Authors Note: Hey guys Mad here, this chapter is brought to you by the Spanish people. I was listening to all types of stuff, chief being the hit 1995 film Desperado's soundtrack and the Mexican singer Alejandro Fernandez. You'll see very soon why. Now on to the story!
(John POV)
The next two weeks were a blur of fun times with Taylor and garbage times considering what I pulled from the Gacha. I can apparently never lose a game of rock, paper scissors. I hit the bullseye in a game of darts every time. I have perfect hair now. Every coin toss game I can predict the outcome correctly 100% of the time. Tap dancing was moderately easy to do now. Basically, I got garbage tier rolls that can't be used in combat. The bright side was that I had gotten substantially closer to Taylor. She would always come over for dinner after our daily spars. We would hang out over the weekend and just play boardgames or whatever we had wanted to do that day. I found out she absolutely adores books. Well now I knew what to get her for Christmas. What was a problem though was she didn't have a phone. She wouldn't tell me why, just that it had to do with her mother's death. She needed one, I just had to get her to consider using one. I'll definitely ask Church to make an encrypted phone for her to use. But today was a treaded school day. It wasn't an understatement to say I hated that school with every fiber of my being. The trio didn't try anything but from what Taylor told me about them it was only a matter of time before they do something. Getting dressed, I wait for the Gacha to show and show it did.
[Goooooooooood Morning User! I hope your excited for another wonderful day.]
Oh yeah, I was still getting used to the way this thing speaks. "Yeah, I'm pumped." I tell it, him... her. I wasn't sure if this thing was actually alive or not. Definitely a mystery in the making. I went ahead and pressed it and got something I wasn't expecting.
[Train with a Legend] (Puss in Boots)
[You just got an opportunity of a lifetime User! Train with the Legendary hero and outlaw Puss in Boots. Don't worry about time here on Earth Bet. It will be like you were gone for just a second. Train until he finds you epic enough to return. You are not allowed to use your symbiote or The Beast. You cannot refuse.]
What but before I could continue my thoughts, I felt it. It was like I was getting split in half violently and put back together again in a fraction of second. There was pain in then there was nothing and I was in an entirely different location. Opening my eyes because I had them closed, I was on a ranch with horses roaming around the estate. It wasn't normal though. Everything had a fantastical feel to it. The colors popped and the birds were singing. It was so green. Gorgeous. Hearing a cough behind me I turn and see an incredible sight. An orange cat with boots, a wide black cavalier hat and a rapier attached to a belt. The crazy thing was is that the cat was standing on two legs. Then it hit me. Puss in Boots. This was Puss in Boots! I couldn't believe it. An actual fairy tale character is real.
"Hi there. Nice to meet you. I'm John." I say to him hiding the excitement I felt. He studies me for a moment, then he smiles. "When I was told that I had to train someone, I didn't know who they would send but you are someone I can train." he says in a Spanish accent. "At least I don't have to train your body. Only the sword." he continues "How uh... are we going to train? You're not my height." I ask a little confused. His smile turns sharp "Oh is my height a problem? I didn't know there was a height requirement for the sword." he says sarcastically. "But I think I see what you are trying to say. You need to be able to fight normal shaped squishy people, like yourself. I have a solution for that." he states. A burst of smoke appeared where he was out popped a man who was in his mid-thirties red groomed hair with a thin moustache with matching goatee. Brown trousers, his signature boots, white trussed up shirt and brown leather gloves. His rapier grew with him to 45 inches long. A roguish man that was 6ft tall and had a lean wiry build with broad shoulders. "So, you'll be fighting me in this form to help you. After you are satisfactory with this one, you'll be fighting my gato form." He beckons me towards the barn behind him.
