A/N: Agh. I don't know what the hell I did with this chapter but
pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeezzzzzzzzze R&R.
Mod Setting
Chapter Six: Out of Juice
The black mercedes pulled into the neighborhood with an entourage of fancy, similarly designed vehicles behind it at sunset. It recieved a wondous greeting as it came past the gates into the mansion where neighbors, fans, and all supporters shouted in jubilation throwing up confetti, balloons, and drinking to sucess as they greeted the returning hero as though it were his birthday. Tidus stepped out of the car and grinned sheepishly as he regarded the few press that always showed, and their cameras with a wave before his bodyguards stepped in front of the cameramen's view, and blocked out their snapshot free for all.
His suade shoes went up the hill slowly as he also stopped to regard all of the neighbors that celebrated his verdict. Rasheed Wallace, nor Allen Iverson might've ever had such a celebration of this magnitude after their 'not guilty' verdicts. That could have been another reason for people to hate the kid, but he was just trying to live, and it was only because he was the flavor of the month. Soon the attention would die off a bit, and he could play with a little more peace for himself again.
There they were. They were all waiting on the hill. Braska standing on the front steps of his house he always dressed causal with polo shirts, black slacks, and shoes like he was a relaxed type of guy, but his face never showed it. He was always antsy around boyfriends. It reminded him of the movie 'Meet the Parents'. There was so much fatherly expectation even when he rarely ever met the guy, and right then he had Yuna next to him. They were both waiting on the steps. Tidus didn't know how to explain everything to the guy, but Yuna was his daughter, and he could call the relationship over, and zip her away as quick as a zap of the fingers. Sure he'd try to go after his love, but Braska would make him look like a criminal, and he couldn't afford being in another courtroom so it was really a deciding moment. He had to make his last plea and show the man how much he was really dedicated to her. That was easy, only question was.....would the guy buy it?
Braska glared Tidus down. The boy already sunk his head. He felt that if he lost Yuna then he lost it all because there was no girl he'd seen in the west or east that sparked something inside him the way she did. Was it her sweet little voice, the way her eyes always lit up. The way she always laughed even when he told jokes that were semi-funny, or how she always understood him no matter what he tried to talk about, how she always just seemed to look wonderful no matter what she wore. A remarkable woman she was, and there was no doubting that at all. Well here was his chance. If he really wanted his daughter he'd have to prove it.
" Sir I know how I've gotten you, Yuna, and everyone here worried about that court case. I can honestly tell you here and now that I am a responsible man. If you need a voucher here's my mom. Twenty one years, and she knows me inside and out." Fakami nodded her head.
" If it will so please everyone here, then for the sake of my family, your family, all of us here, and most importantly you and your daughter, then I won't hang around the wrong people. Mr Braska I will take very good care of your daughter. Always have, and always will. I promised those exact same words when I stopped by the house for the first date remember.
Braska scratched his head.
" Ah. You forget so soon eh? Nevermind. All that I wanted to say is that if you allow Yuna to be with me then you have my word she will have 100% from me. I think she already knows that." Tidus's eyes indicated her smile. She sunk her head feeling a little embarrassed
Braska was silent for the next few seconds. Thinking it over, but the same stern look was on his face. The crowd was already silent listening to it all. Then Braska's tight mouth shook for a few seconds eventualy bursting into laughter as he slapped Tidus on the back. A move that had everyone in question.
" Of course I remember kid what's with you today? Now you're bringing up old memories? Sheesh! It's not up to me! It's up to Yuna."
As the cheers returned Yuna took Tidus's hand. Back in the crowds, the press called it a day, and were escorted off by the guards. The crowd cheered even louder when they heard Yuna accept Tidus's apology.
as the cheering went on Yuna nodded to Braska as if to say.
(You see? I told you so.)
"Oh don't give me that look. He hasn't proved anything." Braska whispered " Not his little smile, his handshake, or his little speech. He has said nothing of value to me, but I'm gonna let it slide this time."
" Please father. Go easy on him." Yuna whispered back
" I just want you to have the best. You don't deserve worse. Especially after what happened with all those careless bastards."
Jecht watched it all from the window. The scene was disgusting to him. The little runt always got what he wanted, even when he got in trouble life was easy for him. He personally wanted to see the kid behind bars. It would have been the greatest thing to ever see in a lifetime regardless of what his drinking buddies told him down at the bar, he would have loved to see Tidus in an orange jumpsuit. He was actually hoping that the pipsqueak really killed someone, because he was sick of the little runt always winning everytime. He was driven out of his mind by the boy's endless acheivements, all the Nike endorsements. The boy would have his own company, and Jecht never got that far. He was living in his son's house because it was even bigger from the greater sucess the boy had earned.
It wasn't fair at all.
He worked as hard as a man could to dunk and steal, and shoot. Though he was a ballhog back when he was playing, and not coaching he was a powerhouse. A one man team, and the very last person to end up on the injured list. He was the life blood of the Lakers, and even Magic admitted that such a feat was near impossible to top.
Tidus stole it all from his own father! He kept taunting about his drinking problem and even wished his old man would die. He was only seven years at the time but it still hurt. The kid rejected his hugs, all because of the bullshit, and wiseguy comments he made to put the little boy down and even wished him bad luck during a championship game. Who would've thought that the team lost all because of a missed point. Something that Jecht had to sit with for the rest of his life.
....and the boy was always getting better. He topped his records, stole his moves, and made his tricks seem like child's play. What an insult. Then after all that sucess instead of saying 'thank you' he rubbed it in his old man's face. There were just some people that didn't deserve to live, and when that person totally killed one's reason for living they destroyed their excuse to breathe another breath as well. Oh he'd pay.After all the lies he told even though he sinned a lot less than his father he'd pay for whatever wrongs he did commit, and to the highest degree.
The antique sword that he had bought from his collection of priceless items was still in the closet. The caladabolg was still as shiny and sharp as ever. It would be perfect. Just catch the boy while he was sleeping then all of his pain would be over. His eyes were bloodshot red, then the redness became an evil glow that consumed his pupils, and irises. He was going to do it...oh yeah..and no one would stop him.
