Sorry in a hurry to post this so there might be errors that I didn't catch. Sorry the Blitzball sounds kinda weird, but I wasn't sure how to write it. I just finished college so I'll have a bit of spare time to write more. Happy Thanksgiving to all of our American readers!
Disclaimer: I own nothing! (really I don't)
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It took nearly ten minutes to return to Luca and Tidus was eagerly awaiting the results of the tournament. He was terrified they had taken too long and the game had been tied or worse, that the Aurochs really were as bad as they say. Both he and Yuna sighed heavily in relief as the sphere screen near Dock four displayed the results; They had won 3:2.
"We won!" He pumped his fist into the air victoriously, suddenly realizing how guilty he would have felt had they lost.
"We did it! We're in the finals!" Tidus laughed as Yuna clapped he hands together excitedly, looking the happiest he had ever seen her. He let his eyes linger on her a while longer, feeling heart speed up a little at her smile but he was shaken out of his daze as a cold voice floated across the air.
"Not the most...graceful win. If it was Chappu, he'd still be standing." Lulu nodded her head to the screen as Wakka was shown being led out of the dome with his team. He was leaning heavily on Datto holding his side in obvious pain, but as he noticed the camera pan his way he smiled and waved.
He had not been graceful in his victory, but he had won. Tidus felt a spark of anger ignite in him at her cruelty and for a moment he was reminded of his father.
"Hey, aren't you being just a little unfair? He did it didn't he?" He snapped at her.
"Excuse me?" A small snarl had appeared on her face at his brazen remark and slowly Yuna began inching her way between them.
"Wakka's not Chappu and It's not like he would ever try to take his pl-" He was cut off as she threw him her most venomous glare.
"You don't want to finish that sentence." She growled and turned away, heading back into the center of the dome. Yuna gave him an apologetic look and he felt himself calm down; this wasn't the time for this, the next match would be starting soon and he had to get ready. He gave her a quick smile and they headed towards the locker room, Tidus in front and Kimari behind, both keeping the summoner in reach.
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Ohhh....it hurts....
"Sure you're all right, Cap'n?" He shifted his eyes to Datto, who was hovering a few feet away with the rest of the team. They had all been ecstatic at the win against the Al Bhed Psychs but fifteen minutes later it had worn off as Wakka still lay pathetically on the bench. He lifted his arm and gave them a shaky thumbs up. Oh even that hurts....
The team gave each other a worried look, Letty speaking next. "The game starts in a few minutes. You sure you okay?"
"We're playing the Goers next, too." Jessu moaned. That was it, he couldn't just lie there while his team gave up. He pushed himself up, ignoring his screaming muscles and grabbed a blitzball lying nearby. Standing sent rush of dizziness threading through him and he dropped the ball, falling back down onto the bench. He watched it roll away, coming to a stop in front of a pair of yellow and black sneakers that expertly kicked it up into the hands of their youthful owner.
"Miss me?" He smirked tossing the ball to Lussu. Seeing the blond sent a rush of relief through him, which was followed by gratitude as Yuna stepped into the room after him. The team gave an audible sigh of relief as the summoner came into view and they all bowed in thanks, except for Wakka who probably couldn't have managed it if the grand maester himself came waltzing in.
"Lady Yuna!"
"Are you okay?" The team hovered anxiously, relaxing a bit when she nodded.
"All this because of me. I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!" She bowed deeply, not in prayer but apology. Wakka relaxed a bit knowing she was here now, safe with them and far away from the irreligious Al Bhed.
"How can you let some Al Bhed kidnap you?" He didn't put any force behind his words, merely stating it as it was, a question. Yuna didn't look at him, but instead glanced over at Tidus; she didn't say anything but the boy seemed to understand anyway.
He gave Wakka an indifferent yet almost cold look as he responded. "Hey, let it go, all right?"
He didn't like the fact that they might be hiding something from him, but it was overruled by the nagging feeling that the two had gotten just a bit closer since coming to Luca, which was a problem in itself. "Hmph, don't go near Al Bhed any more, okay? They're trouble."
