Hi again :-)

I said that chapter 2 was already in progress, and here it is. This time Auron actually starts the story, beginning way back when he first became a Monk. In my story this happens 4 years before Braska, Auron and Jecht set off on their journey to defeat Sin.

Just to save confusion, whenever there is a flashback, it is written from Auron's P.O.V, but otherwise the story is written as chapter 1 was, from the readers P.O.V.

Nyviay and Cyraxis: Thanks a lot for the review! What a compliment! I just hope I can write this story up to your expectations now! Hehe.Oh, I said that Auron will miss some things out, because there are a few things that happen to him within Braska's Pilgrimage that he doesn't tell everyone about until they get to the Zanarkand Ruins. I won't spoil it though, if you don't understand what I mean you will soon enough. I think its a good story idea myself, hopefully I can pull it off! Thanks again :-)

Okay then, here goes... chapter 2. Hope you all enjoy, and please review! Thanks again :-)

Disclaimer: All things FFX are owned by Hironobu Sakaguchi, Yoshinori Kitase & Square-Enix

2. Every Story Has It's Beginning

"Well, it all started back when I was still living in Bevelle. I was about 21, and I had recently ascended to the title of 'Monk', after many years of strenuous training. It had been a very long time since I had seen either of my two old friends, Braska & Kinoc. Excited about my ascendancy, I was determined to find my friends in Bevelle. I was, so headstrong back then… it didn't matter that Bevelle was the largest city in Spira. I just had to find them, after all it had been so long…"

(Flashback)

"Kinoc! It's been so long my friend!"

It hadn't actually taken me too long to find Kinoc. Heh, Funny what a little determination can do to a man. I had found him working as a servant to the Grand Maester of that time…

(End of flashback)

"Maester Mika?" Yuna interrupted. Maester Mika had after all been the Grand Maester for such a long time, even before Yuna had been born.

"No, in fact Yuna, it may surprise you to hear that Mika indeed wasn't around at that time. He had 'mysteriously' disappeared from Bevelle 3 years before I became a Monk… not reappearing for another 4 years afterwards." Auron corrected her.

"That would have made me, 6 when he reappeared?" Yuna asked.

"Yes, that is true. He reappeared 1 month after we all left on your fathers Pilgrimage. It of course, doesn't matter if I tell you now that in fact, Mika had died… of natural causes. But only a select few in Bevelle knew of this at the time; Most of the Maesters, and Kinoc. Evidentally they were planning something, but as a lowly Monk I knew nothing; Only being fed the lie that Mika has 'mysteriously' dissapeared."

"So ever since… he returned to office, he has been, unsent?" Yuna asked. She of course knew the answer, she had seen the truth of the Maester's condition the day before, whilst in trial.

"Hmmm, indeed. Quite the spiders web of deceit, if you will." Auron confirmed. "May I continue?"

"Of course…" Yuna replied.

"Excellent." Auron smiled, and continued.

"Well, although being the Grand Maesters servant was considered a lowly position, it held many pathways to take later in life, and had certain 'clauses' that could even ascend one to becoming a Maester. Of course, we all now know that Kinoc had become a Maester, but I needn't go into details there.

The important detail is that I found him working for the Grand Maester, and this was during the seven-year absence of Mika, which means the Grand Maester of the time would have been Jyscal. Yes, that sounds right… in fact I'm sure of it."

(Flashback)

"Auron! I am so glad to see you! I had heard such good news, but knew not where to look for you. I am so glad for you Auron! All of your efforts have finally paid off!"

Kinoc had such a look of pure happiness on his face, it was hard not to smile back. He was a lot slimmer back then too, although I suppose attending to all of Jyscal's duties, and running his errands had kept him with plenty of exercise.

"Yes… 10 years of training, and now a place as a Monk in the service of Grand Maester Jyscal. I truly can only look forward now… the Kingdom of Spira is truly being transformed!"

Mika's rule over Spira had been spotty at best, but now that he had disappeared from the scene, Jyscal had a chance to ascend to Grand Maester and put things right. He had already proceeded to do so, bringing races together in harmony. He had even began to repair the links between Yevon & the Al Bhed, something nobody thought possible. Jyscal had truly began a huge project over all Spira, bringing all people of all sorts back together, in unity. Spira was finally going to get the kind of rule it deserved.

"Yes, that is true. Jyscal has already began many projects… it is truly an honour to be serving at his side. Oh Auron, it has been so long… we have so much to talk about."

Kinoc was right, it had been close to 5 years since I last saw him… and much had happened in that time. However, there was only one thing on my mind.

"Yes, so much… but, where is Braska? I have searched most of Bevelle, and having found you, am still yearning to meet my good friend Braska. As are you I am sure!"

It had been so long, and I wanted the 3 of us to be together again, recalling past memories… enjoying looking back on old times.

"You had not heard? Why, Braska was sent away by Jyscal 3 years ago, in his first year of office. In fact, I believe it's the first thing he did. Ha ha, the fool sent Braska to the Al Bhed 'Home', to form a peace treaty with them. Like that would ever work, the Al Bhed are monsters! They would never agree to peace. Full marks for Jyscal believing they would though! Ha ha!"

Kinoc had always believed the Al Bhed to be monsters, the traitors of Spira itself. Then again, his parents had brought him up that way. I had always been taught to see everyone as equal, but this was always a minor obstacle to our friendship. No one ever saw an Al Bhed in these parts anyway, so the topic rarely came up in conversation.

"What of Braska though, Kinoc? Where is he now?"

I didn't really want to get off the topic, I so wanted to see Braska.

"Well, the first part of the peace treaty has been declared… but there is a long way to go until there could ever be real 'peace' between Yevon and the Al Bhed. Word has it though, that Braska took an Al Bhed for his wife, and that they now reside in Besaid. I even heard they had a child, 2 years ago I believe."

(End of flashback)

"That was me!" Yuna shouted, full of glee. Everyone turned to look at her, glaring at her exasperatedly.

"I think that was implied, Lady Yuna." Auron smiled at her.

"Sorry guys, maybe I just got a little too excited, hearing about my parents and all." Yuna mumbled.

"It's okay Yuna… we all understand." Lulu announced, looking over to her with restful eyes and a calm smile. Yuna smiled back, Lulu always had been like a big sister to her… looking out for her when she needed it most.

"So what happened next Auron? Come on, I want to know!" Tidus shouted impatiently. He was in no mood to wait any longer for the story to continue.

"Well, I suppose, now I need to move forward a little… about 5 years later…" Auron continued.

Okay then, so the story has finally began. This chapter was basically a bit of a prologue to the journey itself. I just thought it was important to clear a few things up as far as the background of this journey was concerned. Alas, chapter 3 will have Auron leaving Bevelle, to meet up with Braska at the start of his pilgrimage! Yay! (I'm getting a bit over-excited I think... lol)

Hope you all enjoyed, please don't forget to review... and thanks :-)

Til next time...