Due to the relatively relaxing trip that Alex and the others experienced because of her excess energy, Alexandra and the team just roamed around in her behest. Trying to feel her connection with Ramiel around the infinite multiverse.
And it was only a matter of time before her excess cosmic power got empty. "Damn it, I can't find him anywhere!" Alexandra was frustrated and they needed to enter another universe soon, cutting off the search.
Far from home, they were forced to go into another universe and found themselves falling once again in a city.
Landing in the middle of downtown in a city in Switzerland. But what greeted them was something unpleasant.
The city was under siege, gunfire was heard all over the place. People were screaming. They found themselves in the midst of a battlefield. And a battlefield in the middle of a city is bad news.
"What the hell? War again? I think the multiverse is messing with me." Alex was getting annoyed. Zack saw a family hiding in an alley and the place was about to hit by a missile.
He moved instantaneously with Cloud. With the blonde crushing the small missile with telekinesis and containing the blast while Zack put a barrier on them for good measure.
"You good?" Zack smiled at them and the little boy of the family was in a daze, seeing the two in their SOLDIER uniform carrying swords.
The boy didn't understand English, but he definitely thought of one thing, heroes. "Thank you!" The mother cried out and Cloud helped them to evacuate the chaotic battlefield immediately.
"This place is a mess, whatever warfare is being done here. It will surely be messy, with that missile looking quite advanced." Tifa monitored the two earlier and noticed that the missile was small, but it had great yield.
"Hah, whatever. Alex-nee's luck is probably just that bad." Aerith shrugged and Alexandra glared at her. "You're not getting lunch later." She declared, but Aerith snorted.
"I make better lunch than you, you know?" Aerith retorted as she puffed her chest. And Alexandra winced, only knowing how to make fried rice. With Tifa the one that was cooking for all of them most of the time.
"This isn't over Aerith." Alex squinted her eyes and Aerith thought she overreached her bounds. But before she could beg for forgiveness, they saw a group of robots that had rifles on them.
"You think they're friendly?" Zack asked, but he was already brandishing his swords. "Should you even ask? Their eyes are red, that means they're evil right? That's how they depict them in the movies." Cloud rolled his eyes and Tifa sighed at their conversation.
"You guys, for being supersoldiers. You surely lack some intelligent convo." Tifa deadpanned at them. "What? That was a reasonable conclusion! Ain't that right babe?" Zack looked at Aerith and she gave him a thumbs up.
The robots then started firing at them with their energy based rifles, but their passive shields blocked them.
"See? Shut up, Tifa. You think you're so smart, but we're right!" Zack put his arm on Cloud's shoulder and they nodded sagely.
"Hah, why did we bring you along?" Tifa casted a firaga spell and made the robots explode. Alexandra then salvaged one of their rifles and checked its power source.
"Hmm, impressive. They are using miniature reactors for their weapons... This is some high tech stuff. This war is going to be troublesome, I can already feel it." Alex sighed and everybody went to a vantage point, checking out the city.
They frowned though, seeing mechs that were as tall as buildings tore through the human military defense.
"I think skynet is taking over!" Aerith shouted out and Alexandra raised a brow. "Did Ramiel taught you that?"
It was a total war zone. VTOLs were providing fire support and robots marched forward. There were these robots that transformed into turrets and unloaded automatic gunfire as their chassis turned into a Gatling gun.
"Whatever's happening here, I think we need to defend the city no? Civilians are going to get killed otherwise. And the side that are killing civvies are the bad ones." Zack loaded his swords with energy and was the first one to charge.
"Well, nothing to argue about that." Tifa shrugged and they all launched into action. Aerith stayed in the back line as the fortress that provided cover fire and she targeted the robot army.
Using thundagas instead of the super destructive fire spells, she disabled tons of robots as chain lightning snaked around and toasted a lot of them.
The others entered ground engagement and the soldiers of the defense force watched on as superhuman individuals went to hand to hand combat against robots that were pumping lead and energy blasts in the area like Tohou.
