I'm glad so many people like the first chapter to this story. I'm trying to stay true to both Kim Possible and Zorro with this one. I'm also working on My KP/HULK story and the others. It'll just take some time. In the mean time, enjoy the second installment to The Mark of Possible.

Some say he's a Legend; others a ghost. They say he fights for Justice while others say he fights for revenge. No one has ever seen his face, but everyone knows his mark.

Z

II.

James couldn't help but smile as Ron drove the carriage through the front gate of the Possible estate and brought it to a halt by the large barn. His smile only became wider as he saw the young red head leap off the wagon and run into his arms in a massive hug.

"Father, it's so wonderful to see you again!" Kim said as father and daughter hugged each other again.

"It's wonderful to see you as well, Kimberly. Let me have a look at you." James said as they broke the hug and Kim stood before. "I can't believe it. My little girl has returned to me as a woman." James said as he saw how much his daughter had matured. "Did you receive the news I sent you?" James asked as his face became partially downfallen.

"I still can't believe it." Kim said.

"We can thank God she went peacefully in her sleep. She would be so proud of you. Come in, I want to hear all about Madrid." James said as they began to walk toward the hacienda, but turned when they heard Ron shout.

Both looked to see that Ron had gotten his pants leg caught in the wagon and had fallen to the ground. Minus his pants.

"At least some things are still the same." Kim said to herself.

The interior of her home looked exactly as it did the day she left. She couldn't help but relish in it. It was almost as if time had stood still and refused to move forward. The grand piano was polished to a mirror finish and looked just as stunning as ever, and the beautiful chandelier hung in the large living room looking like it was a living work of art. As her eyes fell upon the fire place, her heart began to sink. There was the family portrait they had hung a week before she had found out she would attend the university in Madrid. Her eyes began to water as she saw the immortal image of her mother, and realized this would be the closest she would ever be to seeing her again.

"I know it's hard, Kimmie-cub." James said as he walked to his daughter, using the pet name he had given her when she was born. "Every time I wake up, I still expect to see her on the other side of the bed. It's been weeks since she was buried, but I can't even imagine how the future will be without her." James said.

"I didn't even get to say good bye." Kim said as she bit her lower lip as her father held her to comfort her. "How are the Twe – I mean, Jim and Tim doing?" she asked, stopping herself from calling the nick name she had given them. One thing her and Ron usually did when they were younger was making up words for different situations or people. Since she had twin brothers that reminded her of an annoying weed, she called them Tweebs.

"They're doing fine, so far. They took your mother's death pretty hard as well." James said as he wiped a tear from his eye. "They've been helping Senorita Flores and Senorita Tara at their inn." James said as he went to get his coat.

"Flores? You mean Zita?" Kim asked.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you. She and Tara opened an inn almost a year and a half ago. They've been doing pretty well so far." James said and jumped five feet into the air when someone tapped him on his shoulder.

"Ronald, I've told you not to do that!" James said as he saw the smirking blond young man standing behind him.

"Sorry Mr. P. I just wanted to let you know I've already started the preparations for dinner. And someone just dropped this off for you. The messenger seemed to be in a rush, so it must be important." Ron said.

"Thank you, Ronald. One of these days, I'm going to find out how you've been sneaking up on me." James said as he took the note and rolled it. After he read through its contents, the smile that had been on his face faded an soon became a small scowl. "Excuse me, Kim, but I have business in town I need to attend to." James said as he made his way to get his coat.

"What's wrong?" Kim asked him.

"A few of the Dons are meeting in the pueblo as we speak, and I have been asked to join them."

"Can I come along?" she asked.

"Not this time. You just got home, Kimmie-cub. Why don't you just rest for now." James said to her.

"I don't mind." Kim said to her father.

"Kim, it doesn't need to concern you at the moment. I'll only be gone for a short while." James said as he headed for the front door. "I'll see you later this evening Kimmie." James said as the door closed behind him.

"This doesn't make any sense. What could be so important not to include me?" Kim asked, puzzled by the way her father acted. "Did you read the note?" Kim asked Ron.

"No, I didn't." Ron replied.

"I wish I knew what was going on." Kim said as she began to make her way to the fire place.

"Well – I do need to get a few things in town for dinner." Ron said with a smile, and chuckled as he saw the smirk form on Kim's face.


During the ride toward Los Angeles, the wheels in Kim's mind kept turning over recent events, and kept wondering about this new Alcalde that had her father and her friend's feather's ruffled. And the way Ron had been acting was also weighing on Kim's mind. Even though it was small, this was quite the contrast to the way her friend used to act.

