Disclaimer: I do not own any Final Fantasy 8 or 10 characters, as of yet but I do plan on highjacking Squaresoft and stealing the rights to the character. :whispers: but you didn't hear that from me. :winks:

Hey, everyone! Thanks for the reviews even though there weren't that many. But still. Any review makes me happy. Unless they're #&&$$ flamers. Anywho, in this chapter, the crew gets away, of course. And Zell gets to build a strong relationship with our lovely and favorite Al Bhed.

Chapter 14.

They sitting in a jailcell hanging from the ceiling. Zell was sitting against the side listening to Tidus freaking out. Auron was watching him. "Get me outta here! I want out now! You hear me!" Tidus screamed. Zell winced. "You waste your breath." The swordsman said. Zell nodded. "Yeah. Mind doing us a favor and shut up? I think your going to make my eardrums die." He said sarcastically.

Tidus gave him a look but then sighed and sat down next to him. "Man, I hope Yuna's okay." He said. Auron nodded at him. "She's strong. She'll make it." He said. Tidus looked up at him. "She'll make it? What, so she can die? Why is it everything in Spira seems to revolve around people dying?" He asked. Zell sighed shaking his head. Auron smirked. "Ah, the spiral of death." He said. Tidus and Zell blinked looking up at him. "Huh?" they both muttered.

"Summoners challenge the bringer of death, Sin and die doing so. Guardians give their lives to protect their Summoner. The Fayth are the souls of the dead. Even the Maesters of Yevon are unsent. Spira is full of Death. Only Sin is reborn and then only bring more death. It is a cycle of death spiraling endlessly." He said. Zell sighed and shook his head. "Man, I'm starting to hate Spira."

His eyes lit up and he looked at Tidus. "Hey, Tidus. Want to come live in Gaia?" he gave Auron a sarcastic look. "There's nothing about death there." He said. Auron chuckled. They went quiet for a long time. Zell slouched a little. "Man, look where my big mouth got us. Again." He said. Tidus looked at him. "Huh?" He asked. Zell shook his head. "My mouth is always causing trouble. First it was Timber, then it was the Desert prison and getting beat up. Why is it always me making the trouble." He said.

Tidus shook his head. "Hey, Zell. What you said to those Maesters, it was the truth." He said. Zell looked at him. "Yeah, but was it the smart thing to say? I mean, look where I landed us." He said. Auron shook his head. "Smart thing, no. Right thing, yes. You did well." He said. Zell smiled up at him sadly. They remained quiet.

Finally Kinoc walked up on a walkway. "Come out. Your sentence has been decided." He said. Auron snorted. "Sentence? Don't you mean execution?" He asked. Kinoc rose an eyebrow. "Really, now? What person would execute a dear friend?" He asked. Auron nodded at him as he spoke. "You would." He shot. Kinoc laughed and led them out with series of guards.

Zell and Tidus was standing together with several guards behind them. "Looks like you're next." A guard said. Tidus looked at him. "Next for what?" he asked The guard roughly shoved Tidus into the water. "Get going!" He barked. "Ahh!" Tidus gasped as he splashed into the water. Next the guard shoved Zell, who landed head first.

When he surfaced he gave the guards a dark look. "Dumbass!" He yelled. Tidus growled placing a hand on Zell's shoulder. "Where's everybody else?" He asked. The guard nodded. "Floating down there somewhere, maybe." He then turned away. Zell felt like climbing out and beat the guard to a bloody pulp but Tidus pulled him away. They swam around until they found Wakka.

"Oooh! You made it!" Wakka said happily. The three high-five each other. Rikku swam up. "Zell!" She said merrily. Zell waved at her. "Hey, Rikku." He said with a smile. Tidus looked at Wakka. "What's our sentence?" he asked. Wakka snorted. "Think they expect us to give up and die down here." He said folding his arms as he floated in the water. Zell and Tidus looked at each other. "Well that's a lame way to kill someone." Tidus said. Zell nodded. "Very lame." He muttered.

Rikku looked around. "Where's Yunie?" She asked. Tidus shook his head. "I don't know." He said. Zell shrugged. "Wonder if we should wait for her." She said. Zell shook his head. "Hmm. Let's wait at the exit." He said. Tidus nodded and the four began to swim.

