A/N: Thank you so much for your support everyone! We're nearing the end of
the story, and I think there are only two or so chapters left here before
the end. ;_;
So I think the story will pretty much be done by Chapter 16 or 17.
Um, let me think here. There doesn't seem to be anything else I should talk to you about, except just enjoy the chapter! ^^
** Chapter 14 **
"Gramps, what are you talking about?" Rikku asked, frowning in concern. She watched the old man carefully, wondering what the problem was. His sudden appearance meant that there was something wrong or that something had happened.
Maechen looked at each of their faces, before taking a deep sigh.
"Ohhh. This is terrible. Terrible indeed," his old voice finally spoke, eyes moving down to look at the ground.
"Just tell us what's wrong," Paine interrupted. She was growing impatient and worried as well. "...Wait. This isn't about Yuna is it?" the warrior continued after a pause.
"Although it brings me great pain to admit it, yes. This concerns the Lady Yuna...as well as the Lady Lenne..." Maechen answered regretfully, raising his head up to meet their gaze.
"Lenne?!" Paine and Rikku exclaimed.
"Where's Yuna?" Baralai spoke up as he began to walk towards Maechen.
Another awkward moment of silence passed as everyone awaited Maechen's answer. Gippal and Nooj noticed that the old man seemed to be arguing with himself as to whether he wanted to tell them what he knew. But it was ridiculous to keep it a secret from them and Maechen knew it.
"Well? Are you going to tell us?" Nooj finally spoke, voicing his thoughts.
"What I am about to tell you is not pleasant, yet as her comrades it is your duty to help her," Maechen began, his words finally getting out.
"What happened to her?" Gippal asked. His gaze drifted over to Rikku who was staring at Maechen, hanging onto his every word. It seemed as if the girl was about to break out of her worry for her cousin.
"Perhaps the best way for me to explain is to simply show you," the old man answered, waving one hand in the air. The group watched as pyreflies began floating out from his hand as an image began to materialize in front of them.
***
She could hear her boots on the ground as she struggled to walk. The darkness was almost dizzying, swallowing her from all around. Since she had dressed in her normal clothing, the light that had emanated from the Songstress garment had disappeared, leaving only shadows.
"Please, can anyone here me..." Yuna's voice shook tiredly. She had been walking around in a daze for some time now, yelling out to anyone who could help her, but finding out that there was no one that could. Her voice had given out and her legs could no longer carry her.
Lost in the endless abyss, she felt her body grow heavy and no sooner fell with a thud on the ground.
***
"Yunie!!" Rikku exclaimed as her eyes watched in horrified silence at the scene that played before them.
"Damn it..." Paine cursed under her breath. She turned her face away from the scene in disgust.
"Where is she?!!" Rikku continued, tears threatening to fall from the girl's eyes.
Gippal, Nooj, and Baralai could only watch in stunned silence. Gippal watched Rikku and felt the urge to walk over to her side in a motion of comfort.
"The Lady Yuna is in...Shuyin's abyss. He has brought her and Lady Lenne there to feel his loneliness...however..." Maechen trailed off.
"However what?" Nooj asked as he prompted the old man to continue.
"Oh dear...how can I explain it. You see, a small part of Lenne's spirit still remained within Lady Yuna. To put it simply, it's because of Lenne's feelings that has brought the young man Shuyin here again, but Lenne and Shuyin are not the same people you saw that day on the Farplane. They are...different." the old man finished.
"I've heard enough. It seems like we need to stop them both here and now to get Yuna back," Paine said, Maechen's words sparking something within her.
"Hold on a minute. Are you sayin' that Shuyin AND Lenne are both here again? But how the hell is that possible? I saw them fade away!" Gippal exclaimed, trying to make sense of the whole situation.
"Ah, yes. Puzzling indeed. Yet anything is possible if the feeling is strong enough..." Maechen replied, raising one hand to his chin thoughtfully.
Rikku paused. "Anything is possible if the feeling is strong enough..." the girl echoed.