"What?" Ron asked as he noticed Kim looking at him from her chestnut colored horse.

"Who are you, and where is Ron?" she asked him.

"What do you mean?" he asked her.

"The Ron I remember hated work, did his best to goof off, and couldn't sneak into or around anywhere to save his life." Kim said as she brushed a few strands of her hair from her face as the rest blew in the hot California wind.

"KP, I've had to do a lot of growing up while you were away. A lot of us did." Ron said as he re-directed his horse back onto the road.

"And daddy's paying you how much?" Kim asked her old friend.

"KP, you'd honestly think you're dad would have to," Ron stopped as she saw the piercing look she gave, and took a loud gulp. "Okay, he's paying me. You can't blame a guy for wanting to at least make some kind of honest living." Ron said.

"I guess I can't." Kim said, reminding herself she had been gone for four years.

"Which reminds me. Someone's missed you." Kim said as a naked mole rat emerged from a hidden pocket in her dress, and crawled onto her shoulder.

"RUFUS!" Ron cheered happily as the rodent leapt from Kim shoulder to his former master's and snuggled himself under Ron's chin. "Have you been keeping KP out of trouble?" Ron asked, but was confused when Rufus teetered his paw like a scale. "What's that supposed to mean?" Ron asked Kim.

"I'll explain later." Kim said as they came to the pueblo of Los Angeles.


As both Kim and Ron rode into Los Angeles, Kim was surprised to see that the market had more people in it than she last remembered. It appeared that Los Angeles had indeed grown since she had left for Madrid. There were a few new buildings in the pueblo and smaller homes here and there. She knew the buildings of adobe and clay were nothing compared to the grand buildings and homes of Spain, but the sight before her was more grand than anything she had ever seen while she attended the University.

"Do you think daddy went to the town house?" Kim asked Ron as they dismounted and tied the horses to a near by hitching post.

"If the meeting is what I think it is, then he's probably at Senorita Flores' Inn." Ron said as they began to walk down the dust covered road.

"Why would they be meeting there?" Kim asked.

"You'll see." Ron said as they grew closer to the two-story Adobe building, and heard the numerous voices that sounded like they were furious. Ron and Kim carefully snuck into the inn and saw many of the other caballeros were all seated and having a very heated discussion.

"This is unacceptable! The Alcalde has gone too far this time!" a middle aged Don shouted as he stood to face the gathered crowd. "The Alcalde has imprisoned four of my servants, claiming they were caught stealing! Why would they steal, I feed them and give them a roof over their heads!"

"Not only that, but the Alcalde is forcing every prisoner into laboring over that blasted highway of his!" one man shouted, standing and revealing his long brown robe.

"Is that Friar Felipe?" Kim asked Ron as she saw the large metal cross hang around his neck.

"Yup, he's still alive." Ron told Kim as they took a seat in a near by corner.

"He always said we would cause him to loose his hair, and it looks like it was true." Kim said as she noticed the only remaining hair on his head started around his ears and joined together at the back of his head.

"Actually, we only caused the bald spot that was on top of his head. Jim and Tim made him loose the rest." Ron said.

"Chips of the old block." Kim said as she listened to the conversation at hand.

"Several of my flock have disappeared. Men, women, and children! It wouldn't surprise me if the Alcalde was kidnapping them for slave labor to complete his ridiculous highway!" the old friar shouted.

"I say we drive the Alcalde out from Los Angeles!" Don Louis said.

"It won't make a difference, Don Louis. Why do you think the governor hasn't interfered? They are both in business together and the governor would only retaliate." Don Fransisco said to his fellow Dons. "Can we not try and contact the king himself?"

"One has already tried." Don James spoke up. "Don Carlos tried to inform the king, but the Alcalde intercepts any mail. The rest of you know what happened to Carlos." James said.

"What happened to Don Carlos?" Kim asked Ron, remembering that his son, Josh, was one of her good friends.

"The Alcalde informed the governor, and the governor stripped him of everything.." Ron told her.

"My God." Kim whispered.

"What do you think we should do, Don James?" Felipe asked.

"I wish I knew Friar. But trying to start a coo isn't the answer. Too many innocent people could get killed. What we need is a miracle." James said.

"A miracle that wields a flaming sword!" the friar shouted.

