So, yeah. Here's the next chapter! So far you've been introduced to three of our bad guys. They are Sosetsu our snake infusion, our tiger infusion, and dragon infusion. Also, the name Celine has been dropped as the descendent of Lady Yunalesca. It will be an interesting change in events. The bad guys are going to be awesome! You'll be introduced to two more infusion bad guys soon, one is this angel that Sosetsu talked about. She'll appear in this one I think.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything of FFX or FFX-2. I do own all made up characters.
Rikku
The night before was a wonderful night. No one left the village because it was so late when the celebration ended. I had a few people staying over at my house so I couldn't really sneak into Auron's room. I was planning on it just to snuggle up next to him because I really liked it when he held me the night of the storm. Instead, I woke up this morning in my own bed, with the covers kicked onto the floor. I slowly get up and rub the sleep from my eyes. I was still a little uneasy since I met up with that Sosetsu guy. He reminded me so much of a snake and a fiend at the same time. What scared me most was that he was talking about the return of Sin. No one wants Sin to return.
I sit on the edge of my bed in deep thought. Sin was summoned before by Yu Yevon but to summon Sin he needed many souls to make a really big fayth. The fayth that had made Sin was on Mount Gagazet. So he would have to wipe out a whole civilization. So, who was this Master's target? I take a deep breath as I think on this. I couldn't think of any group that may be hated, except for the Guado and there were very few of them. People were still reluctant to accept them due to Seymour's mistakes.
I get up and raise my arms above my head in a stretch. I then sigh and pick out my clothes for the day. I head to my shower, keeping quiet so I did not wake any of my guests.
Auron
I had woken early but I did not get up. I kept my eye closed and I was in deep thought of what was to come. The creature that we had met last night had made me uneasy. I had a feeling we would see more of him in the future. When I hear the water start running I sit up and shake my head. I would have to train harder now since there was a threat. My only thoughts were if my body could keep up with it.
"Sometimes I wish I were 10 years younger."
I look up and I felt like I was about to have a heart attack whenever I saw him. The youngest of the fayth was looking about my room. He looks up from his exploration right at me.
"I think you called?"
I glare at him and shake my head.
"I never called for you."
"You are making a wish. I thought it would be nice to drop by and make sure that it is what you really want. You did sound hesitant."
I stare at him and get to my feet. The young fayth steps back with a grin on his face.
"I know you've been contemplating it. I've seen the thoughts run through your head."
Now this made me a little angry.
"What are doing in my head?"
He kicks his feet on the ground with a childish smile.
"I was just poking around. I was curious to see what a Legendary Guardian thinks about. Anyway, I have a connection to you since it was I who brought you back. I have the same connection with Tidus but I am not alone in that connection. He was a lot harder to bring back since he was a dream. But I'm here to ask if that's what you really want. To be 10 years younger."
I stand there, deep in thought. Being younger would have its advantages. I would be able to do so much more and it was possible I wouldn't be blind in my right eye anymore. I would be able to protect Rikku and even Yuna without much trouble. I look at the boy and he smiles.
"You have a lot of good points you know. If I were you I would be younger."
He then looks towards my door which is shut tightly.
"And I think that it would make you closer to our Al Bhed Princess. She is hesitant because you are so much older but she is very willing to be with you. She's afraid to love you."
He then looks at me and smiles.
"Just say the word."
I contemplate for a moment then nod.
"Fine. My wish is on youth."
The fayth smiles and snaps his fingers. I close my eye and I can feel a slight change come over me. It was strange and it made my insides twist and turn. When I open my eyes Bahamut was gone and what really startled me was my vision was completely clear. I could see. I go to a nearby mirror and check my features. My hair was longer and there were no gray hairs and my eyes were both open. The right one was not sealed shut. I did not have the creases in my face from age. Though one thing remains. The long scar still runs down my face and over my eye. A reminder of what I had done in my past life. The mark that Yunalesca gave me over fourteen years ago. If this was my youth, I liked it appearance wise but let us see about physical strength. I go towards the corner of my room where the Masamune stands and I lift it with ease. There was no pain involved and it reminded me of how it felt whenever I first go the hang of the oversized weapon. It was perfect. This was the perfect body. I set the sword down carefully and get dressed. I put on my red coat and then get the Masamune again before leaving the house, creeping by the sleeping people. I make my way to a secluded area just out of the village, that way I was close just in case that creature was to attack again. My training was easier than ever, having the strength of a young person. My body was no longer broke down and hurting all the time but instead it was a strong sense of relief. Each swing came with ease and each movement was more flowing than before. It was wonderful!
