Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ A Separate Thread ❯ Lost Pattern Found ( Chapter 3 )

A SEPARATE THREAD

By: aurons_girl

Chapter three: Lost Pattern Found

The next morning they approach Luca. It is a large port city, busy and surrounded by beautiful blue ocean. The stadium is in the middle surrounded by the docks. Each dock has a large colored glass globe attached, with a fire lit inside of it. As they arrive, they hear the announcements of the arrival of various teams.

As the group stands on the dock, people pass them chatting excitedly.

"Maester Mika is here!" one says.

"Already?" another asks.

"The number three dock!"

"What's up now?" Tidus asks.

"Maester Mika has arrived, that's what!" answers Yuna.

"Mika? Maester?"

"Maester Mika is the leader of all the peoples of Spira. He's come all the way from Bevelle. The tournament is being held to honor his fifty years as Maester," Lulu answered.

"Fifty years? Shouldn't he be, uh, retired by now?"

"Hey! Mind your mouth, now," Wakka said sternly.

"Let's all go see him!" Yuna said excitedly.

They run to the dock where Mika's ship has arrived. Loud joyous music is heard playing. Several people disembark. This first, an ornately dressed man with unusually styled long blue hair. People are all speaking at once.

"That's a Guado, right?"

"Who could it be?"

"Isn't that...Maester Seymour?"

Seymour turns to face the boat, where an old man is exiting. He bows and performs the prayer gesture. The crowd does this as well. Master Mika walks over and stands near Seymour.

"People of Spira, I thank you for your generous welcome. Rise Maester Seymour. And all of you as well. I present to you...the son of Maester Jyscal Guado, who departed for the Farplane a fortnight past." As he is being introduced to the crowd, Seymour nods and bows. "As some of you already know, he has been officially ordained as a maester of Yevon," Mika informed the crowd.

Seymour addresses the crowd. "I am Seymour Guado. I am honored to receive the title of maester. In life, my father Jyscal worked to foster friendship between man and Guado. I vow to carry on his legacy, and fulfill my duties as maester to the best of my abilities."

Mika and his associates leave. Seymour stares at Yuna, before leaving as well. Marina notices her half-sister in the group accompanying the two maesters. She is able to catch her sister's attention and motions her over.

"Everyone, I'd like you to meet my sister, Abra." Everyone exchanged hellos.

"Yuna, do you mind if I visit my sister during the games? I will meet up with you as soon as the Aurochs games are finished," Marina asked.

"I don't mind...that will be fine," Yuna assured her.

Marina thanked her and they turned and left.

All during this exchange, Wakka stood frozen. The woman he just met took his breath away. He'd never seen someone so beautiful. She had long reddish brown hair, and like Yuna, had two different colored eyes...one brown, one green. And she was so tiny. He hoped with her being Marina's sister, he would get a better chance to meet her.

Marina followed Abra to an area behind the Maester's box in the stadium.

"It's so good to see you!" exclaimed Marina as she hugged Abra.

"You too," Abra answered as she hugged her sister back.

The settled themselves in seats and began catching up on each other's lives.

"The last time I heard from you...almost a year ago, you were helping out at the temple in Macalania, part of the time, but mainly instructing Guado children in the ways of Yevon. Are you still doing that?" Marina asked.

"Well, I still spend some of my time in both places. But I am now an assistant to Maester Seymour Guado. When he is in Guadosalam, and doesn't need me, I work with the children. Sometimes I go with him to the temple," Abra answered.

"An assistant?" Marina questioned.

"Yes. Well...more of an attendant. We met through my work at his temple, and he teaches the children as well. We became friends and he asked for me to work with him. I travel with him when he must leave Guadosalam and tend to his needs."

"What does that mean?" Marina asked slyly.

Abra blushed. "It wouldn't be proper for me to talk about that," she answered quietly.

"Sorry...I'm just curious. I am fairly certain we will be traveling through Guadosalam later, perhaps we can meet privately then?" Marina inquired.

"Yes. How is Aurowen?" Abra asked, changing the subject.

