A FFX-2 Original Fan Fiction
"There is no one here but me."
-Soldier Side, System of a Down
Chapter One
Charmed Life
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Lenne awoke from the dream with a start, shivering and frightened. Her heart pounded as she glanced around the room in panic. Her eyes darted to the doorway and then to the window, in search of the assassins. When she realized that she was safe in her bed, in her own apartment in downtown Zanarkand, she flopped back against her pillow and let out the breath she didn't even realize she'd been holding. Just a dream. There were no guns, no assassins and certainly no giant machina. It had all been a dream. She was not dead.
So why did it feel so real?
Once her heart stopped pounding, she sat up again and got to her feet. She pulled on a short violet-colored robe and made up the bed. From the other room, she heard the sound of piano keys tinkling. Shuyin. She smiled to herself and closed her eyes, picturing him at the keys, so focused, so passionate that he seemed as if he were a part of the instrument rather than a mere performer.
He was her lover and her best friend, and even when he didn't know it, her greatest comfort. He was beautiful, talented and smart and everything she'd ever desired in a companion. He was strong, yet sensitive. Devoted and kind. She'd known the moment their eyes had met four years ago that they'd be together, and she'd been right. Since that day, he'd barely even looked at other girls. He'd even had the courage to go along with her on her pilgrimage to the temples after she'd become a summoner. He'd fought the fiends with her, prayed with her and believed in her. Most important, he'd trusted her.
Just thinking about Shuyin was enough to erase her anxiety over the dream of the giant machina and the assassins. The macabre dream was washed away by thoughts of her lover's smile and his touch. She listened to him play for a few moments and then wiped the sleep from her eyes. Today was a big day for the both of them. The blitzball tournament would begin tomorrow, though the festivities would begin today, starting with a mini tournament for the children, games and an all day music festival, of which Lenne would headline. There was much to do before tonight's performance, and she preferred to stay busy to keep from getting nervous. It was best to get going before fear took over. This would be the largest crowd ever, and though she enjoyed performing, it was a little intimidating to perform in front of the entire city and all of Spira. The event would be televised.
Shuyin's blitz team would be defending their championship title during the tournament tomorrow, which meant he would be at practice for most of the day. He was the star player of the Zanarkand Abes and every eye in the stadium would be on him. Unlike Lenne, he was used to the attention that stardom brought. Lenne was just a rising star, but Shuyin had been a star since before they'd met. After tonight, she'd be just as famous as he was. She could already see the headlines.
Singing Summoner Takes Zanarkand By Storm
Lady Yunalesca's Prodigy A Singing Sensation
Songbird Summoner Hits a Sour Note
She entered the living room and crept up behind Shuyin, listening to him play. She ran her hand across his bare back, but he did not flinch. He continued to play, even as she kissed the back of his neck and ran her fingers through his hair. "Wish I were your piano," she whispered.
He chuckled and stopped playing. "The piano doesn't love me back," he said as he pulled her into his lap. "It only does what I tell it to."
Lenne smiled up at him. "In that case, I never want to be your piano."
Shuyin smiled and kissed her on the lips. "I didn't wake you did I?"
She snuggled close and leaned her head against his shoulder. She loved the way her head fit perfectly there, the way his arms felt around her body. "I was getting up anyhow."
"How about some breakfast?"
"That would be great," she said, "but then, I'd have to get up. I want to stay right here with you."
"You're not nervous are you?" he asked. He knew her well enough to know that something was troubling her.
"Maybe a little."
"You'll be great," he said. He kissed the top of her head and stroked her hair, which sent tingles down her spine. She loved it when he did that.
"It's a big crowd."
"I'll be right there."
"Then I won't be afraid."
After breakfast, they cleaned the kitchen together, as they always did. He washed the dishes, she dried. He wiped the table down, she cleaned the counters. As she worked, she hummed one of her songs to herself. Shuyin loved to listen to her sing while she did her chores, maybe even more than he loved to see her perform. Because it was a private performance, and he was a willing and enthusiastic audience.
Shuyin had met Lenne at a party four years ago. She'd been the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen, and when she smiled directly at him from across the room, he thought he might pass out. She still had that effect on him. Sometimes, he would watch her doing some mundane task, like putting the dishes way and that feeling would course through him again. She was his girl and he was proud to have someone so wonderful in his life. Until Lenne, his life had been dull and colorless. Now, he looked forward to each day because he knew she would be there.
