(Steve Stachowicz)
gerrek@hotmail.com
(Matthew Frey)
mafrey@charter.net
Webpage: http://www.geocities.com/tokyo/shores/2307
Swords of Destiny Chronicle V
The New Mask of Zorro
By
Eric Thorsen and Stacko
LEGAL STUFF:
** The characters and concepts used here are the property of those people and
companies holding the copyrights to the respective storylines, series, and
movies. The only exceptions are those created by the demented minds of authors
of this story. The use of this material should be seen as the sign of respect
that it is. Besides, suing either of us would be a waste of time since we don't
have any money to begin with.
* * * * *
Ami headed to the Nashimoto Shrine to find Scott. After they came back from Hawaii and
helped the others, she noticed that Scott wasn't acting his usual self after his friend Jim
Dillinger had left. So she decided to see what was bothering him now that he was back. She
first went to Scott's place and found that he wasn't there, so she called Kevin to see if he knew
where Scott was. Kevin told her that he probably was at the Nashimoto Shrine. So she headed
over there to find him.
When she was there, the head custodian told her where Scott was. Ami made her way to
the building that she was told. She entered the building and looked around, Scott wasn't there.
She was about to leave when she heard a noise from a wall. She made her way to the wall and
searched for the noise. The only thing she found was a bookcase. As she looked at the bookcase
closely, the bookcase started moving to the left.
The sudden movement of the case caused her to jump backwards in fright. She stumbled
over her feet and fell on her butt. When she looked up, she saw that behind the bookcase was a
doorway and in the doorway was Scott.
"Hello Ami." Scott said when he saw Ami.
"Scott." Ami replied and waited for Scott to help her up, but he didn't help, so Ami stood
up and straighten her clothes.
"What are you doing here, Ami?" Scott asked.
"I wanted to talk to you."
"For what?"
"You seem to be withdrawing into yourself again." Ami replied and tears started forming
in her eyes.
Scott went over to her and wrapped his arms around her and held her as she cried. After
her crying died down; Scott wiped away her tears with his thumbs. He then bent down and kissed
her forehead. After Ami got her composer back, she then wondered what Scott was doing at the
Nashimoto Shrine.
"What were you doing?" Ami asked.
"Here." Scott decided it was better to show her, so he then started to escort her through
the doorway.
"Where are we going?" Ami asked in confusion.
"A special place."
They went down several flights of stairs until they came to another door. Scott opened the
door and turned on the light. Ami looked around and was amazed at what she saw.
It was a circular room that had a couch in the center that was shaped in a C. Along the
outer walls were several pictures, clothes, weapons, and other such items. Ami was amazed at
what she saw, that she started to walk around. She was looking at everything in wonder. It was
then that she noticed that most of the items seemed to be Scott's, like most of the pictures she saw
had Scott in them.
She turned to face Scott, but didn't see him at the doorway. She looked around and found
him sitting on the couch. She went over to him and sat next to him.
"What is this place?" Ami asked.
"My life." Scott replied.
"What do you mean?"
"Everything you see here, I've done, been, or was a part of." Scott said as Ami looked
around and noticed a black, silk, shirt.
"That shirt, it's ...” Ami said and then died off. Scott looked at the shirt Ami was looking
at.
"Yes, it's the shirt that your nightshirts are modeled after." Scott replied and noticed that
Ami wanted to ask a question or didn't know how to word it. "You want to know about it?" Ami
nodded as a reply to the question. "That part of my life was around 1820's."
"What happened?"
"It was after the incident with the Nashimoto clan and Nakijima clan. After I found
Kevin again and found out what happened, I went through Spain and got on a ship for the New
World, which took me to what is now called San Diego."
"What did you do?" Ami asked and Scott then brought his arm over her shoulder and
made her lean into him.
"I was about to Los Angeles when I stopped to have dinner. It was then I heard the
approach of someone in a hurry."
# # # # #
CALIFORNIA 1823
Scott had just gotten his dinner started, when he heard the approaching sound of a horse
running. He stood up and looked towards the sound. He saw in the distance a lone person riding
a black horse. The man was all dressed in black and had a cape on. The person was still to far
away to make out much else, except the person was male.
As the person drew near, Scott could tell that there was something wrong. He finally
knew that there was something wrong when the rider fell off his horse and just lay on the ground.
Scott hurried over to the person to see if the person was all right. As he neared the person, the
horse of the rider prevented him from getting any closer. So Scott had persuaded the horse that
he was there to help. The horse reluctantly let him pass and Scott checked the person out.
At a quick glance, Scott noticed that the man wore a black mask and had a mustache. He
saw that the man was still alive and had an injured left arm. At a closer inspection, Scott saw that
the man had a bullet wound in the left arm. Checking the left arm out, Scott saw that the bullet
had completely gone through the arm. Just then, the man grabbed Scott and looked up at him.
"Help me, please help me." Then the man fell unconscious.
Scott looked at the man more closely and remembered hearing stories about a masked
man in Los Angeles. Scott looked over at the horse as the horse stood watch over Scott.
"Let me guess, this is Zorro." Scott said to the horse. The horse nodded in agreement. "I
figured."
Scott then grabs his scarf from his neck and ties it around the wound to stop the bleeding.
As Scott was checking for more wounds, he heard the sound of several horses approaching. He
looking in the direction but didn't see anyone, but he knew who they probably were.
He took a quick look around and found a couple of sticks nearby. He grabbed the rope
that was on Zorro's horse and lashed the sticks together in a form of a cross. He then tied the
cross to the saddle and then took off Zorro's cape and hat and placed them on the cross. After
securing them to the cross, he told the horse to lead the pursuers away as he would try and hide
Zorro as best as he could. The horse was reluctant to go but it still ran off away from them. Scott
then picked Zorro up and hid him in some nearby bushes at his campsite and had just started to
make his dinner as a group of Lancers approached him.
"Pardon me, Senor, but have you seen anyone come past here recently?" The leader of
the group asked Scott.
