Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo:
The Conclusion
Okay, I'm new to this kind of fanfic, but I'm hoping that I do a decent job with this one. I've written another Count of Monte Cristo story, based on the 2002 film version, and I figured I would give this one a shot. I'm a fan of the anime "Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte" and consider it to be the best adaptation to the original novel I've ever seen. However, there was one major problem I had with the series. And that was the ending. For me, a lot of questions went unanswered. Like, for example, we never really, officially, learn who or what Gankutsuou is. Or even how the Count becomes rich and powerful. Not to mention a few characters didn't get a satisfying conclusion as I was hoping for. The ones I felt didn't get justice on their endings were The Count, Albert, Mercedes, and also, Eugenie. The ending, in my opinion, was terrible. I thought the way how the Count went out was a bad way to end his story-arc. If he was going to die, then it should have been by something more creative and smart.
Just to make this perfectly clear, this is only messing with episodes 21 through 24. Everything else before those episodes has happened exactly as in the show. I'm just rewriting the ending to the anime series and giving it my version of how I would end it. This might be a couple chapters long (or parts). I will be adding in new scenes and may change up some other stuff as well.
I should warn you that I am starting where the ending starts. So I highly recommend watching the series (that is, if you haven't seen it yet) before reading my story. Just so you understand what is happening and don't get confused.
All credit and creation goes towards Alexandre Dumas and Gonzo. All of this is just for fun and part of my passion for writing.
Anyway, please enjoy my ninth fanfiction story and review on how you thought about the first chapter.
Part 1:
Old Memories
Mercedes:
The wind blew across the blue waters of Marseille, reaching the shore of the port. The sun spread across the city, with a few clouds in the sky. Mercedes could feel the wind against her face, although it wasn't strong enough to lift her beautiful, dark long hair. She stood at the edge of the port, looking out towards the sea. Although she didn't show it, sadness was in her heart. She almost wanted to cry, but didn't allow any tears to come. While others were enjoying the beautiful weather, she stood in her place, just looking forever forward.
There was once a time when she could enjoy Marseille. A time when she could wake up in the morning and enjoy whatever weather was happening in the city. When it was sunny, she would go on walks or go to the beach. When it was raining, she would dance in the middle of the street and let the rain drops soak her clothes. When it was cold or snowing, she would enjoy her time inside, reading or sleeping in. She was once a girl who didn't know pain or suffering. A girl who saw the good in everything.
But that was a lifetime ago. A time that no longer existent.
Now, she has changed. Maybe not for the worst, but most definitely not for the better. While she still retained her innocent side, she also has come to know pain. Not physically, but in her heart and soul. A pain that will forever haunt her for the rest of her life.
Mercedes was born an orphan, but was later taken in by a family as one of their own. She grew up with only two best friends, both of which she grew up with throughout her childhood and as a teenager. They did everything together. One was Fernand, a cousin from the family who raised her. And the other... Edmond Dantes. While she saw Fernand as a brother, Edmond was something more to her. Even at a young age, they gotten along better than she did with anyone else. They had a lot in common, with some differences as well. It was around her teenage years that she realized that her feelings towards him had went from friendship to romantic. No matter what, she could feel at ease with him and trust him. When she would fall, he would catch her. When he needed someone to be there for him, she was there, especially when it came to his ill father.
The thought of Edmond finally made Mercedes lose control of her tears, as one at a time came down her face. It hurt her at how much had changed since that time. She was much older, but yet still seemed young at heart. And as for her two best friends... they had changed more than her.
Memories came flowing back to her as she looked out towards the sea. Memories of a past that will never die or forget.
Twenty-Five Years Ago
A very young Mercedes stood by the port of Marseille, waiting anxiously for the Pharaon to begin its docking at the space station across the water from where she was. Her eyes lit up with joy as the spaceship appeared from the skies above and slowly disappeared into the station. She charged across the concrete, following a path that led to where all personnel exit.
She arrived at the entrance of where the electric train tracks led to the small space station. However, a guard stopped her.
"Sorry, ma'am, no civilians beyond this poi...", the guard recognized her immediately and rolled his eyes. "Oh, dear lord, not again! Mercedes, you know better than to get close to the tracks. Some of the guards might suspect you as a threat. Or worse, you might get hit. Those trains move very fast."
"I'm sorry, sir," said Mercedes, who was trying to get a better view of the station. "I'm just waiting for-"
"Mr. Romeo, I know," the guard smiled. "Give the crew of the Pharaon a few minutes. They're most likely loading off goods right now, and then they have to make sure the ship is refueled and ready to go at a moments notice for the next voyage."
Mercedes didn't even hear him as she waited with a large crowd of people, nearly standing on her toes.
Finally, the transporting train that went across the water came, delivering crew members to the shore. The train came to be a complete stop and the doors opened. Men and women exited, joining family members and friends.
