CHAPTER 18

LAW, BATTLE 1

"Well, we're almost at the end of this mad quest," Orlandu sighed as he sat back on the couch. The Cassiopeia had landed about a mile away from Berkana to rest for the night. The party had covered it with bushes and other camouflage to prevent against being discovered.

"I'll be glad when it's over," Alma said. "Delita went entirely too far this time."

"..." Ovelia said. "What shall we do with Delita when we finally get to him?"

"He seems bad enough," Seifer muttered as he cleaned his gunblade with a soiled cloth. "Let's kill 'im and stop him forever!"

"What?!" Ramza asked. "No way, Seifer! That's horrible! I couldn't do that to him..."

"Yo, Ramza, reality check here..." Amarant growled as he leaned against the wall. "This guy's a real badass."

"Have you forgotten everything he's done?!" Agrias asked. "He murdered Goltana and tried to pin it on Orlandu, then he faked killing Orlandu! He tricked Ovelia into marrying him and then knifed her! He pounded on Olan and Balmafula I don't know how many times! He tried to pin Ovelia's death on US! He attacked Zeratul just to get at us! He received Zodiac Stones from enemies from the future and brainwashed all our friends! Hell, he's even CONQUERED Zeratul!!!"

"And even now, he slumbers with your lover," Everhart finally said. "Do you not harbor hatred against such a filthy, immoral man?"

"..." Ramza said. "Delita's done some awful things..." he admitted. "But it was partly my fault that he became this way. I could have stopped Algus from assassinating Delita's sister. That's what drove him to this..."

"You're a real sucker for hard luck cases, aren't you, Ramza?" Tifa asked.

"With that kind of mindset, you will never triumph against Delita," Everhart grumbled. "He sees pity as weakness. I should know..."

"You?" Alma asked. "Everhart, when have you run into Delita?"

"I shall tell you..." Everhart said. "One winter day during my travels, I happened to wander near the ruins of Zeltennia's church..."

"You were in Ivalice?" Ramza asked.

"I have been many places you have been, and more," Everhart said.

"You must get plenty of frequent flyer miles," Mustadio joked.

"...If I may continue..." Everhart said. Mustadio quieted sheepishly. "I heard some voices coming from inside the ruins. They sounded hostile, so I went to investigate..."

(Flashback)

Everhart wandered across the frozen wastelands of southern Zeltennia. A gentle, chilly wind blew, but the black-armored Lancer didn't feel it. He trudged across the tundra, with his spear slung over his right shoulder.

He came upon a mass of ancient-looking stones that might have been a building at one time. Everhart walked closer and saw the remains of an altar, signifying that the building had been a church.

"An abandoned church..." Everhart said quietly.

Suddenly, Everhart heard the sound of Chocobo feet padding along in the snow, so he leaped into the shadows. He gripped his spear and prepared for an attack.

However, the golden-armored, red-caped man riding the bird was seemingly not on a hostile mission. He stopped at the entrance and got off, walking through an archaic arch with a bouquet of flowers in his hands. "So, here's where you were..." he said.

Everhart then heard the sound of someone inside the temple shifting his or her weight. He silently padded around to the front and looked inside. The ceiling of the church was gone, so snow and grass were planted all around the interior. The man was facing a woman who had her back turned to him. She had pigtailed, blonde hair and wore a red robe.

"It's your birthday today, right?" the man asked. "These flowers-"

Much to both Everhart and the man's surprise, the woman flew at the man and grabbed him by the cape. With all her might, she shook him. Her face was angry and tears were streaming down her cheeks. The bouquet scattered everywhere.

"O...Ovelia?!" the man asked.

"You use people just like that..." Ovelia growled. "Now you'll kill me, just like you killed Ramza!!!"

The man reached backwards and yanked a nasty-looking blade out of his back holster. Everhart's eyes narrowed and he hissed fiercely. The man thrust the knife into Ovelia's stomach. She sank to the ground and fell on her side. The man, half in shock, half totally apathetic, stumbled a few steps and sank to his knees.

"Ramza... What did you get?..." he asked coldly.

Everhart could no longer contain his rage at this vile man who had slain an innocent girl before his eyes. He leaped up onto the top of the arch and bared his spear.

"You..." Everhart said. "You are the evillest of men..."

"Eh?" Delita asked as he leered up at Everhart. "Who the hell're you?!"

"Someone who will punish you for your heinous acts," Everhart said as his eyes narrowed.

"Well, I can't leave any witnesses, can I?..." He brandished the bloody knife at Everhart. "Even if I've never met you before, I can't let you live! LIGHTNING STAB!!!"

