Bikanel Island/ Al Bhed base
Rikku ran through the corridors of her home searching for a way to make it to the infirmary. She dodged debris and enemy soldiers as she ran. She wanted to cry as she watched the destruction of the place she had grown up in. How could this be happening? She dared not think about Yuna or Auron doing something like this. They couldn't have. Maybe her vydran was right. They were spies, placed there under orders from Bevelle.
She had left Yuna with Tidus back in the west wing. Looking back on that decision, she wondered if she had done the right thing. It left her alone and weaponless. If she were caught...that was a thought not worth dwelling on now. She had to think of an escape. A wall crumbled about ten feet in front of her. She quickly hid inside the closest doorway to see who might come through. She let out a breath of relief when she saw her own troops.
"Lybdyeh! rana oui yna. Cid untanat ic du veht oui. Oui sicd lusa fedr ic." (Captain! here you are. Cid ordered us to find you. You must come with us.)
"Oui ku uh yrayt. Damm Cid E femm pa drana crundmo." She commanded them. (You go on ahead. Tell Cid I will be there shortly.)
"Fa lyh'd tu dryd, sy'ys. Fa ryja tenald untanc vnus ouin vydran du dyga oui ihtan knuiht." The man persisted. (We can't do that, ma'am. We have direct orders from your father to take you under ground.)
"E ryja du kad du dra ehvensyno. Drana ec cusauha drana E ryja du dymg du." She shouted to be heard over the explosions and gunfire now going on in the other sections. (I have to get to the infirmary. There is someone there I have to talk to.)
"Hu lyh tu. Dryd fyc dra vencd bmyla du pa red. Ed'c uhmo y bema uv nippma huf. Huf oui ryja du lusa fedr ic. Ev oui tuh'd, po Cid's untanc fa yna du bmyla oui ihtan ynnacd." (No can do. That was the first place to be hit. It's only a pile of rubble now. Now you have to come with us. If you don't, by Cid's orders we are to place you under arrest.)
Rikku stepped back, one hand over her heart. Her father would never issue an order like that, would he? She glanced over the men she was so used to commanding and saw they they were serious. Cid really had issued her arrest. She dropped her arm to her side, her hand clenched in a fist. "Drah oui femm zicd ryja du ynnacd sa. E ys hud mayjehk fedruid cyjehk dra Kahanym. E pnuikrd res rana, yht E femm kad res uid." She challenged them. (Then you will just have to arrest me. I am not leaving without saving the General. I brought him here, and I will get him out.)
The man raised his rifle at her. "Oui femm tu hu cilr drehk.." He nodded his head in her direction as two people behind him came forward. Just before they were able to reach her, the wall collapsed in front of them from the lack of support. A chunk of it broke free and collided with the side of Rikku's head. She fell forward unconscious. (You will do no such thing.)
The one that had taken charge in the absence of his two commanding officers tried to step over the fallen stone. He tripped and cursed as he wondered just how he was going to get her out of this while carrying her.
"Perhaps I can be of some assistance." He looked up to see a man in black standing over Rikku. He nodded as the man gently and carefully leaned over and picked his captain up. "Where are we headed?"
"Drec fyo, vummuf ic." (This way, follow us.)
Bikanel Island/ Bevelle High Command
"How are things going so far, Major General?"
"All is moving as planned, sir. We have destroyed the section where our General had been held. My men have already moved into the compound and are in the process of searching for our blond captain now."
"Very good. How soon do you estimate?"
"We should be able to find her within the hour."
Mika smiled at the report he had been given. All was going well. "Very good. We will celebrate your victory when you arrive back in Bevelle tomorrow."
"It will be an honer sir. Seymour out." He closed the line that connected him to his home city. Dropping the act he played in front of his General, he turned to the closest soldier. "Have you found either woman yet?" He snapped.
"No report as of yet sir, but we are still searching. The destruction of the base is going well, however." He answered as he tried not to flinch under the stare of the blue haired officer.
"What is the point of destroying the base if we can't find that Al Bhed woman?" Seymour yelled. "Find her, and find her quickly." He warned before he walked away.
The soldier watched him go, thankful he was not the recipient of something more harsh then words. He checked back to the screen in front of him. The tracking signal he had been following since the start of the attack was moving again. It was going deeper underground. Perhaps there was more to this base then they knew about.
