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The Crystal Rule	By : QueenDraggyofSwords Category: Final Fantasy Games > Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Views: 956 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy: chrystal Chronicles, any of its characters nor am I making any profit off of them.

Chapter List
- 42
- 43
- 44
Chapter Forty-Three

The next morning Keiss woke up to the smell of something cooking. Which he knew was wrong because the only thing there was to eat in the kitchen was a bunch of striped apples. And a few bottles of Rainbow Grape wine. The Selkie rolled over from the side of the bed he was hanging off of and looked around. He was in Layle's room.
"…Layle?" He got out of the bed and grabbed his clothes as he ventured out into the front room. Sure enough the smell of something cooking was stronger. He was pretty sure it was eggs.
The Clavat was standing in the kitchen his back to him as he worked over the stove. All of Keiss' clutter had been cleared off the table and was piled up on the couch, save for the contract he had looked at yesterday. The red head walked over confused and came to stand next to his partner. "…Where did you… get food?"
"The store." Layle didn't look at him as he flipped the eggs over in the skillet. He was actually making a large omelet to split between the two of them. There were a few vegetable ends left on the counter, but most of it was folded up in the yellow mass. "Can I just say I have no idea how you live on apples and booze."
"…When did you go to the store?"
"Keiss, it's the middle of the morning. You slept in."
The red head looked over at the clock, indeed he had slept in. He turned away from Layle and opened the fridge. There was food in it. Actual food again. He closed it and looked over at the counter to see the coffee pot had coffee in it too. The Crystal Bearer dumped the omelet onto a plate and cut it in half just as Keiss walked back over to him. The Selkie forcibly grabbed his face on either sides and made him look at him.
"Have I ever told you that I love that you grew up with a totalitarian mother that forced you to eat right and know how to take care of yourself?"
"…If by that you mean all those times you've referred to me as a 'back water, inbreed, idiot, uneducated, unrefined, hilly billy, hick, bumpkin', then yes. You've mentioned this."
Keiss smiled and let go of his partners face to take his plate and sit down. He ate happily while the Clavat took a seat across from him. "Okay, so after breakfast, we need to think of what to do next."
"To do next?" Layle looked surprised. "Aren't we doing that contract?" He motioned to the transport mission plans on the table.
"You want to do that?" Keiss seemed shocked. "I figured you'd want me to find a way to break us into Rebena Te Ra to find that girl from Marr's Pass…"
"You heard about that?"
"I was looking for you! Of course I heard about!" He took another bite of his breakfast as Layle picked up the paper.
"Well that's why I want to do this mission, Keiss;" He held it up for the Selkie to read over the manifest on the back, "That weapons depot on Kilanda is getting supplies form the medical facility in Rebena Te Ra."
The Selkie almost chocked on the food in his mouth. He snatched the paper away from Layle and read over it. How had he missed that! Was he so worried about Layle that he was really looking over crucial information like that? What other things had he missed?
"We've got until this afternoon to respond…"
Keiss swallowed and hit his chest with his fist, "We're going to take it." He looked around for a pen to sign the contract, "There's no reason in the world a place stocking weapons should be getting in shipments from a supposed medical center."
Layle nodded, "And to think Clockwork said you weren't trust worthy."

For the rest of the morning Layle regretted bringing up the time casting Lilty. From the moment he said 'Clockwork' to now, Keiss had been pestering him about her. Apparently she paid him a visit after their encounter in Marr's Pass. At least she hadn't tried to kill him again right?
"Layle, I mean it… Where did you run into her?" The Selkie leaned up against the elevator wall as they rode it up to the Lieutenant's office.
"Keiss, I told you. I promised I wouldn't say anything."
"You promised who?"
"A friend," Layle shrugged. He kept his back to the red head.
"What friend! You spend all your time with me or working. I know everyone you know."
"Keiss, I was without you for a month. And I made a promise. So just relax, okay? I'll tell you when it's important." The doors to the elevator opened and the Crystal Bearer stepped out, the Selkie hot on his heels.
"…You wouldn't hold out important information on me, would you, Layle? Not something that I could really use, something that would make this whole thing go a lot smoother, would you?" He stared at his partner. But Layle didn't react as they walked into the office.
