The Summoner's Path

Chapter Four

Gatta was right. Luca really was an amazing city to see; especially for an amnesiac Summoner whose memories were limited to the Calm Lands, and small villages like Besaid, and Kilika. Luca was loud, brash, gaudy, and full of people; on the streets, leaning out of windows, even floating overhead in gigantic balloons.

Auron strode next to Lulu, watching her inspect the merchants' wares, looking at their weapons, in particular.

"Far too expensive," Lulu sniffed, dismissing the latest merchant. "And the workmanship, if I can actually call it that…"

Another thing Luca was apparently famous for; over-priced Weapons and Items. Lulu shook her head, muttering disgustedly.

"Tidus said to look for a merchant called O'aka XXIII," Auron reminded her. "He said this O'aka's wares might be better-made and actually cheaper too."

"Did someone mention my name?"

A man's voice brought them around. Speak of the devil…

Auron's eyebrow rose as he looked at the man; but Tidus had said the man was scruffy-looking. Lulu cautiously inspected O'aka's weapons and items, rewarding him with one of her rare smiles; especially when O'aka said the magic words…

"For your Pilgrimage, everything's Half-price."

"Ah…" Lulu nodded. "Then I'll take two Warrior's Swords, and a Shimmering Blade, please."

"Wow!" Gatta's eyes were wide as Lulu handed one of the Warrior's Swords to him.

"The other Warrior's Sword is for Tidus, and the shimmering Blade is for Luzzu," Lulu looked at the other weapons thoughtfully. "The Power Ball, and the Enchanted wand look good, and we all need Metal Armor."

She giggled a bit.

"I feel like such a spendthrift," she admitted, and Auron had to laugh.

Big mistake there…

Lulu's glare was rather intimidating.

"Well, ah…" he pushed his sunglasses up on his nose. "He did say everything was Half-price for us."

Lulu picked up the other weapons and armor, paid the merchant, and then turned to count the amount of Gil she had left over.

"Good," she sounded relieved. "We can splurge for Lunch at the Blitz Diner."

"The Blitz Diner?"

""The best Diner in Spira," Gatta explained. "The owner is a really big Blitzball fan."

"We can sit by the windows and watch the world go by while we eat," Lulu flashed a small smile, and Auron's heart fluttered.

No, he told himself. It's not right…

The Blitz Diner was a large establishment, with courteous staff who clearly knew their business. The Greeter led them to a booth by an enormous window. As they took their seats, Auron glanced at the bar area. Mounted on the back wall, overseeing everything, was the wickedest-looking Blitzball he had ever seen.

"It's supposed to be a family heirloom," Gatta said. "I'd hate to get hit by that, wouldn't you?"

A waiter came up, setting menus, drinking glasses, and a pitcher of ice water, on the table. Gatta stood to pour the water, fumbled the pitcher.

"Oops!"

"Damn…" Auron muttered. The sleeves of his tunic were now dripping wet.

"I'm sorry, Lord Auron, so sorry!"

"Never mind, Gatta," Auron sighed. "It was just an accident. I'll be back"

Getting up, Auron found his way to the Men's Washroom. It was a clean place with three stalls, two of which were in use, and two sinks, each equipped with soap, and running water. As Auron dried his hands, and tried to wring the last of the water from the sleeves of his tunic, he heard the others in the stalls coming out. The Summoner moved to one side, leaving one sink free; but the two men stayed right behind him. Auron's senses tingled. This didn't feel right. Before he could move, strong arms wrapped around his upper arms, immobilizing him, as a soft wet cloth was slapped over his nose and mouth; and he could smell the narcotic in the cloth even as he slipped into unconsciousness…

"I can't believe I spilled water all over the Lord Summoner," Gatta was despondent.

"Relax, Gatta," Lulu looked over the rim of her water-glass. "It was an accident; not the end of the world."

"Um…" Gatta was fidgeting just a little.

"What is it?" Lulu snapped.

"I…need to visit the Men's Room too," Gatta was blushing.

"Go on," Lulu heaved a patient sigh. "I'll order for all three of us."

"My Lady," Gatta stood, headed for the Men's washroom. Once he was out of earshot, Lulu dissolved into helpless giggles. She remembered laughing like that before; with Lady Ginnem…

That sobered her.

Lady Ginnem, dead all these years…

"Lady Lulu…" It was Gatta, and he sounded frightened. Auron's sunglasses lay in his hand.

"Where's Lord Auron?" she demanded.

"I don't k-know," Gatta stammered. "His sunglasses were on the floor. I asked one of the attendants if they had seen anything. He said he had seen two Al Bhed helping a third, who had apparently fainted. They said they were going to take him back to their ship. But…"

"What, Gatta?"

