A/N:

ross heuchan: Rikku gets a pokemon in this story. However, the one she gets is more related to her fear of lightning than anything else. And since she's afraid of lightning, why would she get an electric type (pichu)?

Mushroom Rock Road:

We arrived at a place called Mushroom Rock Road fairly quickly. Chocobos might not be able to fly, but they could cover ground.

&&&&&&&&&

The bitch (Excuse me, I mean Dona) was there, arguing with a guard. I swore softly, and Erastrani set down quietly. I whispered my thanks to her, and returned her. Everyone else was dismounting from their chocobos. The noise must have caught Dona's attention, because she turned, a nasty look appearing on her face when she saw me. We both glared daggers at each other for a moment, before she composed herself. "Oh, it's you. As you can see, not even summoners can pass. But they'll call on us in the end. Just wait and see. In the meantime, I think I'll have a nap. Oh, Barthello?"

I watched them walk away. Just before they were out of earshot, I yelled "Heel, boy!"

Dona gave me the finger, while the muscle bound brute just scratched his head.

Yuna gave me a look. "That wasn't very nice, you know."

I rubbed my head, then shrugged. "I learned manners from a Feraligatr. What can I say?"

Yuna turned away. Wakka elbowed me "You might want to lay off the rude stuff, you know?"

I said in a very controlled voice: "I'm restraining myself right now."

Wakka didn't get it for a moment, then threw his blitzball at me. I ducked, so he had to run and get it. Sucker.

Lulu must have seen that. I think I caught a suppressed smile, as she said "Boys, do I have to separate you two?"

I smirked softly. "Yes ma'am, please do. Before I'm tempted to do something REALLY stupid." When I said that, the wind shifted from the south to the north, and then blew hard. Chilly, that – not that I noticed, but everyone else shivered. Cut it out. You're going to screw this up, if you keep on making a game out of this.

"What's with this wind? It was the other direction a moment ago…"

Auron and Lulu gave me a look. I held up my hands. "Sorry. Suicune didn't appreciate the joke either."

Lulu seemed to be thinking something over. "Why didn't we hear her?"

I grinned. "Private comment. Wind can speak to everyone, or no one."

Auron sighed. "Leave the wise comments to me. You're horrible at them." I laughed, but it was more evil than humor filled. I've got a really nasty 'evil laugh' – it's a suitable name, though. It really does sound evil. Last time I used that… well, I think it was to scare Giovanni. It didn't work so well then, but it DID make him really pissed off…

Yuna came back from talking to the guard. "We can't get in."

I sighed quietly.

&&&&&&&&&&&

Seymour showed up later. That's what the blue haired VIP (Very Important Prick) was named, I guess. He stopped to pray with Yuna, then asked her something. He then talked with the guards, and they let us in.

I elbowed Wakka. "Looks like someone used their divine powers to get us in. Shame he had to hit on Yuna first."

I got a headlock for THAT comment. Yuna turned, then looked directly at Wakka. "Is something going on here?"

Wakka freed me, and waved her off.

Of course, I got his kidney (I didn't hit him too hard). While he was bent over, I whispered "Next time, look at his face when he's around Yuna. There's a light in it. Bare minimum, he's lusting after her. If you're a guardian, it's part of the job to make sure she doesn't get forced into something."

He didn't seem to like that comment either, but I was out of reach, and he couldn't move very fast. In comparison to me, anyway.

&&&&&&&&&&

The fiends here were ok, I guess. Everyone else was tired we reached the end of Mushroom Rock Road. I was kinda tired myself, but not much. Neither was Auron, but he'd done this before. I was amused by the elevator that was sitting in front of us – crude, but clearly a machine. I guess not everyone hated machines.

Tidus walked over, breathing heavily. "How… do you do that?"

I grinned faintly. "Trainers, after age ten, spend most their life on the road, until they settle down. I've been walking around for nine years, more or less."

He groaned, and went over to Yuna, who immediately dropped her staff. I just wish they'd become a couple already. As much as it hurt, it was annoying to see them doing that. Both became so jumpy when they were alone together.

"What are you looking at?" Auron, of course.

"Those two. I've been in the exact same position, and I just wish they'd just admit they have feelings for each other."

