Finally, another chapter! Stupid studying. Stupid Hepatitis A Vaccine! Stupid medicines. I hate being sick.

Disclaimer: Pokemon belongs to Nintendo and Shogakukan Comics. This non-profit, non-copyright infringing fanfiction belongs to me under international copyright laws and taking it is plagiarism. Thank you. *Phantomness bows*

Notes: <> for telepathy, ** for thoughts, italics if a pokemon talks
Chapter 10

Now, at this particular date, the hand on the rudder of state, regrettably isn’t the King’s… he’s done the most feeble of things…

Relinquished the scepter to one who’s adepter at pulling political strings!

The Cardinal is, in a phrase, ‘The Master of all he surveys…’

Maintaining a network of spies, to act as his ears and his eyes…

And thus out-maneuver the man in the Louvre what his Majesty tries!

(Planchet, in Exposition, Three Musketeers Musical)

“I am in Houen and I have the tags. Send me five hundred pistoles and I shall be back in Kanto in a week at the least, ten days at the most.”

Oak smiled as he burnt the letter with a cunning smile. Green tipped his hat and exited silently.

“I don’t understand.” Ken muttered, watching.

“Are you worried about the Queen’s depression?”

“Yes… I wish I knew how to cheer her up.”

“I am sure I have an answer for you.”

“Do you? Please tell!”

“The Queen loves dancing. Why not hold a masked ball ten days hence?”

“That’s a wonderful idea!” Ken nodded. Surely Sabrina would cheer up then!

“Yes.” Oak leered. “Oh, and by the way, your majesty, do remember to tell the Queen that you would like her to wear those new diamond tags you got her. I’m sure they’ll look beautiful.”

Ken nodded and went to find Queen Sabrina.

When Whitney went home, after she found the Queen crying, whispering that there were spies everywhere, she knew that something was wrong. She didn’t notice it at first, expect the fact that Giovanni was home, but then she saw his eyes.

That was when she knew that there was no way in hell he could help her.

He would be unable to help.

Perhaps then, she would have to rely on that young musketeer she had met last time…. It wasn’t a bad idea.

She had no other choice.

Seeing as though Giovanni wasn’t trustworthy though, a girl had to do what she had to do. She carefully picked up one of her cooking pots and walloped him a good one in the back of his head. He toppled and fell over.

Hearing a crash from below, Red came running down. He blinked as he saw Whitney standing over Giovanni’s prone form.

“Is he dead?”

“No, but we must get out of here quickly!”

The seriousness in her voice concerned him. He ran upstairs, threw his extra sword and pistols, and a change of clothing into his traveling bag, and followed her. “But where can we go?”

“Would your friend mind lending us his house again?”

“Lance? Not at all.”

They hurried through the streets, and into the apartment. Lance was home, but he only glanced up in surprise and turned back to his glass of wine. “Such an odd time for you to be calling on me, Red.”

“This is important, Lance. Is this room secured?”

“Do you trust me?”

Odd question, but Red nodded. Lance turned to one of the candles on his desk, and from a small, ornately carved mahogany chest, removed a pinch of green powder. He tossed it into the flame and there was a flash of strong light.

When it cleared, they were definitely not in Lance’s rooms.

Whitney looked around, frightened. Red hated to admit it, but he was a little too. Still, taking a closer look, it seemed that they were standing in a field of gray mist.

Lance nodded curtly to someone they couldn’t see, and sighed.

“All right. Start from the beginning.”

“It starts with the Queen’s Diamond Tags.” Whitney flushed. “She gave them to the Duke of Ever Grande, Morty.”

“Ah yes.” Lance nodded, not looking particularly interested in their love affair. “And now?”

“The Cardinal has gotten it into the King’s head that he should hold a Ball, and that the Queen should wear the Tags there. If she cannot…”

“Then Oak will have won!” Red cut in.

“Because he will have proof of Queen Sabrina’s infidelity.” Whitney started to sob. “My poor Queen…”

“Crying here will get nothing accomplished.” Lance cut in harshly. “What do you wish of us?”

Red nodded, catching on. Something had to be up. “We are in the service of the King – and by extent, the Queen as well.”

“What do you require of us?”

“The only thing that would save Queen Sabrina’s honor would be the return of the diamond tags, but if the ball is in ten days…”

“We are running on a tight schedule indeed.”

“Do not worry.” Red told Whitney. “We will not fail you, and we will not fail the Queen. Trust us.”

“I do.” * I have no one else I can trust… * With that, she handed Red a letter, and begged him to take it to Duke Morty.

Lance was about to reply when the odd mist faded away, and they were back in his chambers. He cleared his throat.

“You should return to the palace then, Madame. It will not be safe here for you any longer.”

“I understand.” * At least there, my Queen protects me… *

Red waited until Whitney was gone before staring at Lance. “How did you do that? And why didn’t it last any longer?”

“The dosage was only sufficient for ten minutes.” Lance said calmly. “Now then, I suppose we had best see Monsieur Lugia.”

“Why?”

“You can’t just go gallivanting off on an adventure, my dear sir. You must be on leave, is that right?”

“I forgot about that.” Red sighed.

“And bringing Will and Brock along would help…”

“I suppose you’re right.”

The two left and headed to Monsieur Lugia’s headquarters. He was more than happy to usher them into his study for a chat.

Red hesitantly spoke of the conversation, volunteering to give details of why he had to leave, but Lugia shook his head.

“I will ask Monsieur Kyogre to give you leave for two weeks.”

“But for what purpose?”

“Well,” Here Lugia’s glance turned crafty. “I can simply say that my brave musketeer here is still suffering from some wound and that he needs a visit to the sea for his health. I’m sure the doctor will be happy to recommend it. And I’m sending his friends so he won’t be bored. Also, for a campaign of this sort, it’s better to have friends along, wouldn’t you agree?”

Lance shook his head, but did not say more.

Sure enough, Will and Brock got their letters of leave, and they congregated at Brock’s house for discussion afterwards.

“I can’t go home. I’m sure the apartment is being watched.” Red said.

Lance shrugged. “I doubt I could either. They’ve already traced me once, they can do it again… and Lugia-sama would not be able to bail me out again.”

“What are we to do?”

“It will be like a campaign.” Will said softly. “Are you sure you can’t tell us the true reason for this, Red?”

Red hesitated. “It is not my secret to tell.”

“In any case,” Brock scratched his head, “It beats sitting here in the Plateau, being bored.”

“True...”

“So we’re all going.” Lance said. Red nodded. He was cleaning his pistols, checking to make sure that they were all right. Brock hard a large house, and had been more than happy to let his friends stay over as guests.

Lance slid his sword back into its sheath and shook his head. “It’s a dangerous journey. But you must live through it.”

Red blinked. “I know. I have to get to Ever Grande and tell Duke Morty…”

“It’s not that.” Lance said seriously. “True, you are the only one who could tell him. After all…”

Red started. “You know what happened.” He accused.

“I guessed.” Lance shook his head. “You’re playing with fire, my friend. It will not end prettily. Here.”

Red blinked, as Lance slid something across the table to him. It was something dangling on a thin silver chain… a piece of glass, highly polished? No, that wasn’t right. This was something more.

“Take it.”

Red slipped it around his neck, not knowing why, but it seemed like a good idea. Lance seemed satisfied with that and said no more.

They headed out the next morning at dawn.

End Chapter

Completed 3/29/06

Yay Lance!

I know I’m finally seriously altering Dumas. ^^ Oh well