My thanks to PamZ. Her transcripts contribute significantly to the creation of this story.

Every word you recognize from the series isn't mine.

Chapter 7

Late that night, Diego crawls into his bed with a satisfied feeling. His suspicions are correct. The tinker is not as old as he seems but someone who resembles Zorro physically. On the roof of one of the houses in the pueblo, he found traces of custard in the shape of footprints. How coincidental.

The pieces of the puzzle are beginning to fall into place. Someone must have pointed out to the alcalde that copper could be found near the Indian camp. A man as greedy as great as the alcalde must want to make that his gain. Ramon must have thought he could kill two birds with one stone. Hiring a man to impersonate Zorro and ruin the reputation of his alter ego. And at the same time, it worked to get the Indians to leave the land that was much more valuable underground than the surface made it seem.
Diego closed his eyes and tried to relax. After overhearing the alcalde and the man impersonating Zorro, it was of the utmost importance to be at the tavern tomorrow at ten o'clock sharp. A surprise awaited the alcalde, one that the man would long remember.

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"Mendoza, make haste." Ramon stood impatiently waiting for the sergeant to brush his coat.

"Uno momento, mi alcalde." Mendoza held up the coat.

Ramon tucked his arms into the sleeves and began to fasten the buttons while saying, "It is something you will never understand. Making a good impression also means being well-dressed."

Mendoza brushed the clothes brush over the shoulder pads once more. "You look muy bueno."

Ramon chuckled a little and looked at himself in the mirror. Not bad at all, if he said so himself. "Bring me my sword." Especially for this occasion, he had bought a new sword. It had a richly decorated leather scabbard. The buckle to attach it to the belt was made of solid silver. He was wearing one of his best suits and thought he exuded authority. Perfect for making the right impression on that foolish crowd.

Followed by Mendoza, Ramon walked into the tavern, where a sizable crowd had gathered. The news that today the alcalde would be making an important announcement at the tavern had spread through the pueblo like wildfire. Ramon had prepared everything in detail. How he was to take down Zorro and inform the ones present how the governor had ordered the Indians off their land to benefit the Spanish empire. He saw Victoria Escalante standing behind the bar with her eyes squeezed together. The woman was one of the main critical residents and was always suspicious of his intentions. And Ramon smiled amused, while thinking he couldn't blame her for doing so.

Ramon stood on the third step of the stairs. This one was larger than the others because the stairs made a ninety-degree turn there. The elevation made everyone had look up to see him, and he had a full view of where his appointment would make his presence known to the audience. He cleared his throat and began to speak in a solemn tone. "Dear citizens of Los Angeles. Unfortunately, for our loyal friends, the Indians, I have a sad announcement. It grieves me deeply to inform them that I must take the land that has been their home for so long, where their ancestors have walked and been buried."

"Why, alcalde? The Indians have never stood in our way as long as we have respected their territory and have always been favorable to us."
Ramon turned toward Don Alejandro. He saw that the tavern owner had joined Don Alejandro at the table.

"I have received word from Monterey that they want a road built to the ravine.
A bridge to Santa Paula would be of such strategic value. Unfortunately, this means I got left with no other choice but to confiscate the land for military interest and the interest of us all."

One of the Indians present begins to shout. "Thief! Liar! You can't take that land away from us!"

Ramon says to Mendoza, "Silence him."

Mendoza steps toward the Indian. The Indian grabs a jug from the table and throws the contents at Mendoza. It is a direct hit. The water comes full into the sergeant's face. "Ugh!"

Two other lancers come to Mendoza's aid. They grab the Indian by his arms and drag him out of the tavern.

Concerned, Victoria whispers to Don Alejandro, "They will hang him."

Don Alejandro looks up. A movement has caught his attention. He raises his glass, smiles, and says, "Maybe not."

A masked man, fully dressed in black, leaps from the balcony onto the bar, his sword drawn. The assembled crowd lets out a cry.

Confidently, Ramon draws his sword, knowing that after today he will have settled the growing admiration that the population feels for Zorro once and for all. "Zorro, at last, we meet on equal terms."

Mendoza sounds a bit worried, hearing the overconfidence in the alcalde's voice. It is obvious he has less confidence in the outcome desired by the alcalde than Ramon shows. "Alcalde, this is Zorro."