Rikku
By the time I got out the shower I went to sneak into Auron's room but he wasn't there! That big meanie had snuck off again! It was just like him to disappear when I do want to see him. My only guess was that he had gone out training as usual. It was like a ritual for him. Always was and always will be. I change into my theif dressphere out of habit and then sneak past the sleeping people to the outside. I lock the door behind me and then start to scout. I was a good scout when we were on the pilgrimage and I hadn't lost my touch. I had stumbled on two people though that looked strange, just like Sosetsu. There was a woman who was sleeping next to a burned out campfire. She wore a bikini top that had see through sleeves that drooped down and poofy pants. Their color was pale red. What really made her strange was her hair color and white tiger ears and tiger tail that had a gold ring tightly on it. Her hair was white with black streaks through it. Sitting near her, poking a stick into the burnt out fire was a man who was in all black. Talk about gothic. He wore black jeans, black steel-toe boots, black shirt, and a black trenchcoat. He had long black hair that covered his eyes and the only bit of color on him were the pair of golden dragon wings that protruded from his back. From the looks of it he was bored and waiting for the girl to wake up. The girl's ears twitch and then I watch as her nose twitches. Her eyes open suddenly showing a cat gold with swirled pupils. That made me almost gasp as they reminded me of the Al Bhed eye. She gets up and takes long, deep breaths. She looks towards the dragon boy with softer eyes than she had woken up with.
"Ketsu dear? How late is?"
He looks at the girl and smiles. He really didn't seem like the kind of guy to smile.
"It's still early morning. Most of our targets are still sleeping."
I crouch down in my spot behind the bushes and continue to watch. The girl crawls up to the man with an almost seductive motive and whispers in his ear. He nods and he gets up. She smiles and I swear she is staring right at me. The man's wings stretch out and he jumps into the air. He then swoops down on me and gets a tight grip of me with his arms in posistion to break my neck.
"Make a sound and I will snap your neck within an instant. I'm not afraid to."
He whispers in my ear, almost hissing. The woman gets to her feet and walks towards me with a small smile.
"Hello, Rikku."
I was shocked she knew my name.
"Umm... hello?"
I give a nervous smile and I feel the man's grip tighten. Her tail twitches and she looks at me with curiousity.
"You look different than when we lived at Home. It has been a long time has it not?"
I look at her and then it hits me.
"Tsuki? Little Tsuki that always dreamed of being a Guardian and finding the end of Sin?"
She gives a small smile and nods.
"Yes, that's me. I'm suprised you recognized me. With this nice change."
When I met Tsuki all those years ago she had sandy brown hair and pretty green eyes. Now she was some weird creature.
"What happened to you? Why do you have ears?"
She looks over my shoulder at Ketsu and then back at me.
"I've been infused with a fiend, so that makes me a half-fiend."
I stare and I squirm a bit which causes Ketsu to tighten his grip making it hurt.
"You might want to be careful. He's infused with a dragon making him a lot stronger than your average human."
I stay still and stare at her.
"Are you with that Sosetsu guy? Please tell me you're not."
She shakes her head but then tilts her head to the side.
"I am in a way. He is a lower member of Yu Yevon. I am a Guardian to our Summoner. The Summoner to bring back Sin."
I stare at her in shock.
"But you wanted so much to get rid of Sin!"
"That was until Lady Celine told me that without Sin there will only be war. A war will repeat like it did during the Great War between Bevelle and Zanarkand. You know we don't want that. War is worse than Sin in my opinion and in the opinion of all those in Yu Yevon."
"Yu Yevon?"
"It's the organization that will bring back Sin and bring peace."
Now that sounded completely and utterly stupid.
"I know it sounds idiotic but Lady Celine promised that the Al Bhed would be safe. She told me that she would let us be accepted."
I shake my head.
"We are accepted now. So, why do we need acceptance?"
She is quiet and she looks to Ketsu.
"I warn you Rikku. Do not get involved. She looks to destroy you because you destroyed Sin. As your friend I ask that you please stay back."
Her ears perk up and her eyes widen.
"He's here!"
