The idea of the story below has been on my mind for a while.

Since I don't have access to the episodes, only the transcripts from PamZ (for which my thanks).
These I first translate into Dutch and then edit with my changes to translate them back into English will change lines.
If I have to think in two languages mixed up, I get too much confused.
Every word you recognize from the series isn't mine.

Furthermore, I would love to hear your thoughts on the changes I made.

In the series was shown Zorro started flirting with Victoria from the time he flew into the pueblo using a kite. That was not a very clever move Diego. You put yourself right out of the game.
What if Diego had been more reserved as Zorro? Had Diego then had a better chance to capture Victoria's heart? She seemed impressed by him when he came into the tavern for the first time as Diego.

I do not own any of the characters.

Another beginning.

Chapter 1

"Then why do I disgust you." Victoria smiled sarcastically and poured the jug of cream over the head of the corporal who had dared to attack her.
It was a shame to waste the cream so carelessly. Despite this, Victoria enjoyed the sight of the furious corporal she had expertly humiliated in front of his men. From now on, he would certainly refrain from forcing his unwanted advances on her.
As the owner of the local tavern, she knew exactly how to handle men with grasping hands after years of experience.
He had to be new because she had made it clear to all other lancers long ago that she did not tolerate indecent behaviour in her tavern.
Victoria turned around, placing the jug on the table. The murmur in the tavern was hushed. She looked up to see what had caused the sudden silence.
Her breath halted.

He had returned.
Don Alejandro had told her he had written to his son to return as soon as possible. The situation in Los Angeles was deteriorating by the day since Luis Ramon had been appointed alcalde. The don had expressed the hope that his son would join the other caballeros to form a strong front against Ramon.
And so now he had finally arrived from Spain.

Diego de la Vega.
And he was even more attractive than she remembered.
The light blue suit matched his black hair and accentuated his blue eyes.
His hair was neatly combed and shiny. A mark that he valued good hygiene. Something most men in these parts lacked.
All Victoria could do was stare open-mouthed. She had to look ridiculous.
Fortunately, there was don Alejandro, who woke her from her trance.

"Diego, you remember Señorita Escalante?"

Don Diego stares at her, who stares back. Diego lifts her hand to his lips.
"Indeed...but you've changed. For the better, that is."

"Thank you, Diego." She had to think quickly of something to say that made sense.
"You've changed too," Victoria utters. "You wear the sword of a caballero."

Don Alejandro seemed to have noticed nothing of the too-long silence.
"Diego's returned to assume his proper place in the community. Ah, Sebastian. Excuse me."
He walks away to greet some friends at one of the many tables. Diego and Victoria continue to stare at each other again.

"He's a popular man," Diego utters.

Victoria turned to look at Don Alejandro and then back at Diego.
"Yes, and courageous too. You should hear how your father speaks out against the alcalde."
From out of nowhere, Victoria felt a hand take her upper arm in an iron grip. It is the corporal she has just taught a lesson to. He turns her in his direction.

Spitefully, the man says. "You owe me an apology."

Victoria struggles to break free. Where does he get the nerve to grab her arm like that in her tavern?
"Let go of me!" Victoria demands in a fierce tone.

The soldier laughs and holds her tighter.

Diego steps in to grab the soldier's arm and pushes him away.
"The señorita said let go!"

The soldier points his finger in Diego's direction.
"Just who do you think you are?"

Don Alejandro interfered in the encounter between his son and the corporal. As one of the most important dons in the pueblo, he is certain this lancer will back down once he realizes who he is challenging.
"This is my son, corporal. He's just returned from Spain."

Diego looking angry at the soldier snarled.
"Where, among other things, I learned how to treat a lady."

The soldier was not in the slightest impressed.
"And how to insult the uniform of the colonial military government?"

Don Alejandro puts a hand on each of the men's shoulders. It's time to end this before it gets out of hand. The man must be new in the garrison, or he wouldn't challenge a man carrying the de la Vega name.
"Gentlemen, let's not let this get out of hand."

The soldier pushes Don Alejandro away, causing him to stumble backwards.
"Out of the way, Sir."

Diego says through clenched teeth.
"You need a lesson in manners, Corporal."

Meanwhile, Sergeant Mendoza has come walking in. He immediately notices the tense atmosphere. His new corporal seemed embroiled in an altercation with an unknown man.
In an authoritative tone, he says.
"What is going on here, Corporal?"

The soldier points angrily in Diego's direction.
"This man has challenged me."

