A/N: This chapter is a bit Sora heavy, I didn't know how to really...incorporate him without using him as a form of…main character fodder I didn't want him to just stand there and not say anything, so I ad-libbed his parts, let me know what you think of it, I want to keep true to the story but have him…actually have substance. I'll pull back if you all think it may be a bit too much
Standing before the defeated Ochu the two crusaders rushed over a look of admiration shown on both of faces
"A summoner and her guardians, very impressive"
"Sir, we should fight too!" His obvious subordinate chirped in
"In due time" the elder responded, Sora cringed as they started singing what seemed to be the crusaders anthem
"Oh, just drag me to hell already" Sora massaged his temples
"Oh, just live a little you aren't that old just yet" Wakka laughed they continued through the forest, with minimal issues with monsters course whatever came into the line of sight Sora'd make Tidus fight.
"Oh, c'mon, not even going to fight?" Tidus teased
"I'm not the one lacking in experience, Tidus" Sora chided as the made way to the steps, they ran into some of Wakka's teammates who seemed itching to race
"Yuna, do you mind?" Wakka asked lining up next to Tidus
"Oh, of course, Sora are you-"Sora waved his hand in front of his face
"Nah, I'd win no contest" Sora teased
"Don't be so sure, Sora, you ran out of energy so easily, you'd pass out before you even made it to the top!" Tidus shot back
Sora slightly peeved lined up next to Wakka as Yuna started the countdown ready was followed by laughter by the young maiden as she rushed off, the others soon followed, only Tidus was either too shocked or confused to realize the race started. Sora was surprised at her mischievous antics and rushed up after her, catching up to her – easily surpassing her and holding the lead without much effort, he all too soon wished he hadn't.
"Sinspawn!" Sora shouted as the rest of the group rushed up with Sora already in battle stance two tentacle like hands and a dome erected in the ground,
"Lulu, Wakka, take out those arms, Tidus, Kimahri, with me, Yuna, stay back and summon your Aeon," Sora barked out commands quickly rushing and slashing at the dome with rapid yet seemingly ineffective strikes, only when Kimahri and Tidus attacked with him did it seem to take effect and the beasts true from was shown.
"Yuna!" Sora shouted, as if hoping she was complete,
"A-Almost" She responded
"We don't have time for almost!" Sora rushed over to her,
"Tidus, keep it busy!" Sora commanded and concentrated on his keyblade
"Hold out your staff," Sora instructed
"But, wh-" Sora cut her off
"Just trust me, Yuna" Sora pleaded
She gently placed her staff in the same angle as his blade and the two weapons began to radiate with a bright pillar of light came forth and her Aeon, Valefor came forth.
"Y-You can summon?!" Yuna asked flabbergasted
"Guess…I didn't put that on the resume?" Sora joked as he rushed back into the fray not realizing it launched its tentacles at the trio, before any of them could make a move Valefor shot a ray of energy at the beast stopping it's movements – and in good time, Wakka and Lulu finished off its arms, it was backed into a corner.
Lulu and Sora sent blast after blast of fire magic and Wakka was sending blitzballs filled with fire magic at the sinspawn the beast went up in smoke in seconds, literally.
"Yeesh…" Tidus huffed
"Haha, hoped to break you into being a guardian a bit easier" Wakka joked
"Being a guardian is tiring" Tidus sighed
"Haha, this is nothing, Tidus"
"You did handle yourself pretty well, you've got talent" Wakka complimented
"Sora, you're a natural, you've got real talent as a leader and as an obvious guardian, but…who knew you had the ability to summon just like Yuna?" Wakka asked
"No, not the same, I doubt I could summon something like her, but I can help her, offering my power to the Aeon." Sora commented
"So…what are these sinspawn?" Tidus asked changing the subject
"Fiends, they fall from sin's body in its wake" Lulu answered walking away
"Leave them alone and sin'll come back for them, gotta be quick"
"So uh, they have fiends in Zanarkand too?" Wakka asked a bit awkwardly
"Just a few, it's a big deal when one shows up" Tidus responded then paused
"Hey I since when have you believed me about Zanarkand anyway?" Tidus questioned
"Ive been thinking, maybe people sin gets to don't die, maybe sin carries them through time like a thousand years or so and they just pop back one day," Wakka theorized
"…That…can't…be" Sora whispered to himself
"If that's right…then…what about me? How far have I traveled in time, how would I ever get back to fix what I've…" He grit his teeth
"Sora, are you…alright?" Yuna asked
"It, it's nothing, Yuna, don't worry" The concern on her face didn't vanish he forced himself to smile at her and her concern, at least her physical concern vanished as for internally, he had no clue, but all too returned when she heard Lulu's outburst
"No one can replace Chapu, try as you might, no one can replace sir Jecht, and no one can definitely replace lord Braska"
"You don't need a replacement, Lulu" She turned back,
"People, may come and go, but they'll always be in your heart, you'll never forget the experiences you've had and eventually…you can get passed the pain you felt, Jecht and Braska as you've mentioned were strong," He paused looking at her with flaring eyes "You don't need a replacement, you need strong bonds, strength is only as strong as your bonds are, if you think finding someone exactly like someone else like Jecht or Braska will make a difference in this, you're wrong, this is…our story you – we can get through this, you shouldn't discourage someone for trying to be optimistic!" Sora defended
"You, both of you, really are foolish" Lulu commented before walking away, Yuna quickly followed
"I know what it's like to want to be like someone else, but it's not possible…Cloud, what would you do in this situation?"