Edmond appeared from the train and started searching the crowd. Mercedes saw him and ran forward, nearly dropping her purse.
"Edmond!" she cried out.
Hearing her voice, he turned towards her and she leaped into his arms, allowing the purse to fall to the ground. Throwing her arms around his neck, she hugged him and buried her face into his neck. Feeling him hug back, her heart raced with incredible speed and her body felt vulnerable, almost like she could fall to the ground. But he was there to hold her, like he always does.
Loosening her grip, she looked into his eyes and said, "I've missed you so much!"
"Me too," Edmond replied. "In fact, how much do you want to bet I missed you more?"
Playing along with his joke she slightly punched his shoulder.
"You know I would win."
"You sure about that?"
"Oh, trust me, I'm sure," she winked.
Still looking into each other's eyes, they leaned in and kissed each other, enjoying every second that went by. In fact, the seconds felt like minutes, which wouldn't surprise them if they really were.
Parting, they hugged each other again, not wanting to let go.
"How is the old man doing?" Edmond asked.
Mercedes let go of him and picked up her bag.
"Oh, you know, doing as well as he can be," they began walking to her car. "You know, it seems kinda unnatural that the girl has a car and the boy doesn't."
Edmond laughed and said, "There is nothing wrong with girls having something over boys, especially when they are about to get married."
"But you know how France is. Always keeping the traditional ways, while also accepting some new ones too."
Edmond smiled and took notice of what she was wearing. Tight white pants and a very small t-shirt, one that allowed her belly to be exposed.
"You know, once you're married to me, you won't be able to wear clothes like that," he joked.
Mercedes laughed as they reached her car. Turning towards him, she put her arms around his neck again as he put his hands on her hips.
"Well, what about when we got to the beach?" she raised an eyebrow. "How will you be able to enjoy the view of your beautiful wife?"
Not being able to withstand the urge, they kissed again.
"Oh, God, I love you," Edmond said with all of his heart and soul. "How did I end up with a beautiful woman like you?"
"Luck," Mercedes kissed him again.
Edmond's hands moved from her hips to her legs, hoisting her up on top of the hood of the car. Mercedes threw her legs around his waist and kissed him harder, her hands still around his neck as she brought him in closer.
"You know... that there... are kids... in this... neighborhood... right...?" Edmond tried saying in between their kissing.
"Says the man who started it," she laughed.
Putting her back on her feet, they got into the car and drove to Edmond's place, where his father was waiting for them. As they entered the apartment, they went up the stairs to a bedroom, where an old man laid in a bed right next to the window.
"Father, I've come home," Edmond announced as he sat down in the chair right next to the bed, taking his father's hand.
Awaking from his sleep, the old man saw Edmond and smiled.
"My son, welcome home. How was the voyage?"
"You know, the usual," he looked forwards Mercedes, who had pulled another chair over right next to him. "I actually have some news to tell you. Both of you." He paused. "I'm officially captain of the Phanaon now."
"What?!" yelled Mercedes as she threw her arms around him.
"How?" the old man asked. "What happened to the old captain?"
"Sadly, he died," Edmond explained. "Mr. Morrell made it official the moment we landed. Although, Mr. Danglars wasn't so pleased."
"That little bastard only thinks for himself," said the old man. "No need to worry about him."
"Do you want something to drink or eat?" Mercedes asked.
"No, thank you. Although, maybe it would be a good idea to toast to Edmond's new position. There should be some champagne and glasses in the kitchen."
Mercedes nodded and left the room, heading down stairs.
Edmond almost got up to follow her until he felt his father's hand grab him.
"Stay with me for a moment," he commanded. "I wish to speak with you, alone."
Nodding, he sat back down.
"I don't know how to say this any other way...," pausing for a moment, the old man sighed. "I talked to the doctor..."
"And?" Edmond asked, his face becoming pale.
"I don't have long, Edmond. My illness has taken over almost every part of my body and it seems I only have a year, at best, left."
Feeling the tears coming, Edmond tried to hold them back, "Is there anything else we can do?"
"There is nothing left. I'm weak and old. My time is coming and I want to spend the last of my days seeing you happy. Especially by marrying that girl. You hit the jackpot, Edmond. You may not be rich or have a house made out of gold, but you have something more precious and powerful than that... Love. Just as I once did. I want to see the two of you marry and maybe even see a grandchild before I finally leave this Earth."
Edmond's cheeks turned red.
"Promise me that you will live your life to the fullest. No matter what. I don't want you to die with regret or hatred."
Swallowing the tears, Edmond nodded and said, "I promise."
