(AN): I want to thank all who reviewed.

Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Seed or Destiny.

Chapter Seven

Throne Part Two

Onogoro Castle

Council's Chambers

Taking a seat in the Kings chair Valens was ready to have his terms met.

Even George Allster was now attending since he quickly got the word and was ready to see how things would play out. The council was also joined by a few generals that were of Ulen's support.

"First of all My Lord." Council number two spoke.

Valens looked at him.

"Can you tell us how the King died?" He asked.

Valens looked around, "I went to join my father the King on his journey and when I arrived his own royal guard started attacking him.

There was grumbling for a few minutes.

"We managed to assist the loyal guard in battling the traitors and eventually we won out…but it was too late." Valens reported.

"Any idea about who did this?" Number three asked.

"I have a guess." The fourth added.

"As do I." The first agreed.

"We managed to capture the leader…Lord Jibril." Valens said.

There was more grumbling and loudly.

"Impossible." the fourth said.

"Upon offering him a more lenient sentence he gave up the mastermind." Valens said.

"Who?" They asked.

"My brother the former Prince…" Valens said clearly.

Now there was more grumbling and more anger.

"How could this be?" The third asked.

"It makes sense…in fact the entire royal army fled. Isn't that more proof of his guilt. Not only that but he was disinherited so all the more." The first told them.

"I say we move to a vote immediately." The forth said quickly.

"With the death of the King I hereby propose we remove and strip the Queen of her title." The first added.

"Is that acceptable My Lord?" The fourth asked Valens.

"Go ahead." Valens said.

The vote was unanimous and Via was hereby stripped of her crown.

"Second we remove the Princess from succession." The fourth quickly said.

"My Lord?" The first asked Valens.

Valens nodded.

Once again the vote was unanimous and Cagalli was removed as the Princess.

All of this voting didn't really matter as Valens could make the decision himself but this way it looked better for his image if he waited until he was officially crowned.

"The final proposal we name the Prince a traitor and charge him with high treason." The fourth quickly said.

"All in favor?" The first asked after getting a nod from Valens.

This time the vote was mixed. The second and third held back but overall the vote won out.

"Now we need to crown me as King." Valens said standing up.

All looked around.

"We cannot do that while there is a challenge in the air sir." all told him.

Valens grew angry, "You just named him a traitor."

"Still we cannot do that until he is taking care of…as your other siblings. We do not want another long war with changing Kings back and forth…end this and we will officially make you King." The second said.

"But for now we give you the title as Lord Successor, once that business is done you will be crowned." The first said wanting to make him King immediately but knew this was out of his hands to.

Valens was a little angry but knew he could do it.

Looking at the Generals, Valens spoke. "Send messengers to our army around the country. I want all to prepare for the upcoming attack on my rogue brother."

"Yes sire." They said standing up as Valens dismissed them.

"Send news to the city about this as well as the country." Valens told them before he left.

They would do just that.

Near the Royal Floor

Valens called into order the rest of the consorts and siblings. All went to meet him.

All had fear in the air as they knew what he could do to them.

Francis in particular was fearful.

Valens turned around.

"I take it all of you know what is going on?" He asked.

"What will you do to us?" The second consort asked.

Valens smiled, "That all depends on you."

All looked at him.

"Pledge your loyalty to me and publicly denounce your claims for the throne and we will have no problems." Valens said.

"I…I will." Francis quickly said.

Valens expected no resistance from him.

"As will I." The second consort said.

"Same here." Francisca added.

"Very well." The third consort added.

"I…guess…" Karen started to say.

"This isn't a little kids fantasy anymore girl…I suggest you get over your dreams of a happy little family." Valens said with anger.

Her mother was fearful.

"I will…" Karen said shamefully.

Valens now smiled, "When I am crowned all of you will leave the castle to villas I will prepare for you…live out your lives away from the public eyes."

"Caged birds." The second consort said softly as Valens started walking away.

"Mother…" Karen said.

"Meaning we will be watched and executed if we step out of line…" Her mother said sadly.

With Valens

As he was walking away a few generals joined him, "Are you sure sire."

"Just letting them walk away?" One asked.

"For now…we can always get rid of them later, but not now." Valens said playing cautiously.

"I need a battle assessment and soon." Valens said as the generals agreed.

Josh-a

Estate

Deciding to have the meeting in the estate they left the main tent and to the estate.

They gathered around while the army was settled down for now on the open land around Josh-a.

Jibrils second explained the situation again as they took in the news.

"This will likely all get blamed on you." Mu told him.

"I am well aware of that. However I don't think that will be much of a problem." Kira replied.

"With us leaving like that it will likely make us guiltier." Cagalli added in.

