OCAdam: (Sandstone coughs) Uh, I'm not commenting. Yup, not commenting. I can see it… but to me, it looks like… (shuts up). As for the Luin name, what's so 'out of this world' about it? You know the story around Spear Luin, or something?

FrequencyQueen: (Sandstone chuckles). I don't condone violence, despite what my …(Luin glares at Sandstone, and he trails off)… uh… nevermind. Wakka's an idiot, and idiots are safe targets. (glare stops, and Sandstone collapses)


Zanarkand:

We walked over the ridge, and everyone stopped to look at the ruins. I said softly, "Zanarkand…"

Auron added, "the city of the dead." I remained silent, but it suited the place. Haunted with memories of the past, it LOOKED like a city of the dead.

Rikku looked at the two of us, then turned to Yuna. "Yuna, I say no! If we go down there, then you'll..." Tidus looked over at Yuna too – it was clear he was thinking the same thing, his face was twisted with worry… and fear.

Yuna looked at the city, and locked her hands together. She said slowly "Rikku... You're a true friend, and I thank you, but... I must go...down, to Zanarkand."

Rikku tried to press the issue, quickly saying "I'm not saying we shouldn't go. But shouldn't we think about it some more? There's gotta be some kind of way we can save you, Yuna!" Rikku walked over to me, and leaned on me for support. I nodded softly, adding "last time, you didn't… and look what it got us. At least give it a day…"

Yuna shook her head, looking sadly at the ruins. "All my life, I knew this moment would come."

Rikku half-sobbed "Yunie..."

Yuna rushed over to Rikku, and embraced her (I'd seen it coming, so I was out of the way.) I heard the soft sound of something hitting the ground, but it looked like Yuna didn't notice.

Yuna said, trying to comfort Rikku "Thank you, Rikku. Thank you for everything."

Rikku laid her head on Yuna, a few tears leaking from her eyes, "Don't say that, Yunie! It's not over yet!"

Yuna just continued sadly "Tell Cid thank you."

I knew what Rikku was going to say… so I said it myself, along with Rikku (we said it at the same time). "No... You can tell him yourself."

Yuna turned to me (I just pointedly looked at Rikku), and she turned back to Rikku. "Please..."

Rikku sniffed, and said "Yunie, don't say that because...we're gonna see each other again, okay?"

Yuna just hugged her cousin even tighter.

&&&&&

Yuna turned to Kimahri, and said weakly. "Kimahri, let's go."

Rikku went to follow Yuna, but I grabbed her hand, stopping her. She looked questioningly at me, but I pointed to Tidus, who was looking in surprise at a sphere. She nodded, and then stopped.

Tidus played it, the three of us listening to it. Yuna's voice came across the sphere, sounding vaguely sad… yet proud at the same time.

"Sir Auron. Kimahri told me...when my father wanted me taken from Bevelle to Besaid... It was you who told Kimahri, right? I had always wanted to meet you someday. I am truly glad that I had that chance. Having you as a guardian was so great an honor I don't know how to thank you. Perhaps if I defeat Sin, that will be my thanks to you. That's what I'll do. Yes. I will challenge Sin. I will defeat Sin. If you are all there watching this, then I guess Sin is already gone. And so am I, I suppose. Anyway, I just wanted to say: Sir Auron, I thank you.

Kimahri... Do you remember the first day we met? I was only seven. My father had defeated Sin, and all Bevelle was celebrating. Everyone was saying what a hero my father was. I was so happy. But when night came, it occurred to me. My father had defeated Sin and now he was dead. Now, I was all alone. I couldn't sleep, so I wandered into the town, away from the celebrating crowds. I stood on the bridge in Bevelle where my father and I had parted. Standing there, alone, I could see the fields where he had fought Sin. Then, you appeared, Kimahri. You said you were looking for the daughter of Braska, remember? At first, I was so scared. Until I realized what a gentle person you are." Yuna laughed, and continued, "You weren't used to talking to children. When I told you I was Braska's daughter...you said you would take me as far from Bevelle as you would. That it was the wish of a man facing death. I think...I cried then. Because that...that was then I knew my father was dead...and I would never see him again. You just held me, without saying a word. I cried after we got to Besaid, too. When you tried to go after leaving me in care of the temple...I held on to you, crying, "Don't go, don't go!" And you listened, Kimahri. You stayed. Kimahri, thank you. Thank you so much. And I've always liked your broken horn."

Yuna paused, then continued weakly, "Wakka, Lulu: I'll never forget my days spent with you, growing up in Besaid. We always played together, us and Chappu. That's why I was always so happy, I think. And when you refused to let me become a summoner and I did it anyway...I'm sorry. I've always wanted to apologize. You know, when you tried to stop me then-really, I was happy. I could tell you really cared about me. You were like my big brother and sister. No... I think you really were my big brother and sister. What else..." Yuna giggled, and then continued "I love watching you play blitzball, Wakka." She laughed again, and continued "I even love it when you scold me, Lulu! Really!"

