Return To The Homeland, Sort Of

by Illuminet

[CO FFT and FFTA] When Marche, his brother Doned, and his two friends, Mewt and Ritz read a mysterious book, they find themselves in a fantasy world known as the Kingdom of Ivalice...(COMPLETE)

18. One Last Crystal Remains

Chapter 18

Written By Illuminet

Disclaimer: Most (if not all) of the characters appearing within this story do not actually belong to me, but rather, are creations of the brilliant minds within Square Soft / Square Enix. I make no claim over any of them.

"..."-Indicate Speech

'...'-Indicate Thought

(Note: Whenever Marche has the red eyes, his name is changed to Ramza. Just so there is no confusion on the matter.)

------

Cyril City Bar, Marche's Room

"Come in."

Ramza said as he heard a knock at his door. He kept his eyes on the burning candles, their wax base much shorter now as they burned throughout most of a day and a night. The flames that washed the room in a small sphere of glowing orange would no doubt flicker out of existence shortly.

"So it is you...isn't it?"

Cloud asked as he peered at Ramza's back after closing the door. He noted that Ramza now wore a dark black sweater rather than his old white one that had sustained numerous damage from Meteus.

"It has been a while since we've talked face to face, I must admit, Cloud."

Ramza said as he turned to face his old comrade with a slight smile. Cloud nodded.

"True. The time for talking can be done later if at all. The Judge Master is here to see you. Montblanc wanted me to tell you this."

Cloud said. Ramza nodded.

"Alright. Tell them I'll be down in a little bit."

He told Cloud, who nodded and walked away. Marche allowed his eyes to return back the once azure color they had been. Any candle still lighted was blown out and tucked away in a small cabinet.

------

Cyril City Bar, Large Table

"Babus is already ahead, tracking their whereabouts. I'm going to follow soon after, I've come to tell you this."

Cid stated as Marche came and sat down in a chair. Marche nodded.

"I see. Before you go, Judge Master there's something I want to ask you. It concerns Llednar..."

Once Marche said that name, Cid interrupted him.

"He's Mewt, or rather, half of Mewt's existence. He is the part of Mewt that knows only hatred and rage for you. The body of his is simply a vessel with the power of the Divine Beasts and the essence of those negative feelings Mewt has for you because of what you are doing."

Cid said. Marche mulled over this new piece of information.

"So, to put it bluntly, he's nothing more than a puppet born of Mewt's violent side. That explains why it felt like I was fighting Mewt whenever I fought with Llednar...they are the two sides to a coin."

Marche stated. Cid nodded before rising from his seat.

"Precisely. His duties are to protect the Crystals and Mewt, a task I originally was charged with until things became as they are now. Well, I'm off to see Mewt, would you like to come along?"

Cid asked, but Marche held up a hand and shook his head to decline the offer.

"I'll leave the tracking to you, Mr. Randell. I have some unfinished business to attend to. I have to speak with my brother, Doned, and my friend, Ritz. Having spoken with Mewt, I already know I won't be able to sway his mind in a different direction without battling first. I think I may have the necessary angle to allow Doned to understand my feelings about going back to the real world, and if I can make him agree, me and my clan won't have to unnecessarily battle with so many other one's because of Doned's tipping abilities. Ritz I'm still a bit unsure of, but knowing her, she'll make herself my enemy because she opposes going back to the real world as well. Having her and Doned taken care of will make it easier for me and my clan to reach Mewt. Hopefully I won't have to fight either of them, but..."

Marche began to trail off. Cid nodded in understanding.

"Good luck then. Hopefully you can make them understand that a place like this Ivalice can only be a temporary escape. Well then, I'm off."

Cid said as he walked out the door. Marche turned to his other clan members.

"Montblanc, I'm going to search for Doned and Ritz alone, okay? Your in charge of the Clan for the time being."

Marche told the Moogle.

"Alrght, Marche, kupo. Be careful, though, because even if they aren't Divine Beasts, they are people close to you, kupo."

Montblanc told him. Marche nodded.

"I'll keep that in mind. Take care of the Clan."

And with that, Marche took his weapon and went out the door.

------

Mithril Mines

'Mithril, being as popular as it is, will surely lure Doned out to me. He would want to stop me from acquiring it at any cost, just like he wanted me to when I found that Materia in the forrest.'

Marche thought as he hung from the ceiling of a dark cavern within the Mine. The last two encounters with Doned back in the desert and the forrest taught him one thing: Wherever Doned was, a Clan wanting the bounty on Marche's head would always be close behind. He had planned this perfectly. Already with eyes fully adjusted to the darkness of the unlit cavern, he would ambush the enemy clan that would most likely come in here first, while Doned would probably be in a cavern or two away from this one. Marche would use the Ninja stealth skills of his previous life to slaughter the opposing Clan quickly and silently then ambush Doned in a corner as well.

'Good, I hear voices now. The Clan should be here any moment.'

"The tipster said he'd be here. Damn it, get the Black Mage here, we need some fire to light the way."

Marche could hear numerous footsteps of the opposing clan members entering the dark cave. He allowed his sense of hearing to guide him to a swift victory. When he no longer heard anymore enter, Marche was sure that the entire clan had entered the cave.

"Alright let me just get the fire going so we can see."

Marche heard one of the members say. It was most likely the Black Mage the leader had called out for, and judging by the position of his voice, Marche knew that he was right on top of the Black Mage. Marche swiftly descended from his hiding place to impale the enemy. The attack was almost soundless.

"What was..."

He heard another voice, most likely that of a Viera. Marche swiftly went for her next, cutting off what she was going to say.

"We're..."

He heard another member say. Marche cut down that person as well. The feeling of panic was evident in the area now as Marche soundlessly stuck down his opponents before they could say anything or run. It was not long before the clan fell to the near invisible force as Marche took them down.

'Alright, now for Doned.'

Marche turned towards the entrance and peered carefully out. His eyes stung from having to adjust to the light, but it wasn't long. No one was here so that left one more area until he reached the entrance. Marche swiftly ran to the other cave to block of the entrance. It was here as well that he felt Doned's presence.

"Alright, Doned, show yourself. I know your here."

Doned stepped out from his hiding spot behind a natural pillar that rose from the ground in the cave.

"So you call on me again, brother? That's quite clever, and since you guard the entrance, I won't be able to get out."

Marche nodded.

"I had to think of a suitable place keep you so we could talk."

Marche stated. Doned shook his head.

"There's nothing to talk about, though. Despite you saying that we should return to the real world, I won't let it happen, because I have no intention of returning. You've got everything there, while I have nothing there. Now it's my turn to have everything here, and you still have everything here too."