He snorted softly "You're really not from Spira."

I shrugged, and went back to studying the crude elevator. "Nope. Never said I was, and never will pretend that I am."

"Will you betray us?"

I shook my head. "I won't betray Yuna. I'd rather die than betray someone. Personal reason… but it's that strong. 'Sides, there's nothing back home for me anyway."

&&&&&&&&&&&

Seymour stood on a platform, and started giving a speech. "Brave Crusaders of Spira, protectors of all Spira. Believe in the path you have chosen…" Blah blah blah, do windbags EVER SHUT UP?

Wakka said "What's going on? Why's Maester Seymour backing the Crusaders, eh? They're using the Al Bhed's machina! They're violating the teachings!"

Suicune said to me (in her private mode) He needs to loosen up. He's using his faith to dictate his life… like he doesn't know what to do with himself. I nodded quietly, but didn't say anything. Frankly, I've never liked Wakka that much.

Yuna said to Wakka "Even going against the teachings they're willing to risk it for the greater good. Wakka, I think Maester Seymour sees that, too."

I remained silent. I actually thought he was after more power more than anything else, but I didn't know for sure.

Wakka turned to Lulu, trying to get support. "Lulu?"

Lulu looked thoughtful, then finally admitted, "Hmm... I can only speculate." What – Lulu, the great guide not sure?

Auron said "Ask him yourself." Seymour had shown up while we were talking, and turned to Auron. "Ah, Sir Auron. It is an honor. I would be most interested in hearing what you've been doing these past ten years."

Auron said shortly "I've got nothing to say about it.", and walked away. Seymour didn't seen to care, but Wakka looked shocked. Personally, I was laughing and cheering inside. Ass? Maybe. But what Auron just did was funny to me.

Seymour said to the empty air "I...see. Sir Auron must be a great asset as a guardian." He then looked over at me, and I glared at him, saying silently 'mess with me, and you're worse than a dead man.'

Yuna said in shock "Your Grace!"

Seymour smiled, and said "Please, there's no need for formalities." Gross… he's hitting on her again. I narrowed my eyes, glaring at him with a twisted / half mad look in my eyes (I've practiced looks before), and his smile faded.

Wakka cut in, saying / studdering "Excuse me... Maester Seymour? Why is your lordship...presently...present here...sir?"

Seymour's nostrils flared (I think he snorted quietly), and he said "Please, speak as you normally would."

Wakka said slowly, then with more confidence, "Uh. Isn't this operation again the teachings of Yevon? Aren't you gonna stop them?"

Seymour nodded his head. "It's true... I should. However... Both the Crusaders and the Al Bhed truly wish peace for Spira. This Operation Mi'ihen was born from that wish they share. Although it may be sacrilege to Yevon, their intentions are pure. And I, Seymour Guado-the person, not the maester of Yevon... As a denizen of Spira, I wish them well in their endeavor."

Wakka seemed confused. "But, using machina... That's bad, isn't it?"

I said softly to Wakka (so only he could hear me) "Uh, Wakka? You're wrong."

Seymour calmly stated "Pretend you didn't see them."

Wakka's eyes bugged out, like he'd been stabbed (though if it was me or Seymour that did that, I dunno). I resisted the urge to ask who'd slept with his sister. "Beg your pardon, but that's not something a maester should say!"

Seymour said again "Then, pretend I didn't say it."

Wakka looked shocked. "You're kidding!"

Yuna touched his arm, and then motioned slowly towards another area. She bowed respectfully towards Seymour, and walked away, leading Wakka. I remained for a moment, lost in my thoughts on WHY technology was so bad. I finally realized everyone moved on, and started to follow, except that Seymour caught my arm. "You are someone not from here, correct?"

The wind shifted, and blew hard into his face. Suicune didn't like him, obviously. I snorted. "That answer enough?"

"Control over the elements themselves… I see. Your fiends must not be from here either."

I hissed, and freed my arm. "The next person in power who calls them fiends gets to taste their combined power. I take you heard of what happens then?"

Seymour didn't seem worried (he really should be. If I do the same thing to Yevon as I did to the Rockets, he's first on my list), and replied "Oh yes. Marvelous work on that chocobo eater, I must say. Did you destroy the pyreflies too?"

