11/5/2017 So this month around the 21st of November will officially be 5 years since this story has been ongoing on the EL Tigre archive of . I can't believe I've really been writing this story for 5 years. Another 5 more and it'll be 10 years…damn. I do have something planned out for it so stay tuned for that. Also if anyone has any social media I have a twitter account. It's StoryTeller_54. You'll get all the updates on progress of each story I'm doing. Anyway, here is chapter 65 of EL tigre the new adventures. ENJOY!
EL Tigre the new adventures Season 2 Episode 42 – Inheritor of the Green Eyes
Ronnie lied in her bed, wearing a bright blue shirt with white and black shorts. She stared up at the ceiling of her room with both her hands behind her head. "The day had finally come." Ronnie thought. She lies up and places her hands on her sheets and clenches them tightly. "I'm…finally about to…" Ronnie gulps. Ever since she was 5 she'd been waiting for the right day. The day that her grandmother, would teach Ronnie how to control and use the speed ring. She was nervous. She couldn't understand why. She'd has been waiting for this day for so long but since now that day was coming she was starting to get nervous.
Ronnie closed her eyes and took a deep breath "I can do this." She said "I'm ready to learn. I can do this."
[Ronnie]
Age: 12
Ronnie hops out of her bed and runs out of her room. She heads into the back yard. There, Rosetta was sitting at the table drinking a cup of coffee. Rosetta looks over at Ronnie who was standing there looking at her with a determined expression on her face.
Rosetta smiles "I like the expression on your face Veronica." Rosetta chuckles "So I take it that you're ready?" She asked, sitting her coffee down.
"Yes!" Ronnie said nodding.
"Well, let's begin." Rosetta said getting up from her seat. She digs into her pocket and pulls out the family speed ring. She walks over to her granddaughter and hands the speed ring.
"The next inheritor of green eyes is you. Hold thing ring with pride Veronica."
Ronnie looked at the family speed ring in awe. She slowly reaches out her hand and takes the ring. She holds the speed ring in between her index finger. Ronnie stared at the green and black ring, and then places the ring around her ring finger.
The second she did as flash of green light swarmed around Ronnie. Ronnie could feel the energy pumping through her veins. She started to feel light as a feather, as if with one hop, she could jump high into the air with no problem at all.
Ronnie opened her eyes. Through Ronnie's eyes the whole area was green. She placed her hands around her face only to feel a glass visor around her face. She then felt around her head, feeling a helmet that was placed around her head.
She looks down and notices that her whole outfit had changed to a green jump suit with black go go boots.
"WHOA! LOOK AT MY OUTFIT!" Ronnie said giggles with excitement
"Looking good Veronica," Rosetta said with her thumbs up.
"But wait…I thought that my outfit would look like my dad's. How come mines Is different?" Ronnie asked looking up at her grandmother.
"The ring transforms the user's outfit based on the user's personality. It's a pretty nice feature if you ask me."
"Oh? What did your outfit look like Grandma?" Ronnie asked curiously
"My outfit was something like a vigilante. The outfit was grey and wore a green opera like mask."
"Oooh you must have looked real pretty!" Ronnie said cheerfully
"Pretty enough that my husband wanted me to-You know what, never mind." Rosetta said quickly catching herself. "Anyway how do you feel Ronnie?"
Ronnie looked at both her hands. "I feel incredible...i feel this strong surge of power…" She explained
"Don't worry we'll get to that soon enough. Go ahead; try running a bit Veronica, from the shed, back to where I'm standing." Rosetta said pointing at the shed in the far back of the backyard.
"Uhhh…is that all you want me to do?" Ronnie asked raising an eyebrow.
Rosetta nods "Get a feel of what you're dealing with." She said with a smile.
"Alright, here I go!" Ronnie said. She stretches and ready's herself. Ronnie turns towards the direction of where the shed was. "I'll run to there and back here." She thought. Ronnie gets into a running stance. The second she started running she instantly ran smack, right into the shed.
"Oooh…that looked like it hurt," Rosetta said giggling. "You ok dear?"
Ronnie fell down to the ground. The impact of Ronnie colliding into the shed caused a dent to be seen on the shed.
Rosetta walked over to Ronnie and looked down at her. "Earth to Veronica, is your brain ok?" She asked.
"Y-Yeah I'm fine…it's a good thing this outfit came with a helmet…" Ronnie said chuckles.
"It's good that it did." Rosetta said helping Ronnie get to her feet.
"That was crazy though…" Ronnie said rubbing her arm. "I only moved one step…and everything was just a blur."
Rosetta nods "That's how it is at first." She said "But over time Veronica you'll get use to it. And once you do the power to manipulate speed will be at yours to use."
"I see…" Ronnie said looking at the speed ring around her finger.
"Once you get the hang of using the speed ring you'll notice some changes to when you use the ring the next few times." Rosetta said
"What kind of changes?" Ronnie asked looking up at her grandmother.
"The changes to how your body will evolve with the family ring. You'll discover new ability's, and probably unlock power's that previous user's have never done before."
"Wait…you mean that no one has ever unlocked the rings full potential?" Ronnie said surprised
Rosetta shakes her head no "To be honest. The rings full power is unknown." She said, crossing her arms. "Every user of the speed ring unlocked different ability's. But I don't think they've ever fully mastered the rings ability's."
"What ability's did you learn Grandma?" Ronnie asked
"Well they're three different abilities that I did master when I originally owned the family the ring." Rosetta looked down at Ronnie "The first one I learned was the adrenaline rush."
"Huh? Adrenaline rush?" Ronnie said curiously
"You see Ronnie. With the power of the family speed ring, you can also increases the speed of how fast a part of your body can go like throwing a punch, or a kick. It can go as fast as you want it. You can also increase the rate of which your heartbeat can go."
