Author's note: ¡Feliz Día de los Muertos, gente! Happy Halloween! Thanks again for following me all the way. We move on and take another glimpse at the past.

4. Tláloc

It began to rain softly as Colmillo ran back towards the Underworld, after their mission in Teca. It took only a few seconds before it turned into a thick thunderstorm, darkening the skies and drenching the pair to the bone. Zatz, in the meantime, was wondering about the recent events, knowing it wouldn't be long before the King would gather his men and fall straight into the trap. Maya was going to lose not only his father, but also the triplets to Mitclan's dark magic. A part of him didn't wanted to go back to the Underworld, but what other choice did he have? The cold raindrops washed over his helmet and he knew that their fate was decided, no matter what Camazotz said. The young prince was aware of that the rebellion they were planning was doomed. If only he could convince others to join him. If only he could Maya what they were planning... Didn't the Celestials care?

The jungle moved with the wind, crying in despair for the terrible events that were about to unfold. It shook in fear, like holding its breath, and wept. Zatz shook his head and pushed Colmillo to run faster.

"Naboria daca ae

Mayanimacaná

Naboria daca

Guaitiao"

The Underworld was harsh, burning and stale as burnt out wood. Mitclan was no different, nor his minions. Only the eyes of Camazotz were softer and concerned, trying his best to avoid a war with mortals. The General was quickly dismissed, of course, but the Bat God was still concerned. Once they were alone, waiting for Mitclan to be ready to leave, father and son had a little heart to heart before departure.

"Are you hurt, Zatz? Anything? A scratch? Bruise?"

"I'm all right, Papa. It's nothing. You trained me well" the prince dismissed him, but his sad glance was hard to miss.

"You don't have to do this, mijo. I can join Lord Mitclan in this battle while you wait here" Camazotz didn't trust the War Lord, especially on a battle field with the boy acting as his squire.

"I'm not worried about that. The bloodshed and violence keeps him busy enough to ignore me for a while. No. Es otra cosa, Papa. It's something else" Zatz looked down.

"It's that princess, isn't it? I know, my son, but what can we do? Son ellos o nosotros. We don't have a plan right now, we got nothing to beat Mitclan. Our only hope is to wait and pray that he doesn't find out" the Bat God tried to comfort his son but was rejected.

"Good people are going to die, Papa. People with honor. Brave people! And all we can do is watch? You taught me that honor was everything in this life. You have beaten me many times because of it. Honor is everything, Zatz! I rather having a coward with honor than a shameless victor, you said! Leaving them to die is… Argh! ¡Valió madre! We are no better than Mitclan! We are worse! We are waging war against people who have nothing against us. We are hunting down a girl for Lord Mitclan's pleasure and power!" the young man could only punch the wall and try to find comfort on his mother's gift. Camazotz knew that he was right, but too much was at stake. The god waited until his son was more calmed before speaking again.

"We are not worse, mijo. We'll never be anything like that pendejo. This I swear" the general spoke slowly. "But these days we can't just rush into action or we'll be killed too. And I can't lose you, not you. I lost your mother because I was weak, but not you. We will take him down but we need more time. We need help and that takes time"

"Then what do we do? King Teca and his sons will die tonight with no honor and no one to mourn them. It's just not fair"

"Then make sure they are mourned with honor, my son. Like you said, we are warriors and we live by our code. A worthy rival deserves to be taken to his family. Make a difference, Zatz. Be a Prince" Camazotz touched the boy's shoulder gently and he nodded. "Anyone can call himself a War Lord. Not everyone earns the title of Prince"

"Sí, Papa" the young man smiled sadly.

XXX

When Zatz told his father about Maya, Camazotz was surprised to hear something warm, soft in his son's voice. Never in his long love relation with Acat, the Goddess of Tattoos, had he spoken of her like that. The rebellious and bloodthirsty deity had always been more a source of trouble than affection. Acat had made Zatz question his family's honor many times but their so-called love was now walking the flames and with little chances to survive that episode.

The Bat God knew his son had always shown interest in feisty women, strong ones. Probably, that was thanks to his mother, but there was real admiration in the way he talked about this Maya. Was that girl worth his boy's attention?

"Why did Acat had to offer herself? Is she loca?" Zatz was getting ready to leave again. "She wants to die. Just that must be it. That stupid, selfish, pu…"

"¡Epa!" his father gave him a friendly slap. "I understand you two are not having a good day"

"We were actually giving ourselves some space, or at least I was. It's hard to be with someone who hardly lets you breathe" the Prince sighed angrily before receiving a nudge from his loyal puma and his owner scratched him. "Gracias, Colmillo"

"Acat has nobody but you, mijo. She wants to prove Lord Mitclan that she's more than just a pretty face" the Bat God caressed the large bony feline. "Acat knows very little of our plans and is probably tired of waiting for you here"

"I don't need her help in this matter, Papa. I can handle on my own. I'll go get the girl and bring her here. Fin"

"Ah-ha. Does that include talking to that Princess Maya and having, you know, more than just pretty words?" sniggered Camazotz.

"PAPA! ¡Ándale, loco!¡Güey!" Zatz was taking by surprise and punched the general playfully, while receiving another assault from Colmillo.

"You said it yourself, not me. I have never heard you talking about Acat like that, so I'm guessing that you really must like this girl. Again, it's dangerous and you could die at the hands of Mitclan for this. I have already told you, but I haven't seen you so much in love in years, mijo. Your eye is shining, you're taking your time to leave and you're talking to me about it. That must mean something. Does she know of your feelings?" asked his father.

"No. I wanted to give Acat one last chance before deciding, but I'm sure of what I'm going to choose. Even it means losing a good friend"

"When you began dating Acat, you started to rebel against me. I remember that day too well. I smacked you hard and gave you a speech about honor. You dismissed me" they both went quiet. "But today, you are telling me about this princess, how much she has impressed you and that gives me hope that maybe, just maybe, this might work out. So I really hope that you can prove me right and be my son, the Prince of Bats. The Son of Camazotz"

"Papa, was it the same with Mama?" Zatz asked and his father nodded.

"Fight for her, mijo. If you really love her, don't let her go"

"I won't" the Prince grabbed Colmillo's head and nodded with pride while scratching his old friend.

Two missing scenes that I knew we all wanted to see.

Zatz and his father were really close in the show and deserved a few more interactions. Plus, I wanted to have a look into their opinions about the involvement of Acat. Also, the Goddess does not tell Mitclan about how Zatz had showed feelings for the princess nor his location after the fight. So, u know. Their relationship is almost broken when we get to meet her and she seems to be more of love of Zatz than him of her. It really got me that part when he scolds her for burning Maya's food and Acat replying that "that didn't seem to bother you before".

Lyrics belong to Juan Luis Guerra, from his tribute to the Tainos, a Caribbean tribe.

Tláloc was the Aztec god of Rain and storms. Irony has it that I got to know of him through a comic when I was seven years old.

Anyway, more to come!