Tifa and her friends garbed their weapons, and rushed over to the pillar, and halted. Once again, the two Sephiroths were engaged in battle. Dragon Shadow flew overhead, screaming her challenge down at the two. Occasionally, she would rush down, and strike at one of the figures. Once again, Sephiroth's laugh rang across the room, then he backed into the pillar and vanished. Sephiroth, and Dragon Shadow followed. Tifa, Red, Vincent, and Zack rushed after them. But no sooner did they reach the pillar, then they found themselves standing once again at the end of time. Tifa looked around puzzled. "What?"P
Chrono shook his head. "Only a group of three may enter at once. Otherwise, you'll end up back here. We should split up into groups. That's the pillar to Alya's time, isn't it?" Gasper nodded. Chrono looked at the others. "Fine. I'll go there with two of you. You don't know that period, I do. And I know one who may be able to help us."P
The others nodded in agreement. Zack stepped forwards. "I shall go with you. I may be able to get through to Sephiroth and Dragon Shadow better then anyone else…"P
Chrono nodded. "Whom else?"P
Tifa started to step forwards, then stopped. "Vincent, it may be best for us if you go. With magic being so unpredictable, your powers make you the best warrior here…"P
Vincent looked at Tifa surprised, then nodded. He followed Chrono and Zack into the pillar. The three vanished. The others began breaking into groups. Tifa, Nadia, and Barret, Cid, Yuffie and Lucca, Frog, Red, and Cait Sith, and finally Magus. And so the groups prepared to enter the portal…P
CENTER* * * * */CENTER
P
Crash! "Ouch! I hate this gate!" Chrono got up, rubbing his rear end. Then looked around for the other two. A griffin and Chaos landed behind him, then with a flash switched back to Vincent and Zack. Chrono shook his head as he saw this. "Some guys get all the luck. Any ways, any idea where to start looking for your friends?"P
Zack began to look around. "That way…"P
He pointed towards the mountains, beyond which the ruined Reptie's layer laid. Chrono shook his head. "Figures. Well, let's get going."P
Vincent looked around. "Should we not wait for the others?"P
Zack shook his head. "It may be a good idea. There's no way to tell what Jenova has planed. It may be more than we can handle…"P
Chrono looked at the two. "Perhaps you are right…"P
So the three waited. But they didn't need to wait long before something happened. However, it was not what they wanted that occurred…P
CENTER* * * * */CENTER
P
There was a loud screech from the forest, and a horde of reptites emerged. None looked happy to see Chrono. Before the three could move, the reptites charged. Chrono knew they'd be overrun before any of them could so much as draw their weapons. But he'd forgotten about the other method of attack that both of his allies had at their disposal. The reptite charge suddenly faltered as both Vincent and Zack changed. Chaos took to the skies, and a hydra emerged from behind Chrono. But even the appearance of the new beast could only halt the charge for so long. With an inhuman scream, the reptites attacked. However the momentary stall caused by the transformation of his two allies gave Chrono enough time to draw his weapon. They had a chance, so long as they could wait for reinforcements…P
CENTER* * * * */CENTER
P
Gasper nodded at the next group. Nadia, Tifa and Barret entered the pillar…P
CENTER* * * * */CENTER
P
And landed in the middle of a battle. It didn't take the three long to figure out that the reptites were attacking the first three. Soon the newcomers had fought their way over to Chrono. Vincent had disappeared, but the constant rising and lowering of the earth proved the fact that he remained battling. No one had a hard time seeing Zack. His height allowed him to see the whole field. It also made him an excellent target. The reptites were noticeably more numerous around his vicinity. However, Zack was more than able to take on the additional beasts. Before long, the others had joined the six, and the reptites ran, not willing to take on such powerful opponents. Magus was just landing as the last of the reptites vanished into the forest. Soon, Zack and Vincent had changed back and went to join the others.P
Chrono saw the two approaching. "You guys alright?"P
Vincent merely nodded, but Zack laughed. "That was fun! But you don't need to worry about us. How are you?"P
Chrono nodded. "We're fine. Well, I guess we should try to make the village tonight. Maybe Alya will know of a way over the mountain. It seems as if the ones we seek have headed toward the Reptite's layer…"P
Chrono took the lead. The others followed him, and soon the group came to the village. Alya was more than happy to see them. "Chrono! Come to help us? Bad man over mountain. Take over reptites. Reptites want to destroy village. Kino and Alya fight. Too many for us."P
Chrono shook his head. "Yes Alya, we've come to help. This bad man. Is he tall, with white hair, and black cloths?"P
"Cloths? He has black skin. And big fang he carries in hand. Like you!"P
Tifa nodded. "That's him. If he's over there, Cloud may be too…"P
"Cloud?" Alya began to laugh. "Cloud up there. Cloud never come down. Why you want cloud?"P
Tifa got her first good look at Alya. "Err, not that type of cloud. My friend's name is Cloud. The bad man ran off with him."P
Alya scratched her head. "You have friend cloud? You strange. Even stranger then metal man." Alya then noticed Red. "Oh strange beast. Good to eat?"P
Red shook his head. "I assure you I'm not."P
Alya laughed. "Strange beast talked. Strange beast like strange frog. You come to village?"P
Tifa was about to decline. But Chrono spoke first. "Sure. Maybe we can help each other Alya."P
"Good. We have big party. Friends come. This good. Kino happy. Reptites no come this time."P
Chrono laughed. "Let's hope not!"P
As they set out for the village, Tifa cornered Chrono. "Why did you agree to go to her village? We need to find Cloud! Not entertain a bunch of prehistoric savages!"P
Chrono shook his head. "We need their help. Besides, it's too late to go much further tonight anyway. Would you rather sleep outside?"P
Tifa complained under her breath, but decided Chrono was right. She reluctantly followed the others to the village.P
