"I still can't believe you actually came to us for help!" Cinna exclaimed as he eyed the knight.

"Yea, a few years ago you would've died before choosing to be around peoplelike us." Blank added, looking down at his ale.

"Ever since my time of traveling with Zidane, I've been forced to… reevaluate the way that I judge people." Steiner replied, not looking up from his own large mug that was nearing empty.

"What do you mean?" Marcus asked, swirling what was left of his ale in the bottom of his mug.

The four men were seated around an old oak table of a small bar nestled in the poor district of Alexandria. It was the type of bar Steiner wouldn't have dared step foot in a couple years prior, with most of its patrons being of the lower class and few of them having jobs then even resembled something legal, but even that no longer bothered him.

"I had always thought that it was our upbringing that made us who we are." Steiner took another deep swig of his ale. "but now I've learned that it isn't always true. I no longer believe are born good or bad. Instead, I think people should be judged based on their actions and intentions. Much of the lower class are simply trying to survive the best way they know how and even thieves such as yourselves can sometimes be noble enough to even be considered knights. Then there are others born wealthy that pretend to be noble and in truth conspire in the vilest of acts."

"Damn, you really have changed." Marcus commented, spreading butter on a piece of toast.

"You're gonna make me tear up." Cinna added, wiping his eye.

A waitress approached the table asking the group if they would like a refill on any of their drinks, but she was quickly dismissed. They all agreed that they had had more than enough. Despite the situation and the stress that had been building to a boiling point, none of them could afford to be hungover in the morning.

"I still feel that I should not have left the castle… what if I could have stopped them from capturing Beatrix? And Her Highness…"

"Hey, don't be so hard on yourself." Blank comforted. "There's nothing you could have done by yourself except end up in that damned cell beside her."

"That doesn't stop me from feeling like a coward." He sighed. "Beatrix had suspected the council of such treachery for months now, but as I have so often done In the past, I refused to believe what was right in front of me. Had I just listened to her and ignored the council's orders, Her Majesty would still be safe and Beatrix would not be in this situation."

"I's serious, If THE Beatrix couldn't do anything, what do you really think you could have done?" Marcus offered.

"Besides if you're right about what you saw then I'm sure Dagger is safe anyway." Blank added, tearing off a piece of bread as well, having eyed Marcus devouring his. "But are you sure it was him?"

"I am certain." Steiner replied, frowning at his own meagre meal consisting of a stew filled with dark colored meat. "He was much different than I last saw him, but I saw his tail when he tranced, and I do not believe anyone else would have defended Her Majesty in such a way."

"Then they gotta be somewhere, we won't stop till we find them!" Cinna smiled

"I only hope that you are right." Steiner replied, finally looking up at the others. "As much as it pains me, reason dictates that there is nothing I can do to help Her Majesty and can only hope that she truly is safe somewhere with Zidane. However, I could not live with myself if I stood by and did nothing while Beatrix is executed for a crime she would never commit."

"And that's where we come in." Blank nodded to him. "We're gonna do our best to make sure it doesn't happen, but it sure as hell won't be easy."

"I still do not understand how we will even begin accomplish such a feat." Steiner spread his hands pleadingly. Blank was sure he was the only one who noticed the older man shaking.

"We'll get her back." Blank said quietly. "We can do this; You're just gonna have to make one hell of a distraction."

Steiner chuckled humorlessly. "That should not be too difficult, I am a wanted man now after all." He shook his head and drank the last of his ale. "I spent almost all my life serving the law and abiding by it. I hated anyone that didn't do the same. Now it seems they want my head more than any criminal I've ever stopped. I don't suppose breaking more laws now woud make any difference. If it will help free my wife, I will do whatever needs to be done."

"I can see why the boss likes you." Marcus laughed, easing the tension in the room. "Can we get some more bread over here? Don't forget the butter!"

….

Dawn broke over the clay rooftops that lined the edge of Alexandria as guards began to assemble the gallows in the town square. Executions were normally done quietly behind the castle if the prisoners weren't simply left to rot away inside the dungeon. However, the newly crowned king Edrick Braxton the 1st, had personally requested that this execution be one that all of the city witnessed, so that all might know what happened to the likes of traitors of Alexandria.

