Final Fantasy 2

Authors note: Well this is the second chapter in my story and hopefully it's good, so well one down…This Final Fantasy game was good, the music and graphics. The first ending I got when I beat the game was the inspiration for this story. So enjoy the second chapter and review if you have something to say/ good or bad, let me know.

CH.2: Another Farplane

The Celsius flew through many boring missions before; this by far was the slowest and dullest. Brother and Buddy were playing Sphere Break, Shinra was working on the sphere, Captain Lucil was training her troops, Nooj and Cid were talking in the back, while the ship was on autopilot. Nooj drank his tea and tried to speak, but he stopped himself. Cid noticed this and spoke his mind:

"If you are wondering about Paine she is doing fine. The last I saw of her she and my daughter were telling stories. Yuna sometimes joins them and retells the battle of Sin and reuniting Lenne with Shuyin; other times she is alone, like Paine at times. I have to ask Meyvan, do you still seek-?"

"Am I still seeking death? Spira is safe and Vegnagun is destroyed, why seek death when there is none? I am still cursed with this machina, but no complaints here." Cid gave the man space and walked over to Shinra's console. The little guy was hard at work and occasionally ate some cookies to keep him on alert.

"I found an interesting line up of the stars," Shinra said, "it lines up diagonally, which for the Al Bhed means 'caution.' The way in is quite small and for a ship like the Celsius, very hard. If you've built a ship that can hold 12, it better be able to squeeze through a hole the size of a rocket top." Shinra looked up at him.

"A hole that size huh? Well…in that case I may have to concentrate more on the shields. For a kid though you sure make an old Al Bhed look stupid," Cid said appreciatively. Cid walked over to the Sphere Break game and saw Brother lay down a combo. But Cid knew Buddy was holding back because of how Brother threw temper tantrums. I wish I still knew how to play, Cid thought as he headed into the corridor. It was quiet and reminded him of the hole he was in during his discovery in the Thunder Plains. I thought I was done for, but my niece and daughter found me and destroyed the machina; Cid reflected. Cid made his way to the engine room and felt the engines rumble as he walked in. This isn't home, but it might as well be, Cid thought remorsefully. His only home was destroyed by his own command after fiends invaded it. Now my life is moving constantly and there is no 'real home.' After this mission I will promise to settle down somewhere, Cid thought. With this out of his mind he went to the cabin to get some shut eye.

Wakka walked into the temple and felt like he did during his 1st few trips here, happy. The temple was special to him and him family-Lulu and Vidina. Yuna was in front of a statue, standing there and nothing else. She still seemed strong and yet Wakka knew she was half complete. I admit I miss him too, but there will be others, Wakka thought unhappily. Wakka stood next to her and could see her green blue eyes staring at the statue, but beyond. Lord Braska had been sent to the Farplane, so was Sir Auron, but they were gone in the end. Chappu…now Tidus, why me? Yuna noticed him and gave him a smile. "Hey now, don't ya stand there and act like nothing is happening in that mind of yours. Lulu is concerned that ya be here everyday and only come out during night. You should be practicing at the gunner's gauntlet or going on adventures with Rikku or such," Wakka told her. Yuna turned towards him then.

"I know, but my duties are here at the temple. It has been through so much and I don't want that to happen again. How is Vidina?" Wakka held his next comment and decided to take a good look at Yuna. Her brown hair was cut short and the dress sphere she chose to wear was gunner. He knew there were many villagers who wanted to date her, but she was busy.

"Cranky as usual. The tike seems real interested in my days as a blitzball player; he picked one up and put it in his mouth ya. I could tell he has talent because he threw one sphere out the door, quite an arm he has ya. That is beside the point Yuna, life isn't full of dark, let some light in ya." Yuna threw up her arms and went into one of the many rooms that held the priests; many were vacated. Yuna sat on the bed and brought her knees to her chin. Her eyes were becoming misty.