Bikanel Base/ underground
They took many twists and turns to avoid enemy troops as they made their way to the main hanger. If he had not been following the men in front of him, Auron was sure he would have been lost. The smaller body in his arms moaned slightly. The blood on her temple had dried up some time ago but he could see a darker spot on his shirt from where he held her against himself until it had stopped bleeding. Not that he cared at that point.
Soon enough they arrived in a hanger deep under ground. Auron was amazed at the technology they must have used to build such a thing, but was not able to dwell on that now. Men were rushing around boarding aircraft as fast as they could. He followed behind the men he had encountered knowing that whatever happened, they knew where to go.
Soldiers gave him dirty looks as they saw him board, and some even worse when they realized he was holding their leader's daughter in his arms. It wasn't right.
"Ku, drec fyo." He was told. They must be leading him to Cid himself. (Go, this way.)
He was wrong. It was a holding cell in the center of the ship. With a smirk, he accepted whatever they would be throwing at him. It was expected. Passing over Rikku he entered and nodded as they engaged the barrier that would prevent him from escaping. Now all he could do was wait. Knowing it would be some time before anyone came to get him, he lay back in the bed in the small space and thought.
Air over Bikanel
"Ajanouha syga ed? Yna fa lmayn vun dyga uvv oad? " Cid stood in the center of the bridge preparing for take off. He shouted orders to those around him giving the signal for the other ships to leave. "Ku!" (Everyone make it? Are we clear for take off yet?/ Go!)
At his command, the airship's rockets came to life. There was some shaking before the ship was safely in the air. As it rose, Cid could see streaks of missiles flying past them attempting to bring them down. The ship next to them exploded in a fireball before falling heavily to the ground.
"Vycdan! Kad uid uv rana pavuna fa vymm ehdu dra cysa vyda!" Only once they were safely out of range did he relax. ( Faster! Get out of here before we fall into the same fate!)
Now was his chance to find out what happened to his daughter. His first call would be to Jecht. He should be leading his own airship somewhere nearby. The transmission was sent and within minutes he could hear the rough voice of his friend.
"Hey, Cid. You made it out alive too. Thought that fireball may have been you!" He let out a laugh. "But I do have a question for you."
"Yeah, what's that?"
"My kid is freaking out. He wants to know what happened to the Captain. You haven't see her by chance?"
"Rikku? No, I ain't seen her! Do you think I would be talking to you if I have?" Cid shouted over the connection.
"Hey man, calm down. I didn't know. No hard feelings, okay." Jecht tried to appease the other man. "Got good news though. My son brought that Bevelle healer on board with him. She's been working non-stop to heal the injured with us. Seems like she wants to be on our side now."
"And you trust her?" Cid asked. How could Jecht do something like that? How much of an idiot can he be?
"Well sure! She hasn't done nothing wrong. The only thing she was asking though was what happened to that general. If you hear anything about him, you'll let me know, right?"
"Yeah sure. I'm more interested in finding my daughter then some Bevelle soldier." Cid warned.
"Cid, ease up. I bet if you can find him, the Captain can't be too far away." Jecht laughed again before Cid cut the transmission. He didn't like what Jecht was implying. He sighed before running a hand over his bald head. It was going to be a long trip. Best to get used to it now.
The door to the bridge slid open and he turned to see who had entered. It was a young man, maybe about twenty-six. He saluted right away in Cid's presence. "Sir! Thought you might like some information. We are holding the Bevelle general down in the containment cells. The captain is awake and in healing as we speak."
"About time I get some decent information around here!" Cid growled as he glanced to the panel he had just used to contact Jecht with. "Thanks soldier. Brother!" He shouted over to the man at the controls. "You're in charge. I have some matters I need to attend to."
The blond nodded before turning back to the front of the airship.
Unknown time: Airship containment cells
Auron lifted his head slightly when he heard someone approach. He was only mildly surprised to see the form of Cid appear on the other side of the barrier. In respect he stood from the bed and waited for the man to speak.
"What do you have to gain from this? Why have you helped my daughter, not once but twice?"
"There is nothing in it for me." He answered honestly. "According to Bevelle, I have turned traitor."
"You saying you regret it now?"
Auron began to laugh. A deep and throaty sound. Cid took a step back unprepared for it. "I only regret I did not do it sooner." Auron finally said after he had calmed down. "Your daughter is something else."
Cid cursed under his breath. This man was infuriating! "You saying you have feelings for her then?"
"To tell the truth, I don't know what it is. But I can say this much. I feel more at peace when she is around."