Doned said. Marche shook his head.

"Your wrong Doned. It's you who had everything in the real world while I had nothing."

Marche told him. Doned narrowed his eyes in anger.

"You lie, brother! You have everything and I have nothing, and you want it to stay that way."

Doned growled out. Marche lowered his head sadly.

"Yet, I'm not lying. It's true that our predicaments are quite the opposite of what your thinking."

Marche said. Doned only got angrier.

"SHUT UP!!! WHO'S THE ONE WHO GETS TO RUN?!! WHO'S THE ONE WHO DOESN'T HAVE TO GO TO A DAMN HOSPITAL?!! WHO'S THE ONE WHO GETS TO GO TO SCHOOL AND MAKE FRIENDS?!! YOU HAVE EVERYTHING!!!"

Doned roared. His body began to shake from his anger and the yelling. He breathed in heavily for a few moments before calming down slightly.

"At least here I have a ton of clans to make friends with. When I get healthier, I'll even be able to participate in Engages. Most importantly of all, I'm able to walk here. There are only new and exciting things here for me to do."

Doned said softly as he kept his head bowed. He brought it up to throw a hate filled gaze at Marche.

"AND I'LL BE DAMNED IF I LET YOU TAKE THAT AWAY FROM ME!!!"

He shouted full blast at Marche again. Marche sighed.

"You want to know what is that you have that I always wanted?"

Marche said lowly. Doned remained silent.

"It's you that had everything when I had nothing."

Marche said. Doned was about carry on his angry tirade of words again against Marche for bringing up those words again, but went silent as Marche's large blade clattered to the ground and Marche rushed up to Doned and grabbed him by the collar of his shirt to ram Doned firmly into the cave wall and hold him there.

"You were the one who had a mother, a loving parent who would do anything for you. You were her son, and what was I? A damn orphan who was just picked up by her to help take care of HER son because her husband left her. I was only her son in name only. You were the one that was always sick, so she got you everything. What about me? Whenever I wanted something from OUR mother, all hell would break loose, and I was always told I was being selfish and self centered. I never even asked for that much. It was always Doned this and Doned that. When was there ever going to be a TIME for Marche?"

Doned could see the anger in Marche's eyes, and the slight hint of tears. Doned couldn't turn away from the sight.

"You want to know about my real family, brother? My mother died when I was still young. My father was the only one to care for me, but he had so many obligations and four siblings to tend to. My eldest brother killed him by poison in his sleep because he thought father wasn't fit for being the head member of the family. I had to kill him, myself. My OWN brother had to die by my hands. Then I get put into an orphanage, to be picked up by your mother, only to be used, never to be loved. SO tell me, Doned, WHO has everything? I didn't even have friends at school until I met with Mewt and Ritz. The hopes that you have in this world...why can't those same hopes be geared to helping you regain the ability to walk again? And you'd have your own mother and adopted older brother helping you along the way. Do you understand now Doned? Do you understand why you've got just as much there as you have here?"

Marche asked. Doned remained silent. Marche wondered if his words shedded any light to Doned to reveal just how lucky the young boy was. Marche released Doned, allowing the young man to slump down along the wall. He turned his back to Doned and made his way to the entrance. Before picking up his sword, Marche stopped, not turning to face Doned.

"Tell me your answer when your ready, brother. You know where to find me."

Marche said. He heard Doned get up and walk behind him. Marche thought he would simply walk on by and leave the cave, but Doned embraced Marche from behind.

"I'm...I'm so sorry, brother...all this time I was only thinking of the simple things that you had and didn't even realize that I was so fortunate, myself."

Marche could tell his brother was crying. He turned around to embrace Doned as well.

"Will you come back with me, Doned? Even if you have all these things to do in this world..."

Marche was cut off by Doned.

"...it's not real. I know that, but it's fun...it's fun to be able to run freely without that damn wheelchair. But your right, brother...I'm blessed to have those who can help me regain the ability to walk. My hopes should have been there, concentrating on getting better, not dwelling on misfortune. Let's go back to the real world brother, so I can get better and walk again!"

------

Cyril City Bar, Marche and Montblanc's table

"Looks like I was right. The Bartender said that my Clan already set out on a mission a while ago. So it's just you and me here, brother."

Marche said as he sat across from Doned. Doned sat in the usual spot Montblanc did.

"I see. Anyway, do you have an inkling to where Mewt might be?"

Doned asked him. Marche put a hand to his chin in thought.

"Hmmm...no, I have no idea. Mr. Randell said that Mewt doesn't leave the Royal Court at all, so I'm at a lost to where they may be hiding out."

Marche explained. Doned nodded.

"I see. How about Ritz? Where you able to contact her? Get any Clan information or the like?"

Doned asked. Marche shook his head.

"Not a thing. Thanks to all these Clan conflicts occurring."

Marche said. Doned sighed.

"So then we have no choice but to wait, then."

Marche nodded at the statement.

"Seems that way, but hopefully we won't have to wait long."

After Marche said that, a Temple Knight entered the bar and headed for their table.

"You Marche of Clan Ruglia, correct? I come with an urgent message from Lord Cid."

He stated. Marche and Doned looked at each other, then back at the Temple Knight.

"Has he found them, then?"

Marche inquired. The Temple Knight nodded.

"Apparently, the Royal family has escaped to the Amber Valley. Your Clan has also already been informed upon the completion of their Mission. They are heading directly for the Deetey Plains, however. This is Lord Cid's wish that you will meet him there first so he can explain Amber Valley in further detail."

The Temple Knight said. Marche nodded and thanked the Temple Knight. The Temple Knight bowed slightly before leaving the bar. Marche turned to face Doned.

"Well, that didn't take long."

Marche said. Doned nodded.

"The Amber Valley, huh? That does make sense considering it's also called the Royal Valley."

Doned told Marche.

"Oh? You've heard of it then?"

"Yep. It's said to be one of the most beautiful places on Ivalice. It gets it name because the remains of a castle belonging to an ancient king is situated in that Valley."

"Is that so? The Royal Valley, huh..."

"You should get going to Deetey Plains to meet with the Judge Master. Good luck, brother."

------

Deetey Plains

"This is the place. So where is the Judge Master..."

Marche began as he looked around. He heard slight rustling in the tall grass. Marche turned around to see the rest of his clan.

"Oh, so you all just got here too?"

Marche inquired. Montblanc nodded.

"Have you found the Judge Master yet, Marche, kupo?"

Montblanc asked him. Marche shook his head.

"Nope, haven't seen him..."

Before Marche could continue the person in question came into view.

"Oh, your all here already? I didn't expect you to all be here quite this soon."

Cid announced as he saw them.

