BWARNING!/B The italic section on this chapter contains a major Breath of Fire III spoiler. You can skip it if you want to.

The two dragons, Shadow and the other one, had flown out of sight of the battle. Shadow, however, was worried. She did not know why this one would suddenly change his mind. The dragon turned to her. "This is far enough…"

"Why are you doing this?"

"I don't want to. But I have no choice. Jenova found out that I did not want to battle you anymore. She swore that if I wouldn't, then she'd kill my friends. So…"

"So you agreed to fight me to save their lives…"

"Yes. But Jenova told me I didn't have to kill you. I only need to keep you from that fight…"

"Do you have any idea why? Do you know why she wants me away from that fight? Why she doesn't want you to kill me?"

"No. I don't know the answer to either…"

"Do you know anything about Jenova?"

"Not really…"

"Then let me tell you this. She's pure evil. She wants to enslave me. She changed me into a dragon. She made me into a monster that can no longer go home! If she wins that battle, then she'll destroy this would, and who knows how many others. She'll enslave anyone who refuses to follow her. And she'll take control of anyone who is cursed with her cells. Like me, and Cloud, and Sefiroth and his brother. We'll be forced to kill, and destroy for her. Have you ever had something like that happen to you..."

"No. But…"

The dragon was quiet. He wasn't sure what to say. Nothing made sense anymore. At one time he knew right from wrong. But now, he was again in a situation in which there was no one to tell him what was right. Just like when they finally met the Goddess…

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I
"Ryu, it is true I ordered the destruction of the brood. But their power was too strong, too dangerous for my children. I must protect them from all harms. Keep them from knowing too much. I did not kill Tepo; he saw the truth of my words. He lived here, where his power would threaten no one again. Please, for the sake of this world, please agree to surrender. The brood have the power to destroy the world…"

"No. You say I have the power to destroy the world. But what have you done? You keep this world in stasis. Allowing it to grow only as much as you see the need. People have the right to make their own decisions! What you are doing is wrong. You ordered the massacre of my people because you feared them. You feared they would give the people the chance to write their own destinies. I will not sit by and watch you manipulate people as you will. Even if it doses cost me my life…"
/I

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That day in the space station rushed back to him. Ryu remembered discovering that it was one person, the Goddess who tired to rule the world, and keep the people from being themselves. And now he was helping another one. One like the goddess, yet much worse. "You're right. What is happening here is what I once fought. Rei was willing to give his life to try and stop it. Tepo died because I fought for what I believed. Yet now, now when their lives are put at risk for the same thing, I help the one doing it. Why?"

"Look, they are your friends. I would have done the same thing. You must decide what is the most important…"

"No, I know which it is. Dying for freedom is far better than living in slavery. I made that destine once. As did the others. I believe they would gladly make it again. Please, let me help you stop this evil. The evil I unwittingly helped…"

Shadow nodded. She and Ryu flew back towards the battle, hoping they were not too late…

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They arrived just as Zack and Vincent fell for the final time. Jenova had attacked them with one finally attack. The two mighty beasts fell, and morphed back into human form. Jenova had not noticed the two dragons. She walked, triumphantly, towards the two fallen men, determined to destroy them. Shadow and Ryu landed in front of her, blocking the way. Although Jenova was larger, she was also tired, having already faced the attacks from the two beasts.

Jenova looked at Ryu. "So this creature is worth more to you than the life of your friends?"

"No. But freedom is. Both Tepo and Rei paid a heavy price for their freedom before. I know they would be willing to do so again…"

"Ha! What do you know? This is not your world, but mine!"

"No Jenova. This is not his world, nor is it yours, or mine. But I shall stop you! Just as I have stopped you before!"

Tepo looked on from behind. And he knew what he had to do. He turned to Sephiroth. "Please, watch my friend for me. I cannot stand behind and do nothing…"

Sephiroth nodded. Tepo moved forwards, calling upon the genes that were his birthright. He once again took on the form of a mighty dragon, and stood beside Ryu. "No Jenova, Shadow is right. This is not your world. And Ryu is right as well. Both Rei and I would gladly die, if it meant keeping this world free…"

Faced with three unexpected attackers, Jenova prepared to make a final stand. The deciding battle was about to begin…/FONT/BODY