A/N Ah yes, the first chapter of 2021. I will say that It did take me a while to get this chapter out. Work can be very tiring sometimes. I do hope your 2021 is going well. If not, please keep your head up and don't fold.
But anyway, here is chapter 85.
El Tigre the New Adventures Season 2 Episode 62 – Break free!
It was three days ago that the team had returned to Miracle city after their recent mission in Saint Charleston. Manny was relieved to be back home after being away for some long. That, and he was happy to be back into crime-fighting bandits and the usual Miracle city mischief. As for the rest of the crew, they didn't on much crime-fighting. Frida, Marcus, Ronnie, Carmen, and Johnny were all doing their things.
Manny had finished taking care of the usual crime that was around his local area. He reverts to his normal attire and strolls down the side-walk whistling happily. Manny wasn't paying attention to where he was going and bumped into someone knocking both of them down.
"Hey watch where you're going!" said a familiar voice aggressively.
"I'm sorry I wasn't-Johnny?" said Manny, looking at the tanned skinned boy that, to Manny's surprise, his hair was kept and neat.
Johnny's eyes went wide "O-Oh Manny! Uhh sup?" he said, quickly getting to his feet and messing up his hair.
"I just got done taking care of the usual thugs and all. What about you?"
"Uh, I uh I just uhh well I was uhh…" Johnny was stuttering and he began to sweat a bit. "Eating tacos!"
Manny looked at Johnny.
Johnny looked at Manny.
"Can I have some?" asked Manny with a smile.
Johnny paused for a moment "No…"
"Well fine then don't share!" Manny said crossing his arms and turning away.
"Well I would love to hang out and all but I gotta head home and do some stuff! I'll see you later Manny!" said Johnny, in a tone of eagerness as he sprints off.
Manny raised a brow "What's he in such a rush for?" he asked himself as he scratched his head.
Manny decided to just shrug it off and continued on his way. Once Manny had stopped at a taco vendor to get this own food he noticed just across the street leaning against a bus-stop sign was Carmen, twiddling around on her phone.
"Hey, Carmen!" Manny called out to her.
Carmen looks up from her phone and smiled "Hey Mann!" He waved at him.
Manny walked across the street over to Carmen and the two of them began to talk.
"Hey, Carm how ya been?" asked Manny as he took a bite of his taco.
"I've been doing ok. Although I'm going to have to start school soon," said Carmen in a depressed tone.
"Huh? Why all of a sudden?"
"Well, my mom found out that I wasn't going to school for the few months I've been here in Miracle city, and well…she was pretty upset haha…" Carmen explained as she rubs the back of her head.
"Dang, how did she find out?" asked Manny
"Well, I've been feeding her a bunch of lies that I have been going to you and Frida's school. It's been like that for a while till my mom started getting suspicious and ended up calling the school asking how I was doing. Then she called me annnd…well I don't wanna get into that…"
"You don't have to. I can picture a general idea of how I went. I speak from plenty of experience." Manny replied with a chuckle.
"So after that, my mom had a long talk with me and the school, one thing lead to another and well…We're classmates!" said Carmen with a big smile on her face.
"AWESOME!" said Manny happily, shooting his arms in the air.
"I was honestly surprised they even took me in considering I've been expelled from like twenty different schools," said Carmen
"No way!" said Manny, in disbelief
"It's true. I just don't dumb rules is all I can say," said Carmen with a shrug.
"Truer words have never been spoken!" Manny said with a nod of agreement.
"So what are you up to tiger boy?" asked Carmen as she picks up her soda that was sitting on the curbside and taking a sip.
"Just out and about, beating up thugs, the usual stuff. I ran into Johnny recently and he seemed a bit off. You got any idea what's up with him?"
"Oh uhh, I have no idea, Manny!" said Carmen, in a tone of trying to sound like she didn't know but was hiding something.
Of course, Manny didn't catch it at all "Really? Hmm I hope he's alright," he takes another bite out of his taco. "Anyway, you wanna go do something? I heard that there's a bunch of mutant fish jumping out of the water! Wanna go watch?"
"That sounds awesome Manny but I have some stuff I have to do later on," said Carmen as she reached into her backpack and pulls out her silver morphing pole. "I've been planning on training with my morphing pole since we got back to Miracle city."
"Is there more to it? I've always thought you just needed to morph It into whatever weapon you wanted?" asked Manny.