"I can increase my heartbeat using the speed ring?" Ronnie said looking at the family ring
Rosetta nods "increasing your heartbeat along with the energy of the speed ring gives you. It will give you a temporary boost in the strength and speed."
"How fast will I be going if I do use the adrenaline rush?" Ronnie asked
"Well…you'd pretty much be going fast as the speed of light. Maybe even faster than that…" Rosetta said placing index finger and thumb on her chin. "There are actually 2 more versions of this ability, hyper adrenaline rush, and maximum adrenaline rush."
"Wait! What? You mean to tell me I could push myself even further than that with two more steps?!" Ronnie said shocked.
Rosetta nods "But…" she said holding up her hand "Using the ability's will cause an extreme strain on your body. Activating the adrenaline rush power is pretty much tapping into potential that human body can go."
"That's incredible…" Ronnie said amazed "Have you ever used the two last steps before?"
"Yes…I did…it was a situation that happened many years ago. I used hyper adrenaline rush. My god, the feeling I got from that hyper adrenaline rush was incredible. I felt so invincible…stronger…and most importantly faster than I had ever felt before." Rosetta said closing her eyes and thinking back to when she first used the ability. "But the side effect and the strain were so painful. My heart and lungs felt as though they were going to burst…and I couldn't move at all. My body just gave up…"
"Oh man…" Ronnie whispered
"I thought I was…I thought going to die right then and there." Rosetta said clenching her shoulders "But…luckily I did have friends around with me to help me…and I'm thankful for them." Rosetta said smiling softly "At that time I thought, I'd never use the ability's again."
"Did you stop using them?" Ronnie asked
"No I didn't stop using them," Rosetta said looking down at Ronnie "As master of family speed ring at that time I wanted prove myself. So I trained…over and over and over till finally…I mastered all three of Adrenaline rush ability's."
"WOW!" Ronnie said with a big smile across her face, looking up at her grandmother with astonished "You really mastered all three of them?"
Rosetta nods once more "Veronica…it's very important that you learn the ability's. There will be a time in your life…where you would want to protect someone that you care dearly for. And if you can't beat them with your current state…you'll have to take it a step forward."
"Right, I understand!" Ronnie said determinedly.
"There's one more thing I want to tell you before we begin." Rosetta said seriously "They're people in this world…that can match the normal speed of the family ring."
Ronnie's eyes widen a bit. "T-they can?!" she said, her jaw dropping a bit.
"Yes. That's why over the years, original owners of the speed ring came up with different tactics to fight against these people. You'll learn everything that was passed down Veronica. And then, maybe you'll come up with your own strategies and original moves when your teaching is done." Rosetta said smiling at Ronnie.
Ronnie smiled up at her grandmother. "I already have some moves I mind!" she said confidently
"That's good." Rosetta said chuckling.
Something caught the attention of Rosetta. She turned around and placed her hand around the back of her ears, trying to listen to what caught her attention.
"Hey, what's wrong grandma?" Ronnie asked looking towards the direction of where she was looking.
The ground started to rumble lightly. Towards the direction of where Rosetta was looking. In the distance was a large dust cloud that was going in a straight line, and was heading towards the direction of Ronnie and Rosetta.
"What in the world is that?!" Ronnie shouted
"Oh…he's finally back." Rosetta said happily.
Ronnie quickly looks up at her grandmother. "Who's finally back? What is that coming towards us?!" She said eagerly.
"ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
The large bull with black fur and big horns hopped over Rosetta's fence and lands in Rosetta's backyard. The bull was the size of bull dozer. The bull huffed and puffed, and starts kicking its legs at the ground.
"OH MY GOSH, THAT BULL IS HUGE!" Ronnie yelled.
Rosetta smiles and looks up at the giant bull "Hey, welcome back Apollo." She said walking up at the bull and petting its head.
"WHO?!" Ronnie said looking at her grandmother then back to the bull.
"Oh yeah you never got a chance to meet him. This is Apollo, he's my pet bull." Rosetta said petting Apollo softly.
"Wait, when did you get a pet bull?!" Ronnie asked staring at the bull, hesitant to take a step near it.
"Around the time I was teaching your father." Rosetta said "He was hurt, scared, and hungry. So I decided to take him in."
"Wow…why is he so huge?" Ronnie said staring at Apollo.
"Hmm…that's a good question. I didn't really think about. I'm not sure, maybe that's how he grew." Rosetta stood aside "Go say hi to Veronica Apollo."
Apollo looked over at Ronnie. Ronnie stood still and didn't move inch as Apollo walked over to Ronnie. Apollo started to sniff Ronnie. Ronnie stood still, shivering a bit and trying not to squeal.
Apollo sniffed once more and licks Ronnie's cheek a couple of times. Ronnie giggles and begins to pet Apollo on his head and smiles.
"Aww, you're a big a softie aren't cha?" Ronnie said scratching Apollo under his chin. "Where's he been grandma?"
Rosetta shrugs "I have no idea. He does this sometime. He just goes off for a bit and just comes back when he feels like it." She explained.
"Hmmm, where do you run off to big guy?" Ronnie said, petting the bull around his head.
"Alright Veronica, we spent enough time talking and explaining. It's time that we get work on your training." Rosetta said
"RIGHT, LET"S GET TO IT!" Ronnie said nodding.
"Alright, the first thing you need to note is how sharp your senses are accuracy when you use your speed in battle." Rosetta explained. "You see, when you're wearing the ring your sense of direction around you is heightened. When a normal person runs at the speed that we would go it would be impossible to see where they're going. But thanks to the enhancements we get from the family speed ring, we can practically see everything."