It honestly wasn't that important that Clockwork lived in Marr's-
"-losie, at her home, yes." Layle's thoughts were cut off by a conversation taking place in the office. Regal was speaking to the secretary as she handed him a packet of notes. "Lieutenant Spinosa is collecting the Doctor's messages until he returns."
"Why aren't you out there with her? It must be terrifying, having that happen."
"I am not worried," He tucked the packet under his arm. "They've increased security in the city by tenfold. And every Crystal Bearer within the city limits has been rounded up and accounted for. Though I do wish she'd have contacted us on the matter sooner." Regal looked up as Keiss and Layle stopped a few feet away from them. He shooed the secretary off before addressing the two mercenaries. "So, the Crystal Bearer is back."
"Yeah," Layle watched the secretary leave out the corner of his eye. "Something wrong, Regal?"
The rose haired Lilty scoffed, "Nothing that concerns you two. Just dealing with the insecurities of the staff."
Keiss shifted on his feet, "Really, cause it sounds like your girl's in a bit of trouble again. Wasn't she in trouble a few months ago? Maybe you ought go and visit her. Layle and I can make sure that Spinosa gets that packet."
"I promise you that won't be necessary. I'm not needed to deal with a simple thieving Crystal Bearer."
Layle blinked a few times, "Thieving? Bearer? …In Marr's Pass?"
"Yes, someone broke into Dr. Oides' estate. They've more than likely been caught by now."
Keiss twisted his lips, "The doctor's estate in Marr's Pass… Now why didn't I think to go there…?" The Selkie crossed his arms. He really had been so focused on Layle he skipped over important information. But the Bearer hadn't. Layle looked at his partner out the corner of his eyes. It wasn't important. What were the chances? Surly a coincidence, right?
Right.
Besides, he did promise not a word.
As the two were thinking about what Regal had just said the Lieutenant exited off the elevator. The man looked the two mercenaries over, his usual serious expression set on his face. "Keiss, I see you've returned with the Crystal Bearer."
The two turned around and the Selkie smiled, "But of course. I said I would."
"That's good to see," he walked past them, "After what happened in Conall Curach I wasn't sure if I would be able to pair you up with another partner."
"…What happened in Connal Curach?" Layle muttered to Keiss as they followed the Lieutenant.
"Ah, nothing, I just got stuff with a real clownish hot head."
"…" Layle eyed him curiously. What was that supposed to mean?
Spinosa took a seat at his desk as Keiss handed over the contract. The plum haired Lilty took it with a smile. "I'm glad to know you're taking this mission actually."
"You are?" Regal looked at the two with doubt.
"I am. The more pilots we have the better."
"…The more?" Keiss put his hands on his head, "The contract doesn't say anything about 'more' pilots."
"No it doesn't…" Spinosa reached into his desk and pulled out a map. "You'll be landing on the far side of Rivelgauge. There will be ten other single pilot ships there and one military vessel. Each of the escort ships will be equipped to handle this mission-"
"Wait, modifications to the ship? To my ship?"
"Just minor ones. For the extreme temperatures, and to handle our latest problem." Spinosa pushed the map and another paper toward Keiss. "We've tried to get this shipment to Kilanda two times, two different ways. And each time the shipment is interrupted. The part needed for the construction taking place out on the island is tampered with each and every time. So this time we are going by air, with a full escort."
Keiss took the notes and glanced at them before handing them over to Layle. The Clavat eyed it, though it didn't really make sense to him. Some sort of odd regulatory system, an undisclosed power source, and a control mother board.
"These pieces, the parts for the controlling unit need to make it there especially. This project is entering into its final stages. And I wish to have to High Commander Jegran before he propositions the King for the final step of the process."
"The High Commander?" Keiss interest perked up. "The High Commander will be filled in on this project?"
Spinosa leaned back in his seat with a smile, "If this delivery goes as planned, I will see to it that you make it onto the top of his next contractor list."

The next morning the boys flew out of Alfitaria toward the mountain range. The Holy Mountain was a sacred place to the Clavat Tribe. It was where they went to reconnect with their ancestors, to cleanse their souls, to be closer to nature. There was a Monastery there built over an ancient hot spring, one that had bubbled up the meteorite a thousand years ago, used to exercise demons and cleanse the soul. Though time and forgetfulness and snow drifts had caused the actual location of the meteorite crash to be lost, it was still believed that it was somewhere within the general vicinity of the Monastery. It sat on a high cliff overlooking a great chasm that many believed to be the ancient pit that once was the source of all the worlds Miasma. It was impossible to see the bottom and anyone that had tried to venture down there, be it by Chocobo or by airship either barely made it back warning of giant unnatural beast, or never returned at all.
