Chapter 4
Cortez took off his mask and entered the castle hallway. He took another sip of water from the bottle provided by Senor Super Hero. "Six down, one to go", said a very exhausted Cortez, "If I can survive". "Hey, where I'm from, we have a saying", said Senor Super Hero, "'If fate didn't want to be defied, it should never give away the chance to do so'. Michael is fool if he think he can win". "Still", said Cortez, "I want to be prepared for anything". "I hear that", said Helena as she walked over. All three of them found themselves in front of the painting of Zorro. "You think I could get a painting like this?", asked Cortez. "I don't see why not", said Senor Super Hero, "You're building a up quite the heroic reputation". "Speaking of which, did we ever find Michael?", asked Cortez. Helena wanted to spill the beans right then and there, but as if by magic, she found that she couldn't say a word. She wondered how that could be as Senor Super Hero said: "Not yet. Michael is resourceful, a man who could out-wit just about anyone. I'd like to get my hands on him one day". "Why does he want to stop me anyway?", asked Cortez, "I mean, he certainly has the power and the money". "Indeed", said Senor Super Hero, "But that's not all. He wants revenge against Zorro, something that runs in the Moncada family". "Could you tell me more?", asked Cortez. "Certainly", said Senor Super Hero, "The first enemy Zorro ever faced was Don Rafael Moncada, the nephew Dona Eulalia de Callis. Truth be told, your ancestor, Don Diego de La Vega, and Rafael were enemies long before, fighting to win the affections of a girl named Juliana. During that time, her father was a French sympathizer in a time when the French were being pushed out of Spain. As such, to prevent innocents on both sides from being killed, Don Diego joined the forerunner of the Heroes Guild, an organization by the name of La Justicia, who had fought against the Inquisition generations before. Soon, however, La Justicia had to dissolve upon the return of the Spanish king. Don Diego took Juliana and her sister Isabel to America to escape Moncada's wrath, only to lose Juliana's affections to the legendary pirate, Jean Lafitte. He managed to get Isabel to California, only to find that Rafael had imprisoned his father. Thankfully, Don Diego, inspired by Jean Lafitte, had developed his black-clad alter-ego, Zorro. With the aid of his brother, Bernardo, and the secret help of Isabel, he defeated Rafael Moncada and his associates, who had enslaved the local Native Americans to get several valuable pearls. Years later, Rafael was found guilty in the Spanish Court and lost his whole fortune, while Zorro would go on to have three sons, all equally wealthy, who would protect each of the places Zorro called home. One protects California, another Barcelona in Spain, and finally, the bridge between those coasts, the Magic Railroad". "That explains why Rafael's descendants took up crime", said Cortez. "They were worse when they were rich", said Helena, who had found her voice at last, "Just be glad he isn't someone like the Troll King or the late Dr. Scarabus". "Hey", said Cortez, "I think I know how to find them". "How?", asked Helena. "I've got an eye in the sky", said Cortez with a grin.
Cortez and Tornado took off and flew over several woodland railways, looking for any sign of Dynamite Dan's trademark explosives. He saw nothing and moved on, not noticing several camouflage tents hidden in the brush. Ratface Ramon and several others crawled out as soon as the coast was clear. "Now remember", said Ratface Ramon, "if any of you see him again, back in the tents". "I-It seems like this was a bad idea", whimpered Timid Terry. "Look, Timid", said Ratface Ramon, "the boss gave us an order, let's just carry it out so I can finally by that golf course in Florida". "Besides", added Manic Mike, "we've already wired the bridge. If all goes accordingly, we can be out of this dump by the end of the week". "Here's hoping", said Ratface Ramon. "Alright, hombres", said Dynamite Dan, "there'll be time for chit chat after we're done. Now let's lay out some dynamite!" He took out his radio to see if Michael was still on. "Mike is right", said Michael, "I want to be out within the week". "Right, partner", said Dynamite Dan. He looked into a box and realized it was empty. He checked another one and another one. "Uh oh", he said at last.
Michael had gotten a confused look at that remark. "Uh oh?", he asked, "Why uh oh? What's happening?" "Partner", said Dynamite Dan, "We've run into a slight complication". "What kind of complication?", asked Michael. "Gimme that!", said Ratface Ramon, "We're out of dynamite". "Out?", asked Michael, "I thought you packed fifty sticks of the stuff". "Most of that was used on the bridge", said Dynamite Dan, "The trail stops just short from there". "Alright", said Michael, "Come back here. I have few extra boxes". Michael leaned back in his chair and looked at a map of the Magic Railroad, with a single red pin to denote the place where he had killed Zorro earlier in June. The past few months were bliss until Cortez came into the fold. An idea went off in his head. "Scratch that", said Michael, "You guys head to the old mine. The rest of us will meet you there". "Copy that, boss", said Ratface Ramon. Michael turned off his radio and sat in thought.
The next morning, Cortez, Senor Super Hero, and Helena walked into the castle library. "OK", said Cortez, "if I were the leader of a gang, where would I go?" "I'd say we check every lost temple, every hidden cave, and every bank in the land", suggested Helena. "That's a good start", said Cortez. Just then, Bubo flew in while carrying a note. "It's from the northern mountain mines", said Senor Super Hero, "They're requesting our help to track down some suspicious people seen taking dynamite". "Sounds like Dynamite Dan", said Helena. "How fast can we get there?", asked Cortez. "Lady can get us there in a few minutes", said Senor Super Hero. "Then let's go", said Cortez as he threw on his mask and sword.
