Disclaimer: I own nothing of the Final Fantasy series.

Chapter 1: A Final Summoning

Yunalesca stood above the group of seven as a goddess would stand above her loyal subjects, running rife with superiority and false sympathy for the sad group who would perpetuate Spira's never-ending cycle of death.

"Have you chosen the one to become your fayth? Who will it be?"

The group shifted, nervous. Nobody had planned to volunteer for the position of Final Aeon, and as such no one was breaking their vow of silence now.

Yunalesca spoke once more, impatience evident in her voice,

"Surely you must have one person brave enough to give themselves to end Spira's suffering?"

Tidus stepped forward before his teammates could convince him otherwise.

"Yeah, yeah, I'll do it," he looked back at Yuna, smiling, "I mean, I'm not exactly real, anyways, but if I am able to help anybody in Spira, then I guess it won't have all been for nothing."

Yuna smiled sadly. In all of the scenarios that played out in her head, this one was, if begrudgingly, the most likely to happen. Everyone had been talking about a way to break the cycle, but nobody had an idea of how to do so, now they were too late, and the only way they were beating Sin now was with the Final Aeon.

Yunalesca gave a sigh of poignant relief,

"Very well, come with me."

Tidus took a step forward, but froze.

"You mean I don't even get to say goodbye?"

The ancient summoner shot him a glare of unparalleled exasperation.

"Do you really want to waste more time?"

This reply drove Tidus into a rage.

"The whole damn world can wait for all I care!"

He ran back to his friends, the people he had know all his time in Spira, to say something, anything that would lighten the mood or cheer up their somber expressions, but he couldn't find words to say. He managed a smile, remembering the moment he and Yuna had when he officially became a guardian. She shot him back the same smile, while the others tried talking him out of it, except Auron, who was simply staring at Yunalesca with hatred in his eyes. Rikku was the first to say something.

"You don't have to do this, y'know? We can find a way to break the cycle!"

Wakka added on,

"It was your idea to go against the teachings in the first place, ya? Why the sudden change of heart? What's gotten into you?"

Tidus decided not to retort, but merely shook his head.

"I was going to have to say goodbye one way or another. I'd rather do it now. So... I guess this is goodbye. Except for Yuna, of course, I'll be her Aeon, after all."

Auron spoke up.

"Are you sure this is the only way?"

Again, Tidus only nodded, not wanting to give a right answer made wrong by his words.

"Then go. Yunalesca may be scum, but she is right about wasting time; we never know when Sin will attack, so we had best make this swift."

Tidus gave one last farewell, and turned to Yunalesca.

"I'm ready. Let's go."