"That's what I thought too, but," Carmen paused for a moment and stared at her silver pole "My mom always told me there's more to it than just weapon morphing…and I'm starting to believe that it's deeper than that…"
"What do you mean?" Manny asked, looking at Carmen curiously.
"Well," Carmen paused again to think as she tried to piece together her words "Honestly I don't know. I just have to keep experimenting with it as much as I can."
"Well I hope the training goes well Carmen!" said Manny with a smile.
"Thanks, Manny, I'm going to go ahead and do that now. See you later!" Carmen said waving at Manny as she runs off.
Manny waved at Carmen as she left "Well looks like Carmen is busy too. I wonder what everyone else is up to," Manny thought to himself as he decided to go see Frida.
Manny had left town and went into the neighborhood. Manny would hardly ever head over to Frida's place even though Frida would always invite him over when her father was working. He only ever came over to Frida's place once for a sleepover, but that wasn't an enjoyable sleepover since Frida's father Emiliano, made him sleep with their extremely aggressive police dogs. But right now was the best time since Emiliano was on duty and their dogs were currently put up.
As Manny walked along the path he could hear the song drums, guitar, and of course, Frida's rockstar singing voice echoing across the neighborhood. Manny had finally appeared in front of Frida's home, and in the garage standing in the middle was Frida, who had stopped singing and was erasing something on a piece of paper. Standing around Frida were her bandmates/best friends, Tenny and Rosa.
Tenny was a round girl with orange hair, tan skin and usually wore a hat that was pink with kitten ears. Rosa was a tall, African-American girl with a large brown afro and wore blue jeans and a strawberry shirt.
"Ok maybe I need to change this verse up," said Frida, as she erased a line on the paper.
"Come on Fri you're overthinking things," said Teeny as she watched Frida.
"Yeah what we had earlier was good!" said Rosa
Frida sighs and rubs her head "I guess," she replied in slight frustration
"Writer's block?" said Manny, as he entered the garage.
"MANNY!" said Tenny and Rosa in unison.
"Sup Manny," said Frida, relieved to see him as it took her mind off her music. She then sighed and rubs her head "Yeah I guess, I just haven't been able to get on paper what I like. It's so frustrating! I was so excited to get back to my music but then this happens!"
"You're still not shaken up by the vampires are you?" asked Manny, In a joking manner.
"Well…I don't know, maybe it's something else," said Frida, with some hesitation in her voice.
"Maybe you should stay in Miracle city when the gang goes on mission Fri, I mean you're not much of a fighting type," Teeny
"Y-yeah…" replied Frida, in a saddened tone.
"I-I MEAN!" Tenny began to panic "I-I'm sure that you help out well it's just…Uhh…..Ummm."
"Is that what's been bugging you Fri?" asked Rosa, staring at her blue-haired friend.
"Kind of…" Frida replied hoarsely.
Manny frowned. Manny was starting to remember the time Frida was so frustrated at not being able to help him during his usual crime-fighting escapades. There was that one time that Frida ended up "Borrowing" Manny's El Tigre belt and using it to become the temporary hero La Tigresa.
"You know Frida," said Manny "If that's what's been on your mind, then that's no problem at all! You can help out! Like, come on remember that time you punched the lights out on black Cuervo a year ago? Oh and remember that time you hit that weird creature that was made from the animal red crow gang member!?"
Frida then began to remember all of this. It had crossed her mind that she had felt such power come across her every once in a while I desperate situations. Although she had never managed to conjure up this power since then and has left it alone.
"Dang Frida you never mentioned any of this to us!" said Teeny curiously.
"Yeah when did you punch a monster!?" said Rose with excitement.
"Oh right uhh haha, it's a long story really and I'll tell you guys some other time," said Frida with a chuckle.
"Oh yeah, you should've seen her! Black Cuervo was about to attack her and Frida raised her hand and knocked Zoe out so hard she broke her helmet!" Manny explained in delight.
Teeny and Rosa let out awe of astonishment and they turned to Frida with their eyes glowing.
"Well I mean, you know," said Frida, bearing a smirk across her face "She had it coming a long time!"
It seemed that Frida had forgotten the worries that plagued her mind. Then, it came to her! She picked up her pencil and began writing.
"YES! THIS IS SO MUCH BETTER!" said Frida as she sprung from where she was sitting "Alright crew! Let's test this song out!"
"RIGHT!" said both Teeny and Rosa.
"Hey Manny, you want to listen to what I got? It's incredible!" Frida said with a smile as she looked at her best friend.
