Authors Note: Here you have it; in this chapter, you'll see the main preparations for war; Tidus' dispercement, and...someone else who happens to be alive. XD. There are more surprises, but I can't ruin them for you, then it wouldn't be very much fun to read, now would it? As usual, Tidus, Yuna, etc.--ffx concept, all belong to squaresoft. I simply own my....odd little ideas.


Serenity Uprising:Chapter 10; The Uprising


 Lulu stood there, partially in shock, partially in fear. She felt very much the same as Yuna had when she saw Tidus back for the first time. She did not know how to react. Should she scream? Should she cry? Should she reach out and touch him? Or should she remain still--allowing him to come to her? There were many options, but only one would be used in the long run.


It was Chappu who spoke first.


Been a while.. he said, wading out of the water, and coming to stand directly in front of Lulu.

Tidus remained silent, his jaw still dropped. It was odd seeing him that way, it was out of character for him. He continued to remain silent.


Are you alive? Lulu asked. Tidus was surprised at her bold voice. She was not stuttering, her voice was not shaky. She had the calming, cool voice she always had--but something was different. It sounded more...more... completed.


Chappu simply nodded. He waited for a reaction from Lulu, and when he did not get one, he spoke again.

I'm here now...because I didn't disappear during the last crusader operation. I was never dead to begin with...I just...didn't know how to come back. Literally. Was tough, you know?


What are you saying? She asked, turning away from him. A thought crossed her mind; zanarkand--the former zanarkand. Was it possible?



I was in-- a place called zanarkand. I returned back home, to spira, after Sin disappeared. Zanarkand disappeared, along with it's people--and a few of us were somehow brought back here. I wound up on Mt.Gagazet--it took me this long to come back to you. He turned from her, tilting his head to the side.


You said you were in zanarkand...I am from zanarakand.


It was then that Chappu noticed Tidus, the boy who looked remarkably like him. He gasped at the sight.



He said, at loss for words.



I know we look alike. But I'm more interested in Zanarkand right now, said Tidus, crossing his built arms across his chest.



I wound up there when Sin came. I wound up here when Sin left. That's really all there is to tell man. Chappu responded Quickly, he was obviously uncomfortable at the mention of zanarkand.

It was then that Tidus noticed something odd about Chappu. The boy was a lot--darker than himself. He was not more tan, but his face--it was so pale, and dark circles were under his eyes. They were not the blue shade of his own, but they were....black...


Hey--if you aren't dead, then how was Wakka able to summon you at the farplane? Tidus asked, trying to keep a certain thought from creeping into his brain.


To tell you the truth, I'm not really sure. Probably something to do with the fact I wasn't in spira, ya? the boy was beginning to relax a bit, and it was then that Tidus realized Chappu sounded an awful lot like Wakka when he talked--with one minor exception. His voice was deeper, but younger. It was more naive.


Tidus nodded and turned.



So many emotions were running through Lulu at that time, too many to count. She simply lost control of herself---she lost her composure. It was a rarity when Lulu did this. She raced over to Chappu, wrapping her arms around him. He shut his eyes softly and returned the embrace, inhaling the scent of Lulu's perfume.



It was then that Tidus thought it a good idea to leave. He turned quickly, surprised to see Yuna standing right behind him, eyes wide at the sight of Chappu. She shook her head. That had no relevance now, she had to hide Tidus.



Tidus, come with me--Lector's here, we have to hide you now--before he sees you--then our plan will be ruined. She grabbed his arm, and dragged him over to a nearby cliff. Together, they climbed it, and Tidus hid behind a rather large berry bush. He was sure that his brotherhood was equipped--this was not the most unsuspecting of hiding places.



I have to go now, he might suspect something if--


Tidus cut her off. He placed a kiss on her lips and nodded his approval, and at that moment, she turned and left.



Tidus relaxed. If he was lucky, maybe he'd get a glimpse of Lector leaving the island...


* * *


Wakka, and Rikku had become quite confused--no, not so much confused as completely and utterly disgusted. It was all too obvious. They had known it to begin with, Maester Lector being Seymour's soul. The similarities were undeniable. How could they have been so oblivious--yet, if they had known it was Seymour's soul, would they have been any less afraid? Probably not.


Were they even afraid?


The question had come to mind many times, but there was never a direct answer. It wasn't that they were afraid of him, but that they were afraid of the truth. All any of them wanted was to lead peaceful, normal lives without having to worry about potential destructors. They didn't want to get involved---but they became involved with everything wrong when they agreed to be Yuna's guardian.


It was not her fault, of course, but the fact remained. All summoners were objects of the Maesters. All Maesters wanted a summoner as a wife. Well--atleast that's what it seemed. It also seemed that all Maesters wanted YUNA as a wife--or perhaps they were being too skeptical.



What are we gonna do...? Rikku asked, her lip quivering.



We're gonna do the same thing we intended on doing before Lector told us who's soul he has. We're gonna carry out the operation, ya? No matter who he is, it doesn't change the fact. He's still Lector. He's still a scalite. Wakka's voice was unafraid; it was odd, really. He had every reason to be afraid; but he was not. Perhaps it was the presence of Rikku--she had always given him courage.


She spoke.


You're right...you know? She couldn't say anything else; for she was at loss for words. Wakka had interrupted her, and with some of the most heart felt words that had ever come out of his mouth.


Rikku, don't be scared. We're all gonna get through this together. He was careful not to add ya' at the end, he figured it would ruin the sincerity. I won't let those cursed zombies touch you, don't you worry. You just come to me if you had any problems. He stopped then, somewhat surprised at what he had said. Never had he been so serious, determined. Never had he been--in love.


And she felt the same way.



WIthout another word, she stood, and walked over to where Wakka sat. She knelt down, and ever so gently, pressed her lips against his.


* * *


Lulu could not analyze the moment, nor could she expect anyone else to. Not even Chappu. He could not explain the love that was flowing through him--or the pain. He had to tell her--the truth--now. He sighed, and regretfully, drew away from her.


Lulu looked at him, a glint of question in her eyes.



I lied. He spat out desperately.



She looked at him, puzzled.

About what? She asked. Her heart began to beat rapidly.



I--I was summoned at the farplane because I was dead then. I was never in zanarkand--Lulu, I'm a scalite.



- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


Authors Note: This was one of my shortest chapters ever, but probably one of the most important. I hope you enjoyed it.You should be looking forward to CH11--and I lied, there's going to be about 5 more chapters after this--maybe 6/7.