Yuna pulled Tidus's hand as she ran upstairs they passed by Jecht who sat on the couch staring blanky at the door in front of him in the living room. It was strange that his old man wasn't talking to him. After all that Tidus had been through he felt like hugging the guy because if it wasn't for him he'd never learn how to be self sufficient and handle everything for himself, but the guy wasn't talking. He doubted that his dad even noticed him. " Son?" " Yeah?" Tidus stopped " You and me....talk....later." He waved his hand indicating that the meeting was over.
Somewhat blunt but that was the nature of his old man. Even in a moment of rejoice he couldn't be entirely happy, unless it happened to him.
Yuna pulled Tidus by the hand running eagerly all the way up to the study. She giggled. Tidus tried to hold on, and told her to calm down for a few seconds. As they got in, she locked the door behind her then leaned up against it with her hands against the wood blocking it away as if the b-ball star had no escape, and no one else could get in.
" What's got you so jolly all of a sudden? I told you it was in the bag." he laughed as he said it. Scratching his head trying to figure Yuna out
" It's like you said. Now it's just us all over again. Nothing to get in the way."
" Oh yeah I remember that. So where would you want to go for vacation? French Riviera? Cancun?"
She raised up her shoulders as her eyes wandered around looking up to the sky playfully as she took a breath then relaxed.
" I don't know. I don't care."
Tidus walked over to her, putting his arms around her as she wrapped herself around him. The kiss was a long one before they stopped to breathe again. Deep inside they were struck with disbelief that they would finally have the time together that they had dreamed of for so long.
Outside the room at night while the picnic continued in the backyard he waited right outside the door of the study. Weapon in hand. His shadow cast against the light glare coming the outside at the end of the hallway. His breaths were quick. Fear could be read from them. Of course he was afraid of doing this, but he just had the most odd feeling that everything would be better if he did.
He was nervous bringing it out but he just had to tell her sometime. He was afraid that something else would get in the way, and the two would be seperated all over again. If that was the case, then he at least had to hear her say 'yes' that was all he needed. They were both on the lounge chair when he found the little black box. Yuna sleeping on him as he lay back on the recliner. He gently woke her . Her eyes staring up at him half dead but she forced them to see fully.
" I know we've been through a lot together Yuna. For a year, and I was wondering if we could do more than this simple experiment because I think this is really working. First time in my life where I can say that I don't have anywhere else to be or anyone else to see, and I'm just fine with it because...I just want to stay with you. Every chance that I get."
" I feel the same way." She smiled. Her heart was beating deep inside. She was known for anticipating what people were going to tell her but she didn't see this one coming.
Perhaps because he didn't say it. Out came the little black box. It opened with a flick , and there it was before her. It took her eyes a long time to adjust to it, but when she saw the little object, it took her brath away. It was the first time that anyone had ever asked her.
" Yuna. Words will never say how much I love and will love you for eternity. Will you marry me?"
A long pause. She had to think about it. Everything that he'd been through, but no one ever asked her before. She was young and eager. Come hell or high water from this then she'd find out the hard way. Was there really anything to consider? She'd been waiting, and wanting it as bad as he did.
" Yes." came the word through her soft voice.
It struck him with total suprise. Who knew what he'd tell everyone else but then holding her in his arms was all that matter. They pulled themselves tighter together cherishing each others presence even more knowing how each of them truly felt about their relationship.
He breathed out cigar smoke wating in the dark at midnight. Fakami had rarely seen him. Probably thinking he was asleep after getting drunk somewhere. She was too busy with everyone else. She'd cry over her poor child when it was all over, and he would walk off in the night making it look like the perfect accident when he was done. He heard noises coming from the study and hid away in the shadows thinking that they were coming.
Undoing the buttons on her silk lavender shirt, and unzipping her white capris they slid down rewarding him with only a glance of her fine form, but it was still enough to turn him on. It always gave him a chill knowing he could touch such a powerful woman that way. They were going at each other yet again. Naked under the light, and so anxious they couldn't wait. Eloping might've been an option since things were tight at home. Braska was still skeptical and the media simply wouldn't just leave these people alone. Who knew what Jecht was thinking he was still accusing Tidus of getting 'wet'.
They slept in the dark. The lights were off, and there they were. The shameful both of them Jecht carried Yuna away setting her silent body down carefully in another room before retuning to the study, and there the little bastard was. He closed the door, locked the room, shut the windows, and blinds. Turning to face his ultimate symbol of humiliation, he lifted up the sword over his head. His teeth clenched, and part of him was so drunk he didn't realize what he was about to do, but he would make it quick not even realzing that just as the blade came down that the person on it's recieving end had just waken up.
" Whoa!" said Tidus as his head moved instinctively to the left just missing the attack. he dove out of the chair as Jecht pulled out the sword and barreled after him.
Yuna had awaken to the sound but she found that the door to her room was locked. Trapped in there she heard a crash and banged on the door demanding to know what was going on.
" Tidus!? Tidus!!"
" It's over for you boy. You won't shame me ever again I swear to-"
" Don't you say it. Dad please...put the sword down...just tell me the problem. It doesn't have to be this way."
" You ruined my life you twerp!!!"
Furniture crashed, and alls were broken as Jecht came after Tidus with everything he had. Getting a few slight cuts on Tidus with the sword but he ducked away and missed most of his father's killer slashes. Even though he was definetely outmatched by his old man's immense strength and power, Jecht's drunkness made him come up with a clumsy swing that actuall allowed Tidus to break the sword into two with a solid arm against it's flat side. The sword went falling ou of Jecht's hands but he came back with a barrage of puches and beat the everloving crap out of his only son causing the boy to lose his breath and making him spit up blood before he pile drove him into a shelf. Apparently Tidus didn't get up. The man of the house was out for good.
The door from the other bedroom could be heard breaking open, and Yuna ran into the room. Her heart stopping at what she just saw. Tears doubled over the ones that already streamed down her face, bu in her eyes there came rage. She looked at the jealous drunken fool that was her love's father, and she didn't see him as a human, but as another block that had goten in the way of her paradise with the one she cared for more deeply than anything else. She wanted to kill this bastard but didn't even know if she could do that.
" What have you done?" she stared at Jecht in shock. Not even wanting to look at the dormant, bleeding body of Tidus.
