Chapter 7 - Chapter Six-"The Amazing Disappearing Summoner"

Lulu ran up to them outside, she look quite disheveled, she kneeled down, breathing heavily, then came back up, “Where in Spira have you been?!” Tidus looked to her, giving her a funny look, “Huh?” Lulu growled, grabbing Tidus by his shirt, “Yuna’s been kidnapped by the Al Bhed Psyches! In return for her safe return, they want the Aurochs to lose!” Tidus’ eyes went wide, “What?!” Lulu let go of his shirt, putting her hands on her hips, “If they’re only Blitzball players, I doubt they’d do anything drastic. But we shouldn’t take chances. Lets go get her.” Lulu and Kimahri turned and began jogging off to the docks. Tidus called out to them, “I’m going too! This will be no problem! They’re telling the Aurochs to throw the game, as if they needed to! I mean, how good a team can they be?”

“Wakka said the same thing. He’ll take care of the game, we should go get Yuna. The Al Bhed boat is in dock four. Let’s go.” They continued running towards the docks, dodging machina sentries here and there, they finally arrived at dock four, where a sphere screen came to life. “The Aurochs are keeping the score tied with some excellent defense, folks!” One of the Psyches came up behind Wakka as he caught a ball, slamming himself into Wakka. “Ow! He’ll feel that one in the morning!” Wakka floated there, not moving, “But the referee doesn’t call the foul! Wakka’s taking a real beating out there!” Tidus pumped his fist at the screen, “He’s still in there!” Lulu sighed, “He won’t last. Wakka’s always like that.” Tidus sighed again, crossing his arms “Ouch…” Lulu turned and run down the dock, “Let’s go!”

Tidus and Kimahri ran down the dock with Lulu, the Al Bhed ship already began to depart. They ran, running up the ramp, Tidus, Lulu, and Kimahri leapt, floating in the air for a second, they came to a rolling land on the ship. The deck swung open, a large, ominous machine soon floated up, the back of it opened, revealing a dozen guns, it turned on, humming with electricity. Lulu lunged forward, holding out her hands, a gigantic bolt of white lightening escaped her purple nails. It burnt the air as it arched into the large machina. Sparks exploded out of it, as piece after piece began to fall back into the bowels of the ship. Lulu threw out her hands one more time and flames exploded up under the machine, sending it over the edge of the ship.

Tidus stood in awe, his eyes wide as the deck slammed back down. The door to the boat zoomed up, an Al Bhed slammed onto the floor, Yuna stepped out, smiling sweetly. She walked over to Lulu, who hugged her. “I hope you hurt them.” Yuna smiled, “A little.” Then she turned to Tidus, who was frowning, he looked around the boat. “What is it?” Tidus shook his head, rubbing his forehead. “There were these Al Bhed that saved my life when I first came to Spira. They took me on their ship, even gave me food. I was kinda hoping this was the same ship. But it’s not. I wonder if they’re all gone.” Yuna looked concerned, she stepped closer to Tidus.

“What happened?” Tidus looked up to her face, “Sin came up near us. I made it out okay, but I don’t know what happened to their ship.” Yuna looked around, to Lulu, then Kimahri, then finally back to Tidus, “Um…was there anyone called Cid on that ship?” Tidus shrugged, shaking his head, “I don’t know. They were all speaking that Al Bhed language.” Yuna sighed, stepping back; she stood next to Lulu, looping their arms as she so often did. “I see…” Tidus looked out to the water, then back to Yuna, “So…who’s Cid?” Yuna smiled, her eyes searching the metal deck of the ship. “He’s my uncle, but I’ve never actually met him.” Tidus nodded, then he smiled widely, “Wait. That means you’re Al Bhed, too, Yuna?”

Yuna nodded, “On my Mother’s side, yes. Cid is my mother’s brother. He became distant after my mother married. But she told me to seek him out if I ever needed help.” Tidus nodded, understanding, “So, you’re worried he was…?” Lulu interrupted him, stepping forward, “Don’t tell Wakka about Yuna’s lineage. The thing about Wakka-he’s never had much love for the Al Bhed.” Tidus’ eyes went wide and his mouth fell open, “Whoa! I gotta tell Wakka!” Lulu burst forward, grabbing Tidus’ shirt again, “I told you not to tell Wakka!” Yuna shook her head, putting her hand on Lulu’s arm, “The Game!” Lulu let go of Tidus, turning towards the stadium, “Oh!” She held up her hand, releasing a brilliant white orb which flew to over the Stadium.

