The Ace and The Lion Chapter 9: The beginning....
DISCLAIMER: All names and characters associated with Final Fantasy VIII and X belong to SquareSoft.
The others stood there in shock at what they had just witnessed. Tidus seemed to have easily shook up Sudit, where the others had failed. "Wow.... That was awesome!" Zell exclaimed as he slapped Tidus on the back. Tidus stumbled forward a bit, still dazed from the whole incident. "Yeah that was real cool!" Irvine chipped in, as he tipped his hat to him. Tidus rubbed the back of his head. "Uh...yeah, thanks guys...." He trailed off. "We actually have something that we can use against him, maybe things are lookin up, ya?" Wakka said. Squall shrugged. "Maybe, but you're on your own, you know." He said bluntly. Tidus nodded. "Yeah, you guys won't be able to do too much to him. I guess it's up to me." He confirmed. "We'll still come with you, we can at least protect you and get you there!" She exclaimed. Tidus nodded. "Yeah, if we can keep the pressure on him, then he's sure to give in eventually. We can find out what went wrong with him, and maybe we can get him back." He said optimistically. Everyone looked around at each other, not knowing if that's what they actually wanted. If only Tidus knew, he would think differently, Rinoa thought to herself. "Well, I'm pretty drained from that one, I'm gonna need a nap big time." Tidus streteched and yawned as he walked off towards the airship. Everyone stood and watched him go. When he noticed and turned around to look at them, they all started walking. He shook his head and walked off.
***
"I can't believe this!" Sudit roared in anger as he threw some of his stuff around in his hideout. "Damn him! Why didn't I just finish off the rest of them?" He asked himself furiously. "He wouldn't have any will left to fight!" He paced back and forth furiously. "I need to go take the rest of the Aeons....but how will I do that without making him stronger?" He pondered. "Unless there's a delay between when I get stronger and he does....Wait a second." He had a great thought and left immediately.
***
The Airship remained parked in the Calm Lands, as they were all worried that Sudit would come back soon, looking to get the rest of the Aeons. Tidus was laying on his bed relaxing after the toll the battle had on him. Rikku laid beside him, both just looking at the ceiling for no particular reason. "Rikku?" He said softly, breaking the silence. She turned and looked at him. "Yeah?" She replied. "I need you to promise me that you and the others will stay away from him if he comes here. You'll only get yourselves hurt." He said seriously. Rikku shook her head in disagreement. "No, I'm not gonna promise you that, we'll find some way to help you, maybe we can distract him or something!" She protested. Tidus sighed and touched her arm lightly. "Listen, I know you want to help me, and I know you're concerned, but there's no sense in risking the rest of you guys too. I want you to have some kind of other plan too, in case I don't make it." He said grimly. Rikku looked at him in worry. "Why wouldn't you make it?" She asked with fear in her eyes. He looked at her deeply before he answered. "Because I'm afraid that he's going to get too strong for me to handle before I take it too. I don't think he'll fall for the same tricks twice." He said. He quickly sat up. "I need to go practice. I'll be out in the Calm Lands." He said as he bent over to kiss her on the forehead. "If anything happens, I'll yell." He said as he walked out. "I love you!" She called out. Tidus stopped and sighed. "I love you too!" He called back.
***
Squall was standing out on the deck, watching the Chocobo lady leading some kids around the Calm Lands on Chocobos, probably teaching them how to ride. "So, I guess the great commander never stops thinking, does he?" A female voice said from behind him. Squall turned around and saw Quistis there. "Yeah, you could say that." He muttered. She smiled briefly and walked up beside him. At this same time, Tidus was walking out of the ship, towards the Monster Arena. "You're trying to think of a way to help him out aren't you?" She asked, seemingly reading his mind. He nodded. "Yeah, am I that easy to read?" He asked honestly. She smiled and nodded. "I can see why Rinoa has you wrapped around her finger." Squall rolled his eyes. "Whatever." He responded in his usual fashion. "Seriously though, I feel bad that he has to face that....thing all by himself. It's not fair, we're all capable fighters here too, we should be able to help him." He with a frustrated tone. She nodded. "Yeah, but maybe we're just missing something that he's got." She stated. Squall raised an eyebrow at her. "What's that?" He asked. "Natural talents for the unusual things, not like using swords and magic." She said. "You mean like supernatural sort of?" He asked. She just nodded again. "But we're from the same world as he is, how is that possible?" He wondered. "Maybe it has something to do with your Uncle Jecht, I heard he was a gifted man too." She said. Squall snorted. "Yeah a gifted drunk." He said sarcastically. "He's pretty well liked around here, you know." She said. He shrugged. "Whatever." He said again. "Maybe you're right though. I guess we're going to have to just let things happen as they happen..." He trailed off, "...and hope for the best." She finished.