"SURE!" Manny said excitedly.
Manny had listened to Frida's new song that she wrote. He was happy to know that she wasn't as upset as she was when he arrived at her home. Frida sang her heart out, and as soon as she finished she began writing up more new songs on the spot. After listening to a few more songs and even helping write some himself, Manny went about his way.
"Man…everyone sure is busy," said Manny, with his hands in his pocket and his eyes to the evening sky. "I guess I'll just head home and read some comics. Or watch some movies with dad and granpapi?" Manny then stopped dead in his tracks "Nah…that'll make me watch a bunch of weird movies or TV shows."
Manny had found himself arriving at the local Miracle city park. There, he saw sitting on a bench all by himself was Ronnie, who was staring at the evening sky lying back on the bench.
"Hey Ronnie!" said Manny with a smile as he walked over to her.
"Manny!" said Ronnie, forming a big smile on her face
Manny sat next to Ronnie "You all by yourself?" he asked curiously
"Yeah, I was practicing on that new power I unlocked while fighting those vampires. Although I haven't had any luck," said Ronnie, letting out a disappointed sigh.
"You mean those electric powers that Carmen and Frida were talking about?" asked Manny
Ronnie nods "I have no idea what I'm doing," She said in a low and saddened tone.
"That stuff can't be easy to master right away," Manny comforted her. "Like you just unlocked it after all!"
Ronnie nods once more "I know I just…" Her voice was softer and a little horse. "I really couldn't concentrate because…every-time I do try and train I can't help but think about my Grandma…"
Manny's eyes widened a bit. "O-Oh…"
"Of course you already know that my grandma trained me till I was 12 years old. I'm so used to her teaching me for so long that every-time I do train I can't help but think about her…"
"Ronnie…" said Manny, softly
"And…I end up remembering about my dad and mom…" Ronnie's voice shivered. It sounded as though she was about to break down at any moment.
Manny didn't know what to say or do. Manny has never been in many situations like this. He didn't know how to comfort a sad girl. He had hung around Frida for most of his life and she never really showed her vulnerable side that often. But Ronnie was his friend. To just sit there and not say anything would be horrible. But then, Manny had an idea!
"Wait I GOT IT!" said Manny suddenly, as he shoots up from the bench.
"H-Huh?" Ronnie looked up at Manny, surprised at his sudden outburst with a bit of tears that were beginning to form in her eyes.
"Let's all train together!" said Manny, excited, his eyes glowing and beaming at Ronnie. "Let's all get together and we can practice learning new stuff!"
Ronnie stared up at Manny for a moment. She couldn't help but smile.
"Sound good?" Manny asked with a confident smile.
Ronnie rubs her eyes and nods "Yeah! That's a good idea!" she said, feeling the sadness leaving her chest. Ronnie then lowered her head a bit, losing her smile. "Sorry about that, I didn't mean to bring the mood down or anything."
"Oh no, it's fine! I mean we're friends! We're always here for each other right?" said Manny heartwarmingly.
Ronnie smiled back and beamed at Manny. "Yeah!" she nods, smiling brightly at Manny.
After that, Manny and Ronnie would sit at the park and chat for a bit longer before Ronnie and decided to head home. Manny would sit at the park for an hour longer just thinking. Training. Ronnie, Carmen, and without a doubt Marcus were all training. Manny placed his hands around his El Tigre belt buckle and stared at it. It was a year ago that Manny had his Tiger spirit sealed down by a Rogue Magician Jasper during the first phase of the international tournament of heroes. It was also the day that Manny met a man named Tetsuo Aragaki. A dangerous man who can morph his body into any type of weapon and has a strong healing factor.
As he thought about Tetsuo, Manny remembered the words he said to him when he briefly returned to Miracle city.
"You haven't broken the seal yourself yet?"
"C-Can I break it?" Manny wondered. Manny gulps as he remembered that Abaraxes told him if he tried anything with the seal he could end up dead. But why on earth would Tetsuo tell Manny that information? "Ugh…" Manny rubs his head. "I guess…I could try." Manny felt like he was falling into a trap. Tetsuo could be leading him on. But… "I gotta try…I have to get stronger!"
So it was settled. Tomorrow Manny would try to break the seal to his Tiger Spirt.
…
The next day had arrived and Manny was dead set on freeing his Tiger spirit. So before he did that, he wanted to inform his father of what he was going to attempt. Manny could already see what his reaction was going to be.
"You want to what!?" gasped Rodolfo, staring at his son in shock.
