Return of Light

            "What's the deal?" Zeoron cried, flinging her hands in the air.  She stomped around in a circle, her brow furrowed.  She swore again and crossed her arms under her breasts, glowering up at the stony ice temple of Macalania.

            "I dunno, Zeo.  Yuna said the temple won't open.  Not even the priest knows why.  Says he's been trapped out here for three weeks.  Not one damn clue," Chappu muttered, running a hand through his hair and sighing.  He kicked at patch of snow as they stood out on the frost bridge leading to the temple.

            "This sucks!  We need to get in there to complete the pilgrimage!  If we get stuck here…" Zeoron let her sentence hang, by now knowing Chappu already knew what would happen. 

            The Shadow would prevail, and Spira, their world, would be gone.

            "Hey, guys, you wouldn't happen to have any money, would you?" Tidus asked, swaggering up with his arms swinging by his sides.  Zeoron and Chappu blinked.  Zeoron shook her head.  Sometimes, it was hard to tell Tidus was in his mid-30s.

            "Why?  I thought you had plenty," Chappu said, raising one eyebrow.

            "Yeah, well, 'had' is past tense now.  I don't know what happened to it." Tidus grinned sheepishly, one hand coming up behind his head.

            Chappu grinned. "Yuna yelled at you, didn't see?"

            "Oh yeah."

            Zeoron snorted and muttered something that sounded like, "Men," and left.

            Chappu and Tidus watched her go, each smiling from ear to ear in their own egotistical ways.

            "So, Chappu, about that money…"

            "Forget it, Tidus.  I cleaned myself out on drinks."

            "Drunkard."

            "You know it."

            Both laughed, attracting Wakka's immediate attention.  He sidled over after a quick glance at Lulu telling him she was deep in a discussion with Yuna.

            "What's goin' on, ya?" he asked, slapping Tidus and Chappu on the back.

            "Aw, ya know, Wakka.  Man stuff," Chappu said, puffing up his chest and quirking his eyebrow.

            "Nice try, Chappu, but you still got some growing up to do before we'll consider you a man," Tidus said, grinning and laying a hand on his shoulder.

            "Can't say I didn't give up," Chappu muttered, shaking his head. "But at least I don't get nagged at by my babe," he added, smirking at both men.

            "Not funny, Chappu.  You wait 'til you get married.  Then you can tell us stuff like that—if you're let off your leash long enough!" Wakka chuckled.

            "That was cruel man.  Besides," Tidus leaned in closer, "be careful!  If they hear you call them babes, they'll get really offended.  So don't call them that, o—"

            "Call us what, Tidus?" came Yuna's voice. 

            Tidus, Wakka and Chappu turned to look around at the High Summoner.  She was flanked by her Al Bhed cousin and two Black Mages, all of who were frowning.  Lulu had her arms crossed, Zeoron had her fists planted on her hips, and Rikku was standing sideways, one hand on her hip and the other in a fist by her side.

            "Cowards first!" Chappu cried; pushing off of Tidus and Wakka and making a run for it, the two men on hot on his heels.  All four women took after them, yelling and shrieking.

            The priest of Macalania Temple watched them with wide eyes, sighing. "Peace and harmony is what will open the gates, not chasing your gentlemen."

*          *            *

            "I ache."

            "I did warn you," Yunalesca said mildly, twirling her straw around in her wine glass as she curled up in her stuffed ruby chair.  Her eyes flickered up to study the young summoner sprawled out on her ashen couch.  She smiled, her eyes lowering over the rim as she sipped the crimson liquid.

            "I know, I know!  Why didn't you knock me out or something to stop me?" Tida mumbled, sitting up and groaning, one hand coming up to her forehead. 

            "You need to learn things on your own more than anything, Miss Tida," Yunalesca pointed out, taking another drink of her sinfully sweet wine.

            "Gimme a drink of that stuff.  Maybe it'll dull the throbbing in my head and the excruciating pain in the rest of my body," Tida murmured, reaching for the glass with hungry eyes.

            "No way, kiddo," Yunalesca said swiftly, drawing back.

            "Come on, Lesca!  Please!" Tida whined.

            "No, Tida!  It will be gone in the morning.  Go to bed."

            "Lesca!"

            "Tida."

            "I'm not a little kid anymore!  I'm nineteen!"

            "Go.  To.  Bed."

            "Oh, damn it!"

*          *            *

            "I got it open!" Zeoron shrieked, jumping up and down.  She seized Chappu's hands, laughing.  Chappu grinned at her, pulling her in and hugging her.

            "Way to go, Zeo!  How'd ya do it?"