"If you mean a man dressed all in black and riding a horse ..." Scott started saying but
was cut off.
"Yes, that is the man we are after." The leader replied.
"I saw him ride in that direction a while ago." Scott said and pointed in the direction
Zorro's horse went.
"Let's go Lancer's."
They rode off and Scott waited until he knew it was safe, he took Zorro out of his hiding
spot and laid him next to the fire. After he made sure Zorro was comfortable, he then finished
making dinner.
* * * * *
Zorro regained consciousness with a splitting headache and a sore left arm. He moaned
in minor pain as he regained more consciousness. He tried to sit up but the headache he had
prevented him from doing that.
"I see you're finally awake." Came a voice near Zorro. He turned to see who talked and
saw Scott sitting on the other side of him over the fire. His movements caused him to wince in
pain. "Here."
He looked up and saw that the person was offering him a cup of food. He sat up carefully
and grabbed the cup with his good arm.
"Who are you?" Zorro asked.
"Scott Schwartzstern." Scott replied.
"Why did you help me?" Zorro asked.
"You asked me to." Scott replied.
“Do you know who I am?”
“I can only guess here, since I’m mostly going from rumors and stories I was told or
overheard, you’re Zorro.”
“Yes.”
“I know, your horse confirmed it for me. You have a very smart horse. It ran off to
throw your pursuers off while I hid you.”
“Yes, Toronado is a great friend.”
They talked for several minutes about what Scott was doing there, why he helped out,
and what Zorro was running from. Zorro found out that Scott was just crossing the world to help
forget what happened to his ‘family’ in Japan. Scott told Zorro the reason he helped was that
Scott saw something in Zorro’s eye’s that had made him want to help. Zorro told Scott that there
was a man in Los Angeles that was there to get him. They continued talking when Scott realized
that they better get going if Zorro didn’t want to be found.
“We better get going.” Scott told Zorro.
“What’s going on?” Zorro asked when Scott suddenly changed the topic of their talks.
“If those Lancers' return the way they came from, they will see you.” Scott replied.
“You have a point there.” Zorro said realizing what Scott was saying.
“Plus we need you to see a doctor for that wound.” Scott said.
“I’m afraid to say, but I agree with you.” Zorro said as he tested his arm and winced in
pain.
“If you can help me pack, I’ll take you wherever you want to go, since I had your horse
run off.”
“I would appreciate that.”
So with the help of Zorro, Scott was quickly packed and on his horse. He helped Zorro
up on the back of the horse, and Zorro told him the way to go. As they went to where Zorro want
to go, Zorro kept asking Scott why he was helping. Scott finally told him what happened to the
Japanese Clan he was from and what he did before he left. Zorro told him how sorry he was for
Scott, and then he started talking about trust. As Zorro thought about Scott’s answers to his
questions, Zorro believed that he could trust Scott.
Zorro gave directions to Scott and they ended up at a rock wall with over grown vines
growing to the ground. Scott inquired if this was the area he wanted to be dropped off. Zorro
told him if he could trust Scott not to reveal any information that he was about to see, then he
would tell Scott where to continue. Scott gave his word and Zorro told him to go through the
vines. Scott looked at him questionly and Zorro just gave him a reassuring smile and Scott
headed towards the vines.
As they passed through the vines, Scott realized that they had entered a cave. Zorro
smiled at Scott’s surprised look and showed him the way to go through the cave. When they
neared the end, Scott saw Zorro’s horse standing in a stable like area in the cave. Scott pulled
along side Toronado and helped Zorro down. When Zorro was down, Scott had noticed that
Toronado didn’t have his saddle on. Just as Scott got off his horse, he heard someone approach
from behind Scott whipped around and had a hand on his sword when Zorro stopped him.
“It’s all right, this is my man servant Bernardo, and he’s mute.” Zorro said to calm Scott
down, this confused Bernardo on why Zorro didn’t also inform that he is supposed to be also
deaf.
“I’m sorry.” Scott replied and then bowed towards Bernardo, who bowed back still
confused. Scott then faced Zorro. “So where are we?”
“My secret hideout.” Zorro replied.
“Nice place.” Scott said after looking around. Bernardo then noticed the wound on
Zorro’s arm.
“Yes Bernardo, I’m injured. If it wasn’t for Scott here, I would have been captured.”
Zorro said. Bernardo then did some movements that Scott didn’t understand. “Yes I know I need
a doctor that is why I’m sending you with Scott to get a doctor.” Bernardo does more
movements. “Yes I trust Scott. He’s given me reason to trust him.”
“And I’m glad you do, but we have to get that doctor. But are we going to bring the
doctor here or where, much less come up with a reason for your wound because I know the
Lancers have probably told all the doctor’s to report any people with your type of wound.” Scott
said.
“You are probably correct.” Zorro replied.
“So what are we going to do?” Scott asked.
“Well, you and Bernardo will go to Los Angeles and get the doctor, saying his help is
needed, and then this is what you are going to do …”
Zorro laid out a plan that had Scott meet up with Bernardo and go to Los Angeles, and
say that Scott was a friend of his from Spain that just came back from Japan, visiting him before
continuing on with his trip. Zorro then introduced himself to Scott as Don Diego De La Vega and
that his Ranchero was above the cave. Diego then told Scott what they had going on to stop the
tyranny in Los Angeles, and that they pretend that Bernardo was deaf and mute. So when Scott
then came to visit, Scott was surprised to find out that Diego didn’t know any sword skills. So
Scott then pressured Diego into learning the basics of swordsmanship. During a sparring match,
Diego missed a parry and Scott ran his sword through his arm.
“That sounds like a good cover, let’s go Bernardo, I’ll meet you on the trail.” Scott said.
Scott hopped back on his horse and headed back out of the cave. He made his way
around and found Bernardo waiting for him in a carriage. Bernardo made his way to Los Angeles
with Scott following behind him.
* * * * *
“What do you mean he got away?” A person yelled at a Lancer.
