Kilika forest and temple:

Lulu spoke to Tidus. "Yuna's saying she wants you with us."

"Huh?"

Yuna quietly spoke "I want to ask you to be my guardian."

Wakka didn't think much of that. "Yuna! What? This is no time for jokes, ya? He may be a blitzball whiz kid, but up against fiends, he's a newbie."

Yuna looked away, her hand near her heart. "Not a guardian, then...I just want him nearby."

Tidus walked up to her, "What? What do you mean?"

Yuna's voice was quiet as she explained: "It's just that, well..."

Lulu cut her off. "We're all going to the temple anyway. Can't this wait till later?"

Yuna nodded. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have..."

Tidus spoke up when she trailed off. "There's nothing to be sorry about. I'm just not really sure what's going on."

"My apologies."

They waited for a moment in the entry to the forest, not aware they were being watched.

&&&&&&
&&&&&&

I snorted, from my position in a tree, trying to suppress my laughter. "He really IS clueless!" Sometimes, so were you. She told me everything… sometimes you were really dense. I snorted, then nodded. "Yea, I guess you're right. As always."

I jumped down with a sigh. Unfortunately, they noticed me. Or Suicune, it was one of us. Because they followed us when we tried to run for it. Especially the guy I'd rescued. We managed to loose them by taking a false trail, but I worried that they still might track us.

&&&&&
&&&&&

Yuna panted "Why is he running away?"

Wakka shook his head. "Dunno. Why's he spying on us?"

&&&&&
&&&&&

A massive plant-thing was in the way. Two people came up to me to warn me off, but they backed off when I glared at them. I snorted softly. "I don't have time for this. Suicune, freeze it. Let's get rid of the bastard, it's in our way."

She nodded, and blasted the plant with ice. It froze, and she casually walked up to it, and kicked it. It shattered into pieces. The two fell silent, their eyes widening. "Oh, shit. Suicune, now we run again!"

They started shouting – I couldn't tell if it was cheering or not… but I knew it would draw them (the summoner's group) to us again. Fuck.

&&&&&&&&

"Damn! Dead end. Erastrani! Get me outta here!" I threw her ball, just as they caught up.

They froze at the sight of her (Erastrani – Suicune was beside me, and hard to notice). She tilted her head, and sighed. So did Suicune. Busted. I nodded, not turning to look at her. "Got that right."

Yuna stepped forward, looking slightly nervous. "Who… are you?"

"Yuna! Stay away! Those fiends…" I swore, cutting him off. She stepped back, almost as a reaction to my profanity. It was the guy with the stupid haircut. "Call them fiends again, and I will personally chop off that stupid haircut. Do anything worse, and I won't hear for the consequences." I lifted my blade, proving I meant business. The red side flashed in a stray bit of light.

He backed up a step. "Whoa… why don't you relax, ya?"

I sighed, and leaned on Erastrani, lowering my blade. Suicune walked up next to me, calming me down.

I heard a few gasps. I guess now they recognized the two of us. Good, it'd give me more time to prepare myself.

It had been a LONG time since I'd actually talked to someone. On Mt. Silver, I hadn't said a word to a fellow human in… months? And here, all I'd used was threats. Being social was hard for me. Even when I was with Her… she did most the talking. But thinking about that… it wasn't the time, or place. Even with all this newfound ease with Her death… I didn't want to think about it.

Blondie looked the two of them over, then me, and then held his head in his hands. It looked like he was trying to think. Key word, trying. Since it looked like it was a bit painful, I said, "Don't bother. I rescued your ass. I was the one who pulled you into the shallows. You were in the middle of the ocean, before that. I think you woke up during the trip…"

They looked confused at the exchange, and I just chuckled.

The summoner said softly "How did you… at Besaid…"

I shrugged. "Dunno. Suicune took care of the song part… but I don't know how my past came back to haunt me like that. Who're you, anyway?"

She bowed. "I am Yuna." She proceeded to introduce the rest of the others. Tidus said "and who are you, anyway?"