" You want to join him? Fine! I don't care. You can have it the hard way. I'll fuck you till you bleed to death."
She gave him a solid slam right across the kisser, and followed up with a punch that would've almost been a knockout. Jecht reeled on his feet but hung on then grabbed her arms wrestling her to the floor and slapped her up. Before she could scream he covered her mouth then he laughed uncontrollably.
" Oh looks like it's my time to shine now. After all that runt took from me, I get dibs on his girl's pussy. How's that for turning the tables!?"
She tried to strike him with her knee but he moved his arm to stop that as well and kept her pinned. Everyone else outside was probably so busy they wouldn't notice.
" You'll die! You'll die now! I swear it."
Then he feld that cold wet hand grasp his shoulder
Tidus stood over him trying to catch his breath he couldn't even get the words out.
" Please dad. No...sto-"
Diving back, he missed a hard swing from Jecht. His father tumbled over hitting the floor Tidus made his way over and pinned down his father where he fell. Hands on arms knees on legs. Jecht squirmed, but all that came out of his mouth was gibberish, and whining. His face saturated in tears.
" You took my career away from me! Damn you."
" I'm sorry." Tidus whispered he had gotten somewhat teary as well. He'd known his dad's short temper, but never the peak of his inner rage, and wondered how long the guy had kept it holed up inside. Holding him down he just let him cry it out. A strange thing it was because he had never seen the guy cry before. Not in such a manner either.
As Yuna recovered she knew not what to think of the sight that came before her eyes. First he almost died then he actually forgave his fater after all the trouble he put him through? It reminded her of how she used to be years ago. when she had a gentle heart, and a straight mind before she went from boyfriend to boyfriend, and learned not to trust anyone. Tidus had a big heart for sure, but he also had a lot of guts. If it was her she would have called the police, but this boy wanted his father, and wouldn't go so far.
She walked up gingerly to where Tidus held Jecht down. Tidus looked up in her eyes. Coaxing her to come over, He didn't know how to exlpain his old man especially after this, but what else could he say? He loved his dad. Maybe when he was sober he was safer.
" It's okay Yuna. He won't hurt us anymore."
He was an attempted murderer. How could she go up and actually talk to the man that tried to kill her?
The three of them were sitting at one table. Drake had agreed to pay the bill as said before. The rest of the Al Bhed band took up the other. Brother's english was getting better these days.
"You sure you don't want me to take care of it?" Rikku asked. Her hand reaching for her checkbook.
"It's no bother treating you lovely ladies, and your rowdy brothers. I'm kind of in the mood for being a giver today can you dig?"
"I can dig it just fine. Well thanks for treating us pal....by the way I forgot your name?"
"Drake Hudson."
"Drake. Drake. Drake..M' gonna try and remember that." Rikku nodded. There was nothing but empty plates in front of the gang. She had to find something else to spark a conversation.
"So when did you two meet?"
"Geez you are curious aren't you?" Lulu gave her the 'what's up with you?' eye
"Well...there's nothing better to talk about here."
"Then if it'll give you something to chew on....alright then." Lulu put her hand under Drake's chin and guided his face towards hers " I think it was some dream come to life. He wasn't just some average joe schmoe living in the community. He came from another planet. Where all the guys are the coolest ones in existence."
" I'm flattered." Drake rolled his eyes as if to say ( Aw come on. I'm the epitome of 'average joe schmoe!)
"and some day he'll take me with him back to his little fantasy world, and it's goodbye cruel earth. I'll have my baby right beside me." She couldn't help smiling as she said it. Drake wanted to laugh. Pretty imaginative chick.
" Deep." Rikku stared from left to right " Another planet? You don't say? Hmm. We'll I'll admit his face his kinda screwy like an alien I'll give you that."
" Shutup he's beautiful."
" Girls let's not fight. Please? And you smartchick. That mouth is pretty big to be walking the streets with. Gotta secure that talk. People get offended easily around here. Particularly me, but I'm a pacifist."
" LA Dodgers suck."
" THATS IT! Get over here!"
She pleaded for mercy but was laughing at the same time as they hurried their way out of the restaurant. Rikku grabbing her purse, and laughing while running.
He noticed it much later while the group had stopped off at Cid's repair shop. The man said it'd take a week, and he knew just how to remedy that situation. With a little pen work.
Hands went into his pocket, and he couldn't speak.
But how! Why?
He knew his other pockets were empty, and the only other thing on him was his wallet. Then...was he stuck here? For good!? Shit no...
" Is there something wrong?" Lulu saw sweat coming down his face.
" Uh no. It's just hot that's all. I'll be in the restroom."
He vomited. Then wiped his mouth staring up in the mirror in complete shock, and horror. It was time to retrace his steps because he remembered more than anything not leaving the pen in the car. Some slimy bastard took it. Lulu couldn't very well hide it under her clothes, and she hadn't seen it when he asked casually, Neither Rikku who remembered seeing him drop it, and then went up and down through all of her belongings only discovering that some of her stuff was taken too.
" I had that pen a second ago...I swe...hey! Where's my wallet?! My cell phon-"
Just then, the pickpocket whose face was shadowed, and unable to catch from the glare of the sun, ran off down the street. Drake sprinted off after him.
He had been stuck in this world for much too long. It wasn't a pen that had gotten him trapped but it was the pen that could get him out. He'd been cursed into this alternate world of fantasy with bad luck instead of good luck as the legend spoke of the magic pen. Now he was fed up with this second reality and was going to use this glowing pen that he'd stolen to go on a homicidal free for all. Insanity had drove him to this point, but he was just glad that he'd actually found the stupid thing.
He crossed the street into havy traffic leaving Drake delayed in pursuit but as soon as he got an opening he was right after the punk
so what happens. does the chase ever happen with cars?
lets say the guy has a partner in a car he gets in but is caught in a traffic mixup in the middle of an intersection so that gives Drake sometime to hop into an empty car and tail them. The car drives up for many blocks before a cop car comes on the scene but the new host to the pen knows exactly how to control it and instantly the squad car's engine is set on fire. It's wheels bust and it flips over on the sidewalk. Just by chance a mother is pushing a stroller right there when the out of control car smashes right by her, and her baby. The pen holding theif looks out the car window and laughs.