"I see…" Ronnie said listening carefully.
"But in order to do so. You need to focus, watch where you're going ok?" Rosetta said
"Right, don't worry Grandma I got this!" Ronnie said confidently.
"Well let's see if you're able to stop yourself while going to point a," Rosetta points over at back door of the back yard. "To point b," She points at the shed door. "Without running smack into the shed this time,"
"I got, it." Ronnie said nodding. She turned around walked back to the backyards door. She turns forward and looks straight ahead. She gets into a running stance, then dashes forward. She instantly stops, inches away from the shed door.
Rosetta smiles "You're already getting the hang of it." She said proudly.
Ronnie holds up two fingers and smiles "I told you I got it!" She said with confidence.
"Just like the first owner of the speed ring. She's already got the basics down without even struggling…" Rosetta thought "She's going to be a natural at this."
Rosetta looks over at Ronnie who was just randomly jumping around using her speed.
"Ok Veronica, settle down. It's time to test your reflexes." Rosetta said walking over to the shed door and taking a basket of tennis balls.
"Huh? Are we going to be playing Tennis for our training?" Ronnie asked zipping over to her grandmother.
"Yes…and no."
Ronnie tilts her curiously
"We're going to test your reflexes. You might be able to move fast but will you be able to dodge and see objects fly towards your direction?" Rosetta takes a tennis ball out of the basket.
"Ooooh I see! Bring it out!" Ronnie said excited. She zips a few feet away from her grandmother and stands behind the wooden fence.
"You ready Veronica?" Rosetta asked tossing the tennis ball and catching it in her hand.
"Mhm!" Ronnie said nodding
Rosetta arches harm back. Ronnie stood there waiting for her grandmother to toss the ball at her. Rosetta tosses the tennis ball at Ronnie. The ball zoomed through the air heading towards Ronnie. For a split second Ronnie saw the tennis ball inches away from her face. She quickly moves her head to the left, the tennis ball grazing her cheek and hitting the wooden fence behind Ronnie.
"W-whoa…" Ronnie said with eyes widen.
"Hmm…you must have seen the ball at the last second huh?" Rosetta said rubbing her arm and moving it around
"Y-Yeah…" Ronnie said nodding "Grandma…you tossed the ball so fast! It was just as fast as me!"
"Well I do have a love for baseball. I have a mean pitching arm I know that for sure." Rosetta said with a grin
"Heheh…I see." Ronnie said rubbing the back of her head.
"Alright, ready?" Rosetta said picking up another tennis ball.
"Yeah, I'm ready!" Ronnie said nodding
Rosetta tossed another ball at Ronnie. Ronnie narrowed her eyes forward. She could see the ball heading straight between her eyes. This time with ease, Ronnie moves her head to the right.
"I did it!" Ronnie thought happily. Suddenly another tennis ball hits her right in the stomach. "OOF!" Ronnie doubles over holding her stomach.
"You can't let your guard down so easily Sweetie!" Rosetta said with a chuckle.
"Not Fair!" Ronnie pouts at her grandmother
Rosetta smiles "Keep your eyes on the ball Veronica." She said picking up three more tennis balls.
Rosetta tosses two tennis balls at once at Ronnie. Ronnie moves to the left, dodging the first ball that came at her, and then catches the second one.
"Great Job Veronica," Rosetta smiled "But it's not over yet!"
Rosetta tosses 6 more tennis at Ronnie. With ease, Ronnie catches three of the tennis balls and dodges the last three.
"Excellent!" Rosetta nods.
Ronnie tosses one of the tennis balls into air and catches it. "Piece of cake," she said with a smile.
"It's safe to say that you've already improved in comes to stuff like this. Now it's time to move on to next phase of your training." Rosetta said walking over to backyard door.
"OH! What are we doing next?! Are we going to go fight some bad guys?!" Ronnie was hopping up and down with excitement.
"Uhh I don't know, maybe we wi-" Rosetta covered her mouth and began to cough.
Ronnie looked at her grandmother. "Are you ok grandma?" she asked a bit worried.
"Oh yes I'm fine. I know my right arm is going to be sore for a bit." Rosetta said rubbing her arm.
Ronnie smiled up at her.
"Before we do anything else it's time for us to have some lunch!"
Apollo groans starts stomping his feet on the ground.
"Don't worry Apollo I'll make sure to fix you up something too!" Rosetta giggles.
Ronnie smiles at the two of them. Ronnie was starting to learn the fundamentals of the family speed ring. She couldn't wait to see what she'll learn next.
…
"So where are we going to Grandma?" Ronnie asked. Her hands were wrapped around Rosetta's waist.
"I'm going to go take you to where I took your father when he entered the second phase of his training." Rosetta responded.
The two of them were riding on Apollo's back as Apollo sprinted down the dirt path heading through the woods.
"So…what's the next phase of the training going to be?" Ronnie asked her grandmother
"Well for this training phase, we're going to be training your physical strength." Rosetta said turning around to look at Ronnie.
"So we're going to be fighting a bad guy?" Ronnie asked raising an eyebrow.
"We'll get to that when we get to training site." Rosetta said smirking.
Thoughts of what her grandmother would be putting her through ran went through her head. How would her grandmother test her physical strength? Would she be sparing with her grandmother? That wouldn't be fair at all, Ronnie thought. Just what was her grandmother plotting?
"Alright here we are!" Rosetta said
Ronnie looked forward. The area they arrived in was large and circular. It didn't look like anything special. It was just a wide open stoned ground area with one clear open straight forward path "So much space…" Ronnie said hopping off Apollo and walking on to the training field. She looked up, seeing the bright blue sky and the sun shining down on them.
