Dragon Shadow and Dark Wing observed each other. Sephiroth, Sefiroth, and Cloud stood next to Dragon Shadow, as Dark Knight stood near to Dark Wing. The two dragons launched themselves into the air, rising high up into the roof of the cave. Sephiroth drew his sword, and advanced on Dark Knight. Cloud and Sefiroth stood back. P
The two dragons reached the top of the cave, and locked their claws, in a battle to see which was stronger. Down below, Dark Knight was trading blows with Sephiroth, and loosing. Dark Knight couldn't keep up with the fury of Sephiroth's attacks, and was being forced back. P
Dragon Shadow was beginning to loose the battle of strength, and broke off. While her strength was less than Dark Wing's, her speed was greater, as her agility. Which is what she used to her advantage. Sefiroth looked up at the battle, and knew of a way to aid. Opening the link which existed between him and her, he drew on the power of the Materia infused within her body, and using the e-skill materia, cast the big guard spell. With the increased defensive, and speed, Dragon Shadow had gained a large advantage over her advisory. Before Dark Wing could react, Dragon Shadow had turned in mid air, and had come up behind him. She grasped onto his back, trying to force him to land. However, Dark Wing wasn't beat yet. He turned over in mid air, which left Dragon Shadow with one of two choices. Either to release her hold on him, or land on the bottom of the pile. P
She released him just as they were about to hit ground. Dark Wing was barley able to flip over, and land on his feet. The two, now landed, circled. They now knew who had the advantages where. It came down to who could use those advantages best. Dark Wing moved in for a strike to Dragon Shadow's neck. But it wasn't their. She'd pulled back, and now moved in to use the same maneuver on Dark Wing. She grabbed his neck in her mouth, and held on. However, Dark Wing had no intention of giving up easy. Dragon Shadow had grabbed his neck too far down, and now he turned around to grab hers. What he hadn't counted on, was the same thing Dragon Shadow had forgotten about. The moment he grabbed her neck, there was a bright green flash, and suddenly Dark Wing was replaced by a frog. Dragon Shadow's jaws suddenly clamped on air.P
Meanwhile, Sephiroth had managed to disarm his opponent. Dark Knight surrendered. The elder had no problem declaring the winner of the battle. "Dark Wing has lost. Dragon Shadow has won. Let them go."P
Sefiroth accessed the link once again, and undid the frog spell which had been cast upon Dark Wing.P
The leader nodded, and Chrono, Tifa, and the others were released. Cloud and Vincent went over to them. However, Sephiroth, Sefiroth, and Dragon Shadow remained apart. The elder didn't miss this. "Why do you not join your friends?"P
Dragon Shadow looked up at the elder. "In truth, not all of them appreciate having the three of us around. However, they are good friends of one of those I am linked to. As well, their aid will be needed in order to defeat the evil one."P
The elder nodded. "I see. But, why do they dislike you?"P
Sephiroth looked at the elder. "I fear… I fear it's my fault. I have done some things in the past I have come to regret. My brother is blamed because we are much the same."P
The elder nodded. "What has this evil one done?"P
Dragon Shadow was silent. She knew what she should say, but she also knew what could come of it as a result. "The evil one threatens worlds, controls minds, and she… she changes beings. I am not truly a dragon. This magic, this form, the knowledge I posses, all came from her. I was once a human as well. This changing caused me to be."P
The elder was amazed. "A changeling who knows our culture, our rules, and our ways? And still admits it? Strange. Still, in this case I shall call a meeting of the Elders. Our interests seem to overlap."P
The three were puzzled, but said noting as the elder left the cavern. Cloud came over, followed by many of the others. The two brothers backed up against Dragon Shadow. All three were nervous. Cloud, and many of the others who'd traveled with him seemed annoyed. Only Vincent seemed relaxed. Chrono and his crew followed Cloud's group. Cloud kept his eyes on the brothers. As did many of the others from his group. None seemed to trust Sephiroth, or his elder brother. P
Dragon Shadow knew their could be trouble. I"If you start a fight here, their may be a whole new mess of problems to deal with. I'm better at knowing what's going on then you. If you start a fight here, we may never get out alive."P
"I know that, but how can I forget what Sephiroth did to me? To Tifa? To everything and everyone that was important to me!"P
"Then you would forget that Sephiroth was controlled like you, and his brother saved us! The elders have taken an interest in us. If you want to survive, you must convince yourself, and your friends to avoid a battle. Hard as that may be. But isn't their something as important at stake?"P
"I supposes…" /ICloud shook his head. I"I suppose so. For now. But I can't promise about latter."/I Cloud turned to his friends, and a discussion broke out in hushed tones. Every once in a while, a head would turn up, and look over at the three. Chrono, who had no idea what was going on, stood back with his friends. P
Just then, the elder returned. "The Council of Elders wishes to speak to you, and your companions. Come."P
Dragon Shadow nodded. "Very well elder."P
She, and the twin brother, lead. Chrono's group came second, followed by Cloud's group. Half an hour latter, after following a winding maze of tunes, passages, chambers, and narrow bridges over crossing lava flows, the group arrived in the largest cavern they'd yet seen. Dragons were perched on several ledges. Few were as large as Dragon Shadow, however, there were many nearly her size. All the eyes focused on Dragon Shadow, as she, and the others, entered. The two groups spread out to either side of her. The brothers remained on her back, where they'd been since they left the first cavern. None of the humans seemed relaxed in the area. But none of them were foolish enough to attempt to draw their weapons either. Then, Dark Wing entered, and took his place beside Dragon Shadow. Dark Knight was upon his back. Although surprised, Dragon Shadow said nothing. The others, believing someone knew what was going on, said nothing.P
The elder took his place at the front of the chamber. Several other dragons emerged from adjoining caverns, and joined the elder. Soon, a dozen elders were present. The largest dragon their, even larger than Dragon Shadow, raised a loud cry. The chamber became quite.P
He then spoke. "Let the meeting of the Elders begin…"