"Coming to my practice today?" he asked as he washed and dried his hands in the sink.
"Maybe for a little while. I have to see Lady Yunalesca first thing. If that doesn't run too long, I can stop by before sound check."
"I hope so," he said. "It makes me happy to see you there, watching me."
"You mean it boosts your ego," she teased. She sat down at the table and began to sift through her purse. "I know how much you love showing me off to your team mates."
"Well, that too," he admitted.
Lenne glanced at the clock and jumped to her feet. "I didn't know it was this late," she exclaimed. "I've got to run."
"If I don't see you at the stadium, I'll see you after sound check," he said. He kissed her on the mouth. "Don't worry. You're going to be great."
Shuyin didn't want her to go so soon, but he knew she needed to. He was happy that she was finally chasing her dream of becoming a singer. It had taken a lot of coaxing on his part to get her where she was today. He didn't take credit for it, but he had been the first person to encourage her talent. Everyone around her seemed bent on making her into another Yunalesca. Though he adored the High Summoner, he didn't think it was right that the temples were trying to mold Lenne into someone she was not. Because of this, Lenne had been reluctant to sing in public, unless it was to sing the Temple Hymn during weekly mass. It wasn't that he wanted her to give up being a Summoner, it was that her involvement with the temple required her to put Summoning before everything else in her life. That included her music, and consequently, him.
He also wasn't sure he trusted the Temples. The public knew of the summoner's pilgrimages to the temples of Spira. What they didn't know was that in the temples resided powerful entities known as Aeons. They had been kept a closely guarded secret. Shuyin had seen his first Aeon as Lenne's companion and guardian on her journey across Spira and it had frightened him. It was only after Lenne explained about the Fayth that his anxiety waned. After they'd returned from their travels, Shuyin had been sworn to secrecy, under penalty of death. He was to discuss the matter with no one outside of the Temple, and even then only when absolutely necessary. The Aeons may have been a good thing, but, the temples kept secrets and he didn't like it.
It made him wonder what other secrets the Temples were keeping, and what the purpose of creating Summoners was in the first place.
Lenne hurried down the catwak that lead to the Temple, praying that she wasn't late. Today was a very important day. Yu Yevon, the Maester from Bevelle had finally graced Zanarkand with his presence, in honor of the Blitz Tournament and she was excited to meet him. Yunalesca had spoken so highly of the man that Lenne couldn't help but imagine Maester Yu as a towering giant, a God among ordinary men.
She arrived at the dome with five minutes to spare. Outside the Lady's chambers, she took a deep breath, let it out and knocked. One of the Temple monks ushered her in without a word and lead her to Lady Yunalesca's private sitting room. Inside, the Lady sat with the venerable Yu Yevon. Her lover and fellow Summoner, Lord Zaon was also present. Lenne held her breath as she was escorted into the room.
Maester Yu turned out to be quite different than she'd imagined. Instead, he was on the short side, rather ordinary looking with a round, slightly pudgy face, a piggish nose and a pale complexion. In a crowd, she might not have given him a second look. That was, until he looked at her directly. His face was disarming, however, his gaze was hypnotic. In such a bland face, she was astounded to see such arresting eyes. They were the color of the ocean, an unusual aquamarine that reminded her of the waters of Besaid and it was impossible to break away from his appraising stare.
"Lenne, I'd like you to meet Maester Yu Yevon," Yunalesca said. "Maester, this is the young Summoner I told you about."
"It is a pleasure, M'lady," he said. He took her hand in his and kissed it. His dry lips upon her skin repulsed her. Her reaction was a disappointment to her. She had no reason to be repulsed by such a celebrated man. Everyone loved Maester Yu or so she'd heard.
Lord Zaon sat in silence, looking the Maester over. Lenne suspected that Lord Zaon was suspicious of the Maester, but his expression was unreadable and she couldn't be sure what he really thought of the man.
"I expect Lenne to replace me as High Summoner when I retire," Yunalesca continued.
"Oh, is that a fact?"
Yunalesca nodded. "Of all my apprentices, Lenne has showed the most promise and the most talent. She may even surpass my abilities one day."
Lenne blushed. "She exaggerates."