"Hmm…" Rosetta hops off Apollo and looks around. "I wonder if he's around anywhere…"
Ronnie turned around to her grandmother "Who's around?" she asked
Rosetta looked at Ronnie and smiles "Your sparring partner for this phase."
"Sparring…partner?"
"Ahh Rosetta old friend you've finally arrived!" A deep and manly voice said that seemed to be coming from below.
"Huh? Who said that?" Ronnie said looking around.
Rosetta shakes her head and smiles "Even after all these years Salomon. You still have that weird gimmick where you sleep in the ground. Keep that up and people will think you're some Zombie."
The ground started to shake for a moment, and in between where Ronnie and Rosetta were standing the ground started to crack, and he lies up. He dusted the dirt out of his bushy grey hair and brushes some dirt off his black skin. He looks over at Ronnie.
"Ahh so you must be Veronica! It's a pleasure to meet the granddaughter of my best friend!" Said Salomon Millbrook
[Salomon Millbrook]
Age 56
Height: 6,1
Ability: Art of Earth
Rosetta laughs "It's so good to see you Salomon!" She said happily
"And it's good to see you too Rosetta! How long has it been? 20 years?" Salmon said rubbing the back of his head.
"Just about I think!" Rosetta looks over at Ronnie "Veronica this Salomon Millbrook. He's an Art of Earth user and one my partners fighting against evil."
"He's a what?" Ronnie said confused
Salomon coughs
"Oh ok…a master of art of earth." Rosetta rolls her eyes
"That's more like it." Salomon said nodding with a grin
"Art users are people that can control elements Such as fire, earth, wind and water. They can manipulate the element to their liking."
"COOL!" Ronnie said amazed
"Allow me to show you!" Salomon said placing his hand on the ground. The muscles on Salomon's right hand started to expand. He lets out a yell, and the earth below them started to change. Blocks of earth shoots up from the ground, transforming into statues of Salmon doing poses of him flexing his muscles.
"Wow Salmon…I guess your ego hasn't changed at all." Rosetta said rubbing her head.
"What do you mean? Statues of me are a perfect way to show off my ability's!"
"Yeah yeah, sure it is." Rosetta chuckles.
Ronnie stood there giggling, watching the two of them bickering playfully.
"Alright, so shall we commence the little ones training?" Salmon said, looking over at Ronnie
"Yes of course." Rosetta clears her throat "This physical training will lead you to using the adrenaline rush. You'll need to build up your physical strength. I'm not able to really do much because of my old age. But Salomon here is still able to go up against tough enemies. So he'll be the one pushing you to your limits."
Salomon nods
"First, we'll need to train your mobility." Rosetta points behind Ronnie.
Ronnie turns around seeing straight clear path "Do you want me to just run down that straight path and back?" she asked
Rosetta nods "Yup. That's all. Till you see a tree with marking on it. You'll know when you see it."
Ronnie raises an eyebrow and looks at Salomon. She rubs her chin "Ok, seems simple enough…" Ronnie said suspiciously.
Ronnie takes out the family ring from her pocket, places it around her fingers and transforms. She gets into her running stance, and then sprints off.
"You know what to do Salomon." Rosetta said slapping his shoulder.
"I'm on it!" Salomon stomps his foot to the ground.
Once he did, a rock wall shoot up from the ground in direction of where Ronnie was running.
"I knew it!" Ronnie thought. She leaps over the first wall that shoots out the ground. Ronnie looks over to the left, seeing another rock with a blunt tip shooting out from the ground heading towards Ronnie. "To easy…" She moves her body to right, gracefully dodging the rock.
"Nice Veronica…" Rosetta nods with a smile.
Shooting up from the ground were human sized rock statues that were rushing towards Ronnie.
"TAKE THEM DOWN VERONICA!" Rosetta roared.
Ronnie arches her arm back and punches down the first statue, and then kicks the head off the second statue with ease.
"Perfect!" Rosetta said with a grin.
Ronnie kept sprinting down the path. She looks down at the ground, seeing stone hands pop up, inches from her feet. She leaps over each one that was coming out the ground. Not letting a single one grab her foot.
"Not bad at all…" Salomon said "But…"
Bursting from out of the ground was a large stone hand that was attempting to grab Ronnie.
Ronnie focused. She cleared her mind of any worry. Relaxes her muscles, and leaps between the fingers of the large rock hand. She lands on the ground and sprints down the path.
"She's very graceful…" Salomon said rubbing his chin "Just like when you were the original owner."
Rosetta chuckles "I'd have to agree."
Ronnie ran down the path quickly. She notices that the obstacles had stopped. Ronnie stopped running. She arrived in small area that was surrounded by pink flowers.
"Oooh…pretty." Ronnie walks over to one of the flowers and picks one. She then looks over to large tree that had letters marked on it. Her eyes grew wide when she sees the markings on the tree.
Lucas + Valentina
"Mom…dad…" Ronnie looks at the second markings below the tree that read
A hero till the end
She looked at the pink flower that she held in her hand. She then turns around and walks back down the path that she ran, thinking about her mother and father.
Rosetta and Salomon looked forward seeing Ronnie walk up to them holding a pink flower in her hand.
"Beautiful huh?" Rosetta said walking over to Ronnie and patting her head.
Ronnie nods. She looks up at her grandmother "Grandma…I want to go visit mom today…can we?" she asked softly.
Rosetta smiles at her "Of course." She said rubbing her cheek. She then looks at Salomon. "We'll continue the rest of the training tomorrow. I'll call you ok?"
