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The Queen waddled her way towards and past the three boys and came out to the clearing, inspecting the rose bushes. Each large rose was freshly painted a bright red, though she didn't realise it. She seemed appeased and smiled an ugly, but happy smile. Kuzco couldn't stand the sight of her, but aproached anyway.

"Uh, hey, yer Majesty?"

She shrieked. "Talking goat! Get it away!"

Well, this was going well..

Kuzco's eyes widened, startled by the sudden outburst, his ears shooting back and fur standing in surprise. Why did everyone have to yell?

Kuaj got his attention and he backed away. "You talk to her. I'm done with everything in this place. I'm tired of being a llama, and dealing with screaming things."

He was now behind Kuja, nudging him towards the Queen. "Now get me out fo here."

Kuzco straightened up and took another step back, leaving Kuja undisturbed. The Queen corrected herself accordingly, a childlike glee and false innocence suddenly in her yes as she peered down at the half boy, half rabbit that had adressed her.

"Yes, little boy. If you address teh queen, you must bow."

Her voice was very sing-song but condecending at the same time. She cherisher her position and had the sway to abuse it.

The Queen's eyes squinted her delight as she basked in the cute little boy before her. Oh, he was precious.

"And what can I do for you, today, little boy?"

The Queen opened her mouth to give a reply when she heard something behind her. A faint drip of something. Something thicker than water, and her ear twitched.

She turned around to determine the source of the noise and in a short, slow sweep spotted it. The "red" roses were dripping wet paint. They weren't red at all!

"Who is responsible for that?!" She bellowed at the cards, her face becoming a bright shade of the red she loved so much.

Kuzco stepped out from behind Kuja, a smug look on his face.
"Look at them your Majesty.." She grunted, still fuming.
"They jsut don't respect you like they should. I should know, I've experienced this kind of thing from Peasants before. They think they can get away with something like this if your nice to them even for a moment."

The queens breating had slowed, but her gaze was still as piercing as she listened to the llama's evil advice.

"You know what you have to do, don't you..?"

The queen stood and let forth a mighty bellow, like a trumpeting mammoth, "Off with their heads!"

A pair of Red cards grabbed each of the black ones responsible and hauled them away.

Kuzco purred, "There now don't you feel better? Now, how about helping us get out of here?" By this point Kuzco was leaning against the Queen's large rump and was picking bits of dirt from one of his hooves. He looked up to her and added, "Your Majesty."

The Queen hoisted her weight aside, letting Kuzco fall to the ground. He picked himself off and dusted off. "Look, I know you've had a bad day but don't take it out on me. Sheesh, calm do.."

"Don't tell me to calm down!" She was gettign more furious, now.

"I'm just saying you don't need to be so moody all the time, yelling about everything. Just help us get out of here, so you don't have to talk to us anymore. How about that?" His voice was growing more mocking as he spoke. "Would ya like that?"

"Off with their heads!"

"Whose head?" Kuzco's voice still had an amicable laugh in it, but it passed as realization hit him. "Oh..."

A pair of red cards grabbed Kuzco, Kuja and Faust and took them into the hedge maze, towards the castle.

"No, no. You can't kill me." Hiz voice was panic striken as he was dragged laong the ground, rows of cards behind him, headed by the queen. Evenin his panic, he had a momanet of realisation. Ohh. Queen of Hearts.

Not that it mattered much as his head was forced down on a chopping block. Ho boy.

He looked to either side, and saw the other two next to him. "Guys?" Kuzco was really scared now, and his voice grew shrill with each passing moment. "I'm um.." He swallowed hard, "really sorry about this..."

He braced for impact, and then... Nothing.



"Kuzco?"

It was a familiar voice, very familiar and friendly.

"Wake up Kuzco." Malachi gently shook the child. "What are you doing sleeping by the fountain?"

Kuzco roused, and rubbed his eyes. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest and was suddenly alert. He checked his head and neck to ensure they were still attached, then looked around, not finding any of the cards, the Queen, or his friends. "It was just a dream!"

"A dream? You weren't asleep that long." Malachi laughed and stood, holding his hand out for Kuzco to take. "Come on. We should get going before Mommy worries."

He took his father's hand, happy and relieved. There was liekly a lesson in all of that, but he did'nt know what. Well, maybe he'd figuer it out, but for now, he was safe.