Disclaimer: I don't own FFX-2. Square Enix does.

A/N: What if Square did push through with their original idea of having two versions for the FFX sequel: a Yuna version and a Rikku one? What would the Rikku one be like? Well, here's my take on its storyline.

Oh yeah. I just wanted to make this clear. About 20% of this story is based on the actual storyline while the rest is a product of my imagination and my love for Gippel x Rikku. "Gippel x Rikku?", you ask? Play the game and I'm sure you will think that they would make a cute couple too.

Prologue

It's a pity you weren't able to see it, Gippel.

You've always loved machina.

The Vegna Gun, it will no longer bring fear and destruction amongst the people of Spira.

We have destroyed it.

Machines are products of the ingenious minds and industrious hands of humans. Thus, they are not as invincible as they seem. They can be broken down into what they originally were… pieces.

If you were here, you would've been rejoicing at the sight of the countless parts of the Yevon weapon scattered everywhere. You would be running around, picking up all the pieces you can carry, screaming "Machina fest!" to no one in particular. You would be so happy and grateful you were here.

But you're not.

"Rikku, there's no time to waste. Let's go."

I nodded my head as a reply. Paine was right. There was no time to waste. Shuin was waiting for us on the top. It was time to bring the Calm back to Spira, and make it eternal once and for all.

"Yu-Ri-Pa, starting mission." I whispered under my ragged breath. I uttered a silent prayer inside my mind as we leapt from stone to stone, running towards the top, running towards Shuin, running towards you.

"Yuna," Paine exclaimed as she suddenly stopped in her tracks. Seriousness and concern could be seen from her red eyes as they lingered at my cousin's form. "It's time."

Yunie looked at the raven-haired girl then at me and nodded. Bright white light surrounded her body as she lifted her arms in the air, her handgun aiming at the heavens. Pink rings glowed as they encircled her in a downward spiral. Once they reached her feet, darkness and smoke engulfed her body. All of a sudden, blue laser lights appeared in the background, a slender figure standing in the vertex. She stepped forward, her right hand catching the microphone in the air. She twirled and strike a pose, revealing her new purple and white dress, the Songstress dress.

Lenne's spirit inside her, like Shuin's spirit inside you.

Paine and I went ahead, holding our weapons tightly. My feet halted in its tracks while my heart started to race.

"Gippel." Your name escaped my lips together with a sad sigh.

"So, we meet again."

I shut my eyes tightly and violently shook my head, fighting the urge to cry. The black eye patch, the lavender sweater and loose purple pants, the black and red metal shoulder guards, the overly-gelled sunshine-blonde hair, the boyish charm, it was you! The body, the clothes, the looks, everything was yours, everything except for the soul that lingered inside.

"Shuin." The woman in black standing beside me shot him a glare and swung her sword towards your possessed body.

"I see you're not happy to see me. Don't worry. I assure you, this will be our last meeting. At least here in Spira." The voice, it sounded nothing like yours. Instead of your usual cool yet comical tone, it was anger, madness and loathing that lingered in it. An evil snicker had also replaced your usual mocking laughter. "After I defeat you fools, I will destroy Spira, this land filled with nothing but anger and strife! I will wipe away all the hatred in this world. There will no longer be divisions amongst the people. No more mindless battles will be fought. No more lives will be sacrificed."

"You crazy bastard!" Paine shouted. Her suddenly high-pitched voice was shaky thanks to her anger. Shuin. Many lives were shed because of him. Disunity came upon the people of Spira because of him. Her past and present were shattered because of him. He was the epitome of pure evil and obliviousness.

Unable to control her rage any longer, she charged towards your form, only to be stopped by a soft voice coming from behind.

"Shuin."

Gentle footsteps from brown leather boots could be heard. A woman wearing a sleeveless purple top and an intricately designed black skirt came into view. The white ruffles from her blouse produced a muted sound as the chilly breeze blew towards our direction.

It was Yuna. But in Shuin's eyes, it was another woman.

"Lenne?"

"I waited for you, Shuin. I waited for you for a thousand years. But you never came."

"I-I…"

"You need not explain. Let's go home, Shuin." She extended her hand towards him and continued, "Now we can finally rest… together."

Drawn by her softly-spoken words, Shuin's spirit blindly walked towards Yuna, leaving your body on the floor.

I quickly ran towards you and fell on my knees, cradling you in my arms. "Gippel," I cried as I held your lifeless form closer to my chest. My eyes brimmed with tears but I refused to cry and to believe what was happening. You couldn't be dead. No, you couldn't. "You monkey-ass! Wake up!!!" I started to slap your cheeks, hoping you would come around. "How the hell do you expect to keep up with your bad-ass reputation when you're here lying like a celery stalk?! Wake up!!! Wake up!!! Wake up!!!" Every wake up said, a gentle slap was done. "Wake up!!! Wake up!!! Wake up…" The last one sounded more like a plea than an order. It was then long fought-backed tears began to flow from my eyes, staining my cheeks and chest. My hand stopped from its slapping and rested on your pale cheek, caressing it gently.

"No…" I whimpered as my body started to tremble in disbelief and anxiety. "Fate couldn't be this cruel…" I just couldn't believe it. How I wish everything was just a dream, that we were still living in Home, enjoying all the Machina and teasing each other like crazy!

But it was no dream. Home was long gone. And so were you. I burrowed your head on my shoulder and sobbed incessantly on yours. I could hear Yuna and Shuin talking in the background. But I didn't understand their words. They were mere murmurs, muted by my weeping and the sadness and pain I was feeling.

"You're not Lenne!" My eyes fluttered open upon hearing his infuriated voice. I lifted my tear-stained face from your shoulder and saw Shuin shove Yuna towards the floor.

"YUNA!!!" I screamed, catching the shadowy figure's attention. I froze and watched in horror as he walked towards me, a demented look in his face, his tainted sword ready to strike me.

And that was when I heard your voice once again.

"Cid's little brat…"

My eyes shifted its gaze from the wicked shadow towards you. I felt the pain in my heart disappear as I heard your faintly-spoken words. Tears continued to spill but my lips curved in a smile. "Gippel…" I cried as I tightened my embrace on you. "Told ya to call me Rikku..."

A weak chuckle escaped your lips as you wrapped your arms around me, returning my embrace. My heart soared as I felt yours beat against my chest. The same heart sank in an eye's blink.

My eyes widen in horror as a deep moan escaped your lips together with something. Blood. Your head fell into a bow as your arms limped from your embrace. They were no longer around me, but still we were connected.

No…

His sword. It was the only thing holding us together. A gasp escaped my lips as I saw the pool of crimson below us.

I cannot die yet.

A swarm of pyreflies of different colors emancipated from our form, their brilliant light blinding me, narrowing my eyes into slits.

Nor can you.

Sea green and light pink. Glowing, circling around us. Our lifeless bodies floating in a pool of deep crimson.

You haven't heard my story.

Yuna crying. Paine screaming. Shuin snickering. A flurry of thoughts and memories flashing before my eyes.

It all began with that sphere of yours…

***flashback***

A/N: Though I doubt he would get to read this, I'd like to thank Seph of the Unofficial FFX-2 Translation site. Without him, I wouldn't be able to come up with this. Thank you.