Tidus strapped the sword to his side, and picked up the staff. He wasn't truly a Summoner yet, that would only happen when he received his first Aeon at Besaid. Then he would travel to the other temples, and receive the gift of the Fayth them from them. After that… Tidus sighed. He preferred not to think of the after, but it was a course he was committed to. For centuries, the church of Yevon had decreed that the Al Bhed would provide Summoners to defeat Sin. It was their payment for the sin of using forbidden machina. He didn't know if the legend of Sin showing up because of the Al Bhed's transgressions were true, but this was something he would have done regardless. His life was a small price to pay for the safety of the world. Even if it was for a little while.

Straightening the ornate Summoner's robes, he gazed out at the city of Home. A place he would likely never see again. His gaze took in the city, the apple tree that Rikku and himself always used to climb as children, and the monument to his uncle, Cid. Ten years earlier he had paid the ultimate price for Spira. One the family would have to pay again.

Mouthing the word, he said goodbye to everything he loved here. The people, the desert, and especially his beloved Blitzball. Chuckling to himself, he decided at that moment to put away childish things. He had a job to do.

"Summoners don't usually carry swords you know."

Tidus whirled, and grinned at his cousin, Rikku. After the death of her father, Cid, she had come to live with himself and Jecht. The two had been raised together, and were far more brother and sister than cousins. "Then I'll be the first."

Rikku giggled, and stuck her tongue out at him. "You always did have to be original."

"Hey, I don't have to leave for a few hours. What do you say you and me go out on the town? Take in the sights one last time."

Rikku's eyes fell to the ground. "I can't. Uncle Jecht has something he wants me to do. I'll be gone for a few days. I came to say goodb…." She suddenly stopped, unable to continue.

Tidus stepped towards her, and tipped a finger underneath Rikku's chin, raising her eyes to meet his own. "If this is the last time we see each other, you'd damn well better look at me."

Tears fell out of her eyes, but she held his gaze. "You don't have to do this!"

Tidus smiled gently at her, "You know that Yevon decreed it was you or me to become a Summoner. I'd rather it be me."

"You're not the only one who has forced to become a Summoner! Maybe one of the others will succeed before you do!"

"Maybe, maybe not."

Rikku turned away from him, "Then I'll catch up to you along the way. I'll become one of your Guardians."

Tidus suddenly laughed, "An Al Bhed Guardian? Don't be silly. You know Yevon supplies those to Summoners."

Rikku sniffed, "You'll be the first Summoner to carry a sword, I'll be the first Al Bhed Guardian. You're not the only one who can be original you know."

Tidus reached out and laid a hand against her shoulder. Rikku suddenly turned and buried her face in his chest, her arms locking around him in a crushing embrace. "This isn't goodbye. You'll see me again." She then detached herself, and ran from the room.

Tidus sat in nearby chair, and twirled the staff idly. So much he would miss, so many things he would never get to do. Wiping away a tear, he turned his mind to other matters. Like meeting his Guardians. He could only hope that they would be enjoyable company.

****************************

Yuna was about to give up, and scream to the heavens, but determinedly decided to try again. Holding the tinder close to the kindling, she struck the flint against it. The sparks flew into the wood, and finally caught fire. She almost whooped and capered for joy, but she was too exhausted. The grumbling of her stomach also alerted her to the fact that she was as hungry as she had ever been in her life. One good thing about Zanarkand, no one ever went hungry there.

"Zanarkand..", she said softly to herself. Her teeth stopped chattering, as the warmth of the fire slowly began to settle into her bones. Not for the first time, she wondered what had become of her beloved city. She still had no idea what had just happened. She had been playing the Blitzball game she had trained all of her life for, and suddenly a giant entity had shown up and begun ripping the place apart. Even more confusing was that she had ended up here, in what seemed to be abandoned ruins of some sort.

The last thing she remembered was Auron saying. "This is your story." Her story it might be, but Yuna could honestly say the beginning sucked. She had awakened on a platform close to this building, tried to swim to it, and had almost been eaten by a giant fish-like creature for her trouble. Then she had almost frozen to death, but at least she had finally gotten a fire started.

Rubbing her hands together, she decided to give into the exhaustion, and sleep. Maybe, she would wake up and find that this had all been a bad dream. She could only hope so.

