*The next morning, Falos finds Thorn reading in one of the empty chambers.*
Falos: Excuse me, but the Queen requires us all in the Main Chamber.
Thorn: Right. *Follows him.*

*Thorn and Falos arrive in the Main Chamber. A large throne, crafted from dark mahogany and exquisite satin cushions, sporting a white cat insignia, dominates the room. There is also a huge wooden table whose obvious purpose is for meetings, as ten or twenty people could easily be seated around it. The rest of the gang are already there. Laurenza and Garin are pouring over some plans.*
Laurenza: Ah, there you are, Thorn. I was just saying that Garin and I have decided that the best way to defeat the Orcan team is to use a strategy. What we're going to do is use their Elemental properties against them; for example, Falos the Fire Master will combat Levanté's Ice Magick. Arkun, you can use your Water Dragon powers against the Fire Demon Valshunies.
Arkun: *Nods.*
Laurenza: And the White Mage, Ayden.... Gosh, I'm not sure. Does anyone here have any Black Magick?
Thorn: Me.
Laurenza: Oh good, you can take on Ayden, then.
Thorn: As you wish...
Laurenza: Now let's see, Tifanel, you can cross swords with Keith the Warrior, and Garin... I guess you can take on Leon, because you're the only one left.
Garin: But who are you going to fight, my liege?
Laurenza: Ooops! I forgot about me.
Thorn: I don't think the Queen should fight; it is the work of her warriors, not one of royal blood...
Laurenza: Yeah... I'll just watch and judge.
Someone: *Cough.* Coward.
Thorn: *Looks around for the person who spoke.* Who said that?
*Everyone looks innocent.*
Laurenza: Who's the traitor?
Thorn: *Goes quiet and closes eyes.* For the one who spoke, purge the smoke, reveal to me, let my mind see... My Queen, it was Garin.
Garin: Your Highness, I didn't...
Laurenza: Shut up! I won't take any more of your potty mouth! Get out!
Thorn: You heard her...
Garin: I did indeed… *To Thorn.* …So I don't need a little parrot reminding me. *Storms out.*
Thorn: Parrot, is that another 'cuckoo' type thing? *Looks at Kuja.*
Kuja: *Narrows his eyes.* I think he was referring what you said.
Thorn: Do excuse me...
Kuja: *Turns away from him.* Whatever.
Laurenza: In that case, Kuja shall take the place of Garin on the battlefield.
Thorn: In that case, my Queen, allow me to take both my place, and that of Kuja's...
Kuja: *Stands up suddenly, knocking his chair over.* Why you little...!
Laurenza: Now, now, boys. You'll stick with the places given to you.
Thorn: As you wish, my Queen...
Laurenza: Now, if you could all go to the armoury.
*They do as Laurenza says and head to the armoury.*

*The armoury is unlike any other chamber in the castle, as the walls are not sparkling sapphire blue, but made of thick, grey stone for strength against outside attacks. Littered throughout the chamber are various weapons.*
Kuja: *Picks up a knife but puts it down quickly as Thorn sneers at him.* Milady, I need no weapon. My Magick is enough.
Thorn: The same goes for me.
Laurenza: Well la-dee-da, aren't we a strong pair? Just wait here while everyone else gets sorted.
*Everyone else starts sorting out their weapons. Arkun hauls out a hefty, double-headed axe. He then spots a longbow and a look of reminiscing comes over his face. Tifanel brushes past Arkun and draws out a very long and thin katana and gazes fondly at it, as if it were an old friend. Falos huddles in a corner, as if not wanting to be seen. He cups his hands and a tiny fire is ignited between them, forming into the shape of a rapier.*
Kuja: *Leans against a wall and folds his arms, looking bored and impatient.*
Thorn: *Is also bored, so he summons a small ball of dark energy and starts to twirl it on finger.*
Kuja: *Rolls his eyes at Thorn.* Heheh, nice Magick trick. Can you pull a rabbit out of a hat as well?
Thorn: Why would I want to do that?
Kuja: Oh, I don't know, it might be mildly entertaining.
Thorn: I suggest you focus your energies on your mission, not on being vindictive...
Kuja: Speak for yourself.
Thorn: Fine...
