Full Circle

by dudehere

A mysterious girl appears as things start to unravel and the story comes to an end. Where does this girl fall into this? You'd be surprised. R&R please, I need some feedback!! Chapter 7 is now up.

7. The Final Battle

I kept the right ones out

And let the wrong ones in

Had an angel of mercy 

To see me through all my sins

There were times in my life

When I was goin' insane

Tryin' to walk through the pain

And when I lost my grip

And I hit the floor

Yeah, I thought I could leave

But couldn't get out the door 

I was so sick n' tired

Of livin' a lie

I was wishing that I would die

It's amazing

With the blink of an eye

You finally see the light

It's amazing

That when the moment arrives

You know you'll be all right

It's amazing

And I'm saying a prayer

To the desperate hearts tonight

That one last shot's a Permanent Vacation

And a how high can you fly with broken wings

Life's a journey - not a destination

And I just can't tell just what tomorrow brings

You have to learn to crawl

Before you learn to walk

But I just couldn't listen 

To all that righteous talk

I was out on the street

Just tryin' to survive

Scratchin' to stay alive

Amazing

Aerosmith

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

A soft moan filled the chamber, followed by deep silence.

"Hmmm.  Huh?"

"Where am I?"

Faith had just emerged from a deep sleep that refreshed her to the soul.  She stirred around in her bed as she tried to get her bearings.  At first she expected to be back at home, in her apartment, recovering from some very weird dream.  When her senses told her that something was amiss, she began to think that maybe she was visiting her parents in her hometown.  No that isn't it either, she thought to herself.  Only then did she realize that she was in a spare bed, in an airship, probably hundreds of feet off of the ground, in some strange and mystical world. 

Her memories from yesterday came rushing back to her as she rose up.  After the battle with Yunalesca, the group boarded the airship.  After brief introductions and an explanation from some guy named Cid, she asked if she could be excused. 

"Sure thing." Cid had replied.  "You all look a little hairy.  I think you all need to sleep for at least a few days."

"We're fine dad" Rikku said.  However, it wasn't five seconds after that when she let out a little yawn herself. 

"Fine indeed, huh?"

"Ok," Rikku replied "Maybe an insy-bit tired."

"We rest here." Auron said.  "That is, if its ok with Cid."

"Sure as Hell it is." Cid replied.  Faith liked Cid.  He reminded her of one of her uncles from her dad's side of the family.  They both act and talk like there from the south, she mused to herself. 

"You can find some spare rooms and beds down that hallway there.  Rest up, and come and see me when you're ready to go again."

With that, everyone dispersed and headed drearily in the direction that Cid had pointed.  That was at least seven hours ago.

Oh wow.

Faith had peeked inside an adjacent doorway inside her room.  It revealed a bathroom with a moderately large bathtub.  That's exactly what I need, she thought.  Immediately she started running some water and began to undress.  1000 years into the future or not, sometimes all a girl needs is a nice, long bubble bath.

*knock, knock knock*

Damn it, she thought to herself.  "Hold on," she muttered as she quickly wrapped a towel around her body.  "Who is it?"

"Tidus" came her reply.  She had half a mind to open the door dressed in a towel and nothing else.  But then she thought better of herself and said, "Give me a few minutes."

"Hey" Tidus said when she finally came to the door.  "Uh," Tidus said with his arm behind his head.  Faith had already picked up on that motion meaning that he was uncomfortable.   "Can I come in for a minute?"

"Sure" she replied.

"Whatcha need?" she said as she sat down on her bed while Tidus closed the door behind him.  He propped himself up next to the door and shifted his weight.  Faith got the impression that he was about to break something to her.

"Well," he started, not really sure how to go on.  "I have some bad news, but first I need to know about you."

"I'm afraid I don't really know what you're talking about." She replied.  There was a hint of uneasiness in her voice. 

"Do you know anything about the Fayth, the summoning, or the Zanarkand we're from?" Tidus asked in rapid succession.

"No, no, and yes.  I grew up there.  What's all this about Tidus?"

For a while, he would not speak, he only stood there trying to find a way to put it into words.  Finally, he just said "We're dreams."

"Dreams" Faith repeated slowly and with a tone of utter confusion.  "Would you like to explain this to me?  Because I'm very confused right now."

Tidus sighed.  How am I going to do this?, he thought.  He pushed himself off of the wall and walked over next to Faith and sat on her bed with her.  "Do you remember when I blacked out on the trail to Zanarkand yesterday?"  he began.

