Episode 9b: Mon for One, and Mon for All! (part 2)


The lights went down to simulate the passage into the show proper. "Diana!" a male voice called in the darkness.

The lights came up on the set of a majestic study, filled with books, artwork, and authentic Kalosian regalia. "Yes, Father?" an actress with wavy auburn hair asked as she met a male actor on the stage.

The man smiled. "My daughter...congratulations on your coming of age." he began. "But you are not destined to slave in the kitchen like your mother...no...I've always believed you could even join the Royal Musketeers in Illumis."

"Really?" the girl gasped as the man got down a particular sword hanging on the walls of the room.

"As a sign of your coming of age, I am passing down my sword Lumiere to you." the man explained. "Promise me you will wield it with honor and respect."

"I promise." the girl replied as she set the beautiful prop sword at her side.

"When you get to Illumis, be wary of those that would lead you down the path of ruin and disgrace." the man went on. "Choose companions that will stick by you in good times and bad."

"Know this--I will carry on your legacy as a Royal Musketeer, and be one of the greatest heroes this land has ever known!" the girl vowed, drawing the prop sword to emphasize her point.

The man smiled. "Then go forth, my heroine, and make your mark on Kalos' history."

The lights went down over a hopeful interlude. "Diana set out for Illumis early the next morning." the narrator continued from a spotlight at stage right. "She only carried her father's blade, a letter of introduction for the queen, and enough supplies for the journey. But deep down, her heart raced with excitement at what awaited her in the royal city..."

If you were with me now,
I'd find myself in you... the girl playing Diana sang as she stepped onto a set of a fantasy roadside.

If you were with me now
You're the only one who knew
All the things we planned to do...

I want to live my life
The way you said I would
With courage as my light
Fighting for what's right
Like you always believe I could...

The song then picked up into a more upbeat melody. And I will fly on my father's wings
To places I have never been
There is so much I've never seen
And I can feel his heartbeat still
And I will do great things
On my father's wings!

---------

Backstage, the group watched as the girl playing Diana jumped, danced, and twirled across various fantasy sets. "Well, that's one way to create a dream sequence onstage...." Misty smiled as she emerged in a well loved blue, silver, and gold musketeer costume.

"Very clever, if I say so myself." Brock agreed, the lights from the stage reflecting off his costume to create green lights on the floor.

Ash smiled as the set changed to a fantastic Kalosian city. "This is it! The scene from the play everyone in Kanto remembers!"

"Don't worry--the people of Unova will soon remember Eliwood's dramatic rescue of Diana." Brock smiled, nocking a beautiful prop bow in preparation for the big scene.

"The way to Lumiose was long, but eventually, Diana reached the grand city." the narrator continued when the song ended. "Having never been to the city before, Diana soon found herself horribly lost."

The girl playing Diana arrived on the city set some moments later. "Wow...I never thought Illumis was such a big place..." she mused "The castle must not be far from here..."

"Hold it right there, sweetheart!" a male voice called.

The girl playing Diana gasped as two male actors in grungy bandit's garb approached her. "You wanna see the castle? Then you hafta pay a toll to da Black Moon!"

The ring of a sword being drawn rang through the theater. "And if I don't?" the girl playing Diana challenged, leaping into a battle pose.

"Ooh, the lady wants to fight, does she?" the second male actor sneered.

"We'll teach you not to mess with the Black Moon!" the first male actor shot back.

Ash smiled as the actors playing bandits approached Diana. "Make it good!" he whispered. Brock nodded back, then readied the scene's pivotal shot.

Just as the girl playing Diana watched in feigned horror as the actors playing bandits approached her, an ornate arrow with green fletching came flying on stage!

"An arrow..." the girl gasped.

The two actors playing bandits froze in terror. "Oh no...not him...anyone but..."

"A noble man, with an eye so keen..." the other stammered.

"A royal musketeer of the Queen..."

"Who now shoots at us, sight unseen..."

"Tis' Eliwood, of the Forest Green!" the two boys chorused in terror.

The trumpets played a 'ta-da!' stinger as Brock arrived on the stage, bow in hand. "Well, well, well--if it isn't my two favorite rogues of the Black Moon Guild..." Brock began as he approached the bandit actors. "Drop the lady's arm."

"But--!" one of the bandit actors started.

"NOW!!!" Brock yelled, spurring the two bandit actors to flee offstage.

Applause went up as Brock looked the actress playing Diana over. "Are you all right, milady?" he asked.

"I'm fine..." the girl replied as she brushed off dust from the simple lavender dress she wore. "Thank you for rescuing me, Sir Eliwood."

Brock smiled. "You're most welcome, milady. It is a musketeer's duty to protect the innocent, after all."

"But where are Rowan of the Red Flame and Brenna of the Blue Water?" the girl playing Diana asked. "It is very rare to see the Three Jewels of Kalos separated..."

"Eliwood, is everything well?" Misty's voice came from offstage.

The audience roared with applause as Ash and Misty arrived on the stage. "We came as soon as we heard the Black Moons were causing trouble again, but it appears you've chased them off..." Misty explained.

Ash approached the girl playing Diana. "If I may ask, milady, what brings you here to Illumis?"

"I am Diana Fontaine...Nathan's daughter." the girl replied as she handed Ash a prop letter.

Ash carefully opened the prop letter and read the imagined text on the paper inside. "Well! This is the writing of Nathan Fontaine, the Golden Light! He did speak highly of you every time he came to court..."

"Lumiere looks beautiful at your side, Lady Diana." Misty agreed. "If you like, we can escort you to the castle."

"Please do--I'd rather not meet any more bandits!" the girl playing Diana stammered.

Laughter rippled through the theater as the orchestra started a quiet introduction. This small seed of hope is in bloom... Brock sang over the music.
And it reaches out towards the stars...
From a little spark from deep within the heart
Someone's love has brought you here.

We will not back down, we will not give up
We will protect you--come and take my hand!
We will fight for you, we would die for you,
As your name is known through the land.

Her Grace, she longs for you!
She would welcome you as her own
And once again, the bonds of the stars
They will bring a miracle!

Excited cheers filled the air at the orchestra's triumphant swell. "And so, Diana was escorted to Castle Lumiere for her long awaited audience with the queen." the narrator went on as the song ended. "As she waited to be admitted to the throne room, and formally made a musketeer recruit, Constance--the court wizard, appeared to take a liking to Diana."

To Be Continued...