CHAPTER 24

LAW'S END???

"OK, are we all ready?" Ramza asked as he looked over his large team.

"You bet, Ramza!" Rad laughed. "Let's go whomp that creep!"

"I appreciate your enthusiasm, Rad," Ramza said. "Before we go, would anyone like to say anything about this adventure? I'll listen to any complaints you've had about the way I've led you all..."

"Complaints?!" Mustadio asked. "Ramza, are you pulling our legs?"

"Ramza, you're the best leader I've ever had!" Agrias said. "And now that Ovelia's back, I've got someone to protect again, besides Musty. I'm honored to pledge my loyalty to you!"

"You're the best boss I've ever had," Rad said. "I've got lots more to learn from you, Ramza. I'll follow you to the ends of the earth!"

"We follow Captain Agrias..." Alicia said.

"...And that means that we follow you too, Ramza!" Lavian finished.

"You saved me from Delita," Orlandu said. "I owe you my life... so I shall accompany you wherever you may decide to go."

"I didn't like a lot of people before I got here," Seifer muttered. "I still don't... but you guys've shown me the value of teamwork and trust. So... I'm itchin' to see how it all ends!"

"Zidane taught me the basics of friendship," Amarant grunted. "But you, Ramza, have completed my lessons. To thank you, I'll fight alongside you until I can return home."

"Ayla fight!" Ayla declared. "Ayla respect strong! Ramza strong! Ayla respect! Ayla now help!... Besides... Ayla want go home and finish birthday cake."

"Delita is changing my world's history," Cloud said. "I can't let him do that. Besides... You're my friend, Ramza. We've gotta stick together."

"And I have to repay you for keeping Cloud safe the last time he was here," Tifa responded. "You can count on me, Ramza!"

"You've reawakened the magical potential within me, Ramza," Celes said. "Though it'll fade when I return to my world, I can't thank you enough for letting me use it one last time to preserve peace... So I'll use it to help you!"

"Auooo!" Gau howled. "You all my friends! Me auoooo all of you!"

"I will follow the Master," Worker No.8 blipped unemotionally.

"I have to avenge Cinna," Meliadoul growled. "So... I'm coming, too. It's as simple as that. Besides... I owe you that much, Ramza."

"Nobody violates my sister and gets away with it!" Malak grunted. "I'm gonna tear Delita a new one!"

"I'm gettin' paid to whip butt," Celia said. "It's as simple as that."

"It's a secret, tee hee hee..." Lede giggled. "...OK, so it's not a secret anymore... You all know why I'm coming!"

"If Delita's in charge, the truth about the Lion War will never be revealed," Olan said. "The truth must be told!"

"That little slimeball played me for a sap," Balmafula snarled. "So now... it's payback time! And with you guys by my side, I feel like I can do anything!"

"We have to put Captain Flite back in charge, or else we'll never be able to live in peace again," Reis said. "I'll fight... for justice."

"I'm fighting because Reis is fighting," Beowulf grinned. "I'd never do anything without her. Besides, I still owe Ramza for helping me save and restore her."

"Coming along is the least I can do," Everhart replied. "You've helped me immensely."

"You're my brother, Ramza," Alma said. "That's reason enough for me to come."

"Delita has to be stopped," Ovelia said. "I was blinded before, but now I'll stand up and fight alongside you all... And..."

"To be honest, I'm scared," Rafa sighed. "...But Ramza, your love gives me courage. I'm fighting for you, Ramza... Because I love you."

"...Thanks, guys..." Ramza said. "I may have said this before, but you're the best friends a heretic could ask for!"

"Right!" Agrias shouted. "Now, let's go get Delita and his toadies!!!"

"There ain't no gettin' offa this train we're on!" Cloud declared.

"YEAH!!!" everyone shouted as they raised their fists and charged towards Zeltennia Castle, where Delita and his minions awaited them.


"Sir, Ramza is headed through Zeltennia at this very moment!" a Nanten soldier said to King Delita as the beastly monarch sat on his throne.

"So, he beat Rafa, huh?" Delita asked as he smiled crookedly. "He never let anyone get in his way before... Well... If he wants the privilege of challenging me, he'll have to get INTO the castle first! Gather all the soldiers and surround the castle! There's no way Ramza's getting in!"

"Aww, that's no fun," Law grunted. "I've got a score to settle with that little gender-changing creep..."

"The battle is nearing," Gideon growled. "Are you ready, Pirahnos?"

"Of course, my worthy host," the Lucavi's voiced echoed in Gideon's ear. The cardinal chuckled darkly.

"(Law...)" Adela thought as she looked at Law. "(I won't fail you this time... But... I'm concerned about Silas... He seems distracted these days...)"

