Back to Zanarkand - 1: To Beat Many Odds

by: hikari-gaki

A/N: I know I said they were going to Farplane....but they're going to Zanarkand......

-~-~-~-~-

Tidus took Yuna's trembling hand. "How are we going to get there?" she asked. Tidus smiled at her and jumped into the air, without letting go of her arm. "Ahhh!" Yuna screamed as she was pulled into the air. She closed her eyes and breathed loudly. "Open your eyes." she heard her father's voice command.

Yuna's eyes opened. She saw Tidus, Jecht, Auron and her father, Lord Braska floating above the area near Lucca Stadium. At that moment, Yuna's guradians rushed out of the stadium. They looked around wildly, but the only one that noticed Yuna, Tidus and the others was Rikku. "Yunie?" she said. She ran over, Lulu, Wakka and Kimahri looking strangely at her.

"Yunie....what's happening?" Rikku asked confusedly. Yuna smiled and answered, "Tidus is going to take me to Zanarkand." she answered. Rikku also saw Auron, Tidus, Jecht and Lord Braska floating in the air. Rikku gasped in amazement. "T...Tidus? And Auron?" she asked scaredly. Auron nodded. Tidus gave her a thumbs up. She smiled.

"I can't come, can I?" Rikku said. Tidus answered, ""I don't think so. I'm sorry." Rikku nodded to show that she understood. and said, "I knew it." Wakka came over. "Ey, Rikku?" he asked her. "What are ya looking at? And who are ya talkin' to?" Rikku looked at him strangely. "You mean, you can't see them?" she asked. Lulu and Kimahri came over.

"See who?" Lulu asked. "Tidus, Yunie," Rikku answered. "Auron and...uh..." She turned to Yuna. "Who are the others?" she asked her. "My father and Tidus's father." Yuna answered. "Auron, Tidus, Yuna, Yuna's dad and Tidus's dad." Rikku continued to them.

Kimahri gave a little grunt. "Where's Yuna?" Wakka asked. "She's going with Tidus to Zanarkand." Rikku answered.

Wakka had a surprised look on his face. He went up to the place Rikku was standing and turned his head to where Rikku was looking and speaking to. "Take me with you!" he shouted. "I want to see the Zanarkand Abes play! Take me with you, Tidus!"

Tidus laughed and floated to the ground. He then magically appeared in front of Wakka. "Whoa." Wakka said in surprise. "What're you doin' here? I thought you....you....like disappeared!" Tidus laughed. "I can't take you to Zanarkand." he said sadly.

"But......" He threw Wakka his necklace. "You can have this." Wakka excitedly put the neacklace on. "Thanks, brudda!" he shouted.

Lulu walked over to Tidus. She had no expression on her face whatsoever. "This is a strange...yet...thoughtful gift for Yuna." she said. She smiled and tried to pat Tidus on the head, but her hand just went through his head. Her face was fixed with no expression still. "Take care of her." Tidus smiled and answered, "Thank you. I will."

Tidus jumped back into the air and vanished. He looked down on Lulu, Wakka, Kimahri and Rikku. This parting seemed harder than the other. He knew he would never see them again. This time he was sure of it. "Take care of Yuna, ya?" he heard Wakka say, waving at him wildly.

"It's now or never." Jecht said imaptiently. "Do we leave now?" Tidus turned to Yuna, she nodded and smiled. He signaled his father they could go.

"Rikku," Yuna said. "Tell them sorry for leaving. But, this is what I want to do." Rikku nodded and smiled. "Bye, Yunie!" she shouted. "I'll tell everyone else about you!" Wakka waved. Lulu smiled and did a little wave. Kimahri just smiled.

He walked up next to Rikku and said, "Kimahri will miss Yuna." Yuna smiled and Rikku told him she did. Kimahri smiled and walked back to his place.

-~-~-~-~-

"Anything anyone's gotta do before leaving Spira?" Auron said. He turned his back to look out to the ocean. "You've got five minutes."

They were all resting atop Besaid Temple, their last stop before the long way to Zanarkand.

"Did you hear him speak, too?" Tidus asked Yuna about Kimahri's words. Yuna smiled and said, "It's rare, but I've heard him speak." Tidus gave a little "Oh." and took a deep breath and laid down. "I'll miss Spira." Tidus said. "I will, too." Yuna said sadly. "I was born and raised here."

Tidus got up very fast. "If you were born in this time, and Zanarkand existed millions of years ago....then....." "Don't worry." Braska interuppted. Tidus and Yuna looked back at him. "She'll be alright."

"Yuna?" Tidus asked, laying on his back again. "Yes?" she answered, looking at him. Tidus got up and Yuna looked at him.

Tidus took her chin and leaned it closer to him. Closer, closer....Yuna knew what was happening. Their lips touched.

"Time to go!" they heard Jecht call. He was gonna jump off the side, and was waiting for the others to join him. (A/N: Sounds weird, doesn't it?)

~X~

"We're all ready?" asked Lord Braska. Everyone nodded. Jecht walked into the ocean and looked back at everyone. "Just do what I do." Jecht instructed. "See ya'll in Zanarkand!"

He walked farther into the ocean, and when the water was about to cover up his legs, he jumped up and a flash of bright white light took him away. Everyone's eyes were almost blinded by the sight. Auron was next. Then Lord Braska.

Yuna and Tidus set their staff and sword down. "You go first." Yuna insisted. "No, ladies first." Tidus said politely. Yuna smiled at him and walked into the ocean. "See you." she said. She jumped up and vanished into the blinding light.

Tidus took one more deep breath of Spira air and looked around. "I'll miss ya, Spira." he said. He walked into the ocean until his torso touched the water. "Here goes nothing." he said. He took a deep breath and jumped into the air.

.....:::::FLASH:::::.....

~X~

Some of the people from Besaid village came out took see what had happened. They found nothing on the beach but a clear, water-like sword and a summoner's staff. They all looked at each other and then looked torward the ocean's verizon.

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Tidus landed with a loud 'THUMP'. He looked around and saw the outside of Zanarkand Stadium. He got up, but the ground was slippery. "Here, let me help you." Yuna held out her hand and helped Tidus up.

He looked around. "Home, sweet home." he thought.