Yuna, Nooj, and Lulu return to the Calm Lands where an encounter with Wakka changes the board.

Other than a massive amount of editing for grammar/sentence clarity and a few new sentences added here and there this chapter remains mostly untouched. The title of this chapter has been changed completely. Also I'm finally done with the sequel so updates will mostly come in pairs now \o/

Thank you for the follows/reviews (truly deeply).

italics = denotes thought or memory

Not Mine

Overcome

Yuna took one step forward, then another, and another. Two more steps led her into the light and she froze at what she found there. Bodies lay on the floor, all of them dead and rotting. Their faces turned to her. And she knew them, the faces of her friends staring back at her. Only one of them was alive and he lay twitching, a hole where his heart should be, not dying, and yet not living. His face staring back at hers. "His story is over, this is your story now."

Yuna woke up screaming, her face drenched in sweat as she remembered Auron's dead eyes staring up into hers. Her heart pounded wildly in her chest and she reached over for where she had put the glass of water that night before she went to bed. Her hand shook as she picked it up and she swallowed it in short sips. Placing the glass back down she stared at her hands and could only see the blood of the men she had killed to free Paine. A voice in head, all too familiar spoke to her, "You did it to save someone, no one blames you."

Her mind answered Tidus, "What I did was wrong. I don't know if I will ever be able to forgive myself."

"You have to. The more you hate yourself the stronger he becomes. I have faith in you, you can overcome."

There was a knock on the door and Lulu poked her head in and stared across the room at Yuna. When Yuna looked back her eyes were listless, and dead. Her mind seemed to be elsewhere. It was times like these although terrible that Lulu truly felt were moments of wonder. They weren't good moments by any means, but they did show Yuna as she really was - tired, haggard, and utterly beaten. Lulu appreciated the honesty of it, "You said something about going to find the other Aeons?" she asked.

Yuna looked up from her hands, and then back at Lulu. It took all of five seconds for her face to change, from sad to a mixture of confidence and strength, a measure of the leadership role that she had to take up after those in her party had begun to fray around the edges. Although it was good for those around her, Lulu despised those moments, and for once, she wanted Yuna to cry. Just to let it all out, whether someone was looking or not. But Lulu knew that Yuna wouldn't allow herself that kind of luxury. She couldn't allow herself those weakness. Yuna nodded, "Yes, that's right. I did didn't I?"

Trying to hide what she had seen Lulu nodded, "Yes, you did. Come on, Nooj wants to come with us."

This shocked Yuna, "Us? What about the others?"

There was no sound from Lulu while she debated what to say and then she spoke, "Auron and Rikku want some time alone, and after what he did in the farplane I don't blame them. And Paine is talking to Gippal about something, everyone is busy."

Lulu didn't need to speak the rest; it was laid out right in front of her: They all had their own problems. They were too busy to help save Tidus. She guessed that it was about time that they did something for themselves - they had been far too centered on her for a long time. It didn't stop her from finding it disheartening to know that they had problems that they considered bigger than the end of the world. They were however only human, a trait she knew all too well. Standing up she smiled, "Okay, let's go. Just let me have a little time to get ready."

Nodding Lulu closed the door behind her and left Yuna alone to gather herself. She walked over to the mirror and stared in it for a good time. Reaching over to the bowl of water that rested on a small table next to the mirror she splashed some on her face. The mirror shimmered as Yuna looked up at her reflection, and what she saw caused her to yelp, "Tidus?"

A quick turned proved that he wasn't really behind her, but a look back in the mirror spoke differently. There he was behind her smiling, "You can see me?"

A sad smile passed over her lips, "Only in the mirror."

"The connection must be getting stronger." Yuna surmised.

The figure in the mirror reached out and touched her shoulder and Yuna felt it tingle as if he were truly there. She put her hand on her empty shoulder desperately wishing for the feel of his hand under hers, "That was proven when you took over my body and gave Wakka that big smack."

"Did I say how sorry I was about that?"

Yuna's eyes blinked and she took her hand off her shoulder, "Don't say sorry. You always ask me not to, we can share that promise together."

Tidus faded from the mirror and Yuna felt the loss of his presence deeply. Turning she put a false grin on her face and exited the room, following the twists and turns of the airship into the control room. Cid sat at that controls, both Lulu and Nooj next to him. They were looking over his shoulder at what he was writing and making comments on it. Nooj was nodding and pointing at the few things that he agreed with and the few that he didn't. Yuna walked up behind them, "What's so interesting?"