Silas noticed Adela casting a worried look in his direction. He shut his eyes and turned away.


"OK! We're here!" Ramza declared as his massive party and he arrived at the gates of Zeltennia Castle.

"It's Heretic Ramza! Get him!!!" a soldier shouted. A rain of arrows and magic came flying at the party from all directions and forced them to retreat to a safe distance.

"Damn! He's got lots of soldiers, doesn't he?" Agrias grunted.

"He coward! He hide behind soldiers and no fight himself!" Ayla growled.

"I don't know if we can bust through there without taking a lot of damage," Meliadoul said. "...And we need to be at our best when we get to Delita..."

"You don't need to charge in," Captain Flite said as he emerged from some nearby underbrush.

"Captain Flite!" Rafa exclaimed. "When did you get here?"

"As soon as I could," Flite said. "I shall distract the guards while you go in and face Delita."

"All by yourself?" Celes asked. "That's not too smart..."

"I'm not by myself," Flite chuckled. He snapped his fingers and a legion of soldiers emerged from the bushes. Some were on foot, others rode Chocobos, but all were heavily armed. The Cassiopeia flew overhead with Davis at the wheel and began dropping bombs on the troops.

"...Wow, it looks like more people hate Delita than we thought!" Mustadio exclaimed.

"Thank you, Captain Flite," Ovelia said.

"I am always honored to serve you, Queen Ovelia," Flite said as he bowed to Ovelia.

"I'm not a Queen any more, Flite," Ovelia said as she waved his bow away. "You needn't worry about such formalities."

"In my eyes, you'll always be the true ruler of Ivalice," Flite said. "Now... to victory! For God and Country, men!!!"

"AAAAAYYYAAAAAHHHHH!!!" Flite's soldier's roared as they charged towards Delita's castle.

"Come on, guys! Flite has given us a golden opportunity!" Malak laughed courageously.

"Bless you, Captain Flite..." Reis said.

"Come!" Orlandu declared. "Delita and Law await us."

Ramza led his party through the warring armies and got everyone into the interior of the castle without much effort.

"Quick, let's get to the central throne room!" Ramza said. "Delita's there! I'm sure of it!"

"Let us go, then," Everhart answered. "We must put an end to him."

"The central throne room is this way!" Ovelia said as she ran to Ramza's side. "Come on, I'll take you all there!"

"Follow Ovelia!" Gau howled as the Ex-Queen ran down a hallway.

"Why're we followin' her, anyway?" Seifer asked.

"She was the Queen, dumbbell!" Celes said. "She probably knows this castle like the back of her hand."

The party charged through Zeltennia Castle while dispatching any Nanten soldiers that opposed them. Finally, Ovelia stopped at two huge oak doors. A huge red D with two yellow slashes behind it had been painted on them.

"This is the entrance to the throne room," Ovelia said. "...It looks like Delita did a little redecorating..."

"All right!" Agrias declared. "Let's go in!"


Inside the throne room, Delita, Law, Silas, Adela and Gideon were making preparations for the coming battle.

"Gideon, you're with me. Silas, Adela, you're in front," Law commanded as he cradled his sword hilt in his gloved hand. "Your majesty, I recommend a hasty retreat before he gets here."

Delita laughed and waved away Law's advice. "I will be here for Ramza's death," he chortled. "I want to be the last thing he or any of those fools ever see."

". . ." Law said as his good mood spoiled. "(This sucks; a Dark Holy Swordsman playin' errand boy for a crackpot... And what's been up with Gideon lately?)"

The cardinal would sometimes start cackling insanely, and presently he was muttering to himself and nodding. Law made a mental note to take him out when this was over.

Something hit the door and interrupted Law's train of thought. "They're here! Good... my trap's all in place . . ." he mused.

Adela drew her sword and looked back at Law. "Trap? What kind of trap?" she asked.

The doors flew open and Ramza and his friends charged inside with drawn weapons. "Delita!" Ramza cried. A bucket of cold water that had been placed on the top of the door teetered and fell on him. He was soaked to the bone.

"What the?!" Rafa asked. "What was that for?!"

"Ah-ha!" Law laughed as he stepped forward. "I got you! Now that you've changed into a girl, I can finish you off no problem!"

Silas cleared his throat as Adela shook her head. "Errr... I think you still have him confused with the other fellow, sir," Silas whispered.

"Well, that was odd . . ." Everhart said.

"Is that cold?" Rad asked. Ramza's teeth chattered as he nodded.

"Enough!" Law said. "Whoever you are, kid, you're history!" He unsheathed Dark Rival and pointed it at Ramza. "Draw Rival... now!"