"Right, it was good seeing you Rosetta!" Salomon said with a big smile
"Same to you old friend,"
Salomon salutes. He sinks into the ground and disappears.
"Is he…sleeping in the ground again?" Ronnie asked looking up at her grandmother.
"No he's just weird that way…"
…
Ronnie and Rosetta had arrived at the hospital. Ronnie heads down the hallway to her mother's room. Ronnie walks in. She sees her mother sitting in the bed, staring out the window.
Valentina had bags under her eyes. Some of her hair was turning grey and wrinkles were slowly appearing around her eyes, and around her forehead.
Ronnie walks over to her mother and sits down in chair next to her bed.
"Hi mom…" Ronnie said, holding the pink flower in her hand.
Valentina didn't respond, nor look at her daughter.
"Today…today I finally inherited the family ring." Ronnie takes out the family ring. "See?"
Valentina didn't look. She stayed quiet.
Ronnie places the ring back into her pocket and looks at the pink flower. Ronnie continued.
"We also started training today as well. I've really gotten the hang of things. We also went to the training site where my grandma taught my dad…and…" She placed the pink flower on her mother's lap. "I found this flower…at the tree…where you and my dad…must have had your first date right?"
Valentina again didn't respond.
"Mom…I'm…I'm going to become a great hero…I'm going to make you, grandma…and even my dad proud…" Ronnie clenches her fist "I…I…I really miss…you talking to me mom…" A lump appeared in her throat. She did everything she could to hold back her tears. But like most of the time when she comes to visit her mother. She couldn't hold them back. The tears glided down her cheeks and she quickly wipes them away.
"O-Oh right…a-and I also met one of my grandmas best friends. His name is Salomon, he's a really goofy guy, and thanks to him I also learned what arts ability's are." Ronnie explained with a smile on her face.
Ronnie looks at her mother. Valnetina just simply stared out the window.
"Well…that's pretty much it. Oh and I met Apollo, my grandmas pet bull…heh…he's so cute. I mean he's big and scary looking, but he's such a big softie." Ronnie rubs her right arm "and...After all the training…I thought I'd come by and see you."
Valentina stayed quiet.
"Well…it was good seeing you mom. I'll…see you next time…" Ronnie reaches over and rubs her mother's hand "Bye…" she turns away and walks out the room.
Rosetta was waiting in the hallway for her. Ronnie reaches over and holds her mother's hand and they leave the hospital.
…
The next day, Ronnie's training continued. Salomon explained to Ronnie about the flow of energy that is used in ability's such as arts.
"The flow of energy in our bodies is what helps us art users use elements such as earth or wind." Salomon explained.
"And the flow of energy, is what's going to help you use the Adrenaline rush ability." Rosetta said
Ronnie gulps and nods.
"Rosetta, are you sure that you want to teach Veronica this ability at her age?" Salomon asked hesitantly
"She needs to learn now. So in the future the experience she has will help her improve when she's older." Rosetta said "She's already adapted so well with the family ring. She'll do wonders in the future."
"I see. That is true…" Salomon nods
"Now Veronica, remember when you told me about the surge of energy you felt when you first placed the ring on? The ring gives an energy that flows within you. That energy will be the key to activating the Adrenaline rush." Rosetta explained
Ronnie was hesitant. She remembered what her mother told her about the side effects of using adrenaline rush. But she wouldn't back down. She wanted to know everything there is to know about the family ring.
"So…how do I activate it?" Ronnie asked
"Concentrate the flow of the rings energy, all of it to your heart. That flow of energy will fuse with your heart and it will increase the pacing of your heart beat. The flow of energy will release from your heart to your body."
"I see…" Ronnie's hands started to shake.
Rosetta stared at her "Veronica…are you sure you want to try this?" she calmly
"I…I…" Ronnie looks away, rubbing her left hand.
"Maybe…it is too early for her to learn it." Rosetta thought "Alright, we'll continue with normal training." She said
"B-But Grandma i-"
"No Veronica…I want you to be physically and mentally ready to use this ability. Right now is not the time for you to use it." Rosetta said. In a tone that meant the conversation about it was over.
"Yes Grandma…" Ronnie said hanging her head low.
And with that, the rest of the day continued with the normal training. Practicing her speed, regular energy control, and running accuracy. After they were done training for the rest of day, they went on home. Rosetta invited Salomon to join them for dinner tonight.
"This is a nice home that you have here Rosetta!" Salomon said looking around the living room.
"Thanks! Make yourself comfortable!" Rosetta said with a smile as she headed into the kitchen.
Ronnie walked over to the couch and sat down. She laid her head back and looked up at the ceiling with a sad expression on her face.
Salomon looked over at her "Are you ok Veronica?" he asked
"I'm fine…just…a bit disappointed in myself, is all…" Ronnie said glumly
Salomon chuckled "Oh come now Veronica. Is this about the adrenaline rush?" he said sitting down next to her.
"I just…I just want to prove myself…" Ronnie said clenching her fist.
"You shouldn't' rush things. I know you're eager to prove yourself but you have to take little steps at a time. Just look at Rosetta. She was just like you when she was just starting out. Everything takes time." Salomon smiled
Ronnie nods "Yeah…you're right." She looks at Salomon and smiles.
"You know Veronica. You'd be a great hero for Miracle city!"
"Miracle city?" Ronnie said tilting her head
"Miracle city is a place that is filled with crime and villainy. But it has many heroes who are there to protect the citizens. Many heroes have made a name for themselves. It would probably be good if you start there Veronica!" Salomon said patting her on the shoulder.
"Miracle city…" Ronnie whispered. Ronnie smiled. Right then and there she had already made up her mind. Miracle city, once she had gained her experience with the family ring. Miracle city will be the first place she would go.