Manny had guessed right.
"That's right," said Manny nodding. "I need to break this seal!"
"But Hijo, don't you remember what the magician said to you? If you tried to do that-"
"DAD! Do you expect me to go my whole life with my Tiger spirit chained down?" said Manny, cutting off his father. "I get it! I can still do good even without the new hidden powers but that can only get me so far!"
"Manny …I don't know," Rodolfo said hesitantly "This is stuff we don't understand! If you try to break it you'll…you'll…" Rodolfo gulps "You might die…"
Manny sighed. He knew that his father would bring that up. Manny didn't know what to say. But he only knew one thing. "I know I can break it. I'm not sure how but," Manny made sure not to bring up Tetsuo at all in the conversation.
"Rodolfo," said Puma Loco, who was sitting in his seat, quietly listening to the conversation. "Manny is right,"
"But father-"
"Rodolfo, Manny is a Rivera! He is no coward! We Rivera's stare danger in the eye and laugh! We take the risk! Manny here is old enough to make his own decisions now and he is close to being stronger!"
Rodolfo sighs and takes off his mask. He stared down at Manny with a serious expression on his face. "Alright, Manny, if you want to attempt this…you can try…
"ALRIGHT—"
BUT ONLY WITH MY SUPERVISION!" said Rodolfo blurted out suddenly "And if I feel that something is going wrong we will stop immediately!"
Manny went quiet and stared up at his father. He then says "Ok,"
So it was decided. Manny was going to try and break the binding seal that was placed around his Tiger Spirit. Although Manny was excited to do this, his father was right. Attempting this could kill him. Maybe Tetsuo was telling him lies. But would that stop Manny from freeing his true powers? No. Manny was going to do this.
After convincing his father to help him. Manny, Rodolfo, and Puma loco were all gathered around the roof of their apartment complex. They had moved all of the furniture out of the way to make room for Manny as he stood in the middle.
"Ok Manny…" said Rodolfo, letting out a deep sigh "If it gets too much for you, stop, ok?"
"Ok," Manny nods.
Manny spins his El Tigre belt buckle transforming into El Tigre. Then, Manny closes his eyes and begins to concentrate. As he did so, he could see a flash of green light. This aura began to flash around Manny's body. For a moment Manny was fine. His power began to flow normally. But then, the symbol around Manny's chest glowed and purple static crawled up his body. Manny let out a yelp of pain and dropped to his knees.
"Hijo!" Rodolfo shouted as he walked forward.
"N-NO!" Manny said holding his arm out "I-I can do this! I can-ARGH!" The seal was worsening. By this point, Manny would have given up and just let the seal weigh him down. But now, Manny was trying to fight it, trying to defeat it. Manny could feel the seal drain him. He was feeling weak, tired, and exhausted. His breathing was worsening and he felt light-headed.
"MANNY!" Rodolfo ran over to Manny and held him. As soon as he touched Manny he was shocked by the seal. "Manny! Just stop! PLEASE!"
"I-I-!" Manny couldn't form words. He was trying so hard to break the seal but.
Rodolfo had had enough. Rodolfo didn't care how much it would hurt. He was going to stop this. Rodolfo lunged at Manny's belt, the static shocking him fiercely. But even with that, Rodolfo was able to reach for Manny's belt and get it off of him.
Manny instantly reverted to his normal form and pants. He slowly felt his energy return to him.
"Hijo are you ok?" Rodolfo asked helping him up, as Puma loco walked over to them and stood by their side.
"I-I'm fine…" said Manny, breathlessly. Manny gets off his knees and sits down. "I…I couldn't do it. It felt the seal draining me…"
Rodolfo just sighed. He didn't know what to say as he had his hand on his son's shoulder. Rodolfo looked up at his father Puma loco. Even he didn't know what to say.
"This was just the first time…" said Manny, as Rodolfo helped him get to his feet. "I'll try again later when I'm full of energy…"
"Manny please," Rodolfo said softly "This isn't safe,"
"Dad not again please," Manny replied frustrated "I need to beat this seal! I CAN DO IT!" he said, staring up at his father with eyes full of determination.
"Hijo…" Rodolfo was again at a loss for words.
"Dad I know you're worried but I can't keep living in fear," Manny clenched his fist "My power…I know for sure is stronger than this dumb spell! And I'm going to break it one way or another!"
"That's the Rivera way!" said Puma loco with a grin.