She nodded slightly and turned back to Tidus, talking quietly with him. He smiled, tilting his head to the side as they spoke and Wakka found himself desperately trying to catch what they were saying. One last nod and Yuna left with Kimarhi, who had been guarding the door. Tidus turned back to the team, his trademark grin back in place and Wakka's doubts were shoved to the back of his mind, replaced by lighter thoughts.
Huh, he really does look like Chappu when he does that....
"Alright, the game starts soon. No time for warm-ups. Ready?" He stood up as the team came forward, pushing aside helping hands.
"Lemme at 'em." Tidus cried. The boys enthusiasm was contagious and the team relaxed, their confidence returning as Wakka smiled back.
"All right," He turned to look at the Aurochs, a serious look playing on his face, "I got something to tell you boys. After this game... I'm retiring. I promised myself this would be my last tournament. Win or lose, I'm quitting blitzball. But you know... Since we're here, we might as well win!"
"Yeah!" They all pumped they're fist in the air, none surprised at the captains announcement.
"Uh," Botta stepped forward nervously. "A-Am I on the bench?"
"I'm warming the bench," He grabbed Tidus and pulled him forward, "he's taking my place. Be nice, ya?" They all snickered at that, nodding in understanding,
"All right, boys, let's win this one! Let's make the Goers goners!"
"Yeah!"
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The team had left ten minutes ago, but Wakka was still exhausted from the last game and couldn't bring himself to find a sphere screen scattered about. He was just too sore, even after the potion he had just consumed.
"I saw you floating there, on the sphere." The voice had an uncustomary warmth to it, surprising him before the words set in. He stood and turned to look at her, shaking his head nervously.
"Hey, you weren't supposed to see that," He sighed stepping forward. The dizziness returned at full force and he felt himself falling into a warm embraced, blackness dancing at the edge of his vision.
"You really gave it your all, didn't you?"
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"This is it, folks! In just a few minutes, the championship game!" All throughout Luca, spectators were glued to the screens scattered around. No one had predicted this. To many thought the outcome was predictable, but still they watched in awe as the teams assembled by the blitz sphere. Back in the locker room, Lulu helped Wakka out the door to the waiting area to watch the game as he left his last legacy carved into the paint of the captains locker.
My best memories are here ~ Wakka, Captain of the Besaid Aurochs.
"But who could have imagined... a championship game between these two teams? Our legendary Luca Goers going against... the horrendously ill-fated Besaid Aurochs!"
People are talking eagerly, a few even placing bets on the outcome. A man in a long red coat walks up the stairs into the spectator stands, apathetically watching the teams enter the sphere.
"This looks like history in the making, Bobba."
The man smiles finding a deeper humor in those words. History indeed.
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Tidus stood, well floated in the sphere pool in a face off, the Aurochs behind him and the Goers in front. Bickson swam forward, holding out his hand for a shake, but when he went forward as well, the man balled his hand into a fist a took a swing him. Tidus snarled at him as he dodged and swung back; as he swam back to his previous position a muffled voice came from outside the sphere.
"They're already going at it, folks! The Goers are taunting the Aurochs!" The Goers laughed as both teams took the starting position. A ball had been placed in the middle of the sphere and when the starter bell rang it was thrown up into the air. Tidus and Bickson raced to get it but the older man reached it first and the game had begun. there was a flurry of movement as both teams raced around the sphere, tackling each other in an attempt to the ball. It only took a minute for Tidus to realize that the Auroch didn't understand half his commands and instead focused on getting the ball and passing it to him. He growled in frustration as the Goers scored the first goal.
"What a great play! The Goers score first!"
Once more the ball was being thrown, stolen and passed around. Tidus spotted Letty as the man held the ball to his chest as he was being tackled by two members of the opposing team. He swam to the left and signaled for the man to pass it over, which he thankfully understood. He caught the ball with ease and swam frantically to the Goers side. As he was confronted with three members of the team, he decided to try out his fathers move. He used each of the three members as posts, bouncing the ball off them to shoot. He could hear the fans (all of them) cheer as the Aurochs scored their fist goal. They had repositioned when the a loud ring signified half-time and both teams left the sphere and returned to the lockers.