"I still miss him…Tidus. This temple is where we first met; all of Spira is one more memory of him. The place where he taught me to whistle, where we laughed, even where our love was ignited-all here! I tried to put him behind me, now look what it's done," Yuna complained. Wakka sat beside her and put a brotherly arm around her. "Do dreams…ever end?"

"I'm afraid so, but try not to worry about it ya. If you really think hard he isn't dead, maybe the thing he needs is a gentle hand to wake him up." Wakka left her there and made his way back to his hut. During Yuna's Thunder Plain performance he had been changing his mind constantly on the baby's soon to be name. Rikku had paid him a visit and relayed to him the events that occurred. Apparently the dress sphere Yuna had once belonged to pop artist Lenne of Zanarkand, a thousand years ago! The projected image displayed Lenne's memories; they showed her and Shuyin, her lover, being shot near Vegnagun. Wakka could still hear Yuna's prayers-all were for Tidus. He walked into his hut and sat by Lulu. "She seems so sad Lu; I don't know what to say."

"The only thing we can offer her is support. I also want to wish he is still alive, but maybe it's best if we let go. She'll recover and then we'll see her leave again." Vidina cried and Lulu went to his cradle and rocked it a little. Lulu still looked good after giving birth and the way her hair blew was so beautiful. She wore the same black dress he remembered she wore during their quest to destroy Sin. Wakka walked up to her and gave her a hug.

"I know, but maybe he is still alive ya. I got this gut feeling…and the rumors about the spirit trails. If the Aeons were able to come back, he might too and Yuna would be happy." A knock on the door was heard and in popped a medium sized girl of 17 wearing a thief dress sphere. Her voice was very loud, but Wakka seemed to be able to endure it:

"Hey who's the cutie?" Rikku peeked into the crib and made a cooing sound. Lulu gave Rikku a hug and Wakka patted her on the back. "Haven't you told Wakka to lose weight?" Wakka was used to the weight jokes and also of the look Lulu gave him, sort of a cautionary look. Rikku was Al Bhed and once in his life he despised them. Their use of machina as weapons was disturbing, but eventually he saw past it and grew to like Rikku as a kid sister. She had a very annoying quality.

"Yes I have, but he goes on saying it makes him look…fatherly." Lulu looked past Rikku and saw no one at the door, "did Paine leave?" Rikku put her hands behind her back and gave a loud sigh. Wakka caught the sign of motion and knew where Paine was. He knew little of Paine; the only thing he knew about her was she kept her past well hidden.

"Lu I think Paine went to Bevelle. Call it a hunch but I think something is going down there ya," Wakka said. Rikku's spiral eyes narrowed and her stance became stiff. Outside a loud noise was heard and when they went to see they saw Yuna trigger happy a flying beast. Rikku saw a fiend on the ground and cast slow then cut it down. The sky roared and everyone's attention went to a familiar vehicle…the Celsius.

"It's heading to Bevelle!" Rikku pulled out her weapons and headed over to Yuna. The huge flying beast let out a last dieing breath and closed its eye. Reloading her gun Yuna's eyes stayed with the Celsius until it disappeared. "You ok?"

"Yeah nothing a few rounds couldn't handle. Wakka is there a boat due to leave for Bevelle?" Wakka shook his head and Yuna paced in the dirt. What was going on in Bevelle?

"Yunie are we going to follow?" Yuna stopped in mid pace and cast a glance back at Wakka. Wakka stared back at Lulu and knew she had the same stare. He was cornered.

"Ok, I'll tell you all ya. I got a call from Cid telling me to tell you two to stay put. Nothing to worry about, just something to do with space and spirit trails. He'll let you know if something is game ya." Rikku gave Wakka a cold stare.

"My brother no doubt is behind all this! But I'm also taking a wild guess that an important leader made him choose to go." Yuna put her gun in her holster and leaned against a pillar and closed her eyes. The one person who carried a lot of leadership was…"Nooj!" Rikku blurted out the name Yuna held on her tongue. "But why bring Baralai into it? And why in Bevelle?"