"Guess I was a bit too excited to wait up a bit. You've seen them, then, Mr. Randell?"

Marche asked him. Cid shook his head.

"Not in person, only in source. A very reliable one, of course. Babus has done well in tracking them."

Cid stated.

"That's good. Where's Babus now?"

Marche asked as he looked around.

"He's staying with Ezel actually. Old comrades, I suppose. Anyway, I'll be your navigator since the Amber Valley hasn't been accessed by the public in quite some time. In fact this will only be my second time through it."

Cid stated to the clan.

"Your second time only? When was the first time?"

Marche asked out of curiosity.

"I came here only a little while back for some amber. Ezel had called me and had me pick some up here. He said it could be used to make a powerful Anti-Law card to stop the effects of Llednar's barrier. We don't need that card anymore though, since you somehow acquired the ability to break it yourself. How you did it is beyond me but I won't question it. Should we get going?"

Cid asked after explaining his first visit to the Amber Valley.

"An Anti-Law card, you said? Do you still have it?"

Marche asked without answering Cid's question.

"Yes. Why do you ask?"

Cid questioned as he eyed Marche oddly.

"We may need it. True, I can break the barrier on my own, but I have this feeling I'm going to need that power for other things. It's imperative that we have Llednar with us when we see Mewt and the Queen, just as it's imperative that we have you here, Mr. Randell."

Marche said mysteriously.

"You have a plan involving him and me being with you when we see both Mewt and Remedi?"

Cid asked with a growing interest. Marche nodded.

"Sort of. More like a hunch. I'm going to try talking to Mewt one more time, as impossible as it probably is as I've told you earlier. We need you because you are Mewt's father and we need Llednar because he and Mewt are essentially two halves to one person."

Marche explained vaguely. Cid eyed him questioningly.

"It will be impossible to get Llednar to join your clan. Since his body is that of a Divine Beast, the Queen can force her will on him to control him herself. There's no way..."

Cid began but was interrupted by Marche.

"Just let me worry about that detail, Mr. Randell. Let's get going."

Marche said as he allowed Cid to take the lead. Cid wasn't sure what Marche had in mind but if it had a chance of working with avoiding a massive battle between them and the Queen, he would chance Marche's vague gamble and hope for the best, whatever that outcome might be.

------

Farther out from Deetey Plains...

"Looks like their all heading towards the Sienna Gorge. What are we going to do Ritz? Should we follow them?"

Shara asked as she peered from the departing forms of the Ruglia Clan members to face Ritz.

"..."

Ritz remained silent, as if deep in thought.

------

The Sienna Gorge, Hill top

"Why are you laughing?"

Shara asked Ritz after she saw her leader laugh out loud for no apparent reason. All the other Viera Clan members also eyed their leader with questioning eyes.

"I'm just thinking about how different Marche is here from how he was in the other world. You wouldn't have guessed that he used to be bullied by older kids seeing how well organized he is in leading his Clan here. Back then, it was hard for me to picture him as the one to confront others with fighting. Thinking on it now, it's almost hilarious."

Ritz stated. Shara did look a bit taken back by those words. It was true. Seeing how Marche was here, it was hard to picture him getting bullied by others.

"I would have never guessed that. He's not bullied here, though, that's for sure. His clan has already been revered as the best Clan around in Ivalice."

Shara stated. Ritz only nodded.

------

The Sienna Gorge, further down

"She's here..."

Marche simply said. Montblanc looked at him.

"Kupo?"

Montblanc only said.

"Looks like a clan of Vieras are going to halt our progress."

Cid stated. Marche walked ahead of him slightly before turning to face all of his clan members.

"That's Ritz's clan. All of you stay here. This affair doesn't concern you."

Marche said as he glanced at them.

"But Marche, kupo..."

Montblanc was about to protest but Marche interrupted him.

"I'm sorry Montblanc, but none of the clan can interfere. Now, as your leader, I order you all to stand down."

Marche said in a firm tone. He turned his attention to the silhouetted shapes of the Vieras along the hill. He lifted his blade up to his shoulders and rested his head against the blunt of his sword as he began casually walking towards Ritz's clan.

(Note: Think Sanosuke Sagara a.k.a Zanza from the early episodes of the Rurouni Kenshin Anime when he walked off towards the Kamiya Dojo to face off with Kenshin, while he rested his Zanbatou across his shoulders. That kind of stance.)

------

The Sienna Gorge, Hill top

"He's heading this way alone. What's he up, too?"

Shara asked as she saw Marche make his way towards their location.

"You all stay here, okay. Trust me, I know what I'm doing."

Ritz stated as she walked off towards Marche. Shara was about to protest but decided not too, seeing as this was her leader's wish, she would have to back down She simply watched closely as the two friends met each other half way.

"Ritz..."

Marche murmured softly as he stopped in front of her. Ritz stopped in front of him, letting the butt of her long cane tap the ground as she eased her right arm.

"You know what I'm planning to do, right, Marche?"

Ritz simply asked. Marche sighed.

"Of course. Still..."

He began but she interrupted him.

"No, Marche. There is no more need for words. I'm not going to let you pass. This is it, just you and me. We'll let our weapons do the talking for us."

Ritz stated firmly. She threw her cane from her right to left hand. She then placed her right hand over the cane's top to pull the hidden rapier blade free from it's metal sheath. She kept the sheath in the grasp of her left hand as she aimed the blade towards Marche, getting into her fighting stance. Her emerald green eyes seemed to flare with a need for battle. This is what it would come down to in the end between them, one fight to settle their difference in opinions

"I see."

Marche said simply. In one swift, fluid motion, Marche released his left hand from the blade and swung it in full circle once with his right hand before making the blade touch the ground slightly. Marche flipped the blade in his right hand so he gripped it in his preferred inverted way that he usually did before hefting the massive blade behind him as he took a step back, bringing his left hand to help shoulder the massive blade as it rested near the leg he took a step back with. His eyes dulled, completely opposite from Ritz. They seemed frozen blue, yet still had that piercing effect to Ritz's own eyes. The two combatants stood stock still in their fighting stances, unblinking.

'That's an unusual stance he's taking. It looks like he could go on either the offensive or the defensive, both by simply swinging his blade forward...'

Ritz thought carefully as she mentally analyzed Marche and his strange stance. Her own stance was the traditional one of a Fencer, save for the fact that she held her sheath in her left hand. Marche's stance was exotic and feral looking compared to his casual laid back one Ritz usually saw him in.

'If this is anything like the fight with Mateus when he assumed Ritz's form, this will be too easy. But Mateus didn't really dwell on her form all that much, so I'm sure she's got some nasty tricks up her sleeve. I should also note the fact that she kept her sheath in her left hand. It's very possible she'll try a two weapon fencing attack.'