Aerith then put up a wall of ice in front so the city won't get hit by shrapnel and stray fire. She was floating in the sky and the evacuating civvies looked at her form that was glowing with Mako.
"An angel! We're saved!" People were in dire need of hope and they thought of Aerith as an angel.
Meanwhile, the soldiers watched on as the four annihilate the robot army. Dismantling them quickly and efficiently.
"Command! Reporting from the Zürich front! 5 individuals are supporting us! Live feed incoming, now!" An officer reported and turned on their body cam.
The footage was chaotic, but they saw four humans fight with cold weapons. And they were using what seemed to be magic. It is the only explanation for fire and lightning being tossed around from their hands.
A laser then hit the giant mech that was wreaking havoc and the camera pointed at the direction where it came from. A girl in a sundress was firing lasers like a particle cannon.
"W-who are they? Some kind of secret government elite group? Whatever, we're winning. That's all that matters." A soldier mumbled and they started cheering.
After they took care of the robot army, not even sparing one. Alexandra observed the defense force and saw a soldier that looked different from the rest.
"You, yeah you. Where are we and what is going around here?" She pointed at the officer. "We're in Switzerland, city of Küvich ma'am! Thank you very much for your help against the Omnics."
The city was still in shambles though and they sighed. Seeing war once again. And this time, casualties were aplenty.
"Evacuate the civilians, soldier. Get them to safety, am I clear?" Alex ordered and he saluted subconsciously.
The defense force was exhausted, fighting fiercely against the robot threat. But they still continued in evacuation efforts. Especially now, when there are no enemies in sight.
"So, tell me what's happening." Alexandra squinted her eyes and they were shown the news. All over the world, robots seemingly started attacking the people without any warning.
They had no demands, no agendas. Only the intent to wipe out any human they see. "Damn, this is much worse than we thought." Cloud frowned as the whole world was being embroiled in the flames of war.
Omnica corporation, a once highly accredited company that created automated factories around the world with self-improving automatic manufacturing of robots got shut down.
But it didn't end there, their factories called Omniums suddenly pumped out robots galore and wars were waged all over the globe.
And due to the Omniums being powered up by fusion cores that cannot be destroyed remotely. Or they will cause nuclear fallout all over the world and destroy humanity.
Omnics, the robots made by the Omniums. Continued their assaults, no matter how powerful countries were. The robots adapted and grew stronger and stronger.
"We're already exposed too much, come on. We need to hide for now and then make plans on what we'll do next." Alex flew to the skies and the rest followed suit.
And Alex was correct, them saving the Küvich front quickly spread all around the world and the UN tried finding them immediately.
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Meanwhile in Spira, the party arrived at Guadosalam. "Greetings, my lady! We've been expecting you!" An old man with unique hair that looks like roots greeted. "Right this way." He tried pulling her, but Wakka stopped him.
"Whoa, whoa, easy there ya?" Wakka raised a brow and was really wary of Guadosalam. Not only was it controlled by Seymour. He was also antsy about Yuna's kidnapping earlier.
"Oh my apologies, I am Tromell Guado. In the service of our leader, the great Seymour Guado." The man introduced himself and everybody gave a light snort that he didn't notice.
"Lord Seymour has important business with lady Yuna. And of course your friends are welcome as well." Tromell was really eager for some reason.
"With me? What could it be then?" Yuna raised a brow, but the assistant of Seymour just led them to his manor.
They entered a hall and there were food there prepared for them, they were told to wait. So wait they did, with Rikku and Ramiel already going ham on the food on the large table.
"I bet you can't beat me." Ramiel gave Rikku a meaningful look and she squinted her eyes. "Bring it on!" They started scarfing down food, but Ramiel didn't seem to be chewing and he just swallowed everything he put in his mouth.
"That's not fair!" Rikku saw that he even put a whole apple in his mouth and he swallowed it without even biting into it.
"What the hell are you doing Ramiel? We're in enemy territory." Samus shook her head and he shrugged.