“We were following him, but he got away somehow.” The Lancer replied nervously.
“He was injured, how hard is it to follow an injured man?” The person asked angrily.
“They are incompetent, that’s what they are.” A third man gruffly said. “Have you
posted Lancer’s at all medical places?”
“Yes.” The first man said. “When someone comes with a gun wound, we will have
Zorro.”
“Don’t worry, Acaldete, your fox will be caught.” The third man said smiling evilly.
* * * * *
Scott was following Bernardo as they went through the main arches leading into Los
Angeles. As they entered Los Angeles, Scott started looking around the place. In the short time
that Scott had to look, he wasn’t real happy at what he saw.
He had stopped momentarily to watch as taxes were being collected. The person Scott
watched didn’t have his taxes and as the guy explained why he didn’t have it, the person that was
collecting money just ignored him and had one of the Lancers arrest the man for not paying his
taxes. Scott had also witnessed as Lancers would be walking and if someone was in their way,
they would shove them out of the way. What really got to Scott was seeing the people in
shackles, with a sign over them of their so-called ‘crime’. Scott couldn’t believe the injustice of
the place.
So he held his feelings in and continued to the doctor’s place. As he neared the doctor’s
place, he could tell by Bernardo’s carriage was in front of it. He suddenly picked up the presence
of another Immortal. As he readied his Katana, he realized the presence was coming from the
doctor’s place. He entered the place and found Bernardo ‘talking’ to the doctor, but was having
trouble when Scott entered.
“Bernardo, is this the doctor?” Scott asked, after waving to get Bernardo’s attention, and
when Bernardo nods his head, Scott removed his hand from his sword. “I’m Scott Schwartzstern.”
“Jeffery Barber.” The doctor replied, also removing his hand from his sword and
nodded.
“Has Bernardo told you what happened?” Scott asked.
“He was trying to, but I was distracted.” Jeffery replied, as Scott knew what he was
talking about.
“Well, we need you to make a house call.” Scott said.
“What happened?”
Scott then informed Jeffery on what happened to Diego, using the cover story that Diego
came up with. Scott looked relieved that Jeffery bought their story and agreed to make the house
call. So Jeffery grabbed his stuff and informed the Lancer that was outside his door where he was
going and then they rode back to the De La Vega Ranchero.
After Jeffery checked out Diego, and placed a bandage on his arm, he told Diego to take
it easy and not to reinjure the arm. He gave Diego some medicine and left Diego to get some rest.
Bernardo left to take care of the soiled rags that Jeffery handed him. When Bernardo left the
room, Jeffery pulled Scott off to the side.
“That wasn’t a sword wound was it?” Jeffery asked seriously. Scott didn’t answer him.
“It was a gunshot wound.”
“What are you going to do about it?” Scott asked.
“Nothing, unless you give me a reason too.” Jeffery replied.
“Is this a challenge?” Scott asked seriously.
“No, but I’m making sure who is a friend and who I should watch out for.”
“I hope to be considered a friend then.”
“I hope for that as well.” Jeffery replied as Bernardo returned into the room. “Well, I
should be getting back. If anything happens I should know about, inform me please.”
Scott caught the double meaning as Bernardo lead Jeffery out to take him back to Los
Angeles. Scott then entered Diego’s room to talk to Diego.
“How are you holding up?” Scott asked Diego as he saw Diego lying in bed.
“Better, but my days as Zorro are on hold.” Diego replied with a bitter note of sadness in
his voice.
“I saw what it was like in Los Angeles.” Scott replied.
“You only saw a part of the injustice going on there.” Diego said. “Now with Zorro out
of commission, I fear what is going to happen.” Notices a look in Scott’s eye. “What’s wrong?”
“I know I’ve had similar situations happen to me.” Scott replied and then noticed a look
that Diego had for Scott.
“I hate to ask you, since you’ve all ready have helped me, but I was wondering if you can
do a favor for me?”
“What is it?”
“You be Zorro for me until I am better.”
“How can we do that?” Scott asked in surprise at what Diego asked.
“You’re built like me and if we trim your mustache, you could pass as Zorro fairly
easily.” Diego said and Scott thought about it for a moment.
“Okay, I agree.” Scott said and they shook hands.
* * * * *
A day later, news spread of Zorro’s disappearance. So Scott, with Diego’s and
Bernardo’s help got Scott to look like Zorro. After cutting his hair, trimming his mustache, and
getting into a change of Zorro’s clothes, he looked in a mirror. Scott was surprised at what he
saw, he looked exactly like Zorro.
“Bernardo did a good job, I look exactly like you.” Scott said to Diego.
“That’s the point; it wouldn’t be good if you didn’t.” Diego said.
“I know, and then they would know I’m not you and that they did injure you.” Scott said.
“Come; let’s teach you what you need to know.” Diego said.
“All right.” Scott said.
So Diego started telling Scott what he needed to know and taught him what he had to do
to act like Zorro. When Diego finished, he told Scott that he was ready to go out for his first
time. Scott smiled at Diego.
* * * * *
The next night, Scott dressed as Zorro, and went to Los Angeles. During the day, the
Acalde had arrested several people for not paying their taxes. Scott had told Diego what
happened and Diego got angry because he couldn’t do anything about it. Scott told him that he
would go out and help. So Diego told Scott what he would have done and Scott told him he
would see what he could do.
So Scott was out walking along the roofs of Los Angeles, making his way to where the
Acalde kept his money. He snuck into the bedroom of the Acalde and found the man sleeping on
his bed. So Scott quickly and quietly made his way to where the safe was and easily opened it up.
He reached in and grabbed several small bags of coins that were there. He then left a piece of
paper in the safe with a ‘Z’ on it and then closed the safe and made his way out of the Acalde’s
bedroom.
Scott then made his way down to the cells to free the prisoners. As Scott approached, he
saw that the guard was asleep in a chair. So Scott pulled out his rapier and snuck up behind the
guard. He placed the tip of the sword at the back of the guard’s neck. The guard instantly woke
up in surprise.
