A/N: Yes, yes, I know. I've changed the title again. Sorry. But I'm just going to leave it alone this time. I really suck at titles but anyway, guess what, readers? This will be the first time, Tidus and company will get to see Zell's very first Limit Break and we'll get to see the Operation Mi'ihen. Not very pretty.
Also to the reviewer who asked about Zell's GFs, I always had Zell carry Diablos, Quezacoatl and Pandamona. So those are his three GFs in this story. They are registered under Squall but Zell just still has them GFs. Read on. -
Chapter 7.
The morning soon came. Zell was leaving his room while stretching. Tidus was talking to a tall blonde Al Bhed. The others were no where in sight at the moment. Just then there was a scream. "Someone, help! The Chocobos!" Auron walked in and looked at the two. "That's our cue, let's go." He said. Tidus and Zell looked at each other and hurried out. Lulu hurried forward. "To the chocobo corral!" She said. They all ran towards the corral.
The ground was shaking. Several chocobos ran past them, warking in fear. Zell spotted movement above them and looked up. "Up there!" he yelled pointing. Everyone looked up. Ontop of the shop was a massive fiend with a chocobo clutched in it's fist. It was warking in fear and trying to get free. The fiend jumped down in front of the group and roared at the group. The chocobo was freed and ran off.
Zell gritted his teeth. "Leave those chocobos alone, you monster!" he yelled and raced forward. Wakka gasped hurrying forward to stop him. "Zell! No! It's too big to take on yourself this time!" He yelled. Tidus ran after him. "Then let's help!" He yelled racing forward. Yuna ran forward with Kimahri right behind her. The battle raged on. Zell was moving as fast as he could to avoid the powerful hands. The fiend was getting weaker but angrier.
Suddenly Zell misjudged one of the thick hands and it grabbed him as he tried to jump back. The group all gasped as they watched the fiend pick the blonde up and squeezed. "Zell!" Yuna cried out and tried to hurry forward but Kimahri grabbed her. Wakka held his ball tightly but ready to throw. "Wakka! Throw your ball!" Tidus called out.
Wakka shook his head. "I can't! If I hit that thing, it might get angrier and crush him!" He yelled back. Auron shook his head. "We can't do anything right now! Just wait for a minute!" He ordered. Zell struggled to escape but monster tightened his grip squeezing the air out of him. He cried out in pain. "We have to do something or it's going to kill him!" Lulu said.
Tidus was going to run forward but Auron grabbed his shoulder. "Just wait for a second! Zell is charging up!" He barked. Everyone looked at him. "What!" Wakka asked. But his answer soon came when Zell let out a loud yell and used his strength loosen the grip. He kicked up into the air practically glowing with fire. His eyes blazing. He rose his fist which was on fire.
"Meteor Barret!" He yelled at the top of his lungs and he slammed right through the fiend. The fiend roared and went flying across the field right over the side of the cliff. It went smashing through and burst into balls of light. Everyone was staring wide eyed at Zell who had fallen to his knees and was breathing hard from exhaustion.
Both Yuna and Tidus ran forward to his sides. Wakka hurried after and bent next to Zell. "Yo, bro! You all right, ya!" He exclaimed. Zell laid his hand on his chest and staggered to his feet only to fall on Tidus who helped him stand. "I-I'm fine. It's just my limit break can take a lot of my energy if I don't be careful." He said. Lulu walked forward. "You are just full of surprises, aren't you?" She asked softly.
Zell gave her a smile and shook his head. "Believe me. You haven't seen nothing yet. I'm just a little out of shape since the fight against Ultimecia. I haven't exactly been training since then. Well…not as much as I used to." He said. Yuna nodded. "You must be careful, Zell." She said. Auron walked forward. "Just don't ever use My Final Heaven." He simply said and then walked away. Zell took a sharp breath and looked after the swordsman.
"My Final what?" Tidus asked. Zell squinted his eyes. "How the heck did he know about My Final Heaven?" He asked. Everyone stared. "What is that?" Yuna asked. Zell looked at her. "It's my greatest limit break. And most powerful." He said. Lulu tilted her head. "Exactly what is a limit break?" She asked.