My malevolent smirk must have answered him, because he didn't ask again, even when I jogged past. Tidus was waiting up for me.

&&&&&&&

"What did he want with you?"

I shrugged. "He wanted to know if I was from around here. Big surprise, I'm not."

Tidus shook his head. "Do you not like him too?"

I nodded. "Something's wrong about him. Call me crazy, but I'm usually right about that."

I'm with you, too. Something… bothers me about him.

I nodded. "Make that the two of us don't like him. Suicune doesn't like him either."

Tidus nodded, and ran off to catch up. He's faster than I am, so it took me longer to catch up with everyone else. I have endurance, though.

&&&&&&&&&&&

When I got there, Wakka was punching someone in the face. I'd never thought I'd see the day when he hit someone besides me. Of course, Tidus stopped him fast.

I just waited for a while, and followed everyone else towards the command center.

&&&&&&&&&

Wakka spotted a cannon, and went up to it. "Curse these...!" He kicked it, and started hopping around on one foot. I snorted, trying not to laugh. Dumbass.

"He really hates them, huh?"

Lulu explained it. "Chappu... he left the sword Wakka gave him in Besaid. And he fought with an Al Bhed machina weapon instead."

Wakka recovered. "That's got nothing to do with it! I just hate these sacrilegious contraptions!"

I sighed. "So you hate all machines?"

"You got it!"

I sighed, and said with a detached calm I wasn't feeling, "I'll be going now." I shook my head, and entered the command center. Wakka was looking at me strangely, I think. I never turned back to look at him.

&&&&&&&&&&

Wakka was looking at a Sinspawn that was caged. They'd followed me in after a moment. "It won't work anyway."

Yuna shook her head. "Don't say that. It might be a hopeless campaign, and it might mean defying Yevon... But the Crusaders and the Al Bhed-they're doing their best to defeat Sin. They want to rid Spira of Sin forever. And that's just what we want, too, isn't it? Isn't it?"

Wakka just replied "Hmph! All right, all right! But I still think machina are bad news. They're forbidden for a reason!"

I rolled my eyes. Just wait until one of my team saves his life, and I explain it that it's thanks to technology – machina - that I did that. "Wakka, shut up."

Lucil appeared, and spoke to Yuna. "Lady Summoner! There you are! The command center is that way. Maester Kinoc is also there."

"Maester Kinoc, too?"

Lucil nodded. "Yes. Please hurry, my lady."

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

Anyway, there were a few more conversations, mostly with Auron and another Maester. Don't ask me what they said, I was looking out to the sea while they were talking. I didn't want to know, and frankly… Seymour was bad enough. I didn't want to go into berserker mode on a Maester. But I did listen with one ear for anything important.

Yuna seemed nervous as a quiet fell. "I kinda...think we don't belong here."

I nodded, then walked outside. I could hear the guard telling everyone else to check their equipment, but I didn't have anything. I told everyone to hang onto the stuff we found. All I had were my pokeballs, clothing, the various potions and revives I had already, and the weird sword. That's all I needed.

&&&&&&&&&&

Murphy found us before Sin. Or Murphy's law, whichever. A Sinspawn broke out, and attacked us. Everyone (even Yuna) kept an eye on me, worried that I'd go berserk again. I shook my head, and dove into the fray, sword drawn.

&&&&&&&&

I parried a blow, struck back with a vicious counter-attack, and jumped away. Yuna was standing back (healing us), and spared me a glance. "Icewind, could we get some help?" I shook my head, and flicked it towards the Maesters. Both were watching me, and the looks on their faces said it all. Her face fell, but she seemed to understand. She summoned an Aeon (the bird again), and it fought the Sinspawn to a standstill. It finished off the Sinspawn with a beam of energy (it looked like a small Hyper Beam to me).

When the damn thing was finally dead, Sin showed up. I'd like to say I can describe its full body, but I can't. It kind of reminded me of what Kyogre was supposed to look like (I'd seen a few images of it before), but it didn't look like it at the same time… not with all those eyes, and weird fins. Not to mention the coloring was nothing like Kyogre's.

