Setting: Chapter 23, after Simoun flees the house when he hears Basilio's news.

Warning: Haven't finished noli and fili both. But I got sad :)

An Alternate Chapter to El Fili

The Revolutionary Shot

by Lady CC Kagehoshi

A man runs away from the house, breathing heavily. He jerks violently, this way and that, refusing the aid of another concerned about him. Running breathlessly to the gate, he slams it open and shut. Thoughts abounding in his head. Shock, confusion and anger on his face.

'Dead! She is dead!' Were his wretched thoughts. 'All this was for her and all was for naught.'

Near tears, he walked to his house. Like a drunken man whose thoughts dominated. Unimpeded by any, all those on the street being in the theater.

"Maria Clara! Pure dove!"

His wail unto the heavens. Bemoaning the fate of the one who loved him, purely and truly.

'I am too late... Too late to save that which I hold most dear.'

Changing his course abruptly, he sprinted in another direction. Running until he was able to hail a kalesa, his face so distraught that the driver did not recognize the Brown Cardinal.

The man entered the open carriage. "Poor Clares," was a loud whisper.

They sped off. Simoun's head was in his hands, uncaring of possible curious eyes. He moaned to himself, whispering her name over and over again. The winds blew his words back to his ears, mocking him.

The ride ceased and he staggered out, paying the astonished driver half a peso and telling him to be quiet about. Thanking him profusely, the man left, thinking the man was a night visitor to the nunnery. He was not noticed though, staring at the bells of the place, he was thinking of the fate of his love.

"Why did not I notice the death bells when I had passed by this cursed place?"Was his question, lamenting to himself. "If only I was sooner."

So he talked to himself, to his love about nothing and everything. Most about her and his regrets.

"Maria!"

This was how Telesforo found him. He, who after asking Basilio where to find the man, had followed, worried about the signal. After a few moments in which he watched, Tales approached the man after a few sobs subsided, still wondering about the identity of this Maria.

"Shall I give the signal then?"

"Why?" Was his broken reply. "It was all for naught."

"Do you mean to tell me this was all for nothing?" Disbelief laced his voice.

"Without her, it is for nothing." Was his disconsolate reply.

Suddenly realizing that this Maria was someone who he had cared for dearly, decided on the gambit.

"So you say that this was all a waste then."

"Yes."

"Even her love for you."

Simoun looked up at him, enraged. "Of course not."

"Then avenger her." He encouraged. "Avenge her and those like her."

With words of vengeance and justice, he encouraged Simoun to give the signal. Newly determined, Simoun took the pistol Tales had offered. The same pistol that he had taken from the jeweller in return with a brooch. Incidentally, this further resolved the steel in the other's eyes.

"The signal."

Simoun nodded. The two walked in the shadows, moving closer to the theater.

"Basilio."

"He has decided to help us."

"Ah."

After some time, they reached the theater. The front was empty of socialites as the second act had already began.

The shot was fired and then there was silence.

"The signal!" Echoed quietly around the building as soldiers listened.

Tales had already left to find his companions. A few shouts were heard, gradually turning into a cacophony as women started screaming. More soldiers had poured in, not noticing Simoun near a darkened sidewalk.

"And let the revolution begin."