Huge apology for the wait. Computer problems again! Enjoy.

Upon their return back in Luca, Yuna immediately informed the Senate of the Free People what had happened in Bevelle. As she and her former guardians had been, all the members of the council were shocked to learn Mika was still unsent and headed the New Yevon order.

Counsellor Lucil did not seem worried about the prospect of war and seemed to share Yuna's view of its inevitability. Her anger at the revelation was apparent however, "No wonder they didn't wanted us to see their 'Keeper'," she fumed.

Yuna could only agree. After her meeting she returned to her quarters and was only partly surprised to learn from Shelinda that Tidus had been furnished with a room next to hers. The blitzer's appearance had caused a moment confusion and surprise amongst the members of the senate but they soon stopped haggling him and let him retire to his room.

Yuna paused outside his door debating whether or not to knock. A second later she nearly jumped out of her skin as a voice behind her said, "Looking for me?"

The ex-summoner spun around and saw Tidus standing behind her grinning. She blushed then frowned.

"You snuck up on me," she complained.

Tidus laughed, "At my own peril," he said, "I'm surprised you didn't karate chop my head off."

"I'm not that bad," Yuna told him then smiled, "Yet." She frowned, "You're all wet," she observed.

The blitzer ran a hand through his damp hair, "Yeah," he agreed, "Wakka talked me into some blitzball practice."

"Really? Still on form?" Yuna teased.

"Better than ever," Tidus returned.

"Well I'm sorry I missed it," she said heading for her room.

Tidus began to follow, "Actually there is match tonight," he told her, "A friendly match between us and the Al Bhed Psyches."

"The Aurochs are here?" Yuna asked.

"Wakka arranged to meet them here when he got back from Bevelle," Tidus told her, "Pre Tournament practice."

"Right," Yuna opened her door, "So I guess I'll see you tonight then?"

Tidus scratched the back of his head, "Maybe after the game we could go out and have fun?" he suggested.

Yuna smiled, "In the middle of the night?" she teased.

Tidus laughed, "Well I don't know," he said, "I guess Luca does sleep."

"Not as much as it used to," Yuna assured him, "I'll see you then." She gave him a smile and shut the door.

Tidus smiled to himself, "See you," he murmured before heading to his room.

The Besaid Aurochs had improved dramatically since the tournament in which Tidus had helped them win the cup and it showed as they played the Al Bhed Psyches.

Wakka who was now their coach had been talked into playing in the match by his team just for old times sake. Their new member, a man named Lekka who had been selected to replace the orange haired blitzer, and Datto warmed the bench.

It seemed to the players as they fought the battle of sport in the Sphere pool that the entire population of Luca had turned out to see them play. The stands were jam packed with screaming fans and the lights of the stadium lighted up the night air. Since the end of the Sin era and the acceptance of machina Blitzball matches were now played at night as well as during the day. Tidus couldn't help but notice that the sphere pool was a lot more high tech than he remembered.

After an exciting and close match the Besaid Aurochs took victory in the last few seconds, winning the match 3 to 2. When the tired but exalted players arrived back at their locker room they were swamped by adoring fans who begged autographs. Unable to turn them down the players, including Wakka and Tidus, indulged the fans for a while.

Eventually the two ex guardians managed to get away and join Lulu and Yuna, who were waiting for them outside the stadium. The foursome made their way into the centre of town, which was alive and buzzing after the exciting match. Everywhere they went people shook their hands and congratulated them. Some even bowed.

Making their way through a particularly dense crowd Tidus fell back slightly and as he was working his way back to his friends he bumped into someone hard causing them to sit down abruptly.

Immediately he grabbed the person's hand and pulled them to their feet, "Sorr-," he started then stopped as he caught sight of the person's face.

It was a girl, small and petite and even though she was dressed differently to what he remembered he recognized her instantly. Apparently she recognized him too for at that moment she screamed.

"TIDUS!!!!" Rikku squealed half excited and half shocked.

Tidus winced at the pitch of her voice but smiled, "That's me," he said slightly self-conscious.

Rikku stared at him then abruptly threw her arms around his neck, "You came back!" she stated the obvious, "Yunie will be so happy. But how? Are you unsent?" she backed off slightly and eyed him warily, "You're real aren't you? I'm not going crazy am I?"

Tidus laughed, "No," he assured her, "You're not going crazy." Quickly he gave her a short version of the tale he had told Yuna and the others.

Rikku was silent for a long moment, "Wow," she said at last then smiled happily, "But who cares? You're back and that's all that matters."

Tidus returned the smiled but before he could reply Yuna's voice interrupted them, "Rikku?"

The young Al Bhed turned to her cousin who was weaving her way toward them through the crowd and squealed again, "Oh Yunie," she cried, "Isn't it wonderful?" She went and hugged her cousin who hugged her back with a laugh.

"Yes," the ex summoner agreed, "But Rikku what are you doing here?"