Drake tries to move up as the duo makes their turn out on a major highway. Drake fights to off road his opponents from the side as he pushes on the gas. He screamed at the junkies
" Gimme back that pen you bastards!" as he pulled up to the window where the theif was.
" Suck on this prick!" The theif yelled back
Drake ended up braking hard as the pen made the sound of a cocking gun hammer and green shots pinged off the body of the muscle car that he jacked. Luckily the other car overshot, and kept driving, just missing Drake. Still he was determined to get the pen back, but it made his stomach turn just thinking about the person who had the thing in his possession. Of all the crazy stuff he could do.
minutes later
The idiot duo drove on for ever. They pulled into the rich outside neighborhoods of the city. By the magic of the pen they torched every house they could see in a wild drive by fashion. As exploding stucture and panicky people had more police squads onto the road hot on the tail of the criminals it turned into nothing but chaos.
" Were in trouble now Frankie! We won't make it to the Golden Gate portal if these bastards'll shoot us!"
" Let's get some armor then!"
It was fake like James Bond in the fact they thought of an instant solution right at the very second that a new danger presented itself, but hey the pen could do a lot of things. As the minivan burst through the roadblock with the power of a tank blowing away the squad cars to nil they continued on. Shots riddling and bouncing off their getaway vehicle as the fols paid a trip to the savings and loan getting back into the city. They didn't step out and run to collect their goods. They drove right through it. The city was in total chaos as they ran every red light, and knocked off every wiseguy driverthat tried to step in their way. Everyone that tried to give them hell on the road they blew out an engine. Easily interpreted as a 'fuck you' from two dangerous criminals who amazingly were only a pair of dumb purse snatchers minutes earlier.
Unbeknowst to them. The only thing that kept the pens power sufficient was when it was kept in the possesion of a person who had it under ownership at least a few days. New hosts would only wear it's energy down with random wishes. Soon enough the ink began running dry, the minivan started creaking up as the armor came off and the engine caught fire from absolutely nothing before it crashed into a lamp post further downtown.
" Bail out!" yelled the theif to the driver.
He couldn't believe it. First he'd been saved from a near death crashed on the Golden Gate, then he'd out run a truck full of criminals, now he'd actually chased down and found a bunch of rowdy getaway thieves that had started a horrible massacre leading all the way back through downtown Los Angeles. The FBI had to be on their way by now! He knew that as the true host to the pen that he had to get that thing back no matter what or it was hell on earth. The theif was pulling his driver buddy who was lagging with a broken leg as they bailed out. Drake stopped and dove back as the minivan blew up then returned to his chase. Yelling. " Give it back you crooks!" in order to make him look somewhat innocent to the bystanders, and pedestrians that watched the horror on the streets.
He tossed the driver to the side of the road and held up traffic standing in the middle of the street holding out the pen as he formed a number magic spells and shot them out at Drake who dove away to miss the heavy impact while citizens ran for their lives, and people cleard their cars to get to safety.
" I don't know who you are asshole but it won't keep working for you." Drake coughed as he called out " Hand it over. It'll be in safe hands, and it'll only recharge with me."
" Hell no. I'm out of this false world, I've been in this nut house for years. I'm leaving, and I'm taking all the money I want with me."
" I said...GIVE IT BACK!"
If only he'd known what fun the theif had really had with hs prize possession. Making the animals in a pet shop go on a feeding rampage, and multiplying their numbers to maximize the chaos, turning a stray German shepard into a giant cerebus causing a mess worse than Godzilla further uptown. Slaughtering police at every turn., and blowing traffic out of the way. Making his getaway car the ultimate cruiser. then casting elemental spells at people. Who knew how many people he'd murdered in one day. Oh he had his fun all right. For the last time.
Drake slid away from the explosion s that the pen shots made. He ducked behind a mailbox on the street waiting for the wacko to use up the pen then jumped him from behind. They struggled madly. Their fight going off the street and into an alley before the theif began to beat Drake senseless and threw him to the floor. Holding a shoulder wound.
" You think I don't know about the pen? Of course I do! It's my key out of here. You can come too since it's your last chance to get out or else you'll never see your home, your friends or family...NOTHING! It's all a big trap! You can let me out tonight."
" So what? you could tick me, and use the pen to go on a rampage back on earth."
" Would you rather stay here!?"
A hard decision. Home was beckoning. He thought the ride would be fun, but he really didn't know when he would actually get to go home. Now he understood the conditions, he wanted to leave. He didn't hate this place, but he knew his time would come, and he couldn't be trapped with everyone missing him.
But then he couldn't let his home be overrun by such a criminal. He wanted the pen in this second realit where he could control things better. He could already hear the voices of his aunt, his family, and even Tracey.
Meanwhile on the Golden Gate bridge.
the portal was becoming weak. No one on the road even saw it. The opening was finally calling for the people who entered it to return home, then with a final flash...the portal disintegrated into the night.
Drake just knew he was too late but his mind couldn't contemplate the fullness of his decision not to return, because there was someone who wanted him here, and he knew it. After all the running he did she was probably worried about him too.
" No." He said
" Fine then. See you in hell kid."
with that said, the thief was just about to raise up the pen to finish Drake off
...but didn't feel the kick that foot swept him to the ground and sent the pen falling out of his clumsy hands.
Drake kicked the theif continuously till he was sure the man wouldn't try to get up and stop him again, then rushed out to grab the pen as he went further down into the alley seeing just how much of the ink had been wasted. Police would be storming the area in seconds. He had to think of something.
" All right. Come on you piece of junk. I want a big wish. Fix my car, get rid of all the junk that the last host created, and let not a single citizen, person or cop remember what happened today."
It was indeed a whopper of a wish. He knew that the thing would run out of juice entirely. Not a drop of ink would be left and in the end it left him with no way home, but if that was the case, then maybe he still had the people who befriended him by his side.
When the sirens came to his ears though. He prompted the wish without giving it another thought.
A/N: okay so it didn't exactly go in the direction I had planned but the stuff that I talked about before this chapter will definetely be in the next, and ..I'm forgetting about focusing on the rest of cast like Kihmari and Rikku arent I? Oh well. I'll have something good for next time.