"Careful, Friar." A very feminine voice said as the entrance to the Inn, causing everyone to turn toward the newest guest. "Your words could be misinterpreted as treason." The voice's owner said; keeping her voice calm but still sounding threatening as she slowly walked into the inn.

She was a tall woman, wearing a dark green overcoat over a white blouse, black vest, and a pair of black boots that had a high shine to match her black pants. She had piercing olive green eyes and jet black hair that was tied into a fashionable ponytail so it didn't get in her way. Her build was slim, but very athletic. Danger seemed to radiate off her like the heat of a wild fire as Sergeant Drakken followed behind her.

"Who's she?" Kim asked Ronald as she watched the woman move like a wild cat stalking its prey.

"Senorita Shelia Gogh; the Alcalde." Ron said.

"She's the – How did a woman become the Alcalde?" Kim asked.

"The commanding officer laughed at her when she joined the army. Last I heard, he's just now learning how to walk again. Or so I've heard." Ron said.

"What do we have here? Another respectful meeting of the landowners? Or is it a rebellion in the making?" she asked as she stood in the center of the inn.

"We were simply talking about your latest actions, Senorita Gogh." James said.

"You mean the arrest of the school teacher and the others? I'm here to merely enforce the laws of Spain. I have done nothing except imprisoned criminals and those who would insight rebellion against the Spanish crown." She said.

"Most of the men you've imprisoned are farmers. People who can't afford to put bread on their family's table, let alone pay for these outrageous taxes you've set." Don Louis said.

"The law is clear. If you refuse to pay the taxes, then you must be punished accordingly." Senorita Gogh said.

"If I may ask, but is there a reason you're interrupting this meeting?" Kim asked as she stood to her feet while Ron slapped himself in the head for not stopping her. Leave it to Kim to not know when to stay in the pan and out of the fire.

"And you are?" Miss Gogh asked as she began to look at Kim, trying to see if she was any kind of threat.

"Senorita Gogh, this is my daughter Kimberly Anne Possible." James said while giving his daughter a look they said they were going to have a long talk later on.

"Oh, the Princess. My sergeant told me that you had a little excitement earlier today." Miss Gogh said as she walked to Kim and wondered how the skinny young woman in front of her almost broke the arm of one of her soldiers. She also had to keep in mind that it was Drakken they were talking about.

"It was no big. It was just someone forgetting their manners." Kim said as she eyed the slightly squirming Drakken. "It's a pleasure to meet you Senorita Gogh." Kim said as she curtsied, and found her feet swept out from under her as she hit the hardwood floor with an echoing thud, causing every Don to become outraged. As Kim got to her feet, she glared at the older woman in front of her; doing her best to keep her anger in check and keeping Ron from trying to beat her skull in. "You dare insult a Lady?" Kim growled.

"I'm just trying to make a point, Princess." Miss Gogh said smugly.

"What point would that be?" Ron growled.

"That despite Miss Possible's social rank, I am the one in charge of Los Angeles. I am the one in control of the military garrison, and I control the laws and whatever else I want around here. So I don't care what your reputation is or who you know. In my pueblo, you are as low as a filthy peasant. Keep that in mind the next time you even think about looking at one of my soldiers, let alone touching one." Miss Gogh said as she turned and began to leave the Inn. "By the way, the traitorous school teacher will be executed for treason in two weeks. In case you'd like to see a show." Miss Gogh said with a small smile and left.

"Executed?" Ron growled. "Forget oppression. This is madness." Ron said to himself.

"Kimmie-cub, are you okay?" James asked as his daughter.

"I'm fine. It's mostly my pride that's hurt." Kim said as she dusted off her dress.

"I thought I told you to stay at the hacienda." James told her.

"Daddy, I just wanted to see why everyone was acting so strangely. Now I can see why everyone is so upset." Kim said.

"Kim, these are very dangerous times. We have to be careful about what we do, and I don't want to see anything bad happen to you." James said.

"Daddy, I can handle myself." Kim said.

"No, Kim. This isn't like you having to deal with Senorita Rockwaller. Please, trust me." James said as he walked out of the inn, looking more troubled than when he had left their home.

"Don't be upset, Kim. He's probably just worried about you." A very feminine voice said to her. Kim turned to see the face of her old friend Zita refreshing the drink of one of the inn's patrons.

"Zita! It's so good to see you." Kim said as her and Zita embraced in a small hug. "Dad told me about you and Tara opening the Inn. How's business?" Kim asked as she followed Zita to the bar and took a seat.

"I would like business to be better, but we get by." Zita said.