Blacked out, her mind raced.  Was that yesterday?  That seems like weeks ago.  "Yeah," she murmured.

 "We'll I didn't exactly go to sleep.  I went back to our Zanarkand."

Faith didn't say anything, but her expression told him to go on. 

"I met the Fayth.  You know, summoners get their power from the people called the Fayth."

"Yeah, I remember," she said. 

"We'll you can summon anything with the power of the Fayth.  Aeons, magic, Sin, and even whole cities.  Bustling cities, full of people, animals and things.  Cities like Zanarkand.  The one were from." 

Tidus continued on without giving Faith the chance to soak it all in.

"When I went there.  There was this person I had met before, but never really knew.  She explained this to me.  She said that back when Zanarkand and Bevelle were at war, Zanarkand was completely destroyed.  The people who survived came together to become Fayth, and their summoning, is Zanarkand."

So many questions filled Faith's head, but the only thing she asked was "How?"

"I don't know" he replied looking downward.  "I don't know how to turn yourself into a Fayth.  Actually, I don't know much about them either.  But this I do know.  The dream of Zanarkand, which includes me and you, is being dreamt by many Fayth.  And they're tired.  They've been dreaming for years now, or so they said.  And when Sin is dead, they will have no more need to dream.  And the dream of Zanarkand will fade away."

"What does this mean?"  Although she wasn't exactly sure she wanted the answer.

After a brief pause, Tidus looked up into her eyes.

"We will both fade away too."

Yuna was bustling about the airship, talking to Cid, talking to Rin, and buying and selling items.  But she was also doing something else.  She was looking for Tidus.  Either he wasn't in his room when she knocked, or he was too tired to answer.  Yuna assumed that it was the latter.  After persistent knocking, she decided that she should let him sleep. 

It was obvious to everyone that she felt much better this evening.  Either it was because she took a long sleep and a long bath, or maybe, just maybe her dream is on the verge of coming true.  They were about ready to beat Sin, and she didn't have to die.  But that wasn't the part that excited her.  They were about ready to beat Sin, and she could live happily with Tidus by her side.  "Always" she muttered to herself aloud, thinking about Tidus and their conversation beside Macalania Lake.  Her mind then dwelled on that incredible night.

"Will you stay with me until the end?"

"No, not until the end.  Always."

And now always seems like its going to me much, much longer than she expected. 

She couldn't contain her happiness.  As a summoner, she is expected to smile; to put on a happy face when things are going bad.  But now, her smile is genuine, and it feels so good to her. 

Her happiness was subdued a bit though, when she turned a corner and saw Tidus come out of Faith's room.  Immediately that little pang of jealousy touched her again. 

For Tidus, the situation was harder than he expected it to be.  Faith didn't really take it well.  She kept asking question like "Is there anything we can do?", and "Does this mean we're going to die," and the one that really struck Tidus "Why does it have to be this way?"

Honestly, he had no answers for any of them.  That was the hardest part.

When he left her alone and closed the door behind him, he turned away to see Yuna standing there.  Uh-oh, he thought to himself.  Although he is totally committed to Yuna, lately its not been appearing that way.

"Uh, hey there" was his only remark.  He was trying to act composed and as if nothing was out of the ordinary.  It wasn't working.

"Hey," was her reply.

"Whatcha doin'?"

"Not much.  What were you doing?"

"Me?  We'll I had to talk to Faith." He paused before adding "Zanarkand stuff."  For a moment, he thought about the consequences of telling Yuna what she would have to know sooner or later.  That he was going to fade away.  Later, he thought to himself. 

"I see," Yuna replied slowly.

"Hey.  Don't worry.  Everything's fine."  A straight lie, he thought as he scolded himself.

"I hope so." She said, although she wasn't quite sure what he was talking about anymore.

"Hey," he said as he reached for her hand.  "Trust me."

With that, he stepped in, and kissed her.

It was a long while before anyone saw Tidus and Yuna again.

"Hey there kid," was Cid's greeting.  "Doing better this evening?"

"Yeah, a lot better," Faith replied.  "You got anything to eat around here?"

"Hmph, right behind you girl," he said while pointing in the opposite direction.  Faith had managed to cover about every inch of the airship in amazement.  This thing is so huge, she thought to herself.
"So you're Rikku's dad," she said in between bits of something that reminded her of a bagel. 