"Icewind." I looked up at Erastrani, who was looking in interest at everyone there. "This is Erastrani, and Suicune's to my right."

Wakka looked them over, then appeared to be confused. "Why aren't they attacking? They're…"

I snorted, restraining the urge to start cursing a blue streak. "They're not fiends. They're pokemon. They fight WITH me."

Kimahri seemed to get the point (he was the blue tiger – they called him a Ronso), and Lulu (geez, she reminded me of some Goths I knew). No one else, though. I shook my head, and sighed. "Look… I'm supposed to keep an eye on you. So that's what I was doing."

Lulu seemed to realize something. "I wondered why the fiends seemed to be low in numbers…"

"That was me."

Wakka didn't seem to believe it, but I shrugged. I wasn't going to waste my time with such an idiot. I winked at Erastrani, and she fired a Hyper Beam straight outwards.

All the fiends that were in the way evaporated, as well as a few trees. It seemed to penetrate Wakka's skull how powerful my pokemon were. "Whoa ho ho…"

"Well, duh. We were the ones slicing up Sin, not you. That flash of light? That was Erastrani, she's got a nasty sense of payback."

Tidus walked over to Suicune "I… thanks. I owe you one." Don't mention it. Just make sure she stays safe. And yourself. He jumped back when he heard her respond. "Did I just…"

I shrugged again. "She's the incarnation of the North Wind. With that comes powers. You surprised she can use the wind to talk? Her, Psymachine, and Mindstrike can. The others need a translator. Thanks, Erastrani. You might want to get up in the sky now." She nodded, and took off. I walked through the group, and they parted to let me. I think I sort of scared them. As I walked down the path towards the temple, I turned towards them. "Look… I'll be sticking with you, like it or not. Suicune?"

She nodded, and walked beside me. I opened the rest of my pokeballs, and led the way. I could hear them (Yuna's group) talking to each other, but not the words. Psymachine joined Erastrani in the sky after floating along for a short while. Mostly, we just fought off whatever attacked us, which wasn't much. The fiends apparently were smart enough to know we'd kick them ten different ways to hell.

&&&&&&&&&&

I'm not going to pretend that they didn't get into a fight in the forest. My pokemon might have scared off whatever liked to attack everything that moved, but they seemed to get over it before the summoner's group arrived. But I wasn't worried, two of my pokemon were keeping an eye on them, just in case.

I was waiting at the staircase when they caught up. Wakka was panting "Why… didn't… you… help?"

I snorted, and flipped my sword so the white side showed more. "I did." Sunseeker made a soft noise, and I gave her a look. "What? I did fight! Or are you forgetting those things that look like Unown?"

She rolled her eyes. I gave her a glare, and she ambled up the stairs, saying silently "sure…"

"What are those things?"

I sighed, as the other three slowly went up the stairs too. Even Suicune. "They're pokemon, I said it before. Creatures from my world. I'm a trainer, I work with them to unlock their power. Look… I'll explain along the way. No reason to waste time." I ran up the stairs. I didn't intend to, it's just habit.

I have no clue why, but they raced up after me. I passed the others (who weren't surprised, I always did that), but I returned them as I did. I knew we were close to the temple.

&&&&&&&&&

I was first up the stairs. I guess I hadn't gotten too out of shape, even during my time on Mt. Silver. I stopped at a small cleared area, and looked around.

I stopped, looking in amusement at the thing in front of me. It looked like a frigging grey boulder, excepting the two tentacle groups that stuck out of the ground nearby. "You have GOT to be kidding me."

It struck me with a tentacle, and it suddenly wasn't so funny. I admit, I went berserk. The last time I'd been hit, it was during a brawl with Rockets. When I got hit… I heard their insults again. How I couldn't protect her… how they were going to murder everything I loved… you'd snap too.

When I came to, I was surrounded by those glowing insects. The rest (Yuna and gang) were huddled in a group. I had NO clue what the hell I did, but apparently it was scary.

