"Indigo, I know you promised to help me unlock my chi—
But why the hell are we exploring the Pyramid of the Sun in Tecnotihuan at four in the freaking morning!?" said Jolie, clearly irritated and annoyed, holding her phone as a flashlight and stomping the floor with her heel.
"Shhh, lower your voice, woman. You almost got us caught. Look, the reason we're here at this hour is because I did some research yesterday about that Aztec necklace your grandfather gave you back when we went to face Trumpete," I said, trying to explain and calm her down, also using my phone as a flashlight.
"Yes, I should work on controlling my intense reactions and calming myself down...
But fine—what exactly did you find that's more important than my job or you going to college in a few hours?" she said, now more composed but still demanding answers about her chi.
"Well, according to an article I found online, necklaces like yours were designed as an alternative by Aztec natives. They were supposed to be empowered by the gods to resist the Spanish during the conquest of America—back when chi was a very primitive power only known to Asians and native tribes.
But they were never put to use because the Spanish arrived before they could be tested, so they were thought to be myths," I explained, trying to help her understand, while she looked at me with a mix of disbelief and frustration.
"No wonder my grandpa said it was so important... But that still doesn't explain why we had to come now," she said, looking slightly anxious.
"Oh, right—I forgot to mention that the article said they needed the energy from this pyramid to be activated. That's why we came at this hour.
The reason it started glowing was because it wanted you to come here—and look, it's glowing again and pointing toward that door," I said, pointing with my finger.
"Fine. I'll put up with this, even if it costs me an hour of sleep just so I can be overworked at my job as a minor," Jolie said, exhausted, with visible dark circles under her eyes.
"Hey! Don't say that! You did the same thing to me when we trained with your grandpa to fight Trumpete," I replied, waving my arms quickly.
"Well, that was different... but whatever. Let's do this quick before we waste too much time," Jolie muttered while walking and yawning, her eyes half shut.
"I don't get this woman. Sometimes she acts like herself, and other times she's all bitter and grumpy," I whispered.
"WHAT did you just say, Indigo!? Want me to punch you in the face when we get out of here for being such a dumbass!?" said Jolie, furious.
"No... no, not at all, Jolie! I'm coming!" I answered, terrified.
After walking for 20 minutes, we finally reached the center of the pyramid.
"Well, this looks like the center of the Pyramid of the Sun... Wow, this place is amazing," I said, impressed.
"It is, Indigo. I used to visit it in the summer with my aunt...
But let's save the family memories for later. According to that inscription on the wall, to activate it we need to perform some kind of dance for the Aztec god Quetzalcoatl," Jolie said, a single tear falling as she pointed at the wall.
"Right... I think we have to do it now, fast—because I hear footsteps... and they're speaking in Nicaraguan dialect," I said nervously.
"Looks like Ortega sent them to stop us. But the sun is almost aligned with that rock—
So let's get dancing now, Indigo," Jolie said, seriously, pointing at the rock.
"Alright, let's do it," I said, giving her my hand. We nervously performed the sun dance, and after several steps, the sunlight finally hit Jolie's necklace, charging it with solar energy.
"It looks like my necklace is glowing now... what am I supposed to do with this?" Jolie asked, confused.
"Then think of something quick, woman! They're already here!" I shouted.
"Indigo Pereira and Jolie Ávila! You are to be arrested for interfering with the private matters of our leader, Daniel Ortega!" the soldiers yelled, aiming their weapons at us.
"I'll try to hold them off with my drills—you figure something out!" I shouted, charging at them.
"I'll do my best!" Jolie replied, worried, touching her glowing necklace with her fingernails painted in a deep purple polish.
I fought the soldiers, drilling their weapons and punching a few in the face, injuring them—but there were too many.
"I can't hold them off much longer, Jolie! Have you figured out how to activate your Aztec necklace!?" I asked while still fighting.
"Not yet, Indigo! I'm trying everything but nothing works—
Was there anything else in that article you read about it?" Jolie yelled, kicking away a soldier who got too close.
"Wait! I remember now! The article said that after the dance, you had to shout... 'By the power of Quetzalcoatl!'" I exclaimed, remembering an image from the article flashing in my mind.
"So that's what I had to say!
Alright—By the power of Quetzalcoatl!!" Jolie shouted with full determination.
