Long after the sound of the battle vanished, the small group continued to run down the passages. Though he'd never admit it, Cloud was thankful for the mind link between him and the brothers. It allowed them to cover more ground in less time. And time was one thing Cloud feared they would run out of.
P
It was Sephiroth, who had traveled down a side passage, who discovered the others first. It almost caused a new battle to erupt. Somehow, they had managed to free themselves, and were in the process of seeking an exit, when they ran into Sephiroth. Fortunately, Cloud wasn't far away, and managed to arrive before trouble started.
P
"Tifa! Am I glad to see you." Tifa looked up, and saw Cloud running towards her. Suddenly, everyone began to celebrate. But they didn't have long.
P
"Were we not supposed to exit?"
P
Everyone looked back at Vincent. Cloud slowly nodded. "Yea. Dragon Shadow is buying us time. But fighting those two, I don't know how long she can last…"
P
"Two?" Chrono suddenly looked up in alarm. "You don't mean…. Lavose?"
P
Cloud nodded. "I think so. At least, that's what Jenova said. But then, I don't really trust her. I hope Dragon Shadow knows what she's getting into…"
P
Zack looked down the passage from which they had come. "I think she knows better than any of us. I just hope she's not doing anything foolish…"
P
Neither brother said anything, but they both looked as if they knew something the others didn't. Barret turned to look at the two, then when to ask a question, when Cloud interrupted. "Come on. I know I still need to explain a few things. But that can wait. Getting out of here can't. Anyone know how to get out?"
P
Cait sith bounded forwards. "I do. Follow me!"
P
The group rushed out, following Cait Sith. At the end of the column, the two brothers hesitated. Both looked back, each knowing the other thought the same thing he did. But they also knew if they were right, it would be too late, even if they could find their way back. Zack noticed the two hesitating, but before he could turn and ask them about it, they walked past him.

P
CENTER* * * * */CENTER

P
At the front, Tifa was wondering something else. "Cait, how do you know how to get out of here?"
P
Cait looked back. "Well, this place is kinda like a maze, and I've always been good with mazes…"
P
Cloud came up beside the two. "You don't really know, do you?"
P
Cait cringed. "Well, you don't have to put it that way…"
P
Cloud shook his head. "It doesn't matter anyways. No one else knows how to get out of here either. You may as well lead…"
P
Tifa immediately knew something was up. "Cloud, what's wrong?"
P
But Cloud only shook his head, and turned away from her. "Nothing that concerns you. Nothing that I think you, or any of the others would care about. Nothing that I want to explain at the moment either. Maybe latter…"
P
But Cloud knew, just as Sephiroth and his brother knew, that Dragon Shadow had lied to them. She believed she wouldn't win the battle, yet she stayed behind to allow them to escape. She would die, and each of the three felt it was their fault.
P
Finally they reached the exit. Everyone began to walk towards the passage from which they came. Everyone that was, save three. Cloud, Sephiroth and Sefiroth were standing behind. All three waiting for the same thing. Tifa began to walk towards Cloud, when suddenly two familiar figures broke through the top of the cavern.
P
Jenova flew strait up into the air, Dragon Shadow held tightly in her grasp. It was obvious who was loosing. Summoning strength from deep inside her, Dragon Shadow managed to look down at the three. Then she spoke to one of them…
IP
"Cloud, I'm sorry. I never meant to drag you into this. I don't have time to argue. I know I will not survive this. I lied to you. But I know everything else was true. The only way you and your friends could get free was for me to do this. Now, with the last of my power, I give you…what you wanted…"
/IP
Those were the last words Cloud heard from Dragon Shadow. He didn't know if the other two heard what had been said, but somehow, he thought they already knew, even as he did. Suddenly there was a great flash of light, and both Dragon Shadow and Jenova vanished.
P
Sephiroth shook his head in disbelief. "No… She can't be…"
P
The two brothers shot off into the sky to the area where Dragon Shadow had last been seen. But they already knew what they would find.
P
And even though Cloud no longer had the mind link to the others, he knew as well. "She gave up her life so we could get free. Why? Why…?"
P
Tifa came up to Cloud, uncertain of what had just happened. "Cloud… Are you alright? What happened?"
P
But Cloud didn't pay any attention to her. His eyes were on the two figures in the sky. But as they returned, he already knew. Dragon Shadow was gone. She had given her life for them, and her final act had been to free him from the link. Even after he had hated her for what he had done to him, she risked, and lost her life for him, and his friends. And then, Cloud began to cry…

HR
Author's note: In the future, I will, on occasions, reefer to Dragon Shadow as Shadow. This will especially apply to Sephiroth, Sefiroth and Cloud when they are speaking about her./FONT/BODY