Zell looked at her. "Limit breaks are a certain type of attack that SeeDs use. They take some energy from you though. I guess you could say it's just a special way of defeating your enemies. But believe me, you never want to see My Final Heaven. I don't plan on using it unless I really have to. I can destroy a lot of things if they're in my path when I'm running." Everyone blinked. Zell stood straight on his own now. He nodded and waved his hands lightly. "Just trust me. You don't want to know." He said.
The one Al Bhed Tidus was talking to earlier approached with a smile on his face. " We would like to thank you for your help. As a token of our gratitude, I would like to present you a freebie of riding our Chocobos. No charge whatsoever." He said. Auron nodded. "Thank you, Rin." He said and turned away.
They went on down the Highroad finally coming to a gate. Where they found two unexpected guests. Dona and Barthello. Zell growled seeing them and started forward but Wakka stopped him. "Don't think about it, Zell. What they did was wrong but getting back at them won't help anything, ya." He said. Auron looked at them. "Do I even need to ask?" he asked. They all shook their heads. "You don't want to know." Tidus told him.
"How many times do I have to tell you! I'm a summoner!" Dona said angrily. The gatekeeper shook his head. "Sorry, ma'am. No exceptions." He said. Dona growled. "You dare impede a summoner's pilgrimage?" She demanded. The gatekeeper was getting angrier. "Sorry, ma'am. Not exceptions!" he barked. Dona turned and stomped away. "Useless." She hissed.
The group spotted Gatta and Luzzu again. They were talking to the Crusader. "Gatta and Luzzu reporting, sir!" Gatta said saluting the gatekeeper. Luzzu nodded. "This is the last of them." He said. The gatekeeper nodded. "Good to have you with us. Go on through." He said. The chocobo carriage goes through carrying a large fiend inside. Gatta saw Tidus and smiled. "Show me how to play Blitz sometime." He said. Tidus nodded.
Luzzu looked over and shook his head. "Wait around. We'll have Sin beaten in no time." He said then he and Gatta went through the gate. Tidus was hurrying forward to pass through with the others behind him but the guard shook his head. "I'm sorry, I can't let you pass. Hey! You're a summoner and her guardians, right? Sorry for the inconvenience." He said.
Auron shook his head. "Don't worry about it." He said calmly. Tidus folded his arms behind his head. "So, what's going on anyways? What's so big about this operation thing?" He asked. The guard looked surprised. "What, they didn't tell you?" He asked. They all shook their heads.
The guard nodded. "We're bringing Sinspawn from all over Spira here. Sinspawn inevitably draw Sin, right? We're going to lure it into a trap! This mission, Operation Mi'ihen, is a Crusader – Al Bhed joint mission. We Crusaders lure Sin in, and the Al Bhed strike it down. You see, Al Bhed hate Sin as much as we do. They managed to salvage ancient machina. They say they're as powerful as the mighty aeons. Well, you know machina are forbidden by Yevon. Ah...on second thought, let's not go there. Better for you not to know. The Crusaders in Operation Mi'ihen have all been excommunicated. My own family won't even speak to me now. We have to beat Sin today. Otherwise, there's nowhere for us to go." He said.
So that answered Zell's one question about Yevon rejecting Luzzu and Gatta. He understood now. They were defying Yevon to get rid of Sin with forbidden machina. Zell understood now. He turned and followed the others back the way they had come from only to freeze in their spots. Zell felt annoyance rise up just seeing Him. Seymour and his assistants.
Yuna and Seymour stepped up to each other and did the prayer gesture. "So we meet again, Lady Yuna." Seymour said. Yuna nodded. "Y-Yes?" she said. Seymour looked her over and then smiled. "You looked troubled. Is there anything I can do?" He asked. Yuna sighed. "Well…." She paused looking at the gate. Seymour nodded. "I see." He turned and walked up to the gate. The guard saluted him.
"Maester Seymour. Let me show you to the command center." The guard said. Seymour rose a hand. "Hold. I have a request." He said. The guard looked startled. "Yes, Your Grace?" he asked. Seymour looked at Yuna. "I need to have Summoner Yuna and her guardians let through to the command center." He told him. The guard stepped back with shock. "But, Maester Seymour, sir."
