A/N: I couldn't resist...if it's no good, I'll probably pull it off and call it quits, but let's see what you all think of it first. Please let me know what you think in the reviews - see you next time!

Walt Disney's Zorro - Mark of the Fox

Chapter One: A Rude Awakening

The carriage rocked violently over a large rut in the dirt road, causing the final two sleepy passengers within the coach to jerk their heads up, now suddenly alert. Bernardo blinked his eyes repeatedly, shaking his head to clear his mind as he heard his master chuckling.

"Well, that was a wake-up call, eh?" Diego de la Vega grinned at his companion as Bernardo groggily yawned and rubbed the back of his neck. The mute manservant began to gesture lazily with his hands. "Don't worry, we should be home in just a few moments-"

"We are approaching Los Angeles, Senores!" the driver called from his perch.

Diego shrugged merrily at the still drowsy Bernardo, now fully awake as he became aware of their nearing his home. Poking his head out of the window, Diego relished the feel of the sunshine caressing his face before setting his sights on the outskirts of the little town. Having taken on the task of managing some business concerning textiles and livestock in Santa Barbara for his father, Diego had also taken the opportunity to use his alter ego to protect a wealthy but generous family that was being targeted by a local group of bandidos. While the change of scenery was always good from time to time, he felt joy within him as they returned home. "Home again, Bernardo," he beamed, grinning as the mute man joined him and poked his head out of the window also.

Bernardo was just as eager to get home as Diego – he was anxious to check on Tornado. Whilst away in Santa Barbara, Zorro had used another horse in place of his faithful steed. Though he was a horse, Tornado was as much a part of their team and friendship as either Diego, Bernardo, or even Don Alejandro.

Wiping his brow, Bernardo thought of how nice it would be to receive a glass of lemonade upon arriving at Teo Gonzales's posada when the sound of a whip, followed by a cry of pain made his head snap up. He whipped his attention back to Diego to confirm what he had heard wasn't just in his mind. Seeing Diego's eyes fill with fury, he was relieved to know he wasn't going mad, but anxious as to his master's actions. As the coach came to a halt in the town square, both Diego and Bernardo leapt out of the vehicle and were faced with a sudden, horrifying change in their little hometown. A new stockade had been erected just a stone's throw away from the doors of the cuartel, a new whipping post standing out like a sore thumb on the opposite side of the presidio's doors. Off to the left corner of the cuartel, soldiers and the pueblo's carpenter were under Sergeant Garcia's supervision as they slaved away to create a hangman's scaffold. At the moment, however, Diego's attention landed on a stranger who wore his uniform and badges with pride as he flicked his whip at a whimpering peon who dropped a bag of coins before him before scurrying away as fast as he could.

Diego took a furious step when he felt Bernardo's hand clasp onto his shoulder. Looking back he saw that Bernardo shook his head vehemently in warning. Reining back his anger, he gave Bernardo a thankful nod before straightening and fixing his tie. Brushing his hair back into place, he strolled casually up to the soldier, who was now coiling his whip to tie it to his waist. "Perdon, senor, may I ask what the meaning of all this is?"

"The meaning of all this what, caballero?" the military man asked coolly, turning swiftly on his heel to face Diego.

"There's never been any need for such…drastic display of discipline-" Diego started, waving his the objects that were currently garnering wary looks and horrified glances from passing townspeople. His words came to a halt as the officer, a clean-shaven gentleman with sharp grey eyes and a thin, curly moustache on his upper lip quickly drew his sword and pointed it past Diego's face, making Bernardo go cross-eyed in panic as the tip of the blade came to pause just a few inches from his face.

"I find that the use of strict, tangible discipline is what keeps everything running, senor, otherwise everything falls to pieces." Smirking, the officer calmly lowered his arm and slipped the blade into his sheath before running his gloved hand over his slicked midnight hair. "Forgive me, where are my manners? You must be new in Los Angeles." Bowing lowly, he introduced himself: "I am Esteban Ramon, the Commandante of this humble town."

"Commandante?" Diego echoed, his stomach churning in disgust. This was a seasoned swordsman, and from the sound of his thick accent and refined manners, he was most likely from Madrid.

