Authors Note: Mad here, I had a really good time writing that last chapter hope you liked it. You know I was re-watching some movies and I stumbled upon some really terrible shit. I already knew Glenn Danzig made some real garbage movies but these take the cake. Whatever you do don't watch Ground Rules and Honorable Man. Actually awful. However, watch Blood and Stone funniest Bruce Lee rip-off I've ever seen. The main guy is actually a pretty good fighter in the movie. Anyway, now for something completely different.
Brockton Bay was home to some hardy people. The same people who would gladly admit that the city was a shithole at large, besides the boardwalk and richer areas like Captain's Hill. From the dock workers to the regular citizens living in Bad Boyz territory, the people yearned for relief. Little did they know that a legend from a long times past California, was on his way to becoming a legend to the people once more. The Legendary Zorro was returning.
But Takeshi didn't know any of that. All he knew was that he had to find this woman for the boss. Lung wanted her for the slavery ring. She was a little too young for him but he had to do it. He did not want to be lit on fire by Lung or gutted by Oni-Lee. He had three of his boys with him to do this at an apartment building on 23rd street. It was the afternoon heading towards night that he and the boys went out. The surrounding people gave them a wide berth, fear plastered on their faces when they spotted the colors he wore. His buddy Li was reveling in it staring at each and every one of them with promises of violence. Ken was shoulder bashing some of them, absolutely loving it. Takeshi and Ryu were itching to get this done. Walking up to the apartment was easy enough and it seemed the job was going to be quicker than he thought. "There she is." Takeshi whispered to Ryu. Ryu snapped his fingers to get the other two and points to the girl they were grabbing. A small thing under five feet with wide hips and a curvy figure. Li looks at her with thinly veiled lust. " Damn. You said she was underaged. I want a ride." he said in a heavy accent. Takeshi looked at him with a bit of disgust. "Let's just get this shit over with. I don't want Lung after us. I like living." Takeshi says exasperated.
We were ten feet away from her when she saw us and he immediately started to bolt off. Smart but, also dumb. There was nowhere she could go in the city to escape. We ran after her a Ryu smiled widely. Ryu loved the chase. Takeshi couldn't remember why he was friends with these guys. She started screaming for help but no-one stepped in to help for fear of what would happen to them. It was starting to get tedious but she must have forgotten where dead-ends were in this side of town. She was stuck, there was nowhere for her to go. Takeshi took out the rope he had while his friends took-out their pistols. "Now hold still. We can't be damaging the products." Takeshi said as Ken started laughing. She was crying now still screaming for help and started to struggle. Takeshi didn't know why she was screaming no hero came over to ABB territory. It was a useless endeavor. Just as he was inches away from her was when the music stared playing.
It was a Spanish guitar, maracas and clapping. The four of them froze as a look of hope appeared on the girl's face. Looking around them frantically for where the music was coming from, they heard a sharp whistle above them. They looked up and spotted a man wearing all black in a wide brim hat. He was very clearly white by the blonde ponytail he had and the way his chest was displayed. That was when the man spoke" My, my sénor's to treat a young girl in this way is no good." A very obvious Spanish accent greeted Takeshi's ears. With a playful smirk on his face, he jumped and landed softly in front of the girl. Takeshi took a quick look at the roof he came done from and a thought went through his head. 'That was a four-story building he jumped down from.' Looking at the man again he noticed that he wasn't even hurt from the fall. He was starting to get nervous and the rest of his friends realized just who they were dealing with. A cape. With the smirk still on his face, he unsheathed his sword that Takeshi just noticed. Taking a protective stance in front of the girl, Ryu noticed something. "Hey guys this guy doesn't have a gun and I don't think he's faster than a bullet." Ryu and the other two raised their guns. "Stand right behind me now niñita." the man says to the girl as the smirk transforms into a full-blown grin.
"Fuck you gaijin!" Li screams and the three of them opened fired. Bullets cascaded upon the man as his arm waved back and forth. His swings too fast to process for Takeshi but knowing for sure that he was swinging. The clicks of the pistols went off to signify that they were out. All of their faces changed in an instant to terror. Not a single bullet landed on him. No scratch in sight. That was when the man struck. Unfurling the whip on his hip he lashed out in succession three hits disarming all three of them in what felt like a second. He rushed forward with six quick thrusts and hit them in each shoulder. While they screamed in pain the man had somehow ended up behind them and smashed their heads in with the pommel of his sword and they were out like a light. Takeshi was scared as the man's sword went for his throat. It happened so fast that it simply overwhelmed him. The girl looked at the situation in awe. Not believing her eyes, but it looked like she had a new hero to look up to. With his hands in the air, Takeshi didn't know what to do. Before he could speak the sword touched his throat making him gulp loudly. "Your phone please." the man commanded with a stern look. Rushing into his pocket and unlocking it he thrusts it towards him. The man slings his whip over his right shoulder, he grabs the phone from his hand. Calling the cops and the ambulance to his location he hung up and gave it back. "Now hold still now." the man said as he slashed his face three times. Takeshi was starting to shed tears in pain. The man takes the rope on the ground and ties him up. "I must be on my way. The people need me." the man said as he turned. "Wait! Who are you?" the girl asked. The man turned to her with a playful smile and bowed. "I am the Legendary Zorro. The people's hero." and with that declaration he jumps towards the roof and disappears into the night while the girl sighs dreamily.
