Authors Note: Dear god, why must i update so frequently? No matter..this chapter will be focusing in a little more on learning about the oh-so-fux0red up lector.


Serenity Uprising--chapter 4: The whole world is a stage

All the world is a stage...
And everyone has their part.
How was I to know which way the story'd go?
How was I to know you go and...
you'd break my heart.


Tidus peered at the petite figure racing towards him. Through the shadows of the night, it was impossible to tell whom this person might be. His hand slid to his side, where he got a grip on his sword--just in case. At this hour, it was more than a good idea to be prepared for hostility.

As the figure loomed closer, adrenaline rushed through him. He began to walk towards the person, his walk gradually forming into a run. The closer this girl got, the broader his grin widened. He easily recognized the blonde hair, the orange tank top, the green shorts.

His first time in Spira, Rikku was his first friend. His second time in spira, Rikku was the first he was reunited with. It was ironic, really. But he wouldn't have it any other way. Rikku could give him the dish on everyone, so he could brace himself if need be.

The two bodies met and a glorious embrace. Tidus scooped Rikku up in his arms, twirling her around and gently setting her down in the snow.

She cocked her head to the side, soaking in every feature of--her best friend.

Is it really you? She asked, placing her index finger on her cheek.

Yeah, atleast I think it's really me, he responded, once again embracing Rikku.

"I knew you were alive, you know," She stated, her mischievous grin crossing her lips.

He looked at her, puzzled.

"How?"

"I tried calling you at the farplane a few times. You never came--so I guessed you were still alive! I've been searching for you for a long time, you know?" she stated.

Something had changed about Rikku. Obviously, she was more mature, her physique had been dramatically enhanced--she was gorgeous. Despite her attractive personality and exotic looks, Tidus thought of her as a best friend. Nothing more, nothing less. She was like a sister to him. A savior, a sister, a friend--all in one package.

Rikku paused.

"Yunie was worried, you know? We should go and see her . But just one thing...how are you here now?" She placed a hand on her small hip, awaiting what she expected to be an intense answer.

Tidus shifted from foot to foot. He looked down, preparing to tell her the confusing story.

"My dad, Auron, Braska. Together, they created a new fayth. One that can dream forever."

"Whoa! Pretty neat!" She squeaked, never wiping the grin off her face. But it slowly faded. "That means...that Braska and Auron will never come back, then?" She said, knitting her eyebrows together. She shrugged and turned.

"Heh! What a concept! Forming new fayths." She quickly regained her effervescent personality.

Tidus' questions had yet to find ease. There were so many things he wanted to know. There was no use staying out here in the cold, especially in their attire. He thought it a good idea to head back to the travel agency--there was nothing he could really do 'till morning.


* * *


The wind gusted, and there seemed to be a slight chill on the normally warm isle of besaid.

Maester Lector stepped off of the ferry, overlooking the isle--a menacing smile crossing his lips.

His servants departed from the dock, and he gestured for them to leave. He could handle the fiends of besaid by himself, he knew.

Lector's long black hair wiped about in the wind, shielding the innocent island from his fiery black eyes.

Despite the cold, Lector was very warm--because he was cold blooded. Yuna called him the demon of hell, and he loved it. He wanted the power--and using the innocent summoner was key to the fame which he needed for absolute domination.

The truth of the matter was, that he hated Yuna--No, he did not hate her, he hated the fact she defeated sin.

Yuna and her guardians viewed Lector as a sick, twisted man. He loved death--everything about suffering and pain. Now that Sin was gone, there was no means of suffering, death, killing. This meant he must take action to satisfy his sick desires.

With the help of Yuna, he would gain the trust of Spira. He would gain the fame and support of the people. And gradually, very gradually, he would become dominant of the world. He would murder--and in his own way, become Sin.

He wanted it. Nothing could stop him. Except maybe, just maybe, a 20 year old blitzball player by the name of Tidus.


* * *

Yuna sucked in a deep breath. She shut her eyes firmly, blocking more tears from releasing. She shook her head, and opened her eyes, refocussing her vision. Lulu was right. She had to get over it, or atleast try to. She had to continue on with her life, it would help her quite a bit.

Maybe she would get a job. There had to be a new way to entertain people, blitzball wasn't the only thing possible. That was a good idea. Maybe she could put her mind to use, create some new ways to entertain people--and perhaps, that would be enough entertainment for them, perhaps that would bring them enough joy so as she was not forced to marry lector.

She hated being so unselfish. She wanted more than anything to summon bahamut on lector and call it a day. But she dealt with it, as she did with seymour, for the greater good. She hoped her reward would be promising.

Someday, there would be enough happiness in Spira --so she could kill Lector and atone for her idiocy.

Wakka turned from her, leaving the tent, and wrapped his arms around himself to seal the warmth. He wondered on over to the place where the temple once stood--it had been turned into a cemetery, where the remains of people killed in besaid were placed. People still had the farplane, but they found cemetery's much more convenient.

He pressed on through the graveyard, walked up the hill, and stopped at the large statue. It was of Tidus, the great Sir Tidus. Yuna had it made when she came back to besaid. Below the work of Tidus in a battle stance were the words:

Sir Tidus--Elite guardian of high-summoner Yuna. The greatest warrior who ever lived.

Wakka smiled. He knew that Tidus would be so very proud of this statue, it's detail and beauty surpassed even that of the high-summoner statues.

Well, naturally, wakka would think so. After all, he and Rikku were the ones who made it.

He and Rikku--he loved the sound of that...he only wished it had significant meaning, to someone other than himself.

* * *

Tidus and Rikku quietly snuck back into the agency. It was easier than they had expected. It seemed as though no one was there. Tidus led her to a separate room than that of Jecht's, so as not to disturb him. There, they would catch up on times lost.

"Oh--I forgot to tell you." Tidus stated bluntly, sitting down and bouncing on the mattress of the bed.

"Hmm?" responded Rikku, imitating his movements.

"My old man's here with me." He said, he was casual about it, which seemed to ease Rikku's surprise.

"Really? How? Ohh...Lemme guess. The fayth dreamed him up too?"

"Not exactly," he responded, "Jecht is a living form of the fayth. He's here to redeem himself . I guess he's trying to be the father he never was." He looked stearn, although he cared about Jecht, it was still a touchy subject.

"Ohhh, I get it, I think. Well, that'll add to Yuna's happiness! Wait till she finds out you're alive! She's gonna freak!" Rikku jumped up at her last statement, twirling around and sitting back down.

"But...maybe we shouldn't go to her. Not just yet," she added, a light frown pursing on her forhead.

Tidus looked at her questioningly.

"Maester Lector..." She said, as if that explained everything.

"Come again..?" Tidus responded. What was she talking about?

"Maester Lector is marrying Yuna. This time, it's not a fake one, Tidus. This is serious."

"WHAT?" He said. "Not again. Dammit."

"Yeah, he's a real creep too. He's a lot like seymour, he gives me the heebie jeebies." She shuddered to emphasize her feelings.

"Does he love her....?" He asked, somewhat afraid of the answer.

"I don't think so. I think he has another motive, you know?" She said, shrugging.

"Yeah...I've got a bad feeling." He said.

He needed to get to yuna, and fast.

My bad feelings always come true.

The words scrolled across his head.


Note: there we go. A little longer. Somewhat interesting, I think. Gee...I need to write longer chapters. But there's only so much you can write about without the story sounding over detailed or cliched. Anyhoo...next chapter'll be the journey to besaid...and the one after that is the reunion. I'm not just pullin' yer leg this time, either! Also, does Lector remind you of someone? Heh--there's a catch. You'll see.