Well, the operation was a bust. The cannons didn't do shit, and the chocobo knights were cut down by Sin's force field. An Al Bhed airship tried to fry Sin (and it looked like it was working for a while), but that failed too. The force field that Sin used to knock out the chocobo knights nailed about half of us. I lucked out (I didn't pass out), but got the sense knocked out of me by shrapnel.

I remember Yuna, Seymour, and Auron fighting another Sinspawn. The next thing I remember is Yuna screaming for everyone to stand back so she can summon, while Sin retreated. Seymour talked her out of it. By this time, my sense was returning, and I could tell he had an eye on me. When Yuna finally gave up, she looked at me too.

I shook off my confusion, and gauged the distance. I shook my head bitterly when I realized Sin was gone.

"Not even the ones that can fly?" Her voice was pleading.

I shook my head sadly. "Sorry Yuna. That… blast to my head took too long to recover from. Sin's out of range. Even if Suicune and Erastrani go after it… they couldn't do enough. All they'd do is damage its skin, maybe wound it… but not severely. Their attacks multiply if they attack together, two isn't enough."

Seymour was disappointed, but he hid it well. But I had a feeling he wanted something more than Yuna now. To be specific, he wanted the six orbs hanging on my belt. Their contents, anyway. But people assumed the balls were for decoration… so they were safe, so long as I never used a pokeball near a Yevonite.

Crap. Everyone here is a Yevonite, except for the Al Bhed. I'm liking them more and more every day. Even if they did try to kidnap Yuna. Key word: TRY. But not everyone in a race is the same, right? I mean, they just got slaughtered trying to take out Sin…

Deep in my own thoughts, I walked away. Yuna and Auron followed, leaving Seymour behind.

&&&&&&&&&

"Icewind! Wait!" Yuna caught up as I was down on the beach, looking for survivors. I turned, looking at her. "Why… are you so afraid of the Maesters?"

I sighed. "Look, I've dealt with crime lords. I know how they react when they see something new. Like, for example… a new weapon? Well… the look on those two when they thought I was going to use my pokemon… it was the same – greed, and anticipation. Sorry Yuna. They're power hungry, those two. I've seen it enough to know on sight."

She looked at Auron for support, but he actually supported me for once. "Yuna, not everything is as it appears to be." I guess that was support. Damn that wise-man act.

Tidus came from the ocean a bit after that. I guess he'd gone after Sin, trying to get even too. A lot of people here have berserker issues, I guess. So I'm not the only one, I'm just the most dramatic. Yuna ran past me, straight towards Tidus. I turned to Auron, and rolled my eyes. For once, I thought I saw a smile.

But my shoulders were still hung low, and not because of the weight of my backpack (I'd long since adjusted to that thing). So much death…

&&&&&&&&&&&

"You do not look so well. But now more than ever, you must be the people's strength, their confidence. Anyone else would be expected to show their sorrow. But you...are a summoner. You are Spira's hope. Until Sin is defeated, you must not relent. Do you understand?" If you can't tell, that's Seymour. I'm really starting to hate him. He's like a lecher that no girl would slap. And the hate wasn't envy, either. I was starting to take to Yuna… she grew on you, after a while. It wasn't love – Tidus and her were already together… sort of. More like she was an adopted sister. That, and I didn't like seeing her crying.

Yuna nodded, then bowed, brushing her tears away. "Yes. I understand."

"Are you afraid? Yuna, take me as your pillar of strength. As Yunalesca had her lord Zaon. Lady Yuna. Until next we meet, farewell."

The look on Yuna's face… well, I guess she realized that he was hitting on her. I was glaring at him as he left, until Yuna waved her hand in front of my face. "You know, I think you might be jealous…" She smiled at me, apparently joking.

I shook my head morosely. "You saw what happened to my last love. Since she died, I haven't been attracted to anyone else. Not even you, no offense intended. But I could tell you that someone else was jealous…"

She looked curiously at me, distracted by my last statement. "Who?"

I smiled softly, and looked off into the distance. It worked, because she completely forgot about what I'd said. "Stop acting like Auron! Tell me!" Her tone was a bit girlish…

Actually, I had caught the look on Tidus's face when he heard Seymour. He looked disgusted… and I caught the flash of jealousy. "You'll understand. I'd know, I went through the same trouble."

