Let the lightening flow like a pure-white sash
Let the fires rise and burn us all
It is time to answer the demon's call
Break:
Seymour raced down the spiral stairs like the wind itself. He had no emotion left in his black heart now that his mother was gone physically, but I can still bring her back!
The summon would be harder of course, now that her aeon was gone, but Seymour knew that it would still work. He would retrieve his mother, no matter what.
Break:
Yuna and the rest of the party had found the entrance to the lair thanks to Remi's elemental powers and were running down the corridors, following the elementalist's sixth sense.
" I can feel his heartbeat, it's about 20 meters below us," Remi reported as she concentrated her energy," but I also feel another party moving in that direction. A motley crew, but I can sense my brother. It's them."
Yuna sighed in relief,"
Let's pick up the pace, we still have not encountered the
Midgar
assassin squad."
Break:
Feros didn't even require a sixth sense to sense Remi's aura, he knew it by heart.
"My sister and the rest of our fighters are moving," He said as they ran," we will converge at what seems to be a domed room further ahead."
Tidus smiled hopefully," I'll see you soon Yuna."
Break:
Yuna's party ran straight into a large dome arena and stopped.
Auron immediately drew his blade and growled," Come out of there Cloud. I know you're here."
Cloud materialized from the shadows and replied coolly," Yes, I'm here, but don't worry, I have friends too."
He snapped his fingers and the rest of the squad appeared from the shadows, as well as three certain zombies and some guards," You won't be going any further."
Yuna knew that there was no way she could summon a sky being right now, so she readied Ifrit," I SUMMON YOU, IFRIT!"
The hell demon arose from the ground and the battle began.
Barret raised his arm and fired a volley of bullets at Rikku, but found them blocked by a shield of white magic from a certain black mage. Cursing, he called Red XIII to his side and said," Ready to shoot?"
The dog growled," All for it."
Rikku didn't have time to think as a bullet of fur ploughed into her side and sent her to the ground hard. The dog began to bite wildly at her, but the wily al bhed slashed back at him with her claw. Seeing Rikku on the ground, Auron flew off in a mad fury and heaved the beast off of her.
" Go deal with Yuffie!" he cried to her," I'll take care of this!"
With that, swung his blade and sent Red XIII hurtling to the side into the wall. Barret had readied his gun through this exchange and now shot a fully charged Power Blast at Auron. The swordsman whirled around with fury in his eyes and barked," Protect!"
The blast fizzled before it was remotely near him and Barret became officially shit-scared as Auron's aura became blood red. The seasoned warrior moved like lightening and had Barret at sword point in less than a second," Sayonara Mr. T."
Barret slumped to the ground as Auron knocked him out with a quick jab to his pressure point. Kimahri and Ifrit were having trouble with the zombies of Orri, Zulu, and Kitar as they couldn't find a sufficient way to dodge all their attacks and keep on the offensive themselves. Ifrit roared and shot another ball of flame at Zulu, but the zombie form gave him cat-like reflexes and once again the attack missed. Orri appeared in front of Ifrit and delivered several slashes in rapid succession before disappearing again and the aeon howled in pain. Kimahri was sweating profusely as he tried to keep up with Kitar's celeritous staff movements. He had never fought a technique so hard to counter and was finding that the more she hit, the harder it came every time. They would, however, receive no back up as there was none to spare. Lulu and Wakka were fighting Vincent, but he was proving to bee much more dangerous out of the ring. Remi was taking Tifa, but found that the woman was as athletic as she was busty. Rikku was in a heated exchange with Yuffie, the kind of exchange where people die. Finally, shouts and grunts could be heard from the middle of the room as Cloud and Auron locked blades and blows. It looked like a deadlocked fight that was leaning towards the bad guys. Suddenly, a cry was heard from the tunnel behind the fight," Rain of Knives!"
Marin's kunai rained down on the zombies, impaling all three of them and driving them back. Feros materialized behind Tifa and grabbed her side," Hello beautiful."
Remi took the opportunity to shoot a silver bullet at her heart, but Feros' blocked it with his back.
Remi gasped," Feros!"
Feros chuckled," How could you forget Tifa?"