"She's doing well. She is growing up so fast. And she seems to have my talent for magic, and Auron's strong determination. I think she's going to be an amazing young woman. I truly wish Auron could see her. It's hard sometimes. She has a lot of his temperament. Stubborn and strong in her beliefs. Sometimes, when I look at her...I can see him. She is a mixture of both of us...but at times I only see him in her. I guess that just shows how much I miss him. I've tried to tell her all I can about him, about us together; to keep his memory alive. I love him as much this minute as I did the day he left. He is my soul. There will never be another for me."

She paused a moment, with a wistful look in her eyes. "I only wish there was a way for him to know that he helped create a very wonderful person when he gave me Auri. I don't have any regrets about the short time we had together. A part of him lives on in her, I am incredibly thankful for our daughter. And I know that he loved me with all of his heart and soul. He gave up a life full of prestige to follow his heart. I will never forget that. My heart can live with the strength of his love for the rest of my life. But the part of me that misses his touch, his voice, his scent...that part of me wants him here with me so much!" Marina cried sadly.

Abra took her sisters hand. "I know...I am sorry. I am here for you whenever you need me."

"I know, and I thank you for that. And if you ever need me for anything, anything at all, you let me know. You always have a home with Auri and me. She would love to have you with us...so would I," Marina told her sister sincerely.

"I will keep that in mind," Abra said.

"So...have you met anyone you would consider spending your life with? I know Auri would love a cousin!" she teased. At her sisters horrified look she quickly added: "Just kidding with you, I am not rushing you, just curious. You know...if you'd met anyone you might be interested in," Marina inquired.

"Well...I have, but I can not speak of it at this moment. I am sorry," Abra answered.

"That's all right. I respect that. Well, it looks like the next match is about to start, and I thinks it's Wakka's team," Marina commented, and the sisters settled back to watch the game.

Meanwhile in the Auroch's locker room, all of the team is gathered, except for Tidus and Wakka. The door opens suddenly and in walks Tidus. A disappointed "Awwww" is heard from the team members, eager for news of what team they will play in the tournament.

"Where's Wakka?" Tidus asks.

"At the match-up draws," answers Datto.

"We had to play the Goers in the first match last year," said Letty.

"The year before that, and the one before that, too!" added Jasso.

"Well we would've lost to anyone anyway," remarked Keepa.

Wakka walks in. The team jumps to their feet and faces him, waiting anxiously.

"Cap'n Wakka!" Datto shouts.

"We're playin' the Al Bhed Psyches first. If we win we're in the finals!" Wakka began. "That's right, we got seeded! Two wins and we're the champions." Every one cheers. He continues. "First things first. Let's go over the basics again, boys."

They huddle, go over their game plan, and then sit to wait for their game to start.

The door opens again and Yuna and Lulu enter looking for Tidus.

"There you are!" Yuna exclaimed. "Someone said they saw Sir Auron in a cafe!"

"Au-Auron?" Tidus stammered.

"Yes, Sir Auron! Let's go find him!" she said.

Yuna walks back to the door, talking to Lulu. Tidus swears he can hear Yuna telling Lulu about Marina being surprised and how happy she will be. Before he can sort it out, Wakka grabs him.

"Hey! Hey, hey, hey, hey! The game starts like real soon! Come back quick, ya?"

"Hey, I'll be back!" Tidus assures.

"Yeah, okay," Wakka responds tensely. He looks tightly wound and about to explode.

"Hey, Wakka. You're stiff, man." Wakka tries to relax his face. "No, no...not your face," Tidus tells him. "Just breathe out, relax. Like this," Tidus says. He breathes in and out deeply, demonstrating for Wakka. "Just breathe! Yeah!" he encourages when Wakka finally gets it and begins to relax.

Yuna giggles, as Lulu shakes her head. The three join Kimahri outside the locker room.

"Maybe now we can find Sir Jecht," Yuna told Tidus.

"Huh? How?" asked Tidus.

