Chapter 7
A/N: I got bored one night and decided to start writing the next chapter. I've only got one reviewer who seems quite dedicated to the story, so this one's for you. Also thanks to the 50 some odd people who at least kept checking on it. Your attention is appreciated.
P.S. I'm sure you've already figured out which writing is whose but to save you any trouble, I'll put it up again. (Does anybody actually read these things?) And one more thing, I know that there are no kings and queens in France or Austria in 2007 but for the sake of this fan fiction, there is. If you don't like it, then you'll have to find a different fan fiction to read.
Bold: Musketeer thoughts
Italics: Future People
Bold Italics: Future people's thoughts
Regular words: People from 1662
Now, on with the story!!
Although the musketeers hoped for an idea to come to them, they were sadly mistaken when it didn't. They wanted to help the people of the future but had no idea what was so big that it would alter everything.
Athos held his head in his hands as he watched Aramis pace, staring at the extremely long list in his hands. Porthos was leaning back comfortably, not a care in the world, but it was obvious in the look on his face that he was also pondering the solution.
The remainder of their group, D'Artagnan, Anne and Philippe, were sitting in a close circle and whispering furiously. Athos had often looked up at them from time to time and tried to strain his ears to catch what they were saying but the sounds of Aramis footsteps and Porthos's heaving sighs of hopelessness drowned them out.
When Raoul approached, they all looked up, exhaustion and frustration evident on their faces. He raised an eyebrow at them, questioning their appearance.
"Why the long faces? You all look like you haven't any hope left for the situation."
"That's because we don't Raoul." Athos muttered, his own expression a defeated one. Raoul sighed in impatience.
"I was hoping you would figured it out on your own but I guess I'll just have to tell you. If you were to stop D'Artagnan from being stabbed by Louis, you would change everything. Does that seem big enough to satisfy you?" They all looked at him, their faces blank. Then they turned to looks of anger, confusion and betrayal. Athos gave him a sad look.
"Why didn't you just tell us this before? Why carry on this series of events if you knew they could be stopped in a single action?" Raoul looked down.
"Because you all had to understand why you are doing it. Why you are saving someone's life and the impact it would have if you went through with it. That is why I had to put you through all this." He unrolled a parchment scroll and glanced at it briefly.
"There's one more thing you have to see to fully understand this mess. It's even more of the future that has been already decided." He waved his hand and everything changed. They were standing in what looked to be a very elegant building, quite possibly a castle of some sort. From a corridor to their left, two people entered. One was a male dressed in the attire of a king and the young woman on his arm appeared to be a queen of some sort. Both of them looked vaguely familiar.
"How do you like the palace so far Lisa?" The male asked, hope and a touch of anxiety in his youthful face. She gave him a bright smile.
"It's bigger than what I imagined when you described it to me. I'm still trying to get used to the fact that I'm a queen. But to live here seems to make it all the more real." He nodded in understanding.
"I know. When Athos forced me to tell you after he confronted me, I was terrified you would reject me for it. I always meant to tell you I was the King of France but I never could find the right words. But when the queen told me she wished for us to be split, I almost couldn't hide my joy." He turned towards her, his eyes shining.
"My sister was planning to abdicate from the Austrian throne and I was leaving France to return here to rule. But I really wished for you to come with me and work alongside me as you had for three years. I was quite surprised when you said yes." She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.
"You need not have worried. I wanted to marry you, King or musketeer. But having you as both just made it all the better."
"That's not who I think it is, is it? That's not D'Artagnan?" Porthos said, shock evident in his voice. Raoul chuckled.
"Would it shock you more if I said yes? This is the future. That man there is Antonio. I'm quite sure you remember him." They all nodded.
"Well as you've just heard, he is a king and Lisa has married him. Odd how things work out sometimes for the better." All of them were in too much shock to speak.
Antonio watched as she gazed out over the land from the balcony they were on. She was looking towards France. She was a vision of loneliness, slight amounts of tears sparkling in her eyes as she looked towards the place she had called home for fifteen years.
"You seem lonely. Is there any way I can help?" She shook her head.
"It's not you Antonio. It's just… I miss my brothers. I haven't seen them since the coronation. The day right after, they left and I haven't heard from them since. I feel like they want nothing to do with me anymore." He placed an arm around her shoulders and pulled her into a hug.