Seymour shook his head. "Do not worry. I will take full responsibility." He announced. The guard nodded. "Very well. They may pass." He stepped aside. Seymour turned and looked at the group. "It is done." Yuna bowed to Seymour. "Thank you, Your Grace." She said. Seymour nodded and walked on through the gate. Lulu stepped forward. "Yuna, it's time to go." She said. Yuna nodded. "Oh! Right!" She said.
Tidus scowled. "Who does he think he is?" he asked. Wakka nudged him. "He's a maester. Better get used to it, ya?" he said and walked after the others. Zell was still glaring after Seymour. He leaned over to Tidus as they walked. "I don't like him." He whispered. Tidus looked at him. "Huh?" He asked. Zell shook his head. "I don't like Seymour. There's something fishy going on. I've got a bad feeling about that guy." He said. Tidus nodded. "Same here." He murmured and they went off after them.
The sky was dark gray and cloudy. The group found Seymour talking to a group. Zell was scowling again but he earned a poke in the shoulder from Auron. He looked up at him. "Don't let Seymour see that look. It will cause trouble for us." Auron spoke softly to him. Zell sighed and nodded. Another guard saluted Seymour. "All hail Maester Seymour!"
Seymour approached a group of Crusaders while the new coming group watched him. "Brave Crusaders of Spira, protectors of all Spira. Believe in the path you have chosen, let faith be your strength! I, Seymour Guado, maester of Yevon, will bear witness to your deeds today." The Crusaders all saluted him and chanted, "Sir!"
The Summoner and her Guardians looked around. Wakka looked horrorfied. "What's goin' on? Why's Maester Seymour backing the Crusaders, eh? They're using Al Bhed's machina! They're violating the teachings!" He said. Yuna looked at him. "Even going against the teachings they're willing to risk it for the greater good. Wakka, I think Maester Seymour sees that too." She said. Wakka looked at Lulu. "Lulu?" He asked.
Lulu looked thoughtful. "Hmm... I can only speculate." She said. Auron nodded towards Seymour. "Ask him yourself." He told the Blitzer. Seymour walked up to them looking at Yuna then his eyes went to Auron. Interest sparked his eyes. "Ah, Sir Auron. It is an honor. I would be most interested in hearing what you've been doing these past ten years." He said. Auron shook his head.
"I've got nothing to say about it." He said and then walked away. Seymour blinked lazily. "I….see." he said. He turned his gaze back onto Yuna. "Sir Auron must be a great asset as a guardian." He said. Yuna nodded. "Your Grace." She said. Seymour shook his head. "Please, there's no need for formalities." He said. Wakka stepped up. "Excuse me...Maester Seymour? Why is your Lordship... presently...present here...sir?" He asked nervously.
Seymour looked slightly annoyed. Zell's mood seemed to darken just a little. "Please, speak as you normally would." The Maester said. Wakka nodded looking embarrassed. "Isn't this operation against the teachings of Yevon? Aren't you gonna stop them?" He asked. Seymour rubbed his chin. "It's true... I should. However...Both the Crusaders and the Al Bhed truly wish peace for Spira. This Operation Mi'ihen was born from that wish they share. Although it may be sacrilege to Yevon, their intentions are pure. And I, Seymour Guadothe person, not the maester of Yevon... As a denizen of Spira, I wish them well in their endeavor." He told them.
Wakka looked slightly confused. "But, using machina... That's bad, isn't it?" He asked. Seymour smirked slightly and waved his hand. "Pretend you didn't see them." That shocked everyone. They all started. Mainly Wakka. "Beg your pardon, but that's not something a maester should say!" He said. Seymour shook his head. "Then pretend I didn't say it." He told him. Wakka looked wide eyed at the Maester. "Your kidding!" He exclaimed but Seymour shook his head and walked away.
Zell still glared after Seymour. He didn't know what it was but there was something not right about that guy. He looked at Yuna who was looking just as confused. But she shook her head and continued to walk. The Guardians followed after her.
They walked through the canyons to where the Command Center was being held. Clasko, one of the Chocobo Knights walked up to them. "Excuse me, Lady Summoner Yuna?" he asked. Yuna looked at him and nodded. "Yes?" She asked. Clasko nodded. "The Command Center…Maester Seymour requests your presence there, ma'am." He said.
