A/N: Like I said in the previous chapter, I've included the entire scene
that shows when you complete FFX-2 with 100%. I've watched this scene many
times myself, so here is what happens. This is an important event in the
game that I have made a reference to in this chapter, so it's important for
the readers to know what I'm referring to.
** CONTAINS SPOILERS, SO READ ONLY IF YOU HAVE SEEN THIS ALREADY OR IF YOU JUST DON'T CARE. =p **
[FFX-2 PERFECT ENDING DIALOGUE (Follows immediately after the 'GOOD ENDING')]
((The scene shows the Zanarkand Ruins at sunset. Tidus is looking out into the horizon.))
Tidus: ((camera moving up)) "I got a theory. I think the fayth gathered up my thoughts and put 'em together to bring me back. Maybe. Something like that."
((The scene switches to Yuna who is watching the sunset as well. Tidus looks down at his gloved hands))
Tidus: "Or maybe...I'm still a dream."
Yuna: ((looking alarmed)) "Wait! So you'll disappear?"
((A short pause))
Tidus: ((Turns to look at Yuna)) "Cherish me, Yuna. And I'll cherish you. All right? We gotta stay together. That's what we have to do." ((smiles at her hopefully and looks out at the horizon again))
((Yuna runs to him and hugs him from behind. They both smile))
Yuna: "Is that what the fayth told you?"
Tidus: "Nah. But I like it."
((The two laugh happily and Yuna suddenly pushes him into the water below, a lighthearted smile on her face))
Tidus: ((wipes the water away from his face)) "That's not cherishing!"
Yuna: ((smiles)) "You didn't disappear."
((They smile at each other once more. The camera pans away slowly to show Yuna standing up on the hill, her back facing us as she looks out at the Zanarkand Ruins much in the same fashion as Tidus did in the beginning of FFX.))
** END **
** Chapter 13 **
The evening sun tossed gentle beams of light upon the ruins of the city, illuminating the once-lifeless structures. As the old metropolis fully came to view, Yuna found herself walking to the edge of the hill once again, the rocks crunching underneath her boots. She felt strange to stand at that same spot again.
"It's beautiful..." she heard herself whisper, eyes sweeping over the vast horizon, as she took in the breathtaking sight. Yuna felt herself sit down right where she was, not caring about anything else at that moment. Many important events had happened here.
She had stood at this very spot with him that day when Tidus had returned to her. As he confessed about his fear that he could disappear again, her heart had skipped a beat when she heard him speak those words. Yet once again, as he had done so many times in the past, he was able to put a smile upon her face. When he had told her that they needed to stay together, Yuna wanted nothing more than to do just that.
'Cherish me...and I'll cherish you...that's what we have to do...' his words echoed.
"I have cherished you - yet... something's not right..." Yuna whispered to herself.
"Yuna, we can't find Shuyin," Paine's voice suddenly spoke, interrupting her thoughts.
"Rikku's already waiting for me down there, so I'm going to meet her later," Paine continued.
Yuna turned around to face her but said nothing. The former summoner's expression held an empty sadness as she met Paine's ruby orbs.
After the Celsius had landed at Zanarkand, the trio had left Shuyin on the deck in a flurry of deafening silence. He didn't seem to be bothered by it either. If anything, he looked rather amused at their open show of unease towards him. Yuna didn't even know why they had gotten off the ship, since they knew Shuyin had something planned.
Yet she couldn't shake off that small voice that echoed in the back of her mind that seemed like it was pushing her to get off the ship. It was the same voice she had heard several times before, and she couldn't help but feel as if there was something at Zanarkand that could possibly help her.
Then, the idea came to her almost as quickly as her foot had touched the ground of the Zanarkand Ruins. The feelings were so strong that Yuna had to catch herself a bit to keep from falling down. Even more disturbing to her was the sudden sensation of fatigue she felt when seeing Zanarkand again, almost as if there was something within her that triggered these feelings.
She noticed that she had felt a little more tired than before, but Yuna had noticed it a lot during the previous night when she had decided to test him. Now she knew why he couldn't answer her questions. No one else could know those answers except for -him-. He wasn't who he looked like on the outside, and that hurt her the most.
But this was it. Everything she had learned from the fayth and Maechen would come into play here, and the only thing she needed to do now was find Shuyin again.
"Yuna..." Paine began again, putting an end to her inward thoughts. Seating herself next to her friend, Paine continued on. "Be careful, alright? I don't think this plan of yours is a very good idea..."
"I know, but it's the only thing that we can do now," Yuna replied solemnly. She looked out into the sunset once more, the early evening breeze warm on her face. It wasn't usually this warm in the Zanarkand Ruins.
"You're sure you want to do this?" Paine asked again, her voice even. Yuna could tell that the warrior was trying to hide the uneasy tone in her voice.
Yuna turned to face Paine fully this time, her expression firm. "I'm sure."
Silence.
Yuna heard Paine shift a little, her boots crunching the small pebbles on the hill they were both sitting on.
After another moment, Paine began to speak once more. "I'm going down. I'll see you there then."
Yuna smiled gently and watched as the other woman stood up and began to walk away.
"Oh, and Yuna," Paine began, turning to pause. Yuna waited for her to continue. "We'll be waiting, ok?" Paine spoke again.
Yuna couldn't help but smile gently. "Right."
