Endless (Yuna, open)

[goofy]

While the array of abilities used against the Dark Follower were impressive, the aftermath, for Goofy, at least, was no where near as graceful. He descended after doing his attack, and fell back on his head, his shield landing on his chest. The Captain of the Royal Guard was used to worse hits on his noggin, though, so he quickly got back up, brushing the dust off his clothes, and looked up to see the Heartless was done for. A smile spread across his face, and he began skipping in place, cheering. "Yahoo! We did it!" He cried out, jumping with joy stumbling around a little but thanks to his natural clumsiness, yet keeping himself steady so he didn't take another hit on the head.

Goofy jauntily skipped over to Sora, smiling. He nodded happily towards the summoner and the swordsman, doing a little bow in honor of the two. He was a little wary of the swordsman, what with the fact that he looked so desaturated and evil and... sharp, kinda like a Heartless. However, he had helped them out a lot, and if Riku had taught him anything, it was that sometimes the dark wasn't inherently evil. Maybe a little mean, but this guys seemed like alright person. Goofy let his guard drop, allowing Sora wrap his arm around him. Not like he had a desire to stop him either way.

"Hi there! Jecht and Yuna, right? I'm Goofy! Captain of the Royal Knights!" He spoke, a smile on his face, releasing an aura of a simple person without a care in the world. He then heard Sora mention Auron in relation to this guy. "Hmm? Sora, this guy knows Auron? They're from the same world, then?" He then stopped, and remembered the way Yuna and Jecht spoke to each other like they knew each other. "Oh! Oh! You too, Yuna? Do you all know each other? Tell me, is that where those, uh, Ronson whatjamacallits come from?" The Knight was going to ask more questions, but then Sora asked him a question, about if he wanted to go on another adventure to save the world again.

Goofy put his finger on his chin, and acted like he was in deep contemplation. "Well gawrsh, Sora, I don't know. That sounds really dangerous. I think It might be better if I take a break, relax, for a while, you know?" He closed his eyes, nodding his head as if he was agreeing with himself solemnly. He then opened one of his eyes and looked at Sora sideways, and then wrapped his arm around his friend, ruffling his hair. "Ah-hyuk! C'mon Sora, do ya even have to ask? 'Course I'm gonna come with you! We'll find everyone again, and before you know it, those Heartless are gonna wish they stayed back where they belong!" He laughed, the smile on his face clear as day. He was ready to fight again, and had no intention to abandon his duty now, when he was needed the most. He then looked back at Yuna and Jecht. "Plus, we got some new friends to help us out! Uh, if you guys wanna, obviously."

[Yuna]

Yuna ducked her head, holding her staff vertically before her in hopes of deflecting what she could of the orbs when she felt a rush of wind overhead and heard the swing of Jecht’s sword. She raised her eyes again to see a shadow looming over her like a safety net and the back of her father’s guardian. She barely had the time to utter a ‘thank you’ when two more orbs flying rapidly close filled her vision.

”Sir Jecht!”

But it was too late; he was struck. Yuna silently cursed herself for being such trouble. Digging her staff into the watery ground for support, she forced herself back up. Before she could reach forward to cure the man though, he began yelling to the others and a transformative wave racked his form. Though from where she was standing she couldn’t see the complete change in his appearance, her memory saved her no pain in providing an image for her.

“What are you..?” She could barely choke the words out, but Jecht’s response solidified the answer already forming in her mind.

”You, too... I don’t want you seeing this. Once was enough.”

Her heart sank. However, she needn’t have gotten out of the way, for Jecht dashed forwards towards the rival Heartless. She watched numbly as he did, a cold chill rolling over her shoulders and down her back, just as it had the first time she’d encountered his Final Aeon form. Only back then she had been anticipating it, had time to prepare and steel herself against the emotions that stirred within at having to see not only a guardian that had protected Spira lose control, but Tidus’ father. Sir Jecht had wanted Yuna to look away to spare her the memory, but how could she look away? She had no idea that the guardian could still transform like that, and at will, too.

