Chapter Three

Complain about your job outside of your house, not inside!

Radiant Garden's military may not have the sanest units in the world, but they were loyal and deadly. The divisions are created by skill and weapon choice. The largest division is Weapons, which is separated into three main groups, long range, mid ranged and close combat. The second division are the Physical Science, more commonly known as mages, who work in unison with the third group and the science department. The last and smallest unofficial division fondly nicknamed 'Brother', as they keep a careful eye out on the affairs of the country.

BRIIINNNNNGG

Each division has one or two commanders who serve directly under the commands of King Ansem the Wise. Aeleus and Dilan, respectively, are the commanders of the close combat and mid ranged divisions.

BRIIINNNNNGG

The commander of long range division of the military is known as Braig. Unfortunately, said man is very impatient.

BRIIINNNNNGG

As a general rule, an idiot with lots of guns and ammo are always a bad thing to mix together. It is even worse to mix impatience into the fray of lovely dakka. "Dilan, would it kill him to turn on his PHS?"

The other man looked up from his book and immediately returned his attention to it.

"Oi, stop ignoring me. I didn't destroy it th- … Was that why Ael was chucking me across the training room?"

"He liked that phone model. Call Even, the two should be at their homes."

"You do it, Even is still mad at me for contaminating that stupid project of his." Grumbling, Dilan snatched the phone from the other man and dialled the number. Braig ignored it and continued, "Even doesn't need to come. We'll alert them if there are too many of us here. We'll get Aeleus to cover Ansem. Xehanort can take care of his sister. Shorty will be covering for us, and we'll deal with those fools."

"Tell the guards to take the night off. I want to avoid needless bloodshed."

"What? That's like painting a big WARNING sign saying, 'WELCOME. Please proceed. We are expecting you.' And what if we have some petty burglars?"

"... What do you suggest then? Oh, hello, Even."

"Dilan? What is the matter?"

"What? I'm not allowed to make a friendly call to my teammate?"

"Dilan, you are using Braig's PHS. Is something wrong? Did Braig finally find a way to shoot himself in the face?" Even sounded a bit too hopeful for Dilan's taste.

"No. There is an alert, and we'd rather err on the side of caution."

"Ah, am I needed?"

"Not at the moment, Ienzo is covering for your position. Can you get Aeleus, Braig fried his PHS." The other man offered his strange chuckle, prompting Dilan to pull the phone away from his ear. "Can you stop with that laugh? I swear that you, Ansem, Odine and that dead Hojo freak have the same laugh. It's not good for the moral of the troops."

"And neither is your sadistic sense of humor."

"Just get the man, Even." Dilan gave a quick little whistle as he waited for the other man. "Braig, go get Zoey. We need to start the preparations." Braig nodded and left the room as Aeleus finally made it to the phone.

"Dilan?"

"Took you long enough."

"What's wrong?"

"There is an alert. Your presence may be needed."

"When?"

"Next year, since I'm phoning you on your leave. What do you think?"

"I'll come over now."

"Thanks. Meet us in the antechamber to the throne room." After a confirmation from Aeleus, Dilan scrolled through Braig's contact list. Now which girlfriend should he troll?

Ansem the Wise wasn't very sure how he even got his title. Yes, he founded the schooling system for the public. Yes, he had several laboratories. Yes, Ansem had made many breakthroughs in technology and science. Yes, his father was the former king, but the man just felt that he is just another normal guy who wants the best for his family. Even if Ansem cannot protect the ones that have passed away, he would try his best to protect the one he has inherited, adopted and sired.

Just a simple man.

"Kairi, please summarize what we have discussed."

"A ruler must be able to accept sacrifices for the safety of the nation. A ruler is nothing without the people, and lastly, a ruler must always put the people before themselves." Ansem nodded, proud of his only blood child. "Papi, I know that I have been receiving training since Mother died, but why must I be crown heir? Why can't Ienzo deal with it?"

"Most people would kill to be able to rule. Why do you ask?"

"I wish that- I wish to be normal. Like the other children in schools. I don't like having to act in a proper manner, in this political web. I like my freedom as when I act as a commoner, when I can be with the people." The king didn't reply, merely walking over the window sill. Kairi fidgeted as the time ticked by, wishing that her father would respond to her question.

