Zidane pushed his blade in a little deeper. "I'm gonna ask you one more time: who are you?"

"We are soldiers of a sacred charge, and nothing more are you worthy to know!"

And with that he pulled his head upwards with enormours force, forcing Zidane's dagger deep into his neck. As he died, the archer had a look of victory on his face, and Zidane swore loudly before turning back to the battle at hand. Baku and Cinna were just about keeping the other riders at bay, but Blank was still struggling with his wound. Zidane charged towards the nearest rider - the armoured man wielding a sword - and leaped into the air. He flipped forwads and used this momentum to bring his blade crashing down onto the head of the man who was stepping his steed backwards out of harms way...

He crashed into the ground with a sickening thud, embedding his dagger in the ground all the way up to the hilt. He rolled to his left, making his second weapon ready as his attacker moved in to strike. Before Zidane had his bearings back he felt a hot pain across his leg as a length of steel slashed across the surface. He gritted his teeth and bore the pain as he jumped to his feet and parried the next strike. Once again the sword flashed towards him but Zidane rolled underneath, slamming hard into the legs of the chocobo. The bird screeched and fell heavily, depositing its rider on the ground a few feet away. He was up quickly and moving towards Zidane. His armour crescendoed as he picked up speed and the sound of metal striking metal seemed to explode across the camp as his sword met Zidane's dagger. Zidane fell backwards at the force of the hit, but he was on his feet and ready for the next.

Five strikes later and Zidane was rubbing his backside, praying the pain would be over soon. The ground wasn't the softest and the rate Zidane was up and down under the strikes of his opponent you eould think he was bouncing. Another clang, another thud, and Zidane was wishing he'd never knocked that damn Chocobo over. The strength this man had was astounding, especially considering the armour he had to contend with. Zidane didn't have long to think this because he was on the ground again, his strength failing him. He couldn't get up... he couldn't fight back. Another clang and Zidane's dagger was knocked from his hand, before a shadow loomed over him. The sunlight reflected off the sword raised above the iron man's head, a look of triumph etched into his face. Then, with one final swing, he-

"Ambrose! No!"

The call came from a gruff voice a few yards to the left, where the axe-wielder was battling Baku. The iron man looked over to him and lowered his sword. "Why?" he asked, obviously disappointed.

"The monkey is to be captured; lord Kuja wishes to see him before his death."

Ambrose nodded in reluctant agreement, and reached down to his captive. But Zidane had got his second wind. Waiting for the moment the iron man was off balance the most, he burst upwards, slamming hard into the breastplate. He fell backwards, dropping his sword, and Zidane grabbed hold gratfully. He hit Ambrose hard around the head with the hilt, knocking him out col, before turning to the battle that still raged behind him. Blank was standing by now, blood gushing freely from his now arrowless wound. Cinna was taking on the younger of the two remaining riders, Baku and Blank the axe-wielder. This one cursed as he saw Zidane standing close by, sword in hand, and shouted to the other man: "Brother! Go! Take everything and go!"

The younger brother kicked Cinna aside and rode around to the other side of the camp, leaning down to pick up the box of equipment they had left earlier in the day, as well as taking hold of Ambrose's bird and directing it beside his own. Once retrieved, his urged his steed forward and around the camp once more. As he did this, the axe-wielder jumped off his Chocobo and pushed Baku, Blank and Cinna back with the weapon. As they recovered their breath, he held out the reigns of his bird. The younger man rode to him and took them, pulling the third chocobo along the other side of him. "Brother!" The younger one called, "I take my leave of you now! Until we meet again, in Dali!"

"In Dali!" came the reply.

Zidane, Blank, Cinna, and Baku stood in a group in front of their adversary as the three remaining chocobo's galloped off into the distance. "Set down your weapons," he said, twirling his dual axe threateningly in his hands, "and you, monkey, come with me."

Zidane raised his sword. "I was irritated when you tied me up. I was cheesed off when you nicked my sausages. And at this point in time I've finished the cheese and moved on to the tea and biscuits, so why the hell should I come with you!?"

"You're coming with me, concious or not. Do it quietly and I'll let your friends live."

"Who are you!?!" demanded Zidane.

"I am an agent of your Master, Zidane."