Notes: I don't own FFX or X-2 or any of that! Though I do own my OC's! Bleh! This fic ties X and X-2 together sense it begins at the end of X and ends at the beginning of X-2. It explains how Baralai comes to power in Bevelle, Rikku and Gippal's mysterious relationship, and why the hell Rin has Gippal's Sphere. (pairings: YunaxIsaaru, YunaxTidus, RikkuxGippal, BaralaixShelinda)

Chapter 3: Reuniting The People

Yuna sat on the beach of Besaid digging her toes into the sand. Almost six months ago her first love had washed up on these shores. She had found comfort in the warm arms of Isaaru but she knew there was no replacement for the man who had sacrificed himself for her. Isaaru sat beside her, sifting sand between his fingers and smiling. Before Yuna he never knew love. He resisted as much as he could as to not make himself turn away from his pilgrimage. Now he was free to be with her and not feel the guilt of abandoning his duty. Although, he had to admit, he was beginning to miss his brothers. Maroda's wise advice and Pacce's childish cuteness were things he could go with out for only so long. For now though, he'd stay by Yuna's side. Never allowing the heartache to take her over completely.

"Cdub frehehk, Gippal. Ed'mm kad oui hu frana." Rin said most unsympathetically. Gippal had begun working on what Cid had done before: reuniting the Al Bhed. Gippal was doing it another way though. Instead of making a city based around sticking close and hiding from the enemy, he formed a group around the Al Bheds' #1 passion: machina. He saw this as new beginning and showed it by not using the word machina but the word machine. He called this new group "The Machine Faction". Gippal had gone to his father, whom he hated for reasons unknown to any one except him, his mother, and Rin, for supplies to feed his group. He also expected to get them for free.

"Dryd ec lniamdo, Rin! Drec ec vun dra kuut uv uin baubma!" Gippal yelled loudly from the Mi'ihen Highroad travel agency. Rin only grunted and turned around.

"Bah! Fro cruimt E ramb cusauha fru tuach'd ajah mega sa? Pace tac, E'ja ymfyoc paah ykyehcd drec fruma napiemtehk Rusa clrasa." When Rin said this Gippal laughed loudly. Every one was staring at them as they argued.

"Fryd ypuid dra fruma 'dra vihtc femm ku du dra naluhcdnildeuh uv Rusa' cdivv? Bmic, E's hud napiemtehk ed! E's zicd naihedehk dra Al Bhed baubma!" Gippal yelled half laughing. After spending at least an hour arguing, he finally left and met up with Rikku at the chocobo corral.

"I don't know about this… Is political power that important?" Shelinda stared at Baralai full of doubt. He had confided to her about his plan to humiliate the chairman and praetor as a way to gain control.

"But if I don't take this chance when will another one come? Please, Shelinda, understand where I'm coming from. I'm not use to being a simple civilian like you are." Shelinda looked down and muttered under her breath.

"But you know…some times the simpler life is the better one." She then walked away. She didn't look angry but her tone of voice showed it. Baralai did he feel bad pressed on any ways. He wasn't about to let his emotions get in the way of his ambition. Nothing was going to stop him! Not even his feelings for the little acolyte who had taken him in and treated him so kindly.

End of chapter 3