Protecting My Devotion - Group 11
Characters: Ellone, Rydia, Tidus
Progress: Ongoing
Summary: New!Memoria
Location: ...Memoria!
Date: March 11, 1805
Warnings: ...Possible violence? Panic? WHO KNOWS
( All these things that I've done )
Progress: Ongoing
Summary: New!Memoria
Location: ...Memoria!
Date: March 11, 1805
Warnings: ...Possible violence? Panic? WHO KNOWS
( All these things that I've done )
Their gaze lasted several seconds before Tidus stepped past her, towards the tick-shape of Yu Yevon, pulling out his sword and falling into his normal battle stance, finally answering Lulu. "I'm saying goodbye!"
Rikku nearly jumped forward, distress clear on her face. "Not now!""
"I know it's selfish... but this is my story!" he declared, and the battle was begun.
It was short - Yu Yevon was nowhere near as powerful as the creatures he possessed, likely why he needed to possess them in the first place. A few good hits and spells and it was down, less than half a minute later. Rocks clashed around the dissolving shape, only to release and splinter into shining bits of light, dissolving away after several seconds. Zanarkand was all around them, under them - they were standing on a platform several hundred feet in the air, the sprawling city all around, lit up at night as one blitzball player had once described it. It was breathtaking, for any who could pay attention to it.
Yuna was dancing when it was over - Sending Yu Yevon, the staff twirling around her body with everyone watching her. But she stopped with a gasp mid-dance when she turned to face them, only to see the pyreflies creeping from Auron's clothing at the back of the group, a sure sign that the Sending was working on him as well. That he was an Unsent. "Don't stop," the gravelly voice said, watching Yuna, who dropped her eyes.
"But I..."
"It's all right." There wasn't a need for him to say anything more. Auron started walking through the other Guardians, moving slowly to face them, acknowledge them in some way, thanking them and wishing them luck silently. His job was done now - it was time for him to rest. He paused by Tidus, mentor and student watching each other for a long moment before the other man broke his gaze. "It's been long enough." The former monk took a few more steps into the center of the platform, hefting his sword over his shoulder and turning to look once more at his companions. "This is your world, now."
And with that, the legendary Guardian dissolved into pyreflies, spiraling up into the air as if he couldn't wait to join his old friends as Yuna began to dance once more.
Reply
Rydia quickly glanced over, but Tidus' scene was too compelling not to watch. Her hands formed into fists, fingernails digging into her palm as she witnessed Tidus' farewells and the battle itself. Those fists scarcely relaxed during the aftermath, though the view of the sprawling city was indeed breathtaking and momentarily made her forget what she was watching.
Upon seeing Auron's disappearance, Rydia looked abruptly away for one moment. She knew what was coming, even as she didn't know exactly how it happened. But now she would find out, and likely the image would never leave her mind.
"Tidus...."
Reply
All she saw was the cavern. Still, she would be there to support her friends, so after a moment or two, she spoke. "What's wrong?"
Reply
And Tidus could feel himself going.
Looking down at his hands held out in front of him, he didn't see Yuna cease her dance as his body started glowing inside, a strange blue glow that turned him semi-transparent - he could see the hull of the ship through his own fingers. It didn't hurt, but he could feel his body disassociating itself from the real world, from Spira, as the basis of what had created him was taken away. He couldn't wait any longer.
Looking up, his eyes caught Yuna's again as she shook her head vigorously and barely managed to get out a strangled no... He pulled himself together enough to stop turning transparent, long enough to let him leave. He couldn't do that to her. "Yuna... I have to go." She could only shake her head again, and Tidus could feel the tears threatening. "I'm sorry I couldn't show you Zanarkand." He started walking hurriedly, away from the group, pausing a few steps away and turning back much as Auron had. "Goodbye." And before he could rethink it, he started for the edge again, even faster.
Rikku and Wakka started, reaching after him and following him for a couple of steps. "We're gonna see you again!" the Al Bhed called at his back.
