The sun was falling down as the night was taking over in the desert. The dark night and countless stars were taking over the skies, as well as the winds who its strong blows create a cold temperature. All was quiet and peaceful there. Then, sounds a burning fire was heard. It came from the just about a few blocks to the caves of Santa Felipe. It was Dulcinea, Puss in Boots, and Kitty Softpaws setting a camp there. Jose was not with his cat friends. He was sleeping in the far side of a small rock pile, away from his friends, because he couldn't bear seeing them after his past came back to haunt them. Back at the campfire, the three cats already had their campfire going and they were looking at the map to see how far they are from reaching their destination. Dulcinea looked sad and worried, which Puss took notice. Kitty signals Puss to talk to her, in which it seems Dulcinea is distracted by some thoughts.

"Are you okay, Dulcinea? Puss said as Dulcinea quickly gasps and pays attention to him.

"Oh! Um, yes Puss, I'm okay," she says in an unconvincing way. Her ears were droopy and her face was let down. Kitty touches Dulcinea's back to get her to look at her.

"Is it about what happened back there?" said Kitty as Dulcinea slowly moved her head down as she signals her friend yes.

"It is alright Dulcinea. We stopped the thieves, we got away from them, and we have saved San Ricardo and Edwin. Those thugs will come back in my opinion, but we must be ready for any surprise attacks from them," said Puss, thinking that the San Ricardo incident was the cause of her worries.

"Is not about the thugs, Puss," said Dulcinea, with her eyes more saddened than before. Kitty and Puss both put out a small surprised look, thinking that they may know the cause of her sudden worries, and Puss was feeling her bit of pain as well.

"Is it about Jose, Dulcinea?" said Puss with such a soft tone to try to get her to say her thoughts about this.

"I'm going to sleep now. We will get ready in the morning," said Kitt as she knows about what Puss is trying to do, so she leaves Puss and Dulcinea to have some privacy as she walks away with their map. Puss takes a deep breath to prepare for his conversation with a saddened Dulcinea.

"Puss. I felt Jose very differently," Dulcinea said, while Puss sits down and comes to the right side of her shoulders and waist.

"How's that?" the caring orange ginger cat said, fearing for Jose despite he was the one who saved Edwin.

"He was filled with rage and anger. It's not like him. When he looked at that thug's face, he looked like he wanted to kill him but not in the way Jose does it. He felt like he wanted to kill him viciously and violently. I'm fearing that his past is finally catching up to him, and whoever these thugs that are after us they want to hurt him so much that they would use him to make him hurt everyone he holds dearly in his heart, and that's us, Puss."

Dulcinea's confession was full of emotions and even though it was Jose's past, it affected her so much that her heart was crying deep inside. Puss completely agree with Dulcinea, which he made a mean look on his face looking at the sky, determined to not let his best friend get slowly devoured by the dark side of his past.

"He always took care of us. And he... was helping control my powers ever since we've met him back where our new life's journey together even began. I can't believe him... he is in this situation. I feel like a complete loser, I should have been a better friend and helped him on his emotions. Puss, I love him so much that I consider him more than his best friend. He's like family to me. I... I feel devastated seeing him like this."

Dulcinea then broke up large tears as she was crying and was hugging Puss hard. Puss felt her pain. He was clapping her back to calm her, embracing her hug, and understanding her love for Jose is as big as her love for Puss. Puss knew that Jose was very important to their relationship and his advice and help had constructed a deep bond that made both himself and Dulcinea grow as not only individuals but also as true friends.

"It is alright, Dulcinea," says Puss with a smile on his face.

"Huh?" Dulcinea said, confused by what she meant as Puss took her teary and sad face off of his back and wipes off her tears, appreciating her beautiful face because he hates it when he sees Dulcinea very sad.

