The Ace and the Lion-Chapter 5: The Plan
Well, it's been a couple days, so it's about time for another chapter, so thanks to those of you who reviewed, you really make my day :).
DISCLAIMER:All names and characters associated with Final Fantasy X and Final Fantasy VIII belong to SquareSoft.
"You sure you're not coming you guys? We could really use your help." Yuna pleaded. Wakka shook his head slightly. "Sorry Yuna, me an Lu gotta stay home and take care of the baby, we don't wanna leave her here." He explained. Yuna nodded. "Ok, I understand. Well, I guess we'll see you when we come back." She finished. Wakka smiled. "Good luck!" H waved to her as she went to join the rest of the group. She waved back and ran over to her friends. "Ready?" Tidus asked her. She nodded, but then frowned slightly. "Where's Rikku?" She asked, looking around. "Right here!" A voice called from behind her. Yuna turned and smiled as her cousin waved at her. She ran over and stood in front of all of them. "Well? Let's go!" She chirped eagerly. Tidus motioned with his hand. "Right! Let's go!" He called out too. Squall motioned for the two blondes to calm down, and he started talking. "I think maybe we should sorta figure out what we're going to do about this Sudit guy, and for that to happen, I think that maybe it's time you explained to us who he is, Tidus." Squall said with a piercing look in his eyes. A look of shame and anger crept over Tidus' face at the mention of that name. He opened his mouth to protest, but closed it again and sighed. "Alright, fine, but I'll do it in the airship because I don't want anybody else to hear this." He agreed. Squall nodded silently and turned to the rest of them. "Fair enough. Now I think we can go." They all turned to walk onto the ship, with Rikku and Tidus coming last. "Rikku." Tidus said softly. Rikku stopped walking and turned to face him. "Yeah?" Tidus slowly walked up to her and looked seriously into her eyes. "I just wanted to say that I'm really sorry for all the pain and suffering that Sudit's caused you, and I wish that I had nothing to do with that. I feel horrible about all of this." He said sincerely. Rikku shook her head. "Don't be, it's not your fault. He came from you, that's about it. He's his own person, and we gotta stop him somehow, before he hurts anybody else." She comforted him. "Yeah, ok. I'm just glad to see you back to yourself, me and Yuna have been really worried about you." He said as he looked at her for any signs of weakness or depression. She didn't show any and simply nodded grimly. "It's been tough, but I'll make it. We Al Bhed are used to facing challenges like this, I'll just take it as another one." She said confidently. "Good." Tidus said with a smile. "Now let's get going." He said as he patted her on the shoulder when he walked by.
***
"Ok Tidus, I think you've kept this whole thing secret long enough, it's time to tell us." Squall said impatiently. Tidus sighed. "Alright, fine. Yuna, Rikku if I forget anything let me know ok?" He asked as he looked at both of them. They both nodded, with Rikku looking at the floor. Tidus took a deep breath and began his story. He told them all about his trip back to Spira from the Farplane, how he fell in love with Rikku, fighting with Wakka, and finally the split. When he was done, he looked expectantly at Squall, who sat and rubbed his chin in thought. "Well?" Tidus finally asked. "What do you think?" Squall sat silent for another moment and finally spoke. "That's an interesting story, and I think there may be a way to weaken him through you." He explained. Everyone started talking around the table. Squall got up and stood beside Tidus. "Ok, this is what I have in mind. Think about it, since they're basically the exact opposites of each other, they will like and dislike opposite things. So all we have to do is find out what Tidus dislikes and it should be the opposite for Sudit. Therefore, we give him things that Tidus likes." He finally stated. Everyone looked at him blankly. "That's crazy!" Zell yelled. "You're gonna make him stronger and then he's gonna kick our asses all the way back to Balamb!" He exclaimed. Quistis nodded. "He's right Squall, what'll happen if it makes him stronger?" Squall just shrugged at his friends coments. "What else do we have to go on?" He asked simply. It was then silent in the room as everyone thought about that. "Wait." Rikku said softly. Everyone turned towards her. "I know what to do." She said grimly. "Rikku, you're not going to...." Yuna started. Rikku just shook her head slowly. "No way Rikku! You can't go back there he'll kill you this time!" Tidus shouted. This time she shrugged, although she knew he was right. "It doesn't matter, as long as I can weaken him. Besides, he might not. Who knows? Maybe I'll be able to get through to him and stop him myself." She said optimistically. "So...what exactly are you guys talking about?" Squall said with a confused look on his face. Irvine started laughing and slapped Squall on the back. "Oh, come on man, don't tell me you don't know?" He asked rhetorically. Squall shook his head slowly. "No, as a matter of fact I don't, but it'd be great if someone told me." Rinoa walked over and whispered in his ear. When she was done Squall's jaw dropped. "No....are you serious?" He turned to Rikku. She nodded. "It might just work though." She said. "Besides, maybe it won't get that far." She said with a grin. "Ok guys, we gottta plan this then, let's get to it!" Tidus said loudly.
