A/N: The ball is here, but that does not mean that things are going to be all calm and romantic, even though Chantal and Sky are going to show it. The Abduction Agency will plan to take Chantal, but the question is what will they plan to do with her? We can only hope we'll never find out, even since team Burn are gonna to attempt to stop their little kidnapping plan.


The night time has come. The city of Paris lights up, being the bright stars on the the rest of my day, I went dress shopping with Chantal. I don't get why me of all people she would ask. Knowing her, she would be embarrassed going shopping with other boys. Mainly Sky obviously.

Despite suffering boredom, and ignoring the fact Chantal is denying the fact I have no fashion sense other then hats, being with Chantal is not a total loss. I mean, at least I'm able to protect her from any further perverts trying to kidnap her. But they'll come for her tonight at the Ball, I just know it.

We've made a plan. My team will keep an eye on Chantal and Sky for any hidden enemies while Violet and her team search the city for Rufus. I warn them to not make direct connect with Rufus, what they must do is warn us first and we all bring him down together. Knowing Violet's arrogance, I have a feeling she'll end up attacking him without any hesitation.

I'm now escorting Chantal to the ball. She's wearing an elegant long purple dress with black high heels, and her is set in a five strand back braid, which really suits her I admit. Even since she has that rose accessory she brought from the festival, which is set on the right side of her hair.

We're on the way to the ball and Chantal just won't stop talking. Bet you can guess how she's feeling tonight.

"I'm so nervous. What if everything goes wrong? I mean, he's just so gorgeous and dreamy and...ah! I said it out loud again. But what if many of the other girls in the hall flirts with him. I would lose them cause they would be more beautiful then me." I for one would disagree with that, but I doubt she'll listen when she's panicing. "You know what happens when I try to talk to him about my feelings for him. If a slow dance goes one-"

"Okay, Chantal!" We both stop as I turn to face her. "First of all: Relax. Okay? Secondly: Nothing bad is gonna happen. Everything's gone so well since we have arrived...Plus, I doubt it could get any worse then that spaghetti kiss."

Chantal blushes when I mention that. "I-I thought we agree to never talk about that."

"I'm just making a point, all right? Nothing bad's gonna happen." I slightly turn my head and whisper quickly, enough so that Chanty doesn't hear me. "I just hope so..."

Chantal takes deep breaths, specking in between. "Okay. Okay. Okay." Chantal straights the bangs of her hair, then makes sure the rest of it is in place, then straightens her dress. "You're right. Everything will be fine...How do I look?"

I look at Chantal from head to toe. Strangely, it puts me at an awkward situation. I have no interest in relationships, but I do admit I would date Chantal if I ever did. "Lovely." I say. Chantal blushes at my comment. She's been flattered. Now this is indeed an awkward situation for me. I look at the grand hall to find Chantal's prince charming by the entrance. "Oh look. There's Sky."

The second I mention that, Chantal gets nervous. One look at Sky and she is completely...hmm, let's just say in a deep dish of Chantalness. Sky is not wearing his beanie, but he is dressed as elegantly as Chantal. In a tuxedo. One look at Chantal, she's staring at him with a frozen stare, her face in a whole new shade of red.

Sky holds his hand out as he looks at Chantal. "Chantal, he wants to escort you. Accept his offer."

"I can't." Chantal barely whispers through her teeth. Yep, she's pretty much frozen. "I've lost all feeling in my legs." If her dress didn't cover her legs, I would see them shaking like crazy. I see Chantal tilting, but I quickly catch what was gonna happen.

That's when I catch her. "O-okay. Okay there, princess...Here, let me give you a push." I shove Chantal towards Sky. She stumbles forward, nearly tripped. Luckily, Sky rushed over to catch her. I wouldn't say so lucky to Chantal since this makes her flustered even further, if it's even possible after that nervous freeze.

Sky helps Chantal stand straight. "You look beautiful tonight." Sky says.

She can feel herself hyperventilating. She smiles even though her nervousness is overwhelming her mind, sending her into la-la-land.

I watch the two go inside. As soon as Sky hands the tickets, I make my leave. I'm meeting with my team in the gazebo on the left side of the courtyard. Hope is struggling as Yang is working on his tie.

