The giant hatches of the Airship bay slowly opened, while sand trickled down on its sides. The massive engines of the Airship came to life and the whole vessel began floating in the air. When the hatches were completely opened, it hovered outside, into the hot desert air. It's mighty turbines propelled it through the air.
----
Ranma and her friends were standing in the Airship's bridge while watching the clouds fly past them. Brother was controlling the flight of the Airship, while Cid was keeping an eye on the navigation system.
"This is surely an impressive thing," Ukyo murmured. "I wonder if it works like a modern plane, back home?"
"Can't say for sure," Cid chuckled. "We really don't know how this baby is staying in the air, we just steer it."
Wakka looked like he was going to faint. "I can't believe... I'm flying through the air... in a machina."
"Well, if the temples wouldn't forbid these things, I surely would have much better chances of figuring it all out. But because of Yevon's taboos, we're all running around in the dark here. Ain't it a rush, kiddos? Hey, Ranma. I... still owe you an apology, right? And... thank you for saving Home... We're all in your debt." He looked down at the ground.
Ranma smiled. "Don't worry about it. I only did what was right."
"Well, but I should give you something in return for your deed... I know! I give you the honor to name this vessel. What d'ya say?"
Ranma grinned. "All right! Well, let's see... this ship... what would be a proper name?" He pondered about it for a while, and then snapped his fingers. "I know! How about calling it... the Red Horse?"
Ukyo chuckled. "Ranchan, that's your name." He grinned. "Yes, I know!"
"Okay then," Cid nodded. "Let's make sure the Red Horse will carry us towards a better future."
"But you're sure they took Yuna and Akane to Bevelle, right?" Ranma asked.
"Pretty sure," Cid nodded. "After all, that's where the major head honchos are sitting. All the maesters: Mika, Kinoc, and Seymour, when he's not in Guadosalam or Macalania."
"Well, not anymore, I guess," Nabiki smirked. "After all, we put him out of action."
"You mean, Yuna and me did it," Ranma said.
"How long until we're there?" Tidus wanted to know.
"Well, at least one hour, I'd say," Cid replied. "Relax a little and prepare for the upcoming battle."
And they all just did that. Now they could only wait.
----
After some time, Kasumi came in, carrying a steaming kettle and a tray with several cups.
"Hello, everyone," she smiled. "I made some tea, down in the ship's kitchen. Also, I have some hot water for Ranma and Auron, if you like."
"Thanks, yer a sweet gal," Cid smiled while taking a cup.
Ranma took the kettle and poured some hot water over her head. After changing back into a male, she passed it over to Auron. "Here ya go."
Auron nodded and poured the water over her own head.
But nothing happened.
She blinked. "What's... going on? Isn't this supposed to turn me back?"
Ranma scratched his head. "I really don't know... but it worked with Ukyo, so it has to work with you, too. Hey Shampoo! Do you have an idea why it doesn't do anything?"
Shampoo nodded her head. "Not really. Maybe because was no real Jusenkyo spring, but slimy fiend. Shampoo no fiend expert. But, perhaps... has to do with pyreflies coming out of Auron, yes?"
Everyone went silent.
"WHAT?" Wakka asked. "What's THAT supposed to mean?"
Shampoo pointed to Auron. "Happened when ghost of Jyscal appeared near farplane. Auron crouched down, pyreflies came out of body. Didn't think it was important, so didn't say anything."
Auron stayed silent.
"That can't be," Cid shook his head. "I'm no pyrefly expert either, but as I understand it, that only happens with people that are... unsent..." He took another look at Auron. "No."
The petite girl sighed. "I guess it's no longer a secret. All right... you deserve to know the truth: Yes... I'm dead. Or rather, I was dead."
Everyone just looked at him in confusion after this unbelievable statement.
Auron nodded. "Yes, it's true. After my journey with Braska and Jecht, someone... took me by surprise. I was careless... so that person inflicted a fatal wound to me. I only made it back to Bevelle, where I met Kimahri... Because Braska wished it, I told him to take care of Yuna. Afterwards, I passed out. I only knew that I wasn't ready to go to the farplane. I still had a promise to keep. So I just wandered on, not going to the farplane, but also not turning into a fiend... I became an unsent.
That also meant I could use Sin as a ride to Tidus' Zanarkand. I promised his father to take him with me, to Spira. So I did."
"I can't believe it..." Tidus slowly sunk down to the bridge's floor.
"But... if all that is true, then why can't you turn back to normal now?" Ranma asked.
"Jusenkyo magic," Shampoo answered quietly. "Every curse also contains small part of life-force... of person that drowned in spring. Lice-force of girl gave Auron... new life."
"So it just didn't give me a cursed form... it gave me a new form." Auron took a deep breath. "I guess I have to get used to this body, then... Well, it's better than being dead."
The others just stayed silent. This journey just turned weirder by the minute.
----
Nothing else happened for several minutes, until they were getting closer to Bevelle.
Another Al Bhed, that was wearing an eyepatch, suddenly pointed to a screen. "Hey, Cid. I think you should take a look at this."
"What's wrong, Gippal?" Cid wanted to know.
"Look! A report on sphere TV. A live transmission from the palace in Bevelle. The wedding of Lady Yuna... and Maester Seymour!"
"WHAT???"
They all looked at the screen. It showed the bridge leading towards the great palace of Bevelle, the residence of Grand Maester Mika. On one end of the bridge, Mika, Kinoc and... Seymour were standing, as if they were waiting for something... or someone. Seymour was wearing a strange robe, a cone-shaped hat... and an arrogant grin.
Then, a girl wearing a long, white dress came along the bridge, accompanied by several monks. It was... Yuna!
"What's... going on there?" Wakka asked. "Why is Seymour still alive? And why is Yuna wearing that dress?"
"I believe that's called a 'wedding dress'," Nabiki mused.
Wakka was stunned. "Whaaaah...?"
Tidus stared at the screen with determination. "I think we'll just have to crash that party."
Ranma nodded. "Now you're talking, buddy. If Seymour doesn't know how to stay down, I'll gladly show him."
Gippal took one glance at the massive contingent of warrior monks and defensive machina. "Well, if you have a death wish, I won't stop you..."
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(Posted Sun, 30 Jul 2006 19:59)
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