Her necklace and eyes began to glow, lifting her up. Her hands released a powerful gust of wind that blasted all the Nicaraguan soldiers out of the pyramid, while the drums of the temple started to echo an ancient Aztec rhythm.
"Whoa... I didn't know you could do that, Jolie," I said, amazed.
"Neither did I. I guess my grandpa really wasn't wrong to give me this necklace.
But now this wall says something about transformation... You're the smart one—any idea what that means?" she asked.
"I don't know. The article didn't mention that...
Maybe it activates something else—but for now, we've got to get you to work before you're late," I said, confused but flustered.
"You're right. We can worry about that later—after my shift and your university classes," she replied.
We went back home, took a quick shower, and I dropped her off at work before heading to class.
Meanwhile in Nicaragua...
"Wait, wait—what the hell was that!?" Rosario Murillo yelled, completely caught off guard after watching Jolie's attack through the robotic toucan camera.
"Yeah, I was surprised too, Rosario. Looks like that damn brat unlocked the power of wind and blasted over 400 of my soldiers out of the Pyramid of the Sun," said Daniel Ortega, showing a rare hint of sympathy while banging his chair.
"I told you it was a dumb idea to send 400 of our men just to have them wiped out by those two brats and their little tricks!!
Anyway—how's the training going for those girls we're sending to kill that bitch Ávila?" she said angrily, scowling at her husband.
"Relax, my dear. Those soldiers were just a distraction to throw them off.
And the girls' training is going well. Soon they'll be ready to take that grandma-haired girl's breath away," Ortega said, trying to calm his wife as he watched the training from outside.
"This plan better work—I'm sick of her already.
If it fails, I'll handle those two myself, no matter what it takes," Rosario warned, glaring at her husband.
"It will work this time. I promise," Ortega said with a wicked grin as knives gleamed in his eyes.
After leaving university like every day, I went to pick up Jolie from her job at the airport. After that, and returning home, we decided to go for a walk so I could show Jolie what Llanos de Santa Lucía is like. While we walked, we had the following conversation:
"So this is Llanos de Santa Lucía, more in depth."
"It's not a big deal compared to Cartago and San José, but it's nice and peaceful," Jolie said as she walked, looking at it with a bit of displeasure but accepting it anyway.
"I'm glad you like it. Usually, when I walk around, I tend to look at some girls leaving their schools in a weird way," I said, walking while telling her this awkwardly.
"Wait, what do you mean 'in a weird way'?"
"More like every time you look at them like that, you're acting like a damn stalker, Índigo!" Jolie said, a bit annoyed by my comment.
"Yeah, I should stop doing that, but don't talk to me so loud!" I said, a bit scared, lowering my head.
"Hey, I'm not talking that way. I was just telling you so you understand that's not how you should treat a woman," Jolie said, putting my hand behind my back.
"I get it. Sometimes I don't like being spoken to so loudly because of my autism."
"But I also have to learn to treat women well since I would never dare to stalk you, Jolie," I said, calming down and thinking while putting my hand on my forehead.
"Well, that's kind of you. If you're capable of changing, you can do it," Jolie said.
"Also, you should remember to take meditation breaks after what happened about two days ago," she said happily and proudly, reminding me.
"Yes, I'll remember. Nothing will happen," I said, distracted looking at my phone.
"Hey, what are you looking at on your phone, ignoring our conversation?" Jolie said, looking at me bitterly while pointing at my phone.
"Oh, it's nothing, just making blueprints for new weapon prototypes for future fights."
"Also, I'm chatting with my new friend, Genesis Reyes, and it seems she accepted to go for a walk with me on Saturday afternoon," I said, looking at my phone happily.
"Alright, I suppose that's typical of you—having the chi of Technopathy while making new inventions."
"But that second thing you said is probably a desperate attempt to try to get a girlfriend," Jolie said, a bit upset and uncomfortable.
"Hey, how do you know that?" I said, a bit confused.
"Your brother told me, and I don't want you to get mentally fucked up again, Índigo," Jolie said worried.
"This time it won't happen, Jolie. Stop worrying so much about me. Let's go back," I said, ignoring her and questioning selfishly.
"Fine... fine, do whatever you want, but if that crazy bitch does something bad to you, don't count on my help this time," Jolie said, a bit angry, trying to reason with me.