I shook my head (and cleaned off a gash on my right arm). I continued onward, after releasing Suicune. I knew Psymachine would explain. Suicune wasn't very social, Erastrani couldn't say anything in human, so it was up to him. I guess she (Suicune) took to me because She had fallen in love with me. When I looked behind me, I could tell Yuna was disturbed. She wore her emotions on her sleeve, that one. The shock was plain written on her face… and worry. That… was disturbing. Even with this newfound ease with myself, I wasn't ready to talk about my past.

Suicune sighed, as she began to work on my arm, healing it up. How do you always get beat up? "Sorry."

&&&&&&
&&&&&&

Wakka was in a state of shock. "What just happened? Did he just slice a Sinspawn into tiny bits like it was nothing?"

Psymachine floated down, and nodded. Well… his equivalent. He… gets this way, sometimes. He's had a very troubled past, and he's done some things that are best left unsaid.

"Like what? We saw parts of it, I think…" That's just part of his past. He'll tell you the rest when he's ready. It's… very disturbing. Psymachine looked directly at Tidus. Moreso than your past. If you want to know, you can ask him. It's not my place to say. But I would advise you to wait. He's… reliving memories again. You saw what happened to Her, can you blame him from re-living the past sometimes?

Yuna nodded. "Lulu, do you think we should wait to ask?"

She paused for a moment, and said. "I'd trust it. They seem to have been together for some time. Besides… I understand what he's going through."

"You'd trust a floating poke-something?"

"More than you, Wakka." Wakka acted hurt from the jibe. Psymachine rolled his eyes, and floated upwards.

"What's a Sinspawn?"

&&&&&
&&&&&

I was waiting for them at the edge of the temple. Suicune nudged me, and I sighed. "I'm sorry for before. I just… kind of snap sometimes."

Wakka tried to joke. "You keep on snapping like that, and we won't have to fight, ya?"

No one really thought it was funny. Especially anyone who saw my face when he made that crack. Luckily, he didn't. Otherwise, this joker would think I was a cold-blooded mass murderer, and he was next on my list.

Actually, I am a mass murderer, now that I think about it. Never really thought about myself that way before, but I am. I've called myself a hopeless romantic, a crazed lunatic… but never a mass murderer.

I walked a bit behind them, towards the temple – until three arrogant SOBs walked out.

Wakka said to them "You here to pray for victory, too?"

The one in the center of the group snorted "Us? Pray? Who needs to pray? The Luca Goers always win!"

I smiled grimly. Arrogance would lead to their downfall shortly. A few Rocket executives tried to laugh off what I had been doing, when I was dismantling the organization. When they were incinerated or killed… they probably thought differently.

Wakka said "Oh, yeah? Then why are you here?"

The one on the left said "We've been praying for some competition this year!"

The ringleader (the one in the middle) said mockingly "So, what's you goal this time? You gonna "do your best" again? Ha! It's too bad your best isn't good enough! Why even bother…"

I growled, cutting him off. "Why don't you just shut the hell up, you pompous prick?"

Tidus added "This time, we play to win!"

He stepped back for a moment, then regained his composure enough to say, "Oooh! Play away! Just remember even kids can play, boys."

I smiled grimly as they walked away "and remember that kids can kick a grown man's ass. I've proved that enough."

Wakka called after them "See you in the finals!"

Tidus said angrily "We'll beat them. We have to!"

Yuna looked at him "You know that team?"

Tidus looked down "Putting people down... They're as bad as my old man!"

Yuna's eyes widened. "But, Sir Jecht was a kind and gentle man!"

I smiled softly. "Maybe it's a different Jecht." Before they could say anything else, I walked into the temple.

&&&&&
&&&&&

"Is it just me, or is he really creepy?"

Yuna nodded. "I must admit… he is. But he's been helping us…"

&&&&&
&&&&&

I was waiting around, since the elevator was apparently in use. Eventually, a summoner and her guardian came out (muscle bound brute). Yeesh. She was WORSE than Lulu. I'm not saying anything else.