"Yes…who are you, if I may ask?" Ramon asked, raising an eyebrow as he straightened his posture.

As if by a miracle, Sergeant Garcia waddled over and joined Ramon's side, causing the Commandante's eyes to roll as he pressed his lips together to avoid uttering a sound of irritation. "Don Diego! Welcome back! Hello, Little One!" he greeted them jovially. Bernardo kept up the pretense and waggled his fingers back at the sergeant, though his eyes strayed warily at Ramon. "You're back from Santa Barbara so soon?"

"Si, I finished my business there for Father sooner than expected and I couldn't wait to get back. Commandante Ramon and I were just discussing some of the new…architecture here in Los Angeles," Diego responded with a smile, though his tone did not match.

"Don Diego?...as in, Diego de la Vega, son of Don Alejandro?" Ramon asked suddenly, complacently clasping his hands behind his back.

"Oh, si, mi Commandante," Garcia nodded his head vigorously, saluting his superior. "He is a great man, senor, the finest California has to offer, and my dearest friend!"

"Is that so? I didn't think such a refined caballero would want to be associated with the likes of you, Sergeant," Ramon commented casually, removing his glove to check his nails.

Diego's brow furrowed as he saw the tubby soldier bow his head in dismay, prompting him to speak up, "Sergeant Garcia is the finest man in this garrison, Commandant Ramon, and a loyal member of His Majesty's army. I can think of no one better to turn to if I was in peril."

"Then may the saints protect you from such a situation, for I would fear for your safety," Ramon snidely remarked before placing his hand back into the glove. "At any rate, Don Diego, I suppose I should extend the invitation to you, since your father will no doubt be attending. The Alcalde will be hosting-"

"I beg your pardon?" Diego asked, raising an eyebrow. "The Alcalde of what?"

"Why, of Los Angeles… oh, how horrid of me!" Ramon chuckled, tapping his forehead as he mocked his own forgetfulness. "Of course you are unaware… since you have been out of Los Angeles, the Viceroy has resigned and appointed a new Alcalde to Los Angeles, as it is growing in population and in economy slowly but steadily. In addition to myself as Commandante, we have Rafael Quintero as Alcalde. He is currently at the Pérez estate, which he has acquired ownership of since becoming alcalde. He shall be throwing a fiesta tonight and has invited all the dons to join him as he introduces the rest of his family, as well as my little sister. You will join us, won't you?"

Diego forced on a lazy, pleased smile as he bowed his head. "Why, Commandante, I wouldn't miss it for the world. Gracias for the invitation." He noticed how Ramon eyed Bernardo, who blinked unassumingly at him. "Ah, forgive me. This is Bernardo, my manservant. He is both deaf and dumb, but he would die for me."

"Hmm…" Ramon watched as Diego signed to Bernardo and pointed to the Commandante, soon causing Bernardo to bow lowly while gaping dumbly at the official. The servant hardly seemed worth his time, so he sniffed in disgust and waved the man off. "I shall see you tonight, Don Diego. Buenas tardes. Sergeant, keep at your post."

Si, mi Commandante," Sergeant Gonzales saluted him. He waited until Ramon had entered the cuartel again before facing the young don and his servant, gratitude showing in his chubby face. "Gracias, Don Diego. You did not have to defend me in front of the Commandante-"

"Of course I had to," Diego frowned, crossing his arms over his chest in disapproval. "How could I say nothing when my friend is being attacked?"

"Oh, no, Don Diego, I was not attacked! The Commandante just has…eh, very strong words to say," Garcia shrugged weakly. "I am sorry you had to find out this way."

"How long has this new regime been in place, Sergeant?" Diego asked, glancing back at the scaffold.

"Well, the Commandante and Alcalde arrived a week ago, exactly a week after you left for Santa Barbara. Their relatives arrived just yesterday and moved into the Perez estate now that it's prepared."

Diego could scarcely believe the audacity of these people. The Perez estate had belonged to an old and aged don, Juan Perez, who was known to be strict with his finances. Before his passing four years prior, however, he had renovated his home so that it might resemble a grand Spanish home, very much like the one he left behind in Spain in his youth. It was the most he had ever spent of his fortune, and when his home was finally completed, he had the misfortune of passing on. The home had been abandoned and left alone out of respect, for he had bequeathed the rest of his fortune to the church. It was a grand two-story house with a verandah, open courtyard behind the hacienda that was surrounded by a pristine white wall, with its own little chapel, built in memory of the don's wife that had died many years before.

