Lady of Fortune

Chapter Thirteen

Three or Four Days later

Rikku stood on top of the stone banister of the stairs that led into the main area of the blitz ball stadium. She scanned the crowds looking for familiar faces. She saw the sun shining off of Tidus' blonde hair that was similar to an Al Bhed's but not quite. Yuna was next to him.

"Tidus! Yunie!" Rikku waved.

Tidus saw her and waved back.

Rikku jumped back off the banister and trotted down the stairs to meet them.

Yuna huffed, turned around and walked away.

Tidus winced and rubbed the back of his neck. "Um, she's still mad at you."

Rikku nodded. "I understand. The truth is a bitter pill to swallow."

Tidus grimaced. "I err, had to go to Lulu to get anything that made any sense. Lulu repeated it. I mean, wow, I didn't know all that."

"Why should you? Mr. I'm a dreamy Zanarkand guy." Rikku punched his shoulder.

Tidus reached up and rubbed. "Easy there. You're stronger than you think you are!"

Rikku sighed. "I can't take it back and I won't."

"Eh, she needs time." Tidus said. "You're a good person and Lulu's been talking with her too. Then she comes and yells to me more."

Rikku widened her eyes. "Oh Tidus, I'm afraid you have the wrong idea about me. I thought you'd know better given our first meeting."

"Um, our first meeting?"

"I punched you in the gut!" Rikku stared at him. "Come on. Knocked you out cold."

"Oh right, that, well that was different."

Rikku shook her head. "I am a horrible person. Horrible, I tell you."

Tidus laughed. "Come off it, Rikku."

"I am! You know that sphere I showed Yunie with Shuyin in it?"

"Yeah, the one she thought was me and got her off Besaid." Tidus said. "She's told me about it. I watched it. Remember."

"I knew it wasn't you. I mean, it couldn't be you. You'd faded right before our eyes." Rikku put the back of her hand to her forehead. Silly idiot. He didn't have to fade. He'd only faded because he thought he had to. So, she'd had to tug on fate strings to get him back. Thankfully the Aeons were cooperative.

"Then why did-"

"So, I manipulated, inferred, hypothesized it was you to Yuna. I mean, all I said was 'hey, doesn't this look like Tidus' and she did all the work." Rikku shook her head. "Even though the style of dress was wrong and that person had to be dead centuries ago."

Tidus stared at her, aghast.

"But she was so depressed and moping and not doing anything. I had to get her off of Besaid and back into the world to see if she could find a new purpose. So, I was a horrible person. I let her believe a lie for weeks. Until we found new information and it was clear it wasn't you, but she still got jealous and upset over a guy who happened to look like you, was probably the memory you were based upon, talking about another girl."

Tidus sputtered and then burst into laughter.

Rikku sighed. "Little did I know, once you returned she'd go straight back to holing herself up on Besaid and away from the people."

"We don't know how or why I returned." Tidus said.

"The Aeons did it as a thank you," Rikku said without thinking. "They used the last of their power to fade away completely and return you to life." She blinked and flushed. Oops, she shouldn't have told him that. She wasn't supposed to know that. She punched his shoulder again. "So, don't waste it dummy."

Tidus laughed and jumped away. "Hey, what did I tell you about doing that?"

Rikku stuck her tongue out at him.

Gippal winked at Tidus. "Gotcha!" He said and grabbed her from behind.

Rikku twisted and pulled her punch enough that it went past his ear instead of into his bad eye. "Gippal! You know better than that."

"Nope. I don't." Gippal said.

She rolled her eyes and kissed him. "You should."

Gippal grinned. "So, you and Yuna going to watch the game with us or is Yuna still sulking?"

Tidus flushed and rubbed his neck. "Definitely still sulking. Sorry guys."

Gippal shrugged. "Well, the Machine Faction is sponsoring today's games and I guess Rikku and I will have to make it another romantic date."

Rikku slumped against him. "Oh, that's so awful." She mock complained. "You, me, alone with blitz ball bets on the line."

Gippal's grin was wicked.

Tidus raised his hands and backed up. "You know what? I don't need to know, really."

Gippal snickered. "Well, you know if Yuna changes her mind, knock and there's room in the box." He turned and wrapped his arm around Rikku.

"Later, Tidus. Hope Yunie feels better soon." Rikku called out.

Tidus stared after them and sighed. "Yeah, me too." He muttered. He went and found Yuna and they found their seats.