"Because…it recently got this new room where analysis of spheres is made simpler." Beclem stood behind them and wore a cocky grin. "After what happened with Vegnagun the temple of Bevelle needed better security. Baralai wanted to make amends and this seemed right. The room is also equipped to look past Spira…into space!" The people in Besaid were stunned.

"Into…space, but how? Is that why my uncle is always spending his spare days in Bevelle?" Beclem avoided her questioning gaze, but it wasn't needed because it hit her. Cid was always into ships and always wanted to see it rise up. "He built a ship!"

"Not just any ship, this ship can go into space and enter black holes where other ships are crushed. Lady Yuna, I have already said too much, if you wish for further proof I will escort you there." Yuna held back, but Wakka was behind her.

"Go and investigate Yuna, we'll be here when you come back ya." He held her then let go and watched as Yuna and Lulu exchanged parting words. Rikku was already ahead so Wakka just waved. "I shouldn't have opened my big mouth."

"You would have if I warned you ahead of time. This will give Yuna a new adventure, and another push to hold on. She is only 19 and still young; she still has a lot of years ahead of her. Her story isn't complete yet…ya."

"Ya…ya?" Lulu gave him a kiss and headed back into the tent. He stared after the departing party and again felt sad. He always use to fear for Yuna's safety as a guardian, but now he had to trust her. Staring once more at the sky he held the image of space, then headed inside.

The ship was huge and brought Yuna back to the day she and Tidus nearly died. It was early in their voyage and Tidus was thrown overboard, Wakka was able to revive him and help defend him against the fiends. Another time was when they were on the back of a Shoopuf traveling the lake. She was dragged overboard and Tidus along with Wakka came to save her. Beclem stood near the bow staring into the overlapping waves. Rikku had gotten sea sick and was in her room. "You know he's dead, right?"

"Huh…what did you say?" Yuna walked up the stairs and stood behind him holding her gun holster. "I have no idea what you are talking-."

"Do not lie to me Lady Yuna! I can tell when one lies and never in my life did I think you'd lie Lady Yuna. There was a guardian unknown in my charts and it came to my surprise to find him not even real. Sir Auron also didn't return, makes me suspect the real dirt of what happened during the confrontation with Sin 2 years ago. Please elaborate what happened Yuna."

"Alright…ok!" Yuna put her hands on the edge and stood up straight and allowed the wind to blow her hair. "After we…destroyed Jecht I was about to send him and then to my disbelief found out Sir Auron was an unsent. After this while facing off against…my Aeons he revealed a secret…that he held from me. On the ship I was sending my Aeons away and he too was going. He, like the Aeons were to go away…and not come back."

"Your whole Sphere Hunter journey was just to find him, but all these side quests made you realize it won't happen. You did destroy Vegnagun…only because you had to. I am…sorry for my rudeness. It is sad loss for Sir Auron…"

"And what about Tidus? I…loved him and he was just a dream!" Yuna wiped away her tears and tried to control her sobbing with vain attempts. Beclem patted her on the back and headed down stairs. Yuna stared up at the stars and put her fingers in her mouth and whistled. She tried to laugh but the emptiness inside caused her to cry more. Bevelle was in full perspective now and the moon showed Yuna the Celsius.

"Land ho!" Yuna went downstairs and knocked on Rikku's door to get a moan. She entered a dark room where the only occupant had her head in the toilet. Yuna patted her on the back and turned on the room light. The Celsius grew larger in the port hole and the temple swallowed it. Vegnagun was made here.

"Yunie why does the water stay still?" Yuna helped Rikku up and led her up to the deck. The Captain whispered something in Beclem's ear then headed to the engine room. "We…home yet?"

"Lady Yuna we have word that Meyvan Nooj requests your attendance in the chamber council. It is almost time…" He left it at that and headed down the ramp. Rikku swept her blonde hair out of her face and followed Yuna down the ramp.

