Evening My Lovelies

Good God this chapter was hard to write :( Hopefully it's still good enough for you guys to enjoy. I had an evil moment part way through writing which has kinda made this into an evil chapter for our boys (fair warning.)

I've also decided that technology hates me as I had my computer play up not too long ago and then today my phone broke and I've had to send it way for repairs... I'm seriously thinking that I'm cursed to make all technology fail or something lol :D

On an awesome note I only need 1 more review to reach 600!

Notes On Reviews:

Deana: Thanks for the review - Glad you liked it. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Tidia: Thanks for the review - Athos will probably get him but can't guarantee they'll escape unscathed. We'll be addressing why the palace was so easy for Ortiz to infiltrate soon. Enjoy the new chapter! x

pain in the mikta: Thanks for the review - Oh if you hated the cliffhanger yesterday I fear what your reaction for today might be *hides* Haha your rants totally made my day XD Enjoy the new chapter! x

Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Nope, everybody's been hurt in some way. I think our boy agree with Ortiz's assessment of the King by this point as well. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Teddy2104: Thanks for the review - Cardinal's fate is being dragged out a bit I'm afraid but we'll learn soon. Ortiz is going to suffer some pain today so hopefully that'll appease you :) We'll be clearing up how he was able to get in so easily tomorrow (or very soon promise) Enjoy the new chapter! x

pheonixriv: Thanks for the review - The start of your review had me worried for a moment. You'd think by now they'd have learnt not to leave their young pup alone :D Hope you like this too. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Issai: Thanks for the review - Athos is wounded but is probably going to get worse before things get better. Etienne's pretty unbothered by the Cardinal, he probably wouldnt want the man to die but if it came to a choice between the Captain and him he would let the Cardinal die. I really liked the idea for Claude ... Could possibly happen not sure yet. Enjoy the new chapter! x

watlocked: Thanks for the reviews - (Chapter53) Welcome back my friend :D How are you liking it now you've joined us in the world of working adults? (chapter54) I adore writing Treville in papa bear mode so i'm glad you enjoyed reading it :) (chapter55) Can't resist a good puppy pile now :D Sometimes you just know theres more to the situation then you can see and luckily for Athos, Treville was clearheaded enough to spot that. (chapter56) Haha worry not Treville wont be dying. I never really wanted to kill him but as he's in the room with everyone else I had to include him in the list. (Chapter57) I'm sure Aramis and the others would be more than happy to join in your shaking of Athos :) The regiment did kinda forget about the king and Cardinal didnt they.. opps ... oh well they found them eventually. hmmm unfortunately i cant promise what condition Athos will be in when they find him ... sorry :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - Now I'm imagining Ortiz with devil horns and a pointy tail... . :D There's no way Athos was going to let Ortiz get away after everything he's done. Treville's quite injured but in good hands with Aramis. Louis will be okay after some rest but we can pretty much guarantee he's going to be a big baby about the whole thing. Richelieu's in really bad state and I havent quite decided if he's going to make it yet. I agree. Athos probably would have shielded the cardinal if he had been in the room, i think his instincts would have kicked in and he would have been unable to not protect him. You'd think they'd have learnt by now to not leave the pup alone :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

A reader (Guest): Thanks for the review - Of course he will, as you said. He's Athos :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

Helensg: Thanks for the review - You're welcome :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

Chapter Fifty-Eight: The Burning Palace II

"ATHOS!" yelled Porthos as he continued his frantic search through the palace for his missing brother. It had sickened him to see so many dead as he maneuvered his way through the halls and with each new corpse his panic grew.

"ATHOS!"

He was running out of time and he knew it. This part of the palace had sustained massive amounts of damage and it was only a matter of time before the fragile walls crumbled, burying all that remained with them.

Porthos was about to call out again when a faint, yet familiar sound, caught his attention.

"Don't you dare be losing, growled the musketeer under his breath as he carefully made he way over to the sound.

"I'm disappointed musketeer," jeered Ortiz as he parried another of Athos's blows, "I thought you'd put up a better fight than this."

