Final Fantasy: A Ronin's Love
Chapter 3: A Familiar Face
Author's Note: All Characters appearing in Final Fantasy X and X-2 are the property of SquareEnix and Hironobu Sakaguchi. All additional characters are the property of sut69. This Fan Fiction is for entertainment purposes only and I will make no money from it in any way.
Feedback: This is my first Fanfic so please feel free to offer any suggestions etc you may have for me. Keep in mind that I imagine this work will not be perfect in any shape or form due to my inexperience, so please try to make any criticisms constructive.
Type: Action/Adventure/Romance.
Rating: PG-13
Foreword: This story takes place 3 years after the events of Final Fantasy X-2 and the defeat of Vegnagun. Yuna, Rikku, Paine, Brother, Buddy and Shinra still make up the Gullwings. Presently, the Sphere hunters have just set course for Gagazet after receiving a distress call from the Calm Lands saying that a mysterious force is making its way towards the sacred mountain.
Chapter 3: A Familiar Face
"How long until we get there Buddy?" said Yuna, tapping her foot impatiently against a console on the Celsius' bridge.
Buddy punched a couple of buttons on his station, "It has been 2 hours since we received word from Tobli. Whatever this thing is, it would have to be pretty fast to get to Gagazet from Remiem that quickly" said the Al Bhed reassuringly.
"Don't be so sure of yourself" said Paine quietly, "We know nothing about this thing, except that it is powerful, or so Tobli says. And I'm sure the Ronso are not going to try and negotiate with it if it threatens them in any way."
Yuna said nothing, knowing it futile to try and disagree with the swordswoman.
I know you're usually right Paine, but I hope that just this once you're wrong, for Kimahri's sake.
As the trio landed at the foot of Gagazet, they could immediately tell all was not as it should be. There was no sign of a fight here, but not one Ronso could be found anywhere.
"KIMAHRI, WHERE ARE YOU?" Yuna and Rikku shouted together as loud as they possibly could.
"Kimahri…where could you be?" Yuna muttered under her breath.
"Look!" exclaimed Rikku, pointing towards the mountain trail. A wounded Ronso crawled down the snowy path toward the group, his injuries finally taking their toll, as he collapsed before the girls.
"Kimahri, stay with me!" shouted Yuna as she ran towards the fallen warrior. She took his head in her arms as she knelt beside her former guardian, cradling him softly. "Kimahri? Speak to me" Yuna said softly, trying her best to fight back the tears lining her eyes.
"Yuna…Kimahri sorry" came the reply, almost too quiet for Yuna to hear. "Ronso stronger now, but still could not stop him, still have much to learn." Before anything more could be said, Kimahri's eyes shut and he blacked out in Yuna's arms.
"Quickly, we have to get him back to the Celsius." Paine shouted over the rising winds. "We can deal with whatever did this when he's safe."
Yuna snapped out her trance, looking at her friend. "You're right, let's go."
Back on the Celsius, the girls waited anxiously outside the quarters where Kimahri was being treated.
"How long have they been in there? I'm worried" said Rikku impatiently.
"About 30 seconds more than when you last asked" Paine replied.
"Hey I'm only wor…"
Rikku was cut off by the doctor emerging from door next to them. "He will be fine, although it's a miracle he survived these wounds. He must rest for a couple of weeks now, even a Ronso such as he is."
Relieved sighs all around were heard at the news of Kimahri's condition, most had feared for his life after seeing the extent of his injuries.
"Whatever did this, we have to stop it" Yuna announced "Any news on where this thing is now?"
"I imagine its heading for Zanarkand Yuna" Paine said quietly. "At least there are no more people it can hurt there."
"Yeah I suppose so, but I still think we should act now and stop this thing. There must be something it wants in Zanarkand."
"Erm…didn't Kimahri say something up on the mountain. Something about still not being able to stop him…any ideas?" Rikku chipped in.
The group thought for a second, trying to remember the words of the Ronso elder. Paine finally broke the silence, "It doesn't really matter does it?" the other girls looked at her quizzically. Paine sighed, "We will find out when we get to Zanarkand, am I wrong?"
"Ha ha…That's Paine, straight to the fight eh" said Rikku, cheering up a bit.
"Ok then, next destination Zanarkand, full speed" Yuna ordered Buddy, a new determination burning in her eyes. "When we find this thing, no mercy alright? Nobody hurts my friends."
"Er…ok Yuna" said Rikku and Paine, slowly backing away from their leader. "She's scary sometimes y'know" whispered Rikku to Paine.
"Don't I know it. She can't wait to get her hands dirty can she?" the warrior whispered back.
Already, the Celsius was on its way to the Zanarkand ruins, the Gullwings losing no time in chasing this mysterious new danger to Spira. Yuna's thoughts as they sped through the sky were haunted with images of a wounded Kimahri, and filled with questions about this new foe.