Marche simply thought to himself. The wind began to pick up, causing their long hair to blow freely up in the air. Ritz almost felt as if she was in one of those old western gun slinging movies where the two opponents were just waiting for a signal to pull out their revolvers and shoot one another down. The two kept staring down one another, tension building. Marche, considering he had thousands of years more experience and having lived two life times, would be the one who outlasted Ritz in their stand off. This would be proven correct, because soon Ritz soundlessly charged at Marche at a near inhuman speed. She was almost a blur to Marche.

'Whoa, she moves faster than when Mateus used her. He must have not been using her powers to full extent like the original Ritz is doing now...'

Marche thought. which slowed his reaction to the danger Ritz presented him. Her thrust came swiftly and without reserve, and Marche could not defend it with his sword. He quickly brought his left hand out, letting Ritz attack the back side of his fist. To Ritz's surprise, one of the tiny metal studding on Marche's glove deflected her thrust away from his chest. Marche moved his head swiftly to the side to avoid the rest of her deflected attack, which now got aimed towards his head rather than his chest from his own defensive maneuver. While she was off balance slightly, Marche quickly brought his right hand forward and jabbed her hard in the stomach with the pommel of his sword. She jumped back quickly, trying to regain the breath that had been knocked out of her from the quick blow. She knew she was wide open for punishment, and Marche wasted little time. He dashed after her swiftly, spinning to land a back slash, but Ritz was able to see the slow but powerful attack and crouched to avoid it easily. She would have attacked him since he was off balance but his left fist followed up his previous attack to send her off the ground a little bit. Ritz was floored as he continued his spin to knock her down with blunt of his blade once again. Ritz got up slowly.

'Damn. He left no openings...'

She mentally kicked herself for thinking her speed would be able to prevail. Marche's Defender was a well developed offensive and defensive weapon. Just because her rapier was smaller and lighter didn't mean she would have been able to penetrate his defenses so easily. She returned to her fighting stance again.

'She'll probably want to aim for a counter attack...only one way to find out...'

Marche thought as he took the offensive, thrusting forward with his sword. Ritz jump on to the flat of his blade before jumping behind him to launch a counter attack. Marche turned quickly to strike but did not expect her to attack as she did. While he was in the middle of turning, Ritz tossed her sheath at him, catching him in the side of the head, before it rebounded off him and landed back into her hand. While Marche was momentarily stunned, she came forward quickly with a flurry of quick thrusts at Marche's mid section. Marche had quickly switched his sword from his right to left hand and brought it up to defend her onslaught of thrusts. Marche drove her back with his weight, moving his sword upwards to send Ritz staggering. Marche then quickly came forward and kicked off her, rebounding off her body and into the air with a back flip. Marche came down hard with his blade, as Ritz narrowly escaped his attack with a quick side roll as his blade impaled the ground she had just been on. As he began taking his blade out if the ground upon his landing, Ritz took the initiative.

"Whoa."

Marche barely said as he got his sword out just in time to block more of her incoming thrusts. Ritz jumped back quickly, knowing it was futile to attack him while he defended. When Marche lowered his guard, she once again tossed her sheath at him. Marche simply struck upwards, sending the sheath up in the air.

'Where is she...?'

Marche thought as he had hit the sheath upwards. Ritz had disappeared. Marche's eyes widened in shock as he looked up in the sky where he hit the sheath up to. Ritz had already grabbed it in mid air and was almost on top of him as her a thrust closed in on his head. Marche brought up his sword slightly, letting Ritz's rapier strike the pommel. The rapier began to bend against the pommel, considering it was a flexible weapon. Marche used Ritz's mid air momentum to his advantage, as he shifted his weight ad moved the sword out of the way, allowing Ritz's rapier to go free as it passed right by his left shoulder. While she was still airborne, however, Ritz was roughly grabbed around the neck by Marche as he pushed forward. He quickly swung his arm down, intent on slamming down Ritz on the ground with a rough throw. Ritz, however, recovered and made sure she landed on her feet just before her back was about to hit the ground. Marche's throw still jarred her legs, but her position was a lot less vulnerable now then it might have been if she did land on her back.

'He's outlasting me...'

Ritz thought as she jumped to a further distance between her and Marche as she began to breath a little harder than usual. She had been making most of the offensive moves with little success. Marche would simply defend and then counter attack, or if he did take the offensive, he made sure not to leave himself open to counter attacks and if he did, he would simply counter attack any counter attacks attempted on him. She felt disgusted with herself. She had trained diligently for this fight she knew would inevitably come, and yet it was all for nothing. Marche had her cornered, and she couldn't do anything. This is what she hated the most. Even with all her efforts, Marche proved to be out of her grasp, and she couldn't stop him from doing what he felt was right. She saw Marche lower his sword and stand up right from his fighting position.

"Do you understand now Ritz? You want to keep up this dream, right? I can't let it continue, though. Soon it will be time to wake up."

Marche said as he turned his back to her. Ritz glared at his back, her anger flaring.

"Don't turn away, this battle hasn't ended yet!"

She shouted towards him. She heard him sigh.

"No, it is finished. As unfortunate as it is, you never stood a chance against me. I'm sorry Ritz, but I won't continue in something so pointless..."

Marche was interrupted by her.

"This is not pointless. This battle will decide if we keep dreaming or if we wake up! Now face me, Marche, or I'll never let you pass here."

Ritz stated firmly. Marche let out another sigh.

"Ritz...you want to stay here because your accepted, right? Because your not insulted for due to the color of your hair, right? Yet, how can you expect to be accepted seriously if you can't even accept yourself?"

Marche asked her. Ritz opened her mouth to retort but no words left her lips. Marche continued talking to her since she remained silent.

"So what if your natural hair color is white. So what if you were made fun of for it. Having different traits to both body and mind, that's what makes all people unique. More times than not, the reason your made fun of is probably out of envy than hatred. Regardless, if you let others words make you hate yourself, and never want to face reality, your simply allowing yourself to give in to them. I know that's not the person you want to be, Ritz. First and foremost, you want to be your own person. Think about what I just said, okay?"

Marche asked her. Ritz kept her head bowed. Marche put his sword against his shoulder. He gestured for the rest of his clan to come along as he passed by Ritz. Once they got to the hill, Shara and the rest of Ritz's clan blocked their way.

"Do you want us to participate in an Engage, Ritz? We may have a chance that way..."

Shara began but she was interrupted.

"Let them pass."

Ritz said simply, not turning to face the rest of her clan. Once his clan passed Ritz's, Marche lingered back a bit.