And so most of the great mountain range's darker depths went unexplored.
However none of that really mattered to Keiss and Layle right now. All that mattered to Keiss was the High Commander. He had started talking about it about twenty minutes ago, and hadn't shut up. Layle almost wished he'd go back to complaining about the cold.
The mercenaries were waiting along with the other escort ships as the Military vessel was loaded up with supplies from Rebena Te Ra. There was no way up the mountain save for by for or wagon, so the supplies had been hauled up by Clavat's from the ancient city remade on wagons drawn by Chocobo and Paopamouse. Spinosa and Regal were there of course overseeing the loading and the modifications to the escort ships.
"Just think… After this, we can take a mission from High Commander Jegran," Keiss kept his arms crossed as he spoke. The snow was up to their calves. It was probably the only time Layle ever saw the Selkie where closed shoes. "And with your powers, and my brains, I'm going to go right to top of his favorites…"
"Keiss," Layle had his hands stuck in his pockets.
"We'll get better missions and better pay-"
"Keiss…"
"And then, and then after we've earned his trust, maybe another couple of months' worth of work. Maybe less if something big comes up- I'll get an officer's position and-"
"K-EISS!" Layle reached out and hit the Selkie's shoulder. His partner let out a startled surprise. "Will you focus?"
The Selkie grumbled. "I'm focused! I'm focused! Can't I at least dream a little? This is big for me…" Layle rolled his eyes. He knew he could trust Keiss, but he'd be damned if it didn't annoy him how as soon as someone even uttered the words 'High Commander' the Selkie was lost to him. "Okay, let's go over the plan again…"
Layle looked onward as the Lilties installed a new component to the Acote. "We'll get to the facility, and the ship will mysteriously malfunction due to the added part…"
"Right, now I'll have to stay with it since you don't know a damn thing about airships. But while I'm in the hanger-"
"-I'll take the opportunity to snoop around and see what I can find."
"Remember you can't get caught, Layle."
"Come on, Keiss," the gravity Bearer shrugged, "I won't get caught."
His partner reached into his coat and handed him a camera, "You'd better not. And make sure you get decent shots of everything you find."
Layle took it and shoved it into his jacket. "No worries. You can't count on me."
As soon as he tucked the camera away Spinosa called all the pilots to attention. "Listen up, all of you!" He shouted at them over the snow. "This mission is very important. This project is on a timed schedule. And we cannot afford to lose any of the materials we are taking to Kilanda!" The varying pilots all stood around listing to Spinosa intently. No one said anything. Mostly because they were two cold. One pilot of was even bundled up to the point that would couldn't see his face. A helmet, goggled, scarf, giant jacket. They were just a mass of clothes.
"The most important piece, the one that is most frequently damaged during this supply run is our main concern. As such, to protect the real master control board, each of your ships in addition to the modifications they've received, have been given a small shipment of cargo. Every one of these is a decoy master control. However the manifest and the information sent out states that one of you is carrying the component. …Should the saboteur strike again, they will more than like attempt to take down your ships."
"…boy what a bunch of swell guys the Military are…" Keiss elbowed Layle and shushed him.
"The real component is of course safe on the main ship. It is your job to see that we make it to Kilanda. And do your best to preserve your own ships. Do I make myself clear?" The pilots all gave an affirmation. "Then let's move out!"

"So let me get this straight," Layle sat in the cockpit of the Acote messing with the knobs of the burnt out radio. "I get the radio fixed, and you destroy it. And then don't get it refixed?"
"I didn't destroy it…" Keiss shook his head, though Layle couldn't see it. "Besides you need to be paying attention. And be on the lookout for our saboteur."
"You know its Clockwork…"
"It's always Clockwork. She's everywhere! I can't understand how she always knows what the Military is doing…"
"…She's got a bunch of files on her desk on all the upcoming missions."
"What?"