Delita swung the knife. Everhart leaped to the side and the electric bolt only hit rock. "What the?!" Delita exclaimed.

In a split-second, Everhart was right in front of Delita. Delita thrust his knife forward, but Everhart grabbed his hand and twisted it. Hard. A horrible SNAP was heard and Delita roared in agony.

"Who was she to you?" Everhart asked. "A friend? A sister? A lover? What would drive you to commit such an atrocious crime?"

"SHUT UP!!!" Delita screamed as he struggled to free himself. Everhart's grip was unbreakable. "Who asked you to interfere?!"

"Your kind would put even the Lucavi to shame," Everhart growled as he lifted Delita up so that he dangled by his broken arm about half a foot off the ground. The crooked King swore and screamed in pain. "You don't even deserve to live..."

"No one's gonna take away what I worked so hard to get!!!" Delita yelled as he swung his fist at Everhart. The Lancer caught that fist and repeated what he had done with the first. Delita howled in agony.

"You kill to advance yourself?" Everhart asked. "Such a misdeed is worthy only of demons and fiends."

"BE... QUET!!!" Delita shrieked.

"Would you like to feel what you just put that girl through?" Everhart asked. Without waiting for a reply, he whirled Delita around like a rag doll and sent him crashing into one of the church's remaining walls. He splattered against it and hit the ground, stone dead.

Everhart looked down at the crumpled body of the man he had slain. Then he looked back at the fallen girl.

"Ugh..." Ovelia gurgled. "De...li..." Her eyes closed and she fell silent.

Everhart walked over and inspected the body. "I am too late," he said as he stood up. "Not just one, but two souls have left this world within the time of my coming... If this one dies, what was the point of killing the other?"

Everhart turned and looked back on Delita's crumpled body. "...RAISE 2!!!" he commanded as he swung his lance. Slowly, Delita's broken and bruised body healed itself completely. His eyes opened and he got up.

"Ughhh..." he groaned. "What happened?..."

Everhart held his palm up and a dark bolt flew into Delita. He froze completely. "Reflect upon your deeds," Everhart growled. "Forget that you have met me today. Now, begone."

Delita blinked a few times, then robotically got on his Chocobo and rode off back towards Zeltennia. Everhart turned and looked back on Ovelia's body. He walked over, picked one of the roses out of the bouquet, turned the body onto its back and placed the flower between both hands on her chest.

"Forgive my tardiness," he said quietly. "Mark my words, I shall destroy that fool one day... but this is a day of mourning, not of war. Farewell."

Everhart turned around and stalked out of the castle, leaving before anybody would discover the body.

(End Flashback)

"...Did that REALLY happen or are you just pulling our legs?" Mustadio asked.

"It is true," Everhart said. "Nobody remembers it because I forced them to forget."

"You can make people forget things?" Alma asked.

"It was one of the powers stolen from me by the Cativo, but yes," Everhart answered.

"Just how powerful were you before your powers were 'stolen?'" Cloud asked.

"As powerful as I needed to be," Everhart said. "Now, if we're to wage a victorious battle tommorrow, I'd suggest you all get some sleep."

Everyone agreed with this statement and headed off to bed. Only Alma and Everhart remained in the cabin.

"Perhaps you should go and rest as well," Everhart said.

"Everhart..." Alma said. "Why did you kill Delita?"

"I could not stand idly by and watch such a fiendish man deprive an innocent of life," Everhart said. "Unfortunately, I was too late... If I had been there sooner, Queen Ovelia may have lived longer..."

"It's OK," Alma said as she put her hand on Everhart's armored shoulder. "Besides, things turned out OK in the long run..."

"If I had kept Delita slain, we would not be on this mad quest, but pity and kindness tricked me into resurrecting him," Everhart growled. "Your brother is travelling along the same path. If he does not kill Delita, he will merely return again and cause more trouble... even to the point where Ramza is killed..."

"Ramza won't let that happen!" Alma said. "His kindness and heart are what GIVE him strength! Look at him now and how hard he battles! He's fighting to get Rafa and his friends back, and he doesn't show any signs of giving up..."

"Kindness works in favor of some people," Everhart said. "It never worked for me, so I gave it up. I fight without mercy."

There was an awkward pause. "Everhart..." Alma said. "I think you're nice..."

"Hmm?" Everhart asked.

"Why else would you have come along with us?" Alma asked. "You didn't come along just for revenge... I can see that. You must have some kindness in you."

"..." Everhart said.

"...Everhart?" Alma asked.

"You had better get some rest," Everhart said as he turned away from her.

Alma lingered a few moments, then turned to go to her room.

