Chapter Seventeen: Black Mage Showdown
Amanda's Ramble:
Amanda: Hey oh. Sorry it took so long for the last chapter. FF.Net was acting all weird and wouldn't upload it. I've had it written for a while.
Auron: *cough*slack ass*cough*
Amanda: *knocks Auron unconscious with Ophelia's staff* Anyway, on to the reviewers.
Seven: Heh. Of course it was a cliff-hanger. What'd you expect? XD
Squiffie: One of the many to twack Auron. The poor guy has a lump the size of Sin on his head, and let me tell ya, it ain't pretty.
dama-de-tinieblas: Thanks a lot! It's nice to know people are enjoying the story.
Auron's Biggest Fan: Yes, I've been thinking on the Wakka angle. It would make for an interesting twist, wouldn't it? Hmm… Sorry about the dentist. *wince* I hate going, personally. And you're right…Auron is deserving of what he got. ^-^
Strider566: LOL I think everyone's hoping for a reasonable explaination for the Au/Lu scene. Personally, I hate AuLu's and Aurikkus……They're just…..*shudder* Anyway, thanks for the wonderful compliment for the feel of Spira. That made my day.
Era Yachi: Auron mush is wonderful, and I must admit I'm guilty for reading it over and over and over… Seems as though everyone loved the thing with the tv…I was pretty funny. I was worried about the poor moogle doll. And for the record…I may not have reviewed it (I forget to, shame on me) but I've been reading your Aurikku story religiously for a while now. I don't like Aurikku's…but…*shrug* Good job.
Amanda: I think that's everyone.
Auron: I deserved this!?! *points at the lump on his head and pokes it accidentally* Ow!
Amanda: Heh. Auron's got great comedic value, you know? Anyway, on to the story.
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Ophelia knew that Wakka was right, that she should talk to Auron first off, but there was some business to clear up with a certain black mage, and Ophelia was more than willing to get it over with first. She jogged down the stairs, ignoring a few questioning looks, shaking her head when Rikku ran up, the dismantled toaster in her hand. Rikku gave her a pouting look before stomping off to the kitchen, her back straight. Ophelia moved onward to the living room, her gaze finally settling on her target, her hands clenching and unclenching into fists at her sides. Finally, she found her voice, and when she spoke, it sounded as cold and metallic, and full of acid.
"Lulu, a word with you." The black mage glanced up, her brows raised in surprise. She threw a glance at the others, obviously hesitating. "Now."
Lulu rose imperiously from the couch, her moogle doll clutched to her breast. At least she realizes she needs to arm herself, Ophelia thought darkly. She pushed past Kimahri, who'd moved in front of the sliding glass door, grabbing her staff as she disappeared into the darkness. The night embraced her, and she knew that what she was doing was very dangerous, and very stupid. Lulu was by far the more experienced of the two, and this could end badly. But that rational part of Ophelia's brain was being drowned out by the vindictive voice shouting at the top of its lungs, and Ophelia found she preferred it's way of handling this.
The others followed as Lulu made her way across the damp lawn, and the taller women stopped ten feet from Ophelia, her head high, her back stiff. The others shifted their gazes to the smaller women, who looked utterly relaxed and not the slightest bit worried. If anything she looked extremely bored, as though a black mage duel were not about to take place. They were jostled as Auron pushed to the front ranks, his face plainly lined with worry. His good eye was leveled on Ophelia, and Tidus, standing next to him, was surprised to see that he was chewing his bottom lip hard enough to draw blood.
"So," Ophelia began, and though her voice was still soft and feminine the way it had always been, something about it showed that it was not quite her own. "Explain yourself."
Lulu realized that these words were not Ophelia's, and forced herself not to stumble back. Showing fear was not an option. "I shall not," she said acidly, "not until I can see my inquisitor."
Ophelia raised and brow. "Very well." She began a summoning, yet it was new and foreign, and as a whole the others realized it was her new Aeon. What had she said? They had souls. More so than any other fayth, and this one was showing what that statement meant.
The summoning dance ended, and instead of showy fireworks like most Aeons used to announce their entrance, this one walked silently out of the darkness, nearly gliding across the wet grass. His face was young and thin, and, both Auron and Tidus realized as a shock, could have passed as Auron's twin ten years ago. His long dark hair was tied back tightly, and russet eyes cast a cold look around the semi-circle that had formed. He stopped next to Ophelia, his summoner, and leveled his piercing gaze on Lulu, and she began to visibly tremble.
"Pity we couldn't have done this the easy way." The voice was smooth and masculine, with an edge like a blade. He gestured at the others, his attitude a bit mocking. "Oh! We have an audience! How wonderful."
"That's enough, Othello," Ophelia muttered. "Get on with whatever it is you want to do."
"Of course, Lady. Forgive me." He sketched a small bow and turned back to Lulu, his face now set in hard lines. "You, woman. Why have you caused discord and betrayal among the party you travel in?"
