Hello everyone! :D This is AbhorsenSabriel87 back again with more Eternal Sonata insanity! I had this thought a while back, a set of "what if" predicaments that could have happened during the Trusty Bell story if a few things happened. This, my adoring readers, is the first of those "what if" scenarios.

What if Frederic's group caught up with Crescendo too late after leaving Baroque?

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Eternal Sonata/Trusty Bell: Chopin's Dream belongs to Tri-Crescendo, Bandai-Namco, and other related companies.

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"After we get over this ridge, the rest of the way will all be downhill." Crescendo stared hard at the tunnel that led through Mt. Rock, one of the many dividers between Forte and Baroque. Princess Serenade stood at his side, humbled and afraid of what was to come. He could see it in the concerned expression in her pixie-like face, the quavering in her young voice.

"Yes, we're almost in Forte territory," he stated, his voice grave and calm. "From this point on, we should be especially careful not to reveal who we are." The tiny woman to his right gave a small nod, and the two walked through the tunnel, straight into the old Mt. Rock mining sites. Now that they were in Forte, the summer sun made the thick white cloaks that they wore extremely warm, and the hike was making the prince very uncomfortable. He would like nothing more than to have these negotiations take place in Baroque under the watchful (if eccentric) eye of his father, King Lute. However, he knew Waltz would never agree to it. He'd known the young man since they were small, even if they rarely saw each other. He wished he could understand why Waltz hated him so much, why he held just an utter contempt for human life in general… and yet, at the same time, why he sent his cousin to become his enemy's bride-to-be.

He gave a small sideways glance to Serenade. He'd fallen for her the moment she'd stepped through the castle doors, even if she'd hated him as much as Waltz did at first. He was certain by now that his patience and adoration had melted away the icy bars that kept her from loving him, but he still wasn't sure if she loved him like he did her.

To be honest, he wasn't sure if he still loved her like he did…

"Well, well, Prince Crescendo," a light voice called as they exited once more into bright sunlight. The golden-haired prince squinted in the bright light, raising a hand to shield his adjusting eyes as a violet-clad young man approached him, a dragon-mounted elderly gentleman standing alert a pew paces behind. Another dragon stood at the ready behind the younger man, and Crescendo lowered his hand, staring in conviction at the approaching figure.

"Count Waltz…" The addressing of the young man came breathlessly from the young woman next to him, and Crescendo stepped forward as the younger man smiled darkly at him, the expression oddly befitting for such an angelic-looking person.

"It would have been terribly rude of me to make you come all the way to Forte Castle," the blonde stated, his voice taking on a cruel, mocking edge for all of it's formality. "So, I thought I'd meet you halfway." His smile was one of absolute politeness, yet brutality dripped from it venomously. Squaring himself, Crescendo stepped forward, moving in front of his betrothed subconsciously, as if to protect her with his larger frame in case something should go wrong.

"Count Waltz," he called out, his voice sure and strong, "as a representative of Baroque, I assure you that we've no desire for bloodshed. I came all this way because I hoped I'd be able to negotiate with you. I don't want to make my people suffer under the threat of war any longer."

Waltz only smiled at him as his advisor, a man Crescendo knew from various court proceedings as his second-in-command Legato, answered him instead. "You seem to be a noble prince who cares about his subjects." His voice was deep and smooth –rather grandfatherly, in the prince's opinion- and completely neutral. However, the expression on his face was once to almost scoff at the Baroquen's thought of peace. "However, I am afraid we cannot give you a response without any kind of guarantee from your side. I'm sure you can understand."

This in no way swayed the prince, and with a motion of force, he challenged back, "I'm turning myself over to Forte. If that is not enough for you, Baroque is prepared to consider terms of surrender to Forte as well." He paused for only a moment, glancing back to Serenade before looking Waltz directly in the eye from his place ten yards away. "In exchange, I ask for assurance that you will not harm Princess Serenade, the people helping Andantino, or the citizens of Baroque in any way." He looked off for a moment, almost grieved.

"Above all else," he stated, his voice soft and gentle while still reaching the ears of the opposing nation, "I want to prevent the killing of innocent civilians in needless conflict."

Silence came for a moment, then the Prince felt a hand on his arm. Turning slightly, his eyes widened as Serenade stepped forward, looking imploringly at the Count. Imploringly, yet also with resolve.

"Count Waltz, listen to me," she stated firmly, her voice becoming increasingly stronger as she spoke. "All this time, I have kept a close watch to make sure that Baroque made no move. That they never invaded Forte. And I was fully aware that by doing this that I was lending my support to you and to Forte." Her words left a stab in Crescendo's heart, a pang of betrayal he knew would hit home one of these days but had preferred not to believe. So, it is true what that message said, he thought sadly. Serenade is a spy for Forte. I should have known before, but I was too blinded by love. He mentally shook himself to continue listening to her speech, hoping he could help strengthen her arguments if necessary.