Wakka was waiting for them as they returned, looking much better then before and he took no time to start coaching them. "Zone defense, boys! Stop those Goers!"
"Cap'n!" They were not losing and it was doing wonders for the their spirits.
"What about me?" Tidus asked as the previous comment had been directed at the rest of the team.
"Get the ball and just shoot like crazy!"
"Goers are goin' down!" Datto cried causing an uproar of cheer form everyone.
"All right! Hustle!"
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As they re-entered the sphere the stands erupted in a loud cheer as the announcers took no time revealing something no one had thought possible.
"The crowd is cheering for the Aurochs! Isn't this exciting?" His tone suggested that he too was supporting them.
Once the game started again, Tidus realized he had several tails watching him, blocking his every move and preventing anyone from passing to him. He vainly tried to shake them off, but the Goers had come to understand that he was the biggest threat in this game. After a few minutes of this the fans had become impatient and once more the commentary floated down into the sphere pool.
"The fans are getting impatient! They're calling for some action!"
"Everyone seems to be calling for Wakka, folks!" The game had stopped and Tidus thought a moment before swimming off to the sphere's exit and out of the pool. He felt left out, but he understood that this was their game, not his. "Say...Where is that player going? He's leaving the sphere pool! He may be injured!"
As he reached the locker room watched Wakka head out to the pool, giving a short wave as he left.
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"I wonder what's happening? The crowd is going wild!" The cameras searched coming to a stop as the red haired man swam into the sphere pool. "Ah! It's Wakka! He's back on the field and ready to go! The Aurochs seem glad to have him back."
Tidus watched as the Aurochs continued the game, noting the difference in the way they cued each other. Few signals remained the same form his time, these being much simpler then his. In Zanarkand each team had their own set of gestures to indicated the game play, this kept the other teams from knowing what moves you were going to make next. In Spira everyone used the same set signals, probably to ensure a fair and easy to direct game. Tidus turned his attention back to the game as Wakka received the ball from Datto and dodged a tackle, making his way to the other side of the sphere. Only thirty seconds left, Wakka took the shot and GOAL! The stands erupted in the loudest cry he had ever heard from the small amount of people in the stands.
"Unbelievable! The Aurochs win, folks! This is one for the record books!"
Tidus entered the pool, high fiving Wakka as he came over. The rest of the team had left and as the two turned to leave they heard a very different cry come from the stands. They watched people run panicky from the dome as large fiends flooded the area, attacking anyone in sight. The pair swam out into the chaos, But without his sword, he could nothing but watch as Wakka tried haplessly to defend those still trying to escape. When everyone on their side had been evacuated, the pair exited themselves coming to a panicked stop as they watched all of Luca under attack. A flash of red caught Tidus`attention and he watched a familiar figure take out a fiend with his katana.
"Auron!" Tidus felt relief flood through him at the sight of his mentor, feeling a little less vulnerable with his new company.
"Sir Auron!" Wakka was momentarily stunned at the sight of the legendary guardian, one who had been missing for more then ten years. The man turned to look a the pair and with a nod of his head, signaled for them to join him. Even with the combine efforts of the tow men, they soon found themselves surrounded by the large fiends. Auron moved in front of Tidus as he kept the flat end of the sword leveled as a makeshift shield. As the fiend readied an attack a gasp came from all around as a huge creature appeared before them.
The creatures body, albeit large, was terribly thin taking on the appearance of a starved human. Its skin was brown and leathery, its long, thin arms clutched at itself, almost protectively; a smaller set of arms could be seen wrapping themselves around it neck, holding a metal tag. Jagged canines stretched out of its mouth, which was to only part of its face that could be seen as a large cloth-like hood covered the rest of its head, with the exception of one eye. The creature let out an almost human-like sob as red energy gathered around the one eye, which was released, hitting one of the many fiends scattered about. The fiend died instantly and the creature repeated the attack, hitting every fiend and killing it immediately. As the attack ensued, the creatures cry's became more frequent and pained, as blood seeped out of it eye and down its face like tears.
