Final Fantasy X: Journey
It was a subdued party that arrived in the city of Zanarkand a few hours later. They were wrapped up in mourning the loss of their fallen angel.
Tida.
A daughter, a friend, a godchild… But to one particular raven's wing-haired boy she had been so much more. She had shown him what love was.
He only hoped he'd been able to return it as well as he had received it.
—
"There it is. The City that Never Sleeps," Tidus mused, one arm securely wrapped around Yuna's shoulders. He gave her a light squeeze, resting one cheek on the top of her head for a moment.
"It seems so… empty, now," Zeoron whispered, hugging herself fiercely but there was no gust of wind to cause her chill, simply the shiver of one who is melancholy over another.
"Well, people will be wanting to congratulate us…" Wakka let the sentence hang in the air as an open suggestion. Yuna squared her shoulders and nodded.
"We will allow them to. But tonight there will be an announcement. The Eternal Calm is truly in thanks to Tida… my baby," Yuna finished in a whisper, turning back into Tidus's welcoming embrace. Tidus shut his eyes as the two held each other, willing their daughter to come back to them.
"Let's go, then, and get this over with," Chappu said gruffly, pushing his way ahead and beginning to descend the slope. Zeoron ran after him, calling his name.
Chappu ignored her.
Why? he wanted to know. Why had she been taken and him left behind? Couldn't he have died as well instead of being forced to live here with only her memory to keep him company?
"Because you weren't ready to die for Spira. You were ready to die for her," Chappu muttered, cursing to inaudibly to himself. Could he live without her now?
He closed his eyes, remembering…
* * *
Zeoron was the first to move toward the lifeless body that had once been so full of energy, so full of the one she'd sworn to protect until death.
And she'd failed.
Mentally, she cursed herself for her collapse but in her heart she knew Tida would have died anyway to protect them, finding someway to save them all never mind that it meant her own life.
Chappu passed her hesitating form and seemingly fell next to Tida. His strong arms lifted her torso so that he cradled her gently. He brushed a few strands of hair from her face and smiled despite the tears again welling up in his eyes.
"You're still so beautiful, Tida," he whispered. His eyes landed on her belt pouch and the light coming out of it. He frowned and reached for it, drawing out a small sky blue sphere—a movie sphere.
Abruptly, all the color drained from his face as he realized what it was—and what was more than likely to be found within its contents. He swore silently and lay Tida's body back down softly before turning to the others, pain wrought upon his face.
"Her goodbye," he whispered hoarsely, holding it out.
Yuna's knees gave way and Tidus grabbed her to keep her from falling into the large abyss. Lulu and Rikku gripped each other's hands and Zeoron ran forward, staring transfixed at the sphere. Wakka merely stood, shaking his head sadly.
Zeoron licked her lips. "Well… play it, Chappu."
Chappu nodded and clicked it on. At once, Tida's voice filled the air around them, engulfing them all surprisingly in loving warmth.
"The sunset at the Moonflow isn't what I intended to use, but I guess it will have to do since we're not in Zanarkand. There's nothing like a morning sunrise on the beach in Zanarkand. I remember Mama telling me that when I was little." Tida laughed slightly before continuing. "And you know what? She was right; there's nothing more mystical like it.
"But anyway, what I wanted to say was… thank all of you for your help. Words cannot capture how thankful I am to all of you… Chappu, Aunt Rikku, Uncle Wakka, Aunt Lulu, Zeoron, Sir Auron… Mama and Dad, I owe you the most thanks. Mama, for sharing with me and Dad for guiding me when I didn't what to do. Yeah, Dad, I know it was you who was guiding me. I figured it out.
"Chappu… I never thought I would make this far. Thank you for helping to me to get back to my mother. Thank you for everything. For your love. Know that I will love you always… forever, Chappu, and please, any dreams that are broken or faded or people that you have lost… never forget them.
"My beloved aunts and uncle, take care of Mama for me, will ya? I wish I could, but… Well, I'm sure you understand. You guys helped give me the best seven years of my childhood. Thanks for teaching me things no one else could. Remember me always. "Sir Auron and Zeoron, thanks for your help so far. I remember bedtime stories with you in them, Sir Auron. You were such a wonderful hero, and you fit the part perfectly now I see. Zeoron, please take care of Chappu for me. Help him live and continue to protect Spira in my memory.