"There is no need to overwork yourself, my love. Jose is a very humble boy, an excellent warrior, and an amazing friend to us all. Believe me, I too was sad to see him like this. Jose has helped us so many times that sometimes I feel like he wants to take the pressure off our shoulders. But the most important thing I will always respect Jose for is that he will ways have a deep respect for you. He has helped you a lot more than the number of times he had to help himself. He trusts you and loves you like you were his adoptive mother. His family may be gone, but we have always taken care of him, just like he does with us. Dulcinea, I know this hurt you just like it does to me, but we must be strong for him. We must be more than his friends."

Puss' words of wisdom quickly made Dulcinea put on a soft smile as they turn around and see a sleepy Jose. Both of them smiles as they got up.

"Ready?" Puss said with a small smirk towards his friend.

"Yes. Let's go help Jose," said Dulcinea, while Puss smiles with happiness that Dulcinea is once again with her normal confidence. The two lovers walk through the short desert to have a talk with Jose.

In another time, in the cliffs of Santa Felipe, there was a father and his two-year-old son sitting there and watching the sunset. The father was hugging his son and looked him in the eye, with full of happiness. The sons couldn't talk yet as he was still very little, just only can say expression gasps, but he deeply lovee his father with all his heart. The father rubbed his head with his right hand as he was about to tell the kid a story.

"My boy, let me tell you a wonderful story. A story that it might like you. My son, this cave, holds hidden history. The history that once was set foot by my father and my father before him and beyond. It is our bloodline that we share. It connects us. But, a myth once that that, in the deepest of his beautiful cave, lies a clue, a clue that leads to seven powerful and shining emeralds. It has said that it can create something beautiful, but also great destruction."

"Woah."

"Yes. That's why I always been into the caves, to look for the deep parts and find the clues towards that treasure. So I can wish for us to create something that could help everyone around the world. But I know I won't find it, because I am not that bright and selfless. But son, I believe that this journey... you will be the one to find this treasure cause I know, you are the best of us. I believe you, son. You are a mom and dad's greatest gift we have ever gotten. I love you, Jose."

As his words echo through the mind of Jose, now grown up, like someone is calling out to him.

"Jose. Jose" said Dulcinea softly as she and Puss were trying to wake Jose up. Jose makes a soft gasp, open his eyes slowly, and slowly yawning. in order to fully wake up.

"Were you dreaming about them again, haven't you?" said Dulcinea, whole Jose wasn't fully woken up yet.

"Hmmm," he said, confirming that he did had that dream. Jose was nearly wakened up as his vision was starting to exhibit sleepy and blurry phase and he saw Puss in Boots and Dulcinea with long and worried expressions on their face.

"Puss? Dulcinea? What's wrong with you two?" said Jose, seeing his two worried for him.

"Jose. Dulcinea and I are very concerned for you. You acted very much like a monster back in San Ricardo, and we want to see you that you aren't very emotional about what happened," said Puss, caring so much for his brother-in-arms.

"Yes, Puss. I did act that way," Jose didn't even waste time and said his actions back there, in which both Puss and Dulcinea were surprised by his honesty.

"You have got this," said Puss, looking at Dulcinea, as he fully wants to leave her to talk to his friend. Dulcinea knew that she was the only one along with Puss that can understand Jose, but she knew that Puss trusts her wisdom to handle this. She sits alongside Jose, with him looking at her with a short smile. A very unpleasant and uninspired smile, but Dulcinea feels like she can help him. Puss in Boots sits on a rock, just beside the ground where Kitty is sleeping.

"Jose. Can you tell me how you feel?" Dulcinea said in a soft tone and looking at Jose with a worried look but a soft smile on her face. Jose took a breather to start his confession, feeling a bit worried about it but he knows he trusts himself to share his feelings with Dulcinea.

"When that thug was holding Edwin and talked... I got into a trance. And when he said he killed my parents, I just snapped," said Jose as he stutters a bit because those are big confession he needed to make. Dulcinea felt worried but at least she was relieved knowing Jose is telling the truth.

"But, why did you acted like a monster," she says. Jose took his time as he sniffs for a bit.

