A/N: First try at Final Fantasy, so please be gentle.
I got this idea because when I started to play X again and when I saw Zanarkand that first thing I said was "Zanarkand the city of lights." That jump-started this idea to have it in this setting somewhat like what I've heard of Las Vegas, but with a few tweaks. I'll try to be true to the characters, yet please forgive me for a few OOC moments. Now don't write me off just yet I have a tendency to go against the grain and you might think I'm heading straight for a cliché (I might, but usually) instead I'll go a totally different direction.
Hope you like it right there are a rough draft of the summary.
Summary- Zanarkand the city of lights, and home of a thousands celebrities like Tidus and Shuyin, two amazing blitzball players (also twin brothers). It's the city of sin no place for the High Summoner and his daughter, yet there they are moving to Zanarkand. TxY and more
Ah, Zanarkand, the city of lights, so different from many villages in Spira, the only other one rivaling in population and machina is Luca, yet that is barely. The land of sin, nothing seems sacred here. While in Bevelle, Yevon is great and prayer seems to be everywhere, Zanarkand is different totally different. No one prays here and if they do they usually don't do it in public. This place was no place for holy men or naïve women, but it seemed as if someone didn't catch the drift.
It was all over the papers "High Summoner Braska and his Daughter: Moving to Zanarkand". No one wanted to believe that one of the most beloved holy men was moving to place filled with sin and so many people sent letters in fear for his daughter. So many wondered would the young lady, training to go in her father's footsteps, fall in with the wrong crowd and be tainted by a bad man, like many of the Zanarkand Blitzball players. There was so much speculation on the two that not many noticed that the Zanarkand Abes had once again won the Crystal Cup, thanks to their two budding stars Shuyin and Tidus. Both of the boys were Jecht's blood and took after their father.
After a tragic accident though, causing Shuyin's fiancé's death, he had told the media that this was his last year and he was playing in memory for Lenne. This news had shaken blitzball fans, but now all their attention was on the approaching airship that held two of Bevelle's finest.
"People said they're going to try to clean it up here," a man whispered to a blonde male, whom wore dark sunglasses over his deep blue eyes. His excitement was held at bay because the other man beside him, who resembled him greatly, just stood there solemn.
"Yes, I also heard that Braska's daughter had always wished to see Zanarkand, and since she is almost of age he's moving her hear," a woman jumped in with the gossip. Both blondes looked towards the sky totally ignoring the whispers.
"Look it's the ship!"
"The ship!"
In the shimmering sunlight a large red ship landed gracefully on a platform. It seemed like hours to the excited blonde for the ramp to be lowered.
"Tidus, calm down," the somber one whispered.
"Sorry, Shuyin, it's just that Braska is a friend of the old man and Auron, so I'm just curious what he looks like," Tidus replied quickly trying to get a view of the two celebrities. The first to come out were Auron and a young woman who looked a lot like him, both were brandishing their swords as a warning to those who weren't happy about the arrival of High Summoner Braska and his daughter. Next was a trio of Al Bhed, two males and a female. Finally two figures cloaked in robe like things walked off of the ramp. A mixture of boos and whoops of happiness greeted them. The smaller figure seemed to somewhat hide behind the larger one.
"She's shy!" Tidus exclaimed, and even though he couldn't see his brother's eyes he was well aware the Shuyin had just rolled them.
"Shall we introduce ourselves?" he suggested. Tidus seemed raring to go but Shuyin kept a firm hand on his brother's shoulder. "Let's not run towards the two of them like maniacs so we don't get sliced into a million pieces?" he added.
"Uh, yeah, sorry," Tidus smiled sheepishly.
Shuyin and Tidus, though twins, couldn't be any more different. While the latter was youthful and energetic the former had issues with anger and had the colder personality. Both, though were amazing blitzball players and decent people with level heads.
As they pressed through the crowd the younger female that stood next to Auron gripped her sword slightly tighter. She then lightly touched Auron on the arm to alert him of the two's presence. He turned his attention to the two and with what seemed to be a smirk; Auron leaned and whispered something her ear. She allowed her grip to slack a little, and the Al Bhed, upon noticing the two's relaxed stance didn't raise any weapons either.
"Tidus, Shuyin," Auron spoke loud enough for Braska to hear. A smile filtered over the holy man's face as he remembered Jecht's twins. When they were children Jecht and his wife had little to no idea what to do with the boys and thus they grew apart from their parents.
"Hey, Auron," Tidus greeted, but Shuyin just nodded his head and smirked at the girl beside Auron as she sized him up, just in case. "Who's that?" Tidus asked nodding towards her.
"This is my daughter Paine," Auron replied. Paine nodded towards both of them in acknowledgment.
"Ah, so the old man wanted to invite you guys to our place after you get settled for dinner," Tidus explained.