Opening up the door revealed a room with a large circle on the floor with pillars that go to the ceiling with ropes hanging from them. He walks over to the wall and grabs a rapier with similar length and tosses it to me. I catch it by the hilt. I hold it in a stance that I feel is right. He snorts and with a swipe of his hand that was like the wind he disarms me. He walks over to pick up the sword and hand it back to me. "When you hold a sword, it has to be like you are holding a lady. Firm but not too tight." he says with sly smile on his face. He takes my hand in puts me in a stance, pushing my legs to the right position. "A rapier is a weapon that can cut and thrust. It is mostly used for thrusting, unless you get one that does both. Don't worry I'll teach you how to do both." he explains. "Now come." he walks over to the circle while pointing at it, indicating where I'll stand. I walk over and stand in the middle in the stance he showed me. "While in this circle nothing exists until I tell you it exists. Being the student of a Legendary outlaw is to use your environment whenever possible. Along with the sword I will also be teaching you how to use the bullwhip. Do you know how to ride a horse?" he asks. After thinking about it "No I don't." I reply truthfully. "Then I will teach you. But first the real introductions." He walks over to me and looks me dead in the eye. "I am Puss in Boots. Legendary outlaw and hero. I've only ever been touched by a blade once. And you John Steele will be my one and only pupil. Keep your head held high, for you will be great." Woah that was some speech. It must have been someone important if he emphasized the blade part. I was officially hyped.
The first and second day was forms and acrobatics with the sword in hand. Flips and dives and spinning on bars. The third and fourth day was spent on drills. With sword in hand, I face Puss. "Attack slowly, go." I strike and thrust slowly. "Good. Again." The next four days were attacking him slowly and blocking and riposting his attacks. "One, five, three." he instructs. I block twice then thrust. "Good. Six, Four, Two." I deflect twice then slash. "Lunge." I lunge. "Good. Again." The next five were incorporating flips and acrobatics into the attacks. The next week was faster attacking and bullwhip training. "The whip you can use to swing around the place and disarm opponents." he explains as he hands me a 6ft whip. "I have these candles lit. Your job will be to strike with the tip of the whip to blow them out. Now watch closely as I use mine." he lines it up and cracks it blowing out one candle. Hmm. Okay, I think I have it. "Now watch me do it faster." he demonstrates and blows out each of the candles in under five seconds. That was seriously fast. He has a surprising amount of speed and strength in those arms. I once saw him toss the biggest bull I've ever seen over his shoulders. It had to be well over 2,000 pounds. He was always as fast as the wind too. I took me two hours to complete it adequately.
The next seven days was when he switched out with his cat form. I thought he was fast in his human form. It was like lightning came to life with a tiny sword. I somehow was able to react to everything he threw at me. He also taught me to use the giant 12ft whip to swing across the rafters. It was exhilarating. That was when I realized I've been here a month. Sleeping, training and eating. I learned a lot about Puss. He was an amazing cook. His tostadas were to die for. I am so glad he taught me that recipe. His wife showed up Kitty Soft-Paws with their friend. A dog named Perrito. She found out that I couldn't dance so I found myself being taught how to dance by her. Funnily enough she had a human form to teach me. A thirty something with tanned skin and black hair. She stood at about 5ft 6 inches. Her and Puss would make love faces when they danced with each other in their human and cat forms. Perrito was apparently a therapy dog. He was a good boy. The next two weeks were sword fighting on horseback while getting faster and faster in sparring. I was able to disarm Puss two out of five times in a fight, which I was pretty damn proud of. The next week got harder when he started using his claws in tandem with the blade. Parrying and blocking with quick reflexes. Now I was disarming him more and more. And noticing the proud smile on his face I was getting closer to my end date. It was on a day like any other just a little before the two months mark that he came to me.
"You have done so good my student. I am proud. I didn't even need to teach you about attacking in anger." he says with an easy smile. I felt extremely happy at that. I don't think I've ever been praised like that before. It was certainly a new feeling. He takes a look at me and frowns a little. He waves at me to follow him. He meets up with Kitty towards a standing mirror. I stare at my reflection and can only think I look a little rough. My blonde hair went to my shoulders and I was sporting a patchy beard. "I was thinking of getting Kitty to cut and shave you because tomorrow is going to be an important day. And don't worry about Kitty, she's very good at haircuts." he says with a silly grin on his face as if remembering something funny. She looks at him slyly and pulls out a knife. "Woah, hey you're going to cut my hair with that?" I ask a little unnerved. "Yes, now hold still." she says. With a flick of her wrist, I felt my beard being shaved and my hair being clipped. Holy she was fast. She was almost as fast as Puss. Looking back at the mirror I saw she did an excellent job. It was my old haircut but sharpened. Puss snaps to get my attention.