"Alma," Everhart said as she was about to leave.

Alma stopped walking. Everhart glanced at her over his shoulder. "Thank you... for the kind words," he said.

"You're... you're welcome," Alma said, her face becoming bright red. She then left for her room.

As soon as she was safely out of earshot, Everhart sat down at the table. "I don't understand..." he said. "Bloody Angel was a horrible monster with no guilt or remorse at all... How could he have possibly been compatible with her?..."


Morning came. It was a wet, dreary day, and the rain gently sprinkled upon the Cassiopeia's metal exterior. Ramza awoke and got up, full of determination and vigor for the coming battle.

Ramza walked into the cabin and was greeted by Alma and Orlandu. "Good morning, Ramza," Alma said.

"Hi, guys," Ramza said.

"It is time," Orlandu said. "We must strike now. A morning attack usually results in victory."

"All right," Ramza said. "Is everyone else up?"

"They're getting ready for the battle in their rooms," Alma said.


"Cloud..." Tifa said as Cloud practiced his various sword techniques. "Do you think we'll be able to handle a battle like this?"

"We've faced worse," Cloud said as he swung his Materia Blade valiantly. "...And we've always come out fine. Still, Tifa, I'm glad you're here with me this time around."

"I'm glad too," Tifa said. "I'll protect you, Cloud, no matter what!"

"And the same for you," Cloud said as he smiled at his first love. "I can take on anything as long as you're around."


"HA! HYAAAHH! Heh heh heh!" Seifer smirked as he swung his gunblade around. "I hope Ramza lifts off soon. I'm ready to whip some serious ass!" he exclaimed to Amarant, who was standing in the corner.

"The young are always anxious to run to death..." Amarant growled. "We have to stay alert, or the enemy will slaughter us. Arrogance is a weakness, Seifer. You'd be wise to learn how to combat it."

"...Yeah, maybe you're right..." Seifer said as he put his sword down thoughtfully. "Squall defeated me because of my arrogance. I should really shape up..."

"You can thank me later," Amarant muttered as he stalked out of the room.


"Gau, are you ready?" Celes asked. "This is going to be a really big battle."

"Gau ready for anything!" Gau laughed as he flexed his muscles. "Celes ready?"

"Almost..." Celes said as she sheathed Illumina. She took a small locket out of her pocket and opened it. A picture of Locke smiled out at her from the inside. "Wish me luck, Locke..." she whispered quietly as she smiled faintly at the picture. She then closed the locket and her eyes hardened again. "NOW I'm ready," she said in a determined voice.


"So, Ayla, are you ready?" Rad asked the cave woman, who was practicing her kicking and punching abilities.

"Ayla ready! Ayla fight! Destroy bad men!" Ayla shouted between fists. "Rad help Ayla fight?"

"What? You want me to help you?" Rad asked, a deep blush going over his face. "Okay... Sure, I'll help you, Ayla."

"Good Rad!" Ayla said as she pumped her fists. "We help Ramza find friends! Rad do Double Tech with Ayla?"

"Huh?" Rad asked.

"...Rad no know Double Tech?" Ayla asked. "Oh, well. Never mind, then."


"So, we're about to take Zeratul back from Ivalice..." Ovelia said as she looked out the window at the falling rain. Agrias and Mustadio were in her room, readying themselves for battle.

"Yeah," Mustadio said as he loaded his gun. "Nobody takes over Zeratul if I've got anything to say about it!"

"Ovelia, are you scared?" Agrias asked.

"...A little," Ovelia admitted. "I never thought that the Nanten victory in the Lion War would lead to such a horrific future..."

"We can prevent any more tragedies from happening if we stop Delita cold," Agrias said. "It's like Alma said a long time ago... She doesn't want to see any more Tetas."

"..." Ovelia said. "...Thanks, Agrias."

"Do you want to stay on the airship, Ovelia?" Mustadio asked.

"No," Ovelia said. "I want to pull my own weight for once. I'll fight alongside you all."

"I never thought that the Nanten victory in the Lion War would turn you into such a strong-spirited girl," Agrias chuckled. "I guess good things happened too, huh?"

"Yeah, I guess you're right..." Ovelia said as she smiled at her friends.


"Ready, Alicia?" Lavian asked.

"Ready, Lavian!" Alicia confirmed.

"For Ivalice!!!" they both shouted at once as they held their swords up in a completely synchronized formation.

"Boy, that felt good," Alicia laughed.

"Let's help Ramza kick some butt!" Lavian replied.


"Are you ready for this next battle?" Beowulf asked Reis.