The news that Queen Garnet was dead came as a shock to everyone as she had quickly become beloved by many, if not all, of the lower and middle class. A great number of people who had for decades resented the throne had found new hope in the young queen, but that hope was dashed as the morning paper had quickly circulated the city the day after the banquet.

"Queen Garnet Til Alexandros the 16th Assassinated, General Beatrix to blame"

The news that the general had committed the treason that lead to the death of the queen had come as a shock for most, but others recalled the many crimes she had committed under the rule of Queen Brahne and felt that it came as little surprise. Either way, it was an event that no one wanted to miss. Most shops did not open that morning except for a select few that wished to capitalize on the fact that many in soon to be large crowd would no doubt be hungry or thirsty.

As the crowds slowly began to trickle into the town square that morning awaiting the prisoner's arrival, a cloaked man dismounted tiredly from his chocobo and helped his partner step down before tethering their bird to a nearby post. Chocobos were generally to be left sheltered at the stables, and while there was a chance someone would attempt to steal the bird from the almost deserted slums, it was a chance they felt had to be taken.

"There's no going back if we mess this up, is there?" The quiet question was asked with no answer expected or given. He watched from the corner of his eye while double checking his gear as she ran her hand delicately along its neck, silently bidding the bird goodbye if things went sourly.

Being careful not to attract the attention of the numerous guards that now patrolled the city, the pair made their way down the alley that housed Ruby's mini theater. Apparently there had been quite a bit of drinking the night before and they watched as three different patrons stumbled up the stairs and down the alley. The men paid no heed to the two figures standing against the stone walls of the alleyway until finally they passed out of sight. "We have to be careful." The man commented, pointing to a wanted poster with his face on it. His partner nodded solemnly in agreement, her face stone serious. He began to walk away but hesitated after a few steps, only to turn back and rip the poster from its rusty nail. She smiled at having guessed him correctly but said nothing as they adjusted their cloaks and slowly pushed their way into the now large crowd.

They had one chance. Either they succeeded, or they would end up on the gallows right beside her. If they weren't killed on the spot that is. Part of him doubted that they had a chance in hell of pulling it off, so many things could go wrong, but as he felt her squeeze his hand in reassurance he felt better.

…

Beatrix groaned weakly, covering her eyes as light flooded into the dungeon. The sound of metal boots coming down the stairs pounded into her senses. So, this was it then? She wondered.

"Well… I think we both know why I'm here. Wouldn't you say so Beatrix?" Braxton drawled, squatting in front of her cell. She made no reply to him, but with a groan pushed herself into a sitting position. She no longer cared or paid attention to his words directed to her. At the moment she just wanted to be rid of her cell, even if it only meant walking to the gallows. The last night had been spent thinking about all the things she missed the most. She missed the mundane walks around the castle at night, making security was uptight and keeping the poor excuses for guards in check. She missed the conversations shared with the young queen as she tended to her duties long into the night. Sometimes they were serious matters, other times lighthearted banter to ease the stress of the day. She even missed the way prisoners would yell in protest as she walked down the stone corridor between cells which was now only a few feet away. Mostly however, She missed Steiner.

The loud boisterous man had quickly grown on her in ways she hadn't expected. She had at first thought him a bumbling oaf who had been poorly chosen for his position as captain, barely better than the misfits he commanded. However, had proven to be the opposite of her first impression. Quiet and thoughtful a great deal of the time, it was both surprising and humbling. More than that, he saw her as a person. He was able to look past the many scars she wore from her years of service and through the many layers of both physical and mental armor that she had trouble shedding to the woman underneath. If he had asked her to marry him a few years ago, she would have laughed at him and called him a fool, now she often felt that it her that was not worthy but was thankful that not all things were measured by your worth and despite her current situation, being dragged up the steps and into the morning light on the day of her execution, she felt her heart warm at the thought of her husband along with something else..

