"FFX-3: Tidus' Journey"
ByQuick-n-Popular
Author's Note: Takes place after Vegnagun and Shuyin's defeat. However, Tidus' "rebirth" does not occur around Yuna or the others, so, she is unbeknownst to Tidus' return.
Chapter One: Rebirth and a decision.
On the Mi'Ihen Highroad, several travels pass by going about their usual passage to get to Mushroom Rock. Since the peace gathering by the three separate factions, there has been little or no worry as to what may occur on this road, other than the occasional sighting of a fiend. These ones were normally minor, only the occasional Divebeak or Shantak although that they only appeared rarely.
For three men, however, today appeared to be something else entirely.
One of the men, garbed in emerald-green robes, tightly fitted to allow free-movement. He muttered to himself as he watched nervously at the two men carrying his belongings, flimsily.
"Watch it, will you! Those clothes cost more Gil than the two of you could save up in a lifetime!" He shouted as one of the men tripped against a rock, fumbling the luggage.
The other man stopped short.
"What are you stopping for?" The man asked, but it wasn't long before he had his answer. Turning around to see what his servant was looking at, he found himself staring a group of pyrflies dancing around eachother and then grouping together.
Damn.He thought. He quickly took ahold of the hilt on his Katana and took stance for the on coming fiend. As the pyrflies began to increase more in numbers, the man looked behind himself to see the retreating figures of his servants, his belongings laid scattered on the ground.
Fools. Cowards. The man thought bitterly. His thoughts returned the force at hand. The pyrflies continued swirling and soon, as the man had predicted, a form came into view in the middle of the energy-beings. Gripping his hilt tighter, he soon found his eyes wide-open as he saw the form take shape to that of a young man. A man with spiky blonde hair, tanned bronze skin, and an odd assortment of clothes. The man found himself staring at the man's face, a face that looked eerily familiar.
The young man seemed to stir and the man wondered if he should consider this person as an enemy, seeing as how he came to be was the same way fiends came to be. Watching the boy closely, he watched as he got up off the ground and rub his eyes.
"W-Where am I?" He asked.
At first, the man didn't respond, still taking in what he was seeing. Finally he lowered his guard a bit and answered. "You're on the Mi'Ihen Highroad. Who are you? Friend or fiend?"
The spiky haired man opened his eyes and looked around, then, startling the man, the boy began to laugh whole-heartidly.
"I'm home! I'm back!" The young man started to spin around in circles and jumping, enthusiastically.
The man starred blankly at the young man, his spirit, and his whole attitude.
The young man stopped and bent over and grabbed a scrap of dirt from the road and rubbed it between his palms. He then looked up at the man standing in front of him. He extended his hand.
"Hi, I'm Tidus."
The man, still starring, unknowingly took Tidus' hand and shook it.
Tidus looked at him, curiously. "And, you are?"
The man gulped. "I-I'm Lucas. I'm an ex-New Yevon Priest, turned traveler."
Tidus smiled at him, "Please to meet ya, Lucas." He then looked around. "Say, Lucas, can you tell me the quickest way to Besaid Village? There's someone there I'm eager to see."
Lucas released his grasp of Tidus' hand, took a deep breath and shrugged. "I guess taking an airship from the Moonflow would be your best bet."
Tidus nodded. He then took notice of Lucas' belongings lying all over the ground behind him. "Say, you need any help with those? That is, if you're headed the same way I am."
Lucas smiled, "Yeah, sure. That'd be great." The both of them bent low and retrieved all that was Lucas' things and soon the two of them were on their way forward.
On their journey, Lucas asked Tidus about himself, unto which Tidus recounted all the events with him and the Lady Summoner Yuna and her other guardians and their pilgrimage to defeat the entity, Sin.
"Wait! You're THAT Tidus!" Lucas looked at him, aghast.
Tidus grinned, "Yup."
Lucas shook his head in amazement. "Well, I'll be. Everyone's heard about you. Unfortunately, we still don't know a whole lot since the Lady Yuna refuses to talk about it. Although…"
Tidus looked at him, curiously. "Although…what?"
Lucas sighed. "Well, a couple of weeks ago, Lady Yuna held a concert in the Thunder Plains and-"
"Wait." Tidus interrupted "What do you mean by 'Yuna held a concert'"
Lucas smiled, "Well, awhile ago, Lady Yuna became a Songstress. She's been performing concerts, when she isn't 'Sphere-hunting', that is."