"I know we haven't been friends for a long time Ritz, neither in this world or our own, so I can't say for sure since I haven't seen it with my own eyes...but, I'm sure your white hair is very beautiful, especially in the winter season."

Marche said before walking off. Ritz had turned around to peer at his retreating form suddenly when he said that. She could feel the slight stinging sensation of tears welling up in her eyes.

'Marche...'

------

Amber / Royal Valley, Entrance to Ancient Castle

"Amazing."

Was the only word Marche could use to describe the remains of the Ancient Castle. It seemed to be in remarkably good shape for being so old.

"In ancient times, or so I heard, this place was built as a symbol of the previous prosperity and peace within the Kingdom of Ivalice. I suppose it could be more accurately called a sanctuary rather than a separate palace all together."

Cid explained. Marche nodded.

"Mewt's got to be here. Let's hurry up."

Marche didn't get far, however.

"Looks like we have company."

Cloud stated as he brought forth his sword. Royal guards appeared and began gather near the end of the valley.

"It would be bad if they were to sandwich us between whatevers in the ruins and themselves. Me and Cid will head in to the Castle while the rest of you keep reinforcements busy."

Marche told the rest of his clan.

"Just go and save Mewt, kupo."

Montblanc said. Cid dismounted his chocobo and followed Marche as they headed further into the castle.

------

Deetey Plains

"So in the end, not even I could stop him..."

Ritz said as she walked through the tall grass.

"You don't sound very disappointed."

Shara told her. Ritz smiled.

"Marche was right. Even though I didn't think I was, I was still running away from my problems. I simply wanted to forget them but they'll never be gone if I don't make a stand. I always told myself that I would never be controlled by fear and anger, yet the moment I decided to change the color of my hair, I was giving in...giving in to all the insults. I wanted to be my own person but instead was hiding from being myself all along. If only I could have realized sooner..."

Ritz began, trailing off. Shara put a hand on Ritz's shoulder.

"It's better that you realize it in the end. In your world, the color of your hair's not permanent, right? You can just get it removed and then get back on track with becoming your own person again."

Shara told her reassuringly. Ritz nodded with a smile.

"Your right, Shara. All I need to do is get back on track again. Still...we should enjoy what little time we'll have left together, Shara. Marche will change the world to normal soon. In the beginning, I never thought so, but Marche has that power...the power to change the world. Until he does it though, I'll have to keep this dream up as much as possible until I wake up."

Ritz told her. Shara nodded.

"Agreed."

------

Ancient Castle, Forgotten Court yard

"So, both the Judge Master and Marche. You've both come a long way just to die."

Llednar said, as he stood up casually.

"Seems you've made your barrier four times stronger in my absence, as well as the rest of your power, I'm impressed."

Marche told him. Llednar smirked.

"Mother has already gauged your mysteriously acquired new powers and has adjusted mine accordingly, that's all."

Llednar said. Marche thought about this new information.

'In comparison to my true power...I'd say she only gauged a minuscule fraction of it. Llednar can't even comprehend how powerful I really am, but that's fine. For both this battle and possibly the Queen, I'm going to fight as just my normal self anyway, along with Cid.'

"I'm not worried Llednar. Your power is no concern of mine as long as the Judge Master is here."

Marche stated. Llednar's smirk widened slightly.

"Your wrong. No pathetic Law card can bind me down, not as long as I have this barrier. All Laws will be rendered powerless."

Llednar told them. Cid shook his head.

"While your right that no Law can affect you, your barrier itself has one weakness to it..."

Cid began as he pulled out a golden card.

"...and that is because your barrier is also a Law granted permanently. With this Anti-Law card, that Law dubbed FORTUNE will be removed, along with a great deal of your power. Your much closer to our level now."

Cid tossed the card at Llednar's feet where, to both Marche and Llednar's surprise, it hit the ground with a faint clang. Small tremors shook the slight foundation of the remaining court yard, before a brilliant wave of golden light bathed the sky and room gold for a brief moment.

"Damn you, Judge Master...you were the last person I expected to actually use an Anti-Law card. Even if my powers have weakened, I'll still eliminate you two..."

Llednar said while grasping two sabers in each hand.

"...Prepare yourselves."

Llednar brought his swords to his sides and waited. Cid drew his own massive blade as both he and Marche circled Llednar slowly. Cid struck first as he dashed towards Llednar's back. Llednar evaded the vertical slashed aimed at him by jumping to the side, then brought his blades up to defend against a ramming blow from Marche. Llednar staggered back a bit, his body not used to his down grade in power. Llednar kept up the defense as Cid followed up Marche's attack with a vicious swing of his blade that sent Llednar off balance as he staggered back even more. Cid followed up with a thrust, but Llednar recovered quickly and jumped up to evade the blow, landing on the blunt surface of Cid's blade.

"Damn...!"

Was all Cid muttered as Llednar crossed his blades over to attack with a scissor like slash that would have surely severed Cid's head off had the Judge Master not reacted quickly and brought his armor clad fore arm to block the blow as it came just a few centimeters to piercing the flesh of his neck. Llednar was left defenseless and stunned as Marche jumped over from behind Cid to land a massive blow to Llednar's chest with the hilt of his sword that sent the young man flying backwards to land roughly on his back as he hit the ground. Llednar had trouble getting up, as his body was introduced to physical pain for the first time. He grunted hoarsely as he shakily brought himself up, coughing up blood and letting it spatter to the ground. Llednar's breathing was ragged as his lungs painfully filled back up with air.

"D...damn you...J...J...Judge Ma....Master...if only y...you didn't use that...c...card..."

Llednar felt pain erupt from his chest as he spoke brokenly.

"Your just like a new born, Llednar...your not used to being human...there would be no point in continuing."

Marche said. Llednar growled.

"Even if I wanted to stop, I can't disobey orders...Mother will never allow me to let you pass without giving my life for it."

Llednar told him, his voice still laced with pain.

"If I told you I had the power to free you from the Queen's control...to give you your own life...would you let me?"

Marche asked him. Both Cid and Llednar eyed him strangely.

"You don't have that kind of power, Marche Radiuju. Besides...why would you do that for the one who killed you? I'm just like the Divine Beasts, a creation meant to keep this world going. Even if you could save me, what would be the point when your trying so hard to return to this other world of yours?"

Llednar asked him.

"Mr. Randell has already explained to me that your body was originally created for use as a Divine Beast, but the Queen made a grave mistake when she created you. She decided to use Mewt's violent nature to make you, and because she left it unchecked, it has been allowed to be influenced and manifest itself into something greater. Your no longer the Divine Beast you think you are. Your just like Me, Mewt, Doned, and Ritz now. You've unknowingly become other worldly like us. Even if you are only able to take orders from the Queen, she does not control the growth of your personality. Your not just her creation now, you've physically and mentally have become her son, the son of the Cid Randell as well, and Mewt's real younger brother."