***

Wakka looked up from the water, spotting the orb, he made hand movements to his team mates and they started attacking the Psyches. “Thirty seconds left! The Aurochs are launching an all-out offensive! I long pass for Letty!” Letty launches the Blitzball to Wakka, who catches it without a hitch, “It goes through!” Wakka shoots the ball, it barrels for the goal. “He shoots!” The ball slammed past the goalie, a loud horn sounded as the score board changed. “Gooooaall!” the timer buzzed as the Aurochs all came together in the sphere-pool, hugging. “Unbelievable! The Aurochs win the Match! Three to Two!”

***

Tidus and the group were all huddled in front of the sphere screen, “We won!” Yuna jumped up and down, laughing, “We did it! We’re in the finals!” Lulu shook her head, rubbing her left temple, “Not the most…graceful win. If it was Chappu, he’d still be standing.” Tidus put his hands on his hips, turning to Lulu, giving her a disgusted look. “Hey, aren’t you being just a little unfair?” Lulu crossed her arms over her chest, growling out her words, “Excuse me.” Tidus sighed, letting his own arms fall to his sides, “I know I could never take Chappu’s place. You’re the one who told Wakka that, right, Lulu? And I don’t think Wakka would ever try to take Chappu’s pla-“ Lulu already had Tidus’ shirt in her clutches, her face close to his, her eyes glowing with rage. “You don’t want to finish that sentence…” she shoved him back and headed off to the Locker room.

Tidus, Yuna, and Kimahri followed, but not too closely, for Lulu was throwing out sparks every now and then, obviously pissed off. In the locker room, Wakka was laying down on the benches, his team-mates surrounding him. Datto stepped close to Wakka, “Sure you’re all right, Cap’ n?” Letty stepped closer as well, “The game starts in a few minutes. You sure you’re okay?” Jessu stepped up, his arms crossed, “We’re playing the Goers, too.” Wakka tried to sit up slowly, he collapsed back to the bench, groaning. Tidus, Yuna, and Lulu stepped into the room. Tidus grinned, walking over to the group, “Miss me?” Datto quickly walked to Yuna, “Lady Yuna!” Letty followed, hugging her, “Are you okay?!” She stepped back, looking around the locker room, “All this because of me. I’m sorry! I’m so sorry!”

Wakka managed to sit up, he looked over to Yuna, “How can you let some Al Bhed kidnap you?” Tidus looked from Yuna to Wakka, “Hey, let it go, alright?” Wakka sighed, he rubbed his ribs, avoiding eye contact with Yuna, “Don’t go near Al Bhed anymore, okay? They’re trouble.” Yuna sighed and turned, she quickly walked out of the locker room, Lulu stared at Wakka, her arms crossed. “The game starts soon, no time for warm-ups, ready?” Tidus grinned, nodding, “Lemme at ‘em!” Wakka smiled at Tidus, “Alright!” He looked over to his team, “I got something to tell you boys. After this game…I’m retiring. I promised myself this would be my last tournament. Win or lose, I’m quitting Blitzball. But you know…since we’re here, we might as well win!” The Aurochs all nodded and spoke in unison, “Yeah!” The benched player, whose name is Botta, stepped up, “A-am I on the bench?”

Wakka shook his head, “I’m warming the bench. He’s taking my place. All right boys, let’s win this one! Let’s make the Goers goners!” Tidus pumped his fist into the air, “Let’s Blitz!” All of the Aurochs threw their hands up, cheering loudly. The team and Tidus ran out the door, heading for the stadium, Lulu stepped up to Wakka, who was now standing. “I saw you floating there…on the sphere.” Wakka sighed, stepping closer to her, he put a hand on her cheek. “Hey, you weren’t supposed to see that.” His speech was slurred and his eyes rolled into the back of his head, he went limp into Lulu’s arms, at first she was rigid, but then she relaxed, nuzzling against him. “You really gave it your all, didn’t you?”