Cid moved out of Auron's sight, a second later the barrier in front of him fell. Cid stepped into the cell next to him. Auron watched him through his one eye waiting for the man to say something. It came as a shock when Cid's fist came up and connected with his jaw. To his credit, Auron said nothing. He only rubbed his face where the punch landed.
"I don't know what you are trying to prove, but I will find out. My daughter will not be used as a tool for you Bevelle soldiers to abuse."
"I agree." Auron answered calmly as he stepped back. Not that he wanted to admit it, Cid could punch if he wanted to.
Cid was about to say something when the whole airship began listing. His son's voice sounded over the speakers telling of trouble.
"Vydran. Fa ryja paah yddylgat. Nabund du dra pnetka nekrd yfyo!" (Father. We have been attacked. Report to the bridge right away!)
Ignoring his confrontation with Auron, Cid ran from the room to see what was going on. Auron sighed and sat back down. Even though the barrier was down, he did not want to cause any trouble by wandering around the ship. Another rock of the ship threw him onto the floor. He hissed out a curse as he pulled himself back on the bed.
"Now is that any way to speak in front of a lady?" Someone teased from the doorway.
Auron looked up to see Cid's daughter holding herself in place with the door frame. "You should go. If Cid were to catch you here.."
She stopped him. "Let him catch me. I'm already in trouble with him. What's a little more? Besides, I think we can use your help." Rikku stepped into the room and grabbed his hand. She let out an annoyed breath of air when he refused to come. "Look, you don't have much of a choice. Either you come, or I throw you off this airship myself."
Hiding a smirk, Auron allowed her to lead him. He noted that she did not let go of his hand. Yet even so, something about it just felt so...right.
As they arrived together on the bridge, they could hear masses of panicked voices and conversations. Cid was shouting orders and wondering how they had been tracked while in the air. He turned at the sound of the door and glared at the man with his daughter.
Rikku spoke up before he had a chance to say anything. "Vydran, I brought him because I think he might be able to help us." She explained.
"Captain, I thought I placed you on probation. What are you doing here, and with him?" Cid tilted his head to indicate the man that stood by Rikku's side.
"I just told you. He can help us!" She shouted back. Her father could be thick sometimes.
"Sir, we are picking up abnormal readings. It seems we have a tracker on our ship." One of the controllers interrupted.
Cid turned to the man quickly. He stomped over to look at the screen in front of him. "Can you identify the source?"
"One second." A few keystrokes were entered. With a look of surprise he turned and faced Auron. "It's coming from...him."
--
Seymour watched the screen in front of him as they chased down the blinking dot. Little did Sir Auron know, but during his stay in Bevelle he had been planted with a tracking device. Seymour could only imagine the look on Cid's face when he finds out how they had been found.
Barely containing the glee he had inside he turned to the man next to him. "Fire at the ship, but do not destroy it. Lady Yuna may be on board. A crash landing will suffice."
"Yes, sir."
Missiles were fired and one grazed the port side of the airship making it list greatly. Moments later another hit the starboard side. The ship was starting to lower before rising again. They were losing power. With a smirk, Seymour ordered for them to hit the rudder essentially making the airship unflyable. It would have to land soon or risk falling and exploding on the ground. Cid would never allow that to happen he knew.
"Be prepared. When that ship crashes, we are going to have some outraged pests. They will try and attack without warning. Don't allow them that chance!" Seymour called to the officers around him.
They saluted as they issued orders via communication devises. They would be ready when it was time.
10:14 Al Bhed airship bridge
Cid turned and growled at the man on his ship. Auron held his ground knowing he did nothing wrong. Cid could be a man known for his quick temper, but he wasn't rash.
Rikku stood in front of him like a human shield. "Vydran, cdub." (Father, stop.)
"Oui pnehk dryd cbo uh so creb yht damm sa du cdub? Kenm, lyh'd oui caa ra icat oui? Huf suja uid uv dra fyo cu E lyh gemm res huf!" Cid reached to his hip and withdrew a small revolver. He aimed it for Auron's head. (You bring that spy on my ship and tell me to stop? Girl, can't you see he used you? Now move out of the way so I can kill him now!)
