Disclaimer: Don't own anything except my OC's Square-Enix own everything

A/N: Wow I'm actually updating this hope you enjoy it. For the purpose of this fic conversations in Al Bhed will be in italics as I can't be bothered translating words into Al Bhed using a translator.

Warning: Chapter contains occasional strong language.

Chapter 2 - Luca and new friends

I remember having a dream…a nightmare filled with destruction and screams of terror and pain…I found it hard to believe that after seeing and hearing such terrible things in Zanarkand I could be in such a peaceful place. How many had died? How many families had been torn apart? How many stories had ended? So much death and destruction…yet me, Tidus and Auron had survived…I felt sick with guilt and grief.

From what Alex had heard from Auron she would meet many who would share her storey those who had lost friends and family because of Sin…because of Tidus' old man and all the guardians before him who had become Sin.

Alex stood on the cliff edge she had been woken from her nightmare and couldn't return to sleep, she watched as a faint light appeared in the distance the sun was beginning to rise soon they would be leaving…and Alex would be alone in a place she knew nothing about.

She figured her best option would be to find her fellow Al bhed and try to take sanctuary with them

"Is that an Al Bhed?"

"Heathens one and all it's their fault we have Sin."

Alex turned to see a group of people leaving the shop which had turned out to be a shop owned by an Al Bhed named Rin she had briefly met him last night but had been too tired to have a conversation.

"You know what screw you!" she snarled to the group before turning away to watch the sunrise "assholes," she mumbled in Al Bhed, if this was the treatment she would get everywhere else then it wouldn't be long until she lost her temper and actually attacked someone.

No I won't do that she thought to herself in Bushido you never attacked anyone who was unarmed it was as dishonourable as killing someone who was running away or had their back to you, Auron was proud of her so far she didn't want to break that and disappoint him by loosing her cool.

"What did you say?" asked one of the people when Alex turned back to them she saw the one that had addressed her had taken out a small sword, if he started something she was in her right to defend herself however the situation was instantly diffused when Auron left the way shop.

"S-Sir Auron?" asked one of them looking awed

Alex walked over to him sticking her tongue out at the group

"What is going on here?" asked Auron who had noticed the man with the sword

"He called me a heathen, I said 'screw you' then went back to my own business he decided to take it to heart and drew his weapon"

"Don't speak that unholy tongue-"

"She dose not answer to you," said Auron "Alex has done nothing wrong put your weapon away"

"You know this heathen Sir?" asked the man lowering his weapon yet still looked at Alex as if she was something filthy

"Alex is my student now be on your way,"

"Come on James let's go the tournament starts in a couple of days," said a woman in the group "good day Sir, miss," they then set off down the road.

Alex crossed her arms watching them leave "I honestly did nothing wrong I was just watching the sunrise"

"Remember what I told you as far as they are concerned being Al Bhed is enough."

It really hurt me to hear the fact I was born was enough reason for people to treat me like dirt, I didn't want to go to Luca if everyone there was going to be horrible to me…

"Alex I tell you this often but now it is more important than ever that you keep your cool with people, staying focused on a situation is just as important out of battle as it is in battle."

He was right as always, I had lived in a city where there were a lot of gangs and criminals…I was use to dirty looks and insults (mainly from Abes fans) so I supposed I could handle anything the people here had to say…I hope.

"I guess…I should have ignored him and let the whole 'heathen' thing wash over…sometimes I just can't keep my mouth shut…"

"You are still young Alex in time you will learn when and when not to speak…you are my student you'll do well."

Auron was good at cheering people up in his own way, usually he was a private man speaking only when he needed to but when it came to his friends he always knew the right thing to say, she was honoured to be not only his student but his friend.

"Auron…I'm never seeing my Zanarkand again…am I?"

Auron looked at her over the top of his sunglasses as though contemplating the answer "you saw the destruction with your own eyes Alex…you know the answer-"

Suddenly a scream ran out from down the road, "someone is in trouble," she ran to the source of the scream and saw the group that had left the shop the two women in the group were cowering from two fiends, one a large blue drake the other a wolf snarling menacingly, the man with the sword was swinging it but his attacks weren't strong enough to pierce the Drake's hide.