Tidus and the Aurochs were all around the sphere-pool, Tidus put his hands on his hips, “Alright boys, what’re we gonna do?” The team all grinned together, throwing their hands up into the air, “Win!” they said in unison. “For Cap’ n Wakka!” Botta grinned sheepishly as everyone turned to look at him. They all jumped into the sphere-pool as the commentary started up. Lulu looked up to the speaker in the locker room as Bobba’s voice rang out, “This is it, folks. In just a few minutes, the championship game!” Wakka sighed, he pulled a pen from the wall, Lulu turned and read what he had put, “‘My best memories are here. Wakka, Captain of the Aurochs.’ That’s very nice Wakka.” She hugged him again.

“But who could have imagined…A championship game between these two teams? Our legendary Luca Goers going against…the horrendously ill-fated Besaid Aurochs!” The crowd was going crazy, screaming and cheering, “This looks like history in the making, Bobba.” Down near the crowd, a familiar red flicker of something walked past a few stands, Auron stood in the crowd; his eyes hidden by sun glasses. Inside the sphere-pool, Tidus and the Aurochs were getting into position, Graav and the Goers were doing the same, Graav swam up to Tidus, holding out his hand. Tidus went to take it, but Graav slammed it into his stomach. “They’re already going at it, folks! The Goers are taunting the Aurochs!” The horn that signifies the beginning of the game sounded out loudly, the Blitzball was released and off the two teams went.

Twisting and turning in the water, unbelievably fast. The Goers already had scored two goals, the Aurochs had one. Soon, the half time buzzer sounded off, the people in the stands were watching the pool, a slow chant started coming from the Auroch fans, barely understandable at first, but then the rest of the stadium joined in. “Wakka, Wakka, Wakka, Wakka.” Tidus looked around the stadium from the pool, “Everyone seems to be calling for Wakka, folks!” Tidus smiled, he slowly turned and swam his way out of the sphere-pool. “Say…where is that player going? He’s leaving the sphere-pool! He may be injured!” Tidus burst out of the pool, landing in the players exit, he got up, walking slowly into the locker room. Wakka looked up, nodded, and left for the players hallway.

“To be honest, I did kinda feel left out, but…it really was the Aurochs’ and Wakka’s show, after all.”

The crowd seemed to scream louder than ever as soon as Wakka entered the sphere-pool. “I wonder what’s happening? The crowd is going wild!” Wakka reached the center of the sphere-pool, he waved to the crowd and they continued to chant his name. “Ah! It’s Wakka! He’s back on the field and ready to go! The Aurochs seem glad to have him back!” The commenced and Wakka completely dominated the field. He tackled, swam for his life, and scored four times before the game was finally completed, leading his team into the victory he so craved. “Unbelievable! The Aurochs win, folks! This is one for the record books!” Tidus and Wakka were relaxing in the water after the game, the rest of the players had already left the pool and they began to make their way towards the players exit, suddenly, flashes of green color filled the sphere-pool and screams sounded out from the stadium.

The stadium had somehow filled with fiends, they attacked people, people attacked people, screaming to get out before they were killed. Tidus and Wakka were surrounded by a bunch of green, lizard-fish fiends, Tidus and Wakka began attacking their way towards the exit, cloud after cloud of pyre-flies filled the water and finally, they reached the exit. Lulu, Kimahri, and Yuna were standing in the stadium, Lulu was frantically looking around at all the fiends, “What’s happening?” Auron stepped completely into the stadium, shrugging his coat off his working arm. He pulled out his blade and dived in, slamming it into a huge lizard fiend, sending it into oblivion. “Auron!” Tidus ran up to Auron, followed by Wakka, “Sir Auron?!”

“So, you do know him?” Tidus looked to Wakka, Wakka nodded, “Yeah. Best Guardian there ever was.” The fiends seemed to be multiplying, every one knocked down, ten took its place, Maester Seymour slowly walked out onto one of the viewing balconies. He held his hands to the sky, it seemed to darken as a huge chain with a three-pronged hook crashed into the ground. Blood seemed to spurt up and out, forming a small pool around it. The chain began to slowly pull up, revealing a hideous Aeon. It seemed to be born of bondage, chained together, held back by woman’s arms around its next. It got its name by the picture hanging on its chest, the “Anima Soula”, or the woman in chains. Anima looked around to all of the fiends, its one exposed eye began to glow, a huge explosion of light came out of it and the bulk of the fiends exploded.