Yuna lost a great deal of the humor in her voice, and continued slowly, "That brings me to the newest guardian… and the most unique. Icewind, I have to say, you really are a character." She laughed slightly. "I really don't know you that well, but I know that you've suffered a great deal. I hope you find peace with what you've done… I know I've caught hints of your past… and that amazing thing you did at Besaid. It truly was! That song touched me more than anything I have heard in a long time. You're really different… but I understand why. And I hope you come to tell us what happened to you… what happened in your world. And I hope your… pokemon? live well." I could almost see her shaking her head, smiling sadly. "I hope you can find your way home. It's strange, but I've never questioned the fact that you're from another world." Actually, Yuna… I don't want to go home. I'm a murderer there, I've got nothing to go back to – my family's dead. Her voice was suddenly cut off, then when it came back, it was choked with emotion.

"I guess that leaves...the second newest guardian. Star player of the Zanarkand Abes! You are... I am... Well, um... I'm glad...I'm glad that we met. We haven't even known each other that long, but... It's funny. So this is what it feels like. It's a much more wonderful feeling than anything I had ever imagined. Wonderful...but it hurts, sometimes. I wonder. I...I just want to say, thank you for everything. Maybe...maybe that's why it hurts. When I... When I think about us never being together again at all... I'm afraid. No, I shouldn't say that. I'll do that part over. Um..."

Tidus's voice came up over the recording, saying "whatcha up to?"

Tidus (the real life one), smacked himself on the head softly. Rikku sniffed "she forgot me…"

Tidus shook his head. "She recorded this on the Mi'hen Highroad. We didn't meet you yet." He stopped, then corrected "well, everyone except me hadn't met you before."

I added softly, "besides, you're her cousin. How could she forget someone like you?"

She gave me her infectious grin again. Tidus was looking off into the distance, and then turned to me. "Uh… did she say in that…"

Rikku turned to me, and we said together, "she loves you." I added, "love her back… or I'll happily hunt you down after this is over. Guardian or not, I'm not going to let you hurt her like that. I know you two did something in the forest…"

Rikku sniffed, but nodded. Tidus scratched the back of his head, and gave us a sheepish grin. "Uh, no worries there." He ran off, catching up to Yuna, and held her hand. She gave him a questioning look, but he just smiled at her.

Rikku watched them walk, and then intertwined her hand with mine. "Well, shall we?"

I grinned at her, squeezed her fingers slightly, and nodded.

&&&&&

That night, we camped right outside of Zanarkand.

Rikku rested her head on my shoulder. Mostly, we remained silent, even when Tidus kissed Yuna for a moment before he went up onto a small rise that looking into Zanarkand.

Suicune and Balrog were out. I'd left the rest of my pokemon in their balls, I could call them if we needed them.

Rikku shivered, and then wrapped her arms around me, trying to warm up. I smiled at her, and then looked intently at Balrog. Eventually, he took the hint, got up, and plopped down near her. His internal fire warmed the area around him, as did the fire. Eventually, she stopped shivering.

She murmured something, and then breathed deeply. I smiled, and set her down off of me, onto my camp bed. She needed it, and I didn't. Well, not really, but it's an act of kindness.

I sighed, and nodded off next to her.

&&&&&

The next morning, I woke up in a kind of awkward position. Rikku was nuzzled up against me, and smiling happily in her sleep. When I moved, she fought to hold onto me.

Shrugging, I finally gave up, and shut my eyes. I might just catch some more sleep.

&&&&&
&&&&&

What Luin hadn't noticed was that Rikku wasn't asleep. When she finally thought he was asleep, she smiled to herself even more. She looked over at Suicune, who just lazily turned an eye to her, and then turned away.

He had been right – now that she thought about it, it probably was one of those days she could get pregnant. She'd gotten caught up with the frenzy… her own desire. How he'd controlled himself, she didn't know.

But… later, it wouldn't be so. Her 'time of month' was coming up, anyway. And she'd find a way to steal some birth control from her father's ship later, if she had to.

She smiled, thinking of what her father would think. Again. But Luin was different… Dad was kinda afraid of him. To be honest, he sometimes scared her. But she'd nicked his "pokedex" for awhile, and looked at all of them. Some were really scary looking, but at least now she knew he WASN'T turning into a fiend slowly. Even when he'd turned into that dragon, he'd restrained himself, just intimidating the Ronso.

She doubted he could kill someone now. Seymour he'd happily send into the infernal pit, but she wanted to toss him into hell too.

&&&&&
&&&&&

I woke up again, feeling Rikku snuggled against me. I smiled, and held her close, not moving.

