A/N: A big thank you to everyone who has been following this fanfic so faithfully since its beginning. While browsing Final Fantasy X stories I came across a fanfic started long before mine that has a similar plot, something about Yuna getting a chance to restart her Pilgrimage. I skimmed over it, and to my knowledge our stories only share one similarity(re-starting the Pilgrimage), but if I am ripping off her plot than it is unintentional.
Thanks so much to all of my wonderful reviewers: Warui-Usagi, Kitsu Kurasei, SavannahX, BballAnimeLover89, Dragon-Charmer16, CrimsonOkami, Damson, Harry James Gryffindor Potter, Bbychrangel(X4),Litwolf689, and JJ Chow
Disclaimer: Do I really need to say this again? I own no rights to Final Fantasy X. If I did I would have made X-2 different and Tidus would have stayed with Yuna.
Angel Wings
Chapter Four: Dancing With Death
"SIN!" Yuna gripped her rod so hard her fingers turned white, her unique eyes narrowed. Tidus stood beside Yuna, ready to protect her at all costs, despite it not being his duty.
Yuna spared Tidus a quick glance, taking comfort in the fact that Sir Jecht seemed unable to connect with Tidus. Yuna thanked Yevon for the small miracle; it would be disastrous if his father distracted Tidus. Yet she needn't worry; Tidus was still beside her; close enough that Yuna could hear his heart beating along with his breathing.
"Yuna!" Wakka's voice startled Yuna and she turned, seeing her three Guardians rushing to her side, Lulu's spell Focus shining over her and Tidus, as well as the Black Mage, boosting their Magic Defense.
'A lot of good that will do,' Yuna though nervously, 'At this point in time we don't have the necessary power or skill to keep Sin from destroying this ship. Oh, what should I do?'
"Get away from here!" Tidus yelled, his voice furious. "Leave us alone!" Sins massive head turned and it focused its numerous eyes on their small party. Seeing the blank, lifeless stare Wakka stepped back nervously, and Tidus moved in front of Yuna, pushing the young Summoner back.
'Even now Tidus protects me,' Yuna though, staring intently at Sin, the being that had killed so many people and destroyed hundreds of people's lives, 'But this time around I will not allow him to sacrifice so much for me. This time Tidus is staying, and defeating Sin is just one step in keeping him with me. I know that I can do it, and I know I don't need to die. If Tidus could find a way to save me, than I can save him.'
Lulu's Blinding Cait Sith twirled on the weathered deck as Lulu cast Thunder in a vain attempt to stop Sin who was circling the S.S. Liki like a vulture. Sin set up a shield, the power crackling in the air, the sound loud and ominous in the sudden quiet. Lulu's spell sunk into the shield harmlessly.
"Wakka, throw your Blitzball!" Tidus cried, his eyes widened in shock at Sin's power.
"No!" Yuna said, facing her Guardians, her shoulders set. "That won't work! I'll Summon, I must! It's the only way to stop Sin!"
"Yuna…" Tidus whispered. Yuna smiled at Tidus, though her eyes were hard. She would do everything in her power to defeat Sin, but she didn't have much hope. She just wasn't strong enough at this point in time to make a difference. If only she could feel Anima or Bahamut she would have a chance…but their absence from her mind lowered Yuna's already flagging spirits.
Yuna raised her Rod of Wisdom in the air as she connected with her Aeon, and the swirling vortex opened in the air, signaling the powerful entity's arrival. Valefor landed in front of Yuna and the Summoner patted Valefor's beak affectionately before the Aeon lifted into the air, hovering before Sin, waiting for Yuna's orders.
"Valefor, Sonic Boom!" Yuna ordered, nearly falling as the ship rocked violently from the massive waves Sin caused ducking underwater. Tidus caught her and threw his arm over her shoulder, supporting her as the ship tilted precariously.
Valefor's attack missed and the Aeon rose in the air as Sin attempted to rise underneath it. Valefor's next attack, Magick this time, was easily deflected back at Valefor, the Aeon barely avoiding the spell.
Yuna watched Sin's every move hoping that she could spot some break in its shields or an opening, but there was none. Sin's defenses were iron tight, and until Rikku's father showed up, there was no way they could hope to get inside Sin.
Yuna gasped in horror as Sin rushed Valefor, the Aeon reacting too slowly, and Sin's attack ripped through Valefor, destroying the Aeon. Yuna collapsed as she felt her connection with Valefor snap as her Aeon disintegrated into hundreds of Pyreflies. It would be awhile before Valefor regenerated and could be summoned again.
"What do we do now?" A ship hand asked her desperately, and Yuna could only hang her head in shame. She was too weak to stop Sin; it appeared that Kilika was doomed. What was the point of restarting her Pilgrimage if she couldn't prevent certain events from happening?
