Title: Flesh and Blood
Rated : PG –13
Synopsis: The alcalde's shot misses its intended target and Alejandro's blood is not all that is spilled as a result.
Misc Notes: This story takes place post series finale
Written: 9/05
Disclaimer: This story was written solely for the enjoyment of other Zorro fans and is not intended to infringe on any copyrights held by Goodman/Rosen Productions, New World Television, Zorro Productions, the estate of Johnston McCulley or anyone else.
Flesh and Blood
Prologue
"What is that, Alcalde?" Sergeant Mendoza asked as he watched Ignacio de Soto carefully polishing a strange looking pistol.
"This," de Soto said with an evil smile, "is the weapon that is going to bring Zorro to his knees."
Mendoza stared in disbelief for a long moment before de Soto lifted the weapon, showing it to his sergeant.
"In simple terms, Mendoza, this pistol has a more advanced ignition system and thereby guarantees me a far more accurate shot."
"Oh, I was wondering why it looked different." Mendoza tilted his head to get a better look.
"Our pistols use a flintlock ignition system which can be quite unreliable at crucial times." With a huff of annoyance, de Soto continued, "and since Spain has not seen fit to send us anything new in years, I have taken it upon myself to investigate the newest weapons. This pistol has just arrived from the east and uses a more accurate percussion ignition system."
Mendoza's eyes crossed and de Soto rolled his eyes. As a military man, de Soto kept up on new weaponry being developed in the colonies and elsewhere. Mendoza should be similarly educated but de Soto was not surprised that the inept man had no idea what he was talking about.
"Now, its about time for that flogging," De Soto said with a satisfied smile, placed the loaded pistol in his jacket and strode to the door.
The plaza was filled with peasants and caballeros alike, all waiting to watch and protest the flogging. Some protested by throwing fruit and other vegetables in the alcalde's direction but his lancers took the brunt of the assault. The peasants were subdued with haste, having no courage to stand up to an armed military presence.
Don Alejandro de la Vega stood in the plaza with several caballeros peacefully protesting the flogging.
Victoria Escalante stood beside her friend speaking out about the alcalde's unfair justice system.
Suddenly, the familiar sound of thundering hooves echoed around the plaza, and the crowd cheered, raising their hands in excitement as their masked hero arrived to save the day.
Victoria bounced next to Alejandro, her eyes expectantly falling on the man she loved.
As Toronado passed, Zorro tipped his hat to his lady before turning his full attention to the bare-chested man tied to the flogging post.
"Alcalde!" Zorro called over the cheering crowd, that instantly quieted when they heard his voice, "you know I will not allow you to flog an innocent man!"
"Pablo Sanchez is far from innocent, Zorro!" came the quick retort. "He has failed to pay his taxes for the third month running and the penalties for such failure are quite clear."
"If you flog him," Victoria challenged, "he won't be able to work and earn the money to pay those taxes!"
"He's had three months to think of that, señorita!" De Soto growled. Turning to his soldiers, he raised his hands and pointed them expectantly at Zorro, "arrest him! Now!"
Lancers fanned out across the plaza, some raising muskets, others drawing swords.
The people scattered and Alejandro grabbed Victoria's shoulders and pulled her back toward the tavern.
Zorro shook his head and galloped toward the flogging post. Deftly cutting the rope securing the prisoner. Zorro then turned to the advancing lancers.
Dismounting Toronado, lest the large horse be shot, Zorro easily disarmed two advancing lancers, sending one to the ground and another into two more soldiers advancing with swords drawn. Muskets aimed and fired but Zorro was able to anticipate the shots and ducked behind a wagon stacked with barrels to be filled from the pueblo's fountain.
"Good shots!" Zorro mocked, tipping his hat to de Soto. "I think they're improving!"
De Soto growled and pushed Mendoza toward the masked man, "get him!"
With a heavy sigh, Mendoza advanced as de Soto stepped back and removed his pistol from where it lay hidden beneath his jacket. Raising his arm, the alcalde took aim.
Zorro quickly disarmed Mendoza and with that unexplained sense that warned when he was in imminent danger, he shoved the sergeant out of the way. Knowing he would not be able to duck in time, Zorro brought his blade up to parry the shot as if it were a meter of toledo steel.
Victoria screamed as the pistol fired and Zorro saw his life flash in slow motion before his eyes.
As the pistol ball hit the sword guard, the momentum thrust the blade downward. The masked man hissed in pain as the tip drew a shallow line of blood across his thigh. Zorro stumbled, but kept his feet, momentarily astonished that he had been able to deflect the shot.
It was not until he heard the anguished scream come from behind did he truly feel an unmistakable fear to grip his heart.
Zorro whirled and watched helplessly as Alejandro clutched his chest and fell backward. Victoria fell to her knees with him, breaking the man's fall.
"No!" Zorro cried, his voice sounding foreign to his own ears but astonishingly familiar to another's.
Victoria's head snapped up and as her eyes met those of her masked love, she knew. In that one split second, as time stood still, she stared into the shocked and disbelieving eyes of Diego de la Vega.
TBC