Auron gently grasped Rikku's shoulders and moved in front of her. "E yccina oui, E ys hu cbo. E tet hud ajah lusa rana uv so ufh femm. E ys huf hudrehk suna drah yh uidlycd vnus so ufh baubma. Ev ed fuimt syga oui rybbo du caa sa tayt, drah vaam vnaa du cruud." Auron waited as he watched Cid's hand shake. Gasps could be heard around the bridge as they heard an enemy speaking in their own language. (I assure you, I am no spy. I did not even come here of my own will. I am now nothing more then an outcast from my own people. If it would make you happy to see me dead, then feel free to shoot.)
The ship listed once more as they steadily began to fall. "Vydran, dra nittan ryc paah crud. E lyh'd luhdnum ed. Fa ryja du ypyhtuh creb!" (Father, the rudder has been shot. I can't control it. We have to abandon ship!)
The gun found it's way back into it's holster as Cid rushed over to see what his son was talking about. "Blast it!" He shouted.
"Vydran, that's a great idea!" Rikku shouted.
Cid turned to his daughter before understanding what she meant."Well at least one of my traits has rubbed off on you. Brother!" He faced front once more. "Prepare to launch. If we crash, we can at least take the enemy out with us."
"It won't work." Auron stated as the ship rocked once again. Several faces stared at him in question. "With how unsteady this ship is, you're more likely to blow yourself up before them. Missiles can't fire in this condition."
"Then what do you want me to do?" Cid stepped closer to him and stood directly in his face.
"Sir, incoming transmission. Sounds like Sir Jecht."
"It's about time! Just where has he been?"
"Hey, hey now. Don't blame me. We thought you were right behind us. Looks like you got in a little trouble there." Jecht's voice filled the room as he was placed on speaker. "We'll handle your problem, you worry about getting somewhere safe. I hope that boy of yours can fly for another twenty miles. Everyone else has landed there." The transmission stopped as they watched another ship fly past them going the way they came.
Hatches opened along the side of the airship as missiles shot out ten at a time. They were heading on course for the troops on the ground.
Bikanel Desert/ Bevelle ground forces
"Sir, we have incoming!"
"Can't you shoot them down?" Seymour hissed. He saw the ship coming at them and the missiles being shot out. He could save himself, but the rest of his men were on their own.
The technician sent out the order right away, and anti-air strikes were quickly issued. Unfortunately, it was too little, too late. Jecht's ship was coming back for another pass and was sending more raining down.
Bevelle never stood a chance.
Air over Bikanel/ Jecht's command
"We did it!" Tidus shouted as he watched the explosion below them. There was no way anyone could survive that. He glanced over to the window and saw Yuna looking down with a sad expression on her face. His smile dropped as he stood next to her.
She was the first to speak. "I never thought I would see something like this. That I would be a part of it. I grew up in Bevelle, lived among many of the soldiers there. It's odd."
"What's odd?" He pressed.
"I shouldn't feel this way, but I do. I know it's wrong, but I almost feel happy. I'm glad Bevelle was defeated today. Maybe now the war will stop."
"Yuna. I understand. I want the war to stop too. It's been too long, hasn't it?"
She nodded in agreement and gave Tidus a small smile. "Everything will be alright in the end, won't it?"
"You bet it will." He assured her. Then without a second thought, he reached over, wrapped one arm around her and kissed Yuna in front of everyone.
Cheers went up around him, and she pulled away with a blush on her face. Tidus scratched his head in his own form of embarrassment.
"That's the way to get the girl." Jecht teased. "Now let's go find Cid. We have to make sure they made it alright too." Jecht and Tidus looked at one another and both raised their right fist in front of them. They dropped it in a quick, but odd salute.
"I'm in!" Tidus shouted after dropping his arm. "Besides, I want to make sure Rikku is safe too."
Jecht turned to his pilot. "Set a course for the oasis!"
Crash site
Auron rubbed his sore head. He had been thrown into the main computer upon crashing to the ground. Luckily, Cid's son could control the ship better then he expected. He looked around to see sand covering the front windows. Emergency life support had kicked in and the whole airship was now bathed in a gentle orange-red light.
"Status reports!" Cid stood in the center issuing orders. "No one is to leave this ship until I say it's safe." He turned around to check those around him. His attention stopped and focused on Auron. "A word with you." He said as he left the bridge.
After shaking the stars from his vision, Auron followed the man. He waited in the corridor before moving on into an empty room. With a click, the door locked behind Auron. He stood at attention waiting for the man to speak.
Cid's shoulders shook in anger. "This is all your fault!" He began. "If any of my men die today because of you, I will personally come after you myself and make sure you don't see the sun again."
"Is that a threat?" Auron asked still calm.
"It's a promise."
