DISCLAIMER: I do not own any locations, characters, or names associated with Final Fantasy X or Final Fantasy X-2. I do, however, own this story J
Author's Notes: Thank you so much for the reviews I have received so far. I really like knowing that people are reading and enjoying this story as much as I like writing it.
I have received a question from a reviewer and I have decided to clarify and explain what I believe is the FFX/FFX-2 connection.
SPOILER WARNING!!!!!
Shuyin, Lenne, Yunalesca, Zaon, Yu Yevon, and Maechen all lived in the REAL Zanarkand that existed 1000 years before Yuna/Wakka/Lulu/Kimahri..etc. When the war between Bevelle and Zanarkand broke out, Yu Yevon (who was the leader of Zanarkand) knew that his city had no chance against Bevelle's machina, but he fought the war anyway – sending Summoners to the front lines. The only summoner he didn't send was his daughter, Yunalesca. She and her husband Zaon were spared and then fled on the eve of Zanarkand's destruction by Sin. Lenne didn't flee and went to war where she was held as a POW. Shuyin was desperate to save her and tried to destroy Bevelle and end the war by using Vegnagun but it didn't go so well and they both died.
Meanwhile, Yu Yevon realized that Zanarkand was going to lose to Bevelle and be wiped off of the face of Spira so he devised a plan to "save" Zanarkand as well as exact his revenge upon the rest of Spira. He sacrificed all residents still residing (therefore Yunalesca, Zaon, Shuyin, and Lenne were not involved) in Zanarkand and turned them into fayths for the summoning of Sin and "dream Zanarkand". The fayths made dream Zanarkand "similar" to real Zanarkand .
Certain aspects of Zanarkand were omitted. None of the "dream" residents knew of the war between Bevelle and Zanarkand. (In fact, the way Tidus referred to Zanarkand – it was almost as if Zanarkand was its own world and that he had never even heard of Spira.) Another thing omitted was songstresses and summoners. This is why no one looked like Lenne or Yunalesca. Blitzball was the only "entertainment" that dream Zanarkand had.
Now let me explain the Tidus/Shuyin connection. Since Shuyin was a very popular blitzball player, most people in real Zanarkand would have known who he was. Therefore when the residents were sacrificed and turned into fayths, they wanted to "recreate" this popular blitzball player and did so in Tidus. That is why some of the scenes involving Shuyin will be similar to scenes involving Tidus because I believe that some of the things Tidus may have said or done was because he was technically Shuyin.
Getting back to the main story…The fayth started singing the "Hymn of the Fayth" (as it came to be known.) The Bevelle soldiers who were traveling over Mt. Gagazet heard the song, panicked, and retreated. Later, they journeyed over and found the remains of Zanarkand and caught their first glimpse of Sin. The fayth had afterward gathered on Mt. Gagazet where they remained (this is where Tidus passes out and the little fayth boy tells him that he is a dream).
Meanwhile – back in Bevelle – everyone is panicked about Sin. Rumors flew that Yu Yevon was responsible and that the former residents were the fayth calling Sin. Even after Yunalesca and Zaon defeated Sin using the final summoning, people in Bevelle and the rest of Spira were still fearful of Yu Yevon's wrath. In hoping to save themselves from Sin's ravages, the Yevon faith was born and taught all throughout Spira. Over the years the fact that Yu Yevon was actually an enemy of Bevelle and Spira was lost to only those in the upper ranks of the religion (AKA: Maester Mika).
Also, the song heard on Mt. Gagazet by the soldiers (The "Hymn of the Fayth") was originally a song sung in Zanarkand to "make fun of" Bevelle. When the Yevon faith was created, that song was forbidden but when those who hated the Yevon faith (the Al Bhed, for instance) began to sing it, Yevon had no choice but to add the song to it's faith. That is why it was sung all over Spira during Tidus's journey.
Dream Zanarkand was existing at this time as well, but without any knowledge of the true fate of Zanarkand. Dream Zanarkand was so cut off that Tidus didn't even realize that Zanarkand was part of a world. When he would refer to Zanarkand, he would act as though he didn't realize there was a world other than Zanarkand.
The fayth was unhappy and wanted to rest, so I believe that they are the ones that sent Sin into dream Zanarkand. First they attempted to end their dreaming by using Jecht and pulling him from Dream Zanarkand and into Spira. When their plan failed and Jecht just continued the cycle by becoming the Final Aeon and eventually Sin, they then allowed Tidus to be pulled from Spira by Jecht.
Tidus is the one that broke the cycle, defeated Yu Yevon, saved Spira and ended the fayth's dreaming.
A lot of this information you can get from Maechen throughout the game. One location is Mt. Gagazet before going to fight Sin. You will see him standing near the save point. Talk to him and he will tell you about the destruction of Zanarkand as well as about Yunalesca and Yu Yevon.
