A/N: Lol. I'm sorry, everyone. I know how much you guess want Zell to have Alexander and Doomtrain but he doesn't. I'm so sorry. I always let Selphie have Doomtrain because of her obsession with trains. And Alexander I always had Squall carry. Sorry. But the time of him using his GFs will be soon, I promise. Not quite yet but soon. But you might like Zell's first reaction to Rikku. Read on, people. :-P
Chapter 9.

Zell gasped slightly and hurried forward to see if the person was dead or alive. He bent down next to them and poked them softly. "Hello? Are you alright?" he asked softly before trying to turn the person over. The person rose a hand and swatted his hand back. Zell jumped back with shock. The person got to their feet and began to pull off their clothes making Zell a little uneasy.

The reason why because he could tell that it was a girl. The girl pulled off a mask and tossed it aside then kicked the outfit aside. And to Zell's relief it was only a second layer of clothing, a wet suit. The girl was wearing something different under. An orange sleeveless top and green shorts. Her hair was blonde and pulled up tightly. And to Zell's surprise, she was really pretty. Maybe a year younger or two but she was pretty.

The girl sighed with relief and fell to her hands and knees making Zell step forward again to see if she was okay. "Thought I was done for, back there." The girl muttered. Tidus hurried up and gasped. "Rikku! You're Rikku! Hey! You're okay! How you been?" He asked. Zell looked at his friend. The girl shook her head raising her eyes to his. "Terrible!" She cried out.

Tidus went over and bent down next to her. "Yeah, you don't look so good. What happened?" He asked. Rikku scowled and pointed at him as she got to her foot. "You beat me up, remember!" she exclaimed. Tidus quickly stood and back away. "Huh?" He asked. Zell frowned. "Wait…that machine? That was you?" He asked.

Rikku nodded and then touched a bump on her head. "That really hurt you know! You big meanie!" She pouted. Tidus rose his hands in defense. "W-Wait! But you attacked us! And nearly killed my friend, Zell, here." He said. Rikku looked at Zell with a hint of surprise but shook her head quickly.

"Nah-uh! It's not exactly what you think! I swear I didn't mean to hurt him like that!" She said. "Yo!" They heard Wakka. They all turned and saw Wakka, Yuna and Lulu walking up. "Friend of yours?" Wakka asked. Tidus nodded. "Uh, you could say that." He said. Zell looked at his friend and was about to say something but Rikku cut in. "Pleased to meet you! I'm Rikku!" She said. Tidus nodded. "Yuna, Lulu…I told you about her, remember? She was the one who helped me before I was washed up on Besaid! She's an Al Bhe….beh, beh, he he he." He laughed softly.

Zell looked at the girl. 'So this was an Al Bhed, the Al Bhed Tidus mentioned.' He thought. He smirked lightly. 'She's hot though for someone who almost killed me.' Wakka grinned. "Wow, so you, like, owe her your life! What luck meeting here, ya? Praise be to Yevon." He bowed to her. "So, uh, Rikku…you look a little beat up! You okay?" He asked. Lulu looked at him. "Uh, Wakka?" She asked.

Wakka looked at her. "Huh? What?" He asked. Yuna was frowning. "There's something we need to discuss." She said. Wakka's mouth formed an O and he nodded. "Oh, go ahead." He said. Rikku walked towards Yuna and Lulu. "Girls only! Boys, please wait over there." She said pointing. Lulu nodded. "Right. Sorry, Wakka." She said and the three females walked over to where the guys couldn't hear.

Zell watched them with interest. He wanted to know what was going on. He ignored Wakka muttering in disappointment and watched the girls and listening hard. He couldn't really hear them but he could tell by the looks on Yuna and Lulu's faces that they were scolding Rikku for something. Probably for almost killing him.

Then they nodded and seemed to be getting along better. Yuna and Rikku had given each other a hug as if they already knew each other and were long lost friends or something. Rikku was making a few hand gestures while talking and apparently Yuna was surprised by the look on her face. Lulu said something which made Rikku nod with a smile.

The girls finally returned to the group. Auron and Kimahri were walking towards them carrying a few things they must have bought off a merchant. It was only supplies they may have needed for their journey. Auron's eyes went straight to Rikku, who swallowed hard looking nervous. Yuna stepped closer. "Sir Auron….I would like Rikku to be my Guardian." She said. All of the guys blinked in surprise. Auron just walked up to Rikku and looked down at her. Rikku lowered her head so he couldn't see her face.

