Chapter 5

Racing down the hall practically tripping over themselves in their exceptionally high heels, Louis, Philippe, and Inge exchanged concerned, breathless shouts regarding their lead on Fouquet.
"Is he following us!?"
"He seems to be well behind us; I don't see him. Quick, let's duck in to this salon!"
By now most of the guests had scattered in fear, and the salon was empty and reasonably dark, with most candles out. Louis, regaining his breath, peered in to the brass box wondering what on Earth to do with it.
"Hand it to me, I am grudgingly familiar with Hooke's work." The voice came from Inge, but was much deeper than what Louis had heard before. It was Huygens's voice. Louis just stared, bewildered. The realisation was then confirmed in speech.
"Oh, em, sorry your Majesty. Inge is my flamboyant alter-ego."
After having been enraged so many times in the past day, Louis had little rage left to show. He simply stated his question bluntly: "But if Inge isn't your twin, then *what* have you been doing with Fouquet!?"
Huygens sighed. "Please understand, your Majesty. Hooke has long been my greatest enemy, like Fouquet is yours. He has stolen my discoveries and claimed them for his own. Recently, I heard rumours that he was working on something dark, far beyond anything I would dare attempt with my own scientific knowledge, so I went undercover as Inge to investigate. I was led to Fouquet, and by that time I was in too deep to back out. But when I realised what Hooke and Fouquet were doing, I was glad I couldn't. You see, your majesty, it was Inge who discovered these secrets. It was Inge who worked to protect France and your Majesty."
"Don't you see?" Philippe interrupted, "It was Inge's warning which led me to save you from that horrible Montytits! It was Inge who led Fouquet in to this trap! And now…" Philippe's voice turned tender, " Now, it's Inge who will save France!" Philippe stared longingly at his sempai.

Rolling his eyes, Louis couldn't help cracking a little smile. While his patience for his brother's...inclinations ran slim, at least he finally found someone who wasn't a total dicksniffer (or, perhaps he was? If Philippe was into that sort of thing...).
Shuddering the unpleasant image away, he turned to Huygens and asked, "have you figured it out? What do we need to do to sort out this awful mess?"
Glancing up from the box, a miserable look was fixed on the young scientist's face.
"I just can't seem to put the final piece together! Unless I'm horribly mistaken, it seems to be somehow controlled by the emotions and imagination of the user, the latter being why, I presume, things got a bit weird here. You see, it wasn't just what Fouquet wanted; it was anything he happened to be thinking about, even subconsciously, at the time."
Louis frowned, both at Huygens explanation and the realisation that Fouquet must be even more unstable then previously believed.
"It sounds like you've figured it out, then. What is the issue, exactly?"
The Dutchman sighed, and handed the box to the king.
"I can't seem to open it. There are no locks or codes, but the seal won't budge. Perhaps you could try, sire? If it is indeed powered by emotion, then no one wants to change the world right now more than you. And besides," he paused, chuckling to himself, "if I opened it, it would become mine, and no one wants to live in the over-active mind of a Dutch scientist."
The three men laughed for a moment, then fell silent as Louis looked down at the tiny gold object in his hand, running his thumb along the seal.
"There's something I'd like to do, before I open this box."
Huygens and Philippe looked at each other, then back to Louis, perplexed.
"What is it, mon frere?"
Louis looked away for a moment, then gave the pair the most genuine smile Philippe had ever seen on his brother.
"I'd...I'd like to thank you. For everything. I've always taken everything in my life for granted, but when everything I had was taken away, you two were still here. In case my subconscious wishes this reality away from my memory, I just wanted to let you know how much it meant to me."
"PFF, don't expect to have that memory for long…" joked Philippe, nudging Huygens.
But the mood soon fell serious again, and Louis held the box carefully.
"Well my friends, bon voyage. I will see you on the other side, God willing."
Huygens and Philippe bowed to his majesty, and Louis closed his eyes. But they could here footsteps now. Running steps. Getting louder. Coming closer.
"Clear your mind. Just focus!" ushered Huygens, knowing too well the panic each of them suddenly had on their mind.
Louis tried to forget Fouquet and think solely of his desires. His mind began to runaway from him. He could see the inside of the box in his mind; springs tensioning, gears twirling, and all the while visions of Versailles, well dressed courtiers, -maybe the odd portrait of himself in his glory days riding a unicorn. All would be restored soon. But above his induced dream state, he could hear shouting. A struggle! What was happening? Was it Fouquet? He could not open his eyes. The dream was becoming more vivid. Oh the sweet smell of- Just then, Louis felt a heavy blow between his shoulder and neck. Darkness immediately enveloped him, and he passed out.