"A summoner, are you?" After hearing her voice, I started to instantly dislike her. She was as arrogant as those pricks from before.

Yuna nodded. "My name is Yuna-from the Isle of Besaid."

The other summoner (Bitch, in my mind) said: "Dona. So, you're High Summoner Braska's daughter. That's quite a name to live up to." She looked at us as a whole "My, my, my... And all these people are your guardians? My, what a rabble! As I recall, Lord Braska had only two guardians. Quality over quantity, my dear. Whatever were you thinking? I have need of only one guardian. Right, Barthello?"

Remind me again why I have issues with people? Oh, wait… don't bother. This bitch is a perfect example.

Barthello nodded.

I snorted. "Does he sit on command too?"

Dona gave me a nasty look. I saw Tidus crack up in the corner of my eye.

Yuna ignored me, and responded to her: "I only have as many guardians as there are people I can trust. I trust them all with my life!" At that, I was nearly speechless. She trusted me? Someone she'd JUST MET? "To have so many guardians is a joy, and an honor! Even more so than being my father's daughter. Of course, I would never think of questioning your ways, either. So, Lady Dona, I ask of you: please leave us in peace." More classy and respectful than my answer, but whatcha expect? Social skills aren't my forte. Remember, the whole 'months since civilly talking to someone human' thing?

Dona rolled her eyes. "You do what you want. Barthello, we're leaving."

He followed her out. Just as they walked out, I said under my breath "So he knows 'heel' too."

This time, everyone except Kimahri laughed. Even Lulu smiled.

&&&&&&&&

Tidus led the way into the next room, with the elevator down.

Wakka stepped onto the platform. "The Fayth is below. Let's do it!"

Tidus gave a questioning look "The "Fayth"?"

Lulu said "But first, the Cloister of Trials. Kimahri? Wakka? Ready?"

Both of them nodded. Yuna gave a prayer gesture, and said "Strength, everyone!"

Everyone except me walked onto the elevator. Until Kimahri pushed Tidus off it.

Tidus sounded angry "Hey, what gives?"

I snorted, leaning on the wall. "Hey, you're not her guardian yet. I was listening, after all."

Yuna said "We'll be back as soon as we can, okay?"

The elevator began to descend.

Tidus said to the empty air "Oh, sure! Soon like "tomorrow" soon, I bet!"

I shrugged, "Whatever. Just deal with it."

Once the elevator returned back up, so did the bitch (Dona). "Where's Yuna?" Tidus pointed to the elevator, showing that they were inside. She apparently didn't like that. "Then why are you two here?"

I let Tidus go first. "Hey, I'm not a guardian, so I'm not supposed to go in, right?" "Same goes for me."

That seemed to amuse her. "Hmm. Not guardians, you say?"

Barthello picked Tidus up. "Hey! Wait! Ah! Lemme go!" Tidus tried to punch him from his position, but it didn't do much. The meathead put him on the elevator, then came for me, but I was ready. I had my sword in one hand, Psymachine's ball in the other. "Unless you want to taste steel, leave me the hell alone."

Dona rolled her eyes. "We're just having a little game."

The elevator dropped down (still carrying Tidus), and I swore softly. "Some game, bitch. Personally, I hope you go burn in whatever hell you fear." I dropped Psymachine's ball behind me, and I heard it open. They backed up slowly, seeing the Metagross behind me. I gave an evil smirk "How about I help you get there?"

They ran out. Several priests charged into the room after a moment, but I'd already returned Psymachine, and gave them a guilty grin. "Sorry, just an illusion." Before they had any time to question me, I jumped down the elevator shaft.

I landed with a thud, but didn't break anything (thank Mew for that, at least). Tidus was already partway through solving… some weird maze. Probably the Cloister of Trials.

&&&&&&&&

Once the puzzle was cracked (stupid, if you ask me. Why do you need a puzzle? To make life interesting?), we entered one final room, where everyone else (minus Yuna), was.

