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Final Fantasy X: Apocalypse
Chapter 1: The Death of Hope
Hope. Such a small word, a mere four letters, yet it conveys such a powerful emotion. Hope for a better world. Hope for a peaceful, happy life. Hope for a way to end Spira's suffering forever. In the name of hope, unlikely alliances are formed, incredible risks are taken, and the impossible is accomplished. Hope…it is what keeps us alive.
But what happens when hope dies? We hoped to destroy Yu Yevon, but we failed. Spira's hope died with Yunalesca--we were just too naïve, too
hopeful, to realize it.* * * *
"Can't we do something to help?!"
"No," Auron said flatly. "This is Yuna's battle. We must not interfere."
"I don't care whose fight it is! I'm gonna go help!" Tidus yelled, charging toward the battlefield.
Sighing, Auron grabbed the boy by the collar and yanked him back. "If we try to intervene now, while the aeons fight, we'll all die. You should know that by now. Be patient, guard your emotions, and wait."
"He's right, brudda." Wakka gave Tidus a brotherly slap on the back. "Yu Yevon's hiding behind Yuna's aeons. She's gotta defeat them before we can go in, ya?"
His hand still gripping Tidus' collar, Auron watched Yuna fight. Her abilities as a summoner had long surpassed those of her father; her aeons had become immensely powerful, capable of defeating any foe. Possessed by Yu Yevon's vengeful spirit, the already mighty aeons became virtually unstoppable. Was their story to end here, inside Sin, so close to the final goal?
A collective sigh rose from the group as Anima, the strongest of Yuna's aeons, was absorbed by the hate-filled monster Yu Yevon had become. Yuna stumbled back into Auron's arms, a look of shock on her features, as her guardians raced forward to take on the beast.
"I've failed," she said softly. "Spira is doomed."
"No, it's not!" Rikku shouted--always the optimist, right to the bitter end. "Come on, Yunie! You said you'd find another way, and you did. You can't give up now!" The Al Bhed grabbed her cousin's arm, attempting to drag her toward the battlefield. "Let's kick some butt!"
"You cannot destroy Yu Yevon. Isn't it obvious?"
"Seymour?" Yuna's face went white, her eyes wide with disbelief. "No…it can't be. I sent you--I just sent you…"
"My dear lady, I couldn't possibly leave. Too much unfinished business."
The still-unsent maester made a casual gesture with his hand. Incredibly, Yu Yevon froze in mid-strike, the magical energy it had gathered crackling dangerously in the air. The guardians stared stupidly at the beast, too startled to take action, until Lulu turned to face Seymour.
"I don't know what you're doing here or how you avoided the sending," she said tightly, the beginnings of an Ultima spell forming around her hand, "but I can assure you, you're not going to be here much longer."
Another casual gesture, and Lulu's Ultima spell dissipated. Seymour chuckled at the expression on the black mage's face as she found herself unable to cast another.
"Unsettling, isn't it? You needn't worry; your powers will return soon enough." He smiled benevolently at Yuna, who moved closer to Auron. "Lady Yuna, my proposal is simple: I wish to become your Final Aeon."
Auron stepped in front of the young summoner. "She'll do no such thing."
Seymour released an overly dramatic sigh. "I suppose we'll meet on the Farplane, then."
The maester snapped his fingers, negating whatever spell he had cast on Yu Yevon. Freed from its magically induced paralysis, and exceptionally angry, the monster unleashed its attack. Auron grunted as an explosion of magical power slammed him to the ground, taking only a small amount of comfort in the fact that the entire party had done the same.
"Had enough?" Seymour asked, the saccharine smile still on his face.
"No way," Tidus retorted defiantly. "We're gonna kick Sin's--"
"Oh, you're in no position to 'kick' anything, dear boy. Look around you."
Tidus looked over his shoulder. Kimahri was slashing away with his Spirit Lance, but with little effect, as Yu Yevon continually healed itself. Wakka, afflicted with confusion and blindness, hurled his ball at Lulu and missed; Lulu, likewise confused, sent Onion Knight after Kimahri, and missed. Rikku smacked both of them about the head, clearing up the confusion, but knocking out Wakka in the process. Yuna hovered on the sidelines, casting Esuna and Curaga whenever she could. Watching the scene, Auron had to concede that the odds were in Yu Yevon's favor, except when it was paralyzed; and then they were preoccupied with Seymour. As they were now.
Seymour cast the paralysis spell again, then positioned himself between Yuna and Yu Yevon. Auron snorted derisively as the maester gently stroked the summoner's cheek. Seduction will get you nowhere, I'm afraid.
"You know what you need to do, and you are more than capable. You must make me your Final Aeon." Sensing her weakening resolve, he leaned in closer, murmuring softly into her ear. "I am offering you my life, Lady Yuna. You have no choice but to take it."
With a violent shudder, Yuna pulled away from Seymour's grip. For a brief moment, it looked as though she might refuse the maester's "offer." Then, taking a deep breath, she addressed the group.
"Everyone…please leave."
A chorus of protests rose from the group, the loudest ones coming, not surprisingly, from Tidus and Rikku. Yuna lifted her hand, silencing all of them; and with tears shining in her eyes, she looked at Tidus.
"It will be all right. There is still hope." She stepped forward and kissed Tidus softly on the cheek. "Believe."
And then the world went white.
While playing the game through a second time, I started to wonder, what if the attempt to kill Yu Yevon failed? What if Seymour somehow escaped being sent (again) and became Sin? The idea wouldn't leave me alone…thus, this AU fic was born.
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