"Sir Auron was also my father's guardian. So, he might know where Sir Jecht is. Let's go now!" Yuna exclaimed. She runs off and the others follow.

"It didn't even occur to me to think that the Auron Yuna was talking about...and the one that I knew from Zanarkand could be two different people. I don't know why, but I know it is the same Auron. But what is his connection with Marina? She said she was married to a man who accompanied Yuna's father on his pilgrimage....and he knew his father was one, and Auron was another...was Auron married?" Tidus wonders as he runs to catch up to the others. He meets two of the Al Bhed Psyches on his way.

"Y myto Summoner!" (A lady Summoner!)

"Fa sicd nabund." (We must report.)

"Hey!" Tidus says, attempting to speak to them. "Some Al Bhed saved me the other day and...this girl Rikku game me food and…" They just look at him. "Uh...You don't understand me, do you?" More silence is all he gets. "Uh anyway...If you meet Rikku, tell her thanks for me. Oh, and as for the first game? May the best team win!"

Tidus walks away. He leaves the locker area and the stadium and steps out into the sunlight, stretching. He looks around the square. People are hurrying, shops are crowded. Balloons and decorations are everywhere, and the air is festive. He sees Yuna and Kimahri standing off to the side, surrounded by people. Yuna giggles, trying to get though the crowd, which includes a news crew. "I'm sorry, please let me through," she says. She turns to Tidus and says, "Hey, let's go."

"You're really famous," he comments.

Yuna giggles. They start to walk away. Yuna looks around the large stadium at all the crowds. "I hope we don't get separated," she worries.

"Yuna!" Tidus shouts. She turns to him. He puts his fingers in his and whistles.

"What was that?" she asks.

"In Zanarkand, we do this to cheer on blitz players." He whistles loudly again.

"You try it too! Put your fingers in your mouth like this," he says, showing her.

"Like...this?" she says, not getting it quite right.

"Uh-uh, not like that, like this," he replies, demonstrating it again.

Yuna tries, and blows weakly twice, not making a noise except for the sound of blowing air. "It's not working," she complains.

"Practice!" he says teasingly.

"Okay."

"Hey, use that if we get separated. Then I'll come running, okay?" he started. "Well, guess we should just stick together, then, till you can do it."

"Yes, sir!" she answers, her voice full of mirth.

They enter a larger area of Luca, an area with shops and a cafe.

"Whoa! This is a pretty big town!" Tidus exclaims.

"Luca is the second largest city in Spira," she informed him.

"I thought every town was little--you know, like Besaid and Kilika."

"Towns don't usually get bigger than that. Because when a lot of people start to gather..." she pauses.

"Sin?"

Yuna nods with a "Hmmm."

"What about Luca? It's safe here?" he asks.

"It's not any different, but the stadium is here. The Crusaders fight to protect it will all their strength."

"They protect the stadium?" he asked.

"Blitzball's really the only entertainment that we have. Spira's a little short on fun these days," she answered.

"Whoa! Talk about pressure!'

"That's right! Is Zanarkand like this, too?" she inquired.

He looks around at Luca. "Well, there are more buildings. All tall ones and cramped together."

"They must be so tall!" she says with a gasp. "Don't you ever get dizzy?"

Tidus laughs.

"Let's go find Sir Auron!" she says with a smile.

They enter the slightly crowded cafe. Not finding Auron, Tidus sighs in disappointment. "Auron's not here," he says.

Yuna says "Hmmm", before walking over to talk to some of the patrons in the cafe.

Kimahri enters the cafe and is promptly confronted by two larger Ronso males with intact horns.

"Why not talk, Kimahri? Not see Yenke for ten years! Say something! " the first, a large, light grayish colored male says. "Kimahri forget Yenke? Forget Biran?"

"Leave Kimahri, Yenke. Kimahri is small Ronso. Kimahri so small can't see Yenke and Biran's faces," Biran, the darker gray-black colored male taunted.

"Kimahri forget Ronso friends? We taught you much at time of horn-molt! Biran taught Kimahri to be strong Ronso," Yenke said.