"Alex you have trained to take on such fiends, help them"

"No need to tell me twice," she replied un-strapping her sword from her back and running towards the man ready to help "take the wolf leave the drake to me."

Alex didn't give him time to reply she focused upon the drake which had been heading towards the women "come to me!" she said commandingly gaining the Drake's attention on her.

The drake tipped back its head then let out a fireball but Alex who had survived Auron's harsh endurance training was able to endure the hit, she moved forward swinging the sword upwards with both hands effectively slicing through its thick hide wounding it.

Drake's were incredibly intelligent creatures that rarely attacked those who were potentially stronger than them and usually fled but this particular Drake must have been a little dim and didn't know what was good for it. It let out another fireball but rather than enduring the attack Alex decided to roll out of the way of it, being slow the drake didn't have time to react as Alex quickly sliced again killing it, it fell to the ground where it dispersed into pyreflies which wailed hauntingly as they disappeared.

Meanwhile the man, who she was sure had been referred to as James had managed to defeat the wolf though he had been injured in the process, speaking of injuries Alex winced at the burn that had melted through her chest plate and seared the side of her stomach "ouch…"

"Here let me help you," said one of the women her hand glowed white for a moment then Alex felt the burn soothed the flesh healed and her strength returned as the healing spell washed over her, she must have been a white mage as she wore green and white robes.

Auron walked over nodding approvingly and Alex finally realised she had just won her first proper fight, "it didn't know who it was messing with," she said feeling proud of herself.

"Yes…we are quite lucky you came and helped, praise Yevon," she then made a circle motion with her arms then bowed

"Saved by an Al Bhed," said Auron looking at James sternly giving him the 'Alexia look'

James nodded, "I was wrong about you…guess there are some decent Al Bhed"

"Thank you for your aid, may Yevon watch over your journeys, we should continue onwards I hope you learnt your lesson James not to pick fights with monsters"

"Yes my Lady," mumbled James in an apologetic tone.

"A summoner party," said Auron watching the group walk away "you will see many more…only one can make it all the way…come we should get going it will take a day to get to Luca, be on the lookout for fiends they can strike at anytime."

Luca one of the largest cities in Spira (according to Auron) I must admit the atmosphere was filled with so much excitement it was almost electric, even though it was going dark there were a lot of people around, there were many buildings but unlike in Zanarkand they aren't very tall. I must admit I felt a little trepidation this city was no doubt teeming with anti Al Bhed people and they weren't just human.

"What was that?" she asked Auron a large beast like creature with a large horn on its forehead walked past them

"A Ronso from Mount Gagazet, and that is a Guado," he added as a group of tall people with long pointed ears and green hair passed by all throwing Alex dark looks of loathing she was use to it by now.

"This city is so strange, and everyone is really excited, is blitzball really that big?"

"With the fear of Sin attacking everywhere you go Spira rarely has chance to have fun, blitzball is the only sport there is so when the season starts Luca is always packed, you needn't worry about fiends here…only large groups of drunks getting into the spirit"

"Please I'm from Zanarkand," she muttered quietly "cities I can handle, I wish I could play in the tournament."

I might have been good in a fight but my true passion had always been blitzball I was at my happiest when I was playing not watching…but I was in a predicament, Zanarkand was gone I was never going back…Spira was my home now…if only people didn't hate me.

She wasn't sure what she was going to do, Auron had said they would be parting ways here because there was something important he had to do for an old friend…she would be alone in a city where Al Bhed were not all that popular.

"Alex I will show you to an inn then we must part ways-"

"Um,"

Alex looked down an saw a small child tugging on Auron's red coat "um Mr Auwon please will you sign this?" asked the child holding a small autograph book.