Ramon reassuringly extends his hand to Mendoza. It will be a moment of glory. He then turns to look at the sergeant. "Look closely, sergeant. You might learn something."
Ramon walks down the stairs and through the room where Zorro stands on the bar. He lashes out with his sword at Zorro. Zorro dodges the attack. Ramon then lashes out at Zorro's ankles, but Zorro jumps up to avoid Ramon's sword. Ramon attacks again and drives Zorro backwards on the bar to the other side. Zorro is forced to jump off the end of the bar as Ramon continues to move him further and further back as they duel. Zorro parries a punch from Ramon, causing the other man's knife to land on the bar.

No one knows that on the other side of the curtain separating the kitchen from the main room, a man, fully dressed in black, is waiting patiently. He has watched how his imposter demonstrates excellent technique and agility. Diego does not doubt that he can master the man. But it will be a challenge. The play shown by the alcalde and the imposter dressed exactly like Zorro is believable. He grabs a frying pan off the hook and weighs it to measure its weight.

In the main room, Ramon pushes the masked man backwards and knocks over a table. Menacingly, Ramon approaches the masked bandit. Zorro turns and runs through the curtained doorway leading to the kitchen just as Ramon lashes out at him but misses.

The imposter tumbles into the kitchen.

"Your tailor has excellent taste, seƱor." The real Zorro strokes the imposter's right shoulder with his left hand and then hits the cheater on the back of the head with a frying pan. The imposter falls to the ground. Zorro hangs the frying pan on the wall again.

In the main room, many of those present fear the worst. Is it possible that the fox can be defeated? The alcalde and his men seem sure of the outcome.

Ramon wipes an invisible speck of dust from his shoulder, nonchalantly noting, "It's all in the wrist."
A sword pokes through the curtains and strikes Ramon's upper right arm.
Ramon reaches for his arm when he feels a touch. "Ah!"

Zorro steps through the curtains, causing Ramon and Mendoza to step back. Zorro hits Ramon's right leg with his sword.

"Eh!" Ramon raises his sword, and Zorro parries it. Ramon runs toward Zorro. "Would you stick to the plan?"

"The only worthy plan is a plan for equal justice," Zorro retorts, pushing Ramon off and engaging him in a fight.
Zorro emphasizes every word with a thrust of his sword. "Where the local Indians have the right to some profit from their land." He spins Ramon around with the final punch. Ramon falls down, and Zorro kicks at him. Zorro then turns and sees two lancers with swords drawn. He grabs a table and throws it at the lancers, knocking them over.

Then something happens that no one anticipated. Suddenly, the curtains open, and another Zorro has his sword raised and enters the room.

Astonished, Mendoza looks from the Zorro who just fought the alcalde to the Zorro who just entered. "Zorro and Zorro. There are two?"

Ramon is as surprised as the others. He realizes that the Zorro he just fought against is the real one, not the man he hired to get rid of the Indians while turning the population against his nemesis.

Zorro smiles and raises his sword in salute. The impostor returns the salute, and they begin to duel. The men are evenly matched, displaying a stunning array of martial arts. Attack after attack is launched and quickly parried by the other. Finally, Zorro manages to parry the impostor's sword, causing it to land on the table. Zorro presses his sword down, preventing the impostor from raising his sword again. "Your only mistake was not wiping the caramel off your boot last night."

The impostor responds, "The mistake is yours, my friend."

Zorro raises his sword, and the impostor lashes out at Zorro's head. The two Zorros continue to duel, again closely matched. The impostor turns and runs for the stairs. Zorro follows, and they duel on the stairs. The impostor then leaps over the railing, runs to the bar, and climbs to the balcony. Zorro throws his sword, pinning the impostor's sash to a baluster. Zorro then jumps up, grabs the chandelier, and swings across the room, landing on the bar and retrieving his sword. He hits the impostor on the bottom with his sword. The impostor turns and stabs at Zorro, who once again parries the attack. The impostor kicks Zorro in the chest. And Zorro falls onto his back on the bar.

Ramon sees this as his chance. Zorro is distracted and within range. He nudges Mendoza, who is crouched beside him, watching the masked men fight. "Sergeant, give me a gun," he says.

"Alcalde, what are you going to do?" Obediently, Mendoza grabs his pistol to hand it to the alcalde.

Ramon snatches the gun from Mendoza's hands. "I'm going to shoot him."

"You are? But which one?"

