Minerva (Crisis Core)

==Summary==
Minerva is an enigmatic character appearing in Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII-, prequel to the original Final Fantasy VII, as a mysterious figure during the ending, as well as a superboss at the end of the missions Zack can take. Despite having the appearance of a goddess, her nature is more akin to that of a Summon.
If Zack takes the missions in The Great Cavern of Wonders not only he would encounter the enemy armies of Wutai and Genesis, but also he will begin to encounter their own machines who have gone berserk, monsters that become more vicious and creatures whose biology has been altered, all of them also becoming exponentially more powerful. The mission briefings inform him that an energy source was the cause of these strange phenomena, and as Zack ventured deeper he found out that the enemy armies had been wiped out and that the creatures encountered had been twisted in a way never imagined, such as machines attaining biological traits or the dead being reanimated. The energy source became stronger and Zack would find out Minerva herself was the cause. At the very end of the place Minerva showed herself and challenged Zack to a duel. No reason was given. She proved to be a formidable opponent, pushing Zack in a way almost no opponent had managed to, but was eventually defeated and she retreated.
Minerva would later manifest to Genesis right after he was defeated by Zack, as he realized that what he was looking for for so long was his pride as a SOLDIER. Minerva, being a reflection of the will of the Lifestream, passed judgment on him and accepted his resolve to complete his mission, a new desire to protect the Planet, as he finally had conquered death as he had surpassed the fear of it that had chained him for so long as well. She invited him to live on and fulfill his duty, before disappearing once again.
==Powers and Stats==
Tier: , higher with Spirit Energy
Name: Minerva
Origin: Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII-
Gender: Female
Age: Likely as old as the Planet itself
Classification: "Goddess from LOVELESS", Will of the Lifestream, the Reigning Deity
Powers and Abilities:
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|-|Innate= 
General: 
*Superhuman Physical Characteristics, Weapon Mastery (of spears, shields and bows), Levitation, Telekinesis (can control her weapons and armor this way), Incorporeality and Non-Physical Interaction (describedCrisis Core -Final Fantasy VII-: The Complete Guide (2007) as a being that trascends physical matter), Magic (as a being that's part of the Lifestream, the powers of the Planet are inherently Minerva's thus its properties are also hers) that gives her access to: Light Manipulation (via Photon Feather), Fire Manipulation (via Crimson Flare), Homing Attack (both Photon Feather and Crimson Flare track enemies), Electricity Manipulation (via Thor's Hammer), Ice Manipulation that likely reaches Absolute Zero (as a being superior to Summons and part of the Lifestream itself, Minerva's cold should be superior to Shiva's who reachesFinal Fantasy Explorers. Japanese Website Summon profiles (2014) these temperatures and whose powers come from the Lifestream as well) and Holy Manipulation (the Planet itselfFinal Fantasy VII (1997) has holy properties, which Minerva can likely grant to her attacks), Healing (via Blessing Light), Invulnerability (via Absolute Ward, which makes her immune to physical and magical damage, as well as any sort of non-direct offensive Zack has for 20 seconds, as well as Anti Material for physical attacks and Anti Magic for magical ones) and Energy Projection (via Ultima) 
Judgment Arrow: 
*Pocket Reality Manipulation (like Summons, Minerva can draw her enemies to an alternate realmCrisis Core -Final Fantasy VII-: The Complete Guide (2007) to unleash her most powerful attack), Minor Sealing and Danmaku (Judgment Arrow traps the opponent within a circle of runes to bombard them with energy arrows before unleashing the main attack), Invulnerability Negation, Reflection Negation, Power Nullification, Energy Depletion and Magic Depletion (Judgment Arrow bypasses shields and barries, like the special moves of other Summons it cannot be reflected and disables all enhancements and positives bonuses on the target and fully depletes their magic and stamina reserves)
|-|Spirit Energy Emanations= 
Abilities: 
*Spirit Energy Manipulation (Minerva is identifiedCrisis Core -Final Fantasy VII-: The Complete Guide (2007) as a reflection of the willCrisis Core -Final Fantasy VII-: The Complete Guide (2007) of the Lifestream and appears to be made out of the Lifestream itself, which is a massive currentFinal Fantasy VII (1997) of Spirit Energy. Furthermore, she is revealedCrisis Core -Final Fantasy VII-: The Complete Guide (2007) to be the energy sourceCrisis Core -Final Fantasy VII- (2007) deep within the Cave of Wonders, causing all the events recorded by Shinra's personnel), which grants her: Aura, Mind Manipulation, Madness Manipulation (Type 2), Biological Manipulation, Corruption (Type 2), Necromancy and Blessing (As seen in the Cave of Wonders and detailed in the mission briefings as Zack ventured deeper, Minerva is a source of energy of such magnitude that it was believed to be limitless. Simple exposure to her energy causesCrisis Core -Final Fantasy VII- (2007) other beings to become more vicious or outright go berserk, with even machines being affected. They may become several magnitudes strongerCrisis Core -Final Fantasy VII- (2007), warp their biology completelyCrisis Core -Final Fantasy VII- (2007) or even revive the deadCrisis Core -Final Fantasy VII- (2007) as a different being, all while under her control), Purification (Type 2) and Healing (Cured Genesis' degradation, which was affecting him on a cellular level, along with the damages done already to his body, restoring him to his prime condition)
