Out of the Ashes
By Macalania Knight
Disclaimer: Is this really necessary? You already know I don't own Squaresoft!
Warning: Spoilers ahead, Wet Floor!
Another Warning: This chapter starts a little slow, but it gets better. Trust me.
Al Bhed Translations at end of story.
Chapter 4: Sin Day (3rd person)

Tidus woke up within the next few hours rather abruptly. The sun was completely up in the sky. He decided as long as he was up, he might as well cook breakfast. As the chocobo eggs sizzled, Yuna stumbled into the living room. Tidus asked her, "What do you like with your eggs?" She simply groaned and stumbled into the bathroom. Tidus said, "I'll take that as coffee."
Yuna made him sleep on the machina couch that folded out into a bed with a touch of a button to prevent any 'accidents' in hers. Tidus wasn't having too much trouble with the machina figuring he used to own such things. As Yuna stepped out of the shower, Tidus yelled, "How do you like your eggs?" She replied, "Sunny-side up."
When Yuna finally got out of the bathroom, her chocobo eggs and coffee lay on the table. Tidus was checking the mail when he asked, "Where do you keep your paper? You got a letter from 'Sir Tidus.'" "Third drawer to the left. That must be the third one this week." Tidus said, "Hey. You got a letter from Wakka and Lulu." Yuna said quietly, "Oh no."
The letter read:
Dear Yuna,
We saw the news last night. We know you miss Tidus, but that was too far. Wakka has a game over at the stadium, so we'll come over and talk.
Signed,
Lulu and Wakka
Tidus asked, "There's a blitzball game today?" Yuna replied, "Yes. The Zanarkand Abes versus the Besaid Aurochs." Tidus then asked, "Zanarkand? We're in Zanarkand? I thought we were in Bevelle or Luca or something." She replied, "No. I had Zanarkand rebuilt... for you. I wanted to make you feel at home when you came back." Tidus, grateful of Yuna's gift, said, "Wow. Thanks. That makes me really happy." Yuna said, "I did it because I love you."
"Anyway, you wanna go?" asked Tidus. Yuna said, "Huh? Sure. It is the Crystal Cup and I've got tickets." Tidus said, "Great. It's been a while since I've seen a game."
As Yuna went shopping for groceries (after all, Tidus hadn't eaten in a year,) Tidus snuck into the stadium while the Zanarkand Abes practiced. He spoke to the captain who soon accepted him on the team after a two-on-two match.
That evening, Yuna and Lulu got into their stadium seats. Yuna asked, "Have you seen Tidus?" Lulu replied, "No, I haven't." As the sphere pool filled, the announcer came one, "Are you ready for some intense action, blitz fans? You better be, because tonight is the infamous Crystal Cup, where the men are separated from the boys, where the winners are sorted from the losers. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the Zanarkand Abes." Half of the stadium, those dressed in black and blue, cheered as the Zanarkand Abes swam into the sphere pool. The announcer said, "Abes fans, there has been a recent update. Just this afternoon, a new blitzer was added to your favorite team. He was on the news recently, and probably on Lady Yuna too. Everyone welcome the new Zanarkand Abe, Sir Tidus." The spectators applauded as the announcer came on one more time, "Now entering the sphere pool, the best team in the blitzball league. They are strong, they are fast, and they have been undefeated for this season. Lead by the infamous Captain Wakka, they arose from the ashes of defeat to arise as phoenixes of victory. Ladies and gentlemen, the Besaaaaaaaaaaid Auuuuuuuurooooooooochs!" The other half of the stadium, dressed in blue and yellow, cheered as the Aurochs entered.
The Abes and the Aurochs were evenly matched throughout the game. At the last 30 seconds, Tidus stole the ball and kicked it an Auroch player, knocking him out. The ball returned to Tidus, who punched the ball towards another Auroch, knocking him out too! The ball returned to Tidus again, who kicked the ball at the goalie, KO'ing him. The ball returned to Tidus once again, who head butted it into another Auroch. The announcer yelled, "Oh my goodness! It's the Amazingly Spectacular Jecht Shot 3! In my five years of blitz commentary, I've never seen anything like this!" Tidus did a 1080-degree spin and kicked the ball with such force that is passed through the goal and ricocheted off of a seat. The announcer yelled, "The Abes win the game! They win the Crystal Cup! Whatta game, ladies and gentlemen! What a game!"
In the Abes' locker room, the captain held up a glass of champagne and said, "To this year's MVP, Tidus! Good work, kid!" The rest of the team yelled, "Here here." And chugged their champagne. At about that time, Yuna rushed in and hugged Tidus, who spun her around and kissed her. Then, someone yelled, "You traita, playin' for de udda team!" Tidus yelled back, "Oh hey, Wakkaaaaaah!" Wakka had Tidus in one of his headlocks. Wakka said, "If ya wanted to play blitz, ya coulda come see me, ya? Plus, why'dcha wait so long ta comeback, huh? You had us so worried, brudda." Tidus got himself out of the headlock and said, "Geez, sorry. I can't help being dead for a year." Wakka asked, "So, you gonna play for us Aurochs again?" Tidus sighed, "Sorry, Wakka. I'm staying here with Yuna. I already have a contract with the Abes for the next nine games." Wakka said, "Ah. S'okay. We're jus' gonna hafta beat ya for de next nine games." Tidus laughed and said, "You're on, Wakka!" The Abes captain yelled to Tidus, "Hey, kid. Here's yer pay." He threw a bag with 1,000 gil to Tidus. "One last thing," the captain said, "There's an after-party at the city square. I have two all-access passes, but I can't go 'cause my girlfriend's sick. They're yours." Tidus thanked him and took the passes.