"I'm sure that they are just really busy. Someone had to take your place last year as Captain. I'm pretty sure that they are just really busy. If you want…" He paused and pulled her away from him somewhat, only far enough so that he could look down into her face.
"You could invite them to live here for a little while. I'm sure they would love to help you in your condition. I won't be here all the time, no matter how much I wish I could be here every minute with you. And I know you are not too fond of the ladies-in-waiting who are assigned to every queen." He placed a gentle hand on her stomach and left it there. He placed a kiss on her forehead before waiting for her answer. She lowered her hand and placed it on top of his.
"I would like if they could come here for the next little while. I just hope they'll welcome it as much we are. It's not every day they become uncles." She smiled at him, her eyes warm, her skin giving an almost unnoticeable glow. He kissed her full on this time before pressing his forehead to hers.
"I'll make all the arrangements. You just relax. If you wish, practice with your sword fighting but please, don't go into town under a disguise and get into another bar room brawl. I almost had a heart attack last time you did that." She blushed as his comment brought back a rather embarrassing memory.
"This seems very familiar, yet different." Aramis said, his voice quiet. Raoul glanced at him then at the two on the balcony.
"It's what should've happened in our time. I'm pretty sure you can guess with who." Athos gave an almost imperceptible nod. He glanced as subtlety as possible at D'Artagnan and the queen.
Antonio looked at his watch briefly before standing up.
"I'm sorry Lisa but I think it would be best if we go get ready. The ball will be starting soon and I have… some things I have to take care of." Lisa nodded and, taking his offered hand, stood up to follow him.
"Well what was the point of that?" Porthos asked, his face a look of pure confusion. Raoul smiled.
"The point was to simply introduce you to the situation at hand, nothing more. Ah! There goes Antonio now on his way to Paris." They all crowded out on to the balcony and watched as Antonio made his way on some metal, two wheeled thing, his destination being France.
"Why don't we follow him?" Raoul snapped his fingers and they were in Paris, following the figure of Antonio as he wound his way through the streets in search of some place. He kept looking at a scrap of paper in his hand and was looking at the brass numbers nailed into the doorframes.
"Where the heck is this place?! I try to find one person and I can't even do that!"
"You look a little lost sir. Perhaps we could help?" He spun around on the spot and was staring in shock at Athos, Porthos and Aramis who had come up behind him without him noticing.
"There you are! These directions you gave Lisa are really quite useless you know." Athos squinted his eyes at him for a moment before giving a little sound of recognition.
"Who would've thought you of all people would come back to Paris? Antonio, what the hell are you doing here and why were you looking for us?" He smirked.
"I came to bring you three back with me to Austria. Lisa really does miss you, you know. She doesn't smile much these days because she just wants to see you three. Think you can drop your busy schedules for a few months and come with me? Lisa could use your help."
"Our help with what? She's not hurt is she?" Athos looked like he was in bit of a panic. The others watched him warily, as if dreading the answer. Antonio just laughed.
"Oh heavens no! It's something good trust me! She just wants you three there. What do you say? Will you come back with me?" Porthos and Aramis looked to Athos for a response. His face was blank for a few moments before he broke into a wide smile.
"When and where do you want us to meet you?" The others gave a sigh of relief. Then they smiled too. They were going to see their sister again!
They watched as they all split up. They would all meet up later at the city's south road.
"Can't we just skip all this? This is getting rather boring." D'Artagnan said, sounding rather bored.
"Patience. We'll skip to when it really gets bad. Would that help?" When he saw them all nod, Raoul sighed and snapped his fingers.
They were standing in what appeared to be a garden of some sort. They saw Lisa, almost 9 months pregnant, just walking around. She stopped and sat on the side of a fountain, playing with water a bit with her hand. Athos seemed to be watching her from the garden entrance, acting for all the world like a guard.
"Lisa, being out in the open like this isn't safe. Maybe we should head back inside?" Lisa glared at him.
"Athos, you worry too much. I'm fine. I'm not some invalid who needs constant care!" A resounding click cut her off. She swung her head from side to side, looking for the source.
"Athos did you hear that?" He didn't answer.
"Athos? You there?" Nothing but still silence was there.