"Just to tighten it a little more." She tightens the tie too much and Hope ends up choking.

"Ya-Yang! Yang! Yang!" Hope loosens the tie. "It's tight enough." Hope is also dressed in a tuxedo. Only not has handsomely as Sky. In his age of 15, he only looks cute. At least that's what the girls back at home would say...Maybe not Lightning.

I approach. "Is the young couple ready?" I ask.

"Don't call us that. It's embarrassing." Hope says.

"Relax, Hope. You two are suppose to go to the ball on a date." I say. "It's called undercover."

Hope mumbles under his breath. "I know what undercover means..."

Just as we are talking, that's when Hope's 'date' walks right in. Yang is totally excited. "Oh! You look SO beautiful!"

Ruby struggles to walk in as she fights to keep her balance on heels. She's wearing just a simple red dress. "Can we have a serious talk about how Weiss and Violet fights in these?" Ruby walks, keeps losing her balance. The poor girl is having quite a battle with those shoes. Yang just laughs at her little sister's situation.

The plan is simple. Yang uses her beauty charm to distract the security while the rest of us sneak into the ball. Hope and Ruby will act as a couple to keep a look out for anything suspicious, while I hideout on the highest floor looking down through my Sniper Bow. I'm gonna be the eye in the sky.

Once we are inside, Hope and Ruby are pretty intrigued at the party. Chantal and Sky were as well when they first entered. I'm not too impressed. When you see one elegant ball, you've seen them all.

I act fast to get into my position. I'm in my usual black clothing and black trench coat. I'm not dressed for the ball. That'll put me into some trouble.

I move to the highest floor and climb the walls onto one of the support beams. I take out my Sniper Bow, put the safety on then look right through the scope.

"I'm in position." I say on my headset. "You two set?"

Hope and Ruby are by the punch bowl. Ruby is getting drinks, non alcoholic hopefully, while Hope is just standing by. "We're all set."

"Excellent. Remember to keep your eyes open. They're probably everywhere." I say.

Hope nods. He turns to see ruby is offering him a drink, and he happily accepts it. I now check with Yang. "Yang, are you in position?"

Yang is hiding out in the hedges by the tree, on her motorcycle. Yang is going to be the getaway chase in case they manage to success in kidnapping Chantal. "My chopper's all set and ready for the big rush." Yang says.

"Excellent. Hold position and stand by for further orders." I say.

Now we wait. Keep our eyes open for anything suspicious.

The night goes on. So far, there are no sign of any Abduction Agency's. I wonder if Violet and the others are having any better luck. Overtime, I keep my eyes on Chantal and Sky. Chantal seems to be having a fun time. Her expression is smiling while blushing and her eyes looking lost. She's still lost in her own world again. It's like she's completely shut down. Well in a way, it's better then her ending up fainting.

Hope and Ruby are keeping their eyes out as well. They don't really dance with each other like all the other people in the ball, though they really should if they want to make their cover less suspicious. What I do notice is the way Hope is staring. Eyes shot open, face red, completely frozen in place.

I can already guess what's going on.

I look to see that he is staring at Chantal, who is talking to three other boys. From the looks at it, they seem to be trying to whoo her. Even Chantal is flattered in flusterness. I wonder what Sky's gonna say when he sees this.

"Hope! Stay focused!" I ordered, but he doesn't answer. I'm guessing he's overwhelmed in Chantalness. I had a feeling this would happen if he did see her radiant beauty tonight. "Ruby? A little help with Hope?"

Ruby is confused by my order, but one she sees Hope, she gets it. Normally, she would pretty tease Hope's crush, not in a rude way like Fang would, but in silliness like 'Oh. Hope and Chantal sitting in a tree' Something like that. But instead, she plays her role and she smacks Hope in the back of the head. That snaps Hope out of his mind and he turns to Ruby, who's looking at him in jealousy. Acting jealousy. Even her tone sounds like an act.

"Eyes on your date, mister." She says, pointing two fingers at her own eyes.

He knows that Ruby is just acting, but he still feels awkward thinking this is really a date for him and Ruby.

