Disclaimer: I don't own FY or FFX or any other animes.

Fiery Remembrance

"Ok, now what's this?"

"Um...a desert bird?"

"... ... ... Close enough, I suppose..." the older man sighed. He set the card before his friend, gold eyes watching the younger man intensly. "What do you know about it?"

"Uh...it's not affected by earth magic...but weakened by ice?"

"Why are you asking me, Houjun?"

"You're the one who should know, Hikou," Houjun retorted, handing the card back to his friend. He brushed his chesnut bangs back behind his ear and motioned for Hikou to continue.

"You should know this too. What would you do if we got separated and you didn't know how to defend yourself?" the older man scolded. "Now how about this one?"

"That...is a water type monster, so it would be weak against fire magic."

"That's true, in theory," Hikou said. "But it's immune to all magic attacks except one."

"Um...ice?" Houjun tried again. He winced as Hikou's book hit the top of his head.

"Thunder. You should know that by now."

"Yeah..." Houjun muttered, rubbing his head.

"Ok, let's try a few aeons then. A summoner should know at least that much." He held up a card for his friend to examine.

"Valefor. His attacks are non-elemental."

"Alright and this one?"

"Bahamut, the king of aeons. Also non-elemental attacks though they are often confused for being dark-element attacks."

"Good. Ok, last one before we go. You have to prove that you earned the rite of the summoner today."

"I know," Houjun sighed as Hikou lifted the last card. A smile broke on his face, eyes glinting with delight as he recognized the aeon. "That one is Ifrit, the fire wolf. His attacks include fire alpha, fire omega, meteor strike, and hell fire, as well as powerful physical attacks and-" Hikou clamped a hand over his friend's mouth.

"I don't need every detail, you know." He removed his hand and stood up. The two had been sitting on Houjun's bed, which was dressed in flame-colored sheets that Houjun had decorated himself to look like fire. His own bed lay adjacent to his friends and was covered with simple ocean-blue colored sheets. He looked at the yonger man and handed him a small length of red ribbon to tie his mid-back length chesnut hair back with, his own near-black brown hair pulled up into a loose bun to keep it out of the way. He was dressed in a long-sleeved midnight blue tunic and pant that were tucked into black, mid-shin length boots. The outfit was less traditional of water mage, yet more funtional than the robes, especially for one who was to travel as the guardian of a summoner.

In contrast, Houjun wore a long-sleeved white tunic, ever-green pants, and black boots that only streched to cover his ankles. He also had a blue traveling cloak that had been left to him by his father, Master Summoner Ri, though he had yet to wear it. Now that he had taken up his father's path and become a summoner, however, he would need it. Even Hikou knew the sacrifices that his friend would be making on his journey, but he was ready to protect him. That was why he had chosen to become a guardian. He didn't want Houjun to be alone in this endevor. Both had been training for this journey for ten years: after Houjun's father died battling Sin.

Hikou watched his friend twirl his staff a few times before flashing a smile at him. He was the only one who knew that Houjun was feigning happiness. Still, he stood by the mohogany eyed man. "Ready to go?" he asked, taking his swallow from its place on the wall and holding it over one shoulder. The blade on each end of the weapon had been specially crafted from a metal commonly used by water mages to forge their weapons of choice.

"Ready," Houjun nodded, tapping the end of his staff on the ground, the four gold rings chiming. The top of the staff held a heart-shaped gold symbol with a smaller heart atop it. It was simple compared to the more elaborate staves used by other summoners. Houjun had insisted that it was all he needed, however.

The two friends departed towards the trial room that awaited Houjun at the end of the main hall, parting at the door. Houjun approached the three protectors of the temple, stopping ten feet from them and planted the butt of his staff firmly planted on the ground before bowing to them. Each wore only a simple white robe, as was custom during the final test.

"Ah, Houjun. Tomorrow is that day, is it not?" the head summoner of the shrine spoke gently. He looked at him with one silver-colored eye, his other eye hidden behind his platnum blonde hair that held a silvery look to it in the light. It was cut short, nearly chin length.

"Yes Lord Muraki," Houjun replied. "Tomorrow Hikou and I shall begin our journey."

"Do you vow to do whatever it takes to bring us peace?" the priest asked, dark blue eyes peering into Houjun's eyes questioningly. His mid-back length blonde hair hung loosely around his shoulders.

"I do, high priest Julious." The three men nodded to one another and the last man stepped forward and held out his hand.

"Do you have the summorer's rite?" Houjun nodded and produced a yellowed scroll from seemingly no where, elicting an amused smile from his magic instructor as he accepted the scroll with a nod. He turned away to show the scroll to the others, a long, blonde braid nearly hitting Houjun's hand. The instructor turned to face him again, violet eyes laughing as he held an open box out to his student. "Pick one. It was your father's last gift to you, after all. He wanted you to have two aeons when begining your journey, so you may choose one other." Houjun's eyes lit up. There was only one aeon he wanted more than the others.

"Alexander, do you really believe that a novice summoner could handle anything more that Valefor?" Julious asked, narrowing his eyes at the blonde teacher, who merely looked back at him over his shoulder.

