Theatre of Parodies Presents
Three Musketeers
Disclaimer: The following is a fan-based parody. Pokemon Adventures (Special) is owned by Shogakukan, Ladybird Comics Special series, Nintendo, GameFreak, Hidenori Kusaka, Mato, Satoshi Yamamoto, Satoshi Taiji, Tsunekazu Ishihara, and Shigeru Miyamato.
Chapter 1: beginning
March 14, 1656
Europe has been at peace since the 30 years' war ended with treaty of Westphalia lead to a new political order with balance of power. Recently since events of English Civil war with death of Charles I, England became a Protestant Puritan Republic under Lord Protector, Oliver Cromwell. The exiled heir to English throne, Charles II has been seeking help to restore the throne from Cormwell's military government but found no support among the European powers.
Upcoming young ruler of France where Charles residing in will be known as Louis XIV. He was crowned as king of France in the lord's year of 1654, but his Prime Minister Mazarin returned from his exile. His mother passed away in 1651 as Louis has inherited the kingdom from aftermath of Fronde event saw danger of the rebellions, but stability finally restored with fear another rebellion could happen once if Mazarin disappears or killed in assassination.
An elite guard known as Musketeers protect the King since Louis XIII and now protectors of Louis XIV. This is the story about musketeers who will changed European history as the lands surrounding Paris, where full of peasants working the fields for grain and food. The peasants are contented with their fruits of their labor to feed themselves while to support the entire kingdom and earn money as the local nobility have business with the local merchants.
In the roads where a battalion of soldiers lining the road was innumerable marching in a column. Drummers are at a beat to keep the pace as officers are looking at the flanks to make no ambushes can occur at any moment. Once heading to the town to enjoying the town's hospitability with much rest is needed after long marching in the roads.
Looking closer behind the infantry battalion, two travelers on the roads as one upon a grand white horse a rapier by his side and a flintlock pistol hidden in his boot. Behind him was another man walking with a heavy bag on his back. They are childhood friends as one the riding the white horse is no other than Diamond whom member of the Noblesse graduelle as his father died in the thirty years war against the Spanish army in Battle of Rocroi in a fierce infantry pike combat.
"Come along Pearl! The musketeers wait for no man!" Diamond said to his servant whom Pearl, tired from the long travel on foot. Pearl is feeling the weight of the bag on his back aches his back to carry Diamond's items, but mostly food supplies. Pearl is Diamond's best friend, but his father is a merchant whom travelled a lot as he sent Pearl to serve Diamond's family.
"Well they can damn well let me rest. It's alright for you, up on your horse." Pearl whined as they kept moving while Peasants are working in the fields and peasant children playing nearby. Peasant children are running alongside Diamond's horse as they head back home to eat dinner.
"I didn't see you complaining at the time." Diamond remarked as he scans the surrounding countryside. Vast fields of wheat and vegetables are grown and picked by the farmers who work so hard with the help of their farm animals. Horses enable the farmers to pull wagons of wheat to the farmhouse to process them.
"Actually, I did complain. Extensively in fact" Pearl complained as they kept moving in the roads. Front of them was a battalion of soldiers with the flags with the royal symbols of the monarch. The drum beats as they march into the roads with correct sync patterns where Soldiers are maintaining order and discipline remains unbroken.
"Now is not the time!" Diamond said which both have bicker moments since they were young lads ever when Pearl entered to Diamond's family. Pearl did often complain about the status and the situations he has been in. Diamond knows he's overexaggerating about it as Pearl sighed knowing to say about his conditions working with the family for a long time.
"It's never the time" Pearl mumbled as Diamond overheard what Pearl said as he turns to face him.
"I beg your pardon, Pearl?" Diamond wondered why Pearl would say that since he complained before, but never understand why. Pearl knows Diamond very well since he never concerns about anything what he has to say.
"Uh nothing Master Diamond, nothing at all" Pearl quickly replied to his best friend and master, Diamond.
"Good. I hope we can find a decent meal in our stop." Diamond turned to face the road as they kept moving on. Together they carried on, as the sun began to droop in the sky the number of soldiers lessened as forest they had entered grew dark and giving off an ominous feel. There was potential to unknown threats such as bandits.
"I don't like it here Pearl. Come, we must make haste!" Diamond suggested as they entered to a small town to rest. Locals are heading to the local traven bar after a long day of working in the fields. Diamond's mind is food and drinks, but he will allow Pearl to have his share for the long travel they had. They continue their way to the traven further until only to hear a a shrill femme cry filled the air.
"EEEEEHHHHH HELP SOMEBODY ROBBERS" Young female voice shouted coming from the carriage surrounded by several dark figures with each one brandishing rusty Rapiers and flintlock pistols. Diamond didn't like this as bandits are attempting to rob where he decides to act.