But her smile quickly faded as she watched Paine's retreating back. After the warrior was no longer in sight, Yuna stood as well, dusting herself off from the dirt. Taking a deep breath, she began to walk down the slope carefully, watching herself so she wouldn't slip off.
As soon as her feet touched the flat surface, a swarm of pyreflies began to materialize in front of her. Yuna inwardly froze at the thought that it was Shuyin, but that wasn't possible...was it?
"Wait, but he can't turn into pyreflies when he's inside Tidus' body..." Yuna spoke aloud to herself, still watching the pyreflies take shape, their glow illuminating the now dim night. The sun had disappeared in the horizon, leaving only the still tranquility of darkness.
The glow faded and Yuna gasped in joy when she saw the person who stood before her.
***
"Boys! Hurry up!"
"Yes, boss!" the two replied simultaneously, running down the stairs to the living room where Leblanc stood waiting for them.
"Ugh. I just have to visit them. There was no way I could have stayed cooped up in that room all day!" Leblanc declared, waving her fan in time with her words. Her eyes swept over Logos and Ormi.
"Well? Are we leaving or not?" she pressed on, impatience clearly written across her face.
Logos winced. "But Boss, it's already dark out..." he trailed off.
Noticing Leblanc's sudden removed expression, he paused.
Leblanc stared at him for a moment before turning her back to them. "Hm, you don't say..." she muttered to herself.
"Boss, are you okay?" Ormi spoke up, walking over to her.
"Well, I guess we'll just leave tomorrow then," Leblanc declared, spinning on her heel towards the exit.
"Boss! Where are you going?" Ormi asked, worry clearly present on his face.
Leblanc paused, her hand coming up to rest against the side of her face. "Sorry, boys. I'll be back in a moment. There's something I just felt right now...I-I can't explain it..." she said softly, heading out towards the door, her expression troubled.
The two ran after her, but Leblanc stopped them in their tracks when she suddenly spoke up again.
"Don't follow me."
The door shut with a bang as Ormi and Logos were left standing alone in the foyer.
"What's wrong with her? Is she feeling ok?" Ormi asked, his eyes still fixed upon the heavy door that Leblanc had shut in front of them. "Is she mad 'cause we can't go to Besaid tonight? I didn't know she really wanted to see Yuna and them..."
Logos turned to head up the stairs. "No, that's not it. Did you see her expression? It was clearly because of some other reason... She told us not to follow, but I can't shake off this feeling."
Ormi turned to look at him as well. "You thinkin' we should follow her?"
Logos had already turned back around to head down the stairs. He flung open the door, the empty darkness greeting them.
"Let's go."
***
"Maechen!"
"My, my. What a pleasant welcome this is," the old voice spoke happily, his arms coming up to hug the girl as well. He was startled by Yuna's sudden show of affection towards him.
Finally pulling away, Yuna smiled. "What are you doing here, Maechen?" she asked.
At that moment, Yuna couldn't help but wonder how Maechen was tangible. She should have been able to pass right through him. Wasn't he dead? The old man was only a memory from the pyreflies...right?
"I apologize for leaving you earlier, Lady Yuna. I was starting to lose my energy to remain at the Farplane, that I had to leave for a while. Now that we're in Zanarkand, my energy is much stronger here," Maechen explained slowly. Robes brushing the ground, he made his way over to the side of the dirt path and sat down.
Yuna sat down with him as well. She looked over at Maechen and waited for him to continue.
He took a shaky breath. "This young man you spoke to me about the last time, you have not solved the problem yet, correct?" Maechen asked after some time.
"No...we haven't."
"And I feel that I am partly to blame," Maechen replied quietly. "I have a terrible memory, you see. I could not remember who this Shuyin was. My apologies, Lady Yuna."
Yuna's eyes flew to him in shock. "No, no! None of this was your fault at all," she said quickly. Looking up into the brightly lit sky, she continued on. "If anyone should be to blame, it's me. It's because of me that Shuyin's here," she spoke quietly.
"Oh?" Maechen began curiously. Yuna heard him mumble something to himself. After a while he turned to look at her once more. "Have you realized it yet, Lady Yuna?" he suddenly asked her, the moon shining down on his face.
Yuna stared at him, wondering what he was talking about. "What do you mean?"
"Lady Yuna, you say that you are the reason why this young man Shuyin is back on this plane, but don't you remember what we spoke about the last time we met?"
Yuna looked down, trying to remember what Maechen had told her at the Farplane. Then, the words came flooding back to her. 'Even if you did feel something for Shuyin, perhaps we could assume that they weren't your own feelings?' the old man's voice echoed in her mind. Yuna's eyes slowly widened in realization. Her voice shook.
"Maechen, it's Lenne, isn't it?" Yuna whispered. Even to her own ears, the words troubled her.
The old man suddenly smiled. Yuna felt him grasp her hands gently. His hands warm around her own, she watched as he nodded gently to her, still smiling kindly.
"It's been a while, Lady Lenne," Maechen spoke.
Yuna's eyes widened at his words, and her vision began to grow dim. Almost as if a tidal wave of exhaustion had washed over her, she suddenly felt very tired at that moment.
Maechen's form began to blur, and all she could see was darkness.
***
Leblanc walked in a daze up the path to the Farplane's entrance. The guard stood at the top of the pathway, sleeping while he stood. She marched up to him with determination as he saw her approach.
"Move aside."
"I'm sorry, my lady. But even with the defeat of Vegnagun, the Farplane still remains unstable," the guard replied to her, obviously more than a little intimidated by her presence.