Auron nodded once. "Show me your face." He spoke. Rikku blinked still not looking up at him. "Huh?" She asked. Auron nodded. "Look at me." He said. Rikku nodded. "Oh, okay." She said and tilted her head up only with her eyes closed. Zell wondered if Auron was getting peeved but he didn't show it. "Open your eyes." He said. Rikku sighed and opened one. "As I thought." Auron muttered.

Rikku opened both eyes and looked embarrassed. "Um…no good?" She asked. Auron stepped back. "Are you certain?" he asked. Rikku nodded. "A hundred percent. So anyway, can I?" She asked. Auron turned and walked away. "If Yuna wishes it." He said. Yuna nodded. "Yes, I do." She said. Wakka folded his arms looking slightly confused. "Hmph." Tidus looked at him. So did Zell.

"Rikku's a good girl. She helped me a bunch." He insisted. Wakka looked at him. "Well, I'm for it. The more the merrier." He said. Rikku smiled towards him. "Then I'll just have to be the merriest!" She said. Wakka smiled and nodded. "Rikku at your service!" Zell watched with soft awe.

"It was just so weird. I didn't quite get it.
Wakka had always hated the Al Bhed…but….

He didn't even realize that Rikku was one
of them."

Everyone began walking through the forest. There were a few fiends on the road and Rikku got to show what she could do. And Zell was a little impressed. He realized that Rikku wasn't only just an Al Bhed, but she was a master thief. She could steal items from fiends without them even knowing. Not to mention she mixed things together very quickly creating bombs. Even Wakka was impressed. He kept congratulating her for when she took a fiend down with her abilities.

Zell hadn't spoken to her though. He was still a little annoyed with her that she hadn't apologized for nearly killing him. He found it interesting in watching her though. She was just as cheerful as Selphie but seemed more there in the brain. She was smart and not so air headed. Not that Selphie was, but Rikku seemed more serious about some things but still cheery. It reminded Zell of one person and that person was himself.

Finally the reached the entrance of an Underground City, the city Yuna told Zell that it was Guadosalam. Just before he could follow the others in, someone grabbed the back of his shirt and jacket and pulled him back. "Ack!" Zell gasped. Tidus and Wakka turned around to see what was the matter but smirked. Zell turned his head to find Rikku standing there. She waved at the other two.

"Go on ahead. I just need to talk to Blondie here for a sec." She said. The two blitzers nodded and went on. Zell looked at Rikku who folded her hands behind her back. "Hey, look. I want to say sorry for what happened back at the Moonflow. I really didn't mean to hurt you like that. I swear!" She said holding up her right hand.

Zell rose an eyebrow and folded his arms. He observed the girl for a minute. Rikku must have been ashamed of herself for she did to Zell because she didn't dare to look him in the eye. She couldn't bring herself to. Zell unfolded his arms and shook his head. "Ah, don't worry about it. Just promise me you won't try and kidnap Yuna again and then we can call it even." He said.

Rikku looked up at him in the eye. And then Zell realized something strange about her. Her eyes…they were green, yes…but they had swirls as pupils. Zell blinked in surprise. That must have been what Auron was looking for. Al Bhed must have had weird looking eyes. Weird but cool.

"I wasn't exactly trying to kidnap Yuna. It's really hard to explain." Rikku said. Zell shook his head. "Then don't worry about it. You can tell me later. Since we're travelling together you can explain later." He said. Rikku nodded. She started into the city but paused. Zell was watching her. "Well, you coming?" She asked. Zell smiled and followed her.

The others were confronting an elderly Guado. This one was very weird looking. Zell wasn't used to the Guado. And what made Zell go from being relaxed to being very alert was when the Guado reached to take Yuna. He hurried forward standing right beside Yuna and folding his arms to guard her. Wakka did the same by blocking the Guado with his arm. "Whoa, whoa, whoa!" he said.

The Guado looked embarrassed. "Oh, I beg your pardon. I am called Tromell Guado." He said bowing. "I am in the direct service of our leader, the great Seymour Guado. Lord Seymour has very important business with Lady Yuna." He said.

Zell felt like spitting the words, 'Great my ass', but he felt someone poke him in the back making him hold his tongue. He already knew it was Auron. One because Auron was the only one that would poke so hard. Two because he grunted as if saying don't even think about it. Yuna looked confused. "Business with me? Whatever could be, I wonder?" She asked.

Tromell nodded. "Please, come inside the manor. All will be explained. Of course, your friends are also welcome." He said. He turned and lead them away. Tidus, Rikku and Zell waited though for a minute. "Twist our arms, why don't ya?" She muttered and began walking after the others.

