Disclaimer: I own nothing. Square owns Final Fantasy and all characters.


"But there's gotta be a better way!" Rikku moaned, gnawing at her lip as the group stared at her, it seemed as if they were judging her. But why should they? She only wanted to save Yuna! Yuna shouldn't have to die just to defeat Sin; there had to be another way to do it!

"There is no other way, ya!" Wakka scoffs, arms folded over his chest. No doubt he harbored some hatred for the young girl for being Al Bhed. Rikku's shoulders hunched as if to defend herself from any verbal blows that would follow, her brows furrowed as she stared around her warily.

"Rikku's right!" the voice of Tidus spoke up, drawing eyes away from Rikku and to him. "There must be another way! We just gotta find it!"

An appreciative smile spread over Rikku's lips for Tidus's words. It really seemed as if he meant them and why shouldn't he? It was obvious he really cared for Yuna, after all.

But really, why wouldn't there be another way? Because Yevon said so? But if everyone followed their words without question nothing would change. Rikku knew this, the rest of the Al Bhed knew this and thus why they had attempted to stop the Summoners' pilgrimages so that Spira's citizens would have to find another way.

But it seemed that plan had failed... Fallen flat on it's face in just a moment's notice. And on top of it the Al Bhed had lost their Home...

Rikku remained lost in thought as the group of Guardians spoke amongst themselves. Their words were a dull buzz to her ears, merely there for background noise.

If Yuna's pilgrimage went through, sure the Calm would come and the people would no longer have to fear for Sin... but how long would that Calm last? A few years to a decade at best?

That wasn't good enough, anyone with a brain could tell you that.

Sure, Sin would be gone and people could rebuild their lives but it was a temporary fix. In the back of the peoples' minds they would be wondering when Sin would strike again... When would the fiends reappear and destroy the fragile peace that had come? Who would rise up to become a Summoner and go on their pilgrimage? Who's child would go? Who's parent would leave to fulfill this duty?

The fear would still be in everyone's heart, quelled for the moment of the Calm only to return full force. Sorrow would still reign as the thought of who would be the next to sacrifice himself next would come to mind.

It made Rikku wonder why the people as a whole followed Yevon so blindly without question. Maybe if more people questioned authority, tried to find a different way, then the world wouldn't be in this situation...

But it seemed that the masses would be content just for a short Calm, a false hope and false peace, if only they could live...

"Rikku."

"Ah?" She blinked owlishly at Tidus, being dragged out of her thoughts as the man spoke lowly, as if not to be heard by the others. He looked resolved.

"We'll find a better way... a way where Yuna won't have to die. I promise."

Hope filled Rikku at these words. "Really?"

"Yeah. We just have to think of a way!"

"Right! I'll think my hardest!"

Would they be the group to finally fell Sin once and for all? She sure hoped so.