After that, we went back home, glaring at each other, so that night we didn't say good night.
The next afternoon came, and Jolie and I said goodbye still upset with each other, saying:
"Well, I guess I have to go to my shift," I said feeling a little guilty inside.
"Alright, good luck, Índigo," Jolie said, feeling a bit shy and sad while lowering her hand.
"Okay, bye, I guess," I said, walking away with my black backpack.
Jolie, without thinking, said:
"Índigo, you look very handsome with that hairstyle and that black shirt with the gray Batman emblem," Jolie said looking at me sadly.
"Ah, thanks..." I said, then left on my anti-gravity motorcycle toward downtown Cartago.
When I arrived, Genesis greeted me with a big smile saying:
"Well, look who's here: The Autistic Technopath, better known as Índigo," Genesis said with an awkward smile while saying that.
"Yes, that's me, Genesis, but stop calling me that," I said, putting my hand behind my back a bit frustrated when she called me that.
"I can't help it since you gave that orange guy Trumpete a beating."
"Fuck, you were really strong and pretty handsome when you did that," she said, flirting and winking at me.
"Ah, don't remind me. But stop flirting with me like that, you make me nervous," I said, blushing and closing my eyes.
"Okay, I'll stop with the flirting."
"So, what do you want to do?"
She stopped flirting and asked me, and I said:
"Maybe we could go get some ice cream."
"I'd love that, but you pay," she said, accepting while holding my shoulder.
Confused and very nervous, I said:
"Alright, then let's go."
After that, we went for some ice cream. She told me she was an expert swimmer and had talent for singing harmoniously. We went from downtown Cartago to the Basilica of the Angels. Sitting there, we had the following conversation:
"Wow, I really enjoyed this time with you, Genesis, even if you're sometimes a bit stubborn," I said smiling at her.
"Same here, Índigo. Even though I'm a fair-skinned girl with a lot of money, I'm capable of enjoying the moment and going out sometimes," she said while waving her hand.
"That's great. I see you're really pretty and kind," I said, looking at her in a flirtatious way.
"Oh, Índigo, always with your compliments, but I have a little surprise for you, so close your eyes," she said, a little blushing as I closed my eyes with a mischievous smile.
"Alright, okay, but don't scare me."
Suddenly, a transformation sound effect started, and she began making a bull noise for some reason.
After a while, I opened my eyes, shocked by something disturbing, saying:
"Fucking hell!"
I was scared, looking at my friend's face, and she said:
"Surprised? It turns out I'm the daughter of La Segua and a minotaur named Achilles."
"But I'm not going to explain anything else, so start your anti-gravity motorcycle quickly because I'm going to suck those skinny bones of yours," she said, smiling maliciously.
"This is going to be a big problem," I said, looking at her surprised as I started my anti-gravity motorcycle.
Meanwhile, almost at the same time in Llanos Santa Lucía:
"What's wrong, Jolie? You look kind of down," my grandfather said as he noticed my friend's state.
"It's Índigo. I don't understand why he acted selfishly with me when I wanted to protect him from that girl," Jolie said with a somewhat sad and annoyed tone while hitting my bed.
"Most likely he did it because he wanted to do things on his own, but most probably it was just a distraction," my grandfather said, trying to comfort her.
"Yeah, that's probably it, and because of his stupidity, I got mad at him and felt bad," Jolie said while shedding some tears.
"I'm sure it wasn't his intention since Índigo cares about you a lot, even if he doesn't want to show it because of the friendships he had in the past with women."
"And it's thanks to you that he started becoming a better person than he was three weeks ago."
"He needs you, and you need him, so you shouldn't be fighting like this," my grandfather said, being more understanding and empathetic to her.
Now calmer, she said:
"I get it, so Índigo really cares about me even if he doesn't show it."
"I was really stupid for telling him not to count on my help," Jolie said, more calm and motivated.
"That's the spirit. I'm glad to motivate you, even though I'm just an old, lazy, bitter man devoted to my religion."
"So, what are you going to do now?" my grandfather asked, lying on his bed and using his phone.
"I have to go save him from that crazy Genesis. She's probably doing something terrible to him."
"Thank you very much, sir," Jolie said, getting up feeling quite cheerful.
"It's a pleasure to help you, and if you see Índigo, tell him to please come back soon," my grandfather said.