"Kairi. If I had a choice, I'd wish that you weren't born with the curse of royalty either. But if not us, then who shall deal with this nightmare? The next candidate, your brother, knows too much and is unable to sympathize with the people. Ienzo can most definitely maintain a reign, but the people would not be content. He is more suited for the military, even if he is the 'spare'."

"What about Xehanort?" Ansem sighed at the girl's desperate attempt to weasel out of responsibility. Not that anyone would blame her; Ansem himself had tried to do so in his youth.

"Xehanort is a stray pup, amnesic and a 'commoner'. The council will not accept his status. Who then, Kairi? You have your mother's disposition, you are just, kind and reasonable. I have worked against the old traditions and laws to allow for a female ruler. Your brothers will do anything to support you, and you know that." It was his daughter's turn to be silent, Ansem turned around to watch her reaction. He was not surprised to see Kairi torn between her duty and wishes. The king smirked and offered a small ray of hope, "That is not to say that you aren't allowed to wreak 'fun'."

"Like ignoring the council and going to school and be 'normal'?"

"Pretty much. Pissing them off is one of the perks of the job, especially when they want you to be their little puppet."

The quiet chuckling from Ansem was contagious and soon the two were laughing like fools. Nonetheless, the two missed the knocking from the door. The door began to rattle from the banging when the royals noticed the new presence.

"Come in." The irritated man entered the room with a curt bow. "Xehanort, I'm sorry for not hearing you earlier."

"Ansem, sir, that isn't an issue. There is an alert."

"Hahaha, who is it this time?"

"We believe that the infiltration is planned by the Empire. They have sent at least three members of the Aethelflaed." Kairi cringed when her newly adopted 'sibling' mentioned the elite soldiers of the Disney Empire.

"Aethelflaed?" A low whistle was offered, "Damn it, they mean business this time... Who are the lovely little ladies that are visiting this old man?"

"Reports say that we have 'Cinderella', 'Snow White', and a new Wonderland trainee that nears Miss Kairi's age. The status of unallocated members are being researched and classified."

"Thank-you. What are the arrangements for the counter measure?" Ansem wandered back to the table, offering the silver haired man some tea. "I'd prefer it if we had a lower casualty rate, but take one of the girls in for interrogation. This routine is getting rather tedious." The young man accepted the cup, but remained standing. Kairi just sighed. Adopted siblings are always so stiff.

"Sir. Aeleus is assigned to you-"

"Isn't he on his leave?"

"Yes, sir. We plan to lure them into the castle grounds to reduce the risk of civilian... interference. Aeleus and I are assigned to protect you and Miss Kairi as a precaution."

"What about Ienzo? And for the sake of my sanity, Xehanort, we are family. Did I deal with the council for no particular reason? Son, drop the formalities."

"Y-Yes Si-, Of course, Father."

"Better, now what about our youngest?"

"He's backing Braig and Dilan when they confront the invaders."

"Hn. Alright. What is the status of the council?"

"They will be guarded by the troops. Disney is after your and Kairi's heads. They will not be targeted, those politicians' lives aren't as... valuable in this game at this point of time. Father, it would be recommended that you and Kairi split, as it would split the resources of the Aetheflaed."

"Hm, very well. Xehanort, guard your sister. Aeleus will be coming with me." A nasty little smirk graced the king's face as Kairi began packing her items.

"Xehanort? Where will we be assigned?"

"We are to be in the secondary antechamber to your mother's former hall. Father, Dilan asked me to inform you that you and Aeleus will be in the throne room."

"No."

"Si- Father?"

"I have to sit in that room for at least thirty two hours every week with the rest of those greedy fools who won't shut up. Don't make me stay in that damned place longer than I have to. Besides, I wonder how Braig and Dilan would react if I acted as bait."

Vanitas glanced at the clock and returned his stare back to his father. Sora was trying to send SOS brainwaves to Vincent. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to be working. Gramp's expression is as blank as it was thirty minutes ago. The same pale slate. Freaking sadist.

"Vanitas. Sora. Bed. Now."

"Dad, its only 11:30! We already took a shower, brushed our teeth, blahdablahdeblah. An extra hour or two won't kill me or Sora."

"You two have school tomorrow."

"Yeah, we kno-"

"We have school tomorrow? Vanitaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaas, why didn't you tell meeee? Kairi's going to bring lots of souvenirs again." Ohhh, look! Vincent was half-smirking! Sora had returned to his one-sided staring contest again, leaving his father and brother to argue it out.