But he’s helping us this time. He’s in control?

It wasn’t until after Sir Jecht had started pummelling the Heartless that Yuna snapped out of her reverie and her gaze skated over to Sora and Goofy, just finishing up an impressive tag-team series of hits on the Follower. Then the Heartless fell. The summoner drew in a shuddery breath and released it much more steadily. Thank goodness.

Her eyes widened at Goofy’s fall, an arm reaching out unconsciously as if to catch him from where she stood, her body leaning forwards ready to walk over, but the Knight appeared to be fine and Yuna laughed shakily at his cheeriness. She straightened herself when Sora and Goofy walked over to them, returning her gun to her holster, a very relieved, warm smile brightening her face. “Nice work!”

With both hands together, she bowed back to the captain, the smile ever-present. ”That’s right! Pleased to meet you, Sir Goofy.” After all, a knight was a guardian of some sort too, right? She did not interrupt Sora’s mention of Auron, but did blink a bit, her glance immediately darting towards Sir Jecht before returning to Sora. So Sir Auron had returned, too, and had been in the Coliseum. That certainly sounded like him; mysteriously vanishing for so long only to show up again in the midst of a fight.

It was difficult not to feel lighter as the two friends embraced each other in their casual, happy way. Their positivity was charming and Yuna recognised it instantly as something that helped the gang keep hope. She nodded at Goofy’s second question, biting her lip to suppress a laugh at his mispronunciation. It reminded her of the trouble Tidus had with some of the names of their world, too. ’They say Seymour went to Macerena Temple.’[/i]

“You mean Ronso,” she prompted gently. ”They’re a little like you, only blue and taller.

“Why yes, we journeyed together to protect our own world, Spira.”

She nodded when Sora asked about her friends, her head ducking a moment as her hand slipped into her hair. “Yes.” She laughed a little. “I probably should stop making them worry so much. ” She had to smile at his compliments, finding it funny that someone so resolute and determined to press on himself was saying these things to her. ”Thank you, but I should be the one saying that about you; facing so many Heartless alone- you’re incredible.” She looked between him and Goofy, an admiring spark in her eye. “Both of you are.”

Her eyes dimmed upon hearing Sora speak of the journey ahead, finding his friends and healing their sadness, and unable to see the boy look so down, she took a step forward. “It’ll be a lot easier with the two of you together now.” Determined to lift his spirits, she curled her fingers and did her own little fist-pump. Something she’d gotten into the habit of doing after spending so much time with the Gullwings. “We’ll keep an eye out, too! And send anyone your way if we see them.”

She found herself absorbed by Goofy’s encouraging words, and could barely stop herself from answering, “of course we’ll help!” She paused awkwardly, her face colouring when she realized she might have sounded a bit too eager. ”I mean... that is, I’ll have to ask the Gullwings, but I’m sure they’d be happy to.”

[malachi]

Jecht was falling.

This was really no surprise to him. He had jumped to a great height to kick giant rocks at a gigantic whatever-it-was. It was just natural that gravity had her say in what happened next. And as usual, she was predictable and forceful. As the boulders exploded, his sword rocketed up into the air from the impact as Jecht continued falling, his Final Aeon form shedding away and then his spines disappearing back into his body. Jecht then reoriented himself and landed on the water or darkness made up the surface of this world on both feet. The "water" only made a rather large ripple as Jecht recovered from the rather abrupt stop. He then raised his hand and caught his giant sword without even looking before standing up, switching the sword to a reverse grip and cracking his neck.

Even if he was an ex-guardian, that didn't mean he couldn't show off a little.

He then turned to the kid and his buddy. The kid was beaming that smile every kid had. That smile that was idealistic and optimistic, one that betrayed the fact this kid just got done fighting an army of Fiends. He was tough, Jecht gave him credit for that. Then the kid mentioned Auron and having met him before at this "Colosseum" place.