The deck was long, and he hadn't reached the ending when he heard a muffled sob from behind him and Kimahri's deep voice - "Yuna!" Instinctively, he turned back, only to find Yuna running straight at him, her arms rising to catch him and bring him back. He brought his own up as well, momentarily forgetting what could happen-
-what did happen as Yuna didn't run into his embrace, but through it, through him entirely as his body phased partially out of existence, crashing to the deck behind him. The others gasped, stunned into virtual immobility, as Tidus could only stand there as his heart broke, trying to pull himself back together. Yuna didn't move for several seconds, pyreflies filling the air around them, but finally she pushed herself to her feet, trying not to cry and, for the moment, succeeding. Her voice was barely a whisper, but he heard her clearly. "I love you."
Tidus spun to look at her, the pain plain in his face; he didn't say the words himself, but it was clear he thought them. Slowly, he approached her, his steps echoing on the metal as he raised his arms again. One more - just one more, that's all I want... His body was still flickering as he put his arms around her, and for a moment it looked as though he would pass straight through her, but at the last moment the light dimmed within him, leaving him solid and real and able to hold her one more time, his arms wrapped around her shoulders and his head leaning against hers, pain in both their faces as they took what they could from this moment - the last they would ever have together.
Several seconds later, Tidus let his arms fall away, and the flickering came back with a vengeance - he stepped forward, literally through Yuna, taking that one last contact and walking to the end of the deck, not looking back. Yuna stood silent, watching him, the remaining four Guardians behind her, quiet or loud according to their natures, as Tidus kicked himself into a run, eyes squinted to try and stop the tears, and jumped, arms outstretched.
But not far. The memory ended abruptly, leaving Tidus to fall the six inches he'd gotten off the floor suddenly - he hadn't been expecting any sort of firm surface under himself, obviously. It completely threw off his balance, sending him sprawling in a mostly sitting position; he'd been able to catch himself so that he didn't hit anything painful. But his face was ranging through a variety of emotions that changed from moment to moment, shock to relief to pain to grief to panic. "That... not again, come on, not that again..."
Reply
That was all Rydia could bring herself to say, as she witnessed the heartbreaking scene unfold before her. The summoner's eyes filled with tears, unable to watch her friends' pain and not be affected.
When the memory faded, Rydia bolted forward and hugged him as soon as he was within reach. "It's alright, Tidus. You're fine...it was just a memory...." Sniffle.
Reply
And promptly found herself in the middle of Winhill. She was staring at the door to the house beside the pub, to be exact, and it looked just like she'd always remembered it, well-cared for and completely unmarked. Compelled by some unspoken force, she moved into the house and headed upstairs, taking the stairs as quickly as she could. The door was wide open and she burst in, stopping in front of the man inside. She had something important to tell him.
"Uncle Laguna! There's someone here to see yoo," she announced with a big, childish grin. Maybe he'd be happy that she braved the streets to tell him such good news.
He walked forward to see her better. "Huh? Me? What's this person look like?" She could tell he was confused. No one had come to see him before. Usually, the villagers tried to kick him out on a daily basis.
"He was wearin' funny clothes. He's tawking to Raine right now," she answered honestly. She had no idea how to describe the suit the man had been wearing at the time.
Uncle Laguna folded his arms over his chest and leaned over just a little bit, like he always did when he was thinking. "Hmm? Is he at the pub?"
"Yup. That's why I came over to get yoo, Uncle Laguna!" Ellone chirped, happy as a clam at her self-appointed mission. "Am I a good girl?" She wanted his approval so much.
"No, you're not!" Uncle Laguna asserted, even as the child's face fell visibly. "It's dangerous to be out there by yourself. What if a monster comes and attacks you?"
Oh right. Monsters roamed the town streets. She'd almost forgotten because it was so quiet these days, ever since he'd taken up his daily patrol. Ellone clasped her hands in front of her and looked down at the floor. "It's only next door. It's ok."
"It's still dangerous!" He knelt in front of her so she was forced to look at him. It was hard for a child her age to look away when an adult did that. "And since you're such a cute little girl, the monsters will especially be after you! They'll catch you and then they'll suck all your blood out! If anything like that should happen, Uncle Laguna's gonna cry..."
"I'll be ok," she assured him, trying to make up for scaring him. "I'll just call yoo, Uncle Laguna! You'll come rescue me, right!?"