As the night goes on, everyone dances together. Right now, it's just waltzing. Even Ruby and Hope participate in it. Overtime, everyone switches partners. I just hope Chantal does not find Hope, or even end up dancing with him. I can't decided if it's because I don't want her to realize he's here or I don't want Hope to end up fainting or getting nervous dancing with the most beautiful girl he's ever seen.

I don't have time to pick a reason. I stay focus on the task at hand.

I keep my eye on Chantal, since she's switching partners with a couple of strangers. Any one of them could be the enemy. Finally, they get to the slow dancing. Chantal becomes nervous, knowing she'll have to dance slowly, very close with her prince charming.

Even though she's save with Sky, I keep an eye on Chantal during this dance, making sure nothing bad happens. Everything seems fine. She was nervous at first, then relaxes once she rests her head on his chest, smiling. Though her face is a little red, probably from when Sky wrapped an arm around her back.

'Dreams really do come true'. Chantal says in her thoughts.

"There's a suspicious person in the party." Ruby says in the headset.

"Where?" I ask.

Ruby and Hope are slow dancing together. Ruby looks past Hope's shoulder, directly at Sky and Chantal. "Southwest of the direction Chantal's facing."

I follow that direction and I've found my targets. Two men, talking while they're facing at Sky and Chantal, just a couple of feet away from the young couple. Just as I feared, it's Cain and Shadow. "I know those two. They're Rufus's henchman."

Cain and Shadow have their eyes set on Chantal. "There she is. You got the Chloroform gun?" Cain asks.

Shadow reaches into his suit and takes out a dart gun. "Indeed. Let's get to work." Shadow and Cain are about to make their move, but Cain spots Hope and Ruby. As soon as Hope realizes they're watching them, he and Ruby return to focusing on each other. "Wait...That kid. He's the one from the bombing incident. Which means..." Cain looks around, until he spots me on the support beams. "The Shadow Hunter!"

Cain takes out a pistol gun and shoots directly at me. The bullet missed me by a few inches and hits the glass roof. The crowd starts to panic and scream, which also awaken Chantal from her fantasy dream. "Great. Just when we had everything under control." I say under my breath.

I aim my Sniper Bow at Cain, remove the safety and fire a metal arrow. It barely missed Cain by his feet. Everyone starts to leave the grand hall, trying to get away from being victims of a battle. Chantal and Sky look around. They look up to see where that arrow came from.

"Patrick?" Chantal asks.

"If he's here...I'm guessing there's trouble." Sky says.

Shadow hims the gun at Chantal and fires a dart. It hits her directly in the neck. Instantly, the girl is out like a light. Sky is about to catch her, only shortly when Cain attacks him. Cain knocks Sky out and snatches Chantal. "Let's get out of here!" Cain and Shadow makes their escape. Leaving behind one of Chantals slippers. (Bet you can guess where this is going)

"No! Chantal!" Hope shouts.

He and Ruby chases the villains out of the ball. I jump right off the beam and chase after him. I call for Yang from the headset. "Yang! Getaway! Getaway!" The three of us chase them until in the courtyard. By then, they have Chantal loaded in a van and they drive off. As they're escaping, I keep shooting my Sniper Bow at them.

Finally, Yang shows up on her motorcycle. I hope on the backseat. "After that van!" Yang chases after the motorcycle.

Hope and Ruby are both left behind. "I-I'm...sure they'll be back to pick us up." Ruby says.

Yang and I chase after the van on a large highway. Tons of cars are honking as the van zigzags through them, nearly crashing into them. Yang follows it right on its tail. "Get me in close!" I shout over the wind.

"I'm on it!" Yang shouts.

Yang hits the accelerator. Soon, we're right on its tail. I stand on my seat, activate the magnetism on my boots and jump on the roof. Cain and Shadow are in the front seats, and they hear the banging sound of my landing on the roof.

"They're on us!" Shadow says.

"Not for long they are. Get up there!" Cain says.

Shadow climbs out of the window on onto the roof. I ready my Dual Blades and he readies his fists. While Shadow and I are fighting, soldiers of the agency open the back doors. Both of them aim their guns for Yang and shoots rapidly. Yang drives her motorcycle side to side of the road, trying to dodge the incoming bullets.