"Zita, is what the Dons were saying true? About the mail and Don Carlos Pulido?" Kim asked her.

"I'm afraid so." Zita said as Ron joined Kim at the bar.

"But why would the Alcalde want to take everyone's mail?" Kim asked.

"You saw how the Alcalde acted?" Ron asked her.

"You know I did, Ron."

"Well, the governor is worse." Zita said as she poured a glass of ale for one of her patrons.

"Both of them like having power and they're determined to keep it. The Governor knew someone might try to contact someone with a connection to the Spanish Crown, if not the king himself." Ron said.

"Don Carlos Pulido tried, and the governor stripped him of everything. His lands, his money, everything. All he and his family have left is there home." Zita said.

"So you can also see why I was trying to help the school teacher escape. I still can't believe this." Ron said.

"Neither can I." Kim said. "But why kill a school teacher?" Kim asked.

"Simple. The Alcalde wants more than what she has. So she's making an example out of the school teacher to show her control." Ron said.

"The Alcalde will do just about anything to show how much power she wields over us." Zita said. "Friar Felipe is right. We need a miracle with a flaming sword." Zita said.

Everyone turned when the heard a small explosion and a few of the guests rush from their upstairs room and out into the street as smoke began to escape from the second floor.

"Santa Maria! What have those two little pendejos done now?" Zita asked as she began to march upstairs. "JIM! TIM!" Zita screamed as she went to the back and heard several Spanish profanities echo through out the inn.

"I'll get the horses ready." Ron said as he quickly made his way outside as he grabbed a fresh tortia.


It had been one week since Kim had arrived home, and all she could see was more and more of the Alcalde's oppression of the people. The other day, she saw a poor native being beaten senseless by one of the soldiers from the Garrison. When she tried to find out, she was told that the native didn't understand their language. She had also found out that the Alcalde had imposed so many taxes that were so ridiculously high that they had no choice but to hand over their land.

When she rode through the country side, she was shocked to find that almost half of her friends and their families had to leave Los Angeles because they had to give their land to the Spanish Government. The pain of loosing so many of her friends only added to the heartache to absent presence of her mother. She had turned to her mother for advice for so many difficult situations that it was driving her mad that she wasn't here now.

One of the worst things though was the fact that her father was being so boorish. The man had nurtured every aspect of her life, even when she wanted to play games with all the boys instead of the girls growing up. Now he wasn't letting her do much of anything. Ever since her confrontation with the Alcalde, he was making her act like a "proper lady." Acting like a fop was making her sick to her stomach.

"Mother, please. I want to help, but how can I do that?" she asked as she looked into the cloud covered sky as she sat on the small Cliffside that wasn't too far from the waterfall on their property.

"You'll find some way. You always do." Ron said as he joined Kim by her side and looked at the almost endless landscape in front of them. "I never get tired sitting out here." Ron said.

"This is where we came a lot." Kim said as glanced at her old friend and smiled a little bit. She always felt better when he was around. "You told me when the sun set, you thought it gave you enough time for you to talk to your mom and dad so they could hear you." Kim said as she remembered the days when he first came to live at her hacienda.

"I remember. I still think they can hear us better when the sun rises or sets." Ron said.

"Do you think my mother will try and listen to me?" Kim asked Ron as she felt a small tear begin to form.

"I know she will. While you were away, she said I was the only small comfort she had for her loneliness. She told me that no matter what anyone said, I was as much her son as Jim and Tim were. When she died, it felt like I had lost my mother again." Ron said as he closed his eyes, trying to keep his tears from falling and be brave for Kim. It was a small surprise when she slid closer to him and rested her head on his shoulder.

"Maybe if we both think of her, she may actually find a way to talk to us." Kim said.

"I really did miss you, KP. I thought there were days when I thought I wouldn't make it without seeing you again." Ron told her, causing Kim to look at Ron in surprise. In all the years they had known each other, that was the most romantic thing he had ever said to her. But he couldn't be interested in her like that. Could he?

"Y-you did?" she asked him.

"Yeah. And I think that's why your dad is acting the way he is. You're a lot like Mrs. Dr. P, and I don't think he wants to risk a chance at loosing you." Ron said.

"Oh." Kim said. 'I guess he was just trying to comfort me.' Kim thought. "Ron?"

"Yeah, KP?" he asked.

"Do you think we'll ever find a way to stop the Alcalde from what she's doing?" Kim asked him.

"God, I hope so. If she keeps this up, she's going to drive away most of the people here." Ron said.