They made way up the steps heading towards the giant tower; a group ahead came walking out and Wakka approached them
"You here to pray too?" Wakka asked
"Us, pray? Who needs to pray the Luca goers always win" The man said condescendingly
"Then why are you here?!" Wakka questioned
"We've been praying for competition, this year," He paused
"So what's the goal this year to do your best?" He joked
"Your best isn't good enough so why bother?" Tidus looked ready to blow
"This time, we play to win"
"Just remember," They started to walk away
"Even kids can play"
"Will beat them…we have to" Tidus whispered
"You know that team?" Yuna asked
"Putting people down…their as bad as my old man!" Tidus glared
"But…Sir Jecht was a kind and gentle man"
"Well, not my Jecht" Tidus hissed
"Time changes everyone, Tidus." Sora commented before walking off
Yuna came up to the raven haired teen in a bit of a cautious manner with a childlike look in her eyes
""You…really do understand don't you?" Yuna asked
"Understand, what exactly?" he shifted his weight to look her dead in the eyes
"What it means to truly live, and understand what it means to know that people can change,"
"Well, yeah, I guess, I guess… you can say I've been through a lot" Sora looked away
"I really feel…" She paused searching for the words
"Like…I can trust you and that I can talk to you about things, I felt that, when you shared your power with mine…your strong sense of justice and care you feel…I feel closer to you" She looked at him as if searching for something
"…Yuna," He looked back a bit confused
"Whatever you need…don't hesitate to come to me, okay?" Sora smirked softly
"What I'd need…or like is to see you smile, just once" She whispered
"Hm?" Sora asked Yuna quickly became flustered and rushed off towards the tower, Sora shrugged and walked in after her, inside everyone was waiting already, Tidus and Wakka praying already. Yuna looking ahead notice two people coming down some steps, she quickly intercepted the two.
"Hello, my name's Yuna, summoner, Yuna,"
"Dona, so your high summoner Braska's daughter, that's quite a name to live up to, my, my, my and these people are your guardians? As I recall lord Braska had only two guardians, quality over quantity, my dear, I have only need of one guardian, right Barthello?"
"I only have as many guardians as I have people I can trust; I trust them all with my life"
"To have so many guardians is a joy and an honor, even more so than being my father's daughter.."
"You may think you only need one guardian…but truth be told even Tidus here could be your little lackey there" Sora said nonchalantly coming up beside Yuna
"Hey, don't put me in on all of this; I'm not even as experienced in battle as you!" Tidus retorted,
"Of course" Yuna continued
"I'd never think ill of your ways, so lady Dona, I ask you, leave us in peace" Yuna more so commanded than asked
"You do what you want, Barthello, were leaving" Sora intercepted her route,
"This is a personal remark, seeing as I'm not a guardian, my words carry no direct impact on lady Yuna," Sora glared let his eyes change freely
"Cause problems for her, or anyone in this group, I'll see to it, you find something greater to fear, that Sin itself" Sora threatened
"I have no fear of you, this threat is wasted," Dona pushed onward
"Oh, that wasn't a threat but a promise, and I have a thing about those; I don't break them, heed my words" Yuna sighed and turned towards Tidus with a smile
"You'll have to grow stronger, if you wish to protect her…Tidus I'll make sure you do"
Walking up the steps and into what was obviously an elevator Sora not stood by leaning up against the wall as Lulu asked if Wakka and Kimahri were ready before they stepped onto the platform, Yuna did a short prayer and Tidus stepped on only to be pushed off.
"Hey, what gives!" Tidus asked shocked
"You aren't a guardian, yet." Lulu pointed out obviously
"Will uh, be back as soon as we can" Yuna reassured Sora shrugged it off
"I'll only be a short call away, anything happens," Sora called out and Yuna smiled softly nodding
As they descended Tidus looked at the raven haired teen with a bit of a scowl
"How is it you…you've gotten so close to her so easily?" Tidus asked he could tell he wanted to demand it
Sora shrugged "I'm not a kid, Tidus" Sora responded simply the blonde glared
"What's that supposed to-"Sora cut him off
"I'm only here to help her, I'm not here to win her heart as you've painfully made obvious even if you didn't or not, I'm going to protect her, make sure anything I can do, I will do, and when this is over, get the revenge I've been searching for." Sora stated looking away "Even if I became her guardian, the only one she'd truly want to protect her, is you" Sora slopped down on the ground quietly
Tidus mauled over what he said before slowly stalking out or well…tried to
"Where's Yuna" Dona asked Sora glared Tidus pointed off to the direction
"Then, why are you here?"