Kuja: Pfft. *Wanders over to Tifanel and talks to him.*
Laurenza: Okay, what do we have? One axe for Arkun, one katana for Tifanel, a rapier for Falos and diddlysquat for the 'bosom buddies.'
Thorn: Hmm…
Laurenza: *Holds out her hand and in a flash of light, a broadsword with a jewelled hilt appears in it.* Everyone all set?
Thorn: As set as can be...
Tifanel: I'm always ready.
Falos: Me too.
Arkun: All set here.
Kuja: Let's get this over with...
Thorn: Are you ready, my Queen?
Laurenza: *Nods.* We'll be taking Kuja's airship, The Destiny. Upon arrival, we'll enter Orca Palace, unnoticed. We shall surprise them and this will give us an advantage.
Thorn: I know this is not included in your plan, my Queen, but I can teleport. It would be valuable to know the enemy's exact status before we head out...
Laurenza: Well I'm not all that sure... All I know is that they are definitely in the palace, because they never bloody leave it.
Thorn: But, my Queen, what of spies?
Laurenza: Spies?
Thorn: I don't wish to sound untrustworthy, but Garin may have informed the opposition of our every move. After all, he did help you to plan our defence, and has now departed the Circle....
Laurenza: That is a possibility.
Thorn: One that we cannot afford to overlook...
Laurenza: We need to find Garin.
Thorn: Reveal to me, let my mind see... Show me the essence of the mentioned one... He's at Orca Palace.
Laurenza: Damn that traitor!
Thorn: I'm so sorry.
Laurenza: It's not your fault. There was something not quite right with him from the start. Never trust anyone with big hair, eh? *Laughs a little, then looks serious once more.* Well, that makes our five to their six. I guess I'll enter this battle after all, to even the numbers.
Thorn: Are you sure, my Queen?
Laurenza: I have no choice.
Thorn: I suppose it is the wisest choice of action.
Laurenza: I'll face Garin.
Thorn: You're sure?
Laurenza: Yes I'm sure, as swapping placements will ruin my plan.
Thorn: Garin's plan...
Laurenza: Oh, we're playing right into his hands!
Thorn: We need time to devise a new plan.
Laurenza: I know...
Thorn: Alerrato magi tempi herdreerte!
Laurenza: *Blinks.* Come again?
*A blue wall surrounds the castle like the wings of a great bird. It reaches to the heavens.*
Thorn: This is a Time Wall. Surrounding the castle, it shall mean time passes differently on both sides. When it is broken, we should have devised a thorough new plan.
Laurenza: Good thinking, McGyver.
Thorn: *Smiles.*
Laurenza: *Thinks.* Let's see... Levanté the Swordsman, Ice/Psychic Element; Valshunies the Demon of Dark/Fire, Ayden the White Mage, a Holy type no doubt, Keith the Warrior of physical strength and Leon the Swordsman, Psychic/Lightning type... Not forgetting Garin, who has a variety of skills.
Thorn: *Has his eyes closed, and seems to be performing some kind of spell.* That's the least of our problems, my Queen, Levanté has surrounded his castle with two waves of soldiers...
Laurenza: Damn you, Levanté!
Thorn: *Still has his eyes closed.* He...isn't...there...
Laurenza: What? Where is he?
Thorn: It's a trick...He's closer than we want to think he is...
Laurenza: I don't like the sound of that...
Thorn: How did he get through my barrier?
*A leering voice comes from behind them.*
Levanté: Dispel, a very useful technique used by White Mages to take down Magickal force fields.
Thorn: No...
Levanté: *Approaches Laurenza and speaks sarcastically.* Long time no see, Laurenza. We thought you might like to have your butts kicked on your own turf this time.
Laurenza: *Her voice falters.* Levanté…
Levanté: Ah, I see you've got a new playmate. *Gestures towards Thorn.* Who might this be?
Thorn: I am Thorn.
Levanté: Pleasure to meet you. I'm sure you're a very nice person, but you sided with the wrong people, so I'm going to have to kick your butt too.
Thorn: Life's full of small challenges, Lev.
Laurenza: *With a more pronounced weakening.* Levanté...