"I asked the attendant what the third guy, the one who had fainted, looked like, and the description sounded exactly like Auron; dark hair, going gray, and just one eye. On top of that, there have been some rumors going around about the Al Bhed; something about them, and Summoners…"

Oh, this was bad…

Lulu stood quickly, went to the bar, Gatta right behind.

"Is there a Comm-Sphere?" she asked. "This is an emergency."

"That's what they all say, Lady. Use the Public Comm-Sphere."

Lulu leaned forward, fed up to here with officious bastards.

"Lord Summoner Auron has just been kidnapped," her voice was conversational, even pleasant. "Do you understand? My Summoner has…just…been…kidnapped. So, put me through to the Stadium, to the Besaid Aurochs' Lockers. I need to speak with Wak-no, Tidus-and immediately!"

Moments later, Tidus was on the Sphere, breathing heavily, and Lulu could hear Wakka's voice in the background as he drilled the Aurochs.

"Hey, Lulu," Tidus said. "What's up?"

"Lord Auron's been kidnapped; by the Al Bhed, of all people."

"Auron?" Tidus' eyes were very wide. "I'd better tell Wakka."

"Don't let him come with you!" Lulu warned him. "He hates the Al Bhed."

"Meaning he might act first, think later? Yeah…I can see that. I'll meet you outside the Diner ASAP…"

Lulu and Gatta went outside the Diner. Tidus appeared just a few minutes later, red of face, breathing heavily, and Lulu realized that, when it came to threats to Lord Auron, Tidus might be every bit as thoughtless as Wakka. Auron had been, after all, a father-figure to Tidus, and Lulu remembered how devastated Tidus had been to learn of Auron's supposed death four years ago.

Too late now; he's here, and we must find our Summoner…

"The Al Bhed did it?" Tidus had never before looked so grim.

"It certainly does look that way," Lulu nodded.

"All right…the Docks," Tidus began to run, the other Guardians right behind. At the Docks, he located the Harbor Master.

"Did any Al Bhed ships dock here?" Tidus asked the man.

"Yeah," the grizzled man consulted his manifest. "Dock Four; and you'd better hurry if you don't want to miss your boat."

"Miss the boat?" Lulu asked sharply.

"They've been cleared for departure," the man said, and Lulu felt her heart skip a beat.

They wouldn't dare…would they?

The Guardians ran, heading for Dock Four. They were confronted by…obstructions…along the way.

"What the hell are those?" Tidus stared at the machine blocking their way; each machine running in on two awkward legs, with only one arm, tipped with a pointy-looking device.

"They're Workers," Gatta explained. "The Al Bhed program them to perform simple tasks."

"Like keeping us from getting to Auron…"

"Yeah, Tidus; exactly like that."

"But, we're gonna get Auron back, right?"

Tidus Hasted Lulu, then Gatta, and they all went to work. Lulu's Lightning Spell seemed to have the greatest impact on the Workers, so Tidus and Gatta did their best to Guard her, leaving Lulu to dish out the destruction. The Workers actually weren't all that hard to destroy. But there were a lot of them, always in groups of three, or four, and Lulu began to wonder how many Workers the Al Bhed had, that they could afford to lose so many, just to kidnap one Summoner. What was Lord Auron to these people?

Then, the Guardians arrived at Dock Four. An army of Workers stood in their way, and Lulu could see the Al Bhed crew making ready for departure.

"Oh, no you don't," Tidus growled as he launched himself at the Workers.

"The battle was hectic, the Guardians slicing, dicing, and zapping their way through all the machina, leaving spare parts in their wake. The Al Bhed ship was beginning to move, slipping out of Dock Four, but Tidus was running; the others right behind him. As one, the trio leaped across the gap between Dock and deck, the ocean beneath.

"Auron!" Tidus yelled.

There was another machina there, one Lulu had never seen before.

"Uh-oh…" Gatta looked up at the monstrous thing.

The machina moved, spitting metallic balls at them.

"Yeowch!" Tidus backed up, looking around. "We need to be strategic here…"

"Lulu!" he hasted her. "See that crane?"

"Yes," Lulu nodded. "What about it?"

"Hit it with your Lightning."

"What; are you serious?"

"I know how to operate it," Tidus was grinning. "Zap it!"

Lulu began to hurl Lightning at the crane, Tidus and Gatta doing their best to protect her. Then, the crane rumbled into life.

"Finally…" Lulu heard Tidus mutter as he ran up to the crane's control panel.

Light, and murmuring voices, flashed across the darkness, a meaningless mélange of light and sound. Then, the babble of sound began to acquire meaning, as Auron began to realize he lay on a hard surface, his wrists bound together in front of him. His head ached miserably, his stomach was roiling, and he remembered the wet cloth held over his nose and mouth.

He was lying on his right side, and there were footsteps all around him, people speaking in a language he didn't know…

"Fro tet oui pet rec fnecdc, Blappa? Ra'c hud yh ahaso."

