Luca:
When we docked, some sort of stupid broadcast was on.
"Exciting, isn't it, folks? Our next team off the ramp is... Well, well, well! If it isn't the Besaid Aurochs! They're a living, breathing, statistical impossibility! I've never seen a team this bad! That's right! In twenty-three years they've never made it past the first round! Only a few die-hard fans are in the audience today."
"Best of luck to them, and a safe journey back to Besaid."
"Oh, look! There's that one teenager that's the talk of the town right now!"
"That's right. He supposedly held an impromptu concert in Besaid…"
I glared at the broadcasters, and for a few moments, they shut up. Joys of having a face so covered in scars, I guess. My glares tend to make anyone fall silent. After they seemed to get the point (they'd moved on in the conversation to the next team), I stopped the death-glares.
Tidus grabbed a megaphone (they had those here, I noticed), and did some blitzball related thing, yelling at the Goers (who were those pompous pricks we'd encountered earlier). A bit after that… "Maester Mika is here!"
"Already?"
"The number 3 dock!"
Tidus looked confused. "What's up now?"
Yuna smiled. "Maester Mika has arrived, that's what!"
That made it worse. "Mika? Maester?"
Lulu apparently took pity on him. "Maester Mika is the leader of all the people of Spira. He's come all the way from Bevelle. The tournament is being held to honor his fifty years as maester."
Tidus seemed surprised. "Fifty years? Shouldn't he be, uh, retired by now?"
"Or dead?" I couldn't resist, and got elbowed for it. Wakka apparently didn't like the joke. "Hey! Mind your mouth, now."
Yuna seemed excited. "Let's all go see him!"
I rolled my eyes. Anyone in a position of power in my experience tends to be either an ass, or an idiot. But I didn't say that.
No reason to get burned by Lulu. Or frozen, electrocuted, or hit with water (even if I can't drown easily). Is she always going through PMS? Though how that's possible… meh. Maybe she's just normally pissed off.
&&&&&&&&&
I arrived to see an old guy talking. Windbag… "I thank you for your generous welcome." He turned to a guy with blue hair (though my hair is SKY blue, and his ISN'T) "Rise, Maester Seymour. And all of you as well. I present to you...the son of Maester Jyscal Guado, who departed for the Farplane a fortnight past. As some of you already know, he has been officially ordained a maester of Yevon."
Oh, ye gods. A super-young guy… "I am Seymour Guado. I am honored to receive the title of maester. In life, my father Jyscal…" I tuned him out. I'd already made a decision on what he was. An ass. Wakka tried to make me bow, but it became clear to him that I was stronger than I looked, and he couldn't force me to.
Anyway, after he (blue hair) left, Tidus and Wakka left for the blitzball game. Somehow, Yuna disappeared. Kimahri looked worried.
I sighed, and called out Erastrani. "I'll go look for her. Erastrani can only carry me, anyway."
We took off just as someone started screaming about fiends in the city. Man, that's getting annoying. "Erastrani, let's go high. WAY high. Get my drift?"
She nodded. I wouldn't spot Yuna, but Erastrani might.
&&&&&&&&&
I hissed, when Erastrani dived all the sudden. We landed next to Lulu, who was talking to Tidus and Kimahri. I returned her quickly to her ball, then looked around. Judging from the expressions, there was bad news. "Yuna kidnapped?"
Lulu nodded. "And where were you?"
I pointed upward, and then shrugged. "I got a feel for the city. Got an idea of where she is?"
"The Al Bhed ship docked at dock 4. Their blitzball team is trying to make the Aurochs loose."
I nodded. Erastrani appeared again, and I grinned. "I lied before; she can carry several people. All aboard… now!"
They jumped on quickly. After all, they knew about the fiend thing. We'd had an issue at Kilika when I forgot to return Psymachine (I'd never returned him after I let him out in the forest). He'd floated down, and panicked the remnants of the village. Thankmew that pokeball return rates are nearly instantaneous.
&&&&&&&&
We got there quick, and landed on the ship. A giant machine was guarding the ship, and shot blitzballs at us. I tried to slice one open – and it worked… but I got blown back by a couple of feet. "This is stupid." I took a knee, and covered Lulu from the incoming balls, since my sword wouldn't cut through steel. Kimahri was doing the same, though he tried for longer than me to slice the thing.