Ramon stood up and cocked the gun. Which one, indeed? Which one is the real Zorro? One Zorro is standing on the bar and parrying attack after attack. The other balances on a plank resting on a barrel. Ramon knows the man he hired is known as the best swordsman in Alta California. If anyone is capable of defeating Zorro, it is this man.
It seems unclear to Ramon that Zorro is better than his accomplice. For a brief moment, he hesitates. Zorro has also shown impressive tricks recently. It could also be the other one.
He points his gun at Zorro as that man rolls off the bar onto the floor. No, Ramon decides. He would stick with his first choice, pulling the trigger.

A deafening blast silences the entire tavern. The bullet hits right in the middle of the chest. The man is dead instantly. The other Zorro turns to see where the gunshot came from. He has a bewildered expression on his face.

Filled with horror, Victoria screams. "No!" And she runs to the man lying lifeless on the ground.

Don Alejandro gets up and follows her with a worried expression. The imposter falls off the bar and onto the other end of the board on which Zorro stands. His weight landing on the board propels Zorro upward, and he somersaults to the outside of the balcony. Victoria crouches next to the fallen imposter, who lies on the ground. Zorro climbs over the balcony railing and salutes, then turns and leaves.

Victoria looks up accusingly at Ramon. "You killed him!"

Ramon is almost sure he shot the true Zorro. After all, as agreed, the imposter has fled. Therefore, he says, "At last!" and gestures to Mendoza. "Unmask him."

Hesitantly, Mendoza crouches beside Zorro. He doesn't actually want to know who this man is. He has begun to admire the man in black who has avoided him getting forced to do things he didn't want to do in the first place. The sergeant is a good man who despises the manners in which the alcalde abuses his authority. For some reason, he even hopes it is not the real Zorro who is dead.

If he had hit the right man, glory was awaiting him. Ramon hoped that good fortune was with him as he uttered expectantly. "Your duty, sergeant."

Mendoza's hand is shaking as he removes the man's mask. "He's not that handsome."

Ramon recognizes the man. Gritting his teeth, he says, "Because he's not."

"It's not?" He looks at the imposter and then up at Ramon again. "Then who is this?"

Ramon mutters as he hides his frustration because Zorro again managed to ruin a perfect plan. "Obviously, he is a con man. No doubt, some kind of accomplice."

A horse's whinny is heard. Victoria runs outside. She wants to know if the alcalde is correct and if the real Zorro has escaped. The claim that the man in her tavern is an accomplice of Zorro sounds unbelievable. The fight she witnessed was real and not feigned.
Standing in the doorway, she sees Zorro galloping out of the pueblo on a black stallion he has ridden before. The man lets his horse restrain at the level of the entrance gate, turns, and waves before turning around again and riding away.
"Zorro is alive!" she exclaims, trying to reassure those present. She smiles happily, seeing how much joy it brings the people in the tavern.

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Diego did not return to the cave right away. Instead, he drove to the ocean. The sight of the raging waves pounding on the shoreline had a soothing effect on him. One of his fears had come true. Because of Zorro, a man died. The main reason for his decision to fight injustice as Zorro was that he had thought this would cause the fewest casualties. He would try to get Ramon to understand that by showing good and just leadership, you could achieve more than with coercion and violence. Diego realized now to be wrong. Ramon didn't care for casualties as long as he could vent his malice. That Ramon disliked Zorro was no secret. Still, Diego found it hard to accept that Ramon was literally willing to sacrifice men to get at Zorro. The other man had dressed up as Zorro at the alcalde's request! Ramon had shot someone while knowing one of them was on his side. He had made it out by dumb luck. Had Ramon chosen differently, it would have been his funeral today.

Disappointed, Diego realized that his father was right. Luis Ramon was as brutal and ruthless as he pretended to be. He did not think about the victims he made on his path to greed and power. And Zorro was all the people had to protect them from this tyrant.

Diego was not the only one that day too busy with his own thoughts to pay attention to anything else. Victoria was also distracted by what had happened.

Unintentionally, Victoria had almost betrayed that she was more impressed with Zorro than she let on. Her reaction when she saw the man fall off the bar after hearing the gunshot had been instinctive.
Of course, she had been talking to her helpers about Zorro for the past few weeks. She was not the only one impressed by the man. Almost all the women in the pueblo felt admiration for the mysterious man.

