Disclaimer: Final Fantasy and all related characters, etc. belong to SquareSoft (aka Enix Square). The author is receiving no financial compensation for publishing this.
Chapter 3: Those Eyes…
Tidus clenched his teeth and pushed against the floor. "Fifty-one!" he shouted, before collapsing face down onto the floor. He breathed in gulps, sweat dripping from his brow.
"Hey! Looks like you're doing better than you were just yesterday!"
Tidus rolled over and looked up at the person addressing him. A crowd of fifteen people had gathered around to watch him exercise, and one young boy who looked to be about fourteen was leaning over, smiling at him.
Tidus tried to control his breathing. Since the ship bound for Tifa had left the day before, he'd spent every possible moment training himself. Although he still couldn't do the hundred pushups of which he used to be easily capable, he had vastly improved since being bedridden only a few weeks before.
"Thanks!" he said, trying to keep a cheerful demeanor. He sat up with a grunt. "I gotta make sure I'm ready to blitz in a couple days!"
He pushed himself up off the floor, nearly losing his balance and eliciting gasps from the small crowd. Once he steadies himself, Tidus bent over into a stretch. Then, he started running in place, and finally broke into a jog, weaving through the small gaggle. As he passed through the gymnasium doors, he waved and said, "See ya later!"
Just after he exited the gym, Tidus broke into a hard run before they could follow. Although his body was tired, his adrenaline more than made up for it. Running almost gave him a thrill, as if he were playing a game of "Catch the Blitzer" with his fans. However, the real reason he ran was because he just wanted to do two things: exercise and be alone. As much as he loved his fans, he found it hard to think when they were crowding him so tightly. As he wove his way around milling passengers and crew, he reflected back on the past few days.
He was utterly amazed that he had only been walking without his cane since the previous Friday, and here he was working out and running as if he were preparing for a new season of Blitzball.
Then again, he was preparing for a new season. He was absolutely incredulous over his rapid recovery. He found it hard to believe that only a few weeks before this he had been practically paralyzed, lying in a hospital cot, wondering if he were going to live or die. The doctors attributed his recuperation to their medical skill, technology, and a lot of luck, but Tidus felt that some other force had been at work. He didn't think there was any way even his own Zanarkand would have had advanced enough medical technology to rapidly heal someone as grievously injured as he was, but he had no other explanation. The only time he remembered people bouncing back from bad injuries was in…
What was Spira, anyway? he asked himself. A place where magic's real, and anybody can learn to use it. Even me.
"Maybe it was my Curaga magic," he muttered in between breaths.
"What?"
Tidus turned his head, surprised to see a young woman following closely behind him. As he tried to think of a reply, he smacked hard into someone that had been standing on the deck. Tidus and the other person tumbled onto the ground in a flail of arms and legs. The young woman skidded to a halt and just barely avoided tripping over the two.
"What the hell? Damn kid!" The man over whom Tidus had tripped smacked a fist into the plastiwood deck and grabbed his glasses from where they had fallen.
Tidus scrambled away from him, stood up, and held out his hand. He said breathlessly, "Oh, man, I'm sorry. I shoulda been…"
"Damn right you shoulda been!" the man shouted, replacing his glasses on his face. "Now stand right there while I kick your…" The man looked at Tidus and his eyes opened wide. "Oh…uh…Mr. Tidus…I…sorry, I should have been watching where I was standing."
Tidus was taken aback at the sudden change in the man's attitude. "No, it was my fault, really." He held out his hand further, which the man tentatively took as he stood up.
"I didn't hurt you, did I?" The man's gruff voice had been replaced with a low, almost groveling tone.
"Nah, I'm fine. Are you okay?" Tidus asked, his hands out in a gesture of non-aggression.
"Yeah…fine. I'll get out of your way." The man then ran off before Tidus could say another word. A small crowd of people that had gathered around the confrontation murmured amongst themselves.
"Whew, that was close."
Tidus looked over. The young woman that had been following him was now standing next to him, almost uncomfortably close. Tidus instinctively took a half step away from her, but said nothing.
She was a few inches shorter than Tidus, with long blonde hair done in a dozen small braids. She wore blue halter-top, tight yellow shorts, and black water socks. However, what most struck him were her eyes. They seemed very familiar to him. Deep blue, inquisitive eyes that held a certain sparkle in them. It was something he hadn't seen since…
"I'm Celia," she said, sticking her hand out. "Sorry I distracted you, but I was out here training, too, and thought I'd run up and say 'hi'."