"What do you mean, Rikku?" Baralai asked suddenly upon hearing the Al Bhed's words. He turned to face her. Paine looked at the girl as well.
"You heard him. Maechen said if the feeling is strong enough, then we can do anything," Rikku began, beginning to walk away from the group. After a few steps, she turned back around to face them once more.
"I think I know a way to bring Yunie back."
***
"Yuna...are you awake?" a soft voice echoed. "Open your eyes, Yuna. Open them and look at me."
Yuna flinched slightly, a soft voice shaking her out of unconsciousness. She struggled to move her body around and found that her limbs were no longer sore. Her eyes opened. Turning her head to the side, a warm light greeted her and her ears could faintly pick up the sound of water flowing gently.
She was laying down in a garden; the brilliant pinks, yellows, and violet colors of the flowers surrounding her. A quiet waterfall fell on the other side of the patch of flowers while a warm breeze gently blew. Was this paradise?
"Where is this place?" Yuna spoke aloud to herself, her eyes scanning the area slowly, taking in the breathtaking landscape. She could feel her energy slowly returning to her as she continued to gaze around.
"It's nice, isn't it?" a voice suddenly spoke from behind her.
Yuna spun around quickly as her eyes met the form of Tidus. He smiled softly at her. She narrowed her eyes in suspicion, taking a step backwards and away from him.
Tidus met her gaze with a hurt expression in his eyes.
"Yuna, it's me..." he began, taking a step closer to her.
She paused and stared more closely at him. The first place she looked at was his eyes. Gentle, warm, and sparkling as they gazed lovingly at her. She studied his face. It was boyish, yet held that magic and hidden sense of mischief she knew and loved. He met her gaze hopefully. Her expression began to soften as she started to feel his familiar presence envelope her once more.
Yuna watched him take another step towards her, a weak smile on his face as he tried to convince her it was indeed him.
"I told you to whistle whenever you needed me. But it looks like we're both in trouble this time," he spoke softly, a hint of smile in his voice.
Yuna's face lit up when she heard him speak those words as she felt her legs start to carry her towards him. Biting back a sob of joy that was threatening to escape her, she found herself running straight at him, not caring anymore - wanting nothing more than to be in his arms again.
"I told you it was me," Tidus whispered as he caught her. He raised a hand to stroke her hair soothingly.
Yuna laughed softly then - half-sob, and half-joy, her arms coming around him tightly as she felt his warmth come around her as well.
"I'm sorry I didn't believe you before...after what happened..." she trailed off. His hold loosened around her until they were standing facing each other. He stared down at her seriously.
"Where is he?" he asked.
Yuna turned her head around to look up at Tidus.
"I-I don't know. After I was running through that darkness I passed out and ended up here," Yuna explained. She stopped to gaze around the garden they were both standing in. Its beauty was simply majestic. Her eyes lingered on the flowers before raising up to look ahead to the waterfalls. She paused as the scenery caught her attention.
"Wait...I know this place," Yuna began hesitantly. She bent down to look more closely at the flowers beneath their feet. Her fingers stopped to graze the soft petals hesitantly before bringing her hand back up to her chest, a frown on her face. "This place...it looks familiar..."
Tidus raised an eyebrow at her, bending down to glance at the flowers she was looking at. "How? Where are we anyway?"
Yuna paused. "Hold on. How did you get here anyway?" she asked him.
Tidus stood up and offered a hand to her. She accepted it and he pulled her to her feet before speaking.
"Just like you. I remember seeing darkness before I woke up and ended up...here," Tidus answered as his eyes studied the area once more.
Yuna's eyes lingered on the waterfalls as they both took a moment to gaze at the scenery all around. After a few seconds of silence, she turned her face to him.
"Remember when I told you that I accidentally went to the Farplane?" Yuna asked. She looked up into his face, awaiting an answer.
"I remember," Tidus replied. He wondered where she was going with this.