"I hope so..." Reis said. "But I can stand through anything as long as you're there, Beowulf..."

"You two are quite a pair," Malak chuckled. "You'll come out just fine." He then turned and looked out the window. "Rafa... Hold on, I'm coming..." he muttered to himself.


"So, it looks like Ramza's gonna get into a big fight," Celia said as she stroked her hair. "Are we gonna help?"

"Sure," Lede said as she fiddled with something in her hands. "Everhart hired us to help him, didn't he? That includes fighting in whatever he's fighting in."

"You're right," Celia said.

"Besides, I wanna prove to Ramza that I'm not such a bad girl..." Lede said.

"...?" Celia asked.

"I can't help it!" Lede laughed as she turned to Celia. She was holding a little toy Ramza figure. "I love my little Rammy-wammy! I'm gonna fight for him as much as I can!"

"Rammy-Wammy?" Celia asked, her eyebrow raising a bit. "...Well, this would explain why you kept casting your 'Allure' spell on him at Limberry Castle..."

"I know his heart belongs to that Rafa chick, but I can't help it!" Lede sighed as her eyes grew starry. "I love him!"

"Sheesh..." Celia muttered.


"It's time, Ramza," Everhart said as Worker No.8 and he walked in.

"Right," Ramza said. "Worker No.8, go and pilot the ship towards Berkana."

"As you wish, Master," Worker No.8 said as he lumbered into the control room and spun the wheel. The Cassiopeia lifted off and sailed towards Berkana, where the entire Zeratulian air fleet lay in wait.


"Sir!" a Knight shouted as he charged into the President's office. "Ramza's airship is coming!"

"'Zat so?" Law asked. "Well, then... I guess it's time for a big showdown. Silas! Adela! Come on! We're gonna pay Ramza and his friends a little visit..."

"I'll prepare the Ivalice flagship, sir," Silas said as he teleported out.

"Law..." Adela said. "During this battle, would you like me to..."

"Nahh," Law said. "Save that attack for when you really want to use it."

"I... OK," Adela said.

"Now go help Silas with the ship, will ya?" Law asked. Adela vanished, and Law yanked Dark Rival out of its resting place on the wall. "Well, my dear, your sister is here," he said. "Shall we go and greet her?"


"The enemy is approaching," Silas said to the Ivalice Flagship's pilot. "Remember, if you try any funny business I'll kill you on the spot. Our goal is to stop Ramza. Understood?"

"...Yeah, yeah..." Davis growled as he turned the engine on. "You know, it'd be easier to fly this crate if you'd take the ball and chain off my leg..."

"Don't give me any tongue," Silas said. "You're lucky Delita didn't zap you with the Sheep Stone."

"Am I?..." Davis grumbled. "At least Rafa and the others don't have their conscience bugging them about this..."


"We're approaching Berkana air space," Worker No.8 announced from the control room.

"This is it..." Ramza said as he drew his Chaos Blade.

"We won't let Delita have his way any more!" Agrias growled.

The Cassiopeia slowed to a halt as five huge airships flew up and surrounded it.

"Heretic Ramza Beoulve, we have you surrounded," a voice on a megaphone sounded. "You are going to be destroyed!"

"Just try us!!!" Agrias yelled.

The airships' sides flipped open and huge cannons popped out. Ammunition rained down on the Cassiopeia.

"We're taking a real beating!" Tifa commented.

"Actually, we're not being hurt at all," Ovelia said as she checked with Worker No.8. "The armor on this ship is super-tough!"

"Well, then, if we have nothing to worry about," Seifer smirked. "Let's bust right through!!!"

"Deploy attack units!!!" the megaphone voice shouted. The airships flew in very close and Ivalice soldiers began pouring over the sides and onto the Cassiopeia's deck.

"Oh, crap," Seifer grumbled.

"Ramza, take some people and head straight for the flagship!" Mustadio shouted. "We'll keep these bastards busy!"

"Good thinking!" Ramza shouted. "Everhart, Orlandu, Alma, Agrias! Come on!!!"

"You've got it, Ramza!" Agrias said as she drop-kicked a Geomancer and dashed to Ramza's side. Orlandu, Alma and Everhart got to Ramza quickly as well, and they leaped to the next airship and began a long trek towards the Ivalice flagship.


"TRIPLE KICK!!!" Ayla yelled as she stomped on three Time Mages at once. The dastardly magicians weren't finished, though, so they began to charge up some bad spells. They would have finished them if it weren't for Rad, who Dashed into one of them, who knocked down the other two and sent them all over the side of the ship.

"Hey, I guess I did help!" Rad laughed. He then turned around and smashed a Lancer over the head with his banjo.