Tidus shook his head in amazement. "Sphere-hunting? Songstress? Wow."
Lucas nodded. "She's been pretty busy. I guess you'd have to be since your other line of work has been forfeited. She seems pretty happy."
Lucas noticed that Tidus' whole demeanor then changed. He quickly tried to undo what he and said. "But, I'm sure she'll be even happier when she finds out one of her former Guardians is back from the dead."
"Yeah, I'll bet." Tidus said, looking a little more depressed.
Lucas swallowed hard. He felt terrible to bring this down on Tidus. It seemed that there was more to him and Lady Yuna than just a Summoner-Guardian relationship, judging by the expression on the young man's face.
The two were getting closer to the Mushroom Rock Road as the day drew to a close. Tidus' memories came back to him as they entered the entrance. Remembering of that time when the Crusaders fought heavily against Sin with their Machina, only to have it end disastrously. That and the Chocobo warriors and their desperate bid against the forces the spawned out. Tidus also vividly remembered the terrified expression on Yuna's face.
Yuna. Tidus shook his head in marvel at the news that Lucas had given him about what she had been doing in the past two years since his absence.
They were just at the lift when a familiar face turned to them at the base.
"Going up?"
Lucas nodded and got on with Tidus and the two set down Lucas' luggage as the woman pressed the lever to raise the platform. As they went up, the woman starred at Tidus only until he met her gaze and she blushingly turned away.
"Been here before?" She asked them.
"Number of times." Lucas replied.
"Awhile ago." Tidus said.
The woman pressed the lever which caused the lift to stop, having them come to a halt a little ways from the top. She turned to Tidus.
"Do I know you?"
Tidus thought for a moment and then laughed. "I know you. You're Elma, right? Part of the Chocobo Knights?"
Elma smiled, "That was long time ago. You seem familiar, though."
Tidus scratched the back of his head, "Well, I was with Yuna on her pilgrimage to defeat Sin."
Elma's eyes brightened. She pointed a finger, excitingly. "Y-You're him! Aren't you!"
Tidus turned to Lucas. "I never expected to be this popular."
Elma was still jumping with excitement. "I remember now! Lucil and I met you on the Highroad. Wow, everybody thinks you're dead! Lady Yuna included."
Tidus smiled, "Well, long story."
Lucas nodded and nodded toward the lift. "Shall we?"
Elma nodded and returned to the lever, her face still alive with excitement.
As soon as they had gotten to the top, Elma went hurriedly to the camp sight, to which Tidus looked at in puzzlement.
Lucas seemed to pick up on it. "This is the Youth League's Headquarters. They've been in business since the beginning of the Eternal Calm. They've kinda replaced the Crusaders in the mercenary field and they lead in advising things like Blitzball teams."
Tidus nodded, trying to absorb all that has happened.
"Their leader is Myvn Nooj." Lucas finished.
"Who?" Tidus looked at him.
Before Lucas could reply, Elma and another woman appeared and came to them. Elma's face was still filled with excitement while her friend's was that of complete shock as she looked at Tidus.
"See! Here he is! I told you!" Elma said, proudly.
The other woman, her long red hair and stout build, she looked Tidus over and smiled. "Well, wonders never cease."
Tidus was beginning to feel uneasy about people's reaction to his return. Not that he didn't appreciate it, but it felt as if it was getting a little old.
Lucil was still looking at him. "Well, we might as well have him see Nooj. I'm sure he'll want to meet the infamous Tidus."
Before Tidus could get in a word, Elma grabbed Tidus by his wrist and guided him across the campsite to the largest tent on the premises. Being pushed by Elma, Tidus did his best not to struggle as he went through the opening and soon found himself facing a large desk in the room. Behind the desk stood a man who was looking over some parchments who looked up when he noticed Tidus' grunting.
"Elma, what-?" He began.
Elma beamed, "Nooj, this is Tidus. You, know. Yuna's Guardian who mysteriously died after the two of them along with the others defeated Sin, those two years ago."
Nooj set down his pen and got up and walked around his desk. Tidus was surprised to see the Machina attachments the man had for an arm and a leg.
