Raptors and ghosts

**Raptors and ghosts** is Episode 4 of the ***Príncipe Eterno*** Chronicle.

This story takes place in May 1926, in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

## Part 1

In the year 1926, in the bustling city of Buenos Aires, an evil gang sowed terror by mass kidnapping children. This gang of kidnappers was led by a ruthless criminal known as the Raptor Fantasma, whose objective was to extort hundreds of families in the city. The kidnappers operated stealthily, leaving a trail of sadness and anguish in their wake.

Manuel Palacios, better known as the Príncipe Blanco, a brave superhero who had taken it upon himself to catch the most elusive criminals, stumbled upon information about the activities of this gang by chance and decided to intervene.

Days earlier, a band of Neapolitan-origin mafia members was hired by members of the wealthy Rosada family to put an end to the child kidnappers plaguing the city and to rescue young Julio Rosada. In exchange for their help, these mafia members expected to receive a generous reward from the Rosadas.

Meanwhile, the Príncipe Blanco arrived at a room where he found captive children. Swiftly, he apprehended the kidnappers and freed the children, taking them to a safe place beyond the reach of their captors. The children, filled with gratitude and admiration, gazed in awe at the mighty hero who had saved them.

With his imposing presence and superhuman powers, the Príncipe Blanco set out to put an end to this dreadful situation. As he interrogated the captured henchmen, he managed to obtain vital information about the location of each place where the children were held captive.

With each new interrogation, the Príncipe Blanco drew closer to completely dismantling the gang. Following the clues, he confronted the henchmen and liberated the children from their cruel captivity. Though he was concerned about the magnitude of the kidnappings, his determination remained unshakable.

## Part 2

The nightmare was not yet over. Príncipe Blanco discovered a new kidnapping location, where a chalkboard revealed the criminals' complex plan. It seemed that Ghost Raptor had an obsession with the Pink family, making a particular child, Julio Rosada, their main target.

As he ventured into the basement of the hideout, his senses picked up the sound of a child, who turned out to be Julio. In that final place, Príncipe Blanco found Raptor Fantasma cornered with Julio Rosada. Raptor Fantasma held Julio by the neck, claiming to be a ruthless and unscrupulous man, threatening to take his life if Príncipe Blanco didn't back away. He warned that approaching would be regrettable since Julio's death would be his fault.

However, Príncipe Blanco didn't succumb to the threat. With cunning, he managed to distract Raptor Fantasma enough to approach him from behind, disarming him and freeing Julio from his dangerous predicament. Raptor Fantasma was defeated and left with no minions at his disposal.

Príncipe Blanco handed Raptor Fantasma over to the authorities, ensuring that justice would prevail. The Rosada family, eternally grateful, expressed their gratitude to the brave superhero for saving their beloved son. The city of Buenos Aires was once again safe thanks to the courage and skills of its new protector.

Simultaneously, the gang of mobsters was deprived of the reward they had anticipated. While the people celebrated and Príncipe Blanco received recognition, the mobsters swore to get rid of him. They were furious at being deceived and betrayed by members of the Rosada family.

## Part 3

The mafia, experts in tactics of violence and deceit, began to conspire in the shadows to seek revenge against Príncipe Blanco and members of the Rosada family. They knew that confronting him directly would be suicide, so they decided to employ their cunning and their network of criminal contacts to devise a sinister plan.

While the hero was being acclaimed on the streets of Buenos Aires, the mafia investigated his weaknesses and studied his movements to find the perfect way to eliminate him. The Rosada family, having many contacts, learned of the plans of the Neapolitan mafia.

Guillermo Rosada, Julio's uncle, informed the superhero about part of the mafia's situation so that Príncipe Blanco could help defeat them. Knowing that he was in danger, he began taking additional precautions and closely monitoring those who approached him.

When the mafia finally believed they had found their perfect opportunity to attack, Príncipe Blanco was already one step ahead. Using his intuition and prior knowledge, he managed to thwart their plans before they could even get close.

