6. The Blackest Mage

Lulu stood stoic, raising a steady arm. She unleashed fire from her hand, swiftly flinging it Yuna and Rikku's way. The pair dodged in both directions, Yuna returning her spell with gunfire. Her shots bounced off Lulu's protect spell, the black mage again casting firaga.

"Dammit, Lulu! Why are you doing this?! WHY?!" Rikku yelled. She quickly dashed forward, tearfully slashing Lulu with her blades. Her strikes did little damage, Lulu calmly firing black magic. Rikku tucked and rolled, tumbling out of the way of the flames.

The girls did their best against Lulu. Yuna kept firing while Rikku maintained pressure from up close. They fought on even terms, but it was soon clear that Lulu's power had increased significantly since last they met.

"...Shit! It's no good!" Rikku said. "She's got protect. We're barely even denting her!"

"How could that be...?" Yuna said. "Black mages don't have protect, and I haven't seen her use a light curtain this whole time..."

Just then, Rikku's keen eyes sized up Lulu's arm. "...Ah-HA! Good thinkin', Yunie!" she said. Rikku darted forward, nimbly stealing the Protect Bangle from her opponent.

"Tch!" Lulu said, cringing as she cast blizzaga. The blast grazed Rikku's body, the girl suddenly shivering all over.

"TYAAAAAA! C-c-c-coooooooooooold!" she exclaimed, staggering from the ice.

"Nice one, Rikku. I'll take it from here!" Yuna said. She carefully took aim, suddenly shooting Lulu a glare.

"...Trigger Happy."

In a flash, Yuna pulled back both of her triggers. She opened heavy fire, bursting off countless rounds. They each struck Lulu in the chest, the black mage screaming as shots tore through her flesh. Yuna continued firing, eyes cold as she rained down bullets. When Yuna's attack finished, Lulu weakly fell to one knee.

"...Kch. Damn you two!" she said. "Why do you still insist on playing the hero? As if this miserable world is worth saving! This isn't over... next time, you're dead!"

With that, Lulu raised a swift hand, warping away.

"What the...?" Rikku said, perking up. "Where'd she go?!"

Yuna looked around. "I don't know. But that definitely wasn't the Lulu we once knew..."

Yuna gave a frown, eyeing the dozens of bodies strewn around. She then closed her eyes, quickly raising a hand to the sky.

"White Mage!" she shouted.

"Alchemist!" Rikku exclaimed.

The girls changed dresspheres, proceeding to aid the fallen village of Besaid. Yuna cast life as Rikku healed the raised with high potions. As the villagers returned to their senses, Yuna looked on at Wakka's corpse. She firmly closed her eyes, focusing hard as she charged up magic.

"...Full-Life!" she chanted, casting the spell on Wakka's body. A bright white light engulfed the corpse, head and torso briefly vanishing from sight. When they reappeared, Wakka's head was reattached. The man slowly groaned, warily opening his eyes.

"Oooooh... my head," he said, sitting up. Yuna and Rikku looked on, both welling up as they rushed over.

"Wakka!" they said, hugging him tight from both sides.

"...Oy, oy! Careful! You'll squeeze me dead again, ya?" he said.

"Oh, Wakka...! I'm so glad you're alright!" Rikku said.

"Yes! But... Lulu is...," Yuna said worriedly.

"...I know," Wakka replied. "She's gone off the deep end. When Vidina died, she didn't talk for days. Then today, she up and attacked us out of nowhere. Good thing you two was here to save us."

"That's right!" a villager said, others cheering as they slowly gathered round.

"We fought off Lulu, but didn't manage to kill her," Yuna said.

"She teleported away, and vowed to kill us next time we met," Rikku said. Wakka grimaced.

"...Gyaaaaaaaah! That just ain't like my Lu at all, ya know?! She was certainly upset about Vidina. We both were. But it's almost like she became a different person," Wakka said.