After Dinner, Salomon thanked Rosetta for inviting him to dinner, and had left off. Ronnie sat at the dinner table and watched her grandmother was the dishes. She rested her chin on her folded arms, while thinking about what Miracle city was like. Then she her grandmother,
"Hey, grandma…have you ever been to Miracle city before?"
"Yup," Rosetta answered
"What's it like?"
"A headache," Rosetta said irritably
Ronnie snorts "Sounds fun." She said giggling
"Oh real fun," Rosetta said sarcastically "It's absurd how much crime goes on there. Ugh just thinking about it is driving me nuts. Although I'm not sure if it's cool down since then…I doubt it."
"Salomon said I'd be a good place to start out my hero career."
"Hmm... it would be actually. It'd be a good place to get your name out there." Rosetta turns to Ronnie and smiles.
"Alright, Miracle city it is!" Ronnie said pumped
Rosetta smiled. But, her expression quickly changed when a sharp pain hit her chest. She places her hand near her chest and starts violently coughing.
Ronnie looks at her grandmother, concerned and rushes over to her.
"G-Grandma, are you ok?!" Ronnie asked fearfully
"I-I'm ok Veronica," Rosetta said in between coughs "Just a dry cough is all."
Ronnie looked up at her mother nervously.
"I'm fine…Veronica. All I need is some rest, and I'll be good as new tomorrow!" Rosetta said smiling down at Ronnie.
"O-ok…" Ronnie nods
"You should get some rest Veronica. You know what we have to do in the morning."
"Ok…goodnight grandma…" Ronnie said hugging Rosetta. She lets go and heads to her room.
She hops into bed and lays her head down onto the pillow. She started to imagine how Miracle city was like. Full of crime, super villains, but at the same time it's full of many heroes. And one day, she's going to be one of them. She smiles and closes her eyes, drifting off to sleep.
…
The next morning, Ronnie woke up with a big yawn. She rubs her eyes and then gets out of bed and walks out her room.
"Grandma I'm hungry!" Ronnie called out. She walks into the kitchen. Her grandmother wasn't there. "Huh?"
She walked outside to the backyard; Apollo was in the backyard still resting. But Rosetta wasn't there.
"Where is she?" Ronnie said scratching her head. "OH! She must still be asleep!" she hurries back into the house and rushes upstairs. When she ran past her grandmother's bathroom she immediately stops. Her eyes widen, and heart starts to beat fast. She takes a few steps back and looks down at the bathroom floor, seeing her grandmother lying on the floor. Blood was splattered in the sink, and blood was covered on the floor and around Rosetta's mouth.
"GRANDMA!" Ronnie screamed at the top of her lungs. She rushes over to her grandmother and knees down to her "OH MY GOD! GRANDMA! GRANDMA WAKE UP! WAKE UP PLEASE!" She shook Rosetta over and over but there was no response from her.
She quickly gets to her feet, leaves the bathroom and rushes downstairs. She picks up the living room phone and quickly dials 911.
After 5 minutes. An ambulance arrived at Rosetta's home. They rushed in. Ronnie takes them to where she found Rosetta. They placed her on a stretcher and rolled her out to the ambulance van and placed her in.
"LET ME COME! I WANT TO STAY WITH MY GRANDMA!" Ronnie cried
The ambulance driver looks at her and nods and says "Hop in."
Even before the driver said hop in she had already hurried inside and sat down. She stared at her grandmother, who looked lifeless as she had oxygen masked around her mouth.
"Grandma…grandma…" Ronnie kept repeating over and over, tears gliding down her face.
"Please…be ok…"
…
Ronnie sat in the hospital waiting room. She had her knees close to her chest and buried her face between her legs. Rosetta was currently being treated and tested. Time seem to be slowing down for Ronnie. She wanted to see her grandmother. She wanted someone to tell her everything will be fine, that she'll be ok and they could go home. But there was no one around to tell her that. All she could do right now is sit in the waiting room, and worry.
In the room where Rosetta was being treated, Rosetta was done being treated. She lied in bed, with her eyes slightly open, staring up at lights in the ceiling. Doctor Edwin walked over to Rosetta and stood next to her bed, holding a clip board in his hand.
"Rosetta…can you hear me?" The Doctor spoke softly.
Rosetta slowly moved her eyes over to the doctor.
Rosetta blinked a couple of times and said "H-Hey doctor…" she said weak tone.
The doctor didn't know what to say. He looked at the clip board, he just stood there. Not saying anything else.
Rosetta chuckles a bit and says "Why the long face doctor?"
"Rosetta…i…" The doctor sighed "I don't know how to say this but. You don't have much time…Rosetta I'm sorry."
"I know…." Rosetta said softly
"Rosetta I have to ask…why, why didn't come to us sooner?"
Rosetta stared back up at the light on the ceiling. Rosetta started to think of Ronnie. She closes her eyes and sees Ronnie's smiling face.
Rosetta opens her eyes "Because…I didn't want to see her smile fade…" She whispered.
The doctor took a deep breath and asked "Your granddaughter…is…waiting in the waiting room…"
"Please bring her in…"
The doctor nods.
The doctor left the room and heads toward the waiting room. Ronnie was sitting in the chair with face buried in between her knees.
"Veronica?" The doctor spoke softly.
Ronnie quickly gets out of the chair and stands on her feet and looks up at the doctor.
"How is she?! What's wrong with her?! Just tell she's going to be ok!" Ronnie said frantically.