"Maybe taught too much," Biran said, as he pushes Kimahri.

"Take him out!" Tidus shouts.

Yenke laughs. Kimahri hits him with an uppercut, knocking him down. Every one gasps.

"Take it outside! The tournament's starting, you hear?" someone shouts.

Biran punches Kimahri.

"The game!" Tidus shouts.

Inside the cafe, people are watching a crystal television screen, where Maester Mika can be seen speaking.

"Today, on this glorious day, players form all over Spira have assembled here...to participate in this great contest of bravery, skill and strength," Mika says, standing beside Seymour.

"All of these fine teams, equally renowned, deserve to win the cup today. Such is the nature of this contest. Let us, the spectators play our role accordingly. Let us sing to the glory of the winners, and applaud equally the valor of the defeated. Contestants, may Yevon be with you," he finishes as he performs the prayer gesture.

The spherical bowl for the blitzball tournament fills with water. The crowds in the stand continue to cheer as the sphere is filled. Inside the sphere, the Aurochs take their positions and wait for the game to begin. On the other side of the sphere, the Al Bhed Psyches get into position. The ball is shot into the air; Wakka and the Al Bhed player both reach for it.

Back in the cafe, Kimahri and Biran stand in a face off. Yenke's still passed out on the ground.

"Kimahri! Yuna's gone!" Tidus shouts.

Kimahri looks at Tidus. Biran takes this opportunity to get in a punch. Kimahri recovers, looking like he'd like to kill Biran, but turns and runs out of the cafe. Tidus follows.

Outside they look around for Yuna. Lulu runs up to them. "Where in Spira have you been!?" she asks impatiently.

"Huh?' Tidus asks.

"Yuna's been kidnapped by the Al Bhed Psyches. In exchange for her safe return, they want the Aurochs to lose," she replies.

"What?"

"If they're only blitzball players, I doubt they'd do anything drastic. But we shouldn't take chances. Let's go get her," she answered.

"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?" he asked.

"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," Lulu ordered.

They head toward the dock, trying to head the shortest route first. It is blocked...probably by the Al Bhed. They have no choice but to take the long way. As they travel, they encounter ancient machina salvaged by the Al Bhed serving as sentries. They have to destroy them in order to pass. It is obvious that the Al Bhed expected a rescue attempt.

After the battle, they look up at a crystal t.v. screen, which is showing the blitzball game, tied 2-2. Wakka catches the ball and looks around. Three Al Bhed converge on his position. One smashes into him, and he drops the ball.

"Ow! He'll feel that in the morning!" one announcer comments.

"But the referee doesn't call the foul! Wakka's taking a real beating out there," says the other announcer.

"Still in there!" Tidus says.

"He won't last. Wakka's always like that," Lulu says.

"Ouch," Tidus says.

"Let's go," replies Lulu.

They continue to Dock 4. When they get there, they see the boat is leaving.

"Let's go!" Lulu shouts.

They jump onto the boat. Once on deck, a large machina emerges from inside and a battle begins. With help from a crane Lulu gets started with her thunder magic, the machine is defeated. A door opens and Yuna emerges. The Al Bhed guard watching her slumps to the ground unconscious.

"I hope you hurt them," Lulu said.

"A little," Yuna answers.

Tidus looks around the ship.

"What is it?" Yuna asks.

"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," Tidus said.

"What happened?" Yuna asked.

"Sin came near us. I made it out okay, but I don't know what happened to their ship," he answered.

"Um, was there anyone called Cid on that ship?"

"I don't know. They were all speaking that Al Bhed language," he replied.

"I see..." Yuna said with a pause.

"So who's Cid?" he asked.

"He's my uncle, but I've never actually met him."

"Wait. That means you're Al Bhed, too, Yuna?"

"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."

"You're worried he was...?" Tidus asked. Yuna nodded.

"Don't tell Wakka about Yuna's lineage. The thing about Wakka--he never had much love for the Al Bhed," Lulu warned.

"The game!" Yuna shouts.