Rodolfo sighed and rubs his head softly. "Alright…alright…we'll try again. BUT, only three times a day. Then that's it ok?"
Manny nods "Yes dad," he agreed. He knew his dad was really worried about him. Manny was worried about himself too. That binding was no joke. It really would have killed him if he kept going just now. But Manny had to keep going. As he said himself, he knew his power was greater than jasper's magic. He just had to find a way.
"Umm Hijo," said Rodoflo
"Hm?" Manny looked up at his father.
"Your belt buckle…here," Rodolfo handed it to him.
Manny looked down to see that his past had fallen below his ankles, exposing his Zebra donkey undies. Manny blushed and quickly hoisted them back up. He quickly took back his belt buckle and wrapped it around his pants.
"When are you going to grow out of that?" Puma Loco asked disappointedly.
"I think they're cute!" Rodolfo said with a smile.
"Ugh…" Manny just rubbed his head with embarrassment.
Then, Manny noticed something. He felt his whole body began to shake, and so did the building that he, his father, and grandpapi were standing on. The shaking was getting worse by the second, which caused Manny to fall over.
"What's going on!?" shouted Rodolfo as he looked around at the city.
In the heart of the city. A giant pillar burst from the ground with bone-like arms coming out from it. It grabs cars and buses that were driving by that were full of people. The center of the pillar had a ghoulish looking face with its mouth wide open, and around the pillar were skulls. More and more hands were grabbing people who were on the streets of Miracle city.
Manny, Puma loco, and Rodolfo stared out from the rooftop of their complex as they watched the giant pillar grow and grow before finally, it stopped.
At the top of the pillar. Manny could spot someone appearing and walking forward to the edge. Manny's eyes widened. It was Django of the dead. Django glared forward at Miracle city with his glowing red eyes. He takes a deep breath and shouts.
"MANNY RIVERA! I AM CALLING YOU OUT!" Django boomed.
Rodolfo and Puma loco looked over at Manny.
"I think he's calling you out Manny," said Puma loco.
"Django…" Manny whispered, staring at him from afar as she grasps the side of the railing.
"MANNY RIVERA!" Boomed Django once more "ARE YOU TOO MUCH OF A COWARD TO FACE ME!?"
Manny clenched his teeth and glared over at Django. "Alright you boney punk, you want me? You got me!" Manny reached for his belt buckle and spins it, transforming into El Tigre.
"Manny—" Rodolfo was about to stop him but Puma loco grabs his arm. Rodolfo sighs "Be careful Hijo…If things get out of hand we'll be there for you,"
Manny smiles and nods, and he leaps off the building and heads to where Django was. On the way to the giant pillar, Manny looked down, seeing Carmen and Johnny running down the side-walk heading to the pillar.
"HEY GUYS!" Manny called out to them.
Carmen and Johnny turned around and Manny landed in front of them.
"There you are!" said Carmen panting.
"Here I am just minding my own business and a giant pillar burst out of nowhere!" said Johnny in an annoyed tone.
"It's Django, he's back!" Manny informed.
"Wait you mean skeleton kid that saved us from Tetsuo?" asked Carmen.
Manny nods "I don't know what he's up to but he only wants me," he said staring up at the top of the pillar. "I need you guys to focus on freeing everyone! I'll go take care of Django!"
"Got it!" said Both Carmen and Johnny.
The three of them sprints towards the main square. Once they arrived Manny didn't waste any time. He rushed up the giant pillar, which seemed to not attack him at all. But for Carmen and Johnny, it retaliated. Sending giant hands with claws at them. Johnny and Carmen didn't waste time trying to fight it. The two of them went straight for the civilians.
Manny had reached the top of the pillar. He stood at the top as he glared at Django. Django returned the glare and clenched his bony fist.
"Well...you showed up after all," snarled Django
"Long time no see!" said Manny in a playful tone. "Where have you been hiding this whole time? Not from Tetsuo I hope!"
"SHUT UP!" Django roared as he grabs his mystic guitar.
"Where's Sartana? She's not babysitting you today? Oh, so you can act without sweet old boney Abuela to hold your hand huh?" Manny taunted with a laugh.
Django didn't respond. He was angry at first, but then he calmed down. Django let out a chuckle before he lowered his mystic guitar.
"Well, El Tigre…you're still the same as usual…" said Django, his voice calm and soft. "While you were too busy coming up with lame jokes…I was getting stronger!"
Manny flinched a bit, not hard enough for Django to notice, but his heart began to race.
