Sephiroth, and Zack were still standing beside Dragon Shadow, when Cloud walked up. He seemed highly uncomfortable with the situation. Sephiroth had to keep his mind on the link. As soon as Dragon Shadow saw Cloud's approach, he could feel the anger and hate radiating from her. The last thing they needed was a fight breaking out over a past error, or misunderstanding. Dragon Shadow must have know this too, because somehow she managed to control her magic.

Cloud was trying to keep his eyes on both Sephiroth, and Dragon Shadow. He was obviously as uncomfortable around the two of them, as they were around him. Each for their own reasons. "I suppose I have you to thank for saving us from those dragons."

Dragon Shadow was a little surprised by his thanks. "I suppose you do. Although, that was not my main concern at the time."

Cloud glance at Sephiroth. "So I guessed."

Chrono, Red, and a few others had begun to approach the strange collection. None of them appeared comfortable around Dragon Shadow. The Vincent walked up, and trouble started again. Dragon Shadow was the first to notice him. "You!"

The others turned to see who she was speaking to. Vincent looked up at her, uncertain of what she was talking about. Sephiroth could tell there'd be trouble soon, unless he did something, fast.
I
"He doesn't recognize you. Besides, he was attempting to defend his friend."

"I don't care! He nearly killed me!"

"But he didn't! Think about it. Had he wanted you dead, do you think you'd be here right now?"
/I
To that, Dragon Shadow had no answer. But he didn't take her eyes off Vincent. Chrono walked over to Zack. "I need to know if you know when she was going?"

Zack looked puzzled. "I don't understand. What do you mean when she was going?"

"Jenova has managed to steal a time machine. Which means she can go after whatever she wanted. I need to know what, or where , or when that was. Do you know anything?"

"No I…."

Sephiroth cut Zack off. "Lavos. That is what she's after."

Chrono did not look happy. "Not again! We just barley managed to kill that thing before!"

Lucca stepped up to Chrono. "At least we can go and find her! Lavos was the reason behind the gates! If Lavos is revived, then theoretically, the gates should be as well."

None of them expected the voice that came from behind Dragon Shadow. "I fear that Lavos has already been revived. My world has been torn apart by war…"

Chrono was the first to see the figure. "Magus!"

Magus flew over to them. "I came to warn you. But, it seems you know. However, it is stronger. It's powers dwarf what it had before…"

Chrono was trying to figure out what he meant. "Lavos is…stronger?"

Magus nodded. "Much more so."

Then Lucca though of something. "How'd you get here? Are the gates working?"

Magus nodded. "They are. But there is something else you should know as well. Another strange being is with Lavos. It's power is great as well."

"Jenova… And my brother as well, I guess. You must decided whether to accept our aid, or challenge them on your own. However, we shall fight."

Just then, Yuffie ran up. "Hey! This looks like my materia! Let me just get…"

Zack noticed what she was about to do. "NO! Don't touch that!"

But Yuffie, as usually, paid no attention. "Hmm…let me…ribbit!"

As soon as Yuffie touched the scales of Dragon Shadow, she turned into a frog. "Ribbit! Ribbit!"

Most of the others fell over laughing. Dragon Shadow, and Vincent were still watching each other, and Sephiroth was uncomfortable around all of the people. But he knew that they'd need to work together to defeat Jenova. He stood there, his face unreadable.

Yuffie, meanwhile, was trying to hop up, and hit the scale that had first put her into her current situation. But she couldn't reach. In frustration, she hit Dragon Shadow's nearest scale, and proceeded to shrink. Sephiroth knew that either he, or Dragon Shadow would need to do something soon. However, Dragon Shadow showed not interest in removing her attention from Vincent.
I
"Are you going to reverse the spells, or should I?"

"How can I trust him. He tried to kill me before." /IThere was no doubt as to whom Dragon Shadow was speaking of. Sephiroth sighed.
I
"Very well. I shall deal with the situation. But you know, we shall need their help if you ever wish to become human again, and we shall not gain it if you keep looking like you plan on killing one of their friends."

"I shall consider this."
/I
Sephiroth shook his head, then used the link, once again, to access the materia within Dragon Shadow. Soon, Yuffie was standing there, looking like she was ready to kill someone. Then she noticed what she'd missed before, and vanished into the crowd. No matter how brave she was, she wasn't gonna stick around Sephiroth.

Dragon Shadow took here eyes off of Vincent for a moment to look at the rest of the crowd, either already gathered, or on it's way. I"Perhaps it's best if I leave. I do not believe that many, if any of them, will be comfortable near me."
/I
Sephiroth glanced at the growing crowed.I "Perhaps you are right. I shall tell them you are leaving."

"I shall not go far. I know the limits as well as you."
/I
With that, Dragon Shadow launched herself into the air, and flew off. Sephiroth wanted badly to turn and watch her leave, but there was no way he'd risk giving his back to Cloud. Who may very well mistake him for his brother. Cloud, and the others however, did watch her leave. And many of them appeared relived at her departure. Zack, knowing how Sephiroth must have felt, decided to stay near him. Cloud turned back to the two. "Well, it seems there's much to discuss." He made no attempt to hide the anger in his eyes as he glanced Sephiroth's way. Sephiroth appeared no more comfortable than Cloud. In fact, he appeared less so.

Chrono must have figured out that there was something going on between the two. Because he turned around, and stepped in-between Cloud and Sephiroth. Then he turned to Sephiroth, and Zack. "You said we've met this dragon before. But I have yet to see a dragon, or had yet to before today, who would not attempt to kill men on sight. Nor have I ever heard of one who could speak."

Zack suddenly realized something. "Well,… I don't know if….I mean maybe I shouldn't…." He turned to Sephiroth. "Will you ask her. I think she should have some right to decide this."

Sephiroth nodded, the closed his eyes. For several minutes he did not move. Then, he opened his eyes. "She agreed. Although she laughed at the idea of you wanting to ask this time."

Zack sighed. "I guess I should apologize for that. But at the time it was the only way to keep her alive."

Sephiroth shook his head. "No, she understood that. And she also believes it's best if we tell them."

Zack shrugged. "I guess I'll start. It all started just after we met you in the woods…."

Zack proceeds to explain what happened. Cloud, Chrono, and the others watch, both in disbelief, and amazement. By the time he was done, it was becoming dark. Chrono turned to them all. "Seeing as you helped protect the castle, and we shall need your help in the coming battle, I invite you to the castle for the night. I believe the king shall wish to know what occurred this day."

Cloud, and his companions turned to follow Chrono. Zack and Sephiroth brought up the end. Neither of them wanted to go in, but they knew that if they refused, the fragile trust that had developed could be broken. Cloud went on in ahead to find Tifa, Barret, and Cait Sith, who had not come out to see what was going on. He wanted to explain the situation before they found out for themselves.

Sephiroth and Zack were given a room to themselves, away from Cloud and his party. Zack had left the room to seek out the others. Sephiroth decided to wait in the room. After Zack had left the room, Sephiroth turned to look out the window…

"Brother, I will find a way to free you. Even if it is death…."

High in the sky, a star shone brightly for an instant, before fading. It was as if the heavens had heard the promise, and planed to see it kept…

HR

Author's notes: The italic text above is showing the discussion between Sephiroth, and Dragon Shadow. I'll be using this again in the future. This way, I don't need to explain who's speaking all the time, as there are only two involved in the discussion.