*********************************

"You got everything straight Rikku?"

Rikku finished packing the rest of her gear, and nodded to her Uncle Jecht. "Yeah, go get that airship the ancient manuscript talked about. Where is it again?"

Jecht stepped to the window, and regarded the vessel in the harbor. "Close to the Baaj Temple ruins. The navigator knows the exact place."

Rikku stowed the last grenade in her knapsack, and closed the zipper. She noted, "Uncle Jecht, if Yevon finds out we took it, then we're in deep trouble. It might even start a war. We're not allowed to use that type of machina. You know that."

Jecht rumbled angrily, "I don't care. Let em do what they want. From everything I've read about that ship, nothing Yevon has can stand against it. Hell, it might even give Sin a run for it's money."

Rikku slung the knapsack over her back, and straightened, "Only Summoners can fight Sin."

Jecht waved a hand, "I don't believe that. Yevon's taught that for so long, that no one even tries to find another way anymore." He once again gazed out the window thoughtfully, "Someone will find a way to kill Sin forever someday. I just know it."

"This is about Tidus isn't it?"

"That has something to do with it. I'll admit it. They already took my brother Cid. Now Yevon's trying to take my boy. Even more importantly, it's time we Al Bhed stopped paying for our supposed sin. That airship could be the ticket to our freedom. Let Yevon start supplying it's own Summoners."

Rikku embraced her uncle. That was a sentiment she could agree with wholeheartedly. "I'm going now Uncle Jecht. I'll be back soon, with the airship."

Jecht smiled fondly at her, "Good. And be careful. I might already be losing a son. I don't want to lose my favorite niece too."

Rikku kissed him on the cheek, "I will. See you in a few days."

***********************

"So, you think you can make the alterations?"

The tailor regarded the Summoner's robe in his hands thoughtfully, and did not reply at first. Tidus had planned on having the robe worked on once he reached Besaid. Luckily, there was a tailor on board the ship. He was a Yevonite, which did not make him bad in his book. To Tidus, people were people. He only wished all people thought the same. Normally, a follower of Yevon would regard him distastefully, and refuse to reply. It was only because he was a Summoner now that they helped him at all. Summoners were the only members of the Al Bhed who received any respect when they traveled the world.

The tailor spoke, "Ok. You want this looser, and less restraining. What for?"

Tidus patted the sword at his hip, "Can't use one of these very well when that thing bundles me up like that."

The tailor raised an eyebrow, "That is highly unusual for a Summoner to carry one of those."

He shrugged, "I'm not your normal Summoner. Come on. Please? Think of it as an artistic challenge."

The tailor's face suddenly brightened, "Since you put it that way… Hmm, perhaps if I shorten the sleeves to elbow length, and let the seams out a bit. Shorten the hem so it reaches knee length instead of ankle. Yes, I think I can do it!"

Tidus grinned, "Good. And can you loosen the collar too? I want a v-neck, reaching about halfway down the chest." He envisioned the whole outfit, and decided he would love the look. The light blue and gold tones of the robe, would match nicely with the tan breeches and sandals. If he was going to be a Summoner, he'd rather be one with a sense of style.

"That will not be a problem. Give me until we reach Besaid. I should have it ready for you then."

Tidus nodded, and paid the tailor in advance. That taken care of, he once again read the missive sent from Bevelle. His three Guardians would meet him at Besaid temple. Their names were Lulu, Wakka, and Kimahri Ronso. Lulu he hadn't a clue about, but with Wakka he had some idea. During his days with the Al Bhed Psyches, Tidus had met Wakka, who was the Captain of the Besaid Aurochs. Tidus had always thought him a likeable sort. He only hoped he it was the same guy. The third was very strange. It was extremely rare for a Ronso to become a Guardian. Shrugging, he decided to worry about that later. He would find out soon enough.

Stepping to the edge of the boat, and laying his hands against the rail. He gazed out at the sea. Thoughts of the end of his journey, he swiftly shoved aside. That was the end of the pilgrimage, one he reached Zanarkand. He decided to live in the here and now. He wouldn't live much longer. Savoring every moment, and appreciating each new experience were suddenly much more important than it used to be.