Turning to her Lulu pointed at the screen, "Look at all the fiends that have risen overnight. They know that something is coming, something big."

The dots on the screen were everywhere. Consuming the whole map. The red dots glowed up at Yuna menacingly. The only two places that remained untouched were Bevelle and Zanarkand. All the other cities, even Luca seemed to be up in flames. As the dots beeped Yuna held herself still even though all she wanted to do was shudder knowing that she and the one that she was trying to save, were the cause of this utter disaster. The air and everything else tasted like blood. Her dream came to the forefront of her mind, so many rotting corpses and their smells. She turned from her friends her hand to her mouth trying to drown the disgusting flavor. Cid turned the monitor off and turned to around, "Yuna?"

She looked up her eyes turning black with red hues, and screamed into her hand. The taste overwhelming her and pulling her further into her own mind. The screamed was muffled, and the breath that she released and was feed back into her mouth like a feedback loop tasted as rancid as the bodies. But this was just an illusion she knew, "I can them all in my mind. All of the people I couldn't save." her hand shook again and she had to brace herself on the wall.

Grasping Yuna's shaking frame Lulu looked Yuna dead in the eyes, which had simmered down back to their original colors, "We can't go today."

Yuna wrenched her body from Lulu, "I can't stop now. I have to push on."

A look of pain crossed Lulu features her bright red eyes turning into a dull muted maroon. She hated seeing Yuna in this broken state, the girl's mind brought to ruin. However she nodded her consent - they would go today. Nooj saw this and refrained from saying anything. Yuna was in no condition to go and take an Aeon into her and he knew it, they all knew it. But she was so far in love and so far into needing to save Tidus that they knew that if they said no, she would do it alone. So they would go and protect her best they could, they were stronger together, "We'll take her." he said.

Cid nodded and fired up the airship - thankfully the trip to the Calm Lands was painless and fast. The whole time Lulu kept looking at Yuna who had not moved from the front of the ship, gazing longingly out the window, as if waiting for someone or she supposed, talking to someone that she could not see. Her eyes blinked a few times, but each time the space between each blink was further and further apart until it seemed as if she never blinked at all. Had she not known Yuna she would have assumed the girl dying. However she knew better. Turning her eyes away she looked at Nooj who was also alone, he however was looking at her with vapid curiosity, and it made her feel naked. He often looked at her like this, as if he understood her more deeply than anyone. She crossed her arms over her chest and looked back at the front of the ship and felt it slow down, "We're here! Please embark safely, don't make Uncle Cid have to scold you for unsafe practices."

The three occupants departed and once outside the airship Yuna looked at Nooj face tilted, "So why are you really here sir?" she asked.

He glanced down at the girl, "Is that you talking or him?"

That was an unexpected question and she pondered it for a little bit, "What do you mean?"

"I heard that Yu Yevon can control your body."

Yuna shook her head, "Not him, Tidus."

The reply he gave her was short, "You sure?"

He walked off leaving her confused and even more perplexed, Yu Yevon couldn't take over her body. Or at least she thought he couldn't. So even thinking it was a moot point. She ran to catch up to Nooj who was now walking side by side with Lulu. She looked between the two of them and noticed how closely together they walked - how in sync. She wondered if they knew as Auron and Rikku had known.

The arrival at the temple was not something that they were expecting. The temple was swamped with Bevelle guards. They were everywhere around the area. At their center stood one man that Yuna knew very well. Beside her Lulu gasped and Yuna put her hand out to comfort her, "Moving on, that's what we said."

"It still stings to see him here."

Glancing around the place Yuna assessed the situation. There was no way that she could see to get in without being seen. Finally she spotted the Chocobo in the corner and nodded to herself, "I've got an idea."

Nooj turned to her, ever the tactician and spoke, "What?"

Yuna turned and pointed at the Chocobo, "See that there? We're going to create a distraction," she turned to Lulu, "You know how to whistle?"

At this Lulu got the gist of her plan and nodded. Yuna tugged at Nooj's sleeve and they silently made off into the shadows. Once they were safe in the cliffs Yuna took one last look at Lulu and smiled sadly, "Another sacrifice."

"That's him speaking - we are more than just sacrifices. Use your own voice."