"Yes, Jecht wishes to see you again," Shuyin added. The only female Al Bhed jumped and turned to the smaller robed figure.
"Yunie, this is so cool!" she cheered.
"Yes, well we should go now Tidus," Shuyin spoke briskly before walking back through the crowd. The younger brother waved enthusiastically before following his brother's lead.
"Wow, that one wasn't all that nice," the Al Bhed female stuck her tongue out in the direction Shuyin and Tidus had taken.
"Rikku, I think something happened to him," Yuna whispered trying to remember what she had read about before coming to Zanarkand.
"He lost his fiancé," Paine supplied, "and this was his last year playing." The other two girls stared at her in shock. "I studied up on Zanarkand and that was one of the head lines. She was killed by a drunk," she sighed.
"Oh, for moment I was about to ask you if you had a crush on him!" Rikku teased.
"Minus fifty points," Paine stated.
"Uh! No fair! Paine!" Rikku whined and Yuna giggled.
"Let's go," Auron commanded.
It was near seven when Shuyin and Tidus had finally gotten back to the mansion. The door was opened for them by a maid and both of them were handed towels and recited messages.
"Your father wants you to go to the parlor," she instructed. Tidus snorted while Shuyin had kept all comments and sounds to himself.
Jecht the best blitzball player ever was sitting dejected in a comfy recliner. It had been years since he had been able to play blitz and he had alienated his sons so badly there was no way to reconnect with them that he could see. Now here he was running a company with his bum leg while his sons, whom he barely knew, played a game, he knew and loved. Sometimes it was more than he could bear. He loved his children and wished only the best for them, yet he couldn't put it in words or actions.
"Yeah?" Tidus asked leaning against the door jam. Shuyin was far behind him not even looking towards Jecht.
"You saw Braska and Auron like I said right?" Jecht asked. Tidus nodded. "Good, they'll come over for dinner?" once again Tidus nodded. "Alright you can leave." Jecht placed a hand over his face as the two left him all alone. The other hand groped for the cane he was now forced to use. He stood with a slight wobble and limped all the way to the sports room where many trophies and pictures of his past triumphs and now his sons were placed.
It wasn't long after Tidus had gotten ready that the doorbell had begun ring its hollow chime. Giving himself a smile, Tidus ran a hand through his hair and decided to answer the door himself. A quick slide down the banister, along with a quick maneuver to keep from getting hurt, and he had landed right in front of the door before the maid had gotten to it. Tidus swung the door open and gave his guests the most charming smile he could and tried to hide his shock when he saw the group. Not only had Braska and Auron come but also their daughters and some friends it seemed.
"Sorry for the large crowd," Braska apologized.
"Ah, no problem we have enough room!" Tidus shrugged it off and moved slightly to the side allowing them to enter. Yuna gasped at the sheer size of the mansion it was practically the size of a temple.
"Wow, this place is huge," she whispered.
"Wow! Yunie!" Rikku giggled as she danced around. Paine and another woman with long black hair just looked around not saying anything.
"Hey, brudda!" a familiar voice called out to Tidus.
"Wakka? It's been months man!" Tidus hugged him and the orange haired man grinned and hugged the blonde back.
"Ya, I know Yuna. I'm practically her older brother. Oh and this is Lu!" he pointed to the stoic black haired woman.
"Lu?" Tidus said a little confused.
"Actually I'm Lulu not Lu," she corrected. Tidus gave her an uneasy smile before he led to group to the dinning room. The room was made to impress not exactly for family dinners.
They never ate together unless it was a forced occasion like now, but Shuyin might not even come. After talking to their father he had gone into a silent rage and stayed in his room. It wouldn't surprise Tidus too terribly much if he were forced to give his brother food after the guest left of course.
"Oh, wow, this is amazing," Yuna whispered from behind him. The arched ceiling was amazing just like a place of worship, except people here ate in it.
"This is huge! A lot bigger than home, and not as smelly," Rikku gave a teasing look towards her group. Yuna and her gather smiled along with Wakka, but no one else seemed to care.
"All right, you guys can sit down I'll get the old man," Tidus announced, but he stopped once the clicking of his father's cane echoed in the silence behind him. Turning slightly to look at him Tidus' eyes widened as he noticed his brother standing right behind their father.
"Braska," Jecht greeted as he hobbled towards the group.
"They said the injury was bad, but I had no idea how bad it was," Braska replied looking concerned.
"Ah, it's nothing! Plus, I'm too old to play now, and my boys still play," Jecht waved off his friends worry.
"I'm retiring Jecht, you only have Tidus to watch in a little while, if you ever will," Shuyin said coldly as he leaned against the wall. Tidus flushed at his brother's icy tone, but he did not defend Jecht. Jecht on the other hand huffed and motioned for them to sit.