The doctor kneeled down on one knee. She placed her hands on her shoulder. Ronnie was hoping, hoping that the doctor was going to whisper, "She's going to be ok…"
"Veronica…I'm sorry but…your grandmother…has illness…in unknown illness that's targeting her heart…and-"
"YOU CAN HELP HER RIGHT?!" Ronnie shouted
The doctor blinked a couple of times and shook his head no "She…only has a few minutes to live…"
Ronnie's eyes widen. Her hands, that wrapped around her shoulders dropped to her waist dangling. All the breath in Ronnie's body seemed to have left her. She tried to speak, but the words wouldn't come out.
"She's waiting for you…" The doctor said placing his hand on her back.
The doctor to Ronnie to Rosetta's room, Ronnie saw her grandmother lying in the bed.
Ronnie slowly walked over to her to the side of her grandmother's bed. Rosetta opened her eyes and turns her head to Ronnie and smiles. Ronnie stood there looking at her grandmother. Her lip was quivering she stared at her grandmother, who lies in the hospital bed with only minutes to live.
Rosetta opens her eyes and looks over at Ronnie. She smiled softly at her "Hey sweetie…" she said softly.
"Grandma…" Ronnie's voice cracked "It's a lie…it's a lie…you're going to be ok right? Please…please just tell me…it's a lie…that doctor doesn't know what he's talking about…" the tears started fall from her eyes.
Rosetta stared at Ronnie's bright green eyes. And she slowly shook her head no.
"Veronica…I'm sorry…but it's my time to go…" Rosetta whispered to her. She reached over and placed her hand on Ronnie's cheek.
"Grandma...Grandma no…" Ronnie grasps her grandmother's hand
"Veronica…"
"I lost…I lost my dad…I lost my mom…" Ronnie began to sob, tears rushing down her cheeks and dropping to the hospital floor "I've lost two people that I love so much…I can't lose you too, please grandma…don't leave me all alone!"
"Veronica, look at me…" Rosetta said
Ronnie stared into her grandmother's bright green eyes.
"I know, you're hurting, I know you're scared. You've been through so much in such an early part of your childhood but you can't let this stop you. You're so strong…to go through so much pain when you were little…and yet you still pushed on…what was it that you said to me seven years ago?"
Ronnie sniffles "T-that I want to be a strong hero…and grow up to protect everyone around me that I love…" she said in between her sobs.
Rosetta smiles "That's my girl…"
"Grandma…please...please don't…"
"Veronica…times will get tough…even the darkest moments it'll seem like there's no hope at all…but like I said…you can't be beaten by it…you have to be strong…keep your head held high. Never give up…never give in, always smile no matter what…promise me that…" Rosetta said her eyes slowly closing.
"I PROMISE I"LL NEVER GIVE IN! I"LL ALWAYS KEEP FIGHTING NO MATTER HOW TOUGH IT GETS! I"LL NEVER GIVE UP!" Ronnie screamed. "So please…grandma…don-"
Ronnie heard a loud beeping noise. She opened her eyes, seeing her grandmother lie in bed with her eyes closed with a smile on her face.
Ronnie held her grandmother's hand. It was cold, and lifeless.
Ronnie looked at her grandmother in disbelief.
"G-grandma…?" Ronnie whispered.
Her grandmother didn't respond.
"GRANDMA!" Ronnie screamed from the top of her lungs. "NOOOOO!"
…
After getting word from one of the neighbors, Salomon arrived at the hospital. He quickly ran in and asked for Rosetta's room number. The lady at the desk, told him the news. He banged on the desk asking for where she was, and she pointed him to where her room was.
Salomon ran to the room where Rosetta was. Once he arrived, Rosetta was already gone. The room was empty. The doctor who was testing her walked up to Salomon.
"Are…her husband?" The doctor asked.
"N-No…i…i'm her best friend…" Salomon said in a quivering voice.
"I'm sorry…she passed on…"
Salomon dropped to his knees. He clenches his fist and the tears started to fall. He took a few deep breathes and wipes his eyes.
"How did she die?" Salomon lamented
"Well, all we know that It was different type of heart disease…" The doctor explained. "It…was eating away at her. It was going on for such a long time that…it was too late. Even if we were to have found out around the time it was going on…there wouldn't have been much we could do…"
Salomon got to his feet and stared at the doctor "Where is her granddaughter?" he asked.
"She's-"
"DOCTOR!" A nurse ran up to the doctor quickly "The girl…the girls gone!" she said hysterically.
"What? What do you mean she's gone? Wasn't anyone watching her?!"
"Oh no…" Salomon thought "Veronica…"
…
Ronnie was on her way back to her grandmother's home. She walked through the front door and heads to her room. She opened her closet door and took out all her clothes and lays them down the bed. From the under the bed, she pulls out the suit case that she used to move her clothes and belongings from her old home and opens it. She places her clothes neatly in the brief case to where everything would fit, and closes it.
She sat there and stared at the brief case.
"I know what's going to happen…" Ronnie thought, and she shakes her head "No…I'm not going to go to have fake parents…"
Ronnie gets to her feet and heads into the backyard where Apollo was. Apollo got up and walks over to Ronnie. Apollo stared at Ronnie. Her eyes were completely bloodshot from all the crying that she did. Apollo licks her cheek.
"It's…just you and me buddy…" Ronnie said softly while petting Apollo on his head
Apollo tilts his head
"It's…time for us to go…"
Apollo rubs his cheek against Ronnie's.
"Come on…it's time go big guy…"
Ronnie went inside and grabbed her suit case. Apollo hops over the fence to the front yard. Ronnie walked out the front door carrying suit case. She places the suit onto of Apollo's big back and hops on. She then takes out a rubber band and ties her hair into a pony tail.