Jolie left the room and went straight to my desk, thinking of something to save me, saying:
"Alright, I have to think of a way to save Índigo from that crazy bitch."
"Wait, why is my collar glowing again?" Jolie said noticing that, and the collar with sunlight started writing on the wall.
Looking up, she said:
"It seems to say something. If you want to activate your Aztec collar to unlock your chi, you must say, 'By the power of Quetzalcóatl, transformation!'" Jolie read the inscription on the wall, then said confused:
"I guess it's to unlock some new power or something like that."
"But I guess I don't have any choice if I want to save Índigo and avoid him going to hell. I'll say it: 'By the power of Quetzalcóatl, transformation!'"
After saying that, out of nowhere Jolie appeared in a strange place with Aztec and Maya decorations while starting to transform, acquiring an Aztec outfit.
After the transformation, she said, quite amazed:
"I don't know what just happened, but it seems I unlocked my chi during the transformation."
Getting used to her new appearance, she said:
"Oh, how cool! And what a great outfit—I look like an Aztec Sailor Moon or something like that."
"But I don't have time to argue about my appearance now. I have to save Índigo."
"Wait, what's happening?" Jolie said as her feet started flying, then she excitedly said:
"It seems like a new power came with the transformation. Alright, I'll fly quickly to where Índigo is," Jolie said, leaving the house flying very fast to save me from Genesis, but coming back toward me.
"I thought you were enjoying the walk!" I said, questioning her scared while blocking her powerful charges by throwing rock balls from my cannons while driving my anti-gravity motorcycle.
"Enjoy it? Of course not! I was just fooling you with my charms to then get rid of you by ending your life."
"Like, do you really think a girl as young and pretty as me would be with some skinny, immature guy like you?" she said, a bit vain while preparing another charge against me.
Terrified and almost trembling, I said:
"Oh shit, this might be the end for me!"
"Wait, why does that sound like someone flying?" I said, scared and confused as I saw Jolie arrive transformed into a sort of Aztec Sailor Moon, stopping her charge with a big punch, making her bleed a little on her face.
After hitting her, she said:
"Look who I'm fighting against—a fair-skinned girl with a rapist bull face."
The girl angrily said:
"Who do you think you are to hurt me and call me a stinking Mexican rapist?"
She hit the ground powerfully, making it tremble a little, but Jolie, worried about me, decided to ignore her and said:
"Índigo, for the love of Christ King, are you okay?" she said, worried, holding me.
"Seems like it, but damn, you look beautiful and really attractive with that appearance."
"But there will be time to look at your appearance later," I said, and she, blushing, said:
"Ah, Índigo, stop flattering me in the middle of this dangerous situation."
"I don't know if I'll be able to do much with my new powers and unlocked chi."
"But try to plan a strategy to stop this crazy bitch before she causes more destruction in this stadium in Cartago," Jolie said, cheeks red, doubting her abilities.
I said:
"I'll see what I can do, but you hit her with all your strength and don't stop hitting her," I said, ready to plan something while turning on my phone in the middle of a stadium in Cartago.
"Alright, I'll do it," Jolie said, very prepared without doubts, and went to fight her.
The battle started with them throwing multiple punches at each other, leaving wounds and bleeding in the process. Génesis threw Jolie against the stadium wall, making her nose bleed. She then unleashed a cloud with powerful lightning bolts, but Jolie resisted them easily due to her great endurance in that form. Jolie followed up with a powerful charge, but then she decided to throw a giant rock at Génesis while rising into the air, leaving her badly injured and unconscious for a few minutes.
Jolie looked at me and said:
"Have you planned your strategy? If not, that'll only stop her for a few minutes," Jolie said worried.
I replied:
"To stop her, we can make a small labyrinth in this stadium like the myth of the Minotaur."
"Once inside that place, we hit her with a final blow to take away her transformation," I said, feeling a bit hopeful and confident as I looked at a plan on my phone.
"I hope this works because that bitch is probably getting up right now," Jolie said uncertainly, pointing at Génesis as she was rising.
I said:
"So we have to do it as soon as possible. Maybe with my Technopathy chi I can create some electric cyber barriers."
"And with your chi and the powers of Quetzalcóatl, with the ability to control earth, you could make part of it too," I added.
