Final Fantasy X and PlayStation are owned by Square Enix and Sony, respectively, meaning they do not belong to me. I am in no way, shape, and/or form claiming to be the owner/creator of these concepts, though I do claim any characters not apart of the original Final Fantasy X storyline (such as Rayne and Marcus) mine. As such, I would appreciate fellow authors and readers to give credit where credit is due and not steal any of my characters and/or concepts. Thank you, and have a pleasant day.

(Calm Lands: Walking, Chocobos, and… Games?)

"Kyeah!"

Tidus's eyes snapped open and he screamed, rolling aside as the bladed staff glanced passed his head. He stared at the blade that was buried in the ground with wide eyes, the looked up at the wielder with even wider eye. "WHAT THE HELL, RAYNE?!"

Rayne yanked her staff out of the ground, hefting it over her head and swinging it down with a bellow of, "CONSTANT VIGILANCE, LADDIE!!!" She could have giggled at her own reference… but was too busy reaping the pleasure she had sown in inciting the teenagers fear.

The rest of the group roused themselves groggily at the sound of fighting, only to freeze and stare at the second oldest and third youngest members of their group; the former apparently trying to behead the latter.

Just as Tidus rolled out of the path of another blow, Wakka scrambled for his sword and shouted, "T, catch!" He lifted Brotherhood and threw it at the teen.

Tidus watched as the blade flew at him, turned on its side and spinning like a Frisbee. He moved to the right slightly, catching the sword by the hilt just as it was about to fly passed him. He then swung the blade forward and caught Rayne's staff just as it was about to connect with his torso, the scraping metals letting of a shower of sparks.

They both stood still for a few moments, silence dropping onto the camp with an almost audible thump. Then, Rayne smiled disarmingly and cheerfully said, "Very good." She left the entire group frozen in confusion, still smiling as she re-sheathed her staff and threw on her jacket.

The group then shook off the randomness and gathered their own things. When camp was packed, Rayne turned and began to walk, the group following her soon after. Rikku looked around them as they walked, frowning and scratching the back of her head. "Uh, Rayne? How do you know that this is the right way? Everything around us all looks… the same."

The rest of the group looked around them and deadpanned, seeing that the Al Bhed girl was right. All around them was… grass. Even the mountains were too indistinct to distinguish. For all they knew, they were completely and utterly lost, and Rayne could be leading them even deeper into the uncharted and unknown.

Rayne, though, confidently replied. "No worries, little sis. I know exactly where I am going."

Auron raised a brow cynically. "How?"

Rayne sighed and looked at him in contempt. "Doubting Thomas, much?" When he just raised his brow even higher, she sighed again and pointed to her staff. "None of you may have noticed, but before I went to sleep last night I took my staff and stabbed it into the ground, angling it in the direction we had come from. The direction we want to go is the opposite from which we came, thus our current course. Happy?"

Well, even if the group wasn't happy, they really didn't have a choice. Right after Rayne had finished speaking she abruptly turned and continued walking, leaving no room for further arguments. So, seeing as no one else had any better ideas, the group obediently followed her.

After a bit of peaceful, silent walking (punctuated by several battles), the landscape began to change. The ground began to slope downwards and then, abruptly, dropped off. The group crowded at the edge of the crater, staring down into it. It was clearly old, seeing as grass hand grown in both the bottom of the crater and up alongside the lip of it, but it also clearly wasn't natural.

Rayne was about to ask the obvious question when she noticed something in the center. There were three spikes of earth sticking out of the ground, and standing at the base of them was… "Yuna. Lady Belgamine."

Yuna snapped to attention and looked around the crater, smiling when she saw the older summoner. She then looked at Rayne, "Can we…"

Rayne nodded and jumped into the basin, holding out her hand for Yuna to grab. The young summoner accepted her help, then they both waited for the rest of the group to come down before setting of for the summoner.

Belgamine smiled as they approached. "Ah, I see you have arrived. I heard you caused quite a bit of trouble in Bevelle."

Yuna balked, then stood straight and declared, "I still plan to continue my pilgrimage, and I have cast aside Bevelle."