Behind it, Seymour Guado could be seen concentrating, moving his hand in tune with its attacks, like he was controlling it. Like it was an Aeon. The man looked over at the group of three and with another flick, the fiend facing Wakka was torn apart. Another flick, the Zu above them was shot down. Auron swung down on the remaining fiend, destroying it before the summon could. Tidus looked over at the Maester, meeting the mans cold eyes and small smile before the maester turned away, focusing on the few remaining fiends left. Rough hands grabbed at his attention as Auron led him away.
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It had been two hours since the attack on the stadium and the miraculous rescue by the Guado Maester and his Aeon. Wakka stood in Luca square, holding the crystal cup and facing his unusually quiet team.
"You really leavin', Cap'n?" Datto asked breaking the painful silence. "Shouldn't you heal up first?"
Wakka shook his head, responding just as they knew he would. "Yuna needs me with her now. I can't be lying around in some bed."
"But-"
"Come on, look sharp! The blitz season just started. Don't make those faces, ya?" He handed the trophy to the Letty, who handled it awkwardly, like a child. "Well... See you, boys! You be good."
"Cap'n..." The team kept their eyes to the ground and Wakka couldn't stand it anymore. They had won, their first win in ten years and this is how they were going act.
"I can't hear you!"
"CAP'N!" The team smiled as he he nodded in approval and left, unaware as their faces fell once more.
He made his way up to the balcony that oversaw the city, where the rest of them were waiting. Well, what was left of them. Yuna walked over, having seen the exchange and gave him a concerned look.
"Are you sure?" She asked tentatively.
He nodded, rubbing the back of his head with his hand. "Never liked long goodbyes anyway. Sorry for making you wait, Yuna. I had some promises to keep, ya? From now on, I'm your full-time guardian."
"Then welcome back, Sir Wakka." She bowed deeply as she continued, "Good to have you with us."
"Hey..." He held out his hand to stop her bow, then realizing what he was doing, bowed sheepishly himself. "It's good to be back, ya?" He stood up with her and turned to Lulu, "so, any news on what happened?"
She shook her head as she spoke, "not really. We don't know where the fiends came from. Maester Mika is safe and sound, thanks to Maester Seymour. That's about it." He grunted, selfishly noting that at least they waited till the game was finished, his thoughts broken by Yuna.
"Maester Seymour's aeon... It was so powerful..."
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"Hey you! Don't stand there! All of this is your fault! Gettin' swallowed by Sin! Ending up here in Spira! Not being able to go back to Zanarkand--everything, everything! I'm telling you it's all your fault!" Tidus shouted at Auron as they stood alone on an empty dock. The man chuckled and turned away, his laugh becoming louder as the boy growled in frustration. Anger flared up inside him and it took all his self control not to hit the man. He closed his eyes, desperately trying to block out the mans voice as he calmed himself. After a few minutes, when he felt he could speak without yelling he turned back to his mentor.
"Who are you, anyway?" His voice came out sounding tired and quiet and though it appeared like the older man hadn't heard him, he knew better. Still, Auron gave no response.
"You knew my old man, didn't you?" Auron nodded and the boy continued, "and you also knew Yuna's father?"
"That's correct," frustration flared in him again at the man nonchalance.
"Hey, man, there's no way. That's just impossible!" His voice had gotten louder and the older man waited for the boy to calm himself before responding.
"Nothing impossible about it. Jecht, Braska and I...Together we defeated Sin ten years ago. Then I went to Zanarkand... where I watched over you. So that one day I could bring you to Spira." He spoke as though the answer was obvious to everyone but Tidus and he had to clench his teeth not to snap back at the man.
A million questions floated around in his head and the more he thought about it, more dejected he felt. When he responded, it was not how he had wanted to, but it seemed as though it was what Auron expected.
"Why did it have to be me?"