"I said she's probably got some sort of spy, equipment, thing- hey does that cloud look like Cid to you?"
"…Layle."
"Just don't worry about it, Keiss." The Clavat shut the tube before his partner could respond. He leaned over the side of the crow's nest, the cold air nipping at his face. But it was starting to warm up the further out they got from the mountains. Soon they'd be flying over the ocean. His goggles at least kept his eyes from being bothered by the wind whipping around. "Vill," he uttered the name as he watched the other ships in formation around the Military's cargo ship. "Vill-?" He was sure if he gave the half a name to Keiss the Selkie would dig up the rest in a heartbeat. He'd probably also turn her in without a second though.
That didn't mean Keiss was out to betray him, he just had no tolerance for Clockwork. He knew that. She was always in his way. Always trying to kill him or persuade Layle to ditch him.
As he watched the ships he noticed one break formation. It started to descend towards one of the other ships, and then suddenly opened fire. There was a bright flash as the ships engine was hit and it burst into flame.
"Whoa!" Keiss had seen it too, out the corner of his eye. He turned his head as the ship started to go down and the one that fired upon it turned heading towards the next.
"Attention all ships. Attention all ships-" The soldiers in the main cargo vessel began to send out a call to the escort pilots to take out the rouge. Layle looked on as the ships closest to the saboteur started to circle around it and open fire. The pilot didn't try to fire back. The ship was riddled bullet holes and caught fire. The Clavat looked on as the ship started to ascend. The pilot was pulling it up higher and higher over the two that had shot at it. Just before it gave out he could see the door fly off the side and someone jumped out without a parachute.
The next thing he saw was bubble of silver light slowing the falling individual allowing them to land on the top of one of the other fighter ships.
"Keiss!" Layle flipped open the communication tube. "Fly over there! Clockwork's jumping ships!"
"She's doing what!?"
Layle looked back over to see a gold light encase on the ships wings. Clockwork was using her magic to manipulate it its direction. It was starting to spiral out of control. "Just fly over there!" He felt the Acote change direction as it pulled in toward the ship starting to waiver out of control.
"Just what do you think you're going to do?"
Layle could hear Keiss shouting at him through the tube but he was already climbing out of the crow's nest and up over the wings of their air ship. He held on using his powers and watched as the ship Clockwork was manipulating was shot at by another. They blew holes right in the wings causing it to start to plummet. The time controlling girl let go and allowed herself to be caught by the wind. She used her powers to steady her fall and landed on another ship. Layle stood up on the wing and jumped off; using his magic to propel himself the direction the time wielding Lilty had fallen.
Some inside the ship Keiss screamed. And cursed. And shook his head as he caught sight of the Clavat falling from his ship.
The air rushed past Layle's face as he fell. The fact that it was steadily getting warmer was now more apparent than ever. He used his magic to take hold of the end of the single pilot ship's wing and drew himself in. He landed in a crouching position, the noise his impact made caused the other bearer to turn around. She was covered from head to toe, her face concealed by a helmet, scarf and goggles.
"Clockwork!" Layle stood up on the shaky wing. "What do you think you're doing?"
The Lilty maiden removed the excess gear and let be swept away by the force of the wind, "I should ask you the same!"
"Look! Messing up the Military's plans is one thing… But you're shooting down planes! You're killing people!"
"They have parachutes. It's not my fault if they won't use them!"
"You can't just blast them out of the sky! That's not right!"
"Do you think it was right when they took Phelia!?" Layle didn't say anything to her. She sneered, "That's what I thought." The Lilty raised her hand and cast a haste spell on the wing closest to her. The plane started to shift and Layle used his powers to keep himself up right. He grabbed the end of the opposite wing with his power's trying to stead the air ship.
"Clockwork! Clockwork! You have to stop! You're interfering with our plan!"
"Your plan!" She scoffed, "You meant he Selkie's ambition! Don't think I didn't hear him! He only cares about seeing the High Commander!"
"That's not true! Look you've got to trust me!"
"Like the twins trusted you?" Before the conversation could continue the two heard a loud bang. The pilot had kicked open his door and jumped from the ship. As soon as he was clear the rest started to open fire on the Crystal Bearers. Well, all except for Keiss. The Selkie was desperately trying to hail the other ships and tell them not to shoot. However the Lieutenant had already given the order to do whatever it took to take out the time controlling Lilty.
