3.7K...I have absolutely no life whatsoever. :)
REVIEW REPLY:
-mozzi-girl (Beast!)
Hehe, I thought you'd like that. :) And I hope this chapter is just as amazing. :) Thanks for reading and enjoy.
It's almost One in the morning here and I have to wake up at 7 or 6:45 tomorrow so I can leave for my camp. However, I couldn't sleep and I decided the best thing to do was to write! Of course, that's what most writers think. :)
I really wanted to finish this story, so I can mark it as complete and get started on some others and especially work on Haltalia...Which really needs an update. :) I'm working on it, though!
To close, I am satisfied with what I've written...Up until the end when things are really heating up between Mal and Enrique. I rushed because I was so close to finishing and...Well...Here we go!
Thank you for all the support, reviews, and for reading this! Keep in mind this was inspired by The Legend of Zorro. Thank you again and enjoy!
VIVA LE CAZA!
TRANSLATIONS:
Idiota: Idiot/Fool
Familiar: Family/Relative/Cousin
Justicia: Justice
Pecados: Sins
Desafio: Duel
Mal: Evil (Adjective) ((This one actually made me laugh out loud because of the slight irony. :) ))
Malos: Evil (Noun)
Coup de grace: (Though it's not Spanish, I think a Translation is needed.) Finishing Blow
Que Diablos: What the Devil?
Nino: Boy/Child/Son
Senorita: Miss
Si: Yes
Mi Amigo: My friend
Princesa: Princess
((Wow, that was A LOT! Keep in mind I am using Google Translate most of the time. :) Some phrases may be wrong, either due to punctuation, or misplaced words. Thank you!))
It seemed like Mal and Natara's vacation just wasn't going in the direction of which things were planned. However, that didn't ruin the vacation all together...It made it even more enjoyable.
Mal held the hotel door open for Natara as she walked in, her makeup running and her nice, red dress torn down the side and sopping with sea water. Mal looked rugged as well; his suit soaked as well. Somehow, throughout the night, he lost his jacket, only leaving his white dress shirt and black tie.
"Well," Mal began slowly, "that took a turn for the worst."
Natara sighed heavily. "It did...But I had a good time anyway."
Mal raised an eyebrow. "Wait a second; So while we were finishing up our romantic dinner down by Miami Beach, I lean in to kiss you and I accidentally trip over my own two feet, which caused us to fall into the water...And you still had a good time?"
Natara laughed. "I thought the trip was a nice touch," she complimented. "Besides, you're unlike any other guy, Mal. If Oscar did that, he would be more upset over his messed up attire. You, on the other hand, started a splashing war...And lost your jacket."
Mal chuckled. "I saw an opportunity and I took it...Even if I did lose the jacket which just so happened to contain $50. Some guy on a stranded island is going to get very lucky."
Natara smiled and kissed his cheek. "And this is why I love you so much, Dear."
Mal smiled back. "Yeah, I know; I'm irresistible."
She laughed once more as she disappeared into the hotel bathroom. Mal shook his head, smiling at the night's events. That's when the laptop beeped loudly, startling the detective. He rushed over to it and sighed when he saw it was a video chat request.
"I totally forgot about the story," he muttered and sighed heavily. "Might as well just make it up." He accepted the request and Neha appeared on the screen.
"Oh, hey Mal!" she called. "The kids are just getting their pajamas on. Do you think you can spare a few moments for your story?" She then frowned. "Whoa...What happened to you? You look..."
"Wet?" Mal asked. "Like I tried to act studly and fell into the ocean instead..."
Neha laughed. "You'll need to give me all the details. Where's Nat?"
"She's in the bathroom cleaning up," he answered. "She'll be out in a minute. So, how's my favorite sister-in-law?"
"Only sister-in-law," Neha corrected with a smirk, "and I'm good. So, you two are coming home in two days?"
Mal nodded. "Well, it was fun while it lasted, but I miss my little kidlets."
"I never thought I'd see the day where Mal Fallon would miss anything besides Natara."
Mal chuckled lightly just as Natara strolled in. At that same time, Kara and Nathan jumped into the screen, smiling widely.
"Mom! Dad!" they both cried and Natara smiled.
"Hey guys! Are you being good to Aunt Neha?" she asked.
"Yes, Mom," they replied dully and Natara nodded towards Neha who laughed.