Beside her Nooj was slinking around the corner and to the left side of the temple. Once they were close to the door Yuna pulled out one of her spheres and flashed it twice. Two bursts of fire answered her flashes and then a shrill whistle rang out from where Lulu was standing and the Chocobo ran. And with it all the other guards that were around the temple went to see who had made the Chocobo stampede.

With that sound Yuna and Nooj slipped into the temple.

Lulu stood her ground waiting for the animal to come to her, and just as Yuna had predicted - it did. She climbed on quickly and readied her electrical magic her fingers sparkling with untapped power. As she turned her Chocobo to flee the men came in torrents after her. Wakka leading the charge. She yipped at her Chocobo to go faster.

Another shrill whistle rang out and Wakka was mounting a second Chocobo. His blitzball in hand, he chased after her quickly gaining ground. She turned around and held her head proudly shooting sparks from her fingers, each hit men behind him the few aimed at him Wakka dodged deftly. Wakka threw his ball and she refracted it back with her moggle. Still - Wakka continued to gain ground, not letting up. Soon he was right next to her, his head turned, "I gave you a chance to give in, why didn't you?"

Lulu turned to him, "Because I love her, more than a memory."

"My brother is not a memory."

Lulu laughed harshly, "He is, and he should stay that way, just as you are now."

Wakka stopped his Chocobo for a second, "I am?"

Looking around she found that she was cornered by ten guards now on Chocobo's themselves, "I loved you Wakka. I cannot love you any more." she told him.

As she got off she put her hands behind her, signaling her admittance of defeat; she looked right at him red eyes blazing. Wakka held up his hand, "Not yet. Let her take us to those I know are with her. Lu-" he paused and seemed to think better of it, "I just want what's best for you." he finished lamely.

The guard let her go and threw her atop Wakka's Chocobo. She wondered how he had known that Yuna was with her, although she supposed it was easy to tell, for where Yuna went, her guardians often followed. As she held on to him so that she would not fall off she felt all of her anguish and all of her sorrow turn into deadly cold fury, the next words she said just low enough for only him to hear, for they were only for him, "You have never know what is best for me. No Wakka, I do not love you any more, I loathe you."

He did not speak, just urged his Chocobo on to the temple.

Yuna watched as Lulu sprinted off on her Chocobo and taking one last glance back, she did entered into the temple Nooj not far behind. Their boots made clicking sounds on the hard surface of the title that had been used to cover the floor. The room where the Aeon slept was right in front of them. Yuna signaled for Nooj to stay outside the chamber of the fayth as a lookout, she knew that they had precious little time. Wakka would quickly figure out that she was there once he saw that it was Lulu on the Chocobo and would be quick to have her take him to them.

She watched as the feathers spread to reveal the entrance. Her boots clicking all the way in.

Once inside she kneeled down and watched as the forms of three women appeared in front of her. Yuna stood up, "Hello."

The tallest woman acknowledged her, "You bring danger here with you, and you have created catastrophe in your wake. Why should I help you?"

There was a moment of silence, "Because I wish to save one that I love."

The figures in front of her laughed and Yuna took a step back, Paine had told her that the women that guarded the Mangus sisters were not of the kinder, nor gentler fayths. Now seeing it point blank for herself confirmed for her that Paine had not been lying. It made her wish that the spawn of Sin was here herself. She steeled her resolve, as the voice of the littlest fayth filled the room, "Just to save one that you love?"

"No, I also wish to save Spira from Sin for good."

A sick grin split the tall woman's features, "Even if they betrayed you? You would still fight for them?"

Red and blue whips of energy started to dance around the room, swirling around Yuna. The fayth held out her hand, as if beckoning her to take it, and for a second she wanted to. Her hand inched forward and she pulled it back willing herself still, if this was a test, she wanted to pass it with flying colors, "They cannot help that they are blind to what is going on."

"So you admit that they are weak?" the third and most plump fayth said.

Yuna felt her temper flare, a cold voice leaking from the walls and into the room, "You would do best not to anger her, all she asks for is help." Tidus said, coming to her aid.

"Help? What can I offer her that she doesn't already have?" she same fayth asked.

"The power to fight, you can offer her that. She needs the support I can not, and will never be able to give her. For now, her anger should not be provoked, he does lie inside her."

A cool blanket of calm spread over Yuna and she felt her temper slowly fading. The sensations of him filled her and she felt her body relax. A few deep breaths and she was able to look the Mangus Sister fayths again, with calm eyes, "There is nothing you can give me that I don't have, but you can help me obtain what I want."