"What? We'll most likely find evidence against him here. Dead people have no need for food, right?" He looked at Rikku and she nodded, not really knowing what they'll do if Seymour shows even a little bit of evidence.
"You sure you should be agreeing to that just like that Rikku? They're talking about killing Seymour you know?" Tidus gave a wry smile and Rikku choked on her food.
"Be on your guard." Auron looked at Tidus and Rikku who were relaxed. "R-right." The two tensed up and nodded.
"People like those have power. And Maesters, they have a lot of it." Auron squinted his eyes and was liking Ramiel and Samus much more.
After a few minutes, Seymour entered the room. "You... Wanted to see me?" Yuna was suspicious.
"Please, there's no rush. Make yourselves at home." Seymour greeted them. "Please keep it short, Yuna must rush." Auron chimed in and wanted nothing to do with the Maesters or Yevon faith at all.
"Pardon me, I haven't received guests in a long time. Lady Yuna, this way please." Seymour gestured her to follow.
"That's our cue, Samus. Cloak yourself." Ramiel turned invisible and Samus followed suit. They tailed them and were ready to gather some evidence.
Everybody entered another room and there, multiple recording spheres were set up like holograms.
When they stepped in, the scene started changing and it showed them a bustling metropolis that is Tidus' Zanarkand.
"This is the recording sphere that recreated the thoughts of the dead that wander the farplane." Seymour explained and everybody was amazed except Auron.
"Hmmm, I wonder where he's going with this garbage?" Ramiel squinted his eyes and Samus snorted. "To look cool or something? What's a hologram of a ruined city gonna do anyway? It's useless, they can't even recreate the Machina." Samus thought it was just for brownie points.
"Zanarkand as it was 1000 years ago, the great Machina city. And this is where she lived as well." Seymour changed the sights and they saw a woman.
"Lady Yunalesca!" Yuna recognized her and admired the first summoner who defeated Sin.
"She was the one who defeated Sin first and brought the first calm to Spira. But lady Yunalesca did not save the world alone. It took an unbreakable love. Which binds two hearts for eternity." Seymour looked behind them.
Yunalesca's husband was shone and they were shown to have a great bond. Seymour then whispered to Yuna. Surprising Samus and Ramiel.
"Hmmm, so that's what he's after eh?" Ramiel gave a grin. "Told ya, it was for brownie points. And it was bound to work against teenage girls." Samus rolled her eyes.
Yuna was surprised and she called for Ramiel immediately, he gave some assurance through their mental connection and was told to wait it out.
"Hey, you okay?" Lulu noticed that she was shaken. "He asked me to marry him." Yuna drank some water to calm her nerves.
Everybody was surprised and Auron raised a brow. "You know what Yuna must do."
"Yes, Yuna... No, all summoners are charged with the responsibility to defeat Sin. But this means more than just defeating Sin. She must ease the suffering of Spira." Seymour looked at her.
"Spira is no playhouse. A moment's diversion might amuse some people, but it changes nothing." Auron quipped.
"Even so, the actors must play their part. Please, think it over. I'm waiting for your favorable reply." Seymour bowed at her.
"We leave." Auron started walking outside. "Why are you still here, sir? I beg your pardon, we Guado are sensitive to the scent of the farplane." Seymour commented.
Auron stopped and Tidus started smelling him, so he pushed him and continued to the exit.
Everybody gathered outside. "Daughter of high summoner Braska. And Maester Seymour Guado, getting married. Overcoming the racial barriers, that's sure to be talked about all over Spira." Lulu snorted.
"Like a fleeting dream for the people ya?" Wakka agreed, but it was as Auron said. It changes nothing.
Ramiel and Samus then suddenly appeared like a ghost, making Tidus and Wakka fall on the ground as they screamed like a little girl.
"W-what the hell man!? You can't just appear like that behind us!" Tidus shouted out as he breathed in deeply, clutching his chest.
"You almost gave us a heart attack ya? Where were you two been anyways?" Wakka glared at them and the two laughed.
"We thought that we might influence the talks with us there. So we hid, and boy did it create some interesting conversations." Ramiel grinned.
