Part 10: Malevolence
Rikku, Gippal, and Lenne had headed back to the Celsius, and were now on they're way to the city of Zanarkand. Or, the ruins of Zanarkand. The three disembarked from the Celsius, as Gippal once again activated the locator, "The final Crystal is in the ruins of the stadium. Let's do it." The three nodded, and fought many tough fiends on their way to the stadium. Gippal led the group, and entered the run-down, gloomy stadium first. "The Crystal should be here somewhere," he said. Lenne ran ahead of him, "I know where it is! Over here!" She led them over to another room in the stadium, where she opened a secret compartment in a wall that was crumbling. "The leaders of Zanarkand hid it here, over 1000 years ago. I had heard rumors about its whereabouts, then finally from Yevon told me where it was one day. I've kept that secret for almost over 1000 years. When I was a summoner, I mean." She pulled it out, and handed it to Gippal, "Would this be it?" Gippal laughed, slightly, "Yeah, that would be it." Rikku interrupted, "Then, let's go find Yunie, now!" Lenne and Gippal nodded. "Everyone may need our help," Gippal said. "Let's go!" Suddenly, something began to emerge from the center of the stadium. "What's going on!" Rikku yelled. The ground began to break in the middle, and a huge Machina-Monster emerged from the center. "What is that?" Gippal said. "I don't know!" Lenne said, "I've never seen it before! It must have made its residence here, recently! What do we do?" Gippal shrugged, "Fight it, I guess." Rikku's mouth dropped, "You guess? Ok, then. Bring it on!" The three fought the Machina-Massination, which was tough, especially for Lenne, considering she hadn't fought in over a thousand years. Eventually, they defeated it, and watched as it exploded. "Let's go join the others!" Gippal said, as the three ran out of the stadium.
Meanwhile, Tidus and Baralai had reached the seventh floor. They were running through the doors and constantly fighting strong fiends and guards. "When does this crap end?" Tidus said, "C'mon!" Finally, they had fought the last guards, after going through two rooms of constant battles. "This must be the end," Baralai replied, "Let's hurry." Tidus nodded, as they ran into the next room. In the room, was Paine, who was suspended in cage in midair. Baralai ran ahead, as Tidus ran behind him. Tidus looked up, "She's unconscious! There's no way we're getting up there! It's about fifty feet! It looks like there's key hole on it! We can't get her down! Shit!" Baralai looked panicked, "Where's the key, then?" Someone interrupted, though, "Do you mean, this key?" Baralai and Tidus turned around, and turned face-to-face with Shuyin. "You scumbag!" Tidus said, "Who the hell do you think you are?" Shuyin snickered, "I would watch what you say. Someone could get hurt." Baralai's fists clenched, "You wouldn't dare!" Shuyin smiled, "Answer my riddle, and the key is yours to take. What is clear and harsh at the same time?" Tidus looked at Baralai, and Baralai shook his head. Shuyin smiled, "Care for a hint? Here, allow me." Shuyin pushed a button, as a door on the floor opened up, to reveal a bottomless pool of water.
"Where are the other two Crystals?" Baralai spoke up, "We don't know. We haven't located them. What do you want with them?" Shuyin scowled, "I am the one who is asking the questions!" "We haven't got 'em yet! Is that okay?" Shuyin's anger turned to a sneer, "You did not answer my riddle." Tidus got pissed, "Well you're the one who changed the goddamn subject!" Shuyin sneered even more, "And you are the two that sealed her fate," he said as he pushed a second button on the wall. The cage dropped with Paine in it, into the water. "NO!" Baralai yelled, as he ran full speed and dove into the water. Tidus went to go after Baralai, but instead, tackled Shuyin. "Give me the key, you traitor!" Shuyin punched Tidus in the face, "Never! You are not taking it!" Finally, Tidus with all his might, struck Shuyin where it hurt the most. Shuyin doubled over, and dropped the key. "Stupid asshole. Forget it." Tidus then dove into the water, where Baralai was. He swam down and saw Baralai at the bottom, attempting to get the cage door open. Tidus tossed the key to Baralai, who opened the door, and grabbed Paine. The two swam up to the surface, as Baralai put Paine on the floor. "She's not breathing! What do we do?" Tidus looked around frantically, "Hey! Shuyin's gone! That bastard!" "Tidus!" Baralai yelled, "Help me!" Tidus nodded, "Try giving her…ummm…Ah! Try giving her CPR!" Baralai nodded, and began to give Paine CPR. After a minute or so, she started to spit out water. "I think she's gonna be ok," Tidus said. Baralai nodded, "Paine? Are you alright?" She slowly opened her eyes, and began to stand up. "What are you doing here?" she asked. Tidus interrupted, "I'm gonna go find Yuna! I'll meet you guys upstairs! Later!" Baralai nodded, as Tidus took off. Paine looked intently at him, "Why did you come here?" Baralai turned around, facing the opposite direction, "I wanted to make sure that you were ok. I didn't want to see anything happen to you."
Rikku, Gippal, and Lenne had arrived at one of the many voids that was consuming Spira. "Looks like its now or never, ladies!" Gippal said. Lenne nodded, "Let's go help the others. Now, that we have all three Crystals. Let's get the final one back!" With that, they leapt into the void. Bright light shone all the way, at least until they hit solid ground. "Owwie, that hurt!" Rikku said. "What a ride…" Gippal added.