The three hurried into the manor and met with everyone else in the lobby. Tromell was waiting patiently near the door for the three. "This way, please. Your friends wanted me to make sure you knew where they were." He said. Tidus nodded and they followed the Guado into the next room. Zell wasn't sure what to think about Tromell. He could sense something weird about him but the Guado had a gentle feeling about him. He was a little different from Seymour.

They walked into the next room where there was a large table full of food. The others were just standing around. Tromell stood in the doorway once the three had rejoined the group. "I will go inform Lord Seymour. Please wait here." He said. He then left the room. Rikku skipped over to the food and began eating. Zell was thinking about joining her but then he changed his mind. He didn't trust anything that Seymour would offer.

He looked over at Tidus who nodded towards Auron. They both made their way over to the swordsman. "Stay on your guard." Auron muttered to them. "Why? This guy's just a priest, right?" Tidus asked in confusion. Auron shook his head. "Those with power use that power. Maesters have power." He said. Zell folded his arms. He agreed with him. He felt like Auron didn't trust Seymour either.

Tidus tilted his head. "Wait, you sure you don't have something against Yevon?" He asked. Auron snorted. "I lived a long time in Zanarkand." He said. Tidus nodded and went over to Lulu. Zell glanced at Auron who glanced back and nodded to him. "Just keep watch." He whispered. Zell nodded and went over to where Rikku was. She was eating quickly. "Mmmm! This is good!" She said.

Zell shook his head and reached over taking a roll. He looked it over and then nibbled it just in case. Rikku looked at him. "What, you don't like that?" She asked. Zell shook his head chewing on the little pieces. "It's not that I don't like it. I just don't trust these people or at least their leader, for that matter. I've been trained to detect anything suspicious, like poison." He said.

Rikku looked wide eyed at him before dropping the grapes she was eating. She shook her head and folded her arms muttering something in a different dialect. It sounded like the Al Bhed language. Zell shook his head. "Be careful with your words. Wakka's not too keen about Al Bhed. He'll only get mad if he finds out that your one of them." He whispered. Rikku looked at him with squinted eyes but nodded.

Just then the door opened and in walked Tromell. He was smiling softly. "Truly, it is good to have guests again. Since Lord Jyscal passed away, these halls have been too quiet." He said. Yuna stepped closer. "The death of Lord Jyscal was a great loss for all of Spira." She said. Zell heard Tidus mutter something to Wakka. He was sure that Tidus was just asking Wakka about this Jyscal guy. Wakka nodded to Tidus. "He brought the teachings of Yevon to the Guado. He was truly a great man." He whispered not too softly to the younger blitzer.

Tromell sighed folding his hands together. "Truly a loss for us all. But now a new leader, Lord Seymour has come before us. Lord Seymour is the child of a Guado and a human. He will be the tie that binds our two races together. But that is not all I think. Lord Seymour….he will surely become the shining star that lights the way for all the peoples of Spira." He said. Zell grumbled lowly to himself.

"That is enough, Tromell." Seymour's voice spoke sharply. Zell turned around to see Seymour enter the room with a slight smile. "Must I always endure such praise?" Seymour's voice had softened this time. He bowed to everyone. "Welcome." He said. Yuna walked closer to where he was. "You…wanted to see me?" She asked. Seymour smiled.

"Please, make yourselves at home. There's no rush." He said moving towards the other side of the room. Auron leaned against the wall. "Please keep this short. Yuna must rush." He said. Seymour turned to look at him. "Pardon me. It has been a long time since I had guests. Lady Yuna, this way." He beckoned to Yuna.

Seymour touched something on the wall and suddenly the entire room went black, yet a sea of stars and pyreflies surrounded them. It was like the entire room had turned into space. Zell looked around with shock. So did the others, except Auron. "This sphere is a reconstruction created from the thoughts of the dead on the Farplane." Seymour spoke sounding pleased with himself.

The room changed again and a city surrounded them. Massive buildings all around them and people walked in the streets. Zell stepped back as one of the people past him. He was afraid that the person would bump into him, believing that they were solid but then a few children that was running, went right through startling him. The city looked almost exactly like Esthar only the buildings weren't made of the Estharian crystal and red stone.

"Zanarkand!" Tidus cried out. Zell looked over to Tidus and saw the smile on his face. He could tell Tidus was happy to see his city again. "Correct. Zanarkand…as it looked one thousand years ago." Seymour spoke. Zell kept looking around with awe. "The great and wondrous machina city, Zanarkand. She once lived in this metropolis." Seymour said. Zell looked at him with confusion.