"Yep," he replied.  "She's my pride and joy.  She's growin' up too fast, tho'"

"Yeah, well us girls have that tendency" Faith said while thinking briefly of her dad.  Immediately she felt a bit of homesickness come upon her.

She turned around as Tidus and Yuna entered the bridge of the ship.  "Has anyone thought of anything yet?" he started, followed immediately by "Oh wow, that looks good," looking in the direction of Faith's munchies.

"Obviously Faith has," Yuna said giggling as she said it.  Even though they were about ready to face Sin, she still had this feeling as if the battle was already won and the future was bright.  Only little did she know.

"Hey guys," Wakka said as he stepped onto the bridge.  "Whoa, is that food?"

"Yeah, and it sure seems to be popular today." Cid replied.

"Ya know, I was thinking." Wakka said as he reached in for a piece of bread.  "We need to do something to weaken Sin before we launch our attack.  Ya know, put the odds in our favor a bit ya?"

"That is the most intelligent remark you've made since you started this pilgrimage," Lulu said as she entered the chamber.  She stopped in her tracks and looked around as everyone was stuffing their faces with Al Bhed food.  Slowly she shook her head.  "We have a war to fight, and it looks like Sunday dinner in here."

That caused everyone to laugh.  "But on Wakka's note," she said, trying to play everything off. "Is there anything we can do that could help our chances?"

The lack of reply wasn't encouraging.

"Hey buddy," Wakka said looking towards Tidus.  "I know he's your father and all.  Do you remember anything that made him, ya know, weak?  Or maybe something he had a soft spot for?"

Tidus thought about it for a moment, and then said "Only hard liquor and screaming girls."

"We'll, so much for that.  I don't think getting Rikku and Lulu outside screaming at Sin is going to have much effect ya?"

"No," Tidus answered.  "And I don't think there's enough shine in Auron's jug to intoxicate all of Sin.  Right Auron?"  The monk had been propped up against the side of the bridge, looking at the passing scenery below.  Seemingly lost in his own thought, Tidus repeated "Auron?"

After a moment's hesitation, and lots of reflection, he uttered "The Hymn."

"What?" Rikku said.

"The hymn of the Faith.  I remember, when Jecht was changed into the Fayth for the final summoning, the Hymn was playing in Yunalesca's chamber.  When he heard that, he went speechless.  He then said that it reminded him of home.  I think it was the only time his emotions surprised me."

"So what?" Tidus said skeptically.  "We all get outside and sing the hymn of the Fayth as loud as we can?"

"No," Rikku began.  "But if we get everybody to do it, like everyone of Spira, it may just work."

"I don't know," Tidus said.  "It sounds a little far-fetched for me."

"Hey, you wanted me to think of something, and this is what I came up with!  Besides, Auron thinks it'll work."

"I never said that," Auron shot back at her.

"I think," Yuna started.  "I feel, that it could work."  She then looked up into Tidus' eyes and said "Lets do it." 

"Ok then," Cid said.  "I'll get on the wire and tell everyone to start practicing their singing voice.  From all over Spira, that friggin' hymn is going to be yelled straight at Sin.  And then, it's all up to you guys."

He turned to his communication officer and began to speak in Al Bhed.  He then turned back to face everyone.  "I told em' to go in an hour.  So you kids better be ready.  I'm gonna stock the missile turrets up, but there's only so much I can do."

The wind blew her auburn-red hair back.  The evening sun was glaring down upon them.  There wasn't a cloud in sight.  It was a wonderful day for the last battle for the sake of Spira.  Everyone was poised outside on the deck of the ship.  Everyone was tense, expecting, and waiting for something.  The hymn had been going on for five minutes now.  The airship was now in range of Sin, which was rendered immobile by the soothing force of the Hymn of the Fayth.
"Hang on to your underwear," Cid's voice boomed over the external intercom.  I'm firing the first payload now.  Then I'll move in and you guys can do your thing.

To Faith, it seemed as if the entire right side of the ship exploded when the missiles were fired.  She had to cover her ears and cringe.  When she opened her eyes she saw the right fin of Sin go up in flames, with pieces falling down to the ground below.  Suddenly the whole ship shifted and turned parallel to Sin. 

Faith was awestruck.  Being this close to something so big really left her with a sense of power.  She could feel the evil coming off of it in thick, bloated waves.  There was a stench to the air, like road kill, she thought. 