Wakka wasn't too pleased to see us. "Whoa, whoa, whoa!"

Tidus tried to explain "It was Dona and that big musclehead man!" I nodded, and added softly, "The bitch was trying something, wasn't she?"
Lulu turned towards us, her eyes blazing. "Yuna will be the one to suffer the consequences!"

"What consequences?"

Wakka was surprised that we didn't know. Idiot, I've never pretended that I'm from here, and I've said at least once I'm FROM a different world. "She could be excommunicated!"

I sighed. That would be bad. "Look, we didn't choose to do anything like that. Besides… if worse comes to worse… I can make sure no one remembers that two of Yuna's companions went into the Cloister, even though they weren't guardians. But… after Yuna's speech, don't you think they'd assume we were?"

Lulu wasn't impressed with my logic. She glared at me, then finally said, "I hope you can keep your word."

I nodded grimly, and sat down. Tidus talked to Wakka again. "So, what's in there anyway?"

"The Fayth, remember?"

Tidus seemed to know what that meant, though I sure didn't. "Oh yeah, that thing. Right."

Lulu must have known I had no clue, and for some reason, decided to explain. "The Fayth are people who gave their lives to battle Sin. Yevon took their souls, willingly given from their still-living bodies."

My jaw dropped. "Huh?"

She continued "Now they live forever trapped in statues. But when a summoner beckons, the souls of the Fayth emerge once again. That's what we call an Aeon."

Tidus didn't really believe her. "All that in this room? S-So what's Yuna doing in there?"

"She prays with all her heart for a way to defeat Sin."

Crap, this is a creepy world. At least at home, the worst that can happen is a Haunter might take out your soul. But you could always return to your body, given the Haunter was distracted.

After a while (Tidus was nearly going insane), Yuna slowly walked out of the Fayth room. Yuna looked tired, I must admit. Praying apparently can take it out of you.

&&&&&&&&

The forest wasn't so hard for the 'guardians' this time, even if I didn't let my pokemon out (I could tell they were nervous about 'em, so I left them in their balls – besides Psymachine, who I wanted to float over everyone, just in case). I stayed with Yuna, occasionally slicing things. They DID look like they were getting stronger, though. And I gotta admit, I'm starting to like this magic thing. I kinda got poisoned by a bug, and Yuna cured me of it. She even offered to cure my arm, but she seemed surprised when I looked at it (I wondered if I'd gotten hit there again), and there wasn't anything but old scars. Suicune had taken care of it while I was running up the stairs. She's gotten fairly good at patching me up. Even if she's just supposed to be able to purify, that doesn't mean purification can't always heal. Honestly, I think she's been bending the rules. But since no other legendary pokemon is here, who is going to care?

And Yuna's new summon (Infrit? Something like that...) impressed me. It knew how to make an entrance.

On the boat… well, that was another matter. Yuna and Tidus got into some argument with those same idiots I'd seen before (the blitzers – I think that's what you call 'em). I was sitting on the deck, watching the sky (I saw them from the corner of my eye). Guess who decided to sit next to me?

Captain Idiot himself. "Anyone tell you to lighten up?"

I rolled my eyes. "You haven't seen what I have. You haven't DONE what I have. I'd be surprised if anyone came out of what I've had to go through unharmed."

"Ya man, you got the scars to prove it. And I saw a part of it…" He wasn't kidding about the scars, actually. I'm slashed all over my body. Arms, legs, torso, neck (knife. Luckily, it missed it's target), and even my face has signs of cuts,or a graze from a bullet. "But that's all in the past. Can't you relax?"

I stopped looking up at the sky, and he looked at my eyes. I have no clue to this day what he saw. But whatever it was, it made him shudder.

Before he could say another word, I walked towards the cabin. Lulu was on her way up. For some reason, she gave me a sympathetic look. I guess she doesn't like Wakka much either.


(A/N: Wakka basically saw the deep-seated pain in Icewind's soul. His eyes are so expressive, his eyes literally ARE windows to his soul. You'd shudder too.)