However, from the other side of the door, Mercedes had heard everything. Tears ran down her cheeks. Finally remembering what she needed to do, she went down stairs and into the kitchen, grabbing a bottle of champagne, which was nearly empty. After getting three cups from the shelf, she went back upstairs, where she found both men waiting for her. Pouring each of them a glass, they toasted to Edmond's new position as captain and to their engagement party that is going to happen the next night.
Once the old man had fallen asleep once again, both Edmond and Mercedes exited the room.
"So, what do you want to do for the rest of th..."
Before Edmond could complete his sentence, Mercedes had thrown herself on him, forcing him to back into the wall, which almost caused one of the pictures to fall down. Mercedes didn't stop as she unbuttoned his shirt.
"Um, Mercedes... are you sure this... is a... good idea...?"
Just for a moment, she stopped kissing him and whispered, "Please, just this once. I've waited long enough for us to be together once again. Please."
Seeing the pleading in her eyes, Edmond kissed her back and hoisted her into his arms, with her legs wrapping around his waist. Carrying her to the bedroom across the hall, he used his right foot to silently close the door. Mercedes finished unbuttoning his shirt and threw it to the floor.
Setting her down, he slowly lifted her t-shirt and unbuttoned her pants, which Mercedes allowed to fall to the ground, stepping over it. Once Mercedes had unbuttoned and removed Edmonds pants, they stood together in the middle of the room, just a couple of feet from the bed, in each other's arms. Wearing only their undergarments, they kissed and allowed the light, coming from sunset outside the window, to shine on them. Edmond removed her bra and panties, while she removed his underwear. Once fully undressed, they finally moved towards the bed, falling on top of the covers.
Mercedes pulled Edmond closer to her body, kissing his cheeks, his forehead, his neck, lips, and also his chest. Her breasts raised and fell against him, feeling the heat from his body, as he did from her. Her heart was beating faster than she ever felt before. She wanted him to hold her tighter and she was glad when he did, almost like he was reading her mind. They made love through the rest of the sunset and fell into each other's embrace by the time it was over. Covering themselves in blankets, they fell asleep in each other's arms.
It was hours later that Mercedes awoke and met the closed eyes of Edmond, just a few inches from her. Smiling, she kissed his cheek and watched as he awoke from his sleep as well.
"Hey," he smiled.
"Hey," she replied back.
Moving his arm around Mercedes's shoulder and pulling her onto his chest, he began to carcass her hair.
"That was wondering," she said to him. "Our first time."
"And hopefully more to come," he teased.
She laughed as she elbowed him, playfully, in the ribs.
"What happens next?" she asked.
Surprised by her question, he asked, "What do you mean?"
"With you being captain, it means you will be away more and more. I hate it when we are apart from each other."
"But now I can financially support you and my father. No more late dues or less food on table. And besides, I will be able to save for us to get a much better house than this."
"Just promise me that for now on you will always come back to me. I hear rumors of a war between the Imperium and us might happen. Even a plot to assassinate the Prince has been mentioned."
"Nonsense," Edmond reassured her. "There are peace negotiations happening as we speak. I don't believe the Imperium wants war with us."
They laid together in bed, enjoying the silence of the night and moonlight shining through the window on them.
"Promise me you will always return to me," Mercedes looked at him. "I want you to promise me that no matter what, you will always find a way back to me."
Looking directly into her eyes, he leaned in and kissed her.
"I promise," he replied.
Just by hearing those words put her mind and heart at ease, allowing herself to fall asleep in Edmond's arms, without a care of what will happen to them in the near future.
Present
"Madam!" came a voice from behind Mercedes, as she turned around and saw a couple of uniformed men, saluting her. "We're here on direct orders from General Morcerf to collect you. The General will soon be entering Paris. He'll form an interim-government and see the birth of President Morcef before the day is out.
Surprised by the appearance of the men and the words spoken to her, she quickly got herself together and stood firm.
Sighing, she said, "Fine. Take me with you. Take me to see him now."
The men nodded and led her to a spaceship waiting for them.
I thought it would interesting to see things from the perspective of Mercedes on this one. I wanted to add more scenes involving her and Edmond, because I thought their love story-arc wasn't done justice in the series like it should have been. It's a little too romantic in some areas, I know, but I really hope you like it and see the direction I'm moving in.
Funny thing is, I almost started out writing from the point when Franz died. I wasn't going to let him live, since his death does advance the story and make things feel more real, but I wanted to show more conflict among the Count during the match. But I realized that I would be rewriting nearly half of the show, some of which would be repeating itself, so I thought I would start off with Mercedes in Marseille instead. I thought adding a more sexy version to this romance would make it more interesting, because that flashback of what Mercedes wears is kinda suggesting some things about their relationship.
I apologize for any grammar errors in my writing. I'm still working on that.
Anyway, please review and give me your thoughts on the chapter. I do plan to make more, so see you guys later. :)