Marche explained to him. Llednar couldn't believe what he was hearing. Cid was left in a state of shock. Llednar may be bound to follow orders like the Divine Beasts, but he was no longer one of them.

"You lie...you lie, Marche Radiuju..."

Llednar said with growing fury, but there was a slight change in his voice. A change that came from doubt.

"Do I? Are your new found emotions not proof enough? Had the violent persona of Mewt not manifested and expanded into something greater, you would not be able to truly experience or convey other emotions that don't deal with hating me for what I'm doing."

Marche explained to him. Llednar lowered his head, torn between two choices. Marche could very well have been lying to him, but as Marche said also, Llednar should not be able to fully covey an emotion such as surprise , doubt and fear. All he would have been able to feel is loathing, bitterness, and anger towards Marche brought on by the violent side of Mewt.

"Fine...if what your saying is true, then yes, I'll accept your help. But, it won't be until after I've carried out my final order from mother. Once that's done, I'll let you free me from what controls my body."

Llednar said as he prepared to fight again.

"Tell me something, Marche. How long did you know Llednar was no longer a Divine Beast?"

Cid asked

"The moment I used my hidden power to get free of the Omega Crush, I knew. When we first met in the desert, Llednar gave off the presence of a Divine Beast. The more we fought, however, the more and more it felt as if I was facing Mewt and a Divine Beast. That was because of the violent persona of Mewt that was implanted into Llednar's created body. When we fought in the palace, it still felt like Mewt and the Divine Beast. It was the moment that I broke through the Omega Crush, I felt Mewt's surprise in Llednar for the first time, and felt it affect Mewt himself as well. That was when the Divine Beast presence began to fade from Llednar's body and be replaced with something else, but I couldn't pinpoint what that something else was because they teleported from the Castle remains. Now that were fighting here, I have been able to pinpoint that it was in fact the Violent persona of Mewt expanding and creating a separate presence. One no doubt created for Llednar himself, although he wasn't even aware of it either until now. If the Queen knew about this, she either decided not to bother with it or simply let it happen because she didn't know it existed. The presence of Llednar that was created by Mewt's violent side is still weak, however, and needs support from it in order to keep Llednar's physical body alive."

Marche explained.

"I see...so I have yet another son who I wasn't even aware was my son until now."

Cid said softly.

"We've wasted enough time, Mr. Randell. Let's do this and get you and Llednar to Mewt."

Marche stated. Cid nodded.

"Agreed."

The three battled in earnest now. Llednar knew that he wouldn't be able to take on the combined might of both Marche and his father, Cid, but he decided to follow his last orders for his mother and battle anyway. The sound of metal against metal clanged and echoed about the court yard. Llednar fought as hard as he could with his lesser powers, but was taken down easily none the less. Llednar now lay on the ground, breathing heavily as his body began to adjust more and more to the physical pain.

"It hurts..."

Llednar said in a tired tone.

"It won't help much, but you should take this potion to ease your discomfort, my son."

Cid said as he kneeled down to cradle Llednar's head and get him to drink from the vial of blue liquid Cid produced from the folds of his cape.

"Listen Llednar, I'm going to suppress Mewt's violent persona. With it being suppressed, the Queen won't be able to control you. She won't be able to even sense you because your own new presence is still so weak. Once we reach Mewt, I'm going to remove Mewt's presence from you and give it back to him. After that I'm going to keep you from dying on me and speed up the process of your presence so it can make you your own person, alright?"

Marche asked Llednar after he explained his plan. Llednar nodded.

"Do it quickly. Mother can read my thoughts whenever she wants to. If she finds out what I'm doing, she may terminate my existence by removing Mewt's persona."

Llednar told him. Marche simply nodded as he kneeled down besides Llednar and placed his left palm on Llednar's fore head. Marche closed his eyes, allowing himself to become the ancient Ramza once more. Ramza instilled a powerful ancient suppression spell over Mewt's violent persona and sealed it to prevent the Queen from removing it if she decided to because Llednar was switching sides. A red aura emanated from Ramza's palm and washed over Llednar briefly before dissipating. Marche allowed himself to take over once more as he opened his eyes to stare at Llednar. Both he and Cid helped Llednar to his feet. Llednar looked at his hand, and began to clench and unclench his fist as if experimentally.

"It feels different..."

Llednar said, trailing off. Marche nodded.

"Yeah, it should. The spell suppresses the persona but allows it to still support your true presence now. It will also feel that way when the persona is removed from you as well."

Marche told him.

"I see..."

Llednar said. With the effect of the spell in place, Llednar voice sounded genuinely calm, much different from his deadpan or arrogant tone of voice he had before.

"We should get going."

Cid stated. Marche and Llednar nodded as the three made their way deeper into the Castle ruins.

------

Ancient Castle, ruins of Throne Room

"I can no longer sense Llednar. I guess he's disappeared, then...?"

Remedi said as she peered at Marche and Cid as they came into the Throne Room. It was mostly caved in and a large statue, most likely a sign of the kingdom's prosperity and fallen from the ceiling.

"No, mother, I'm right here."

Llednar said as he came forward. Remedi looked at him carefully.

"What has happened to you? Why is it I can see you but not sense your presence at all?"

Remedi asked, her voice a bit surprised.

"It's there, mother, but it's too weak at the moment."

Llednar told her.

"Your one of the Totema, but why can't I sense that power within you now? What has happened to it?"

Remedi asked. Marche shook his head.

"Llednar's no longer one of the Divine Beasts. Surely you must have felt the change in him, of the Divine Beast being replaced...?"

Marche said.

"That's impossible. There is no way it can be replaced."

Remedi stated. Marche narrowed his eyes.

"It would seem my ability to sense out these changes is sharper than your own. You can't even sense Llednar at all while I can, as small as it is at the moment. Now where is Mewt? Let me see him."

Marche asked her.

"How is it that Llednar is still able to live if he doesn't have my son's dark side within him?"

Remedi questioned, ignoring Marche's request.

"It's still there, except I've put a spell over it temporarily so you wouldn't be able to control him. Now Let me see Mewt!"

Marche requested yet again.

"He doesn't want to see you. You've made him lose enough already, Marche Radiuju."

Remedi said. Marche shook his head.

"Your wrong. He hasn't lost anything."

Marche retorted. Remedi shook her head.