"She, who?" Yuna asked. Seymour didn't answer. He was just looking at her. The room changed again. They were now in a large, well-decorated room. A woman with long and white hair was sitting on the bed in the middle of the room. She was wearing a skimpy bikini looking outfit that showed a little too much skin. Zell felt himself blush and looked away.

"Lady Yunalesca!" He heard Yuna gasp. Zell looked over at her. Seymour nodded. "She was the first person to defeat Sin and save the world from its ravages. And you have inherited her name." He said. Yuna nodded. "It was my father who named me." She announced.

Seymour nodded. "Lord Braska was entrusting you with a great task. He wanted you to face Sin, as Lady Yunalesca did. However, Lady Yunalesca did not save the world alone." He paused. He gave a small bow. "To defeat the undefeatable Sin….it took an unbreakable bond of love…of the kind that binds two hearts for eternity." He said softly.

A man in an outlandish outfit, complete with a large golden crown, walks into the room, right through Yuna, to the bed that Yunalesca's sitting on. Yunalesca stands up; they hold hands and hug. Yuna looked at Seymour, who looks back at her, silently. Yuna then returns her gaze to Yunalesca and the mystery man, hugging. Yuna turns and faces Seymour. He leans over and whispers something to her.

Zell watched as she covered her mouth with her hand and gasps. Seymour backed away and nods slowly. Yuna looked lost in her thoughts. Zell was wondering what Seymour had said to her. The room changed back to normal showing Yuna and Seymour standing in the middle of the room, with everyone else on one end. The young summoner turned and approached where Zell and Rikku were still standing. She softly reached past them and grabbed something to drink, gulping it down. She sighs a breath of relief.

Rikku tilted her head to see Yuna's face even more. Zell could see it too. Something wasn't right. Tidus, Wakka and Lulu hurried over to where they were. Auron and Kimahri slowly made their way over. "Wow! Your face is beet red, Yunie!" Rikku said. Tidus leaned forward. "You okay?" he asked. Yuna swallowed hard before spitting it out. "He…he asked me to marry him." She said. Rikku gasped softly.

Zell's head jerked over to where Seymour was watching them. Seymour's eyes was on him and was smirking. It was a triumph smirk. Zell knew that Seymour thought there was something going on between Yuna and him. He figured Seymour wanted Zell there to witness his proposal to Yuna just to spite him. That and another thing. Zell narrowed his eyes which made Seymour smirk even more.

"You serious?" Tidus asked making Zell look back at his Summoner friend. Auron turned towards Seymour looking serious. "You know what Yuna must do." He said. Seymour nodded. "Of course. Lady Yuna, no. All summoners are charged with bringing peace to Spira. But this means more than just defeating Spira. She must ease the suffering of all Spira. She must be a leader for the people. I proposed to Lady Yuna as a Maester of Yevon." He said.

Auron shook his head. "Spira is no playhouse. A moment's diversion may amuse the audience but it changes nothing." He said. Seymour nodded. "Even so, the actors must play their parts." He paused and then walked over to Yuna. "There's no need to answer right away. Please, think it over." Auron nodded before Yuna could say anything. "We will do so, then. We leave." He said rather harshly.

Seymour nodded. "Lady Yuna, I away your favorable reply." He said. Everyone started to leave. Auron, Tidus and Zell were the last to leave but before they could Seymour spoke up again. "Why are you still here, sir?" He asked. The three stopped. Tidus and Zell turned to look at Seymour but Auron just stood with his back to the Maester. Seymour bowed. "I beg your pardon. We Guado are keen to the scent of the Farplane." He said.

Tidus looked over at Auron then walked over to him and started to sniff him as if smelling for anything weird. Auron roughly pushed him away and walked out. Tidus followed him but Zell paused still looking at Seymour who was looking back with a sly smirk. The SeeD narrowed his eyes and started to walk out.

"You will not win." Seymour said. Zell halted and turned back. Seymour smiled wickedly. "What can you give her that a Maester can not? I can give her more than you could." He said. Zell snorted looking disgusted. "Dude, you've got your friggen priorities screwed up." He spat and then left.

A/N: Well there you go. Seymour and Zell are hating each more and more. And of course, Seymour thinks that Zell likes Yuna in that way when he really doesn't. The next chapter will up soon. Review and tell me your thoughts.