            Zeoron's cheeks colored slightly, but she shook her head. "Never mind.  It's open isn't it?  Come on, let's go!" Zeoron spun away, running through the temple doors.

            Chappu raised one eyebrow quizzically and looked back at Yuna. "Trouble?"

            Yuna sighed and nodded. "Definitely."

            Tidus shrugged. "Well, let's go."

            It was he who led the way after Zeoron, a smile playing on his lips.  Wakka and Lulu followed with Yuna, Chappu and Rikku bringing up the rear.  The priest was right behind them, dropping to his knees in the snow and praising everything that it was open.

            Zeoron was inside, her cheeks still stained lightly with pink but her eyes were still dancing in excitement.  Chappu shook his head at her and glanced at the doors leading into the Cloister of Trials.

            "Chappu…" Yuna's voice was hesitant. "I was wondering if perhaps you and Zeoron would accompany me this time—and only the two of you."

            A chorus of protests erupted after Yuna's request and she held up hand asking for silence.  Tidus was shaking with rage and Lulu's crimson eyes had darkened instantly to blood red.  Wakka and Rikku simply crossed their arms and glared, Rikku biting her tongue to keep from lashing out with a verbal beating.

            "Hear me out, please.  I realize that they are not my valid guardians, but they are the strongest of us.  Yes, Tidus, even Chappu's swordsmanship exceeds your skills.  His Spirit Keeper blade is stronger than Caladbolg as well.  Zeoron's Black Magic is far stronger than Lulu's and they both know this.  Since we couldn't get into the temple to begin with, it is my strong belief that there is something more to this.  I want them with me." Yuna stopped her preaching and gazed around somewhat unsurely at the group.

            After several moments of stillness and stares, Tidus sighed.

            "Very well, Yuna.  I can't argue with that.  Chappu and Zeo can accompany you.  But—"

            "—if you get into trouble, light up your crystal three times.  It'll make mine flash three times and we'll bust in and take over the situation!" Rikku finished, punching a fist into the air and grinning.

            "Rikku, how old are you?" Lulu asked flatly.  She exhaled loudly and placed a hand on Yuna's shoulder, fixing her with a hard stare. "Be careful, Yuna, please."

            Yuna smiled and nodded. "I will."

            Chappu rolled his eyes. "Come on; let's get this over with," he said, shouldering the Spirit Keeper.  He sighed and ran a hand through his hair, turning deep blue eyes on Zeoron and Yuna.  He jerked his head at the doors and strode toward them, fully expecting the two women to follow him.

            Zeoron's hands curled into fists and flew to her hips, glaring after him while Yuna crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes.  Tidus and the other guardians laughed.

            "I'm going to talk to Tida.  I think Chappu could use another little reminder…"

            —

            "I don't recall the Trials being this difficult…" Chappu muttered, punching a wall upon which a flickering glyph was dancing around, reappearing in different places each time.  Chappu finally figured out its pattern and hit it, causing a door to open somewhere.

            "Zeo?"

            "Right; I got it!  Macalanian Sphere into the left slot… Oops.  Right sl—"

            SPLASH!

            "AAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!!  ZEORON!!!"

            Yuna appeared around the corner, shoulders hunched and hands bawled into fists at her sides.  Written upon her face was nothing but fury as she was sopping wet; a puddle was forming around her booted feet.  She flipped her hair out of her eyes, seething. 

            "Um…  Sorry?"

            Chappu laughed, shaking his head. "I forgot about the snow trap.  Looks like most of it melted, though…"

            "Shut up," Yuna growled through gritted teeth, squeezing the water from her hair.  She shivered slightly and Zeoron quickly lit a fire near the High Summoner.

            "Um… why don't you dry by the fire while Chappu and I finish the Cloister?  It'll be… um, yeah." Zeoron shifted for a second before turning and walking rigidly away.

            Chappu sighed. "Back in a minute, Yuna.  Call if you need us," Chappu added, striding away in the opposite direction that Zeoron had gone in. 

            Yuna muttered under her breath and began wringing water out of her shirt, resting her staff against the wall.  The biting chill nipping at her skin through her waterlogged clothing was very uncomfortable.

            "I will kill Zeoron," Yuna mumbled, rubbing her hands together and holding out her palms to the dancing flames.  She shivered again. "Crap."

            "Lady Yuna."

            Yuna's head whipped around and her eyes widened both in shock and fear. "You!" she barely gasped out.

            Yuna groped for her staff, struggling to find her voice that never came.

            Disclaimer:  All belongs to Squaresoft except Tida, Chappu, Zeoron, etc.