Shadow and I fight each other on the van. I am in no danger of falling since I'm magnetized to the metal roof. Shadow is not getting blown away so easily, but I have to knock him off somehow. We both switch places, I'm facing in the same direction of the wind, which allows me to blow some blinding powder on Shadow.

Shadow screams in agony as the dust hits his eyes. I attack, knocking him off the van. Yang notices the incoming body and dodges it in the neck of time. "Hey! Watch it!" Yang shouts at me. Yang gets tired of the soldiers shooting at her, so she shoots back at them with her right Shot Gauntlet.

I was about to get into the van, my Protect spell should prevent me from getting shot, but Cain climbs up on the roof. I noticed he's wearing magnetic boots, he won't be easy to knock off. Cain has his trident out and ready. "You use to be our greatest hero! You were a true brother! But you stabbed us in the back!"

"Oh for the love of Eden! I was NEVER one of your kind! Get that through that thick, stupid head of yours and the rest of your disgusting animalism kind!" I bark at him.

"You are a traitor, Shadow Hunter!" Cain spins his weapon, then holds it firmly as he positions to fight. "And you will fall like one!"

Cain and I are in close combat. Strike and dodge and block each others attacks. Cain fights with his feet as well, using one while keeping the other rooted to the roof. I keep both of my feet on the roof, cause I know that my chances of getting blown off will increase with less magnetism on the metal.

I cast half a dozen Ruin orbs and launch them all at Cain. He twirls his spear to block the magical orbs. I strike quickly with my Dual Blades and both of our weapons are in a clash and we both use all of our strength to rebel each other.

"You're pretty skilled for a l'Cie. But not as clever as you use to be." Cain says with a smirk. He knows something. Cain pulls me back and then ducks. Up ahead, and for only a second, I see the van is thought from a tunnel, and the clearance is too low.

I get knocked off by hitting the tunnel. Yang gasps as she sees me coming down and crashed into her. the motorcycle loses balance and slides on the road, eventually coming to a stop. After a moment, I get back on my feet and stand, looking at the Van that's at a far off distance, and then vanishing.

Chantal is now in the hands of the Abduction Agency. "Bullshit!"


Yang and I quickly return to the hideout. I pace around, unease. Chantal is one of my closest hands and now she's in grave danger. I cannot rest. I have to do something.

Ruby and Hope returned shortly after we did, with Sky as well. Sky is here, confused and worried, but also upset. Not at us, at those who took Chantal. But he's also surprise to see Violet is apart of this team. Sky is not a very pleasant sight for Violet as well. We explain to him what happened, how the Abduction Agency is targeting Chantal and we tried in all our power to stop them, but it was futile.

"Those bastards! What are they going to do to Chantal?" Sky asks.

"At worst...you do not want to know." I say, horrified by the thought.

Yang sits right next to Sky. "I'm sorry for your friend...meanwhile." Yang flips her hair to the side, crosses her legs and rest an arm on Sky shoulder, while looking at him charmingly. "I'm single and available." Yang finishes it with a purr. Sky is feeling uncomfortable. Now Yang is on a list of fangirls who are crushing on him.

"Yang is flirting with a guy who's already in a relationship?" Ruby laughs. "That's just ridiculous."

Violet looks at Ruby with a mean look. "Says the girl who's in love with weapons." Violet's comment offended Ruby.

Hope is most depressed about the situation. Even so, Yang speaks. "What are we gonna do now?"

I know the answer. It's not wise, but it's our one and only option. "Defeat Rufus. If we do, the Abduction Agency will fall."

"But, how are we going to do that? From what I've heard, he's extremely powerful." Ruby says.

It's true. He's a l'Sith. Even with two l'Cie's, we're still out matched. "Well, I've been working on Cie Technology recently. Mainly to figure out how to turn Cie'th back into humans. But in one of my blueprints, I created a nullify collar that's set to disable l'Cie powers. You see, I've learned that a combination of Lizard venom and Behemoth blood can create a chemical that'll-"

"Get to the point, nerd! I'm literally fighting the urge to break most of your teeth." Violet says.