She stirred, and opened her eyes. "Morning…"

I gave her a grin, and stroked her cheek for a moment. "Morning, lovely."

Whoa, Déjà vu. Didn't this happen before? Oh, ignore me.

She yawned, and then curled up closer to me (that was partially Suicune's fault, her wind was colder than usual). "You're warm. Can we just stay here for a while?"

I sighed, and shook my head. "Auron… Yuna'd listen to him, and follow his orders."

I looked around while Rikku muttered several phrases I couldn't understand. Everyone was still sleeping, except for myself, Rikku, and Auron (well, he's dead – he's faking sleep).

&&&&&

When everyone was awake, Yuna looked off towards the ruins. She said sadly, "let's go."

Everyone followed her. Tidus walked beside her, and Rikku walked besides me. Both of us were looking at the ruined, crumbling buildings… and the pyrefly formations. Suicune was ignoring almost everything, walking on the water. I wasn't sure if it was because the water was mostly pure, or because she just needed space.

&&&&&

We were fighting this massive black fiend. They called it a Flan. I guess that's what those gelatinous blobs. Suicune had disappeared somewhere, so we didn't have an instant cure for this problem. And I didn't want to call out any of my pokemon, given a chance. Vib was close…

Anyway, Vib got blasted back by an attack, and then began to shine. The blinding light cut everyone off, even that dark flan.

I looked at the growing shape. "Vib's evolving…"

I heard Tidus shout "What's that mean?"

The light cut off, and a Flygon hovered where a Vibrava had been. "Fly! Flygon!"

I nodded. Vib stuck his neck outward, then a distinctive Hyper Beam began to form near his mouth.

The flan tried to counter it by hitting him with a beam of sapping blue energy, but it hit the Hyper Beam, triggering all the energy being formed to go INTO the flan. It exploded in a massive burst of black light.

Everyone stared at Rikku, Vib, and me. I blanched, then said "what? I told you guys about evolution! This is Vib's final form, Flygon. Like Erastrani, though he's not as tough."

Vib shot me a disrespectful glare. "Fly!" But it WAS true; Erastrani was hardened by hundreds of battles.

Lulu shook her head, then said weakly "but you never mentioned the light."

I shrugged, then said softly "I forgot. I'm just so used to it, I've been in too many pokemon battles to count."

Rikku walked up to Vib, and peered upwards towards Vib's head. "Vib?"

Vib responded by lowering his head, and gently bumping her, clearly begging for scratches. "Fly! Flygon Fly!"

Rikku laughed, and scratched Vib's head. Vib's look became one of a Flygon deep in pleasure. I laughed myself, and said to him "you… still the attention hog."

Vib shot me a contented look, still getting scratched. "Flygon!"

Auron looked at the evolved Vib, then me. "If the creatures from your world are so powerful, why haven't you brought more of them here?"

I sighed, and pulled my pokedex. I checked the energy (it has solar panels to recharge the battery, but it was a no go there), and sighed. "Because. This is the thing that lets me bring them here… and it has no energy left to do such a thing again. I'd need a electrical attack…" I turned to Lulu, then thought it over. "Uh, Lu? Can you generate a sustained charge for about half a minute?"

Lulu blinked, then shook her head. "No, I can't… right now. It might be possible with a better focus..." At that, I glared at Auron. "There are other weapons, aren't there? Is there one for a black mage?"

Auron nodded. "Yes. But it's too far away, not worth the time to get it."

I shot Auron a 'go die now, you jackass' glare, and continued down the path. Rikku ran to catch up with me, Vib still flying with her.

"Fly!"

"That's enough!" She returned him, and gave me a sad look. "Auron… that meanie."

I nodded.

&&&&&

We (as a group), reached the entrance of a massive dome place. It looked important, even damaged as it was.

A ghostly man walked out from the dome, and declared: "Journeyer of the long road, name yourself."

Yuna's eyes widened at the unsent, but she responded "I am the summoner Yuna. I have come from the island of Besaid."

The man walked up to her, and said "Your eyes, my dear. Show me the long road you have traveled." Yuna tilted her head up to meet his gaze, and after a moment, he nodded. "Very good. You have journeyed well. Lady Yunalesca will surely welcome your arrival. Go to her now, and bring your guardians with you. Go."

Before he could disappear, I walked up to him, and locked eyes with him. I said softly, "If you can read eyes, judge this." He shuddered, and looked away. I heard him mutter "how is it possible?" before he disappeared again.

I shook my head, and turned to the others. "I don't know why, but everyone who is sensitive to something gets really freaked out by me. Anyone have a clue why?"

Lulu sighed, and replied, "your soulsong is the disturbing thing. I can hear it faintly… it's been getting weaker as we've traveled, but I can still hear it. It's the same song you sang in Besaid… it's a powerful melody."