Tidus just stared at her. She smiled widely and tilted her head. As she did so, Tidus could have sworn he saw her right eye glint with a green hue. He felt tingles in his skin as a familiar feeling of well-being washed over him.
"This is kinda awkward, you know," Celia said, her hand still extended.
"Huh?" Tidus shook his head. "Oh, sorry." He took her hand and shook it slowly.
"You're, uh, shaking. You all right?" Celia asked in a low voice.
"I…uh…sorry, you just remind me of someone," Tidus said as he withdrew his hand. The crowd was beginning to disperse, the moment of excitement now past.
"Hey, there he is!"
Tidus looked past Celia and saw the same group of kids that had been stalking him earlier. "Damn," he whispered. Then, to Celia, "Look, I'm sorry, but I gotta run. I'll see ya!" He launched himself in the same direction the loud gentleman had run a few moments earlier.
As he ran, Tidus thought, Man, this is just weird! I gotta get some time to myself so I can think!
"You'll never make it to your cabin!"
Tidus felt goose pimples on his arms as he heard the female voice. Taking a quick glance behind him, he said, "C'mon, stop following me!"
"They've already crowded your cabin, probably, and I don't think the crew wants to help you get time to yourself!" Celia tried to keep up with Tidus, who was now sprinting even faster than before.
"I'll figure something out!"
"No, I have a better idea!" Celia shouted. "Come on!" She ran past him and then ducked into an open doorway to the left. Tidus tried running past the doorway, but she grabbed his arm with surprising strength. He swung into metal wall, barely avoiding smacking his nose into it.
Tidus yelped out. "Hey, what's the big…whoa!"
Celia yanked him onto the dark room and quickly shut the steel door. A dim light in the room just barely illuminated them as Tidus glared at the young woman, rubbing his shoulder. "Man, that hurt! You're lucky I…"
"Shh!" Celia put a finger to Tidus' lips. Her touch sent another tingle up Tidus' back, but only slightly dulled his anger with her.
After a few seconds, they heard the tromping of about a dozen feet on the other side of the door, accompanied with the voices of excited, winded groupies. After a few more seconds, they faded away.
"Well, you're safe from them, for now anyway," Celia said, sitting down from her crouching position.
Tidus sighed and looked around the room. There was a large metal HVAC manifold next to them in the cramped room, with square metal ducts branching off from it in all directions toward the walls. "Thanks," he muttered.
"Hey, c'mon, cheer up! Why are you so down? You always used to be so cheerful and energetic when I saw you on TV before!" Celia hugged her knees to her chest and smiled at him. Tidus looked over at her, and felt his frown melt into a small, amused smile.
"Well, I just…"
"Wanna scream?"
Tidus blinked at the dimness. "What?"
Celia tilted her head. "I didn't say anything."
He shook his head. "Oh…huh. Sorry, I…"
"I learned to practice smiling when I'm feeling sad."
"…I guess I'm just adjusting to my life again, you know?" he finished, ignoring the voice that he thought he heard. "Look, thanks for saving me and all, but I gotta get back to my room and rest up for tomorrow. I mean, I know I'll run into those people, but I probably wouldn't be where I am if it weren't for them, you know?"
Celia shrugged and gave a disappointed sigh. "Okay, I was just trying to help."
"Thanks," Tidus replied. After a few moments of silence, he scratched his knee. "Hey, if you, uh, wanted some help training, or something, you can come see me in Tifa. After I pick the new team, I'm gonna be training to play in the new season."
Celia brought her hands to her mouth. "You're gonna be…judging the trials? Oh, I'm sorry, but I shouldn't even be talking to you. It wouldn't be fair if…" She broke off.
Tidus fidgeted. If what?
Celia stood up abruptly. "Look, I…I gotta go. I'll see you…later." She opened the door, nearly striking Tidus with it, and rushed out before another word could be said.
Tidus jumped up and ran out of the room, but Celia had vanished into thin air. He put his hands to his hips.
Did I say something wrong?
*Tidus awoke to feel the warm sun bathing his face. He brought his arm up to shield his eyes from the light, and realized that he was floating, on his back, in water. He spun until he was upright, and found himself staring across a vast ocean.
Wha…how did I get here?
"Hey, watch out!"
Tidus spun around, and just narrowly dodged an object flying toward his head. It skidded on the water's surface and came to rest a few meters behind him.
A blitzball? He thought, staring at the blue and white studded sphere.
"Hey, you wanna get that for us?"
Tidus turned back around. That voice was so familiar. So was the situation. He swam at the ball, grabbed it and, as he was about to toss it back, smirked and flung it straight up. It landed on top of his head, and he launched himself up out of the water, sending the ball flying upward as he did a half-twist. He flipped end-over-end, and when the ball was just above his feet, he kicked with all his might.