"Mama, I love you. You were the person I always admired the most and the person who gave me life. Mama, I know you're proud of me and please don't ever forget me. I trust that you won't. Keep Chappu and Dad safe, okay?
"And last… Dad… I wish I could have been around you more, really gotten to know you. I've always wanted to be just like you, no matter what. Although we just met for the first time, I love you like I always have. Except this time, you're real and you could really hold me. I know you regret that you never got the chance to hold me when I was born, but please don't. Just remember me always and go on, carrying on the never-ending legacy I began in your honor. Be proud of me, Dad, because I'm really proud of you. I love you, forever and always.
"I want all of you know that I was happy on my journey. There was never really a dull moment. By now, you'll have realized the Aeon of Light has killed me upon my summoning it. I would like to tell you all not to be sad, but grieving is a part of life. But please go on. Mama, thanks for letting me use Nirvana. I'm sorry I broke it when I summoned. I…I love you all, always, for all eternity."
The sphere clicked off and Chappu lowered his hand, eyes boring into its clear blue depths, ignorant of the tears welled in his eyes. His fingers curled around the pshere so tightly that his knuckles turned white.
Yuna was sobbing against Tidus's chest and Lulu and Wakka were both brushing tears away. Rikku was on her rear end, staring unseeingly ahead. Zeoron was clenching and unclenching her fists, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill…
* * *
Chappu stood stonily as the crowds of people began to settle down while occasionally, a yell would sound, praising them for saving Spira was more.
The Zanarkand Dome was filled to its capacity—and more. Chappu knew it had never been so full. Not even Tidus could recall it being this full, even in the dream Zanarkand he was from.
Yuna stepped forward and glanced back before she turned back to the people of Spira—mostly from Zanarkand—and raised her arms up to the sides.
"People of Spira!"
Yuna's voice carried around the stadium, enhanced by her own renewed brand of White Magic, including her ability to summon once more.
"We come before you today as heroes—as you see it. But we are not what we appear as. It is not us you should congratulate, but one other instead. I knew her as my own. These behind me," Yuna gestured to the party grouped behind her, who all stepped forward a few paces, "knew her as a daughter—"
Tidus bowed his head, normally bright cerulean blue eyes melancholy.
"—as a goddaughter—"
Lulu, Rikku, and Wakka all lowered their eyes, tears glistening.
"—as a friend—"
Zeoron lowered her head, a tint of red on her cheeks with salty tears sliding down her face.
"—and," Yuna took Chappu's hand and brought him next to her, "as someone to love for the rest of your life." Yuna finished, her voice soft. Chappu's eyes were like rock, hard and cold.
Yuna turned back to the crowd to end her speech.
"The person who saved Spira was—is—High Summoner Lady Tida, my daughter."
Yuna's voice was strong and full of pride as the crowd erupted into cheers.
"Remember my daughter, Savior of Spira."
* * *
Darkness shrouded Chappu, welcomed him into its gentle embrace. He sat quietly, staring at nothing as he could see nothing in the night that surrounded his form as he waited, quietly, on the Zanarkand beach. He was facing the waves, he knew, judging from the sounds of water crashes coming from in front of him.
Light began to form on the distant horizon and Chappu's eyes instantly focused on it, blue suddenly ablaze with attention.
A smile began to form on his lips as pink dotted the sky off the surface of the ocean, turning rose-colored slowly. A sharp rainbow of color erupted and then became pink, red and purple all at once.
It was beautiful.
Fiery scarlet began to emerge, setting the horizon aflame. Orange and crimson, with tinges of pink around the edges glowed softly.
And then, abruptly, light enveloped all life within its silky shimmer.
Chappu smiled, a single tear escaping his eye as a warm breeze wrapped around his muscled form. He closed his eyes and tilted his head back, letting the wind tousle his black locks.
"I love you, Tida. You're will with me, always."
~The End~
Well, it's finally finished. Thanks to all those who reviewed. I really appreciate it. I know you're all mad at me for killing Tida and I probably deserve. But she still lives in the hearts of Chappu, Yuna, Tidus, and all those who cherished her the most. Check out "When I Met You" if you want to see the character's responses to first meeting Tida.
Thanks, as always,
Angel of the Faith