Then two years after Sin's defeat, Shuyin awakens and decides to exact his revenge on Spira. Yu Yevon exacted revenge through Sin, but Shuyin wants to exact revenge using Vegnagun. He's hoping to make up for not saving Lenne 1000 years before. My story won't get into that because this is a story of Shuyin and Lenne's life and will end with their deaths. I won't be getting into FFX-2.
I hope this explains any questions. This is only my opinion but I believe that this is what happened.
Below is chapter 2. Leave a review and let me know what you think J
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SILVER WINGS
by akksgurl
Chapter Two: First Glimpse
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The beauty that was Lady Yunalesca Yevon sat staring at the large Macalania diamond that now sat on her finger. She couldn't stop smiling and had to resist the urge to call her father, Yu, at the presidential palace to tell him. It was far too late for that – almost 3 am – and she didn't want to wake him up. The news would just have to hold until the morning.
After dating Zaon for almost 6 years she was beginning to think that he was never going to propose – instead opting to ask her to go ice fishing at every opportunity. She laughed to herself. He had finally gotten up the nerve and looked almost shocked when she accepted. After shouting happily and kissing her, he'd run out to tell Shuyin who was the only other person in the world Yunalesca knew would still be awake since he'd just played a blitzball game.
The sound of the doorbell caused her smile to fade slightly. She couldn't imagine who would be at her door so late. Creeping over quietly, Yunalesca glanced out the window and her smile was immediately back on her face. Flinging the door open, she embraced the woman standing there, "Lenne!" she felt the hug returned as she continued, "What in Spira are you doing here this late?"
The embrace ended and Yunalesca suddenly noted a small suitcase next to her friend and a look of sadness in her brown eyes. Lenne sighed deeply, "Can I stay here for a while? I just to evicted from my apartment."
"Of course!" agreed Yunalesca as she gripped the bag and motioned for Lenne to enter. As the petite brunette sat down, she buried her face in her hands and groaned. Yunalesca sat down next to her and put an arm around her friend, "What happened? I thought you were living the high life in C-South. You've been doing concerts left and right, haven't you?"
Lenne nodded. Being a songstress – and an incredibly popular one throughout Zanarkand – had started out as a wonderful career. Now, though, the 19 year old girl didn't know what she was going to do. She looked at her friend and sighed, "My manager wasn't putting my money into accounts like he said he was." She finally said, "He was spending it all on booze and whores." Lenne heaved herself off of the sofa and dug in her suitcase for a small piece of paper, "This eviction notice was on the door of my apartment when I got there. I went in and everything was gone except for this suitcase with all of my clothes." She kicked the bag in anger and her eyes flashed with rage, "The damned apartment complex sold all of my belongings to pay back rent that I didn't even know that I owed!"
"They didn't give you any warning?" Yunalesca asked in shock.
Lenne shook her head and let her brown hair fall over her shoulders, "Apparently they were giving my information to Berdent who was supposed to be paying the bills. He never told me and just continued to suck me for all I was worth." She collapsed on the floor with her legs crossed, "I don't have any money and no where to live. All of my concerts and appearances have been cancelled because Berdent is no where to be found and nobody wants anything to do with me since I've got all this bad publicity now." She let herself shed a few tears before wiping them violently away as if furious with herself for letting them spill, "What am I supposed to do, Yuna?"
Her friend climbed off of the sofa and knelt in front of her, letting her pale blond hair caress the floor over her shoulders, "You're going to stay here for a while. You're going to get a job and you're going to get back on your feet." She gave her friend a smile, "Everything is going to be okay, Lennie. I promise."
Lenne gave Yunalesca a grateful grin and then her eyes suddenly caught something glittering in the light from the lamp. Her eyes focused for the first time on the diamond on her friend's hand and her eyes searched Yunalesca's for some clue. At Yunalesca's smile, Lenne yelped happily, "He finally asked you??!!"
"Just a few hours ago."
"Where is he?" asked Lenne as she climbed to her feet and straightened her blue shirt, "I want to congratulate him."
"He's out with his friend, Shuyin. They're probably getting drunk to celebrate, although if I know Shuyin they are probably celebrating the Abes win more than Zaon's engagement." Said Yunalesca with only a hint of annoyance. Although she thought Shuyin was fun to be around and could be very funny, his self centered personality annoyed her to no end. She didn't understand why Zaon didn't smack the conceited little jerk sometimes. She wanted to sometimes, that was for sure.
Lenne pouted, "I know. The Duggles should have won." She ran a hand through her long brown hair. As a C-South resident – or, former resident as it was – she was a huge fan of the Zanarkand Duggles blitzball team, but every time they played the Abes, they lost. She smiled, "If it hadn't been for that cocky little blond making the shot at the last minute the Duggles could have at least ended the season with a tie."
