In 17th century France, young d'Artagnan finds himself going up against some of the King's elite Musketeer Guard — and their dragons. This encounter will change his life — and France — forever.
Musketeer Dragon Riders
is a fanfic series by Aini_NuFire of The Musketeers. There are fifty episodes.
This fanfic contains examples of:
- Adaptational Angst Upgrade: Aramis' first dragon, Grettir, died protecting him after the massacre at Savoy, and he blames himself for her death.
- Adaptational Badass:
- Ninon de Larroque was accused of being a witch in canon. Here, she really is a witch, albeit a benevolent one.
- The Musketeers have dragons.
- Milady gains supernatural powers after making a literal Deal with the Devil.
- Adaptation Relationship Overhaul: Constance is Bonacieux's daughter, not his wife.
- Aramis is not the Dauphin's father.
- Badass Bystander: The villagers of Pinon join the fight against the Cardinal and the Red Guards in Episode 25.
- Beast of Battle: The dragons are used to keep order and to fight in the war against Spain. Episode 42 plays with this trope, as nobody has asked the dragons if they want to fight and battle traumatises them just as much as it does people.
- Chekhov's Gun: Queen Anne gives Aramis a gold crucifix. It ends up saving his life.
- Evil-Detecting Dog: A villainous example. The Duke of Savoy's dragon, Maurgrim, recognises Aramis from the massacre and tries to attack him. This raises the Duke's suspicions, as Maurgrim doesn't attack without cause.
- Eye Scream: Porthos is temporarily blinded in Episode 30.
- In the final episode, Vrita is left permanently blind after the final battle. Porthos retires from the regiment in order to take care of her.
- Failed a Spot Check: When his coup is thwarted, the Cardinal tries to escape by summoning a red dragon. Except it's not one of his red dragons - it's Rhaego, who is absolutely furious that Richelieu tried to kill his rider.
- Fluffy Tamer: Monsieur Bonacieux is the royal dragon keeper.
- In Spite of a Nail: Despite the setting's alteration to include magic and dragons, France still goes to war with Spain.
- Lemay is still executed for treason, despite being innocent.
- Instant Awesome Just Add Dragons: Ohhh yes.
- Karmic Death: Cardinal Richelieu gives Aramis a pretty hard time during the course of the series, including framing him for Adele's murder and, during the coup, trying to kill him by shooting him in the chest. Rhaego, Aramis' dragon, is the one who kills him.
- Mythology Gag: Aramis is shot in the chest by the Cardinal during Episode 25. The bullet is stopped by a crucifix he's wearing. "See? There is a God." Unlike the film, however, he doesn't just shrug it off: being shot in the chest hurts, even if there's something blocking the bullet.
- Official Couple: Endgame pairings are:
- D'Artagnan and Constance, as per canon.
- Athos and Ninon.
- Queen Anne and Aramis, albeit later than in canon.
- It's implied that Porthos and Clara will get together. A side story reveals that they do.
- Offing the Offspring: Attempted by Belgard in Episode 16.
- Only the Chosen May Ride: Played straight and subverted. Sometimes the rider chooses the dragon, sometimes the dragon chooses the rider.
- Red Is Violent: In preparation for his coup, the Cardinal equips the Red Guards with red dragons. They're the same breed as Rhaego, which ends up being a plot point.
- Spared by the Adaptation: Cornet until Episode 25.
- Took a Level in Badass: Louis decides that he will learn to ride his dragon so he can go into battle alongside the Musketeers against the Red Guards.
- Uncatty Resemblance: Each of the main dragons shares a trait with his or her rider.
- Athos and Savron are natural leaders.
- Like Porthos, Vrita is friendly, tough and takes no nonsense.
- Rhaego is a trouble magnet, much like Aramis. He's also The Casanova, as is revealed in the last episode.
- Aramis' previous dragon, Grettir, had his loyal streak.
- Like d'Artagnan, Ayelet is the "baby" of the family.
- Kilgar, Treville's dragon, is a fierce Old Soldier. He also dies in a Heroic Sacrifice, like Treville does in canon.