The ball shot like a bullet toward the beach from where it had come. Several people standing on the beach scrambled away from the ball as it flew past them and bounced off the cliff beyond.
He quickly swam to shore, quite sure what he would find there. The Aurochs, training for their tournament. And Wakka'll ask me to do that sphere shot again, and to join the team.
When he surfaced, he was not disappointed. A half-dozen tan-skinned men stood there, all gawking at him. One, the tallest, most muscular, and with the most unique hairstyle, asked, "You wanna try that move one more time?"
"Nah," Tidus replied. "I'll just do the Jecht Shot. How 'bout that?"
"Ah, you like showing off, ya?" Wakka asked, clapping him on the shoulder. "Where ya been Tidus?"
Tidus hesitated for a second, but then laughed warmly. "You wouldn't believe me," he said, shaking hands with the rest of the Aurochs.
"Well, it's 'bout time you got back, 'cause Yuna's been waiting for you."
Tidus' smile dropped slightly. "Not with Seymour, is she?"
Wakka's smile disappeared altogether. "You hit your head or somethin'? Seymour's dead, remember?"
Tidus waved him off. "Nah, I just had a weird dream before…never mind. Is Yuna in the village?"
"Yeah," Wakka said. "They got a new house and everything."
Tidus heart stopped for a moment. "…they?"
"Well hello there." Tidus turned around to see Lulu. However, instead of her familiar long, belt-adorned black dress, she wore a tan Auroch Blitzball uniform. Her face looked quite pale and was uncharacteristically clear of makeup.
"Lulu? That you?" Tidus took a pensive step toward her.
Lulu smiled, again uncharacteristically. "I've been waiting for you." With that, she grabbed him by the neck and kissed his lips deeply.
For about a half second, Tidus allowed the kiss to happen. Then, however, he pushed away from her with all his might. "Lulu, what the hell…"
Lulu arched her eyebrows. "What's that for, lover? I've waited so long, I even started playing Blitzball so I could be on your team when you got back."
"Lover? What are you talking about? I'm in love with Yuna!" Tidus backed away, nearly bumping into Keepa who struggled to keep a ball on his wide head.
Lulu's mouth fell open, and then she pouted. "But…in Guadosalam, you said I was more your type…"
Tidus mouth fell open. "Lulu…that was a joke, and I told you so!"
Lulu dug her bare toes into the sand. "You were joking…" She then turned around and began to sob both loudly and obnoxiously.
Wakka stepped between them. "Hey, c'mon brudda. Yuna's kids wanna see you too."
Tidus shook his head. Kids…? Then it struck him. A dream. This is all a dream. "This is just another dream, isn't it?"
"I thought you were the dream," Wakka quipped, walking back around Tidus.
Tidus shook his head. "I'm not playing along. I'm gonna wake up now." He put his hands to his hips and turned toward the ocean, tuning out Wakka's taunting and Lulu's incessant, melodramatic weeping.
"You can change it, if you want."
That was a different voice. Tidus turned his head slightly, and saw a small child in a hooded parka, standing on the beach just beyond Wakka. He noticed that Wakka and everyone else had stopped moving, frozen in time. Just like in the dream he had before.
"You too," Tidus said to the fayth child. "You're not real either."
"And you are?"
Tidus gritted his teeth. Is he making fun of me?
"What's real, after all?" asked the fayth before Tidus could reply. "For your whole life, you lived in a Zanarkand of our creation. To you, it was as real as anything." The child strode out toward the water until it just barely brushed his toes.
Tidus walked away from him, glancing at Lulu in her ridiculously gaudy Blitzball uniform, still hunched over with her hands to her face. "Then whaddya call this?" He gestured to Lulu.
The fayth shrugged. "There's a difference between a fayth's dream and a dream's dream."
"Huh?"
The fayth child turned to him, a sly smile on his face. "You'll understand soon enough. When the time's right, you'll make a choice. But, for now, live in your world."
"My world doesn't exist anymore," Tidus said. "It was destroyed when Yuna sent you all to the Farplane. The Zanarkand I'm in now is different. And I know you're just a part of this dream." He spread his hands wide, gesturing to the scenery.
The fayth suddenly began to fade. "Call it a role reversal then. Shape your own destiny."
Tidus let out an exasperated sigh. "Fine. Just disappear now when I might actually need your help."
As the fayth vanished completely, a voice came out of the air. "No, you don't. Not yet. I'll be there when you really need me."