Back on the surface, the Maesters were talking to each other. Mika looked at Seymour. "How fares the Ronso Maester?" He asked. Seymour shook his head. "It seems my father's murder troubles him." He said. Mika laughed. "Ever the Ronso. Hard headed, hardly useful." He said. Seymour looked at him. "However, the Summoner Yuna, daughter to High Summoner Braska. She may be of some use to us alive." He said.

Mika turned away from him. "She has disturbed the order of Yevon. She cannot be allowed to live." He said. Seymour nodded. "I understand." He bowed to him. Kinoc put his hand on the Guado/human's shoulder. "Let it go, Seymour. No one thrown into the Via Purifico has ever survived." He said. Seymour shrugged off his hand. "Yet there is always a small chance that they might. Place guards at the exit. Kill any who emerge." Mika said.

Seymour bowed again. "Sir, leave that to me." He said. Mika turned back and looked at him. "First your father, now your bride?" he asked. Seymour nodded. "Allow me to do this because she is my bride." He said. Kinoc gave him a suspicious look. "Wait. I will go too." He said. Seymour looked at him. "You do not trust me?" He asked. Kinoc gave him a look. "Would you trust a man who murdered his father?" He asked. Seymour just looked at him. "Very well. As you wish." He began to walk with Kinoc behind him. He looked over his shoulder and narrowed his eyes. "Lady Yuna, forgive me."

Yuna was walking around on the dry land on her own. She spotted Kimahri standing alone and hurried over to him. "Yuna, sorry we left you alone." He said. Yuna smiled. "No, it's okay." She said. They began to walk together through the maze like dungeon until they found Auron. Auron looked at them. "There must be an exit somewhere. We search." He said. They travelled together searching for a way out.

Suddenly they found Isaaru. Yuna blinked in surprise. Isaaru looked over and looked surprised himself. "Lady Yuna. So it is you." He said. Yuna walked over to him. "We rode the airship to the Calm Lands then came to Bevelle. Maester Kinoc summoned us then. Ordered us to 'deal with the traitors.' " He said. Auron looked darkly at him. "You will fight us?" He asked. Isaaru sighed. "The temples orders are law. Even if you are Lord Braska's flesh and blood. You're a traitor. Forgive me, Lady Yuna." He said. Yuna nodded.

She stepped forward and they began to fight with their aeons facing each other. One by one they fought. It didn't last long because Yuna's aeons were stronger than Isaaru's. His aeons were all defeated. Isaaru was knocking off his feet during the battle between his dragon aeon and Yuna's.

Yuna hurried forward to help him up but he shook his head. "Stay away. There's a way to the surface up ahead." He said. Yuna sighed and bowed to him. She hurries away with Kimahri after her. Auron walked up to Isaaru and looked down at him. "Your pilgrimage is over."

Back with Tidus, Zell, Wakka and Rikku, they were still swimming around. They were still looking for everyone or an exit. Hoping that they would find both. "Man, where are we?" Zell asked. Tidus shook his head. "No idea." He said. Suddenly hundreds of pyreflies formed right in front of the creating a monster. Zell jumped back looking shocked. It was wyrm again. "Aw, not you again!" He grumbled.

The four looked at each other. "Well, let's get rid of it!" Wakka said. Tidus nodded and they surrounded the thing and began attacking it. Zell punched and kicked it hard. Rikku threw grenades at it. Tidus slashed it. Wakka threw his ball. But for some reason it didn't seem to kill it. "What the heck! Why isn't it dying!" Rikku gasped after getting hit back. Zell gritted his teeth and looked the wyrm over. Then he realized. "It's a zombie! I get it, I get it. Throw potions at it! I've got some healing magic that would help." He said.

Tidus looked at him. "What! Zell, we're trying to kill it not cure it!" He said. Zell shook his head holding up his hand. He threw a green spell at it and the thing roared with pain. "It's already dead, Tidus! Using curative magic or items will get rid of it!" He said. Wakka chuckled nervously. "I hope your right, Zell."

