If the current character you're controlling recieves a critical hit (I'm pretty sure, ciw), then the Bonus Battle Guage will shatter (even if you don't take damage from the attack). A good way to prevent this is to switch to a side-character (like your spellcasters/bomb users) when you finish a combo and the enemy can move again. That's what I do, at least.

No party is bad, per se, although Albel and Adlai are much better controlled manually to be put to good use then from crappy AI. Then again, I never bothered with overpowered IC, I find Galaxy mode too easy as it is. And good luck on your other file!

Eh...sorry to take your thread off-topic Shadow. xD