Off-topic, but I think Lance is bi… because… *shrug* just a feeling
Disclaimer: Pokemon is Nintendo’s, Gankutsuou is Gonzo’s. Fanfic is mine! Oh, and since Dumas is dead, is the Count of Monte Cristo public property now?
Notes: ** for thoughts
Chapter 25: The program
He returned home and found that Koga and Lorelei were busy, so he did not disturb them. A quick glance at the mirrors surmounted on his walls showed that Todd was talking to… oh.
Bruno…
It seemed that he had once again shown up in Paris. Perhaps he was coming to beg his friends again.
In a way, Lance pitied Bruno, but not much. He sensed the eddying currents of deceit and murder around him.
Pity…
He had murdered the jeweler who was to buy the diamond ring, to gain more cash… and Agatha had died when the jeweler had tried to shoot Bruno…
What a pity.
Well, he had served his sentence for a few years, before escaping. In the guise of Lord Wilmore, Lance had broken him out of jail, along with Yellow – also known as Andrea Cavalcanti now.
How interesting… it was nothing to him, unless Bruno was going to make an attempt on his life. Actually, he had no idea how correct his suspicions would prove to be, but for now, Bruno was speaking to Todd.
How had he discovered Giovanni’s heinous actions in Janina? Never mind, it was not worth thinking over.
Giovanni would be angry, but now the blame could not be shifted to him…
The next day, Todd’s third-rate tabloid ran an interesting paragraph.
“A friend of the crown notes that the Lion of Telebin, Ali fell when he was betrayed by a French soldier in whom he had placed the greatest confidence… his name was Giovanni diRocketti, but now he is known as Giovanni de Morcerf, Count de Morcerf and ranks as a Peer of the House of Lords…”
Ash was frowning as he read it. Delia had fainted dead away, and Giovanni himself was seething with rage.
Who had told?
“You seem to be in ill humor today, my dear viscount.” Monte Cristo stated as Ash entered his house.
Ash sighed. “I’m sorry. I won’t be good company today, and I have horrible news, but... I came to beg of you a favor…”
“A favor? You need but to ask and I shall answer, my dear viscount. You know I am always at your service.”
Ash swallowed. “I… I’m challenging Todd to a duel, and I’d like for you to be my second.”
“Whatever for?” He frowned.
“Have you not seen the newspapers?” He asked, thrusting the paper towards the Count.
He sucked in a breath a she read. “This is quite serious, Albert…”
“I know! They’re conducting an official investigation this Sunday… what am I to do?” He was frantic, almost.
“Perhaps you could ask for Lorelei’s help….”
“Princess Lorelei? Oh! She is his daughter, isn’t she?”
“Yes…”
“Well, I can simply have her say a few words about the fact that your father has nothing whatsoever to do with her father’s death.”
“She couldn’t have been older than five though, at that time…. It simply wouldn’t work.”
“You are rejecting this potential source of information then?”
“Decidedly.”
“Please, do not be too hasty….”
‘My mind is made, Count.” Ash smiled. “Do not worry. All shall be well… so will you be my second?”
“Of course, my dear viscount. I should be honored.”
“That is wonderful news!” He gushed.
A faint smile passes over pale lips. “Are you heading to Todd’s now?”
“Yes! I will make him retract this newspaper statement or he will duel me!”
“I shall accompany you then. But please, Ash, please try not to do anything rash.”
He felt himself blushing as his friend stated that… “I promise I won’t.”
“Hear him out first.”
“All right. But… if it comes to it, we’ll fight, right?”
“Rest assured, my dear viscount, I shall stand behind you should that occur.”
That assurance made him feel a lot better, and he nodded.
They got into Ash’s carriage and drove off to Todd’s house.
Todd was busy indulging himself in a cigar and some coffee when they arrived.
“Remember, be prudent.” He whispered in Ash’s ear as he opened the door. Ash nodded, entering first. “Todd!”
The journalist choked, spitting out the scalding liquid. “Ash!”
“This is my ultimatum.” Ash said, glaring at Todd. “Either you will retract the statement made in your newspaper about my father, or you will suffer the consequences.”
“I will not retract truth.” Todd said.
“Truth?!” Ash yelled. “It’s scandal, libel, that’s what it is! And you say that it’s the truth! Who was your source?”
“Why, he introduced himself to me as an old friend of your father’s. Bruno Caderousse, I believe his name was.”
Ash glared. “My father knows none by that name.”
“Are you certain?
“Of course I am!” Ash coughed. “My father is a noble man!”
“And he was a villain. I cannot retract.”
“Then I will force you to.”
“Are you proposing a duel, Ash?”
“What else would I mean?” His eloquence was slipping badly…
“I accept then.” The photographer-journalist said grimly.
“Tomorrow morning then, pistols in the Bois de Bolounge.”
“Very well.” Todd went back to his coffee. “Good day then, sir!”
“Good day!” Ash said, as he exited. * How dare they slander my father like this? And ‘old friend’ indeed! *
He followed the boy quietly.
“How good is Todd’s skill with the pistol?”
Ash froze. “Not very good, I think…”
“You could have chosen another weapon.”
“No matter, I’ll defeat him.” Ash swore, electricity sparking in brown eyes.
“Very well…
my dear viscount.” * But this changes nothing… *
They returned to the Champs Elysees in silence. Finally, Ash broke it.
“Can I… I do not wish to return home at the moment.”
“Of course you may stay here for a few days until the scandal blows over, my dear viscount.”
“Thank you.” Ash blushed. “But um… you can use my name.”
“Ashura de Morcerf then?”
“Just Ash is fine, really!”
“Ash…” Interesting… “If you need anything, call for Silver, all right?”
“Thank you!”
He nodded, bidding Ash a good night as he walked into his quarters. Things were coming together quite nicely…
End Chapter
Completed 4/28/05
Wai! ^-^