Ratigan and Rose have transported back to the lair using a secret passage in the town, Ratigan was growing frustrated while trying to pull her "Now come Rosalina.. struggling will not help.." he picked her up while she started to kick the air. He dropped her on the ground forcefully "ISNT IT CLEAR TO YOU! YOU BELONG TO ME NOW! STOP TRYING TO ESCAPE ME ROSE!"
She stayed on the ground and shot back keeping the strong look on her face "..I will always try to escape you!.. I will always try to run away!.." she turned away from his face "But if you promise not to harm them…I won't ever try to run away again.." she looked down at the cold floor "I'll be your queen."
Ratigan gleamed what he heard her say, and thought about the possibilities " Hmm I marry the only heir to the throne and become king,.. and you spend the rest of your days with me in return of their pathetic lives.."
Rose jumped up and rubbed her head from coming up too fast. she believed that he saw some kind of flaw that she wasn't aware about "You must promise to not lay a single hand on them.."
Ratigan slithered to the young woman and held her hand still grinning "My dear, I am a Mouse of my word, I will not hurt a single hair on their heads.." he patted her hand assuredly "..but I will have to keep them prisoners for leverage.. In case you change your mind.." her head remained down, but she nodded softly.
The thugs ran back in when he was about to say something. Fidget tripped and the rest of the boys toppled over him. They were about to beat the tar out of him when Ratigan spoke up "Ahem" they all looked up in surprise and laid off the poor little bat. Ratigan strode up to Fidget and whispered in his ear "Are they on their way?" and Fidget nodded and laughed manically making Rose look up curiously with tears still in her eyes. Ratigan looked up and dismissed the boys except Fidget.
"Fidget please take Rose back to her cell until her dress is prepared." He looked at his bride and kissed her hand.
Tom and the crew had what they thought was a fool proof plan. Zelda was going to lead the way, and there they stopped in front of his lair, staying hidden behind a barrel. Tom pointed to Joy and the children, who went ahead and tried to find Rose while the rest of the crew searched in a different part. The three went to each barrel Joy whispered "I can't see her anywhere.." she felt a large hand cover her beak and the children gasped at her disappearance.
Sasha and Daria trembled behind Bernard "Joy? Where are you?" suddenly Sasha disappeared leaving a small gasp behind, a dark figure was lurking in the shadows. Bernard held Daria close, she was starting to shake "Daria, stay close." The shadow moved swiftly and snatched Daria from his hands not letting her scream.
"Come out you coward.." he held up his small sword and spun around when everything went black.
Tom, Zelda, and Andrews wandered through the lair keeping their defenses up, they crept behind barrels until they came into one that was opened slightly. The three ran in and saw a figure tied up with rope.
Tom ran to the figure and turned it around. It was Fidget! He smiled evilly and laughed "Hey lover boy!" Tom heard Zelda scream when everything around them went black.
When they woke up, they saw what was around them. The three were tied up, Joy was tied up at her beak, and her wings were secured by rope as well. In front of them, Ratigan stood smirking "Thank goodness you are all awake, I thought you would never get up." he looked at who was tied up.
"Why Andrews, never thought I'd see King Derek's old lackey. A little too old for this aren't we?"
"I would say the same about you Ratigan." Andrews said with a serious tone.
Zelda looked up and scowled at the Rat that stood before her "looking good sweetheart.." The Rat smiled with his sharp teeth gleaming with pride "Ah Zelda you're looking ravishing as ever! But I am a taken man sadly.. too bad you have betrayed your whole village." Zelda looked down sad, hoping that he would leave her alone.
He was going to continue when Tom spoke with a threatening tone "Ratigan leave her alone. She had nothing to do with this." Ratigan looked away from her and decided to taunt the boy coming face to face with him.
"And the chivalrous hero comes to save his damsel in distress!" and all the boys cackled while Ratigan pinched his cheeks. "But my dear boy I am afraid you are too late.." and he fixed a white rose in his lapel.
"Stow it Rat! Rose would never-"
The Rat slapped the boy across the face, not giving him anytime to finish. The mark was red and stung across Tom's face, everyone including the thugs flinched at the sight while Ratigan calmed down. "I wouldn't be so confident.." he snapped his fingers, in came Fidget holding Rose at each arm, her once shining dress with beautiful tulle was torn. Still with tears in her eyes, she was pushed into the light and gasped at who she saw.
