Story Notes: This was a tricky fiction to arrange. Finding a good scene was quite a challenge, but I remembered in the tv 1990s animated series. In this, Rastapopoulos makes a run for it and Chang and Tintin pursue him. Had Chang not followed, Rastapopoulos would've had an opportunity. On this idea, I decided to develop it further. This is the finished product. Please Read, Fave, Follow and review.
Title: Resolution
Category: Adventures of Tintin
Characters: Tintin, Chang, Rastapopoulos, Snowy
Summary: Tintin chases Rastapopoulos after he evades capture. Rastapopoulos takes an opportunity. (Alternate events, What if)
Genre(s): Drama, Friendship
Rating: T
Theme(s): Blood, Family, Friendship
Suggested Music
1. Utsusemi (Man of the World) - Eliott Tordo Erhu
2. The Last Samurai - Eliott Tordo Erhu
3. The Castle in the Sky Laputa Theme - Eliott Tordo Erhu
Tintin scanned the room as Chang rushed to aid the men trying to handle Mitsuhirato. He put up a fight even though they had the advantage.
He quickly counted the men.
Someone is missing, Tintin thought.
Tintin's eyes caught a flash of a maroon suit through the thin gap of the open door at the end of the room.
Rastapopoulos!
Tintin shot off down the room and through the door. He heard Chang shout for him to wait, but he couldn't let him get away.
All this time! He was right under my nose!
Why didn't I see it?
Tintin raced up the stairs, two at a time, unwilling to allow him to escape. As he reached the door at the top of the stairs, he stopped. Closing his eyes, he breathed deeply to fuel his pounding heart. Wrapping his fingers around his gun, he slowly entered the room. He kept his weapon poised, just in case. He hated using a gun but didn't want to be completely defenceless. He had no idea what Rastapopoulos could be capable of. Muffled sounds filled the air as he gained sight of Professor Fang, tied to a chair in front of him.
Professor Fang! At last.
Tintin's thoughts immediately turned to Didi. Distracted, he lowered his gun, tucking it into his belt so he could remove the gag.
"Look out!"
Shadows moved behind him. As he turned around, a sharp object thrust deep into his abdomen. Tintin held his breath momentarily, unable to absorb what had just happened.
He came face to face with Rastapopoulos, who grinned as he pushed the knife in deeper. As he pulled the knife out, Tintin plummeted to the floor. Blood immediately started to spread across the floor as Professor Fang wrestled with the bindings.
Blood dripped from the knife, hitting the floor soundlessly as Rastapopoulos stared at him.
"Look at that. You do bleed," Rastapopoulos commented.
A growl echoed through the room as Snowy leapt towards Rastapopoulos, driving his teeth into his arm.
Tintin could barely register the commotion. Professor Fang's shouts and pleas faded as Rastapopoulos tried to escape through a curtain at the end of the room.
"Get off me you, mutt!" Rastapopoulos shouted, throwing Snowy against the adjoining wall and disappearing through the curtain.
Tintin tried to move, but his entire body remained attached to the floor. Blood had started to soak into his clothes. A chill spread through him, transforming his body into ice as precious seconds ticked by.
Why am I so cold?
Why can't I move?
As Snowy nuzzled his face, his eyes started to slide shut. Hands shook his shoulders in the darkness. His heart pounded in his heart, trying to make up for the lack of blood. Tintin remained powerless as his life force flowed from his body. Chang's pleas remained inaudible as the darkness captured him, pulling him into the unknown.
x
A million senses bombarded his nose as his eyes slowly opened. The scent of disinfectant lingered in the air, irritating his nose. As his nose twitched, a face came into view beside him. Tintin quickly recognised the boy adorning a mop of black hair.
"Chang,"
It took a lot of effort to say one name, but he held on, determined to stay awake.
His whisper caused a smile to form on the boy's face. His eyes were red-rimmed and heavy.
Has he been awake all night? Tintin thought.
"Tintin," Chang exclaimed, smiling widely. "We almost lost you,"
Tintin exhaled shakily as he recalled the events that put him in hospital.
"You'll be able to leave in a few days," Chang continued. "Mr Wang has organised for you to stay with them until you're fit enough to travel,"
Tintin smiled warmly upon hearing those words. He couldn't think of anywhere else he would rather be.
"What happened?" Tintin asked
"They arrested Mitsuhirato and his men,"
"Rastapopoulos?"
Chang hung his head momentarily.
"He got away," Chang replied, lowering his voice.
Tintin sighed.
Once again, he gets away. Why does he keep slipping through my fingers?
Tintin stayed in the hospital for another four days, then Mr Wang arrived to bring him back to the house. Content to be among friends, he finally started to relax. When The Wang family announced that they were adopting Chang, Tintin couldn't hold his delight. Even after Rastapopoulus' escape, there was still so much to be proud of.
Sitting in the garden, he absorbed all the scents surrounding him as Snowy chased butterflies amongst the bushes. As he closed his eyes, voices broke the silence. Opening his eyes, he noticed the Thompsons walking towards him, still covered in bruises from their fall in Hukov Railway Station. When they sat, Tintin focused his attention.
"How are you?" Thompson asked.
"Much better,"
Tintin's smile soon turned to a frown as the Thompson's heads lowered slightly.
"What's wrong?" Tintin continued.
"We only found out this morning," Thomson stated, passing a newspaper over.
MITSUHIRATO COMMITS HARA-KIRI!
Poor devil, Tintin thought. I know he was a villain, but still.
"Oh and .. erm. About that arrest business," Thompson stuttered.
"You were following orders you believed to be genuine. It's not your fault," Tintin replied softly.
When the Thompson's left, Tintin's mind drifted to when Didi returned to the house, cured of the effects caused by the Madness poison. He smiled as he recalled the moment Mr and Mrs Wang revealed they were adopting Chang. After what they had been through, he was glad to see Chang so happy.
It's going to be hard to go home.
x
When he arrived at the docks to board a boat for home, Mr Wang came to see him off with Chang.
I don't want to go, Tintin thought as his moist eyes leaked.
Shakily taking a breath, he turned to them. As he shook Mr Wang's hand, the light squeeze nearly broke his composure.
"I cannot thank you enough for what you have done for our family," Mr Wang exclaimed.
Chang immediately pulled him into a tight hug. Even as Tintin closed his eyes, tears still found their way out. He held Chang just as tightly, unwilling to part with his friend.
"I hope we meet again," Tintin smiled, trying to hold back his tears.
"I know we will, My friend,"
Wiping away his tears, he boarded the ship. Upon reaching the deck, he turned and waved until he could no longer see the docks. Tintin held his breath for a brief moment and gazed across the horizon.
What's next, Tintin wondered as Snowy wriggled in his arms.
"Where should we go next, Snowy?"
Snowy licked his face, barking playfully in response. Tintin chuckled, returning his gaze to the horizon.
Truly great friends are hard to find, difficult to leave, and impossible to forget.
G Randolf