"They've been really helpful, not only to me, but to Grandma as well."
"And are you sure they're not bribing you to say this?" Mal asked and Kara groaned.
"Can we just get on with the story?" she whined and Mal laughed.
"Oh alright, cover up for now," he replied and took in a deep breath. "Now...Where did I leave off...Oh right! Well..."
-C.O.D-
Slowly, as if not to disturb the air around him, Mal removed the coal-colored mask from his face. Natara gasped loudly and stepped back.
"Y-you!" she called out.
"I know this seems bad," Mal informed quickly, "but trust me! I am the same hero you were kissing; I'm just mask-less."
"You...You tricked me!"
"Now listen, Natara, I would never just play around with your feelings..."
"You good for nothing..." And she ranted on, now throwing out Spanish curses. "How could you?"
"I was going to tell you but..."
"But what? You thought that I wouldn't like you!"
"Well, actually, considering how bad you're handling the news, that's exactly what's happening. Look..."
"No," Natara shouted, raising her voice and her hand. "You look! You said you never wanted to play with my feelings. Well congratulations Mal Fallon, you did it! You played with my feelings!"
"Natara, please, please listen to me," Mal said, now making a grab for her arm. She pulled back forcefully and snarled towards her intruder.
"Leave me alone, and never speak to me again," she hissed and was about to turn away when Mal looked towards his wound he had received days previous; an act of protecting the young gyspy. Though it was covered, he saw its true meaning. Without further hesitation, he pulled off his cape. The scar ran down his bicep, enough to tell a story.
"Natara," Mal said, now in a hushed tone. "What does this scar signify?"
Natara turned around. "What?" she asked, frowning.
Mal lifted his arm and pointed to the zig-zag formation. "Why did I get this scar?"
Natara eyed the wound for a moment before turning away once more. "You're an idiota," she replied calmly. "And that's all you ever were."
"So, only an idiota would save your life?"
This caused her to stop and re-face Mal. "My life is meaningless."
-C.O.D-
"Why am I sounding Emo?" Natara asked, raising an eyebrow. Neha laughed.
"It's just a story, Sis." She then turned to Mal. "Does she always interrupt?"
"More than usual," Mal replied with a smile. "Now, as I was saying..."
-C.O.D-
"If your life was so meaningless, why did I risk mine to save yours?" Mal took a step towards her. "Just because I'm not wearing that mask, doesn't mean my feelings for you as Le Caza were fake..."
"But you were playing with the poor girl's feelings, Malachi," a voice responded. It was gruff, yet heavily influenced with a Spanish accent. Mal cringed and slowly turned around, seeking the origin of the voice.
"Enrique," Mal hissed as he caught sight of the voice-bearer. The man, who stood as tall as Mal, but was more extravagantly dressed than his cousin, smirked with a cruel sense of glee.
"Ah, my dear familiar," Enrique sneered. He gently thumbed a pistol clipped to his side. Slowly, like a panther, he circled Mal. "It's so nice to see who the man is behind the Le Caza mask, don't you think?"
"What do you want, Enrique?" Mal spat. Enrique stopped his circling and raised an eyebrow. Hatred boiled in his eyes.
"What do you think I want, Malachi? I want justicia. I want every criminal in this horrid city to pay for their pecados."
"So, in other words," Mal growled, "you wish to get rid of me."
"You are becoming wiser, Malachi. I almost feel guilty for killing your father."
This caused something to break inside Mal. He whipped out his sword, faster than lightning and pointed it towards his cousin. "You shall never talk about my father...Ever!"
Enrique just laughed and pulled out his own sword. "You were always like your father Mal; always willing to jump into a losing desafio!"
Mal swung his sword towards Enrique's and they clashed. "My father was a great man," he snarled, "and destined to be the ruler of San Francisco. Now look what you have done, Enrique! You've starved several families and murdered off innocent people as if this were just some game!" He ducked as his cousin delivered a rather good blow. "You're nothing but mal!"
Enrique scoffed. "Me...Evil? Please. I'm not the one stopping executions that are supposed to destroy the malo!"
Their swords clashed once again, proving their little duel to be useless. Mal threw his sword to the side and dodged another attack. Without much thought, he retrieved his bow from its assigned place and pulled an arrow from its sheath. He pulled back the thin 'dagger' and aimed it towards Enrique.
