Unfinished Business
an attempt at a FF X-2 fanfic :)
by Time Guardian

I usually stick it out in the realm of Sailor Moon but this game really got to me. (In more ways than one, I never got the perefect ending! sob)
This fic has spoilers for all who havent played X-2 yet or are not on chapter 5, thought I would give fair warning. Hope you enjoy. :)

Lenne checked the final preparations for her concert. Standing in her dressing room, she reagrded her tall slender form in the mirror, tugging at her jade colored dress. She was usually excited before a concert but this time could could barely bring a smile to her lips. With a weary sigh, she exited her dressing room and proceeded down the long hallway into the auditorium and approached the hover that would take her to the towering stage.

She twisted at her long hair in anticipation but when the cue came, she put on a smile and stepped into the hover. As it went up, the crowd erupted with thunderous shouts and applause. Lenne expelled a nervous breath and then when the hover came to a stop, she stepped out onto the massive stage amidst the bright hovering lights.

Today would be the last concert she would give for a long time, because tomorrow she would set off to war.

From the latest news she had heard, Summoners were being called upon to fight in the Machina War and Lenne knew that she was considered one of the best. Part of her wanted to rebel at that prospect. She hated to fight and Lenne knew that she had a natural talent as a songstress. She could easily live out her life bringing joy through her music.

The music began low and soft behind her. She had deliberatly chose a slow ballad for this last performance for the words flowed easily from her lips, telling of the regret and sorrow she was feeling. Lenne didn't want to leave and after what she found out earlier, she knew that there was a good chance she wouldn't be coming back.


Lenne was rushing to the stadium. She had an hour before showtime and she wanted to make sure that everything was prepared for the concert.

As she bounded the steps to the stadium entrance, she noticed a curious gentleman in green robes, holding a sphere recorder. She noticed the man staring at her intently, then paled as he approached and extended a hand.

"You must be Lenne," he said warmly as Lenne reluctantly shook his hand, "I am Machen. It is an honor to shake the hand of a Summoner with talents such as yours."

She jerked back as if she was burned. "How do you know that? I have only become a full fledged summoner in the past month and only my close friends and temple priests were supposed to know."

Machen's smile only served to unnerve her as he stated his reason for being there. "I have come to ask for your help. There have been reports that Bevelle is trying to sway the outcome of the Machina war by helping to build a massive machine that they have named Vegnagun."

Revulsion filled her. The last thing she wanted to think about today was matters of war, training or no. Turning away, she stared at the brightly lit buildings nearby.

Lenne gave a nervous laugh. "What difference does that make? The last reports I heard were that the Summoners already in the field are doing well, and they have had to battle machina of all sizes."

She started up the steps when Machen's words came again, breaking into her already fragile thoughts. "The machina that was built in Bevelle has the power to destroy the entire planet. They tested it in a small tropical forest area on Bikanel island. A few summoners braved the trip to try and challenge Vegnagun before it could fully realize it's power. Lenne, there was nothing left after the test was over. "

No. Lenne froze in mid-step, then turned to face him. "You have seen this destruction?"

Machen's face was grim as he nodded. "The area was left as decimated as an endless desert, and nothing has been heard from the summoners that went to challenge it's , reliable reports show that their next target is this city."

Lenne gave an involuntary shudder. So much for a quiet existance.

"How can I believe you?" she replied quietly, "For all I know, you could be leading me into a trap."

In reply, Machen searched his robes, and took out a brightly colored sphere. "This recording was made by a spy working undercover in Bevelle. Watch it, and you shall have your answer."

Lenne took the sphere from him and carefully cradled it in her hands, manipulating it until she saw the images begin. For many minutes, her eyes widened as the images of Vegnagun came one after another.

There were shots of his massive size and some preliminary tests. The desctruction she saw in those images made her heart heavy but she knew that she did not want a monster like that destroying the only city she could call home.

Lenne handed the sphere back to Machen, her decision made.

"So what do I have to do?"


As Lenne finally ended her song, she felt her heart soar for a brief moment as she spotted a familiar guy entering the stadium from one of the side entrances and make his way to the front of the crowd.

Shuyin's dirty golden blond hair and blue eyes made him stand out to her. He had said something about about taking off early from Blitzball practice to come see her show and Lenne was glad he could be here.

