A/N: Whoa, sorry guys! After that last chapter, I just kinda hit writer's block. Hard. Anyway, I won't be mentioning those conjurey thingies ever again, and I'll be editing the last chapter so… yeah. Anyway, here's the really overdue Chapter 5 of Holy Bejeezuz!
Chapter 5: Destruction-Day. Operation Mi'ihen is Here.
I walked behind everyone, thinking about something.
Operation Mi'ihen is dangerous… what'll happen if I die? I looked down and slipped off my gauntlet and touched my hand.
"Very real, even for a video game…" I muttered.
"Hey, Jeff!" Tidus called. I looked up, we were already at the command center. "Come here!" I put my gauntlet back on and walked over to him and a Crusader.
"Lady Yuna's Guardians tell me you're a Berserker." I nodded silently before he handed me a bundle.
"This is the Doomsayer, a weapon wielded by a Dark Knight who was High Summoner Braska's Guardian." The Crusader informed me. "Maybe you will have the same strength he did." I took the bundle and asked the Crusader a question:
"What was the knight's name?" I asked.
"Hmm? You don't know?" Auron had walked up behind me. "Sir Alexander. He almost became Braska's Final Aeon." Auron almost looked sad as he walked away. But, I was too busy shaking to notice.
Alexander, which is long for Alex. Is it just a coincidence, or was my brother here too?
"Hey, Jeff. You okay?" Tidus asked, snapping me out of my thoughts.
"Y-yeah. I'm fine." I said shakily as I walked to somewhere I could just sit and think. Once in a secluded niche in the rocks, I opened the bundle. A massive scythe that was darker than Seymour's heart was inside. I tentatively touched the handle and lifted it. I was about to swing it when someone jumped in front of me.
"Hey there!" Jen said with a smile. I jolted upwards and hit my head. Luckily, my helmet was on.
"Geez, don't sneak up on me like that…" I said, trying to catch my breath.
"Hey Jen, who're you talk- Oh. It's just you." Ken said darkly, glaring at me.
"Well I'm none to happy to see you either." I replied, grabbing the Doomsayer and walking forward. I made sure Ken saw the blade, and he spent the few seconds that seemed to span years just looking at the midnight black blade. Then we heard the roar.
"Sinspawn…" I muttered before running off, Ken and Jen close behind me. I got there just in time to push Chao out of the way of an attack. "Be more careful, for your sister's sake. Okay?" I told the summoner who hesitated, then nodded.
"Jeff! Watch out!" I wheeled around, dropped the Doomsayer and caught both of Sinspawn Gui's arms. This guy, I knew how to beat. Struggling with the arms, I looked over. Lucky for me, my two favorite people in the world were closest.
"Ken! Lulu! Go for its head!" They both gave me a quizzical look. "Hurry up!" I yelled, my feet sinking into the soft ground. Ken moved in rapidly for a flurry of stabs on the Sinspawn's head, and pulled back when Lulu unleashed a Fira spell on the beastie.
The Sinspawn groaned and lifted his arms, me along with them. I latched onto the left arm and held on for dear life before I remembered that I gained new overdrives with more damage. I knew I could do an overdrive, that familiar sensation of power was in my chest and I used it and hoped for the best. Instead of beating down on Gui like Largo was supposed to, I felt like I had more energy and strength than I'd ever had in my whole life. I raised my fist and slammed down, cracking the Spawn's thick armor. This is turn, caused me to be thrown to the ground, but instead of pain I just felt an uncontrollable rage build up. I grabbed the Doomsayer and lashed out, slicing cleanly through the armor. And then, I kinda blacked out…
(Tidus' POV)
I watched on in horror as Jeff pretty much went ape on the sinspawn. It was definitely a new overdrive, but something seemed wrong. Rather than something that looked fluid and natural, it seemed more like he was just letting his body do whatever.
"Lunatic High." Auron said, standing next to me. "It's an old and powerful Berserker art that allows them to fully unleash their power, but at the cost of self control. Until he calms down, he's a threat to everyone."
"Well, how do we know when he's calm?" I asked the old man, hoping for a response that wasn't mysterious or cryptic in any way.