"Yuna," Tidus whispered, his eyes worried, "Don't be sad. I believe in you." Yuna gasped, shocked. Tidus wasn't ashamed of her? He wasn't disappointed that she had been unable to stop Sin? He wasn't…mad? Tidus still trusted her, had faith in her abilities?
"Tidus…" Yuna whispered, tears clogging her eyes.
"Sin's retreating!" Wakka yelled in surprise.
"What?" Yuna asked, turning sharply, Tidus momentarily forgotten. The massive monster was indeed swimming away, its huge body skimming through the glassy waters, leaving gigantic waves in its wake.
"Wait a minute…it's going to Kilika!" A man shouted, waving his arms frantically. "We need to stop it!"
"Lady Summoner, please forgive us. It's our home. We need to try and slow Sin down." A young man apologized. Yuna nodded, feeling numb. She knew it was worthless, but how could she say no? If harpooning Sin comforted them, and kept their faith alive, than who was she to question?
Yuna watched dispassionately, her rod still held in one ice-cold hand. To her surprise, even harpooned, Sin did not attack. Perhaps her earlier attempt to stop Sin with Valefor had tired it out, or maybe Sin had something else entirely different planned. She didn't know—but whatever was to come wasn't going to be good.
Sin continued to move toward Kilika, its mind already set on decimating the small port town. Wakka faced Yuna, his face pale, and his Blitzball clutched in his hands. "What do we do Yuna? Should we try and stop Sin?"
Yuna froze, not sure what she should say. Should they try and stop Sin? Were they even strong enough to damage Sin? Valefor had been useless despite the Aeon's enormous powers, and Sin had absorbed Lulu's Magick. Yuna faced Kimahri, her best friend and greatest supporter, her eyes questioning.
"Yuna vowed to protect. Either way people die. Death imminent. Yuna aide those in need." Kimahri said emotionlessly, his weapon drawn, and his eyes fixed on Sin.
Yuna clutched her neck nervously, her other hand twirling her rod, still undecided. Tidus attacking made Yuna react. The young Blitzer rushed forward, casting Haste on both himself and Wakka, the other man throwing his Blitzball at the monstrous fiend.
Sin lurched forward, the ship rocking harshly, knocking Lulu, who was standing beside Yuna, ready to protect her Summoner, to her feet. Yuna gasped and kneeled beside her friend, her eyes closing in relief when she saw the Black Mage was uninjured.
"Come on!" Yuna cried, helping Lulu to her feet. The other woman nodded and ran after Yuna, who quickly cast Cure on Wakka who had been hit by a falling Sinspawn. Lulu cast Fire swiftly; effectively destroying what could have become a potentially lethal enemy.
"The rope Kimahri! Follow me!" Tidus yelled, the giant Ronso nodding as he followed Tidus up one of the harpoon ropes towards Sin's back. Yuna smiled briefly; Tidus and her Guardians had used a similar trick to crash her marriage with Seymour Guado.
"Careful!" Yuna called breathlessly, her heart beating a frantic tempo when Sin's movement nearly caused Tidus to fall into the water. Tidus turned briefly, flashing that heart stopping smile of his, before Yuna became distracted by Wakka paralyzed by a Sinspawn's attack.
Having nothing to heal Wakka with(their search for Tidus leaving no time to stock up on supplies), Yuna could only stand beside Wakka and do her best to keep him healed(silently cursing the fact that she wouldn't learn Pray until they arrived in Kilika). Yuna didn't see what happened, but there was the sound of snapping rope, and Yuna had barely enough time to turn and see Tidus and Kimahri drop into the water.
"Kimahri! Tidus!" Yuna called, barely dodging in time as another Sinspawn dropped right beside her. She didn't care, though; she simply whacked the fiend with her rod, grinning at Lulu as the Black Mage finished it off with another spell.
"Ohh…" Yuna whispered, worried, "Where could they be?" Yuna didn't have any more time to think. Lulu needed healing and Wakka was looking worse for wear. Thankfully Lulu had just enough Magick to destroy the remaining fiends.
Utter chaos reigned on deck. Passengers and deck hands ran amok, some attempting to keep the harpoons lodged in Sin, others simply running, colliding with other persons. Lulu kneeled beside Wakka, her face pale as she faced Sin.
"We can't keep this up, Yuna. If we stay attached to Sin, we'll go under." Yuna nodded in agreement. As if to prove Lulu's words, Sin submerged again, the force of the movement causing the ships bow to dip toward the water, a giant wave pounding against the deck. Yuna closed her eyes as passengers were washed overboard, their cries silenced forever by merciless water.