***
2 days later, they had their plan and were in the process of finding Sudit. Tidus, Yuna, Rinoa and Selphie were all sitting in the lounge room of the airship, discussing what was happening. "I can't believe she'd do that with that guy, that's like, super gross." Selphie said as she made a face. Irvine just happened to walk by at that moment. "You should practice, you know, in case Rikku gets sick or something." He said with a sly grin. Selphie stuck her toungue out at him. "Irvine! Grow up!" She yelled at him as he went down the hall snickering. She rolled her eyes as everyone else laughed. "I can't believe that horny cowboy, like seriously." She said with disgust. "Come on now, we all know you like it." Rinoa said with a grin. Selphie just put her hands up. "Whatever." She looked at Tidus. "What's the matter Tidus, you not feeling too good?" She said with concern. Tidus shook his head. "I'm just worried...she's my best friend, and I don't want anything to happen to her, you know? I know that it's as safe as we could make it but still....." He trailed off. Yuna put her hand on his leg. "Don't worry so much, she's a big girl now, she can take care of herself, trust her." She said soothingly. Tidus looked up at her. "It's not that I don't trust her, it's just that I worry. I can't help it, but I've never really been like this, it's really weird for me." He explained. Now Yuna was starting to worry. If Tidus is already worrying then something must be wrong, Yuna thought to herself. "Don't worry Tidus, we'll all be there, if something goes wrong then we'll get her outta there." Rinoa said calmly. Tidus nodded. "Yeah I guess you guys are right. I think maybe I'm gonna go see how she's doing, I'll catch you guys later." He said as he kissed Yuna when he got up. He walked out of the lounge heading towards the deck. "Wow, you are sooo lucky Yuna, he's so cute and he's such a gentleman, not like stupid Irvine." She said half grumpily. Yuna just laughed, but secretly, she began to worry. "Yeah, he's the best thing to ever happen to me. I never would've made it through on my journey if he wasn't with me." She said. He's really been spending lots of time with Rikku lately....I wonder if....no, they're best friends, they wouldn't be doing anything behind my back....would they? "Yuna? you ok?" Rinoa asked. "You look kinda spaced out." She stated. Yuna shook her head and put on a smile. "Oh, uh, yeah I'm just a little tired that's all. I think I'm gonna go for a nap." She said quickly. She got up and hurried out of the room, leaving Selphie and Rinoa wondering what was with everyone lately.
***
Tidus walked up onto the deck, and sure enough he found Rikku up there. She sat there, looking at the clouds fly by, with her arms wrapped around her knees. "Kinda cold up here, isn't it?" Tidus said as he sat down beside her. She nodded, but didn't say anything. "Are you sure that you still want to go through with this? I mean, it's not really a good thing for you...." She turned to him, and the look on her face stopped hm. It was a look of hard, set Al Bhed determination. "I have to try, if I can get him back, so much the better." She said. Tidus sighed. "I guess there is no stopping you, is there?" He said with a sigh. She shook her head. "No, Tidus. Don't worry about me, I can handle myself." She said irritatedly. Tidus raised his eyebrows a bit. "Wow....jeez I'm sorry....I didn't mean to make you mad. Maybe I should just go...." He trailed off. She shook her head. "No, it's ok. I just wish you would worry a little less." She said. At this point, Yuna had come up onto the deck and was peeking around the corner. So far so good, she thought to herself as she watched. Rikku turned to Tidus, noticing that he had wrapped his arms around himself tightly to try and keep warm. She laughed at him and wrapped her arms around him. "You don't really like the cold do you?" She asked with a laugh. He had to laugh too, and he felt a little warmer from her embrace. "Yeah, I guess I'm not made for this stuff. Zanarkand was always warm, and so was the Farplane." He explained. Oh no, they're hugging now! What's next? Yuna thought to herself. She had seen enough, but just as she turned around she tripped on a water puddle that she hadn't seen before. She hit the deck with a thud and landed on her back. Tidus and Rikku quickly looked behind them and found Yuna laying in a heap on the deck. "Yuna, what're you doing?" Tidus asked. "I've been watching this whole time, what was next, a kiss too?" She asked sarcastically. "I was cold, we were just kidding around, relax." He said as he tried to calm her. "No, why don't you relax?" A voice called from behind. They all turned around and saw Sudit, standing on the deck with a dagger in his hands. "I see you've been looking