Was it hope? It had been so long since she had had any. Ever since the day she had slaughtered the Bermecians and Cleyrans alike, the faces of her victims had haunted her every night that she closed her eyes. "What have I done?" She asked herself again and again. Steiner had tried to comfort her, insisting that she had merely been following orders and that he would have likely done the same in her position. But he hadn't, had he? She reasoned. It had been her. Even knowing that she kept her sword and uniform spotless, she would often look down at it expecting the blood to still be there. How many had she killed with that blade? Most days she was able to bear the pain of it, but at night the seams of her confidence would come unglued and the memories felt as fresh as the day they happened. No matter how hard she tried, it seemed her failures quickly follows and as she was dragged closer to the gallows with two guards on either side, she couldn't find it in herself to resist. Weakened as she was, she could have probably still pulled loose of the guards and have made a run for it, but a part of her felt that maybe this was the judgement she needed. This day, all of the crimes she had committed and all of her failings would be brought to justice.

Hands tied behind her back, she stood stoically and with as much dignity as she could muster. She had accepted this fate, but if it was the one she was to suffer she would not give Braxton the pleasure of seeing her broken any longer. She would stand tall and face it head on as Steiner had always done. Steiner…

"Welcome all!" Braxton greeted the crowd as he climbed the wooden stairs of the platform that was almost head high and had been constructed solely for her execution. It had been built big enough for him to pace back and forth in front of her as she stood over a trap door that would fall open once the pin had been released, ending her life with the tightening of a knot. Turning the platform into his own stage, Braxton greeted everyone as though it were an exciting festival.

"What a beautiful morning it is, would you not agree?" He asked loudly. The crowd roared in approval.

"The clouds overhead are beautiful… this town, this kingdom of ours and I dare say… You! All of you! Are such beautiful people! I am honored to be your rightful king!" The crowd roared again.

After the cheers had died down, he made a show of feigned remorse. "Unfortunately, we must not ignore that there is a stain that mars this day!" Motioning to Beatrix who continued to stare straight ahead, he continued. "Once the most trusted defender of the throne, She now stands before you a traitor! Not only is she responsible for the death of your beloved queen, but even after such a heinous crime she was not done! Oh no, She had plans in motion to deceive us all!". The crowd grew completely silent.

"What was this plan you ask?.." Braxton asked, lowering his voice for effect. "Why, she found another, not even of this kingdom, who just so happens to look almost identical to the late queen! Her dastardly plan was to bring forth this "Copy" and present this unknown woman as the queen in her stead!" There was a collective gasp from the audience. "This mystery woman would no doubt be an uneducated girl that she would have wittingly controlled from the shadows!" The crowd began to grow angry and Braxton grinned as one of the guards checked the soon to be late general's bindings.

From underneath the helmet Blank locked eyes with Beatrix. "I'm gonna cut the ropes, but you have to hold your legs and wrists tight so he doesn't notice." He hurriedly whispered.

As he watched the soldier from the corner of his eye, he thought it pointless to check her bindings with so many people nearby rallying in his favor but couldn't begrudge the soldier for wanting to be thorough. Maybe the poor clod deserved a promotion?

Looking out toward the crowd, he spread his arms. "So what say you!? Will we step aside and be the fools that this woman believes us to be by granting her freedom?.. or will we see justice this day and have her hanged as the traitor she is?!" He finished with a yell, almost breathless in his passion.

There was silence for a moment, then slowly but surely chants of "Hang her! Hang her!" began to fill the air slowly growing louder by the minute. "Damn it. I guess this is it.." The cloaked man muttered at the rear of the crowd, nodding to his companion. "Wait for my signal… its gonna be close, but I know you can do this." He reassured before slipping into the crowd toward Beatrix.

Braxton then turned back to Beatrix, who seemed to have a renewed interest in her surroundings. This puzzled him slightly, but it was far to late for a small bit of puzzlement to change anything. "You hear them, do you not? He asked, flashing a grin only she could see. "Do you have any last words for the good people of Alexandria?" He finished loudly. In a way, he hoped she would have the guile to finish her life with some sarcasm or other act of defiance. It would make for all the better of a show.