"Tomorrow will be a very important day. It will be your last spar and you will have to fight for it for every second of it. Be prepared to be tested on everything you've ever learned here." he states calmly. "Come to the campfire tonight for the last ceremony, ok." he turns and walks away with Kitty on his arm to leave me with my thoughts. It was finally time to leave. I am totally getting a photograph of them before I leave. After doing light exercises, I took a bath and got ready for the campfire tonight. Everyone was there in their animal forms and Puss had a bottle of milk? I mean yeah, he's a cat, I guess. He had four shots of milk already out. He motioned for me to take one. I take one and hold it out for a toast. "To my first and my best student and his future prosperity!" Puss claims in the air. "Here, here!" we yell as one. As we drink, I just had to notice that it was indeed just milk. But looking at the cats in my mist it might as well be alcohol. Puss and Kitty looked already flushed, they must have drunk some beforehand. I went a little quiet with just the sound of the crackling of the campfire to drown out the silence before Puss turned to me. "John let me tell you the story of the first time I was touched with a blade. Long ago I was arrogant, believing that I was invincible. Cats here have nine lives and, in my ego, I wasted eight of them. Even when I was on my last life, I still thought I was untouchable. I was the Legendary Outlaw Puss in Boots. Someone who has never been touched by a blade." he pauses for dramatic effect. Kitty and Perrito sit quiet with contemplation on their faces.
"The same night I lost my eighth life was when I thought I would lose my ninth. For the first time that I could remember I was afraid. Then I did the unthinkable. I ran away, not able to lift up my sword." he says with introspection. That must have been some opponent to make Puss, who was so fast, run away. "I hid at this cat lady's house and devolved to my basic instincts as a cat. After some circumstances I foolishly thought something that could grant wishes could fix all my problems. I took Perrito for the ride and met back up with Kitty to search for this one wish. During the journey and dealing with my own mortality was difficult. Coming upon the wish I realized if I used it, I would be getting rid of everything I held dear." he finishes taking one more shot he turns to look at me. "John, I want you to remember never take your mortality for granted. Don't get overconfident in your skills. There will surely be someone stronger in the background. And never forget, that if you have others that care about you never turn down their help, it might save you in a different way." he looks at me with a wistful smile. Kitty and Perrito in turn smile at Puss. Sitting there thinking about it I had only one person to turn to for that. Taylor. I smile brightly, I could definitely share with her.
"There is one question on my mind Puss. You knew my full name when I didn't even tell you. Who told you to train me?" I ask curiously. He snorts and gives a smirk. "A mangy old wolf." he simply says not explaining any further. Who the heck was this wolf and why did he know my name? Can the Gacha communicate between worlds? This wolf must be important otherwise. "Will I ever meet him?" I ask with a tinge of worry. "You should hope not while you're still young." he replies with a serious expression on his face. He packs up the bottle and with his compatriots in tow he stands up. "Sleep John. Tomorrow is important after all." they walk away leaving me with my thoughts. I was certainly in for a tough fight tomorrow. Tending to the fire for a little bit to get warm, I snuff it out for good and started to head inside for some good sleep.
Sleep was quick and today was the day. Walking into the barn was Puss in the middle in his human form with his rapier in his hand not saying a word. I walk over to the wall not taking my eyes off him. Taking my rapier out of the sheath and that was when he struck. A fast lunge to seal the distance between us and a parry of my own to make him disengage. Heavy Spanish guitar and clapping can be heard in the distance. One thrust from me into a cut had him block frantically. We traded blows like that several times until I was backed into a wall. Performing a front flip off the wall I struck four times in a second while I was above him. He blocked all of them when I landed behind him, he did three consecutive thrusts in quick succession. Riposting all of them I do a slashing flourish when smoke obstructed my vision. I was on high alert because he just turned into his cat form. At lightning combat speeds, he spun in the air above and rained strikes down upon me. Blocking all of them was impossible so I added in parrying. Suffering tiny scratches I struck with a ferocious calmness. While he was like the wind, I flowed like water. Letting his sword strikes glide off my blade like water I was awarded with a cut to his cheek. He disengages and pauses, a hand coming to his face to see that there was blood on his paw. He looks at it for a bit then smiles widely. He was suddenly on me thrusts galore as I parry almost every single one. He was faster now flying and flipping around the room striking while I was trying my hardest to block and dodge. Finding an opening I make for a cut and we end up in a sword lock. He still wore that smile on his face when he whispered "Excellent.". We had both pulled back and started striking with the tips of our swords. Strike, block, strike, block over and over. I had no idea how long that lasted but we started lunging and thrusting while we both blocked. It was frantic and hectic. Then it seemed he was going to end it but I had other plans. "Come gatito." I say in the heat of the moment. Watching as he twitched into an over lunge, I perfectly disarmed him launching his blade in the air. With my sword to his chest, I snatched his blade out of the air and had it join the other to his chest. I was panting loudly and was out of breath.