"On the contrary, Lady Lenne," Maester Yu said with a smile. "Of all the Summoners in Spira, Lady Yunalesca is the only one I fully trust. In fact, she is the only one I call on when I have an unresolved issue. Which leads me to my reason for meeting with you today. I'm sure the three of you will agree that this situation is becoming a problem and can assist me in resloving it."
Lenne was not aware that she would be called upon to assist the Maester with his problem. She expected to be dismissed, but the Maester gestured to Lenne that she should have a seat and she obeyed.
"I'll do my best," Yunalesca said.
"As much as I love Zanarkand," Maester Yu said with a sigh, "I regret to tell you that I think your people have become lazy. There are too many Machina in this city, and I find it disgusting that your citizens have allowed these machines to do their work for them."
Lenne was surprised at this admission. She noticed a silent, exchanged glance between Yunalesca and Zaon. From that glance, she discerned that they felt differently than the Maester did. Yunalesca confirmed her suspicion.
"Maester Yu," Lord Zaon began, "I understand your point of view, but I do not agree with it. Our machina allows our people to do their jobs better and faster, with more precision than before. We can make better fabrics, better homes and better lives this way."
The Maester chuckled. "How wrong you are, Lord Zaon. These things take the purpose of work out of the task. Hard work is a form of purification, a cleansing of the soul. It is only through work that our people become strong and respectful of the powers that be. Your machina make them slothful, gluttonous beasts that live only for pleasure."
Lenne's cheeks flamed. She wanted so badly to contradict this man, but it wasn't her place to speak unless specifically addressed.
As if sensing her anger, Maester Yu turned his piercing eyes upon her. "You wish to speak on this, M'lady?"
Her eyes darted to Yunalesca, who nodded her wish to hear Lenne's opinion. "Is pleasure not the fruit of our labor?" she asked. "You say our people are lazy and imply that we are an undisciplined bunch of beasts, but we're not! Just because we have machina to help us in our work you say we're slothful. I say you are misinformed. I urge you to go to any of our factories and observe how hard the employees work, how much detail goes into the fabrics they weave, the clothing they sew and the furniture they construct. See how they still perspire, how they take pride in their jobs. Then you come back and tell me that you believe they are slothful!"
Lenne stopped herself before she could say anymore. She was certain Yunalesca would be angry with her for speaking so angrily to the Maester.
"Please continue, Lady Lenne," the Maester said. "There is more you wish to say."
"Yes, my Lord," she whispered. In a softer tone, she continued. "My point is that there must be some joy in peoples lives, otherwise, they become unhappy and lose sight of what they're working for in the first place. Unhappy people turn their back on their beliefs. What good is it to believe in something that makes them feel bad about the things they enjoy? Pleasure is their reward for their faith and their labor, Maester Yu.
"It's my belief that the Fayth inhabit every aspect of our lives. You say that Machina are bad, but they are made from natural materials. We were created by the Fayth from the minerals and elements of the earth. The Fayth would not have given us this technology if they did not intend for us to use it. Your own Temple in Bevelle is run with Machina, is it not? I've seen it with my own eyes, Maester, and that makes you something of a hypocrite, doesn't it?"
Lord Zaon gasped, but Lady Yunalesca nodded in agreement. "Well spoken, Lenne."
The Maester's piercing stare became a brutal, soul-searing glare. "How dare you accuse me of being a hypocrite! The machina in the Temple is only to aid the clergy in their daily routines. Without it, much time would be wasted walking to and fro, and nothing would be accomplished."
"Maester, you have just restated my point," Lenne said. "Our machina serves the same purpose. Why should our people spend days weaving fabric by hand if a machina can do it in a matter of hours?"
"Getting our priests from mass to confession in a timely manner is completely different than weaving fabric, young lady. Apparently, you are too young to see the difference."
Lenne looked at him, her head cocked. "So, you're saying that using machina to create cloth is wrong but it's ok as long as it serves the Temples?"
"Exactly."
"I'm sorry, but I still fail to see the difference, your grace," Lenne said. The venerable Yu Yevon was definitely not what she'd expected. She didn't like this man at all, and she wasn't sure how a man like him had become a Maester. He was talking insanity.
"Of course you don't," he said angrily. "You have been poisoned by machina."
"Forgive me for disagreeing, Maester Yu," Lord Zaon countered, "but Lenne is one of the most devoted Summoners you'll ever meet. I respect her for her strength and her determination to become the woman she is today. And as far as machina, I fear you have judged them without doing the proper research. If they were dangerous or held secret powers that lead our people astray we would not be using them."