I glare at Violet, slowly clinching my hand into a fist from that comment. Oh how her bitchy attitude makes me bitter. "What I'm saying is that the collar will disable l'Cie powers. If I'm correct, it'll make Rufus powerless to fight."

"But Rufus is a l'Sith. Would that even work on him?" Yuffie asks.

"It might. I do believe l'Cie's and l'Sith are similar." Hope says.

"All right. Now we just need to find Rufus." I say.

We all think and wonder where Rufus could be and how we can find him. So far, we have thought of nothing. Just then, the TV suddenly turns on. We all look at it. There's nothing, but it clears up and shows a video. It's Rufus in the hour of darkness.

"Greetings citizens of Paris." We all pay close attention. Perhaps this will tell us where Rufus is. "I am Rufus Zero of the Abduction Agency. Let it be known that your city is tainted by a vile monster known as the Shadow Hunter, a monstrous scum that seeks to destroy the very peace of our nation. However, we seek to destroy him, freeing you all of his vile treachery. Patrick! If you are watching this, you should know that I have someone very close to you."

Rufus moves aside, revealing Chantal bound and mouth gagged, at the end of the plank. We all, excluding Violet who just chuckles with delight, get a close look. We're all in horror shock. "Chanty!" Sky says.

The camera turns to Rufus. "If you truly value this slut's life, you would hand yourself over to the Abduction Agency at dawn, at the top of the Eiffel tower and accept your punishment for your treachery. It's your choice. You...or her."

The TV turns off. We all are left silent. If we try anything to stop Rufus, he'll kill Chantal. I guess there's no other choice.

I have to turn myself in.


Guardian Corp and PSICOM troopers arrive at the mansion. Several airships taking the skies. Director Rosch is on the front lines. He gazes at the large, dark mansion.

"This is the place alright. Raid the mansion! Bring it down!" Rosch says.

Rufus and I are still in the prison floors. Rufus is lost at the sudden explosion. "What was that?"

"Your downfall!" I say. I kick Rufus hard in the stomach. He staggers, I get back on my feet and toss him into one of the open prison cells, then seal the door shut. I help Yang get up. "Come on! We need to free the others, quickly!"

We use the keycard to free the remaining 18 slaves. They can only be covered by towels and very few bathrobes. There's only so little I can sneak in without the enemy knowing.

"Hurry everyone! To the roof!" I say.

Yang and I lead the captives through the mansion.

Sanctum soldiers break into the mansion, destroying everything in sight. Rufus bangs on the door hard, trying to break out. Shadow arrives in the prison hall to find all the doors open. Except for one. He unlocks the door and Rufus burst it right open.

Rufus walks right out to see Shadow. "Shadow? What is going on?"

"The Sanctum. They have found us. They're raiding the mansion as we speak." Shadow says.

Rufus growls in deep anger. "Patrick! That traitorous snake! Gather the remaining members. We are at war!"

"Yes sir...But what about you?" Shadow asks.

Rufus turns with a growl then walks away. "I have business to attend to."

A lot is going on in this mansion. First off, Shadow follows Rufus's orders and gathers all the members to fight. But that's sadly a mistake since the Sanctum out number them 50 to 1. meanwhile, Yang and I are running down the halls with the captives, only to be stopped by Cain. He holds his trident out, readying for combat. We can't fight an elite fighter of the agency, not with these many innocent lives.

"You get them out of here, Patrick." Yang steps forward, cracking her knuckles. "This one is mine!"

I nod and I lead the captives, leaving Yang alone for her fight against her master.

I lead all the slaves to the rooftop, where a large airship makes ready for the land. I predict this battlefield at the front step of the mansion, which is why I told Rosch to send in an airship to carry the captives.

I finally get the last one in. "That's everyone! Take off!" I order.

Sazh gives me a salute. "Rogar that."

The airship takes flight and soars off. I'm about to return to the ground floor to join in on the battle. Until...

"Well, well, well." I turn to see it's Rufus. "Look at what the spider drag into the web! A snake!"