"This world...is nothing more than illusions. No matter how much you think you've got something, in reality, you really haven't gotten anything. You can't accept this simply because you desire something. A house hold without fighting, where you and your brother have loving parents to support you and each other...and power. In this world...that is who you are, your true identity. Am I wrong?"

Remedi asked him. Marche lowered his head.

"Regardless if that's what I desire most of all...that doesn't prove anything of who I am."

Marche told her. Remedi lifted her head to peer at the statue.

"Mewt, what do you want to do, sweetie? Mama's on your side. Whatever you want, I'll do it for you."

She said. Mewt's voice echoed around the room.

"Mama...I..."

Marche heard the voice and began looking around.

"Mewt, where are you?!"

A light appeared on the outstretched palm of the statue, before it materialized into a ghostly image of Mewt.

"MEWT!!"

Cid yelled, but the image of Mewt ignored him.

"Do you want Mama to go away?"

Remedi asked softly.

"N...noooo...I don't want to leave you Mama...I don't want to be alone ever again..."

The image then flickered and vanished. Marche rushed over to the large statue.

"MEWT!!"

He yelled out. Remedi teleported in front of him and extended her arm out, pushing Marche back with an invisible force. Marche went flying back head first, but back flipped to land up right on the ground.

"Stand down. This is Mewt's wish."

Remedi said, her tone firm. Cid came forward slightly, as if something just occurred to him.

"Remedi...are you an expression of Mewt's will?"

He asked her. Remedi's eyes began to flicker with a strange light.

"I am she who materializes desires. I exist because of Mewt's strong desires to have me here. Although it's faint, his desires are still strong enough that I am still needed."

She said.

"I can't argue with what your telling me. Regardless, don't expect to be able to escape into those hopes..."

Marche said lowly.

"GET LOST!!!"

He roared, letting his voice echo around the large room. Remedi raised her hand as five eerie black portals opened up from the ground.

"The Divine Beast? But how?"

Cid asked.

"These are just dolls who have the power of the Divine Beasts within them. They're just like the originals, but have no actual mind."

Remedi stated.

"The three of us against these dolls...it will be very tough without my power..."

Llednar said. Cid turned to him.

"This may help."

Cid said as he pulled out another golden card and used it. Llednar was in awe.

"You reversed the Anti-Law?"

He asked Cid, who shook his head.

"No. Me and the Anti-Law Specialist, Ezel, created that Law card to assist Marche by performing a similar effect as your FORTUNE Law bestowed upon you by the Queen. It will restore most of your power, but you can't use your barrier, since the Anti-Law used on you was so powerful."

Cid explained. Llednar shrugged.

"Well, it's better than being left too vulnerable to these dolls."

He said as he brought forth his sabers.

"Can you two handle them? I'll go after the Queen."

Marche told them.

"Go ahead. The two of us will watch your back."

Cid said to him. Marche nodded.

"Good luck."

He said before turning his attention to Remedi.

'This is it. Even if they take on those dolls, I'll bet the Queen can summon up more of them from those portals to overwhelm us. All I need to do is beat her...'

Marche thought with grim determination as he brought his blade forward. He knew that he could probably totally eliminate her but because it was Mewt's wish to have her here, He would have to find a way to let Mewt accept that he wouldn't need her anymore.

'Once I'm able to save Mewt...only one more enemy to go through...the very one who is the mastermind behind this whole incident...Delita...'

Marche shook his head to free himself of any more thoughts. He charged at Remedi, bringing his sword back. Remedi held out her palm, sending out a force of invisible energy which distorted the air itself. Marche swayed right to evade the wave of energy as it blew right past him, already having seen it before. Remedi sent another wave out, which Marche evaded by spinning to the left, plunging his sword into the ground to create a giant fissure in the stone floor that was sent in Remedi's direction. She simply evaded to the left to evade the offending attack, but it had served it's purpose as a distraction, and Marche had already jumped high into the air to attack her from above. With a flick of her arm, Remedi erected a barrier to guard against Marche as he came down on her with a powerful thrust, but the barrier held and knocked Marche back. While Marche was still airborne, Remedi attacked him again, but Marche brought his sword in front of him to block the attack. Marche was knocked back, but landed safely back on the ground.

"Here, catch."

Marche said as he brought his left arm back, generating a sphere of electricity in his palm and throwing it at her direction. Remedi was about to knock it out of the air, but Marche came quickly and slashed upward against the sphere, causing it to explode into a blade of lightning as it continued in the surprised Remedi's direction. She barely had time to bring up a barrier as the projectile came at her at an incredible rate. Remedi staggered back as both forces crashed into one another. Marche remained relentless in his attack as he charged at her again to deliver a wide sweeping slash as her midsection. Remedi barely side stepped out of harms way as she once again swung her arm out to raise a barrier, which she soon expanded to push Marche back, but Marche would have none of it as he formed a sphere of flame and threw it against the barrier. Before the ball of fire could fully dissipate against the barrier, Marche struck it with the pommel of his sword, making Remedi's barrier work against her as he made it reverse directions as it transformed into a wall of fire.

"Your tricks are very useful, Marche Radiuju, but they only serve to annoy me."

Remedi said as she erected yet another barrier to cancel out Marche's attack.

'I've got to find a way to get to Mewt again, but how do I get past her without relying on my hidden power? I have to use it as little as possible...'

His train of thought was interrupted as he heard Llednar behind him.

"Marche, duck!"

Marche did as he was instructed as Llednar sent an Omega Crush at Remedi as he left Cid to distract the rest of the Divine Beast duplicates. The Divine Beast duplicates began to disappear, and the three knew the attack had been successful in stopping Remedi from keeping them conjured up. When Llednar's attack dissipated, Remedi was leaning heavily against the statue. She glared at Llednar.

"Such an ungrateful child..."

She said. Llednar was about to say something, but Mewt reappeared suddenly in front of all of them, no longer just an image but the real Mewt.

"Mewt, so your finally here. I've come to see you."

Marche said as he walked closer to him. Cid also walked up closer.

"Mewt, your safe."

Cid said to him. Mewt seemed to ignore both of them.

"I don't want to be bullied anymore...hold on, Papa...Mama...I don't want to be alone anymore..."

Mewt said pitifully. Marche came closer.

"Mewt, your not alone, and you don't need to feel that way anymore. You have a younger brother now, and you have me, Doned and Ritz. Please, let us be your strength. Let's go home together."

Marche told him. Mewt's eyes widened, as if hearing Marche for the first time.

"I can hear you Marche...but I can't...I just can't..."

Mewt said vaguely. Marche lowered his head.

"You can't comprehend anything outside this world in your state because your only half complete. Let me help you."