"Oh!" Lulu said, flustered. She performs a fire spell in the sky. It makes a bright light. Wakka sees it as the time ticks down in the final half of the game.

The announcer speaks: "Thirty seconds left...The Aurochs are launching an all-out offensive!" Wakka swims quickly across the sphere.

"A long pass from Letty!" Wakka intercepts the ball.

"It goes through!"

Wakka avoids an Al Bhed defender and shoots.

"He shoots!" He scores with 2 seconds left. "Gooooal! Unbelievable! The Aurochs win the match, 3-2!"

"We won!" Tidus shouts.

"We did it! We're in the finals!" Yuna added happily.

"Not the most...graceful win. If it was Chappu, he'd still be standing," Lulu commented.

"Hey, aren't you being just a little unfair?" Tidus complained.

"Excuse me?" Lulu asked.

"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 pl-" he starts to say.

"You don't want to finish that sentence," Lulu said angrily.

They make their way to the locker room. The Arouchs stand around Wakka, who is lying on a bench.

"Sure you're all right, Cap'n?" Datto asked.

"The game starts in a few minutes. You sure you're okay?" Letty asked.

"We're playing the Goers, too," added Jassu.

Wakka picks up the ball and tries to sit up, but falls back and drops it. The door opens; Tidus enters, stops the ball with his foot and kicks it into the air.

"Miss me?" he asks. He passes the ball to Datto, who catches it. Yuna and Lulu walk in.

"Lady Yuna!" exclaims Datto.

"Are you okay?" asks Letty.

"All this because of me. I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!" Yuna cries.

"How can you let some Al Bhed kidnap you?" Wakka asks.

"Hey, let it go, all right?" Tidus says to Wakka, thinking of what he had learned from Yuna.

"Don't go near Al Bhed any more, okay? They're trouble," Wakka declared, before letting the subject drop.

Yuna, Tidus and Kimahri exit the locker room. She talks to Tidus for a moment, then heads off with Kimahri to find seats for the next match. Tidus heads back into the locker room, and walks over to Wakka, who sits up.

"The game starts soon. No time for warm-ups. Ready?" Wakka asks him.

"Lemme at 'em!" Tidus assures.

"All right!" Wakka replies as he stands. "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 respond with a hearty "Yeah!"

"A-am I on the bench?" Botta asks nervously.

Wakka steps up in front of Tidus, and places his hands on the younger man's shoulders. "I'm warming the bench. He's taking my place." He turns back to face the rest of the team. "All right, boys, let's win this one! Let's make the Goers goners!"

"Let's blitz!" shouts Tidus excitedly. He and the rest of the team exit, leaving Lulu and Wakka alone.

"I saw you floating there, on the sphere," she said softly.

"Hey...you weren't supposed to see that," he replied, embarrassed.

She concentrates on him, and he collapses. She catches him as he slumps forward, thankful for that bit of healing magic Marina had taught her. "You really gave it your all, didn't you?" she whispers to his unconscious form.

Outside the dressing room with Tidus and the Aurochs, Tidus cheers them on.

"All right, boys, what're we gonna do?" Tidus asks.

"Win!" they shout.

"For Cap'n Wakka!" adds Botta.

Inside the sphere of water, the Aurochs take their places, as do the Goers. Bickson and Tidus meet in the middle. Bickson laughs. Tidus just stares at him. Bickson extends his hand for a handshake. Tidus brings his hand forward, but quickly snaps his head back, as Bickson turns the handshake into an attempted punch to the face. With a blow of a whistle, the game begins.

At half time the team returns to the locker room. Wakka gives them some last minute instructions.

The second half begins. Partway through the second half, the action seems to stop. The fans have begun to chant for Wakka. Tidus looks a little disappointed, but realizing this is really Wakka's time, leaves the sphere, and Wakka takes his place. The game continues and the Aurochs win the tournament.

After the game, Wakka lies in the water, exhausted. Tidus swims toward him, and Wakka gives him a thumbs up. Suddenly the crowd screams. Sahagin Chiefs, fish fiends, surround them in the sphere. They have to take out about a dozen of them before finally being able to leave the sphere.

