Learning the ways of the Throne

Note: I don't own Kingdom Hearts or any related titles

Kingdom Under the Sea

King Mickey really was not used to the idea of fins. Upon entering the imaginary boundary into this world he gained a set of fins in place of his legs. The idea seemed fun at first, but then he had to actually move somewhere. The fins just didn't seem to move in the way he wanted, no matter what he tried.

He was currently attempting to swim into the palace. There he was hoping to make an audience with King Triton, the ruler of this world. While he was now the King of Disney castle, the only world aware of other worlds apart from his own, he was now by extension of responsibility the King of all worlds and their well being. But he was new to the throne and needed to learn the ways of Kingship. And what better way to learn than to go and talk to the kings of other world.

A friendly merman stopped to help him out, as he had just swum head on into a column. He explained the basic physics behind moving underwater and what fin movements will gain what effects. Mickey was ever so grateful for those lessons. Not only was he now a more confident swimmer, but he was confident that perhaps all worlds had people this friendly and helpful.

He continued to make his way to the throne room, now swimming more gracefully. All around Mickey saw happiness. Mermaids and mermen swimming around with smiles on their faces, Oceanic creatures living side by side the merpeople. It was a truly wonderful world and Mickey felt a pang of remorse knowing that he would have to leave it.

He reached the throne room to see the King sitting on his throne. A red hermit crab was drolling on about kingdom affairs, with the King himself hearing, but not necessarily listening. His bored glance caught Mickey's with a look of surprise.

"Why hello there?" he greeted with a warm friendly voice.

"Hi-yeah," replied Mickey shyly. King Triton was well muscled and really big compared to him, as small as he was.

"What brings you here?" asked King Triton friendly.

"Well, um, I was a hoping that I could talk to yeah," said Mickey swimming up a bit closer.

"Your Majesty," spoke the hermit crab, "we have lots to do, we still need to cover the problem of all the algae growth."

"Not now Sebastian, we have a guest and it is important that as King you always have time for your subjects. We will continue this later." He turned to Mickey now, "so what did you want to talk about young lad?"

"Well, I'm a king to you see and I was a hoping to get some advice."

"Blasphemy!" shouted Sebastian. "The only king in all the Oceans is right before you!"

"Sebastian! Control yourself. Now, sorry about that. But what Sebastian says is true, I am the King of all the Oceans, how can you also be a King?"

"Well I come from another world, where people walk rather than swim. And we breathe air instead of water. But I haven't been king for very long and I'm kinda new to it."

"Another world you say? Intriguing...Oh, you must mean from up above. None the less I shall help you out. From the old to the young."

They began to talk for countless hours. Mickey learned a great deal. King Triton believed that the King was to live side by side with his people and treat them with respect. That when trouble stirs on the kingdom it is the King's duty to be the first to help resolve it. That the subjects concerns were his concerns and he was to care.

Mickey was amazed by how good a King Triton seemed. He knew everything there was to know about his kingdom and everyone loved him as their King. Mickey could only float there and hope that some day he could be as good as him.

Their meeting was interrupted just as they were talking about property. Three little mermaids swam in, two blond ones in the front and a smaller red-headed one in the back. The two lead ones were carrying a spoon and a fork each. The one in the back was trying to catch up but it was obvious that her age and small size were causing her to fall behind. The two lead ones began to swim around King Triton while the littlest one gave up and started to cry.

"Girls, that is enough!" the Kind yelled with a great force. Everyone stopped in their place and looked at him. Mickey was scared even though he had nothing to do with the events unfolding before him.

"Why have you taken little Ariel's belongings?"

"Because she was going to that boat again, the human one."

"Ariel, is that true?" asked the King with a hint of fury in his voice.

Ariel simply nodded before she hid her face in her hair.

"You know how I feel about that part of the Ocean it simply is to dangerous for you."

"But I had Flounder with me," she said in an almost inaudible voice.

"Still do you know what could have happened if a shark would have ran into you? Or if the Sea Witch would have found out about you on your own?

Ariel simply nodded, too scared to talk.

"And as for you," he turned to the other girls, "give back Ariel her things and don't take them again."

"Yes father," they both said as they swam off with Ariel closely behind them. Ariel stopped to look back for a brief moment and met gaze with Mickey. Mickey could see the fear in her eyes. She truly was scared of her father. She loved him, but they were different and she was scared of that difference. Mickey smiled and she saw a comfort in his eyes. She smiled back, and shyly turned and swam away.

"I feel like I could run the kingdom with my eyes closed, but I can't seem to raise these girls right," he said shaking his head. "And I'm scared to death of loosing them the same way I lost my wife."

Mickey simply floated there. What could he say?

"I'm sure you will get it right. After all, you are looking out for them and care for them. If you just try your hardest it will all work out. I'm sure of it."

"Do you think so?"

"Yeah, you never know what you can do till you try. And just try to show them how you feel, and they will understand. Just don't get mad, 'cuz that only makes things worse." He remembered back to when he and Minnie had a disagreement, when they got mad it only got worse.

"Well I suppose you only can hope for the best."

"See, that's the spirit!"

Triton looked up and stared hard at Mickey in the eyes. Mickey returned the glance, looking deep into his. In each other they both saw great Kings. One who is just learning, but already knows the values. Another, who is old and seasoned, but still caring as ever. Finally Triton had to look away.

"Well it has been a good talk with you, young King."

"Yeah, same here."

"I wish you the best of luck with your kingdom. I'm sure that you will make a great King."

"Awe shucks. You are already one though, and I hope to someday be as great as you."

He chuckled a bit. "Well thank you. Travel safely. Oh and one more thing. You mentioned your from another world. I believe that you are now. Not from above, but from beyond. Don't be so eager to give out that information. I will personally accept it, but others won't, and some will try to use it to their advantage."

"Oh, well thanks. It's good to know that, being as I'm kinda new to all of this traveling. See yeah!"

"Yes, and see you as well!"

Mickey swam out of the throne room and made his back to the gummi ship. He wished that he could stay here in this seemingly perfect world. But he was needed elsewhere. His own Kingdom was calling him and it was his duty to accept that call. But he would always look back to this world as a place of inspiration. What a good King should be.

Authors notes:

Tell me what you thought. This is a one shot and I hope to do a bit more like it. Each one will focus on one aspect of being a king and feature a different world, as there are so many that involve kings and such.