The peaks of Gagazet rolled slowly past and I was given my first sight of Zanarkand. The beautiful buildings stretched high above those in Luca and even the homes appeared grander, especially when compared to the almost primitive huts of Besaid. Sanya gave a small, tired cheer as the airship began to descend slowly, and Guardian gave a small snort in my mind.
If you think that's something, then you should have seen it when I lived there, he said with a bit of contempt. It'll take a long time before Spira reaches the technological height that it had back then. A lot of things were lost when Sin came about.
I'll bet, I replied, admiring the view of the magnificent city below. I wouldn't know, though. That's the most beautiful city I've ever seen.
You haven't seen too many, but that probably is the best. Bevelle would probably rank second, Guardian said.
The airship pulled into the port slowly and gave a small bump as its underside touched the paved ground. The Al Bhed people began shouting orders again, and the ramp lowered slowly, admitting us passage to the ground. As the ramp touched down Yuna began her descent, followed by Kimahri and his two restless children, then by Lulu, Wakka, Sanya, Ruka, Rikku, and I. Oryon lumbered down sleepily, followed by an annoyed looking Sophia, who clicked her tongue when she reached the bottom.
"Terrible landing," she commented.
Ryuu strode down the ramp, followed by a pack of his Crusader lackeys, and I faintly heard one of the ground crew women make a small squealing sound. I rolled my eyes. When would these people learn?
Most likely never, Guardian said.
I was always a bit surprised when Guardian replied to something that hadn't been directed towards him. I can never have a private thought, can I?
Nope, Guardian replied, and I saw once again the picture of his big dumb grin. He was very humanoid, even as a dragon, and I vaguely wondered what he'd looked like when he'd been human. He'd had blue eyes, that was sure. His two cerulean orbs stood out among his golden-yellow scales. He seemed to be posed in a human pose most of the time as well. He was often lying down with one clawed hand under his chin in a bored sort of way. You get like that when you've had no action for a while, he said smugly, knowing that his constant view of my mind was getting on my nerves.
Ryuu swiveled over to whisper something in Yuna's ear, and I saw her nod and give a small smile. He returned the smile, though I noticed that the smile didn't reach his yellow eyes, which glinted maliciously from under his brow.
Guardian?
Yeah?
Do you think that the dream that I had was real?
I know it was, he said. Just try and stay away from Ryuu. You'll be safest that way.
Alright.
I yawned sleepily, and Wakka chuckled. "Better get off to bed, ya? We've all had a long day."
His daughter nodded in a tired agreement and stretched. "I wanna go to sleep so I can get up early and go swimmin' in the beautiful Zanarkand Sea, ya? I'll be swimmin' all day tomorrow," she said, looking to the east, where the navy waters of the ocean lapped calmly against beautiful white sand and steel docks.
"Not all day, unless you're going to skip the convention tomorrow," Lulu said, nudging her daughter. "You know, the one Ryuu's attending," she teased. Sanya blushed a deep crimson.
"I have Nathan. Ryuu doesn't matter," she said quietly, turning her reddening face away.
Ruka grinned sheepishly. "Can I have him then?"
Everyone laughed sleepily, and Rikku jogged over to the group. "The pilots know about an Inn we can stay in for the night. We'll get situated tomorrow. C'mon!"
~*~*~*~*~
I stared out of the window in the beautiful Inn that the Al Bhed crew had led us to. Each room came complete with two queen beds, a balcony, sofas, a kitchen, and a gorgeous glass table in the center of the middle room. The beds were soft and cozy, but I hadn't been able to sleep, so I instead sated Guardian's desire to look upon the stars of Zanarkand once again.
The sky never changes, he sighed. I've been to this place three times. Once when it was the great machina city of the past, another time when it was ruins, and now, when it is beautiful and yet doesn't begin to compare with my home.
You homesick? I asked.
I'm sick, but not really homesick. I miss the people, not the buildings. It seems as though I'm cursed to live a thousand lives and lose ten thousand friends, even though this is only the third time in my thousand years of living that I've truly lived. I slept for a very long interval between the first and second times.
Maybe this will be the end then. You'll be able to be happy, I said, trying to sound encouraging.
Happiness comes at a price, Guardian remarked.