"Come Pearl we must assist!" Diamond said as he taken out his rapier and charges at them as Pearl tries to stop his friend. Pearl is fully aware that Diamond can be foolish when someone is in danger.
"But you wanted to leave." Pearl tried to suggest for them not to fight them at all. They will hurt him or worse killed which all the blame will be on Pearl.
"To leave a maiden is not musketeer behavior." Diamond argues as he charges off leaving pearl behind. He burst into a clearing to see a gilded carriage being held up by rouge swordsmen
"I said hand over the money!" One of the rouge swordsmen as he points the blade to the opening of the carriage to demand cash.
"Mon dieu! Please take what you need." Female voice coming from the carriage until Diamond raised his Rapier and charged scattering the robbers. However, the robbers reformed only to look at Diamond with a laughter as they pointed out he's outnumbered and clearly outmatched.
"Who the 'ell does he think he is taking on five men with only a sword? Take aim" they readied their pistols when a horn sounded out.
"What is that?" One of the robbers said as they noticed the banner is no regular army unit.
"KINGS GUARD CHARGE!" Officer shouted as cascade of soldiers armed with pikes and muskets came crashing into the clearing as the three men leading them. The robbers went running into the forest the guard chasing them, the three men spoke to the lady within the carriage before she left. It was too far for Diamond and Pearl to hear despite they are blocked by King's guard known as the Musketeers.
The Musketeers are France's elite units established in the year of 1622 under Louis XIII, Louis XIV's father which originally was light cavalry company turned into Royal Guard only when he's outside of the palace. There are exceptions to this as the King can order them to go on missions. Among the Musketeers, it was three younger youths out of the older veterans as all share dark hair color as they turned and one with ruby eyes as his hat covered his part of his head stepped towards Diamond
"May I say sir you possess quite the amount of bravery to take on so many." Ruby eye musketeer admired of his courage as one lone noble with his servant to stand up against band of bandits who terrorize the land.
"Or stupidity." another with golden amber eyes with a bang of his raven hair sticking out of his hat introjected. The first with red eyes has spiky jet-black hair when his hat was removed for a moment promptly ignored the other asks Diamond. He bows to him as they follow him suit as well.
"Tell me sir, do you have a name." Red eyes figure asking Diamond as he was about to open his mouth as which Pearl came crashing through into the clearing. He trips, but he was able to get up to see Diamond is okay.
"DIAMOND WAIT! Oh, you're here." Pearl shouted, but quiets down as the three youth musketeers chuckled and as Diamond looked at them noticed the mark of the nobles of the robe on one and the mark of the nobles of the sword on another. The third and the first to introduce himself had no such mark.
"Well then Diamond, what brings you here?" Red eye figure asking what brings Diamond to the area as the roads could lead to anywhere and wishes to know. Diamond had to process his mind as to remember what he was doing, but he remembers what he can do
"I was on my way to Paris. To join the musketeers until when I heard a maiden's cry for help." Diamond answered to the questions and explaining of the situation with his motivations. Unknow to them, a figure is peeking out listening to Diamond's words, but it was fading to hear his voice. The figure gets back inside of the carriage to continue the journey.
"The musketeers you say? Well I see no reason why they wouldn't accept you after your bravery" raven hair Musketeer said as they look at each other for a moment. They nodded in agreement to take him to become a musketeer.
"Really sir?" His eyes lighten up as the three men turned and spoke to one another for a few minutes. While they spoke, Diamond's, head was filled with images of great adventure and food lots of food. He recalled the tale his father told him of the three great musketeers two of whom come from noble houses, but he couldn't for the life of him recall their names.
"Well then Diamond. On behalf of our master De Treville I appoint you a musketeer, and as such we should make proper introductions" red eye musketeer said as the first one to speak stepped back allowing the second to step forward first.
"Bonjour monsieur Diamond. My name is Gold from the order of the sword." Gold introduces as he removed his hat and steps back to the group as the third stepped forward.
"Bonjour again Monsieur Diamond. I am Ruby of the order of the robe." Ruby saluted at Diamond as which he doesn't want to remove his hat for some reason. The first stepped forward as he removed his hat revealing his spiky hair.
"And I am Red from no order yet closely linked to the order of the sword through Gold here" Red said as they hopped back upon their steeds (much to Pearl's dismay and sighs that he's lucky to be part of them)
"Come Diamond. You may stay at mine until we find you accommodation" Red then galloped off Gold and Ruby following as they gotten their horses to ride out.
"See you in Paris Pearl!" Diamond said as he follows the three right to Paris which left Pearl alone with the bags.
"Wait you aren't making me walk on my own!" Pearl complained as he was gone down the road already, "typical" Pearl mutters as he carries the bags along the road which it will be long and painful trip to get the stuff on time. Paris is a long way to go while Diamond is with the famous Three Musketeers whom they are ultra-elite members of the Musketeers. What adventures awaits for them in Paris?