Leblanc snorted. "I don't care. Now move!" she retorted, moving past him.
The guard simply stared after her as Leblanc walked up the path.
***
"Rikku, are you ready?"
The Al Bhed watched as Paine made her way over to her.
"Yeah, I'm ready. How's Yunie? Is she okay?" Rikku asked in worry.
"She's fine."
Rikku paced around the area, the small flowers falling under her weight, but surprisingly sprang back up again when she lifted her foot. Her green eyes drifted over to the waterfall that was falling silently behind them.
"I don't know if I like this plan..." Rikku trailed off.
Paine stood with her arms crossed, eyes gently closed. "I know. But she says it's the only way."
"But why? Does she really have to-" Rikku began but Paine cut her off suddenly.
"I don't like the plan either, but the only thing we can do now is stay here and wait."
Rikku looked down and sat down right where she was, the soft flowers underneath her. She idly picked one, marveling at how soft its petals were. The flower held an almost ethereal essence to it. She gasped as she unexpectedly felt a warm gloved hand on her shoulder.
Turning around, she gazed up into the eyes - or rather, the one good eye of Gippal himself. He gently smiled at her sideways.
"Whoa, what are you guys doing here?" Rikku asked, her gaze moving hesitantly from Gippal to Baralai and Nooj who stood before her as well.
Nooj walked over to Paine. "What's going on here, Paine?" he asked her.
"I could ask the same of you," the warrior replied.
"Never would have expected to see you two here," Gippal spoke quietly, his gaze sweeping from Paine to Rikku, and lingering on the Al Bhed for an extra moment.
Rikku felt her cheeks start to warm as she saw Gippal watching her from the corner of her eye. She saw him walk over to her, the soft crunch of the flowers under his boots.
"Baralai...uh...told us what's been happening," Gippal spoke quietly to her. She looked up into his face.
"Oh, he did?" she asked him. Rikku looked down at her boots. She was starting to feel nervous under his intense gaze. Shyly raising her eyes to meet his again, Rikku watched as he began to speak.
"Yeah, he did. Why didn't you guys tell us?" Gippal continued, returning her gaze.
"We just found out ourselves," Paine interrupted gently.
"Where's Yuna now? And what are you two doing here?" Nooj spoke up as well, turning to face the group.
Paine turned her back to them for a moment. "Yuna's up at top. And we're here because she has a plan to rescue him from Shuyin's control," she explained to the three men.
"So what are you guys supposed to do down here?" Baralai asked.
"Hold on a minute! What are YOU guys doing down here?" Rikku spoke up, moving closer to the others.
"We were at Besaid to visit with you, but we saw that you had left. Then we heard that a fayth had appeared at the temple," Nooj began to explain.
"Yes, and the fayth told us about Shuyin," Baralai spoke as well, the breeze ruffling his collar and hair as he spoke.
"That fayth told us that we could help you girls by waiting down here," Gippal said.
"I see..." Paine replied after listening to them. "Strange, the fayth must know what's going on here..." she trailed off.
"That's why we're all here waiting for Yunie," Rikku whispered to herself.
Gippal turned around in time to hear Rikku's comment. Walking over to her, he placed a reassuring hand on the girl's shoulder. Rikku looked up at him.
"It'll be ok. Your cousin'll come outta this one. She's saved the world twice, so this is nothin' for her," Gippal spoke, his sense of confidence rubbing off on Rikku as well. He smiled at her, causing the Al Bhed to smile back at him as well.
***
"Maechen, it's nice to see you again."
"I might say the same to you, my lady," Maechen replied. "I knew it was your feelings that were responsible for the Lady Yuna's wish back then," he continued, looking down at Yuna's sleeping body.
Lenne looked down as well, bending down to stroke Yuna's hair away from her face. "I know. I feel terrible about it, but I can't help but wonder why she still kept a bit of me with herself," Lenne continued, looking over at Maechen for help.
"Ah, yes. It is puzzling, isn't it? To think that she mistook your feelings as her own...and now look what has happened," Maechen spoke, pacing around the area.
Lenne stood before him, her body glowing with pyreflies. "But how was that possible? When she wished for him to come back, why did Shuyin come as well? Was she still able to feel my conscience within her?" the former summoner asked slowly.
"I assume that is what happened," Maechen replied. He sat down right where he was.
Lenne followed after him and sat down as well. "So where is Shuyin now?" she asked after some time.
"Lady Yuna has not told me yet, but I have a feeling I already know. Shuyin must be inside the body of the other young man," Maechen answered.
"I see," Lenne replied solemnly, her finger drawing Yevon's symbols on the dirt. Brushing away the words she wrote, Maechen watched as she stood and brushed herself off.
"Maechen, this is because of me. It's because of my own feelings and my own wishes that they were intertwined with Yuna's. I have to fix this," Lenne stated.
The old man stood as well, watching as Lenne walked over to Yuna's sleeping body. He realized what was happening and nodded.
"I shall wait for you both then," Maechen said quietly, gesturing towards her and Yuna.
Lenne turned and nodded back to the old man and smiled, her spirit beginning to enter Yuna.
"I'll talk to him," her voice echoed as she disappeared. "Goodbye, Maechen. It's always a pleasure."
Maechen bowed lightly at Lenne's fading form.
"Until next time, Lady Lenne."