Animas eye kept lighting up and blowing out, the pyre-flies that resulted were sucked into the Aeons now bleeding eye. Later, in the market place, Wakka was surrounded by his team, he held the trophy close to himself. “You really leavin’, Cap’ n?” Datto was looking down, Letty stepped forward, “Shouldn’t you heal up first?” Wakka shook his head, “Yuna needs me with her now. I can’t be lying around in some bed.” The Aurochs all looked down, Datto spoke up, “Yeah, but…” Wakka sighed, looking to his team-mates, “Come on, look sharp! The blitz season just started. Don’t make those faces, ya?” Wakka handed the trophy to Letty, who took it reluctantly. “Well…see you boys! You be good.” The Aurochs all sighed, speaking very quietly, “…Cap’ n…” Wakka put his hands on his hips, “I can’t hear you!” The Aurochs all nodded, looking up, “Cap’ n!”

Later, on a large bridge that lead up to the exit of Luca, which was a large plateau that had a very, very big stair well. Yuna looked to Wakka, putting her hand on his arm, “Are you sure?” Wakka nodded, looking down to Luca, “Never liked long goodbyes anyway. Sorry for making you wait, Yuna. I had some promises to keep, ya? From now on, I’m your full-time Guardian.” Yuna smiled, nodding, “Then welcome back, Sir Wakka. Good to have you with us.” Wakka grinned, shaking his head, “Hey, it’s good to be back, ya?” He looked over to Lulu, “So, any news on what happened?” Lulu shook her head, shrugging her shoulders, “Not really. We don’t know where the fiends came from. Maester Mika is safe and sound, thanks to Maester Seymour. That’s about it.”

“Maester Seymour’s Aeon…it was so powerful.” Yuna looked off to the distance, in awe. Down in Luca, Tidus and Auron were standing around the docks. Auron turned to leave, Tidus stepped up, grabbing his arm roughly, “Hey, you! Don’t just stand there! All of this is your fault! Getting’ swallowed by Sin! Ending up here in Spira! Not being able to go back to Zanarkand-everything, everything! I’m telling you, it’s all your fault!” Auron laughed, shaking his head. “Who are you, anyway? You knew my old man, didn’t you? And you also knew Yuna’s father?” Auron nodded slowly, turning to Tidus, “That’s correct.” Tidus shook his head, waving his arms, “Hey, man, there’s no way. That’s just impossible.” Auron shrugged, shaking his head, “Nothing impossible about it. Jecht, Braska, and I…Together we defeated Sin ten years ago. Then I went to Zanarkand where I watched over you. So that one day I could bring you to Spira.”

Tidus crossed his arms, sighing heavily, “Why did it have to be me?” Auron smiled, patting Tidus’ back, “Jecht asked me to.” Tidus looked up, “Is he alive?” Auron turned away from Tidus, stepping towards the water, “It depends on what you mean by ‘alive.’ He is no longer human. But then…I saw something of Jecht there in that shell, couldn’t you? You must have felt him when you came in contact with Sin.” A flash of light filled Tidus’ eyes, “It can’t be…” Auron turned, looking back to Tidus, “It is, Sin is Jecht.” Tidus turned, stomping his foot, balling his fists, “No! That’s ridiculous! No way! I don’t believe you!” Auron sighed, stepping up to Tidus, “But it is the truth. You’ll see for yourself. Come with me.”

“If I say no?” Auron groaned at that, shaking his head, “Every story must have an ending.” Tidus growled, stomping again, “I don’t care about your stories!” Auron sighed, looking down to the ground, “I see. Sorry you feel that way. Fine, then. Come or don’t come, its you’re decision.” Tidus cried out, shaking his head, “What am I supposed to say? You tell me its my decision…But I don’t have a choice, do I? You’re the only one who can tell me what’s going on, anyway! I have to go with you! I have to!” Auron chuckled at that, turning around, “Irritating, I know. Or are you afraid? It’s all right…” Tidus walked around in a circle for a bit, thinking, then he looked to Auron, who was standing there, ever patient. “Auron? Will I ever go back home? Back to Zanarkand?”

