Final Fantasy X: The True Adventure

[Ashley_Winston]

Kimiko smiled looking around at everyone who looked like the were about to explode with anticipation."Haha. Yea, I'd love to join you guys!" She said excited.

The party made their way down the stairs and through the forest, to the docks. "So," Kimiko said turning around, "where are we going next?"

They boarded the boat and got ready to set sail. Each person walking to their spots where they usually stand. Kimiko confused, gave Tidus and Katsu a questioning look.  

[Maha1930]

"We're headed towards Luca," Katsu replied." It's blitzball season. You do remember what blitzball is...right?" he said looking longingly at Kimiko.  

[Ashley_Winston]

Kimiko shook her hed in confusion. "No, sorry." She shrugged. "But it sounds like fun!" she said reassuringly, hoping not to disappoint Katsu.  

[Maha1930]

Katsu sighed. "Well, I'm pretty sure you'll enjoy it." He smiled and then looked up into the sky as the boat pulled away from Kilika. "Well, I don't know about you guys but I'm taking a nap. Tidus, did you see where Wakka went?"

Tidus nodded in response. "I think he went upstairs, him and Lulu started talking about something, sorry I couldn't hear what."

"Doesn't matter," Katsu said sighing. "I can't deal with Wakka's issues right now. I'm going to bed. Night you guys." He waved and then headed downstairs into the cabins below. He found his cabin after deciphering it wasn't the one Donna and Bartello were occupying and flopped down onto one of the two beds. He curled up into the sheets, the boats rocking helping him drift off to sleep. He awoke after awhile to someone coming into his room. "Hello?" He groaned, rubbing his eyes trying to make out the figure.

"Hey," a familiar voice answered, plopping down onto the bed next to Katsu. It was Wakka.

"Oh, hi," Katsu replied coldly, turning back around and shutting his eyes once again.

"Listen Katsu, I...uh.." Wakka said stumbling over his words.

"Forget it," Katsu said back, his eyes still closed.

"No, I'm sorry for the way I acted today. I just want us to work together to beat the goers tomorrow, ya?"

Katsu could tell he was trying to act all chipper to make up for his day of grouchiness. "So, I should just act like nothing happened? Just so we can win tomorrow, right?" Katsu wasn't buying Wakka's nice guy act one bit.

"No, that's not what I-" Wakka sighed. "Just forget I said anything, ya?"

Katsu opened his eyes and turned over just as Wakka turned the other way. "You know what Wakka, I know this thing we have going on, is against Yevon and everything, but I figured you just wouldn't care, if it's with someone you like, you know?" Katsu rolled back over and shut his eyes for the night. He didn't want to hear Wakka's reply even if he had one.  

[Ashley_Winston]

Kimiko sighed in relief that Katsu wasn't too upset. She walked over to one of the sides of the boat, leaning onto one of the bars, putting her head on her hand.

Kimiko thought long and hard, trying to remember anything she could about blitzball. Or anything in general that she hasn't yet. Time passed as she remembered nothing. "Damnit!" She yelled quietly, kicking the boat wall. "Ouch." Kimiko slumped down to the ground, her back against the wall she kicked.

"Why does this have to be so hard..." She thought aloud to herself. Hours past, as everyone else made their way to bed. Only an odd few were still up like Kimiko.

Kimiko finally got up from the wall and went to the front of the boat, looking out beyond them making sure everything was safe from Sin or Sinspawn. Sadly, Kimiko never felt tired enough to sleep. She stayed out on deck till morning, when people started waking up and coming out to greet each other and say good morning.

But for Kimiko, it didn't seem like a good morning.  

[Maha1930]

Katsu yawned, rubbing his eyes as he sat up in bed. "He's gone." He said amidst another yawn as he surveyed the rumpled sheets of Wakka's bed. "Better get going, we should already be in Luca." He made his way up to the deck of the boat, dawning some clothes as he went. Everyone was jumping up and down, simply ecstatic. Katsu could see Luca stretched out before him, and the announcers of the upcoming Blitzball tournament announcing the teams boats as they rolled in towards the docking area. Tidus was hanging onto a rope, standing on the bow of the ship, looking out with a great big smile.

"It's awesome isn't it?" Katsu said looking up at Tidus. He nodded jumping off and hopping around. "Whoa, whoa, calm down there. We don't want you hurting yourself before the tournament!"

"A stadium! A real stadium! Yes!" Tidus screamed at the top of his lungs with excitement. Katsu just rolled his eyes and walked over to Kimiko who was staring out at Luca at the front of the boat. "Morning!" Katsu said warmly smiling at her.  