"Rad fight good!" Ayla commented as she launched a Rollo Kick straight into a Samurai.

"Thanks," Rad answered as he threw a stone at a Bard.


"Get ready for a world of pain, kiddo!" a Knight growled as he faced down Seifer.

"Oh, gee, I'm SO scared," Seifer snorted. "DEMON SLICE!!!" Seifer whirled around and blew the Knight off the edge of the ship with his attack. Once the enemy was gone, Seifer stopped and smirked. "Ha! Piece of cake!" he chortled.

Suddenly, he heard a huge WHUMP behind him. He turned to see Amarant holding a Thief by the throat. "He was about to stab you," Amarant said as he hurled the enemy off the ship. "Remember what I said about arrogance?"

"Eh heh heh..." Seifer chuckled embarassedly. "...Thanks."


"BLADE BEAM!!!" Cloud yelled as he sent a wave of energy at a group of Wizards, effectively blowing them all off the ship's edge. Suddenly, he heard a cry from behind him. He turned around in time to see two female Monks capture Tifa and start beating on her.

"Ow! OW!" Tifa yelled as the Monks slugged her across the face over and over. "Quit it, you morons! AAAHHHH!!!" Tifa leaped up and kicked both of them at the same time, knocking them out. Unfortunately, she didn't see the third Monk that was coming at her from behind.

"HEY, YOU!!!" Cloud shouted as he charged past Tifa and slashed at the Monk. The karate fighter's concentration was broken and she plummeted down towards the ground.

"Thanks, Cloud!" Tifa said.

"Save it for later!" Cloud said as he pointed at some aggressive-looking Lancers that were approaching.


Malak swung his Octagon rod over and over, knocking down several opponents with each swing. His Hell Knight skills had improved since Ajora's first defeat, and Malak aimed to use them in the battle to regain his sister.

As he thought about Rafa and what Delita might have done to her, he got angrier and angrier. The angrier he got, the more valiantly he fought, but the enemies kept coming.

"Rafa..." Malak growled as he thrust his rod into a Knight. "I'll get you back..." he said as he swung the rod around and knocked away a Priest. "Do you hear me?!..." he asked as he brought the rod down on a Mime's head. "RAFA!!!" Malak screamed. He finally let all his anger and hatred out in a devastating, totally accurate Sky Demon Back attack that decimated all the enemies around him.

"Woah... He sure is angry," Mustadio gulped as he shot a Wizard with his Blast Gun. "I think I'll stay out of his way... I hope Agrias is OK..."


"Hah! Hyah! ICE 3!!!" Celes shouted as she alternately stabbed and cast magic on her foes. The enemies seemed to enjoy attacking her, because they were all over her like flies on honey. As many times as she stabbed, the jerks just kept coming back.

Gau was having lots of fun pounding on the Ivalice soldiers. He didn't seem to understand that this was a real battle that they were in. "Auuooogauooo!!!" he roared with glee. "This fun!!!"

"Gau, help me!" Celes cried as two Knights joined into the already massive amounts of opponents harassing her.

Gau now noticed that the fight he was in wasn't just for fun. When he saw that his friend was in trouble, he got angry... VERY angry.

"Auuooo! Aooohhh!!! Leave Celes alone!!!" he yelled. "RAGE QUEKLAIN!!! NIGHTMARE!!!"

Gau pulled his hands back and thrust them forward. Huge, blue explosions rocked the soldiers and put them all to sleep. Celes looked at Gau in disbelief. "Gau, how'd you do that?!" she asked.

"...Me not know," Gau said. "...Maybe Gau learn new Rages in this world?"

"Whatever," Celes said. "Just keep doing it!"


"Ready?" Alicia asked.

"Ready!" Lavian replied.

"STASIS SWORD!!!" both Knights yelled at once, casting the Holy Knight skill on a group of enemies and decimating them.

"I'm glad Captain Agrias taught us that!" Lavian said.

"It sure comes in handy!" Alicia agreed.


"Beowulf?" Reis asked as she slapped down a Geomancer with her hand bag.

"Yes, Reis?" Beowulf asked as he turned a Mediator into a chicken.

"When this is all over, will you marry me?" Reis asked as she kicked a Knight in the shin and then shoved him off the edge.

"Really?" Beowulf asked as he slashed at a trained Red Panther. "Yes!"

"Oh, Beowulf, I'm so happy!" Reis swooned as she cast Holy Bracelet and toasted a group of Priests.

"Me too," Beowulf said as he cast his Shock! Attack on a Samurai.


"That didn't make much sense," Alma commented.