He threw a potion at it and to his surprise, it hurt the monster. Zell grinned. "Well, let's see how you like this one, buster." He said throwing a Full Life spell at it. The wyrm roared and exploded into pyreflies and vanished. Rikku jumped for joy. "You were right, Zell!" She sang. She jumped on him and hugged him. Zell laughed and set her down. Tidus and Wakka devilishly grinned at each other thinking the same thing.

They finally found land and began walking away from the water, soaking wet and tired. Rikku was walking close to Zell shivering because she was scared. She was getting tired of being in the Via Purifico now. She wanted out of there. Finally they spotted the others waiting. Rikku smiled brightly. "Yunie! You're all right? We were so worried. It's good to have you back!" She said running up to Yuna and hugging her.

Yuna laughed and hugged her cousin back. "Thank you." She said. Tidus walked up to her and rubbed the back of his neck. "Uh….I….uh…" He was cut off by a sharp gasp from Wakka and Zell. "You!" The SeeD exclaimed. Everyone spun around and saw Seymour, Kinoc, 3 Guado soliders and one Bevelle soldier walking towards them. The soldier was holding up Kinoc before letting him drop onto his stomach. He just lied there motionless.

Auron hurried forward. "Kinoc!" He gasped. Tidus growled. "Why, you!" He exclaimed. Seymour gave him a dull look. "I have saved him. He was a man who craved power. And great power he had but feared losing it. Trembling at unseen enemies he spent his days scheming petty schemes. Chased by his fears never know rest." He paused looked at the dead Kinoc. "You see, now he has no worries. He has been granted sleep eternal. Death is a sweet slumber." He said.

Zell growled clenching his fists. "All the pain of life is gently swept away. Ah, yes. So you see. If all life were to end in Spira, all suffering would end. Don't you see? That, Yuna, is why I need you. Come Lady Yuna. Come with me to Zanarkand, the lost city of the dead. With death on our side, we will save Spira and for this…I will take from you your strength, Yuna, your life, and become the next Sin. I will destroy Spira. I will save it." Seymour said.

The SeeD shook his head looking disgusted. "Your totally nuts, blue haired bastard!" He exclaimed. Tidus nodded looking angrily. Kimahri growled and ran forward thrusting his spear into Seymour's chest. Seymour and Kimahri stared at each other with coolness in their eyes. Then Seymour looked down at the spear. "Unpleasant. Very well. I will give you your death. You seem to want it so." He said holding up his hand and a rod appeared. Dark energy was radiating from it.

Suddenly pyreflies surrounded his body and Seymour transformed into white being with purple armor and huge strange wings in his back. He floated in the air as Kimahri stepped back holding his spear. He quickly turned around and waved the others off. "Run! Protect Yuna!" He roared. Auron turned and started to run. "Go!" Tidus shook his head. "No way! I'm fighting!" He exlaimed. Zell nodded tightening his gloves. "Me too!"

Auron turned around taking out his sword. He held the blade up to their faces. "I said go!" He growled. Tidus and Zell looked wide eyed at each other then at Yuna who nods. They turned and ran leaving Kimahri behind. The group ran as fast as they could a few fair feet away before Yuna stopped. "I won't leave Kimahri behind!" She said turning back. Auron looked at her. "He is a Guardian. Protecting you is everything." He said. Yuna sharply looked at him. "Auron!"

Zell looked at them. "We can't leave him behind. He's one of us." He said. Tidus nodded. "That's right! We're Guardians. Yeah, and you know what that means?" He turned to Yuna. "Yuna, anywhere you go, I'll follow!" He said. Zell grinned and nodded. Yuna smirked at them. "Anywhere I go?" She asked. The two blondes nodded. "Yeah, anywhere!" they both said. Yuna smiled. "Well then…" She paused looking at her two guardians. They all grinned. "Let's go!" They all said and ran towards Seymour.

"Hey, Kimahri! Leave some for us!" Tidus yelled. Wakka heistated then shook his head. "Hey! Wait for me!" He called running after them. Rikku jumped and down. "Me too!" She said running after them. Lulu walked up to Auron and looked at him. "I'll go too." She said and walked after them. Auron watched them then smirked and hurried after them.