Mod Setting
Chapter Six: Out of Juice
The black mercedes pulled into the neighborhood with an entourage of fancy, similarly designed vehicles behind it at sunset. It recieved a wondous greeting as it came past the gates into the mansion where neighbors, fans, and all supporters shouted in jubilation throwing up confetti, balloons, and drinking to sucess as they greeted the returning hero as though it were his birthday. Tidus stepped out of the car and grinned sheepishly as he regarded the few press that always showed, and their cameras with a wave before his bodyguards stepped in front of the cameramen's view, and blocked out their snapshot free for all.
His suade shoes went up the hill slowly as he also stopped to regard all of the neighbors that celebrated his verdict. Rasheed Wallace, nor Allen Iverson might've ever had such a celebration of this magnitude after their 'not guilty' verdicts. That could have been another reason for people to hate the kid, but he was just trying to live, and it was only because he was the flavor of the month. Soon the attention would die off a bit, and he could play with a little more peace for himself again.
There they were. They were all waiting on the hill. Braska standing on the front steps of his house he always dressed causal with polo shirts, black slacks, and shoes like he was a relaxed type of guy, but his face never showed it. He was always antsy around boyfriends. It reminded him of the movie 'Meet the Parents'. There was so much fatherly expectation even when he rarely ever met the guy, and right then he had Yuna next to him. They were both waiting on the steps. Tidus didn't know how to explain everything to the guy, but Yuna was his daughter, and he could call the relationship over, and zip her away as quick as a zap of the fingers. Sure he'd try to go after his love, but Braska would make him look like a criminal, and he couldn't afford being in another courtroom so it was really a deciding moment. He had to make his last plea and show the man how much he was really dedicated to her. That was easy, only question was.....would the guy buy it?
Braska glared Tidus down. The boy already sunk his head. He felt that if he lost Yuna then he lost it all because there was no girl he'd seen in the west or east that sparked something inside him the way she did. Was it her sweet little voice, the way her eyes always lit up. The way she always laughed even when he told jokes that were semi-funny, or how she always understood him no matter what he tried to talk about, how she always just seemed to look wonderful no matter what she wore. A remarkable woman she was, and there was no doubting that at all. Well here was his chance. If he really wanted his daughter he'd have to prove it.
" Sir I know how I've gotten you, Yuna, and everyone here worried about that court case. I can honestly tell you here and now that I am a responsible man. If you need a voucher here's my mom. Twenty one years, and she knows me inside and out." Fakami nodded her head.
" If it will so please everyone here, then for the sake of my family, your family, all of us here, and most importantly you and your daughter, then I won't hang around the wrong people. Mr Braska I will take very good care of your daughter. Always have, and always will. I promised those exact same words when I stopped by the house for the first date remember.
Braska scratched his head.
" Ah. You forget so soon eh? Nevermind. All that I wanted to say is that if you allow Yuna to be with me then you have my word she will have 100% from me. I think she already knows that." Tidus's eyes indicated her smile. She sunk her head feeling a little embarrassed
Braska was silent for the next few seconds. Thinking it over, but the same stern look was on his face. The crowd was already silent listening to it all. Then Braska's tight mouth shook for a few seconds eventualy bursting into laughter as he slapped Tidus on the back. A move that had everyone in question.
" Of course I remember kid what's with you today? Now you're bringing up old memories? Sheesh! It's not up to me! It's up to Yuna."
As the cheers returned Yuna took Tidus's hand. Back in the crowds, the press called it a day, and were escorted off by the guards. The crowd cheered even louder when they heard Yuna accept Tidus's apology.
as the cheering went on Yuna nodded to Braska as if to say.
(You see? I told you so.)
"Oh don't give me that look. He hasn't proved anything." Braska whispered " Not his little smile, his handshake, or his little speech. He has said nothing of value to me, but I'm gonna let it slide this time."
" Please father. Go easy on him." Yuna whispered back
" I just want you to have the best. You don't deserve worse. Especially after what happened with all those careless bastards."
Jecht watched it all from the window. The scene was disgusting to him. The little runt always got what he wanted, even when he got in trouble life was easy for him. He personally wanted to see the kid behind bars. It would have been the greatest thing to ever see in a lifetime regardless of what his drinking buddies told him down at the bar, he would have loved to see Tidus in an orange jumpsuit. He was actually hoping that the pipsqueak really killed someone, because he was sick of the little runt always winning everytime. He was driven out of his mind by the boy's endless acheivements, all the Nike endorsements. The boy would have his own company, and Jecht never got that far. He was living in his son's house because it was even bigger from the greater sucess the boy had earned.
It wasn't fair at all.
He worked as hard as a man could to dunk and steal, and shoot. Though he was a ballhog back when he was playing, and not coaching he was a powerhouse. A one man team, and the very last person to end up on the injured list. He was the life blood of the Lakers, and even Magic admitted that such a feat was near impossible to top.
Tidus stole it all from his own father! He kept taunting about his drinking problem and even wished his old man would die. He was only seven years at the time but it still hurt. The kid rejected his hugs, all because of the bullshit, and wiseguy comments he made to put the little boy down and even wished him bad luck during a championship game. Who would've thought that the team lost all because of a missed point. Something that Jecht had to sit with for the rest of his life.
....and the boy was always getting better. He topped his records, stole his moves, and made his tricks seem like child's play. What an insult. Then after all that sucess instead of saying 'thank you' he rubbed it in his old man's face. There were just some people that didn't deserve to live, and when that person totally killed one's reason for living they destroyed their excuse to breathe another breath as well. Oh he'd pay.After all the lies he told even though he sinned a lot less than his father he'd pay for whatever wrongs he did commit, and to the highest degree.
The antique sword that he had bought from his collection of priceless items was still in the closet. The caladabolg was still as shiny and sharp as ever. It would be perfect. Just catch the boy while he was sleeping then all of his pain would be over. His eyes were bloodshot red, then the redness became an evil glow that consumed his pupils, and irises. He was going to do it...oh yeah..and no one would stop him.