"I don't see why not. His father was the last Master Summoner, so I believe he'll have no trouble. Besides, he seems to have selected Ifrit, which would have been his next aeon anyway."

"He has a point," Muraki said. "Let the boy try." Julious scrowled but then nodded.

"So be it, then."

Houjun felt almost giddy as Alexander took a small, fire-red jewel from the box and placed it in his hand. It glowed brightly for a moment and then faded.

"Alright then, Houjun," the instructor said, stepping back. "Summon Ifrit. If you can summon him for us, I think that High Preist Julious should have no complaints." Houjun nodded after a moment and began to preform the summoning, his heart racing. He had never imagined that he would begin his journey with Ifrit, but he wasn't going to ruin his chance to do so by celebrating just yet. He made the final move, praying that he had preformed the ritual correctly. He looked toward his instructor, but found that he, as well as Julious and Muraki, had stepped back against the wall. Suddenly, the ground shook violently beneath him and erupted upward. Before he could react, he was thrown forward, hitting the ground hard. He rolled onto his back and stared in disbelief at what could only be Ifrit.

It rose up on its hind legs, towering over Houjun by at least five feet. It seemed very much like the werewolves in stories he had been told as a child: strong, muscular form with large, powerful front paws. A mane of fire trailed from the top of its head down his back and more rose from its hind quarters and flowed like tassels from to wide gold bracelets on its wrists. Two large horns rose from its head and arched back and two more smaller horns rose from its shoulders and curved back as well. A red and yellow beaded necklace hung around its massive neck and it's amber eyes flashed menacingly. He roared loudly before slamming his fists into the ground, toppling Julious and Alexander. Muraki watched on almost stoically, having gotten used to the aeon's appearance over time. Houjun, on the other hand, was too shocked to move at first. Then the amber eyes turned on him and he felt paralyzed.

'Why...is it looking at me like that...?' he wondered to himself. It began to move toward him and he rose to his feet quickly only to find his staff a few feet away. He stood still and faced the aeon, praying to the gods that it wasn't going to kill him. It stopped before him, the end on its muzzle brushing against his chest and sniffing. An odd idea struck Houjun just then: Ifrit wasn't going to hurt him. He felt suddenly calm as he looked into its eyes and gently raised a hand, jerking it back an inch when the amber orbs took notice. They seemed to hold no malice, however, just curiousity. Houjun was about to drop his hand back to his side when Ifrit bowed his head slightly, as if granting him permission. He lowered his hand and stroked its muzzle gently, relaxing.

"M-Muraki...." Julious stuttered. "That's...not normal...is it?"

"No..." the summoner shook his head in disbelief. "But can you not see that Houjun can handle him?"

"I-Incredible!" Alexander chimed, grinning.

"Houjun, now dismiss him," Muraki ordered. "You've proven yourself more than capable."

Houjun frowned and met the amber gaze. "I'm sorry, Ifrit...I have to dismiss you for now...I-is that alright?" he asked gently. The aeon seemed saddened by this, but nodded and vanished from before him.

"Very well then, Houjun," Julious said, still a bit shaken by what he had witnessed. "You and Hikou shall begin your journey tomorrow. Another guardian will be joining you, however."

"What? B-but Hikou and I will be fine on our own, really!" Houjun insisted. He didn't want to involve anyone else in this.

"Nonsense," the priest replied. "Besides, Hikou approved of him already. His name is Kouji."

"The blitzball captain of the Reikaku Riptides?" the mohogany eyed man choked.

"Yes, he has connections and will be of great help on your journey," Alexander smiled.

'No wonder Hikou agreed,' Houjun thought, grinning in his mind. 'I mean, Hikou knows as much about Kouji as I know about Ifrit after all...' "Alright then, I approve of him as well."

"Great! Now that that's settled, why don't we go meet him!" Alexander insisted, pushing his pupil toward the door.

"You just want his autograph," Julious smirked, making the instructor blush.

"Shut up!"

"Let him be, Julious," Muraki chuckled. "He's still young."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"It...it's him...it was really him..." Tasuki looked up into the abyss that had surrounded him for the past 2000 years. He had nearly forgotten. He had been lost to aggression and the pain of lonliness for so long. Tears stung at his eyes and he smiled. Now he felt as though he could do anything, even defy "god". He growled softly at the thought and closed his eyes. He knew it was going to take everything he had, but now, he could feel his lifeforce. After so long, he had been reborn. It was the chance they had all been waiting for. Now, it was up to him to free the others as well. He felt warmth flowing through him that was gentle and familiar, and he began to make his move.

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Well? Comments, questions, concerns? Please R and R as always ^_~

And, Yes, I am working on my other stories .

Also, the first person who can tell me where Muraki, Julious, and Alexander are from (Note: not from the same series :p), I'll give them a cameo in the next chapter.

Also, if someone out there happens to have a Final Fantasy X players guide or even the game and can tell me the names of the two monsters mentioned at the begining, I'll give the frist a cameo, too.

Two chances, ne ^_^ Love, Peace, and Chibis, no da!