"Watch his eyes." Auron said simply.
"Wha?" I asked, looking at the Berserker's eyes. They should've been that shade of chocolate-like brown, but they were blood red instead. Eventually, the Sinspawn just kind of died from all the wounds Jeff gave it. I ran forward as Ken reached forward to say something to Jeff, and as the Berserker wheeled around and cut the Fencer down with his new weapon. Just as the tip of the scythe left Ken's chest, his eyes returned to normal.
(My POV)
As soon as the Fencer started falling, Kimahri and Tidus pulled me back and restrained me.
"Wh-what did I do?" I asked quietly. They let me down slowly, and I hesitantly walked to a sobbing Jen. "I'm… I'm sorry." I said quietly.
"Sorry won't bring him back, you monster!" She lashed out with a dagger and cut open my face. Instinctively, I pulled my hand up but I dropped it quickly.
"I deserved that." I muttered.
"Stop!" Tidus practically yelled. "He wasn't in control of himself!"
"Still, I made the choice to use Lunatic High. Anything that I did under its influence is still my responsibility." I replied, taking off my armor. Jen reached back with her dagger again, but a hand on her shoulder stopped her. There was a similar hand on my shoulder. It was Cecilia and a girl. I half expected Tidus to ask where they had come from, but nothing came. I looked around and noticed that time had frozen.
"It's time we explained certain things." Cecilia said, getting a nod from the other girl. "When you two first met each other on the ferry, what did you think?"
"I thought Jen was some NPC you had stuck into the game." I replied.
"I thought Jeff was a new party member Kat had put into the game." Jen said after me, identifying the new girl as another PS2.
"So, Chao and Ken are real too?" I asked. Cecilia nodded. "You see, there's a small thing about dying while in the game. When you die, you get kind of stuck. And you're not let out until the game is finished." This news, while relieving, still made me sadder. This meant that Ken was just floating about aimlessly somewhere until we beat Yu Yevon.
"Actually, he's not just somewhere." Kat said. "And yes, we can read your thoughts. But back to the point, Ken is currently in the Farplane."
"Hey, Jen. Is killing him high on Ken's list of pet peeves?" I asked. She glared at me for a moment before starting to laugh.
"It's okay Jeff. Truth be told, he's been acting like more and more of a jerk since Kilika. I was planning on breaking up with him soon. I'll drop the bomb when we get to Guadosalam." I was relieved when she said that. Not the part about breaking up with Ken, but the fact that she wasn't totally pissed at me anymore.
"Well, we've gotta get going." Cecilia said before glancing at Kat. "Head to VII for a drink at 7th Heaven?" She asked, getting a vigorous nod from the other PS2. They vanished, time started flowing back to normal. Tidus sighed when time was fully back.
"It's good to know you two made up." He said, sounding relieved.
I hate it when she makes things happen without me knowing. I thought with a mental sigh. Another roar, and we all looked up. I could tell what everyone but me, Tidus, Auron, Jen, and Chao were thinking.
"Sin…" I muttered as the Crusaders and Chocobo Knight charged, and Sin attacked.
"Chao's down there!" Jen exclaimed. We watched as the whole beach was purified in an unholy show of might. I was the first to notice Gui's return. I rushed forward, holding my greatsword instead of the Doomsayer. I heard that oh-so-annoying voice behind me.
"Stand back, Lady Yuna." Seymour said, getting an affirmative from Yuna. I rushed forward to deliver a Cripple attack to Gui, almost getting zapped by a Double Thunder from Seymour.
"Watch it, you little bastard!" I yelled to Seymour before getting lifted off my feet by a Fira from Lulu.
"Don't speak to a Maester that way." She said darkly, before helping to finish off Gui.
"Don't speak to a Maester that way." I mimicked in a mocking tone. I went down to the beach to check if anyone was still alive. I found Gatta, dead on the beach.
"I hope I don't end up like this." I muttered before turning over the corpse next to him. I heard a gasp behind me as soon as I recognized the body. It was Jen's little brother, Chao.