***
Yuna's eyes opened slowly, a bright glow shaking her from a deep sleep. Struggling to move her body, she felt her limbs were sore. Nonetheless, she moved up into a sitting position and moved her eyes around the area, one hand coming up to her throbbing head.
She was in the middle of an endless void of darkness, surrounding her from all around. There was only one source of light in the area, and it came from her body. Puzzled, she looked down at herself. On her body was the now-familiar clothing of the Songstress dressphere.
"Where am I?" she asked herself aloud, straightening herself to stand up.
The last thing she remembered was speaking to Maechen at Zanarkand, and then there was darkness. Yuna faintly remembered that Maechen had said something to her before she had passed out - but what was it?
"I'm glad you came, Lenne," a soft voice said from behind her.
Struggling to focus her eyes in the dark abyss, the figure of a man stepped out into the dim light. Yuna froze at the sight.
Shuyin stood there, one hand extending to her. He was in his own body this time, and Yuna couldn't help but gasp. Wait, if Shuyin was here, then where the hell was Tidus' body?!
"What did you do with him?" Yuna asked, anger dripping from her voice.
"Lenne, what do you mean?"
Yuna shook her head furiously at him. "I told you. Stop calling me Lenne!"
A pyrefly began to drift out from her fingertips as Yuna raised the hand to her face, eyes wide in alarm. Before she knew it, her entire body began to glow as she watched a woman with long, silky hair step out from her. The same flowing dress as Yuna herself wore, Lenne stood in front of her facing Shuyin.
"There you are, Lenne," he spoke, a smile on his face.
Lenne narrowed her eyes at him, one hand on her chest. "This isn't you, Shuyin. I thought you had let it all go. This isn't the you I remember," Lenne's voice echoed.
Shuyin smirked at her. "But you still look as beautiful as I remember, Lenne. Come here," he whispered to her, stepping to where she stood.
Yuna backed away from the two as she watched in silence.
Lenne shook her head at him. "Why? What do you plan to do here? There's nothing left for you and I. Let's just let it all go," she pleaded with him.
Shuyin chuckled, his voice loud in the empty space. "Let it go? After the time I spent wandering here?"
Lenne gasped as he cupped her chin in his hand.
"Yes, Lenne. This place is where I have wandered for a thousand years...searching for you," Shuyin spoke, his voice turning hard.
Yuna and Lenne both looked around in the dark abyss that they were all standing in. The two could feel the loneliness that the place held.
Lenne raised her eyes to meet Shuyin's again, the warm feeling his eyes once held long gone.
"You're not the Shuyin I remember."
He continued to chuckle, one hand grazing her hair gently. "Lenne, we can be reborn again. Don't you want to regain those years that were taken away from us?" Shuyin asked.
"No, I've accepted what happened to us. I only want to rest now...but I can't. It's like you're different..." Lenne trailed off, a tear leaking from her eye.
Shuyin saw this and frowned. "Even in death you and I aren't happy."
Lenne wiped her tears away and stared at him. "What do you mean?"
"I'll make you see that the life up there is better than remaining in the Farplane as dead souls," Shuyin spoke, his arms coming around Lenne's form tightly.
Yuna's eyes widened as she watched three solitary pyreflies shoot out of him and into Lenne's body. She watched as the other woman fell to her knees, gasping for breath as Shuyin stood and watched her. After another moment, Lenne began to breath a bit more evenly again, as she struggled to stand. But Lenne began to gasp once more.
"Y-Yuna...r-run...before I do something...that will...h-hurt you..." Lenne choked.
The hair on the back of her neck stood as Yuna heard Lenne's words. As she struggled to make sense out of what was happening, Yuna watched Lenne stand up fully, the other summoner's eyes suddenly turning cold on her.
"Hello, Yuna. It's a pleasure to finally meet you," Lenne's voice echoed as she met Yuna's gaze.
Shuyin stood behind her with a smirk on his face, arms crossed out in front of him in silent victory.
"Now, come. I want to know what it feels like to be alive again," Lenne continued, beginning to take a step towards her. Yuna could not feel the warmth that Lenne's voice normally held. Her voice was cold and her eyes were void of emotion.
Remembering Lenne's earlier warning, Yuna found herself bolting away into the darkness, leaving the two behind her. Without her weapons or anything to protect herself, there was no way to fight them off. As tears streamed down her face, Yuna wondered what had happened to Lenne. There was no way Shuyin could manipulate another person with pyreflies - but it seemed as if he could do anything, and that thought in itself was frightening.
Shaking her head and continuing to run, Yuna quickly transformed into her normal clothing as her legs carried her. The darkness ahead of her didn't seem to end as Yuna continued, her footsteps echoing in the still silence. She didn't dare turn around to see if they were following her. The only thing Yuna wanted to do was get as far away as possible.
Gasping for breath, Yuna couldn't bring herself to keep going anymore. She collapsed on the ground and struggled to breathe. Turning around hastily, she saw that there was no one behind her. She had been running for some time now, so she was safe for the moment.
"How do I get out of here?" Yuna whispered to herself, tears continuing to fall.
***
All eyes focused on the swarm of pyreflies materializing in front of them. Rikku's breath caught as she recognized the old man.
"Maechen!" Rikku and Paine both exclaimed at once. Baralai, Gippal and Nooj watched the old man in wonder as well.
The old man had his head bowed in sorrow, as his form was now visible. He slowly raised his gaze to meet theirs.
"It has begun," his voice spoke ominously.