"Din uh dra, Cid, Yuna. Hililpih, ni omit dy pi e Zehhuyh-Lyrg. Ni gryzm nyz dy wuknd."

"Dnia'hi soddurk dnyokn yoh Zyhgihm cugi nyd grufim dnhyokn poddih!"

"U gryz, Yuna, Rikku, kid picyztisgm. Dnum syoct pi pet."

""Dnia'hi sylurk epyeht, Blappa!"

"U gryz," Auron heard the man give a deep sigh. ""Dohr yr dni Oblitzerator."

Auron didn't dare move yet. Whatever he had inhaled left him feeling dizzy and nauseous. Opening his eye cautiously, he realized he was lying on the floor of what looked like the Helm. There was a wide window there, allowing an uninterrupted view of the battle going on just outside, and his Guardians fought the Oblitzerator. At first, he wondered why Lulu was casting Lightning on the nearby crane. Then, he knew, and it was all he could do to keep from smiling. Instead, he peered around carefully, looking for his Staff. Someone had left it propped against a wall, just a few feet away. The sound of the crane brought his attention back to the battle. He couldn't see who was at the controls, but the crane was swinging out, grabbing the Oblitzerator, and ripping it apart in a matter of minutes…

"Blappa, dnia'hi kyurk dy phieg dnhyokn!"

"U gryz. Kid dni Mollyrih picyztisgm."

Auron closed his eye when he heard footsteps approach. A hand grabbed his shoulder, and he twisted to grab the man's shirt. He slammed the man down to the right, felt the impact, as the man's head hit the floor. Quickly, the Summoner rolled to his feet, grabbed his Staff from the wall. Two other men were there. The first charged him; Auron side-stepped him, brought his Staff around as he moved.

Crack!

His attacker went limp, falling to the floor. The other man's hand moved to touch a flashing panel. Auron's Staff whipped out, rapping the man smartly across the knuckles.

"I am going to leave," Auron growled. He pointed his Staff at the man, nodding at the door to the deck.

"Open the door," he commanded. "Let me go."

The man opened the door, and Auron stepped outside, into the brilliant light.

Great…Light-blinded again…

"Auron, are you okay?"

Auron squinted against the glare. Whatever had been in that wet cloth, it was making his light sensitivity problem worse than normal. Tidus was a vague, man-shaped hole just in front of him.

"Gatta's got your shades, old man," Tidus was saying. "Let me free your hands. How did they get you anyway?"

"Some sort of knockout drug in a wet cloth," Auron felt Tidus working on the ropes binding his wrists. Tidus was still talking.

"You didn't see anyone, like girls in there, did you?"

Auron had to laugh.

"What a one-track mind," he shook his head.

"It's not like that, Auron!" Tidus sounded embarrassed. "A girl, called Rikku, was on one of those Al Bhed ships, and they saved me, gave me food. They got attacked by Sin, though, and I wonder if they made it."

"I didn't see any women, or girls," Auron said; although he was pretty sure he had heard the name Rikku mentioned, along with the name, Yuna…

Yuna…

That name conjured up an image in his mind, a melancholy child with unusual eyes, but the image fled back into the depths of his mind before he could grab hold of it…

"You okay, Auron?"

Tidus was cutting the last of the rope away.

"Uh…yes, Tidus; I'm…fine."

Tidus nodded.

"Hey, Gatta," he called. "Auron's sunglasses, please?"

"Sure," Auron heard Gatta run up, felt the young man place the sunglasses in his hand.

"Thanks," Auron slipped the sunglasses back on. He could see again. Lulu was there too, and she was looking him over carefully, checking him for injuries, the Summoner realized.

"I'm fine," he said; which wasn't entirely true. His head was pounding, and he felt just a touch wobbly. But he really wanted to get out of here.

"Let's go to the Stadium," Tidus suggested. "The game's gonna start soon, and I'll feel better when you're with the Maesters."

"You definitely have a point there," Auron admitted. The Al Bhed had tried to kidnap him, a fact he was having trouble assimilating.

Spira needs the Calm. Why would anyone want to interfere with a Pilgrimage to defeat Sin?

Wakka was waiting for them at the Lockers.

"Ey, Lord Summoner; you okay?" the red-head asked. "Datto told me what happened."

"I'll have to have a quiet word with Datto," Tidus grumbled. "He wasn't supposed to tell you."

"It's okay," Auron reassured Wakka. "I'm fine."

"Those sand-blasted grease monkeys!" Wakka exploded. "They got a lot of nerve kidnapping you! But, what I don't see is why? Are they that mad at the Aurochs for beating them in the Semi-Finals?"

"I've got nothing to do with Blitzball," Auron shook his head. "I'm a Summoner, not a Blitzball player."

"Lord Auron is right," Lulu spoke. "This was directed at him; not the Besaid Aurochs."