The frustrated and defeated gang of mafia was forced to abandon their revenge and the city. They recognized that Príncipe Blanco was more than he seemed and that facing him was an impossible task. Their attempt to eliminate the hero had come at a high cost.

His loyalty to the innocent and his unwavering determination made him a true hero. From that day on, the children of the city slept peacefully, knowing that Príncipe Blanco was always ready to fight for their safety and happiness. The imprint of security and justice that this hero implanted in society will mark that entire generation of children.

## Part 4

Although Príncipe Blanco had managed to free the children and defeat both the kidnappers' gang and the Neapolitan mafia, he still had unanswered questions. He suspected that the Rosada family had not told him the whole truth about the situation. With determination, he decided to interrogate the captured leader, The Raptor Fantasma, in search of answers.

Príncipe Blanco approached the detainee cautiously. The Raptor Fantasma, a sinister and cunning man, smiled defiantly while bound in his cell. Manuel Palacios fixed his eyes on him and asked in a firm voice, "What aren't they telling me? What's behind all of this?"

The Raptor Fantasma, aware that his fate was sealed, decided to speak. He revealed that the mass kidnappings were a screen to keep the police busy. He also mentioned that the kidnappings served as a source of funding for the organization, and that the gang's true objective was to dismantle the Rosada family and, in particular, the child Julio, who was destined to rule the country for the next 70 years. Príncipe Blanco was perplexed by The Raptor Fantasma's claims and asked him incredulously how he knew all of that.

The kidnapper let out a malicious laugh and replied, "The Rosadas... control the entire socio-political and economic destiny of this country. The police, the military, the judges, the politicians, the media... they're all in their hands. They choose the next Argentine president as if they were choosing which tie to wear. Tell me something... What is the name of the government house? And another thing... Who is the President of the Nation? He doesn't do anything without asking them."

Príncipe Blanco, although surprised by the revelations, did not take The Raptor Fantasma's words seriously. He thought it was just a desperate attempt by the criminal to save his own life. However, something in The Raptor Fantasma's words planted a seed of doubt in his mind.

Despite The Raptor Fantasma's warnings, Príncipe Blanco decided to leave. He did not believe in political conspiracies and focused on protecting the innocent. He considered it his duty to ensure the city's security and let the authorities handle political affairs.

However, as he walked away from the prison, a voice whispered within him, reminding him of The Raptor Fantasma's words. Although his heart longed to believe in justice and the integrity of institutions, the information provided by the kidnapper cast a shadow of doubt. Príncipe Blanco knew he could not ignore these revelations. The fight against injustice and evil perhaps required a deep understanding of the true enemies he faced.

## Part 5

Manuel Palacios went to see his brother Alfonso at the University of Buenos Aires where he worked to incredulously tell him about the conspiracy, but the response was different from what he expected.

Manuel listened attentively to the words of his brother Alfonso, who, unlike him, did not doubt the information revealed by the kidnapper Phantom. Alfonso urged him to open his eyes and recognize the existence of malicious and powerful people who could be beyond his reach.

As Manuel processed his brother's words, he also received the results of the DNA test. The results were staggering: his metabolism was virtually non-existent, which meant that his aging was extremely slow. Additionally, he discovered that his body did not accumulate lactic acid in his muscles, allowing him to remain physically active for long periods of time without getting tired.

Alfonso, restless about his brother's doubtful expression, urged him to stick to combating street crime and protecting the citizens. Alfonso expressed his concern about the possible consequences of confronting such a powerful family, warning him about the dangers that could affect their loved ones.

Manuel understood his brother's concern. While he had superhuman abilities, he was also aware that facing such a powerful organization would not be an easy task, and the consequences could be devastating. If true, the Rosada family would have unlimited influence and resources, which they could use to attack anyone who stood in their way.

Manuel felt an internal conflict between his desire to seek the truth and fight corruption, and the need to protect his family and those he cared about. He began to question whether he was willing to sacrifice the safety of his loved ones in the name of justice.