In the privacy of the kitchen, she had several times gossiped about Zorro with her helpers. The women had giggled and encouraged each other to make remarks about Zorro that were rather improper. However, it was not merely admiration that Victoria felt for the man. She felt a physical attraction towards him that frightened her. And she had to struggle to keep it hidden, which was odd since another man in the pueblo occupied her mind. Diego de la Vega was definitely attractive and had a good character. Why, Victoria wondered, was she so obsessed with Zorro when a man like Diego was in her presence almost every day? Yes, Zorro certainly had qualities that Diego did not possess. But it had only been a few weeks since she had been trembling on her knees when Diego kissed her hand. There had also been tension between Diego and her a few times that betrayed an attraction. Victoria longed for a family, a reliable husband, and children. She had been only fifteen when, in two days' time, all her relatives got ripped from her life. She longed for the stability and affection such as marriage to the right man could bring.

She didn't want to feel attracted to Zorro. What did that man have to offer her? Adventure? Excitement? Passion? The chance Zorro would dangle from a rope from the gallows within a few months was real. Ramon hunted for Zorro like a coyote bites his prey. No, if she gave in to this weird desire, it was bound to have her end up brokenhearted.
Besides, as charming as Zorro was, he hadn't shown any interest. So no matter what she felt, Zorro didn't feel the same way. The attraction she felt was no different from the admiration felt by every woman. She was a sensible, mature woman and a silly young girl believing herself to be in love with a man who had no interest in her.

Besides, if she gave herself a chance to get closer to Diego, she'd be much better off in the long run. A future with Diego would offer her safety, confidence, and stability. All things a man with a price on his head never could.
Victoria had to face the truth. Should she give in to her urge to get Zorro's attention, it could only end in sadness, despair, and loneliness. In other words, it would end in complete failure.

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Victoria steered her wagon into the Indian camp. It was don Diego's good idea to help the Indians who had, due to the greed of the alcalde, lost many of their possessions. She liked knowing that the don was aware of the needs of those less fortunate than him. For a moment, she looked sideways at the man beside her. She had asked him to accompany her. Along the way, don Diego had given a long account of his plans to help the Indians mine copper. He had offered his knowledge and help for free. It was another example of Diego de la Vega being like his father, caring for human life over money. Don Alejandro also made little to no distinction between people, preferring to judge people on their character rather than their position on the social ladder. The alcalde could learn a thing or two on that matter from the don and his son.

Meanwhile, Victoria had stopped the wagon, and Diego had jumped off the buck. He walked around the wagon and extended his arms to help Victoria climb off. The camp was bursting with activity. Everyone was busy emptying the many wagons full of food, blankets, and clothing. Diego greeted an Indian and, while pointing, walked to a spot a short distance away where they crouched together because Diego had seen something of interest to which he wanted to draw the Indian's attention.

The next wagon full of goods from the pueblo entered the camp, steered by Sergeant Mendoza.

Victoria called out, "Sergeant Mendoza, did you come to help?"

Secretly, the sergeant enjoyed it a little to be able to do something that made people happy for a change. Mendoza dismounted and obediently delivered the message the alcalde had instructed. "The Alcalde was pleased to hear that the good citizens of Los Angeles are bringing food and clothing for the Indians."

Don Alejandro sceptically said, "Was he? Or did he send you here to spy on their work?"

Don Alejandro had guessed correctly. Avoiding looking at the don, Mendoza uttered, "Oh, no, no, no, don Alejandro. The Alcalde has a very busy schedule."

Victoria mentioned, "Of course. He's busy trying to stay away from Zorro."

"He does remain available for consultation if the Indians need help mining for copper," Mendoza replied.

Diego also saw the sergeant coming and was now making his way toward them. "These people will get all the help they need, Sergeant." He tapped Mendoza on the left shoulder.

Mendoza uttered, "Of course, you realize that the Alcalde will be collecting his usual industrial taxes."

Diego looked at how the Indians were helping unload the wagon. "I wonder what Zorro will think about that?"

Mendoza was somewhat nervous at hearing just the name Zorro. "Oh, I'm sure it will only be a small tax. Very small. Tiny even. Maybe a few centavos... every five years."

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I hesitated about whether or not to include the sword fight in the story. However, it is such an iconic scene that it does belong in a description of this episode.

The next chapter is inspired by the episode "Deceptive Heart" (S1E2).