“I wouldn’t make any sudden noise now if I was you.” Scott told the guard. The guard
nodded his head that he understood. “Now stand up and go over to the cells.” The guard slowly
stood up and started heading over to the cells. “Now unlock those doors.”
The guard fumbles with the keys, but finally gets the correct key and unlocks the door.
The people inside quickly got out of the cell.
“Thank you Senor Zorro.” Several of the people said as they left the cell.
As the last of the people left the cells, Scott then punched the back of the guards head and
the guard dropped unconscious inside the cell, he then closes the cell door. Scott then leads the
people to a ladder that he had set up. Before they headed up the ladder, Scott handed each one a
bag of coins that he had taken. Then the people went up the ladder to their freedom.
After the last one was over, Scott made his way to the roof and then his way to Toronado.
He paused halfway when he saw a patrol walk by below him. After they had passed by, his
danger sense warned him of danger and he jumped to the side as a whip cracked where he was
just a moment ago.
Scott looked at his attacker and froze in surprise at who he was seeing. His attacker was
a woman and was dressed not normally for a woman in this era. She was wearing red and white,
laced up the front boots that went up to mid-thigh. She was also wearing similar like gloves on
her arms. Her outfit looked like a red bikini with a brown belt. As Scott looked at her outfit, he
wondered how she kept her breasts from falling out. She also had a white mask on and her hair
was a bright red, hung loose to her mid-back. For all general purposes, Scott thought she was
very stunning.
“Your reflexes seem to be getting better.” The woman said with some hostility.
“Why are you attacking me?” Scott asked.
“You should know by now, to kill you.” The woman said angrily.
Scott realized that the woman knows Zorro well, so he figured that he better get away
from her before she realizes that he isn’t the correct Zorro.
“Well, as much as I’d like to stay and dance with you, but I got to get going.” Scott said
smiling.
“I don’t think so.” The woman said angrily.
The woman then started cracking her whip several times at Scott, who easily dodged the
attacks. The woman started screaming in frustration. Her screams were a little too loud and
alerted the Lancers. An alarm sounded and suddenly gunfire was heard. Both Scott and the
woman knew they had out stayed their welcome and took different routes out of there.
* * * * *
Scott made his way back to the cave and got out of his Zorro get up. He then took the
tunnel that led to Diego’s room. Scott glanced out the spy hole to make sure no one was around.
When the coast was clear, Scott made his way out of the hidden tunnel and went to go look for
Diego. He found Diego sitting outside by himself. Diego looked up and smiled at Scott.
“So how did it go?” Diego asked.
“It went very well until the end.” Scott replied.
“What happened?” Diego asked nervously.
“Who’s the woman in red and white?” Scott asked seriously. Diego realized what
probably happened.
“She calls herself Lady Rawhide.”
“What went on with you two? She was after blood.”
“I don’t really know. She seems to want to kill me when we first met.”
“Why don’t you tell me all you know on her and how you act around her and anyone else
you’ve come across so I’m not caught by surprise again.”
“All right.”
Diego then told Scott all that he could before they turned in for the night.
* * * * *
“How could you let him escape, Sergeant Garcia?” Acalde Monasterio asked angrily.
“He just vanished.” Garcia replied.
“It seems that he wasn’t as injured as we thought.” A third man replied.
“He is getting to be trouble.” Monasterio said.
“That or your people are incompetent. How can a whole army of Lancers not catch him
when he was here? On top of that, he was able to steal from your safe when you were several feet
away. Are you finally going to pay me and do what I say?” The third man asked.
“Yes.” Monasterio finally accepted the fact.
“Good, here is what we are going to do, ‘cause Machete always get what he wants.”
Machete said and then laid out the plan to draw Zorro in for a trap.
* * * * *
The next afternoon, Diego and Scott got word what was going on in Los Angeles from
Bernardo. They found out that the Acalde had increased the taxes and jailing anyone who didn’t
pay. That got Diego and Scott angry and Scott decided to go out as Zorro to see if there was
something he could do.
So he made his way to Los Angeles at dusk. He made his way to the Treasury to get
some money for the people. As he was making his way through, he realized that it was too easy
to sneak pass everything. He made his way to the courtyard when he sensed the presence of
another Immortal. He placed his hand on his sword and looked around.
“So this explains how you are not injured.” Came a voice from the darkness.
Scott looked around but didn’t see anyone. Just then he heard a click off to his right and
he whipped around towards that direction. When he faced that direction he saw a tall man step
out of the shadows. He was over six feet tall, bald, had a three line scar over his left eye, and was
missing his right hand. But on his right hand was a contraption that Scott had never seen before.
It had three spikes on it and the man had them aimed at Scott. Scott knew that if he was hit by
that, the man would have an easier time taking his head.
“We meet again, El Zorro.” The man smiled at Scott.
“Hopefully we don’t meet again.” Scott said, trying to remember what Diego told him of
all the people that Zorro came across.
“There can be only one.” The man said and then fired one of the spikes at Scott.
Scott was able to twist his body enough that he wouldn’t be hit with the spike, but the bag
of money that he had was clipped on his belt was hit by the spike and was sliced off, causing the
bag to drop to the ground. Scott knew that he was in over his head and thought better to escape
and deal with the man on better terms. So Scott started running away and up a side of a building
to the roof and down to where Toronado was waiting. As Scott was making his escape, he heard
the man yelling at him.
“I will get your head, El Zorro. Mark my words; John Machete always gets what he
wants.” Scott heard Machete yell before he was out of range and heading back to the Del La
Vega Ranchero.
* * * * *
“You let him escape?” The Acalde shouted out in surprise.
“I have my reasons.” Machete replied calmly.
“And what reasons are those?”
“None for you to know.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Set a trap that Zorro can’t refuse to go to.”
“How can you plan to do that?”
“What can you tell me about this woman that was seen with Zorro several times?”