There was still no sign of Tidus and Kimahri, and Yuna was getting worried. She was tired and heartsick, the worry nearly enough to make her physically ill. Where could Tidus and Kimahri be? Last time Wakka had gone after Tidus, but now the Blitzer was too weak to go after their friends.
"Help!" A weak cry reached Yuna's ears and she rushed to the side of the ship, her hands sliding off the cool metal because of the water. "Oh! Tidus! Kimahri! Are you all right?"
Lulu's eyes narrowed thoughtfully as she peered at Kimahri clinging to a wide board, Tidus propped in the middle. It looked as if one more giant wave would be the end of them, and one look at Yuna showed she wasn't the only one who thought so.
"What do we do?" Yuna asked nervously. Both women were distracted as Sin finally broke free of the three harpoons holding it and dove underwater
Yuna felt a tear roll down her cheek. She felt as if she had made a wrong decision. Had she once again been so wrapped up in Tidus that she had forgotten her sworn duty? Perhaps she could have helped more.
"Yuna," Lulu said, her voice soft and stern, "Your face is like a book and I know that you are doubting yourself. No one could have asked you to do more. You summoned Valefor and your Aeon was destroyed. You fought the Sinspawn fearlessly and did your best to stop Sin. Yuna…you just began. Even your father would have been unable to defeat Sin this early. You are your father's daughter, though, and I have faith that you can defeat Sin."
Yuna smiled at Lulu, albeit weakly, but she felt better. Lulu had a point. This early in her Pilgrimage she didn't have the power or strength of will that she would possess later on. Perhaps if she had her other Aeons…but no, that was impossible, and she wasn't helping her friends by drowning in self-misery.
Yuna started when Kimahri leapt onto the dock, carrying a soaking Tidus with him. Yuna smiled affectionately as Tidus coughed and yelled at Kimahri to be more careful. She knelt beside the young man, her heart in her eyes as Tidus grabbed her hand and squeezed it gently.
$$$$&&&&&&&&
"You did a good job Yuna." Lulu said, her hands wiping the young Summoners tears away. "But no more tears next time, okay?" Yuna bowed to her friend, her legs feeling like rubber. She had just performed The Sending. And even though she knew it had to be done, and she had steeled herself for this moment, it still hurt.
It killed her that she may have been able to stop Sin, but she hadn't done it. She had failed the townspeople, and they were the ones who were forced to watch a Summoner dance on water, calling upon her innate Magick to send their loved ones to the Farplane.
And still they bowed to her, called her 'Lady Summoner' and 'Lady Yuna'. They still respected her and praised her. Yet Yuna could see the sadness in their eyes. Yuna felt her throat close off and more tears welled in her eyes as she saw their eyes moving over her, memorizing her.
Because they knew once she left this town they would never see her again. All of them knew she was to die, and though they were sad at the thought, their hearts rejoiced because she would be bringing The Calm, and there would be no Sin for ten years.
'Why didn't I ever question why Sin came back, why the people of Spira could never seem to atone for their sins? Why was it that it took Tidus to make me realize how sparse and aloof The Teachings really are? Does everyone believe in them because there is nothing else?'
No, Yuna realized as she gazed at Tidus who was deep in conversation with Wakka, It's because the teaching gives us hope. Without hope we have nothing.
$$$$&&&&&&$$$$
Yuna sat up frustrated. She wanted to go to Kilika Temple and continue her Pilgrimage. It was so hard to sit still. She couldn't rid Spira of Sin unless she got moving. Yet they had decided to rest at the Inn(Or what was left of it)because Wakka was still shaky from the Sinspawns attack, and Lulu needed to regenerate her Magick.
Yuna sighed as she stood, smiling when she saw Tidus curled up in a ball, fast asleep. Kimahri was leaning against the wall, his tail twitching, and Lulu slept in the other bed, Wakka lying on the floor next to where Lulu rested.
Everyone was asleep except for her. Yuna groaned and yawned, even though it was the middle of the night she felt restless, as if something was calling to her from outside. Yuna walked outside the Inn and along the docks, her eyes moving over the dark water.
Yuna turned, startled, when she heard a soft voice call her name. She gasped when she realized it was one of the Fayth, the same young girl who started her on her strange journey.
'High Summoner Yuna…I have come to tell you something that I have learned. Much of your journey is yours alone, yet there is something you must know…One of the answers you seek lies inside Kilika Temple…High Summoner Yuna, much rests with you…'
"Wait! What do you mean?" Yuna cried, stepping forward, hands reaching for the Fayth. She walked through nothing, and fell, just as she had when Tidus had been nothing but a transparent image.
Yuna looked down at her clenched hands and bit her lip. "Tomorrow I will gain Ifrit and so much more."
End of Chapter
Hope you all enjoyed this chapter! To find out what Yuna is going to learn at Kilika Temple click on the next chapter!
Kristen