Soon enough, Lady was traveling up the side of a rocky cliff high above a grand valley, pulling our heroes in an open-air coach. "How's the view?", she asked. "Fantastic", said Cortez. "Dare I say, magical", said Helena. They passed over a bridge, underneath which ran a narrow gauge line to the same mine Lady was going. The line ended in an abandoned shaft that was boarded up. Senor Super Hero looked away, still remembering that night. Cortez didn't fail to notice this, but said nothing out of respect.
Lady reached their destination, a mine built into the side of the mountain. There, Duke, Bertram, and Rusty, the Little Diesel were pushing and pulling slate cars filled with supplies. What no one realized was that the gangsters were already there, sneaking over to the slate cars filled with dynamite. "OK", said Ratface Ramon, "here's the plan: we get as much off of those cars and get out of here". "I thought the plan was different", said Timid Terry. "Just loosen the brakes", sighed Ratface Ramon.
While that was happening, Bertram stopped next to our heroes. "Hey Bertram", said Cortez, "We're just stopping by to find any signs of those gangsters". "You mean like those guys?", asked Bertram. The gangsters looked up in shock. "Let's get 'em", said Cortez. He, Senor Super Hero, and Helena climbed into Bertram as he charged at the slate cars, taking them and himself down the mountain line! Cortez then took out his sword and climbed out onto the slate cars! Manic Mike was about to shoot him, but Ratface Ramon knocked the gun out his hand. "What are you, insane!?", he cried, "One misfire and we'll all explode! Use your swords!" Two of the gangsters took out their swords and attacked, only for each blow to be blocked by Cortez, who then punched the two gangsters in the face! One of them tried to attack Cortez as he fought off Manic Mike, but then, Helena punched him flat on his back! Just then, the slate cars started rocking Bertram increased speed down the mountain slope.
Senor Super Hero steadied himself inside of Bertram's cab. "Bertram", called Cortez, "now would be a really good time to slow down!" "Not to worry, mis amigos", said Senor Super Hero, "I've got this". He reached for the brake handle and pulled it off the hinge! "Oh, that's no bueno", said Senor Super Hero. "What's no bueno?", asked Bertram. "We have no brakes!", cried Senor Super Hero. "WHAT!?", cried Bertram.
Cortez knocked Manic Mike out of the way before blocking another strike with his sword! "Let's hope the points were switched ahead of time", said Cortez, "Helena and I will take care of these guys!" Helena used her magic to bring of the goons' swords to her hand. She joined the fight just as Ratface Ramon, Timid Terry, and Dynamite Dan attacked! Dynamite Dan attacked with his twin Bowie knives, which Cortez blocked with his sword and dodged the attacks that couldn't be blocked! Helena knocked out one of the gangsters before firing a blast of lightning at the cliffs above! The resulting falling rocks were able to knock two of the gangsters off of the train, but did little to slow it down! Cortez kicked Dynamite Dan aside and tripped Ratface Ramon before facing Timid Terry! "Stand back", said Timid Terry, "I'm armed!" Cortez simply punched him in the face before turning to face Ratface Ramon! Suddenly, Ratface Ramon was blasted by a bolt of lightning! He fell over, with Helena standing over him. "I know", she said, "the dynamite". "Still", said Cortez, "good shot". He blocked a sword strike from Dynamite Dan and knocked him into Manic Mike, while Helena punched Timid Terry. Suddenly, a bump alerted everyone to the fast approach towards a boarded up mine shaft! "Brace yourselves!", cried Bertram.
They crashed into the shaft! The force was so powerful, not were our heroes and the gangsters knocked to the ground as Bertram derailed, but the dynamite cars continued to speed down the mine tracks. The gangsters, no worse for wear, got up and ran into the darkness, with Cortez, Helena, and Senor Super Hero giving chase. Suddenly, Helena yelped! Cortez looked for her, but then realized Senor Super Hero was gone to. "Guys?", called Cortez, hearing his voice echo through the mine. Just then, the power came on, the lights revealing Michael and his army of goons, who were holding Helena and Senor Super Hero prisoner! Michael was smoking a cigar before he turned to face Cortez. "Oh hi", he said, "Cortez is it?" "How do you know my name?", asked Cortez. "Helena is, or at least was, a spy for me", said Michael. "Not anymore!", said Helena, "You think I would ever work for a man who put a curse on me!?" "Yeah yeah yeah", said Michael with a roll of his eyes, "I get it. I get it. I. Get. It. You thought that by falling for hero kid over there, it would be a get out of my service free card. Good plan, except for one thing..." He then pulled out his gun and shot Helena in the stomach! "Michael Moncada always has a way for you to come back". "What did you do to her?", growled Cortez as he held his sword aloft. "She is the final challenge", said Michael with a grin, "The last Senor Super Hero will see of you is the moment before you're slain by a fire-breathing dragon". He then sprayed knock-out gas at Senor Super Hero before his goons ran off. "By the way", said Michael, "I'd lose the mask if I were you". Cortez turned to find that where Helena was laying stood a massive, 50-foot dragon! It had long, curved horns, black skin, and blazing red eyes. The dragon roared and attacked!