"Auron, eh? So that uptight codger's still kicking, eh?" Jecht said. He turned his back on Sora and crossed his arms. Memories of a good friend passed through his mind and The Old Man couldn't help but smile. "Naaahhh... I don't plan on seeing him again. I mean, if we meet, we meet, but I ain't gonna make that my goal. Heh, besides, he'd just get irritated that I was still kicking, too." Jecht chuckled and then sighed. He then turned back to the kid. "Sora, huh? And you can just call me Jecht. Yuna's the only one who really ever adds the 'Sir'." Jecht then looked at the kid. "... You remind me of my kid. Only you seem less of a crybaby." Jecht smirked and then put his sword on his shoulder, thinking about what Sora's buddy, who introduced himself as Goofy (which Jecht was VERY appropriate for the guy), said.

"Sorry, kids, but I think I'll pass. This old man's already been through two big wars and I don't think I want to be in a third one. But, I unno. Something eventually happens to make me change my mind it seems. If it ain't Braska, it's being forced by some god being thing to fight. So, who knows? Still..." Jecht smiled at the trio. "Ya'll are strong enough on your own. Ya don't need me around that badly, I don't think." Jecht then walked off a bit a ways from the group and then stopped. "If you see Auron again, tell him the Final Aeon's still around. And Yuna... You'd make Braska proud. Sorry he couldn't tell ya that in person. And..." Jecht bowed his head low, thinking about the exact words he wanted to use. Then he looked up and smiled.

"If any of you sees that crybaby son of mine, Tidus, tell him he still needs to finish what he started and beat his old man!" He then laughed and walked away, leaving the group to themselves.

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[Jecht has left the Thread!]

[Sora]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,480px,true][atrb=cellpadding,3px,true][atrb=cellspacing,3px,true][bg=939d8f] Why did you go? I had to stay. Now, I'm reaching, for you. Will you wait? Will you wait? Will I see you again? Finally, it was over. It was starting to settle in now, that the hurried pace of battle was over, and the dead silence around the group save for the friendly introductions was the only sound around for miles. At Sora's request as he huggled Goofy from the side, he was rather disappointed at first at the first answer he gave him. "Oh... okay. I understand." he answered reluctantly, but then that relieved smile reappeared on his face as Goofy ruffled his hair and indicated with his second answer he was just kidding. "You joker! Thanks a lot, Goofy!" he sarcastically answered, but then added, "I always have to ask, because you're too good a friend to assume you don't have a choice in the matter." At Yuna's words, he stopped goofing around and slipped his arm away from Goofy to straighten up slightly. "Well, I'm sure you don't want to keep your friends worried..." His thought trailed off as Yuna complimented back in turn from his compliment, and he made that grin of his a bit sheepishly. "We all are. Thank you for coming to help back there when you did, or else Goofy and Sir Jecht would probably not have me around to have saved in time." A hand having subconciously rubbed the back of his brown spiky hair, he looked over at the similar spiked brunette in sincere consideration of his unfinished statement from eariler along with Goofy's helpful and wise suggestion. "Why don't you come with me and Goofy for a bit to help you find the rest of your friends? Then we can all help each other out." he asked out of the blue. He hoped Sir Jecht would come along too, but Jecht didn't seem to co-operate for the most part. He felt Auron would only be irritated by him, and insisted Yuna was the only one that called him 'Sir'. "Jecht, then... huh? Your kid?" He wondered who Jecht was talking about... well, at least he didn't think he was a crybaby. Distracted from that thought momentarily, Sora was a bit disheartened Jecht didn't want to get involved in a war... not directed by a god-being-thing? The only gods he had met was Hercules, Hades and Cosmos... did he work with any of them somehow? That thought put aside in his mind for later, he memorized yet didn't understand what Jecht wanted to pass along to Auron before mentioning the name of his son and disappearing from view. "Tidus? You know Tidus? Wait...!" But Jecht was gone, out of sight, and he stopped after a few pacs after him to drop his raised hand and sighed. "That's a shame. I never remember Tidus mentioning his dad was a hero... I guess we missed the only person looking for Tidus. Oh well, I guess if I see Tidus back on my island, we'll tell him." He hadn't seen the blitzballer for a while, and so shrugged and turned back to his remaining party members. "Alright you two, let's go find our friends! This world is the homeworld of the Heartless... we better get going before they come back for more. The gummi ship is this way!" With that, making sure his friends were behind him, he made his pace back towards the world's exit and the exciting new journey beyond. Sora had left the thread. (OOC: Goofy, Yuna, feel free to make exit posts if you like. If you don't, I can just add the thread has ended. Thank you all!) TAG Goofy, Yuna, Jecht SONG Hymn for the Missing by Red NOTES Thank you all for posting with me! I really appreciate it. ^_^