"But, what've the Al Bhed got against Summoners?" Wakka was clearly confused about the whole thing, as was Auron himself. One thing did stand out in Auron's awareness.

They used drugs to take me down. Not violence. I wonder why…

Auron looked up; saw a young man, wearing the livery of St. Bevelle, striding up.

"My Lord," the man bowed deeply. "I am here to guide you, and your Guardians, to the Maester's seats."

Auron heard Tidus breathe a sigh of relief.

"Now, I can concentrate on the game," the young man said. "I'll make you proud, old man."

"You already do," the words were out of Auron before he realized what he was saying, and he wondered if those words had come from that dark place where his walled-off memories resided.

Tidus blinked, swallowed convulsively, sudden tears springing up in his eyes.

"Thanks, Auron," the boy's response was barely audible. Then, he was gone, back into the Lockers with Wakka.

The Stadium was packed for the Grudge Match, a special treat for the fans of the game. The Maester's Box, canopied and draped in the colors of Yevon, lay just ahead. Over the murmuring of the vast multitude, Auron could hear the voices of the sportscasters.

"…and, Bobba, this just came in. Lord Summoner Auron is here, in person, to cheer the Besaid Aurochs onto another victory."

"Yes, Jimma, and this Summoner's life is the stuff of which legends are made. He served as Lord Braska's Guardian fourteen years ago. And, after having disappeared for fourteen years, now he's following in Lord Braska's footsteps, and going on Pilgrimage to bring a Calm of his very own. So, let's all give the Summoner a big cheer; let him know we're all rooting for him."

The crowd roared, banners waved, and Lulu touched the Summoner's shoulder.

"I think you're supposed to wave back," she said.

"Why?" Auron snapped. "I'm not a Blitzball star, or a Maester."

"You're their hope," Lulu reminded him.

Auron stopped; looked out over the crowd. They were cheering for him, and-for a brief moment-his heart was torn asunder.

He didn't wave. Instead, he bowed, deeply, formally. That was, apparently, enough of a response to satisfy the people. The crowd roared all the louder. Auron made his way to the Maester's Box, features stony, almost set into a scowl. If it had been up to Auron, he would've skulked to one of the seats at the rear, content to hide in relative obscurity; but that wasn't to be…

Maester Mika rose from his seat gracefully, as did Maester Seymour. As Auron made to bow to the two Maesters, Mika stopped him.

"No, my son," the Maester said, as he guided the Summoner to a seat between himself and Maester Seymour; a position of high honor, to be seated between the two Maesters.

"On this day, we are all merely fellow Blitzball fans," the High Maester added.

Auron looked at the seat with deep misgivings. It was a rather throne-like affair, with a canopy to shade his head. Lulu and Gatta had seats just behind Auron, as was proper for Guardians.

Auron remained standing as the High Maester pronounced the Blessing.

"My friends," Mika's voice soared over the spectators "Let us partake of this common joy as these two teams, the Luca Goers, and the Besaid Aurochs, strive together once again, on this historic occasion. Let this be a joyful day."

Everyone sat, as jets of water poured out, filling a globe-shaped area. Auron watched that with deep interest.

"Machina that survived the great destruction of a thousand years ago, Maester Seymour explained.

"Isn't that kind of machina forbidden by Yevon?"

"Yevon decides," the young Maester looked out over the crowd. "This machina fills the globe with water, so the Blitzball teams can play, and the people can forget their woes for a time. Surely, that is good, don't you think? Unlike the kind of machina that brought Sin; the kind of machina that kills."

"Yes," Auron nodded. There was that difference.

"Ah…" Maester Mika pointed. "The teams are coming out now."

The crowd began to roar in anticipation. The Grudge Match was beginning…

Tidus and Wakka had decided to split the job of leading between them; so, now, Tidus was leading, and Wakka would take over for the second half of the game. Tidus took up position directly across from Abus, caught Bickson's gaze, saw the wide grin there, matched by his own, equally wide grin. Then, the Blitzball spun, soaring upward, and Tidus and Abus leaped as one…

History would record the Grudge Match as one of the hardest-fought, most exciting matches in the annals of the game. Both teams scored goals in the first Quarter. Then, they were locked in a stalemate for practically the rest of the game. At the end, Wakka staged his famous, all-or-nothing offensive, and scored the tie-breaking goal, just before the horns blatted, signaling the end of the game. Tidus swam out to rejoin Wakka. Even under all that water, he could hear the roar, and the stamping of the crowd. It had been a good game…

We did it! Wakka signaled to Tidus in Blitzspeak.

Yes, we did, Tidus signaled back.

Abus and Bickson swam up. Although disappointed to have lost the match, they had been elated to have taken part in such a well-played game; one the experts would be talking about for decades. Only one thing marred the moment for Tidus; an almost-buzzing sound that played itself in Tidus' head. It sounded like someone muttering in his ear.

