Story Notes: I planned this alongside the prequel to ensure it flowed directly with the story. I'm excited to share this, and I hope everyone enjoys reading it. I remembered in The Seven Crystal Balls that Haddock enters the story, following a horse ride that goes wrong, so I decided to let Tintin do the same, only without being thrown off. Some of these chapters may not be as long as they usually are. I'm still hoping to hit 3,500 for a single chapter. I may hit that in the sequel for this as I've already planned it. By the time this story is published, I will likely be writing it or will have already written it. Finding free time at the moment is very hard. Please enjoy. I gave the Maharaja and his son names. I read the comics looking for any indication of a name so I researched names and two jumped out off the page so I used them. I named the Maharaja, Indra and his son, Amir.
Title: The Indian Intervention
Category: Adventures of Tintin
Characters: Tintin, Captain Haddock, Snowy, Rastapopoulos, Allan, Maharaja.
Genre(s): Adventure, Friendship
Theme(s): Injuries
Language: English
Rating: T [for safety]
Summary: After narrowly escaping the Red Sea, Rastapopoulos returns to a former hideout to regain what he's lost. Tintin receives an urgent message from the Maharaja, but all is not as it seems. When he reaches India, the Maharaja reveals he sent no telegram. What is happening?
Suggested Music
1. Devotion - Lisa Gerard
2. A Water Lily (Suiren) - Eliott Tordo Erhu
3. In the Beginning - Bear McCreary
X
As the hooves of the cantering horse echoed through the grounds, Snowy raised his head from the steps and stood. His tail wagged profusely as he waited for his master to finish his horse ride. Tintin on the other hand didn't wish to rush it. After the last few wins he'd achieved everything seemed to be going in the right direction. He smiled, enjoying the wind whipping around his head and neck even as he brought the horse into a trot, then a steady walking gait.
"Woah Girl, that's it. Good Girl," Tintin exclaimed stroking her mane and neck as he dismounted, undoing his hat with one hand. Snowy barked and trotted over as Elise, the horse, lowered her face to sniff him.
Tintin watched carefully but they appeared to like each other, unlike the cat residing in the hall. Haddock appeared on the top of the steps.
"How is she?" Haddock called.
"Perfect, she's so calm," Tintin smiled, stroking her beautiful honey-brown coat.
After removing the bridle and the saddle, he let in the paddock and returned to the hall. As he walked up the steps, a man in uniform appeared out of nowhere.
"I Have a telegram for Mr Tintin,"
"That's me, thank you,"
I rarely get telegrams...
I wonder who sent it.
Tintin frowned as he closed the door behind him. Haddock paused on his way up the stairs.
"You alright Lad?"
"Yeah... telegram.."
Opening the paper he started to read the words and his narrowed eyes quickly disappeared.
Mr Tintin. Stop. Require urgent assistance. Stop. My life is in immediate danger. Stop. Come Quickly. stop.
Maharaja of Gaipajama.
The Maharaja ...
"Haddock!" Tintin yelled, running up the stairs with Snowy hot on his heels. "We need to leave now,"
"Leave? Blistering Barnacles we've just come back!" Haddock strode to him, and he thrust the message into his hand.
"Blistering .. that doesn't sound good,"
"We need to go,"
X
As Rastapopolus strode into the ramshackle building all his original hopes faded.
What Happened?
I know what did... that damn reporter... Well, I won't have to worry about him any longer.
The men turned round, staring at him as he approached.
"Hey, what do you want? Who are you?" One demanded, pushing through the men gathering around him. Rastapopulus turned and glared at the young man, making him step back slightly.
"Who's in charge here?" Rastapopulus bellowed.
Another man pushed through the men, emerging from the side of the other who challenged him. His long black hair tumbled down his shoulders, highlighting his skin and his dark eyes. The remaining twenty or so waited for their leader's orders.
"That would be me, Samir. And who are you?"
"This used to be a safe house for Kih Oshk.." Rastapopulos commented, ignoring the original question.
"Not anymore. Once the police arrested them we thought we'd fill in a gap,"
Rastapoppulus smirked.
"You're just a band of rogues,"
"And who are you to say that?" Samir snapped.
"Call me RJ and that's all you need to know. So what do you do?" RJ questioned. If I've wasted my time and money ...
"Actually... we are thieves,"
Interesting.
"Perhaps you will be able to answer a question for me; This building stored many valuable treasures,"
"Ah yes, just before we moved in here, the Maharaja took the treasures. He's been sending them back to the provinces they originated from. Saying that some other thieves had managed to snatch them away,"
RJ pulled a picture from the inside of his jacket, pushing it into Samir's face.
"What about this one?"
"Well, today is your lucky day. This particular treasure is still in the palace," Samir smiled.
RJ sighed.
He didn't want to join forces with a band of rogues like these, but he didn't have another choice.
"I have a proposal,"
I'm regretting this already.
X
Tintin's eyes narrowed in confusion as he stumbled from the car. Everything seemed exactly as it had always been, except for several trees now overgrown at the side of the palace. The infectious sound of laughter echoed from the gardens, the Maharaja's son no less. As they approached he appeared, Indra; The Maharaja. A smile spread across his face as he rushed down the steps.
"Tintin, my friend!"
Tintin's frown faded at the sight of his friend until Haddock's hand wrapped around his arm.
"I don't understand … the telegram.." Haddock questioned.
"I know,"
"What if it's a lure and someone did it to get us to come here,"
Tintin couldn't ignore his friend's concern. He couldn't deny that something didn't feel right.
He doesn't seem in danger...
"It's possible... let's figure it out," Tintin concluded as Indra strode to him and grasped one of his hands.
"My friend, this is such a surprise. Why didn't you tell me you were coming?"
Tintin's mind went blank. He paused, not sure what to say.
"Tintin?"
"I... I'm confused. You sent us a telegram. I have it here,"
"What telegram?" Indra asked as Tintin passed it over. His smile quickly faded as he read the words and then looked back at them.
"Tintin, I didn't send this,"
If you didn't then who did...
Indra motioned for them to come into the palace. As they walked Tintin couldn't erase the feeling that something was about to go wrong.
"Who would do such a thing?" Indra questioned. "I am certainly not in danger,"
"Maybe someone else thinks you are," Haddock exclaimed.
Indra nodded his head in agreement.
"It's a possibility,"
"Sorry, how rude of me. Indra, this is Captain Haddock," Tintin exclaimed, finally introducing them.
"It's a pleasure to meet such a good friend of Tintin," Indra and Haddock shook hands. Welcome to Giapajama, Captain Haddock. I only wish it were under different circumstances,"
Tintin yelped slightly as a sharp scratch pinched his neck. Snowy pawed at him as Haddock and Indra turned to face him.
"Tintin?" Indra questioned.
Tintin reached his hand back. As his finger brushed against the arrow, his eyes widened. Something entered his bloodstream and pulled his body into submission. He yanked the arrow out, shakily holding it in front of him. Indra and Haddock rushed to him, as his vision started to blur. He couldn't make either of them out, even their voices slowly started to fade.
No ... I'm going to go mad!
No...
Snowy growled beneath him and the floor disappeared from under him and everything immediately turned black.