"Did it have to?" Agrias asked. "Weird stuff happens in big battles."

"Yeah," Ramza said. "For all we know, a dimensional distortion will pull the entire cast of Final Fantasy 8 into our world and they'll help us fight."

Suddenly, the cast of Final Fantasy 8 materialized on the Cassiopeia and instantly started attacking the Ivalice Soldiers.

"See?" Ramza asked.

"Oi," Alma sighed as she sweatdropped.

"We're gonna get letters," the Network Censor said.

"Not you again!!!" Agrias growled. She grabbed the Censor and threw her at one of the enemy airships. She got stuck in the main cannon and it exploded, throwing the entire ship into flames. It flew downwards and exploded in the forest below.

"Wait a minute..." Orlandu said as he looked down at the FF8 fighters. "One of 'em is missing."

"Sorry," Quistis said. "Squall's out sick today."


"Why?!" Squall yelled angrily as he blew his nose and sniffled. "Why today of all days?! This was gonna be my big break! My shining moment! My... Ugh..."

He leaned over the bucket on the couch and vomited.


"Yeesh," Agrias said. "You almost feel sorry for the guy."

"...Almost," Everhart said.

"Oh, yeah!" Rinoa said as she turned and looked at the readers. "I was told to deliver a message to the readers. Ahem... We here at Squaresoft would like to apologize for the total lack of storyline and horrible character development in Final Fantasy 8. Those responsible have been sacked. I heard they were gonna redo it with llamas next year!"

"Lovely," Agrias said. "Let's keep moving!!!"

"What about them?" Ramza asked.

"Don't worry," Alma said. "The writer will send 'em back when he gets bored."


Ovelia stood in the doorway of the Cassiopeia, a nervous look on her face. "Oh..." she said. "I want to help, but I'm so nervous... What if I get hurt?..."

Suddenly, a Geomancer leaped up before her. "HA! Now you're history, little missy!" he chortled.

"Eeeek!" Ovelia cried as she instinctively swung her Gold Staff and smacked the Geomancer in the jaw. It knocked him out cold.

"..." Ovelia said. "Hey, maybe this isn't as tough as I thought!"


Ramza's group had made steady progress in jumping from ship to ship to reach Ivalice's flagship. "I think it's that one!" Ramza said as he pointed to a huge, metal airship flying the Ivalice flag.

"No... you think?" Agrias muttered.

"It's time to free Zeratul!" Ramza said as he leaped onto the huge, metallic vessel.

"We're right behind you!" Alma said as Ramza's four chosen cohorts leaped onto the craft after their leader.

The metal ship looked totally empty. There were no soldiers anywhere on it.

"I bet this is a trap," Orlandu growled.

"Well, dang, you totally ruined it," a dark voice said.

"Who's there?!" Ramza asked. "Show yourself!"

An explosion went off in the center of the ship's deck, and smoke flew everywhere. When it cleared, Ramza and his friends were face to face with Law, Silas and Adela. The rain was spattering down on the deck much harder now than it had been earlier.

"So... You've come," Law chortled.

"Who're you?" Ramza asked. "You're not Delita."

"I'm the one in charge here," Law said. "Delita made me the ruler of Zeratul after he took care of President Maclus..."

"'Took care of?...'" Alma asked. "You monster!!!"

"Oh, come now," Law said. "The President is perfectly safe. I'm just tryin' to scare you."

"Who are you, anyway?" Orlandu asked.

"Me?" Law asked. "I'm your worst nightmare, Thunder God Cid, holder of the sacred sword Excalibur!... Or should I say... the sacred sword Rival?!"

"What?" Orlandu asked. "Excalibur is Excalibur. It's nothing else."

"Don't try to fib your way out," Law growled. "We'll soon see which sword is stronger... I've come from the future just to destroy Rival!"

"So you're gonna pick on Orlandu?" Ramza asked. "You want Orlandu, you'll have to go through us!"

"Oh, please," Law snorted. "Like I'm gonna fight a lightweight like you. Besides, Delita specifically said to leave Ranma to him."

"Ranma?" Alma asked. "His name's Ramza! Get it right, or the network censor will show up again!"

"You fools have no idea of who you're dealing with," Everhart said.

"What?!" Law gasped. "Woah! You're that guy who attacked us in the future!!! Well, your carcass is mine too!"

"Everhart?..." Alma asked.

"I have encountered him before..." Everhart growled. "His heart is as black as Delita's."

"Enough chitchat!" Law said. "Silas! Adela! Kill the others, but leave Thunder God Cid to me!!!"

"With pleasure, boss," Adela growled as she drew the unnamed sword and charged at Ramza and company.