"What? What're you talking about, Law?" Ramza asked. Instinctively his hand touched the hilt of his Chaos Blade and it seemed to leap from the scabbard. It flashed in Ramza's hands and its entire form changed. The weapon in Ramza's hands now was a blade colored pure white with golden highlights. The word RIVAL was etched across the blade's surface.

"What the?!" Cloud exclaimed. "Ramza, wasn't that just a Chaos Blade?"

"Yeah, it was," Ramza said as he eyed the blade. "It was the Chaos Blade I found after we beat Elidibs in Deep Dungeon..."

Law grinned. "Be proud, Ramza. You hold Rival, the sister sword of my blade, Dark Rival. Rival must have disguised itself as a Chaos Blade to avoid detection. These are the two most powerful swords ever fashioned. One for light . . ." He raised his blade and Dark Rival glowed with an eerie black light. ". . . and one for dark."

"Be wary, Ramza," Everhart said as he took position next to Ramza. "He is more powerful then his attitude would suggest, and not all of it is attributed to his sword."

"We don't care about you or your problems, Law!" Agrias snapped. "We're here to stop Delita, and we'll go right through all of you if we have to!"

"Yeah!" Mustadio huffed. "...What she said!"

Law stepped forward, but Delita clapped his hand down on his shoulder. "Stop... something's wrong," Delita growled.

"What?!" Law demanded as he shook off the King's hand.

"Something's up with Ramza," Delita said. "Look."

Law turned back to Ramza. The Beoulve's eyes had hardened and he glared fiercely at Law and Delita. He looked as if he was ready to cleave them in two with one blow. "Aww, crap," Law mutttered.

"What is it?" Adela asked.

"He's wieldin' Rival bare-handed!" Law said. "Her power is flowing unrestricted through his body. It's a wonder he hasn't thrown down already... It must be because she's so close to Dark Rival."

Rafa blinked. "What're you talking about?"

"Ramza, are you all right?" Alma asked her brother.

"I'm... fine..." Ramza grunted. His voice was definitely strained. "This sword seems to have a mind of its own; it wants to attack Law and his sword, and it's taking all my strength to keep it under control..."

"Adela, Silas, get ready!" Law snapped as he sheathed Dark Rival and stepped back. His two assassins stepped forward and drew their weapons.

"Great, it's the gruesome twosome," Seifer grumbled. "C'mon, let's dance!"

Adela and Silas charged at the party. Seifer and Amarant leaped out to confront them. "It's go time," Amarant growled as he readied his claw.

Seifer's gunblade clashed against Adela's katana and Silas's flails met resistance when they hit Amarant's claws. The four warriors clashed for minutes before leaping backwards. All of them were sweating and panting hard, but no blood had been drawn on either side.

"Woah... They're good," Ovelia gulped.

"Those two foreigners are very strong," Gideon whispered. "Perhaps all of Ramza's new friends are like that?!"

"Hmmm..." Delita hummed. "...You may be right, Gideon. Let's watch just to make sure..."

"We inflicted no damage upon them," Silas said. "Perhaps we should change our strategy..."

"No," Adela responded. "Stick with Law's plan."

"As you wish..." Silas responded. Adela and he charged again.

"Our turn!" Gau growled as Ayla and he leaped out of the group and met the bodyguards head on. Gau landed on Silas and sent him crashing to the ground while Ayla drop kicked Adela backwards. However, Law's cronies weren't ready to throw in their towels and struck back.

"Rage: Stray Cat! Catscratch!" Gau commanded as he sprouted long claws and slashed at Silas. The Ninja's flails blocked the blows, but he was driven back almost to where Law stood.

"TRIPLE KICK!!!" Ayla shouted as she leaped into the air and soared towards Adela. She sent her feet crashing into Adela's stomach, then her chest, and finally her back. The Samurai stumbled forward a bit, but leaped backward and slashed. Ayla miraculously punched the sword at the right angle to block its swing. Both sides fell to their knees and panted heavily.

"Come on, you two!!!" Law snapped. "You're losing to freaks and geeks! Step it up!!!"

"This is foolish," Silas grunted as he stood up. "It's as if Law was sending us on a suicide mission."

"Law would never do that to us..." Adela responded.

"He wouldn't, eh?..." Silas asked sarcastically.

"OK!" Celes declared as Tifa and she leaped before Ayla and Gau. "Time for some girl power!"

"Bring it on," Tifa declared as she made a fist. She charged Silas while Celes squared off against Adela.

"Who are you? Where do you come from?" Silas asked.

"My name's Tifa!" Tifa declared as she swung her fist and caught Silas on the cheek. Spittle flew from his mouth and splattered across the ground. "...And I'm from way in the future!"

"The future?" Silas asked.