Ultima blasted apart more of the right fin.  Faith regained her composure and quickly followed Lulu's lead with her own Ultima spell. 

Although Sin was out of his range, Tidus still became a pivotal part of the battle.  He gave Yuna a suggestive glance.  With only nodding her head in recognition, she turned her attention to hitting Sin with Holy.  This allowed Tidus to focus on healing and hasting, using potions and his own white magic.  At least I'm doing something, he thought to himself.  The idea of not being able to attack Sin head on was unsettling.

It didn't take long for the rest of the right Fin to go.

"Good job out there," Cid said over the intercom.  "But ya better hold on to something, because were going after the other side now.   Faith grabbed ahold of the railing as the airship lurched forward and then swung to the left. 

"Firing payload two," Cid warned seconds before the rush of missiles came out.  Faith watched as the missiles struck their target, knocking pieces off of the left Fin.  "Movin' in now."

The ship then turned and came in close to Sin.  A little bit too close as the evil form turned and rammed into the hull causing everyone to loose their balance.  Faith grabbed hold of the railing with her other hand for more support.  Suddenly, she saw a red blur as Auron seized the opportunity and slashed open the Fin while it was close enough to hit.

"Sorry 'bout that." Cid said over the mic.  "Got a little too close."

"Everyone, stand back." Yuna said.  She closed her eyes, focused, and then called out to the heavens "Bahamut, help us." 

Faith heard the roar first.  When she looked up, she saw the clouds part and the intimidating form of Bahamut careen down towards them.  He then slammed into the deck in a rushing blur.  When he raised himself, he stuck his chest out and crossed his arms, staring menacingly at Sin.  

"Back away," Yuna whispered to  Faith.  She was only more than happy to get out of his way.  Bahamut was one Aeon she did not want to mess with. 

When everyone was clear, he jumped backwards, landing facedown on the deck.  The spiral ring on his back started to rotate faster and faster.  As it gained speed, it turned into an amazing array of colors.  Reds, blues, blinding whites, all growing more and more intense.  Then she heard Bahamut growl "Mega Flare."

Suddenly the lights shot out in a massive wave of energy that Faith had never seen anything like before.  When she looked back up, she saw Bahamut standing there, as proud as always, staring at the massive hole in Sin that he created.

"Hold on to something guys," Cid screeched over the loudspeaker.  "We're goin' in."

The silence was thick.  So was the tension.  So was the nervousness. 

The walk here was filled with fiends, which were disposed of easily.  Nobody uttered a word on the way to the final battle.  Nobody needed to.  Actually though, somebody should have.

I should tell her now, Tidus thought as he looked back to Yuna.  She needs to know that I'm not going to be able to keep my promise.  That I can't stay with her, always.  After a brief internal battle, he decided against it.  I can't break her heart, he thought.  Especially with one more battle left.  They all needed to be composed, and focused.  He couldn't tell her quite yet. 

And now they all stood at the end that the road had taken them.  Now everyone was at the end of their story.  Everybody was feeling apprehensive about what was going to happen.  Everyone stared forward.

And then a figure appeared out of the mist.

He looked rugged and tan with long, scraggly hair.  He had his back turned towards everyone.  Faith ran his name over in her head, trying to believe it was really him.

Jecht.

Tidus stepped forward a few cautious steps before pausing to see what the figure would do.

"You're late Auron" he finally said.

"I know." The monk replied.

He then turned to the address the crowd, and then to address his son.

"Hey."

"Hi," Tidus said after a brief hesitation.

This tension sucks, Faith thought to herself.  Not wanting to look at the situation, she started to glance around.  The rendering of Zanarkand seemed to be exactly how she remembered it.  For a brief moment, she allowed her mind to race away.  I still can't believe that I'm going to vanish soon.  I can't believe that this is the end.

She then glanced around at everyone.  Rikku was staring at her feet, pretending not to hear anything.  Wakka was shifting his balance while looking in every direction but straight.  He glanced at Faith, who only gave a small shrug back in return.  Only Kimahri seemed perfectly composed.

"Hpmh." Jecht continued.  "You got tall, but you're all bones.  You eating right boy?"

There was no reply.

"You've really grown," he followed.

"Yeah," Tidus said, with his voice a little strained.   "But you're still bigger."

"We'll, I am Sin you know."

"That's not funny." Tidus replied sharply.