"Then I guess I have no choice."
"What? You going to kill me now? Kill me first?"
"No, I will not run. If you feel that I am a danger then I will be unable to hide. Bevelle would shoot me with the first step I took into the city, and you would shoot me with the first step I took out. It would seem as I am in lose/lose situation." Auron stated.
Cid nodded. The man was right. Then again, he did not become General without some sort of knowledge.
"Fine. You acknowledge that I have the upper hand. Now for the next step."
"Perhaps it would be prudent to find this tracking chip that was mentioned before. It would not do to escape only to be found later."
"For once you said something intelligent. I'm going to regret saying this, but start stripping. I will search myself to make sure you are not hiding anything." Cid ordered.
Auron let out a breath of air that almost sounded like a 'hmph', but did as ordered. Perhaps this could be a start in building trust with the leader? Then again, no one in their right mind wanted to be practically naked in front of their enemy. It was inhumane.
"Stop stalling and do it already!" Cid shouted pulling him from his thoughts. Auron resisted the urge to glare at the man. Carefully he began to unbutton his black shirt first.
As he handed it over he spoke. "Look there first. If I'm lucky we will not need to search further."
Luck was not on Auron's side that day. Soon he had to take off his boots, socks, and pants. He stood in only a black pair of boxers. Cid was searching every part of his pants as fast as he could.
To make matters worse, the door flew open before either man knew what happened.
"About time I found you! I had override the lock on the door because I thought something..." The female voice trailed off as she caught sight of what was going on in the small room. Her father stood holding onto the military issued pants of the ex-general of Bevelle. Said ex-general stood in front of her rather undressed. She was unable to take her eyes off the man in front of her. The clothing hid so much. His chest and arms were finely chiseled. Nothing but muscle all along his body.
"Girl, stop gawking. What is it you want?" Cid finally managed to say.
Auron smirked at the blush that covered her cheeks before she backed out while trying to form words of apology. Another minute of searching and Cid found the tracking device. He yanked it from the material and crushed it in his palm.
"Much better. Here, get dressed and meet me back on the bridge. I need to speak with my daughter now. Try and fix what just happened." Cid threw the clothing back at the man and walked out of the room.
When he was gone, Auron quickly got dressed again and left to meet the man like he was told. Inwardly he couldn't help but laugh at the expression of the young Captain's face when she entered the room. Perhaps it was wrong of him to do so, she was so young. So naïve to the world of relationships. She could kill a man with the best of them, but put her in a situation like this, and she was at a loss.
He held the stern glare as he moved back through the airship. He passed several officers as they rushed around checking for life signs and such. They regarded him with the same amount of disdain as Cid showed him. He ignored the looks as the final obstacle to the bridge opened in front of him.
13:24 Oasis
"What do you mean 'he ain't here?'" Jecht shouted at the man in front of him. He and his ship had arrived back at the meeting point, but Cid was no where to be found. That alone unnerved him. Cid could take care of himself fine, but he knew the man had no love for the Bevelle officer that was on board with him. Rikku would have to be one smooth talker to get him out of trouble.
"Sir Jecht?" A young woman approached him. He turned to see bi-colored Bevellian eyes staring at him.
"Yuna. What is it?" He spoke more softly to her then he had to the previous officer.
"If you are planning a search and rescue mission, I request permission to go along as well."
"Hey, you know I have no problem with that! In fact I think it's a great idea. Lieutenant!" Jecht shouted over his shoulder. Tidus stopped what he was doing and approached the duo.
"What's up?" He asked as he scratched the back of his head.
"Your girlfriend here wanted to led a search and rescue mission. I want you to choose ten men and take them with you." Both people blushed at the girlfriend comment before Yuna realized just what he had said.
"Wait. I never said wanted to lead the team. I'm a healer, not a leader." She protested.
Jecht laughed loudly before speaking again. "I was only joking with you. I wouldn't trust you to lead my men. You're liable to get everyone killed."
"Then let me lead it." Tidus said with determination in his voice.
"I plan on it. It should be cut and dry. We destroyed the Bevelle ground troops. All you will have to do is bring them back here."
"Yes sir." "You can count on us." The couple answered at the same time.
Tidus held his head high as he walked away in preparations. Within an hour he had all the men assembled and was giving out orders. They took one of the smaller aircraft with a new pilot at the helm. They soon took off to scan the desert floor.
The ship's navigation led them to the general area. But it was Yuna who was the first to see the crash site from the air.