"That makes no sense at all." I say as I take out my bow and an arrow.

"It doesn't matter." Rufus takes out his two swords. "I will massacre you right here!"

Rufus charges with a yell, I quickly load a bow with an arrow and fire. Our battle has just begun.

Yang is doing a hard time on her fight as well. Yang is tough, but Cain is stronger and more skilled with his trident. As they fight, Cain has made the biggest mistake of his life. One his last strike, he cuts a few locks of Yang's hair. As she notices, he hair burns in golden fire and her eyes turn bloody red.

"YOU MONSTER!" After unleashing a burst of flames, Yang rushes towards Cain in a burst of speed and beats the life essence out of him.

My fight against Rufus is a struggle. I don't have any melee weapons back then like the Dual Swords of the Bowblades, so I'm relaying on my five years of karate. Attack and defending with hands and feet.

"You are pathetic! Your skills are weak! You are not even a match for me!" Rufus strikes. I dodge and strike him right in the armpit, causing him to stagger and drop the sword he's holding. I drag it and attack him with it. Rufus parries my attacks and counterattacks. I dodge and parry his attacks, but I'm not fast enough. I end up taking a couple of cuts on my arms and face.

Meanwhile, Yang arrives on the battlefield, dragging the beaten up Cain behind her. She does not join the battle, but walks right through it until she finds Yaag Rosch. Rosch is surprise to see the young blonde.

"You must be Yang Xiao Long." Rosch says.

"So you've heard of me?" Yang asks.

"Indeed. Patrick told me about you." Rosch says.

Yang hands Cain to Rosch. "The captives should be free right about now."

"Agreed. I got the word from Mr. Katzroy." Rosch says.

My fight against Rufus still continues, but it is not going too well. Rufus is probably only halfway towards defeat meanwhile I'm wounded in very slightly out of breath. At one point, Rufus punches me hard in the face, knocking me down and letting the remote detonator fly right out of my vest.

Just my luck, it lands on the front side and the button is pressed by the solid ground.

The explosion sets off, wiping out the whole mansion. Rosch, Yang and all of the soldiers are all in total shock by the explosion. Yaag especially. "Oh my Maker! Patrick's still in there!" Along with many other soldiers

"Search team! Douse the flames and find the Mercenary!" Rosch orders.

Trapped in a ring of flames, I still live. But I am not unharmed. I have cuts and bruises, a few burn marks. I've lost most of my strength and energy. I takes me a whole minute to summon it and get on my hands and knees. Once I stand, I wince in pain and grab my left shoulder. I can't be surprised it's my weak arm since it's where I cut myself.

I hear painful moaning then fierce yelling. "My face! My face!" I look to see it's Rufus. His hands are in his face. "You!" Rufus stands, he removes his hands and glares at me with his hideous new face. "Look at what YOU DID to my face!"

I don't care. He deserves it. Rufus growls angry and leaps towards me. But I quickly take out my bow, aim an arrow for him and fire. The arrow hits him right in the eye. He stops and yells in pain. While he's in pain, I kick him in the back of the knee, grab his arm then use all my strength to toss him against a burning wall.

He crashes against it then falls on the ground. The wall suffers the impact and falls toward, crashing onto Rufus and then explodes. He's defeated. Defeated and dead.

"It's...finally over." I whisper, then I limp away.

I walk right through the burning remains of this place, until the search team finds me. They help me return to Rosch and the rest of the Sanctum soldiers. Yang approaches me in worry.

"Patrick! Oh my Maker! Are you all right?" Yang asks.

I'm a bit surprised she's worried about me like Serah would. "I'm...fine. At least the Abduction Agency is finally defeated."

Rosch approaches to me. "You did well, I'll admit. Thanks to you, hundreds of people are saved from a criminal organization we couldn't even stop." Rosch says. "Now come. Let's get you fixed up...and talk about your reward."

I nod then follow Rosch back into the airship. All the captive women are released and many of the remaining Abduction Agency members, including Cain and Shadow, are now imprisoned. As we all make our leave, something bangs on the pile of burning rubble. Eventually, an arm bursts right out.

Someone's still alive. And it's none other then...Rufus Zero.