Luin, she's right. The Symphony of Sadness is one of the most powerful songs in existence. Like the other Symphonies… Joy, Suicide, Life… they can affect any listener. The song of Sadness makes the listener weep, while the Suicide dirge can make almost anyone try to kill themselves.

I shuddered. "Symphony of Suicide? Who would be mad enough to write that?"

Yuna said weakly "no one knows. I've studied that when I was training to become a summoner… and no one can say for sure who wrote the songs. But… Lulu, is it normal?"

Lulu shook her head – I noticed she looked extremely worried. "No, it isn't. No one has ever had something like that as their soulsong. Icewind's past was so scarring, it must have rended his soul." She looked at me, her red eyes unsure for once. "How are you still alive? You should be suicidal at least…"

I sighed, and looked down. Suicune answered for me, saying softly with the wind The Fayth of this world healed him… sort of. No one can change a soulsong once it is set, except for the one who is that soul. Though that it's getting weaker is a good sign. Rikku… thank you.

Rikku looked confusedly around. "Uh… why?"

You… well… for falling in love with him. He hadn't really begun to recover until he started to care for you.

Rikku smiled weakly, and said "you're welcome, I think."

I understood why she looked so distracted. We were at the final destination. And she, myself, and Tidus had collectively one screwy idea that might not even work, and nothing else.

We waited at the entrance for a moment, then Yuna nodded to herself. She walked in, Tidus trailing her by a pace.

I reluctantly followed them. So much for my boast of getting them here unharmed. We've all gotten beat up, hurt, and a few times, even killed (Yuna's Life spells had brought those of us that died back to life, as did the items they called 'phoenix downs', and even my Revives came in handy).

But we'd made it.

&&&&&

As we entered, another ghost was talking. She looked like an armored guard, talking to someone who dressed like Yuna. "If it might benefit the future of Spira, I will gladly give my life. It is the highest honor for which a guardian might ask. Use my life, Lady Yocun, and rid Spira of Sin."

The ghosts disappeared. Rikku, worried, grabbed my hand. I squeezed hers reassuringly. She asked weakly, "What...what was that?"

Auron looked quietly at the space they had occupied, and then finally said "Our predecessors."

I said softly "that explains the old-style getup…"

Lulu blinked, and then said to no one in particular, "She said "Lady Yocun," didn't she? Wait! She guarded High Summoner Yocun?"

Auron nodded. "This dome is filled with pyreflies. It's like one gigantic sphere. People's thoughts remain here. Forever."

I looked at the dome, and then nodded. Pyreflies were dancing all over the place. It probably DID function like a giant sphere. That, I'd started to understand… somehow.

I sighed, and then looked down. "So many bad memories trapped in here…"

So many sacrifices… and for what?

I sighed. "Suicune, they died so others could live. I don't approve of the way they sacrifice people for this… but I understand it."

Suicune shook her head, but eventually said So do I. But it ends now. Sin dies forever. We're agreed about that much.

I nodded quietly. Yuna gave the two of us a strange look (myself and Suicune), but then looked away. She said softly "thanks…"

Rikku let go, and said "don't. Yuna, let him have his chance before you try, at least…"

Yuna stopped, but then nodded. "Sure." Tidus gave me a grateful smile, and walked next to her.

&&&&&

Well, until we got into a brawl with another big purple fiend. Suicune was taken by surprise, and knocked away when it called a bunch of meteors.

I swore, and then dove into the fray. Tidus grabbed me, then said "wait."

He jumped onto it, and then up. He then blasted it with small bursts of energy from his sword.

Auron drank from the bottle at his side while Tidus was doing that, then sprayed his blade with the alcohol after a moment. The blade glowed black / red, then he slammed it down into the ground. Balls of black energy burst from the impact, and hit the fiend.

Lulu pelted it with spells, while Wakka pelted it with Blitzballs. Rikku did the same with grenades.

Yuna finished it off with Bahamut's Overdrive – Mega Flare. By the time they were done, it was only pyreflies.

I chuckled, and said softly "sorry." I looked over to Suicune, who had re-appeared, and returned her into her pokeball. We'd need our strength.

&&&&&

Another duo of ghosts made everyone freeze, myself included. It was a human… and what looked like a young Seymour. He looked basically the same, even to the hairstyle… just a kid, though. "No! Mother, no! I don't want you to become a Fayth!"

Just a kid indeed. But why…

Seymour's mother (ghost) responded sadly "There is no other way. Use me and defeat Sin. Only then will the people accept you."

Seymour as a kid cried "I don't care about them! I need you, mother! No one else!"

Seymour's mother looked down, then said "I don't have much time left."

The two of them disappeared. Wakka said almost in disbelief "Hey, wasn't that… ?"