Off towards the boardwalk Parian was getting ready for her show. She loved what she did for the kids. Doing something on the side as well as going to school for fashion was pretty stressful but it was worth it. Walking down the street in her costume. Doll mask with blonde hair and a dress. She had to hide her race because if people found out the Empire would come after her. Feeling a breeze in the air made her shiver a little and made her look up. She froze when she saw a tall man in black stare at her with a sultry smile. The man was a white early twenties young man with a blonde ponytail and blue eyes. The black shirt he was wearing had the top two buttons undone showing a chiseled chest that made her heart swoon. Trousers that showed of almost too much that she was thankful for the mask because she was staring too much at the large package beneath those pants. Urging her eyes to look elsewhere is where she saw the rapier and whip attached to his hips. To finish the look is the black wide hat, a black mask that covered the upper part of his face and a black cape that flowed with the wind. Looking back at his handsome face he spoke "Hello senorita. A fine night to walk the town. You just have to watch out for the dangerous men that are about." She shivered at the accent that made her heart beat against her chest. "You would warn me about these so-called dangerous men, wouldn't you?" she asks with a hidden smile. He takes her hand and kisses her knuckles. "Of course senorita but allow me to introduce myself. My name is Zorro. And you are? Besides gorgeous." Her heart skips a beat after that. "My name is Parian." She replies happy knowing that he can't see her face for a blush was covering it. "Well, Parian what are you doing on this beautiful evening? He asked. "I'm going to be putting a show on for the kids down by the boardwalk." she replies.
"Ah, how wonderful. Mind if I join you?" he asked while sauntering over to her. "Oh, ok." she said feeling a little faint. Walking alongside her Zorro waved at the people they passed in friendly manner. They even got stopped a few times wondering who the new hero was. He turned down all the questions pertaining his powers. He told me it wasn't a good idea for certain people to know all you could do. Getting to their destination she started to set up for the show when Zorro asked if she wanted his help. She made him do the hanging lights and after a show of impressive acrobatics that made her gasp in awe had set them up. She started her show with a great number of puppets strewn about. The kids absolutely adored it. She was getting ready for her second event when a bunch of non-descript black vans stopped alongside the road. A shiver of fear shot through her body. She knew who those were. The Empire 88 were trying to recruit her for months. Parian was able to give them the cold shoulder without trouble before, but she could tell that this might be different. Stepping out of the vans were three capes that was certainly going to be trouble. Hookwolf still looked intimidating with an iron mask covering his face. Stormtiger and Victor flanked his sides. This was a sticky situation. The families all stormed away to get to safety and Parian stole a glance at Zorro who gave her a calming smile before looking at the approaching figures with a carefree debonair.
Victor was the one to walk towards Parian to initiate a conversation. All for the better because Hookwolf and Stormtiger had no actual social skills for recruitment. Victor only brought them for their muscle and nothing else. Kaiser wanted Parian bad. She would be a very valuable cape to the cause. He was tasked to get her no matter the cost. Looking forward he saw somebody stand right next to her. 'Thank God. Another white cape on the scene. Maybe I can get two capes for the price of one' Victor thought with a smile. Looking at the white cape again he noticed the rapier and whip attached to his hips. His posture told him he was carefree but his underlying gesture was saying he could lash out at any minute. "Hello Parian. It is nice to meet you again and your associate. I think you know why I am here." Victor says while glancing at the two of them. "And I told you I'm not interested in joining the Empire. I don't know how many times I have to tell you people this." Parian heatedly replies. Victor snorts. "We've given you to many chances for the easy way. You don't want us to do things the hard way." he says as he turns to look at Zorro. "What about you good sir. Someone with your skin color must see the benefits in what we do for our race." He implores this man to see. Hookwolf must have heard him because he starts snickering darkly. Stormtiger next to him smiles. The man puts his hand to his chin and adopts a sly grin.