"Well, I'd best be going," Sergeant Garcia said reluctantly, waving to them. "Please excuse me."

Diego glanced at Bernardo as the sergeant departed, noticing how Bernardo shrugged his shoulders as if to ask 'what now?' "Let's go home and freshen up, Bernardo…we'll take a closer look at the situation tonight."

~Z~

The evening brought the song of nightingales and sparrows before the sun went down. It was to their tune that many of the wealthy inhabitants of Los Angeles arrived at the doors of Alcalde Quintero's new home. Many hid their disapproval behind fans or feigned interest with a thin smile as they entered the doors of the lost don. Rafael Quintero, however, cared not what others thought so long as he was recognized as the man in full and total power.

Rafael Quintero was not a man many would consider to be a man of position or gentlemanly grace, with his thinning black hair now peppered with silver, squinting brown eyes and greasy moustache and goatee. He was an extremely portly man, practically rivaling Sergeant Garcia, though if one looked closely, they could see his countenance jiggle as he moved slowly. He was of stark difference to Esteban Ramon, who prided himself on being tall, thin, and in good health, not to mention hygiene. There could not have been a more unlikely pair, and yet, these two parasites depended on one another to secure what each wanted – Quintero received protection and respect from the simpletons he reigned over, whilst Ramon kept his status, salary, and was able to rub elbows with the big wigs.

"Is the scaffold ready yet?" Quintero asked out of the corner of his mouth, faking a smile at a couple that had just arrived.

"It was just completed today," Ramon answered in a low voice, his eyes scanning the perimeter. "We shall be ready for the execution tomorrow."

"Good," Quintero chuckled, his laugh sounding more like a thick gurgle. "This shall establish who is truly in charge now- oye! Joaquin! Stop scurrying about like a squirrel!" The fat middle-aged man snapped and shooed the eight-year-old boy that seemed to appear magically at his side. He tsked at the boy and shook his head. "The things I must put up with-"

"The boy is the least of your problems…" Ramon looked up and saw the faces of Don Alejandro and Don Diego de la Vega, trailed by the cheery and clueless Bernardo. "Ah… and here is one of my problems." He straightened and bowed at the de la Vegas did the same to him. "Don Alejandro, Don Diego, welcome. May I introduce Alcalde Rafael Quintero? Rafael, you remember Don Alejandro. This is his son, Don Diego." He did not bother introducing Bernardo – he personally thought nothing of the man, and Quintero thought it was beneath him to even look at a servant unless he was scolding them.

"Ah, si, welcome Senores."

"Alcalde," Alejandro frowned. He had already approached Quintero about lightening the taxes on the poor Indians and peons, and stopping the persecution against Padre Felipe and the church. Quintero dismissed him, of course, and thus Alejandro had instantly grown a fierce dislike for the man. Upon Diego and Bernardo's arrival back home, he had explained what Quintero and Ramon had begun to enforce, including raising the price on Zorro's head in Los Angeles and reprinting and distributing new posters.

"Ah, so your son has returned home," Quintero noted with a weasel-like smile. "Welcome back, senor, a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

"The pleasure is all mine," Diego said politely as he put on a convincing smile. "I expect to see some drastic changes in the days to come now that you are here."

"Oh, and you shall- Joaquin!" Quintero bellowed, fuming as he saw the boy climbing up onto a table and hanging from one of the beams that held up several painted pots of dainty flowers. "Get down from there at once you little menace!"

Diego's gaze moved to see the boy, hanging nimbly as though he were some monkey or squirrel, his dark brown eyes flashing contemptuously at Quintero. His black hair flopped over his right eye and framed his youthful face, swaying as he leapt down from his perch and began to approach the man. Diego could not hold back a smile of admiration – this boy clearly showed no sign of respect or fear, unlike the peons and even a few of the dons. As the boy drew closer, a young girl of about twenty years hurried to the boy's side, placing her hand on his shoulder. The boy smiled brightly at her before putting on his mask of indifference towards Quintero and Ramon once more. The young woman held herself erect as she approached them also, her face never betraying her, her eyes observing the men they approached. The moment her eyes locked with Diego's, however, she nearly faltered in her steps.