"I agree," Yuna replied. "When I looked into her eyes, they were cold and distant. Almost like she was... possessed."

"...Possessed? By what?" Rikku asked.

"I don't know. But Lulu's definitely not in her right mind. As long as she's alive, I fear she'll leave a trail of death in her wake," Yuna said.

"Yuna... Wakka... I know you want to believe she's possessed. I do, too. But losing her only son was traumatic. It's possible she simply suffered a total breakdown," Rikku said. Yuna and Wakka looked to her, both fearing she may be right.

"Let's hope not. I don't know what I'd do without her...," Wakka said sadly.

"Wakka...," Yuna said, she and Rikku consoling him.

"...By da way, where's Paine?" Wakka asked, looking around.

"Oh. She... left the Gullwings," Yuna said.

"Whoa! Fa real?" Wakka asked.

"Yeah. It's been an all around shitty day," Rikku said.

"Indeed. First Paine, then Bevelle, and now Lulu...," Yuna said.

"Bevelle?" Wakka asked.

"Yes. We paid them a visit earlier and were nearly killed. The rumors are true. Baralai is forming an army, and is likely planning a move against the Youth League soon," Yuna said.

"We were gonna warn Nooj about this, but now I'd say stopping Lulu takes priority," Rikku said.

"It does. But the truth is, we haven't the slightest clue where to look. Lulu could be anywhere. We should head to the Youth League for now, and in the meantime tell Brother and Buddy to keep an eye out for further distress signals from around Spira," Yuna said.

Wakka gave a pause, looking to Yuna with a firm smile.

"Heh. Sounds like a plan, boss lady. Looks like ya really warmed up ta bein' leader, ya?" Wakka asked. Yuna blinked twice, soon starting to blush.

"...I'm nothing special. I just do what I can. To be honest, it's exhausting," Yuna said. "...I miss the days when Tidus was in charge. He'd smile in that carefree way, telling us it'll all work out..."

"Yunie...," Rikku said, rubbing her shoulder. Wakka shook his head.

"Nah. See, dat's where you're wrong, Yuna. You are special!" Wakka said. Yuna paused, weakly looking up. "Tidus was a great guy, ya? But the way I see it, you've always had it rougher. You've struggled much, yet you never let it beat ya. You's not just special, Yuna. You's a supastar!"

Yuna stood in silence, eyes wide as tears clouded her sight.

"Tee, hee! That's right, Yunie!" Rikku said, hugging her from the side. The girls' faces crowded together, cheeks rubbing as they both gave a blush. As the crowd of villagers watched, they slowly started to clap.

"...We love you, Yuna!" a man suddenly yelled.

"You're the best!" another exclaimed.

"That's right!" a woman shouted, the entire village erupting in cheers. As Yuna stood in shock, Rikku slightly puffed her cheeks.

"...Heyyyy! What about me?! How's about some love for your girl Rikku over here?!" she asked.

"Ha! You too, Rikku!" another villager yelled, crowd laughing.

"Rikku... Wakka... everyone. Thank you!" Yuna said softly. She then gave a pause, staring out at the ocean. "...But we have to find Lulu at all costs. Who knows where she is right now or what she's thinking. We should visit Nooj and warn him about Baralai... tell him about Lulu, and warn him and Paine to keep an eye out."

"Sounds good. But watch your backs out there. Shit's gettin' hectic, ya?" Wakka said. "I'd come with, but Lulu really did a number on this place. I'll stay here and help with repairs, and train hard to defend Besaid from Lulu should she come back. Maybe even talk some sense into her..."

"Wakka...," Yuna said with concern. "Don't overdo it. If you need anything, don't hesitate to call. Okay?"

"Bah. I'll be fine. This boy's a tough customa, ya know?" Wakka said. Yuna smiled.

"...I do," she replied. "...Alright, then. We're off. Take care, all!"

"Yeah! Smell ya later!" Rikku said. The pair changed back to their normal dresspheres, waving goodbye as the village saw them off.