Yuna nodded. "Thank you." She said. Clasko pointed. "Take that road to the Command Center. It's not far. We're still in the midst of preparations this way. Sorry." He said. He then walked off. The group followed the road he pointed out. They were at the entrance of the Command Center when they heard someone arguing with another. They turned and found Luzzu and Gatta.
Gatta looked upset about something. "Why only you, sir? I want to fight too!" He said. Luzzu shook his head. "Orders are orders." He said. Gatta shook his head. "I'm not a cadet anymore, sir! Let me go with you, and I'll prove it to them!" he begged. Luzzu scowled. "Guarding the command center is important too, you know." He said. Gatta shook his head again. "But I came all the way from Besaid to fight Sin, sir!" He said. Luzzu sighed. "I know, but an order's an order. To your post, Crusader." He said. Gatta's shoulders fell and he hurried away.
The group walked over to him to find out what happened. Luzzu bowed to them and smiled. "So they let you through, huh?" He asked. Tidus shook his head. "Gatta deserves better…." He was saying but Wakka cut him off. "At least there's no chance he'll get hurt. Why are you guys fighting, anyway? Aren't the almighty Al Bhed machina enough?" He asked. Luzzu shook his head.
"They still need some time to get them ready. Our job is to keep Sin at bay till they're done." He said. Wakka growled and turned to walk away with his arms folded but Luzzu stopped him. "Wakka, I might not get another chance to say this, but it's about your brother." He said. Lulu gasped and shook her head. "Luzzu, no!" She gasped.
Wakka spun around looking at both of them. "What?" He asked. Luzzu sighed lowering his head. "I'm the one who convinced him…..to enlist." He said. Wakka looked shocked. He then looked at Lulu, who looked painfully down at the ground. He turned and faced Luzzu stepping forward looking very angry. "I'm sorry." Luzzu muttered.
The blitzer just stood there for a second then outrage appeared on his face and he sent his fist flying right into Luzzu's face. Luzzu flew to the ground now holding a slightly bleeding nose. Wakka stomped forward to hit him again but Tidus and Zell grabbed his arms and pulled him back. "Wakka!" Tidus yelled. Zell shook his head. "That's enough!" He called out. Wakka stopped struggling still glaring at Luzzu.
"When we used to play blitz together, Chappu used to say...He'd say that when we won the Cup, ya? He'd propose to Lulu. And then one day...he goes off and becomes a Crusader. Just like that." He said angrily. Luzzu stood up pinching his nose. "Chappu also said to me that being with your girl is good….but keeping Sin far from her is better." He said. Wakka pulled his arms away from the two blondes and faced Lulu.
"Lu, you knew?" He asked. Lulu sighed with sadness. "Luzzu told me…before we left." She said softly. Luzzu nodded. "She hit me too." He said. Just then Lucil rode up on a chocobo. Her eyes looked over Luzzu with concern. "What happened?" She asked. Luzzu shook his head. "I said something that offended one of the Guardians. That's all." He said. Lucil gave him a small glare then shook her head.
"All Crusaders in the vanguard are to assemble on the beach." She said and rode off. Luzzu nodded. "That's my cue." He said and walked away. Wakka narrowed his eyes on him. "Luzzu! Don't die out there!" He called after him. Luzzu turned back. "So you can hit me more?" He asked. Wakka rose his hand and punched it with the other. "Lots! Lots more!" he said.
Luzzu stared at him for a minute then went on walking. Yuna hurried after him. "Sir Luzzu, please! Please don't go!" She begged. Luzzu sighed and stopped again. "I have to, Yuna." He said without turning around. Auron stepped after him. "Let him go. The man has already chosen his path. As you did when you became a summoner." He said. Yuna lowered her head and nodded. Luzzu glanced over his shoulder then walked away. Zell stared at Yuna and after Luzzu.
"I didn't understand what was going on.Why Yuna let Luzzu go?I don't think I would have understood for a long.
But soon I would.
I would have tried to stop my friends from stepping into the face of Death.
But then again, I didn't even know how this world worked exactly.
It was much different."