Ohgodohgodohgod…

It sounded sort of like Jecht's voice

Medium-rare steaks at the Blitz Diner? Bickson signaled.

Also, Abus, the devout Yevonite of the Goers, signaled. We would be honored if Lord Auron, and the rest of his Guardians, would join us.

I'll let him know, Tidus promised. Then, he heard something hit the water just overhead, and looked up.

Sahagin Chiefs; lots of them…

Fortunately, Tidus and Wakka always carried their D-Scabbards with them wherever they went, even into Blitzball games,

Get out of here, guys, Wakka signaled to Abus and Bickson. Leave this to us…

As all the Goers fled, Wakka turned to Tidus.

Got any Darktouch Weapons?

No; that's going to have to be your job.

Okay; Haste me, brudda…

So, they worked as a team, Wakka blinding the Fiends, Tidus cleaving them asunder with the Warrior's Sword

Ohgodohgodohgod…

Tidus ignore the muttering-a mystery for another day-as he fought his way out of the water. Finally, he and Wakka made it out, to the Bleachers. There, Tidus saw something he would remember for as long as he lived…

Luzzu had made it back to the game, was standing in front of a Fiend Tidus had never seen before. The Crusader had placed himself between this Fiend, and several people, who were cowering in fear behind him.

Luzzu lifted his katana-Auron's katana-and stood ready.

The Fiend-a Voiuvre, Tidus learned later-roared and leaped. Luzzu side-stepped, and swung, the katana shearing off the Fiend's head as it exploded into Pyrefly dust…

"Now, that's style!" Wakka ran up, Tidus right behind.

"Yeah!" Tidus had to agree. "Need any help, Luzzu?"

"Yes," Luzzu pointed upward, and one of the Garudas flying overhead. "Could someone please whack that thing; maybe even blind it a little?"

"Sure," Wakka's Blitzball hit the Garuda squarely in the head. Tidus and Luzzu quickly finished it off. But, there were hundreds of Fiends out there, soaring overhead, in the water, and stalking among the rows of seats.

"Aw, give me a break, man!"

The last time Tidus had seen that many Fiends in one place was when Sin attacked Zanarkand.

Sin?

Tidus could still hear the muttering in his head…

Ohgodohgodohgod…

Auron ignored the muttering in his head. A Garuda soared overhead, and he made ready to Summon an Aeon…

Something hit him, and he found himself flat on his back, ears ringing. Lulu was leaning over him, an empty Potion vial in her hand.

"Are you all right, my Lord?"

Ohgodohgodohgod…

Shut up! Auron raged at the voice inside his head. If you can't help, keep quiet

The voice disappeared with an audible snap. Auron started to pull himself to his feet, but Lulu held him back.

"No, my lord; let Maester Seymour handle this."

Maester Seymour?

Maester Seymour was standing, his staff moving as he performed a Summoning ritual. An anchor dropped out of the sky, hauling something up from the ground below. Auron could only stare in something very close to shock.

It had to be an Aeon, that much he knew. But, what an Aeon…

Pain rolled out from that Aeon, wave after wave of Pain, and the Fiends just withered and died, right in front of the terrified spectators.

Then, finally, all the Fiends were dead, and Auron could see Tidus, Wakka, and Luzzu, making their way over, staring at the Aeon with more than a little trepidation.

"This is Anima," Seymour introduced the Guardians to his Aeon before he dismissed it.

"Like Valefor and Ifrit?" Tidus asked

"Sin has left the area," Maester Mika announced. "There was some damage to the Docks, but no fatalities, and no injuries to speak of either."

"Thank Yevon," Auron muttered. No Sendings…

"The fighting's done?"

Yes, Tidus," Auron ignored his pounding head, and the fatigue. "We must continue on our Pilgrimage."

"Shouldn't you get some rest first, old man? You were put through the mill today."

"They kidnapped you," Wakka nodded. "They musta done something nasty to you, ya?"

"Who kidnapped you?" Maester Mika asked.

"The dirty, stinking Al Bhed!" Wakka's outrage was clear. "You must be feeling pretty sick now, ya?"

"I'm fine," Auron rubbed his left temple.

"Sure, old man," Tidus walked up. "So, why are you rubbing your temple like that? You only do that when your head is pounding."

Auron snatched his hand away guiltily.

"I need to defeat Sin as soon as possible," he said. "So things like the attack on Luca won't happen; for a while, at least."

Could I possibly sound any lamer?

He hated this…

"You are allowed to rest when necessary," Maester Seymour looked at him gravely. "You are Spira's Hope, and if you make yourself ill, you will not be able to defeat Sin."

"Besides, old man, the Luca Goers are gonna treat us all to dinner at the Blitz Diner. You wouldn't turn your nose up at a medium-rare steak, would you?"

"All right," Auron surrendered. He still felt a little wobbly.

