Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Golden Silence ❯ Firestarter ( Chapter 6 )

Golden Silence

Lady Mars

Chapter VI: Firestarter

Disclaimer: I don't claim to own FFX; I still don't own a copy of that. I do own a copy of FFVII, but I can't get the stupid game to save…. I need a frickin' PS One card and I'm too cheap. Anyway…On with the show before someone intrudes.

* * *

He has lived a time of true pain

And holds a body full of shame.

Only when the evil shows its wretched face

And calls out its power on the island place

Shall the true nobility of a summoner be tested

And the ultimate friend is requested.

* * *

Tidus slowly cracked his eyes open against the harsh, morning sun. As his eyes adjusted, his mind started to piece together where he was and what had happened. When his sleep-fuzzed mind finally pieced everything together, he shot up out of bed. He tore out of the hut where he had been residing and promptly plowed into a hunk of dark scales. The dragon chuckled as he stumbled backwards, trying to regain his balance.

"Good morning, sleeping beauty."

'Very funny.'

"I'm sorry, I couldn't resist."

'I know, I know.' He slowly climbed on to the dragons back. The dragon, in turn, arose from his resting place and slowly walked out of the small village. 'So why are you still here?'

"You didn't send me back before you put the lock in place." Tidus turned beet red.

'Sorry…'

"Don't worry about it, I didn't get THAT many bad looks. Except from that mage…. She's been looking at me funny ALL morning."
'You mean Lu?'

"Yeah, that's her. Strange one she is."

'That's just the way Lu is.'

"You mean she's ALWAYS like that?"

'Yes, she is. And there isn't a thing we can do about it.'

"Damn. So she's gonna be looking at me funny for quite some time now, huh?"

'Probably. But I do have good news.'

"You do?"

'Yeah, I got in contact with him.'

"You did?"

'Yeah. And we no longer have to go to Gagazet to talk to him'

"Oh thank Yevon, my prayers have been answered!"

'Did you really hate it that much?'

"Yes! It's too cold up there!"

'It's a mountain, it's supposed to be cold.'

"Right, right, right. So how are you gonna get in contact with him?"

'Through the temples. It's much more convenient.'

"You'd think so." The dragon came to a stop and Tidus leaped off his back.

'You ready to go back?'

"Oh yes."

'OK then, until I need you again.' The dragon nodded. Tidus swung his hand in an arc and the dragon let out on long trumpet before disappearing from sight. Tidus sighed and walked on quietly. He was unsure about his future as he reached the small prayer site looking over Besaid. He slowly stopped to inspect the blue stone that had once held his sword. He gazed at the pendant still lodged into the stone.

"You ok?" Tidus turned to see Rikku approaching. He sighed.

'At this point, I'm not really sure.'

"Not really sure?" Rikku stared at him. "What's the problem?" He sighed again. Wakka walked up behind her.

"What's goin' on?" he questioned.

"Something is wrong with Tidus."

"There is?" Wakka stared at Tidus.

'I guess, but I'm not really sure.'

"What do you mean you're not sure?" Tidus sighed.

'Have you ever had that feeling that something is going to go horribly wrong?'
"Yeah?"

'Well I've been having that feeling a lot lately and I can't shake it. And whenever I have these bad feelings, something bad happens.'

"Are you sure?" Rikku asked.

'Positive.' Tidus slowly began to walk away from the pair.

"Where ya' going, brodda?" Tidus shrugged and kept walking.

'At this point, I don't know and really could care less.' Rikku and Wakka watched in silence as Tidus's form disappeared into the forest.

"What do you think is wrong with him?" Rikku asked.

"If I knew, I'd be more than glad to tell you," Wakka replied.

* * *

Tidus sat overlooking one of the many shore views on the island. He was lost in thought on how he was going to proceed with his quest.

"You in there?" Tidus jumped when the large dragonhead appeared in his field of view.

'How did you get back here?'

"You summoned me, remember?"

'Oh yeah, sorry.'

"It's ok. So what do you want?"

'I want to know where you think I should go next.'

"Go next? You mean like a place?"

'Not exactly. I mean… More like what should I do to carry on with my quest?'

"How 'bout summoning bird-boy?"

'I thought of that, but he says I need to prove that I'm worthy of having him.'

"The stupid stick-in-the-mud. He should come when you fucking call for him!"

'It wasn't his choice.'

"Then who's choice was it? I wanna torch the bastard!"

'I wouldn't do that.'

"AND WHY NOT?"

'It was HIS choice and if you do something like that, he could do something to me. He does supply some of my power, REMEMBER?'

"Oh yeah, sorry."

'That's ok; I know you're angry. Quite frankly, I am too, but there isn't anything we can really do but wait until I "prove myself" to him.'

"True. But how are we gonna know when you've 'proven yourself?'"

'He said he'd leave an obvious sign and then show up.'

"That is bird-o, right?"

'Yes, it is.'

"Ok, at least I'm on the right track this time. So what do we do now?"

'That's what I asked you.'