"It's nothing personal, but orders are orders," Silas said as he pulled out his flails and ran at them as well.

"Get ready, old man," Law said. "Dark Rival's in the mood for some BLOOD!!!" With that, he drew Dark Rival and leaped at Orlandu.

Adela focused on attacking Ramza and Agrias while Silas dealt with Everhart and Alma. "Take this!" Adela shouted as she lunged at Agrias. Agrias deflected the blow and leaped to the side.

"You'll have to do better than that!" Agrias taunted as she landed.

"We don't want to fight you," Ramza said.

"I don't care..." Adela said. "I'm just doing what I'm paid to do!"

"Ahhh!!!" Alma cried as Silas swung his flails and almost hit her. "Stop! Please!"

"If the boss says he wants you gone, I can't argue," Silas said. "Sorry."

"Such weak-minded fools you two are," Everhart said. "Have you no thoughts of your own?"

"Hey! You're the guy who attacked us before!" Adela suddenly said as she looked at Everhart and then charged at him.

"It's time for some payback!" Silas grunted as he leaped at black-armored Lancer.

"Everhart, look out!!!" Alma cried.

Everhart sheathed his spear and held out both his hands. "...STOP!!!" he commanded.

Suddenly, Adela and Silas stopped in their tracks.

"He did it again!" Adela cried. "Forgive me, Law!"

"Damn you!..." Silas growled.

"Hmmph!" Law grunted. "Idiots... Now, as for you, Cid..."

Law and Orlandu's blades clashed fiercely as Law forces Orlandu across the ship in a deadly fury of slices.

"Whatever this 'Rival' sword is that you seek, I can assure you that Excalibur isn't it!" Orlandu yelled over the clash of metal.

"I'll be the judge of that, old timer!" Law laughed as he brought Dark Rival down on Excalibur again. The clang was deafening.

"We have to help Orlandu!" Agrias said as the four fighters ran past Silas and Adela.

"Perhaps we should wait," Everhart said. "The problem may solve itself."

"What do you mean?!" Alma asked. "Orlandu can't hold out against that guy himself!"

Suddenly, Agrias shouted in pain. Ramza whipped around to see that Silas and Adela had broken free of Everhart's Stop spell, and Adela had stabbed Agrias in the shoulder. Silas was diving straight for Alma with his flails ready to decapitate. "Alma!!!" Ramza shouted.

Suddenly, Silas and Adlea were knocked flat on their backs by two speedy blurs. The blurs bounced back and stopped moving. They were Celia and Lede!

"We'll handle these punks," Celia said. "You help the old guy."

"Ramza!" Lede cried. "I love you! Don't die!"

"Sheesh..." Ramza muttered as he sweatdropped.

Celia and Lede pummeled Silas and Adela while Alma healed Agrias's wound. Ramza and Everhart jumped into the fray against Law.

"You're getting weak, old man," Law chortled as he slashed away at Orlandu. "Just show me your sword's true nature and I'll kill you a lot quicker!"

"I'm telling you that I don't know what you're talking about!!!" Orlandu yelled angrily.

"Leave him alone!" Ramza shouted.

"Piss off, Ranma!" Law said. "I ain't interested in you!"

"It's RAMZA!!!" Ramza yelled as he ran in and shoved Law off of Orlandu. The heretic, not expecting the attack, fell crashing to the ground.

"OK, that does it, kid! You're toast!!!" Law growled as he got up and readied Dark Rival.

"It's now or never," Everhart said. "We must attack him together if we hope to achieve victory."

"Right!" Orlandu and Ramza said at the same time.

"HOLY EXPLOSION!!!" Orlandu shouted as he swung his sword.

"ULTIMA!!!" Ramza yelled as he charged the Holy spell.

"METEOR!!!" Everhart commanded.

The three dangerous attacks slammed into Law simultaneously. There was a tremendous explosion. "Aaaararrrrrrrggh!!!!!" Law yelled as he was thrown backwards. He collided with the airship wall and slumped to the floor.

"Had enough?" Ramza asked.

"Grrrr..." Law growled as he got up. "Rotten kids... I..."

Suddenly, Law saw something that gave him a nasty shock. For a brief moment, Ramza's Chaos Blade glistened with a bright yellow light. "!!!" Law exclaimed. "So... That's it, huh?..." he asked. "Fine then. You want a rematch with me? Come to Zeltennia Castle. I'll wait for ya there. Silas! Adela! Time to go!"

Silas and Adela forced Celia and Lede off of them and ran to Law's sides. The voluptuous assassins had really did some serious damage; both of them looked pretty beaten.