Yuna pulled Tidus's hand as she ran upstairs they passed by Jecht who sat on the couch staring blanky at the door in front of him in the living room. It was strange that his old man wasn't talking to him. After all that Tidus had been through he felt like hugging the guy because if it wasn't for him he'd never learn how to be self sufficient and handle everything for himself, but the guy wasn't talking. He doubted that his dad even noticed him. " Son?" " Yeah?" Tidus stopped " You and me....talk....later." He waved his hand indicating that the meeting was over.
Somewhat blunt but that was the nature of his old man. Even in a moment of rejoice he couldn't be entirely happy, unless it happened to him.
Yuna pulled Tidus by the hand running eagerly all the way up to the study. She giggled. Tidus tried to hold on, and told her to calm down for a few seconds. As they got in, she locked the door behind her then leaned up against it with her hands against the wood blocking it away as if the b-ball star had no escape, and no one else could get in.
" What's got you so jolly all of a sudden? I told you it was in the bag." he laughed as he said it. Scratching his head trying to figure Yuna out
" It's like you said. Now it's just us all over again. Nothing to get in the way."
" Oh yeah I remember that. So where would you want to go for vacation? French Riviera? Cancun?"
She raised up her shoulders as her eyes wandered around looking up to the sky playfully as she took a breath then relaxed.
" I don't know. I don't care."
Tidus walked over to her, putting his arms around her as she wrapped herself around him. The kiss was a long one before they stopped to breathe again. Deep inside they were struck with disbelief that they would finally have the time together that they had dreamed of for so long.
Outside the room at night while the picnic continued in the backyard he waited right outside the door of the study. Weapon in hand. His shadow cast against the light glare coming the outside at the end of the hallway. His breaths were quick. Fear could be read from them. Of course he was afraid of doing this, but he just had the most odd feeling that everything would be better if he did.
He was nervous bringing it out but he just had to tell her sometime. He was afraid that something else would get in the way, and the two would be seperated all over again. If that was the case, then he at least had to hear her say 'yes' that was all he needed. They were both on the lounge chair when he found the little black box. Yuna sleeping on him as he lay back on the recliner. He gently woke her . Her eyes staring up at him half dead but she forced them to see fully.
" I know we've been through a lot together Yuna. For a year, and I was wondering if we could do more than this simple experiment because I think this is really working. First time in my life where I can say that I don't have anywhere else to be or anyone else to see, and I'm just fine with it because...I just want to stay with you. Every chance that I get."
" I feel the same way." She smiled. Her heart was beating deep inside. She was known for anticipating what people were going to tell her but she didn't see this one coming.
Perhaps because he didn't say it. Out came the little black box. It opened with a flick , and there it was before her. It took her eyes a long time to adjust to it, but when she saw the little object, it took her brath away. It was the first time that anyone had ever asked her.
" Yuna. Words will never say how much I love and will love you for eternity. Will you marry me?"
A long pause. She had to think about it. Everything that he'd been through, but no one ever asked her before. She was young and eager. Come hell or high water from this then she'd find out the hard way. Was there really anything to consider? She'd been waiting, and wanting it as bad as he did.
" Yes." came the word through her soft voice.
It struck him with total suprise. Who knew what he'd tell everyone else but then holding her in his arms was all that matter. They pulled themselves tighter together cherishing each others presence even more knowing how each of them truly felt about their relationship.
He breathed out cigar smoke wating in the dark at midnight. Fakami had rarely seen him. Probably thinking he was asleep after getting drunk somewhere. She was too busy with everyone else. She'd cry over her poor child when it was all over, and he would walk off in the night making it look like the perfect accident when he was done. He heard noises coming from the study and hid away in the shadows thinking that they were coming.
Undoing the buttons on her silk lavender shirt, and unzipping her white capris they slid down rewarding him with only a glance of her fine form, but it was still enough to turn him on. It always gave him a chill knowing he could touch such a powerful woman that way. They were going at each other yet again. Naked under the light, and so anxious they couldn't wait. Eloping might've been an option since things were tight at home. Braska was still skeptical and the media simply wouldn't just leave these people alone. Who knew what Jecht was thinking he was still accusing Tidus of getting 'wet'.
They slept in the dark. The lights were off, and there they were. The shameful both of them Jecht carried Yuna away setting her silent body down carefully in another room before retuning to the study, and there the little bastard was. He closed the door, locked the room, shut the windows, and blinds. Turning to face his ultimate symbol of humiliation, he lifted up the sword over his head. His teeth clenched, and part of him was so drunk he didn't realize what he was about to do, but he would make it quick not even realzing that just as the blade came down that the person on it's recieving end had just waken up.
" Whoa!" said Tidus as his head moved instinctively to the left just missing the attack. he dove out of the chair as Jecht pulled out the sword and barreled after him.
Yuna had awaken to the sound but she found that the door to her room was locked. Trapped in there she heard a crash and banged on the door demanding to know what was going on.
" Tidus!? Tidus!!"
" It's over for you boy. You won't shame me ever again I swear to-"
" Don't you say it. Dad please...put the sword down...just tell me the problem. It doesn't have to be this way."
" You ruined my life you twerp!!!"
Furniture crashed, and alls were broken as Jecht came after Tidus with everything he had. Getting a few slight cuts on Tidus with the sword but he ducked away and missed most of his father's killer slashes. Even though he was definetely outmatched by his old man's immense strength and power, Jecht's drunkness made him come up with a clumsy swing that actuall allowed Tidus to break the sword into two with a solid arm against it's flat side. The sword went falling ou of Jecht's hands but he came back with a barrage of puches and beat the everloving crap out of his only son causing the boy to lose his breath and making him spit up blood before he pile drove him into a shelf. Apparently Tidus didn't get up. The man of the house was out for good.
The door from the other bedroom could be heard breaking open, and Yuna ran into the room. Her heart stopping at what she just saw. Tears doubled over the ones that already streamed down her face, bu in her eyes there came rage. She looked at the jealous drunken fool that was her love's father, and she didn't see him as a human, but as another block that had goten in the way of her paradise with the one she cared for more deeply than anything else. She wanted to kill this bastard but didn't even know if she could do that.
" What have you done?" she stared at Jecht in shock. Not even wanting to look at the dormant, bleeding body of Tidus.
