Author's Note: forevermagik13 here :) rarmaster and I were up late talking about the Rebellion and the battles that were invariably fought. And I asked her if I could write the first one, she said yes. So, here's what leads up to the first battle of the Rebellion. (Or however you want to call it.)

Joseph was carrying a gigantic notebook and three blue crayons. He had told everyone in Castle Oblivion that he was starting to keep a journal—something 29 was actually rather proud of. However, he had ulterior motives: amidst his actual journal-like stuff, he had several different plans for the eventual destruction of Saix.

Three people knew about this. Alpha knew because he had accidentally found out. Axel knew because he helped Joseph come up with half of the plans anyway. Vexen knew because Joseph had a habit of telling Vexen everything—possibly because Vexen was the only one who cared enough on a frequent basis to listen.

Joseph walked into the room with the couches (and a table) and frowned. There were really no empty seats. He sighed, but then picked Vexen out from the crowd of Replicas. He could squeeze in between Vexen and the Marluxia Replica easily. He waltzed over to the couch and plopped down between them. The Marluxia Replica scooted over several inches; Vexen merely just looked over his notes at Joseph.

Joseph opened his notebook and began a journal entry. He didn't think it prudent to plan Saix's demise with the poor Marluxia Replica sitting right there. Joseph wondered for a moment if that was the Marly Replica he'd run over last week with the skateboard. He hoped it wasn't. If it was, this might be awkward for him. (The Marluxia Replica, of course. Joseph didn't get awkward.)

Journal Entry 44 ½

WINNER Sticks: Infinity. (I've lost count.)

No one has taken me to get ice-cream since we got the news of Saix's temper-tantrum that resulted in Roxas being destroyed. Actually, hardly anyone has left Castle Oblivion period. Axel comes and goes, but that's nothing new. Riku's the only one who ever leaves still—to search for Sora.

Joseph stopped writing. He was out of things to write momentarily.

He looked up at Vexen. "I have a question," he said.

Vexen closed his notebook and took off his glasses. Wait, since when did Vexen wear glasses? Oh well.

"Yes?" Vexen asked.

"So there's a Riku in the universe you came from, right?"

Vexen frowned, but nodded, not sure where this was going.

"And a Marluxia and a Saix and an Axel and all those people?"

"More or less. At some point, at least."

"Is there a Joseph where you come from? Or someone like me in any form?"

Vexen shook his head sadly. "No, Joseph, there isn't."

Joseph figured that this was the case, but he still felt a little sad about this.

"You have to understand Joseph," Vexen explained. "I didn't have nearly as much time to experiment with Replicas as your Vexen did."

"How come?" Joseph asked.

"It's just one of the differences between the two universes. I barely had a week in Castle Oblivion to truly research before...erm…" Vexen was unsure how to explain this rather touchy (for him) subject.

"There was unrest in Castle Oblivion," Vexen explained, backing up. "Marluxia and Larxene were treacherous to the Organization and there was a lot of internal fighting."

The Marluxia Replica gave a sideways glance over at the two of them, but didn't say anything.

"I only had enough time to replicate two other people other than myself before my unfortunate demise," Vexen continued. "Xehanort didn't give me the chance to experiment much either. Well, rather, I left too quickly… Not that I'm complaining or anything, I'd much rather be here."

"If you did have the chance though," Joseph said. "Would you create someone like me?"

"I confess such an idea never crossed my mind," Vexen said.

Upon seeing Joseph's crestfallen face, Vexen quickly scrambled to save that statement. "Consider yourself lucky though," he said. "You're a unique little kid. I'm sure your Vexen was very proud of you. He obviously cared enough about you to give you such an excellent caretaker."

Joseph made a face.

"29 cares about you, regardless of how you may see it."

The two of them were quiet for a bit before Joseph asked: "If we still had access to the Replica making programs, would you consider designing more replicas? Provided whoever was in charge—probably would be Alpha—let you?"

Vexen shrugged. "Maybe, why?"

Joseph didn't answer for a bit.

"Don't tell me you're lonely?" Vexen asked.

"I'm the only kid," Joseph said. "Saix, uh…"

"Had temper tantrums?" Vexen prodded.

Joseph nodded. "Their caretakers just let Saix destroy them. I just got lucky I guess. But because of that, I'm the youngest Replica around, age-wise at least. Riku's gotta be at least five years older than me, even though I've probably been around longer. If there was another kid around…"

Vexen put an arm around Joseph. "Maybe I can help you out with that sometime."

"Really?" Joseph asked, his eyes growing wide.

"Well, first we'd have to have full access to the Program, I've seen what protocols we still have, and it's not many. But if we get the passwords for those and Alpha let me touch his computer, I would love to experiment a bit. Alpha already had been hinting that he'd like my help creating more Replicas for this side of the Rebellion anyway once we got the…"

"Hey, speaking of Alpha…" Joseph said, looking up at a very frantic-looking Alpha running into the room.

"We have company at the front door!" Alpha stated. "And they're not friendly!"

"Shall I set up our line of defense?" the Marluxia Replica asked, speaking for the first time since Joseph had walked in the room.

"Yes, yes, I think that would be best," Alpha said, rather absentmindedly. "Where's Riku?"

"Yes, where is he?" the Marluxia Replica asked.

"Oh, he went to go take a nap," Joseph answered. "He hadn't slept in thirty-six hours or so and 23 made him go rest."

"Someone should go wake him," the Marluxia Replica suggested.

"I'll do it," Joseph said, leaping up and pocketing his crayons.

As he ran out of the room the Marluxia Replica muttered: "Good, that should keep the boy occupied for a bit, we can't have him in the middle of battle."

"No, that wouldn't be good at all," Alpha said. "I'll page 29 and tell him to keep him under watch—unless 29 is one of your fighters…"

The Marluxia Replica shook his head.

"Right, I'll page him. Vexen, if you would like to come with me, I may need some assistance in protecting the computer room, for I'm sure that's what they're after…"

"By all means," Vexen said, standing up to follow Alpha. "Anything to be useful…" he muttered.