****************************

Yuna awakened to a new chill in the air, and the sight of the fire starting to go out. In alarm she looked into the embers, and saw that the wood had been almost consumed. Desperately, she got to her feet and began to search for more. Running to and from, checking every nook and cranny, a strange chittering stopped Yuna in her tracks. She now realized that she wasn't alone here.

Reaching frantically to her side, she was relieved to discover that the broadsword Auron had given her, was still there. She pulled it from the sheath, and held it in front of her, turning quickly in a circle to see who, or what, else was here. A dry, rasping sound echoed behind her, and Yuna whirled to face the threat.

The creature that suddenly filled her vision was about eight feet long, and was vaguely shaped like an ant. Crushing mandibles at the base of the mouth only reinforced her fear. Readying the sword, she prayed for a miracle. She was grateful for the blade in her hand, but no one had ever instructed her in it's use. She had no idea how to use it properly, despite what she had told Auron. Yuna cast her eyes about, seeking an escape. There was only one, and the creature was blocking the way. She would have to fight.

The fiend moved towards her, faster than she thought possible. A last second sidewards leap was the only thing that saved her life. Clumsily, she flicked out her sword as the creature lumbered past. A sharp cry of pain, and a spray of red ichor increased her hopes. First blood had been struck, and it wasn't hers. Maybe she could win this after all.

Backing away quickly, she set her stance, and awaited the next attack. The mandibled animal whirled to face her direction, and chittered for a moment, as if considering its next move. Apparently, it was intelligent enough to learn from its mistakes, and moved in much more slowly this time. Yuna backed away even further, and a deadly battle for positioning began. The two opponents shuffled back and forth across the chamber, each awaiting the other to make a mistake. Try as she might, Yuna could not maneuver the creature so she could reach the exit in time. It was fight or die.

Deciding to cast caution to the wind, Yuna ceased backing up, and charged her adversary. The creature followed suit, and Yuna stopped just short. Swinging her blade in a wild slice, she got lucky and the sword sliced through the exoskeleton of one of the mandibles. The ant-like thing howled in rage, and butted it's head into Yuna, sending her flying through the air.

As a Blitzball player, Yuna was no stranger to acrobatics. Rolling with the fall into a backwards somersault, she luckily ended up on her feet. A quick wound assessment revealed no broken bones, but she was heavily bruised by the encounter. She was going to feel this one in the morning.

The creature stopped howling in pain, and again turned it's attention towards her. Yuna searched for any weakening, but was aggrieved to see none. It appeared more enraged than hurt. She sighed, "Great." Gritting her teeth, she suddenly cast doubt aside. Only one of them was going to survive this fight, and she swore it would be her. A groaning sound resounded from behind her, and Yuna was greatly relieved to see a well disguised doorway begin to open.

Stepping through the door were a group of humans, pointing to her and talking in a strange language. Yuna faced sideways, and flicked her attention back and forth between the men and the fiend. She said to them, "How about some help here?!"

The people jabbered back and forth for a moment, seemingly unsure of what to do. Another figure pushed the males aside. It was a blonde girl, about Yuna's own age, clothed in a peach body suit, complete with goggles. She came to stand beside Yuna, and made a mocking gesture towards the creature. Yuna sighed with relief, "Finally."

The creature emitted a high pitched shriek, and charged them in a rage. The girl withdrew something from her pockets, and threw it towards the fiend. A detonation, and a flash of light filled the room, and Yuna averted her gaze. After a moment, she turned her attention to the creature once again, and beheld it's carcass, now a smoking ruin.

Yuna fell to her knees before the girl and said, "Thank you! Thank you!"

The girl gazed at her expressionlessly for a moment, before finally nodding in acknowledgement. She walked back to her companions and suddenly an argument began. They were still talking in the strange language, and Yuna didn't understand a thing about what was being said. One of them men came up to her and grabbed Yuna brazenly by the hair. She pushed him away roughly, "Hey! Get the hell off me!"

The girl in the peach bodysuit stepped between them, and said a few words in the strange tongue, which seemed to mollify the man. The girl then faced Yuna once again, and stepped close to her. Yuna wasn't sure to trust her or not, but this girl was the closest thing she had to a friend here.

Leaning in close, the girl whispered, "Cunno." A sudden blow to the head sent Yuna reeling to the ground, and then all went black.