for me." He said with a grin. "What the hell do you want now?" Tidus asked with a snarl. Sudit laughed at this show of anger and put his hands up innocently. "I didn't even ask yet, relax." He said the last word as he tried to imitate Tidus. Tidus pulled out his sword and his face started turning red. "Are you gonna just stand there and lip me off or are you gonna fight?" He growled. Sudit shook his head. "Oh.....sorry I'd love to but you see I'm a litle busy, but I thought I'd just come and pick up my package." He said sarcastically. "What are you talking about?" Yuna asked as she pulled her guns out. "Why....you of course!" Sudit said as he suddenly threw a dagger at her. Tidus reached out for it and almost caught it, but missed and the dagger hit Yuna in the chest. Amazingly, it didn't cause her to bleed, but instead paralyzed her. "What....What is this? Hey! Put me down! Stop it! Help you guys!" She started screaming and tried to thrash around but couldn't. Suddenly, Squall and Zell came out. "Oh no, he's got Yuna!" Zell yelled. Tidus ran and grabbed Yuna's legs, trying to pull her back down as she started floating in the air. "Sorry Rikku, you just didn't cut it for me." He said simply as he pulled Yuna towards himself. "You will do nicely though." He said to Yuna, who was now scared out of her mind. "Bye for now Tidus, I'll return Yuna when I'm done, don't worry." He said with a laugh as he disappeared. Tidus threw his sword right into the deck in anger and stormed back inside, as everyone watched him scream in agony, pounding his fists on the ground. "That BASTARD!! HOW could he DO this?" He screamed. "I swear I'm gonna kill him! Now it's personal, that's it!" He continued. Everyone just stood in shock and just watched him unleash his rage on the floor.
Author's Note: Well that's that. Lot's of questions I suppose. What is Rikku's plan? What exaclty is Sudit going to do to Yuna? Don't worry folks, all will be revealed next chapter. Until then, you're just gonna have to guess :)
Well, it's been a couple days, so it's about time for another chapter, so thanks to those of you who reviewed, you really make my day :).
DISCLAIMER:All names and characters associated with Final Fantasy X and Final Fantasy VIII belong to SquareSoft.
"You sure you're not coming you guys? We could really use your help." Yuna pleaded. Wakka shook his head slightly. "Sorry Yuna, me an Lu gotta stay home and take care of the baby, we don't wanna leave her here." He explained. Yuna nodded. "Ok, I understand. Well, I guess we'll see you when we come back." She finished. Wakka smiled. "Good luck!" H waved to her as she went to join the rest of the group. She waved back and ran over to her friends. "Ready?" Tidus asked her. She nodded, but then frowned slightly. "Where's Rikku?" She asked, looking around. "Right here!" A voice called from behind her. Yuna turned and smiled as her cousin waved at her. She ran over and stood in front of all of them. "Well? Let's go!" She chirped eagerly. Tidus motioned with his hand. "Right! Let's go!" He called out too. Squall motioned for the two blondes to calm down, and he started talking. "I think maybe we should sorta figure out what we're going to do about this Sudit guy, and for that to happen, I think that maybe it's time you explained to us who he is, Tidus." Squall said with a piercing look in his eyes. A look of shame and anger crept over Tidus' face at the mention of that name. He opened his mouth to protest, but closed it again and sighed. "Alright, fine, but I'll do it in the airship because I don't want anybody else to hear this." He agreed. Squall nodded silently and turned to the rest of them. "Fair enough. Now I think we can go." They all turned to walk onto the ship, with Rikku and Tidus coming last. "Rikku." Tidus said softly. Rikku stopped walking and turned to face him. "Yeah?" Tidus slowly walked up to her and looked seriously into her eyes. "I just wanted to say that I'm really sorry for all the pain and suffering that Sudit's caused you, and I wish that I had nothing to do with that. I feel horrible about all of this." He said sincerely. Rikku shook her head. "Don't be, it's not your fault. He came from you, that's about it. He's his own person, and we gotta stop him somehow, before he hurts anybody else." She comforted him. "Yeah, ok. I'm just glad to see you back to yourself, me and Yuna have been really worried about you." He said as he looked at her for any signs of weakness or depression. She didn't show any and simply nodded grimly. "It's been tough, but I'll make it. We Al Bhed are used to facing challenges like this, I'll just take it as another one." She said confidently. "Good." Tidus said with a smile. "Now let's get going." He said as he patted her on the shoulder when he walked by.
