Chapter 4- Let the Games Begin!

Throughout most of the voyage on the S.S. Winno, both of the teams had somehow managed to remain calm. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that they kept their distances from each other, which was also odd. None of the Goers confronted the Aurochs, and vice-versa.

Tidus strolled aimlessly around the ship. At times he would go to the upper deck and just stare out at the ocean silently. At other times he would head down to the cabin, say nothing to those down there, walk around for a few moments, and then leave. Then he would move toward a lone blitzball on the lower deck and play with it a little. He would balance it on his head, toss it from one hand to the other, and then kick it around lackadaisically.

Gatta observed his actions with an amused smirk, and approached him. "What are you doing?"

"Just…wasting time, I guess," he answered, sounding depressed.

"Why don't you try to get some sleep?"

"I can't. I already tried. I'm not all that tired," he replied.

"Oh…Well, show me some of your moves then," Gatta requested.

"Nah, don't feel like it right now," Tidus refused. He picked up the blitzball again and started lobbing it up into the air and catching it.

"What's wrong?"

He flung the ball into the air once more, only this time he let it drop to the deck. "What do you think?" he retorted crossly.

"Yuna?"

He nodded slowly with a frown. "The more I think about it, the worse I feel."

"Well, maybe the tournament tomorrow will cheer you up some," the Crusader said.

"Yeah, I hope so. At least I won't be worrying about it for a little while. I'll just be concentrating on the game," the former Zanarkand Abes star commented.

"It'll do you some good, I think. You've been away for a long time, right?"

"Yeah."

"Then you should be really pumped up, huh? It'll feel good to be back, won't it?" Gatta asked.

"Yeah, it will. Once I get started, it'll be like I never left. Can't wait," Tidus agreed, starting to cheer up. Then they heard angry yells coming from the cabin below. They exchanged worried glances. "Uh oh! That can't be good!"

The two of them hurried down, with Barthello following. They came upon a brawl between the Besaid Aurochs and the Luca Goers. Fists, kicks, and even blitzballs were flying, as they noticed Jassu smash Bickson's nose with one. He recoiled in pain briefly, and then rejoined the fray. He repaid the Auroch by decking him with his fist and sending him crashing to the floor.

Keepa shoved the Goer's goalie, Raudy, to the deck, and then pancaked him, his excessive girth knocking the breath out of him. The Luca blitzball player remained on the ground after the other got off of him.

Then Balgerda tackled Datto and starting throwing punches. Botta grabbed her by the hair and pulled her off harshly. Doram kicked at Botta, who ducked under her foot and tripped her up.

Letty and Graav focused solely on each other, throwing vicious punches at their rival. Blood poured freely from their noses, but it didn't faze them and they continued fighting.

The young blitzball player and Crusader quickly decided it was time to intervene. "Barthello, break them up," Tidus requested.

Then he calmly walked into the middle of the skirmish and began separating them. "Enough!" he commanded sternly.

The two teams stopped abruptly at the sight of the massive guardian. Many of them had been bloodied and had visible shiners. "There'll be no more of that!" Gatta interjected.


"We'll take care of you losers tomorrow!" Graav said as they parted ways.

"Quit talkin' and show it to us! We'll let our actions do the talking!" Letty returned.

After they were gone, Tidus shook his head. "This is gonna be bad, really bad."

"It was real intense last year, too. Letty and Graav ended up breaking their arms in an intentional collision in the finals last year," Gatta revealed.

"Oh, so that's why they were so mad at each other. Bad blood between them."

"That's an understatement."

In the morning, the city of Luca could be seen in the distance. The roars of the crowd were overwhelming and could be heard from the boat. Those who had been unable to get the quick-selling tickets had already filled the tavern, and were watching the coverage on the sphere monitor. The local commentators, Jimma and Bobba, brought them live updates as the blitzball teams arrived at the docks.

"We can already tell it's going to be an exciting day as the teams begin to disembark!"

"That's right, Bobba. At dock number one, we have the Guado Glories!"

The screen showed the players getting off of the boat. The fans began to jeer loudly. "They certainly haven't been a fan favorite since that whole fiasco with Maester Seymour was revealed to the public," Bobba commented.

"That's true. Now, at dock number two are their long-time rivals, the Ronso Fangs!"

The monitor changed locations to show the towering Ronso stepping off of their boat slowly. "Their size makes them a force to be reckoned with!" Bobba exclaimed.

"Next, at dock number three, here come the Kilika Beasts!" Jimma introduced. The sphere monitor changed scenes as the team got off of the boat. "But they really aren't the main story at this dock."

The Besaid Aurochs came into view and fans began to cheer. The Besaid fans were cheering for their team and the Luca fans cheered at the sight of their bruises and cuts. "Oh my! It looks as if the Aurochs had a scuffle on the way here, and it's not hard to guess who it was with," Bobba said.

Then Tidus came into sight. "Wait! Who's this?! It's Tidus, the legendary guardian of High Summoner Yuna! No one's seen him in two years! If only she could be here to see this, but she's in Zanarkand, preparing for her wedding to Grand Maester Adonijah. Isn't that right, Jimma?"

"Right you are, Bobba. Everyone was wondering who would take Wakka's place in the tournament since he's also in Zanarkand, but I don't think anyone expected this!" Jimma exclaimed excitedly.

Everyone stood to their feet, cheering and applauding Tidus, except for the Guado in attendance. He took a bow and the crowd settled down.

Then the Goers fans began to shout loudly as their team stepped off next. "And now, our very own Luca Goers! It seems that the five-time defending champions have received their share of bruises from the Aurochs," Bobba stated.

The Besaid fans taunted them at the sight of their injuries. "It looks like we'll have another Aurochs-Goers classic in the finals this year. They are both the favorites to make it," Jimma said.

Then the sphere monitor changed locations one last time to dock number five. "Finally, we have the Al Bhed Psyches! They have never been popular, and today is no exception," Bobba observed as those in the stands booed them loudly. "Well, now that the introductions are over, we'll be back later for coverage on the opening tournament of the season."

Each team reported to their respective locker rooms as one representative from each went to discover whom their opponents were be. Datto went for the Aurochs. The players waited impatiently for the return of their teammate. When he opened the door, they crowded around him in an instant.

"So who we got?" Jassu inquired anxiously.

"We're playin' the Guado Glories, but I gotta warn you, Tidus. They're not gonna take too kindly to you. They're gonna hit you hard."

Tidus shook it off without a problem. "I always look forward to a challenge."

Author's Notes: So what did you think? Let me know in a review, along with some constructive criticism. It'll help me improve as a writer.