The blitz sphere was horribly crowded but since he was a player, they did have a special section close to the lockers so the players could get in and out easily. Tidus shook hands with players from other teams and avoided slaps and hugs from the Ronso. He didn't need bruises before the games even started. Everyone was in good spirits.

A microphone system turned on with a thrum.

The blitz dome went quiet and they all turned to the sponsor's box.

Gippal and Rikku stood there. Gippal in the middle behind the microphone. He grinned out over the audience. "Hey Spira," He drawled.

The audience cheered.

Gippal leaned forward. "You ready for some blitz ball?"

They screamed louder.

Tidus looked bewildered. This was surreal. He hadn't known Gippal was this popular.

"Cause me and my girl here, we've got some serious blitz bets going." Gippal said.

The crowd started chanting. It started with the Al Bhed, Tidus thought. But he wasn't sure.

"Gippal! Rikku! Gippal! Rikku!"

Gippal raised his hand, holding onto Rikku's and shook it and if possible the crowd screamed louder.

Tidus stared.

The two dropped their hands and Gippal held up a hand for silence. He got it. "I know. I know. You're all happy for us. And we really appreciate it. We're happy too."

"Kiss her!" Someone yelled.

Rikku flushed and hid her face in his shoulder.

"Hey? Does this look like my wedding to you? No. No. It is not. And that's not to give any of you ideas." Gippal pointed out into the crowd. "And that means you. Yeah, I saw that."

The crowd laughed.

Rikku hit his arm.

"Okay, better wrap this up." Gippal said. "Let's have honorable games today. By honorable, follow the rules and I want to see some serious throws out of the ring. May the best team win." He paused and smirked. "And by the best team I do mean the Al Bhed Psyches because if they don't, I'm going to be out of a lot of gil and lose some serious bragging rights to my girl on my predictive capabilities."

Rikku leaned forward. "Besaid Aurochs, Ronso Fangs, Guado Glories… beat their asses."

The crowd cheered again.

Gippal waved. "Let the games begin!" He turned and kissed Rikku.

The crowd screamed.

The blitz dome rotated, the hoses turned on and started to fill up the blitz sphere area with water.

Tidus sat there just feeling bewildered.

Hey, Almost a month and a half has passed since the beginning of this story! Woot!

Clasko had sent a call to the Celsius. The Al Bhed chocobo knight candidates were ready. He wanted Rikku to give them a final review before they presented themselves to Lucil

Rikku was more than willing to do that. She armored up Sookie and they ran across the Calm Lands to the old monster arena that now held Clasko's chocobo stables and training facility. The group was more than happy to see her and eager to show her everything they'd learned.

Rikku put them through their paces and watched critically.

"Not bad, Clasko."

Clasko swallowed hard. "You think so, Lady Rikku."

"You know the basics and you did a good job. They look really professional. They just need experience." Rikku patted his shoulder. "I'll tell Lucil I have full confidence in you as a trainer."

Clasko reddened. "Oh thank you, Lady Rikku. That means a lot. I mean, I know chocobos, but training chocobo knights."

Calli spoke up. "You went through it yourself and you're really good at seeing when someone is having trouble." She leaned forward and winked at Rikku.

"Exactly," Rikku gave Calli a thumbs up behind Clasko's back.

Clasko swallowed hard. "Well, they did come up with an idea."

"We were having them do the chocobo races with balloons as way points in the course." Calli said. "But some of them are gunners."

"You created a gunner's gauntlet on chocobo back?" Rikku asked, eyes wide. "Wow. That's really neat."

Calli flushed. "Not us, they did. They said it would be cool. They even put confetti in the balloons."

Rikku threw her head back and laughed. "Oh, that's Al Bhed logic for you." She said. She wiped her eyes. "You're lucky they didn't put items in the balloons and have fire bombs and ice crystals and all that every time they shot one."

"They'd really like for you to try it. I mean, they've talked of nothing else for days." Calli's eyes wrinkled at the corners as she grinned. "I think they hope it's going to be a challenge."

Rikku pursed her lips. She reached into her pouch and rolled a weapon sphere, changing from her lancer weapon to the gunner weapon. The outfit had a vest over a bikini top and a laced up corset in a different color. It had shorts and short boots like from her old thief outfit.