***
Tidus took another swing at the Chimerageist, lobbing off one of it's heads. He imagined that each head was a sneering Sudit, looking to bite him and kill him at any moment. Not only did this make him angry, it seemed to get his adrenaline pumping faster, at the sight of his hated rival's face. The Chimerageist lunged out at him, trying to bite him, but Tidus did a blackflip and got away from it. He landed and charged forward at it, slashing that head off too, leaving only two. He then decided to finish it off and did his famous Slice and Dice maneuver, and with a blinding burst of speed, he lobbed off the last two heads, and the Chimeragiest crumpled to the ground. Tidus stood there breathing heavily from the workout. The Monster Arena owner was watching him all along, and was actually clapping his hands. "That was quite a show kiddo. I should start chargin for people to see you fight!" He exclaimed. Tidus grinned wearily. "Maybe....once this whole Sudit business is over." He added. The owner just smiled. "Good luck kiddo, it's all in your hands." He said encouragingly. Tidus nodded and waved as he left. All in my hands, he thought. Isn't that just wonderful.
***
"Whoa....so much power....and it's all mine." Sudit said awestruck as he studied his hands, feeling the power surging through them. "Spira will be mine and the cycle of death will continue as it should!" He said gleefullly. "Time to send Tidus to hell, and take his place as the greatest warrior ever!" He laughed as he flew out of the Cavern of Stolen Fayth. He soared overhead, and noticed Tidus walking across the valley to the airship. This was his big chance, and he decided that he would take it. He hovered and concentrated his energies on his hands. His whole body glowed a blood red, and he screamed in rage as the powers surged through his body. He then plummeted towards Tidus on the ground.
***
"Damnit, maybe I shoulda taken it easier." Tidus said tiredly as he walked across the plains towards the ship. "Never know when Sudit is gonna strike." He said. ---Why do we always have to fight?----- a voice echoed in his head. Tidus stopped and thought for a moment. Where have I heard that voice before? He asked himself. He looked up to shake his head, but noticed a bright red ball coming right at him. His mouth gaped open and he dove to the side, just in time as the ball of energy went right through the ground, leaving a smoking crater in its place. He slowly got up, pulled out the Caladbolg and moved towards the hole. When he peered over to look in, Sudit leapt out and tackeld him to the ground, sending the sword flying. "Hello, Tidus. Have you noticed my new powers yet?" He asked politely. "They're really quite something aren't they? Too bad you won't live long enough to enjoy the same ones." He added, almost remorsefully. "Shut up, I'll never let you take over this world, even if it means my death." Tidus said, determined. Sudit smiled at this. "Oh, don't get me wrong, there never really was a question of whether you'd die or not." He explained as he picked Tidus up. He held him over his head and laughed. "Time to say goodbye, Tidus!" He yelled as he turned to face the cliffside. However, just as he went to throw Tidus, he wriggled out of his grip and landed behind Sudit on his feet. He put his foot on Sudit's back and shoved him into the crater. He yelled and fell back into the crater. Tidus knew that he only had a chance if he could wait long enough for the powers to kick in, although he didn't know how long that would take. He bolted towards the Airship, waving his arms frantically.
***
"Oh no, I saw Sudit over there. We better get outta here!" Squall said quickly as he ran onto the bridge, with Quistis right behind. "Get the ship going, we gotta get outta here!" He called out as he made it there. The operators quickly scrambled to their positions, getting everything going. "I gotta go out there and stall him for Tidus!" Rikku said as she headed for the way out. Squall shook his head and grabbed her arm. "You can't it's too dangerous!" He protested. She shook off arm and took off. "I'll go with her." Zell said quickly, as he turned to chase her. Irvine nodded. "I'll help them, it's probably better to take him on from afar." He added. Squall put a hand over his forehead, as he knew that it was very risky for them to go out. Rinoa suddenly came onto the bridge. "What's going on? Why are we leaving?" She said with a hint of worry. "We spotted Sudit, it looks like he's stronger. We're getting ready for when Tidus comes." He said quickly. She looked at him in shock. "And we're just gonna stand here and wait while he's in danger out there?" She asked surprised. He shrugged. "I don't really think we can afford to risk that many lives out there." He said. She rolled her eyes at him, obviously angry with him. "Cut out the commander stuff, we gotta go out there. I'm going anyway." She said as she went back out the door. Squall put out a hand to stop her, but lowered it and conceded defeat as Qustis walked out the door too. Squall sighed and followed them.