"You guys are rewriting my history, and I can't let that happen!" Tifa said as she somersaulted over Silas and kicked him in the back. "Besides, I can't let Cloud down!"

"Hmmm... You fight to protect something? Does the one you're protecting return your feelings?"

"Is the sky blue?!" Tifa asked as she grabbed Silas and threw him over her shoulder. He landed on both feet and whipped around. "Of course Cloud cares about me! You can't be protecting someone if they don't care about you, too!"

"...Interesting..." Silas said.

"You're very good," Adela said as her nameless katana clashed with Celes's Illumina blade.

"Illumina has never failed me," Celes responded.

"Why are you fighting?" Adela asked. "You don't belong in this world."

"Ramza's agreed to help me get home," Celes said. "And people like Delita and Law have trashed my world, too... I don't want to see it happen again!"

"Law's doing what he thinks is right!" Adela declared as she swung her katana wildly. Celes raised Illumina and knocked the blade from Adela's grasp with minimal effort.

"I thought Samurais concentrated during battles?" Celes asked.

"I..." Adela exclaimed. Celes stood to the side while Adela retrieved her sword.

"Wow, those guys ARE good," Beowulf said.

"The other worlds have their own champions, I guess," Reis said. "...And we just happened to get a few of them!"

Law was getting very agitated. "Urrrrgh... Come on, you two!!!" he roared. "Cut a bloody swath through the lot of 'em!"

"You wouldn't!" Malak snarled.

"Of course I would," Law chuckled darkly. "And after you chumps have worn yourselves out, Ranma's mine!"

"Chumps? Hey wait a second," Adela said as she turned and frowned at her boss. Silas said nothing and kept a glare on his opponents.

"Shut up, Adela!" Law shouted. "Just do your job! No one asked for your opinions!" Adela cringed and fell back into place alongside Silas.

"Watch yourself Law," Silas growled just loud enough for the entire room to hear. His eyes narrowed to angry slits.

Tifa saw an opening and stepped forward. "How can you take that kind of abuse? Why do you let him talk you down like that?" she asked Adela.

"Yeah, and it's probably not just once in a while, is it?" Rafa asked as she figured out what Tifa was doing. Adela shook her head and tried to protest, but she couldn't come up with a sensible rebuttal.

"Tsk tsk tsk. He shouldn't treat you like that," Lede added as she shook her finger.

Adela fell back a step with her hands shaking. She looked from her enemies to Law to Silas. Silas met her gaze, and she saw everything that he'd been hiding from her. "S-Silas . . . I . . ."

Silas shook his head. "Do what you feel is right, Adela... I'll support you all the way," he said.

"Ooooh, Ayla sense romantic subplot going on here," Ayla whispered to Gau, who grunted an agreement.

"Damn it! That's it! No more crap! Adela, use your attack and mow them down!!!" Law demanded.

Adela sighed and held her sword up to her eyes. Silas gasped and reached out a hand to stop her. Everhart took a slow step backwards. "Something's wrong here," he growled to Ramza. "I sense an immense power building in her. . ."

Adela stared into the blade of her sword and ignored the tears running down her face. "Do you promise, Silas?" she asked.

"What?" Silas asked with a stunned expression.

She turned to him and smiled, even as her eyes shone with tears. "Do you promise that you'll support me in everything I do?"

Silas nodded, but he was still unsure of what she was planning.

Everhart grabbed Alma and Ramza and stepped back. "Brace yourselves," he said quietly.

Adela turned to Law and lifted her sword into an attacking position. "Prepare yourself!" she shouted.

Law's eyes narrowed. "You're joking," he fumed.

"Oooh, it looks like someone has a bit of a domestic dispute," Delita smirked.

"Shut your mouth!" Law snarled without looking at the King. He took a step towards Adela who stepped back in response. "You'd fight me? What about all I've done for you? If I hadn't pulled you out of that filthy orphanage, you'd still be rotting there as a stupid little girl dreaming of becoming a samurai!" he yelled.

Adela shook her head and frowned at Law. "My honor demands I give you fair warning before striking. Stand ready," she repeated.

"This is ridiculous!" Law shouted. He now noticed Silas's glare trained on him. He turned back to Adela and gave her a wicked sneer. "Of course! You've been having a fling with that dirtbag behind my back, you little backstabbing bitch!"

Adela scowled and turned her blade. It flashed even in the low light, and everyone present saw the words being etched onto it in a fiery, flowing script: ADELA.

Silas ran to her side and grabbed Adela's arm. She looked at him with the same smile on her face. "Remember your promise..." she whispered.

"Adela... I... I..." Silas started to say.

"...I know..." Adela said as she blushed slightly. "You're the only one who really ever did... Thank you, Silas..."