"I... I don't know. I guess I couldn't get past by my parent's death, that I was devasted. When he was holding Edwin, it felt like one of them hold me as a hostage back when it was my family who suffered from this. The pain I am feeling... is like when I don't agree with someone it always ends in an argument, one that I always said some mean things to hurt the people they support me, just like me saying you have fake identities, and telling people I am a terrible friend. I just, felt like I wanted revenge, and all I did was making me friends be worried cause of my thirst for vengeance. But I feel like he's just a spawn, that someone with a higher power is fully responsible for their deaths. I... just a horrible friend."

Jose's words were full of regret and sorrow of pain and cries for a little bit because of his supposed failure. Dulcinea felt him. She didn't need her sixth sense to understand Jose's pain. Puss heard it from a bit far where Jose's sleeping place and he felt what he was feeling. The same feeling he once had, that loneliness, suffering from the past, and unwillingness to move on before he met Dulcinea.

Dulcinea closes her eyes and breathes as she went to talk to her saddened friend, hoping she could get him to his senses.

"Jose, you are not a monster, nor a terribly horrible friend. I know fully well about your past, and sometimes we react whenever someone sees the people that harmed our loved ones. Look at you did ever since it happened... You've helped anyone and everyone despite some of your partners died. You were a silent vigilante in San Ricardo, even though you hated it because it reminded of your failures. And you have saved Earth 18 and Zootopia, and even saved our world from Thanos. Well, the best part about it, haha... is that you did that by achieving the perfect life you ever wanted, by meeting us for the first time. I know you feel like their deaths have been your fault and that you have been carrying this guilt ever since. But please, use this as a blessing in disguise. Because if your parents never gave you the love they shared for you, they wouldn't be able to protect you from them, and your accident would have never existed. Cause, my friend, your powers were born the day your father risked his life for yours. Jose, no matter what happens from here on out, Puss and I will do anything, and I mean anything, to help you deal with these thugs slash demons of your past. And you have my word, that I will not anyone ruin the life of my friend."

Dulcinea holds his hands, while a surprised Jose looks at her with a smile on her face. Jose was feeling different. Like his past was showing him the good that ever came from his mistakes. His heart had felt kinda happy as Dulcinea's speech really helped him.

"Thank you, Dulcinea. You are right, I did do a lot of good ever since their deaths. And I would had never met you and Puss. You truly are my best friends. I am grateful for everything you have done for me. I know that they will be back and try to ruin my life some more. But I will beat them, and I will do it right alongside my new family... you two. I love you, Dulcinea. You are like the sister I never had. And I wouldn't want it any other way."

Jose was delighted by her words, that he hugged Dulcinea. Dulcinea happily embraces the hug and purrs softly to comfort her friend. Then, a smiley Puss walks towards them and he was clearly proud that Jose has returned to his normal state of mind.

"I am proud of you, Jose. And no past enemies will ever take that love and optimism you have inside your heart," he says as Jose waved his head upside down, signaling yes.

"Thanks, Puss. Dulcinea. You guys are the best," said Kose with a smile as Puss in Boots and Dulcinea were smiling with happiness. Then, an idea clicked into Dulcinea's head.

"Jose, do you want to spar with me?" Dulcinea said while Puss was in full agreement with that idea.

"What?" Jose said, very caught off guard by that surprise.

"Well, you see. back when we were in Earth 18 to save you from Evil Puss and Darth Dulcinea, Dulcinea and I had a spar to take away our worries. It worked out because Dulcinea and I had the best fight we ever had. She threw some amazing attacks, and I did the same. I put her on a sleeper hold and she did not give up for five minutes, hehe," said Puss as Jose was laughing at this little affair.

"He's right," she says while smirking and gives Puss a small punch to his left shoulder. Puss smiles at her and he grabs her head and tickles her body. She laughs by it, and Jose sees them having their romance of love.

"Well, what do you say Jose?" Dulcinea asked, smiling while she stands up and summons one of her tulpa swords. Jose chuckles a bit, while he stood up.