Allowing his face to show only frustration whilst inside he was smirking Athos continued his 'attack' on the man all while trying to ignore the dizzy spells and lightheadedness that was assaulting his mind.

Athos knew that in a fair fight he would probably be able to win against the Spaniard but he also knew the chances of Ortiz fighting fair were higher then the chances of Aramis walking passed a pretty woman without making any sort of comment.

Athos felt a surge of guilt as he thought of his brother, no doubt they had all noticed what had happened and were frantically searching for him. He knew he should have stayed with Treville to help the Captain protect the King but his mind would stop showing him images of how the Spaniard had tortured and nearly broken all of his brothers and the stoic musketeer had allowed his anger to get the better of him.

"ATHOS!"

Hearing his name being called distracted the swordsman for a moment and he hissed in pain as Ortiz's blade skimmed across his throat, the musketeer dodging just in time though a thin trail of blood formed on his neck.

"Looks like your backup's here," mocked Ortiz, the two of them clashing blades as he spoke, "I do hope he doesn't turn out like Charles."

That comment did it for the musketeer and in a moment of rage his entire plan flew right out of the window as he drew his leg back seconds before launching a low kick to the Spaniards ankles.

The kick was enough to cause Ortiz to stumble and Athos took full advantage of it, twisting around the man and slashing his blade at the back of the Spaniard's ankles causing the man to scream in pain as he fell to his knees.

"Athos!" Porthos exclaimed joyfully when he turned a corner to find Athos standing above a downed form of Ortiz, both men glaring daggers at the other while panting heavily.

"Porthos," nodded Athos, never taking his eyes off of the glaring Spaniard.

It was at this point Porthos noticed the patch of red growing on the back of Athos's shirt.

"'Thos," he breathed, only to be cut off by receiving a glare all his own from the swordsman.

"It's fine," he dismissed, "we need to find something to tie him up with."

Seeing that both men were just distracted enough Ortiz snarled and threw a dagger he had stashed in his boot, the blade sinking deeply into Porthos's shoulder.

"ARGH!" cried the larger musketeer as his hand came up to grip his shoulder.

"PORTHOS!" exclaimed Athos, his eyes widening in horror as he watched his brother try not to succumb to the pain.

"It's not the same as Charles," shrugged Ortiz as he tried to get back on his feet despite the agony he was in. "But it'll do in a pinch."

"You're going to pay for that," snarled Athos, moving to stand protectively in front of Porthos, "I was going to deliver you to the King but given all you've done I doubt he'll mind if I end you here."

"Don't say words you can't back up Athos," grinned the Spaniard, flipping his blade around in his hands as he spoke.

For the next few minutes everything was a blur as the room was filled with the sound of clashing blades.

"Looks like you were holding back earlier," remarked Ortiz as he forced himself not to groan in pain as his ankles were alight with pain. "Don't know whether I should be impressed or offended."

"How about dead?" snarled Porthos as he ripped the dagger out of his shoulder. "Athos! Duck!"

Moving more out of instinct then anything else Athos instantly ducked and could only smirk at the Spaniard when Porthos's throw had embedded the man's dagger into his shoulder.

"You've been practicing," remarked the swordsman with a teasing glint in his eyes as he stumbled back to his feet.

"To the whelp's annoyance," grinned the larger man, though the lines of pain were still clear on his face. "Whelp actually pulled out his secret weapon to get me an 'Mis to stop."

Athos felt his lips twitch upwards in amusement, knowing full well what his brother was talking about. It seemed that none of them were immune to the boy's puppy-dog eyes.

"How bad?" Athos asked worriedly, completely ignoring the now gasping Spaniard as he lightly examined Porthos's wound.

"Be fine once 'Mis's looked at it," reassured the larger man. "Speaking of, we should get back before he hobbles in here looking for us."

"Agreed," nodded Athos before striding over to Ortiz and with one fast motion he yanked the dagger out of his shoulder, ignoring the scream of pain, before using the pommel of the blade to knock the man unconscious.