Jecht started to laugh, which rubbed Tidus even more the wrong way.  After all everyone has been through.  After all Tidus and Jecht have been though, he has the nerve to laugh.

"We'll, then……I mean….you know."  Jecht started.  The funny thing was, he had ten years to think about what to say, but now when he was finally face to face with his son, he froze up.

Finally he said, "Lets end this."

"Dad?"

"Yeah?"

"I hate you." Tidus said.

Jecht gave a small laugh, and then suddenly was stark serious.  "I know, I know.  You know what you have to do."

"Yeah."

"I can't hear the hymn so well anymore.  Pretty soon I'm going to be Sin, completely.  I'm glad you're here now."

"One thing though," he continued.  "When it starts, I won't be myself anymore.  I won't be able to hold myself back.  I'm sorry."

"That's enough!!" Tidus screamed back.  "Lets finish this, ok?"

"You're right."

He then turned to walk away.

"We'll then, LETS GO!!"

With that, Jecht was enveloped in a veil of white light.  Suddenly, he jumped back towards the edge of the cliff, as if something had startled him.  To Tidus' horror, he continued rocking back towards the cliff.  Without thinking, Tidus' ran in a dead sprint to try and reach out to his dad.  He was only inches away as he fell to the depths of Sin.  "No!" he screamed downward.

A few moments later, beams of light started to shoot from the far corners of Zanarkand.  They were heading straight towards the group.  It was then that the whole city seemed to rumble, catching the fighters off-guard.  One by one, all of the city lights lit up and shone brightly. 

Suddenly a flaming large hand crept up from the bottom and slammed on the platform inches away from Tidus.  Then another hand emerged.  Following was a huge demonic hybrid of the evil of Sin, and Jecht.

"I promise this will be quick," Tidus yelled while waving his sword.  "Hit me with all you've got, dad!"

To Faith, the final battle was not what she expected it to be.  She suddenly lost the will to fight.  She didn't have that warrior's edge.  I guess that's why I'm not a warrior, she thought.  She also got the impression that as much as her heart wasn't in the battle, neither was Jecht's.  Although he would lash out with vicious attacks that would level everyone, he would often pause before attacking again.  He would never go in for the kill.  It's almost as if, Faith thought.  It's almost as if he doesn't want to win.  After she hit him with Flare, she thought about it again.  Yes, most definitely.  He wants to end it all, at the hands of his son.

And his son was the one who gave the final blow.

The large demonic version of Jecht gave a final roar, and collapsed onto the platform.  Then in one swift motion, an object encased in light suddenly shot out of the back of the fallen enemy.  The object swarmed around the platform, darting back and forth in midair.  The soul of Yu Yevon, Tidus thought to himself.  He will posses no more guardians, and will create no more Sin.  Suddenly the distorted image of Jecht exploded in a rush of blinding light.  It took a while for Tidus' eyes to readjust.  When they did, the only thing he saw was his dad wavering on his two feet.  His eyes were closed and his head was down, throwing his hair everywhere.  He looked like he was supported only by a strand of thread hanging from above.  And the tread was about to break.  Auron made a quick step towards his old friend, but Tidus was three steps ahead of him.  Right before Jecht's body went limp and hit the floor, Tidus reached out and cradled his fallen father.

He rested Jecht's body on his own chest.  He then lowered himself on his knees to help him lie down.  It was then that Tidus realized something.  This is the first time I've ever hugged my dad, and it will be the last time I will ever have the chance.  Tidus shifted his weight so he could lay Jecht flat on the cold ground.  Tidus' emotions were almost overbearing.

"You'll cry." Jecht said in between gasps of air.  "You're gonna cry.  You always cry.  See, you're cryin'."

Tidus couldn't hold back the tears anymore.  They ran warm down the sides of his cheeks.  In between sobs, he managed to get out four words:

"I hate you dad."

"Save it for later."

"Right," Tidus answered, his voice still shaky.  "We've got a job to do, don't we?"

"Good." Jecht said, raising up on his elbows.  "That's right.  You are my son after all."

"You know, for the first time I'm glad, to have you as my…."

"Father."

"Heh." Jecht said.  Although now wasn't the time for this, Jecht still couldn't help but to be glad to have Tidus as his son.

Yuna reluctantly stepped up.  She needed to say this, but she also didn't want to ruin the emotionally charged moment.  "Sir Jecht." She started.  "I should…"

"No Yuna." Jecht said as he cut her off.  "There's no time."