Belgamine studied her, then smiled. "Good." Her face then grew severe. "Do not allow those fools in Bevelle hold you back. It is for the aeons to choose their summoners, not the Temples or the Teachings."

Yuna gapped at her trainer, then smiled and bowed, "Thank you."

Belgamine nodded, "Of course. Well, it has been quite some time. Are you ready?"

Yuna nodded, waited as her aeons were healed, then stood ready as Belgamine summoned her aeon. When Shiva stood ready, Yuna twirled her stave and summoned Bahamut, who roared and stood with his arms crossed.

Rayne stood back and admired the aeon. It had been ten yeas since she had last properly seen the Lord of Dragons and Sky, but she remembered him as if it had been yesterday. His black scaly skin, which had actually been surprisingly soft, glistened brightly under the Calm Land sun. His bright purple/black eyes narrowed decisively on his chosen prey, Shiva, though he regarded her respectfully, still recognizing her as a fellow aeon. Though he wasn't an elemental, and therefore couldn't heal himself, it was hardly necessary taking his stats into mind.

Rayne had hardly noticed the battle take place or that it was over, until the great dragon was crouched before her, staring right at her.

'Hello.'

"AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Rayne stumbled and fell backwards, landing sprawled on her back. She twitched when the dragon laughed in his dry, crackly way, then sat back up and glared at him. "That was NOT funny, Bahamut!"

The dragon tilted his head childishly. 'It was to me.' He then stuck out his great clawed hand.

Rayne grudgingly accepted it, allowing him to pull her to her feet. "Is there anything in particular you wanted? I don't think that you hung around after the battle was over just to scare me half to death."

'I do believe,' Bahamut began, regarding her with amusement in his eyes, 'That you challenged me once. You said, some time ago, that the next time you saw me, you were going to take whatever weapon you had learned to use and shove it up my—'

"ALRIGHTY, THEN!" Rayne exclaimed, backing away and glaring at Yuna pointedly, "I think it's about time that you 'Dismissed' Bahamut here, don't you, Yuna?"

Yuna, who had been watching the exchange between human and aeon with mixed amusement and shock, nodded and waved her staff at the dragon. "Thank you for your help."

Bahamut nodded, then looked at Rayne one final time. 'Bye-bye.' He licked her forehead with his cat-like tongue, then flew off.

There was silence for a moment, followed by Lulu asking everyone's question. "Rayne, what was that?"

Rayne rolled her eyes, "That's for me to know and for all of you to loose hours of sleep over trying to figure out. Just a warning, don't bother; it's a waste of time and energy." She then turned away and zoned out, signaling the end of that conversation.

Belgamine coughed, "Well, now that that is over, here, young summoner, you deserve this." She handed Yuna several pouches of items. "And as for you, guardian," She turned to Rayne, pulling out a small bundle, "I believe you may need this, soon." She handed it to Rayne, then turned and began to walk away. She had a few parting words, which she shouted over her shoulder, "Should you need me, you can find me at the Temple of Remiem." And she was gone.

While Yuna looked over her items, Rayne opened her brown cloth-wrapped bundle and took a look at what was inside. In her palm lay a small silver disc, oval in shape, with a small circular lapis lazuli stone in the center. There was also a fine silver chain which, when Rayne picked it up, she was astonished to find was bound to the disc. It was the oddest thing, though, it didn't have any visible connections…

"Rayne?" She looked up at Lulu, who waved to the plains, "Shall we continue?"

They walked out of the crater and continued, and a short time later…

"BOKY!!!!"

When the rest of the group deadpanned at the scene that played out before them. Out a ways in the fields were Rayne and Boky (who had appeared out of nowhere), the former running while the latter chased her down. Rayne had a mixed look of horror and enjoyment. She was just about to get out of the chocobo's range when the chocobo leapt into the air butted her in the back, pinning her with his foot when she was on the ground.

Shocked, the group ran over to their fallen friend, deadpanning when they found her laughing loudly. She looked over at them when Tidus coughed, and she smiled, "Hey, everyone! You all remember Boky, right?"