Amidst his confusion, Manuel knew he had to make a difficult decision. Fighting crime and protecting the innocent were important, but directly confronting the Rosada family was a completely different and dangerous challenge.

As he reflected on his brother's words, Manuel realized that he still had a role to play. He could use his abilities to combat crime and protect the citizens, without necessarily openly confronting the Rosada family.

Manuel, as Príncipe Blanco, committed himself to finding a balance between his desire for justice and the protection of those he loved. He knew he couldn't change the system alone, but he was determined to do everything in his power to make a difference in the lives of those around him.

## Part 6

Manuel left the university lost in his thoughts, worried about the risks he could expose his family to if he confronted the powerful Rosada family directly. As he walked absentmindedly in the rain, unaware that he was getting wet, a stranger approached him and covered him with an umbrella.

"Excuse me, are you Manuel Palacios?" the stranger asked. Manuel, surprised, nodded in confusion. The man, with a playful smile, urged him to accompany him to the car where his boss was waiting. "If you don't come with me, you'll get even wetter," he joked.

Intrigued and curious about this unexpected situation, Manuel decided to follow the stranger and get into the car. Once inside, he met a man of distinguished appearance, Rafael Morales Vásquez, who introduced himself as an entrepreneur and trader, following family tradition.

Rafael expressed his lifelong gratitude to Manuel for helping to recover his son, Bernardo, who had been kidnapped along with other children. He told Manuel that he wanted to help him in whatever he needed to become a better superhero, offering him weapons, defense equipment, transportation, a house, lawyers, doctors, and more.

Manuel was surprised by Rafael's offer. He doubted whether he should accept so much help and whether he really needed all those things to fulfill his purpose. Moreover, his concerns about his family's safety continued to linger in his mind.

With some caution, Manuel asked, "Mr. Morales Vásquez, how did you know that I am Príncipe Blanco?" Rafael smiled and mentioned the blood tests that revealed the astonishing numbers that could only belong to the Príncipe Blanco, leading him straight to him.

To alleviate Manuel's concerns, Rafael assured him that he would protect his identity and keep all his medical studies a secret from that moment on. Manuel considered Rafael's words and began to see him as a potential ally in his fight against crime.

Although Manuel was not convinced to accept all of Rafael's offers, he decided to accept his support and guidance to the extent that he felt comfortable. He thanked Rafael for his generosity but made it clear that he would not use weapons in his fight against crime.

With an unspoken agreement established, Manuel and Rafael began to chart a path together. Manuel felt relieved knowing that he had someone to trust and who could help him face the challenges that lay ahead.

## Part 7

Manuel returned home excited about Rafael Morales Vásquez's proposal and determined to tell his brother Alfonso about this new opportunity. They sat together in the living room, and Manuel began recounting every detail of the conversation he had with Rafael.

However, Alfonso seemed skeptical and worried. "I can't help but feel that there's something more behind this generosity, Manuel," Alfonso expressed with a tone of concern. "The powerful often have their own interests and don't always act selflessly."

Manuel, with a smile on his face, replied, "Brother, I understand your concerns, but I can see genuine gratitude in Rafael's eyes. He has assured me that he wants to help me become a better superhero, to fight crime and protect the innocent."

The discussion escalated, with both brothers firmly defending their points of view. Manuel argued that it was important to trust people and seize the opportunity that was presented to him, while Alfonso maintained that caution was necessary and not to let himself be used for hidden interests.

The tension between the brothers grew, and the words became more heated. Manuel, frustrated, accused Alfonso of having an ideological bias that prevented him from seeing people for who they truly were. Alfonso, hurt by the comment, retorted that Manuel was being carried away by emotion and that he didn't want him to be used as a puppet.

The fight continued until both brothers realized that they were hurting each other. After a long silence, Manuel concluded that he was going to move into his own house and that he wouldn't bother them anymore, then he left the house. Alfonso, looking at the door through which his brother left, shouted insults at Manuel with concern.

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