Lulu zapped a crane with a thunder spell, and Tidus activated it. He then lifted off the thing's rotating parts, and it looked about ready to explode.
I smiled, as Lulu zapped the machine one time with a thunder, and it collapsed. Yuna walked out the door of the ship shortly after that.
Lulu said to Yuna "I hope you hurt them."
She looked down at the unconscious form on the ground near her. "A little. What is it?"
Tidus looked at the ship. "There were these Al Bhed that saved my life when I first came to Spira. They took me on their ship, even gave me food. I was kinda hoping this was the same ship. But it's not. I wonder if they're all gone."
Yuna looked interested. "What happened?"
"Sin came up near us. I made it out okay, but I don't know what happened to their ship."
Yuna was REALLY interested now. "Um, was there anyone called Cid on that ship?"
"I don't know. They were all speaking that Al Bhed language."
She hung her head. "I see..."
"So who's Cid?"
Yuna explained. "He's my uncle, but I've never actually met him."
I arched my eyebrow. "Wait. That means you're Al Bhed, too, Yuna?" Al Bhed... that's gotta be a race of people. Or group.
She nodded. "On my mother's side, yes. Cid is my mother's brother. He became distant after my mother married. But she told me to seek him out if I ever needed help."
"You're worried he was...?" I was cut off by Lulu. "Don't tell Wakka about Yuna's lineage. The thing about Wakka-he never had much love for the Al Bhed."
"Whoa! I gotta tell Wakka!"
I swore softly. "Tidus, you idiot!"
Lulu gave him a look "I told you not to tell Wakka!"
Yuna gasped "the game!"
Lulu walked a bit away, and hurled a fire spell into the air. I guess that was the signal for the Aurochs not to suck anymore.
&&&&&&&&&
The TV things said that the Aurochs had won the game. Everyone was talking about it (I just listened, I hadn't been paying attention to the game). Erastrani rested her head next to me, and I gave her a brief rubdown.
"I know I could never take Chappu's place. You're the one who told Wakka that, right, Lulu? And I don't think Wakka could ever try to take Chappu's pl-"
"You don't want to finish that sentence." Yeesh, I don't want to get on her bad side. Magic that heals I'm fine with, but there's no way I'm pissing off Lulu. I don't like being hit with fire or stuff like that. Though apparently Tidus really WANTS to get hit by her spells.
Tidus rushed off to go play in Wakka's place. I shrugged, and followed Yuna and Lulu (I'd returned Erastrani). While they headed for the locker room, I went to go get some seats.
&&&&&&&&
"But who could have imagined... A championship game between these two teams? Our legendary Luca Goers going against...the horrendously ill-fated Besaid Aurochs!"
I rolled my eyes again (I'm doing that a lot now). "Bit biased, aren't they?" Yuna smiled. The game started, and I watched it in interest. It was something new to me.
A few people kept on firing glances at me, but I discouraged it – glares are always good to have.
&&&&&&&&
After the game was over, things weren't so good, even if the Aurochs DID win. Fiends. I was irritated enough that I called out ALL my pokemon, who used their distance attacks to nail fiends. Scared the crap out of fans, but I didn't give a shit, I was saving their asses.
When that same blue haired guy started to summon something, I called them all back. No reason to let them get them nailed by another idiot. Did I mention he looks really tubby around the middle? He does.
The Aeon he called was scary. It looked like something you'd drag from the netherworld. It certainly USED Dark energies. I didn't have any idea what the energy was used for until I saw it attack a bunch of times, but I know what dark energies look like.
I wasn't content with just watching, so I walked off to go find something to kill. My pokemon had done a hell of a job in the time allotted, the damn Aeon hardly was doing anything. There weren't many fiends left. Sixteen, maybe? I don't know, all I know is that my pokemon aren't fond of fiends, and don't hold anything back when attacking 'em.
&&&&&&&&
I got lost, and finally found Yuna and most of everyone (minus Tidus) at the city exit. Yuna was talking to Wakka. She seemed a bit surprised by what Wakka must have said (I didn't hear). "Are you sure?"
He nodded. "Never liked long goodbyes anyway. Sorry for making you wait, Yuna. I had some promises to keep, ya? From now on, I'm your full-time guardian."