Reply
"I waited!" she crowed, as if this made everything fine. "Am I a good girl?"
Laguna squatted down again and ruffled her hair affectionately. "Yes," he answered, "a good girl."
Making a face as he walked away to the window, she smoothed her hair back into place and turned to watch his back.
"Dear Ellone's father and mother," he spoke, talking to the portraits on the cabinet. Closer inspection would reveal that these were Ellone's parents. Her real parents. "Ellone's been a good girl today." He turned to face her, looking for approval this time. "Right?"
"Yup!" Ellone crowed, punching the air for effect before she hurried outside. Waiting on the doorstep, she stayed where she was until Laguna had hurried to the pub and given her the all-clear to return.
"Ellone! Now's your chance!"
"Chaa-nce!" Giggling madly, she ran right on by him and inside, where Raine and the strange brown-skinned man were talking. Unfortunately, her giggles were cut short by Raine, who came right on over to give her a short lecture about running off on her own. By this point, she didn't much care. Uncle Laguna's lecture stuck better with her, after all.
As Raine walked away, Ellone turned to the door, where Laguna had entered a moment ago, and whispered, "I got in twouble."
"That's 'cause you broke your promise," he whispered back. "Too baaaaad."
"Laguna!" Raine reprimanded him this time. "Use proper English when speaking to Ellone!"
"I got in trouble," Laguna whispered to Ellone.
"Too baaaaaaaddd!" she snickered softly.
He leaned over to laugh softly with her. They probably would have done more playing, but the strange man made his appearance again and the adults went off to talk about something else. Ellone moved to the side of the pub, close to the door upstairs, where her room was, so she could watch. She loved every minute she could get of Raine and Uncle Laguna together. If they didn't get married soon, she would throw a fit! They were so perfect. She sighed and picked up one of her toys to look like she was playing like a good girl, even if she wasn't.
Reply
But he'd still do it again. If it was a choice between him and Yuna... or him and the world... he'd do it again. "It worked out, I swear. It's oka-"
And that was when the scenery changed again. The town was... quaint, by Zanarkand standards - but still more advanced than Spira, and Tidus got a weird sense of deja vu as he pushed himself to his feet, keeping an arm around Rydia's shoulders. This was Memoria, all right - only here could full-grown adults suddenly start acting like little childen. He was being forcibly reminded of Mjrn in the last go-round as Ellone started rambling on to thin air like a little kid.
"...Okay, how old do you think she thinks she is now?"
Reply
"...not very. This must have happened long ago, from what I'm aware." She chuckled softly, as Laguna and Ellone did, then watched Ellone at play. Though she had never seen this vision of the past until now, it stirred in her a deep sense of nostalgia. So, this is what it must have been like for the family, before everything conspired to ruin it.
Reply
Right.
Being a good girl, she hopped onto the couch and stayed quiet for a few minutes, trying to figure out how to say what was on her mind. After a while, though, she just went for it. She stood up and moved into the middle of the room so she could watch as Raine cleaned the cabinet by the beds.
"Raine... Aren't yoo gonna marry Uncle Laguna?" Ellone asked, scuffing the floor with a shoe gently.
"A guy like that?" Raine asked, incredulously, fixing something on the cabinet. "He was carried in here crying like a baby, and I was the one who had to take care of him."
Ellone knew this was building up to a rather long rant Raine liked to go on sometimes, so she stayed quiet. She also knew how Raine really felt, so the rant was easier to bear.
"His crude way of speaking... I don't know if his aspirations as a journalist-
"Every time I try to have a serious conversation, he avoids it...
"I can't stand his snoring and he talks in his sleep."
Most of that went straight over little Ellone's head. "But he's really nice! I really, really like him!" As though this made all the difference in the world. "Raine, Uncle Laguna, and Elle should all be together!"
Raine didn't answer as she moved from the cabinet to the window and placed her hands on her hips. Ellone held her breath, hoping her pleas had gotten through.
"But you know..." Raine began, voice softening fondly. Ellone hurried in front of the couch again so she could hear Raine better. "I think what he really wants to do is travel all over the world. I don't think he has it in him to live in a quiet country town like this one. Some people are like that...
