Well, I'm not entirely sure of what to do with this crazy idea I came up with, but I did my best to try and keep it entertaining. I hope I don't displease anyone with this chpt. It is entirely different from what I had planned, but hey, a story makes itself. I just write it. lol. I let the story go the way it wants to go and sometimes things don't plan out the way I want them to, but it doesn't bother me. Well, on with the chpt. Enjoy!
Spira was most certainly in danger and the Gullwings new this, especially Yuna. What with this mistress of death and elemental fiends surfacing out of no where. Who knew what was gonna happen next or where it was to happen? No one knew. It remained a mystery in itself until it wanted to be known. And once it wanted to be known, it made itself known to everyone around it.
Night had fallen upon Spira. . .
Tidus looked around to find himself alone. All was quiet, which could, yet couldn't, be a good thing. Anything could happen at any given moment, however, Tidus decided to tempt fate yet again on this very night.
Closing his eyes and tilting his head up towards the milky sky above him, he raised his hands at his side as his very image began to quiver, and disperse into a shimmering hue of ivory, which soon faded from sight.
The Celsius was set on auto pilot as it hovered high above Spira below where the Gullwings laid sleeping inside the cabin except for a certain member that is.
Yuna stood atop the Celsius, the wind blowing through her hair. She closed her eyes and savored its gentleness upon her face when she suddenly heard a familiar whistle cry out from the distance. She quickly opened her eyes and looked about, however, saw nothing. Yuna narrowed her eyes in bewilderment when she suddenly felt as if she wasn't alone. She looked above her head only to see a mist hovering above her head. She gasped and withdrew her guns, taking aim at the mist, that is, until she heard the mist whisper the very sound of her name. She slowly lowered her hands, allowing the guns to slip and fall from her grasp as she watched the mist above.
Yuna swallowed the lump in her throat as she tried to fight the tears. "Tidus." She whispered softly.
The mist hovering above turned a soft emerald, which had a golden twinkle to it. Yuna watched as it began to shower down upon her and take form of her outer being. With a sudden gasp, a bright luminosity erupted around her, forming a sphere around her, which was absorbed within her rather suddenly.
Yuna placed her hand over her heart that was racing as she panted severely. "I feel you, but yet I cannot be with you. I sense your very love within for me, and that's what's keeping us together right now." She softly smiled, however, it quickly faded as tears began to sting her eyes. "When, Tidus? When will we finally be together?" She softly closed her eyes as she savored the feeling of Tidus' presence within her heart.
Morning. . .
Shinra had been up since day break trying to figure out what was going on with what information Yuna had given to him, however, found nothing about the mistress of death. Nothing was known about her in the history of Spira. Appears Yevon had more secrets than to be expected. Maybe the truth of her was lost to time, never written down, or was destroyed many, many years ago. Who knew?
"Impossible!" Shinra shouted. "I can find nothing on the mysterious being." Shinra turned around in his chair, standing on his knees as he looked at YRP. "Nor can I comprehend these elemental fiends. Wind, fire and water have already struck and have been successfully defeated. Only earth remains.""
"And then what?" Rikku asked.
Silence fell upon Shinra. "I'm just a kid!" He then quickly turned back to his computer as annoyed scoffs and groans came from everyone around him.
"Looks like even this mystery has Spira's Greatest Wiz Kid stumped." Buddy teased.
"Hey!" Shinra said in defense.
"Well, if and when this earth fiend makes itself known, we'll be ready." Yuna said.
"We will?" Rikku asked. Yuna looked to her and nodded her head.
"Well, what do we do in the meantime, wait?" Paine asked.
"Why not check out the comspheres?" Shinra suggested. "I replaced the ones that were broken or whatever with new one a while back. So, reception should be good." YRP gathered around to check out how things are going around Spira.
Besaid
Things came into focus as Wakka came into view. He seen Yuna within the comsphere and approached it.
"Hey!" Wakka said.
"How are things in Besaid, Wakka?" Yuna asked.
"They're coming along." Wakka said. "Still a lot of work to be done. Drop back by soon, ya? This place could always use you around."
"Will do!" Yuna said as the comsphere is tuned out.
Kilika Port
Location – Kilika Temple
Things came into view, revealing the temple with a smugly little chuckle is heard as Dona came into view.
"I figured it was you." Dona said.
"How are things in Kilika?" Yuna asked
"News flash, High Summoner!" Dona snapped. "There is no Kilika. All that remains is the temple or have you forgotten that? The town is gone, the forest as well." She looks around at what remained. "No one's bothered to help repair things around here either."
"Dona!" yelled Barthello off in the distance.
"See you around, High Summoner." Dona said. Things then went black.
YRP then stepped back away for a moment. . .
"Everyone's calling in from everywhere." Shinra said as he continued to pull up data from each location. "Ghostly encounters!"
