Tidus swung his sword through the air. It still was the same one Wakka gave to him, but a little longer. He wore a dark red armor similar-looking to Shuyin's outfit, but with the symbol of the Zanarkand Abes on it. He grinned. "Nice. Although, many of Shuyin's battle skills are frightening similar to my own."
'But I'm concentrating more on raw power and aggressive slashing,' Shuyin pointed out. 'You use that sword more skilled and also concentrate on avoiding attacks.'
"Well, anyway... let's get out of here before the monks catch up to us," Ukyo suggested. The others nodded.
But then, they heard a voice coming out from between the trees: "Stop! Who goes there?"
"Damn," Tidus swore and gripped his sword. The others also took their weapons or went into their battle stances.
But then, an all-too-familiar face appeared before them.
"Chappu?" Wakka asked in a surprised voice.
Chappu was nearly as surprised as his brother. "Wakka? Well, what a coincidence, running into you here..." He grinned darkly. "You know half of Yevon's elite force is after you and sees you as traitors."
His grin turned into a smile. "Luckily, I'm one of the other half. Good to see you could escape those fanatics."
"Fanatics?" Yuna said. "Then you don't agree with the opinions of Maester Mika?"
Chappu shook his head. "I just heard about your trial... and how the maesters increasingly violate their own rules. And I was so intent on joining the crusaders... Well, luckily, our main commander chose the right thing to do."
"Your main commander?" Wakka asked. "You don't mean...?"
Chappu grinned and turned around, when another group of people entered the clearing. With them were Luzzu and Gatta, and also... Maester Kinoc!
They all shouted in surprise, but Kinoc calmly raised his hands. "It's all right, my friends. I mean you no harm. I had to play along, or Mika would have suspected something. I was questioning our ways of thinking for a long time by now..." He frowned. "I know I'm the one that lets his soldiers use forbidden machina weapons, but that's clearly not the worst crime - yes, I said crime - Yevon had done. It came like a shock to me, when several days ago, Maester Mika revealed to me that he was an unsent. Now that Seymour joined him in undeath - and killed his father to reach his goals - I couldn't stay part of this corrupt system any more." He shook his head. "I also fear Seymour suspected something... he planned to kill me." He smiled at Wakka. "But luckily, your brother was able to save me in time from his Guado assassins."
Yuna stepped forward. "Maester Kinoc..." Kinoc shook his head. "Do not call me maester, my dear. Mika probably would displace me when he hears of my treachery."
Yuna nodded. "Well then, Sir Kinoc... if what you tell us is true... what do you advise us to do?"
Kinoc smiled. "An old friend told me that it maybe was time for someone to change... and so I did. I advise you to continue your pilgrimage, Lady Yuna. After all, Bevelle would have been the last temple you had to visit. Now you only have to cross the Calm Lands and climb Mt. Gagazet - afterwards, you will reach Zanarkand. I believe that you will lead us to a brighter future then Yevon would ever be able to."
Yuna bowed. "Thank you for your trust in me and my friends, sir. I will try to do my best."
Kinocs gaze swept over the assembled group. "I see some more guardians have joined your ranks. This certainly might be the biggest pilgrimage group ever journeying to Zanarkand to receive the Final Aeon - and moreover, with two summoners at once. I hope all of these brave men and women will do their best to protect both of you."
Kasumi blushed. "Oh my... we aren't really that brave..."
"Talk for yourself, sis," Nabiki grinned. Kinoc's words certainly raised her self-confidence. Akane shook her head. "Try to be a little more modest, Nabiki..."
"Everyone that is ready to oppose Sin is brave in his or her own way," Kinoc said. "I see that even a small girl is in your ranks... I'm surprised you can carry your weapon that easily, young lady."
That caused the mentioned girl to giggle. "Well, there are several things you would be surprised about if you knew... old friend!"
Kinoc frowned. "I'm sorry, but have we met before? I certainly don't remember you... and I have a good memory."
