P
That evening, the group came to the other end of the caverns. There, just beyond the cave's mouth, lay the beginning of the forbidden territory, as the dragons called it. Past that point, nothing had ever returned before, though several had tried. Dusk was falling as the group gathered to look out upon the battlefield. Their enemy lay in wait, though they knew not where, only that she was there.
P
Dragon Shadow looked back at the others. She knew that they were all in need of a rest, though most would deny it. "We should rest here, and move out with the dawn. It's foolish to move at night, especially when we don't know the terrain…" She looked up at the sky. The stars were just beginning to show, but it seemed like something was blocking some of them. And she knew what. "But our foe dose. And she also has aerial surveillance…" Quietly, to herself, she added "for now."
P
As expected, there were a few arguments, but they were quickly halted as others saw the reasoning behind Dragon Shadow's suggestion. Soon the groups were spread out as best they could. Dragon Shadow, the brothers, Dark Knight, Dark Wing, and the youngling were at one end. Cloud's group was at the other and Chrono's in the middle.
P
Dragon Shadow stretched her neck to look over them all. "ISometimes I wonder how we can win this. So much hate, and mistrust…"
P
"I know that. As dose my brother. It may be best if we don't go tomorrow…"
P
"You forget that if the two of you don't come, then neither do Cloud or I. And that could make matters worse."
P
"So we do. So we do…"
/IP
With that, Sefiroth took off into the night. Dragon Shadow had little concern over his departure. If anything happened, she'd know. It was the others, those who had no way of warning the others of trouble that she worried about. But in the interest of avoiding a battle, she didn't try to stop anyone from going out, should they so choose. Soon she, like most of the others, had fallen asleep.
P
The next day dawned bright, almost in mockery of the battle that lay ahead. For the first time, the enemy's strong hold could be clearly seen. And some didn't like what they saw…
P
"That Reptite layer. But reptitle lair go boom when Lavos come. How this be?"
P
Chrono shook his head. "I don't know. But I don't like it."
P
Cloud came up beside the others. Surprisingly, he was one of the few who seemed to be able to ignore the past, in favor of the present. "It must be Jenova's magic. I can't think of anything else that could accomplish that…"
P
Everything was quiet as they took in the sight. A mammoth castle, in a wasteland. A castle that was the source of evil for two worlds…
P
CENTER* * * * */CENTER
P
Dragon Shadow moved first. She led the others out onto the valley floor, and into the forbidden area. Everyone was quite, like they were afraid that a single noise would allow Jenova, and her minions to swarm down upon them. However that silence was shattered by a cry. A cry carried by the wind. A cry that Dragon Shadow knew well, and had to respond to.
P
She called out to the sky, answering the call. I"This is my fight. I must fight alone. You mustn't let anyone interfere."
/IP
The brothers nodded. Dragon Shadow repeated her message to Dark Wing, and the youngling, the rose up into the sky. Flying in with the dawn, two figures broke the sunrise. Two very familiar figures come back for another battle. A battle upon which rested the fate of three dragons.
P
The others watched her leave. And most were confused. The brothers were upset, wanting to help her, but held back by her words. Others from the two groups had no way of knowing that. And when the two dragons appeared, they readied themselves for battle. The brothers looked at each other. They knew they had to stop them, but one group, at least, wouldn't listen to them.
P
It was Dark Wing who saved them that problem. No one wanted to argue with him, so they didn't bother to try and fight, for the moment. However, that could change if Dragon Shadow began to loose. The brothers could only pray that she wouldn't.
P
Dragon Shadow watched the two approach. Ever since she'd met them in the caverns, she knew she'd need to fight them, one on two. "Shall we end this now?"
P
The three looked down at the group gathered there. As if reading their minds, Dragon Shadow replied. "They shan't interfere. This is our battle."
P
The two dragons looked at one another, then the larger one came forth. "This shall be a one on one battle. You and I."
P
Dragon Shadow nodded. The smaller dragon backed off. Those one the ground saw this, and relaxed, a little. The two contestants looked at one another. Both sides knew not what would happen should they loose, but neither was planning on it. The two rose higher into the sky, and the battle began…/FONT/BODY