"Huh?" Yuna pondered.
"Check it out." Shinra said as YRP gazed upon the data received from the comspheres. Only a few were calling in though.
Youth League Headquarters
Things slowly focused in as Captain Lucille and Emma came running up to the comsphere.
"Lady Yuna!" Emma called out.
"My Lady Summoner, we beckon your presence!" Captain Lucille said. "Reports of fallen Crusaders have been spotted along the Mi'hien Highroad! A few even reported of being attacked by these ghostly beings. Thankfully, no one had been hurt."
"Want us to check things out?" Yuna asked.
Lucille shook her head. "We've got things under control as of now, My Lady, but if the Gullwings are needed, we will call upon your services. I thank you."
"We'll be in touch." Yuna said before losing connection.
Yuna then stepped away as Rikku and Paine watched her. . .
"I've seen enough." Yuna said. "All of Spira is feeling the affects of this mistress of death and my search."
"Yunie- -"Rikku trailed off before being cut off by Buddy.
"We've got trouble, Gullwings!" Buddy said as YRP quickly gathered around to hear what he had to say.
"What's up?" Yuna asked.
"Appears things are a bit spooky at Mt. Gagazet. Kimahri's requesting to see you immediately, Yuna."
Yuna nodded her head. "Looks like this is it, Gullwings. This is our calling!"
"Meaning?" Rikku hesitated to ask.
'Meaning it's time to kick ass." Paine said flatly.
"Right." Yuna agreed as Rikku shook her head and rolled her eyes.
"Then it's settled!" Brother said as he jumped from his post. "We go to Mt. Gagazet, talk to our Ronso friend and kick some ghostly butt!"
"There could be a phantom shadow awaiting you there." Buddy teased and Brother fell silent for a moment.
"Ahem." Brother said. "Yuna! Yuna shall kick phantom butt! As leader, I order you to do it! And do it right!"
Rikku scoffed. "Some noble leader we got, eh, girls?"
"Won't even fight a phantom to impress his girl." Paine added. Yuna instantly narrowed her eyes at Paine and threw her an evil glare, which didn't even bother Paine as she chuckled at Yuna.
"Not funny.' Yuna said.
'I thought it was." Rikku said with a shrug of her shoulders as the Celsius was kicked into high gear.
Moments later. . .
Everyone had arrived at Mt. Gagazet . YRP stood in front of Kimahri and the other Ronso as the YRP were informed of recent events.
Rikku stood with her arms wrapped around herself, her teeth chattering. She quickly blew hot air into her hands as she then glided the warmth up and down her arms. "Soo cold." Rikku stuttered through chattering teeth as Yuna listened to Kimahri speak.
"Fallen Ronso walk Mt. Gagazet. Ronso that fall to Sin, to Yevon, walk Mt. Gagazet. Lian and Aide see this, Garik see this, even Kimahri see this. Even see Elder Kelk Ronso walk Mt. Gagazet." Kimahri said as Yuna's eyes went wide.
Yuna recalled what Tromell had once said to her. "The souls of the Farplane have grown weary." Those words seemed to burn within her mind.
"Maybe- -' Yuna began.
Kimahri shook his head. "Ronso deal with Ronso problems."
Yuna signed. "Kimahri, please."
"Kimahri must object." Kimahri said.
"Yuna must deal with Yuna's problems, too, Kimahri." Yuna spatted back at him. "And this is Yuna's problem."
Kimahri shook his head in defeat. "Yuna right. But if Yuna need Kimahri, all Yuna need do is call."
"Keep watch here. "Yuna said. "We'll take care of things topside."
Yuna nodded her head at Kimahri who nodded his in return and without a moment to spare, YRP headed for Fayth Scar.
Moments later. . .
"Why can't we just use the teleport!" Rikku whined as they continued to climb the mountain.
"We need to check things out along the way to Fayth Scar." Yuna said.
"What exactly are we looking for?" Paine asked.
"Anything out of the ordinary." Yuna said.
"Brother's out of the ordinary." Rikku joked. "Does he count?"
"Not hardly." Yuna said with a chuckle.
Brother then broke in over the headset. "Rikku! Do not insult your leader!"
"Not listening!" Rikku shouted back.
"Rikku! Come in!" Brother shouted.
'Can't hear you!" Rikku shouted.
"Come in!" Brother shouted loudly.
"QUIET!" Paine shouted and Rikku and Yuna looked to her immediately as they stopped dead in her tracks. Paine quickly withdrew her sword. "Something's not right."
"Wha- -" Yuna trailed off.
"Shhh!" Paine demanded as she listened at the sounds around them.
A whistle in the wind is heard, however, it's not the whistle known to Yuna who looked about and also became suspicious of her surroundings as she withdrew her guns. Rikku withdrew her weapons as well as YRP turned their backs to each other and leaned in close together, forming a triangle.