In the stands, the crowd is in a panic. "What's happening?" shouts Lulu, as she and Yuna look around nervously.

In the area of the stands where Marina and Abra are sitting, the sisters watch the panic. Fiends are beginning to appear all over, rampaging in the crowd.

Abra grabs Marina. "I have to tell you...I can't keep this a secret from you. If something happens, I can't go knowing there are secrets between us!" she shouts over the noise of the crowd. She pulls Marina to her, speaking directly into her ear so only she can hear. "You asked if there was anyone. There is...there is a man I love. Even though I shouldn't. It's...it's Maester Seymour," she finished.

Marina is shocked, but unable to respond as the women are surrounded and pulled to a more protected area by the Maester's guards.

In another part of the crowd, Auron stands alone, carrying his massive sword. People run all around him, attempting to escape from a large, four-legged, reptilian fiend. Auron eyes it without concern as it growls at him menacingly. He quickly gets into battle stance and slays it with one blow. As he walks forward, Tidus and Wakka catch up with him.

"Auron!" Tidus shouts.

"Sir Auron!" yells Wakka.

"So you do know him," Tidus remarks.

"Yeah. Best guardian there ever was," Wakka replied.

Tidus approaches Auron. Before he can say anything to him, another fiend attacks; a giant bird-like creature called a Garuda. They battle and defeat it. Before they can escape, they are surrounded by three more fiends. "Hey, gimme a break!" Tidus complains.

Seymour is watching the fear and panic as the fiends attack, from the safety of his seat overlooking the stadium. He performs the prayer gesture, and globes of energy surround him. An enormous anchor descends from above, penetrating the earth. As it retracts, it pulls forth a gargantuan aeon. The aeon, Anima, sends out shock waves like energy pulses, destroying every fiend it hits. Soon the attacking fiends are destroyed. Seymour smiles in satisfaction.

In the center of the town the Aurochs reunite with Wakka. He is holding a large prism-like trophy.

"You're really leaving?" asks Datto.

"Shouldn't you heal up first?" adds Letty.

"Yuna needs me with her now, I can't be lying around in some bed!" Wakka argues.

The team members all hang their heads in sorrow. "Yeah, but..." Datto begins.

"Come on, look sharp!" Wakka commands. They stand upright again. "The blitz season just started. Don't make those faces, ya?" He hands the trophy to Datto. "Well...See you boys! You be good."

The team responds with a weak, sad "Cap'n".

"I can't hear you!" Wakka states as he starts to walk away.

"Cap'n!" the Aurochs shout enthusiastically.

Wakka joins Yuna, Lulu and Kimahri on a long elevated walkway lined with benches, which leads away from Luca. Marina hasn't returned yet.

"Are you sure?" Yuna asks him.

"Never liked long good-byes anyways. Sorry for making you wait, Yuna," Wakka apologized. "I had some promises to keep ya? From now on, I'm your full time guardian," he assured her.

"Then welcome back, Sir Wakka. Good to have you with us," she replies happily.

"Hey, it's good to be back, ya? So any news on what happened?"

"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," Lulu answers.

"Maester Seymour's aeon...it was so powerful," Yuna exclaimed in awe.

On the other side of Luca, Tidus confronts Auron.

"Hey you! Don't just stand there! All of this is your fault!" he shouts in Auron's face, pounding on his chest. "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!" the younger man shouts hysterically.

Auron says nothing, just laughs. He knows a lot more than he is telling. "The boy thinks his life is bad? If he only knew….Oh, Marina..." he ponders sadly.

All is silent for a few moments, and Tidus calms down.

"Who are you anyway?" Tidus asks quietly of Auron, who stands facing away from him. "You knew my old man, didn't you?"

"Yeah," Auron responds.

"And you also knew Yuna's father."

"That's correct."

"Hey man, no way! There's no way. That is just impossible," Tidus argues.