Maester Yu continued to glare at Lenne. He dismissed Lord Zaon's speech with a wave of his hand and got to his feet. "Lady Lenne, you are also a songstress."
"Yes, I am."
"Wouldn't your time be better spent here at the Temple praying, instead of strutting around like some kind of diva on an ego trip?" The Maester looked down at her with disdain. "You sicken me. Machina have made you vain, prideful. It has shifted your focus away from your duty as a Summoner. You seek fame, not faith."
Lenne got to her feet and glared back at him, but was unable to form a sentence to fire back at him.
Yunalesca stood. "Maester Yu, I think it is best that you go back to Bevelle. You judge us on things you know nothing about," she said softly. "I wish to speak to you again, once you have educated yourself about this issue. Until then, I bid you good day."
The Maester continued to glare at Lenne for a moment, then stormed out without another word. As soon as he was gone, Lenne collapsed in her chair and put her head in her hands.
"I'm sorry," she said. "I didn't mean to make him angry. He asked for my opinion and . . . "
"No worries, Lenne," Yunalesca said, looking defeated. Her hand laced through Zaon's and she leaned heavily against him. "The Maester came looking for a fight. For whatever reason, he's decided that machina are bad, and nothing is going to change his mind."
"Still, I feel responsible."
"If it hadn't been you, it would have been me."
"I agree," Zaon said. "Though he's not going to take this lightly. Something's made him turn against Machina, and I doubt that this will be the end of it."
"Maybe I should cancel my performance tonight," Lenne said. She didn't want to call off the show, especially since it brought the people of Zanarkand such joy.
"You will do no such thing!" Yunalesca said. "If you cancel, he will have won. Don't let it get to you."
"I'll try not to."
"It makes me so angry!" the elder summoner ranted. "To think I respected that man."
Zaon stroked Yunalesca's hair. "He wasn't always like this. The power's gone to his head and maybe it's driven him mad. We will have to watch Bevelle closely, in case he decides to declare Zanarkand a den of sinners. I have a feeling he's looking to pick an even bigger fight."
"If he does, we'll be there to fight back."
Shuyin was playing at the top of his game in practice and he was pleased with himself. The tournament tomorrow would prove that no one beat the Abes. Last year's team had been good, but this year, they had the best team possible. Even the bench warmers were top drawer players, and Shuyin knew they'd take home the trophy. Again. The best part was, Shuyin's cousin, Tidus, son of the legendary Jecht had joined the team this season, and he proved to be as much of a star as Shuyin himself. Tidus may have been a rookie, but he had the potential to be as good as his father had been before him. So long as the boy stayed away from the booze, that was. Jecht's biggest downfall had been his love of alcohol, and it was said that he was lost at sea because he was too drunk to swim when he went out for training. It was sad, but he had hope for Tidus. He was nothing like his father.
When Shuyin saw Lenne take a seat in the stands, he decided it was time for a break. "It's about time for lunch, isn't it? Let's break for an hour or so." he said to the team. "And starting team, be advised anyone not back by one thirty warms the bench."
Tidus swam up beside Shuyin and nodded at the girl in the stands. "You call that lunch?" he said with a chuckle. "More like afternoon delight."
"You're just jealous 'cause there's no girl waiting for you up there," Shuyin replied and ruffled the boy's hair.
"I prefer to not be tied down."
Shuyin put his arm around his cousin and gestured to Lenne. "There's no one else in the world I'd rather have tie me down, cos," he said. "Besides, when the time's right and you meet the right girl, you'll be begging for it. Trust me."
Tidus rolled his eyes. "Right."
"Deny it all you want. One day, you're going to meet a girl, and you'll love her so much, you'd die for her."
The younger boy made a gagging sound. "Yeah, and one day Auron will smile."
Auron had been Tidus' guardian since the boy's mother had died, shortly after Jecht's disappearance. Tidus was waiting for the day he turned eighteen and he'd be free of parental supervision. Deep down, Shuyin knew that Tidus admired and respected Auron, but he, like most kids disliked parental authority. However, what he said about Auron was true. He was the most serious man Shuyin had ever met. Silent and stoic and forever watching.