Clockwork released her hold on the ship and ran towards Layle. The Clavat side stepped her to avoid a head on collision allowing her to rush past him and jump from the plane. She landed on yet another and started the processes of trying to bring it down all over again. Layle shook his head and gave chase. He landed just behind her on the plane. He hit the wing rolling and pushed himself up to stand. This time he didn't bother trying to talk, he just rushed her, tackling her to the ground.
The woman shouted and struggled against him trying to push him off.
"Let go of me!"
"No! You have to listen to me, Vill!"
She stuck her tongue out at him and pulled her leg up to get her knee between the two of them and used it to push them apart. Layle felt himself be pushed back, and he started to fall to the side. He hit the top of the air ship and rolled, the other Crystal Bearer rolled with him. The pilot was barrel rolling and looping the ship to shake them off.
Clockwork screamed as she started to fall. Layle reached put his hand to her and grabbed her arm. With his other hand he hooked the ship with his magic and held on as it rolled through the sky. The other pilots continued to shoot at them.
"Spinosa!" Keiss hailed the main ship. "Order them to stop! Layle's got the girl! You're going to kill them both!"
"Keiss, the Crystal Bearer put himself in the way of the operation the moment he left your ship. We will not risk her reaching the vessel with the control unit within it. I will not resend the order."
The Selkie slammed his hand down on the radio and pushed down the control stick of his plane. Maybe he could catch Layle if he timed it just right.
Layle struggled to hang onto the ship as it kept rolling over and over. The longer they tumbled the more he could feel his grip weakening.
"Layle!" Clockwork shouted at him. "Let go!"
"What! Are you mad! There's nothing for us to land onto to!"
"Trust me!" Layle looked at her. She was squeezing his arm as tightly as he was holding onto her. The Clavat hesitated, but he let go. Clockwork cast a slow spell on them as they fell. With the plane tumbling around them, the spell slowed their fall enough so that to two landed back on the roof of the little fighter plane. This time when it rolled again Clockwork let go of Layle and used her magic to slide along the side until she was at the cockpit door. Layle held on with both hands watching her disappear inside the airship.
Another moment latter the rolling finally stopped and his head was spinning. He could vaguely hear the sound of a man's scream fading on the wind. Clockwork had forcibly ejected the pilot. He did his best to get to his feet just in time to see the ship fire its guns at another. He swore under his breath and pulled himself along until he could swing down into the open cockpit door.
"Vill!"
"Yes?" The Lilty didn't look at him as she set her sights on the next closest ship, the Acote.
Layle lunged at her and grabbed the control stick. "Stop it! Stop it!"
"Let go of me!" The two struggled as she kept firing trying to shoot Keiss down. The Selkie dodged each attack but didn't return fire. Instead his voice came through the radio telling Layle to jump out before he shot down with her. The Lilty jerked the plane to the side, tilting it so the Clavat was sliding back towards the open door. Layle held onto the chair as the plane continued forward on its side.
"Clockwork! You have to stop! It can't go on like this!"
"You're right, Layle!" She turned to face him and kicked him in the chest. "It can't!" The gravity Bearer was knocked back. He spread out his arms to grab the door frame of the cockpit. The warm air rising up from the ocean was hitting his back and causing his jacket to flutter widely. Clockwork turned her attention back towards Keiss' ship and took aim again. Layle raised one hand and grabbed the control pulling it and tilting the ship further. Again the shot missed the Acote.
Clockwork let out a cry of aggravation and turned toward Layle. She cast a haste spell on his hand still gripping the door causing his grip to slide free faster.
"Clockwork!"
"No hard feelings okay?" She smiled at him and raised her hand again, "I'll even help you out!" Layle felt his hand lose hold of the door frame. He tried to use his gravity to pull himself back in, but instead his line connected with a slow spell Clockwork cast his direction. The resulting slowaga spell wrapped around his body creating a bubble that allowed him to fall slowly from the airship.
Clockwork nodded with a smile and turned her attention back to the skies, just in time to see the Acote firing directly at her. She pulled up hastily, but the back of her ship was still hit. She could feel the controls giving out as it started to spin out of control.