"Do what?" Kim asked him.

"The Alcalde. It's like she's raising taxes to purposely drive away a lot of the people here." Ron said.

"That does sound a little weird." Kim said. "We better head back. I don't want daddy to start worrying." Kim said as she stood to her feet and dusted her dress off.

"Good point. Plus I thought I'd try and fix one of your favorites tonight." Ron said as he and Kim began to walk back to the hacienda.

"Oh? Which one would that be?" she asked him.

"Nope, it's a surprise." Ron said with a smirk.

"You're no fu-AAAGGHH!" Kim screamed as part of the ground beneath her gave way and found herself falling into darkness.\

"KP!" Ron shouted as he quickly tried to grab her hand but missed by only a few inches. "KIM! KIM, CAN YOU HEAR ME?" Ron screamed into the hole.

"Yes, I can!" Kim called up to the hole above her head and rubbed her backside as she stood.

She looked at her surroundings while she tried to figure out what had just happened to her. As she looked, she realized she was in a large cave. It was almost as big as the dining area at the tavern that Tara and Zita ran. There were a few other holes in the cave letting a decent amount of light in, and an exit right at the water fall.

"DON'T MOVE KIM! I'LL FIND A WAY DOWN!" Ron shouted down to her.

"It's okay Ron. I found a way out! Ron?" Kim asked, but received no answer. "Damn." Kim growled to herself.

Kim started walking toward the waterfall until her wondering gaze fell upon something odd. At the far end of the cavern, Kim saw several torches lit. The only way that could happen was is someone had been down here. But who? Banditos? Smugglers? Well, there was only way for her to find out.

Kim walked to the torch lit opening, and was amazed to discover that the walk to it actually had smooth steps that had been carved into the stone. A lot of work had to have been put into making a passage into here alone. Kim observed the opening and saw that it had been cut and shaped into an archway with a fork in it. One path was going to the left while another went to the right. Taking a wild guess, Kim took the path that was leading to the left and followed it. She soon found herself at a strange door, unlike anything she had seen before in her life. It was sealed and had no visible knob or handle to open, so Kim began to scan any sign of opening it. There had to be something. Kim placed her hand against the side of the strange door to support herself as she looked, and was surprised when the stone she had pressed sunk into the wall, and the door opened.

Acting quickly, Kim rushed through the opening and turned to watch it seal itself. She was astounded to see that the other side of the door was actually the living room fireplace of her home! How long had it been there? More importantly, who was using it?

"Okay, robe in case of an emergency. Bandages is she's hurt. God, don't let her be hurt." Ron said to himself as he walked right past Kim, his concentration on his supplies as he walked toward the fire place.

"Ron?" she asked, but saw that he did hear her.

"Okay, I've got everything. I hope I get there in time." Ron said as he pressed a stone on the mantle, and saw the wall open and the cradle for the fire wood slide to the side.

"What if she asks about the secret door?" Kim asked Ron.

"Then I'll just think of something – to? Kim?" Eon asked as he turned around slowly. He let out a slight nervous chuckle as he saw Kim looking at him with her arms crossed. "Huh. I-I guess you found – um – are you okay?" he asked her.

"So that's how you've been sneaking up on daddy." Kim said with a smirk.

"I'm dead now, aren't I?" Ron asked her.

"I'll think about it. Why didn't you tell me about this?" she asked him as he stepped out of the fireplace as the secret door closed.

"I don't know. It was built ages ago in fear of Indian raids, and I guess everyone forgot about it. No one's using it, and I thought I could use it to impress your dad so I can keep my job." Ron said dejectedly.

"Ron, you know you don't have to impress daddy." Kim said as she gave her friend a reassuring hug.

"Thanks, KP." Ron said and returned the hug.

"Where does the other path lead?" she asked him.

"It leads to the outside, near the stables. That's how I get the horses ready. And this," Ron said as he slid a few books on a near by book shelf to the side. "this is how I can find out if I'm in trouble or not." Ron said.

"Wow. When did you find this?" she asked him.

"Not too long after you left. I was feeling lonely and I stumbled on it by accident. By the way, I still owe your dad a new vase. Are you going to tell him?" Ron asked her.

"No. You know, it leads to a cave under the waterfall. Maybe we can use it for something." Kim said.

"Like what?" Ron asked her.

"I don't know yet. But maybe it can be the birth place for something the Alcalde hates the most."

"Which would be?"

"A rebellion." Kim said with a smile.