"What do you think of this? Ramiel... Should I, accept?" Yuna looked at him and he sighed. "You accepting or not is none of my business Yuna, you already know that. But let me tell you guys something first."
He took out a table and some tea, already prepared for afternoon tea time. "Auron, you want to chime in or something?" Ramiel grinned at him and he was quiet.
"Don't want any responsibility? What a coward you are." Ramiel sighed and he winced. "Okay, let me tell you all about why Sin appeared in the first place. And you guys won't like it one bit."
Everybody braced themselves, especially Yuna and Tidus who have connections to Sin.
"A millennium ago, Bevelle and Zanarkand were at war. Zanarkand used summoners mostly to fight the war. And Bevelle capitalized on the Machina. As you know, summoners can control the Aeons. And they're pretty sweet, but they have one critical issue." Ramiel sipped some tea and everyone were invested.
"They're not good soldiers, at all. Kill one of them and it's a massive blow to the military. Machina on the other hand, can be piloted by some random person that the military can train for just a week and they'll be killing people left and right." He sighed and thought that must be the case for the Machina war.
The listeners gasped and they imagined the scenario. Great machines marching into your country, mowing down the summoners who can't be replaced. It was definitely a losing war that won't last long.
"So, what's Sin's gotta do with this war?" Yuna asked and Ramiel looked at Tidus. "Remember your leader's name Tidus, think long and hard." He smirked and Tidus was put on the spot.
"Uhhh. A little hint?" Tidus gave a wry smile and Ramiel sighed. "His name starts with Y. You know what, fuck it. His name is Yevon, ring any bells?"
"What!? Y-Yevon? Then the god of the faith was a person?" Wakka was the most affected and he was in disbelief.
"Yu Yevon exactly, he rounded up the people of Zanarkand and used them as the Fayth. They will then dream of Zanarkand at its peak. Immortalizing it in his head. Which was a huge mistake." He sighed and thought crazy assholes were too destructive.
Ramiel then explained that Yu Yevon armored himself with pyreflies, giving birth to Sin. And he gave one instruction to the monster. That is to destroy Machina to halt technological advancement.
Lulu then went wide eyed and she stared at Ramiel. "It seems one of you has made a conclusion, yeah. Zanarkand is a Machina city. You should know where this is going." Ramiel chuckled.
"Zanarkand was the first city that Sin destroyed..." Tidus frowned heavily and could only lament that his home was destroyed already.
"Yeah, it's all a sham. It's because one guy couldn't give up the glory of his city. Basically killed the survivors of Zanarkand and imprisoned them in walls. And they have been dreaming as Aeons for a thousand years." Ramiel made Yuna remember the wall of Fayth.
"Then... All the destruction. All the death that Sin caused... Was the fault of Yevon?" Wakka kneeled on the ground and couldn't deny it anymore.
"Yeah, and all the Maesters know it. Ask that guy over there." Ramiel pointed at Auron with a grin.
Auron nodded and everybody was internalizing the information they have been given. "I... I wanna talk about this with my father." Yuna remembered that an entrance to the farplane was in Guado.
The others agreed to go to the farplane for now in order for them to think about what Ramiel told them.
They started walking to the portal and Auron stared at him. "You didn't tell them everything." He snorted and Ramiel shrugged.
"Only enough to make them take this more seriously. They're going for a pilgrimage to defeat Sin, but they'll just bring another 10 years of short peace. And for the price of Yuna and one of her guardian's lives." Ramiel squinted his eyes and that was unacceptable.
The group entered the farplane, though Rikku and Auron refused. With the latter thinking it wasn't that helpful. As the pyreflies just react to your memories. And you're basically talking to a memory.
While the former can't enter as he might not be able to get out again. Being an unsent that died when Braska and Jecht fought Sin.
Wakka called out to Chappu and his brother appeared. Yuna talked with her parents, and Tidus saw his mother.