***
"Ok Tidus, I think you've kept this whole thing secret long enough, it's time to tell us." Squall said impatiently. Tidus sighed. "Alright, fine. Yuna, Rikku if I forget anything let me know ok?" He asked as he looked at both of them. They both nodded, with Rikku looking at the floor. Tidus took a deep breath and began his story. He told them all about his trip back to Spira from the Farplane, how he fell in love with Rikku, fighting with Wakka, and finally the split. When he was done, he looked expectantly at Squall, who sat and rubbed his chin in thought. "Well?" Tidus finally asked. "What do you think?" Squall sat silent for another moment and finally spoke. "That's an interesting story, and I think there may be a way to weaken him through you." He explained. Everyone started talking around the table. Squall got up and stood beside Tidus. "Ok, this is what I have in mind. Think about it, since they're basically the exact opposites of each other, they will like and dislike opposite things. So all we have to do is find out what Tidus dislikes and it should be the opposite for Sudit. Therefore, we give him things that Tidus likes." He finally stated. Everyone looked at him blankly. "That's crazy!" Zell yelled. "You're gonna make him stronger and then he's gonna kick our asses all the way back to Balamb!" He exclaimed. Quistis nodded. "He's right Squall, what'll happen if it makes him stronger?" Squall just shrugged at his friends coments. "What else do we have to go on?" He asked simply. It was then silent in the room as everyone thought about that. "Wait." Rikku said softly. Everyone turned towards her. "I know what to do." She said grimly. "Rikku, you're not going to...." Yuna started. Rikku just shook her head slowly. "No way Rikku! You can't go back there he'll kill you this time!" Tidus shouted. This time she shrugged, although she knew he was right. "It doesn't matter, as long as I can weaken him. Besides, he might not. Who knows? Maybe I'll be able to get through to him and stop him myself." She said optimistically. "So...what exactly are you guys talking about?" Squall said with a confused look on his face. Irvine started laughing and slapped Squall on the back. "Oh, come on man, don't tell me you don't know?" He asked rhetorically. Squall shook his head slowly. "No, as a matter of fact I don't, but it'd be great if someone told me." Rinoa walked over and whispered in his ear. When she was done Squall's jaw dropped. "No....are you serious?" He turned to Rikku. She nodded. "It might just work though." She said. "Besides, maybe it won't get that far." She said with a grin. "Ok guys, we gottta plan this then, let's get to it!" Tidus said loudly.
***
2 days later, they had their plan and were in the process of finding Sudit. Tidus, Yuna, Rinoa and Selphie were all sitting in the lounge room of the airship, discussing what was happening. "I can't believe she'd do that with that guy, that's like, super gross." Selphie said as she made a face. Irvine just happened to walk by at that moment. "You should practice, you know, in case Rikku gets sick or something." He said with a sly grin. Selphie stuck her toungue out at him. "Irvine! Grow up!" She yelled at him as he went down the hall snickering. She rolled her eyes as everyone else laughed. "I can't believe that horny cowboy, like seriously." She said with disgust. "Come on now, we all know you like it." Rinoa said with a grin. Selphie just put her hands up. "Whatever." She looked at Tidus. "What's the matter Tidus, you not feeling too good?" She said with concern. Tidus shook his head. "I'm just worried...she's my best friend, and I don't want anything to happen to her, you know? I know that it's as safe as we could make it but still....." He trailed off. Yuna put her hand on his leg. "Don't worry so much, she's a big girl now, she can take care of herself, trust her." She said soothingly. Tidus looked up at her. "It's not that I don't trust her, it's just that I worry. I can't help it, but I've never really been like this, it's really weird for me." He explained. Now Yuna was starting to worry. If Tidus is already worrying then something must be wrong, Yuna thought to herself. "Don't worry Tidus, we'll all be there, if something goes wrong then we'll get her outta there." Rinoa said calmly. Tidus nodded. "Yeah I guess you guys are right. I think maybe I'm gonna go see how she's doing, I'll catch you guys later." He said as he kissed Yuna when he got up. He walked out of the lounge heading towards the deck. "Wow, you are sooo lucky Yuna, he's so cute and he's such a gentleman, not like stupid Irvine." She said half grumpily. Yuna just laughed, but secretly, she began to worry. "Yeah, he's the best thing to ever happen to me. I never would've made it through on my journey if he wasn't with me." She said. He's really been spending lots of time with Rikku lately....I wonder if....no, they're best friends, they wouldn't be doing anything behind my back....would they? "Yuna? you ok?" Rinoa asked. "You look kinda spaced out." She stated. Yuna shook her head and put on a smile. "Oh, uh, yeah I'm just a little tired that's all. I think I'm gonna go for a nap." She said quickly. She got up and hurried out of the room, leaving Selphie and Rinoa wondering what was with everyone lately.
