Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom Hearts, if I did then life would be beautiful

Key:

- Dream State - , Flashback , ' thoughts ', " Dialogue "

----------------------------------------------------------------------------- A change in writing style/time/place/whatever (will notate in () which one)

Summary: Ansem the wise is the king of Twilight town. His brother Xemnas is not only jealous but intends for his son Sephiroth to take the throne instead of Ansem's son Riku. Unfortunately he knows just which buttons to push and Riku will have to use everything he knows to earn his rightful place as king.

Rating: T – For language, might raise the rating depending.

Warning: Spoilers from KH2, not much of them though. Yaoi, Riku +Sora pairing.

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(Chapter 3: The heir to the throne?)

Xemnas' laughter rang through the throne room. A blonde woman had just told him the most excellent news. Apparently the heir to the throne had become smitten with a man! This would not be a problem if the heir were not a man himself. Xemnas couldn't have been happier; this meant that the throne would default to his son Sephiroth who was married already to the blonde in question.

"This is most excellent news Larxene… inform the rest of the guard of this at once." He sat back on his chair grinning like the Cheshire cat.

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"This is going just how we've planned." Marluxia, a man with long flowing brown hair said as he pressed his fingers together thoughtfully as Larxene entered the room.

"What's he doing in here?" She asked in surprise, gesturing to the spiky reddish-brown haired man seated to Marluxia's left.

"Who, Axel? He has joined the cause Larxene, so hold your tongue." Marluxia ordered.

"Is that so?" Larxene asked, narrowing her blue eyes at the man. "How do you know we can trust him?" She asked viperously, staring straight into the other's dark eyes.

"Well you remember how Vexen was poking his nose where it didn't belong?" Marluxia asked with a maniac grin.

"Yeah, I remember, that stupid science freak nearly revealed our plans to Xemnas…" Larxene muttered in annoyance.

"Well, Axel has killed him for us." Marluxia gestured to the man with another grin.

Larxene's mouth dropped open for a bit in surprise, and then she got a hold of herself and smiled at Axel in a honeyed fashion. "Oh… well then forgive me for being suspicious." She said grinning as she sat to Marluxia's right.

"You're forgiven." He replied with a secret grin.

"So we all know the plan right?" Marluxia asked of his small bunch of misfits.

"Actually I could do with a run over myself." Axel replied folding his arms across his chest and smiling slightly.

"Alright Axel… here's an update on everything we've done so far… and everything we plan for the future. You see, it was the guards' ideas initially to hire Sora because they noticed his charm. Of course Vexen was the one who came up with the idea that if Riku were to fall in love with a man rather than a woman then Sephiroth could become king instead… follow me so far?"

"Yes, I know that much Marluxia… I was there." Axel replied smiling.

"Well, Larxene and I are not satisfied with that result. If the kingdom is to change hands anyways… it should become ours, the loyal guard who have been serving loyally for thirteen years. Vexen was kind enough to find out for me the hierarchy of who becomes king in the event anything happens to de-instate the current one. Check this out." Marluxia grinned, slipping a stack of papers Axel's way.

As Axel poured over the pages of notes Marluxia continued. "You see… we know that Sora's charm has not only ensnared the heart of Prince Riku. It has also ensnared the heart of Prince Sephiroth… we know it is his intention that once he gets into power to change the rules so that he can have Sora in his bed."

Axel glanced up to see Larxene make an annoyed face.

"That wouldn't do… poor Larxene here was going to be a queen. Don't you think it's unfair that her future is to be taken away from her after all the hard work we've put in?" Marluxia asked Axel curiously.

"Oh absolutely…" Axel nodded as he continued to read. "So… according to Vexen's findings you're going to use that little blonde servant girl to mess with someone's memories?"

"Her name is Naminé, and she apparently has the ability to re-arrange the chain of memories in anyone's heart. She can even make new chains of memories that don't even exist. We can use her once Sephiroth becomes crowned king to make him forget his plans to marry Sora and then use the same technique to convince Sora that he loves Larxene." Marluxia said.

"Wait a second, you mean to tell me this is all a plot to give Sora to Larxene?" Axel asked casually.

Larxene grinned, "He's such a cute little toy… I couldn't resist."

"Why, Axel, getting cold feet?" Marluxia asked dangerously.

"Of course not Marluxia… I just don't think you've thought this through all the way. I mean, what about Prince Riku? He'll come after Sora too… you going to have Naminé rearrange his memories too? And what of Sephiroth, are you going to kill him or something? The way I see it you're going to have to do some mass memory swapping to get this right." Axel said.

Marluxia looked surprised, then thoughtful.

"He's right Marluxia! What are we going to do about that?" Larxene asked.

"Well… what do you think we should do Axel? Marluxia demanded with an evil smile.

Axel smiled and sat back in his chair. "Firstly, you need to get rid of both Ansem and Xemnas. Once they're out of the picture pretty much anything is fair game. Then… let Sephiroth get away with his little game. When Riku goes after Sora it'll be plainly obvious to the guard that he's dangerous and needs to be destroyed. There are twelve of us… there's no way his highness can get through everyone alive. After that you can come out and say that Riku also killed the kings. No one will question it because, certainly if the boy is willing to attempt to assassinate the new king he wouldn't stop at killing off the old one's to get to power."

Marluxia listened with his head propped up on his folded hands, a dark smile playing across his features. "Yes… go on…"

"So then we can use you're little pawn girl to mess with Sephiroth's memories before he tosses Larxene officially. We'll make him unsuitable for the throne by turning him into a blithering idiot. He'll get committed, leaving Larxene as Queen of the kingdom and Sora as her personal… toy." Axel finished with a flair, smiling casually at both of them.

Larxene gave him an appreciative glance, "You know… I'm glad that we managed to get a smart one on our side."

Axel shrugged modestly.

"Then the plan from there is simple… I become the royal adviser, and your right hand man. Axel of course can have whatever he wishes too as long as it doesn't interfere with our plans." Marluxia said with a smile.

"Oh I'm a pretty simple man. I'll probably be happy just to stay a member of the guard. Oh… and Roxas is of course to stay in the guard too." Axel replied.

"You've gotten awfully attached to that boy haven't you?" Marluxia remarked raising an eyebrow.

"Perhaps… he's like the son I'll never have." Axel replied, a hint of fondness tinting his tone.

"Indeed… well, I believe we've said all we need to. The rest of the guard should be getting on their lunch break by now, so we need to make ourselves scarce so that we can blend in." Marluxia said getting up out of his chair.

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Bwahahaha

rozukitsune