Rikku managed to stammer out "Seymour?"

I thought it over, then nodded. "Seems like it. His mother is probably that Dark Aeon that Seymour uses."

Everyone looked at me in worry, and I shrugged. "What? It makes sense, Seymour's no summoner, so that's the only reason he'd GET that Aeon. His mother… is the strength of a bond powerful enough to be able to…"

No one could say for sure. We traveled in silence after that.

&&&&&

We continued on, occasionally fighting fiends. After so many battles, everyone was so used to fighting that the fiends just died one after another, hardly doing anything to us.

What's more, after a few more brawls, Yuna said she'd gotten her offensive magic – Holy. Dunno what that was, but it sounded like the equivalent to a Blast Burn, except magically based.

Anyway, we were next stopped by… what looked like ghost images of Braska, Auron (he actually looked YOUNG), and some scarred guy that looked like he was related to Tidus. Well, the way that Tidus was looking at him in shock kinda clued me into that. He even said "ah!"

The scarred guy said "Hey, Braska. You don't have to do this."

Braska (Yuna's dad, if I recall), said "Thank you for your concern." He was smiling faintly, but shook his head.

The scarred guy shook his head. "Fine, I said my piece." He sounded really tired, as if he'd said it before, and the same thing had happened before.

Auron's younger ghost said "Well, I haven't! Lord Braska, let us go back! I don't want to see you...die!"

I said weakly "woah. Even you, Auron?" Auron was looking at the ghosts, but he nodded.

Braska's past ghost said, "You knew this was to happen, my friend."

The younger Auron said weakly "Yes, but I...I cannot accept it."

Yuna's dad laughed. "Auron, I am honored that you care for me so. But I have come to kill grief itself. I will defeat Sin, and lift the veil of sorrow covering Spira. Please understand, Auron."

Their ghost / memories disappeared. I blinked, and looked at Yuna. Tears were glimmering in her eyes. Tidus wrapped his arm around her, and led her aside from the rest of us.

Wakka went to follow them, but Lulu grabbed his arm. "Wakka…"

Rikku laughed faintly. I whispered to her, "clueless, isn't he?" Rikku grinned.

&&&&&

We entered another place, this one a hallway that actually looked semi-decent… to be greeted by familiar sights.

The ghosts were back – Auron, Jecht (Tidus's dad – now I understand why he was acting like that), and Braska. Jecht said "Are the trials ahead?"

Braska's voice had a tone of amusement to it. "Probably."

Jecht rolled his eyes. "Here too, huh? Gimme a break. I was expecting, you know, parades and...fireworks!"

Braska laughed weakly, and said "You can ask for them after I defeat Sin."

The ghosts faded. Yuna nodded to herself, and walked up to the doors. She paused for a moment, then pushed the left side one open.

The silent group of guardians followed her.

&&&&&

The next two Cloisters were a pain in the ass. They were frigging puzzles! Games! Who in the name of Mew was INSANE enough to insist that summoners had to waste their time with these stupid puzzles?

Tidus finished the last bit of the second puzzle, the screen lighting up, indicating he'd done it right.

And then a fiend with massive scythes as arms popped out of the hole in the center. Reality faded, and we instead were on a group of platforms, the fiend in the center.

I shook my head, and started to rush it. Everyone was cutting loose on the thing, using their overdrives, trying to kill the damn thing quickly.

As Lulu roasted the thing with Flare Fury, I stepped back, letting the transformation take place. Painful? Oh, kinda. Not as bad as when anger was my fuel, but I knew it would hurt.

"Earth… Water… Sky… Rayquaza!"

Something possessed me, and I raised my sword. It glowed with a green light, and visible wind swirled about it, then it disappeared. Glowing yellow circles connected by lines appeared around me, then settled on my skin.

I heard Rayquaza's cry in my head, as I stopped the transformation partway through.

&&&&&
&&&&&

Rikku heard Luin shout some weird name, and looked over at him. His hair had turned green, and she could see a dragon's tail (a very STRANGE tail), and two strange fins on his back sticking out. His entire body was covered with glowing yellow circles and lines. Somehow, he was floating in the air. He grinned at the fiend, then cupped his hands together, a yellow-white energy ball forming in them.

After a moment's pause, the fiend noticed him, and swung with it's scythe-arms.

Luin struck first, firing two beams from the energy-ball, cutting of the scythes off the massive fiend.

He floated closer to the ground, looking winded after that attack. "Hit it NOW!"

Yuna stepped forward, and said, "holy."

The holy strike killed the fiend. Luin landed next to her (Rikku), and resumed his normal form. He gave her a weak grin, saying softly "sorry Rikku."

She sighed. "You idiot… but that's why I love you."

He grinned at her in return. "Love ya too, cutie." But he ruined it by still having dragon fangs in his mouth.

