Final Fantasy X: Journey
This . . . this is my story. I don't care if it's the Eternal Calm, evil will still reign in this world. You can't have peace without there being darkness somewhere lurking, waiting to be defeated so that light will take control once again. People—no, enemies you thought were gone from this world will arise again, more powerful and more ruthless than before. I know this; understand this. I will stop them.
I will prove to the world that I am my father's daughter.
* * *
"Yuna . . . We really should be going." Lulu's voice carried over the Farplane to where Yuna stood quietly; staring at the image of the man she had fallen in love with, and was still in love with to this day. She turned, slowly, to face Lulu, brushing away a tear.
"I'm ready," she said.
At 33, High Summoner Lady Yuna didn't look that much different from the girl she'd been when she defeated Sin to bring the Eternal Calm. Yes, her hair was a little different, her face a little older. Her dress was plain and simple: purple, white, with a little gold here and there.
Lulu smiled softly, understanding. "The celebration's about to begin."
Yuna nodded, feeling a sharp pain of sadness grip on her heart. Nine years, she thought. Nine years since she'd lost her one tie to Tidus, her only and true love.
And now it was time to celebrate what would have been—should have been—the joyous sixteenth birthday of that precious, affectionate, lost tie.
The tie that had been stolen away before she could become the person people knew she would one day be . . .
The one who would govern the light over darkness.
* * *
"Yunie!" Rikku's still-girlish voice cut through the air like a knife. Yuna turned just in time to be caught in a bone-crushing hug by her cousin.
"Hello, Rikku," Yuna said, smiling at her happiness and wrapping her arms around her, squeezing lightly. Though still loud and opinionated, Rikku just couldn't be ignored.
Rikku pulled away to arm's length, hands on Yuna's shoulders, her eyes serious and searching in Yuna's own. "Are you okay?" she asked, tilting her head slightly to study Yuna better.
"I'm fine. I just . . ." Yuna broke off; tears were silently beginning to slide down her cheeks. Rikku, too, started crying along with Yuna. It was hard for all them to live through this day.
"I—I wish—" But Yuna couldn't finish her sentence. Together, she and Rikku went to their knees, clinging to each other and sobbing for their loss.
Quietly, and sadly, Wakka watched them, hugging and holding Lulu, who was also crying, however, without a sound escaping her. It was so hard; so painful.
Yuna suddenly stopped, brushing away her tears. "It's time," she said breathlessly, pushing herself to her feet. She looked out over the balcony at the sun, only halfway up in the sky.
"I have to address the people. They're waiting." Yuna said, looking now out at the sea, where the blitzball dome stood, imminently. "And I'm not going to make them wait any longer."
Rikku nodded, and stood as well, following Yuna's gaze and knowing what Yuna wanted to hear. "And then we can all come back here and watch the . . . watch the movies."
"Yes," Yuna agreed, "we'll watch the movies."
—
"Peoples of Spira, I welcome you. Though I would like to tell you how happy I am today, I know and you know in your hearts that I cannot. We all know why . . ." Yuna continued with her speech, unaware of what she was really saying.
Her guardians, Wakka and Lulu, stood slightly behind her and to the side, studying her. Rikku stood to the other side, looking out over the full stands. She could hear some people crying out there, morning the loss of the one they were celebrating for.
"Buun Oihea1," she whispered.
Yuna suddenly stopped speaking, and dropped to her knees. All at once, Lulu leapt forward. The crowd silenced, watching and praying for Yuna to stand and finish. Some hoped for her to cry, to let it all out. She'd been too strong; she needed to release.
"I'll be fine," Yuna told Lulu, who backed away. Yuna regained her composure and finished her speech in a hollow, dead sort of tone.
"I would like—like to thank you one more time for coming. This is hard for everyone. But please, just . . . Just remember her, and don't forget her."
Zanarkand had never been so gloomy or mute.
—
Yuna sat down in the big, comfortable chair Lulu had insisted she take. Lulu and Wakka seated themselves on the sofa while Rikku set up the first movie sphere for them to view. The lights went out and Rikku nestled herself on the floor, wondering if they'd think it was odd if she sprawled out like she wanted to. Suddenly not caring, she did what she wanted and slid into the desired position. Wakka opened his mouth to say something, but Lulu glared at him. Wakka closed his mouth.
The sphere came to life, and the group's attention zoomed immediately to the image now appearing. Yuna smiled, with a tear escaping her eye.
"Mama! Uncle Wakka stole Abes!" the four-year-old figure wailed.
"Tattle-tail!" Wakka's voice rang, and the scene switched to him holding a stuffed white teddy, adoringly named Abes for the city's blitzball team, and grinning, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
"Gimme!" the four-year-old screamed, now plopped down on the floor and crying, arms stretching for the much-loved stuffed teddy while tears ran unchecked down her soft cheeks.
A shocked Wakka suddenly panicked when Yuna appeared in the doorway, hands on her hips and eyes narrowed at the sight of him, a grown man, taking candy from a child.
"Wakka! Give her back the teddy bear! Honestly; stealing from a baby!" Yuna snapped, eyes flashing. Scared, Wakka quickly dropped the teddy into the four-year-olds' lap.
Off to the side, Lulu and Rikku's voices could be heard humming with laughter at the scene before them. It was quite comical, what with Wakka being outdone by a four-year-old.
The time passed slowly, as each person there recalled the blissful era they had spent with this child, this little girl. Where she was now, no one knew. All that they could gather was that she was dead, but not sent to the Farplane.
Later, on the final sphere, all eyes were full of tears, but smiles were on their faces as they watched the beloved child that was gone—no, ripped, from their lives.
"Happy Birthday!" Rikku's voice sang out. A chorus of more "Happy Birthdays" ran out in the room and the newly turned seven-year-old blushed accordingly.
Her left blue eye and right green eye turned to look directly at the crowd watching every precious passing moment the sphere had to offer and she smiled, short blond hair swaying ever so slightly, just like her father. She let out a soft giggle, cocking her head with arms coming up behind, hands on the back of her head.
"Thanks for the party, Mama. I love you."
The sphere froze.
Yuna's smile widened and deepened, more tears falling down her cheeks as the image began to slowly fade from the air. Sniffles echoed in the room.
Her beautiful daughter, Tida.
1 Buun Oihea means "Poor Yunie."
All right, I'm not exactly new to FF.net, but I'm new to Final Fantasy—fanfiction for it, anyway. I began this story before I discovered Final Fantasy X-2, so when I find out more on it, I'll write about it. But I just though this was a good idea, so I hope ya'll do too. Well, please review. Lata.
Angel of the Faith