"First off allow me to introduce myself." the man bows "My name is Zorro. A hero for the people. All of the people. Every skin color is who I fight for against any adversary. I do not like the tone you took with my dear Parian. And for that my answer is the same as hers." He pauses letting his voice carry its way into Victors and the surrounding citizens ears. Hookwolf and Stormtiger tense up sensing the fight that was about to happen as Victor frowns hard. Parians heart hammers quickly in her chest as fear courses through her. Zorro stares directly into Victor's eyes as he loudly proclaims with his head held high "No!". Then he was on the move quick on his feet, Zorro picked up Parian in a bridal carry making her yelp at the contact and jumped backwards to the first story building that was behind them depositing her off on the roof and immediately went make into the fray. Victor went to grab the gun but was whipped in the hand making him drop it. Scrambling out of the way as Stormtiger rushed at Zorro with air claws at the ready. Clawing his way towards him was met with nonchalance parrying and riposte. Spanish guitars and clapping were heard as Zorro stepped toward him with a lunge of his own striking him in the right shoulder. "Fuck!" Stormtiger yells out in pain as more Empire goons start to come out of the vans. Not wanting to be completely circled, Zorro rushed at the three closest to him and with precise precision took them out of the count with a couple of slashes. Victor gets up and grabs the gun that was on the ground next to him while Hookwolf stood around doing nothing. "Kill him Hookwolf!" Victor yells out. Hookwolf grins evilly and charges at Zorro with blades already growing out him. Parian looks at the chaos down below and sees the rest of the men getting ready to fire upon Zorro and thinking quickly unraveled her dolls to tie them up.
Seeing Hookwolf charge at him Zorro leapt over him striking him several times in a minute to irritate him as he smashed himself into a wall. Noticing the men on the ground tied up gave him an idea as he picked each of them up throwing every person at Victor and Stormtiger. Taking his whip in his hand he struck Victor in the cheek causing him to cry out and leave a massive bruise on his face. Swinging the whip around his head he whipped Stormtiger three times in his open wound "Fuck! Stop doing that you Spanish prick!" he cried out. Smiling gleefully, he rushes towards him when he hears a gun getting ready to fire. Parian watching this, screams out "Zorro look out!". Gracefully disengaging by jumping back he watches as Victor gets ready to fire on him with an assault rifle. Glancing behind him he sees Hookwolf come barreling towards him at the speed of a car. Getting an idea he backflipped preforming an aerial spin behind Hookwolf and slashes out breaking a blade off and with extreme accuracy throws the shard into the gun barrel making it explode in Victor's hands. Covering his face with his hands so they could take the brunt of the shrapnel caused Victor to sigh and hiss in pain. Othala was not going to be happy. Hookwolf was pissed. "Come here you fucker!". Zorro seeing a red sheet on the ground from the show puts the hilt of his sword in his mouth and snatches it up. Sending a saucy wink to Parian who could only watch saw Zorro hold the sheet out like an old-style matador. "Come! Perro!" He shouts through the hilt at Hookwolf who only got more pissed in response. Being nothing more than a blade wolf at this point hookwolf charged at him on all fours and just as he got close Zorro quickly took away the sheet and spun on the tips of his toes gracefully with balance. "Ole'!" He started clapping and stomping his feet to the mysterious Spanish music that accompanied him. Hookwolf could only see red as he spun on the dime instead of going through another wall and rushed at him even faster than before. Setting up again he took the sheet away but instead of letting him rush past him he grabbed his bladed tail feeling it pierce his gloves. Parian gasped at that worried that he was going to hurt himself when she saw what looked like his back muscles and arm muscles start to expand. Without letting the hurt show on his face, Zorro gave a mighty yell and swung him into one of their vans, crumpling it under his metal visage. Hearing the sirens in the distance Victor got him and Stormtiger up on their feet.