"But through it all, I believe I was following the correct path; because I thought it was the best way to prevent a war." She bowed her head slightly, as if ashamed. "Eventually though, I realized something. A stalemate is not a solution. Standing still does not solve anything." Looking up, a fire seemed to blaze defiantly in her violet eyes. "For things to change, one side needs to take a step back."

Legato seemed to scoff for a moment, answering indignantly (for his lack of expression), "And so you're saying that Baroque has taken a step back?"

"It requires much more courage to take a step back than it does to take a step forward," she argued. "Would you not agree? After all, there is no guarantee that there will be ground to stand upon." She switched her gaze from the advisor to her cousin, her gaze hardening slightly. "Count Waltz, please negotiate with Baroque, and then perhaps we can step forward together in peace. It should be clear to all concerned that continuing with this mutual animosity benefits no one in the end."

He was proud of her. Plain and simple, he was proud that she would stand up to her cousin like this, a man who could easily have her executed or simply vanish. She was helping him try to achieve peace, and that made him happier than anything else she could have done at this point.

A chuckle came from the opposing leader, causing Crescendo's gaze to return to Waltz's own glittering, malicious violet one. "But you see," he stated smoothly, grinning almost viciously at them, "any threat posed by Baroque is no longer a concern at all. And I have even less interest in Baroque's simpering prince." His gaze instantly hardened and he spoke directly to Crescendo, threateningly. "The only thing we're interested in right now is that girl."

"What girl?" Serenade asked, confused.

"He means Polka," Crescendo supplied, keeping his gaze even with Waltz's own. "She's the one who can make the agogos glow." Hardening his stance, he added, "However, I think you will find getting her to you will be difficult. I will not sacrifice the life of an innocent, even if it will prevent a war."

"You people don't quite understand the situation." A sneer formed over the younger leader's face, a cold and ugly look that spoke of endless exposure to the same look in his life. Quickly, however, it cleared and a look of disinterest formed over his young face. "Do you honestly think you have any say in the matter? How unfortunate." Brushing some invisible dust from his gloves, he continued, "And just as I was about to respond to your little bid for peaceful negotiations, Crescendo." Looking elsewhere, his voice changed to a form of complete indifference, as if they didn't matter to him at all and he was forced to explain this to small children.

"You will hand the girl over to me immediately. Because if you don't…" He let the threat hang in the air, giving an air of complete superiority over the two royals.

"…You're dead. And so are all those people you so begged and pleaded me to leave alone."

"…" Silence followed his words, heavy and thick in the dry mountain air. Crescendo kept his gaze, but he knew in his heart he would have to do something drastic. He'd either have to give up Polka, or his people would suffer.

Or maybe…

"I have a better offer, Count Waltz." He stood tall and defiant, his expression hard and passionate. "Miss Polka is indeed in my care within Baroque Castle, that I will not deny. And I will also agree that it is fully within my power to give her to you."

"Yet, you have a disagreement?" Legato stated, his dark eyes narrowing.

"I cannot let an innocent be sacrificed for the sake of a false peace." He walked forward, closing the distance between himself and Waltz, watching closely as the younger kept his eyes locked darkly with his own. When he came within five feet of the young man, he paused, looking over his features, trying to read his expression and, perhaps, even his soul.

Then, without warning, he knelt before him, bowing his head while resting on one knee. "I surrender myself, Waltz," he stated softly. "Myself, as the Prince of Baroque, a White Knight, and a man. So long as you do not continue your conquest, I am yours unconditionally. You may do with me what you wish." He waited, feeling the seconds tick by with an agonizing slowness as Waltz seemed to think it over above him. He was only barely able to contain a twitch as the younger finally spoke up with a light laugh.

"The Prince of Baroque, surrendered unconditionally into my capture, you say?" He chuckled for a moment, then pulled Crescendo's chin up, eyes glittering maliciously behind a vindictive smirk. "Fine then, I accept." Snapping his hand away, he stepped back a few steps and bowed mockingly. "Please, right this way." Standing, Crescendo walked with Waltz over to the dragon's back, climbing on as it bowed for its master. Giving Serenade an apologetic and heartbroken gaze, he remained still as Waltz jump on in front of him, pulling the dragon to rise into the air.

Goodbye, Serenade. May you live peacefully in Baroque. I'm sorry I may never see you again… ever. The wind rushed through the air, billowing his cloak around him and eventually unhinging the clasp as the dragon's wings lifted them into the blue sky. He shut his eyes to prevent flying dust and particles from irritating his eyes, and soon the uneasy feeling of flying began to form within him.

"Crescendo!!!" Opening his eyes to a squint, the Prince looked back over his shoulder to the slowly departing ground. The group that had formed around Andantino's leader looked up at him, horrified as the dragons flew further and further away. His eyes locked onto Jazz, on the expression of fear and worry that crossed the soldier's face. Regretfully, he turned away, closing his eyes against the sudden burst of speed the dragon took to fly back to the Forte capital.

I'm sorry. This is the best way, my friend.

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Aaaaaaaaaaand there goes chapter 1! Hope you enjoyed! :D