[Ashley_Winston]

She looked at Katsu and smiled back. "Oh. Yea. Morning, haha." Kimiko looked back at Luca. "Sure is a beautiful place." She nodded off. "So how excited are you about blitzball? Tidus seems ecstatic, haha." She said laughing at Tidus, who was still hopping around like a cat that found its catnip.

Their ship docked and they approached the bridge to get off. The announcer greeting them and giving a quick bio of the team. Saying not to expect much since they never make it past the second round.

"Sounds like you guys got it tough, here." She shrugged apologetically to Katsu, as they all walked down the bridge and made their way toward the stadium. As the party past another team, they heard them being interviewed.

"Does it get any crazier than this?" Kimiko asked laughing to herself.  

[Maha1930]

Two passerby's bumped into Katsu and Tidus as they walked towards the stadium.

"Maester Mika's here!" One of them spoke.
"Already?" the other one replied.
"The number three dock!"

"What's up, now?" Tidus asked groaning.

"Well, not you making fun of the goers in front of all of Luca that's what!" Katsu yelled smacking him on the head. "Even though it was pretty cool."

"Maester Mika has arrived, that's what." Yuna said replying to Tidus's original question.

"Mika, Maester?" Tidus said scratching his head.

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

"Fifty-years? Shouldn't he be..uh..retired by now?" Tidus said laughing.

"Hey!" Wakka replied angrily. "Mind your mouth now!"

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

Everyone made their way past the docks of the rest of the arriving teams, finally arriving at the number 3 dock. There was a crowd of people blocking their view, but Tidus and Katsu managed to push through everyone so that they could be in the front row for this grand occasion. Musicians walked out of the boat, playing their instruments and slamming on their drums, awaiting the Maester. Instead, what walked off of the boat was a strange creature. It looked human, but had faint lines branching across his face, and the strangest electric blue hair, going every which way. He was wearing a velvet purple robe, and had surprisingly long finger nails.

"That's a guado right?" Katsu could hear someone ask amongst the crowd.
"Who could it be?" Another person asked.
"Isn't that, Maester Seymour?" another one asked.

The man bowed as Maester Mika appeared at the top of the docking plank, accompanied by his loyal followers. Everyone in the crowd bowed as well, praying. Except for Tidus and Katsu. Katsu was too busy studying this man called Seymour. He had heard stories about him, and not very nice ones at that.

"People of Spira," Maester Mika said addressing the crowd as he walked off of the boat. A rather old man, which was expected for a man serving continuously as Maester for fifty years. "I thank you for your generous welcome. Raise 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 some of you already know, he has been officially ordained a Maester of Yevon."

"I am Seymour Guado," the man with the blue hair said addressing the crowd. "I am honored to receive the title as Maester. In life, my father Jyscal worked to foster friendship between man and guado. I vow to carry on his legacy, and to fulfill my duties as Maester, to the best of my abilities."

"Bow your head!" Wakka yelled at Tidus as everyone else bowed their head.

Katsu caught a glimpse of Seymour staring at Yuna, she seemed nervous, not knowing whether to speak to him or just stare back. Then he left with Maester Mika to attend to duties unbeknownst to them before the tournament started.

"Weirdo," Katsu said under his breath. "I don't like him."

"Me either," Tidus whispered back hearing what Katsu had said.

"All right everyone!" Yuna said regaining her composure, "Let's go to the locker rooms to get ready for the game!"  

[Ashley_Winston]

They reached the locker rooms just a few minutes later. The boys walking in with the girls leaving them to do their stuff and going over the game plan. "We should go walk around for a little and wait for them to start." Yuna said, looking from Lulu to Kimarhi then finally Kimiko. Kimarhi with his arms folded, nodded once. Lulu agreed. Kimiko says "Ok."

They head on out to town, strolling along taking in Luca's beauty. Kimiko gawks at everything they walk by, amazed with Luca itself and everyone in it. Kimiko eventually noticed she fell behind and ran up to them saying, "Sorry. Just trying to take it all in. It's amazing here!" Lulu chuckled at Kimiko's comment.

The party stopped at the huge monument in the middle of Luca. "Ok, if I was impressed earlier, this definitely beats it all." Kimiko said in awe. A group of adults were just a few feet from them, sitting on a bench talking about some guy.

Guy: "Did you hear? Auron is here, in Luca."

Lady: "Oh my god! Seriously?! Did you hear where he was?"

Guy: "Yea, some other guy said he was spotted in the Cafe"

Kimiko turned to Lulu and Yuna. "Who's Auron? Is he like some kind of hero?" She asked them. Lulu sighs as Yuna answers, "Sir Auron is a great guy. He was my Father's guardian when he was a summoner. In a way, you could say Sir Auron is a Hero." Kimiko nodded, trying to remember that and keep it there, unlike everything else still forgotten.