"Yes, I was gone for a long time. But I wasn't just licking my wounds and sulking at my defeat. I was growing stronger, I was learning, building my arsenal!" Django then let out a dark sinister laugh. "And let me guess…you still haven't broken your power free have you?"
Manny's eyes widened. Manny had no idea that Django knew about that. Manny was this time for sure beginning to panic.
"I grow stronger," said Django, placing the protective aura around his guitar and slamming it to the ground. "While you say WEAK!"
Django's whole guitar began to morph. While keeping the form of Guitar, it began morphing into a scythe.
"WHOA!" Manny's eyes widened in awe. "THAT IS SO COOL!"
"I KNOW RIGHT!?" Django said excitedly. "I let out the loudest scream when I learned how to do this!"
"Can I hold it?" Manny asked holding out his hand.
"Yeah sure man here," said Django as he was about to hand over his Guitar Scythe to Manny. "HEY WAIT A MINUTE!" Django yanks it away and he slashes at Manny.
Manny ducked, avoiding the slash. "HA MISSED ME!"
"Oh did I?" Django asked with a smirk.
Manny turned around. The slash that Django had made left a void in the air. Then, reaching out of that void were skeletons that gripped Manny around his arms and neck holding him tight.
"W-WHAT THE HECK?!" Manny gasped and gagged as the skeletons held him tightly.
"That's right! Hold him tight!" Django walked forward and held his blade to Manny's neck. "It didn't have to be like this El Tigre," Django said, glaring his red eyes into Manny's. "If you'd have joined my side! You wouldn't be in this situation!"
"Yeah…like I would betray my family just to join you!" Manny spat.
"You idiot! Could you imagine how great of a team we could've been? We could've ruled this city together! We could've ruled the whole world! WE COULD'VE HAD SOMETHING SPECIAL!" Django cried.
Manny just stared at Django for a moment. Even the skeletons holding Manny looked at each other.
"Ok umm…I'm getting some mixed singles here and I don't know how to feel about it…" said Manny, moving his eyes away from Django.
Django let out a frustrated yell and swung his guitar scythe with full force. Manny was able to break free in the nick of time ducked. Django ended up slashing his minions in two and they disappeared into dust. Manny charged forward and starting slashing with accuracy, and Django's hat was sent flying into the air into shreds.
"MY HAT! MY MADRE GAVE ME THAT HAT!" Django cried. He shoots a hard glare at Manny. "El TIGREEEEE!" He roared and began swinging near Manny's neck. Almost beheading him.
Django went for two more slashes and Manny dodged both and saw an opening. He dashes forward and slashed at Django. Django avoids Manny slashes with ease and hops back. He grips his Sytche guitar and strums it once, making two red buzzsaws appear on the right and left. Django sends those buzzsaws towards Manny.
Manny jumped dodging the first one and moved to the left barely dodging the other as it cut his shoulder. Manny winced her as the blood began flowing from his shoulder quickly.
"FIRST BLOOD!" Django lets out a cackling laugh.
"D-Darn!" said Manny through the pain as he held his wounded shoulder. This was getting tough. Django had up his game so much from the last time they fought and Manny was still struggling to break his seal. If he was going to use his power he only had a few seconds to use the bit of power he had before the restrictions started to set in.
He would have no choice. He would have to make it quick.
"Ok…come on…just for a few seconds!" said Manny in his head. "Come on…COME ON!"
"DIE El TIGRE!" Django screamed leaping forward.
Manny felt that familiar feeling of his Tiger spirit. It flowed through his body. But this time something was different. His tail grew longer, a green fire was emerging from his eyes, and his metal claws were coated in green flames. Manny didn't know what this feeling was or this power, but he had to use it quickly. Manny gets on all fours. Bears his claws which the green fire was coated around and he pounces forward.
Django's eyes widened a bit by the sudden change and he swings his guitar scythe. Everything happened in slow motion. Django's attack was creeping closer and closer to Manny, as Manny himself raised his hand and thrust his green fire coated claws and It breaks through Djangos Scythe guitar with ease.
"NOOOO!" Django whaled as he watched the pieces of his guitar fly into the air.
Then, with one big swipe of his claws, he slashed Django in two. And just like that, Django was gone with a heavy explosion that made a shock, and it knocked Manny off of the high pillar.
"WHOOOOOOA!" Manny screamed as he fell. Manny was going to stop fall by clenching his claws into the pillar. But due to Django being gone. The pillar was beginning to fall apart and collapse.
