Mintywolf gave me permission to use some of the elements from her comic "Guardian" to use in this side fic. Of course, I'm going to make a few changes so it coincides with Touched by Sin.

{This is spoken in Sin's telepathy.}

Final Fantasy X belongs to Square Enix, not me!


"Sin!" gasped Yuna.

Just like everyone else, Lulu could remember that they somehow landed on top of Sin after falling through the frozen lake, and he was just beginning to emerge from the water.

"Everyone," yelled Lulu, "hold on to something!"

Upon cue, Yuna, Tidus, Patravi, Auron, Wakka and Rikku scurried to the structures and embraced to them as Sin ascended out of the lake. Lulu also embraced herself to the nearest structure, hoping that she doesn't fall off, even by accident.

It seemed like an hour before they all felt Sin make his landing… somewhere. Lulu let go of the structure and peered down, noticing that they were now in what appears to be an ancient temple in ruins. Perhaps this place was Sin's sanctuary?

Lulu snapped out of her thoughts when she caught a glimpse of Valefor. Upon turning her glance ahead, she could see that Valefor, Ifrit, Ixion, Shiva and Bahamut were standing before Sin.

{Bahamut,} ordered Sin, {extract Yuna and bring her to me.}

"Right away, Master," agreed Bahamut.

"What about her guardians?" asked Valefor.

{I'll leave them to the rest of you,} answered Sin.

Valefor and Bahamut flew to the top of Sin's head as Ifrit, Ixion and Shiva climbed up Sin's fin. Valefor retrieved Tidus and Rikku while Ifrit retrieved Auron and Patravi. Ixion scooped up Wakka as Shiva approached Lulu.

"Come with us," said Shiva.

"Are you sure Yuna will be all right?" asked Lulu.

"Sin will ensure her safety for now," assured Shiva.

Lulu sighed in relief, knowing that Sin would never harm Yuna, not even by accident. As Bahamut lifted Yuna into his arms, Lulu climbed up onto Ixion. After that, Valefor, Ifrit, Ixion, Shiva and Bahamut climbed off of Sin's head. As Bahamut approached Sin with Yuna in his arms, Shiva activated a symbol embedded in an alcove, which opened up a door that led to a hidden chamber. There, the Espers released Yuna's guardians.

"We'll let you rest here for the night," said Shiva.

Valefor, Ifrit, Ixion and Shiva then left for somewhere else as Tidus, Rikku, Patravi, Auron, Wakka and Lulu sat down, facing each other. Rikku pulled out a potion of sorts.

"Take these," said Rikku, "you'll get better in no time."

Rikku poured the potion into small cups and distributed them among the others. They drank the potion, which healed their wounds from their battle against the Wendigo.

"But what about Yuna?" asked Wakka, "we can't just leave her alone with Sin!"

"Yuna will be all right," assured Auron, "for now, we should get some rest."

"I agree," nodded Lulu.


This is my story…

10 years ago…

Lulu was sitting on the steps of a temple that sat in the middle of a nameless village in a peninsula northeast of Lake Macalania. At the moment, she is embracing her moogle doll. After what seemed to be a day, Lady Ginnem emerged from the temple, compelling Lulu to get to her feet and sprinted up to greet her.

"Hello, Lulu," smiled Ginnem.

"Lady Ginnem," replied Lulu, "are you really going on a pilgrimage today?"

"I'll be leaving tomorrow morning," clarified Ginnem, "but yes. It is my duty as a summoner."

"May I accompany you as a guardian?" asked Lulu, "I'm strong enough to do it."

"I know you are strong," replied Ginnem, "but a pilgrimage is very dangerous. I could never ask that of you, Lulu."

"But," protested Lulu, "I just don't want to be left behind. You taught me so much, didn't you?"

"That's true," nodded Ginnem, "and I'm so proud of you."

Lulu remembered that she was able to learn to master her black magic thanks to Ginnem.