"Yo Chappu, meant to come see you earlier ya? Meant to come see you earlier, but I knew you won't hold it against me. I was travelling with a guy, ya? Looks just like you. I gave him your sword, he likes it." Wakka conversed with his brother and Lulu looked at him from the side.
"He is dead. And I am still alive, it just cements it even more when I see him in the farplane. I should focus more on my role as Yuna's guardian. God knows she needs it." Lulu laughed.
Tidus stared at her and raised a brow. "I'm not even sure what I'm saying." Lulu looked on the ground.
"Don't you mean that you should leave Chappu behind? I'm sure he was a great guy. But there will be others." Tidus cheered her up.
"Hmmm, that's a possibility." Lulu looked at Ramiel from the corner of her eyes.
"Yeah! How about, Wakka? You two get along great." Tidus gestured to Wakka and Lulu laughed.
"Me and Wakka? Remember this, getting along isn't enough. Not even close, you'd do well to remember that. Knowing a bit about women might come in handy someday." Lulu snorted.
"Right... Sorry, my mistake." Tidus scratched his head sheepishly. "But I won't forget either, goodbye Chappu. You always said that I always looked grumpy. But those were the happiest days of my life." Lulu closed her eyes and was ready to let go.
"Come on Samus, let's absorb as much energy as possible!" Ramiel sat down and pyreflies were getting sucked up by them like a whirlpool.
"Yeah, this place has a lot of it!" Samus concentrated and donned her Metroid suit.
Yuna talked with her parents, but they couldn't talk anyways. But she made her decision and was going to reject the marriage.
Stopping Sin was the priority and there were more mysteries they have to solve after Ramiel told them that Sin is the creation of Yu Yevon.
"There might be a permanent way to stop it. No, there must be. The people of Spira can't keep on fearing Sin." Yuna did a guts pose and will get to the bottom of everything.
They exited the farplane, but an unsent followed them. "Lord Jyscal!?" Yuna shouted out as Seymour's father, the previous leader of Guadosalam exited the farplane.
"Yuna, send him!" Auron ordered and Yuna started the sending process. But he was affected and groaned on the ground as he kneeled.
Yuna sent the spirit of Jyscal, and a little recording sphere dropped. She picked it up and hid it inside of her clothes. "What was that thing? You noticed?" Samus turned towards Ramiel.
"Yeah, it's like one of those things used for recordings? I don't know what it is, but let's check it out." He went up to Yuna and held her hands. He then lifted her up and Samus patted all over her body to find it.
"What are you guys doing?" Yuna was surprised. "You tried hiding something. It came from that old man when you sent him back to the farplane." Ramiel raised a brow at her.
She wanted to check it on her own so they won't worry. "Got it." Samus took it and Yuna hung her head, a bit ashamed that she didn't want to rely on her guardians and friends.
Samus fiddled with it and was able to show its contents after scanning it. And what they saw shocked them to their core.
Seymour murdered his father so he could rise to power as a Maester. "Heh, gotcha." Ramiel had a wide grin on his face. He then tried locating the target, but he wasn't in Guadosalam anymore.
"Tch, he eluded us." Ramiel clicked his tongue and Samus sighed. "Lucky bastard, let's go to the next place in our itinerary. We'll see him again, that's for sure. And I'll blast his head off when I see him." Samus showed everyone her arm cannon.
They prepared to go to the next temple and Tidus who was roaming around earlier went up to them. "Hey guys! I met Shelinda, that acolyte from Djose? She said that Seymour is in Macarena temple."
"It's Macalania, Tidus." Lulu corrected him and he blushed in embarrassment.
"Then what are we waiting for ya? Let's go already!" Wakka was impatient and Auron nodded.
Ramiel snapped his fingers and they started floating. "Oh no, please don't." Lulu begged him and he laughed. "Scared of a little flying? Then come here, I'll hold you personally. You'll be my human compass to Macarena temple!"
They flew away and Lulu guided them to their next destination. "I already told you, it's Macalania!!!!" Lulu got cut off as they accelerated.
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Thanks for reading everyone, ciao.