"Hookwolf we need to leave the PRT are going to be on their way. Let's go! We'll be back Zorro!" Victor says as he got Stormtiger into the driver's seat. Hookwolf glared at Zorro with pure hatred in his eyes. "I'll gut you like a fish you Spanish fuckhead!" he growls out as he was already shrinking. "Fairwell mi amigos!" Zorro shouts back gleefully. As the Spanish music died down, he jumped back up to retrieve Parian. "Much obliged for the help my dear Parian." he says to her as they land on the ground. As he puts her down, she grasps his hands. "Your hurt. Are these gloves just regular leather?" she asks worried that he hurt himself for her. "Yes, they are." he simply states. Parian looks at him for a moment the worry coming off her body in waves. She walks over to her bag with his hand still in hers and pulls out a card with an address on it. "Come to this place and I'll get you better gear. For saving me." she says as he accepts it with a small smile. "We're going to stay here when the PRT shows so they can get you to a healer." She stated while locking his hand into hers. "It's a date then. I look forward to seeing you work." Zorro says with a playful grin. Parian felt a large blush creep up and a smile appeared. Going to say something she stops hearing the telltale roar of Armsmaster's bike. Pulling beside them in his blue power armor glory with his signature beard off to the world. He nods to the both of them. "What happened here?" he asks tersely. After explaining all that happened here, he turns to stare at Zorro "So you're the new cape? I've been hearing about your exploits around the city. The Merchants have been trying to find you. Are you going to be joining the PRT?" he asks. Zorro shakes his head "No. I'm going rogue amigo." he states as Armsmaster looks at Zorro. "Being a rogue is dangerous. You'll be without reinforcements." Armsmaster explains. "I know what I'm doing. I'll be able to help more people as a rogue." Zorro states with an easy smile. "So be it. I'll call the hospital to let them know that you're coming. Just come to the Protectorate if you want to do power testing." Armsmaster says as he gets back on his bike and drives off. "Ok Zorro come on. I'm taking you to the hospital." Parian tugs his hand to walk with her. "Just one more thing my dear Parian." She stops and stares at him "What is it Zorro?" Parian asks curious to what he is going to say. He lets off the most charming and naturally sexy smile that made her heart beat faster as he pulls her closer to him to look deep in her eyes. She was pretty sure she was burning. "You wear such lovely perfume." Parian finally let go and swooned aloud.
(The Next Day at the Protectorate Headquarters)
Director Piggot looked around the room at the occupants at the table to discuss the threat this new parahuman posed. Armsmaster, Miss Militia, Dauntless, and the rest of the adult PRT team. The aptly named Zorro and wasn't that a shock a storybook hero that was made in the early 20th century had popped back into existence. He acted like the real Zorro to. "Let's start this meeting on what we know about this, Zorro. Armsmaster what do you have?" she looks at him. He stands up to display a map on the board of the city with what looked like thirteen black circles and four red circles. "Before the meeting up with Parian, Zorro had participated in thirteen different crime busts. From attempted kidnapping in the ABB area to busting drug dealers in Merchants Territory, he has certainly been around the city. All while leaving his mark on one person in the group." he says as pictures were shown on screen of z's being marked on either the face or torso of a criminal. "Geeze, has he killed anybody yet?" Velocity had to ask. Armsmaster shook his head "No. He only leaves stab wounds in areas to incapacitate them. No-one has died to him yet." He switches back to the map "After the incident on the boardwalk with the Empire, he went to the hospital for his hands, which he did not feel much and after he walked out, he went and did four more." he says as he switches the display to a video someone took of his fight with the Empire capes and it was an impressive display.
"I trust everyone here has seen this video. Zorro displays a good deal of strength and speed with his chosen weaponry. A rapier and whip respectfully. He also shows a higher form of physicality by throwing Hookwolf when he weighed twenty tons. While not the highest weight Hookwolf has had, it shows that Zorro has a high brute power. He also has a good threshold to not feel pain as evident by his hands." he states as the video plays in its entirety. "Didn't music start to play when he was fighting those Empire guys?" Dauntless asks. Armsmaster nods "Clearly a stranger power or tinker device." he simply says. Director Piggot took it upon herself to interject "He has a stranger power. Headquarters thinkers get a blank spot trying to read him.". That was clearly news to the entire room as hushed whispers broke out. "What? Are they serious? They can't get anything from him?" Battery says as Assault looks at his wife and the room with shock. "Yes. Zorro has a stranger power that makes him invisible to thinkers." Director Piggot finishes while the room quiets down in shock. "Well, what do we label him?" Assault asks as he drums his fingers on his arm.
Armsmaster took center stage again as he went to another picture. "He's a classic brute package. Brute level six, mover level 4, potential thinker status due to his skills in weaponry and stranger level seven or above. Zorro is clearly a skilled individual with his rapier and whip. Teams of two or more are advised to go against him. He seems to have a soft spot for kids. We may be able to convince him to join us if we had the wards speak to him. He also seems particularly close to Parian if their interactions with each other are to believed." He states. Assault starts to snicker seeing the videos of Zorro practically seducing her "Someone's in love." he sings out. "I believe that was everything on the itinerary." Armsmaster finishes up as he stands by Miss Militia's side. Director Piggot nods at the assembled information. This was good enough. "Before you are all dismissed, remember to not start a fight with Zorro. I also want the wards to meet with him on one of his patrols. Dismissed." She orders and as everyone walked out all Emily could think was that she wished she could drink.
Quick Authors Note: I'm going to start releasing these at a normal time instead of at fuckin two in the morning for me. Eastern standard time around 5 or 7 in the afternoon. Also, this was posted on archive of our own. Check it out over there if you want. See ya!