"OH NO!" Manny cried as he stared at the pavement below him. But then, something had clutched the back of his El Tigre outfit. He looked up and saw Johnny, with his blue fire wings spread out.
"Gotcha!" said Johnny, with a big smile on his face.
"JOHNNY!" said Manny with a relieved smile.
Johnny lands slowly on the ground and let's go of Manny. Manny lands on his feet. He scans the area to see that everyone that was caught up In Djangos sudden appearance was safe. Ronnie was on the scene as well. Tending to the kids who were scared along with Carmen. Frida had arrived too. Once Frida saw Manny she hurried over to him.
"What the heck was going on!?" asked Frida
"Django came back," said Manny, as he clutched his wound again. "He got stronger…a lot stronger."
Manny sat down on the pavement as Frida helped Manny stop the bleeding.
"Isn't Django that skeleton kid who saved our necks from the weird Tetsuo guy?" asked Johnny.
Manny nods "Yeah…although he only did that because he wanted to kill me. Sartana just wanted to try and take out Tetsuo," he explained as he winced a bit "Easy Frida."
"Sorry," replied Frida softly.
"Dang he got you good there," said Carmen, cringing at Manny's shoulder wound.
"Yeah he did," said Ronnie, as she stared closely at the wound "Wow you can see the meat."
"Ewww Ronnie stop staring!" Carmen cringed more.
"What in the hell was going on here?"
The group all turned around to see Marcus, standing there looking around the area. His hair was unkept, and he looked like he hadn't slept in the days. His shirt was ripped around the chest then sides. The same can be said for his pants which had cut marks all around.
"Dude…" Carmen said, eyeing Marcus up and down "What happened to you?"
"Did someone beat you up?" asked Ronnie, staring at his clothes.
"Uh no, I was training," Marcus replied rubbing the back of his head "Did I hear something about the bone boy?"
"Yeah, he came back. I beat him but…" Manny winced once more as Frida was bandaging up Manny's wound. "Django's learning new stuff. He turned his mystic guitar into a scythe and he had these new powers too."
"Even he's evolving…" whispered Marcus. Marcus clenched his fist. "Damn it…if we stay as we are now the next time we fight someone stronger we're done for…"
"Hey Mark," said Frida looking over at him. "What type of training have you been doing? You look awful…"
Marcus looked up. Seeing everyone stare at him. Manny, Frida, Carmen, and Ronnie had worried expressions on their faces. But Of course, Johnny stayed indifferent.
"Nothing," Marcus replied, moving his eyes away from the group. "I just pushed myself a little too hard is all."
Ronnie walked up to Marcus and she stared at him closely. Marcus leaned back a bit and stared down at Ronnie timidly.
"So you say, as you've been gone for three days," Ronnie said crossing her arms and pouting at Marcus.
"I take my training seriously…" Marcus replied looking away again.
"You know…I think Marcus is lying…" Manny whispered. "He has this thing where tenses up and looks away."
"He's not good at lying is he?" Whispered Carmen.
"Nope," said Frida shaking her head no. "Me and Manny are professionals in the art of the lie. We know a bad liar when we see one."
"Yup," Manny nods with a smile. "Even though it all comes crashing down on us later, it takes them a while to realize we lied! So we still in a way get away with it!"
Johnny just stared down at the two of them. "What kind of logic is that?" he asked, confused and curious.
"The Logic of survivors!" said Frida proudly.
"That doesn't make any sense…"
"That's because we're survivors!" said Manny.
Johnny just stared at them and sighed. Giving up on trying to piece any of what they said together.
"Anyway!" said Marcus, over Ronnie's many many questions. "Now that this is all over I'm heading back to training. See you guys later." He turns around and was going to walk off. But when he took one step Marcus nearly stumbled over. Ronnie caught Marcus quickly before he hit the ground.
"Marcus!" said Ronnie worriedly.
"I'm fine…just le…let me…" Marcus sounded as though he was going to pass out any moment.
"Dude…" Manny said as he, Frida, and Carmen walked over to him.
"Marcus you need to rest!" said Carmen, looking at Marcus's tired expression.
"No I'm fine…" said Marcus as he was stumbling, trying to get to his feet.
"You really haven't been sleeping for 3 days, have you?" asked Ronnie sadly.
Marcus didn't reply. He just wobbled a bit and leaned his right hand on a nearby car.
"Marcus…you're pushing yourself too much…" said Manny, staring at his friend with a forlorn expression.