The chocobo turned to regard the group, immediately glaring and Auron and Tidus when he saw them. Rayne laughed when she saw this, "Well, he apparently remembers you!"

"Hey! Don't abuse that chocobo!"

The group turned to face a young woman on a chocobo riding up to them, glaring down at them. "He's a free creature, and you have no right to mistreat him!"

Wakka raised his brows and looked between the woman and Rayne. "If anything, I'd say the chocobo's mistreating Lady Rayne."

The woman looked down at Rayne, deadpanning when she saw her. "Oh… I, er… didn't notice you."

Rayne nodded, "Understandable, it's not every day that you find a chocobo standing on a person. Speaking of chocobos…" She looked up, "Boky, get offa me!"

Boky tilted his head and let out an innocent 'Kweh', then took his foot off of Rayne's back and stepped aside. Coughing, Rayne got to her feet and leaned against the chocobo's side, chuckling when he nuzzled her cheek.

The woman watched all of this fixedly, "Is that… your chocobo?"

Rayne chuckled and batted Boky's head away, "Not really. He just likes to follow me around with rapt devotion. He's not really officially tamed, and I've really only known him for a bit."

"Would you like to train him?"

Rayne blinked, then laughed, shaking her head. "Thanks, but no thanks. We've got a ways to go, and Boky already lets me ride him fairly well."

The woman nodded. "I'm sure he does, but wouldn't you and your company like to rent out more chocobos? It would make traveling quicker."

"What does that have to do with training Boky?" Rayne asked, her brow quirked.

"Well," The woman dismounted her chocobo and faced Rayne, "I'm thinking of a friendly contest. Your chocobo against mine. I'll train you in a few areas, then we'll have a race. If your chocobo beats mine, I'll lend you all chocobos for free, so you can cross the Calm Lands quicker."

Tidus crossed his arms, a bit skeptical. "And if she looses?"

The woman, still looking at Rayne, answered, "I get to keep her chocobo."

"Hah!" Rayne scoffed and rolled her eyes. "Sorry, lady, but those stakes are too much in your favor. I'd sooner pay for our chocobos out of my own funds than risk loosing Boky. Thanks, but no thanks." The group turned to walk away, but was stopped when the woman called out to them.

"Wait! I'll throw in this, too!" The group turned back and saw her holding out an odd stick. Upon closer inspection, the group found themselves looking at a pink scepter decorated with various, colorful flowers. "This," The woman explained, "Is the 'Flower Scepter'. It's some kind of key for the Temple of Remiem, which I'm told is located somewhere here in Calm Lands."

Rayne quirked a brow, 'Belgamine's Temple?'

"Take the challenge." Rayne blinked and looked up at Auron, who was now standing beside her and looking down at her seriously. "Take it. Remiem Temple is an old, lost temple. If the fayth sill remains there, Yuna might be able to gain a new aeon."

Rayne sighed and looked at Boky. "What do you think?"

Boky looked at the woman and her chocobo, his chest puffing and his wings flapping indignantly. "WARK!!!"

"Alright!" Rayne exclaimed, laughing. She then turned to the woman, crossing her arms and smirking. "We accept."

The woman nodded, turning to her chocobo and pulling out several items from her saddlebag. "You'll need theses. I'll show you how to put them on and use them the first time for free, but any other time you'll have to pay me."

The items turned out to be a soft leather saddle and soft leather reigns, which were really just for speed riding and rather cheap. Rayne learned easily how to put them on, having to do it herself seeing as Boky wouldn't let the chocobo woman touch him. Though he didn't really like the items, he allowed Rayne to put them on easily, his unwavering devotion showing even when he crouched down to give her easier access to his back.

When the equipment was all on, Rayne found it much easier to get on and stay on Boky's back, which in turn made him happier. After a few quick pointers, the woman was ready to begin the race.

"Alright," The chocobo woman shouted from her side of the starting point, "I'll give you the first time for free, seeing as your chocobo is new to the concept of tamed riding, but after that—"

"Cut the crap!" Rayne shouted, cutting the woman off, "Boky and I are ready, so let's start with the competition right off!"