"Nothing impossible about it. Jecht, Braska and I...together we defeated Sin, ten years ago," Auron informs him, turning back to face him. "Then I went to Zanarkand, where I watched over you. So that one day I could bring you to Spira," the older man stated.

"Why did it have to be me?" Tidus asked, now being the one to turn away.

"Jecht asked me to," Auron answered.

Tidus pauses a moment, pondering this information. He turns back to Auron and asks: "Is he still alive?"

"It depends on what you mean by 'alive'," Auron replies, turning away from the younger man again. "He is no longer human. But then..." he pauses, as if trying to find the words. "I felt something of Jecht, there in that shell, couldn't you? You must have felt him when you came in contact with Sin." He looks back to Tidus.

Tidus is speechless, unbelieving. He seems to be visibly struggling with this revelation. "It can't be..." he whispers.

Auron pauses again. This seems to be difficult for him as well. "It is. Sin is Jecht," he tells him forcefully.

This seems to infuriate the younger man. He rages: "No! That's ridiculous! No way! I don't believe you!" He turns away from Auron, and seems to be trying to ignore him, while fighting to hold back his emotions.

"But it is the truth. You'll see for yourself. Come with me," Auron orders softly.

"If I say no?" Tidus asks angrily.

"Every story must have an ending," Auron states.

"I don't care about your stories!"

"I see. Sorry you feel that way. Fine then. Come or don't come. It's your decision," Auron replies, growing frustrated.

Tidus explodes. "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 anyways. I have to go with you! I have to!" Tidus walks away and bends down, visibly upset.

"Irritating, I know. Or are you afraid?" He walks over to the younger man and places a hand on his shoulder. "It's all right," he tells him softly.

"Auron?" Tidus asks quietly. "Will I ever go home? Back to Zanarkand"

"That's up to Jecht. I am going to offer my services to Yuna. Come," Auron states, and heads off to find the others.

Back at the walkway, Yuna, Lulu, Wakka and Kimahri wait for Marina.

"Do you think he's gonna stay here?' Wakka asks, discussing Tidus.

"Sir Auron knows him apparently. You were right. He did meet someone he knew," Lulu remarked.

"Do you think he'll find a way back to Zanarkand?" Yuna asked.

"In any case, I'll miss having him around," Wakka stated.

"He's still in town, isn't he? I think I'll go see him..." she pauses when she sees Auron, with Tidus trailing behind him. "Oh!" she exclaims.

"Whoa..." adds Wakka.

"Sir Auron!" Yuna cries.

"Yuna."

"Sir?" she inquires.

"I wish to become your guardian. Do you accept?" he asks. She gasps.

"You're serious?" Wakka asks, surprised.

"No, no! We accept! Right everyone?" Yuna quickly recovers.

"O-Of course! No problem at all!" assures Wakka.

"But...why?" Lulu asks, still confused.

"I promised Braska."

"You promised...my father? Thank you, Sir Auron! You're welcome to join us!" Yuna exclaims.

"And... he comes too," Auron informs them as he grabs Tidus and roughly pulls him in front of him.

"Hi...guys. Eh...howdy!" Tidus stammers.

"This one I promised Jecht," Auron states.

"Is Sir Jecht alive?" asks Yuna.

"Can't say. Haven't seen him in ten years."

"I...see."

"You'll meet eventually," Auron declares.

"Yes. I'm looking forward to it!" Yuna replies.

Auron steps forward to speak to Lulu. "What's our itinerary? Where are we headed?"

She clears her throat nervously. "Um...I think there is someone else you should speak with first," she answers, as she points at something behind him.

Marina was running late, but in the commotion, knew it probably wouldn't matter. She was lost in thought as she walked. She didn't understand how her sister had become involved with the maester. Men like him were often bound to summoners, or other high-ranking females. They'd been separated so long, she couldn't see what was in store for her sister, and couldn't sense her feelings. She really hoped Abra wasn't setting herself up to be hurt, but vowed she would be there for her if she were. She was so lost in thought, she was sure she must be imagining things. She thought she had heard someone say Auron's name. As she continued on, she could hear Wakka's voice, carried through the air. But then she heard someone else, some one very familiar. Finally she saw the group waiting up ahead. She froze. Her heart felt like it had stopped.