Nooj looked Tidus up and down before finally laying a hand on his chin, smiling.
"I see. It's an honor and a pleasure to meet you, Tidus. Yuna talks a great deal about her "knight-in-shining-armor" who disappeared all those years ago."
Tidus, nervously, scratched the back of his head before taking the man's hand and shaking it.
"Nice to meet you too." He replied.
Nooj indicated toward the seat out in front of him. "Please, sit down."
Tidus did so and Nooj resumed the seat he was previously in.
For a moment, neither of them spoke. Then, Nooj took a deep breath and smiled. "Does Yuna yet know about your return?"
Tidus shook his head, "No, she doesn't. I was planning on seeing her myself at Besaid Village, but…"
"But what?" Nooj inquired intrigued.
"Well," Tidus began, "I'm not so sure where I'd exactly fit in, in her life. I've been hearing about all the things she's been doing and I'm not sure as how it'd work out."
Nooj nodded. "That's understandable. After all, she's in quite the demand from the people of Spira to help them rebuild their lives after the vanquishing of Sin. I myself have been trying to get her time invested with the Youth League's projects, but it seems she's been indispensable. Especially since she's gotten into this little "Sphere-hunting" craze that's been sweeping all of Spira."
Tidus smirked and shrugged, "News to me."
Nooj nodded, "I'll bet. It seems after she's discovered that "Shuyin Sphere" that she's laid all other priorities to rest. Although, her companions are much at fault at diverting her attention as she is."
Tidus frowned in confusion. "Shuyin Sphere? Other companions?"
Nooj laughed, "I guess I'd better fill you in on what's been happening since your absence. About two years ago, Yuna's cousin Rikku discovered a Sphere on Mt. Gagazet, which contained a video image of someone, Shuyin, who had a strong resemblance to you. Yuna, spurned on by her cousin, no doubt, decided to drop all her other duties and go with her to try and find more sphere's like these in hope that it may reunite the two of you. Turns out, like I had said that this person wasn't you but a man from Zanarkand from the past who had died tragically and was vengeful. His spirit raised an ancient Machina called Vegnagun to destroy Spira in an effort to end all war. Yuna and her cohorts, The Gullwings, destroyed Vegnagun not too long ago and since have been resuming their maniacal sphere-hunting ever since."
Tidus listened to every word, a lot, of which made sense.
"I'm sure, though that Yuna may divert her attention, yet again, once she learns if your return." Nooj said, putting his arms behind his neck.
Tidus sighed, "Yeah, I'll bet."
Nooj looked at him in surprise. "You don't seem to eager to rejoin her? Why?"
Tidus looked at the man. "Well, I just don't know where I'd fit in. Yuna seems to have her life on a good track. And me? …I'm not sure where I fit in, in this world."
Nooj nodded, "That's understandable."
"I do want to see Yuna, again. Just not right now." Tidus said.
Nooj got up and again and called out to one of his members.
"Well, you're free to stay here for the night. I'll have Duryin see to your every needs. Let me know what you've decided to do. I'm curious."
Tidus grinned. He kinda liked this guy. "Alright."
Nooj nodded and a man appeared who escorted Tidus back to the campsite.
It wasn't long before Tidus was rejoined with Lucas, who seemed to be sorting through his luggage. He looked up upon seeing Tidus.
"How'd it go?"
Tidus looked back to Nooj's tent. "Not bad. Nooj's something else."
Lucas nodded, "That he is. Say, they've got our tents ready."
Tidus nodded and then looked out down the road. "Sounds good. Although, I think I'm going to go for a little walk before I hit the sack."
"Don't wander out too far." Lucas said.
"Hey, I've been here before, remember? Trust me, It'll be fine." Tidus said. With that, he turned and walked down the path to the lift.
Kicking dirt as he walked, Tidus' thoughts were entirely on what Nooj had disclosed to him. On top of what Lucas had revealed, it seemed Yuna was living the high life in her post-Summoner days. Truth be told, Tidus was happy for her. She was living a life without restrictions and one where she would never have to forfeit her own in order to make others happy. This was probably the best thing that could ever happen for her. For Tidus, though, it made him question his own existence. After all, when he had reawoken on the Mi'Ihen Highroad he had hoped that coming back would mean coming back to her and for the two of them to start a journey together. Tidus sighed. Maybe he was being incredibly selfish about this.
