Much Ado Two: Don Jon Strikes Back

INTRODUCTION

After trying to ruin Claudio and Hero's wedding in Messina, Italy, Don John was arrested. He was put in a prison in Messina for five years, under the governor Leonato's orders. Leonato was Hero's father, who was glad to find out his daughter wasn't an immodest prostitute. Leonato cleared the air, and the prince, Don John's half brother, Don Pedro, went off to war.

CHAPTER ONE: DON JOHN IS FREED

Don John was never a fool. He was very wise, and a skilled swordsman. He was very pleased when he saw that his half-brother, Don Pedro, was waiting for him after his release from prison. Don Pedro told him the gossip of the town.
"Hero and Claudio hath bore a son! The overjoyed couple named their child Antonio, after a great friend of Claudio's! He is a darling babe, no older than three months. There is going to be a great celebration tonight at Leonato's house. All the men are to wear masks. I suggest you go, perhaps you will get a woman to marry! I hear that Antonio's daughter, Viviana, named after her mother, is looking to be wed soon!"
"Well brother, good-day to you as well! I suppose I shall go to the ball. Will the babe be there?"
"Oh, no. Claudio and Hero are staying at their house to watch the baby."
"Oh, I see. I shall attend with great kindness towards the entire city of Messina."
"Goodbye brother, see you tonight!"
"See you tonight!" Don John lied. He would not be going to any party tonight. He'd get his revenge.

CHAPTER TWO: VENGEANCE

Don John left early for the party. He was staying at Don Pedro's house, but Don Pedro overlooked the fact he was leaving much earlier than necessary. Don John rode down the street, on his deep black horse, Nightingale, and almost ran over Dogberry, his arresting officer.
"John! I'm glad to see you out of jail! I'd also like to remind you that I am an ass!"
"Well, Dogberry, good afternoon to you as well!"
"Ah, I should get going, I'm patrolling in the courtyard of Leonato's house."
"I'm going to the masquerade there later! I shall enjoy meeting you there!"
"Farewell, and remember, I AM AN ASS!"
"YOU ARE AN ASS!"
Don John continued riding down the street towards Claudio's and Hero's house. He stopped at their door and knocked loudly, pulling out his sword and holding it behind his back. Claudio answered.
"Good afternoon, John."
"Good afternoon, dear Claudio! I pray you forgive me for what I did? It was truly sinister, and I've regretted it as of late."
"Oh, of course. You are forgiven. Would you come in?"
"Thank you, dear Claudio," Don John said as he pulled his sword out from behind his back and stabbed the unsuspecting Claudio. He laughed to himself and yelled to Hero, who wasn't in the same room as he, "Hero, it is I, Don John. I heard you hath born a babe? May I come see?"
"Yes, of course!" Don John followed her voice and found her in the baby's room, with Claudio's sword in hand. "I will never trust you! Lay down your sword or let us fight!"
"Ah, it is a fight you want, then!" Don John made his advance. With a terrible howl, he swung for her neck, but she parried. She then swung her blade towards John's knee, but he blocked it and made her drop her blade. He held his sword up over his head, and with a loud war cry, stabbed her in the bosom.
John ran to the baby, picked her up, sheathed his sword, and walked out the door as if nothing had happened.

CHAPTER THREE: HOME SWEET HOME

Don John rode to his own home, for surely Pedro would recognize the baby, and put the baby in a cradle he had slept in when he was a child. The baby seemed a tad unused to her environment, and looked around wonderingly. John left the baby, and went to his own bedroom to get ready. He changed and put on his mask, a raccoon mask, and was off to
Leonato's.
He rode upon Nightingale down to Leonato's house, when a guard stopped him.
"The masquerade has been cancelled due to several deaths in the family," the guard, who was short but very muscular, stated in a sad voice. "You'll have to go back home."
"Oh, tell Leonato he has my condolences."
"Indeed I will, sir."
"Thank you."
He continued further down the street to Don Pedro's house. He tied his horse to a fence pole, and went inside, but only saw a girl sitting in Pedro's dining hall.
"Who are you, and where is the prince, Don Pedro, my half-brother?"
"Oh, please excuse my rudeness, I am the daughter of the right and noble Antonio, Viviana. My father and the prince just stepped out to the garden to discuss the terrible deaths in the Leonato's family. It turns out fair Hero is dead, for real this time. Claudio was also slain. It is a sad day for all of Messina."
"Oh, Viviana. I have heard many rumors about you, all good things, of course. How long ago did Don Pedro and your father, Antonio, leave?"
"About ten minutes ago. You may want to go speak with them."
"I shall. Good day, fair Viviana."
"Good bye!" Viviana called, although Don John was already gone.

CHAPTER FOUR: BABIES AND ROMANCE

Don John walked outside to find Pedro and Antonio talking not about the murders, but rather about finding Viviana a husband. Don John hid behind a bush and listened in.
"Viviana is quite beautiful, I'm surprised she hasn't found a husband," Pedro stated.
"She's very picky. She doesn't like common men. She rejects every man who tries to woo her."
Don John stepped out from behind the shrub and suggested, "perhaps I can woo her?"
"Ahaha, John! Good to see you again brother. You've taken interest in Viviana?"
"Hello Pedro, hello Antonio. And yes, I have. She's very beautiful and I would like to have her as my wife. What do you say, Antonio?"
"Of course! Well, You can try." Antonio chuckled. "Good luck with that."
"I'll try. But for now, I must go home. Goodbye Don Pedro, goodbye Antonio."
"Goodbye, brother."
"Goodbye, dear John."
Don John went into the house and through the dining room, briefly flirting with Viviana as he went by. He walked out the door and untied Nightingale from the fence pole and rode home.
He opened his door and immediately heard crying. He walked into the baby's room and found Dogberry and another guard standing there.
"Well sir, where'd you get this baby?" the soldier asked.
"Uhh, my girlfriend dropped it off for me?"
"Well, you know there's a missing child who should've been at the site of the murders of Claudio and Hero?"
"Oh, yes, I know that."
"Is this that baby?"
"No?"
"Well, it is. We understand that you walked in and saw the baby just laying there with his dead parents on the floor, and you just picked him up to take care of him," Dogberry said.
"Oh yes, of course," Don John nervously added.
"Well, if you don't get married, we'll have to take the baby away, he needs to have two parents to raise him," the guard stated.
"Okay.."
Don John knew he had to do something to get Viviana to marry him. Quickly.