Adela held the sword above her head and closed her eyes. "ADELA!" she screamed. The sword exploded and shattered as all the energy of her soul burst forward and created a gigantic shockwave. The wave swept over both enemy and ally. Silas's screams were absorbed in the explosion. The last thing he saw of her was her smile.

The light vanished, and only a crystal remained of Adela. It glowed a soft violet as shards of her weapon floated down around it. Law was covered with ashes, still wearing the same smug look on his face.

Delita and Gideon got to their feet. Both of them were wide-eyed in semi-amazement. Silas fell to his knees beside the crystal with shock plastered across his face. Ramza could do nothing but stare at the crystal.

"Poor bastard..." Seifer said softly.

Everhart shook his head sadly. "That was the strongest Samurai attack, done only out of purest love. I doubt she even knew what, or who gave her that power . . ."

"She knew." Law snarled as he shook himself off and the ashes fell to the ground. He smiled cruelly at everyone assembled. "She knew, because I'm the one that taught her the secret..." He stepped forward until he was right beside the mourning ninja.

Silas ran his fingers over the crystal before looking back at Law. "Please Law . . . this is enough. No, its too much," he said.

"Heh! No, Silas, it's never enough," Law cackled darkly as he placed his foot on top of Adela's crystal. Ramza's and Everhart's eyes widened as Law crushed it in one swift motion. He twisted his foot and ground the remains into dust. "Love: the stupidest attack of all."

"You... monster . . ." Silas growled.

Law waved a hand dismissively. "I'd hoped to use her little infatuation with me so that when she finally did go off the deep end, she'd blast my enemies FOR me. But . . ." he twisted his boot once more with an accompanying sound like crunching glass. "She failed, just like in everything she's ever done."

Silas screamed and launched himself at Law, who turned and met the ninja's flails with his sword. There was a loud clash of metal andSilas landed several feet behind Law, who sheathed Dark Rival and grinned evilly. Silas fell to one knee and clutched his stomach as his weapons fell to the ground and fell apart.

"Boy, everyone is just throwing their lives away today," Law cackled. He smiled at Ramza's group and eyed each of the women. "Hmmm... You got some pretty ones, Rammy-Wammy," he mockingly said. Lede went red and shook with fury. "Maybe I'll spare some of your friends for some fun later. You're the main course, Ramza, and the girls are dessert!"

He flicked his tongue at Meliadoul, then winked at Tifa and Ovelia.

"Oh, good lord..." Celia groaned.

"Neither English nor the language of the Germonik Scriptures has an insult that would be approriate for YOU!!!" Agrias roared. "How DARE you!!!"

Delita started laughing and everyone's attention turned to him. "You know Law, I didn't like you before," he confessed. "But you're a very ruthless guy. We're a lot more alike then I thought..."

Law was suddenly at Delita's side with his sword pressed to the hollow in the King's throat. "You mean our willingness to kill anyone to get what we want?" Law asked. "Do you even know what I want?" He spat on the ground. "I'm nothing like you. I'm better than you!"

Ramza started forward, but Everhart caught his arm. "Look," he whispered. Ramza looked and saw that Silas was getting to his feet and moving towards Law. Gideon was also flanking him and drawing a sword.

Law continued his rant at Delita. "With a few blows, history will change. I'm gonna destroy Rival, the only check that Dark Rival has in this entire universe, and with her power gone, balance will be undone and I'll have infinite power. Then I'll kill YOU and take over Ivalice, Zeratul and this entire world!"

"You're forgetting, Law." Delita smiled as he saw Law's advancing companions. "It pays to keep your friends close... You never know when they'll turn on you!"

Law turned around and saw Silas and Gideon coming towards him. He shook his head and smirked at them. "I'm not too clear on what you saw in her, Silas. She wasn't even that good in bed!" he snickered. He then turned to Gideon. "You wanna throw down too?"

"It is not in the plan for you to attain the power you seek, Law," Gideon said.

"Gideon, I think that stone's made you stupid," Law chortled. "You think you can beat me? Do you even know why they call me a Dark Holy Swordsman?!" He held a hand in the air and his playful demeanor melted away. "You're all FINISHED!" he snarled.

"You won't be beatin' us so easy!" Seifer said as he swung his gunblade.

Everhart peered at Law, and suddenly his eyes widened. "Yes, he will," he whispered.

"What?" Ramza asked.

"Get down!" Everhart shouted as he leaped in front of Alma.

"And this is my cue to exit," Delita chuckled as he ran out through a door in the back.

"Delita, come back!" Ramza shouted.

"Aurora, Exhale Bloody Air! DARK HOLY!" Law screamed. The entire room exploded with black light and huge holes were knocked in the walls..