"This place..." Yuna began as she gestured around them. "It looks exactly like the Farplane Glen when I went...except it's a bit...different."
Tidus said nothing but continued to look into her face, listening to what she was explaining to him.
Yuna continued on. "The flowers are a different color here and the sky is bluer than before, but everything else is the same..." she trailed off and looked down. "But how do we get back home?"
He raised his arms to come around her form and drew her close to him in an affectionate hug. He felt her move her head near the crook of his neck as they stood there in silence.
"We'll find a way out," Tidus whispered to her.
***
Gippal turned to Paine. "What happened to Yuna's other plan?"
"I don't know. I guess it didn't happen. Either way, Rikku and I were here to wish her back anyway," Paine answered thoughtfully.
"What was Yuna going to do originally?" Nooj asked curiously.
Paine sighed and put a hand to her head. "She was going to threaten Shuyin to get out of Tidus' body by pretending that she was going to hurt herself."
Baralai paused. "But how could that achieve anything?"
"I know. I didn't like the plan either, but she thought that by hurting herself, she would eliminate the only possible body for Lenne to take over..." Paine trailed off.
"But I don't recall Lenne being hostile in any way..." Baralai interjected.
"I know. I don't like the plan either, but it doesn't seem like it's going to happen now," Paine said.
Rikku suddenly turned to Maechen. "Hey Gramps, can I ask you something?"
The old man smiled gently at the girl. "But of course, my dear."
"I've been thinking about what you said earlier. I want to know what you think about this new plan..." Rikku began.
Maechen nodded quietly.
The Al Bhed paused and looked at everyone hesitantly. "I don't know where Tidus and Yuna are, but if Maechen is right, then maybe we can bring them back here by our will..." Rikku explained.
"...If the feeling is strong enough," Paine finished as she finally understood what the girl's plan was. She smiled softly at her. "I like this plan, Rikku."
"Yeah, it just might work," Gippal agreed.
Nooj and Baralai simply nodded in agreement as well.
"My, my. This is rather interesting," Maechen suddenly spoke up, drawing everyone's attention to him once again.
"What is?" Baralai asked.
"I understand what you are all trying to accomplish, yet summoning back two people from the Farplane will be difficult. There's just not enough people here to summon such energy and-" Maechen said but was interrupted when he felt a gentle slap on his back.
"What was that? Not enough people, love? Well that's why I'm here."
The group watched as Leblanc and her two cronies made their way past the startled Maechen.
"Why am I not surprised that you're here," Paine said as Leblanc dusted her dress off.
"Bwaha! The boss has come to save you again!" Ormi laughed, his large hands on his sides.
"Indeed," Logos agreed quietly.
"What the hell are you doing here anyway?" Paine asked after some time.
Leblanc huffed, insulted by the warrior's words. "Well! This is the thanks I get, hmm?"
"So, are you going to tell us or not?" Rikku said as well. She regarded Leblanc with an impatient tone in her voice.
"You know loves, I'll tell you exactly how I got here," Leblanc began. She spun on her heel and faced Nooj in dramatic charisma before moving to his side and grasping his arm. Nooj widened his eyes at her open show of affection.
"It's because I felt Noojie calling me. I could feel his presence drawing me here," Leblanc explained as she held onto Nooj's arm.
Paine tried to hide a snicker as Leblanc cuddled up to Nooj's side. The warrior could see that Baralai was trying to hide his laughter at Nooj's embarrassment as well.
Gippal smirked to himself and mumbled softly under his breath. "Hm, I knew there was something between those two," he chuckled quietly.
But Nooj had heard the other Al Bhed.
"What was that?" he asked. Although Gippal tried to hide it, Nooj was able to hear his words quite clearly.
Gippal turned to face the man in alarm. "Ahaha. Nothing, Noojster. Nothing at all."
Rikku giggled quietly to herself before her expression turned serious once again. She turned to Maechen who was watching Leblanc's antics with amusement. She suddenly heard him speak.