She walked forward to where the chocobo candidates were finishing their formation. She put her hands on her hip. "I understand cousins, that you've made a gunner's gauntlet. Now, where is this challenge? I demand a go."

The Al Bhed beamed. "It's all set up."

"I'll show you the start, Lady Rikku." One breathed, she was their leader, Accalia.

Sookie trilled and bobbed her head up and down behind Rikku.

Rikku grabbed her reins and swung up into the saddle. "Let's have some fun girl and show them how it's done." She murmured into the chocobo's ear and rubbed her neck.

Sookie fluttered her wings and jumped up and down.

Rikku grinned, pulled her gun and checked her clip, nudging Sookie forward to the start line. "So, follow the string of balloons and take them out."

Accalia nodded.

Rikku lowered her lashes. "Wish me luck?"

Accalia shook her head. "Oh no. I have the best score so far."

Rikku laughed. She touched her forehead and then tapped her heels against Sookie's side. "Yah."

Sookie darted forward, neck outstretched.

Rikku narrowed her eyes and brought up her pistol, focusing on the nearest balloon. She squeezed the trigger.

The gun bucked and barked.

The balloon exploded in a cloud of colored paper and glitter. Rikku laughed.

Sookie twisted towards the nearest one.

Somehow word had gotten out that someone was using the new chocobo course. Crowds of game goers had already gathered in the edges of the track. They cheered every time Rikku hit a balloon. By the fourth balloon, things started to get trickier.

They'd added little machines to the mix. Little machines that moved the balloons up and down or side to side.

"Inventive," Rikku said. But it wasn't going to throw her off her game.

The balloons were also getting closer together.

She blew past one, threw herself off to Sookie's side, twisted around and shot it.

The crowd screamed.

Rikku shot the next one as she pulled herself up.

She shot the next ones in quick succession, tossed her gun in the air, switched her hand on the reins, caught the gun and shot the next two.

The crowd roared and danced up and down.

There were four in a row coming up, horizontal and right next to each other. There was no way to get all four, especially with them moving. Rikku shook her head. "Nice try." She said and flipped to a different ammo. She shot once, and all four balloons popped.

The last balloon they released and let the wind take it. Rikku aimed, bringing her arm up to use as a pivot and shot it. It exploded into a huge firework.

Sookie skidded to a halt.

Rikku tossed her head. "And that's how you run a gunner's gauntlet, folks."

The crowd cheered and swarmed her and Sookie.

Sookie held still and Rikku pressed hands and shook and let them get their excitement out of their systems. The crowd backed up as the other riders came closer.

"Well?" Rikku asked.

"You blew my score out of the water. I swore some of those would trip you up." The Accalia pouted. "We'll just have to find new ways to make it more difficult."

Rikku laughed. "It was a lot of fun." She said. "I think you've created a monster." She said looking at the happy crowd. Some swarmed around a man who was passing out gil.

"Oh, it's been popular all right. We've had to be careful not to hit anyone. It's really improved our aim." Accalia said.

Rikku blanched. "Yeah. That is dangerous."

"We tried to set all the balloons above head height." Another one said. "And we've made it clear that certain sides of the track are off limits. But you know, you always have that one shot or a person who doesn't understand why the rule is there."

"Fortunately we haven't killed anyone yet." Another muttered.

Rikku nodded. "Those seem to be good provisions. I'm sure we can come up with something better though if people want to watch. Maybe not use actual guns but something that has a needle that will pop the balloon that has the same weight and heft. Or a different type of bullet."

"Oh, that is a good idea." Accalia's eyes turned sly. "Maybe Gippal can come up with something."

Rikku flushed. "Fine. We'll get him out here. Have him try it. He'll get hooked, see the problems for himself and we'll have a new device in a week just so he can come back and play without hurting anyone."

They all laughed.

Clasko rode up. "That was amazing Lady Rikku. Truly a stellar performance."

"Thank you, Sir Clasko." Rikku nodded at him. "It was my pleasure to share."

Clasko reached under his armor. "Here are the papers for Commander Lucil, Major. They're as ready as I can make them."

Rikku took them and looked down at them. "Wow, thank you, Clasko. I'm sure these will be a real help to the Commander. She knows best what makes a good Chocobo Knight unit."

Clasko flushed, pleased. "It was just a thought Calli and I had." He mumbled.

"Good thinking then," Rikku saluted him with the papers. She put them in her pouch. "Cousins, a celebratory meal before we head to Mushroom Rock is in order."