** End of Chapter 13 **
A/N: Yes, so that's that. Let's see what happens in the next chapter!
See you all there! And again, thank you so much for the supportive reviews! ^^
** CONTAINS SPOILERS, SO READ ONLY IF YOU HAVE SEEN THIS ALREADY OR IF YOU JUST DON'T CARE. =p **
[FFX-2 PERFECT ENDING DIALOGUE (Follows immediately after the 'GOOD ENDING')]
((The scene shows the Zanarkand Ruins at sunset. Tidus is looking out into the horizon.))
Tidus: ((camera moving up)) "I got a theory. I think the fayth gathered up my thoughts and put 'em together to bring me back. Maybe. Something like that."
((The scene switches to Yuna who is watching the sunset as well. Tidus looks down at his gloved hands))
Tidus: "Or maybe...I'm still a dream."
Yuna: ((looking alarmed)) "Wait! So you'll disappear?"
((A short pause))
Tidus: ((Turns to look at Yuna)) "Cherish me, Yuna. And I'll cherish you. All right? We gotta stay together. That's what we have to do." ((smiles at her hopefully and looks out at the horizon again))
((Yuna runs to him and hugs him from behind. They both smile))
Yuna: "Is that what the fayth told you?"
Tidus: "Nah. But I like it."
((The two laugh happily and Yuna suddenly pushes him into the water below, a lighthearted smile on her face))
Tidus: ((wipes the water away from his face)) "That's not cherishing!"
Yuna: ((smiles)) "You didn't disappear."
((They smile at each other once more. The camera pans away slowly to show Yuna standing up on the hill, her back facing us as she looks out at the Zanarkand Ruins much in the same fashion as Tidus did in the beginning of FFX.))
** END **
** Chapter 13 **
The evening sun tossed gentle beams of light upon the ruins of the city, illuminating the once-lifeless structures. As the old metropolis fully came to view, Yuna found herself walking to the edge of the hill once again, the rocks crunching underneath her boots. She felt strange to stand at that same spot again.
"It's beautiful..." she heard herself whisper, eyes sweeping over the vast horizon, as she took in the breathtaking sight. Yuna felt herself sit down right where she was, not caring about anything else at that moment. Many important events had happened here.
She had stood at this very spot with him that day when Tidus had returned to her. As he confessed about his fear that he could disappear again, her heart had skipped a beat when she heard him speak those words. Yet once again, as he had done so many times in the past, he was able to put a smile upon her face. When he had told her that they needed to stay together, Yuna wanted nothing more than to do just that.
'Cherish me...and I'll cherish you...that's what we have to do...' his words echoed.
"I have cherished you - yet... something's not right..." Yuna whispered to herself.
"Yuna, we can't find Shuyin," Paine's voice suddenly spoke, interrupting her thoughts.
"Rikku's already waiting for me down there, so I'm going to meet her later," Paine continued.
Yuna turned around to face her but said nothing. The former summoner's expression held an empty sadness as she met Paine's ruby orbs.
After the Celsius had landed at Zanarkand, the trio had left Shuyin on the deck in a flurry of deafening silence. He didn't seem to be bothered by it either. If anything, he looked rather amused at their open show of unease towards him. Yuna didn't even know why they had gotten off the ship, since they knew Shuyin had something planned.
Yet she couldn't shake off that small voice that echoed in the back of her mind that seemed like it was pushing her to get off the ship. It was the same voice she had heard several times before, and she couldn't help but feel as if there was something at Zanarkand that could possibly help her.
Then, the idea came to her almost as quickly as her foot had touched the ground of the Zanarkand Ruins. The feelings were so strong that Yuna had to catch herself a bit to keep from falling down. Even more disturbing to her was the sudden sensation of fatigue she felt when seeing Zanarkand again, almost as if there was something within her that triggered these feelings.
She noticed that she had felt a little more tired than before, but Yuna had noticed it a lot during the previous night when she had decided to test him. Now she knew why he couldn't answer her questions. No one else could know those answers except for -him-. He wasn't who he looked like on the outside, and that hurt her the most.
But this was it. Everything she had learned from the fayth and Maechen would come into play here, and the only thing she needed to do now was find Shuyin again.
"Yuna..." Paine began again, putting an end to her inward thoughts. Seating herself next to her friend, Paine continued on. "Be careful, alright? I don't think this plan of yours is a very good idea..."
"I know, but it's the only thing that we can do now," Yuna replied solemnly. She looked out into the sunset once more, the early evening breeze warm on her face. It wasn't usually this warm in the Zanarkand Ruins.
"You're sure you want to do this?" Paine asked again, her voice even. Yuna could tell that the warrior was trying to hide the uneasy tone in her voice.
Yuna turned to face Paine fully this time, her expression firm. "I'm sure."
Silence.
Yuna heard Paine shift a little, her boots crunching the small pebbles on the hill they were both sitting on.
After another moment, Paine began to speak once more. "I'm going down. I'll see you there then."
Yuna smiled gently and watched as the other woman stood up and began to walk away.
"Oh, and Yuna," Paine began, turning to pause. Yuna waited for her to continue. "We'll be waiting, ok?" Paine spoke again.
Yuna couldn't help but smile gently. "Right."
But her smile quickly faded as she watched Paine's retreating back. After the warrior was no longer in sight, Yuna stood as well, dusting herself off from the dirt. Taking a deep breath, she began to walk down the slope carefully, watching herself so she wouldn't slip off.