Lulu looked affronted, and blinked a few times before answering. "Discord."
"Aye, woman, discord. You have torn apart the basic element that will keep you alive during the battle with Sin. Trust." Othello crossed his arms, his brows lowering. "What say you to these charges?"
"Excuse me?" Lulu's own back was up now, and her face had gone from elegant to hideous in her anger. "I do not have to stand here and be insulted by a being that is supposed to have no will of it's own-"
"Answer me, you pathetic mortal woman! What say you to the charges?" Othello's voice was pure steel, and Lulu felt the answer being dragged out of her mouth.
"G-guilty!" It came out on a pained cry, and the black mage slumped over, the arm not clutching the doll wrapped around her midriff. Ophelia felt her body go stiff with shock. What was Othello doing to her? She dared a quick glance at the others, seeing her own expression reflected in six other faces. Kimahri watched it all passively, just as he'd always done unless his summoner was being injured, and Auron had turned away, not in anger, but to hide the fact that he thought Lulu was getting no less than she deserved, even if it was from an aeon who's very face made him want to rip it from the skull it resided on.
"Damn you," Lulu coughed a mouthful of blood and spat it out. "Damn you, you freakish demon. Go back to hell where you belong!"
"Then explain why you have caused discord!"
"For the good of the group!" Silence greeted these words, and Ophelia felt her eyes narrow in anger. Auron glanced back in shock over his shoulder before his own brows drew together. "Summoner and guardian should not be allowed to form such a bond! It only makes the time of the Final Summoning that much more difficult! He knows that, yet he lets his guard down every time the girl is weak with emotion!"
Auron whirled around so fast he nearly knocked Tidus over. "And what did I tell you? What did I say to you in the Macalanian forest, Lulu? Didn't I tell you to mind your own damn business?!? Is this your way of 'helping'? For holiness' sake, I suggest you give it up, for you have done nothing but cause unnecessary hurt." His one eye was narrowed dangerously, his breath coming harshly, Auron turned on his heel and strode angrily back inside the house. His heavy footsteps could be heard as he moved up the stairs, and Ophelia winced when she heard her door slam shut with what sounded like enough force to tear it from its hinges.
With a sigh, Ophelia waved her staff toward Othello, and he sent her a sour look before he faded with the night. She turned back to Lulu, her eyes narrowed to nearly slits. "If you ever, EVER try a stunt like that again, you had better hope I'm not in possession of the Summon of Punishment. Do I make myself clear?" Ophelia left the yard and entered the house herself, leaving the others to stare after her, confusion, fear, and, for Yuna and Rikku, sympathy lining their faces.
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Auron glanced up when the door opened and braced himself when Ophelia peeked around the corner, looking uncertain.
"Uh, mind if I come in?"
Auron made a half-hearted dismissive gesture and kept his gaze firmly on the carpet and she entered and shut the door behind her. She sat next to him on the bed and he forced himself to stay put, his skin prickling with apprehension.
"Well, uh, I guess I , uh-" She paused and he could almost see her making that nervous gesture with her hands that had become so familiar, and so loved. "I owe you one huge, giant apology." The words came out in a rush, and he felt her holding her breath, awaiting an answer.
Auron took a deep breath, weighing each word in his mind carefully before speaking, for once in his very limited experience realizing that this was a very crucial moment. "I cannot see as how you owe me your apology," he began slowly, still looking at the floor. "You have done nothing wrong. It is I who should apologize to you. I should have told you Lulu disapproved of, of…" He trailed off and shook his head as if clearing a horrid thought.
"How?" Ophelia was surprised when she took one of his hands in hers, stopping his nervous fidgeting. "How did she-" She stopped, and Auron knew her eyes had filled with tears.
"Out of the blue." He tighted his grip on her hand and was relieved when she didn't resist, but squeezed back.
"She does seem like the type, doesn't she?" She gave Auron a small, tentative smile at his confused look and shook her head. "She looks like a bitch. I hoped she wasn't, but, well…"
Auron actually felt a smile pull at his mouth, and his stomach untwisted from its tight knot. "Yes, I believe that's an accurate term. Also, I believe she's more than a little jealous."
Ophelia's eyes widened. "Of me?" Her brows pulled together in a confused frown, and Auron found he couldn't fight the smile. "Why in hell would she be jealous of me?"
"Wakka fancies himself a little in love with you. This turn of events does not at all please our mighty black mage." The last was said in a mock reverent voice, and a watery giggle broke through Ophelia's tears.
"I realized that tonight. Kinda makes me feel bad to know that." She sighed and looked back up at him, and he used his free hand (she was squeezing the other into numbness) to wipe away her tears.
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So…..is everything cool now between Auron and Ophelia? Hmm..I don't know. You'll have to wait and see.
Chapter Eighteen (gawd, is it really that far already?) up soon.