"We'll get you next time," Silas growled.

"Just you wait!" Adela threatened. "We'll fix you!"

"See you at Zeltennia Castle," Law grunted. "By the way... My name's Law! Don't forget it, Ranma!"

Law, Silas and Adela vanished, and the entire airship army retreated and vanished into the sky.

"It's RAMZA!!!" Ramza yelled angrily.

"What made him scamper off so quickly?..." Alma asked.

"He fears your sword, Ramza," Everhart said.

"My Chaos Blade?" Ramza asked. "...Why?"

"Let's worry about that later," Agrias said. "We have to find President Maclus and make sure Zeratul is freed!"

"Let's try checking this ship," Orlandu said.

The party ran down into the control room of the ship.

"Hey!!!" Davis exclaimed. "Ramza! Thank God!"

"Davis!" Ramza exclaimed. "You're OK!"

"Yeah," Davis said. "Those jerks didn't brainwash me or nothin'... They needed me to build those blasted ships for them..."

"We're glad you're OK," Agrias said. "Is President Maclus aboard?"

"Search me," Davis said. "I haven't been out of this room for days."

"I'll go look for him," Ramza said. "Davis, steer the ship and land at the airfield, will you?"

"Aye, aye, Cap'n," Davis joked. "Hey, does anyone have any cigarettes on 'em?"


Ramza walked down into the bowels of the ship. The grinding gears and hissing steam of the engine were certainly impressive, but the Cassiopeia's engine was much more sophisticated. Ramza expected that Davis would have a field day with it when they got back to it.

Just then, Ramza heard a weak thumping coming from a closet near the engine. "What's that?" he asked aloud.

Ramza walked to the closet, opened it and gasped. President Maclus was on the ground, tied up, haggard and drawn. "President Maclus!" Ramza exclaimed. "Are you all right?!"

"Ramza? Ramza Beoulve?..." Maclus asked. "Oh... Thank God..."

"It's OK," Ramza said. "Ivalice has retreated. Zeratul should be free again."

"Ramza, I'm in your debt so many times it's not even funny," Maclus chuckled as Ramza cut away his bindings.

"It's OK now..." Ramza said. "But I think Ivalice stole your airship fleet."

"I don't care right now," Maclus said. "I just want some fresh air!"


Later, back at the Presidential Residence, all of Ramza's friends gathered to be thanked by President Maclus. Berkana was a mess; buildings were wrecked beyond repair, bodies of fallen soldiers littered the streets, and even the Presidential Residence was missing some of its former glory.

"On behalf of all of Zeratul, I thank you all for forcing the armies of King Delita of Ivalice into a retreat," Maclus said. "Ramza Beoulve, you and your friends have all of our heartfelt thanks."

The huge crowd of people that had gathered around let out a huge cheer. Ramza nodded appreciatively to them and then turned to his friends.

"Yeah! We toasted those bozos!" Seifer laughed as he pumped his fist.

"Hey, where'd your FF8 friends go?" Ovelia asked.

"Ahh, the writer got bored with 'em, so he sent 'em back," Seifer said. "Of course, who could get bored with me? I'm stickin' here until we squash that punk Delita!"

"I think that goes for all of us," Celes said. "We need those Chrono Stones."

"What will you do now, Ramza?" President Maclus asked.

"...We can't let Ivalice keep the power it's gained," Ramza said. "I'm going home to get the Zodiac Stones away from Delita and his followers."

"We're all going," Ovelia said. "Someone has to stop Delita... and I'm gonna be a part of it."

"Queen Ovelia?" President Maclus. "You're taking part in this as well? Boy, you guys have a regular cast of thousands, don't you? Well, at least spend the night here and relax."

"That would be nice," Ramza admitted.

"Break time!" Ayla announced. "Ayla take loooong break!"

"I'm with you on that," Rad said.

"Hey, Ramza," Davis said as he came up. He was dressed in much nicer clothes, and he was happily puffing away on a cigarette.

"What's up, Davis?" Ramza asked.

"Mind if I tag along?" Davis asked. "I can't do much besides fly airships, but I owe Delita as much as anyone here! That bastard stole my prize airships!"

"Sure, you can come along," Ramza said as he smiled at Davis. "In fact, we've got our own airship for you to check out."

"All right!" Davis said. "Thanks a bunch!!!"

"Still," Alma said. "I wouldn't mind a rest after that long battle..."

"It is... a good idea," Everhart said. "I must ponder these recent events."

"All right," Ramza said. "Break time, everyone!"

Ramza's friends started to wander off into town to find something interesting to do for their day off.