"Oh," Rikku grinned, "When we heard about the match from Lekka we decided to come watch but the Airship gave us some problems and so we arrived too late," she looked disappointed for a moment but then cheered up, "But this more than makes up for it."

Wakka and Lulu emerged from the crowd and looked surprised to see Rikku. Explanations were repeated for them and the five friends made their way to a nearby Café to meet up with Cid and Brother both of whom had accompanied Rikku to Luca to see the match.

The two Al Bheds' reactions to seeing Tidus again were typical. First they were shocked and confused then happy. Cid pounded Tidus on the back so hard he was sure it was broken. Brother, whose English was much improved, told the blitzer he was glad he was back. After the situation was explained the seven of them settled down and the table for a drink.

They sat for a few hours just chatting and catching up. Everyone steered away from talk of politics and war. Soon the noise outside dropped and the night quietened. Slowly the Café began to empty as the night wore on.

Wakka stretched his arms above his head and stifled a yawn and Lulu hid a smile. The match had clearly worn the coach out, as he was not used to playing full matches anymore. The two of them excused themselves and made their way back to their room. Not soon after Cid, Brother and Rikku headed back to the Airship telling them they would see them in the morning.

Rikku gave Tidus a long hug before she went suddenly looking weepy. He laughed lightly and told her not to worry, he'd still be there in the morning. When they were gone he turned to Yuna and took her by the hand. The ex summoner gave him a curious look as he led her out the café and up a familiar set of stairs.

She smiled however when she realized where he was taking her. The same place she had tried to teach him to laugh. Yuna leaned on the railing and looked over the now quiet city with a smile on her face. Tidus also leaned against the rail but he stood with his back to the city, looking at her face.

"Do you remember-?" he started but Yuna cut him off.

"Yes," she said with a grin.

Tidus turned to the city, "It seems so like a whole world away, so much has changed," he said then added, "For the better."

Yuna nodded, "For the better," she agreed.

Tidus frowned, "That's what makes this whole situation so unfair," he said obviously referring the New Yevon order, "Spira deserves peace. Who do they think they are threatening that?" Tidus had familiar look on his face. Yuna remembered him wearing that same expression when he had promised to find a way to save her. A look of pure and utter determination that gave no thought to personal safety.

Yuna touched his arm and he looked at her, "Life isn't fair," she told him, "This situation will be resolved in time."

"But not without bloodshed," Tidus said gloomily.

"Don't be so sure," Yuna admonished.

"But I am," Tidus said quietly. In the moonlight Yuna could see a touch of apprehension on his face. Suddenly she was worried.

"What do you mean?" she wanted to know.

Tidus looked around, first at the city and then behind him at the steps leading to the Mi'hen Highroad. He frowned, "It's not safe here," he said.

Yuna was alarmed at the certainty in his voice, "What do you mean?" she asked again, forcefully.

Tidus continued to stare at the steps then abruptly he grabbed the ex summoner's hand and ran down the steps into Luca. As they reached the bottom she heard the heavy booted footsteps of many men running behind them. In the distance in front of them screams could be heard floating across the night air.

Immediately Yuna knew what was happening. The New Yevon Order had declared war.

As they arrived at Headquarters of the Free People Lulu and Wakka came hurrying out. Both looked murderous and Wakka held a particularly lethal looking Machina rifle instead of his usual Blitzball. Tidus was surprised at the weapon but even more so when Yuna pulled out twin pistols of her own.

"The world's gone mad," he muttered to himself. The foursome made their way back to the centre of town where the screams of the city people seemed to be originating. Along the way they spotted fiends running and flying around terrorizing the citizens. Tidus, who was without a weapon, quickly procured a sword from an abandoned and now ransacked shop along their way.

When they arrived they saw a couple of dozen warrior monks and Yevon clergy ransacking shops and cutting down citizens as they tried to flee. The fiends seemed to be controlled by the monks and were helping them attack the innocent. Immediately they began defending them from fiend and monk alike. As they fought it fast became clear that they were seriously outnumbered even with a few braver people fighting back with anything they could lay their hands on.

Just as thing were looking really bad a low rumble could be heard from above growing steadily in volume until with a blast of wind the airship appeared. Along it's deck stood a row of heavily armed Al Bhed including the skimpily clad Rikku with her father and brother. None of them looked particularly pleased.

As the airship flew low over the battle the Al Bhed leapt lightly to the ground and joined the fray fighting with a special sort of hatred for their enemies. Cheered by the arrival of back up those already fighting renewed their efforts.

Fighting close to Yuna, Tidus cut down yet another fiend. Out of the corner of his eyes he caught sight of a large fiend bearing down on an unsuspecting person. With a yell he charged at the Dual Horn and cut it's throat with a swift and precise attack. The man he had saved smiled at him in thanks but his eyes quickly widened as he looked over Tidus' shoulder.

The blitzer spun around sword ready but he was unprepared for the sight he saw. Struggling with debilitating shock he looked at the smug face of Seymour.

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