Everyone cried out as they flew out of the building and into the courtyard below.

"Aaaaghhh!!!" Cloud yelled as he crashed into a mud puddle.

"Errrrgh!" Tifa cried as she landed on top of Cloud.

"Waaarrrrrggghhhh!!!" Orlandu yelled as he tumbled onto Meliadoul. "Ugh... Thanks for breaking my fall, Meliadoul..."

"Thanks for breakin' my spine," Meliadoul grunted. "GET OFF!!!"

Ramza grabbed Rafa in midair and crashed into a melting snowdrift. "Are you all right, Rafa?" he asked.

"Th-thanks, Ramza... I'm OK," Rafa responded.

"Ooogh!" Mustadio wheezed as he landed on his stomach on a cement path that circled the courtyard's fountain.

"Aiiiiiiieeeee!!!" Agrias screamed as she hit the statue in the fountain and bounced down onto Mustadio.

"Oh, no!" Mustadio exclaimed. "Agrias, are you OK?! Speak to me!!!"

"No, Yugi, I love YOU, not Yami... Ughhhh..." Agrias groaned before toppling over. Mustadio scratched his head in confusion before helping her up.

"Aaaahhhh!!!" Alma yelled as she fell through the air.

"Alma!" Everhart exclaimed as he leaped up and grabbed her. He then slammed into the ground and didn't get up.

Gideon rolled with the landing and got back on his feet first. "You cannot beat me like that," he growled. Suddenly his vision blurred. He reached up, touched his forehead and was stunned by a feeling of wetness. He brought his hand down again to see blood on his fingers. "You... you couldn't have!" he hissed.

Law grinned evilly and stalked towards them. "Run to your master, Gideon.... Tell him I'm coming for him, right after I finish with these kids." With a snarl, Gideon fled back into the building. Law turned to the group of heroes and scratched his chin. "I was kind of hoping for a more dramatic way to use that move.... You wouldn't mind bein' blasted by it for some pizazz, would you, Ramza?"

"...You... You said my name right?..." Ramza asked as he released his grip on Rafa and looked up at Law.

"Hey, there's a first time for everything," Law mused.

Alma forced a hand up to touch Everhart's face. "You... You tried to save me . . ." she whispered.

Everhart grunted, trying to stand. She lifed her head up and kissed him. He froze, unsure of what to do. She pulled back and smiled shyly. "Just in case we die here, I want you to know how I feel . . ." she cooed.

"We won't die," he said. "I won't let it happen."

"Hey, I remember you!" Law said. "Well I'll be... You're the same damn Lancer that I saw when this whole mess started. I've been itching for a round with you. Oh, and look... You're trying to save your girlfriend! How sweet, But I guess I should really stay in my role as villain and finish you both off. This play's almost over, anyway." He grinned and raised his hand again. "One more Dark Holy should do it..."

Everhart jumped straight off the ground and launched himself into the air. Because he was casting a spell, Law couldn't track his movement or draw Dark Rival. He landed on top of Law and put a hand directly against the bounty hunter's face.

"Hey, lemme go!!!" Law growled. "You're gonna regret this, pretty boy!!!"

"I know all abut the Dark Holy Swordsmen, Law," Everhart snarled. "At one point, they served me."

"What?! What are you yappin' about? Dark Holy Swordsmen serve nobody!" Law snapped.

"Maybe so, but I'll prove it to you," Everhart growled as his eyes turned blood red and he gave a horrible sneer. "BLITZ DARKNESS HAND!" He shrieked. The hand holding Law's face glowed black for a second before energy blasted from it.

Law sailed backwards into the rubble. He got up, bleeding, but still alive. "Bastard! That was a pretty dark attack, but you can't beat ME! I'm the master of Dark Holy itself! In this hand, I hold the ultimate power; that power will send you screaming into eternal blackness! DARK HOLY!"

Ramza braced himself for the attack and knew that there was no way for anybody to survive another blast. However, it never came. He looked up and saw the energy building over one specific target: Law had singled out Everhart and was going to use Dark Holy's full force on him. "Everhart!!!" Ramza shouted.

"MBARRIER!" Alma cried as a magical shield engulfed Everhart just before the blast struck him. Black light swelled and blinded everyone. When it cleared, Everhart was lying on the ground and in pretty sorry shape; his black armor was cracked and his helmet was completely shattered.

"Everhart! No!" Alma cried.

Everhart got to one knee and didn't try to hide his deep wounds. "I won't let you hurt Ramza or Alma," Everhart snarled.

Law grinned. "OK, bub, I won't kill her... She is pretty cute, though. I'll just take her as my prize when I'm finished with you losers."

"Flames of twilight and nightfall..." Everhart mumbled.