And nothing is forever, I reminded him, trying to cheer him up, but I was instead greeted with a moan of pain and longing.
Don't remind me! he hissed in an icy voice. I know that better than anyone.
Sorry, I said meekly, sad that I'd hurt him.
Forget it, he growled, and I sighed. I trailed back over to one of the queen beds and flopped myself down on it. My blonde hair trailed over the pillows and I noticed how long it was. I suddenly had the feeling that I was trapped in my own body. I knew that the feeling was emanating from Guardian's being. I covered myself up, trying to ignore the shoots of pain and agony that were swirling through my mind.
Guardian let out another pained moan, and I had the strangest vision of an airship against a pink sky. It was becoming smaller and smaller and I realized that it was one of Guardian's memories. He'd fallen off of an airship it appeared. The water seemed a hungry monster as it reached out to him from below, and he landed with a splash.
No! Not again! Never again! he shouted in my mind in a sort of defiance. I'll change it all! This world isn't right!
~*~*~*~*~
Guardian was of a better temper when we woke up the next morning and went down to the beach. I was wearing a bathing suit that Sanya and Ruka had picked out earlier. It was a bikini, and that fact seemed to amuse Guardian terribly. He giggled in sort of a childish way as I put it on and his giggles had turned into full-blown laughs by the time we'd reached the beach.
Stop being so childish! I hissed at him. You pervert!
I never laughed at you when you changed before, Guardian pointed out.
Then what's so funny now? I inquired as I waded out into the clear water.
Nothing. I think I might be going insane, he said. I had a strange thought.
Like?
Heh. Your body is half my body. I've never actually put a bikini on.
I blinked and sent him an irritated thought, then focused on the water. I wanted to see how long I could stay underwater.
You have a long time to wait then, Destiny. We could stay submerged for almost five hours last time I checked.
What??
Every blitzball player has to know how to stay underwater for elongated periods of time, Guardian said sensibly.
So I WAS a blitzball player!
Guardian's grin appeared in my mind once again. What else would we be?
His final quote perplexed me a bit, but the water seemed to call out to me, so I went under and swam around gracefully for a while before coming up again. Sanya popped up close to me. "Thought you'd drowned for a second there!" she said, winking.
"Nope!" I said smugly, proud of my newfound ability to swim like a dolphin and with less restrictions than most people.
Sanya grinned. "You probably were a blitzer before you lost your memory, ya? If you weren't you need to become one. You're good!"
Guardian flashed a smile again, this time with a lot of smugness and pride. Better than you think, he mused mentally, as if speaking directly to Sanya. I giggled.
Sanya looked at me with her head
tilted to one side like a curious puppy. "What's funny, eh?"
"Nothin'," I said. She shrugged and turned back to her own swimming.
I sighed and stared up into the sky. Were you helping me when I performed that Sphere Shot?
Yes, but you didn't need much help. It comes natural, Guardian said, flashing a cocky grin. I can't wait until I get you in the sphere again. You can be on the Aurochs with Sanya.
If they want me on their team, I said.
Guardian's booming laugh reverberated through my head. You don't need to worry about that! If I start retraining you you'll be back to normal potential quickly, and then the teams will be BEGGING you to join up.
I smiled to myself. I finally had a plan for my future. I wouldn't be a burden to Wakka and Sanya much longer. How much to Blitzball players make?
Guardian chuckled. Depends.. I'd say that we'll be making a bit more than the usual person. Though I must admit, Taira and Kiro are good.
You got that right!
~*~*~*~*~
I stood in front of the mirror, observing myself and twisting from side to side, making the solid white dress flow about my figure. The dress was long and flowing and my hair was tied up in a bun, letting only small strands caress my face.
Ugh.. I hope this thing doesn't last long, Guardian said in annoyance. He obviously didn't enjoy wearing a dress, and to tell the truth, neither did I.
You and me both, I muttered, half to myself and half to him. I grimaced, but I exited the bathroom and presented myself to the waiting party (Sanya and Ruka, who had picked out the dress for me, realizing that I had no sense when it came to stuff like that).
"Yeah! That's great!" Sanya said, twirling her own purple dress. "I knew that white was your color."
Ruka smiled. "It's pretty," she stopped and frowned slightly, "but I still think you woulda looked nice in the blue one. It matched your eyes perfectly."