|-|Resistances= 
Resistance to: 
*Matter Manipulation, Deconstruction and Biological Manipulation (Lacks a physical body altogether. Additionally, as part of the Lifestream, Minerva would be immune to its effect of altering biology and diffusingFinal Fantasy VII: Advent Children -Reunion Files- (2006) physicalFinal Fantasy VII: 10th Anniversary Ultimania (2007) matter) with the addition of Radiation Manipulation (can withstand Bahamut Fury's Exaflare, a more powerful variant of the Flare spell which is consistently described as a nuclear blast), Mind Manipulation, Soul Manipulation, Empathic Manipulation, Memory Manipulation and Corruption (Type 1 and 2. Due to her connection to the Lifestream, Minerva is unaffected by its most hazardous effects: her mind isn't overwhelmedFinal Fantasy VII: Ultimania Omega (2005) nor her individuality destroyed, her emotions and memoriesFinal Fantasy VII: On the Way to a Smile - Lifestream Black (2009) endure, her soul isn't diffused and forcefully absorbed in the collective, nor the Spirit Energy turns herCrisis Core -Final Fantasy VII-: The Complete Guide (2007) into a monster), Elemental Manipulation (of the Fire, Absolute Zero Ice, Lightning, Earth, Wind, Water, Gravity and Holy variety), Poison Manipulation (which also protectsFinal Fantasy VII (1997) from Acid Manipulation), Paralysis Inducement, Sleep Inducement, Blindness, Size Manipulation, Silence Inducement, Transmutation, Curse Manipulation, Power Nullification (of physical, magical and spiritual abilities), Petrification, Madness Manipulation (Types 2 and 3, by virtue of being unaffected by Confusion and Berserk and not havingFinal Fantasy VII: Ultimania Omega (2005) her mind overloaded by the informationFinal Fantasy VII Remake: Ultimania (2020) in the Lifestream) and Death Manipulation (Due to the powers and effects of Magic and Materia coming fromCrisis Core -Final Fantasy VII- (2007) the Planet itself, Minerva has its properties at her disposal), Space-Time Manipulation (The concepts of space and time are warped within the Lifestream and time itself is describedFinal Fantasy VII: The Maiden Who Travels the Planet (2005) as meaningless), Power Mimicry and Power Absorption (Limit Breaks and Spirit Energy Abilities come from the user's own Spirit, which shapes their mind, heart and soul, thus they cannotFinal Fantasy VII (1997) be copied, the sole exception being Zack acknowledged as an unusual caseCrisis Core -Final Fantasy VII- (2007) who creates a variant of the original move)
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Attack Potency: Multi-Solar System level (According to Kunsel's MessageCrisis Core -Final Fantasy VII- (2007), Minerva is above the Summons. This includes the ones the Shinra Company had information about, among them Zirconiade, whose summoning was treated as an unprecedented crisis and threat far above Bahamut Fury, even when Zirconiade was nowhere near its full power. Additionally, Zirconiade's eventual destruction at the hands of the Player Turks caused the Planet to send the Jade WeaponFinal Fantasy VII: 10th Anniversary Ultimania (2007) to investigate the event, proving to be a far greater threat to Zirconiade's destroyers, meaning Minerva would be on par with individual Weapons as well), higher with Spirit Energy
Speed: Massively FTL+ (Stronger than all Summons the Shinra Company has information about, which includes Bahamut Fury. Could match Zack in combat, who is much stronger than said Summon as well. Stronger than Red XIII by the time he first learns to use the Stardust Ray Limit Break)
Lifting Strength: Stellar (Is stronger than Zirconiade, which would make Minerva far superior to Typhon)
Striking Strength: Multi-Solar System level (Can easily inflict critical injuries on Zack with just a few of her physical attacks)
Durability: Multi-Solar System level (Far above Bahamut Fury and superior to Zirconiade. Can endure Zack's attacks who would take down a prime condition Genesis and Angeal, both also above Bahamut Fury. Should be on par with the Weapons, who were unaffected by their mutual massive energy release when five of them awakened)
Stamina: Superhuman, possibly Infinite. Mission briefings report that the amount of energy coming from Minerva was limitless. Considering Minerva is not a physical being, but rather a manifestation of the Lifestream, which in itself is made of life energy, her sources may be very well the Planet itself.
Range: Extended Melee Range with her weapons. Tens of Meters with her abilities. At least a few Kilometers to dimensional with her energy emanations. Planetary with Judgment Arrow.
Standard Equipment:
*Scepter: Minerva's main weapon in combat. A long scepter she uses more like a spear for thrusts and swings in deadly combinations with impressive reach and speed.
*Shield: A huge round shield Minerva carries in her left arm that reaches up to her shoulders.
