Theo Cortez

## Early Life

Theo Cortez formative years were spent in a small town two hours outside Chicago. Growing up, Theo and his father faced many challenges, including financial struggles and ridicule from wealthier families, however at an age when most kids were still discovering their interests and hobbies, young Theo had already found his calling.

It was in his father's small auto repair shop, located on the outskirts of their little town, where he first fell in love with the inner workings of cars and the challenge of making them run like new again. With his father's guidance and his own natural curiosity, Theo began tinkering with his own car, a beat-up old sedan that he had saved up for with his allowance and odd jobs around town. At first, he would just watch his father and the other mechanics work on cars, trying to absorb as much knowledge as he could. But before long, he was getting his hands dirty, helping out with small tasks like changing oil or replacing spark plugs.

It was around this time that Theo met Saveth, another car enthusiast and a true friend in every sense of the word. The two boys bonded over their shared love of all things automotive and spent countless hours tinkering away at their cars in the shop. They would often bounce ideas off each other, trying out new modifications and customizations, always striving for the perfect combination of speed, power, and style.

Together, they would scour junkyards and online marketplaces for parts and accessories, often working late into the night to get everything just right. Theo learned the value of hard work and persistence, always pushing himself to do better and achieve more.

## Losing Saveth

The loss of his best friend Saveth left Theo shattered, consumed by an intense sense of anger and heartache. In his quest for justice, Theo scoured the town, searching for the reckless driver responsible for the fatal racing accident. The weight of his emotions was overwhelming, and his desire for revenge led him to take reckless action. He found the driver a year later and crashed into him in a moment of heated emotion, causing him to be ejected from his car.

The consequences of his actions weighed heavily on Theo. In a tense exchange with his father, he was reminded to take responsibility for his actions and grow up. But Theo's pain and anger left him feeling lost and alone. He attempted to leave town in his car, but his father had taken out the battery, a symbolic gesture that Theo would later come to appreciate. Frustrated and uncertain about what to do next, Theo boarded a bus, leaving his half-siblings and the only home he had ever known behind.

## Vagos

Theo's departure from his hometown led him to the bustling city of Tijuana, where he found a new sense of belonging in the dangerous world of gang culture. It was there that he met his loyal friend Benji and joined the Vagos, a notorious gang known for their ruthless tactics and disregard for the law.

Through sheer determination and a willingness to do whatever it took to climb the ranks, Theo quickly rose through the Vagos' ranks, eventually earning the title of enforcer. This position demanded that he keep the gang in check, no matter the cost. Theo's heart grew cold and distant as he was forced to make difficult decisions, often involving taking lives or committing other heinous acts. Though he struggled with the moral implications of his actions, Theo knew that to survive in this world, he had to be just as ruthless as those he faced.

Theo's journey through the world of gangs was not without its trials and tribulations. After years of running with the Vagos, Theo found himself in a situation where he needed to protect his friends at any cost. When they found themselves in trouble with the law, he knew what he had to do. With a heavy heart, he took the fall for his friends and accepted a two-year prison sentence.

For Theo, this experience was a turning point in his life. It forced him to confront the consequences of his actions and the reality of the world he had chosen to inhabit. In prison, he had time to reflect on his choices and the people he had hurt along the way. He also found new friends and allies among the other prisoners, who helped him navigate the harsh realities of life behind bars. This experience would shape Theo's journey in ways he could never have anticipated, ultimately leading him down a path of redemption and renewal.

## Los Santos

After serving his time in prison, Theo was a changed man. The experience had left him with a newfound appreciation for the value of life and a desire to make amends for his past mistakes. With nowhere else to go, he decided to travel to Los Santos, a city that he had heard was full of opportunities for those willing to work hard.

Upon his arrival, he was greeted by two old friends, Martin and Benji. The trio had run together in their younger years, but had lost touch as life took them in different directions. Seeing his old friends again after so many years was a bittersweet experience for Theo. On one hand, he was grateful for their friendship and the opportunity to reconnect. On the other hand, he couldn't help but feel a sense of regret for the time that had been lost.

Despite these conflicting emotions, Theo threw himself into his new life in Los Santos, determined to make the most of his second chance. With the help of Martin and Benji, he found work as a mechanic, putting his skills to good use in a new and unfamiliar environment.