“Not much else, she started showing up after the ‘misunderstanding’ with a Don.”
“I see.”
“What?”
“This is what I want you to do…”
* * * * *
The next day, Bernardo was in Los Angeles shopping when he overheard that several
families were being evacuated from their homes. He tried to figure out what was going on, but he
only heard that from overhearing the Lancers that they were only told to bring the families in, that
they didn’t know why though. So he headed back to Del La Vega Ranchero to tell Diego and
Scott what was going on.
He made his way back and found Scott and Diego sparring. So he watched for a moment
and noticed that Diego’s arm was getting better, but it still wasn’t good enough. When they
noticed Bernardo, they stopped and faced him.
“What’s going on Bernardo?” Diego asks and Bernardo does a bunch of hand
movements. “You were in Los Angeles shopping when you saw Lancer’s bringing several
families in.” Bernardo does more movements. “You overheard the Lancer’s saying they have no
idea why they are bringing in those families." Bernardo nods his head. “What do you think about
this Scott?”
“I think that our friend Machete is setting up another trap for Zorro.” Scott replied.
“I feel that you are correct, but what are we going to do?” Diego asks.
“Tread very carefully with Machete.”
“That reminds me, you didn’t want to go to Los Angeles with Bernardo, what’s up?”
“What ever happened to Machete to survive the volcano, he has an ability to detect me.”
“Detect you, how?”
“I can’t say, but if I was going around Los Angeles right now, he would be able to figure
out I’m Zorro by process of elimination.”
“How is that possible?”
“Some would say it’s a curse, some would say its magic, but either way, I have to face
him before I leave Los Angeles.”
“Why?”
“He challenged me as I left, so I have to go.”
“Be careful.”
“I will.”
So Scott went and got dressed as Zorro and left to go face Machete.
* * * * *
Lady Rawhide made her way to Los Angeles. She was angry at what the Acalde had
recently done. So she went over and to help free the people and to get back at the Acalde. She
snuck in and headed to the cells. When she got there, she knew something was wrong, all the
cells were empty.
Just then, Lancers started filling into the place with their flintlocks ready. Lady Rawhide
realized that it was a trap and she had to get out of there in a hurry. So she used her whip and
used it to latch onto a wooden beam near the roof. As she started climbing her whip, she was
halfway up when she heard a click sound and saw a metal spike go through the whip, severing it.
Lady Rawhide fell back to the ground and was quickly surround by the Lancers.
Lady Rawhide saw as a tall bald man came up and faced her. She noticed that he had a
weird contraption on his right hand that had three spikes on it and a place for a fourth. She
wondered what the man wanted.
“So this is the famous woman that dresses like no normal woman.” The tall man said.
“What do you want?” Lady Rawhide asked.
“Well my dear, you are going to help me kill Zorro.” The man said.
“You think I’m going to team up with you, you’re crazy.”
“I didn’t say we were going to team up.”
“What do you mean?”
“Just merely that you are going to be the bait.”
“What?”
Lady Rawhide suddenly felt a sharp pain at the base of her skull and blackness claimed
her. Machete looked at the Lancer behind her and smiled.
“Good job Lancer, now tie her up and bring her with me.” Machete told the Lancer. The
Lancer nodded and did what Machete told him. “The rest of you get back into position, Zorro
may show up soon.”
As the rest of the Lancers went to hide, the Lancer that helped Machete, helped place
Lady Rawhide on a horse and Machete rode out of Los Angeles with Lady Rawhide.
* * * * *
Scott made his way to Los Angeles to find Machete. As he neared the cells, he didn’t
pick up any Immortal presence. As he got to the cells, he found them empty. He knew it was a
trap and quickly made his way out. As he got to the courtyard, the Lancer’s jumped out and
surrounded Scott. Scott quickly looked around for a way to escape. He then saw the Acalde
approach.
“Well, well, Monasterio, what do I have to have you honor me with your presence?”
Scott asked.
“Your capture, Zorro.” Monasterio replied.
“Where’s Machete?” Scott asked.
“Well, I guess I could tell you, since I won’t need Machete’s help since I got you.”
“Are you going to bore me here, what’s going on?”
“Machete wanted me to tell you that he has your girlfriend at a nearby winery, and he
will use her for pleasure if you can’t stop him. But since we have you, he can do with her as he
pleases.” Monasterio said and then started laughing at Zorro, thinking he finally won.
Monasterio stopped laughing as he watched Scott suddenly blur and heard several grunts
of pain as the Lancers suddenly fell to the ground. Monasterio just stared open mouthed as Scott
took out all the Lancers in the courtyard. He reached for his pistol but stopped shy as Scott held a
rifle pointed at him.
“How’d you do that?” Monasterio asked nervously.
“Years of practice and the Fox has many abilities, now where is this winery you told me
about?” Scott asked.
“Like I would tell you.”
“You either tell me or you are going to be missing your life even more.” Scott steps
closer and lowers the aim of the rifle down a bit.
“It’s towards the east, not far from here.”
“That’s a good Acalde.”
Scott then knocked the Acalde out with the rifle. The Lancers that were still able, watched
in amazement as Scott jumped to the roof in one leap. Scott then ran across the roofs and leaped
on Toronado and headed towards the winery.
As Scott approached, he picked up the presence of an Immortal. He drew his rapier and
entered the winery. Once inside, he found Machete waiting at the far end with a large Machete in
his hand and the contraption with three spikes. He looked around and found Lady Rawhide
hanging from the top most center support beam. Her wrists were tied together, same with her
ankles. She was gagged and appeared to be unconscious. Scott was glad that she was still
wearing her mask, he then faced Machete.
“So you’ve come.” Machete said.
“I’m here to take your head Machete.” Scott said angrily.
“Ah, so the cub knows about that, let’s see how well and how long you last now.”
Machete said and then they ran towards each other and their blades connected.