"What?" Law asked as his expression changed from smug to horrified.

"DARK FLARE!" Everhart yelled. Black flames enveloped Law. He screamed and started slapping at his arms and body, but he was unable to extinguish the fire.

"Dark Holy is not the only dark attack, Law," Everhart said as he fell to one knee. "Dark Flare will keep burning... until its victim is nothing but dust."

Law fought with his increasingly numb fingers to pull Dark Rival from his scabbard. The flames had burned off his gloves. As his fingers touched Dark Rival's hilt, the inferno disappeared and Law was unhurt. He kissed the blade of his sword and shot a nasty grin at the party. "Thanks, babe," he chuckled. He then looked at Everhart and smiled coldly. "That looked like the last act of a desperate man," he said before turning to Ramza and his friends. "Just you and me, Ramza. I'll play nice. No Dark Holy, mmm'kay?"

Ramza staggered to his feet and pulled out his sword. Alma got up almost as fast as he did and put her hands on her brother's shoulders. Much to her surprise, he shook her off. "No, save your magic for Everhart, Alma. I can handle Law," Ramza growled.

"Ramza..." Rafa choked as she tried to get up.

Ramza looked back at his friends. All of them were either out cold or struggling to get up. Mustadio was trying to slap Agrias back to consciousness. Gau was nudging Ayla's face with his own the way dogs do to wake each other up. Orlandu was helping Meliadoul stand up, but neither of them was in any condition to fight. Celia and Lede were tossing blocks of rubble off to the sides and pulling other friends out of it. Ovelia was trying to rouse Silas.

"Ughhh..." Silas groaned.

"Hey, are you all right?" Ovelia asked.

"Urggghhh..." Silas wheezed as he sat up. "...I'll live... How could I be so blind?... Law... He's nothing but a power-crazed maniac... Just like Delita..."

"Just like Delita..." Ovelia whispered. "Has Delita really gone this low?..."

"Fine, Law," Ramza said as he turned back to the mercenary. "I accept your challenge."

The night sky grew darker with storm clouds as Law chuckled and spun Dark Rival around with his hands.

"Get to Everhart and help him up," Ramza instructed his sister. "After he's up, help the others."

Alma nodded and ran to Everhart's side. She knelt down and began to mutter a healing spell. The blessed magic washed over the black-armored Lancer several times, but it had no effect. "Everhart?" Alma whispered worriedly. "You're not healing! My spells aren't working! Everhart?!"

"The Stones... Get . . . the Stones . . ." Everhart gasped. "...They're. . . the only way . . . to help me now. . ."

"OK, then!" Law laughed as he pointed Dark Rival at Ramza. "Are you ready?!"

"Yes," Ramza said as he yanked Rival from his scabbard and held it at attention.

"Good!" Law cackled. "It's go time, Ramza! HAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!"

Dark Rival clashed against Rival and bright sparks shot in all directions. The Yin and Yang of swords slashed at each other and neither one had an advantage. Law was the aggressor; he sliced and cleaved and swung madly as Dark Rival's energies surged through him and filled him with irresistible urges to destroy. Ramza parried and blocked each blow as his own body sparkled with Rival's holy energy.

"You are skilled in swordplay, Beoulve," Law sneered as he swung and Ramza blocked again. "But you don't win by hiding behind your weapon... You're gonna slip up eventually, and then I'll get you!"

"Over my dead body!" Ramza growled. He leaped out of the way as Law swung.

Law hadn't expected Ramza to move and went tumbling forward. Ramza ran up behind him and smacked him with Rival's flat edge. The bounty hunter stumbled to the ground and got back up with murder in his eyes.

"How DARE you!!!" Law screeched as he flew forward with a nasty stab. Ramza was caught off guard and Dark Rival pierced his shoulder.

"Aaaagggghhhh!!!" Ramza shouted as he staggered backwards and sank to one knee.

"Ramza!!!" Rafa, Lede and Ovelia shouted simultaneously.

"You're good," Law chuckled as he stood over Ramza and raised Dark Rival to split the Beoulve in half. "...But I'm better!"

"Oh, yeah?" Ramza asked. He quickly swung Rival's flat edge, knocked Law to the side, got back up and circled around the bounty hunter like an angry crab.

"You're a big ol' wimp, aren't you?" Law asked. "You haven't attacked me with intent to kill once!"

"I don't want to hurt you," Ramza replied.

"Such compassion in the presence of such willed swords..." Law growled. "Could it be... Could it be that you've tamed Rival?! Impossible!!! I've had Dark Rival for years and I still can't keep it fully under my control, but you calmed Rival within minutes?!"

"A wild sword will never be under control..." Ramza replied. "...In the hands of a wild swordsman."