"Oh yeah…" The pair sat in silence for a few moments. "How about we go where ever the wind takes us?" Tidus stared at the dragon, a bit confused.

'What do you mean by that?'

"Actually, I'm not sure… It just sounded good so I said it."

'Now that's my kind of logic.' Tidus stood up. 'I'm ready to follow if you're ready to lead.'

"Ok then!" The dragon lowed itself to the ground and Tidus vaulted up onto its shoulders. The dragon took off with one clean sweep of its wings. The beast sailed quietly over the calm seas of Spira. "So what do you think is going to happen to us when this whole escapade is over?"

'I really don't know. I don't wan to go, but then again, I don't want to stay.'

"Don't want to stay? What do you mean you don't want to stay?"

'It's just that..' The boy turned to look at the forest. 'Do you see that?'

"See what?" The dragon turned his head to try to figure out what the boy was talking about. "I don't…WHOA!" The beast came to an abrupt halt. The pair stared at the large plume of smoke coming from the forest.

'Go over there, we need to know what's going on.'

"Right away." The dragon flew as fast as he could towards the smoke. He circled a few times before coming down to land. Tidus jumped off of the beast's back and walked over to Wakka.

'What's going on?'

"We're not sure," Wakka replied. "All we know is that Yuna is missing."

'Shit. This is worse than I thought.' The boy took off into the woods.

"WHAT THE HECK DO YA THINK YOU'RE DOING?" Wakka yelled at him.

'Going after Yuna, of course.' The boy disappeared into the dense forest with the dragon circling the air above.

"I think that boy has finally lost it."

* * *

Tidus push himself through the dense leaves, trying to find the summoner. The dense flames tugged at him, trying to bring him down. His lungs ached from the lack of oxygen.
'I have to keep going, I'd never forgive myself if I didn't find her.'He tore through the crumbling foliage until he reached a break in the trees. He broke through the dense plant life and into the semi-fresh air, gasping for breath.

"TIDUS!" His head shot up and he saw Yuna standing there.

'Oh that heaven you're ok. We need to get out of here.'

"But how are we going to do that?" Tidus pointed skyward to where the black dragon was breaking through the smoke. The beast landed and Tidus helped Yuna onto his back.

'Go.'

"But Tidus, what about you?"

'I'm going back the way I came.'

"Are you nuts?" The dragon bellowed. "You're gonna get killed going that way!"

'You are too if you don't get going!'

"But.. but.."

'GO!' The dragon hesitantly took off. Tidus tore back thought the burning woods.

"I sure hope he knows what he's doing…"

* * *

The group stood apprehensively awaiting Tidus' return.

"You don't think he's…" Rikku mumbled.

"I really don't think so," Lulu replied. "But we wouldn't know." The group continued waiting until a shrill shriek pieced the air. They all scattered as the dragon landed, rather ungracefully. Yuna jumped down from its shoulders.

"What's going on?" Wakka asked.

"It's…. It's… Tidus," the dragon replied. "He… his… his life force is fading. I'm loosing.. touch with him…" A few seconds later the dragon let out another shriek and disappeared.

"What the…?" Wakka asked. He stopped when he saw Tidus stumble out of the forest. Kimarhi raced forward and caught the boy before he fell.

'I guess I press a bit too hard this time, huh?' The boy passed out in the cat's arms.

"You can say that again," Wakka mumbled.

* * *

Tidus slowly opened his eyes. 'I feel like I've been run over by a shoopuff.' He slowly sat up, trying to control the throb in his head. He scanned him self, dully noting that he was completely covered in bandages. 'Mental note: never go running into a fire.' His thoughts were interrupted by the squawk of a bird. He looked up to see a small, red bird sitting on his sword. 'Now? But I..' The bird screeched. 'Fine.'He slowly got up and walked over to his sword, lifting the heavy blade. The bird flew out of the hut, with Tidus walking slowly behind it. 'I know this isn't going to work.' He stepped to the center of the summoning circle. He hefted the blade over his right shoulder, and extended his left arm, collecting his energy in the process. He swung the blade wide and brought it parallel to his left hand. A small flame danced from his fingers, engulfing the entire blade. He sung the blade over his head and the fire dissipated, leaving a long chain spanning from the sky to the end of his sword. He swung the blade forward and the chain snapped in two. He stared as the broken chain landed at his feet. 'What the hell? I thought I wouldn't even get this far. Where did he.. what…?' The boy dropped to his knees, unable to support himself any longer. Wakka walked up to him; the other man was coming from the temple.

"What in the name of Spira are you doing out here?" The older man seemed irked. "You should be in bed, resting!" Wakka helped Tidus back to his feet and then slowly lead him back to his hut. Tidus took one last look at the pile of chain lying in the summoning circle.

'I've failed. I've failed all of you.'

* * *

Oi…That took too long to write.

TIDUS: Why do you take pleasure in doing these kinds of things to me?

Because it's fun and I love you.

TIDUS: Sadist.

Thank you!