"Ah, this will do just fine," Maechen began. He looked around the group slowly before nodding his head in finality. "Yes. This might just bring the two back. There is enough energy between all of you to bring them back to our plane safely."
"Ok...but how exactly do we do it...?" Rikku asked hesitantly.
"It is simple, child," Maechen began. He paused for a moment as he turned his back to them. Nevertheless, he pressed on. "All of you. You must all close your eyes and clear your minds. Think nothing else except for the return of Lady Yuna and the young man. Do this and there is a strong possibility that the two of them will appear before us safe and sound," the old man explained.
The group looked at each other before Paine nodded shortly. "Ok, let's do it."
Leblanc thought this over for a minute. Logos and Ormi simply waited for her response.
"Just think of her and she'll be back, right? Sounds painfully easy," Leblanc declared with a flick of her hair. She turned to the two next to her. "Boys, you heard the old man."
"Yes, boss!" Logos and Ormi responded at the same time.
Maechen nodded solemnly to the group as he raised his arms in the air.
"Good, let us begin then."
***
Tidus' eyes widened as he suddenly felt his arms begin to go through Yuna's body. He quickly broke their embrace and stared at her, his blue orbs wide in alarm.
Yuna gazed back at him in confusion.
"Wh-what's the matter? Why are you looking at me like-" she stopped short when she looked at him as well. She could see his body slowly beginning to fade away.
"N-not again. You're not fading away again, are you?" Yuna whispered in disbelief, tears threatening her eyes.
"Yuna. Look down at your hands..." Tidus whispered slowly to her as he watched her body begin to grow translucent.
She paused at his words but raised her hands up to her face hesitantly. She gasped as Tidus' face began to show through her hands as he watched her. She dropped her hands down and saw Tidus' body shimmer with light, his entire form radiating along with hers.
"What's happening to us?" Yuna asked, her voice trembling.
Tidus continued to stare down at himself, the sight feeling too much like two years ago on the airship.
The two stood still as a faint voice began to emanate through the air.
"Yunie...Tidus...can you hear me?" a voice echoed.
Yuna looked up into the sky where the voice came from. She knew that voice anywhere.
"Rikku!!"
"Hold each other tight. You'll be home soon..." Rikku's voice continued to speak.
Yuna looked at Tidus and he nodded gently at her before opening his arms. She ran up to him and wrapped her arms around his waist as she felt him do the same. The wind began to blow furiously this time, shaking the small flowers beneath them violently. Yuna's hair waved wildly around as she tried to shield her eyes from the bright lights and dust.
"It'll be over soon, Yuna!!" Tidus yelled through the wind. He held onto her tightly with no intention of letting her go. Both of their forms were starting to fade but they could still feel each other.
"You'll be here soon..." another voice echoed.
"I'll do you this favor, love," a soft voice called.
"Paine...Leblanc...everyone! Is that you?!" Yuna called into the sky.
Tidus raised a hand to cover Yuna's face from the wind and debris that began to scatter about the area. He winced as he felt a sharp slash on his arm from the debris that was flying through the air.
Suddenly, the wind stopped. The voices ceased and the sky's blue hue was replaced by the unmistakable cloudiness of a dark gray sky. Still shielding Yuna with his body, Tidus opened his eye slowly, wondering what had happened.
His expression turned hard as he instantly reached for his sword, shoving Yuna behind him as his blue eyes met the forms of the two people in front of them. Yuna opened her eyes and gasped in alarm.
"Thought you could get away so easily, did you?" Shuyin said lowly. He smirked at their expressions and lazily brushed a strand of hair away from his eyes. Yuna's gaze trailed down to the sword he was holding in one hand.
Lenne stood next to him, a long and elaborate staff in one of her hands. The ornament on the former summoner's weapon glowed brightly as she raised the staff in the air.
"You can't escape," she spoke calmly, eyes cold and unfeeling.
** End of Chapter 14 **
A/N: Eee. Another cliffhanger. ^^; Sorry everyone, but my favorite part of the story is coming up in the next chapter and I promise it'll be up very soon! Until then!