Alex had to stifle her laughter by placing a hand over her mouth, it turned out that being the guardian who had protected Lord Braska the last summoner to defeat Sin Auron was something of a legend and hero amongst the people.

"Are you an Al Bhed?" asked the child looking up at Alex with a mix of fear and awe "you don't look scary"

Alex was no longer laughing she frowned a little and remained silent, once Auron had signed his autograph the child ran off happily to his mother who had been stood near by nervously…Alex knew what it was like to be hassled by fans wanting her autograph.

"Since this is the blitz season they'll be teams scouting for players I could try out for one of those," she said as they continued through the city along a long street that led towards the stadium "or maybe…I would say find a job but I doubt that'll be easy here"

"You might be surprised Alex."

They soon arrived at the inn a large building that was no doubt already full, Auron walked over to the counter and Alex silently followed "good evening Sir Auron," said the innkeeper "we're not yet full, do you need a room"

"Actually I have a favour of you Raina this is Alexia, my student…she recently lost her home to Sin, I must leave town for a while and Alex needs somewhere to stay…"

"I have a room spare I'll make plenty of gil with the tournament so since you're an old friend I'll let her have one of the small rooms free of charge, if she works for it…I'm understaffed."

"I suppose that's reasonable…but won't my being Al Bhed be a problem?"

The innkeeper shook her head "no, you must not be use to the city…can't blame you I suppose, there are Al Bhed here people know not to start trouble…although it dose occasionally happen…no you'll be fine…besides people won't be able to tell your Al Bhed."

"Why?"

"A lot of business' here promote the tournament by handing out balloons and toys to children, you look the right height for the mascot costume"

"M-Mascot?"

This time it was Auron's turn to laugh at her or rather chuckle "what costume?"

"A Cait Sith, always popular amongst the kiddies,"

"Oh God."

Before allowing the innkeeper to show Alex to her room Auron took her to one side "I have taught you all that I know you are no longer my student…working here will help you learn about Spira…you'll find your path eventually."

"Your speaking as though I'm never going to see you again," replied Alex

"You will, but it may be a while…remember everything I taught you and you'll do fine…as Raina said there are Al Bhed in the city as long as you watch your tongue you'll be fine,"

"I hope your right."

"I have to wear this? All day?" it had taken a while for Alex to change into the Cait Sith costume, she held the feline head under her arm "I look like a fool"

"Nonsense the kids will love you, be nice to them and give them balloons…you may be required to give the odd hug…remember children don't often get to have fun…we all live under Sin's shadow…endure for their sake."

Alex could understand that but still she looked ridicules as she placed on the head sealing her fate, already it was hot she took the balloons and went out into the streets bobbing and skipping along

God's I look like a twat.

She spent the rest of the day handing out the balloons to children and occasionally hugging them, fortunately she didn't have to talk all that much, a fresh group of children came over to them but someone in a Moogle costume was already giving out balloons.

"Hey I was here first," she said to the Moogle while giving a balloon to one of the other children

"Doesn't matter if I don't give out all the balloons I don't get paid," replied a muffled male voice

"Don't matter I was here first, meow Cait Sith will punish you in the name of the children!"

"Do not underestimate the power of the Moogle!"

"This is war."

Naturally the small spat between the two mascots was very amusing to the children who were laughing at them, Alex wasn't really angry and she suspected the Moogle wasn't either this was a show for the children who despite being innocent enjoyed watching little spats especially when it was their favourite characters having said spats.

"Moogle power"

"Cait Sith power," she put up her fists still clutching the balloons as more children joined the crowed along with their parents and both of them started handing out the balloons as fast as they could, naturally Alex had managed to hand out all of hers first.

The Moogle lowered its head in disappointment but still managed to hand out all his balloons so he would get paid after all.

By the mid afternoon Alex was roasting inside her costume she removed the head and took a few deep breaths sitting on a bench "Urg"

"Who'd have thought there was an Al Bhed behind the cat,"

Alex looked up and saw the Moogle, now he'd removed his cat head to reveal a too-gorgeous-for-words young man clearly around her age, his dark eyes were friendly, he ran his hand through short black hair then extended it.