"Over there." She called out as she pointed to the wreckage half buried under sand.
"Alright! Send a message. Let's see if they survived." Tidus ordered.
Cid's voice could be heard loud and clear seconds later. However, it was not what they were expecting. He was shouting and cursing at somebody.
Tidus and Yuna listened together as they tried to piece together what was going on.
"I don't know who you think you are trying to fool, but it's not going to be me! I have seen this happen so many times, you think I don't know what to expect next?" The one sided conversation kept going but Cid's son explained what was happening.
"Cid..angry. Captain Rikku bring Bevelle in and home destroyed. Think Bevelle trap."
"Pnudran, ec ajanouha ymnekrd tufh drana druikr?" Tidus asked pressing for the matter at hand. (Brother, is everyone alright down there though?)
"Oac, fa ryja ryt hu taydrc. Pid fa femm haat ramb dnyhcbundehk dra ehzinat." (Yes, we have had no deaths. But we will need help transporting the injured.)
"Leave that to us. Just get everyone outside so we can carry you all back to the rendezvous point." Tidus replied before closing the channel. "Alright everyone, let's move!" He shouted out the order as they all prepared for the landing and transport
14:12 Crash site
"I don't know who you are trying to fool, but it's not going to be me! I have seen this happen so many times, you think I don't know what to expect next?" Auron tried to say something but was cut off even before he could get the first letter out. "Don't even try it!" Cid warned. He continued with the tirade not even noticing when his son stood from the helm and left the bridge.
Brother wound his way through the corridors of the airship giving instruction as needed. His father was too occupied with the general so he had no choice but to do it this way. The troops seemed well organized as they left the ruined ship and boarded the other one waiting for them. He watched as Tidus and another woman worked together to keep everyone calm and in order. Jecht's son shouted orders in Al Bhed as to what to do with those who were injured. The woman inly then left his side to help them. Brother assumed she must have been a healer and that was why she was there.
Soon the only people left were Cid, his daughter, and the ex-general. With a sigh, Brother began to enter the crashed ship once more. Scared gasps stopped him before he was able to.
He turned to see what was going on. Coming over the dunes was a blue haired man. He recognized him to be the Major General Seymour. With a curse muttered under his breath, Brother ran inside and headed straight for the bridge.
"Vydran! Vydran! Fa ryja du kad uid uv rana huf!" (Father! Father! We have to get out of here now!)
Cid stopped shouting long enough to see what his son was panicking about. "Can't it wait? I'm busy."
Brother managed to pant out one word as Cid's face went pale. "Seymour."
All four of them rushed outside to see the Major General coming closer. He appeared tired and worn out, and pissed as all hell.
"I thought Jecht took care of him!" Cid snapped.
"Well obviously he didn't." Rikku snapped back at him.
"I will handle him. You all get out of here. I will only require a weapon." Auron spoke up being the calm one of the group.
Brother had ran back in eager to get away with as many people as possible. He could live with one casualty. He came back out with a sword in hand. "Cunno." He said as he handed it over. (Sorry.)
With a nod, Auron took it and made his way to meet the blue haired man. He ignored Rikku's cries and Cid's outbursts of playing hero. The only thing on his mind was making sure everyone made it to safety.
Cid had already pulled both children behind him as the hatch on the rescue ship closed and lifted up.
Auron stood his ground, sword leaning on one shoulder. Seymour stopped just feet in front of him. He lifted his head calmly and stared at the airship circling above them.
He lowered his gaze and set it on Auron. "Sir Auron. You plan to kill me alone?"
"If that's what it takes." Auron answered.
"You realize you do not stand a chance?" Seymour cocked his head back as if surveying the man in front of him.
"We will soon see."
Seymour made the first move. Years of black magic at his disposal. Auron rolled along the sand as the thunder spell knocked him off his feet. He stood back up and glanced to the sky making sure the airship left. With an inward sigh of relief he could see they had left him alone. That was what he had wanted.
Seymour also noted that the ship had left. With controlled anger he began to cast more spells at the ex-general. Fire, ice, lightning all came crashing on Auron's already tired body. He smirked as the man was left panting in the sand. He moved closer preparing a high level spell.
"This is it, Sir Auron. You have lost and I have won. And pretty soon Bevelle will be cheering my victory as well."
"I. Think. Not." Auron said as he stood on his feet once more. In a surprising display of strength he lifted the over sized sword Cid's son handed him and thrust it through Seymour's mid-section. Blood ran down from the wound and from Seymour's mouth. He managed to choke out one last thing before he died.