" You want to join him? Fine! I don't care. You can have it the hard way. I'll fuck you till you bleed to death."
She gave him a solid slam right across the kisser, and followed up with a punch that would've almost been a knockout. Jecht reeled on his feet but hung on then grabbed her arms wrestling her to the floor and slapped her up. Before she could scream he covered her mouth then he laughed uncontrollably.
" Oh looks like it's my time to shine now. After all that runt took from me, I get dibs on his girl's pussy. How's that for turning the tables!?"
She tried to strike him with her knee but he moved his arm to stop that as well and kept her pinned. Everyone else outside was probably so busy they wouldn't notice.
" You'll die! You'll die now! I swear it."
Then he feld that cold wet hand grasp his shoulder
Tidus stood over him trying to catch his breath he couldn't even get the words out.
" Please dad. No...sto-"
Diving back, he missed a hard swing from Jecht. His father tumbled over hitting the floor Tidus made his way over and pinned down his father where he fell. Hands on arms knees on legs. Jecht squirmed, but all that came out of his mouth was gibberish, and whining. His face saturated in tears.
" You took my career away from me! Damn you."
" I'm sorry." Tidus whispered he had gotten somewhat teary as well. He'd known his dad's short temper, but never the peak of his inner rage, and wondered how long the guy had kept it holed up inside. Holding him down he just let him cry it out. A strange thing it was because he had never seen the guy cry before. Not in such a manner either.
As Yuna recovered she knew not what to think of the sight that came before her eyes. First he almost died then he actually forgave his fater after all the trouble he put him through? It reminded her of how she used to be years ago. when she had a gentle heart, and a straight mind before she went from boyfriend to boyfriend, and learned not to trust anyone. Tidus had a big heart for sure, but he also had a lot of guts. If it was her she would have called the police, but this boy wanted his father, and wouldn't go so far.
She walked up gingerly to where Tidus held Jecht down. Tidus looked up in her eyes. Coaxing her to come over, He didn't know how to exlpain his old man especially after this, but what else could he say? He loved his dad. Maybe when he was sober he was safer.
" It's okay Yuna. He won't hurt us anymore."
He was an attempted murderer. How could she go up and actually talk to the man that tried to kill her?
The three of them were sitting at one table. Drake had agreed to pay the bill as said before. The rest of the Al Bhed band took up the other. Brother's english was getting better these days.
"You sure you don't want me to take care of it?" Rikku asked. Her hand reaching for her checkbook.
"It's no bother treating you lovely ladies, and your rowdy brothers. I'm kind of in the mood for being a giver today can you dig?"
"I can dig it just fine. Well thanks for treating us pal....by the way I forgot your name?"
"Drake Hudson."
"Drake. Drake. Drake..M' gonna try and remember that." Rikku nodded. There was nothing but empty plates in front of the gang. She had to find something else to spark a conversation.
"So when did you two meet?"
"Geez you are curious aren't you?" Lulu gave her the 'what's up with you?' eye
"Well...there's nothing better to talk about here."
"Then if it'll give you something to chew on....alright then." Lulu put her hand under Drake's chin and guided his face towards hers " I think it was some dream come to life. He wasn't just some average joe schmoe living in the community. He came from another planet. Where all the guys are the coolest ones in existence."
" I'm flattered." Drake rolled his eyes as if to say ( Aw come on. I'm the epitome of 'average joe schmoe!)
"and some day he'll take me with him back to his little fantasy world, and it's goodbye cruel earth. I'll have my baby right beside me." She couldn't help smiling as she said it. Drake wanted to laugh. Pretty imaginative chick.
" Deep." Rikku stared from left to right " Another planet? You don't say? Hmm. We'll I'll admit his face his kinda screwy like an alien I'll give you that."
" Shutup he's beautiful."
" Girls let's not fight. Please? And you smartchick. That mouth is pretty big to be walking the streets with. Gotta secure that talk. People get offended easily around here. Particularly me, but I'm a pacifist."
" LA Dodgers suck."
" THATS IT! Get over here!"
She pleaded for mercy but was laughing at the same time as they hurried their way out of the restaurant. Rikku grabbing her purse, and laughing while running.
He noticed it much later while the group had stopped off at Cid's repair shop. The man said it'd take a week, and he knew just how to remedy that situation. With a little pen work.
Hands went into his pocket, and he couldn't speak.
But how! Why?
He knew his other pockets were empty, and the only other thing on him was his wallet. Then...was he stuck here? For good!? Shit no...
" Is there something wrong?" Lulu saw sweat coming down his face.
" Uh no. It's just hot that's all. I'll be in the restroom."
He vomited. Then wiped his mouth staring up in the mirror in complete shock, and horror. It was time to retrace his steps because he remembered more than anything not leaving the pen in the car. Some slimy bastard took it. Lulu couldn't very well hide it under her clothes, and she hadn't seen it when he asked casually, Neither Rikku who remembered seeing him drop it, and then went up and down through all of her belongings only discovering that some of her stuff was taken too.
" I had that pen a second ago...I swe...hey! Where's my wallet?! My cell phon-"
Just then, the pickpocket whose face was shadowed, and unable to catch from the glare of the sun, ran off down the street. Drake sprinted off after him.
He had been stuck in this world for much too long. It wasn't a pen that had gotten him trapped but it was the pen that could get him out. He'd been cursed into this alternate world of fantasy with bad luck instead of good luck as the legend spoke of the magic pen. Now he was fed up with this second reality and was going to use this glowing pen that he'd stolen to go on a homicidal free for all. Insanity had drove him to this point, but he was just glad that he'd actually found the stupid thing.
He crossed the street into havy traffic leaving Drake delayed in pursuit but as soon as he got an opening he was right after the punk
so what happens. does the chase ever happen with cars?
lets say the guy has a partner in a car he gets in but is caught in a traffic mixup in the middle of an intersection so that gives Drake sometime to hop into an empty car and tail them. The car drives up for many blocks before a cop car comes on the scene but the new host to the pen knows exactly how to control it and instantly the squad car's engine is set on fire. It's wheels bust and it flips over on the sidewalk. Just by chance a mother is pushing a stroller right there when the out of control car smashes right by her, and her baby. The pen holding theif looks out the car window and laughs.
