This is my first attempt at a "kosher" FF-based story, and I really like the idea…strangely enough, it came to me while I was lying in bed, trying to get to sleep the night before I moved into college. I started writing it while I was on an internet hiatus (forced, I might add, because it was a lack of a computer that did it!) in my notebook-o-stories, and it was good enough to make it to here. This'll be the first chapter, and if enough people like it, I'll continue it.
Disclaimer: I do not own any characters used in this story other than members of the Rebel League.
Final Fantasy X: Turbulent Waters
A year after Sin's death, the "Eternal Calm" continues to thrive. The people are happy. Spira is at peace. Or so they say.
My name is Ridelle. I was a warrior monk under Maester Kinoc when the summoner Yuna went on her pilgrimage. I participated in Operation Mi'ihen and survived; a living testimony that the faithful to Yevon are blessed people, indeed. I sand with the ship in the sky that played the Hymn of the Fayth. I cheered when Sin lit up the sky and burst into pyreflies.
But I did not go to Luca to hear the traitor Yuna speak to Spira.
In the months following Sin's demise, the people of Spira sought out new leaders to guide them into the Eternal Calm. Much to my disgust, the people chose Yuna.
In her address to the people of Spira, Yuna explained the "lies" that the order of Yevon spread across Spira. I couldn't believe the filth that the traitorous wench was speaking! To think, that the Final Aeon was the key to Sin's revival! Utter lies! I couldn't stand there and listen to such disgraces.
The people of Spira believed Yuna's lies and proposed the order of New Yevon, one of peace and keeping Spira pristine. Yuna, of course, was deemed Grand Maester. Yuna's Ronso pet Kimahri became the leader of the remaining Ronso tribe. The blasphemous child of the Al Bhed called Rikku became the lianson between the New Yevon and the despicable Al Bhec. That imbecile Wakka was established as the Master of Games in Luca, bringing all of Blitzball under his watch. Finally, the witch Lulu was deemed Yuna's counsel; her main advisor. All five of them were Maesters of New Yevon.
I spit in all of their faces!
I joined the rest of the truly faithful members of the Order of Yevon, disguising ourselves as the Rebel League. Yuna knows of our faithfulness, and she is threatened by our resolve, yet she has done nothing to thwart out preaching of the teachings. Such a lax in discipline is not the act of a true leader. It has given the Rebel League the chance to delve into the deepest reaches of Yevon's teachings.
We have discovered, through our research and faithful endeavors, the process in which fayth are created.
The time is near, now, that we, the truly faithful to Yevon's teachings, teach the traitor Yuna, as well as the rest of Spira, that only the truly faithful are meant to live.
We will succeed, Yuna, and you will not have the power you need to stop us…
Chapter 1: Anniversary
"Yuna?" A well endowed, lovely woman in a black kimono with designs of flames and beautiful braided black hair called, appeared in the court room of the Palace of St. Bevelle. "Yuna, where are you?"
Lulu collapsed into deep thought, her delicate brow furrowed as it was quite frequently when something involved Yuna. Yuna couldn't have gone far, as she was the Grand Maester, and would have an escort almost anywhere. Where would she have gone, regardless of the risks of going out of Bevelle alone?
A smile slowly found its way to Lulu's mouth. Bevelle was on the edge of Macalania Forest. Lulu's smile saddened as she realized where Grand Maester Yuna had gone and why.
The black mage sighed and turned out of the court room, knowing what she must do.
A tear fell down Yuna's cheek as she sat beside a magical lake, deep in Macalania Forest.
"It will be one full year in four days," the Maester said to the lake. Or was it something inside the lake? Or no one, perhaps? "One year…"
Putting her fingers in her mouth and blowing, Yuna produced a shrill whistle that echoed against the lake waters, returning her whistle to her ears, weaker than before. Her whistling had progressively gotten softer, more sullen, over the past year.
Another tear fell down the cheek of the most powerful person in Spira and she sighed. A soft hand found Yuna's soft shoulder. "Yuna," Lulu said in a softly spoken voice, "we should head back to the palace."
"Just one more minute," Yuna argued, slightly sobbing.
"Rikku arrives in two hours," Lulu said sternly. "The Grand Maester should be there to welcome her friend and fellow Maester."
Yuna chuckled darkly. "I should never have agreed to that title," she whispered.
Lulu laughed, lightening the mood. "Don't let it get to you. You are the hope of Spira's people. You will be the hope that shines through the millennia of darkness established by Yevon. Now, come with me."
Lulu helped Yuna her feet and the two of them headed back to Bevelle. Along the way, Yuna was completely silent and never looked Lulu in the eye. Before long, the Grand Maester was once more where she "belonged," at the head of the St. Bevell High Court.