"Should we tell the others?" Kimiko asked. Yuna said, "Yes. We should head back now, before their match starts." They all nodded once and headed back, running every so often.  

[Maha1930]

Tidus and Katsu yawned in unison as Wakka finished explaining the rules of Blitzball.

"Why must we go over the basics?" Katsu asked Wakka. "Obviously Tidus has played Blitzball before."

Wakka scowled, but before he could answer Yuna, Lulu, Kimarhi and Kimiko burst into the locker room.

Wakka let out a high-pitched yell. "Hey! No girls in here ya!"

Yuna chuckled motioning for Wakka to calm down. "Someone said they spotted Sir Auron in a café!"

Tidus whipped his head around hearing this. "A-auron?!"

"Yes, Sir Auron," Yuna replied. "He was my father's guardian."

"He was in my dream too," Katsu thought to himself. "Tidus and Auron, they knew each other. What I wouldn't give to know a famous guardian like that."

"We should go look for him," Katsu said smiling at Tidus.

"Hey!" Wakka yelled. "The game starts like real soon!"

"Don't worry," Tidus said. "We'll be back soon!"

"Okay, but Katsu stays," Wakka replied folding his arms.

"What!" Katsu yelled back. "But Wakka!"

"No buts brudda! The Auroch's need you for the opening match. We're playing the Al Bhed Psyches first!"

Katsu groaned looking back at everyone gathered at the door.

"We'll be back soo," Yuna smiled bowing and everyone left.

"Alright! Let's get ready for the match!" Wakka said to the group.  

[Ashley_Winston]

They all made their way around Luca, looking for any sort of Cafe. Kimiko thought about Katsu having to stay behind. "Wakka can be pretty demanding and order like. Does he always boss people around?" Kimiko asked anyone who would answer her. "I mean, seriously. Since I've joined you guys and even when you found me, Wakka is just.....Stupid, idiotic, stubborn..." She said, looking around.

They reached a part of the town, seeing a small place with people inside drinking and eating. "I'm guessing this is the Cafe.. So where's this Auron?" Kimiko peered around corners looking for anyone looking like an Auron.  

[Maha1930]

Lulu sighed as the group meandered their way into the Café. "Yes, Wakka can be..well, all of those things. You know, I should go make sure he doesn't do any more foolish things before the start of the match," and she tore off before Kimiko could muster a reply.

Tidus peeked around the Café, surveying everyone. "Nope, not here," he said looking over at Kimarhi. Tidus was shocked to see two more beings of Kimarhi's kind conversing with him. He'd never seen something like Kimarhi before, let alone two of them. They were far more powerful than Kimarhi by just looking at them, their chests barely fitting into their clothing. Also, unlike Kimarhi, their horns seemed to be entirely intact. "Huh," Tidus exclaimed walking over to Kimarhi and the other two Ronso.

"Why not talk Kimarhi?" The one dressed in red and blue shouted. "Not seen Yenke for ten years!"

Kimarhi just stood there, unresponsive to the two Ronso.

"Say something!" The one named Yenke yelled again, pushing Kimarhi. "Kimarhi forget Yenke? Forget Biran?"

"Leave Kimarhi, Yenke," The one named Biran interjected. "Kimarhi is small Ronso. Kimarhi is so small, can't see Yenke and Biran's faces."

Yenke laughed menacingly. "Kimarhi forget Ronso friends? We taught you much at time of horn molt! Biran taught Kimarhi to be strong Ronso!"

"Maybe taught too much!" Biran replied, also pushing Kimarhi, taunting him.

"Take him on!" Tidus cheered from the sidelines of the quarrel.

Kimarhi slid his right foot back, and arching his back into a fighting stance, jabbed Yenke with his right fist, knocking right onto his blue behind.

"Take it outside! The tournaments starting you here?!" The bartender shouted at them. While Kimarhi was distracted, Biran swung a left-hook at Kimarhi making him stumble back just a bit.

"Oh, the game!" Tidus shouted, turning around like everybody in the Café as the sphere monitor turned on to reveal Maester Mika addressing the stadium before the match started. "s**t," Tidus thought. "I'm too late."

"Today on this glorious day," Mika's voice poured in through the speakers, "players from all over Spira have assembled here. To participate in this great contest of bravery, skill, and strength. 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, my Yevon be with you."

Tidus let out a depressing sigh as he saw the game starting. Everyone was counting on them and he let them down. Tidus turned around to coax Yuna into heading back, but she was no where to be seen. "Kimarhi!" He cried out. "Yuna's gone!"