"This just gives you even more reason to fight Sin." Auron said to Jen. "And another reason to become Yuna's Guardian."
"But there's already a thief…" I muttered.
"I actually wasn't entirely truthful back on the ship. I'm not really a thief, Kat actually made me a ninja." Jen said, still staring at Chao's body. "But, I will ask Yuna if I can be her Guardian.
After Tidus' trippy scene, and the sendings.
"Hey,
you three! Hurry up!" Yuna called to me, Tidus, and Kimahri. I had
kept my armor off and had it slung in a bag over my shoulder.
"She's
awfully cheerful." Tidus observed.
"In dark times she must be.
She must shine bright." Kimahri said simply, earning a gape from
Tidus.
"What, never heard Kimahri talk?" I asked with a grin.
"Little boy heard me talk first." Kimahri said with an even
tone.
"I'm not little!" I yelled. "Stop calling me little!" I sighed. "Whatever the case, if we worry, Yuna will just push herself. We've gotta be happy for her sake."
"C'mon, lemme see your smiles guys!" Kimahri grimaced, then Tidus saw my smile. Unfortunately, I don't smile that much. So, what Tidus got was my best attempt. Basically, it looked like that psychopathic killer smile. You know, the one where one corner is up really high and the person's kinda twitching?
"Sad." Tidus said after seeing them both. After a bit of walking, we arrived at Djose Temple. The lightning had just flared up.
"A summoner's communing with the faith." I observed, calling on my knowledge of game lore. Everyone nodded, except Tidus who gave me a quizzical look and Lulu.
"Astute observation. Let's hope it hasn't put too much of a strain on your brain." I was about to retort when Jen spoke up.
"Hey, be nice to him! He held off the Sinspawn without a weapon! He deserves some respect!" I blushed slightly at her little outburst, but hid efficiently be starting to put on my armor.
"I've been meanin' to ask a question. Why did you follow us all the way here, ya?" Wakka asked Jen.
"Well…" Jen looked at the ground for a second, before looking to me for help as I stood up, fastening my arm plates. I sighed and answered for her.
"Jen wants to be one of Yuna's Guardians, to get revenge on Sin for killing Chao." I said, bending back down to attach a greave.
"Yes, but you killed Ken." Lulu said. I tensed up visibly, even under my armor.
"I thought we were going to leave that alone, ya?" Wakka said, stepping to my defense.
"I've actually been meaning to address that." I responded, holding the Doomsayer in my hand.
"The scythe, it's not normal. Is it?" I asked, looking right at Auron.
"Sir Alexander wasn't renowned for his self control. But his weapon in particular, it had something peculiar about it. When Alexander fought past his limit, he would often black out from the strain on his body. But, after he purchased the Doomsayer he was able to fight past that. However, he held no regard for anyone's life after his breaking point. It was like the scythe took over. When the Doomsayer possessed him, he would attack anyone he regarded as a threat. It could be that the weapon possesses its wielder when their conscious mind loses control." I thought about something for a moment and looked back up from where I'd been staring at the blackened weapon.
"Immense power, but at the cost of my soul?" I asked.
"More poetic than I said, but yes." Auron replied, looking at me then the Doomsayer.
"No thanks." And with that, I snapped the scythe in two. Instead of looking happy, Wakka, Kimahri, and Yuna looked shocked. Lulu looked pissed.
"You do realize you've just destroyed a piece of history, right?" Lulu asked.
"So? Would you rather have me kill more people without meaning to?" I asked.
"That's exactly what Alexander said after the first incident. He didn't go as far as breaking it, but whatever you must do to stop temptation works." Auron shrugged and walked towards the temple. I wrapped the two pieces up in a bundle and followed Auron, the others right behind me. I heard Jen talking to Yuna.
"Lady Yuna, you never answered my request." Jen said in what she probably thought was a hushed tone.
"I don't know, I'll have to talk it over with the others…" Yuna said, looking around to everyone else.
"If you need it, I can give her an excellent recommendation!" I called over my shoulder.
"Well, if Sir Jeff thinks it's a good idea…" Yuna said, looking up in thought.