"No...it can't be...can it?" She thought frantically. With them stood a tall man with dark hair. She only saw the back of him, but he wore an outfit almost exactly like what Auron wore the day he left Bevelle. She knew that crimson robe well...she had picked it out herself as a gift for him, before the pilgrimage.

The closer she came to them, the more apprehensive, yet hopeful, she became. Finally she came to stop beside a bench, just off to the side and behind them. She barely heard Lulu as she spoke: "Um...I think there is someone else you should speak with first," as she pointed in Marina's direction.

The man turned and..."Oh Yevon. It is him!" Marina thought as she clutched the handrail to keep herself from collapsing.

Auron turned in the direction that Lulu pointed, and was visibly shaken at what he saw. "M--Marina?" he stammered.

"Auron?" she whispered.

He slowly stepped toward her, extending his right hand to her. She held out her left hand and he took it in his. It was then he noticed the intricately engraved gold band on her left ring finger...his ring. He was stunned. After ten years, she still wore his ring, the very symbol of their marriage.

Seeing that caused whatever resolve he had to crumble. Auron, a man not known for openly sharing such intimate feelings in public, pulled Marina to him roughly.

She sobbed: "It's really you!" as he wrapped his arm around her and held her to him. She buried her face into his chest, tightly clutching his robe, rejoicing in the feel of having him hold her. He held her for a while; remembering the feel of her, and how fiercely he loved her, even now.

Finally he bent and whispered in her ear. "I can't believe this. This is--I am sorry, but we need to get moving, love. May we talk later?"

"Yes of course," she answered.

He held her tighter, nuzzling his face into her hair and neck, inhaling the wonderful scent of her, basking in the feel of her in his embrace. It was something he thought he'd never experience again. With a trembling sigh, he released her reluctantly, but kept hold of her hand. They turned toward the group again. All were looking at them with varying emotions. Wakka with slight embarrassment, Yuna and Lulu with happiness and Tidus with utter confusion. Kimahri seemed torn between happiness and worry.

Auron cleared his throat. "Let's get moving...there is no time to waste," he stated firmly.

"Hey! Come with me!" Yuna told Tidus, pulling him off to the side. "Hey, watch!" she exclaims proudly and then proceeds to show him that she can whistle like he showed her.

"Hey, you got pretty good," he replied quietly. He seemed preoccupied, and that worried her.

"You sound sad," she commented.

"Yeah, maybe," he answered.

"Wanna scream?" she teased.

"I really don't think that's gonna help this time," he said.

"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 feeling sad, you know? I know it's hard," she told him.

"Yeah...I understand. I think," he replied.

"Right, now let's see what you can do," she ordered.

"Huh?" he asked, confused.

"Come on!" Yuna commanded.

Tidus attempts to smile, making a lot of odd facial expressions in the attempt. "This is weird!" he exclaims.

"Next, try laughing out loud!" she said.

"What?"

"Come on, show me!" she insists.

Tidus stretches and then forces out a very loud, annoying laugh. Everyone stares at him.

"You probably shouldn't laugh anymore," Yuna teased.

He keeps laughing, and Yuna joins him in the fake laughing. Knowing they look ridiculous, they start laughing for real, tickled at how silly they look.

"Too funny!" Yuna giggled.

"It was your idea!" Tidus joked.

"Um...thank you. I want my journey to be full of laughter," she said seriously.

"Okay," Tidus answered.

"If we should get separated, just whistle. I'll come running. I promise," Yuna tells him.

Tidus nods with a "hmmm". "Well, let's go," he says to her. He turns around, and notices everyone staring at them. "What're you looking at?" he asks.

"We were just worried you guys might've gone crazy!" Wakka answered.

"Sorry," Tidus replied, embarrassed.

"Well then, all right. Now we go to the temple of Djose. And guardians? Don't forget to smile!" she joked.

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