Diego felt his eyes widen as he looked into the girl's eyes, his breath hitching as he drank in her beauty. She was a vision in pink, her simple dress the color of the sky at dusk as it swayed when she moved. Her cocoa colored eyes were large and framed generously with curled lashes, her lips spreading into a timid smile at him. Her mid-length wavy locks cascaded around her face like a waterfall, concealed by the mantilla she wore over her head and shoulders. She and the boy were dressed far more simply than anyone there, but to Diego, she appeared to be a princess with each graceful step she took.

"Do keep your brother in line, Alma," Quintero grumbled before facing his guests again. Clearing his throat, he waved his hand at the two young people and said, "Don Alejandro, Don Diego, may I introduce my niece and nephew, Alma and Joaquin Quintero. They are under my care since their father passed away recently."

"Welcome to Los Angeles," Alejandro greeted the children cordially.

Both Alma and Joaquin bowed to them, but Joaquin's inquisitive eyes were soon on Bernardo. "What's your name?" he asked the servant.

"This is Bernardo, and you must forgive him for not answering, he is both deaf and mute," Diego explained to the boy, though his eyes strayed back to Alma, who was also looking at Bernardo with compassionate eyes.

"The poor man," she murmured softly.

Ramon sniffed. "He's just another servant-"

"And another human being," she interrupted curtly, casting him a disapproving lookout of the corner of her eye.

"Ah, allow me to introduce Commandante Ramon's sister," Quintero cut in, sensing the tension between the two escalating. "Renée! Do come here a moment."

A woman standing off with another crowd glanced over her bare shoulder for a second before excusing herself and stalking over elegantly to join their side. She was certainly striking, with a blood red dress accented with black lace while her thick raven hair was piled fancily on her head with a fine ebony comb keeping it in place. Her icy blue eyes made Bernardo get shivers, especially as she smiled condescendingly at them. Her thin nose and high brows matched those of Commandante Ramon, which could only mean one thing.

"This is Renee Ramon, sister to our fine Commandante," Quintero said with a flourish of his hand.

"Renee, this is Don Alejandro and Don Diego de la Vega," Ramon said coolly.

"A pleasure, senores," she said in her smooth, sultry voice as she curtsied lowly to them. She offered her hand and waited for both Alejandro and Diego to kiss it, sending a sideways smirk to Alma, who remained silent with her eyes cast down, her lips pressed tightly. "It's so lovely to have such esteemed guests over. I always tell my big brother that there is no need to let work get in the way of festivities, even with an execution on the way-"

"Execution?" Diego asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Ah, you must have not received the notice yet," Quintero noted. "I've had the soldiers go throughout the countryside to hand out flyers notifying the dons and townspeople alike that tomorrow morning there shall be an execution."

"Whatever for?" Alma spoke up, looking just as shocked and mortified as Diego.

Renée sent her a scalding look, but Commandante Ramon answered her inquiry as if she had asked what the weather would be tomorrow. "There are a handful of peons that did not pay the required tax on their lands-"

"Didn't or couldn't?" little Joaquin sneered, causing Alma to stand in front of him as Ramon took a menacing step towards him.

Ramon's fury vanished as he looked at Alma and smirked. "At any rate, the people must recognize that there is new management in Los Angeles, and they must answer for not facing their responsibilities. Not even this Zorro character will dare to face us."

"Are you so certain?" Alejandro asked, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Quite," Ramon smiled, his eyes never leaving Alma.

The girl averted his eyes and fought back a grimace as he continued to look at her, embarrassed that he would look at her so in front of their guests. Joaquin fidgeted behind her, his face twisting in anger though he bit his tongue and did not speak, glancing up at his elder sister in worry. Diego took note of all of these things and remained silent, though he, too, felt very much like Joaquin. These two men meant business and were already taking it out on his home and people… so whether they liked it or not, Zorro would most certainly make an appearance and awaken them from their power-induced fantasy.