A crying wail called out from the distance, slightly starling the girls as they gasped and looked around them in a panic.
"What was that!" Brother asked in a frightful panic over the headset. "You're not singing again, are you, Rikku!"
"We don't know." Rikku said to Brother over the headset. "And I don't sound like that when I sing!"
"Would you two stop it!" Paine asked sternly as she kept her sights set on their surroundings.
"You must stop." a frail voice cried out from no where, which was soon followed by whispering voices.
"It comes!" Paine shouted as she prepared for battle. Yuna and Rikku also prepared as the whispering voices became louder and louder, however, just as they appeared to be right on top of them, the voices stopped.
An eerie silence fell upon Mt. Gagazet. YRP could hear their hearts pounding within their own chests. They looked around, expecting the worst, however, nothing appeared.
"Let's move on." Yuna suggested. "Before anything else happens." And with all in agreement, the trio pressed onward.
Onward they walked the cold, ridged mountain known as Mt. Gagazet. A fierce wind had begun to blow, which made the journey more difficult. Strange whispers were heard, mysterious shadows appeared in the corner of the eye, however, if you looked their way, they disappeared as quickly as they seemed to appear.
As YRP journeyed the path the fallen Ronso had traveled, their souls could be seen walking the footsteps they had once taken. Yuna, Rikku and Paine stopped dead in their tracks as they watched the fallen Ronso walk by them as if they weren't even there. A few wandering souls even walked straight through the girls, which sent cold chills up their spines though they pressed onward till they at last reached Fayth Scar and prepared to climb the mountain side.
Without a moment to spare, YRP began to ascend the mountain side, being careful not to slip and possibly fall to their certain death. Some paths were narrow, some more ridged than others.
"Tell me why we're doing this again!" Rikku whined above the howling wind.
"We seek knowledge and preservation." Paine said sarcastically.
"What!" Rikku pondered.
Paine groaned. "Ask Yuna, Rikku."
"We're searching for whatever released these wondering souls in Spira." Yuna said. "And for Tidus."
"Ahh, the things we do for love." Rikku said girlishly as they continued to ascend the mountain side till they at last reached flat land. They looked around and soon realized they were near the top. "Oh! I know where we are!" she bounced.
"The Hot Springs lye just beyond that corner." Paine said and Yuna just nodded her head.
"Hot springs?" Brother broke over the headset and asked as they giggled. "You girls going for a swim? I join you!"
"NO!" the girls literally screamed in unison.
"How far are we climbing anyway?" Rikku asked.
"To the top where we found that sphere." Yuna said.
"Well, we're not gonna get there by standing here." Paine said. And with that said, they continued onward up the mountain.
The wind seemed to grow even more fierce as they got closer and closer to the very top of the mountain. The whispering voices returned and could be heard within the wind, however, the girls were unmoved by it. Yuna knew that something was trying to stop her and they only made her will even stronger and her determination more daring. She was going to find her love no matter the cost. Even if it mean risking her life.
Rikku managed to make it to the top and breathed a sign of relief. Paine soon followed her, however, Yuna was another matter. She had grown tired and was pushing herself beyond her means.
Yuna hung on to the side of the mountain as she panted. The wind blew coldly against her face and through her hair. Yuna went to rest her foot upon what she though to be a secure place and when she did, it broke and gave way, causing Yuna to slip.
"Yunie!" Rikku shouted.
"Yuna!" Paine shouted also as Yuna managed to maintain her hold and steady herself. Both breathed a sigh of relief.
"Give me your hand!" Rikku called out and reached her hand out to Yuna.
Yuna looked up and as she started to reach out her hand to Rikku, she saw an apparition with hollow eyes, skeletal features, and a phantom like body spiraling down towards her at a deathly speed. She instantlylet out a blood curling scream, released her grasp as she put her hands up in defense. And in doing so, she fell backwards from the mountain side and began to plunge towards the ground below her.
"YUNA!" Rikku and Paine shouted in unison. Yuna was no where to be seen and they began to panic.
'Why are you shouting?" came a voice nearby.
Rikku and Paine looked to their right only to see Yuna standing off in the distance. She threw them an innocent smile, placing her hands behind her back and swaying her hips. Rikku and Paine eyed her curiously as they cautiously approached her.
"How are you here when we just saw you fall?" Paine asked.
"What are you talking about?" Yuna asked. "I never fell."
"This is way weird." Rikku said as she scratched the back of her head and shook it as she tried to comprehend what just happened.
"Maybe your minds are playing tricks on you two or something." Yuna suggested.
"May be." Paine said as she continued to eye Yuna as well we Rikku.
"Let's get going already." Yuna urged. "The sooner we reach the top, the sooner we'll find what it is that we seek." And without further ado, they proceeded onward towards the top of the mountain.
