Chapter 3: A maze of questions

It was 07:00 a.m. The Count woke up early to check on Magnum Ace. Magnum was also awake and he was looking at the sky. It was quit cloudy with a chance of rain. Anyway, the Count went in and tapped on Magnum's shoulder. The red Leaguer freaked out and turned to the Count. "Good morning, skygazer.", the Count joked as Magnum was gathering himself after he was freaked out. "Good morning, Excellency.", replied Magnum in a strayed tone in his voice. The Count felt that something was wrong with him, so he stood next to him:

The Count: Magnum? Are you alright?

Magnum Ace: I'm okay but...

The Count: But?

Magnum Ace: I had a dream last night and... I don't know what to say... I...

The Count: Don't be afraid, Magnum. Tell me everything about that dream.

Magnum Ace: I was in a maze. A dark, endless maze that kept taking me in and I couldn't find a way out. But then, a girl showed up and took my hand. And a lot of Leaguers were there and they pulled me out. Before I wake up, I asked her about who I am and where I am from.

The Count: Interesting. And what did she answer you?

Magnum Ace: She said: "You are who you are, who you've chosen to be. Look deep inside your soul and the answer will be clear.". Then, she vanished.

The Count: Most interesting.

Magnum Ace: However... That girl... She seemed so familiar. It's like... I've seen her before.

'Well that's a progress.', the Count thought then went to the door. "I'll go to visit General Morcerf and discuss something with him. Would you like to join me? ", he asked the red Leaguer with a smile. Magnum just shook his head and apologized for not coming. The Count understood his situation and left him with Haydee, Silver and Gonzales.

When he arrived at the General's office, he noticed that Danglars and Vilefort have reached there before him. He went in the office and saw the three men sitting there. "Ah! Edmond! We were just talking about you. Come in and take a seat.", Fernand said as he stood up and pointed to the Count to sit down. "Well. I'm glad that the three of you are interested in what I told you about.", the Count said and then, he looked at the two of Danglars and Vilefort and said: "I see that you have something to say, am I right?". It kept silent for a few minutes, then Vilefort spoke up:

Vilefort: We are just a little bit concerned about you having that Leaguer in your house.

The Count: What's concerning about that?

Danglars: Well, you see, his memory is lost and he might just...

The Count: He might what?

Fernand: We are worried about his well being and about yours as well.

The Count: Guys, get to the point.

Fernand: Well, since his memory is lost, we're afraid that he won't be able to know who's the enemy and who's friend. (sees a deep look on the Count's face)What I'm saying is that you should call the Hunter Base and tell Zero about it. After all, you're a Maverick Hunter.

The Count thought it over in his head and he found it pretty convincing. But, he had something else in his mind. "Calling Zero is not necessary at the mean time.", he said and the three men were shocked by what he said. Fernand looked at him for a second and said: "What do you mean it's not necessary?" "Magnum Ace is my responsibility. I'll take care of him until he gets his memory back.", the Count insisted. The three of Fernand, Vilefort and Danglars didn't say a word. They knew that Edmond's decision was final, so they surrendered to it. "We understand. Good luck with your mission.", said Fernand as he was shaking hands with the Count. Then, they went out of the office and bid each other a farewell, then the Count went back to his place in the Champs-Elysee.

When he arrived, he felt that something was wrong. His feeling was confirmed when Gonzales came to him in a haste. The Sergeant seemed panicked about something:

Gonzales: Count! Count!

The Count: What's wrong, Sergeant?

Gonzales: It's Magnum Ace, Excellency! He's...

The Count: He's what? What happened to him?

Gonzales: He's gone, your Excellency!

The Count(with anger): What?! I told you to keep an eye on him!

Gonzales: It was out of my hands, sir. He was with Silver and miss Haydee, so it was alright. But then, I only turned away for a minute and he was gone!

The Count couldn't believe his ears but he calmed down and went off to search for the red baseball leaguer. Meanwhile, Magnum was walking in the streets of the city, thinking of the dream he saw as it started to rain. 'Who am I? Where did I come from? And who was that girl? I've got myself into a maze and I can't just get myself out of it.', he thought as he was having a memory about the girl:

It was a lovely day. A black baseball leaguer was standing with his brothers. Then, a little girl came running to him, calling his name. After that, both of them went to a green field and played 'tag' together until sunset. "Frontier?", she asked, getting his attention. "Yes, Eagle?", he responded to her. Silver Frontier loved the blonde little girl so much, he was ready to do anything for her. "Will you always be my friend no matter what?", Eagle asked and looked at him with kitty sad face. He couldn't refuse to answer, so he said: "Of course, Eagle. I'll always be your friend. I swear it on my oil."

The little girl giggled at the last sentence, then she lifted her pinky to him, "pinky promise?", she asked. He just smiled, put his pinky with hers and said: "Sure. Pinky promise." "Pinky promise you will keep it.", she sang happily then started humming it. "Of course I will.", he said. Then, Coach Kinta arrived and called her daughter. "Eagle. Come on, my sweet Gold Heart. Time to go home." "I'm coming, mommy!", she said then ran off to her mother. Then, she waved to Silver Frontier and said goodbye to him.

"Magnum!", the Count's voice called his name and pulled him out of his thoughts. The Count stood out of the carriage and checked on the shocked leaguer. "Thank God. You're okay.", the Count sighed in relief and continued: "Magnum. Please don't do this again. I was worried-sick about you. If a Maverick has found you, I don't know what would've happened to you. Let's go back home. Haydee and the others are concerned about your well being.". Then, they went back to the Champs-Elysee and Magnum told everyone about what he has remembered. The Count was pleased with the progress the red leaguer is making.