"Okay, Dulcinea. I will accept your challenge," said Jose as he summons one of his swords as well, accepting Dulcinea's challenge. They both went to another side of their camo, one where it was suited for a battlefield.

"Ready, Jose? I don't want you to be unprepared and lose against me," she says as she was confident. Jose laughs at her little bit of trash talk.

"Oh really? Then I guess I have to bring you my very best, haha!" said Jose, puffing his chest with pride. He and Dulcinea were setting their stance to begin. But then, to their surprise, Puss in Boots draws his sword as if he wants to join.

"Puss? What are you doing?" says Dulcinea, confused by all of this, same as Jose.

"Since you two are sparring. I would want to join you guys, as well," he says as he sets up his stance. Jose and Dulcinea were surprised and shocked that Puss wants to take on both of them.

"You sure you want to face all of us in a free for all?" Jose said, but Puss give both he and Dulcinea a smirk on his face.

"Oh, believe me, Jose and Dulcinea. I want this more than anything right now!" says Puss as his shout roared like a determined cat ready to leave everything on the line for the victory. Jose and Dulcinea looked into Puss and suddenly they feel like they should go through with this.

"Okay, Puss you can join us." Jose Rivera says.

"Really?" Puss softly said as Jose smiles at his buddy.

"Yes, my love," Dulcinea says as Puss in Boots smirks with the adrenaline of a warrior kicks in.

"En Garde!" says Puss as he swings his sword to do his stance.

"Ready?" Jose says as both Puss and Dulcinea were as ready as they'll ever be.

"Capo Ferro!"

"En Garde!"

"Hyah!"

Puss in Boots, Dulcinea, and Jose, have let out their huge battle cries, run towards one another, and began clashing their swords. The sounds of their grunting, panting, movement, swords clanging, hits, counters, everything that had to do with battles was heard by the stars and moon shining brightly on the brave heroes. The lasted over hours fighting each other to see who was the best amongst them with a lot of pride and respect for each other.

In the midst of whatever happened to Jose, it has slowly beginning to fade away for the brave hero. Like every time he was fighting Puss and Dulcinea, he felt truly happy. Like his anger was slowly devouring itself and it was disappearing. With each passing moments of their fights, Dulcinea, Puss, and Jose felt that this sparring has made them stronger and mentally more durable than before.

In the far reaches of the desert, the strange black mask thug was using some binoculars to see its prey, which was Jose and his friends.

"Ha. Soon, I will deliver my bounty to my master," the thug says, smiling so sinisterly satisfied. The thug takes out three darts and puts it onto a sniper. The thug gets down and starts adjusting the aim.

"I've got you three now, ha!" says the thug, confident he has Jose, Puss, and Dulcinea on sight. The thug fires the sniper three times and its darts were firing fast. But then, a faster blur strikes the drats and destroys them like it was nothing.

"What the fuck!? says the mysterious thug as he acted so surprised. It rapidly packs its bags and weaponry and adds it to the thug's backpack. It immediately transforms itself into a jetpack. The thug quickly outs it on and flies away.

As it flies away from the scene, the dark, and mysterious vigilante was looking in another side of the desert as he was the one who destroyed the darts. The small but brave vigilante could sit back and enjoy Jose, Puss in Boots, and Dulcinea spar as whoever it is was analyzing them. But was very happy that he saw Puss in Boota and Dulcinea helped Jose in his moment in need. He then looks at its horse, who was enjoying these three incredible friends too. The small vigilante rubs its horse very dearly. Then he looks up in the sky, like wishing to return to its own world. The saddened vigilante misses its friends. The horse jibbers at its owner to send the sad mysterious figure some love. The vigilante gladly accepts the horse's hospitality.

"Don't worry, pals. I will find a way back to you," says the vigilante while seeing an old photo paper from his pocket of its black jacket and sees its friends. And it smiles looking at them, while this strange figure continues to analyze the team of Puss in Boots, Jose, and Dulcinea, which leaves the anticipated vigilante amazed, proud, impressed, and above all, interested in their abilities.