"Neither of us are guardians" Sora growled out
"Not a guardian you say?" before Tidus knew what was going on Barthello lifted up the blonde
"Do yourself a favor, and put him down before I end both of your lives prematurely" Sora threatened
"Oh, you, well, you alone aren't much of a th-"A thud was heard and Barthello doubled over dropping Tidus onto the elevator
Sora's fist dislodged from Barthello's gut and sighed rushing over to Tidus
"What's the big idea!" Tidus shouted
"Heh, just a game" Dona commented Sora was trying to get Tidus off the elevator before it lit up, and quickly realized they'd be teleported
"Tidus" Sora hissed out
"W-What?"
"I…really hate you right now, just know that"
"Dona, the next time meet, I'll make sure you feel, true chaos" the platform vanished below
The hopped off the elevator, Tidus made his way to the door adjacent,
"We've come this far, even if we aren't guardians we may as well-"
"No, we shouldn't, but I really don't feel like fighting you on this because you'll go even if I tell you not to, go ahead," Sora chided
Inside they noticed a series of contraptions which made apparent that this was a maze
"I, really hate mazes" Sora whispered
"Oh, this'll be a breeze with both of us working together" Tidus chuckled much to Sora's annoyance
After what felt like hours of trials and tribulations they made it to a long hall and Sora swore if he had to do something similar he'd rip the place a part
"Woah, woah woah!" Tidus heard Wakka shout as he came up to the blonde
"It was Dona and her lackey," Tidus answered honestly
"Yeah, right, I took out Barthello and you just managed to get stuck on that stupid elevator, once again this is why I hate you, this wouldn't have happened if you…Bah" Sora looked away aggravated
"It doesn't matter, you both will be the ones to suffer" Lulu pointed out
"…Tidus" Sora growled
"Oh, c'mon this wasn't even my fault! Blame Dona!" Tidus defended
"You had to press on I knew you wouldn't listen," He sighed "Whatever suffering will have to go through…really can't be that bad, right?"
"She could be ex-communicated" Wakka pointed out
"…What?" Sora deadpanned
"If that happens…I'll never be able to get rid of Sin and stop Genesis before he can get to it, damn it!" We can't let that happen!"
"It really is too late now, you're already here, will just have to hope for the best, Sora" Wakka waved off his concern
Tidus started to ask questions about what the summoner was doing, and what it meant to create or rather summon an Aeon, Sora on the other hand actually contemplated if he'd even be able to summon an Aeon given the chance, he honestly doubted it. Soon the door opened and Yuna came out slowly and collapsed on her knees.
As Sora stood there amongst the group he truly felt…the innate need to keep them all safe, more so Yuna, probably because he saw some of his old friend, Kairi in her, and…even a hint of Yuffie he almost felt like smiling…almost
Walking out, they were greeted by many civilians crowding over Yuna he looked off towards the distance and felt…a bit of an evil presence he couldn't quite place but he knew it was familiar somehow,
"You're close, aren't you?"
They made way past the crowd and Tidus suddenly stopped
"Are, are you alright?"
"It's just…I don't know" He answered honestly
"What…do…you want to do?" Yuna asked
"To scream real loud" Sora deadpanned
"I really question how you and I are friends" Sora said off-handedly
Yuna giggled ever so slightly before his scream came, Sora didn't even have time to cover his ears and his Mako infused body was literally shattering his hands went over his ears as his eyes widened
"SHUT, UP!" Sora shouted everyone looked towards the two Sora felt blood slowly dribble out of his ears.
"Do that again, I dare you," Sora glared
"Are you really that sensitive, Sora?" Wakka asked almost concerned
"The price of becoming strong, of gaining strength is one paved with pain and loneliness" Sora looked away a sad gleam in his eyes as he whipped the blood away and walked off.
"I wonder, just what he went through" Yuna asked sadly
"If he wants to tell us, he'd tell us best not to pry.." Lulu commented
"Leave him be, Ya' He'll come around" Wakka reassured
"I, hope your right" Tidus felt…a bit neglected and a bit guilty…it was kind of his fault
"I should…apologize" Tidus chased after him
"When he finally caught up Sora was rotted in the ground
"Sora, I-"
Don't, we have more pressing matters; we need to get going…" Sora had urgency in his voice
"But, why?"
"You don't need, or want to find out, Tidus" Sora rushed off towards with Tidus in tow
"I can't…go full chaos with them near, they'll…think of me as a fiend, damn it!"