They had met while she was training to be a Summoner. She was relaxing in the stadium area watching his team practice for a game. Lenne noticed his smoky blue eyes and his winning smile. He seemed to be having fun, while she was stressing out trying to find her place in life. When Shuyin finally had enough of her staring, he came up to her and asked her out on a date.

Over a meal at a nearby bar, Shuyin had told her of the world of blitzball, the crowds and the excitement. In return, Lenne told him tales of the farplane, aeons, and Summoner's duties.

One date then became two, then they started finding excuses to be together almost constantly. In the end, she fell deeply in love with him and in turn asked him to be her guardian on her journeys, to which Shuyin eagerly accepted.

Shuyin spoke of forever being with her and Lenne cared for him deeply, but her sworn duties as a summoner came first - even if it meant her own death.


When the show was over, Lenne walked backstage to her dressing room. Opening her door, she was suprised by Shuyin standing in the doorway. He was still wearing blue Blitzball uniform but he was all smiles, holding a large square box.

"Shuyin! What in the world-"

He quickly passed the bulky box to her. "Lenne, I bought you something that I hope you like. Open it."

Sitting the box on her dressing table, she lifted the lid to behold a beautiful dress. The skirt was black, but the rest was a beautiful dark shade of blue, accented by white ruffles. She could barely speak. "Shuyin - this is beautiful, but-"

Shuyin cut her off with a smile and gave her a gentle push towards a changing screen in one corner. "But nothing. I spent all of my Gil I won at the last Blitzball tournament for it. You deserve it, my love, please go try it on."

Lenne reluctantly went behind the screen while Shuyin waited. In a few moments she walked out and showed her new look off to Shuyin.

His smile warmed her heart. "You look so beautiful. I bet all of the sphere recorders will be focused on you when you give your next concert."

A cold chill passed through her heart with his words. Biting back a sob, she sank into a nearby chair. Shuyin leaned down, and stared at her with worry in his eyes.

"Lenne, my love, what is it? what's wrong?"

Lenne tried to compose herself and managed to give a shuddering breath. "Nothing ...it's nothing."

Shuyin took her hands in his and gazed at her harder. "It is something, I think. Usually after your concerts you are so happy and full of energy."

Lenne's mind whirled. She had to tell him. "I met up with a man named Machen today and-"

Shuyin got to his feet. Lenne noticed that his eyes turned as cold as ice. "Machen? You mean that crazy man that's trying to organize an offense against Vegnagun?"

She stood, eyeing him with some surprise. "What do you know of Vegnagun?"

Never had she seen Shuyin so agitated. He angrily paced the length of her dressing room before he replied. "I heard a couple of the Blitzball members from Bevelle boasting about it, about how it is supposed to be 'the miracle cure that ends the war and that it can eliminate anyone standing in its way.' Don't tell me that he's asked you to go to Bevelle."

She looked down at the floor, "He says that our city is next to be destroyed."

Shuyin turned and slammed a fist into a nearby wall. "I will never understand what compells two parties to go to war! Words never seem to be people are made to suffer, and all over trivial matters."

Lenne's pleading and sorrowful gaze met his eyes. "Please, Shuyin, I abhor the thought of fighting in a war such as this but when there is a chance to dismantle a weapon this massive to prevent future deaths, I think it is worth the risk. I would refuse to go otherwise."

Shuyin massaged his throbbing hand and looked thoughtful for a moment. "You could be right. Who knows? Maybe it'll get those fools in Bevelle to listen to reason if their number one weapon ends up dismantled. So when do we leave?"

She took a hopeful step forward. "So, does this mean you will journey with me?"

Shuyin wrapped his arms around her in a tight embrace, then kissed her lightly on the lips.

"I swore an oath to be your guardian, remember? Besides, I want to see this through with you and make sure that you come back to me safe and sound."

He watched as Lenne smiled faintly. "Now that's the Lenne I know and love."

But in the back of his mind, he worried about her. He knew that Lenne didn't want to fight. Hell, they shouldn't have fight at all. Nothing about this damn war was fair.

Shuyin continued to hold Lenne in his arms and stroked her long raven black hair gently.

I will protect you Lenne, I swear it!


Well, what do you think? Is it worth continuing? I have some ideas on how to proceed, and any feedback
will be graciously appreciated, savored, and devoured. :P