What was in that wet cloth?

There were no unfortunate incidents at the Blitz Diner this time. Dinner was fine; steak, baked potatoes, toasted garlic bread, salad, and a dessert that Auron, not having mush of a sweet tooth, didn't touch.

"How are you feeling?" Tidus asked him for perhaps the twentieth time.

"Just a little tired," Auron admitted, finishing the last of his iced water.

"Go to bed, old man," Tidus said. "We got rooms for you at the Inn. Lulu's alone, but you'll be bunking with Luzzu and Gatta. I hope you don't mind."

"What about you and Wakka?"

"We'll be able to sleep at the Lockers, for free."

"Yay…" Lulu, the Keeper of the Purse, murmured.

After the Dinner, Auron made his way back to the Inn. Too tired to care that he would be sharing with two other people, he simply picked the first bed, and lay down. He was asleep within minutes…

He was walking alone, on a featureless plain, and he had no idea how he had gotten there. There were no landmarks-or even the sun-to indicate direction…

"Auron, get your butt over here!"

Auron stopped, looking for the owner of that rough-sounding voice, found the man, strong-looking, powerful chest covered in tattoos, just off to the right. The man looked him over.

"Y'know," the man snorted. "When the runt told me you were the Summoner, I thought he was joking."

"Who are you?" something about the man made the hairs rise on the back of Auron's neck.

"Aw, hell," the man snarled. "You really do have amnesia. Murphy's Law strikes again."

"Who's Murphy?" this was getting stranger by the minute.

"Someone I told you about a long time ago. It ain't important, Auron."

The man was shaking with anger.

"Why did it have to be you?" he growled. "Why did you, of all people, decide to become a Summoner?"

"To avenge my friends," Auron felt foolish for saying that, and the man's snort of dark laughter didn't help. "Sin killed my friends, and this is all I can do to honor their memory."

"No!" the man's gaze pierced him. "You can quit your Pilgrimage."

"But-"

"I don't want you to die, Auron," There was old grief in the man's eyes. "Especially the way Braska died. Let it go, Auron. Take your Guardians, and find a nice place to live in. Marry that Black Mage and have kids. It's better than being Spira's Martyr of the Year."

"I know you, don't I?" sudden terror crawled up Auron's spine. "Who are you?"

The man shook his head, lunged forward, and grabbed Auron, pulling him forward, shaking him.

"Wake up!" he bellowed.

Auron jerked bolt upright. For a few seconds, he didn't know where he was…

"You okay, Lord Auron?" that was Luzzu, up and fully dressed.

"Just a dream," Auron forced the dream away from his mind. Getting up, he bumped into Gatta, as the young man was coming out of the bathroom. There, he caught his reflection in the mirror over the sink; sleep-rumpled hair, the one dark eye staring back at him, the other hidden permanently beneath the sealed lid. The scars…

Where-and how-did I get all these scars?

It was more than just the scar sealing his right eye. The scars trailed from his right shoulder, all the way down his torso. Relics of injuries he didn't remember receiving…

Scowling at his reflection, he shaved and washed his face quickly. Dressing, he finger-combed his hair into a semblance of order, slipped the sunglasses back on.

He found everyone else in the lobby; having a free breakfast of coffee and pastry.

"I'm sorry for keeping everyone waiting."

"No problem, old man. How are you feeling?"

"You know, Tidus," Auron was beginning to feel a little exasperated. "I'm not exactly fragile."

"I know, but you are feeling better?"

Tidus' tone said it all…

Yeah, old man; we know you're not fragile. But, we're going to worry over you, whether you like it or not. We're Guardians

Auron found a toasted bagel to go with his coffee.

"Where do we go from here?" Tidus asked him.

"We have to take the Mi'hen Highroad," Auron was looking at his Guardians. They were all ready to go now.

"The Highroad was busy today, full of Blitzball fans leaving for their homes. There were others on the Highroad too; others that Tidus would've gladly missed.

"Look out!" he yelled. "Fiends ahead!"

A Raldo was there, along with a Mihen Fang, and a ball of fire with a disturbing leer…

"That's a Bomb," Luzzu explained

"Ya think?" The Bomb's grin was just plain evil.

Lulu hit it with a Blizzard spell, putting an end to the grin, and the Fiend as well. Luzzu and Tidus dealt with the Raldo and the Mihen Fang.

In between the battles, there were encounters with other travelers, including an elderly scholar who called himself Maechen, and he told them stories about the creation of the Mi'hen High Road, and also about the famed Lord Mi'hen, the first leader of the Crusaders.

Tidus also found things-items, weapons, and armor-left upon the road.

"These belonged to people who died, didn't they?"

"Probably," Lulu looked down at the things. "Or they were stolen, and left here. Either way, there is no one to claim them."

"Finders, Keepers?" that creeped Tidus out just a little.