"Better to be safe than sorry, ya?" Sanya said, twirling her dolphin charm in her fingers distractedly. "Let's jus' go already."
I grinned impishly. "Eager to return to your boyfriend?"
She blushed. "Oh be quiet. C'mon, let's go," and she stormed out of the room, glowing a light crimson and biting her tongue slightly. She flipped her hair behind her shoulder agitatedly as we exited the room after her and motioned for us to hurry up. "Slowpokes," she muttered.
~*~*~*~*~
The ball had been going on for about half an hour. Guardian and I sat, watching the other people dance and drink. Both of us were extremely bored.
I hate stuffy things like this, Guardian whined. When's it gonna be over?
Oh shut up. You're complaining only make it worse, I growled at him. He quieted down, but I could still feel his boredom and a small sense of drowsiness crept in on me. My eyes drooped as I clicked my nails against a glass filled with a violet liquid that I'd tasted once and immediately spat back out, disturbing a few of the more 'sophisticated' people nearby. Guardian had informed me that it was wine.
Yeah, never liked the stuff m'self, he'd commented lazily.
You could've warned me, I'd grumbled.
Ruka trailed over to our table, a look of disappointment on her face. "I can't get Ryuu to even look at me," she mumbled.
I began to reply to her statement, but a very giddy looking Sanya had joined the table. She looked half-drunk and quite happy. "Oooh! It's so wonderful! I love Nathan so much, ya?" She wavered a little bit as she plopped herself down on one of the chairs and giggled pointlessly.
That's another reason why I never drank, Guardian grumbled. All drunk people do is make fools of themselves.
I'm sure that you didn't need the alcoholic influence to do that, I teased. Guardian grumbled something else, but he was in a bad temper. What's the matter? You can't be that bored.
He was quiet for a moment. I have a bad feeling about this whole thing.
I didn't comment. Ryuu had sauntered over to our table and was now leaning on it, trying his best to look appealing. I connected my eyes with his and he smiled alluringly. I didn't phase and my gaze didn't waver. "I was wondering," he began, "if you would be so kind as to dance with me?"
Guardian's rage flared up within me and his emotions began to take control of me again. I fought with his fierce anger and kept my face straight. "I don't thin-"
"Of course she would!" the drunken Sanya gibbered cheerfully, and she forcefully lifted me from my chair by my arm and shoved me at Ryuu, who grinned fiercely. "Here ya go! Have fun now, buh-bye!"
NO! Not with him! I'll.. I'll kill him! Guardian raged, and I had another picture. It was a picture of a battle, but I couldn't make out anything. Nothing but a blue sword and.. Yuna?
Guardian! Calm down! I ordered, trying to keep myself as calm as possible as Ryuu took my hands and placed them on his shoulders and then placed his own hands on my waist.
GAH! You can't stand for this Destiny!
I tried to pull away, but his grip was strong and he had no intention of letting me go. "What's the rush?" he asked in his deceptively calm voice. I forced one of my hips away, but he clung to me. "Come now, Destiny," he muttered. "There's no reason to be afraid.
That's it! I can't take it! Please, Destiny!
I tried to keep my face calm and my mannerism cool, but my vision was beginning to cloud with the red-hot anger that was Guardian. Ryuu uttered a soft low growl and pulled me as close to his body as he could, until our two forms were touching and I was staring into his golden eyes. Guardian's anger finally broke through the shell that I'd been trying to put up, and I was dazed for a few seconds. I couldn't control myself as my arm reached back and I punched him straight in his obnoxious face. Guardian gazed out through my eyes in fierce loathing and I gave in. The crowd had begun to gasp and I saw Oryon, who'd been surveying the whole thing, stand up in surprise. Ryuu was flat on the floor, a small bit of blood oozing from his nose. I turned away from the scene and stormed from the building, leaving behind many whispers and glares from his loyal fans, even a disbelieving stare from Ruka.
I walked until I came to the docks, and there I stood, surveying the Zanarkand Sea. Guardian made a small, pitiful sound in my head. The Tiger is upon us.
~*~*~*~*~
^_^ Next chapter is Part One's finale. It's not over by a longshot, though. Part Two will most likely be smaller than Part One, but it's finally drawing to a climax.. right? ^_~