A/N: This story takes place at the ending of FFX-2. It ignores the audio releases and anything after the events of FFX-2
"Tidus.."
"Tidus. That is your name is it not?"
"Tidus, can you hear me? Can you collect your thoughts and understand me?"
The voice came from everywhere and nowhere around him. Thoughts of where he came from, and how he was wherever he was now seemed so distant to him.
"Do you have enough conscious thought to remember who you are?"
He could hear the voice clearly, but found himself unable to reply. Of course he knew who he was.. didn't he?
"I need you to focus and to remember."
"Who are you?" he finally managed to voice.
"Please, you must focus. Tell me, who are you? Do you remember anything?"
"I.." he started, but stopped and gasped and his memories came crashing back into him simultaneously. "Yuna!" Tidus yelled frantically, his voice echoing in the darkness.
"Can you still hear me? You must remember what happened to you and what you are. We are but a sum of our deeds, do you remember anything you have done?"
"I'm tired of your damn questions!" Tidus yelled, the emotions still pouring into him. "Where's Yuna?!" he breathed heavily suddenly feeling very tired. He waited for the voice to answer or ask another question but the only sound he could hear was his own heartbeat. He tried to move and found that he felt as though he were swimming. He had no idea where the impossibly dark place went, and if he were to be honest he doubted moving forward would get him anywhere. The wait and not knowing were too much, however, and he pushed himself forward as powerfully as he could.
He swam as fast as he could, all the while his memories continued to return. He remembered sin and coming to Spira, he remembered Aaron and how he had always tried to keep his secrets from him. Rikku and her bubbly overenergetic personality, Lulu and Wakka. Were they a couple now? And most importantly, He remembered Yuna. Not just her name, but he remembered everything. Her beauty, sweet voice, her caring nature and selflessness, the way he had felt for her and all the things he hadn't said to her. Would she be looking for him?
He slowed his movements and came to a stop as the answer became obvious. No.. she wouldn't. Why would she? He had faded away. As much as he had tried not to believe it, he wasn't real. He never had been. So, why was he awake now? He wondered. Had the faith been forced to dream again?
"I don't know if you can still hear me, but a good measure of time has passed since I last tried to reach you. Have you been able to form conscious thought or are the memories too scattered?"
"Hey! I can hear you!" Tidus yelled. "Who are you!?"
"I know not if bringing you back into existence is a possibility. I do not have the power to keep trying to reach you. If you can hear me focus your thoughts on my voice as strongly as you can."
He was frustrated that this voice couldn't hear him, but after calming himself he pushed aside the memories in his mind and focused as the voice had said to the best of his ability. "Who are you!?" he pleaded. "What do you want with me!?"
"At last. I want to help you. Do u remember who u are now?"
He felt relief to finally be answered. "Yes! Yes! I'm Tidus. Who are you!?"
"No need to yell.." the voice groaned. He suddenly realized that the voice sounded both very old and very tired. "My name… It would seem i have forgotten.. its been ages past since anyone has called me by my name. You can call what you wish."
"Um.. Okay." He thought for a moment. "What did you mean help me? Did Yuna send you?"
"No. what I do, I do only of my own accord."
"Then who are you!?" he yelled, growing frustrated again.
"I am just an old man… a very old man. I have lived far longer than any mortal man should. I was here long before your "Fayth" existed. Do you know how the "faith" came to be?"
"I don't care!"
"Interesting conversations are so hard to come by these days… I suppose I should get to the point then. I'm afraid I need your help.."
"You need my help? How can I help you?! I don't even know where I am!"
"You are nowhere. As of this moment you are only a memory that has been collected, gathered into somewhat of an existence."
Tidus sighed in defeat. "If I don't really exist, how can I possibly help anyone?"
"Do you wish to see… Ah, what was her name? Hmm… ah yes, do you wish to see Yuna again?"
"Yes!, But how do I do that? Please answer me!" He pleaded. In the distance he could see a faint light, and hoping that it was an exit, he swam as quickly as he could. As he drew nearer, the light shifted and became the image of and old man in a tattered white robe. He came to an abrupt stop as the old man grinned at him. "You!' Tidus started. "You're the old man that's been taking to me."
The old man smiled warmly. "I can make it a possibility, and therefore make you a possibility as well.'
"But the Fayth said that i-"
"I am not the Fayth child!" He scolded, then laughed heartily. "I know you have a great many questions for me, but I'm afraid I haven't the time. For now there is but a few things you need to know.'
Tidus crossed his arms. "And that would be?"
"Firstly, if I help you will no longer be a dream, or as you are now. You will be as real and alive as anyone else and that will not change unless you are killed or fall victim to some very dark arts."
Tidus' face softened and the old man could see a glimmer of relief and excitement in his eyes. "You.. You can really do that?" the man's serious expression did not falter. "You are serious!"
"Quite." He responded "Secondly, you will undoubtedly owe me a great debt indeed for such a prize. Wouldn't you agree?"
"Sure thing, what do I have to do?"
"It's simple really. You are in need of my help, and I am afraid that I am in need of yours."
Tidus looked at him expectantly and impatiently.
"As you can see, my age has caught up to me. But time is not as simple as one might believe. It does not flow as a straight line, no it… I apologize, I seem to have lost my train of thought. Where was I? Ah yes, Secondly, you needn't do anything now or even for quite a while. But in three years, exactly 3 years, a man will come to you seeking help. What he asks will be no simple task, but you must do it. He will have all the other answers you seek. Do you understand?"
"Ok, I'll do whatever I can."
You must promise me. Your fate, and the ones you care about will all rely on you doing this."
"Ok. I promise, just please help me get back. I need to see Yuna again."
"As you wish, simply swim upwards into the light."
Tidus looked upward in disbelief, and started to swim. "One more thing Tidus." The old man said, grabbing his arm and looking at him gravely. "If you tell Yuna or anyone of that which we have spoken, they will surely die, but not by my hand. Remember three years; make the most of them."
He continued to stare at the old man even after he had released him, letting it sink in. What would happen in three years? He pushed himself upward and swam toward the light, it grew brighter and brighter until..
He gasped for air as his head broke through the water. Gods, Besaid had never looked so beautiful. Now all he had to do was whistle..