So I think the story will pretty much be done by Chapter 16 or 17.
Um, let me think here. There doesn't seem to be anything else I should talk to you about, except just enjoy the chapter! ^^
** Chapter 14 **
"Gramps, what are you talking about?" Rikku asked, frowning in concern. She watched the old man carefully, wondering what the problem was. His sudden appearance meant that there was something wrong or that something had happened.
Maechen looked at each of their faces, before taking a deep sigh.
"Ohhh. This is terrible. Terrible indeed," his old voice finally spoke, eyes moving down to look at the ground.
"Just tell us what's wrong," Paine interrupted. She was growing impatient and worried as well. "...Wait. This isn't about Yuna is it?" the warrior continued after a pause.
"Although it brings me great pain to admit it, yes. This concerns the Lady Yuna...as well as the Lady Lenne..." Maechen answered regretfully, raising his head up to meet their gaze.
"Lenne?!" Paine and Rikku exclaimed.
"Where's Yuna?" Baralai spoke up as he began to walk towards Maechen.
Another awkward moment of silence passed as everyone awaited Maechen's answer. Gippal and Nooj noticed that the old man seemed to be arguing with himself as to whether he wanted to tell them what he knew. But it was ridiculous to keep it a secret from them and Maechen knew it.
"Well? Are you going to tell us?" Nooj finally spoke, voicing his thoughts.
"What I am about to tell you is not pleasant, yet as her comrades it is your duty to help her," Maechen began, his words finally getting out.
"What happened to her?" Gippal asked. His gaze drifted over to Rikku who was staring at Maechen, hanging onto his every word. It seemed as if the girl was about to break out of her worry for her cousin.
"Perhaps the best way for me to explain is to simply show you," the old man answered, waving one hand in the air. The group watched as pyreflies began floating out from his hand as an image began to materialize in front of them.
***
She could hear her boots on the ground as she struggled to walk. The darkness was almost dizzying, swallowing her from all around. Since she had dressed in her normal clothing, the light that had emanated from the Songstress garment had disappeared, leaving only shadows.
"Please, can anyone here me..." Yuna's voice shook tiredly. She had been walking around in a daze for some time now, yelling out to anyone who could help her, but finding out that there was no one that could. Her voice had given out and her legs could no longer carry her.
Lost in the endless abyss, she felt her body grow heavy and no sooner fell with a thud on the ground.
***
"Yunie!!" Rikku exclaimed as her eyes watched in horrified silence at the scene that played before them.
"Damn it..." Paine cursed under her breath. She turned her face away from the scene in disgust.
"Where is she?!!" Rikku continued, tears threatening to fall from the girl's eyes.
Gippal, Nooj, and Baralai could only watch in stunned silence. Gippal watched Rikku and felt the urge to walk over to her side in a motion of comfort.
"The Lady Yuna is in...Shuyin's abyss. He has brought her and Lady Lenne there to feel his loneliness...however..." Maechen trailed off.
"However what?" Nooj asked as he prompted the old man to continue.
"Oh dear...how can I explain it. You see, a small part of Lenne's spirit still remained within Lady Yuna. To put it simply, it's because of Lenne's feelings that has brought the young man Shuyin here again, but Lenne and Shuyin are not the same people you saw that day on the Farplane. They are...different." the old man finished.
"I've heard enough. It seems like we need to stop them both here and now to get Yuna back," Paine said, Maechen's words sparking something within her.
"Hold on a minute. Are you sayin' that Shuyin AND Lenne are both here again? But how the hell is that possible? I saw them fade away!" Gippal exclaimed, trying to make sense of the whole situation.
"Ah, yes. Puzzling indeed. Yet anything is possible if the feeling is strong enough..." Maechen replied, raising one hand to his chin thoughtfully.
Rikku paused. "Anything is possible if the feeling is strong enough..." the girl echoed.