Biran threw another left-hook at Kimarhi but Kimarhi resisted in retaliating by leaving hurriedly with Tidus out of the café with Kimiko and into the town center to search for Yuna.

"Where in Yevon's name have you been?!" Lulu shrieked running up to the three of them. "Yuna's been kidnapped by the Al Bhed Psyches! In exchange for her safe return, they want the Auroch's to lose."

"What?!" Tidus retorted.

"If they're only Blitzball players," Lulu continued, "I doubt they'd do anything drastic. But we shouldn't take chances, let's go get her!"

"I'm going too!" Tidus replied. "They're telling the Auroch's to lose the game? As if they needed too. I mean, how good a team can they be?"

"Wakka said the same thing," Lulu retorted. "Katsu and him will take care of the game, we should go get Yuna. The Al Bhed boat is in dock 4. Let's go!"

The group hastily made their way to dock 4. Tidus had to grab Kimiko's hand along the way just so that she could keep up. Once they were only a few feet away from dock 3, the group stopped short when Lulu held out her hand.

"Machina," She whispered. But her whispered didn't seem to work since the machines suddenly stirred to life, rushing at the group. "Kimiko! Take this!" Lulu yelled, reaching into her bustier and tossing a small object that landed in Kimiko's hand. It resembled an extremely small staff, only about two inches long, and only an inch in diameter, with a golden embossed design that incorporated a button in the center. Kimiko pressed the button and the rod extended into a four foot long staff, ending in a curved, half-moon like blade extending from the side of the staff at the top.

"It's a summoner's scythe," Lulu said smirking. "I hope you know how to use it."  

[Ashley_Winston]

Kimiko smiled and motioned for them to go as she ran with them. As they were nearing the first section of the dock, two machina appear out of nowhere. "Let's go this!" Tidus yells as the three of them get into battle stances.

A machina attacks Lulu as she dodges and calls thunder, zapping the machina. The machina cripples to the ground and disappears into two glowing balls. Kimiko then runs after the second striking it as best as she could with the scythe, doing some damage but failing to kill it completely. "Tidus wanna finish it off? Like now?" Kimiko said. Tidus lunges at the machina with a swift attack, killing the machina.  

[Maha1930]

The Machina seemed relentless as the group was bombarded with another duo of clinking metal. Tidus swung his sword, dismembering the closest Machina's sharp arm, while Kimarhi did the same to the other. The Machina fell in a clatter of nuts and bolts the ground. Kimiko swung at the other Machina, her scythe surprisingly slicing right through the flimsy armor of the machine and separating it into two pieces, which were sent clattering to the ground motionless.

Lulu struck down two more machina, summoning a lightning bolt each, overloading the machine's systems and forcing them to fall to pieces.

"Damn! These guys aren't tough at all!" Tidus exclaimed before two more machina barred their path.

"Hmm," Lulu thought aloud, "it seems the Al Bhed were expecting us."

"Let's show-'em what we got!" Tidus yelled slashing the first Machina into pieces as Lulu electrified the second.

"Everybody! Quick!" Lulu shouted as the Al Bhed boat in Dock 4 started to pull away, everyone ran up the docking ramp and jumped. Landing not too softly on the hard, metal surface of the boat below. As everyone regained their footing and stood up, an elevator in the center of the floor was bringing up a giant machine to greet the party.

"Uh-oh," Tidus said gulping. The machine had three giant gears whirring at the top of it's circular body, accompanied oddly enough by three very tiny feet and a very intimidating mechanical face that was ingrained into the make-up of the machine's body. Everybody took their battle stances as the machine geared up, ready to fight.  

[Maha1930]

Tidus took the first strike, his sword only scraping the paint off of the machine's metal body. Kimarhi quickly blocked an incoming projectile fired by the machine, bouncing it off of his lance before it could hit Tidus. The projectile landed at Lulu's feet.

"A blitzball?" She said utterly perplexed as she held it up. "The machine is firing blitzballs at us."

"That's actually kind of funny," Tidus said stifling a chuckle as Lulu shot him a dirty look. "But, uh...it's totally not funny that they captured Yuna. That's what I meant to say!"

Kimarhi stuck his lance into the body of the machine, piercing it's armor just enough so that he could shove the tip of the lance into the machine. Lulu quickly ran up next to him, guessing the Ronso's tactics and placed both of her hands on his. A bolt of electrified energy coursed through her hands and into his, which were instantly drawn and re-directed into the lance, converging at the tip which was currently inside of the machine. The machine's core was electrified and sparks shot out from it's frame, finally rattling and falling to the ground. Kimarhi quickly pulled out his lance, placing his back towards the machine, and protected the group as the contraption exploded into tiny bits of metal, showering onto the remaining area of the boat.