*Armor: Minerva's massive ornamental armor of gold and white colors, with a Greek motif and wing patterns and shapes over it. On her back floats a large emblem with wings in a wheel-like shape.
*Bow and Arrow: Used for her ultimate move, Judgment Arrow. Minerva relinquishes most of her armor, alongside her scepter and shield, and the pieces assemble in a huge bow and arrow she aims at Zack.
Intelligence: Extraordinary Genius. If she is indeed a manifestation of the Lifestream, she likely has access to the knowledge that has accumulated over the history of the Planet coming from the lives of billions of creatures of all kinds. In her own displays, Minerva shows expertise and skill capable to match Zack Fair a SOLDIER with over 300 missions of all kinds under his belt over the course of many years, as well as displaying grace and mastery both in weapon combat, tactics and magical abilities to pressure Zack in a way no other opponent has managed to, with the sole exception of Sephiroth.
Weaknesses: Minerva cannot use Judgment Arrow right away or continuously.
Notable Attacks/Techniques:
*Anti-Magic and Anti-Material:Minerva casts a barrier in front of her that proceeds to cover her body, nullifying all damage of a specific kind depending on which type she used. Anti Magic, the red barrier, will block all magical damage, while Anti Material, the blue barrier, will prevent all physical damage.
*Absolute Ward: A superior version of the previous abilities, Minerva will conjure a golden barrier that will cast a golden glown on her body, making her invulnerable to all damage and negative conditions.
*Blessing Light: Minerva casts a stream of energy that bathes her, restoring a large amount of her health.
*Crimson Flare: Minerva spins her scepter as flames engulf both ends of the weapon, to then conjure a slow moving fireball that follows the enemy and will explode on contact, dealing massive damage.
*Krysta: A frigid air envelops the point of Minerva's scepter as she raises it and a large crystal crown suddenly freezes the enemy in their position, to then shatter and heavily damage them. Also known as "Cocytus" in the Japanese Version.
*Thor's Hammer: An electric current surges through Minerva's staff as she aggressively swings it downwards, causing a powerful bolt of lightning to violently striker her enemy.
*Photon Feather: The emblem on Minerva's back emits a golden light as it spins, sending a barrage of feather-like projectiles of light that track on the enemy.
*Ultima: The most powerful Black Magic Spell after Meteor. Minerva casts a massive explosion of Energy that covers the whole area.
*Flash Slash: A deadly combo performed by spinning her scepter at the enemy, like a bladed weapon, and then following with a circular swing, covering a large area. Minerva may use this technique twice in succession, almost warranting the defeat of the enemy.
*Judgment Arrow: Minerva transports her enemy to a realm that resembles Earth's Orbit. She then casts a several seals to trap the opponent and proceeds to pettle them with dozens of energy arrows, as she relinquishes her armor which re-assembles into a large bow, with her scepter working as the arrow. When the assault of small projectiles comes to an end, the enemy can see how Minerva is charging the arrow with light, finally shooting it at them to finish with a gigantic explosion. This attack ignores barriers, shields and any beneficial bonus in the target, as well as depleting their magic, energy and stamina reserves, along with dispelling any enhancements they may have had.
*Lifestream Energy: Not quite an ability used in combat, but the power that caused Shinra to send Zack to investigate the Cavern of Wonders in the first place. Minerva's mere presence emits such a massive amount of energy that it was believed to be limitless. This energy, thanks to her connection to the Lifestream, carries several of the warping properties Mako has in massive amounts and others found in the Lifestream itself. Mere exposure can cause the mind of the subject to collapse and become completely berserk, have their bodies changed and warped to resemble other living beings, become monsters, reanimate the dead as a new living creature and in some cases empower these mutated creatures making them many times stronger.
==Gallery==
File:Minerva and Genesis.jpg|thumb|180px|Minerva appearing before Genesis.
File:Minerva Reunion.jpg|thumb|180px|Minerva in Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII-: Reunion.
File:Minerva Model 1 Fix.png|thumb|180px|Minerva's in-game model.
File:Minerva Artwork.png|thumb|180px|Artwork of Minerva by Tetsuya Nomura.
==Notable Matchups==
Victories:
Losses:
Inconclusive:
==References==
Category:Characters
Category:Final Fantasy
Category:Game Characters
Category:Game Bosses
Category:Fire Users
Category:Ice Users
Category:Flight Users
Category:Electricity Users
Category:Light Users
Category:Invulnerability Users
Category:Magic Users
Category:Gods
Category:Shield Users
Category:Staff Users
Category:Time Users
Category:Weapon Masters
Category:Final Fantasy VII
Category:Healers
Category:Element Users
Category:Forcefield Users
Category:Power Bestowal Users
Category:Status Effect Users
Category:Summons
Category:Armor Users
Category:Female Characters
Category:Antagonists
Category:Primary Antagonists
Category:Biology Users
Category:Life Users
Category:Mind Users
Category:Corruption Users
Category:Absolute Zero Users
Category:Necromancers