"What do you mean, Rikku?" Baralai asked suddenly upon hearing the Al Bhed's words. He turned to face her. Paine looked at the girl as well.
"You heard him. Maechen said if the feeling is strong enough, then we can do anything," Rikku began, beginning to walk away from the group. After a few steps, she turned back around to face them once more.
"I think I know a way to bring Yunie back."
***
"Yuna...are you awake?" a soft voice echoed. "Open your eyes, Yuna. Open them and look at me."
Yuna flinched slightly, a soft voice shaking her out of unconsciousness. She struggled to move her body around and found that her limbs were no longer sore. Her eyes opened. Turning her head to the side, a warm light greeted her and her ears could faintly pick up the sound of water flowing gently.
She was laying down in a garden; the brilliant pinks, yellows, and violet colors of the flowers surrounding her. A quiet waterfall fell on the other side of the patch of flowers while a warm breeze gently blew. Was this paradise?
"Where is this place?" Yuna spoke aloud to herself, her eyes scanning the area slowly, taking in the breathtaking landscape. She could feel her energy slowly returning to her as she continued to gaze around.
"It's nice, isn't it?" a voice suddenly spoke from behind her.
Yuna spun around quickly as her eyes met the form of Tidus. He smiled softly at her. She narrowed her eyes in suspicion, taking a step backwards and away from him.
Tidus met her gaze with a hurt expression in his eyes.
"Yuna, it's me..." he began, taking a step closer to her.
She paused and stared more closely at him. The first place she looked at was his eyes. Gentle, warm, and sparkling as they gazed lovingly at her. She studied his face. It was boyish, yet held that magic and hidden sense of mischief she knew and loved. He met her gaze hopefully. Her expression began to soften as she started to feel his familiar presence envelope her once more.
Yuna watched him take another step towards her, a weak smile on his face as he tried to convince her it was indeed him.
"I told you to whistle whenever you needed me. But it looks like we're both in trouble this time," he spoke softly, a hint of smile in his voice.
Yuna's face lit up when she heard him speak those words as she felt her legs start to carry her towards him. Biting back a sob of joy that was threatening to escape her, she found herself running straight at him, not caring anymore - wanting nothing more than to be in his arms again.
"I told you it was me," Tidus whispered as he caught her. He raised a hand to stroke her hair soothingly.
Yuna laughed softly then - half-sob, and half-joy, her arms coming around him tightly as she felt his warmth come around her as well.
"I'm sorry I didn't believe you before...after what happened..." she trailed off. His hold loosened around her until they were standing facing each other. He stared down at her seriously.
"Where is he?" he asked.
Yuna turned her head around to look up at Tidus.
"I-I don't know. After I was running through that darkness I passed out and ended up here," Yuna explained. She stopped to gaze around the garden they were both standing in. Its beauty was simply majestic. Her eyes lingered on the flowers before raising up to look ahead to the waterfalls. She paused as the scenery caught her attention.
"Wait...I know this place," Yuna began hesitantly. She bent down to look more closely at the flowers beneath their feet. Her fingers stopped to graze the soft petals hesitantly before bringing her hand back up to her chest, a frown on her face. "This place...it looks familiar..."
Tidus raised an eyebrow at her, bending down to glance at the flowers she was looking at. "How? Where are we anyway?"
Yuna paused. "Hold on. How did you get here anyway?" she asked him.
Tidus stood up and offered a hand to her. She accepted it and he pulled her to her feet before speaking.
"Just like you. I remember seeing darkness before I woke up and ended up...here," Tidus answered as his eyes studied the area once more.
Yuna's eyes lingered on the waterfalls as they both took a moment to gaze at the scenery all around. After a few seconds of silence, she turned her face to him.
"Remember when I told you that I accidentally went to the Farplane?" Yuna asked. She looked up into his face, awaiting an answer.
"I remember," Tidus replied. He wondered where she was going with this.
"This place..." Yuna began as she gestured around them. "It looks exactly like the Farplane Glen when I went...except it's a bit...different."