"Then welcome back, Sir Wakka. Good to have you with us." Some of us, anyway. I'm none to fond of him.
"Hey, it's good to be back, ya? So, any news on what happened?"
Lulu shook her head. "Not really. We don't know where the fiends came from. Maester Mika is safe and sound, thanks to Maester Seymour. That's about it."
Yuna sounded a bit… well, shocked as she said. "Maester Seymour's Aeon…"
I hissed quietly, but they noticed. "Actually… I think my group accounted for more of the fiends than Seymour's Aeon. Although… it's awfully convenient… that he was there… and ready for this. I wonder if he set this up?"
Wakka whacked me over the head for that comment. "You show a little respect!"
I snorted, and shook my head. "Yea, yea. It's still convenient it my mind."
That earned me another whack over the head. I think Yuna was smiling, but I was kinda cross-eyed at that point. And I'm not sure if she was grinning at what I said, or Wakka's reaction. Anyway, they walked a bit further on, and I just followed them, still shaking my head, trying to clear it.
&&&&&&&&
Wakka said softly "Do you think he's gonna stay here?"
Lulu responded, "Sir Auron knows him, apparently. You were right. He did meet someone he knew."
Yuna looked to the side. "Do you think he'll find a way back to Zanarkand?"
Wakka shrugged "In any case, I'll miss having him around."
Yuna looked back at the city. "He's still in town, isn't he? I think I'll go see him... Oh!" She looked in shock as a guy in a red coat (Auron, I guess) and Tidus arrived.
Wakka looked in something akin to wonder at red coat "Whoa."
Yuna said softly "Sir Auron?"
"Yuna."
"Sir?"
Yup, that was Auron, I guess. He said calmly "I wish to become your guardian. Do you accept?"
Wakka looked at him in shock "You serious?"
"You refuse?"
Yuna looked around at everyone "No, no! We accept! Right, everyone?"
Wakka said "O-Of course! No problem at all!"
I shrugged "Whatever. It's your decision Yuna, not mine."
Lulu asked "But...why?"
"I promised Braska."
Yuna's eyes widened "You promised my father? Thank you, Sir Auron! You're welcome to join us!"
Auron pushed Tidus forward "And...he comes too."
Tidus scratched his head "Hi...guys. Eh...howdy!"
Auron continued "This one I promised Jecht."
Yuna said "Is Sir Jecht alive?"
Auron didn't react, but I saw Tidus stare off into the distance "Can't say. Haven't seen him in ten years."
Yuna looked down "I...see."
"You'll meet eventually."
Yuna smiled softly "Yes, I'm looking forward to it!"
Auron walked over to me "And who are you?"
I didn't say a word (I don't like big swords - showoffs), so Wakka did. "He's Icewind. He's not… really a guardian, but he's traveling with us. You should see him sometimes. Whew!"
Yuna grabbed Tidus, and they walked away together.
"And he has something that looks like fiends, but they work with him. He calls them pokemon. They're quite powerful." That was Lulu. Her voice sometimes… I have a hard time hearing it. And I have a hard time looking at her, too. What was WITH this world, and skimpy clothing?
"Not to mention that weird thing he did in Besaid…"
"I heard about that." He looked me over again. I guess he noticed the pokeballs at my belt, because he tried to grab one. THAT caused me to respond.
By grabbing his hand, and twisting. Damn, he was strong, but SLOW. "Those would be mine. Hands off."
He nodded, and backed away. "Did the Fayth bring you?"
I shrugged. "Does it matter?"
Auron looked ready to respond, but Tidus began to laugh strangely, cutting him off. Then Yuna joined in as well. I whispered quietly "you two need to find a better hobby." Auron, Lulu, and Wakka were staring at them in something like shock.
Yuna rejoined us, along with Tidus "Well, let's go." At the looks mostof us were giving her, she asked "What're you looking at?"
Wakka looked at the two of them. "We were just worried you guys might've gone crazy!"
"Sorry! Well then, alright. Now, we will go to the temple of Djose. And guardians? Don't forget to smile!" I sighed. How does Yuna do that? Ah well, I'm not a guardian anyway.
"Icewind!"
I shook my head. "I'm not a guardian. Sorry Yuna, but I haven't smiled in months. I'm a bit out of practice." I guess she forgot about that technicality, even though I hadn't.