&&&&&
&&&&&

As soon as the fiend finished disappearing into pyreflies, a platform rose from where the damn fiend had appeared.

Auron turned to Yuna, and said "Yuna... We're here."

Yuna gazed at the platform, saying quietly, "The hall of the Final Summoning."

Auron nodded, and added "Go."

Yuna nodded in response, and walked onto the platform. I could see a few tear tracks on her face, right before the platform descended. I sighed, and began to softly swear. Damn it, why hadn't I come up with something for sure?

I looked over at Rikku, and I swear I could see the same thoughts running across her face. We both jumped when we heard Tidus's dad shout "Huh? What do you mean no Final Aeon!"

Yuna came back up, her expression full of disbelief. "Sir Auron! Everyone!" She motioned for us to get on the platform. Tidus raced over to her first, everyone else following.

Once we were at the lower chamber, we stepped near a stonelike thing that reminded me of the one in Bevelle. Wasn't this a Fayth… but what about that song?

Yuna answered my question before I asked it, "This isn't a Fayth. It's just an empty statue."

I began to smile. Well, if there wasn't a Fayth… the ghost appeared again, and I swore softly. Oh crap, he's probably got the answer to the empty Fayth.

"That statue lost its power as a Fayth long ago. It is Lord Zaon, the first Fayth of the Final Summoning. What you see before you is all that remains of him. Lord Zaon is...his soul is gone."

Wakka said in shock "Gone?"

Rikku quickly asked (hope in her voice, though mine had sunk into the floor) "You mean, there is no Final Aeon?"

The ghostly man waited for us to finish, then continued (grandiosely enough that I wish I could Send him), "But fear not. Lady Yunalesca will show you the path. The Final Aeon will be yours. The summoner and the Final Aeon will join powers. Go to her now. Inside, the lady awaits." The man walked towards a part of the wall. It rippled, and then he disappeared.

I said softly, "fuck. So much for that hope."

Yuna started to walk towards the same part of the wall. Tidus called out to her, "Yuna, wait!" She stopped, and Tidus turned to Auron, looking pissed. "Auron, you knew this was going to happen, didn't you?"

Auron said calmly, "yes."

Rikku shouted at him "why didn't you tell us?"

I think Auron rolled his eyes. "If I had told you the truth, would that really have stopped you from coming?"

I growled under my breath, cursing whoever had spawned such a jackass. "Jeez. For an… well, nevermind."

Rikku looked at me curiously, and I shook my head. "It doesn't matter anymore."

After a moment's pause, Kimahri said to Yuna "Yuna."

Yuna shook her head, determination evident on her features. "I'm not going back."

Kimahri nodded. "Kimahri knows. Kimahri goes first. Yuna is safe. Kimahri protect."

He walked first through the wall. It rippled, and he disappeared. Yuna followed him, then the rest of us.

I went last.

&&&&&

When I got through, I heard footsteps. Rikku said weakly "someone's coming!"

One of the… was it High Summoners?… pushed open the door at the staircase, and stepped through. That probably was the Yunalesca that the ghost was talking about. All she was wearing… jeez. A black bikini, and that's it. Yeesh, and I thought that the Bitch was bad. Whoops, I mean Dona. Good thing she's dead, or Rikku might be clobbering me over the head.

She studied us for a moment. In that moment of silence, Yuna said "Lady Yunalesca."

Yunalesca met my glare for a moment, and I felt a shock pass through my mind. I could almost hear someone say "a wasted effort." But she looked onward, as if nothing had happened.

Finally, she said "Welcome to Zanarkand. I congratulate you, summoner. You have completed your pilgrimage. I will now bestow you with that which you seek. The Final Summoning...will be yours. Now, choose." She pointed her hand at our group, then continued "You must choose the one whom I will change...to become the Fayth of the Final Summoning."

Everyone except myself gasped. I kinda expected that. I muttered softly, "this is one hell of a twisted world. Meh, better than home… kinda."

Yunalesca continued, "There must be a bond, between chosen and summoner, for that is what the Final Summoning embodies: the bond between husband and wife, mother and child, or between friends. If that bond is strong enough, its light will conquer Sin. A thousand years ago, I chose my husband Zaon as my Fayth. Our bond was true, and I obtained the Final Aeon. There is nothing to fear." Her tone became lighter, as if this was a happy subject. "You will soon be freed of worry and pain. For once you call forth the Final Aeon, your life will end. Death is the ultimate and final liberation. Your father, Braska, chose this path."

Yunalesca walked back to the door, and stepped through them. Once she left, I shook my head. "This is insane. Death is the final liberation? Feh."

The three ghosts (Yuna's dad, Tidus's dad, and the younger Auron) reappeared where Yunalesca had been.

Auron's younger self said: "It is not too late! Let us turn back!"