As soon as her feet touched the flat surface, a swarm of pyreflies began to materialize in front of her. Yuna inwardly froze at the thought that it was Shuyin, but that wasn't possible...was it?
"Wait, but he can't turn into pyreflies when he's inside Tidus' body..." Yuna spoke aloud to herself, still watching the pyreflies take shape, their glow illuminating the now dim night. The sun had disappeared in the horizon, leaving only the still tranquility of darkness.
The glow faded and Yuna gasped in joy when she saw the person who stood before her.
***
"Boys! Hurry up!"
"Yes, boss!" the two replied simultaneously, running down the stairs to the living room where Leblanc stood waiting for them.
"Ugh. I just have to visit them. There was no way I could have stayed cooped up in that room all day!" Leblanc declared, waving her fan in time with her words. Her eyes swept over Logos and Ormi.
"Well? Are we leaving or not?" she pressed on, impatience clearly written across her face.
Logos winced. "But Boss, it's already dark out..." he trailed off.
Noticing Leblanc's sudden removed expression, he paused.
Leblanc stared at him for a moment before turning her back to them. "Hm, you don't say..." she muttered to herself.
"Boss, are you okay?" Ormi spoke up, walking over to her.
"Well, I guess we'll just leave tomorrow then," Leblanc declared, spinning on her heel towards the exit.
"Boss! Where are you going?" Ormi asked, worry clearly present on his face.
Leblanc paused, her hand coming up to rest against the side of her face. "Sorry, boys. I'll be back in a moment. There's something I just felt right now...I-I can't explain it..." she said softly, heading out towards the door, her expression troubled.
The two ran after her, but Leblanc stopped them in their tracks when she suddenly spoke up again.
"Don't follow me."
The door shut with a bang as Ormi and Logos were left standing alone in the foyer.
"What's wrong with her? Is she feeling ok?" Ormi asked, his eyes still fixed upon the heavy door that Leblanc had shut in front of them. "Is she mad 'cause we can't go to Besaid tonight? I didn't know she really wanted to see Yuna and them..."
Logos turned to head up the stairs. "No, that's not it. Did you see her expression? It was clearly because of some other reason... She told us not to follow, but I can't shake off this feeling."
Ormi turned to look at him as well. "You thinkin' we should follow her?"
Logos had already turned back around to head down the stairs. He flung open the door, the empty darkness greeting them.
"Let's go."
***
"Maechen!"
"My, my. What a pleasant welcome this is," the old voice spoke happily, his arms coming up to hug the girl as well. He was startled by Yuna's sudden show of affection towards him.
Finally pulling away, Yuna smiled. "What are you doing here, Maechen?" she asked.
At that moment, Yuna couldn't help but wonder how Maechen was tangible. She should have been able to pass right through him. Wasn't he dead? The old man was only a memory from the pyreflies...right?
"I apologize for leaving you earlier, Lady Yuna. I was starting to lose my energy to remain at the Farplane, that I had to leave for a while. Now that we're in Zanarkand, my energy is much stronger here," Maechen explained slowly. Robes brushing the ground, he made his way over to the side of the dirt path and sat down.
Yuna sat down with him as well. She looked over at Maechen and waited for him to continue.
He took a shaky breath. "This young man you spoke to me about the last time, you have not solved the problem yet, correct?" Maechen asked after some time.
"No...we haven't."
"And I feel that I am partly to blame," Maechen replied quietly. "I have a terrible memory, you see. I could not remember who this Shuyin was. My apologies, Lady Yuna."
Yuna's eyes flew to him in shock. "No, no! None of this was your fault at all," she said quickly. Looking up into the brightly lit sky, she continued on. "If anyone should be to blame, it's me. It's because of me that Shuyin's here," she spoke quietly.
"Oh?" Maechen began curiously. Yuna heard him mumble something to himself. After a while he turned to look at her once more. "Have you realized it yet, Lady Yuna?" he suddenly asked her, the moon shining down on his face.
Yuna stared at him, wondering what he was talking about. "What do you mean?"
"Lady Yuna, you say that you are the reason why this young man Shuyin is back on this plane, but don't you remember what we spoke about the last time we met?"
Yuna looked down, trying to remember what Maechen had told her at the Farplane. Then, the words came flooding back to her. 'Even if you did feel something for Shuyin, perhaps we could assume that they weren't your own feelings?' the old man's voice echoed in her mind. Yuna's eyes slowly widened in realization. Her voice shook.
"Maechen, it's Lenne, isn't it?" Yuna whispered. Even to her own ears, the words troubled her.
The old man suddenly smiled. Yuna felt him grasp her hands gently. His hands warm around her own, she watched as he nodded gently to her, still smiling kindly.
"It's been a while, Lady Lenne," Maechen spoke.
Yuna's eyes widened at his words, and her vision began to grow dim. Almost as if a tidal wave of exhaustion had washed over her, she suddenly felt very tired at that moment.
Maechen's form began to blur, and all she could see was darkness.
***
Leblanc walked in a daze up the path to the Farplane's entrance. The guard stood at the top of the pathway, sleeping while he stood. She marched up to him with determination as he saw her approach.
"Move aside."
"I'm sorry, my lady. But even with the defeat of Vegnagun, the Farplane still remains unstable," the guard replied to her, obviously more than a little intimidated by her presence.
Leblanc snorted. "I don't care. Now move!" she retorted, moving past him.