THIS TEMPLATE WAS MADE BY COMATOSE OF ON THE EDGE!

[goofy]

Goofy laughed along with his friend, but quickly fell silenced when he heard Sora say how he was a good friend. Goofy smiled, and could of almost teared up. He was happy to be back where he belonged, helping his good buddy stop the darkness closing in on the worlds. While he was sure their would be troubles along the way, he knew he could stop 'em with Sora. All they needed was Donald and the entire gang would be back together, ready to stop whatever was out there, messing around with the universe.

The knight looked over eagerly at Jecht, and was a little disappointed that he didn't want to tag along. But hey, just 'cause he didn't want to come didn't mean he had no desire to meet again and help out. The universe was a big place, sure, but everybody always seemed to meet up with their friends, despite the amazing scope of the place they had to travel, so perhaps, one day, when everything was ready, they would meet again when the time was right. Goofy nodded at Jecht as he began to walk away, the smile on his face growing bigger from the swordsman's encouraging words. He waved at the man, calling out, "Don't worry! Will tell 'im the Final Ian said hello! And, uh, we'll be sure to tell that Tidus guy to come meet up with you! Hopefully not to beat you each other up, but..." Goofy muttered the last sentence, a little surprised that a father would actively encourage his son to beat him up, but hey, he didn't want to tell people how to live their lives. He continued to wave away the swordsman, and turned back towards the Sora and Yuna when Jecht disappeared.

The knight scratched his chin at the thought of the creature Yuna described. "Huh. Bigger, bluer me, huh? Gawrsh, don't think I can imagine somethin' like that. Bet their tough." Goofy pondered this for a few moments before he focused back onto the matter at hand, and smiled at Yuna. "Alright! Ah-hyuk! glad to have you and your friends helpin' out! If there anywhere as near as good as you, then those bad guys won't know what hit 'em!" He looked back at Sora when he heard him mention Tidus too. Did he know him? Must be from his homeworld, most likely. Maybe he'd find him along the way. He'd be sure to send him Jecht and Sora's way.

Finally, it was time to depart. Goofy tilted his head at Sora, a curious expression on his face. "Aw, don't worry Sora. I got a gummi ship too! It's..." the knight paused for a moment, and looked around the Heartless dominion. He looked everywhere, behind him, above him, even below him, and after a while, he chuckled awkwardly and scratched the back of his head. "Uh, ah-hyuk. Maybe we should go with yours instead for now actually. Uh... I'm sure it'll turn up somewhere." Goofy pulled at his collar, taking one last cursory glance around the battlefield. He shrugged, and smiled at the summoner. "Come along, Yuna! You'll love the gummi ship! It's flies like a bird..." the dog turned away from the woman, and mumbled under his breath, "...as long as I'm not driving it alone." He then began running behind Sora, waving at Yuna to come along. It was time to bring this chapter of the story of to a close, and begin the next part of the tale.

Goofy has left the thread.