"Tom!" but was held back by Fidget, until she stepped on his only foot. She ran to him and caressed his cheek. Tom flinched when she touched it, who in return rubbed it gently. "I thought they were going to kill you.." she embraced him even though he couldn't hug back, Tom whispered "I'm not going anywhere." and for one moment through this madness they were able to smile. Ratigan's evil grin turned bigger when he broke the moment between the young lovers.
"Aw how sweet, I love moments like this.. but the future Queen of the Kingdom must be getting ready for her wedding." He easily tore in between Rose and Tom grabbing her arm and handing her back to Fidget . He tried to reason with her as she was escorted away "Rose, I can't let you do this!" she looked at the ground, realizing her sacrifice. She didn't dare to look him back in the eyes "..and I can't let you die.." walking back into the darkness of the lair.
Ratigan chuckled as he turned back to Tom, "It seems she has made a wise decision..that she knows of." Which made Andrews look up curiously.
"Boys untie Zelda, Rose needs some assistance preparing, and no funny business." They were about to untie her when Charles spoke up "No." Ratigan whisked himself around and faced him, remaining his calm demeanor.
"What do you mean No?"
Charles took a deep breath "I said no. I can't put up with this anymore, you have tormented enough people, and to force an innocent girl- The princess for that matter, to marry you? its ridiculous.. all this to be king.. if anyone is truly pathetic here it is obviously you!" he stood confidently but still trembling with fear on the inside, hoping that Ratigan wouldn't see it.
Ratigan's sly grin changed, he went up to the little mouse, taking him by the collar, raising him to his long face. "How DARE you betray your future king!" shaking him in the air "You will rue this day Arthur!" he threw him at the hands of his thugs who stared at him in astonishment. Ratigan started them down "What are you all gawking at?! Tie him up with the others! And have Zelda prepare Rose! NOW!" as they all scurried away, he fixed his unruly hair and his untucked cravat. He smiled at Tom once more, before walking away and chuckling to himself.
Rose was escorted to a different cell and was gently pushed in. She looked around at a nicer looking cot, and in the corner shining in the starlight was her gown. Since she was little she always dreamed of what her wedding was going to be like in a beautiful white dress that "Poofed" out just right, walking down the aisle seeing all her friends, and someone waiting for her at the end. She was waiting for someone that she loved and loved her in return. She lost her chance.
"I'm marrying a RAT." She muttered to herself "I had no choice Tom.." she dropped to her knees and started to sob, she heard the door open and someone shoved in. It was Zelda, the door shut and locked both of them heard a chuckling Fidget behind the door. Zelda looked around disgusted and ran to Rose hugging her. She lifted her head up and slightly grinned, assuring her silently.
"There is always a way, he'll find a way.." she looked at the beautiful wedding dress in the corner of the room "Wow. He really knows how to impress doesn't he.." she looked at Rose "its obnoxious." The two girls managed to smile, knowing what was going to happen in the next hours. Rose sat down at a wooden stool, in front of a big cracked mirror.
Kiss today goodbye
The sweetness and the sorrow
Wish me luck, the same to you
But I cant forget
What I did for love what I did for love
Look my eyes are dry
The gift was ours to borrow
Its as if we always knew
And I wont forget what I did for love
What I did for love
Gone, love is never gone
As we travel on
Love's what we'll remember
Kiss today goodbye
And point me t'ward tomorrow
We did what we had to do.
Wont forget, can't regret
What I did for love
Tom is being tied to some kind of contraption, thinking of Rose
Love
Love is never gone
As we travel on love's what we'll remember
Kiss today goodbye
BOTH: and point me t'ward tomorrow
We did what we had to do.
Rose: Wont forget
Tom: cant regret
Both: what I did for love
Tom: what I did for love
At this point, Rose has finally gotten ready, her dress flared out and reached the floor, her shoulders were bare with long sleeves covering her arms, her hair was put in a bun on the top of her head, the little flowers and clips holding the veil in place. The dress sparkled in the small light in the room. She really looked like a princess. She pulled the veil over her face, and looked in the cracked mirror.
Rose: what I did for
Both: Love
I do not own A Chorus line! Just like the song's appropriateness!
REVIEW PLEASE!