They finally made it to the Command Center. Every were Zell looked there was Crusaders. There were huge cannons close by too. And Wakka was walking up to one. He growled at it. "Curse these…!" He yelled and kicked it only to hurt his foot. He began jumping up and down in pain. Tidus shook his head. "He really hates them, huh?" He asked. Lulu nodded. "Chappu….He left the sword Wakka gave him in Besaid. And he fought with an Al Bhed machina weapon instead." She said.
Wakka looked over at them. "That's got nothing to do with it! I just hate these sacrilegious contraptions!" he said angrily. The others shook their heads and went on. Yuna and Zell went over to the edge and looked down. There were several Crusaders. Some were riding Chocobos. There were some placing a fiend into a massive cage full of other ones.
"It won't work anyway." Wakka muttered. Yuna looked at him. "Don't say that. It might be a hopeless campaign and it might mean defying Yevon but the Crusaders and the Al Bhed, they're doing their best to defeat Sin. They want to rid Spira of Sin forever. And that's just what we want to, isn't it?" She said. Wakka folded his arms. "Hmph. All right, all right. But I still think machina are bad news. They're forbidden for a reason." He said.
Lucil came running up. "Lady Summoner! There you are!" She pointed towards the command center. "The command center is that way. Maester Kinoc is also there." She said. Yuna looked surprised. "Maester Kinoc too?" She asked. Lucil nodded. "Yes. Please hurry, my lady." She said. The Summoner and her guardians walked over to the command center. Gatta was standing guard.
"The operation will begin shortly. Please check all your equipment." He said very dully. Wakka looked at him. "Um, you all right?" he asked. Gatta shook his head. "Of course not! I came here to fight Sin! But they stick me here!" He said angrily. Auron stepped forward. "If you want to prove yourself…" He paused. Gatta looked up at him. "…..first you must complete the tasks you are given." Auron finished. Gatta sighed and hung his head. The group walked past him only to get stopped by a short pudgy man wearing orange robes.
The man had hurried up and hugged Auron who just stood there. "I'd heard from Seymour but I didn't know if we'd actually meet. Good to see you Auron! Ten years, is it?" he asked. The man laughed. Lulu looked at the two puzzled looking blondes. "That's Wen Kinoc, one of the Four Maesters of Yevon. He leads the warrior monks and also commands the Crusaders." She said.
Gatta then hurried in. "All troops ready to move at your command, sir!" He said. Kinoc nodded. "Good. Dismissed." He said. Gatta nodded and left. Yuna and Wakka went after him. Tidus soon followed. But Zell stayed with Auron, Lulu and Kimahri to listen to the conversation between Auron and Kinoc. "Tell me, Auron. Where have you been the last ten years?" Kinoc asked. Auron shook his head. "We don't have time for this now, do we?" He asked.
Kinoc smirked. "This plan won't work, you know that. We'll just let them dream a little longer." He said. Zell blinked. "What?" He asked. Seymour stepped up. "Lord Kinoc…." He paused. Kinoc looked at him. "Oh yes. Proceed." He said. Auron had a small dark look on his face. "That Kinoc, a maester?" he muttered to himself.
Kinoc looked at him. "I heard that, Auron. A lot has happened the last ten years. What were you doing and where?" he asked seriously. Auron stared at him. "Fulfilling a promise I made to a friend. I still am." He said. Kinoc nodded. "Just tell me one thing. Have you seen Zanarkand?" He asked. Auron gave him a dark look before walking away.
Zell turned and walked out to where Yuna and Tidus were. He overheard a little of their conversation. "I kinda…think we don't belong here." She muttered. She walked over to Kinoc and started talking to him. Zell looked around. "I don't like this, Tidus. I think we need to get out of here." He said. Tidus looked at him. "Why?" He asked. Zell shook his head. "I just don't like it. There's something fishy going on. I have a bad feeling." He told him.
"Will Sin come?" Yuna asked Kinoc. Kinoc nodded. "Sin always returns for it's spawn. To make sure, we're going to encourage them to call out to it." He said. Auron walked up. "You won't have to. It'll come." He said.