"What?!" Law yelled. "Grrr... That does it!!! I'm gonna rip you apart!!!"

Law charged at Ramza and raised Dark Rival above his head. He leaped into the air and flew down at the young Beoulve. His pupils were now tiny circles in his eyes and totally bent on seeing Ramza torn to shreds.

Time seemed to slow down for Ramza. As Law flew at him, he noticed something that he hadn't before: the left side of Law's chest was totally unprotected. Ramza raised Rival and delivered one devastating slash. A deep cut appeared on Law and a spray of blood coated the ground.

"ARRRRRRGGH!!!!!" Law screamed as he fell to the ground. "DAMN YOU!!!"

"Your wildness is your weakness, Law," Ramza said. "Unless you tame the beast inside of you, you'll never be at your full potential."

"I've got all the potential I need!!!" Law yelled. "I'm destined to be better than you!!!"

"What?" Ramza asked.

"I come from Zeratul in the future," Law heaved. "I was raised in a terrible orphanage... Everybody picked on me because I was weak... It was like that until I made a wish on a glowing stone that I found in a canyon one day..."

"A glowing stone?" Ramza asked.

"I wished that everyone I hated was dead..." Law growled. "And the stone became Dark Rival. At last, I took revenge on everyone who had ever crossed me!!! After I had finished with that, I decided that I'd make sure that no one would ever deal me a defeat again, so I joined Gideon to come back here and finish off Ivalice's greatest heroes... With you AND Delita gone, no one would have stood between me and ruling this world!!!"

"You did all this because you were picked on?..." Ramza asked. "Law, that wasn't the right thing to do at all..."

"Shut up!" Law yelled. "Who asked you?! You found my weak spot... But that's not gonna change anything!"

Before anyone could react, Law swung his leg and knocked Ramza down. He leaped on Ramza and pointed Dark Rival at the young Beoulve's throat. "Now I'll kill you and then Delita!" Law laughed. "NO ONE CAN STOP ME NOW!!!"

"You're wrong..." a voice said.

"Eh?" Law asked as he looked up. Everhart was lurching towards him and leaning heavily on Alma for support. Law couldn't contain his laughter. "AAAAHHH HA HA HA HAAAAHHH!!! What're YOU gonna do?! You're so bashed up you have to lean on a girl! How can you ever beat me?!"

"Like this..." Everhart growled. "Alma, now."

"OK, Everhart," Alma said as she gave Everhart a sack. "Here's all the Zodiac Stones we have, with the exception of Worker No.8's Aquarius Stone."

"These'll do," Everhart said. "Your reign of terror is ending, Law."

"Say what?!" Law asked.

"GATE OF DESTINY!!!" Everhart screamed as he thrust his arm out at Law. A massive wind picked up and a gigantic white rift opened in the sky behind the mercenary. Law yelled in surprise and anger as he felt himself being sucked into it.

"NO!!!" Law yelled. "You can't send me away!!! You lousy bastard cretins!!! Just you wait!!! I'll be back!!! And if I can't kill YOU... I'll kill the heroes of OTHER worlds! THAT'S A PROMISE!!! THAT'S... AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Law screamed horribly as both Dark Rival and he were sucked into the hole. It sealed shut and the night calmed.

"...We beat him..." Ramza said. "...We beat him! Law is gone!"

"Hooray!" Ovelia cried. "Ramza did it!"

"Law... is gone..." Silas said as a faint smile creased his face. "Adela... You're avenged..."

"Everhart and Ramza really kicked the snot out of him!!!" Mustadio laughed. "Way to go, guys!"

"Don't relax yet, though," Meliadoul said. "There's still Gideon and Delita to handle."

"Yes," Everhart grunted. "We must... Aaagh!"

"Everhart!!!" Alma exclaimed as Everhart sank to the ground. He was panting heavily and sweat dribbled off of him like a waterfall.

"I'm... all right..." Everhart said. "Go on and deal with Delita... I'll catch up... Leave the stones here, Alma..."

"A-All right," Alma said as she dropped the stones next to the fallen warrior. "Come as soon as you can..."

Alma kissed Everhart's cheek before she got up and joined the others.

"OK, guys!" Agrias laughed. "One down, two to go!"

"Are you coming, Silas?" Rafa asked.

"No," Silas said. "I sold my skills to Law... I have no right to fight together with you. Farewell!" With that, he threw down a smoke bomb and vanished.

"Poor Silas," Ovelia said. "He lost the only person he ever loved today..."

"We should stop Delita for Adela's sake, too," Celes said. "Come on."

"See you soon, Everhart!" Alma said as the party took off for Delita's throne room again.

"Indeed you will..." Everhart said as he looked at the sack of Zodiac Stones.