Shadow was about half way back to the town, when a familiar figure flew beside her. "So, we meet again…"
"That we do. But I don't understand…"
"I've been thinking. As have my friends. I think you're right. Maybe those you fight with aren't, but you are. I saw your last battle with the one I follow. That told me a lot. But…"
Shadow was almost afraid to ask. "But what…?"
"But there is one thing Jenova promised. One thing I'm not sure you, or your friends can give us…"
"What is that?"
"A way home. And I'm not sure which is more important. Helping the right people, or getting home…"
"At least you think you know the way home. But there is one other thing to consider. Can you trust her? Trust is easy to give, but sometimes hard to keep…"
"I know. I've known friends who have suffered because of trust. But I also know what I gained by trusting people…"
"That is the problem with trust. You never know how far it can carry you until it's too late. I've made that mistake before. I trusted a man I shouldn't have, and I distrusted one I should have. In the end…"
"I cannot say what we'll decided. But knowing what we have spoken of, I cannot fight you. I cannot speak of your friends, but I have decided to trust you…"
"Thank you. I am glad…"
"I cannot stay much longer. But listen. Jenova is waiting for you. Or she is planning something. I don't know which. But I know she's at the End of Time. She intends to obtain your power, one way or another…"
"I understand. When next we meet, it may be in battle. And I cannot promise that I will refuse to fight you. Like you, I must protect those that may be able to help me…"
The dragon nodded, and the two flew on, in their separate ways. Shadow knew that soon they could fight each other, but that unlike the times before, it would be hard to hate this foe…
CENTER* * * * */CENTER
Shadow landed just outside of the village. She chose to wait for the others. Trying to find them could cause more trouble than it would solve.
It did not take long. Slowly the allies she had fought beside came towards the area where she waited for them. It did not surprise her that the brothers were among the first to arrive. What did surprise her was that Tifa did not seem quite so disturbed by their presence. It took about fifteen minutes for everyone to gather. Shadow waited. She knew after what had happened yesterday; everyone would want to know what happened.
She was right. As soon as Cloud noticed that everyone had arrived, he turned to her. "Are you going to explain?"
Shadow looks over those gathered then nods. "I will. Yesterday one of the dragons came to speak with me. In many ways his situation is similar to mine. He and his two friends are not of this world. They were brought here by magic, just like me. And like me they are trying to figure out which side is the right side. They still aren't sure…"
Sephiroth looked up at her. "And you…?"
Shadow shook her head. "I know which side is the wrong side. But that's all at the moment. Please, don't ask me which is the right side, because I don't know."
The others didn't say anything. They could only guess at what kind of situation she was in. All of them had at least one other person around that they trusted, or at least knew. Shadow had come into this situation, and knew no one at all.
Shadow thought back to what the dragon had just told her. She knew it was now or never. "The dragon I spoke to also told me something else. I know where Jenova is. She is at the death of time. I don't know if she's waiting for us, or planning something. But I was warned she'd try to break me at all costs. It was foolish of me to say what I said before. I know I cannot take her alone, especially if that other creature is with her. All I can ask is for your help. If you won't give it, I understand. But you won't be killing just me. You'll be killing the realm of the summoned monsters as well. They say that I am the last source of red materia anywhere. If I die, so do they, and their world. I ask for you help now, not for me, but for them…"
She stood their awaiting judgement. No matter what happened, she could not back down. Her pride, and honor, both human and draconian would not allow it. The others watched her in return. They understood what she said, but they weren't sure how to react. She herself had admitted that they might not be the right side. But they weren't sure if that was a good thing or not. There was no way around it. Cloud was the first to react. He nodded. "I'm with you. I owe you a lot, and Jenova must die. She has threatened too many worlds already. First my world, and now this one. With her gate abilities, she could threaten many more if not stopped. Too many have suffered already…"
Tifa put her hand on Cloud's shoulder. "Where he goes, I go…"
Slowly the rest of Cloud's companions agreed. They knew that Cloud was right.
Chrono then looked up. "Jenova is my foe, if she is Lavos's ally. That creature threatened our world's past, present, and future…"
Many of Chrono's friends agreed. Only Magnus remained silent. Starring at the ground in quiet contemplation.
Magnus didn't look up, but he finally did speak. He spoke with a voice that chilled everyone. "Lavos cost me much…. My childhood, my family, my kingdom…My sister. I shall see him dead, or die trying. Even should it take me a thousand years, I shall chase him to the end of time, and beyond…"
The choice had been made, the battle lines drawn. Tomorrow's dawn would mark the beginning of the final battle, upon which rested the fate of two worlds…/FONT/BODY