The ground started to shake. The Crusaders started to electrify the fiends. Everyone was watching to see what would happen. Zell was shaking his head. "This isn't right." He muttered. Suddenly the fiends had gotten out. A massive snake-like beast had dropped out of the sky and started attacking people. The group ran forward and started fighting it.
Zell had to duck under several attacks that it threw at them. He punched it hard when he could get close. But it wasn't easy. It was wicked fast and vicious. Yuna had gotten hit pretty hard almost knocking her out. Auron then ordered her to stay back so she wouldn't get hurt. But she used her Aeons to defeat it. It was still alive when they were done but barely moving.
Then they heard yelling. Zell spun around and looked towards the bay. He gasped at the sight of it coming. The others stood by his side looking towards it. It was Sin. Zell hadn't gotten a good look at Sin before but now he did. And this thing was not a very pretty sight. They saw Chocobo riders massed up on the beach. They could hear Lucil barking out orders.
Suddenly the Al Bhed cannons fire making the ground shake. Each hit Sin and caused flesh fall off into the ocean. And when the pieces of flesh hit the water they turned into jelly fish fiends. The group on the cliff side saw the Chocobo Riders charge forward. Auron then jumped back. "Look out!" He yelled.
Sin began dropping fiends. A large barrier of energy surrounded Sin and starts to extend and grow bigger. The Crusaders started fighting Sinspawn. They were yelling as some fell but then the energy barrier reached them and everything started to get destroyed. The Crusaders that were on the beach began screaming in pain. The Al Bhed cannons were melted into nothing. Suddenly there was an explosion that sent the people on the cliff side flying. Zell hit a boulder hard knocking him unconscious.
When Zell came to he found someone standing over him. He looked up and found that it was Seymour. Seymour was looking around the area then his eyes lowered meeting Zell's. He smiled a strange smile. Zell frowned with despite and forced himself up. "You should not move. You are injured." Seymour said starting to bend down. Zell rolled over and got to his knees. "I'm fine. Thanks for you concern though." He said standing.
He winced holding his shoulder. He looked around and his eyes went wider. There were a few injured people still. And most were dead. His face fell with shock and sadness. He saw Yuna standing near the cliff side. He staggered over to her. His eyes searched for any survivors. But he couldn't see any. He saw Sin now swimming away. Tidus was swimming after him yelling. Zell held out his hand as if to stop him but he knew he couldn't.
Yuna took out her staff. "Everyone, stand back! I'll summon!" She cried out. Seymour shook his head. "You won't hurt it. Your powers are still….too weak." He said. Yuna looked at him. "But I must do something!" She said with tears filling her eyes. Seymour shook his head. Yuna turned and began to twirl her rod. "You can't!" Seymour rose his voice this time. Zell shot him a look and glared without letting anyone else see. Yuna sighed and lowered her head.
"I didn't understand.Why did Seymour stop Yuna from summoning?It was like he didn't want her to try to fight Sin.
And then it hit me right there. He didn't.
I knew it right there. Seymour seemed to want Sin around.
That was probably why he was there during the operation.
I would have to keep my eyes on him from now on when he was around."
Zell found Auron and walked up to him. The swordsman looked at him and nodded for him to follow him. Zell nodded and obeyed. They found Tidus sitting on the beach looking towards the sea. Auron stepped up right behind him. "I see you're still here." He said. Tidus turned around. "Huh?" he asked. Auron looked around the beach.
"Many stories ended here today…But yours goes on, I see." He spoke. Tidus looked confused. "What?" He asked. He stood up facing the two. He hurried forward only to stop because Kinoc walked up. Auron gave him a dark look. "A swift retreat. Satisfied?" He asked. Kinoc rose his eyebrow. "What do you mean?" he asked. Auron nodded towards the beach. "Those who turned from Yevon died while the faithful live on." He said. Kinoc smirked. "The past ten years have changed you, I see." He said.
Both of them walked in separate directions. Yuna was walking towards then but stopped to bow to Kinoc. Behind her, Seymour walked up. Zell narrowed his eyes at him, which Seymour didn't see. He was too busy looking at Yuna. He stepped up beside her. "You do not look so well. But now more than ever, you must be the people's strength, their confidence." He said.
