Chapter 5

Loveless Defeat

Once everyone was gathered in the bridge, Brother asked the Gullwings for a strategy in dealing with Vegnagun. After some lengthy discussion and debate, they decided to head into the Farplane. It was the solution that made the most sense, seeing as to what Shinra had stated before: Bevelle was the only location Vegnagun could be kept in. The only other alternative was an abyss beyond the Farplane.

After witnessing the strange conversation between Nooj, Baralai and Gippal, Yuna knew both Gippal and Nooj were not enough to stop Vegnagun or more specifically, Shuyin himself. They needed more fighting power and the Gullwings had already made up their minds. Whether or not the guys accepted, Vegnagun was a big threat and they would all have to stop it one way or another.

As they wrapped up the last stages of planning, everyone was thoughtful. They were wondering what would happen once they faced a destructive force such as Vegnagun. Brother was the only one unnerved by the situation and as a result, sought to cheer his comrades before the final showdown.

"Come on, guys!" He said, cutting through the awkward silence. "We're gonna kick some ass! Let's see a little confidence, yeah?" He looked around, hoping his nervous smile would ease everyone up a bit.

Yuna smiled at him and realized he was right. This wasn't the end of Spira. It couldn't be. There were too many things left to experience.

"You're right, Brother," she said. Brother's grin widened in response as everyone looked at her in surprise and then laughed at the sudden excitement that became contagious. Shinra stood beside Brother and after a moment, ran up to Yuna and squeezed her in a hug. She spread her arms out and kneeled down to compliment his short stature and squeezed him back just as tightly.

"Be careful, Yuna," Shinra said, his voice shaking with emotion for the first time. Everyone smiled at the unusual display of sensitivity.

"You know I will," Yuna said as she pulled away and smiled. "In the meantime, keep an eye out for me, okay?"

"You betcha," Shinra said, regaining his composure and reverting back to his usual self.

"So are we gonna do this or what?" Paine asked. She could smell victory and was obviously excited to fight alongside everyone.

"You bet we are!" Rikku shouted in even more excitement. "Come on, buster! Let's get going!" She punched Brother in the back as he immediately jumped into his driver's seat.

"Alright, Gullwings!" He said. "To the Farplane, full speed ahead!"

Yuna saw the explicit look of defeat on Shuyin's face when he realized she wasn't Lenne. She could see the glow in his cerulean eyes turn black with hatred. His glare now shone with unmatched fury and he was prepared to put an end to them all, but she knew he couldn't. He was weaker than he thought. Vegnagun was already destroyed and he had nothing left to use but he continued to fight ceaselessly until he exhausted every limb in his body. His anger fueled his persistence and she was amazed. All of this because he never heard Lenne's true words to him. As she watched her last bullet fly through Shuyin, tears were streaming down her flushed cheeks. As he finally collapsed to his knees, his breathing grew rapid and hoarse.

"How could you do this to me?" Shuyin bellowed. "I can't protect her anymore!" The flames of hatred still fumed in his burning stare at Yuna.

As she prepared to plead with him one last time of Lenne's feelings, she felt a strange sensation lift from her body. Alas, Lenne's soul came out of the dressphere Yuna had on and she stood beside her, looking into Shuyin's eyes. Lenne was an inch or so taller than Yuna and her hair trailed down her backside in long, brunette waves. It all seemed so real, almost as if Lenne had come back a thousand years later to stand beside Yuna.

"... Shuyin, it's me," the spirit of the former summoner said as she proceeded toward him.

"No," he panted, "it can't be you." He was still breathing hard and looked at her like an abandoned child.

Lenne kneeled down before Shuyin and cupped his face in her hands. Yuna, Paine and Rikku saw tears stroll down his face, his eyes suddenly innocent and blue again. Then Lenne began to cry. He was still on his knees as he grabbed her and held her tightly, desperate to feel her again. She held him in her arms and both lovers stood together at last, a flurry of emotions flooding their souls as they became one. Pyreflies began to emanate from their bodies and just before they completely faded into the abyss, Lenne looked back at Yuna one last time.

"Thank you," she said, her eyes glistening with tears.

Yuna smiled knowingly, tears still finding a path down her face. She watched as both lovers faded into the depths of the Farplane, eternally reunited in peace.

And so it was done. Vegnagun was no more. As the spirit of the two lovers vanished, everyone knew it was finally time to go home.

Author's Note:

I wanted to give Shuyin and Lenne a proper farewell because they deserve it. And because I think Yuna needs some sort of closure now that her search for Shuyin has really ended.