Author's Note: Big battle coming up, get ready!
DISCLAIMER: All names and characters associated with Final Fantasy VIII and X belong to SquareSoft.
The others stood there in shock at what they had just witnessed. Tidus seemed to have easily shook up Sudit, where the others had failed. "Wow.... That was awesome!" Zell exclaimed as he slapped Tidus on the back. Tidus stumbled forward a bit, still dazed from the whole incident. "Yeah that was real cool!" Irvine chipped in, as he tipped his hat to him. Tidus rubbed the back of his head. "Uh...yeah, thanks guys...." He trailed off. "We actually have something that we can use against him, maybe things are lookin up, ya?" Wakka said. Squall shrugged. "Maybe, but you're on your own, you know." He said bluntly. Tidus nodded. "Yeah, you guys won't be able to do too much to him. I guess it's up to me." He confirmed. "We'll still come with you, we can at least protect you and get you there!" She exclaimed. Tidus nodded. "Yeah, if we can keep the pressure on him, then he's sure to give in eventually. We can find out what went wrong with him, and maybe we can get him back." He said optimistically. Everyone looked around at each other, not knowing if that's what they actually wanted. If only Tidus knew, he would think differently, Rinoa thought to herself. "Well, I'm pretty drained from that one, I'm gonna need a nap big time." Tidus streteched and yawned as he walked off towards the airship. Everyone stood and watched him go. When he noticed and turned around to look at them, they all started walking. He shook his head and walked off.
***
"I can't believe this!" Sudit roared in anger as he threw some of his stuff around in his hideout. "Damn him! Why didn't I just finish off the rest of them?" He asked himself furiously. "He wouldn't have any will left to fight!" He paced back and forth furiously. "I need to go take the rest of the Aeons....but how will I do that without making him stronger?" He pondered. "Unless there's a delay between when I get stronger and he does....Wait a second." He had a great thought and left immediately.
***
The Airship remained parked in the Calm Lands, as they were all worried that Sudit would come back soon, looking to get the rest of the Aeons. Tidus was laying on his bed relaxing after the toll the battle had on him. Rikku laid beside him, both just looking at the ceiling for no particular reason. "Rikku?" He said softly, breaking the silence. She turned and looked at him. "Yeah?" She replied. "I need you to promise me that you and the others will stay away from him if he comes here. You'll only get yourselves hurt." He said seriously. Rikku shook her head in disagreement. "No, I'm not gonna promise you that, we'll find some way to help you, maybe we can distract him or something!" She protested. Tidus sighed and touched her arm lightly. "Listen, I know you want to help me, and I know you're concerned, but there's no sense in risking the rest of you guys too. I want you to have some kind of other plan too, in case I don't make it." He said grimly. Rikku looked at him in worry. "Why wouldn't you make it?" She asked with fear in her eyes. He looked at her deeply before he answered. "Because I'm afraid that he's going to get too strong for me to handle before I take it too. I don't think he'll fall for the same tricks twice." He said. He quickly sat up. "I need to go practice. I'll be out in the Calm Lands." He said as he bent over to kiss her on the forehead. "If anything happens, I'll yell." He said as he walked out. "I love you!" She called out. Tidus stopped and sighed. "I love you too!" He called back.
***
Squall was standing out on the deck, watching the Chocobo lady leading some kids around the Calm Lands on Chocobos, probably teaching them how to ride. "So, I guess the great commander never stops thinking, does he?" A female voice said from behind him. Squall turned around and saw Quistis there. "Yeah, you could say that." He muttered. She smiled briefly and walked up beside him. At this same time, Tidus was walking out of the ship, towards the Monster Arena. "You're trying to think of a way to help him out aren't you?" She asked, seemingly reading his mind. He nodded. "Yeah, am I that easy to read?" He asked honestly. She smiled and nodded. "I can see why Rinoa has you wrapped around her finger." Squall rolled his eyes. "Whatever." He responded in his usual fashion. "Seriously though, I feel bad that he has to face that....thing all by himself. It's not fair, we're all capable fighters here too, we should be able to help him." He with a frustrated tone. She nodded. "Yeah, but maybe we're just missing something that he's got." She stated. Squall raised an eyebrow at her. "What's that?" He asked. "Natural talents for the unusual things, not like using swords and magic." She said. "You mean like supernatural sort of?" He asked. She just nodded again. "But we're from the same world as he is, how is that possible?" He wondered. "Maybe it has something to do with your Uncle Jecht, I heard he was a gifted man too." She said. Squall snorted. "Yeah a gifted drunk." He said sarcastically. "He's pretty well liked around here, you know." She said. He shrugged. "Whatever." He said again. "Maybe you're right though. I guess we're going to have to just let things happen as they happen..." He trailed off, "...and hope for the best." She finished.