"I am sure by now they have taking some sort of action." Via told them.

"Likely they will strip you all of your power will they crown dear old Valens." Kira said angrily.

"What can we do with his numbers?" Kira asked.

"He has about ten thousand near the capitol that are controlled by Generals loyal to him now…however if he gets the rest of the army he could equal or slightly surpass us." Athrun added.

"ORB's size and laws of military service could work against us." Kira said knowing all were required to put in some military service in peoples lives, just another of his fathers laws.

Kira paced a little before making a decision, "I say we don't wait around and start moving out immediately."

Athrun, Mu and Nicol quickly looked to him.

"So soon?" Nicol said.

"I doubt he knows just how large our force is…we should take advantage of that and strike him quickly with the least amount of life lost." Kira said thinking it through.

"I agree…It will work." Athrun told them.

"I have to say it is a good plan…and well I never turned you down before kid." Mu said with a smile.

"I will follow you as well." Nicol added.

"What if we get into the city and castle?" Cagalli asked.

Kira thought for a second and knew now was not the time to be merciful, "We take care of it."

Via and the rest were shocked by his words.

"I understand…I will go with you." Cagalli said.

Athrun and Kira quickly looked to her, "Cagalli…"

"Shut up…I am going and that is that." Cagalli nearly ordered.

"…Very well…you will wait in the rear until we take the city." Kira ordered.

Cagalli frowned, "You taught me how to fight and I will fight."

"You have never fought in a real battle like this Cagalli…I know you can fight and I will grant you that once we get inside the castle but not before." Kira said sternly.

Via was a little worried.

Kira smiled, "You needed worry about her mother…she can handle herself just fine."

"Are you sure?" Athrun asked.

"This is my burden as well and I will take it." Cagalli replied with a quick smile.

"That settles is then…we move out." Kira ordered as they quickly started preparing the army for what they hoped wouldn't be to long getting ready.

Outskirts of Josh-a

With Kira and all the rest

News spread around the camp that they were getting ready to move out and the army couldn't be happier. This was the moment they had trained for and this is the moment they would make their dream of a new country into reality.

It took three days to get the army fully ready to march and when they were Kira received news.

Mu rode towards him, "Hey kid."

Kira turned to look at him.

"We intercepted messengers heading for the border." Mu told him.

"Apparently he was sending for more forces." Athrun quickly added.

Kira answered, "Have you interrogated them?"

"We have, and it is just as you thought it would be." Mu replied.

"Hold them until we end this war." Kira ordered.

"As you wish kid." Mu said riding off.

Nicol approached, "We are ready to move out anytime you are."

"Shall we go?" Athrun asked.

"We outnumber his forces but taking a city with minimal damage and causalities will be difficult." Kira told them.

"Never mind let us go." Kira said as a carriage approached.

"You didn't think of leaving me behind did you?" Cagalli quickly asked with a grin.

Kira looked inside and saw his mother as well, "You to mother?"

"I cannot wait here for this to be over." Via replied.

"You will have to wait in the rear line." Kira told her.

"I understand." Via replied.

"Don't think you are leaving me in the rear defense force." Cagalli said demandingly.

"I know that, but you will wait until I give the go ahead." Kira said sternly.

"Fine." Cagalli replied sitting back down.

"Let's go." Kira said as the forces began moving out.

Onogoro

City

People in the city were extremely worried about the situation. All they knew was that Lord Valens was locking down the city and placing everything in marshal law.

Noble District

Here however business was as usual. The nobility didn't really let anything bother them. In fact if anything they were even more stuck up.

Military District

Here however the Generals were getting the forces ready. The forces from nearby bases were already camped outside of the city waiting for the order to move out and head towards Josh-a.

Castle

Sitting on the throne Valens was waiting for word from the border bases. He hoped to be able to attack Josh-a from both sides but so far he didn't receive any word.

"What is taking them so long?" Valens asked.

"We don't know My Lord, we have sent out scouts to investigate…it is possible ZAFT may try something with this confusion." A General said.

"All the more reason to completely crush my brother quickly, see to it." Valens said dismissing him.

Valens was thinking when his youngest brother approached.

"I have no time for games." Valens said.

Francis knelt, "Please brother…allow me the chance to do something."

Valens looked at him, in the past few days his baby brother here was completely sucking up to him. It was pathetic but Valens found it amusing. After all he had all their public confessions supporting him so he really didn't need the fool anymore. Maybe throwing him into battle would be a way to completely get rid of him.

"Just be on standby…I may find a use for you." Valens said as he brother bowed and left the room.

Valens stood up very impatiently as now he waited. Heading outside he saw the forces readying for battle. Soon he would get his chance and meet his brother in the field of battle.