Auron shrugged, “That’s up to Jecht. I’m going to offer my services to Yuna. Come.” Auron and Tidus began to make their way to the bridge. Yuna and Wakka were still watching the horizon. “Do you think he’s staying here?” Lulu stepped up, looking to Wakka, “Sir Auron knows him, apparently. You were right. He did meet someone he knew.” Yuna watched the crowd down in the city, “Do you think he’ll find his way back to Zanarkand?” Wakka shrugged, “In any case, I’ll miss having him around.” Yuna nodded and turned, heading towards the stairs which lead down back into Luca, “He’s still in town, isn’t he? I think I’ll go see him…oh!” Tidus and Auron had just reached to top step, they walked over to the group. “Whoa.” Wakka and Lulu stepped up. “Sir Auron?” Auron nodded to Yuna, “Yuna.” She nodded back, “Sir?” Auron, his face very grim, stepped closer to the group. “I wish to become your Guardian, do you accept?”

“You serious?” Wakka was in awe, he stared at Auron. “You refuse?” Yuna snapped out of her own daze, she stepped forward, “No, no! We accept! Right, everyone?” Wakka nodded, “O-of course! No problem at all!” Lulu stepped forward, her face skeptical, “But…why?” Auron stepped towards her, “I promised Braska.” Yuna smiled, “You promised my father? Thank you, Sir Auron! You’re welcome to join us!” Auron grabbed Tidus, pulling him forward, “And…he comes too.” Tidus scratched the back of his head, nervously glancing around, “Hi…guys, eh…Howdy!” Auron sighed, looking to Tidus, “This one I promised Jecht.” Yuna stepped forward, “Is Sir Jecht alive?” Auron shrugged, unhanding Tidus, “Can’t say. Haven’t seen him in ten years.” Yuna looked down, “I…see.” Auron patted her shoulder, “You’ll meet eventually.” Yuna looked up, smiling, “Yes, I’m looking forward to it!”

Auron looked over to Lulu, stepping towards her, “What’s our itinerary? Where are we heading?” Yuna waved Tidus to her and she walked to the balcony, “Hey, come with me.” Tidus walked over to her, smiling, “Hey, watch this!” She put her fingers to her lips and blew a loud, clear whistle. “Hey, you got pretty good.” Yuna tilted her head to the side, “You sound sad.” Tidus sighed, looking down, “Yeah…maybe…” Yuna smiled, getting a bit excited, “Wanna scream?” Tidus sighed and looked to her, “I don’t think that’s going to help this time.” She frowned, looking around for a moment, then she smiled, “You know what? It’s embarrassing to say this myself…but Summoners and their Guardians are kind of like Spira’s ray of light. A lot of people in Spira depend on us. I learned to practice smiling when I’m sad, you know? I know it’s hard…” Tidus nodded, still frowning, “Yeah, I understand…I think.”

“Right, now let’s see what you can do!” Tidus looked around, then he tried to smile, making a weird face, his cheeks went red and he looked around, “Th-this is weird.” Yuna smiled, “Next, try laughing out-loud!” Tidus looked to her, crossing his arms, “What?” Yuna grinned, nodding her head, “Come on, show me!” Tidus looked out to the horizon and began to laugh, almost manically, really, really loudly. Yuna looked around as people started to stare, “You probably shouldn’t laugh anymore…” Tidus looked to her and smiled, he continued laughing, she shook her head and began herself, they both paused, looking to each other, then both of them looked out to the horizon, laughing manically together.

After a few moments, they both broke out into real laughter, Yuna shook her head, “Too funny!” Tidus grinned, looking to her, “It was your idea!” Yuna looked down as they both stopped laughing, “Um…thank you. I want my journey to be full of laughter.” Tidus nodded, smiling, “Okay!” Yuna looked out to the horizon, smiling, she turned and leaning against the balcony, looking to Tidus, “If we should get separated…” Tidus looked to her, smiling, “Yeah?” She looked down, then back up, “Just whistle…I’ll come running…” Tidus grinned, then Yuna looked him in the eyes, “I promise…”

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