"You know this isn't funny! And getting a pregnant woman upset is a really bad thing to do! Now come out! That's a god damn order!" She got no response. Her face turned white, her look of agitation being replaced by a look of pure fear. She looked around once more before taking off for the castle. She had almost made it to the gate when someone slammed into her and knocked her to the ground. She hit the ground hard on her side, rolling into the bushes from the force of the hit.
"You alright?" Athos's face looked down at her, half hidden in the shadows of the trees and bushes. Lisa looked him in a fury.
"Am I alright?! You just practically threw me into the bushes! What the hell were you thinking?!" He just sat there with a blank look on his face, letting her rant at him. She paused when she saw his look, going completely silent.
"That's better. I was trying to save your life if you really want to know." She nodded, her look one of shame. Athos snapped his neck around to look at the fountain, his eyes squinting as he looked into the darkness.
"Damn trees…. Can't see a thing. But I take it you heard that click as well?" She nodded again, her hands starting to shake. Athos held her shaking hands in his own an attempt to calm her.
"We'll be fine kid. Nothing to worry about. Just stay calm and do what I say ok?" She nodded, her blue eyes darting to and fro in a frenzy. Athos watched her minute movements, still stroking her hands in an attempt to sooth her.
"Easy does it Lisa. We'll be fine alright? Trust me." She looked at him for a moment, her eyes looking for something in his face before giving a slow nod.
"I don't think you'll be staying safe for very long. Both of you on your feet! Now!" Lisa felt the gun muzzle pressed against her neck, felt the breath on her hair. The man reached down and helped her stand, his thick hand wrapped around her upper arm. Athos made a move to stand when he pulled the gun from her and pointed it down between his eyes. Athos looked up the barrel of the gun to their assailant but could not see his face from his viewpoint.
"Now, you will stand up and walk away. You will not go for help or I will shoot her. You will not try anything to save her or I will shoot her. Do you understand?" He stared at him for a minute but did not make any movement other than blinking. The man, whoever he was, became agitated. He pressed the barrel hard against the bridge of his nose.
"DO YOU UNDERSTAND?!" He shouted at him. Athos nodded solemnly. The man calmed and pulled the gun away and pressed it to her neck once more.
"Good. Then you will leave right now. Remember the rules. Try anything…" He left the threat open, leaving Athos to use his imagination as he was forced to walk away.
They watched him leave, an air of hopelessness emanating from him. They saw a tear make its way down his face as he made his way to the gate. Lisa stared after him, her eyes impossibly wide, her look one of betrayal. Athos kept walking, the tears coming faster as he sped up into a jog. Then, when the tears just wouldn't stop, he broke into a run and fled for the gates. However much he ran, she didn't stop staring after him, her look going from one of betrayal to hopelessness to fear as the distance stretched between them.
"Now my pretty one. You'll be coming with me back to France, where you will submit your child to the person you once considered your queen. If you fight, we will not be responsible for what happens to you or your child. Now, come along." The man steered her towards the other end of the gardens. She went without a fuss but kept looking back as if hoping beyond hope that Athos hadn't abandoned her. Athos spun around and watched as Lisa was led away. His face became impassive then slipped into one of pure fury.
"Nobody. Touches. My. Sister!" His started running at the pair at the other end of the gardens in a blatant rage. They watched as Lisa spun around then smashed a high-heeled foot down on the guy's foot. Athos ran at him as he raised his gun, aiming it a Lisa's head. He pulled him back in a headlock, the other flailing the gun around in an attempt to take aim. The man let off a couple shots into the trees, sending screeching birds from their nests. Athos grunted and squeezed harder on the man's throat, reaching forward to snatch the gun. A sudden loud crack split the night and the man collapsed. Athos dropped him in shock and looked up to see a panting Lisa clutching a thick, broken tree branch.
He stared at her for a few minutes before giving a little nod and kneeling down to tie the man's hands. Lisa watched before a look of sudden pain crossed her features, a pale, shaking hand flying to her stomach. Athos didn't notice, his mind so focused on his task at hand.
She stepped back and leaned herself heavily against a tree. Athos then looked up at the sound of her panting. Beads of sweat trailed down her skin, her chest heaving as spasms of pain swept through her body in spaced periods of time. Athos's eyes went impossibly wide.