Braska looked weary, as if he was too tired to argue. "If I turn back, who will defeat Sin? Would you have some other summoner and his guardians go through this?"

Auron's memory tried to argue, "But...my lord, there must be another way!"

Jecht snorted, crossing his arms. "This is the only way we got now! Fine. Make me the Fayth. I've been doing some thinking. My dream is back in the other Zanarkand. I wanted to make that runt into a star blitz player. Show him the view from the top, you know. But now I know there's no way home for me. I'm never going to see him again. My dream's never gonna come true. So make me the Fayth. I'll fight Sin with you, Braska. Then maybe my life will have meaning, you know."

I glanced over at Tidus. His hands were clenched, and he didn't look to happy at the images. I sighed, and went back to looking at the ghosts / memories.

Auron's ghost said almost in horror, "Don't do this, Jecht! If you live...there may be another way! We'll think of something, I know!"

Jecht shook his head. "Believe me, I thought this through. Besides... I ain't gettin' any younger, so I might as well make myself useful."

Braska said softly, "Jecht."

Jecht turned to Braska, looking enraged. "What! You're not gonna try to stop me, too?"

Braska said meekly "Sorry, I mean...thank you."

Jecht turned to Auron, and said consolingly "Braska still has to fight Sin, Auron. Guard him well. Make sure he gets there. Well, let's go."

The two walked towards the door. The ghost Auron said "Lord Braska! Jecht!"

Jecht turned back, sounding irritated, "What do you want now?"

Auron said desperately "Sin always comes back. It comes back after the Calm every time! The cycle will continue and your deaths will mean nothing."

I sighed. How like my feelings indeed. But Sin's going to die, and I personally will drag it into hell if I have to.

Braska's ghost smiled weakly. "But there's always a chance it won't come back this time. It's worth trying."

Jecht nodded, but looked back at the door. "I understand what you're saying, Auron. I'll find a way to break the cycle."

Auron's younger self said "You have a plan?"

Braska turned to Jecht. "Jecht?"

Jecht crossed his arms again. "Trust me, I'll think of something." Jecht laughed, I think bitterly, but I don't know the guy.

Auron screamed, and swung his sword through the images. Several times. Everyone took a step back from him, myself included. Auron remained silent for a moment, then said brokenly "And the cycle went on."

I growled. "And it'll be broken. Now."

Tidus looked over at me, and then said "yea!" I swear, he sounded like Rikku for a second. Enter disturbing image…

Wakka looked at the two of us, almost cockily. "But how? What, you got a plan now?"

I grinned, and he lost some of that cockiness. "And if I do?"

Lulu ignored the two of us, and said "If one of us has to become a Fayth... I volunteer."

Wakka added "Me too, Yuna!"

Tidus looked at me, and I nodded to him. He's a better speaker than me. "That still won't change anything, you know? You'd bring the Calm, and then what? That won't break the cycle!"

Wakka looked at him like he was crazy. "Listen... You wanna defeat Sin and keep Yuna alive... You don't want Sin to come back, ya? That is just not gonna happen, brudda, you know?"

Lulu added "If you want everything, you'll end up with nothing."

Tidus nearly whined "But I want everything!"

Wakka shook his head, and said "Now you're being childish!"

Tidus took a step back, but I stepped right up to Wakka, giving him one of my nastiest glares possible. "Trust the guy who's been through a lot of crap… you're the child, Wakka. If you try to reach for the stars, at least you'll touch the sky. If you never try, you'll never leave the ground."

Tidus seemed to be reassured, because he said "I give up. So what would an adult do, then? They know they can just throw away a summoner, then they can do whatever they like. You're right. I might not even have a chance. But no way am I gonna just stand here and let Yuna go... I'm going to reach for the stars. And what Auron said about there being a way... I think it's true."

Rikku looked thoughtful. ""You'll think of something"?"

Tidus looked towards the door, then said "I'll go ask Yunalesca. She's got to know something."

Rikku looked doubtful. I felt the same – she wouldn't help. Rikku finally said, "You really think she'll help you?"

Tidus shrugged. "I don't know, but I have to try. This is my story. It'll go the way I want it...or I'll end it here."

Yuna grabbed Tidus's arm. "Wait. You say it's your story, but it's my story, too, you know? It would be so easy...to let my fate just carry me away...following this same path my whole life through. But I know...I can't. What I do, I do...with no regrets."

I smiled, and said softly "good philosophy."

Tidus nodded, and walked intently towards the door. I stayed beside Rikku, for once not cracking any sort of comment.

&&&&&

We walked into this weird pavilion, with stars twinkling overhead. Yunalesca was waiting for us, and asked "Have you chosen the one to become your Fayth? Who will it be?"

Yuna said carefully "Might I ask something first? Will Sin come back even should I use the Final Summoning to defeat it?"

