Final Fantasy IX/X-2: Melodies of the Gullwings

"...You stayed behind because you were worried about the chocobo egg." Yuri said as No. 288 shook his head slightly. "...I don't know. I wanted to follow Kuja because I was so scared of dying. But I couldn't... I felt like I was leaving something important behind." he responded.

 

"I understand, No. 288. I didn't want to leave my village when I left for my pilgrimage two years ago."

 

"...Kuja said the prototype built before us would last longer." No. 288 said calmly.

 

"Prototype, you mean Vivi? What about Jecht? He needs to know!"

 

No. 288 stared at the two. "...Kuja's secret palace is on the eastern side of this continent. It's buried under quicksand. You'll need a ship to get there as I hope we'll become as strong as Vivi one day." He said.

 

Yuna nodded and left to tell Jecht and Vivi.

 

Tidus was silent during the whole moment they reached the black mages village

 

Yuri stood at the entrance to the village as did some others.

 

Yuna went to the entrance of the village and looked back. She sighed, and went to the ship.

 

THe others soon returned to the ship as iit headed for the easten side of the contienent

Yuri sat down on the boat, relaxing as he noticed he got a stare from someone, it was Rikku.

"Gonna get revenge now?" He asked

 

"Nah, I'll scheme with Zidane about getting my revenge on you." Rikku walked away. Yuna looked out with Squall, Yuna wondered if Tidus would accept Squall as his son. Terya waited as they sailed to the eastern side.

 

Tidus suddenly walked up to Jecht "I need to talk to you. Alone" Tidus said

 

"Okay......." Jecht walked to a different part of the ship.

 

Tidus leaned against the railing of the ship and sighed "its about Vivi" Tidus said

 

"What's about Vivi?" Jecht asked, seriousness in his tone. Ever since meeting the young mage, Jecht had promised himself to protect him.

 

"I think...your being too overprotective over him" Tidus said

 

Jecht sighed and smiled. "I know. But I think I'll let him go soon, probably. He deserved to be with other black mages. Who am I to ruin that?"

 

"no...now is the time you should let him go. Vivi needs to figure things out by himself without depending on you. Im not telling you to forget about him. We are his friends and we will help him but there are thing he needs to do alone and man up" Tidus said

 

"You're right. I think I've atoned enough looking after him. He needs to find his own strength." Jecht watched him talk with Paine about the spells in the Black Mage dressphere. Terya watched they were nearing the eastern side and cast Darkness on everyone, then jumped off the ship, heading for her brother's hidden palace.

 

Yuri walked as Zidane was serious. "He's buried somewhere..." Zidane said and then Yuri felt strange. "Why is the floor sink-" Yuri's train of thought realised what it was. "Quicksand!?" He said in surprise as it was fast to swallow him up and soon Yuri himself was gone.

Zidane and the others were having the same problem. "Damnit!" Was all Zidane could say before he and Cid were pulled in.

~Desert Palace cells~

Yuri's hand twitched and he opened his eyes. "I'm alive...?" He thought to himself and forced himself up as he looked at his surroundings. "I'm alone."

Zidane awoke with Cid "U-Ungh... Cid... Where the heck are we?" He asked and Cid looked at him.

"<ribbit> I wish I knew!" he responded and Zidane looked around. "Where are the others?" He asked again and Cid shook his head. "Hopefully they are all right."

"So you're finally awake..." Kuja's voice spoke within the room and Zidane instantly got into a stance. "It's Kuja!"

"My, my... Aren't we feisty today? No need to worry about your friends. They're in rooms not unlike yours. Oh, yes... By the way, I should probably enlighten you as to your current situation."

Zidane knew it wasn't good as the ground open up a bit to reveal some lava at the bottom.

"Yikes!" Zidane jumped back to the wall.

"I'm sure that even your feeble mind can grasp what would happen if you were to take that plunge. Ahahahahahahaha!" as Zidane looked up at the roof. "Damn you Kuja!" Zidane cursed.

"Oh, dear. Was it something I said? Either way, now that you're aware of your predicament, I'd like you to do a tiny little favor for me. I'll let your friends live if you say yes." Kuja's voice said and Zidane knew the outcome. "Damnit all...all right!"

"Very good. You've chosen wisely. First, step outside." He said as the door oepned and Cid and Zidane walked out.

"Hey, Cid. I need you to look after the others." Zidane said as Cid nodded. " Fine <ribbit>! I won't let you down! And <ribbit>! You come back safe!" He said as Zidane walked ahead to see two Black Mages

"Not these guys again..." Zidane said as the two Mages remained still and quiet and Kuja's voice spoke again. "Stand between the two black mages."

Zidane recluantly stood between them as he was teleported to Kuja's room as Seymour and Ryrin were also there.

"Welcome to my humble abode." Kuja said, turning to Zidane as Zidane looked at him. "Just cut the chase and tell me what the hell you want!" Zidane yelled at him.

"My, we're upset, aren't we? Well, this is your errand... I want you to go somewhere and bring something back for me." Kuja responded and Zidane growled a bit. "So, tell me what it is already, you demon!"

Kuja stared at Zidane sternly. "I'd watch my mouth if I were you. Surely, you haven't forgotten that I hold your friends' lives in my hands." He said and Zidane growled a bit.

"I'm going to send you to a place called Oeilvert." Kuja said and Zidane looked at him. "Where's that?" He asked and Kuja answered.

"Oeilvert is south of the Seaways Canyon on the Forgotten Continent. It isn't really my kind of place." Kuja said and Zidane looked at him and Kuja continued. "You see, there's an anti-magic barrier around the place. And I want to send you because you're too stupid to use magic. Once there, I want you to retrieve the Gulug Stone for me. What do you say? Isn't it a simple task? I'll even send you on my luxury cruise ship, so you won't have to worry about transportation. Perhaps it's too much for
you, so peharps you should select some of your friends to travel with you, no-one likes to fight against himself." Kuja said and Zidane was confused.

"Heheh, nevermind. Speak their names when you've chosen your partners."

OOC: Now who should Zidane choose from? in the original game, he chooses three members but we got more than that right now, so which character should go with hima nd it has to be a certain number to make it evenly balanced for the ones who stay behind.