Disclaimer: I do not own Madeline or Albert the Fifth Musketeer, they belong to their respected creators.

Chapter Three: Richelieu's Plot and Milady's Plan

"Now then, de Treville, do tell, what new inventions are being made as we speak?" Louis XIII, monarch of France, queried. Even though he had no clue who the infamous Fifth Musketeer was, he was still fascinated by each invention said man came up with. A lot of the time, they were as perfect as could be for making the Cardinal's face as red as his robes.

"Of course, Your Majesty. It would seem that he has decided to investigate the idea of time travel," Monsieur de Treville responded.

"Time travel? That is quite an absurd notion, clearly the Musketeers are losing their minds," Cardinal Richelieu commented with a sneer. Although, if it does work, then maybe I could use it to my advantage...

"Yes, it does sound completely absurd," Louis XIII agreed. "Captain, why is it that your man has decided to explore such a notion?"

"With all due respect, Sire, this is the same man who proved that man is capable of flight, so I've got much faith in him to find the secret to it," the captain responded.

"Yes, that is true. Well then, once he has achieved it, I want you to inform me right away."

"Of course, Your Majesty."

If he does succeed, then this would be the perfect opportunity to rule France, I would just have to travel to the year before Louis XIII's monarchy and take over rule then! I should get Milady to find that Fifth Musketeer and get him to work on the time travel for me!

"Now then, let's see what I will do to create the time travel device..." Albert commented, just as Madeline entered the workshop. "Ah, good morning, Madeline."

"Good morning, Albert."

"I thought you would be up soon, so I took the liberty of making breakfast for you." He uncovered the tray sitting on the table. "I hope you don't mind it..."

"Not at all, this looks delicious. Thank you very much." Madeline sat down, and looked upon two pieces of toasted bread, a plate of butter, a jar of jam and a cup of milk sitting before her. She clapsed her hands and closed her eyes. "We love our bread, we love our butter. But, most of all, we love each other," she stated before picking up a slice of toast and spreading some butter and jam onto it.

"That's a rather nice way of saying grace, is that how you and your friends do it?"

Madeline swallowed before answering. "Yes, we say that at every meal before we break our bread."

"Is the food to your liking?"

"Yes, it's perfect. Thank you so much for preparing it."

"It's quite alright." He continued writing his plans for making the time travel device.

"Milady! Are you there?" Richelieu called as he stormed into Milady's chambers.

"I'm here, Your Eminence," Milady responded as she popped out from behind a large pot plant. It may have been her chambers, but it didn't feel right if she just appeared normally.

"I want you to go to Monsier de Treville's mansion and find out what the Fifth Musketeer is up to, he seems to be working on time travel."

"Time travel? But, that's completely absurd!"

"But, if it does work, I can go back in time to before the King's reign and take the throne before him."

"That is a brilliant plan, Your Eminence."

"Well then, get moving!"

Milady nodded, pushed aside the pot plant and revealed there was a trap door behind it. She jumped into the hole and away she went.

Milady didn't need to follow de Treville after long enough, she'd eventually learned the way back to the mansion on her own thanks to the other times she'd been ordered to go against the Fifth Musketeer because the Cardinal said so. "Hehehe, soon everything will work out splendidly for His Eminence, and not even the Musketeers will be able to stop him!" she cackled under her breath as she hurried towards the mansion. "Now, I just need to spy on the Musketeer and see what he's up to...then, when his back is turned, I'll steal his time travel device and bring it back to the Cardinal."

"Have you found your answer yet, Madeline?"

"No. I thought maybe I'd find out in my dreams, surely it would strike there, but nothing happened."

"I'm sure you'll find the answer soon enough."

She handed the time travel device to him. "Will looking at this help you with what you need to know?"

"I certainly hope so. If I was able to build that one without seeing another, then I should manage. But, in this case, we're also trying to find a way to reverse your time travel to get you back home."

Unknown to the two miniature people, Milady was peeking through the window. Hold on a minute, who is that little girl? Why is she working with the Fifth Musketeer?

"Now, I'll try to work out how I'd built this one, so we can send you home again, your friends must be worried."

So, that girl has proven time travel is possible! Hmm, this is giving me an idea. I'd better get back to His Eminence! She snuck away, a plan hatching in her mind.

Richelieu jumped out of his seat as Milady tapped underneath it. "Come in, Milady." He watched as the chair was tipped over so the woman could climb out of the trap door. "Tell me, what did you discover?"

"It would appear the Fifth Musketeer really has pulled off time travel. I saw a girl in his workshop, and they were talking about getting her back to her time."

"So, he really did it...now then, I can tell you have an idea forming."

"I think we could maybe use that girl to our advantage. The last thing the Fifth Musketeer wants is for her to fall into harm, as it was his device that brought her here. What if we kidnapped her, and used her as a hostage, demanding the time travel device in exchange for her?"

"An excellent idea, Milady, but I doubt that Musketeer will allow her out of his sights."

"He's sure to leave her be at some point in time, I'll bide my time and snatch her as soon as he's gone. I'll be sure to leave a note with our demands."

"Brilliant, Milady. I'm leaving this to you. Do NOT fail me again!"

"I shall make you impressed, Your Eminence." Milady jumped out the window, hoping to land on her horse. Oh well, she crashed through the carriage roof, that's something. "Coachman, take me to de Treville's mansion!"

"Hyaa! Get going!" the coachman called as he snapped the reigns of the horses and got them to move quickly.

Both Madeline and Albert appeared to be in deep thought; Albert about how to find the way to reverse the time travel so Madeline could go home, and Madeline in regards to where in the world she had seen Albert's name before.

"Madeline, I think something may be wrong..."

"What is it?"

"I'm afraid I can't quite understand this device, even though I'm meant to be building it. I think because it aged with time, some of the controls may be rusted in place."

"That's not very good..."

"No, it's not, and I am uncertain if I have anything that would help those controls work again. I am sorry, Madeline, I'm afraid your return may take longer than planned."

"It cannot be helped. I will wait." Madeline looked over to the mouse hole and saw Gertrude pop her head out. "Is it alright if I play with Gertrude?"

"By all means, she's happy she has another friend."

Madeline slid off the stool and stepped over to the mouse hole. "Hello, Gertrude!"

Albert watched for a few seconds before continuing his work. It's best that Madeline keeps her mind occupied so she does not have to worry much about her return home.

That night, Albert escorted Madeline to her room again, unaware of the plot about to unfold. He stood outside her room for a minute longer than the night before, and then returned to his workshop.

Milady popped her head out of a barrel, and waited until Albert had entered the workshop and closed the door. It would do no good if he were to catch her in the act. She clambered out of the barrel and quietly entered the room.

Madeline turned around after hearing the sudden entrance. "Who is there?"

Milady grinned wickedly, baring her teeth as she reached out and grabbed the girl. "You're coming with me! You'll make a fine hostage!"

"Hostage?" Madeline inhaled deeply, hoping to call out for help loud enough, but Milady tied a gag around her mouth. "Mmmmm!" Help me!

"It will do no good to scream, little girl." Milady was tying a rope around her ankles and wrists as she spoke. "Nobody will be able to hear you. Do not worry, you'll be unharmed, we just want something from the Fifth Musketeer and then you'll be free again." She scooped up the child and carefully made her way out of the room.

Something from Albert? What does she mean? She tried to struggle against the binds as Milady brought a note out and attached it to the door.