Suddenly, the soul of Yu Yevon swooped by close enough that Tidus could feel the air come off of the being.  "You stay away," he screamed at it, waving his sword around angrily.

"Yuna." Jecht continued.  "You know what to do.  The Aeons…."

Suddenly the small figure of the Fayth materialized and spoke, her voice filling the chamber.  "We Aeons."

Tidus shot a look towards Faith, who looked back at him.  Her face told Tidus what he wanted to hear.  "I have never seen that Fayth ever before."

"Call them!" Jecht exclaimed.

"Call us," the Fayth echoed.

And with that, Jecht's body collapsed and fell back onto the floor.  His body was lifeless and blood started to pool up around him.  Tidus just stared in disbelief.  Maybe there is still something I can do, he thought.  Part of his mind rambled off possibilities such as using a phoenix down.  But then he watched in horror as his body disintegrated in a flash of light, and then to pyreflies slowly fading away.

Faith wanted to do something, anything.  For a moment she too thought about either a phoenix down or maybe a life potion.  It's too late, some part of her mind said.  She also wanted to do something to comfort Tidus.  But when she looked back at him, Yuna had stepped in, and put her hand on his shoulder.

Everyone watched in awe as what was left of Jecht, the great blitzball player, guardian, and Sin himself, fazed away into nothingness.

"Yes," Yuna solemnly said.

She turned, and raised her summoner's rod.

"Here it comes" Lulu said.  Yu Yevon swooped far right, then back to the left, and then headed straight for everyone with alarming speed. 

Faith was wondering about Tidus.  She hoped he could hold up under the substantial amount of emotional turmoil he was going through.  We still have one more battle to fight, she thought to herself.

Suddenly, Yu Yevon plowed into the platform, sending everyone scattering away.  When Tidus came to, he was laying face down on the platform with his sword five feet from his side. 

"Yuna," he exclaimed.

Yuna just nodded her head and closed her eyes to focus. 

Tidus watched in horror as Valefor came swooping down from the heavens, only to be intercepted by the remnant of Yu Yevon.  Then the color of the Aeon changed from bright purple with red marks, to eerie silver.  Possessed by Yu Yevon, Faith thought to herself.  He's trying anything now.

With amazing speed, Tidus thrust himself forward.  In three quick slashes Valefor had been defeated.  Once again, Yu Yevon expelled himself from his possessed body while looking around for a new one. 

The same thing happened with all the Aeons.  Faith didn't know whether or not it was frustration, adrenalin, or raw emotion, but something had inspired Tidus.  He was the only one that attacked the Aeons.  Not because nobody else would, but because he made such quick work of them that there was nothing to do but to sit and watch.

Finally after all the Aeons were disposed of, the embodiment of Yu Yevon lowered itself to their level, hovering menacingly.

Oh dear Lord, Faith comically thought to herself.  It looks like a large bloated tic.  It was then that Tidus turned around and slowly addressed his friends. 

I should have done this a long time ago, he accused himself.

"Everyone," he started.

"This is the last time we fight together. Ok?"

"Huh?" Wakka asked with a puzzled look on his face.

Tidus ignored him and walked in Yuna's direction.  When he got close enough to look her in the eyes, he found the strength to continue. 

"What I'm trying to say is…."

He paused a moment, trying to regain his composure.

"Good-bye."

"Wha-what?!?" Rikku said.

"After we beat Yu Yevon," he continued.  "I'll disappear."

"What are you talking about?" Lulu asked.

He paid her no mind, only standing there looking into Yuna's eyes.  Then, without a word, he walked by her towards Yu Yevon, who was waiting on him.

"I'm saying good-bye." He said, sword in hand and poised to fight his last battle.  "I know its selfish." He continued.  "But this is my story."

With that, he jumped in and took two shots at the bloated tic that is Yu Yevon.  To his surprise, Yevon auto-casted Curaga on himself.  Kimahri rushed in from the right side and drove his spear deep into Yevon.  Again, it casted Curaga.

"Hey Faith." Tidus yelled as Lulu unleashed Ultima.

"Yeah"

"Have you ever used Reflect?"

Quickly her mind raced.  Reflect, reflect.  "No, but I'll try."  Gathering all of the knowledge she knew of magic spells, she closed her eyes and focused her energy on Yu Yevon.  Suddenly the familiar shield of light appeared in front of it. 