*Tidus opened his eyes and sat up in his bed. He glanced around the room, and recognized his cabin on the ship bound for Tifa. The speaker next to his bed was beeping obnoxiously.
Seconds later, a voice came over the speaker, "Mr. Tidus, sir, this is your wake up call. We will be docking in thirty minutes. Please prepare to debark."
Tidus scratched the back of his head. Good thing I took a shower last night. Still clothed, he swung his feet over the bed and slipped his sneakers on, not even bothering to tie them. He'd had to buy all new clothes, and had basically settled for a yellow and black outfit closely resembling his old Blitzball uniform. Despite his wealth, he felt most comfortable wearing the outfit all the time.
He glanced at his single backpack. He had virtually no material possessions, as everything in his houseboat was destroyed weeks before. His money, however, was kept in the protected banks of the Southern Islands, so he was in no danger of being destitute.
As he walked out onto the deck with his bag slung over his shoulder, he was once again inundated with passengers. Tidus gave everyone renewed smiles and greeted them. They responded by asking him questions all at once.
"Hey, you're gonna be at the trials, right?"
"I got some cool moves. Wanna see?"
"I wanna be a blitzball when I grow up!"
Tidus blinked at that last statement. Somewhere, somehow, he remembered hearing that nonsensical sentence before.
"Look, we're landing!"
Tidus looked out on Tifa, and felt a familiar warmth in his chest. Tifa was a large city, though not nearly as large as Zanarkand. However, it was good to see a city that wasn't lying in ruins, being cleaned up and rebuilt during all hours.
As Tidus weaved through the crowd exiting the ship onto the dock, he was hit by a strange sensation. He looked around. The docks hadn't changed much since the last time he'd been there.
But at the same time, he wasn't sure he'd ever actually been there before.
As he wandered on the dock, he felt himself get bumped from behind. He grabbed his bag to keep it from falling off and turned around.
A female voice started, "Oh, I'm sorry, it's just so crowded…"
Tidus opened his eyes wide when he saw her. It was Celia. But not just Celia. Something about how the sun glinted off her hair, and how her eyes held a familiar sparkle…
"Oh, Tidus…sorry, I have to, uh, go…" With that, she ran off before Tidus could say another word.
"Hey, man, I see you've found a new girlfriend."
Tidus turned back, and saw Voight standing there, smirking with impunity and wearing some type of athletic outfit.
"I met her on the ship," Tidus replied. "She reminds me of someone."
"That 'Yuna', right?"
Tidus fell silent. He last thing he wanted was teasing from Voight about Yuna, even if Celia did remind him a little of her.
"Just kidding," Voight retracted. "C'mon, I have a hover limo waiting. We can go check you in at the hotel…"
"Oh no," Tidus said, holding up his hands "I wanna get to the stadium!"
*Tidus stepped out of the limousine and looked up at the giant open-air stadium, gleaming in the mid-morning sun. It was smaller than the stadium that was once in Zanarkand, but it still gave him a warm feeling of home.
"It's not as grand as Zanarkand stadium, but the sphere is top-notch."
As Tidus turned to respond to Voight, his vision flashed. Suddenly, he was no longer in a paved lot, but was standing on a brightly-colored metal bridge over the open water. Before him was a grand stadium more gigantic than even the one in Zanarkand. People wearing all types of clothing walked past him. Some weren't even human. Large catlike creatures and hairy people with long arms and thin, clawed fingers pushed past him. He looked up, and his heart stopped when he saw the sign over the doorway:
"LUCA STADIUM"
"Hey."
Tidus felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned to face its owner, and suddenly found himself again standing in a black paved lot. He looked forward again, and saw Tifa Stadium, as before. He shook his head, trying to regain his senses.
"Didn't get much sleep last night, did ya?" Voight had an eyebrow raised. Tidus only shrugged, at a loss for words. Voight smiled. "You're excited, I bet. Don't worry, the trials start in less than an hour. C'mon." He started walking toward the stadium.
Tidus took a few steps in following, but then heard the whine of a hover engine behind him. He turned back to see the limousine driving away.
"Hey! He's got my stuff in there!"
"Don't worry about it," Voight replied. "He's taking it to the hotel. You gotta stay somewhere tonight, ya?"
Tidus snapped his head back toward Voight. "What'd you just say?"
"I said you're staying at the Palagra Hotel tonight." Voight pursed his lips.
Tidus waved his hand. "No, no. I thought you just said…uh…ah, never mind. Let's go." He started toward the stadium entrance, leading the confused Voight inside.