"This isn't over yet. I will not die that easily." Auron thrust the weapon deeper and twisted it making sure that threat would not be coming true. Eventually the sheer weight of the sword made him collapse in the sand before passing out.
15:01 Oasis
"Captain, you made it!" Yuna shouted when she saw the blond stepping off the rescue airship. She was about to embrace her new friend, but the look on Rikku's face stopped her. "What is it?"
"We left him behind." Rikku answered sadly. "We left him behind, and now he's probably dead!" She said again this time with more force behind the words. Throwing herself at Yuna she began to sob uncontrollably.
Yuna glanced around the temporary camp looking for someone who knew what to do. Tidus was the only one to see her. He man he was talking to saluted before running of. With a relaxed gait, Tidus stood next to her.
"Is she alright?"
"I-I'm not sure." Yuna appeared confused.
"War trauma." Tidus said softly before kneeling down. "Rikku, Rikku, can you here me?"
She lifted her head away from Yuna long enough to look at him. "That's right. It's me, Tidus." He slipped one arm around her shoulders and encouraged her to stand. She did so with little resistance. "I'm going to take you to your tent. It's all set up for you. You need to rest Captain."
Without a word, Rikku allowed him to lead her. Yuna followed close behind. She waited next to the doorway as Tidus helped Rikku to lay down and relax. After he was done they left together as he went on his way to report to Cid.
Cid was alone when they entered the main tent.
"Sir?" Tidus saluted as he entered. Taking her cue from the man next to her, Yuna did the same.
Cid glanced up from the map he was looking at long enough to acknowledge then before dropping it again. "Yeah, what do you want Lieutenant?"
"I came to report in sir. Also I had news of Captain Rikku."
That caught the man's attention. His head snapped up and stayed there waiting for the news.
"I'm afraid she is suffering from War Trauma. I ordered her to rest in her tent, but I'm not sure how she will be when she awakens. She was in hysterics when I found her."
Cid scratched his chin in thought. Maybe this would be a good thing after all. With one child out of the military, he would feel better knowing part of his family would live till the next generation. "Thank you Lieutenant. I will visit with her shortly. Then maybe I can discern what the best course of action will be."
Tidus saluted again and started to leave. He tried to grab Yuna's hand so she would come with him, but she moved before he could do so.
"Excuse me, sir?" Cid grunted trying to ignore her. Yuna was undaunted though. "I think I may know of something that would help her recover."
Cid glared not wanting to hear what she had to say, but Yuna went on to explain.
15:22 Bikanel Desert
Heat and sand. It was all he was able to feel at the moment. Other senses would kick in soon, but he was happy just knowing he was alive at least. Slowly he rolled over onto his back. He kept his eye closed knowing that the sun was still bright and would blind him if her didn't. Something began digging into the back of his head and he reached behind his head to find his glasses. With a smirk, he placed them back on his face.
Auron struggled to stand. He had to find Rikku and let her know he was alive. Seymour had been a strong opponent, but foolish. He had been at the advantage, but moved closer when he would have been safer to continue fighting from a distance. It had been so long since Auron had fought with a weapon like the over sized katana Cid's son handed him. But it all came back to him quickly enough.
Setting one foot in front of the other, Auron began walking in the way he saw the airship fly away in. Seeing as he had no other choice, it seemed like the best option.
It was getting dark before he heard shouts coming from the next sand dune. The desert was getting cooler and he had to find shelter quickly. If he was lucky, he had found the encampment already. Making his way around the dune, he found himself facing an Al Bhed officer. For once luck was on his side.
"Rymd!" (Halt!) The officer shouted as he pointed his weapon at Auron.
"E ys hud yh ahaso. E ryja lusa uhmo du caa Cid." Auron replied back to him. (I am not an enemy. I have come only to see Cid.)
Shocked to see someone in Bevellian attire speaking fluent Al Bhed, the officer didn't know what to make of him. The huge sword over his shoulder didn't help matters either. He pulled a receiver from his hip and rapidly began speaking. The response was instant. Someone would be out to help him in minuets.
Auron waited patiently on the outside. Inside he was ready to force his way through, but that would not be the way to build good relations with Cid. He was shocked when he saw a familiar head of blond exit the camp.
Tidus' jaw fell in surprise. He couldn't believe the ex-general lived and was standing at the entrance to the desert camp.