Tifa knew the man at once, her playmate before he had disappeared," Carlos…"
She slumped, crying into his arms.
Auron smiled as Tidus brought a blow to Cloud's back and The swordsman cried in pain," Bastards!"
Katya blocked a shuriken that was coming at Rikku's head and sent it flying back at Yuffie with gusto. Jayna beheaded the zombies as they broke free of the kunai with one swipe of her broadsword," That's for trying to grope Yuna!"
Cloud smiled and knew that his team was beaten and cried," STOP!"
The fighting ceased and he spoke," This was only a test I made to calculate your strength. You can't be weak to go face Seymour."
Tidus growled," What do you know?"
Cloud smirked," Everything. Do you care to find out?"
They all nodded," Good. Seymour counted on four of the five dragons to arrive at this tournament. Jayna, Marin, Yuna, and Katya."
" However," he said," the fifth showed up. Feros was the only one who knew how to control his dragon other than Yuna. Yuna's dragon is a summon, Bahamut."
Auron nodded," I've heard the legend. Every city once had a dragon, but then the war came and Bahamut of Bevelle was the only one who became and aeon in order to help the humans. The others were lost and never seen again."
"Until now. Feros semi-consciously awakened the other dormant dragons in the girl's bodies when he unleashed his own. Seymour counted on taking the power of their dragons with them knowing they existed, but that got foiled."
Tidus knew now," He wants their power. With that kind of power, he will have the five elements and therefore be able to-"
"Manipulate life as we know it. He will be a god with the powers of wind, fire, darkness, light, and aeon," finished Cloud," The superhuman project that he started showed that if you suck the soul out of a body, you may replace it with anything. Whether that is fiend's blood, another soul, or a dragon, it doesn't matter."
Yuna moved next to Tidus and leaned on his shoulder," How do we stop him?"
Cloud sighed," Unfortunately for you, he is already downstairs getting ready to suck his soul out. Once that happens, his body will become a soulless monster with incredible powers. You must prevent him from obtaining the dragon souls inside the carriers. The problem with this is that you cannot destroy him without the powers of the five dragons combined."
He turned to Tidus," That is why it is a miracle that you showed up. You are a dream of the fayth aren't you?"
Tidus opened his eyes wide and Yuna looked at him perplexed," I-I…I had a dream once. The fayth…called me 'dream walker'."
Cloud nodded," Sin brought you here as it did your father before you. You are merely a vessel. If the dragons channel their power into you, we will be able to kill Seymour."
Yuna smiled," Well that's good!"
Nobody said anything and Yuna looked around," Right?"
Rikku said softly," Yunie, if that much energy is put into Tidus he will-"
"Cease to exist," whispered Tidus softly.
Yuna felt tears come to her eyes," But I just got you back. How can you leave now?"
Cloud sighed," There is no other way. One life in exchange for thousands of others, a more than fair trade. I'd do it. I know you will do it."
Tidus nodded and held Yuna as she wept into his shirt," Let's go."
Cloud nodded and took Marin's hand," I will lead everybody except Yuna, Tidus, Marin, Jayna, and Katya. We will distract Seymour while you charge your dragon drives."
With that he flashed a smile," Good luck."
Break:
Seymour entered a tube made entirely of glass and closed the door. This machine would suck his soul in 5 seconds. As it turned on and he felt the electricity enter his body, he saw all the dark in his life. He also saw the light in his body and he wept as they collided," Mother…"
Break:
"It is time for the party to break," said Cloud solemnly," Say your goodbyes. We may never see one another again."
Marin hugged him tightly and he descended a single kiss upon her quivering lips. Tidus hugged Wakka, then Auron, and Rikku. Kimahri received a handshake and Remi a quick embrace. Jayna mischievously tried to steal another kiss from him, but Tidus blocked it with his hand and hugged her instead. Cloud nodded his head and the Squad bowed their heads. Yuna walked up and latched onto his arm and he held her. Remi walked up to her brother and slapped him," Come back alive y'hear?"
Feros smiled and rubbed the spot where she had shot him earlier," By the wound you have inflicted."
She gave him a worried look and then hugged him," Seriously bro bro."