She looked confused, until I whispered three words. Then she blushed crimson. I turned my head, trying not to embarrass her any further. She is the one I was sent to protect, after all.

Do you think there's a way to defeat Sin?

I walked away from everyone, but was still within sight. We weren't going far tonight, anyway. "I don't know, Suicune. They said the Final Aeon is supposed to be able to destroy Sin… for a while. And then it comes back. Again, and again."

So it doesn't work. "Kinda. They just need to tinker with the design. If the Final Aeon doesn't work, then maybe it's the way they're going at it. Something must be right, because they DO kill Sin for a time. But they're off, since it comes back every time." Could we? I shook my head, sighing."I don't know, Suicune. Maybe a Big Bang would do damage to it, but to kill the thing… we'd need a few more legendaries. Mewtwo and Mew, for starters…" I don't think so, but you have a point. Despite the fact that we're master rank pokemon, and I'm powerful, even for a legendary… Sin's too much for us in out current state. She remembered when we'd just fought the fin, apparently. But even Master rank pokemon can get stronger… maybe that's all we needed. After all, Sin might not be able to laugh off a collection of high-powered attacks. Nothing's invulnerable.

"Who're you talking to?" It looked like a Crusader had heard part of that. I just smiled, and walked away. He muttered something about a 'crazy guardian', and walked off.

&&&&&&&&&&

We spend the night near Mushroom Rock. This time, I sat by the fire. I didn't feel comfortable there, but I don't feel comfy in any situation involving other people.

"So why did you stay away from the fire last time?"

I snorted. "Cold doesn't bug me. I've spent…" I looked at Suicune, and she shrugged. "Months, I guess, on a cold mountaintop. At the equivalent of the mountain peek that's between here and Zanarkand. That place is eerie…" That killed the chatter quickly. I glanced around, wondering "what I say?"

"You were at Zanarkand? Why?"

I shrugged. "It's where I woke up. Suicune ran me over to Besaid. What's the big deal?"

Lulu seemed to be thinking something over. "How long did it take you?"

"Forget that, what did Zanarkand look like?"

I didn't answer Tidus. He'd been talking about HIS Zanarkand for a while, and I didn't want to crush his dreams. Instead, I answered Lulu. "Two, maybe three days. I napped on her back while we ran, and we only took a few rest stops. We both lost track of time, and it doesn't really matter. And I'm not saying, Tidus. You'll find out yourself."

Lulu seemed to be impressed, as did Auron. "She runs fast, then."

"Aww…"

I nodded, ignoring Tidus. "She can only carry me and maybe someone else who's light, though. So don't get your hopes up." I yawned, and stretched myself out on my camp bed. Somehow, that had come with me. It wasn't in the best of shape (nothing of mine was), but it WAS comfy. The others seemed to be worried about Balrog, but I didn't see that.

Yuna said softly, "Icewind… that song… what's it called?"

The Symphony of Sadness. It's actually without words, Icewind added them all on his own. And it's a very powerful song. It has the power to make most anything weep.

"Oh…"

It also happens to be his soulsong… so that it affected everyone so strongly is no surprise.

I gave Suicune an arched eyebrow. "That's news to me. What the hell is that, like a theme song?"

Basically, yes. Now go to sleep, and let everyone out before you do that.

I nodded, and followed her orders.

(From the eyes of Suicune)

I watched as a few of the group gave worried looks at Balrog. I suspect that they were afraid of him. He did have a skull on him, after all. But all Houndoom do.

Balrog truly means no harm to you. He might be of the type dark, but that doesn't make him a monster. A few flinched from my wind-speaking, but I can only use the north wind to speak. Even if it is cold, isn't it worth the price for understanding? The one called Auron said something that apparently reassured them, and most of them went to sleep. He gazed at me for a long while before he too fell into slumber.

As for myself, I waited for Balrog to wake before I slept. I heard his quiet growl after about an hour, and I too began to sleep. I might be a legendary pokemon, but I still needed sleep. Or a pure water source. Both recharged and healed me.