Jolie, uncertain, said:
"Alright, let's do it. But I could put a path of mustard seeds for her to follow to the labyrinth because I'm damn tired of hitting her," Jolie said, a bit exhausted but accepting the plan.
"Okay, let's start," I said.
We began making the small labyrinth to trap Génesis. Jolie started first by moving the earth and placing mustard seeds on the ground, while I used my telekinesis and some machines to finish the work.
After we finished, Génesis began following the trail until she got trapped in the small labyrinth inside the stadium. When she reached the center, she got electrocuted. Then, Jolie and I took advantage and hit her on the forehead, taking away her transformation.
After defeating her, Jolie said:
"Alright, we already beat you, crazy little bitch," Jolie said with her arms crossed, looking serious.
"Now tell me! Why did you trick me to the point of trying to kill me?" I asked.
She, ashamed and guilty, said:
"Okay... okay, whatever, I'll tell you my reasons."
"Well, to start, even though I'm rich, my parents are a bit overprotective."
"When I was born, my chi was wild and dangerous, so they felt the need to overprotect me. Also, my classmates in my last year of high school were scared when they saw what I could become. That's why I sometimes acted like the typical rich popular blonde girl stereotype."
"I did it as a way to defend myself from those who bothered me, but sometimes I'm really like that, and I should stop if I want to be kind and good, but inside I'm someone who wants freedom and adventures."
"So I felt lonely. But when I visited Cartago with Índigo, I found the freedom my parents never gave me. But I never intended to kill you, you skinny black guy," she said, explaining her big story with tears in her eyes.
Feeling some empathy, I said:
"No wonder. But it's okay, I forgive you for this."
"Sometimes parents are strict with their kids because they want what's best for them."
"So you shouldn't be someone else just to please others," I said, trying to understand her.
Jolie, taking my side, said:
"Yeah, Índigo's right. If someone is bothering you, you should ask an adult for help or just ignore those bastards," Jolie said, understanding, while making a fist.
Then, calmer, she said:
"I'll try, thank you very much for understanding me. You really are very kind," she said, feeling better and giving us a small smile despite the pain after the fight.
I said:
"Don't thank me. Sometimes we just try to be kind to all kinds of people."
"So, what are you going to do now after all the destruction your charges caused?" I asked, moving my hand behind my back.
She said:
"No problem, my friends! I can call a really cool architect to fix the damage caused by my uncontrolled chi."
"Also, I'll try to change my ways a bit and control my chi. By the way, I heard you're looking for threads capable of fusing two lovers to prevent Putin from putting his filthy Russian hands on them to try to bring back the Soviet Union."
"So I'll give you my card with my number so you can contact me if you need my help in your mission," she said, then handed us a card with her number.
Jolie said:
"Alright, no problem, we'll need all the help we can get."
"Now, how are you going to leave if you're all hurt and bleeding after I beat you up with my new powers?" Jolie said, looking her up and down.
She said:
"That's easy to fix. I can call a private jet to take me back home."
"So bye-bye, I enjoyed fighting with you."
After saying goodbye and calling a private jet that arrived immediately, she left like nothing happened.
I said, surprised:
"With this, she looks like Taylor Swift going to buy bread, right, Jolie?"
Jolie, surprised, said:
"Yeah, that's exactly what I thought, Índigo. She really looks like that German-American chick."
"But enough jokes for now. I'm sorry if I said not to look for my help."
"Because you really care about me even if you don't show it because of your condition," Jolie said, a bit regretful as she started hugging me.
I said:
"Don't apologize. I was the idiot in this situation since you care a lot about me because you want my wellbeing, just like all my loved ones, including you, my mom, and the rest of my family."
"Besides, I don't know what I'd do without you by my side, Jolie," I said, calming her and apologizing while hugging her.
She smiled and said:
"Yeah, you too, Índigo. I guess we're even now."
"Now we have to go back home to recover our strength after such a tough fight," Jolie said, getting up.
I got up, with wounds on my leg, and said:
"Yes, we're pretty hurt, especially you since you have many wounds after punching Génesis."
I noticed my friend's state and added:
"You're right, let's go back," Jolie said, looking at me blushing, quite hurt but starting to accept her feelings for me.
After that, we went back home, enduring the pain we felt after such a brutal fight...