Tifa was next and said nervously," Please come back. I…I think we have some catching up to do."
Feros took her hand and kissed it," Of course."
Cloud drew his sword and said," Time to fight. Dragons and Tidus will move behind Seymour while we distract him."
Cloud moved towards the door leading to the machine room and entered the code," Enter now. Leave no regrets. Now is the time."
Break:
They found not a man where Seymour should have stood, but a towering hulk of a beast. His body had fused with the platform and he had sprouted many arms that flailed wildly. His eyes were blood red and his mouth was a gaping maw of fangs and drool. Wings had burst from his back and flapped uselessly as if it had a hope to get the monster off the ground.
"Foolsss! You will never destroy me now! Give me the dragons and leave!" it cried with rage.
Cloud gave Tidus the signal and the dragons began to move towards it's back while Auron stepped forward," We'll never give them to you. You are not worthy of becoming a god! You suck your own soul out to become powerful! You are scum!"
The taunt worked and Seymour roared," YOU FILTHY SHIT! I'll DESTROY YOU WHERE YOU STAND!"
Auron dodged Seymour's first arm and the party sprung into action, Cloud swung at one of the arms, but it glanced off its hard shell and caused him to fall back.
"SHIT!" Cloud huffed," He's got an exoshield!"
Auron smiled," SHEILD BREAK!"
His sword sliced right through Seymour's arm and severed it right off, but to their surprise it grew back in a flash.
" HAHAHA! PUNY HUMAN! DIE!" laughed the beast.
Rikku sighed," This shit is gonna be tough."
Break:
Meanwhile, the dragons where hiding behind the beast and getting ready to attack.
Tidus sighed," He will sense you guys charging the moment you change into dragon form, so there is only one way to do this. Since Feros triggered your transformations last time, he'll summon his dragon first."
Feros nodded and Tidus continued," What you all will do is gather all of your energy into one concentrated form that you can access quickly. When you switch forms, we can only hope that the dragons use that energy to blast-fill their power supply and shoot it at me in the least time possible."
Jayna frowned," It's a long shot. We can't control ourselves when we are in dragon form."
Feros smiled," I speak dragon. I'll make sure it happens."
Tidus nodded," Let's do it."
Break:
Remi summoned all the mana she had left and cried," Demon Kiss of Gaia!"
A large blast of black and green energy shot from her hands and hit Seymour dead in the chest. It left a large hole, but it quickly regenerated. Remi stumbled back and fell," I'm out of juice!"
Lulu cast ultima again with similar results and fell too," Ditto."
Cloud growled, he could also feel fatigue clawing at his body," Keep fighting!"
He sliced like a madman at Seymour's weak spots until the shell broke and delivered a final blow to his side. The monster cried out in pain, but then laughed and knocked Cloud into a wall. Rikku jumped onto his head and stabbed at his eyes, but they regenerated and she was swept off too. Kimahri and Auron hacked away at the arms with all their strength, but nothing seemed to work. Even the Midgar squad was burning out as Tifa's punches, Yuffie's shuirken, Barret's gun, and Red XIII's bashes had no effect. Things were looking down and time was running out.
Cloud picked himself up painfully," Hurry Tidus."
Break:
Feros stood behind the monster and dug deep into his soul to prod his dragon, Awaken Furen!
His eyes grew red and his body temperature rose 200 degrees as a voice mingled with his," AWAKEN BROTHERS!"
The girls found themselves lost as their dragons took over and powered up their blasts, Tidus moved to the center of their circle and readied himself. The monster sensed the collection of power and turned to face it, but it was too late.
"HELLFIRE!"
"FURY OF THE FOUR WINDS!"
"RAGE OF THE ABYSS!"
"LIGHT OF PURITY!"
"MEGA FLARE!"
The five attacks converged on Tidus' form and were absorbed into his body. He became transparent and you could see the energy move and manifest itself into his very being. His orifices exploded with white light and a cry so great was uttered from his throat that it stung all who heard it.
"DRAGON'S JUDGMENT!"
