DISCLAIMER: I do not own Final Fantasy X or any of its related names or places. No money is made of this story and all copyrights apply.
A/N: This story has some of the aspects of FFX-2, such as characters outfits and the time frame but other than that the story is completely different. Feedback is of course welcome, but try to keep it nice.
SUMMARY: With the threat of Sin gone Spira settles into a time of peace. But a new order bearing the name of Yevon threatens to disrupt the peace with talk of war. Can Yuna and her friends keep the peace? In other news Tidus is back, but how? Does he hold the key to solving the threat of the New Yevon order?
The Dream WithinChapter OneIt has been two years. Two years of calm and peace. It's different this time though, this time the people know it's going to last forever. We defeated Sin and brought Spira the Eternal Nagi.
Or so we thought. Unfortunately it is never that simple. An order of followers formed not long ago, they call themselves the New Yevon and while they admit that Yu Yevon was a deceiver and had tricked them all they are not so willing to throw aside the teachings and the form of control it grants the Maesters. For that is all it was, a way to oppress the people of Spira.
The New Yevon would love for me to lead them, I know. But that can never be, Yevon betrayed us all and he should no longer be worshiped. Even the Fayth, the true power of our former beliefs, are gone.
The Al Bhed, now more forefront in Spira than before, detest the New Yevon order. They had always seen Yevon for what he was and are opposed to the idea of his name being used. This has caused conflict between the peoples of Spira and there is talk of war. I, something of a leader to the nation of Spira, am not so eager to lead my people to war.
Even though my thoughts wander ever more to days gone by, I know there is a task at hand that begs my attention. I must bring peace to Spira again. I only wish I had the same help I had before.
Yuna stood on the beach in Besaid and looked across the sparkling water, her thoughts whirling around her mind. Her foremost thought was how to address the threat of war. Another was how nice it was to look over the water and not wonder if Sin was lurking there. And of course the ones that were never completely out of mind were her thoughts of Tidus.
It had been two years since that day on the Airship, the last time she had seen him. The pain was not much better but at least it was a dull ache rather than a piercing sting. Her friends had helped her through it and for that she was glad.
For days after she had stood at the waters edge, whistling in vain. Eventually she stopped but she still thought of him constantly. Now her thoughts had turned more toward her responsibilities in Spira, but he was never far from her mind. She wondered where he was. She wondered what he was. And most of all she wondered if he was ever coming back.
She longed for him, but more so her heart longed for closure. She felt unsettled as if she had yet to hear the end of a suspense filled story. And because of this feeling, Yuna believed she would one day see him again, if only to soothe her restless emotions.
"Yuna?" Rikku called for what seemed to her the tenth time.
She and her cousin sat in Yuna's hut at Besaid, a quiet recluse were Yuna lived and worked when more pressing matters didn't require her attention or presence in Luca, the base of the Free People of Spira, for whom she acted as something of a senator. Bevelle, the supposed capital of Spira was the home of the New Yevon order and had taken over the temple for that purpose. Other temples in Spira were used for anything but teachings and prayer. Many were lived in, and some had even been converted into schools that taught the use of Al Bhed Machina.
"Hmm?" Yuna acknowledged her at last, "Oh Rikku, I'm sorry. Did you say something?"
"Only ten times," Rikku replied exasperatedly, but she soon got over it, "I said, Pops is coming tomorrow, so you can talk to him then."
"Oh," Yuna said brightening, "That's good. I have much to discuss with him."
Rikku looked rarely subdued for a moment, "It's about the war isn't it?"
"Rikku," Yuna chastised, "We're not at war, and there has only been talk and empty threats. I need to talk to Cid because..." she hesitated, "I need to know if he has any plans to retaliate to the New Yevon's threat."
"Nah," Rikku said, "Pops says that but he doesn't mean it. The only time he would ever think of attacking would be if they struck first."
"Well," Yuna replied, "A strike from one side is called terrorism, only when there is a reaction is it called war."
Rikku sighed and fell back in her chair, "Yunie," she said, "You've grown up far to much for my liking.
The ex-summoner laughed at her younger cousin, "And you Rikku are as young at heart as always, but I would have you no other way."
Tidus knew he wasn't dead. He also knew he wasn't quite alive. He felt more than saw the dark around him. Occasionally a pyrefly would drift past. The last thing he remembered was jumping of the airship and seeing Lord Braska, Auron and his father.
Now he was in this dark area. He could feel ground beneath his feet, slightly soft, like grass. He tried to identify what he was feeling and found he wasn't feeling much. Almost like his emotions were suppressed. He felt strangely at peace, the sense of urgency that had been on his mind everyday when he had been in Spira was gone.
Foremost on his mind was Yuna and his friends in Spira, second came the question, Where am I?
He wasn't expecting an answer but was still not surprised when he got one.
A place you cannot stay.
Tidus was amused by this, Then why am I here?