(OOC: Thank you for letting me tag along, guys!)

[Yuna]

Jecht seemingly being able to switch back and forth between Final Aeon form easily made Yuna feel relieved. That must come in handy for him, she imagined, watching her father’s guardian catch his sword effortlessly and right himself again with a sort of awestruck expression. She felt strangely proud, for her father, to have had such a strong guardian, both physically and mentally.

“I don’t think Sir Auron would be irritated to see you... not really, anyway.” Yuna tilted her head with a breathy, awkward laugh.

She only grew further sheepish at Jecht’s remark about her being the only one that called him ‘Sir,’ but how could she not? It was how she’d always referred to him, ever since she was a child and her father had told her of the two guardians he was setting out on his pilgrimage with.

Yuna was thoroughly warmed by the young keybearer’s thanks and his evident modesty. She smiled as she did to all those who thanked her for her help, generously, with an air of calm contentment. “You’re very welcome, Sora.”

At the younger brunette’s suggestion that they should travel together to look for their friends, Yuna’s gaze slid immediately to Sir Jecht first to gauge his reaction. It didn’t surprise her that he would prefer to make his own way around, but it did worry her a little. She recalled what happened the last time she’d lost him. However, deep down, she knew that Sir Jecht was strong. He would be fine. Instead, she answered Sora and Goofy. “I’d like that very much. That is, if you don’t mind.”

From Sir Jecht calling his son a crybaby, Yuna noted that father and son still hadn’t sorted out their differences. Remaining by the others when Sir Jecht walked away, Yuna was able to catch Goofy’s confused muttering about hopefully father and son not having to battle when they next met. She smiled faintly. What could she say? It was what Sir Jecht and his son had decided long ago. Of course she would rather they didn’t fight, too, but... It was a personal matter, between the two of them. So she would keep back. It seemed they’d put each other through a lot over the years... and yet, there was something nice about the whole thing. Perhaps one day they would be able to talk things out with each other in a way that she never had the chance to with her own father. She watched after the ex-guardian, quietly calling out a ‘take care’. She hoped he’d find Tidus soon.

“Hm?”

Her head lifted at the sound of her name. She bit her lip at Sir Jecht’s words about her father, an ambiguous emotion welling up inside. For a moment she was unable to say anything, having to blink a few times to clear her eyes of tears. Then she smiled- a genuine, dazzling smile- and stepped forward to wave after him. “Take care, Sir Jecht!” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “Thank you...”

Goofy’s question about the Ronso didn’t surprise her. Most people assumed the race was an intimidating one given their image, and they were partially right, too. “They are,” she agreed. Then added fondly, “but they can also be very gentle.”

She nodded once more enthusiastically along with Goofy before tilting her head at him when he began to look around for something that had seemingly turned invisible. The Gullwing blinked. How did one lose a gummi ship? She hoped that he didn’t hit his head too hard when he fell... Perhaps I should cast Esuna on him, just in case.

When the word ‘Tidus’ fell from the keybearer’s lips Yuna’s heart skipped a beat. At first she thought she misheard him, simply putting it down to her imagination and wishful thinking, but then Sora repeated the name a few more times and she knew she had heard correctly.

“Wait! You know Tidus?” she echoed, her mouth working without the permission of her mind, which had spun away at a million miles per second, reeling with a hundred questions. But Sora was preoccupied with getting them to the gummi ship and she quietened to reflect, following the duo absentmindedly when Goofy beckoned her to come as well. She wondered what sights she would see, travelling with the keyblade master and his companions, whether they would be strange and new, or maybe... just maybe, they would be warm and familiar, with golden hair and a sunshine smile. Regardless of what she found, she was happy it would be with the present company. She hoped that it would be a journey filled with laughter.

Yuna has left the thread and the thread has ended.

((OOC: This thread was way too much fun, guys! Sora, thank you for having me. And thank you for joining Jecht and Goofy!))