I did it. Hell, yeah, I did it! Watching him nod slowly I look down on my arms and noticed all the cuts small and large. He must have gotten me more than I thought. That was a hardest fight I have ever been in and I barely won. I look over at Puss and he was panting softly with a look of proud acceptance. Checking the time, I was shocked that the fight lasted for five full minutes. "Well, it looks like you've been touched by a blade for a second time." I say physically exhausted. He stares at me and bursts out laughing. I joined him shortly after. He told me to eat and rest so I could leave tomorrow. Kitty and Perrito visit me to congratulate me on my hard-fought victory. They told me that they were proud of me and I couldn't be any happier. I've never felt like this before. I had no idea what they put in the food but I was all healed up. It has been two months since I've been here.
It was the last day and goodbyes were said all around when Puss walks up to me with what appears to be a package in his hand. "For you my favorite student. Something that Kitty put together." he hands it to me and I open it. Inside was a black bandana mask that covered the upper half of my face, black trousers that looked stretchy, a trussed up black button long sleeved shirt with a black cape to go along with it. To finish off the look was black leather gloves and most important of all from what Puss says, a black hat known as a sombrero Cordobés. The very last thing was a beautiful 43inch rapier with a silver hilt and black croosguard. It was so thoughtful. I carefully put the package on the ground and gently give him a hug with misty eyes. "Hugs are good, yes" he says as he reciprocates. He was so soft. I let go of the hug, pick up the package and pull out my phone. "Hey Puss do you mind if we get our picture taken?" I ask with a huge smile on my face. "Of course not John." he returns the smile. After Getting our pictures with each other in their human forms and cat forms I stand at the ready. "I just wanted to say Puss. Thanks." I pause "Thanks for everything." He gives off a gentle smile. "Remember John your mortality waits for no one. Do things Legendarily and be free." they wave at me goodbye. Then I was gone.
Being back in my room after being gone for two months didn't feel real but checking my phone with the pictures still on there put a smile on my face. The Beast and Titan greeted me and said it felt like a long vacation for them. 'John, are you there? I lost track of you for a moment there' 'Yeah Church everything's fine just a roll from the Gacha.' It was still a school day and everything had been the same as the days before. After the run and the sparring, I asked Taylor if she wanted to learn how to dance. After saying it might be fun and I don't mind my feet being stepped on she accepted. After going to sleep a new day greeted me and it also meant a new Gacha roll. So, after saying good morning to the thing I click on it and got an interesting one.
[Get a new clone a month] (Journey to the West)
[With each month comes a new clone that has a slightly different look to them. They will have the experiences and the techniques of the current version of you. Different personalities to boot as well. Not to worry they will give themselves their own names. Isn't this wonderful news User!]
In a burst of light, he appeared. He was 6ft 1 inch with a slenderer lean build. Long blonde hair in a ponytail with sharp blue eyes. His stance was loose and carefree but ready to take action at a moment's notice. "Greetings Alpha! My name is Lucas Banderas. I already know what to do." He says in a light Spanish accent. I look at him quizzically. He walks to the package I had gotten from Puss and picks it up. He turns and looks at me and strikes a pose with a finger to the sky. "I will become the Legendary Zorro. For the people!" Oh boy.
Quick Authors Note: The 1975 Zorro movie with Alain Delon is a surprisingly good movie and is on YouTube right now. Go watch it. Pretty please.