"Yes," Lulu bent and picked up a Red Ring. "This will be good for Lord Auron, protection from those Bombs. The Gil, and Potions, we can use as well."

"What about that?" Tidus pointed at the Hunter's Spear lying at his feet.

"That's a Ronso weapon. Take it, and give it to the first Ronso we meet."

"All right…"Tidus felt odd about taking dead people's gear-too much like Mory and Tema for his taste-but the absence of bodies did make it easier.

Shortly after that, they were ambushed, by a trio of grinning Bombs. Wakka took the brunt of that triple attack of Fire; enough to bring him to his knees. The Bombs were ready to attack again, and Tidus knew that even Lulu wouldn't be able to cast her Blizzard Spells in time. Auron Summoned an Aeon, and Ifrit appeared. The Aeon of Fire stepped in front of Wakka, and absorbed the fire that would've killed the Guardian. Tidus ran up, and dragged Wakka out of the way as Ifrit squared off against the Bombs.

"Hey, Wakka," he handed the man a Hi-Potion.

"Thanks, brudda" Wakka drained the vial. "That hurt!"

Ifrit might've seemed, at first, an odd Aeon to choose for a battle with such clearly Fire Elemental creature like the Bombs. But, Tidus could see the logic of Auron's choice. These Bombs weren't all that smart to begin with. Sure, they would physically attack Ifrit. Then they would blast him with Fire; and Ifrit being the Aeon of Fire, fire was as good for Ifrit as Cure was for anyone else. In the end, because the Bombs were simply too dumb to see their mistake, Ifrit killed all three of them without even raising much of a sweat. Ifrit stood there, on the field of victory. Then he seemed to do a little victory dance…

"Did Ifrit really just do a victory dance?" Tidus was having trouble believing what his eyes had just seen.

"Yes," Lulu watched Auron Dismiss the Aeon. "They used to be human, and Summoners of great power, before they allowed their souls to be bound into statues of stone."

"They were people? Jeez, no way!"

"Yeah, it's true, brudda," Wakka got back to his feet. "They sacrificed their bodies so they could help the Summoners defeat Sin."

"But, Sin always comes back," Tidus protested. "You all tell me this; so what's the point?"

"The point?" Auron strode up. "The point is that every time a Summoner defeats Sin that means a few years of peace; a few years without Sin."

A few years where people can live without fear. Yeah, old man, I get it…

"So, we go on, then?" Tidus asked.

"Yes," Auron strode forward. "We go on."

Yet more Fiends turned up, White Elements, Floating Eyes, and a Dual Horn…

It happened so quickly. The Dual Horn charged at Lulu, but Auron moved, interposing himself between the Fiend and the Black Mage.

"Lord Auron!"

Tidus and Luzzu ignored Lulu's cry as they attacked the Dual Horn. Tidus was aware of Lulu's Fire Spells, arching overhead, crashing into the White Elements, and melting them away, while Gatta and Wakka dealt with the Floating Eyes. Then the Fiends were gone, and Tidus turned to look for Auron. The Summoner was trying to pull himself into a sitting position, one arm clasped across his chest, his face pale with pain. Lulu had knelt by his side.

"Broken ribs?" Lulu dug out a Hi Potion.

"Yes," Auron drained the vial. "Anyone else hurt?"

"No," Lulu's voice had a…edge to it. "Just you."

"All right…"Quickly, Auron Healed himself, and Tidus could hear the man's breathing become easier. Lulu remained kneeling by the Summoner; concern, and something else, in her crimson eyes. Then Auron hauled himself to his feet, the Black Mage rising with him.

"Now," Lulu asked him, that edge still in her voice. "Are you all right?"

"Yes," Auron nodded.

"You're sure?"

"Yes."

Crack!

Tidus' jaw dropped as he looked at the sunglasses lying at his feet. Auron seemed just as stunned, hand touching his jaw, hiding the imprint of Lulu's palm. Lulu was rigid with fury.

"Don't ever do that again!" she hissed. "You could've been killed!"

Then, she stomped away; to cool off, Tidus hoped.

Wakka always said she had a temper…

He bent, picked up the sunglasses, and brought them back to Auron.

"You all right, old man?" he handed the shades over.

"She was right," Auron's features had a moody cast. "I acted without thought."

"Huh?"

"I was moving before I even realized what I was doing. I thought I was smarter than that…"

"Maybe it was something like…a memory of your past?"

"But, I…don't remember anything!" frustration was clear in Auron's voice.

"Lulu once told me the body might remember things the mind might not," Tidus tried to reassure the older man.

"Hn…" Auron seemed far from convinced.

"Is everyone well?" the woman's voice brought everyone around, some fumbling for their weapons.

"It's all right," Auron assured the others. "It's Lady Belegamine."