For the third time since having been fully complete, Ramza emerged once more. He knew what had to be done and concentrated to complete the task at hand. He would use his power to make Mewt whole again and make Llednar a totally separate person all together. Both Mewt and Llednar were engulfed in a golden spiral of light. From Llednar's pillar came a red glowing sphere of light, the persona of violent nature that was half of Mewt's spirit. It traveled towards Mewt's pillar. Once the persona was reabsorbed into Mewt, the pillar of light encasing him vanished. Llednar's spiral stayed a bit longer as Ramza made his soul grow and mature fully to support the body, and with it being complete, Llednar would be made whole. Once the entire transaction had been complete, Marche allowed himself to replace Ramza. Both Mewt and Llednar felt a feeling that was similar to Ramza's. A feeling of total completeness.

"Well, Mewt, are you ready to return home?"

Marche asked. Mewt looked to Marche than to the floor as if thinking about the answer.

"Marche...I understand what your saying...but I still want...if I start to think as you are now...this world will...!"

Remedi could sense the change in Mewt as he spoke. She could feel the many desires swirling about Mewt's head and voiced as such.

"I shall gather these desires and express them all. When this world was originally wished for, that power it merged with the original world of the same name, making them into one world."

Remedi said. The statue behind her began to crack as blue like started to emit from within it. Once the statue shattered completely, a large blue crystal took it's place. Remedi's form went transparent as she was absorbed within the crystal.

"What is that?"

Marche asked as he looked at it.

"Mama!"

Mewt shouted in surprise Cid came forward and put a hand on Mewt's shoulder.

"That is no longer Remedi. It must be a symbol of both the wish to escape and the wish to remain. If that's the case then perhaps...this world is just a composite creation of every person's wishes and intentions."

Cid said to him. Marche kept his eyes glued to the Crystal.

"A composite of all the world's wishes...with it's destruction, we'll be able to return to the real world, but..."

Marche was puzzled by something as he trailed off.

'It would be just too easy to destroy this crystal and return...what?!'

Marche thoughts were interrupted as the Crystal began to fade and disappear.

"Finally the desire to escape this world had been made. Now only one more thing is required to leave and conquer that other world..."

A voice spoke throughout the entire room. Marche's eyes narrowed.

'Delita...'

"We should get out of here. That Crystal has been taken elsewhere."

Marche told Cid, Mewt, and Llednar.

"Who's voice was that?"

Cid wondered. Marche shook his head.

"It doesn't matter. There's nothing left for us to do here. Let's go"

Marche stated as he turned and left the room.

------

Entrance to Ancient Castle

"WHAT IS THIS THING?!!"

Marche heard someone say.

'Sounds like Rooty...what's going on out there?'

Marche thought as he made a mad dash through the front gate along with the other three with him. What greeted his eyes was not something he had expected. A large red dragon like creature with almost butterfly like wings and a massive horn adorned on it's fore head had just snatched Rooty into it's jaws and tossed him into a cage that was strapped on it's back. Marche could see quite a few residence of Ivalice already held captive in the cage. The dragon took off quickly to the air with it's massive amount of passengers to go in the north east direction.

"What's going on here?"

Marche asked as he saw Cloud run up to him, not having been held captive by the dragon.

"That was a Neo Bahamut. We saw many fly through the sky and one landed here. They were not trying to hurt anyone, only capture them. That last one already has the rest of our clan. For what reason they are capturing the residence of this world is unknown to me."

Cloud explained to him. Marche looked towards the sky as that last Neo Bahamut form became nothing more than a dot flying through the air as it got further and further away.

'They must be heading for the Zeltenian island that Montblanc spoke about so long ago. What does Delita want with the entire residence of this Ivalice though?'

Marche thought.

"Here comes another one!"

Llednar warned. The Neo Bahamut landed with tremendous force, kicking up a cloud of dust in its landing. The dragon moved swiftly and already caught Cid and tossed him into the cage on its back.

"Mewt, look out!"

Marche shouted to him as the Neo Bahamut made a lunge for him. Mewt barely evaded but the attempt was still in vain. The Neo Bahamut swerved it's head towards Mewt's retreating form and caught him, also sending him in the cage.

"BROTHER!!"

Llednar roared as he drew his saber and brought it up over his head. Marche grabbed his wrist mid swing.

"Don't use your Omega Crush. You may end up hitting the innocent as well."

Marche told him. Llednar lowered his sword and cursed.

"Damn it..."

Llednar said lowly as he lowered his head. He soon felt himself pushed by Marche as the dragon's head came between them. The Neo Bahamut seemed to take note of Llednar's surprise at the unexpected push and swiftly grabbed for him and tossed him into the cage as well. It turned it's attention to Marche and Cloud now.

"Clever. Even with so many people in that cage, the Neo Bahamut keeps itself moving to prevent anyone from trying to escape."

Cloud muttered as he drew his sword. Marche also brought his sword out in a defensive position.

"We can't let that thing catch us and put us in a cage with a bunch people scared out of their mind. We've got to free them somehow."

Marche said to Cloud.

"We may be able to use it to get to whoevers behind this attempt at stealing all the races of this Ivalice. We have to capture it some how."

Cloud said. Marche simply nodded.

"What do you suggest?"

Marche asked, but Cloud shrugged his shoulders, indicating that he had no idea how himself. The two swiftly evaded the dragon's jaws as it attempted to catch them and counter attacked in hopes of knocking out the massive monster bit the armor scales of it's head prevented their attempts at being successful. After a while the Neo Bahamut seemed to be getting bored and took off to the air just like the one that landed here before it, and flew away.

"Oh no! It's getting away!"

Marche told Cloud. Marche ran after the retreating form of the dragon but stopped, knowing it would be in vain. Marche hit the ground with his fist.

"Damn it all! What are you planning, Delita?"

TBC

Note: This chapter is even longer than the previous one. Well, two more chapters to go until this story is completed. This chapter reaches the point where the original FFTA should have ended in case anyone is wondering. I apologize for cutting most of the action short for this one, but a lot of story had to be put into it so I hope no one minds too much. I was also having a dilemma of whether I should follow the original FFTA story and let Llednar get killed, or alter it with something else. As you readers already know, I did decide to go with the latter and decided to alter that part of the story. It took a long time to think up a good reason on how to keep Llednar alive and kicking, but hopefully it wasn't too confusing and if it was confusing, I'm sorry for that. I just couldn't think of any other way to save him. I guess that part of the chapter is also dedicated to Feral Claws, seeing as she has stuck up with this story the most. Well it's almost come to an end, if anyone can believe that. I doubt the last two chapters will be nearly as long as this one and the seventeenth chapter, but they should still be lengthy enough. Well until then, See Ya.