"Here, here!" They shouted.

"Join us, Clasko and Calli, you've earned it." Rikku said.

Clasko looked about to protest. Calli put a hand on his arm. "We'd love to."

They rode off together as a group towards the town Rin had set up in the middle of the Calm Lands. Accalia waxed enthusiastic about the Al Bhed restaurant that one of their fellows had set up.

"We've been feeding Clasko the mild stuff." She confided to Rikku.

Rikku grinned.

"He likes it but I'm not sure if he'd go full out spicy."

They all settled in for a meal, Rikku dumping enough gil in front of the owner to get his undivided attention and prompt service. It helped that he liked the chocobo riders and knew what they liked well enough he could prepare it quickly and promptly without them ordering. Rikku's likes were well known too.

They laughed and talked as they ate, sharing stories of their training with Rikku.

"Lady Rikku," Lord Rin said, his smooth voice tight and frosty.

Rikku looked up at him and wiped her mouth. "Lord Rin," she said after she swallowed. He sounded annoyed with her.

"That was quite a display of gunnery prowess on the gauntlet." He said through tight teeth.

Yep, Rikku thought, Rin was definitely annoyed. She smiled at him anyways, pretending she didn't notice. "Thank you, Lord Rin. I enjoyed it."

The other Al Bhed quieted and ate slowly, watching Rin carefully.

Rin looked them over and sniffed. "I didn't realize you were behind our young people's sudden interest in chocobos. I shouldn't be surprised that you would encourage such a thing."

Rikku fluttered her eyelashes. "I'm always looking for new opportunities for our young people. The gauntlet was all their idea. I, of course, approve whole heartedly." She said, digging at him. These hadn't been his ideas. And that's why he was annoyed.

"And in business?" Rin's smile was tight.

"Oh yes," Rikku nodded.

"I've just received a new shipment of toys from Kilika." Rin's smile was looking more and more forced. "I was surprised to see your name on them as the designer."

Rikku smiled baring her teeth. "That's simply good business, Lord Rin. Something you know well."

"I do," Rin said darkly.

"It was good talking to you," Rikku stood up. "But, I must escort these chocobo riders to Mushroom Rock Road and introduce them to Commander Lucil for their induction as Chocobo Knights."

Rin's eyes widened. "Al Bhed Chocobo Knights."

"Yes, Lord Rin, if they meet with Lucil's approval, I'll be posting them to protect trade caravans and travelers in the Sanubia Desert." Rikku said sweetly. "Pops is almost done with his city designs and the Lords have chosen several spots they think would make good positions for towns. The Knights will be integral to clearing those areas of fiends so the workers can start building. They'll no doubt be building another gauntlet and race track to keep in practice when they aren't hunting fiends."

Some of the riders ducked their heads to conceal sniggers.

"Won't that be fun?" Rin gritted out.

"I hope it will be inspiring for all of us." Rikku smiled at him.

"Well, we're always glad to see you." Rin said and bowed. "Have a pleasant journey." He backed away and walked off.

The riders burst into laughter.

Rikku shook her head. "He wouldn't be in such pain if he'd just tell the truth like the rest of us."

Some of them wiped at their eyes, then snorted and started laughing again.

"Come on, riders, mount up. The Celsius will be here any minute." Rikku said and slapped the back of the nearest rider.

They nodded and finished their drinks, shouting their thanks to the owner and tossing a bunch of gil down as a tip.

They mounted their chocobos.

The Celsius flew overhead and rotated over the edge of the cliff so that the door to the engine room was near it.

"String out behind me." Rikku said. There were stairs to the left and right to go to the lift to the cabin. They'd have to turn to get to them. "I'll go left, the next one goes right and so on."

"Yes, Major." The riders chorused.

Rikku tapped Sookie into a run. "You know what to do, girl." She told the chocobo.

The chocobo chirped and dashed across the plains towards the edge of the cliff at breakneck speed. The other rider's followed her.

Clasko watched them go, pumping his fist in the air and shouting at them to "go, go, go!"

Sookie jumped off the edge of the cliff. She hit the ramp hard and kept running, turning towards the left to go up the stairs and towards the lift. The other rider's followed her.

Rin watched them go, frowning.

The lift door closed and the Celsius took to the sky to cheers and waving of hands.

Rin turned away and walked into his inn in disgust and frustration.