## Aztecas

As Theo settled into his new life in Los Santos, he struggled to come to terms with the city's many differences from his hometown. But it wasn't long before his old friend Benji approached him with an idea that would change everything. Together, they decided to start a new chapter of the Vagos in Los Santos, with Benji as El Jefe and Theo as Vice El Jefe.

The Vagos quickly gained a foothold in the city, making strong connections with other gangs and large organizations. But their success also caught the attention of the rival gang Aztecas. While Benji was away on vacation, the Aztecas disbanded, and Theo saw an opportunity to bring them into the fold. Among the new members was a woman named Serena, who quickly caught Theo's eye. As they spent long hours talking and getting to know each other, Theo realized that he had found something he had been missing for a long time.

But with their growing success came new challenges. The Vagos faced attacks from those who had been messing with the Aztecas before, and they dealt with each person accordingly. As Theo's confidence grew, he began to assert himself more and more, feeling like the true leader of the Vagos. This eventually led to a confrontation with Benji, as Theo pressed him about his role in the gang and their future direction.

## Meeting Serena

Theo and Serena's relationship continued to grow stronger with each passing day. They spent their nights talking about their hopes, dreams, and fears, and it wasn't long before they realized that they had fallen deeply in love with each other. One night, they decided to attend the opening of Bahama Mama's, a popular nightclub in the city. As they danced to the beat of the music, Theo felt his heart overflowing with love and passion for Serena. And it was then, surrounded by the excitement and energy of the crowd, that they shared their first kiss, sealing their love for each other.

From that moment on, Theo was completely and utterly devoted to Serena. He knew that she was the one he had been searching for his whole life, and he was determined to make her his wife. One day, he got down on one knee and asked her to marry him. As she looked into his eyes, she knew without a doubt that he was the one she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. And so, they embarked on a new chapter of their lives together, filled with love, passion, and a deep sense of commitment to each other.

## Back to Tijuana

Despite his newfound happiness with Serena, Theo was still struggling to find his place within the Vagos. Feeling like the shadow leader, he decided to have a heart-to-heart conversation with Benji. In this conversation, Theo shared his plans of going back to Tijuana to learn how to be a better Vice El Jefe, allowing Benji to gain more control over the gang. This decision was not an easy one, but it was a necessary step in his personal and professional growth.

While in Tijuana, Theo and Serena took the opportunity to visit his family and learn more about his roots. However, during their visit, Theo uncovered a shocking truth about the death of the former El Jefe and Vice El Jefe. It was someone that he considered a little brother, Carlito, who had committed the crime. Driven by his unrelenting desire for justice, Theo did some digging of his own and found out that the information was indeed true. He then took matters into his own hands, loaded a gun with a bullet casing engraved with Carlito's name, and hunted him down. With all the Vagos around, Theo told them about Carlito's betrayal and ended his life with a bullet. He then cut an X into the Vagos flag, put it and the bullet casing along with a picture of him, Carlito, and Benji in a case. This act showed that Theo was not afraid to take charge and make the tough decisions, even if it meant going against those he considered family.

## Finding Peace

After returning to Los Santos, Theo knew he couldn't keep the truth from Benji any longer. He decided to tell him everything that had happened, including Carlito's betrayal and his decision to end his life. As he handed over the case containing the flag and bullet casing, Benji was filled with rage and dropped his own flag. In a moment of desperation, Theo asked Benji's girlfriend to text him and request a meeting at a nearby bench. Theo arrived unarmed, and Benji showed up, pointing Theo's gun at the back of his head. However, unable to pull the trigger, Benji broke down and threw the gun into the ocean. Overcome with emotion, Theo tied Benji's flag around his neck and left him there, driving off to the city to reunite with Serena.

After a few days, Theo and Serena tied the knot in a beautiful ceremony filled with love and happiness. While their journey together had been filled with its fair share of hardships and tragedies, they knew that they could overcome anything as long as they were together. Theo's experiences with the Vagos had taught him that loyalty and family were not just words, but values to be cherished and protected. With Serena by his side, he was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, confident that they could overcome them together.