* * * * *
Lady Rawhide slowly started to regain consciousness. Her first sense that came to her
was her hearing. She heard the clashing of swords and several shouts of anger from one man. As
her other senses started to come around, she realized that her wrists and ankles were tied up and
she had a gag in her mouth. She then realized that she was being hung from one of the support
beams.
She looked at the distance she was being hung from and realized that she was up very
high. She knew she could survive the fall, but it wouldn’t be too pleasant. It was then that she
paid attention to the two fighters below her. She saw one was the man she met in Los Angeles,
the other was Zorro. Her emotions started conflicting as she hopped Zorro would win, while
another part of her hopped he would lose.
Since she couldn’t do much else, she watched the two fight. What she saw amazed her,
the way that Zorro fought; it was like he was just toying with the other man. She watched as
Zorro parried or blocked the other man’s machete and either dodged or deflected the spike that
the man fired. She became angrier when she heard what would happen if Zorro lost, so she
secretly hoped that Zorro would win.
After a few minutes, Zorro impaled the other man and the man dropped his machete and
fell to his knees. She watched as Zorro pulled his sword out of the man and stood over him with
his sword raised. She then heard Zorro say a phrase.
“There can be only one.” Zorro said and then took the man’s head off.
Lady Rawhide had to close her eyes at the scene. When no sound was heard for a few
moments, she cracked open an eye to see what was going on and then opened them wide as she
saw a white mist form around Machete’s body and slowly drift towards Zorro. When the mist
reached Zorro, the mist disappeared and Zorro stiffened up. Then blue lightning came from
Machete’s body and headed towards Zorro and the surrounding areas.
She watched in fascinated horror as the lightning danced all over Zorro as it appeared he
was screaming in pain. She suddenly realized that the lightning was getting a little too close to
her. She tried dodging as best as she could as she watched some of the lightning destroy some of
the wine barrels. She then saw one of the lightning’s hit the rope that was hanging her up and the
rope started breaking. So she watched in horror as the rope slowly started breaking.
The lightning stopped and she quickly looked down and saw Zorro drop to his knees and
looked completely exhausted. She looked back up at the rope and saw it was just about to break
completely. When it completely broke, she started to scream through her gag. She closed her
eyes to await the impact, but when she was expecting hard ground to land on, she felt warm soft
arms and a body holding her. She opened her eyes and saw Zorro holding her.
She wiggled out of his arms and tried her best to get herself away from him. Zorro had
quickly cornered her and as he tried to untie her, she just kept batting away his hands. He then
stood up and grabbed his sword. Lady Rawhide froze as he came near her with it. He slipped the
sword under the ropes tying her wrists and cut right through them.
“There you go. Since you don’t want my help, I suggest you hurry and free yourself
before the Acalde and the Lancers arrive.” Scott told her tiredly. He then turned around and
started to leave.
“Wait.” Lady Rawhide called out after she got her gag out of her mouth as Scott was at
the door.
“What?” Scott asked.
“Who or what are you?”
“Someone that shouldn’t be.” Scott said and then left the winery.
Lady Rawhide was confused at Zorro’s response, but she also knew that she had to leave
in a hurry. So she quickly got herself untied and headed outside. She noticed that Zorro was
gone and that Lancers were approaching. She ran to the two horses nearby and hopped onto one
of them and started running away. Bad luck was with her as she heard the Lancers following her.
* * * * *
Scott had made his way to where he was to meet up with Bernardo. Bernardo was
waiting with Scott’s horse with all of his gear on the saddle. So Scott quickly got off Toronado
and quickly got undressed from his Zorro clothes into his normal clothing. After he was dressed,
Bernardo took Toronado and Scott hopped on his horse and decided to see if Lady Rawhide got
away.
So he made his way back to the winery and saw that she did get away. So he headed to
the nearest river to campout for the night. As he got near the river, he heard a commotion across
the river. He looked around and found Lady Rawhide being chased by Lancers upon a high cliff
on the other side of the river. So Scott started running down the coast.
He heard some gun shots and he looked over his shoulder. He saw that Lady Rawhide
got a good lead from the Lancers, but it looked like something was wrong. Lady Rawhide was
riding too close to the edge and she had slowed down to a walk. He then saw her slip off the
horse and then fell off the cliff and into the river. So Scott started to run ahead to intercept her
because it looked like she was not trying to swim.
When Scott got ahead of her, he climbed out on a fallen tree and reached out to grab
Lady Rawhide when she passed by. When she passed by, Scott reached out and grabbed her arm.
He got a good grip on her and pulled her out of the river and onto the shore bank. He then took a
look at Lady Rawhide to see how injured she was.
At first he thought she was really injured because she had running red all over her. It was
then that Scott noticed that there was something different about her. He saw that her hair was
really black and not red, even though there were still some red streaks still in her hair. He then
noticed that she was hit, but it was only a knick at her temple. So he picked her up carefully and
headed back to where he was going to set up camp and treat her injury.
* * * * *
Lady Rawhide woke up groggily and with a headache. She reached to where her head
hurt and found that there was a bandage there. She remembered being chased by Lancers and
being hit by a gunshot and then blackness. As she felt around, she found that her mask was still
on, which relieved her, but she noticed that most of her hair was now black and that her dye was
gone. It was then that she heard some noise to her left.
She turned and found a man with his back towards her, doing what appeared to her as
graceful dancing. She watched as he continued to do his ‘dancing’, but then she realized that he
was practice fighting when he started throwing punches and kicks. She kept watching until it
appeared that he was finished. It was then that he turned around and noticed that she was awake
and sitting up.
“You’re awake.” Scott said.
“Yes.” Lady Rawhide said.
“How’s the head?” Scott asked.
“Sore.” She replied.
“Here.” Scott said going over to the campfire and poured a cup of tea. “Drink this, it
will help.” He hands the cup over to her and she reluctantly takes it.
“Who are you?” Lady Rawhide asked as she finally took a sip of the tea.
“Scott Schwartzstern.”
“Why did you help me?”
“I saw someone fall off a cliff into the river. I just reacted.”