Drake tries to move up as the duo makes their turn out on a major highway. Drake fights to off road his opponents from the side as he pushes on the gas. He screamed at the junkies
" Gimme back that pen you bastards!" as he pulled up to the window where the theif was.
" Suck on this prick!" The theif yelled back
Drake ended up braking hard as the pen made the sound of a cocking gun hammer and green shots pinged off the body of the muscle car that he jacked. Luckily the other car overshot, and kept driving, just missing Drake. Still he was determined to get the pen back, but it made his stomach turn just thinking about the person who had the thing in his possession. Of all the crazy stuff he could do.
minutes later
The idiot duo drove on for ever. They pulled into the rich outside neighborhoods of the city. By the magic of the pen they torched every house they could see in a wild drive by fashion. As exploding stucture and panicky people had more police squads onto the road hot on the tail of the criminals it turned into nothing but chaos.
" Were in trouble now Frankie! We won't make it to the Golden Gate portal if these bastards'll shoot us!"
" Let's get some armor then!"
It was fake like James Bond in the fact they thought of an instant solution right at the very second that a new danger presented itself, but hey the pen could do a lot of things. As the minivan burst through the roadblock with the power of a tank blowing away the squad cars to nil they continued on. Shots riddling and bouncing off their getaway vehicle as the fols paid a trip to the savings and loan getting back into the city. They didn't step out and run to collect their goods. They drove right through it. The city was in total chaos as they ran every red light, and knocked off every wiseguy driverthat tried to step in their way. Everyone that tried to give them hell on the road they blew out an engine. Easily interpreted as a 'fuck you' from two dangerous criminals who amazingly were only a pair of dumb purse snatchers minutes earlier.
Unbeknowst to them. The only thing that kept the pens power sufficient was when it was kept in the possesion of a person who had it under ownership at least a few days. New hosts would only wear it's energy down with random wishes. Soon enough the ink began running dry, the minivan started creaking up as the armor came off and the engine caught fire from absolutely nothing before it crashed into a lamp post further downtown.
" Bail out!" yelled the theif to the driver.
He couldn't believe it. First he'd been saved from a near death crashed on the Golden Gate, then he'd out run a truck full of criminals, now he'd actually chased down and found a bunch of rowdy getaway thieves that had started a horrible massacre leading all the way back through downtown Los Angeles. The FBI had to be on their way by now! He knew that as the true host to the pen that he had to get that thing back no matter what or it was hell on earth. The theif was pulling his driver buddy who was lagging with a broken leg as they bailed out. Drake stopped and dove back as the minivan blew up then returned to his chase. Yelling. " Give it back you crooks!" in order to make him look somewhat innocent to the bystanders, and pedestrians that watched the horror on the streets.
He tossed the driver to the side of the road and held up traffic standing in the middle of the street holding out the pen as he formed a number magic spells and shot them out at Drake who dove away to miss the heavy impact while citizens ran for their lives, and people cleard their cars to get to safety.
" I don't know who you are asshole but it won't keep working for you." Drake coughed as he called out " Hand it over. It'll be in safe hands, and it'll only recharge with me."
" Hell no. I'm out of this false world, I've been in this nut house for years. I'm leaving, and I'm taking all the money I want with me."
" I said...GIVE IT BACK!"
If only he'd known what fun the theif had really had with hs prize possession. Making the animals in a pet shop go on a feeding rampage, and multiplying their numbers to maximize the chaos, turning a stray German shepard into a giant cerebus causing a mess worse than Godzilla further uptown. Slaughtering police at every turn., and blowing traffic out of the way. Making his getaway car the ultimate cruiser. then casting elemental spells at people. Who knew how many people he'd murdered in one day. Oh he had his fun all right. For the last time.
Drake slid away from the explosion s that the pen shots made. He ducked behind a mailbox on the street waiting for the wacko to use up the pen then jumped him from behind. They struggled madly. Their fight going off the street and into an alley before the theif began to beat Drake senseless and threw him to the floor. Holding a shoulder wound.
" You think I don't know about the pen? Of course I do! It's my key out of here. You can come too since it's your last chance to get out or else you'll never see your home, your friends or family...NOTHING! It's all a big trap! You can let me out tonight."
" So what? you could tick me, and use the pen to go on a rampage back on earth."
" Would you rather stay here!?"
A hard decision. Home was beckoning. He thought the ride would be fun, but he really didn't know when he would actually get to go home. Now he understood the conditions, he wanted to leave. He didn't hate this place, but he knew his time would come, and he couldn't be trapped with everyone missing him.
But then he couldn't let his home be overrun by such a criminal. He wanted the pen in this second realit where he could control things better. He could already hear the voices of his aunt, his family, and even Tracey.
Meanwhile on the Golden Gate bridge.
the portal was becoming weak. No one on the road even saw it. The opening was finally calling for the people who entered it to return home, then with a final flash...the portal disintegrated into the night.
Drake just knew he was too late but his mind couldn't contemplate the fullness of his decision not to return, because there was someone who wanted him here, and he knew it. After all the running he did she was probably worried about him too.
" No." He said
" Fine then. See you in hell kid."
with that said, the thief was just about to raise up the pen to finish Drake off
...but didn't feel the kick that foot swept him to the ground and sent the pen falling out of his clumsy hands.
Drake kicked the theif continuously till he was sure the man wouldn't try to get up and stop him again, then rushed out to grab the pen as he went further down into the alley seeing just how much of the ink had been wasted. Police would be storming the area in seconds. He had to think of something.
" All right. Come on you piece of junk. I want a big wish. Fix my car, get rid of all the junk that the last host created, and let not a single citizen, person or cop remember what happened today."
It was indeed a whopper of a wish. He knew that the thing would run out of juice entirely. Not a drop of ink would be left and in the end it left him with no way home, but if that was the case, then maybe he still had the people who befriended him by his side.
When the sirens came to his ears though. He prompted the wish without giving it another thought.
A/N: okay so it didn't exactly go in the direction I had planned but the stuff that I talked about before this chapter will definetely be in the next, and ..I'm forgetting about focusing on the rest of cast like Kihmari and Rikku arent I? Oh well. I'll have something good for next time.