Yunalesca let out a laugh and gripped her stomach as she collapsed on the sofa, "You think he's cocky too?"
"Of course," replied Lenne as she sat down next to her giggling friend, "That #4 almost oozes conceit."
Sobering slightly, Yunalesca said, "Well, #4…he's…well…he's Shuyin." Lenne's shocked and apologetic look made Yunalesca laugh even harder and she shook her hand in the air as if waving away the guilt that Lenne was feeling, "Don't worry about it. Shuyin is funny but he is definitely conceited. I don't know why Zaon hangs out with him."
"Neither do I." agreed Lenne, "He always refuses interviews too. I guess that's why I really dislike him. If he really wanted to be a good star, he'd interview as often as he could so that his fans could get a sense of who he is."
Yunalesca grinned. Shuyin was never one to pay attention to his fans unless they were willing to put out and she conveyed that to Lenne, "And what's annoying," she continued, "is that he's so handsome he can get away with stuff like that."
"So why does Zaon hang with him?"
Yunalesca shrugged, "They've been friends since they were kids. Zaon has seen him through some tough stuff." She paused, "Zaon is really the only person that Shuyin has left."
"What do you mean?"
"Well," Yunalesca stopped. She wasn't sure if she should convey Shuyin's personal history to someone who had never met him, but she knew that Lenne would keep her mouth shut. Lenne wasn't the type to gossip about other people's misfortunes. She continued, "Four years ago his parents were killed by fiends while they were taking a stroll towards Mt. Gagazet."
"That's horrible."
"Yeah. He was really close to them but especially his father. His father was the one who taught him how to play blitzball." She cast her gaze downward, "Zaon is the one that told him about his parents."
Lenne frowned and a crease crossed her brow as she said, "So his behavior…"
"Yeah," Yunalesca nodded, "It started after their deaths. I think he's been acting out since then. That doesn't excuse it though."
"Well, conceit isn't a crime, you know." Lenne said with a laugh.
Yunalesca nodded, "True, but he's also a firm believer in the 'Love 'em and Leave 'em' mentality." Lenne cocked an eyebrow in confusion and her friend clarified, "He leaves as soon as his paramour is asleep."
Before Lenne could reply the girls heard voices coming from outside. Rising from their seats and walking to the window, the girls saw Zaon and Shuyin standing outside laughing while two attractive girls hung all over Shuyin – one in pink, one in blue.
Yunalesca quietly opened the window and the two girls listened intently to the conversation.
"You sure you don't want to come in and see Yuna?" Zaon asked.
Shuyin shook his head, "I'll see you guys later. She's probably asleep anyway and I've got some important business to attend to." He winked at the two girls consecutively and then grinned at Zaon, "You understand?"
Zaon let out a laugh, "Of course I understand."
Shuyin put his arms around both girls. He looked at the girl in pink, "Come on Lonna." Then the girl in blue, "Lilly."
The girl in pink frowned a little, "I'm Lilly. She's Lonna."
Shuyin nodded, "Of course you are." He smiled at Zaon as he escorted the women away from the house and in the direction of the hotel district.
Yunalesca gave Lenne a pointed glance and Lenne nodded. Shuyin was worse then she had imagined. Treating women like they didn't matter infuriated her, although he was really handsome. If Zaon liked him, then hopefully there was some good in him…
Nah.
The door swung open and Zaon stepped into the living room with a grin on his face. He turned to embrace Yunalesca and then stopped when he saw Lenne, "Hey Lennie! What are you doing here?"
Yunalesca waved off the question, "It's a long story, but she's going to be staying with me for a while."
Zaon nodded, "Sounds good. I just stopped in to give you a passionate good night kiss before I wandered next door my little bungalow." True to his word, Zaon pressed his lips to Yunalesca's and dipped her back.
Lenne felt a little stirring of jealousy at the sight. She wished to find a love like Yunalesca had but there had been no luck. She'd had a string of unsuccessful relationships with men who only wanted her for two things – her money and her body. Now that she had lost one of the only two things men found attractive about her, she knew that her chances of finding someone had decreased tremendously. She'd just have to learn to live with that.
Zaon grinned at Lenne as he let Yunalesca catch her breath, "Good night, Lennie." He said, and then glanced at his fiancée, "Good night, my love."
"Good night, Zaon."
Zaon pulled open the front door and stepped out onto the porch again before turning and sticking his head back inside, "Start planning that wedding, ladies. I don't know if I can wait much longer.
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Zanarkand slept but its leader did not. Yu Yevon had already been up for hours pouring over his Summoner's Arts books. He was a short, potbellied man in his late 40s with a receding hairline and small, wire rimmed glasses. He looked more like a library patron then a powerful summoner and leader of the largest machina city in Spira.
