MUWAHAHAHA! The final battle between Rinoa and Zell. Will she be able to slay the dragon? (wow that was corny). Well, who knows (I do), but the chapter that everyone has been dying to see.

Part Three: The Dragon

The Fist that Moves the Earth

Rinoa briskly walked up the steps. She didn't know if Zell was to be surprised or not at her victory. But she figured Zell was too afraid to actually face up. Rinoa intended on giving no mercy to this punk. Mainly because it wasn't hers to give. She was doing all of her loved ones a favor. This wasn't really her battle, but theirs. So she walked up the three flight of stairs, convinced that Zell deserved what he was about to get.

She pushed open the door at the top to arrive on the roof outside. She smelled the ocean air as high up as she was. The lights of the city beautified the streets. She could even see the communication tower in the distance. She looked around as the wind was pretty strong. Zell stood over the side of the building, looking down onto the streets.

"So, you beat everyone of them" He said, with a quiver in his voice.

"You bet, now it's your turn." Rinoa said.

"You're right, I deserve to die." Zell began to sob. He then stepped a foot over the edge of the building.

"I'm going to do it myself." He told her as he leaned in to fall.

Rinoa's eyes widened. She dashed with all her might to grab him by the collar of his robes. She pulled with all her might to pull the poor slob to safety.

"I am not letting you off that easily!" Rinoa was enraged.

"Why not? Just let me die in peace!" Zell fell into Rinoa's arms.

"Zell, you really weren't meant for this." She smiled and rubbed his hair and hugged him tightly.

"I didn't want to do it! I did it because Squall said I should! He told me you were just a sorceress and needed to be killed like the rest of them!" He sobbed uncontrollably in her bosom.

"Zell, I understand you didn't want to do it and I don't blame you for it." She hugged him tighter, rocking him gently.

"Really? Then why have you come here?" Zell looked into her face. She really was an angel.

"But I'm not the one who wants revenge from you. I'm here for all the people you killed. They want your blood." She looked at him, trying to be comforting.

He dried his eyes and summoned up his courage, "You're right. I did screw them over pretty badly. I deserve to die."

"Then fight me. But do it with all your might because I wanna make sure I kill you when you're trying to stay alive." She stood up and helped him up.

"You're on." He smiled.

They both walked to the center of the roof. Zell cracked his knuckles as he shook himself loose. Rinoa took a few deep breaths, ready to fight. They looked into each other eyes. She saw Zell's fire within his eyes. He was over his little "moment" with the blood of a killer rushing through his veins once more. They were both determined to walk out of this fight alive.

Zell nodded and rushed at her with his fists ready. Rinoa stayed calm and tried to find her center. But Zell was quick and strong. His fist swung at her, but she successfully dodged them. She tried to hit back, but his arms were already there to block them. He lifted his left fist and hit her in the chest. She flew back, gasping for air. He was really strong. She kicked herself up and jumped in the air to kick him. But he just grasped her foot and swung her to the ground. She rolled and then got up once again. Now, both of them tried to kick the other, but were only blocked each other with their legs. Rinoa went to punch him, but he just grabbed her fist and twisted her around. Her arm was behind her back and she was in pain. He smiled and then kicked her to the ground, letting her arm go. Rinoa was really frustrated. She took her Flying Phoenix stance and got around his fists to hit him square on the chin. He fell backwards a little, but steadied himself again. Rinoa waited for his next move. Zell just smiled. He took the Flaming Dragon stance. He lower arm began to making a serving motion before he slammed his other fist to the ground with tremendous force. Rinoa felt shock. The move that she had desperately tried all those years. Now Zell was going to show her how it was really done. Rinoa felt the ground shake. She felt the energy pulsating from Zell's body. It was coming for her. The energy erupted from Zell in the embodiment of flames. They began to spurt up from the ground, scorching whatever was in their path. Rinoa stood in place, amazed. The flames grew larger and charged at Rinoa. She screamed as she put her arms in front of herself to protect her. The flames engulfed her and burned brightly.

Zell chuckled, "Think I would teach a move like that just to hit your fist on the ground?"

He turned his back and began to walk off.

What's happening. Why aren't I dead? Why aren't the flames burning me? I don't feel anything except a little heat. What's this light? Why am I glowing?

The flames suddenly dispersed in a brilliant white light. Zell turned around, shocked. He didn't know any person who could survive that attack. But, Rinoa was floating, immersed in a white light. The flames were circling around her and then they disappeared.

"What the fuck?" Zell said queerly.

Rinoa landed softly on the ground. She pondered for a while with Zell about this. But she had to finish this now. She charged at him with all her strength. He just stared at her with a blank face. She bent down and clenched her right fist. She felt the strength and spirit of all those who he had killed. Their energy and hers were moving into her fist. The art of the Flaming Dragon was upon her. She jolted her fist into Zell's torso as he jerked up from the blow. A pause came before the rest of the energy caught up with punch and he flew into the air. He flew high in the sky before flying back down into the streets of Dollet. Rinoa collapsed on her knees from the lack of energy. She felt so weak, but so proud. She had avenged her loved ones at last.

Zell lie in the streets, bones broken, lungs filling with blood, mind slowly slipping.

She is what Squall said she was. But I wonder if she knows her true potential.

And then Zell finally closed his eyes.