"Home for you is a distance Rikku; try to regain your strength so you can strangle your brother." Greeting them at the end of the ramp was none other then Baralai himself.

"Welcome Lady Yuna and Rikku! The council is about to start, follow me." They sat in the back of the lift as it splashed forward to the temple. Baralai was in a rush and his urgent need could be seen by the stress lines on his face. Yuna bowed and said hello to many monks along the way then nearly tripped as she leaped onto another lift. "A new danger has come upon us and the council was deciding how to act on it."

"Bigger then Vegnagun? Even as it was so close to destroying Spira...?" Baralai hid his pained expression and led them to a hidden lift that led to the council chambers. Sitting in the big chair was Nooj who stood up respectively as Yuna entered. "Meyvan Nooj."

"Lady Yuna I thought the last I'd see of you was in Luca, but I guess we all were called back. Friends and comrades our time is short as yet another evil stirs awake. This time the survival rate is short and that is why I'll lead the mission. It will involve a carefully plotted course into this hole and an engineer with skilled hands. Though the ship can fit 12…I am forced to, out of friendship, to pull two of them off the list." Yuna sat there and felt her blood boil, she has that look, he thought, but there is nothing I can do. Nooj then met her hostile glare with his own calm and neutral one.

"Please understand Yuna that if you came your emotions would jeopardize the mission," Cid said openly, "not to mention you've been through enough ordeals for one lifetime. Rikku can stay with you and keep you company." Rikku slammed her hands down on the table and ran to the other side of the room and began to choke Brother. Cid broke the two apart and made the guards take Rikku out of the room. "Yuna, as your uncle I advise you not to go."

"But why?" The council had slipped and no cover up could prevent the unthinkable to occur. Baralai whispered to Nooj and Cid and an argument broke loose. When a decision was made it had to be the truth, a lie would only make Yuna more hostile to them.

"A hole has opened up in deep space and is believed to be the reason all the spirit trails are loose. The Aeons are disposed of…but another thing is bringing them back. Sir Auron was the first to disappear; the most likely cause is someone with great power stole him for their own diabolical needs. Another hint of this new Farplane is that the people of Spira are becoming bolder. It is to my belief that a portal is somewhere in Spira that is transporting people up into space."

"The main reason why," Nooj began taking over for Baralai, "is…well just listen to this and maybe you'll hear why:

"My eyes won't open, am I dead?

Nah if I was dead I wouldn't…

there's movement all around me, and

my dad thinks I'm paranoid. My body

is drifting, where I don't know. Yuna!

These are the thoughts of a dream, a dream whose very known existence may end forever. Our mission is to seal up the hole and see to this sleeping monster. We did a voice analysis…it came to 100." Nooj could see conflicting emotions pass over Yuna, the one clear enough to see was pain. Yet determination ruled over it and Nooj knew as well as the council what it meant.

"I'm coming too! I know I decided to move on with my life, and the fact about being alone. But now his peaceful slumber is endangered and like Wakka told me, I've got to use a gentle hand to wake him. Rikku should come too…just on the same side ok?" The council couldn't disagree with her; after all she did save Spira twice and had brought New Yevon and the Youth League together. Nooj silenced the council and gave Yuna a considering if smile.

"We will consider your coming only if you do not interfere at all. This is very dangerous and all the crew need space…try to be invisible until the hard stuff is over. We leave in the early of midnight and anyone late can't come." Yuna considered her chances of winning a counterargument, but if she had any chance of seeing Tidus she had to obey. Brother and Buddy clapped her on the back and Shinra shook her hand furiously.

"The Gullwings reunited!" Rikku threw a guard and ran into the team hug. Cid, Nooj, and Baralai watched from their chairs. Each had their own problems and worries about the trip. If you looked deeply into their hearts you'd see fear and possible regret. This time the survival rate was too low.