"...Ouuu, it makes me so mad."
Ellone tilted her head, feeling a surge of disappointment. Maybe... "Yoo don't like him?"
Raine moved again, pacing closer to the couch, and turned to face Ellone. "I feel the same as you, Ellone."
The scene faded as Uncle Laguna and Kiros hurried up the stairs. Tears had begun to fall down Ellone's cheeks as she suddenly came back to herself, realizing she'd seen a vision from her past again. It wasn't real. Raine... Their little mismatched family had grown. Ellone was no longer the only adopted member; they had Slai now, too.
But it still hurt, what they'd lost. Realizing she'd dropped her sash somewhere along the mad dashes, she picked it up, replaced it around her arms, and turned to smile apologetically at her companions.
"S-sorry about that..."
She wasn't sure how much of it they'd seen, but that wasn't important. She didn't have any deep dark secrets to hold onto anymore.
Reply
Ugh, the time travel issues of this place were making his head hurt... and he knew what was bound to come next, as Ellone was released from her own memory - he'd already had his, so Rydia was next on the list. Glancing down at her, Tidus dropped his arm from her shoulders and backed up a couple steps so she didn't accidentally hit him in the face or something. "Wonder if this one's gonna go one for four rounds, too..."
Reply
Upon hearing Tidus, she grimaced. "We better not. If I have to see certain images again...." No. She would happily go blind before witnessing Mist's destruction one more.
As she moved forward, the scenery changed once more, becoming the entrance to Mount Hobs. Cecil, Rosa and Edward all stood before a high wall of ice, which was blocking their route. As Rydia headed toward them, she stared upward in awe at the ice...and came to stand by Rosa, as though half-hiding behind her.
Reply
She paused and took a deep breath, trying to still her whirling emotions. It was hard enough to live with what was left of her life here without reliving memories like that. True, she could do it herself if she wanted to, but there had been no need in such a long time. Why this place always felt the need to do this to her, she would never know.
"I was a child when Raine and Laguna were together last, before Gaia. That's what I was remembering."
She ran a hand through her hair, tucking the left side behind her ear again. "I hope not. I guess we should just try to get out of here as quickly-"
Ellone cut herself off as the scenery changed again, being replaced with something she'd never seen before. She could see the people involved this time, though, recognizing only a few of them. Glancing to Tidus to see if he could see this, she shrugged a little. "I guess it's her turn, then."
Reply
Then he shook his head; of course Cecil couldn't hear him - he was just a projection. Hell, Rydia couldn't hear him, so there was really no point in Tidus trying to speak to anyone.
"Guess we just hang back here and see what comes up." He'd be ready to jump in if he was needed - not that he had any expectations of being able to fix anything.
Reply
Rydia stared downward and fidgeted.
Edward frowned, worried. "Rydia?"
Rosa crouched by the summoner, her smile encouraging. "You can do it. I know you can!"
Rydia looked away, pouting childishly. "I don't want to."
Rosa's brow furrowed. "You don't want to?"
"I hate fire!" Rydia turned around, mostly so that Rosa and Edward and Cecil couldn't see her lip tremble...but Tidus and Ellone could.
Cecil sighed, guilt evident his in his voice as he looked back to the summoner. "Her village was burned to the ground by that ring we delivered."
Rosa stroked Rydia's bright green hair gently. "Please, Rydia…Listen to me. You’re the only one among us with the power to melt that ice."
Still, Rydia said nothing.
"We can’t make you do it. But unless we make it through here to Fabul, a lot of other people will be hurt. I know it’s not easy, Rydia, but please…you must be brave!"
Edward nodded. "We all must."
Rosa took Rydia's hand and squeezed it. "Please, Rydia!"
Edward stepped forward, resting a hand on her other shoulder. "You are the only one who can do this."
Cecil, the dark knight, remained silent, still too consumed by guilt at what he had done to Rydia's home to push her further.
Reply
"Rydia," she whispered, sneaking another glance to Tidus. She hated feeling helpless like this. She wanted to do something to help Rydia!
Reply
Leave a comment