The guard simply stared after her as Leblanc walked up the path.
***
"Rikku, are you ready?"
The Al Bhed watched as Paine made her way over to her.
"Yeah, I'm ready. How's Yunie? Is she okay?" Rikku asked in worry.
"She's fine."
Rikku paced around the area, the small flowers falling under her weight, but surprisingly sprang back up again when she lifted her foot. Her green eyes drifted over to the waterfall that was falling silently behind them.
"I don't know if I like this plan..." Rikku trailed off.
Paine stood with her arms crossed, eyes gently closed. "I know. But she says it's the only way."
"But why? Does she really have to-" Rikku began but Paine cut her off suddenly.
"I don't like the plan either, but the only thing we can do now is stay here and wait."
Rikku looked down and sat down right where she was, the soft flowers underneath her. She idly picked one, marveling at how soft its petals were. The flower held an almost ethereal essence to it. She gasped as she unexpectedly felt a warm gloved hand on her shoulder.
Turning around, she gazed up into the eyes - or rather, the one good eye of Gippal himself. He gently smiled at her sideways.
"Whoa, what are you guys doing here?" Rikku asked, her gaze moving hesitantly from Gippal to Baralai and Nooj who stood before her as well.
Nooj walked over to Paine. "What's going on here, Paine?" he asked her.
"I could ask the same of you," the warrior replied.
"Never would have expected to see you two here," Gippal spoke quietly, his gaze sweeping from Paine to Rikku, and lingering on the Al Bhed for an extra moment.
Rikku felt her cheeks start to warm as she saw Gippal watching her from the corner of her eye. She saw him walk over to her, the soft crunch of the flowers under his boots.
"Baralai...uh...told us what's been happening," Gippal spoke quietly to her. She looked up into his face.
"Oh, he did?" she asked him. Rikku looked down at her boots. She was starting to feel nervous under his intense gaze. Shyly raising her eyes to meet his again, Rikku watched as he began to speak.
"Yeah, he did. Why didn't you guys tell us?" Gippal continued, returning her gaze.
"We just found out ourselves," Paine interrupted gently.
"Where's Yuna now? And what are you two doing here?" Nooj spoke up as well, turning to face the group.
Paine turned her back to them for a moment. "Yuna's up at top. And we're here because she has a plan to rescue him from Shuyin's control," she explained to the three men.
"So what are you guys supposed to do down here?" Baralai asked.
"Hold on a minute! What are YOU guys doing down here?" Rikku spoke up, moving closer to the others.
"We were at Besaid to visit with you, but we saw that you had left. Then we heard that a fayth had appeared at the temple," Nooj began to explain.
"Yes, and the fayth told us about Shuyin," Baralai spoke as well, the breeze ruffling his collar and hair as he spoke.
"That fayth told us that we could help you girls by waiting down here," Gippal said.
"I see..." Paine replied after listening to them. "Strange, the fayth must know what's going on here..." she trailed off.
"That's why we're all here waiting for Yunie," Rikku whispered to herself.
Gippal turned around in time to hear Rikku's comment. Walking over to her, he placed a reassuring hand on the girl's shoulder. Rikku looked up at him.
"It'll be ok. Your cousin'll come outta this one. She's saved the world twice, so this is nothin' for her," Gippal spoke, his sense of confidence rubbing off on Rikku as well. He smiled at her, causing the Al Bhed to smile back at him as well.
***
"Maechen, it's nice to see you again."
"I might say the same to you, my lady," Maechen replied. "I knew it was your feelings that were responsible for the Lady Yuna's wish back then," he continued, looking down at Yuna's sleeping body.
Lenne looked down as well, bending down to stroke Yuna's hair away from her face. "I know. I feel terrible about it, but I can't help but wonder why she still kept a bit of me with herself," Lenne continued, looking over at Maechen for help.
"Ah, yes. It is puzzling, isn't it? To think that she mistook your feelings as her own...and now look what has happened," Maechen spoke, pacing around the area.
Lenne stood before him, her body glowing with pyreflies. "But how was that possible? When she wished for him to come back, why did Shuyin come as well? Was she still able to feel my conscience within her?" the former summoner asked slowly.
"I assume that is what happened," Maechen replied. He sat down right where he was.
Lenne followed after him and sat down as well. "So where is Shuyin now?" she asked after some time.
"Lady Yuna has not told me yet, but I have a feeling I already know. Shuyin must be inside the body of the other young man," Maechen answered.
"I see," Lenne replied solemnly, her finger drawing Yevon's symbols on the dirt. Brushing away the words she wrote, Maechen watched as she stood and brushed herself off.
"Maechen, this is because of me. It's because of my own feelings and my own wishes that they were intertwined with Yuna's. I have to fix this," Lenne stated.
The old man stood as well, watching as Lenne walked over to Yuna's sleeping body. He realized what was happening and nodded.
"I shall wait for you both then," Maechen said quietly, gesturing towards her and Yuna.
Lenne turned and nodded back to the old man and smiled, her spirit beginning to enter Yuna.
"I'll talk to him," her voice echoed as she disappeared. "Goodbye, Maechen. It's always a pleasure."
Maechen bowed lightly at Lenne's fading form.
"Until next time, Lady Lenne."
***
Yuna's eyes opened slowly, a bright glow shaking her from a deep sleep. Struggling to move her body, she felt her limbs were sore. Nonetheless, she moved up into a sitting position and moved her eyes around the area, one hand coming up to her throbbing head.