Levanté: *Ignores Laurenza and turns to his crew.* Weapons ready! Fear nothing, and make this quick, I've got dry cleaning to pick up.
Thorn: Why? Was it covered in blood? Just like this? *Thorn waves his hand, causing Levanté's cloak to eerily drip with blood.*
Levanté:*Picks at his cloak distastefully, but does not seem ruffled by it.* Oh, what a shame, this is dry clean only too. You'll pay for that. *Holds out his hand and a spear of ice shoots at Thorn.*
Thorn: *The fire Kuja shot at Thorn is back. It washes back over Thorn and melts the ice.* I just love keeping things people let me have...*Grins at Kuja.*
Kuja: *Makes an obscene gesture at Thorn.*
Levanté:*Signals to his team and they attack everyone except Thorn.*
*A fight ensues. Laurenza lunges at Garin, slashing her jewelled sword at him. Garin swiftly counters her blows with his staff. Tifanel and Keith are also caught in close-range combat. Arkun has transformed into his full-Dragon form, a formidable creature with dusty-blue scales and colossal horns. He and Valshunies tear at each other. Leon and Falos, both timid people who appear reluctant to fight, take nervous swipes at each other with their blades. The two Mages, Kuja and Ayden, seem to be trying to outcast each other.*
Levanté: *Approaches Thorn.* Want to go one on one? Just you and me…
Thorn: You'd never endure it. But what the hell? It'd be fun!
Levanté: *Draws his weapon, a huge broadsword with the words 'Diamond Rain' engraved into the blade.*
Thorn: You have powers like that and you use a sword? God, that's pathetic!
Levanté: I am trained both in the art of Magick and in close range fighting. There is nothing pathetic about it.
Thorn: How many GCSE's?
Levanté:I was home tutored. But I don't see what my life history has to do with our fight. Stop talking and start dying! *Stabs his sword in the ground.* Power of Ice, I call upon thee! Cold Sparkle! *The chamber becomes a snowy plain with a huge blizzard, and Thorn is surrounded by thick snow.*
Thorn: *Sings.* "When the weather outside is frightful…"
*The northern lights can be seen above and they fire down beams of energy at Thorn.*
Thorn: Mirror… Fog… Smoke… Illusion! *Around twenty Thorns stand around Levanté.*
*The Thorn-copies are blasted by the beams but are replaced with more as soon as they are destroyed.*
Levanté:*Closes his eyes. A light shines on his forehead as he opens his third eye. He easily spots the real Thorn and charges at him, slashing with his sword.*
*Thorn is gone. Only his clothes remain for Levanté to stab.*
Levanté:What the hell...? *Drops his sword in surprise.*
*Thorn's clothes disappear, along with Levanté's sword.*
Levanté:Thorn? *Looks around quickly, now quite paranoid.*
*Levanté is suddenly stabbed from behind by his own sword.*
Levanté: Ugh... *Falls to his knees, hot blood pouring from his mouth.*
Thorn: *Reappears and plucks out the sword.* Like I said... I just love keeping things people let me have...
*The snowy plains dissolve away and the armoury returned around Thorn. It seems that no one else had been affected by Levanté's spell, or had noticed his and Thorn's absence. It appears that Levanté's warriors have been defeated and the members of the Circle are the only people left standing. They ware all looking rather worse for wear, but nonetheless pleased with themselves.*
Laurenza: *Turns from Garin's unconscious form, a look of horror coming over her face.* Levanté!
Garin: *Appears to have only been pretending to be knocked out. He takes Laurenza's moment of distraction to strike and give her an almighty smack over the head with his staff.*
Laurenza: *Screams and stumbles over, a trickle of blood running down her head.*
Thorn: My Queen! *He shoots a beam of dark energy at Garin's chest.*
*Garin is struck in the chest. He didn't even have time to gasp as his life force is extinguished like the snuffing of a candle. He collapses on the floor, a look a pain firmly fixed on his face.*
Thorn: Well, that's something you don't see every day… unless you're me. *Bends down at Laurenza's side.* Are you all right, my Queen?
Laurenza: I'm...okay... *Nods, wiping the blood from her face. The dulling of her mind caused by the blow wears off.* Levanté! What about Levanté?
Thorn: He's dead. I killed him.