“I guess I should thank you.”
“Only if you want to.”
“Could I have more of this?” She asked as she finished her cup.
“Sure.” Scott said and poured her another cup full.
“What are you going to do with me?” Lady Rawhide asked.
“What do you mean?”
“Do you know who I am?”
“Not really. But I’ve heard rumors about a Senorita that dresses not like a Senorita, and
with the way you are dressed, I’m thinking you are her.”
“I call myself Lady Rawhide.”
“Lady Rawhide? Nice name.”
“I thought so.”
“So what is a pretty Senorita like you doing what you’re doing?” Scott asked and then he
could see that she was thinking on how to answer him.
“I became Lady Rawhide to get back at the people that harmed someone I cared for.”
“I see, who are you blaming?”
“The Acalde mainly, but it was because of Zorro.”
“So that is why?”
“Mainly.” Lady Rawhide replied and saw Scott looking towards the rising sun.
“I think we should be getting back.”
“Back to where?”
“I don’t know about you, but my friend Diego is waiting for me.”
“Diego?”
“As in De La Vega.”
“Oh.”
“You want to be dropped off somewhere?” Scott asked and saw her thinking again.
“So why are you helping me?”
“Consider it Gentleman’s honor.”
“I don’t think it would be good if you’re seen with me.”
“Here.” Scott said as he went to his pack and pulled out a black bundle. Lady Rawhide
opened it up and saw it was some sort of garb. “It’s a kimono.” He then saw her looking at him
questionately. “They are looking for a woman with red hair and dressed indecently. With your
hair mostly black now, they will have a hard time finding you.”
Lady Rawhide agreed with his reason and Scott helped her put it on. He informed her
that it was really meant for a male, but it was all right to use it for this purpose. He then helped
her onto his horse after they broke down the campsite and he took her to a place where she
wanted to be dropped off. After saying their farewells, Scott headed back to the De La Vega
Ranchero leaving Lady Rawhide to wonder how she was going to return his kimono.
* * * * *
It’s now been over a week since Scott took care of Machete. The Acalde made a big deal
over Machete’s ‘murder’, but he didn’t arrest anyone. Over that week, Scott didn’t have to go out
as Zorro, nor was there any word that Lady Rawhide was seen either. Since the Acalde wasn’t
really doing anything, Scott thought it was getting too quiet. So he decided to see if the Acalde
was up to something and got dressed as Zorro.
He made his way to Los Angeles and on the roof of the Acalde’s office. He was about to
go over the edge of the roof and over hear what the Acalde was saying, when his danger sense
went off. He looked around and found Lady Rawhide standing at the far end of the roof.
“Haven’t seen you in a while.” Scott said quietly.
“I’ve been doing some thinking.” Lady Rawhide replied just as quiet.
“Something I should know about?”
“No, but if you are wondering if I’m going to attack you, you don’t have to worry about
it.”
“Then what are you doing here?”
“Wondering what the Acalde’s up to. He’s been kind of quiet lately.”
“That’s the reason I’m here also. Truce?”
“For now.”
So Scott and Lady Rawhide used their whips and lowered themselves on either side of
the Acalde’s window. When they got within reach of the window, they stopped to listen. What
they heard surprised them and also angered them. The Acalde had plans for Zorro and Lady
Rawhide to turn themselves in, or the Acalde was going to start executing three people a day until
they turn themselves in.
Once they knew what the Acalde was planning, Scott signaled for them to get out of
there. Lady Rawhide nodded her head and they climbed back to the roof. They headed out of
Los Angeles and met near a tree. Once there, they started talking.
“What are we going to do?” Lady Rawhide asked.
“We are going to give him what he wants.” Scott replied.
“What? Are you crazy?”
“Some say I am, but that’s not what I mean. Listen to what I think.”
So Scott started telling her what he had planned. Once he was done, Lady Rawhide
looked at him with an unsure look.
“You think the two of us can handle it?” She asked.
“I’m sure. If we team up, we would be a formable team.” Scott replied.
“I’m not sure about this, but we’ll try it your way.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow then.”
They went their separate ways and Scott headed back to have a talk with Diego. After he
changed out of his Zorro garb, he found Diego in his bedroom reading. When Diego looked at
Scott enter, he knew that something was seriously up.
“What’s wrong?” Diego asked.
“How is your arm?” Scott asked.
“Doing much better now. I think I can be Zorro again if I don’t have to worry about a
serious sword fight.” Diego replied.
“Good, I think the real Zorro needs to make a showing.” Scott said.
“What’s going on?”
Scott informed Diego what the Acalde had planned and what he and Lady Rawhide had
planned. But this time, Scott had a new idea and informed Diego what he thought. Diego liked
the idea and they ironed out the details for the next day.
* * * * *
The next day, Diego and Scott got dress as Zorro and headed towards Los Angeles. As
they got there, they split up so Diego would join Lady Rawhide while Scott would hide and be
needed if they failed. So Diego watched as Scott disappeared around a corner and then climbed
to the roof and went to where he was supposed to meet Lady Rawhide. He found her as she
approached from the other way. They met halfway where they could get a good view of the
execution.
“Hope this plan of yours works.” Lady Rawhide said.
“I’m sure it will.” Zorro replied.
“Well, let’s get ready, they’re starting.” Lady Rawhide said.
They watched as the courtyard was filled with people and Lancer’s. Once the courtyard
was filled, a group of lancers brought out three people. They secured the three people to three
posts and then stood off to the side. Eight Lancers approached with guns and stood in a line in
front of the three people. The Acalde approached and started giving his speech why those three
people were about to be executed. There were many ‘boo’s’ and ‘hisses’ from the people. It was
then that Zorro and Lady Rawhide made their move.
The people cheered when they saw Zorro leap down and started taking out some lancers.