Walking further down the road he paused. His ears could hear a distinct squeaking sound.
Turning, Tidus saw, about two feet away from him a little green figure, dressed in a brown robe, carrying a knife.
Dammit. A Freakin' Tonberry. He thought. Tidus then searched wildly for a weapon of some sort to defend himself with, but to no avail. Looking up, he noticed that the Tonberry had approached him a foot further and was almost in it's striking distance.
Looking to the ground, Tidus found a rock. Picking it up, he hurled it at the head of the fiend, only, to his dismay, found out that it wasn't a rock but rather a large clump of dry dirt, which crumbled against the green-fiend's head. Tidus groaned and soon the Tonberry was a few inches away from him.
Ah, to hell with it. He thought. Tidus threw a punch at the head of the short little monster only to retract it as the fiend sliced at it with it's knife. Blood trickled down Tidus' forearm and he winced but still kept an eye on the short little terror. The Tonberry drew it's arm back for another jab, but this time Tidus changed tactics and instead tackled the fiend.
This didn't go so well either. The Tonberry was merciless and stubborn as it continued to throw stab after stab unto any part of Tidus it could find. Tidus continued on trying to hit it, trying to find someway to get the better of it despite being unarmed. The Tonberry took a swipe and gave a deep cut across Tidus' right eye. Tidus clenched his teeth as he felt the stinging sensation of the blood getting into his eye. The two of them had been rolling around for a good ten minutes, or so, and Tidus was surprised that the noised that they were making hadn't made its way up to the campsite.
Then, as luck seemed to have it, a Coyote seemed to be coming by, inspiring Tidus to use one last effort against the Tonberry. Rolling onto his back, with the Tonberry on top of him, Tidus buried his knees into his stomach and kicked the little green menace off of him and into the area the Coyote was in. That did the trick. The two fiends were shortly on eachother, giving Tidus his opportunity to retreat back to the lift.
Upon arriving back to the campsite, Lucil, who was standing guard at the late hour, was the first to see his bloodied form.
"Tidus! What on Spira happened to you?"
She, along with Duryin, helped him back to the campsite and into his tent where Duryin opened up his satchel and retrieved some remedy herbs, while Lucil administered a cure potion. An hour later, Tidus was back to himself and ready to receive Lucil's lecture about wandering off without being armed.
No sooner had she left when Lucas had came in.
"Heard you had some excitement out there." He said, grinning.
Tidus grinned back. "I know. Only a few hours back and already I'm getting whooped."
Lucas wandered over to his bed and stretched out. "So, off to the Moonflow tomorrow, eh? Ready to be cast off and see your beloved?"
Tidus sighed, "You know what? I don't think I am."
Lucas sat straight up and looked at Tidus, curiously. "What's with the change of heart?"
Tidus sighed again, "A lot of things. First, I want to see what's happened since I left. Second, I feel like I need to find my place in this world."
"What about Yuna? Are you throwing her away?" Lucas asked.
Tidus shook his head, "No, I'm not. I'm just not ready to see her yet, that's all."
Lucas yawned and nodded, "Well, then, I guess we can decide what we're going to do first thing in the morning, then."
Tidus looked at him curiously. "We? I forgot to ask where you were headed, Lucas."
Lucas closed his eyes and shrugged, "Wherever the world takes me, my friend. So far, your plan sounds good, right about now." With that, Lucas dozed off.
Tidus starred at Lucas. The tall muscular man dressed in flashiest of things, long white dirty hair, and glasses that fit crookedly against his nose. Tidus shook his head in amusement at his new friend. Soon, sleep was overcoming Tidus himself and he lay down and felt the Remedy and potion take it's effect as his muscles causing his whole body to unwind and sleep to come on gradually.
The next day, Tidus was surprised to see an assortment of clothes that had been laid out for him. Looking down, he noticed that during his Tonberry attack, his old clothes had been torn and smeared with the blood of both Tidus' and the fiend's. Tidus sighed and took off his clothes. However, he looked at the hooked insignia of the Zanarkand Abes on the short leg of his shorts and felt the need to preserve something from his old remnants. Tidus carefully tore it off and laid the patch with his new clothes. He found the new clothes given to him fitted wonderfully. Brown leather pants, a black armored shirt, and a crimson leather jacket. Taking the patch from his old pants, Tidus carefully put into the pockets of his pants. After dressing, Tidus emerged from the tent and into the sunlight where he saw Lucas talking to a familiar person.
