Zanarkand Ruins~

(From "Aboard the Airship~")

Mana: *heads back towards the escape hatch* (singsong) Whiiiip, I'm telling Tikal you're cheating on her~!

Whip: NOT YOU TOO! YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE MY FRIEND!
*Whip flustratedly walks into the elevator as well. Sugar, sighing exasperatedly at her brother's antics, enters as well, and they all lower down to the surface of Zanarkand. Yuna is the first to exit, though Whip is the first to comment*
Whip: Look at this place....
*The [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] produce a mystifying view*

Mana: *flies down next to them, in awe* Wow... It's- *blinks, before scratching her head uncomfortably* ...I see Tidus again...

*Yuna twists her head in Mana's direction, and the whole group looks on to where "Tidus" stands, on a cliff above a small clearing. Behind and below him [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.], silently watching the flames flicker on their hollow campfire. Yuna seems disappointed*
Sugar: Is that...?
Yuna: ...It's the pyreflies....
*Yuna's figure can be seen standing up and walking to Tidus' side, putting her hand on his shoulder in comfort*
Yuna: ...
*The vision fades, and nothing but a black, empty fireplace lies in its place. Yuna starts walking further into the ruins*
Yuna: Let's... keep moving....

Mana: *looks guilty at bringing up painful memories for Yuna* ... *turns to look at Whip's ebony sister* Sugar... Do pyreflies usually do that? Reflect memories and stuff?

Sugar: ....Only powerful ones....
*Sugar shakes her head slightly. Whip shrugs, unable to make a comment, and follows Yuna*
Sugar: But, Rikku said she's been visiting this place a lot.... she must have been seeing these visions for a long time now....

Mana: *looks even more depressed by that comment* ...It must be really painful for her...

Sugar: Yes, I imagine so too. But... she's strong. She's a High Summoner for a reaso-
*A white blur flies right past Mana and Sugar, kicking up some small gusts in the process. In front of them, a [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] taunts them*
Rikku: Howdy, slowpokes~!

Mana: *blinks in surprise at Rikku's attire* ...Dressphere?

Rikku: Yup yup~!
*Rikku does a backflip*
Rikku: I had Shinra make this one special~ Keep up if you can!
*Rikku shoots off into the ruins*
Sugar: R-Rikku....

Mana: *ears and tail twitches at the challenge* CHALLENGE ACCEPTED! *launches into the air after Rikku, catching up easily, so she sticks out her tongue at Rikku*

*Sugar watches on in shock*
Sugar: Ah-....

*Rikku watches her as she catches up, and then lifts up her arms*
Rikku: Ex-press~!
*Rikku suddenly bursts off in a rocketing blur, leaving after images in her wake*

Mana: *scowls in concentration* Oh yeah?! *pours on the speed and lets the wind rip at her face when she suddenly slams into something and falls on her back, holding her head with tears* ...Huwaaaaaaaaaaaaah...

*Rikku floats around Mana in a circle, sweatdropping*
Rikku: Oops. Looks like we're here... >v>;
*Rikku drops down, and she helps Mana up as they behold a [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]*
Rikku: Hey, are you okay Mana?

Mana: *has swirls in her eyes* Head... hurts... and spinning... *points to the front of the dome* And blonde spikey asymmetrical kid.

*Rikku glances*
Rikku: Nnnooo... I don't see anything. It must be your visions again. Still~
*Rikku hops up*
Rikku: Those are getting pretty common now, huh? That must mean we're close to--...something!
*Yuna and Whip catch up to them*
Whip: Jeez guys! You scared us half to death!
Yuna: We thought you were fiends!
*Rikku giggles*
Rikku: Whoops! My bad~

Mana: *shakes her head and rubs the bump on it to soothe her pain as she looks at Whip* You knew Rikku and I flew off in a rush. Why would you think I was a fiend?

Whip: Actually, I was hoping Yuna would just fire at you and ask questions later...
*A rock lifts itself and smacks Whip across the head. Rikku whistles innocently*
Yuna: So... we're here.
Rikku: Yeah, looks like it.
*She turns to Whip teasingly*
Rikku: What now, Captain?
*Whip's still rubbing his head*
Whip: Huh? Oh, uh... I 'unno... walk around until something happens? I didn't think we'd make it this far...

Mana: *starts walking towards the temple, seemingly in a trance again*

Yuna: Mana?
*Whip step-hops up to Mana, keeping up with her and snapping his fingers in her face*
Whip: Mana! Spira to Mana! Do you copy?

Mana: *blinks suddenly and seems to refocus* O-Oh. *holds her head* Someone's... calling again. *grimaces* I don't think it's Seymour this time, at least...

Whip: ...Well who was it the-
: Hello.
*Whip hops into Mana's arms as an [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] appears, arms held behind his back*
Yuna: Maechen!
Maechen: In the flesh, m'lady.
Rikku: ...I thought-
Maechen: Indeed, that is how thoughts are processed! However, I do sense much more disturbing matters here, yes indeed....
*Maechen examines Mana closely*
Maechen: Oh... how quite peculiar.... you don't appear to be from this world, are you? No... no... you carry with you many worlds, it would seem....

Mana: *blinks in obvious surprise* Ah... Yes. How can you tell?

Maechen: It is a gift~
*Maechen looks from Mana to Whip, to Yuna, to Rikku, to the newly approaching Sugar*
Maechen: Ahh... but it appears you're already on the journey to solve this problem... In that case, the words of an old man are of no consequence.
*Maechen walks around Mana until he faces Yuna*
Maechen: In that case, I do have a message for you.
Yuna: A message? For me?
Maechen: Ahhh yes. A message from a friend, I would imagine. A call of assistance, for they are trapped on the lower levels of this temple.
Yuna: Ah! Are they in trouble?
*Maechen runs his hand through his beard in thought*
Maechen: Yes... indeed, one must wonder what kinds of trouble someone such as them could run into in such a temple...
Rikku: We can't just stand around here! Let's go Yunie~!
*Rikku grabs Yuna's arm and starts dragging her along*
Yuna: Th-Thank you Maechen!
Maechen: Yes... quite...
*Whip shrugs and catches up with them, Sugar shakes her head*
Sugar: ....Shall we go, Mana?

Mana: *nods* Yeah! Let's go! *grabs Sugar's wrist and drags her in a similar fashion to how Rikku did to Yuna* Thank you Sir~!