"Jecht asked me to." He kept his eyes level with Tidus' as he spoke, almost as if he were looking for a reaction to the mans name. Whether he got what he wanted or not, Tidus wasn't sure, but the man turned away and he thought that maybe he hadn't.
"He's...Is he alive?" The man didn't respond, nor did he turn back. They stood there in silence for a while and when he finally did speak, he did so quietly.
"It depends on what you mean by 'alive.' He is no longer human. But then... I felt something of Jecht, there in that shell... couldn't you? You must have felt him when you came in contact with Sin." He tone was laced with bemusement as he waited for the boy's comprehension.
Tidus froze, absorbing the information as his mind registered the meaning in the mans words. When it hit him, he actually stumbled back a bit, thankful of Aurons continued silence.
"It can't be..." No, this must be joke...A...It can-
"It is. Sin is Jecht." When Tidus didn't respond, he walked over and tilted the boys head up, meeting his clear blue eyes before repeating himself. "Sin is Jecht."
He pushed the other man away angrily. "No! That's ridiculous! No way! I don't believe you!"
The older man seemed unfazed by the boys reaction nodding his head as Tidus calmed himself again. "But it is the truth. You'll see for yourself. Come with me."
"If I say no?"
"Every story must have an ending." He turned to show him that he was serious.
"I don't care about your stories!" He was shouting again, but Auron didn't wait to respond.
"I see. Sorry you feel that way. Fine, then. Come or don't come. It's your decision." He walked away, only getting a few steps before the he was stopped by the boy frustrated shout.
"Rrrraaaaaaghhh! What am I supposed to say!? You tell me it's my decision...But I don't have a choice, do I? You're the only one who can tell me what's going on, anyways! I have to go with you! I have to!" His voice broke at the end, as tears filled his eyes. He felt one escape and quickly wiped it away before his mentor could see it.
"Irritating, I know. Or are you afraid?" He turned as he spoke and Tidus couldn't stop the tears as they rolled down his face. He bit his lip, trying to stop. He was surprised when he felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up as Auron moved his hand up to ruffle the boys hair. "It's all right." He spoke more gently this time as he waited for the boy to calm down.
"Auron?" He had stopped crying, but his voice still came out cracked. "Will I ever go home? Back to Zanarkand?"
"That's up to Jecht," he moved away, starting on his original trek then, looking back he called the boy over. "I'm going to offer my services to Yuna. Come."
Dejected, Tidus followed.
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"Do you think he's gonna stay here?" Wakka asked the group as they stood planning the next coarse of action.
"Sir Auron knows him, apparently. You were right. He did meet someone he knew." Lulu seemed relieved to have the boy gone, but Wakka was disappointed. He liked having the kid around.
"Do you think he'll find a way back to Zanarkand?" Yuna asked. Wakka shrugged, unable to answer. He didn't want to encourage Yuna's belief in the boys story, as even he had to admit it seemed a little...strange.
"In any case, I'll miss having him around."
"He's still in town, isn't he? I think I'll go see him..." Wakka went to stop Yuna as she headed back into Luca, to remind her that they didn't have much time, when she stopped on her own. "Oh!"
They all turned, shock registering on their faces as Auron walked over to them, followed by less then enthusiastic Tidus. They all prayed before the man, no one noticing that he didn't bow back.
"Yuna." He turned to the young summoner, surprising her.
"Sir?"
"I wish to become your guardian. Do you accept?" Yuna let out a small gasp, unable to respond immediately.
"You're serious?" Wakka chided himself as he spoke, but this was...
"You refuse?"
"No, no! We accept! Right, everyone?" Yuna turned to her team, who all nodded furiously, except for Kimarhi.
"O-Of course! No problem at all!" Wakka stumbled forward, trying to think of a way to apologize for speaking earlier, but Auron just shook it off.
Lulu also stepped forward, "but...why?"
Auron didn't even blink a the question, seemingly expecting it, as well as everything else that had been said and done. "I promised Braska."
"You promised my father..?" Yuna seemed lost for a moment and Auron waited patiently for her next response. "Thank you, Sir Auron! You're welcome to join us!" She bowed once more and the man motioned for her to stand back up.