***
Tidus walked up onto the deck, and sure enough he found Rikku up there. She sat there, looking at the clouds fly by, with her arms wrapped around her knees. "Kinda cold up here, isn't it?" Tidus said as he sat down beside her. She nodded, but didn't say anything. "Are you sure that you still want to go through with this? I mean, it's not really a good thing for you...." She turned to him, and the look on her face stopped hm. It was a look of hard, set Al Bhed determination. "I have to try, if I can get him back, so much the better." She said. Tidus sighed. "I guess there is no stopping you, is there?" He said with a sigh. She shook her head. "No, Tidus. Don't worry about me, I can handle myself." She said irritatedly. Tidus raised his eyebrows a bit. "Wow....jeez I'm sorry....I didn't mean to make you mad. Maybe I should just go...." He trailed off. She shook her head. "No, it's ok. I just wish you would worry a little less." She said. At this point, Yuna had come up onto the deck and was peeking around the corner. So far so good, she thought to herself as she watched. Rikku turned to Tidus, noticing that he had wrapped his arms around himself tightly to try and keep warm. She laughed at him and wrapped her arms around him. "You don't really like the cold do you?" She asked with a laugh. He had to laugh too, and he felt a little warmer from her embrace. "Yeah, I guess I'm not made for this stuff. Zanarkand was always warm, and so was the Farplane." He explained. Oh no, they're hugging now! What's next? Yuna thought to herself. She had seen enough, but just as she turned around she tripped on a water puddle that she hadn't seen before. She hit the deck with a thud and landed on her back. Tidus and Rikku quickly looked behind them and found Yuna laying in a heap on the deck. "Yuna, what're you doing?" Tidus asked. "I've been watching this whole time, what was next, a kiss too?" She asked sarcastically. "I was cold, we were just kidding around, relax." He said as he tried to calm her. "No, why don't you relax?" A voice called from behind. They all turned around and saw Sudit, standing on the deck with a dagger in his hands. "I see you've been looking for me." He said with a grin. "What the hell do you want now?" Tidus asked with a snarl. Sudit laughed at this show of anger and put his hands up innocently. "I didn't even ask yet, relax." He said the last word as he tried to imitate Tidus. Tidus pulled out his sword and his face started turning red. "Are you gonna just stand there and lip me off or are you gonna fight?" He growled. Sudit shook his head. "Oh.....sorry I'd love to but you see I'm a litle busy, but I thought I'd just come and pick up my package." He said sarcastically. "What are you talking about?" Yuna asked as she pulled her guns out. "Why....you of course!" Sudit said as he suddenly threw a dagger at her. Tidus reached out for it and almost caught it, but missed and the dagger hit Yuna in the chest. Amazingly, it didn't cause her to bleed, but instead paralyzed her. "What....What is this? Hey! Put me down! Stop it! Help you guys!" She started screaming and tried to thrash around but couldn't. Suddenly, Squall and Zell came out. "Oh no, he's got Yuna!" Zell yelled. Tidus ran and grabbed Yuna's legs, trying to pull her back down as she started floating in the air. "Sorry Rikku, you just didn't cut it for me." He said simply as he pulled Yuna towards himself. "You will do nicely though." He said to Yuna, who was now scared out of her mind. "Bye for now Tidus, I'll return Yuna when I'm done, don't worry." He said with a laugh as he disappeared. Tidus threw his sword right into the deck in anger and stormed back inside, as everyone watched him scream in agony, pounding his fists on the ground. "That BASTARD!! HOW could he DO this?" He screamed. "I swear I'm gonna kill him! Now it's personal, that's it!" He continued. Everyone just stood in shock and just watched him unleash his rage on the floor.
Author's Note: Well that's that. Lot's of questions I suppose. What is Rikku's plan? What exaclty is Sudit going to do to Yuna? Don't worry folks, all will be revealed next chapter. Until then, you're just gonna have to guess :)