"There's a reason why I'm called, Le Caza, Cousin," Mal snarled. "It's because I am the Hunt...And I will do everything I can to make sure the prey knows its place!" He released the arrow and it embedded itself in Enrique's shoulder. He cried out in rage and pain and threw the butt of the sword towards Mal, causing him to lose balance and have the wind knocked out of him.
"Mal!" Natara called and made her move towards the fallen hero, but Enrique kicked her away.
"Idiota," he called out. "Both of you." He approached Mal, who held his stomach as if trying to regather to stolen breaths. "I would expect better from San Francisco's Hero. Looks like the Hunt, just became the Hunted."
Enrique lifted his sword, ready to deliver the coup de grace, when a wild cheer rang out from the forest. He looked towards it in shock, watching as several citizens dressed as Le Caza, ran out, swinging their swords viciously and wielding bows and arrows.
"Que Diablos," he muttered as one Le Caza approached. He was built taller than Mal himself, and had a thick Spanish accent that matched Enrique's.
"You've made a huge mistake, nino," the man roared and he attacked. Natara, now regaining her footing, ran towards Mal, who was struggling to get up.
"Mal?" she asked and he looked up at her. "Are you alright?"
"I've faced worse, Senorita," Mal replied with a frown. Natara pulled him up and he armed his bow once more. "You stay far away from Enrique," he commanded. "Go hide out in the house and make sure my mother is safe." The man posing as one Le Caza was thrown back by the force of one of Enrique's swings. Mal gently shoved Natara. "Go!"
She didn't think twice. She disappeared into the darkness and Mal turned back to face his foe once more.
"What is going on here?" Enrique demanded. "Why are their so many of you?"
Mal smirked. "Because, Enrique," he began and lifted his bow up. "You've just met the Hunters!"
He released the bow, and this time, it nailed itself into Enrique's chest, far from the heart. The other Le Caza's gathered around, throwing out battle-cries and cheers. Enrique was pushed back slightly by the impact, but stood his ground. He ripped the arrow from its base and glared at Mal.
"Who are these people?" he hissed. "Why are they helping you?"
"I made a promesa," Mal informed his enraged cousin. "I had to save their leader's daughter and they would be my helpers throughout this whole game. Enrique, meet the Gypsies."
Raj was the first to remove his mask, smiling proudly. After him, followed Neha, who laughed.
"You're out-numbered," she called. "What are you going to do?"
Enrique clenched his fist. "Oh," he growled, "I'll show you what I'm going to do." With cheetah-like speed, he ran towards Mal, now revealing a small, hidden blade. Mal had seconds to react before unsheathing his own that rested by his side. However, it was all too late.
-C.O.D-
"The end," Mal said with a smirk and Natara glared at him.
"Oh no, that cannot be the end," she growled.
"Yeah," Kara agreed. "Daddy, you're really bad at ending stories."
"Yeah," Nathan cut in and was soon joined by Neha.
"Although," Neha began, "I do like my freakin Bad-A performance."
Mal chuckled. "Can't you guys take a joke?" he asked with a smile.
"That wasn't funny," Natara commented. "Not at all."
Mal just smiled and continued, happy with his little troll-move he performed.
-C.O.D-
Mal's life flashed before him; he was running alongside a creek as a young boy, Enrique trailing behind him. Both were giggling happily as they enjoyed the warm breeze. This memory faded into another; Mal and Enrique were now teenagers, sitting in the town-square admiring the girls that walked by. Mal always had a certain charm, while Enrique lacked the words. Another memory interfered and it was the day Enrique forced his rule upon the city. Shortly after, Mal watched in horror as his father was being dragged to a noose. He gave his son one final, pleading look, and the memories, all together, faded into white. Peace.
Mal was jolted back into reality when Enrique coughed, spitting blood upon Mal.
"No!" Mal cried. Though he was upset with the harm his cousin had caused, he never meant to kill him; only to teach an unforgettable lesson. "Enrique!" Mal gently set his cousin on the farm-land dirt, where the fallen dictator rested for a few moments before coughing once more. Mal examined the puncture wound he had inflicted upon his cousin. The guilt that filled him was almost unbearable.
"Enrique," he called out, once more, but the harsh dictator failed to respond. "No, this can't be happening!"
Raj frowned slightly. "But...My friend...He is dead! His reign of terror is no more!"
