Welcome to chapter 2! Originally scheduled for September 20th now rescheduled for September 14! The sooner the better I always say. Thanks to Xmaster and Solecito for their continuing support and cousin Laura for her misguided yet still useful advice. Hope you like chapter 2! Oh yeah! Thanks to Xmaster, I have been informed that Rikku's eyes are green instead of blue. My sincerest apologies. Have fun, and don't 4get to review!

Disclaimer: I do not own these characters, fiends, or places. SquareEnix' owns them.

Chapter 2: The Trials

Yuna gasped at the stadium's magnificent height. Never before had she seen such a building. Such pearly white elegance had not ever filled her eyes. It was so beautiful that it made her forget that everyone was staring at her for a second, but then she looked around again and frowned in her mind. Why must they look at me like that, she thought to herself, am I not human like them? Why can't they treat me normally? But she knew the answer to that. She was a summoner and the daughter of a high summoner, you couldn't get more famous than that in Spira. She sighed and began to walk to the front gates quickly. She tried to ignore the fact that everybody around her was whispering and staring, but it was starting to get to her. She began to wonder what it would be like to summon Ifrit on them, when she tripped on a small rock jutting out in the pathway. She seemed to fall in slow motion, watching everybody gasp and their eyes go wide open. Then she felt an arm curl around her stomach and pull her upright with one swift motion. She looked up to find herself lost in the two sea-blue eyes. She saw they belonged to a man with blonde hair and a pretty nice figure. "Are you okay miss?," asked the man in a soothing tone.

Take me away, thought Yuna before she regained herself, "Yes , i..i'm f..fine. Thank you," she breathed.

"Good. Thought I winded you there, sorry if I was a bit hasty," he said in an unsure tone.

"N..no I'm fine, just a bit shaken is all," she said still trying to gain herself back from the shock of it all.

"Good. Um, everybody is staring at us. Can I escort you to the sign-in desk?," he said kind of shyly.

Yuna was a bit hesitant at first thinking that he was doing it just cause she had a last name Sayer, but she smiled and nodded. She liked him too much. As they began to walk to the gates the man cleared his throat and said,"Um, I don't think I know your name. What is it?"

Yuna's heart skipped a beat. He didn't know who she was! He really was just escorting her because he liked her! Or maybe not, but still he did not know she was famous. And that's how it's going to stay, at least for now, she thought. 'it's Yuna, Yuna Sayer," she said.

"What a beautiful name," he said smiling.

Beautiful? Yuna thought she would faint right into his arms. All she could muster was, "Thank you, what's yours?,"

"Tidus Remming, miss, er, Yuna," Tidus responded.

God, even his name turned her on. "That's a strong name," she said, trying to rival the compliment that had practically put her in a state of shock.

"I get that a lot," Tidus said laughing.

Yuna didn't know why, but she laughed along too.

Tidus felt like 100 billion gil. This Yuna he had just helped followed his code of SSS. Sweet, smiling, and SEXY! But he tried not to get to ahead of himself, all she did was accept his offer to let him escort her to the sign-in desk. It meant nothing so far. The only thing he found a little odd about Yuna was her bi-colored eyes. One was blue and one was green indicating she was half al bhed. He actually found them kind of seductive in a weird sort of way. Now that they were at the front desk he was disgusted that the lady stared at her the entire time. Can't you see she's uncomfortable when you do that!?, he wanted to yell, but he contained himself. "I got cabin #64," Yuna said," but I don't know where that is."

"I'll show you," Tidus said smiling," I took a tour of the grounds earlier, I should be able to find it." He had actually gone through the women's cabins peeking through bathroom windows. Needless to say he liked what he saw. As he walked alongside Yuna they talked about many things like blitzball, the stadium, the weather. Just as they began on a conversation about airport service, a group of reporters came out of nowhere and began to shout," Yuna. Holy shit! C'mon get a shot! Miss.Yuna!," Yuna started to cry and ran away down the stone pathway leading to the gardens. Tidus was confused, but managed to yell," Stop! Get away," But the reporters kept charging toward him. He sighed and tapped into his inner source of white magic. "Slowaga," he yelled as tendrils of white light snaked out of his hands and flew off. Immediately the reporters began to slow until; they moved no more than half an inch a minute. "That should keep you busy," Tidus muttered as he ran off after Yuna. He found her crying under a weeping willow and slowly approached. As he touched her shoulder she gasped and turned around, her eyes were red from crying. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you I was famous, I just didn't want you to judge me or treat me different...," she stammered.

"Shhhhhhhhhhhhh. It's okay Yuna please don't cry. I like you, I really do. You're a nice girl and that's all that matters to me," he comforted her, but this had brought back bad memories. Go away dad, he thought.

"Really," sniffled Yuna.

She's so beautiful when she cries thought Tidus," Really."

Tidus walked her to cabin #64. He looked at her and said,"Um, I know you might be kind of busy with the press but, um, would you mind having dinner with me?"

Tidus would never forget how bright her face got. 'of course I'll have dinner with you," she said smiling. He smiled and laughed," Okay then, um, see you at dinner!"