Auron went in and hit Yevon with all he had.  It casted Curaga on itself, but this time it beamed over to Rikku.

"Woo-hoo" she exclaimed.  "Good thinkin' Tidus."

With reflect in place, it wasn't long before the warriors annihilated Yu Yevon.  He exploded in a rush of light so bright that Faith had to shield her eyes.  When she opened them, she was momentarily perplexed.  After a while, she realized she was back on the deck of the Airship, with all of her friends with her.   She was about to say something to Kimahri when Sin suddenly exploded. 

The shock wave bounced everyone as if they were puppets without strings.  She grabbed desperately for holds as the ship turned and twisted on a downward spiral.  Without finding anything she started sliding backwards off of the deck of the ship.  She screamed as she saw the edge rush upwards to engulf her.  Seemingly at the last second before she plummeted to off the ship, she felt a strong hand grab the back collar of her shirt.  She turned her head and reached back to grab whatever arm was holding her.  Her hands touched blue fur. 

"Thanks Kimahri."

After a few more terrifying seconds of free fall, she felt the thrusters kick in and the deck soon stabilized.

"Is everyone ok?" she asked.  Everyone gave small nods and "yeah."

"I guess I should start." Yuna said after the next few minutes of stunned silence.  She really didn't want to, because every time she has performed a sending, it has been with a heavy heart with the hint of death in the air.  This time is different though.  This will be the last sending she will ever have to do.  It also marks the start of a new life, one without the death and destruction of Sin

But there was another reason why she didn't want to start the sending: Tidus was holding her hand.  Everyone was on the deck of the ship, yelling and awestruck of the victory.  All of her friends were there.  This was close to perfect for Yuna. She was holding onto the man she loved, in the company of her best friends, with Sin just defeated.  The scenery also helped make this moment special.  The sky was ablaze with bright reds, sharp oranges, and flashing particles of light.  Even though it was deep into the night, the warm colors mad her feel like it was early evening.  In her mind, it was truly beautiful.  She wanted to spend as much time here as she possibly could.  As perfect as the moment was, she still had some work to do.  There will be plenty of time for us afterwards, she thought to herself. 

With that thought in mind, she picked up her summoner's rod, and started the sending.

It wasn't five minutes into the dance when she suddenly stopped.  She was staring in Auron's direction.  Her eyes then widened and her jaw dropped as she realized what was happening, and what the implications were.

Auron was fading away.

"Don't stop," he pleaded with her.  After ten years of being an undead, the feeling of finally going to the Farplane was greater than anything Auron had ever imagined.  It felt as if he was going home after being in some strange land for half an eternity.  He would soon see his friends, family, and other people close to him that had passed on before.  And after all of this time, he actually looked forward to it.  He can leave this world with a sense of closure, of a fulfilled life, and of promises kept.

"But I…." Yuna said, struggling for the words.

"It's all right," he said.

Auron stepped forward, walking by his friends and fellow guardians.  He was proud of all of them, and of the fight they shared.  As he passed each of them, he looked each one in the eye, hoping to express his thoughts non-verbally.  When he came to Kimahri, more than a look would have to do.  He reached up with his right hand, balled it into a fist, and gave the powerful Ronso a tap in the chest. 

When he approached Tidus, he had to say something.  But the only words that would come to him were "It's been long enough."  He then stepped forward, flinging his massive sword upon his back.  He walked up to the edge of the deck.  He walked straight, upright, and proud.  The last thing he did, was to turn and look at everyone one last time.  His brown eye just as focused as ever was looming over the top of his glasses.

"This is your world now," he said with his ever-present cool and low voice.

Those were the last words he ever spoke.  His body then broke up into pieces and shards of light.  But right before he disappeared, Faith could make out a simple expression on his face.  He was smiling.

And the most legendary guardian who ever lived started his voyage to the Farplane.

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Author's notes:

1—The characters, places, events referred to, etc., are copyrighted by Squaresoft. 

2—This story however is created by me.

3—Faith is my character, don't use her in any way she wouldn't appreciate.

4—I hope I did Auron justice.  He was my favorite character in the game and I hope I gave him an appropriate ulegy.

5—Only one more chapter left, and then I can start on my original storyline instead of just correlating with the game.

6—Any comments, complaints, advice, bashings, etc., hit me at rune_paradigm@yahoo.com, or just put it in a review.