Yuna had tears in her eyes and was trying very hard not to cry. Wakka walked up and bowed to Seymour who didn't pay any attention. Zell stepped up beside Yuna who refused to bow, and Seymour did see that. He narrowed his eyes at him but then smiled at Yuna. "Anyone else would be expected to show their sorrow. But you are a summoner. You are Spira's hope. Until Sin is defeated, you must not relent. Do you understand?" he asked.
Yuna nodded. "Yes. I understand." She said. Seymour smiled at her. "You are afraid?" He asked. Yuna smiled softly and he offered his hand to her. "Yuna, take me as your pillar of strength. As Yunalesca had her Lord Zaon." He said. Zell could now tell what his ambitions were. Yuna was going to take Seymour's hand but she felt someone slip their hand into her other one making her stop. She turned her head and found Zell standing there. She smiled.
Seymour looked annoyed but he forced a smile. "Lady Yuna. Until next we meet, farewell." He said. Yuna took her hand from Zell's and bowed. She then looked at him and smiled. "Thank you, Zell. I was starting to feel a little awkward." She said. Zell nodded. "Yuna, we are all there for you. Lulu, Wakka, Tidus, Kimahri, everyone. We will be your support. You can rely on us to be your strength." he told her. Yuna nodded and walked over to where Lulu was.
Zell looked around and found Tidus walking towards Auron. He didn't want to join them at the moment. So he walked towards Wakka only to find Kimahri standing in his way. Zell stopped in his tracks and looked at the Ronso with nervousness. He always felt like he didn't want to make the giant cat man.
"Kimahri wants thank Zell." Kimahri spoke softly. Zell was taken by surprise. He stepped back and stared. Kimahri nodded. "Kimahri speak when Kimahri wants to. Not all time Kimahri does." He said. Zell nodded. "I understand. You sort of remind me of my friend, Squall. He's….he's quiet and sometimes looks like he's not listening. But he is." He said.
Kimahri nodded folding his arms. "Kimahri listen." He said. Zell nodded. "So does Squall. He's…he's like a lion too. He is strong, prideful and pretty smart. He's the best friend a guy could ask for." He said. For a moment, Zell thought Kimahri was smiling. But then again he looked like his growling. "Kimahri thank Zell for Yuna. Yuna need friend like Zell." He said.
Zell nodded. "We're all there for her. If we didn't….she wouldn't know what to do and wouldn't be strong. But then again, she's much stronger than we all think. She just hasn't shown it yet." He said. Kimahri nodded. "Kimahri know. Yuna strong." He said. Zell nodded with a smile. He offered his hand to Kimahri who looked at it for a minute then extended his really not knowing what Zell was trying to do.
The blonde understood and took Kimahri's clawed hand and softly shook it up and down. Kimahri looked surprised but then his features softened showing that he understand. He then took his hand back and folded his arms. They smiled at each other. "Hey you two! Come on!" Yuna called. Zell and Kimahri looked up the road and saw the others waiting for them. They nodded and walked together towards them.
The group began walking down the Djose Highroad until they came to a fork in the road. Tidus looked around impatiently. "Hey! How much longer till Zanarkand?" He asked. Wakka shook his head. "Still a ways." He told him. Lulu nodded. "First down the Moonflow to the Guado City of Guadosalam. Then we cross the Thunder Plains to the temple of Macalania." She said.
Tidus sighed and slouched. "Oh, boy." He said. Yuna giggled and shook her head. "But before that, we get to pray at the temple in Djose!" She said cheerfully. Tidus pouted. "We can't just skip all that? Can we, huh?" he asked. Yuna smiled shaking her head. "I have to pray to the Fayth in every temple in order to earn the Final Aeon." She said. Wakka nodded. "That's a summoner's training. She's gotta prepare mind and body, all just to get ready for the Final Summoning." He said.
Zell blinked. He didn't think he liked the sound of this Final Summoning. It just didn't sound too right. Tidus looked at Yuna. "Must be tough, Yuna." He said. Yuna smiled. "I'll be fine with you here." She said. Zell smiled softly seeing the happy look on her face and went on with the others. They hurried up the road towards the Djose Temple. Tidus however was called back to Auron and they talked privately.
A/N: There you go. The next chapter'll be coming up soon. Review and tell me what you think.