Tidus walked away feeling better than 100 billion gil.

Rikku lounged in the bed she had picked in cabin #64. She had taken a nice relaxing shower and had put on the new pink spaghetti strap shirt and jeans she had purchased with the pompous man's money. Now as she lay in her bed reading a book, she heard footsteps outside, some conversation and then someone walking away. The door opened and Rikku's eyes went wide. "YUNIE!," Rikku screamed as she ran up to hug her cousin hard.

"Ohmigosh, Rikku! I haven't seen you in so long!," Yuna screamed back.

Rikku stepped back and smiled at Yuna,"Ditto cuz. Yeesh you've grown! Both ways I see," Rikku said slyly pointing to the blonde man walking away from the cabin. Yuna blushed tomato red,"Rikkuuuu! Cut it out!"

"Just kidding Yunie, but tell me. What is up with Mr. Tall and Blonde, hmmmmm?," Rikku said raising an eyebrow.

"He stopped me from falling and helped me with signing in," said Yuna.

"And?," Rikku pressed. Yunav was too easy to read.

"And... he asked me out to dinner!," Yuna ended on a high note jumping up and down.

"Jeez, he must be a real nice guy. I guess he understands the pop thing," said Rikku.

"Yep. Yevon he is so nice! He doesn't care a bit about the pop thing," Yuna said smiling her face off.

She's swooned all right, thought Rikku.

"And what about you Rikku, haven't you met some hot guy who understands you yet?," said Yuna.

"Nope. All of them have been perverts, assholes, or wusses. I have no luck with men whatsoever," sighed Rikku.

"Oh well, you'll find somebody!," comforted Yuna.

"Men are scum," said Rikku, and they both laughed.

Wakka sat on the bed of cabin #101 juggling his blitzball. The ronso on the bed across from his remained silent.

He had not said a word since Wakka had entered the room and exchanged pleasantries with him. Wakka sighed and began to spin the blitzball on his finger. Suddenly the door opened and in walked a man with blonde hair and blue eyes. Wakka almost immediately recognized him. "Tidus! My man! Is it really you?," yelled Wakka as he walked up and pounded his fist.

"In the flesh brother. Wakka! You look good man! Where've you been?!," exclaimed Tidus.

"Blitzin'. Lead the Aurochs to a victory over the Psyches, ya," said Wakka excitedly," What about you?,"

"I've been training around Bikanel. They got good waters there, nice and deep. And the al bhed sell breathers so you can train in heavier pressure conditions. It's awesome!," answered Tidus.

Wakka's face turned to disgust," Al Bhed? Bah! Them dirty yevonite haters are trouble. Why you hang around them?," he asked irritably.

"Hey man it's for the game. It's nothing personal," Tidus said quickly, he knew Wakka's opinion of the al bhed was pure, undiluted hatred. "Hey, who are you?," said Tidus as he turned to the blue ronso in the corner. Wakka wondered if Kimahri would speak as the silence lasted for quite a while. Finally the ronso cleared his throat," I am Kimahri of Ronso tribe, pleasure to meet Tidus," he said in an uncaring tone. Wakka almost burst into laughter watching Tidus' look of annoyance. Suddenly, the screen in the back of the room came on and a voice said," Hello. I'm your message/fighter reference video output system. I will relay important messages and fighter profiles as well as match-ups and fight times."

"Wow. Pretty cool, ya?," asked Wakka. Tidus nodded in agreement.

"Message Incoming!," said the screen, then Maester Seymour's voice began to speak," all fighters who plan on entering this competition please head to the main arena for trials."

Tidus put on a confused face," Trials?"

"Tidus see soon," said Kimahri gruffly," now we go."

Wakka nodded and picked up his blitzball.

Lulu ran all the way to cabin #64. She was tired as hell when she got there and opened the door expecting to get some rest. Just then the screen in the back relayed Seymour's message. "Shit!,"yelled Lulu. Then she noticed the other girls in the room turn to look at her. "Er..sorry. I had trouble getting here and I was hoping for some rest," she said quickly.

"It's okay," said the girl with the blonde hair," we all lose it sometimes. Oh crap, where's my armor?"

"Rikku! Introduce yourself first," said the brown haired woman to Rikku," I'm sorry, I'm Yuna Sayer and this is Rikku Caran."

Lulu mentally cringed, what a bunch of goodies,"Um, nice to meet you, I'm Lulu Heller."

"We should get going," said Yuna," c'mon Rikku!"

"Alright, alright. Yevon!," said Rikku irritably as she slipped on the last of her armor," let's go!"

The stadium was gargantuan. The stands could hold 600, 000, 000 people not including staff. Lulu walked with Yuna and Rikku down to the arena floor. There were 10 lines and 10 platforms. They quickly put themselves in the women's line that said "Cabins 60-100". After waiting for 20 minutes, a big screen that stood at the top of the stadium turned on. Maester Seymour's face filled it up and he spoke smoothly and calmly," Welcome fighters from all over Spira! I hope you have found the cabins comfortable and everything is to your taste. Now it is time for the trials! You will each fight one fiend that is more or less your level of skill. If you beat it, you will have a spot reserved for you in the tournament. If you lose, you will be asked to leave and we wish you better luck in the future," Seymour explained," now, let's begin!"