Later on in the late afternoon, everyone in the village gathered in the village square for a feast. But little did they know, black creatures with doll heads and motors began emerging from the ground at the border of the village during the feast.

After another hour, Lulu glanced at the temple, and noticed that the roof began to decay. Curious, she got to her feet and approached the steps of the temple to investigate. But then, just as she was about to enter the temple, a massive worm-like black monster emerged from the entrance, and Lulu screamed in horror. This monster had stubby legs at its base and its body was littered with doll heads and there were some mechanical parts on top. Lulu scurried away from the creature, and everyone in the village made their glance at the creature, their eyes widening in horror.

Just then, more black creatures with doll heads began swarming the village, sending the villagers into a panic as the decaying huts began to collapse. Maybe the creatures were the ones responsible for this? Lulu made one more glance at the giant black creature and she felt like she recognized the creature.

"Why, it looks like the same creature that killed my parents!" thought Lulu.

Lulu snapped out of her thoughts at the instant she felt someone grab her wrist. She quickly turned her glance at Lady Ginnem.

"We have to get out of here," shrieked Ginnem, "now!"

Before Lulu could say anything, she and Ginnem were now scurrying out of the village like the rest of the villagers were as black jellyfish-like creatures began emerging from the ground while shooting projectiles of a lethal substance at their unfortunate victims. None of the villagers could do anything as the temple collapsed shortly after, but the black creatures began pursuing them like a predator chasing its prey.

The surviving villagers were only able to make it around several miles from the village when suddenly, several huge creatures with one giant arm each ambushed the villagers and began surrounding them. Lulu and Lady Ginnem were getting ready to fight back when the Esper Ifrit showed up out of nowhere.

"Time for some pest control," muttered Ifrit.

Ifrit then launched massive fireballs at the huge black creatures, taking each of them out with a single hit. However, there were swarms of black jellyfish-like creatures hovering above as Ifrit glanced at the villagers.

"Get to safety," ordered Ifrit, "I'll hold them off!"

Taking the cue, the survivors sprinted past Ifrit as he unleashed a few more fireballs at the monstrous creatures. While running, Lulu and Ginnem heard a roar that sounded like a whale combined with sirens and wind. They made one last glance at the decimated village and noticed that Sin rose out of the distance as he unleashed a massive energy explosion that vaporized the black creatures littering the ruins. Unfortunately, it seemed that there was nothing that could be done to save the nameless village.

It was a really long journey, but the surviving villagers managed to reach Macalania Temple. While sipping hot chocolate, Lulu tried to take her mind off of the incident, but the mental images of villagers being slaughtered by the black creatures made her cringe.

"If only I could become a guardian," thought Lulu, "maybe I can help Ginnem vanquish these creatures once and for all. I just can't be helpless anymore…"

After finishing her beverage, Lulu returned the empty mug to an acolyte. She then wandered around the main hall until she came across Ginnem who was talking with a young blue-haired Guado.

"I'm sorry for your loss, Lady Ginnem," said the Guado, "but I will ensure the safety of the refugees. Is that acceptable?"

"Thank you, Seymour," nodded Ginnem.

As Seymour returned to his chamber, Lulu approached Ginnem, which caught her attention.

"Even with these recent events," insisted Lulu, "I still want to go with you. Please don't leave me behind, my lady!"

"Are you sure about this, Lulu?" asked Ginnem.

"I'm absolutely sure," nodded Lulu.

"Well," sighed Ginnem, "all right, then. We leave in the morning."

The following morning, Ginnem and Lulu left the temple and arrived at the travel agency. There, they purchased some supplies for the trip. Just when they exited the agency, they came across a dark-skinned woman clad in a uniform.

"I hope the pilgrimage hasn't started without me," she said.

"Of course not!" chuckled Ginnem, "you are just in time."

"Do you know her?" asked Lulu.

"This is my sister, Imogen," answered Ginnem, "she has come from Bevelle to be my guardian."

"Well," smiled Lulu, "nice to meet you, Imogen. I'm Lulu."

