With Mercédès and Albert shot by Morcerf, nothing stands in the way of his showdown with the Count of Monte Cristo. General Morcerf holds Haydée hostage, and the Count orders the wounded Albert to be held hostage. The standoff is broken when Albert pleads with both men; however, with his orders being disobeyed for the first time, the Count, now completely dominated by Gankutsuou, shoots Albert himself, but Baptistin throws himself in front of Albert and is wounded. After a confrontation between Albert and the Count, Gankutsuou's hold over Edmond Dantès is broken, and he finally passes away. As Albert and Haydée flee to safety, Morcerf commits suicide in expiation for the crimes he committed against all those he loved, including Edmond.