"Lisa? Are you ok?" He stood up, his hand outstretched to try and take hers. She reached up weakly to accept his hand but couldn't get her arm up high enough. She whimpered quietly, tears starting to flow.
"Athos… I think it's the baby. I think it might be…" She couldn't finish the sentence as she let out a loud scream of pain. She grasped his hand in a vice grip.
"Athos please! Get someone! Anyone! It's coming and it's coming now!" His eyes went wide before he nodded, stood and ran for the castle. He was too far gone to hear another scream from her before everything went silent as a tomb. A small river of blood flowed through the grass, pooling in a small pothole by the gate.
Athos returned moments later with Porthos, Aramis, Antonio, and the castle doctor only to find the dead body of his sister, stabbed through the heart and stomach multiple times and his prisoner no where to be found on the grounds. She was spread on the ground, looking for all the world like a sleeping angel until you got close enough to see the permanently etched look of horror on her pale face. Her dress, once a deep royal blue, was no stained to match the colour of red wine.
Athos paled as he looked upon the bloody scene before hurrying to the bushes and beginning to violently throw up. Porthos held back his long blonde hair as he retched, his body jerking and twitching, tears leaving blatant trials down his face. But over the sounds of Athos's retching, you could hear Antonio's mournful cries as he sobbed terribly over his late wife's cold, unresponsive body, weeping for her loss and the loss of their unborn child.
Aramis kneeled down beside the young king and quietly began whispering the last rites of a dead warrior. When he was finished, he crossed himself once then began another prayer for the dead child that never got to see life. He crossed himself again then used some of the pooled blood to draw a cross on her forehead. He stood and stepped back, returning to Athos and Porthos and leaving the king to grieve.
The musketeers were in shock. The faces were pale, their expressions ones of disbelief, fright, and terrible sadness. To witness such a tragic death was something none of them had ever hoped to see or hear in their lifetimes. Raoul had bowed his head during the prayers and muttered them with the future Aramis just for the pity he held for the young woman whom he had been set to watch. He raised his head and wiped off a couple of tears that had begun to make their way down his face.
"Now do you understand? This is what the future turns out to be. It is nothing but misery, pain, and suffering to those who least deserve it." Athos looked up, though for a moment before placing a tentative question.
"Raoul, what exactly happens to all of them? I thought you said all of our lines were in danger."
"They are. This one event causes a chain which sets off the demise of the others. Athos becomes consumed by a desire for revenge on the man who killed her and in turn, is killed himself when he confronts him. Porthos, in a fit of depression which lasts several years, ends up drinking himself into a coma and later, his brain completely shuts down while sitting at a table drinking. Aramis is the only one who lives past the age of forty. However, he tries to finish what Athos started and he is shot by a spy within the ranks of musketeers. He dies of lead poisoning. As for Antonio, he loses his mind completely and is committed to an asylum where he lives out his years insane, crying, screaming for her to return or for God to come and take him. It is not a very nice future." All of them paused and reflected on everything they've seen, all the horrors that they now know will be faced. Raoul let them be for a couple minutes to take in this last bit of information before pulling a small pouch of blue powder from his belt.
"You have all the information I can give you. It's up to you all to use it to change the future. I'm afraid that it is time for all of you to go back." The statement pulled all of them from their shock to stare at him for a moment. Anne approached him slowly, her heart heavy. When she reached him, she pulled him into a tight embrace.
"Thank you. Thank you for showing this to all of us." She whispered, her voice choked with emotion. Raoul stood there in shock before he hugged her back.
"You are quite welcome your majesty." She pulled away and went to stand with the others. Athos stepped forward.
"I know you can't come back. But now that I know what happened to you, I think I will be able to move on." He pulled him into another hug.
"Take care my son." Raoul hugged him back tightly, sniffling slightly.
"Thank you father. You take care as well." Athos stepped back and waited. Raoul moved farther away. He poured a small amount of powder into his hands. He stared at it for a moment and raised it to his face.
"Good luck to all of you." He said quietly. He blew the powder towards them in a cloud, watching it surround them and begin to swirl. Once it had completely covered them, it imploded upon itself but the musketeers, Philippe and the Queen were no longer there. He turned to look at the distressing scene one last time before snapping his fingers and vanishing in little wisps of smoke.
