Authors note: Wow. It's been a long time, hasn't it? I decided to put my writing on hold during the summer so I could relax. Now that I'm back in school, I won't be so lazy. It's kinda backwards from most people, isn't it? Goes to show I'm not a normal person. This chapter will be fun- Kamer proves she can fight. I bet you were wondering where the fiends come in- well, here they are! I don't have a beta reader for this fic, so all of your reviews are needed to point out what's wrong. All of the 14 wonderful people (I don't care about the flame anymore) who reviewed my fic have made me happy! This chapter has been lurking in my head since I began writing this story, so here it is… enjoy!

Disclaimer: What? Wait, you- snicker- you think that I– snort- I own FFX? Now why (holds in laughter) would you think that? AHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Chapter 4: First Battle

The group stopped outside the Thunder Plains Traveling Agency, because Rikku was getting nervous again, and Kamer needed bandages for her burn. Yuna decided that they would spend the night- Tidus found this very odd, but declined to comment. The group began to look around. Yuna went into her room without a word, and Kamer waited in the corridor opposite the summoner's room. Tidus bought some supplies, but then began to get restless. He was worried about Yuna, and also a bit curious as to what she was doing in her room. As he appeared in the hallway, Kamer suppressed a grin and turned to step into the main hall. As she passed Tidus, she said quietly, "I wouldn't…"

"What?" asked Tidus, confused, but she was gone. He then heard a faint voice coming through the door, but it wasn't Yuna. Tidus leaned against the door to hear more clearly. It sounded like an old man, but he couldn't make out the words… He shifted, trying to get into a more comfortable position, and in doing so bumped the door handle.

The door swung inwards, and the blonde eavesdropper fell flat on his stomach into the room. There was a sphere playing, of a Guado- that was all he had the chance to see before the sphere was deactivated, by a very distressed Yuna. He got up and looked at her sheepishly, but then realized that she was almost in tears. She fled the room. Tidus was confused (as usual) and shrugged, only to look up and spot Wakka in the hallway. Kamer smirked slightly in the hall, then winced and touched her bandaged arm gingerly.

Wakka shook his head. "Smooth move, ya?" He then entered the room he shared with Kimahri and shut the door.

Kamer glanced up from her arm. "Yuna really doesn't need people watching over her every second. She can take care of herself." The shapeshifter turned away. "I hope you're normally more coordinated than that. You are a guardian, after all." Then, she too was gone. Tidus was downcast. He sighed, then proceeded into his and Auron's room for the night.

Next morning

Rikku was terrified of going outside again. She told the story of her brother's lightning spell that had misfired, but nobody really cared, except perhaps Yuna and Kamer. Auron threatened to leave her behind, so she came along reluctantly. Kamer tried to cheer her up by commenting that since Rikku knew how to avoid the lightning, she had nothing to worry about. That didn't help much.

After about an hour of whining, even Kamer became irritated at her, and snapped at her to "Shut up, you're giving everyone a headache". Everyone else heartily agreed. Rikku was hurt, but fell silent, walking away from the others until she was nearly hit by a stray lightning bolt. This caused her to yelp, and jump back into the safety of the group.

A snarl caused everyone to jump, and look around wildly for the source of the noise. The sound was followed by heavy footsteps from behind. Tidus spun, to find a gigantic metal soldier with a huge sword, and a lightning elemental. "Damnit! Fiends!" He immediately attacked the Iron Giant, only to find that the heavy armor wasn't even dented by his sword. The fiend then brought its sword down towards him, but he dodged just in time. Meanwhile, Lulu was muttering something under her breath, her Moomba doll animated and mimicking her gestures.

Auron drove his blade into a gap in the giant's armor, damaging the machinery inside and making the fiend's sword arm useless. The thunder elemental swirled, and a lightning bolt struck out towards Lulu, but a magical shell, courtesy of Yuna, deflected the attack. Lulu finished her spell, and pointed at the elemental. A fountain of water bubbled up beneath it, soaking the monster. The lightning elemental shorted out, and its floating pieces dropped to the ground and began to dissolve into pyreflies. Kimahri charged forward and drove his lance straight into the Iron Giant's armor, breaking through the metal and destroying whatever animated the thing. It, too, began to fade.

Everyone began to relax, breathing heavily. Auron spun abruptly, shouting, "Look out!" Another fiend had appeared- this one a species of land dragon. It inhaled, preparing to unleash its lightning breath. Then it jerked, roared, and died, its constituent pyreflies swirling away. Behind it stood Kamereon, an expression of amazement on her face. She stared at her hand. Two sharp blades protruded from her wrist, and they were covered in green blood.

"Whoa. That was a close one, ya?" This from Wakka, while everyone else was staring at Kamer. The shapeshifter shook her head, concentrated, and the blades shimmered and disappeared. She looked up.

"What? You didn't think that I was planning to travel with you guys without helping a little, did you? I guess that my… talent… is useful for combat too."

Tidus recovered, and replied. "When you originally came along, I wasn't sure what to think of you. I assumed that you would be more of a burden than anything else. I guess I was wrong. Friends?"

Kamer nodded. "Friends."

Kimahri was muttering darkly to himself. "Kimahri still no trust form-changer. Kimahri kill big iron thing. No one notice. New person kill puny little dragon-thing. Everyone stare. Not fair."

They continued on their way to Lake Macalania.

That was fun. Anyway, read and review, or I won't post anymore! No, just kidding. But please, give me feedback! I need to know what people think!