"Ryu," he said warmly

"Alexia but I prefer Alex," she shook his hand and stood "sorry I beat you"

"Nah don't worry about it, it was certainly different, fighting mascots…how original, still it makes children laugh in these darks times so in the end its worth it no matter how much I sweat in the heat."

Alex had only been in contact with Sin once when Zanarkand was destroyed but she realised people in Spira had their lives destroyed more than once, everyone lives in fear under the shadow of Sin…it was worst for the children who had lost parents…they needed laughter.

"Ah well…back to work I guess…" she looked up at a large screen when it was showing images of the various teams leaving the boats which had brought them, from what she had gathered the Luca Goers were this seasons favourites.

She began drinking from a bottle of water but spat it out in shock as Tidus appeared on the screen holding a megaphone "stop right there Goers! You may be laughing now but not for long cause this year us Aurocs are taking the cup."

"You know that guy?" asked Ryu

"Yeah he's a friend and a very good blitzball player…I'm better though even if he won't admit it, where is that?"

"Dock number 2 I think…Raina won't be happy if you slack off,"

"I suppose…" she just hoped she'd get an opportunity to speak with him at least he's doing well.

When she returned to the inn Raina allowed her the afternoon off so she could watch the opening match, it would be the Al Bhed Psyches verse the Besaid Aurocs, when she reached the stadium she was disappointed to find Tidus wouldn't be playing in this match.

Wow! It was jammed full with people all laughing, cheering or booing, the atmosphere at a blitz match was always electric but here in Luca it was more so, I realised truly for the first time what blitzball meant for people it was the one thing that united everyone in Spira…for a few hours they could forget the death and destruction Sin brought.

"What the? Where is your head at?" she called to the sphere pool angrily as one of the Aurocs fumbled an easy pass "defence your left defence!" for the first half of the match the Psyches were owning the Aurocs it was almost painful to watch.

"Odd…Gazik thought Al Bhed cheered Al Bhed," muttered a random member of the crowed in a deep voice

"I support all the teams I don't have a favourite there is no rules that state I must support a single team."

Alex finally turned to see who it was she was actually speaking too and was surprised to find it was one of those…what had Auron called them? Ronso? He was very tall and had pale white fur, like others she had seen he too possessed a somewhat magnificent horn.

"Wait…" she said realising something "I saw you last night at the inn"

"Yes, Gazik work for Raina like Al Bhed…"

"My name is Alex, is Gazik your name?"

"Gazik Ronso," the beast held out his hand which was twice her size, not wanting to be rude she shook it "hmm…" the Ronso began to examine Alex's hand unlike most women her hands were not soft they were rough and calloused and apparently given the look on his lion like face Gazik approved then let go of her hand.

Meanwhile the crowed had let out a collective gasp of shock which was followed by loud cheering, by some miracle the Aurocs had completely turned the match around and had won however their Captain was badly injured.

"What a turn around," said Alex joining in the clapping

"UNBELIEVABLE FOLKS!" called one of the announcers "THE AUROCS HAVE WON THE MATCH, THEIR FOURTEEN YEAR LOOSING STREAK HAS ENDED"

Fourteen years in a row…I had never heard of a team that bad the Aurocs had deserved to win, I just wished I could have seen Tidus…still I hoped the Aurocs won the tournament.

The rest of the matches were just as exciting as the first Alex was a little disappointed that she couldn't play but that didn't matter because what she had been waiting for had come about, Tidus was playing.

By half-time the Aurocs who were playing the Luca Goers were leading two to nil Tidus was dancing in the sphere pool while people clapped and cheered, she then realised the cheers were a chant they were chanting for someone named Wakka which turned out to be the Captain.

Tidus left the sphere pool then a moment later Wakka entered to great applause and was able to score a brilliant goal at the last minuet to make the final score three to nil.

Quite suddenly someone screamed loudly "FIENDS!" it had happened without warning fiends were on the rampage in the stadium attacking people who were trying to flee for their lives.

