Disclaimer: I do not own FFX nor FFXII, they belong to Squarenix.

Author's Notes: Thanks for the wonderful reviews! They're always appreciated! And of course, (as I'm sure you figured) You'll just have to wait and found out about that, Sita Silver-Breeze, and thanks for the reviews:D

Chapter 3: The Summoner

At the top of the steps, was Lady Ashe. She was leaning against the wall, she looked exhausted, and she was sweating. She wore a white tank top that had a sliver flower design, she also wore a long, flowing dark green skirt, it had some golden flowers near the bottom. Underneath she had black, knee high boots with black laces. Her hair was the same as it was in Ivalice.

She stood up straight and walked to the top of the stairs, and flicked her hair away from her eyes, which were closed. She slowly opened them, and a small smile appeared on her lips. Her blue eyes sparkled.

"I've done it. I've become a summoner." Her, surprisingly, quiet voice barely echoed in the circular room.

Her knees gave out and she started to fall down the stairs, Basch ran up the stairs and caught her before she fell too far. Balthier was looking at this version of Ashe. She was quite different from the queen he knew back in Ivalice. A lot quieter, that's for sure.

Besaid Village, Besaid Island.

They were back outside the temple and in the bright sun. People were surrounding Ashe as she walked out; she was now carrying a staff that one of the monks had handed her. She walked into the middle of a stone circle that was in the middle of the village, she turned back to her guardians behind her, they nodded, and so did she in return. She faced forward again.

She raised her staff above her head with her right hand, as she brought it down in front of her, she placed her left hand on it as well. She took a step back with her right leg and held the staff out behind her. A large circle appeared under her and bright lights shot out into the air from the circle. Soon after a large, bird-like creature appeared. It flew in from behind the temple and landed slowly in front of Ashe. She lowered her hands and walked slowly towards it, it reached out its head, its yellow, pupiless eyes staring at her with gentleness. Ashe reached out and gently stroked its head and neck.

Vaan and Fran ran over to her, and everyone in the village cheered. Ashe was smiling as she was receiving praises from Vaan and Fran. The creature was patiently standing behind its summoner as she received praises from the villagers. Balthier could only stare in wonder at the creature. He had seen stranger looking espers while he had gone on his own quest those two years ago, but there was something, different about this one. Ashe turned back to the creature and nodded. It spread its coloured wings and took off quickly.

"Pretty cool, huh?"

Balthier jumped and looked to his right, where he saw Vaan standing.

"I thought you were over there." He pointed to where Lady Ashe was.

"I was, I came back over here. But, what did you think of the aeon?" He asked, he sounded exited.

"The what?"

"The aeon, what Lady Ashe just summoned."

"Oh that… It was, quite interesting."

"Is that all you can say? It was increadible!!" He was silent for a few moments. "I meant to ask… About earlier, how did you know my name? And that of the summoner?" He asked.

Balthier sighed.

"It would take a while to explain."

"I've got time!" Vaan said quickly.

Balthier sighed again. He obviously didn't get what I meant by that.

"Let's go back to my tent, we can talk there."

Vaan started walking before Balthier could object. And considering he didn't actually know anyone, even though there were four people that looked like his friends, he didn't know them. He decided it'd be best to stay with this version of Vaan.

In the tent, Balthier had explained everything of what had happened in Ivalice, and why he had gone all over it two years ago with his friends, and all about Espers, and why he found the aeon to be interesting, he sat quietly munching on some food Vaan had brought. This version of Vaam just stared at him in amazement.

"You're not from here are you?" Vaan ventured looking at him from his position on the floor in front of him.

"No, I'm not."

"Wow… Well, maybe I can convince Fran, Basch and Ashe to let you come alone with us to Luca tomorrow. It's where the season's opening Blitzball tournament is being held." Vaan offered as explination, though it seemed to have left Balthier even more complex. "I'll try to explain it to you at some point, you should get some sleep, you look bushed!" Vaan said after a yawn came from Balthier.

"I think I will, thank you."

"No problem!" Vaan stood up and walked to the curtain, that served as the door to the tent. "Make sure you come to tonight's party, we're celebrating Ashe's first succesfull summoning tonight."

"I'll make sure to be there." Balthier said as he lay down on the bed.

Vaan left through the curtain.

--

Balthier woke up a little while later and sat up in the bed. He could hear some people arguing outside. He stood up and crept over to the curtain and peeked through a small opening. He saw it was Fran and Vaan. He couldn't make out what they were saying, at first.

"Excuses again?" He heard Fran, she spoke a little louder now.

"Yeah, but… He needed help." Vaan said quickly.

"That's it! No more! Enough Vaan."

She turned around and walked away, Vaan just stood there. He sighed and turned towards the tent. Balthier walked away from the curtain and back to the bed. The fact that there were only those two outside told him that he had missed the celebration. Not that he had actually planned on going, he felt like he needed some time alone anyway. Vaan walked into the tent and saw that Balthier was sitting on the bed.

"Oh! So you're up, and you missed the celebration!" He folded his arms in mock disappointment.

"Sorry about that." Balthier wasn't in his usual good mood.

"Don't worry about it, you've been through a lot. It must be tough being separated from your friends."

He sat down on the floor again.

"Do you want your bed?" Balthier offered.

"Don't worry, I usually sleep on the floor anyway!" he laughed. "More comfortable I find!"

Balthier smiled.

"What's your name anyways? I haven't asked you!" He rubbed the back of his neck.

"Balthier." He said looking at him.

Vaan held out his hand and Balthier took it, they shook.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Balthier."

"Same to you!"

"Got some good news for you!"

Balthier looked at him.

"You can come along with us to Luca! Hey who knows, you might find someone you know there!"

"Maybe."

Even Balthier didn't believe himself when he said it. How could he find someone who knew him? Everyone he knows is in Ivalice, or right in front of him on the floor.