"Alright Apollo…let's go…"
Apollo sprints down the street. Ronnie takes out the family ring from her pocket and stares at it. She thought about, her father, her mother, and lastly her grandmother. She turns around. Staring at the neighborhood she lived in for years, shrinking in the distance.
She was leaving it all behind her, going off on her own.
"And so…I went off by myself traveling to different places around the country, learning new things, training by myself, and just…gaining experience before I was ready to enter Miracle city and start a whole new life.. Of course you guys knew that when arrived that little punk stole my bull. And…well…here I am…"
[End of Flash back]
Ronnie had finished her story.
Manny, Frida, Marcus, Johnny and Carmen all sat in silence for a moment. They didn't know what to say to her. Ronnie let out a deep sigh and said
"Well…that's pretty much it. Oh…and, that Toro chico go…he baited my bull in by churros and took him away. I still have no idea where he is." Ronnie said lying back on the couch.
"Wow…Ronnie, I mean…well…Veronica…" Frida said rubbing the back of her neck.
"Just call me Ronnie…you don't have to call me Veronica…"
"Oh ok…umm Ronnie. I…I mean don't know what to say…I didn't know you went through so much…" Frida said holding her hand.
"Yeah…" Manny whispered
Carmen was wiping her eyes and sniffles "Oh Ronnie…" Carmen wraps her arms around Ronnie and pulls her into a hug.
"Man…I don't really have anything to say…" Johnny said twiddling his thumbs. "That was one heck of story…"
Ronnie looks at everyone "I'm…I'm sorry…" she sighed "You all put so much effort into this party and i…"
"Hey! It's fine!" Frida said grasping Ronnie's hand "I'm just really glad you opened up! I mean…how do you feel?"
"Well…" Ronnie looks down at her family ring "I feel…better knowing I shared my story with you all. I never thought I'd tell anyone about my past like that." Ronnie looks up at everyone and smiles
"I'm really glad it was you guys…"
Manny, Frida, Marcus, Johnny and Carmen smiled at her.
Frida looked out the window. Seeing it was completely dark.
"Oh man! What time is it?!" Frida asked.
Manny turned around to window "Whoa…how long were we here?"
"I think it's probably been a couple of hour's maybe." Johnny said getting his feet.
"I'm sorry to keep you guys here like this." Ronnie said chuckling nervously.
Johnny smiles "Hey I don't have anywhere to be." He said stretching
"Neither do I!" Carmen said shooting her hand up.
"Ugh I really envy you guys! You get to out do whatever you want but my dad would chew me out for staying past six!" Frida complained
"Welp sucks to be you!" Carmen giggles.
"Oh hush!" Frida said sticking her tongue out at her
"We really do have to go though." Manny said getting to his feet "Happy birthday Ronnie!"
"Thanks." Ronnie said smiling at him.
Manny, Frida, Carmen and Johnny had walked out the front door. But when Marcus was about to leave he stopped. He turned around and looked at Ronnie. She was staring the family ring.
"Hey…" Marcus said
Ronnie looked over at Marcus. "Oh, Marcus what is it?"
Marcus stared at Ronnie for a moment.
Ronnie simply smiled "I'm ok Marcus." She chuckles
"I know what you're thinking…"
"Huh, what're you talking about?"
"I know what you're thinking…you thinking that you've probably let her down. You didn't…"
Ronnie's hands started to shake and she looks down at the family ring. "But…i" She said with her lip trembling. "For so long…I blocked out everything about my dad, my mom and grandmother. I didn't want anything to do with my past so that's why I left…for 2 years I just kept running away from everything and just tried to forget…" she clenches the family ring in the palm of her hand.
"Ronnie…" Marcus whispered
"I'm…I'm so weak…" Ronnie whimpered
"NO YOU"RE NOT!" Marcus shouted
Ronnie jumped a bit and snaps her eyes up at Marcus.
"Look what you've been through Ronnie. Look at how far you've come. You've been through so much heartache and yet here you are! Still going! Still smiling and staying strong! You haven't disappointed anyone! You aren't weak! You're as strong as your grandmother said!"
"M…Mar…Marcus…"
"Don't call yourself weak…you're far from it Ronnie." Marcus said staring into her green eyes.
Ronnie wipes her eyes, smiles and nods.
Marcus smiles back and nods at her.
Ronnie walks forward, wraps her arms around Marcus and hugs him.
"Thank you…Marcus…" Ronnie whispers softly to him
Marcus blushes and looks down at her. He gulps and places her hands around her back returning the hug.
Ronnie lets go of Marcus and smiles up at him
"Oh, the pictures should we take them down and put them back in the photo album?" Marcus asked.
"Nah…" Ronnie said looking at the pictures. "I'll keep them up for awhile."
"Alright, well…I'll see you later Ronnie." Marcus said heading out the door.
"See ya Marcus, and…thanks." Ronnie said smiling at him.
Marcus waves at her "No problem Ronnie…" and with that, he closes the door behind him and leaves.
Ronnie stood there in her living room and looked at the pictures on the wall. The hurt that she felt of thinking about her mom, her dad and her grandmother was gone. She looks down at the family ring and smiled.
"It never really occurred to me before." Ronnie said "But…I did find them grandma. The people in my life that I want to love and protect, I found them." Ronnie whispered. She wipes her eyes and looks up at the picture of her grandmother.
"Watch me Grandma…I'll be a great hero. Just like I promised…"
To be continued
A/N I want to apologize guys. There's been a lot of going on and it's really been a heck of rollercoaster. This chapter was supposed to come out back in November but damn there's been so much stuff going on, stress, family, and not to mention the worry and fear that I have going through my head right now. But hey, I made it with the chapter finally. I hope you all enjoyed it! Cya in the next one!