Tidus said nothing but continued to look into her face, listening to what she was explaining to him.
Yuna continued on. "The flowers are a different color here and the sky is bluer than before, but everything else is the same..." she trailed off and looked down. "But how do we get back home?"
He raised his arms to come around her form and drew her close to him in an affectionate hug. He felt her move her head near the crook of his neck as they stood there in silence.
"We'll find a way out," Tidus whispered to her.
***
Gippal turned to Paine. "What happened to Yuna's other plan?"
"I don't know. I guess it didn't happen. Either way, Rikku and I were here to wish her back anyway," Paine answered thoughtfully.
"What was Yuna going to do originally?" Nooj asked curiously.
Paine sighed and put a hand to her head. "She was going to threaten Shuyin to get out of Tidus' body by pretending that she was going to hurt herself."
Baralai paused. "But how could that achieve anything?"
"I know. I didn't like the plan either, but she thought that by hurting herself, she would eliminate the only possible body for Lenne to take over..." Paine trailed off.
"But I don't recall Lenne being hostile in any way..." Baralai interjected.
"I know. I don't like the plan either, but it doesn't seem like it's going to happen now," Paine said.
Rikku suddenly turned to Maechen. "Hey Gramps, can I ask you something?"
The old man smiled gently at the girl. "But of course, my dear."
"I've been thinking about what you said earlier. I want to know what you think about this new plan..." Rikku began.
Maechen nodded quietly.
The Al Bhed paused and looked at everyone hesitantly. "I don't know where Tidus and Yuna are, but if Maechen is right, then maybe we can bring them back here by our will..." Rikku explained.
"...If the feeling is strong enough," Paine finished as she finally understood what the girl's plan was. She smiled softly at her. "I like this plan, Rikku."
"Yeah, it just might work," Gippal agreed.
Nooj and Baralai simply nodded in agreement as well.
"My, my. This is rather interesting," Maechen suddenly spoke up, drawing everyone's attention to him once again.
"What is?" Baralai asked.
"I understand what you are all trying to accomplish, yet summoning back two people from the Farplane will be difficult. There's just not enough people here to summon such energy and-" Maechen said but was interrupted when he felt a gentle slap on his back.
"What was that? Not enough people, love? Well that's why I'm here."
The group watched as Leblanc and her two cronies made their way past the startled Maechen.
"Why am I not surprised that you're here," Paine said as Leblanc dusted her dress off.
"Bwaha! The boss has come to save you again!" Ormi laughed, his large hands on his sides.
"Indeed," Logos agreed quietly.
"What the hell are you doing here anyway?" Paine asked after some time.
Leblanc huffed, insulted by the warrior's words. "Well! This is the thanks I get, hmm?"
"So, are you going to tell us or not?" Rikku said as well. She regarded Leblanc with an impatient tone in her voice.
"You know loves, I'll tell you exactly how I got here," Leblanc began. She spun on her heel and faced Nooj in dramatic charisma before moving to his side and grasping his arm. Nooj widened his eyes at her open show of affection.
"It's because I felt Noojie calling me. I could feel his presence drawing me here," Leblanc explained as she held onto Nooj's arm.
Paine tried to hide a snicker as Leblanc cuddled up to Nooj's side. The warrior could see that Baralai was trying to hide his laughter at Nooj's embarrassment as well.
Gippal smirked to himself and mumbled softly under his breath. "Hm, I knew there was something between those two," he chuckled quietly.
But Nooj had heard the other Al Bhed.
"What was that?" he asked. Although Gippal tried to hide it, Nooj was able to hear his words quite clearly.
Gippal turned to face the man in alarm. "Ahaha. Nothing, Noojster. Nothing at all."
Rikku giggled quietly to herself before her expression turned serious once again. She turned to Maechen who was watching Leblanc's antics with amusement. She suddenly heard him speak.
"Ah, this will do just fine," Maechen began. He looked around the group slowly before nodding his head in finality. "Yes. This might just bring the two back. There is enough energy between all of you to bring them back to our plane safely."
