A young thief seeking revenge for his brother's death is trained by the once-great, aging Zorro, who is pursuing his own vengeance. In 1821, Don Diego DE la Vega fights against Spain in the Mexican War of Independence as Zorro, a mysterious avenger. Montero learns DE la Vega's identity and kills his wife Esperanza. Twenty years later, Montero returns from exile with Elena, his adopted daughter. DE la Vega escapes from prison and encounters Alejandro Murrieta, whom he takes as his protege. Together, they plan their revenge on Montero and work to free the people from oppression.

In 1850, California is voting on statehood. Zorro, now Don Alejandro De La Vega, protects the ballots and foils a plot. His wife Elena is blackmailed into divorcing him, and three months later, Zorro feels the people no longer need him. He attends a party where he becomes suspicious of French Count Armand. Zorro must save his friend Guillermo's family and stop Armand's plan to build a railroad. He uncovers a secret society and their plot to throw the United States into chaos. With the help of his son Joaquin, Zorro saves California and continues his mission.