***
Tidus took another swing at the Chimerageist, lobbing off one of it's heads. He imagined that each head was a sneering Sudit, looking to bite him and kill him at any moment. Not only did this make him angry, it seemed to get his adrenaline pumping faster, at the sight of his hated rival's face. The Chimerageist lunged out at him, trying to bite him, but Tidus did a blackflip and got away from it. He landed and charged forward at it, slashing that head off too, leaving only two. He then decided to finish it off and did his famous Slice and Dice maneuver, and with a blinding burst of speed, he lobbed off the last two heads, and the Chimeragiest crumpled to the ground. Tidus stood there breathing heavily from the workout. The Monster Arena owner was watching him all along, and was actually clapping his hands. "That was quite a show kiddo. I should start chargin for people to see you fight!" He exclaimed. Tidus grinned wearily. "Maybe....once this whole Sudit business is over." He added. The owner just smiled. "Good luck kiddo, it's all in your hands." He said encouragingly. Tidus nodded and waved as he left. All in my hands, he thought. Isn't that just wonderful.
***
"Whoa....so much power....and it's all mine." Sudit said awestruck as he studied his hands, feeling the power surging through them. "Spira will be mine and the cycle of death will continue as it should!" He said gleefullly. "Time to send Tidus to hell, and take his place as the greatest warrior ever!" He laughed as he flew out of the Cavern of Stolen Fayth. He soared overhead, and noticed Tidus walking across the valley to the airship. This was his big chance, and he decided that he would take it. He hovered and concentrated his energies on his hands. His whole body glowed a blood red, and he screamed in rage as the powers surged through his body. He then plummeted towards Tidus on the ground.
***
"Damnit, maybe I shoulda taken it easier." Tidus said tiredly as he walked across the plains towards the ship. "Never know when Sudit is gonna strike." He said. ---Why do we always have to fight?----- a voice echoed in his head. Tidus stopped and thought for a moment. Where have I heard that voice before? He asked himself. He looked up to shake his head, but noticed a bright red ball coming right at him. His mouth gaped open and he dove to the side, just in time as the ball of energy went right through the ground, leaving a smoking crater in its place. He slowly got up, pulled out the Caladbolg and moved towards the hole. When he peered over to look in, Sudit leapt out and tackeld him to the ground, sending the sword flying. "Hello, Tidus. Have you noticed my new powers yet?" He asked politely. "They're really quite something aren't they? Too bad you won't live long enough to enjoy the same ones." He added, almost remorsefully. "Shut up, I'll never let you take over this world, even if it means my death." Tidus said, determined. Sudit smiled at this. "Oh, don't get me wrong, there never really was a question of whether you'd die or not." He explained as he picked Tidus up. He held him over his head and laughed. "Time to say goodbye, Tidus!" He yelled as he turned to face the cliffside. However, just as he went to throw Tidus, he wriggled out of his grip and landed behind Sudit on his feet. He put his foot on Sudit's back and shoved him into the crater. He yelled and fell back into the crater. Tidus knew that he only had a chance if he could wait long enough for the powers to kick in, although he didn't know how long that would take. He bolted towards the Airship, waving his arms frantically.
***
"Oh no, I saw Sudit over there. We better get outta here!" Squall said quickly as he ran onto the bridge, with Quistis right behind. "Get the ship going, we gotta get outta here!" He called out as he made it there. The operators quickly scrambled to their positions, getting everything going. "I gotta go out there and stall him for Tidus!" Rikku said as she headed for the way out. Squall shook his head and grabbed her arm. "You can't it's too dangerous!" He protested. She shook off arm and took off. "I'll go with her." Zell said quickly, as he turned to chase her. Irvine nodded. "I'll help them, it's probably better to take him on from afar." He added. Squall put a hand over his forehead, as he knew that it was very risky for them to go out. Rinoa suddenly came onto the bridge. "What's going on? Why are we leaving?" She said with a hint of worry. "We spotted Sudit, it looks like he's stronger. We're getting ready for when Tidus comes." He said quickly. She looked at him in shock. "And we're just gonna stand here and wait while he's in danger out there?" She asked surprised. He shrugged. "I don't really think we can afford to risk that many lives out there." He said. She rolled her eyes at him, obviously angry with him. "Cut out the commander stuff, we gotta go out there. I'm going anyway." She said as she went back out the door. Squall put out a hand to stop her, but lowered it and conceded defeat as Qustis walked out the door too. Squall sighed and followed them.
Author's Note: Big battle coming up, get ready!