"Ok...but how exactly do we do it...?" Rikku asked hesitantly.
"It is simple, child," Maechen began. He paused for a moment as he turned his back to them. Nevertheless, he pressed on. "All of you. You must all close your eyes and clear your minds. Think nothing else except for the return of Lady Yuna and the young man. Do this and there is a strong possibility that the two of them will appear before us safe and sound," the old man explained.
The group looked at each other before Paine nodded shortly. "Ok, let's do it."
Leblanc thought this over for a minute. Logos and Ormi simply waited for her response.
"Just think of her and she'll be back, right? Sounds painfully easy," Leblanc declared with a flick of her hair. She turned to the two next to her. "Boys, you heard the old man."
"Yes, boss!" Logos and Ormi responded at the same time.
Maechen nodded solemnly to the group as he raised his arms in the air.
"Good, let us begin then."
***
Tidus' eyes widened as he suddenly felt his arms begin to go through Yuna's body. He quickly broke their embrace and stared at her, his blue orbs wide in alarm.
Yuna gazed back at him in confusion.
"Wh-what's the matter? Why are you looking at me like-" she stopped short when she looked at him as well. She could see his body slowly beginning to fade away.
"N-not again. You're not fading away again, are you?" Yuna whispered in disbelief, tears threatening her eyes.
"Yuna. Look down at your hands..." Tidus whispered slowly to her as he watched her body begin to grow translucent.
She paused at his words but raised her hands up to her face hesitantly. She gasped as Tidus' face began to show through her hands as he watched her. She dropped her hands down and saw Tidus' body shimmer with light, his entire form radiating along with hers.
"What's happening to us?" Yuna asked, her voice trembling.
Tidus continued to stare down at himself, the sight feeling too much like two years ago on the airship.
The two stood still as a faint voice began to emanate through the air.
"Yunie...Tidus...can you hear me?" a voice echoed.
Yuna looked up into the sky where the voice came from. She knew that voice anywhere.
"Rikku!!"
"Hold each other tight. You'll be home soon..." Rikku's voice continued to speak.
Yuna looked at Tidus and he nodded gently at her before opening his arms. She ran up to him and wrapped her arms around his waist as she felt him do the same. The wind began to blow furiously this time, shaking the small flowers beneath them violently. Yuna's hair waved wildly around as she tried to shield her eyes from the bright lights and dust.
"It'll be over soon, Yuna!!" Tidus yelled through the wind. He held onto her tightly with no intention of letting her go. Both of their forms were starting to fade but they could still feel each other.
"You'll be here soon..." another voice echoed.
"I'll do you this favor, love," a soft voice called.
"Paine...Leblanc...everyone! Is that you?!" Yuna called into the sky.
Tidus raised a hand to cover Yuna's face from the wind and debris that began to scatter about the area. He winced as he felt a sharp slash on his arm from the debris that was flying through the air.
Suddenly, the wind stopped. The voices ceased and the sky's blue hue was replaced by the unmistakable cloudiness of a dark gray sky. Still shielding Yuna with his body, Tidus opened his eye slowly, wondering what had happened.
His expression turned hard as he instantly reached for his sword, shoving Yuna behind him as his blue eyes met the forms of the two people in front of them. Yuna opened her eyes and gasped in alarm.
"Thought you could get away so easily, did you?" Shuyin said lowly. He smirked at their expressions and lazily brushed a strand of hair away from his eyes. Yuna's gaze trailed down to the sword he was holding in one hand.
Lenne stood next to him, a long and elaborate staff in one of her hands. The ornament on the former summoner's weapon glowed brightly as she raised the staff in the air.
"You can't escape," she spoke calmly, eyes cold and unfeeling.
** End of Chapter 14 **
A/N: Eee. Another cliffhanger. ^^; Sorry everyone, but my favorite part of the story is coming up in the next chapter and I promise it'll be up very soon! Until then!