Wow. I didn't think that anyone would like my story. But I agree. It is better than the other version. I'm sorry about the other version though. I wrote it when I was sick for two weeks. I guess that writing when you're sick affects how good you are.
visit: newworldzorro . com
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Mara walked out onto the plaza and stood a few feet away from the Alcalde. She saluted with her blade, threw it in the air and caught it. The Alcalde snickered.
"All show, I see. Let's see if you can really fight, Señorita Kendall." He lunged towards her and the fight began. She blocked all of his thrusts and all of his attempts to cut her. They locked blades for a second and their faces were close.
"Señorita, you fight exactly like Zorro."
She smiled. "Zorro is a man, Señor. But speaking of fighting, I was beginning to wonder if you actually took under my grandfather. You fight nothing like him." She unlocked the swords and fought some more with him. He became agitated with her because she smiled as she fought.
"I swear, you are an exact replica of Zorro. If you were a man, I would hang you, because then you would be Zorro." After he stopped talking, Mara knocked his sword out of his hand. He knelt down in surrender.
She motioned towards his sword. "Pick it up." He bent to pick it up and that was when she noticed a black figure on one of the buildings.
"You are most kind, Señorita." The Alcalde was inching back towards her with his sword in his hand. She looked down quick enough to see him plunge his saber at her feet. With cat-like reflexes, she jumped up and landed on his blade.
"Tisk, tisk, Alcalde. If you're going to fight with me, you must fight by the rules." She jumped again and he took his sword back. He got up and locked swords with her again.
"Sorry Alcalde, but this fight is over." She brought her sword down on his and cut off the blade.
"Bah!" He threw the sword hilt down in disgust. "Lan-" He was cut short when she put her blade at his throat.
"Alcalde, I do believe that I've won this fight." The townspeople clapped and cheered for her. The Alcalde looked around at the people and then back at her.
"Okay, what do you want."
"I want you to leave this pueblo forever."
"But I can't do that! I'm the Alcal-" She brought her sword up tighter.
"You know something, Alcalde. After Alcalde Luís Ramón was killed, the king appointed a new Alcalde." She kneeled down next to him and was talking in his ear. "But that Alcalde was not you." She got up and sheathed her saber. "You see, the real Alcalde was a friend of mine. He came to me a few days after he was supposed to have left for California and told me that a man called 'De Soto' had forced him to give up his new job." The townspeople began to whisper and talk around them.
"So? You can't prove that." The Alcalde was getting nervous.
"No, I can't. But there is one thing I can do." She brought out a paper from her pocket. "Sergeant Mendoza." He came over to her. "Would you please read this?" Mendoza took it and opened it up.
"This says that you, Señorita, are a Lieutenant in the Royal army!"
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The Alcalde looked up at her. "What? That can't be true!"
Victoria walked down from her veranda. "And why not, Alcalde? Women can do anything men can do." She folded her arms and glared at him.
"Alright, I believe it. Now, why don't you just capture Zorro and be gone."
Mara looked at him funny. "Zorro? Is that what you think I came here for? I have heard of him, but not as an outlaw as you so wrongly think of him."
"So what are you here for?" He straightened his shirt collar and looked up at her.
"I'm here to take over this pueblo. Alcalde, I suggest that you pack your things and be out of here by sundown tomorrow, or you will face the consequences."
Mendoza stopped her. "But Señorita! The Alcalde is a good man at heart, if you get to know him."
"Sergeant, be quiet," the Alcalde commanded. "Alright, I'll leave." She started to walk away. "Señorita, can I have one last request?"
She turned back to him. "Of course, Ignacio."
He grimaced slightly upon hearing his name. "It's Zorro. I've been trying to capture him for years and just to know who the man behind the mask is would send me back to Spain a happy man."
She considered his request. "Would it now? Are you sure it's not just another attempt to get a feather in your cap?"
"I'm positive." He smiled a little.
"Well then, why don't you ask him yourself?" She pointed towards where he was hiding on the roof.
"Zorro! Lanc-" She stopped Ignacio with her saber.
"Ignacio. Be quiet."
Zorro jumped down from the roof and walked towards Mara and Ignacio. "Señorita, it seems that I cannot hide from everyone. But how did you see me?"
"A keen eye can see more than just a roof." She pulled her sword up more on Ignacio.
"I see. So, shall I remove my mask and then be taken to jail, or do you have something else planned for me?" Zorro leaned on his saber and waited for her answer.
"I have plans, but I will not speak them here. Will you meet me tomorrow in the plaza at noon? I will be happy to discuss my plans then."
"Señorita, it would be a pleasure." He smiled and walked over to Victoria. He kissed her hand and whistled for his horse. Mounting Toronado, he smiled at Mara. "Until tomorrow." And with that, he was gone.
"You let him get away!" Ignacio was boiling mad. She sheathed her saber again and turned to him.
"I have no intention of anything less."
"But I have a bounty on his head! You can't let a criminal get away like that!"
"Ignacio, if you were in the army, I might listen to you. But since you aren't anymore, I guess I'll have to go get some lunch." She walked away towards the Tavern and left him standing there. Alejandro and Felipe were there to greet her.
"Well, that was quite a show out there, Señorita Mara."
She smiled and sat down. "It's all looks. I'm not as sinister as I seem." He laughed a little and sat down across from her and Felipe. "At heart, I'm just a woman who wants to be loved."
"Don't we all." She looked up and saw Diego riding up. Alejandro followed her line of vision and saw him.
"Ah, there's Diego. Wait until he hears about your fight!"