"Bed. In five…"

Isabella of Dreams was better known as 'Cinderella', for her fondness of gunpowder and arson. The blond twenty three year old is the leader of this mission.

"Snow White, are the pills available? We will probably need them."

"For what, may I ask? I thought that we were just going in, kill the man and his heir and leave undetected." The woman's long black hair was shifting as she reached into her pouch.

"They know we are here, we cannot hide. The Hearts are known for their resilience. And dirty tactics. We will need the upper-hand to see the end to this mission."

'Snow White' is Aetheflaed's poison, effects and potions expert, the buffer and status inflictor, if you can call it that. The woman frowned when Cinderella refused to offer more information. "What will we expect?"

"I do not know, 'Alice' you have yet to report your findings."

The youngest scowled. 'Alice' was a far too common name, yet in the nobility of Wonderland it meant that the child had the exceptional luck and skills to be train as a spy, or as an assassin. "They are trying to keep the casualty rate low. Ansem is sending out the big guns. I only know that the commanders of each division will be waiting for us within the castle."

Cinderella smiled.

"Move out and take our positions. Let us meet our friend and his pet dogs."

Ansem was casually chatting with one of the newer guards, while Dilan twitched. The dragoon couldn't quite tell how Ienzo was doing but Braig was making his opinion loud and clear for the two. Dilan was glad that Braig was merely ranting in the transmitter and not in their faces. "How can he be so calm when there is an Aetheflaed squad after his head? Damn, Zoey, your dad is insane."

"Said trust merely shows that he knows that we will and are able to keep him safe."

"Said man should not cause ulcers for his men. Just because we are competent doesn't mean that there is no threat or danger." The one eyed man started pacing back and forth on his balcony, ignoring the fact that he was blowing his cover. Dilan groaned

"Braig, we are practically cheating here. Stop fretting like a schoolgirl before a dance. Oh, look, you are making Zoey cringe. Oi, Shorty, there you are, move over to the third apex, it is going to provide more cover."

"Okay…" The small shadow slinked across the roof before the child spoke again. "Braig. Move to the left."

"Crap. They are already here, aren't they?"

"Well, there are three females heading straight here."

Well.

That seemed positive.

Braig will have to add several more strands of gray hair to his collection tomorrow morning.

"Four…"

"One more round on the network! Everybody is still up and playing! Look, RIKU is still on." At the mention of his best friend, Sora spun around and offered his best puppy face. Sephiroth frowned.

"Two."

"You skipped three!"

Vincent smirk widened. Freaking sadist.

Dilan cut off transmission, leaving the two older men in the dark. It was a pity that Ienzo had not managed to advance his illusionary sensory technique. The sensor had great range but the system required too much fine tuning and magical stamina to use for the classical soldier or spy. It is not a problem as the boy can telepathically inform anyone of a dire situation. Or set up a communication network, but that can get rather annoying especially when Braig or another soldier starts fantasizing about his latest girl.

Aetheflaed was not a group that you can overkill. Disney's nobility was bred to be the elite, males are sent to boost the commanding ranks and the girls to the assassination squads called Aetheflaed. Enemies of the Empire were quickly slaughtered unless they have set up counter measures to the tyke bombs. Military strength was one way, but it was bloody and used far too much resources.

Not that it'd be a problem. Not when there was a much simpler method of control.

Those girls were just waltzing into a room drenched in gas with lit matches.

Cheating.

That would be the best way to describe it. The Heart military was brilliant at 'cheating', but you got to what you have to do, right?

"Last warning, get to bed, you brats."

Vanitas and Sora stubbornly glared at their father, not even bothering to inching towards their rooms. Vincent was contemplating if he should get some popcorn.

"One…"

A long and sleek gun was hidden in the shadows. Alice was muttering the coordinates of the crown heir in Cinderella's ear piece.

"Alice. Take care of the princess. Snow White and I will be able to deal with the two commanders and the lordling. Communication blackout will commence after confirmation."

"Yes, ma'am." The petite child's shadow disappeared as Cinderella aimed and fired.

"Zero."

Radiant Garden breathed in and out as one being.

And all hell broke loose.

A/N: An explanation about why the fuck is Sephiroth in charge of the brats will be coming in the near future. Right now? Just treat it like crack like how Sora is COMPLETELY out of character. Explanations are coming. Unfortunately, they will be coming later.

Thanks for reading!