Each dragon knew the other's weakness. Dragon Shadow was quicker, and more agile. The other dragon was stronger, and able to accept more damage. This was to be their third battle. But would it be the last? Neither knew. Only the end of this battle, and its consequences would tell that. And even that may not be enough.
P
Only one question remained unanswered. Dragon Shadow looker at her opponent as the two rose higher up. "And what of magic?"
P
He looked back. Both stopped rising. The battle would begin here. "Use it if you wish. I have my own powers. I use those."
P
"Agreed." Dragon Shadow called upon the e-skill materia once again to use the spell of Big Guard. The other dragon began to inhale. Dragon Shadow didn't wait to see what he planed to use. She rushed towards him, hoping the spell would be enough to change the odds to her favor.
P
It wasn't. Before Dragon Shadow had the opportunity to attack, he launched a powerful fire breath attack. Dragon Shadow had little time to dodge. She took the blast on her feet, and legs. However, her scales gave her much protection against the fire. She called upon her materia one again, this time launching a powerful ice attack. Her foe had just enough time to avoid taking the full blast of the spell. However, being strong against fire left his more vulnerable to ice attacks. He took more damage from that spell then she did from his attack.
P
He dove in, trying to get into a physical contest. If he could manage that, he'd win. Over Dragon Shadow, he had the advantage of strength. Dragon Shadow knew this as well. She dogged his attempts to draw her into an aerial wresting match. Rather, she dogged his attacks, letting him weaken himself.
P
He wasn't amused. "You're a coward! Come, attack me!"
P
Dragon Shadow wasn't fooled. "I know as well as you, that should we get into that kind of fight, you'll win."
P
"It seems you're smarter than I was told."
P
"There's a lot more to me than you thought. And even more that you think is true, but is a lie."
P
He laughed. "You humor me. I know what I was told! And I've seen little to dispute that!"
P
She knew exactly what he was attempting to do. "I shan't fall for that! I am not going to loose control in anger. If that is what you're attempting to make me do!"
P
He said nothing else. The battle resumed, no longer being fought with words. But already, doubt attacked him, and he wondered what was truth, and what were lies. Could he trust what he'd been told? Already much had happened to make him wonder. This battle, and the discussion, had already began to make him wonder. Though he'd never admit it.
P
Both were beginning to tire, he from his attacks, and Dragon Shadow from her dogging. It was no longer a matter of who could win the battle. It was now a matter of who would err in their pattern first.
P
They both did. Dragon Shadow dogged to early, and he landed a solid blow with his claws, to her wing. However, Dragon Shadow managed to hit one of his wings with her tail. Both began to fall.
P
He looked up. "It seems this battle has ended in a draw. But shall either of us survive it?"
P
Dragon Shadow was bout to answer, when his companion suddenly caught him, and returned in the direction from which they came. With his disappearance, the brothers rose up to help Dragon Shadow. Soon she was one the ground once again, though one wing was severely torn.
P
Dragon Shadow shook her head. "We will battle again. Nothing I do seems to convince him of the truth…"
P
Sefiroth watched the departing figure. "I think it's what you didn't do that convinced him more. But so long as he listens to her lies…"
P
Dragon Shadow too watched the departing figure. "…We may never be able to convince him."
P
Sephiroth shook his head. "Never give up. I made that mistake, but now I know better. As long as you keep hoping, we'll convince him. Somehow."
P
Dark Wind came up to the three. "Should we keep moving, or would you rather rest Dragon Shadow?"
P
She looked down at Sefiroth, and he nodded. "We'll keep moving. I'll be fine."
P
She shrank, and once again the group was on the move.
P
CENTER* * * * */center
P
It was about midday when they reached the castle. It was even bigger then first thought. "So how do we get in? Knock?" Everyone turned to look at Yuffie. "What?"
P
Tifa shook her head. "We never knocked when we visited Shinra corp., did we?"
P
"Err, I don't know. I wasn't there!"
P
Cloud just shook his head. Sephiroth was studding the door. Dragon Shadow and Sefiroth were watching him. He drew his sword, and with a single thrust, cut through the hinges holding up the door. It fell, with a loud clang. That got everyone's attention.
P
"It seems he is even more dangerous with a sword than you."
P
Frog looked at Magus, surprised by the comment. It was the first time he'd said anything to Frog since the beginning of this journey. "So it dose."
P
Sephiroth looked back at the others, his eyes glowing. "Shall we go?"
P
They all followed him into the castle. And now, the real changing began…
PHR
Author's Note: I will give the two mystery dragons name, eventually. But to do that now would ruin the surprise. However, they are both male. 'He' in the fight scene refers to the larger of the two dragons.