Ketsu lets go of me and I quickly scramble to another part of the aclove that they were in. The man reaches down and picks up a large sword, one that was bigger than even Auron's! It held a wide blade with a very sharp tip. That thing had to weigh as much as a shoopuf! He blocks an attack as a red blur comes from the trees. I recognized that coat. It had to be Auron. I pull out my blades and I get into my own fighting posistion to help him out. Tsuki sees this and unclips a whip from her side. She lashes the weapon forward and I jump back just in time to dodge. I run in for an attack, dodging the whip movements and then come in for my double attack. Two swipes and I jump back to round in, in another direction. I watch as the whip movements stop but she runs towards Ketsu and he is quick to pick her up in his arms. She gives a cheery wave and the man takes to the air causing a great swoop in wind take place causing my hair to fly in all directions, slapping my face. I squint my eyes to look over at Auron and he is staring up at the two as the disappear. I then let out a gasp at what I saw.
Auron
I had felt an uneasy presence as I was training and it only got worse over time. I finally decided to investigate and the first thing I saw were two creatures surrounding Rikku. One held her tightly in his arms and he looked as if he could break her at any second. My instinct was to sneak up on them but the girl had somehow sensed me and the boy was quick to block my attack. The sword was hard to get around which caused problems. Finally, he made some motion towards the girl and he actually took flight. I had thought that maybe those wings were just show but they actually worked.
I look over towards Rikku and she is staring at me in awe. At first I am unable to figure out what it is then I remember my previous wish.
"Rikku?"
She steps back at first, as if she is afraid.
"Auron?"
I nod and she puts her hands over her mouth in suprise.
"What?"
"I used my wish."
I look away, suddenly ashamed of what I had done. This was not the reaction I was going for.
Rikku
So, this is what it is like when you look into the face of the past. I remember seeing him vaguely in the images on the spheres we would find on our journey but I hadn't imagined that he was really this handsome. It was hard to recognize him without having one eye closed and the deep frown wrinkles but he really had outdone himself with this one. I smile underneath my hands and walk towards him. I lower my hands to my side and tilt my head slightly.
"Why'd you do that?"
"I was looking to improve myself. I felt useless with a broken down body."
He then looks up at me and sees my smile.
"I also thought it would make it easier on you if I was younger."
I shake my head and put my arms around his middle.
"I liked you the way you were. I never cared about how old you were."
I look up at him with the same smile.
"I cared about the person you showed me and that person is sweet and kind."
He puts his arms around me and it made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. It was hard to believe he would do something like that for me. I guess he really loved me.
"Rikku, what happened here?"
I frown and I sigh.
"I think that is something we have to tell everyone. Spira's in danger again."
Auron
I was relieved that she was not mad at me but instead she didn't show much. She accepted my decision but did reassure me that even if I hadn't changed then she would still like me.
We made our way back to the village and got everyone together, excluding Kimarhi due to he was getting ready to leave for Mount Gagazet on the Celsius. After explaining what had happened to my appearance and a approving gesture from Tidus, Rikku was finally able to explain what had happened. She sits on the couch at Yuna's home poking her fingers together in nervousness.
"Well, I left this morning to go find Auron 'cause he disappeared again and while I was looking I saw these two people. There was a girl and boy. The boy was awake and they both looked really weird. Just like the guy Sosetsu from last night."
"Last night?"
I had forgotten they didn't know.
"Before you sang last night Rikku had gone off on her own and met up with a guy who looked like a Guado infused with a snake. He kept saying that he had to kill Rikku and all of us. He said that his Master was going to bring back Sin. He said that the process had already begun."
Rikku nods and smiles.
"We were going to tell you but it was your guy's special night and we didn't want to ruin it."
Yuna sighs in disappointment and plops down next to Rikku. Lulu was sitting on the other side keeping Vidina occupied. Tidus sits in a chair and Wakka sits on the arm. I, as usual, stand at the door making sure that no one else was listening.
"Anyway, this guy had dragon wings and the girl was all tiger-like. Well, the girl woke up and I guess she told the guy that I was watching and he swooped down on me and put me in this head lock. He said if I were to make a sound he would break my neck. The girl... she umm... she started talking about how she was a half-fiend and that the guy holding me was also a half-fiend. Her name was Tsuki and his name was Ketsu. She started talking about how her Master, Celine was the descendent of Yunalesca and how they were going to bring back Sin to bring peace. She gave me this speal about how without Sin there will be war and the Great War of Bevelle and Zanarkand will repeat itself. She said that the organization she was in was called Yu Yevon and also that she was a Guardian to a Summoner but I didn't see a Summoner anywhere. It was just them two. Then she seemed to notice something and I guess it was Auron and she knew it was him without even looking at him. Then they just flew off."
