Shadow took a step forwards, towards Jenova. She went to take another, when the great dragon stepped in front of her. "I cannot let you do this…"

"I don't want to fight you."

"But you have no choice!"

The dragon leaped towards Shadow, and the two flew off into the void.


CENTER* * * * */CENTER

With the Shadow and the great dragon gone, that left only Jenova, Lavos, and the other dragon. The giant tiger-like creature was no where in sight. Jenova stood there, and laughed. Looking at Jenova, it became difficult to tell where she ended, and Lavos began. The two creatures had somehow merged into one tremendously giant monstrosity. The others drew their weapons. Although Cloud and his companions did not have materia, and therefor their magic, they had their strength. Chrono and his friends had their magic, and they were willing, and ready, to use it.


"We end this now, Jenova!"

Jenova just continued to laugh. Sephiroth, Sefiroth, and Cloud all charged her, weapons drawn. But they only made it to within 2 feet of Jenova, when they were thrown back. Jenova reached out with one of her tentacles, and picked up Cloud. The others raced over to help him, but were thrown back once again.

Jenova continued to laugh as she raised Cloud over her head. "Now you shall see what becomes of those who defy me!"

Cloud began to scream in pain as Jenova tightened her grasp. But he was not the only one. The other dragon too, began to scream and thrash as if trying to escape something, but was failing. Jenova showed no concern for the dragon's pain, as she continued to slowly squeeze the life out of Cloud.

Just as suddenly, she stopped, and threw his half-crushed body towards the others.

Without thinking, Sephiroth flew up and caught him. But Cloud was in so much pain, he never even noticed. Although he was free, the damage had been done.

Everyone drew back a little. Suddenly, without warning, Magnus charged the creature, chanting. The void became darker, and Jenova vanished from sight. But suddenly there was a blaze of light from Jenova, and the darkness vanished. It then began to re-form around Magnus. He attempted to escape, but it was too late. His own attack had been turned against him. When the darkness cleared, Magnus was lying on the ground, only semi-conscious. Chrono and Frog ran towards him, and pulled him back.

Jenova had never stopped laughing, except to speak to them. And now they knew why. Their strongest attacks hadn't even reached her. They were incapable of even touching Jenova now.


CENTER* * * * */CENTER


Tifa was kneeling down beside Cloud, crying. Nadia was trying to cure Magnus. Sephiroth and his brother were staring at Jenova. Red was studding a piece of Materia. Cid and Barret were searching for something, anything to help Cloud. A feeling of defeat had settled over those who fought to defend the world. Their battle was pointless.

Frog shook his head sadly. "We have at last met our match. How dose one fight a foe, when all attacks are returned…?"

"This isn't an elemental based creature. If it were than it may be possible that the opposite element would have an effect."

"Lucca! Now is hardly the time to think about ineffective methods of attack! There must be something we can do!"

Chrono looked over Magnus, to Nadia. "We've tried everything. Weapons bounce right off it. Spells are reflected away. With hardly any effort on it's part it nearly killed two of our warriors. And we haven't even scratched it. That creature is toying with us. It could kill us all right now if it wanted to…"


CENTER* * * * */CENTER


Vincent was staring at his claw. Deep within, a strong debate was going on. He knew one attack method that they had yet to try. Yet that method could kill them all.

Zack came up beside him. "We have no choice."

"And what if it backfires? What if we end up killing those we wish to save?"

"Then at least they'll die free. If Jenova takes us at least those who hold her cells within them will become her slaves. The others will either die, or suffer a similar fate. Right now they would rather have death that that. What about you?"

"Perhaps you are right…"

The two warriors passed through the center of the others. Almost everyone turned to watch them. Just as they began to approach Jenova, Cid stepped in their way. "What on earth are you doing? Trying to get yourselves killed?"

"No Cid, we are not. Perhaps our other forms, the ones you've seen, will have no effect. But there is one last, desperate measure we can take. One that may yet free us…"

Cid looked at Vincent in disbelief. "Are you outa your mind! She'll kill you in no time!"

"Get out of the way Cid. We have made our choice…"

When Cid refused to move, the two went around him. The others watched as the two warriors approached the untouchable monster. Then, two flashes of light blazed out. One surrounding each warrior…/FONT/BODY