At the party, Tidus searched and said, "Where's Rikku? You said she'd be here." Yuna said, "Calm down. Just relax and wait." Tidus laughed and said, "You sound like Auron when you say things like that." Yuna blushed at the thought. The announcer came on, "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Crystal Cup After-Party! The Abes played one helluva game, huh?" The party guest, which was about everyone in Zanarkand, gave a yell as the announcer said, "But now, it is my honor to introduce this evening's entertainers. Ladies and gentlemen, the Machina Fayth!" Everyone, including Yuna, cheered as four cloaked people marched to certain parts of the stage as they sang the Hymn of the Fayth. Suddenly, the four people threw off their cloaks and started singing a love-rock ballad in Al Bhed. And the main singer was Rikku! Men whistled and hooted at Rikku. Tidus also noticed a guy with a sign that read: Marry me, Rikku! When the song was over, Rikku said, "Kuut ajahehk, Zanarkand!" People cheered as Rikku said, "Happy Sin Day, everyone! Is everyone having a good time?" Everyone yelled, "Yeah!" Then, about 20 guys, ten probably with their girlfriends, yelled out marriage proposals. Rikku giggled and said, "Sorry. I've already got a boyfriend. But thanks anyways."
Rikku's band kept playing as people talked, danced, drank, and partied in general. Near the end of the party, Rikku finished off with a slow song. People grabbed their dance partners. Some were so drunk that, in an attempt to grab their apparently sober girlfriends, grabbed a fellow drunk partier instead. Yuna grabbed Tidus' hand and said, "C'mon. Let's dance." She led him onto the dance floor and put her arms on his shoulders. After the song was over, Rikku's band left the stage. Yuna led Tidus to the Green Room, where Rikku, Brother, and the other members of Rikku's band sat. Rikku greeted them as they entered. It was apparent to Tidus that Rikku had matured a lot. She was taller and more developed. But despite the changes, he still saw the hyper, young Al Bhed girl from a year before.
Rikku sat down in a chair just as Brother came stumbling in with a beer bottle in hand. Rikku stood and asked, "Brother, ruf syho paanc ryja oui ryt duhekrd?" Brother replied with a slur, "Uhhhhh, uha." Rikku scowled and said, "E ghuf oui'na moehk. Yht oui ghuf dryd cdivv ec pyt vun oui. Oui ghuf fryd vydran fuimt tu ev ra cyf oui mega drec?" Brother yelled, "Vilg uvv, cec! Vydran'c hud rana huf, ec ra? Pacetec, E's umt ahuikr du ta frydajun E fyhd! Cu kad myet! Vydran'c y lnywo umtvynd yhofyoc, cu ra lyh kad myet duu!" Yuna whispered in Tidus' ear, "Let's go. Now." Tidus asked, "Why? What's going on?" Then, Tidus looked at Rikku's eyes and said quietly, "oh." Then, Rikku started slinging Al Bhed curses at Brother, who was sinking in his chair with shame. Yuna and Tidus knew enough Al Bhed to understand that Rikku was furious. It was pretty apparent that Rikku didn't like anybody insulting her father, Cid. Tidus and Yuna left just in time to hear, "Yht ev oui ehcimd vydran ykyeh, E'mm cdelg dra haqd puddma uv sake cu vyn ib ouin ycc, oui'mm lnyb ymlurum demm dra haqd Sin Tyo, oy rayn?!" Tidus had to hold back his laughter when Yuna whispered, "She becomes more like her father everyday."
Yuna had made Tidus close his eyes as she led him somewhere. She led him through the streets until finally, she said, "OK, open your eyes!" Tidus opened his eyes and said, "Wow. The sea." Yuna said, "Just wait." Within the next few seconds, the sun rose over the sea to another day without Sin. Yuna leaned on Tidus and closed her eyes, letting his body give her comfort and security. As he held Yuna close, Tidus heard Braska say, "I know what you're thinking, so you'll need this." Tidus felt one of his pockets get slightly heavier. He looked to see what it was. It was a ring! His heart raced as he slipped the ring on Yuna's finger. He had to swallow the lump in his throat as he said, "Will you marry me, Yuna?"
Al Bhed Translations
Kuut ajahehk- Good evening
Ruf syho paanc ryja oui ryt duhekrd- How many beers have you had tonight
Uha- one
E ghuf oui'na moehk- I know you're lying
Yht oui ghuf dryd cdivv ec pyt vun oui- And you know that stuff is bad for you
Oui ghuf fryd vydran fuimt tu ev ra cyf oui mega drec- You know what father would do if he saw you like this
Vilg uvv, cec- F$#^ off, sis
Vydran'c hud rana huf, ec ra- Father's not here now, is he?
Pacetec, E's umt ahuikr du ta frydajun E fyhd- Besides, I'm old enough to do whatever I want
Cu kad myet- So get laid
Vydran'c y lnywo umt vynd yhofyoc, cu ra lyh kad myet duu- Father's a crazy old fart anyways so he can get laid too
Yht ev oui ehcimd vydran ykyeh- And if you insult Father again
E'mm cdelg dra haqd puddma uv sake cu vyn ib ouin ycc- I'll stick the next bottle of sake so far up you're a$&
Oui'mm lnyb ymlurum demm dra haqd Sin Tyo, oy rayn- You'll crap alcohol till the next Sin Day, ya hear