The dinner was mostly uneventful, not that any of them minded, and consisted of mostly small talk between the three older men.
"So, Yuna how long are you staying?" Tidus asked.
"Well, we're staying for a while, father just bought a house," Yuna blushed.
"Ah, cool! So, that means you can… uh, you know watch some blitz!" Tidus smiled and won another blush from Yuna.
"That, that would be nice," she stuttered and Tidus gave her his million gil smile.
"Great! This is Shuyin's last year," he said giving his brother a look. Shuyin didn't return he stared at his plate and picked out some of the food.
"Hey, Tidus you gonna win every game this year, ya?" Wakka asked from across the table.
"Of course!" Tidus grinned.
"Yeah, because he's my boy!" Jecht said proudly. The grin that had been on Tidus' face slackened and Shuyin glanced up from his plate to give Jecht one of the coldest glares he could manage.
"Yes, suppose now that we are celebrities we're your children now," Shuyin snapped before pushing away from the table.
"I'm finished with my supper now, may I be excused," he asked.
"Yes, and don't think you'll be able to go to any clubs tonight!" Jecht called after him.
Stupid old man, Shuyin doesn't go to clubs anymore not since Lenne and you wouldn't be able to stop him if he wanted to Tidus winced when his brother's door slammed shut.
The rest of the group looked shocked, but when Jecht started a conversation about the extermination of fiends with Auron the rest settled down.
"So, uh, Yuna you want to go to the club tonight?" Tidus asked feeling edgy.
"I would love too!" Yuna started to say.
"But, she can't! Poor Yunie always has to have a body guard around and Paine is such a party pooper!" Rikku pouted. Tidus glanced at the quiet girl who hadn't said a single word in his presence. Her crimson eyes were focused on her plate as she ate and she totally ignored the others except when her father would speak to her.
"Well, maybe some other time?" Tidus suggested. Like when I can get some of the guys too so no one will be lonely Tidus smiled.
"That would be nice," Yuna agreed.
"Yeah, but only if I get to come too!" Rikku added in. Tidus chuckled and nodded.
"Of course and I get introduce you guys to some of my friends," he grinned once more.
"I don't know," Paine finally spoke up, "this is Zanarkand, the city of sin, and I was informed that Yuna's image must be upheld."
"If it's about the drinking that's okay, she doesn't have to drink alcohol," he replied sheepishly. Paine said no more for the rest of dinner and the rest followed suit until it was time for the group to leave.
"See ya!" Wakka called as he left Lulu nodded her head towards the two and soon the group dwindled to Braska and Yuna.
"It was good to see you again Jecht you too Tidus, and tell Shuyin the same," Braska smiled.
"It was very nice…to meet you," Yuna blushed.
"Yeah, you too!" Tidus then leaned in and hugged her. Yuna flushed red and became extremely quiet. "See you Braska, Yuna!" With a smile still etched on his face he headed back towards his room to get ready for the clubs.
"You…did good," Jecht mumbled behind him.
"Eh, thanks?" Tidus mumbled back and closed the door to his sanctuary. Turning on the sphere he smirked as the news anchor started talking about the Abes flawless victory thanks to himself and Shuyin. Man, I love the sports channel he grinned as they showed a close up of him doing his amazing moves, but as always they switched over to Shuyin and covered some on him. After a while he had gotten a little bored from the coverage and switched it to a few more channels until it landed on Yuna. She was giving a speech of some sort and many people were smile at her.
"…I believe that Zanarkand, even with its withdrawal from Yevon and its teachings is not a place for bad people. Sir Jecht, a man who had protected my father in his younger years resides there and Sir Auron knows that land also. Do not fret I will be fine." She ended her speech and bowed allowing a man, Maester Mika Tidus believed, to take the podium.
She's really pretty Tidus thought as he stared at her figure that was off to the side. After watching for about an hour or two he finally glanced at the clock. Well, I guess I'll have to skip out on the club tonight, Gippal won't miss me…
Tidus then fell into a dreamless sleep for once in that whole entire week.
A/N: Yay! I finished! Now thank you for those who read it! It would be pretty sweet for you to review since I put a lot of time and effort into this story .; All right I would like to know if you have any suggestions for Seymour's occupation? Now this is unedited so if you see anything horribly wrong don't be scare to point it out, 'kay? Now reasons for certain things.
Why did you kill Lenne? Well, I don't know her character that well and I can grasp Shuyin's a lot better, or at least I think. Plus there's this pairing I want to try out that I have never really seen anywhere…
Now, I kept Yuna as she was in X because I like her better that way, but I adore Paine and a lot of the characters from X-2 so I must add them in there.
The only thing really different about Spira is Zanarkand is not ruins and there's no Sin, though that doesn't mean I won't work that in somehow….
Anyway, thank you so much for reading!