"Oh, so you're Ginnem's star pupil!" exclaimed Imogen, "I've heard a lot about you in my sister's letters. Have you come to say goodbye to your summoner?"

"No," replied Lulu, "I will also accompanying Lady Ginnem as a guardian,"

"Is that so?" asked Imogen.

"I have every confidence in Lulu's abilities," answered Ginnem, "shall we be off?"

Lulu, Ginnem and Imogen left the travel agency and through Macalania Forest. Along the way, they came across a Blue Element.

"Stand back," commanded Imogen, drawing her sword, "let me handle this!"

"Hold on," paused Ginnem, "why don't you let our black mage show you what she can do?"

"Ok," nodded Lulu.

After placing in just enough concentration, Lulu cast a Thunder spell that zapped the Blue Element.

"Well," chuckled Imogen, "I'm impressed. Let's just go."

Lulu, Ginnem and Imogen continued theori journey through Macalania Forest. After a while, they arrived at the Highbridge to Bevelle. Upon entering the city, they strolled toward the palace, and after solving the Cloister of Trials, Ginnem entered the Chamber of Fayth while Imogen and Lulu waited in the antechamber.

"I didn't think Bevelle would be this big," said Lulu, "don't you get lost in the city?"

"Of course not," replied Imogen, "didn't you know? Ginnem and I were originally from here. She came to your village on a missionary trip when she joined the priesthood."

"Oh, I see," whispered Lulu.

"Speaking of which," continued Imogen, "I heard your village was destroyed recently. What happened?"

"Well," explained Lulu, "there were these black creatures with doll heads and machina parts that attacked my home last night. I'm not sure why, but we had little warning, and not even Sin could save its temple. Do you know anything about these black creatures?"

"I'm sorry," replied Imogen, "but I don't. But I did hear from Ginnem that the Esper that used to occupy the temple in your village died in the Machina War."

"How is that possible?" asked Lulu, "I thought Espers were immortal."

"The Espers are as much of a mystery to us as Sin is," replied Imogen.

Just then, Ginnem emerged from the chamber and approached Lulu and Imogen.

"Are we heading to Djose next?" asked Imogen.

"We could," answered Ginnem, "but there's something I want to investigate first. Is that acceptable?"

"I'm ok with it," nodded Lulu.

After emerging from the palace, Ginnem, Imogen and Lulu meandered through the streets and crossed the Highbridge out of Bevelle. After meandering through the woods for a short while, they reached the southern ridge overlooking the Calm Lands. Lulu's eyes widened with amazement.

"So this is the Calm Lands?" marveled Lulu, "I didn't think it'd be this big."

"Well," replied Ginnem, "this was the main battleground of the Machina War, and it was said that Sin was first seen here during that time. Well, we should get going."

Ginnem led Lulu and Imogen down the slope into the plains. Along the way, Lulu used her magic against the Nebiros and Flame Flans as Imogen took out the Shreds, Skolls, Ogres and Coeurls. Ginnem would also summon Bahamut and Shiva to help fight the Chimera Brains, Malboros and Anacondaurs. By evening, Lulu, Ginnem and Imogen hustled through the northeastern canyon, where they came across a bridge that led to Gagazet. Ginnem turned her glance at the slope to the right.

"This way," she said.

Ginnem led Lulu and Imogen down the slope into the gorge. There, they came across a cave.

"So," asked Imogen, "what do you think we could find in this cave?"

"Before I left for my pilgrimage," explained Ginnem, "I talked to some of the monks in Macalania Temple. They say that an Esper lives in that cave."

"An Esper?" pondered Lulu.

"Exactly," nodded Ginnem, "I figured that if I find this Esper, I could somehow convince it to help restore your village and its temple. In exchange, he could call the temple a new home. Perhaps the village could have a name again."

"I would like that," nodded Lulu.

"Ok then," announced Ginnem, "we rest here tonight. We enter the cave in the morning."