She turned to leave and the voice spoke again, "Then we shall help you."

Letting out a sigh Yuna turned around, "What is your name?"

"We are Cindy, Mindy, and Sandy and we are yours to command."

The red and blue lights started to pulse around Yuna. Her body started to rise and her head tilted back in a silent scream. A light came from where the three sisters had been standing and floated over and into Yuna, as her body accepted the power that the fayth was offering her. Her feet hit the ground lightly and she turned to leave. Pulling back the curtain she was meet with Nooj's back, he was frozen in place and called back to her, "Stay where you are and don't move."

Voices filled the cavern, "So you're not alone? You can come out now Yuna."

However Nooj refused to move, still blocking her from view and still keeping her from coming out and helping him. She pushed past him, ducking under his arm and found Wakka holding a limp Lulu in his arms. And Yuna felt her heart stop, "No."

Behind her the glass that let the light into the room started to crack, and shatter. The wind came whirling in a howling circle around her body, her eyes still affixed to the body held in Wakka's arms. The floor under Wakka cracked and he had to dive to escape the fissure that started at Yuna's feet and splintered outwards. Lulu went tumbling from his arms and Nooj managed to save her. Holding her body close to his chest in mock embrace.

At the back of Yuna a shape was forming. A dark ball of purple and black energy surrounded by red light - something about it felt wrong. It swirled around her head but she didn't seem to notice it, still looking at Wakka, her mind on the body of Lulu and the sight that was her friend and mentor laying limp in his arms. A chuckling sound filled the room and the ball of energy hovered above Wakka for a few seconds, "Yes, I think you will make a very good tool."

The voice broke the spell that seemed to be cast over Yuna and she looked with wide eyes as the ball shot straight at Wakka. The second it hit him Lulu's eyes fluttered open and she struggled in Nooj's arms to get at Wakka tears forming, around her eyes. Her sight caught on the picture of Wakka's body contorting horribly. Limbs taking on all sorts of shapes they should not. Finally his body stilled - and then chaos broke out.

Wakka turned on those behind him, smirked once and pulled - seemingly out nowhere - a wicked looking sword. His movements were swift, his body possessed as he cut down each and every soldier in his wake. Lulu felt like throwing up at the sight before her, but her body wouldn't allow it.

"We must do something." Tidus spoke.

Finally having all her facilities returned to her, Yuna could not but help agree. Closing her eyes she gripped onto her staff, "Shiva!"

A roar of wind followed the summon as the Aeon descended from the sky. Seeing the Aeon Wakka turned and changed, his eyes now glowing a bright red. Shiva quickly moved out of the way and sent bolts of ice down upon him. Each one hit its target to devastating effect. When everyone could see again and the dust had settled Wakka was there, his body badly bruised and beaten - yet somehow still standing. He looked at them, "So, this is the group that plans to ruin my fun."

Shiva glided so that she was near Yuna, and all of the people who still remained in the room stared at the two of them. Yuna gathered all her courage and then spoke, "Please leave Wakka. I do not want to have to hurt you any more than this."

Everyone held their breath to see what Wakka would do. But they didn't need to worry and watched as Wakka ambled out of the destroyed temple - his life more important to him then continuing the fight. Collapsing on the ground Yuna looked up at the floating Aeon, "Thank you."

Sad eyes answered her, but Yuna could tell that while the Aeon felt Yuna's regret and feed off it - she did not feel upset for what she had done. This was the best possible outcome Yuna thought.

A flurry of snow and the Aeon disappeared leaving them staring at the wake of the Aeon and the destruction that their visit had impacted upon the temple. From her place in his arms Lulu looked up at Nooj, "Why did you save me?"

"You're kin." he told her.

"Kin?"

He didn't answer her, wanting her to discover herself and her own inner deathseeker on her own. Instead he helped her stand up. Lulu brushed herself down and Yuna stared at her mentor and friend, "Are you okay?"

"I am fine, do not worry yourself so." Lulu told her friend.

"So then what do we do now?" Nooj asked.

Lulu looked up at them, "We wait, and we pray, even if the system we pray for is broken." she answered.

Staring around the room, Yuna nodded. And then, finding the one place in the room that wasn't covered in bodies, she danced. Sending even those who had done her a great wrong. The endless cycle of death continuing on.

A/N: Sometimes you do bad things to main characters. This is one such time.