She was in the middle of an endless void of darkness, surrounding her from all around. There was only one source of light in the area, and it came from her body. Puzzled, she looked down at herself. On her body was the now-familiar clothing of the Songstress dressphere.
"Where am I?" she asked herself aloud, straightening herself to stand up.
The last thing she remembered was speaking to Maechen at Zanarkand, and then there was darkness. Yuna faintly remembered that Maechen had said something to her before she had passed out - but what was it?
"I'm glad you came, Lenne," a soft voice said from behind her.
Struggling to focus her eyes in the dark abyss, the figure of a man stepped out into the dim light. Yuna froze at the sight.
Shuyin stood there, one hand extending to her. He was in his own body this time, and Yuna couldn't help but gasp. Wait, if Shuyin was here, then where the hell was Tidus' body?!
"What did you do with him?" Yuna asked, anger dripping from her voice.
"Lenne, what do you mean?"
Yuna shook her head furiously at him. "I told you. Stop calling me Lenne!"
A pyrefly began to drift out from her fingertips as Yuna raised the hand to her face, eyes wide in alarm. Before she knew it, her entire body began to glow as she watched a woman with long, silky hair step out from her. The same flowing dress as Yuna herself wore, Lenne stood in front of her facing Shuyin.
"There you are, Lenne," he spoke, a smile on his face.
Lenne narrowed her eyes at him, one hand on her chest. "This isn't you, Shuyin. I thought you had let it all go. This isn't the you I remember," Lenne's voice echoed.
Shuyin smirked at her. "But you still look as beautiful as I remember, Lenne. Come here," he whispered to her, stepping to where she stood.
Yuna backed away from the two as she watched in silence.
Lenne shook her head at him. "Why? What do you plan to do here? There's nothing left for you and I. Let's just let it all go," she pleaded with him.
Shuyin chuckled, his voice loud in the empty space. "Let it go? After the time I spent wandering here?"
Lenne gasped as he cupped her chin in his hand.
"Yes, Lenne. This place is where I have wandered for a thousand years...searching for you," Shuyin spoke, his voice turning hard.
Yuna and Lenne both looked around in the dark abyss that they were all standing in. The two could feel the loneliness that the place held.
Lenne raised her eyes to meet Shuyin's again, the warm feeling his eyes once held long gone.
"You're not the Shuyin I remember."
He continued to chuckle, one hand grazing her hair gently. "Lenne, we can be reborn again. Don't you want to regain those years that were taken away from us?" Shuyin asked.
"No, I've accepted what happened to us. I only want to rest now...but I can't. It's like you're different..." Lenne trailed off, a tear leaking from her eye.
Shuyin saw this and frowned. "Even in death you and I aren't happy."
Lenne wiped her tears away and stared at him. "What do you mean?"
"I'll make you see that the life up there is better than remaining in the Farplane as dead souls," Shuyin spoke, his arms coming around Lenne's form tightly.
Yuna's eyes widened as she watched three solitary pyreflies shoot out of him and into Lenne's body. She watched as the other woman fell to her knees, gasping for breath as Shuyin stood and watched her. After another moment, Lenne began to breath a bit more evenly again, as she struggled to stand. But Lenne began to gasp once more.
"Y-Yuna...r-run...before I do something...that will...h-hurt you..." Lenne choked.
The hair on the back of her neck stood as Yuna heard Lenne's words. As she struggled to make sense out of what was happening, Yuna watched Lenne stand up fully, the other summoner's eyes suddenly turning cold on her.
"Hello, Yuna. It's a pleasure to finally meet you," Lenne's voice echoed as she met Yuna's gaze.
Shuyin stood behind her with a smirk on his face, arms crossed out in front of him in silent victory.
"Now, come. I want to know what it feels like to be alive again," Lenne continued, beginning to take a step towards her. Yuna could not feel the warmth that Lenne's voice normally held. Her voice was cold and her eyes were void of emotion.
Remembering Lenne's earlier warning, Yuna found herself bolting away into the darkness, leaving the two behind her. Without her weapons or anything to protect herself, there was no way to fight them off. As tears streamed down her face, Yuna wondered what had happened to Lenne. There was no way Shuyin could manipulate another person with pyreflies - but it seemed as if he could do anything, and that thought in itself was frightening.
Shaking her head and continuing to run, Yuna quickly transformed into her normal clothing as her legs carried her. The darkness ahead of her didn't seem to end as Yuna continued, her footsteps echoing in the still silence. She didn't dare turn around to see if they were following her. The only thing Yuna wanted to do was get as far away as possible.
Gasping for breath, Yuna couldn't bring herself to keep going anymore. She collapsed on the ground and struggled to breathe. Turning around hastily, she saw that there was no one behind her. She had been running for some time now, so she was safe for the moment.
"How do I get out of here?" Yuna whispered to herself, tears continuing to fall.
***
All eyes focused on the swarm of pyreflies materializing in front of them. Rikku's breath caught as she recognized the old man.
"Maechen!" Rikku and Paine both exclaimed at once. Baralai, Gippal and Nooj watched the old man in wonder as well.
The old man had his head bowed in sorrow, as his form was now visible. He slowly raised his gaze to meet theirs.
"It has begun," his voice spoke ominously.
** End of Chapter 13 **
A/N: Yes, so that's that. Let's see what happens in the next chapter!
See you all there! And again, thank you so much for the supportive reviews! ^^