Wha? My opinion matters that much? I thought dumbly. Yuna agreed to have Jen as her Guardian. Jen immediately glomped Yuna, then tackled me from behind.
"Jen! Get off me! We're going to get left behind!" Jen and I eventually caught up. Jen decided to talk to Yuna and the other guys, while I opted to look around the temple.
"It's so cool in here…" I said to myself. I noticed everyone heading for the Cloister after a talk with Isaaru. I ran up the stairs, falling in next to Lulu. I must be so lucky, right? Right before the door, Tidus stopped us.
"Nope. You two aren't going." My jaw dropped.
"What!? Why not!?" I practically yelled.
"You two need to learn to get along, so we're leaving you here. Be good and stay here." Tidus smirked and followed Wakka, Auron, and Kimahri in. Yuna smiled apologetically.
"I'm sorry, but it's for the best." She followed them at a run, the doors shutting behind her. I sighed and walked back down the steps, to sit between two of the statues. Lulu sat down next to me.
"Now what?" I asked.
"We do as our summoner commanded us, we start to get along." Lulu replied, as if it was obvious.
"Fine, you start." I told the mage, she sighed and started telling me what happened in her life until we started on this crazy journey.
"You turn." This time, I sighed.
"Fine. I grew up really far away from here, and I got the feeling my parents hated me. A lot. So, I ran away to Gagazet, where I met my teacher. He taught me to be a Berserker, and after my training was done he just disappeared. I tried to walk back down the mountain to the Calm Lands, but the Ronso captured me and threw me off the mountain. I wound up in the ocean, where I was rescued by the Al Bhed. They took me to Home, and nursed me back to health. I left afterwards, and decided to travel the world. I started with Besaid, as you can tell." I told her, taking up a good chunk of time.
"So, my original thoughts of you were true." Lulu said with a smirk.
"Eh?" I asked, obviously confused.
"You're nothing more than an irresponsible little brat who cares nothing about others. Did you ever think how your mother and father would react to your departure?" Lulu asked me. I looked back down.
"No…" I said eventually. Dona and Barthello walked past, ignoring us. We waited for a long time. Lulu yawned.
"If you're tired, sleep." I told the mage. "Common sense commands it."
"No, I don't know what you'd do to me." Lulu said simply.
"You wish. Despite what you think of me, I do have morals. Besides, I'm not even 18 yet." I informed the black mage.
"You're not an adult?" The mage thought for a moment. "I take it back. It takes strength for a child to survive in this world."
"Back in my world, it's pretty easy." Lulu raised an eyebrow.
"Your world?"
"Crap." I said dumbly. There was no fixing my little booboo, so I spilled the beans. Well, except the part about this being a game. That part, I lied about it.
"A parallel world…" Lulu said when I was done.
"That's kinda what I said. Anyway, there's this big theory that there are several worlds all parallel to each other. They've all got one thing in common: Sin." Well, it wasn't a total lie. Sinners exist in every world, but their lives are none of my business. "Just don't tell everyone okay, they'll think I'm crazy." Lulu nodded.
"Not that people don't already think you're crazy." I sighed at her remark, right before I noticed Tidus and Yuna stepping out of the Cloister.
"About time!" I called, standing up. "Can we get to the Moonflow now?" I called out. They ran down the stairs to meet me and Lulu.
"I take it you two are on friendlier terms now?" Jen asked us. I nodded before walking to the door.
"Can we go now? Seriously, I need to stretch my legs. They feel like a Blizzard spell hit them."
"Umm…. Jeff?" Tidus pointed down. My legs were encased in ice.
"Lulu! Let me go right now!" I yelled out. Everyone else walked past me.
"All in good humor, Berserker." The mage said with a small smile as she walked past, leaving Wakka and Kimahri to drag me along.
Better than the last chapter? I certainly hope it was. But seriously, I'll be rewriting that last chapter soon to fix my little blunder there. Only after putting it up, did I realize that he was turning into a Gary Stu kinda character. Hell, he probably still is. But, we'll fix that as we go. In the mean time:
Chapter 6: Hypellos and Shoopuffs and Thieves, oh my!