"You do realize we have to carry him now right?" sighed Porthos, pouting a little as he prodded the unconscious Spaniard with his foot.

Athos shook his head at his brother's antics before slowly moving down to grab one of Ortiz's arms, only to freeze when a loud groan above them caught their attention.

"ATHOS!"

"PORTHOS!"

As each musketeer screamed for the other, panic widening their eyes as they tried to reach the other, the beams holding up the ceiling that had been damaged in the explosions, finally caved and within moments began tumbling towards the three men.

OUTSIDE THE PALACE

Aramis felt his heart stop as he stared emotionlessly at the musketeer in front of him.

"Aramis?" asked the man hesitantly, slightly unnerved by the lack of response from the man.

"Again…" whispered the medic

"What?"

"Say it again,"

The musketeer's eyes softened in sympathy as he straightened himself so he could properly address the man in front of him.

"There's been a collapse, one of the eastern rooms."

"And you're sure?"

"That Porthos was there?" sighing the man slowly nodded his head, "I wish I wasn't but that's where he said he was heading and we've checked the other rooms and he's not there."

Aramis felt his breathing coming out in short spurts and tried his best to focus on the man in front of him instead of the growing panic within him.

"A…Athos?" he asked brokenly, desperately praying that he hadn't just lost two brothers in one fell swoop.

"No one's seen him but Jacques said he heard Porthos calling Athos's name before heading to that room so there's every chance he's there as well… I'm so sorry."

As soon as he felt the first tear fall from his eyes Aramis shoved his grief down and looked back at the man with fierce determination in his eyes.

"We have no proof they died in that collapse. They could still be alive."

"Aramis," sighed the musketeer, his voice full of pity

"NO!" snapped the medic, "The fire's out now so grab some men and start moving debris, we're not leaving them in there regardless of what… condition they're in when we reach them."

Recognizing the indisputable order from a higher-ranking soldier the musketeer was quick to nod his confirmation before rushing away to do as asked.

"Don't the pair of you be dead on me," whispered the Spaniard brokenly as he gripped his rosary tightly in his hands.

MEANWHILE

D'Artagnan screamed as he whole body shot up in fear of the nightmare he had just witnessed.

Unable to bear the memories of the dreams D'Artagnan scrambled out of his bed and over to where an empty bucket was sitting in the corner of the room before emptying the his stomach into it, his whole frame trembling violently as he desperately tried to get control of himself.

NIGHTMARE

He was back there again, that cold cell, trapped in the dark. Only this time all he could hear was the tormented screams of his brothers.

"You know?" the shadow Ortiz mocked as he knelt down so he was level with the shaking Gascon; gripping the boy tightly by the hair he forced his head back.

"What?" spat the Gascon as he tried to get control of his fear.

"These brothers of yours," drawled the shadow, waving a hand lazily and the images of his brothers' being tortured returned.

"D'Artagnan," whispered a broken sounding Athos, his eyes clouded yet pleading, "help us."

D'Artagnan's heart shattered at the broken plea and his inability to help only worsened the pain the man seemed to be suffering as his torture continued.

"Athos," sobbed the Gascon as he listened to the man he loved as a brother alternated between screaming in pain and begging him for help.

"Whelp," called a soft voice and D'Artagnan felt his breath catch in his throat.

"No… Please," he cried, his body involuntarily moving to face the bleeding form of his brother.

"F-Family looks after each other whelp… Why wont you help us?" pleaded the larger man, only for his words to dissolve into screams of pain as his torture continued.

"These brothers of yours," continued the shadow Ortiz as if nothing had just happened. "They counted on you… You failed to protect them." Leaning in close D'Artagnan couldn't help the flinch that happened in response to the sinister smirk on the shadow Ortiz's face. "You will always fail to protect them."

END NIGHTMARE

Shaking his head D'Artagnan forced himself to ignore what happened after that in his nightmare… After all he really didn't want to throw up again.

So consumed by his thoughts he was, the young Gascon didn't notice someone sneaking into his room until it was too late and he was up against the wall with a blade at his throat.

"Hello brat…"