The next morning, the groups set off. Sefiroth's in the lead, followed by Chrono's, and finally Cloud. Outside, Dark Wing met them. "Have you decided?"
P
Dragon Shadow nodded. "We shall accept your aid. I only pray we reach the monster's layer before she attacks another innocent being."
P
Dark Wing nodded, then lead them through the passages, back to the great hall where the elders had met the pervious day. Their, the youngling, and Dark Knight awaited them. Dark Wing allowed Dark Knight to mount. And soon the strange group began their journey through the underground. The first day passes uneventful, other than the meeting of the leaders of some groups. That evening, the group settled into another cavern that had been designed for humans. Dark Knight joined them. He warned them trouble could arise. "The more aggressive clans live near the outer mountain. Which means, we'll most likely be challenged at least one. And they may ask to challenge you. Most heard of your victory over me, but most of the outer clans will not admit it to be true. They will want to see you fight."
P
Dragon Shadow nodded. "And what about magic, and bonded ones?"
P
Dark Knight laughed. "They'll most likely be permitted. These dragons are so full of themselves, and they believe themselves to be indestructible. The harder the challenge, the better."
P
The next day began well enough. However, soon they arrived in the lands of the Stonefire clan. Dark Wing looked down at Dragon Shadow. "They are very likely to challenge you. I hope not, for this is the most feared clan, and for good reason. They've yet to loose a fight. Even I lost to them."
P
Dragon Shadow nodded. "In other words, they're gonna be trouble?"
P
Dark Wing laughed. "That's an understatement." He turned to face the cavern they were about to enter. "We seek permission to pass through your lands."
P
Their was silence. Then, a great green dragon landed in front of them. "I am leader of the Stonefire clan. If you would seek to pass through here, then I would challenge the one known as Dragon Shadow. I've heard she was capable of defeating your pitiful warrior…"
P
Dragon Shadow rose to the challenge. "I have, and I accept your challenge… Though I'd hardly call Dark Wing a pitiful warrior."
P
The dragon laughed as he saw Dragon Shadow. "This shall be too easy. Come, we shall battle in the arena. You may use whatever you wish. Should you win, I shall allow you to take the two humans I captured. However, should you loose, I shall take two of your humans. Is this agreeable?"
P
Dragon Shadow paused, uncertain of what to do. On one hand, she could save two people, but if she failed… She turned to her companions. "I need your advice. If I loose, it will be you who pays."
P
Zack nodded, and walked up to her. "I believe in you. I know you can win. I'm willing to accept the risk. And it's not like your fighting alone. The best warriors I know are battling with you."
P
Dragon Shadow nodded. "But is their another? Without two, he will choose one. And I cannot argue the decision. Or, we could seek another way…"
P
All were silent. They had seen Dragon Shadow's power in battle. But would it be enough to ensure the victory this time? They all thought of what they'd been through before. This is what they would face, should Dragon Shadow fail. But their were two who were living through it, who could be set free. Vincent looked at the others, then amazed them by speaking up. "I shall accept as well. My life is worth little as it is…"
P
Cloud looked in amazement at his friend. "Vincent, are you sure?"
P
Vincent nodded. "Perhaps it is time I had trust in another. I am sure."
P
Dragon Shadow looked at the two. The two who would pay the price should she fail…
P
Then, she looked to the leader in front of them. "It is."
P
The leader laughed. "Then follow. We shall battle."
P
They followed the leader into a large cavern, much like the one where Dragon Shadow had fought Dark Wing. The leader flew to the other end of the cavern. Dragon Shadow called upon the materia within her to retake her normal size. The two brothers and Cloud took their places behind her. They all knew what rested upon the out come of this battle. The leader watched in amazement as Dragon Shadow grew. "So, you shall be more of a challenge then I first thought. Excellent. Let the battle begin!"
P
With that, the two dragons launched themselves into the air. Cloud, and the brothers watched from the ground. They knew when they were to act. Once again, Sefiroth called upon the e-skill materia to give Dragon shadow the edge in speed and defense. However, one again, she was the weaker of the two, even though she was larger.
P
Uncertain of how much had been told of her first victory, she feared to wait and see if the leader of the Stonefire clan would make the same error as Dark Wing had. I"Sefiroth, call upon the lighting now. I want to end this as fast as possible. Sephiroth, should you wish to aid me, I welcome it. He is going to be harder than Dark Wing. And for everyone's sake, we can't lose."
/IP
She didn't wait to see what the brothers would do. But she was unsurprised when lighting stuck the Stonefire leader. Unfortunately for him, he was surprised by the attack. However, that only seemed to annoy him, rather than do any damage.
P
Just then, the brothers decided to enter the battle. The leader of the Stonefire clan was unprepared for their assault. Which gave Dragon Shadow the precious seconds she needed to get above him. The Stonefire leader was so pre-occupied by the new attackers that he forgot about Dragon Shadow. A grave error on his part. She came down from above, forcing him to land. As soon as he did, Cloud, Sephiroth, and Sefiroth closed in on him. With Dragon Shadow keeping him grounded, the leader had little choice, but to yeild.
P
"I am impressed. No one has ever defeated me before. I shall hold to my end of the bargain…"
P
The Stonefire leader nodded to another dragon behind him. That dragon vanished into the caverns. Only to return, with two humans…/FONT/BODY