And, with that, the whistle blew and they were off. The chocobo woman took the lead, a look of triumph on her face. Rayne saw this and knew what she was thinking. 'She's thinking she's won easy and that she's going to get a fine chocobo to add to her herds. Well, we'll show her—' "Faster, Boky!"

The chocobo let out a 'Wark!', then sped up. After a few moments, he was running neck-and-neck with the other chocobo. But it wasn't enough to pass.

Hit by a sudden stroke of inspiration, Rayne shouted, "Boky! Pretend we're racing Auron! Do you want Auron to win?!"

The chocobo gave no verbal response to this. Was there really an appropriate one? No. Rather, he responded physically. He sped up. Faster than Rayne had imagined he would. And definitely faster than the chocobo woman thought he would. The chocobo woman could only watch in horror and envy as Rayne and Boky crossed the finish line first.

Rayne sat on Boky's back triumphantly as the woman rode up. "Good race."

The woman looked at Rayne for a moment, and just when Rayne thought she was going to flip her the bird or scream at her, the woman smiled genuinely. "I'm happy to see that such a loyal chocobo found such an understanding master. Thank you." The woman then willingly handed over the 'Flower Scepter'. "You and your group come by the rest stop whenever you want your chocobos. I'll be waiting!" She then rode off.

Rayne and Boky went back to the group, Rayne presenting the scepter to Yuna. "Here. When we find Remiem, it'll be your place to use this."

Yuna took the scepter and smiled. "Thank you."

There was a pause, then Wakka scratched the back of his head. "Now what?"

Rayne shrugged, "The woman said that there was a rest stop around here, but do we really want to head there yet?"

"Of course not!" Rikku exclaimed. "These are the Calm Lands! There's bound to be loads of treasure and things to do, so let's find them!"

Rayne groaned, "That's just it, though; 'these are the Calm Lands'. How are we going to find anything?!"

At this, Boky perked up and let out a 'Wark!' Rayne glanced down at him. "You got an idea? Be my guest."

Boky nodded seriously, then turned and began to run, taking off with Rayne. The group exchanged glances, then ran after them. A time later, they arrived at one of the mountain sides. They looked around expectantly, Boky just standing and staring off into space.

"Great," Auron muttered, "We trusted a chocobo to lead us somewhere, and we got lost. Who would have thought?"

At that moment, there was loud, feral screech, and the group ran in different directions in order to avoid being torn to shreds by a freaky fiend. The think looked like a blorba, but had the arms of a wendigo and the legs of a chimera. (Get it, yet? If not, the thing's just damn ugly.) It looked at Wakka, who hadn't managed to run far enough away, then opened its large mouth and swallowed him whole. Wakka went down screaming.

Rayne's vision flashed red and she jumped off of Boky's back. "OH, HELL NO!" She tore her staff out of its sleeve, the stone flashing and turning into an aurichalcite, and threw it into the air, where it froze in a solid, but well cut, Romanesque column of ice. Rayne, now standing in front of the column, spun in a circle. "Come hither, my loyal servant."

The column shattered and left behind an icy man with blue skin and no hair. He caught Rayne's staff as it fell, walking up beside her and handing it to her. She nodded and accepted it, picking up one of the shards of ice from the ground and handing it to him. He accepted it, waving it in a wide arc. It was surrounded in a burst of icy flakes and powder, which cleared away to leave behind a large black hand fan.

Rayne pointed to the freaky fiend and shouted, "Arctic Gale!"

The man snapped his wrist and opened the fan and, white panels gleaming, waved it in a complex pattern, to which a symbol formed before him. He then waved it one final time, waving away the symbol and forming a great gust of icy wind. The fiend froze instantly and the man threw himself at the fiend, shattering it and disappearing, himself. All that was left behind was a slightly damp and extremely confused Wakka.

He looked around and scratched the back of his head. "Wha?—"

"DA DA DANANANA DA DA DU DA – DA DA DANANANA NA DA DAH DA!!!!!!!!!!"

The whole group jumped out of their skins as the freaky carnie music started to play and confetti of all colors rained down on them.

"CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!" A voice from nowhere boomed. "YOU ARE THE FIRST GROUP TO SUCCESFULLY BEAT ONE OF MY CREATIONS IN BATTLE!!!! IF YOU COME TO MY PLACE JUST A BIT TO YOUR RIGHT, YOU CAN CLAIM YOUR PRIZE!!!"

Rayne stormed over to Wakka and helped him to his feet. She then turned and began to storm off in the direction the voice had told them to. "Let's go!!! Now!!! That dude is gonna pay!!!!"

After exchanging worried glances, the group ran after the fuming and now twitching Rayne. After a bit of walking, a guy randomly jumped out from behind a rock and struck a pose. "Welco—"

He was cut off as Rayne's fist connected with his face. She glared down at the man writhing on the ground and kicked him. "WHAT THE HELL IS YOUR PROBLEM?!"

Tidus and Rikku jumped forward and grabbed Rayne's arms, pulling her back from the man on the ground. When she kept trying to struggle out of their grips, Tidus screamed into her ear, "Stop it, Rayne! Let him explain himself, at least!"

Rayne stopped struggling, but planted her feet and glared daggers at the man, her left cheek twitching.

The man, who had curled up into a ball when Rayne started to kick him, rebounded quickly, jumping to his feet and brushing himself off. He then looked at the group with a wide smile, despite the bruise that was already showing on his cheek. "Oh, no need to worry, that was nothing! My family did much worse when they found out about my chosen career path!"

Yuna coughed and stepped forward. "Which is?"

The man struck another pose and proudly answered, "Beastmaker!"

There was a long, drawn out silence, broken when Rayne asked, "Soo… you're a genetic engineer?"

"Oh," The man whined, "But 'Beastmaker' sounds so much more… quixotic!"

Rayne rolled her eyes, "Whatever." She then turned and walked away, the group moving to follow.

"Wait!" The man ran at Rayne and threw himself at her feet, latching onto her legs. "Don't leave me!"

Rayne looked down at the man incredulously. "What do you want?"

"Well, you see," The man began sheepishly, still latched to Rayne's legs and picking at the grass, "I… I'm not a very good Beastmaker, mainly because I'm not strong enough to gather my fiends quickly. I have to trap them all, and that usually doesn't work very well."

"Yes, yes, that's very sad. Now get off of my legs!"

"NO!" The man redoubled his clutching as Rayne tried to wiggle away. "I need your help!"

"I'm sorry," Yuna said, staring down at the man pityingly, "But we really have to go. We're on a pilgrimage."

"Well, that works out perfectly!" The man shouted, jumping to his feet and unknowingly tripping Rayne in the process. "You'll go to different places and see different fiends, and then you can catch them for me!"

"Uh, how?" Wakka made the mistake of asking.

"With these!" The man pulled a bundle out of hammer space and laid it out on the ground, revealing various weapons. "These," He began to explain proudly, "Are my latest creations! They work like regular weapons, but they capture fiends instead of killing them! All captured fiends are automatically transported to me, and I put them in their cages!"

"Cool." Rikku said, bending over to look at the pair of knuckles she found. "How do they work?"

"You wouldn't understand even if I told you!" The man exclaimed, laughing.

The group deadpanned.

"Well?" The man began, his eyes hopeful, "Will you? Pretty please?"

Rayne sighed loudly, standing back on her feet. "You probably would keep asking, even if we said no, wouldn't you?"

The man smiled. "Absolutely!"

Rayne grumbled and shook her head, "Fine."

"I LOVE YOU!" The man leapt on Rayne, hugging her tightly, "I swear, you won't regret it!" He then passed out the weapons, calculating the cost. "What?" He asked innocently when Rayne glared at him. "I gotta eat, too, you know." When they were walking away, the man shouted to them. "COME BACK SOME TIME, AND YOU'LL BE ABLE TO FIGHT THE MONSTERS YOU HELPED CREATE!!! YOU'LL GET LOADS OF EXPERIENCE AND COOL ITEMS FOR IT!!!"

Rayne sighed and shook her head. "Weird old hermits and their games."