"No! I'll say it again, no O'Aka!" Lucas shouted.
The short, stump, little man looked unfazed as he continued on his smiled.
"Now, c'mon then. You have loads of useless junk that you can make a pretty Gil off of."
Lucas looked as though he was going to explode. "I told you already! I'm willing to pay the 200 Gil for the Hi-Potions, Remedies, and the Tent. I'm not going to sell you my stuff for anymore."
O'Aka looked displeased but concealed it remarkably well. He gave Lucas the items and tipped his hat before wandering off to another group of individuals.
Tidus walked up to Lucas. "O'Aka sure knows how to talk someone down."
Lucas sighed, "The man doesn't know when to quit, that's what's his problem." Lucas turned and looked Tidus up and down. "I see the gear I got for you seems to work out nicely."
Tidus shrugged, "Well, I guess it'll have to, after what that Tonberry did to me."
Lucas nodded and then slapped his head. "Damn, I almost forgot. Nooj wants to see you before we go."
Tidus nodded and then followed Lucas to Nooj's tent where Nooj was, once again, standing behind his desk.
He looked up as soon as he saw the two of the, enter.
"Ah, Tidus, Lucas, Good morning. Sleep well?"
Both nodded.
"Good." He remarked. "Say Tidus, I heard about your little run-in with one of our green little hell-starters here."
Tidus chuckled, embarrassingly. "Not one of my finer moments."
Nooj laughed, "Yeah, I'll say. You got whooped pretty bad."
Tidus was wondering if all of this was to make him look bad or what.
Nooj got up from his desk and went to the back of the tent and opened a case. He soon came back to them with a large, black, sword that had an additional crescent-shaped blade on the side near the tip. "I'd like you to have this."
Tidus starred at him in disbelief. "For what?"
Nooj shrugged, "Well, in someway, it'll be so that I can gain more leverage to have Yuna come help out the Youth League, in an another, you'll be needing it."
Tidus took the weapon and balanced it in his hand, finding it completely light.
"Thanks." Tidus replied, bowing.
Nooj waived a hand, "Nah, think nothing of it."
Just then, Elma came bursting in the tent.
"Nooj! I need to speak with you!"
"Wha is it, Elma?" He asked, sitting down back to his desk.
"Bern, sir. Bern, she's gone!"
Nooj got up, looking deadly serious. "Are you sure?"
Elma nodded, "Yes, I am. I found Duryin lying unconscience and two dead guards outside her tent. Sir, please, I'm begging you to let me go out and find her!"
Nooj got up again and began pacing. After awhile he stopped. He then sighed and turned back to her.
"I can't."
"What!" Elma exclaimed.
"Elma, I know how much Bern means to you. You've raised her since her parents were killed by Sin. But if we lose you, we'd be losing a valuable soldier. I can't afford to make that sacrifice."
Elma turned red. "So, what you're saying is that her life's expendable! Is that it!"
Tidus thought for a moment and then stood forward. "Nooj, if I may?"
Nooj, surprised, turned to Tidus and nodded. "Yes, Tidus?"
"Sir, what if Lucas and I accompanied Elma to go rescue her, that way both will be protected."
Nooj thought for a moment and then sighed. "I guess it's alright. Knowing Elma, she's going to go after Bern whether I tell her to or not."
"Damn straight, I am." Elma said, her face full of determination.
Nooj took a deep breath, "Alright then. Please be careful, all of you."
Tidus nodded and walked out with Lucas and Elma. Once out, Elma turned to Tidus.
"Thank you, Tidus."
"Think nothing of it." Tidus said, grinning.
Lucas put a hand on his shoulder. "So, this is what you're planning to do, right now? This is your journey to finding yourself?"
Tidus cocked his head and grinned, "I'll never know until I find out."
To be continued…
A/N: I'm hoping this story goes well enough to draw people in and become invested in it. Rest assure, Tidus will reunite with Yuna. When has yet to be determined.
Please Read and Review
Q-n-P