Chapter 28: The Mystery of the Masked Rider:
Nancy's POV:
So, in case you're just reading now, my friends and I got ourselves cursed by the Aglaeca! Whose dumb idea was it to make that deal in the first place?
Nancy's POV - Flashback:
"Maybe the Aglaeca can help," says Bess.
Nancy's POV - Present:
Oh right.
. . .
"I said I was sorry," says Bess.
"Now what are we going to do," asks Ned.
"I think I might have an idea," I said, "someone's selling a book about curses online. We just..."
"Someone already bought it," says George, "someone named Diego de la Vega. Apparently, he's in town until tomorrow."
"Then let's find this Diego Las Vegas guy," I said.
"Diego de la Vega," says Bess.
. . .
We went over to the building this guy is staying at. Ned knocks on the door and someone answers.
"Hey there," I said. No response. "HELLO... WE... ARE... LOOKING... FOR..."
"Easy, he's mute, not deaf. I'm Diego de la Vega and this is Bernardo."
"Hi," I said, "we're looking for the Tome of Terror."
"Never heard of it," says Diego, "and he's not talking! Good day!" He closes the door.
"Weird," says Ned.
"Now what," asks George.
We don't have too much time, so no choice.
. . .
That night, I snuck in and took the book and snuck out. I know it's stealing, but we are desperate.
"Señorita, it is very dangerous to be out here this late." I looked and saw it was a guy dressed in black, riding a bike, and wearing a helmet.
"Okay, I'll bite," I said, "who the heck are you?"
"They call me Zorro!"
"Right, and I'm the Phantom of the Opera."
"You do not believe me?"
"Zorro is just a myth," I said, "I hear that story's where Batman got the idea."
"Just give me the book and there will be no trouble," says 'Zorro'.
"And why should I," I asked.
Then there was something coming for us. "It's here!"
Then a large demon thing came from the ground.
"What is that," I asked.
"We have to run," says 'Zorro'. I get on his bike, and we drive off.
. . .
'Zorro' and I are in a warehouse.
"So, what's the deal," I asked.
"You were right about one thing. I'm not the original Zorro. This was a legacy that has been going on in my family since the 1900's. One day, my ancestor, the first Zorro managed to return an ancient, cursed totem, but years later, I accidently broke it while battling against that clown Don Payaso..."
"Wait, you're a mysterious masked vigilante and you fight a clown," I asked.
"I know, right? Just like how Batman's copying my ancestor, I'm copying him. Anyway, now I am cursed, and I need that book to lift it!"
"Well, my friends and I are cursed too," I said, "the Aglaeca's planning to kill us!"
"Perhaps we can both use the book," I said, "where is it?"
"Uh-oh," I said, "I think I lost it."
"This is not going to be fun," says Zorro.
. . .
Zorro and I were looking in the spot where I dropped the book.
"Someone could've picked it up," says Zorro.
"I think I have an idea," I said.
. . .
"The Tome of Terror," says Salem.
"A talking cat," says Zorro, "sure."
"I believe I can help," says Salem, "I can sense the book. Just follow me. Anything to beat the Aglaeca."
. . .
We were at Ethel's house.
"Why would she have it," I asked.
"Ethel likes to collect creepy books," says Salem.
"Weird," says Zorro.
"Says the guy in the cape and mask," I said.
"Good point," says Zorro, "let's go!"
"Have fun," says Salem.
. . .
Ethel was looking at her collection and Zorro and I came crashing in.
"Nancy Drew," says Ethel, "and Zorro? Is there a costume party no one told me about? I got a Joan of Arc costume."
"Señorita," says Zorro, "we need that book!"
Then the house started to shake. We all looked outside and saw the Tolchen.
"Here," says Ethel, handing us the book.
I looked in. "Well," asks Zorro.
"Bad news," I said, "I don't think this is a real book about curses!"
"What makes you say that," asks Zorro.
"Because this book says that George Washington was Baba Yaga!"
"You have got to be kidding me," says Zorro.
The Tolchen was tearing things apart.
"Why does this happen every time I pick up a book off the street," asks Ethel.
"You two stay safe," says Zorro, "I'll deal with this thing!" Zorro then exits.
I then realized something, if the book is fake, then how did Salem sense it?
"I'm going to hide in my closet now," says Ethel. She does so.
I then looked and saw Salem. "What did you sense," I asked.
"I didn't really sense anything," says Salem, "I just figured Ethel found the book."
I looked at Salem with a face saying 'serious'.
"Then how do we stop the Tolchen," I asked.
"Señor must make a sacrifice," says Salem.
"What do you..." Salem was gone and I looked at one of the windows and saw that Salem was running away.
I then poked my head out the window. "You have to make a sacrifice," I said.
Zorro then looks and... he stands still. I thought he was going to let the Tolchen kill him, but instead, he takes off his mask and I see that he's Diego de la Vega! The Tolchen then disappears. Diego then puts his mask back on.
. . .
"Sorry you had to show me your secret identity just to keep the Tolchen off your back," I said.
"I'm sorry we can't help you with your Aglaeca problem," says Zorro.
"I will find a way," I said.
"Well, I have to find Bernardo and get back to Pueblo Grande. Until next time Señorita." He then gets on his Tornado Z and drives off. I then looked and saw he used his Z-Weapon to leave his mark on Ethel's wall.
Ethel looks at it. "I kind of like it, but what am I going to tell my parents?"
In the next chapter, Nancy and her friends get strange E-Mail.