Aura grinned. "Well, I have some hints for you: We both were with the warrior monks when we were younger... and you got the promotion meant for me. There also was this little situation with that priest's daughter..."
Kinoc gasped. "How... how do you know all of this? Did Auron tell you?" He looked around. "Where is he, anyways? He was in your group, Lady Yuna, was he not?"
Yuna giggled as well, and the others chuckled.
"Sir, did you hear about that fiend in Macalania Woods?" Wakka asked. "The one that was consuming and cursing all living beings?"
Kinoc thought about that. "Well, I heard rumors... but I thought Seymour made that story up. These curses... he told me they had transformative effects on the victims, right?" Then he gasped once more and stared at the cute girl standing before him. "Are... are you telling me this... this young girl is...?"
Aura smiled and nodded. "Yup, it's me! Your old buddy Auron. Good to see you realized about Yevon's treachery."
Kinoc took a deep breath. "Well, I certainly saw many things in my life... but nothing like this! But it's no wonder, the only thing I recognize is your sword. You act like a total different person, you know that, Auron?"
"Call me Aura," she said. "And it's true, but I think that is part of the curse. Because I'm stuck in this form, I seem to act more and more like the girl the fiend had absorbed previously... but I don't mind." Her face grew sad when she continued. "Besides, Auron already died after reaching Zanarkand..."
"Um, I don't want to interrupt, but we really have to get out of here," Ranma intervened. "If Mika's or Seymour's guys find us, they won't be so casual about it like you."
"He's correct," one of Kinoc's men nodded. He was wearing green clothes and a blue headband. "We really should leave, sir," he told his commander. "When the troops loyal to the Grand Maester find us, we won't be able to fight them off."
"You're right, Baralai," Kinoc nodded. "Well, I wish all of you good luck... and take care when reaching Mt. Gagazet. Maester Kelk has turned against Yevon as well, but he and his tribesmen never were the most... trustful people." He looked at Kimahri. "No offense, please. Baralai, tell the troops to get ready for departure!"
The white-haired, dark-skinned man nodded and turned around. "Okay, men! You heard the commander! Time to go!"
Without noticing it, the long, pole-like weapon strapped on his back twirled around while he turned to his men - and hit Shampoo's face so hard that she fell over.
"Shampoo," Ukyo shouted and kneeled down. "Are you okay?" Shampoo just muttered: "Ow..."
Chappu nodded towards Wakka. "See ya, bro! Take good care of Yuna, ya?"
"Don't worry, I will," Wakka nodded while Yuna smiled at her other childhood friend gratefully.
Luzzu and Gatta bid their farewells, and Kinoc smiled down at his old/new friend. "You may have changed, but I presume inside, you are still the warm-hearted man I know. Have a safe journey, Au... Aura!"
Aura nodded. "And where will you go?"
"I think I will try to reach Mushroom Rock and hide in the remains of our old camp. Who knows, perhaps I will gather some people there that are ready to act against Yevon's ways of thinking." He nodded to the others. "Farewell, everyone! I hope to see you again..." His face grew a little sad when he looked at Yuna.
The former maester and his escort vanished in the bushes and left the pilgrimage behind.
'Well, that's really a good idea,' he pondered. 'I wonder how I should call this new resistance group? Anti-Yevonites? Kinoc's boys? The Youth League?'
He shook his head. 'Youth League? Where did that come from?'
----
Yuna and Ranma's group also got ready to leave.
"Hey Shampoo! You coming or not?" Akane shouted.
The lavender-haired Gun Mage looked one last time to where Kinoc's men had vanished. Akane went over to her ex-rival. "What's wrong?"
Shampoo's hand touched the bump where Baralai's weapon had hit her head. "He... he's strong..." she murmured. "He beat me in combat..."
Akane stared at her. "You GOTTA be kidding!"
Shampoo's face beamed when she recalled the handsome face of the warrior monk. She giggled. "Airen..." she sighed. "Wo ai ni."
Akane face-faulted.
See other episodes by Shritistrang
(Posted Thu, 03 Aug 2006 16:28)
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