The group hurried to Kimahri's side and prepared to fight. "Your going down, Seymour!" Zell yelled tightening his gloves and punching his fists together. Tidus nodded. "Yeah!" He and Rikku exclaimed. Kimahri rolled his eyes and shook his head. They charged and began fighting the powerful enemy.

Seymour tried his hardest to hit them but kept missing because of Zell. The SeeD would run up and punch him when he tried to hit the others catching him off guard. The battle was fierce but it was't that bad. Zell finally got fed up and let Quesacoatl out shocking the crap out of Seymour. Yuna thought that was amusing and called out Ixion.

Finally they defeated him. Seymour evaporated in a cloud of smoke and pyreflies making everyone jump for joy. Zell jumped up and down pumping his fist. Rikku cheered and hugged Wakka then Tidus. Kimahri just stood up straight and said nothing. Tidus and Yuna looked at each other with smiles.

"We finally got rid of Seymour. But not for long. I knew he'd be back.

However, even though we won, Yuna had lost something.

I knew Tidus could see it too.

Yevon had betrayed Yuna.

Her faith in Yevon was broken and it couldn't be fixed.

I knew Tidus wanted to say something to help and so did I.

But then again….it wasn't my place. It was Tidus'."

The group were sitting near a big tree near Lake Macalania. They all were all resting and trying to get some sleep. Either that or conversing together. Yuna had wandered off wanting to be alone. Zell was sitting next to Tidus. "Well?" Wakka asked. Auron nodded sitting down. "We're all clear. We will have to avoid Bevelle in the future. Yuna?" He asked. Rikku shook her head. "She said she wanted to be alone." She said. Auron nodded. "Of course." He said. Zell looked at Tidus who stood and walked away from the camp to where Yuna was sitting.

Zell sighed and looked at the ground. He felt someone tap his shoulder. Looking up, Zell found that it was Rikku. She smiled at him and tossed her head to the side beckoning him to go with her. Zell blinked and then nodded. He stood and followed her into the shadows. "What's up?" he asked. Rikku put her finger to her mouth and waved her hand to him.

They slowly walked through bushes towards a small lake with a large tree sitting in the middle. It was a beautiful sight. It took Zell's breath away. Rikku looked around then pointed. "Over there." She whispered and then sat down. Zell looked and saw that she was looking at Tidus and Yuna. The two were talking to each other. "Uh…isn't this invading their privacy?" He asked. Rikku reached up and grabbed his hand.

"Oh, quit being such a baby and sit down." She said roughly pulling him down. Zell gasped as he was yanked down but kept himself from yelling out. He sat next to Rikku and they watched their friends talk. The two blondes were quiet for a long time before they saw Tidus and Yuna start swimming around in the water.

"I wonder what they're saying." Rikku whispered. Zell shook his head. "Whatever it is, it's none of our business." He said starting to stand. Rikku looked up at him. "What, your not at least a bit of interested what's going to happen?" She asked. Zell shook his head. "I've learned to mind my own business. I've tried spying on my friends' private time once and almost got skinned alive by my friend Squall. He got mad when he found out that I was spying on him and Rinoa." He said.

Rikku stood and looked at him with her arms folded. Her eyes then wandered back to where Tidus and Yuna was. She gasped with a slight giggle rise up making Zell turn and look. Tidus and Yuna was kissing each other. Pyreflies all around them. Zell smiled softly and then placed his hand on Rikku's shoulder. "Come on, Rikku. Let's leave them alone." He said. Rikku looked up at him then nodded.

The two walked through the trees together. Rikku sighed a sad sigh. Zell looked at her. "What? What's wrong?" he asked. Rikku looked at him and shook her head. "Oh, nothing. I'm just…I'm happy for Yuna. I could see it from the beginning Tidus had the hots for her." She said smiling. Zell tilted his head. "But that's not what's bothering you, is it?" he asked. Rikku shook her head. "No. It's just….." She paused and looked away.