Tidus looked at her with interest. She had been the one to save Auron's life after Mory and Tema had left him for dead in the Calm Lands; and also, apparently, the one who taught him the Summoner's Path. Now, she looked at the man, a teacher's pride in her eyes.

"You have done well," she said. "But you still have room for improvement. Are you willing to test your strength, and your rapport with your Aeons?"

"Yes, my Lady," Auron bowed. "I am ready."

"Good; let us begin."

Lady Belegamine Summoned Ifrit, so Auron was left with Valefor. But, Valefor came out already in Overdrive Mode-much to Auron's satisfaction-and Valefor's Energy Blast left him at a distinct advantage. After that, it was mainly a matter of keeping Valefor's strength up, and Shielding him from the worst of it when Ifrit went into Overdrive. After that, another dose of Energy Blast left Valefor the undisputed winner of the Aeon Duel. Lady Belegamine was quite impressed.

"You have done well!" she said, holding out an Echo Ring. "So you need never fear being Silenced again."

"Thank you, my Lady," Auron accepted the Echo Ring, and Dismissed Valefor.

Lady Belegamine looked each of the Guardians over, smiling at them as she did. Then, her eyes caught Tidus'.

"We must talk," she said. "There are some things you must know."

"Me?"

"My Lady?" Auron stepped up, worry in his eye.

"Peace, Auron. I just need to talk to Tidus for a bit. We'll be right back."

Tidus followed Belegamine as she took him out of earshot. Then, she turned to him, expression grave.

"Auron would've told you this," she began. "If amnesia hadn't intervened."

"What about?" Tidus just knew he wasn't going to like this.

"Your father, Jecht…he isn't dead,"

"What…" Tidus felt jumbled; joy, that the man wasn't dead, mixed in with the old and familiar hatred.

"I think you know, young man. Surely you sensed him when you were pulled away from your home in Zanarkand.

"How did you…" Tidus shook his head. She knew where he had come from?

"That was Sin, my Lady," Tidus recollected his train of thought. "My Dad had nothing to do with…"

Tidus fell silent as he remembered all the dreams and the muttering voice inside his head when Sin attacked Luca.

"No way!" he shook his head. "I don't believe you. That's impossible!"

"Nonetheless, it's true. Jecht is Sin. In your heart you know it's so."

Tidus bent over, feeling as if he had been punched in the stomach.

"How? Why?"

"I can't answer that," Belegamine's eyes were full of compassion. "But Jecht is Sin."

Damn it all to hell, kid, I know what Sin did to Kilika…

Jecht's words from the dream came back to him.

Was that real? Did I really talk to my Dad?

"Did Auron know?" he couldn't keep the trembling out of his voice.

He heard Belegamine sigh.

"Yes," she said at last. "He knew before he was injured; and he would've told you, but for the amnesia."

"He should've told me before, in Zanarkand," Tidus had never felt such rage before, all of it directed at Auron.

"When?" Belegamine's calm voice cut through the rage. "When you were a child? When your Mother was still alive? It was hard enough for him to tell her that the love of her life was dead, and the grief of that was enough to kill her. As for you, you were just a child when he came to you, and I'm sure he intended to tell you when he felt you were ready to handle such knowledge. I know you're angry right now…"

"You sure got that right," Tidus muttered under his breath.

"Listen Tidus; don't take your anger out on Auron. Right now, he doesn't know Jecht is Sin. It's not his fault that he didn't tell you, and he doesn't need the complications your anger will bring."

"Then, why tell me? Did I need to know?"

"It was necessary for you to know. Trust me. You needed to know this."

Belegamine reached out, ruffled Tidus' hair, a gesture so reminiscent of his long-dead mother. Tears sprang into his eyes.

"What do I do?" he whispered.

"Be Auron's Guardian," Belegamine's smile tore at his heart. "Help him to defeat Sin."

"My old man…" Tidus muttered softly. But he knew…

Dad would want this…

He felt Belegamine take him into her arms, felt the motherly kiss on his forehead. Then, she was leading him back to the others.

"Hey, what's wrong, brudda?" Wakka ran up. "You look like your best friend just died."

"I'm fine," Tidus forced himself to smile. "We're going to camp here for the night?"

"That's what Luzzu suggested. Rest, and get a fresh start in the morning, ya?"

"So, where's Auron?"

Tidus did his best to ignore the anger. Belegamine was right; Auron would have told him if he hadn't gotten the amnesia.

"I'm fine," Auron was there, dark eye focused on Tidus. "What about you? Is there anything I should know?"

"Nah, old man. Everything's…fine."

Tidus felt Belegamine's hand on his shoulder.

"Why does everything have to be so hard?" he whispered.

"Because it's life," Belegamine said. "For now, rest and start tomorrow fresh, as Wakka said."

Tidus nodded.

Rest while we can. Things will only get tougher…

That was when he made a promise of his own.

I'm going to find out how my Dad became Sin. I'm going to find out why…