A massive beam hit Seymour's form and the room was filled with a light so bright that it almost ceased to be light at all. When all cleared, Seymour was gone and all that was left was a locket containing a picture of his mother. Yuna ran over to where Tidus lay unmoving. She threw herself down over his body and cried," Tidus! Tidus! Wake up! Oh please wake up! I love you, please! Wake up!"
Slowly, Tidus began to disappear and Yuna collapsed into tears," Don't leave!"
The rest of the party looked upon her weeping form with sorrow. They had lost a dear friend, or had they?
Break:
Tidus floated on the brink of life and death. He could hear Yuna's calls and wished to go to her, but felt that he couldn't. I'm just a dream anyway.
"No your not," said voice next to him.
Tidus turned to see the little fayth in his purple robe," Why are you here?"
"To tell you not to cry," responded the fayth calmly.
Tidus sighed," Well that's useful. Why don't you just take me back to dream world?"
The fayth sighed," You've forgotten my words already. Very well. I leave now. If you really love her, figure out how to return before you disappear."
The fayth faded away and Tidus bowed his head in thought, He said I wasn't a dream. Words? What words? The dream…dream walker…don't cry…then he said…I can't remember. Why am I not a dream? I'm disappearing right? Then I must be a dream. But a dream can't feel, can't kiss, can't…love. Then why can I? I love…I love Yuna…I love her face, her smile, the way she loves me…the way she makes me feel. Feel. I can feel. I am not a dream! I can live! I can love! I am not a dream! I have a SOUL!
The dream is nothing, but the soul is something…a soul…
Break:
Yuna's tears fell on Tidus' almost transparent face," I love you…"
Then she heard a voice," I love you too, honey. But you are getting me somewhat wet."
Yuna didn't even look as she swooped down with her head and almost ate Tidus' mouth in a passionate kiss. The party oohed and then began to clap heartily. It was over. It was all over. It had been a tournament to remember. A tournament for the ages.
Break:
Epilogue
Yuna smiled as she looked at herself in the wedding gown sown of fine white wool. She felt truly beautiful. Rikku and Lulu fussed about her hair and jewelry as she posed in various positions," Well, how do I look?"
Rikku smiled and cooed," Sexy sista! Tidus won't be able to keep his hands off you at the honeymoon sweet."
Lulu coughed," Rikku, I get nightmares when you mention their bedroom action. Please refrain."
Rikku chuckled," You'd rather I tell you mine?"
Yuna smirked," Rikku, I can hear your "bedroom action" every night. From five rooms away!"
Rikku blushed," Shut up Yunie!"
Lulu chuckled, but Yuna quickly silenced her," Lulu if Rikku can be heard from five rooms away, I can hear you around the block!"
Rikku decided to put up the final diss," Yuna, from the girl who wakes up the entire city with her 'bedroom action' you shouldn't be talking either."
The girls collapsed into a fit of giggles until Yuna finally gasped out," come on girls, I'm getting married! Let's hurry up!"
Break:
The music started and Yuna began to walk down the aisle led by her uncle Cid. Everybody was there, Feros and Tifa had gotten to know each other better and were engaged. Remi had gone out for a drink with Vincent and were now married and happy. Cloud had retired from assassinations and now held onto Marin tight, they were expecting. Katya had stayed single, but there were rumors of a man somewhere out there. Rikku snuggled close to Auron, the two hardly spent any time apart and Yuna knew for a fact that if there wasn't a baby coming she didn't know where all the sperm was going. Lulu had already born a child to Wakka, they had named him Chappu after his uncle and he looked just like him. Kimahri had become leader of a Ronso tribe at Mount Gagazet and had acquired a wife named Chazka. She was strong and was as protective of Yuna as Kimahri himself. Finally, Jayna had married a man they thought dead. Riku had been found unharmed in the operating room and they had proceeded to build a relationship. Needless to say, they were "active". Everybody smiled at her as she walked up towards the only person in the room she really loved. The man who had come back to life just for her, the man who had stolen her heart. She stared into his stormy blue eyes and waited for the words to come," You may kiss the bride."
Tidus smiled and met her lips," Don't mind if I do."
Break:
FIN
I'd like to thank all the people who ever reviewed. Everybody who supported me even when I failed to update for a while. You guys are the best and it has been my pleasure to entertain you with my writing. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.