Again, Marcus didn't say anything. He began walking, wobbling as he did so.
"MARCUS!" Ronnie called out to him as she was going to try and stop him but Johnny grasped her arm. Ronnie looked at Johnny in shock.
"Let him go," Johnny said in a serious tone.
"JOHNNY-BUT—"
"If he thinks that exhausting his body is training then let him find out the hard way. He's no to get anywhere on his own doing that," Johnny said loud enough for Marcus to hear. "Especially the training he's doing."
Marcus stopped walking and turned his head to look at Johnny. The two of them stared at each other for a moment. Then, Marcus left.
"We're really just going to let him go like that?" Ronnie said in a sad, and disappointed tone.
"He'll be ok. I'll make sure he's ok," Johnny said reassuringly.
Ronnie looked at Johnny, and so did the others.
"Johnny, what is Marcus up to? What kind of training is he doing?" Manny asked curiously.
"I can't say," Johnny replied with a sigh. "Just know if he does end up worse than he is now I'll stop him. Besides he'd be pissed if I said anything…"
"But…" Ronnie lowered her head a bit. "We didn't even tell him Me and Manny's idea of training together…"
"Huh?" Carmen looked at Ronnie.
As all of this happened everyone who was caught up in Django's sudden appearance with the giant pillar was being escorted away from the scene. The group decided to leave as well. As they were walking down the sidewalk away from the scene Manny had told Carmen, Frida, and Johnny about having a group training session.
"I like the sound of that!" said Carmen excitedly. Her eyes glowing.
"Sure I'm down for that!" Johnny nods with a big smile on his face.
"Umm…" Frida stopped walking. And so did the rest of the group.
"What's wrong Fri?" asked Ronnie, staring at her.
"YES! training with your best buds is perfect!" said Frida placing both her arms around Carmen and Ronnie.
"Heck yeah! Oh I'll let Marcus know!" said Manny, looking at Ronnie.
"Uh I'll do that!" said Johnny quickly. "Don't worry I'll let him know. Besides, I think I'm the only one to handle his stubbornness."
"Sure thing!" Manny nods. "By the way when should we do our sessions?"
"Saturday duh!" said Frida.
"Yeah, that sounds like the best time for us! I'm starting up school Monday. And well it looks like my mom is going to be moving to Miracle city to make sure I don't do anything crazy," Carmen explained.
"WHAT? WHICH SCHOOL?" said Frida loudly as he bats her eyes at Carmen.
"Leon Middle School," Carmen replied.
"YESSS!" Frida wrapped her arms around Carmen hugging "WE WILL RUN THAT SCHOOL TOGETHER!"
"Hmm…maybe I should start going too…" said Ronnie as she stared up at the sky thinking as they walked.
As Ronnie, Carmen and Frida began talking about Leon Middle. Manny hung back a bit and walked with Johnny.
"So uh…" Manny tried to find his words.
"Sorry man I can't tell you," said Johnny, shutting down Manny right away as he knew what he was going to ask.
"Oh come on he's my friend too!" said Manny eagerly.
"I know I know," said Johnny, quietly. "But he told me not to tell you guys. Not yet at least."
"It's that bad?"
"Well…from what I saw…yeah," Johnny said, lowering his eyes to the pavement they walked on. "So just let him have his space for now. He'll come around soon enough."
"Well...alright, it is Marcus after all," said Manny, giving up.
"Yeah…I guess," Johnny said in a bit of spite.
Manny looked at Johnny for a moment as they walked. "Do you, really hate Marcus? I mean you guys have your moments but…"
"Yes, and No," Johnny replied as he placed his hands in his pocket. "That's all I'm going to say about that."
"Uhh…well alright," said Manny, giving up instantly and dropping that subject.
Once the gang hung out for a bit. Everyone decided to end off the day and head home. Along the way home, Manny thought about that power that he used against Django. That green fire. Manny didn't think about it much before when he would use it. But now, as he looked down at his belt buckle. It was something he MUST understand. Manny moved his hand away from his belt buckle and places it on the certain of his chest. Manny closed his eyes and pictured the seal in his head.
Manny didn't think he could break it.
He knows he can.
And this was something that Manny swore to do.
He will get his true powers back in control.
And break free his true powers.
Manny snapped his eyes back open. "THIS IS SWEAR!" Manny roared.
His voice echoing through the area.
To be continued
A/N We're close. Close to the end of season 2. Ever so close.