Chapter 27: The Contract

"S'il vous plaît, mon seigneur! We don't know anything, I swear!" A bruised and bloodied monk pleaded on his knees before Lysandre and his Pyroar.

"The key, where is the key." Lysandre's voice was cold, holding no anger or resentment, just ruthlessness.

A dozen of his soldiers, knights, and Pokemon stood over five dead monks and two butchered nuns, as well as their Pokemon within the base of a crystalized cavern.

"Mon seigneur, I beg you! We knew nothing of this key, you speak nonsense!"

"Menteuse." Malva said as she approached with Celosia and Mable.

"Your monastery and nunnery were directly sponsored by the Kings of Kalos for centuries and his majesty had influence over you that no secular ruler ever should've. You know where the key is, and you're going to tell us." Alaina revealed herself beside Lysandre holding a terrified Pancham in her arms.

The monk's eyes widened and his body trembled.

"Wait, wait." He muttered.

Lysandre took out a dagger and slowly approached the Pancham who tried desperately to escape.

"Wait! S'il vous plaît, mon seigneur! I'm begging you!" Tears swelled the monk's eyes but Lysandre didn't slow.

"They key."

"Mon seigneur!"

"Cham!"

"Ahhh!" The monk screamed and pulled against the ropes binding his hands that it nearly drew blood.

Lysandre pulled his dagger free and wiped it clean, an emotionless expression across his face.

The monk's wails went silent and he lay motionless for several moments before an unsettling laughter escaped his mouth.

"Quoi?" Malva and the others looked slightly disturbed by this, by Lysandre merely narrowed his eyes and approached, pulling the monk up by his head.

The fear all vanished, transforming into an almost crazed expression.

"What's so funny?"

"Tu es un imbécile!" The monk laughed like a madman.

"You brought death and destruction to our kingdom all in search of the key, but you never realized that the key had been staring you in front of your face the entire time!"

Lysandre's men gasped while the Duke narrowed his eyes and seized his prisoner by the throat.

"What are you talking about!?"

The monk's insane expression didn't waver.

"You held the key in your very hands, mon seigneur, and you threw it away without even realizing it."

Lysandre's eyes widened and he started to tremble.

"Oui, you finally understand the true cost of your betrayal. They key is lost to you forever, safe in the loving hands of his eternal father."

For a brief moment, the monk's insanity vanished and he looked back up at Lysandre with something that surprised the Duke's followers.

"It's not too late though. You can still make this right, you can still be forgiven."

"Forgiven." Lysandre mutter.

"Oui, mon seigneur. I forgive you."

Lysandre drew his sword and after wet noise, his followers saw the monk's head land on the ground. It wasn't the decapitated head that unsettled them, rather the look of peace and acceptance on his face.

"What madness did he speak of?" Celosia asked.

Malva nervously approached her husband and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Lysandre."

"He's right, I am an imbécile." Lysandre held his head in frustration.

"How could I have not seen it!"

"Wait, so the key is gone then!?" Mable panicked.

"No, not yet."

Lysandre stood back up and turned to his followers.

"The Dauphin, where is he now?"

"King Calem is in the northeast." Celosia muttered, though Lysandre didn't care much for what Calem called himself.

"He's issued an Arrière-ban for all the major lords across Kalos to regroup with him. We believe he intends to capitalize on his victory and deliver another decisive blow on King Victor before he can regroup. The other dukes have already joined him as well as Count Wulfric and his wife's forces. Count Philip, Captain Arnaud, and the Catalan Company are all putting pressure on the remaining Galar forces in the east, preventing them from regrouping with their King. Once the other Counts from the west and south of Kalos arrive, it will be finished."

"Oui, Calem is untouchable. What about the Princess?"

Malva smiled.

"Our new allies report that Lady Korrina and Count Red are escorting her south to Kiloude City."

Lysandre nodded.

"Fetch the daimyo."

Several hours later, Lysandre stood beside Xerosic and three Malamar who all used psychic on another Pokemon encased in crystal before them.

"You're certain you've found him?" Lysandre asked.

"Oui, mon seigneur. We have a positive identification. Our men tried to apprehend him, but he proved to strong."

"Lysandre." Both Kalos lords turned to a pair of samurai approaching him, including Proton.

"Lord Giovanni." Lysandre bowed his head respectfully as done in Kanto.

Giovanni did the same, but Xerosic and and Proton exchanged watchful glances.

"Is that him!?" Giovanni almost shouted as he looked at the Pokemon contained in the crystal.

"Oui, the one I promised you."

"Ha! Finally, with his power I'll dominate the other daimyo in Kanto and establish myself as the Shogun!" Giovanni reached forward by Xerosic got in his way.

"Move!"

"Not so fast, mon ami. I'm afraid our contract isn't complete."

Giovanni and Lysandre stared intensely at each other for almost a minute.

"We've turned Kalos upside down looking for you damned key! It doesn't exist!"

"He exists. The manuscript pages recovered from the Tower of Mastery and the hidden castle proved it. They key also exists, and if you want to control him, we will need what the key unlocks."

Giovanni grit his teeth.

"Fear not, mon ami. As it so happens, now know where the key is."

Giovanni and Proton blinked.

"Then when the Hell are you waiting for!"

"Unfortunately, the key is currently well guarded by a small army, and at least two samurai. Including one you know, I believe."

Giovanni grit his teeth and turned his rage onto Proton, who trembled.

"Yes, Felix. I'm aware of his presence."

"Bon, then you'll be prepared to deal with him." Lysandre came forward and stared directly into Giovanni's eyes.

"Lady Mable and Celosia will accompany your forces. Bring me the key or our contract is null."

Giovanni narrowed his eyes.

"Why don't you go and recover it then."

"I'm afraid my presence would draw too much attention at the moment. Besides, I have another matter to tend to."

"Hmp, of course you do. Proton!"

"My Lord!"

"Take our men and recover this key."

"Yes, my lord!" Proton froze when he saw Giovanni stare back at him.

"You know what will happen if you fail."

"…..Yes, yes my lord!"

Author's note

Yep Giovanni is here, a bit late in the game, but still here.

He's working with Lysandre and as now their final plans are in motion

Not too much more to say, I intended this to be part of a larger chapter but ultimately realized it would work better on its own

Onto other news, I've said this before but this will likely be my last 'Long' fic. I'm actually surprised I've made it this far given how exhausting writing this many chapters can be

However, I still intend to make my amourshipping sendoff fic and publishing it around the time of Journey's completion. With that being said, I really want it to be some of my best work and as such, I've actually drafted several chapters already.

So far a trusted reader has liked what they've seen so far, but I wouldn't be against more pairs of eyes to ensure its quality.

Therefore, if anyone is interested and doesn't mind some spoilers, PM me.

Similarly, I wouldn't be against further short-stories formatted almost like the Pokemon movies in terms of plot length, possibly about the next generation and such

If such concepts interest you guys let me know, as I don't want to make stories nobody is interested in...I've done it before.

So until next time,

Please review, comment, suggest, or ask (VIA PM)