"What, why, how?" He tried to say before composing himself together and turning to the officer on guard. "Mad res drnuikr. Ra ec hud dra ahaso yhosuna." (Let him through. He is not the enemy anymore.)
"Yc oui cyo, Meaidahyhd." (As you say, Lieutenant.)
They both nodded quickly as Tidus led Auron inside the camp. "This way. We were just about to launch another rescue, but I guess we won't need to now." Tidus tried to joke.
Auron was still stiff and sore from walking over the desert sand. His legs protested with each step he took, but he was not about to complain. With the exception of Cid, this group took him in after his treason to Bevelle. How could he complain about something so trivial now?
"And she hasn't spoken a single word since. Cid and I called it War Trauma." Tidus was still talking. Without realizing it, Auron had tuned him out. He was so caught up in his own thoughts.
He cleared his throat hoping the boy would repeat what he said. No such luck.
"Wait here. I have to report in then we can go rest." Tidus had led him outside the biggest tent in camp. He guessed this was where Cid and Jecht would be. He was right when a dark skinned man stepped out.
"You must be the great General Auron." He greeted. He may have been mocking, but Auron did not take it as such.
"I am nothing great. Simply a fallen man." He replied.
"Yeah, yeah. Let's get you a place to rest, huh. You must be tired after all that fighting and walking." He spoke much louder then necessary, but Auron continued to listen. Jecht was gruff, but he seemed to have his heart in the right place. "Well, here we are!" He pulled a tent flap back and signal Auron to head in. "Take the cot on the left. It's bigger, plus the other one is already occupied." He said before walking away after Auron had entered.
It was dark inside, but Auron could just make out a figure laying on the opposite cot. With a grunt he slowly sat down on the one to the left and took of his boots, shirt and weapon. They were all laid on the ground under the bed. He leaned back carefully and pulled his feet up onto the bed. He let out a sigh and relaxed. His eye closed ready for sleep only to open again moments later when he felt the set of another's on him.
"What?" He asked rougher then he planned to, but he was tired and just wanted to sleep.
The feeling of being watched continued. Why wouldn't the person just leave him be? There was a rustling and padding of footfalls before someone stood over him.
"You meanie. I thought you would be happy to see me. Not only that, what are you doing in my tent anyway?"
"Rikku?" He sat up to see her dancing on her toes.
"You remembered!" She whispered loudly before throwing her arms around his neck. "I thought you died when we left you." She spoke into his neck, but he was still able to understand what was said.
"It will take more then that to take me down. Besides, I had to come back for you, didn't I?" Auron lifted his arms and wrapped them around her small waist.
"Just don't do that again. Promise?"
"I promise." He answered as he kissed the top of her head.
Rikku lifted her face to look him in the eye before drawing close. Within seconds her lips were pressed against his. It was full of raw emotion and Auron drank of it greedily. He had never had a chance to feel this way before. His hands moved over her back trying to feel as much of her skin as he could. To take her all in in case this chance never came again.
She almost wined when he pulled back only to moan in delight again as lips met once more. He nibbled at her bottom lip begging for entrance which Rikku readily gave. It all died too soon when Rikku pulled back this time, only to try and suppress a yawn. Auron let out a low chuckle at her antics.
"Perhaps we can continue this another time. You look like you need sleep." He released his own yawn making Rikku giggle too. "It would appear as if I need it as well." He noted.
"That's okay. Just knowing that you're alright is enough for me. "Good night Auron." She gave him one more chaste peck before curling up into his side where it was warm and safe.
Making sure to keep her close, Auron closed his eye one more time and did not open it again until morning.
Rikku did exactly as she said she would. After convincing her father that Auron was the man she truly wanted to marry, she took off. Zanarkand and the Al Bhed finally won the war after another year of fighting. But most of that was due to Rikku's travels. See, with Auron by her side as new husband, they traveled to the cities of Spira telling others of the corruptness going on in the capital.
There were a few who did not believe them and they had to leave town quickly or risk being killed on the spot. But word was getting out. A new leader would stand up soon, Mika had been killed while sitting in his office. Assassinated by those who had heard Rikku's outcry.
It would take time, but Spira would be united some day.
I guess that about wraps this story up. I wanted to add one more thing, a bit of citrus I guess, but I don't feel comfortable with doing that. (As my husband says, why watch (read, write, etc.) something I would rather do myself? Too true.)
Well anyway, enough of my rambling, let me know what you all thought! Gin