"Oh no you don't!" she cried as a squat fiend with four horns was making its way towards a child who was cowering on the ground, beside it was an old man wearing robes she had learnt earlier that day that marked him a Priest of Yevon. Alex grabbed her sword which had been leant against her chair and ran at the fiend "GET AWAY FROM THEM!" she swung the heavy blade cleaving off two of its four horns.

The fiend let out a cry or rage and pain and charged at her but she side stepped avoiding the attack, it was awkward trying to fight with so many people running around in blind panic she didn't want to accidentally hurt someone innocent person.

She didn't notice that Tidus and Captain Wakka were fighting fish like fiends in the sphere pool, with the a swing of her sword she felled the fiend then turned to the child and Priest "run."

I didn't care that they were followers of Yevon even if they hated me I would protect them from the fiends, at the end of the day they were still people who didn't deserve to die

"Go on get out of here while I distract these fiends,"

The priest had been looking at her in a mixture of fear and disbelief finally however he nodded and taking the child's hand ran from the stadium

"Behind you!" called Gazik who ran past her wielding a spear, Alex spun around and saw a large black bird, it wasn't just her and the Ronso fighting near by she was surprised to find Ryu fighting back three wolves with a staff, she watched him unleash a fire spell before she turned her attention back to the bird.

Gazik had been wounded by the birds talons it was about to attack again but Alex jumped in the way taking the attack she felt pain as large sharp claws dug into her shoulder, she ground her teeth trying to endure as the talons sank deeper into her flesh she did the only thing possible, she bit into its leg which caused it to finally relinquish its grip.

Ignoring the blood oozing from her right shoulder she let out something between a cry and roar and sliced at the creature, meanwhile Gazik had found his strength and had jumped into the air then he brought his spear down with such force that it impaled the creature killing it.

"CURA!" called a voice and instantly Alex's wound was healed, the fiends stopped someone had summoned a terrifying looking creature that was able to dispose of the remaining fiends.

Alex knelt on one knee breathing heavily the fight had taken all of her strength, "here Alex drink this," Ryu crouched down beside her and passed her a potion "wow…Alex…that was…wow!"

"Gazik glad to meet Alex,"

"Oh you've both met then…that's good since we all work for the same person."

Alex stood and supported herself with her sword "why did these fiends attack? Sin?"

"I don't think so…we'd have seen him by now…come on let's get out of here…Raina will want to see us"

"As long as I don't have to wear that bloody costume…"

"But you looked so adorable and cuddly the kids loved you, right Gazik?"

The Ronso laughed in his deep voice "Gazik think Alex best Cait Sith yet, Gazik curious Alex is warrior…why work at inn?"

Uh-oh what was I going to tell them? I couldn't say 'oh I was brought to Spira by Sin from Zanarkand' somehow that probably wouldn't go down very well so I told them part truth.

"I came from somewhere…um…I was too near Sin when it attacked…the toxin, Auron took me in and trained me for the last ten years…since he's out of town for a while…Raina is letting me stay at her inn…but I have to work for my room and food."

"I suppose…even Al Bhed loose their homes to Sin too"

"Doesn't everybody?" Alex sighed "ten years and the Toxin still effects me…I've been away from towns so…lot's of things are new to me…"

I hated lying it wasn't something I usually did…but desperate times called for desperate measures, Gazik and Ryu seemed like decent people and we were quickly becoming friends…I hoped one day I could tell them truth.

So much had happened to me since Sin took away Zanarkand and yet I felt this was just the beginning of something, Spira was my life now…sure some people hated I was Al Bhed but if Ryu and Gazik tolerated my blood…then there would be others like Raina who wouldn't care either.

A/N: Second chapter finished, originally I was going to have the fiend attack happen in the next chapter but in the end decided against it, I enjoyed writing about Alex being a Cait Sith mascot.

If you would have her become Cait again then leave a nice little review, hopefully in the next chapter or so the storey will pick up.