Mal shook his head. "That wasn't the point, Raj! I wasn't supposed to kill him!" Mal looked at the cursed blade, still clutched in his hand. "This can't be happening," he repeated.
"Malachi..." Enrique managed to mutter. This caught Mal's attention instantly.
"Si," he asked quickly, hoping to receive a hopeful answer of his possible healing.
"I...I'll admit," Enrique winced from the pain, but continued on, "that I was wrong about one thing; the justice I failed to deliver. But I will always be San Francisco's Leader...Even after my demise."
"A leader is strong," Mal grumbled. "And you had the potential to be a great one...But you failed to rain good upon San Francisco's streets. They will forever be tainted with your sins, Cousin."
"But that, Malachi, is what I call a...Legacy," he barely managed the last word as he slipped away, falling into his own, eternal darkness. Mal closed his eyes and clenched his fist.
"Mi amigo," Raj began slowly. "My comrades and I shall leave you alone...If desired..."
"I'm fine," Mal replied. Though he knew he wasn't, he stood up, looking among the many Le Caza's that risked their lives for him. "My Hunters," he called out, his tone expressionless, "we have captured our prey."
The Gypsies arose in a happy cheer and Mal turned away. He ignored Raj's calls and headed straight towards his home. He pushed open the door and Natara sat up straight. She looked terrified as she lounged with Angela.
"Mal..." she began and Mal nodded.
"It is done," he replied. "Enrique Valdez is dead."
-C.O.D-
"Now it's the end," Mal informed with a pleased smile. Neha looked close to tears as she dabbed at her eyes.
"No," Kara whined. "It isn't!"
Mal raised an eyebrow. "But Le Caza saved the day! That's good for an ending!"
"Yeah, but what happened to Mal and Natara's off romance," Natara asked, smiling slightly.
Mal rubbed the back of his neck. "Well, I figured since I kind of screwed that part up in the story, I would just skip it."
Natara smiled. "Alright then...Why don't you let me fix it. I may not be as good as you, but when it comes to fixing a relationship...Well, let's say I've had experience."
Mal chuckled and then nodded. "Go on then, princesa."
Natara laughed slightly. "Okay..."
-C.O.D-
Natara looked at Mal, complete shock overwhelming her face. "Really?"
The heroic farmer nodded towards her. He looked pained though...More pained than he was when Natara had rejected him.
"Mal...I take back everything," she began. "About you never being a hero...I was surprised." She then walked over and gripped his hand. "You've completed a task that seemed impossible for most civilians. The whole city will worship your victory..."
"But what's to worship when a life has been lost?" Mal asked her. "I can live on knowing that I am the reason why my cousin lies dead in the field."
Natara nodded slightly. "I can sympathize with your pain, Mal...But you did what had to be done...And I am forever grateful." She then leaned up and kissed his cheek. "Forever grateful," she repeated and smiled.
Years Later
Enrique's fall was something the whole city had been waiting for. Though, Mal still contained respect for the dictator and demanded a proper burial. He had become the new ruler over San Francisco, paying back the families who had lost so much.
However, he wasn't the only one assisting the people.
Natara leaned into him as he overlooked the city. He wrapped an arm protectively over her, and the soon-to-be new addition to the family. He was a strong, passionate leader, and that's just some of the greatness he had.
-C.O.D-
"He also proved to be an amazing Daddy," Natara added smiling. "And the bestest friend anyone could have. And they lived happily..."
"Ever," Mal added in, and together, they finished with,
"After."
"Now that is an ending!" Nathan called out.
"That was awesome!" Kara and Neha exclaimed at the same time.
Mal laughed. "I really liked that ending, Nat. We should make it into a book."
Natara just laughed along. "Well, it's almost midnight where you guys are at," Natara informed. "How about you two get some shut-eye and Daddy and Mommy will be home very soon."
As she said this, the twins let out a yawn and nodded sleepily. Neha laughed and nodded towards Mal and Natara.
"I'll take care of them right now. You two should do the same," she said.
"Thank you, Sis," Natara said. "We'll be home soon."
Neha gave the couple one last smile before signing off Skype. It was silent for a moment before Natara faced her husband.
"So...Where did you learn all that Spanish?" she asked. Mal shrugged.
"You know what...My brain can come up with the strangest things."
Natara laughed and snuggled up to Mal. "Oh, I bet it does, Honey..."