"And..." He grabbed the forgotten Tidus and thrust him forward, "He comes too."
Tidus stumbled, surprised by the action and looked up at the party sheepishly. "Uh...Hi..."
"This one I promised Jecht." Tidus lowered his head at this, but Yuna looked up a the older man hopefully.
"Is Sir Jecht alive?"
He shrugged, moving passed the summoner to Lulu. "Can't say. Haven't seen him in ten years." He stopped and thought a moment, responding quietly. "You'll meet eventually."
"Yes, I'm looking forward to it!" Yuna beamed, but faltered as she saw Tidus flinch.
He continued on, whispering to Tidus as he passed, "remember, you're suffering from Sin's toxin. Don't say otherwise." then louder he asked Lulu. "What's our itinerary? Where are we headed?"
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Tidus was pulled out of thought as he felt a familiar hand close on his arm, pulling him away. "Hey! Come with me!" Yuna pulled him over to the railing and put her fingers to her mouth whistling loudly.
"Hey, you got pretty good." He tried to smile, but the look on her face said she wasn't buying it.
"You sound...sad," She leaned over concerned.
"Yeah, maybe," He turned away . He didn't want to share what he knew with anyone, but especially her.
"Wanna scream?" A slight playfulness covered her concern and she gave him a small smile.
He was glad she was trying to cheer him up but he couldn't find it in him to do it. "Nnnn...I really don't think that's going to help this time."
They were silent for a while before she spoke up, "you know what?"
"Hmm?" He was lost in thought, thinking about Kilika and Sin's attack there. She tugged lightly on his arm to get his attention, continuing when she knew she had it.
"It's embarrassing to say this myself... But summoners and their guardians are kind of like Spira's ray of light. A lot of people in Spira depend on us. I learned to practice smiling when I'm feeling sad, you know?" She gave him another small smile, but it faltered when she looked him in the eyes and noticed how red they were. "I know it's hard..."
"Yeah... I understand. I think." His voice was distant and she wanted bring back the cheer he had before.
"Right, now let's see what you can do!" She laughed when he started, giving her a confused look.
"Come on!"
"Uh... ah..." He tried to force a smile unsuccessfully, then broke into a real one. "This is weird!"
"Next, try laughing out loud!" She smiled as her plan seemed to work.
He gave her a weird look, still smiling. "What?"
"Come on, show me!"
"Mmmm..." He took a deep breath then, "Ah ha ha ha ha ha ha. Aaaaah... ah ha ha. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha."
She jumped a little at how loud it was, hearing the note of frustration he put into it and thought maybe it would be best to stop. "You probably shouldn't laugh anymore."
He ignored her and continued, "Ah ha hahahaha!" She giggled, pleased that is sounded a bit less angry. "Ahahahahahaha!"
He smiled at her invitingly and she drew with him, joining him in his forced laughter. "Ah... ha ha ha ha ha ha HA!" They both burst into real laughter, tears streaming down their faces and it took a few minutes before they could calm down.
"Too funny!" She wiped away the tears, trying not to start back up.
"It was your idea!" He was breathless, but his voice was light, like it had been before.
She turned away. "Um...thank you."
"Hm, for what?"
"I want my journey to be full of laughter." She smiled back at him and he nodded. She turned away before continuing. "If we should get separated, just whistle. I'll come running. I promise."
"Hm." He gave her a long look, then turned away but she understood the message. If you whistle I'll be there, I'll come. I promise.
"Well lets get going!" They turned away, startled as they group watched them wearily. "What?"
"We were just worried you guys might've gone crazy!" Wakka's voice had a slight edge to it that suggested he wasn't entirety joking.
"Sorry!" Yuna bowed happily, "Well then, alright. Now, we go to the temple at Djose. And guardians? Don't forget to smile!"
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Sorry, a bit rushed as it's thanksgiving and I have to go help clean. Thanks for reading! Once more, the next chapter should be out shortly, unless something weird comes up. Love you all!