Victoria, who has been staring at Diego full of admiration, thinks that the sergeant needs to get informed of the correct information about the situation.
"And with good reason, too. Thank you, don Diego."

Mendoza looks curiously at the man in the blue suit and then at don Alejandro to get his suspicion confirmed.
"Diego? Diego de la Vega, your son?"

Diego reached out to shake Mendoza's hand.
"Pleased to meet you, Sergeant."

"Sergeant Jaime Mendoza. Permit me to welcome you to our pueblo de Los Angeles..., and to collect the traveller's tax."

Don Alejandro responds angered.
"Traveller's tax? That is preposterous!" How does the alcalde manage to come up with so many new taxes? The man almost had to have a day job doing it.

Diego was surprised to hear of such a thing as a traveller's tax. On his way home, while reading through the letters written by his father in the hope of clues about the situation in Los Angeles, he has already resolved to keep his ease first and not get noticed right away. His clash between the corporal and himself, he would also have preferred not to. However, seeing how rude the corporal treated Victoria, his blood started to boil.
"How much is it, Sergeant?"

"Five pesos. It's not much, but it adds up."

Victoria saw her chance to express her dissatisfaction with the new tax. A traveller's tax could cost her customers who, on hearing about it, would decide to travel further to another nearby pueblo where they didn't have such a nonsensical tax. Five pesos was a lot of money for many people.
"If they could, they would tax the very air we breathe."
She turns and walks away.

Mendoza pensively utters.
"Actually, the alcalde is working on something."

Diego was curious to discover more about the man he had heard a few things about he didn't like so far.
"And what if one refuses to pay such a tax?"

Mendoza shrugged.
"The Alcalde becomes very angry. And that is not a pretty sight, señor."

Then, suddenly two gunshots can be heard.

The soldiers present in the tavern rush out. Somewhat more quietly, followed by the others present.

Victoria, Diego, Don Alejandro, and Mendoza emerge from the tavern into the plaza. And see six men lined up there. A man in neat clothes walks in front of the queue.

Don Alejandro is the one to ask.
"Alcalde, what's going on here?"

Ramon sees the man who often irritates him.
"It's quite simple. These vermin refuse to pay any portion of their taxes."

Victoria pleadingly says.
"These are poor farmers. They have no money for taxes."

"The fact remains that these disloyal reprobates only understand one thing - force!"

Victoria urges Diego. He seemed a man to be reckoned with. She hoped this man was anything like his father and would not stand for this kind of injustice.
"Just don't stand there. Do something."

He does feel his temper Diego decides to wait and see what happens to some idea of the opposite party his father wants him to stand up against.

Ramon continues his speech.
"And force is what they will get."

Diego, on his guard but wanting to know what kind of man he is up against, asks. "And, just how does the government intend to spend these new tax revenues?"

Ramón mockingly utters.
"You must not know who I am."

Diego answers him firmly.
"Oh, I know who you are, all right. Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Diego de la Vega from Spain."

Ramon smiles and defiantly slaps at Diego with the gloves he holds in his hands.

Outwardly calm, Diego utters. "You bear the rank of a gentleman. Why not act like one?"

Ramon is smirking. "Is that a challenge, de la Vega?"

"If it were, my sword would be at your throat."

"Only long enough for my soldiers to put a bullet through your head."

Diego reaches for his sword, but Don Alejandro grabs his arm to stop him, knowing this is not the time or the place.

"Not now, Diego."

Ramon, having a false concern in his voice, says.
"Listen to your father. Be careful, or you will regret ever coming back to Los Angeles."
For a moment, he glares at Diego, then turns his head and shouts to his soldiers.
"Bring the prisoners to the cuartel!"
Ramon leaves to head back for the cartel. He gets followed by the prisoners. Those men get into the garrison led by the lancers.

Victoria looks up at Diego excitedly. Will this man be able to make the much-needed changes? Just now, in the tavern, he did not seem the person to let things just happen.
"Would you have challenged the Alcalde?" She is curious to know.

Diego stares in the direction of the cuartel. He knows he would indeed have done just that and effortlessly beat him.
"The Alcalde has clearly lost his mind."

Don Alejandro comes to stand beside his son. At some point he is glad his son now has seen how brutal Ramon is. It will be easier to explain to his son why he has asked him to quit his study and come back.
"Somebody's going to have to challenge him, or we'll lose this pueblo."

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It is just the start, and I will try to post a new chapter on a frequent base. I don't make any promises.
I'm looking forward to making some changes to the story and finding out what you all think. So please let me know.
I will do my best to make it an entertaining story.