The monstrous double-doors at the far end of the hall creaked open, revealing a boisterous blonde with wild hair and strange green eyes garbed in her Maester's gown, a lovely red kimono with patterns of pyreflies.
"Yunie, we need to talk," Rikku said, stepping into the Questioned platform and raising herself to speak with the Grand Maester.
"You're early," Lulu said, crossing her arms and giving the young girl a stern look.
"What's the matter, Rikku?" Yuna asked her friend, a look of concern spread across her face.
"Another Al Bhed convoy was attacked this morning," Rikku said, growing red in the face. "It was the Rebel League again." Yuna sighed and hung her head. Rikku shook her head, her eyes soft and understanding, but confused. "When are you going to do something about them, Yuna? This is the third attack in two weeks." The Al Bhed's green, swirled eyes were tearing up, gazing imploringly at Yuna.
Lulu sensed that something was wrong with her young friend. "There's more, isn't there?" Lulu asked silently, as if she'd already known the answer.
Rikku nodded. "Pops was leading the convoy."
Yuna's head snapped up, her mismatched eyes wide in terror. "Cid? Is he all right?" she demanded.
Rikku didn't answer. She bowed her head and tears fell to the rail underneath her fingers. Yuna's hands covered a silent gasp. Lulu shook her head solemnly.
"I can't keep the Al Bhed calm anymore, Yunie," Rikku said, looking off to the side. "If you don't do something about the Revel League, the Al Bhed will."
Yuna fell to her knees. Lulu watched her intently and Rikku didn't look at her at all.
"Send out a warrant for anyone claiming to be a member of the Rebel League," Yuna said inside a sigh.
Lulu nodded silently and turned to leave the room, leaving the Al Bhed girl and the Grand Maester to speak alone.
"What of the Guado?" Yuna asked Rikku.
Rikku finally looked at Yuna again. "Gone without a trace. We have no idea where they went."
"That's unfortunate," Yuna said, standing to her feet. "We could use a negotiator such as Tromell in such troubling times."
"Kimahri said that the Ronso are getting restless about finding the Guado and making them pay for what Seymour did."
Yuna closed her eyes and sighed. Kimahri had become the Ronso Elder after Maester Kelk had been killed by Seymour a year ago, but even the limited numbers of the Ronso was a large enough factor to deter the race from holding a grudge against the Guado. They wanted to see the Guado pay for what Seymour had done to them.
Yuna opened her mouth to speak, but before she could answer, Lulu burst back into the room through the door through which she had exited. Her eyes were wide and she was sweating slightly. "Yuna!" she hissed severely. "To your office chamber, now! This is something you'll want to see."
Lulu turned and led the other two Maesters to Yuna's business quarters, where al official business of New Yevon came to pass. The busty black mage turned to a large sphere screen and began a sphere playback.
An older man sat in front of the sphere camera, looking around wildly. His eyes were wide with fear and worry. After a moment, he looked at the camera and began his message.
"Lady Yuna, something has happened. Besdaid temple is under attack. The Crusaders stationed here fought valiantly, but no one is a match for an aeon. I don't know what to do; whoever survived the attack fled into the jungle, but we're still being picked off one by one. Please, Lady Yuna, we beg of you: help us!" The man reached to turn the camera off when Yuna noticed large movement in the foliage behind him. There was a flash of silver, a crash, a scream, and the video ended.
Yuna sat there, bewildered. She just stared at the blank sphere screen for a few minutes, her eyes wide. Rikku was just as speechless.
"Wasn't that Old Man Telis?" Lulu asked, her mouth covered by a finger. "I'd thought that the man had a heart of stone. I'd never seen him so much as smile, let alone act like that."
Yuna continued to appear speechless.
"An aeon," she finally whispered. "Does that mean that the fayth have somehow returned?"
Yuna headed for the door and went out, into the hallway. Lulu and Rikku were right behind her.
"Yunie, what are you going to do?" Rikku asked.
Yuna closed her eyes and breathed deeply. "I must go to Besaid and investigate this myself," she said sternly, her eyes opening to give off a determination Lulu had only seen during the summoner's pilgrimage.
"Then I'll go with you!" Rikku said, pounding herself on the chest. "I'm your guardian, after all," she added with a friendly wink.
Lulu nodded, a smirk on her face. "Looks to me like being a Maester isn't as dull as I had thought it would be. Let's go."
Yuna nodded, not quite as upbeat as the other two women. "Yes. Let's go to Besaid."
Yeah, uh, had a problem ending the chapter, but it's all good. So, uh, whatja think? Is it a good enough idea to continue? Let me know! R&R, please.