Tifa was silence. It wasn't only Cloud who had suffered at Sephiroth's hands. Yet Tifa knew there had to be a reason. Finally, after, much personal debate, she agreed. "I see I have no choice. I just want to make sure that you are you Cloud."

Cloud slowly opened the door, keeping himself between the three, and those entering. No one said anything at first, too shocked to believe it. There on the floor lay the brothers, and Shadow. None of them moving. Zack gave a questioning look at Cloud. "I don't know myself what happened. All I know is that those two are trying to save her life, somehow. It wasn't any easier for them to ask, then it was for me to answer. But the three of us were driven by the need to save Shadow's life…"

Tifa looked at Cloud. "Why? Why would you do such a thing for a…a…dragon?"

Cloud shook his head. "I told you why. She risked her life for us. But also, it's my fault she's now a dragon. If I hadn't followed Sephiroth through the gate, she would have never gotten involved in this…"

But Tifa didn't agree. "You can't know that for sure! How do you know that Sephiroth wouldn't have taken her anyways?"

"I don't know that." Cloud turned to face the three figures. "But I can't be sure he wouldn't have either…"

There was a stalemate. Neither side knew the answer, but each wanted to believe that they were right. Cloud shook his head again, and sat down. He'd been standing ever since the brothers had gone to help Shadow. "I just don't know much anymore…"

CENTER* * * * */center

I
Meanwhile, in the realm of the summoned monsters…

/I
Sephiroth and his brother were still shocked over what they had heard. Shadow was trying to accept the fact that everything around her existed because of the stone embedded in her skin. None of them had come to accept all of what they had just been told.

Shadow shook her head. "An entire world. That is what rests on me. But if Jenova wins, will it matter?"

Sefiroth looked over at her. "I think I now understand why Jenova did not kill you. She could not. The creatures of this world have taken an interest in you. They will not let you die easily…"

"It may not matter if we are unable to return to our world." Both brothers turned to Shadow, not at all amused by what she had just said.

But before any of them could answer, Bahamut turned to them, laughing. "It is easy for you to return, once you have the strength to. It will be easy for me to send you back…"

Shadow looked up at the other dragon. "So it was you who brought me here?"

Bahamut nodded. "I only meant to summon the materia here. But after seeing you, I now understand why you were summoned as well. The materia is a part of you. By summoning you here, it made your mortal form appear dead. I suppose that is why you still live…"

Shadow nodded. "I owe you my life. Thank you."

But Bahamut shook his head. "It is we summoned monsters who owe you our lives. Without you, we would be dead. It has been ages since our lives were held in one person's hands…"

"You understand materia, do you not?"

Bahamut was taken by surprise at Shadow's quest. "Somewhat. Why do you ask?"

"Because, I must learn how to control it. I have been accidentally casting spells ever since acquiring this power. And it scares me. I fear what I may do by accident."

Bahamut nodded. "I see. But I fear there is little I can do for you. I only understand summoning material. But I believe that anyone you summon will appear quickly. You are our only hope for survival…"

Shadow was taken back. Her survival was due to a situation that she hadn't wanted. She had no idea of what to say. Bahamut too appeared a little surprised by what he had just said. But he, like Shadow, had no idea what to say.

Shadow turned away, looking around at the world she now held in her. But she also knew she couldn't stay here. Although the fight against Jenova and Lavos wasn't her battle, she knew she would return to fight. Although this hadn't been her fight at first, she had been drawn into it. And she wasn't about to back down. "As soon as I can, I mean to return. I have some unfinished business…"

The brothers nodded. "You are not the only one. We too have things we must do."

Bahamut nodded. "I knew you would chose to return. But you must not go yet. Your body is still weak. And to allow you to return would probably result in your death…"

Shadow nodded. "I understand. But I must return. So long as Jenova remains, I am in danger. She is concerned over my power. Only I have the strength to challenge her…"

Bahamut nodded. "I know this. As so as it is wise to, I shall return you. But it is best if you rest now. It shall allow you to heal faster."

Whit that, Bahamut turned and flew off. The brothers looked over at Shadow, but she was already beginning to settle down. Soon, she was asleep. The brothers, not knowing what else to do, followed her example./FONT/BODY