Most of the people were surprised at Lady Rawhide’s appearance, they were mostly shocked at
the way she was dressed. Zorro and Lady Rawhide were doing pretty good until Zorro’s arm
gave out on him and he failed to dodge an attack. The punch the lancer did with his sword handle
hit Zorro and he suddenly started seeing stars and went down to his knees. Lady Rawhide saw
that and tried to help but found several guns aimed at her.
So Lady Rawhide and Zorro were quickly captured and replaced the three people on the
posts. The Acalde made a speech that since they had those two, the others can go free. He was
about to unmask the two, but Zorro stopped him by asking him to wait until after they were dead
to be unmasked, and that their families were not going to be punished for their crimes. The
Acalde reluctantly agreed after he was pressured by the people. He then walked off the platform
and the lancers took their positions. No one really paid attention to the hooded priest that stood
next to the row of Lancers.
The Lancers followed the Acalde’s orders and started to be ready to execute Zorro and
Lady Rawhide. Lady Rawhide talked to Zorro about how they were going to get out of this
situation and Zorro told her that there was a wild card to the plan. She asked when this ‘wild
card’ was going to happen and he said hopefully soon. When the Acalde shouted out ‘Aim’, the
priest then punched the Lancer next to him and that caused the entire row of Lancers to fall down.
Everyone turned to face the priest in surprise.
“Priest, why did you do that?” Monasterio asked.
“Because,” The priest removed his robe to reveal Scott dressed as Zorro. “I’m not a
priest.”
“Two Zorro’s!” Everyone and the Acalde exclaimed in surprise.
“There are two of you?” Lady Rawhide asked Zorro and Zorro just smiled.
Scott hopped up onto the platform and uncut Zorro and Lady Rawhide loose. Once they
were loose, Scott made appear their swords from out of no where and handed the swords over to
them. Scott told them to fight the Lancers while he went after Monasterio. They agreed and they
went to face their opponents.
Scott faced the Acalde as the Acalde pulled out his sword. Scott fought him and when
the Acalde got his sword stuck in a wooden frame, Scott used that moment to place a ‘Z’ on the
Acalde’s neck. The Acalde jumped back and placed a hand on the wound and saw a red ‘Z’ on
his hand.
“That is three marks for the three people you tried to kill, so three people are going to
take you down.” Scott said angrily.
“Who are you? You’re not the real Zorro?” Monasterio asked.
“Of course not, but any one can wear this mask to stop you.” Scott replied.
“I will get you.”
“I don’t think so.”
Scott then punched the Acalde out cold for a moment. He saw that his two friends were
being backed to the wall, so he went to go help them. He was about there when he was halted by
a shout.
“Stop!” Everyone turned and found the Governor and his royal guards, with their guns
aimed at the lancers, the awakening Acalde, and the Zorro’s and Lady Rawhide.
“Governor, good thing you’re here. There is the outlaw Zorro and his accomplices.”
Monasterio said.
“Quiet Monasterio. You are the one I’m here to arrest.” The Governor replied.
“What?” Monasterio said surprised.
“I didn’t want to believe the charges that Don Alejandro De La Vega presented to me, but
I was here less than twenty minutes and I can now see what he meant.” The Governor said.
“What about Zorro and the other two?” Monasterio asked.
“I am not after them, but if they don’t leave in five minutes, I will arrest them.”
The three of them knew it was time to leave and they went over the wall and was out of
sight quickly.
“Who’s in charge of these Lancers?” The Governor asked.
“I am, your Excellency, Sergeant Garcia.” Sergeant Garcia replied.
“Fine, you are the acting Acalde until I send a new one.” The Governor said.
“Yes, your Excellency.”
“Come sergeant, I must now fill out my report.”
They headed to the Acalde’s office as the royal guards placed Monasterio into a cell.
Everyone else then went about their business for that day.
* * * * *
After Scott, Zorro, And Lady Rawhide left Los Angeles, they met up again to have a talk.
“All right, which one of you is the real Zorro?” Lady Rawhide asked.
“If she can’t tell, I guess we pulled it off pretty good.” Scott said to Diego in a jokingly
manor.
“Why you …” Lady Rawhide started to get angry.
“He is.” Scott said quickly as he pointed to Diego.
“Who are you then?” Lady Rawhide said.
“Someone that shouldn’t be.” Scott said calmly.
“You!” Lady Rawhide said as she realize now who she was talking too.
“Yes, I am the one that took care of Machete.” Scott said.
“What was with the lightning?” Lady Rawhide asked.
“Lightning?” Zorro asked confused.
“We all have a secret. That is one of mine.” Scott replied.
“So what is going to happen now?” Lady Rawhide asked.
“Who knows, but I have to continue on with my trip now that the situation is over.” Scott
said.
“Where are you going?” Zorro asked.
“Fine a quiet place to settle down.” Scott said.
“Will we see you again?” Lady Rawhide asked.
“Who knows, we may cross paths again.” Scott said.
“I guess this is good-bye. I appreciated your help.” Zorro said.
“You’re welcome, but me and my friends have a saying, ‘Until we meet again’. We
never say good-bye, it’s too final.” Scott said.
“Okay, until we meet again.” Zorro said.
Scott started to walk away, but after several steps he stopped and turned around.
“Hey, Senorita.” Scott called out to Lady Rawhide.
“Yes?” Lady Rawhide asked.
“You can keep the Kimono, it looks good on you.” Scott said and turned around and
continued to ride away, not noticing the wide-eyed expression that Lady Rawhide had that Zorro
saw, but Scott knew that she now fully knows who he is and chuckled to himself.
# # # # #
“That was the last time I saw Diego, but I met Lady Rawhide a couple of weeks later in
San Francisco. That was when I found out her real name was Anita Santiago, but that is another
story for another time.” Scott said as he looked down and found that Ami had fallen asleep at his
side. He smiles down at her.
“Guess you were really worried about me.” He said as he then placed his arm over Ami
and she snuggled closer to him. “That’s nice of you.”
He just sat there looking at how peaceful and how beautiful Ami was just sleeping there.
He stayed like that until she decided to wake up.
THE END
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