Shuyin joined Lenne in the stands a few minutes later. She'd been thoughtful enough to bring him a sandwich and a bottle of orange juice from the cafe on Spira Street. Though she smiled when he greeted her, he instantly knew something was wrong. Her smile was genuine, but there was a deep worry in her eyes.
"Still nervous?" he asked.
"It's not that . . ." she said.
"Temple stuff?"
She nodded. "And unfortunately, it's nothing I can talk about."
Shuyin scowled. "I hate what they do to you. All these secrets. Secrets are lies by sin of omission, you know."
"It's not a secret . . ." she said feebly.
"Then why can't you talk about it?"
Her eyes pleaded with him to drop the subject. That look was enough to melt away his anger. Instead of pursuing the issue, he put his arm around her and pulled her close. "I'm sorry. I should be supporting you, not giving you a hard time." He stroked her hair and kissed her forehead.
"No," she sighed. "I'm sorry. I don't mean to be in a bad mood. It's my fault."
"And I didn't mean to get mad," he said and kissed her again. "You forgive me?"
"If you forgive me," she said with a weak smile. She looked exhausted. Whatever was going on was big. She'd never left the Temple with such a troubled look before. Usually, she was happy and bubbly and full of energy, as if her devotion gave her such pleasure that she could barely contain it. He didn't like seeing her this way.
"Thanks for the sandwich, baby," he said.
"Knew you'd be starving."
"I'm so lucky to have found you."
"No," she said burrying her face in his neck. "I'm the lucky one."
Yuna sat on the beach in Besaid staring out at the ocean. She felt empty and alone. The sphere in her hands had been made to reassure her, but instead it only made her cry. Baralai had found it in Bevelle and he had given it to Rikku and Gippal and they had passed it on to Yuna a week ago. She'd watched it over and over until she knew it by heart. It brought back so many memories. The terror she'd felt when she realized that she'd fallen for Tidus, the intensity of her will and her determination to defeat sin. Every moment of it was bittersweet. It reminded her of what might have been, but could never be.
"Don't watch it now," Rikku had said. "Wait until you're alone."
"What's on it?"
Rikku was uncharacteristically serious when she said, "You'll have to see for yourself. It's too hard for me to explain."
"I don't understand."
"It's pretty heavy, superstar," Gippal said, calling Yuna by his pet name
for her. "You'll understand when you watch it."
Now all the old memories had been stirred up. Just when she'd finally
come to terms with Tidus being gone. Just when she'd accepted Baralai's
proposal of marriage.
On this sphere was Tidus' story, from beginning to just before the end, from his point of view. The entire journey on one sphere. It hurt to watch, but it made her realize that she had never really gotten over him. Those feelings were still there, waiting for one sign, one moment of hope, one reason to believe again. She'd just burried all those emotions and convinced herself that she was over it, for good. And now this. All it took was the sound of his voice to bring it all back and she knew she'd never given up hope of some miracle.
To make matters worse, somehow Tidus knew about Shuyin. She'd come to believe that everything was connected, past and present, but this was more than she could handle. What made no sense was that Shuyin had been a real person, while Tidus had been a dream of the Fayth, someone who'd never existed except in the imagination of said entities.
She wanted to pitch the sphere into the ocean but she couldn't. She knew she'd hang on to the sphere for a long time, maybe for he rest of her life. She wanted to believe Tidus' last words to her on that hateful recording.
Shuyin said that one day I'd meet a girl I'd be willing to give my life for. I didn't believe him then, but he was right. For me, that girl was you.
Yuna, I'll come back for you. Some how, some way, I'll come back. I'll fix it.
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notes
hi there kiddies...welcome to the first chapter of my alt-uni fic! Some explanations are due...i finished ffx-2 a while ago and found it FULL of plot holes, just loaded with 'em. the game wasn't bad, just...there were problems, in my mind at least, with things concerning zanarkand 1000 years before, so i started coming up with explanations of my own, and thus a story was born. because this is a/u, certain aspects of the story will be different of course, taking place in both past and future, tying up all the loose ends, explaining the things that were never explained in the game, such as...why were there summoners before sin? From my understanding the machina war happend before sin, according to the first game and sin was a result of the use of machina as weapons. And where was Yunalesca during all this? Why does Shuyin look so much like Tidus? Why was Auron able to go back and forth between time periods? So many questions...
So anyway, here's my take on the beginning...please, read...review...comment...I
appreciate your thoughts and reviews...without them I wouldn't bother
writing this stuff.