The crowd of fighters cheered as Seymour's face disappeared from the screen. Lulu clapped a bit then turned her attention to the platform in front of her. The first fighters were being let on. Lulu breathed a slow, relaxing breath. Then smiled.

Kimahri had beaten his fiend with ease. It had been actually pretty funny. His fiend had been a Marlboro and had tried to poison gas him almost immediately. He ha just swiftly jumped and sliced the plant in half. Now he stood and watched Tidus walk to the platform. This boy for some reason had some kind of aura around him, it emanated a strong will and power he thought was pretty strong for a guy his age. As he watched him take his celestial sword into stance he admired the boy's concentration. Not a muscle moved in his stance. Suddenly, the the door to the platform opened and a Zu flew out. Kimahri was taken aback. Zus were violent creatures and very hard to take on by one's own self. But he didn't even see a flinch from Tidus, he was still as stone. The Zu saw Tidus and flew in for a snap. Just as the Zu's beak was about to close over Tidus' head, he disappeared. The Zu snapped hard and screamed in pain as it bit it's tongue. Tidus reappeared behind the Zu and sliced hard at it's legs. The Zu screamed in pain and swerved to meet it's attacker. Tidus raised his hand and muttered something as white light snaked from his fingers. The Zu began to move in slow motion. Kimahri smiled, slow. Tidus then ran behind the Zu and ran up it's back. He jumped at the nape of the neck and planted his sword in the Zu's head. It exploded in a burst of pyreflies and disappeared. "Passed!," yelled the guard at the entrance to the platform. Kimahri smiled and walked to the girls side to see how his summoner was fairing.

Auron smiled at the ten Behemoths that stood before him. He put his sword in position and swung at the first one, it's neck broke with a satisfying crack. He dodged the second ones paw swipe and kicked it's muzzle while slicing through the third one's skull. As he finished off the second one, a fourth and fifth one charged him. He smiled and jumped in the air. "Dragon Fang!," he yelled as his sword planted itself into the platform sending a fiery shockwave at the two Behemoths. The both fell and Auron finished them both with one swipe. He dodged two bolts of thunder and sliced the sixth one with an uppercut. The final three charged him with murder in their cold fiend eyes. He took a few steps forward and threw his sword at the middle one. The blade entered it's head with a mix of splitting bone and brains. He quickly ran up and punched the right behemoth, stunning it. He quickly swerved around it , grabbed his sword, and split the behemoth's behind in two. The final behemoth flung itself at him and met his blade head on. As the pyreflies flew away, the guard at the entrance to the platform yelled," Passed!."

Auron smiled," Damn straight."

Tidus watched Yuna walk onto the platform. He was worried. She was nice and beautiful, but the fiend wouldn't care. He watched the pyreflies materialize and become....OH! SHIT!, thought Tidus. A dark blob standing about 50 feet tall was Yuna's trial opponent. Yuna seemed calm though, her staff seemed completely still as she stood and gathered energy. Suddenly, she sprang into action and her rod moved like lighting. The clouds parted and a huge dragon rocketed down from the heavens. It landed with an earthshaking WHAM! Yuna stepped to it's side and began to concentrate. The dragon began to smash it with it's fists, but Tidus could see it did minimal damage. The blob threw dark matter at it, Tidus could see the dragon was weakening. Suddenly the dragon did a back flip and landed on all fours. A huge ball of energy formed in it's mouth, it got bigger, and bigger, and bigger until it was half the size of the blob itself. Then the dragon shot the energy at the blob. A huge explosion rocked the stadium as the blob was reduced to a bunch of shimmering pyreflies. Tidus stood dumbfounded then smiled.

All the passing contestants sat in the middle of the stadium's sections.Maester Seymour approached the podium that stood before them. Tidus smiled as Wakka sat up straight. "Congratulations worthy contenders. All 200 of you have secured a spot in the tournament. Now you must go back to your cabins because matches start tomorrow. All shops are open until 12 o' clock sharp. You're match-ups will be sent via your room monitor. And so my friends," said Maester Seymour in a cheerful voice,

"tomorrow the games begin!"

Tidus smiled and clapped with the rest. "The boards are now posted! You may go and check your opponent!," came the voice of the intercom. As the fighters filed out, chatting and obsessing over the tournament, Tidus thought he saw a glimpse of a man in red staring at him. Then he was gone.

Preview of Chapter 3

Yuna watched Tidus as they sat atop the walls of the stadium. "It's peaceful here," she commented.

"Yeah," said Tidus.

"You said something about your father and how you understood my pain. What did you mean?," she asked the question that had been nagging her the entire date.

Tidus frowned and began to recount.

OH YEAH! Chapter 2 is finis! Get ready for numero 3!!! Expect in next 2 weeks. C YA!!