Layle watched as his partner shot out Clockwork's engine. He gave a cheer as Keiss turned the airship towards him flying down to catch him.
"Hang on, Layle!" Keiss was closing in on his partner when he heard Spinosa's voice come over the radio.
"Keiss where do you think you're going?"
"I have to catch Layle!" He kept his eyes trained on the Crystal Bearer as the slow spell he was encased was slowly being swallowed up by the clouds.
"Keiss, turn around and return to formation, immediately."
"Are you kidding me!?" The Acote followed into the clouds, Keiss could still see the silver light. Just behind him Clockworks ship was falling.
"You need to pull up or you will be knocked out of the sky!"
"I can make it! Just let me-"
"Keiss! Your ship is the one with the real control until for the weapon on board! We cannot risk you losing that piece of equipment over some Crystal Bearer!" Keiss was struck by the words. The decoy cargo on his ship was the real thing. He kept pushing his ship to descend after Layle. "Keiss! That saboteur is right on your tail! Pull up! Pull up now!"
He Selkie grit his teeth, he knew he could make it. Layle was so close.
"Shoot the Crystal Bearer out of the sky. Make him pull up!" Keiss' breath caught in his lungs. He jerked the controls of his ship, pulling to the side and then back up. He heard the fire from another ship, but saw nothing. The Selkie looked back over his shoulder to see what was left of Clockworks ship falling and two shots disappear into the clouds.
"…Layle…"

The Crystal Bearer looked on startled as he saw his partner's ship pull away. He was so close. Why? Why did he leave him? A second more and Layle could have hooked onto the ship. The next thing he saw was the fireball that was once the ship Clockwork had been flying. Was she still in there? The wreckage was barreling towards him fast, and he had no way to avoid it.
Layle held up his hands, ready to put everything he had into a shield to protect himself, when suddenly the falling mass exploded. It had been struck from above by the other ships firing. The resulting explosion pushed his slowaga bubble down faster. The clouds rushed by revealing that he was falling straight into the ocean. The Crystal Bearer looked around frantically. There was nothing nearby. Nothing by water in every direction.
He kept scanning the sky line as he plummeted until finally he could see land off in the distance. It had to be a mile or two away from where he was falling. An outline of jagged rocky cliffs along the coastline of Alfitaria. There was no way he was going to make that, he thought.
The Crystal Bearer looked back down and put his hands against the spell. He put everything he could into a gravity field to protect him from the inevitable violent splash down he was about to experience.
When the water collided with the bubble the force of it rocked him and slammed him around. His spell burst and instantly the salt water came rushing in around him. He struggled to swim upward back to the surface. As he swam up bits and piece of the destroyed airship fell into the water around him. He broke the surface gasping and shaking his head. He coughed and looked around frantically trying to remember which way it was he saw land. He looked around him and swam toward a piece of the downed airship's wings that had floated up to the surface.
Layle grabbed hold of it and used to help keep himself a float as he started to kick, pushing shelf toward the coast line.

It was a long way to go. And the sun was not helping. Nor was the amount of salt water he'd swallowed when he crashed into the ocean. Not to mention the weight of his coat.
Why had Keiss turned the ship? Was it to avoid the falling debris? But then why didn't he keep flying overhead to pick him up after he hit the water?
The Clavat looked up at the sky; there wasn't an airship in sight. Surly the Selkie didn't continue onto Kilanda without him? He wouldn't! Not after everything that happened, he wouldn't just leave him? …Would he? They had plan to carry out after all. Not to mention Clockwork was still out there somewhere. Maybe…
By the time Layle reached the shore he couldn't think any more about Keiss, or where he was, or if Clockwork had survived. He was exhausted. He had to have been half swimming half floating on the ship wing for hours. The Clavat could barely stand as he pulled himself out of the water. He felt sick, and thirsty. Fuck standing, he crawled his way up onto the beach.
He couldn't see anyone around. The shore here was very narrow, and before him there was just a tall grey and tan cliff face. He wasn't even sure if he was close to anyone that could help him.
He let himself drop onto the sand and rolled over onto his back. Maybe he'd just wait her for a while. Keiss would come back and see him here. He let out a long sigh and closed his eyes. He lay there on the beach exhausted. Too exhausted to think beyond wondering just where in Alfitaria he had washed up…
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The Crystal Rule