Zell tilted his head. "What?" He asked. Rikku sighed. "Nothing. You'll laugh." She said. Zell shook his head. "No I won't. I promise." He said. Rikku turned away and leaned against the tree looking back in the direction that they came from. "I see Yuna and Tidus together and am happy. But I'm sad. It makes me wish….it makes me wonder if I would ever be in that same position. Being held by someone who loved me. Someone to comfort me if I'm sad or lonely." She sighed lowering her head.

"You know what I mean?" She asked closing her eyes. Zell stared at her then his eyes softened. He smiled softly. "I know exactly what you mean. I've always felt alone when I was near couples." He said. Rikku looked at him. "Really?" She asked. Zell nodded stuffing his hands into his pockets and looking up at the sparkling trees. "Yeah. I've watched Squall and Rinoa be together. They're happy. Then there's Irvine and Selphie. Then Quistis and Seifer." He paused turning back.

"I've even had my share for a little while but it….it wasn't like how I'd thought. I used to date this library girl who had the hotts for me for awhile. But then after we got together, I reliezed why I was dating her. It was because I felt bad for her. She tried so hard to get my attention but then when she had it…it just didn't feel right. She dumped me because she figured that I was being a block head and not paying attention to her. But it's kind of hard when you're an Instructor and teaching kids how to fight."

Rikku blinked at him. "You're a teacher?" She asked. Zell nodded. "Kind of hard to believe but yeah. I am. Anyway, I've never really had a real relationship. And ever since, I've always felt…like I was invading everyone's privacy when I was around them." He said. Rikku smiled. "Your amazing, Zell. I've never met someone like you." She said. Zell shrugged. "Anyway, you've got your entire life ahead of you to find that special someone." He said.

The Al Bhed stared at him then lowered her head. "…….I've found him.….." She paused. Zell looked at her. "Huh?" he asked in confusion. Rikku sighed and then stepped up. She got closer and then leaned her head against Zell's chest. Zell stared down at her with confusion. He heard her sniff as if she was crying. "And I'm afraid……I'm afraid he'll disappear when this is over." She whispered. Zell tilted his head and then lifted his hand touching Rikku's chin. He lifted her chin to look at her.

His baby blue eyes met her green swirled ones. They were shimmering with tears. Zell saw the passion in her eyes and it hit him. He was who she was talking about. The SeeD blinked then his face softened. He smiled down at her. Rikku smiled back. She reached up to wipe a tear from her face but Zell caught her hand and held it. He gave her a soft smile and then bent down kissing a tear away from her cheek.

Rikku closed her eyes and then turned her face a little. Zell looked her over then he met her lips with his. Rikku's eyes opened and they looked each other in the eye. They smiled and deepened the kiss. Zell's arms went around Rikku's waist and pulled her closer. Rikku wrapped her arms around Zell's neck to keep herself from falling. Her knees were feeling weak and ready to collapse under her.

After a long time and their one kiss that seemed to last for awhile, they broke apart smiling at each other. "…..I think….I think we better go back or everyone will get suspicious." Rikku whispered against Zell's tattooed side. Zell nodded breathing against her face. "Yeah…." He pulled away and offered his hand to her. Rikku smiled and took it. Hand in hand, they walked back to camp.

They arrived just as Yuna and Tidus were. Rikku let go of Zell's hand and hurried over to them. She seemed to talk to Tidus about something then Tidus walked past her meeting Zell. The two smiled at each other and then went over to the group. Rikku and Yuna walked to the group who was waiting. Yuna looked around.

"Sir Auron? Wakka? Lulu, Kimahri, Rikku, everyone, we leave at dawn." She paused looking down. "I'm sorry for putting you through all of this. And…um…" She paused. Auron shook his head. "Enough. You need your rest." He said. Zell nodded sitting down by the fire. "Yeah, Yunie. We're behind you all the way." He said smiling. Yuna smiled and nodded. "Yes. Good night." She said going to lay down.

Everyone started to go asleep. Rikku went over to where Zell was laying and nudged him with her foot. Zell looked up and smiled at her. He could see she was nervous. "Um…Zell, can I…." She was saying. But Zell held up a hand to shush her. He reached up and took her hand pulling her down softly. "Sure. You can sleep by me." He said. Rikku smiled and curled up next to him. They both fell asleep. Unaware that Auron was watching with one eye open. He smirked then closed it.