"I have nothing to say to you." She replied coldly then looked out over the crowd. "It is true that I have made many mistakes of which I can never atone for but it is HE, the one that has stolen the throne, that is the traitor!"

Braxton smiled, it had been exactly as he had hoped. "See the anger in her eyes! The fury of one that is controlled by the darkness within her! Even with her last breath, she would waste it only to try to deceive you once more! Fortunately I, your king, will see to it that you are not led astray!" He finished, smiling over the crowd.

"You're no more a king than the rats that dwell in the sewers!" A loud yell erupted from the rooftop of a nearby building. Braxton whipped around and gaped; Standing atop the clay roof was none other than Steiner still dressed in his captain's armor. The cloaked man looked up in surprise, but grinned as he recognized who it was. Maybe things wouldn't be too hard after all. Not wanting to waste the opportunity, he slipped further through the crowd getting within reach of the gallows.

"You!" Braxton yelled but composed himself quickly. "Adelbert Steiner! I figured that you would show up if you had not already fled! Have you come to finish what your traitorous wife started!?"

"It is you that will be finished!" Steiner yelled, not disputing the accusation of being a traitor.

"Do you think you will stop our plans by executing one of us?! The throne will be ours!" He looked down towards Beatrix and saw her staring up at him but was too far away to make out her expression. He hoped she would be alright.

"There he admitted it!" Braxton yelled at the crowd then directed his attention back to Steiner. "But do not take me for a fool, do you expect me to believe that you came here alone?"

"What do you mean?" Steiner asked anxiously.

Braxton smiled evilly. "Guards! Bring them!"

Steiner felt his heart sink as half a dozen guards wearing Treno armor marched forward pulling along a struggling Cinna and Marcus.

"Damn it." He breathed, feeling the confidence he had had slipping away. Beside Beatrix, Blank also cursed. How had he known?

"Criminals will conspire with criminals!" Braxton yelled up at him. "No longer are we the weak nation we once were! Only a fool would think that you would not try to stop the execution of you precious partner in crime! Guards, arrest him! Two traitors shall hang this day!"

From somewhere in the crowd, a short but shill whistle pierced the air. Braxton Quickly tried to see where the whistle had come from, knowing that it had to have been a signal for something but before he had time to dwell on it, horrified screams erupted from the crowd as a few happened to look up, the rest soon joining as fear consumed them.

In the night sky, high above them a giant ball of smoke and fire exploded, washing the streets and townsmen in a fiery red glow. The fire and smoke spread into a wave of red and orange hues fanning out across the clouds until a figure appeared that none of them had ever hoped to see again. Bahamut, in all of its fire and glory.

Screaming in fear, the townspeople tried to push and shove people out of the way desperate to at least get to the safety of their homes and families, but it was no use. The guards had sealed the gates to prevent an escape. Even Braxton stared up in awe at the great beast, momentarily forgetting about the execution.

Bahamut spiraled towards them, swooping back up and hanging over the town square as if calculating his prey. Time stood still as everyone was forced to watch as it opened its sharp toothed mouth revealing the flames behind its jaws."Gods!" Braxton exclaimed, taking a step back. He hadn't planned for this! The stories were true!

Just as he was sure that all of them were about to meet a fiery end, Bahamut closed his mouth and upon flapping his powerful wings, shot into the night sky until he disappeared behind the clouds. Braxton stood agape, hands shaking until he came to his senses. The prisoner! He quickly turned around but knew that she would be gone even before he saw the cut ropes laying on the trap door.

"Godsdammit all!" he screamed, his fear boiling into rage. With a grimace he turned toward the soldiers from Treno and saw that their prisoners had also escaped. Running a hand over his now sweaty hair, he tried to calm his breathing as he looked down the alley that moments before a cloaked man had carried his collapsed partner followed by an Alexandrian soldier and a disbelieving Beatrix.

"Well played, Garnet." He breathed. "Well played. Unfortunately for you, I am not so easily beaten."