Yunalesca said confidently "Sin is eternal. Every Aeon that defeats it becomes Sin in its place... And thus is Sin reborn."

Tidus said to himself "So that's why Jecht became Sin." A few of us heard him, though, and glanced at him before looking back at Yunalesca.

Yunalesca continued "Sin is an inevitable part of Spira's destiny. It is never-ending."

I stepped forward, and asked quietly "what if it's not an Aeon that defeats Sin?"

Yunalesca looked at me in shock. I held up one of my six pokeballs in my hand, in full size mode. Eventually, she said "Only Aeons can defeat Sin. Sin is eternal, and only eternal creatures can stand to fight Sin." I didn't comment that Suicune was a functioning immortal (as was Ho-oh, and a couple of other pokemon I'm probably able to shapeshift into now… I hope), it would be a waste of breath. She wanted to sell the Final Aeon, period.

Wakka said in shock "Never-ending? But...but...if we atone for our crimes, Sin will stop coming back, ya? Someday, it'll be gone, ya?"

Yunalesca smiled indulgently at him, like he was a child asking if he'd eventually grow wings. "Will humanity ever attain such purity?"

Lulu stepped forward, looking outraged and hurt at the same time. "This...this cannot be! The teachings state that we can exorcise Sin with complete atonement! It's been our only hope all these years!"

Yunalesca continued to smile with that look I was beginning to hate. "Hope is...comforting. It allows us to accept fate, however tragic it might be."

Tidus shouted "No!" Auron's voice said it at the same time he did… but that wasn't our Auron that said it.

A ghostly vision cut off Yunalesca from us. This is really starting to get weird. Wait, I take it back. It's been past weird for a LONG time.

Auron's younger self was glaring at Yunalesca in hate. "Where is the sense in all this? Braska believed in Yevon's teachings and died for them! Jecht believed in Braska and gave his life for him!"

Yunalesca said calmly "They chose to die...because they had hope."

Auron's younger self shouted in rage, and rushed at her. She raised her palm, and some kind of force jetted from it. Auron flew back, his sword flying from him. He crashed into the ground, hardly moving. The image faded, and the real Yunalesca said "Yevon's teachings and the Final Summoning give the people of Spira hope. Without hope, they would drown in their sorrow. Now, choose." She looked out at the assembled guardians, including me. When we met gazes again, I gave her a look of pure hate. She ignored it, and continued "Who will be your Fayth? Who will be the one to renew Spira's hope?"

Yuna said sadly "No one. I would have gladly died. I live for the people of Spira, and would have gladly died for them. But no more! The Final Summoning..." Yuna shook her head, and then said loudly "is a false tradition that should be thrown away."

Yunalesca said "No. It's our only hope. Your father sacrificed himself to give that hope to the people. So they would forget sorrow."

Yuna shook her head again. "Wrong. My father... My father wanted...to make Spira's sorrow go away. Not just cover it up with lies!"

Yunalesca said confidently "Sorrow cannot be abolished. It is meaningless to try."

I rolled my eyes, drawing her attention. I countered her comment by saying, "Want to bet? I destroyed some of my world's sadness." Yunalesca looked at me in surprise, but remained silent. I gave her a grin worthy of a Salamence scenting prey.

Yuna said "My father... I loved him. So I... I will live with my sorrow, I will live my own life! I will defeat sorrow, in his place. I will stand my ground and be strong. I don't know when it will be but someday, I will conquer it. And I will do it without...false hope."

Yunalesca said sadly "Poor creature. You would throw away hope. Well... I will free you before you can drown in your sorrow. It is better for you to die in hope than to live in despair. Let me be your liberator."

Auron said to everyone while Yunalesca began to hover in the air "Now! This is it! Now is the time to choose! Die and be free of pain or live and fight your sorrow! Now is the time to shape your stories! Your fate is in your hands!"

Kimahri said calmly, drawing his spear "Yuna needs Kimahri. Kimahri protect Yuna."

Rikku said, "Well, I'm fighting!"

I nodded, and added after Rikku "Nothing is forever. Not the universe, not the world, and NOT suffering! Suffering only lasts for some time… and we cope." At that, I glanced at Rikku. She nodded, drawing her claw-weapon.

Wakka said disbelievingly "I can't believe we're gonna fight Lady Yunalesca! Gimme a break!"

Lulu taunted "You can always run."

Wakka laughed. "Hah! I'd never forgive myself-no way! Not if I ran away now. Even in death, ya!"

Lulu nodded. "My thoughts exactly."

Tidus looked over at Yuna. Don't ask how I knew, I was watching Yunalesca. "Yuna! This is our story! Now let's see this thing through together."

I know Yuna nodded a 'yes'.

After that, things became a lot more interesting, from my point of view.