Who would do something like this? What did Kimahri mean, "Still couldn't defeat him?" When will Spira be able to have peace? It seems every time we have it in our grasp, something appears to snatch it away from us. I will not let Spira be terrorised again, I cannot let it happen, I will stop whatever this thing is and bring peace to Spira once and for all.
The team arrived at the ancient city in what seemed like no time at all, although everyone wished it had taken just a bit longer. Disembarking from the ship Paine, Yuna and Rikku made their way through the Yevon dome toward the chamber of the final summoning. Along the way they fought off many fiends, gaining strength and spirit with each battle. As they descended down to the fayth chamber though the three girls began to get pre-epic battle butterflies, as was customary in these situations where the fate of Spira lay in their hands. Even though these three had been though this a number of times before, they couldn't help but feel nervous about this threat.
Each girl had different thoughts as they prepared for the inevitable fight.
Yuna; we don't even know what this thing is, perhaps we should have done more research on this instead of rushing in.
Paine; bring it on…and quickly, I'm tired of waiting for a decent opponent.
Rikku; hmmph, not again. It's always up to us to save the day.
As the lift stopped and the girls stepped off and walked single file into the chamber of the final summoning an eerie silence surrounded them, both Yuna and Rikku noticing at the same moment and casting nervous glances at each other. Paine, always the most mature and unshaken of the three, remained calm and composed as ever and directed her attention toward the door leading to the room beyond. Upon passing through this door, Yuna remembered again the events that took place five years ago, the fight with Yunalesca and casting away their false hope.
A moment later, a familiar voice could be heard echoing from the darkness in what seemed like no direction in particular. "Heh heh, I am not surprised it is you who has come to face me, truth be told I was hoping you would come and entertain me one last time Yuna."
The Gullwings jumped in shock at the mention of their leader's name, in an instant three weapons were drawn, ready to attack the invisible foe. "How do you know me? Reveal yourself…NOW!!" Yuna shouted hysterically into the black abyss.
"Yuna, calm down. That will not help" Paine cut in, trying to keep Yuna in the best state of mind for a fight.
Before Yuna could reply, the voice spoke once more. "Yuna…Yuna, dear me. You have forgotten me already after all we went through together. You disappoint me, I had thought you would hold my memory close to your heart. Oh well, I suppose I shall have to remind you before I end your worthless lives." And as those last words were spoken, a figure emerged from the blackness, his long blue hair swaying in an invisible wind, an evil grin spread across his face.
"Seymour!!" cried both Yuna and Rikku at once.
"But…we killed you…didn't we?" Yuna managed to stammer.
"Ah yes, so you did" Seymour answered "but even I was surprised when I found myself still on Spira. You see, my hatred for all of Spira and the people who live here bound me to this world, and until I destroy Spira I cannot rest. Quite interesting really."
"Interesting my ass! It doesn't matter what you think Guado, you will pay for the people you hurt today. We will end your life here and now, permanently!" Paine stated, her sword held high in anticipation of attack.
"Well well, what have we here, a new face? Who might you be my dear? I would like to know such a beautiful lady's name before I kill her" Seymour said in his most evil, slimy voice.
"I will not give you the pleasure, we don't have time for introductions. No offence." Paine replied, unfazed by the dead Maester's taunts.
"None taken, I see you are eager to fight. Very well, let us begin the massacre." Before the girls could strike though, Seymour had taken up the summoner's stance, swinging his wand and dancing as though calling an aeon. "YOU STAND NO CHANCE WITHOUT YOUR AEONS YUNA, NOW DIE!!!"
Seymour screamed over the now gale force winds swirling around him "FEEL THE WRATH OF PANDEMONA!!." With a massive gust of magical energy, a giant figure emerged from the ground surrounded by a thunderous tornado.
"WHAT THE HELL?" cried Yuna, "WHAT IS THAT THING?"
"DON'T THINK, FIGHT" bellowed Paine, barely able to stand in the force of the wind surrounding the aeon of wind, Pandemona. And with that, the warrior ran headlong into the giant funnel, sword ready to strike. "DIE, YOU BASTARD!!"
"PAINE, NO!!!" cried the remaining two Gullwings, as they watched their friend disappear into the swirling winds.
Sorry to leave it on a cliff-hanger (got to do something to keep you comin' back. heh heh.) but this chapter was getting quite long compared to the others. If you don't know, Pandemona is a GF from Final Fantasy VIII, details on how Seymour acquired it in later chapters. Hope you liked this chapter, it was a bit more exciting, and Seymour is back, Boo! I hate his guts, so it seemed fitting to bring him back to piss everyone off! Is it just me or does he get on everyone's nerves? If you have any comments or questions E-mail me at or review please. See you for the next chapter. Later people.