Hi folks! This is my first El Tigre fic. I just got into the show a little over a week ago, and I really enjoy the series. Critique is appreciated. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own El Tigre, Nick does. I just wrote this fic.
Unmasked
By Netbug009
The only sound was the engine of a robot.
A young boy, only 13, looked up at that the red and yellow mech, which held a mask of the same colors in his claw. The mask had been on the boy moments ago. Both wished it still was.
"...Rodolpho?"
Upon hearing his name, all hope that his opponent hadn't recognized him faded. Of course, a part of him had always known this hope was false. Even at night, the rooftops of Miracle City weren't that dark.
He wondered why he wasn't cringing. Why hadn't he reacted? He should have been ashamed at being reminded of who he was going against. He should have broken down crying. He should have apologized for how stupid he was being.
And yet, he didn't feel sorry at all? He didn't understand. He had been taught all his life to be evil; to steal and cheat and lie. But even so, he had watched the heroes who battled that evil more than he had the person who had raised him. As he did, he started to see more and more who was causing pain and who wasn't. This wasn't an easy truth to take, but it was one he was getting addicted to.
Why had he listened to the crazy lifestyles of the heroes? They had strange beliefs unlike any he had seen before. They thought that making somebody else feel safe and happy was more important than being that way themselves. How could they possibly think like that? How could he think like that?
But indeed, that was his new life. He was the new, young hero in Miracle City, with the super powered boots and white jacket.
He collected his thoughts enough to move before the villain could. He quietly took the mask from the claw of the foe's battle suit, refusing to break eye contact with the windshield. The suit didn't move.
He wished he could tell what the man behind the windshield's expression was. Was he shocked? Angry? Depressed? Unfortunately, he was too worried about having to fight the man to stay and find out.
He'd have to go home and face him at some point, but for now White Pantera wanted to get as far from Puma Loco as possible for a few hours. He put the mask back on and jumped from rooftop to rooftop. It started to rain, and he lost sight of his father in the storm.