Yu had become the leader of Zanarkand due to his status as High Summoner through which he was renowned as a master of his craft. Zanarkand needed a powerful leader and Yu Yevon was most assuredly that.
That morning, Yu was in quite a panic though he managed his best to hide it from those around him. After hearing that the Bevelle army was readying its machina, Yu had begun preparing for the worst. Relations between the two former allies had been tense for years but only recently had whispered talk of war begun to trickle through the leaders of Zanarkand and Bevelle.
If war broke out, Yu knew that Zanarkand was doomed against Bevelle's machina. The man was determined to save Zanarkand – no matter what the cost.
The clock nearby chimed 7am and Yu Yevon allowed himself a yawn and a stretch. He'd been hunched over his books since 2am without rest. He knew that the answer to saving Zanarkand was in one of his books, but he just hadn't found that answer yet.
A typical summon wouldn't do anything against machina. Those weapons would blow holes through Valefor, Ifrit, Shiva, and Bahamut. Perhaps Ixion stood a chance since he was lightening based, but even still that beautiful stallion would eventually fall.
There had to be a summon that could stop Bevelle – maybe even destroy it.
"Sir," came a tentative voice at the doorway. Yu glanced up at his man servant, Arnile, and nodded. The servant stepped forward, "Your daughter is here, sir. Shall I have her wait in the study?"
Yu shook his head, "No, send her in here."
Arnile nodded and Yu quietly closed his books while he waited for his daughter to arrive. He couldn't imagine what she could need so early. Yunalesca usually didn't awaken until at least 10. He frowned.
Was something wrong with Zaon?
Yu really liked his daughter's boyfriend, although he felt it was high time for the man to put a ring on her finger. Six years of dating was long enough to decide if you wanted to spend the rest of your life with someone.
Yu was shaken from his reverie when his daughter entered the room with a large smile on her pretty face, "Daddy!" she cried as she leapt forward and hugged him close to her, "I've got such wonderful news, Daddy!"
Holding his daughter at arm's length to see the glitter of excitement in her eyes, Yu couldn't help but get a little excited too. Whatever it was had put his daughter in an excellent mood. He smiled, "What is it, Yuna?"
Yunalesca held her left hand under her father's nose and Yu glanced down. The diamond glittered and sparkled under the overhead light and Yu silently assessed the jewelry.
This must have set Zaon back quite a bit, he thought.
Yu looked from the diamond to his daughter, "This is so wonderful!" he cried as she hugged him close again.
"What's even more wonderful is that Lenne is in town." Yunalesca said. Lenne was Yunalesca's good friend in school until she moved to C-South to pursue her singing career. The two still kept in touch. Yu listened as his daughter continued, "She's having some financial trouble so she's going to be staying with me for a while. She agreed to be my Maid of Honor. Isn't that great?!"
"I heard about her financial trouble. If she'd like, I can have the guard begin to look for her manager."
Yunalesca shook her head, "I think Lenne just wants to forget about the whole thing. Besides, the guy is probably halfway to Bevelle by now."
Yu nodded and he and his daughter sat down. Over the next few hours he listened intently as Yunalesca began describing the wedding she wants. He was surprised that she was willing to concede to Zaon's dream of having only a small ceremony but had to stifle a laugh when she spoke of inviting the entire town to the reception. Yunalesca loved being the center of attention so much that Yu was surprised when she didn't join Lenne in becoming a songstress.
"What do you think?" came her question as she finished.
Yu nodded his concession, "I think it sounds like you've got everything planned out."
Grinning, she pushed her blond hair from her eyes, "Zaon and I want to get married as soon as possible. What do you think about next month?"
"Isn't that a little soon?"
"Do you think so?" Yunalesca pouted, "but you can do it, can't you Daddy?"
Yu sighed. He hated when she pouted. She looked so much like her late mother and he just couldn't say no when she begged so he smiled and said, "Pick an exact date and we'll be ready."
Yunalesca smiled, "May 5."
Yu laughed and felt her kiss his cheek as she jumped up announcing that she was going to have to tell Zaon. He stayed in his seat for a few moments after she left, thinking. His only child was getting married. She was getting married right in the midst of a tense relationship so bad that war could begin.
"Sir." Arnile's voice came from the doorway.
"Come in, Arnile." Said Yu as he stood and walked back to his desk.
"Reports from our spies in Bevelle just came through, sir."
Yu's attention was immediately granted in full to his servant. He focused his eyes on the man and asked, "What do they say?"
Arnile downcast his glance, "It's not good sir," he began, "Our fears have been confirmed."
"Vegnagun?" asked Yu.
Vegnagun was a giant machina that Bevelle had been secretly construction under their palace for years. According to previous reports, its destructive power was enough to blow Zanarkand off of the face of Spira.
Arnile nodded, "It's complete, sir." He paused, as if for dramatic effect, "And operational."