Three Days later

Onogoro-Castle

Valens was in rage by now as no word at all had come from the borders.

"How can people just disappear?" Valens yelled.

"We don't know My Lord." A General replied.

"Do you think they defected?" Valens asked.

Another General looked at him, "I don't think so My Lord…we choose our people carefully."

Soon there was commotion as a guard rushed in.

Onogoro City and Outskirts

Civilians that did work outside the city were on the main road when they heard what sounded like thunder. However it was a clear day and no clouds in the sky. The noise kept getting louder and louder.

It was then from the plains they saw what was approaching. A very large what they may have thought was an invading army.

The civilians panicked and rushed towards the capitol. Near the walls Valens' forces were camped. As there scouts rushed back. The Generals in charge quickly sent messengers in.

Inside the city word spread fast as panic was immanent. The royal guard quickly started closing the city gates as well as district gates.

Onogoro Castle

The messenger quickly knelt.

"My Lord…an invading army." The messenger said quickly.

Valens stood up, "What do you mean?"

"ZAFT?" One General questioned.

"We thought so but the flag…is ORB's." The messenger replied.

Valens immediately knew who it was.

"How many?" Another General asked.

"Too many to count…" The messenger replied.

Valens immediately ordered his guards and Generals to follow him as they were heading for the outer wall.

"Prepare the forces." Valens ordered.

Seeing him ride out of the castle was even more panicking for the people and nobility.

Royal Family

Word was spreading fast and hit the ears of the royal family as they all gathered on their floor.

"What is going on?" Karen asked scared.

"It appears big brother has arrived back home." Francisca said entering the room.

All three consorts looked to her especially Valens mother who didn't like the sound of that.

"What can he do with such a small force?" Consort two asked.

"It's no small force." Francisca said.

"The knights are in panic…apparently he has more then they can count." Francisca added.

"Impossible…he cannot raise an army that large that quickly." Francis quickly said.

"Unless he has been doing it all along you fool." Consort one said.

Both his mother and Francis glared at her.

"The bulk of his forces likely come from the east as well as the two Lords that support him." Consort one told them.

Francis paced, "If we don't stop him we are all dead."

Consort three was in thought and concern for her own child as that boy was probably right.

Onogoro City Walls

Valens had arrived as he went up to the walls and looking in the distance.

"Geez…" A general said.

"How could he raise so many?" Another asked.

"What do we do now?" Another asked.

Valens was shaking in rage, looking down his own forces were making a formation around the wall…but those numbers.

Outside Onogoro-Kira's Camp

Leading the army the four at front stopped as they saw the city wall in a distance.

"It appears Valens doesn't have his forces organized." Kira said looking around.

"What do you want to do?" Mu asked.

"Have the forces spread out, encircle them and it will also show off our numbers more." Kira ordered.

Mu smiled, "The old psychological warfare game."

"We shall see how he plays it." Kira told him seriously.

Mu gave the order while Athrun and Nicol spread out to the wings.

Inside the city

Valens ordered forces to the wall, archers in the ready and infantry ready to open the gate and head out to assist the forces stationed by the wall.

Outside the city the forces spread out as much as they could but just comparing the two it wouldn't be long before they would be overrun.

Kira's Camp

"What's the plan kid?" Mu asked.

"First we deal with the forces outside the city…offer terms to their commander and maybe he will stand down." Kira said.

"If not?" Mu asked.

"Our forces will push them back and our cavalry will cut them to pieces." Kira answered.

"The archers?" Mu asked.

Kira smiled, "We will try something I have been working on."

Athrun and Nicol did join them.

"What about the city then?" Athrun asked.

"Our artillery will have to be careful not to go over the wall." Kira said.

"We should use the ram and knock the gate down." Nicol told them.

"Once we get rid of the outside forces I will see what we can do." Kira said.

Kira looked around, "Shall we begin?"

"Whenever you are ready." Athrun said returning to his squad.

"Hopefully they will stand down and accept your terms." Nicol replied heading towards his own squad.

Kira nodded and looked at Mu, "Let us go."

Mu raised his hand as now the battle for succession had begun.

To be continued…

(A/N): I hope you liked this chapter, it was short but this one and the last were supposed to be one chapter. The next chapter the battle begins as one side will receive unexpected aide in their efforts. It shouldn't take to long to get up as we are getting to the parts I have been waiting to do.

To answer a quick question that I forgot to do last chapter, as for the length of this story…I don't really want to make it that long so it will not be anywhere near a hundred chapters. I doubt it will be fifty. It maybe around thirty…but I cannot guarantee anything since I make the story up as I go along so we shall see. Bye for now.