That's why I depend on Operation Castellian succeeding!
Sergio: But of course! Your story moved me to believe those who wanted you to fail deserve divine justice. Let's focus on the brass tactics. Take the El Tigre to another blacksite prison, one that is far, far away and inescapable. I'll take the woman to our ceremony! This helmet will make sure her memory of these events never happened.
Evartisto: What about my second in command officer!?
Sergio: You know what to do. You're not the only one who got a visit from Herr doctor.
[Both men grin as they walk in the shadows. The Vampiros arrive later and discover the remains of the battle itself. Frantic, they comb the area for clues. Somewhere in the Gulf, the S.S. Alanna leaves the marina with crates from the warehouses. Heading back west, the Vampiros on board spot a submerged tank with someone waving their hands]
M.G. Luke: HEY! I'M STRANDED HERE! AS AN AMERICAN CITIZEN, I DEMAND TO BOARD THAT SHIP!
[Ernest and Jim-Bob stick their heads out only to scare the general]
M.G. Luke: Hey! IT'S YOU! THE GREMLINS! DON'T JUST STAND THERE, HELP ME!
Ernest: When you surrender Xocolitzo back to the Mexican government, then we'll spare you!
M.G. Luke: (upset) BITE ME!
[The yacht continues heading west, leaving the general in a furious tirade]
M.G. Luke: I HATE MEXICANS SO MUCH!
End of Chapter 12