There was a pause. We are the fayth.
That's not what I asked, Tidus remarked.
Yes. Remember when we told you, you were more than a dream?
Tidus nodded at the darkness.
Like your father you are more than a dream of the fayth. This means you cannot simply fade out of existence like the rest of the dreams.
Tidus waited patiently for the fayth to continue.
You disappeared from Spira because while you are not completely a dream you are by no means real.
Tidus frowned, Where am I then?
The farplane.
But, Tidus said, I cannot stay.
The farplane is a refuge for the dead. You are not dead.
The fayth sounded slightly baffled. This leaves us with a problem. Where do you go?
Is it your problem? Tidus asked. You're resting now aren't you?
You are our creation. The real version of you died a thousand years ago, you are an echo of him brought to life by our dreams.
Tidus sighed, So now what?
The only place you can go now is the farplane.
But...
However, the fayth continued interrupting him, before you can go to the farplane you must become real, so that one day you can die. The only way to do that is for you to live.
Tidus looked up sharply. Go back? he asked hopefully.
Yes.
Tidus held his breath as the fayth continued, his emotions becoming more apparent as excitement fought its way to the surface.
You will be given life, our last gift to you. You will live on Spira until you die, either by the sword, disease or age. How you live and where you live until that day is completely up to you.
Tidus was speechless for a moment before he said the only thing he could think to, Thank-you.
No, thank-you. You gave us rest, a more precious gift than you'll ever know. Now go and live. Never forget the dream within.
The voice of the fayth faded, as did the dim light of the pyreflies until it was utterly dark.
Tidus became aware that he was no longer standing on the ground but was drifting weightless. He instinctively brought his knees up to his chest as a few pyreflies drifted around him. Slowly the air...no, the water around him grew light as the suns rays broke the surface of what was now evidently the sea.
Looking around Tidus saw the light above and the seabed below and knew he was back. He was home.
With his excitement pounding in his ears he struck out for the surface not knowing what to expect. He broke the surface and cast around for the shore. In the distance the first rays of the morning sun were casting the silhouette of tall buildings on the beach. Behind them a tall and mighty white-capped mountain stood sentinel over the ruined city.
"Zanarkand," Tidus whispered. He felt a stab of sadness as he looked upon the ruins of the place he had called home for the first seventeen years of his life and that he would never be able to return to. He remembered feeling similar thoughts the first time he had seen them on Yuna's pilgrimage.
He swam to shore and walked into the glowing red ruins. He stared up at Gagazet in the distance. Suddenly he grinned; the joy of being back was increased by the thought seeing Yuna and his friends again. But especially Yuna. Slowly he made his way through the ruins and toward Mount Gagazet, starting his long journey into the heart of Spira.
Yuna looked fiercely at her uncle as Cid tried to avoid her question. The ex-summoner was having none of it though.
"I must know your intentions Uncle Cid," Yuna said, "Do you plan to strike?"
Cid looked uncomfortable, which was rare, "No," he said, "But if they strike first I cannot help but defend my people."
Yuna's expression softened, "I know that. I just don't want you to do anything rash."
"Hey, this is me," Cid said.
"Exactly!" Yuna and Rikku said simultaneously.
The three of them were on the airship, which was docked at Besaid to pick up Rikku and take her back Home. The young Al Bhed was needed and her duties only allowed her short visits to her friends in Besaid.
Yuna stepped off the ship onto the dock after hugging her cousin and uncle goodbye. She stood on the wooden jetty next to Lulu and Wakka and waved as the ship took off and flew in the direction of Bikanel. Only when the ship was out of sight did she turn and head up he beach, her two guardians trailing along behind her hand in hand. The ex summoner allowed herself a secret smile. She had always known Lulu and Wakka had denied feelings for each other, she was glad this new liberty of Spira had given them the courage to share their feelings with each other.
Yuna sighed, she knew she would have to go to Bevelle and speak with the New Yevon order. She was loath to though and did not look forward to meeting with them, as she knew they would once again try and convince her to join them.
Yuna turned to her guardians, "We're going to have to go to Bevelle," she told them.
The two had been laughing amongst themselves but quickly sobered, "Yes," said Lulu, "I suspected as much."
Wakka sighed as well, "We should have caught a lift on the airship," he said, "Saved time, ya?"
Lulu gave a laugh, "You? Willingly go on the airship?" she asked incredulously.
"Hey, I'm working on it," Wakka shot back indignantly.
Yuna shook her head, "We couldn't have gone with them anyway, we still have things to finish up here in Besaid before we leave."
Lulu and Wakka nodded in agreement and made their way back to the village together. Yuna lingered at the shore, wondering what she would do if Spira did go to war. It certainly seemed to be heading that way.
You like, yes? I started this story way before FFX-2 came out so it won't be based on those events but I'll probably write a FFX-2 fic at a later date.