"If the woman was infused with a tiger fiend then her sense of smell is most likely heightened." (Lulu)
"Yeah, I guess. She said that because Ketsu was infused with a dragon his strength was unbelievable. I felt like I was going to break into peices at any moment."
She shudders and I close my eyes.
"I don't see how their can be a Summoner. There is no longer any fayth." (Yuna)
"That is what I was wondering."
Rikku was leaving something out and that made me wonder. What was she hiding? Rikku suddenly gets to her feet and gives a weary smile.
"This has made me tired. I think I'm going to go take a nap. Umm... I'll see you later."
She quickly makes her way out of the hut and I watch her go. Tidus gets to his feet and puts a hand on my shoulder.
"I think you should go with her. If she keeps getting ambushed like that then she shouldn't be alone."
I nod and bow my head to my friends.
"I hope soon we can discuss how this will be resolved."
"I destroyed Sin once before. I'm not going to let false hope take over Spira again."
"I don't think any of us will."
I leave the house and go towards the place I had come to call home. There was something she was hiding. I get inside and take off my coat and slip off my shoes. I walk towards Rikku's room to see her sitting there with a picture album laying on the bed. I knock softly on the door and she looks up.
"May I come in?"
She hesitantly nods and scoots over, giving me room to sit with her. She flips through the pages and I see pictures of her when she was younger and at Home.
"She use to be my best friend back at Home. She always talked about becoming a Guardian and finding a way to defeat Sin for good. She didn't believe in Yevon but she pretended to in front of the Yevonites which confused a lot of people. She put on a Yevonite face but deep down she was planning some conspiracy."
She laughs and points a girl out. She has long brown hair and the signiture green swirled eyes.
"She was such a troublemaker but when I started doing excavation missions she wasn't able too. It was bad if she was seen with any more machina than that of Home. It would be bad for her cover."
She then frowns.
"Why would she want to bring Sin back?"
I look at the girl in the picture and I see the similarities.
"This is Tsuki isn't it?"
She nods.
"Please don't tell them. I don't want them to know."
I nod and she leans into me. I put an arm around her in comfort.
"She was my best friend. Maybe if I try hard enough I can show her that Sin is not the answer to preventing a war. That Sin is war."
"Maybe she will come to relize that one day."
She relaxs her shoulders and pushes the album onto the floor.
"Will you lay here with me? I don't want to be alone."
"As you wish."
She pulls me down to lay on her small bed and curls up next to me with her head on my chest. I stare at the ceiling and smile. I was happy that she trusted me this much.
The ferry had pulled in and first to disembark were two people. In the lead was a man with messy brown hair and chocolate brown eyes. He wore the robes of a Yevon priest which gave him a lot of odd glances. Though what was most distracting was the woman who followed him. She had long red hair that was pulled back into a ponytail. She had round brown eyes that showed a great sense of peace about her that rolled off in waves. She wore a flowing gown that reminded many of celestial robes. In her delicate hands she carried a book with an upside down cross on it. What really made people stare were the pair of large white wings on her back. She was known as the angel of Yevon. They reach the beach and calmly walk down the dock. The woman looks towards the tree line and smiles.
"Your Guardians are waiting my Lord."
He looks towards the treeline to see Ketsu and Tsuki waiting with passive looks. They looked like they had been through a hard time. He gives a slight chuckle.
"They look so down. I wonder if they have had any trouble?"
The angel tilts her head to the side and sighs.
"If so then we shall as well. I am suprised that Lady Celine sent me with you instead of Netsu."
The Summoner smiles and contines to walk along the beach towards the Guardians.
"It may be because this is the residence of High Summoner Yuna and quite a large amount of her Guardians."
The woman nods and holds the book in her hands tightly to her chest.
"Then the people of Besaid will be a tough group to convert."
"If we don't have luck with them we do have the Jilian people. They too are on Besaid."
"That would be easier."
The Summoner smiles. He was going to make sure many people came to the side of Yu Yevon. With the priestess on his side he knew that they would be convinced.
